Retail & Service
Business Matters Sheffield City Region - Retail Hub of the North Issue 14 December 2016
In this issue: Further details about IKEA Sheffield Working to achieve Destination Sheffield Growth Hub - Growing your business
Welcome to our fourteenth issue of
Darren Pearce, Meadowhall Centre Director has recently been appointed as President of Sheffield Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
Ann Cadman OBE Vice Chair of the Sheffield City Region Retail Forum and Managing Director of The Source Skills Academy
The December/January issue always provides a time to reflect on the previous 12 months and allows us to look forward to what we hope will be a prosperous new year. December also brings my time at The Source to close as I retire from my position as Managing Director and this has provided me with the opportunity to reflect on what has been a fabulous 13 years. I can easily say I have wholeheartedly enjoyed myself at The Source. It has been a great privilege and an honour to work with such great people and to see so many people progress into wonderful careers. The future is looking rosy and we have built a sustainable business which will go on for many years thanks to the support of Sheffield City Council and British Land, who had the vision and determination to establish a unique training and development centre – something I feel very lucky to have been a part of. We are on the path to achieving a grade 1 at OFSTED and more businesses are engaging with us to help them train to grow. Since opening its doors, The Source has received over a million visits by people accessing training and facilities to improve their employability skills, life skills, confidence, self-esteem and health and wellbeing. Our community initiatives continue and the successes can be seen from our recent Bright Lights project which has had a great number of positive outcomes. Working across the whole region, we have seen
times of significant change which have brought great possibilities for growth and prosperity. Although I will no longer be at the forefront of developments, I will continue to keep a keen eye on the region and the exciting regeneration and growth opportunities taking place. With the continued development of Sheffield’s retail quarter to the opening of the new IKEA, to further developments at Waverley and more investment into Rotherham town centre – we have lots to look forward to which will increase job prospects, inward investment and impact positively on our regional visitor economy. Something I am excited to follow is our Destination Sheffield campaign. Customer Service is a subject which is close to my heart and something I have spoke at length about for a number of years! Our WorldHost training has improved the customer service skills of hundreds of frontline staff over the past 5 years, and this has led The Source to spearhead a campaign to get Sheffield recognised as a WorldHost Destination. The Destination Status campaign and other regional updates will be explained in greater
detail in this issue, and as ever, I do hope you enjoy reading and continue to support the Retail & Service Matters initiative as part of the visitor economy. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Sheffield City Region LEP Retail Steering Group of which I have enjoyed my time as vice chair. I would also like to extend my personal thanks to British Land, Sheffield City Council and our partners at Rotherham Council, our local Chambers and of course the businesses and young people I have worked with over the years. Finally, an enormous thank you to my past and present staff – your expertise has led The Source to where it is today and behind every great success is a great team of people. All that is left for me to say is – Merry Christmas to you and your family and I wish you a successful and prosperous year. The Sheffield City Region Retail Forum will appoint a new chair and vice chair during December. Ann will continue to offer her expertise in the region as a consultant.
Darren takes on his additional role at a time of great change across the regional, national and international fields.
evidenced by the increase in investment visible in the city. And non-more so than the retail arena.
It has been a year of both conversion and progression for Sheffield and the greater City Region. Moving forward the leadership and governance of the region is set to experience significant change over the next few years, with the establishment of the Combined Authority, potential of a city regional Mayor, and devolution of funding. On the national level the result of the EU referendum has caused inevitable ripples and uncertainty; and internationally we have witnessed one of the most controversial US presidential elections in history.
Meadowhall, where Darren has worked for the past 22 years, has recently submitted a detailed planning application to Sheffield City Council for a £300 million Meadowhall Leisure Hall. The extension is marked as the next phase of Meadowhall’s evolution and will follow a £60 million refurbishment which is underway and due to complete at the end of 2017.
But with change there also comes opportunity. And one core opportunity for us all to grasp is ongoing collaboration and partnership to ensure the region’s economic growth, explains Darren. A message that is core to many of today’s national and international themes too.
The proposal comprises a 330,000 sq ft multi-level extension to be housed under an elegant glazed roof, which will add dining and entertainment options not currently available in the Centre. These include new restaurants, a state-of-the-art cinema to replace the existing cinema, a new café court, gym and additional leisure space to offer new experiences and activities, all of which will create a unique and outstanding destination for the Sheffield City Region.
“Working in cooperation with other Chambers and being a critical friend to the combined authority and Local Enterprise Partnership as the aligned voice for business in this time of devolution is crucial” Darren comments.
