Glencar wins major warehouse fit-out project in Doncaster
Glencar has been appointed by Maersk, the Danish shipping and logistics company, to undertake comprehensive fit-out works at Mammoth 602, a 602,000 sq ft warehouse development situated at GLP’s G-Park Doncaster development that it has recently occupied.
The £12m project will comprise of the fit out of the existing office areas to category A standard, warehouse high level services and minor external works alterations. Warehouse area fit-out includes lighting, sprinklers including works associated, frost protection, fire alarm and small power.
Works started at the beginning of February are expected to be complete at end of the September 2023.
Tom Kearsley, Glencar operations director, said: “Mammoth 602 is an incredible development and the largest such fit-out project Glencar have been awarded to date so we are suitably delighted.
“The specialist knowledge and expertise we have built our name on within the Industrial & Logistics lends itself perfectly to support the needs of a growing number of occupiers requiring specialist fit-out and enabling works. We look forward to expanding our offering in the face of increasing demand.
“We also look forward to working with the team at Maersk and delivering to their exacting needs.”
A spokesperson from Maersk said: “Mammoth 602 is a strong example of GLP’s commitment to sustainability across its developments. It is GLP’s third building to be net zero carbon for construction, in line with the UKGBC framework, and is part of the Planet Mark accreditation scheme which helps to further reduce the carbon footprint for the occupier.”
Legal & General to stop production at Yorkshire modular housing facility
Legal & General is to stop production at its Yorkshire modular housing facility, seeing around 450 jobs affected.
Reports from Sky News indicate that the company is proposing to reduce business activity and cease new modular production at its Selby site following a lack of demand.
Existing orders will be completed to ensure delivery.
The COVID-19 pandemic and planning delays are said to be the main reasons why the facility has been unable to deliver the number of orders needed to become profitable.
The business is commencing consultation with employees around making most modular homes roles redundant.
Teenage entrepreneur urges others to follow in her footsteps
A teenager who tried her hand at various careers is urging other young people to follow their dreams after expanding a business named after her baby sister.
Eighteen-year-old Ashlee Spyvee was inspired to launch the business by her experience of trying to find suitable clothes for Mya Rose, who is just 19 months old.
But before opening the shop in Paragon Arcade, Hull, Ashlee worked in a range of sales and care roles, eventually leaving her family and heading back to the area where she was born and brought up.
She said: “I’m from East Yorkshire but we moved to the Cotswolds six years ago. I didn’t like it there and I missed Hull so I came back to live with my grandmother in Thorngumbald.
“I started the business before I came back and then expanded it in February when a unit became available in Paragon Arcade. It’s a lovely place and the city centre could do with more spaces like this. The owners Allenby Commercial have chosen the tenants very carefully and we all work together to attract a lot of people.”
Ashlee said: “I knew there was a gap in the market because we found it difficult to get the clothes we wanted for Mya Rose. Some things were very expensive but we’ve put the effort in to get good quality, nice clothes at affordable prices.
“It’s baby and children’s wear and accessories, also gifts for baby showers. We try to make sure everything is different from what you’d find in the High Street shops and we get quite a few people travelling here from out of town. Customers keep telling me there’s nothing like this in the area.”
Scarborough seafront hotel sold
The Weston Hotel in Scarborough, situated on the seafront in the town’s south bay, has been sold.
The 32-bedroom hotel has recently undergone a full internal and external refurbishment and enjoys stunning coastal views from its lofty perch above the Scarborough Spa, arguably the town’s main tourist attraction.
Previous owners, John Simms and Pat Hendry have run the hotel for around 12 years and are selling to retire. John says: “We have really enjoyed our time here and have some wonderful memories.
“The Weston has been our life and we leave with a heavy heart but knowing that the new owners, who are themselves hugely experienced hoteliers, will continue to operate the hotel in much the same way that it is now. We wish them every success and hope that our long list of loyal customers will continue the support they have showed us.”
The sale was handled by Christie & Co hotel director Mark Worley, who has completed several hotel deals across North Yorkshire over the last few months.
He says: “Scarborough is a hugely popular tourist destination and one of the busiest seaside towns in the UK. It has a multitude of attractions including its imposing castle, glorious beaches and its proximity to the North York Moors National Park plus the stunning Yorkshire coastline dotted with quaint and historic places such as Whitby, Robin Hoods Bay and Sandsend.
“It’s easy to see why this part of the world is so popular with hotel buyers and I look forward to announcing more transactions in the coming months.”
