Following a divestment process, RWE’s Ferrybridge Engineering Workshop business has transferred to new ownership under TGM Industrial, an integrated group of precision engineering and industrial manufacturing companies in the UK.
The Ferrybridge site is one of the most prestigious and historically important for the UK’s power industry, with the workshops housed within the turbine hall of a grade 2 listed former power generation site.
Established over 40 years ago, the workshop served an external client base until 2017 before becoming a predominantly dedicated service centre for RWE’s UK power infrastructure.
To date, the Ferrybridge Engineering Workshop has provided expert large-scale facilities that enable critical repair and maintenance of power generation equipment, as well as providing engineering services to conventional and renewable power generation markets in the UK.
The Ferrybridge site consists of a 15,000m2 fully equipped workshop with an extensive range of machine tools capable of handling components up to 120 tonnes, as well as welding, blasting, and specialist measuring capability.
Since 2019, the new owner, TGM Industrial has acquired seven other companies that have synergies with the Ferrybridge workshop capabilities, these will ensure that the Ferrybridge Engineering Workshop will continue to provide services to the UK power industry and potentially to other industrial sectors.
A workforce of 22 employees who support the business at Ferrybridge will transfer to TGM Industrial.
Over the past three years, RWE has been reviewing the way its gas-fired power station business is structured and has made significant changes to streamline the organisation.
Following a review of how maintenance and outages are managed across its fleet of gas-fired power plants, RWE announced a change from an inhouse service, using the capabilities of the Ferrybridge workshops, to an outsourcing strategy for major outages, purchasing required services from external suppliers.
The sale enables RWE to continue making use of the Ferrybridge workshop competencies in the future but as a customer rather than an owner. RWE has agreed to a Provision of Services Agreement as part of the sale, which provides TGM with a 36-month agreement to provide parts and services for RWE’s UK gas power station outages, with an option to extend in the future.
Will Jeffery, director of RWE Generation UK, said: “We are pleased to have completed this transaction with TGM Industrial, especially given the site’s historical engineering legacy. We believe its capabilities have better future opportunities and strategic fit with an owner that considers the workshop as its core business.
“This sale provides the ability for the workshop business at Ferrybridge to grow beyond the limitations of a predominantly internal RWE service provider. We look forward to a successful working relationship with new owners TGM in the coming years.”
Tim Brooksbank, director of TGM Industrial, said: “We are excited about the acquisition from RWE of the Ferrybridge Workshop business, which reflects the strategy we have been pursuing over the past six years to acquire synergistic businesses with niche manufacturing and precision engineering expertise, and will bring our aggregate annual revenues to over £25m.
“We look forward to capitalising on the impressive skills and capabilities at Ferrybridge to expand its provision of services within the power generation sector and introduce corresponding services into other sectors, while continuing to service the needs of RWE in the UK.
“We also expect this acquisition to enhance significantly the scope of our capacities and available offering to existing customers within the TGM Industrial group.”
Councillors plan talks on the future of Harrogate Convention Centre
Next week councillors will meet to discuss a major investment in Harrogate Convention Centre to make sure it can continue to support the town’s multi-million pound visitor economy.
They’ll be talking about sidelining proposals for development plans, and instead look at more affordable options to bring long-awaited improvements.
Executive director for finance, Cllr Gareth Dadd, who is the authority’s deputy leader, said: “The convention centre is a very important venue for both Harrogate itself and the county’s wider economy, and we are therefore committed to ensuring that it continues to play a key role in the future.
“However, all major projects are being affected by the high rates of inflation and the rising costs of materials and labour.
“We need to make sure that we are providing the best value for money for residents and businesses across North Yorkshire, and we will carefully consider the options that are available for renovating the Harrogate Convention Centre.
“We need to decide how best to take the re-development plans forward while protecting the impact that would have on the public purse and the economy of the town.”
Members of the executive will be told that a two-phase development plan for the building was drawn up eight years ago, with the first stage due to revamp the existing building.
The second phase of the re-development outlined in the plan would see the existing exhibition halls replaced with a new event space, and the overarching project was expected to cost £47 million at the time when the proposals were drawn up.
However, when a business case revealed that the first phase alone was estimated to cost £48 million, the second stage of the development was deferred.
A bid for £20 million in funding from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund proved unsuccessful, and rising costs have meant that the first phase of the re-development is now expected to be in the region of £57.2 million. In addition, there would be lost revenue when the building closed for the wide-ranging programme of work.
Convention Centre Director Paula Lorimer said: “We recognise that there is a real need for investment in the building, but more affordable options should also be explored. Alternative plans that are being considered would prevent shutting large parts of the venue for significant periods of time to avoid the loss of valuable revenue.
