unLTD. The voice of Sheffield business #4 by unLTD magazine

MAY/JUNE 2018 | ISSUE 4 | FREE | WWW.UNLTDBUSINESS.COM

GOING PLACES Taxi boss Arnie Singh on tech, takeovers and the Uber effect

FOODIE FUTURE

Previewing Sheffield Food Festivalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s industry day

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WORKING FROM HOME | REVAMPING OFFICE INTERIORS | AFTER WORK TIPPLES |unLTDBUSINESS.COM EVENTS GUIDE

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CONTENTS

30 DRIVING FORCE IN THE CITY

47 OFFICE INTERIORS

69 AFTERWORKDRINKS 4

52 THE MOOR unLTDBUSINESS.COM

CONTENTS

ALSO INSIDE... 6: News Cyber lab launch, awards galore and exciting new developments happening around the city.

WE HAD A GREAT DAY AT THE INDIE BUSINESS FAIR @UNLTDBUSINESS

14: If You Ask Me... Transport – how can transport links around the region improve? 25: Calendar All the very best business and social events happening around the city. 38 & 44: Five minutes with... We take time out to chat to Tufcot and Reach Homes about their businesses. 40: Company Culture We meet people and performance development consultant Katrina Dunne to find out what she can teach the employers of today. 50: Your Pitch Eyeye are an independent opticians offering a more ethical approach to eyecare.

74: Weekend Escapes We spend 48 hours in the romantic city of Paris, and take a look at what the Peak District has to offer. 82: Number Crunch We crunch the manufacturing numbers for the Sheffield city region.

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READY FOR TAKE-OFF Sheffield: a city on the move. Now where has that been heard before? In the case of our cover star this issue though it certainly fits the bill as Arnie Singh and City Taxis get hundreds of thousands of people from A to B every month, not just in Sheffield but in an ever growing market. Arnie’s interview with unLTD’s Jill Theobald is a must read as he explains his journey to running one of the country’s largest independent taxi operators and how City are fighting off the challenge of Uber with a combination of local knowledge and development of new technology. It should come as no surprise that a Sheffield firm is at the forefront of innovation in their field. Across the city region there are hundreds of companies, big and small, who are leading the way and taking on their competitors. Helping many of them is the Sheffield City Region Launchpad programme. As part of a new regular feature we have spoken to programme manager Anna Smith who explains how it all works and how they can help your business. You may notice a slight change to our front cover which reflects that our distribution has increased by more than a third since our last issue and we’re now more widely distributed across Barnsley, Doncaster and Rotherham. Bringing the business community together across our whole region is not just something we’re passionate about – it will also be a major challenge for whoever wins the vote to become the first Metro Mayor of the Sheffield City Region. There will be many things in the new mayor’s inbox but getting everyone to buy into a shared vision which will benefit the whole of the region must certainly be very near the top. If the thought of another elected official is enough to make you reach for a bottle then fear not as our After Hours section starts with the best place to grab a drink once the clock hits five. Please have a read as our tenacious team have gone the extra mile to test each and every watering hole. Bless ‘em.

UNLTD BUSINESS FACEBOOK.COM/UNLTDBUSINESS EDITORIAL Richard Fidler richard@unltdbusiness.com Jill Theobald editorial@unltdbusiness.com General editorial@unltdbusiness.com ADVERTISING Phil Turner phil@unltdbusiness.com Nick Hallam nick@unltdbusiness.com General advertising@unltdbusiness.com FINANCE Sarah Koriba and Faye Bailey accounts@exposedmagazine.co.uk DESIGN Simon Waller CONTRIBUTORS Mike Durham Marc Barker Harry Hamling Jay Bhayani Isobel Buffin Andy Hanselman Daniela Velkova Joel Course unLTD is published bi-monthly by Blind Mice Media LTD Unit 1B Rialto 2 Kelham Island Square Kelham Riverside Sheffield S3 8SD and HR Media LTD 59 Shoreham Street Sheffield S1 4SB

The views contained herein are not necessarily those of Blind Mice Media LTD and HR Media LTD and while every effort is made to ensure information throughout unLTD is correct, changes prior to distribution may take place which can affect the accuracy of copy, therefore Blind Mice Media LTD and HR Media LTD cannot take responsibility for contributors’ views or specific listings.

AGENDA NEWS Biggest crowds yet for Outdoor City Weekender

THE REPORT LAUNCH AT THE ADVANCED MANUFACTURING PARK WITH MARTIN MCKERVEY (CMS), CAROL STANFIELD (SHEFFIELD HALLAM UNIVERSITY), RUTH ADAMS (SCR), LOUISA HARRISON-WALKER (BENCHMARK), REBECCA FIELDING (GRADCONSULT), LISA POGSON (AIRMASTER), KAREN CHALLIS (CEIAG) AND JON WALKER (BENCHMARK)

Four headline events, thousands of YouTube views and more than 1,000 people lining Sheffield’s steepest hills – the annual Outdoor City Weekender saw its biggest turnout yet. Now in its third year, the action-packed three-day festival drew record crowds – more than 1,000 people cheered on the cyclists during The Magnificent Seven cycle challenge, while spectators at the inner-city mountain bike race, the Howard Street Dual, were double those of last year.

SKILLS GAP TACKLED BY CITY REGION REPORT 1/3 Around 500 job seekers and business leaders have contributed to the launch of a ‘landmark report’ on the city region’s skills gap. Benchmark, on behalf of Sheffield City Region Combined Authority (SCRCA), conducted a survey of business experts around the region to create and produce the ‘Sheffield City Region Skills Shortages and Hard to Fill Vacancies’ report. Louisa Harrison-Walker managing director at Benchmark said: “In focusing policy intervention where it impacts employees most, transport and housing and joining the dots between educators and employers, we have a real opportunity to positively impact the employment ‘eco system’ in

This is a really useful report which should help employers with hard-tofill vacancies and jobseekers applying for positions.

our region for the long term. I’m personally very grateful to all the individuals who took the time to engage with this landmark piece of work.” Dr Lisa Clarke, the SCR’s senior economic policy manager who led the report, said: “This is a really useful report which should help employers with hard-to-fill vacancies and jobseekers applying for positions. It makes it very clear where adjustments could be made that would encourage people to stay in this region. “I hope the SCR can encourage co-operation on areas that will benefit both jobseekers and employers – work experience, career progression, people management skills, training for senior positions, and technical and soft skills.”

Got news and views of your own? Let us know!

Get in touch with your press releases, ideas and suggestions: editorial@unltdbusiness.com Or find and chat to us online: Twitter @unLTDbusiness LinkedIn: Unltd Business

of the 112 films showing at ShAFF had female leads or were made by women – more than ever before

The other headline events were the Climbing Works International Festival and Sheffield Adventure Film Festival (ShAFF), as well as a host of fringe activities appealing to all ages and abilities. The Howard Street Dual attracted more than 12,500 views on YouTube, and the Climbing Works International Festival (CWIF) final over 45,000. The Dual also saw 17 female riders take to the city centre dual slalom track, compared with just eight last year. Di Buckley, head of economic strategy at Sheffield City Council, said: “We hope people were inspired by what they saw at the Weekender and are encouraged to try something new, whatever their ability.”

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AGENDA Expansion plans kick into action for martial arts venture

UNIVERSITY CENTRE ROTHERHAM (UCR)

‘FITTING’ HEADLINE SPONSOR ANNOUNCED FOR AWARDS A new campus, which plans to expand the degree and professional training courses it offers, has been announced as the headline sponsor for the Barnsley and Rotherham Business Awards 2018. University Centre Rotherham (UCR) will house state-ofthe-art facilities and offer accredited degree courses taught by lecturers with industry experience in sectors such as Teaching, Childcare, Engineering and Business. Jana Checkley, director for higher education and skills for the RNN Group, said: “It’s fitting that UCR will headline the Business Awards, as we hope to

“With our entries opening from Monday 4 June, I would encourage even more businesses and individuals to enter this year in order to receive recognition of their contribution courses will be running at to the local business economy.” UCR by 2020 – with 1,000 Two new categories have additional students in the been announced for 2018 first five years – Marketing Campaign of the Year and Innovation in Manufacturing. work with many employers to All businesses with an ‘S’ shape the provision we offer in postcode, as well as members order to develop people with the of Barnsley and Rotherham higher technical skills needed to Chamber are eligible to enter bridge the skills gap.” the awards. The awards Andrew Denniff, chief ceremony will be held at executive of Barnsley and Magna, Rotherham on Friday, 19 Rotherham Chamber said: October.

Apartments set for ‘increasingly dynamic’ city A public consultation has been held in response to proposals for a new high-quality apartment scheme in the heart of Sheffield due to the city’s ‘huge potential’. Plans to build a development of up to 350 high-end apartments were designed by residential developers PLATFORM_, prompting a consultation in April. Aimed at the non-student market, the neglected site is located between Sylvester Street

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A new activity hub is to be developed in Holbrook Industrial Estate after a derelict, 15,200 sq ft warehouse was sold for £860,000. Shield House, Holbrook, was left empty after the failure of decorating wholesaler Shield Quality at Work and was purchased by family run business Excel Martial Arts. Excel, which currently operates from two smaller bases at Holbrook, intends to transform the larger space into a martial arts and dance academy through a £250,000 refurbishment which is expected to create 12 jobs.

and Mary Street and will see the construction of two apartment blocks as well as smaller business spaces. Director of PLATFORM_, Matt Willcock, said: “PLATFORM_ Sheffield will provide the city with a new, permanent residential community right in the heart of the city. “We see Sheffield as an increasingly dynamic and growing city with huge potential, which is why we have chosen it over Leeds

350

The potential number of apartments to be built the city centre

and Manchester for our first development outside the south east.” A planning application will likely be submitted at the end of spring and it is probable construction will start at the end of the year, subject to approval.

£250,000 The cost of the refurbishment for a new martial arts and dance academy in Holbrook

Wake Smith Solicitors in Sheffield advised on the purchase of the new activity hub, also featuring a fitness centre, which will complete for a July 21 launch event. Charterfields acted as agents on the sale. Founder of Excel, Liam Richards said: “We are convinced that we can develop the club, encourage new membership, liaise with schools and make a real difference to the community. “We have already started on that road with this investment and are hoping to expand our team from eight to 20 once our new academy is up and running.”

AGENDA

HOT • The Business Growth Fund has provided an £8.5m capital investment to Independent Forgings and Alloys, a local aerospace manufacturer, to fund their growth plans. • Two commercial units, one 23,900 sq ft and the other 15,000 sq ft, are set to be developed at Capitol Park in Dodworth this year, as part of the second phase of Barnsley Council’s Property Investment Fund. • Sheffield-based company JRI Orthopaedics has become part of one of the world’s largest 3D-printed orthopaedic implant manufacturers, after being acquired for £16.7m by Chinese company AK Medical. • Booming hydrogen firm, TsM Power, is moving to a large industrial unit in Rotherham to expand operation of £40m likely pipeline orders. • Wardpower, a historic power generating Sheffield manufacturer, has been sold to Power Engineering to secure its future.

STEVE JONES AND LEEZA MURINA WITH THEIR AWARD

FOODIE BUSINESS SET FOR EXPANSION FOLLOWING INVESTMENT AND AWARD A Sheffield-based food manufacturer has been named as the winner of a South Yorkshire investment initiative. The Russian Food Company Ltd were crowned winners of the UK Steel Enterprise Y-Accelerator Initiative final, which took place at Gripple’s Glide House. The 12-week development programme is a collaboration between private and public sector organisations and aims to invest in growing companies locally. Entrepreneurs Leeza Murina and Steve Jones were awarded the £25,000 prize money after creating the “Bunza”®, a modern twist on the traditional Russian pie.

19 The number of times Leeza Murina and Steve Jones have won the British Pie Awards

Co-founder Leeza, said: “Food unites friends and family and is a huge part of people’s lives, and with the British taste buds becoming ever more sophisticated, we are seeing increasing demand for something different – our handmade Russian food ticks that box. “I found the Y-Accelerator to be an extremely useful experience because it has given us the focus and dedicated space and time to work on developing our business.” The Russian Food Ltd pipped seven other local companies due to what the judges described as its future growth potential.

High-tech cyber security lab launches at UTC COOL • The number of retail store closures (458) surpassed the number of openings (282) in Yorkshire and Humberside high streets in 2017, according to PwC Research.

UTC Sheffield computing students will train in the latest high-tech facilities with the launch of a cyber security laboratory. The security operations lab at UTC Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park campus aims to equip students with the skills employers need and prepare them for the latest careers in the computing industry. The equipment includes a threat wall powered by major

cyber security providers that shows live attacks and data from around the world. The lab will also have the latest software to detect, analyse and test cyber security threats and viruses, as well as dual monitor support on state-of-the-art desktop machines to make analysis and tracking of data easier. Colin Smith, curriculum director for computing, said: “Our students love learning

by working with employers in fantastic facilities and applying theory to practice so they develop technical and problem-solving skills. “Cyber security is a growing industry with increased threats at home and abroad. The high-tech lab is a direct simulation of what’s used in the cyber security industry and we are really looking forward to working and learning in the new facility.”

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AGENDA Royal seal of approval is ‘rocket fuel’ for Twinkl Online education publisher Twinkl has received royal recognition after being named as a recipient of a Queen’s Award for Enterprise. Based on Ecclesall Road, Twinkl has been recognised with a prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade. The Queen’s Award is the UK’s highest accolade for business success, recognising companies for outstanding achievement in International Trade, Innovation, Sustainable Development and Promoting Opportunity (through social mobility). Founded in 2010 by Jonathan and Susie Seaton, Twinkl

has nearly 500,000 quality classroom resources currently used in the majority of UK schools, including lesson packs, planning, assessment and display materials, all created in-house. Jon Seaton, CEO, said: “In terms of recognition, this award is like rocket fuel. It is an internationally respected accolade and we hope this will help Twinkl break into new markets.” Twinkl will celebrate at a royal reception for Queen’s Awards winners in the summer. Closer to home, the team will also be marking the occasion with a breakfast fit for a queen in Sheffield.

TWINKL TEAM CELEBRATE

BREAKING NEW GROUND ON THE AWRC Construction has begun in Sheffield on what is set to become the most advanced research centre in the world for developing physical health innovations. The start of work on Sheffield Hallam University’s Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre (AWRC) site was marked by the arrival of Sir Malcolm Grant, chair of NHS England. The research centre will develop innovations that will improve population health and physical activity levels and will form the centrepiece of the Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park. The key facility, which will open next year, is supported by the Department of Health and Social Care, who have committed £14million of funding to the project. Sir Malcolm Grant said: “I’m really looking forward to see what the AWRC is going to do for the NHS and for people’s health. “We have got to reverse the depending model and people depending on healthcare professionals, our doctors, nurses and clinicians.” The AWRC will form a key part of Sheffield City Region’s

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WORK HAS STARTED ON SHEFFIELD HALLAM UNIVERSITY’S ADVANCED WELLBEING RESEARCH CENTRE (AWRC) SITE

Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District- a 2,000acre centre of excellence for innovation-led research and industrial collaboration. Delivered by the University in partnership with Legacy Park Ltd, the AWRC will feature indoor and outdoor facilities for 70 researchers to carry out world-leading research on health and physical activity in

collaboration with the private sector. Professor Chris Husbands, Vice-Chancellor of Sheffield Hallam University, said: “Through the AWRC, Sheffield Hallam is leading work that has the potential to transform the health of the nation. “Co-locating research and innovation alongside education, health, leisure

and business will help to contribute to economic growth and the quality of life in and beyond the region.” The primary aim of the AWRC is to create innovations that will improve health, tackling key issues such as static levels of physical activity, rising obesity and mental health with a focus on taking services and products from concept to market.

AGENDA Modernising refurb starts at industrial estate A refurbishment programme, budgeted at nearly £1m, is underway at a Sheffield industrial estate. Meadowbrook Industrial Estate, Station Road, Holbrook, is owned by Warrington-based company Langtree on behalf of an industrial client and are on the site with an improvement plan. The 14-unit site will undergo extensive modernising changes which includes new office accommodation, external decoration, signage, and new aluminium windows. Kathryn Smart, group senior property manager at Langtree, said: “Our strategy of revitalising industrial estates is now underway at Meadowbrook Industrial Estate.

