Global venue management company named as new operator for Sheffield City Hall
ASM Global has been named as the new operator of Sheffield City Hall, as of January 2025.
Last year, Sheffield City Council revealed that the city’s leisure and entertainment venues were set to receive £117 million of investment including rebuilds of some of the city’s most popular leisure centres and improvements to Sheffield’s Arena and City Hall.
As part of these plans, in June 2023, a competitive procurement process was launched in a bid to attract the best in leisure and entertainment provision to run Sheffield’s venues.
Earlier this year, ASM Global were announced as the new operator for Utilita Arena Sheffield.
Operators were also invited to bid on the running of Sheffield’s historic and iconic, City Hall, and after a highly competitive tender process, ASM Global have also been selected as the successful bidder and the new operator of the venue.
ASM Global is an international venue management and event strategy company, and one of the world’s leading producers of entertainment experiences.
Sheffield City Hall and the Utilita Arena Sheffield will join ASM Global’s network of more than 350 venues, which collectively host 20,000 events and welcome 164 million guests every year.
Councillor Kurtis Crossland, Chair of the Communities, Parks and Leisure Committee at Sheffield City Council, said: “ASM Global have a world-class reputation within the venue and entertainment industry, and I am delighted that they have been announced as the new operator for the Sheffield City Hall, which is central to Sheffield’s cultural and civic life.
“I am confident that both Sheffield City Hall and the Utilita Arena Sheffield are in great hands with ASM Global and that this new investment will help our fantastic Sheffield venues compete on the global stage.”
Sheffield’s Grade II listed City Hall is one of the city’s most iconic venues and has hosted some of the biggest names in music, entertainment and public speaking, from Elton John to the Beatles and Kylie Minogue.
Since it first opened its doors in 1932, Sheffield City Hall has also provided a home to many local and community events, such as tea dances in the Ballroom or Manor Operatic Society’s annual panto.
Over the years, Sheffield City Hall has been a pillar of civic life within the city and has witnessed countless historic events, including Sir Winston Churchill receiving the Freedom of the City of Sheffield honour at the landmark.
It is currently host to over 750 events each year, including Sheffield’s International Concert Season and the Last Laugh Comedy Club, plus conferences, exhibitions and more.
Chris Bray, President of ASM Global Europe, said: “We are delighted to have been selected to operate the wonderful Sheffield City Hall – a truly beautiful and unique venue steeped in heritage.
“Sheffield’s rich culture and phenomenal music talent are recognised far and wide, and working with Sheffield City Council we have exciting plans to evolve and transform the city’s live entertainment experience for both residents and visitors, delivering content that is nothing short of world leading.
“Having announced just a few months ago that ASM Global has also been appointed to manage the city’s Utilita Arena, we are thrilled to be able to support the local community and the city’s economy, ensuring these venues are must-plays across a broad spectrum of acts and artists, from grassroots to world-renowned.”
York research consultancy joins Leicester group
York-based research, evaluation and insight consultancy, Qa Research has joined Leicester’s EMB Group.
EMB Group provides a range of professional services designed to drive meaningful change through business information & advice, grant & transaction processing, and research & insight services. This latest acquisition increases the number of people working in the research division of the business to over 60.
For Qa, the sale represented an opportunity to become part of a larger group of companies and tap into a sophisticated infrastructure, whilst continuing to operate as a stand-alone business under the well-respected Qa Research brand, retaining the current team of experts.
Richard Bryan, Managing Director of Qa, said: “Over the past few years, Qa has been growing steadily and we wanted to find a partner with the right systems and culture to underpin this growth.
“As a business that is already engaged with many of our sectors and which understands how research agencies operate, EMB Group is a great fit for us. We’re excited to be part of the Group and working alongside the other research teams.”
Danielle Gillett, CEO of EMB Group, said: “Since entering the research market in early 2023, we have been steadily increasing our capability and the sectors we cover.
“Through their wide range of qualitative, quantitative and data collection services, Qa bring a new dimension to our offer, as well as strengthening our existing research and insight expertise and we’re delighted to welcome them to the Group.”
Qa Research will sit alongside Blue Marble Research and Pye Tait Consulting and continue to operate from their base in York.
Green light for Phase One of transformational Attercliffe Waterside mixed-use scheme in Sheffield
Sustainable developer Citu has secured planning permission for Phase One of the landmark Attercliffe Waterside urban regeneration scheme in Sheffield.
The 23-acre brownfield site is owned by Sheffield City Council and straddles either side of Sheffield and Tinsley Canal, once a vital waterway in powering the city’s Industrial Revolution. The transformational scheme will celebrate the rich heritage of the site which has laid derelict for years and is now destined to become one of the largest low carbon communities in the UK.
