The Imps post £2m loss despite rising turnover

Tess Egginton
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The Imps post £2m loss despite rising turnover
The Imps have posted a £2m loss in annual results, despite turnover being on the rise with crowds returning to stadiums. Lincoln City Football Club said turnover in 21/22, its first full season in League One with fans in attendance, was at its peak over the past four years, growing to £6.9m from £5.6m in the year prior on the back of significant increases in matchday and commercial/hospitality revenues.
While the football club incurred an increased loss, of £2m for the year, still affected by the aftermath of the pandemic and with all expenditure significantly increased, the Imps’ losses amounted to £186k less than the 2018/19 League Two promotion season.
Lincoln City Football Club finished the season in 17th position.

Construction firm takes 10,000 sq ft of industrial space in Sheffield

Tess Egginton
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Construction firm takes 10,000 sq ft of industrial space in Sheffield
A regional construction firm has let two units totalling 10,000 sq ft on a Sheffield wholesale market site which forms part of the Parkway Industrial Estate, an industrial warehouse scheme within one of Sheffield’s largest industrial areas. The units on this site are letting in quick succession with two other units now being placed under offer and only four units remaining ranging from 1,000 sq ft to 2,497 sq ft. Fisher German graduate surveyor, Jonathan Butler said: “The recent letting of Units 7A and 7B shows the continued strength of the industrial market in Sheffield, with strong demand for warehouse accommodation across South Yorkshire still being experienced. “Sheffield Wholesale Market offers high quality units for a variety of businesses, and it is pleasing to see a regional construction firm expand into the estate. We are very happy to achieve this letting for our client and look forward to bringing further tenants to the site soon.” Sunny Landa, consultant at Banks Long & Co, said: “This letting shows that business confidence is still high, despite the challenges in the current climate, we only have a few units left at Sheffield Wholesale Market and these are getting a high volume of interest. “The site is managed by our firm, and this location at Sheffield Wholesale Market provides a great place to run their businesses from.”

Minister gives energy suppliers a roasting over ‘mistreatment’ of customers

Stuart Pearcey
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Minister gives energy suppliers a roasting over ‘mistreatment’ of customers
Business and Energy Secretary Grant Shapps says he’ll crack down on the mistreatment of energy users by suppliers, following reports showing some are doing nowhere near enough to support vulnerable customers. He has written to energy suppliers calling on them to stop the harmful and anxiety inducing practice of forcibly moving consumers over to prepayment meters without taking every step to support consumers in difficulty. The Business Secretary is asking suppliers to voluntarily commit to stopping this practice and holding their feet to the fire by demanding they share the number of warrants they’ve applied for in recent months. He wants to see much greater efforts from suppliers to help consumers in payment difficulties before leaping to the extreme of forced prepayment switching, such as offers of additional credit, debt forgiveness or tools such as debt advice. In his letter, he has asked suppliers to discuss possible further action they can take to support customers and avoid forced fitting. This action is part of a drive to increase transparency around prepayment meter installations, to track down the worst culprits and find out which energy companies are trigger happy in applying for them. Courts are being overwhelmed with applications for warrants as they continue to mount, with reports that huge batches are being approved in a matter of minutes. The Business Secretary is working with Ofgem and the Secretary of State for Justice to ensure that the process by which suppliers bring these cases to court is fair, transparent and supports vulnerable customers. He said: “Suppliers are clearly jumping the gun and moving at risk customers onto prepayment meters before offering them the support they are entitled to – I simply cannot believe that every possible alternative has been exhausted in all these cases. “I am deeply concerned to see reports of customers being switched to prepayment meters against their will, with some disconnected from supply – and quite literally left in the dark. “Rather than immediately reaching for a new way to extract money out of customers, I want suppliers to stop this practice and lend a more sympathetic ear, offering the kind of forbearance and support that a vulnerable customer struggling to pay should be able to expect.” Meanwhile, Beverley MP and Minister for Energy and Climate Graham Stuart said:“Switching users onto a prepayment plan should only ever be a very last resort and suppliers have a duty to exhaust all other avenues. It cannot be right that, at a time when consumers need compassionate treatment more than ever, so many are being let down in this way. “The Government will continue to do all we can to ensure families and households stay warm this winter and we’re taking urgent action to bring about greater transparency when it comes to bad energy supplier practice.” It’s been reported that the number of customers switched to prepayment meters has soared in recent months, and in many cases unwillingly and without the offer of support. In some instances, this has led to vulnerable customers having their gas and electricity supplies cut off with little or no notice. Prepayment meters allow customers to pay for gas and electricity on a pay-as-you-go basis and serve an important function by helping the avoidance of debt and court action. A moratorium on forced prepayment switching could lead to an increase in bailiff action and so the Government wishes to avoid going down this route. Under Ofgem rules forced switching to prepayment must only ever be a last resort but, with the nation battling with energy prices, more have struggled to pay their bills and been forced installations and self-disconnection. In recognition of this, some energy suppliers are already taking steps to support consumers such as by pausing remote switching of smart meters to prepayment mode or providing additional credit to customers struggling to pay. The Business Secretary wants all suppliers to step up this kind of support to avoid resorting to forced fitting.  

