New year brings new home for chartered accountants in Newark
Chartered Accountancy firm Wright Vigar has relocated to a new office space in the centre of Newark in response to sustained growth.
The new office at Morton House in the town’s Appleton Gate offers expanded space in a more central location to allow them to be in the heart of the business community. The decision to relocate was driven by the company’s remarkable growth trajectory and the need for a larger, more accessible space to accommodate the expanding team and to better serve its ever-increasing client base. The new office’s central location is strategically chosen to be more convenient and accessible for staff, clients and business partners with parking accessible from Bede House Lane.
Director Paul Colcomb said: “We’re thrilled about the opportunities this relocation brings. It’s a testament to the hard work of our team and the trust our clients have placed in us. This move allows us to expand our team and better serve the local community,” said at Wright Vigar.”
Starting as a partnership, Wright Vigar have been providing accountancy, audit and taxation services for over 40 years. During that time the practice has grown the number of offices and increased their extensive range of services and expertise to support private clients and businesses across all sectors. Wright Vigar provide a personal relationship-based service whilst having the expertise through the depth of their team to provide all the specialist services expected of a large practice.
Learners and employers are celebrated at awards event
Hull Training and Adult Education presented 19 awards at its annual Learner Awards, recognising the achievements of adult learners, apprentices and employers.
Cllr Linda Tock, Hull City Council’s portfolio holder for Hull Training, said: “It was fantastic to see everyone connected to HTAE come together to celebrate yet another successful year.
“HTAE is an invaluable service which helps to secure a positive and sustainable future for Hull through decisive leadership and the development of inclusive partnerships and communities.
“It is only right that those who work so hard to make HTAE so efficient and are recognised.”
The award winners iwere:
- Business and Management Apprentice of the Year – Harvey Taylor (sponsored by TLJ Access Control)
- Community Learning Achievement of the Year – Holly Cryan
- Construction Apprentice of the Year – Erin Symons (sponsored by Simpson (York))
- Engineering Apprentice of the Year – Angel Doherty (sponsored by Swift Group)
- Functional Skills apprentice of the Year – Ka Chu
- Construction Achievement of the Year – Holly Jordan (sponsored by Intertech Contracts UK)
- Construction Achievement Award – James Taylor, Brad Stone, Ryan Donkin, Callum Manning
- ESOL Achievement of the Year – Olha Mykhalchenko
- Achievement of the Year (Overcoming Barriers) – Amelia Wilson (sponsored by Connexin Academy)
- Vocational Achievement of the Year – Janet Short and Chris Fox
- Higher Engineering Award – Richard Cartwright (sponsored by MACH Machine Tools Ltd)
- Higher Business and Management Award – Shaun Butcher
- Speaker on her Apprenticeship Journey – Georgie Roberts from Hull City Council’s Employment Hub
- Signmaking Apprentice of the Year – Daniel DeVries (sponsored by Matt Vinyl Graphics)
- Skills Bootcamp Achievement of the Year – David Eastburn (sponsored by Ideal Heating)
- Hull City Council Apprentice of the Year – Abbie Kudla
- Partner of the Year – Connexin
- Employer of the Year – Swift Group (sponsored by Geo Houlton & Sons)
- HTAE Apprentice of the Year – Angel Doherty (sponsored by Connexin)
Countryside Partnerships secures contract to build affordable Barnsley homes
Countryside Partnerships, the mixed-tenure developer, has secured a contract with housing provider The Guinness Partnership to build 40 affordable homes in Shafton, Barnsley.
The site, owned by Homes England, has lain vacant for a significant period of time, but it will now be transformed into a 100% affordable development providing detached and semi-detached houses and terraces made up of two, three and four bedroom homes, as well as two bungalows.
The site marks the third collaboration between Countryside Partnerships’ Yorkshire business and The Guinness Partnership, building on their developments at Foxhill in Sheffield, where 167 affordable homes have been delivered, and at Jossey Lane in Doncaster, where 86 homes are under construction, 41 of which are for Guinness.
Andrew Poyner, Managing Director of Countryside Partnerships Yorkshire, said: “This site has a long history and we’re delighted to see it finally moving forward in partnership with Guinness.
“Our shared commitment to providing high-quality, mixed-tenure housing across the region is evident, having already delivered over 200 affordable homes together. This new development will transform a previously redundant space that has long been earmarked for development into a vibrant community.”
Angela Garrard, Development Director (North) at The Guinness Partnership, said: “We are pleased to continue working with Countryside Partnership to bring much needed high-quality affordable homes to the area, as part of Guinness’s commitment to development in Barnsley, and South Yorkshire.”
Look out for changes in childcare funding for working parents, say out-of-school club owners
The owners of award-winning out-of-school club Roboodles have urged parents of young children in North Yorkshire to ensure they benefit from national changes to funding for childcare from next April.
