News
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DONCASTER CHAMBER RESPONDS TO SOUTH YORKSHIRE MAYOR’S AIRPORT UPDATE
Doncaster Chamber responds to the latest update from South Yorkshire’s Mayor, Oliver Coppard, on the future of Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA), shared during the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) Board AGM. SYMCA has confirmed that further progress has been made on the Doncaster Sheffield Airport investment proposal. This includes significant assurance work undertaken since February, focusing on traffic forecasts, financial modelling, and the development of a masterplan for the wider
Young people across Doncaster hold local event as part of National Theatre Speak Up Festival in collaboration with Cast
Speak Up Celebration- Weds 2nd July 2025 Nationwide events to culminate in Speak Up: Arts Everywhere Symposium at the National Theatre to spotlight voices and ideas of young people across the country. Young people across Doncaster are hosting an event at Cast to celebrate their involvement in the National Theatre’s Speak Up programme in collaboration with Cast.Students from five secondary schools acrossDoncaster have been taking part in the Speak Up programme over the past three years. Speak Up is a
Doncaster Agency Win Globally Recognised Award!
MultiWebMarketing™ Wins Prestigious Global NYX Award MultiWebMarketing™, a leading, Doncaster based digital marketing agency, has been honoured with a coveted NYX Award, recognised globally as one of the most prestigious awards for design and website user experience (UX). Known for recognising the world’s best in design, the NYX Awards have previously acknowledged industry giants such as Aston Martin, Walt Disney, Adidas, Nike, Google, Mercedes Benz and many more. This year, MultiWebMarketing™ earned
Sponsors Announced - Doncaster Music Hub Big Sings 2024
Our much-anticipated Big Sing events are back this year, and they are bigger and better than ever. The events are part of a yearlong programme of musical activity funded by Arts Council England. Thanks to generous sponsorship this year from Savoy Cinemas, Ison Harrison Solicitors and Print & Promotion, every child performing will receive their own special T-shirt to wear at the event and keep forever. A spokesperson for Ison Harrison Solicitors said: “With Yorkshire roots and Yorkshire values, we
Ascendant Solutions Wins King's Award for Enterprise
We would like to congratulate local technology company (and Doncaster Chamber member) Ascendant Solutions for being among the first to ever receive a King’s Award for Enterprise. Ascendant Solutions is one of 148 firms across the UK to have been recognised here, out of whom only 47 were given the accolade for innovation. An unsung hero of the pandemic, they played a critical role in the delivery of Covid-19 grants that helped small businesses survive that turbulent period. When the UK Government
South Yorkshire Chambers of Commerce Respond to Budget Announcement
Giving their reaction to the March 2023 Budget statement, the CEOs of South Yorkshire Chambers of Commerce said in a joint statement: There’s a lot to digest from the latest Budget statement, and it will take time to fully absorb the detail. Many South Yorkshire businesses will welcome the major steps taken to expand access to childcare, and more broadly the measures aimed at supporting people back into the labour market. The share of our businesses experiencing recruitment difficulties has been stuck at
Five Local Businesses Pledge To Support the Armed Forces Covenant at the South Yorkshire Military and Business Exhibition
South Yorkshire’s first-ever Military and Business Exhibition took place Tuesday — jointly organised by the Doncaster Chamber of Commerce and the Reserve Forces and Cadets Association for Yorkshire and Humber — which saw over 20 local businesses exhibit and upwards of 100 attendees. The event was in aid of promoting the fantastic potential employees in the form of service leavers, veterans, reservists and their families and our Cadet Forces to local businesses and how they can support them in their
LSIP Stakeholder Briefing (31/01/2023)
Since our last briefing in November, we are pleased to announce that we have made significant headway with the LSIP and that insight gathering for the project is about to commence. As a quick recap on the progress mad thus far, the three South Yorkshire Chambers of Commerce (those being the ones for Sheffield, Doncaster and Barnsley & Rotherham) are leading the development of a new Local Skills Improvement Plan, following a successful trailblazer in 2022. With the ultimate goal of closing the
LSIP Stakeholder Briefing (25/11/2022)
As you know, The Department for Education has announced funding for a total of 38 Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPS) across the UK. Doncaster Chamber is leading the development for one of these plans in South Yorkshire, following on from our successful delivery of a trailblazer earlier this year. The region’s three Chambers of Commerce (those being the ones for Sheffield, Doncaster and Barnsley & Rotherham) will be collaborating together on this project, with Doncaster designated as the lead
Doncaster Chamber Achieves Landmark, Welcoming Three New Patrons At Once
Doncaster Chamber is delighted to welcome three new patrons to its network, in the form of Eland Cables, LNER and ORB Recruitment. For context, Chamber membership is tiered into bronze, silver and gold levels. Depending on which of these packages a business chooses, they will be entitled to different benefits. Among other things, they will get complimentary tickets to events, one2one business support, access to HR and legal services, and various networking opportunities. Patronage is a way for members
