North Yorkshire industrial estate awarded funding to lead the way to become net zero

Tess Egginton
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North Yorkshire industrial estate awarded funding to lead the way to become net zero
An innovative scheme to create a pathway to net zero carbon emissions for a North Yorkshire industrial estate has won government support. Decarbonising Dalton has been awarded £129,064 by Innovate UK towards a £201,763 project. It will fund a 12 month-long feasibility study at the rural Dalton Industrial estate near Thirsk, to look into emissions associated with power, heat, materials and transport and how those can be reduced. Business leaders hope that the solution will find a pathway to net zero for other industrial estates across the country to follow. It is projected that electricity demand on the estate of 28 businesses, including nine larger companies, will more than double in the next three years and beyond, with planning permission already granted to extend the area by another 22 hectares. The project will draw up detailed assessments for each business and propose an action plan to take them to net zero whilst minimising offsetting. It will be delivered in five phases – business needs assessments, quick win reductions, shared onsite opportunities, offsite interventions, and collation and knowledge sharing. Executive member for climate change, Cllr Greg White, said: “There is growing enthusiasm among Dalton business leaders to tackle carbon emissions but there are also constraints on the electricity grid. Owners of the largest businesses – and users – are working together to find a solution that helps them all grow in a more sustainable manner. “They are looking at innovative ways to maximise benefits for the environment as well as for themselves. They aim to plan a route to net zero for Dalton which will become a blueprint for the decarbonisation of smaller, particularly rural industrial estates across the UK.” The project is being led by a partnership of North Yorkshire Council, six Dalton businesses – Cleveland Steel and Tubes Limited, Wetherby Stone Products Limited, Severfield plc, Inspired Pet Nutrition Limited, Citivale Group Holdings Ltd and National Tube Stockholders – and Northern Powergrid. Partnership spokesperson and head of ESG at Severfield plc, Michaela Lindridge, said: “We are all committed to advancing the decarbonisation of our industries through our normal business so we are thrilled and excited to be able to potentially take the lead in decarbonisation for industry in general. “Sustainability plays a vital role in the way in which we do business. Together we can support our ambitions for carbon neutral manufacturing in the region, as well as share experience and expertise in green technologies and actively working together to diminish our carbon footprint through sustainable production practices and energy-efficient manufacturing. “This project presents a unique opportunity to drive sustainability forward for many different businesses and we are excited to see what opportunities lie ahead.” Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, is the UK’s innovation agency. It works to create a better future by inspiring, involving and investing in businesses developing life-changing innovations. Its mission is to help companies to grow through their development and commercialisation of new products, processes and services, supported by an outstanding innovation ecosystem that is agile, inclusive and easy to navigate. Dr Bryony Livesey, UKRI Challenge Director, Industrial Decarbonisation, said: “This project shows the keenness of businesses to collaborate on plans to decarbonise by forming local industrial clusters and working together to drive down emissions. This is a crucial step in tackling decarbonisation at dispersed sites on the UK’s journey towards net zero by 2050.”

Yorkshire and Humber shares in £20m investment to help ‘heartbeat of the economy’

Stuart Pearcey
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Yorkshire and Humber shares in £20m investment to help ‘heartbeat of the economy’

The Yorkshire and the Humber region is to get a share in £20m through the Business Enterprise Fund to support support for small firms, via an investment from Lloyds Bank & Big Society Capital.

To support local jobs and improve the economy, the investment is part of a £62m boost to help Community Development Finance Institutions back businesses in the most deprived areas of England and Wales.

BEF, which operates across Yorkshire and the Humber, the North East and the North West, is one of three CDFIs selected to receive the funding, with criteria ensuring that the money goes towards socially motivated lenders who are already lending around £100m every year to businesses which traditional and challenger banks or fintech can’t service.

The fund is designed to support underserved communities including BAME and female led businesses; CDFIs have become known for working with such businesses and providing support where mainstream banking cannot.

Stephen Waud, CEO of BEF said: “It’s good news that mainstream lenders such as Lloyds Bank recognise the transformative effects that CDFIs have in the communities they serve. It’s all about providing business owners, and aspiring business owners, with the opportunity to go to market with their ideas. There’s also a real focus on trickle up, rather than trickle-down economics, where job creation and wealth generation in these communities create proven economic change.

“We’re thrilled to be one of the CDFIs helping to utilise this fund and support small businesses and local economies. We plan to support over 280 businesses and create nearly 600 jobs with the funds that we have, helping both female and BAME led businesses with the opportunity to prove their success.”

