Horse rescue charity puts 17 jobs at risk in response to £2.5m funding deficit
Horse rescue charity Bransby Horses has put 17 jobs at risk of redundancy as it works to fill a predicted £2.5m black hole in its finances.
CEO Jo Snell said: “Like many other charities, we’ve seen our running costs rise exponentially in recent years due to various external factors including soaring food and energy prices and increasing rates of pay in the employment market. As a result, the cost of delivering our equine welfare and estates work across our two sites, Bransby and Barlings, has risen by over 50% since 2018.
“Despite the incredible generosity of our supporters, we’ve unfortunately seen the gap between our expenditure and our income widening in recent years, to the point where we are currently forecasting an unsustainable £2.5m deficit this year.”
She said the organisation had begun to address this mismatch several years ago be introducing several measures aimed at lowering costs. ” However, while these measures delivered £450,000 in savings over an 18-month period, it became clear that more action was needed to address the ever-widening gap. Consequently, we launched a comprehensive review of our operations in November 2023.
“As a result, we’ve sadly identified 17 roles at all levels within the organisation, including our senior leadership, equine welfare and support service teams, that are at risk of potential redundancy.”
She said the organisation was devastated that rising costs had led to this position, and was committed to doing everything it could to support everyone affected through this difficult process.
She added: “While the new operating model will significantly reduce the £2.5m deficit, it will not eliminate it. As a second phase of this project, we’re reviewing all charity assets and facilities with our new structure in mind to identify any further cost reduction or income generation opportunities. This stage of the process is already under way, and we anticipate it will be completed by the end of this year.”
The award-winning Visitor Centre in Bransby will remain open as usual (five days per week, including the Café, from Wednesday through to Sunday), providing the opportunity to learn about equine welfare and meet some of the hundreds of horses, donkeys, ponies and mules currently homed at the site.
Phase one of landmark Skegness Tower Gardens landscape renovations complete
Midlands contractor, G F Tomlinson, has finished delivering the first stage of works as part of a masterplan to reinvigorate the historic Tower Gardens in Skegness.
On behalf of Skegness Town Council, who are developing the site with Heritage Lincolnshire through SCAPE’s Regional Construction Framework, G F Tomlinson worked alongside Influence Planning and Design and Gleeds to complete the £590k initial phase.
The completion of the project was marked with a ‘ribbon cutting’ ceremony earlier this month, with Deputy Town Mayor, Councillor Jimmy Brookes, Town Clerk, Steve Larner and G F Tomlinson’s Framework Manager for SCAPE, Craig Stopper, in attendance, along with local councillors and representatives from Heritage Lincolnshire, Influence and Gleeds.
The first stage of the Tower Gardens Masterplan formed part of the Towns Fund Grant Scheme and was safely delivered whilst the park remained open to the public, ensuring availability for continued use of the amenities with minimal disruption.
Landmark works included the refurbishment of the pond and its perimeter railings as well as the reinstatement of the pond pump, together with enhancements to overall accessibility through the re-levelling of the land and re-routing of footpaths. A specialised sensory area was created around the bandstand of the historic site for the local community to enjoy, where planting by the project team and members of the local community was undertaken as part of a community planting day held in March.
The enhancement works will ensure that Tower Gardens continues to provide a valuable and accessible central space for Skegness residents to enjoy, bringing people together for community events and outdoor activities.
In support of the local community, G F Tomlinson sourced 58% of its labour for the scheme from within a 40-mile radius of the site, providing local job opportunities for the region. Alongside this over 99% of construction waste for the project was diverted from landfill, reducing the environmental impact on the community.
G F Tomlinson has a long-standing relationship with Skegness Town Council having previously delivered the Tower Gardens Pavilion back in 2020.
Adrian Grocock, Managing Director at G F Tomlinson, said: “It has been a pleasure to be working alongside our long-term client, Skegness Town Council, once again to bring the first phase of the vision for the Tower Gardens landscape renovations to life, reinvigorating a historical central landmark so that residents can continue to enjoy it for years to come.
“The scheme fully compliments our earlier project on the Tower Gardens Pavilion. The team and all suppliers have worked exceptionally well together to overcome operational and design challenges in a fully collaborative environment, delivering enhancement works that will benefit the town for many years to come.”
Mark Robinson, group chief executive at SCAPE, said: “The Tower Gardens in Skegness is an excellent example of how utilising green spaces can enrich communities, bringing together local residents who enjoy the outdoor and natural environments. We are immensely proud to be working in close partnership with G F Tomlinson on such a positive project which is providing a place residents can be proud of, whilst leaving a lasting historical legacy.”
