Two estates consultancies have revealed their plan to merge, creating a new estates advisory business.
East Yorkshire-based Shared Agenda and Leeds-headquartered Community Ventures will merge from January next year, creating new larger estates consultancy Sewell Advisory. The new business will employ more than 60 people, and will operate across the UK.
The two businesses have already been working together on projects for some time, with both being part of the wider Sewell Group of companies. The decision to formalize the merger was made to help grow the company and ensure all clients could benefit from the strength and depth of expertise available across both businesses.
As part of the wider Sewell Group, both companies are part employee-owned.
Current Community Ventures Chief Executive Emma Bolton will become CEO of new company Sewell Advisory, with Shared Agenda Chief Executive Tim Wigglesworth moving to a role as Director of Partnerships across the wider Sewell Group, and also continuing as Chief Executive of Hull Citycare.
Sewell Advisory will specialise in strategy, development and management of public sector estates, particularly in the health, social care and education sectors. The new company will bring together professionals to offer strategic advice, project and programme management and operational estate management, and will also have a dedicated team of digital and data experts.
New Chief Executive Emma Bolton said she was looking forward to the new chapter for the business.
“Our team of over 60 experienced consultants and estates professionals will put us on a par with some of the biggest consultancies in the country, and means we can take on larger projects, more long-term partnerships, and use our wider team to offer even more value, technical expertise and fresh perspectives for our existing customers.
“It’s a really exciting time for our staff and clients, and we can’t wait to unlock new estate improvement opportunities for our health and education sector clients. This merger shows we’re a key player in the estates consultancy industry and we’re looking forward to seeing what the future holds.”
Sewell Advisory will launch from January 2025, with all Shared Agenda and Community Ventures staff moving over to the new company.
2025 Business Predictions: Barry Jackson, Head of North at BGF
It’s that time of year, when Business Link Magazine invites the region’s business leaders to offer up their predictions for the year ahead.
It has become something of a tradition, given that we’ve been doing this now for over 30 years.
Here we speak to Barry Jackson, Head of North at BGF, the growth capital investors.
An uncertain economic backdrop has created challenging market conditions in 2024 that will undoubtedly stretch into 2025. However, despite the pressures being felt across the region, it’s encouraging to see that businesses with ambitious management teams and robust growth plans have still been able to grow, raise funding, or execute M&A in the last 12 months.
We anticipate this trend to continue in 2025. While the headwinds remain, those Yorkshire businesses that display resilience and ingenuity will find ways to get deals done in 2025 and reach their growth targets. This also goes beyond the Yorkshire borders, with potential across the North. The North West and the North East have also continued to be active on the deals front in the last 12 months. Combined, they will strengthen the prospects of the wider Northern region.
What is encouraging to see is the breadth of Yorkshire deals being executed – not just in key locations, such as Leeds, but across North, South and East Yorkshire. Our portfolio certainly reflects this spread of activity.
What’s particularly pleasing is how active the region’s tech businesses are – from an acquisition perspective, as well as the growth and levels of innovation being achieved. Unsurprisingly, an increasing number of businesses are also using technology to scale. This is a trend that will only accelerate in the coming 12 months and beyond, as companies look to push boundaries and seek operational efficiencies.
This is particularly pertinent when you take into consideration the raft of tax rises announced in October by the new Labour government, including National Insurance Contribution (NIC) increases. While for some businesses, these changes may prompt a renewed focus on ways to improve productivity through investment in tech/AI and automation; for others, the tax rises represent a significant challenge that will need to be navigated in 2025.
While regional companies have had to contend with ongoing pressures in 2024, many have shown a huge amount of tenacity and ambition, digging deep to create long-term value in their business. That value has been realised not just through M&A activity, but as a result of organic growth and a desire to build national and international brands that are firmly rooted in Yorkshire. In the coming 12 months, notwithstanding economic pressures, we expect good businesses to continue to thrive.
Government gives green light to Equinor CO2 storage scheme
Two of Equinor’s partnership projects have been approved by the Government and will become a reality marking a major milestone in the UK’s £4billion Carbon Capture and Storage plans.
The announcement means the country’s first carbon storage facility has been given the go-ahead to capture millions of tonnes of CO2 and store it under the North Sea, thereby helping to clean up some of Europe’s biggest carbon producing areas.
The North Sea is thought to be an ideal geological location for carbon capture, where disused oil and gas aquifers will be used to store CO2 emissions from heavy industries.
The Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce has been a strong backer of Equinor’s plans and has supported their efforts in lobbying the Government to get the schemes in Teeside and the Humber approved. Chamber Chief Exec Dr Ian Kelly said: “This is great news for the Humber and for Teeside as well. When we hosted the then Shadow Energy Secretary Ed Miliband at the Chamber in Hull we impressed upon him the urgency of bringing this scheme to the fore if the UK is to meet its 2050 net zero targets.”
Now the Energy Secretary in the new Government, Ed Miliband said: “This investment launches a new era for clean energy in Britain – boosting energy security, backing industries, and supporting thousands of highly skilled jobs in Teesside and the North East.
“This is the Government’s mission to make the UK a clean energy superpower in action- replacing Britain’s energy insecurity with homegrown clean power that rebuilds the strength of our industrial heartlands.”
Richard Royal, Head of Public Affairs & Communications for Equinor, said: “This is fantastic news and a very important step for the low carbon energy industry, establishing the very first carbon capture and storage projects in the UK. Whilst this announcement relates primarily to Teesside, it also helps to unlock and speed up similar opportunities in the Humber.
“We now have the green light to further develop and consult on engineering plans for the onshore CO2 pipeline from Easington to Drax, in advance of a DCO submission.
“Also, with the first Track-1 projects ‘off the blocks’, it clears the way for the progression of Track-1 Expansion and Track 2 projects in the Humber, which have been in limbo for nearly two years.”
Daniel joins Leeds-based property regeneration consultancy
Property regeneration consultants AspinallVerdi has named Daniel Starkey as an associate director at its Leeds HQ.
Daniel joins the expanding consultancy following more than five years with planning, masterplanning and architecture consultants Spawforths, where he became a senior associate specialising in strategic planning services in the land promotion team.
Before that the chartered town planner and chartered surveyor was a strategic land manager with Barratt Developments, a planner at Harron Homes, and a planning assistant with Craven District Council.
Led by chairman Atam Verdi and MD Ben Aspinall, the AspinallVerdi team has a widening client base including North Yorkshire Council, Kirklees Council, Potter Space, Sky-House, Cheyne Capital and others.
Ben said: “We have grown our client base both in Yorkshire and nationally in recent years and Daniel’s strategic appointment will further enhance our ability to provide our valued clients in the public and private sectors with comprehensive and high-quality property advice.”
Imported Chinese excavators could face 83% anti-dumping cost
A new anti-dumping measure of up to 83.5% could be applied to imports of excavators from China to the UK, a measure said to be worth up to £3.4 million a year to UK manufacturers.
Trade Remedies Authority Chief Exec Oliver Griffiths said excavator production was an important component of the UK’s Advanced Manufacturing sector, and UK producers were being undercut significantly by dumped imports from China.”
The TRA opened its investigation in response to an application from JCB, a Staffordshire-based multinational business. The TRA estimated that during the period of investigation, UK excavator producers employed around 900 workers and had a turnover of around £500 million.
Around 180,000 tonnes of excavators were sold in the UK during the period of investigation, with the UK industry supplying between 10-25% of this volume. The UK industry’s market share decreased by 11% over the injury period.
The TRA found that Chinese exporters were able to use reduced production costs to price their exports below UK competitors who did not benefit from an artificially-low cost base, undercutting UK prices by more than 23%.
The TRA also found Chinese excavators had been subsidised, and that their importation to the UK has caused injury to the UK’s excavator industry.
As a result, the TRA has made an initial recommendation to impose a countervailing duty on imported Chinese excavators weighing 11 tonnes or more, but less than 80 tonnes. The duty would range from 0% to 2.93% and would be in addition to the anti-dumping duty already proposed.
Disappointing shrink for UK economy
The UK’s economy shrunk unexpectedly in October.
According to new figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), GDP (gross domestic product), a key measure of economy growth, declined by 0.1% month on month – below expectations of 0.1% growth.
This follows a fall of 0.1% in September.
It reflects dwindling and declining output across all three key sectors, with production output falling by 0.6% in October, due to drops in manufacturing, and mining and quarrying output.
Construction output, meanwhile, dipped by 0.4% in October and services output showed no growth.
Ben Jones, Lead Economist, CBI, said: “Following these disappointing figures, businesses will be glad to see the end of 2024. Nevertheless, firms remain hopeful that things will improve in the New Year.