Software training and development partnership to launch this summer
This summer will see the launch of a new partnership designed to offer a range of software development training and career opportunities to individuals and businesses in the North.
The Edge Hub, a digital upskilling and business growth collaboration, will work withwith Makers, a provider of hybrid bootcamps and apprenticeships in the digital sector.
Based in Hull, The Edge Hub will offer a unique hybrid technology centre dedicated to innovation, technology, and skills. Makers is a leading provider of holistic software development courses and apprenticeships and have trained 1’000’s of technology leaders over their ten-year journey. They work with an extensive range of national brands, including Santander, Tesco, Meta and Ford. The relationship will offer individuals and businesses in the North the opportunity to access a 16-week bootcamp in software development along with wraparound career support to fast-track the advancement of digital skills in the region. Claudia Harris, Makers’ CEO, said: “We are thrilled to join forces with The Edge Hub to build a unique community and space for Makers training in the Humber region and beyond. Over the past ten years, we have trained a diverse group of thousands of engineers, focusing on a growth mindset and emotional intelligence alongside excellent technical skills. Our partnership with The Edge Hub will create a powerful and intimate community of individuals and businesses working to unlock the full potential of the digital sector in the region.” Antonio Tombanane, the founder of The Edge Hub and Tech Week Humber, added: “The partnership with Makers is fantastic news for The Edge Hub and the North. We are introducing a unique opportunity for businesses and individuals to access a new digital career in just 16 weeks. This fits perfectly with our ethos of fast-tracking filling the region’s digital skills gaps.”Kathryn secures development role at Freedom Festival Arts Trust
Kathryn Biggin has been appointed as Business Development Manager at Hull’s Freedom Festival Art Trust.
Her remit is to grow and develop support alongside the trust’s existing partners and sponsorship, to ensure that their projects and events, including Freedom Festival, can continue to be delivered at a standard that the people of Hull and beyond deserve. With a background with business development and unique venues in London, including the Museum of London, Kathryn, pictured above, has spent the past five years working as a charity manager since moving to Hull in 2017, and is thrilled to become a senior representative of the Arts Trust as a passionate advocate for events and the arts. She said: “It is becoming increasingly important for local people and businesses to help grow support for causes and charities such as Freedom Festival Arts Trust as UK arts funding is in decline and many arts charities are relying on alternative means of income to ensure that their work can continue.” Freedom Festival Arts Trust is a registered charity and relies on the support of local businesses and generous individuals to deliver free projects and festivals that are accessible for all to enjoy. The Freedom Festival as a staple in the area’s cultural calendar, but the team behind it operates year-round, working with artists to deliver iconic projects such as The Hull Vigil, as well as new festivals and events such as The Awakening, which celebrated its second incredibly successful year back in March welcoming over 100,000 people into the city centre. Laura Beddows, Senior Producer at Freedom Festival Arts Trust, said: “By working with businesses and local communities, our trust provides a platform to support important work which not only brings joy and enrichment to the wider area through events and shows, but the arts as a whole provides immeasurable value through participation and engagement programmes for all ages, shining a spotlight on incredibly important topics to support communities who wouldn’t otherwise have a stage on which to stand.”Manufacturing firms’ confidence stabilises, according to latest CBI survey
Business confidence among SME manufacturers stabilised in the quarter to April, according to the CBI’s latest SME Trends survey, ending a run of five consecutive quarters of declining sentiment.
The survey paints a picture of tepid demand during the quarter to April, with output contracting for the third consecutive quarter and new orders broadly unchanged through the quarter. However, SME manufacturers expect both output and new orders to pick up in the three months to July.
There were signs that some of the challenges that faced the UK’s SME manufacturing sector in 2022 continued to ease. The share of firms reporting that shortages of skilled labour and shortages of materials or components could constrain output over the next three months fell back further from last year’s highs (while remaining above average). The share citing concerns over orders or sales rose to its highest level since July 2021 (but remained below average).
The survey suggests that both cost and price growth eased over the quarter, slowing from 2022’s record rates, though remaining historically strong. SMEs expect growth in average unit costs to slow further in the next three months, but to continue to outpace growth in domestic selling prices, which are expected to increase at a similar rate to last quarter.
Investment intentions were mixed, with SME manufacturers expecting to reduce spending in buildings in the year ahead and to keep spending on plant and machinery flat. Spending on innovation, and on training and retraining is expected to rise.
