rotherham business news

News: Rotherham development site brought to market

2026-09-18T09:03:09.956+01:00

Keyland Developments has launched to market a site in Rotherham with planning consent in place for 333,000 sq ft of employment space.

Rothbiz reported in 2024 on the sister-company of Yorkshire Water securing outline planning permission for the transformation of a plot of unused land at Aldwarke into a new industrial park, which they say would be big enough to create over 800 new jobs.

Proposals are for B2/B8 industrial and distribution accommodation over 15 units ranging from 4,000 to 75,000 sq ft. The new development has an estimated GVA of £28m.

Close to the site of the proposed new mainline station at Parkgate, the 24.4 acre site opposite to the steelworks on Aldwarke Lane is partially developed and is currently occupied by engineered earth mounds and hard standing areas - previously used for drying sewage sludge. It sits next to the Waste Water Treatment Works and River Don.

Joe Boothman, Land & Development Manager at Keyland Developments, said: "Having secured outline planning consent with our proposals for a scheme that exceeds current policy requirements for biodiversity net gain, we are looking forward to securing a purchaser with an aligning commitment to sustainable development in order to revitalise the land.

"The new development will have a positive economic impact with significant job creation and the ability to support growing local businesses with new space requirements, as well as attracting those looking to relocate and bring new investment into the area."

Advertisement
Dan Walker, Director at GV & Co, added: "The small to mid-size industrial market in South Yorkshire is presently strong with good demand from occupiers seeking space under 100,000 sq ft. This site with its frontage to Aldwarke Lane and proximity to the motorway network and Rotherham Town Centre presents an excellent opportunity for a new industrial/logistics and warehousing development to capitalise on demand."

The land was opencast until 1983, with underground workings ending in 1957 and was allocated for employment use in Rotherham's local plan.

An indicative proposed masterplan shows units ranging from 4,000 sq ft to 75,000 sq ft and designs show a 30% split for B2 and 70% for B8.

The plans, drawn up by Sheppard Planning and KPP Architects, stated that, when fully operational, the development could generate between 402 jobs and 859 jobs.

The site may be included in the emerging plans for the Don Valley Corridor, which stretches from Sheffield City Centre through the Lower Don Valley to the steelworks site at Aldwarke.

Keyland Developments website

Images: Keyland Developments

News: McLaren Automotive to invest £42m at Rotherham site

2026-09-17T09:56:31.201+01:00

McLaren Automotive is set to expand its base in Rotherham as part a £500m investment programme to expand its UK manufacturing, engineering and operations, enabling it to accelerate the development of its next generation of models.

It follows on from a £21.3m expansion project at Rolls-Royce's Advanced Blade Casting Facility (ABCF) nearby.

Opened in 2018 on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham, the McLaren Composites Technology Centre (MCTC) has established itself as a world-leader in lightweight carbon fibre construction for the automotive industry.

That initial £50m investment, backed by £12m from South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA), is now set to be followed up by a £42m investment to go towards expanding the centre to expand McLaren's capabilities further for in-house production of lightweight chassis structures and advanced composite components.

60 people where employed in the first years of operation which was expected to rise to over 200 when in full production mode.

It is now expected that the workforce would triple by 2034.

McLaren said that the programme will create at least 1,000 new direct and indirect jobs across McLaren's UK operations by 2032, while safeguarding existing roles. McLaren Automotive’s manufacturing workforce is set to double in the UK, supported by new apprenticeships to develop the next generation of talent.

The investment forms part of a larger commitment from McLaren Automotive shareholder L’IMAD, a sovereign investor of the Government of Abu Dhabi, and reinforces McLaren’s commitment to Britain.

The investment will enable McLaren Automotive to expand its production capability, increasing vehicle output to ensure the next generation of McLaren Automotive cars are built in Britain including a newly confirmed performance SUV. This will be made possible by a new vehicle assembly facility planned in the UK.

Advertisement
For the first time in its history, McLaren Automotive’s future powertrains will be designed and built in-house, starting with two new engines and transmissions.

Jassem Al Zaabi, Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer of L’IMAD, said: “Over the past 20 months, L’IMAD has worked closely with McLaren Automotive’s management team, supporting the business in sharpening its strategic direction and positioning itself for long-term growth. This investment reflects our confidence in its potential and our commitment to backing the business through its next chapter, building on the heritage, engineering excellence, and distinctive brand that has defined McLaren for more than six decades."

Nick Collins, Chief Executive Officer of McLaren Group Holdings and McLaren Automotive said: “This investment gives us the platform to grow, develop and build on what makes us distinctive, while investing in the people, technologies and products that will keep us competitive for decades to come."

Andy Burnham, UK Prime Minister said: “McLaren Automotive is doubling down on Britain, keeping the design, the engineering and the building of every future car here, and taking on a thousand more people to do it. Their investment will create high-quality apprenticeships, jobs and drive growth far beyond their factory gates. It is how you get skilled work, decent wages and pride back into a place. It’s this kind of partnership between government and business that will help us reindustrialise communities and make every part of Britain better off. I want young people to see that and know there is a future for them in making things, wherever they grew up."

South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard called the investment "a huge vote of confidence in the people, skills and economy of South Yorkshire." He added: Companies like McLaren are not short of options when they consider where to spend their money. Which region in the world wouldn’t want to host a company like that? They chose South Yorkshire.

"That isn’t an accident. It reflects the strength of our workforce, our universities and colleges, our supply chain and the partnerships bringing them together.

"It also comes at an important moment for the UK. Reindustrialisation needs places with the capability and ambition to build the technologies of the future. South Yorkshire is demonstrating what that future can look like."

Rothbiz reported last month on McLaren's plans for a temporary storage area that would provide the current 75,000 sq ft purpose built unit with an extra 7,265sq ft in order to create additional operational capacity "to address an immediate operational need arising from existing activities whilst allowing sufficient time for the design, funding, and delivery of a permanent building solution within the locality as part of the wider / longer term site operations strategy."

In March the master developer for the AMP, Harworth, sold the McLaren unit that it built for the supercar manufacturer.

Harworth recently confirmed that it had agreed a straight 15-year lease on a 180,000 sq ft advanced manufacturing facility for an existing occupier at the AMP.

McLaren website

Images: McLaren

News: New study reveals Rotherham's lack of jobs for young people

2026-09-16T10:54:29.944+01:00

A stark new Local Youth Opportunity Index from IPPR reveals a six-fold divide in the availability of suitable jobs for young people depending on where they live.

Young people in Rotherham have just 46 vacancies for every 1,000 young adults, compared with 288 in the Cotswolds.

The issue of NEETs, an acronym for "Not in Education, Employment, or Training", has long been on the agenda in places like South Yorkshire.

IPPR is an independent charity working towards a fairer, greener, and more prosperous society. Its latest analysis measures the number of suitable online vacancies relative to the number of 18 to 24-year olds in a local labour market and finds that there is around one suitable vacancy for every 22 young people in places like Rotherham, compared with one for every four young people in the Cotswolds.

Allthough it should be said that the link between Sheffield and Rotherham operating as one economy will mean that “suitable” vacancies looked at in the study ("occupations likely to offer entry-level opportunities, based on relatively low entry and experience requirements") outside of the borough will be accessible to Rotherham residents. For example, at Meadowhall. Sheffield still only ranked as tenth in the analysis with 60 suitable vacancies per 1,000.

National statistics centre on participation in education, training and NEET, age 16 to 17. The figure in Rotherham has been rising since 2019, when it stood at 195. It had hit 313 by 2023 before reducing to 289 in 2025.

The 2026 figure for NEETs aged 16 to 17 in Rotherham is the highest since 2019 at 342. At 5% of the 16 to 17 population, it marks a significantly poorer performance than comparator areas.

The charity says that the findings underline that becoming NEET is not simply a question of an individual's qualifications or willingness to look for work with young people facing an unemployment rate more than three times that of the wider workforce.

The authors warn the government that the employment-support system is failing to reach a large part of the population it is supposed to help. Jobcentre Plus is principally organised around people receiving Universal Credit, yet around half of young people who are NEET do not receive it. For those that do claim, the system remains too focused on compliance and work-search requirements.

A drop in the number of apprenticeships is also highlighted as having an impact on NEET figures.

Lord David Blunkett, former secretary of state for education and employment, said: "Young people have an immense amount to give. With national ambition, local leadership and the willingness to invest, we can ensure that birthplace does not determine a young person's future. We can renew the promise that should lie at the heart of any decent society: that no young person will be discarded, that the door to opportunity will remain open, and that everyone will have the chance to build a life of purpose."

