DECEMBER 2018 | ISSUE 8 | FREE | WWW.UNLTDBUSINESS.COM
EVENTS
2019 GUIDE
POLE POSITION City region’s leaders say opening of hi-tech McLaren centre puts area in the driving seat for more advanced manufacturing jobs
‘PEOPLE’S CHEERLEADER’ | AWARDS SUCCESS | FOCUS ON DONCASTER | GRABBING A MORNING CUPPA unLTDBUSINESS.COM
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CONTENTS
31
McLAREN OPENING
42 FOCUSON:DONCASTER
53 ‘PEOPLE’S CHEERLEADER’ 4
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AWARD SUCCESS unLTDBUSINESS.COM
CONTENTS
ALSO INSIDE... 6: News Cutlery Works opens to the public, city’s ‘faces of vibrant economy’ and new Chamber President. 14: If You Ask Me... After research found Union St had improved productivity and wellbeing for the businesses based there, we spoke to those involved in the industry to find out more. 24: Calendar All the very best events for December and January plus our guide to 2019. 35, 51 & 59: Five minutes with... We take time out to talk to Rebecca English from Birdhouse Tea Company, Steph Walker from Delicious Media and Outboard Motors’ Calum Holloway. 39: Business Support How the Y-Accelerator scheme gave Research Retold’s Mihaela Gruia ‘an incredible confidence boost’. 40: Budget Breakdown Struggling to get your head round the Autumn Budget 2018? Expert David Charlton, a tax partner at BHP Accountants, gives us his thoughts. 57: Your Pitch Food Circle Supermarket’s James Barthorpe tells us all about being an online healthy food retailer with a twist. 64: Perfect Coffee Stops We hunt out the best places for a hot beverage to start your day. 74: Number Crunch We crunch the numbers on food and drink into bite size pieces.
EVERYTHING ELSE... 11: Appointments 13: Diary 21: In a nutshell 23: Evolving Technology 36: Charity 49: Property talks
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CHAMBER PRESIDENT STEVE MANLEY WITH US AMBASSADOR WOODY JOHNSON AT THE unLTD STAND AT SHOWCASE SHEFFIELD
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EVENT-FUL MONTH! To say, unLTD’s first few weeks as a monthly publication have been eventful is quite the understatement. It’s – quite literally – been full of events. We kicked off with the Sheffield Chamber of Commerce’s Showcase Sheffield event where our stall at Ponds Forge was busy all day and we got to catch up with some friends of the mag and met a lot of new fans, too. But the highlight had to be getting to meet and showcase our product to none other than the US Ambassador to the UK, Woody Johnson. After the event he even tweeted: ‘Sheffield really has an innovative economy and skilled entrepreneurs – they’re leading the way!’ Indeed we are. Just a few weeks later and Sheffield City Region’s excellence in advanced manufacturing and engineering was driven straight into the spotlight with the official opening of McLaren Automotive’s new Composites Technology Centre. The £50m innovation and manufacturing facility, on the border of Sheffield and Rotherham at the heart of the Advanced Manufacturing Park, was described to unLTD by the SCR Mayor Dan Jarvis as a sign that ‘we’re at the cutting edge of advanced manufacturing and highly skilled engineering’. You can read more in our feature on pages 39-41. The unLTD team was to on a mission to showcase what we were all about at our second Business Social. Held once again at Virgin Money Lounge, it was just as successful as the first and we had lots of lovely feedback both online and ‘IRL’ at the event itself. Roll on spring and our third event! And while we’re looking ahead, there’s lots in store for your diary in the new year - our guide to just some of the highlights of 2019 is on pages 27-29. In the meantime, we’d like to wish all our readers a very Merry Christmas and prosperous new year.
EDITORIAL Richard Fidler richard@unltdbusiness.com Jill Theobald editorial@unltdbusiness.com General editorial@unltdbusiness.com 0114 252 7760 ADVERTISING Phil Turner phil@unltdbusiness.com 07979 498034 Alexandra Scrivener alexandra@unltdbusiness.com 07944 325 861 General advertising@unltdbusiness.com FINANCE Sarah Koriba and Faye Bailey accounts@exposedmagazine.co.uk DESIGN Simon Waller and Simon Garlick CONTRIBUTORS Dean Atkins Mike Durham Joe Bamford Natalie Harrison Marc Barker Peter Kay Tim Bottrill Sarah-Louise Kelsey Isobel Buffin Ash Young Jo Davison Andy Waple unLTD is published monthly by Blind Mice Media LTD Unit 1B Rialto 2 Kelham Island Square Kelham Riverside Sheffield S3 8SD and HR Media LTD Unit 1 Speedwell Works, Sidney Street, Sheffield S1 4RG 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.
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AGENDA NEWS ‘Invaluable’ support boosts sales Wentworth Pewter has boosted sales thanks to Sheffield City Region Growth Hub. The manufacturer, based in Darnall, which produces handcrafted pewter gifts, contacted the Growth Hub to improve the firm’s approach to marketing and help grow the business even further.
STEVE HAAKE, PROFESSOR OF SPORTS ENGINEERING AT SHEFFIELD HALLAM UNIVERSITY’S ADVANCED WELLBEING RESEARCH CENTRE
CITY’S THREE ‘FACES OF VIBRANT ECONOMY’ A campaign that highlights leaders who inspire by example and show how better business can be done has featured two of the city’s university professors and a Sheffield City Region LEP board member. Each year Grant Thornton UK LLP identifies ‘The Faces of a Vibrant Economy’ – 100 progressive leaders across the UK from private, public and third sectors that demonstrate excellence in the areas of growth, innovation and purpose. Steve Haake, professor of sports engineering at Sheffield Hallam University’s Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre (AWRC), Professor Keith Ridgeway of the University of Sheffield, and Sheffield City Region’s LEP board member for growth and skills Laura Bennett have been put in the spotlight for their ‘commitment to make a positive impact’.
SHU and the AWRC’s Prof Haake was recognised for his work in translating technology used in elite sport to benefit and improve the health and wellbeing of the general population. The AWRC, situated at the heart of the Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park and which will open next year, is set to be the most advanced research centre in the world for developing innovations that will improve population health and physical activity. Prof Haake said: “The University is committed to creating innovative and realworld solutions for tackling today’s health and wellbeing challenges and I’m proud that our work is being recognised in this way as part of the ‘Faces’ campaign. “Bringing together public and private sector organisations
is vitally important when it comes to growing our economy and UK productivity and our own practitioners, scientists, engineers and designers regularly collaborate to address global health concerns.” Laura said she was in ‘amazing company’, adding: “It’s an honour to receive this recognition for my role on the LEP board, and it’s a privilege to contribute knowledge gained through my PhD research at Sheffield University Management School.” Sacha, CEO at Grant Thornton, said: “By celebrating these remarkable leaders, we recognise their role in developing a more purposeful and innovative business environment. They show us how business can be done through ‘human’ leadership which nurtures talent.”
£50,000 The total amount in sales reached in Wentworth Pewter’s first year of selling via Amazon
With The Growth Hub’s financial help, Wentworth Pewter began selling products via Amazon and made improvements to the website to ensure that it was easy to navigate. Retail sales subsequently soared and are now up by 39 per cent. Richard Abdy CEO of Wentworth Pewter said: “Support from the Sheffield City Region Growth Hub has been invaluable in giving our marketing efforts a significant boost. We’ve been really impressed with the results.” Mayor of the Sheffield City Region Dan Jarvis, said: “In the last two years more than 5,000 businesses have received help and advice from the Growth Hub and this is great for the whole city region.”
Got news and views of your own? Let us know!
Get in touch with your press releases, ideas and suggestions: editorial@unltdbusiness.com Twitter @unLTDbusiness LinkedIn: Unltd Business Instagram: unltdbusiness
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AGENDA
AGENCY’S AR SERVICE SET TO BE ‘INDUSTRY GAMECHANGER’
MARK SHIPLEY AND THE FENTI TEAM
A leading South Yorkshirebased marketing and design agency is now offering its clients augmented reality (AR). fenti has spent the past few months researching and developing the possibility of AR enhancements to its marketing services and the results have “surpassed all expectations”. Mark Shipley, fenti managing director, said: “We’ve always prided ourselves in
360 tour of a product with AR
being true innovators and we’re honoured to be one of only a small handful of businesses countrywide that can offer a way to digitally revolutionise current marketing. “This technology allows you to show your client every aspect of a new product or innovation without you ever even having to leave your desk. They can peek into every nook and cranny, have a 360-degree tour and more besides.”
‘Best yet to come’ for Sheffield’s commercial property market Sheffield has an exciting future in commercial property and the development sector, according to a global property consultancy. For the year ending 31 March, Knight Frank saw group turnover rise by 10 per cent to £525.9m “in the face of volatile markets and political conditions around the world.” Group pre-tax profits also increased by 14 per cent to £166.7m. Alistair Elliott, senior partner and group chairman, said: “We believe that this is a reflection of the success of our concentration on organic
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Knight Frank saw group turnover
RISE BY
10% TO £525.9M and strategic investment in people over the past five years and is a tribute to the quality of our teams across the globe.” Peter Whiteley, head of Knight Frank’s Sheffield office, added: “Sheffield’s regional office is performing
extremely well. This year, we were involved in the £24m sale of 3 St Paul’s Place to M&G, the £15m sale of The Balance to Kames Capital and have worked with ARBA Group to make Meadowhall Business Park into one of the city’s highest performing business parks. “It is reasonable to say that the best is yet to come for Sheffield’s commercial property market – and with longer term infrastructure developments, such as HS2 bringing new levels of connectivity to the capital, the city’s strategic potential is yet to be fully realised.”
Planning application for iconic site A planning application is set to be made to revitalise one of south-west Sheffield’s most iconic sites. The site, which sits at the junction of Ecclesall Road, Ecclesall Road South and Psalter Lane, Banner Cross, is well-known in south-west Sheffield as a car showroom but had lain dormant since Gilders relocated to Meadowhead. A planning application made by Sheffield-based Primesite UK will see the showroom converted into four retail / leisure units, the workshop / stores into office accommodation for leading local accountancy firm Brown McLeod and eight luxury townhouses to be built to the rear of the site. Around
2 ACRES 1/4
total site space
Primesite UK director Scott Hinchliffe said: “This will be a high-quality mixeduse development in a highly sought after and sustainable location, providing much needed housing and office space, as well as retail / leisure units which will increase the viability and vitality of Banner Cross District Shopping Centre and create a number of jobs.” John Roddison from Brown McLeod said: “We will be combining our three Sheffield offices into one single open plan floor which will allow us to grow our business from 60 to 100 employees.” Primesite UK is working with architects Cartwright Pickard and CODA Planning and property agents colloco and Crosthwaite Commercial. If planning is approved the site is expected to be operational for the commercial units in spring 2019.
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AGENDA
HOT Doncaster Sheffield Airport has announced new long-haul routes to Florida and Mexico as well as plans to create more than 5,300 jobs at its proposed state-of-the-art logistics and advanced manufacturing hub. Sheffield’s Kelham Island has been crowned the best neighbourhood in the UK and Ireland at the 2019 Urbanism Awards. PHOTOS: MELISSA SADLER PHOTOGRAPHY
The new Barnsley Markets has officially opened its doors at The Glass Works, marking a major milestone in the multimillion-pound redevelopment of the town centre.
Artist Pete McKee has been presented with an honorary doctorate from Sheffield Hallam University in recognition of his contribution to the city’s cultural history.
COOL Plans to create a £1.3m café and bar project at Walkley Carnegie Library as part of a deal with True Brew North Co have been scrapped.
Rotherham-based retailer Crawshaws has formally appointed administrators and announced 350 redundancies due to declining sales amid challenging trading conditions.
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FOODIE HALL HEAVEN OPENS IN KELHAM ISLAND The largest independent food hall in northern England has opened its doors to the public. The Cutlery Works, Kelham Island’s newest addition, comes from The Milestone Group, the organisation behind some of the city’s most renowned restaurants. The new development is a mix of permanent outlets and semi-permanent popups, inspired by the hawker markets of South East Asia, with influences from Lisbon, New York and Barcelona. Traders include The Gravy Train, bringing their poutine to the party, Five Rivers taking care of pho and bahn mi alongside their famous Vietnamese drip coffee, and independently produced craft beer bar Booze Hound. Bullion’s Chocolate Café will be manufacturing bean to bar chocolate on site, new start-up Fin and Bone will look after the meat and fish lovers, while 100 per cent plantbased restaurant Shed will be providing health-conscious vegan dishes and cold-pressed juices.
Doors open from 8am with breakfast and freshly roasted coffee served up by the traders from 10am. Come evening, there’ll be a fun, lively vibe, with late night dining until 12am during the week and 1am Friday and Saturday. The Cutlery Works also provides a hot-desking space with access to WIFI and discounted coffee. Guests can
stay all day, meet clients and take advantage of the dining options on offer. Matt Bigland, director of The Milestone Group said: “I’m really passionate about this project, it’s going to be a food destination that gives independent entrepreneurs an opportunity to showcase their food offerings. I can’t wait to see what this brings to Sheffield and the Yorkshire region.”
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AGENDA
TALENT MATCH BOOSTS WELLBEING & JOB PROSPECTS An innovative project set up to tackle youth unemployment in the UK has led to nearly half of participants finding work, a study by Sheffield Hallam University has found. The university was commissioned to evaluate the Big Lottery Fund’s £108 million Talent Match programme and found it was turning the tide for Britain’s ‘hidden’ unemployed youth. Peter Wells, Professor of Public Policy Analysis and Evaluation at Sheffield Hallam University, said: “The programme has helped more than 25,000 young people through addressing barriers to employment including low levels of mental health, practical barriers such as transport and childcare, and how employment can be sustained and fulfilling for young people.”
THE TALENT MATCH PROGRAMME HAS HELPED OVER 25,000 YOUNG PEOPLE
41%
of participants achieved a job outcome
Scott Hignett, head of funding, Talent Match at the Big Lottery Fund, said: “Talent Match is a national programme where each partnership works with young people to help them develop the skills to change their own circumstances and find personalised solutions to any barriers they may face.”
Assay Master milestone
More used to marking historical dates and notable national events, Sheffield Assay Master Ashley Carson has celebrated a silver anniversary milestone of his own. Ashley, who has overseen the hallmarking of about 100 million items, celebrated 25 years in post as Assay Master at a gala dinner at the Sheffield Assay Office Holding the distinction of being both the youngest Assay Master ever appointed and the second longest serving to date, Ashley said: “I’m still as enthusiastic about my job now as I was 25 years ago. I’m really looking forward to continuing to uphold the great reputation of hallmarking in Sheffield.”
‘Exceptional’ exports
Sheffield College students celebrated success at a graduation ceremony at Sheffield Cathedral attended by the city’s Lord Mayor Councillor Magid Magid. Angela Foulkes, Chief Executive and Principal, The Sheffield College, said: “It was a privilege to celebrate the inspirational achievements of our students who have completed university level qualifications with us. I am very proud of their success and delighted that Sheffield’s Lord Mayor could celebrate with us.” Sheffield’s Lord Mayor Councillor Magid said: “One of the big issues that’s really important to me is celebrating young people and all the amazing things they do for our city.”
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Bailey of Sheffield has achieved ‘exceptional’ export sales, reporting its first buyer from Tunisia, its 30th export destination. For the US and other English speaking countries, the original Stainless Steel CABLE™ Bracelets and the Fully Loaded Spectrum bracelets are both big sellers. Sheffield University helped with the initial destruction testing of the bracelet and clasp components, and Sheffield Hallam University assisted Bailey of Sheffield with the clasp design. The firm is beginning a collaboration with the AMRC (Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre), which will see some ‘very exciting product development” Adele Bailey said.