PRICECHECK TEAM CELEBRATING 40 YEARS IN BUSINESS

GROWTH PLANS MARK BUSINESS’S BIG 4-0 International brand wholesaler and distributor Pricecheck has announced growth plans to mark 40 years in business. Established in 1978 by Doug and Moira Lythe, the second generation, family-owned business has continued to succeed under siblings Mark Lythe and Debbie Harrison. It began as a local retail store in Sheffield – however, the Lythe family soon expanded into international health and beauty distribution. In recent years the company has moved into the distribution of fragrances, household, medical, food and drink, alcohol, confectionery, and children’s products. Pricecheck has worked to develop its export business which now accounts for almost

2020

Pricecheck MDs aim to take on 60 more staff over the next two years

half of its £73m turnover, while joint MDs Mark and Debbie have ambitious growth plans underway for the next decade, aiming to take on a further 60 staff over the next two years. Mark said: “Debbie and

I have lived and breathed Pricecheck all our working lives, knowing we are growing our family business year on year is a great source of pride for us both.” To commemorate and thank the 140 staff for their hard work and dedication, the company announced it would be throwing a special anniversary party for employees and increasing their annual holiday entitlement. Founder Doug Lythe said: “I offer my heartfelt thanks to all the staff for their loyalty and commitment to our customers and suppliers over the past four decades. I look forward to celebrating in our unique Pricecheck style before they start work on the next 40 years!”

“The estate already benefits from a number of trade counter and industrial occupiers and we expect our extensive refurbishment programme to attract further interest.” The estate will also benefit from an external upgrade to include improved landscaping and signage to modernise the estate. Rebecca Schofield, partner at Knight Frank said: “The estate is ideally located south east of Sheffield within the Holbrook area of the city and enjoys easy motorway access. “We are seeing an increasing number of these industrial estates modernised to cope with the heightening demand across South Yorkshire.” Langtree owns and manages a substantial property portfolio of 40 sites across the North West, Midlands and Yorkshire totalling 2.3 million sq ft.

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AGENDA APPOINTMENTS

Team Theo gets the best out of Jess The Children’s Hospital Charity has appointed a new head of fundraising, as it continues its efforts to match the world-class care at Sheffield Children’s Hospital with world-class facilities and double income in the next five years. Jess Storer joins Team Theo with an extensive fundraising background in the healthcare industry. Among her priorities is growing the charity’s organised event portfolio, with an intention to use supporters themselves as the driving process for decision making. The goal is to take fundraising events beyond walking and cycling and

organise bolder occasions such as trekking and adventure events, to help double the hospital’s income in the next five years. Jess said: “Being so passionate about this cause

Leanne joins T3 Training

CHARLIE ON SITE AT CPP

Leading apprenticeship provider T3 Training and Development has appointed Leanne Melling as an administrator. With her extensive background in business administration, Leanne is more than prepared to join the expanding T3 team at its headquarters in Barnsley. The team has decades of experience across multiple fields, including civil and structural engineering, architecture, construction and manufacturing. T3 managing director Andy Adams said: “Since our launch just over 12 months ago we have found demand for our courses increasing all the time, “As we launch our next intake of apprenticeships, we knew that this was the ideal time to welcome Leanne to the team.” In her new role, Leanne will be dealing with areas including employer and apprentice engagement and quality of service delivery.

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Get your business involved by adopting The Children’s Hospital as your charity of the year, donating through your payroll giving, organising group fundraising challenges, getting active, or an office cake sale. To find out more visit: https://bit.ly/2HcVTip

Rare recruits Luke

Luke Sanderson has joined Rare Digital Marketing. He joins the team at their Attercliffe Road HQ and is coming on board as a digital marketing manager to support the firm’s exciting growth plans.

JESS STORER gets the best out of me. There will be plenty of exciting new events this year and we’re determined no-one will be left out of the mission to make Sheffield Children’s Hospital even better.”

CHARLIE RICHARDS CPP Facilities Management is set to secure eight years of experience, after the appointment of a new project and site manager. Charlie Richards, a former property and renovation project manager, has an extensive history in property refurbishments, fit-outs, and ongoing maintenance of commercial and residential properties. The expansion of CPP’s property and facilities management team will see

Charlie supervise the company’s property construction and maintenance specialists. Charlie said: “I am very much looking forward to working alongside the wider team in delivering a more comprehensive and seamless in-house service to CPP clients, as well as a wider portfolio of commercial and industrial property owners and tenants.” The addition is a response to the needs of CPP’s growing client base and the wider market.

Sophie promoted at business support firm Connect Yorkshire has promoted Sophie Patton to chief operating officer. CEO Nick Butler said: “I have been employing people in many capacities over the last 40 years and I can say without a doubt that none of them have made such a positive difference to the organisation that I was working for as Sophie has. I am sure that her intelligence, enthusiasm and drive will continue to build Connect Yorkshire into the best business support organisation in Yorkshire.”

Alex joins ‘Apple’ of estate agents Redbrik Estate Agents has strengthened its lettings team with a new negotiator. Alex Matthews, 21, has joined the company in Glumangate office in Chesterfield. Alex said: “What drew me to Redbrik was their fantastic branding – they’re like the Apple of the estate agency world, modern and innovative.”

AGENDA

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AGENDA

THE DIARY BY RICHARD FIDLER

Our unLTD editor says there are reasons to be positive as the city region gets its first mayor

SPEAKING WITH ONE VOICE IS KEY TO SUCCESS OF METRO MAYOR By the time you read this the likelihood is that we will have a Sheffield City Region metro mayor in place. However, the new person’s powers will be pretty limited – a 30-year investment fund of £900m and responsibility in the areas of education and skills, housing and planning, and transport – which, some say, make the role slightly toothless. Add on to this that Doncaster and Barnsley have yet to begin the public consultation required for Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Sajid Javid, to draft the orders that will allow the mayor to access the funding above, and what you’re left with is no power except for bus franchising. So, there are plenty of reasons to be negative about

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the whole thing, particularly when several of the candidates want to do away with the role entirely and be subsumed into a total Yorkshire super-state. But let’s try and be upbeat and put to one side the extra expense from the tax payer’s pocket. The new mayor will provide a figurehead for the region and hopefully will possess the political nous and clout to get the leaders of all four local authorities around the table working towards objectives that will benefit the entire city region. It is an opportunity to speak with one voice and have a personality who becomes synonymous with trumpeting the successes of our businesses as well as helping to minimise challenges. Let’s be honest, it will take more than a new mayor on

a four-year term to change things dramatically. But it can be a beginning. Whether that takes us into a wider Yorkshire deal or whether the government keep the boundaries the same it must be hoped that the mayor can follow the lead of the six existing metro mayors in place across the country and negotiate further powers and receive additional funding. What became obvious from a hustings I attended towards the end of April is that none of the candidates were far and away superior to the others. I get the feeling that whoever wins will have to, to some extent, create a job role for themselves. Although the candidates are aligned on a party-political basis the role should, in some ways, be above party politics. The mayor should not be

able to hide behind decisions made at central government level or even express frustrations at squabbling between the local authorities. It will be a difficult job for whoever gets it, but it presents a massive opportunity to, at the very least, shake things up a bit and get the city region’s voice heard loud and clear in areas where it previously hasn’t been listened to.

Got views of your own? Let me know. richard@ unltdbusiness.com LinkedIn: Richard Fidler

AGENDA

IF YOU ASK ME ...

TRANSPORT We caught up with three industry experts to find out how the city business region can improve its travel infrastructure

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AGENDA When taking exams we are told to spend at least 10 per cent of the time planning our answers. The trouble is â&#x20AC;&#x201C; there are no marks for planning. It is the same with Strategy documents. Strategy is important but implementation is vital. This year, so far, we have had Transport Strategy documents from Transport for the North, Sheffield City Region, Sheffield City Council, Doncaster Sheffield Airport and Highways England. Sheffield Chamber has commented on all of them and they are generally very good, but implementation is lacking. To achieve a vision of a better-connected north, which could generate significant growth for our region, we need investment. On the Hope Valley rail upgrade designed to better connect Sheffield and Manchester City Regions, we have Network Rail quoting three years to implement and that is subject to funding. Even if it is achieved, the line speed will remain at a poor 70mph and the line will still have Victorian signalling. Two of the largest cities in England have a poor rail service of just two fast

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PETER KENNAN, CHAIR OF SHEFFIELD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TRANSPORT FORUM

trains per hour, rising to only three after the proposed works. At least we have some positive news on road links, as it looks like we will see a relatively modest scheme implemented to improve the A628 link to Manchester. The rather pie in the sky, long tunnel project was shelved as soon as the consultants had been paid, but at least it did focus attention on the dire need for some form of investment. More inward investment from abroad into our region

would be likely if we had good and regular air connections to our local airport from major international business hubs. Sheffield Chamberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s response to the Doncaster Sheffield Airport strategy highlighted this issue and requested that much more attention is devoted to it going forward. However, the proposal for a new railway station at Doncaster Sheffield Airport, at modest cost, on the main railway from London to Edinburgh is both welcome and seems to have an attractive

return on investment. Sheffield Chamber is very supportive of the plans. London rail connections from Sheffield are slow and comparatively infrequent, particularly at peak times. Sheffield Chamber is spending quite a bit of time talking to rail industry bodies about this. Cancellation of electrification of the railway from London to Sheffield and specification of bi-mode trains to replace the existing diesels from 2022, even though no bi-mode train actually exists capable of achieving the performance of the existing train fleet, is not helping matters at all. Frankly it is a real mess created by officials in London. So, if you ask me, we seem to live in a period where there is too much talk and not enough action. Modest transport schemes could have a transformational effect on our city region economy. We have high expectations of Transport for the North and it would be a huge disappointment if they did not deliver on their vision and plans to improve our regional transport.

AGENDA

Our region is blessed with having an excellent strategic location in the UK. We have easy access to the M1, A1 and East Coast Mainline all offering the very best in north-south transport connectivity. So far, so good, but when it comes to our important trading partners across the Pennines our transport links have actually got worse over the past 50 years. From a road perspective, both the A57 (Snake Pass) and A628 (Woodhead) are slow, single track roads which join on the other side of the Pennines at the notorious bottleneck in Tintwhistle/ Mottram. Things are even worse for rail, with a single rural link from Sheffield to Manchester being a downgrade from the excellent mainline via Penistone which was closed in the 1970s. And all these transport routes have two things in common – they’re slow and they’re frequently shut by bad weather. So we’re enthusiastic about the government support for a £75m study into the problem which is looking positively for the first time in decades into

CLIVE WATKINSON CHAIR, BARNSLEY AND ROTHERHAM CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TRANSPORT FORUM

...we are still in a situation where the major factor holding back South Yorkshire’s economy is Transpennine links.

the possibility of upgrading the A628 and adding a tunnel. While this won’t solve our rail connectivity, it is at least a step in the right direction. Highways England are hoping to start work in the near future on improvements to the A628 which will include upgrading the Tankersley roundabout and a bypass around Mottram. While we would have preferred a longer bypass in this area and upgrades to the notorious Stocksbridge bypass, we nevertheless welcome a significant investment on this route which will give some short-term advantages while progress is made on a major long term upgrade. So, although there are some promising signs that the Government are taking this problem seriously, as well as some minor but welcome improvements coming shortly, we are still in a situation where the major factor holding back South Yorkshire’s economy is Transpennine links. We need to see both the Government and Transport For The North prioritise a solution to deliver growth quicker and particularly to look at a new rail link across the Pennines.

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AGENDA We’re extremely proud to be Sheffield’s local airport and now is a really exciting time for us as we have just launched our Vision Plan which outlines our ambition to become the UK’s most outstanding regional airport. Now is a hugely important time for our region and we’re determined to play a key part in transforming the way local people travel, work and live in the Sheffield City Region. A northern vision for a connected economy We want the north to become a prosperous and selfsustaining part of the national economy and an expanded regional airport would provide the opportunity to achieve this. Our Vision to become the next Aerotropolis, a new form of city which links an airport to surrounding housing, retail, restaurants and businesses, would play a key role in attracting investment to the city region. The Aerotropolis would provide the capability to deliver major employment

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STEVE GILL, CHIEF EXECUTIVE AT DONCASTER SHEFFIELD AIRPORT (DSA)

opportunities in high value and highly skilled sectors, up to 73,000 jobs and around £3.2 billion GVA per year by 2048. The missing link The catalyst to our Vision being realised is our plan to construct a rail link from the East Coast Mainline directly to the airport terminal, which could be in place as early as 2024. A new rail link and airport terminal station would place up to 9 million people in

the area east of the Pennines and north and east of London within 90 minutes travel time to DSA. It would deliver national aviation capacity well in advance of planned expansion at Heathrow and our fantastic position in the heart of the UK, just a 25-minute drive from Sheffield, would provide great connectivity to major cities and towns for both passengers and freight operations.

Our unique position to grow We’ve come a long way since opening in 2005, now flying to 54 destinations and our most recent announcement of Yorkshire’s only long-haul flight to Florida. We are fortunate to have one of the longest runways outside the south east, so we can handle the largest aircrafts with ease. In addition, the high-spec terminal has been designed in a way which means that we can easily expand to cater for a throughput of 25 million people per year. Supporting UK international trade The UK is losing inbound cargo services to the continent and this is having a negative impact on the economy – however DSA has the capacity to handle large-scale air cargo growth, up to 250,000 tonnes. Our prime location, operational capacity and on-site service support make DSA the airport of choice for an international logistics and air cargo facility.

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IN A NUTSHELL BY JILL THEOBALD

Our unLTD feature writer gets on track with the latest travel debate

‘AEROTROPOLIS’ ASPIRATIONS If there’s anything that gets us Brits talking – after the weather – it’s transport. So now the hot topic of the heatwave has been and gone (or was that our ‘summer’ in mid-April?) it certainly makes sense for us to be focusing on travel in this issue. On a serious note, it makes total sense because Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA) recently launched a Masterplan which outlines its ambition to become the UK’s most outstanding regional airport, ‘transforming the way local people travel, work and live in the Sheffield area’. Having flown from DSA last year on a European city break, I was excited to read CEO Steve Gill’s comment that part of their vision is to become the next Aerotropolis, ‘a new form of city which links an airport to surrounding housing, retail, restaurants and businesses’. It was the first time my holiday pal had flown from DSA and she was really impressed with the speed with which we got through all the usual checking in and boarding process and really liked the layout and overall atmosphere of the airport.

As someone without a car, I was impressed with the ability to jump on a bus which took us straight to the airport from Sheffield Interchange. Stagecoach Yorkshire launched the 737 service last year, and it operates seven days a week, linking Sheffield City Centre to the airport (via Wickersley and Bramley) with a direct route for the first time. It was widely welcomed by business leaders across the city region at the time, with Dan Fell, chief executive of Doncaster Chamber, hailing it ‘yet another landmark step in the continued growth’ of the airport, which he described as a ‘unique regional asset’. Richard Wright, executive director of Sheffield Chamber added: “Properly connecting DSA and the surrounding business parks with the rest of the region is vitally important as we grow the economy and offer better connectivity for business people and visitors.” So it’s interesting to get an update from two chamber officials in this edition of If You Ask Me – both of them transport forum chiefs. While acknowledging our region’s ‘excellent strategic

location in the UK’ Clive Watkinson, Chair of Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber Transport Forum, points out that ‘when it comes to our important trading partners across the Pennines, our transport links have actually got worse over the past 50 years’ – both road and rail. And while welcoming strategy documents from organisations including Transport for the North, Doncaster Sheffield Airport and Highways England, Peter Kennan, Chair of Sheffield Chamber Transport Forum, wants to see less planning and talking and more doing and actual activity. Peter says the proposal for a new railway station at DSA ‘is both welcome and seems to have an attractive return on investment’. And for anyone car-less like me, it means more options for travelling to the airport to jet off on my next break. As someone who enjoys a 20-minute (on a bad day) commute to work by public transport, I have certainly welcomed the developments already introduced, including free wifi and charging points

on some buses and trains. Today’s employees (and employers) know that leaving the office is no boundary to progressing projects and plans and neither is travelling to get there. The world of work is no longer contained within the 9-5 and many an email is ‘pinged’ on a laptop or tablet or a meeting arranged via smartphone outside traditional working hours on the commute using public transport to and from workplaces. The arrival of Ofo dock-less bikes in Sheffield City Centre means we don’t even have to drive to meetings when we’re here (well, not on those summery-spring days anyway). So for someone who relies on public transport like buses, trams and trains on a daily basis all of these visions, masterplans and strategies our If You Ask Me contributors refer to are very welcome, as I’m hopeful they will mean even more travel options to help me work, rest and play. At least until driver-less cars are affordable and accessible in Arbourthorne...