Lord Jim Knight, former minister for employment and minister for schools, added: “IPPR's report dispels the myth that nearly a million young people are out of work because they lack aspiration. Young people in Rotherham are not six times less talented than those in the Cotswolds; they face six times fewer suitable vacancies."

Advertisement
Rotherham's Employment and Skills Strategy 2026-2031 has a target for partners to reduce the number of 16–18-year-old and 18–24-year-old residents categorised as NEET and an action to create a "Joined Up and Tailored Provision for 16–24-year-olds."

Another action is for partners to develop targeted, person-centred interventions for young people at risk of becoming NEET. This includes "triaging and guidance; engaging schools, employers and parents/guardians; addressing barriers to work through 1-1 coaching and personalised support; and matching young people to opportunities for work and training."

Support focused on young people who are struggling in the labour market includes the council-funded Ambition project which supports young people to access employment, education or training, with half of these participants moving into the labour market.

The pioneering South Yorkshire approach of the Pathways to Work service works specifically with young people and through the Employment Solutions team in Rotherham, the Wage Subsidy Scheme supports employers to recruit young people with a paid job role for up to three months that is intended to lead to sustainable employment.

Another example is the traineeship programme linked to the Children’s Capital of Culture and Work Ready Placement Programmes specifically designed for NEETS.

Coordinated and accessible careers education in the borough is also highlighted as having an impact as pupils encountering employers are less likely to become NEET when they leave school.

National programmes include a Jobs Guarantee scheme and the Youth Jobs Grant and this week it was announced that a new scheme to offer 18-24-year-olds work experience is being developed with Britain’s biggest retailers. Young Futures Hubs and Youth Hubs are also being rolled out across the country but funding is yet to reach Rotherham.

Whilst Rotherham has seen large increases in productivity, and support may be there for young people, it is the lack of jobs that the analysis highlights.

The Rotherham Together Partnership has placed the economy at the forefront of its latest long term plan. It picks out that unlocking the full potential of Rotherham Gateway is a gamechanger, along with thriving town centres and growing a fair and thriving economy.

In addition, Rotherham is a key part of the Don Valley Corridor programme that has been given prominence as a growth area for South Yorkshire.

Henry Parkes, principal economist at IPPR, said: “Too much of the debate about youth unemployment starts from the assumption that the problem lies with the young person. Our local data shows just how wrong that is. There is a more than six-fold gap in the availability of suitable vacancies depending on where you live.

“You cannot solve a shortage of opportunity simply by asking young people to search harder. We need to create the first rung of the employment ladder in places where it is missing – and rebuild apprenticeships so that every sector is playing its part in giving the next generation a route into good work.”

IPPR website

Images: Pexels / This Is Engineering

News: Speciality Steel UK nationalisation - what happens now?

2026-09-15T09:44:35.813+01:00

The Government's work towards the public acquisition of Speciality Steel UK (SSUK) is expected to take between four and six months, but Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds wants it to be resolved as quickly as possible.

The Government took the step as it found that the private sector proposal from the preferred bidder "could not provide the long-term stability, certainty and value for money that workers, communities and taxpayers deserve."

Reynolds told the House of Commons: "That bidder subsequently requested Government support to make its purchase of Speciality Steel UK possible. However, following extensive engagement between the bidder and its advisers, and having done all the due diligence and given the case the consideration that taxpayers would expect, the Government have decided that they cannot provide support on the proposed terms."

He added that the Government had "serious concerns about the proposed financing of it."

The company’s sites support over 1,300 jobs in Rotherham, Stocksbridge, Brinsworth and Wednesbury.

The public acquisition move means that a liquidation process has been postponed, giving the state a strategic control over the future of a business that it believes has a unique place in the UK’s steel ecosystem due to its specialist steelmaking capabilities.

The government will work with local leaders, industry experts, private investors, workers and other partners to consider what is best for the strategically important locations. Taking between four and six months, the work will look at "future industrial use, regeneration opportunities and the role that specialist manufacturing capabilities could play in supporting growth and our national resilience."

Advertisement
The future of speciality steel production will be high on the agenda and the assessment will include the consideration of products, customers and markets if the business is to be run profitably.

The Business Secretary explained: "The work we can now do will have to look at the capacities, the potential for new investment that might be required, the product lines, where the customers are and so forth.

"The key issue — I am not sure if this has ever been put on the record in Hansard before — is homologation. That is the assets of these sites and the accreditations they have for such a speciality set of products. Those assets are incredibly valuable. Not many parts of the world can produce to the standard that we are talking about. We now have a process — I want that to be as short as possible — where we can assess that."

Reynolds also discussed the potential costs involved - from running the business in public ownership, and from the remediation and regeneration of the sites. He said: "If this were a matter of public ownership, we would have to pay off the creditors, reach an accommodation with them, acquire the assets, and then inject some working capital over a period of between one and three years. I would expect the cost of that to be about £350 million, and I would expect something comparable were the option to be regeneration and remediation."

The government already has the powers following its previous work on British Steel in Scunthorpe. The Steel Industry (Nationalisation) Act 2026 gives the government powers to bring critical steel manufacturing companies into public ownership when it is in the public interest.

Labour’s 2024 election manifesto pledged £2.5 billion to rebuild and modernise the UK steel industry, a commitment now being channelled through the National Wealth Fund. This is on top of £500m that was granted to Tata in Port Talbot under the previous Government.

The Business Secretary was also critical of the way the business was run as Liberty Steel. He told the house that the business only produced when the customer effectively supplied working capital. Reynolds called this "a highly irregular position, but one reflective of the opaque and byzantine financing arrangements under the previous owners. I believe the opportunity exists to operate a successful business in this space. There is nothing ideological about this; my ideal is for the business to be run in the private sector."

Many of the workers at SSUK have been furloughed and the plants have not been operating for several years.

Reynolds concluded: "I want to speak directly to the workers of Speciality Steel UK, who have been stuck on furlough, unable to do the jobs of which they are so rightly proud, through no fault of their own. I know that they feel ignored and let down by previous Governments, but as Business Secretary, I will not duck these difficult decisions, and neither will this Government. I will do all that I can to secure a bright future for you, your communities and your families."

Following the announcement, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said that the government needs "to get on and nationalise the company.”

Images: SSUK

News: Rotherham reacts to Government's plan to nationalise steel firm

2026-09-15T09:09:37.911+01:00

The Government's plan to work towards the public acquisition of Speciality Steel UK (SSUK) has been welcomed in South Yorkshire.

Chancellor of the Exchequer and Rawmarsh and Conisbrough MP, John Healey, said: "UK steel is vital for our economy and security. We produce some of the best steel in the world in South Yorkshire and it supports thousands of good jobs. Since the 2013 national steel summit in Rotherham, as a local MP, I’ve worked with steel company directors, trade union leaders and MPs of all parties to level the playing field for UK still firms.

"The company’s sites support over 1,300 jobs in Rotherham, Stocksbridge, Brinsworth and Wednesbury and have a proud steelmaking history, including the use of electric arc furnace technology. The sites could play a vital in role supporting the Government’s modern Industrial Strategy, having produced specialist steel for sectors, including aerospace, defence and advanced manufacturing.

"The Government’s work towards the public acquisition of SSUK will include considering a sustainable long-term future for SSUK as a speciality steelmaker, as well as opportunities for regeneration.

"The Government is delivering the UK’s first ever Steel Strategy, setting out a long-term plan to rebuild the sector, attract investment and position the UK as a world leader in clean, modern steel production.

"This includes taking bold action across the business environment: tackling electricity prices and carbon leakage, increasing the use of UK-made steel in government-supported offshore wind projects, and making it easier for firms to invest and grow in future-facing, decarbonised technologies.

"The Government is backing the transformation of the sector with up to £2.5 billion of support, alongside reforms to improve competitiveness, drive demand for UK-made steel and support decarbonisation."

Advertisement
Sarah Champion, MP for Rotherham, said: "It is of course deeply disappointing that Speciality Steel UK remains in administration. I thank the Government for seeing the potential in this key industry. However, Rotherham steel workers deserve clarity about what the future holds and are, I know, keen to return to work as soon as possible.’

"The cycle of failed ownership has held Specialty Steel back for far too long. I’m relieved the Secretary of State recognises this is a business with huge potential as a world leader in specialist steel products, with a strong track record and a skilled, experienced workforce.

"I welcome the Government’s announcement that it will work with the Official Receiver, myself, local leaders and the South Yorkshire Mayor towards public acquisition, while assessing all options for the company’s future.

"Whatever ownership model is ultimately decided, Speciality Steel needs leadership with the vision and commitment necessary to enable the business to fulfil its potential.

“The Labour Government has demonstrated its commitment to the UK steel industry since its very first days in office. From its resolute action to safeguard raw steel production in Scunthorpe, to its landmark Steel Strategy, which sets out unprecedented backing for the industry, Labour has shown time and time again that it is on the side of British steel businesses.

