Guests attending the University of Hull’s first ever Innovate North Awards next week will be asked to determine who should win the hotly contested People’s Choice category in a nail-biting live vote on the night!
Taking place next Tuesday, the Innovate North Awards celebrate business innovation, growth, talent and progress towards reducing carbon emissions among the hundreds of businesses from across the Humber and North Yorkshire regions that the University of Hull has supported in recent years. Almost 700 businesses received European Union-funded innovation support through University programmes such as Aura Innovation Centre, SparkFund, the Flood Innovation Centre and the Humber Internships Programme. This support has resulted in 170 new products being launched, a 400-tonne reduction in carbon emissions, the creation of 195 jobs and increased sales of around £85 million for the small to medium enterprises involved. The three business nominated for the People’s Choice Award are: • Fitmums & Friends, a charity affiliated to England Athletics that started life in East Yorkshire and now runs a series of volunteer-led, community fitness groups for people across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. Fitmums & Friends successfully applied for match funding from the University of Hull’s SparkFund, which allowed them to develop an innovative information management system and accompanying app for both members and volunteers to use. • iParcelBox, an East Yorkshire-based tech firm responsible for creating secure, weatherproof drop-boxes, allowing customers to receive parcels securely when they’re not home. Keen to understand whether it’s better for the environment for deliveries to be sent to people’s homes or to a pick-up point, the developers worked with experts from the University of Hull’s Aura Innovation Centre to develop a carbon calculator capable of mapping the emissions from various different delivery options. • HFR Solutions is a Hull-based Community Interest Company founded in 2012 that uses seconded, retired and operational personnel from Humberside Fire and Rescue Service to review and test safety procedures and planning, and deliver workplace safety training. Having identified a knowledge gap around supporting parish councils and other community-based organisations with the creation and implementation of flood plans, HFR Solutions worked with the University of Hull’s Flood Innovation Centre to develop a ‘Flood-in-a-Box’ product that can be used to deliver flood resilience training. Sarah Clark, Operations Manager at Aura Innovation Centre, said: “Through the various European Union-funded programmes that the University has been running in recent years, almost 700 businesses from the Humber region and North Yorkshire have been able to access a broad range of funding and support, providing them with exciting opportunities for innovation and growth. “From accessing academic research and specialist facilities to helping them connect them with the right partners to deliver their innovative ambitions, the University of Hull is proud to have played a part in their success stories and we’re very much looking forward to celebrating their achievements at the Innovate North Awards on 9 May.” Sarah added: “The fact that the winner of the People’s Choice Award will be chosen by guests attending the awards ceremony in a nail-biting live vote only serves to add to the excitement for everyone involved. All of our nominees are incredibly deserving, we’re looking forward to seeing who wins the popular vote!”Employers told it’s now illegal to withhold employee tips
Millions of UK workers will take home an estimated £200 million more of their hard-earned cash, as employers are banned from withholding tips under the Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act 2023, which has received Royal Assent.
Many hospitality workers rely on tips to top up their pay and are often left powerless if businesses don’t pass on service charges from customers to their staff.
This Bill makes it unlawful for businesses to hold back service charges from their employees, ensuring staff receive the tips they have earned. The measures are expected to come into force in 2024, following a consultation and secondary legislation.
This overhaul of tipping practices is set to benefit more than 2 million UK workers across the hospitality, leisure and services sectors helping to ease cost of living pressures and give them peace of mind that they will keep their hard-earned money.
Business and Trade Minister Kevin Hollinrake said: “As people face rising living costs, it is not right for employers to withhold tips from their hard-working employees.
“Whether you are pulling pints or delivering a pizza, this new law will ensure that staff receive a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work – and it means customers can be confident their money is going to those who deserve it.
“I want to thank Dean Russell MP, Virginia Crosbie MP and all the campaigners who have helped make the Tipping Bill a reality and improved the lives of workers across the UK.
