The perception of Doncaster is often of a legacy of closed collieries and factories. However, there has been significant investment and regeneration in the last decade that has led to improvements in core indices of multiple deprivation, significant increases in the number of new firms and jobs created, especially for key target groups, (including women and workless households) and increased employment rates.
Robin Hood Doncaster-Sheffield Airport opened in 2005 and is the only new international airport in the UK in the past 40 years. The airport expects 2.33 million passengers per year by 2014. It will create over 7,000 jobs and has capacity for a 100 acre business park and has attracted £80 million worth of private sector investment.
Doncaster Education City (DEC) - was one of the largest education investments of its kind in the UK. DEC provided local residents and businesses with access to a comprehensive range of high quality learning opportunities and helped to changed the look of education in the town, enabling The Hub to be built.
The Frenchgate Centre has also been expanded. It comprises over 860,000 sq ft retail space, 20,000 sq ft office space and an integrated public transport interchange (with bus and rail facilities).
Town Moor and Racecourse Development includes £35 million for a brand new purpose built grandstand, refurbishment of remaining facilities and a radical enhancement of stables and bloodstock facilities.
Doncaster’s Community and Social Enterprise Partnership aims to raise the profile of social enterprises and the social economy in Doncaster.