Logistics company MD scoops national industry award
Tony Prescott, MD of Hull-based GTS UK, has been named Logistics Leader of the Year at the 2023 Logistics UK Awards.
Tony, who launched the business in 2015, was awarded the prize for his work in founding the company, leading his team and developing client relationships.
Based in Springfield Way, Anlaby, but working across the globe, GTS UK employs 18 people who specialise in customs, intermodal, supply chain management, overseas and trucking.
He said: “I am so proud to have won this award which is recognised by peers in my industry. The win should also be viewed as recognition for my incredible team; they are a key part of my success and the continued growth of GTS UK.
“Winning this award is the cherry on the top of a really successful year, our best one yet, and I’m looking forward to further achievements in 2024!”
The Logistics UK Awards celebrate achievements in the road, rail, sea and air sectors as well as operators, manufacturers, logistics and support industries.
David Wells, chief executive of Logistics UK, said: “Our Logistics Awards showcase the skills, expertise and ‘can do’ spirit of our industry and this year’s entries really have gone above and beyond to achieve their objectives.
“All our winners can be justifiably satisfied that they are at the very top of their game – the crème de la crème if you will.”
2024 Business Predictions: Graham Self, principal enterprise architect at Axiologik
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 Graham Self, principal enterprise architect at Axiologik.
As 2024 unfolds, consumers will intensify their demand for personalised financial support amidst rising interest rates and inflation. Banks, vying for market share, will heighten competition with greater incentivisation and rewards to break traditional loyalty patterns. The Bank-as-a-Service model will gain traction, integrating financial products seamlessly into diverse applications beyond traditional banking settings. Larger banks with a global presence will offer connected global propositions, facilitating cross-border banking experiences. Catering to customers’ evolving lifestyle needs, financial institutions will forge partnerships to provide ethical, affordable, and personalised finance solutions, extending their reach far beyond conventional boundaries.
In 2024, neobanks will extend their success by diversifying product portfolios, and integrating lending, wealth management, and trading services while maintaining a focus on self-service. The agility of neobanks will make wealth management and trading more accessible to a broader audience. Simultaneously, legacy banks will compete by hyper-personalising products and services through AI-driven insights. Positioning themselves as ‘trusted advisors’, legacy banks will rebrand branches as specialist hubs, offering value-added services. While both neobanks and legacy banks move towards self-service, legacy institutions will leverage their unique advantage in supporting customers through economic challenges, emphasising personalised care.
The rush towards adopting AI is understandable, but it seems that the spotlight has been solely on the technology itself, causing organisations to overlook the actual outcomes AI is designed to achieve — the very reasons we embrace and find excitement in it. Looking ahead to the coming year, beyond the initial AI hype, we anticipate a notable pivot towards experience-led strategies, positioning AI as a facilitator rather than the focal point. Instead of viewing AI in isolation, businesses will emphasise the seamless integration of AI into processes, optimising workflows, and boosting overall efficiency. This paradigm shift reflects a more comprehensive perspective, recognising that the genuine value of AI lies not in its novelty but in its capacity to streamline operations, empower employees, and ultimately deliver an unparalleled and more efficient customer service experience.
Freedom Festival has boosted Hull’s economy by £4m, says new report
Freedom Festival Arts Trust events have boosted Hull’s economy by £4m, according to a new report that’s calculated the visitor spend.
Created as part of the bicentennial commemorations of the first anti-slavery Act of Parliament of 1807, Freedom Festival Arts Trust continues to celebrate William Wilberforce and his work within the abolitionist movement.
The city’s cultural highlights of the year; The Awakening in March and Freedom Festival in September attracted more than 172,000 people into Hull city centre and Bridlington for a one-day touring event.
The report’s findings show 90% of attendees expressed a good or very good experience, and 84% specifically planned their trip to partake in the festivities. The economic impact is equally impressive, with an average spend of £32.16 per head.
Local engagement in a world-class artistic programme has been a cornerstone of Freedom Festival Arts Trust’s mission, with 483 participants involved in 4 programmes, contributing a staggering 3,200 hours of rehearsal and performance time. From this, 85% reported heightened confidence and increased likelihood of participating in future cultural projects.
