Scarborough economy gets a boost with water park re-opening
Scarborough’s Alpamare water park re-opens to the public tomorrow after a massive effort between North Yorkshire Council and Flamingo Land.
Staff have been working round the clock to get the site ready for customers once more after it was closed last December when the previous operator went into administration.
Flamingo Land CEO Gordon Gibb said: “This opening would not have been possible without a super-human effort from our team and fantastic support from North Yorkshire Council. Without the council team’s professionalism and commitment, this would not have been possible.
“We are now looking forward to welcoming visitors to this amazing attraction for Scarborough, which will be a huge boost for the resort’s summer season.”
Deputy leader Gareth Dadd added: “The park is a massive asset for the town and securing Flamingo Land as the operator is key to its success. It is great to be working with a well-established, local and trusted company.”
The North Bay attraction boasts a wave pool, a splash and play pool, four state-of-the-art slides, two outdoor pools and a café and terrace bar. It was purpose-built in 2016 overlooking North Bay in the seaside town. Its’ alpine themed spa and treatment area will open at a later date.
The council took possession of the site in December last year when tenant Benchmark Leisure went into administration. Now that Flamingo Land has taken on its short-term operation, work to find a permanent solution on the future operation of the site will begin.
Mitie acquires Scunthorpe-based ESM Power
Scunthorpe-based ESM Power is to be acquired by Mitie, and become part of its Projects business from August 1st.
ESM Power, based on North Farm Road in Scunthorpe, will officially join Mitie’s Projects business from 1 August, where it will help customers connect, upgrade, and decarbonise their buildings and estates across the UK.
The company’s MD Roger Bamford said: “We are incredibly proud of the ESM Power team and the business we have built over the past 20 years. We are excited to join the Mitie team, share our expertise, and benefit from the opportunity to work with Mitie’s experienced colleagues and extensive customer base to grow our business.
“The ESM Power senior management team will be remaining in the business, and be fully committed to the next phase of growth for ESM Power. We will continue to focus on delivering the agility and quality of a small business, built on trust and customer relationships, but with the backing and stability of Mitie as a £4.5 billion FTSE 250 business.”
Spencer bridge team wins award for work to preserve historic ‘international’ bridge
Spencer Bridge Engineering has won the Historic Bridge Project of the Year Award at the New Civil Engineer Bridges Awards 2024 for its work on the Union Chain Bridge crossing the border between England and Scotland.
Opened in 1820, Union Chain Bridge crosses the River Tweed. It’s the world’s oldest suspension bridge still carrying traffic and was the longest wrought iron suspension bridge in the world when it opened.
Joe DiMauro, Engineering Director said: “We’re incredibly proud to have been honoured with prestigious industry awards for our work on Union Chain Bridge.
“This recognition further reinforces Spencer Bridge Engineering’s reputation as an industry leader in specialist bridge works, including the delivery of projects on historic structures.
“Our expertise, experience and wide-ranging capabilities across the company mean we can be trusted to complete complex bridge works to exceptional standards. I’d like to thank the team for their tremendous work which made this project so successful and these awards possible.”
Designed and built by Royal Navy officer and bridges design pioneer, Captain Samuel Brown, the crossing was credited with being a catalyst for bridge innovation and influenced the design and construction of suspension bridges around the world.
Spencer Group was appointed by Northumberland County Council to dismantle the bridge and carry out a complete refurbishment and rebuild, ensuring the 200-year-old structure continues to provide safe passage for vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists for many years to come.
A key element of the project was to ensure all modifications were in keeping with the heritage and historical significance of the bridge and, where possible, structural elements, including the main suspension chain rods, links, pins and hanger caps, were refurbished rather than replaced.
The existing masonry towers were also refurbished using stone from the same quarry that was originally used. Working in partnership with local stonemasons and heritage bodies, the Spencer Bridge Engineering team conducted masonry trials to determine the exact stone facing and pointing techniques required to best match the existing structure.
Draft designs approved to change the face of Cleethorpes
Draft designs that will change the appearance of Cleethorpes Market Place and Pier Gardens with the help of an £18.4m government grant have been agreed, and detailed designing can now begin.
The centre of the Market Place is to be pedestrianised for parts of the day, allowing for cafes and public events. This will swallow up most of the parking spaces, though lay-bys and drop off zones will still feature in the plans within Market Place to make sure businesses have access for deliveries.
