North East Lincolnshire Councillors have agreed to release land to Associated British Ports including 28 acres of allocated development land at Stallingborough Interchange and two further small areas of land in NELC ownership.
Pioneer Business Park is a strand of the award winning South Humber Industrial Investment Programme which has so far seen the Myenergi and HETA facilities developed on the site, with other projects in the pipeline.
Other elements of SHIIP include a new link road between Immingham and Grimsby which has unlocked development land and improved connectivity between the ports, and two ecological mitigation sites, the first in Europe, created to offset the environmental impact of future developments and provide a safe haven for birds. These innovative interventions have proven to be a key part in attracting large scale investment to the area.
Cllr Philip Jackson, Leader of the Council, said: “The sale has realised the opportunity to see development accelerated at Pioneer Business Park at a pace which is likely to bring with it a variety of benefits, including additional investment, facilities and jobs locally.
“I’d like to thank ABP for coming to the table with the proposals, and for creating what will be one of the biggest single developments in the area in recent times.”
ABP has also been working with other landowners in the area to assemble a wider parcel of land to concentrate these operations in. The overall deal will see ABP investing significantly to expand its port operations around Immingham after the purchase of the freehold of 227.5 acres at Stallingborough Interchange.
The prominent site is earmarked for commercial port opportunities including automotive, bulk warehousing, distribution and logistics uses, advanced manufacturing, as well as green energy initiatives.
In a prime strategic location next to the A180 two miles from the Port of Immingham and six from the Port of Grimsby, the designated employment site is one of the largest of the original Enterprise Zones in the area and is key to future proofing the continued growth of ABP’s commercial business on the Humber.
Simon Bird, ABP’s Regional Director of the Humber, said: “This is an important milestone in the future growth of the Humber ports. It demonstrates the need for strategic investment in land to facilitate the continued growth of ABP and to maintain the Humber ports leading position in the UK, as well as significant investment in the region for jobs.
“As demand is expected to increase for energy generation, automotive storage, bulk warehousing, and storage and distribution uses our space constraints within our ports will increase. This additional land will ensure the delivery of state-of-the-art infrastructure, facilities, and technological innovation for new and existing customers.”
Greg Lacey, Head of Property – Humber, ABP said: “It’s always a challenge to bring forward a site of such significant scale and I’d like to personally thank NELC for all the investment in time and costs to get it to this stage. We now pick up the baton to bring to fruition our shared ambition to create a major UK port logistics development.
“This is a unique opportunity, assembled by ABP working collaboratively with NELC and three other landowners. The site is the largest development land parcel in such proximity to the ports, and of significant scale versus wider opportunities in the Yorkshire region. It is unlikely any opportunity of the same size will be coming to the market for some time. The sizeable investment we have made in this shows ABP is a key player in supporting the growth of commercial activities within the region.”
New Government-funded programme to drive growth and innovation in West Yorkshire firms
Leeds Beckett University is partnering in a new Government-funded support programme, to drive innovation and boost the productivity and resilience of West Yorkshire businesses.
Funded by West Yorkshire Combined Authority through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, West Yorkshire Business Boost will have its physical base at The Knowledge Exchange business hub at Leeds Beckett University’s city centre Rose Bowl building.
Leeds Beckett academics in The Leadership Centre and Leeds Business School will provide expertise around innovation, growth and leadership development.
The programme is open to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the West Yorkshire region and aims to provide the knowledge, mentoring and expertise to support the sustainable growth of local businesses. It is designed and delivered by Exemplas with partners Leeds Beckett University, Chamber International, Medilink, and Sustainable X.
Dr Julia Morgan, Head of The Leadership Centre at Leeds Beckett University, explained: “We are proud to be partners in the new Business Boost programme and to welcome a new cohort of businesses into our wider community of support.
“Our work at The Leadership Centre is underpinned by our academic research and industry experience within Leeds Business School at Leeds Beckett University.
“We have extensive experience of working successfully with our regional SMEs to embed the leadership capabilities necessary for their businesses to thrive, become resilient, and drive innovation in their industries.”
The programme has three services: Export, Innovation and Leadership.
Nick Palmer, West Yorkshire Business Boost Innovation and Leadership Programme Manager at Exemplas, said: “As we begin work in West Yorkshire, I’m incredibly optimistic about the impact our programme will have on the local business landscape. I’m looking forward to working closely with SMEs and offering them the support and advice they need to thrive.”
Council buys former House of Fraser building in Grimsby
The former House of Fraser building on Grimsby’s Victoria Street West has been bought by North East Lincolnshire Council.
Contracts have been exchanged and the sale, which has been advised by strategic partner Queensberry, also includes a leasehold on an adjacent car park.