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PERFORMANCE MATTERS BY JAY BHAYANI

Jay is a solicitor and HR specialist. Here she looks at issues surrounding working from home

SHOULD I ALLOW MY EMPLOYEES TO WORK FROM HOME? Since June 2014, all employees with over 26 weeks’ service have had the right to make a flexible working request to their employer irrespective of their childcare or other responsibilities – any employee can make a request. In this modern day and age, there is less need for employees to undertake their role from a fixed office location, resulting in more requests for employees to be able to work from home. Key considerations when considering a request for home working Firstly, there are health and safety considerations as with any other employee and an employer is required to ensure that care is taken for employees’ safety “as far as is reasonably practicable”. This ordinarily means that

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an employer should carry out a risk assessment at the employee’s home and ensure that they have access to a basic first aid kit. In order to do this, it is also sensible to reserve the right to enter the employee’s home to conduct a risk assessment, but also to maintain any equipment that is provided to the employee and to recover any company property when the employment terminates. Contract of employment changes An employer will need to consider how to change the contract of employment. A specific home working policy is ideal. Will it be a permanent arrangement, or do you want to build in a trial period? The employee’s place of work will be their home address, but what happens if the employee moves house? Will

they be entitled to claim any expenses for travel or the cost of working from home? The employee should also check the terms of their mortgage or insurance policies, as they may prevent them from using their home as a place of business. How will the employee be supervised and should the standard appraisal system be amended? Equipment While there is no legal obligation to do so, it is sensible to ensure that the employee has the tools and equipment required for them to do their job, and employers must retain responsibility for maintaining that equipment. However, the employee remains liable for items such as their electricity supply. Confidential information Employers must also ensure

that their confidential information is sufficiently protected by the employee. This could mean using adequate virus protection and/or encryption on their own devices. However, often employers elect to provide employees with work computers to ensure that everything is done to protect that confidential information. It is also important to ensure that employees do not inadvertently breach the provisions of the Data Protection Act, as the Information Commissioner’s Office has the power to issue fines of up to £500,000 for serious breaches of the Act. For advice on home working or any aspect of employing people contact Jay on 0114 3032300 or email jay@bhayanilaw. co.uk

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GETTING DOWN TO BUSINESS BY ANDY HANSELMAN

Business expert, author and speaker Andy, explains why you may need a new vision

THINKING IN 3D? 20 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD BE I’m often asked by the businesses I work with about my strapline ‘Thinking in 3D’. By that I mean being ‘dramatically and demonstrably different’ – and the question I often get asked is: Why is this stuff so important? Well, this fast-changing world needs a ‘Dramatically Different’ approach. Don’t believe me? Here are 20 stats that demonstrate just how different a world we are all currently running our businesses in… 1. ‘Tainted Love’ by Soft Cell was in the charts closer to the end of World War 2 than today. 2. There are now more than 4 billion people around the world connected to the internet – nearly a quarter of a billion new users came online for the first time last year. 3. In one 2018 minute there are 16 million texts sent, 3.5 million searches on Google, 4.1 million videos viewed on

YouTube, 156 million emails sent and 990,000 ‘swipes’ on Tinder. 4. Logan Paul is a 22-yearold YouTube star with more than 14 million followers who last year generated revenues of $12.5 million. 5. 72% of adverts are skipped by people with personal video recorders like Sky+. 6. 76% of consumers don’t believe that companies tell the truth in their advertisements – when I was a kid, we honestly believed that ‘for mash, we had to get Smash’! 7. 81% of shoppers conduct online research before making big purchases. 8. 75% of UK customers believe that customer service levels are the worst they have ever been. 9. The average time shoppers are prepared to queue is two minutes, down from five minutes only six years ago. 10. Amazon Go is a grocery shop in Seattle where you can

just walk in, take the goods you want, put them in your bag and just walk out again! 11. 57% of customers will wait three seconds or less for a website to load before abandoning it – a one second delay in load time would cost Amazon an estimated $1.6 Billion a year. 12. ALDI is the highestperforming supermarket for customer satisfaction, overtaking M&S and Waitrose. 13. Apple sold more Apple Watches last quarter than the whole of the Swiss watch making industry. 14. The average length of time employees stay at Facebook is 2.02 years, at Amazon it’s 1.85 years, Apple 1.84 years and at UBER it’s 1.23 years. 15. 69% of jobseekers use the likes of Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter to get insights into the culture of a company. 16. Dennis The Menace is no longer a ‘Menace’ – he’s just ‘Dennis’ now! (On the

upside, Wacky Races are back on our TVs). 17. 92% of customers trust recommendations from people they know… and 70% trust consumer opinions posted online. 18. 93% of people claim that ‘word of mouth’ is one of the most reliable sources of information (up from 50% in 1977), and texts, mobile phones, email, websites and social media are all making this easier. 19. We’ve got a female Doctor Who! And finally… 20. It’s not going to stop or slow down! So, it’s a more transparent and connected world, customer and employee expectations are getting higher and they don’t believe the hype – it’s all about what you DO, not what you say. The question I’d ask businesses in return is: Are you doing things ‘dramatically differently’? And do you ‘demonstrate’ that in everything you do?

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AGENDA CALENDAR

EDITOR’S EVENT PICKS: 12TH JUNE COOPERATION VS CAPITALISM: DO COOPERATIVES WORK IN PRACTICE?

Venue: Regather Works, 57-59 Club Garden Road, Sheffield S11 8BU Time: 7pm – 9pm Cost: Free About: Hosted by Principle5, this discussion will explore whether cooperatives will inevitably fail if they do not adopt a capitalist approach to business. Principle5 invites the public and members of cooperatives to debate this claim, drawing from collective experience and evidence from successful cooperatives.

14TH JUNE

FESTIVAL OF DEBATE Venue: Various venues across Sheffield Time: Events begin on 18 April to 29 June Cost: Prices vary from event to event Contact: www.festivalofdebate.com About: The Festival of Debate is a city-wide culmination of public events, organised as an attempt to address the current issues which our world faces today. Main Idea: The idea revolves around the concept that no problem can be solved in isolation. The ten-week festival, now in its third year, has been put together by Opus Independents- a Sheffield-based, not-for-profit culture organisation. The festival is a collection of over 70 public events which address this year’s five specific themes: culture, self and identity; democracy and activism; fairness and equality; futures; and science and environment. In an attempt to better the world though discussion, the festival delves into politics, economics and society through its extensive list of events. Who is it for: Anybody interested in the vast range of topics covered over the weeks, in interactive workshops or in-depth lectures. Prices for events vary, some are free, others will cost, but for paid events unwaged and low-wages concessions are available.

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ROBOTS ARE TAKING ALL THE JOBS

Venue: Barnsley Digital Media Centre, County Way, Barnsley, S70 2JW Time: 6pm – 9pm Cost: Free About: In an age of constant AI and robotic development, Barnsley’s Digital Media Centre are hosting a debate, asking whether or not it is a bad thing if there are is no work for humans in the future.

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MAY 9TH WHYY? CHANGE LEADERSHIP LUNCH BBQ

Venue: Whyy? Change, Unit 1, Brookdale Court, Chapeltown, Sheffield, S35 2PT Time: 12:30pm – 2:30pm About: A celebration of Whyy?’s new status as a CMI Approved Centre – join the BBQ for a bite to eat and the chance to talk to like-minded people and find out more about developing people’s leadership and management skills. Contact: https://bit. ly/2qzQoiM

18TH MAY DONCASTER BUSINESS CONFERENCE

Venue: Legacy Centre, Unit 12, 12 Shaw Wood Way, Doncaster, DN2 5TB Time: 8am – 12.30pm Cost: £25 (Members) £35 (Non-members) (excl. VAT) Contact: www.doncaster-chamber.co.uk, CALL 01302 640100 or email: chamber@ doncaster-chamber.co.uk. Join in the chat about Doncaster Business Conference #DNFuture What’s the conference about? Public and private sector business leaders and MPs will attend the Doncaster Business Conference 2018 to discuss what the future holds for Doncaster and its impact on the local economy and residents. Who will be there? The morning event, organised by Doncaster Chamber and sponsored by Doncaster Sheffield Airport, Free to Learn and Taylor Bracewell, will feature keynote speeches and panel discussions on Doncaster’s skills and education situation as well as its aspirations to be more widely recognised for its cultural assets all key to inward investment, growing the local economy, and retaining and attracting a happy workforce. Keynote speaker Robert Hough CBE, will share an insight into his work as Director of Peel and Chairman of Peel Airports and in particular, Doncaster Sheffield Airport’s 20-year masterplan that could support the creation of 73000 jobs and generate £3.2bn for the economy. Conference delegates, including secondary school and college students, will have the opportunity to share their aspirations and challenges with local MPs, Ed Miliband for Doncaster North, Dame Rosie Winterton DBE MP for Doncaster Central, and Caroline Flint MP for Don Valley, to influence policy and ensure that the right business and education support structures are in place locally, regionally and nationally. Why should your business attend? Dan Fell, CEO of Doncaster Chamber said: “The conference will drive conversations between the public and private sectors, education and MPs about some of the key issues that matter most to Doncaster businesses – namely skills and education and making Doncaster a more attractive place to live, work, and play. Our high-profile guests will share their own business experiences and best practices and delegates will have the opportunity to ask questions and comment on what is being discussed.”

10TH SPEED NETWORKING

Venue: Magna, Magna Way, Templeborough, Rotherham S60 1FD Time: 12pm – 2:30pm Cost: Members – £16.95 + VAT, Non-members – £21.95 + VAT About: The opportunity to introduce yourself to every other guest and explain how you can help your potential customer and to explain what makes you “stand out from the crowd”. Contact: https://bit. ly/2F9hKBy

12TH THE SUPERCAR EXPERIENCE

Venue: Meadowhall Orange Zone Car Park, Sheffield S9 1EP Time: 10am – 3pm Cost: £2 donation to Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice About: The Supercar Experience returns in 2018 and is set to be bigger and better than ever. The event will feature spectacular displays of the very finest supercars, both old and new, with the chance to go for a luxurious passenger ride too. Contact: https://bit ly/2F07pb2

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15TH MAY VIRGIN MONEY RED TALK: HOW TO FIND YOUR VOICE ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Venue: The Virgin Money Sheffield Lounge, 66 Fargate, Sheffield, S1 2HE Time: 8.30am – 10am Cost: Free About: The first event in a series of talks, helping small businesses grow, with special guest Anna Whitehouse. Contact: holly.garforth@ virginmoney.com

15TH BUY YORKSHIRE 2018

Venue: First Direct Arena, Arena Way, Leeds, LS2 8BY Time: 9am – 5pm Cost: Free to attend for registered delegates About: One of the biggest B2B events of the year, this event brings together thousands of executives, stakeholders, and speakers under one roof. Lose yourself in the 200 exhibition stands and full programme of seminars, panels, and workshops, at the largest business networking event outside of London. Contact: Kate Hutchinson: 0113 468 9161 or kate@buyyorkshire.com

think more productively. Contact: https://bit. ly/2Hgmqra

18TH WOMEN’S BUSINESS

NETWORKING IN SHEFFIELD

Venue: The Prince of Wales, 95 Ecclesall Road South, Sheffield, S11 9PH Time: 9.30am – 11.30 am Cost: £3 (Members) £5 (NonMembers) About: A networking morning for women who wish to be both proactive and supportive business networkers. Contact: info@ platformnetworking.co.uk https://bit.ly/2EXvBe3

17TH 22ND FUNDAMENTALS OF PROJECT WOMEN IN BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

Venue: Sheffield Chamber of Commerce, Albion House, Savile Street, Sheffield, S4 7UD Time: 9am – 5pm Cost: Member Price £250+VAT Non-Member Price £300+VAT About: A day-long course introducing the essential skills and processes which support successful project management in a way that allows you to apply them to your own context. Delivered by Ray Byrne CEO of Whyy? professional business coaching who aims to help businesses create profitable growth by teaching people to

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CREATING NETWORKS

Venue: Tankersley Manor Hotel, Church Lane, Barnsley, S75 3DQ Cost: Members – £16.95 + VAT, Non-members – £21.95 + VAT About: An effective marketing platform for creating and developing opportunities and a network of contacts, based on referrals and introductions. Contact: https://bit. ly/2JhJE0Q

WEALTH PLANNING AND YOUR BUSINESS Venue: Mercure Sheffield Parkway Hotel, Britannia

Way, Catcliffe, Sheffield, S60 5BD Time: 7:30am for 8am till 9.30am Cost: Free About: A seminar hosted by Brown Shipley, with speakers Phil Harris and Tess Williams, to highlight real life scenarios others have faced around the different aspects of wealth planning and how it has assisted them in their ambitions Contact: https://bit.ly/2HgD3qM

23RD FSB SPRING NETWORKING SPECTACULAR

Venue: Costco Wholesale, Unit 8, The Parkway, 1 Parkway Drive, Sheffield, S9 4WU Time: 4pm – 6pm Cost: Free About: The first ‘Business in the Spotlight’ networking event of 2018. Join a wealth of local community businesses to seek out that all important joint trading collaboration. Contact: https://bit. ly/2H8gVec

Do you have an event? Email us editorial@ unLTDbusiness.com with all the details of your event and we’ll try and get it in our calendar next issue.

