- Improve traffic signals at Farndon roundabout to achieve smoother traffic flows in peak hours.
- Provide a new dual-carriageway bridge over the A1.
- Enlarge and partially signal Winthorpe roundabout to reduce congestion and improve journey reliability.
- Create a new grade separated junction at the Cattle Market roundabout.
Newark businesses highlight urgent need for action on A46 town bypass
A new report from Midlands Connect highlights the significance of upgrading the A46 Newark bypass for local businesses and the economy.
Vodaphone, which has a significant regional presence in the town, says it could consider reducing its presence if employees aren’t able to get to work easily to provide customer service. The company’s National Marketing Lead Daniel Copper said: “If the office space is underutilised due to people avoiding coming in as the traffic is so bad, Vodafone is less likely to continue requiring that office.”
Graham Wright, Environment Manager at British Sugar, which processes all the sugar beet grown in the UK, and supplies 60% of the UK market, added: “The road network here is almost like a gateway, from the A46 you can access so much of the rest of the country that in investing in this stretch of road you would benefit not only Newark but wider UK connectivity.”
Simon Eccleston, Chief Executive at Newark Showground, said: “Queues can be miles long and so if you’re trying to attend an event here at the showground, clearly that can mean that you’re sometimes delayed by two hours. Newark Rugby Club Bonfire Night started over an hour late because we just simply couldn’t get people into the showground on time.
“Improving the A46 would be the best thing possible for business and the best thing possible for Newark as well. The sooner the works can start, the better.”
In November 2023, Midlands Connect released a report proposing upgrades and finishing the Newark bypass. The £400 – £500 million scheme was dubbed as ‘imperative’ by Midlands Connect Chairman Sir John Peace.
The plans are now in the pre-examination stage with the Planning Inspectorate and a full examination will begin later this year before a recommendation is made to the Secretary of State for Transport who will make a final decision.
The scheme will:
Work gets under way to transform Hull’s Europa House
Work is under way on transforming Hull city centre’s Europa House office into Monocle.
Allenby Commercial says that Monocle will deliver a bright new facility for the city and its people and breathe new life into a 50-year-old property which has stood as a landmark since the 1970s.
Georgia Allenby, Design and Marketing Director at Allenby Commercial, said: “Monocle is all about creating a workplace that is more than just your work space. The building is being redeveloped to bring a new experience and environment to Hull.
“The ground floor will be transformed into a high-end coffeehouse that will also be open to the public, alongside a welcoming business lounge with co-working spaces, break-out areas, a gym, meeting rooms and city garden.”
At Monocle, the first move in a transformation with the potential to create 700 jobs will involve building two new lifts and modern central staircase.
At the same time work will progress on providing managed office and studio space on the first floor and the remaining four floors will then be shaped to attract larger operators. Completion is due for late 2025, with PPH Commercial and CBRE in Leeds appointed as joint agents.
Europa House is instantly recognisable as the distinctive, gold-mirrored office block which has stood next to Hull Paragon Station at the corner of Anlaby Road and Ferensway since 1975.
Georgia added: “We see this as the future of office space. It’s old hat to create a sterile office building for people to sit in. People want and need more from their place of work. We’ve incorporated access to exercise with gym facilities and classes, and the good design and flow throughout the building will create an uplifting inspiring vibe.
“We have already got interest in the building, notably from professional firms and creative businesses who see Monocle as an opportunity to elevate their brand, promote staff wellbeing and improve productivity by moving into great space.”
Freeths expands Yorkshire construction practice with strategic senior hire
Law firm Freeths has appointed Construction and Engineering Partner Matt Collingwood-Cooper, expanding the firm’s sector offering across Yorkshire. He joins from Addleshaw Goddard.
Matt brings over 20 years’ experience in risk management and dispute resolution work. He is well regarded for his practical and tenacious approach; advising local, national and international clients, including household names, on construction related disputes.
He has a particular interest in the utility sectors (water and energy), framework disputes, and in the PFI sector, where he has acted on a number of reported cases (including recently in the Court of Appeal).
In his new role, Matt will work closely with National Head of Construction and Engineering Chris Holwell and Leeds-based Construction and Engineering Partner Rachael Yates to further extend Freeths’ presence in the region during a crucial time of economic change under the new government.
Chris said: “Matt’s arrival will strengthen the firm’s already strong construction and engineering sector offering. I’m confident that he will hit the ground running, providing an invaluable addition for our clients.”
Matt added: “It’s always exciting to start a new role, but I am especially proud to be joining such a fast-growing, nationally recognised firm as Freeths. The construction and engineering arm at the firm is absolutely first rate. I’m looking forward to delivering the full Freeths service for both new and existing clients.”
