Glazerite secures £7M refinancing to drive expansion

April Lara
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Glazerite secures £7M refinancing to drive expansion

Window and door manufacturer Glazerite UK Group has secured a £7 million refinancing deal with Praetura Commercial Finance to support growth and investment in new technology.

Facilitated by BHP’s Commercial Finance team, the funding will allow Glazerite to upgrade machinery, expand its product range, and enhance operations across its manufacturing sites in Barnsley, Bolton, Bristol, Peterborough, and its Wellingborough headquarters.

Glazerite, which employs around 300 staff, produces up to 4,000 windows and doors weekly for 700 business customers. The company aims to grow revenue to £40 million, leveraging market shifts and potential acquisitions to expand its customer base.

UK Government opens consultation on steel strategy amid US tariff threat

April Lara
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UK Government opens consultation on steel strategy amid US tariff threat

The UK government has launched a consultation on its steel strategy to strengthen the industry through a £2.5 billion investment. The plan focuses on expanding domestic steel production, protecting against unfair trade practices, and increasing the use of UK steel in public projects.

The strategy will also assess energy costs for steel manufacturers and improve scrap metal processing, supporting the industry’s transition to electric arc furnaces (EAFs). British Steel has planning approval for an EAF at its Scunthorpe site, but the plan will also examine the future of primary steelmaking in the UK.

The consultation comes as the US considers imposing a 25% tariff on British steel imports, set to take effect on March 12. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds has emphasised the need for negotiations with the US to secure an exemption.

Industry leaders have welcomed the government’s initiative but stress the need for action on high energy costs and firm commitments to job security. The consultation is open until March 10.

Swiss financial services company on the move in Leeds

Tess Egginton
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Swiss financial services company on the move in Leeds
Wealth management specialist, Julius Baer, is taking 2,255 sq ft at CEG’s Globe Point development in Leeds on a 10-year lease. The relocation to CEG’s flagship development was driven by the building’s eco-credentials, with Julius Baer seeking an all-electric, low-carbon workspace. The fit out of its first-floor office will deliver a best-in-class Leeds base. Globe Point provides 37,000 sq ft of space over seven storeys. The flexible workspace maximises natural daylight with its flat iron design. It is recognised with a BREEAM In-Use Outstanding rating and achieved a NABERS designed reviewed target rating of 4.5 Stars. CEG delivered Globe Point in 2022 as the first phase of its Temple development within the Leeds South Bank. Grace Lewis, investment manager at CEG, said: “Julius Baer shares CEG’s sustainability commitments and Globe Point ticks all the right boxes. One of the most sustainable buildings in Leeds, it provides exceptionally high-quality workspace and a convenient location just minutes from Leeds City Station. “It’s great to welcome the Julius Baer team to this thriving business community. Globe Point is now almost fully let with one floor available, along with part of the first floor.” The wealth management company joins international law firms Gowling WLG and Reed Smith, brand design agency Robot Foods, marketing and data science company Jaywing, and Specialist Computer Centres (SCC) part of the global Rigby Group. Eleven delivers the 65-cover ground floor café bar at Globe Point. Letting agents Fox Lloyd Jones and Knight Frank market the space on CEG’s behalf. JLL managed the deal on behalf of Julius Baer. Harry Finney, from Fox Lloyd Jones, said: “We are delighted to have secured yet another high-profile occupier at Globe Point. The outstanding sustainability credentials of the building have been a key factor in attracting tenants that prioritise environmental responsibility alongside premium facilities & building amenity. “This milestone reflects the continued appeal of Globe Point as a benchmark for modern, sustainable workspaces.”

Illegal vape crackdown shuts 68 shops in Lincolnshire

April Lara
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Illegal vape crackdown shuts 68 shops in Lincolnshire

Authorities in Lincolnshire closed 68 shops in 2024 for selling illegal vapes and counterfeit tobacco products. The operation, led by Lincolnshire County Council’s Trading Standards team and Lincolnshire Police, resulted in the seizure of over 670,000 illicit cigarettes, 17,000 illegal vapes, and 370kg of tobacco.

Officials reported a 150% increase in confiscated illicit cigarettes compared to 2023. Councillor Daniel McNally stated that enforcement efforts will continue to target businesses selling counterfeit products.

Lincolnshire Police warned that the illegal trade harms legitimate businesses and fuels other criminal activities. The force has launched a campaign to curb the sale of illicit tobacco across the county.