Cllr Mike Ross, Leader of Hull City Council said: “The Freedom Festival has grown beyond all imagination from when we set it up over 15 years ago. The festival is now cherished by the people of Hull as the premier cultural event in the city. It provides the opportunity to entertain and inform. That it has done this at the same time as generating an estimated £4million for the city, this year, shows what a tremendous part of the fabric of Hull the festival has become. It has transcended its geographical confines, setting its sights on becoming one of the world’s foremost outdoor arts festivals.
“This year, the festivals were another triumph, drawing over 172,000 people into the heart of Hull, igniting ambitions to propel the Freedom Festival events to unprecedented heights, as a beacon of innovation and creative prowess.”
The commitment to accessibility shines through, with 99% of venue and performance spaces now wheelchair accessible. Furthermore, 14 performances are British Sign Language interpreted, and 12 have audio descriptions, making the festival an inclusive experience for all.
Siemens Mobility names Director of Asset Management
Siemens Mobility, which operates a plant in Goole, has appointed Syeda Ghufran as the new Director of Asset Management and Assurance for Customer Services.
Syeda brings a wealth of expertise to her new role along with her strong background in the rail industry and a track record of success. Prior to joining Siemens, Syeda was the Fleet Engineering Director at Hitachi Rail and became the youngest, and first female, Engineering Director at Scotrail in 2018.
She is highly skilled in maintenance optimisation and digitalisation. She will leverage her knowledge and experience to optimise maintenance processes and harness digital advancements to drive efficiency and effectiveness in asset management.
Sambit Banerjee, Joint CEO of Siemens Mobility and MD of Rolling Stock and Customer Services said:“We are honoured to have Syeda join our team, her experience and expertise will undoubtedly drive success and further strengthen the company’s commitment to customer satisfaction, safety, and innovation.
Syeda’s appointment reflects our unwavering commitment to service excellence and delivering the highest standard of customer service. We achieve this through the talent and expertise of our people.”
Syeda said: “I’m excited to join Siemens Mobility at a time when the company has ambitious plans to transform rail travel and transport in the UK through strong investment, new product offerings in rolling stock, infrastructure and digital.
“I am looking forward to working on our fleet reliability improvement plans, digital asset management and the development of new traction products such as our Verve platform which will help deliver de-carbonisation plans for our customers.”
Siemens Mobility trains make up almost a quarter of UK passenger trains and e320 Velaro Eurostar trains.
Plans confirmed for Dewsbury Arcade to become first community-run shopping centre in UK
Last month, the Arcade Group – a community business formed specifically to lease and manage the Dewsbury Arcade, once it is reopened in 2025 – undertook fundraising to make the arcade the UK’s first community-run shopping centre.
Thanks to backing from local people and businesses, their ambitions will be realised.
The Dewsbury Arcade is a Grade II Listed building, which has been a focal feature in Dewsbury town centre since the Victorian era but has stood empty for more than seven years. The arcade is a key focus of the Dewsbury Blueprint, which lays out Kirklees Council’s ambitious plans for the future of the town.
For the Arcade Group’s plans to be financially viable, they needed to singlehandedly raise upwards of £75,000 in investment to fund initial start-up costs.
They achieved their goal, through a combination of more than £50,000 investment from local residents and organisations, and match funding from Co-operative UK’s Booster Fund. Based on this success, Kirklees Council also awarded a further one-off investment of £25,000 (previously agreed by Cabinet in January 2022).
Thanks to the Arcade Group’s fundraising success, Kirklees Council have confirmed they will be taking on the lease and management of the arcade once it reopens.
Any member of the public or local business who invests in the arcade receives shares in the business side of the arcade. Through this community share group, local people will then be able to elect board members and have part ownership in the business. This means that, once work is complete and the arcade has reopened, anyone who’s invested will be able to have a say in how it’s run.
The aim is for the arcade to be returned to its former glory, attracting more footfall in the town centre and supporting the local economy. Kirklees Council’s ambition, together with the Arcade Group, is to fill the reopened building with a range of independent local traders, along with a great food and drink offering.
