News: What's stopping you?

Local employers will be on hand at an event in Rotherham next week to help breakdown some of the barriers stopping people moving into employment.

"What's stopping you?" has been organised by Templeborough-based social interest company, Business & Education South Yorkshire, in conjunction with South Yorkshire Police. It takes place on May 13 at the Lifewise Centre in Hellaby.

The centre is an interactive learning centre for South Yorkshire communities, developed by South Yorkshire Police and South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue. Featuring a purpose-built set, it is used to educate visitors about safety and citizenship with the ultimate aim of reducing crime and improving quality of life.

A mixture of local employers from the public and private sector including South Yorkshire Police, NHS, Kier, Prospects and the Job Centre will be on hand to give advice on how they recruit and the skills that they look for.

Local entrepreneurs will be talking to attendees about how they started their business and experts will give tips on confidence and motivation techniques plus advice on positive life choices.

Kate Robinson, project officer for South Yorkshire Police said: "This event has been developed with Business & Education South Yorkshire to provide advice and guidance to people who are seeking work.

"We want to help people breakdown those barriers that might be stopping them getting a job such as lack of motivation, no transport, previous criminal convictions, lack of skills or apprehension about interviews. We want people to drop in at time that suits them between 10am and 4pm."

What's stopping you? website

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News: Rotherham rewarded for high street innovation

Rotherham town centre has been recognised for the innovative ways in which the high street has been revitalised and has secured further funding from the government to continue the good work.

Seven towns will receive a share of the £1m High Street Renewal Award and the £268,000 secured for Rotherham is the largest amount awarded to any town. It will be used to deliver more retail-related business support projects.

A strong proposal was submitted focussing on Rotherham's improved shopping offer, increased footfall and reduced vacancy rate and the bid highlighted the various projects underway including the Business Vitality Grants, Shop Local initiative and the new Pop-up Shop concept.

The business vitality scheme aimed at encouraging new independent retailers to open up outlets in Rotherham town centre has been running since 2008. The scheme has provided discretionary financial assistance in the form of rental contributions, business planning, business advice, and contributions to shop front grants, fit out costs and street furniture. So far 17 grant awards have been made with a further four made through the Street Cafe Grant scheme. Funding has also been made available to help with the fit out costs of High Street retailers and franchises such a Greenwoods and Kebabish Original.

After being named as one of only 27 "Portas pilots" last year by the government, a further £200,000 pot has been made available to support current retailers with grants of up to £7,500 to help them undertake significant business development projects and for training and marketing activity.

Also part of the project, Vintage Dolls became the first pop-up shop in the town offering vintage clothing and furniture after being initially offered a three month licence for a unit in the Imperial Buildings with the option to occupy the shop for up to one year if successful.

Paul Woodcock, director of Planning, Regeneration and Culture at Rotherham Council, said: "This award has come about from the great strides we've made in Rotherham recently and improvements to footfall, new shops and other initiatives as well as listening to what people want to see in a vibrant town centre.

"Over 170 retailers have benefited from work during the last six months and this award is recognition of their commitment and their passion to Rotherham as a place to grow a new business."

Plans for the latest pot of funding include the development of more pop up shops (a minimum of three) and a shared managed retail space that would allow businesses to make and sell their own items.

£18,000 of the money is to be used for disseminating and showcasing best practice. Best practice has been shared with other local authorities by supplying information and visits to Rotherham. This will continue as part of projecting the success of Rotherham as the template for other authorities.

Leader of the Council, Cllr Roger Stone, said: "It seems that hardly a week goes by without some local or national recognition of the strong work that is taking place to show that Rotherham is a town that is serious about business, economic support and recovery.

"This award provides much needed funding but it is not to be taken in isolation.

"It is good practice building on past achievements to make sure that traders in our town get a flying start to developing new and exciting businesses.

"Quite simply Rotherham is becoming the byword for innovation and commitment to town centre development. That doesn't happen by accident. It takes ideas, hard work and a positive can-do attitude that runs through everything we believe in.

"We want other people to come and see how we are bucking the trend and we want to continue not just with the green shoots of recovery but with making Rotherham the place for business development."

Local Growth Minister, MP Mark Prisk, who is pictured on a recent visit to Rotherham to see for himself the local achievements, said: "The High Street Renewal Award has encouraged towns to 'up their game' and put their best ideas to work in order to save their high streets.

"We were delighted to see the high level of applications from all over the country. Rotherham was one of the many towns that came forward, and it is a shinning example of what can be achieved.

"I would like to congratulate Rotherham for the innovative and interesting ways in which it has given its high street a new lease of life.

"It is in everyone's interests to see our town centres thrive, and I want people across the country to take inspiration from Rotherham and look at what can be done when communities work together."

The projects in Rotherham have been based on a detailed understanding of who their existing and potential customers are and what they wanted from the town centre. Helping to create a different offer and encourage new independent stores to open up has helped footfall to increase by 8% in 2012. Consumer satisfaction with the shops rose from 42 to 92% in 2012 (compared to 2009).