Steve Larner, Town Clerk of Skegness Town Council, said: “It is wonderful to see everyone enjoying Tower Gardens now that the first phase of works are complete. This scheme has delivered improvements around the bandstand and central area of Tower Gardens.
“The pond has been restored to its former glory and the sensory play has been a big hit. We have received many positive comments from both residents and visitors alike. A big thank you goes out to everyone involved in the first phase of this project.”
Shona Hatton, director at Influence Landscape Planning & Design, said: “The conservation and enhancement of this Grade II Registered Park and garden helps reestablish Tower Gardens as one of Skegness’ primary green spaces.
“Influence is proud to have sensitively conserved and restored the park’s main features and introduced new elements of design that enable all the community to have a sense of pride and ownership. The work reinforces the park as a quality destination in its own right as well as a pleasant onward approach and gateway to the Grand Parade and sea front.
“The physical improvements create a safe and accessible park for all, with the central features of the cascade and pond creating a vibrance and energy that had been lost, right at its heart. The gardens now have a sense of its original charm and enable people to hark back to an era when Pleasure Gardens were places for socialising and enjoyment.”
Hull-based MKM chooses Cumbria for latest branch opening
MKM has opened it’s 129th branch in Workington, Cumbria, creating 20 new jobs for the area.
MKM Workington will be led by Branch Director Phil Bold, who said: “The opportunity to lead MKM Workington and support the creation of 20 new jobs in my hometown is a privilege. Local customers have lacked a choice of merchants for years, and we’re set to change all that.
“In total, our team have over 180 years of combined trade experience between them; customers can expect a beautiful showroom to inspire their build projects, well stocked shelves, and the best local, knowledgeable team to service them.
“Nationally, MKM is renowned for its commitment to supporting local charities and communities and I’m passionate about the opportunity we have to create positive change for the area. We want to embrace being part of the Lillyhall family but also the wider West Cumbria community. We’ll be supporting, sponsoring, and advocating for local businesses and causes, including Workington RNLI and Cockermouth Mountain Rescue, local sports clubs, schools and care homes.”
Training provider names new head of marketing programmes
Rotherham-based apprenticeship training provider, Whyy? Change, has appointed Rachel Ovens, to the role of Head of Marketing Programmes. Rachel will be responsible for delivering the new Chartered Institute of Marketing Level 4 and Level 6 qualifications and marketing apprenticeship courses.
As part of her Head of Marketing Programmes role, Rachel will join Whyy? Change’s communications team to support their marketing efforts, alongside supporting their sister brand, Whyy? Unboxd, on bespoke marketing projects.
Ray Byrne, CEO of Whyy? Change said: “When talented people want to work with you, that’s when you know you are on to something. Rachel has bundled of talent, experience and the right attitude to be a Whyyer for life. Watch her fly!”
Rachel said: “I’m thrilled to join Whyy? Change as Head of Marketing Programmes. As a former apprentice and CIM graduate, I’ve experienced first-hand how these qualifications equipped me with the skills and knowledge needed to advance my career. I look forward to supporting other marketers on their professional growth journeys within a 5-star training provider!”
Rachel started her marketing career as a digital marketing apprentice at RNN Group, where she completed her Level 3 Digital Marketer Apprenticeship, going on to be named as a finalist at Rotherham Advertiser’s Apprentice of the Year 2017 awards.
Since then, Rachel has achieved her CIM Level 4 Certificate and CIM Level 6 Diploma in Professional Marketing qualifications, cementing her status as a qualified marketer. Throughout her career Rachel has acted as a mentor and delivered internal training, having worked for the likes of Ship It Appliances, Evec and Elevation Recruitment Group.
Rachel also runs her own freelance marketing business specialising in SEO and PPC. As a former amateur boxer, she runs her own news website dedicated to raising the profile of women’s professional and Olympic boxing.
Rachel’s appointment comes as Whyy? Change has seen a spike in business owners looking to upskill and retain their marketers through professional marketing qualifications and apprenticeship training, turning towards the Level 3 Multi-Channel Marketer Apprenticeship and CIM Level 4 qualifications to upskill their marketing teams.
Businesses are calling for ‘hands-on’ face-to-face marketing training delivered by industry experts that can be embedded across all levels of their marketing teams to develop a more cohesive workforce.
Bedmaker and components manufacturer expands further into international markets with key appointments
Family-owned Leeds luxury bed and components manufacturer, Harrison Spinks, has made key senior appointments to drive international sales and enhance its growth strategy across the group.
In a move to strengthen sales and export growth for both the beds and components divisions at Harrison Spinks, the business has made significant new appointments and promotions.
Lee Hinshaw will be joining the business in the role of Business Development Director – a new hybrid role designed to strengthen the international presence of both Harrison Spinks and Spinks. Based in Bangkok, Thailand, with over 30 years’ experience in the industry, Lee will be responsible for driving growth in the Asia Pacific region for the company’s finished mattresses and components.
