rotherham business news

News: Independent restaurant closes at Rotherham's flagship Forge Island

noreply@blogger.com (Tom Austen) — Fri, 08 May 2026 07:57:37 +0000

Whilst other tenants are trading well, an independent restaurant set up by local entrepreneurs has closed within a year of opening at Forge Island in Rotherham.

Sygnature Dish opened last summer, bringing steak and seafood to the town centre's new landmark leisure destination.

Delivered by Rotherham Council in partnership with Muse, the £47m development includes an 8-screen boutique cinema operated by The Arc Cinema, a 69-roomed Travelodge Hotel.

Sygnature Dish joined the Vetro Lounge at Forge Island and was followed by Heavenly Desserts.

Dalu and Sibbs Sikhosana, the enterprising siblings behind Sygnature Dish, were first involved in Sub Sahara, an authentic family-run African shop and butchery in Rotherham town centre.

Judith Badger, Executive Director of Corporate Services at Rotherham Council, said: “We’re sorry to see Sygnature Dish close and we recognise that any business closure is particularly difficult for the staff involved. We’d like to thank them for being part of Forge Island.

“The hospitality sector is facing challenges across the country, and unfortunately Sygnature Dish has faced difficulties linked to its own operating model as well as wider market conditions. Despite this Forge Island as a destination continues to record strong footfall and a growing customer base amongst Rotherham residents and from further afield.

“Forge Island remains a vibrant and popular place to visit, with Arc Cinema, Travelodge, Vetro Lounge and Heavenly Desserts all trading well and attracting customers throughout the week. Feedback from visitors continues to be very positive, and we’re pleased with the momentum across the site.

“Importantly, the site was always designed to evolve. With that in mind, we’re looking forward to announcing a new operator who will open at the Forge Island later this year. Discussions are progressing and we hope to share news soon.

“In the meantime, we’d encourage residents to continue supporting the fantastic businesses already at Forge Island.”

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At the start of the year, Rothbiz reported on difficulties faced by the council with the scheme.

"Operational issues" meant that a car parking system was delayed and the authority's Parking Services staff were drafted in to ensure the site was being used appropriately after the council received a number of complaints about parking availability and the "heavy usage by non-genuine customers."

An ANPR system is now in place with parking concessions extended to customers of all businesses located within the Forge Island development providing four hours of free parking.

The council report also referenced the difficulty the council was having in attracting businesses to the site and letting the units.

In 2024, Rothbiz reported on the liquidation of a company connected to the restaurant operator that the council had signed up in a pre-let agreement to open a number of brands at Forge Island. The leader of the council said that it was a "challenging business situation" for the operator.

Work began on site in November 2022 after Rotherham Council agreed to fund the Forge Island regeneration scheme itself when the the funding available its delivery partner, Muse, "significantly reduced" due to the volatility of the financial markets.

The council's project budget also includes a contribution towards the fit out of the units.

According to Rotherham Council's leader, Chris Read, there has been a million more visits in the town centre across the two years since Forge Island opened in 2024.

Forge Island website

Images: Sygnature Dish

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

noreply@blogger.com (Tom Austen) — Thu, 07 May 2026 08:00:33 +0000

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.

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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

noreply@blogger.com (Tom Austen) — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 13:17:17 +0000

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.

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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: New owners prepare to demolish CF Booth buildings

noreply@blogger.com (Tom Austen) — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 07:38:37 +0000

The new owners of historic Rotherham firm, CF Booth Limited, are sizing up how best to use the 35-acre site it has acquired.

Some demolition is proposed, but no plans have yet been revealed for Millmoor, the home of Rotherham United until 2008.

Administrators announced last month that they have concluded a sale of the company’s business and assets to Hu11 Limited, a subsidiary of Ron Hull Jnr Limited.

The sale of substantially all the assets of eight interconnected companies included Demex and Albion Jones as going concern sales, allowing the demolition business to continue operations.

Taking over the Clarence Works at Armer Street in Masbrough, Ron Hull has 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.

The Ron Hull Group has also been assessing the buildings on the site, with many found to be in a state of disrepair.

The company has engaged with the local planning authority, Rotherham Council, over the method of demolition for buildings on the site.

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The buildings set for demolition in the plans include the prominent main office building fronting Armer Street, and the large industrial buildings to the rear and side.

Further office buildings, factory units, a furnance and a maintenance workshop are also identified for demolition on maps submitted with the applications, allthough the applicants stress that the group is currently unsure exactly which buildings will remain and which will ultimately be demolished as they look to see if factory units and furnaces can be reused within the current business.

The plans explain that the three of the smaller buildings that are proposed to be demolished "are showing signs of a long term lack of repairs and maintenance, and are in poor condition. The buildings also are surplus to the requirements of the current owner's needs and business operations."

Industrial buildings are described as being in a state of disrepair, with the main office building's interior "very closed and unsuitable for modern open office use. The building is showing signs of water damage and general neglect." Other buildings are also showing signs of water damage and are in a state of disrepair.

Once demolished, the areas are set to store metals, which is as the current use of the site.

Ron Hull Group website

Images: Google Maps

News: Preferred bidder for former Liberty steelworks in Rotherham

noreply@blogger.com (Tom Austen) — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 12:35:00 +0000

A sale is moving closer for Speciality Steel UK (SSUK), with the official receiver confirming a preferred bidder for the company.

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

The government has committed £50m to date to keep the sites in Rotherham and Stocksbridge open whilst the bidding process takes place. Multiple companies came forward with the government confident a buyer can be found.

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An update from the official receiver on what it calls "a major step towards a sale," states: "A period of exclusivity has been agreed with a preferred bidder, marking the next stage of a future sale agreement.

"This is expected to last approximately five weeks, during which the preferred bidder will progress their bid.

"SSUK was wound up in August 2025, with the Official Receiver administering the liquidation, including activity at the steelworks.

"Employees have been informed.

"The Official Receiver will look to complete the sale at the earliest opportunity."

The Times reported in January on a shortlist of bidders obtained from "sources familiar with the situation."

Five potential new owners were listed by the paper including: 7 Steel; Aperam; Arabian Gulf Steel Industries; EIG Global Trust; and Evore Steel.

Sky News reported in February that Blastr was another name on the shortlist.

The Financial Times is reporting that Blastr is the preferred bidder.

Charlotte Brumpton-Childs, GMB National Secretary, said: "This is welcome news and we look forward to engaging with the interested parties on behalf of our members.

