Duo of speculative warehouse units reach practical completion in south Leeds
Two speculative warehouse units developed by Baytree Logistics Properties Ltd have reached practical completion.
The scheme totals 552,000 sq ft and is situated in Stourton, south Leeds.
Units 1 and 3, which comprise 76,231 sq ft and 145,454 sq ft, have now reached practical completion, while Unit 2 is available on a build-to-suit basis and benefits from detailed planning consent for a single 329,000 sq ft warehouse.
This development, which is the only speculative scheme in the Yorkshire region built to BREEAM Outstanding standards, showcases a host of wellbeing, sustainability and energy saving measures.
Efficient management and monitoring of the building systems is controlled by sensor suite technologies which are linked to highly efficient lighting and air handling systems in the offices.
There is, additionally, biophilia in the reception areas and a “City Tree” at the entrance to the development which removes harmful particulates from the air.
The scheme has been built to EPC “A” rated and WELL Ready standards.
Tom Goode, partner and specialist in industrial and logistics at the Leeds office of Knight Frank, said: “These measures mean that Baytree Leeds is setting a new benchmark for the logistics sector in Yorkshire which, combined with its prime West Yorkshire location and best-in-class specification, will ensure that this exciting new development will prove extremely popular. We are already experiencing strong interest.”
Casey Ferguson, development manager at Baytree, said: “We are proud to announce the practical completion of phase 1 at Baytree Leeds, our latest best-in-class logistics scheme. This development marks a significant milestone as the first BREEAM Outstanding speculative development in the north of England, setting a new benchmark in ESG for the region.
“The scheme also provides some much-needed speculative development in a prime Leeds location just 1 mile from both the M1 and M621 junctions. Given the location and leading-edge specification, we are confident this will attract a lot of interest from our customers.”
Knight Frank is marketing Baytree Leeds alongside JLL & DTRE.
Harmony Works secures further £3.5m for Canada House restoration
Harmony Works Trust has secured £3.5 million in funding from Arts Council England to transform the historic Canada House in Sheffield city centre into a vibrant new home for music education.
This latest pledge follows the successful award of £4.7 million from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, announced last week, and adds to the project’s growing support base, which also includes funding from the Architectural Heritage Fund, Sheffield City Council, South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, the UK Government’s Levelling Up Funding, and multiple local trusts and foundations.
Harmony Works Trust, awarded official charitable status in August 2023, purchased the Grade II* Listed Canada House from Panache retail brand last year. The combined £8.2 million investment from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Arts Council England will help fund the building’s transformation into a new regional home for music education – creating a high-quality practice, rehearsal and performance destination.
“We are absolutely thrilled to receive such strong backing from Arts Council England,” said Emily Pieters, Project Director at Harmony Works.
“Alongside the funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, we are now in a very strong position to fully refurbish Canada House and deliver on our long-term vision of creating a new home to inspire and nurture the creative potential of young people and their communities.”
Cllr Martin Smith, Chair of Economic Development and Skills Committee at Sheffield City Council, joined Emily Pieters in welcoming this announcement, adding: “Culture runs through every community in Sheffield, and we are committed to putting it at the heart of everything we do.
“Harmony Works will be a home for inspirational music education and opportunity in our city. Not only will this benefit young people across South Yorkshire, but this further funding will also allow us to protect an important heritage asset.”
South Yorkshire’s Mayor, Oliver Coppard, said: “From the Arctic Monkeys to Pulp, Yungblud to Kate Rusby, South Yorkshire has given music to the world for years. I couldn’t be prouder to build on our arts heritage by investing in projects such as the restoration of Harmony Works, giving exciting opportunities to young, aspiring musicians in our communities and a chance for them to stay near and go far.
“Not only do cultural institutions drive growth in our city centres, they also lead to happier, healthier lives for local people. That’s why I’ll continue to bang the drum for South Yorkshire and attract further investment into our culture sector, to create a happier, healthier, and wealthier region for all.”
Pete Massey, Yorkshire Director, Arts Council England, said: “Sheffield is a city with a rich history of musical excellence, so it’s great to see Harmony Works secure this vital investment from Government to create a fantastic new hub for music education.
“Yorkshire continues to produce musicians and bands that have received national and international acclaim, and we can’t wait to see the next generation of artists come through the Harmony Works doors to build on that success.”
With a history dating back to 1875, when it was originally constructed as offices for the Sheffield United Gas Light Company, Canada House is a cherished local landmark. In the 1980s, the building gained local popularity as TurnUps nightclub and was a hub for young music lovers.
