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Business
Disqualified director hit with prison term
A SHAFTON pensioner has been jailed after continuing to manage his engineering business despite being disqualified as the company’s director.
Leslie Crossland, 75, of Netherfield Croft, admitted acting as a director of R and L Electrical Engineers Ltd (R and L) and R and L Installations Ltd (BMS) when he was banned from doing so.
The electrical engineer also failed to inform Insolvency Service officials that he had withdrawn four of his pensions, disposing of...
Duo’s business goes from strength to strength
WHEN they found an Omega watch listed on Facebook Marketplace for a fraction of its value two savvy local entrepreneurs came up with an impressive business plan.
Childhood friends Martyn Kandrotas and Max Hayes-Allen - from New Lodge and Penistone respectively - have always wanted to start their own business.
However, like many hopeful businesspeople, they faced their share of difficulties trying to get off the ground.
Martyn told the Chronicle: “We could never really...
Business park sold to tenant in multi-million pound deal
A BUSINESS park in Penistone has been sold in a multi-million-pound deal.
Over the past two years, Fairfield Business Park has been fully developed from being unoccupied into a thriving hub by family-run, Barnsley-based property and land specialists, Fairbank Investments Ltd.
The park has been bought by international packaging business Neal Brothers, for a seven-figure sum.
Located in the heart of Penistone, the historic former David Brown plant shut at the end of 2020 when...
New chocolate factory shows Twix of the trade
YOUNGSTERS are being offered a golden ticket to a career in food production after a chocolate factory opened in Barnsley yesterday.
JJA Snack on Innovation Way, Redbrook contains an advanced manufacturing line designed by Siemens which, it is hoped, will inspire the next generation of chocolatiers.
Investors in the company and staff from Outwood Academy Shafton were invited to tour the factory and make their own chocolate, as the company prepares to open their doors...
Local lass Liz to head world-famous brewery
WORLD-famous Barnsley business Acorn Brewery has appointed a new general manager - and she’s hoping her local roots will play a role in its future success.
Launched in 2003, Acorn’s cask-ales quickly gained renown to see expansion to a 25-barrel brewery in Wombwell.
The brewery was sold to Sonas Capital and Liz Casserly, from Penistone, will oversee its running.
Liz, 40, said: ”I have a passion for hospitality, brewing and beer.
“I have known and...
Businesses brace themselves for the end of energy bill support
Businesses across Barnsley have had a difficult few years when it comes to their finances.
The start of the conflict in Ukraine almost a year ago triggered the wholesale cost of energy to soar to unprecedented levels.
One of the industries most affected by rising energy bills is manufacturing. Barnsley is home to many manufacturing businesses, including those in the food processing, engineering, and steel industries. These businesses require large amounts of energy...
Cost-of-living crisis impacts business
SPIRALLING energy costs have forced a long-established town centre fish and chip shop to close part of their business.
Mermaid Fish and Chips, based on Burlington Arcade, has seen a major rise in their energy bills, forcing them to make changes to their model.
Lisa Wright, shop manager, told the Chronicle: “We sadly had to announce the closure of the restaurant side of the business to focus on the takeaway.
“This was a decision forced...
Business support promised by council
BARNSLEY Council will continue to support businesses been affected by the pandemic after the furlough scheme ended last Thursday.
Since the start of the pandemic, the council has committed more than £75m to providing financial support to more than 5,500 businesses.
This funding has helped with rent relief, businesses grants and personalised support on a case-by-case basis.
The council is therefore asking those who need it to contact their helpdesk and to book an appointment...
Businessman blasts council’s support
A BUSINESSMAN whose firm’s profits have been cut by £1m due to the closure of the entertainment industry has blasted the amount of support offered by Barnsley Council throughout the pandemic.
David Hirst, 55, of Birdwell, is a 30-year veteran in the sector and set up the Ocean Leisure Entertainment Agency back in 2006 - a firm that was successful supplying self-employed acts to an array of venues.
At the start of the pandemic, while...
Free first aid for parents
PARENTS are being invited to learn skills that could save their child’s life.
MHE services, based at Carlton industrial Estate, is offering a free two hour first aid course to teach parents how to perform CPR, use an AED and what to do if a child is chocking.
Faye Holmes, who works for MHE said: “Parents, grandparents, aunties, uncles, or anyone with a baby or child close to their hearts is welcome to attend.
“We...