"Any sale of SSUK must include due diligence which guarantees ongoing operations and stability of the sites.

"GMB members have been at the sharp end of years of uncertainty at this point - his needs to be a deal that secures the long-term future steelmaking in South Yorkshire."

Images: Google Maps

News: Rotherham United's latest accounts published as losses increase

noreply@blogger.com (Tom Austen) — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 14:31:00 +0000

Playing in League One following relegation from The Championship meant that Rotherham United received £6.7m less in central funding, contributing to a loss before tax of £4.65m.

Published accounts for the year ending June 2025 show that the loss of £4.65m is larger than previous years. Having made a loss before tax of £1.1m in the year when the club beat the odds to stay in the second tier, in 23/24 the overall operating losses increased to £1.7m in the relegation year, despite a rise in income.

League clubs receive central distributions from the Football League and a solidarity payment from the Premier League. In the Championship, the Millers received £9.2m, but in League One, this dropped 59% to £2.5m.

Income from player trading was down 89% from £2.5m in 2024 to £270,000 in 2025. 2024 sales included Oliver Rathbone and Peter Kioso and potentially payments from the earlier exits of Viktor Johansson and Ben Wiles.

Despite a drop in divisions, and lower average attendances (9,328 in 2025 and 10,677 in 2024) and season ticket sales (6,668 in 2025 and 7,225 in 2024), the club reported an increase in "match income and season tickets", which went from £2.8m in 2024 to £3.8m in 2025.

The increase is despite Key Performance Indicators for the Football League showing reductions in Match Day Income (£909,000 from £1.1m), income from Season Tickets (£1,6m from £1,7m) and Total Match Receipts (£2.5m from £2.8m). Season ticket prices for 2025/26 underwent an increase, as did individual match tickets.

Money from sponsorships was reduced with commercial income down from £3.2m to £3m. Wages and salaries (which includes playing and non-playing staff) went from £11.4m to £7,6m.

The income and expenditure lead to total turnover of £10.5m – a figure that stood at £19.2m in 2024.

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The club said in an earlier statement that it had taken measures to reduce costs and stabilise operations, with a clear focus on sustainability and responsible financial management.

The accounts have again highlighted the importance of sponsors, primarily the fellow subsidiary company, ASD Lighting PLC, who have continued to provide £1m in sponsorship.

The accounts also confirmed that the club is being charged £1m in annual rent from RU Estates Ltd, the company set up by the Stewart family when the AESSEAL New York Stadium was built.

Rothbiz reported at the start of the year that the latest accounts of ASD Lighting PLC had "included within debtors was £9,467,811 (2024: £5,204,737) due from Rotherham United Football Club (RUFC) Limited. The outstanding balance is repayable on demand."

Last month. Tony Stewart OBE, ceased to be the largest share owner in the holding company that sits above ASD Lighting and Rotherham United with the founder of the lighting business, and saviour of the football club, transferring his shareholding to his son.

Richard Stewart, managing director of ASD and vice chairman at Rotherham United saw his shareholding in ASD Lighting Holdings Ltd increase from 5% to 100%.

In an update, the League One club said that Richard Stewart "therefore indirectly holds 97.06% of the shares in Rotherham United Football Club."

RUFC website

Images: RUFC

News: Rotherham expansion continues as Cepac set to take on closed print premises

noreply@blogger.com (Tom Austen) — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 08:59:00 +0000

A state-of-the-art print facility in Rotherham has closed, according to reports in the trade media.

Near neighbours have already submitted plans to expand into the vacated unit.

Vanacomm, which produced millions of catalogues, brochures and media inserts every week from its Manvers base, has ceased trading according to an article in Printweek.

Vanacomm took on the 120,000 sq ft premises of Garnett Dickinson, which was sold out of administration in a pre-pack deal in 2017 to GD Web Offset Limited, a vehicle incorporated for the purposes of the acquisition.

A statement from Vanacomm to Printweek said: “After careful consideration of the current economic climate, the substantial costs of energy contracts and the continued downturn in the UK web offset market, the shareholders of Vanacomm Ltd have come to the conclusion that the company should cease trading with immediate effect.

“The company is not entering into any form of liquidation and with wages paid up to date to the end of last week, we will continue to collect out the book debts with the intention of paying out all creditors.”

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Plans are already in place that could see Cepac, one of the UK’s leading innovators of performance packaging, expand onto Brookfields Park.

Rothbiz reported in September last year on Cepac 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 focuses on "Rotherham 1" - the existing facility that manufactures packaging and where certain machinery is now coming towards the end of its useful life. Plans have recently been approved for an extension of 4,000 sq ft and a proposed mezzanine of 11,400 sq ft to the existing building which will facilitate a wider expansion of the facility.

New plans explain that Cepac are in the process of formally purchasing the Vanacomm building to the south.

The application, drawn up by agents at DPP Planning, show a proposed 7,600 sq ft link building connecting the existing Cepac manufacturing building and Vanacomm building.

The plans state: "Due to increasing demands in the cardboard manufactory industry, the applicants are looking to increase their capacities. The link will send manufactured materials along production line machinery to the Vanacomm building to allow for final packaging and distribution of cardboard products.

"Linking the Vanacomm building to Cepac's current warehouse will facilitate the expansion and modernisation of Cepac's existing production facility which will allow Cepac to safeguard existing local jobs and the company's market position as a leading cardboard manufacturer."

Future plans would involve a new sprinkler tank and pump house and a new substation and switch room.

Cepac website

Images: Google Maps

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

noreply@blogger.com (Tom Austen) — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 11:30:00 +0000

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: Championship relegation for Rotherham United takes £10.5m off turnover

noreply@blogger.com (Tom Austen) — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 08:05:00 +0000

Rotherham United Football Club has released a statement over its financial results for the year ended June 2025 - the season back in League One following relegation from The Championship.

For the second consecutive year, the proactive move comes before the results are published with Companies House.

A statement from The Millers said: "Following our relegation from the Sky Bet Championship at the end of the 2023/24 campaign, the club has faced various challenges, the headline of which has undoubtedly been its turnover being reduced to £10.5m – a figure that stood at £19.2m in 2024.

"Among other aspects, this number was reflective of lower central distributions and player trading income associated with our position in the third tier.

"Despite the necessary adjustments being made to ensure a competitive first team playing budget for the 2024/25 campaign, the Club reported a loss before tax of £4.65m as we adapted to operating at League One level and the revenue streams associated with it."