HD Group names new senior team to deliver growth strategy

Stuart Pearcey
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HD Group names new senior team to deliver growth strategy
A new senior team has been established at Doncaster-based HD Group with the objective of delivering its new proposition and growth strategy. CEO Kerry Dusi has appointed Chris Pimperton as Head of Operations for the fulfilment division, Becky Stanewell as Head of Commercial Development for the Freight Forwarding Division, and Aiden Cook as Senior National Account Manager. She said: “We have clear aims and objectives for the business, and it was necessary to strengthen our senior team to enable those objectives to be met in the time scale that we have agreed,” said Kerry. “Their experience in the delivery of objectives and goals will ensure that we continue to achieve our high service levels whilst integrating new clients into the business too.” The business recently acquired a large warehouse facility in the Northwest which will allow it to bring warehouse and fulfilment operations in-house. This will allow the team to develop the businesses fulfilment proposition and give even greater control, better visibility and enhance the service the team gives to its clients. “Being able to provide the full end-to-end supply chain solution including sea and air freight, general haulage, customs declaration and import documentation, warehousing and fulfilment and onward distribution and parcel delivery, will give us greater business dexterity and support to clients,” said Kerry. “They are a great team and I look forward to what we can achieve together.” The HD Group is the preferred partner to many businesses due to its driven leadership team and experienced team who develop solutions in direct response to customer requirements.

Company seeks to expand choice for Doncaster’s radio listeners

Stuart Pearcey
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Company seeks to expand choice for Doncaster’s radio listeners
Doncaster-based music and media services provider Higher Rhythm Ltd has launched an ambitious plan to expand choice for radio listeners tuning to digital radio in Doncaster. The plan has been launched in response to a call for proposals, by communications regulator Ofcom, to establish a digital audio broadcasting (DAB) multiplex service for Doncaster. A DAB multiplex is a system hosting dozens of radio stations, allowing them to broadcast, over DAB, to the same geographic area. Doncaster DAB (DonDAB for short) is Higher Rhythm’s initiative focussed on operating the DAB multiplex for Doncaster. Previously, DAB multiplexes have been licensed across large areas, such as counties. Ofcom are now offering licenses to run DAB multiplexes in smaller areas such as single cities and towns. This allows each area to have its own mix of different radio stations. This can offer media that is more representative and relevant. Higher Rhythm is a social enterprise established in 2001. It manages Doncaster’s licensed community radio station, Sine FM, alongside two recording studios, a record label, events promotion, artist development programmes, training courses and volunteering opportunities. Higher Rhythm Chief Exec Steve Mundin, said: “The DAB service for Doncaster will provide a great opportunity to increase the choice of digital radio channels available. We are now inviting digital radio services providers to join us in developing the new platform.” Sine FM Station Manager, Chrissy Moog, said: “We are excited at the prospect of bringing Sine FM to digital radio listeners on DAB and supporting new radio services in Doncaster.”

Growth: CBI fires warning shot over Government’s bow

Stuart Pearcey
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Growth: CBI fires warning shot over Government’s bow
The Prime Minister and Chancellor ended 2022 by successfully stabilising the economy after fixing the economic fallout of last autumn. It has been a vital first step, executed very well. But as they try to get growth going in 2023, the Government cannot take small decisions: they need to take big ones to ensure the UK is not going backwards but forwards. The Government is likely to comfortably meet its economic targets this year, but sustaining growth thereafter depends on taking some very big decisions right now, not waiting until 2024. In a major speech today (Monday) at UCL, the CBI Director-General Tony Danker is calling on the Government to take some big decisions to sustain growth beyond this year. In a speech at UCL he’s expected to acknowledge that the PM and the Chancellor ended last year by stabilising the economy, and that the year’s economic targets will be hit – but now’s the time for decisions that will keep sustain growth. He’ll say: “Growth still matters. This is people’s livelihoods and life opportunities. The PM set out less than a year ago what is needed to transform our economy. The ideas are there. Let’s stop second guessing ourselves and get on because there is money on the table to capture right now. “Our international competitors in Europe, Asia and the US are going hell for leather on green growth and getting firms investing. We are behind them now and seem to be hoping for the best.” Early data shows that the UK could stay stuck in a low growth trap as the major drivers of productivity grind to a halt. This makes the Chancellor’s Spring Budget a key point in the Government’s turnaround strategy. But there is grave concern that the Government could “shy away from the hard decisions that can reverse the UK’s trajectory’ with a General Election on the horizon.”  

