isnt it

[The L J Monk]

If I was responsible for economic development in Doncaster I'd be approaching Londan/SE based businesses who don't necessarily need to be based there and showing them how mucj they can save in terms of property, wages, tax (if applicable - any breaks for investing in "deprived" areas).

I imagine this is the sort of thing that Yorkshire Forward were doing, and now the Sheffield City Region LEP is.

The problem is though, they're competing against everyone else. You have to ask yourself, what has Doncaster got, that is unique, that would attract the higher paying "knowledge economy" jobs?

[MrFrost]

Doncaster will only ever attract logistic type work. Warehouses, distribution and the such. Even Sheffield can't attract the young professionals, and the type of work that goes with it, so what hope does Doncaster have? We can't even sustain our own airport!

If the council had been more open minded during the last 10 years, instead of turning down planning permission for a lot of development opportunities, maybe things would be a little better.

But I still maintain Doncaster has plenty going for it as a town to live in. Just many of the people who complain about it or too shortsighted to see what is on their doorstep, and would rather moan than embrace it.

[Mike_F]

Reading that quote from my post has just made me notice the typos so srory for not correcting them before posting!

It's a tough one really. Doncaster's location and transport links are big plusses versus many other similar towns (Middlesboro, Darlo, Burnley etc.) We also have plenty of good spec empty warehousing around Carr Hill and decent brownfield sites around Wheatley Hall Rd and the like. The lack of a ring road is a negative but that wouldn't affect Carr Hill.

I'm not suggesting that there aren't people working hard at the Sheffield region LEP but I'd be intrigued to see what their short, medium and long-term strategies are.

[MrFrost]

Reading that quote from my post has just made me notice the typos so srory for not correcting them before posting!

It's a tough one really. Doncaster's location and transport links are big plusses versus many other similar towns (Middlesboro, Darlo, Burnley etc.) We also have plenty of good spec empty warehousing around Carr Hill and decent brownfield sites around Wheatley Hall Rd and the like. The lack of a ring road is a negative but that wouldn't affect Carr Hill.

I'm not suggesting that there aren't people working hard at the Sheffield region LEP but I'd be intrigued to see what their short, medium and long-term strategies are.

Not sure how would could implement a ring road in Donny. The town centre road system is an absolute nightmare.

[Mike_F]

An inner ring would be very difficult to achieve. We could develop an outer ring road utilising the M18 & A1 for a large chunk though.

[The L J Monk]

It's a tough one really. Doncaster's location and transport links are big plusses versus many other similar towns (Middlesboro, Darlo, Burnley etc.) We also have plenty of good spec empty warehousing around Carr Hill and decent brownfield sites around Wheatley Hall Rd and the like. The lack of a ring road is a negative but that wouldn't affect Carr Hill.

For high end professional, better paid, more economically rewarding posts, Doncaster will be competing against everyone, not just similar towns though unfortunately.

For example, the Regional Selective Assistance that is available via the Scottish government, means the likes of Glasgow and Dundee are actively "buying" jobs out of London and into their respective cities.

It's a very tough climate to operate in.

[Mike_F]

Funny you should mention that. i had a recruitment consultant badgering me about a job in Glasgow just this week.

I suppose what we need is a local entrepreneur to build a very successful business in the town from the bottom up.

[The L J Monk]

That would be an appropriate strategy Mike.

Business incubators can be an invaluable resource, and if they can link up effectively with higher educational establishments and tap in to dedicated funding streams, then you can create some economic impetus off the back of a specialist business cluster.

[Sheepskin Stu]

Random b*llocks.

[The L J Monk]

Random b*llocks.

It's certainly a niche market Stu - perhaps there are some local food and drink experts who could explore the potential of this delicacy further...

[Sheepskin Stu]

I'm reporting you to the Plain English Campaign...

[The L J Monk]

I'm reporting you to the Plain English Campaign...

They'll never get me. I've always been a city dweller.