The loss of £4.65m is larger than previous years. Having made a loss before tax of £1.1m in the year when the club beat the odds to stay in the second tier, in 23/24 the overall operating losses increased to £1.7m in the relegation year, despite a rise in income.

The club said it had taken measures to reduce costs and stabilise operations, with a clear focus on sustainability and responsible financial management.

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The statement added: "It has been well-documented throughout the football world that costs associated with the running of clubs continue to rise, but we remain committed to our promise that any and all decisions reached by our Chairman and Board must be made with the sustainability and long-term future of Rotherham United at the forefront.

"Our Commercial department continues to successfully support the generation of revenue and currently operates among the most proficient in Sky Bet League One, whilst also maintaining the integrity of the club’s core values through its involvement in the charitable sector and ongoing work alongside companies with principles that mirror our own.

"As we look to the future, our focus remains centred on rebuilding with purpose, striving to be better in every aspect within the club and delivering a product to supporters both on and off the pitch that they can be proud of."

Published accounts have highlighted the importance of sponsors, primarily the fellow subsidiary company, ASD Lighting PLC, who have continued to provide £1m in sponsorship.

Rothbiz reported at the start of the year that the latest accounts of ASD Lighting PLC had "included within debtors was £9,467,811 (2024: £5,204,737) due from Rotherham United Football Club (RUFC) Limited. The outstanding balance is repayable on demand."

Just last week, the Millers completed a rights issue which has converted £550,005 of existing debt into equity.

It also announced that Richard Stewart, managing director of ASD and vice chairman at Rotherham United, has seen his shareholding in the holding company, ASD Lighting Holdings Ltd, increase from 5% to 100%.

The son of ASD founder and RUFC chairman, Tony Stewart, Richard "therefore indirectly holds 97.06% of the shares in Rotherham United Football Club."

The club said that the changes were administrative in nature with Tony remaining as chairman of Rotherham United and Richard as vice chairman.

RUFC website

Images: RUFC

News: ASD MD becomes Rotherham United's largest shareholder

noreply@blogger.com (Tom Austen) — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 09:34:00 +0000

Tony Stewart OBE, has ceased to be the largest share owner in the holding company that sits above ASD Lighting and Rotherham United.

The founder of the lighting business, and saviour of the football club, has transferred his shareholding to his son.

Richard Stewart, managing director of ASD and vice chairman at Rotherham United has seen his shareholding in ASD Lighting Holdings Ltd increase from 5% to 100%.

In an update, the League One club said that Richard Stewart "therefore indirectly holds 97.06% of the shares in Rotherham United Football Club.

"These changes are administrative in nature and ensure a clear ownership structure for the Club going forward.

"A. R. [Tony] Stewart will remain Chairman of Rotherham United Football Club, while R. P. Stewart will continue as Vice Chairman. Both remain fully committed to the Club and its long-term future.

"All of the aforementioned changes will be reflected on HMRC’s Companies House.

"The Board would like to thank supporters for their continued backing as the Club moves forward with a strengthened financial position and a clear ownership structure."

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The club also announced that it had completed a rights issue which has converted £550,005 of existing debt into equity. The update added: "This strengthens the Club’s balance sheet and reflects the continued commitment of the Club’s ownership to supporting Rotherham United’s long-term financial stability."

Many EFL clubs convert existing debt into equity to stabilise balance sheets and comply with Profitability and Sustainability rules.

Rothbiz reported at the start of the year that the latest accounts of fellow subsidiary ASD Lighting PLC had "included within debtors was £9,467,811 (2024: £5,204,737) due from Rotherham United Football Club (RUFC) Limited. The outstanding balance is repayable on demand."

The figure has risen from £929,150 in 2023.

Tony Stewart, who turns 81 this year, was one of a number of business people invited to the Town Hall with the aim of finding a way of resurrecting the borough's football league club after it fell into administration for the second time in 2008. He ended up going it alone and brought them out of administration via a Creditors Voluntary Agreement (CVA).

After the takeover came the decision to play home games at the now demolished Don Valley Stadium in Sheffield, after working hard to get a deal to carry on playing at Millmoor, the club's home for over 100 years.

The club was charged with returning to play home games in its home town within four seasons by the Football League and Stewart, with the backing of his directors at ASD and the club, threw his drive, energy, business sense and money into creating the £20m New York Stadium on the edge of Rotherham town centre.

The iconic stadium hosted its first game in July 2012 and under Tony's tenure the club has enjoyed promotions, Play-off final victories and cup wins at Wembley Stadium, plus a number of relegations, in a period of sensible financial management not always replicated across the league.

ASD Lighting website
RUFC website

Images: RUFC

News: Harworth Group completes new landmark Rotherham HQ

noreply@blogger.com (Tom Austen) — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 10:10:00 +0000

One of the UK's leading land and property regeneration companies, Harworth Group, has confirmed that it has taken the 18,500 sq ft landmark office building that has recently been completed at the listed firm's flagship Waverley site in Rotherham.

Rothbiz reported in 2024 on plans for one of the final parcels of development land at the former Orgreave coal mining site that is Yorkshire’s largest ever mixed-use development and also includes the iconic Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP).

Between the AMP and the housing development is an area known as Highfield Commercial. Close to the AMRC Training Centre, the area includes residential development, a public house, a primary school, the Highwall Park, the mixed use centre known as Olive Lane, and the Courtyard by Marriott hotel.

The new two and half storey office building for Harworth forms a landmark building fronting Highfield Spring and has a design centred on the site's past and mining heritage as well as the local steel and development industries.

In an update to the stock exchange, Harworth said that the investment in a new headquarters completed early in 2026, adding that: "alongside creating a fit for purpose sustainable workspace, this enables the future development or sale of our previous head office site and provides an anchor to open up the development of Highfield as one of the final phases of the Waverley site."

Harworth has previously been based in nearby Advantage House.

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The update also confirms that Harworth has sold the McLaren unit at AMP, a Grade A unit it built in 2018 and leased to the supercar manufacturer for its Composites Technology Centre (MCTC). Harworth sold the 75,000 sq ft Rotherham unit has one of five assets totalling 800,000 sq ft for a headline sales value of £47.7m, reflecting a blended net initial yield of 7.6%.