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AGENDA
Boxer Beardow boosted with business backing JOINT MD OF UNIVERSAL OFFICE PRODUCTS, STEVE MANLEY
FROM TEENAGE ENTREPRENEUR TO NEW CHAMBER PRESIDENT The new – and youngest ever – Sheffield Chamber of Commerce President started his business in his Mum and Dad’s spare room with a borrowed computer and patio furniture. So it’s perhaps no surprise Steve Manley has taken the chains of office pledging to encourage youth enterprise and entrepreneurship. The 43-year-old joint MD of Universal Office Products (UOP) said: “I also want to tackle the incorrect perception of people not involved in any way with the Chamber, that we are a bit of ‘an old boys’ club’ as that is far from the truth. “I’ve been involved with the Chamber for many years and have been really encouraged by the number of businesses joining as members from the creative and digital sector in the last 12 months. Many people have said to me they didn’t realise what chamber membership involved and how we can help them. “The perception is changing, and we have a great Chamber diverse team. The mix of a highly experienced management team coupled with the youth and exhuberance works very well and it’s certainly changed dramatically over the last decade.” Steve is also approaching a decade of voluntary work with
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At age
43
Steve is Sheffield Chamber’s youngest ever President
Young Enterprise, a non-profit organisation that works to inspire the next generation of young entrepreneurs. He said: “I became involved with Young Enterprise while a student myself at Loxley College and as a result, I know the importance of championing young entrepreneurs. I’ve delivered talks to Business Studies students about entrepreneurship and what it takes to start up your own business, as well as judging awards and mentoring student businesses.” After working for a highprofile office supplies firm for for eight years, Steve established UOP from the aforementioned back bedroom with business partner Mark Broadbent in 2002. Today it’s the UK’s leading independent single source office supply specialist, with a turnover of £7m and a 98 percent client retention rate.
Said Steve: “Over the years I’ve met a lot of young people from across the region with some great ideas and vision, so it was a natural fit to choose youth enterprise as a theme for my Presidency - especially as a former teenage entrepreneur myself!” Here he picks just three of the Sheffield City Region businesses started by young entrepreneurs that have impressed him: 1. Lewis Bowen, AIR ‘On the day of his last university exam, Sheffield Hallam University business graduate Lewis started AIR, which produces environmentally friendly candles.’ 2. Hannah Duraid, The Great Escape ‘Hannah co-founded The Great Escape Game in 2015, while in the middle of studying for a PGCE and credits hard work and passion for getting the business to where it is today.’ 3. Max Scotford, Bullion Chocolate ‘Another SHU graduate, Max’s bean-to-bar craft chocolate brand has won all sorts of awards and he’s now planning Sheffield’s first chocolate café after a successful Kickstarter funding campaign.’
A Sheffield-based boxing champion can now fully focus on professional titles thanks to sponsorship from The Templand Group and other backers. Callum Beardow, 23, has won seven Yorkshire titles during his amateur career, but now has his sights set on progressing to British, European, Commonwealth and World belts, Callum, who started boxing aged 13 at Sheffield City Amateur Boxing Club, turned professional this autumn under manager, Dave Coldwell.
7 The number of Yorkshire titles Callum Beardow won during his amateur career
He said: “As an amateur I was training after grafting all day, every day. Now thanks to the support and backing of my sponsors I can focus 100 per cent on my training and preparation. I’m excited to be able to take this next step in my career.” Jason Denmark, chief executive of The Templand Group, said: “We are pleased to be associated with a number of Sheffield businesses who value the opportunity to sponsor this talented young man, with the hope he can follow in the footsteps of some of Sheffield’s finest boxers who made it to the top of the world stage.”
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AGENDA APPOINTMENTS
New team at Wentworth Woodhouse Trust Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust has doubled its team in a mission to save the Georgian mansion from decline. With 19 full time staff, Sarah McLeod, Trust CEO, said: “Our original team was seven-strong. Thanks to grant funding, we have been able to bring in specialists with a wealth of experience and talent and we are making great headway with the tasks ahead.” Mark Williamson, WWPT’s first commercial operations manager said: “I’m looking forward to opening new visitor and commercial offerings which will enable this house to stand proud again.” New catering manager Joe Tomlinson said: “I want our menus to put Wentworth on the culinary map for tourists and locals alike.”
Azzure IT strengthens marketing department One of the UK’s fastest-growing tech firms, Azzure IT, has appointed a new marketing manager. Giles Ranyell joins the Sheffield-based company, bringing with him more than two decades of experience in digital marketing. Giles said: “Azzure IT is at a very exciting stage with its own growth. The culture is progressive, and the staff are extremely passionate about how we help organisations address the complex challenges faced in today’s multifaceted business environments. “The staff here embrace the true Yorkshire work ethic and are never afraid to roll their sleeves up to get the job done.”
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James joins Omnia
Property management specialist Omnia Property Group has appointed University of Sheffield graduate James Ang as its new property management assistant.
Harper James adds Ashley GRANT FUNDING HAS ENABLED WENTWORTH WOODHOUSE TRUST TO DOUBLE THEIR TEAM
Marketing and communications officer Hannah Pearson said: “I am delighted to be raising the profile of Wentworth Woodhouse on its journey to become one of the
region’s top visitor attractions.” Other gains include Keeley Stephenson as personal assistant to the CEO’s office and wedding and events officer Tracie Midgley.
NIGEL MOVES UP A GEAR TO JOIN ENGINEERING GROUP After six years’ service as electrical controls and instrumentation director for SCX Special Projects, Nigel Montgomery has made the step up to operations director, and a full board director at The SCX Group. SCX Special Projects is known around the world as a result of the sliding roof at the All England Lawn Tennis Club’s Centre Court, its work on a similar roof for No.1 Court, due to be operational next year, and the world-first dividing retractable pitch at Tottenham Hotspur’s new stadium.
Harper James Solicitors has expanded its national team with the appointment of a further partner. Ashley Mott will operate from the firm’s Sheffield headquarters to assist Toby Harper, founder and CEO, and the wider management team.
New duo for Ben Bailey
Property developer Conroy Brook has appointed Liam Platts as a new site manager and Val Mellor as a new sales executive who will both be working on the company’s new Ben Bailey Homes site in Clowne.
Charlotte negotiates Redbrik role Charlotte Leivers has joined leading estate agents Redbrik as a negotiator where she will provide support to landlords and tenants throughout the region from the Chesterfield lettings office.
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AGENDA
THE DIARY BY RICHARD FIDLER
Our editor looks back on 2018 – and ahead to the New Year
Celebrating Business Social success
2018 It’s always a dangerous business to compare cities with regards to infrastructure, investment or new developments but we haven’t done bad in 2018 have we? The end of the calendar year is an appropriate time to have a look back on what’s been achieved. However it’s worth noting that events don’t happen in a vacuum and while it’s worth celebrating projects like the arrival of Tram Train to the area you can’t ignore that it arrived several years late and over budget. Many other developments have also dragged on for what seems like decades, and in the case of the retail quarter in Sheffield city centre this is probably true, but there are at last signs that work is well underway with buildings springing up everywhere you look.
A YEAR TO REMEMBER
However, let’s be positive and celebrate what has been achieved. You can see much of what has happened just by driving up and down the Parkway regularly. A further point which I may come back to one day is the glacial pace of traffic on this road due to congestion, but I’ll leave that for another column… The Boeing factory on the Advanced Manufacturing Park on the Sheffield/Rotherham border, the company’s first manufacturing site in Europe, will make actuation system components for their 737 and 767 jets from raw materials sourced in the UK. At full capacity, Boeing Sheffield will produce thousands of parts each month, which will be shipped for assembly in Boeing’s Portland plant in Oregon, United States.
On the other side of the road the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge recently opened the McLaren Composites Technology Centre. The facility will build McLaren’s lightweight carbon fibre chassis for its new road models from 2020, creating more than 200 jobs and providing an estimated £100 million of GVA (gross value added) benefit to the local economy by 2028. A little closer to the city centre we saw the ‘Chinatown’ development move a step closer to completion with the opening of New Era Square. There have been many other schemes coming to fruition but one that was particularly pleasing was when the Prince of Wales was in Rotherham in February to fire up the giant ‘N-Furnace’ at Liberty Speciality Steels. Let’s see what 2019 brings.
Got views of your own? Let me know: richard@unltdbusiness.com LinkedIn: Richard Fidler
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It was my pleasure to host the latest unLTD Social event last month at the wonderful Virgin Money lounge at the top of Fargate in Sheffield. Once again it was very well attended with lots of new faces and I was indebted to the brilliance of the speakers – James Bennett from Azzure IT, Alex Hill from The SEO Works and Aimee Browes the founder of the Happiness Bootcamp – for making my life easier. The next social will be in the spring so keep an eye out for more details.
Hopes for 2019 Every new year is approached with a mixture of optimism and apprehension and 2019 will certainly be no different. I hope that Sheffield City Region finally resolves its devolution issues and that the pot of funding allocated to our area begins to make a difference.
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AGENDA
IF YOU ASK ME ...
CO-WORKING After Union St, a city centre hub for co-working, street food and public events, commissioned research which found the space has increased productivity, confidence and wellbeing for the businesses based there, we spoke to those involved in the industry to find out more I’ve long championed (and benefited from) collaboration in business. Don’t get me wrong. Challenge me to a race and I’ll go flat out to win. And I’m Mr Obnoxious when it comes to family board games – beating small children (and ruining their day) is what it’s all about, right? But in business and social enterprise, folk often adopt a silo mentality. That can be deliberate – when I ran a division of a PLC in the 1990s, our different profit centres were in competition with one another. That meant team leaders would hoard leads, rather than share opportunities. The business certainly didn’t benefit. Self-employment is at a high in the UK and makes a vital contribution to Sheffield’s economy. But freelancers, the self-employed and people working remotely as part of a big organisation can find themselves in a silo, too. Working from home can be hard. Many home-workers are affected by loneliness and isolation, which can
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have a profound impact on productivity, wellbeing, mental health, and physical health. Coworking spaces can be a lifeline. A silo mentality can also be based on assumptions. Last year I was staggered to hear a prominent member of Sheffield’s business community state; “Union St is full of kids playing at being in business.” He went on to assert – perhaps from deep within his silo – that freelancers and remote workers making up the membership of coworking spaces are struggling wannabees. Well, I have news for you, sir: they’re thriving, as they demonstrated in Union St’s Impact Snapshot. Some are sole traders, some run businesses, some work for large organisations and charities; many collaborate with large businesses and the vast majority have become stronger and more resilient by collaborating with one another as members of Union St. These co-workers are diverse – established and expert freelancers work alongside start-ups, remote
PHOTO: JESS PETRIE
IMPACT SNAPSHOT AUTHOR, JAMIE VEITCH
workers in large businesses and organisations, social entrepreneurs, academics and researchers. They are all part of something making a unique contribution to the vibrancy of the city centre – the opposite of ‘extraction capitalism’. Researching and writing Union St’s Impact Snapshot really revealed how it is enabling its members to thrive. It actually
made me commit to new membership myself! Let’s finish by returning to the theme of silos. Freelancers, microenterprises and social enterprises can teach larger organisations an enormous amount about agility and creativity, scale and sustainable growth. I’m encouraged by the positive responses to Union St’s impact snapshot. Let’s break the silos.
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AGENDA My wife and I moved to Sheffield in the spring of this year and finding a good co-working space was so helpful for us. Prior to our arrival, we had been living and working in a number of countries including India, Hungary and Portugal, but as we are planning to settle here, finding a space where we felt at home was very important. I’d say there are five key reasons why co-working makes such a difference. I’ll call them the 5 Cs. First, community. A coworking space helps you to feel part of a community in the way that otherwise you might miss out on as a freelancer. Union St, where we are members, organises regular socials (in fact, I’ve started attending the social committee to help out with this) and just being able to ask people for local tips and advice when we were new, was really useful. While I enjoy working solo a lot of the time, like most people I feed off the energy of others, too. Plus, Union St isn’t just a co-working space. It involves members of the community in all sorts of ways including things like
unLTDBUSINESS.COM
THE INFLUENCE EXPERT, ALEX SWALLOW
hosting pop-up cafes to support local businesses. Second, confidence. Being a co-working member has helped me to get up to speed much more quickly and feel I can get involved in the life of the city. For example, after talking to other members of
Union St, my wife and I set up a meetup called Social Good Sheffield. Third, contacts. My business helps people with their personal brand and their influence. Networking is very important for what I do. Sharing desk space is an effective way to get to know people much more quickly and naturally than you otherwise might. Fourth, collaboration. While co-working feels very ‘now’, independent people working on areas of specialism is really part of Sheffield’s traditions, for example with the ‘Little Mesters’. Being able to work alongside a range of people, rather than just on your own, opens new doors. Fifth, creativity. Union St is full of talented people who have completely different skills to me. It is inspiring to learn from people who are passionate about their craft in the same way I’m passionate about mine. If anyone hasn’t tried coworking yet but thinks that it might be for them I urge you to try it. I believe it will be a key part of the future of work in our brilliant city.
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AGENDA Co-working is now undeniably the modern way of working, and for start-ups it’s a no brainer. The three of us at Desk Space all started our own separate businesses from home so we’ve been there and worn the working in the back-bedroom t-shirt to death before we got our own office space. Two of us took our first step by being offered shared office, allowing us to grow steadily and relatively safely in terms of cashflow. We took the leap and never looked back. It’s good for you and the business but suddenly people seem to take you a bit more seriously too – a strange side effect as the quality of work is exactly the same but one to take advantage of! We all separately found our way into the Kelham Island area and loved it. How can you not, it’s definitely one of the developments in recent years that Sheffield can be very proud of. And it’s only getting better. Fast forward to when we had redundant space in the building at our base on Mowbray Street and it made perfect sense to create the kind of environment we would have loved and appreciated when
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DESK.SPACE TENANT, AMY MILCHARD
we were start-ups. It’s lonely at home, it’s not always easy to separate life and work and often hours pass before you realise your work life balance is well out of kilter!
For other people we’ve spoken to, it’s quite the opposite problem. People often say no way, if I worked from home I wouldn’t do any work! When you’re serious about
giving your business the best shot, you need to take help when it’s offered. In terms of getting an office of your own, getting a bit of a leg up can make all the difference. You need to feel proud of your work space and what better than your own office you can invite clients to or meet other likeminded people in business, instead of nice but slightly random strangers in coffee shops! The flexible low commitment choice of co-working space is a gift in the early days when the finances are low. If you could try something for a month and stop it’s much more appealing than a scary contract committing you for a year to a hefty cost! It’s no surprise co-working is fantastic for Sheffield. We’re a city of creative highly skilled people and the more we can do to support it the better. If co-working supports the current wave of entrepreneurs as well as the rise of the contractors, as large organisations offload their employed staff in favour of a leaner workforce and property portfolio, it’s only going to keep growing. And we’re very proud to be a part of it.