Once restored, the arcade will have 16 small shop units, four larger spaces, and six upstairs studios suitable for artists, offices or event spaces.
Work to restore and refurbish the arcade has already been fully funded.
The aimed reopening for the building is 2025.
Government launches grant scheme to support UK’s smaller abattoirs
The government has launched a £4 million Smaller Abattoir Fund to boost the sustainability and efficiency of red meat and poultry smaller abattoirs across England.
The Smaller Abattoir Fund will award capital grants from £2,000 up to a maximum of £60,000 to help support smaller abattoirs across England improve productivity, enhance animal health and welfare, add value to primary products, and encourage innovation and investment in new technologies.
It will support the purchase of a diverse range of capital investments, including items such as cold storage units which can expand refrigeration capacity for processing, allowing abattoirs to increase production rates and help remove the waiting times experienced by many farmers for getting stock processed.
The Fund also drives forward the government’s commitment to advancing animal health and welfare standards, including funding to improve facilities for stressed or fatigued animals to recover from loading and transport operations.
The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) will email all eligible smaller abattoirs directly within the coming days, outlining the application process.
The smaller abattoir sector has an important role in maintaining British food security and ensures a competitive route to market is available to farmers, especially those who supply local butchers and farm shops, for a wide range of meat products. They make it easier for farmers to get their products to market, protect animal welfare by maintaining reduced journey times to slaughter, provide a route to market for farmers who rear rare and native breeds, and offer wider social and economic benefits to rural communities.
Farming Minister Mark Spencer said: “England’s abattoirs are critical to livestock farmers who provide their high-quality products to local butchers and farm shops up and down the country.
“This £4 million fund will not only help smaller abattoir and mobile business owners to innovate, invest and improve standards, but it will give farmers, particularly those who produce native and rare breeds, more stability in getting their products to market.”
Second phase of demolition prepares ground for nuclear manufacturing at Sheffield steel plant
Phase two of a demolition project has started at Sheffield Forgemasters to make way for the UK’s largest open-die forging line.
Unused buildings on the site, north of Brightside Lane, are being removed as the second phase of work gets under way to create space for a new 13,000-tonne Heavy Forge and its 12,700 sq m housing.
Victorian-era Forge and Foundry buildings will make way for the new facility, creating one of the most efficient open-die forging operations in Europe and the largest in the UK.
The demolition will eventually expose the whole footprint of the new facility, which will dominate the skyline adjacent to the Meadowhall train line.
Much of the structure earmarked for demolition has been out of use for years, and a secure partitioning wall is in place to fully isolate working areas of the plant from the building site.
Remediation works have included removing internal steel structures, stabilising the ground, pile-driving and removal of any contaminants.
Phase two of the demolition will remove all remaining above-ground structures at the excavation site before more than 25,000m3 of spoil is excavated for foundations to support the press, with 4,500m3 of existing concrete to be crushed.
The project is governed by exacting environmental standards, with all spoil from the site graded and recycled as far as is possible. The multi-million GBP project is estimated to see completion of the foundations in Q1 2025. The new facility will service defence and commercial work in sectors such as civil nuclear power.
Streets Chartered Accountants covers crypto tax reporting, the full expensing tax break, and more in new news roundup
Streets Chartered Accountants covers crypto tax reporting, the full expensing tax break, the importance of recognising colleagues during the festive season, and more in its latest monthly news roundup.
It is all change for cryptocurrency tax reporting, but help is on handOn the 29th of November His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, HMRC, launched a new campaign to pursue unpaid tax from crypto investors. The campaign seeks to encourage individuals to come forward and disclose any unpaid tax on crypto assets including exchange tokens, NFTs and utility tokens. In part, the approach highlights their concern that many crypto assets owners are seemingly unaware of the responsibility and requirement to disclose and report taxable gains.
Staff are not just for ChristmasIn the run up to Christmas many business directors, owners and managers will hopefully have or be looking at potentially sharing in the festive spirit through making gifts to their staff and/or even having a Christmas party. A bit like family and friends gifting, the nature or choice of a gift will mostly likely be based on what might have been given in the past, even the same gift each year along with affordability of the same. To a great extent when it comes to businesses the decision as to what they give their staff may in part be pre-determined by the tax treatment of any gifts.
