Associated British Ports has named is first-ever artist in residence as Dale Mackie, a renowned local artist who has exhibited around the region, and whose paintings are housed in private collections nationally.
Famed for painting local heritage fishing scenes, this first for the port will see an exhibition showcasing the modern elements including offshore wind, and some of the work being undertaken on the buildings.
Simon Bird, Regional Director for the Humber ports said: “Two years ago, we were approached by Sam Delaney, of Creative Start, and Steve Ridlington, of WE1 Heritage with an ask, would we as port operator like an artist in residence? We’d never had one before, but with all the exciting developments happening in the conservation quarter of the port, we agreed. It would be an acknowledgement of the vibrant artistic community who were being drawn to this place.
“The paintings that Dale has produced are very colourful. He has captured the modern port, which is contrasted nicely with the port in its fishing heyday. It shows what a dynamic place it is and how Grimsby has moved forward from its fishing heritage.”
Dale said: “The exhibition shows the Port of Grimsby from its early days of being the largest fishing port in the world to becoming a major hub for global offshore wind and the leading automotive distribution centre. I’ve been honoured that I have had the opportunity to access areas on the port and capture them.”
Steve Ridlington, from WE1 Heritage who leases buildings on the port, said: “We are excited to see the artwork that Dale has put together. It has been a pleasure to host Dale in our studio for the last two years and share the artist in residence alongside ABP.”
People can view the artwork at Coffee on the Docks, 2 Auckland Road on the port from Saturday 14th September as part of the Heritage Open Day.
The Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology and the Energy Saving Trust have published advice for let managers exploring the possibility of having electric-powered fleets.
Called “Electrifying the fleet. A practical resource for fleet managers”, the resource aims to provide fleet managers with a roadmap to successfully electrify their fleets, offering step-by-step guidance, demonstrating value for money and efficiency savings, and insights into overcoming current barriers to adoption.
One of the key sections of the report focuses on the savings fleet managers could achieve from electrifying their fleets, predicting a saving of around £1,500 a year per light commercial vehicle driving 15,000 miles a year if charged at the depot or home. Rigid HGVs driving the same distance could save about £3,500 annually.
Current UK policy targets are also outlined in the resource, with a mandate that by the end of 2024, 10% of new van sales in the UK must be zero emissions, rising to 58% by 2029, 70% by 2030, and 100% by 2035. For HGVs, all new models sold in the UK must be zero emission by 2040. To support these targets, government offers various Plug-in Grants, including up to £2,500 for small vans, £5,000 for large vans, £16,000 for small trucks, and £25,000 for large trucks, helping to offset the initial costs of electrification.
Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood said: “Our roads are undergoing a technological revolution, and fleets will play a big part.
“A cleaner greener transport network is a key priority for this Government, which is why we have plug-in grants available for vans and trucks and programmes aimed at scaling up zero emission HGVs, to decarbonise road freight. The REA and Energy Saving Trust’s new resource is a great step on our path to net zero.”
Matt Adams, REA’s Transport Policy Manager, added: “The REA, with its diverse membership, is uniquely positioned to take an authoritative stance on fleet electrification. This resource provides a proven, well-managed process for fleet managers considering electrification, offering significant savings on fuel costs and helping fleets achieve their ESG targets.”
Small British businesses are to benefit from a new warship and submarine agreement, Defence Minister Maria Eagle has announced today.
More than 180,000 different items requiring delivery around the world are available within a new framework.
Across the framework, between a third and half of the suppliers are based outside the south of England with the majority being Midlands or North of England-based, and additional suppliers based in Scotland and Wales.
Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry Maria Eagle said: “The spares and repairs that keep our warships submarines at sea are critical, and this agreement will ensure that more British small businesses – from Southampton to Aberdeen – will be at the heart of supporting the Royal Navy.
“By backing our defence industry, we will keep the nation safe and support more than 200,000 jobs.
Today’s changes open the market for 39 companies to bid for work through Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) – the MOD’s procurement arm.”
Greater warship and submarine availability will be delivered through improved access to spare parts, both for planned and unplanned maintenance; access to specialist equipment-related technical advice and expertise globally; and reductions in cost without compromising safety or availability.
Yorkshire-based accountants Brearley & Co have made another major acquisition by merging with Cameron Alexander accountants in Barnsley.