“This building is integral to the visitor economy of Harrogate. Its conferences, exhibitions, corporate events, banquets and live entertainment provide jobs and business to the town’s shops, bars, cafes, restaurants and hotels – worth about £45 million a year to the local economy.
“I do back the recommendation that is due to be discussed by the executive, as I have been a long-standing supporter of investment in the convention centre for a number of years and the venue must remain open during the works.”
Paula added that this year’s income from lettings is at the highest level since 2014, and the number of forward bookings is also the highest in recent memory.
She said: “This demonstrates that the venue is doing well, and tactical investment is the way forward to keeping the venue operational.”
However, the building has problems with ageing heating and air conditioning systems and there are also increasing maintenance and utility costs, as well as a layout that presents challenges for many events and conferences.
Sheffield FC welcomes architects as official partner as stadium development moves forward
Sheffield architectural practice Hadfield Cawkwell Davidson is to join Sheffield FC as an official 1857 Partner.
Hadfield Cawkwell Davidson is the architecture practice charged with realising the football club’s vision for its new Home of Football Stadium.
Matthew Quinn, one of the leading architects on the project said: “Hadfield Cawkwell Davidson are thrilled to become a partner with Sheffield FC – The World’s First Football Club, and build upon our shared passion for the sport to deliver the new Home of Football stadium.
“The new stadium will not only reconnect the club to its Sheffield roots but also strengthen its presence within the vibrant sporting community of Sheffield. We eagerly anticipate a positive and collaborative partnership for the future.”
Club Chairman Richard Tims said: “HCD have been brilliant to work with and we couldn’t think of a better architectural company to help relocate The World’s First Football Club back in to city boundaries.”
“With over 300 years of existence between us, there’s an obvious synergy, and as a club, we like to partner with proud Sheffield organisations.”
JPG Group signs up as member of Leeds United Community Partnership
Leeds-based engineering consultancy the JPG Group has agreed a multi-year deal to join the Leeds United Community Partnership.
Established in Leeds more than 36 years ago with its HQ just a short distance from Elland Road, JPG agreed the deal as part of its commitment to local community engagement and ongoing support to the championship club’s journey.
Operated by sports rights specialist Eleven Sports Media, the Community Partner Programme delivers unique brand engagement, activation, and growth opportunities for small and medium-sized businesses across the region, in association with Leeds United FC.
Chris Harding, MD at JPG Group said: “We are delighted to sign up to the Leeds United Community Partnership, not least because of our long-standing local presence, but also due to our own fan base within the company. Whilst supporting Leeds United as a club we are also gaining fantastic exposure through digital branding around the stadium and online.
“It is a real pleasure for us to be able to connect at this level with Leeds United, aligning our brand with all of the sporting, community engagement, and ethical values that the Club stands for.”
Social responsibility and community engagement are important to JPG which is committed to and actively involved with other local initiatives including The Yorkshire Childrens Charity, Leeds Community Foundation and St George’s Crypt.
Established in 1988, JPG currently employs 45 people within its Leeds headquarters and provides civil and structural engineering consultancy services for clients throughout the UK. It covers all major development sectors with expertise in every aspect of civil and structural engineering from initial site investigation, detailed civil and structural engineering design and construction support. JPG also offers dedicated consultancy services in Strategic Land Engineering, Geospatial Analysis and BIM Services.
JPG has created a long-lasting legacy having delivered essential engineering expertise for strategically important, game changing sites across the UK. Key Yorkshire projects include Wakefield 515, the Advanced Manufacturing Park in Rotherham, Skelton Gate in Leeds, and Gateway 36 in Barnsley.
Jennifer takes leading role with Women in Property
Women in Property has appointed Jennifer Winyard from Barratt Homes Yorkshire West to be its National Chair.
Jennifer, Senior Strategic Land & Planning Manager at Barratt Homes Yorkshire West, will hold the post for a year.
She said: “Encouraging girls to consider a career in property and construction has been a major focus for me, throughout my professional life. My lived experience of this industry highlights the fantastic scope it offers across all sectors. There is still more to do to encourage more people, particularly girls and young women, to make it their future too. I want to help change mindsets and unlock the potential they offer.
“Programmes in the sector, such as Barratt’s and Women in Property’s school outreach, Student Awards and Mentoring programmes, which run across the UK, are an important part of ensuring that the new generation comes into property and construction.”
David Thomas, Chief Executive of Barratt Developments, added: “Jennifer’s appointment as Chair of Women in Property reflects her determination to attract more women into the sector, and then to provide the mentorship that enables them to succeed across a wide variety of roles. She will bring boundless energy and insight to this new role, which will benefit the wider property and construction sector.”