“It may take a few more months for firms to work through the impact of the sharp increase in employment taxes outlined in the Budget and adjust their hiring and investment plans accordingly. But businesses can probably still look forward to a steady, if unspectacular, economic recovery next year as the impact of the inflation shock fades and interest rates come down further.
“The Government can support business confidence by accelerating measures that could restore some headroom for investment. These include delivering flexibility to the Apprenticeship Levy, preparing a faster timetable to reform business rates and working in full partnership with boardrooms to develop a long-term modern industrial strategy that can provide the stability and certainty needed to unlock innovation, investment and grow the economy.”
Steelmaker gives full-time roles to almost 40 apprentices
British Steel has given full-time positions to almost 40 apprentices who’ve completed their training.
The company’s new employees, who specialise in mechanical, fabrication and welding, or electrical engineering, received the news after completing a three-year apprenticeship with the business.
23 of the apprentices are based at our headquarters in Scunthorpe, with 14 more at our operations in Teesside and Skinningrove.
Operations Director Matt Stockwell, said: “I congratulate the apprentices for their achievements and hard work during the last three years. We welcome them into their permanent positions. I am sure they will be major assets to our business, and I wish them every success.”
Heather Bateman, Early Careers Advisor, added: “It is fantastic to see so many young people entering the business and completing their apprenticeships.
“These apprentices are the future of our business, and it is wonderful to see them achieve their goals. We look forward to seeing how their careers develop as they progress with British Steel. They all have a superb opportunity.”
Council commits to one of its largest-ever property schemes
North East Lincolnshire Council has committed to continuing with one of the largest property schemes it has ever undertaken – the Freshney Place leisure scheme and associated new food hall and complementary market.
Council leader Philip Jackson said the council’s decision to bring forward and support the project would transform the centre of Grimsby.
The leisure scheme will occupy the western end of Freshney Place, the area that is currently the Top Town Market Hall, and some units on the Bullring, which will provide a new offering for the people and businesses in Grimsby town centre.
A pre-let agreement is in place with Parkway Cinema to bring a five-screen cinema to complement its offering at Cleethorpes.
Richard Parkes, owner of Parkway Cinema, said: “We’ve long discussed options for bringing a cinema to Grimsby, and reinventing Freshney Place is precisely the right approach. Town centres are not just about shopping – that doesn’t work any more. We need to provide more reasons to visit and offer more things to do at more times during the day, and that’s just what we’ve signed up for – to bring that to Grimsby.
“We’ll be a living, breathing presence right in the heart of the town, with a new cinema open to and accessible to everyone alongside a new market hall and food outlets. It’s just part of something that will improve the whole town centre for a new generation, alongside the youth zone and other areas of the town like St James Square and the Riverhead. There’s a lot going on, and we can’t wait to be part of it.”
The development also includes plans for a new, vibrant food hall together with an attached complementary market on the area of the former BHS building.
Four additional new leisure, food and beverage, or retail opportunities, including a larger unit to-let are also in the scheme footprint, alongside four refurbished units within Freshney Place, with the return of Starbucks already agreed, and discussions under way with a leading food outlet.
Work is expected to start on site early in the new year.
Grimsby-based card payment solutions provider sold to US company
Card Industry Professionals – the Grimsby-based card payment solutions provider – has been acquired by Shift4, a US-based company that is a global leader in payments and commerce-enabling technology, listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
The deal provides an exit for Mercia Ventures, which backed the company in 2022 using funding from the first Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund (NPIF) and the Midlands Engine Investment Fund (MEIF). It achieved a 2x return on investment.
Card Industry Professionals provides card terminals, point of sale and online payment solutions to thousands of SMEs such as retailers, hair salons and hospitality venues.
The business was founded in 2017 by award-winning young entrepreneur Ciaran Savage, who was joined by his mother, Lyn Savage, as Operations Director, and John Selby as Sales Director, both of whom have many years of experience in the UK payments industry.
The company now employs a 20-strong team in Grimsby, has a nationwide network of over 150 sales agents and processes over £60m worth of transactions per month.
Ciaran Savage, Founder and Managing Director, said: “We are excited to be joining the Shift4 family. We are committed to upholding the company values and best-in-class service customers have come to expect from us and are confident that this acquisition will allow us to improve upon those service levels, while offering even more value in the form of new benefits, incentives and product offerings.”
Maurice Disasi of Mercia Ventures added: “We’re delighted to have supported CIP on its growth journey. Ciaran and the team have built a business with first-class customer support and Shift4 now has the benefit of adding a strong and well-respected team here in the UK as part of their global operations. We wish the team continued success.”
