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Infrastructure funding targets Lincolnshire school and healthcare sites

April Lara

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2nd June 2025

Infrastructure funding targets Lincolnshire school and healthcare sites

A total of 18 schools across Lincolnshire will undergo repairs and upgrades as part of a government infrastructure initiative set to begin this summer and continue through to April next year. The funding is drawn from a wider £40 million allocation earmarked for schools throughout the East Midlands.

Projects include essential fire safety upgrades at Spalding Grammar School to prevent potential closure, and asbestos removal at Westgate Academy in Lincoln. Other recipients include Boston Grammar School, The King’s School in Grantham, and Branston Community Academy, reflecting a geographic spread of improvements across both primary and secondary institutions.

This round of investment signals continued public sector capital expenditure on essential facilities, with a focus on safety compliance and modernisation. For B2B service providers, particularly those in construction, engineering, compliance, and building materials, the pipeline of work offers partnership opportunities within government-backed programmes.

In parallel, the Pilgrim Hospital in Boston has been allocated £7 million for upgrades to its electrical systems and fire safety. Additionally, Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust will receive £750,000 for similar improvements across its estate, supporting healthcare infrastructure resilience.

These investments suggest a sustained demand for skilled contractors, compliance consultants, and building systems suppliers across the education and healthcare sectors.

Thurston Group expands with acquisition of Alsim assets

April Lara

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2nd June 2025

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Thurston Group expands with acquisition of Alsim assets

Modular construction firm Thurston Group has acquired the assets, IP, and customer base of Hull-based portable building maker Alsim System Building Ltd, following Alsim’s recent insolvency.

The deal will enable Wakefield-headquartered Thurston to enhance its Cabins division and introduce a new line of temporary living accommodation products to its portfolio, thereby expanding its capabilities in the modular and secure accommodation market.

Alsim, founded in 1992, was a known supplier of temporary accommodation solutions before entering administration in late 2024. At the time, it employed 52 staff and had a presence in sectors requiring secure, short-term living units.

The acquisition follows Thurston’s earlier 2025 investment in Storplan, a specialist fabrication business, which increased the firm’s production capacity and enabled it to deliver more complex structural steel and modular projects.

Thurston, established in 1970, currently operates across four sites in East and West Yorkshire, employing around 380 people. The company serves over 100 clients and is forecast to generate £60 million in turnover this year. The Alsim acquisition is part of its ongoing strategy to diversify offerings, scale up operations, and strengthen its position in the UK modular construction sector.

£7.5bn data campus proposed for North Lincolnshire

April Lara

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2nd June 2025

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£7.5bn data campus proposed for North Lincolnshire

A planning application has been submitted to significantly expand Elsham Wolds Industrial Estate with a multi-billion-pound data centre campus, signalling a major boost for the local B2B economy.

The development proposes large-scale infrastructure, including data centres, office facilities, and supporting energy systems, to be delivered in phases. If approved, the total investment could reach between £5.5 billion and £7.5 billion, positioning the site as a critical hub for high-tech operations and digital infrastructure in the UK.

The phased build is expected to support up to 5,100 construction jobs annually. Once operational, the site could employ up to 1,200 people in skilled roles, with projected average salaries of £57,000. The application also outlines plans for apprenticeship and training initiatives to develop local talent for technical and engineering roles.

The scheme represents one of the most significant private investment opportunities in North Lincolnshire, further cementing the region’s reputation for advanced manufacturing, logistics, and now digital infrastructure. The public consultation is currently open, with full planning details available online.

Strike threat grows over major cuts at University of Bradford

April Lara

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30th May 2025

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Strike threat grows over major cuts at University of Bradford

Industrial action looms at the University of Bradford following a staff vote in favour of strike action, driven by a proposed £16 million budget reduction. The planned cuts could result in over 300 job losses and the closure of several academic programmes, including chemistry and film & television.

The University and College Union (UCU) reported that 82% of participating members backed the strike, with a turnout of 57%. Action could begin as early as 12 June unless the university withdraws its plans for compulsory redundancies.

Current proposals would bring staffing levels back to those of 2019, putting more than 230 professional services staff and at least 90 academic positions at immediate risk. An additional 200 academic roles are expected to face scrutiny in the coming weeks.