£12m funding boost for Batley town centre improvements

Tess Egginton
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£12m funding boost for Batley town centre improvements
Transformational plans for Batley town centre have been given a major boost after a successful bid for a £12 million share of the Government’s Levelling Up Fund (LUF). The Batley Blueprint will be largely funded by the LUF, with an extra £3 million funding from the council and West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s ‘Streets for People initiative’, totalling approximately £15 million for the project. Leader of Kirklees Council, Cllr Shabir Pandor, said: “This is great news for Batley. The successful bid will kick start our plans to transform the town centre and bring opportunities for the whole community. “The bidding process has shown the very best of Batley. Our bid has been a true team effort between the council, our MP Kim Leadbeater, Batley councillors, the Fire Service and Police alongside local residents and businesses. Their hard work has paid off and I can’t wait to start delivering the project. “We’ll continue to work with local businesses and residents as we deliver these major improvements. “We submitted four Kirklees bids during this round of bids for Levelling Up funds. I want to thank all the MPs, businesses and local people who supported us to put some brilliant plans together. We will keep working to bring investment to all parts of Kirklees and we have a great selection of ambitious plans that will help us deliver the economic growth we all need.” The bid means major improvements to Batley town centre, creating a more modern destination, and a safe and inviting environment for everyone who lives, works and visits the area. The council hope that the transformation could stimulate up to £60m of economic investment into Batley over the next few years. The plans include making significant changes to Commercial Street, one of the main routes through the town centre. The route would move away from being a thoroughfare dominated by car traffic, with improvements to the public realm as well as sustainable transport routes, opening up the town centre for improved business and market opportunities. A socialising space would be created, with the aim of increasing footfall to local businesses and improving access to the Tesco supermarket. Improved pedestrian and cycle links to the park and better lighting along local routes are proposed, connecting several of the other proposed projects around Batley.

Catterick gets £19m to revitalise town centre

Stuart Pearcey
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Catterick gets £19m to revitalise town centre
Plans to transform a neglected area of Catterick and develop the town centre have got the go ahead thanks to news that a £19 million funding pot has been awarded by central government. Richmondshire District Council, in partnership with North Yorkshire County Council and the MOD, has been successful in its bid to the Levelling Up Fund. It means ambitious proposals for the £21million initial phase of a regeneration programme to enhance the town centre – including the re-development of land around Shute Road – can get underway. The plans will provide more community facilities and space and to improve pedestrian connectivity, and pave the way for further improvements that will deliver extra retail and commercial premises and drive further investment into the area and the wider town centre for both the military and civilian communities. “This is great news for Catterick and the wider Richmondshire community,” said District Council Leader, Councillor Angie Dale. “We are now looking forward to working with our partners to bring the project to fruition and see the facilities improve within the town centre. It will also bring further investment into the district adding to the exciting plans already happening at Scotch Corner and along the A1 corridor.” The leader of North Yorkshire County Council, Councillor Carl Les, added: “This is excellent news for the future of the Catterick community and will be welcomed by all those living and working in the area. These ambitious proposals are set to benefit everyone living and working in communities around the garrison, as well as the service personnel and their families who are stationed at Catterick and who play a vital role in the life of our county.” Director of Basing and Infrastructure, Major General Richard Clements, CBE said: I am delighted that the bid for Levelling Up funds has been successful. Catterick is an important Garrison for the British Army and we look forward to working with our partners over the coming years to deliver the infrastructure necessary to provide improved facilities and services that will benefit our military colleagues and the wider Catterick community.” The plans include:
  • a new town square
  • landscaping improvements – including upgrading Coronation Park and Shute Road by providing enhanced play/ active spaces and enhanced accessibility routes linking into the existing town centre
  • enhance key footpaths and cycle ways through Coronation Park and on the approach to the town centre
  • a new community and enterprise facility with glass pavilion and outdoor seating area
The Levelling Up Bid develops feasibility work that was jointly funded by the district council, MOD and the North Yorkshire and York Local Enterprise Partnership – and is also linked to the Catterick Garrison Masterplan that has been developed through the Richmondshire Local Plan Review.

South Yorkshire training provider moves into new HQ in Rotherham

Stuart Pearcey
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South Yorkshire training provider moves into new HQ in Rotherham
South Yorkshire-based training provider, Whyy? Change, has moved into a new office situated at the AESSEAL New York Stadium in Rotherham. The move comes after recent growth as, in the past two months, new employees such as Anne Wilson MBE have joined the team. With a rise in demand for apprenticeships, Whyy? Change has seen the business increase the number of courses, which now cover HR, Leadership, Marketing, Quality HSE and Lean & Six Sigma. With more courses and more employees, this has seen Whyy? Change outgrow their previous training centre on the Thorncliffe Business Park in Chapeltown, Sheffield. Their new 1900 square foot office at the AESSEAL New York Stadium promises to offer a more flexible and accessible learning environment, better private working space with improved links to public transport, and modern facilities. Whyy? Change have previously exhibited at local business events such as the Chamber Means Business Expo, organised by Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber of Commerce at the stadium, and hosted their own OPEX event in 2021. The New York Stadium was opened in 2012 and was later re-named the AESSEAL New York Stadium in 2014, after a five-year corporate sponsorship deal was agreed upon. It will be the home to Whyy? Change and its sister brand Whyy? Unboxd, as they look to position the organisation as a professional services company. Ray Byrne, CEO of Whyy? Change said: “The new office about the same size as our previous location. The difference is there’s more defined separated office space. So we’ve got four, if not five distinct office spaces that are totally private and we can have online learning going on in one room and we could have groups of ten, six and four at the same time. “We spent a long time searching, to find a place of such high quality so close to the motorway is great. It has a good number of parking spaces, it’s such an iconic building in Rotherham. We’re really blessed to have moved here.”