The five-storey building sits within the council owned Freshney Place and with a frontage on 9 to 29 Victoria Street West. It has been empty since House of Fraser closed four years ago.
Continuing to see it unused was not an option, said Council Leader Cllr Philip Jackson, who has responsibilities for regeneration and the economy. This purchase, he explained, would provide yet more opportunity for the authority and its partners to look at the redevelopment and diverse use of Freshney Place as a whole.
“In order to effect change, which we all know is needed, we must look at opportunities such as this with a view to shaping and guiding redevelopment. Town Centres across the country have changed almost beyond what any of us would have anticipated and that is what we are determined to do here,” said Cllr Jackson.
“We have a fantastic opportunity to re-invent Freshney Place and complement its retail offer with the new cinema, leisure attractions, and fresh new market. The House of Fraser building will now form an integral part of those plans. This is a good move for the town centre,” he added.
Over the last five years, the reshaping of the town centre has been led by the local authority. Along with partners and stakeholders including the Greater Grimsby Town Board, it has won multi-million-pound funding bids from Central Government.
This money, all ring-fenced for specific projects, has seen the transformation of St James’ Square and Garth Lane with its new footbridge, river dredging and extensive paving and landscaping. Further to that, work has started on the redundant St James’ House with the E-Factor purchasing the building to create a business hub.
This is in addition to the Future High Streets Fund, and projects earmarked for Towns Fund money including the already underway full refurb of Riverhead Square, a plan for new housing at Alexandra Dock and the new OnSide ‘Horizon’ Youth Zone. The latter involves the transformation of the historic redundant buildings along Garth Lane into a state-of-the-art centre for young people.
Meanwhile initial work has now started with Queensberry on the multi-million-pound Freshney Place Leisure & Market Hall Scheme with its new cinema, market, and leisure attractions.
More good news is the arrival, in mid-2024, of a Community Diagnostic Centre. The NHS facility in Freshney Place will bring thousands more people into the town centre every year – with such increased footfall through the town centre presenting more opportunities.
Balfour Beatty Living Places secures £330m Highways Maintenance contract extension from Lincs County Council
Balfour Beatty Living Places has been awarded a £330 million six year Highways Maintenance contract extension by Lincolnshire County Council. The extension builds on the current six year contract which is due to end in 2026, extending it until Spring 2032.
Balfour Beatty Living Places will continue to work closely with the Council to maintain the regions 9,240 kilometres of carriageways, provide drainage cleaning services as well as winter and reactive highways maintenance such as gritting, road repairs and traffic management.
The company will utilise its Operational Control Hub, which launched this year, to monitor all activities in real-time and drive efficiencies across the local road network.
The Hub serves as a platform for teams to promptly address network issues, facilitating real-time digital planning. It empowers efficient organisation of both reactive and emergency works, along with streamlined defect reporting in a dynamic digital environment.
Steve Helliwell, Managing Director of Balfour Beatty Living Places, said: “We are delighted that Lincolnshire County Council have extended our contract by a further six years, testament to the strong relationship we have built.
“Today’s announcement will see us continue to provide a best-in-class highways maintenance service, whilst offering customer focused solutions in a collaborative partnership and leaving a lasting positive legacy for the communities we serve.”
Jonathan Evans, Head of Highways Client and Contractual Management Services, said: “The LCC Executive unanimously voted in favour of extending the contractual arrangement with Balfour Beatty Living Places by a further six years ensuring long term service continuity and allowing both parties to focus on strategic improvements in service delivery.
“In addition to this, we have secured a number of improvements for the residents of Lincolnshire and I’m excited to work with Balfour Beatty to implement these in the near future.”
The contract will continue to employ a workforce of 183, including 10 apprenticeship and graduate positions as part of Balfour Beatty’s commitment to The 5% Club.
Former John Banner department store acquired as plans for Attercliffe regeneration move ahead
Sustainable property company Citu has acquired the historic John Banner department store as part of its wider commitment to the regeneration of Attercliffe.
Purpose-built in 1934 by the retail entrepreneur John Banner, the four-storey building on Attercliffe Road was seen as a key Sheffield landmark whose reputation was synonymous with offering a high-quality shopping experience.
Rumoured to be the very first department store to have an escalator, it created its own Banners’ cheques and currency to allow customers to enjoy credit in store, decades before credit cards became readily available.
After the Second World War, the business was sold by the Banner family and the 48,000 sq ft building was eventually converted into upper floor offices and ground floor retail in the 1980s, as it remains today.
Still home to 25 businesses, the building will now benefit from significant investment to restore some of the former glory to the building fabric, as well as bringing it up to modern energy performance standards.