Read MoreMaking more than an entrance, with Stuart Burlton
This episode of The Streets Sessions features Stuart Burlton, MD of Make An Entrance, the UK’s largest manufacturer and retailer of coir matting and direct sales logo matting. Find out how this inspirational family business has changed from a sales and marketing operation to that of a leading manufacturer with plans for international reach. The episode also takes time out to learn more about Stuart’s role with the Federation of Small Businesses as a member of its scrutiny body as well as his passion for supporting the Federation.
Transformation at Leeds City Station reaches next milestone
The transformation of Leeds City Station’s main entrance is reaching its next milestone, with demolition works coming towards the end and construction due to begin in earnest in the New Year.
The Leeds City Station Sustainable Travel Gateway scheme is being delivered at the same time as essential maintenance work by Network Rail to reinforce the underground structure below New Station Street, which supports much of the station above it.
The previous cycle hub and rotunda steps outside the station have been demolished and a total of 13 iron beams – each weighing as much as 40 tonnes – are being removed to access a huge underground space known as the Mill Goit, a man-made channel off the River Aire which took the stream to power a nearby mill. When the station was originally built in 1869, New Station Street was built as a bridge over the Mill Goit.
Piling works are now beginning which will allow for the Mill Goit to become home to the station’s new cycle hub, and for wider construction to begin. This includes the two passenger lifts providing access between New Station Street and Bishopgate Street, and the pedestrian improvements which will create a much-improved and more people-friendly gateway to the city centre.
Delivering the Sustainable Travel Gateway scheme in tandem with the maintenance works will reduce longer-term disruption and provide value for money by reducing the need for further works at a later date.
The £46.1m Sustainable Travel Gateway scheme is being delivered by Leeds City Council on behalf of Network Rail as the landowner, and in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority. The scheme is funded and being delivered through the Combined Authority’s Transforming Cities Fund programme, which is aimed at making it easier for people to walk, cycle and use public transport.
This week colleagues from the Combined Authority, Leeds City Council and Network Rail were given a tour of the works by constructor partner Balfour Beatty.
Councillor Helen Hayden, Leeds City Council’s executive member for infrastructure and sustainable development, said: “It’s amazing to see the scale of work involved in delivering these schemes, which will create a safer and more people-friendly gateway between the station, the city centre and the wider south bank.
“We thank everyone for their patience as we work towards construction continuing into the new year, and completion in 2025.”
Paul Buchanan, Balfour Beatty’s Project Manager, said: “Today marks yet another milestone in the transformation of Leeds City Station, with demolition works nearing completion.
“We now look forward to starting main construction, working closely with Leeds City Council, Network Rail and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, to bring the new gateway to life and provide an accessible and vibrant new link between the station and the wider city centre.”
The Sustainable Travel Gateway scheme will create a much improved and more people-friendly environment that can accommodate growing rail passenger numbers and ensure people can enter and exit the station safely.
The scheme will see:
- New Station Street pedestrianised, including the section which meets Boar Lane, with outdoor seating, rest areas, and landscaping.
- The taxi rank located to Bishopgate Street with a large and well-lit shelter and room for six vehicles, allowing for kerb-side boarding to help people with wheelchairs or assistance dogs to board more easily.
- Two 21-passenger lifts from Bishopgate Street to the station entrance on New Station Street, providing step-free access between the two streets.
- A high-quality cycle hub with electric charging points and storage for all types of cycles.
- Environmental improvements to Neville Street and Dark Neville Street including enhanced lighting and road surfaces. Works on the east side of Neville Street have been completed, with works on the west side of Neville Street and Dark Neville Street currently on-site. Once completed, these will offer safer routes for pedestrians and cyclists.
- Installing high quality cycle infrastructure on Bishopgate Street and Neville Street.
New deal at historic Yorkshire mill
Maze Recruitment Group, a Yorkshire-based education recruitment specialist, has moved to the historic Sunny Banks Mills in Farsley, near Leeds.
Maze has taken space in the 1912 Mill at Sunny Bank Mills, where Yorkshire Television’s Emmerdale and Heartbeat were filmed.