Around 1,000 homes will be delivered in three phases across the scheme, complemented by community focussed leisure opportunities and creative workspaces. Phase One – which includes 362 homes, new public realm, a new pedestrian bridge across the Sheffield and Tinsley Canal, and the repurposing of existing buildings – was approved by Sheffield City Council’s Planning and Highways Committee yesterday (Tuesday 9 July).
The first phase on the north side of the Sheffield and Tinsley Canal will form the heart of the new district, with work expected to begin this autumn on the leisure and commercial elements, ahead of construction of the first homes on site.
Six existing historic buildings will be reimagined at the centre of the new neighbourhood that will include a café, bar, bakery, restaurant, offices and multi-purpose venue. Contemporary designs and surviving architecture will be interwoven to create a new Attercliffe Waterside that respects its industrial heritage and paves the way for a sustainable future.
A public and commercial square will also be created, alongside a series of south-facing courtyards and walkways down to the canal. The new pedestrian and cycling footbridge will connect Phase One to the south side of the river, opening up the community to Sheffield’s wider East End, additional green space and a tram stop for easy access to the city centre.
The first homes to be built on the site will consist of 3 & 4-bedroom townhouses and 1 & 2-bedroom apartments, all constructed using Citu’s ground-breaking timber-framed housing system. This combines bold architecture with flexible designs alongside sustainable, low carbon materials to ensure the highest standards of energy efficiency.
The houses will be constructed on a podium which sits above an under-croft car park, with plans to remove cars from specific stretches of Effingham Road which will be replaced with pedestrianisation, public realm and a cycle lane, all part of the scheme’s vision to create a landscape that prioritises people over cars.
Public art by local artists will also be introduced throughout the public and private spaces, with murals on building facades, existing building structures being repurposed as sculptural artefacts and imaginative new play areas integrated into the local landscape.
Chris Thompson, founder and co-director from Citu, said: “We are delighted to have secured planning permission for Phase One of Attercliffe Waterside that will kickstart the wider regeneration of Sheffield’s East End.
“It’s an area steeped in history and our plans have been inspired by the heritage industries that were powered by the waterways running through it. The area presents huge opportunities from its location alongside the canal and the River Don, with green space, the Olympic Legacy Park and easy access to the city centre by tram in just ten minutes.
“We are creating a new community in this beautiful waterside location that will have its own identity; one that pays homage to the area’s rich history but that adapts the landscape to address the various challenges of our day, not least the climate emergency.
“Attercliffe Waterside will enable future generations to live more sustainable lifestyles, in homes that are built to the highest environmental performance standards, setting an exemplar nationally for this type of regeneration.”
Following the planning decision, Cllr Ben Miskell, chair of the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Committee, said: “The Attercliffe Waterside development is a tremendously ambitious project but one we are incredibly excited about and, working with Citu, are really looking forward to seeing it start to take shape very soon.
“The development will breathe new life into the area and it will be the residents who will give it that true sense of community, while benefitting from living in one of the largest low carbon neighbourhoods in the UK.
“The creation of this brilliant new community forms part of our wider vision for Sheffield and links in beautifully with the large number of regeneration projects we already have in progress. Sheffield is a city attracting people to come and live here all the time, projects like Attercliffe Waterside will inspire more to do the same.”
The land at Attercliffe Waterside was originally brought to market in 2019 and billed at the time as ‘one of the most exciting development opportunities in the north of England’. Citu was announced as the preferred developer in 2023.
Spawforths transitions to employee ownership
Spawforths, the Yorkshire-based independent planning, masterplanning and architectural consultancy, has become employee-owned. This strategic move is set to empower its 22 employees, allowing them to share directly in the company’s success and future growth strategy.
Spawforths works on the full range of development projects from one off houses to New Towns and is currently leading over £12 billion worth of development projects through the planning system, including the creation of 40,000 new homes and 25 million square feet of commercial space across the North and the Midlands.
The new ownership model, established through an employee ownership trust (EOT), ensures that each employee becomes a beneficiary of the trust. This model mirrors successful structures used by prominent companies such as John Lewis.
Chairman, Dave Rolinson, said: “This transition marks a new chapter for Spawforths. By becoming an employee-owned company, we are not only investing in our team but also in our future growth. Our employees are at the heart of our success, and this move reinforces our commitment to shared prosperity and inclusive growth.”
Under the EOT, the current directors will continue to manage the company’s operations, supported by a board of trustees that includes three employee representatives. This governance structure ensures that employees have a voice in the strategic direction of the company while maintaining stability and continuity in its operations.