Cyclist cafe is crowned king...
A CAFE in Langsett has been given a lifetime achievement award for serving South Yorkshire cyclists.
The Cycling UK annual Cyclist Cafe of the Year awards, now in their second-year, invite cyclists across the UK to choose their favourite haunts.
The Bank View Café has been serving South Yorkshire’s cyclists since 1900, initially to serve the nearby reservoir’s workers.
The café is located at one end of the Strines, a route which skirts the edge...
Hairdresser shows he can cut it...
A BARNSLEY hairdresser has been crowned one of the UK’s best hair stylists in a national award.
Craig Parkinson, who works at Mane Hairdressing in Shambles Street, won the best bridal hairdresser at the National Hairdressers Federation (NHF) and the National Beauty Federation (NBF) floor competition - Britain’s Best.
On Sunday, Britain’s Best took place for the second time at the UK’s largest hairdressing trade show, Salon International at ExCeL London. At the event, Craig...
Ab Fab star Joanna back at Fox Valley...
IT was certainly an ab fab day for staff at a Fox Valley department store.
The team at Sandersons welcomed back celebrity Joanna Lumley for the launch of the store’s new wellness spa and organics area.
Hundreds of shoppers turned out to meet the star, who took a tour of the award-winning shopping centre with managing director of Dransfield Properties, Mark Dransfield.
Two treatment rooms have been created - with a reception area and access...
Businesses getting crafty over market
A BUSINESS in Barnsley will be helping members of the public conquer their Christmas shopping at an Etsy Made Local Christmas market.
Crafty Business Barnsley has organised the market, which will be held at The Digital Media Centre on Saturday, November 30.
The market is part of a national event that will see towns and cities from coast to coast celebrating the makers and designers that make up the creative community selling on Etsy.com. Etsy...
Ethical clothing brand creating jobs
BARNSLEY-BASED clothing brand, Lucy and Yak, has created new jobs at its Wombwell head office following the launch of its new ‘Made in Britain’ range of products.
Currently, Lucy and Yak has its products ethically made in India by a tailoring partner and team of 40 tailors who work from a factory which owners Lucy and Chris helped to build.
Its new ‘Made in Britain’ range will see products made at home in Yorkshire, and...
Youngsters will go back to basics with a little help from nature...
A MUM is opening Barnsley’s first outdoor nursery to bring children back to nature.
Lindsey Bielby has set up Growing Wild Outdoor Nursery - based at Wigfield Farm - after working part-time in an outdoor nursery in Sheffield.
An outdoor nursery means children will be based outside for either all or most of the day. The idea of outdoor nurseries is that children get to learn and experience nature as well as growing in confidence....
New cider a-peels to pub owners
A SMALL cider company created on a whim is debuting its cider at a Barnsley pub.
Dunwrights Cider is a small cider mill based on Racecommon Road, Barnsley, created when friends Andrew Hamilton, 38, Rob Crayton, 43, and Mark Platts, 50, decided to make cider on a whim in their garage.
The friends got off to a good start when their cider sold out at the CAMRA Beer Festival that same year.
“I’ve got an...
Solid foundations are laid for college students’ future
CONSTRUCTION students from Barnsley College were given the opportunity to visit a working construction site.
Students in their final year studying construction in the building environment were invited to take a tour of the Miller Homes site, Honeywell Grange.
The site has 80 plots with three to four bedroom houses that are nearly completed.
“We found that students left the college and weren’t work ready,” said Matthew Upton, work placement co-ordinator at Barnsley College.
“So...
Green pledge from family firm
A FAMILY bath and body business has pledged to use only 100 per cent recyclable or sustainable materials.
The Pretty Little Treat Co. produces vintage-inspired bath and body products, using natural and locally sourced ingredients ahead of Earth Day on April 22.
The company, based in Darton Road, Cawthorne, switched to environmentally friendly packaging on April 22, using compostable and biodegradable paper tape, potato starch, cellophane bags, packing chips and FSC certified cardboard boxes an
Preparing for Easter is no piece of cake...
IT makes a billion cakes a year and with Easter fast approaching, Barnsley’s own Mr Kipling plant - probably the biggest cake factory in the world - is running at full capacity to keep up with demand.
The Barnsley Chronicle was invited to get a sneak peek into the range of new seasonal cakes and sweet treats being produced at the Premier Foods factory in Fish Dam Lane, Carlton, and to see the high-tech production...