Chesterfield motor finance firm grows with acquisition of Leeds broker

Tess Egginton
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Chesterfield motor finance firm grows with acquisition of Leeds broker
Chesterfield-headquartered Evolution Funding is set to acquire motor finance broker Creditas Financial Solutions, subject to FCA approval. This strategic move marks a milestone in Evolution Funding’s growth trajectory and underscores its commitment to expanding dealer access to the group’s finance platform, technology, and broad lender panel. Founded in 2007 by Andy Shaw and headquartered in Leeds, Creditas employs 60 staff and oversees four Appointed Representatives. Creditas will continue to operate under its own brand as a subsidiary of Evolution Funding Group and with its existing management team at the helm. Evolution has completed several acquisitions as part of its expansion plan, including automotive Software-as-a-Service provider Click Dealer in 2021 and the motor finance broker Motion Finance in 2023. Evolution secured majority investment from global private equity firm Carlyle in July 2023, leading to significant reinvestment in the company’s platform, technology, and digital capabilities. Lee Streets, CEO of Evolution Funding, said: “The acquisition of Creditas is highly complementary. With little overlap between Creditas and Evolution Funding Group’s dealer partners, it will grow Evolution’s footprint with independent retailers. “At the same time, our technology, processes, and partnerships will enhance Creditas’ proposition for dealers, maximising its potential and driving long-term growth across the group. “We have been impressed with Creditas’ approach to motor finance, the focus they put on building relationships and doing the right thing for consumers, an ethos at the heart of our own operations. We look forward to working closely with Andy and the team to identify further opportunities and harness our mutual strengths.” Andy Shaw, Managing Director of Creditas, said: “I am delighted we have joined part of the Evolution Group. Having built Creditas up over the last 17 years now is the time to become part of a much larger entity. We are looking forward to working with Lee and his team moving forward – it’s going to open a lot of new options for the benefit of our dealers.” Creditas were advised by Peter Williams, David Kendrick, and Fraser Pirie of UHY Hacker Young (Manchester) LLP.

Immingham-based Casper Chartering buys seventh ship for its fleet

Stuart Pearcey
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Immingham-based Casper Chartering buys seventh ship for its fleet

Immingham-based Casper Chartering Limited has bought the cargo vessel MV VESPER from Norwegian owners.

MV Vesper is the latest vessel to join Casper’s growing fleet, which now has seven ships. Built in 2006, Vesper is 88.60m long and is berthed at Douglas in the Isle of Man, from where she trades within the North Sea and Mediterranean Sea alongside the rest of the fleet. Pete Buffam, managing director of Casper Chartering Limited, said: “It has been an incredibly busy start to the second quarter of this year, with our fleet spread right across our trading range. Just last month, we ensured the safe delivery of ocean freight including urea, steel coils and grain to several ports such as Denmark, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Egypt and Turkey. “We are very grateful for the guidance provided by the team at Andrew Jackson Solicitors who were able to move quickly on the purchase of MV Vesper. She is already providing much needed support and has recently returned from the German Port of Mukran, one of our regular trading routes, to transport grain back to Europe.” Dominic Ward, senior partner and head of shipping and transport at Andrew Jackson, added: “It has been a pleasure to assist Casper Chartering on its latest vessel purchase. Having worked with the Casper Group for several years, we are particularly delighted to see them strengthen their position as one of the UK’s leading cargo vessel operators.”

Sheffield student accommodation property sold

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Sheffield student accommodation property sold

Unite Students, the owner, manager and developer of student accommodation, is selling six properties to PGIM Real Estate for £184m, of which Unite’s share will be £76m.

The properties, comprising 2,948 beds, are located in Birmingham, Cardiff, Leicester, Liverpool, Nottingham and Sheffield.

The disposal is part of the Group’s portfolio management strategy to increase alignment to high and mid-ranked universities which have the strongest outlook for student demand and support sustainable rental growth.

In Sheffield the 437-bed Exchange Works has been sold.

Joe Lister, Unite Students Chief Executive, said: “These disposals continue our disciplined approach of recycling capital for reinvestment and further increases our alignment to the strongest universities.

“The growth outlook for purpose-built student accommodation remains compelling and we are tracking a number of new investment opportunities at attractive returns.”