Maze joins over 100 other companies which have moved to the renovated mill complex during the past 11 years.
Nicola Wilson, the Managing Director of Maze, explained the reasons behind the decision to relocate to Sunny Bank Mills.
“We set up our business in 2020 initially working from home but the plan was always to open our own office in the Leeds area. We’re now in the second phase of scaling our business and have been looking for suitable office space for a while.
“Our new offices in the 1912 Mill are perfect, and we now have the right space to expand. We love the amenities at Sunny Bank Mills – the gym, yoga rooms, eateries, pub and so on. It’s a little community all in one place. The grounds are lovely, the woodlands, local parks, the outdoor area and the fact Sunny Bank Mills is dog friendly was a bonus.
“The landlords William and John Gaunt are lovely and have been very welcoming and very transparent. Free parking is always a plus and value for money in comparison to the offices we were looking at in the city.”
Another partner joins Andrew Jackson Solicitors’ real estate and property team
Kirsty Barsby has joined Andrew Jackson Solicitors LLP’s real estate and property team as a partner, strengthening the firm’s client services offering across the region and beyond.
With over 18 years’ experience across a broad range of property matters, Kirsty’s clients operate across several sectors including hotel and leisure, residential and commercial development, property investment and the healthcare sector.
Kirsty regularly advises on property sales and acquisitions including overage, option and promotion agreements and development transactions from site set up to disposal. She also advises clients on landlord and tenant transactions, secured lending and refinancing and assists regularly with corporate support work.
Geoff Phillips, partner, and head of the real estate and property team at Andrew Jackson, said: “We warmly welcome Kirsty to Andrew Jackson Solicitors. Our real estate and property team remains busy, and I know that Kirsty’s depth of expertise and proactive approach will ensure that we continue to provide the highest standards in service and value for our clients.”
Kirsty added: “I’m very happy to have joined the team at Andrew Jackson Solicitors. Their commitment to providing clients with an outstanding service mirrors my own and I’m looking forward to working with both new and long-standing clients.”
Road tanker manufacturing company fined £200,000 after gas asphyxiation
A tanker manufacturing company has been fined £200,000 after a worker collapsed from gas exposure before the same fate befell a colleague who went to check on him.
On 18 March 2020, a worker at Tasca Tankers in Wakefield entered a metal tank to carry out some welding work. A few minutes later, a second worker looked inside the tank to check on his colleague and found him slumped at the bottom.
After shouting for help the second worker went into the tank and also collapsed. Emergency services rescued both employees after entering the space with breathing apparatus.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found the company had failed to ensure safety of their employees while working in the tanks, classified as a confined space.
When inside the tank, the employees suffered asphyxiation resulting from inhalation of argon gas leaking from the welding torch. This resulted in a hypoxic brain injury that left the first worker in a coma for more than 12 days and on waking suffered a loss of memory, the inability to walk, talk and move his left arm. The worker has had to learn to walk and talk again. Both workers continue to suffer long lasting physical and psychological effects of this incident.
At Leeds Magistrates’ Court on 1 December, Tasca Tankers of Unit 5, Diamond Business Park, Thornes Moor Rd, Wakefield, West Yorkshire pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2 (1) of the Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974. The company was fined £200,000 and ordered to pay £7,060 in costs.
After the hearing, HSE inspector Louise Redgrove said: “Two employees very nearly died in an incident which was foreseeable.
“The company had previously received related enforcement action and yet still failed to identify work was taking place inside confined spaces. This incident could so easily have been avoided if the company had ensured robust controls, effective training and emergency procedures were in place and current.”
This prosecution was led by HSE enforcement lawyer Jonathan Bambro.
2024 Business Predictions: Lee Thatcher, head of cloud at CloudCoCo
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 Lee Thatcher, head of cloud at CloudCoCo.
In 2024, the cloud computing industry will continue to focus on security and modernisation. Many organisations have moved their infrastructure to hyperscale cloud providers but have yet to fully embrace Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) or Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) offerings. Addressing this educational gap and emphasising the value of multiple vendor offerings will be critical. These trends build upon the need for secure and modernised cloud environments, aligning with the changes observed over the past year.
