An free-to-attend employment law update will be provided by the Employment Team at Rollits in Hull later this month.
The firm’s annual Employment Law Update seminar will look ahead to future changes which may be introduced as the government itself seeks a more settled landscape after the upheaval of pervious years. The event will take place at Rollits’ offices in Citadel House, High Street, Hull, on Thursday 20 April from 9am until 10.30am. It is open to clients and non-clients and admission is free. Partner Ed Heppel said the session will include a discussion about short service employee issues and upcoming legislative changes as well as an update of case law in the employment sector. He said: “We will look ahead to the key anticipated developments in employment law as the government renews it focus on legislative change and addressing the long-term legal impact of leaving the EU. “The session will be of particular interest to directors, business owners, senior managers and HR professionals who are seeking to learn from the changes and from the key employment law cases recently decided and who want to prepare for what we expect will happen next.” Rollits LLP demonstrated the depth and breadth of its knowledge and expertise by securing rankings in the 2023 edition of the UK Legal 500 for employment work. The publication enthuses about the “outstanding” Employment team which is recognised as “modern and progressive” with experience in contentious tribunal matters and particular expertise in TUPE and the Equality Act as well as unfair dismissal complaints.Aldi signs £400m four-year flower contract with Hull firm
Aldi UK, Aldi Ireland, and Aldi Süd KG have signed a £400m four-year sole supplier contract for 200 million bunches of cut flowers with long-standing partner JZ Flowers, which operates from sites in the East Riding and Lincolnshire.
Julie Ashfield, MD of Buying at Aldi UK, said: “We are incredibly proud of our almost 30-year partnership with JZ Flowers, and are looking forward to seeing the relationship develop further as we grow together. We know that long-term partnerships like this one are fundamental to our mutual success in the UK, and we thank JZ Flowers for their ongoing support as we continue striving to offer our customers high quality products at the lowest possible prices.”
Tessa Zwemstra, MD at JZ Flowers, said: “We are incredibly proud of our longstanding partnership with Aldi, and thrilled to extend for a further four years with the new contract. This contract gives us the long-term security to commit to our growers and make investments throughout our supply chain to ensure ALDI can provide customers with excellent quality, sustainably sourced flowers at the affordable prices it is famous for.”
JZ Flowers has been supplying flowers to Aldi stores across the UK and Ireland for more than a quarter of a century, and employs over 900 staff at its sites in Moulton near Spalding, Newport near Hull, Naas in Ireland, and Miami in the USA. The company began supplying fresh flowers to the first handful of stores in 1995, and the relationship has evolved alongside Aldi’s growth to see JZ Flowers’ products now sold in over 1,150 stores in the UK and Ireland.
JZ Flowers, who also supply plants to retailers across UK and Ireland, is part of Dutch Flower Group, a unique group of floral trading companies who work together to serve the entire international floriculture chain.
British Gas gives £15m to small firms struggling to cover energy costs
British Gas is a month into a six-month support programme targeted at its small business customers struggling with energy costs.
The company has set up a £15m fund to provide energy grants to small businesses including pubs, cafes, restaurants, hairdressers, shopkeepers, and charities that are crucial to communities and need help with energy costs.
Small businesses who are eligible for this support will be contacted by British Gas and don’t need to do anything to apply. Grant sizes will vary depending on the business need and will be paid throughout the next six months.
British Gas already has a £50m support package in place and has been providing grants up to £1,500 to residential customers in need since the start of the energy crisis.
Chris O’Shea, Chief Executive of Centrica, parent company of British Gas said: “This is the only supplier fund of its kind to provide some much-needed support to small business customers. We know these businesses are struggling with their energy costs right now and hope to offer some help in addition to Government support.
“We’ve already done more than any other supplier to help consumers through the energy crisis with cash grants and we are constantly reviewing our support to make sure it’s getting to where it is needed most. We recently announced an additional £10m of targeted support for pre-payment customers and continue to provide grants to those struggling with energy costs.”
CBRE secures raft of deals in Leeds
CBRE’s Office Agency team in Leeds has secured a raft of new deals at 6 East Parade totalling more than 18,700 sq ft of Grade A accommodation.
Four new occupiers join the business community at 6EP.
DLA Architecture Ltd has taken 8,008 sq ft of office space on the 2nd floor over a 10 year term. Sanderson Weatherall represented DLA.