"I am proud to see that same commitment and focus given to safeguarding Speciality Steels UK, to protecting jobs in Rotherham and to continuing our long history of steel manufacture into a prosperous, successful future."

"I will be following discussions closely and will always speak up for Rotherham steel workers."

Cllr Chris Read, Leader of Rotherham Council, said: “The Government’s intention to intervene, developing a plan to bring South Yorkshire’s steel sites into public ownership reflects the seriousness with which the government is taking the task of ensuring Rotherham steel production has a bright future.

“Workers in Rotherham and across South Yorkshire have shown remarkable resilience through a prolonged period of uncertainty. They deserve a sustainable plan that gives them confidence in the future, protects our industrial heritage and preserves the sovereign capabilities that are so important to the UK economy. That is the case that our South Yorkshire team, including Mayor Oliver Coppard and our colleagues in Sheffield, have been making to government over many months. 200 years of steel production in Parkgate will not come to an end.

“We have long argued that the capabilities, skills and infrastructure contained within these sites are of national importance. At a time of growing uncertainty around global supply chains and economic security, maintaining the UK’s ability to produce high-quality specialist steel is more important than ever.

“We will continue to work with Government, industry and local partners to secure the best possible long-term outcome for our communities and our steel industry.”

Images: SSUK

News: Government announces plans to acquire Rotherham steelworks

2026-09-15T08:58:54.697+01:00

The Government has announced that it will work towards the public acquisition of Speciality Steel UK (SSUK).

Last August, a judge approved an application from creditors to place SSUK, previously part of Liberty Steel and GFG Alliance, into compulsory liquidation. Teneo Financial Advisory Limited were brought in as Special Managers whilst a formal sale process takes place.

The company’s sites support over 1,300 jobs in Rotherham, Stocksbridge, Brinsworth and Wednesbury and have a proud steelmaking history, including the use of electric arc furnace technology at Aldwarke in Rotherham. It has produced products including aircraft landing gear, helicopter rotors, missiles, munitions and artillery casings.

The government committed £50m to keep the sites open throughout the bidding process. Multiple companies came forward with the government confident a buyer could be found.

In April, the official receiver announced a period of exclusivity with a preferred bidder, with The Financial Times reporting that Blastr was the preferred bidder.

Advertisement
However, the Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds gave an update this week stating that, "after detailed due diligence and extensive discussions, the Government has now concluded the proposal on the table could not provide the long-term stability, certainty and value for money that workers, communities and taxpayers deserve."

Following on from intervention on British Steel, the Government will now develop a proposal for the public acquisition of SSUK, protecting jobs and securing the time needed to assess the best long-term future for these sites.

All future decisions and spending commitments will be subject to due diligence and funded from existing Government budgets.

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: "We do not intervene in private companies lightly. But nor can we simply stand aside and allow the future of this company and over 1,300 jobs to be decided by default.

"Working towards public acquisition will keep options open while we work with local leaders, workers, industry and investors to determine the best long-term future for these sites, which could play a vital role in the future of the growth-driving sectors in our Industrial Strategy, including defence and advanced manufacturing.

"I am determined that we take the time to properly assess the opportunities available here and make decisions that support growth, jobs and Britain’s industrial future."

The Government's plan to work towards the public acquisition of Speciality Steel UK (SSUK) has been welcomed in Rotherham.

Rothbiz looks at what happens next with plans to acquire the Rotherham steelworks.

Images: SSUK

News: How much Ron Hull paid for CF Booth, the massive Rotherham scrap yard, and Millmoor

2026-09-03T11:39:06.103+01:00

An administrator's report has revealed further details of the deal which saw the sale of the business and assets of historic Rotherham firm, CF Booth Limited, to Hu11 Limited, a subsidiary of Ron Hull Jnr Limited.

James Lumb and Howard Smith from Interpath were appointed joint administrators to CF Booth Limited, one of the UK’s leading metal recycling companies, in January. A number of the company's subsidiaries entered administration in the following months.

All eight companies were acquired by Hu11 Limited in March. The transactions for subsidiaries, Demex and Albion Jones, were going concern sales, allowing the demolition business to continue operations.

Administrators say that, following an accelerated marketing and sale process, six bidders were shortlisted based on value, confirmed funding and the ability to complete within the required timeframe. A sale of substantially all of the group's business and assets was concluded to Hu11 Limited for total consideration of £13.77m exclusive of VAT.

The administrator's report shows that £7.25m was for the freehold of the Armer Street premises - the 35-acre site at Masbrough which includes the Clarence Metal Works and Rotherham United's former home, Millmoor.

£3.4m was for plant and machinery, with the rest for other properties, stock and vehicles.

29 staff moved over as part of the demolition businesses but 149 were made redundant.

Advertisement
As previously reported by Rothbiz, CF Booth had £46m debts when it entered administration.

The business experienced substantial operational and financial headwinds, including sharp rises in energy costs and pronounced volatility in copper prices.

One of the group's largest debt was with IGF, which only provided a £20m asset-based lending facility in 2025. The debt totalled £14.2m and administrators confirm that IGF has been repaid in full from a combination of book debt collections and the sale of business proceeds.

£1.24m remained outstanding to HMRC in outstanding VAT, PAYE and National Insurance Contributions with Interpath expecting that they should receive a dividend.

£30.6m was owed to unsecured creditors. Administrators say: "Based on current estimates, we anticipate that unsecured creditors should receive a dividend. We have yet to determine the amount of this, but we will do so when we have completed the realisation of assets and payment of associated costs.

"It is intended that the Company will be placed into creditors' voluntary liquidation in order to make a distribution to the unsecured creditors prior to the end date of the administration, which is 15 January 2027."

Unsecured creditors in administration are suppliers, customers, or contractors without security for their debt, ranking at the bottom of the repayment priority list.

The unsecured creditors list released previously included £3.5m - Employees, £14.3m - Intercompany creditors and another £2.2m - Other HMRC and HSE Fines & Penalties. Company trade creditors were listed with the total owed at £8.2m.

Whilst trading, CF Booth received notice that its appeal against an historical VAT Penalty assessment dating back a decade was unsuccessful resulting in a penalty of £1.4m becoming payable to HMRC. C F Booth Ltd was then fined £1.2m by the HSE after an investigation following the death of an employee on site.

Administrators add that they are "reviewing the affairs of the Company to find out if there are any actions which can be taken against third parties to increase recoveries for creditors.

"We have considered matters raised by creditors, reviewed transactions involving connected parties, assessed the Company's governance and record-keeping practices, analysed information relating to asset disposals and creditor treatment, and investigated matters requiring further enquiry in accordance with our statutory obligations.

"Significant time has also been spent reviewing and assessing information received from third parties, including creditor representations, professional advisers and government agencies, together with preparing and submitting our report on the conduct of the directors to the Insolvency Service, which is confidential."

Since concluding the deal, Ron Hull moved quickly to take on the fully operational rail siding which has enabled the provider of a range of metal recovery and waste recycling services to offer decommissioned rail stack handling and the sale and loading of scrap metal via rail.

Buildings on the site, considered to be in poor condition and surplus to requirements, were earmarked for demolition and planning permission was secured to demolish the stands and structures at Millmoor. Work started on the historic football stadium last month.

Ron Hull website

Images: Google Maps / RUFC

News: Pre-pack deal for specialist Rotherham recruitment firm

2026-08-26T10:42:49.766+01:00

A pre-pack deal has been secured for Rotherham-based specialist engineering and manufacturing recruitment business after it entered administration.

Metalis Engineering Recruitment Limited was established in 2019 and provided specialist recruitment services to the engineering and manufacturing sectors, supporting businesses across Yorkshire, the North of England and the Midlands with permanent and temporary recruitment solutions.

The Templeborough company faced increasingly challenging trading conditions, with a slowdown in recruitment activity and continued pressure on margins contributing to significant cash-flow difficulties. Despite steps taken by management to reduce costs and restructure the business, its financial position ultimately became unsustainable, and advice was sought from CY Group.

Steve Currie and Sophie Murcott of business advisory firm CY Group were appointed Joint Administrators of the Rotherham-based company on August 3 2026.

A report from the administrators states that the company's difficulties began in late 2024 with the deterioration in market conditions. It pointed to wider economic pressure, the adoption of inhouse hiring tools by clients and increased competition from smaller agencies and independent recruiters. Late payments from a key client and a dispute with software providers were also cited.

Following COVID, demand recovered strongly and the business grew steadily for around four years. At its peak the Company employed 28 staff across two offices.

Advertisement
The Joint Administrators completed a pre-packaged sale of the business and certain assets to Metalis Recruitment Group Limited, a connected company, for an undisclosed sum.