The deal brings Brearley’s total office acquisitions to five, adding Alexander’s team to their existing staff count of 56 and expanding the services available to both client bases.
Cameron Alexander was established in 2008 by Alex Walls, at their office on Western Street in Barnsley. This acquisition aligns with the ongoing growth strategy of Brearley & Co, which has steadily expanded its presence across Yorkshire since 1984.
Both firms bring expertise in sectors such as taxation, self-assessment tax returns, debt recovery, payroll, annual accounts, VAT services, auto-enrolment, and financial advice. The expansion is set to create significant opportunities for clients and employees, including potential recruitment as the firm continues to grow.
Walls said: “It’s a really exciting time to be merging with Brearley & Co accountants. The firm is now better positioned than ever before to meet the evolving needs of the accountancy sector and the needs of our clients.
“Alongside developing the team and driving growth with our combined expertise and services, I’m also looking forward to contributing to our focus on client success and addressing areas that are becoming increasingly vital within the industry.”
Director at Brearley, John Hesselden said: “The move will see key leaders from Cameron Alexander join our executive team, bringing decades of industry experience and further strengthening our leadership and service capabilities.”
Mark Smallman, Managing Director, said: “Cameron Alexander is a well-established practice in the centre of Barnsley. The merger of our existing Barnsley office into their office increases our footprint, enabling us to support the local business community. We are excited to be working with Alex Walls and his team.”
Tigers Rugby Union favourite James Norman recently joined his sponsor Sills & Betteridge Incorporating Acclaimed Family Law at the opening of their new Sheffield offices.
Further to their merger in January 2023, the firm has relocated to New Oxford House, Barker’s Pool in the regenerated ‘Heart of the City’ Quarter to enable their next period of growth. In Sheffield, they will operate as Sills & Betteridge Incorporating Acclaimed Family Law.
Matrimonial practice Acclaimed Family Law of Campo Lane joined full-service East Midlands firm Sills & Betteridge LLP to make available to their clients a wider range of personal and commercial services.
For Sills & Betteridge, the collaboration realised their aspiration to operate in Sheffield, a key ambition in their development plans for Yorkshire, seeing the firm’s Northern network grow to 5 offices since 2018.
Chief Executive Martyn Hall said: “We are ambitious for Sheffield. We look forward to further integration of our two practices and working together to develop various service expansion opportunities. The new office will enable us to accommodate additional strategic hires across a number of practice areas and support our future growth.”
Michelle Cooper, Partner and Founder of Acclaimed Family Law, said: “The relocation to larger, prestigious premises in such a high profile part of the city is an exciting move for the original Acclaimed Family team, especially as we will now join forces with colleagues from Sills & Betteridge. Clients will now have access to a full range of complementary services from experts so all their needs are met under one roof.
“Together, the merged practice will continue to offer the high quality matrimonial representation, with specialists in high value and complex cases on which Acclaimed built their formidable reputation, alongside family law representation for publicly funded clients, family mediation, residential property, private client work and corporate commercial legal services.”
The firm now has 18 offices across Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and the East Midlands employing over 430 people. 2024 has been a period of significant activity for the firm including its acquisition of Nottingham headquartered Campions Solicitors, significant refurbishment of its Boston premises and current relocation of its Northampton and Sleaford teams to larger premises.
Pictured left to right: Seated – Senior Partner Karen Bower-Brown, Sheffield Tigers player James Norman, Founder of Acclaimed Family Law Michelle Cooper and Chief Executive Martyn Hall. Standing – Sandra Russell, Sarah Rowe, Emma Lawler, Peter Dadswell, Philippa Smith and Leanne Barton.
Sixteen organisations have been awarded a share of £195,000 of grants from Ørsted’s East Coast Community Fund.
Imran Nawaz, Senior Advisor & Community Benefit Fund Manager for Ørsted, said: “Our community benefit funds are a powerful tool to deliver critically important funding to our communities. We included communities at the start of each fund, asking them to shape what the fund to be what they needed, and we have then evolved as we’ve listened to how to respond to new challenges of our time – e.g. covid. Thank you to everyone who has applied. We look forward to seeing their work.”