Ian Owen has been promoted to Sales Director at Spinks. Ian will lead sales activity for the spring manufacturing division, developing the sales team and assisting its agents and distributors across the globe.
James Noble has been promoted to Export Sales & Development Manager for Harrison Spinks with the remit to oversee growth and export sales.
Finally, Geert Geerkens has recently joined Harrison Spinks to support James and the team as a Strategic Consultant to help deliver the company’s bed export strategy and grow mattress sales internationally.
Having gained a wealth of experience working in the mattress industry throughout his career, his appointment will bolster the company’s export plans in Europe. Geert is currently president of the European Bedding Industries Association (EBIA), as well as Valumat, a Belgian organisation supporting the industry to collect and process discarded mattresses.
Darren Marcangelo, Managing Director at Spinks, said: “This is an exciting phase for Spinks, with both Lee and Ian having the passion and expertise to drive and deliver international sales for the business.
“We have some exciting new customer opportunities along with new product innovations that will see Spinks at the forefront of innovation and sustainability for our industry. I welcome Lee to the business and look forward to working closely with him, and congratulate Ian for his well-deserved promotion to Sales Director as he has ambitious ideas for growing our business overseas.”
Nick Booth, Managing Director at Harrison Spinks Beds, said: “We’re committed to investing internationally and expanding on a global scale, so this is an exciting opportunity to focus on, strengthening our team to meet the increased interest in our unique, responsibly made, luxury bed and mattress offering.
“Our growth reflects the increasing global demand for innovative, high-quality beds and mattresses and we’re delighted to have made significant appointments as part of our evolved export strategy, gaining further international business opportunities and expediting our brand and its sustainable ethos into new markets.”
Boutique hotel acquired in York
Firethorn Trust has acquired boutique hotel Malmaison York in an off-market deal.
Purchased for an undisclosed sum, the 29,000 sq ft site is occupied by Malmaison under a 35-year lease, with a current rental income of £2.1m per annum.
Situated on Rougier Street, within the historic walls of the city, Malmaison York is in walking distance of popular tourist destinations including York Minster, York Castle and the National Railway Museum.
Providing accommodation across 150 guest rooms, the hotel underwent an extensive redevelopment in 2021, which included the addition of a rooftop skybar with panoramic views across the city.
It features Malmaison’s signature ‘Work + Play’ facilities, with meeting pods, co-working areas, conference rooms and an events space that caters for up to 180 guests, in addition to an on-site spa and gym. The hotel has become one of the best performing sites within the wider Malmaison and Hotel Du Vin chain.
This is the latest addition to Firethorn’s Living portfolio.
Marcus Weeks, Director and Head of Living at Firethorn Trust, said: “Malmaison York is a high-quality asset that will perform well and create long-term value for us, whilst strengthening Firethorn’s presence in the living space.
“It’s a fantastic addition to our investment portfolio and complements our wider development strategy to deliver high-quality spaces in great locations that enable people and places to thrive.
“We have an appetite and ability to pursue opportunistic transactions, and look forward to continuing our growth within the living sector.”
Firethorn Trust was advised by Conway Real Estate, JLL and Maples Teesdale.
Expressions of Interest open to secure lead development partner for Hull’s East Bank Urban Village
Hull City Council has launched its East Bank Urban Village project to market, opening Expressions of Interest (EOI) to secure a lead development partner to deliver the scheme.
Following interest in the site being expressed by a range of developers, this is the first formal phase of procurement as the council seeks to bring the site forward.
The project will see up to 850 new homes developed alongside a range of other uses on the East Bank of the River Hull. This will create a vibrant new urban village on underused brownfield land.
The council’s procurement process is being undertaken through the Homes England DPS Framework.
Garry Taylor, the council’s assistant director for major projects, culture and place, said: “It is great to have reached this important milestone in the project’s development in the opening of EOI for East Bank Urban Village.
“It is a site with huge potential and we look forward to progressing the conversation with prospective developers.”
East Bank Urban Village will help to support growth and investment into the city centre.
The site has been allocated for high-quality apartments with the opportunity for features such as social rooftop areas and spaces for families, outdoor play and integrated quality private amenity spaces. EOI must be made by Friday 5 July.
Family haulage business closes doors after eight decades
Cartwright Brothers (Haulage) Ltd, the family haulage and storage business based in Lincoln, closed its doors last week after 80 years of trading.
The company, which employed more than 100 people, was set up by four brothers shortly before the end of the second world war to meet demand for road haulage across the agricultural sector.