Citu Founder and Co-Director Chris Thompson said: “We are delighted to confirm the successful acquisition of the iconic John Banner building in Attercliffe. This strategic investment marks a significant step in our commitment to investment in this community.
“The John Banner building holds a significant place in the architectural landscape of the Attercliffe high street, and we are honoured to be entrusted with its stewardship. Our team is excited about the opportunities this acquisition presents, and we are dedicated to preserving the building’s historical significance while introducing modern, innovative elements that align with our vision for sustainable development.”
Originally designed by local firm, Chapman and Jenkinson Architects who were responsible for various buildings around the city in the early 20th century, including the Cutlery Forger’s factory at Owlerton and The Star & Central Picture Houses in Sheffield, the restoration of the John Banner building will preserve the façade to retain its original features.
The John Banner building is a short walk away from the nearby Attercliffe Waterside regeneration project that Citu has a live planning application in for. The 23-acre urban scheme will transform brownfield land either side of the Sheffield and Tinsley Canal and aims to be on site in early 2024.
Chris added: “This part of the city has been under appreciated for so long, we wanted to prioritise the leisure and commercial elements that will bring new investment into the district as quickly as possible, and Banners is an integral part of that wider vision.”
Cllr Ben Miskell, Chair of the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Committee, said: “This is another really positive step forward for the regeneration of Attercliffe and the wider East End of Sheffield. The Banners building is a local landmark, and it is great to see that an imaginative developer such as Citu has seen its potential.
“Their investment here, together with the major scheme they are bringing forward at Attercliffe Waterside, the work linked to the Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park and the substantial Levelling Up Fund projects, will transform the area into a fantastic place to work and live and is another perfect example of Sheffield being a city on the up.”
Council seeks developer for East Bank Urban Village
Hull City Council has started its search for a lead developer partner to deliver its East Bank Urban Village project, which is expected to see the creation of 850 new homes, next to the River Hull.
The site has been allocated for high-quality apartments with the opportunity for features such as social rooftop areas and spaces for families, outdoor play and integrated quality private amenity spaces.
Cllr Paul Drake-Davis, the council’s portfolio holder for regeneration and housing, said: “The East Bank Urban Village is an exciting project and one with huge potential to be transformative for the city.
“This can be a benchmark development in terms of high-quality design and improvements in placemaking and building new communities in Hull. It is pleasing that the council is now in a place to start procurement and will soon make the plans become a reality.”
The council’s procurement process will be done through the Homes England DPS Framework.
This approach will assist the council to achieve its overall vision of the City Plan and emerging community strategy.
Leeds-based business manages enhancements to Northallerton healthcare
Northallerton’s Friarage Hospital can now scan 100 more patients every week, following a £3m revamp of part of their radiology department.
Sewell Group’s Community Ventures team, based at Thorpe Park in Leeds, managed delivery of the scheme for South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which was part of a national programme to deliver clinical diagnostic services closer to patients’ homes.
The 15-month project saw the old radiology block transformed into a modern hospital department, creating a spoke site for the Tees Valley Clinical Diagnostic Centre programme, which also includes sites in Stockton, Hartlepool, and Redcar.
Community Ventures worked with multiple stakeholders to arrive at the design solution for the new facility, applied for funding to develop the scheme, delivered it in a live hospital environment and coordinated the transfer of clinical services to alternative locations – including a mobile CT scanner in the car park – whilst the works were ongoing.
The result is a state-of-the-art facility, with two CT scanners, including a new £900,000 machine, viewing rooms, a new cannulation room, two new ultrasound rooms and a new dental scan room, as well as changing facilities and an accessible toilet.
As well as giving extra capacity for patients to be seen, helping reduce waiting times and improving health outcomes for patients, the facilities will enable more heart patients to undergo scans at the Friarage, instead of having to travel to other hospitals.
Kelly Smith, head of radiology at South Tees said: “This is fantastic news for our patients across Hambleton, Richmondshire and beyond who will benefit from faster imaging and access to more diagnostic appointments closer to home.
“The new scanner is the highest specification scanner we have got across the whole department and it’s great to see it benefitting our Friarage patients.”
Scott Clarkson of Community Ventures, who project managed the scheme whilst seconded into the Trust’s Capital Projects department, said: “This was anything but a straightforward project, but the results have been amazing to see.
“Arranging the removal of two X-ray machines and the temporary storage of a CT scanner during the works wasn’t easy, but the staff in the department showed incredible flexibility and willingness to adapt during the delivery of the works.
“The scheme is now delivering a significant increase in diagnostics capacity in the region, and knowing that the end result of our work will save so many lives really makes it all worthwhile.”