Roboodles is an independent breakfast and after school club operating from the premises of Roecliffe Church of England Primary School in Boroughbridge.
Run by Lianne Conroy and Claire Bennett, 51 children attend the club, which is more than half of the children at the school. Last year, it won the “Out of School Club of the Year 2023” award and was highly commended in the “Team of the Year” and “Mental Health and Wellbeing 2023” categories organised by Club Central.
Lianne Conroy said: “We feel the changes recognise the crucial support that our sector provides to working parents and the economy.
“By the government making available the potential for some grant funding, we hope this will help providers play a vital part in filling the gaps where current wraparound care is oversubscribed, limited in availability or missing altogether.”
Currently there is funded childcare available for families of two-year-olds who are in receipt of some additional form of government support. This will not change and families should continue to apply for government funding through our online application form.
However, from April this year, working parents of two-year-old children may be able to access 15 hours of funded childcare. Eligible working families can start to apply for this entitlement.
The changes include:
- From April 2024, eligible working families of two-year-old children will be entitled to up to 15 hours of government-funded childcare per week (based on 38 weeks per year).
- From September 2024, potentially eligible working families will be eligible to up to 15 hours of government-funded childcare the term after their child has turned nine months old (based on 38 weeks per year).
- From September 2025, when all the changes have been introduced, eligible working families with children under the age of five years will be entitled to up to 30 hours of government-funded childcare (based on 38 weeks per year).
To qualify for the new government childcare funding, parents/carers must:
- Be in work.
- Earn a minimum of the equivalent of 16 hours a week at the national living or minimum wage.
- Earn less than £100,000 a year.
This applies to both parents in a couple (so each parent must fit the criteria) and to single parents in a single parent household. Parents must meet the working family criteria to be eligible for the government funded childcare entitlement.
Executive member for education, learning and skills, Cllr Annabel Wilkinson, said: “Changes to childcare will mean many more families in North Yorkshire may benefit from a funded place for their children. It is vital for potentially eligible working parents and carers of two-year-old children start planning now if they are going to take up the Government’s offer of funded childcare from April, especially as all government funding starts the term after a child’s eligible birth date.
“We are also urging providers to prepare for the changes so that they can meet any extra demand for places.”
West Yorkshire’s creative industries set for support boost
New initiatives to boost West Yorkshire’s creative industries will be launched later this month, following investment from Mayor Tracy Brabin.
The £2.3 million support package, approved by leaders in July, aims to grow the sector as part of the region’s new ‘You Can Make It Here’ programme.
It includes business and skills training to support freelancers, help for creative businesses to increase their exports, and investment for venues to become more accessible to disabled artists and audiences.
The package includes £520,000 of funding from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport for the ‘Create Growth’ programme, to drive equity investment in creative industries businesses.
More opportunities for young people from disadvantaged groups to break down the barriers and secure employment in television and film production roles will also be introduced, through an extension of support for the Mayor’s Screen Diversity Programme, run by Screen Yorkshire.
This will help creative sector businesses to develop a more diverse pool of skilled people to take on the specialist roles needed across the region. The sector is booming and the number of creative job opportunities advertised in West Yorkshire grew three times faster than the national average last year.
The investment into these new initiatives cements the Mayor’s commitment to support freelancers that were excluded from receiving support during the pandemic, as well as her election pledge to deliver a ‘Creative New Deal’ for the region.
Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin said: “Our creative industries and freelancers have had a rough ride over the last few years, so we’re stepping up to ensure they’re fully supported.
“It’s an exciting time for culture in West Yorkshire and I want everyone to have the chance to unleash their potential. Culture drives growth, and devolution has given us this incredible opportunity to build a stronger, brighter West Yorkshire that works for all.”
With the region’s ‘Years of Culture’ now in full swing and Leeds 2023 and Kirklees Year of Music inspiring thousands, the baton has been passed to Wakefield and Calderdale for 2024.
Leader of Wakefield Council, Cllr Denise Jeffery said: “This support package has come at a really important time as we gear up for Our Year – Wakefield District 2024, a huge 366-day programme of cultural and heritage activity.
“We have some exciting events and activities lined up and this funding offers a real boost to our plans. It will provide support for local creative individuals and businesses, helping them to grow and take advantage of the opportunities Our Year will bring, as well as building quality employment opportunities for our residents into the future.”
Chief Executive Officer of The Piece Hall Trust, Nicky Chance-Thompson DL MBE said: “These new initiatives are timely and very welcome. There’s a great pool of untapped talent across the region which these programmes will help identify and provide opportunity to nurture. With West Yorkshire establishing itself as a creative hotspot, now’s the time to move up a gear in offering these skills to local people.”
West Yorkshire’s ‘Years of Culture’ campaign is a collaborative approach between the Mayor and the five district leaders to celebrate creativity in the region, building momentum for Bradford UK City of Culture 2025.
