2025 Business Predictions: Andrew Gent, director at GV&Co
It’s that time of year, when Business Link Magazine invites the region’s business leaders to offer up their predictions for the year ahead.
It has become something of a tradition, given that we’ve been doing this now for over 30 years.
Here we speak to Andrew Gent, a director at Leeds-based property consultancy GV&Co, who is hoping that 2025 will be a better year for the big-shed market following a year of uncertainty in 2024.
Nationally take up of industrial properties over 100,000 sq ft during 2024 was up on the year before. However, most was in the Midlands and in the ‘Golden Triangle’ serving the south-east conurbations. 2024 was a slow year for take up in the Yorkshire region, with many businesses including on and offline retailers deferring decisions until the general election, and then when we hoped things might kick on, the market held back, waiting for the budget, which didn’t really deliver what businesses were looking for!
With an increase in national insurance and the minimum wage, labour costs are on the up and some businesses are re-thinking their plans, with deals stalling or being pulled all together. This may lead to a move towards automation, as increased labour costs give the capital investment a quicker pay back and remove future uncertainties over additional labour cost rises.
There are positive signs for 2025, with a number of pending deals which, if transacted, will give the Yorkshire market a fillip and set the scene for the rest of the year to push on. Factor in the government’s push for additional housing, which in itself will lead to increased demand for warehousing and in particular last mile delivery facilities, and 2025 could see increased demand for warehouse space. Plus, the return of Amazon to the marketplace could be another positive.
However, to a greater degree, current take up is being driven by strategic thinking as opposed to a response to increased sales and we have seen a degree of secondary space return to the market as occupiers look to modernise their supply chains, which is balancing the market in terms of supply and demand.
There are however headwinds in the offing, and whilst government rhetoric has been about economic growth so far, the budget has failed to inspire confidence with zero growth reported from July to September. Let’s hope that the anticipated raft of early lettings materialises and that the underlying metrics for the Big Shed market outweigh the short-term economic conditions.
Major new development approved in Epworth
Plans have been approved for a major new development in Epworth including a new GP surgery, a new Holmes and Garden Centre and foodstore.
The proposed development, on Belton Road in the town by Millea Land, will take place on predominantly brownfield land.
The proposals will offer an economic boost and create around 100 new jobs for local people.
During previous consultation on the plans, the community had been very positive about new medical facilities and potential for more shopping choice and new jobs.
During the planning process, the plans have been amended through positive discussions with Epworth Town Council and Council’s Highway Officers. These changes have included a new controlled crossing on Belton road and improvements to the public right of way linking the site with the town centre, including a safe pedestrian route.
Jonathan Millea of Millea Land said: “Gaining approval for this major development in Epworth is the culmination of over four years of hard work and listening to the community.
“We are very excited to deliver the development, and we will look to get onsite as soon as possible. These plans will bring many huge benefits to the town and area, including new jobs, better medical facilities and better shopping choice.”
Andrew Jackson appoints new partner in estates team
Jessica Richardson has joined Andrew Jackson Solicitors as a partner in the agricultural and landed estates team.
She has extensive experience acting for landed estates, farmers, farm businesses and charitable trusts with agricultural property.
Representing owners, buyers and lenders, Jessica is highly regarded for her depth of knowledge and expertise dealing with all aspects of the ownership, sale and purchase of agricultural and other rural land.
With complementary skills in estate management, Jessica’s practice also involves the grant, management and termination of agricultural and other tenancies of farm land, including former farm land, and the securing possession of agricultural holdings. She is experienced in helping farmers with diversification projects and with the funding for them.
Helen Mellors, partner, and head of the firm’s agricultural and landed estates team, also commented: “Jessica is a great addition to our regionally recognised team. Her knowledge, expertise and proactive approach will help us to ensure that we can continue to provide the highest standards in service and value for our clients.”
Hallam Land sells 365 homebuilding plots to two developers
Sheffield-based Hallam Land has sold 365 residential plots – 75 in Ambrosden, Oxfordshire to house builder Mulberry Homes and 290 residential plots in Sittingbourne, Kent Taylor Wimpey, respectively.