The transaction secures the future of the business and safeguards all six jobs, enabling Metalis to continue trading and supporting its customers. The sale also represents a positive outcome for creditors, with the secured creditor currently expected to be repaid in full.

Steven Currie, Joint Administrator and Managing Director of CY Group, said: “Metalis had established a strong position within a specialist recruitment market, but challenging trading conditions and increasing pressure on cash flow had created significant difficulties for the business.

“Our priority was to preserve the underlying business, protect employment and achieve the best possible outcome for creditors.

“We are pleased to have completed a sale that safeguards all six jobs, enables the business to continue supporting its customers and is expected to result in the secured creditor being repaid in full.

“This is a positive outcome in what had become a very challenging set of circumstances and demonstrates the importance of seeking professional advice at an early stage, when there may still be options available to preserve value and protect jobs.”

The business will continue to trade under Metalis Recruitment Group Limited following completion of the sale.

Metalis website

Images: Metalis

News: Change of use plans for large empty Rotherham office block

2026-08-10T09:02:20.165+01:00

An empty office block in Bramley could be brought back into use if newly submitted plans are approved by Rotherham Council.

Oak House has most recently been used by the NHS for its administration teams and was also used as a COVID vaccination centre. The building previously served as the headquarters for the Rotherham Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) but has been vacant since 2024.

Providing 23,244 sq ft of office space over three floors, the property is now listed with agents as being under offer. It was made available to let / may sell with a guide price of £2.5m.

A new planning application is for a change of use that would enable the office building to be converted into a residential care home.

The proposal also includes three single storey extensions to reconfigure the layout of the building.

Plans, drawn up by 7 hills architectural design, state that "the building itself will undergo total refurbishment" and show 57 rooms in the current building and new extensions - two on the front elevation and one on the rear.

Advertisement
Plans also include new lifts, a cafe area, lounges, a private dining room, cinema and a roof terrace.

If approved, 70 full-time equivalent jobs would be created.

The plans are from a newly formed company, Oak House 1111 Ltd, but make reference to a development company, Balmoral Investments. It is understood that the property is owned by the South Yorkshire Pensions Authority.

The site, which sits alongside commercial buildings, a Bannatynes Gym, and the recently rebranded Garner Hotel near to the M18, had been included in the safeguarded land for high speed rail.

The designation was lifted last year, four and a half years after the HS2 scheme to Leeds was scrapped and nine years after property owners first learnt of the plans.

Images: Oak House 1111 Ltd / 7 hills / CPP

News: Peel Group makes £583m offer for Harworth Group

2026-08-06T09:16:50.609+01:00

One of the leading infrastructure, transport and real estate investors in the UK, The Peel Group, has made a cash offer worth £582.88m for Rotherham-based Harworth Group plc, a leading regenerator of land and property for sustainable development and investment.

The offer is expected to result in "a significant headcount reduction."

Created from what was UK Coal, Harworth Group owns, develops, and manages a portfolio of over 15,000 acres of strategic land over 100 sites located throughout the North of England and Midlands. With a focus on Grade A industrial and logistics (I&L) space and emerging opportunities in the data centre market, the company has a target of £1bn of EPRA NDV - EPRA NDV is how Harworth measures the value of the its assets.

Manchester's The Peel Group is a long-term investor in Harworth, having held various ownership interests in Harworth over a number of years. The Peel Holdings directors believe that Harworth's assets would be best owned, managed and developed under the full control of Peel Holdings.

In its announcement, Peel said that it feels that Harworth's administrative expenses and net interest expenses are too high and increasing, whilst the investment portfolio's passing rental income has decreased. It adds that it expects the EPRA NDV for the first hald of 2026 to be below 31 December 2025 levels following years of increases, and that the NDV target growth rate towards a £1bn valuation is "highly unlikely to be achieved."

The announcement added: "BidCo [Peel] considers Harworth's direct development and hold strategy to be capital-intensive, slow to deliver value and increasingly unable to generate appropriate risk-adjusted returns. As a result, BidCo believes the business should pivot toward strategic land activities and selective development, a model that has a lower cost base and is more effectively executed within a private-company structure."

The largest three shareholders own approximately 75.7% of Harworth's share capital and are being offered a significant premium of 36.9%. to the volume-weighted average share price over the last one-month period.

Advertisement
Peel would de-list the business from the stock exchange and on jobs, the announcement said: "Following the Offer becoming or being declared unconditional, BidCo expects to review overlapping functions across the Harworth Group, including senior management, corporate, operational, finance, human resources, compliance and other support functions.

"Based on BidCo's preliminary assessment, the Offer is expected to result in a significant headcount reduction and synergies from overlapping functions and the elimination of costs associated with Harworth's status as a listed company. BidCo has not yet determined the number of roles likely to be affected, the timing of any reductions or the specific functions or locations in which any reductions may occur and will provide further information to affected employees in accordance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements."

Harwoth only moved to purpose-built offices at its flagship Waverley development earlier this year. Peel said that it "has not yet determined whether any changes will be made to the location of Harworth's headquarters or headquarters functions, or to the locations of Harworth's other fixed places of business." Any changes will be considered as part of a review into Harworth's assets.

Peel said that it would review Harworth's fixed asset base, including its strategic land bank and investment portfolio, and then intends to accelerate the disposal of selected assets.

Recovery plans for Doncaster-based UK Coal were put in place in May 2011 when the group reported a £124.6m loss and had a £450m pension deficit. The subsequent restructure in 2012 saw the new company, Coalfield Resources, focus on targeting the realisation of its property assets through the Harworth Estates Property Group Limited. Harworth Estates was completely acquired by Coalfield Resources in 2014.

Harworth Group plc grew to be listed on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 index.

The developer behind MediaCity in Salford and the Trafford Centre, The Peel Group has a chequered history in South Yorkshire, namely through the purchase and subsequent closure of the region's airports.

Harworth Group website
The Peel Group website

Images: Sotech Architectural Facade Systems

News: Further uncertainty as Rotherham pub goes up for sale

2026-07-31T11:02:06.939+01:00

The future of a pub restaurant in Rotherham is still unclear after its owners put the site up for sale.

Rothbiz reported earlier this year on bosses at Whitbread, the leading hospitality business, putting in place a refocused growth plan in the UK to replace all remaining branded restaurants following a review.

The decision created uncertainty for many of the company's sites including The Brecks in Rotherham which is part of Whitbread's Beefeater portfolio and is connected to Premier Inn Rotherham East, part of the UK's biggest hotel brand that is also owned by Whitbread.

Now Whitbread has appointed expert agents Christie & Co to offload a raft of pub restaurants across the UK, including The Brecks.

Expanding its "Accelerating Growth Plan" Whitbread said that 197 branded restaurants would be replaced "with a more efficient and tailored F&B [Food & Beverage] offering for our guests."

Advertisement
By April Whitbread said that it had already agreed the sale of 51 branded restaurants for £50m and agreed terms for the sale, subject to conditions, on a further 60 sites.

Around 100 remaining properties are being offered for sale as going concerns with trade fixtures and fittings included in the purchase price.

The freehold of The Brecks on Wickersley Road has been given a guide price of £750,000 + VAT.

The particulars for the "Prime Roadside Location" property states that it is an "opportunity to acquire a long-established food-led pub restaurant operating under the recognised Beefeater brand [that] benefits from consistent breakfast, lunch and dinner trade, strong family customer base, established wet and food operation [and] repeat local custom."

It adds that the adjacent hotel-related trade supports breakfast and evening demand for the pub restaurant that has 150 internal and 80 external covers.

The Premier Inn on East Bawtry Road secured planning permission last year for a 4,800 sq ft two storey extension to the east of the current hotel. It would take the total rooms at the site from 62 to 76.

It has been widely reported that all Beefeater pubs will close in September.

Whitbread website

Images: Christie & Co

News: Rotherham businesses urged to make the most of new £3,000 youth jobs grant

2026-07-27T09:50:49.125+01:00

Businesses are being encouraged to take advantage of a new government-backed Youth Jobs Grant, offering employers £3,000 for every eligible young person they recruit.

The Youth Jobs Grant was launched following a Downing Street roundtable that brought together government ministers and leading hospitality businesses to support the rollout of the scheme. The funding aims to help up to 60,000 young people aged 18 to 24 take their first steps into work over the next three years while giving employers practical financial support to recruit new talent.

Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber of Commerce has welcomed the initiative, recognising the opportunity it presents for businesses to invest in young people while helping to tackle ongoing recruitment challenges.

The Chamber also believes the grant comes at an important time. Recent findings from the South Yorkshire Quarterly Economic Survey show many businesses continue to face rising employment costs, increased taxation and weakening business confidence, making recruitment decisions more challenging despite a strong appetite to grow and create jobs.