Organisations awarded grants are:
Sight Support Hull and East Yorkshire, Bridlington Day Group for the Visually Impaired, £4,008
The Boston Men’s Shed, Collection of Recycled Timber for use within the Boston Community, £1,403
Purfleet Trust, Volunteering and Workshops, £24,702
Linkage Community Trust, Oasis, Volunteer & Community Activity Hub at Weelsby Hall in Grimsby, £26,260
Make 2nds Count, Boston Support Group for Secondary Breast Cancer Patients, £2,387
All Things Good and Nice CIC, Wellbeing Canoe Trips, £5,000
Walpole St Peter Parish Hall, Rebuild of Walpole St Peter Parish Hall, £25,000
Withernsea Town Council, Valley Gardens, Withernsea Accessible Pathway, £8,868
Cornerstone Community Church of the Nazarene, Cornerstone Community Grimsby New Flooring, £4,500
Motor Neurone Disease Association Yorkshire Coast Group, Bridlington and Local Area – Provision of Therapist, £2,640
Sutton on Sea Social Club, Sutton Social Club Solar Power Project, £21,372
INTOUNI, IntoUniversity Grimsby Local Community Learning Centre, £23,482
R-evolution, North East Lincolnshire Community Cycle Hubs, £20,253
Climb 4 Limited, Family Inclusion Support- Grimsby, and Immingham, £18,625
Blue Cross (Grimsby), Blue Cross Grimsby Car Park Green Space, £1,500
We Are ONE (Outreach North East), Pilot Community Pantry 2024, £5,000
The East Coast Community Fund is part of the community engagement programme for Ørsted. Each year, until 2037, approximately £390,000 will be available from the main fund to support a wide range of community and environmental projects.
Lincoln-based Lindum Homes is to build an estate of two, three and four-bedroom ‘net zero’ properties off Station Road in Waddington Low Fields.
Each property will generate enough energy to offset the demand of its occupants, with each plot having Air Soured Heat Pumps. The development includes a system of solar panels on roofs.
The development will be called Heath View and will include 15 affordable homes, four of which will be available under the Government’s ‘First Homes’ scheme, which enables first-time buyers to purchase a home at 70% of its market value.
As part of wider plans for the site and in addition to the housing, developer LNT Group is working on plans for a 66-bed care home on the land, which could be built next year, subject to a separate planning approval.
Lindum Homes Director Mark Foster said: “We are excited to get started on site at Heath View, which will be one of the most environmentally friendly developments we’ve delivered.
“As well as the homes being carbon net zero once occupied, we will be implementing measures to increase biodiversity in the area, through the provision of landscaped open spaces, and through new planting off site.
“We are also really pleased to be delivering a number of First Homes, as this aligns with our desire to create sustainable communities and build schemes which truly meet the needs of the local area.”
Lindum Homes is part of the North Hykeham-based Lindum Group and specialises in delivering bespoke housing developments in and around the city of Lincoln.
The homes are designed by local architects, who focus on complementing the existing communities, and are delivered by local construction teams, including Lindum’s directly employed tradespeople, such as groundworkers, bricklayers and joiners.
Sheffield-based clean energy company ITM Power has signed a contract to supply 100MW of TRIDENT stacks and skids to the Shell Rheinland Energy and Chemicals Park in Germany as part of the REFHYNE II project.
REFHYNE II will use renewable electricity to produce up to 44,000 kilograms of renewable hydrogen daily, partially decarbonising fuel production at Shell’s Wesseling refinery. The electrolyser is scheduled to begin operating in 2027. Linde Engineering has been chosen as the EPC integrator and will collaborate closely with ITM. for the REFHYNE II project.
ITM CEO Dennis Schulz said: “Shell is a leading global energy company, and we are proud they have selected us for this prestigious project. The performance of our latest generation electrolyser stacks in the REFHYNE I plant played an important role in Shell’s proceeding to FID, as did their extensive due diligence on our technology and our capability to deliver this large-scale commercial project.”
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has fined PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) for failing to report to the regulator their belief that London Capital & Finance plc (LCF) might be involved in fraudulent activity. This is the first time the FCA has fined an audit firm.
PwC encountered significant issues throughout their 2016 audit of LCF. A senior individual at LCF acted aggressively towards auditors, and the firm provided PwC with inaccurate and misleading information. PwC found the audit very complex, and it took considerably longer to complete than anticipated.
LCF’s actions, and PwC’s own work on the audit, led PwC to suspect that LCF might be involved in fraudulent activity. PwC was duty bound to report those suspicions to the FCA as soon as possible, but they failed to do so.