Cerelo in Leeds provided corporate finance advice to Mercia and Card Industry Professionals, Marshall & Co Chartered Accountants in Hull provided financial due diligence support, with Wilkin Chapman in Grimsby providing all legal support and guidance.
Lincoln company gets £250k funding to expand into US
Lincoln-based Panoramix has secured a £250,000 follow on debt funding package to implement a comprehensive marketing strategy aimed at expanding its client base, particularly in the US, where it has already seen strong demand.
The funding comes through the Midlands Engine Investment Fund II though Maven Capital Partners, appointed Fund Manager for East and South East Midlands.
Panoramix is a specialist intellectual property law firm delivering legal services to both UK and overseas businesses,
Founded in 2019 by IP law specialist Kevin Hanson, Panoramix offers a flexible, attorney-led service without the billable hours model commonly used across the industry. Instead, the business offers fixed fees based on task complexity and value, allowing clients to benefit from transparent and efficient services.
Panoramix supports a range of clients from start-ups and SMEs to multinational corporations across various sectors, including technology, healthcare, retail, and manufacturing. It is also one of the few UK-based IP firms authorised to conduct US trademark work, holding direct practice rights with the US Patent and Trademark Office, which enables it to provide UK clients with cost-effective US IP support.
The funding will also enable the company to recruit additional staff, including a client relationship manager, an administrative support role, and a part-qualified patent attorney to support its growing operations.
Kevin Hanson, founder of Panoramix, said: “The support from Maven and the Midlands Engine Investment Fund I in 2022 was critical in enabling us to establish our business in the East Midlands and grow our client base nationally. With further funding through Midlands Engine Investment Fund II, we intend to double our headcount and turnover within the next 24 months. This will involve development of new service offerings and expansion into new international markets. The future is looking very bright as we continue to revolutionise the IP legal services industry.”
First phase of refurbishment completes at Town Centre House in Leeds
Property development and investment company Town Centre Securities PLC (TCS) has completed the first phase of its refurbishment of Town Centre House, located in the heart of Leeds’ Arena Quarter.
TCS has undertaken a full refurbishment of the ground and first floors, creating a modern and welcoming arrival experience within reception, whilst also creating a new ground floor workspace following the conversion of upper levels of the adjoining Pret A Manger.
Town Centre House now offers a contemporary, sustainable, and tenant-focused workspace, complemented by enhanced features to support productivity and work-life balance designed to meet the needs of today’s dynamic businesses.
The works allow Town Centre Securities to offer tenants a variety of space ranging from 1,910 – 6,502 sq ft alongside a variety of lease options varying from fully fitted solutions to traditional leasing options.
Alongside the revamped workspace, TCS has unveiled the building’s refreshed branding, reflecting the company’s vision for its forward-thinking developments, emphasising quality, innovation, and sustainability.
Renovation highlights include Sustainability and Innovation – Town Centre House features an EPC A rating and BREEAM ‘Excellent’ certification, with all-electric systems, energy-efficient lighting, and access to electric vehicle charging facilities.
In addition to serving as the head office for Town Centre Securities PLC, Town Centre House is already home to a variety of occupiers, including Gleeds and PureGym.
Matthew Wright, Associate Director at TCS, said: “The transformation of Town Centre House, alongside our new branding, reflects our commitment to pushing boundaries and delivering outstanding spaces that inspire productivity and creativity.
“This refurbishment is more than a physical upgrade – it’s a statement of our continued dedication to creating a vibrant, tenant-focused community in Leeds. We’re excited to roll this transformation out across the entire building as we continue to create spaces that foster innovation and collaboration.”
Administrators appointed to fish processing specialist
Fish processing specialist Arctic Fish Products has ceased trading and fallen into administration.
Jamie Miller and Gareth Harris of RSM UK Restructuring Advisory LLP were appointed Joint Administrators of the business on 4 December.
Founded in 2005, Arctic Fish Products Limited operated successfully in Grimsby for many years processing, packing and storing fish for a strong customer base.
Administrators were appointed after the company experienced significant cash flow difficulties due to material bad debts with key customers, along with the related impact on future trading prospects.
This led to the company’s directors consulting RSM UK for advice to address these cash flow difficulties and to protect the company’s assets for the benefit of all creditors.
Unfortunately, the cash flow position was irrecoverable and the company was placed into administration. The company ceased trading and staff were made redundant shortly prior to the administration appointment.
