Advertiser holds first round table debate to help boost Rotherham

“Backing our Town: Moving it forward together.”

Your Rotherham Advertiser wants the best for our town and is determined to bring people together who can achieve that.

Our first round table was held to try and seek out ways to change the perception of Rotherham and make it thrive again.

Chaired by the Advertiser’s senior business partner, Dionne Allen, the get-together at the Advertiser’s Upper Millgate offices was attended by Carrie Sudbury, chief executive officer of Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber of Commerce; Deborah Bullivant, chief executive officer and founder of Grimm and Co.; Megan Jepson, fundraising and communications officer at Rotherham Citizens Advice Bureau; Insp John Crapper, the man in charge of the Rotherham Central Neighbourhood Policing Team; and Millers legend and Rotherham Hospice ambassador John Breckin.

Ms Allen said: “The Advertiser is a very big champion for Rotherham.

“The reason I want to do these round table discussions is so that we can have open and honest conversations.

“I think the difference we can make as the local press is being the vehicle to channel the positive message and to get that message out to the wider audiences.”

Insp Crapper said that Rotherham has “pride bursting to get out and a desire to be known for better things”.

Ms Sudbury said that businesses in Rotherham have a lot to offer and many are doing very well.

“We are very much in the spotlight in Rotherham and there is some very very good stuff going on,” she said, adding that business productivity levels are better than most of the UK.

She added that having a local MP who is also the Chancellor, John Healey, is another positive boost for the region.

Ms Sudbury said that one way to boost the local economy would be for businesses in Rotherham to think local when sourcing raw materials and staff.

She said: “If every business decided to take on one apprentice that would sort some money problems out.

“There is a lot of power in young people.”

Mr Breckin said: “Rotherham does not need to reinvent itself.

“We already have the ingredients: proud communities, successful businesses, schools, sport, charities, industrial heritage and people who care deeply about the borough.

“What we need now is a more joined-up story, greater confidence in ourselves and a practical way of bringing those strengths together.

“My vision is for a Rotherham that is proud of where it has come from, ambitious about where it is going and determined that the next generation grows up seeing this town as a place where they can succeed.”

He added: “Rotherham has no shortage of success stories. Our problem is that we do not consistently tell them.

“Too often, good work by businesses, schools, charities, sports clubs and individuals happen in isolation rather than becoming part of one story about the borough.”

Deborah Bullivant said that getting involved in activities such as UK Town of Culture helps Rotherham.

She said: “It changes things economically. It brings people to the town, bringing businesses into town.”

Ms Bullivant said that while business leaders suggest that Rotherham town centre needs more chain stores, youngsters have asked why this should be so as these shops are already at Meadowhall. Instead, say the young, Rotherham could develop an individual look with independent outlets and places for recreation which would attract people in.

Insp Crapper said: “We need to think how we can put money into people’s pockets.”

He described the Advanced Manufacturing Park - which is in Rotherham rather than Sheffield - as a “wonderful thing” which brings national recognition to the borough as an industrial research and production leader.

Megan Jepson said that it was important to highlight the positives which impact on ordinary people rather than just looking at the big picture of business success and economic growth.

She said: “It’s the small wins, encouraging ordinary people.”

Ms Jepson added that people need to be made aware of services which can help them tackle issues such as debt which encourages a positive move forward.

“It’s getting the advice and getting people aware of the help that is available in Rotherham,” she said.

“The community organisations there are in Rotherham are incredible.”

Ms Jepson added that community events such as the Rotherham Show are vital as they “give people the chance to enjoy it for free”.

The participants of the round table all felt it was important to tackle the “negativity” about Rotherham online and elsewhere, and highlight the positive things about the town.

Ms Sudbury said: “The new council chief executive comes with new vibes so we need to be more confident as a town.”

Insp Crapper accepted that some people are concerned about anti-social behaviour in Rotherham town centre, which puts off some shoppers from visiting.

He said: “We need to better co-ordinate our approach to shoplifting in the town centre.

“If we don’t know about it we cannot do anything about it.

“We need folk to report shoplifting and people need to heed advice about laying out of stores to prevent it.”

He added: “Elected people get a bad press but my experience of all of them is they are a good bunch in Rotherham.”

The Advertiser will be holding another round table - hopefully many more - in our bid to boost Rotherham.

As Ms Bullivant said: “Rotherham has amazing stories to tell so get behind your town.”