Also on the AMP, Harworth completed an 80,000 sq ft pre-let development to Sheffield-based Technicut, a global leader in the design and manufacture of high-performance components for the aerospace industry. This advanced manufacturing facility included the incorporation of renewable energy through an innovative green lease structure.

Overall, with recent deals for Technicut, Vulcan Seals and Danieli, Harworth only has around 200,000 sq ft of the total 2.1 million sq ft of consented development space remaining at the AMP. A completion of the park is expected in 2027.

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 says that it is on track for its target £1bn of EPRA NDV - EPRA NDV is how Harworth measures the value of the its assets. Although timeframes have been extended to between end 2028 and end 2029 "to reflect the impact of ongoing macroeconomic weakness and resulting investor and business uncertainty, which has lengthened timings to complete deals."

In its full-year results for the period ending December 31 2025, the group saw its portfolio value grow by 9.1% to £937.2m.

Lynda Shillaw, Chief Executive of Harworth, commented: "I am pleased with the performance of our teams and our operational execution throughout 2025, positioning the portfolio to realise future upside potential and delivering a total property return of 8.4%.

"Harworth is at the intersection of some of the UK's most powerful trends, including data, advanced technologies, reindustrialisation and clean growth. Our land bank provides both strategic levers and optionality to generate attractive risk-adjusted returns, and the Harworth Platform underpinned by our specialist skills and ability to deliver successful serviced land and developments for world-leading businesses is central to stimulating and supporting economic growth in our regions."

Harworth Group website

Images: Tom Austen

News: Rotherham Council highlights impact of events as it finds funds for more

noreply@blogger.com (Tom Austen) — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 11:47:54 +0000

Rotherham Council has set aside over £500,000 to continue to put on a range of events that boost footfall, support the local economy and help foster pride in place.

In recent years the focus has been on supporting events of different scales that have boosted participation as well as visitor numbers.

Supporting the hosting of national events such as the Women's Euros at the AESSEAL New York Stadium in 2022, The Reytons’ homecoming gig at Clifton Park in 2024 and the Children’s Capital of Culture Festival Year in 2025, have added to a programme of annual civic events and the Rotherham Show.

An update from Rotherham Council shows how the authority uses events to increase civic pride, improve the profile and reputation of Rotherham and promote community cohesion.

It adds that participation in the borough tracked at 10% below the national average in 2019, and Children’s Capital of Culture say that they have achieved 83,743 "active participations" in activities during the 2025 festival year.

For borough events last year, poor weather for the Christmas Lights saw a drop in audience, but better weather for Rotherham Show saw a significant increase in attendees. The region's biggest free cultural festival reached its largest audience to date in 2025 with 95,500. It meant that the Rotherham Show generated a return of £13.06 for every £1 invested by the council.

Linked to the Children’s Capital of Culture, a number of town centre events have been held with the aim of attracting specific demographics back to the town centre, increasing footfall, improving perceptions of safety, reconnecting communities and the town centre, and supporting local businesses.

Roots: Rotherham Street Carnival, WOW Rotherham and the UPLIFT Festival had a combined attendance of around 30,000. Audiences for town centre events have increased by 13% year-on-year from 2021 to 2025 with organisers stating that in terms of economic impact, the events generate an average of £3.64 for every £1 the council invests.

The impact of these events is set to continue with Rotherham Council recently approving £119,000 to support the council's events team, increasing capacity to focus on compliance, safety, security and risk management of events. Rothbiz reported earlier this month that the council was setting aside £424,219 for a further programme of events delivered throughout the next financial year.

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Cllr. Lynda Marshall, Cabinet Member for Street Scene and Green Spaces at Rotherham Council, said: "Both local and national events support increased footfall across the borough, boost community engagement and strengthen Rotherham's cultural identity. Over the past five years, the events team has successfully expanded the programme by securing external funding and grants, however, the demand associated with securing and managing this level of funding, combined with the evolving safety legislation, is increasing pressure on staff capacity - the team can no longer sustain both the fundraising workload and the high safety standards required for delivering our events.

"To protect the continued growth and the success of our events, we urgently need additional staffing. Without this investment, we risk having to scale back local events for residents and may be unable to host national events in the future."

Visit Rotherham recently reported on which Children’s Capital of Culture events could continue in 2026.

A Rotherham Council report shows that Signals Music Festival and the Festival of Stories will continue, with UPLIFT Urban Sports Festival continuing on a Friday evening and one day (reduced down from the original three days). Otherham is set to be refocused, possibly in the guise of the recent Winter Lights Festival, but its game over for Plug In & Play as it is not set to continue.

The council's own events that are set to continue include the Rotherham Show, Bonfire Night at Clifton Park and the Christmas Lights Switch On in the town centre. A new event planned for April will celebrate St George's Day. The programme is also set to include WoW Rotherham, the Mayor's Parade, Armed Forces Day Armistice & Remembrance Day Parade, Reclaim the Night and Holocaust Memorial Day.

The Council's target for 2026/7 shows an uplift in visitor numbers of 3% (a target of 140,284) which acknowledges growth but also accounts for no major events planned this financial year.

Images: Children’s Capital of Culture

News: Administrator's report highlights £46m debts at stricken Rotherham firm, CF Booth

noreply@blogger.com (Tom Austen) — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:44:18 +0000

With the announcement of the sale of historic Rotherham firm, CF Booth Limited’s business and assets to Hu11 Limited, a subsidiary of Ron Hull Jnr Limited, an administrator's report shows how trade creditors are owed over £8m and are unlikely to see any of it.

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 at a further five of the company’s subsidiaries on 20 January 2026.

Subsequently, on March 10, the same joint administrators were appointed 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.

In January, 54 members of staff were retained to assist the administrators with 114 members of staff made redundant. The administrators only mentioned that 29 members of staff employed by Demex and Albion Jones have transferred to Hu11 Limited.

On entering administration there were 169 staff, 149 employed by CF Booth Ltd.

A February report from Interpath showed that staff members are preferential creditors and should share £144,022.

One of the group's largest debt is with IGF, which only provided a £20m asset-based lending facility in 2025. The debt totalled £14.2m and administrators expect IGF will be repaid in full.

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is listed as a secondary preferential creditor in respect of £1.2m in outstanding VAT, PAYE and National Insurance Contributions with Interpath expecting that they should receive a dividend.

£30.6m is owed to unsecured creditors. Administrators said before the sale that: "Based on present estimates, there may be a return to unsecured creditors. However, this is dependent on the value achieved from the sale of business and assets (which is not yet known), and the final costs of the administration which are also presently uncertain."