Additionally, changes are being progressed to convert High Street Car Park into a short stay only car park. The unused land behind the Old Vic pub, is also proposed to be converted into a public car park of around 40 spaces.
Council leader Cllr Philip Jackson said: “We are having discussions with businesses. We know that there are concerns, but we’ve also seen in other areas across the country what these sort of projects do to help local economies, and what the possibilities are.”
The Pier Garden design harks back to the historic use of space, where people went to spend time. The new vision brings people of all ages and abilities together, and creates a more family orientated area, alongside areas for quiet reflection and education, whilst also increasing biodiversity in the resort.
The design proposes a “zoning” system, which will provide a mixture of uses across the park with a consistent theme throughout.
- arrival space at Sea Road/Alexandra Road junction, creating a welcoming space to the gardens;
- events zone to support a mixture of activities/events that could take place;
- play/recreation zone which would consist of a larger central space and provide a mixture of activities for young and older children alike;
- reflection zone at the Sea View Street end of the gardens supporting the existing armed forces memorials that are situated there.
New Chair for Boston Town Board
Joanna Brigham has been announced as the new Chair of Boston Town Board.
Joanna, a highly experienced senior leader who has held Chief Executive and Director roles within a broad range of organisations, assumes the role after former Chair Neil Kempster decided to step down.
Joanna’s appointment comes as the Boston Town Board begins a new phase in its existence having been repurposed to oversee the delivery of £20m Long Term Plan for Towns funding awarded to Boston.
This additional funding complements the £21.9m Town Deal funding which is being invested in Boston through a number of transformational projects, including the new Mayflower learning centre at Boston College and improvements to the Geoff Moulder Centre.
Joanna, who was also most recently Chief Executive of UK Shared Business Services Ltd and previously CEO for the Scottish Police Services Authority, and Director of Strategy and Marketing for the Royal Parks said: “I am so pleased to have been appointed to lead Boston Town Board through its next chapter, when we will build on the successful and significant progress to date and look to the future by creating and overseeing the implementation of a long term plan for Boston.
“I would like to thank my predecessor Neil who has held the position of chair almost from the very beginning. I look forward to continuing to work with him and all the board members as we bring together our shared skills, commitment, and ambition for Boston to make a difference for the town.”
Neil, who is Land and Development Director of Chestnut Homes was an inaugural member of the Board and has been Chair of the Boston Town Board since June 2020. During his four years at the helm, the Board’s role expanded after further funding including Levelling Up and more recently Long Term Plan for Towns investment was awarded to Boston.
Neil said: “It has been a privilege to serve as Chair for the Boston Town Board, and to be involved in shaping the town investment plan and projects ever since the announcement of the funding.
“Following the establishment of the Boston Town Board in 2020, which enabled the Boston Town Deal investment of £21.9 million, we have supported significant further funding and investment into Boston.
“This has included Levelling Up and Levelling Up Partnership, match funding for the Town Deal, UK Shared Prosperity Funding, High Street Task Force support and most recently the Long Term Plan for Towns funding.
“Now, with the changes in the board’s role, it feels like the right time for me to step down. I am looking forward to remaining as a board member, and continuing to work with Jo and the other board members. I wish Jo all the very best in her role as Chair.”
Councillor Anne Dorrian, Leader of Boston Borough Council, said: “I think I speak for all the partner organisations who are represented on the Town Board when I say that Neil’s chairmanship over the last four years has given a steady and stable influence, giving oversight to the important major projects of the Town Deal.
“I am delighted that he has chosen to stay on as a board member and is willing to offer his vast wealth of experience as we move forward with the Long Term Plan for Towns.”
Expanding childcare group buys Sheffield nursery
Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co, has sold Upsadaisy Children’s Nursery in Sheffield.
Upsadaisy Children’s Nursery is an Ofsted-rated ‘Good’ day nursery setting that caters for up to 75 children aged between nought and four years. It occupies a property with great outdoor space on Bellhouse Road in Sheffield.
The setting has been owned by friends, Karen Green, Shelley Whitworth, and Clare Quince since 2016 and, after working in the sector for many years, they decided to sell to take a well-deserved retirement.
Following a confidential sales process with Vicky Marsland at Christie & Co, and with funding sourced through Lawrence Roberts at Christie Finance, it has been purchased by Nurtured Childcare, a growing group in the North of England.
Karen Green, former owner of Upsadaisy Children’s Nursery, says: “We acquired this former Sure Start building in 2016 after it had been closed for three years. Starting off with six children, the nursery has grown over the past eight years to 160 on roll.
