The World Student Games in 1991

Posted on May 5, 2011 by NICOLAS Zannettos

The Don Valley Stadium opened in September 1990. Image via geograph.

In 1991, Sheffield hosted the Universiade, otherwise known as the World Student Games, a sporting event for students in higher education.

Over 3,000 athletes from over 100 nations took part in the Games, which ran from 14 to 25 July 1991.

As the city committed to provide the facilities, needed to promote a large sporting event, new venues were built. The main site was the Don Valley Stadium (a multi-purpose 25,000 seater stadium). The Ponds Forge Swimming Pool and the Sheffield Arena (with 10,000 seats and exhibition centre) were also built, whilst the Lyceum Theatre was renovated as part of the cultural element of the bid.

Moreover, figures provided by Sheffield City Council – supported by studies completed at Sheffield University – suggested that the games would directly create around 2,000 jobs.

However, 20 years on – and after refinancing – the initial cost of building works (£147 million) has risen to £650 million, with less than half (£296 million) having been paid off.

At the same time, as revealed by the Star, the council currently spends £30 million a year to fulfill its financial obligations and it is estimated this debt will not be paid off until 2024.

These cost issues have raised controversy, as ruling Liberal Democrats have also pointed to the cost of paying for them.

Council leader Paul Scriven stated: “This city has done remarkably well, absorbing £84m of budget cuts over the coming year, compared with other major cities around the country.

“But my job would have been much easier without having to hand over a huge amount of taxpayers’ money each year to cover Labour’s legacy of debt from the World Student Games.

“The economic benefit of events held at venues such as Ponds Forge and the Don Valley Stadium is £6m per year – but that is dwarfed by the interest bill.”

On the other hand Sheffield South East Labour MP Clive Betts, council leader during the Games, responded: “Labour borrowed the money to build facilities that are extremely well-used and an asset for Sheffield.

“The final refinancing plan was approved when the Lib Dems were last in power, between 1999 and 2002.”

As this controversy goes on, it will be interesting to see if it will affect the result of the local elections and the referendum.

By Dimitris Souliotis and Peter Sun

For how the World Student Games affected the Labour Party, since 1991, please check out JUS News’ feature on the issue.

Clegg’s unpopularity may derail voting reform

Posted on May 4, 2011 by NICOLAS Zannettos

Nick Clegg

Britain’s voters were asked today not to let antipathy to Sheffield MP Nick Clegg ruin the only chance for electoral reform in a generation.

Labour leader Ed Miliband told the BBC’s Radio 5 Live that tomorrow’s referendum should be seen as an opportunity to change the voting system to a fairer one.

“This isn’t about Nick Clegg. This is about whether we change our politics for the better and this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to do it.”

The Labour leader said if voters want to send a message to the coalition government, they should use the elections instead of the referendum.

Unpopularity

Strategists say that Mr Clegg’s unpopularity in the country after his U-turn on tuition fees and support for the coalition government’s austerity measures, has damaged the ‘Yes to AV’ campaign.

Yes campaigners fear that voters will seek to punish the Deputy Prime Minister by decisively rejecting voting reform in Thursday’s referundum.

Mr Clegg, MP for Sheffield Hallam, hit back: ”If you basically think the current system is absolutely fine, totally perfect, nothing wrong with it then obviously vote No and stick with what we’ve got.”

The Lib Dem leader said that people should vote yes if they want something fairer and that makes all politicians work a bit harder.

It is only the second time in the UK’s history that a referendum has been held. The first was the 1975 referendum on membership of the European Union.

Press officer for the Yes campaign in Sheffield Darragh Mehigan said: “Unfortunately many people in Sheffield aren’t thinking about the fairness of the voting system. Instead they are using the referendum as stick to beat Clegg.

“This is the first referendum in the UK for more than 35 years and people shouldn’t spurn this chance to change the voting system for the better.”

Not clear about how AV voting works? see A beginners’ guide to the Alternative Vote (AV)

How people think of AV,

see Reaction to AV system on social media

see Yes or No to AV, Sheffield?

Sheffield telemarketing company creates 400 jobs

Posted on March 14, 2011 by NICOLAS Zannettos

400 jobs will be created over the next 12 months in Sheffield by Voice, a company that offers telemarketing services to clients like Sky and Eon.

Company Director Jonathan Wall says he has found the formula not only to survive the last five difficult years, but also to expand.

“We started the company almost five years ago. We moved in with eight telephone executives and ourselves on day one. We’ve grown month by month ever since. In fact we’ve grown 100% each year.”

Voice Telemarketing Ltd currently employs around 400 people and they will be creating 400 more jobs over the next few months. Their client base is considered as one of the most prestigious in the market.

Mr. Wall pointed to two reasons that his company was not affected by the economic crisis. He supports that the type of business they are running is the first and most important of them.

Right at the cutting edge of direct marketing Voice aims to get immediate results to its clients who spend their marketing budget with the aim of getting immediate results back for the lowest possible cost.

“The other reason that we’ve been successful is because of the investment we’ve put into our business and our people.”

Training

The level of training that they provide to their employees makes a long-term-career in the company a possibility. As Mr Wall explained they want their staff to stay in the company for the long term and be ready for further development. Ideally in the future this means experienced staff who understand the functionality of the business.

“We will train and develop intelligent individuals who want a career. Unlike other call centres and agencies we don’t just want individuals who just fancy a short-term job. What we offer is a progression plan.”

The company is important for the city of Sheffield as it currently employs 400 local people and will create 400 more the next 12 months with the opening of their new offices.

The jobs that will be available range from telephone executives, team leaders and operation managers with the possibility to progress into higher positions.

As for the future of the company Mr Wall supported that the aim is not to become the biggest in the industry but to become the best.

The Valentine’s tweets

Posted on February 14, 2011 by NICOLAS Zannettos

One of the most controversial days of the year, Valentine’s, is becoming a major tweet this morning with people expressing their love, ignorance or humour about it. We’ve spend some time in Twitter this morning and we present to you few interesting tweets. An answer is given to each one as well.

The business man: “1hr holistic beauty treatment for 15 pounds instead of 40. Happy Valentine’s Day people.” It’s funny when some still believe that this is not a commercial day.
A view of Twitter this morning

The annoyed one: “No ex. You have no right to wish me a happy Valentine’s Day. You didn’t become an ex by accident.” Alright chill out!

Black humour? “Happy Valentines day to my friend died in a car accident last year. We love you and miss you.” Ermm…ok…

Unlucky? “Can’t believe I got a car accident! No car no Valentine’s day for me!” Never mind. You’ll find a way to get through with this.

The negative: “Oops. Just called Valentine’s Day Halloween by accident. Shows how I feel about that! Hahaha.” – Ermm…This is not even funny?

The worried one: “It’s gonna be a lot of babies made on Valentine’s day. Some on purpose some by accident!” You are probably right. Go for condoms people.

The lonely one: “Oh yeah happy Valentine’s day. I’m going for a romantic microwave meal for one tonight.” You couldn’t be more sarcastic about it. Thumbs up!

Still hoping? “Future wife happy Valentine’s day.” We are sure you’ll live to see yourself with a girl one day buddy.

The dangerous: “Loving Valentine’s day, where a nookie is only a box of chocolate away.” Be careful of them girls!

The ‘I want some attention one’: “It’s Valentine’s day so if anyone wants to bring me cookies, candy, cupcakes or even Starbucks today…feel free to do so.” Yeah like you would say ‘no’ to them any other day.