Rotherham town centre website

Images: RMBC

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News: Industry leaders promote Sheffield city region in Texas

The Sheffield City Region (SCR) inward investment team, in partnership with leading businesses in the region is attending the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston, Texas.

Taking place on May 6 - 9, the OTC is the world's foremost event for the development of offshore resources in the fields of drilling, exploration, production, and environmental protection. It typically attracts more than 80,000 attendees from over 110 countries servicing and supplying the energy industry.

Tata Steel, TWI, X-Cel Superturn and SCR inward investment will host a "Spotlight on Sheffield City Region" event, to be opened by the British Consul General, Andrew Millar.

Ellen Cutler, director of inward investment for the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), said: "Sheffield City region has a compelling inward investment offer because our business approach is tied to the region's sophisticated supply chains, exceptional manufacturing base and unique collaborative culture.

"I feel privileged to have the support from our industry and I look forward to working with all of the other City Region companies also attending the event."

Mark Broxholme, managing director of Speciality Steels at Tata, added: "Tata Steel is an international company and can choose where it invests, Sheffield City Region is a great place to be.

"The skills base and the platform this gives us for global business means we have invested over £35m in the last three years.

"We have a strong commitment to the local business community and support the LEP to raise the profile of investment opportunities."

OTC will provide the ideal platform for the US launch of SCR's Enterprise Zone and promote the wider capabilities of the region's advanced materials and manufacturing supply chain.

SCR inward investment team website

Images: OTC / Facebook

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News: New commercial appointment at Oxley & Coward

Abigail Watson has joined Oxley & Coward as the Rotherham solicitors' new company commercial solicitor, taking over from Rebecca Stopford in April.

An already impressive career has seen Abigail work at City firm DLA Piper for several years, where she specialised in non contentious company and commercial law matters prior to joining Oxley & Coward and has considerable experience of working on business asset and share sale and purchases and other business transactions common to the practice of commercial law.


"It's an exciting time to be joining Oxley and Coward and I am really looking forward to the challenge," said Abby (pictured) when commenting on her appointment. "The firm obviously has a very long history, but there is a very forward looking attitude here too which businesses can relate to and I'm looking forward to meeting the local business community and playing my part in continuing to deliver the high standards of service they have come to expect from us."

Peter Hedley, practice manager at Oxley & Coward, said: "We are delighted to be able to welcome Abigail to the team. The role of company commercial solicitor is a key one for the practice and Abby's City experience is going to be a big advantage for us and our clients."

Abigail will be able to advise Oxley & Coward clients on a wide variety of commercial law matters, including business acquisitions, company formations, reorganisations and restructuring, together with joint ventures, partnership agreements, shareholder agreements and commercial contracts where Abigail's experience will prove invaluable.

"Oxley & Coward always recruit the very best people the profession has to offer and securing the talents of a solicitor of Abby's calibre is always pleasing," added Peter. "The clients we currently serve have come to rely on our professional and experienced service and Abigail's appointment demonstrates in a way no one can miss that our ambitions for the practice and our clients remain as high as ever."

Abigail will get the chance to meet with members of the local business community as Oxley & Coward host its next Business Breakfast networking event on May 16.

Oxley & Coward website

Images: Oxley & Coward

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News: Export Week targets high growth markets

Enterprising small businesses looking to grow through increased exports are being given the opportunity to gain unique and informed advice on how to go about doing business almost anywhere in the world at a series of events later this month.

UK Trade & Investment's (UKTI's) Export Week (May 13 - 17) is a week of seminars and workshops, and this year it will focus on high-growth markets.

Export Week is a major component of the National Challenge, a major initiative to boost the number of SMEs. It is part of a concerted campaign led by Lord Green to increase the number of British companies that export, from current levels of around 20% to 25% or more. By increasing the number of companies that export by roughly a quarter, about £36 billion could be added to the UK economy.

The global economic centre of gravity has shifted towards high-growth markets such as Brazil, Russia, India and China, and others such as Colombia, Indonesia, and Qatar. Increasing numbers of UK companies are prospering by exporting to these markets.

In Yorkshire and the Humber, businesses can benefit from a mix of events in different towns and cities, delivered by UKTI's specialist advisers. Topics include construction and rail opportunities, oil and gas opportunities and transport and logistics plus specific seminars focusing on doing business in particular countries.

The Advanced Manufacturing Park in Rotherham is playing host to two events on Wednesday May 15 – ICT Opportunities in High Growth Markets and Breaking into Brazil. Local language and culture experts Talking Heads will also be on hand to discuss whether or not translation is even necessary for every country – with detailed information about each high growth country, and information on whether exporters need to use the local language or can stick with English.

Mark Robson, regional director for Yorkshire and the Humber at UKTI, said: "There is a wealth of opportunities in high-growth markets such as Brazil, Russia, India and China, and others such as Colombia, Indonesia and Qatar.

"Increasing numbers of UK companies are prospering by exporting to these markets, but we know that many businesses would benefit from expert advice and support to help them make the first move. The programme of events we have organised during High Growth Markets Week is designed to help local businesses tap into the opportunities that are out there and get on the fast track to success."

Export Week website

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