In the early fifties, Cartwright Brothers delivered sandbags along the east coast to hold back the damage caused by one of the worst storms in UK history. Over the past decades, Cartwright Bros has continued to work for large name businesses – mostly in the agricultural sector as well as internationally renowned companies.
Directors and sons of two of the original brothers, cousins Jamie and John Cartwright have been running the business for the past 30-plus years and delivered the bad news around the closure to staff on Thursday.
Jamie said: “It was with tremendous sadness that we had to close the doors at Cartwright last week. But running a haulage business over the past decade has come with huge challenges – rising diesel prices, a difficult economy, along with huge constraints caused by COVID 19.
“Cartwright was never able to continue in the same vein since COVID. Plus, the Ukranian war had a huge impact on our sector in terms of fuel price increases, acquiring replacement parts for vehicles and having to wait long periods of time for these parts to arrive – and at inflated prices.
“All of these challenges were underpinned by serious lorry driver shortages following Brexit which added even more pressure to running Cartwright Bros – along with Government legislation changes which continued to impede our viability.
“In December it was reported that more than 450 UK haulage businesses went out of business in the previous 12 months. These are stark figures for the industry and something needs to be done to ensure that this much-needed sector thrives and survives.”
John added: “Running a successful family business turning over £12 million over the past few years has been a huge honour and a great sense of pride. Unfortunately, with the number of challenges thrown at us, we were unable to continue the success of the business.
“It has been a really sad time for us – particularly as Cartwright Bros celebrated eight decades in business in January this year. We are so grateful to our wonderful staff whom we are supporting in the recruitment process going forward. Some of our people worked for Cartwright Bros for most of their lives and we count them as personal friends.”
The company started in 1944 with just one lorry. At its height, Cartwright Bros had more than 60 wagons on the roads.
Cartwright customers, who have worked with Cartwright Bros for many years, have been quick to commiserate with the cousins and Cartwright staff.
Natasha Crowson, who started her career at Cartwright Bros when she was just 21 has worked for the business for three decades.
She said: “Cartwright Bros has been a fantastic company to work for. My colleagues and I were devastated to hear the news last week – both for the business and its success over the years, but also for Jamie and John who have worked tirelessly to ensure that the company was safe – and staff were looked after.
“The outpouring of love and affection by employees for the directors was wonderful to see last week. Everyone had their own stories of how Jamie and John looked after them over the years – not just as employers but as friends. It was truly a sad day to see this fantastic company close its doors after so long.
“We will all miss seeing the distinctive Cartwright Bros lorries on our roads. The company has been a massive Lincolnshire success story for so long and they will be sadly missed.”
Stake snapped up in Lincolnshire offshore wind farm
Norges Bank Investment Management has acquired a 37.5 percent interest in a 573 MW operational offshore wind farm located off the Lincolnshire and North Norfolk coast.
The wind farm, named Race Bank, reached commercial operations in February 2018. It has 91 6.3-MW wind turbines with a combined total capacity of 573 MW, powering the equivalent of more than 510,000 UK homes annually.
Norges Bank Investment Management paid £330 million for its stake, valuing the wind farm at approximately £2.599 billion. The wind farm includes a debt facility with an outstanding balance of approximately £644 million at Norges Bank Investment Management’s ownership share.
The sellers of the 37.5 percent interest are Macquarie Asset Management, via Macquarie European Infrastructure Fund 5 (25%), and Spring Infrastructure 1 Investment Limited Partnership, a fund managed by Spring Infrastructure Capital Co., Ltd. (12.5%).
Arjun Infrastructure Partners will remain co-investor for 12.5% of the wind farm, and Ørsted will remain as a 50% owner and operator of the wind farm.
Output volumes unchanged but expectations remain positive amongst manufacturers
Manufacturers reported that output volumes were broadly unchanged in the three months to June, after rising for the first time in a year and a half in the quarter to May, according to the CBI’s latest Industrial Trends Survey (ITS). Manufacturers expect output to rise modestly in the three months to September.
Total order books improved in May, despite a sharp deterioration in the volume of export orders. Both total and export orders were reported below “normal” and below their long-run averages. Manufacturers reported that stocks of finished goods were more than adequate to meet expected demand, and to the same extent as last month. Meanwhile, expectations for selling price inflation picked up, with prices expected to rise at an above-average pace over the three months to September.
The survey, based on the responses of 248 manufacturers, found:
- Output volumes were broadly unchanged in the three months to June after rising in the quarter to May (weighted balance of +3%, from +14% in the three months to May) and were equivalent to the long-run average. Output is expected to rise modestly in the three months to September (+13%).
- Output increased in only 4 out of 17 sub-sectors, in the three months to June, with growth in the food, drink & tobacco, motor vehicle & transport sector, and plastics and furniture & upholstery sub-sectors broadly offset by falls elsewhere.