Local business leader appointed to help steer £20m Barnsley investment project
Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council have announced local business leader Edward Naylor has been appointed to chair a new board to help plan almost £20m investment into Barnsley.
The government announced in October a new Long-Term Plan for Towns which aims to bring together community leaders, businesspeople, and local bodies to forge their town’s future together. This is supported by £20m investment over ten years from the government.
The government has stated this money must be spent in the historic ‘Barnsley Town’ area which includes the town centre and some surrounding residential areas, and a plan for how to spend the money needs to be drawn up by summer 2024.
A new board is being developed to help steer this work and Edward Naylor has been appointed to lead it.
Edward is Chief Executive and majority shareholder of Naylor Industries plc, a Barnsley-based fourth-generation family manufacturing business, whose seven factories include sites in Cawthorne, Wombwell and Barugh Green. The original company was established in 1890 as a manufacturer of clay drainage pipes, but the company has since diversified and grown to become a global provider of plastic and concrete products – primarily for construction – employing some 400 people.
The board will also include other local business leaders, as well as representatives from local charities and community groups.
The criteria of the funding require it to be spent across three key themes, which include:
- Safety and security – this may include measures to tackle crime and antisocial behaviour, while increasing footfall and activity in the town centre.
- High streets, heritage and regeneration – this could help diversify the use of buildings as part of the ongoing changing use of town centres, helping increase the attractiveness and accessibility of the town centre and supporting business.
- Transport and connectivity – this can help fund highways infrastructure projects as well as increasing active travel solutions to encourage more people to travel on foot, by bicycle, wheelchair or scooter.
Development of the board will be continuing in the new year, and it is hoped the first board meeting will take place in March 2024. A town plan outlining how the board intends to use the money will be completed by the end of Summer 2024.
Estate agency packs hampers for charity supporting the homeless
Employees at Dacre, Son & Hartley packed more than 30 Christmas bags with everything from teabags and tinned veg to biscuits and toothpaste for Leeds-based charity Homeless Hampers, which distributed them within the homeless and less fortunate communities across Leeds, Bradford, and Wakefield.
The company also hosted a Christmas jumper day across its 20 North and West Yorkshire offices to raise additional funds for Homeless Hampers, which provides hampers of essentials to people in shelters or on the streets, as well as boosting engagement with those in need.
Ben Hollings, from the firm’s Skipton office, said: “We are always keen to support local charities that make a genuine difference to people’s lives and with several of our other offices already working with Homeless Hampers, we decided Christmas was the perfect time for our Skipton team to get involved as well.
“We collected a vast range of food staples and toiletries and packed them all into hampers so that the charity could immediately distribute them. Hopefully they will help to bring some festive cheer to people in need, as well as highlighting that they’re not forgotten and we’re already looking at how we can continue to support Homeless Hampers in 2024.”
Tina Suryavansi from Homeless Hampers said: “It makes a difference when companies like Dacres collect and donate food, as it means we can pull together even more food parcels than usual. We already have various companies that support us regularly, whether that be donating food and drink, offering drop-off points, or allowing us to store our donations in a secure place – but we are always keen to find more! Individuals can also help by attending the weekly outreaches or organising collections, and we are also always looking for people who are willing to spend time with our service users, filling in forms for example.”
Dacres also previously made two significant financial donations to Saint Michael’s Hospice and The Immanuel Project, a Bradford-based charity that helps vulnerable and homeless people.
New plans to transform ageing leisure centre site
A leisure centre site could be transformed into a state-of-the-art sports and wellbeing hub under plans announced by Leeds City Council.
The council has had long-standing ambitions for Fearnville Leisure Centre in Gipton to be replaced with a facility that is fit for the 21st century.
This could soon become a reality, with good progress being made towards identifying funding for a scheme that would deliver a significant boost to communities facing sizeable social and economic challenges.
The council’s plans would see a new wellbeing centre being built on part of the King George V Playing Fields, a 28-acre green space that is home to the current Fearnville facility.
Indoor amenities would include a large main swimming pool, learner pool, sports hall, fitness studios, spin room and a 120-station gym as well as a community café and adventure play area.
Major improvements would also be made to Fearnville’s outdoor offer, with an all-weather pitch, tennis courts, skatepark and play zone among the proposed features.
Tree-planting and soft landscaping would increase the site’s biodiversity, with insects, birds and other wildlife giving people fresh opportunities to get in touch with nature.
Local demand for sports and leisure facilities is set to grow in the coming years, with thousands of new homes planned through the East Leeds Extension and related development sites.
An application for planning permission for the wellbeing scheme has been submitted by the council and, if approved, it is hoped that work could get under way in the middle of 2024.
The existing centre would remain open while the new facility takes shape on a part of the site that at present is occupied by a disused artificial football pitch. Then, once construction is complete, the current building – which dates back to the 1980s – would be demolished.