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AGENDA Co-working at Desk.Space gives me the freedom to work when I choose and the opportunity to focus without distractions. I love that feeling of walking in, switching on, and getting on with what I want to work on. Through co-working I feel a sense of independence which is very important to me while I am working on my freelance projects. I am enjoying the flexibility of my work which means that I don’t have to sit at my desk from 9-5 every day – instead I can work for a few hours and then meet with friends, go outside for creative inspiration, or attend networking events. Coworking has helped me create a better balance in my life so that it’s not all centred around working. I feel grateful to work in a creative, inspirational and supportive co-working environment at Desk.Space. As soon as I arrived for my trial day I felt warmly welcomed and settled in quickly. It’s great to connect with other co-workers and to hear about their projects, occasionally asking for advice or having a quick chat while making a brew. Having people around me has made a positive impact on my working environment because it breaks
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the day up and adds a social element to my day. Sometimes at Desk.Space we go out for lunch at the end of the week which is a brilliant opportunity to get together, share ideas or challenges, and to take a break from our screens. Co-working has helped me to discover potential business opportunities and to develop new contacts in Sheffield. I have become aware of digital forums and events that add to my network and make my freelance work more enjoyable. I truly feel that I am part of a supportive community made up of open and genuine people, which means a lot to me as a newcomer to Sheffield and the co-working environment. Separating work and home life is a great benefit of co-working because I have a cut-off point when I close my laptop and leave my deskspace. When I was previously working from home I always felt that I should be at my desk getting things done, but now I can just relax and choose to spend my time cooking, reading, or going out for a walk in the hills. I feel healthier for it and I spend quality time with my boyfriend instead of my head trying to be in two places at once.
SARAH LISTER, ADVENTURE COACH, BASED AT DESK.SPACE
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AGENDA Sheffield Hallam University’s Enterprise Team is thrilled to introduce the Hallam i-Lab, a brand new business incubator / co-working space for students and graduates. The Hallam i-Lab’s convenient location at the heart of the city in Aspect Court on Pond Street is close to all transport links and the city centre, and will serve as an entrepreneurial base for students, graduates and academics. There are loads of benefits to co-working but here are just three key highlights: Wellbeing: The main focus of the Hallam i-Lab will be to offer students and graduates a dynamic and collaborative environment where innovation and creativity can flourish. It will provide a platform from which an increasing number of sustainable graduate business ventures will develop and go on to contribute significantly to the long-term economic growth and wellbeing of the local and regional business community. Productivity: The space offers an impressive range of facilities. These include 40 hot-desks equipped with PC and MAC computers, a range of presentation, workshop and meeting rooms, affordable rental office space, a self-service kitchen area, and not forgetting the amazing panoramic views of the Sheffield city skyline. In addition, tenants are offered
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ROB KING, BUSINESS START UP ADVISOR AT SHEFFIELD HALLAM UNIVERSITY
The main focus of the Hallam i-Lab will be to offer a dynamic and collaborative environment where innovation and creativity can flourish
daily access to business advice from Hallam’s Enterprise Team’s in-house start-up adviser, as well as regular opportunities to meet with the specialist advisers when appropriate. These include representatives from a local accountancy firm, banks and solicitors. This one-to-one support is underpinned by the provision of a wide range of business focussed workshops available to all. Confidence: One of the things that makes the Hallam i-Lab unique is that it provides an environment where students and graduates have the opportunity to converse and collaborate with others from a range of courses across the University. Our aim is to
encourage an atmosphere of community among its tenants and other student and graduate users from which ideas generation will flow. We don’t claim that the Hallam i-Lab is the most hipster incubation space out there in Sheffield, but what we can promise is to provide a space that is committed to its values in providing excellent facilities within a supportive community environment, dedicated to nurturing entrepreneurial talent. With these values and goals, the Hallam i-Lab looks set to become a main player amongst the region’s business incubation network within the next three to five years.
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AGENDA
IN A NUTSHELL BY JILL THEOBALD
Our features writer says the current trend of co-working is top of the pops
CHARTING THE SUCCESS OF CO-WORKING A ‘supportive community environment’. A ‘lifeline’. A ‘no-brainer’. That’s how three of our If You Ask Me contributors describe this edition’s theme of co-working. And as Alex Swallow, The Influence Expert, says: “coworking feels very ‘now’.” So it’s no surprise that it’s the topic for our If You Ask Me this edition, especially after the research done by one of our other contributors, Jamie Veitch, into the benefits of co-working at Union St in the city centre. Jamie found the workspace had increased productivity, confidence and wellbeing for the businesses based there, findings which are reflected by all of our contributors. Everyone involved in coworking, it seems, is singing
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from the same song sheet. Alex lists five benefits of coworking including confidence – the very same benefit singled out by Rob King, business start-up advisor at Sheffield Hallam University’s Enterprise Team who is now based at the recently opened Hallam i-Lab, a business incubator / co-working space for students and graduates. Wellbeing is another of the benefits Rob picks out – echoing Jamie’s findings. And while Rob says: ‘We don’t claim that the Hallam i-Lab is the most hipster incubation space out there’, it’s the concept of co-working itself that is clearly a bit of a smash hit. Amy Milchard, one of the co-founders of Desk.Space in Kelham Island, literally opens her contribution with the line:
‘Co-working is now undeniably the modern way of working.’ As someone who has worked from home before in a previous role, I can appreciate Amy’s views that it can be lonely and ‘it’s not always easy to separate life and work’. I would often find myself ‘in the zone’ writing having hit on a hot headline and some killer content and work after my allotted hours justifying it that I would have ordinarily been spending that time on the journey home. For other people Amy and her team have spoken to, it’s quite the opposite problem with people fearing the lure of daytime tv and would mean they wouldn’t do any work! (and probably stay in their PJs). Being based in a new office – unLTD is in what we
call the Publications Hub at Speedwell Works! – I love being based in a busy, bustling workspace and I would frankly miss the banter of my unLTD colleagues if I worked from home. Co-working does indeed seem to be the solution. Sarah Lister is based at Desk.Space and enjoying the flexibility. ‘It means that I don’t have to sit at my desk from 9-5 every day – instead I can work for a few hours and then meet with friends, go outside for creative inspiration, or attend networking events.’ So co-working is top of the pops at the moment – and I doubt it’ll be a one-hit wonder. As Alex Swallow predicts: ‘I believe it will be a key part of the future of work in our brilliant city.’
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AGENDA
EVOLVING TECHNOLOGY BY ASH YOUNG
Our digital expert looks at what it takes to boost your online sales
BOOST YOUR ONLINE SALES WITH A FAST WEBSITE
The loading speed of your website is an important factor used by Google to determine which sites to display in their mobile and desktop search results. If your website loads quickly, you stand a better chance of enjoying strong search visibility. That’s because faster page loading times enable you to deliver a better user experience to your potential customers – and this is something that Google likes. Any investment required to make your website run more quickly is likely to pale in comparison to the better results you’ll enjoy as a result of making your site faster.
if it takes longer than five seconds to load. What’s more, Kissmetrics found that you’ll experience a seven per cent drop in conversions for just a one second delay in load time. If your site takes £2,000 a day, that would cost you a staggering £50,000 in annual sales. The good news is that you can take advantage of the opportunity Google are presenting here. They recently highlighted that the average website takes an incredible 22 seconds to load fully on a mobile phone – so there is real potential for you to improve your own site and reap the rewards.
The Research Backs It Up According to Statista, only 26 per cent of people are willing to remain on a website
Why Is Speed Important? Vitally, a website that loads quickly acts as a signal to Google that your site deserves
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to rank for searches being made. That is because loading speed is an important part of user experience (a factor that Google places great weight upon when deciding which websites to rank). There are also several other reasons why it’s important to have a website that loads quickly. These include:
for all to see. Google wants to provide the best possible service to searchers and you can appeal to them and enjoy better search visibility if you play the game.
• Reducing the amount of people ‘bouncing’ from your website • Delivering a better online experience than your competitors • Improving your company’s reputation by delivering a great online experience
I’m Sold – What Do I Need to Do? At Evoluted, we always optimise the websites we build with fast page loading times in mind. This enables us to enhance user experience, improve conversation rates and generate our customers a higher return. If you’re considering a new website, or you’d like to see what you can do to improve the loading speed of your existing site, we’d love to hear from you.
In Summary The evidence for making your website faster is there
Ash Young Evoluted www.evoluted.net
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AGENDA CALENDAR
5TH DECEMBER BLADES IN BUSINESS Venue: Bramall Lane, 105 Bramall Lane, Sheffield S2 4SW Time: 6pm – 8pm Cost: Free
DECEMBER 4TH DIGITAL CLINIC 1-2-1 SUPPORT
Venue: Sheffield Chamber of Commerce, Savile Street, Sheffield S4 7UD Time: 9am – 4.30pm Cost: Free About: Brought to you by the Department for International Trade (DIT), this digital clinic will provide you with knowledge of how to digitally equip your business to successfully sell your products and services to international buyers. Contact: https://bit.ly/2DGwXO6
4TH CITY REGION NETWORKING BREAKFAST
Venue: Holiday Inn A1 (M) Junction 36, Doncaster DN4 9UX Time: 7.30am – 9.30am Cost: Non-member – £20.95, Member – £13.95 About: Helping your business to grow across the Sheffield City Region. A generous supply of business cards is essential to the success of this unique networking event. A literature exchange table will be available
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About: An opportunity to network and make some new business contacts from across the region. The event is open to Official Club partners, sponsors, advertisers and executive members, as well as Chamber members – maximum 2 spaces per company. Contact: RSVP by 30th November 2018 to commercial@sufc.co.uk
for company brochures and literature. Contact: https://bit.ly/2Dl6mW6
6TH SHEFFIELD BUSINESS
5TH SHEFFIELD BUSINESS NETWORKING
Venue: Tapton Hall, Shore Lane, Sheffield S10 3BU Time: 6.30pm – 9.00pm Cost: From £10 About: Yorkshire’s networking and collaboration platform, Square Peg, will hold an event full of discussion and debate and aim to inspire you with a key speaker, in a culture of knowledge share and collaboration. Contact: https://bit.ly/2DFJB03
BREAKFAST
Venue: Aston Hall Hotel, Worksop Road, Sheffield S26 2EE Time: 7.15am – 9am Cost: £11 About: Groups consist of local like minded business people who meet over breakfast on a one business per sector basis. Picking up new contacts, introductions and business. Contact: https://bit.ly/2PXQejT
6TH PROPERTY HUB MEETUP
Venue: Ink & Water Coffee, 8 Fitzwilliam Street, West One, Sheffield S1 4JB Time: 7pm – 8.30pm Cost: Free About: A relaxed and informal get-together of like-minded people, with a friendly and supportive atmosphere. Contact: https://bit.ly/2TgFUTc
EDITORP’SICK EVENT
COLLABORATION & NETWORKING
10TH CURRY CLUB SHEFFIELD -
BUSINESS NETWORKING & BUSINESS GROWTH INSIGHTS
Venue: Arooj Restaurant & Banqueting, 286 Attercliffe Road, Sheffield S4 7WZ Time: 6.30pm – 8pm Cost: £15 About: A welcoming, relaxed networking event where serious business happens and networks grow. Those new to networking, seasoned networkers and successful business people and entrepreneurs all welcome. Contact: curryclubnetwork@ gmail.com
11TH LINKEDIN FOR BUSINESS GROWTH – (FROM BASICS TO BRAND BUILDING)
Venue: The Workstation, 15 Paternoster Row, Sheffield S1 2BX Time: 10am-1pm Cost: £50 About: If you want to cultivate a profitable prospect list, generate brand awareness and build meaningful business relationships this is the course for you. This LinkedIn training course is designed to give you the knowledge and skills to support your business growth. Contact: https://bit. ly/2K5wmpD
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AGENDA
13TH BUSINESS NETWORKING FROM CANAPES & CONNECTIONS
Venue: The Botanist, Leopold Square, Sheffield S1 2JG Time: 6pm – 8pm Cost: £15 per person or exhibit your business for £50 About: An evening of informal business networking with canapés and prosecco. Businesses from all sectors are welcome. Contact: info@canapesand connections.co.uk
13TH CONNECT YORKSHIRE
Venue: Forum Bar, 127 Devonshire Street, Sheffield S3 7SB Time: 4.30pm – 8.30pm Cost: Free About: An evening of drinks and networking with some of Yorkshire’s leading business owners. Contact: https://bit.ly/2K4ksfF
14TH THE ENTREPRENEURS CHRISTMAS PARTY: REAL NETWORKING SHEFFIELD
Venue: Bloo 88, 182 West Street, Sheffield S1 4ET Time: 6pm – 10pm Cost: Free About: A festive, fun-filled night full of drinks, networking and good times. Contact: https://bit. ly/2OHbdmw
EDITORP’SICK EVENT
17TH 24TH JANUARY BUSINESS NETWORKING WITH ENTREPRENEURS BUSINESS BECKY STEVENSON CLUB SHEFFIELD NETWORKING 11TH PLATFORMING NETWORKING – Venue: The Burton Street Foundation, 57 Burton Street, Sheffield S6 2HH Time: 10am – 12pm Cost: £4.78 About: Becky Stevenson from Smart Business Solutions will host this informal networking event in a bid to connect as many business owners as possible. Come along and meet other local business and build your connections. Contact: https://bit. ly/2Pv8xNV
19TH THE EXECUTIVE MATRIX
– BUSINESS & PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT COACHING CLUB
Venue: Wortley Hall, 5 Wortley Village, Sheffield S35 7DB Time: 9.30am – 11.30am Cost: £15 About: Jayne Briggs and Jon Covey of Life Solutions bring a wealth of experience. With tips on how to face and overcome challenges and realise your potential. Expect to walk away from the meeting uplifted and inspired. Contact: https://bit.ly/2PuyEoj
WOMEN’S BUSINESS NETWORKING Venue: The Prince of Wales, 95 Ecclesall Road South, Sheffield S11 9PH Time: 9.30am – 11.30am Cost: £3 for members, £5 for non-members About: The group will be made up of a majority of experienced networkers who want to do business together but who are also keen to welcome, support and advise those new to networking in a friendly atmosphere. Contact: https://bit. ly/2zeCdF4
17TH QUARTERLY ECONOMIC REVIEW BREAKFAST: 2018 Q4
Venue: New York Stadium, New York Way, Rotherham S60 1FJ Time: 8am – 10am Cost: Free About: Each quarter, the Sheffield City Region Chambers are hosting flagship events in partnership with the Sheffield University Management School to share the Quarterly Economic Review results and what they mean for business – this event will also focus on Brexit, and its impact on business. Contact: https://bit. ly/2DFL5Y4
Venue: Glacier Suite, Ice Sheffield, Coleridge Road, Sheffield S9 5DA Time: 9.30am – 11.30am Cost: £10 About: An effective environment for building close working links and establishing that invaluable ‘support network’ of business contacts. Contact: https://bit. ly/2zXg4KN
24TH FACEBOOK FOR BUSINESS –
WORKSHOP AND NETWORKING
Venue: Store First Barnsley, Training Room, Ashroyd Business Park, Barnsley S74 9SB Time: 8.30am – 12.30pm Cost: £52.94 About: An interactive workshop discovering how you can use Facebook to boost your businesses profile online. The workshop is packed full of useful tips and up to date strategies, to help you increase your relevant audience and create and share interesting content tailored to your business and industry sector. Contact: https://bit. ly/2qRqhEC
6TH DECEMBER SIZZLING SHEFFIELD 4N EVENING Venue: Copthorne Hotel, Bramall Lane, Sheffield S2 4SU Time: 6pm – 8pm Cost: £15 About: Plenty of opportunities to meet other local business owners and employees. As well as open networking, there is a 40 seconds elevator introduction for everyone, an informative speaker and three ten minute 1-2-1 appointments with other attendees. Events are 50% business, 50% social and it works! Contact: https://bit.ly/2OHaRfG
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AGENDA
THE BEST OF
2019
