Businesses Unite to Sign Joint Letter in Support of DSA Borrowing

Over 70 businesses across the Doncaster region have come together to sign a joint letter, backing the previously agreed £57 million borrowing necessary to reopen Doncaster Sheffield Airport.  To the consternation of many in the business community, the approval of the loan is due to be reconsidered at an extra extraordinary council meeting on the 11^th May.

Led by Doncaster Chamber of Commerce, some of the region’s most prominent organisations have united to voice their support for the reopening of the airport and to urge political leaders to work together on this transformative project.

Dan Fell, Chief Executive of Doncaster Chamber, said, “This is a pivotal moment for Doncaster and the wider region. The strength of support from the business community reflects just how vital Doncaster Sheffield Airport is to our economic future. This investment is not simply about reopening an airport, it’s about unlocking growth, creating opportunities, and sending a clear signal that South Yorkshire is open for business. Sadly, at this stage, a u-turn would send the opposite signal at a time our economy is crying out for confidence and momentum.

The letter highlights the crucial role the airport plays in driving economic growth, safeguarding jobs, and attracting future investment to the area.

The letter in full:

Dear Mayor Jones, Cllr. Ward, Cllr. Cox and all Doncaster Council Elected Councillors,

We are writing regarding the extraordinary council meeting on 11 May 2026, which has been called to reconsider the £57 million loan, previously agreed in November, that is necessary to support the reopening of Doncaster Sheffield Airport.

As a business community, we are clear about the importance of this project. The airport’s reopening represents a significant economic opportunity for Doncaster, supporting jobs, investment, and long‑term growth. We recognise and commend the ambition a range of partners have shown in progressing this opportunity.  Similarly, we understand and applaud the constructive scrutiny – from many quarters – that this project has been subject to; such challenge makes projects of this ilk stronger and more sustainable.  However, now is the time to confidently move forward with delivery.

Decisions and projects of this scale signal to investors, government and delivery partners whether or not South Yorkshire is confident, coordinated and capable of delivering nationally significant infrastructure. A reversal at this stage would be deeply damaging to investor confidence throughout South Yorkshire, raising serious doubts about our credibility and our ability to secure future opportunities of this nature. Continued uncertainty and delay only serve to erode confidence further, and there are already clear indications that this is having real and immediate consequences for businesses on the ground in Doncaster today.

The business community now expects a renewed focus on constructive engagement, cross‑party working, and clear communication to ensure stability and confidence going forward.  We urge you to work together to make this happen.

We want to see the airport reopen and succeed, and for Doncaster to remain a credible place to invest and do business.