UK Hospitality Chief Executive Kate Nicholls said: “Fantastic hospitality experiences don’t happen without a huge effort from our teams, both front and back of house, and tips are a generous way of customers showing their gratitude, while providing a welcome boost to employees’ earnings. Tips are just one part of what makes working in hospitality a great job and career.“We’re pleased to support this new piece of legislation as it comes into law today and look forward to working with Government and other stakeholders on a code of practice that ensures a fair distribution of gratuities amongst all who contribute to providing great hospitality.”
Bureau Technical Services wins new accreditation from UKAS
Bureau Technical Services has been granted accreditation by UKAS to ISO/IEC17020:2012 for its statutory inspections.
This internationally-recognised standard specifies the requirements for the competence of bodies performing inspections, including their activities’ impartiality, independence, and consistency. Achieving this accreditation involved a significant effort by the Bureau Technical Services team to integrate the requirements of ISO/IEC17020:2012 into its existing quality management systems. While it is possible for inspection bodies to operate without this standard, conforming to it can improve the effectiveness of their management system and assure customers of the high level of service they can expect. As a condition of accreditation, Bureau Technical Services undergoes an annual assessment by UKAS, which includes on-site witness assessments of inspection activities conducted by competent engineers. MD David Blanchard said: “This is a huge achievement for our team. Quality and assurance have always been at the heart of our delivery, and since launching our Inspection Division in 2022, we have worked hard to achieve this highest accolade from UKAS”. The organisation will undergo a comprehensive reassessment every four years, with reports and results peer-evaluated and reviewed by an independent UKAS decision-maker before accreditation is renewed. These measures provide customers with added confidence in the accreditation process and in the quality of the services provided by Bureau Technical Services.Bank opts for offices in Leeds alongside London, Manchester, and Tallinn
LHV Bank has been authorised as a credit institution by the Prudential Regulation Authority, becoming the first institution to receive a banking licence without restrictions in this year.
It’s part of the Estonian retail bank AS LHV Pank, which decided to pursue a UK banking licence in 2021, and LHV submitted its application in March 2022. It has 130 employees in Leeds, London, Manchester and the Estonian capital Tallinn.
Madis Toomsalu, Chairman of LHV Bank, said: “Receiving the licence without restrictions in just over a year since submitting our application validates the exceptional work of our team and the professional operation we’ve built. We expect LHV Bank to achieve profitability by the end of our first year of operations. Our ability to generate additional capital internally positions us strongly for further growth in the dynamic UK banking market.”
Erki Kilu, the bank’s CEO, added: “In addition to our existing Banking Services and SME Lending activities, we plan to start accepting retail deposits later this year and expand our banking solutions offering to e-commerce businesses, maintaining the same level of convenience, reliability, and security that our existing clients have come to expect.”
Last year LHV Bank acquired Bank North’s SME Lending business line and received regulatory clearance from the FCA to start issuing SME loans. SME Lending has been a key strength of LHV Group, which has delivered 15 years of consecutive growth in this space. LHV Bank offers commercial real estate investment loans and trading loans starting from £0.5m to SMEs in the UK, with loan brokers serving as the primary sales channel for SME loans. LHV Bank’s strengths lie in its faster lending process, loan managers’ long-term experience, and understanding of local entrepreneurs’ needs. Leveraging its expertise, strong balance sheet and the proven demand for SME loans, LHV Bank plans to establish a robust lending business quickly.
Two Sisters food group sites win safety awards from RoSPA
Food production sites operated by the Two Sisters Food Group have won safety awards from RoSPA.
Grimsby Soups and Sauces, operating at the town’s Europarc, won a gold award, and the Gunstones Bakery at Stubley Lane in Dronfield have been given a silver.The RoSPA Health and Safety Award scheme is the largest occupational health and safety awards programme in the UK. Now into its 67th year, the Awards have almost 2,000 entries every year, covering nearly 50 countries and a reach of over seven million employees. The programme recognises organisations’ commitment to continuous improvement in the prevention of accidents and ill health at work, looking at entrants’ overarching health and safety management systems, including practices such as leadership and workforce involvement.
While most awards are non-competitive – recognising individual organisations’ achievements – competitive awards are presented in 20 industry sectors and for specialist areas of health and safety management.