“Our vision was to provide the local and wider community with an excellent Early Years provision and, along with our fantastic staff team and beautiful setting, we hope that we have achieved this. We are happy to hand over to Nurtured Childcare and wish the team every success for the future.”
Craig Brennan, CEO and Founder at Nurtured Childcare, says: “Nurtured Childcare is a multi-award-winning group of nurseries operating across the North of England and Upsadaisy is exactly the type of setting we wanted to add to our group.
“A fantastic staff team, large outdoor area, and well-established in the local community. This is our second site in South Yorkshire, and we are very proud to be able to continue the good work of the previous owners. We already have plans in motion to develop the outdoor play area which will double the footprint.”
Vicky Marsland, Director – Childcare & Education at Christie & Co, says: “We had multiple viewings within weeks of launching this confidentially to market, which were followed by three strong offers.
“Whilst this process was not without its challenges, with the help of Christie Finance and the continued patience and hard work of my clients, we were able to achieve a full asking price offer. I wish the sellers all the best in their future endeavours and look forward to seeing the further growth of Nurtured Childcare in the future.”
Lawrence Roberts, Director at Christie Finance, says: “I am so pleased to have been involved in this transaction, supporting Craig and his team in purchasing Upsadaisy Nursery.
“Having an experienced operator in the sector is a positive element to sourcing a competitive funding package at present, and I am delighted that Craig and his team have added another nursery to their portfolio. I wish them all the best for the future.”
Upsadaisy Children’s Nursery was sold for an undisclosed price.
Rotherham Council to approve updated plans to transform Dinnington and Wath
Rotherham Council Cabinet is set to approve updated plans for two projects that will transform Dinnington and Wath.
Feedback from the public has helped to update plans to restore the cultural heart of both town centres and create better public places. The plans will be considered by Cabinet on Monday 29 July.
The £8.9 million library and public space project planned for Wath will include:
- A new state-of-the-art library, for learning, working and making
- New commercial spaces to attract business
- Improvements to green spaces
- Improvements to the Biscay Way car park
- The proposed project at Wath includes demolition of the existing library and the creation of a brand-new library to create a modern, inviting, and inclusive community facility. The library will be equipped to support skills development locally with purpose-built learning, working and making spaces.
Major regeneration of Mexborough planned
A major regeneration of Mexborough is planned, with approximately £24m earmarked to bring significant improvements to its town centre.
Mexborough has been allocated circa £24 million in funding from City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) and from Levelling Up Fund round 3 (LUF3).
The Mexborough Masterplan has been developed over the last few years and now is the opportunity to see that delivered, bringing real improvements for residents and businesses of Mexborough.
There is currently a public consultation open which will run until Friday 26th July. City of Doncaster Council (CDC) is seeking the views of local residents, businesses and visitors to Mexborough.
The current plans include:
- Street and shop frontage enhancements, including upgraded CCTV and street lighting.
- Celebrating the town’s heritage and future with new public art.
- More green and social spaces, including a new ‘pocket park’ with trees, planting and seating areas as well as landscaping at the site of the former flyover and the bus interchange.
- Relocation of Bus interchange to bring buses into the town centre and create additional car parking on the former bus interchange.
- Improving access into the town centre for vehicles including buses, by creating a new junction from Greens Way on to Station Road and Bank Street.
- Reallocating space on part of the dual carriageway to provide a safer environment for pedestrians and cyclists, including upgrading the crossing facilities and adding trees and landscaping supporting a reduction in speeding and providing a safety buffer. This will also enable the junctions at each end to manage capacity and not be over saturated as occurs on occasions now.
Leeds aerospace distributor buys six acres of land
A Leeds-based distributor to the international aerospace industry is scaling up its operation and pioneering innovation, with the purchase of approximately six acres of land to bring its office and warehouse space onto one site, laying the foundation for its new Innovation Hub.
Aeroservices operates in over 100 countries and offers a range of services including maintenance and new component development.
It recently purchased land in West Yorkshire to build its new Aviation Business Park and bring its UK warehousing, in-house maintenance operations and research and development (R&D) offering under one roof. The acquisition was supported by a funding package from Lloyds Bank to support Aeroservices’ next decade of growth plans.
The business is investing in a new ‘Product Innovation Lab’ where it will work on market-leading projects with the University of Leeds and other leading academia in the UK. More widely, its R&D work will focus on automation and robotics as the company looks to maximise productivity and efficiency in aviation sector.