The bulk of the funding for the scheme is proposed to be sourced from a mix of external grant support, the council’s capital programme and developer contributions.
Construction of Huddersfield’s ‘Our Cultural Heart’ to begin this Summer
Kirklees Council’s Cabinet have approved plans to start construction on the first phase of Our Cultural Heart, which is part of its strategy to unlock new jobs and economic growth.
In addition to facilitating the delivery of Phase One, the released funds of £51.7m will also kickstart work on Phase Two of the masterplan, including site exploratory works, and the process of finding the design team and construction contractor.
Planning for the Our Cultural Heart masterplan, which is the flagship development within the council’s wider Huddersfield Blueprint vision, was approved earlier in 2023. Since then, work to refine the design and delivery programme has been progressing.
The cabinet approval allows for the finalisation of the Phase One design, the appointment of BAM Construction as the lead contractor, and full delivery of Phase One – beginning June/July.
This first phase of the masterplan will concentrate on the major refurbishment of the historic former Queensgate Market building, which will be transformed into a vibrant new food hall. A brand-new library will be incorporated within the existing east wing of the same building, with a new glass-fronted extension to the north.
Both the food hall and new library will directly feed out to a new public square, with the connecting space perfectly suited to outdoor cultural events and gatherings.
The latest plans for the second phase of Our Cultural Heart will see a new art gallery and museum brought together under one roof in the striking Grade II Listed building off Princess Alexandra Walk, which previously housed the town’s library.
Combining these offers into one facility provides a more cost-effective development option, while also freeing up the plot of the proposed new building on Queen Street, which was originally earmarked for the art gallery. The Council is currently in discussions with Greenhead College, which has expressed an interest in developing the site as a Further Education facility.
Councillor Graham Turner, Cabinet Member for Finance and Regeneration, said: “We’re delighted to have agreed the next key steps towards delivering Our Cultural Heart.
“This has obviously been a hugely challenging time for the Council. However, we are absolutely determined to deliver a brighter future for Huddersfield and the wider Kirklees borough.
“We have a number of transformational projects in the pipeline – including those we’ve recently secured Levelling Up Funding against. We remain 100% confident and committed in our belief that investment into Huddersfield town centre is the right approach. Standing still will only be detrimental to our town’s future and long-term prospects.
“The capital to deliver Our Cultural Heart has long been ringfenced and the business plan is extremely robust. It will increase the number of visitors to our town centre, safeguard key heritage assets, create new job opportunities, enhance our green credentials and act a catalyst for further economic growth.”
Levelling Up Funding to support restoration of Hull building for commercial unit and apartments
A heritage building in Hull city centre is to be restored to create a commercial unit and four apartments.
HU1 2AP Limited has been awarded £78,865.71 towards its project at 3 Parliament Street which will bring back into use over 300 sq m of unused floor space.
The grant is from Hull City Council’s government-backed Levelling Up Funding.
The project will also restore a Grade II listed building, with four one-bedroom apartments to be created over floors one to three for flexible use as either dwellings or holiday lets, above a ground floor commercial unit.
Listed building consent and change of use application have already been obtained for the scheme for which HU1 2AP Limited will be investing more than £184,000 of its own capital.
Cllr Paul Drake-Davis, the council’s portfolio holder for regeneration and housing, said: “It is pleasing that the council has been able to grant further Levelling Up Funding towards city centre regeneration.
“Hull has a shortage of city centre living and this applicant’s project will go towards alleviating that, as well as bringing in private capital.
“It is brilliant to hear that more unused floor space will be brought back into use, whilst also helping to restore another heritage building.”
2024 Business Predictions: Michael Porter, Senior Director, CBRE’s Valuation team in Leeds
It’s that time of year, when Business Link Magazine invites the region’s business leaders to offer up their predictions for the year ahead.
It has become something of a tradition, given that we’ve been doing this now for over 30 years.
Here we speak to Michael Porter, Senior Director within CBRE’s Valuation team in Leeds.
CBRE’s 2024 market outlook report indicates a nascent economic recovery expected in the second half of 2024. Investors are currently cautious and this sentiment is likely to continue into the early months of 2024. However, confidence should return once interest rates start to reduce and inflation declines.
The Bank of England has stated that the base rate is expected to remain elevated during 2024, although they are conscious that delays in rate cutting would dampen the general anticipated economic recovery over the next couple of years.
Investors interested in the Yorkshire market are likely to continue to prefer the living sectors which have, to date, been more resilient to recent economic pressures, and industrial assets are also likely to be favoured as an investment opportunity.
Commercial real estate will likely be more attractive in 2024, with investment prospects set to improve as value declines have stopped in some sectors and slowed in others.
Pricing across sectors appears to be stabilising with adjustments, particularly in the industrial and office sectors largely having taken place in the latter part of 2022 and throughout 2023.