PwC eventually satisfied itself that LCF’s 2016 accounts were accurate. Whether or not its suspicions remained, it still had an obligation to report its previous concerns to the FCA.
LCF went into administration in January 2019 after the FCA ordered the firm to withdraw misleading promotional material for the sale of mini-bonds. Thousands of investors were misled because they were not given the full picture about the risks of the product. The Serious Fraud Office has an open criminal investigation into the failure of LCF.
Therese Chambers, Joint Executive Director of Enforcement and Market Oversight at the FCA, said: “Auditors have a central role to play in keeping our markets clean. They have privileged access to information and they are required by law to report suspicions of fraud to the FCA.
“There were a number of red flags that led PwC to suspect fraud. They should have acted on them immediately. Their failure to do so deprived the FCA of potentially vital information.”
Doncaster has seen Yorkshire’s highest growth in the number of SMEs since the pandemic, with Hull and Sheffield coming in as second and third respectively, according to new research from business lender iwoca.
The survey reveals there are now 9,975 SMEs in Doncaster, an increase of over 1,000 since 2019. This business growth within Doncaster brings thousands of new jobs, with the number of available jobs up by 9.6% between 2019 and 2022. Recent data shows that the number of working people in Doncaster has increased by nearly 12,000 since 2019, to a total of 135,450.
Doncaster Chamber’ CEO, Dan Fell said: “This robust post-pandemic recovery in Doncaster suggests an entrepreneurial spirit within the local business community. This success, clearly, is down to the individual business leaders and their teams that have shown determination and entrepreneurial to start and sustain successful companies.
“However, it also highlights the strong business support and advocacy that exists locally within the city and has played a role in this success. This naturally includes the Chamber of Commerce but also the Council’s Business Doncaster team, organisations such as Finance for Enterprise, and learning institutions such as Doncaster College and Harrison College that are working hard to meet local skills needs.
“Last week brought the challenging news that international business Aalberts IPS (formerly Pegler) would likely be ceasing manufacturing in Doncaster. Today’s news demonstrates that, despite challenges in the global market, Doncaster’s economy – overall – is moving in the right direction that our city is recognised as a great place to start and scale a business.”
Research revealed that the transport and storage sector saw the largest growth in Doncaster, with an increase of 245 SMEs within the industry. With the imminent re-opening of the former HS2 College and Doncaster Sheffield Airport, small businesses in the city’s expanding transport sector could stand to benefit further. Pass Logistics is a prime example, having started as a sole trader with just a man and a van. Over seven years, the company has grown into a £7.5 million business, employing over 35 staff and securing major contracts across the UK.
Iwoca’s research is based on analysis of ONS data on business and employment and compared the number of SMEs in Yorkshire in 2019, with the total number in 2023. Their findings revealed significant growth of small businesses in Doncaster, with an 11.3% increase compared to pre-pandemic levels.
In Hull the number of SMEs rose by 10.9%, from 5,980 in 2019 to 6,630 in 2023. In Sheffield the SME increase was 7%, increased by 16,935 between 2019 and 2023.
Barnsley business JK Machinery is developing a new type of security label which can be scanned by an app to quickly check if a product is authentic.
The company has already secured a patent for their innovative label design and is now ready to work on perfecting production of the prototype in bulk.
It has invested in a £9,000 printing press for this task – backed by a Business Productivity and Digitalisation Grant secured through Barnsley Council’s Enterprising Barnsley programme.
The grant is supported by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority and part-funded by the government’s existing UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
JK Machinery technical director Jack Round said: “We’re very excited about developing this new type of security labelling for manufacturers and producers whose high-quality goods are often targeted by fraudsters trying to pass off their own fakes as the genuine article.
“The international trade in counterfeit goods has grown massively in recent years and we are keen to help our customers add more robust protection to their products.”
Security labels made by JK’s Machinery at its Claycliffe Business Park premises will feature complex embedded code behind the print and invisible to the naked eye, which can be scanned by an app. The concept is intended as a step up from encrypted QR codes, commonly used today, which can be seen and potentially copied. The aim to make it as easy as possible for buyers to check they have the real thing; and very difficult for fraudsters to crack the coding device and replicate it.
Jack, whose grandparents set up JK Machinery in 1989, said: “The Business Productivity Grant has come at a perfect time to help us to purchase this costly machine which will not only allow us to develop our new product and bring it to market quicker, but also help us to increase production efficiency across the board. Everything would have been slower to achieve without the grant.”
