Self-employed at greater risk of mental health issues, survey finds

Stuart Pearcey
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Self-employed at greater risk of mental health issues, survey finds

Half of all self-employed people have experienced poor mental health within the past 12 months according to new research – and that’s 22% worse than the national average.

The findings come from insurance provider Simply Business, which partnered with Mental Health at Work, a programme curated by leading mental health charity Mind, to conduct the research for the second year running.

More than 500 firms were surveyed, revealing that general feelings of stress were contributing to the compromised wellbeing of SMEs, high rates of anxiety, depression, and isolation were cited as issues too

Because of poor mental health, a third of those surveyed found it difficult to concentrate, a third fell back on smoking, drinking or eating unhealthily, and almost 1 in 5 had to adapt or reduce their working hours/hours of business.

Almost a third of those surveyed worked more than 46 hours per week – almost 10 hours more than the average working week for employed workers, according to ONS data. This is only a small change from the 2023 survey, when 33% reported working over 46 hours, meaning SMEs are continuing to work overtime to compete with challenging economic conditions.

Bea Montoya, UK COO at Simply Business, said: “Our latest survey findings underscore the challenges faced by small business owners and the self-employed in maintaining good mental health. While we’re encouraged to see a marginal improvement – which can only be explained by the astounding resilience of the sector – the challenge for SME owners to prioritise their own wellbeing remains significant.

“This situation should concern us all. Small businesses are vital to both our economic recovery and the prosperity of our communities, and this will only compound the challenges of an increasingly economically inactive population.

“The message from the SME community is clear – they want to see more support from the government, and quickly. Simply Business is committed to advocating for the support and resources needed to ensure the resilience of small businesses across the country, and we fully back their call for more support.”

City Council outsources first aid training for the first time

Stuart Pearcey
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City Council outsources first aid training for the first time
Family-run ACW Medical Services has been awarded a two-year contract for first aid training for Sheffield City Council’s 8,000 employees. It’s the first time an external provider has been selected, rather than the council’s in-house trainers. ACW was founded by Kelly and Matt Wooller in 2021, and will now train council teams weekly from three venues in the city. MD Kelly Wooller said: “This is a significant contract for our fast-growing first aid training business. We don’t use ‘typical’ one size fits all training materials or props. We adapt the training to the experiences and professional requirements of the participants. And, we make it fun! This is how we ensure our trainees get involved and retain the essential skills and knowledge we pass on to them.” ACW Medical Services have their own training centre in Dronfield and work predominantly with customers across Derbyshire and Yorkshire. Training takes place within the customer’s workplace or, as is the case with the Sheffield City Council contract, accessible venues nearby such as Sheffield United Football Club and Barnsley College.

Further new tenant moves in to burgeoning Hull business park

Stuart Pearcey
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Further new tenant moves in to burgeoning Hull business park
A wellbeing company offering services ranging from blood tests to boxing has become the latest arrival at a business park which has morphed from a military garage into a modern complex supporting more than 200 jobs. The Livewell Syndicate has relocated from offices and a training suite in Hull city centre to take three units at Base, the former Chamberlain Business Park which has undergone a transformation since being bought by Allenby Commercial three years ago. CJ Turrian, who launched Livewell with partner Dan Snow in 2019, said their clients have followed them from the previous city centre location to the new site which, as serviced accommodation, enables them to concentrate on their business. Georgia Allenby, Design and Marketing Director at Allenby Commercial, said work is under way now to create more space at the site in the face of rising demand in a range of business sectors. She said: “We have redeveloped around 70 per cent of the site and we are actively on-site working on the rest. It’s home to around 60 businesses employing more than 200 people between them, we have some exciting new tenants coming in and we are creating more space for light industrial, workshops, storage and offices. “The site is 98 per cent occupied and demand is strong, which wasn’t the case when we took on the site. People have responded to the improvements and the higher standard of accommodation.”

Ideal Heating launches trial to explore benefits of heat pumps for council tenants

Michael Fisher
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Ideal Heating launches trial to explore benefits of heat pumps for council tenants
Hull-based Ideal Heating has launched a heat pumps trial with the local authority in its home city. The Living with Heat Pumps project will explore the benefits of living in a home with an air source heat pump compared to a traditional gas boiler. Ideal Heating has worked with Hull City Council and regional net zero campaign, Oh Yes! Net Zero, to install four of its flagship Logic Air heat pumps in council homes in the city, as well as four new gas-powered combi boilers in neighbouring properties. The project will track the thermal comfort for residents, as well as the cost, energy performance and efficiency of both the heat pumps and boilers. It is hoped it will produce valuable information and experiences on the use of heat pumps in social housing. Formerly known as Ideal Boilers, Ideal Heating was founded in Hull in 1906 and the city remains home to its manufacturing facilities and its UK headquarters. The company is undergoing a £60m transformation, including new manufacturing, distribution and research and development facilities at its site in National Avenue, Hull, largely focused on the transition to heat pumps. John Jackson, Heat Pump Technical Sales Manager at Ideal Heating, oversaw the install and commissioning element of the heat pumps project. He said: “We’re delighted to be working with Hull City Council on a project which could have a real impact on the way homes in the city are heated in the future. Ideal Heating has a strong relationship with Hull City Council and shares its commitment to creating a sustainable future for all.”