Skipton Business Finance supports transformational York cafe in community scheme

Tess Egginton
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Skipton Business Finance supports transformational York cafe in community scheme
A York-based cafe that pledges to transform the lives of ex-offenders and addicts in the local community has benefitted from Skipton Business Finance’s Communities Matter scheme. The scheme, which was launched by the nationwide working capital solutions provider in 2023, offers small grants for local community projects and good causes across the UK and is open for applications to all not-for-profit organisations. Chocolate & Co received £250 as part of the scheme which was used to provide 66 of the cafe’s signature house chocolates for its ‘Pay it Forward board’ scheme, helping keep customers warm and happy throughout the winter period. The Pay it Forward board scheme gives customers the option to add an extra item to their bill, for someone who can’t afford it, to redeem with no questions asked. This supports approximately 30 people each week with a free meal and hot drink, and helps the cafe build authentic relationships through which they have provided additional support and/or signposted them to support elsewhere. Chocolate and Co opened in the autumn of 2023 and was founded by Linda and Mariah Barrie following the loss of two close friends to addiction in 2020 and 2021. The aim, being to provide employment opportunities for ex-offenders and individuals recovering from addiction and followed their initial venture – a mobile van serving hot drinks to the community. Commenting on the donation, Co-Founder Mariah Barrie said: “We can’t thank Skipton Business Finance enough for selecting Chocolate & Co to receive a Communities Matter Scheme grant. “We are a community recovery charity and York based #CafeWithACause. We advocate for the disadvantaged and the deserving; holding the hand of those less fortunate and feeding the hearts of whoever walks through our door. “We strive to break down the barriers to employment for those marginalised and living on the fringes of society; often inflicted by stigma from addiction, homelessness or previous criminal law. Anybody can donate a hot drink or a meal for someone to redeem in our cafe, without question or judgement, when they can’t afford to pay for it themselves. “For example, this kind £250 donation from SBF paid for 66 signature house chocolates for our ‘Pay it Forward board’ scheme, helping keep our customers happy and their tummies full this cold winter season and beyond.” Sophie Brown, media and communications manager at Skipton Business Finance, who oversees the scheme, said: “It is important to us that we are supporting charities that truly care about giving back, like Chocolate and Co, who are making a real difference in its local community. “The scheme was developed to give community groups and projects around the UK the chance to receive a small grant to support their vision, fund immediate needs, and continue making an impact within their community.”

Lindum starts work on training centre for green industries

Stuart Pearcey
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Lindum starts work on training centre for green industries
Lincoln-based Lindum has started to build a new training centre in Wisbech for the College of West Anglia to support developing skills needs for ‘green’ industries and technologies. Once complete this Autumn, the two-storey building will feature three workshops, a multi-use studio, an office, staff facilities and storage. Principal David Pomfret said: “Having recently opened a smaller Green Skills Centre at our King’s Lynn Campus, this £4m centre really shows our commitment to meeting the carbon net zero needs of our region. “With a major focus on renewable energies training, this centre itself will feature an air source heat pump and solar photovoltaics/battery storage, all of which will support teaching and learning within the academy. “I am extremely grateful to the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority and Anglian Water @One Alliance, who are each investing £2m in the centre. “It’s rare to have such direct private sector investment in further education college facilities. We will be working closely with the alliance to help shape the curriculum in response to current and future green skills needs.” Darren King, Managing Director of Lindum Peterborough, said: “It is fantastic news that the construction of this exciting new facility for the College of West Anglia has begun. “Demand for ‘green’ skills training is already high in the local area as businesses move towards net zero carbon. “The building will offer local people greater opportunities to access high quality net zero skills training for many years to come.

City Council selects development partner for 850-home regeneration

Stuart Pearcey
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City Council selects development partner for 850-home regeneration
Hull City Council intends to appoint ECF as its lead development partner for East Bank Urban Village. The organisation is a partnership between Muse, Legal & General, and Homes England, and the council plans to enter into a 15-year development agreement with it for the master planning, development and construction of the opportunity, which is expected to see a mix of uses including 850 new homes. East of the River Hull opposite the old town, the scheme is backed by £9.875m of secured Levelling Up Partnership funding and will be a long-term investment into the city. It will also be well placed to plug into the planned District Heating Network. The council’s cabinet will also soon consider undertaking the acquisition of several third-party ownerships crucial to the development of East Bank along with essential site enabling works in close collaboration with ECF. Potential site enabling works for the scheme could include land remediation activity and structural repairs to Trinity Buoy Shed and adjacent river walkway to allow the development to move forward at pace. Cllr Paul Drake-Davis, the council’s portfolio holder for regeneration and housing, said: “I am delighted to see this developer partner agreement with ECF progress. “East Bank Urban Village will be one of Hull’s largest ever regeneration projects and begins the transformation of a long-term derelict site just a stone’s throw away from the city centre. “This new neighbourhood of up to 850 homes will act as a catalyst for further urban renewal within Hull and help increase investor confidence in the city with all the economic benefits that will arise.” Sir Michael Lyons, Chair at ECF, said: “East Bank Urban Village is an ambitious plan to deliver a dynamic and vibrant new neighbourhood. As development partner, we will work together with Hull City Council to develop and accelerate the vision. “By bringing our collective skills and experience, ECF will support Hull City Council address regional priorities – whether through homes, jobs, or economic growth. We’ll work closely with communities as we progress to ensure the benefits of regeneration are felt at every level.”

