Mayor says ‘credible consortium’ interested in buying Doncaster Sheffield Airport
South Yorkshire’s Mayor, Oliver Coppard, has said negotiations have begun with a “credible consortium” interested in buying the at risk Doncaster Sheffield Airport. (DSA)
Earlier this summer, current owner Peel Group began a review into the airport’s operations, claiming it was no longer commercially viable.
Since then, regional leaders have been campaigning hard to try and stop DSA from closing down.
Nick Fletcher, Conservative MP for Don Valley, yesterday – 12 September – said he been in contact with Robert Hough from Peel. Fletcher said: “In the current period of National Mourning they have agreed to defer any announcement of their strategic review on DSA until 26 September.”
Commenting on the latest news about a possible buyer for the airport, Coppard said: “No negotiation starts with a guarantee of success, but we are now asking Peel to act in good faith, to allow a proper period of negotiation to take place, and for a reasonable price to be agreed.
“This is the end of the beginning of this process, not the beginning of the end – there is still a long way to go. We promised to do everything we could to keep DSA open and that’s what we will continue to do.”
Peel has previously said it had worked hard to make DSA successful, investing about £250m of its private capital over 17 years, but warned the airport has never made a profit.
The business added it was open to receiving “credible proposals” that address the problem of DSA’s lack of commercial viability.
Doncaster Mayor, Ros Jones, said: “It is estimated that DSA supports over 2,700 jobs in the wider economy and contributes over £100m per year to the local and regional economy – that is a staggering £1bn in the next decade.
“The closure of DSA would have an immediate effect on employment and the economic future of Doncaster and South Yorkshire.
“We have held over 50 conversations with UK, EU and worldwide investors ensuring we left no stone unturned in the search for additional or alternative investors to secure the long-term sustainability of DSA.
“We are pleased to report that there is strong market interest in DSA. While we continue discussions in principle with several parties, we have one group that we believe is an extremely serious proposition.
“Let’s be perfectly honest, it is almost impossible to sell a house in less than a week, so we asked Peel to give us the time, to work with this serious potential proposition, to undertake the necessary due diligence as we endeavour to save and secure the long-term future of Doncaster Sheffield Airport.
“I am grateful that Peel have today announced the consultation period is to be extended until 26 September.”