Council Leader invites Prime Minister to Hull to start working together for the city
The Leader of Hull City Council, Councillor Mike Ross, has invited the new Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to visit Hull to help unlock the city’s full potential.
Councillor Ross has written to the new Government to seek a meeting with the new Prime Minister so that they can discuss how they can work together for the city of Hull.
In the letter, Cllr Ross has set out the challenges Hull is facing and seeks “urgent support” for fair funding.
He has urged the new Government to give Hull City Council, as well as others across the country, more funding so they can make vital improvements for years to come.
Councillor Ross explains the tough financial challenges the Council and people across the city have faced under the previous Governments.
He also makes the case for Hull and says the city has “tremendous talent and a strong ambition to succeed.”
The letter, which addresses issues with Adult Social Care, Devolution and Homelessness, has also been sent to the new Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, along with Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, and the Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson.
It will also go to Hull’s three MPs – Dame Diana Johnson, Emma Hardy and Karl Turner.
Cllr Mike Ross said: “Hull has a strong ambition to succeed.
“Our city has been dealt a bad hand by previous Governments but a new Government means a new chance to change that.
“Hull is and always has been a city with massive potential.
“I have always said this council will work with anyone if it is in the interests of the city and I want to work with this new Government to make that potential real for local people.
“I’m inviting Sir Keir Starmer and his team to see our amazing city for himself.
“I want to work with the Prime Minister to deliver for local people who deserve a better deal than the one they have had.
“We are clear that the best is yet to come for Hull and want to work with the Government to make sure this is the case.”
Major North Yorkshire retail and business park hits the market for £10.5m
A modern retail and business park in Guisborough which is home to a wide range of household names and local businesses is for sale and is expected to attract interest from both national and international property investment companies.
Cleveland Gate Retail and Business Park offers almost 40,000 sq ft of retail space and 25,000 sq ft of business space, as well as parking for nearly 200 cars, just a few minutes from Guisborough town centre. The site was developed by Ryedale Estates and is being marketed jointly by commercial property agents, Leeds-based Dacres Commercial and Stokesley-based Jackson & Partners.
The retail park opened in 2017 and tenants now include an M&S Foodhall, B&M, Frank’s Flooring, Domino’s Pizza and Hollyhocks Café, all served by a 186-space car park. To the rear of the retail park there are 11 hybrid and light industrial units with tenants including TNT Fitness, Vet Partners, Guisborough Brewery, Finn’s Bakery and specialist dental practice, Riverdale.
The whole site generates a headline rent of more than £820,000 per year and the selling agents are instructed to seek offers in excess of £10.5million. The site could also be split, with the option to sell the retail park for £7.5million and the industrial estate for £3million.
Hedley Steel, from Dacres Commercial, said: “This is a modern and high-quality investment opportunity in a sought-after and growing commuter town that enjoys buoyant regional occupational and consumer demand, prompting sustained rental growth.
“Tenants include national, regional and local occupiers and other major retailers nearby include the likes of Sainsbury’s, Boots, Aldi, Iceland and Lidl. In addition, the retail park’s VNPR data shows that between 2019 and 2023, vehicle movements increased by 23.26%, with the average number of monthly vehicle movements standing at 51,335 in 2023.
“All this further enhances Cleveland Gate Retail and Business Park’s credentials as a solid investment opportunity, and we’re already generating significant interest from both local and national investors.”
David Jackson, from Jackson & Partners, added: “This is a rare opportunity to acquire one of the region’s most successful retail and business destinations situated in this affluent part of North Yorkshire.
“The development has seen continued growth and high levels of consumer demand due in part to Guisborough’s rapid expansion and extensive catchment. We are experiencing strong interest from a wide range of investors and hope to conclude matters in the next few months.”
Mayor Brabin tells builders to brace for housebuilding boom
Mayor Tracy Brabin has vowed to deliver a “new dawn” for housebuilding across West Yorkshire, by working in lock-step with local housing providers and the new government in Westminster.
The West Yorkshire Housing Strategy 2040, the first of its kind for the region, has been unveiled on a visit to Saxton Lane in Leeds, where 204 affordable apartments are being developed by WDH.
The strategy identifies untapped potential for new housing across Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds and Wakefield, where over 38,000 new homes could be built on previously developed land.
For the first time, the plans will bring together the five local authorities of West Yorkshire to deliver across four core missions – boosting housing supply, building affordable homes, improving existing homes, and creating vibrant communities.
The strategy aims to build on the progress made since the devolution of the £90 million Brownfield Housing Fund to the region, which has helped to deliver more affordable homes than at any other time since the global financial crash, including 1,500 in the year 2022-2023.
Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “Our fifteen year housing strategy gives us the long-term, joined-up approach we need to tackle this intolerable housing crisis, ensuring that everyone has a safe and secure place to call home.
“Growing up in a good quality council flat we didn’t have to worry about unaffordable rent, mould on our walls or the looming threat of a no-fault eviction, and no one else should have to either.
“Housing is a basic human right and the foundation for a good and healthy life. By working in lock-step with the new government and our brilliant local housing partners, we will deliver a new dawn for housebuilding across West Yorkshire.”
The launch of the West Yorkshire Housing Strategy follows a speech made earlier in the week from the new Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves MP, who vowed to “get Britain building again.”
To help deliver 1.5 million new homes by the end of the parliament, the Chancellor and MP for Leeds West and Pudsey has pledged to work closely with Mayors and local leaders, restore housebuilding targets, and reform planning rules whilst bolstering planning teams.
According to the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, there are approximately 85,000 people and families on waiting lists for a council home across the region, with house prices reaching six times the average annual wage, as compared to only three times the average annual wage in 2002.
Private renters have also been hit hard by the “double-whammy” of high inflation and poor conditions, with rents in Leeds, Kirklees and Wakefield rising by around 20% since 2018, and two in five privately rented homes failing to meet the government’s definition of a “decent home.”
To address rising fuel poverty, the Combined Authority and its partners have committed £40 million to modernise social homes with solar panels, heat pumps and better insulated walls and windows. The new housing strategy sets out an ambitious vision to create greener and more secure communities, driving down energy bills across West Yorkshire.
Cllr Denise Jeffery, Leader of Wakefield Council and Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Place, Regeneration and Housing Committee, said: “Thousands more families are living in safe, secure and affordable homes because of the decisions of our West Yorkshire Mayor in partnership with local councils. We’ve really made the most of the powers and funding devolved to our region so far.
“But now we need to accelerate this work even more. For too long, strict Government rules over where our brownfield housing fund is spent have blocked our plans. This has limited too much of what we’ve been able to achieve to places where land values are already high.
“With the backing of a new Government, and the promise of greater flexibility in how we can make decisions, we can build 38,000 new homes. That is at the heart of delivering a region which everyone can be proud to call home.”
Andy Wallhead, Chief Executive Officer of WDH and Chair of the West Yorkshire Housing Partnership, said: “Housing associations are already leading the way on housebuilding in West Yorkshire, with our partnership members collectively providing a fifth of all homes across the region.
“But, by working with the new Government and continuing our close collaboration with the Mayor, we’re determined to do even more and will keep on building to provide the affordable and sustainable homes needed to unlock West Yorkshire’s true potential.”
Rix Group extends leisure portfolio with acquisition of residential park home maker
Hull family business J.R. Rix & Sons Ltd has acquired a residential park home maker to build on its holiday home and lodge portfolio manufactured by Victory Leisure Homes.
The company has become sole shareholder in Prestige Communities Group Ltd – parent company of well-known residential brand Prestige – for an undisclosed sum.
The move sees Rix Group enter the residential park home sector for the first time, after growing Victory Leisure Homes into one of the UK’s top holiday home and lodge manufacturers. The Prestige portfolio also offers an extended range of premium holiday and leisure homes, growing the Group’s presence and market share.
James Doyle, Managing Director of J.R. Rix & Sons, said the acquisition will bring stability to Prestige Communities Group, which has undergone several changes in ownership over recent years.
Mr Doyle said: “We’re delighted to complete the purchase of Prestige. I feel we are well positioned to support and invest further in the company ensuring it remains at the forefront of innovation in the park home and leisure space.
“The acquisition extends our product range into the residential park home sector and will enable us to build on the successes achieved by Victory Leisure Homes in the holiday park sector.
“We feel there is a good cultural fit with the people at Prestige which will be fundamental to the business’s future success and we look forward to working with Mitchell Comer and his management team.”
Mitchell Comer, CEO of Northamptonshire-based Prestige, said: “Following the restructuring in February, we have been seeking and discussing a long-term investor/owner proposition that would give Prestige a foundation to build upon, securing the legacy, but equally enabling funding and support for continued growth and innovation.
“J.R. Rix & Sons demonstrated a long-term vision, both for their group of companies, as well as Prestige, and during discussions it was clear we shared common values and aspirations.”
Contentious probate expert appointed as partner at Ramsdens
Liam Brooke has joined Ramsdens Solicitors as a partner to lead its growing will, trust and estate disputes practice.