It is also expected to be a year for opportunistic equity buyers or those with lower debt requirements and whilst a significant number of loan refinances are due during the year, the cost of debt is expected to fall and should improve the viability for buyers utilising debt. With higher yields now applying to office and retail stock, these assets could be favoured by contracyclical investors, seeking greater returns and accepting higher levels of risk for doing so.
Administrators appointed to Leeds-headquartered Communisis
Administrators have been appointed to Leeds-headquartered Communisis group, which specialises in the provision of transactional communications, procurement services and marketing execution to customers across the FMCG, retail and regulated markets.
The company employs just over 1,000 people in the UK and circa 200 overseas.
Mike Pink and Steve Absolom from Interpath Advisory were appointed joint administrators of Communisis Limited on 28 December 2023. At the same time, James Clark and Steve Absolom from Interpath Advisory were appointed joint administrators of Communisis UK Limited, Communisis Digital Limited and Communisis Data Intelligence Limited.
The group’s Brand Deployment (BD) business provides marketing and brand engagement services to some of the world’s biggest brands. Its Customer Experience (CE) business provides secure print and mailing services for the UK’s largest financial and public institutions, communicating to every household in the UK, and delivering c700 million information packs and 1.3 billion pages per annum.
The group, and the CE business in particular, had been experiencing challenging trading conditions for some time. The printing sector as a whole is witnessing inexorably declining volumes in the wake of the emergence of digital technologies, while the costs of production – including rising energy prices and the cost of paper – has also hit some companies across the sector hard.
A digital transformation programme which sought to improve Communisis’ legacy technology platforms proved to be more complex and costly than originally forecast.
In addition, in October 2023, the companies’ U.S. parent, OSG Group, announced it was to enter a Chapter 11 restructuring process which, once complete, would see Communisis Limited exit the OSG Group.
Communisis’ financial pressures were then further exacerbated by the loss of a number of customer contracts which resulted in excess capacity at certain of its sites.
Over recent months, the group has worked closely with its advisors, customers and stakeholders to explore a number of options which would enable the CE business to move forward on a more sustainable footing, including exploring options around a whole or partial sale. When it became clear that a solvent solution could not be found for CE, the directors took the decision to seek the appointment of administrators.
Immediately following their appointment, the joint administrators of the companies completed a sale of the shares of the BD business and certain assets of the CE business to Paragon Customer Communications (London) Limited.
The transaction includes the agencies Twelve and Editions and the point of purchase specialist, Vox Group. Paragon’s acquisition of certain assets of the CE business is primarily for the delivery of services for Lloyds Banking Group. This will see Paragon managing over 100 million communications to and from the bank’s customers annually.
The transaction safeguards the jobs of 581 people, including those working in the BD business across the globe.
In addition, 25 employees have transferred to new suppliers over recent months as customers have exited the Communisis platform.
However, with certain operations ceasing at the group’s facilities in Liverpool, Leeds and Cramlington, 638 employees have been made redundant.
Stephen Absolom, managing director at Interpath Advisory and joint administrator, said: “First and foremost, we recognise that this will come as a devastating blow to those Communisis workers who have been impacted by redundancy.
“Our immediate priority will be to work with all affected employees to ensure that the full range of support is available to them.
“We will be making contact with Communisis’ key competitors, customers and other companies who work in this space to enquire around possible employment opportunities for staff. We will collate all relevant information, including contact details such as telephone numbers and hotlines, and we will also be speaking as a matter of urgency with the Job Centre Rapid Response Unit.
“We are also liaising with the Insolvency Service in relation to the timing of redundancy payments via the Redundancy Payments Service.”
James Clark, managing director at Interpath Advisory and joint administrator, added: “The transaction with Paragon enables the historically profitable Brand Deployment business to move forward under new ownership, as well as ensuring the continuity of service to Lloyds Banking Group.
“The complexity of the Communisis business means that this transaction is the culmination of many months of hard work from a wide range of stakeholders. We’d like to thank each of them, in particular the Communisis workforce who have maintained service levels to customers under extremely challenging circumstances.
“In addition, the support and efforts of the Communisis’ customers, suppliers, as well as the Pensions Trustees and regulatory bodies have ultimately enabled this agreement with Paragon to be reached today.”
Yorkshire’s farm businesses prepare to celebrate Plough Sunday
Farm businesses and farming families producing food for the nation and managing Yorkshire’s countryside will be celebrated at Ripon Cathedral’s Plough Sunday Service, supported by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society.
All are welcome at the service on Sunday 14th January at the start of a new year which brings fresh opportunities and challenges for British agriculture.
For many farmers, 2024 means looking for the best ways to adapt to new government policies, and trialling and adopting increasingly innovative approaches to farmland management and food production.
It may also mean pursuing ways to secure their futures by diversifying what they farm and adding value through new ventures.