24TH SOUTH YORKSHIRE

MASTERCLASS: LEADERSHIP

Venue: Holiday Inn Royal Victoria, Victoria Station Road, Sheffield, S4 7YE Time: 7:30am for 8am till 9.30am Cost: Free About: An interactive workshop aimed at entrepreneurs to provide a space to share practical leadership tools, focusing on how to construct and use a simple, powerful plan for your business, as well as other leadership factors. Contact: https://bit. ly/2HHHMPo

EVALUATE AND DEVELOP YOUR SALES SUPPORT ACTIVITIES

Venue: Glide House, Terry Street, 300 Attercliffe Common, Sheffield S9 2AG Time: 8:30am – 11:30am Cost: Free but attendees will be invited to make a contribution to the Ethel Trust About: Sheffield Chamber of Commerce workingwith Gripple to deliver a workshop aimed at sharing best practice, identifying key challenges and developing new and existing KPIs in sales administration and support. Contact: https://bit. ly/2HSr285

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12TH JUNE THE STORY OF YORKSHIRE WILDLIFE PARK

Time: 6pm for 6:30pm till 8:30pm Venue: Yorkshire Wildlife Park, Warning Tongue Lane, Branton, Doncaster, DN4 6TB About: Come and hear Cheryl Williams, the Joint Managing Director and one of the founders and owners of the Yorkshire Wildlife Park, explain the ups and downs on the road to this great South Yorkshire achievement and what exciting diversification plans they have for the future. Contact: https://bit.ly/2qNlAv3

JUNE 5TH CITY REGION BUSINESS BREAKFAST

Venue: Holiday Inn A1 (M) Junction 36, Doncaster, DN4 9UX Time: 7:30am – 9:30am Cost: Members – £13.95 + VAT, Non-members – £20.95 + VAT About: The opportunity to do business, make new contacts and grow your network, all before your working day starts! Contact: https://bit ly/2F8GXMD

7TH BUILDING AN EFFECTIVE TEAM,

SUCCESSFUL COMMUNICATIONS AND ENGAGEMENT

Venue: Sheffield Technology Park, Arundel Road, Sheffield, S1 2NS Time: 9am – 1pm Cost: Free About: Take part in a masterclass for building teams, a day which will involve looking at theory, models and practices to offer different perspectives on how to develop effective teams. Contact: https://bit.ly/2JQELwR

13TH ROTHERHAM BIZSPACE

21ST SOLE TRADERS AND FREELANCERS

Venue: Bizspace – Rotherham, Bradmarsh Business Park, Bow Bridge Close, Rotherham, S60 1BY Time: 12pm – 2:30pm Cost: Pay on the door event £15, book online for £12 About: Monthly networking meetings offer the opportunity for local businesses to meet and develop critical contacts within other businesses. Contact: carla@taxarchitects. com

Venue: Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber, Unit 6, Genesis Business Park, Rotherham, S60 1DX Time: 9am – 11am Cost: Free for members – £10 + VAT About: A forum for Chamber members who work on their own and need some inspiration in order to move their business up to the next level, ranging from tips on best practice to make most use of your time and resources to what to expect when you start employing staff. Contact: https://bit.ly/2qRvOLV

NETWORKING

FORUM

18TH WOMEN WHO… ACHIEVES

18TH SHOWROOM SHEFFIELD

Venue: Whirlowbrook Hall, Ecclesall Road South Sheffield, S11 9QD Time: 9am – 11.30am Cost: £18 About: An event for all women in business who are interested in a morning of networking and local, inspirational speakers, including an interactive Q&A. Contact: https://bit.ly/2JTmcrK

Venue: The Showroom Workstation, 15 Paternoster Row, Sheffield, S1 2BX Time: 12pm – 2:30pm Cost: Pay on the door £15, book online £12 About: Monthly networking meetings offer the opportunity for local businesses to meet and develop critical contacts within other businesses. Contact: carla@ taxarchitects.com

NETWORK

NETWORKING

27TH CONNECT 4 LUNCH

Venue: Carlton Park Hotel, 102-104 Moorgate Road, Rotherham S60 2BG Time: 12pm – 2:30pm Cost: Members – £14.95 + VAT, Non-members – £19.95 About: Connect Yorkshire and Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber host a networking event with informal presentation from Andy Ryder of Shorts Chartered Accountants, on how to increase your business’ value. Contact: https://bit.ly/2F8uVCQ

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COVER STORY

DRIVING FORWARD unLTD’s Jill Theobald meets Arnie Singh, managing director of Sheffield’s City Taxis, to find out more about the roads that led to him to running the UK’s thirdlargest independent private hire operator and what routes the firm is going down next …

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COVER STORY

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COVER STORY

When I was first invited to join the company was already past the pen and paper and peg board methods and starting early with technological developments enabled City to offer more work to our drivers.

By the time I meet up for a coffee in the Showroom café bar with Arnie Singh at 4:30pm he tells me he has spent the day in meetings in four different places across the country including Birmingham and Leicester. Which makes sense for the busy MD of City Taxis who, since joining the firm in 2006, has seen it really go places. Today City is one of the UK’s largest private hire taxi companies and currently the largest in the north of England. With more than 2,000 vehicles, City Taxis carries out over 150,000 journeys every week across Sheffield, Rotherham, Barnsley, Chesterfield and Derby. Employing more than 130 staff, City is also the preferred supplier to more than 1,700 local companies including both Sheffield Universities and Sheffield Teaching Hospitals. The former music teacher has seen significant growth against a backdrop of a changing industry, technology and times since taking over in 2006.

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“I’m born and bred in Sheffield,” Arnie tells me, but it turns out he was also educated here, worked here, started a family here and grew his business here, too. No surprise his and the company’s mantra is ‘Go local, not global’. “I’m very proud to be from Sheffield. I grew up in Hillsborough. My dad was a GP, my mum a nurse. I went to Birkdale School and music was my thing then I kind of fell into going to university along with everyone else. “I studied music at University of Sheffield and while there may be some regrets about not moving away for that, I had a lot of friends who stayed in Sheffield and a lot of family here and I had a great time. I was quite sporty and really enjoyed uni life, playing a lot of football, a lot of golf.” After leaving university, Arnie, like many, wasn’t sure which path to take. “I played keyboards in bands. I couldn’t sing but I liked writing songs but that’s a very difficult industry to get into as is music management, you’ve

got to have that big break, so I decided to do a Masters in Leisure Management at the University Management School. “This gave me a basic grounding in lots of subjects like law, accounting, finance – it really opened my eyes to so the different areas of running a business, it was like a baby MBA (Master of Business Administration) with a focus on leisure. “I was still thinking of music management but all roads back then were pointing to London and I wasn’t sure about that so I was at a cross roads. But I also had pressure from my parents as professionals to make my mind up on a role so I knew it was time to grow up and make a decision.” After spotting a bursary for teaching subjects in which there was a shortage of teachers – including music – Arnie went to study for a PGCE at Huddersfield University and then became a music teacher at Tapton School. “Tapton is an amazing school for music and I was very

fortunate to join them in 2004 at a time when they had a great team in that department including the then-Head of Music Helen Cowen,” he said. But less than two years into his teaching post, a phone call changed his course again. “My godfather Jack Timms was a business partner with Bob Turnbull who he had founded City Taxis with. I was ultra-close to Jack – he was like a second dad to me. “During summer holidays I would help out at what was then a firm with around 180 cars, doing a bit of answering phones and so had known the company a long time. “Bob was looking into succession planning and gave me the opportunity to buy in and become part of City Taxis. I felt it was a much better opportunity than teaching although on paper it may not have looked like it stacked up that way. “My mum and dad thought I was mad, as did my in-laws, and siblings, but I reassured them that I could always go back to teaching now I had my

COVER STORY

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COVER STORY PGCE qualification. “I got a very comprehensive overview of the business across all departments – spent a bit of time on the phones, then worked in the operating team, then with the drivers, then accounts, then marketing. I did a little bit of everything and was able to put my own mark on things. “I spent time across the company over a number of years until Bob felt I was ready for him to step back. “We still adopt that approach today – I’m a firm believer that you can’t tell someone what to do in a role unless you’ve done it yourself. So you may be a new starter in finance but you need to understand the nuts and bolts of how the business works so everyone starts off with a week in the call centre. “Technology has become

Of course, any talk of technology, employment and customer service in the taxi industry leads us to the ‘U’ word. Arnie’s first response is, perhaps, unexpected. “Hats off to them in terms of the business model. I don’t have a major issue with Uber – I see them if anything as an enabler. “The first year they arrived in Sheffield did not really affect us. We’d been seeing growth over the last few years of six, seven, eight per cent. “When growth dropped to around four per cent I still thought ‘We’ll take that’, thanks to the combination of scaremongering and stories of what they’d done to the US and London market. After all, they have the resources to offer things like ‘refer a friend’. “But our drivers have been relatively loyal, plus with City we have that whole Sheffield vibe, with it feeling like a big village. We support local charities and continue to back major events like Tramlines – over the years we have invested in our brand and our city. “In terms of job count in year two we flatlined – there

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hugely beneficial in developing the business, although City has always constantly embraced new technology. When I was first invited to join the company was already past the pen and paper and peg board methods and starting early with technological developments enabled City to offer more work to our drivers.” Indeed, even the nature of the call centre has changed, too – today more than half of telephonists work from home. “We know our staff appreciate that flexibility,” said Arnie. “Homeworking also gives us the chance to reach potential employees with disabilities, who may find working in a traditional office challenging.” Today 60 per cent of City’s bookings are made without the passenger speaking to anyone – because there’s an App for that. The App has features

The Uber effect was no loss but there was no growth either as the general trend toward the Uber affect started to take hold. “We’re losing work to students and the younger demographic as well as the transient market. The student population is much more concentrated in the city centre than it was when I was at uni and jumping in a black cab or ordering from a local firm is expensive compared with Uber – it can cost less than £3 to go a mile with them.” One way City is trying to counter the Uber effect is through consolidation. The biggest was the merger with Mercury in June 2015 giving City Taxis a fleet of more than 1,400 drivers. “With competition growing in the industry it made sense

I’m a firm believer that you can’t tell someone what to do in a role unless you’ve done it yourself.

including a secure in-app payment facility, saving bank card details to the passenger’s account, paying via the app and getting an electronic receipt sent directly to the device. Split Fare allows passengers to split the cost of the journey with friends and fellow passengers via their phones, plus regular journeys can be saved under ‘Favourite Places’ for speedier booking. The App will calculate the estimated arrival time of the taxi and passengers can track their driver right to their door. Meanwhile business owners have full access to a digital log of bookings made on account to ensure that all jobs have been authorised and validated.   “We now have a full executive offering, too,” said Arnie. “We are really pleased to be delivering a high level executive service.”

for us to merge in the face of that – we’d be much better and stronger as one and it has been a huge success. The majority of drivers say it’s much better and they get work across Sheffield. It’s making driving work more efficient for them and they are making more money. “This isn’t just happening locally – it’s happening in cities across the UK. The smaller companies can’t compete against Uber and so the bigger players are becoming more acquisitional.” But along with the acquisitions came lessons for Arnie and the team – first and foremost an investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) into the merger with Mercury on the grounds it could result in ‘a substantial lessening of competition within any market or markets in the United Kingdom for goods or services’. “It was a quite an experience but one we take the positives out of. They took it to a stage one investigation which was expensive to defend, and I had to go to address a big panel in what was like a court setting. But Uber were causing so much damage, they didn’t

think we would have control of the market share as a result and the decision was reversed.” The CMA cleared the completed acquisition by City Taxis in October 2015 and the next step for the business was buying Ace Taxis, Barnsley’s second biggest firm in 2016, and then Chesterfield-based Club Taxis shortly after. “The business model is to buy a decent size company, bolt on the business to ours, build it up but we’re learning all the time. With some of the smaller companies we’ve learned to pace things. On day one we would change the brand, swap the uniforms and so on but just because it’s a local company from the local area, it may well do things differently and has its own nuances, so the lesson learned is not to change things too quickly. Take your time, ensure drivers and staff are comfortable and gradually change things. “We feel as though Sheffield will gradually lose market share and my job is to make sure we make up for that by continuing on the acquisitions trail and taking our business and brand into other areas.”

COVER STORY

And taking the brand and business into other areas is exactly what Arnie did next – more specifically into Newcastle, Manchester, Liverpool and beyond with riide. “The App is great,” said Arnie. “But we don’t own it. I realised that if 40, 50 per cent of bookings were made through the App that could be a problem. “Building and developing your own App is seriously expensive though, it’s like no other professional service, so I thought it would be good to share the cost with other like-minded companies and partners which led to riide. “We have created an app by the operator for the operator,

Riide On taking control of our own trade – it’s like Uber for the traditional taxi company.” Riide is another way City Taxis is responding to current market challenges and threats like large internationals including Uber. Although as Arnie points out: “I’m a glutton for new business opportunities! “It’s become a much bigger project than any of us originally

anticipated and we have all continued to invest in it ahead of its launch in January.” Today the network has 18 company shareholders – all equal – and five directors, of which Arnie is one. riide uses the icabbi software system for the dispatch technology and offers a national service with more than 22,000 vehicles using partners including Blue Line Taxis in Newcastle, Club in Manchester and Alpha in Liverpool, enabling passengers to book in more than 20 towns cities in the UK, Ireland and even the US. It basically means that if you live in Sheffield but are visiting Manchester for a meeting you can book through the riide app,

knowing you are dealing with local established companies – including City – through one contact point which is the riide app and network. All the local area knowledge of drivers and years of experience in the private hire and taxi sector at the touch of a smartphone button. “It means you still have that sense of using a local firm even when you’re not here, plus City has all your account details, not some third party,” said Arnie. “You can use riide as your local taxi when you’re away from home. It also means smaller local firms can sign up to the overarching App – the firm’s name might not mean much to you in a new place when the taxi arrives but riide does.”

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COVER STORY

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FIVE MINUTES WITH...

TUFCOT I was inspired to start my business by ... My dad and grandad. Ever since I was five years old I was always interested in the family company. My dad would always take me down to our old site so I could see the manufacturing and machining processes, it always interested me. For them both to start the company in a rat-infested garage 37 years ago with one machine and three employees to now having more than 90 machines and over 35 employees is an amazing story and one I am proud to be a part of for the last ten years. My favourite thing about running my business is … Seeing the year-by-year growth of the company, not just in terms of sales and turnover but the growth in my employees. Everyone is part of the Tufcot family, all working towards the same goal which is one reason why we have had such success. A happy employee is a productive employee and they are our number one asset. The three words that best describe my business are … Quality. Efficient. Responsive. Sheffield is a great place to start a business because … All three of the founding directors at Tufcot came from the British Steel coke and chemical plant at Orgreave – what could make a business be anymore ‘Made in Sheffield’! When an opportunity arose many years ago for a new composite bearing material it couldn’t have been turned down, true entrepreneurship. Sheffield has a great reputation, especially in our industry and this has a knock-on effect to give companies a wide range of resources within arm’s reach.

From seeing his dad and grandad working ‘in a rat-infested garage’ when he was a child, to MD of a leading manufacturer supplying components and bearings worldwide – we meet Tufcot’s Greg Majchrzak

TUFCOT MANAGING DIRECTOR GREG MAJCHRZAK

Sheffield is a great place to grow a business because … There are so many opportunities! The AMRC has been a huge help as there are some large skill gaps for Computer Numerical Control (CNC) and experienced machinists. Using the AMRC to develop our products, materials and create projects has been crucial, not to mention the numerous apprentices we have put through the AMRC training centre. The best advice I ever got was … Earn their respect, don’t expect their respect. This was a crucial lesson taught to me by my dad. This relates to being made an MD when I was just 22. I had a tough start as when I took over in the Production department, I was having to organise and advise more experienced workers. It was challenging personally but after eight years in the role, and the hard work is paying off I now feel I have earnt my employees’ respect. The worst advice I ever got was … An employee once said ‘I

don’t know what the fuss is all about with this internet’. This couldn’t have been more wrong – the growth of our new website and our many marketing plans revolve around not only the website but many forms of social media. As a traditional industry we must try to move with the modern times. It’s often difficult to market an engineering company but our Marketing team and website developers do an excellent job. The Sheffield organisations that have supported me and my business include … As mentioned previously the AMRC has been great at supporting us in many areas. The University of Sheffield worked very closely with us on engineering projects aswell as giving us key access to graduates wishing to do placements. Sheffield Chamber of Commerce offers great support to businesses and the ‘Made in Sheffield’ brand has been a great success for the UK market but also internationally. In terms of suppliers we aim to stay local to further boost the local economy and continue to help Sheffield

grow. Aligning ourselves with these organisations helps to confirm our recognised quality and brand awareness. The main challenges facing my industry/sector are … I’m sure most people say ‘Brexit’ here but although this is an obvious challenge to a large exporter like us there are far more pressing challenges facing the composite bearing materials market. The main one is the unpredictability of raw material costs which are mainly oil-based, prices can fluctuate weekly. Although composites have been around for many years they are still new to many potential customers, so it is all a learning curve. In 5 years’ time I expect my business to … To become one of the UK’s most successful specialist manufacturing and engineering companies, exporting to every corner of the world and earning our reputation for quality, reliability and unrivalled service. There’s no point in having a small vision statement let’s aim big!

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COMPANY CULTURE

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COMPANY CULTURE

A REAL PEOPLE PERSON Katrina Dunne is passionate about her HR day job and her voluntary work with young people – the employees of tomorrow. Jill Theobald met the people and performance development consultant to find out what she can teach the employers of today.

When I first meet Katrina Dunne she tells me she has two passions. We chat at length about both her voluntary work inspiring young people to achieve and her day job working for professional HR, training and psychology services firm Sereniti. But it quickly becomes clear she actually has one main passion: people. “My father was profoundly deaf. Aged 16 he was just considered thick – but he ended up becoming a university professor. Despite the ups and downs of disability, you can still achieve – that was the message I took, that’s how I was brought up.” It’s an attitude that has influenced Katrina’s approach both to her business and voluntary roles. “I’m a very hands-on person.