William Elworthy, Meal Solutions Divisional Health & Safety Manager, said: “We are extremely proud to have achieved these awards, our Health and Safety teams work incredibly hard to maintain very high standards in our sites.”
Julia Small, RoSPA’s Achievements Director, said: “We are thrilled that the 2 Sisters Meal Solutions sites have won RoSPA Awards and would like to congratulate them on showing an unwavering commitment to keeping their colleagues safe from accidental harm and injury.”
Administrators appointed to Alliance Transport Technologies
Chris Pole and Ryan Grant from Interpath Advisory have been appointed joint administrators of Alliance Transport Technologies Limited.
Operating from two sites in Clowne (Derbyshire) and Featherstone (West Yorkshire), the company specialises in the remanufacture of electronic components, providing a complete aftermarket solution to the commercial vehicle, bus and coach markets.
In recent months, the company has faced a number of challenges, including delays to the launch of its new ESS product. The impact of these factors on trading meant that the company required additional investment to support the business moving forward. After exploring their options, the directors took the decision to seek the appointment of administrators.
The joint administrators have retained the majority of the company’s 51 employees to enable operations to continue for a short period while they explore the possibility of a sale of the business and assets. Unfortunately, however, 15 members of staff have been made redundant. The joint administrators will be providing support to those impacted as a matter of priority.
Chris Pole, Managing Director at Interpath Advisory, said: “Alliance Transport Technologies has been operating for 30 years, and in recent times, has pioneered the use of remanufacturing electronic components to allow commercial vehicle operators to decarbonise the maintenance of their fleets.
“Our focus in the coming days will be to explore the potential sale of the business and its assets, and would invite any interested parties to contact us as soon as possible.”
Arco invests £200k in a trio of mobile confined space training units
Hull-based Arco has invested £200,000 in three new mobile confined space units to expand its national fleet and enable more bespoke training for customers working in hazardous environments across the country.
The new units will take Arco’s confined space solutions to small, medium and larger customers across the UK. The units allow scenarios that simulate a range of activities that workers may face in a confined space, such as repair and maintenance work in a tunnel. They have also been effectively used to support the training of rescue team members in how to recover casualties.
Arco instructors can replicate real-world scenarios that are relevant to key industries, enabling workers to face potential risks in a controlled environment. Other hazards, such as smoke, can also be released into the tunnel systems as an additional training factor, making them suitable to train workers in a variety of situations.
The trailer units are built around a seven-metre, triple-axle chassis and contain multiple tunnels, which have a combined length of more than 30 metres. Internal cameras enable instructors to monitor the safety of delegates, in real time, and review exercises using playback after training sessions are complete.
The investment marks the latest step in Arco’s commitment to delivering ‘Joined-up Safety Solutions’ and follows the recent opening of its £2million Bracknell Safety Centre.
Jamie Sadler, Commercial Director at Arco Professional Safety Services, said: “As experts in safety and a leading provider of confined space training across the country, Arco is committed to delivering an effortless experience for our customers.
“As the UK’s leading integrated safety products and services business, our investment in our new mobile confined space training units and in the facilities at our new state-of-the-art Bracknell Safety Centre allows us to deliver bespoke training and a joined-up approach to safety that meets even the most complex of challenges.”
Fruit and veg vendor wanted to discourage hospital smokers
Hull Royal Infirmary wants to sign up a fruit and veg vendor for an experiment designed to cut on-site smoking.
The idea is to set up a commercial fruit and veg stall at the hospital entrance which will not only make it easier for patients, staff, and visitors to get their ‘5-a-day’, it is hoped the move will reduce the number of people who smoke at the hospital entrance, and in turn, who smoke on site at all.