Key findings:
- Business sentiment was broadly unchanged in the three months to April, having fallen steadily since the quarter to January 2022 (balance of +2% from -11% in the quarter to January 2023). However, export optimism fell at a broadly similar pace to the previous quarter (-9% from -7%)
- Output volumes declined marginally and at the same pace as in January (balance of -5%, from -5% in January). Output is expected to pick up in the coming quarter (+13%).
- Orders or sales were the most commonly cited constraint on output over the next three months (61% of respondents; below the long-run average of 73%), followed by skilled labour (35%; average of 18%), and materials or components (29%; average of 12%).
- The volume of total new orders was broadly unchanged in the quarter to April (balance of +2%, from -3% in January), but is expected to grow in the three months to July (+16%).
- Growth in average unit costs eased for the fourth quarter in a row (balance of +61% from +71%) and is expected to ease further in the next quarter (+44%).
- Growth in domestic selling prices continued to ease from 2022’s record highs (balance of +33%, from +38% in January), with a similar rate of increase expected next quarter (+34%).
- Employment numbers edged up in the three months to April (balance of +8%, from +6%), with SMEs expecting another moderate rise in the next three months (+13%).
Financial services sector launches skills gap investigation
The newly-established Yorkshire and Humber Financial and Professional Services Skills Commission is asking for support from the finance sector as it seeks to build a picture of the skills needed by the sector in our region.
Armed with that information, the Commission hopes to develop a plan that can help in their delivery.
Led by Yorkshire Building Society and supported by industry bodies TheCityUK, the City of London Corporation, and The Financial Services Skills Commission, the Commission plans to engage with a wide range of stakeholders in the region, including those in the financial and professional services industry, education and local government and other sectors.
As part of this, interested parties are invited to submit evidence to the Commission.
Evidence that helps to answer the following research questions is welcomed:
- Where do skills gaps currently exist in the financial and professional services workforce and where are they likely to change in future?
- How effectively does the industry attract recruit and retain a diverse pool of skilled people?
- How effectively does the industry use training and development to improve the skills of its workforce?
- How effectively do employers, education providers and others in the region currently work together to broaden the skills within the industry?
NFU says Government missed opportunity in free trade deal with Australia
NFU President Minette Batters has sounded a note of caution over a newly-signed Free Trade deal between the UK and Australia.
It’s the first deal to be struck under our new independent trade policy, and as such provided a chance to set the standard for future deals which incentivise trade in food produced to higher environmental and animal welfare standards, she said.
“However, it is clear from this report that the UK government has missed the opportunity to reach a genuinely innovative and world-class FTA with Australia.
“While it is reassuring that this deal will not result in a change in production standards here – for instance, imports of hormone-reared beef will still be banned – the report confirms that this FTA simply opens up UK agricultural markets for Australian produce, whether or not produced to the same standards that are legally required of UK farmers.
“This deal will pave the way for others to follow and I’m increasingly concerned about the cumulative impact of the government’s FTA programme, especially as its own impact assessments anticipate a negative economic impact on UK farmers.
“It’s vital that government provides a clear programme of policies and investment to help UK farming get ‘match ready’ for this new, tougher trading environment. We also need to see government working with farmers to develop a set of core environmental and animal welfare standards which it can seek to safeguard through forthcoming FTAs, as well as in its general import policy under its current WTO commitments.
“I would like to thank the Trade and Agriculture Commission for producing such a detailed report which will no doubt be useful to Parliamentary select committees as they themselves scrutinise this FTA.”
MEANWHILE, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “It is good news to hear that the free trade agreements with Australia and New Zealand will finally come into force at the end of the month.
“These deals will lower tariffs, simplify customs procedures, allow for greater freedom of movement for labour and provide stronger market access for the UK’s world-leading services sector – but the success of any free trade agreement comes down to whether businesses use it, so it’s vital the Government shouts from the rooftops about these new opportunities.
“A recent BCC survey also found almost a quarter of firms (23%) said finding a business partner or distributor overseas would encourage them to either start exporting or export more.
“We have strong Chambers in both Australia and New Zealand and will be working with them to get the most out of these trade deals for all our economies.”
Lincolnshire JV secures finance to help firms enhance environmental status
Lincolnshire JV company rePLANET Wildlife has attracted £600,000 of investment, based on a £2 million valuation, with the support of law firm Shakespeare Martineau.