Farmers set out to do so during a period of uncertainty ahead, with a general election to come and unpredictable weather patterns amid the changing climate.
Allister Nixon, Chief Executive of farming charity the Yorkshire Agricultural Society said: “As crucial stewards of the nation’s precious food-producing landscapes, farming families will continue to have the support of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society whatever the year ahead brings.
“So, in time-honoured tradition, we partner with Ripon Cathedral for its Plough Sunday Service where blessings will be offered to those who farm the land. We wish our farmers and their families a productive and fulfilling 2024.”
As well as organising the 165th Great Yorkshire Show on Tuesday 9th to Friday 12th July, the Yorkshire Agricultural Society will offer events, training, bursaries and grants to support agriculture in the North of England throughout the year.
Plough Sunday is an ancient festival which was revived by the Victorians. Traditionally it is celebrated on the first Sunday after Epiphany.
In the Medieval period, when there was only one plough in each village, the village plough was brought into church for a blessing before ploughing began on Plough Monday, the first working day after the 12 days of Christmas.
In days when work was scarce in winter, the observance looked forward to the time of sowing with the promise of a harvest to come.
The Dean of Ripon, The Very Rev John Dobson, who will lead the service said: “We at Ripon Cathedral always rejoice in organising this service in partnership with the Yorkshire Agricultural Society.
“It is a highlight of the early months of the year, a great opportunity to celebrate the contribution made to the common good by those who farm and work in food production industries, as well as many within rural communities.
“We pray for God’s blessing on their efforts, as well as on our attempts to care for the environment. This is a service to which all are welcome.”
Survey predicts increases in turnover and price hikes
The percentage of firms expecting an increase in turnover over the next year has risen to the highest level since Q1 2022 when Covid restrictions were lifted, according to the latest Quarterly Economic Survey from the British Chambers of Commerce.
The data also reveals that more firms expect price hikes, ending the downward trend of the last two years.
The survey of more than 5,000 firms across the UK, most of whom are SMEs with fewer than 250 employees, also reveals business performance across different sectors varies considerably.
The percentage of respondents reporting increased domestic sales rose slightly to 36%, compared with 35% in Q3. Meanwhile, 22% reported a decrease and 42% said sales had remained constant.
There were significant sectoral differences. 46% of consumer services firms said they had seen a boost in sales, whereas 35% of hospitality companies and 28% of retailers saw a decrease.
The percentage of firms expecting to see their turnover increase over the next 12 months increased to 56%, from 53% in Q3. Only 15% of respondents are expecting to see their financial situation worsen in the year ahead, 29% expect things to remain the same.
Profitability confidence has also improved, with 47% of companies saying they expect profits to increase in the next year. That compares to 45% in Q3. 21% of respondents believe their profits will fall.
Despite inflation continuing to ease, more firms are expecting their prices to rise, compared with the last quarter. 47% of respondents are predicting an increase (compared with 41% in Q3), 49% think prices will stay the same, and just 4% are anticipating a decrease.
While inflation remains firms’ biggest concern (58%), a recent trend in rising worries over interest rates has eased. 39% of businesses say they are concerned about the cost of borrowing, compared with 41% in Q2 and 45% in Q3. These figures remain high compared with the pre-Covid trend.
David Bharier, Head of Research at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “The latest QES results show steadily growing confidence among UK SMEs, particularly compared to this time last year, when the UK was beset by a significant energy price shock and political instability.
“However, while it’s likely the UK will avoid a technical recession, these results provide more evidence of a very low growth climate as most SMEs continue to report no improvement to sales, cash flow, or investment.
“The data also reveal the disproportionate impacts of economic shocks on different types of businesses. Manufacturers, for example, are more likely to be exposed to the trade barriers established with Europe, while many firms in the retail and hospitality sector are reporting recessionary conditions.
“Businesses have been desperate for a clear long-term plan for growth from Government that addresses infrastructure, access to skills, and global trade.”
Shevaun Haviland, the BCC’s Director General, added: “Our data shows business confidence is growing, but real challenges remain in the coming year. Worries about interest rates and inflation remain at historically high levels, despite a slight easing of concern.
“The recruitment challenges many firms are facing underlines our calls for a skills plan from Government alongside an affordable immigration system.
“Investment continues to the Achilles’ heel for business. The Chancellor’s decision in his Autumn Statement to make full expensing permanent was very welcome. 2024 needs to be the year when companies are given further assistance to invest.
“In the noisy election year ahead, it is crucial politicians remain focused on growing the economy and helping businesses thrive.”