IT management specialists Claranet Ltd have agreed a 10 year term on 7,979 sq ft of accommodation on the 3rd floor, whilst office fit out and refurbishment project specialists Overbury PLC have taken 968 sq ft in Suite B on the first floor. The lower ground floor, comprising 1,773 sq ft, has been let to personal training gym ABS Leeds Ltd.
These latest deals leave just one remaining 2,614 sq ft suite on the first floor.
Ellie McCollin, CBRE Leeds, said: “We are delighted to secure a range of new occupiers at 6 East Parade leaving only a small suite available before the building is fully let. It offers an enviable working environment in an unrivalled business postcode in the heart of the commercial and financial district of Leeds City Centre.
“6 East Parade is an impressive building and benefits from being located in the city’s main loop road network with the Leeds train station and Trinity Shopping Centre only a short walk away.”
Joint agents on 6EP are CBRE and Savills.
Ground broken for major Doncaster logistics facility
Panattoni has put the first spade in the ground to start speculatively developing its 417,570 sq ft logistics facility at Doncaster.
Winvic Construction Ltd has been appointed main contractor for the construction of Panattoni Doncaster 420, following the approval of planning consent from Doncaster Council in February. Completion of the development is expected in January 2024.
The development which is the largest speculative logistics facility under construction in Yorkshire, is strategically located close to junction 3 of the M18, the M1, A1(M) and M62 motorways. The facility benefits from its easy accessibility to the ports of Hull, Immingham and Liverpool.
Panattoni continue to deliver its commitment to developing sustainable buildings. This facility will be Net Zero Carbon and is being built to a BREEAM sustainability rating of ‘Excellent’ and an EPC rating of ‘A’. Other sustainability features include 20% electric vehicle charging spaces, 15% roof lights and the roof being designed to hold up to 100% PV panels.
The project comprises 37 loading doors, an 85m deep yard with parking for 74 HGVs, 358 parking spaces, 15m clear internal height and up to 1.5 MVa of power.
Dan Burn, development director at Panattoni, said: “Panattoni are delighted to be underway with another sustainable speculative commitment in the South Yorkshire region and we were very pleased to welcome Cllr Glyn Jones and representatives of Business Doncaster to the site to witness the early progress we have made.
“Panattoni Doncaster 420 occupies a prime location in South Yorkshire with fantastic transport links, providing easy access to both national and international consumer and industrial markets.”
Danny Nelson, director of industrial, distribution and logistics at Winvic, said: “It’s great to be working in partnership with Panattoni once more and we’re delighted Winvic was selected to construct this facility due to our expertise in delivering projects with Net Zero Carbon credentials and delivering social value.
“We will be working in partnership with Panattoni, our supply chain and the local authority to take an active role in the community, committing through an Employment and Skills Plan, to prioritise training and employment opportunities for local people and businesses. The team has just commenced the initial groundworks programme and we aim to build on our already excellent relationship with Panattoni throughout the project.”
Letting agents are CPP, Colliers International and Cushman & Wakefield.
Outfield Digital acquired by Danish firm
Barnsley-based Outfield Digital has been acquired by Umbraco. It sees Umbraco take ownership of Outfield’s eCommerce platform, Vendr, as well as its other commercial package, Konstrukt, a rapid back-office UI builder.
Outfield Digital is owned and managed by Matt and Lucy Brailsford, who will be joining Umbraco HQ. Matt will continue to maintain and develop Vendr as part of the D-Team and Lucy will be joining the Community Happiness Team working with Developer Relations.
Matt said: “I’m so excited to be starting my new role as commerce technical team lead at Umbraco HQ. I’ll get to continue developing the product I’ve been working so hard on for the last 3 years, but now with additional assistance from the composable DXP team, as well as customer support from the support warriors and sales from the suits. Together, I’m confident that we can take commerce in Umbraco to a whole new level.”
Lucy said: “I’m super excited for the future of Vendr in the hands of Umbraco, taking the product we have nurtured and giving it the opportunity to grow and realise its full potential. I’m equally looking forward to my new opportunity to join the Community Happiness Team, learning new skills and having the chance to connect with the wonderful Umbraco Community even more.”
This is the second acquisition Umbraco has completed in the last 12 months.
Kim Sneum Madsen, CEO at Umbraco, said: “We believe that in order for Umbraco to stay relevant we need to look beyond just content. We want to be able to offer a powerful commerce offering that is well-integrated with Umbraco and that can be added to Umbraco projects where needed. And we believe Vendr to be just that.”