Doncaster Chamber Urges Prime Minister to Reassure Business Communities By Prioritising the Economy
Now that Rishi Sunak has assumed office as Prime Minister and appointed his cabinet, Doncaster Chamber is urging the new leader to reassure business communities that the economy (rather than party politics) is his top priority. With 864 firms currently in membership, the Chamber represents a wide range of businesses of various different sizes and from across multiple sectors. This ever-growing network includes everything from fledgling start-ups, to local SMEs, charitable organisations and major companies
Northern Chambers of Commerce Write To Prime Minister, Calling For Intervention in DSA Negotiations
An open letter —penned by all of the accredited Chambers of Commerce for the North of England and the Sheffield Property Association — has been sent to the Prime Minister, asking for their urgent intervention in the ongoing Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA) negotiations. Sent to the Prime Minister on October 14th, the letter was signed by sixteen Chambers, as well as the Sheffield Property Association. Together, these organisations represent a total of 17,000 member businesses (which collectively
Doncaster Chamber Urges Peel To Seriously Consider Offers To Buy Doncaster Sheffield Airport
Now that multiple investors have come forward to express an interest in purchasing Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA), the local Chamber of Commerce is urging Peel to return to the negotiating table. 17 days ago, Peel announced its intention to close the airport and, since then, regional partners have continued to work around the clock to find a way of saving this important economic asset. In addition to making a substantive offer of support — one that would see the public sector effectively covering
Construction Supply Chain Expo to Take Place in Doncaster Next Week
A pioneering event will soon be taking place at the Eco-Power Stadium in Doncaster, giving a visible platform to those in the construction industry and helping local traders to gain a foothold in that market, by connecting them up with prospective buyers. Organised in partnership between Doncaster Chamber and Business Doncaster, the “Building Your Network” expo will be held on Tuesday 18th October. The first of its kind in the borough, this supply chain event will feature representation from a wide
Volunteer As A School Governor
As a Chamber, we always encourage our members to get actively involved with the local community and to collaborate with partners, in a way that is mutually beneficial for all. Volunteering to be a School Governor is an incredibly fulfilling way to do this, as it allows you to share your unique insights with, and impart your business expertise to, those who are teaching the next generation of young people. Being a governor is an intensely rewarding experience, as you will get to shape the education
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Government Must Do More To Strengthen Confidence As Business Activity Cools in Q3
On the publication of the South Yorkshire People Survey, powered by the Quarterly Economic Survey for Q3 2022, the CEOs of Barnsley & Rotherham, Doncaster and Sheffield Chambers of Commerce said in a joint statement: “This has been a challenging quarter for the region’s economy and our survey reflects that. The unwelcome news that the owners of Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA) plan to close the facility was unsettling for businesses across South Yorkshire and devastating for those who work there. We
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South Yorkshire Chambers Ask The Government to Clarify Its Position on Saving DSA
The three South Yorkshire Chambers of Commerce have written to the Secretary of State for Transport, asking for clarity on what the UK government is doing to prevent the imminent closure of Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA). Today, the respective Chief Executives for Doncaster Chamber, Sheffield Chamber and Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber have jointly sent a letter to Anne-Marie Trevelyan MP. In this letter, they note that it has been several weeks since Liz Truss’ first Prime Minister’s Questions session,
Entrepreneurial Business Sprint Programme to Take Place in South Yorkshire This November
Transform SY, the people accelerator developing excellent entrepreneurs in South Yorkshire, is set to deliver a 2-day business sprint in Doncaster next month. After supporting 18 businesses to launch new products and services since the start of this year, the Transform SY team is opening applications for a 2-day business sprint, called BizJam. Driven by demand from founders in the region, for a programme based on the accelerator’s ethos, the event packs the main points of an accelerator packed into a
Amidst Airport Uncertainty, Local Chamber Calls on Government To Choose Doncaster for Great British Rail HQ
Six locations are currently vying to be named headquarters of Great British Railways (GBR) and, as the decision about this looms, Doncaster Chamber is urging the government to choose South Yorkshire. Earlier this year, a competitive bidding process was opened to towns and cities across the UK, with a goal of deciding where GBR ought to be based once it is up-and-running. A total of 42 applications were put forward here, but the shortlist has since been whittled down to just six viable candidates. These
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Update on Doncaster Sheffield Airport Negotiations