“This is a major milestone for Meadowhall,” Darren comments, “and follows months of detailed consultation to ensure the proposals reflect what people want, from customers and community groups to retailers and restaurants.
There are several vibrant sectors and businesses within the Sheffield economy,
“People we have spoken to across the region are encouraged by the level of investment
being made, the quality of the design and architecture, the significant levels of new employment and training opportunities generated, and that the plans are adding something new to the Sheffield City Region.” Sheffield City Council is expected to make a decision in Spring 2017. And if granted the Leisure Hall will create 540 temporary jobs during its construction and up to 1,400 jobs once complete. Darren concludes, “I am very proud to live and work within a city region that has proven its resilience and is looking towards a bright and exciting future.”
This Issues highlights IKEA Sheffield
Destination Sheffield
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City Region Growth Hub
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Lisa Pogson named new Barnsley & Rotherham President
Brief highlights from across the region
Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber is pleased to confirm Lisa Pogson, joint Managing Director of Airmaster Air Conditioning, as their first female President since the 2007 Chamber merger. Lisa’s focus as President will be on core business and continuing to build on the work that has been ongoing, such as; engagement with Chamber members, Infrastructure and Connectivity, and collaboration across the City Region. Commenting on the new appointment Lisa said: “When I left school at 16 with a handful of average GCSEs, a love of English, an interest in property and buildings, with a willingness to work hard and help people, I was happy to start on a Youth Training Scheme, as an admin ‘dogsbody’.
"I have worked at every opportunity and have made fabulous friends and had some great support and mentors. Still, I never thought I’d become the first woman President of the joint Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber OR that along the way I would achieve a Masters Degree in Management and become Joint Managing Director of a £12 million business this year - but here I am!”
Recognition for Faye with her over the next two years, during what will be an exciting time for everyone here at the Chamber.” Airmaster joined the chamber as a member in 2011 and Lisa has since become a member of Representation Council, Audit & Finance Committee and also an active member of the Women in Business group.
Andrew Denniff, Chief Executive at Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber of Commerce said: “I am delighted that Lisa has been appointed our President and I look forward to working closely
Rotherham Council has moved one step closer to its plans to regenerate Forge Island by agreeing to buy out the remaining long leases on the units on one of the key routes into the site.
Cabinet Member for Jobs and the Local Economy Cllr Denise Lelliott said acquiring the four units would assist in the redevelopment of Forge Island and deliver wider town centre regeneration. She said: “A number of tenants in the Precinct have already moved on to other locations in the town and only a few traders remain. Acquiring this site will enable the council to push ahead
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with its plans to develop this area of the town centre. “Forge Island is a major feature in the town and its potential is already attracting a lot of interest from investors. We are confident that this development will help to revitalise the surrounding areas, not least the Precinct and beyond for the benefit of residents and visitors.” Plans for the site were considered earlier this year as part of the Town Centre Supplementary Planning Document. A number of roadshows were undertaken across the borough with residents saying they wanted a ‘thriving and welcoming town centre’ with ‘plenty to do day
The Prince's Trust Success Awards honour the achievements of young people supported by the Trust. These young people have succeeded against the odds, improved their chances in life and had a positive impact on their local community.
The Enterprise Award recognises young people who have overcome barriers and achieved success in creating a business or a community or social enterprise, something which Faye achieved through support from the Trust. In 2013 Faye had to give up work due to ill health, something which was later diagnosed as chronic Lyme Disease. This affected her mobility and her ability to carry out day-today tasks. Thanks to a care package from a friend, the idea for BearHugs was born and she
enrolled onto the Trust’s Enterprise Programme. Commenting on her win, Faye said; “I was blown away to win the Natwest Enterprise Award at the Prince’s Trust Celebrate Success Awards in Leeds. Listening to the incredible stories of all of the nominees I felt privileged to be in the same room as amazing, resilient people and those who truly care about changing the lives of young people for the better.”
Sheffield Engineering Firm develops innovative safety solution for Tesco
Town Centre Development moves another step closer
The decision to purchase the leases on properties in Riverside Precinct, which sits between Minster Gardens and Forge Island, was made at Rotherham Council’s Cabinet and Commissioner’s Decision Making meeting.
The founder of BearHugs, Faye Savory, was awarded the NatWest Enterprise Award at the Yorkshire and Humber Prince’s Trust Celebrate Success Awards.
A Sheffield engineering firm has developed a bespoke maintenance solution for Tesco which aims to make working at height safer. PCT, a sub contract engineering firm employing 70, collaborated with safety specialists HCL Safety to develop a modular access system for Tesco which enables safe access from one roof-top to another allowing maintenance and cleaning.
