Wakefield’s CCL Facades to deliver curtain walling for £14M college project

April Lara
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Wakefield’s CCL Facades to deliver curtain walling for £14M college project

Wakefield-based CCL Facades has won a £380,000 contract to design, supply, and install the curtain walling facade at Pudsey Sixth Form College. The project, led by main contractor Caddick Construction, includes thermally broken aluminium windows, specialist curtain walling, and manual and automated doors.

The contract is part of Luminate Education Group’s £14 million development. The college will accommodate over 600 students aged 16 to 18 and is scheduled for completion ahead of the 2025/26 academic year.

CCL Facades, a subsidiary of Caddick Construction Group, specialises in public sector projects across Yorkshire. The firm will collaborate closely with Caddick to ensure timely delivery.

Doncaster developer builds homes and construction careers in Wigan

Stuart Pearcey
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Doncaster developer builds homes and construction careers in Wigan
A ongoing partnership with Wigan Council has helped Doncaster developer Keepmoat to create almost 170 new homes with housing association Jigsaw Homes, and trained almost 20 people in a relevant trade role. The company is helping transform acres of brownfield land, supporting thousands of young people, and has invested more than £9,000 in community donations supporting social value activities. Most recently, it invested £23.4m to transform an abandoned brownfield site in Worsley Mesnes to create 169 new homes to form ‘The Seasons’. During the project, the team facilitated 23 weeks of work experience placements resulting in full time employment. The company also helped to create 11 apprenticeships and delivered construction career events and talks to over a thousand young people, offering advice and guidance helping them choose their next steps. Councillor Susan Gambles, cabinet portfolio holder for housing and welfare at Wigan Council, said: “Keepmoat has been incredible in how they have worked with and for the community during this build which I am delighted about, as supporting communities and creating opportunities is a key priority for the Council. “As Keepmoat are working in partnership with us to build much-needed homes in our borough, they have also created opportunities for local people; providing work experience and apprenticeships, attending careers fairs and much more. I’d like to recognise their commitment to the people living in Worsley Mesnes in changing the landscape, and by strengthening the community, it has been a real pleasure working with them and I can’t wait to see what they do next.”

Communications firm says Harrogate is a bullseye location for its development

Stuart Pearcey
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JBP Communications, which  recently joined the Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce, has launched a new base in Harrogate to support its growing operations across Yorkshire and the North.

The Harrogate office will form part of a wider network which includes bases in Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Westminster, Manchester, Nottingham, and Warwick.

MD Chris Lawrance said: “Harrogate is a bullseye location for us as we expand our footprint across Yorkshire and the North, where we are already working with a growing and diverse range of clients.

“Linking seamlessly to our central office in the heart of Westminster, JBP’s Harrogate base will also offer clients an inside track into our parliamentary and public affairs specialism.

“Yorkshire and the North is an increasingly important heartland for us, and our new office heralds an exciting start to our fortieth anniversary year, as we explore further opportunities to expand at pace and at scale through both organic growth and strategic acquisitions.”

The Harrogate operations will be led by a team including two PR consultants from the town – Richard Chew, whose 30-year career has been dedicated to healthcare communications and crisis management, and Jane Burgess, a specialist in the energy and planning sectors.

Council launches food waste collection scheme to help businesses meet new legislation

Stuart Pearcey
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Council launches food waste collection scheme to help businesses meet new legislation
A commercial food waste collection service is being offered to businesses across the district by West Lindsey District Council. The service, which aims to support businesses in meeting new government regulations on recycling food waste, is being offered from 31 March, when the new statutory requirements come into effect. The new regulations, which apply to all businesses regardless of their food waste volume, is a significant step towards promoting sustainability, as well as reducing C02 emissions caused by waste sent for energy recovery. Small businesses with fewer than 10 full-time employees are temporarily exempt until March 2027. Businesses that sign up for the council’s new food waste collection service, will benefit from reliable and eco-friendly collection and recycling of food waste by the council’s award-winning service. Businesses will be provided with 140 litre wheeled bins for the collection, which are small enough to be used inside kitchens or dining rooms, but can also be wheeled outside for collection. The council will also issue businesses signed up to the service with a Waste Transfer Note, to show they are legally compliant with the new regulations. The new regulations don’t just apply to food waste, they will also require businesses to separate other recyclable materials including glass, metal, plastic, cardboard, and paper – West Lindsey can also provide these recycling collections for you using a variety of bin sizes to suit your needs. Chairman of the Environment and Sustainability Group Stephen Bunny, said: “By introducing this service, West Lindsey District Council reaffirms its commitment to improving sustainable waste management and practices and supporting local businesses in their efforts to reduce environmental impact. “By participating in this programme, businesses can ensure compliance with the new regulations while contributing to a greener future.” Food waste that can be collected includes:
  • Vegetable and fruit peelings
  • Uneaten food and plate scrapings
  • Out-of-date or mouldy food
  • Raw and cooked meat and fish, including bones
  • Tea bags and coffee grounds
  • Dairy products, such as eggs and eggshells
  • Oil/liquid fat and milk
More information, ring 01427 675124