Eligible employers can receive £3,000 for every qualifying young person they recruit. It is aimed at young people aged 18 to 24 who has been on Universal Credit and looking for work for six months or more. Roles must be at least 25 hours per week and expected to last a minimum of four months.

The grant complements a wider package of employer support, including apprenticeship funding, employer incentives, wage subsidies and skills programmes designed to help businesses recruit, develop and retain talented people.

Advertisement
Allen Simpson, Chief Executive of UKHospitality, said: "Hospitality is a sector that offers opportunities for anyone, particularly when it comes to helping people back into work.

"The Youth Jobs Grant is a positive initiative to reduce the cost of employment, create more opportunities and support hospitality businesses.

"I’ve been pleased to work with the Government on this and bring together businesses today to discuss how the sector can engage with the Youth Guarantee. The Youth Jobs Grant and the Jobs Guarantee are the key measures in the Government’s £2.5 billion drive to back young people into jobs, skills and opportunity. The Jobs Guarantee, which provides fully subsidised jobs for six months, with the government covering 100% of employment costs, to eligible young people will support more than 1,000 young people across six areas as part of a pilot."

The Jobs Guarantee was set for a national rollout across Great Britain. In six pilot areas it provided fully funded six-month paid work for young people aged 18 to 24.

Shane Young, Operations Director at Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber of Commerce, said: “South Yorkshire businesses want to recruit, invest and create opportunities for local people, but many continue to face significant financial pressures. The Youth Jobs Grant is a positive step that reduces some of the cost of taking on new talent and could give many SMEs the confidence to create roles that might otherwise have been delayed.

“Supporting young people into work is not only the right thing to do, it is an investment in the future workforce our businesses need. However, financial incentives work best when they are part of a wider, long-term approach to developing skills and supporting employers.

“Through the next phase of the South Yorkshire Local Skills Improvement Plan, we are continuing to work with businesses, education providers and partners to ensure local training reflects employer needs. By combining initiatives like the Youth Jobs Grant with apprenticeships and local employment programmes, we can help businesses grow while creating more opportunities for young people across our region.”

As the designated Employer Representative Body for the South Yorkshire Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP), Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber continues to work with employers, education providers and partners across South Yorkshire to ensure local skills provision reflects the needs of business. The next phase of the LSIP will build on this work by strengthening employer engagement, improving pathways into employment and helping address the skills shortages affecting key sectors across the region.

Alongside the Youth Jobs Grant, employers are also encouraged to explore local initiatives such as Pathways to Work Rotherham, which provides wage subsidy support to eligible employers while helping local people gain the skills, confidence and experience needed to move into sustainable employment.

Through the Employment Solutions team in Rotherham, the Wage Subsidy Scheme supports employers to recruit young people with a paid job role for up to three months that is intended to lead to sustainable employment.

Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber website
Employment Solutions website

Images: Pexels / Cemrecan Yurtman

News: Huge American restaurant chain planning to open in Rotherham

2026-07-25T14:06:11.233+01:00

Visit Rotherham reports that a vacant restaurant building could be converted into South Yorkshire's first branch of a huge American fast food restaurant chain, if plans for a new drive thru are approved by Rotherham Council.

With more than 3,000 sites, Chick-fil-A, Inc. is the third largest quick-service restaurant company in the United States and is known for its freshly-prepared food, signature hospitality and unique franchise model. Specialising in chicken sandwiches, the chain's menu also includes salads and milkshakes.

Last year the first restaurant opened in Leeds as part of the company’s commitment to open five restaurants in the UK in the first two years and invest more than $100m in the UK in the next ten years.

Visit Rotherham states that a planning application is on its way for a new 4,000 sq ft restaurant at the Cortonwood Retail Park, which is in Rotherham.

Plans are for the change of use of the existing restaurant building (Use Class E) to a drive-thru restaurant (Use Class E / Sui Generis) plus some external alterations and a 300 sq ft extension to the existing unit.

Rothbiz reported last year that the Pizza Hut restaurant at Cortonwood would close after a UK operator of the brand entered administration.

Advertisement
The plans, drawn up by agents, Lichfields, state that the proposed development represents an opportunity to bring a vacant unit back into use and add that it "incorporates a high-quality design, including retained and cleaned red brick facades, timber effect planks, bronze fascia canopy and glazing. The overall design approach will significantly improve the appearance of the existing unit while also being in-keeping with the retail character of Cortonwood Retail Park."

To facilitate the new drive-thru lane, on-site car parking will be reduced from 17 spaces to six spaces, comprising four standard bays and two accessible bays.

The application states that a proposed Chick-fil-A drive-thru restaurant would create around 80 jobs, with a mixture of full / part time staff.

Applicants have also carried out a Health Impact Assessment (HIA), as required for hot food takeaway proposals in line with Rotherham Council's planning policies.

Chick-fil-A's franchise model means that most restaurants are locally owned and operated. Local individuals therefore manage each restaurant, being responsible for all day-to-day activities of the business including hiring and developing their staff.

Chick-fil-A is famous in America for being closed on Sundays. The rule started in 1946 with the founder, Truett Cathy, who was a devout Christian and wanted to give workers a guaranteed day off to rest, spend time with family, or go to church.

Chick-fil-A website

Images: Chick-fil-A / Google Maps

News: Where next in Rotherham for McDonald's?

2026-06-09T11:01:32.559+01:00

Early stage plans are being prepared for a new development on the edge of a town in Rotherham, featuring a new petrol station, McDonald's restaurant and a drive thru coffee shop.

The most recent McDonald's in Rotherham opened in Dinnington last year, creating 70 full time equivalent jobs.

Now a planning enquiry has been made to Rotherham Council regarding an unused piece of land close to Wath town centre.

Feasability plans from Valli Forecourts show a mixed-use development comprising a Petrol Filling Station (PFS), a drive-thru coffee shop and a drive-thru restaurant on land adjacent to the A633 Station Road near Wath roundabout.

On the opposite side of the road to the recreation ground, and backing on to the Cross Keys pub, the brownfield site is currently occupied by a Cadent gas works and undeveloped land, bounded to the north by commercial uses and undeveloped land to the east and south.

The plans, seen by Rothbiz, are for the construction of a twelve filling bay PFS, ancillary retail kiosk and associated parking provision, including six-bay Electric Vehicle (EV) charging hub, as well as jet washing bays and rollover car wash.

Advertisement
The proposals would also see the provision of a 3,300 sq ft drive-thru restaurant to the east of the site (identified on plans as a McDonald's), and a 2,150 sq ft drive-thru coffee shop to the south of the site (an operator is not shown on the plans). Separate dedicated parking provisions would be included within each plot.

The proposals would see a new access constructed into the site off Station Road, to the northwest of the site, including a new pedestrian refuge island.

The land is part of a much larger area designated as Industrial & Business Use in the borough's local plan.

Rotherham Council planners recommended that the planning board reject the Dinnington proposals stating that: "by virtue of its range and quality of employment opportunities, it has little positive contribution to the borough and would not meet the criteria [for industrial use]."

Planning permission was approved when the planning board at Rotherham Council went against the recommendation of officers.

Valli Forecourts website

Images: McDonald's / Google Maps

News: Pricecheck celebrates £200m milestone, doubles down on growth

2026-05-07T09:00:33.518+01:00

Pricecheck, an international wholesaler and distributor of fast-moving consumer goods, has smashed its ambitious "Vision 200" goal, recording an annual turnover of £200m, marking the completion of a five-year business plan to double the organisation's size.

With its HQ at Beighton Link in Rotherham, Pricecheck is a fast-growing international wholesaler and distributor of Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG).

The financial year ending April 2026 saw Pricecheck grow 11% from its £179m turnover in the prior year, which also marked the company’s 12th consecutive year of growth. In the past year, the international distributor grew its product range, acquiring iconic heritage brands Harmony, Amplex, and Rapport, whilst extending its brand distribution portfolio, welcoming JDE Peet’s market-leading brands, including Kenco, Douwe Egberts, Maxwell House, and Tassimo.

This growth was also supported by a significant expansion of its operational footprint, which now totals over 400,000 sq ft, as well as an increase in its workforce to over 370 staff.

The achievement of Vision 200 comes following Pricecheck’s transition from a traditional specialist wholesaler to a leading brand distribution partner, which now accounts for approximately 45% of the total business, up from less than 10% just five years ago. This has seen the company drastically expand its capabilities to cover all aspects of brand owner support, including eCommerce, marketing, export and display solutions.