What do you think of your town centres, Chambers ask South Yorkshire businesses

Stuart Pearcey
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What do you think of your town centres, Chambers ask South Yorkshire businesses
Businesses are being asked to share their views on what the priorities should be for their nearest town or city centre. The questions being asked in a new poll being conducted by the three regional South Yorkshire Chambers of Commerce in the South Yorkshire Quarterly Economic Survey. Wherever they are based across South Yorkshire, respondents will have an opportunity to outline what they think needs to be improved in their local urban core and where further investment is needed. Among other things, the survey will canvass their views on the cleanliness, safety, green spaces, retail offer and cultural scene of the nearest town or city centre, while also asking them to identify their top three priorities for making it a better place to do business. They will also be encouraged to highlight any examples (from around the country) of places that can serve as an inspiration for South Yorkshire and its ambitions. Urging businesses to complete The Town and City Centre Survey, the three South Yorkshire Chambers (those being the respective networks for Doncaster, Sheffield and Barnsley & Rotherham) issued the following joint statement: “By the very nature of what we do as networks, we are always interacting with businesses and, in the process, ask for their views on a myriad of topics. While there is a wide range of issues that concern our members, one thing that often comes up, totally unprompted, is the wellbeing and relative prosperity of the town and city centres we have here in South Yorkshire. “We know that this is a matter close to the hearts of many local businesspeople, which is why we have decided to give them the opportunity for their voices to be heard through our new survey. We want to know how important the notion of civic pride is to them, where they believe there is room for improvement, what they’d like to see prioritised in terms of future investment, and if they consider a flourishing centre to be something that is key to their own ambitions. “Equipped with these insights, we will then be able to gauge how great the appetite is amongst the business community for thriving city and town centres, and advocate for the changes they’d like to see. “It’s imperative that we get as many different perspectives on this issue as possible, to ensure that we have authoritative data that’s truly representative of what businesses think. Indeed, the greater the response, the louder and more informative that collective voice is.” The Town and City Centre Survey is sponsored by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority and ProAktive. It is also part of the nationwide Quarterly Economic Survey, which is itself the nation’s largest independent review of business sentiment.

PM to announce measures to support UK farmers and growers

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PM to announce measures to support UK farmers and growers
The UK needs to reduce its reliance on overseas fruit and vegetables and back British producers, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will tell the second Farm to Fork Summit at Downing Street tiday. The announcement comes as the first UK Food Security Index published to ensure the government and sector is resilient to unexpected shocks to the market and extreme weather. Measures to be announced today include up to £3 million towards supporting small and mobile abattoirs to support British farmers; a £22m infrastructure grant for laying hens to help poultry farmers to improve the health, welfare and productivity of their flocks; a £72m fund to the Endemics Diseases Scheme to help eradicate bovine viral diarrhoea in cattle, control porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome in pigs and tackle a range of different health conditions in sheep; and appointment of a Commissioner for the Tenant Farming Sector this autumn. Mr Sunak said:“Come rain or shine, I will always back British farmers. From feeding the nation to protecting our countryside, they are vital to the security and the fabric of our country. “This package of support will help farmers produce more British food, delivers on our long-term plan to invest in our rural communities, and ensures the very best of our homegrown products end up on our plates. “I know for many farmers, the impact of adverse weather in recent months has made working the land even harder, but my message is clear, our support for you is unwavering and we will be with you every step of the way.” Environment Secretary Steve Barclay said: “Food security is vital to our national security, which is why today’s summit is so important, bringing together government and key representatives from the farming and food sector at Downing Street. “This announcement will turbocharge the growth of our horticultural sector supporting the building of cutting-edge glasshouses and innovative farming techniques to put British fruit and vegetables on our plates all-year round. “We will continue to invest in and support farmers to produce the best of British food to strengthen our food security, championing innovation in the sector.”  