Fintel makes fifth acquisition of 2023
Fintel, the Huddersfield provider of fintech and support services to the UK retail financial services sector, has agreed to acquire Synaptic Software, an independent provider of financial adviser planning and research software.
Synaptic services over 1,600 financial advisers, providing due diligence research, compliance tools and software which streamlines customers’ journeys.
Fintel will acquire Synaptic via Fintel IQ, its technology and knowledge platform, further enhancing its capabilities, scale and IP. Under the terms of the acquisition, Synaptic is being acquired for a net upfront cash consideration of £3.5m, funded entirely from Fintel’s existing financial resources with further £0.5m of development expenditure committed to enhance and integrate its products.
On completion, the business is expected to have annual revenues of c.£2.3m and be in a break even position.
Synaptic is the fifth business acquired by Fintel this year, joining AKG, VouchedFor, Competent Adviser and Micap on its expanded platform.
Neil Stevens, Joint CEO of Fintel, said: “Synaptic is an established adviser software and research business which complements and extends our current capabilities, and offers us positive synergistic opportunities for growth and value in the near term.
“This transaction will further cement our central market position as the provider of technology, research and consulting services to the adviser market. We are committed to investing in Synaptic, developing its standalone products and bringing the Webline integration to Defaqto Engage as high priorities, as we continue to enhance our offering and create better outcomes for all.”
Office move and warehouse investment for Filstorage
An office move and warehouse investment is helping a Yorkshire racking supplier celebrate 30 years in business.
Filstorage, which is based near Howden, was founded by current Managing Director Paul Taylor in 1993.
To mark the anniversary, the business has moved offices from a former residential house in Eastrington to The Old Stables, a renovated office building in the same village.
The business has also invested £1.5m in a brand new warehouse development at Spaldington, designed to streamline its distribution processes.
Paul Taylor said the two moves would bring major efficiencies to every aspect of the business, making it a befitting way to celebrate Filstorage’s 30th anniversary.
He said: “Filstorage started life selling plastic-coated, wire-framed baskets to builders merchants. That was our core market. But as we became more established, merchants started asking us for other storage solutions such as shop shelving, and then eventually racking, so we moved organically into these areas.
“We now offer a complete design and fitout service for warehouses, shops, showrooms and yards, as well as all types of racking and storage equipment including mezzanine floors.
“Unsurprisingly, as the stock we held got larger, we ran out of warehouse space so we needed to increase our own storage facilities. Alongside this, staffing numbers increased as the business expanded, to the point we outgrew our offices and needed to relocate into a larger, more modern space.”
Mr Taylor added that finding office space that was convenient for everyone in the business had been a challenge until The Old Stables – a former agricultural building converted to high standard modern offices – came available.
The new office is on the same street of the business’s former one, and benefits from on-site parking as well as an open-plan design and breakout rooms for collaborative working.
Finding quality warehousing in the area was an even bigger challenge, Mr Taylor said, which led him to decide to build a bespoke solution.
The new facilities replace Filstorage’s former warehousing – a series of old, ramshackle stone barns in Spaldington – with a brand new, 1,800 sq ft facility on the same site.
Mr Taylor said: “The new facilities are world class compared to our former warehouse.
“It has been built with sustainability in mind with all the concrete from the foundations of the old buildings being crushed up and reused in the foundations of the new build. We also added a lot of skylights to let natural light in, meaning we will only need to use artificial lighting on winter mornings and afternoons.
“It has also improved health & safety for our warehouse staff. HGV access is much better and manoeuvrability inside the warehouse is much improved, which takes a lot of the risk out of manual handling.
“The new warehouse is a fantastic facility that makes our distribution processes far more efficient, while ensure our staff are as safe as we can make them.”
Hull invests £150,000 in electric vehicle charging points
Hull City Council has appointed Swarco to supply, install, operate, and maintain 20 new EV charging points in a £150,000 investment in new electric vehicle charging infrastructure to support one of the largest fleets of electric vehicles in the region and more than double capacity at a city centre public car park.
The council has a fleet of more than 350 vehicles, but has committed to becoming zero-emission, with 43 vehicles already fully electric and another nine on order.
The council’s first ever 50kW ‘rapid’ charger will be installed at its main Stockholm Road Depot, which will be able to charge most vehicles in around an hour.
Another standard charger will be installed at Stoneferry Bridge to provide additional resilience to support the team who look after the city’s nine bridges spanning the River Hull. This new investment complements an extensive range of fleet chargers already installed in previous phases across the council’s sites throughout the city.