Advertisement
Building on this momentum, Pricecheck has also announced the launch of its "Future 400" business plan. This new strategy sets a clear target to double the business again, reaching £400m in revenue by focusing on maintaining and building on its rapid growth, driven by the expansion of its brand portfolio and diversifying its customer reach.

Mark Lythe and Debbie Harrison OBE, Joint Managing Directors at Pricecheck, said: “Reaching £200m is an incredible achievement by everyone here. We started this journey with an ambition to double our size, and seeing that vision become a reality is a testament to the passion, grit, and heart our team puts into this business every single day.

“We have evolved from our wholesale roots into a true global partner for some of the world’s biggest brands. But at our core, we remain the same as we always have been, a business that cares deeply about our people and our heritage.

“Launching 'Future 400' is the next chapter of our story, creating more opportunities for our team and continuing to prove that with the right people and a compelling offering, there are no limits to what we can achieve.”

The firm first moved to Beighton Link in 2016 and added that 197,425 sq ft former Maplin building on Brookfields Park in Manvers in 2020. Recent expansion includes a new 20,000 sq ft warehouse at Beighton Link and a 13,000 sq ft temporary structure at Manvers.

Pricecheck website

Images: Pricecheck

News: Changes on the way at popular Rotherham pub restaurant

2026-04-30T14:17:17.044+01:00

The future of a pub restaurant in Rotherham is unclear after its owners carried out a wide ranging review of its business.

The Brecks in Rotherham is part of Whitbread's Beefeater portfolio and is connected to Premier Inn Rotherham East, part of the UK's biggest hotel brand that is also owned by Whitbread.

Having undertaken a review, bosses at the leading hospitality business are putting in place a refocused growth plan in the UK to replace all remaining branded restaurants.

Expanding its "Accelerating Growth Plan" will see 197 branded restaurants replaced "with a more efficient and tailored F&B [Food & Beverage] offering for our guests."

The company said it had seen positive early results two years into the original plan to optimise the delivery of F&B at a number of sites by converting lower returning branded restaurants into a higher margin and more efficient, integrated F&B offering, and converting space into new hotel rooms.

Whitbread added that it had already agreed the sale of 51 branded restaurants for £50m and agreed terms for the sale, subject to conditions, on a further 60 sites.

The sales are expected to be as going concerns over the next 24 months with the investment into creating more efficient integrated restaurants set to take place in the 2027 financial year.

Advertisement
An update from Whitbread said: "Moving to a 100% integrated F&B offering will improve the guest experience and add more higher returning extension rooms and we will deliver 15% - 20% returns on capital by FY31 [the 2031 financial year].

"With over 500 integrated restaurants already operational across our UK estate, it is clear that this F&B format is preferred by our hotel guests and delivers better margins and returns than the branded restaurant format."

Dominic Paul, Chief Executive at Whitbread plc, said: "Owning a significant proportion of our property is a unique strength which powers the growth of Premier Inn while supporting our resilience as a business, underpinned by a strong balance sheet. But we can improve our approach. We will refocus our capital spend and recycle more of our freehold real estate, driving increased margins and returns, reducing our capital intensity and increasing cash returns for shareholders.

"By making our assets work harder and focusing on the highest returning projects, we will be able to continue to take advantage of constrained supply to strengthen our position in both of our core markets, whilst at the same time deliver attractive financial outcomes for shareholders.

"In the UK, by reallocating some of our capital spend and building on the success of our Accelerating Growth Plan, we plan to convert all our remaining branded restaurants to an integrated food and beverage offer that is preferred by our hotel guests and will unlock the addition of more highly profitable extension rooms. Our continued efforts to drive our commercial plan and efficiencies will extend our market-leading position and allow us to take share from our competitors, many of which are struggling to grow."

The Premier Inn on East Bawtry Road secured planning permission last year for a 4,800 sq ft two storey extension to the east of the current hotel. It would provide an additional 16 bedrooms but two current rooms would be lost to create a new corridor. It would take the total rooms at the site from 62 to 76.

The update from Whitbread added: "Against a backdrop of limited UK supply growth, we will open a further 3,000 higher returning extension rooms (including the original plan and the extension of the plan) that are being added in locations where we know from our trading data that, at certain periods, demand outstrips supply and so we are confident that these additional rooms will deliver highly attractive financial returns."

Whitbread website

Images: Google Maps

News: South Yorkshire set to receive £1.3 billion

2026-04-22T09:53:32.054+01:00

The South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) has agreed a set of outcomes with Government to be delivered using £1.3 billion in devolved funding.

Called the integrated settlement, the funding backs a government strategy that provides local areas with a mandate "to act strategically to drive growth as well as support the shaping of public services, where strategic level coordination adds value."

The funding covers key themes such as economic development and regeneration, skills, transport and local infrastructure, and housing and strategic planning. It provides the combined authority with a much greater degree of certainty over medium term financial planning. SYMCA will also receive unprecedented powers of funding flexibility, which means that it will be able to move money between pillars as required to help achieve outcomes.

Developed alongside the new South Yorkshire Strategy and a Local Growth Plan, officials in the region have also developed an Integrated Settlement Outcomes Framework (ISOF) - a list of outcomes, indicators and targets that align with the wider ambitions set out in the strategy and growth plan.

The framework states: "SYMCA exists to deliver inclusive, sustainable growth that improves the lives of people across Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield. Our vision is to build a bigger and better economy, ensuring that all communities can share in our prosperity.

"Our ambitions are set out in the emerging South Yorkshire Strategy, which provides the overarching direction for our work. Everything we do is intended to help deliver its three ambitions:
1. Every resident can stay near and go far
2. South Yorkshire is the healthiest region in the country
3. Every community is connected and proud of its place."

With the £1.3 billion budgeted for the next four years, SYMCA has headline aims to support hundreds more businesses and create hundreds more jobs.

For example, the funding will be used on initiatives that help 400 businesses to increase productivity with 400 jobs created in local priority sectors. SYMCA interventions within the Investment Zone are also targeted to unlock further commercial floorspace.

Advertisement
On transport, where SYMCA is leading on multimillion pound bus franchising plans, targets have been agreed for two million more bus passengers and one million more tram passengers per year, as well as increases in passenger satisfaction levels.

Increasing the number of government-subsidised EV charging devices and the number of miles on the region's active travel network are also included.

Adult skills is another key area for investment, with SYMCA backed schemes targeting more than 27,000 achievements at a level 1 qualification and 29,000 at level 2. The target for level 3 is 2,700 by March 2029.

Supporting people into employment will also continue to be funded. Here, 9,632 is the target for the number of starts on supported employment programmes.

For housing, where previous schemes have supported new housing on brownfield land, the target is 800 new homes starting on site over the next four years.

A SYMCA report explains: "The Integrated Settlement represents the most significant change in SYMCA’s funding environment since its inception in 2014, moving us away from a fragmented funding structure to a more consolidated and flexible one.

"The process of agreeing outcomes, indicators and targets required us to balance local and central government ambitions and ensure that the targets are achievable with the funds available through Integrated Settlement.

"The outcomes, indicators and targets agreed in the ISOF do not represent everything we care about in South Yorkshire. The activity represented in the ISOF reflects the funding streams included in Integrated Settlement. The South Yorkshire Strategy will provide the opportunity to represent the region’s broader ambitions."

SYMCA is set to be held to account through six-monthly programme boards with Government but there is provision for renegotiating targets, by exception, in the event that delivery against targets is not on track.

The integrated settlement brings together large funding pots, such as Transport for City Regions, Adult Skills Fund, National Housing Delivery Fund, Local Growth Fund, and Investment Zone funding.

SYMCA website

Images: SYMCA

News: Rotherham college to be part of new specialist centre for defence

2026-04-17T11:50:00.002+01:00

The RNN Group has successfully secured a major national defence technology bid, in partnership with the UK Government, to establish a new Defence Technical Excellence College (DTEC).

Part of a £175m national investment in skills, the initiative is being delivered in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence and the Department for Education.

The RNN Group is made up of a number of campuses including Rotherham Campus, Dearne Valley Campus and University Centre Rotherham, and will now be at the forefront of strengthening the UK’s defence skills pipeline, supporting the development of advanced technical capabilities critical to national security and economic resilience.

The DTEC will focus on delivering high-quality education and training in key areas including digital technologies and advanced manufacturing, directly support the evolving needs of the UK defence sector and its supply chains, aligning with the ambitions of the UK’s Defence Industrial Strategy which set out how government spending on defence can benefit local economies, from highly skilled engineering positions to apprenticeships for young people starting their careers.

A recently announced new £50m Defence Growth Deal is set to help defence companies and boost skills by expanding cutting-edge defence research in South Yorkshire.

By working closely with employers and partners, RNN Group will help develop a highly skilled workforce ready to meet future challenges.