Business support advisor at Enterprising Barnsley Paul Johnson said: “JK Machinery is a great example of manufacturing business in Barnsley. Their commitment to advancement and innovation not only benefits their business, but also contributes to the fight against counterfeit goods on a global scale. Proving Barnsley is a fertile place where innovation and manufacturing can thrive.”
June was a strong month for UK trade, with goods exports to the EU experiencing a double-digit rise. Services growth was steady for the month, and throughout the last quarter.
William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “The data reflects the strengths of the UK’s export portfolio in professional, travel, financial and business services as well as manufacturing, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and transport goods.
“To keep up this momentum, we want to work with the Government on its forthcoming Trade Strategy. It must ensure the UK has the right framework in place to increase exports and improve the efficiency and security of its supply chains.
“This must include a focus on improving trading terms with the EU, to cut the costs of doing trade and sustain June’s welcome sales growth in our largest export market.”
The owner of a Spalding shop has been given a 13-month suspended sentence for selling illegal cigarettes in what the judge labelled a ‘vile trade’.
Ali Idris Khader, 52, of Ewetree Drive, Leicester, has pleaded guilty to offences relating to proceeds of crime, tobacco regulation offences, and trademark offences.
At Lincoln Magistrates Court he was sentenced to 13 months custody, suspended for 12 months; 25 hours of rehabilitation activity, and a curfew between 8pm and 6am daily for four months.
Officers from Lincolnshire Trading Standards had carried out test purchases at the store on Sheep Market in Spalding in February 2023. After being sold counterfeit illegal cigarettes, officers returned to raid the premises and seize the illegal products a few days later.
A second test purchase in May and further raid in June 2023 lead to the service applying for a closure order on the store in June 2023, shuttering the premises for three months.
Senior Lincolnshire Trading Standards officer Kimberley Marshall said: “We are committed to tackling the sale and supply of illicit tobacco. Some people may not fully realise the seriousness of this crime, and that these products are often unsafe knockoffs, made in unhygienic conditions, and can pose a real fire safety risk. The illicit tobacco trade can also fund other organised crime.
“People in Lincolnshire have died in house fires caused by these types of cigarettes, and shops selling threaten the livelihoods of legitimate law-abiding businesses.
“These are not shops that sell a few cigarettes or vapes ‘on the side’. Instead, they exist solely to supply illegal goods. The shops are operated by criminals and out-of-county organised crime groups.
“We will continue to work with Lincolnshire Police and other partner agencies to combat this illegal trade of counterfeit, unsafe products.”
In prosecuting, the judge noted that Mr Khader was knowingly selling the goods in a ‘vile trade’ that presented an increased risk of fire and risk to life. He said: “If you run a business that sells goods to the public it is your responsibility to make sure they are legitimate and fit for consumption. You were sourcing goods that were clearly not legit, and arranging for them to be sold as if they were.”
Scunthorpe-based Clugston Distribution is celebrating 100 years’ service as a supplier to the town’s steel industry.
The company celebrated its own 100 years of being in business in 2022, in partnership between them and the steelworks for almost all the time they have been in business.
The name ‘Clugston’ has been more of a constant than the name of the steelmaking operation in the town, which has gone through numerous incarnations and owners from around the world.
Andrew Dawes is to take over as ABP’s Regional Director, Humber, when Simon Bird leaves the company at the end of October.
Andrew has 30 years’ experience in the global ports and terminals industry with companies such as DP World, APM Terminals and ICTSI. Alongside his strong leadership credentials, he brings with him a wealth of experience in safety, operations and commercial activities. His experience also includes MD roles with P&L accountability for terminals plus wider regional portfolio responsibility.
He said: “This is an incredible time to be joining ABP as the next five-year business strategy is launched. The Humber Region which has some really exciting projects and growth opportunities. It plays a key role in delivering ABP’s twin missions of Keeping Britain Trading as well as Enabling the Energy Transition here in the UK.
“I am very much looking forward to meeting and working with my Humber colleagues, customers and wider stakeholders and to bringing my family to live in this fantastic region.”
Andrew will join ABP on 1st October, allowing a period of handover with the outgoing Regional Director, Simon Bird, who will be stepping down from the role at the end of the month.
A car dealer has been fined £1,000 by York magistrates after selling a car so unroadworthy that it was potentially dangerous to who was driving, as well as pedestrians and other road users.
