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Top story
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Government "should back link road"
The government should honour its professed return to Keynesian economics by giving more attention to how to fund the proposed M18 link road to Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield, the airport’ strategic planning director said today. Unveiling the airport’s masterplan, Peter Nears said: “It’s important the government identifies key projects that everyone can get behind,” he said. New cargo facilities, expansion of business aviation facilities and a ‘transhipment hub’ for handling mail and express parcels are proposed in the masterplan, which aims to take the airport forward to 2030. It also includes a third phase of business park development, to be built after 2016, a 750-home residential development and a new railway station on the Doncaster-Lincoln line. The forecasts, which depend on a link road being built, show passenger numbers have the potential to reach 6.6 million per year by 2016 and 10.8 million by 2030, while cargo could reach 60,000 tonnes per year by 2016 and 120,000 by 2030.
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Deals
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CellTran rescued
Regenerative wound healing company CellTran, which went into administration in May, has been sold to neighbouring pharmaceutical company York Pharma by administrators PKF. The University of Sheffield spin-out company sparked interest from companies in California, Korea and Switzerland after it ran out of funds for product development and distribution of its tissue regeneration and wound healing products. The terms of the deal give CellTran the right to benefit from the future commercial success of its product portfolio.
Another view
Family care home business Amphion View, run by George and Kathy Hepworth, and son-in-law Nigel Best, has opened a second care home in Doncaster with £1.15m funding from The Royal Bank of Scotland. Refurbishment of one property has created one 14-bed care home for elderly patients with dementia. Another building is to be refurbished.
More funds for food
Massarella Catering has won a £5m funding package from GE Commercial Finance to help it with a planned expansion. The group, based at Thurcroft Hall near Sheffield, was founded in 1860 and runs more than 200 operations at retail and leisure outlets, department stores, and staff canteens across the UK. Director Jeremy Massarella says the funding will “further cement our position as a market leader in the catering arena.”
Secure footing
The management team at Rotherham-based security equipment supplier Pyronix have taken total control of the business by buying 3i’s 36 per cent stake. Over the past two decades the company has gone from supplying one metal detector to having manufacturing sites across the UK and in China. The management team includes Julie Kenny, a Yorkshire Forward director, and Sebastian Herrara. Kenny said: “To buy out 3i was the culmination of our five-year plan. 3i has been a good partner in the past, but we are excited to be in complete charge of our destiny.” Strategic Corporate Finance, Hart Shaw and Irwin Mitchell advised on the deal.
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Business
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Google on
Creative Sheffield is helping local businesses succeed online by arranging an online meeting with Aidan O'Curry, a new business development executive for Google, on Wednesday 5 November 2008. O’Curry will give details of how Sheffield businesses can work with Google on their online strategies and will give an overview of the latest online trends.
Gap in the market
Recruitment firm gap personnel has opened a Sheffield office, the company’s eighth branch this year. Based at Sheffield United’s Blade Centre, gap will be managed by Claire Thickett, who has nearly ten years' recruitment experience, and has already secured business with Sheffield International Venues.
Wheel starts up again
The Grade II-listed Shepherd Wheel, once used to grind knife blades, is to be restored to working order. This follows investment from the Heritage Lottery Fund and the efforts of the Friends of the Porter Valley, where the site is preserved by Sheffield City Council and the Sheffield Industrial Museums Trust as a Scheduled Ancient Monument. Siemens VAI MT in Sheffield has also donated £500.
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Property
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Hammerson on block three
Hammerson has submitted plans to Sheffield City Council for block three of the £600m Sevenstone retail development – the phase that runs from Barkers Pool to Cross Burgess Street. The proposed block will front onto a pedestrian-only street called New Burgess Street and has three retail levels with up to three residential levels above.
Trutek moves to Rotherham
Industrial fasteners production company Trutek Fasteners, has moved from Sheffield to Rotherham as it expands, buying a 12,000 sq ft industrial unit from Langtree on the second phase of the Vector 31 business park.
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People
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Hemming steps down
Penny Hemming is retiring as regional director of the CBI at the end of this year after 14 years in the post. She will be succeeded by Andrew Palmer, currently deputy director general and a former Yorkshire Post business journalist. Currrent CBI chairman Lindsey Parnell said: “Penny has ensured that the profile of the CBI has never been higher where it matters.” Palmer said he was keen to make the region’s business voice heard, in particular on “tax competitiveness, climate change and skills”.
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And finally...
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Get down to the Wig&Pen
The newly refurbished Wig&Pen in Paradise Square, Sheffield, is launching a monthly Business Leaders Networking Lunch. The lunches will take place on the first Wednesday of every month for invited guests.
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