The university, citing sector-wide financial pressures, is undergoing a review of its operational model. While management has stated its commitment to supporting staff during the transition, union leaders argue that the cuts will not only affect employees but also impact regional businesses and diminish educational and cultural offerings for students.

This development adds to growing concerns within the higher education sector around funding stability, workforce planning, and the sustainability of course portfolios.

Battery storage project approved in West Yorkshire despite community pushback

April Lara

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30th May 2025

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Battery storage project approved in West Yorkshire despite community pushback

A major battery energy storage system (BESS) in Holmfield, near Halifax, has been approved by Calderdale Council, advancing plans by Masdar Arlington Energy to develop a 500MW facility aimed at supporting the UK’s clean energy transition.

The project, situated within an existing industrial estate, will store excess electricity generated from renewable sources and feed it back into the grid during periods of peak demand. This comes as part of a broader national effort to stabilise the electricity network as renewables make up a larger share of the energy mix.

Despite technical backing from council planning, heritage, and highways officers, the decision was contentious. Over 400 individual objections were lodged, with concerns ranging from fire safety and noise to traffic disruption and perceived impacts on local tourism and property values. A petition opposing the project gathered 1,500 signatures.

The council’s planning committee narrowly approved the scheme, passing the vote only via the chair’s casting ballot after a deadlock among the seven members.

The site is located near Holdsworth House, a listed property that operates as a hotel and restaurant. Heritage assessments were conducted to evaluate the potential impact on surrounding historic assets.

£40M build-to-rent scheme completes in Leeds

April Lara

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30th May 2025

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£40M build-to-rent scheme completes in Leeds

Rise Homes has completed Spinners Yard, a £40 million build-to-rent (BTR) development in Leeds city centre, delivering 185 new apartments to the market. Clegg Construction built the 11-storey, U-shaped scheme on Regent Street and features a mix of studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom units.

The project features a suite of tenant-focused amenities, including co-working areas, a fitness suite, private dining rooms, resident lounges, and both ground-level and rooftop terraces. The ground floor also includes parking and management facilities.

Designed with sustainability in mind, Spinners Yard is connected to the Leeds PIPES district heating network, which collectively saved more than 6,400 tonnes of carbon emissions in 2024. The heating scheme, backed by a £62 million investment, continues to support the city’s net-zero goals.

CBRE has been appointed as the sole letting agent, with early interest driven by the scheme’s location and high-spec offering. The development will open to residents in mid-June, following an open house event in early June.

This marks Rise Homes’ second regional collaboration with Clegg Construction, following their previous delivery of a £28.7 million BTR project in Sheffield. Key project partners include Gresham House, 5Plus, West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Dalbergia, Leeds City Council, and CBRE.

Knight Frank completes duo of Yorkshire investment deals worth £6m

Tess Egginton

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30th May 2025

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Knight Frank completes duo of Yorkshire investment deals worth £6m

The Leeds office of Knight Frank has completed two deals in Yorkshire to high net-worth investors, underlining the strength of private capital in the region. Acting on behalf of Swiss Life and in conjunction with Knight Frank’s sector specialist Ed Price in Birmingham, the Leeds office has completed the sale of an ASDA petrol station and convenience store in Boroughbridge Road, Knaresborough for just under £3m. Graham Foxton, partner Knight Frank, said: “The sale resulted in a competitive scenario with a number of local investors seeing the attraction of the opportunity.” The Leeds office has also completed the acquisition of a single let industrial unit in Normanton on behalf of a local investor for a similar price. The seller, a Yorkshire-based property company, was advised by Ben Hall at NorthCap. The buyer was a long-standing client of Knight Frank. Knight Frank have also been instructed to sell 2 Brewery Wharf for Swiss Life, an office building in Leeds city centre.