Junaid Ahmed Majeed and his company Dealonwheelz Ltd pleaded guilty to selling an unroadworthy Toyota Aygo to a Kirkbymoorside resident, and misleading a Thirsk resident about the service history, warranty and MOT history of a Vauxhall Corsa.
Majeed and the company also admitted telling both customers that the cars were ‘sold as seen’ to try to prevent them from asking for a refund or repair when things went wrong, and of failing to tell the Kirkbymoorside resident that she had a right to cancel her contract with the company.
York Magistrates heard that a consultant engineer who examined the Toyota found that it had been “repaired” in a totally inappropriate manner, with defects covered by filler and underbody sealant presenting a serious defect of the structure of the vehicle’s bodyshell.
The defect created the potential for the car to be badly damaged if it was involved in a collision, putting the occupants at greater risk.
The engineer’s report concluded: “I consider that the vehicle was in an unroadworthy condition, in that its use on a road would involve a danger of injury to any person within or other road users and pedestrians, due to the potential catastrophic failure of structural components.”
Majeed, of Hawke Avenue, Heckmondwike in West Yorkshire, and Dealzonwheels Ltd of Commercial Street in Leeds, each pleaded guilty to five offences under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.
Majeed was ordered to pay fines totalling £500 and compensation of £2,000.
The company must pay fines totalling £500 and £200 towards prosecution costs.
Plans to transform Wakefield’s former market hall into a new events space have taken a major step forward.
Wakefield Exchange is welcoming applications from creative and digital business, and from independent food and drinks businesses in Wakefield and across the wider West Yorkshire area, to be part of the new venue, that is due to be launched this winter.
The launch will be part of Wakefield Council’s 366-day programme of cultural and creative activity, Our Year 2024.
Cllr Hannah Appleyard, Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Sport, said: “The Wakefield Exchange will offer residents a fantastic experience with an exciting programme of events and activities in a landmark venue.
“It will provide opportunities for creative and digital businesses and independent food and drinks businesses.
“We have listened to feedback from residents and we’re pleased that we’re now at this stage, as we look forward to launching the venue later this year.”
The Wakefield Exchange will provide new events space to attract visitors into the city centre on a permanent basis.
The venue will create jobs in the catering sector and there will also be business spaces on offer to small and medium digital and creative businesses, enabling Wakefield Exchange to play its part in the regeneration of the city centre.
The £7.7 million transformation, which is being supported by funding from the Department for Culture, Media & Sport, will also provide skills training opportunities for local residents and workspace to attract new creative businesses into the city centre.
Leeds City Council has confirmed details of the positive and proactive steps it is taking to safeguard the future of key heritage assets on a landmark local street.
The council’s plans for a row of run-down properties towards the lower end of Kirkgate will, it is hoped, lead to their full restoration, refurbishment and reuse – but, crucially, should also facilitate the reopening of the currently-closed road.
A section of Kirkgate has been closed to traffic since one of the historic privately-owned buildings – number 85 – suffered a partial collapse in April this year.
The appearance of number 85 and its neighbours had already become a long-standing issue during a period when grants provided through the council’s Lower Kirkgate Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) scheme have driven a huge amount of regeneration activity elsewhere on the city centre street.
The council has been unable to formally agree terms with the owner of the dilapidated buildings – a company called City Fusion – for the award of THI grant support for improvement work on these properties.
Now, mindful of the negative impact that the current situation is having on the area, the council is intending to take two separate courses of action. These are:
The issuing of an urgent works notice – by the council in its capacity as the local planning authority for Leeds – in relation to the City Fusion properties on Kirkgate that are most at risk of collapse or further serious deterioration. The notice would give the council the right to carry out emergency structural work before recovering the cost of doing so from City Fusion. Once this work has taken place, then the traffic restrictions on Kirkgate would be lifted.
The proposed market-value acquisition by the council of seven City Fusion properties so they could, in the longer term, be restored and refurbished for uses that would maximise their potential as heritage assets and complement the other improvements on Kirkgate that have been made through the THI scheme.
Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s deputy leader and executive member for economy, transport and sustainable development, said: “Kirkgate has undergone a huge transformation over the last decade and we’re proud of the part we have played in making it a vibrant hub for independent businesses.
“We also recognise, however, that the poor condition of a number of local buildings – as well as the current road closure – is having a detrimental impact on the area and our ambitions for its comprehensive regeneration.