Centrica, Equinor and SSE Thermal launch new Humber Hydrogen Hub projects

Tess Egginton
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Centrica, Equinor and SSE Thermal launch new Humber Hydrogen Hub projects

Energy companies Equinor, Centrica and SSE Thermal have launched plans for a collaboration of multiple low carbon hydrogen projects on the north bank of the Humber which also link to wider plans within the region.

The plans, which include the transformation of the Easington gas terminal, were launched in the Houses of Parliament to an audience of MPs, civil servants, industry bodies and regional stakeholders. Lord Callanan, the Energy Minister responsible for Hydrogen and Carbon Capture policy, spoke at the event alongside Beverley & Holderness MP Graham Stuart and representatives from Equinor, Centrica Energy Storage and SSE Thermal.

H2H Easington includes proposals by Equinor and Centrica to deliver a multi-stage green and blue hydrogen production facility which will scale up over time as a hydrogen economy develops. Since a co-operation agreement was signed between the two companies in 2022, detailed engineering studies have assessed projects which could produce up to 1.2GW of blue hydrogen production and up to 1GW of green hydrogen at Easington with initial projects commissioned by the end of the decade then expansion through the 2030s.

To unlock these ambitions, proposals for a green hydrogen electrolyser have been submitted to Government as part of the second Hydrogen Allocation Round process. If successful, this initial electrolytic hydrogen system would be operational by early 2029 and would fuel switch off-takers within the Easington terminal, displacing current natural gas demand and significantly reducing the site’s CO2 footprint by 100,000 tonnes per year. An immediate next step would include hydrogen for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), which is key to facilitating the energy transition in the aviation sector.

Such a transition would also safeguard many existing jobs within the historic gas terminal whilst creating new jobs and supply chain opportunities for the future. It is estimated that the 35-year economic impact of the green hydrogen proposals at Easington, including construction, operation and decommissioning of the facility, will be in the region of £1.5bn of gross value added, supporting thousands of jobs in the region.

In addition, the partnership will also explore a dedicated hydrogen pipeline that would link H2H Easington to Equinor’s proposed H2H Saltend hydrogen production facility at Saltend Chemicals Park, and to Equinor and SSE Thermal’s proposed hydrogen storage facility at Aldbrough on the East Yorkshire Coast. Collectively, these projects form the Humber Hydrogen Hub.

Equinor and SSE Thermal are currently consulting on the proposals for hydrogen storage at the existing gas storage site near Aldbrough. The use of the geologically unique underground salt caverns for storage helps to balance the fluctuating supply and demand of a future hydrogen economy whilst improving energy security.

The 45km hydrogen pipeline proposals also include a crossing of the River Humber to provide connectivity between north and south banks, whilst there is also potential for connection to the ‘Project Union’ gas network to expand across the wider Humber region.

Decision makers from government departments including Energy Security & Net Zero, Business & Trade and Transport, joined the Government’s ‘Hydrogen Champion’, UK Research & Innovation and the Carbon Capture & Storage Association to listen to the new proposals. Levelling Up Minister Jacob Young MP, who is also a proactive advocate of hydrogen, was in attendance. The Humber region was represented by MPs Graham Stuart and Martin Vickers, as well as representatives from the East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Humber Chamber of Commerce and the Yorkshire & Humber CBI.

Graham Stuart MP, Member of Parliament for Beverley and Holderness, said: “This is an exciting collection of projects which can help to deliver on the UK’s net zero goals and hydrogen targets whilst also supporting the Government’s levelling up agenda.

“I’m particularly proud to have such key strategic energy sites within my constituency that are attracting investment from large companies, creating new jobs for local people and supply chain opportunities for local businesses. It shows that East Yorkshire is an internationally renowned location for low carbon technologies, and this can only help to boost prosperity across the region.”

Dan Sadler, Director for Hydrogen at Equinor’s UK Low Carbon Solutions, said: “The proposals we’ve set out today demonstrate the commitment to the decarbonisation of the Humber by three of the largest players in UK energy, each with a track record of delivering ambitious schemes that reflect the changing demands of our economy.

“This is a unique opportunity to link these key sites in the Humber, pairing hydrogen production with users and storage sites to create the foundational requirements for an expanding hydrogen economy throughout the 2030s and 40s. It will help to reduce emissions whilst also stimulating economic growth.”

Martin Scargill, Managing Director of Centrica Energy Storage, said: “These projects will bring huge benefits to the Humber as we move forward to net zero. Working together, Centrica, Equinor and SSE Thermal will deliver this innovative, world leading, regional hydrogen system, that in time could see Rough connected to provide the UK with large scale, clean energy storage.

“We know that the UK will need to explore all possible options to meet its net zero target and these projects will support the country’s decarbonisation plans while creating jobs and certainty for the region’s industry in the future.”

John Johnson, Director of Development at SSE Thermal, said: “Hydrogen projects like the ones we’re bringing forward at Aldbrough can help to deliver a low-carbon future for the Humber.