Advertisement
Jason Austin, CEO & Principal of RNN Group, said: “This is a significant moment for RNN Group and for the regions we serve; securing this bid demonstrates our commitment to supporting the UK’s Defence Industrial Strategy through the provision of high-quality technical education.

“We are proud to work alongside the Ministry of Defence and the Department for Education to deliver a step change in how defence skills are developed.

“By collaborating closely with SYMCA and EMCCA and our local educational partners and institutions, we are ensuring the development of high-level skills in this area.”

RNN is one of 19 Technical Excellence Colleges that will begin delivery from April 2026, acting as hubs of excellence and working with other providers to raise standards across the country.

John Healey, Secretary of State for Defence and MP for Rawmarsh and Conisbrough, said: "With vital investment, cutting-edge equipment and high-quality teaching, Dearne Valley College and Rotherham College can go on to build the workforce of the industries of the future – right here in Rotherham.

“Well done to the team at RNN Group, who deserve this well-earned recognition, and I can’t wait to see them go from strength to strength as a Technical Excellence College.”

RNN Group website

Images: RNN Group

News: Pricecheck expands operational footprint to reach £200m turnover goal

2026-04-01T12:30:00.004+01:00

Rotherham-based Pricecheck continues to invest in new warehouse space to support its rapid growth.

With its HQ at Beighton Link in Rotherham, Pricecheck is a fast-growing international wholesaler and distributor of Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG).

A deal has recently been done for a new 20,000 sq ft warehouse, on the same Beighton Link site as the firm's HQ. The unit was previously home to Face Theory before the business was sold last year.

This expansion will be bolstered by the addition of a 13,000 sq ft temporary structure at the company’s other Rotherham site, expected to be operational in April.

The £179m turnover firm first moved to Beighton Link in 2016 and added that 197,425 sq ft former Maplin building on Brookfields Park in Manvers in 2020. Pricecheck now has a total operational footprint of over 400,000 sq ft.

The latest expansion is in response to the company’s rapid growth, which has led to a need for additional capacity to meet surging demand. Pricecheck is also hiring half a dozen staff to work at the new warehouse, with plans to grow this number in the future.

To further manage this upscaling, Pricecheck’s Rotherham warehouse is now open on weekends, ensuring operations keep pace with the increasing volume of trade.

Advertisement
The investment comes at a pivotal moment for the business. Pricecheck recently recorded a record annual turnover of £179 million for the 2024/25 financial year, marking its 11th consecutive year of growth. The extra space will support the final push toward the company’s "Vision 200" goal, a five-year strategic plan to double the size of the business and reach a £200m turnover by the end of the 2025/26 financial year.

The announcement also comes following the 10th anniversary of the company’s move to its Beighton headquarters, during which it received the Queen’s Award for Enterprise.

Mark Amos, Operations Director at Pricecheck, said: “Our rapid growth has been incredibly exciting, but it has also brought challenges. This new warehouse, as well as our Rotherham site being open seven days a week, are vital steps in ensuring we have the infrastructure and capacity to meet the huge demand from our partners and retailers.

“As we continue our evolution from a traditional wholesaler into a brand distributor, we are constantly looking for ways to build on our recent successes. This expansion provides the foundation we need to meet the needs of our growing list of brand partners, hit our targets, and lay the foundations for us to reach even greater heights.”

Pricecheck website

Images: Pricecheck

News: Social value network highlights careers inspiration at Skills Street

2026-03-25T08:40:00.001+00:00

Business leaders from across South Yorkshire experienced first-hand how an innovative careers education facility is helping to deliver measurable social value for the region’s young people and employers.

South Yorkshire’s Giving Network (SYGN) brought together networkers at Skills Street in Rotherham for a special event focused on linking business social value ambitions with practical careers education.

Hosted at the immersive facility – which features a real-life airport lounge and plane cabin, aviation training suite, health centre and hands-on construction site – the session explored how practical learning environments can help address regional skills gaps while supporting companies to meet their own social value targets.

Since opening in 2025 next to Gulliver’s Theme Park Rother Valley, more than 4,000 young people have taken part in sessions at Skills Street. Visiting students rotate through four themed zones, each lasting 45 minutes, gaining sector-specific skills to broaden their aspirations and improve employability.

Advertisement
James Beighton, Development Lead at Skills Street, said: "Skills Street is all about inspiring the next generation. We know there are significant workforce gaps across South Yorkshire, particularly around essential soft skills as well as sector-specific roles.

"We’ve created a unique facility that changes perceptions of industries, educates and inspires children from primary age upwards, and helps them become better informed about future career opportunities. We cover 14 sectors, all age-appropriate, offering hands-on practical experiences from construction and STEM to aviation and leisure.

"We’ve looked closely at what South Yorkshire needs and where the skills gaps are, and we’re aiming to help plug those gaps. We are keen to continue developing the space so that even more young people can benefit. This facility is unique to South Yorkshire and something we should all be getting behind."

South Yorkshire’s Giving Network (SYGN) has been developed by South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation (SYCF).

Through SYGN, SYCF works with businesses committed to delivering social value across South Yorkshire to help them build connections and create measurable community impact.

Michelle Dickinson, Head of Philanthropy and Programmes at South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation, said: "This was an incredible opportunity to bring together our networkers to show how collaboration between businesses and facilities such as Skills Street can deliver shared value.

"Skills Street is an absolutely fantastic facility. We are so grateful to James and his team, along with Gulliver’s Valley and the Work-wise Foundation, for supporting and hosting such an engaging and thought-provoking event."

South Yorkshire's Giving Network website
Skills Street website

Images: SYCF

News: CF Booth Ltd sold out of admin to the Ron Hull Group

2026-03-13T15:20:00.002+00:00

The joint administrators of historic Rotherham firm, CF Booth Limited have announced that they have concluded a sale of the company’s business and assets to Hu11 Limited, a subsidiary of Ron Hull Jnr Limited.

James Lumb and Howard Smith from Interpath were appointed joint administrators to CF Booth Limited, one of the UK’s leading metal recycling companies, on 16 January 2026 and subsequently appointed Joint Administrators over a further five of the Company’s subsidiaries on 20 January 2026.

As reported by Rothbiz, subsequently, on March 10, James Lumb and Howard Smith were appointed joint administrators to Demex Limited and Albion Jones Limited, also subsidiaries of CF Booth. Immediately following these appointments, the joint administrators completed a sale of substantially all the assets of all eight Companies to Hu11 Limited. The transactions for Demex and Albion Jones were going concern sales, allowing the demolition business to continue operations.

An earlier update from administrators showed that there were six shortlisted bidders for the group.

Headquartered and founded in Rotherham in the 1920s, CF Booth grew from a local metal trader into one of the largest independently run metal recycling companies in Europe. With its 35-acre site at Armer Street, Masbrough, the business has been family owned and operated and once employed over 200 staff, trading both ferrous and non-ferrous metals and processes recycled materials for a wide range of customers across the UK and beyond.

Advertisement
Founded in Rotherham in 1976, Ron Hull Group has grown to become one of Yorkshire’s most recognisable companies providing a range of metal recovery and waste recycling services. Its Ron Hull Jnr division is one of the largest scrap metal traders in the North of England, buying and selling all grades of ferrous and non-ferrous metals. It operates from large sites on the Barbot Hall Industrial Estate.

As part of the transaction, all 29 members of staff employed by Demex and Albion Jones have transferred to Hu11 Limited.

James Lumb, managing director at Interpath and joint administrator, said: “CF Booth is a big part of both the regional community and the UK and European metal recycling sector. The Ron Hull name is synonymous across South Yorkshire for scrap metal trading, so we are pleased to have concluded these transactions which not only preserve jobs for employees of Demex and Albion Jones but which we hope, in due course, will also see operations recommence at CF Booth’s sites in Rotherham.”

Nigel and Mark Hull, directors of Ron Hull Jr Limited, said: “As a business which has operated in Rotherham for 50 years, we’re pleased to have been able to secure this transaction which reaffirms our commitment and support to the local area. We are incredibly proud of what our father Ron Hull has achieved, and look forward to building upon this success as we welcome the Demex and Albion Jones team to the Ron Hull family.”

Ron Hull Group website

Images: Google Maps

News: Elevation Recruitment Group launches new division

2026-03-12T10:23:00.008+00:00

Following a record-breaking 2025, Rotherham-based Elevation Recruitment Group has launched new Leadership & Executive division, marking a significant milestone in the continued growth and evolution of the business.

The new division brings together the Tembleborough firm's senior recruitment capability under a single, dedicated Leadership and Executive brand, focused on securing high-impact leaders for organisations across Yorkshire and the wider UK. The team boasts over 15 specialists and sector experts.