York accountancy firm secures six-figure loan to support growth
A York accountancy firm has secured a six-figure loan from NPIF II – Mercia Debt Finance, which is managed by Mercia Debt as part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIF II), to support its continued growth following its acquisition of another local practice.
The funding for Change Accountants is the first deal in York by the £660m Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II. The Fulford-based firm has recently doubled in size with the acquisition of Sunley & Co in Acomb.
The two practices – which between them employ 12 staff and serve around 800 clients – will continue to operate as separate brands under the direction of Change Accountants’ founder Stacey McVeighty. The funding will enable her to strengthen the management team and invest in technology and training to continue the growth of the business.
A qualified accountant with over 25 years’ experience, Stacey established the practice in 2014. Change Accountants has been paperless from the start, and prides itself on keeping up to date with the latest technology and on being a fair employer, offering staff benefits such as unlimited holidays.
In addition to the standard services such as accounts, tax, VAT and payroll, it produces specialist data to enable clients to create reports such as carbon calculations to comply with the requirements of tender frameworks.
Stacey McVeighty said: “The acquisition of Sunley & Co will boost our growth through the addition of an experienced team and enable us to benefit from economies of scale. The funding will allow us to build on that by investing in new technologies and skills to ensure we stay at the forefront of developments in the changing accountancy landscape.”
Andy Clough of Mercia added: “Stacey has built up a successful practice that has been growing steadily and has now doubled in size following the recent acquisition. The loan will enable her to further develop the expertise and services the business can offer as Change Accountants begins a fresh chapter in its growth story.”
City council earns place amongst nation’s top apprenticeship employers
For the first time Leeds City Council has earned a place as the best local authority on the Department for Education’s index of the country’s best employers for providing apprenticeship opportunities.
More than 632 council employees are currently on apprenticeships from level 2 to level 7. In the 12 months to 31 March 2024, 316 started apprenticeships on pathways ranging from social care, child care, housing, digital and project management to building trades, civil engineering and more.
Councillor Debra Coupar, Leeds City Council’s deputy leader and executive member for resources, said: “This is a testament to our commitment to providing high-quality apprenticeship opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds in Leeds.
“Apprenticeships are a vital way of developing the skills and talents of our workforce, as well as supporting the local economy and combatting the skills shortages in some sectors. We are proud of our apprentices and the valuable contribution they make to our council and our city.”
Leeds City Council is a living wage employer. All employees, including apprentices of any age, are paid a salary that matches or exceeds the Living Wage Foundation minimum rate.
The DfE’s top 100 apprenticeship employers list was compiled by analysing data from apprenticeship employers across different industries and employment sectors. Over 1,000 employers entered by submitting data from the 12 months to 31 March 2024 on their apprenticeship starts, successful apprenticeship completions and the diversity of their apprentice cohort.
Port of Hull welcomes new vessel under charter to TTS Shipping
A new link to the Baltic ports has been created with the arrive in Hull of a load of timber from Finland aboard the Humber Sprinter, under charter to TTS (Shipping) Ltd.
For her return to the Baltic, the vessel’s cargo was to be load static caravans.
TTS operates long established timber lines from the Baltic Sea into the ports of Goole, Hull and Immingham. The Humber Sprinter, the sister ship to Humber Runner, will call at the Humber ports at least twice a month with timber from The Baltic and Scandinavia.
Juliet Keep, MD of TTS Shipping, said: “We now have another vessel within our own fleet which can all call in the three ABP Humber ports where we are tenants. This gives us much more flexibility and reliability for the services we offer our customers.
Peter Waud, MD of Global Shipping Services Ltd, added: “This is fantastic news, and gives great flexibility in continuing to service the needs of clients into The Ports of Hull, Goole and Immingham where we operate as licenced stevedores.”
The Humber Runner was acquired three years ago to assist TTS in maintaining the schedule of their many services to the Humber Ports.
Global Shipping Services will act as stevedores in the Ports of Hull, Goole and Immingham.
The Navalis Group and TTS Shipping have traded together successfully for more than 20 years before the acquisition in December 2021. Both companies specialise in the forest product trade in the North and Baltic Sea.
New roles for three at Hull accounting firm
Hull-based 360 Chartered Accountants has made a series of appointments across its admin team.
Having been instrumental in improving systems and processes across the firm, Sarah Dalton has been promoted to office manager from administrative assistant. Sarah joined 360 more than three years ago with extensive experience in back-office processes in the financial services industry. Since then, she has implemented a brand new IT system, hailed as one of the best change management projects ever undertaken at 360, introducing a new client onboarding system, anti-money laundering system and invoice system.