“We know that all roads to net zero lead through the region and this collaboration aims to accelerate the deployment of hydrogen by linking multiple key sites and projects in support of the UK’s decarbonisation efforts. Ultimately, the Humber Hydrogen Hub can be a key enabler of a thriving hydrogen economy.”

140,000 sq ft office building in Leeds reaches completion

Tess Egginton
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140,000 sq ft office building in Leeds reaches completion
MRP’s City Square House, the new 140,000 sq ft office building next to Leeds Station, is now complete. Speculatively developed by MRP and built by McAleer and Rushe, 85 per cent of the major landmark is already let. The completion of City Square House is an integral part of the extensive public realm improvement works at City Square. The building’s high-profile tenants are global law firm DLA Piper, SME insurance specialist Markel and professional services consultancy Barnett Waddingham. Its doors were officially opened last night (Wednesday) at a grand reception with guests including the key partners and occupiers of the development. The workspace comprises Grade A office accommodation over 12-storeys including low carbon credentials, terraces on the 4th, 5th and 6th levels and extensive cycling, electric vehicle and e-bike charging point facilities. Angus Montieth, Development Director at MRP, said: “The practical completion of City Square House is a massive milestone to celebrate. We have created the best-in-class prime office development in Leeds, unrivalled in its location and with sustainability and wellbeing at the heart of its design. It boasts an impressive tenant community and we are confident that we will set a new prime rent in Leeds of £40 per sq ft. “It’s been an amazing journey and a huge collaborative effort to turn the dream of a magnificent Leeds city centre office building into reality. It is the final piece of the City Square regeneration plan and a significant investment and vote of confidence in the city. “I’d like to thank Leeds City Council, who have backed our vision from the very start and have been so supportive, our construction partners McAleer & Rushe, our quality occupiers, who vindicated our decision to develop the building speculatively, and Eamon Fox of Knight Frank, the sole letting agents. They have all played their part in the astounding success of City Square House, which is now an integral part of both the Leeds business quarter and the city’s skyscape.” Jonathan O’Neill, Senior Director at Design & Build contractors McAleer & Rushe, added: “City Square House has been an exciting, challenging and rewarding project for us. Now this iconic building is completed, we are so proud. There’s no doubt that City Square House is a magnificent addition to the built environment in Leeds city centre and a symbol of the city’s thriving economy.” Eamon Fox, partner and head of office agency at global property consultancy Knight Frank in Leeds, who advises MRP, said: “It is tremendous to see the completion of this flagship building, which provides a very genuine cause to be optimistic about the commercial property sector in Yorkshire. We expect this strong demand for the best workspace will continue. “City Square House is the iconic new office development that the Leeds market has been waiting for. It underlines the fact that Leeds is now one of the most flourishing regional cities, not just in the UK, but in Europe.”

Fresh prepared food firm acquires humous brand

Tess Egginton
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Fresh prepared food firm acquires humous brand
Bakkavor Group, the provider of fresh prepared food with a number of sites in Lincolnshire, has acquired Moorish, the UK humous brand. The Moorish brand was founded in 2012 by Julie Waddell and the product range includes the award-winning, UK-first, smoked humous. Today Moorish products are distributed across a number of major supermarket outlets and independent retailers, with revenue of over £2m. Moorish will sit alongside other brands that Bakkavor is working with, including Pizza Express, The Delicious Dessert Company, The Pizza Company and more recently Pinch. The Managing Director of Moorish, Andy Atherton, will remain in a consultancy role to support the brand transition to Bakkavor’s new ownership. Julie Waddell, founder of Moorish, said: “Since starting from my kitchen table in 2012, it’s been quite a journey to see the business grow into what it is today. I’m incredibly proud of what Moorish has achieved and have thoroughly enjoyed growing the brand and product range from scratch to success with my team. “I feel very fortunate that for the last 12 years my job has been to create innovative, delicious products that are loved by consumers across the UK. In Bakkavor, there are so many great opportunities still to explore with the brand and I will enjoy watching Moorish flourish as the new owners take it to the next level.” Mike Edwards, CEO of Bakkavor Group plc, said: “The high-quality, innovative Moorish products will be a great addition to our existing brands and will complement our existing dips business. “The Moorish brand has so much more potential than just humous and we are excited about expanding it into other relevant Bakkavor categories in the future. We’d like to congratulate Julie, Andy and the team on the great brand they have built and are looking forward to it growing further under our ownership.” A corporate finance team from Dow Schofield Watts’ Leicester office led by partner Harry Walker, director Fahim Kassam and associate director Daniel Chouciño, together with a legal team from Gunnercooke in Leicester led by Jahid Ali, advised the shareholders of Moorish. Bakkavor Group plc were advised by a team from Gowling WLG’s Birmingham office, led by Chris Towle and Andreea Serban. Commenting on the deal, Harry Walker added: “We’re really pleased to have found a fantastic partner for Moorish moving forwards. Working with Julie, Andy and the team to prepare the business for sale and then identify the right home has been a pleasure. We are looking forward to seeing Moorish in even more outlets in the future and continuing to enjoy their amazing products!”