Hallam acquired the Ambrosden site in 2014, before promoting the land through the planning process. In December 2023, an outline planning consent was secured for the homes as well as a 12-acre community woodland, local highway improvements and a children’s play area.
In 2017, Hallam agreed a promotion agreement for the Sittingbrourne site before submitting an outline application in November 2022. Hallam successfully secured planning consent on an appealed decision in July 2024, following an initial refusal in 2022. The appeal was made on the basis that Swale Borough Council’s outdated development plan could not demonstrate a five-year housing land supply which in turn was failing to meet the area’s housing needs.
Fizzy drinks company’s hires will boost international sales and develop new products
Horsforth-based fizzy drinks company CO2Sustain has made two appointments to help further accelerate the company’s international growth plans.
As sales manager in Southeast Asia Simon Briggs will be responsible for key strategic geographical growth areas and Chris Watts will strengthen new product development and the technical team.
Chris Watts joins a Product Technologist and will bring his knowledge and expertise to new product development strategy as well as managing laboratory functions. He is a biological sciences graduate.
Jonathan Stott, director at CO2Sustain, said: “The team and I look forward to supporting Simon and Chris to succeed and wish them well.”
Bounceback loan claims worth £100,000 were ‘blatant fraud’, says Official Receiver
A bankrupt former hairdresser from Sheffield is subject to 12 years of stringent sanctions after the Official Receiver found she abused the Covid Bounce Back Loan scheme to claim almost £100,000 to which she wasn’t entitled.
Hannah Lucy Walker, 31, of Pollard Crescent in Sheffield, was originally a hairdresser, but when Covid lockdowns were in operation during May 2020, she began a baking business, trading as Something Sweet.
And on 25 June 2020, she applied for a £50,000 Bounce Back Loan for Something Sweet – which only ever traded for two weeks – declaring its turnover was £256,000.
The next day she applied to a different bank for another Bounce Back Loan of £48,000 for the baking business. This time she claimed the business had a turnover of £230,000.
Walker was made bankrupt in March 2024, with outstanding debts of around £109,000 including the full amount of both loans.
The Official Receiver, whose duty includes investigating the cause of a bankruptcy, found that Something Sweet had not been eligible to apply for a loan.
Samantha Crook, Deputy Official Receiver at the Insolvency Service, said: “Hannah Walker blatantly abused a scheme designed to support existing businesses during one of the toughest times the country faced.
“She breached the rules of the scheme by taking out not one, but two loans, for a business that was not even eligible for a loan.
“These restrictions will curtail her business activities for a long time to help protect the public from further financial harm.”
Under the rules of the Bounce Back Loan scheme, businesses had to have been trading by 1 March 2020 in order to apply for a loan. The rules allowed applications for a single loan per business of up to 25% of its 2019 turnover – or of an estimated turnover if the business had started during the previous financial year – up to a maximum of £50,000. Any money claimed was to be used for the economic support of the business. Walker’s baking business was not entitled to any money through the scheme. She did not apply for a loan to support her hairdressing business. Walker signed a Bankruptcy Restrictions Undertaking in which she did not dispute that she had provided false information on two Bounce Back Loan applications to receive a total of £98,000 to which she was not entitled. She must abide by the restrictions, which extend the terms of her original bankruptcy – usually a period of 12 months – for a further 12 years. They prevent Walker from acting as a company director without permission from the court and from borrowing more than £500 without declaring that she is subject to the sanctions. She is also restricted from holding certain roles in public organisations while subject to the measures.Bird keepers ordered to adopt struct biosecurity measures
NFU Poultry Board chair James Mottershead said: “The NFU Poultry Board met this week and supported the introduction of a GB wide Avian Influenza Prevention Zone which would introduce mandatory biosecurity measures for all bird keepers. The NFU also requested the government to implement GB wide housing measures which would be an important part of a suite of measures to help prevent any further outbreaks of this devastating disease.