In the city centre, 13 new 11kW chargers will replace six older chargers at the popular Osborne Street multi-story car park to meet increasing demand, including fully accessible chargers, confirming to PAS1899 standard, which will be easier for people with mobility issues to use. The car park is popular with commuters, shoppers and visitors to the nearby Connexin Live Arena and part of the council’s strategic approach to ensure city centre car parks have charging facilities.
Creative experiences agency makes senior hire
Yorkshire founded brand engagement agency, XSEM, has appointed Nick Burrows as head of experiential to enhance its service offering. This comes off the back of a raft of recent client successes.
Although based in Yorkshire for 20 years, Nick spent over a decade at London-based TRO as client service and marketing board director, where he led on strategy, project management and client relations for experiential clients.
Nick joins the business to lead in developing its experiential offering, advising current XSEM brands including Molson Coors Beverage Company and Suntory (Lucozade, Ribena), on their experiential strategy.
Having worked previously with the likes of Guinness, Johnnie Walker, Google and Nike, Nick is passionate about bringing brands to life by offering strategic direction and consultation.
He said: “I’m more obsessed with why brands are trying to create experiences first, rather than the how and what. That comes more naturally when you understand the why.”
Speaking about his senior role at XSEM, Nick added: “I’m captivated with the culture at XSEM and have been enormously impressed with their work so far. They have such a solid foundation for us to be able to do some brilliant and meaningful work for our current client base and future partners. It’s clearly an inspiring, creative and commercially driven agency. “Fifteen years ago, brand experiences were exclusive to those in attendance. Now, if we deliver the right creative hook and enhance events through tech and social, there’s no reason why audiences of hundreds of thousands, or even millions, can’t be immersing themselves in that experience.”
Managing director and co-founder at XSEM, Dan Bardgett, said: “Nick joins us at a crucial time in the business having recently enhanced our client portfolio. We’re delighted to have him on board and look forward to seeing where his creative brain can take our experiential offering to the next level. Nick’s positive outlook on creativity, integrity and service excellence are perfectly aligned with our own values here at XSEM.”
Evident joins Nuclear AMRC to develop new inspection techniques
Scientific and industrial equipment specialist Evident has joined the Rotherham-based Nuclear AMRC to support the development of new inspection techniques for the nuclear industry.
Evident makes world-class nondestructive testing (NDT), precision measurement and analysis, quality control and assessment, and other research, environmental, and life science solutions. Formerly a wholly-owned subsidiary of Olympus, Evident employs more than 4,300 people in 24 countries.
NDT covers a variety of technologies that are used to evaluate the structure and integrity of a component without damaging it. In the nuclear sector, it is essential to ensure the safe operation of reactor components, waste containers, and other safety-critical fabrications.
“The nuclear industry takes plant safety very seriously,” says John Crossley, Nuclear AMRC technology lead for nondestructive testing. “NDT plays an important role in the manufacture and continued maintenance of plants to ensure the quality and safety of the most critical parts of nuclear power plants at a cost-effective rate.
“Evident has many state-of-the-art solutions to conduct these inspections, and working closely together under the new membership will give us the ability to deliver these solutions to our customers and their projects.”
Evident has previously worked with the Nuclear AMRC on NDT technology development, including phased array ultrasonic testing of novel components and improved testing methodologies to meet nuclear industry requirements.
As part of its membership, Evident will provide equipment and additional support to the Nuclear AMRC. The collaboration will focus on qualifying new NDT methods to meet the quality management requirements of nuclear customers and developing examination methods for advanced joining and production technologies.
“As a company we look forward to contributing to the cutting-edge work going on at the Nuclear AMRC,” says Jim Worland, director industry direct sales UK at Evident.
“We see closer cooperation with the nuclear industry as paramount to tackling the ongoing challenges of energy production in line with net-zero targets, and Nuclear AMRC membership allows us to take part directly in research and development projects where we can directly impact relevant areas in close cooperation with a wide network of industry and academic partners.”
The Nuclear AMRC will also work with Evident on innovative developments in some of its other technology areas, including remote visual inspection technologies, where Evident products are used in nuclear and other energy sectors to monitor the condition of operational plants in challenging environments and difficult-to-access areas.
Terms agreed for operation of multimodal freight terminal at Doncaster’s iPort
The UK subsidiary of MEDLOG SA, part of the MSC Group of companies, has agreed terms with pan-European logistics specialist Verdion to operate its iPort Rail multimodal freight terminal at iPort in Doncaster, signalling expansion of the facility in 2025.
The global transport and logistics provider is taking a long-term lease of the facility with handover expected to complete in the first quarter of next year. Lifting and storage of containers at the iPort Rail terminal will be performed under the MEDLOG brand. iPort Rail’s current 27-strong team will remain in place with a focus on business as usual for existing customers.