Bringing its capabilities onto one site will allow Aeroservices to scale up its operations and sell more to other businesses directly. To support this, the firm is planning to invest in a fleet of electric vans for delivery, as well as triple its workforce over the coming years.
The business is also looking to invest in solar panels and other energy-efficient technologies for the new warehouse and office space, as part of its wider sustainability plans.
Mashood Akmal, CEO at Aeroservices Limited, said: “Innovation is at the heart of Aeroservices, so this expansion will help accelerate our research and development and place West Yorkshire at the centre of the aerospace sector map.
“We’ve been with Lloyds Bank from day one and following recent support to help us adapt during the Covid-19 pandemic, we were confident they were the right partner for our latest growth plans.
“Purchasing the new site is the first big step towards our wider Aeroservices Vision 2030, and Lloyds Bank has been instrumental in making that happen. We look forward to continuing to work alongside them as we build and develop our new Aviation Business Park.”
Tony Buchan, relationship director at Lloyds Bank, said: “We’ve supported Aeroservices since it was founded, and it’s great to be working together again, this time to support with plans to invest in its R&D offering and scale up its operations by bringing its various capabilities in-house.
“Aerospace is a key sector in West Yorkshire and the business is a great example of the leading innovators that are making the region their home.
“We’ll be by the side of the business from day-one to completion of this project, and beyond. And will be on hand to provide additional support, from new opportunities for growth through to advice around sustainability.”
Mayor urges government to back Harrogate College rebuild
Elected Mayor of York and North Yorkshire earlier this year, David Skaith has recently written to the new Secretary of State for Education requesting an extension to the time limit attached to the Department for Education’s (DfE) funding for the £22m rebuild at Harrogate College.
The Mayor’s letter to Bridget Phillipson is being supported by a host of other influential figures including Tom Gordon MP, the recently elected Member of Parliament for Harrogate and Knaresborough, and David Hughes CBE, the Chief Executive for the Association of Colleges. A number of local headteachers, employers and organisations have all also added their signatures in support.
Designed to upgrade the college’s facilities so they can meet the area’s current and emerging skills needs, the campus redevelopment was due to start this year and complete in 2025. However, the launch of a Judicial Review has knocked the timetable back, jeopardising the DfE funding.
In his letter, Mr Skaith said: “I’m writing on this occasion to request an extension to the funding timeline for Harrogate College to complete the much-needed rebuild they have planned through your Department’s Further Education Capital Transformation Fund.
“North Yorkshire Council had granted the college planning permission…and preparations were being made for construction to begin. However, an application for Judicial Review has been made by a local individual opposed to the rebuild. This is highly unusual given the new college is being built on the current site.
“The council remains confident that the project will still be granted planning permission, albeit at a delayed pace. This delay does mean, however, that the funding underpinning the rebuild is now threatened as a result of the expected completion date being delayed until September 2026.
“Missing this valuable window of opportunity to redevelop Harrogate’s only general further education college would be a damaging outcome for local people, employers and the regional economy.”
Principal of Harrogate College, Danny Wild said: “I’m immensely grateful to David Skaith and others who have signed this letter supporting our planned rebuild.
“I hope the levels of local and regional support for the project are recognised by the new Secretary of State for Education and our request for an extension to the funding timeline is approved.
“The redevelopment of the campus will present new opportunities for training and education that will help deliver the growth aspirations for North Yorkshire. Losing this valuable opportunity to redevelop Harrogate’s only further education college will have a long-term detrimental impact on our local people, employers and the regional economy.”
Local MP, Tom Gordon, who has also separately written to the Education Secretary to urge for an extension, said: “Colleges, and the valuable work they do training our workforce and opening up opportunities for people of all ages, are close to my heart.
“We are very fortunate to have a great college, serving the area, here in Harrogate – but in a rapidly-changing world it simply cannot afford to stand still.
“Harrogate College needs this redevelopment to ensure it has the facilities to keep delivering the evolving skills our region needs as we go forward – particularly in the rapidly growing green skills sector.”
The redevelopment would see the main college building replaced with a sustainable, modern property equipped with a host of facilities including a mock hospital ward and digital technology suite.
The proposals would also see a new renewable energy technology centre opened on the campus, to help the college expand its work in the fast-growing sustainability sector.