Digital Tech Hub to accelerate growth of sector in Doncaster

Tess Egginton
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Digital Tech Hub to accelerate growth of sector in Doncaster
The City of Doncaster is rapidly becoming recognised for its industry expertise around Artificial Intelligence, with the work of established Doncaster businesses providing a solid foundation for taking the next step towards an ambition to be a centre of excellence for AI.
To enable this, City of Doncaster Council is building a new flagship digital tech hub to be a catalyst for driving wider inward investment and growth in this key sector; securing industry leader, and Doncaster firm, Automated Analytics as a founder member. The development will sit at the heart of Doncaster’s City Gateway area, adjacent to Doncaster Railway Station. It will be funded through the Doncaster Town Deal fund and overseen by the Town Deal Board, a sub-group of the new City Centre board. Work is expected to start on site in early 2025, with completion expected mid-2026. The establishment of a new specialist digital tech hub will drive sector growth by acting as a magnet for leading digital and tech companies looking for opportunities to scale and grow their business to locate in Doncaster. Its city centre location provides these businesses with an advantageous opportunity to tie-in with Doncaster’s education and skills provision and utilise fast rail connections to the UK’s major cities. In addition, the innovative building design will enable businesses and entrepreneurs to co-locate with other likeminded businesses and industry leaders to collaborate, develop local supply chain opportunities, access local, regional, and national business support provision, and strengthen industry links with education and skills provision. Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones, said: “Our city is rapidly becoming recognised for its industry expertise around Artificial Intelligence, and I am keen to build this momentum and drive forward our ambition to regenerate our city centre and develop our economy for the 21st century. “This is an exciting time for Doncaster city centre, with work taking place across several key areas and I look forward to seeing businesses across the city and region take advantage of this state-of-the-art facility. “I recently updated my priorities going forward, including to regenerate our City Centre for the 21st century – working with South Yorkshire Police to create a Safer Doncaster, tackling crime and anti-social behaviour, continuing to push for more culture, leisure, education, hospitality, residential and health services within our city centre which should increase footfall, and supporting the retail sector and promoting enterprise.” Tariq Shah, Chair of the new City Centre Board for Doncaster, said: “This is a new era for the city of Doncaster. With the city beginning to be at the forefront of the digital and technology sector, more businesses across the region are beginning to see the benefits of basing themselves in the city. “With the announcement of a new Digital Technology Hub for Doncaster, we will have the capabilities to do just that, hosting industry leading businesses who will bring expert knowledge, innovation and enhance the city’s reputation further.” Paul Senior, Chair of the Town Deal Board, said: “I am excited to hear that before the hub has even come to life it is attracting excitement from across the region. Embracing the future of technology – with AI at the heart of it – is the direction of travel for all of us across the nation and none more so than in the digital and tech sector. “It is important that as a city we remain forward thinking and I am excited to see what the future holds in this sector for the City of Doncaster.” Mark Taylor, Automated Analytics – A Doncaster AI Business and a founder business, said: “Doncaster is a city on the cusp of becoming the UK’s leading destination for innovative digital and technology businesses to locate and grow. “The new digital tech hub will enable businesses to bring their trailblazing work in the development and adoption of Artificial Intelligence to a global customer base and put Doncaster firmly on the map. I look forward to being a part of this new era for the city of Doncaster.”

General Election called July 4th

Michael Fisher
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General Election called July 4th
Rishi Sunak has announced a snap election to take place on July 4th. While rumours had been abound of an election being called sooner rather than later, Rishi Sunak insisted that an election would not take place until the second half of the year – which July 4th falls into by a very small margin.    

Council names contractor for new southern junction on M181 near Scunthorpe

Stuart Pearcey
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Council names contractor for new southern junction on M181 near Scunthorpe
A multi-million-pound contract has been awarded to Leeds-based Esh Construction to develop a new southern junction on the M181. Esh is due to start work at the end of next month, and to have the job done by spring next year. Steven Garrigan, the company’s Divisional Director, said: “This contract award builds on the success of our work delivering the northern junction, which we completed in 2021. “Throughout the scheme there will be opportunities for the local supply chain, delivering employability and engagement sessions within schools and colleges, funding towards charitable causes, as well as offering work experience and training opportunities for those keen to gain an insight into the industry.” The council says the development will mean reduced congestion at Berkeley Circle, cutting commuting times to and from Scunthorpe and unlocking land for new homes. North Lincolnshire Council leader Rob Waltham said: “Over the last few months, we have met ministers and officials to enable the council to start this new development, the second major investment in the motorway in recent years. “This is a vital piece of infrastructure that will improve connectivity for residents. Its impact will be felt by drivers using Berkeley Circle, commuters coming from Bottesford, Ashby and Messingham, and the people living in Burringham.” North Lincolnshire Council is leading the project with cash from the Government through National Highways.

