23rd November 2001
RECLAIMING GRIMETHORPE'S PRIDE AND PROVIDING AN ATTRACTIVE LOCATION FOR BUSINESS RELOCATION

GRE-AT Expectations

Grimethorpe is a former colliery village of some 3500 people, situated in a semi-rural position at the heart of the former Yorkshire Coalfield. Since the colliery closure programme commenced in the 1980s the area has suffered increased economic and social hardship, culminating in the closure of Grimethorpe colliery and its support industries.

Devastated by the pit closures, Grimethorpe is now undergoing a dramatic change in its fortunes. Griemethorpe Regeneration Executive (GRE) in partnership with Barnsley Development Agency (BDA) is regenerating the area for the benefit of all its people by bringing together business, local government, central government and the community for the common purpose of creating sustainable employment, a better social and physical environment and improving the capacity of its residents. And there's much on offer for potential commercial investors who might be considering a business location or relocation.

Transformed
Plans are now well underway to arrest the decline and transform Grimethorpe’s fortunes, to create a vibrant community supported by local employment and training opportunities, an enhanced environment and opportunities for growth. The future really is bright in the former mining village, due to tangible benefits derived from the regeneration programme orchestrated by GRE, which is transforming the local economy into one that supports and encourages modern business incubation and growth. Acting as a single focus for regeneration and investment initiatives, GRE is facilitating the phased creation of Park Springs employment site, which offers inward investment and indigenous business growth opportunities.

Park Springs Blossoms
Currently the subject of a phased reclamation programme by both Yorkshire Forward and UK Coal (formerly RJB Mining), 171 acre Park Springs development offers affordable and quality opportunities for inward investment and indigenous business growth that is expected to benefit the wider regional economy. Park Springs is located close to the M1, A1M, A635, and M62 via the £9.5 million link road which allows businesses to take advantage of excellent transportation links and accessible markets. Park Springs is now only 15 minutes from the A1 by road, and around 15 minutes from the M1. Prior to the new link road, access times were at least double that, with traffic to and from the M1 having to frustratingly negotiate Barnsley town centre to reach Grimethorpe; now all that's changed.

So the site is excellently located for the motorway network, lying less than 50 miles of the major manufacturing centres of Yorkshire, Manchester, and the Midlands. It also has easy access to some five international airports, London is only two hours away by rail, and it is also on the doorstep of two main international ports offering still further major gateway opportunities to European and International markets.

Re-establishing the former rail connection at a cost of £2.5 million tying into ‘Railtrack’s strategic network development’, may also enhance Park Springs’ strategic location. Park Springs is supported with funding from Yorkshire Forward, English Partnerships, European Regional Development Fund (Objective One Programme), Single Regeneration Budget, and the private sector investment.

Turning good ideas into SASH
SASH Products (UK) plc originally relocated onto Park Springs and moved into a 70,000 sq ft purpose and have since used land available for future expansion and moved into a 110,000sq ft newer development still. SASH's former factory now forms Phase III of the Acorn development, providing for eight larger industrial units of 2,000 to 5,200 sq ft.

Thirteen smaller managed workspace units were also created at the Acorn Centre, representing a stepping stone for small companies wishing to expand and are already over 90% occupied. So successful has Park Springs been so far, that Yorkshire Forward are building four speculative industrial units totaling some 35,000sq ft: 1 unit of15,000sq ft; 2 units of 5,000sq ft each, and 1 unit of 10,000sq ft. Yorkshire Forward is in the process of reclaiming a further 34 acres of brownfield land that is now nearing completion.

“Where existing businesses might be lost due to expansion difficulties it is now expected that companies already committed to Park Springs will now stay here as their businesses grow and develop, and help support and service new industry on Park Springs,” said Eric Hill of GRE and BDA.

Sustainable regeneration
In addition to the giant business park, the regeneration of the former colliery village is complemented by other programmes planned to ensure sustainability recovery in the long term. Improved housing is also an integral part of the regeneration programme that aims to make Grimethorpe not only an attractive place to work, but also to live. Housing grants funded by Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council are currently transforming properties on the White City estate and at the same time introducing a new vibrancy in the housing market. The Central Area Masterplan, developed by the community with GRE is also concerned with improving the local environment. The Millennium Green is a key aspect of the project; envisaged as a 2.3 ha community owned recreational area. New private housing sites, improved pedestrian and vehicular access, a transport interchange, and a site for a new community facility are included in the Central Area scheme.

GRE and BDA in partnership
Park Springs is fast becoming Yorkshire’s strategic location for new and indigenous business growth. Under the banner of BDA, the following additional benefits are on offer in the Barnsley area:
• Access to European Funding from Objective 1
• Development Area status
• Enterprise Zone status (certain sites)
• Competitive land prices
• Bespoke recruitment and training packages
• Assistance with site selection
• Unrivalled aftercare support
• Additional Regional Selective Assistance for capital development costs

Barnsley Development Agency brings together the partnership-based resources to effectively tackle the broad range of economic development/regeneration tasks required to significantly transform the Barnsley economy and the prospects of Barnsley’s citizens over a ten year programme. GRE and BDA are working closely together to secure a more positive future for Grimethorpe, with a genuine partnership approach and commitment to a vision of change. Your business could be part of that vision; for more information contact Eric Hill at Grimethorpe Regeneration Executive,
The Acorn Centre,
51 High Street, Grimethorpe,
Barnsley S72 7BB.
Tel 01226 716700  Fax 01226 716499




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