Duncan & Toplis Foundation donates £30,000 to charities
Since its launch in late 2022 the Duncan & Toplis Foundation has committing to giving more than £30,000 to charity, with benefitting organisations including
- Lincolnshire Agricultural Society
- Base 51
- Newark Book Festival
- Rainbows Hospice
- Children’s Bereavement Centre
- Sue Young Cancer Support
- Boston Girlguiding
- Beaumond House Hospice Care
- Tonic Health
- Kirton Youth Challenge
- The Respite Association
- Panathlon
Sowerby Developments completes 16-home development for Lace Housing
Contractors T.G. Sowerby Developments Ltd have completed a 16-home development in Scunthorpe for affordable housing association LACE Housing.
Designed by Cambridge-based Saunders Boston Architects, Collinson Court near Scunthorpe town centre will provide 16 affordable, safe and secure homes for people aged over 55.
The new development is of two 2-storey buildings, incorporating 16 one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments, as well as a communal lounge facility, mobility scooter store and enclosed private gardens.
James Bonsall, Director at T.G. Sowerby Developments Ltd, said: “With this scheme, Lace Housing has had an incredibly positive impact on the local area by transforming the site from what it was into a modern and attractive development, specifically designed for older people to live, and it has been a pleasure to work with them to achieve this.
“We’re extremely proud of the workmanship and quality of finish which our tradespeople have delivered on this project, which has also enabled us to sustain and create several apprenticeships with our firm, with trainee bricklayers, joiners and site managers all getting some of their first experiences of the construction industry here.
“We sincerely hope that all the residents of Collinson Court will be very happy in their new homes.”
The scheme is designed to aid and encourage access to the wider community and is located within easy reach of supermarkets, public transport, a doctor’s surgery, convenience stores and eateries.
Nick Chambers, CEO of LACE Housing Association, said: “We are dedicated to providing affordable, high quality homes for the Lincolnshire community, which are open to anyone over the age of 55. This scheme will provide much-needed affordable housing to support independent living for our older and vulnerable people.
“With our first residents having already moved in, I’m so excited to hear what they think of this excellent facility. We’d like to encourage anyone who is interested in moving to Collinson Court to get in touch with us via our website.”
To be eligible for LACE’s accommodation, residents will be required to meet certain criteria, including having a connection to the local area of North Lincolnshire.
HEY! Did you know broadening membership base had resulted in name change for business club?
The Business Culture Hull changed its name to reflect increasing membership from further afield.
MD Tony Bowler said: “Over the years we’ve had multiple business owners outside the HU1 to HU9 postcodes join our club, but its name suggests geographical limits that may put off some people outside the city. That’s why from 1st January 2024, we will be known as The Business Culture Hull & East Yorkshire, or HEY for short.”
The Business Culture HEY will enable businesses across the region to get involved in the club’s networking sessions, peer support programme, collaboration projects and inspiring events, including their very first ‘Business Expo’ scheduled for April this year.
“From the outset we have always embraced and welcomed new members from across the region, the only caveat is that they are willing to help and support their fellow members,” said Tony. “Our business community stretches from York and Driffield to Grimsby, Scunthorpe and Goole. By changing the name, we’re making it clear that businesses across Yorkshire are very welcome to join. A larger membership can only be a good thing for the group as a whole, as there will be more people to connect with and a richer variety of knowledge to tap into.”
“The Business Culture HEY is a family of like-minded businesses who share good news, advice and support with the central ethos of growth and connection,” said Tony. “From open networking and training sessions to VIP private dining clubs and industry-leading motivational speaker events, there’s a lot to be gained by becoming a member and engaging with our community.”
Founded in January 2016 by husband and wife team Tony and Michelle Bowler the organisation ws directed at Hull business owners and their employees, and now has 180 business members and over 6,500 individual members. Its popularity soon resulted in entrepreneurs, start-ups, sole traders, limited companies and charities further afield showing interest in becoming a member, which motivated the organisers to reassess the club’s name.
Jobs on the menu as plant-based firm opens ‘UK first’ site
Almost 70 jobs will be created after a plant-based food manufacturer moved into a huge new product development site.
MYCO Holdings will transform a former food manufacturing plant in Leeming Bar into a vertically farmed production unit. It will be the first site of its kind in the UK.
The North East-based firm hopes the move into the purpose-built 20,000 sq ft site will launch an exciting period of growth, amid an expected boom in sales of plant-based meat substitutes.
“This is a great move for MYCO, and one we all believe will help the business unlock its extraordinary potential,” said John Shepherd, co-founder and chairman of MYCO.
“This new site is a food industry first, and the concept of combining both the growing of the raw materials and the manufacturing of the finished product under one roof will pave the way for more sustainable food manufacturing practices in the future.”
MYCO’s own plant-based protein is made from oyster mushrooms and has already attracted interest from a host of household names across the food industry. And MYCO’s management team received a warm welcome when they took over the site in November – when they found mushrooms were already growing around the grounds!
Since then, the site’s been cleared in preparation for production to ramp up in the New Year. The move follows months of work with Judith Turner of North Yorkshire Council to secure the unit, which given its proximity to the A1, will further aid sustainability by reducing food miles.