West Yorkshire teams up with businesses to speed journey to net zero

Stuart Pearcey
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West Yorkshire teams up with businesses to speed journey to net zero
West Yorkshire is set to become “greener, quicker” thanks to a new partnership between the public and the private sector, says Mayor Tracy Brabin. The West Yorkshire Strategic Climate and Environment Partnership was announced at the major international investor conference, UKREiiF. It will see the re-elected West Yorkshire Mayor team up with four major private sector firms to accelerate delivery of the region’s net zero plans. The four firms which make up the new climate partnership with the Mayor are:
  • Centrica, the owner of British Gas and energy supplier to over 10 million homes and businesses
  • Daikin, the multinational heating and cooling manufacturer
  • SSE, the leading clean energy company
  • Sustainable Building Services, one of the UKs largest retrofitters of homes.
The companies will work alongside the Mayor on targeted activity to deliver green skills, decarbonise homes and businesses, and put the region on the path to net zero carbon by 2038. In return, the firms will benefit from the Mayor and Combined Authority’s influence and leadership on climate and the environment, giving them the confidence to invest in West Yorkshire at scale. Tracy Brabin said: “We will not deliver net zero without bringing the private sector with us. This groundbreaking new partnership will help us become greener, quicker and deliver net zero at scale and at speed, cutting energy bills in a cost of living crisis, and building a brighter region for future generations.” The Combined Authority will also deepen its relationship with the Green Finance Institute, Leeds Building Society, and the Energy Saving Trust. The three organisations will advise and support the Mayor to deliver on her most recent election pledges. Mayor Brabin has promised to put in place a programme to retrofit every social home in West Yorkshire, and to set-up a retrofit “one-stop-shop” to help every household reduce their energy bills. Leeds Building Society’s Senior Strategy Manager, Nicola Glover, will be working closely with the Mayor over the next three months to explore the financial options for West Yorkshire residents to deliver retrofit work that improves the energy efficiency of their homes and reduces their energy bills.

HullBID names trio of speakers for Inspiring People dinner

Stuart Pearcey
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HullBID names trio of speakers for Inspiring People dinner
Natasha Barley, Paul Anderson, and David Kilburn are to speak at HullBID’s Inspiring People dinner at The Deep on Wednesday June 5th. Natasha is the CEO of the Sailors’ Children’s Society, a Hull-based national charity supporting families of seafarers in times of crisis such as a bereavement, diagnosis of an illness or family breakdown.
Paul Anderson
Natasha Barley
Paul became Chief Constable of Humberside in 2023 and has been an officer for over 33 years, with experience across the ranks from community and investigative posts through to specialist operations. Paul has continued the force’s remarkable journey from being in special measures just six years ago to achieving an “outstanding” rating in six out of nine categories in a report released last November by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services. David founded MKM Building Supplies in 1995, alongside close friend Peter Murray, and has grown the business to more than 100 branches across the UK. He still plays an active role in the company. Kathryn Shillito, HullBID Executive Director, said: “Our Inspiring People dinner has become one of the big attractions of Humber Business Week and we are delighted this year to present three very individual and highly regarded speakers from the private, public and charity sectors, who will entertain and inspire. “Natasha, Paul and David are all prominent, successful and engaging figures with some fascinating stories to tell.” The dinner will take place from 6.45pm until 10.30pm. Admission is free and priority will be given to businesses in the HullBID area, but additional tickets may be available on a reserve list for non-BID members.

Glenbrook named as preferred bidder for South Bank site in Leeds

Stuart Pearcey
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Glenbrook named as preferred bidder for South Bank site in Leeds
Property company Glenbrook has been chosen by Leeds City Council as the preferred bidder for a 0.18-hectare plot in the heart of the city’s South Bank. Subject to sale of the site and planning permission being granted, it will be home to a high-quality residential scheme that will include affordable housing. Daniel Roberts, development director at Glenbrook, said: “The opportunity at Meadow Lane builds on our existing development pipeline in the city and we look forward to collaborating with our public sector partners to deliver more high-quality housing in the city centre.” The site was created as part of a recent transformation of Meadow Lane by the council that involved the reconfiguration of the highway, the removal of the old Hunslet Lane surface car park and the laying out of green space. The new building would, it is anticipated, complement existing landmarks such as the David Oluwale Bridge and the Hibiscus Rising sculpture, and also act as an impressive linking point between the nearby Aire Park development and the rest of the city centre. Revenue from the sale would be welcomed by the council, which is currently facing unprecedented budget pressures. Coun James Lewis, leader of Leeds City Council, said: “We’re determined to do whatever we can to help unlock major residential and commercial developments, including new affordable housing, across the South Bank and the rest of the city centre. “The value of such an approach is underlined by the new use planned for this prime piece of land, which was opened up for potential purchase and development as part of our work to regenerate Meadow Lane and the surrounding area.” The site was marketed for the council by the Leeds office of global real estate firm Cushman and Wakefield. Running along the southern side of the River Aire, Leeds’s South Bank covers the equivalent of 350 football pitches.