“It’s amazing to think that in just three years, these walls will once again be filled with the sound of music – this time created by the young people themselves,” Pieters concluded.
The refurbishment of Canada House is expected to start later this year, with a view to opening the doors to Harmony Works late in 2027.
Once complete, it will become home to many organisations, including the Sheffield Music Academy, Sheffield Music Hub, Brass Bands England, Music in the Round, Choir with No Name, Orchestras for All, and Concerteenies, while also working closely with The University of Sheffield, Sheffield Hallam University and The Sheffield College.
2025 Business Predictions: Jonathan Morgan, partner at Zenko City Living
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 Jonathan Morgan, a partner at Zenko City Living.
It’s fair to say that 2024 was an interesting year for the city centre property market in Leeds. The total number of rental enquiries we received was significantly down on the previous year, but the number of new rental contracts we agreed increased.
This drop off in enquiries was due to the decline in demand for premium city centre rentals from overseas students, following changes to immigration rules introduced in January 2024, combined with lingering concerns about the cost of living in the UK.
Overseas students have typically arrived in the city centre rentals market late in the season and many would choose to rent higher end apartments in locations such as Park Row and Wellington Street.
In addition, several of the larger build to rent (BTR) schemes in Leeds city centre have got used to seeing their overseas student occupancy rate at between 20 and 30%, so this decline has caused some consternation.
Looking ahead, we are focussed on targeting the tens of thousands of young professionals working in well paid jobs in Leeds, who crave the convenience of living in the city centre. To a certain extent, this group has been squeezed out of the market since before Covid and is now returning in significant numbers. As a result, we are confident that 2025 will be a good year for rentals.
In terms of sales, demand in the second half of 2024 was strong and we think 2025 could be the best year since before Covid for owner occupier activity. Inflation is much more manageable, the shock of political change is waning, interest rates are stable and five-year forecasts for house price growth are strong.
Most significantly in the city centre context, more and more buildings are being released from the cladding issues which previously made them unsellable. At the same time, significant infrastructure change is coming to fruition, making for a much more attractive environment.
In addition, we remain the only city outside London to have resident opera, theatre and ballet companies; our diverse and resilient economy is widely understood, our universities attract over 60,000 young people a year, our retail and leisure space is nicely balanced, we have a railway station which will deliver you to London in around two hours, a regional airport connecting directly to most European cities and, an hour’s train ride away, an airport which connects with the rest of the world.
The city’s skyline is currently peppered with cranes delivering new developments and we are excited and confident about the future of city living in Leeds and look forward to unlocking the next generation of city centre homes for sale and to rent in 2025.
Siemens Mobility partners with Samaritans
Siemens Mobility is to give £23,000 to Samaritans, the charity dedicated to providing emotional support to anyone in distress or at risk of suicide.
Rob Morris, Joint UK&I CEO and Managing Director for Rail Infrastructure said: “We are proud to partner with Samaritans, a charity that plays such a vital role in supporting mental health. Mental well-being has always been a priority for us, yet we know it is not always easy to talk about. By encouraging dialogue and challenging stigmas, we aim to create a culture where mental health is understood and supported.”
Gwen Grant, Head of Corporate Partnerships at Samaritans said: “We are thrilled that Siemens Mobility employees selected us as their charity partner this year, which recognises their commitment to promote better mental health and well-being. Support from partners like Siemens Mobility is invaluable to helping Samaritans continue to be there for anyone who is struggling to cope, and we look forward to seeing what we can achieve together over the course of our partnership.”
The new charity partner was chosen by Siemens employees, reflecting their drive to making a meaningful difference. As part of this partnership, employees will engage in fundraising and volunteering through the company’s volunteering policy, which offers two days a year for each employee to support charitable causes. Last financial year, employees completed over 4,300 hours of community volunteering.
Dales’ five-year plan puts ‘nature-friendly’ farming businesses at its heart
The main thrust of a new five-year plan is to see that ‘nature-friendly’ farming businesses are supported across the Yorkshire Dales National Park, with the claim that hill farmers are now more important than ever.
That’s revealed in the newly-published draft set of objectives for the Yorkshire Dales National Park Management Plan 2025-2030.
People and organisations are invited to have their say on it during a seven-week period of public consultation; there is a survey for members of the public and a separate survey for organisations.
The management plan is said to be the most important policy document for the National Park. It is being put together by a partnership made up of 15 local organisations, including representatives of business interests. The draft has been sent to more than 200 organisations that operate in the National Park.
The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority is named as the potential lead organisation responsible for achieving 13 of the 40 objectives in the plan, with organisations such as Westmorland & Furness and North Yorkshire Councils, Natural England, the Environment Agency and the Forestry Commission leading on other objectives.