The countdown is on for Christmas, but we’re already excited for 2019. From music and movies, sport to sleep-outs, it looks like the New Year will be an eventful one …
PHOTO: BEN DITTO
22ND -24TH MARCH SHEFFIELD ADVENTURE FILM FESTIVAL (SHAFF) Venue: The Showroom Cinema, 15 Paternoster Row, Sheffield S1 2BX Time: TBA
MARCH 14TH CEO SLEEPOUT
Venue: St Anne’s Hostel, Bevin Court, Woodside, Sheffield S13 7PS Time: 8pm Cost: TBA About: CEO Sleepout is a charity set up to fight homelessness and poverty, funded with money raised by big hearted business and
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Cost: Tickets on sale January 2019 About: From the outdoor enthusiast to someone who just loves a good story, there’s a film for everyone to enjoy at shAFF. A collection of the very best adventure, travel and extreme sports films will be screened, alongside an exhibitors’ area, talks and a range of outdoor activities. Contact: https://bit.ly/2RWjwwz
community. CEO Sleepout events have raised £1.95 million so far. Contact: https://bit. ly/2PvTPGw
APRIL 14TH SHEFFIELD HALF MARATHON
Venue: Start – Arundel Gate, Sheffield S1 2PN Time: 9.30am Cost: £34.40
About: A major event in the UK’s running calendar, the Sheffield Half Marathon attracts thousands of runners of all abilities and spectators to the city’s streets and raises many thousands of pounds for good causes. With a city centre start and finish, the event boasts a super scenic route with stunning views of the Peak District for those who conquer the climb to Ringinglow. Contact: https://bit. ly/2Dn0nzZ
APRIL / MAY 20TH APRIL – 6TH MAY 2019 BETFRED WORLD SNOOKER CHAMPIONSHIP
Venue: The Crucible, 55 Norfolk Street, Sheffield S1 1DA Cost: Tickets from £30 About: In April 2019 the Betfred World Snooker Championship returns to the
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AGENDA
PHOTO: VILLE POHJONEN PHOTOGRAPHY
29TH JUNE COLOUR OBSTACLE RUSH Venue: Rother Valley Country Park, Mansfield Rd, Sheffield S26 5PQ Time: Gates open 9am Crucible Theatre to crown the World Champion. Mark Williams will be defending his 2018 title – 15 years since after his last – after defeating John Higgins in an epic Crucible final where he claimed victory over the Scotsman 18-16. Contact: https://bit. ly/2DEQSwX
Cost: £24.50 - £44.50 About: 20 obstacles, 8 colour stations, 20 music zones, Colour Obsctacle Rush combines the fun of colour powdered runs, the thrill of an obstacle course and the atmosphere of a music festival. Over 450,000 participants have taken part so far, and the fifth edition in 2019 promises to be bigger than ever before. Contact: https://bit.ly/2RYbALz
JUNE 6TH – 11TH SHEFFIELD DOC FEST
Venue: Sky Arts Delegate Centre at Novotel, 50 Arundel Gate, Sheffield S1 2PR Time: TBA Cost: £219 + VAT (Super Early Bird) About: Sheffield Doc/Fest is a world leading festival celebrating the art and business of documentary SHEFFIELD FAKE FESTIVAL and non-fiction storytelling Venue: Endcliffe Park, across all forms. Each year the Sheffield S11 8tf festival welcomes over 25,000 Time: 12pm festival goers, including Cost: Adult earlybird £25 around 3,500 industry About: The line-up includes; delegates from 55 countries. Oasish, The Stones Guns2Roses, Contact: https://bit. Stereotonics, Green Date, ly/1xRWAyA Duran. It’s a feast of live music, modern and classic mega anthems performed by six prolevel ‘Fake Bands’. Join Sheffield SUNRISE CITY 5K Fake Fest in Endcliffe Park, rock Venue: Devonshire Green, 158 Devonshire Street, and party inside the famous Sheffield S3 7SF giant marquee. Time: 5:30am Contact: https://bit. Cost: £15 ly/2qOJiHE
MAY 18TH
28TH
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About: Sunrise City is a 5k run or walk that takes place at the unusual time of 5.30am on a Friday morning in the summer. Contact: https://bit. ly/2RVW0zY
JULY 5TH – 7TH MUSIC IN THE GARDENS
Venue: Botanical Gardens, Clarkehouse Road, Sheffield S10 2LN Time: Gates open at 6pm each day Cost: 3 Night Bundle - £65 (Before 31st December) Friday – Adults £35/Kids £10 Saturday - Adults £25/Kids £10 Sunday - Adults £20/Kids £10 Ticket prices rise on the day About: A music festival for those who don’t fancy the idea of attending a music festival. Into its 15th year, this year’s line-up includes the ‘worlds most successful female band’ Banarama and the hit ABBA show Bjorn Again. Contact: https://bit.ly/2OK1bRJ
AUGUST 10TH – 11TH FILM AND COMIC CON
Venue: FlyDSA Sheffield Arena, Broughton Lane, Sheffield S9 2DF Time: Saturday 9am to 6pm Sunday 9am to 5pm. Cost: £8 (£15 for early entry) About: Bringing you some more of your favourite stars from TV, film and comics as well as a whole host of fun activities including photo shoots with the stars, panels, autograph sessions and hundreds of stalls full of TV and film memorabilia to browse. Contact: https://bit. ly/2PrkXXf
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AGENDA
PHOTO: GILES SMITH
19TH - 21ST JULY TRAMLINES 2019 Venue: Hillsborough Park, Parkside Road, Sheffield S6 2AB Time: Gates open at 6pm each day
Cost: From £65.50 About: Stereophonics, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds and Blossoms were amongst some of the huge names that played Tramlines in 2018, and the lineup for one of the UK’s largest inner-city music festivals is expected to be even bigger and better for 2019! Three days with more than 70 artists over four stages, it’s the UK’s ‘best-value’ festival. Contact: https://bit.ly/2QKs89x
NOVEMBER 5TH AFTER DARK SEPTEMBER 11TH – 14TH THE WILLIAM HILL ST LEGER FESTIVAL
Venue: Doncaster Racecourse, Leger Way, Doncaster DN2 6BB Time: TBA Cost: TBA About: One of the most prestigious race weeks of the British horse racing calendar. You can enjoy a unique blend of history, top-class horse racing and fabulous live entertainment during the four-day September extravaganza. Contact: https://bit. ly/2Dd75u8
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OCTOBER 29TH REDBRIK CHESTERFIELD HALF MARATHON
Venue: Start and finish at Queens Park, 8 Boythorpe Road, Chesterfield S40 2ND Time: TBA Cost: £22 until 31st January (early bird) After: £28 About: The Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon includes the Peak FM 5 Mile Run, Blatchford Fun Run or the Pronto Paints Wellbeing Challenge and the Half Marathon. Contact: https://bit.ly/2rGjegN
Venue: Don Valley Bowl About: Held every year at Don Valley Bowl, After Dark Firework Spectacular plays host to a whopping 20,000 spectators. A giant bonfire, funfair, fire spinners, food stalls, face painting and the highly anticipated firework display set to music. Contact: https://bit. ly/2RSzMPp
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.
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unLTDBUSINESS.COM
COVER STORY
McLARENPUTS CITY REGION IN N O I T I S O POLE P
Sheffield City Region’s excellence in advanced manufacturing and engineering has been showcased to the world with the official opening of McLaren Automotive’s new Composites Technology Centre – unLTD’s Joe Bamford popped along for the ride unLTDBUSINESS.COM
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COVER STORY
McLAREN’S NEW COMPOSITES TECHNOLOGY CENTRE AT THE HEART OF THE ADVANCED MANUFACTURING PARK
Sheffield City Region’s ‘transition from traditional steel-based industries into sectors that are high technology and higher value’ has been given the Royal seal of approval after McLaren Automotive’s new Composites Technology Centre (MCTC) was officially opened by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the Crown Prince of Bahrain. At a launch event in the city centre, high-profile figures attending from across Sheffield City Region and the North were keen to share their enthusiasm and excitement
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Whichever way you look at this it’s great news for the region. It’s a real sign of confidence that people have
PHOTO: HARWORTH GROUP
about the £50m innovation and manufacturing facility with us. Sheffield City Region made a financial investment into the project, while partners including the University of Sheffield, Sheffield City Council and Rotherham Council have worked closely with McLaren throughout the process. After completing prototyping, the facility – on the border of Sheffield and Rotherham at the heart of the Advanced Manufacturing Park – will build McLaren’s lightweight carbon fibre chassis for its new road models
from 2020, creating more than 200 jobs and providing an estimated £100 million of GVA (gross value added) benefit to the local economy by 2028. Mike Flewitt, CEO at McLaren Automotive, told unLTD: “It is an important milestone for us as a groundbreaking, innovative car company and allows us to tap into the great energy, vitality and skills this part of the world has to offer. “We are proud to be bringing new jobs to the Sheffield region which has a long association with advanced materials; first with
unLTDBUSINESS.COM
COVER STORY
CHRIS READ LEADER OF ROTHERHAM COUNCIL, SHEFFIELD COUNCIL LEADER JULIE DORE, COUNCILLOR MAZHER IQBAL, SCR MAYOR DAN JARVIS AND SARAH WANT FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD
steel and now a future to look forward to with carbon fibre innovation and production for McLaren.” Mayor of the Sheffield City Region Dan Jarvis told us: “I think whichever way you look at this it’s great news for the region. It’s a real sign of confidence that people have. “We’ve just got to keep going and keep building on it, but having big companies like McLaren make it much easier. “It demonstrates that we’re at the cutting edge of advanced manufacturing and highly skilled engineering. “I’m trying to build an inclusive economy that will create rewarding, fulfilling professional opportunities for young people like the ones we’ve got here at this event. “These businesses will add significant value in their own right but it’s a greater value with them just being here because it enables us to go around the world and say we’ve got McLaren, we’ve got Boeing – come and have a look. I’m really pleased but we’ve got quite a bit more work to do to keep developing it.”
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Sarah Want, director of regional engagement and partnerships at The University of Sheffield, said: “What’s really important is we’ve got this very forward-thinking manufacturing base. “Everybody knows we make things in Sheffield – that’s what we’re famous for and we’ve made this transition from being based on traditional steel-based industries into industries and sectors that are higher technology and higher value manufacturing sectors. “The fact that McLaren chose Sheffield as its ideal location for this new facility is just a massive boost of confidence that we’ve made this transition and I think we can all take that as encouragement going forward.” Rotherham Council Leader Chris Read told unLTD: “It shows how when Rotherham and Sheffield are working together, and working together with the university, public and private sector, you can really achieve things that perhaps people wouldn’t think of associating with a place like Rotherham.
It demonstrates that we’re at the cutting edge of advanced manufacturing and highly skilled engineering
“We’re really pleased with how the economy’s growing and were really getting the fruits of a lot of hard work over a long period of time to create the right environment for inward investment and to create jobs so this is the latest development we’re seeing today.” Julie Dore, Leader of Sheffield City Council, said: “It’s about our economy in Sheffield, as our uniqueness is around manufacturing and technology, so McLaren is just saying it’s ready and waiting for further investment. It’s here for jobs, it’s here to aspire young people and most of all it’s here for innovation and creativity around what’s next in the automotive and other industries and sectors. “The concept of the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre is that, together with the universities and the supply chain as well, they can develop new technologies not just for the automotive industry but also for other industries that can use the new technology they are developing.”
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ADVERTORIAL
A HOME FOR START-UPS Sheffield Technology Parks Manager Tom Wolfenden introduces the city’s not-for-profit managed workspace for digital and tech businesses This year, Sheffield Technology Parks celebrated 30 years of supporting digital and tech-based businesses to get off the ground and grow. During that time we have seen many of the city’s well-known tech companies – names like Jennic and Razor – pass through our doors. Most have gone on to greater things, creating jobs, winning accolades and bringing wealth to the city, and that’s encouraging. But, here and now, what are we doing to help grow the digital sector in Sheffield? We have three main offers for digital and tech-based businesses in the city: 1. We provide support for prestarts and start-ups 2. We offer great office spaces for established businesses to grow 3. We use our facilities to build community We’re able to do this on a not-for-profit basis as our organisation was set up to aid the city’s economic development, and we work closely with the Council to achieve this. The Cooper Project is our start-up offer, designed to grow more digital and tech-based businesses in the city. Being a not-for-profit organisation, we are able to offer space and support for these businesses freeof-charge with a view to preparing them for their future – whether that’s starting trading or going on to apply for more intense accelerators and investment programmes. Importantly, we don’t look to take an equity stake in the businesses we assist. I’ll say more about our Cooper Project start-ups in future issues… As well as provision for start-up businesses, Sheffield
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SHEFFIELD TECHNOLOGY PARKS MANAGER TOM WOLFENDEN
Technology Parks has 30 serviced offices and we attract some of the most innovative businesses in the city. We help our resident businesses to grow by introducing them to expert growth advisers. We also work hard at building a community so that our residents have plenty of reasons to meet up. Having a diverse group of businesses with a digital and tech focus in a single location offers a wide range of benefits when they interact, from knowledge exchange to help work out a particular challenge, to potential for
collaboration on bids. Or it may just be sharing a laptop charger! With community-building in mind, we recently made a substantial investment in our meeting facilities, setting up the Cooper Lounge to offer a home for some of the Sheffield community’s meet-ups. These volunteer-led groups are vital for a successful ecosystem, and we’re pleased to have accommodated 30 events in 2018 and are now the home of eight meet-ups. Our new facilities have also enabled us to offer an innovative new work placement scheme to
help local school students gain meaningful work experience with digital employers. Again, more of that in a future issue… Sheffield Technology Park has been a quiet success story over the past 30 years, and this past year has seen a return to our core values of providing business incubation and community support. Now our ambition is to play a strong role in the digital business landscape in the city and the wider region. See how you can get involved at www.shefftechparks.com
unLTDBUSINESS.COM
FIVE MINUTES WITH...
BIRDHOUSE TEA COMPANY
Rebecca English opened Birdhouse Tea Company in a converted old factory in Alsop Fields last year. She talks customer loyalty, the caring Sheffield culture, and why it’s always good ‘just being there for a cuppa’ I was inspired to start my business by... my love of tea, my love of Sheffield and passion for educating others in the rich history of the nation’s best loved drink. My favourite thing about running my business is… The brilliant network of independent businesses in Sheffield – especially the support from other strong female entrepreneurs. The three words that best describe my business are… Local, passionate, authentic. Sheffield City Region is a great place to start a business because… Of the growing support of independents from the people in the city. We love how many loyal customers we have, keen to support us in the next stage of our journey. Sheffield City Region is a great place to grow a business because… The people genuinely care about being involved in what you’re doing next. The city is celebrating independents rather than going for the big chains. The best advice I ever got was... Make friends with everyone you meet and know that everyone has something to offer each other. I love helping
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BIRDHOUSE TEA COMPANY’S BAR & KITCHEN IS HOUSED IN A RECENTLY RENOVATED CUTLERY-MACHINE FACTORY AT ALSOP FIELDS
fellow businesses any way I can whether it’s talking through challenges and offering my experience or just being there for a cuppa. I also love being able to recommend other businesses to people and expand the network. The worst advice I ever got was… Probably from myself. I’ve always tried to do everything on my own, and when you’re self employed it’s knowing the right time to ask for help.
include… Countless support from other independent businesses! Sometimes just a cup of tea or a hug from someone on the same journey is priceless. It’s difficult being your own boss because nobody sits you down and tells you you’re doing a good job – but it means a lot from people in the same position.
The main challenges facing my industry/sector are… Educating people on better tea – we’re in a place where The organisations that have people enjoy, and sometimes supported me and my business celebrate, cheap tea bagged
tea and that takes a lot of energy to change people’s perceptions. We’ve also pioneered no waste and the concept of cutting down on packaging and plastic from day one which has been challenging, but the current media spotlight on this is really helping our quest as people become a lot more conscious of what they’re buying, who from and the impact on the planet. In 5 years’ time I expect my business to… Give me at least one day off a week!
