Tech that will vastly improve your business for little money
If you are running a business in the post-pandemic world, you will be looking for any way to keep up with all the new health regulations and restrictions going on across the country. The new measures are keeping everyone safe but are hard to keep up with.
There is now a lot of affordable tech available to make running a business a lot easier. Read on for our choices of the best ones.
Cleaning tech
We’ve all become a lot more germ aware, even if we aren’t entirely sticking to keeping 2 metres apart. New tech on the market has made a lot of aspects of everyday life safer, with smart tech taking over cities in the form of contactless payment machines, for example.
No longer do we need to handle germ-infested notes and coins and instead we simply tap our smart card or even phone to buy something. With affordable new models that cost as little as £30, what was once an expense only the chain stores could afford is now the norm for every modern business.
Elsewhere, mobile cleaning tech is taking most of the work out of deep cleaning premises. VIOA is a mobile cleaning device that uses UVC light to kill 99.99% of all viruses and bacteria by merely existing. Place it in a restaurant, shopfront, dentist or doctors’ room, gym or anywhere else you can think of to reduce bacteria, viruses, germs, and pathogens in the air and on surfaces.
When traditional cleaning methods are proven to only be 50% effective, can you really afford not to?
Security tech
Smart home security systems have taken off, but we don’t see as many people using them for their businesses. That is a shame, because they come with a lot of advantages over traditional security systems.
Most systems come with a camera that will capture anyone approaching your premises and a direct line to the local police, but the smart security system also alerts you via your smartphone if someone is approaching and even allows you to have a two-way conversation with whoever is on your front door.
You can control it remotely, allowing you to open or close it if a delivery needs to come in, all from your smartphone.
Management tech
If you consider software technology, you have a wealth of options available online to make running a business a lot easier. There seems to be a software application for every little problem.
For one thing, you can download a decent phone system for your business. With more and more people working remotely, either to work from home or to travel while working, you will need this superior way to keep in touch with them.
Your basic online phone system will make phone and video calls all over the internet, eliminating the need for a landline, so that’s already saving you money. But the better packages offer texting and customer service features.
You will see your team’s productivity go through the roof, gaining you better profits.
Plans for affordable and sustainable homes on track for Leeds as application submitted
Plans have been submitted to build 58 one-, two- and three-bedroom sustainable apartments for social rent, close to Leeds city centre, on Railway Street at Saxton Gardens.
Leeds City Council selected Leeds & Yorkshire Housing Association (LYHA), following a competitive process, to develop the central Leeds site, which has been designed by Brewster Bye Architects.
If plans are approved, a new five-storey, energy efficient scheme will be built on the site of the former ‘Yorkshire Rider Social Club’, close to Quarry House and within easy access of the city centre. The area is set to undergo further significant regeneration over the coming years.
The homes will be energy efficient and will feature heat pumps instead of traditional gas central heating, as well as benefitting from low-carbon energy source EV charging points and cycle storage to facilitate green, active travel.
The scheme will include 28 one-bedroom, 25 two-bedroom and five three-bedroom apartments. The ground floor apartments will each have their own garden and additional communal outside space is included, which will be landscaped with trees to enhance biodiversity. All the homes have a flexible layout and will include workspace areas, with the larger apartments each having an office, reflecting the increase in home working.
Subject to planning approval, Leeds City Council will sell the site to LYHA, and support its development with commuted sums contributions. These financial contributions have been secured from other new residential developments, where it has not been possible to provide sufficient affordable housing on-site. The Council manages these pooled funds to invest in other sites, ensuring that more, new affordable housing is being built across the city.
Joanna Chambers, Director of Assets and Growth at LYHA, said: “We are delighted that our bid for the site was successful and are excited to begin turning our plans into reality. There is a significant need for more affordable housing in Leeds, particularly in the Burmantofts area and in neighbourhoods near the city centre.
“Brewster Bye has designed an enticing and highly functional vision for the new homes. Subject to planning, we could start on site in Spring 2022 and estimate that the build will take 18 months to complete. All nominations for initial tenancies will be made through Leeds City Council.”
Cllr Helen Hayden, Leeds City Council’s executive board member for Infrastructure and Climate, said: “We are pleased to be able to work with LYHA on this development, which will provide much-needed affordable housing in this part of the city, and at the same time bring unused and undeveloped land back into use.
“By delivering a mix of different homes, this development reflects our efforts to address housing need in the local area and to ensure we have mixed communities, where diverse housing needs can be met.