Women in Property uses its platform to influence Government, including the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Women in Work. Amongst the issues that the APPG has influenced are Women Returners, Making the Industrial Strategy Work for Women, How to Recruit Women for the 21st Century, Inclusivity and Intersectionality, The Impact of COVID-19 on women in the workplace, and the recruitment and retention of women in construction for the 7th Inquiry for Excellence in the Built Environment.
West Yorkshire passive fire protection specialist snapped up
IK Partners’ IK Small Cap III (IK SC III) Fund has signed an agreement to acquire Checkmate Fire, the passive fire protection specialist, from YFM Equity Partners.
IK is making its first UK investment from the Fund’s dedicated pool of Development Capital. The existing management team will be reinvesting alongside IK. Financial terms of the transaction are not disclosed.
Established in 1989 and headquartered in West Yorkshire, Checkmate provides a comprehensive range of passive fire protection services to organisations across the Healthcare, Education, Government, Social Housing and Commercial sectors. The company inspects, installs, remediates and maintains passive fire systems and also provides installation and maintenance of active fire systems.
Checkmate operates across the UK and has over 200 employees. The company is responsible for maintaining passive fire systems in around 2,000 buildings nationally to ensure compliance with increasingly stringent regulations, carrying out over 30,000 fire door remediations or replacements per year. The focus is on maintaining fire doors rather than replacing them; an approach that aligns with the company’s commitment to strong environmental, social and governance practices across the business.
Since YFM’s investment and under the existing management team, Checkmate has scaled rapidly, expanding its service offering and supporting more customers in managing their passive fire systems through multi-year contracts. In partnership with IK, Checkmate will look to further develop its passive fire offering, particularly its inspections division, in a market with compelling long-term growth dynamics. The company will also continue to invest in its people and technology to enhance operational efficiency, while also executing a targeted M&A strategy.
Completion of the transaction is subject to regulatory approvals.
John Lewthwaite, CEO at Checkmate, said: “We are very much looking forward to working with IK after a successful partnership with YFM. IK’s track record of supporting businesses in the fire protection market, combined with our position as UK’s leading passive fire specialist, means that we are best placed to drive future growth in a market with attractive dynamics. We would like to take this opportunity to thank YFM for all their support and guidance over the last five years.”
Simon May, Partner at IK and Advisor to the IK SC III Fund, added: “This is an exciting first investment for the IK Development Capital strategy in the UK. Under the stewardship of John and his team, Checkmate has established itself as a high-quality provider in a rapidly growing and increasingly regulated market.
“We have been impressed with the company’s journey to date and see plenty of opportunities for continued growth. We look forward to working with the team at Checkmate and leveraging the resources and expertise of the wider IK platform to deliver an ambitious strategy.”
Steve Harrison, Partner at YFM Equity Partners, said: “It has been an absolute pleasure working with John and the entire team at Checkmate since we first invested in 2018. The business has seen rapid growth and development during this period, establishing itself as the leading player in the UK passive fire protection market. We wish Checkmate the best of luck for the future with the support of IK.”New rail freight app secures £150,000 funding
The company behind an app that aims to move freight traffic off the roads and on to the rail network has secured a £150,000 loan from NPIF – Mercia Debt Finance, which is managed by Mercia and part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund.
RailX is encouraging businesses to take a more sustainable approach to their logistics needs by making use of spare capacity on the rail network. Its app RailX – described as a ‘Trainline for rail freight’ – makes it easy to book rail and associated services including ‘first and final mile’ road deliveries.
RailX is currently focused on serving Yorkshire businesses and the freight forwarders who serve them and offers a full ‘port to door’ service. The funding will enable it to continue to grow and expand its reach to target firms outside of Yorkshire, further develop its app and cope with the growing demand for its services.
RailX was developed after Steve Freeman, the former Managing Director of Doncaster’s rail terminal iPort Rail, and Rail Consultant Paul Bathgate recognised that commercial train services typically run at least 25% below capacity. They joined forces with digital expert Tom Ciullo and finance director Ian Waring to launch the app in November last year. The company currently employs two staff and expects to create six new roles in the year ahead.
Paul Bathgate said: “Around 90 per cent of UK freight is moved by road, which means that on any given day there are the equivalent of 20 empty trains running on the rail network. Part of the problem is that it is often difficult for smaller companies, or those unable to contract large volumes, to access and book space on trains. Our easy-to-use app takes the pain out of buying rail freight.
“Per container, rail uses on average 76 per cent less carbon than road haulage. As it requires only one driver for up to 40 containers, it is far less labour intensive and can be cheaper and more reliable. By optimising the existing rail capacity, we can start to bring down costs, increase demand and encourage the modal shift to more sustainable transport solutions.”