- Total order books were reported as below “normal” in June but improved sharply relative to last month (-18% from -33%). The level of order books remained slightly below the long-run average (-13%).
- Export order books were also seen as below normal and deteriorated relative to last month (-39% from -27%). This was also below the long-run average (-18%) and was the weakest outturn since February 2021.
- Expectations for average selling price inflation accelerated in June (+20%, from +15% in May) – well above the long-run average (+7%).
- Stock adequacy for finished goods were unchanged from June, with a net balance of manufacturers reporting that stocks were “more than adequate” standing at +14%, broadly in line with the long-run average.
Paint recycling firm relocates to new premises in Leeds
Paint reprocessing specialist Seagulls Reuse has relocated to Water Lane within the heart of the Temple district of Leeds where it recycles about 400 tonnes of household paint every year.
Seagulls will recycle, mix and sell paint as well as running a series of creative workshops close to the city centre in its new 31,150 sq ft warehouse.
Cat Hyde, co-founder of Seagulls, said: “We’d love to have the capacity to collect leftover trade paint but, at the moment, we have enough paint from Leeds households to meet our customers’ needs. But we are hopeful that this new city centre location in the fast-growing Temple district will hopefully entice new painters through the door enabling further expansion.
“So this is a plea to people across the city to pop in and see significant savings on quality paint, varnish and timber care. Whether painting your home, office, community centre, shed or garden furniture – we have something for everyone no matter the colour.
“The new space will also enable us to expand the range of workshops we run, from beginners decorating courses, to mosaics, murals and terrazzo, we will also have decorating pods available for hire.”
Seagulls Reuse launched in 2005. It is the brainchild of Cat Hyde and her co- founder. Keen to find new pathways into employment, with a shared passion for environmental sustainability they wanted to create a social enterprise that would benefit their community. They engaged with Leeds City Council and agreed to collect and reuse paint disposed at the nine Household Waste Recycling Centres across the city.
They now divert almost 400 tonnes of reusable paint each year, checking and reprocessing it for resale. Bespoke colours are mixed and matched by the team and its helpful volunteers before being resold from as little as £1 per tin.
The process is labour intensive and has provided an opportunity for employment, volunteering and training. Ruksar Ajmal started as a volunteer with Seagulls Reuse when leaving prison in 2007. A colour-blind paint mixer, he now works full-time helping to train other volunteers and decorators, assisting customers and managing the bespoke paint-mixing service.
Ruksar said: “Seagulls Reuse is a vibrant and vital environmental social enterprise. It has been life changing for me, and many others. In the last 17 years, I’ve learnt many skills and am now expert at creating bespoke paint colours by and using a spatula and paddle drill along with a splash of intuition and creativity!
“I love training our new volunteers from all walks of life. Many have been through struggles similar to mine and I’m keen to pass the support I’ve been given onto others who need it. We offer a fantastic community service and look forward to welcoming many more happy customers through our doors as we make the exciting move to Temple.”
Two in the running for housing sector achievement awards
Two team members at the Lincolnshire Housing Partnership have been shortlisted in the Women in Housing and Housing Hero Awards.
Danielle Toyne, Neighbourhoods and Allocations Manager at LHP in Grimsby, is one of only 10 women nationally shortlisted for Woman of the Year (Housing Association/Council).
Danielle has worked at LHP for 10 years and is responsible for the Neighbourhoods and Allocation teams which provide support to customers in 12,500 homes across the east coast of Lincolnshire ensuring a ‘customer first’ approach is at the forefront of what they do.
She said: “Being a finalist for Woman of the Year is absolutely the pinnacle of my career so far, so much so that I don’t think I will ever be able to top this, but what is especially special to me is being nominated by my colleagues.
“To know they think so highly of me means the absolute world, and I’m so grateful that I work with such a wonderful, passionate and inspiring group of people! A huge thank-you to my wonderful team, working with every one of you is the best part of my day!
“I am really looking forward to the awards ceremony and I am so proud to be one of the 10 finalists.”
Neighbourhood Officer at LHP, Mel Cheuk is a finalist in the Outstanding Achievement by an Apprentice category.
Based in the Grimsby office, Mel joined LHP in 2022 as a Housing Apprentice which involved working with its Neighbourhood Officers who have an active presence in the local communities. Mel was successful in gaining a full-time position in May 2023 as Neighbourhood Officer and has recently completed the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) Level 3 in Housing Management.
She said: “I was completely overwhelmed and humbled after being told I had been nominated for the award and was a finalist.
“I honestly just do my job which I love, and I am so passionate about our organisation and the difference we make, I just didn’t think I did anything special or different to deserve the nomination.