David Sharrod of Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust, who is the Chair of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Management Plan Partnership, said: “Supporting hill farming has been a long-standing priority for us but it’s more important now than ever. We need nature-friendly farming businesses to thrive in the National Park. That is critical for maximising the benefits that the National Park can provide for the nation, whether that is helping nature to recover, storing more carbon in our landscapes, reducing flooding downstream or producing fantastic quality food. Such farming will need support to be viable, and that’s what the partnership is planning to provide.
“People familiar with previous Yorkshire Dales National Park Management Plans will recognise that some objectives have been updated and carried over, such as on broadening access to the National Park by the public and retaining dark skies at night. And yet some objectives are strikingly new and ambitious. For example, creating over 5,000 hectares of new wildlife-rich habitats; creating or restoring 60km of hedgerows, and supporting farmers to adapt to the challenges of climate change. Another new objective seeks to help tackle health inequalities in society and make the National Park a place of healing for more people.
“The proposed objectives have been shaped by national government policy, local organisations and public opinion – as well as by evidence on the state of nature and the local economy. The seven-week consultation is an opportunity to influence the final detail. I would warmly invite anyone with an interest in the future of this special place to examine the proposals, and have their say.”
VOA suspends business rates agents and urges firms to be cautious
The Valuation Office Agency has temporarily suspended business rates agents Rateable Value Experts and Re-Rates UK pending an investigation of a potential serious breach of agent standards.
The suspension means we will not work with, or accept any information from, these agents while we investigate the potential breach.
A spokesman for the VOA said: “We have written to affected customers, and cannot comment further while investigations are ongoing.
“Our VOA agent standards set out clear expectations for agents regarding their behaviour, their professional practice, and the service they provide to their customers.
“We take breaches of our agent standards very seriously and will always take action if we substantiate a breach of the standards.”
The VOA urges caution about any agent who:
- tries to pressure you to make a decision or sign a contract
- says they are acting on behalf of the VOA or forwards emails they claim are from the VOA
- demands large sums of money up front
- makes claims about ‘unclaimed credits’ or similar
Asbestos removal complete in Albion Square regeneration
Scaffolding is being removed from the former BHS building as Hull City Council’s Albion Square regeneration project prepares to move onto its next phase.
Asbestos removal from the derelict building is now complete, with more than 600,000 tonnes of contaminated waste, including concrete blocks containing asbestos, being taken away over almost two years.
The primary objective of Albion Square’s redevelopment is to transform a derelict, but strategically-positioned city centre site into a high-quality mixed-use scheme with a focus on residential and a mix of active uses on the ground floor.
This site is said to have a wider significance for the future economy of the city as a visitor destination.
Cllr Paul Drake-Davis, portfolio holder for regeneration at the council, said: “I am pleased to see that the scaffolding on the former BHS building is now being removed, with preparations taking place for the next stage of the project.”
Hull company wins place on £800m procurement framework
Hull-based Sewell Facilities Management has been appointed to a new £814m framework meaning it can provide building management services to public sector organisations across the north of England.
The company was one of only 27 organisations nationally to be named on the new Total Facilities Management Framework, managed by procurement provider Pagabo.
The framework will provide a way for public sector organisations, including those in education, leisure, healthcare, emergency services and local authorities, to work with Sewell Facilities Management for soft, hard or total FM services, including roofing, mechanical work and decorating. The framework will run until January 2029.
Sewell Facilities Management MD Sean Henderson said: “We look forward to supporting the public sector to keep their buildings in day-one condition, clean, safe and compliant.
“Being appointed to the Pagabo framework gives public sector clients an easy and quick way to work with us, enabling them to ensure their buildings are looked after 24/7, so they can concentrate on their day-to-day roles.”
Jonathan Oram, director of frameworks at Pagabo, said: “While this framework is going live before the Procurement Act comes into force in late February, suppliers and clients will all benefit from the latest procurement best practice. The extensive offering that the Total Facilities Management Framework brings to our procurement portfolio here at Pagabo aligns perfectly with our overall aim across all our frameworks – to support a wide range of clients in providing value for money, while maintaining compliance.
“Over the tender period, we have seen significant interest in the framework and we’re eager to see the well-rounded offerings by the appointed suppliers at work. This all goes to highlight the demand we’ve seen for a specific facilities management framework, and we’re excited to see the framework, over the four-year period, make its mark, both for the clients that procure through it, and the suppliers that have been appointed to it.”