Bridlington firm boosts its apprentice sponsorship scheme

Stuart Pearcey
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Bridlington firm boosts its apprentice sponsorship scheme
Bridlington business Hudson Contract is beefing up its support for construction industry apprenticeships with more places and more sponsorship through its Hudson Foundation. The enhanced package includes increasing the number of sponsorships from 30 to 40 each year, raising sponsorship from £2,600 to 3,000 per apprentice, and introducing a £500 completion bonus split between apprentices and employers. Launched last year, the foundation unites Hudson Contract’s efforts to create opportunities for young people to acquire skills, develop self-confidence and get a good start in life. Additionally, the foundation supports families in need and provides a voice for self-employment in construction. Latest government figures show national construction apprenticeship starts fell by 1.2 per cent year on year while drop-out rates have reached 47 per cent, illustrating the skills challenge facing the sector. The scheme has already helped 278 young people enter an industry where highly skilled tradespeople can earn more than £1,000 per week. David Jackson, founder and chairman of Hudson Contract, said investing in skills is vital at a time when businesses face rising costs: “That’s why we provide a straightforward scheme of financial support, and supply companies with advice on how to navigate the bureaucracy of national apprenticeship schemes. Coastal communities face unique challenges so we are trying to bridge that gap with our scheme.” Bridlington businessman Tom Hart, who started his career as an apprentice bricklayer and now runs Springvale Homes, has seen the benefits of the scheme first-hand. He said: “It takes away the financial burden and gives local businesses the chance to bring on an apprentice,” he said. “Sam Emmerson joined us through the scheme at 16. He’s now 22, fully qualified and a real asset to the company, working alongside his dad who has been with us for ten years.”

HMRC seizes 15,000 imported items to protect honest businesses

Stuart Pearcey
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HMRC seizes 15,000 imported items to protect honest businesses
HMRC has seized nearly 15,000 imported items from delivery warehouses across the UK in a bid to tackle customs fraud and help level the playing field for honest businesses. The items were removed from 25 sites during a three-day operation targeting counterfeit, misdescribed or undervalued goods. They were due to be sold to UK customers. The blitz is part of an ongoing operation to identify suspected fraud by multiple overseas and UK businesses. It targets those undercutting law abiding firms by evading the customs duty due on imported stock. HMRC has already made 26 similar seizures from various warehouses in the last nine months, which has included E-Bikes, robot vacuum cleaners, 3D printers and air humidifiers. Marc Gill, Director, Individuals & Small Business Compliance at HMRC, said: “We’re determined to create a level playing field to allow honest businesses to thrive and will take robust action to make sure that everyone pays the correct duty due for importing goods into the UK. “We will not tolerate abuse of the customs regime and these seizures show that our checks can and do stretch beyond the border. “I hope it sends a clear message to any business that thinks it can import counterfeit, misdescribed or undervalued goods that we can and do work with registered fulfilment businesses to identify and seize items inland.” Any company that stores and delivers items owned by an overseas business that have been imported prior to sale must be approved by HMRC under the Fulfilment House Due Diligence Scheme (FHDDS). More than 600 businesses are registered under the scheme with HMRC. The latest seizure was planned with support from those holding the stock, but the items were not owned by them.