Elyn Corfield, CEO Business and Commercial Banking at Lloyds Bank, said: “SMEs are the heartbeat of the UK economy and as the largest domestic banking group, we have a proud history of supporting UK businesses to thrive. We’re therefore delighted to support the CDFI sector to back local businesses, with a focus on deprived areas, and ensure they have access to a range of financial options right for them. When local businesses flourish so do local communities and we hope our leadership within this second phase of CIEF will see many more areas of the UK succeed.”

Hull Trains wins award for reducing delays

Stuart Pearcey
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Hull Trains wins award for reducing delays
Hull Trains has won rail industry recognition for the commitment by the company in reducing delays by winning a ‘Minimising Delay Minutes’ gold award presented at the Modern Railways ‘Golden Whistle’ awards. Lou Mendham, Service Delivery Director at Hull Trains, said: “It’s a great honour for Hull Trains to be recognised by the Golden Whistles. We’re immensely proud of the performance and reliability of our service alongside the dedication of our teams who have contributed to us achieving this fantastic accolade and making sure our customers enjoy the best possible service when they travel with us.” Philip Sherratt, Editor of Modern Railways magazine, said: ‘Usually the smaller operators are not eligible for the statistics-based Golden Whistle Awards, but with Hull Trains and Lumo the top two operators in the category for minimising delay minutes we wanted to recognise the hard work of the teams involved so decided to present them with a special Gold Whistle. “This award shows that both operators are working hard to reduce the delays over which they have control and have a keen focus on delivering the best performance they can.” The gold award, presented jointly to Hull Trains and sister company, Lumo, recognises the efforts made by rail operators to reduce delays over an annual average. Hull Trains demonstrated to expert industry judges a consistent reliability and performance on services under its control. Held in partnership with the Chartered Institution of Railway Operators, the Golden Whistle awards are a highlight in the industry calendar each year. Successful organisations are awarded one of two standards: silver or gold. The top award in this category, gold, won by Hull Trains represents excellent performance, while silver highlights significant improvement.

Stirlin named as contractor for YMCA housing project in Lincoln

Stuart Pearcey
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Stirlin named as contractor for YMCA housing project in Lincoln
Stirlin has been appointed as the main contractor for the development of housing at Sheridan Close, St Giles, Lincoln for YMCA Lincolnshire. This project will include 16 independent apartments, providing essential move-on accommodation and support or assisted living for young people.  This is a much-needed facility and contributes significantly to YMCA Lincolnshire’s mission of supporting vulnerable and disadvantaged people across the region. This project expands the housing provision already provided by the charity.  CEO Caroline Killeavy said “This is much needed, high-quality accommodation for local young people. Sixteen self-contained modern apartments will provide a much-needed safe space for those who have experienced hardship in their lives.” Stirlin MD Tony Lawton said: “Social values are embedded at the heart of what we do at Stirlin and so we are unbelievably proud to be part of this project as it will make such a positive difference in the lives of individuals and communities.” YMCA Lincolnshire has been a cornerstone of community support for over 150 years, managing over 170 units of accommodation throughout Lincoln. Their dedication to providing crucial services to those in need aligns seamlessly with Stirlin’s commitment to delivering exceptional projects that positively impact communities.

Growth returns for UK economy

Tess Egginton
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Growth returns for UK economy
The UK economy returned to growth in January, according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). UK GDP (gross domestic product), a key measure of economy growth, increased 0.2% in January, in line with expectations following a 0.1% fall in December. The increase was supported by a pick up in construction activity (growing 1.1% quarter-on-quarter) and a stronger month for the services sector (increasing 0.2% quarter-on-quarter and acting as the largest contributor to the rise in GDP). Production output, however, fell 0.2% quarter-on-quarter. The modest growth comes after the UK fell into a recession. Tina McKenzie, Policy Chair of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), said of the figures: “An increase in GDP is an encouraging start to the year, and one small firms will be relieved to see, as it raises hopes that we may be pulling out of the shallow recession declared following low levels of negative growth through the second half of 2023. “It’s too early to celebrate with any great level of vigour, however, as small firms are certainly finding the going tough at the moment. “The recent Budget contained some help for small firms, notably the raising of the VAT threshold from £85,000 to £90,000 and the cut to National Insurance contributions, but small firms hoped for more help with day-to-day costs. “This isn’t just about existing businesses starting to turn to growth in 2024; this is about creating the conditions for people to set up in business for the very first time, the next generation of start-ups who will make up the ground we lost during the Covid years when the UK small business population contracted by 500,000, losing one in 10 of them. “Our Small Business Index research has found particular cause for concern among hospitality and retail firms, which are trailing far behind the overall average in terms of confidence levels. Indeed, one in eight firms in the hospitality sector expect to close entirely in the next 12 months, nearly four times the rate for all businesses, which should be a huge wake-up call to the Government about the dangers facing many thousands of small businesses. “Small businesses contribute an enormous amount to the economy, and a sustainable recovery will be built on their success and growth. Today’s news must be built on if it is not to turn into another false dawn for small firms.”