The new company, set up by majority shareholder Operation Wallacea Limited (Opwall) will provide carbon and biodiversity credits for companies seeking to invest in nature – either as part of their environmental, social and governance commitments.
The company will help to protect and restore areas of high nature value, facilitate uplift in biodiversity and carbon stocks, and generate tradeable natural assets, specifically biodiversity and carbon credits.
In order to develop and measure the concept of biodiversity credits, registered charity the Wallacea Trust has formed a 50-strong Biodiversity Credit Working Group comprising large corporates, financial institutions, experts in different taxa and biostatisticians, to establish a method for an international biodiversity credit that could be traded in the same way as a carbon credit.
The investment will enable rePLANET Wildlife to implement its aims, making use of Opwall’s existing biodiversity sector expertise.
Opwall Director Alexander Tozer said: “This is a really important venture for Opwall; the world is facing two major environmental threats – climate change and species loss, and while many companies want to be able to support nature, there is a lack of a transparent mechanism through which they can do this. This is where biodiversity and carbon credits come in.
“This is a sector that’s growing at pace, and we’re proud to be at the forefront of biodiversity credits.”
Lincoln-based law firm Shakespeare Martineau provided legal advice and support in setting up the joint venture, including the project documentation prior to investment.
Michael Squirrell, corporate partner at Shakespeare Martineau, who led the deal, said: “As a firm, we are becoming involved increasingly in ESG and net zero projects and with the breadth of knowledge across the firm, we’re well-placed to support organisations such as Opwall who are leading developments in this space.”
Sewage overflow costs Anglian Water a record £2.65m fine
Anglian Water has been fined £2.65m after pleading guilty to allowing untreated sewage to overflow into the North Sea following a prosecution brought by the Environment Agency.
The discharges occurred because Anglian Water decommissioned a piece of equipment, which led to the conditions for untreated sewage to be released into the North Sea. It failed to act on available data that would have alerted it to the issue. There was also a lack of an alarm system to inform the water company of how often these discharges were occurring.
Anglian Water was ordered to pay prosecution costs of £16,520.09 and a victim surcharge of £170 at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court (27 April 2023), resulting in a total financial penalty of £2,666,690.09 after the spill at the Jaywick Water Recycling Centre in Essex led to sewage being discharged into the sea.
It is the largest ever fine imposed for environmental offences in the region.
Since 2010, water companies have been responsible for self-monitoring water recycling sites. Environment Agency Officers carry out audits and inspections of waste water treatment works. Data experts analyse hundreds of thousands of discharges to identify illegal activity which is used as evidence to hold water companies to account.
An investigation in 2018 found that the discharges into the North Sea, recorded over a month between June and July, was the equivalent of more than 3 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
Environment Agency Chair Alan Lovell said: “The Environment Agency’s officers were instrumental in highlighting the scale of Anglian Water’s discharges into the North Sea – equivalent to 3 Olympic swimming pools of waste water in a month – and ensuring the water company has been made to pay for its pollution.
“The Environment Agency will pursue any water company that fails to uphold the law or protect nature and will continue to press for the strongest possible penalties.”
Greenarc electrifies service offering with latest acquisition
Greenarc Limited, a Halifax-based fuel and clean energy services business, has acquired Lancashire-based company Elektec.
The purchase of electrical contractor Elektec represents Greenarc’s third venture in less than nine months with the investment in Oxfordshire-based Heat Engineer Software Ltd in April and the acquisition of the recently rebranded vehicle leasing and rental business Greenarc Vehicles completed in November.
Chris Bingham, chairman and CEO at Greenarc, says: “This recent acquisition is one of many investments from Greenarc in the past twelve months and we are thrilled to welcome Carl and Charlotte to the business to support our goal of transitioning our customers to a clean energy future.
“With Elektec’s focus on EV charging points, battery storage, LED lighting, electrical compliance and more recently solar we have further increased our low-carbon service offering. This acquisition represents another important pillar of our decarbonisation proposition to individuals, businesses, and the public sector across the UK.”
Charlotte Knowles, director at Elektec, said: “This acquisition allows us to continue to offer our electrical services locally but also provides Elektec with the expertise and funding to grow our services to customers. Not only this, but we now have access to a range of other renewable energy solutions to support our customers to decarbonise their entire energy infrastructure.
“Greenarc’s honest and informative approach to clean energy fits in well with what we do at Elektec, we are thrilled to be joining the Greenarc team and I’m excited about the future work we will be achieving together.”
