rotherham business news

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.”

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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.

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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.

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£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

News: Esh Construction officially unveils Interactive Learning Zone at Skills Street

2026-01-28T09:15:00.003+00:00

Esh Construction has officially opened its new Interactive Learning Zone at Skills Street, located at Gulliver’s Valley Theme Park in Rotherham.

The event, attended by key client partners from YORhub and local councils, marks a significant milestone in Esh’s collaborative investment in social value across Yorkshire. As the first employer partner to join Skills Street, the North of England contractor has merged its award-winning employability and careers programmes – Stay Safe, Get into STEM, and Construction in the Curriculum – into a single, immersive space.

Skills Street is a pioneering and immersive careers learning experience developed by Gulliver’s Valley Theme Parks in collaboration with The Work-wise Foundation. It aims to inspire and inform children, young people, and adults from across Yorkshire and beyond about the diverse career opportunities available.

Thousands of students have visited the Interactive Learning Zone and availed of the chance to explore the diverse world of construction through hands-on activities, interactive challenges, and real-life scenarios.

Megan Roberts, Social Value Manager at Esh Construction, said: “It's fantastic to have a home for all our programmes, especially given the great work we do locally through our social value schemes. This space brings together everything we stand for – engaging, inspiring, and informing the next generation about the breadth of opportunities in construction. It’s not just about what we do here, but about the wider impact we can have when we work together with partners like YORhub, Sheffield City Council and Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council.”

The Esh Interactive Learning Zone features a range of engaging activities, including Dudley’s Site Cabin, where visitors can dress as construction workers and learn about site safety; the Esh Living Site, which challenges teams to build to client specifications; and the Retrofit Tri Station, where sustainable technologies are brought to life through interactive science lessons. The space also includes an immersive technology sand pit for planning river embankments.

Andy Radcliffe, Chief Executive at Esh added: “Our social value and design teams have worked tirelessly with key stakeholders since 2022 to bring our Interactive Learning Zone to life. It is a proud day for the business to be officially launching this space, which showcases Esh’s commitment to inspiring young people to consider a career in construction from an early age. It’s not just about what we do here, but about the wider impact we can have when we work together with partners like YORhub and local authorities.”

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James Beighton, Business Development Manager at Skills Street, said: “Construction is such a critical industry for our economy with increasingly pressing skills needs. We are delighted to partner with Esh to showcase the breadth of opportunity across the built environment, introducing young people at an earlier age to job roles and practical skills that look beyond the obvious.

“Visitors are placed into real life scenarios linked to Esh projects and leave the space with a broad view on construction and its relevance to classroom learning. Most importantly, we are working collaboratively to inform a better prepared workforce whilst inspiring our next generation one skill at a time.”

The opening of the Esh Interactive Learning Zone demonstrates the power of partnership in delivering lasting social value and equipping young people with the skills and inspiration they need for the future. YORhub, whose member councils have played a key role in supporting Skills Street, also welcomed the opening.

Mike Raven, YORhub Performance and Improvement Manager, said: “The sector is badly in need of more people and our award-winning Employment & Skills offer drives this, with 29,000 pupils having benefitted from site visits and workshops since the launch of YORhub.

“We're delighted to see Esh Construction, as one of our framework contractors, inspiring young people to join construction by becoming the first contractor on Skills Street and so being able to give visibility to the wide range of careers the industry offers.”

Esh website
Skills Street website

Images: Esh

News: Latest tenant set to perk up Rotherham retail development

2026-01-27T09:36:00.004+00:00

A new neighbourhood coffee shop is the latest to sign up for the Olive Lane development in Rotherham. It leaves just one unit remaining of the original scheme.

Olive Lane opened last year at Waverley in Rotherham and the first tenants signing up to the scheme included a Tesco store, vets, nursery and restaurants. A medical centre and community centre are also part of the plans.

The urban shopping and leisure development on Highfield Spring, part of Harworth’s complete redevelopment of the former mining site, totals 11 retail units and a medical centre and sits between the housing and the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP).

Serve has secured the 1,959 sq ft unit E1, close to the Tesco Express, and opposite The Canary Bar.

Not just specialising in coffee and brunch, Serve will also introduce cocktails and dining to Waverley, with the operators already being granted a premises licence.

The licence sets out that opening hours are from 7:00 to 23:20 each day with alcohol able to served between 11:00 and 23:00. Conditions relate to drinks prices, the installation of CCTV and the introduction of a "Challenge 25" policy.

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An opening date has not yet been announced but recruitment is underway and the Serve brand was recently introduced to the community at a Christmas event where a pop-up coffee shop showcased some of the drinks that will be on offer.

Olive Lane is home to Karobar Indian Restaurant, The Canary, Wingers, Hall Court Veterinary Group, Specsavers, Little Olives Nursery and Tesco Express. A 1,420 sq ft unit remains available to let.

At the other end of Olive Lane a planning application was approved last year relating to a new build block of commercial units that was sold off by Harworth to developers before work began.

Sky House Co., the Sheffield-based housing developer bringing forward the adjacent Waverley Central scheme, applied to make changes to unit G2. The plans show the building split into three units with one set to be occupied by a dental practice.

Serve website
Olive Lane website

Images: Harworth / Fox Lloyd Jones

News: Cepac's £53m Rotherham expansion moves ahead

2026-01-23T10:32:00.004+00:00

The first phase of a significant expansion at an established factory in Rotherham has been approved.

Rothbiz reported in September last year on Cepac, one of the UK’s leading innovators of performance packaging, announcing a £53m investment that will expand its key operations at Manvers.

Founded in 1999, Cepac has established one of the largest and most technologically advanced corrugated packaging plants in the world in Rotherham. Part of the HSA group, it also has operations in Darlington, Doncaster and Rawcliffe.

The "Rotherham 2" project will see investment in infrastructure, equipment and new jobs.

The first phase, however, focuses on "Rotherham 1" - the existing facility that manufactures packaging and where certain machinery is now coming towards the end of its useful life.