“As well as delivering an ambitious Council Housing Growth programme, we are working with the affordable housing sector to increase affordable housing delivery across the city. Working closely with partners, a number of critical schemes are now progressing, which will help address Leeds’ affordable housing need.”
Mark Henderson, from Brewster Bye Architects, said: “Our plans have been developed in close consultation with Leeds City Council’s planning officers. It’s a very interesting site and we have worked with LYHA to create a landmark development that will form an important part of this evolving area.
“The scheme will take its place amongst some of the most high-profile and forthcoming developments in the city. In slight contrast to the sleek modernist architecture of the surrounding proposals, our scheme has a lively, undulating form set within rich landscaping, which both softens and gives a human scale to the development.
“Visually interesting and attractive, the apartments will have an open plan living kitchen area, separate utility and storage space, homeworking space, bedrooms, bathrooms and floor to ceiling windows that flood them with natural light. Crucially, all the homes will also be highly accessible and adaptable for residents with limited mobility.”
Outside the development, there are a number of green spaces surrounding the site, that are a legacy of mid-20th Century development of the area. These will be linked together and enhanced, with LYHA replacing low-grade amenity grassland with enhanced planting and shrubbery, establishing habitat areas throughout the development.
Harrogate financial adviser snaps up Skipton business
Prosperis Ltd, the Harrogate-based Independent Financial Adviser, has acquired AJ Hird Ltd, the Skipton-based financial services business, for an undisclosed fee.
AJ Hird was established 20 years ago and is a leading IFA business in the North Yorkshire market town.
Paul Meehan, chairman of Prosperis, said: “We believe this is a great deal for the clients of A J Hird. We will preserve and enhance the personal service being currently provided and look forward to welcoming all their clients to the group in due course.”
Chris Cundell, Managing Director of AJ Hird, will continue to lead the business and said: “This increased scale creates a positive platform for the future for all our clients, large and small. I am personally looking forward to working with Prosperis as they will deliver additional services to the benefit the business.”
Niall Gunn, Managing Director of Prosperis, said: “This is the third of four deals in our acquisition pipeline, and we welcome our new colleagues at AJ Hird to the Prosperis family. Ashley McCartney will be seconded from Harrogate to support Chris in developing the Skipton business further.”
Prosperis Ltd was formed in 2002. The deal brings a further £40m of assets under their control with the business now managing assets in the excess of £300m.
Indie video game label makes duo of acquisitions
Team17 has kicked of 2022 by revealing two acquisitions.
The Yorkshire indie video game label has acquired The Label, a USA-based independent publisher specialising in mobile subscription games content for an initial consideration of $24 million (£17.76 million) with additional earn out consideration of up to a maximum of $16 million (£11.84 million) over the next three years.
The total consideration of up to $40 million (£29.6 million) will be paid through a combination of cash and shares, which are subject to a 12 month lock-in period.
Michael Pattison, CEO of Team17 Games Label, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be joining forces with The Label’s entrepreneurial team, who are true pioneers in the delivery of quality mobile subscription games and technology. We are excited to tap into their unrivalled market and gaming experience to further take advantage of this growing market.
“The Label is a fantastic addition to the Team17 family, creating an indie game powerhouse across PC, console and mobile platforms. We look forward to helping them build on their impressive track record of success, further enabling them to scale even greater heights in support of our ambitious growth aspirations.”
Joshua Babich, general manager and Vice President, said: “It’s an honour to join the world’s leading independent games publisher. Team17 has been a pillar of excellence for over three decades for gamers and creators, bringing some of the most imaginative and unique titles to life. With their support the sky’s the limit and our partners can feel confident our combined leverage will accelerate success for all.
“Joining the Team17 family opens up unprecedented doors for us all. While we’ve carved out a strong foothold in the mobile subscription space, this allows us to instantly expand our market reach in ways that just wouldn’t have been possible before. We are delighted to be part of a Group that puts games development and creativity first!”
Team17 has also announced the acquisition of all rights and assets of Hell Let Loose (HLL), an existing 3rd party title to its 1st party family for an initial consideration of £31 million plus a contingent earn out consideration of up to a maximum of £15 million.
HLL is a multiplayer tactical first-person shooter video game which has over six million owners. HLL was created by developer Black Matter and is co-developed and published across multiple platforms by Team17.
Michael Pattison, CEO at Team17 Games Label, said: “We are delighted to be announcing the acquisition of the Hell Let Loose IP. Hell Let Loose has quickly become a highly credible and innovative multiplayer tactical first-person shooter supported by a very passionate and highly engaged community with over six million players.