Energy company donation bears fruit with creation of community orchards

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Energy company donation bears fruit with creation of community orchards
A donation of £6,500 by Osborne Energy has made possible 15 community orchards in the Boston, East Lindsey and South Holland areas of Lincolnshire The company delivered retrofitting schemes on behalf of the South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership to eligible residents who applied for Government funding in 2022 to improve the energy efficiency of their homes. Following the delivery of those schemes, Osborne Energy awarded around £6,500 funding as part of its social value commitment which has led to the creation of the new community orchards. They will all be managed and maintained locally by residents. Each will bring new health and wellbeing opportunities through connecting with the outdoors and physical activity. Volunteers will receive ongoing support to help them learn more about orchard maintenance and it is hoped that the sites will provide a focal point for future events and community gatherings such as Apple Days and Wassails. A spokesman for the council said: “It is fantastic that so many new community orchards have been created thanks to Osborne Energy’s work in delivering energy efficiency measures for our residents. “The orchards will bring people together, support our residents to improve their health and wellbeing, as well of course increase biodiversity. Trees are vital for the important role they naturally play in capturing and storing carbon dioxide as well as creating enhanced green space. Residents will also be able to enjoy the fruit from the trees, all grown and harvested in their community. “We thank Osborne Energy for the funding they have made through their social value commitment. “The orchards are an additional way we are supporting the environment following the work carried out to help residents retrofit their homes. We look forward to seeing them thrive over the coming months.”

Santander signs three-year partnership with University of Bradford

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Santander signs three-year partnership with University of Bradford

The University of Bradford and Santander have agreed a three-year partnership with Santander to help its students kickstart their careers.

The new partnership marks the University of Bradford as part of the bank’s UK university network, which aims to remove barriers to higher education for students by providing grants, scholarships and internships to students, and funding to budding entrepreneurs to launch and grow their businesses. The partnership with Santander includes a £150,000 package of support across the three years providing funding for University of Bradford students across three areas; education, entrepreneurship, and employability. Professor Shirley Congdon, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bradford, said: “We are delighted to be invited to join Santander’s UK university network. Santander’s university network has an outstanding reputation for helping students from across the UK and beyond to develop skills and overcome any potential barriers they may have which prevent them from achieving their future career aspirations. “We are excited to establish this partnership and look forward to delivering a range of new opportunities which make a positive difference to our students, staff, businesses and communities across the Bradford district.” Through the new agreement, one University of Bradford student will receive an annual grant of £10,000 over three years, as part of the Santander Scholars Programme, which aims to support under-represented students in higher education. On top of that, £15,000 will be allocated to support entrepreneurship and start-ups; a minimum of three budding businesses created by students will receive up to £5,000 each. The employability strand of the partnership will provide support package includes £15,000 of funding per year. Students will receive up to £1,000 each to help them towards gaining employment, which could be used to fund internships, work experience, and volunteering opportunities. The final area of support will be Brighter Future Grants which will provide 10 students with a £1,000 grant each year. These awards will be available to all students at the University of Bradford.

UK government’s committed to country’s steel industry, says Minister

Stuart Pearcey
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UK government’s committed to country’s steel industry, says Minister
The UK Government is committed to British Steel, Secretary of State Kemi Badenoch said during visits to company sites. The visits to Scunthorpe and Teesside came as talks continue with the UK Government about British Steel’s £1.25-billion decarbonisation plan and the Secretary of State said: “The government is working very hard to keep primary steelmaking capability in the UK. “This is about more than steel. It is also about economic resilience. It is about sovereign capability. It is about supply chains all across the UK that rely on steel. And one of the reasons that I am here today is to show people not just how much we care, but how much we are doing in order to ensure the steel industry in the UK survives. “This government is fully committed to UK steel. We are committed to British Steel, to the Tata steelworks in Port Talbot and of course, most importantly, to the communities who have relied on this industry for hundreds of years and whom we know will be able to continue working in steel and in the future green economy that it is going to transition to.” Detailed studies show electrification would enable British Steel to continue making the products its customers require and it has recently received planning permission to build EAFs in Scunthorpe and Teesside. Significant preparation works, including environmental and technical studies, and equipment selection, are underway to ensure the company’s ambitious proposals can be delivered at the earliest opportunity while discussions with the UK Government continue. British Steel has started preliminary talks with trade unions about electrification and has promised to support employees affected by its decarbonisation plans.

Mansfield Pollard wins ‘best place to work’ accolade

Stuart Pearcey
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Mansfield Pollard wins ‘best place to work’ accolade
Bradford-based Mansfield Pollard has been recognised by The Sunday Times as one of the Best Places to Work in 2024. This prestigious accolade is awarded to organisations that demonstrate excellence in creating a supportive and engaging work environment, and we are proud to be listed among the best. The Sunday Times Best Places to Work awards are determined through a rigorous two-part process. This includes a detailed written submission from the company and an in-depth survey of 35 wellbeing related questions completed by employees. Mansfield Pollard achieved an outstanding engagement score of 86% across our workforce.

