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DONCASTER CHAMBER WINS TOP NATIONAL AWARD FOR SERVICES TO THE ECONOMY

Doncaster Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise has won a top UK award for its role in securing funding which it is hoped will help create 24,000 jobs for the region.

The Chamber picked up the British Chambers of Commerce’s UK award for Most Effective Campaigning, sponsored by BT Business, at its national Business Awards for its successful campaign which attracted £18m of Regional Growth Fund (RGF) investment.

The success of its six year campaign means a link road, known locally as FARRRS, joining Doncaster Sheffield Airport with the M18 can now be built using the RGF funding backed by private sector finance – a move it hopes will help create 24,000 private sector jobs by 2030.

The Chamber delivered this effective campaign in partnership with a range of organisations including key strategic partners Doncaster MBC and the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership.  Whilst the key technical aspects of the bid were delivered by Doncaster MBC, the Chamber played a pivotal role in evidencing the support of the private sector for this critical scheme.

This included presenting a bid to Government that had almost 600 pledges of support from key businesses – demonstrating just how transformational this road scheme will be for the region’s economy, maintaining a high public profile for the campaign, and extensive lobbying of Ministers and Civil Servants.

John Longworth, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “This Chamber’s relentless campaign saw an opportunity when the Government announced RGF funding, and seized it. This secured an incredible catalyst to regeneration for the Doncaster and Sheffield region and removing some of the biggest barriers to growth.

“This is sterling work and a great example of the campaigns that Chambers across the UK are involved in on behalf of their members.”
Daniel Fell, Head of Policy at Doncaster Chamber said:

“We are delighted to win this award as it shows just how influential the Chamber, on behalf of the Doncaster business community has become.

“We were only one partner in this campaign and credit must be shared with our key partners, particularly Doncaster MBC, for driving the RGF bid past the finishing post.

“We now look forward to working with other key stakeholders to ensure that FARRRS is now delivered as a critical enabler of economic growth and a catalyst for inward investment in the City Region.”