Canadian engineering company secures premises in Slaithwaite

Stuart Pearcey
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Canadian engineering company secures premises in Slaithwaite
Canadian-owned process engineering and consulting firm GMP Engineering has secured new offices for its European HQ at The Globe in Slaithwaite in West Yorkshire. The acquisition is intended to be a supply chain bridge, for now predominantly to serve a $1.3 billion cancer treatment project in north American and to develop further ties to Europe. With its global headquarters in Toronto and further premises in New Jersey, USA, GMP Engineering selected the UK as a prime location to support its Europewide growth plans.  It currently has an expert team of four with plans to become a self-sustaining entity with a team of around 15 over the next five years. Michael Mellor, the Director leading the UK office at GMP said: “With an existing clientele of medical and life sciences related practices in the building we’ve moved into, we are in good company, but the location and connectivity aspect were most appealing. Proximity to the M62 corridor, by rail or road, gives us good access to most of our network of vendors in Leeds, Bolton and Liverpool and throughout the UK “Of course, the Mill building itself is impressive, providing a light and airy, state of the art workspace of historical importance in the ‘up and coming’ village of Slaithwaite is really great for the wellbeing of our team. “We are excited to represent GMP Engineering and our containment subject matter expertise to the UK and Europewide market for this  pharmaceutical industry.” The Globe is a landmark site in the village of Slaithwaite which is a fast-emerging location for medical enterprise in Kirklees.  Hartley Property Trust Ltd, in partnership with   Kirklees Council has invested more than £ 6.5 million to repurpose the first of two significant mill buildings to provide 80,000 sq ft of innovation space.  All five floors have now been transformed to provide a state-of-the-art innovation centre, laboratory space, medical suites, offices and retail space as well as an atmospheric Artisan Hall.

GMP Engineering establishes European HQ in UK mill redevelopment

April Lara
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0
GMP Engineering establishes European HQ in UK mill redevelopment

Canadian process engineering firm GMP Engineering has opened its European headquarters at The Globe in Slaithwaite, UK. The 1,000 sq ft office will support the company’s expansion in Europe and its role in a $1.3 billion cancer treatment project in North America.

With its global headquarters in Toronto and a U.S. office in New Jersey, GMP Engineering chose the UK for its strategic location and market access. The company’s UK team currently has four employees, with plans to grow to 15 over the next five years.

The Globe, a repurposed mill transformed into an innovation hub, has received over £6.5 million in investment from Hartley Property Trust Ltd and Kirklees Council. The facility offers laboratory space, medical suites, offices, and retail areas.

GMP Engineering’s UK director, Michael Mellor, cited The Globe’s connectivity and collaborative environment as key factors in selecting the location. Hartley Property Trust confirmed that much of the first building is now occupied, with redevelopment plans underway for a second building to expand parking and amenities.

Government steel plan aims to boost industry and protect jobs

April Lara
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Government steel plan aims to boost industry and protect jobs

The UK government is consulting on a new Plan for Steel, which aims to address long-term challenges in the industry, including high electricity costs, unfair trade practices, and scrap metal recycling. The plan includes up to £2.5 billion in funding, as part of a manifesto commitment, to support steel production in key regions such as Rotherham, Scunthorpe, Redcar, Yorkshire, and Scotland.

Funds may be allocated to projects like electric arc furnaces and other technological improvements to strengthen UK steelmaking. The plan also explores expanding domestic production to better support manufacturing, construction, and infrastructure while maintaining global competitiveness. Tariffs, procurement policies, and energy costs will also be reviewed to support industry growth.

Yorkshire faces productivity gap due to skills shortages

April Lara
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Yorkshire faces productivity gap due to skills shortages

A new report from the University of Sheffield and The Productivity Institute highlights a significant skills gap contributing to below-average productivity levels in parts of Yorkshire, particularly in Barnsley, Doncaster, and Rotherham. These areas lag 17% behind the UK productivity average, while Northern Lincolnshire and East Yorkshire exceed national levels.

The study links the productivity gap to a mismatch between workforce skills and industry needs, exacerbated by the decline of manufacturing and steel industries. Doncaster has the highest proportion of underqualified workers in the region (32.1%), signaling a pressing need for investment in skills development.

The report calls for stronger coordination between national and regional policies to address skills mismatches. It also stresses the need for increased funding for apprenticeships, with the Labour government considering reforms to the apprenticeship levy to make training more accessible.

Infrastructure investment, including the potential reopening of Doncaster Sheffield Airport, is identified as another key factor in improving regional productivity. Local authorities, including Barnsley Council and the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, are implementing initiatives to address economic inactivity and support workforce development.

Experts emphasise that solving Yorkshire’s productivity challenges requires systemic, long-term investment in education, training, and infrastructure to align workforce capabilities with industry demands.

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