The acquisition was facilitated by Clarion Solicitors. Tax advice was provided by BHP Chartered Accountants and funding by Barclays Bank.
Sweco UK acquires Ball & Berry
Leeds engineering, environment, design and regulatory consultancy Sweco UK has acquired Ball & Berry.
Established in 2007 and with six offices in England, Ball & Berry provides Approved Inspector services in several sectors including commercial, residential, education, healthcare, hospitality, industrial and leisure. Ball & Berry employs around 40 people and had reported revenues of £3.4m in 2022.
Max Joy, business area president of Sweco UK, says: “This is an exciting new chapter in Sweco’s growth story here in the UK. Sweco and Ball & Berry share the same business and cultural values focused on clients, professional development and creating safe, secure and comfortable spaces for the end user.
“By coming together, we are ensuring that we have the right skills and knowledge to respond to our clients’ future needs as well as to the upcoming changes to the Building Safety Act.”
Paul Eggleton, division manager for Building Standards at Sweco UK, adds: “I am delighted to welcome Ball & Berry into the Building Standards Division of Sweco. Together we will strengthen our reputation and expertise as market leaders in the Building Control sector and continue our class leading regulatory service guiding clients from design through to building completion.”
Paul McNeill, director at Ball & Berry, said: “Since myself, David Hodgson and David Clarke joined Ball & Berry as directors in 2010/11, the business has undergone a journey of exceptional growth and transformation.
“Over recent years, we’ve opened several new offices in Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham, London and Maidstone, and recruited highly skilled Building Control professionals and administrative support staff to service a growing portfolio of clients who rely on our team for outstanding technical expertise that aids quality, seamless and successful projects.
“Coming together with Sweco – a company with the same passion for excellence – was an easy decision. Our combined expertise, and united values, culture and ethos will deliver incredible strength in our marketplace. Sweco’s strategy is underpinned by integrity, performance and a clear vision to put people at the heart of what they do, which very much mirrors that of Ball & Berry.”
This is the first acquisition for Sweco UK since it acquired MLM Group in May 2019.
Sweco was advised on the transaction by the Leeds offices of Squire Patton Boggs and EY’s transaction and SPA teams, which were led by Paul Mann and Matthew Vernon. Ball & Berry was represented by Forbes solicitors, led by Jenny Burke.
The value of the share purchase agreement (SPA) is undisclosed.
Channel 4 launches permanent news base in Leeds
Channel 4 has launched a permanent news base in Leeds, with the daily bulletin set to be delivered from two national newsrooms as the broadcaster expands its commitment to nations and regions coverage.
The move will also see journalism students able to hone their broadcasting skills on a TV set used by Channel 4 News presenters, thanks to a special collaboration with the University of Leeds, with the programme donating high-performance equipment and technology from its temporary studio in Leeds to the School of Media and Communication.
The old set with its distinctive purple and white colouring will now be disassembled and brought onto campus where it will be given a new lease of life as a TV studio for undergraduates studying for a BA in Journalism.
Kristyn Gorton, head of the School of Media and Communication, said: “We are very grateful for Channel 4 News’ kind donation, and would like to thank Head of Regions, Sunita Bhatti, and the rest of the Channel 4 News team in Leeds for the opportunity to utilise such a well-recognised TV set.
“It will be put to good use by students and staff within the School of Media and Communication and I know they’re already looking forward to using it on the BA Journalism newsdays.”
Channel 4 News has been operating in Leeds since early 2022, with daily programming from its temporary studio.
It says the new studio will serve as a reminder of the programme’s commitment to and investment in regional production, contributing significantly to the rapidly evolving local, cultural economy in the city.
Esme Wren, editor of Channel 4 News, said: “We’re delighted to be forging this partnership with the University of Leeds as we continue to invest heavily in the region with the launch of our permanent studio in Leeds.
“Our industry is only as good as the talent we develop and the opportunities we create, so we hope this donation will support the University in continuing to shape some of the country’s brightest young journalists.”
Streets Chartered Accountants shares expert insight in latest news update
Streets Chartered Accountants has released its latest news update, sharing expert insight.
Tax-free allowance on trading and property income
A reminder that there are two separate annual £1,000 tax allowances for property and trading income. If you have both types of income highlighted below, then you can claim a £1,000 allowance for each. Read more.