“I have always wanted to support people and work within an organisation that has strong moral compass and I have found it at LHP. I finally feel I fit and can make that difference.”
John O’Hanrahan, Corporate Head of Customers at LHP, said: “There really is no better way to reward those individuals making a real difference at LHP than to recognise their immense contribution at Women in Housing 2024 which is the only place the whole UK housing sector comes together each year.
“We are extremely proud of both Danielle and Mel for their well-deserved recognition. Their hard work, dedication, and continuous improvement have not only contributed to our organisation’s success but have also set an example of leadership and commitment for everyone at LHP.
“They embody our values by putting our customers first and working together collaboratively across the organisation, ensuring our services are delivered in the LHP Way – with commitment, empathy, and excellence.”
Gainsborough cinema on track for 2025 opening
Building of Gainsborough’s new cinema is said to be well under way by Eddisons incorporating Banks Long & Co who are managing the project on behalf of client Savoy Cinemas.
Scheduled to open in the summer of 2025, the four-screen cinema complex and attendant leisure and retail development are the anchor properties at the heart of the multi-million pound initiative by West Lindsey District Council to regenerate Gainsborough’s historic town centre.
Gainsborough is the third Lincolnshire location – alongside Grantham and Boston – for Savoy Cinemas Ltd, a growing regional chain whose other locations include two in Nottinghamshire, one in Northamptonshire and another in South Yorkshire.
Eddisons incorporating Banks Long & Co was appointed last year as the project manager and quantity surveyor by the cinema chain, and work on the new cinema building follows the demolition of old buildings and the clearing of the site.
The firm has worked on a number of cinema, leisure and retail projects before, most recently in Lincoln as part of the ongoing Cornhill regeneration project.
Eddison’s’ director Daniel Garfoot is leading the project management team. He said: “The site is in the town’s conservation area and has rightly been of archaeological interest given the site’s previous uses down the century.
“We are also mindful of the Listed status of neighbouring buildings, as well as the operational requirements of their current traders and occupiers. But it’s our job to steer the project through to deliver the new cinema building in a way that reconciles local sensitivities with our client’s commercial imperative. That’s something all parties are on track to achieve.”
James Collington, Savoy Cinemas’ MD said: “We’re glad to be adding Gainsborough as the newest location to our growing portfolio of cinemas across this part of the country. The fact that our new complex gives new life to a derelict site and is at the heart of the revival of the town centre gives the project extra significance for all involved.”
Charity walks raise more than £4,000 for good causes
Teams from Breckenholme, including representatives from Yorkshire Rapeseed Oil, Charlie & Ivy’s, and The Honest Bean Co, and Wold Top Brewery met at Breckenholme Farm in Thixendale to walk 31 miles across the Yorkshire Wolds to Hunmanby Grange, home to Wold Top.
A team of 18 from Breckenholme participated in the walk, with six walking all 31 miles and the rest walking between eight and 23 miles to raise money for HOPING York Street Kitchen. Wold Top’s team included one member, Alex Balchin who did all 31 miles and five walkers who completed between eight and 20 miles to raise money for St. Catherine’s Hospice in Scarborough..
Breckenholme’s co-founder Adam Palmer was one of the walkers who completed all 31 miles: “It was a great team effort from both businesses that raised an incredible amount for the respective charities. It was a fantastic day: good weather made for amazing views and it was very rewarding to see the money rolling in and to have a well-deserved pint of Wold Top at the end!” The team exceeded their £3,000 target and have raised £4,157 to date.
Wold Top’s brewery director Alex Balchin added: “St. Catherine’s is a charity very close to our heart at Wold Top as they helped to care for our co-founder Gill at home in her last few months battling cancer. There was great camaraderie en route and we all enjoyed the food and beer at the end. We were delighted to exceed our fundraising target of £500 and have raised £845 to date, with some monies still to come in. Thanks to the team at Breckenholme for organising it: it was a great success.”
Yorkshire digital marketing firm acquires web development agency
Accelerant has acquired web development agency Burrwalk, transitioning more than 50 of Burrwalk’s clients into its own portfolio.
The acquisition sees the agency more than double its own client base, taking the overall tally to more than 90.
Established in November 2023 by Tom Coates, Accelerant is a digital marketing agency based in Mirfield, West Yorkshire, offering marketing services including website development, SEO, branding, social media and digital design.
The agency will initially deliver website management and hosting services for its new clients, prioritising a seamless and interruption-free transition.
Coates believes that the integration of Burrwalk’s client base, which includes small to medium-sized businesses from throughout the UK, aligns perfectly with Accelerant’s ambitions for growth.
Accelerant Managing Director Tom Coates said: “We are excited to welcome Burrwalk’s clients into the Accelerant family and look forward to managing their online presences moving forward, as well as driving their own growth through our marketing offering.