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CHARITIES
NATIONAL ELF SERVICE RETURNS Festive campaign is back to change the lives of many this Christmas at the Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity
The Children’s Hospital Charity’s fun and festive National Elf Service campaign is back to help build a better future for Sheffield Children’s Hospital. Now in its fourth year, the charity is encouraging all its little helpers to get in the Christmas spirit and dress up in something elfy to help keep patients healthy! By giving a donation to dress up for the day fundraisers will be making a real difference to young
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patients and their families for years to come. Fundraisers can choose how elfy they want to get: • Wear an elf hat • Go all out with jingly slippers and dress up as an elf • Hold a festive movie night • Organise a Christmas jumper day All the proceeds raised will go towards the Building a Better Future appeal, which aims to expand the Emergency Department, transform the
Cancer and Leukaemia Ward as well as build a brand-new Helipad at Sheffield Children’s Hospital. The Emergency Department is a regional Major Trauma Centre, helping children deal with every possible problem imaginable. As the population of the region grows, so does the demand on its services. It was built to see 32,000 patients a year but now sees close to 60,000 every 12 months. Fundraising this Christmas
will help expand the department, creating space and privacy so that children receive care in the most appropriate setting. Under the plans, the waiting room will expand to four times its current size, with more treatment, consultancy and examination rooms. Charity elves have made lots of handy materials to give fundraising a boost. To sign up to National Elf Service and change lives this Christmas, visit www.tchc.org.uk
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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
MASTER CUTLER LAUNCHES 2019 CHALLENGE Putting the ‘fun’ into fundraising – the Master Cutler has launched the 2019 challenge. More than 500 teams have taken part in the challenge since its launch in 2008, raising more than £1million for a range of charities. Master Cutler Nick Cragg is aiming to see more businesses, groups and individuals than ever take up the challenge of raising money for his chosen organisations, St Luke’s Hospice in Sheffield and Rotherham Hospice,
transforming a £50 investment into as much cash as possible. The challenge will officially launch at the Cutler’s Hall in Sheffield on February 7 2019, when participants will sign up to use their entrepreneurial skills and teamwork to make as much money as possible and support the two hospices. “We need the Master Cutler’s Challenge 2019 to have as high a profile and visibility as possible, but we can only do that with the business community’s support,” said Nick. “The other part of the challenge is having fun!”
MASTER CUTLER NICK CRAGG WITH SHARON THOMPSON OF ROTHERHAM HOSPICE (LEFT) AND JOASIA LESNIAK OF ST LUKE’S
Frenchgate brings the festive light Frenchgate Shopping Centre Doncaster is aiming to bring light into the community this Christmas by launching a campaign with Age UK Doncaster. The shopping centre is selling a range of six candles, available to purchase at
Guest Services on Saturdays throughout the Christmas period outside Debenhams, with all proceeds going to Age UK Doncaster. Karen Staniforth, assistant general manager at Frenchgate, said: “We have a very loyal customer
base at Frenchgate, of which a significant proportion are senior. By buying and giving someone one of the charity candles you are not only giving the gift of light, it will be helping those who receive support from Age UK Doncaster.”
Heather Boyce, chief executive of Age UK Doncaster added: “Everyone at Age UK Doncaster would like to thank Frenchgate staff and customers for their generous support this Christmas. “Our organisation aims to take the fear out of ageing by empowering and supporting older people in Doncaster to live and age well.”
Funding helps Barnsley charity hit back of the net Sarah’s Goal, a not-for-profit charitable organisation based in Barnsley that involves some of the region’s most vulnerable children in competitive football and coaching sessions, has received £1,000 from UK Steel Enterprise. For financial reasons, many children in the UK are unable to partake in sports or extracurricular clubs. Sarah’s Goal aims to combat this issue by providing funding to families who may have been affected by illness, bereavement and redundancy. Launched in March 2018 in memory of Sarah Hanson Powell, a football fanatic who sadly lost her battle with cancer in 2011, Sarah’s Goal boasts several funding
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MATTHEW STEWART OF UKSE WITH HELEN AND SIMON KNIGHT OF SARAH’S GOAL
options whereby recipients can receive support with coaching fees, essential kit or club membership costs.
Founder Helen Knight said: “Amazingly, within only the first few months of launching, more than 60 children have
benefited from the boot exchange and we hope to see this number continue to increase!”
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BUSINESS SUPPORT
RESEARCH
RETOLD
Mihaela Gruia set up Yorkshire-based Research Retold in 2017 which provides research support services as communication and design to help businesses present their findings in easy-to-read and creative ways. Here she talks about the early stages of starting up her own business and how the Y-Accelerator programme gave her ‘an incredible boost of confidence’ as a solo founder
celebrated our one year in business and it was a great moment to reflect on our achievements and express our gratitude towards those who have helped us on our journey. There are people who I met during the Y-Accelerator that are still close collaborators of ours which I think is great.
Tell us all about your business and what inspired you to start up Research Retold? By bringing together worldleading academics, research communicators and graphic designers, Research Retold offers a unique service that distills the key findings of complex research and communicates them in visual and digestible formats for stakeholders. In a world where there is greater need for accurate and more reliable evidence-based information, I am proud that the work we deliver within Research Retold has tremendous positive implications for society. For example, the visual summaries that we produced have been presented at high-
What are your hopes and aims for your business? To mark our one-year anniversary, we launched our first publication, the “Guide to Communicating Research Beyond Academia”. My aim is to share this 32 step-by-step guide with researchers and evaluators who want to create a visual summary of their findings, as well as further strengthen our collaborations and work with more amazing researchers. I am also looking to grow our network of associates who communicate and design the research findings. My hope is that Research Retold continues to be the place where exciting ideas are brought to life in a reliable, collaborative and transparent way!
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profile policy meetings and industry conferences, helping to develop policy in the realm of UK mental health, global health financing in nine African countries, international assistance mechanisms employed by the United Nations, labour standards in European Union trade agreements, and developing new technology that harnesses the beneficial effects of music on insomnia. Research Retold is pioneering a new way in which academic research is being communicated. By relating important messages in easy to understand and appealing documents, Research Retold further enables academic researchers to have a positive impact in society and to impart
important knowledge to a wider audience. Given recent phenomena of ‘fake news’ and under-informed policymaking, our work is both timely and necessary. How has winning the Y-Accelerator 2017/18 programme helped your business? Winning the Y-Accelerator was an incredible boost of confidence for me as a solo founder, while having the discussions with UK Steel Enterprise about the potential investment was a great learning curve for me. Since the programme, I have further developed the learning and ideas from the sessions and committed myself fully to building the business. We have just
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BUDGET
BUDGET BREAKDOWN WITH BHP
Struggling to get your head round the Autumn Budget 2018? We spoke to expert David Charlton, a tax partner at BHP Accountants, who gave us his thoughts on the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s announcements 40
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BUDGET I am not an economist, so I am not going to try to get into the arithmetic of whether the apparent (and modest) giveaways in the Chancellor’s Budget can be afforded – it seems to me that this depends entirely on the accuracy of the ‘independent’ OBR’s (Office for Budget Responsibility) forecasts. My crystal ball needs a polish, but, if the OBR’s forecasts are as accurate as the BBC’s weather forecasts, then… I will also not have a whinge about the fact that next year’s Finance Bill will add several hundred more pages to our tax legislation, already one of the most complex and voluminous in the world. Of course, much of the headlines focus on the personal allowance, and the level at which higher rate tax kicks in, leading to a debate on whether changes help (or should help) one group as against another. But that is a far cry from the detailed technical stuff that adds most of those additional pages. Our job is to get to grips with that legislation, and to help our clients deal with it. Especially with Brexit on the horizon (or is it?), I think what business needs as much as anything else is stability, so, for all the faults within the tax system, I might quite have liked a Budget that said “everything is reasonably OK, so I shall leave things as they are”. Wishful thinking! However, some of the tax measures announced are very positive for business, and for that I am thankful. The increase in the Annual Investment Allowance from £200,000 to £1m for two years from January 2019 is very good for business (although there will be some kicking themselves for having incurred expenditure just before this takes effect!). Similarly, the ‘new’ Structures and Buildings Allowance, allowing tax relief (albeit at just 2 per cent pa) on new commercial building works is to be welcomed. While not identical, it bears a striking resemblance to the ‘old’ industrial buildings
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BHP’S DAVID CHARLTON
allowance, which was abolished about ten years ago by Gordon Brown, a move which I thought at the time was quite wrong, when he should have been extending the relief. Ah well, nostalgia ain’t what it used to be! There was a significant school of thought that wondered if Entrepreneurs’ Relief (which gives a 10 per cent rate of Capital Gains Tax on certain business disposals) might be for the chop. In the event, there were headlines like ‘Entrepreneurs’ Relief is safe!’, since he merely announced a couple of areas where the rules are to be tightened, one of these changes being badged as being to stop abuse. However, as the draft legislation was studied, it became apparent that the impact could be very much
wider than stated and could prevent ER being claimed in many entirely commercial situations, for example growth shares or hurdle shares (common in the private equity field), and ‘alphabet’ shares (common in private companies). It is not yet known if this was deliberate, or a case of the law of unintended consequences. I understand that meetings are being held with HMRC, and that strong representations are to be made to push for these changes to be much more narrowly targeted. However, it seems unlikely that we shall have clarity this side of the New Year. At a time when stability is needed, these changes would have the opposite effect, and run the risk of preventing good commercial deals happening. Furthermore, they would have retrospective (or
is that retroactive?) effect, in that they mean that past transactions will have very different tax consequences to those based on the legislation that was in place at the time. It is to be hoped that sense prevails. Watch this space. While I have long called for significant changes to inheritance tax (like getting rid of it!), I think now is not the right time, but I do think he missed an opportunity to reverse some of the recent changes to Stamp Duty Land Tax, which cannot be helping the property market. Depending on the outcome of Brexit negotiations, we may have another budget in March or thereabouts (or indeed a new Government?) – giving him (or his successor?) another opportunity to mess things up get it right! (or not). So much for stability!
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FOCUS ON
DONCASTER READY FOR TAKE-OFF ‘Bold but achievable’ – unLTD’s Peter Kay looks at the vision to generate an optimistic economic future for ‘Donny’ Weekly flights to Sanford in Florida will take off from Doncaster Sheffield Airport for the first time next summer, and to Cancun in Mexico from the summer of 2020 The addition of the long haul routes to the airport’s roster reflects not only the ambitions of TUI UK, the UK’s largest holiday operator, but is also in line with aspirations for a wide area around the airport. While holidaymakers will welcome more choice of destinations, local public and private sector leaders increasingly have aviation-led economic growth on their radar for the benefit of Doncaster, Sheffield City Region and the North in general. The vision is of an ‘international gateway to the North’, with an expanding airport in tandem with excellent motorway, rail
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and even deep water port connections. Yet Doncaster’s regeneration hopes stretch much further. Looking across the whole borough, Doncaster Council says it is leading a “bold, innovative” approach that will see £349m invested over the next four years. It all helps to generate optimism for the economic future of ‘Donny’, which is reinventing itself after the decline of the coal mining industry. Certainly, things are looking up at DSA. In October, a planning application was submitted for a large logistics and advanced manufacturing hub next to the airport as part of Aero Centre Yorkshire, already a thriving business community of more than 100 companies. Due to be fully operational
in 2025, it is estimated the 3.5m sq ft development by airport owners Peel Land and Property will generate 5,300 jobs, with a long term cumulative economic impact of up to £1.94bn. Robert Hough, chairman of Peel Airports, highlighted the advantages of “direct motorway access, a vibrant regional skills base, high quality land, international connectivity and the region’s world-renowned research and innovation strengths”. And he was confident that Peel’s latest scheme would attract
more significant global brands into the region’s emerging Global Innovation Corridor as well as supporting the continued growth of the airport. It maintains the momentum behind Aero Centre Yorkshire – a 1,600 acre site whose occupiers include 2 Excel Aviation, Cessna, Redline and Anglo World Cargo. Last year it was selected as part of the Government’s Northern Powerhouse Investment Portfolio, one of only 12 projects chosen to help boost investment in the North. Things speeded up last June with the completion of the Great Yorkshire Way, the £56m three-mile link road from Junction 3 of the M18, reducing highway congestion and journey times
unLTDBUSINESS.COM
FOCUS ON
AEROPORT EXPANSION PLANNING APPLICATION ADJACENT TO DSA
for passengers, especially those travelling from Sheffield, Leeds, Rotherham and Barnsley. The benefits run much deeper, though, opening up major employment and housing sites, in line with the ambitions of business and political leaders in the Sheffield City Region and with the Government’s Northern Powerhouse. It certainly helps iPort, the growing logistics hub and strategic rail freight interchange, four miles from DSA, next to the M18 and connected to the electrified East Coast Main Line. Developers and operators Verdion describe it as “the UK’s most advanced multimodal logistics hub”. It is estimated there is the potential for up to 5,000 jobs, with businesses such as Fellowes, CEVA Logistics, Lidl and Amazon already on board. The Amazon unit – one of three in Doncaster – is the size of 15 football pitches. Verdion CEO Michael Hughes points to “the perfect location: 87 per cent of the UK’s population is within a four-hour drive and there are excellent connections to and from the site by road, rail and air, while the East Coast deep water port is only two hours away.” Already DSA passengers flying to numerous destinations across Europe
unLTDBUSINESS.COM
DSA was named best airport in the UK 2018 by Which? Magazine for the second time in a row.
from the former RAF Finningley. A 20-year masterplan has set no less a target than becoming the UK’s most outstanding regional airport, attracting more passengers, increasing cargo operations and doubling the size of the terminal. Bold, but achievable, it is argued, highlighting DSA’s capacity to provide international connectivity for up to 25m people and handling 250,000 tonnes of cargo a year. One particular, and hugely significant, ambition remains on the horizon – an airport rail station to link into the East Coast Mainline. A range of prominent public and business groups, including Peel Airports, Transport for the North, the Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones, Chambers of Commerce, the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership and Welcome to Yorkshire are keeping up the pressure.
Sheffield City Region Mayor Dan Jarvis sees the proposed station as “truly game-changing” for DSA and the North of England, creating up to 73,000 new jobs and a multi-million-pound boost to the economy. He believes the airport can do for the east of the Pennines what Manchester Airport does for the west. The station is predicted to cost around £280m, which compares with the many billions being spent on HS2 and Crossrail in London, it is argued. Ultimately, the Government will decide whether to back the project. Doncaster Chamber, which represents business interests across the borough, describes DSA as “an incredibly important part of the local economy and jobs market” and highlights the importance of the Great Yorkshire Way in opening up a corridor for further business expansion, including at the iPort. Rebecca Leam, Head of Policy and Communications, says: “It’s important that Doncaster is outward looking and interacting positively not just locally, but regionally, with UK plc and with global markets and opportunities. “A big priority is to increase exports which are lower than comparative cities and much lower than the national average. Doncaster has plenty
going for it, says Rebecca – “its low property prices, growing economy, central UK location, excellent road, rail and air connectivity, award winning open space, beautiful scenery, rich heritage and friendliness…” However, there are important issues to address including increasing the proportion of knowledge intensive/high-tech jobs, helping to improve wages and the quality of living. Skills and education have been long-term challenges for Doncaster, adds Rebecca. “But the vision is to become a university borough with education providers, including Doncaster College, Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals, the National College for High Speed Rail and the forthcoming Doncaster University Technical College and Film Training Academy, working together to make an impressive skills and training offer and to raise peoples’ aspirations to continue lifelong learning.” A more general point is made, though. “Like any northern town, Doncaster has its challenges and opportunities. One of the biggest things we can all do is change our sometimes ‘downon’ perception and shout more loudly about it being a great place to live, work and play.”