As a mark of respect, following the sad passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, we have decided to scale back on our communications for the duration of the National Mourning Period. As such, we do not have the usual DSA update this week. However, rest assured that work is still continuing behind the scenes. One of the latest developments is that the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) and Doncaster Council are now in negotiations with a credible consortium interested in buying the
A Weekly Update on the Work of the DSA Business Advisory Group 02/09/22
The business community is keenly interested in the rapidly developing situation at Doncaster Sheffield Airport. As Co-chairs of the DSA Business Advisory Group (an informal and time-limited group of business organisations and people designed to support our public sector partners in their deliberation and negotiations with Peel), we are committed to providing weekly updates so that the community can be kept abreast of what is happening.The Business Advisory Group met for the fifth time on 2nd September
Don’t Let the Soaring Temperatures Mean Soaring Energy Usage for Your Business
This summer we’ve faced scorching temperatures across the UK and Europe.The recent heatwave has had a real impact on businesses who have seen energy usage increase with the need for additional air conditioning and cooling equipment to keep staff, customers, and products fresh.After all, who’s going to want to come into a stifling shop or a boiling office? And that’s before you start to consider the challenges of keeping your chilled products chilled and your frozen products frozen.So, no matter what the
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Finalists Announced for this Year’s Doncaster Business Awards
The shortlist for this year’s Doncaster Business Awards has just been announced, with an assortment of impressive nominees spanning a total of 13 different categories. Taking place on Thursday, December 1, this will be the annual ceremony’s 24th iteration and will take place at the usual venue of Doncaster Racecourse. The black-tie event always proves to be a highlight in the local business calendar, as it celebrates standout achievements from charities, SMEs and larger companies across the
Sustained business growth sees Brand Agency District Four Design secure their first commercial office in Doncaster
As the dust settles from the celebrations of hitting District Four Design’s first year in business, Managing Director Kyle Donnachie, began to share the news of the business’ new premise at the Doncaster Business Innovation Centre in Doncaster. District Four Design officially opened for business on the 1st June 2021 to close a gap in the market for businesses who had to go to multiple vendors for creative services, causing a lack of cohesion and an inevitable headache for the client. District Four
Doncaster Primary School Children Experience Nature Up Close and Discover Career Opportunities
Children at a local primary school had a chance to take their learning outside of the classroom last week, getting up close and personal with nature, thanks to a pair of events organised by Doncaster Chamber. The year 6 pupils, who attend Town Field Primary School, embarked on a special trip to Potteric Carr nature reserve, while some of their classmates had a concurrent visit from the Reptile Rendezvous & Furry Friends animal encounters team. The former group were able to enjoy various outdoor
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Chamber Responds to News That Doncaster Sheffield Airport’s Future Is in Doubt
Responding to the review announced by airport owner Peel Group, the CEOs of Barnsley & Rotherham, Doncaster and Sheffield Chambers of Commerce said in a joint statement: Since opening, Doncaster Sheffield Airport has made a significant contribution to South Yorkshire. The airport has created jobs, improved global connectivity and done much to attract further investment into the region. The owner, Peel, has made a significant contribution to that success. With the challenges facing the aviation
iPort Rail and Woodland Group Join Doncaster Chamber
Two heavyweights in the freighting industry have joined as new members of Doncaster Chamber. Woodland Group Doncaster and iPort Rail have each signed up for Gold-tier memberships, entitling them to the highest level benefits that are available to those in the Chamber network. This decision to join has solidified both companies’ commitment to the development of local business growth and opportunities for the Doncaster community. The two powerhouse firms are leading, internationally-acclaimed players
Edlington Victoria Academy Opens New Forest School
Pupils at Edlington Victoria Academy will soon be enjoying a new outdoor space for learning, with the education provider having just opened its first ever Forest School. Mayor of Edlington Town Council, Cllr Steve Reardon ,joined representatives from Doncaster Chamber and Doncaster Council to engage with academy staff and pupils at the launch of this Forest School. Following a successful application last year, the academy was awarded £54,000 from LNER to create the space that will offer a unique
Doncaster Chamber Respond To City Being Shortlisted in Great British Railways HQ Competition
Doncaster has been shortlisted as one of 6 possible contenders for being named the new HQ of Great British Railways (GBR). For context, this public entity will oversee rail transport across the country (from 2023 onwards), bringing an end to the industry’s current state of fragmentation. Among other things, it will be within the remit of GBR to set fares, coordinate timetables, contract passenger services and collect revenue. As part its ongoing commitment to levelling-up the rest of the nation,