The latest proposal is for an extension (4,000 sq ft) and a proposed mezzanine (11,400 sq ft) to the existing building which will facilitate a wider expansion of the facility.

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The extension and mezzanine will accommodate an expansion of the firm's existing corrugator machine and will enable staff to move between equipment safely.

Plans, drawn up by dpp consultants, explain: "Expansion and modernisation of the existing production facility will allow Cepac to safeguard existing local jobs and the company's market position as leading cardboard manufacturer."

The plans were approved without going to Rotherham Council's planning board.

Future phases are set to include a new 60,000 sq ft warehouse and further extensions to accommodate office space and a new pallet area.

When complete, new machinery will be able to produce up to 240 million square metres of board per annum with several new converting lines for printing, die-cutting and folding and gluing of boxes.

Cepac website

Images: Google Maps

News: Administrators provide update on CF Booth Ltd

2026-01-19T11:18:00.003+00:00

The joint administrators to CF Booth Limited, one of the UK’s leading metal recycling companies, has provided an update on the historic Rotherham firm.

Over 100 staff have already been made redundant and operations at the company’s vast facility, known as the Clarence Metal Works, has ceased whilst the potential of a sale is explored.

Rothbiz reported first that James Lumb and Howard Smith from Interpath had been appointed after the group posted significant losses and the sad death of a director.

An update from Interpath states: "The Company had experienced significant trading difficulties over recent months, exacerbated by rising energy and copper prices, as well as increases to the National Living Wage and the impact of environmental legislation, VAT and HSE penalties, and other regulatory pressures, all of which impacted cashflow. In response, the directors took steps to explore the options available, including options for sale and reinvestment; however, with no solvent outcomes available, they took the difficult decision for file a Notice of Intention to Appoint Administrators.

"Operations at the Company’s facility at Rotherham has now ceased while the joint administrators explore options for a possible sale of the business. A total of 54 members of staff have been retained to assist the administrators while they undertake this process in tandem with their wider statutory duties. Regrettably, however, a further 114 members of staff have been made redundant. The joint administrators and their team of employment specialists will be providing support to those impacted by redundancy as a matter of priority."

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James Lumb, managing director at Interpath and joint administrator, said: “CF Booth has a long and storied heritage in South Yorkshire, not least for its role as one the largest rolling stock recyclers in the country, working with several of the main rail operating companies. However, as one of the largest manufacturers of copper-based products in the UK, the Company has also been hit hard by the tremendous surge in copper prices seen over recent months. This, coupled with broader economic headwinds, placed unsustainable pressure on cashflow.

“While we assess the options available to us, we would ask any parties who may be interested in buying the Company and its assets to make contact with us as soon as possible.”

As previously reported by Rothbiz, the company's latest financial accounts reported sales of £113.6m for 2024 that were 16.30% lower than the £135.7m achieved in the previous financial year. The company posted a loss of £5.9m.

After the year end C F Booth received notice that its appeal against an historical VAT Penalty assessment was unsuccessful resulting in a penalty of £1.4m becoming payable to HMRC. The company was then fined £1.2m by the HSE after an investigation following the death of an employee on site.

The accounts also showed that time was running out for the firm's banking facilities with £18m worth of loan and overdraft facilities falling due for renewal in June 2025 with the loans being repayable on six months' notice in the absence of an agreement to roil forward the facilities.

December 2025 saw the death of Ken Booth Jr, who oversaw significant expansion at the family firm alongside his brother James.

UPDATED 15:55 with correct job figures.

Images: Google Maps

News: Gulliver's Valley hosts Duke and Duchess on flying visit to Rotherham

2026-01-16T10:30:00.001+00:00

A new immersive learning destination at a Rotherham theme park welcomed prestigious visitors this week - Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.

The Duke and Duchess were shown around Skills Street CIC, located at Gulliver’s Valley theme park, to get a first-hand look at the groundbreaking education and training environment.

The centre, which is designed to revolutionise how young people engage with careers and skills development, has a focus on hands-on, curriculum-linked experiences. It opened for initial visits earlier this year and is now welcoming schools, colleges, and educational groups.

A highlight was the opportunity to show Their Royal Highnesses the Skills Street aviation experience, which offers students a full airport simulation - from check-in to boarding a real Boeing 737 fuselage and flying an industry-standard simulator. Visitors can also explore historic Rolls-Royce and Vulcan aircraft engines and learn about careers in aviation, engineering, travel, and tourism.

The visit also saw local primary and secondary school pupils involved in skills activity across six industry learning zones.

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Julie Dalton, managing director of Gulliver’s Theme Park Resorts and a board member of Skills Street, said: “What an honour to have welcomed Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh to Skills Street. We were so pleased to meet them and showcase the amazing facility we have built here in Rotherham. They were extremely receptive to the aims of Skills Street as we develop new ways to help young people engage with careers and skills development, as well as our exciting plans for future growth.”

Skills Street features a wide range of sector-themed zones developed in partnership with leading organisations, including:

- Energy with E.ON – exploring renewable energy
- Health & Social Work with the NHS and Rotherham Council – showcasing over 380 career pathways
- Construction with Esh Group showcasing all aspects of the construction Industry
- Advanced Manufacturing with Gripple – focusing on robotics and automation

James Beighton, development manager at Skills Street, said: “To welcome Their Royal Highnesses to Skills Street was an absolute privilege. What a fantastic way to showcase the work happening locally to support the needs of education, business and communities across South Yorkshire. Days like today are proof of what we can achieve, working together to inspire our next generation workforce and stimulate our local economy, one skill at a time”.

Skills Street is part of a wider £20m investment by Rotherham Council to boost skills and leisure opportunities in the region.

Skills Street website
Gulliver’s Valley website

Images: Gulliver's

News: Castings Technology creates 20 jobs as aerospace demand drives growth

2026-01-13T11:32:00.002+00:00

Castings Technology, a leading UK manufacturer of complex high-integrity titanium and steel castings, is creating 20 new jobs in South Yorkshire as part of its ambitious growth plans.