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FOCUS ON
0
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10:01
DONCASTER ‘ON THE UP’ WITH ‘FORWARD-THINKING FUTURE’ Doncaster’s strategy for economic regeneration sets out to maximise the benefits of its position at the heart of an air, road and rail network – and efforts are being made to ensure the town centre does not get lost in the slipstream. As with most town and city centres, Doncaster has seen too many shops shut their doors for good, largely as a result of the surge in online shopping. Shopping habits are changing. It’s a big challenge, but the town centre is viewed as being at the heart of the local economy. Rejuvenation is a priority, with culture, arts, leisure and
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more independent shops and cafes a growing part of the new formula. Doncaster – and its population of just over 300,000 – does not want to be defined by clusters of big warehouses, distribution centres and retail parks dotted around the margins. Ambitions are encapsulated in the council’s Urban Centre Masterplan. Certainly, it is not seen as a wish list. The council takes pride in turning projects into reality, and there are plenty underway to suggest that things are already moving in the right direction.
The transformation of the rail station is set to give visitors a much better first impression. A £15m cultural and learning centre, with a library, museum, art gallery, archives and library services for schools over four floors, is due to open next summer. It will be located alongside the Cast theatre and arts venue. Refurbishment of the historic Wool Market – a refreshing of the listed building and concept to include longer opening hours and more activities – is another key scheme, scheduled for completion by the end of March next year. The cost is around £7.6m,
with more than £3m coming from public funds through Sheffield City Region. The council itself is prepared to step in when required. It is spending more than £10m of its Investment and Modernisation Fund to bring to fruition a proposed development of a cinema and five restaurants in the Civic and Cultural Quarter after it stalled in the hands of the private sector. The £2m ‘Quality Streets’ programme is designed to improve Hall Gate and Silver Street, helping to make the town centre a more vibrant and attractive destination.
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FOCUS ON
s
PLANS FOR THE REFURBISHMENT OF THE HISTORIC WOOL MARKET
Firmly established at the heart of the town centre, with more than 120 shops, is Frenchgate Shopping Centre. It, too, is responding to a changing commercial climate. Last July, Flip Out, an indoor trampolining park, opened in the centre – pioneering the first change of use of this kind for a former BHS unit in the UK and Ireland. Paddy Mellon, Frenchgate general manager, said: “This demonstrates our innovative and creative approach. We are using space in a new way to transform not just Frenchgate but Doncaster’s town centre in an ambitious and pioneering change for the high street.” More business and enterprise are being targeted, generating more activity during the day and, hopefully, into the evening. If leisure is an increasingly significant of the local economy, Doncaster can point to its famous racecourse, one of the oldest centres for horse racing in Britain, and the award-winning Yorkshire Wildlife Park. One of the UK’s top ten visitor attractions, the wildlife park has council approval for a £50m extension, due to be completed by next summer with a view to creating “a world class tourist
unLTDBUSINESS.COM
More than
120
£349M
destination” and 300 jobs in the process. The park currently employs 300 local people and has so far contributed around £12.2m to the local economy, with visitor numbers rising steadily to a record 761,000 last year. Meanwhile, other major development projects are either in the pipeline or already producing results. The £25m National College for High Speed Rail welcomed its first students in September 2017, building on the town’s great railway heritage. Along with a college it Birmingham, it is training thousands of engineers to meet the requirements of the rail industry, especially with a view to the arrival of HS2. A proposed £16m link road
from the M18 to Hatfield - the DN7 Unity project – is back on track after delays, unlocking land for development and raising hopes of 3,100 new homes and 7,000 jobs. Again, Sheffield City Region is at hand to help get the plans off the ground, contributing nearly £11.2m to the total cost of about £15.9m. Some £3.5m is coming from the developer and around £1.3m from Doncaster Council. Working with Team Doncaster, the strategic partnership that spans the public, private, voluntary and community sectors, the council says the scale and pace of new development in the town centre and across the borough is remarkable, despite challenging times. Ros Jones, Mayor of Doncaster, says: “We have a bold,
The number of shops at Frenchgate Shopping Centre
invested over the next four years
innovative approach which will see £349m invested in the borough and our future over the next four years. “This will help transform our economy, stimulate economic growth and job creation and provide more opportunities and better services. It will make a real difference for residents and businesses and ensure Doncaster is an attractive proposition for investors.” The Mayor adds: “Much of this money has been secured through our work with external funding bodies and similar investment in recent years is already paying dividends. “Look at the growth created from Great Yorkshire Way and the new National College for High Speed Rail, which is supporting our expanding rail sector “Being forward-thinking and investing in Doncaster’s future is having a major beneficial impact and business and investors are seeing our approach and wanting to grab a piece of the action. “We are creating the building blocks for sustained economic growth and prosperity right across our borough so we have a future we can be proud of and look forward to. Doncaster is truly on the up and really does deliver.”
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PROPERTY
PROPERTY TALKS BY TIM BOTTRILL
colloco founder Tim talks about the creation of Sheffield’s unique places to work, live and play
#AMAZINGSPACES In my last column, I started with a reference to my ultrapositive Twitter bio. So I’ve decided to stick with the social media theme and start my latest Property Talks with a hashtag. Sheffield has its own unique collection of #amazingspaces to work, live and socialise right here on our doorstep. A former cutlery factory reinvented as an uber-cool food hall, a rundown nightclub reawakened as a student hangout and a steel works turned trendy bar would surely all be worthy of being referred to as amazing spaces? We’ve got some incredibly unique buildings which represent Sheffield’s past and at colloco we’re proud to be helping our clients breathe new life into them for the future.
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Eagle Works is one of our trophy properties and is located at Kelham Island. The stunning listed building overlooking the Rriver Don is beautiful inside and out. The site is historically renowned for making stuff and has done so since 1835 (although to a lesser degree in recent times). We’re working to make it a productive juggernaut once again by attracting creative companies to this creative hub. It comes with all the modern features that you’d expect, but a lot of the old has been kept to make it a truly unique space – think exposed brickwork, original beams and columns. Or how about Alsop Fields? It’s made up of four distinct buildings that together form
a community redevelopment linked by a new Riverside Walk and vibrant landscaped courtyard spaces. Once an old factory, amazing Alsop Fields combines bars, restaurants, cafes, offices and accommodation. Eighty-five per cent of the 30,000 sq ft of commercial space on offer has already been let – to estate agents Redbrik, creative agencies Jaywing and HR Media, law firm Shoosmiths and the Birdhouse Tea Company – making it fast becoming one of the most vibrant and exciting places to be in Sheffield, whether to live, work or socialise. And one of the most #amazingspaces created this year has to be Cutlery Works. Once a premises for all things knives and forks, the building
as been revived as a “giant kitchen”, cleverly building on the site’s history and heritage. This high-end, independent food hall is the largest of its kind in the North of England bringing yet another unique dining experience to Sheffield. Split over two floors, the 14,000 sq ft space has been transformed to house a hive of the city’s best independent foodie outlets and bars – including The Gravy Train, Five Rivers, Edo Sushi, MA-ba, Shed, Bullion’s Chocolate, Elly Joy, Booze Hound, Table, Foundry and Pie Eyed. We will be bringing more #amazingspaces to the market with the launch of the second phase at Park Hill, too. If you fancy keeping up to date then feel free to check out our blog from time to time.
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FIVE MINUTES WITH...
DELICIOUS MEDIA Steph Walker co-founded web development agency Delicious Media with Dave Pullig in Huddersfield in 2012. Here she tells us why the ‘good vibe’ among small businesses in Sheffield made it the obvious choice for them to relocate their main office
I was inspired to start my business by... I had been running an online restaurant guide for nearly a decade and was re-evaluating options. I thought about getting a job as a web developer, but realised I’d picked up a lot of other skills and experience running an online business and could do more than just write code. It was at this point Dave and I decided to setup our own agency, Delicious Media. My favourite thing about running my business is… The broad range of projects I’ve had the opportunity to work with over the years! From creating brochure sites for micro businesses through to an e-learning platform and from blogs to e-commerce. We have forged long term relationships with a lot of our clients – it’s really rewarding to see them grow and succeed. The three words that best describe my business are… Approachable, Transparent, Specialists. I relocated to the Sheffield City Region because… Delicious Media had been trading in Huddersfield for a few years when we were planning for the future. We identified Sheffield as a potential market for us to grow. When the opportunity arose personally to move to Sheffield, we took the decision to relocate the main office here, too. It has been a positive experience for us and we gained three major new clients in our first three months here. Sheffield City Region is a great place to relocate a business because… It’s a great place to both live and
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STEPH WALKER, CO-FOUNDER OF WEB DEVELOPMENT AGENCY DELICIOUS MEDIA
work. I came to university here 20 years ago and I barely recognise the city now compared to how it was. I love that there is always something to go and see, there’s a blossoming tech meet up scene and some really well-attended networking events. There’s such a good vibe amongst small business here. Everyone is friendly, and there is lots of support here for established growing businesses.
The organisations that have supported me and my business include… Since relocating we have been welcomed in to the community here. Sheffield Digital are doing great things to promote digital in the city. We’re also grateful to Business Sheffield for their support. We have a business advisor with them and it’s great to have someone to run big decisions by.
The best advice I ever got was… Take the time to qualify leads early. This means no one is wasting their time. Remember to take a break. It’s very easy, especially in the early days to work constantly and feel you can’t take time off. It’s really important that you look after yourself.
The main challenges facing my industry/sector are… • Keeping up to date with changes in technology – there are so many web technologies that it’s impossible to be an expert in all areas. We opted to go niche with custom WordPress development for this reason. • Inexperienced developers – Getting involved in the web industry is very accessible, but
The worst advice I ever got was… I think I’ve been lucky, I don’t think I’ve ever had bad advice!
that can also result in people that think they’re helping, causing more harm than good! • Skills shortage – The digital sector is booming, but it’s not always easy to find people with the right skills. I’m getting involved with Code First: Girls, teaching women how to code. In 5 years’ time I expect my business to… Be the go-to company for WordPress development in Yorkshire. We want to grow our client base in Sheffield and expand our team by two or three over the next few years. I also want Delicious Media to have a positive impact on the digital sector in Sheffield. We are getting involved in a few projects in the coming months which should start to deliver this.
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SUCCESS STORY
N E P O G N I N EVE
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> Vo vels > A Le ticeships en > Appr me -ti > Part
New
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PART-TIME COURSE GUIDE COMING SOON 01226 216 123 info@barnsley.ac.uk www.barnsley.ac.uk www.barnsleysixthformcollege.co.uk 60
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WORKPLACE SKILLS
STOP THE
) F L E S (
SABOTAGE! NOV2318BOM
Barnsley life coach and ‘people’s cheerleader’ Lisa Walker is on a mission to stop ‘outwardly brilliant’ women in the workplace ‘self-sabotaging’
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WORKPLACE SKILLS
RECOGNISING YOUR TYPE Does one of these descriptions sound like you? A confidence issue could be driving you: Controlling Tendencies The need to feel in control of everything. Driven by the fear that, if you do not take control, it could lead to a problem beyond your ability to solve. Then you could face criticism and be told you’re not good enough. Imposter Syndrome: Doubting your ability to do the role, telling you only got there through good luck and worrying about being found out as ‘not good enough’. ‘I Should’ Syndrome Women who constantly litter their conversation with the phrase: ‘I should do’ or: ‘I shouldn’t have done ’ are self-criticising, and displaying guilt that they are underperforming, or failing.
White Apple client Finance director Vickie Brown Vickie Brown finished in the top three in the country in her Chartered Institute of Directors exam this year. She’s also highly valued by the fellow directors she staged a management buyout with at Tankersley manufacturing and distribution company Distinction Doors four years ago. So why does this expert in her field say: “Inside I often feel 11 years old and am expecting someone to find me out at any moment and order me back to the sandpit.” After coaching with White Apple Thinking, she is able to admit – and laugh about – the fact she suffers from impostor syndrome. “All those who know me incredibly well would be astounded by that. They would describe me as confident and self-assured. “I was spinning a lot of plates and thought I needed more time in my life.” As well as a demanding job, the Barnsley step-mother of two teens was on the South Yorkshire committee of the Institute of Directors, and Sheffield City Region’s Growth Hub. And also a high school governor, clerk for her weight watchers group and looking after six retired greyhounds. “Lisa cuts through the nonsense and drags the truth out of you. I realised I’m a fixer – I like trying to help people and find it hard to say no to them. “Now when I think I’m not capable, I stop and think – and realise it’s obvious that I am. Lisa also gave me the strength to tackle situations where my instinct was to let it go to keep the peace. “The more I talk to other women, the more I realise many of us feel like this. We are conditioned from an early age not to be assertive because that means we are bossy, controlling, a bit of a madam. Assertive men get called confident and challenging. They are seen as natural leaders.”
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The Self-Saboteur Over-thinking and over-worrying about every task or situation are classic signs of a self-saboteur, as are procrastination. Based on the underlying fear of being of judged for getting something wrong, or not doing a task well enough. The Perfectionist Perfection only exists in your head. You are striving for something that doesn’t exist because you are worried your work could be judged as not good enough.
To all who meet them, they are women at the top of their game, ‘supremely selfassured’. But Barnsley life coach Lisa Walker has discovered something is preventing a high number of successful career women and female entrepreneurs from reaching their true potential – a high number are ‘self-sabotaging’. Her business, White Apple Thinking, has a growing following of career women from across the region who want to tackle the hidden confidence issues which have filled them with self-doubt for years. “The women who come to me are the last people you would expect to be in need of a confidence-boost,” says Lisa, aged 47. “They are outwardly brilliant – most are professional women or have their own successful businesses. Some are very high profile. Most are juggling a colossal amount of
roles across their personal and professional lives and are wellliked by all who know them.” Today Lisa is a Master Practitioner of Coaching and Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), running workshops and one-to-one ‘talking therapy’ sessions to help clients identify why they lack confidence and teach them ways of dealing with it. A high proportion of clients find the monthly meetings so valuable they build them into their personal development plans, sometimes for years. “They come to see me because they are feeling overwhelmed and frazzled, or stuck in a rut. It’s usually to do with a relationship, or money, or parenting. Many want better time management,” mother of one Lisa explains. “There is a confidence problem preventing them tackling what is bothering them. I’ve seen this in women at the top of their game, even
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WORKPLACE SKILLS
those who are supremely selfassured. “Two or three sessions in, they have this epiphany and realise something they didn’t think was in their control or reach actually is, and that has a huge effect on their working life. They go for that promotion, ask for that pay rise and know they deserve it.” Lisa found her forte for forging stronger business women at the first ever workshop on the effects of low confidence she delivered in 2014. After the session, women came up to her and said: “It felt like you were inside my head.” Sheffield-born Lisa knew exactly how they felt, because she was once plagued by the same inner voice of doubt. Her world changed dramatically when she was made redundant from her 15-year HR career in 2012. She licked her wounds, then launched her own business, White Apple HR, choosing HR
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“because I thought that was all I could do.” Within eight months, she realised her confidence was at rock bottom, finding selfemployment lonely and hating pitching to potential clients. Embarking on a path of personal development, she discovered the benefits of Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) – an approach to communication and personal development that teaches you how to understand the language of the mind – and became a Master Practitioner in 2014. “I finally learned how to tackle my self-limiting beliefs with NLP. It helped me so much I wanted to share it with other women.” Out went White Apple HR. In came White Apple Thinking. “I help people to get to where they need to go. It’s a bit like being someone’s cheerleader,” says Lisa, who also works with companies, looking at
The women who come to me are the last people you would expect to be in need of a confidence-boost
their business culture and identifying what needs to change to help people grow. She says: “Men suffer from lack of confidence too, but it often presents itself in different ways. Women strive to have it all – we wear different hats throughout any given day. We are the carers, the doers, the problem-solvers, the bread-winners, other people’s cheerleaders. “We struggle to ask for help for fear of not being good enough, while trying to live up to unrealistic and often out-dated ideals. And most importantly of all, we often don’t realise that things can be different.” Lisa sees women who deal with the fears denting their confidence do something even more remarkable afterwards, too. “They don’t stay quiet about their past failings. They willingly tell their story of selfdiscovery to help other women.”