Amy Brocklesby, NHS Project Lead for Tobacco Dependency at Hull University Teaching Hospitals Trust said: “The Hull Royal Infirmary site has been officially Smokefree for several years, but we have struggled to discourage smoking on the grounds. People don’t always feel comfortable or empowered to ask people not to smoke on site. “To encourage a more natural shift in behaviours, we’re now taking the lead from a number of other hospitals across the country who have introduced fresh fruit and vegetable stalls in their hospital grounds. “Evidence from those hospitals shows that people tend to refrain from smoking tobacco around fresh produce, so we’d love to share the opportunity to promote healthier behaviours with a local grower or retailer and help support local trade too. “The staff who we’ve spoken to so far have been overwhelmingly positive about the idea, so we’d now like to see if it works in practice”. Amy and her team are initially looking to run a short trial of between four and six weeks in the first instance. Businesses interested in the opportunity to sell fresh produce at HRI are asked to contact Amy Brocklesby on 07976 854904Yorkshire firms offered peep through the window of business opportunity offered by University of Hull
Businesses across Hull, East and North Yorkshire are being given the chance to find out more about the help, advice and support on offer from the University of Hull.
At a forthcoming networking breakfast on May 16th firms can take part in a 30-minute Speed Support Session of their choice, minimising the amount of time they need to spend away from their business.
Taking place at Aura Innovation Centre at the Bridgehead Business Park near Hessle, the Business Speed Support event is an opportunity to connect with support networks and programmes led by the University of Hull. Sarah Clark, Operations Manager at Aura, said: “We fully appreciate how busy business owners and leaders are, so we’re bringing our support programmes and schemes together under one roof to allow businesses to drop in and meet them – all in one place and at the same time! “It will be hugely worthwhile for businesses to visit the event because, in just 30 minutes, they’ll get a clear snapshot of the wide and varied range of support on offer to them.” Sarah added: “Whether you’re looking to consult with our experts, develop your people or drive innovation, I’d encourage you to start your day by attending this fast-paced, fun and engaging session. The format is just like speed dating – but without the chat up lines – and has been designed to make it quicker and easier for businesses to connect with the University’s many different support programmes. Simply choose your preferred 30-minute speed networking slot or come along to network at a time to suit you.” To book a free place, visit: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/business-speed-support-free-networking-breakfast-event-tickets-617096721907Livestock industry skills training enhanced by new facility at Askham Bryan
Around 35 business, education and civic leaders attended the opening of a £1.7m precision livestock facility and a £1m Digital Skills Academy.
Tim Whitaker, Chief Executive Officer and Principal, Askham Bryan College, said: “This new high tech facilities will benefit our students and employers. Individually and collectively, we are all custodians for our environment and the demand for sympathetic management of that environment, be it for food production, environmental protection, crisis management or future planning, will be paramount to a stable, sustainable future.
“It is vital that our curriculum keeps pace and equips our students with new higher level technical skills that support the region’s employers.”
The £1.7 million precision livestock facility has been funded by the Yorkshire and Humber Institute of Technology.
Comprising a calf rearing facility and beef grower unit, and a teaching and learning space, the state-of-the-art equipment is being used by diploma and degree level students studying at University Centre Askham Bryan.
The facility takes a fully digitised approach to sustainable high welfare farming. Students complete research and make animal husbandry and welfare decisions based on real time data. This includes recording each animal’s growth and health including its food and water intake via electronic wearable devices.
The £1 million Digital Skills Academy is funded by York & North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership through the government’s Getting Building Fund.
The academy focuses on equipping students, and those already in the workforce, with enhanced skills in line with emerging digital technology industry trends. The facilities include immersive technology such as virtual reality headsets, the use of augmented reality, as well as environmental management applications of lidar scanning.
David Dickson, Chair of York & North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership’s Place & Infrastructure Board, said: “The Digital Skills Academy is an excellent development. It gives the current and future workforce the tools they, and their employers, need to flourish. York and North Yorkshire has ambitions to be a greener, fairer and stronger economy, and schemes such as these will help us get there.”
Cash injection will help workplace health advisors meet growing demand
A Rotherham firm that helps employers to reduce work-related ill health has secured a £125,000 loan from NPIF – Mercia Debt Finance, which is managed by Mercia and is part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund.
The funding will enable Workplace Scientifics to invest in new equipment and meet the growing demand for its occupational hygiene services. The company – which advises on ways to mitigate workplace hazards such as noise, vibration, hazardous substances and chemicals – was founded in 2020 by entrepreneurs Dave Lombardi and Thomas Wood, who have a background in the industry.