Agrifood firms get chance to apply for share in £7.5m

Stuart Pearcey
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Agrifood firms get chance to apply for share in £7.5m
A new grant programme is offering regional agrifood SMEs a share in £7.5m from Innovate UK. Sarah-Louise Fairburn, Chair of the Greater Lincolnshire LEP’s Food Board, said: “The announcement of a Launchpad supporting SMEs in our agrifood sector is warmly welcomed. “This news comes just days after the announcement of a £4.9 million grant from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council to help transform the Lincolnshire and north Cambridgeshire region into a global innovation centre for agricultural technology. “The team at the Greater Lincolnshire LEP has worked hard over a number of months to secure one of only eight Innovation Launchpads in the country for the Lincolnshire food and agritech sectors. “Both announcements put us firmly on course to achieve the ambitious goal of the new UK Food Valley, which is to establish Greater Lincolnshire as a top 10 global food cluster.” To be eligible, projects must make a significant contribution to one or more of the following:
  • enhancing the productivity of primary crops, the bioeconomy, livestock, aquaculture or ornamental plants
  • biotechnologies related to agriculture, food and nutrition
  • food that promotes safe, healthy and nutritious diets
  • resource-efficient production methods for low-emission foods
Projects can focus on one or more of the following:
  • sustainability in the context of environmental challenges such as climate change and resource scarcity
  • protecting, maintaining or enhancing animal welfare within current UK regulatory standard
  • nutritional composition, food manufacturing and processing, packaging, and safety
  • minimising negative effects such as pollution, food loss and waste
  • resilience and responsiveness in the supply chain, mitigating risks, interruptions or disruptions
Businesses applying for grant funding must either be based in Greater Lincolnshire and Rutland, Norfolk, Suffolk or Cambridgeshire or be able to demonstrate how their project will significantly benefit those areas. The Launchpads programme is funded by Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation. It is designed to build on innovation clusters around the UK that have significant growth potential and to deliver jobs, growth, and higher productivity, supporting the Government’s levelling up agenda. Innovate UK CEO Indro Mukerjee said: “Innovate UK is building strong regional partnerships across the UK to support local innovation and commercialisation. Our new Launchpads will help to attract further private sector R&D investment into innovation clusters, growing local economies and delivering societal and economic benefits to local communities.”

Bingley business park bought in off-market deal

Tess Egginton
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Bingley business park bought in off-market deal
Bradford developer Frank Marshall Estates has bought Cottingley Business Park, near Bingley, in an off-market deal for an undisclosed sum. The 78,000 sq ft office park has been acquired from West Yorkshire property management and development company Cox22. Frank Marshall Estates is owned and run by Edward and Jimmy Marshall and is a well-established real estate company with significant commercial assets in Yorkshire. Edward Marshall said: “This is a stunning business park, brilliantly located at the end of the Bingley bypass (A650) in Cottingley, Bingley. It is only 15 minutes from Bradford city centre and 30 minutes from Leeds, with excellent public transport links between both cities and the surrounding areas as well. “We are very pleased to buy this quality asset and to further strengthen our Bradford portfolio of offices. Personally, I have known about the Jaggar family, who own Cox22, for many years and have always thought they were good operators. Having got to know them during this deal, my initial thoughts have been confirmed. “We are very excited to take this site forward and only hope we can do as good a job as Cox22 have done. It’s always good to do a deal with a handshake and then take it to completion with both sides honouring the deal as agreed.” Jimmy Marshall explained: “We bought Cottingley Business Park because of its location and quality. The chance to buy such a quality asset arose because of the retirement of Donald Jaggar. One of the keys to successful property investing is being able to take the opportunities that come up when they come up, with a combination of risk tolerance, patience and speed.” There are 45-plus tenants on the park including: Ramsey Health, Mineral Planning Group, Watson Buckle Accountants, Nevis Computers and Advancery. Jimmy Marshall added: “The park is in great condition. All we are going to do is some re-signing and re-branding with a view bringing the park in line with the Frank Marshall Estates brands.” Louise Leckenby, who owned Cottingley Business Park with her father Donald Jaggar, said: “The Marshall brothers have been a delight to deal with, straight-talking, uncomplicated and honourable. Whilst selling the Business Park was by no means an easy decision for either my father Donald or myself, having been a huge part of our lives for 25 years, we feel comfortable and confident that it is now in very capable and much younger hands to carry it forward into the future. We wish them all the best.” Donald Jaggar added: “Although we had a number of enquiries for our Business Park, they were from the south of England, mainly in the London area. Many of our tenants have been with us from the outset of building the park 25 years ago and they became not just tenants but friends as well and we didn’t want to let them down. So, when the enquiry came from a local Bradford firm, we were pleased to talk to them and a deal was struck at our first meeting. The handover will be seamless.” Frank Marshall Estates were advised by Drew Abercrombie at Handlesbanken in Bradford and by Simon Mydlowski and Sean Meehan of Clarion Solicitors Cox 22 were represented by lawyers Schofield Sweeney and Eddisons. Edward Marshall concluded: “I would like to thank Donald Jaggar and Louise Leckenby of Cox 22 for allowing us the opportunity to buy this great asset and to take it forward for the next few decades. We will safeguard and build on what they have achieved.”