The surge in AI adoption has so far had a limited impact on the cloud computing market. However, it is expected to have a more noticeable influence once the offerings from major hyperscale cloud providers become more widely available and commercialised. As these providers continue to invest in AI capabilities, businesses will increasingly leverage cloud platforms for AI-related workloads, driving the growth of cloud-based AI applications and services.
It’ll continue to be about AI for the foreseeable future. The widespread adoption of AI applications and services will continue to gain momentum, enhancing the capabilities of cloud platforms. While it may not see massive uptake until major hyperscale cloud providers fully commercialise their AI offerings, AI’s significance in the cloud computing landscape will continue to grow, driving innovation and transformation across various industries.
University of Sheffield spin-out company raises £2.75m seed investment to pioneer novel therapies for genetic neurological diseases
A new spin-out company from the University of Sheffield is set to pioneer novel therapies for rare genetic neurological diseases.
BlackfinBio has raised £2.75 million seed investment to advance revolutionary treatments for Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia (HSP). The company will manage the development of gene therapy for the HSP sub-type 47 (SP47) and raise funds for clinical trials.
SPG47 is a slowly-progressing rare disease that causes malformation of the brain. It is caused by a specific mutation in the SPG47 gene that creates a deficiency of the AP4B1 protein which normally transports other molecules around inside the cells of the nervous system. Symptoms such as muscle weakness, developmental delays, impaired speech and progressive motor skills often show up in early childhood. There is currently no cure and no effective treatment for this debilitating disease.
BlackfinBio is built on research from gene therapy expert Professor Mimoun Azzouz, Chair of Translational Neuroscience in the Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience at the University of Sheffield.
The company was conceived when initial research performed by Professor Azzouz, funded by US charity Cure AP-4, provided proof-of-concept for the potential to effectively restore the AP4B1 gene through gene therapy. Based on these results, further funding from the LifeArc Philanthropic Fund was awarded to Professor Azzouz to validate the therapy in pre-clinical models and produce the gene therapy batches under clinical grade manufacturing required to move on to clinical trials in the near future.
This pioneering research showed that through AP4B1 gene replacement therapy it is possible to put a correct copy of the faulty gene back into the patients to stop their nervous systems being damaged further. This treatment will be carried out through injected gene therapy based on a harmless viral vector (carrier). One dose will be enough to treat a patient for a lifetime.
Led by experienced executive Peter Nolan, formerly of the multinational gene therapy company, Oxford Biomedica the company will use the initial funding to advance gene therapy treatments for the SPG47 disease before proceeding with in-human clinical trials.
Professor Mimoun Azzouz, Academic Founder of BlackfinBio, Professor and Chair of Translational Neuroscience at the University of Sheffield, Founder and Director of Gene Therapy Innovation and Manufacturing Centre (GTIMC), said: “The launch of BlackfinBio is a significant milestone which will enable the progress of the translational pipeline being developed by the company towards potential life-changing therapies for patients with HSP and other diseases.
“I am delighted by the overwhelming support by Cure AP-4 and LifeArc to progress the SPG47 gene therapy project through the clinical development pathway. BlackfinBio is a great addition to the favourable and dynamic gene therapy ecosystem at the University of Sheffield.”
Peter Nolan, Co-Founder, Chair & Interim CEO, said: “I am delighted to be able to work again with Professor Azzouz and help him translate his world-class research into successful gene therapy products for the benefit of patients who have genetic diseases where there are no current treatments. BlackfinBio will seek to build a pipeline of such gene therapies for a range of neurological conditions.”
Chris Edwards, Co-Founder and Chief Business Officer and President of Cure AP-4, said: “Cure AP-4’s initial priority was to develop a therapeutic to halt the trajectory of this devastating disease. Launching a commercial venture in partnership with the University of Sheffield became the most expedient way to advance the promising treatment developed by Professor Azzouz and his team.
“We are delighted to be a part of this important milestone, and being positioned to advance this potentially life changing treatment into the clinic through BlackfinBio.”
Hull meat company gets £64,000 grant for shop refit that will mean more jobs
Levelling Up Funding has helped to support the creation of new jobs for a business in Hull’s city centre as part of a wider renovation project.