Sewell Facilities Management works with public and private sector clients across the north of England, providing bespoke and total facilities management services to keep buildings safe, compliant and maintained.
Their clients include NHS organisations, schools and colleges, manufacturers, charities and retail stores, and during the 30 years since they were founded, they have grown from providing straightforward facilities management to offering everything from water hygiene and fire safety compliance assessments to advice and guidance on making buildings more sustainable.
Electrical wholesaler plots further growth after management buy-out
A Hull-based electrical wholesaler has undergone a seven-figure management buy-out backed by funding from Mercia Debt.
AA Jones Electric, which was founded in 2009 and is now one of the region’s leading independents, supplies electrical equipment for domestic and commercial use, as well as industrial automation and controls.
The buy-out gives control of the business to co-founder Andy Moulds, the Sales Director, and long-standing employee Sam Lomax, who becomes Managing Director. It will allow for the retirement of one of the founders, Ian Wayman. The third founder, Tony Moore, will retain a stake in the business and continue in his role as Finance Director.
The company has secured a £1m funding package, with half coming from Mercia’s SME Loans fund to support the buy-out. NPIF II – Mercia Debt Finance, which is managed by Mercia as part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIF II), also provided £500k to support the growth of the business following the buyout.
AA Jones employs 20 staff at its premises on Venture Business Park and serves both the public and trade buyers. The company acquired an adjoining distributor, Seltec Automation, in 2022 which is now fully integrated. It currently stocks over 12,000 product lines and offers specialist advice on factory automation or for projects required to meet building or health and safety standards.
Having recently introduced new lines such as solar lighting, EV chargers and smart building technology, it now plans to further extend its range of renewables and industrial cables. The funding from NPIF II will provide additional working capital to enable it to increase stock levels and create around five new jobs in the next two years.
Sam Lomax, Managing Director, said: “Tony and Ian have built a very successful business with a dedicated and experienced team. Having joined the company 13 years ago, I am very grateful for all the support and opportunities they have given me. I am proud to be taking on the role of Managing Director and look forward to working with Andy and the team as we continue to grow the business.”
Rebecca Pickering and Mike Rogers of Mercia Debt worked on the deal.
Rebecca Pickering said: “AA Jones is well respected in the industry. It sets itself apart from the big chains by its customer service and knowledgeable staff and despite tough competition, has continued to grow revenues. We are pleased to have been able to be able to support the buy-out and provide funding for its future growth plans.”
Pierce Business Advisory and Accountancy Group of Blackburn provided corporate finance advice to the company, while WHN Solicitors of Bury provided legal advice.
Paul Bennett of Pierce said: “It was a pleasure to work with the team at AA Jones to structure a transaction that allows the management team to take the business forward and we look forward to seeing the business continue to grow over the coming years.”
Amey and partners rally over 160 volunteers to support military families
Catterick Garrison recently played host to one of Amey’s largest ever volunteer events bringing together over 160 individuals from Amey, e50K, Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), supply chain partners, local industries, military spouses, and veterans.
This collaborative effort was part of the Move You In Pack impact initiative funded by Amey and developed in partnership with e50K, a spouse-led military social enterprise.
During the event, 2,525 boxes were packed with sustainable essentials sourced from veteran/spouse led organisations, ready to be delivered to Service families as they settle into their new homes across the North and Central regions.
Each pack is thoughtfully designed to support the transition process for military families ensuring they feel welcome and supported from the moment they arrive.
In addition to packing the boxes, the day featured a Christmas toy drive where generous donations from Amey employees brought holiday cheer to families in need. Volunteers also visited Bramble Woods, a 3.5-hectare green space developed in partnership with e50K.
This unique community hub continues to grow with the recent addition of a polytunnel enabling volunteers to plant, maintain and cultivate crops further supporting biodiversity and sustainability. Since Amey provided seed funding to begin the project, e50K have secured almost £75,000 of grants and additional funding to support the development of this important local asset.
Aligning with Amey’s Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) strategy, the Move You In Pack initiative and the Bramble Woods project demonstrates a shared commitment to enhancing well-being, sustainability and inclusivity within the defence community. Since the initiative’s inception in 2021, over 6,000 Service families have benefited annually from the packs, with a total of more than 18,000 boxes delivered to date.
Additional impacts include:
- 121 military spouses have gained economically via 9,600 paid employment hours – earning more than £97,000 in wages.
- Profits exceeding £103,000 has been reinvested into Bramble Woods transforming the site into a vibrant community space featuring allotments, wildflower meadows and bee hives with plans for building an outdoor classroom.
- Over 90% of pack materials are recyclable or sustainably sourced