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I do a lot of voluntary work with sixth forms, colleges and schools. Students and young people often have low self-esteem – it’s all about helping them understand their strengths and see they have choices. “I like listening to and understanding young people and getting them inspired – I get excited and animated about that.” After growing up in the West Midlands, Katrina studied a hospitality degree at Manchester Metropolitan University and worked in that industry for a few years before falling into recruitment. Temping at ATA Selection recruitment agency in Scotland, she worked her way up to recruitment consultant, senior recruitment consultant and then branch manager of the Engineering Division.

“This was in the days before computers and fancy software,” she laughs. “Success in the job was simply down to creating relationships, understanding the client’s needs and matching the right person to the right role. “The next stage would have been area manager but it didn’t really appeal as I like to be in the thick of things, so I decided to be bold. I put a proposal to Dublin-based Action Recruitment Europe to set up their UK division. It was all done on trust – it wasn’t a franchise.” Putting her hands-on attitude into practice, Katrina moved to Dublin for a few months to understand the culture and ethics of the company then built the UK division up in a back bedroom in the West Midlands (“I used to have remind my partner not to run a bath or flush the loo

because I’d be on the phone in next room!”) But from small acorns – Katrina moved to South Yorkshire and moved the business out of the back room to office premises in Rotherham. She built up the team, at the top end employing 12 staff. After her partner got a job with SVM Global in 2010, Katrina joined him. The company – the world’s leading reseller and distributor of corporate gift cards, e-codes and gift vouchers – wanted a foothold in the UK and the pair set up in Rotherham, with a little help from RIDO. “We went from literally one small building and as we grew we bought the building next door which was an old sewing factory which we gutted and did up. We went from two to more than a hundred staff in approximately seven years.

COVER STORY

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COMPANY CULTURE

It’s all about going the extra mile and a lot of companies are starting to get that. Company culture is the foundation of every business – get that right, feed it into everything you do and that will support your growth. “The combination of our core vales and company culture was very strong and it was an amazing team of really lovely people, a mixture of skilled staff, apprentices and graduates. “We didn’t just pin a company mission statement to the wall and I didn’t do it on my own – we all worked as a team to create and develop those core values. At SVM I learned that teamwork is very, very powerful and it still is. “Financial thank yous were personalised. For example if the employee was into DIY then a B&Q gift card, or a book token for readers. We thought about their individual interests and tastes. “When you work eight hours a day you rely on your family to support you, so we would also recognise relatives with social get-togethers and days out for employees and their partners and children.” In between donning various other voluntary hats (including committee member for Business Growth Board on the Employment and Skills Sub-Group, a judge for Rotherham Apprentice of the Year, and a member of the Rotherham Pioneers group) Katrina’s most recent move was

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joining Sereniti earlier this year, working alongside MD and clinical psychotherapist Anne Lockwood and her team. MD Anne explained: “I set up the business in 2010 in response to comments from several business owners I had coached. There seemed to be a theme of SMEs wanting fast, flexible and professional HR resources which could in essence be switched ‘on and off’ as needed, rather than signing up for a two or even five-year contract without knowing future needs. “Our ‘Pay As You Go’ offer gives peace of mind support without fixed overheads – a bit like an invisible HR department – because each business might not need the same specialist each time. One project could be a restructure, or leadership training, the next a large recruitment campaign. “We’ve also been super careful in building our team, and they are why we are successful. We only have the best employees and associates.” Said Katrina: “After SVM I was approached by a number of companies but for me it’s important that the company is a reflection of my values. I met Anne and Vicki (Newman, Sereniti’s director

Sereniti says: Top tips on improving company culture: 1. Listen to your team – always! 2. Recognise and reward effort, regardless of the outcome 3. Communicate in the way your team appreciate not necessarily in your preferred style. 4. Build trust by being honest 5. Embrace failure as a healthy part of a continuous learning curve 6. Be proud of your team – they do a million little things every day which help your customers you’ll never know about!

of HR and Operations) at a Springboard event and found them extremely professional and liked their approach to business. It’s all about working in partnership with the clients to solve their people challenges but doing it in a way that’s open and up-front, adding extra value as an extension of the team. “I was also impressed with the range of consultants from emotional intelligence trainers and psychologists to highly experienced HR specialists. “Things are changing. People go into employment now and might switch job roles several times throughout their career. Today’s employers have to learn to be less ‘tunnel vision’ and instead look at pools of different talent. “It’s all about going the extra mile and a lot of companies are starting to get that. Company culture is the foundation of every business – get that right, feed it into everything you do and that will support your growth. “Your company might produce a product but without employees’ heart and minds that’s all you’ve got – a product and nothing else. You’re just ticking boxes and paying lip service.”

FIVE MINUTES WITH...

REACH HOMES

Ex-police officer Jon Johnson runs Abbeydale Road-based upcycling workshop Strip The Willow. He tells us all about his latest venture – Reach Homes, a not-forprofit business converting shipping containers into eco-homes.

I was inspired to start my business by ... When my ex-partner and I were looking at moving house and realised we couldn’t afford the traditional methods and routes. After seeing an architect in Ireland on TV programme Grand Designs working on shipping containers I thought we could do it to a good standard, applied for a small grant and was awarded £5,000 by Unlimited in London to buy a container and get started. After six months of reading building regulations – combined with some common sense – we had turned our prototype into proof of concept and launched it as a showroom in January last year. My favourite thing about running my business is … I like seeing the look on people’s faces when you challenge their preconceptions. I lived in the showroom for six months to test it which was a very useful experience and I love seeing how people who visit react when they realise how spacious the units can be. We’ve got a product that people really, really like and that has an awful lot of potential and it’s a business that’s going to help people. I’m not interested in being rich – I’m interested in making building and housing into something that works for everyone. The three words that best describe my business are … Innovative, sustainable and transformative. Sheffield is a great place to start a business because … There’s an amazing amount of support, encouragement and opportunity. The time and effort

Wosskow Brown Foundation, UK Steel Enterprise, Business Sheffield, The LEP. And the hundreds of people who have volunteered time and advice – it really has been humbling. The main challenges facing my industry/sector are … The established building industry means there’s a lack of access routes into market for SME building. It can also be difficult to find development land. There’s a lot happening in affordable hosing that people need to get their heads around but no-one’s really coordinating it – we need to be influencing the agenda at a national level.

ONE OF REACH HOMES ECO-HOMES AND JON JOHNSON (INSET) I’ve had from people for both Strip the Willow and Reach Homes has been nothing short of inspiring. Sheffield is a great place to grow a business because … Of the support for social businesses in particular. There’s so much vibrant stuff going on at the smaller end with social enterprises, charities and third sector organisations which helps underpin the high profile, large scale projects which is good for the wider economy. The best advice I ever got was … Make time for yourself. It’s very tempting with a new business to throw yourself into it 24/7 and try to do everything yourself. You need to ask for help and remember the importance of quality time for friends, family and leisure. The worst advice I ever got was … I’m not sure I’ve had any! The Sheffield organisations that have supported me and my business include … Social Enterprise Network, Social Enterprise Exchange,

We’ve got a product that people really, really like and that has an awful lot of potential and it’s a business that’s going to help people.

In 5 years’ time I expect my business to … The initial aim is to get the factory up and running so we can get 600 units a year built, but further down the line I’d like to have an operating surplus into the millions which we can use to help us work with energy poverty and homeless charities. The baby boomers are coming up to retirement and that’s a lot of bodies – and knowledge – going out of the industry. We’d like to have set up a skills academy for more formalised training so these traditional skills can be passed on but we also want the academy to address the lack of knowledge of sustainable building, building on brownfield sites and co-operative housing. This combination approach will help to create jobs for lower skilled workers, get them involved in the business, and feeling valued – all with our focus on a different way of doing things.

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ADVERTORIAL

SUMMER NIGHTS – OWLERTON STADIUM STYLE With the warmer weather (just about) here, it’s time to start planning some summer nights out. So how about doing something different and experiencing the excitement, the thrill, the atmosphere of greyhound racing? The buzz of watching your dog win the race? You’ll be amazed by the speed of the dogs as they chase towards the finish line. Owlerton Greyhound Stadium is ideal for groups of six or more and has a range of packages and deals to ensure a great value night out for you and your friends this summer. Take the Six Pack offer, which includes admission and a racecard plus a drink, chicken in a basket meal and two bets,

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and starts at just £7 per person. Or there’s the Super Six package for groups of eight or more. Priced at just £12 per person, it includes admission and a race card, a drink, a curry buffet, a £1 Tote Jackpot Bet and guaranteed seating – you’ll even get a £10 voucher off your next visit. After a free night out? Of course you are. The Fab Free Tuesday comes to town on the first Tuesday of every month and includes admission, a drink, two bets and a hot dog and chips – all for free after you download a voucher on the Owlerton website. In addition to the offers available all year round, you could just grab a drink in one of the four trackside bars –

including the popular Paddock Bar with doors opening on to the trackside terracing to experience the real buzz of greyhound racing. The stylish Panorama Bar has one of the best views of the finish line and is the perfect spot for pre-dinner drinks before heading to the modern glass-fronted Panorama Restaurant to enjoy a seasonal menu prepared by highly experienced chefs. With a carefully selected global wine list, full waiting service and Tote betting runners at your table, you can sit back and enjoy the best of the action. Visit the venue’s website for more information on your top night out this summer. www.owlertonstadium.co.uk

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OFFICE INTERIORS

BEFORE

AFTER

CREATING THE

PERFECT

WORKSPACE unLTDBUSINESS.COM

What does your company HQ say about you, your brand, your team? We spend so much of our working lives at our business base that modern organisations are wising up to the need to ditch the traditional office and instead opt for dynamic, healthy and holistic workspaces. Digitalisation, modern working practices and changes to company culture are seeing more and more businesses using space more efficiently, choosing ergonomic furniture, and putting in more leisure and lifestyle touches like break-out areas and, in some cases, even staff cafes.

Plus many organisations invite clients and potential partners for meetings, so it’s no wonder more and more are working out that first impressions count – and going for the workplace ‘wow’ factor. Established in 1974, The DL Company has three generations of family, dedicated and loyal people behind the Brightside company which bills itself as the go-to for commercial interiors, from office furniture to full redesign and refurbishment. Here we take an (envious) look at the workspace they created for Doncaster-based marketing company Keane Creative.

OFFICE INTERIORS THE VIEW FROM THE DESIGNER ‘Inspiring and funky, modern and stylish’ was our brief and that was what we delivered,” said DL Managing Director Dan Lowe. “MD Fiona Keane and team were moving into premises at the business park by Doncaster Sheffield Airport and had an empty first floor office space which was basic – standard carpet, suspended ceiling and so on. “They wanted much more of an inspiring and funky feel to the place, befitting the nature of their company, so we visited the site, measured up, gave them some ideas on how to best use the space, and created an office plan and an outline to their brief. “We brought in new furniture with matching lockers, a reception counter, stools and breakfast bar, and new flooring – the new vinyl floor has a concrete effect to give it that modern warehouse-y look. “One of the key features was a new glass partition wall which created an office for Fiona, and a separate meeting room, as well as other highlights like the writeon wallpaper and the sit-stand desk.”

THE VIEW FROM THE BOSS Fiona Keane, MD Keane Creative, said: “The brief was to complete a modern, fresh and open plan work space that would work well for private meetings, informal meetings and team work planning. We wanted something that was fresh, new and would provide a look and feel to last a few years without dating. Classic, modern, funky yet practical. “The office has had much positive feedback, mainly from clients and prospects who see the result, quite different to most offices. The space is so light and airy that they often think we have air conditioning. The atmosphere is very much improved and the team have areas for quiet working, project planning and communal break-out time. “We all love the office, however my favourite feature is my stand-up desk. It is amazing how much better I think when I am stood up and feel more energised. The breakfast bar area also allows team members to do the same thing – the ability to work in multiple areas and not just at one desk all day has improved productivity. “DL were amazing from start to finish. They really helped me to visualise what the space could become, they thought of things that I would not have imagined. The office was not much larger and different to the one we moved from, but the two offices are worlds apart, you would think this new office is much bigger. “It is so important to be happy at work and the environment is the starting point from which to grow.”

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OFFICE INTERIORS

Sit stand desk Dan said: “These can be electronically adjusted to sitting or standing height and are becoming increasingly popular with the news about sedentary lifestyles, how long we are sat at work and the impact on health and wellbeing. The concept doesn’t quite ring true for some people until they see it in action and its benefits – then it’s an ‘Ooh!’ moment and a case of ‘see it, want it’! “We have some at our offices and people have come to see us and we’ve had orders straight from that visit, including from companies in traditional manufacturing industries who you wouldn’t necessarily think of as being early adopters of this product.”

Write-on wallpaper

? D E R I INSP

nd ed a fresh e r e spac d: work vampe pany ide re Com your t ers e G s Riv 9 2RX DL The 0 Jessop ffield, S .com e 2 ny : e, Sh mpa ress Add side Lan thedlco 248 6 @ ht 8 Brig il: sales : 0114 35 Ema Call

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Dan said: “A lot of open plan offices are choosing write-on wallpaper as it’s very good for impromptu meetings – staff can break out and scribble away spontaneously. “It can be multi-functional as it can be magnetic, so staff aren’t just limited to pens. It’s a modern take on the flip chart – they can just grab a photo of whatever plans and projects they’ve been writing about on their smartphones or tablets, then share the pic with colleagues straight away. “Plus we think people also like it because writing on walls makes them feel a bit naughty!” Added Fiona: “The ability to discuss website projects by ‘writing on the wall’ has really helped us to visualise each project much better and allow each team member the option to add notes as we go along.”

YOR PITCH Your Pitch is an opportunity for start-ups and new businesses to tell the city about their organisation. This issue we meet Karl Hallam of Eyeye, the independent opticians offering a more ethical approach to eyecare – including frames made from ocean plastics, and plant-based and recycled materials

THE PERFECT VISION Tell us about your business – sell yourself! We aim to be an ethical optician and do this in different ways including booking eye exams an hour apart and for longer than the standard 25 minutes – we believe that 25 minutes is not enough time and can lead to a stressful experience. Eyeye offers informal but very serious tests that give customers time to explain their concerns and needs, see their test results and pictures and have them explained, and get the chance to ask questions. Plus there’s no up-selling and fast-track sales methods. We stock frames from plastic reclaimed from the sea as well as some Eco frames made from plant-based and recycled materials. We also stock Banton Frameworks, which are designed and made by a lake near Glasgow – very few frames are made in the UK these days and we want to support this. Our lenses are cut and fitted into our frames at a Sheffield laboratory so we buy locally, not outside the city or even abroad like many optical businesses. We know it’s good quality because its Sheffield craftspeople and the turnaround is quick because they are being sent down Ecclesall Road to us on Division Street! We also pride ourselves on being cycle friendly – you can bring your bike into the store with you – and we support a number of initiatives including Cycling Sheffield.

EYEYE’S KARL HALLAM

Our upfront, all-inclusive pricing means customers know the price at the beginning, not the end and there are no sneaky add-on extras. What gave you the idea for your business? I preferred working for indie opticians, but they often would not have the greatest quality equipment. The big, high street opticians, on the other hand, can do an eye test in 25 minutes, but find me an optometrist who feels that is really long enough for everyone! I was thinking about doing a PHd in how to run eyecare services differently and then

Our customers are independentminded folk who don’t buy the big brand bulls** t and recognise good service – and there are a lot of those in Sheffield!

decided to just go for it and do it myself. Having worked in other areas previously, including public policy, research and politics, I try to bring lessons learned from those areas into the world of eyecare. Who are your customers and how are you targeting them? We’ve identified our tribes! Kids (who know they deserve better), Creative Types (who think they know better), and the Rebel 60+ (with attitude who should know better!). We also have a lot of Outdoor City types. Our customers are independent-minded folk who don’t buy the big brand bulls**t and recognise good service – and there are a lot of those in Sheffield! Social media is important, but we also host events – recent ones included a presentation and discussion about ocean plastic from Tony Ryan OBE of the University of Sheffield on initiatives including upcycled spectacle frames. How can people get in touch with you? Pop in to Eyeye at 112 Devonshire Street, Sheffield, S3 7SF. Tel: 0114 249 8288 Email: hello@eyeyesheffield. co.uk Website: www.eyeyesheffield. co.uk Facebook: www.facebook. com/EYEYEsheffield Twitter: @EyeyeSheffield Instagram: www.instagram. com/eyeyesheffield

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Supported by Film Hub North, led by Showroom Workstation. Proud to be part of the BFI Film Audience Network

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FEATURE

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FEATURE

A CITY

OFFERING

MOOR THAN MOST unLTDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Harry Hamling takes a look the Moorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s redevelopment From the renovation of Sheffield City Polytechnic into Sheffield Hallam University in 1992, to the redevelopment of Kelham Island last year, the city of Sheffield is constantly reinventing itself to keep up with modern times. These projects have been turned up a notch in the past few years, with the aim of turning the Steel City into an up and coming place to live, work and run a business. One of the most noticeable of these improvements has been to the heart of the city centre, The Moor.