The company, currently based at the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham, is recruiting roles from factory floor to leadership team to meet soaring demand from the global aerospace industry.

Castings Technology has grown from 65 employees in 2024 to 103 at the end of 2025, with the new jobs set to take the workforce to 123 by end of 2026.

The roles span production, quality, technical, and commercial functions, with recruitment planned throughout the year as production capacity increases to serve OEM customers in the UK, Europe and United States.

Titanium's strength, light weight and resistance to corrosion and heat make it essential for aerospace applications. Demand for titanium castings continues to exceed global capacity. Castings Technology is the UK's only commercial titanium investment casting facility.

The recruitment forms part of an £18 million investment in expanded manufacturing capabilities, including a move to a fully refurbished 200,000 sq ft Sheffield facility with state-of-the-art equipment in late 2026.

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The expansion comes when 97% of UK manufacturers cite hiring and retaining skilled workers as a barrier to growth. Castings Technology appointed Curtis Oxborough as Training and Development Manager in the autumn, achieving zero dropout rate among new starters through comprehensive induction and tailored support. The company partners with UTC Sheffield for apprenticeships and training.

The company currently has ten apprentices and will offer at least two further apprenticeships in 2026. Of the existing workforce, 13 employees progressed through apprenticeship programmes, as well as three directors. Castings Technology uses apprenticeships both for entry-level recruitment and leadership development, with staff completing programmes ranging from technical skills to level 3 leadership qualifications.

Richard Cook, Managing Director, said: "This investment in our workforce reflects the confidence our global customers have in our capabilities. We're building a team that can deliver the precision and quality aerospace manufacturers demand, while creating meaningful careers in advanced manufacturing at a time when the sector faces real skills challenges."

Shaun Smith, Chief Commercial Officer, said: "Demand for titanium castings continues to exceed capacity, and these new roles allow us to serve growing aerospace markets across three continents. We're particularly proud that many of our senior team, including myself, our Managing Director Richard Cook and our Chief Operating Officer Ryan Longden, started our careers as apprentices. We're creating genuine career pathways in a critical UK industry."

Rothbiz reported in July that an £18m investment package is enabling Castings Technology to accelerate its steep growth trajectory by moving into new premises in Sheffield.

Castings Technology wesbite

Images: Castings Technology

News: Opening nears for Rotherham country park upgrades including new £7m café and venue called "The Waterfront"

2026-01-06T09:20:00.002+00:00

Multimillion pound upgrades at two popular country parks in Rotherham are nearing completion and will soon be open to the public, according to Visit Rotherham.

At Rother Valley Country Park work began in 2024 on a £7.4m contract to build a new waterfront development, housing a new 150-seater eatery and indoor function space with views extending over the lake.

The new development will also include external landscaping with an area for play outside the café for younger visitors. In addition, visitors will also benefit from new car parking facilities to the East of the lake, which will greatly improve accessibility and visitor experience.

The new development is set to open in "Spring 2026," according to park operators, Rotherham Council. March is the expected opening month.

An update from the park reads: "We’re delighted to announce that The Waterfront will be opening in Spring 2026, bringing an exciting new café and function space to the heart of Rother Valley Country Park.

"Set in a stunning lakeside location, The Waterfront Café has been thoughtfully designed to deliver an exceptional visitor experience, with over 200 covers in a modern, light-filled setting that makes the most of the surrounding views. It will be a place to relax after a walk, meet friends and family, or simply enjoy great food and drink by the water.

"Alongside the café, The Waterfront Function Space will offer a versatile venue for events, celebrations and community gatherings, all within a striking contemporary building that connects seamlessly with the natural landscape."

The total budget for the project in the council's capital programme is £8,854,198.

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Recruitment is currently underway for various roles at Rother Valley, including a venue & catering manager and head chef. Further roles are set to be advertised in January.

Council papers show that the delay in opening has been caused by the need for a power supply upgrade. A cabinet report stated: "The site handover at Rother Valley Country Park was completed in November 2025, however final completion is expected in March 2026 due to delays with the electricity connection with Northern Power Grid. In the interim period, the building will undergo furnishing, decoration and initial socialisation, leading to a soft opening in April 2026."

At Thrybergh, work got underway on a café refurbishment project and outdoor landscaping in the summer of 2025. The £790,000 upgrade has transformed the aging building at Thrybergh Country Park into a modern lakeside hub with improved indoor and outdoor seating, better access, and upgraded facilities.

Improvements include a new kitchen, an updated interior, a new outdoor terrace and fully accessible toilets and entrances.

The café will also feature modern design elements that blend with the park’s natural surroundings, while visitors with a sweet tooth are in for a treat, as the new café will serve ice cream.

Works were due to complete in December 2025 with a soft opening of the redevelopment works planned for January 2026.

Funding for both projects comes from the government's Levelling Up Fund, where Rotherham Council was successful in securing £19.5m for the town centre and £19.9m for a number of connected projects around the leisure industry.

Rother Valley Country Park website

Images: RMBC

News: Steel production could move from Scunthorpe to Rotherham

2025-12-22T09:01:00.007+00:00

An electric arc furnace at a Rotherham steelworks could be used to take on production if a blast furnace in Scunthorpe is mothballed, according to reports in a national newspaper.

With the Official Receiver taking over Speciality Steels UK (SSUK), the government has committed £50m to date to keep the sites in Rotherham and Stocksbridge open.

In 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 have been brought in as Special Managers whilst a formal sale process takes place.

The move followed on from the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act 2025 which was passed quickly to enable the government to step in to save British Steel in Scunthorpe.

The Times understands that a proposal is being discussed within government to merge British Steel with part of Speciality Steel UK (SSUK) as one of several options being considered.

The report states: "The merger option is said to be favoured by Jon Bolton, co-chairman of the government’s Steel Council, which was launched by the government in January. Under this approach, SSUK’s electric arc furnace in Rotherham, which will require significant investment to get back up and running, would be used to feed the downstream operations of British Steel, according to senior industry sources.