Yorkshire business confidence rises, as more firms plan to hire

Tess Egginton

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30th May 2025

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Yorkshire business confidence rises, as more firms plan to hire

Business confidence in Yorkshire rose 18 points during May to 52%, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds. Companies in Yorkshire reported higher confidence in their own business prospects month-on-month, up 14 points at 59%. When taken alongside their optimism in the economy, up 23 points to 46%, this gives a headline confidence reading of 52% (vs. 34% in April). A net balance of 54% of businesses in the region also expect to increase staff levels over the next year, up 35 points on last month. Looking ahead to the next six months, Yorkshire businesses identified their top target areas for growth as investing in their team, for example by investing in training (45%), entering new markets (33%) and introducing new technology (33%). The Business Barometer, which surveys 1,200 businesses monthly and which has been running since 2002, provides early signals about UK economic trends both regionally and nationwide. National picture Overall, UK business confidence increased 11 points in May to 50% – its highest level since August 2024. Firms’ optimism in their own trading prospects strengthened six points to 56%, while their confidence in the wider economy also climbed 16 points to 44%. The East Midlands was the most confident UK nation or region in May (66%), followed closely by the North East (65%). Sector insights Construction firms’ confidence rose to a nine-month high of 56%, while those in the service sector reported a one-year high of 54%. Manufacturing confidence also rose by two points to 40%. However, retail confidence fell by five points to 40%, the lowest level since January this year. Martyn Kendrick, regional director for Yorkshire and the Humber at Lloyds, said: “The warmer weather has brought with it a sunnier outlook for Yorkshire’s business, with greater optimism from firms in both their own trading prospects and the wider economy. “It’s encouraging to see local businesses pursuing growth by expanding their teams and investing in training and development to build long-term success. We’re committed to working alongside them to support steps like these – offering the insights and funding they need to seize new opportunities and achieve their ambitions.”

York fitness platform secures £800,000

Tess Egginton

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30th May 2025

0

DSW Ventures has led a pre-seed investment into RoxFit, a York-based hybrid fitness platform that provides training and racing insights. DSW Ventures led the £800,000 round, with co-investment from regional angel group, York Angels, and additional angel investment from across Europe and the US. Since its launch in 2024, RoxFit has achieved more than 100,000 downloads. It offers features including detailed analysis of race results, a library of workouts, a workout builder, and ‘PaceMe’ – a smartwatch integration feature which enables users to pace themselves during races and workouts. The fitness platform’s next phase of growth will focus on rapidly deploying key features on the technical roadmap, optimising the user experience, and building partnerships in the hybrid fitness ecosystem. RoxFit will also continue to extend its reach to as many users as possible. CEO Ben Wilson is an experienced developer and entrepreneur, and RoxFit’s CMO, Joey Allott, leads the marketing strategy with previous experience at Runna, a personalised running coaching app that was recently acquired by Strava. They are supported by recently appointed chair, Tom Sermon, former CEO of digital health and wellbeing company, The Global Corporate Challenge, which was acquired by Virgin Pulse. Ben Wilson, CEO of RoxFit, said: “We’re thrilled to have the backing of DSW Ventures, York Angels, and our wider investor group as we build the go-to platform for hybrid fitness athletes. This investment allows us to accelerate product development, enhance the user experience, and grow our footprint within the Hyrox and wider hybrid fitness communities. “As athletes ourselves, we’ve built RoxFit to solve real problems we’ve experienced, and this funding brings us one step closer to helping thousands more train smarter and race better.”

Heating supplier ramps up digital focus as B2B sales move online

April Lara

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30th May 2025

0

Heating supplier ramps up digital focus as B2B sales move online

FlexiHeat UK, a West Yorkshire-based heating systems supplier, has partnered with digital agency Digitaleer to expand its online presence amid growing demand for energy-efficient solutions and digital-first sales journeys in the B2B sector.

The move reflects a wider shift across the UK’s industrial and HVAC sectors, where procurement is increasingly driven by online research. Industry analysis reveals that over three-quarters of commercial heating purchases now involve extensive digital research before supplier engagement, a significant increase from just five years ago.

Established in 1992 and previously trading as Kroll UK, FlexiHeat UK serves commercial, industrial, and domestic markets. Its product line includes waste oil heaters, electric heating systems, and condensing oil boilers, with energy efficiency now a core selling point as businesses prioritise cost reduction and sustainability compliance.

The digital upgrade comes as SMEs across the UK face challenges in managing digital marketing due to limited in-house capacity. Recent research from the British Chambers of Commerce indicates that over a third of SMEs struggle with digital presence. At the same time, a growing share is prioritising marketing investment to bridge the gap.

The partnership aims to enhance search visibility and lead generation by showcasing FlexiHeat UK’s energy-efficient technologies, particularly relevant as energy costs remain elevated and sustainability pressure intensifies across supply chains.

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