Sam Gibson joined 360 eight years ago as an administrative assistant. He has now moved across to the accounting team as accounts and administrative support.
Meanwhile, Ellis Eastburn has become 360’s latest business administration apprentice. He will be looking after the office admin and will be the first point of call for clients.
Andy Steele, Founder of 360, which also haas offices in York and Wakefield, said:
“We really couldn’t do without our fantastic admin team to ensure everything runs smoothly not only within the firm, but also for our clients. Sarah’s overhaul of systems at 360 has been absolutely brilliant. She is so professional, calm and organised.
“As office manager she will be taking on extra responsibilities, so welcoming Ellis to our successful apprenticeship programme was a no brainer. He will be working alongside the rest of our admin team so that Sarah can focus on her officer manager role. Finally, Sam has shown a real interest and has been working more and more with the accounts team, so this means he will now provide dedicated admin support for them.”
“We believe in rewarding our team for hard work and excellence. Anything is possible when you come to work at 360 and we look for opportunities to further everyone’s career.”
KCom Enterprise team spruces up Dove House Hospice gardens
A 12-strong team from KCOM Enterprise spent a day helping out at the brilliant Dove House Hospice this week, getting stuck in to make its gardens look their best for residents and their families.
The gardens are an important space at Dove House, which cares for people with life-limiting illness and gives them the best quality of life and palliative care, and are an area “where patients and families can spend precious time together in a quiet and peaceful setting, making memories”.
One of the green fingered volunteers, Executive Assistant Sue Coulson, who spent the day weeding, chopping trees back and de-mossing the front wall, said: “It was an amazing day, we all enjoyed it and I would highly recommend any other businesses who want to volunteer at the hospice to do so.
“It costs £10m to run Dove House every year, £9m of which they have to fund themselves through fundraising and donations. So, any extra help they can get is greatly appreciated. It’s a brilliant organisation that does great work for caring for people at the most difficult times, which has probably touched most of the families of people who work at KCOM.”
KCOM employees get two paid days a year to volunteer either at an event organised by the business or at a charity chosen by themselves. KCOM staff donate more than 1,000 of volunteering hours each year to help local good causes.
Mayor calls for business leaders to help shape North Yorkshire’s economic future
York and North Yorkshire Mayor David Skaith is seeking business leaders to join a new Business Board with the objective of shaping economic growth for the region.
He’s looking for ‘innovative and passionate’ business leaders to sit on the board and advise the Combined Authority on economic strategy and policy decisions. The board will also help the Combined Authority bid for fresh investment and engage with businesses, opinion formers and policy makers to help generate economic growth.
He said: “The business community will play a vital role in ensuring our region has a connected and thriving economy where we are reaching our full potential.
“The creation of the Business Board will enable me to understand and take action to best support businesses and create opportunity for all, across York and North Yorkshire. If you’re passionate about business and passionate about the future for York and North Yorkshire, your voice is important, and I want to hear from you.”
Sewell Estates Co-Owner Council releases report looking back at its first 18 months
Following its first 18 months of co-ownership, Sewell Estates Co-Owner Council has released its first annual report, which looks back at what’s been achieved so far and the impact becoming a co-owned business has had on its people and customers.
The report was co-written by two ‘voice champions’ from different parts of the business who sit on the Co-Owner Council; the body that represents the 280 people from across Sewell’s seven businesses.
Dieter Franks, Co-Owner and Site Manager at Sewell Construction, said: “It’s been fantastic to see our ideas and suggestions not only heard but implemented throughout the business. The positive feedback I’ve received has been so encouraging and has motivated me to share my thoughts and ideas even more.”
Since launching its employee ownership trust in January 2023, new governance arrangements have been put in place, which include a Trust Board and Co-Owner Council to represent the voice of its people. The team have attended events up and down the country to learn more about employee ownership and share examples of best practice, and Co-owners have had the opportunity to attend board meetings to directly input into the running of the business.
Stuart Verry, Co-Owner Council Member and Operations Manager at Community Ventures said: “I am extremely proud of what the Council has achieved so far. A group of people from varying roles across the group has developed into a cohesive unit who support each other as we navigated through the first year of employee ownership.”
Some of the achievements include launching a new Co-Owner Charter, which outlines the responsibilities of all employees to ensure the business is serving its customers in the best possible way and continuing to drive efficiencies and improvements.
New employee benefits have also been introduced, including enhanced cost of living pay increases, health screenings, a new payroll saving scheme and uplifts in holiday allowances.
Co-Owners have also been actively submitting ideas for developing the business through new or improved ways of working and identifying areas for making productivity gains and cutting waste.