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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 include £3.5m - Employees, £14.3m - Intercompany creditors and another £2.2m - Other HMRC and HSE Fines & Penalties.

Company trade creditors are listed in a new update and the total owed is £8.2m.

The update also shows that the company had trade debtors owing them £12.8m when it went into administration, and that it owned property with a book value of around £3m that administrators now estimate could be realised at £11.5m. The company's main operation was at a 35-acre site at Armer Street, Masbrough.

Overall, administrators say that there is £17,319,045 as the estimated total assets available for preferential creditors, namely IGF and the HMRC. It goes on to say that when it comes to unsecured creditors, there is a deficit of £14,627,408.

In the unaudited management accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025, CF Booth Ltd recorded turnover of £107.3m and a loss of £5.3m. The company had recorded losses in each of the previous three years.

The February report explains: "Over recent months, the business experienced substantial operational and financial headwinds, including sharp rises in energy costs and pronounced volatility in copper prices. These market pressures materially undermined margins and generated a level of cost volatility that the business was unable to absorb.

"In addition, the company faced escalating cost burdens arising from increases to the National Living Wage and growing environmental compliance obligations. Additional strain was caused by VAT liabilities and penalties imposed by the Health and Safety Executive, all of which compounded the deterioration in cashflow and further weakened the Company's financial resilience."

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.

Images: Google Maps

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

noreply@blogger.com (Tom Austen) — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 15:20:00 +0000

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: Six bidders for CF Booth

noreply@blogger.com (Tom Austen) — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 10:14:00 +0000

A potential sale of historic Rotherham firm, CF Booth is still on the cards with six bidders lined up, but further connected companies have gone into administration.

Headquartered and founded in Rotherham in the 1920s, CF Booth has grown 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.

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

In January 54 members of staff were retained to assist the administrators with 114 members of staff made redundant.

An update from Interpath explains that since then, the company has carried out limited stock processing, finalising work in progress, whilst exploring opportunities to achieve a sale of the business and assets.

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The update states: "Following the Company's entry into administration, we commenced an accelerated marketing and sale process to maximise realisations and reduce holding costs for the benefit of creditors. The appointment generated immediate interest, and we undertook a broader outreach exercise to engage potential acquirers.

"Interest was sourced from parties known to be interested by the Company, direct approaches received by the Administrators, and Interpath's sector networks. In total, 66 parties were contacted as part of the marketing exercise.

"All parties expressing interest in acquiring the full business and asset base were encouraged to visit the site. Thes visits were coordinated to ensure safe access and to allow bidders to assess operations and fixed assets.

"We operated a streamlined timeline during which marketing materials were shared, site visits completed and offers invited. A range of bids were received with differing scopes and conditions. Following assessment, six bidders were shortlisted based on value, deliverability, and alignment with creditor outcomes. They were granted access to additional information and invited into detailed negotiations, supported by external legal advisers who have issued sale and purchase agreements.

"At the date of this report [February 26], a sale of the business and assets has not yet been concluded. We are progressing potential sale and purchase agreements with several parties and expect to provide a further update in our next report."

The administrators report discloses that in the unaudited management accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025, CF Booth Ltd recorded turnover of £107.3m and a loss of £5.3m. The company had recorded losses in each of the previous three years.

The report adds that staff members are preferential creditors and should share £144,022. Realisations from the sale of stock and work in progress to date have enabled the costs of the administration, including the costs of the retained staff.

One of the group's largest debt is with IGF, which only provided a £20m asset-based lending facility in 2025. The debt totalled £14.2m and administrators expect IGF will be repaid in full.

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is listed as a secondary preferential creditor in respect of £1.2m in outstanding VAT, PAYE and National Insurance Contributions with Interpath expecting that they should receive a dividend.

£30.6m is owed to unsecured creditors. Administrators say: "Based on present estimates, there may be a return to unsecured creditors. However, this is dependent on the value achieved from the sale of business and assets (which is not yet known), and the final costs of the administration which are also presently uncertain."

The unsecured creditors list include £3.5m - Employees, £14.3m - Intercompany creditors and another £2.2m - HMRC.

Rothbiz reported last month that a number of connected Booth companies had also gone into administration. Now Demex, the group's demolition business, and Albion Jones Ltd, join Northfield Aluminium Limited, Booth Transport Limited, C.F. Booth (Engineering) Limited, C.F. Booth (Doncaster) Limited and Booth Steel Stockholders Limited.

The report explains: "Over recent months, the business experienced substantial operational and financial headwinds, including sharp rises in energy costs and pronounced volatility in copper prices. These market pressures materially undermined margins and generated a level of cost volatility that the business was unable to absorb.

"In addition, the Company faced escalating cost burdens arising from increases to the National Living Wage and growing environmental compliance obligations. Additional strain was caused by VAT liabilities and penalties imposed by the Health and Safety Executive, all of which compounded the deterioration in cashflow and further weakened the Company's financial resilience."

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.

Interpath website

Images:

News: More Booth family companies enter administration

noreply@blogger.com (Tom Austen) — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 09:53:00 +0000

A host of companies connected to the operators of CF Booth Limited, one of the UK’s leading metal recycling companies, have joined the historic Rotherham firm in appointing administrators.

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

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.

Within a week of administrators being appointed at CF Booth Limited on January 16, another five companies had done the same.

The companies are Northfield Aluminium Limited, Booth Transport Limited, C.F. Booth (Engineering) Limited, C.F. Booth (Doncaster) Limited and Booth Steel Stockholders Limited.

The compaies all share Booth family members as directors and all have appointed Interpath.

Demex Limited, the Booth family's demolition company has not appointed administrators.

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An update on CF Booth Limited from the administrators said last month that "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."

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 also fined £1.2m by the HSE after an investigation following the death of an employee on site.

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

Interpath website

Images: Google Maps

News: Administrators provide update on CF Booth Ltd

noreply@blogger.com (Tom Austen) — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 11:18:00 +0000

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: On the scrapheap? Administrators called in at £100m+ turnover Rotherham firm

noreply@blogger.com (Tom Austen) — Sat, 17 Jan 2026 15:29:00 +0000

The future of a historic Rotherham firm is in doubt after it appointed administrators.

The move comes after the group posted significant losses and the sad death of a director.