"This would allow the two blast furnaces at Scunthorpe to be switched off, reducing losses that are said to be costing taxpayers more than £1 million a day. But it would leave the UK as the only country in the G7 without virgin steelmaking capabilities."

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The Rotherham site includes two electric arc furnaces (EAFs). The first casts at Aldwarke were produced in 1964. The N-Furnace, which was installed in 1993, is the larger of the two EAFs and was mothballed in 2015 at the height of the global steel crisis. Liberty reignited the N-Furnace in 2018 and the 800,000-tonne-a-year capacity furnace turns scrap metal into specialised steels for uses such as vehicle gearboxes or aircraft landing gear.

Liberty developed a "Greensteel" plan that aimed to take EAF melting capacity at Rotherham to 2 million tonnes per annum quickly and cost effectively, and with significantly lower emissions compared with coal-based blast furnaces.

An update from Rotherham MP Sarah Champion confirmed that the administration process is being extended to make sure the best bids are received from potential future owners. Multiple companies are interested with the governmment confident a buyer can be found.

Champion said: "The Government’s intention is still to keep the Rotherham and Stockbridge sites together, but it is not closed to considering alternatives. The Minister [for Industry, Chris McDonald MP] was clear that no option would be accepted unless the Administrator was convinced it led to a secure future for both locations. When I pushed him, the Minister confirmed the strategic importance of Rotherham, not least as it does have capacity to expand - which is very useful as we scale up our demand for British steel.

"I really do understand how stressful this process is for staff and those in the supply chain. All I can say to give reassurance is; the Government has committed £50 million to date to keep the sites open and it is committed to investing the time to finding the right buyer. You have my word that I will keep in close contact with the Government on this to make sure of the best outcome."

Images: Richard Doxsey / SSUK

News: Apprentices in the driving seat at McLaren

2025-12-22T08:36:00.005+00:00

McLaren Automotive is backing the government's £725m package of reforms to the apprenticeship system will help to tackle youth unemployment and drive economic growth.

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 and is where the McLaren carbon lightweight architecture for the McLaren Artura high-performance hybrid supercar is constructed.

It was announced in 2022 that the University of Sheffield AMRC Training Centre, also on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham, would be the new apprenticeship supplier for the next generation of engineers at McLaren.

With state-of-the-art facilities, AMRC Training Centre has trained thousands of apprentices since it opened over ten years ago.

The latest reforms are designed to tackle the sharp decline in apprenticeship starts among young people over the last decade – which have fallen by almost 40% since 2015/16 and shift the focus towards supporting young people into high-quality training and employment.

New flexibilities in the apprenticeship system will see new short courses in cutting-edge areas including AI, engineering and digital skills rolling out from April 2026.

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Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: "For too long, success has been measured by how many young people go to university. That narrow view has held back opportunity and created barriers we need to break.

"If you choose an apprenticeship, you should have the same respect and opportunity as everyone else. It’s time to change the way apprenticeships are viewed and to put them on an equal footing with university. This is a defining cause for this government and a key step towards our ambition to get two-thirds of young people in higher-level learning or apprenticeships."

Nick Collins, Chief Executive Officer at McLaren Automotive, added: "Apprenticeships are a critical pipeline for developing the next generation of talent. They provide an immersive pathway for young people to gain practical experience and learn in real world environments.

"At McLaren we recognise the importance of investing in people and skills to create the world’s most extraordinary supercars. We are proud to inspire and equip the next generation to continue this tradition of excellence."

Last year the AMRC Training Centre launched a new composite apprenticeship with McLaren. The first cohort includes an all-female group based at McLaren’s headquarters in Woking, alongside two other learners at the MCTC in Rotherham.

McLaren machining apprentices Charlotte Carrington and Sophie Hulse provide an excellent case study for the AMRC's Journal, as an apprenticeship offered the practical experience they both desired. Every week, they spend three days in the AMRC Training Centre’s state-of-the-art workshops, immersing themselves in complex machining processes and mastering the precise skills required for advanced manufacturing. The remaining days are dedicated to core knowledge development, ensuring they have a deep theoretical understanding to complement their practical skills.

Once a month, the two friends travel to Surrey to visit the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking. This allows them to shadow experienced team members, observe projects and integrate into the high-performance culture; seeing firsthand how their training translates to real-world F1 applications.

McLaren Racing have now employed both Charlotte and Sophie after their time at AMRC completing an apprenticeship.

McLaren Automotive website
AMRC Training Centre website

Images: AMRC

News: South Yorkshire's new £68m growth fund

2025-12-18T12:53:00.003+00:00

A £68m funding pot has been allocated to South Yorkshire as part of the Government's attempt to kickstart economic growth by addressing regional disparities in productivity.

The Local Growth Fund is a follow up to the Shared Prosperity Fund, which itself was funding to replace European Union (EU) Structural Funds.

The South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) will be able to use the money for infrastructure investment, business support and skills development.

Previous EU settlements saw South Yorkshire allocated €410m for 2007-2013 and from 2014-2020 this was cut to around €180m. A legal challenge into the government's decision followed.

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) three-year fund, running from 2022/23, included an allocation for South Yorkshire of £46.2m, including £7.3m to address functional numeracy skills. A 25/26 allocation was announced earlier this and provided another £22.5m for South Yorkshire. The £68m Local Growth Fund runs for four years from 26/27 to 29/30.

The money can be used flexibly in line with SYMCA's new Local Growth Plan - a ten year plan which aims to grow the business base and labour market through delivering against four missions based around businesses, places, people and the future.

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Under infrastructure investment, the aim is to expand labour market reach and enable agglomeration benefits across functional economic areas. For business support, projects will need to strengthen regional clusters and increase innovation and investment to drive firm-level competitiveness and sectoral growth. Projects relating to skills development will work to provide the human capital aligned to priority sectors and emerging technologies.