Andy Tyas of Mercia Debt added: “Rail freight offers the potential to save over 30,000 tonnes of carbon a year, and to reduce the amount of heavy goods traffic on the road. RailX could play a key role in the transition to more sustainable transport.
“The team chose to pioneer their service in Yorkshire, building on their existing relationships in the region, and also the fact that an estimated 42% of rail freight moves through or stops in the county. With demand growing steadily, this funding will enable the company to begin its expansion across the Yorkshire region and the wider UK.”
Andy McKenna, Access to Finance Advisor for the Sheffield City Region Growth Hub, provided fundraising advice to the company.
Yorkshire Dales farmers to be offered share in grants totalling £2m
The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority meets this week to agree an ambitious £13.1m work programme which includes £2m in grants available for farmers in the park
While the Authority’s core government grant remains flat for an eighth year, Defra has provided additional Capital Funding of £500k. On top of significant external income secured by the National Park Authority through a variety of externally backed projects, this means the Authority can:
- Provide £2m of grants to the National Park’s farmers and landowners through the Farming in Protected Landscapes programme.
- Continue the Tees-Swale project, restoring peatland, hay meadows, woodland and other priority habitats across Swaledale and Arkengarthdale.
- Provide new, Education and Outreach projects: Championing National Parks for everyone, and the National Citizen Service project.
- Facilitate an extensive volunteers programme, young ranger, ‘Upskill Down Dale’ youth engagement programme, and apprenticeships, developing skills that lead to employment in the environmental sector.
- Implement the Coast to Coast National Trail through the National Park, and a variety of other ambitions.
Works progressing on next phases of Lincoln Enterprise Park
Construction works to deliver the next phases at Lincoln Enterprise Park are progressing to schedule with 80% of space already reserved.
Located on the A46 near Thorpe on the Hill, Lincoln Enterprise Park is progressing with phases 7 to 10, which will bring an additional 34,500 sq ft to the park and could potentially create up to 100 new jobs.
Following the continued demand for commercial property in and around Lincoln and a successful planning appeal in 2021, developer and site owner LEP Developments commenced works in October last year, acting as both developer and contractor.
With groundworks done, steel frames ups and roofs complete, works to phases 7 and 8 – which are 6,500 sq ft each – are on schedule.
In total, phases 7 to 10 will bring 13 new mixed-use units ranging from 1,451 to 11,500 sq ft to Lincoln Enterprise Park, offering in-demand expansion opportunities for current occupants and new commercial premises for other businesses.
Current occupant and bespoke kitchen and furniture manufacturer, Krantz Designs, has been on Lincoln Enterprise Park since 2020. With its expanding client portfolio and desire to manufacture all its products in-house, the company has bought phase 7 as well as securing the lease of part of another unit as part of phase 9, giving the company a total of 20,000 sq ft at the park.
Managing director of Krantz Designs, Jamie Krantz, said: “With our showroom on historic Bailgate in Lincoln, we currently manufacture about 90% of our products here at Lincoln Enterprise Park, but for some time have wanted to increase that to 100%.
“We had no desire to move from the park as it’s the perfect location for us, is well managed and has a supportive business network, therefore when Nick secured planning for the next stage of expansion, I jumped at the chance to design and build our new HQ.
“We will have approximately 30 skilled team members at the park when we move into our new spaces later this year, which will include CAD technicians, cabinet painters, machinists and office personnel, and we will be recruiting in due course to fill new roles. The team and I are pleased to be continuing our journey at Lincoln Enterprise Park.”
Managing director of LEP Developments, Nicholas Falkinder, said: “At Lincoln Enterprise Park we support economic growth by providing our premium product in a unique and highly accessible location.
“Because of what we have on offer here and the service we provide, we have been fully occupied for over seven years. Jamie and the team at Krantz Designs are a great example of the business community at the park and how we support those businesses through leasehold agreements, then on to freehold opportunities if required.
“From the outset interest in the new units has been high and this resulted in 80% pre-construction sales in just a matter of months. The majority have been taken by existing occupants, which is what we strive for, and we are welcoming some exciting new businesses later in the year.
“I’m passionate about this park and its success, and for the first time we are developer and contractor, which is an incredible journey to be on to both ensure quality and see the progress onsite each day. I want to thank our community of businesses here and everyone who has made these next phases possible.”
Phases 7 and 8 are due for completion in the summer this year, phase 9 in early autumn and phase 10 in early 2025. Two units remain available to rent or buy and are being marketed by local agents Pygott & Crone and Lambert Smith Hampton.