Jamie Miller, RSM UK Restructuring Advisory Partner and Joint Administrator, said: “It’s a very unfortunate time for the business and its employees but the recent sudden loss of turnover left the Company with no option other than to effect an insolvency process.
“We are assisting employees to ensure that they recover their entitlements in respect of any arrears of salary, holiday pay, pay in lieu of notice and redundancy.
“We are also working closely with the directors and other stakeholders in order to realise the Company’s assets for the maximum amount possible.
“This includes the Company’s desirable trading premises and plant and machinery, with interested parties advised to make contact with us as soon as possible. We are hopeful of securing a material return to the Company’s creditors.”
Raworths marks new chapter for Commercial Property team with duo of Partner appointments
Harrogate-based Raworths is marking a year of growth for its Commercial Property team with the promotion of two senior solicitors to both Partner and new leadership roles.
Heather Roberts, who joined Raworths as Legal Director in 2023, has been promoted to Partner and Head of Commercial Property. Heather has more than 25 years’ experience acting for investors, developers, landlords, tenants and banks.
She offers a breadth of expertise from investment, development and asset management work to advising SME clients on their portfolio purchases and leases.
Since joining Raworths, Heather has been instrumental in the growth of the commercial property team, working across a range of clients including the expanding national retail portfolio of premium kitchen chain, Harvey Jones Home Limited.
She also provided specialist legal advice to Broomfield South SILC School – a specialist SEN education provider – working with multiple stakeholders including Leeds City Council, the Children and Families Directorate and the Department for Education, to secure their new premises at the White Rose Business Park which opened in September.
Senior Associate, John Carter, who joined Raworths in 2013, has also been promoted to Partner in recognition of the key role he has played in the team’s significant growth. John has developed trusted relationships with clients as well as his team and the wider firm. He has provided high quality legal advice throughout challenging times in the sector over the last decade.
John regularly advises landlords and tenants on commercial leases and other landlord and tenant matters, as well as acting on complex commercial property deals such as option agreements for large scale residential developments.
Key clients include Trustees of the Patrizia Hanover Property Unit Trust, whose portfolio includes the Thorp Arch Estate – a 385-acre commercial and industrial estate in Wetherby.
The promotions will enable the specialist unit to continue to expand in 2025. The team aim to harness opportunities in a range of growth sectors including renewable energies, as well as the Government’s campaign to unlock more privately owned land to accelerate development, as announced in the autumn budget.
Matthew Hill, who heads Commercial Client Services, said: “This is much-deserved recognition for Heather and John’s valuable contributions to the firm and the roles they have played in cementing our reputation as leading commercial property specialists.
“Investing in our talent is a key growth strategy here at Raworths; our people are our greatest asset, and their commitment and hard work will always be rewarded at all levels.
“This marks a new era for the commercial property team, and an exciting opportunity to grow our portfolio in both scale and geographic locations.
“We will continue to work closely with our wider Commercial and Private Client practice areas – drawing on expertise from our Employment, Trusts, Wills & Estates (TWE) and Corporate & Commercial teams – to continue to provide exceptional legal advice for our clients both regionally and nationally.”
Orsted announces award of major contracts
Renewable energy company Ørsted has announced the award of contracts collectively worth up to £100m with UK companies.
JDR Cable Systems, Severfield and Smulders, all based in the North of England, will produce integral components and services for the Hornsea 3 wind farm on UK soil.
Severfield, headquartered in York, is the largest steel fabricator in the UK but this is their first contract on an offshore renewables energy project, marking an important step in their journey into the sector. Severfield will work with strategic key contractor Hutchinson Engineering in Widnes, site of the recent Great British Energy launch, and will undertake final assembly of key components at the Teesworks Port in Teesside. Smulders is a leading steel fabricator in the offshore wind industry, and since 2016, has operated the UK based facility in Wallsend (Newcastle).
Severfield and Smulders will supply a large proportion of secondary structures for Hornsea 3’s foundations from the UK. This includes the Suspended Internal Platforms or SIPs, key internal parts of the foundations on which the wind turbines sit. In addition they’ll build the boat landings where smaller vessels will arrive, allowing technicians to directly access the turbine foundation. They’ll also provide anode cages, which protect the steel-made foundation structure from corrosion.
North East England-based JDR won the Array Cable Testing and Termination contract. JDR will prepare and connect the cables between the turbines and offshore convertor stations and then using their state of the art testing system will ensure that all array cabling is fully integrated into the offshore electrical infrastructure and working safely.