Sheffield Forgemasters seeks planning for new facility in Sheffield’s Meadowhall district
Engineering specialist, Sheffield Forgemasters, has submitted a pre-planning application for a landmark 30,000m2 machining facility on brownfield land in Sheffield’s Meadowhall district.
Located on a 16-acre plot at Weedon Street, the new facility will form one of the world’s most advanced large machining facilities, to support the Ministry of Defence-owned company’s manufacture for the UK defence programme.
With work on the site planned to start in Q4 2024, the building will cover a space equal to 12 olympic-sized swimming pools and will contain 17 new machines, including some of the largest and most advanced five-axis Vertical Turning Lathes ever produced.
Gareth Barker, Chief Operating Officer at Sheffield Forgemasters, said: “The pre-planning application covers an ambitious new project, to create a facility which will deliver some of the world’s most advanced, large-scale machining capabilities.
“Creating this new facility on derelict ground, which was once part of Sheffield’s engineering past, is an amazing investment for the city and for the wider UK, which will create highly-skilled engineering jobs for decades to come.
“The building is set to become an iconic landmark and the sheer scale of the endeavour is actually larger than construction of the UK’s largest open-die forging-line, which is underway on our adjacent Brightside Lane site.”
Plans for the new machining facility detail a main building with a circa 272.5 x 110 metre footprint, standing 32 metres tall, located close to the River Don and designed to complement the historic look of the company’s existing buildings.
Adjoining the main construction is a second, proposed 3,500m2 building, with a state-of-the-art test-house facility and a dedicated training area, to transfer vital skills to the next generation of engineers.
Gareth added: “The scope of what we are creating in the centre of Britain’s industrial heartland is truly monumental and will not only de-risk supply for the UK and trilateral AUKUS defence programmes, it will provide some of the most technologically advanced and rewarding working facilities for our employees.”
The machining facility is set to be operational by the end of 2028 and will deliver unmatched levels of speed, accuracy and efficiency for the manufacture of large, highly complex, nuclear-grade components.
All of the new machines are bespoke to Sheffield Forgemasters’ requirements, and are already being designed and built by machine tools specialist, WaldrichSiegen.
Both the company’s new forging line and proposed machine shop will service defence and also commercial work in sectors such as civil nuclear power, creating a new generation of engineers and designers trained to work with Industry 4.0 technologies.
JLL acted on behalf of Sheffield Forgemasters for the site acquisition and planning submissions.
John Good Group opens new offices in Hessle
John Good Group has opened its new HQ at Quarry House on the Hesslewood Office Park in Hessle.
The opening of the purpose-built office was marked by the company’s Annual General Meeting, where John Good Group welcomed the Good family shareholders and wider stakeholders to the new building. The event was also the first AGM of the modern era, attended by three generations of the Good family.
CEO Adam Walsh said:“The official opening of Quarry House is a significant milestone for us, celebrating not just a new office, but the culmination of two years of transition and growth. Quarry House, alongside our beautiful Hesslewood Office Park, provides the perfect environment for our team today and for future generations of employees and business partners.
“Quarry House is also a testament to John Good Group’s commitment to sustainability and investing in creating a working environment that prioritises both well-being and performance. Every choice was considered from multiple perspectives including commercial, employee experience and sustainability. The project team, led by our Chief Financial Officer Ben Norman, with input from Julie Ornsby, Steve Pullen, Darren Howden, and Michelle Taft, have done a superb job. They should be congratulated for what they have delivered for the business and their colleagues.”
The newly-constructed Quarry House is a cornerstone of the Group’s Fast Forward plans, which emphasises strategic growth alongside commitments to People, Planet, and Performance. The design of Quarry House was guided by a sustainable and local-first philosophy, using nearby suppliers to support the local economy. This sustainable approach includes locally-sourced timber, recycled fishing nets repurposed into a boardroom carpet, and reclaimed materials from a Canary Wharf building for raised access flooring.
South Yorkshire football ground to continue as ‘MEPS International Home of Football Stadium’
Sheffield FC’s ground will be called ‘The MEPS International Home of Football Stadium’ for the entirety of the upcoming campaign.
Partnerships Manager Dylan Ralph said: “We are thrilled to retain MEPS International as stadium sponsor and a major partner of The Club.
“We’ve also got some great content and brand activations planned, so keep your eyes peeled for that.
“We look forward to welcoming all of our supporters to The MEPS International Home of Football Stadium in the season ahead, with hopefully plenty to celebrate.”