Yours sincerely,

1. 2Excel - Andy Offer OBE, Director
2. Aggregates R Us Limited - Mark Robinson, Director
3. AMP Renewable Energy Ltd - Matthew Parks, Director
4. Applaud Business Consultancy Ltd - Pippa Mell, Director
5. Automated Analytics - Mark Taylor, CEO
6. Bagnalls - Joanne Gualda, Group Marketing Director
7. Bridge Employment Law Solicitors Ltd - Georgina Thomas, Associate Director
8. C.H. Middleton Ltd - Deneen Kirkham, Business Development Manager
9. CFP Group Limited - Paula Flanagan, Director
10. Clean N Bright, Wayne Spencer, Managing Director
11. Chellan Highway Safety Services Ltd - Wayne Nelthorpe, Managing Director
12. Clarks Vehicle Conversions Ltd - Lindsay Atkins, Managing Director
13. Clear Insurance Management Limited - Andrew Morley, Sales Director Midlands & North
14. Club Doncaster Foundation – John Davis, CEO
15. CLYDE Pneumatic Conveying - Richard Sims MSc, Managing Director
16. Connectus Business Solutions - Roy Shelton, Group Chief Executive Officer
17. Connected Vehicle Solutions Ltd - Jason Craven, Managing Director
18. D Hub Systems - Steve Holt, Managing Director
19. DN Colleges Group - Daniel Fenwick, Principal & Acting CEO
20. Doncaster Cables - Neil Mallinson, Managing Director
21. Doncaster Chamber of Commerce - Dan Fell MBE, CEO
22. Doncaster Chamber of Commerce – Don Neville, Non-Executive Director
23. Doncaster Chamber of Commerce – Jim Carley, Non-Executive Director
24. Doncaster Racecourse - Rachel Harwood, Executive Director
25. EB Now - Ian Cruickshank, Director
26. Ellgia - David Chamberlain, Marketing & New Business Development Director
27. Enviroelectronics - Amelia Banful, Head of Business Strategy
28. Equans Regeneration Ltd - David Mellor, Development Director
29. Fenwood Estates Ltd - Melissa Kroger, Managing Director
30. Flourish Enterprises - Steve Gillman, Managing Director
31. G2M Group - Theresa Spencer, Chief Operating Officer
32. Goffs UK Ltd - Tim Kent, Managing Director
33. Green Circle Solutions Ltd - David Humphreys, Director
34. Hanicks Heating & Spares - Chris Hanson, Managing Director
35. Harrison College - Gemma Peebles, Principal and Chief Executive Officer
36. Hawsons Chartered Accountants - Kirstie Wilson, Partner
37. HEB Group UK Ltd - Karen Staniforth, Group People, Brand & Responsibility Director
38. Hesley Group - Virginia Perkins, Chief Executive Officer
39. Highfield Qualifications - Jason Sprenger, Solicitor & Chief Executive
40. Hird Group - Michael Hird, Group Chair and Founder
41. House of Play - Shaun Wilson, Director
42. HSBC UK - Chris Shaw, Area Director South Yorkshire & Humber
43. HSR Law Solicitors - Andrew Best, Senior Partner & Head of Corporate and Commercial
44. Hybrid Air Vehicles - Tom Grundy, CEO
45. IPM Group - Gavin Page, Financial Director
46. Keepmoat Homes Limited - Dan Crew, Divisional Chair
47. Kingasia Foods Ltd - So Him Fong, Managing Director
48. Kingswood Chartered Accountants - Joshua Bearn, Director
49. Lakeside Village Outlet Shopping - Lyndsey Parry, Centre Manager
50. Mercure Danum Hotel - Adam Mo, General Manager
51. Motion Rehab - Sarah Daniel, Director & Consultant Neurological Physiotherapist
52. Mount Pleasant Hotel - Richard McIlory, Owner
53. MultiWebMarketing - Paul Smith, Founder & Managing Director
54. One Call Insurance - Sarah Chadburn Cert CII, Director
55. Pacy & Wheatley Ltd - Joe Ridgeway, Construction Director
56. Pass Logistics - Adrian Sullivan, CEO
57. Pratap Partnership - Nik Pratap, Managing Director
58. Primark Doncaster - Anne-Marie Marsden, Store Manager
59. Redline Assured Security – Paul Mason, Co-Founder
60. R O Arnold Ltd - David Gaylor, Managing Director
61. RSJ Print Ltd - Spencer Johnston, Director
62. Signum Facilities - Jill Wood, Managing Director
63. Spray Cork UK - Lee Fiori, Managing Director
64. Strata Homes Ltd - Gemma Smith, Chief Executive
65. The Badger Doncaster Ltd - Paul Stillings, Director
66. The Crown Hotel, Bawtry - Craig Dowie, Joint Owner
67. The Topping Pie Company Ltd - Roger Topping, Managing Director
68. Therapy with Neena – Neena Rainey, Founder
69. Thales - Graeme Tizard, Portfolio Manager and Operations Lead
70. Togel Contractors Ltd - Richard List, Director
71. Treo Recruitment - Neil Jones, Director
72. TwentyFour IT Services Ltd - Mike Smith, Director
73. Unipart Rail - David McGorman, Managing Director – Rail & Technology
74. VAC-EX Ltd - John Patrick Mee, Director
75. Vallum Projects - Phil Winfield, Principal Project Manager
76. Verdion - John Clements MSc MRICS, Executive Director – Head of Nordics & UK
77. Vigo Group - Tariq Shah, CEO
78. Woodland Global Ltd - Luke Fermor, Fulfilment Trade Manager
79. Xais PTS - James Wallis, Executive Director
80. Xeinadin - Kelvin Fitton, Partner