To cope with the expected influx of demand, the six staff initially based at the new site will need to swell to around 75 over the forthcoming period.
According to the firm’s new CEO David Wood, the new unit helps future-proof the business while allowing the business to expand on multiple fronts.
“MYCO’s goal isn’t to turn the world into vegans but is to encourage meat-eaters to eat more sustainable plant-based products,” said David.
“We believe we can achieve this by having products that taste fantastic and are made with kitchen cupboard ingredients.
“The business believes that creating mouthwatering alternatives that resemble ‘proper’ food will make swapping from meat to plant-based substitutes far easier.
“This site will allow us to press on with that vision, whilst for the first time ever in the UK, giving customers the chance to choose genuinely sustainable, vertically farmed products.
“We hope our unique, sustainable approach can be mirrored by other food producers as ultimately, our biggest priority is to help the planet survive – we just hope we can play our part.”
Planning permission secured for up to 126 new homes in Bridlington
Keyland Developments Ltd, the property trading arm of Kelda Group and sister company to Yorkshire Water, has secured planning permission from East Riding of Yorkshire Council for a residential development of up to 126 affordable homes on land off Scarborough Road in Bridlington.
The 100% affordable housing scheme is on a circa 10-acre site, in a sustainable residential area, creating an extension to Bridlington.
Construction is planned for two, three and four-bedroom properties and an area of public space. New vehicular access will be created off the A165 Scarborough Road.
Matthew Turnbull, planning & development manager at Keyland Developments Ltd, said: “We are delighted to secure planning at Scarborough Road to increase the residential offering in Bridlington and provide new residents with a host of added benefits.
“The 100% affordable scheme will provide a significant boost to the provision of affordable housing in Bridlington, while the construction of the development could support around 211 jobs, generating a GVA of more than £10 million.”
Spinks secures funding to bring innovative spring tech to rail seating
Spinks, a Leeds-based spring manufacturer and components supplier to the mattress and furniture industry, has secured a £250,000 research contract to bring its EcoSeat™ spring technology to UK rail seating.
The research contract is being awarded by the Department for Transport and the UK’s innovation agency, Innovate UK, through the ‘First of a Kind’ (FOAK) 2023 funded research competition, and will be used to bring Spinks’ innovative pocket spring technology to the railway industry with the aim of improving overall passenger comfort and experience.
The research contract demonstrates the British manufacturer’s ability to provide innovation and cost-saving solutions which will help deliver new 100% recyclable rail seating that incorporates its patented glue-free pocket springs – a key component within mattress production for Spinks’ parent company, luxury mattress manufacturer, Harrison Spinks.
Commercial partner in the project, Quantum Seating – a Coventry-based rail seat manufacturer – will bring a wealth of knowledge to the development of longer lasting and 100% recyclable rail seats made using Spinks’ EcoSeat™ microcoils, plus integrating hemp, which is grown on the company’s 300-acre farm in Yorkshire.
The seats aim to be the most comfortable and sustainable rail seat and will be part of an existing Quantum Seating aluminium frame along with seat covers made with high wool content. With flammability standards difficult to meet with conventional foams, flame retardants and fire barriers are normally added to the seat construction, however this is not necessary with EcoSeat™.
Spinks and Quantum Seating are also collaborating with Angel Trains, which operates over 4,000 trains and represents more than one-third of the UK’s passenger rolling stock, specialising in innovative and sustainable rail vehicles. The project plans to integrate the innovative seating into new trains for a range of UK rail travel providers.
Darren Marcangelo, Managing Director at Spinks, said: “We’re honoured to have been awarded this funding from Innovate UK and feel it’s a significant milestone for the future of rail travel. Passengers will soon be able to travel on comfortable seating that’s been made here in the UK with safe, quality components, and manufactured with the environment in mind.
“The project is in addition to the recent automotive seating research contract for Spinks, working with a number of electric vehicle manufacturers to integrate microcoils into automotive seating. This new research contract solidifies our position within the transportation sector as we help these industries further reach their sustainability goals.
“We’re also proud to be partnering with Quantum Seating and Angel Trains on this ground-breaking project. Working together, we will provide rail seating which is comfortable, safer and circular, with longer operational life, helping to improve rail travel here in the UK and hopefully around the world.”
Simon Millward, Managing Director of Quantum Seating, said: “Improving seat comfort and environmental sustainability are two important factors that drive the engineering of our products and integrating the Spinks’ EcoSeat™ microcoils will help us achieve these goals.
“An added benefit will be to reduce the overall weight of our class-leading products which will also give environmental benefits to our customers. We look forward to developing this exciting new seat in conjunction with Spinks.”
This project is funded by the Department for Transport through the First of a Kind 2023 competition, delivered by Innovate UK.