They set out to deliver services in a different way, offering ongoing support to help employers improve safety, in addition to providing one-off assessments. The company now employs a team of eight and serves a growing list of clients including Masonite, Magnet, Howmet Airspace, Severfield and Phillips 66. The funding will enable it to create three new jobs over the next six months and provide additional working capital to take on new contracts.
Thomas Wood believes companies are increasingly seeing the value in taking a pro-active approach to health at work. “Authorities are taking a tougher stance on worker health protection. Breaching the rules can cost millions, but perhaps more importantly, attitudes are changing. Organisations are taking worker health more seriously and understanding their moral duties to create safer working environments,” he explains.
“As occupational hygiene practitioners, we not only help employers to identify hazards that might otherwise go unnoticed, but also situations where they are taking unnecessary precautions, which can be wasteful and costly. For example, we visited one business where the workers had worn disposable ear defenders for years, which was uncomfortable and created lots of plastic waste. We were able to find ways to reduce the factory noise to a level where hearing protection was no longer required. Each company is different and it is about having the right measures in place.”
Andy Tyas of Mercia said: “Employers increasingly recognise the value of good working practices in safeguarding their reputation and the health of their workforce, and reducing absence and staff turnover. Dave and Thomas are passionate about delivering a high-quality, expert service. The business has gained rapid traction since its launch and its services are in growing demand. This funding will help them to invest in new equipment and expand the team to support its continued growth.”
Julia Wilkinson of Funding Round provided fundraising advice to the company.
Run With It charity names Hull businessman as new chair
A charity which provides educational support for young people across East Yorkshire has appointed Shaun Watts as its new chair.
Shaun, who is chairman of Hull-based Chameleon Business Interiors, succeeds Wykeland Group’s Dominic Gibbons who has been an integral part of the Run With It charity for over ten years.
Run With It, based at the MKM stadium in Hull, focuses on raising the levels of literacy and numeracy in the region. Indeed, since it was established over twenty years ago, it has helped over two thousand young people by getting them out of the traditional classroom for real-life experiences which support their studies.
Shaun said: “I feel privileged to assume the role of chair for this exceptional charity. Witnessing the profound impact that Run With It has on the lives of young children is truly remarkable and I am convinced that the organisation has the potential to make an even greater difference by providing invaluable support to thousands more children in the future.”
Working with schools and education providers, including special needs and adult learners, all programmes are designed to support the delivery of the national curriculum.
Lisa Dawson, who set up the charity, says she is looking forward to working alongside Shaun.
“We are so pleased that Shaun has accepted the position as our new chair. It will be great to have a fresh set of eyes at board level as we look ahead to our future growth.
“Not all children respond to the classroom environment so, with our programmes, they often don’t even realise they are learning and improving all the time. We have had great success over the years.
“All of a sudden they understand the purpose of what they are being taught at school because they are seeing it in a real-life, practical context. In addition, we help with self-esteem, mental wellbeing and key workplace skills that they are going to need both now and in the future.
“We’d also like to say a big thank you to Dominic Gibbons for all the help, support and commitment he has given us, getting us set up as a charity and establishing our Board of Trustees.”
Meanwhile, Wykeland remains on the board with finance director Ian Franks becoming a registered trustee.
The charity has three separate locations which act as backdrops for their learning programmes: Hull’s MKM stadium, the Flemingate shopping centre in Beverley and Bridlington Town Football Club.
Over twenty local businesses already support the charity across the three sites, but the charity is looking for more to come on board in order to help even more young people across the region.
Officials alert businesses to introduction of ‘Martyn’s Law’
Officers from North East Lincolnshire Council, Humberside Police, Counter Terrorism Policing, and Equans have visited Grimsby Town Centre businesses to raise awareness around counter-terrorism and promote the Governments “Run Hide Tell” message ahead of the expected implementation of Martyn’s Law.
Martyn’s Law is expected to come into effect in the coming months, and follows the Manchester Arena terror attack in 2017, in which 22 people died.