Rushton Hickman complete deal within two months

Michael Fisher
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Rushton Hickman complete deal within two months
Rushton Hickman has successfully appraised, marketed and sold 114-116 High Street, Burton upon Trent on behalf of our client Great Central Properties Ltd, within a timeframe of just two months! Regional Contractors Ltd has acquired the freehold of 114-116 High Street, Burton upon Trent, with plans to redevelop the first floor into residential apartments and modernise the ground floor for retail purposes. Taylor Millington, the surveyor responsible for the transaction commented “It is always positive news when a transaction progresses swiftly, resulting in a mutually beneficial outcome for all parties involved.” “Given the significant amount of interest the property got within the first week, we were able to quickly negotiate a strong deal for our client along with an agreed quick turnaround.” Taylor continued “The property requires extensive redevelopment to transform it into a mixed-use investment, but this is something that Regional Contractors Ltd were happy to take on.  The modernisation of the retail shops will bring continued growth and addition to the busy high street and the repurposing of the upper floor into residential accommodation will help bring much needed homes to the market”. Our client, Great Central Properties Ltd commented, “I cannot express my sincere appreciation for the outstanding work the team at Rushton Hickman have done in marketing and facilitating the sale of our commercial property.”

Step forward for new Wakefield hotel

Tess Egginton
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Step forward for new Wakefield hotel
Wakefield Council’s plan to bring a brand-new purpose-built hotel to the city centre has moved a step closer. Interested hotel developers and operators can now submit their initial expressions of interest for the site of the old Westgate train station. The Council acquired the site of the old Westgate train station in 2023. A programme of preliminary works has been ongoing since then, including carrying out detailed ground surveys, to make sure the land is suitable for the proposed project. With all the groundwork now complete, the project has reached its next key milestone, and the site has been put out to market. Interested hotel developers and operators can now submit a selection questionnaire as the first part of the procurement process.

Cllr Michael Graham, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Growth, said: “I’m pleased to see this next phase of this project get underway. This is an excellent location for a brand-new hotel due to its convenient railway links and being close to some of the city’s most valuable cultural assets. I’m looking forward to seeing what proposals are put forward.”

The Council will create a shortlist of companies whose ideas and vision offers the greatest benefits for the people who live, work and visit the city. The site has already received a lot of interest from developers keen to invest in Wakefield, however, all interested parties must go through a formal procurement process, rather than contacting the Council directly. The Council are looking to confirm and appoint a developer to take this project forward into the build stage by January 2025. This is one of several projects in the Wakefield masterplan that together aim to transform the city centre into a thriving and culturally vibrant city.

Leeds office buildings fully let

Tess Egginton
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Leeds office buildings fully let
Following the completion of a series of deals, Wellington Place’s office space in its flagship 11 & 12 buildings are fully let less than a year after completion. The buildings have been hailed amongst the UK’s most sustainable commercial office space and have seen lettings from a host of well-known companies, including global accountancy firm EY, which is the latest business to announce its move to new offices having agreed to take 25,000 sq ft. The EY deal follows on from Lloyds Banking Group letting 124,000 sq ft at 11 & 12, marking the largest regional office transaction in the UK in 2023. Employee-owned consultancy Arup recently expanded into 36,000 sq ft of office space at 11 & 12, whilst British brand ghd (good hair day) has launched its new headquarters there. With commercial law firm Hill Dickinson and global real estate adviser JLL also having agreed deals at 11 & 12, a total of almost 230,000 sq ft of office space has been taken at the buildings since they were completed in spring last year. The connected 11 & 12 Wellington Place buildings total 254,879 sq ft and will also feature a gym, business lounge and ground floor leisure and retail spaces. Paul Pavia, head of development at MEPC, the developer and asset manager behind Wellington Place, said: “To have fully let the office space at 11 & 12 Wellington Place in such a short space of time is a fantastic milestone and one that we are rightly proud of. “As with all our new lettings, we faced tough competition from across Leeds, the Yorkshire region and beyond to attract these leading organisations to 11 & 12 Wellington Place. We have made no secret of our belief that the office remains an absolutely vital part of the economy and society and these deals further cement this view. “They also support the values first introduced at Wellington Place more than 15 years ago, to raise the bar in sustainable development, to offer a socially cohesive and community-focused environment that people want to be a part of, and to use urban regeneration to support positive social impact.”

Preferred developer named to transform Old Medical School into health tech innovation hub