Ramsdens Solicitors bolsters senior team with five promotions

Tess Egginton
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Ramsdens Solicitors bolsters senior team with five promotions

Yorkshire-based Ramsdens Solicitors has promoted Jennifer Slater, Katie Sharp, Jane Holroyd and Rosanna Drewery to the position of partner across its network of a dozen offices in the region. Jolene Briggs has been promoted to conveyancing manager for the Calderdale region.

Paul Joyce, managing partner of Ramsdens Solicitors, said: “As a firm, we are committed to bringing on board new talent and giving them the support they need to develop their careers with us.

“It’s fantastic to see these five knowledgeable and committed lawyers moving up in the firm, and these promotions are well deserved recognition of their contribution to the continued growth of the firm.”

Working within the firm’s private client practice at its York office, Jennifer Slater has over 18 years’ experience, including expertise in advising on wills and lasting powers of attorney.

She also specialises in lifetime tax planning, and the creation and administration of trusts and estate administration, in particular, estates with complex issues and agricultural estates. Jennifer is a full member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) and a member of the Law Society’s Private Client Section.

Having qualified as a solicitor in 2015, Katie Sharp has worked in conveyancing for over 10 years.

Based at Ramsdens’ Mirfield office, she has in-depth knowledge of the residential property industry, including the sale, purchase and re-mortgage of freehold and leasehold properties as well as new-build, unregistered and help-to-buy properties. Katie also deals with private mortgages, lease extensions and title splits.

Based at the Edgerton office, Jane Holroyd is a partner in Ramsdens’ commercial property team.

Since qualifying in 2014, she has dealt for all types of property transactions, such as the acquisition and set up of development sites, buying and selling commercial freeholds and commercial leases from both the landlord and tenant perspective, including new leases, renewals and licences.

Jane also specialises in acting for SIPP and SSAS pension trustees in respect of pension schemes’ commercial property investments.

Having joined Ramsdens soon after her qualification in 2014, Rosanna Drewery has become a partner in the child law practice and works across both West and North Yorkshire.

She has a specialism in public law proceedings, also known as care proceedings, and primarily undertakes work under the Children Act 1989, representing parents, grandparents and other family members. She also deals with special guardianship cases.

Rosanna is an accredited member of the Children’s Panel, representing children in public and private law proceedings, through their guardians.

Jolene Briggs has become conveyancing manager for the firm’s Calderdale offices in Halifax and Elland. Based in Elland, she deals with all types of conveyancing matters including freehold, leasehold, unregistered, equity, right-to-buy and auction properties.

Jolene previously worked in a property practice in Leeds for 10 years before joining Ramsdens in 2014.

Hospitality trade show sells out exhibition space

Stuart Pearcey
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Hospitality trade show sells out exhibition space
The inaugural Lincolnshire Hospitality Trade Show has sold out all available exhibition spaces for the county’s first and only B2B-focused hospitality event. Scheduled to take place at the prestigious Harlaxton Manor on Wednesday this week, the first-of-its-kind event is poised to revolutionise the way businesses in the hospitality industry connect, network, and thrive, according to organisers Globella and Stokes Tea and Coffee, who have signed up more than seventy exhibitors, speakers, and interactive sessions. Hannah Tomlinson of Globella said: “We are ecstatic to witness such an overwhelming response to our inaugural event. The fact that the exhibition spaces sold out in record time underscores the immense enthusiasm and anticipation within the industry for a platform that fosters growth, creativity, and excellence. “We are extremely grateful for the tremendous support from exhibitors, sponsors, speakers, and attendees and cannot wait to open the doors next week to deliver an exceptional experience that exceeds all expectations.”

Property firm promotes four

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Property firm promotes four

Four commercial property professionals have been promoted at Leeds property consultancy, GV&Co.

Daniel Walker, Tom Preene and Matt Harriman have all become directors, and David Geary has been made an associate. The promotions follow the firm’s recent expansion into bigger city centre offices at Carlton Tower on St Paul’s Street and the company’s twentieth anniversary celebrations.

Daniel works within the agency and investment team. He joined the business in 2012, completed a degree alongside his day job in 2017, and became a chartered member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) in 2019.

Daniel said: “Every day is different, dealing with lettings, acquisitions, investment sales and advising on long term strategic development sites. Recent highlights include the work we have done on employment allocation for Integral, a 60-acre scheme at Thorpe Park, the £25m acquisition of Total Park, Leeds and advising on the lettings of 285,000 sq ft at Catalyst, Sheffield Business Park.