Yorkshire Water builds underground reservoir between Malton and York

Stuart Pearcey
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Yorkshire Water builds underground reservoir between Malton and York
In May 2025 Yorkshire Water expects to have completed an £8.5m service reservoir in Harton, between Malton and York, to increase resilience of the drinking water network in the area and improve supplies locally. It will supply drinking water to existing customers and provide capacity in the area for new developments, including a new prison which is due to open next year. Once completed, the underground reservoir, which will measure 40mx60m and be six metres underground, will hold almost 10 million litres of clean drinking water – the equivalent to four Olympic swimming pools. Phoebe Ripley, project manager for operations, at Yorkshire Water said: “This new reservoir will help to significantly increase the resilience of our water network in the area, improving supplies locally. “We understand the area will be undergoing a lot of changes over the next few years, and we’re keen to ensure that we’re ready to cope with the demand and provide a reliable service to all our customers both now and in the future. “We’re planning to complete this project by May 2025.”

Caddick completes £14.4m warehouse facility in Doncaster

Tess Egginton
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Caddick completes £14.4m warehouse facility in Doncaster
Caddick Construction has completed building work for a new £14.4m warehouse facility in Doncaster on behalf of Waystone Hargreaves Land. Caddick’s build comprised the initial groundworks, including stabilisation, vibro piling and lifting of the site level by 1.5m. The project itself saw the construction of a steel portal framed and clad industrial warehouse building. Totalling 191,000 sq ft, the build also included 9,300 sq ft office space over ground and first floors, together with associated service yard, car parking, landscaping and drainage infrastructure. Forming part of a wider regeneration plan, Unit B sits within the dedicated employment area of the Unity Connect scheme, strategically located adjacent to junction 5 of the M18 motorway. Achieving BREEAM Very Good, the scheme represents a huge investment by Waystone Hargreaves Land to regenerate the area, contributing to Doncaster’s growing business community. Paul Dodsworth, Managing Director at Caddick Construction Group, says: “This has been a brilliant development working with Waystone Hargreaves Land to transform this unused site into what will become a widely connected industrial corner of Doncaster. “Delivering Unit B at Unity Connect is a great privilege for the Caddick team, and has provided us the opportunity to utilise our extensive expertise in building high quality and modern warehouses. “We look forward to seeing how this project will help to shape the local community as it attracts new and growing businesses hoping to strengthen their operations at Unity Connect.”

Lincoln tech business makes acquisition as part of growth strategy

Tess Egginton
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Lincoln tech business makes acquisition as part of growth strategy
Bluecube Cloud Services Limited has acquired Techbox Managed IT Services Limited as part of its business growth strategy as it evolves from a communications provider to MSP (managed service provider). Bluecube was founded 15 years ago, initially to provide mobile phone services for business, as well as broadband and telephony. The communications side of the business evolved and Bluecube became a key provider of hosted telephony, unified communications, mobile and internet connectivity services. Last year the business entered into the IT sector and the acquisition of Techbox Managed IT Services adds momentum to this growth. In a statement on the acquisition, Managing Director Paul Reames said: “We are absolutely thrilled to welcome the Techbox team and a diverse base of business and education sector clients to add to our growing customer base. “The merging of the Techbox and Bluecube skill sets demonstrates our commitment to bringing further new talent into the business as we strive to become a leading MSP.” Techbox was founded in 2018 by Andy Fellows, who becomes Head of IT Services at Bluecube as part of the acquisition deal. Andy and his team have more than 20 years of experience in the IT industry supporting clients in the education and SMB sectors. As part of the acquisition Bluecube has taken new and larger offices in Lincoln to make room for the new team.