All contractors working on the site are East Midlands-based and include CM Civils, a Lincoln-based civil engineering company which has delivered the groundworks.
Subject to planning, there is scope for further expansion at Lincoln Enterprise Park.
Crown Estates confirms Projekt Renewable support by becoming a patron
The Crown Estate has officially registered its support for Grimsby’s Projekt Renewable by becoming a patron.
With a £50,000 investment now committed to further expand Grimsby’s Alexandra Dock-based Projekt Renewable, Director Richard Askam said: “Ever since I first floated the idea of Projekt Renewable to The Crown Estate, they have been so supportive of the logic and drive that lies behind what we are doing. To have The Crown Estate come onboard in 2024 as a #projektpatron and take a space at Projekt which is being designed to further everyone’s knowledge of marine conservation is just brilliant.”
Chelsea Bradbury, Senior Marine Data and Insights Manager with The Crown Estate, added: “We’re thrilled to build on our prior support of Projekt Renewable Grimsby with a financial investment, giving us a physical presence in the local community.
“Through this partnership, we want to make sure everybody in Grimsby and beyond is proud of what’s on their doorstep by showcasing the activity taking place on the seabed to reach net zero and the amazing work being done to protect and enhance nature and marine habitats.
“Potentially even inspiring more people to look at careers in this space. As an offshore wind hub, Grimsby is the perfect location to spark people’s imagination and curiosity, and we’re excited to work with the local community to understand what they would most like to know and learn about this industry.”
The Crown Estate manages land, the seabed and much of the coastline around England, Wales and Northern Ireland on behalf of the nation, creating long-term value for the country. It is focused on supporting the UK’s energy transition and improving energy security alongside stewarding the protection and restoration of nature. One of the ways it does this is by sustainably developing the seabed to support green, renewable energy industries, such as offshore wind. This partnership provides an exciting opportunity to connect people in Grimsby more closely with its role as manager of the seabed.
An aspirational beacon for Grimsby and beyond, Projekt Renewable was always built with the view to extend and evolve to suit the demands of both the local community and the renewable champions operating within the area. To have The Crown Estate officially join its trio of boxes is an incredibly proud moment for the entire Projekt team.
Grade II listed Kitson House sold breathing new life into the building
Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH) has sold Kitson House, an iconic Grade II listed country house forming part of the Elmete Hall site, to Industruct Limited.
Situated in Roundhay along with the neighbouring Nicholson House, an affluent and diverse northern suburb of Leeds, the 5,700 sq ft property borders Roundhay Park, one of the largest city parks in Europe attracting nearly one million visitors each year.
The historic building has seen extensive redevelopment over the years, whilst maintaining many of the original period features including the peacock cupola dome lighting and cast-iron circular staircase in the main hall.
The adjacent Nicholson House (6,996 sq ft) is still available for sale. Both properties are currently utilised as offices, offering versatile potential for redevelopment across various sectors subject to planning.
Matt Procter, Surveyor at Lambert Smith Hampton, said: “We are delighted to have found a new owner for this historic site in the heart of Roundhay.
“The sale of Kitson House underscored the appeal of heritage properties in desirable locations, and we look forward to seeing the property’s continued revitalisation along with the potential offered by the neighbouring Nicholson House.”
York Handmade plays key role in London development
York Handmade Brick Company has completed one of the largest and most prestigious contracts in its 36-year history.
York Handmade, based at Alne, near Easingwold, has supplied 300,000 specially manufactured bricks for a state-of-the-art 16-storey apartment building at the rear of Kings Cross Station in central London.
The significant contract was worth £150,000 to York Handmade.
This residential development, called Cadence, is only one mile from the City of London and comprises 103 one, two and three-bed apartments. All have been sold.
Alison Brooks of London-based Alison Brooks Architects, who designed Cadence, praised York Handmade for “the colour, texture and format of the bricks” adding “we couldn’t have asked for a better union of architectural concept and façade material.”
David Armitage, chairman of York Handmade, said: “We are both proud and humbled to have played such a pivotal role in the appearance and construction of one of London’s most important recent residential developments. This is a flagship project which has reshaped the skyscape of the Kings Cross area.
“We are also honoured that our bricks have been recognized as integral to the design of Cadence. This stunning building is a tremendous example of the beauty and versatility of brick, which remains the building material of choice for many forward-thinking architects and developers.”
He added: “The skill of the design, combined with the art of the hand-thrown brick and the vibrant colour brickwork on the 16-storey masonry reaching up into the sky, high above London, make this a unique job.”