“We are optimistic about the market and can clearly see an increase in positive sentiment. Occupiers can understandably take their time making decisions, but there is a definite sense of market confidence returning, after the recent downturn in activity, which followed a very busy few years.”

Tom works in lease advisory and asset management. He joined GV&Co in 2022 having spent six years at a global property firm and is responsible for negotiating rent reviews and lease renewals on behalf of both landlords and tenants.

He said: “The industrial market continues to perform well with headline rents reaching record levels and I’m looking forward to growing this side of the business further, as more landlords and tenants recognise the value that we add.”

Matt works in building surveying and project management. He joined GV&Co as a graduate ten years ago when the department was first established, and since then it has grown to a seven-strong team, with an enviable client base.

Matt said: “I really enjoy working on a diverse spectrum of commercial property across multiple sectors, and have keen interest in contract administration, dilapidations and acquisition surveys.

“In the last twelve months, I’ve managed over £3m worth of commercial refurbishments and successfully negotiated over £1m of dilapidations. As a director, I’ll be more involved with helping to manage the team and mentoring colleagues, as well as continuing to drive the department forward.

“Upcoming changes to Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) legislation is the hot topic at the moment and with a fundamental understanding of building efficiency upgrade costs, we are well positioned to advise clients on improving EPC ratings to ensure assets remain attractive to both occupiers and institutional investors.”

David Geary joined GV&Co’s building surveying and project management team eight years ago and has successfully completed a Masters (MSc) in Building Surveying during that time. David project manages construction projects across all sectors, as well as carrying out condition surveys and negotiating dilapidations claims.

David said: “I really enjoy my role at GV&Co. I’m heavily involved in refurbishment schemes, predominantly around Yorkshire and the Midlands, but I have recently completed a large-scale refurbishment of a Grade A listed building in the centre of Edinburgh.

“The building is now fully let to multiple occupiers and holding its own in a prime part of the city. On a local level, the market is busy in the world of building surveying and the pipeline until the end of 2024 is strong.”

Plans lodged for retirement living development in Baildon

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Plans lodged for retirement living development in Baildon
Developer and manager of retirement communities, McCarthy Stone, has submitted plans to Bradford Metropolitan District Council for the redevelopment of land at the former Ian Clough Hall, Baildon. The proposals are for retirement living accommodation, specifically designed to meet the need of people in later life and would represent the regeneration of a brownfield site. The scheme will deliver a sensitively designed development of 47 apartments, featuring a homeowners’ lounge and set amongst attractive, landscaped gardens with on-site parking provision. There will also be a guest suite, lift access to all floors and a mobility scooter charging and storage room. Ahead of submitting a planning application, McCarthy Stone carried out a public consultation with the local community on its initial proposals. Ciaran Aldridge, Divisional Managing Director North, McCarthy Stone said: “There is a real need for specialist retirement accommodation in Baildon, and this proposal would go some way to addressing that, whilst at the same time releasing existing family homes onto the market and relieving the pressure on local greenfield sites. “Located close to the town centre, McCarthy Stone residents provide a vital boost to local businesses, typically using local shops and services daily, or often. “Research shows that residents of a typical 47-home McCarthy Stone development would collectively spend £362,000 a year on the local high street. This spending would support local retail jobs and help to keep businesses open in Baildon.” McCarthy Stone’s plans will be determined by Bradford Metropolitan District Council in the coming months.

Yorkshire & Humber firms remain confident despite challenging business conditions

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Yorkshire & Humber firms remain confident despite challenging business conditions

Although the headline NatWest Yorkshire & Humber PMI® Business Activity Index – a seasonally adjusted index that measures the month-on-month change in the combined output of the region’s manufacturing and service sectors – rose for the first time since the beginning of the year from 46.9 in March to 47.3 in April, it remained below the 50.0 no-change mark, making the region the only monitored part of the UK to see private sector output shrink at the start of the second quarter.

The decrease in the region’s economic activity contrasted starkly with the UK-wide trend, which signalled the fastest expansion in a year.

Notably, Yorkshire & Humber was the worst-performing part of the UK, both in terms of business activity and new orders, as was also the case in the previous month. That said, business confidence remained strong, while employment levels across the region were only marginally reduced, despite widespread reports of intensifying wage pressures.