Two join board of HEY Smile Foundation charity

Stuart Pearcey
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Two join board of HEY Smile Foundation charity
KCOM’s Chief People Officer Kenneth Ross has joined the board of leading local charity HEY Smile Foundation and will serve on the charity’s Board of Trustees alongside another new appointee, Catherine Sykes, Director of Governance at Hull College. Kenneth said: “In my role as Chief People Officer at KCOM I’ve been proud to work with HEY Smile Foundation on a number of community initiatives and I’m delighted to be able to further strengthen the long-standing partnership between our organisations by becoming a trustee. “Initiatives such as KCOM’s Digital Inclusion Grants, which we’re running in partnership with Smile, show what a huge difference organisations such as ours can make when we work together and I can’t wait to get started as a trustee to help deliver more schemes to improve lives in communities across Hull and the East Riding.” Other projects KCOM and HEY Smile Foundation has worked together on include the Time2Volunteer portal which provides volunteering opportunities for KCOM employees in the local area. Last year KCOM employees donated more than 1,000 volunteer hours to community projects in Hull, East Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire. HEY Smile Foundation’s CEO, Jamie Lewis, said: “We are delighted to welcome our new trustees Catherine and Kenneth to the board here at the HEY Smile Foundation. We are excited to work alongside these prominent figures from within the city, tapping into their wealth of knowledge and expertise. Attracting talented trustees is always a challenge for most charities. I know we are extremely lucky to work alongside Catherine and Kenneth, especially as our foundation evolves to focus on the needs of our local communities.” Patricia Dalby, Chair of Trustees, added: “A warm welcome to Catherine and Kenneth as they join our team of trustees at the HEY Smile Foundation. We are grateful for the extensive skills and expertise that they will both bring and the passion that they have for the important work of Smile.”

2 Sisters Food Group CFO to step down in July

Stuart Pearcey
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2 Sisters Food Group CFO to step down in July

2 Sisters Food Group’s CFO Craig Tomkinson has decided to step down from his role and will be leaving the business in July.

Craig has held the position of Group CFO and Board Director for almost six years, working in total for the company for over a decade, and has decided on a career break before taking on new opportunities.

He will be officially handing over responsibilities at the start of April to new CFO Nigel Williams, after Nigel’s full induction in March. Craig will then focus on key projects from April until his official departure date later in the year, reporting as normal to Chairman Richard Pennycook.

Nigel is a highly-experienced CFO with more than 20 years leading multi-site food and beverage retailers. Having relocated back to the UK last year, Nigel spent the previous eight years in Australia as Chief Financial Officer at global business Collins Foods Ltd. Prior to his role at Collins, Nigel was Finance Director for Starbucks UK.

Craig said: “I believe now’s the right moment for a career break. I will take on fresh challenges after a period of recharging my batteries with my family.

“I have had an incredible journey at 2 Sisters and I’m proud to have played a role in transforming the company. The priorities when I re-joined were to improve trading performance, reduce debt and the pension deficit, strengthen financial controls and rebuild the finance team, and I’m proud of the progress made.”

Richard Pennycook added: “On behalf of the Board, we would like to thank Craig for his significant contribution over the years and his considerable talents in helping transform 2 Sisters for the better. Craig has played a critical role in helping us to overcome some tough external challenges in recent years and setting us up for future success. We wish him and his family all the very best.

“We would also like to welcome Nigel to the Board. He has a first-class track record in financial leadership roles and we look forward to working with him in taking the business forward to the next stage of its evolution.”

Builder gets suspended sentence and fine for illegal waste dumping

Stuart Pearcey
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Builder gets suspended sentence and fine for illegal waste dumping
A builder caught on camera dumping and illegally storing construction waste in a rat-infested bin yard has been hit with a fine and suspended prison sentence.
Magistrates in Leeds heard that David Dixon, of Nansen Grove, Bramley, was filmed by an eagle-eyed neighbour who’d become fed up with the mess and nuisance being created. After the footage was passed to Leeds City Council’s serious environmental crime team, they identified Dixon’s vehicle before tracing him and prosecuting him. The court heard that Dixon, who’d been convicted of fly tipping in 2010, failed to co-operate with the investigation and didn’t attend court on several occasions. He was finally arrested by West Yorkshire Police and appeared in Leeds Magistrates Court on 28 February. As a result, he was sentenced to six weeks imprisonment suspended for six months. Due to having outstanding court fines he was also ordered to pay £145 in costs and a victim surcharge of £154. During the investigation it was found that Dixon didn’t hold a waste carrier licence to transport waste as part of his business. The bin yard used to dump and store the waste was also infested with rats. As part of his defence Dixon stated that the bin yard was owned by his sister, and he was allowed to dump waste in there. However, council environmental enforcement officers found not only that it wasn’t his sister’s but also that there was no environmental permit or exemption allowing the depositing and storage of waste there. Councillor Mohammed Rafique, Leeds City Council’s executive member for climate, energy, environment and green space, said: “I’m proud of the work Leeds is doing to combat fly tipping in our city and grateful to those residents who are playing their part, whether that is making sure that they check who takes their waste away or providing important information to help us track and convict fly tippers. “We have a zero-tolerance approach to environmental crime and I hope this particular prosecution is a warning to anyone thinking about fly tipping their business waste. “We know that most people want to dispose of their waste correctly, and we will soon be formally launching an innovative accreditation scheme for Leeds to help residents find someone trusted.”