The yin and yang of SME exporting revealed in BCC survey

Stuart Pearcey
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The yin and yang of SME exporting revealed in BCC survey
Just over a third of SME exporters expect to see increased profitability in the next 12 months, while an almost equal number expect a decrease. The BCC’s quarterly Trade Confidence Outlook for last year’s last quarter also showed the squeeze on SMEs exporters operating margins remains, with 64% expecting to raise their prices. Three main cost pressures continue to dominate as utilities, labour costs and raw materials are again the biggest concerns cited by exporters. Responding to the findings, Head of Trade Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, William Bain said: “Last autumn the World Trade Organisation forecast global trade growth of just 1% in 2023, down from 3% in 2022. This is creating huge headwinds for smaller UK firms battered by the pandemic, Brexit and energy price shocks. “China’s sudden full reopening may also create additional supply chain turbulence this year, should the Covid pandemic continue to impact health and economic output. “Against this background it could be sometime before the global shipping and trading system returns to anything approaching normality. The UK government cannot afford to sit idly by as we head into such uncertain trading conditions. “It must throw a lifeline to our struggling exporters who are desperately trying to keep their heads above water. “Despite recent very welcome progress on data sharing, the unresolved Northern Ireland protocol situation is still influencing the UK’s relationship with the EU and the US. “Resolving the remaining protocol issues unlocks the potential for benefits for UK businesses in both east and west directions, as well as for Northern Ireland. “Outside of the EU, the US is our biggest trading partner, and the one that BCC members are most interested in, yet progress on free trade talks are stalled. “As the Good Friday Agreement anniversary looms the UK has a golden opportunity to transform our trading relationship with our two biggest export markets in one fell swoop. “Other measures Government should consider include providing effective end-to-end trade finance and setting up a trade accelerator – by working alongside our global network to help firms enter new markets and maximise sales.”

2023 Business Predictions: Rebecca Schofield, partner and head of Industrial in Yorkshire at Knight Frank, Sheffield

Tess Egginton
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2023 Business Predictions: Rebecca Schofield, partner and head of Industrial in Yorkshire at Knight Frank, Sheffield
It’s that time of year, when Business Link Magazine invites the region’s business leaders to offer up their predictions for the year ahead.  It has become something of a tradition, given that we’ve been doing this now for over 30 years. Here we speak to Rebecca Schofield, partner and head of Industrial in Yorkshire at commercial property agents Knight Frank, Sheffield. There continues to be a significant supply and demand imbalance at the small and medium end of the market as a result of the server shortage of new and second hand industrial and warehouse space across the region. Very little new development of this size has entered the market and there continues to be a viability challenge to deliver such sized units as a result of the increasing construction costs. This continues to put upwards pressure on rents for both new and second hand accommodation. Looking at the larger end of the market, for accommodation over 50,000 sq ft, again there is currently a shortage of immediately available space, with the vacancy rate for the region standing at 2.3% at the end of Q4 2022. However there is around 3.1m sq ft of speculative development in construction at the moment across the region to respond to this. The occupier market remains active, however they are taking a little longer to make decisions on the right building, as they also face business rate revaluations in 2023 which, along with higher fuel and energy bills, will add to operating costs. We expect that location and specification will be increasingly important for operators in 2023. Well-located, energy-efficient facilities that can help firms mitigate costs will be key to maximising efficiencies. We are seeing good demand from general B8 occupiers as well as manufacturing and vertical farming.

Green Building Renewables acquires Scarborough business and increases turnover to £26m

Stuart Pearcey
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Green Building Renewables acquires Scarborough business and increases turnover to £26m
Green Building Renewables has acquired of Scarborough-based business MYelectrical Renewables to help meet the increasing customer demand for technologies like solar panels and heat pumps. MYelectrical Renewables is the company’s sixth acquisition in 18 months, during which time its turnover has grown from £3m to £26m, and the staff number has grown from 18 to over 130. Chris Delaney, MD of Green Building Renewables, said: “In the last 18 months we have increased our coverage across Yorkshire. First, with our new office in Doncaster and now with expansion onto the East Coast, we are the fastest growing renewable installation business in the region, and we believe nationally too. “As a regional leader, we aim to offer world class advice and installations across Yorkshire and the country.  We welcome Dan and his team to ours and look forward to helping customers on the East Coast capture the energy of Yorkshire’s seaside sunshine. It’s predicted that the world will add as much renewable power in the next five years as it did in the past 20. We want Yorkshire to be a leader in this global energy transformation. We aim to drive this transformation across the country too, which is why we have also opened our second office in York to house our management team. We will grow our business in a way that provides customers with a local service for a national solution to a global issue.” In due course, MYelectrical Renewables will rebrand to Green Building Renewables as it becomes a part of the company’s network of local renewable technology installers, recruiting new Solar PV installers and heat pump engineers across the country. Dan Oram, MYelectrical Renewables founder director, said: “I am extremely proud that Green Building Renewables identified MYelectrical Renewables to join its rapidly growing network of renewable technology installers. Their decision reflects the quality of the service we already offer. The opportunity to join Green Building Renewables allows our team to offer more services and products to our regional customers. At the same time, it also allows me more personal freedom to pursue other interests as we join Chris and his team.”