A government policy statement explains that the funding is part of a new approach to regional investment with the Local Growth Fund "targeted at mayoral city regions in the North and Midlands with the highest productivity catch‑up and agglomeration potential, as part of a shift in how growth funding is delivered. It moves away from fragmented, short-term competitive pots to a single, flexible, long-term fund. This approach will empower regional leaders to drive local priorities and unlock the potential that exists in places across the UK, including city regions and high-potential sectors.

"For too long, local growth funding has been constrained by inefficiencies: short-termism, duplication, and wasteful competitive bidding. Opportunities for transformative change have been missed. The English Devolution White Paper set out a new vision: consolidating funding, devolving power, and allocating investment in line with locally led plans. By removing unnecessary processes and committing to long-term financial stability, we are enabling regions to plan and deliver this change with confidence.

"By backing the shared priorities agreed in Local Growth Plans, this investment will support small businesses, create jobs, regenerate commercial centres, enable new housing, and better connect communities through integrated transport – delivering the growth needed to fund our essential public services, enable further investment, and raise living standards."

The mayoralty will do well to support Rotherham's growth and replicate it across the region. Recent productivity statistics highlight Rotherham as one of the fastest growing sub-regions over the last two decades.

On the region's local growth plan, South Yorkshire’s Mayor, Oliver Coppard, said: "Our goal is simple: to make sure South Yorkshire plays a leading role in solving the big challenges of our time, using the talent, resilience and creativity which defines us. We want those growing up here to believe, with confidence, that in South Yorkshire you can stay near and go far."

In previous years, Rotherham Council were able to decide were UKSPF funding should be spent - from shop unit grants and business support to Rotherham Children’s Capital of Culture and social value.

SYMCA website

Images: Harworth Group

News: Building systems manufacturer to meet demand from new Rotherham premises

2025-12-18T12:33:00.005+00:00

Building systems manufacturer Mauerwall has moved to its first automated production site at a new business park in Rotherham.

The company, established last year and which employs 20 staff making precision-manufactured facade systems for commercial and residential buildings, has taken 36,000 sq ft at Kingsforth Business Park in Thurcroft, following a move from a temporary site in Derby.

Mauerwall has started production from the site with the aim over the next year of employing another 20 staff to satisfy demand from the growing sector.

Mauerwall CEO Jordan Rosenhaus said: “This is our first production site and we were attracted by the fantastic location with crucial access to the motorway network, the size and flexibility of the modern unit, the tremendous availability of labour, and the great landlord, who is very easy to work with.

“Having been based in the Midlands, we scoped several locations in South Yorkshire and this was by far the best option for us. We are delighted to be in Rotherham, it is a prime location for our national business needs.”

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Rotherham property company EV Waddington speculatively built phase 2 of the scheme with the support of South Yorkshire JESSICA Fund (Joint European Support for Sustainable Investment in City Areas) with a First Loss Loan together with a Development Loan Facility.

Phase 2 comprises of 19 units of 5,310 to 14,230 sq ft which can be combined to accommodate larger requirements, as seen with Mauerwall.

Phase 2 follows the success of Phase 1 where occupiers include Bezwell Fixings, The Panel Company, UK Doors Online and EMED.

The development is aimed at satisfying the much-needed demand for small and medium-sized industrial space in the region. The units are built to a specification to include 5.7-6.5m eaves height; full height roller shutter loading doors; ground and first floor fitted office accommodation; warehouse lighting; three phase electricity; solar, fibre enabled and good sized external loading area plus dedicated car parking.

Developer Tony Waddington said: “We bring our experience of delivering exceptional quality industrial and manufacturing units, and with the prime location of the site, the flexible nature of the scheme it is well positioned to support the operational and growth needs of businesses across a variety of sectors.”

Rebecca Schofield, office head at Knight Frank in Sheffield and head of industrial Yorkshire, which is acting as agent on the scheme, said: “The build highlights developer confidence in our region. There continues to be a lack of available opportunities of this size, particularly new and modern."

Kingsforth Business Park is accessed from Kingsforth Rd, which offers access on to Woodhouse Green. Kingsforth Lane is easily accessible providing access to Junction 1 M18, approximately 1.6 miles to the North.

Mauerwall website

Images: EV Waddington / Knight Frank

News: South Yorkshire chambers unite to drive skills revolution

2025-11-26T09:18:00.001+00:00

South Yorkshire’s business community is taking decisive action to reshape the region’s skills system, as the three Chambers of Commerce — Doncaster, Sheffield, and Barnsley & Rotherham — launch the next phase of the Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP).

The initiative, funded by Skills England, aims to move the region from diagnosis to delivery, ensuring that South Yorkshire’s workforce is equipped with the skills, training, and opportunities needed to power sustainable economic growth. It directly supports Mayor Oliver Coppard’s Plan for Good Growth, which sets out a vision for an inclusive, innovative, and resilient regional economy.

For years, employers have expressed frustration that the skills system has been too fragmented and complex to access. While the first LSIP gathered valuable insights, this next phase will turn evidence into action, creating a system that works for both learners and businesses.

Dan Fell, Chief Executive of Doncaster Chamber, said the message from employers was clear: “The ambition to build a skills system that truly works for employers and learners is absolutely right but the pace of change must now accelerate. This next stage is about delivery, not diagnosis. We need to ensure that every part of the system — from training providers to policymakers — is aligned with what our economy actually needs to thrive.”

Over the next six months, the three Chambers will lead a major consultation process across the region, convening a series of Workforce Development Partnerships. These partnerships will bring together employers, colleges, universities, independent training providers, and policymakers to identify the specific skills South Yorkshire needs to compete in the future economy. They will focus on growth sectors including advanced manufacturing, digital transformation, clean energy, logistics, creative industries, and emerging technologies.

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Louisa Harrison-Walker, Chief Executive of Sheffield Chamber of Commerce, said the collaborative approach is key to success. “We’re bringing together every part of the ecosystem — business, education, and government — to ensure we build a skills system that’s truly fit for the future. Employers have told us they want flexibility, responsiveness, and training that keeps pace with technology and innovation. This process is vital now more than ever to achieve the growth and productivity required to drive South Yorkshire forward.”