Headquartered and founded in Rotherham in the 1920s, CF Booth has grown from a local metal trader into one of the largest independently run metal recycling companies in Europe. With its massive Masbrough site, the business has been family owned and operated and 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.

Over the years, hundreds of railway carriages and engines have been brought to the site for dismantling and recycling.

On January 16, C F Booth Ltd filed a notice to appoint James Ronald Alexander Lumb and Howard Smith of Interpath Advisory as joint administrators.

Administrators are brought in to help rescue the business, sell it, or wind it down to achieve the best outcome for creditors, often involving immediate action like managing redundancies while exploring sale options to preserve value.

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The company's latest financial accounts showed that the year ending 2024 was a testing one for the business. It reported sales of £113.6m that were 16.30% lower than the £135.7m achieved in the previous financial year. Commodity prices remained high but the volume of scrap traded was down 15%.

The company posted a loss of £5.9m after year's of profit.

After the year end C F 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 Limited 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.

As part of refinancing, the group took out a short term loan in June 2025 of £1.5m to facilitate working capital requirements.

In October 2025 Rothbiz reported that Interpath Advisory assisted CF Booth on in securing a flexible £20m asset-based lending facility from Independent Growth Finance (IGF) "to support its growth ambitions."

In the same month, the large 82,624 sq ft C F Booth premises at Lyme Street was listed for sale / to let with agents. Pictures show an empty warehouse.

December 2025 saw the death of Ken Booth Jr, who oversaw significant expansion at Clarence Metal Works during his and his brother James’ tenure.

Images: Google Maps / Knight Frank

News: Report reveals bidders for Rotherham speciality steel site

noreply@blogger.com (Tom Austen) — Sat, 17 Jan 2026 14:56:00 +0000

A six strong shortlist of suitors for Speciality Steels UK (SSUK) features in a report by a national newspaper - the five potential new owners known so far are from overseas.

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 government has committed £50m to date to keep the sites in Rotherham and Stocksbridge open whilst the bidding process takes place. Multiple companies came forward with the governmment confident a buyer can be found.

The Times has now published the shortlist obtained from "sources familiar with the situation."

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Only five potential new owners are listed by the paper including:

- 7 Steel
- Aperam
- Arabian Gulf Steel Industries
- EIG Global Trust
- Evore Steel

7 Steel is operated by Sev.en Global Investments, a Czech-based investment group that invests across a range of sectors, particularly in steel production, power generation, and mining of various natural resources. It acquired Celsa Steel UK last year.

Luxembourg-listed Aperam is a global player in stainless, electrical and specialty steel and recycling, with customers in over 40 countries. It's European production utilises facilities in Belgium and France.

Based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Arabian Gulf Steel Industries describes itself as a forerunner in the region's steel manufacturing and operate the first carbon-neutral and net-zero steel plant in the country.

EIG Global Trust is a transformative private investment business that uses collateralized digital assets it calls stablecoin (think bitcoin and the use of blockchain), backed by $5 trillion in gold reserves. Based in the USA, the firm has regulatory approvals for 70+ central banks and thousands of commercial banks where they "actively facilitate bank tailored turn-key digital asset solutions and offers world class resources for project management."

Evore is Canadian steel manufacturing and distribution company that says that its "cutting-edge manufacturing processes and dedication to precision" sets it apart in the sector.

None of the companies, the government or its special managers, have commented on the reports.

Images: Speciality Steel UK

News: Northern Powerhouse Rail commitment "represents real progress" for Rotherham and South Yorkshire

noreply@blogger.com (Tom Austen) — Fri, 16 Jan 2026 11:38:00 +0000

Although full funding is "not a done deal" the recent announcement on Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) represents the government's "commitment to support plans for Rotherham’s new mainline station," South Yorkshire's Mayor says.

Rotherham Gateway Station and the electrification of the Sheffield - Leeds line are included in the first phase of the scheme.

Documents show that transport investment will also support major development plans around the station, linking to the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District that includes a spine running through Sheffield and Rotherham.

The new NPR plan has been given an overall funding cap of £45 billion. £1.1 billion has been announced for the Spending Review period, "allowing progress on planning, development, and design work to be made which will unlock benefits for the people of the North from the 2030s."

Setting out the case for change for a Northern Growth Strategy, the Government says that "the first phase will prioritise the quickest wins via upgrades to lines east of the Pennines for delivery in the 2030s, focusing on electrification and upgrades in the Leeds-Bradford, Sheffield-Leeds and Leeds-York corridors, including the stations.

"The expectation is that many of the trains used would be extensions of longer distance services, meaning that this package should also improve links from the Yorkshire cities to the Midlands, London, and the North East. This phase aligns with the proposals for NPR delivery in the 2030s set out in Yorkshire’s Plan for Rail produced by Lord Blunkett with the White Rose Mayors."

The government says that it will work closely with local leaders "to align rail improvements with wider plans to modernise and unlock capacity at key stations." For South Yorkshire this includes: "Providing the additional station capacity needed at Sheffield and working together with local leaders to ensure tram-train interdependencies and options are fully explored as part of the forward joint development work. While more substantial work on Sheffield-Manchester connections will come in phase 3, this phase will consider opportunities for unlocking additional capacity on this corridor sooner.

"The government will also ensure that development work aligns with local plans for a new Rotherham station, for which final business case funding has been confirmed."

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South Yorkshire's Mayor, Oliver Coppard said that the NPR announcement is a commitment to improvements to Sheffield station, four fast trains an hour to Leeds (up from two) on electrified lines from Sheffield and through Rotherham Gateway Station, which the government has now committed to supporting plans for.

Coppard added that he is expecting "millions of pounds to kick-start our plans for extensions to the Supertram network" and added that plans for a Dearne Valley Parkway station could be back on the table as NPR is developed.

Mayor Coppard, said: “For South Yorkshire, Northern Powerhouse Rail represents real progress. Better connections between Sheffield, Leeds and Manchester mean quicker, more reliable journeys, opening up more choice around work, skills and opportunity for everyone across our region.

“This plan for Northern Powerhouse Rail isn’t just about faster trains. It’s about working with central government to build a transport system that matches the ambition we have for South Yorkshire over the next decade and beyond. There’s still a lot to do, but today's commitment from government gives us confidence we will see a step-change in transport across the North.”