Losing your personal income tax allowance
If you earn over £100,000 in any tax year your personal allowance is gradually reduced by £1 for every £2 of adjusted net income over £100,000 irrespective of age. This means that any taxable receipt that boosts your income over £100,000 will result in a reduction in personal tax allowances. Accordingly, your personal Income Tax allowance would be reduced to zero if your adjusted net income is £125,140 or above. Read more.
Rent-a-room relief
The rent-a-room scheme is a set of special rules designed to help homeowners who rent-a-room in their home. If you are using this scheme, you should ensure that rents received from lodgers during the current tax year do no exceed £7,500. The tax exemption is automatic if you earn less than £7,500 and there are no specific tax reporting requirements. If required, homeowners can opt out of the scheme and record property income and expenses as usual. Read more.
Full expensing started 1 April 2023
The new 100% first-year capital allowance for qualifying plant and machinery assets known as full expensing came into effect on 1 April 2023. This measure is expected to help boost business investment and growth. Read more.
Tax when you sell property
The annual exempt amount applicable to Capital Gains Tax (CGT) has been reduced to £6,000 (from £12,300) for the new 2023-24 tax year. Read more.
Letting relief
In general, there is no Capital Gains Tax (CGT) due on the disposal of a property which has been used as the main family residence. This relief from CGT is commonly known as ‘private residence relief’. However, where all or part of the home has been rented out the entitlement to relief may be affected. Homeowners that let all or part of their house may not benefit from the full private residence relief, but may benefit from letting relief. Read more.
Stamp Duty on shared ownership property
Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) is payable whether you buy a freehold property, a new or existing leasehold property or a shared ownership property. Read more.
VAT guidance for overseas sellers
New simplified VAT guidance for overseas sellers has been published by HMRC. Read more.
Take advantage of new pension tax reforms
The new pension tax reforms that were announced in the recent Spring Budget took effect from 6 April 2023. Read more.
Mobile phones and tax
When an employer incurs costs for the provision of mobile phones to employees it is important to understand the correct tax treatment of these expenses. Read more.
Paying tax by credit or debit card
HMRC has not accepted personal credit card payments since January 2018 when credit card surcharges on personal credit cards were banned. However, HMRC continues to accept payments by corporate credit card or corporate debit cards. The use of these cards is subject to a fee. Payment by personal debit cards is currently fee-free. There is also no charge for payment by Direct Debit, bank transfer or cheque. Read more.
Tax Diary May/June 2023
1 May 2023 – Due date for corporation tax due for the year ended 30 July 2022.
19 May 2023 – PAYE and NIC deductions due for month ended 5 May 2023 (if you pay your tax electronically the due date is 22 May 2023).
19 May 2023 – Filing deadline for the CIS300 monthly return for the month ended 5 May 2023.
19 May 2023 – CIS tax deducted for the month ended 5 May 2023 is payable by today.
31 May 2023 – Ensure all employees have been given their P60s for the 2022/23 tax year.
1 June 2023 – Due date for corporation tax due for the year ended 31 August 2022.
19 June 2023 – PAYE and NIC deductions due for month ended 5 June 2023 (if you pay your tax electronically the due date is 22 June 2023).
19 June 2023 – Filing deadline for the CIS300 monthly return for the month ended 5 June 2023.
19 June 2023 – CIS tax deducted for the month ended 5 June 2023 is payable by today.
Read more
Work hits major milestone on new Leeds tower
Construction of a new landmark 20-storey residential tower in Leeds city centre’s Arena Quarter has hit a major milestone after a topping out ceremony was held to mark it reaching its highest point.
Known as Live Oasis St Albans Place, the scheme on Wade Lane is being developed specifically for the city’s burgeoning student market, by Infinity Construction Enterprise Limited, part of the YPP Group.
The development will consist of 212 furnished apartments, complete with their own kitchens, en-suite bathrooms and living areas, as well as first-class amenities.
Principal contractor, Farrans Construction will complete work on the development this summer and the apartments will be ready to move into in time for the start of the 2023/24 academic year. The scheme will be managed by YPP Lettings, under the company’s Live Oasis brand.
A spokesperson for YPP said: “The topping out of this development is a major milestone. This is YPP’s biggest development to date and from the outset our ambition has been to push the boundaries of what we do both as a developer and in terms of student accommodation in Leeds.
“The result is a landmark building, in a really exciting area, that will genuinely offer the wow factor, complete with spectacular views from the upper floors and an amazing eighth storey roof terrace for residents to enjoy. This is in addition to all the amenities that make our Live Oasis developments so popular including numerous study areas, residents’ lounges, private dining facilities, concierge services and a fully equipped gym with separate workout studios.