The proposed law would introduce responsibilities for business premises of a certain size to consider additional measures to safeguard customers and staff. This could include additional security training for employees and introducing lock down procedures in the event of a terrorist attack to safeguard the public.
A spokesperson for North East Lincolnshire Council said: “Whilst the risk of an attack in our part of the world is thankfully very low, it is important that local businesses understand what they can do to be as prepared as possible in the event of a terror attack.
“We’re keen to support local businesses and retailers in readiness of any new legislation and have offered local face-to-face training in May to raise awareness and provide opportunity for them to raise any concerns and to ask any questions they may have.”
Any businesses across North East Lincolnshire interested in signing up to training sessions to be held in May are encouraged to email nelcsp@nelincs.gov.uk.
Yorkshire funding and investment group backs property business
Venturian Funding & Investment Group has backed property firm Home & Manor.
The business will focus on sales, lettings and property management across residential and commercial property.
Initially Yorkshire-centric, Home & Manor has much wider and far-reaching aspirations says co-founder Kelly Day: “Our intention is to grow rapidly within our initial Kirklees focus areas and progressively expand to other areas.
“Our agency will be enabled by technology and data in a far more sophisticated way to the current estate agency market standard approach. We see this as giving us the tools to best serve our customers and to also map the areas where we can expand our business at speed.”
Kelly, having more than 20 years’ experience in estate agency and property management herself, brings a wealth of knowledge to the business.
Greg Allsopp, investment director at Venturian, added: “Home & Manor’s ambitions to become a technology led regional force in the property and property management marketplace is extremely exciting in an interesting marketplace. We have been looking for an agency business for a while.
“Kelly brought us a compelling product combining the principles Kelly has set with our desire to have the business focussed on using technology and analytics at its core. We see this as providing some clear points of difference for the business for its customers, but also the platform for the quick growth of the business.”
Co-founder Kelly Day said: “This has taken shape rapidly with Venturian quickly seeing the potential. I’m delighted to be working with them not only to consolidate our position in Kirklees, but to expedite our plans for regional and national expansion in our fields of expertise.”
Huddersfield direct marketing company set for Management Buyout
The founder and long-time CEO of Huddersfield-based Propack Direct Mail, a direct marketing company, is retiring from the business. In his place, Jason Clough will be taking on the company as part of a Management Buyout (MBO), with the full support and approval of Neil Lloyd.
Lloyd founded Propack Direct Mail over 28 years ago, building the company from the ground up to become a leading player in the direct marketing industry. Under his leadership, Propack has grown to serve a wide range of clients, including: Tui, Travis Perkins, Mercedes-Benz, providing a range of services from creative design to printing, mailing and fulfilment.
“It has been an incredible journey, building this business from scratch and watching it grow over the years,” said Lloyd. “I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved, and I am excited to see what the future holds for Propack under Jason’s ownership.”
Clough has been with Propack since 2006, working his way up through the ranks to become Managing Director. He has been instrumental in driving the company’s growth and success in recent years, and Lloyd has full confidence in his ability to lead the business into the future.
“I am honoured and humbled to be taking on this role, and I am committed to continuing the success that Neil has built at Propack,” said Clough. “We have a fantastic team in place, and we are committed to helping our clients communicate effectively and increase their revenue.”
The Management Buyout will see Clough taking full control of Propack Direct Mail, with Lloyd stepping down from his position as CEO. The deal has been in the works for several months, and has been approved by all relevant parties.
“We are confident that Jason has the vision, drive and expertise to lead Propack to even greater success in the future,” said Lloyd. “I wish him and the whole team all the best for the future.”
Levelling Up grant to bring Hull heritage building back into use
A pop-up arts and culture venue will be created thanks to Levelling Up Funding from Hull City Council.
A grant of £76,418.81 has been awarded to Fruit Market LLP to help bring back into use 66-68 Humber Street.
The heritage building will become 1-2 Pier Street and will be used as a pop-up space for the arts and cultural scene.