Alison Brooks explained that brick was central to this development, saying: “We were looking for a brick to achieve our design intention of a monolithic, sculptural building form expressed in a vibrant orange-red hue, like the colour of nearby St. Pancras Station. We were also looking for a long-format brick, like the long bricks of ancient Roman buildings. We were delighted to find the York Handmade bricks that fulfilled all three of these criteria.
“We found York Handmade’s response time to our queries was very quick and always helpful. We understand the relationship was very good between York Handmade and the main contractor Laing O’Ruorke, who with Vetter, cut and laid all the facade brickwork as a prefabricated system.
“York Handmade’s bricks have become the emblem of our exuberant King’s Cross landmark tower. It’s wonderful to see the colour of the brick change at different times of day, from a vibrant orange to a soft ochre. The radiant arches make everyone smile.”
David Armitage added: “In a wider context, the completion of this stunning development marks over a decade of York Handmade Brick’s involvement in reshaping the look of England’s capital city. During the past 14 years we have provided the bricks for some of London’s most stunning new buildings.
“Apart from Cadence, we have successfully completed commissions for Lancer Square, an iconic multi-million pound mixed-used development close to Kensington Place, the iconic Shard, London Bridge Station, London Bridge Place, Highgate School, Carmelite House on the Victoria Embankment, the redeveloped Highbury Stadium and One Molyneux Street in Marylebone.
“We are extremely proud to have played a key role in the reshaping of modern London over the past 10 years. It is wonderful to have a little bit of Yorkshire in the heart of the capital. These high-profile, award-winning commissions we have completed in London have led to new prestigious projects this year in Mayfair and elsewhere in the capital, which will further strengthen our position as the independent brick supplier of choice for London architects and developers.”
Paul brings together experts to support efforts with workplace mental health
Former trawlerman Paul Longley who set up his own consultancy to turn the tide on mental health issues in the workplace has put together a team of experts to help employers communicate with colleagues.
Paul Longley, who spent 32 years in the fishing and food industries before being made redundant in 2019, has recruited Scott Clark and Leon McQuade, co-founders of tech and cyber security specialist Think Cloud, as partners in Think GiANT. The directors of the new business, which is based in The Deep Business Centre, also include Christina Colmer-McHugh, a mental health advocate and inventor and founder of the Moodbeam real-time happiness surveying tool. Paul, a former employee of Andy’s Man Club who set up his own mental health first aid training company in 2020, said: “I left school with no qualifications at all and my first job was on the trawlers, following in my dad’s footsteps. I later moved into fish processing but when I was made redundant I took the opportunity to go to college and train up in mental health first aid. “I’d been struggling with my own mental health for over 20 years. Thanks to attending Andy’s Man Club, those overwhelming weeks and months have turned into difficult hours and minutes that I now have the tools to manage, and that enabled me to set up Think Mental Health. “Through that, I have worked with businesses in 23 countries which between them employ about 250,000 people. Speaking to the leaders and the managers of those companies, I find they all have a passion to support their employees but sometimes they don’t know how to do that. I spotted a gap in communication, and I knew the GiANT toolkit could massively help with that.”Small firms to be offered free advice at HR workshops
Invest East Yorkshire and Invest Hull are jointly staging a series of free HR workshops to support small business owners.
The free workshops have been developed to enable small business owners to maximise their efficiency and effectiveness when managing people so that they can harness the full potential of their workforce, ensuring that they’re better positioned for sustainable growth and success. Course leader Helen said: “We know that human resources and dealing with people challenges can often fall to the bottom of the to-do list for time-poor small business owners. It’s just one of many different roles that they have to fulfil. However, it’s well worth devoting time to making sure you fully understand what’s required of you and have appropriate and effective policies and procedures in place. Dealing with people issues in the right way will help protect you and your business, legally and reputationally. “These free workshops are a great opportunity to boost your knowledge, and pick up some useful tips and insights. Don’t miss this chance to transform your approach to human resource management; register now for these empowering workshops and take a confident step towards success!” Taking place over the coming weeks, the workshops will cover a range of useful topics, including how to recruit with confidence; methods for managing sickness and absence; and performance management strategies. They will be held online and in person at venues across East Yorkshire, with the first one taking place at Brough Business Centre on Thursday 7th March, from 10.30am to 1.30pm.Sheffield’s still the real ale capital of the world as brewing industry drives tourism, says report
A new report has found the brewing scene in Sheffield and the wider South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority area is bucking the national trend for closures, despite the challenges of Covid and the cost-of-living crisis.
The region is now home to 58 breweries, more per head of population than anywhere else in the country, producing around 1,800 different beers every year according to a new report by the University of Sheffield.