“As a result, we’re already receiving enquiries from students who want to live in what promises to be the city’s hottest student address and we’re really looking forward to work completing in the coming months.”
Cathal Montague, regional director for Farrans Construction, said: “The topping out milestone, particularly on a building of this size, is a good moment for the team involved to take a step back and take stock of what has been achieved so far. It has been a challenging year for the construction industry and we are pleased to be on programme with this project. It is a testament to the hard work of the project team and the excellent collaboration that has been taking place between our client, architects, supply chain and YPP.
“The cutting-edge design has relied exclusively on precast construction from the first floor upwards with a façade design and high-quality material palette. We have been able to optimise the speed of construction using innovative technology without compromising on the luxury finish. The precast panels offer a more sustainable approach to construction delivery as well as working well in a tight site footprint by minimising the lorry deliveries. We have a lot of experience of delivering technically challenging projects of this nature, in a central location, with a small site footprint and using Modern Methods of Construction.”
In addition to Live Oasis St Albans Place, this year YPP will also complete work on another 168-apartment scheme in the Arena Quarter, known as Live Oasis Merrion Street Gardens and a 133-apartment scheme, called Q Three Residence, on Westgate.
Get a team together and make a splash for LIVES this summer!
Only a few weeks to go until the 6th Lincoln annual Dragon Boat Race will be taking place on the Brayford Waterfront.
The spectacular event, taking place on Saturday 17th June, has become one of the biggest in the City’s event calendar, attracting hundreds of spectators and competitors on the day.
This year the event is raising money for Lincolnshire’s first responders LIVES and already nearly 20 teams have signed up to take part on the day.
There is still plenty of time to raise a team and join in the fun! So, get your team of up to 10 paddlers, plus a drummer, together and get ready to battle it out in ornate 30-foot Chinese dragon boats.
The event promises to be colourful and great fun, no previous experience is required, just plenty of team spirit!
As well as the boat racing there will also be plenty of family activities, food and drink stalls along the Brayford Waterfront for the whole family to enjoy.
Teams will be encouraged to raise money for LIVES through sponsorship and fundraising.
Kirsty Raywood from LIVES said: “We are delighted to have received such an excellent response to our call for crews from local businesses across the region. The Dragon Boat Race promises to be a great day out and will entice some healthy competition between local businesses in order to raise these vital funds to keep our Emergency Responders on the road and continue saving lives in Lincolnshire.”
For further information and details of how to become a participating team contact Alex Bennett alex.bennett@ringroselaw.co.uk or visit https://www.ringroselaw.co.uk/about/lincoln-dragon-boat-race/
New apprenticeship opens route for nuclear industry careers
Aspiring nuclear engineers and scientists have a new route into careers in low-carbon energy, with the launch of a degree apprenticeship delivered by the University of Sheffield AMRC Training Centre.
The Nuclear Scientist and Nuclear Engineer Degree Apprenticeship will produce graduate professionals who can work across the UK’s current and future civil nuclear programmes. It has been developed with the support of the Nuclear AMRC and industry partners including UKAEA, Westinghouse, Rolls-Royce, Sellafield and Jacobs.
The course has been designed to provide the engineering and management skills needed to ensure that nuclear systems and equipment can be operated safely and efficiently and in an environmentally sustainable way. Specialist modules include the principles of nuclear engineering, advanced manufacturing and materials for nuclear applications, and industry codes and standards.
Depending on previous experience, the course will take up to five years to complete. Graduates will qualify with a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons), and be well suited for roles including design, operational management, project management, plant performance enhancements and maintenance of safety standards.
The Nuclear AMRC and the AMRC Training Centre worked together to ensure that the course meets industry needs, coordinating input from employers in the nuclear supply chain and supporting development of the curriculum.
Liz Gregory, Supply Chain and Skills Director at the Nuclear AMRC, says: “We are committed to supporting our supply chain companies to obtain suitably qualified personnel to meet today’s challenges and those of the future. There is a real shortage of staff in the nuclear sector, so we are working hard with our partner organisations to meet their needs for high-quality training and to give young people the best possible start in the industry.”
Apprentices will be employed by a company working in the nuclear supply chain throughout their training. Their employer will pay the course fees plus a basic salary, either with support from the apprenticeship levy or via co-investment with the government if the employer doesn’t pay the levy. As part of their final year of study, the student will carry out an industrial project to tackle a real engineering challenge for their employer.