Council extends free Wi-Fi to make running businesses easier outdoors

Stuart Pearcey
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Council extends free Wi-Fi to make running businesses easier outdoors
Market traders and cafes and pubs with outdoor spaces will be able to connect to free Wi-Fi more effectively thanks to East Riding of Yorkshire Council providing  internet access  in key outdoor areas of Bridlington, Goole, Hornsea, Withernsea, Beverley, Pocklington, Hedon, and Howden. Lisa Gray, who runs The Little Cheese Pantry at Beverley’s Saturday Market, said: “For a while now, there have been signal problems in the centre of Beverley, which has meant many of the traders have struggled to use their card machines. “This is frustrating for not only the traders but the customers too. I think the installation of the East Riding of Yorkshire Council Wi-Fi will hugely impact the service our traders can offer customers, and potentially increase sales.” Public Wi-Fi has proved popular since being installed in the new outdoor areas, with an average of 1,478 connections per day. Users should simply connect to the “EastRidingFreeWiFi” network and provide their email address. They will then be directed to a Visit East Yorkshire page full of information relevant to the town they are in. Councillor Charlie Dewhirst, deputy leader of the council, said: “Access to digital services is an essential part of our lives, and we all know how frustrating it can be when mobile data is not available when we’re out and about. “By providing free public Wi-Fi, as part of our wider Smart County programme, we hope to improve the way businesses, residents, and visitors access digital services in our town centres, marketplaces and beachfronts.”

Proposed business park could create 1,700 jobs for Leeds

Stuart Pearcey
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Proposed business park could create 1,700 jobs for Leeds
Plans to develop a strategic 60-acre site that could be home to 1,700 jobs in East Leeds have moved a step closer following its confirmed allocation into the Leeds Site Allocation Plan for major employment use. Known locally as Brown Moor, the site is next to Thorpe Park Leeds business destination and The Springs retail and leisure centre. Last year, property regeneration specialists Scarborough Group International tabled proposals to develop the site for a major new employment park, submitting an outline planning application for up to 55,417 sq m (596,500sq ft) of purpose-built accommodation. The proposed development has been named Integral and aims to deliver a range of high-quality buildings suitable for companies of different sizes within the advanced manufacturing, logistics and industrial sectors, with the potential to support around 1,700 new jobs. The scheme will retain the vast majority of the established woodland and hedgerows across the site, while adding to these with new green spaces and landscaping corridors to seamlessly connect into the existing amenities and public rights of way within the adjacent Thorpe Park Leeds, The Springs, and local conurbations to the East and West of the site. Adam Varley, Development Director at SGI, said: “We are delighted that Brown Moor has been allocated with the Local Plan following recommendations from the Planning Inspectorate.  We see that site as a key strategic site to allow the expansion of Thorpe Park Leeds and our development proposals support the continued growth of the park and future diversifying the mix of employment opportunities generating major economic benefits for the region. “The logistics sector is one of the fastest growing areas of employment in the UK and our plans and proposals for the scheme  will deliver against a tight supply of prime space within West Yorkshire designed to cater for sustainable business practice as well as attracting exceptional talent.”

First Intuition Yorkshire to launch accountancy training centre in Hull

Stuart Pearcey
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First Intuition Yorkshire to launch accountancy training centre in Hull
Accountancy and finance training provider First Intuition Yorkshire plans to open a centre in centre in Hull later this year. Scheduled to open its doors in the Summer, the Hull centre will cater to aspiring accounting professionals by delivering a comprehensive range of Association of Accounting Technicians courses and Apprenticeships at Levels 2, 3, and 4. CEO Lucy Parr said: “The new centre represents our dedication to providing top-tier education and support to individuals aspiring to pursue careers in accounting and finance.”