Chamber President Selects the Local Charities That Will Benefit From This Year’s Doncaster Business
Two local charities will each receive a share of the proceeds from this year’s Doncaster Business Awards in December. The money will be raised through generous donations on behalf of the event’s attendees, as well as via a high-value auction that will be taking place during the black-tie evening itself. The People Focussed Group (PFG) and the local branch of RSPCA have been identified by Doncaster Chamber’s President, Andy Morley, as worthy causes. It is an annual tradition for the current president
Nominations for Doncaster Business Awards to Open at Launch Party Next Week
The 24th annual Doncaster Business Awards are taking place once again in December, with nominations formally opening this month. Organised by Doncaster Chamber, this black-tie event always proves to be one of the biggest dates in the local business community calendar. 900 people attend each and every year, to celebrate the impressive achievements of firms situated across the city, including larger companies, SMEs and third sector organisations. While the ceremony itself is not happening until
An egg-cellent gesture
Doncaster-based marketing business donates Easter eggs to charitable cause A hundred children and young adults with Cerebral Palsy and other motor disorders wore an extra big smile this Easter thanks to the generosity of a local business. Colleagues at MultiWebMarketing – based near Doncaster – bought and donated 100 tasty chocolate eggs to Paces specialist centre in Sheffield in a bid to make a difference over the spring holiday season. The creative marketing agency ran an online competition
Clean Power Hydrogen admitted to AIM
Clean Power Hydrogen plc (CPH2) is delighted to announce that it has been admitted to the London Stock Exchange AIM market today, 16th February 2022. Upon admission and opening of the market, Jon Duffy, CEO of CPH2 said: “Today’s listing and over-subscribed placing, delivered in difficult stock market conditions, is an important milestone for CPH2 and will assist the rapid growth of the Group. The funds raised will further strengthen the Group’s financial position and will enable CPH2 to build out our
Clean Power Hydrogen and NI Water working together to reduce emissions.
Clean Power Hydrogen, the Doncaster manufacturer of the unique Membrane-Free Electrolyser™, is delighted to announce that Northern Ireland Water has chosen their patented technology to aid its decarbonisation strategy. Clean Power Hydrogen (CPH2), working in partnership with B9 Energy, has won an order for an MFE220 1MW Membrane-Free Electrolyser™ from main contractor LaganMEICA JV. LaganMEICA JV won the tender from NI Water using the CPH2 solution following a competitive tender process. Jon Duffy,
Yorkshire’s Fastest Growing Construction Company Launches New Website
Room One, an established national construction company based in Doncaster, is thrilled to announce the launch of its new website by Fernbank Digital. With rapid growth during the pandemic, the website has been designed to align with its new identity and to showcase its diverse portfolio of projects ranging in value from £500k to £14+million. Anthony Meaburn, one of three Directors at Room One, said: “2021 is a big year for Room One as we continue to grow. We are working on a number of exciting projects
Claim Your Property Stamp Duty Land Tax Refund Now
In this series I have explored the details of the stamp duty land tax (SDLT) landscape and how one in four property purchasers overpay their dues. If you bought a property of any kind in the last four years, then you may have overpaid your SDLT and be entitled to a refund from HMRC. Often referred to as Stamp Duty, Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) is a self-assessed tax paid by buyers of property in the UK. The amount paid is based on the value of the property, as well as other, less well known factors.
Stamp Duty Land Tax Series - Exploring your potential stamp duty refund further
So far in this series I have explained the basics of what stamp duty land tax (SDLT) is and why it exists. Effective 1st April 2021 a second 2% surcharge has been added to purchases where the new owner lives outside the UK. This is in addition to the 3% surcharge levied on properties which are not the purchasers principle primary residence. The 37 reliefs were originally introduced to account for exceptions to aspects of properties where the calculation is unfair or clearly should not relate to all
Stamp Duty Land Tax Series - Some finer detail on your potential stamp duty refund
Last time we looked at the stamp duty land tax (SDLT) situation from an overall perspective. Every property sold in the UK for more than £40,000 has to be reported to HMRC to assess any SDLT payable and whether payment is due or has been made. We looked at some examples of sales at different price levels and how SDLT is calculated during the current holiday and then how it will be calculated when things revert back to normal. The holiday exempts SDLT from any properties purchased for less than £500,000
Stamp Duty Land Tax Series - Bought a property recently? Would You Like a Stamp Duty Refund?
When you purchase a property in the UK there is stamp duty payable to HMRC. Rates are published on their website and, on the face of things, it seems a simple and easy calculation followed by the painful payment process.What you are probably unaware of is that there are a number of reliefs which can be claimed which will reduce the stamp duty burden. Known officially as stamp duty land tax (SDLT) this is a tax which was introduced by the government in December 2003. Current rates, valid until 31 March,