Renovations will include the installation of a new shop front, a new roof, cladding to the walls, a renovated interior, installation of heating and cooling systems, plumbing works and the fitting of fire systems and fire doors.
Garry Taylor, assistant director for major projects, culture and place at Hull City Council, said: “The council is delighted to be able to award this funding to Fruit Market LLP.
“It’s pleasing to see another unused building being brought back into use, whilst also supporting the city’s flourishing arts and culture scene.”
The regeneration of the Fruit Market is being led by Wykeland Beal, a company formed by commercial developer Wykeland Group and housebuilder Beal Homes, as part of the Fruit Market LLP joint venture with Hull City Council.
Esh secures £60m new refurbishment contracts
Leeds-based contractor, Esh Construction, is set to deliver more than £60 million refurbishment work for registered social housing providers following a series of contract awards.
Clients including Thirteen Group, Broadacres Housing Association and Riverside have appointed Esh to deliver refurbishment and upgrade works to housing stock across the North East, Tees Valley and North Yorkshire.
Boasting more than 20 years of experience delivering refurbishment schemes across the region, Esh has secured a place on Thirteen’s Capital Delivery Framework which will see £50 million of home improvements delivered throughout the next five years. The framework is part of Thirteen’s £150 million home investment programme.
Colin Ford, operations director at Esh Construction, said: “We pride ourselves on maintaining successful working relationships with our clients and we are delighted to have secured several notable contract awards to kickstart 2023.
“We look forward to working collaboratively with our clients to improve living conditions for tenants, while building on our extensive experience of delivering refurbishment works for more than two-decades.”
In North Yorkshire, Esh is set to commence work on a five-year kitchen and bathroom programme for Broadacres Housing Association, marking the first refurbishment contract with Broadacres in 14 years. More than 1,300 properties will benefit from the work undertaken.
A retirement living investment programme for Riverside adds to the pipeline, which will see Esh refurbish two occupied residential developments. The first scheme is located in South Shields and will include the installation of bathrooms, mechanical and electrical works, and refurbishment of communal areas.
The first project to get underway via Thirteen’s Capital Delivery Framework is the £5.9 million Holmes V project, with another four in the pipeline for the coming months. Modernisation works will be delivered in more than 400 homes across the estate in Thornaby with residents benefitting from new kitchens, electrical rewires and boilers.
Ford added: “At Esh, we are committed to making a lasting difference within the communities surrounding our developments through our ethos of employing local, supporting local, engaging local and procuring local.
“Each new contract award will allow us to create employment opportunities and generate a significant amount of work for our local supply chain, while also delivering social value initiatives such as volunteering and donations, school and college engagement, and training opportunities.”
Profitable seafront hotel in Redcar sold
The seafront Park Hotel in Redcar has been sold.
Positioned near the town centre, the hotel has steadily grown in popularity under the ownership of Lee and Claire Dexter. The property boasts panoramic coastal views throughout its 32 bedrooms and large bar and restaurant.
Former owner, Lee Dexter, says: “Claire and I have owned The Park Hotel for 20 years and we have enjoyed some great times. We felt that the time had come to focus on other business interests and we are proud to pass on a very popular hotel with a healthy trade and profits. We wish the new owners all the best in their venture.”
The hotel has been purchased by Redpark Leisure. A spokesperson advises: “We have always known and been aware of this fantastic hotel and restaurant, so we were delighted when it became available. Such well known businesses do not come up very often and we very much hope to build upon the good work of Lee and Claire and continue the hotel in the years to come.”
Handling the sale for the Dexters was Christie & Co hotel director, Mark Worley. He says: “I have known Lee and Claire for many years and have kept them updated and appraised of the hotel market, both on a local and regional basis. I am so pleased to have been able to sell the hotel for them especially as I know that it will remain as a hotel and it is in good hands with investment planned to ensure its longevity.”
North Kesteven’s rural firms encouraged to explore growth grant potential
Expressions of interest are open for a capital grant scheme which will help rural businesses in North Kesteven invest in sustainable growth.
The Rural Business Grant is specifically aimed at supporting new and existing rural businesses to develop products, services and facilities of wider benefit to the local economy.