Over £11m of local transport funding has been agreed to develop a full business case for Rotherham Gateway station at Parkgate. A 20-year programme of transformation includes more than 355,000 sq ft of advanced manufacturing and commercial space, around 250 new homes, and up to 132,000 sq ft of green spaces and public realm. It is a £300m regeneration project with proponents aiming to have the station open by late 2030.

Cllr. Chris Read, Leader of Rotherham Council, said that the commitment to Rotherham Gateway being at the heart of investment plans was "nothing less than Rotherham people deserve."

He added: "For the last forty years Rotherham has been off the mainline rail network. Our plan isn't just to put that right, but to maximise the opportunities that it presents; direct connection into the tram-train network, with thousands of jobs created, and facilitating further high-quality local housing.

"With likely train journey times of just half an hour to Leeds, and a little over an hour to Manchester and Birmingham - as well as potentially direct connections to London in the future - the station doesn't just widen commute and work opportunities for Rotherham people, but in turn creates new business opportunities to relocate here too. We see that as part of a whole package of exciting developments between Rotherham and Sheffield along the Don Valley corridor.

"It's especially heartening to see that the government is considering Rotherham Gateway as part of the first stage of Northern Powerhouse Rail development. There is still a huge amount of work to do, with development of the full business case required and funding certainty reached before the first spade goes in the ground. It's definitely not a done deal, and I'd urge everyone to sign up to our station campaign to help us maintain momentum for the project."

Rotherham Gateway website

Images: DfT / RMBC

News: Rotherham Gateway Station included in Northern Powerhouse Rail announcement

noreply@blogger.com (Tom Austen) — Wed, 14 Jan 2026 08:48:00 +0000

There's strong signals of support for efforts to return mainline train services to Rotherham as part of a £300m regeneration project as the Rotherham Gateway Station is included in the first phase of the Northern Powerhouse Rail vision announced by the Government.

With more reliable and more frequent trains across major cities in the North, the NPR plans will drastically improve how people travel for work, education and leisure with the government adding that growing the productivity of the five largest cities to the national average would add up to £40 billion a year to UK economy.

The first phase will prioritise upgrades and electrification between Leeds-Sheffield, Leeds-York and Leeds-Bradford to transform commutes, set to be delivered in the 2030s. In the North East, work on the business case for the Leamside Line will be taken forward, as part of ensuring NPR services reach Newcastle.

With £1.1 billion to progress planning and development work as soon as possible, plans include improvements for Leeds, Sheffield and York stations – supporting significant regeneration plans to unlock tens of thousands of homes and jobs. The plan also includes pressing forward with work on Bradford Station, putting a young, dynamic city of 500,000 people at the heart of the northern network.

Over £11m of local transport funding has now been agreed for South Yorkshire to develop a new Rotherham Gateway station at Parkgate, which the announcement says "spells an end to slow journeys to Leeds and support the ambitious regeneration plans for the town."

When the previous government published its Integrated Rail Plan for the North and Midlands (IRP) in 2021, it scaled back ambitions for NPR with Rotherham and Sheffield missed off the new network.

The new NPR plan has been given an overall funding cap of £45 billion.

South Yorkshire's mayor has previously expressed that improving the Sheffield-Leeds connection through NPR supports the Rotherham Gateway Station proposal. The pausing of plans for the electrification of the Midland Main Line to Sheffield last year means that it remains the largest city in the UK without electrified railways.

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Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, said: “For too long, the North has been held back by underinvestment and years of dither and delay – but that ends now.

“This new era of investment will not just speed up journeys, it will mean new jobs and homes for people, making a real difference to millions of lives.

“The exciting improved stations across Leeds, Sheffield, York and Bradford will reflect the prestigious place rail holds in the northern economy, and regenerate vibrant, bustling districts in these cities.

“The first phase of Northern Powerhouse Rail will prioritise upgrading rail connections across Yorkshire and progressing work on the business case for the Leamside Line as part of ensuring services reach Newcastle, improving opportunities across the region.”

A future phase for NPR will focus on improved connections between Manchester and Sheffield given that it can take up to one hour 23 minutes to get to Manchester airport from Leeds or Sheffield, even though they are around 40 miles away.

This landmark upgrade to rail travel is one of the central building blocks of a plan for the North – to be published in the Spring. This will include plans for a northern growth corridor from Liverpool to York via West and South Yorkshire and bespoke plans for the North-East to make the most of opportunities in clean energy, AI, innovation and city centre regeneration.

Not only will plans improve travel connections, the redevelopment of stations and surrounding neighbourhoods will bring in new homes, jobs and local businesses. Rotherham's station masterplan shows how a transport improvement scheme can act as the catalyst for a much wider regeneration project supporting thousands of new jobs.

The idea is to use a mainline station integrated with a tram-train stop to further develop the advanced manufacturing cluster within South Yorkshire as part of the UK’s first Investment Zone. Future phases involve the creation of an innovation campus of around 180,000 sq ft of commercial space, further industrial zones and introducing new housing in the area.

Rotherham Gateway website

Images: RMBC

News: Rotherham United's debt with ASD rises to over £9m

noreply@blogger.com (Tom Austen) — Thu, 08 Jan 2026 09:23:00 +0000

In the latest accounts of Rotherham-based manufacturing firm, ASD Lighting PLC, Rotherham United Football Club is listed as a debtor owing £9.4m, up from £5.2m in the previous year.

Both ASD Lighting PLC and Rotherham United have ASD Lighting Holding Limited as their parent company, connected by Tony Stewart, the founder of ASD Lighting and the man who saved the Millers in 2008. The businessman brought them out of administration and has overseen promotions, cup success and a move to a new stadium in town, at the same time as a period of sensible financial management, not something always shared by fellow league clubs.

Based on the Barbot Hall Industrial Estate, ASD Lighting has a reputation for innovation and quality and provides a range of products for domestic and commercial installations.

For the year ending June 30 2025, turnover was reported as £18m, down from £19.8m in the previous year. Sales to the UK were £15.8m (£17.9m in 2024), the rest of Europe £2.1m (£1.8m in 2024) and the rest of the world £0m (£0.1m in 2024). Included in the £2.1m to Europe were sales of £1.6m to ASD Lighting Europe Ltd set up to distribute and partner with customers in Europe.

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Gross profit is reported at £6.4m, down from £7m. with the manufacturer highlighting that despite rising material, utility and labour costs, the gross profit margin remains strong at 36%, up from 35% in 2024.