Engineers at PCT were challenged to design and manufacture a companionway ladder system which could be adjusted to accommodate different heights. In addition to meeting stringent safety standards, the ladder also needed to be extremely light to allow for manual handling. James Harding-Terry, managing director of PCT, said: “We thrive on a challenge at PCT and this
project allowed us to demonstrate both our design expertise and fabrication skills. “It’s important to get working at height right. Trips and falls whilst working at height account for 40 deaths and 4000 injuries each year. We’ve developed a range of working at height products over the past few months and we’ve also seen an increase in demand for bespoke projects like the one for Tesco.”
and night’. Plans for the Forge Island site include a vibrant leisure quarter comprising a mix of residential units and leisure developments, which complement the existing retail quarter.
Gifts…From Yorkshire with love Talented Yorkshire artists and makers are selling unique and individually made items at an exclusive exhibition in the newly transformed Cooper Gallery until Saturday, 24 December. Up until Christmas Eve the stunning gallery space will be filled with beautiful gift ideas ranging from jewellery, textiles, ceramics and wooden products to glassware, accessories and stunning photographs. It is perfect for those looking for a more relaxed shopping
experience away from the hustle and bustle of the crowded high street. Artists have been handpicked for the exhibition and those displaying work includes David Noble, Charlotte Whitmore, Betty Hall and Louis Philburn.
As well as the surprising amount of fine art which includes masterpieces by world class artists, its current exhibition From Yorkshire with love offers the opportunity to purchase some stunning gift ideas. The exclusive displays offer a refreshing alternative to the high street shopping experience.”
Cllr Roy Miller, Cabinet Spokesperson for Place, said: “The recently transformed Cooper Gallery is lovely place to visit to enjoy wonderful works of art in a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere.
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IKEA's £60M
investment in Sheffield Home furnishing retailer, IKEA, has shared the latest developments in the construction of its new Sheffield store, due to open summer 2017.
A new Sheffield premium brand launches this month as Coffika moves into Meadowhall introducing a new no nonsense approach to coffee drinking.
IKEA will be bringing its expertise in inspiring home furnishing solutions to the local area, as well as offering a new retail experience for residents. Renowned for its quality product offering, affordability and placing the customer at the centre of its vision, the retailer is making a £60 million investment in the local economy.
What is Coffika? The name combines ‘coffee’ with ‘fika' Fika (pronounced fee-ka) which is a Swedish custom, a kind of social coffee break where people gather to have a cup of coffee or tea and a few nibbles. A spokesperson for the brand says: “Fika is such an important part of life in Sweden that it is both a verb and a noun. This is perfect reflection of our desire to create a personable and stylish meeting place for friends.
The new Sheffield store will become the 20th IKEA store in the UK and will include a restaurant, Market Hall, Showroom, SMALAND playroom and will offer customers a complete range of convenient services including home delivery, assembly, planning and exchanges.
Creating new jobs The retailer aims to have a wholly positive impact on local residents by creating 350 local jobs when the store opens. The brand is looking to hire people who are curious about life at home and have a passion for home furnishings and customer service, with positions available in areas as diverse as sales, customer service, interior design, hospitality and logistics. IKEA firmly believes that happy co-workers are the driving force behind its success, and
as such is a principal partner in the Living Wage Foundation. In April 2016, it was the first country-wide major retailer to begin paying all of its employees the independently set Living Wage, currently £8.45 per hour. Interest in vacancies at IKEA Sheffield has therefore already been strong, with a recent job fair organised by the company attracting an impressive 2,000 visitors.
The UK’s most sustainable IKEA store to date IKEA Sheffield will be BREEAM certified, to continue IKEA’s commitment to having a positive impact on people and the planet. It will be the retailer’s most sustainable store to date, incorporating proven sustainable solutions for design, material, equipment and operations. This will include green technologies such as photovoltaic panels and rainwater harvesting and using only LED lighting in the store. The new launch will also strive to achieve zero waste.
The store will also provide inspiration and products that will enable customers to live a more sustainable life at home.