Step closer for hotel and office in Westgate
As part of Wakefield Council’s long-term regeneration plan for the city, it has purchased the 19th century Westgate railway station. The station closed ten years ago when the new one opened next door.
The plan is to construct a hotel and office at this location, which aims to attract businesses back to the city centre and reverse the trend of out-of-town locations.
Local business leaders have supported the move and emphasised the need for a hotel in the city centre.
Following the purchase, the council will do soft market testing to determine the commercial interest for a hotel, office block or both at this location, before inviting developers to submit bids.
The construction of the new premises will complete the regeneration of Westgate. CAPA College, a performing arts college, and Burgage Square, a mixed-use development with accommodation, retail and office space, were the most recent projects to redevelop this area.
Mark Lynam, Wakefield Council’s corporate director for regeneration and economic growth, said: “When completed, the Westgate Gateway will be an excellent location for businesses due to its convenient railway links, places to stay, high-quality offices and nearby restaurants.
“It’s part of our vision for Wakefield to be a flexible and adaptable city, easily changing to customer demand. The provision of high-quality offices and a hotel will be the final feature to our Westgate Gateway, well positioned on the East Coast Main Line railway and adjacent to some of the city’s most valuable cultural assets.”
Kevin Trickett, interim chair of Wakefield’s High Street Task Force, said: “Wakefield suffers from not having a quality hotel in the city centre. In my role as Civic Society President, I sometimes organise events where I bring people from across the region or even further afield and it’s really difficult trying to organise logistics when the hotels are outside the city centre.
“Going back further, in a previous job I used to organise conferences and I would’ve loved to have brought that business to Wakefield, but I couldn’t because we just don’t have that sort of hotel, so, it’s an exciting prospect.”
This is one of several projects in the Wakefield masterplan that together aim to transform the city centre into a thriving and culturally vibrant city. Others include Tileyard North, The Orangery and Civic Quarter, Kirkgate Gateway, a flexible multi-use outdoor space at Cathedral Square and a new home for the Wakefield Library and Museum in the heart of the city centre.
The purchase of the Old Westgate Station is one of the city centre projects being funded through a £24.9m grant from the Towns Fund which was allocated in 2021.
Unity Homes and Enterprise appoints new director of housing operations
Unity Homes and Enterprise has appointed Katherine Proctor as director of housing operations.
She joins the Leeds-based BME housing association after nine years at Yorkshire Housing where she held a succession of senior positions including head of repairs and investment, head of homeworks and building service manager.
A graduate of the University of Leeds and Leeds Beckett University, Ms Proctor is a former chair of the Chartered Institute of Housing’s Yorkshire and Humberside Regional Board.
In her new role, she will provide strategic direction for the delivery of Unity’s housing services including tenancy management, responsive repairs, planned and cyclical maintenance, estates services, customer services and rental income.
Established in 1987 and holding the highest gradings from the Regulator of Social Housing, Unity manages more than 1,350 properties for tenants in some of the most deprived and multicultural neighbourhoods in Leeds.
Alongside its role as a landlord and provider of housing services, the association helps people to set up and run their own businesses and access employment, training education opportunities.
Cedric Boston, Unity Homes and Enterprise Chief Executive, said: “Unity is making great progress in delivering a transformational Corporate Plan rooted in our social purpose which was recently reviewed.
“Being the best performing and a well-regarded landlord is at the top of our priority and Katherine will be at the heart of this work.
“She possesses all of the skills and experiences that are key to the role.
“We are excited to welcome her to the Senior Management Team.”
Katherine Proctor said: “I look forward to leading on the delivery of services that matter most to Unity customers and make a significant difference to people’s lives, particularly customers from the BME community who continue to face inequalities socio-economically and in housing provision.
“Unity has strong values and its social purpose demonstrates that the association cares about making a difference, mirroring my own values and purpose which really matter to me.
“It is clear that Unity has high ambitions for itself and the people whose needs it works so hard to address.
“Working with colleagues at every level of the organisation, I know we can achieve a lot together.”
Ms Proctor will take up post in June.
Manchester courier company expands into Yorkshire
Speed Couriers, the Manchester-based courier company, is expanding into Yorkshire.
The company, which was founded 37 years ago, specialises in urgent same day transport for the medical sector across the UK, providing a secure distribution channel for NHS Trusts, GP surgeries and private pathology services.