£3m raised by hydrogen generator firm to boost uptake of green energy

Tess Egginton
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£3m raised by hydrogen generator firm to boost uptake of green energy

Suiso – a Rotherham company developing an innovative hydrogen generator that could boost uptake of green energy – has raised £3m from NPIF – Mercia Equity Finance, which is managed by Mercia Ventures and part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund, and Mercia’s EIS funds.  

The company plans to create generators the size of shipping containers that could be placed on site to power factories, hospitals, and warehouses or at filling stations to fuel hydrogen-powered vehicles. 

Producing hydrogen where it is needed eliminates the high costs involved in distribution from a large, centralised plant, which has been one of the key barriers to adoption. It also allows businesses that want to decarbonise their operation to start much sooner than waiting for large-scale hydrogen plants to be built. 

Suiso’s process produces low-cost, low-carbon or zero-carbon energy. It uses a novel microwave technology to extract hydrogen from natural gas or biogas, while capturing the carbon in the form of carbon black, a valuable byproduct that can be used to make tyres, batteries and inks. As existing methods of carbon black production create high levels of emissions, Suiso’s technology can help decarbonise these industries too.

A study by the Department of Business, Energy & Industry Strategy (BEIS) confirmed that, for many key applications, Suiso’s technology is lower cost and produces lower emissions than existing production methods such as grid-powered electrolysis, and 97% lower than steam methane reforming, making it one of the greenest forms of hydrogen available. It also uses 80% less electrical energy than electrolysis, therefore putting less stress on the grid network. 

Suiso was founded by engineer and financier Stuart McKnight and serial entrepreneur Dr SB Cha, whose father invented Suiso’s microwave technology. The company was one of the winners of the BEIS Low Carbon H2 Supply scheme in 2023.

The latest investment will enable it to scale up its technology and begin a pilot project. Ultimately it aims to produce generators that can produce 1,000 kg of hydrogen a day – equivalent to 1.6 MW of energy and enough to fuel 50 20-tonne trucks. The company, which currently employs five staff, expects to create seven new jobs in the next six months.

Stuart McKnight, CEO of Suiso, said: “Hydrogen is rapidly emerging as a sustainable way to decarbonise the economy, but cost, availability and other practical issues have held back its use. Our technology offers a way to overcome these and provide clean, low-cost power on site.

“For some organisations, Suiso’s on site hydrogen generation may be the only realistic ‘green’ option – for example, energy-intensive industrial applications such as large boilers or furnaces, heavy lifting gear or HGV and truck refuelling. This investment will help us move to the next stage on our journey to bring it to market.”

Ashwin Kumaraswamy, Investment Director with Mercia Ventures, added: “Suiso has found a way to decarbonise natural and biogas to produce ‘greener’ hydrogen than many current methods of production including grid powered electrolysis, and a zero-emission form of carbon black which is a valuable product in itself.

“This technology could make hydrogen a viable option for many businesses and drive rapid uptake. With growing global demand for clean energy, we are confident that Suiso will have many opportunities ahead.”

York Handmade secures contract for Swiss hotel

Tess Egginton
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York Handmade secures contract for Swiss hotel
York Handmade Brick Company has secured one of the most prestigious contracts in its 36-year history. The company, based at Alne, near Easingwold, is supplying over 20,000 specially manufactured bricks for a brand-new hotel in the heart of Martigny, one of Switzerland’s most historic towns. The contract is worth £33,000 and is a resounding endorsement of York Handmade’s decision to invest £1.5m in brand-new machinery earlier this year. Lo Dze is situated 30 metres from the main square. It consists of two separate buildings around a central courtyard which is open to the public. Above ground it comprises Borsari, a boutique hotel with 51 rooms and the Kitchen 180 (Lo Dze is exactly 180 km away from the very centre of the Roman cities of Lyon, Milan and Zürich), which services the wine bar, restaurant and the café, the courtyard and terraces. Lo Dze also features vast underground Roman baths, Les Bains Publics, in the space that was formerly Les Caves Orsat, a 19th Century winery. John Cretton, of QDS Leisure, who are masterminding this project, explained why he chose York Handmade to supply the bricks. “I was looking for a brick that was handmade with the right colours and the right size. The massive nature of the architecture, one side of the street facade is windowless apart from a half-moon opening on the ground floor, meant that the brick had to be visually strong. Overall, it was a winning combination of colour, form, texture and cost. “Martigny was an important Roman town, the last town to the north built by the legionary architects. It had three Roman bath houses. We have built the fourth. Interestingly, pottery and other remains from Roman Britain has been found in Martigny. “The concept for the hotel was first developed over 10 years ago. Construction began in 2021 and it will officially open this September.” David Armitage, the chairman of York Handmade, said: “This is a very prestigious project for us, especially in the context of these challenging economic times. It has been a tremendous boost for our factory and a great honour to contribute to a pioneering and innovative development in such an historic town. “This is a crucial year for us at York Handmade. We have invested £1.5 million in brand-new machinery which has transformed how we make our bricks. Over the years, we have undertaken significant technological improvements, culminating in this overhaul and renewal of our manufacturing process, which has speeded up production, facilitated two brand-new products and increased efficiency. “This has proved to be a transformational move, by far the biggest and most significant in our history. Our revolutionary new manufacturing line combine three different types of brick – the Handmade Style, as currently produced, together with Water Struck and Pressed Bricks. “For this very special project, we are supplying 327x102x50mm Hunsingore Blend bricks, which will be cut into brick slips. They will help to make the new hotel visually stunning and blend in seamlessly with the other historic buildings in the town.”