“Having built a close and extremely productive relationship with Black Matter already, we believe that by bringing Hell Let Loose into the Team17 stable, we can serve and build upon the needs of an ever-growing community, improve and expand upon the existing player experience and develop new ways to entertain and delight. We firmly believe Hell Let Loose can become the definitive large-scale team-based military simulation.
“This acquisition represents an important next step in our strategy to expand our ownership of IP that is not only of the highest quality, but importantly has long-term growth potential.”
Max Rea, founder & CEO of Black Matter, said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for our fans and a logical next step-up in the development of Hell Let Loose as a brand. Team17 love our brand and community as we do, which has expanded across multiple platforms successfully.
“We’ve worked very closely with our good friends at Team17 over the last several years and firmly believe that this acquisition is the next logical step to enable us to further deliver great content to the highly passionate HLL community, as well as find new ways to engage and entertain in the future.
“We are really excited to continue to work with Team17 on the next stage of growth for Hell Let Loose.”
The news comes as the company provides a trading update for the twelve months ended 31 December 2021 (FY 2021) in which it has “continued to trade above Management’s expectations across H2 2021 completing a solid performance in 2021. As a result, revenue and adjusted EBITDA for FY 2021 will be ahead of Management’s expectations and ahead of FY 2020.”
Debbie Bestwick MBE, CEO of Team17, said: “We are pleased with the 2021 performance, in which we continued to execute on our highly ambitious pipeline alongside completing the acquisition of StoryToys. Bringing StoryToys into the Team17 family sees us align our growth ambitions with their hugely talented team and is a clear marker for our future growth strategy.
“In addition, we are delighted with the acquisitions announced this morning. These further support our content and people growth plans. We look forward to working with them as part of our growing Team17 Group in 2022.”
Banner Jones signs Menopause Workplace Pledge
South Yorkshire law firm Banner Jones has furthered demonstrated its commitment to the health and wellbeing of its staff by signing the Menopause Workplace Pledge.
Created by the charity Wellbeing of Women in partnership with Hello! Magazine, and sponsored by Bupa, around 300 organisations have added their signatures to date, including large businesses such as Sainsbury’s, Tesco, BMW Group, Channel 4 and First Direct.
By signing the pledge, Banner Jones has committed to recognising that the menopause can be an issue in the workplace and that women need support; to talking openly, positively, and respectfully about menopause; and to actively supporting and informing employees affected by the menopause.
This is the latest in a series of wellbeing initiatives introduced by the law firm, which also signed the ‘Dying to Work’ charter in 2018, showing a commitment to protecting employees with a terminal diagnosis.
Lisa Gill, Human Resources Manager at Banner Jones, said: “The continued health and wellbeing of our staff has always been of real importance at Banner Jones, but it has become even more of a focus over the last year or so during Covid-19.
“We have an open-door policy in place, and we encourage our team members to come to us with any concerns that are affecting them in the workplace so that we can best support them.
“This pledge is a further commitment to that, and to putting our staff at the heart of every decision we make in order to provide a positive workspace for everyone.”
According to Wellbeing of Women reports that around 900,000 women have left their jobs because of menopausal symptoms, and a further 25% have considered resigning from their roles.
Katie Ash, head of employment law at Banner Jones, says that in addition to the firm’s own commitment to the pledge, her team has also seen an increase in the number of enquiries from businesses wanting to put policies in place to support staff experiencing menopause symptoms.
She said: “The mental and physical health and wellbeing of staff is a very important issue, and one that has truly taken centre stage since the start of the pandemic almost two years ago. Thankfully, like Banner Jones, most employers are taking a very proactive approach to updating practices and policies.
“As part of this, many businesses are now looking to ensure that they retain their best staff by better accommodating their needs during key life changes– be that having children, losing a loved one, or experiencing symptoms linked to the menopause.
“In doing so they are likely to also improve productivity and facilitate a far more diverse workforce.”
Careers set to take off at annual LBA recruitment fair
2022 is off to a flying start at Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA) as it hosts its annual recruitment fair on Saturday 8th January at the Aviation Academy, located near the Multiflight Café in Yeadon, Leeds.
Representatives from a range of LBA’s divisions will be on hand from 10am to 2pm to talk to prospective candidates from across the region with over 100 career opportunities available at Yorkshire’s airport.
From roles across security, terminal operations, human resources, fire operations and cleaning, there are many positions at LBA to explore.
Representatives from Leeds Bradford Airport’s business partners will also be in attendance at the event to discuss job opportunities. These partners include: Jet2 and Jet2holidays, Swissport, Up & Away Aviation Services, SSP Group and Greggs.