The work on Hornsea 3 will help support more than 300 jobs across the three partners.
Hornsea 3 MD Luke Bridgman said: “We value our partnerships with local suppliers and our continued commitment to working with the UK supply chain is reinforced today with these contract announcements.
“Operating with existing suppliers like JDR and Smulders and supporting Severfields’ diversification into offshore renewables is testament to the strength of the UK supply chain and the role Hornsea 3 is playing to boost economic growth across the UK.”
2025 Business Predictions: Matthew Arends, partner and head of UK retirement policy at Aon
It’s that time of year, when Business Link Magazine invites the region’s business leaders to offer up their predictions for the year ahead.
It has become something of a tradition, given that we’ve been doing this now for over 30 years.
In this ‘Year of Elections’ both in the UK and across the world, there was much to affect markets, change views and to give increased reason for thought in the UK pensions industry. As the final weeks of 2024 approach, Matthew Arends, partner and head of UK retirement policy at Aon, which has offices across Yorkshire, looks ahead to what will be concentrating minds in 2025.
2024 saw the UK pensions landscape continue to evolve and there is no sign of that changing as we approach 2025. Improvements in defined benefit (DB) pension scheme funding mean that, for many, the ‘endgame’ for the pension scheme now feels tangible, instead of a distant ambition. However, the advent of the new funding regime will overlay a new discipline. With defined contribution (DC) schemes, questions around adequacy remain uppermost for members, while the absence of a timetable for the extension of auto-enrolment minimum contributions continues to be a concern.
We now know that Employer National Insurance Contributions and minimum wage changes in April 2025 will increase the cost of employing staff. One casualty of that could be employer pension contributions above the auto-enrolment minimum, meaning less saved into pensions. And yet we know that DC savers are already generally not saving enough for adequate retirements, meaning that there is a real risk of retirement adequacy declining. There may be solutions on the horizon, but while multi-employer CDC schemes – which have the potential to deliver better average member outcomes – have taken a big step forward in 2024, their widespread implementation remains in the future.
First phase of new town centre industrial site completes in Keighley
The first phase of the Providence Park industrial site in Keighley town centre has been completed.
The £12 million redevelopment of the former Universal Mills site, on the corner of Dalton Lane Bradford Road, began in April 2023 and has received £6.5 million funding through the Government’s Keighley Towns Fund.
It has been owned by Keighley developer Peter Rock for more than 50 years, and was formerly the base of his business Modern Equipment & Foundry Engineering Ltd.
The new site will stay true to those engineering roots because as well as housing industrial units, part of it will be used by Keighley College as a new Manufacturing, Engineering and Future Technologies Hub. The hub will be used to provide students with academic and practical experience, and T-level qualifications.
Providence Park will be home to five buildings which will house up to 23 industrial units – the smallest of which is 150 square metres with the largest at 828 square metres. Part of the original mill building has also been retained and sympathetically converted to a unit suitable for a café or other retail use, under scheme architect Bridget Hansford (Peter’s daughter).
The extensive work has involved the demolition of previous buildings and structures; full site remediation; installation of surface water management system; and the construction of units to let.
Peter, now aged 96, visited the 7,000 sq m site most days to monitor progress and his grandson Tom Rock, who has led the redevelopment with Peter’s son Bernard and other grandson Andy, explained: “The site required significant remediation works prior to any re-development in part due to old cellars underground, from the terraced housing that was on the site before my grandfather’s period of ownership.
“The cost of these initial works was always a significant barrier to re-development, which the Keighley Towns Fund grant funding helped us to address.
“Interestingly ‘Providence Place’ was one of the former residential streets located there, which led to the name of the site. The history of the site is fascinating. Part of it was previously under the Prince Smith Estate, which was such a prominent part of the Keighley economy, it warranted a royal visit by King George & Queen Mary in 1918.
“It’s gratifying to know that this development will once again see the site becoming a hub of business and employment in the town.
“We are grateful to the team at Bradford Council for their support and see this development as a real success of the Keighley Towns Fund.
“The specific challenges of the site, coupled with the economic realities of development in towns such as Keighley would have meant that a regeneration of this scale was not viable without the towns fund’s support, and as multi-generational, proud Keighlians we are delighted to deliver the project, a development which will deliver long term economic benefit to the town.”
Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Planning, Regeneration and Transport Alex Ross-Shaw said: “Demand for employment and high-quality commercial sites such as this is huge across Keighley and the whole of the Aire Valley, so this development is much needed and welcomed.