In addition to collecting and delivering blood, pathology samples, records, they also deliver a wide range of non-medical supplies, from internal mail and small packages up to large non-haulage items.
Director Carl Truscott explained the significant decision to move permanently into Yorkshire.
“Over the past couple of years, we have been providing more and more courier services across the Pennines. As a result, we are now looking for additional premises in Leeds, ideally in the North East of the city, which will enable us to further develop and have easy access to North and East Yorkshire too.
“This is a very important move for us as we aim to increase our geographical range and become the largest and most successful independent courier company in the north of England. We have built a stellar reputation in the North West and we trust this will stand us in good stead as we strengthen our links with Leeds, Bradford, York, Scarborough, Hull and many other places in between.
“It is fair to say that the past few years has been hard for the courier and distribution sector with the pandemic changing the face of what is normal and since then rising costs that affect us all. We are proud to be able to buck that trend, having worked hard during this time to protect the 37 years past coming out the other side having grown and developed as a business that provides a respected and reliable same-day service which never lets our customers down.
“We are passionate about our very loyal 60 plus fleet of drivers, many of whom have been with us for years, and of course our loyal customers. To maintain our exemplary service, we will be looking to add to our fleet to support our operations in Leeds and these other areas.
“These are exciting times for Speed Couriers. Apart from our move into Yorkshire, we are also strengthening our position in other areas across the UK, where we are making good progress with new medical, corporate and private clients.”
Henry Boot Construction wraps up Sheffield’s new city centre park
Henry Boot Construction has completed the main phase of work on Sheffield City Centre’s brand-new public space, Pound’s Park.
The landmark park was handed over to Sheffield City Council and officially opened on 3 April – just in time for the public to start enjoying the space over the Easter weekend and school holidays.
Named after Sheffield’s first chief fire officer, Superintendent John Charles Pound, the park is located on the former fire station site between Rockingham Street, Wellington Street and Carver Street, and will offer a multitude of experiences, including spaces for play, relaxation and socialising.
The 6,000 sq m space has been developed with families in mind and boasts a significant new children’s playground at its heart.
The playground includes two large pyramid towers – the tallest standing at 11 metres, with stainless steel slides, climbing structures, playhouses, a seesaw, wheelchair-accessible play equipment and more.
Another feature, which involved careful installation from the Henry Boot team, is a unique three-by-eight-metre climbing boulder, reminiscent of a Peak District rockface. The boulder is designed to include multiple natural-looking hand and foot holds and be suitable for would-be climbers of all abilities.
Henry Boot will be back on site later this month to facilitate some final utility work that will enable the water play features, lighting and accessible WCs to open to the public.
Tony Shaw, Managing Director at Henry Boot Construction, said: “We are extremely proud to announce the completion of Pound’s Park and hand it back to Sheffield Council. It’s been a real team effort to get it all ready in time for the public to enjoy this Easter.
“Sheffield is renowned as one of the country’s greenest cities and Pound’s Park is making it even greener and continuing to build on the exciting Outdoor City ethos.
“At Henry Boot, we understand that the need for major public spaces in our urban environment continues to grow. With more people living and working in city centres today, these accessible and attractive spaces are crucial to creating a modern, liveable city centre – one that supports people’s physical and mental wellbeing. It helps reduce vehicle congestion and the resulting carbon emissions.”
Henry Boot’s management of Pound’s Park has been exemplary, with the construction site recently receiving marks of 45/45 following an inspection from the Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS).
The Sheffield-based company are also working on two other major developments in Heart of the City – either side of the park.
To the west of the park is Kangaroo Works – a major residential development delivering 364 new apartments. To the east is Elshaw House – the city’s first zero carbon-ready office building, and Cambridge Street Collective – a contemporary hospitality space featuring a food hall and rooftop restaurant.
“Due to the park’s location between our Kangaroo Works and Elshaw House sites, it made perfect sense for our team to also deliver the adjoining public realm,” continued Tony.
“Our team’s extensive knowledge of the project ensured the Pound’s Park project ran extremely efficiently. The continuity of the project team enabled us to better manage workflow, supplies, budget and timelines. These benefits are understandably hugely appealing to local authority clients.
“It also enabled us to support local supply chain and jobs. We partnered with many great businesses from the region, including Timberplay, who designed and installed the play area.”