Former warehouse worker launches sportswear brand

Stuart Pearcey
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Former warehouse worker launches sportswear brand
Former warehouse worker Charlie Green has launched his own brand of sportswear with the help of the Launchpad Business Support Programme. Charlie launched his Wombwell-based gym in 2018 and called upon the Launchpad Business Support Programme to help him transform his dreams of running his own business into a reality. His journey began when he successfully secured the keys to a damp, dilapidated basement at Wombwell Working Men’s Club and turned it into a haven for fitness enthusiasts. Since that time, Charlie has successfully overcome all the odds, including overcoming a life-threatening illness, as well as navigating his fledgling business through the Covid-19 pandemic, when it was unable to trade due to local and national lockdown restrictions. Today, Retro Fitness provides a space for people of all ages to take part in boxing, kickboxing and self-defence classes. The busy gym counts children as young as six to individuals enjoying their retirement amongst its regular visitors, who are given the chance to perfect their boxing skills, learn new martial arts as well as shedding the pounds by taking part in a range of intensive bootcamps. As the business grew, the future of Charlie’s business was plunged into uncertainty when he was diagnosed with sepsis and pneumonia. The experience left him in a coma for three weeks and unable to work for six months; he turned to partner Rebecca, his sister and parents to keep the business ticking over. During his recuperation, Charlie began to notice a gap in the market for boxing equipment that was capable of meeting the rigorous training demands placed upon it. He decided to take a chance and contact a specialist manufacturer to produce a range of boxing equipment designed to his own specifications. To help him grow his business, Charlie continued to work closely with Launchpad business adviser Kiran Antcliffe, regularly taking part in one-to-one advice sessions as well as attending workshops designed to help him master the skills needed to build and grow a successful business, from getting to grips with the finances of his business to recruiting staff for the first time. Charlie said:“I’d never really thought about running my own business, but I’ve always been passionate about boxing. It’s not just a great way to keep fit, it can teach youngsters important life skills, from discipline to improving willpower and perseverance. When the space became available I felt it offered a great opportunity to do something for my local community. “I didn’t know the first thing about running a business, so I reached out to the Launchpad team for help, half expecting them to laugh at me. They didn’t, they listened to what I had to say and they’ve been incredibly supportive as the business has grown and evolved.” Kiran Antcliffe, business adviser, Launchpad, said: “The challenges Charlie has faced since he launched his business would have tested even the most seasoned business owner. The hallmarks of any entrepreneur are being able to spot opportunities when faced with adversity, as well as being unafraid to try new things.”

Advanced manufacturing event returns to Rotherham in May

Stuart Pearcey
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Advanced manufacturing event returns to Rotherham in May
The Engineering & Technology Solutions Exhibition returns to South Yorkshire’s Advanced Manufacturing Park in May this year to promote technology transfer, innovation and knowledge-sharing between multiple sectors. The event brings together engineers, technologists, scientists and other key representatives from companies across AMP and the surrounding manufacturing cluster, to meet with exhibiting suppliers, witness product demonstrations, discuss practical problem-solving and find potential engineering amd technology solutions. The exhibition is managed by Nu-Tech and supported by the Nuclear AMRC and University of Sheffield AMRC.
For full details about visiting or exhibiting, visit Nu-Tech’s AMP Technology Exhibition 2023 site.

Lincoln-based Environmental Marketing Company planning expansion secures £15k funding

Michael Fisher
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Lincoln-based Environmental Marketing Company planning expansion secures £15k funding
A Lincoln-based environmental marketing company has secured £14,500 in funding to be used for creating two new jobs and developing a calculator tool. My Square Metre (MSM) secured finance from First Enterprise – Enterprise Loans through British Business Bank’s Start-Up Loans Company. MSM was established to promote biodiversity and sequester carbon in a local and tangible way. They collaborate with ecologists and experts to identify the ideal areas of degraded land to repair by planting wildflower meadows one square metre at a time. With funding from First Enterprise, My Square Metre is not only able to hire more staff as they enter their next phase of growth, but they are also able to create a calculator tool. The tool helps individuals and businesses determine how many wildflowers need to be planted in order to offset daily activities. For example, 167 wildflowers may be planted for every GB of 5G usage, or 1 wildflower for every email sent. Edward Crowther, Founder of My Square Metre, said: “Through the process, I got the opportunity to review elements of my business with a business expert, who guided me to any weaknesses in the business plan that needed to be strengthened or communicated better. For me as a founder, when I actually received the funding, more than anything else, I had the encouragement that I was on the right track.” Stefan Nycz, Investment Manager at First Enterprise – Enterprise Loans, commented: “It was a delight to work with Ed on this proposal. It’s a simple but great idea, and anything that contributes to the welfare of the planet is something that I am happy to be part of.” Richard Bearman, Managing Director Small Business Lending, British Business Bank commented: “Edward and the team have done excellent so far in their business journey and we are proud to assist them as they take the next step in expanding their team and improving their facilities.”