As part of the transaction, Verdion will now start work on Phase 2 of iPort Rail, doubling the current size and storage capacity of the terminal and increasing the number of trains it can accommodate daily, as well as continuing the low carbon movement of goods to existing iPort occupiers. Planning consent has been secured and work is expected to start in Q1 2024, with the expanded terminal expected to come into operation in Q1 2025.
iPort is one of the UK’s most significant multimodal logistics hubs, and the largest in the north of England. When complete iPort will extend to 6 million sq ft of logistics and light industrial accommodation operating 24/7. Alongside iPort Rail, Amazon, CEVA, Fellowes, Lidl, Woodland Group, Maritime Group and Euro Pool Systems already have operations here, with further names expected as the newest buildings on the park are leased. Further warehousing facilities, the largest extending to 848,000 sq ft, are also planned.
Its on-site, open access rail terminal – iPort Rail – was opened in 2018 by HRH The Princess Royal, with daily services now running to/from Southampton, Felixstowe, London Gateway and Teesport. It has secured the Government’s Authorised Economic Operator status.
John Clements, Executive Director of Verdion, said: “The economic and environmental benefits of rail freight are clear, and we have significant untapped potential here at iPort to increase provision and support national and international supply chains. This agreement with MEDLOG will underpin current operations as well as creating a strong platform for future growth, including more business and employment opportunities across the Doncaster and South Yorkshire region.”
Dan Everitt, MD of MEDLOG UK, said: “iPort Rail is strategically located less than five minutes from junction 3 of the M18 motorway in England and it will continue to be an open access terminal, with operations continuing seamlessly and without interruption to its customers. The investment in the iPort Rail terminal is part of the group’s continued investment in intermodal infrastructure in the United Kingdom.”
Latest payments pump £525m into UK’s rural economy
A further £525m has now been released into the rural economy, building on the advance payments made in August this year, with 97% of farmers having received the final tranche of money under the Basic Payment Scheme, says the Government’s Rural Payments Agency.
So far more than 91,000 applications and claims have been completed across the Basic Payment Scheme, Countryside Stewardship, revenue and Environmental Stewardship schemes. These payments support farmers to run profitable and productive businesses while delivering environmental outcomes in a range of habitats. £70 million under the Environmental Stewardship scheme will be issued in the next few days.
Around 850 farmers whose agreements started in October and November have now received their early payment, with a total £2.8 million paid, and those whose agreements started on 1 December are set to receive their payment in the coming days.
RPA Chief Executive Paul Caldwell said: “This year farmers and rural businesses have continued to face a number of challenges and that’s why the RPA has been working hard to improve cash flow and make sure farmers receive their final BPS payments as quickly as possible.
“Delinked payments will provide financial support over the next four years as we encourage farmers and land managers to enter our environmental land management schemes where they will be paid to take actions that will support sustainable food production while protecting the environment.”
Phase two of Wakefield abattoir site transformation is complete
Consultancy works on phase two of a £7m commercial business park aimed at transforming a former abattoir site in Wakefield have been completed by Dudleys Consulting Engineers.
The project, close to Junction 40 of the M1 motorway, has transformed a 4-acre development plot to provide 76,800 sq ft of much needed new business units, supporting around 200 jobs.
Dudleys was appointed by Frank Marshall Estates to advise on the project following its acquisition of the Flanshaw Way site in 2020. Working alongside KPP Architects and Percy Pickard Contractors, Dudleys provided advice around remediation and enabling works required for the site of the former abattoir.
The practice delivered full Civil and Structural Engineering services including review and appraisal of existing site records, co-ordination and review of additional validation investigation works and subsequent presentation to local authority consultees to support the planning process.
Dudleys Director Peter Dixon said: “Due to previous uses of the site, some remediation was needed. The development plateaus were also heavily constrained by the steep surrounding embankments and closeness to an existing substation. We worked closely with the construction team to manage arisings from the foundations and drainage excavations to carefully co-ordinate levels of construction.”
Frank Marshall Estates is a family-owned commercial development and investment company based in Bradford. Alongside its portfolio of industrial and office developments, FME pioneered its highly successful Nano Park concept which provides smaller and more refined employment spaces for starts ups and satellite operations.
The Flanshaw Way development in Wakefield has been named Balme Business Park in honour of FME’s long standing construction manager, Chris Balme.
Edward Marshall of Frank Marshall Estates, said: “We are pleased to deliver Balme Business Park, a prime site in Wakefield where there is considerable demand for smaller units. With the support of Dudleys we were able to deliver phase one during the pandemic and due to occupier demand we proceeded with phase two immediately after. The scheme has proved hugely successful, due to its location and quality of accommodation, and is now fully let.”