Investing in the local area and transport network IKEA is committed to investing in the local area and having a positive effect on residents, customers and co-workers. The two-story 31,500m2 site went through a thorough public consultation, in which most were in favour of the proposed application, as well as approval from Sheffield City Council. Situated next to the Meadowhall Retail Park, the new store will be well served by existing and proposed public transport networks, including the Carbrook Sheffield Supertram stop and the proposed bus rapid transit system. The company will also be investing in reducing emissions from the current bus fleet that serves the area, reducing the impact of traffic around the store and improving local roads and traffic flow. This includes an investment in Sheffield City Council’s proposed Tinsley Link Road, and these improvements will be put in place ahead of the store’s opening to ensure minimal disruption to the area. As part of IKEA’s commitment to creating a better every day for many people, it looks forward to launching the new store in Sheffield in summer 2017.
For further information on IKEA, please visit www.ikea.com.
“At the heart of the Coffika brand is the philosophy of serving good quality but affordable coffee in style, something we thought Meadowhall could benefit from – a
G N I K O O L for an
contemporary stylish café supplying locally sourced produce in an airy and friendly environment. “The goal was to present a new bold option to consumers rather than following the trends set by the established larger coffee shop brands.” Coffika boasts a no nonsense approach - One size cup – own brand – premium. All produce is supplied fresh and daily from Sheffield suppliers from popular local favourites such as Our Cow Molly, #brownies, Cocoa Wonderland and Tipple Tails.
Light, modern, stylish and warm, oozing with typical Scandinavian cool, Coffika is more than just another coffee shop. It’s coffee with friends… and a bit more! Coffika opens its doors on 1st December and is located on the Upper High Street entrance by River Island and Zara.
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SHIP E C I T N E R APP
We have apprenticeships available in: Retail, Sales, Customer Service, Warehousing, Administration, Management, Marketing For more information call 0114 263 6651 or email apprenticeships@thesourceacademy.co.uk
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The interior is designed by local boutique agency Branding by Tonik and is a fresh modern take on the everyday coffee shop. Design is purposefully kept refined and light giving the venue a very relaxed cool vibe.
The Source Skills Academy 0114 263 5600 | info@thesourceacademy.co.uk | www.thesourceacademy.co.uk
How far apprenti an c can take eship you?
SHEFFIELD
Working together to achieve Destination Status for Sheffield As part of our commitment to supporting inward investment and business needs, The Source are working together with local partners with the aim to make Sheffield a WorldHost Destination and we are committed to achieving WorldHost Destination status for the whole Sheffield City Region. We want you to be part of the campaign to get Destination Status for Sheffield. WorldHost customer service training has been used to train over 200,000 people in the UK and one million people worldwide and provides a gold standard for any business that relies on a day-to-day interaction with customers.
Our aim is to achieve destination status for Sheffield by Summer 2017 in readiness for the Special Olympic Games which will bring thousands of athletes, spectators and support staff to Sheffield and the wider region.
The campaign will see thousands of workers, from taxi drivers and waitresses to shop assistants and city centre Ambassadors, equipped to deliver a world-class standard in customer care by the time Sheffield stages the 2017 Special Olympics next August. Dale Robinson, Head of Sales, Marketing and PR at The Source and the Chair of the Sheffield
WorldHost steering group explains, “There are 2,600 athletes, 800 coaches and 5,000 spectators flooding into the city during the four-day national sporting event for children and adults with intellectual disabilities and we want to make sure as a city, and region, we are ready to deliver excellent service. “To achieve that golden objective we need businesses in Sheffield to get behind us and support the campaign.”
The gold standard for customer service What is WorldHost? Worldhost is a training programme from Canada that was adapted by People 1st for the UK market and The Source has been an accredited trainer since 2011 and it was used to train the London 2012 Olympic Games Makers. The 2012 games-makers were renowned for their welcome and customer service that went above and beyond - and helped the UK rank in the global top 10 for visitor welcome for the first time ever. “WorldHost programmes encourage staff to go that extra mile, create stand-out experiences for their customers and deliver the Wow Factor,” said Joanne Lodge, one of four WorldHostaccredited tutors at The Source Skills Academy at Meadowhall. “They provide a gold standard in training that can be tailored to any business. Trainers are quality-assured and are regularly tested to ensure continuing excellence of delivery.”
the importance of excellent customer service, help staff to communicate more effectively and efficiently with customers and to demonstrate attentiveness to customer needs. Steve Salisbury, Facilities Manager of Incentive Facilities Management Ltd, who manage the facilities at Crystal Peaks who have this year gained WorldHost recognition said; “I have been involved in customer service roles for 20 years and had heard that WorldHost was being billed as a totally new concept. I was keen to see what all the fuss was about. “It swiftly became apparent that WorldHost’s philosophy was not about up-selling, which so many customer care schemes focus on, but on listening to the customer and treating them as individuals with very individual needs.”