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FEATURE

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FEATURE

Until recent years, The Moor was run-down, and in much need of some modernisation – and that’s exactly what it has got. It is almost unrecognisable now from its past self as renovation has greatly increased the shopping area not only in style, but also in substance. The developments to The Moor were split into three different stages, increasing footfall through the city centre, but also transforming the area into a more vibrant and attractive destination. A recorded 11.2 million people visited The Moor last year – an increase in footfall of nearly a quarter (22%) on 2016. The first phase of development began back in 2013, when Castle Market was relocated to and replaced by The Moor Market after 54 years of trading. This change transformed what used to be a typical market square into a thriving indoor scene, housing 90 independent traders. Described as a haven for food lovers, Moor Market is home to four fishmongers, ten butchers, as well as fruit and

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veg stalls, cakes, cheeses and teas all under one roof. It is also home to 12 cafes and take-aways ranging from Hungry Buddha – traditional Nepalese foods and Thali – to old-fashioned, hearty British fare like Sharon’s Café and Karen’s Kitchen. Bitz and Bites offers gluten free options, as well as a vegetarian and a vegan range while those in a hurry can grab a quick bite from the waffles and pancakes made to order by Crepes n Go. The popular Beer Central is there for top-quality bottles and cans of craft beer, real ale and cider, as well as mini kegs, beer glasses and items such as T-shirts and real ale guides. As well as local best sellers (think Bradfield Farmer’s Blonde, Kelham Island Pride of Sheffield and Thornbridge Jaipur) Beer Central stocks unusual and hard to get beers, released on a seasonal basis by many of the world’s top breweries. Alongside the food, drink and dining offerings are vintage stores, a haberdashery, jewellery, clothing, cobblers, electrical

Sheffield’s reputation as a retail destination is being boosted every day and The Moor looks set to continue to play a part in that burgeoning status.

and DIY, and pet accessories … The relocation of the market from the Castlegate area to The Moor was part of the city’s plan to strengthen Sheffield’s central core shopping area. Costing £18m, the Moor Market has been a positive addition to the city, with the well-designed and modern shops becoming a sign of new and exciting things to come. The second phase of Sheffield’s expansion saw leading clothing company Primark move from Castle Square into a striking new 80,000sq ft store in the heart of The Moor. This location change was followed by Specsavers, who moved from the previous building on Pinstone Street into a new home on The Moor. The trend has shifted, with big brand stores now moving from the outskirts of the city centre, wanting to be localised in the renovated middle that is The Moor. This renovation continued in Easter of 2017, with the new £8 million cinema complex ‘The Light’ being completed.

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FEATURE

The luxury nine screen cinema complex has completely transformed what used to be one of the more decrepit sections of the city into a modern place to eat, drink and watch films. The Light is located above Primark, and the complex houses four restaurants – Zizzi’s, Gourmet Burger Kitchen, Pizza Express and Nando’s. The cinema also offers a range of local food and drink, including Our Cow Molly ice cream and Kelham Island Brewery drinks. With just three slots left to fill in phase two, eyes now turn to the third phase of developments on The Moor, which are expected to be completed in 2019. These plans are set to bring in several high-profile brands, with the shopping parade’s owner Aberdeen Standard Investments (ASI) recently confirming that high street clothing store Next would be relocating from Fargate to a 42,000 sq. ft. shop on the site of the former BHS. Along with Next, both H&M and New Look are relocating, too, taking up

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

a combined 52,000 sq. ft. of space on The Moor, with H&M replacing the former McDonalds, and New Look taking over at what was Woolworths. Phase three will also see clothing retailer GAP open its latest branch beneath the Light Cinema after moving from Pinstone Street, and bowling alley ‘Lane 7’, bringing with it not only bowling, but a range of retro arcade games, karaoke, ping pong, pool and a bar. However not all the new additions have been revealed, with ASI announcing that a further leisure outlet will be added to The Moor in phase three … but the identity is yet to be announced. Settling in nicely to a new home by The Moor is one of Sheffield’s leading and bestknown businesses. Westfield Health moved to the new headquarters in the former Milton House on Charter Row late last year, dubbing the building a ‘hub for health and wellbeing’ in the heart of the city. Named Westfield House,

the eight-storey building includes incubator spaces, a business lounge with dedicated meeting rooms, and a roof terrace with 360-degree views overlooking the city. The move to Westfield House has cemented the firm’s commitment to Sheffield’s emerging new-look city centre, especially with the developments happening on their actual doorstep on The Moor. Recent developments will be enhanced by the plans to revamp the area between The Peace Gardens and The Moor, transforming it into the long-awaited Sheffield Retail Quarter. Following the initial green light for the £90m Sheffield Retail Quarter back in July of last year, further retail plans are set to be approved to bring the area up to an astounding 900,000 sq ft. This area will include 200,000 sq ft of offices and residential, located in between shops, restaurants and public spaces. These plans are following on from the news that

banking giant HSBC has agreed a move to new Sheffield city centre offices, a move which secures almost 3,000 local jobs and paves the way for the start of the Sheffield Retail Quarter project. As well as the retail and leisure plans, the renovation of the area between the Peace Gardens and The Moor will bring new city centre homes and centrally located offices, which will attract new residents and bring more businesses into the city centre. Plans are also now being drawn up that include extending the Fargate shopping destination, creating stronger links between the Peace Gardens and Pinstone street, which will also enhance the links with The Moor. With current renovations, future ones planned and progress with the Retail Quarter, Sheffield’s reputation as a retail destination is being boosted every day and The Moor looks set to continue to play a part in that burgeoning status.

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unLTDBUSINESS.COM 18/04/2018 17:12

18 17:12

ADVERTORIAL

TIME FOR TAKE-OFF

To say the Sheffield City Region Launchpad programme has helped start up and support a diverse range of businesses since starting in 2016 is something of an understatement. We caught up with programme manager Anna Smith to find out more about what they do and how they can help wannabe and emerging entrepreneurs …

Tell us all about Launchpad: Launchpad is a fully-funded business support programme delivered across the Sheffield City Region, that brings together a wide range of start-up services including workshops, events and one-to-one support from business advisors, coaches and mentors. It is a fully inclusive programme designed to help ambitious entrepreneurs set up and run successful businesses and support SMEs under two years old to take the next step and grow their business. There is no cost to the entrepreneur, as Launchpad is fully funded by the European Regional Development Fund, Sheffield City Region Growth Hub, local authority partners and the Prince’s Trust. The local authority partners deliver support in their local area and include Enterprising Barnsley, Rotherham Investment and Development Office, Doncaster Chamber on behalf of Business Doncaster, Business Sheffield, Bassetlaw District Council and Growing Rural Enterprises on behalf of the Derbyshire Dales District Council. Who is the programme aimed at? The programme is available to anyone aged over 16 who has a desire to start their own business and any SMEs that have been trading for less than two years. If they’re based in the Sheffield City Region and have a great idea for a new product or service and want to know how to bring it to market, or they’re already trading but want ideas on how to grow the business, I encourage them to get in touch. What have you guys been up to since the programme began? Since launching in April 2016

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THE FIRST LAUNCHPAD AWARDS IN JANUARY

we have provided over 30,000 hours of support and helped more than 3,500 people to realise their dream of running their own successful business – so quite a lot! We also held the first Launchpad Awards in January of this year, a unique ceremony designed to celebrate and showcase the achievements of entrepreneurs across the region. We wanted to draw attention to some of the truly amazing and inspirational work being undertaken by businesses and highlight the important contribution small businesses make to the local economy. You’ve helped some of the businesses we’ve featured in unLTD already – including Bullion and the Sheffield

Candle Company. Who else has benefited from Launchpad? We’ve helped a wide range of businesses from chocolatiers to fashion designers and pretty much everything in between. The Five Rivers Coffee Company in Broomhill serves delicious and distinctive food and drink including traditional Vietnamese filter coffee and ‘banh mi’ baguettes. K9 Bodycare is a company specialising in canine health conditions and treatments including massage therapy. Ajika, produced in Doncaster by husband and wife team Gunda Hewitt-Kortava,and Astamur Kortava, is a wonderful chilli and herb paste blended with traditional varieties originating from regions of

the South Caucasus such as Abkhazia. Meanwhile Barnsleybased Wool Couture are all about the ‘Modern Artisan’ craft movement and inspiring a new generation to take up the centuries-old pastimes of knitting, macramé, crochet and weaving. Their founder not only appeared on Dragons’ Den but secured a joint deal. What else does Launchpad offer? We have a free mentor programme, which gives businesses access to support to give them the best possible start on their business journey, by matching entrepreneurs and business owners trading for less than two years with an experienced mentor. Launching a business can be a daunting time for new entrepreneurs, who often find themselves feeling isolated and unsure where to get the right advice to develop their ideas. The programme provides the opportunity to collaborate, share knowledge and experience and, perhaps most importantly of all, learn from individuals who once stood in their shoes. Following a tried and tested formula, mentoring gives new business owners the confidence to grow, as well as a chance to share concerns with someone who has ‘been there, done that’. Our mentors come from many different backgrounds but they all share a passion to help others succeed. Any final message? Basically – wherever you are on the journey to being a successful entrepreneur, we can help! Contact us for information now on 03330 00 00 39 or email: growthhub@ sheffieldcityregion.org.uk

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

FOOD FUTURES

CITY’S FOODIE FUTURE The Sheffield Food Festival returns in May and this year there will be a programme of talks for hospitality industry professionals and entrepreneurs

Artisan bakeries, coffee houses, small batch producers, street food pop-ups – Sheffield has a thriving independent food and drink scene, with a huge growth in new ventures over recent years all across the city. On Saturday 26 May, Sheffield Food Festival will host a one-day programme of talks, discussions, mentoring and advice aimed at food and drink entrepreneurs at all stages of their journey, from embryonic ideas to established businesses. The Food Futures programme will take place in the Town Hall and feature a host of experienced industry SHEFFIELD FOOD FESTIVAL professionals sharing their experience and knowledge, providing opportunities for participants to discuss their own Brendan Dyson from the ideas and challenges. NMTF, a national trade association for market traders and mobile caterers said: Talks include: “I have visited markets, James Ellerby, Senior festivals, and fairs all over Lecturer in Hospitality the UK and met thousands Management at Sheffield Hallam University sharing the of traders and caterers. In findings of his research which my role, I’m responsible for supporting members on identifies the core values any matter that affects their shared by the restaurateurs business. who achieve and maintain “I’m passionate about long term success. Ophelie Robertson, Research how the next generation of traders are embracing Fellow for the Sheffield markets and taking this Innovation Programme, on how SMEs can access research tradition forward. Food Futures is an excellent and technical expertise opportunity for young through the Innovation entrepreneurs to find out Programme to help them why markets, festivals, develop their products. and fairs are the perfect Jay Bhayani, Managing launchpad for their food Director of Bhayani Law (and business.” unLTD columnist) sharing The keynote session will her top five most common be The Entrepreneurial employment and HR pitfalls for hospitality companies and Recipe: How to get started in the Food Business, a how to avoid them. panel discussion brought Brendan Dyson from the together by Darren Chouings, NMTF, a national trade association for market traders Start-up Business Coach with University of Sheffield and mobile caterers, on how Enterprise. to get started trading on Darren said: “Starting any markets, festivals, and fairs. business can be a daunting

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

PHOTO: ANDREW MUSGRAVE

Food Futures is an excellent opportunity for young entrepreneurs to find out why markets, festivals, and fairs are the perfect launchpad for their food business.

thing and working in the food industry brings its own set of challenges. When faced with the statistics that nine-outof-ten new food and drink businesses fail, it is vital that these start-ups have the right support around them and know where to turn when they need guidance.” The session showcases some of the food start-ups the University is currently working with, alongside other experts in the field. The discussion will focus on why panel members chose this industry, what it drives them and their success, as well as sharing some of the mistakes that were made along the way and the strategies they employed to get back on track with opportunity for Q&A at the end. Hear from Ted Ki Tae Kim (Diversitea), William Chew (Mak Tok), Jerome Jacobs (Phrooti), Natalia Welch (Pura Panela), Justin Rowntree (SweetSpot Hospitality Consultancy) Yvonne O’ Donovan (The School of Artisan Food).

FOOD FUTURES

BITE-SIZE NEWS Chocolatier wins Young Business Year award Max Scotford, founder of ‘bean to bar’ craft producer of Bullion Chocolate in Kelham Island, took home the prize from the Garbutt + Elliott Yorkshire Food Entrepreneurs Awards. Judges were impressed with Bullion Chocolate’s focus to produce single origin bars using the finest cocoa beans, as well as its dedication to sustainable and manageable growth.

Global gin festival returns PHOTO: DAN SUMPTION

Boasting more than 50 gins from around the globe, The British Oak Gin Festival returns to Sheffield this year jam packed with free samples, purchasable bottles, and history lessons. Hosted by True North Brew Co., the festival will take place from Friday 8 to Saturday 9 June at The British Oak, Mosborough Moor. Tickets are £10 plus a booking fee and come with a welcome pack full of gin-related swag including a True North Gin Glass and a Gin Festival tote bag.

PHOTO: ANDREW MUSGRAVE

New street food menu at city hotel Mark Jones, Head Chef at The Copthorne Hotel Sheffield, has launched a new street food inspired bar menu at the 4 Star Hotel. New dishes include chili and cheese dog, fish goujon and wasabi taco, Vietnamese kofte kebab, slow-cooked ribs in Chinese five spice and potato skins loaded with maple cured smoked bacon. Plus the old favourites of hot and cold sandwiches and warm paninis remain! PHOTO: ANDREW MUSGRAVE

The latter part of the day will be hosted by Launchpad Mentoring and run as a ‘world cafe’ style session with many of the days speakers available to discuss real life issues, challenges and ideas. You can also find out more about the Launchpad Mentoring programme, a free service offered by Sheffield City

PHOTO: DAN SUMPTION

Region Growth Hub, which links businesses under two years old with experienced entrepreneurs who can share their experience and insights and act as a sounding board. Register your interest for this FREE programme at www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/foodfutures-at-sheffield-foodfestival-tickets-44673438457

Feast eyes on new food hall

The creation of a new food hall is set to take place in the council’s Heart of The City II plan. The 1.5 million sq. ft of land set between Pinstone Street, Barker’s Pool and The Moor will see the addition of the trendy new food hall, alongside new shops, offices, new apartments and cafes. With estimations of the new area being finished by 2024, Sheffield will soon be enjoying new restaurants, cafes, and food halls.

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

COMPANY CULTURE

We deliver Magazines, Leaflets, Brochures, Menus, Directories and Booklets. This service is achieved by door to door, licensed street flyer distribution, Multi-drops for magazines and newspapers. We even offer a Courier and Storage Service.