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YOUR PITCH Your Pitch is an opportunity for start-ups to tell everyone about their business. This issue we meet James Barthorpe, co-founder of Food Circle Supermarket, an online healthy food retailer that sells 100 per cent in-date surplus food and drink
FOOD CIRCLE SUPERMARKET Tell us about your business – sell yourself! Food Circle Supermarket is an online healthy food retailer with a twist! The twist is that we sell 100 per cent in-date surplus food and drink, meaning we are saving food from potentially going to waste, and offering discounts of 50 per cent off RRP to our customers. Surplus food can arise from, amongst other reasons, over-production and changes in packaging design. It can often go to waste with several months’ life still remaining. We are an e-commerce business with a user-friendly website where customers can save money on amazing products from quality brands, and also learn more about surplus food and the ethos behind our business. We strive to not only tackle the huge problem of food waste, but also to approach it with a sense of positivity. If a food and drink brand chooses to “re-distribute” their surplus stock to people rather than potentially send it to landfill, we believe that is something to be proud of. What gave you the idea for your business? My co-founder Paul Simpson and I worked in business development for the UK’s largest surplus food redistributor for over three years. During this time, we would deal directly with all sorts of manufacturers, and sensed that there was a gap in the market for a niche health food redistributor to bring surplus healthy products to the right audience. We had a belief that the way to do this would be online, so we started Food Circle to give it a go!
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PAUL SIMPSON AND JAMES BARTHORPE OF FOOD CIRCLE SUPERMARKET
Who are your customers and how are you targeting them? Our customers are mostly sport and fitness fanatics, and people who follow a gluten free diet. The common theme with both markets is that some of the products can be quite expensive for the consumer (usually for good reason!) Introducing them to surplus products allows them to maintain their diet and lifestyle while saving some money, and doing something good for the environment. We primarily use social
media to reach out to our customers, as well as partnerships with organisations such as Coeliac UK and The Gym Group.
We are saving food from potentially going to waste, and offering discounts of 50 per cent off RRP to our customers.
How can people get in touch with you? Via our website: www. foodcirclesupermarket.co.uk Email: hello@ foodcirclesupermarket.com Facebook: /foodcirclesupermarket Instagram: @foodcirclesupermarket Twitter: @foodcircleuk
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FASHION
SUITEDANDBOOTED Image is everything – not just for your business but for you as well. We’ve teamed up with clothes retailer Hawes & Curtis, who have a store in Meadowhall Shopping Centre, to give the city region chaps the best look for the boardroom and beyond
Men’s navy slim fit dinner suit – £279 Men’s formal white extra slim fit evening shirt – windsor collar – double cuff - easy iron – £89 100% silk black ready tied bow tie – £29
Men’s navy chalk stripe slim fit suit – £249 Men’s formal blue poplin extra slim fit shirt – double cuff – easy iron – £49 Men’s brown silk knitted tie – £35 Men’s silver tie slide – £25 Men’s white pocket square – 100% silk – £20 Men’s black leather gloves – £49 Men’s brown leather wholecut shoes – £139
Men’s charcoal grey big overcheck slim fit suit, super 120s wool – £249 Men’s formal blue poplin extra slim fit shirt – single cuff – easy iron – £49 Men’s charcoal sleeveless merino wool knitwear – £45 Men’s geometric print tie – 100% silk – £29 Men’s orange & navy 4 way floral pocket square – 100% silk – £25
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FIVE MINUTES WITH...
YORKSHIRE OUTBOARDS Calum Holloway set up Yorkshire Outboards aged just 15. Currently studying for an integrated Master’s degree (MEng Engineering) at the University of Sheffield, he tells us why Sheffield is the ‘perfect central location’ to operate his brand from – while ‘embracing all the amazing student life!’ I was inspired to start my business by... From an early age I’ve always been enthused by engineering, mechanical design and entrepreneurship. At 15 I was given an old Yamaha outboard engine, which had been submerged in salt water for several weeks! Despite my complete lack of knowledge and experience I stripped the whole thing down and completely rebuilt it. It never ran right, as the salt water had done too much damage to the sensitive machined components. However, I enjoyed the experience so much, and recognised how much I’d learnt from it, and it was the starting point of ‘Yorkshire Outboards’ a brand I’ve successfully built over the last four years, supplying parts, services and complete outboards to the private market across the country. My favourite thing about running my business is… The opportunity to better understand how concepts taught within my degree apply to real world engineering scenarios. I’ve begun to fully appreciate the value of an interdisciplinary engineering degree and how, in practical situations, only by having a fundamental understanding of all engineering disciplines, can a system (such as an outboard) be fully understood and appreciated. The three words that best describe my business are… Entrepreneurial, Creative, Reliable Sheffield City Region is a great place to start a business because… Sheffield may seem an unlikely place to start a
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days, provided me with so much support, and never questioned my goals or visions, have been crucial. I’ve also made some good friends, people already in the industry, whose technical advice and guidance have been invaluable. The University of Sheffield has also provided me with several chances for personal development. I’m currently President of the ‘General Engineering Masters Society’, as well as being an Academic and Faculty representative, sitting on university committees. business suppling marine services, but I believe it’s that misconception which has left a huge gap in the market ready for Yorkshire Outboards to take advantage of. Sheffield provides the perfect central location to operate from, regularly seeing customers travelling from both the East and West coast, along with holiday makers from the Midlands, and as far North as the Lake District. Sheffield is also home to the University of Sheffield, a university with one of the best engineering departments in the country, allowing me to continue running my business, whilst also obtaining a Master’s degree in interdisciplinary engineering and embracing all the student life this amazing city has to offer! The best advice I ever got was… It may seem somewhat of a cliché, but I think the answer would have to be “Never give up, and never let how others perceive you, change your perception of yourself”. I’ve faced obstacles while establishing my business,
especially in the early days when I felt somewhat inhibited by age and lack of experience. But I strongly believe it’s how you overcome these obstacles that define you as a person and pave the way to your own brighter future. I also believe that luck can only occur when preparation and skill meet opportunity, and that success should be measured by how one takes those opportunities. The worst advice I ever got was… I honestly can’t say I’ve ever received bad advice per se, at least not that I can remember! However, when I first started Yorkshire Outboards, aged 15, I would often face judgements or criticism from people who were completely ignorant to what I was capable of. In hindsight, knowing how to deal with these potential setbacks, and knowing who to seek advice from, has played a key part in my achievements. The organisations that have supported me and my business include… My parents, who in the early
The main challenges facing my industry/sector are… As Yorkshire Outboards operates in the private market, there aren’t any immediate challenges facing the sector. However, a change in economic climate, leading to people having less disposable income to spend on leisure would, ultimately, affect the business’s turnover. In 5 years’ time I expect my business to… It’s hard for me to say, it’s a business that’s given me the chance for immense personal and practical development, along with providing a comfortable income while studying a full-time degree! However, it was born from a time where perhaps my future lacked direction. I always set myself the highest possible personal milestones, and a successful career in the competitive world of complex engineering is definitely in my sights. I’d like to hope that Yorkshire Outboards will play a part in my future, just as it has played a key part in my past, even if it is more of a side-line!
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The Cathedral Archer Project
Silent Night, Lonely Night ( All is cold, all is dark... )
£20 could provide cooked breakfast for 8 people £50 could buy 4 cosy sleeping bags £100 could provide 1–1 support towards changing lives
Donate now to change lives. archerproject.org.uk or text ‘ XCAP18 £(amount)’ to 70070
Charity Reg No — 1064818
Chamber Christmas Dinner
In association with
Friday, 7th December Shaw Lane Cricket Club, Barnsley 6:30pm - Late
Take the strain out of organising your office Christmas celebration and join the Chamber in spreading the festive cheer.
Members £34.95 + vat Non-members £39.95 + vat
This is the place to go for a great party night! Enjoy a five course meal before dancing the night away to all your favourite party tunes with live entertainment from Zenon Band.
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AWARD SUCCESS
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CHRISTMAS CAME EARLY! A whole lot of South Yorkshire firms have been feeling festive and getting in the party spirit a little early this year as Christmas came early for the winners of the Barnsley and Rotherham Business Awards. More than 500 representatives from South Yorkshire’s business community came together to celebrate the achievements of local businesses over the past 12 months at one of the most
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prestigious business events on the local calendar. Taking place at Magna and hosted by TV and Radio Broadcaster Stephanie Hirst, the event celebrated the achievements of local companies, charities and individuals for their outstanding contributions to the city business region. ‘Business of the Year’ was presented to Barnsleybased LNS Turbo UK, whilst Sheffield-based Molly’s Fund
won Chamber Charity of the Year and received £3,000 cash donation from Fortem. Julie Kenny CBE DL was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award, and the ceremony also recognised young individuals who are taking the first steps in their careers with Katie Andrew of Liberty Speciality Steels taking the title of Apprentice of the Year Award. Chief Executive of the Chamber Andrew Denniff
LNS TURBO UK WERE AWARDED BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
said: “It was a memorable evening. Some truly amazing work is being done in our region, from the new, promising companies with a bright future ahead of them, to the established companies celebrating their milestone anniversaries.” Christmas has come early for a whole range of firms elsewhere, too – turn the page for a round-up of just some of the region’s businesses celebrating success…
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AWARD SUCCESS
REDBRIK’S MARK ROSS (CENTRE) COLLECTS THE AWARD
REDBRIK NUMBER ONE IN YORKSHIRE AND HUMBERSIDE Redbrik Estate Agency has been named the number one top agency by the principle industry awards, The Best Estate Agent Guide 2019. The guide is compiled by industry experts the Property Academy and supported by Rightmove, listing the top agency brands that have achieved the highest scores for selling and letting properties. With more than 26,000 estate agency branches in the UK, the Best Estate Agent Guide assesses each agent’s performance six months on Rightmove.
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They also undertake 50,000 mystery shops in the form of emails and phone calls to understand and score the quality of the customer experience. Director Mark Ross said: “You can’t buy this award – it is based on facts and real experiences. Being voted number one again underpins all our hard work. “Redbrik is entering a very exciting time, we have opened our fifth office, in Sheffield City Centre on Sidney Street, and we look forward to what 2019 has in store.”
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AWARD SUCCESS
SEO WORKS WERE WINNERS AT THE GLOBALTREND AWARDS
SEO WORKS BAGS GLOBAL AWARD The SEO Works has been given ‘an international moment to shine’ after winning a global award. The GlobalTrend Awards is an international competition for digital professionals involved in the concept and execution of marketing and communications. Out of more than 1,100 submissions from 28 countries, The SEO Work’s campaign was selected ‘outstanding’, receiving the Quest winner within the Digital – Websites category. It was on behalf of a leading sports retail client, where they delivered an increase in online sales of more than 17 per cent, while reducing overall ad spend by 48 per cent. “Each year, we celebrate the superb work of industry veterans and emerging talents from all over the world,” said Kenjo Ong, President of International Awards Associates (IAA). “We are pleased to recognise The SEO Works’ campaign and give them an international moment to shine.” MD Ben Foster said: “We really focus on measuring and driving impact for our clients’ campaigns, and it is that focus that has allowed us to deliver some fantastic digital marketing results across a range of sectors. “We’re continuing to fly the flag for digital in Sheffield and beyond.”
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TOP INDUSTRY RECOGNITION FOR COPTHORNE HOTEL SHEFFIELD One of Sheffield’s leading hotels has received a top industry accolade for the food on offer in the award-winning restaurant. 1855 Restaurant, based at Copthorne Hotel Sheffield, has been awarded the AA Rosette for the quality of the food served. Boasting a menu devised using locallysourced ingredients, the restaurant has been recognised as displaying exceptionally high standards in culinary excellence. Mark Jones, executive head chef at Copthorne, said: “This award means so much to me and the team here at 1855 Restaurant. “We’ve all worked so hard to bring a top-class dishes and ingredients to our diners and we have been receiving some wonderful feedback. Receiving the AA Rosette is the cherry on top of the cake!” Mattine Sabzevari, general manager at Copthorne, added: “The dedication of the restaurant team, from the chefs to the waiting staff, is awe-inspiring – the Rosette really speaks for itself. Well done, team!”
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AFTER HOURS
MORNING COFFEE Powered by caffeine to get your working day started? Us too! With winter here we picked our favourite places to warm up with a hot beverage 64
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AFTER HOURS
THE GRIND CAFE ON GREEN LANE IN THE KLEHAM ISLAND AREA
Venue: Grind Café Address: Cornwall Works, 3 Green Lane, Sheffield S3 8SJ Opening times: Mon - Fri 8am - 5.30pm Sat 8.30am - 5pm Sun 9am - 5pm Social media: Facebook: @ TheGrindCafeKelhamIsland About: This gastro-café in Kelham Island is one to check out if you’re passing. Their coffee, made with locally roasted coffee beans, has great reviews on social media as well as their food which has been described as ‘yummylicious’. Maybe a place to grab breakfast if you’ve got time too. Venue: Couch Address: 29-31 Campo Lane, Sheffield, S1 2EG or 412-416 Ecclesall Road, Sheffield S11 8PJ Opening times: Mon - Fri 8am - 4pm Sat - Sun 9am - 4pm Social media: Facebook: @coucheccyrd Twitter: @couchcoffee About: Despite serving good
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food all day and even priding itself on great wines, beers and spirits, this super relaxed café is also known for its coffee and breakfast. With two locations across Sheffield, you can probably find a way to pop in before work for your early morning boost. Venue: Cawa Coffee Address: 253 Fulwood Rd, Broomhill, Sheffield S10 3BD Opening times: Mon - Wed Fri - Sun 8am - 6pm Thurs 8am - 11pm Social media: Facebook: @CawaCoffee Twitter: @CawaCoffee About: This new artisan café recently appeared on Crookes Road but has now changed premises. Offering high quality coffee and fresh, unique pastries this café is not one to miss. Swoop in for a morning beverage or you could even head down on the first Thursday evening of the month. The vibe turns jazzy with live music and a much wider drinks selection.