The courses aim to provide an understanding of
Recognition for your business
Training
By backing the campaign and training more than 50% of frontline staff, businesses can gain their own WorldHost recognised business status.
WorldHost programmes are modern, interactive and energetic and will really help your people to learn and remember the basic principles of great customer service.
When you become WorldHost recognised, you’ll get an office certificate and sticker to show off your business and a badge you can use on your website and social media.
There are six courses available: • Principles of Customer Service • Customers with Disabilities • Sales Powered By Service • Ambassador Workshop • Service Across Cultures • Frontline Management Solutions
The main benefit to gaining WorldHost recognition is that by displaying the logo, your customers will know you have invested in giving a great experience and that your staff will be attentive to their needs and deliver excellent customer service.
These courses are designed to bring benefits to your business and could help to – increase revenue and sales, create confident and empowered employees and improve customer service ratings.
If you’d like to get your business WorldHost recognised and support our Destination Sheffield campaign contact us today on 0114 263 5600 or email enquiries@thesourceacademy.co.uk.
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Dransfield chosen for new Retail Development Dransfield Properties, the Barnsley-based company specialising in retail led regeneration schemes, has been appointed as a development partner at the Waverley development in Rotherham.
Are you running a business in the region and want to access the best possible support to enable your business to develop and grow? The Growth Hub provides business support and advice to any businesses across the local area and will be the single point of contact for businesses in the Sheffield City Region.
Sheffield City Region European Structural Funds of approximately £90m, all to support our region and our local businesses to grow and develop.
The Growth Hub officially launched in April 2016 and acts as a central contact point for businesses to access specialist support in a number of key areas including accessing financial support, grants for training and skills development, starting up a business, also helping businesses with exporting and to become more innovative and competitive.
Head of the Sheffield City Region Growth Hub, David Grimes, said: “We can help ambitious business people where they are interested in growing their business; whether it’s by helping access funding, upskilling staff or providing advice and mentoring, the Growth Hub is the place to go for business support.”
It covers the nine local areas of Sheffield, Doncaster, Rotherham, Barnsley, Chesterfield, North East Derbyshire, Bolsover, Derbyshire Dales and Bassetlaw. As well as numerous partners delivering support, the Growth Hub has its own expert team of eight advisors who have a combined 200 years of senior business experience covering a variety of industries and sectors. The Sheffield City Region Growth Hub is one of 38 growth hubs across the whole of UK. The Growth Hub offers a £22m Business Investment Fund, a Skills Bank Fund of more than £17m, and access to the allocated
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Since its launch, the Growth Hub has helped hundreds of businesses, including an environmental agency, which has been given specialist advice and support in developing a marketing and customer engagement strategy by one of the Growth Hub’s own advisors. It has also recently helped a Chesterfield-based IT company move into its new premises by providing grant support through the Business Investment Fund. The company is now expecting to create 12 new jobs in the next two years. The Growth Hub has also supported a video production company in Barnsley grow and expand and be able to take on new members
of staff who were previously working as freelancers. The company has since been chosen as a supplier for three TV advertising organisations, has started making adverts for channel 4 and has seen other work being shown at cinemas around the country. David Grimes said: “We’ve already seen some great success stories in the short space of time we’ve been operating, and things are really starting to come together now for the Growth Hub. The great thing about the Growth Hub is that with the numerous partners that we have on board we can help any business in the region. “We’re really excited about the future and seeing all our hard work come to fruition. Everyone is working together and we’re seeing results at companies around the region on the back of this.” The Growth Hub can be contacted via telephone or email. For more information about the Sheffield City Region Growth Hub, go to www.scrgrowthhub.co.uk or email growthhub@sheffieldcityregion.org.uk or phone 03330 00 00 39
Yorkshire's largest ever brownfield mixed-use development at Waverley is being brought forward by landowner and developer, Harworth Group plc. Approved in 2010 as the largest, most complex, planning application ever considered by Rotherham Council, outline approval was granted for a new 3,890 home community across 741 acres.
and commercial development which is set to create a high quality local centre.
Harron Homes, Taylor Wimpey and Barratt have built 500 homes between 2012 and 2016, whilst one million sq ft has already been built at the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) for occupiers such as Rolls-Royce and Boeing.
A consultation event held on the Waverley site showed the inspiration for the new local centre followed that of the Fox Valley scheme which had been "carefully designed to reflect the area's rich industrial heritage as well as answering the need for a new retail and commercial heart."