Transformational £14.8m government grant backs Boston regeneration vision

Tess Egginton
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Transformational £14.8m government grant backs Boston regeneration vision
Boston Borough Council has successfully secured £14.8m from the Government Levelling Up Fund to kick-start regeneration and secure further investment to the heart of the town centre.
The Levelling Up Fund is specifically designed to secure capital investment in infrastructure that has the potential to improve lives and give people pride in their communities. Boston’s Rosegarth Square masterplan, forming part of PE21, seeks to revitalise and repurpose the area between the River Witham and the bus station – particularly focusing on the area of the former Dunelm/B&M building and the vacant Crown House building. A new public park, spanning the area between the river and the Len Medlock Centre will provide a new place for people. New green spaces, improved pedestrian routes, artwork and other features seek to create an inviting, safe, accessible and enjoyable place for all, as well as offering significant environmental enhancements. Alongside this, works to convert Crown House to provide a mix of residential and other uses to support young people and families, will see this building visually improved and positively enhance its presence. Works to demolish the existing B&M building as enabling works to future re-development will also be undertaken; taken together these interventions will improve the appearance of the area and address some local challenges from anti-social behaviour and crime. In conjunction with the proposed works, a programme of community engagement will be undertaken, including a linked archaeology project, to better understand the history of the site, influence the emerging designs, and link the area’s past to its future. Collectively these interventions are intended to be high-quality, and make significant impact both for the short and longer-term. They will revitalise this large brownfield site and act as a catalyst for further positive inward investment and the regeneration ambition for the area. The aim is to change the character and appearance of this area, create opportunities for new uses and homes, create jobs, support the economy and the community, and create a place where people want to live, work and enjoy. Securing this level of public investment, supplemented by further match funding, will act as the catalyst for the wider re-development of this prominent, and unique place so that it makes a positive contribution to the area and becomes a place people can be proud of and which complements the setting of Boston Stump and the core of the town centre around the Market Place. It comes on top of Boston Borough Council’s successful bids to the Towns Fund. The proposal was initially submitted in August 2022, and the Council will now seek to mobilise quickly to access and draw down the funding from Government and seek to re-engage with partners to move the scheme on to the detailed design and delivery phases. Further engagement will also be undertaken as the proposals are developed. Cllr Nigel Welton, deputy leader and portfolio holder for economic growth at Boston Borough Council, said: “Since submitting the bid in early August, we have been eagerly awaiting to hear the result – and we are absolutely thrilled to be able to say that we have been successful in our bid, and have been allocated £14.8million from the Levelling Up Fund. “This is another great example of the public and private sector working together to help bring investment into Boston. This forward-thinking council is focussed on doing all that it can to help improve the economy, create new job opportunities and install a sense of pride for residents in the town. This is an ambitious scheme which we hope to bring real change for Boston for future generations. We want to continually improve the town and help to raise aspirations and this investment will play a key role in that.” The funding announcement comes as several regeneration and improvement projects start to take shape in Boston following Town Deal funding from the Government, also part of the Levelling Up agenda. Historic shop fronts are being renovated as part of plans to attract more investment; improvements at Boston Railway Station are proposed; and other projects to transform the health, wellbeing and education through the Boston Leisure and Mayflower projects all seek to create new opportunities for residents as well as attracting new visitors to the area. Matt Warman, Member of Parliament for Boston and Skegness, said: “The government has backed the Council’s bold, ambitious vision for Boston, and awarded major funding that many other towns were also bidding for. The success of Boston Borough Council in securing their full £14.8 million bid in the face of stiff competition across the UK demonstrates the transformative quality of this comprehensive plan to regenerate a currently neglected and run down part of our town in a sustainable way. “Linking with improvements made within the £21.9 million Boston Town Deal, residents and visitors to Boston will see their route through the town renewed with both new high quality building projects and sympathetic renovation and reinstatement of historic features. “Council leaders and officers have worked in partnership with government and business to bring contemporary housing, hospitality and retail options within a newly created urban green space. And with every £1 of public money spent here bringing a benefit of £2.80 to our local area as well as creating jobs it’s great value for taxpayers too.” The Council hopes this investment will unlock further opportunities in this area to deliver homes, health-facilities and new employment spaces. The Government is supporting all the LUF projects put forward by the whole of the South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership with £14.8million awarded to Boston Borough Council, £20million to South Holland District Council and £8million in East Lindsey. Each scheme will see projects which will be transformational for each district for generations to come, through job creation, new opportunities, driving inward investment and supporting the health and wellbeing of residents.