Joe Rugg, Commercial Lead at MEPS International said: “We’re thrilled to be renewing the naming rights of the MEPS International Home of Football Stadium.
“Steel and football lie at the heart of Sheffield’s heritage, and as MEPS International celebrates its 45th anniversary in 2024, it feels poignant that we’re able to maintain close ties with a such a historic and enduring sports club that is also such a globally-recognised symbol of the city.
“We’re proud to see the MEPS name displayed at the stadium and can’t wait for another exciting season to get under way.”
Bradford-based food group expands further with a slice of cheesecake market business
Bradford-based Regal Food Products Group Plc expands further with acquisition of artisan cheesecake makers Love Cheesecakes.
Based in Lancaster, Love Cheesecakes specialises in handcrafting over 100 premium cheesecakes for wholesale, food services and the hospitality sector.
In 2020 Love Cheesecakes appeared on TV show, Dragons’ Den, giving the artisan bakery a step on the online ladder. The bakery now also holds a strong online presence through several ecommerce platforms in which it operates. With a strong focus on gifting, the service allows customers to indulge in doorstep desserts at home.
Since the acquisition of Just Desserts Yorkshire in 2022 and more recently Love Handmade Cakes, the Regal Group have strategically focused on growing and developing their desserts range in the food service and wholesale market.
Younis Chaudhry, CEO of Regal Food Products Group said: “The acquisition of Love Cheesecakes will further strengthen our chilled desserts portfolio allowing us to give customers a solid offer across all ranges and price points.”
“With a catalogue of over 100 products, there will be plenty of opportunities for new product developments, giving us the platform to bring a whole new range of exciting flavours and combinations to customers old and new.”
“As a group we have the resources and infrastructure in place to bring Love Cheesecakes in line with our vision and family of dessert brands and look forward to integrating the bakery and its assets into one of our existing manufacturing sites.
“This strategic step will further strengthen our growth and open up opportunities in the chilled desserts category.”
James Asquith, founder of Love Cheesecakes adds: “This acquisition marks an exciting new chapter for the Love Cheesecakes, promising tremendous growth and innovation. I am confident that Regal Food Products Group’s expertise and resources will take the bakery to new heights, reaching even more customers and continuing to deliver the quality and values we as a business stand for.”
Housing association Chief Exec calls for political unity over homebuilding
The chief exec of Bradford-based Manningham Housing Association has urged politicians from all parties to support more housebuilding following the announcement in today’s King’s Speech of proposed changes to planning laws and the introduction of housing targets to boost the delivery of new homes.
Lee Bloomfield said: “The country has endured a deepening housing crisis for many years which has curtailed life chances and stunted economic progress in deprived communities.
“Sadly, successive governments have backed away from their housebuilding commitments after encountering opposition either within their own ranks or from local pressure groups.
“I welcome the measures outlined in the King’s Speech aimed squarely at delivering the homes we need in Bradford, Keighley, and elsewhere – but we have been here before.
“This time must be different which means Ministers sticking to their policy pledges and standing strong in the face of the inevitable challenges to new developments.
“That task will be greatly helped by politicians from all parties accepting the need to build new homes, rather than habitually opposing local housebuilding for political gain.”
Founded in 1986, Manningham Housing Association manages more than 1,400 homes for over 6,000 residents in Bradford and Keighley. Over 80 per cent of residents are of South Asian origin but the association proudly serves all of those in need.
Manraj lands Director role with Quantuma
Business advisory firm Quantuma has promoted restructuring expert Manraj Mand to the role of Director in its Yorkshire practice. Manraj is based in Quantuma’s premises in Leeds and also spends time in the firm’s Bradford office.
Manraj joined Quantuma in 2021 as a Senior Manager from a regional restructuring practice, where he had worked for the previous nine years. He began working in corporate insolvency in 2012 and qualified as an Insolvency Practitioner in 2018.
Manraj provides advice to owner-manager SMEs and has significant experience in the care industry, retail, and property sectors. He also advises clients who are in personal financial difficulty.
He said: “I really appreciate the recognition from my colleagues and continuous support from the business community. As a firm, Quantuma continues to have tremendous ambition and I look forward to giving my continued support to the brand and to promoting our service lines in Yorkshire and further afield.”
Quantuma MD Rehan Ahmed added: “We are very pleased to recognise Manraj’s achievements since joining Quantuma in 2021. Manraj has a wealth of experience, and he is committed to helping to achieve best outcomes for clients at all times, so it has been a pleasure to support him in progressing his career over the past three years.”