Plans are now progressing for "Waverley Walk", the piece of the jigsaw between the residential
Dransfield works in partnership with local stakeholders and its latest scheme, the impressive £50m Fox Valley, has transformed a steel stockholding yard into a vibrant mixed use town centre development at Stocksbridge.
As house building progresses at pace, the proposed local centre has been relocated to sit between the AMP and residential areas - land previously known as Highfield Commercial where the AMRC Training Centre is located and where a Marston's opened a new build pub in 2014. Proposed plans include a 26,000 sq ft hotel with 65 rooms and a restaurant, a 14,500 sq ft supermarket unit, 20 further units for retail and other uses such as gym and leisure and restaurants, a bus interchange, medical centre and over 400 car parking spaces.
A Busy First Year for Sheffield Bid It’s just over a year since the Sheffield Business Improvement District, or BID, started on its journey to deliver five major programmes of work voted for by the city centre’s businesses. Manager Diane Jarvis said: “We have led the way on our own campaigns and also been supporting partners in many valuable projects which we felt would be good for Sheffield city centre as a whole and, most importantly, the businesses we represent.” The programmes fall under five key themes:
1. Busier Unique art works that reveal hidden words when it rains and a new drive to boost the early evening economy are just some of the work that has taken place. The BID was a supporting partner for the Herd of Sheffield, a fundraiser for the Children’s Hospital Charity as well as a special way to bring more footfall into the centre, with an estimated 180,000 people taking part.
2. Cleaner
4. Easier
Anti-graffiti campaigns, a spring clean for businesses and access to a Clean Team for levy payers all help businesses fight the scourge of tagging in the city centre and a provide cleaner environment generally. The BID also supported the amazing Feature Walls street art project this autumn which turned the city into an open air art gallery for the benefit of thousands.
A city that is easy to access, easy for everyone to find their way around and has the facilities people need - the recently launched community toilet scheme is just one of the programmes planned to support this work, encouraging businesses to allow free access to their toilet facilities, with maps and signposting for visitors.
3. Safer
The BID is a voice for 2,000 businesses which together can deliver change for the benefit of Sheffield city centre in the years ahead.
The BID’s Police Sergeant Matthew Burdett has worked closely with city centre businesses and organisations to build strong links and provide advice and support when they need it. Sergeant Burdett works closely with partner agencies to provide rough sleepers with the help and support they need and the BID is also a key partner in the new 'Help us Help' campaign to support those who are begging on the city centre streets.
5. Together
Find out more about all the projects at
www.sheffieldbid.com
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Gala Tent re-ignites Electric Avenue Rotherham-based Gala Tent Ltd has helped breathe new life into Electric Avenue, one of London's most famous market streets. Gala Tent were appointed by Lambeth Council after winning a competitive tender to provide temporary market structures which forms part of a million pound makeover of the worldfamous Electric Avenue arcade, funded through the Mayor of London's High Street Fund, Heritage Lottery Fund and Lambeth Council.
Gala Tent has developed a range of bespoke marquee and gazebos aimed specifically at market owners, which have been used to support a range of weekly events taking place across the UK through its partnerships with a number of local authorities and outdoor market organisers.
The temporary structures will be used to replace older outdated market stalls and will complement the extensive overhaul of Electric Avenue which has seen the installation of new LED lighting, the creation of new hard landscaping and new power units for market traders.
Jason Mace, managing director of Gala Tent, said: "It is an honour for us to see our marquees and gazebos as the focal point to one of the most famous markets held in the UK. Electric Avenue is a world famous street, with an equally iconic market. We worked closely with Lambeth Council throughout the summer and they will be able to benefit from our tough,
durable and flexible range of products which have been specifically developed with market owners and traders in mind. "Street traders will benefit from a brand new marketplace and it's plain to see the work undertaken will help to play a vital role in regenerating the locality. It has been a real pleasure to support this exciting regeneration project and it's been an interesting, enjoyable project that we're proud to have contributed towards."
Baby Boutique really Blossoms Young business woman, Katie Cheetham 19, is celebrating the birthday of her Baby Blossom Boutique by moving to larger premises. Katie launched her store in October 2016 as part of Rotherham’s Pop-up Shop initiative. Through Rotherham Youth Enterprise (RYE) and a grant from UK Steel Enterprise Baby Blossom Boutique was able to move from an online business into the High Street’s Imperial Buildings. 12 months on, Katie is looking to expand her stock and has moved to a larger unit but staying loyal Rotherham town centre. The new shop at the Old Town Hall opened its doors on Saturday, 12th November.