For people who want to work in nuclear but are not currently employed in the sector, the AMRC Training Centre can match applicants to a suitable employer.
Nikki Jones, Director of the AMRC Training Centre, says: “The nuclear sector is a rapidly-developing high-value sector in the UK with immense growth opportunities. With the new Nuclear Scientist and Nuclear Engineer Degree Apprenticeship, we want to feed into the skills bank for industry employers and also provide our apprentices with quality training and knowledge needed to get a head-start in the industry.
“Building on the AMRC Training Centre’s remarkable track record in apprenticeships in other high-value sectors, we’re confident that the new degree apprenticeship will be an excellent first step towards plugging the existing skills gap in the nuclear industry and will open up exciting, new opportunities for young people looking to get into the industry.”
VetPartners continues Netherlands expansion
One of the Netherlands’ best known veterinary groups has joined VetPartners.
Dierenartsen Groep Nederland (DGN) is VetPartners’ second acquisition in the country after welcoming DierenDokters to its expanding European portfolio in February 2023.
The growth of DGN, which has 26 clinics in 33 sites across the Netherlands, has been supported by private equity firm Standard Investment.
Their decision to join VetPartners gives the group a strong base of practices in the Netherlands.
VetPartners owns some of Europe’s most trusted and respected veterinary practices and animal healthcare companies, with 11,000 employees working across more than 700 sites in the UK, Ireland, Channel Islands, France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Portugal, Spain and the Netherlands.
VetPartners was founded in October 2015 by CEO Jo Malone, a small animal vet and director at The Minster Veterinary Practice, in her home city of York, where it has its headquarters.
Mrs Malone said: “DGN is a highly respected group of practices and we share common values of putting people first and ensuring our vets have the autonomy to make their own decisions for their patients.
“Right from the outset, the aim of VetPartners was to bring together like-minded practices who wanted to work together and ensure a bright future for the veterinary profession. Our culture is one of warmth and belonging and we believe DGN are a great fit for our family of practices, and we look forward to working with them.”
DGN Chief Operating Officer Mischa Weijers will lead the group’s expansion in the Netherlands.
Mr Weijers said: “We have joined VetPartners so we can continue our growth and continue to improve veterinary care in our local, well-known clinics that are so familiar to our clients.
“Putting employees, patients and clients at the centre of our business decisions is the basis of our success, and VetPartners lives and breathes that philosophy as well, so that makes them a great fit for us.
“Combining VetPartners’ industry leading experience with our love for working together and having fun promises a bright future. Our vets, nurses and other team members very much welcome being part of VetPartners because they see the group as a great cultural fit.”
Marnix van der Feltz, partner at Standard Investment, said: “When we started building our group of Dutch veterinary practices, we focussed on having entrepreneurial vets/owners who wanted to continue running their own practice and provide the best possible service for clients. Combined with working with Standard Investment to facilitate further growth, this has led to great success.”
DGN was advised by Lincoln International and Stek. VetPartners was advised by VBK, Mills & Reeve and PWC.
Willmott Dixon Interiors to deliver hospital’s new endoscopy suites
Willmott Dixon Interiors have been chosen to deliver two new endoscopy suites at Mexborough’s Montagu Hospital.
As part of the works, the project team will reconfigure and refurbish more than 9,000 sq ft of space within the hospital’s endoscopy ward and rotunda building on behalf of Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
The £4.3 million project will provide new staff and patient facilities, a discharge lounge and recovery ward, and new consultant and ancillary rooms. There will also be a new reception and waiting area, staff room and toilets.
Willmott Dixon Interiors has begun early on-site activities, with the full 30-week project expected to be completed later this year.
It follows the contractor’s recent completion of a similar project to refurbish the Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) at Montagu Hospital.
Phil Crowther, director at Willmott Dixon Interiors, said: “We are very pleased to be working in partnership with Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to deliver important new facilities for local people.
“The creation of a new endoscopy suite builds on our recent refurbishment of the CDC at Montagu Hospital and will improve patient experience by providing faster diagnosis and treatment.
“We are highly experienced in the delivery of healthcare refurbishment projects and will be working to a fast-paced programme, with minimal disruption to hospital staff and patients.”
Willmott Dixon Interiors is delivering the refurbishment of the endoscopy ward and rotunda building at Mexborough Montagu Hospital alongside a project team that includes P+HS, WT Partnership, CAD 21 and Alan Johnston Partnership.