With a wealth of experience advising on all types of contentious trust and probate matters, Liam joins Ramsdens’ Edgerton office from Rothley Law’s private client practice (previously part of Shoosmiths) where he spent two years, latterly as a principal associate. He has also worked for Clarion and Irwin Mitchell.
Liam has expertise in disputes regarding the validity of wills, claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 and disputes involving executors and trustees. He also deals with disputes arising within the Court of Protection.
Liam is a Member of ACTAPS (Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists) and is also a member of the Northern Contentious Probate Group.
The firm is continuing to strengthen its five-strong dedicated team which also saw the appointment of Steven Murgatroyd as a senior associate earlier this year. Steven is experienced in both dispute resolution and wills and probate, and has a strong technical legal background when dealing with deputyships, and powers of attorney.
The will, trust and estates dispute team ably support the firm’s 41-strong private wealth and succession and nine-strong Court of Protection teams, both of which are one of the largest teams in Yorkshire.
Nick Armitage, who heads up the firm’s dispute resolution teams, said: “Liam’s arrival is a further welcome boost to our experienced will, trust and estate disputes team which now includes one partner, two senior associates and two legal assistants.
“With an impressive track record of advising in this complex and often sensitive area of the law, Liam will take the helm as we continue to drive our reputation as experts in this specialist field, offering the most senior regional team outside Leeds.”
Liam Brooke said: “Having previously worked with Ramsdens and being well aware of their excellent reputation in the private client sector, I recognised this as a great opportunity to build a strong contentious probate practice which rivals the expertise of many of the large, national firms.
“We are fortunate to have such experienced specialist lawyers here at Ramsdens, and further developing this growing area of law will complement the firm’s already-strong non-contentious probate offering.”
Yorkshire & Humber at foot of regional rankings in June as private sector output returns to contraction
The NatWest Regional Growth Tracker revealed that Yorkshire & Humber was once again the worst performer across the UK at the end of the second quarter as private sector output returned to contraction territory after briefly expanding in May.
The Headline Yorkshire & Humber Business Activity Index – a seasonally adjusted index that measures the month-on-month change in the combined output of the region’s manufacturing and service sectors – fell from 50.5 in May to 47.7 in June, below the crucial 50.0 mark that separates growth from decline and therefore signalling a renewed downturn in private sector activity across the region.
After marginally rising in May, demand for Yorkshire & Humber goods and services returned to contraction at the end of the second quarter, in line with the trend seen in the 12 months to April this year. Survey respondents reported low client confidence and a hesitancy from customers to place orders. The decline in Yorkshire & Humber sales activity contrasted with a modest expansion across the UK as a whole.
Malcolm Buchanan, Chair of the NatWest North Regional Board, said: “Our Regional Growth Tracker once again highlighted weakness in Yorkshire & Humber’s private sector economy, with business activity and new orders shrinking in June after some improvement in May.
“Whether this could be a temporary blip due to the upcoming general election, which did cause growth momentum to slow across the UK more broadly in June, remains to be seen. However, the region has underperformed consistently for a while now, and business confidence slid to a 20-month low during the latest survey period.
“Nevertheless, there are positive takeaways. Employment growth strengthened to a seven-month high, with panel members citing recruitment drives and company expansion. From this, we can certainly deduce a feel-good factor in some parts of the local economy, which could help spur growth in the second half of 2024.”
Performance in relation to UK
Although the Future Activity Index remained well above the neutral 50.0 threshold, therefore signalling optimism on balance among Yorkshire & Humber companies, the level of positive sentiment fell to its lowest since October 2022 and was well below the UK average.
Political uncertainty weighed on confidence, anecdotal evidence showed, although some respondents remained hopeful of a further pick-up in the broader economy.
Job creation was sustained across Yorkshire & Humber in June. In fact, the rate of employment growth improved slightly and was the strongest since last November. Recruitment drives, company expansion, and the filling of vacancies underpinned hiring, said survey respondents.
Yorkshire & Humber was among the top performing parts of the UK in terms of workforce growth in June, ranking fourth out of the 12 monitored UK areas.
Operating costs at Yorkshire & Humber firms continued to rise at a sharp pace during June. Anecdotal evidence indicated that companies incurred greater expenses due to increases in commodity and shipping costs.
That said, the overall rate of inflation was broadly in line with that seen in May, which was the softest for seven months. The local increase in total costs was slightly below that seen for the UK as a whole.
Prices charged for Yorkshire & Humber goods and services increased in June, as has been the case in every month for almost four years. The rate of inflation quickened slightly to its strongest since March, but was the second-weakest seen across all 12 monitored parts of the UK.
Where charges were lifted, survey respondents mentioned the passing on of higher costs to their customers.