The level of new business received by private companies in Yorkshire & Humber continued to shrink in April. The rate of decline was fractionally faster than that seen in March, and was therefore the quickest since November last year.

Weak client confidence was linked to the reduction in sales, while some respondents commented on generally subdued demand conditions across various industries.

Notably, Yorkshire & Humber was one of just two parts of the UK to see a drop in new business, with the region also seeing the quickest fall.

The Future Activity Index posted well above the 50.0 no-change mark, signalling robust growth expectations by private sector firms in Yorkshire & Humber during April. New product releases, strategic business changes and forecasts of greater customer numbers underpinned optimism, anecdotal evidence showed.

Although the level of positive sentiment dipped to a three-month low, it was slightly stronger than seen for the UK on average.

Continuing the trend which began in February, private sector businesses in Yorkshire & Humber cut their workforce numbers during the latest survey period. The non-replacement of leavers was commonly noted as a reason for lower staffing capacity, anecdotal evidence showed.

However, the decrease in employment was only marginal overall. This compared with broadly unchanged staffing levels at the broader UK level.

Posting below the 50.0 no-change threshold for a fourteenth successive month in April, the seasonally adjusted Outstanding Business Index signalled a sustained reduction in the volume of work pending completion at private sector companies in Yorkshire & Humber.

Furthermore, the latest data pointed to a solid decrease in backlogs of work, and one that was the quickest of all 12 monitored parts of the UK.

Private sector companies in Yorkshire & Humber recorded a further steep month-on-month increase in their overall operating costs in April. Moreover, the rate of inflation quickened markedly from March to its highest in a year. Greater wage pressures were reported by survey respondents, in addition to higher costs associated with raw materials, fuel, insurance and the distribution of goods.

Prices charged for the provision of goods and services continued to be raised by companies in Yorkshire & Humber, latest survey data showed. In many cases, selling prices were lifted to offset the impact on margins from greater costs. That said, the extent to which output charges rose was moderate and the slowest for three months.

Yorkshire & Humber recorded the second-softest rate of selling price inflation of the 12 monitored parts of the UK, with only the North West seeing a slower pace of increase.

Malcolm Buchanan, Chair of the NatWest North Regional Board, said: “April marked yet another challenging month for the Yorkshire & Humber private sector, which was once again the only part of the UK to see a decrease in business activity.

“That said, April data was better with the rate of contraction slowing since March. Positively, growth expectations remain above UK trend and with economic conditions domestically and abroad improving, this should provide tailwinds for growth in the coming months.”

Barnsley pub gets new lease of life as part of Heineken’s £39m investment

Stuart Pearcey
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Barnsley pub gets new lease of life as part of Heineken’s £39m investment
Heineken UK is investing £39m in upgrading and reopening pubs in its Star Pubs’ estate this year in a move which it says demonstrates its confidence in the resilience of the great British local in the face of global uncertainty. The move will create an estimated 1,075 new jobs. More than 600 of Heineken UK’s 2,400 pubs are in line for improvement, with 94 of these set for makeovers costing on average £200,000. The investment will also cover works to reopen 62 long-term closed locals in 2024. By the end of the year, the company will have reopened 156 such pubs since the start of 2023, reducing the number of closed pubs in its estate to pre-pandemic levels. Amongst those given a new lease of life is The Ship at Worsbrough near Barnsley. A £370k refurbishment reopened The Ship earlier this year after a four-and-a-half year closure, creating 11 jobs. As well as being a pub, The Ship holds coffee mornings for senior citizens, care home residents and mother & toddler groups and has football, darts and pool teams. It also puts on charity fundraisers and provides meeting space for local groups. In the evenings, there are weekly quiz, bingo, karaoke and live music nights. New licensee Rebecca Skelly said: “The Ship needed a complete facelift to get customers back – a lick of paint wouldn’t have cut it. The smart new design has been key to converting residents into regulars. The Ship is proof of the need and demand for traditional locals. It’s part of the town’s history. Everyone comes here, from families with children to retirees – it’s a social hub, especially for the neighbourhood’s senior citizens, many of whom sat at home alone before The Ship opened again.” Lawson Mountstevens, Star Pubs’ MD, said: “People are looking for maximum value from visits to their local. They want great surroundings and food and drink as well as activities that give them an extra reason to go out, such as sports screenings and entertainment. Creating fantastic locals that can accommodate a range of occasions meets this need and helps pubs fulfil their role as vital third spaces where communities can come together. “Pubs have proved their enduring appeal; after all the disruption of recent years, Star is on track to have the lowest number of closed pubs since 2019. It’s a tribute to the drive and entrepreneurship of licensees and the importance of continued investment. We’ve spent more than £200m upgrading and maintaining our pubs over the last five years, and we’ll continue to invest to keep them open and thriving. “Time and again we see the value consumers place on having a good local and how important it is to communities. Well-invested pubs run by great licensees are here to stay, but like all locals, they need Government support to reduce the enormous tax burden they shoulder.”