Barnsley & Rotherham Construction Forum brings together more than 300 businesses

Stuart Pearcey
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Barnsley & Rotherham Construction Forum brings together more than 300 businesses
A Construction ‘Meet the Buyer’ Expo arranged by Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber’s Construction Forum brought together about 320 businesses and key industry players for a morning of networking and service sharing. The event welcomed businesses from across the Barnsley and Rotherham region, providing an invaluable opportunity to connect with leading buyers and decision-makers in the construction sector. Attendees had the chance to engage directly with procurement teams, explore potential partnerships, and gain insights into upcoming projects in the industry. The expo featured a busy exhibition space, an interactive seminar from Henry Boot on the importance of establishing Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion practices and policy in their operations, and a direct line with buyers representing a range of construction-related companies. Shane Young, Operations Director at Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber, said: “We were delighted with the turnout and the connections made between exhibitors and visitors alike. This event is all about creating opportunities, and once again, we’ve seen businesses come together to swap business cards, showcase their services and products and make those crucial connections that will help drive the local construction industry forward.”

UK inflation jumps

Tess Egginton
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UK inflation jumps
UK inflation jumped in January, according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Measured by the Consumer Prices Index (CPI), inflation came in at 3% in the 12 months to January, up from 2.5% in December, and above expectations (2.8%). The largest upward contribution to the change came from transport, and food and non-alcoholic beverages; the largest downward contribution came from housing and household services. Core inflation, meanwhile, which takes out volatile factors like energy, food, alcohol and tobacco to give a clear picture of underlying trends, stood at 3.7% in the 12 months to January, increasing from 3.2% in December and in line with expectations.
Martin Sartorius, Principal Economist, CBI, said: “The stronger-than-expected rise in inflation in January highlights the challenges facing the Monetary Policy Committee as they seek to rein in persistent price pressures. Higher energy prices, strong wage growth, and the impact of Autumn Budget measures are likely to keep inflation above target this year. “While we still expect a gradual, quarterly pace of rate cuts throughout 2025, this inflation surprise raises the possibility that the MPC might tread even more carefully as it looks to reduce borrowing costs.”

Council continues campaign against rogue tobacco traders

Stuart Pearcey
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0
Council continues campaign against rogue tobacco traders

New figures reveal more than 670,000 illicit cigarettes were removed from Lincolnshire’s streets last year, as the council steps up its war on rogue traders who put residents’ health at risk.

It’s a 150 per cent increase compared to the year before says the report, which shows shows 17,000 illegal vapes were seized, along with 370kg of hand rolling tobacco, and 68 shops selling the counterfeit products were served closure orders last year. The huge leap in shop closures and seizure of goods is said to be the result of effective joint working and intelligence sharing between Lincolnshire County Council Trading Standards officers, Lincolnshire Police and other partners. The report coincides with the launch of Operation Nivada, a public awareness campaign showing the fight against illegal tobacco and an underworld of associated criminal activity. Cllr Daniel McNally, executive member for Trading Standards at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “Trading Standards officers and partners protect residents by removing these illegal products and lead the charge against the selfish rogue traders who peddle them. “Make no mistake – these items are unsafe. Not only can they contain harmful, unregulated substances that damage health, they have also caused fatal house fires in Lincolnshire, and threaten the livelihoods of legitimate, hard-working small business owners. “There is absolutely no place for these illicit products on Lincolnshire’s streets. The criminals have been put on notice, we will continue to clamp down hard on the unscrupulous individuals who sell them.” The council’s Trading Standards team deploys a variety of measures against the rogue traders. Staff conduct regular test purchasing and inspections, work with landlords to remove tenants, secure closure orders on premises and bring criminal cases before the courts.
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