The new LSIP builds on findings from the first plan, which ran from 2023 to 2025 and engaged hundreds of employers across South Yorkshire. It revealed consistent challenges: the growing importance of digital skills, a shortage of technical expertise, and an urgent need to strengthen leadership and management capacity. Businesses also highlighted the need for more adaptable, modular training options and better pathways connecting education with employment.

Carrie Sudbury, Chief Executive of Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber, said that embedding flexibility and inclusivity will be central to the next phase. “We need to make sure that every learner, whether they’re entering the workforce for the first time or retraining mid-career, can access opportunities that work for them. This is about building a system that’s open, inclusive, and ready for change. The Chambers are united in our belief that South Yorkshire can lead the way in showing what an employer-led skills system really looks like.”

The LSIP will also use big data and real-time labour market analysis to track regional demand, identify gaps in training provision, and inform funding decisions. This evidence-based approach will ensure that policy and investment decisions are grounded in local realities rather than national assumptions.

The Chambers will share interim findings early next year, with the final LSIP report submitted to Skills England in 2026. In the meantime, the partnership is calling on employers of all sizes and sectors to get involved.

BR Chamber website

Images: BR Chamber

News: The challenge of restoring pride in Rotherham with £20m

2025-11-20T10:27:00.010+00:00

A £20m regeneration fund has been welcomed in central Rotherham but the leader of the council admits that it will be a challenge to spend it so that each resident feels the benefit.

Rothbiz reported earlier this month on the regeneration plan being developed for the government's Pride in Place Programme.

Previously called the Long-Term Plan for Towns and then renamed as Plan for Neighbourhoods, £20m is for the next ten years for the central Rotherham area where interventions in line for funding will need to come under the themes of: regeneration, high streets and heritage; health and wellbeing; education and opportunity; cohesion, safety and security; or work, productivity and skills.

The plan has been shaped through extensive consultation with residents and stakeholders and will be delivered in partnership with a newly formed Neighbourhood Board, which includes representatives from the public, private and voluntary sectors, as well as South Yorkshire Police, local councillors and Sarah Champion, MP for Rotherham.

The first period of delivery is expected to begin in April 2026, with further investment plans to follow in 2030 and 2033.

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Cllr. John Williams, Cabinet Member for Transport, Jobs and the Local Economy, said: “This is welcome investment in communities that have gone without for too long. And while it will certainly not fix all the challenges faced by our residents it will help us create safer, healthier, and stronger communities where we hope people will feel proud to live and work.

“We’ve listened to residents and built a plan that reflects their priorities. Over the coming months, we will be able to set out plans in more detail to ensure we are getting the best value from this funding.”

The vision statement for the Pride in Place regeneration plan states that regeneration will bring back purpose to cherished buildings, create safe and welcoming public space and breathe new life into the town centre. It adds that: "The success of Rotherham’s plan will be felt by the Rotherham community who will feel empowered to participate, and recognise a growing sense of belonging and pride, as they come together more to celebrate where they live."

Cllr. Chris Read, leader of Rotherham Council said: "We've managed to end up with a fund, that whilst it is welcome, is on its third name before we've managed to spend any of it - which I think is unprecedented. It is absolutely welcome funding, it was welcome funding under the last government and it is welcome funding under this government. The long term nature of it is particularly welcomed as a sustainable fund over the course of the decade.

"It is worth refelecting that it is largely capital funding, funding for "stuff" - goods, items and buildings, rather than people's wages and the provision of services. And inevitably, given the geography of the area, that means that something doesn't get built in every one of those places. It would be a very small thing that would be built in each of those places.

"We need to look at that geography as a whole in order to be making decisions alongside the neighbourhood board about where it should be spent. We are particularly keen to be working with those communities on their priorities around its spend to ensure that we are getting the most sustainable benefit for improving lives of people in the central Rotherham area. That does meen that it is a complicated scheme to administer. It isn't the same as getting a chunk of funding to build, for example, some provision at one of our country parks in the way that we are currently delivering.

"It really is good that it is sustainable over a period of time and not just a one off but it will be more of a challenge given the geography and the scale of the area covered to be able to produce an impact that each resident will feel directly in a way that we would want them too. It is a big, and quite difficult, piece of work to administer, this particular fund, for the benefit of residents in the central Rotherham area."

Images: RMBC / Don Catchment River Trust

News: Swim school going to great lengths to make new Rotherham location a success

2025-11-20T10:02:00.003+00:00

A local company is looking to make a splash having secured planning permission to expand into another Rotherham location.

Rothbiz reported in September on Super Swimmers identifying Unit 4 Phoenix Riverside at Templeborough to help address the substantial waiting lists in the area for the type of swimming lessons they offer.

Rotherham Council has now approved change of use plans for the 5,740 sq ft commercial unit so that a swimming pool and associated facilities can be installed.

Planners were satisfied that the leisure use would not have a significant detrimental impact on parking in the area, given that surrounding businesses, such as the nearby pub, would let users park in their car parks, and that larger, busier swim lessons and parties would only take place after 5pm and on weekends.

Super Swimmers was established in 2009 and initially the swim school operated through hire of public and private pools for children’s lessons. it now operates from two of its own locations - Dinnington in Rotherham, and Rossington Hall in Doncaster.

The new unit will provide teaching classes for children aged three and older along with one-on-one teaching lessons for individual children who may benefit from additional support. They also plan to introduce the parent and baby sessions and hire to local baby lesson providers, all of which will be available to the local area.

Children’s parties will also be made available which have proved very popular in the two sister venues. They also plan to work with the local schools and community groups to offer bespoke teaching packages to enhance the offer available at the unit.

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Ryan Plant, director of Super Swimmers, said: "We are so excited to have been granted permission for the development of the unit in Phoenix Riverside. We are working with a local contractor to build the pool and are working closely with the planning network to ensure we are as sustainable as possible."

The current operations now employs around 50 team members including teachers and water-based assistants, with more to come with the third location. Ryan added: "We spend time training and mentoring all of our younger team members and assist with any relevant training qualifications to not only support their role at the business but also help them in their future careers."