Katie says, “We have had a fantastic first year in the beautiful Imperial Buildings thanks to such loyal support from my lovely customers! The move to the Old Town Hall means Baby Blossom is more accessible for my customers travelling by bus or car”. The larger unit allows Katie to expand her Baby Blossom range as she has seen the demand for older clothing ranges. “I have been asked time and time again to stock older clothes for my customers who have older children as well,” said Katie,
“The increased space means I am now able to stock clothing up to 8 years which has doubled my previous range and my customers are now able to shop here for longer. I have really got to know a number of my customers and their little ones so it is lovely that they can keep shopping with me as they grow.” Katie will continue to stock a range of clothing for newborn to toddler as well as Jelly Cat soft toys but hopes to stock more giftwear, books and Spanish baby clothing.
Over 60 young people who have struggled to find work are celebrating after completing a new pre-employment training programme, Bright Lights. The Bright Lights programme was funded by British Land, and was rolled out across six of its shopping centres, in partnership with The Source Skills Academy. Groups of 16 to 24-year-olds from across the UK completed a five-week programme that combined classroom learning with work placements at retailers, including Tesco, House of Fraser, HMV, B&Q, ASDA and Boots, with the aim of providing unemployed young people with the skills they need to build a career in customer service. Trainees were awarded a BTEC Level 1 in Retail Knowledge, a WorldHost Principles of Customer Service qualification and Level 1 CIEH Award in Health and Safety and celebration events took part across the six centres at Meadowhall, St Stephens in Hull, New Mersey, Teesside, Serpentine Green and Beaumont in Leicester. Commenting on her experience, Maraam Awadh said, “I was nervous about going into placement but everyone at Phase-Eight has been lovely, really supportive. Thank you to Julia and the team, I have done a lot of training with them and with The Source and have a much better understanding of how it all works now. I would love to work for Phase-Eight!”
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Tom Robinson who has secured a position through the training said, “HMV was my ideal choice for placement and I have really enjoyed being there. I have been on the till and dealt with a lot of customers. The placement and the training have all been massively positive and I am looking forward to working there over Christmas. Thanks to Andy and Pete at HMV and everyone else involved.” The event was attended by centre staff, retailers, friends and family and representatives from British Land as well as local councillors and MPs. Meadowhall centre director Darren Pearce said, “We’re extremely proud of our Bright Lights’ trainees, they’ve shown great dedication during their work placements. "There is a lot of young talent in Sheffield and we, together with our retailers and restaurants, are so happy to have been involved in the programme and offer some of our trainees jobs as we head into the busy Christmas period."
have been offered permanent or temporary roles at the centre with over 30 of the young people now in work. Dianne Wainwright, head of operations at The Source Skills Academy, said: "Our partnership with the centres through the Bright Lights pre-employment training programme has meant that young, unemployed people across the six sites have had the chance to receive qualifications and hands-on work experience so that they're able to start building a career in modern retail and hospitality. "Our Bright Lights trainees worked really hard and we felt proud to see them be formally recognised for their achievements.” The Bright Lights pre-employment training programme has been funded further and will double in size next year. Email brightlights@thesourceacademy.co.uk for more information about the programme and how to apply.
Many of the retailers and restaurants were so impressed with the trainees' potential; many
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In this issue we wanted to highlight some events taking place across The Sheffield City Region this December. Victorian Christmas Market
Etsy Made Local - Sheffield Market
Enjoy festive family entertainment and a warm Dickensian welcome to the 24th Victorian Christmas Market. With over 120 market stalls including Festive Food, Christmas Shop, All That Glitters Gifts and Sheffield Made goods you'll find everything from those perfect stocking fillers to that unique surprise gift.
Come along to the Etsy Made Local this Christmas at Sheffield Town Hall! Hosted by the Sheffield Sellers on Etsy team, the market will have over 50 high quality stalls from local makers and artists where you'll be able to start (and finish!) your Christmas shopping in one wonderful weekend.