A strong culture of traditional pubs that “feel different” to elsewhere in the country, and which see over 600 different beers being served every day on its bars, means Sheffield is experiencing a beer tourism boom, the report found. Dozens of events, from the Sheffield Folk Sessions Festival, to the Rotherham Real Ale and Music Festival, are taking advantage of, and supporting, this pub culture.
Breweries are also helping to regenerate run-down areas, often being the forerunners of other indie and like-minded businesses that turn an area into the next hip hot-spot.
First conducted in 2016, the new report has once again been written by award-winning beer writer Pete Brown, who was born and raised in Barnsley. The report surveyed breweries across Sheffield and the wider region about the state of the industry in the area. Key findings included:
Sheffield is home to four breweries per 100,000 head of population, while the broader Mayoral Combined Authority has three. Either measure is many times higher than cities such as Edinburgh (1.1), Manchester (0.2), London (0.4) or Dublin (0.6), which are often cited in surveys of the best beer cities in the world that use high numbers of breweries per capita.
Brewers across the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority produce a total of around 1,800 different beers every year, with around 780 of those being brewed in the city of Sheffield itself.
Almost 70 per cent of the beer brewed by local brewers is drunk within the local region. The report also found 70 per cent of cask ale brands sold in the city of Sheffield are brewed within 20 miles of the city centre.
Approximately 300 different real ales are on sale in Sheffield every day, with around the same number of craft keg beers also available.
The city and region’s breweries and pubs are still predominantly cask (real) ale focused, again bucking a national decline which has seen sales volumes half in the last decade, but a wider variety of beers can now be found than in 2016. With cask beer being almost exclusively a British product, Sheffield can again claim to be the real ale capital of the world.
The Visit Sheffield website lists 362 beer attractions – second only to the outdoors, which has been Sheffield Tourism’s key priority in recent years.
Report author Pete Brown said: “Sheffield’s prowess as a beer city won’t come as a surprise to anyone who drinks here. But it’s fascinating that when you do the research and generate the numbers, the claim of being one of the best beer cities in the world really stands up. Sheffield is having a bit of a moment just now, punching massively above its weight, culturally. And its brewing scene is the glue that holds that culture together.”
But the report also notes that while breweries in the region have been resilient and adaptable thus far, they are in “survival mode”, with no capacity to expand. In 2016, two-thirds of the breweries surveyed said that they were planning significant expansion over the next twelve months; today that figure has dropped to around one in five. There is also a lack of support from local authorities which means that while Sheffield in many ways out-performs its brewing rivals, it could do even better with more active, broader involvement and promotion.
Professor Vanessa Toulmin, Director of City Culture and Public Engagement at the University of Sheffield, said: “Sheffield has always been a city of makers and what makes the report’s findings really interesting is the added value this industry of modern-day little mesters are bringing to the region. They are not just brewing beer; they are providing a huge tourism pull for people from far afield, while also regenerating neighbourhoods in organic, unplanned ways.
“To anyone living in Sheffield and visiting its pubs, it will come as no surprise that this new report has reaffirmed what we discovered in 2016; that Sheffield really can lay claim to being the ‘real ale capital of the world’.”
Sheffield seeks operator for glasshouses at Norton Nurseries
The glasshouses at Norton Nurseries in Sheffield’s Graves Park are to be restored and a new operator will be commissioned to grow food in the space.
Currently the glasshouses are underused and at risk of further deterioration. but at a Charity Trustee Sub-Committee meeting this week, a license was granted to commission an operator for up to five years to take over the running of the facility.
The new operator must make use of the facility for food growing and develop a plan to enable fairer access to affordable food for local people.
When selected, the new operator will be responsible for the maintenance and improvement of the space and contribute to the outcomes identified in the Food Strategy to the benefit of Sheffield.
British Business Bank launches Midlands Engine Investment Fund
The British Business Bank has launched its £400m Midlands Engine Investment Fund II, unlocking additional funding to help smaller businesses in Lincolnshire prosper and thrive.
The fund will drive sustainable economic growth by supporting new and growing businesses across the whole of the Midlands, through investment strategies that best meet the needs of these firms. It includes a range of finance options with loans from £25,000 to £2 million and equity investments up to £5 million to help small and medium-sized businesses start up, scale up or stay ahead.
British Business Bank CEO Louis Taylor said: “Small businesses are at the heart of The Midlands’ economy. Since launching in 2017, the first Midlands Engine Investment Fund has so far created more than 4,000 jobs across the region by backing 739 smaller businesses.“The first Midlands Engine Investment Fund provided a blueprint for how we can support entrepreneurs and founders, whoever they are and wherever they are in the region, to access the funds and support they need. This new fund will allow us to continue supporting business owners across the Midlands, whether they’re at the start of their journey or are already running an established firm.“Promoting growth by ensuring entrepreneurs can access the finance they need regardless of where and who they are is one of the Bank’s strategic objectives, and vital to unlocking the full potential of the UK’s smaller businesses.”