The plan is for Super Swimmers of Rotherham to be open at Templeborough in early 2026.

Ryan and fellow director, Rachel Turner added: "We are so excited to be taking this next step on the Super Swimmers journey particularly in the current climate. Our business has suffered like many others, but we hope to take the business to the next stage with the opening of our third site and the support of the local community. It has been a dream of ours since we started to be a provider of swimming lessons across numerous communities and we feel now is the right time to make the next step."

The plans were approved without going before the council's planning board. Planners balanced up the potential loss of a business unit with the fact that the proposal will generate employment and works to create the pool are reversible so the unit could revert back to a standard employment facility.

Super Swimmers website

Images: Super Swimmers

News: Major food retailer sets sights on Rotherham retail park

2025-11-19T10:27:00.003+00:00

One of Britain’s fastest-growing and most innovative retailers is looking set to open one of its large format stores in Rotherham.

Rothbiz reported in March on the owners of Parkgate Shopping in Rotherham submitting plans for Units 17 and 18 with the talk of new tenants.

The approval of the plans has enabled TUI to take a smaller unit next to its Holiday Superstore and move its Rotherham operations.

One of the world's leading integrated tourism business has taken over the former One Below / One Beyond discount store. Launched by Poundworld founders, One Below opened its first Rotherham store in the former Maplin unit at Parkgate Shopping in April 2019. It still operates in Rotherham town centre.

The application at Parkgate was for the reconfigurement of the internal layout, including the mezzanine, a new trolley bay and new solar panels.

Following TUI's relocation, commercial property agents are now showing that The Food Warehouse is taking the former TUI unit next to Morrisons.

The Food Warehouse is part of the Iceland Foods Group and is revolutionising the way that people shop in stores. It takes the same product lines as Iceland and extends them in a warehouse space, giving customers the ability to buy in bulk and take advantage of the savings.

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With a new mezzanine level, Unit 18 at Parkgate would provide 13,600 sq ft of space which will allow for The Food Warehouse's super simple store layouts with wider and fewer aisles.

The retailers have a huge range of exclusive brand products across some of the best-known names in the UK, including Slimming World, Greggs, TGI's, Chiquito's and more. It also offers multi-buy deals, including 5 for £5, 3 for £10 and 8 for £10 deals whilst homeware and seasonal specials are also available in larger stores.

Having launched in 2014. a major milestone for The Food Warehouse was reached last month with the opening of the 200th store.

Iceland currently operates in Parkgate already, and at Eastwood. Its products are also available through partnerships with the likes of Wilko and The Range.

Agents, Morgan Williams and CSP Retail list The Food Warehouse as a new letting in the last 12 months at Parkgate Shopping alongside Footasylum, Starbucks, Pavers, Superdrug and My Dentist. Just two large units remain vacant.

An opening date for the new Food Warehouse in Rotherham is not yet known.

Rothbiz also reported in January on approved outline plans for another new unit at Parkgate, on land next to Matalan which was previously used as a Park & Ride for the tram-train. No tenant has been announced here but the proposal is for a 20,000 sq ft rectangular unit "that is the required format of food retailers in order to provide linear aisle for convenience goods shopping."

The Food Warehouse website
Parkgate Shopping website

Images: The Food Warehouse

News: Economic Trailblazer to continue in South Yorkshire

2025-11-19T10:10:00.002+00:00

An economic inactivity trailblazer in South Yorkshire is in line for a funding boost to help give more people furthest from employment the tools to get into work.

Transformative schemes are being extended with an £80m funding boost as the government targets economic inactivity hotspots through joined up localised support.

Unlike traditional employment support, inactivity trailblazers empower local areas to design tailored solutions that tackle the root causes of economic inactivity - such as poor mental health, low skills, and barriers like social isolation - rather than just treating the symptoms.

New support that areas can offer will include work readiness skills, employer engagement to change hiring practices and support Local Growth Plans, mental health support, confidence-building social groups and skills training to move thousands more people closer to the labour market.

Rothbiz reported in April on an £18m scheme in South Yorkshire for a dedicated new service working with employers to hire those with health conditions, and a new “triage” system to make it quicker and easier to connect people to employment, health, and skills support.

These groundbreaking schemes are helping to break the vicious cycle between poor mental health and unemployment by trialling initiatives that combine job support with health and skills support.

Those who benefit from the trailblazer support face complex, often deeply personal barriers to work, and the scheme is part of the Government’s wider plan to deliver national renewal focused on opportunity and respect, ensuring everyone is seen and valued.

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Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Pat McFadden said: "For too long too many people have been locked out of the job market, which fails them and fails our economy.

"That is why we are doing things differently – putting local leaders in the driving seat so the right support goes to their community.

"By further investing in our trailblazers we’re helping people who were previously underserved or overlooked to build the confidence and skills they need to thrive."

By taking a holistic approach, the programme is already delivering results through early intervention, flexible training and working directly with employers to create supportive environments, rather than treating health and employment as separate issues.

South Yorkshire’s Mayor, Oliver Coppard, said: "South Yorkshire has a proud industrial heritage that shaped our communities and powered progress far beyond our borders. But the legacy of industrial decline left behind deep-rooted challenges.  For too long, poor health, low skills, and limited opportunity have held too many people back. That’s not good enough, and we’re changing it.

"I’m proud that we’ve secured another year of funding for the Economic Trailblazer. It’s a vital part of our nationally recognised Pathways to Work programme, which is helping thousands of people across South Yorkshire into good, secure jobs.

"We’re building a South Yorkshire where everyone can stay near and go far, putting people and employers at the heart of everything we do - creating opportunity, transforming lives, and strengthening communities. Together, we’re making change happen."

South Yorkshire operates a Pathways to Work system, ensuring alignment and a coordinated one-system approach to employment support services on offer.

Through their new initiatives, South Yorkshire aims to reduce inactivity from 25.5% in 2023 to under 20% by the end of 2029 – equivalent to helping 40,000 people across the area.