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

ADVERTORIAL

ESCAPE THE OFFICE WITH A VIRGIN MONEY LOUNGE 64

Where did you host your last client meeting? Or head to in order to escape the office for a bit of thinking space to plan your next project? Chances are it wasn’t your Bank. Virgin Money is turning Business Banking on its head with its Sheffield Lounge that offers a library and bar area with complimentary soft drinks, coffee and refreshments. They’ve even got a large meeting room, fit for groups of up to 12 people, full of stateof-the-art equipment, which is available to book for business banking customers. And when you’re done working and want to let your hair down it also has a games area with two full-size ten-pin bowling lanes, table football, a pool table and air hockey. The exclusive Virgin Money Lounge opened on Fargate in July 2016 – with Sheffield chosen by Virgin Money as the first city in Yorkshire to have one. Designed to offer customers something different from an

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

ADVERTORIAL

Fancy aroun a proper l o d the Loung ok e on Farga te? Bring with y this copy o fu ou exper for a free t nLTD our an ience t d for yo he facilities urself ! ordinary bank, the Lounge is a one-stop-shop for businesses looking for a change of scenery, a comfortable space to think and work away from the office or host a catch-up with a client. It even has a specially commissioned steel sculpture from Yorkshire artist Anita Bowerman. Holly Garforth, events and promotions manager at Virgin Money said: “We are really keen to challenge the market with our new business savings accounts. We believe in banking that benefits your business, as well as ours. “To do this we’re bringing a unique banking experience with our luxury Lounge in Fargate, a prime city centre location, for our customers to enjoy. “Virgin Money have made a big investment in the city of Sheffield by opening this Lounge, which is unique in Yorkshire.” The Sheffield Lounge is the seventh to be opened in the UK, with the others

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in Manchester, Norwich, Glasgow, Edinburgh and two in London. The eighth is soon to open in Cardiff. “We’re putting Virgin’s passion in building businesses towards helping other UK businesses to save, grow and thrive,” said Holly, “and a big part of that is offering our Lounges to our SME customers in Sheffield.

“The Lounge is a great place for customers to grab a coffee, bring a client or have a meeting. In a busy city centre environment, it’s a place to escape the office. “Our top floor is very popular with customers because of its casual setting and window side seating. “The middle floor is a great

place to chill out to the sounds of our grand piano, and our bowling alley is a brilliant place for teambuilding.” Access to the Virgin Money Lounge is free for account holders, enabling city organisations to enjoy all the features and facilities, including refreshments, Wi-Fi, newspapers, magazines, TVs and iPads. Lounge members can even bring a guest in for free to enjoy the facilities. Holly said: “We’ve welcomed a lot of Sheffield businesses to the Lounge already, and have begun to forge strong relationships with them, too. “Sheffield is a great place to run a business, and we are very happy to be able to bring this Lounge to the city.” Membership is completely free for all Virgin Money customers so speak to the team at the Virgin Money Sheffield Lounge at the top of Fargate for information, or email holly. garforth@virginmoney.com

CHARITIES Our round-up of some of the great work charities are doing in the city business region – and the companies that are doing their bit to support them

THE BIGGEST ‘BIT OF A DO’ YET Business turnaround experts Wilson Field organised its biggest ever annual Bit of A Do event in Sheffield attended by more than 135 people. During the meal guests were entertained by Bollywood dancing from Socharo Dance. The guest speaker at the event, staged at Aagrah in Sheffield, was Rotherham solicitor and after dinner speaker Steve Smith MBE, who entertained the

audience with tales from his legal career. A raffle raised £1,060 which will be split between good causes in South Yorkshire including Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice and Cavendish Cancer Care. Nick Wilson, managing director at Wilson Field, added: “We have been organising these events since 2013 and this was the biggest attendance yet. Thank you to all our guests for their generous donations at the event.”

Chamber raises more than £500 for Charity of the Year Chamber members and charity supporters got their heads together and put their thinking caps on to help raise £560 for the Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber’s Charity of the Year, City Hearts UK, at the annual Chamber Quiz Night. More than 150 participants

from 30 teams took part in the event to raise funds for City Hearts UK a local charity which provides support to men, women and children who have fallen victim to modern slavery. The winning team, ‘This Isn’t the Woodman’ scored 59 out of 80, while ‘Hard Drives’ – consisting of employees

JAMIE KING OF UKELC, ELLEN BURNISTON OF CRS, JAN HALL OF CENTURY 21 CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS

from Rotherham based Open Network Services – took home the wooden spoon prize. Event organiser Diane Graham said: “We are once again overwhelmed by the support we have received from our members and supporters, who came together to help us raise funds and highlight the work this inspirational charity does within the community. “This is the second year we have hosted Charity Quiz Night and once again it was a huge

success. We are already looking forward to next year’s event, where we will be raising funds for the winner of the Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber Charity of the Year award.” Ed Newton, managing it wormeks, sfold them in h director of City Hearts HoUK,wsaid: na d loa “We are honoured to1. be the all the team nt to charge for en Down you wa ch mu w ho beneficiaries of the donations 2. Decide country. try fe made from both the raffle half the en e it could be to th14 se a prize, sed is given Choogo rai y ne and quiz. The money3.will 1 mo the prize so all team out of a ll pu to towards furthering the support for everyone try k un as co e ply pstak 4. Sim we provide to the people inwill be their swee team so onc n each team whe o has draw wh our care.” rd co o has won 5. Re u’ll know wh

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Furniture maker raises big bucks at auction A Sheffield furniture maker brought local restaurants, bars and even a car showroom together to raise more than £6,000 for The Cathedral Archer Project and City Hearts UK in an auction. My Fathers Heart hosted the fundraising event at their showroom of handmade kitchens and furniture, with the help of Investec Wealth and Investment. Guests got to catch a glimpse of John Holland Car’s prestigious motors and were catered to by some of Sheffield’s best, including Kettle Black, Bora and Forge Bakehouse. Harriet Coulthard from My Fathers Heart said: “It was a

Record wh

Russia Group A

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ORGANISERS AND GUESTS AT THE AUCTION EVENT

wonderful occasion to join forces with Investec Wealth and Investment to help support such worthy local causes. The generosity of everyone who took part was tremendous!”

Lynne Urpeth, from the Cathedral Archer Project said: “This donation will help the people who use our project to change their lives and move away from homelessness. It

Germany Group F

was a fantastic evening and the generosity of the hosts and guests was amazing – we know this will make a huge impact for the people that need our help.”

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

Belgium Group G

Poland Group H

LOVE FOOTBALL?

Then pick a team during the World Cup and change a child’s life

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AFTER HOURS

A CELEBRATION OF THE AMAZING FOOD AND DRINK ON OUR DOORSTEP Our range of best-selling cookbooks features local stories and recipes behind some of the region’s finest food producers, restaurants, café bars, growers, gastro pubs, farm shops, delicatessens and food industry providers. Grab your copy today.

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unLTDBUSINESS.COM 17/10/2017 12:21:10

AFTER HOURS VEENO ON ECCLESALL ROAD

AFTER WORK

DRINKS unLTDBUSINESS.COM

After a busy week at the office we all need to wine, sorry WIND down sometimes. Over the next few pages we list some of the best places for a post-work tipple, cheers! 69

AFTER HOURS

RUTLAND ARMS

As summer is finally approaching, (honestly … snow? What snow?) we’re taking a look at the best places to head to for some relaxing post-work drinks. From Ecclesall Road to Kelham Island and everything in-between, the city has a host of bars and pubs to suit all the team’s tastes from real ales to fancy cocktails. Get ready to swap the board room for the bar… The Veeno Company Address: 509 Ecclesall Road, Sheffield, S11 8PR Website: www.theveenocompany.com/ veeno-sheffield-wine-bar Contact number: 0114 266 3216 Opening hours: Sunday – Thursday: 12pm – 10pm, Friday – Saturday: 12pm – 12am Social media: Facebook: @VeenoSheffield Twitter: @veeno_uk Instagram: veeno_uk About: Opening in winter 2017, this Italian Wine Café is one of Ecclesall Road’s newest haunts, bringing Sicilian dining with a difference to the Steel City. Veeno has become the first of its kind in Sheffield to specialise in the Italian dining style of ‘Aperitivo’ – an

CHAMPS SPORTS BAR

after-work culture of drinking, eating Italian-style appetisers and relaxing with colleagues, friends and family. With a large choice of authentic wines – all the way from the family vineyard in Sicily – owners Nino and Andrea are keen everyone enjoys ‘the Veeno experience’. Bring a taste of la dolce vita to a work night out by treating colleagues to a team bonding session with a difference with the wine tasting – Team unLTD can highly recommend it! Book in advance, and then sit, sip and enjoy the relaxing atmosphere. Bamboo Door Address: Leopold Square, Sheffield, S1 2JG Website: www.bamboodoor.co.uk Contact number: 0114 272 6733 Opening hours: MondayWednesday: 5pm – 12am, Thursday- Friday: 5pm – 2am, Saturday: 3pm – 2am, Sunday: 5pm – 12am Social media: Facebook: @bamboodoor Twitter: @BambooDoorSHF Instagram: bamboo_door About: Located in Leopold Square, Bamboo Door is Sheffield first Tiki Bar. The

menu is packed with a variety of new and diverse cocktails and they are renowned for their ‘good old rum punch’. This lively and fun bar is only small but offer a great range of offers. Monday to Friday they offer 20% off cocktails which is great for those after work drinks, even when you’re close to pay day and on a budget.

beverages to be plucked from the fridge. You’ll know you’re in good hands as the pub’s managers – Pete and Heather – are true beer connoisseurs themselves.

The Great Gatsby Address: 73-75 Division Street, Sheffield, S1 4GE Website: www.thegatsbybar. co.uk Rutland Arms Contact number: 0114 273 1050 Address: 86 Brown Street, Opening hours: SundaySheffield, S1 2BS Thursday: 12pm – 2am FridayContact number: Saturday 12pm – 3am 0114 272 9003 Social media: Facebook: Website: @gatsbysheffield www.therutlandarmssheffield. Twitter: @GatsbySheffield co.uk Instagram: gatsbysheffield Opening hours: Monday – About: Located in the Thursday: 12pm – 11pm, Friday Devonshire Quarter, this – Saturday: 12pm – 12am, Mexican theme restaurant/ Sunday: 12pm – 11pm bar offers a livelier feel. Social media: The bar has their own twist Facebook: @rutland.arms on adapting the modern, Twitter: @RutlandArms fusion approach to food, with About: The Rutland Arms dynamic vibes and great is the crafty beer haven of music. This place will sure pick Sheffield’s Brown Street, with up the team spirt. The beer delicious real ales from all garden offers somewhere to sit over the globe. Magnificent and drink in the summer while delights like Magic Rock, the sun sets over the city. Mikkeler, and To Øl are poured straight from one of seven taps Monk Bar for your drinking pleasure. If Address: 543 Ecclesall Road, that somehow doesn’t take Sheffield, S11 8PR your fancy, there is a huge Website: www.facebook.com/ selection of boozy bottled monkbarsheffield

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AFTER HOURS

PEDDLER NIGHT MARKET

Contact number: 07730 662068 Opening hours: MondayFriday 4pm – 11.30pm, Saturday 1pm – 11.30pm, Sunday 3pm – 11.30pm Social media: Facebook: @monkbarsheffield Twitter: @MonkSheffield Instagram: monkbar_sheffield About: Monk Bar is situated in the heart of Ecclesall Road and the little cool cocktail bar features high bar stools and a cosy feel. Plus with 2 for 1 cocktails every day 5pm till 7pm, what more incentive to pop by after a busy day at work. Caffé Leopold Address: 1-3 Leopold Street, Sheffield, S1 2GY Website: www.caffeleopold. co.uk Contact number: 0114 270 6566 Opening hours: MondayWednesday: 8am – 4pm, Thursday: 8am – 8pm, Friday: 8am- 10pm, Saturday: 10am – 10pm Social media: Twitter: @CaffeLeopold Instagram: caffeleopoldproseccolounge About: Caffe Leopold’s new owners have recently developed this café bar into

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an after work/evening venue. Located near Leopold Square, they are well-known for their afternoon tea and prosecco but have recently expanded their range into gins and cocktails. They are soon to be stocking craft beers and ales, too. With a large seating area and big bay windows, sit and watch the world – and the commuters – go by after work while enjoying a drink of your choice. Peddler Night Market, Kelham Island Address: 92 Burton Road, Sheffield, S3 8BX Website: www.peddlermarket. co.uk Opening hours: First Friday and Saturday of every month: Friday: 5pm – 11pm, Saturday 2pm – 11pm Social media: Twitter: @peddlerMKT Instagram: peddlermkt About: The popularity of street food events shows no signs of slowing so why not head down to Peddler Night Market for an after-work drink. This event only happens once a month and is located within a cobble courtyard situated down in Kelham Island. There is an excellent range of locally crafted beers and cocktails

where you and your team can spend the evening listening to live music and entertainment. The Beer House Address: 623 Ecclesall Road, Sheffield, S11 8PT Website: www.facebook.com/ Beerhouse623 Opening hours: MondaySunday: 12pm – 11pm Social media: Facebook: @Beerhouse623 Twitter: @Beerhouse623 About: The Beer House is Sheffield’s first micropub and Good Beer Guide entrant 2017 and 18. Situated near Hunters Bars on Ecclesall Road it has a capacity of around 40 people and stocks locally brewed larger and bottle beers, along with spirts and wines. The bar has a small seating area outside which is perfect for them warm summer nights. Or test the team’s knowledge and get involved in the Wednesday evening quiz. Champs Sports Bar Address: 255 Ecclesall Road, Sheffield, S11 8NX Website: www. champssheffield.com Contact number: 0114 266 6333 Opening hours: SundayThursday: 12pm – 12am, Friday- Saturday: 12pm – 1am

Social media: Facebook: @champssheff Twitter: @ChampsSheff About: Wanting something a little different? Rather spend your free time after work watching sports? Well, head to Champs Sports bar on Ecclesall Road. More than 30 HD television screens around the bar show a wide range of different sports to keep everyone entertained. The big venue allows large groups to catch up in a friendly and entertaining atmosphere while enjoying a pint and watching world-class sports. Trippets Lounge Bar Address: 89, Trippet Lane, Sheffield, S1 4EL Website: www. trippetsloungebar.co.uk Contact number: 0114 2762 930 Opening hours: TuesdayThursday: 12pm – 11pm, Friday - Saturday: 12pm – 12am Social media: Facebook: @TrippetsBar Twitter: @TrippetsBar About: This multi awardwinning independent bar is situated in the heart of Sheffield’s city centre. The bar is well-known for fizz, gin and jazz and also provide food and drink packages to cater to your

AFTER HOURS

THE WICK AT BOTH ENDS

needs. This relaxing lounge bar allows you to choose from the finest of drinks while relaxing and listening to beautiful live music. Cawa coffee Address: 5 Crookes Rd, Sheffield S10 5BA Website: www.cawa.coffee Contact number: 0114 268 5774 Opening hours: Monday – Wednesday: 8am – 6pm, Thursday – Sunday: 8am – 11pm Social media: Facebook: @CawaCoffee Twitter: @CawaCoffee Instagram: cawacoffee About: ‘Cawa’ was originally the word for coffee in Turkish and Arabic. Today, it loosely refers to a place to enjoy a hot drink, great food and socialising, as this is exactly what Cawa Coffee provides. But it’s not just hot beverages that are available here as Thursday-Sunday they open

BOCELLI 1831

late, serving a selection of cocktails, spirits, artisan beers and organic wines – not forgetting the gourmet selection of tapas. Every Thursday there are also live jazz performances from 7pm, to help the team let their hair down and relax. Be At One Address: 176 Devonshire Street, Sheffield, S3 7SG Website: www.beatone.co.uk/ cocktail-bar/sheffield Contact number: 0114 399 0851 Opening hours: Sunday – Wednesday: 5pm – 12am, Thursday – Saturday: 5pm – 1:30am Social media: Facebook: @BeAtOneBar Twitter: @BeAtOneBar Instagram: beatonebar About: With 33 bars across the country, Be At One is proving a hit, and it’s easy to see why – a treat for taste buds and the eyes, thanks to its large drinks menu and beautiful décor. If

your colleagues are partial to a cocktail check out the range, varying from Banoffee Old Fashioned to Blue Steel, and more traditional whiskey sours and Expresso Martinis. With happy hour being from 5pm – 9pm on weekdays, you really will be counting down those hours left at work. Bocelli 1831 Address: 359-361 Ecclesall Rd, Sheffield S11 8PF Website: www.bocelli1831. co.uk Contact number: 0114 279 9250 Opening hours: Monday & Tuesday: Closed, Wednesday to Saturday: 9am – 11pm, Sunday: 9am – 9pm Social media: Facebook: @bocelliwines Twitter: @Bocelli1831 Instagram: bocelli_1831 About: Bocelli 1831’s wine list has been in the making since the Bocelli family first started producing drinks 180

years ago in Lajatico, Tuscany. Could there be any better way to relax after a stressful day at work than with a taste of almost three centuries? Maybe the answer is Bocelli’s other sensational option, a naughty dessert cocktail. There’s a Café Bocelli for the coffee lover, a Lemon Meringue for that sour kick, and even the Red Velvet Cherry for a boozy cake concoction. Birdhouse Tea Bar & Kitchen Address:, Alsop Fields, Sidney Street, Sheffield, S1 4RG Website: www. birdhouseteacompany.com Contact number: 0114 327 3695 Opening hours: Monday – Sunday: 8am – 10pm Social media: Facebook: @BirdhouseTeaCompany Twitter: @birdhouseteaco Instagram: birdhouseteacompany About: We all enjoy a good cuppa. But you’ve maybe never had a cuppa quite