Tess Egginton
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Preferred developer named to transform Old Medical School into health tech innovation hub
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust has announced Scarborough Group International (SGI) as the preferred developer to transform its historic Old Medical School into a globally recognised health-tech innovation hub. The proposed agreement to acquire and refurbish the grade II*-listed building represents the first phase in the delivery of the Innovation Village, a world-class cluster for science, innovation and technology surrounding the new hospital development at Leeds General Infirmary. The Innovation Village is a transformational project encompassing more than 2.2m sq ft of development which will create up to 4,000 new jobs, more than 500 new homes and an economic boost of £13bn for West Yorkshire. As part of its proposal, SGI has set out ambitious plans to create a “health-tech ecosystem” at the Old Medical School to encourage collaboration between clinicians, academics, researchers and entrepreneurs, supporting start-ups and scale-ups to grow and help transform the future of healthcare. It will build on the success of the trust’s Innovation Pop-Up, founded in 2021 to provide a front door for new and established businesses to partner with one of the UK’s largest teaching hospitals. SGI’s vision includes preserving the Old Medical School’s historic Tudor Gothic style while implementing contemporary enhancements to offer a dynamic and functional workspace. These includes laboratories, co-working spaces, offices and communal areas, along with a new atrium over the inner courtyard. Completed in 1894, the original red-brick building was designed by Leeds architect WH Thorp as the home to one of the first provincial medical schools in England. The building currently houses the trust’s pathology department, which is relocating to the state-of-the-art Centre for Laboratory Medicine at St James’s University Hospital. West Yorkshire Combined Authority has provisionally identified the Old Medical School as a major project set to benefit from the £160 million West Yorkshire Investment Zone. The project is expected to create 237 jobs. The site is within the Innovation Arc, a series of connected neighbourhoods formed around Leeds General Infirmary, University of Leeds, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds Arts University and the city’s West End. The proposed use for the Old Medical School is in line with the council’s strategy to create a world-class district for research and innovation west of the city centre, as set out in its Innovation Arc supplementary planning document. Leeds has one of the highest concentrations of health-tech employees in the UK and has the most high-growth health tech firms securing investment; the most health and care patents, strong demand for research and innovation skills and the highest proportion of bioscience undergraduates. Leeds Teaching Hospitals has a long track record of medical breakthroughs including the world’s first double hand transplant and the world’s first procedure using non-invasive sonic beam therapy to target and destroy cancer tumours. Its fully-funded new hospital development at Leeds General Infirmary will include a new adults’ hospital, a new home for Leeds Children’s Hospital, and the UK’s largest single-site maternity and neonatal centre. Property advisor Fox Lloyd Jones advised Leeds Teaching Hospitals during the marketing process for the Old Medical School.

Illustrations of Bradford’s City Village revealed

Tess Egginton
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Illustrations of Bradford’s City Village revealed
The first CGIs for Bradford City Village have been revealed, as momentum builds towards creating a sustainable residential neighbourhood in the heart of Bradford’s city centre. Built across the ‘Top of Town’ and Darley Street areas which includes the Oastler and Kirkgate Shopping Centres, the new City Village will repurpose what was historically Bradford’s commercial and retail area. It will create 1,000 homes, as well as independent retail and leisure opportunities, business spaces and a high-quality public realm. Bradford Council is developing the plans in partnership with ECF (formerly the English Cities Fund). The new CGIs reflect the latest development of the masterplan, which has been shaped and refined following feedback from hundreds of local people during the initial public consultation programme which ended in January 2024. Priorities from local people included more community amenities and services, a mix of housing types and more green spaces. Initial proposals, which are still to undergo further public consultation, currently include:
  • Oastler: This site could contain around 70 townhouses, with gardens and parking, and around 380 apartments. The buildings could range from four to six storeys, with the potential for one building to reach a maximum of ten storeys.
  • Kirkgate: This site is considered most appropriate for higher-density apartment living, with buildings set around attractive new courtyards. Around 400 new apartments could be accommodated, with lots of active ground-floor spaces for shops, places to eat and drink and other leisure uses. Potential building heights are still being explored.
  • Chain Street: This site could provide lower-density family housing in the form of modern townhouses, set around a new community green. Around 50 new townhouses could be accommodated, in a mix of two-four-bedroom properties with gardens and parking.
All three sites will include green spaces with three new community parks. On Kirkgate this will be in the form of a significant new linear park stretching along Darley Street, tentatively titled ‘Darley Park’.
Image credit: 5plus / Dematerial, 2024. Courtesy of Bradford Council
Bradford Council’s Lead Member for Regeneration, Transport and Planning Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw said: “City Village is the next stage of our ambitious regeneration programme to reshape our city centre. “Key projects like One City Park and Darley Street Market are now nearing completion and City Village shows the direction of the city centre for the next ten years – quality housing, more public spaces and a shift away from an over-reliance on traditional retail that has now changed forever with online shopping and changing customer habits. “This draft masterplan is a key step forward to unlocking the funding and investment required to deliver the necessary regeneration to Bradford city centre and provide jobs and opportunities to people across the district. “Our vision is to create a healthy, sustainable and community-friendly neighbourhood. While housing is at the heart of these plans, City Village will also create opportunities for new independent retail, cafes, bars and business spaces. “Bringing more homes into the city centre will also increase custom for the existing businesses on North Parade, where our recent investment shows what a sustainable, greener high street can look like.”
Image credit: 5plus / Dematerial, 2024. Courtesy of Bradford Council
ECF is a strategic joint venture between developer Muse, which has recently delivered the 56,400 sq ft One City Park office scheme in Bradford; investor Legal & General; and the government’s housing and regeneration agency, Homes England. Simon Dew, development director at ECF, explained: “Bradford is investing at an unprecedented level in its transport and public infrastructure to drive future success and realise its full economic potential. City Village is about responding to these new opportunities by balancing retail against other uses that will bring more people into the city centre. “City Village will transform Bradford and these latest plans reveal the current thinking, and we’re really keen to hear what people think about them. There is another phase of engagement planned and we’ll encourage everyone to look at the plans and have their say before the final masterplan is approved.” People will have another opportunity to have their say on the plans in Autumn this year. The planning application will be submitted in Spring 2025 and construction could commence later that year. The wider project team for Bradford City Village also includes 5plus Architects and re-form Landscape Architecture.
Image credit: 5plus / Dematerial, 2024. Courtesy of Bradford Council

