STEP Development Trust is a community-led organisation seeking to promote business and economic regeneration in the locality through the creation of training, employment and enterprise opportunities. STEP is a charitable company limited by guarantee and a well established development trust. In pursuit of its aims and objectives STEP works collaboratively alongside those agencies which share a mutual agenda in seeking to revive the local economy.

Local Background 

Stocksbridge has tremendous legacy in its local steelworks, but as a result of automation and other factors no longer employs the large numbers (7,500) it once did. Whilst it still produces the same amount of steel that it did 25 years ago, it now has approximately 900 employees and is expected to contract further by another 345 following recent announcements. There are no other major sector companies in the valley and opportunities for new business start-ups are limited.