West Yorkshire law firm Gordons names trio of new solicitors

Stuart Pearcey
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West Yorkshire law firm Gordons names trio of new solicitors

West Yorkshire law firm Gordons has appointed Ed Strudwick, Brogan Ward, and Ibrahim Alyas to its commercial litigation, commercial property and construction teams respectively.

Ed completed his training at Gordons and qualified as a solicitor in 2017. He returns to the firm after previously working at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Gordons managing partner Victoria Davey said: “We are a progressive law firm that wants to create opportunities for people with the right attitude and ability to be successful, no matter what role they have within our business.

“We recruit and retain according to these values, and in Ed, Brogan and Ibrahim we have three solicitors who meet these criteria and who have the ambition and determination to succeed with Gordons.

“We are particularly pleased to welcome Ed back, and we look forward to all three of them fulfilling their full potential with the firm.”

Employing 170 people, Gordons has offices in Leeds and Bradford. The firm’s clients include retailers AO, B&M, Heron Foods, Iceland, Morrisons, Ocado Retail, Whole Foods Market and Wren Kitchens.

Centre for Leeds entrepreneurs secures funds to support establishment of hi-tech business hub

Tess Egginton
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Centre for Leeds entrepreneurs secures funds to support establishment of hi-tech business hub

The redevelopment of Leeds Media Centre in Chapeltown has taken a major step towards final completion after Unity Enterprise secured funds to support the establishment of a hi-tech business hub to develop the next generation of entrepreneurs.

Leeds City Council, which owns the building, has provided £80,000 from the Innovation@Leeds capital fund to equip the dedicated space with new furniture, video conferencing facilities and computer hardware.

Leeds Media Centre reopened its doors in September following a £1.8 million refurbishment which included the installation of a new roof and windows, and the remodelling of two floors to create 12 new business units. 

The scheme was delivered by Unity Enterprise – a not-for-profit subsidiary of housing association Unity Homes and Enterprise – in partnership with Leeds City Council and the European Regional Development Fund.  

Leeds Media Centre is one of three business locations operated by Unity Enterprise close to the city centre, together with Chapeltown Enterprise Centre and Unity Business Centre.

Collectively, they provide 142 managed workspaces for more than 90 local businesses employing over 900 people. 

The new business hub is set to launch in the spring with a week-long series of events themed on entrepreneurship.

Adrian Green, Unity Enterprise manager, said: “We are immensely grateful to Leeds City Council for their continued backing for aspiring entrepreneurs by enabling us to kit out the business hub with the best equipment available.

“Our mission is to support local people to launch and grow a business and create life opportunities in an inner-city part area with so much potential.

“The redeveloped Leeds Media Centre is already making its mark on the city’s business landscape. I have no doubt that the new hub will propel the site to even greater heights.”

Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council deputy leader and executive member for economy, culture and education, said: “This is another brilliant step forward for Leeds Media Centre and further reinforces our commitment to inclusive innovation within the city.  

“We’re continuing to build and support an ecosystem where entrepreneurs from every background have the tools, quality workspaces and accommodation close to where they live to help them reach their full potential.  

“It is particularly important that we look at access points outside the city centre for people to access business and innovation support programmes and continue on our bold ambition to stimulate innovation which drives and delivers measurable impact towards a healthier, greener and inclusive future.” 

Cedric Boston, Unity Homes and Enterprise chief executive, said: “Each new business generated by the hub can transform life chances by boosting career development, generating jobs and increasing local prosperity.

“With Unity Enterprise preparing to celebrate its 25th anniversary next year, the opportunities for people of all ages to build a sustainable business in Chapeltown are growing rapidly.

“Working closely with Leeds City Council and other valued partners, we intend to remain at the forefront of this crusade.”

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