Rula plans logistics accommodation for Tinsley Bridge Group site in Sheffield
Rula Developments has secured a 10-acre site close to Junctions 33 and 34 of the M1 in Sheffield with plans to deliver up to 230,000 sq ft. of new, state-of-the-art industrial/logistics accommodation.
The site is located just off Europa Way next to Sheffield Business Park, and in the heart of the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District.
Existing occupier Tinsley Bridge Group has completed a sale and leaseback of its 62,000 sq ft factory and HQ building which has been sold to Moorfield. TBG plans to vacate its old factory and remainder of the site in 2025, making way for redevelopment.
Rula will submit a planning application in the first quarter of 2024 but is yet to determine building plot sizes subject to demand.
Anthony Clitheroe, Development Director at Rula Developments said: “This area is already recognised as a hotbed of cutting-edge industry and is well placed for last mile logistics operators serving the Sheffield City Region.
“The requirement for high quality, purpose-built industrial accommodation in the region remains high and we plan to develop the plot in line with occupier demand. This site sits well within out existing portfolio of well located, highly accessible and strategically supported developments.”
CPP represented Rula on the site acquisition and investment sale and have been retained as agent for the new build alongside Colliers.
Rula Developments is a privately-owned commercial development company focusing on identifying and developing sites across the UK for immediate or medium to longer-term strategic development, delivering high quality buildings and schemes with strong ESG credentials.
Amongst Rula’s current projects are the speculative delivery of Eclipse, a 405,411 sq ft smart space logistics scheme in Doncaster, and a 369,251 sq ft prime logistics and office development at Broadway Green in Oldham.
Farming industry lets its hair down and raises £7,000 for charity
About 300 members of Yorkshire’s farming community enjoyed an evening of celebration at the first-ever Harvest Dinner Dance held by the Future Farmers of Yorkshire and the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, raising £7,000 to be shared between two charities.
The event brought together farming families and all those who work in agriculture and its allied industries on the Great Yorkshire Showground, sponsored by agricultural machinery manufacturer Krone UK, and rural insurance specialists McClarrons.
Allister Nixon, Chief Executive of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society added: “Our first Harvest Dinner Dance in partnership with Future Farmers of Yorkshire has been a tremendous success and hopefully a welcome tonic for everyone who attended.
“Bringing people together is one of our great strengths as a farming charity, and we look forward to 2024 when there will be lots more opportunities for the farming community to come together at the Great Yorkshire Showground, not least the Great Yorkshire Show in July.”
Nick Grayson, South Yorkshire tenant farmer and Chair of Future Farmers of Yorkshire said: “It’s been a truly special night in great company, just the sort of fun evening I think we all craved at the end of a frustrating harvest and drilling season.
“I would like to say thank you on behalf of the Future Farmers Management Board to everyone who made the evening such a wonderful occasion: our guests, sponsors, supporters, and hosts.”
Export forecast makes ‘sobering reading’, says BCC
A survey of almost 650 UK businesses by the British Chambers of Commerce has shown that customs checks, tariffs and regulation are the top three barriers to exporting.
The research also found that transport costs, volatile exchange rates, political and economic uncertainty, and rules of origin requirements were other obstructions.
The findings come as the Office For Budget Responsibility’s latest forecast said the UK’s trade volumes were expected to stagnate in the medium term, and UK trade intensity still remains below its pre-pandemic level.
The forecast also predicted real exports to average growth of just 0.1% a year between 2024 and 2027.
William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, said: “The OBR’s forecast makes for pretty sobering reading on the challenges we face in the UK’s push to raise exports to the £1tn level.
“But our findings highlight the key priorities for business that could make a difference, when it comes to UK trade negotiations and other related policy developments.
“What they want to see are faster customs processes, removal of non-tariff regulatory barriers, tariff reductions where these could make a difference, fewer hoops to jump through and greater certainty.
“With the UK Government involved in trade negotiations with so many countries right now, including India, South Korea, Canada and Mexico, these findings are a timely reminder of the important issues.
“The push towards increasing the amount of trade we do digitally also has the potential to smooth the flow of global trade, but we need to get more international partners on board.
“Boosting the UK’s exports is a crucial part of solving the country’s productivity puzzle and getting the economy back to greater growth. Although global demand is under pressure, there remain huge opportunities for us in key sectors such as advanced manufacturing and green innovation, if we get the framework right.”
‘Hardest working personal injury solicitor’ in East of England promoted to partner
The largest law firm in Lincolnshire and East Yorkshire has promoted two home-grown lawyers to partner, increasing the support available to individuals suffering from catastrophic injuries and employers experiencing commercial fraud.