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AFTER HOURS

SENTINEL

like the ones offered by the delightful Birdhouse Tea Bar and Kitchen. Every batch of Birdhouse’s endless selection of tea leaves has been delicately blended in little batches by local artisans in the Nether Edge tea studio. Only the very best ingredients are used for their cuppas from Strawberry Lace to Yorkshire Rhubarb. Plus the venue is open til 10pm so get involved in those Sheffield-themed alcoholic tea cocktails – Kelham Island Old Fashioned or maybe a Botanical Gardens Mojito. Mud Crab Diner Address: 521-523 Ecclesall Road, Sheffield, S11 8PR Website: www. mudcrabindustries.co.uk/ sheffield Contact number: 0114 263 1617 Opening hours: MondaySunday: 10am – 11.30pm Social media: Facebook: @ACEBARKITCHEN Twitter: @MudCrab_Ind About: The Mud Crab in Sheffield is a cool and classy bar offering a wide range of beverages from coffees to

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beers and wines. They can also shake things up with some fruity cocktails for those feeling adventurous. This upmarket bar combines chic décor with comfy and a simple dining experience plus friendly bar staff and excellent customer service – workers across the city are sure to feel welcomed! Sentinel Address: 178 Shoreham Street, Sheffield, S1 4SQ Website: www. sentinelbrewing.co Contact number: 01143 999 888 Opening hours: Monday & Tuesday closed, Wednesday & Thursday 4pm – 11pm, Friday - Saturday 12pm – 11pm, Sun 12pm – 8pm Social media: Facebook: @sentinelbrewingco Twitter: @sentinelbrew Instagram: sentinelbrewingco About: You hear the phrase “brewed locally” quite a lot these days. Well, it does not get any more local than in Sentinel. You can literally see the beer brewing in the pub as you drink! Every pint is made

using the specially selected ingredients listed in Sentinel’s very-own special recipes, and pulled straight from the brewing tank unfiltered and unpasteurised. Why not go as a team for the quiz night every Thursday? The Forum Address: 127- 129 Devonshire Street, Sheffield, S3 7SB Website: www. forumsheffield.co.uk Contact number: 0114 272 0569 Opening hours: MondayThursday: 10am – 11pm, Friday: 10am – 2am, Saturday: 10am – 3am Sunday: 10am – 10pm Social media: Facebook: @forumsheffield Twitter: @ForumSheffield Instagram: theforumsheffield About: Located on Division Street, The Forum’s large spacious bar with quirky interior – a mixture of neon signs and street art – sees many a co-worker flock to the venue. With a newly updated menu, there are many ways to gain rewards

and drink offers at The Forum. Plus the outside seating area backing onto Devonshire Green is perfect for those after work summer drinks – grab a deck chair and chill in the sun. The Wick at Both Ends Address: 149- 151 West Street, Sheffield, S1 4EW Website: www. thewickatbothends.com Opening hours: SundayThursday: 12pm – 2am, Friday- Saturday: 12pm – 3am Contact: 0114 221 1611 Social media: Facebook: @TheWickAtBothEnds Instagram: thewicksheffield About: This sophisticated and alternative drinking spot is situated on busy West Street. The Wick at Both Ends allows you to chill out on the comfy sofas or have a more private booth in the window. Decorated with fairy lights and interesting artwork, this place is a little different to the standard West Street venue – with the bonus of after work drink offers every day from 5pm – 9pm.

AFTER HOURS

WEEKEND ESCAPES

Looking for a short break to get away from the hustle and bustle of working life? This issue unLTDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Phil Turner spends 48 hours in Paris and Harry Hamling stays a little closer to home, looking at the many activities and attractions in the Peak District 74

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AFTER HOURS

PARIS It’s close to midnight on our second night and I’m sipping a gin and tonic in a back street boozer in a part of Paris most tourists won’t stumble across. Canal St Martin is close to Bastille and the Place de la Republique in the 4th arrondissement and is a gentrified area of side streets around a 19th-century canal which draws a trendy crowd to its shabby-chic bars and Michelin-recommended bistros. We discovered it some 36 hours into our whistle stop tour of Paris, in an effort to find something as far removed a possible from the usual tourist run that has dominated our day. We’ve less than two days here, and it’s hard to get a proper feel for a city as iconic as Paris in such a short time. But as I sit here attempting to eavesdrop on the chit chat of the Parisien bohos (I’ve been taking French lessons on and off for ten years so I can make out the odd phrase here and there), it’s only

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With a bit of research you’ll find those hidden gems, and it’s easy enough to get about so you can make the most of the sightseeing without it taking over completely.

SACRE COEUR

now that I feel like I have discovered something I will truly treasure. It’s a funny dichotomy. When you visit these famous super cities, of course you want to do the obvious tourist stuff… in the case of Paris, it would be remiss not to see the

Eiffel Tower, Champs Elysees, Louvre etc, but actually, there’s a danger they can become a box ticking exercise rather than an experience you will take home with you. But I think in a city as varied as Paris, hitting that balance is more than possible.

Day 1 The reason for our trip was a chance to see Jessie Ware (a British soul singer) play in a city I’d never visited before, so our first night was all about the concert. We had a couple of drinks in our stunning apartment, which was a 15 minute walk from Notre Dame and had a gorgeous sixth floor view of the Bassin de l’Arsenal, home to an array of pretty little charter boats bobbing up and down in just a few metres off the Seine, before jumping in a taxi and heading to Montmartre, home to the Elysee Montmartre (the gig venue) and just a two minute stroll from the famous Sacre Coeur. It’s a wonderful place – fans of the movie Amelie will know it from the famous scene when the eponymous

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AFTER HOURS

NOTRE DAME

main character arranges her first rendezvous with Nino on the grounds outside, but as well as being a beautiful building in its own right, the walk to the top rewards you with an enviable view over Paris. As we strolled the streets of Montmartre on the lookout for a decent restaurant to grab a bite to eat before the gig, it became clear that Paris suffers from the same issue as many tourist hungry cities of this size… namely, that unless you know where you’re going, it’s not always easy to find somewhere to eat that is authentically Parisien. Montmartre is beautiful but it sure ain’t half full of shops selling tourist tat. Eventually we landed at Bijou, a trendy Italian on Rue Dancourt that was full of atmosphere and

...the Mona Lisa is a bit of a damp squib and some of the other, far larger paintings that most people walk straight past, were way more captivating.

ideal for a quick bite to eat and a couple of early evening cocktails. After a hugely enjoyable concert we strolled down the Boulevard de Clichy, a brisk walk in the rain, to catch the late night show of Moulin Rouge. Unfortunately, it being a Thursday, these are saved for Friday and Saturday nights so we headed home with our tails ever so slightly between our legs. Next time, we’ll book ahead. Day 2 Aware that my lack of planning had affected our night, we were more organised on day two, rising early and walking to Notre Dame for a brief look around and then heading over to The Louvre after pre-purchasing tickets via Get Your Guide

in order to queue jump. It’s an amazing place (the size alone is jaw-dropping) but not something you can take in in one go so we decided to see the Mona Lisa (or La Jaconde if you want the French version) as well as the rest of the Italian wing and therefore spend no more than a couple of hours there. If you can bear hordes of tourists taking selfies rather than actually studying the artwork, it’s worth the visit, although for me, the Mona Lisa is a bit of a damp squib and some of the other, far larger paintings that most people walk straight past, were way more captivating. As time was of the essence, we decided to jump on an open top bus tour in order to tick off some of the major sites in short order. There are

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AFTER HOURS three or four bus operators to choose from, and from reviews they seem much of a muchness but we plumped for Open Tour Paris (paris. opentour.com / adult pass €34) because it picked up right outside The Louvre. It might sound like a case of stating the obvious but seeing the Eiffel Tower up close is a real highlight. It’s a strange feeling – the tower is such an iconic building that you know so well already, you almost expect to be

disappointed. Yet when you see it in the flesh – jutting out from the landscape and so erroneous in comparison to the style of architecture around it – it really is stunning. The enormous queues to go up made me glad I hadn’t decided to attempt that on our tight schedule but we noted it was definitely one to do for next time. After a late lunch at a beautiful riverside restaurant overlooking the Pont Neuf

that did sensational French tapas (the fillet steak and foie gras was the highpoint), we headed back to base to recharge for a final night out. After a day of sightseeing we were keen to discover some of the ‘real’ Paris for our final evening, so with a bit of insider knowledge under our belts, we headed to the boutique bistros and back street bars of Canal St Martin, which was only ten minutes in a taxi from our base. We deliberately hadn’t

booked a restaurant, preferring to take in the ambiance of the area as we popped in and out of bars and bistros before setting on a quirky little pasta joint on La Rue de la Roquette. A few bars and plenty of cocktails later, we made our way back to the hotel, content that not only had we found many of the obvious highlights of Paris as good as expected but also, slightly smug that we’d uncovered some secret gems of our own.

GETTING THERE Despite the allure of travelling by Eurostar, with so little time on or hands, we chose to fly from Manchester with Air France. Flights were a little over £100 each and by the time we caught the train to our hotel, it was about six hours door to door (allowing for waiting time at the airport). A quick tip, we got a dragon pass with our Barclays account, which meant we could hang out in the Escape Lounge at Manchester airport and enjoy free food and drink – a very pleasant way to start the trip. Once you land at CDG airport, it’s a pretty quick train ride to Gare du Nord – easy and stress free.

THE ACCOMMODATION Paris is a big city, so choosing where to stay is a bit of a minefield. My first thought was Montmartre, it’s the setting of Moulin Rouge, the home of the Sacre Couer, cobbled streets, back street boulangeries etc… but my wife had stayed there a number of times before so we went for somewhere more central. The hotels are famously over priced for the quality in Paris, so we stayed in apartment/hotel Goralska Résidences in the Arsenal area. It wasn’t cheap, but it was absolutely stunning, well located and superbly well staffed.

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PEAK DISTRICT Sheffield is often referred to as ‘the outdoor city’ for its high number of trees, parks, and wildlife. The city also played host to the Outdoor City Weekender event earlier this year (our cover story last issue). But adding to and enhancing that growing status is the fact that the Peak District is right on our door step. Located just five miles out of Sheffield, the 550 square miles of land delivers unmissable views with many activities for

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all the family. Founded in 1951, Britain’s first national park has a popularity of more than 10 million visitors a year, with easy accessible links from major cities such as Manchester, Sheffield, and Derby. With National Parks Week coming up in July, it is expected that the Peak District will be hosting a variety of fun activities and events. Experiences such as abseiling and zip line adventures will allow you to capture that bird’s eye view of the Peaks with

a potential opportunity for that perfect Instagram photo – #NoFilterRequired. Expert instructors are there to give any beginners that helping hand on the way down. The Chatsworth Estate has been a family favourite for a long time, making it one of the Peak Districts most popular attractions, and although the famous Chatsworth House itself has an entry fee, there are still plenty of free attractions. A 45-minute bus from Sheffield can take you there, where you

can explore the 1000 acres of parkland. Home to a vast array of wildlife, you may even be lucky enough to spot the unique red and fallow deers. This attraction has been a hit with kids since 1973, so a good spot for a family day out. The Peak District is home to many stunningly impressive walking routes that visitors can journey along, with many of these starting in the picturesque village of Castleton, home to the awe-inspiring Peak Cavern. A

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THE STUNNING CHATSWORTH HOUSE

riverside walk to the Cavern takes visitors back centuries, walking past old miners’ cottages and opening out into a remarkable limestone gorge. Within the entrance chamber are the remains of an ancient village, where a whole community lived and worked making ropes for the local lead mines for more than 400 years, and on top of the 280ft high walls resides the ruins of Peveril Castle. Deep into the cliff is the Cavern’s entrance chamber – the largest natural cave entrance in the British Isles. The Cavern offers a range of guided tours and rope making demonstrations, packed full of

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detailed information about its history. This is an unmissable opportunity, and for as little as around £10 per person, it is well worth experiencing. If you take a trip over to the south-east side of the Peaks, make sure to visit the Peak District Lead Mining Museum, where you can discover the fascinating history of Derbyshire’s mining industry. Derbyshire is home to the authentic 1920s lead and fluorspar ‘Temple Mine’, located in Matlock Bath. A stone’s throw from Cave Dale, the dry limestone valley running from Derbyshire to Castleton. The Dale provides a range of stunning sights across

the Peak District, with fantastic viewpoints over Peveril Castle. With the vast amount of history in the Peak District, it is also absolutely worth a visit to the Damflask Reservoir in Low Bradfield, just five miles out of Sheffield. Low Bradfield is renowned for the extraordinary disruption which happened when the Great Sheffield Flood hit in 1864. You can follow a 3.8-mile nature walk around the reservoir, and with many places to eat and drink within the quiet area of Low Bradfield, it’s the perfect place for a stress-free, fun day out for the family. The Peak District offers

a wide variety of amazing opportunities to experience some of Britain’s more spectacular sights. So, get yourself to the Peak District this summer – you definitely will not be disappointed! Peak District National Park www.peakdistrict.gov.uk 01629 816200 Chatsworth www.chatsworth.org 01246 565300 Peak District Lead Mining Museum www.peakdistrictlead miningmuseum.co.uk 01629 583834

NUMBER CRUNCH

MANUFACTURING It’s hard to pinpoint exactly where the renowned Advanced Manufacturing Park is. Technically, it’s snugly sat on the border of Rotherham and Sheffield on Brunel Way. Yet it is also just a mere couple of miles from Sheffield City Centre. Either way, having recently becoming home to McLaren and Rolls-Royce, it’s easy to see why the Park describes itself as “an internationally recognised centre for engineering, innovation, research and manufacturing excellence.” Join us in having a look at manufacturing in Sheffield City Region with some of these facts and figures:

£5M

The expected turnover of Sheffield’s folding-patio door manufacturer Panoramic Doors in 2018

The number of youngsters Liberty Speciality Steels took on to become the backbone of the business in a recruitment drive in January

The University of Sheffield’s AMRC employs around

500

highly qualified engineers and researchers from all over the world

£3M

The cost of high tech tool firm Nikken’s expansion of its Innovation Centre

Sheffield will soon be home Boeing’s first ever manufacturing centre in Europe. It’ll be able to build parts for next-generation aircraft in under

30 MINS

58% 90

The Advanced Manufacturing Park’s Nuclear AMRC helps companies combat their manufacturing problems using their combined

1,000

How much the British content within McLaren’s supercars will increase to once its new carbonfibre manufacturing centre is fully operational

years of practical experience

Sheffield-based wire fastener manufacturer Gripple expanded with a new factory last year to provide an extra

7,000 of production space

SQ FT

Engineering group William Cook, based in Leeds and Sheffield, recently won an order for its custom tank-tracks worth

£5M

The amount of extra people US IT firm PCM have recruited to its Sheffield-based Technology Centre last year, ensuring it has the same proximity as Boeing and McLaren

Rolls-Royce worked alongside the University of Sheffield’s Material Science Department to produce a

1.5M-DIAMENTER titanium front bearing housing (FBH) for the XWB-97 engine

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Chamber Skills Solutions Creating a better workforce

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