Sterling Meat Company Limited has been awarded a grant worth almost £64,000 to re-fit the ground floor of its current home at 39 Whitefriargate.
This includes fully relocating the entire business to the ground floor, providing an open plan working area with new customer front.
It is expected that the works will help to create three full-time equivalent jobs, whilst the unit’s Grade II heritage shop front will also receive a makeover to enhance the streetscape of Whitefriargate.
The grant award has come from monies allocated to Hull City Council through the government’s Levelling Up Fund.
The overall project cost is £182,791, meaning Sterling Meat Company Limited will be investing almost £120,000 of private capital into the city centre.
A council spokesperson said: “The Levelling Up grant scheme was introduced to create city centre jobs and help to restore historic streetscapes such as Whitefriargate.
“Sterling Meat Company is already a fixture on Whitefriargate and it is pleasing to hear that it has plans to regenerate its heritage shop front, whilst also bringing in further private investment and creating additional jobs.”
Stamford music agency acquires Rutland business from Showaddywaddy member
Stamford music agency ‘Bands For Hire‘ has acquired Rutland-based agency DG Music, bringing together the region’s two leading providers of live music.
Bands For Hire has been operating for 13 years under the directorship of Adam Mezzatesta and is now one of the leading music agencies in the UK, booking almost 3000 events every year.
DG Music, based in Oakham, was founded just under 20 years ago by Showaddywaddy member David Graham. The company’s roster includes popular artists such as The Houndogs, The Atlantics, Monroe, and harpist Eleanor Turner.
David says: “Things are very different for me post-Covid. I rejoined Showaddywaddy in August 2020 and have been on the road since then, meaning less time to spend in the office on my business. It’s been a wonderful experience, and I’m just so pleased that I’ve been able to hand over all of the business operations to such a successful company.”
With more than 750 acts based across the UK, Bands For Hire continues to grow year on year and is looking forward to working with the fantastic roster of artists on DG Music.
Director Adam says: “We’re excited to be taking on DG Music and want to reassure customers that all bookings and services will remain as before. It’s just us at the end of the phone instead.”
DG Music, based in Oakham, was founded just under 20 years ago by Showaddywaddy member David Graham. The company’s roster includes popular artists such as The Houndogs, The Atlantics, Monroe, and harpist Eleanor Turner.
David says: “Things are very different for me post-Covid. I rejoined Showaddywaddy in August 2020 and have been on the road since then, meaning less time to spend in the office on my business. It’s been a wonderful experience, and I’m just so pleased that I’ve been able to hand over all of the business operations to such a successful company.”
With more than 750 acts based across the UK, Bands For Hire continues to grow year on year and is looking forward to working with the fantastic roster of artists on DG Music.
Director Adam says: “We’re excited to be taking on DG Music and want to reassure customers that all bookings and services will remain as before. It’s just us at the end of the phone instead.”
Government plans could be disastrous for small firms in construction, says payroll specialist
Construction industry payroll specialist Hudson Contract has warned that government reforms to the Construction Industry Scheme could be “disastrous” for small businesses and specialist subcontractors in the supply chain.
The government plans to add VAT as part of the Gross Payment Status compliance test, giving HMRC more power to remove GPS immediately in cases of fraud – a move which could raise £320 million over the next five years.
Ian Anfield, MD of Hudson Contract and an expert on tax and employment matters in construction, said: “Including VAT compliance in gross payment tests is aimed at tackling VAT fraud. But it is unlikely to prove effective and instead will just create more red tape and headaches for small businesses and specialist subcontractors in the middle of supply chains.
“The VAT domestic reverse charge for construction has been a complete mess and has crippled the cash flow of good businesses while many HMRC inspectors do not understand the rules. Because of the reverse charge, thousands of companies have moved from paying VAT bills each quarter to claiming VAT refunds. The changes set alarm bells ringing in HMRC’s steam-powered computer mainframe and inspectors are sent out to investigate. The investigations can drag on for months and any refunds are blocked in the meantime.
“The decision to add VAT to CIS gross status tests will now mean those in dispute or simply under investigation because of legitimate changes to their VAT profile could also see their CIS gross status removed, destroying their cashflow.