Times: Saturday 10am - 7pm & Sunday 10am - 5pm Cost: Adults - £6 Children - FREE
Times: 10-4pm Cost: FREE For more information visit: www.facebook.com/EtsySheffield
Date: Saturday 3 December & Sunday 4 December 2016 Location: Kelham Island Museum
Our new Marketing Assistant, Olivia Chapman has set herself a shopping challenge this year. Here’s what she’s got to say: Everyone loves Christmas but like me some people aren’t a fan of Christmas shopping! During the festive period, shoppers pour into high street stores creating a buzzing, yet pressured atmosphere into finding that perfect gift, only to get home and remember that you have forgotten to get Uncle Jim’s special socks and then the shopping expedition starts all over again. I love giving gifts and the joy of trying to find the right present for that certain person, whether a parent, sibling, child or friend, but Christmas can somehow feel different. Every Christmas I have a shopping list of gifts that I know people would love, want or need but then would buy out of desperation for those who give you no hint of a gift idea. This made me realise that I was buying out of convenience and losing the thought and enjoyment of those gifts altogether. So this year I decided to make a change - my Christmas presents would now have character, worth, a story behind them and also I would save myself some pennies for more mulled wine!
shop with the notion of it being meaningful, creating stories and taking time to stop and think. During my shopping experience I realised how much space I had to move in the shop, which made my mind at ease when rummaging around the shelves and rails. There were moments I got lost in the experience and enjoyed the uncertainty of what I was going to find next. I purchased my Christmas cards, wrapping paper, decorations and sweet treats from a larger Oxfam shop. The thought of donating to charity, not having to queue and sticking to my charity shop gift rule I came away feeling extremely pleased and Christmassy!
My solution was to encourage everyone to buy at least one Christmas present from a charity
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1) Store - RSPCA Total Spend - £2.50 Retail Price - £14.99 Item - ‘101Romantic Weekends in Europe Book’ We all know that active couple who love to travel! This gift is perfect as it’s thoughtful, creative and Inspiring. Handy Tip - If the book is marked, wipe it down with window and glass wipes, and write a note inside making it personal.
2) Store - Barnardo’s
If your family turn their nose up at the charity shop idea, you can always make it a fun experience by suggesting everyone purchase a ‘Peculiar’ item and putting a comical spin on the concept, who wouldn’t find it funny seeing dad eating Christmas pudding in a pink wig?
Total Spend - £6 Retail Price - Around £20
Remember, Christmas is all about giving, and this idea not only gives once, but twice!
Handy Tip - Make sure all of beauty items purchased are sealed and in date.
What’s my challenge? Charity shops of course! Every family’s Christmas gift giving is different, some will organise a Secret Santa, while others all contribute towards an outing and others skip presents altogether – I had a different suggestion.
What did I buy?
Even the Royals are at it...A gift for Prince George? Kate picks up a Fireman Sam book as she browses a Charity shop which supports families and cares for children and young people with life-threatening conditions across Norfolk and Suffolk...
Item – DIY Beauty Hamper A selection of beauty products all wrapped together, perfect for mum.
3) Store - British Heart Foundation Total Spend - £1 Retail Price - £6.99 Item - Wooden Train Perfect for a child under the age of 7. Handy Tip - Disinfect any children’s toy you buy and wrap with a big red bow to add that Christmas smile to their face.
Date: 3-4 December Location: Sheffield Town Hall
Enchanted Christmas Garden Date: Friday 16 December - Friday 23 December Location: Brodsworth Hall & Gardens
A magical experience awaits at Brodsworth Hall this Christmas when their gardens are transformed into a winter wonderland. As the night draws in colourful displays, twinkly lights, atmospheric music and the smell of warming seasonal food will fill the grounds of Brodsworth for their biggest event of the year. Wrap up warm, pack your camera and enjoy an enchanting Christmas experience for all the family. Booking highly recommended. Times: 4:30pm - 8:30pm Cost: Varies
Festive Ice Skating
Date: 19th November to 2nd January Location: Wentworth Garden Centre Back for Winter 2016 our very own synthetic ice skating experience! Our 12m x 22m super-glide rink offers a near identical alternative to real ice for beginners and professionals alike.Full skate hire and ‘penguin’ skate aids are included ensuring a superb skate experience the whole family can enjoy! Times: 11am to 5pm Cost: Under 3′s £2.00 / Children £4.50 / Adults £6.00
Santa’s Elves Workshop
Date: Saturday and Sundays throughout December Location: Cannon Hall Farm A toy-making elf adventure in Santa’s workshop! Follow the mischievous elves as they sneak the boys and girls into Santa’s Workshop. Find out if you’d made the naughty list or the nice list and choose which teddy bear you’d like to make to take home and keep. Times: From 10am Cost: £15.95
Christmas at Chatsworth
Date: Thursdays and Fridays from 24 November until 16 December Location: Chatsworth House Step into an enchanting winter wonderland this festive season. We are delighted to present the time-honoured classic, ‘The Nutcracker’. Join Clara's adventures as she is swept away by her Nutcracker Prince... Times: 11am - 7pm Cost: Varies
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SHEFFIELD