Google returns to York to talk AI with city’s businesses
For the second year running, York has hosted a meeting of medieval architecture and cutting edge technology as local businesses boosted their digital skills with Google.
Over 80 businesses from York and North Yorkshire gathered on Tuesday 16 July for a day of free digital skills training delivered by Google Digital Garage in partnership with City of York Council.
Held in the city’s fourteenth-century Hospitium, Tuesday’s session concluded a series of three events – two online webinars and one live training day.
Over two years of the council’s partnership with Google Digital Garage, over 400 businesses have been able to learn new digital skills thanks to these events.
Debbie Weinstein, MD of Google UK & Ireland, said: “Digital technologies are truly transformative and can help businesses and individuals across the UK to increase their earnings, boost their productivity and unlock their full potential.
“As a former business owner myself, I understand how tough it is to know where to turn to for advice. That’s why we’re providing hands-on support as part of our nationwide digital skills drive to help equip more people with invaluable skills that help to create jobs and economic opportunities.”
Among the topics covered were crafting effective AI prompts, how to save time using AI-powered tools and techniques and the fundamentals of data analysis. Businesses also learned how to problem solve like a consultant, by defining a ‘problem statement’, implementing proven problem-solving techniques and finally, evaluating solutions.
Cllr Pete Kilbane, Executive Member for Economy and Culture, said: “York is well known for its fabulous history, but it is also at the cutting edge of science and innovation. This Google digital garage taking place in our medieval Hospitium shows how York’s future economy sits easily with our proud heritage.
“Our Council Plan, ‘One City for All’ aims to build a thriving economy that is driven by innovation and good business. These events are just one example of the work our business growth managers are doing to help local businesses to upskill, innovate and grow.
“We’ve seen rapid growth in the AI tools now available to businesses of all shapes and sizes, and it’s vital that our local businesses are able to use these to their advantage, to boost their profits and remain globally competitive.
“It’s been a really enjoyable, engaging day and I hope that our city’s businesses have been inspired to seize the opportunities offered by AI.”
Pukka Pies signs up for another year with Sheffield FC
Sheffield FC and Pukka Pies will continue their sponsorship agreement into next season.
SFC Partnerships Manager Dylan Ralph said: “We are delighted to have continued the partnership with Oukka and be using them as The Club’s official supplier in our ground. There is so much synergy between both brands, with over 200 years of history between us.”
Pukka’s Sport & Stadia Sector Manager, Nik Jones said: “Pukka are delighted to continue our partnership with The World’s First Football Club, and be available in their rightful place at The Home of Football.”
The news comes hot on the heels of agreement with Propensio Finance to continue as Dugout and Community Partner for the season.
Propensio Finance CEO Dave Hindle said: “Renewing our dugout sponsorship and community partnership with Sheffield F.C. was never in doubt. This partnership reflects our shared values, love for football, and engaging the community. We’re excited to be one of the many supporters of this institution as they begin the journey towards their new stadium. Up The Club!”
The dugout is a focal point during matches, symbolising strategy, teamwork, and the spirit of the game. Propensio Finance and The Club are forward-looking and committed to innovation and future growth.
Chairman Richard Tims, said: “It’s great to have Propensio as a partner at The World’s First Football Club.
“There is a real synergy between both brands and the branding on the dugouts looks fantastic. We’re really grateful for their support and we’re looking forward to growing our partnership even more this season.”
West Yorkshire still features amongst local authority areas doing most commercial property deals
Challenging conditions in the commercial real estate market have contributed to a collapse in the number of local authorities in England and Wales attracting annual commercial real estate sales of more than £1bn, according to new analysis from property data provider Search Acumen – but West Yorkshire is amongst them.
It’s one of just nine areas of England and Wales seeing more than £1bn of commercial real estate sales during 2023, according to analysis of official data from HM Land Registry.
This is the first time the number of £1bn+ local commercial real estate markets has dropped into single figures since comparable records began in 2017.
Andrew Lloyd, MD of Search Acumen, said: “Our analysis points to a persistently flat picture for commercial property growth since 2021. Debt, interest rates, and investment returns and opportunities continue to bite commercial markets, leaving some investors hesitant to commit until they are confident in a healthier forecast ahead.