University of Lincoln joins £3m campaign to drive midlands economic growth

Michael Fisher
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University of Lincoln joins £3m campaign to drive midlands economic growth
The University of Lincoln, UK, has joined a groundbreaking coalition of 17 universities, in support of a £3m international campaign which has been launched this week to drive economic growth in the Midlands. Each year, the University contributes more than £400 million to the local economy and has forged sustainable, long-term relationships with a diverse range of organisations. These global connections will be leveraged to attract inward investment into R&D, innovation and science. This important work supports the University’s ambitions laid out in its Strategic Plan 2022-27 – of being a university which contributes significantly to the success of the region and beyond. The campaign is led by Midlands Innovation and the Midlands Engine Partnership and hosted at Loughborough University, the Invest in UK University R&D – Midlands Campaign has been developed with a range of regional partners including the West Midlands Growth Company, Midlands Enterprise Universities and the East Midlands Freeport. It was launched at the UK Real Estate, Infrastructure and Investment Forum (UKREIIF), attended by nearly 13,000 investors, delegates and developers. The university consortium will showcase five sectors in which the Midlands is world-renowned for the strength of its research and innovation. International alumni, industry and university connections in six markets (Australia, Germany, Japan, Singapore, South Korea and the USA) will be drawn upon to engage investors and raise the profile of the Midlands. Vice Chancellor of the University of Lincoln, Professor Neal Juster, said: “The University of Lincoln is proud to be a member of this consortium whose aims align with, and further support, its commitment to driving economic growth and prosperity in the region and contributing significantly to the nation’s success through regional regeneration and international connectivity. “This campaign will help to redefine how academia works in partnership with industry, and we look forward to showcasing what the University of Lincoln has to offer. From its R&D equipment and facilities spanning a range of key disciplines such as agri-food, engineering, and life science technologies, we have a wealth of opportunities for collaboration with. “An example of this is the University’s sector-leading Lincoln Institute for Agri-food Technology, which was recently awarded the prestigious Queen’s Anniversary Prize for its work supporting the success and sustainability of the UK’s food and farming industries through innovations in research, education and technology.” Minister of State for Science, Research and Innovation, Andrew Griffith MP, announced an award of £1.5 million from the UK’s International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF) to support the campaign over the next two years, which has been matched by universities and regional partners. The Minister said: “The UK is home to world class research hubs and by bringing together the expertise and connections of universities, government and industry, we can bolster our efforts to win international investment into some of the Midlands’ strongest sectors.

Clegg Construction completes £9m care home near Tadcaster

Michael Fisher
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Clegg Construction completes £9m care home near Tadcaster
Contractor Clegg Construction has handed over a new 65-bedroom care home to Barchester Healthcare. The £9m Highfield Care Home at Barkston Ash in North Yorkshire is located on the former Scarthingwell Park Estate and replaces an ageing care home that had previously been on the site. The new two-storey facilities include lounge, dining and communal areas and will provide 24-hour residential care tailored to the individual in a warm, friendly, and modern environment, as well as specialist care for those living with dementia. Throughout the build, Clegg Construction consistently achieved high Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS) scores in testament to Clegg’s engagement with the local community, its approach to safeguarding the environment, and the protection of the workforce. Darren Chapman, operations director at Clegg Construction, said: “Highfield Care Home is situated in an idyllic location, with peaceful and picturesque surroundings which will provide future residents with a sense of well-being. It is less than five minutes away from Tadcaster and all the services and facilities that the town offers. “Clegg Construction is proud to have delivered such a wonderful scheme for Barchester Healthcare, which has a reputation for providing high quality, person-centred care services in superior care environments.” Clegg Construction has vast experience in managing the construction of new-build, state-of-the-art care and nursing homes across the country for a number of respected operators, delivering over 400 care home beds in recent times. As part of its commitment to engaging with the local community during the build of Highfield Care Home, Clegg Construction visited Barkston Ash Catholic Primary School to speak to pupils about how local flora and fauna have been protected during construction and also organised a bird box design competition. Clegg also donated fencing to a local residents’ group and wood to residents. More than 20 existing trees and hedgerows on the site, including a mature turkey oak, a sycamore maple, a Lawson cypress, and a hazel tree, were safely protected, and common pipistrelle bats found at the site were moved to a place of safety. The team on the Highfield Care Home scheme working alongside Clegg Construction included project manager and quantity surveyor Holden & Lee, architect Harris Irwin Architects, structural engineer Cameron Darroch Associates and M&E consultant Harniss. Senior Property Development Manager for Barchester Healthcare, Michael Coggin, said: “We’re now welcoming residents to our stunning new care home in Tadcaster. Not only will our residents have a home set in beautiful grounds, the new home will also offer a range of job prospects boosting employment in the neighbouring areas. We look forward to showcasing our home to the local community, if anyone has questions about care please do come and see us.”
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