The Midlands Engine Investment Fund II aims to build on the success of the inaugural Midlands Engine Investment Fund), a £300m fund which has already supported 299 smaller businesses in the East and South East Midlands since its launch in 2017. The new fund will help hundreds more businesses to achieve their potential and further increase the supply and diversity of early-stage finance by providing options to firms that might otherwise be unable to secure investment. Funding is designed to help businesses with activities including expansion, product or service innovation, new processes, skills development, and capital equipment.
Three fund managers have been appointed to manage the fund in the East and South East Midlands. First Enterprise – Enterprise Loans will manage the smaller loans part of the fund (£25,000 to £100,000), Maven Capital Partners will be responsible for larger loans (£100,000 to £2 million), and Mercia Ventures will manage equity deals (up to £5 million).
Hull launches grants scheme for city’s SMEs
Hull businesses can apply for loans from Hull City Council through a small business loan scheme set up with a £1m pot of funds.
The Business Loan Scheme will be aimed at SMEs in the which have capital spend projects only, and will focus on what is known as syndicated lending, offering loans alongside other lenders.
Loans will generally range between £60-150,000, with loan terms between three and seven years.
Under the Business Loan Scheme, the LUP grant is not repayable, meaning funds will be available to support more businesses in the future on a ‘revolving basis’ following successful repayment of the loans, further facilitating business and economic growth in the city.
Cllr Paul Drake-Davis, the council’s portfolio holder for regeneration, said: “It’s great that the council is now able to offer these loans to small and medium sized businesses in Hull.
“The council is committed to supporting businesses of all sizes and this is another example of that, using the funding received from the government last year.
“It’s important that the Business Loan Scheme is managed carefully and diligently so it can grow and continue to provide financial support to local companies for many years to come.”
The initial Business Loan Scheme is open for applications until March 2025.
Lincolnshire IT support firm becomes part of Air IT
Lincolnshire IT support firm SCS is now part of Air IT, the Nottingham-based Managed Service Provider (MSP) for SMEs.
Matthew Stead, Managing Director of SCS, says: “We’ve spent the last 30 years developing and growing SCS into a successful regional business with an enviable local reputation.
“By joining Air IT, we’ll be able to offer additional technical expertise, skillsets and new exciting capabilities, whilst continuing to deliver the highest levels of service to our clients. We are very much looking forward to continuing our journey of growth and establishing Air IT as the IT partner of choice for SMEs in Lincolnshire and beyond.”
James Steventon, CEO at Air IT, said: “I’m delighted to welcome SCS to Air IT. They’re a great addition to our team, sharing a similar approach, culture, and a commitment to delivering exceptional service to clients.
“With a strong focus on our core services including managed IT support and Microsoft technologies, we’re looking forward to combining our joint knowledge, skills and experience to deliver even greater results for our valued clients.”
SCS will be operating from the same premises with the same staff as before.
FSB calls for changes to education system to protect small firms
With the development of Artificial Intelligence small firms need protection from deepfakes and improvements to the education system to allow it to live up to its true potential, a new report by the Federation of Small Businesses shows.
Redefining Intelligence: The Growth of AI Among Small Firms, published today, emphasises that while the technology can work in tandem with human intelligence and creativity, it should not replace human judgement entirely.
It also highlights the importance of Intellectual Property rights, over fears that allowing AI to sidestep IP could disincentivise small firms from coming up with new, creative ideas.
Figures show that small firms are adopting AI at a rapid pace, with one in five already using it, and 11 in 20 recognising its potential benefits. Similarly, three in five aiming for rapid growth plan to use it – but these figures are likely to grow rapidly as the technology gets smarter.
But while AI will bring many benefits, the risks must not be glossed over as the AI debate gains more traction, with the 73 per cent yet to embrace it worried about:
- 46% not having the knowledge to use it correctly.
- 31% their ability to manage security risks.
- 24% the impact of deepfakes.
- 20% the abuse of their IP rights.
- 12% whether it will reduce the long-term viability of their business.
- Make it illegal to use deepfakes with the intent to cause commercial damage, with legal recourse available for victims.
- Request the Law Commission conduct a review into the use of AI and how it relates to IP, and how best to update existing laws to make it clear that copyright can only sit with a human author.
- Broaden the remit of Ofcom so it regulates cloud infrastructure in the same way as utility providers, ensuring cloud infrastructure remains affordable.