“Whilst these figures are disappointing for the economy, the real estate industry is adept at navigating periods of uncertainty, often using these times to strategise and capitalise on emerging opportunities. We know there are some pockets of investment thriving, focusing on the fundamental strengths of prime assets and emerging opportunities in sectors such as technology and life sciences. This selective approach to investment underscores the importance of detailed, reliable property data in informing strategic decisions. For those of us in the property data and search sector, this reinforces the need to continue innovating to provide fast and effective tools that enable transactions to happen swiftly and confidently in a sensitive market.
“For transaction volumes in particular, it is also important to view this development in the context of wider industry delays. Over the past two years, we’ve witnessed a dramatic reduction in the number of conveyancing companies, creating a bottleneck among those that remain. This consolidation may now be stabilising, allowing the surviving firms to adapt and potentially expand their capacities to meet the growing demand, something which may be more reflective in HMLR figures later in the year.
“Looking ahead, whilst the election’s outcome will undoubtedly have a substantial impact on broader economic policies that could either stimulate or stifle property market activity, the wheel of fortune also lies in the hands of the Bank of England as the industry waits with bated breath for interest rates to reduce. If this happens, by the end of 2024 we may well see an injection of energy into the sector and more billion-pound districts emerge.
“Until then, it will be vital for a new Government to bolster the amount of money flowing into the UK commercial property sector if it is to successfully oversee a continuation in economic growth. Policy and industry must work together to enable the sector to bounce back from its cycle low.”
Plans to transform Goole’s Market Hall into food hall and events venue take leap forwards
Plans to transform Goole’s Market Hall into a vibrant food hall and events venue have taken a major leap forwards with the announcement that a third party operator has been appointed to run the venue.
In response to a formal tendering process conducted earlier this year, Brew York, a brewery based in York that also operates tap rooms and bars at venues in York, Leeds, Otley, Pocklington, Guiseley and Knaresborough, submitted a successful bid to bring its hugely popular combination of craft beer and street food to Goole.
In addition to the food and drink offering from Brew York, the refurbished Market Hall will also offer flexible space for local creative and craft businesses and host events of both a commercial and community nature to generate an income. A boxing event held there earlier this year was just one example of the many different types of activities that the venue could host in the future.
Councillor Anne Handley, Leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “I’m absolutely delighted that Brew York has been appointed to operate the Market Hall and will be bringing its incredibly popular combination of craft beer and street food to the heart of Goole. This is a massive boost for the town centre, which will undoubtedly bring more visitors and increased spending to Goole.
“It was very important to the Goole Town Deal Board that, in addition to a food and drink offering that would boost the evening economy, the Market Hall should also still be able to host pop-up events and performances so we’re absolutely delighted with this outcome and can’t wait to welcome Brew York to Goole.”
Brew York’s Managing Director, Wayne Smith, said: “We are really excited to be part of this amazing scheme. We have been working closely with the Goole Town Deal team since the back end of 2023 to ensure that we transform the Market Hall into a hub for the town to draw more people out and create a vibrant destination for everyone to enjoy. We can’t wait to bring our experience in events and entertaining to the town, and bring along our friends to serve up some of the best brews and local street food in the country.”
The Goole Town Deal Board is investing £4 million of Government funding into the Market Hall and see it as an important ‘anchor’ destination that will significantly increase footfall and spending in the town centre, benefiting other town centre businesses and boosting the local economy. It’s hoped that the venue can become a central part of what’s considered to be Goole’s ‘cultural quarter’ by collaborating closely with Junction Goole and Goole Museum, which are both nearby.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, the Government gave the Goole Town Deal Board an early funding allocation and this came just at the right time for the Market Hall. A sum of £190,000 was used to carry out urgent repairs to the leaking roof, as well as a series of improvements inside, including the removal of the fixed stalls and levelling of the floor to create more space. This timely intervention halted the Market Hall’s long-running decline and made it possible for it to become a hub of activity once again.
Planning permission for the refurbishment project was granted in May of this year and work is due to start on site later this year in preparation for it re-opening as a food hall and events venue in the spring of 2025.
Back in 2019, the Victorian Market Hall’s future was looking increasingly bleak. It was costing Goole Town Council more than £1,000 per month to operate the market and the fabric of the building was in an increasingly poor state of repair. As a result, the market closed and the building was handed back to East Riding of Yorkshire Council. Thankfully, a golden opportunity arrived later that same year when Goole was invited to apply for a share of the Government’s Town Deal funding and the Market Hall became central to the Goole Town Deal Board’s plans to reinvigorate the town centre.