“We believe between 80 to 100 jobs will be created across the site, which is a real boost during the current economic climate, and we anticipate local businesses will be keen to link up with the hub to provide apprenticeships.
“We are so proud of the work that has been undertaken here and the training and employment legacy it will have for generations to come.”
Tim Rogers, chair of the Keighley Towns Fund, said: “We are really proud of what has been achieved at Providence Park and the opportunities it will create for generations to come.
“This is another very exciting commercial development for Keighley, and an incredible skills and training opportunity for the town through the creation of the Manufacturing, Engineering and Future Technologies Hub in partnership with Keighley College.”
The second phase of work – which includes the completion of the college unit – is due to be completed by early 2025.
Sheffield City Council’s Parkwood Springs plan progresses
Plans to turn an area of land, part of which was once the site of the Sheffield Ski Village, into a Country Park in the city have continued following the confirmation of funding from central Government.
As part of the ambitious plans for Parkwood Springs, Sheffield City Council will create a new access road, including improvements to cycle and pedestrian access, and improvements to the public realm.
Work will be carried out to develop the old Ski Village site, including the treatment of Japanese Knotweed, and further improvements will see mountain bike trails, new paths and path improvement work take place.
Discussions with Skyline Luge of New Zealand have also continued, now funding is confirmed, and Sheffield City Council are putting in place a Memorandum of Understanding that will allow Skyline to masterplan the site.
Alongside exciting future plans a new kiosk in the park has been built and is now open along with a number of improvements to the country park.
Cllr Ben Miskell, Chair of the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee at Sheffield City Council, said: “Parkwood Springs is an incredibly important site in Sheffield, it had been used for many years by a whole host of people.
“Since the ski village closed, the area has needed something to breathe new life into it. Our plans do exactly that, we want to create a country park in the city, a place for Sheffield residents and visitors to go, relax and enjoy on a daily basis. Confirmation of funding from the new government will help us to transform the area.”
Funding of £19.4 million for the project was confirmed by the Labour Government in the budget at the start of November. That money will now allow the work to continue onsite including preliminary work on a new access road.
The relocation of a local business has also progressed with a new site being identified for new purpose-built accommodation. This will allow the area to be prepared for the next stage of the transformation.
Cllr Miskell added: “Sheffield is changing, it’s transforming into a fantastic area, full of character and full of place, just like Parkwood Springs. What was once a busy bustling area, will be once again with a new regional leisure destination included that will further enhance the city’s reputation as ‘The Outdoor City’.”
The regeneration of Parkwood is overseen by an Area Board, that includes key stakeholders, including community groups and is chaired by Gill Furniss MP for Brightside and Hillsborough, who said: “Securing government funding enables us to progress with the exciting next stage of redeveloping the Parkwood site.
“Comparable in size to Hyde Park, this vibrant space is home to a number of community groups and projects, all actively contributing to the Area Board I chair. Together, we’re working to create something truly exceptional—a giant urban lung for the city, providing people with opportunities to get out and enjoy our beautiful green spaces.”
Work starts on new research and development facility for food and farming sector
Work has started on creating a new research and development facility at the University of Lincoln’s Riseholme Park Campus, enabling new industry collaboration and research opportunities for the UK’s food and farming sector.
The glasshouse will facilitate regional industry specialisms, support innovation in food and farming, deliver collaborative, impactful and high value research with industry, and further establish the University’s Riseholme Park Campus and Lincoln Institute for Agri-Food Technology (LIAT) as specialist centres.
The Glasshouse Research & Development (R&D) Facility will use geothermal ground source heating technology to provide heating from renewable energy. The building will therefore operate with a considerably lower carbon footprint than traditional facilities of its kind and will demonstrate plausible pathways towards a Net Zero transition for this segment of the agriculture and horticulture industries.
When completed, the glasshouse will offer access to specialist research infrastructure and innovation support services. This will allow SMEs and other businesses in the UK’s food sector to adapt or improve their products or services.
The glasshouse will have capacity for multiple R&D projects to take place simultaneously in independently controlled compartments. Eligible businesses will also have access to academic experts from the University of Lincoln, as well as many research and knowledge transfer opportunities. This ongoing support will enable adoption of new technology, new processes, acquisition of skills and the development of new products.