“It is our hope that, by stepping in and taking ownership of the situation, we will be able to facilitate the reopening of the road and, separately, give these problem properties a new lease of life.
“We thank businesses and residents for their patience and would like to assure them that the steps now being taken are a sign of our steadfast commitment to the ongoing success of Kirkgate.
“This is a street with real historical significance, and our efforts to ensure it has an equally bright future are the perfect illustration of the vital role that heritage plays in regeneration activity.”
The Lower Kirkgate THI scheme was launched in 2013 to drive heritage-led regeneration in the area, using funding from the council and the National Lottery Heritage Fund as well as leveraged private sector investment.
Subsequent improvement work has seen a number of properties restored, including the Grade II-listed First White Cloth Hall. The street has also been fundamentally redesigned, with the widening of footpaths and the planting of trees creating an attractive setting for businesses and other buildings.
The changes on Kirkgate complement substantial recent investments in public realm and highways infrastructure across an area known as the Corn Exchange Gateway, which includes roads such as Call Lane, Bridge End, Lower Briggate, New Market Street and Duncan Street.
City of York Council is sharing revised ideas for new public space in one of York’s most historic and important areas – and wants to hear from residents and businesses.
Updated concept designs from landscape architects BDP imagine how the Castle and Eye of York area could meet residents’ ambitions for the public space to replace Castle Car Park, as well as how it can become greener and more accessible.
In November 2023, the council’s Executive asked for the scheme to be reviewed to deliver flexible green space with children’s play provision, retain blue badge parking numbers, and reduce capital and management costs.
The ideas residents and businesses will be asked to feedback on include more planting and green spaces, improved pedestrian facilities, options for retained blue badge parking, and connections to the river with a riverside path and boardwalk to the rear of the Castle Museum which would link to the proposed new pedestrian and cycle bridge over the River Foss.
Image credit: City of York Council
An engagement period will run until 20 September 2024.
Councillor Katie Lomas, Executive Member for Finance, Performance, Major Projects, Human Rights, Equality and Inclusion at City of York Council, said: “The Castle Gateway plans have been shaped by a real desire to improve this important part of the city.
“Over recent years the council has been listening to a range of ideas which have shaped an open brief and masterplan for the area to create a place where all our residents want to spend time and enjoy.
“We want to get on with delivering these improvements. The key changes that we are asking for views on respond to our core commitments as a council to equalities and climate as well as the recently approved ‘Our City Centre’ vision’.
“Also, following unsuccessful levelling up funding bids in previous years, we need to adapt the scheme to make it affordable and deliverable for the city, all while achieving the improvements to the area that people are demanding of us.
“Your thoughts and feedback are vital in helping shape the scheme design before a revised planning application is submitted, so please take a look at the updated concept designs and have your say.”
The scheme will now be brought forward in phases due to the funding available, focusing on the Castle Car Park and the boardwalk in the first phase. However, the original planning application, which was submitted in February 2022, will be revised so that a comprehensive scheme is developed for the whole area, which can then be implemented when funding becomes available.
The feedback gathered will allow detailed proposals to be developed, with a revised planning application expected to be submitted in early 2025.
York-basedAbingdon Health, a lateral flow contract research (CRO) and contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO), has completed the acquisition of the CS Lifesciences group (Compliance Solutions).
The business announced the £3.2 million deal earlier this year, as well as a placing to raise £5.2 million.
Compliance Solutions is a consultancy business which specialises in meeting compliance (Quality/ Regulatory/ Clinical) requirements in international In Vitro Diagnostic and medical device markets.
The news follows Abingdon Health’s acquisition of IVDeology.
Chris Yates, CEO, Abingdon Health, said: “We are delighted to welcome Edwin Lindsay and all the Compliance Solutions team to the Abingdon Health group.
“The acquisition of Compliance Solutions deepens and broadens Abingdon’s regulatory service offering allowing us to fully support our customers in bringing their products from idea to commercial success.”
Edwin Lindsay, Managing Director of Compliance Solutions, said: “We are delighted to join the Abingdon group and we look forward to working with the Abingdon team to support our growing customer base across the In Vitro Diagnostic and Medical Device Market.
“The regulatory landscape is going through a period of significant change and the enlarged group is well placed to support customers in navigating this complexity to achieve and maintain successful product registrations.”
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