More than £18.4m Levelling Up funds awarded to Cleethorpes

Tess Egginton
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More than £18.4m Levelling Up funds awarded to Cleethorpes
Plans to continue with the reinvention of Cleethorpes have taken a major step forward as North East Lincolnshire Council has secured more than £18.4m of Levelling Up grant monies for the resort. Delighted council leader, Cllr Philip Jackson, said work would now begin at pace to kickstart this section of the Cleethorpes masterplan, which was spearheaded by Wayne Hemingway MBE of HemingwayDesign and extremely well received locally. “This is absolutely brilliant news for the resort, which is fast becoming the jewel in the crown along the east coast of our country and is attracting growing numbers of people who want to not only visit here, but live here too. Over the last few years, we have seen the start of the Cleethorpes transformation, with the Coastal Communities Fund work and that around the heritage properties on Alexandra Road. This successful LUF bid means that transformation can continue.” The Cleethorpes bid incorporated schemes identified in the Cleethorpes’ Masterplan as important strategic development locations, and deliverable within the timescales. The area of focus for the bid was Market Place, Sea Road and Pier Gardens, which were three initial projects identified in the “Think Cleethorpes” Masterplan, developed alongside the local community to deliver the projects that they wanted to see, and adopted last year. The key vision is to reintroduce the historic Market Square, creating a safe and flexible space that can accommodate markets, festivals and associated retail events, which will encourage outdoor dining, and provide a healthier, more pleasant environment. The successful funding bid will also support the redevelopment of the Sea Road site which received planning permission for a new building and is currently being marketed. There is an opportunity to change Pier Gardens, retaining the Victorian heritage and feel, but making it more attractive. In the masterplan consultation, people wanted to see more made of the gardens, with additional seating, planting to increase biodiversity, and improved areas for children’s play, events and performances, and spaces for reflection and contemplation. Cllr Jackson continued: “Over the last few years, we’ve secured in excess of £70-million into North East Lincolnshire, underpinned by an ambitious vision for the growth and regeneration. We’re working hard to make sure that the money spent in this borough is to the benefit of everyone living and working here. “The changes we continue to spearhead in the resort, and which we can now continue with the support of the LUF monies, are also vital when it comes to reflecting the aspirations of our residents and visitors, for our young people to enjoy positive futures, and in our ability to attract new and retain good businesses in an attractive coastal town.”

East Lindsey District Council to make Horncastle its HQ as it opens shared facility with Boston College

Tess Egginton
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East Lindsey District Council to make Horncastle its HQ as it opens shared facility with Boston College
East Lindsey District Council is moving to a new, energy efficient and more central headquarters from Monday 23 January 2023.
After 44 years, Tedder Hall in Manby will close and the council will officially mark a new era in its history when it moves to the Hub in Horncastle. The Council has been working with Boston College to help provide a campus in Horncastle to fill a learning and skills gap. The Hub is a shared facility with the college who have been providing a range of 18+ courses for people in Horncastle and the surrounding area from the campus since November. The project was supported by The Greater Lincolnshire LEP who contributed £1.2m for the College campus. The Council funded the remaining £6.23m of the project cost in recognition that it would be a cost neutral project over a maximum of 15 years when factoring in the sale of Skegness Town Hall, Tedder Hall and the reduced running costs of the new building. Given the significant increase in utility prices, this payback period has now significantly reduced to around eight years. The Hub supports the Council’s commitment to reducing CO2 and minimising its impact on climate change. The sale of Skegness Town Hall was completed last summer, with the sale of Manby Park which includes Tedder Hall, completed in December. Cllr Craig Leyland, leader of East Lindsey District Council, said: “Monday marks a new chapter in East Lindsey District Council’s history. The project has helped Boston College fulfil an ambition to provide a Campus in Horncastle. More people are able to access a range of courses without the need to travel far. “The Hub has been built to ensure it is as energy efficient as possible, in line with our other ambitions around sustainability and the response to climate change. “Both Tedder Hall and Skegness Town Hall served us well for many, many years but both buildings had high running and repair costs which were expected to keep on increasing over time. The Hub also provides staff who work across the South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership a more central base to touchdown in as well as other touchdown points located in Skegness, Louth and Mablethorpe. “Being more central in the district also provides a better experience to our partners and members of the public coming to hear decisions made in the council chamber. We also expect footfall to increase for Horncastle businesses and services with more council staff, PSPS colleagues and the College, bringing more people to the town.”

£8m secured to transform at-risk heritage and cultural sites in East Lindsey

Tess Egginton
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£8m secured to transform at-risk heritage and cultural sites in East Lindsey

Three historic sites are set to benefit from £8m Levelling Up funding from the Government.