Prof. Neal Juster, Vice Chancellor of the University of Lincoln, said: “We are very excited at the prospect of our new Glasshouse Facility being constructed at the University’s Riseholme Park Campus, and it will be working with Net Zero technologies that are in line with our ongoing commitment to sustainability and a carbon free future.
“Lincolnshire is the UK’s Food Valley, from its seafood industry in Grimsby, through agri-tech in Lincoln, to its fresh produce sector in southern Lincolnshire. We are facilitating growth with an industry-led investment agenda. Our enabling strategy, working in conjunction with industry can deliver success by attracting and supporting investors.
“By working together, locally and with the government, we can deliver much more investment, innovation, job creation and food security. It is incredibly important that we invest in applied research and development opportunities such as this and encourage the growth of our University as a commercial entity.”
The Glasshouse R&D Facility will form part of Greater Lincolnshire LEP’s proposed Agricultural Growth Zone (Ag Zone), designed to support Greater Lincolnshire agriculture and the delivery of the UK Food Valley.
The research and development infrastructure will also be used for the new AgriTech Incubator established by the University of Lincoln in partnership with Barclays Eagle Labs.
The total cost of the project will be £2.2 million with the majority of the capital being provided by a local growth fund from the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership. Construction of the facility is expected to be completed by Summer 2025.
LNT chooses Dudleys for care home assistance
LNT Construction has appointed Dudleys Consulting Engineers to help develop planning and civil engineering aspects for a number of new projects across the UK.
As part of ambitious expansion plans, LNT was seeking to enhance its supply chain and approached Dudleys Consulting Engineers due to its care home project credentials.
Dudleys North West team is currently advising LNT on six new 66-bed care home projects with expert engineering advice and design information to support the planning and construction processes. These include projects in Coalville, Colchester, Diss, Gloucester, Ross-on-Wye and Shrewsbury.
Chris Brady, Technical Director leading Dudleys Manchester office, said: “We are delighted to assist LNT Construction with strategic advice through pre-planning stages, drainage strategy, flood risk assessments and subsequently provide engineering design to support construction processes.
“Timescales have been very tight for most of the projects, but our team has been very efficient in working with various drainage, highways and lead local flood authorities in each geographical location. Different planning policy requirements were also a key consideration and working within the policy framework of each area requires in-depth knowledge and experience of the technical challenges to be overcome. We have also assisted in designing off-site S278 highways works and off-site drainage outfall solutions, negotiating with highway and drainage authorities during the process.”
LNT Construction is a part of LNT Care Developments, currently the UK’s largest provider of carbon-zero, affordable and high-quality care homes. Established for more than 30 years, the Group has developed more than 230 sites with a built value exceeding £3.7 billion, providing over 15,000 beds so far.
Innovative first aid business secures investment for growth
Yorkshire-based Mini First Aid is expanding with investment from Finance Yorkshire.
The company was founded nine years ago by Kate Ball who has successfully grown the business which now operates more than 70 franchises covering most of the UK.
Mini First Aid provides first aid training and education to people of all ages with its original parent and carer classes proving most popular. Other classes are aimed at children and adults with workplace training available.
Kate started the business from her home after her brother died suddenly from heart failure. His student friends called the emergency services but the students did not know how to do CPR. Later, pregnant with her first child, she found there was little in the way of first aid training for parents-to-be.
A £100,000 investment from Finance Yorkshire’s Loan fund will support Mini First Aid in its growth ambitions which include new product development and staff hires including a marketing manager.
Mini First Aid’s parent and carer class covers all emergency situations including CPR, choking, bleeding and burns. On average, 1,000 families are trained each week. The company also sells branded first aid kits and has recently added a reuseable hot and cold gel pack to its product range.
Kate said: “My aim has been to build a brand providing first aid training which is memorable. All Mini First Aid classes are a brilliant learning experience – they are hands-on with skills taught in a way that people will remember should they need to put them into practice.”
Kate is joined in the business by her husband Matt who is operations and financial director. They have six children and Kate was named Yorkshire Businesswoman of the Year 2024.
The couple are now working with leading charities and the NHS to provide fully funded classes for low-income families. Kate added: “Only 10% of new parents are learning first aid so the opportunity to grow Mini First Aid in the UK is massive. There is also the potential for us to roll out our training model in other countries.”
Alex McWhirter, CEO of Finance Yorkshire, said: “Under Kate’s leadership, Mini First Aid has become a widely recognised brand delivering vital life skills to people of all ages. We are pleased to support the Mini First Aid team in their ambitions to grow further by reaching more people with their innovative style of first aid training.”
