FYI - Arena News

Post by **chameleon** » Tue 01 Dec, 2009 1:25 pm

'About Leeds just dropped through the letter box, head line is -'Super theatre on track for 2012 opening'This is the long promised arena of course, nothing much new other than a clear indication that nothing - especially not Sheffield! - is going to stop itLooks as though it's a goer!

simonm · Post by **simonm** » Tue 01 Dec, 2009 1:57 pm

raveydavey wrote: Did we, the good folk of Leeds complain when vast amounts of public money were spent on the Don Valley stadium (as part of Sheffield hosting the World Student Games, an event so finacially unsuccessful that Sheffield Council had to be bailed out with more public money before they went bankrupt), which took outdoor gigs away from Roundhay Park? No, we didn't - but we should have done.I swear, South Yorkshire won't see a penny from me again. Wasn't just that mate. Sh field council had to be bailed over Meadowhell AND the tram system. When I worked there, the level of resentment against Leeds was astonishing. Hope the whole poxy dump goes bust!

stutterdog · Post by **stutterdog** » Tue 01 Dec, 2009 7:56 pm

simonm wrote: raveydavey wrote: Did we, the good folk of Leeds complain when vast amounts of public money were spent on the Don Valley stadium (as part of Sheffield hosting the World Student Games, an event so finacially unsuccessful that Sheffield Council had to be bailed out with more public money before they went bankrupt), which took outdoor gigs away from Roundhay Park? No, we didn't - but we should have done.I swear, South Yorkshire won't see a penny from me again. Wasn't just that mate. Sh field council had to be bailed over Meadowhell AND the tram system. When I worked there, the level of resentment against Leeds was astonishing. Hope the whole poxy dump goes bust! They do tend to go in for white eliphants in Sheffield dont they! What about that stupid pop museum which went tits up after 12months a year or 2 back?

Post by **cnosni** » Tue 01 Dec, 2009 8:53 pm

stutterdog wrote: simonm wrote: raveydavey wrote: Did we, the good folk of Leeds complain when vast amounts of public money were spent on the Don Valley stadium (as part of Sheffield hosting the World Student Games, an event so finacially unsuccessful that Sheffield Council had to be bailed out with more public money before they went bankrupt), which took outdoor gigs away from Roundhay Park? No, we didn't - but we should have done.I swear, South Yorkshire won't see a penny from me again. Wasn't just that mate. Sh field council had to be bailed over Meadowhell AND the tram system. When I worked there, the level of resentment against Leeds was astonishing. Hope the whole poxy dump goes bust! They do tend to go in for white eliphants in Sheffield dont they! What about that stupid pop museum which went tits up after 12months a year or 2 back? and sheffield city airport (which flooped ) and the direct threat to LBA,Doncaster/Sheffield airport:-European investment supports Robin Hood Airport, Doncaster Sheffield Published: Tue, 26 Jul 2005 17:50:52The recently opened Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield has received a significant boost with the announcement that over £10 million from European Structural Funds are to be invested in the development of the South Yorkshire airport's infrastructure. The £10million investment from the European Regional Development Fund has been provided from £730 million that the European Union is contributing to the £1.8 billion Objective 1 Programme that is being used to transform South Yorkshire's economy. Specifically, the funding comes from an additional pot of £34 million awarded to South Yorkshire by the European Commission in recognition of the strong performance by Objective 1 during the first half of the programme period. Local partners, including the four local authorities in South Yorkshire, recognised the impact that development of the airport would have on South Yorkshire's economic regeneration and decided that this investment was a top priority. The European money is being invested in the £84m funding package for the development of the ex-RAF site, including the development of a 16 hectares business park, construction of new terminal facilities and the creation of a training academy to assist over 4000 people into jobs at the airport. Sylvia Yates, Director of the Objective 1 Programme in South Yorkshire said: "The new international airport is the development with the greatest potential to transform the South Yorkshire economy, create jobs and opportunities for local people and businesses. This additional investment will help to speed the airport's development and hasten the impact that it can make on the local and regional economy." Robert Hough, Deputy Chairman of Peel Holdings Ltd (owners of Peel Airports Ltd) said 'We very much welcome and appreciate the grant support received from Objective 1, which will enhance the development of Robin Hood Airport and help boost the regional economy in terms of job creation and aviation opportunity in a remarkable fashion'. This European investment has been approved by the European Commission. All projects seeking EU support and with a total value in excess of 50million need to be submitted to Brussels for approval. The Commission needs to be satisfied that the use of European funds are appropriate and that their use will not provide an unfair commercial advantage to the recipient or create unfair competition. In approving the scheme, Commissioner Danuta Huebner said "We have examined the application for EU funding with great care and in cooperation with the UK authorities. I am confident that the EU contribution will add real value in terms of economic growth and job creation, and I wish the new development every success." Notes to editors Objective 1 Programme The Objective 1 Programme in South Yorkshire is a £1.8 billion investment programme that draws on over £700 million from the European Union's Structural Funds that are provided to help Europe's poorest areas regenerate their economies and create jobs. South Yorkshire is one of those poorest areas with fewer businesses and fewer and less well-paid jobs than other European regions.