The Government has announced East Lindsey District Council has been successful in its bid to support ambitious regeneration schemes for Alford Manor House, Alford Windmill and Spilsby Sessions House. The funding will help transform these culturally significant sites, attract new visitors and enhance their uses. The Levelling Up Round 2 investment will create a financially stable future for the three at risk heritage assets and will have a beneficial impact on the entire Lincolnshire Wolds tourism economy. The Levelling Up Fund is specifically designed to secure capital investment in infrastructure that has the potential to improve lives and give people pride in their communities. The fund is one component of the Government ‘Levelling Up’ ambition. The Government is supporting all the LUF projects put forward by the whole of the South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership with £14.8m awarded to Boston Borough Council, £20m to South Holland District Council and £8m in East Lindsey. Each scheme will see projects which will be transformational for each district for generations, through job creation, new opportunities, driving inward investment and supporting the health and wellbeing of residents. Spilsby Sessions House is to be supported to bring the building back into use as a theatre and as a community-owned space. The listed building also has a significant place in history, for its past use as a jail, and funding would allow the building’s old police cells to be opened to the public, creating a new visitor attraction. £2.5m is going to Alford Manor House to create a permanent function space as well as the relocation and improvement of the tearoom and kitchen, freeing up space for improved displays within the museum. £1.1m is secured for Alford Windmill to help save the historic mill which is now on the Heritage at Risk register. Work will see the mill restored and reopen as a major attraction, including a new visitor experience, café and shop. All these projects have been developed in partnership with the local community and through East Lindsey’s commitment to its Vital and Viable programme which supports businesses in our market towns with initiatives aimed to drive footfall. Cllr Adam Grist, portfolio holder for market towns and rural economy at East Lindsey District Council, said: “It is fantastic news for Spilsby and Alford to be awarded this funding which will revive facilities which are historically and socially important for both towns. “The funding will truly be transformational for these heritage sites and the communities they support. New tourist attractions which enhance the current offer will be created which will help secure their use for generations to come. “These projects are vitally important for supporting the tourism offer in the Lincolnshire Wolds and wider East Lindsey. Enhancing the district’s visitor offer as a whole will help the market towns attract visitors and holiday makers from our coastal towns. “Securing this funding is a great day for the community groups and a celebration of partnership working. There are so many hardworking people committed to these cultural facilities and I am so delighted the Government has recognised this and is supporting us to help keep these facilities thriving. “I would like to thank everyone who was involved in this bid and all the community groups who wrote letters of support.” Bruce Knight, heritage & arts co-ordinator at Spilsby Sessions House, said: “We are so pleased about the Levelling Up decision. The Spilsby Sessions House charity will now be able to realise the vision of fully repairing the Grade II listed heritage site and transforming a theatre at risk into a visitor attraction and community arts venue for all. “The impact of this project will be a huge boost for the local community and for East Lindsey as whole. It will complement the Town Deal investment the District Council has already achieved for the coast and will create something that people across the region can be proud of.” Dennis Bell of Alford Manor House and Alford Windmill said: “The purpose behind the Levelling Up fund application is the transformation of Alford by establishing a viable tourist product to attract the tens of thousands of tourists holidaying on the coast to visit Alford. “This extra footfall will boost the local economy and provide jobs for the future.” Victoria Atkins, MP for Louth and Horncastle, said: “I am delighted by the news that Alford and Spilsby will benefit from a boost of £8million from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund. This transformational funding will bolster the cultural offer to constituents and visitors and support the local economy. “Since being elected, I have championed our market towns and have worked with community groups on reviving and enhancing much loved heritage sites that are at the heart of our communities. I have pressed the Government to invest in our corner of Lincolnshire and was pleased to support this bid in partnership with East Lindsey District Council. “On top of the landmark £24million Mablethorpe Towns Fund, this substantial funding will help ensure the constituency of Louth & Horncastle continues to be a bright place to live, work and visit for future generations.”

£20m Levelling Up funding secured for South Holland

Tess Egginton
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£20m Levelling Up funding secured for South Holland
£20million of major investment has been awarded to help transform health and wellbeing in South Holland, after the District Council secured Government Levelling Up funding for the Castle Sports Complex site in Spalding. After submitting a bid in August, the Government has this week confirmed the success of the application, which will look to create a new and improved offer focused around health, wellbeing, leisure, sport, recreation and community spaces. The ambitious plans the Council submitted included proposals for a new 3G floodlit football pitch to allow play all year round, a changing pavilion, a multi-use games area for a variety of other sports and three new swimming pool facilities including a large pool, a teaching pool and a splash pad. The bid also sought funding to provide community rooms and space dedicated for use to provide a health and wellbeing hub including services for mental health, diabetes, Alzheimer’s and dementia support, as well as an Extra Care housing scheme for the District’s older residents. The Levelling Up Fund is specifically designed to secure capital investment in infrastructure that has the potential to improve lives and give people pride in their communities. The fund is one component of the Government ‘Levelling Up’ ambition. The District Council worked closely with a number of partners on the submission, to ensure that as many residents and community groups would be able to benefit from the project. The submission also received support from Sir John Hayes, MP for South Holland and The Deepings, who formally sponsored the bid and helped to make the case for it to the Government. With funding secured, the next steps will now begin to get the project planned and underway, with such a major piece of work expected to take several years to complete due to the scale and complexities of the proposal for the site. Councillor Nick Worth, deputy leader and portfolio holder for people, places, economy, said: “The success of this bid is a momentous moment for the whole of South Holland, and provides vital funding that will be truly transformational for helping to improve the lives of our residents. “This was a highly competitive process, with over 500 bids submitted across the country, and is recognition of a District punching above its weight. We have a forward-thinking proposal that can provide enormous benefits for people of all ages, backgrounds and interests, and that will enhance and diversify the services and activities on offer in Spalding town centre. “Thank you to everyone who has helped to support and form the bid. I am delighted that the Government has recognised the hard work, thought and collaboration that has gone into it, and now cannot wait to start the process of making these plans a reality.” Sir John Hayes MP also celebrated the announcement, saying: “Bringing such significant funding to South Holland is fantastic news for the District, which can help to make a real, positive difference for residents for many years to come. “An enormous amount of work went into the excellent bid that won the day. Local understanding and the strong case for why Spalding was deserving made our unique case a success when pitched against hundreds of other worthy submissions. I was pleased and proud to play my part in that work. The decision to make this substantial investment and to help remodel and improve our local service provision is a major and welcome statement of support from the Government that will benefit my constituents in so many ways.” He added: “This is a victory for Spalding and South Holland and demonstrates what can be achieved when an MP and the local council work seamlessly for the good of their residents.” The Government is supporting all the LUF projects put forward by the whole of the South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership with £14.8m awarded to Boston Borough Council and £8m in East Lindsey. Each scheme will see projects which will be transformational for each district for generations, through job creation, new opportunities, driving inward investment and supporting the health and wellbeing of residents.
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