Administration costs at £8m increased by 4% from £7.6m last year. The main increases being staff related costs which went up £300k to £6.6m despite employee numbers reducing by three to 159.

It meant that ASD posted an operating loss (before interest and tax) of £1.6m compared to a profit of £0.6m in the previous year. A loss after interest receivable and tax was £849k compared to a £276k profit in 2024.

Rothbiz has previously reported on Rotherham United's 2023/24 losses which highlighted that the club can continue to trade as a going concern "but it must continue to rely upon the support of sponsors, in particular its fellow subsidiary company ASD Lighting PLC to enable it to do so."

The accounts confirm that ASD Lighting continues to provide £1m in sponsorship and advertising to the football club each year.

Documents also show that "included within debtors was £9,467,811 (2024: £5,204,737) due from Rotherham United Football Club (RUFC) Limited. The outstanding balance is repayable on demand."

The figure has risen from £929,150 in 2023.

Also included in other debtors is an amount of £12,514,906 due from R U Estates Limited, a company of which Tony Stewart and son Richard are directors. This is thought to have been established when the AESSEAL New York Stadium was constructed.

The debt is split between £600,962 due within one year and £11,913,944 due after more than one year. This loan is unsecured and bore interest at 2% above base rate per annum until January 2021 when it began to bear interest at 1.15% above base rate and is repayable over nine years in instalments.

Rotherham United's accounts for the period are due to be published within the next few months.

ASD Lighting website
RUFC website

Images: ASD

News: Home Decor completes MBO

noreply@blogger.com (Tom Austen) — Tue, 06 Jan 2026 09:02:00 +0000

Rotherham-based Home Décor, one of the leading suppliers of sliding door and interior solutions in Europe, has been purchased in a management buyout (MBO) led by the company’s executive team.

Home Decor supply into retail, distribution, new build construction and online markets.

Originally formed as Acmetrack in England in 1975, the business was acquired by The Stanley Works Inc in 1987 and sold seventeen years later, at which time it was renamed Home Decor GB Ltd.

With its parent company part of the Cerberus Investment Group, the manufacturer made the move from Drakehouse in Sheffield to the Woodhouse Link development on the site of the former Laycast Foundry at Fence, just over the Rotherham border, in 2013.

The deal was for an undisclosed sum and the new owners include: Jason Limbert, Chief Executive Officer; Neil Martin, Contract Sales Director; and Jon Griffiths, Sales & Marketing Director.

Full-service accountancy firm, Shorts, played a pivotal role in structuring the deal and guiding the process.

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Jason Limbert said: "This is a defining moment for Home Decor as the Executive team increase their minority shareholding to take full ownership of the company. We are grateful for having been given this opportunity by Cerberus Capital Management and for the financial support and vote of confidence of HSBC to enable our ability to achieve it.”

“We would like to thank Shorts, especially Chris Alsop who has worked tirelessly on our behalf to structure a deal that satisfied all parties. We would also like to thank David Leonard our Relationship Director at HSBC who has been supportive of the business over many years and has worked with us to achieve a funding solution to enable the Executive team to take full control of the company at such a significant point in the company’s journey.”

“Paul Trudgill at Knights has also done a fantastic job of guiding us through the legal process, similarly David Robinson at Shorts has been great guiding us fully through the tax considerations of the transaction.”

“Under the full control of the Executive team, who collectively bring over 40 years of service, we look forward to continuing to implement our strategic plan that will continue to deliver growth, creating even more security for our valued Home Decor team.”

Chris Alsop added: “It has been a pleasure to assist the shareholders with this transaction. Home Decor has a strong reputation within their sector and we look forward to providing continued support throughout the next chapter of the company’s growth.”

Home Decor website

Images: Shorts

News: IntelliAM expands into the building products sector

noreply@blogger.com (Tom Austen) — Mon, 05 Jan 2026 11:07:00 +0000

Rotherham-based IntelliAM AI plc, the software company transforming productivity in the manufacturing industry through artificial intelligence and machine learning, has officially expanded into the building products sector, securing new contracts with two other Yorkshire companies – Elland-based Marshalls and Castleford-based H+H.

The Dinnington company has also announced deals with Tarmac and global building supplies company Knauf, at sites in the UK and Japan.

IntelliAM is powering a new global industrial revolution through its AI solutions which unlock greater productivity, quality, performance, efficiency, and safety, while also reducing waste and increasing throughput.

The industrial AI specialist has secured new contracts worth £250,000 in total, with confirmed orders covering 15 manufacturing sites.

The announcement marks a significant shift for IntelliAM, which until now has been primarily known for its stronghold in the FMCG and food & beverage industries.

The announcement follows several months of consultancy-led collaborations with major building product manufacturers.

Manufacturers in the building services sector are facing increasing performance pressures and challenges with maintaining critical assets, as well as resource shortages.

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As companies move to a fully connected IntelliAM solution they are able to strengthen reliability, reduce engineering downtime, and improve maintenance efficiency across mechanically intensive, highly abrasive production environments.

The expansion into the fast-growing building products sector further reinforces IntelliAM’s diversification strategy and comes just weeks after the company announced a major extension of its contract with Hovis, one of the UK’s most recognised bakery brands.

Tom Clayton, CEO of Dinnington-based IntelliAM AI, said: “Manufacturers across the building products sector are dealing with unique pressures ranging from abrasive production environments to growing challenges in staffing, resourcing, and maintaining critical assets.

“Our technology gives these teams the ability to stay connected 24/7, access engineering insights instantly, and make more proactive, data-driven decisions that enhance reliability and reduce downtime.

“What’s particularly exciting is that companies like Yorkshire’s Marshalls and H+H, as well as Knauf, and Tarmac, initially came to us for consultancy support and are now choosing to fully connect their factories through IntelliAM’s predictive AI.

“It’s a strong validation of the value we bring, and we expect this vertical to continue its rapid growth through the end of the year.”

Aquis-listed IntelliAM, founded in 2023 and built on the strong technical foundations of Sheffield-based 53 Degrees North, works across a range of sectors and has developed a firm footing in the international FMCG sector servicing a quarter of the world's top 100 FMCGs and half of the top 12 food and beverage manufacturers including Müller, Mars, ADM, Weetabix, and Diageo.

IntelliAM website

Images: Marshalls

News: Steel production could move from Scunthorpe to Rotherham

noreply@blogger.com (Tom Austen) — Mon, 22 Dec 2025 09:01:00 +0000

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