Doncaster Chamber welcomes ground-breaking of Gateway 1 as bold investment in city’s future economy
Doncaster Chamber welcomes ground-breaking of Gateway 1 as bold investment in city’s future economy
Doncaster Chamber has today welcomed the official ground-breaking of Gateway 1, the £32 million digital tech hub set to become a cornerstone of the city’s economic transformation.
Located just metres from Doncaster Station, Gateway 1 will offer 52,000 sq ft of flexible, high-spec office space, designed to attract and grow digital, creative, AI and tech‑enabled businesses. Once complete in 2027, it will stand as a symbol of the borough’s ambition to lead on innovation-led growth and green, knowledge-based industries.
Dan Fell, Chief Executive of Doncaster Chamber, who will attend the ceremony tomorrow, hailed the development as a bold and timely investment in the future of Doncaster’s economy.
“The Gateway 1 project speaks to everything we’ve been championing through our Doncaster Manifesto. Future-ready infrastructure, meaningful investment in high-value sectors, and the kind of confidence that signals to the world: Doncaster is open for modern business.
“Our members - from tech start-ups and scale-ups to professional services and skills providers - consistently tell us that high-quality workspace, strong connectivity and the right ecosystem are essential for growth. Gateway 1 will help deliver all of that, right in the heart of the city.”
The Chamber’s calls for greater investment in the City Centre through future-proof infrastructure that supports digital industries and enables high-quality job creation. Gateway 1 is a key example of this ambition in action - a landmark project that not only strengthens Doncaster’s value proposition as a place to do business, but also supports wider goals around inclusion, regeneration and economic resilience.
The site, delivered with Town Deal funding, will also provide opportunities for local employment, supply chain involvement and training through Willmott Dixon’s Building Lives Academy - ensuring that impact is felt at every level of the local economy.
“The economic potential of this hub goes well beyond the building itself,” Fell added. “It’s about clustering talent, connecting innovators, and creating a pipeline of opportunity for future generations. We believe it can be a catalyst for growth across the city region and beyond.”
As part of the ceremony, Dan Fell joined City of Doncaster Council, developers, and local partners in celebrating what is hoped to be the first of several strategic investments along Trafford Way.
Doncaster Chamber is also currently leading the Local Skills Improvement Plan for South Yorkshire, with a particular focus on emerging technologies including artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, and data skills. Businesses operating in these fields are encouraged to get in touch to contribute to this insight work - helping to shape the skills pipeline, inform training provision, and influence the wider support ecosystem.
To express interest or take part in upcoming workshops, please contact the Chamber’s Policy Team at sbooth@doncaster-chamber.co.uk.
City centre vibrancy and anti-social behaviour were also high on the agenda. Next week’s ground-breaking for Gateway One, Doncaster’s new AI Hub, will mark a significant step in transforming the city centre and boosting investor confidence. At the same time, the Chamber will continue lobbying for stronger and more consistently enforced Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs), helping to ensure that regeneration is matched with public safety and positive public realm experiences.
Doncaster Racecourse has raised urgent concerns about Government proposals to increase the tax on sports betting from 15% to 21%, bringing it in line with other forms of gambling such as casino gaming. They warn that this change would significantly damage Doncaster's iconic destination, which relies heavily on betting revenue to sustain its economic and cultural contributions. Racing businesses, who have been in discussion with MPs, are calling for a racing-specific deal and have sought a commitment from Parliament to recognise the sport’s unique position and protect its future.
The role of culture in the Industrial Strategy became the focus as Emily Graham, Operations Manager at Cast theatre asked:
"How can we ensure that the essential soft skills needed for employment—such as communication, teamwork and problem-solving—are properly recognised and embedded in the curriculum, given that these are often developed through creative subjects which have historically been deprioritised?"
The future of Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA) generated passionate discussion. Following a productive meeting earlier in the week between Dan Fell and South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard, there is growing optimism that a decision on the airport’s reopening will be confirmed in September. In preparation, the Chamber is planning a major supply chain event this autumn to ensure local SMEs can benefit from the airport’s potential as a catalyst for international trade, inward investment, and tourism.
The issue of online misinformation around DSA also came to the fore, with Mark Chadwick from campaign group SaveDSA posing a crucial question:
“What can we do — or what can our authorities do — to stop the misinformation being spread on the internet, rather than the reactive situation we see as the norm? Is it now time to be proactive and drive the narrative?”
The Chamber echoed the need for a more proactive and transparent approach to public communications, recognising that trust, clarity, and timely updates will be key as momentum builds around DSA’s future.
Sian Booth added:
“We value conversation, but we value action even more. Today’s event wasn’t just a talking shop; it was a springboard for delivering real progress. We’re grateful to our MPs for taking the time to listen, and to the Woodland Group for supporting this important dialogue.”
The sister event to the Chamber’s MP Question Time is Your City Your Say (3 Oct), where partners from City of Doncaster Council take the hot seat in front of Chamber members. The first event in this new series will focus on the City Centre, a timely and important theme. It is not one to miss and you can book your place here.
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