simong · Post by **simong** » Thu 03 Dec, 2009 11:45 am

I believe that South Yorkshire is the only area in the country that has ERDF funding these days, as it was deemed by the EU to be the most badly affected region in the country. The area is awash in European money but as the article points out, it's companies like Peel Estates, which owns the Trafford Centre and a fair bit of Manchester city centre, and businesses like Cap Gemini and IBM, who are benefiting from it these days. It creates jobs - the call centres around Sheffield and up the Dearne Valley are examples of that - but rarely directly benefits the local population.In that respect Leeds couldn't compete with Sheffield as it's never fallen so low - Sheffield, Rotherham and Barnsley were in an appalling state after the closure of the coal and steel industries. Doncaster struggled but survived, and consequently got less direct investment as it wasn't seen as being a single industry area like the rest of the county. However, that disparity has favoured Sheffield and seen the development of its cultural and technology quarters and the investment in sport. Because of the way that EU funding works, this will continue - I think the next review is in 2011.

Post by **cnosni** » Thu 03 Dec, 2009 8:47 pm

simong wrote: I believe that South Yorkshire is the only area in the country that has ERDF funding these days, as it was deemed by the EU to be the most badly affected region in the country. The area is awash in European money but as the article points out, it's companies like Peel Estates, which owns the Trafford Centre and a fair bit of Manchester city centre, and businesses like Cap Gemini and IBM, who are benefiting from it these days. It creates jobs - the call centres around Sheffield and up the Dearne Valley are examples of that - but rarely directly benefits the local population.In that respect Leeds couldn't compete with Sheffield as it's never fallen so low - Sheffield, Rotherham and Barnsley were in an appalling state after the closure of the coal and steel industries. Doncaster struggled but survived, and consequently got less direct investment as it wasn't seen as being a single industry area like the rest of the county. However, that disparity has favoured Sheffield and seen the development of its cultural and technology quarters and the investment in sport. Because of the way that EU funding works, this will continue - I think the next review is in 2011. The cultural,technology quarters,along with the sporting facilities,dont create jobs.So that investment has been a waste,if the whole idea was to create jobs.Leeds lost easily as much in the clothing industry,but we didnt moan and groan,we got on with it.I remember Sheffield and S Yorks becoming "a Peoples republic" in the late 70's and early 80's,with heavily discounted travel and huge rates to pay for it,and they flew a red flag flying above the town hall in place of the union flag.They go on strike at the drop of a hat,that will not attract private investment to create jobs im afraid.Because of their unwillingness to adapt they fell into a quagmire of dereliction and unemployment.they were then helped out by mounds and mounds of cash with little or no return.Get used to that and you expect everything that comes on offer.So when they thought there was a buckshee £20m knocking about in Yorkshire forward,they naturally thought it should be for them and nowhere else.