Economic inactivity in Rotherham is higher (27%) than in South Yorkshire, statistical neighbours and the national average (21%). This is driven by higher economic inactivity among women, residents aged 50-64, and ethnic minorities.

South Yorkshire Pahways to Work website

Images: Barnsley Council

News: Rotherham Opportunities College forges partnership with Magna

2025-11-13T10:13:00.001+00:00

Two former students at Rotherham Opportunities College are embarking on the first chapter in their chosen careers, after securing new roles at the Magna Science Adventure Centre.

Millie and Asia are the first beneficiaries of a new partnership between the two organisations, which aims to help young adults with disabilities to secure paid employment after successfully completing their studies.

During their time studying at Rotherham Opportunities College, both Millie and Asia, who have special educational needs, successfully spent time developing their communication and teamwork skills, as well as gaining valuable work experience through the college’s supported internship programme. The duo also successfully completed independent travel training courses, helping them to develop the vital skills needed to make unassisted journeys using public transport.

In their new roles, Millie has joined Magna’s front of house team, where she welcomes visitors to the popular attraction as well as processes online ticket sales, whilst Asia works in Magna’s busy gift shop and can be regularly found working behind the till.

The partnership between Rotherham Opportunities College and Magna will help more students to gain valuable work experience, through a specially developed supported internship programme, as they prepare for life after college. It is hoped that more students will be able to follow the path that Asia and Millie have carved by securing paid work at the popular attraction.

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Richard Hammill, Chief Executive, Magna Science Adventure Centre, said: “Rotherham Opportunities College is a truly unique organisation and having seen first-hand the transformational work being delivered, I was keen to explore ways in which Magna could support the students by working together in the future.

"Since joining us, both Asia and Millie have made an instant, positive impact and have quickly established themselves as valued members of staff. Through our partnership, I hope that more students will have the chance to gain work experience at Magna, and I’m sure others will follow the shining example set by Asia and Millie and go on to secure paid work with us.”

Dr Perdita Mouseley, Principal, Rotherham Opportunities College, said: “Over the past few years, we have forged some excellent working relationships with businesses throughout Rotherham. Our mission is to ensure that students at Rotherham Opportunities College are able to enjoy many of those things that we all take for granted – and that includes earning a regular salary.

"Millie and Asia were both wonderful students during their time at college and it’s great to see that their efforts have been rewarded with paid employment. Our partnership with Magna is an exciting milestone for the college, and it will help more students to gain valuable work experience.

"Supporting students, through providing work experience or a supported internship, can also be a very positive experience. Employers have regularly told us that the experience boosts morale, strengthens teams and enables staff to enjoy a real sense of achievement by helping someone to succeed.”

Magna website
Rotherham Opportunities College website

Images: Rotherham Opportunities College

News: Government involvement in future of Speciality Steels "not envisaged"

2025-11-06T10:46:00.006+00:00

The government has ruled out taking a stake in South Yorkshire's speciality steel business and remains confident a buyer can be found.

In August, a judge approved an application from creditors to place Speciality Steels UK (SSUK), previously part of Liberty Steel and GFG Alliance, into compulsory liquidation. With the Official Receiver taking over, and the Government covering costs with Teneo Financial Advisory Limited as Special Managers, a formal sale process recently got underway.

An update from Minister for Industry, Chris McDonald, shared by Rotherham MP, Sarah Champion, states: "The Government is providing financial assistance to enable the Official Receiver to fulfil its statutory duties and identify a suitable buyer capable of operating a sustainable steelmaking business.

"The Official Receiver is currently inviting indicative offers from interested parties. From early November, these offers will enter a due diligence phase. Over the coming weeks, the focus will be on evaluating the proposals received, determining the optimal strategy, and preparing for the next stage of the sales process. Final bids will be formally requested to structure the concluding transaction discussions.

"As part of this wider process, we do not envisage any direct Government involvement in the business, including taking a stake, as you suggested in your letter. We want the steel sector to thrive, and the best way to achieve that is through commercially run businesses with private investment."

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The minister recently met with local politicians to tour the sites in Rotherham and Stocksbridge.

Cllr Chris Read, Leader of Rotherham Council, described the visit as "a welcome sign that this government recognises the strategic importance of our steel industry - not just to our local economy in Rotherham, but to the UK’s national resilience and industrial future."

Read added: “Steel production in Parkgate has stood at the heart of Rotherham’s identity for two hundred years. These are not just jobs. They are livelihoods, communities, and a proud legacy of British manufacturing excellence.

“The closure of these sites would not only be a devastating blow to our borough and South Yorkshire — but it would also leave a hole in the UK’s sovereign capability to produce the high-grade steels essential for defence, aerospace, and clean energy.

“We presented a united South Yorkshire team, calling for a sustainable solution that protects skilled jobs, secures strategic capabilities, and supports long-term growth across South Yorkshire. It is heartening that there is strong commercial interest in continuing steel production on the site, and we will continue to urge the government to do everything in its power to ensure that this is realised.”

Chris McDonald added: "I met with workers, Trade Union representatives, and local authorities, including the South Yorkshire Mayor, Oliver Coppard. It was clear from these conversations how deeply the steel industry is woven into the fabric of the local community. The business clearly has a unique capability in the UK, a highly capable workforce and there is a strong market for its products. Whilst it is for the Official Receiver to run the process, I remain confident that a buyer for this business will be found.

"I fully recognise the uncertainty this situation brings for employees and their families. I want to reaffirm the Government's commitment to securing a strong and sustainable future for steelmaking in the UK, particularly in South Yorkshire, where I hope to see a buyer emerge who can run a successful and enduring business."

Council reports have revealed that the Speciality Steel operations in Rotherham had the borough's biggest bill for business rates - £2.8m a year. Liquidation has presented a financial challenge to the Council through the need to write off £4.2m of business rates debt, spanning across the final quarter of 2023/24 through to 21st August 2025. Due to the way business rates are retained, the Council is only directly impacted by 49% of this debt.

Images: Sheffield Council