The changing face of Doncaster

Business Doncaster through our unique public and private sector partnerships offer a wide range of free and impartial advice and guidance to businesses throughout the borough, providing a dedicated relationship manager to support existing and new businesses with their business goals.

Statistics to the end of March 2019 show that the year has been a highly successful one for economic development, inward investment and business growth in Doncaster with the Business Doncaster team making a significant contribution to the growth of Doncaster’s economy.

The Business Doncaster team contributed to almost ï¿¡200 million of new investment and supported the creation of more than 1300 jobs in the borough. The team also handled a significant number of supply chain interventions which brought over ï¿¡1.2 million of business to local companies and oversaw an increase in new property enquiries.

Bill Mordue, Portfolio Holder for Business, Skills and Economic Development said: "I'm delighted to see these figures; it really is a tribute to the energy of businesses in Doncaster and to the expert advice, relationship building and signposting of our advisors.”

“Business Doncaster offers a huge pool of knowledge and the highly experienced team of specialists work at all levels and across all sectors. The team also work with many partners and organisations across the region and nationally, providing new investors and businesses with the most appropriate help and advice to help them to succeed and grow." he added.

Support for businesses is offered through networking events, access to finance, export and innovation advice, supply chain and tendering, PR and workforce development. In addition to these, Business Doncaster also provides access to a series of free masterclasses on topical subjects such as Social Media Marketing and public sector procurement.  

Doncaster is not a town resting on its laurels, over the next five years it is predicted to have one of the highest economic growth rates in the Sheffield City Region, driven by a number of key development projects that act as a catalyst for business development, inward investment and job creation.

Huge development sites such as iPort continue to grow and 2019 saw the new opening of Lidl creating ï¿¡70 million of inward investment, creating over 400 jobs. With names such as Amazon, Ceva Logistics and Fellowes UK already there, the site is already looking to create upwards of 2000 jobs. Phase 2 is already underway with the offer of a number of large units including a 731,000 sq.ft. warehouse deal. 

Doncaster Sheffield Airport continues to go from strength to strength with even more new flights and routes announced this year. Cargo operations are growing at a tremendous pace too. Coupled with the opening of the second phase of the Great Yorkshire Way link road and the construction of a number of speculative industrial unit developments, the Airport and the Aero Centre business park is fast becoming the ‘business location’ of choice within the region. 

Herten Triangle, the new, fully let 8 restaurant and drive through development at Doncaster Lakeside managed and developed by Doncaster Council, was completed in March 2019. Taco Bell and Dunkin Doughnuts are already experiencing high footfall and sales during their opening weeks.

The CCQ development continues at a pace with work having already started on the construction of a new Cultural & Learning Centre and the new Savoy Cinema and restaurant complex next to Cast. This area will also be the home of the new Doncaster UTC.

As part of further Town Centre regeneration plans, the famous Wool Market opened its doors once again to the public in March bringing a new revived energy to the markets area. The train station is undergoing an upgrade and refurbishment whilst streets such as Hallgate and Silver Street will become pedestrianised making the town centre much more accessible for shopping and leisure activities. Once complete, this will provide a fantastic new look to the town centre whilst continuing to attract new independent retail businesses.

February 2019 saw the largest, most highly attended Business Showcase event across the whole of South Yorkshire. Held at Doncaster Racecourse, this year marked the 10th anniversary of this hugely popular event with over 250 exhibition stands from across the region and beyond and attracted approx. 2000 visitors on the day.  

And last, but by no means least, following a strong campaign bid: Doncaster has been chosen as a host town for the Rugby League World Cup 2021.                 

The team here at Business Doncaster is committed to the growth of Doncaster and will continue to work hard throughout this period of political uncertainty, to ensure we achieve success at all levels.

“Going forward the focus of our work is changing. Our priority will be to grow our strategically important business sectors in order to attract new investment, new business and new jobs to Doncaster. By making sure we raise the profile of Doncaster internationally and providing the right offer for businesses looking at Doncaster we are certain we will continue to attract our fair share of new business investment

If you would like to know more about the great developments and investment potential available in Doncaster please call us on 01302 735555 or get in touch by visiting: www.wearedoncaster.co.uk