“And to add insult to injury, if they are subject to net payments under CIS, their clients will be faced with a 1.25 per cent CITB levy bill on their invoices – which they will pass down the line.
“Most of the VAT queries and disputes we have seen have been resolved in the taxpayer’s favour so there must be strict curbs on how HMRC uses these new powers or the outcome will be disastrous.”
The government said it would also be announcing simplifications to other aspects of the scheme, which will be subject to technical consultation.
Vacancies down, but skills shortage remains, says BCC
Labour market data continues to send mixed messages, as vacancies trend downward, but unemployment and employment remain largely static and pay growth outstrips inflation, according to Jane Gratton, Deputy Director of Public Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce.
“But while we may have fewer vacancies, we still have a major shortage of skills across our economy. This is holding back productivity and growth. So now is the time to redouble efforts to prepare, upskill and reskill the workforce for the changes and opportunities ahead of us.
“These remain challenging times for firms and the BCC’s most recent forecast predicts the economy will grow by just 0.6% in 2024 and business investment will contract by 0.8%. Government must do all it can to help businesses invest more in apprenticeships, technical education and upskilling people in work.
“Every day, employers are struggling to fill jobs, so it’s essential that everyone who wants to work is given the opportunities and training they need to do so, urgently.
“The Autumn Statement included some welcome steps, but with the immigration system now looking out of reach for most businesses, the Government must encourage investment in skills training and set out a stable, long-term strategy to support this.”
Banks return to Hornsea with opening of a new Banking Hub
Five high street banks have returned to Hornsea with the opening of a new banking hub in the town’s former Poundland site on Newbegin.
Councillor Barbara Jefferson, East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s cabinet member for coastal communities, said: “I am so happy that this Banking Hub has finally opened for the people of Hornsea.
“With bank branches closing across the country, we must make sure people still have access to cash and banking services in their communities.
“Not everyone can or wishes to do their banking on the internet, so it is great to have proper in-person bank services back in the town.”
Community Bankers work on rotation, with a different bank or building society available on each day of the week:
- Monday: Barclays
- Tuesday: Lloyds
- Wednesday: HSBC
- Thursday: NatWest
- Friday (pm): Santander
Payroll company supports seaside town charity’s work to help vulnerable people
Vulnerable people in Bridlington are being helped this Christmas thanks to support for The Hinge Centre by specialist payroll company Hudson Contract.
The Hinge Centre in Bridlington supports vulnerable members of the community who are experiencing financial hardship, food and fuel poverty and those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
The charity provides vital crisis, prevention, and maintenance interventions including emergency food parcels, toiletries, liaison with landlords and other professionals, assistance to access the benefit system, as well as a number of weekly community groups which aim to promote inclusion, reduce isolation, improve mental health and provide an opportunity to build friendships and skills.
Alexandra Fishburn, who works in the Hudson Contract customer services team, said: “With Christmas quickly approaching, it got me thinking of those less fortunate than myself and how this might not be the most magical time of the year for everybody.
“I wanted to do something to help make life a little better for those in need and came up with the idea of creating a collection point at our office to make it easy for our team to donate foods, toiletries, toys and anything else to lend a helping hand from Hudson.”
Alexandra’s initiative clearly chimed with our colleagues who donated several boxes worth of provisions. Hudson delivered a van-full of goods to the charity at the Crown Community Centre.
Michaela Blackford, Community Support Worker at The Hinge Centre, said: “We would like to thank Alexandra and everyone at Hudson for their support this Christmas. Unfortunately, Bridlington is home to some of the most deprived areas in England, which is why The Hinge Centre’s services are so important to the community.
“Our family-owned company provides ongoing financial and practical support to a range of good causes in Bridlington and beyond, including Cancer Research UK, Crisis and Bridlington Rugby Union Football Club. We also sponsor apprentices, paying half the first year’s wages of young trainees at construction firms in Bridlington and Scarborough.”
David Jackson, founder and chairman of Hudson Contract, said: “As a local business, we feel a great responsibility to help people in our community, whether they are trying to find a safe home, taking part in team games or learning a valuable trade skill.”