The decision to launch Leadership & Executive follows a strongest year to date. In 2025, Elevation achieved record revenues, saw sustained client demand, and continued to invest across specialist markets.

Created to meet demand, Leadership and Executive will support appointments across senior leadership, director and executive levels, including Managing Directors, General Managers, Functional Directors, Heads of Department and future leadership talent. It sits between ourthe established leadership recruitment activity and the executive search capability, providing a clear and consistent pathway from leadership through to the C-suite.

At the most senior end of the market, Elevation also operates Parkinson|Lee, an executive search brand specialising in national and international C-suite and Director appointments. Leadership and Executive draws on the strength of the wider group’s networks and market insight, enabling them to identify high-calibre leaders who are often not visible through traditional recruitment channels.

Advertisement
By bringing together senior specialists from across our core markets, including Engineering and Manufacturing, Accountancy and Finance, Technology and Transformation, People and HR, Sales, Marketing, Procurement and Supply Chain, this division represents one of the most comprehensive Leadership and Executive recruitment teams in the region.

A spokesperson for Elevation, said: "The quality of leadership appointments matters more than ever. Getting the right people in place is not just about filling roles; it is about setting businesses up to move forward with confidence.

"One of the real strengths of this division is the depth of our specialist teams and the networks they have built over many years. That gives us access not only to experienced leaders and directors, but also to emerging talent and future executives who are often under the radar. Because we sit so closely to our markets, we are engaging with individuals well before they are actively considering a move, allowing us to support immediate leadership needs while also advising on longer term succession as organisations scale and evolve."

The company said that the latest launch forms part of a wider growth strategy, with continued investment planned across its people, brand and market presence, building on the momentum of 2025.

Elevation Recruitment Group website

Images: Elevation Recruitment Group

News: Beatson Clark welcomes key additions

2026-03-10T08:51:00.006+00:00

Leading glass packaging manufacturer Beatson Clark has strengthened its sales and marketing team with three new appointments.

Beatson Clark, which has been making glass bottles and jars in Rotherham since 1751, specialises in providing glass packaging solutions for niche brands in the food, drink and pharmaceutical markets worldwide.

Gary Steen has joined the company as Sales & Marketing Director, Craig Crooks has taken the role of Key Account Manager (UK), and Emma McCartney is Beatson Clark’s new in-house Digital Marketing Specialist.

These three new appointments each bring a wealth of experience and ideas and will bolster Beatson Clark’s sales and marketing efforts as the company looks to grow and expand into new sectors in 2026.

Having worked in the glass industry for 32 years, Gary Steen has got lots of fresh ideas to bring to the team.

“It’s a competitive market, but we’re still seeing plenty of exciting opportunities, especially in amber,” he said.

“With over three decades in the glass industry, I’m really enjoying using my experience to help us focus on where we can grow. Our on-site decoration plant is a big part of that too; it gives us a real edge as we expand what we offer in the spirits and cosmetics sectors.”

Advertisement
Craig Crooks has worked in the glass industry for over eight years. His new role is to maintain and grow Beatson Clark’s existing customer base across the UK, developing relationships and exploring new opportunities.

“It’s been great so far,” said Craig. “The people here are fantastic: warm, welcoming, very experienced and up for a challenge. Everybody’s working towards the same goal, which is brilliant to be part of.”

Craig says the long heritage of Beatson Clark and its status as the UK’s only independent glass packaging manufacturer are both clear advantages offering stability and experience in the current uncertain climate.

“I like the culture and the history of Beatson Clark and the fact that we’re an independent in an increasingly corporate industry,” he said. “It means we can offer the personal touch and be more agile and responsive, which some of the more corporate manufacturers find hard to do.”

Digital Marketing Specialist Emma McCartney has a degree in English literature and a master's in creative writing, and she’s combining those skills with her digital expertise to enhance Beatson Clark’s visibility in the marketplace.

She’s gained experience in a number of marketing roles since graduating from Newcastle University in 2021.

“I’m interested in glass from a personal point of view – at home I mostly store food in glass, and I appreciate the health and environmental impacts, so it aligns with my values.

“I’ve been here for three months and already I’ve been building out a robust digital marketing strategy and working with the team on developing our 2026 marketing calendar across all marketing segments.

“My aim is to grow our digital presence, develop our brand story and as my role progresses, I hope to build on the professional relationships I’ve made so far.”

Beatson Clark website

Images: Beatson Clark

News: Rotherham-based X-Cel Group to go for growth following MBO

2026-03-05T12:12:00.004+00:00

A Rotherham-based manufacturer, specialising in producing precision machined components for the renewables, defence and oil and gas industries, has completed a manager buyout (MBO) with the support of an eight-figure funding package from HSBC UK.

X-Cel Group is a global manufacturer of machined components. In June 2012, the firm moved its Gasket and Seal division to the prestigious Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham. The site also includes the group’s coating, assembly and pressure testing plant and a dedicated assembly cell for customer turn key products.

X-Cel Group is utilising a £35m funding package from HSBC UK to support a change in ownership, following the retirement of founder and chairman Andrew Taylor.

Under the management buyout (MBO), Directors David Barton-Phillips and Tim Heron will each acquire a combined 35.7 per cent shareholding, with the remaining shares distributed evenly between Louis Wragg and Dale Stocks.

The HSBC UK investment will also support the expansion of the business, with operations set to move into a neighbouring 20,000 sq ft rented facility, increasing X-Cel Group’s total footprint to 140,000 sq ft. Rothbiz reported on expansion plans last year.

Advertisement
The additional space will enable the company to scale its export capabilities, particularly across key international markets, including the United States and South East Asia, while also supporting plans to enter new sectors, such as aerospace and nuclear.

Following the MBO, X-Cel Group will safeguard 130 jobs across a range of roles, supporting an anticipated £10m increase in turnover over the next three years.

David Barton-Phillips, Director at X-Cel Group, said: “The ownership transition has provided X-Cel Group with a strong foundation to build further on our growth strategy for the future. This milestone marks a new chapter for the business, as we continue to expand our services to clients overseas and our offerings across Oil & Gas, Aerospace, Renewable and Nuclear markets.”

Lee Manterfield, Global Relationship Manager at HSBC UK, added: “It’s fantastic to see X-Cel Group continue to fly the flag globally for manufacturing excellence in South Yorkshire. As the market evolves, demands for X-Cel services look set to increase and diversify. We look forward to seeing this next chapter for the business as it targets further international expansion.”

Founded in 1984, X-Cel Group specialises in producing precision machined components exporting internationally to Oil & Gas, Renewables, Defence, Petrochemical, Nuclear and Power Generation industries.

X-Cel Group website
HSBC website

Images: HSBC

News: How Rotherham Council wants to spend £2.95m on local growth, backing business support, High Streets and more events

2026-03-03T11:53:00.005+00:00

The cabinet at Rotherham Council is set to approve the use of £2.95m of local growth funding, continuing to fund business and employment support services, high profile events and dedicated financial support for High Street units and market traders.

The allocation for 2026/27 is from the Local Growth Fund (LGF), the government funding pot designed to replace the Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF - itself a successor to the European Structural Funds) and equip mayors in the North and Midlands to boost regional productivity.

Rotherham's allocation represents a reduction of around 10% compared to the previous year so the focus is on the priorities of supporting local business, people and skills, and communities and place. Funding is set to maintain delivery of priority projects, matching council priorities.

Most of the projects are continuations from the current programme.

For example, a further £666,655 is for the Shop Unit Business Grant Project that has been oversubscribed. It means that more businesses could recieve a 100% grant of up to £10,000. The allocation has been increased to reflect the high demand in 2025/26, with the target areas also expanded.

Advertisement
£60,000 has been allocated for Rotherham Town Centre Markets, which is currently undergoing a revamp as part of a £40m regeneration scheme. The funding is to "support market traders, raise awareness of the markets and increase footfall, particularly during the construction of the new markets and central library. Specific initiatives are being developed, but could include micro grants for traders (new and existing) and themed events."

Funding is also earmarked for sub-regional projects such as Launchpad business support (£263,257) and business grants related to productivity (£483,588) and low carbon (£200,000).

People and skills projects that support young people who are not in employment, education or training; provide community-based core skills (maths, English and digital) courses and: support working people who want to reach their career potential, are set to share a further £450,000.

Building on the success of the Children’s Capital of Culture traineeships and skills programme, a £300,781 project extension will offer alumni roles in local organisations for previous trainees.

Addressing communities and place, £424,219 is being allocated for a further programme of events delivered throughout the year.

The report adds: "As well as established events such as the Rotherham Show, UPLIFT and Christmas lights switch on, the programme will include school holiday events across the borough, new activities piloted in the town centre, and a St George’s Day event in April."

Images: RMBC