Tram disruption ahead as VolkerRail improves infrastructure in Sheffield

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Tram disruption ahead as VolkerRail improves infrastructure in Sheffield
Multi-million pound investment work to future-proof and extend the lifespan of the Supertram network will take place for nine days from 24 May. The first phase of rail replacement engineering work will start in Sheffield city centre from after the last tram on the evening of Friday 24 May until start of service on Monday 3 June, and will affect all tram and Tram Train services. Further works are planned in other areas of the tram network over the summer. During the works, carried out by contractor VolkerRail, no tram services will be able to operate between Fitzalan Square/Ponds Forge and University. Melanie Corcoran, Executive Director of Transport at SYMCA, said: “These essential works are vital to extend the lifespan of the Supertram network. Every effort is being made to minimise the impact and to keep people moving while this work progresses. “By replacing the track we’re making sure the region’s tram network can continue to safely provide its popular service for generations to come.” In addition, works will be carried out at Netherthorpe Road tram stop to replace the tram shelters. To ensure the health and safety of both the passengers and site workers, the platform will be closed throughout the works. Trams will not serve Netherthorpe Road tram stop and will, instead, run directly between University and Shalesmoor tram stops, in both directions.

Sewell Group named as one of UK’s best places to work – again

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Sewell Group named as one of UK’s best places to work – again

East Yorkshire-based estates and retail business the Sewell Group has been named one of the UK’s best companies to work for in The Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2024 list.

The list, which covers businesses from across the country, finds the best companies to work for by measuring staff feedback on factors including reward and recognition, information sharing, empowerment, wellbeing, pride and job satisfaction. Sewell Group Chair Paul Sewell said: “They say you have to be a great place to work to be a great company to deal with. Our aim has always been to nurture, reward and develop our talent, so they can serve our customers in an elite and sustainable way. We set standards to be a place where the best want to be and the aspirational can reach their full potential. “The Sunday Times Best Places to Work is a list based on what our people say, which is why, for me, this is the best accolade we could receive. “It’s an honour and a privilege to be in this prestigious listing and thanks go to all our staff, customers and partners who have helped us continue to grow and thrive.” Data and Information Analyst Achyut Ratkanthiwar started work with the company last year, and said working for Sewell Group has been a different experience from his previous workplaces. “I love the way people at Sewell Group support each other. When someone does well, everyone celebrates their success, and when someone has a problem, we all rally round to help. It’s a great working environment, and I’m really glad that’s been recognised at a national level.” Tracy Hunt, Hot Food Supervisor from one of Sewell on the go’s stores agreed, saying:“I’ve been working for Sewell Group for more than five years, and I’m still amazed by how friendly and helpful everyone is, from trainees right up to senior management. I’ve been given the freedom and responsibility to manage my own projects, and I know that the rest of the team always have my back if I need help.” Chris Longcroft of The Times and The Sunday Times, said: “All organisations are only as good as the people they employ and retain. The Sunday Times Best Places to Work awards recognise companies that are innovating to create an engaged and fulfilling working environment for all and in so doing they are creating the best possible platform for business success. To be named on The Sunday Times Best Places to Work list is a true recognition of excellence and I congratulate those organisations who made the grade this year.” Sewell Group has two arms, with award-winning fuel station and convenience store operator Sewell on the go, and a range of estates businesses working across investments, construction, facilities management, consultancy and data mapping. The company has made the list consistently over the past 15 years, with the result being determined through surveys with those who matter – the people that work there.