“We are pleased the government has acted promptly on this issue to protect the national flock with an AIPZ being implemented across England and Scotland with Welsh Government expected to follow shortly. Whilst housing measures have been extended into York, North Yorkshire and Shropshire we urge the respective governments to keep this under constant review and extend this requirement where necessary.
“Outbreaks of avian influenza can put huge emotional and financial strain on farming families. Farmers take such care to protect the health and welfare of their birds and it’s devastating to see that compromised.
“In light of cases of avian influenza being confirmed and the increased risk levels for both wild birds and poultry, I urge all bird keepers, regardless of their size or location, to remain vigilant, maintain stringent biosecurity measures and report any signs of disease in their birds at the earliest opportunity.
City council names new Director of City Development
City of York Council is delighted to announce the appointment of Garry Taylor as the new Director of City Development.
Garry, has more than 25 years’ experience in local government, urban regeneration, and place-making, will take up the position on Monday 27 January.
Garry joins the Council following his role as Assistant Director for Major Projects, Culture & Place at Hull City Council. There, he oversaw a £400 million public-private capital investment programme, including highways, cultural venues, retail and leisure developments, and public spaces. His leadership was instrumental in Hull’s transformation during and after its tenure as UK City of Culture 2017, delivering economic growth, cultural renewal, and significant investment to the region.
Bleach spill costs Huddersfield company almost £9,000
Specialist packing company Liquipak, based at Queens Mill Business Centre in Huddersfield has been ordered to pay almost £9,000 after polluting a watercourse with bleach.
Kirklees Magistrates heard that in September 2021 the bleach – sodium hypochlorite – escaped after a wooden pallet collapsed. The spilled bleach was flushed into surface water drains discharge into the River Holme where it meets the River Colne in Huddersfield.
More than 800 dead fish were counted three kilometres downstream in the River Colne, as well as dead aquatic invertebrates, such as insects that live in water.
In mitigation the court heard the company was deeply remorseful and that it was an unfortunate accident. The court also heard the company had introduced new handling procedures for its containers and had obtained a drainage plan.
The company was ordered to pay a fine of £2,666.67 after being given credit for an early guilty plea in addition to a victim surcharge and prosecution costs bringing the total amount to £8,973.67.
Barnsdales to manage Doncaster’s Frenchgate Shopping Centre
Barnsdales has been chosen by Frasers Group to undertake the property and asset management of the Frenchgate Shopping Centre in Doncaster.
The retail giant purchased the centre last year and has now appointed Barnsdales to oversee key elements of the 770,000 sq ft shopping destination in the city centre.
With over 120 well-known brands across two storeys, the Frenchgate Shopping Centre has been a prime shopping destination for over 50 years.
Jason Barnsdale, Managing Director of Barnsdales, said: “With its own transport hub, the Doncaster Interchange, and adjoining railway station, it’s certain that when people come to Doncaster, they come to the Frenchgate Shopping Centre.
“It’s an honour to be entrusted with the everyday management of the centre and to act as asset managers and joint leasing agents with Rawstron Johnson on behalf of the Frasers Group; we’re determined to help it thrive as a bustling shopping and dining destination.
“I’m genuinely delighted that Barnsdales has been chosen to manage this iconic Doncaster shopping centre. Barnsdales is headquartered in the city, working nationally from offices throughout the UK. This is a significant instruction for the Barnsdales property management team.”
Barnsdales, which was established in Doncaster almost 120 years ago, has its headquarters on White Rose Way in Doncaster – less than two miles from the Frenchgate Shopping Centre.
Corinne Mycock, General Manager at Doncaster’s Frenchgate Shopping Centre, said: “The Frenchgate Shopping Centre is delighted to bring on Barnsdales as property and asset managers and joint letting agents. As they are based in the city, we feel they have a close connection to – and an innate feel for – the place, which is essential.
“We’re hopeful that having professionals from a company based in and operating from Doncaster will give us a more hands-on, proactive approach.”
