Relocation aids business growth

A South Yorkshire company is undergoing further expansion – three months after moving into larger headquarters at Sheffield Business Park.

Richard Fletcher Associates moved from Wath-Upon-Dearne into serviced accommodation in Sheffield Business Centre in August. Now the firm, which provides a full range of professional building services,  has snapped up extra space and is expanding its team.

“We were looking for a bigger place when we came across Sheffield Business Park. We were very impressed by both the facilities and the location – most of our work is in this region, so the easy access to the motorway is perfect,” says owner Richard Fletcher.

“Originally we were looking at a smaller office but we were beaten to it. At the time we were very disappointed, but it was the best thing that could have happened!”

Having initially taken two offices, the firm is now expanding into a third and has just recruited another member of staff to join the 11-strong team.

“We are extremely busy at the moment, which is very encouraging in the current climate,” says Richard. “We are very committed to bringing young people into the profession, with three graduates starting their final years and a new student beginning his placement with us.”

The business provides chartered quantity surveying, project management and a health and safety consultancy as part of its professional building services. Richard believes that the move Sheffield Business Centre has played a role in its current success.

“This is a very nice place to bring visitors and we have had nothing but positive remarks from our clients,” he says.

“The services provided are first class and the facilities available are excellent. We have just started to offer health and safety training, using the conference facilities in the centre’s management suite.

Sheffield Business Park managing director Graham Sadler said the site was delighted to play a role in the firm’s ongoing success.

“Richard Fletchers Associates is a dynamic business providing professional services and we’re happy to provide it with flexible accommodation and support it needs. It’s a valuable addition to the business park community.”

Notes to editors:

• Sheffield Business Park is one of Yorkshire’s largest business parks. It currently covers over 200 acres of development land in a prime location bordered by Junctions 33 and 34 of the M1, with primary access via the Sheffield Parkway (A630).

• Detailed planning consent has been granted for over 600,000 sq ft of offices, with outline consent for a further 900,000 sq ft of offices, manufacturing and distribution in Phase Two, a joint venture between Sheffield Business Park and Peel Land and Property. Bespoke units can be designed and ready for occupation within twelve months.

SELIMA, the Sheffield payroll software and services specialist, is targeting further expansion after making a £1 million move from Hillsborough to state-of-the-art facilities on Sheffield Business Park’s Europa Green complex. The move, backed by bankers Natwest, is designed to create a central hub for Selima’s payroll business and has already prompted the firm to increase its workforce by a third. But, Selima does not plan to stop there and has plans to double the size of its workforce by the end of next year as the managed services side of its business grows.

Selima’s owner and chief executive, Mark Kinnell, said: “Our investment shows confidence that this area is a key hub for both technology and service based businesses. Coupled with the recently announced Digital Region initiative, this further cements Sheffield as a thriving business centre. The financial climate remains hard, but this investment signals our commitment to deliver payroll software and managed services to our customers throughout the UK for many years to come.” The firm’s expansion has been welcomed by Sheffield South East MP Clive Betts.

“It is pleasing to see that new jobs are being created in my constituency despite the challenging economic conditions. In addition, the site of this new development has particular significance for me as I have been involved in its regeneration since the 1990s,” said Mr Betts.

Sheffield Business Park offers Car Share Scheme for 2 or more people to share their journey to work. It’s easy, flexible and massively helps reduce fuel costs and parking problems. Many professionals have to deal with stress when travelling to work; whether it’s because of traffic congestion, relying on public transport or financial issues. The Car Share Scheme is available to try and resolve these problems and plays a part in helping the environment by reducing pollution through reducing multiple car travel.

All employees on the park can benefit from the Car Share Scheme and find other employees who experience a similar journey to work. Benefits of car sharing include:

•    Save money – half price petrol
•    Reduce congestion
•    Easier to park – less cars = more parking spaces
•    Meet new contacts – potential business networking opportunities

It’s a simple process to sign up to the Car Share Scheme, just register your details on the link below, add your journey information to the system and it will find employee matches for you who share a similar journey.
Sign Up to the Car Share Scheme

Sheffield Business Park has also liaised closely with Sheffield City Council to devise and develop a Framework Travel Plan to provide the occupiers of the park up to date information on and to encourage employers to use more sustainable methods of transport.

Click on the link below to download our PDF on the Framework Travel Plan.

Framework Travel Plan

All of these travel options are in place for occupiers of Sheffield Business Park and have been developed to encourage employees to use the most effective ways of transportation to help the environment and to cut fuel costs. Visit our website for more information www.sheffieldbusinesspark.co.uk or contact Dawn Kennedy-Burns, our Travel Plan Coordinator on 0114 296 0000 or email dawn@sheffieldbusinesspark.co.uk.