“Adding to our existing base of close to 40 active clients, this is a major early milestone for Accelerant, underpinning significant expansion and entrenching additional stability for the business following a successful first six months.
“Our priority is to ensure business as usual for Burrwalk’s clients during this transition, although we are also relishing the opportunity to explore additional marketing potential that can further benefit these businesses.”
Burrwalk was a specialist website development and management agency, based in St Neots, Cambridgeshire, owned and operated by Lee Burrett, an experienced IT specialist and web developer.
He said: “After many successful years of building Burrwalk into a specialist web development agency, I am thrilled to see our clients in the capable hands of Accelerant.”
Lee now intends to focus on business interests outside of the sector following the completion of the sale to Accelerant.
The acquisition was facilitated with the advisory support of Accelerant consultants Phil Taylor-Guck, Adam Matich and Mindaugas Bendikas, and Bruce McLeod of Ad:Ventue.
Lincoln emerges as promising location for successful AI enterprises
Lincoln ranks fourth in newly-published research about the best UK locations for AI enterprises, with the region’s other major cities not even making the top 20.
The report is by BusinessFinanced.co.uk. Called AI Business Rankings 2024, it identifies the 59 leading towns and cities in the UK for artificial intelligence (AI) enterprises.
Evaluating key factors that contribute to a thriving AI ecosystem, the report is said to be invaluable for a variety of stakeholders, including entrepreneurs and start-up founders looking to establish AI businesses, investors and venture capitalists seeking lucrative opportunities, policymakers and government officials aiming to foster AI development, and educational institutions preparing the future AI workforce.
The report ranks 59 locations across the UK, identifying Cambridge as the top location for AI businesses. The rankings are based on a detailed evaluation of AI-related job vacancies, the number of AI-related businesses, online search volume for AI-related terms, and the 5-year business survival rate.
It sais smaller locations like Lincoln and Gloucester are emerging as promising locations, offering high business survival rates and growing interest in AI technologies.
The top 20 towns and cities are:
1. Cambridge
2. Bristol
3. Reading
4. Lincoln
5. Newcastle upon Tyne
6. Southampton
7. Gloucester
8. Slough
9. Oxford
10. London
11. Bournemouth
12. Milton Keynes
13. Chelmsford
14. Warrington
15. Cardiff
16. Exeter
17. Cheltenham
18. Belfast
19. Glasgow
20. Manchester
North Lincolnshire businesses sign up to Safer Nights charter
Businesses and workers from Brigg’s Pubwatch have signed up to the Safer Nights NL charter.
Many night time economy venues are part of Pubwatch and have signed the Safety at Night Charter, pledging to take the safety of everyone seriously. It shows venues are being proactive in improving safety of those working in the night time economy and members of the public who want to enjoy socialising safely.
This follows on from the Safer Nights NL being successfully launched in Scunthorpe.
The campaign sees venues being trained in bystander training, how to use bleed kits and First Aid training, and given details on Ask Angela and spiking and ‘One Punch’ awareness.
The charter was created by the North Lincolnshire Community Safety Partnership, which includes North Lincolnshire Council, Humberside Police, Humberside Fire and Rescue, Ongo, the National Probation Service, NHS Humber and North Yorkshire ICB and the Humberside Police and Crime Commissioner.
North Lincolnshire CSP has also teamed up with WalkSafe, the UK’s most downloaded personal safety app. It features a safety map that will show the safe space venues in Scunthorpe and Brigg venues. The app has local safety information on the map’s menu button in addition to WalkSafe’s personal safety tools like WalkSafe Journey Sharing, Follow Me and HomeSafe.
Chief Superintendent Paul French of Humberside Police, said: “As part of our local Safer Nights North Lincolnshire partnership, we are delighted to support the launch of Pubwatch in Brigg and the initiative of the Walk Safe App extending its coverage across our local communities.
Eddisons secures new tenant for Lincoln’s Carlton Centre
The Carlton Centre in Lincoln is the location chosen by soft play leisure business, Bounce Central for its first venue in the East of England, confirms Eddisons incorporating Banks Long & Co who acted on behalf of the landlord in the letting of the premises.
Unit 20 at the Carlton Centre, two miles north of Lincoln city centre, gives Bounce Central more than 8,500 sq ft in which to host its trampoline and soft play equipment open sessions, scheduled classes, parties and events.
Established in 2016, the family-run business already has two successful venues in the North West – Salford and Oldham – and, in looking to branch out to the East of England, had been seeking a suitable location for a number of years.
Bounce Central MD James Fearn said the business landed on Lincoln for a number of reasons. “Having grown up in the area, I know Lincoln very well and opening up a Bounce Central branch in the East of the country has been part of our business growth plan.