Broadband provider to sponsor children’s literary event

Stuart Pearcey
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Broadband provider to sponsor children’s literary event
Hessle-based Hull Fibre is to sponsorship of The Big Malarkey Festival 2024, a literary event for children returning to East Park in June, promising a wide range of engaging activities and attractions. Young literature enthusiasts will have the opportunity to engage in creativity, music, art, writing, and storytelling as The Big Malarkey Festival makes its way back to Hull this summer. Following a week of activities geared towards schools, the festival will open its doors to families on Saturday, June 22nd, and Sunday, June 23rd, at East Park. Attendees can look forward to a captivating lineup of reading-themed entertainment and interactive experiences. The festival is making a comeback after its highly successful debut in 2017, which drew more than 8,000 participants to East Park.

Water companies plan new reservoir in response to threat of demand outstripping supply

Stuart Pearcey
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Water companies plan new reservoir in response to threat of demand outstripping supply
Anglian Water and Cambridge Water have released an artist’s impression of the proposals for a new reservoir in the Fens. Projections from the Met Office show that the East of England will become hotter and drier in summer, and wetter in winter, meaning that there is a pressing need to store winter water to cope with summer droughts. Unless bold action is taken, say the water companies, the demand for water will outstrip the available supply within the next decade, making the reservoir project vital for the continued growth and prosperity of the region. The proposed reservoir in the Fens is part of a multi-billion investment programme from Anglian Water, with the water company currently building a network of strategic pipelines to bring water from wetter to drier parts of the region, which will help to secure water supplies while two new reservoirs are being built (the other proposed to be located in Lincolnshire). Geoff Darch, Head of Supply Demand at Anglian Water said: “In a future with more people but less reliable rainfall the reservoir will have a crucial role to provide future water supply. However, our aspiration goes beyond a reservoir for public water supply. Our intention is to design a reservoir that the local community can be proud of, and that will encourage people to visit and enjoy its surroundings. “The reservoir will benefit the local environment, creating new opportunities for nature to flourish, as well as contributing to the health and wellbeing of the community and boosting the local economy. It could also serve as an educational hub, using the reservoir to teach future generations about how water shapes our lives and the environment. The success of our existing water parks like Rutland and Grafham Water are testament to the positive impact sites like these have for the surrounding community as well as well as boosting the local economy.” The reservoir would allow Anglian Water and Cambridge Water to collect excess river water in winter, when flows are at their highest, and store it for use in dry summers, when water is scarcer. This would reduce the reliance on sensitive ground water sources such as chalk streams, helping to protect and restore the environment. In the future, the reservoir could be home to a range of recreational activities, including fishing, water sports and bird watching. And, through the design of its embankments, could also provide new walking and cycling routes to be enjoyed by the local community and visitors. Anglian Water’s other reservoirs, including Rutland Water and Grafham Water, welcome more than two million people each year, with the proposed Fens site also looking to create more jobs and stimulate tourism in the region. A second phase of public consultation on the reservoir proposals, which will take place from 30 May to 25 July. Over the eight-week consultation period, the water companies will be asking for feedback on the proposed design and the associated water infrastructure required to fill the reservoir, treat the water, and transport it to homes and businesses. Prior to the commencement of the public consultation, the companies are engaging with property and landowners who may be impacted by the proposals.

£10m investment sees Mayor kickstart “region of learning”

Tess Egginton
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£10m investment sees Mayor kickstart “region of learning”
People facing barriers to employment will benefit from over £9.5 million to help them get the skills they need to secure well-paid work. Fresh from her re-election as the Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin has announced the £10 million package to “make life easier for those who find it the hardest.” This funding will help those struggling to secure good jobs because of their age, health condition, disability, or difficult personal circumstances. It follows a high-profile election pledge to build a “region of learning and creativity” for all, where everyone in the region is spurred on to follow their passions in life, and lifted up to reach their full potential. Those set to benefit from six new projects include single parents, people with low digital skills, people who have faced discrimination because of their ethnicity, and people with criminal convictions. Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, said: “There are too many people at a disadvantage when it comes to finding and keeping work, so I’m delighted to get these new initiatives off the ground as part of our focus on a region of learning. “I want everyone in West Yorkshire to have the skills and opportunities they need to succeed, regardless of their personal circumstances. “Providing tailored support for people to smash down the barriers they face will help us to grow our economy and build a stronger, brighter West Yorkshire that works for all.” Part-funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, the six new initiatives aim to reduce inequalities, raise living standards, and grow the economy, while boosting confidence, skills and knowledge throughout the communities of West Yorkshire.
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