After a combined 32 years of experience practising law at Wilkin Chapman, Nick Shaw and James Kinnaird have been promoted to partners at the leading regional law firm.
Both men are credited by name in the recently launched UK Legal 500 2024 – a leading directory widely recognised as a de facto list of the best law firms.
In the rankings for 2023 and 2024, of which Wilkin Chapman is recognised in sixteen separate categories, Nick Shaw is described as “the hardest working personal injury solicitor in the East of England”. Similarly, they describe James Kinnaird as a “technically brilliant commercial litigation lawyer.”
Both solicitors joined Wilkin Chapman straight out of school and were fully supported by the firm throughout their part-time studies, while also working full-time roles, to qualify as chartered legal executives and ultimately become solicitors.
Nick Shaw joined Wilkin Chapman in 2006 after graduating from Lincoln College. He has spent the last 17 years working at the firm’s Lincoln office, gaining practical experience and being supported in undertaking specialist qualifications to further his career. Nick said:
“I’m very proud and excited to be taking on the role of partner at Wilkin Chapman’s personal injury and clinical negligence department in Lincoln.
“Whether it’s the UK’s hardworking military personnel or our agricultural workers – which is recognised as one of the most statistically dangerous industries in the UK by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) – I look forward to furthering the firm’s important work supporting people with life-changing, catastrophic injuries in these incredibly dangerous areas.”
“I haven’t taken the most conventional path to become a partner, but Wilkin Chapman has nurtured me from day one. It has encouraged me to learn as I earn, instead of going to university. I’ve been hands-on, experiencing the law and its evolution in real-time.
“This to me proves that there really are no barriers to what you can achieve – if you have the right support and the right mentality.”
James Kinnaird joined Wilkin Chapman in 2008 and has spent 15 years building his knowledge of commercial litigation to support businesses across the country. He said:
“I’m thrilled to be accepting the position of partner in Wilkin Chapman’s commercial dispute resolution team at our Lincoln office. I look forward to continuing to support businesses, directors, and shareholders when they get into disputes with other businesses or internally with each other. On his high court employment specialism, James said: “whether companies are struggling with the misuse of their confidential information, a breach of restrictive covenants or unlawful team moves (a team of employees resigning to work for a competitor), I’m here to provide critical support for this niche area of law.”
Senior partner, Andrew Holt said: “This is a huge personal achievement for them both. Nick and James are what you might call ‘home-grown lawyers’, having trained and worked in the firm to reach this position. We saw their potential, supported their career progression and we’re delighted they are joining the partnership.”
Trimble Group hails game-changing support from Growth Hub
Trimble Group CEO Toby Trimble has hailed ‘game-changing’ Richmondshire business support, which is helping them flourish.
Two years ago the Richmond-based veterinary-led communications company embarked on a transformative journey with York & North Yorkshire Growth Hub. Before accessing the Growth Hub’s extensive resources and expertise, Trimble Group had to shoulder all of its own challenges. This changed when they partnered with the Growth Hub.
Toby Trimble, CEO and founder of Trimble Group, said; “The York & North Yorkshire Growth Hub has been an absolute game-changer for our business. They provided us with support, guidance, and funding opportunities.
“From helping us develop our studio to connecting us with a trusted advisor, they’ve been there every step of the way. Their non-judgemental approach and expert advice have been helpful in overcoming challenges and building a sustainable growth plan. We highly recommend their services to any business seeking to thrive.”
Collaborating with the Growth Hub’s Business Relationship Manager Nick White, support has taken various forms. This began with help to secure a grant that played a pivotal role in establishing Trimble Group’s studio. This extra finance allowed for vital purchases such as lighting equipment. This in turn enabled the execution of multiple shoots and significantly enhancing their working efficiency.
Beyond financial aid, Nick provided invaluable guidance that has helped shape Trimble Group’s growth strategies. Rather than dictating a rigid path, the Growth Hub has been a guiding hand. This helped the Trimble Group navigate challenges and seize opportunities.
One of the key aspects of Trimble Group’s operations is their reliance on studios. With Nick’s guidance, they expertly transformed an office space into a production facility. This was made possible through funding from the Supply Chain Network. The funding has enabled upgrades like a lighting grid and sound treatment, elevating the quality and efficiency of content production.
Furthermore, Trimble Group’s association with the Growth Hub led to great connections for the company. Toby said; “I think the most valuable thing the Growth Hub has done for us is connecting me with a valuable advisor. Having someone discuss your challenges without judgement and help you get to a solution has been instrumental to us. With this support we are building towards what we hope is going to be a really bright future.”
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