Possible examples include farm businesses looking to diversify income streams, growth in the visitor economy including visitor accommodation, and investments in power or energy efficiency which will make a positive contribution to the District reaching net zero.
The grant is being delivered by North Kesteven District Council for DEFRA, under the Rural England Prosperity Fund. The first window for Expressions of Interest is open from now until Thursday 1 June.
Digital Expression of Interest forms can be found online at www.businessnk.co.uk
There’ll then be a first call for full applications, and this will take place when the Expressions of Interest window has closed.
North Kesteven District Council Economic Development Manager Alan Gray said: “We’re inviting rural businesses in North Kesteven to register their interest now in the Rural Business Grant, if they have a project they think may be eligible.
“These early indications will allow our grants team to make initial assessments of eligibility and provide help where needed from the start, including ensuring applicants are given the time and support necessary to refine and develop investments in line with the objectives of the Rural England Prosperity Fund and meet the various requirements for evidence.
“It will also help ensure that proper consideration is given to projects that may require planning permission, or any additional funding or legal matters which need to be concluded within the time frame set out for the delivery of projects.”
The minimum grant available through the Rural Business Grant is £5,000, and depending on the project and investment needed applicants may be required to provide match funding.
The Rural Business Grant will run until all funds have been awarded, and all projects must be deliverable before 31 March 2025. Full details on eligibility criteria are available with the Expressions of Interest form online.
North Kesteven’s Rural England Prosperity Fund allocation is an addendum to the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, to help support rural areas in England and the two Levelling Up Fund missions of improving living standards and growing pride of place. The Rural Business Grant has received £450,000 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Leeds award scheme celebrates manufacturers of the future
Leeds’ manufacturing and engineering sector has celebrated the achievements of some of its brightest younger stars at an awards ceremony recognising the talents, achievements and contributions of the next generation working within the industry.
Now in their second year, the Leeds Manufacturing Festival Awards saw trophies presented for Apprentice of the Year, Rising Star and Future Manufacturing Leader, as well as a new category of Employer of the Year. The initiative has gathered momentum since its launch in 2022, with double the number of employers nominating team members for awards this year and a packed awards ceremony, held last night [20 April] at Leeds glass reinforced plastic moulds manufacturer MPM.
Harry Clark won the Apprentice of the Year Award, sponsored by Leeds City College. Nominated by his employer, MPM, where he works in the quality and finishing department, he was singled out as being a particularly strong performer within the business. According to judges, Harry stands out as “a team player with a strong career ahead of him”.
Sponsored by Leeds City Council, the 2023 Rising Star Award went to Maddy Pennock, currently in the fourth and final year of a design engineering apprenticeship at Stanningley-based engineering firm, LBBC Technologies.
Kirkstall Precision Engineering apprentice manufacturing engineer Kalum Downey scooped the Future Manufacturing Leader trophy, sponsored by engineering and manufacturing recruiter E3 Recruitment. Kalum was singled out for consistently delivering high-quality work and supporting his team members.
Historic Leeds textiles business AW Hainsworth was named Employer of the Year, an award sponsored by Next Gen Makers, which runs a benchmarking and accreditation scheme for manufacturing and engineering apprenticeships.
The firm was selected for its “remarkable commitment to its employees and continual investment in developing its people strategies,” according to the judges, who were impressed by AW Hainsworth’s “wide range of support for employees,” as well as its “outstanding commitment to learning and development, with training opportunities across the organisation and available to all.”
“The progressive yet inclusive leadership style is again demonstrated in their commitment to apprenticeships,” said the judges. “With a strong emphasis on the next generation, it is clear that AW Hainsworth believes people are the key to long term sustainability for businesses”.
Ben Wilson, interim chair of the Leeds Manufacturing Festival, and director of MPM, said: “These awards are a celebration of the many outstanding young people who have opted for what will no doubt be incredibly successful careers in manufacturing and we couldn’t do it without the support and engagement from our sponsors. Our industry needs more creative, dedicated young employees like our award winners and nominees to form the next generation of manufacturers and ensure the future of our sector.”