“Lincoln has changed a lot since my childhood. Recent regeneration and investment in the city centre, in particular, sees the area raising its game in responding to changing habits and expectations of a young and vibrant demographic. It’s a market and a vibe we want to tap in to.”
Bounce Central’s new venue at the Carlton Centre is currently being fitted out and is scheduled to open on 20 July. The new Lincoln operation will take the company’s total headcount to 75 staff, adding to its current number of 53 across its North West venues.
James Butcher of Eddisons incorporating Banks Long & Co, who led the agency deal in the letting of the premises to Bounce Central, said: “The Carlton Centre is the largest retail park in the immediate Lincoln area and is a popular neighbourhood centre.
“There are over 10,000 people living within easy walking distance of the centre and it has over 450 parking spaces. It’s an ideal location for an operator looking to bring a leisure offer to add to that of established high profile retailers at the centre.
“We’re happy to have played our part in securing Bounce Central as the new occupier and, in doing so, providing a warm welcome home to a Lincolnshire lad.”
Businesses get new guidance from Security Industry Authority
The Security Industry Authority has published new guidance videos for business users, licence holders and licence applicants.
Six new videos on the Authority’s YouTube channel provide helpful guidance to business users, licence holders and licence applicants in an easy-to-understand format.
The new videos are:
- Guide to the SIA’s business services
- Setting up an SIA business account
- Using the SIA’s Licence Status Checker or Licence Pay Only services
- Keeping your SIA online account up to date
- Telling the SIA when something changes
- Overview of the Public Space Surveillance (CCTV) licence
“We’ve been reviewing the advice and guidance we make available to customers to identify what more we can do to make the information more visual and easily understood. The new videos were developed as part of a wider review by our licensing team, keeping the customer experience at the forefront throughout.
“We will continue to monitor our contact strategy and continuously improve the advice and guidance we publish to help make the application process as straightforward as possible for new and returning customers.”
The Security Industry Authority is the organisation responsible for regulating the private security industry in the United Kingdom, reporting to the Home Secretary under the terms of the Private Security Industry Act 2001. The SIA’s main duties are the compulsory licensing of individuals undertaking designated activities and managing the voluntary Approved Contractor Scheme.Bradford College secures £2.6m grant for energy-efficiency works
Bradford College has been awarded a £2.6 million grant for energy-efficiency works that will contribute to national net-zero targets.
Delivered by Salix and run by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, the Phase 3c Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS) aims to slash energy bills and reduce carbon emissions.
The Scheme targets public sector buildings that still use fossil fuels for heating, hot water, and catering. In total, more than £530 million of funding is being handed to schools, hospitals, fire stations, universities and other public buildings across the country to help tackle climate change.
With a Bradford College contribution taking the funding total to over £3 million, the project will connect the David Hockney building and Advanced Technology Centre to the Bradford Energy Network by March 2026. Networks such as this produce heat on a large scale from the same source to buildings that are separated by miles.
Bradford has one of the UK’s largest Air Source Heat Pump installations. Buildings on the Bradford district heating network will benefit from an 85-90% reduction in emissions, contributing to a city-wide reduction in emissions of approximately 8,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent in the first phase of the network.
Bradford College is one of 189 public sector organisations nationwide that were awarded grants for heat decarbonisation and energy efficiency schemes. Work will also cover improvements to hot water distribution systems, pipework insulation, and emitter and substation upgrades.
Pamela Sheldon, Head of Projects at Bradford College, said: “Bradford College is committed to reducing its carbon footprint. This latest funding will be a huge boost to our decarbonisation strategy.
“Over the last two years, Bradford College has secured nearly £32 million in funding incorporating the PSDS grant. This substantial investment is helping us to rethink, reshape, rework, and rebuild aspirational new sustainable facilities in the heart of Bradford.”
The Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme was launched in 2020 and Phase 3 of Scheme was announced in 2021 to reduce fossil fuel usage and make public buildings more comfortable and efficient to heat. Phase 3c is the latest funding released by the Department for Energy Security to achieve net zero targets.
Director of Programmes at Salix Ian Rodger said: “Climate crisis is one of the greatest challenges of our time and we are pleased to be working with Bradford College on reducing its carbon footprint.
“Our teams will work closely with the college as they progress their decarbonisation journey, ensuring these buildings not only become more energy efficient but better places in which to work and study.”
Alongside this grant, other upcoming Bradford College capital work includes improvement of the fabric of buildings for optimum thermal performance, the incorporation of high levels of natural daylight to reduce artificial light sources in new buildings, energy-efficient LED lighting and optimising lighting control, as well as adding social value by targeting local SME labour and supply chains.