Venue: Motore Café Address: Howard Street, Sheffield S1 2LW Opening times: Mon - Fri 7.30am - 2.30pm Social media: Facebook: @MotoreCafe Twitter: @MotoreCafe About: This little pop up café will catch your eye on the way to or from the train station in the morning. Serving handcrafted coffee every weekday morning, it’s worth trying. They also have tempting jars of pastries on their Piaggio Ape van and a range of vegan options. Venue: Tamper Sellers Wheel Address: 149 Arundel Street, Sheffield S1 2NU Opening times: Mon - Thurs 8am - 5pm Fri 8am - 10pm Sat 9am - 6pm Sun 9am - 4pm Social media: Facebook: @tampercoffee Twitter: @tampercoffee About: Flaunting its Kiwi Café Culture, this New Zealand themed café has good coffee
as the main priority. With this one of two cafes in Sheffield situated right in the city’s centre it’s a tempting option for your morning brew. Venue: Wellies Address: 140 Charles Street, Sheffield S1 2NE Opening times: Mon - Fri 8am - 3.30pm Social media: Facebook: @welliessheffield Twitter: @Wellies140 About: Priding itself on fresh, locally made food this Sheffield café is a stone’s throw from the railway station. Offering great coffee and huge breakfast sandwiches this could be your saviour on an early morning trip. Venue: Create Coffee Address: 47-49 Chesterfield Road, Sheffield S8 0RL Opening times: Mon & Wed - Fri 8.30am - 5.30pm Sat 9am - 5pm Sun 10am - 5pm Social media: Instagram: @createcoffeesheffield
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AFTER HOURS
TAMPER SELLERS WHEEL ON ARUNDEL STREET
About: This independent coffee house is also a creative meeting hub. Relatively new to Chesterfield Road this coffee shop also functions as a support network for local businesses by stocking local products. With vegan cakes, good coffee and a great vibe, it could just be your next pre-work stop off. Venue: Steam Yard Address: Unit 1-2 97, Aberdeen Court, 95-101 Division Street, Sheffield S1 4GE Opening times: 9am - 5pm Social media: Facebook: @SteamYard Twitter: @SteamYard About: Popular with students in the area this little café is set back from Division Street near the city centre. Famous for its amazing doughnuts and coffee it’s one to try. If you’ve got time to spare you could even sip your coffee in the courtyard for a change. Venue: Birdhouse Tea Bar and Kitchen Address: Speedwell Works, Sidney St, Sheffield S1 4RG
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Opening times: Mon - Fri 10am - 5pm Social media: Facebook: @ BirdhouseTeaCompany Twitter: @birdhouseteaco About: What began as a Japanese tea house in London has made its way cross country and you can now find your very own right here in Sheffield. With a wide selection of teas it could be a good chance to try out a new morning beverage. Team unLTD enjoy many a meeting here – check out our 5 Minutes With feature on page 35. Venue: Upshot Espresso Address: 355 Glossop Road, Sheffield S10 2HP Opening times: Mon - Fri 8am - 4pm Sat 9pm - 3pm Social media: Facebook: @upshotespresso Instagram: @upshotsheffield About: What they describe as ‘distinct, characterful, speciality coffee’ is what Upshot provide. If that doesn’t make you want to try out their coffee, then nothing will. As well as their unique coffee
experience they also offer a wide range of freshly baked pastries – if you’ve missed breakfast, no problem. Venue: Marmadukes Address: 22 Norfolk Row, Sheffield S1 2PA Opening times: Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm Sat 10am - 4pm Social media: Twitter: @MarmadukesCafe About: This coffee house makes everything they can from scratch. They even hand brew their own coffee by the cup. They are a growing business and have a strong focus on quality produce and service, drop by and give them a hand in their journey. Venue: Mangobean Address: 68 Division Street, Sheffield S1 4GF Opening times: Monday Friday 7am - 6.30pm Saturday 7.30am - 6pm Sunday 10am - 4pm Social media: Twitter: @ mangobeancoffee Facebook: @mangobeancoffee About: Recently opened on Division Street this brightly
coloured establishment will not fail to catch your eye. Its been heard they also offer free hugs with their coffee – nothing like a bit of friendly support to kick off the day (as well as the caffeine). Venue: 200 Degrees Café Address: 25 Division St, Sheffield S1 4GE Opening times: Monday - Friday 7am - 8pm Saturday 8am - 6.30pm Sunday 9.30am - 6.30pm Social media: Facebook: @200DegreesCoffee Twitter: @200Degs About: Roasting coffee at a lower than normal temperature – 200 degrees – gives this coffee shop its name and, according to their website, a smoother tasting cup. Why not pop to Division Street and test this theory yourself? Venue: Five Rivers Address: 215-219 Fulwood Rd, Sheffield S10 3BA Opening times: Mon - Fri 7.30am - 6pm Sat 9am - 6pm Sun 10am - 4pm
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BAKERS, BARISTAS AND BRUNCH OFFERINGS AT FORGE BAKEHOUSE ON ABBEYDALE ROAD
Social media: Facebook: @5riverscoffee Twitter: @5RiversSheff About: Fancy an exotic twist on your usual coffee or snack? No problem, this café has got you covered. Apparently, the Vietnamese filter coffee and condensed milk with a banh mi baguette on the side is amazing! Find them on Fulwood Road or at the new Cutlery Works in Kelham Island – see our news story on page 8. Venue: Forge Bakehouse Address: 302 Abbeydale Road, Sheffield S7 1FL Opening times: Tues - Fri 8.30am - 5pm Sat 9am - 5pm Sun 9m - 3pm Social media: Facebook: @ForgeBakehouse Twitter: @ForgeBakehouse
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About: These artisan bakers have been drawing people through their doors with the scent of freshly baked bread and pastry for six years. Starting out as a small bakery and now a café, they pride themselves on making everything from scratch with no additives. With veggie and vegan options, too, there’s something for everyone to enjoy alongside their morning cup. Venue: The Depot Bakery Address: 92 Burton Road, Sheffield S3 8DA Opening times: 9am - 4pm Social media: Facebook: @TheDepoBakery Twitter: @TheDepoBakery About: A sister company to Tamper coffee this café naturally serves good coffee alongside its homemade breads, pastries, and cured
meats. With an industrial décor and a tantalising menu this venue is ideal for a relaxing brunch. Venue: Alyssum Address: 76 Barber Road, Sheffield S10 1EE Opening times: Mon - Fri 9am - 4.30pm Sat - Sun 9.30am - 4.30pm Social media: Facebook: @AlyssumCafeBistro Twitter: @Alyssumcafe About: Don’t let the distinctly cosy, chintzy, English vibe hide the Greek influence of this place. They serve some truly unique combinations like baklava pancakes and a classic fry-up with ragu. They’re known for their friendliness and for treating customers like old friends. Why not drop in and enjoy their coffee, cake and hospitality?
Venue: Made by Jonty Sheffield Address: 363 Sharrow Vale Road, Sheffield S11 8ZG Opening times: Mon - Fri 8am - 5pm Sat - Sun 9am - 5pm Social media: Facebook: @madebyjonty Twitter: @Madebyjonty About: This place is so much more than a café and boasts fine dining with the likes of harissa cauliflower, pan-fried sea bream, and truffle oil and parmesan chips. However, it also boasts a huge all day breakfast menu that can be enjoyed while checking out local artists’ work on the walls. This is the place to make new friends, too, with customers actively encouraged to sit together and share tables.
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WEEKEND ESCAPES Fancy jetting off for a bit of winter sun? Then why not combine it with a few rounds on some of the Mediterranean’s best golf courses. unLTD’s Andy Waple visited the holiday island of Majorca to mark your card about where you should be clubbing while the weather bites back at home 70
Majorca became a well-known holiday hotspot in the 1970s when package tours made the beach resorts of Palma Nova and Arenal household names in the UK. Yet the largest of the Balearics in the western Mediterranean had been well and truly discovered by visitors from Europe since Frédéric Chopin and his lover the novelist George Sand set up home there and made it fashionable in 1838, prompting the first tourist guide to be published in 1845. Despite this, the stunningly beautiful island has hardly been at the centre of the universe for travelling golfers. That’s something the Asociación de Campos de Golf de Majorca, an association of the 19 clubs, wants to put right and it is pressing ahead with its ambition of establishing the island as one of the leading European golf destinations. It is a tough call. Competition is fierce and many would argue that Majorcan courses are generally overpriced for their challenge and condition,
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MAJORCA despite some determination being shown by the top clubs. Currently the association is having a push on improving quality and new investment that in some cases is said to be sorely needed. The island has advantages that certainly help. It’s only about two hours flight away from the UK – its biggest market – and the off-course attractions are plentiful and hard to beat. Figures produced by the golf association are impressive too, demonstrating that golfers are willing to pass over their euros in the pursuit of somewhere different to play. In 2015, more than 600,000 rounds were completed, contributing in excess of 160 million euros to the Majorcan economy, prompting the Asociación’s publicly declared ambition to increase the number by five per cent each year. Recently the Club de Golf Alcanada, with its beautiful course situated on the north east of the island, revealed
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another rise in bookings for 2018 with visitor numbers up by more than 10 per cent. A delighted Kristoff Both, director of golf at Alcanada, said: “Bookings were up more than 10 per for March, April and May this year compared to this time in 2017,” pointing to Majorca’s growth in popularity on the European market and the island’s enviable multiple attractions. He added: “As well as the golf, the island offers so much more away from the fairways. We are lucky to have golden beaches, lively towns, small picturesque villages, a fantastic array of hotels and not to mention a fantastic climate all year round. It is the perfect place for a golf break as well as a holiday.” Kristoff hits the nail on the head. While Majorca may not appeal to a group of lads seeking golf, more golf and Mahou lager, is it ideal for more adventurous travellers wising to combine golf with other experiences such as sightseeing, the enjoyment of
local culture and fine cuisine. There is no better place to enjoy all of these things than at the Club de Golf Alcanada near Alcudia which oozes class throughout, offering a sea view to die for as well. Opened in 2003 it is one of the better courses on Majorca – some would say the best – and anyone with a decent game and a love of scenery will be very impressed. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr, the layout has glorious views over the Med at every turn and from the elevated 7th tee in particular, golfers eyes are drawn towards the offshore lighthouse on the island of Alcanada that has become the club’s emblem. From a golfing point of view the course is pretty tough – as you will realise from the off where a daunting par 5 1st requires you to park your relaxed holiday mood and really get your golfing head on. Almost as spectacular as the design of the course is the view across the Bay of Alcudia named after the popular resort
where the island’s the first modest course was built 1934. Majorcan golf was bunkered in 1936 by the Spanish Civil War and the subsequent World War Two, and it was not until 1964 when it re-emerged at the other side of the island. The Arabella Son Vida course, the pride and joy of the impressively elegant Castillo Son Vida Hotel. Its course was inaugurated by Prince Rainier of Monaco, who had honeymooned at the hotel three years earlier with Grace Kelly. Set among some jaw dropping properties, Son Vida remains one of the most popular courses and rightly so. At 5,601m it’s short by today’s standards, but it makes up for its lack of length by offering players the need for careful shot-making as well as one of the most enjoyable and charismatic finishing holes on the island. Toughened up in 2011 it is marked by its doglegs running among pine and almond trees and its scary downhill 6th where the long
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UK
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GOLF
The Association of Golf Mallorca is the ideal starting point for itinerary planning www.mallorcagolfisland.com The three Arabella courses, Son Vida, Son Quint and San Muntaner www.arabellagolfmallorca.com/en/ See www.golf-alcanada.com/en/ www.son-gual.com/golf-mallorca/ www.golfsontermes.com for the other featured courses. fairway looks as intimating as the Cresta Run. Son Vida is now one of a trio of courses operated by the Arabella Golf Group. Son Quint is the newest, opening in 2007, and is a little more demanding than the Son Vida course. It’s characterised by two big lakes, and it weaves through typical Majorcan countryside dotted with pine and olive trees. The best of the three, in my opinion, is the Son Muntaner layout that underwent a complete turf replacement programme in 2016, combined with some subtle changes to the greens’ elevations adding a further degree of difficulty. Reseeded throughout with Burmuda Celebration the course is now arguably the equal of the island’s two-stand out courses – Alcanada and Son Gual. Son Muntaner is a player’s course, with a downhill dogleg 1st over water to a well-bunkered green setting the tone. The long 2nd with a water hazard running almost the entire length of the hole on the right, is a serious test for any ability. As well as long par 4s, a huge par 5 15th, very testing par 3s at 7th and 11th there are a number of shorter two-shotters, such as the 17th, but they don’t play any easier. This course is up there with the best on the island, thanks to its variety and challenge. Just to the north east of Palma lies Son Gual,
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GETTING THERE
Flights from the UK take about 2 hours and there are regular services from regional airports including Doncaster Sheffield, with flights operated by Flybe. www.holidayextras.co.uk offer discounted hotels, parking, including meet-and-greet, from Manchester and other regional airports.
STAY
Near Palma the three Arabella hotels, the Castillo Son Vida, Sheraton and Mardavall offer high quality with reduced rates at their three courses. See www.castillosonvidamallorca.com for special rates
DON’T MISS
No trip to Mallorca would be complete without a visit to the capital city Palma. It offers a fantastic array of bars, restaurants, shops and historic attractions, notably the dominant Gothic Cathedral known as La Seu. Sophisticated and smart, it has something for everybody, for example, dining from a tapas crawl to Michelin starred restaurants.
DRINK
Don’t ignore local wines and beers that are a revelation. Small boutique wineries are providing some excellent reds and whites from local grape varieties and the craft beer movement features strongly.
considered by many to be the island’s top course. While Alcanada is blessed with outstanding vistas at every turn, Son Gual is less fortunate, being directly under the flight path of the island’s Son Sant Joan airport international airport. With in excess of 10 million overseas visitors a year, you can easily understand why there is hardly a moment without a flight coming or going in the sky above you. Thankfully this doesn’t distract from the enjoyment of golf at Son Gual, its
breathtaking course and fantastic clubhouse. With wide fairways, 60 swirling bunkers and plenty of water it has an American feel to it, yet its 800 cultivated olive trees and mix of wild flowers in the rough areas place it very much in Europe. This course is well maintained and offers plenty of variety and with large, undulating greens, players need to consider where to place their approach shots if they are not going to three putt. The finale par 5 18th is simply gorgeous, with water
mid fairway and in front of the green with the clubhouse as a backdrop. This is certainly a challenge, but its hole that will stick long in your memory particularly if you can plot your way up the fairway and two putt for par. While Palma and its surrounding area has the largest cluster of golf courses, most of the island is now very accessible following extensive road improvements in recent years. Now there is no reason why you shouldn’t head inland and enjoy some of the great contrasts that makes Majorca such an enjoyable place to visit and play golf. One of the greatest assets is the Serra de Tramuntana, a mountain chain declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2010 that runs from the south western tip to Pollensa in the north. Long enjoyed by birdwatchers, cyclists and hunters, their foothills are also the home of a relatively new course at San Termes Golf Club, about 40 minutes drive north of Palma. While not the best, it does have its attractions beyond the herds of goats that roam the fairways to the amusement of golfers. San Termes is a members’ club that welcomes visitors, and it famed for its excellent clubhouse hospitality and quality local cuisine. The course is short and tight, with a par of just 70, so the driver is rarely required.
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NUMBER CRUNCH
FOOD & DRINK 40K More than
We’ve been spoilt for choice with new eatery invites of late.
From the two-tier tasty treat that is the Cutlery Works in Kelham Island to the VIP opening party of the newly re-furbed Remo’s Italian on Fulwood Road, the foodies on unLTD have enjoyed sampling canapés and clinking glasses of fizz.
No wonder, then, we’ve got an appetite to breakdown the stats into bitesize pieces on ‘Food and Drink’ in this month’s Number Crunch.
250
One of Sheffield’s oldest food traditions is Henderson’s Relish, which has been produced in the Steel City since
The amount of real ales and ciders showcased at Kelham Island’s fourth annual Beer & Cider Festival in October this year There are
671
restaurants to visit in Sheffield according to TripAdvisor. It would take over 12 years to sample them all if you were to visit one a week
Sheffield City Region has
5
times more breweries per capita than greater London
1885 9 26%
The number of restaurants recommended in last years Michelin Guide from around Sheffield for their exquisite culinary offerings
58 36
different gins and rums
74
people flock to Sheffield’s Food Festival every year to sample all the best tastes from across South Yorkshire
restaurants across South Yorkshire have been awarded with at least one prestigious AA Rosette for culinary excellence
pubs from the Sheffield region are set to be included in the 46th edition of CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide for 2019
of all food in Yorkshire and the Humber is consumed outside the home A Taste of Independent Sheffield showcased some of the city’s finest local, independent businesses and products over September, including over
100 different gins and rums
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