Carol Burrows, Human Resources Director at Leeds Bradford Airport, said: “Our annual recruitment fair is a great opportunity for people to find out what a career in aviation can do for them. We’re excited to meet the next generation of LBA employees over the weekend and encourage all of those interested to attend.”
Although there is no need to pre-register attendance, due to COVID-19 protocols, LBA asks all visitors to the event to provide proof of a negative lateral flow test upon arrival. Masks will also be required to be worn throughout the event.
The recruitment fair will be paperless, so visitors are asked to have an electronic version of their CV available on their smart phones to upload.
Free parking will be available on the day next to the Multiflight Café (LS19 7UG), located at the south of the airport.
Successful applicants will undergo a criminal record check (CRB), a five-year employment and background check and they must have been a UK resident for a minimum of three years to obtain Government clearance.
Grade A offices snapped up by investor for £4.3m
Alongside joint agent G Herbert Banks, Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH) have completed the £4.3 million acquisition of Woodland Park, Cleckheaton on behalf of Midlands investor, Parker & Parker Investments Ltd.
Set in attractive landscaped grounds, the acquisition comprises 31,772 sq ft of modern office accommodation across four two-storey buildings, well located adjacent to Junction 26 of the M62 motorway. It is 10 miles outside Leeds City Centre, with close access to Birstall Retail Park, Euroway Industrial Estate and having mainline rail access within 1 mile.
The Grade A offices at Woodland Park are fully let to fit out, technology and construction solutions company ISG Central Services Ltd.
G Herbert Banks LLP provided acquisition advice alongside occupational advice from LSH. Cushman & Wakefield acted on behalf of the vendor, a private investor.
Ross Firth, director – Office Advisory at LSH, said: “This is a great purchase for Parker & Parker Investments to further bolster their commercial portfolio, which they continue to add to with quality assets, such as Woodland Park. The acquisition offers a few angles from an asset management perspective and we are delighted to work closely with Parker & Parker going forward.”
Nick Jethwa, G Herbert Banks, added: “The acquisition of Woodland Park is a strategic purchase for Parker and Parker Investments. With an enviable position the accommodation lies adjacent to both open countryside and the M62/M606 junction.
“These grade A offices are ideally located for the out of town Leeds and Bradford markets, offering regional accessibility through both the motorways and a mainline rail connection only 1 mile distant. Through asset management Parker and Parker Investments will be optimising the accommodation for tenants and also their own returns.”
Chris Parker, Parker & Parker Investments Ltd., added: “We are very pleased to have made this acquisition in what is a premier office site with great rural views within the extensive motorway network just outside Leeds. Parker and Parker continue to grow their portfolio with continued investment in prime sites both in industrial and office. We intend to invest a further £10,000,000 within the next two years in sites that offer further asset value improvement. Thank you to all parties who helped in the process.”
Connor Rogers, Cushman & Wakefield, said: “I’m very pleased to have acted on the disposal of this asset on behalf of a private investor. This office park is strategically located adjacent to Junction 26, an area that is due to see a significant level of development activity in the coming months and years, which will further establish this location as a key commercial hub for the region. Whilst this sale represents a great result for my client, I am confident that the asset will also perform well for its new owners.”
Sheffield battery technology company acquired by Indian firm
Reliance New Energy Solar Ltd (RNESL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Reliance Industries Ltd (Reliance), has signed definitive agreements to acquire 100% shareholding in Faradion Limited for an enterprise value of £100 million.
In addition, RNESL will also invest £25 million as growth capital to accelerate commercial roll out.
Based out of Sheffield, Faradion is a battery technology company. It has an IP portfolio covering several aspects of sodium-ion technology.
Reliance will use Faradion’s state-of-the-art technology at its proposed fully integrated energy storage giga-factory as part of the Dhirubhai Ambani Green Energy Giga Complex project at Jamnagar in western India.
Mukesh Ambani, chairman of Reliance Industries, said: “We welcome Faradion and its experienced team to Reliance family. This will further strengthen and build upon our ambition to create one of the most advanced and integrated New Energy ecosystem and put India at the forefront of leading battery technologies.
“The sodium-ion technology developed by Faradion provides a globally leading energy storage and battery solution which is safe, sustainable, provides high energy density and is significantly cost competitive. In addition, it has wide use applications from mobility to grid scale storage and back-up power.
“Most importantly, it utilizes sodium, which will secure India’s energy storage requirements for its large renewable energy and fast-growing EV charging market. We will work with Faradion management and accelerate its plans to commercialise the technology through building integrated and end-to-end giga scale manufacturing in India.
“We believe this will be one of our many steps that will also enable, accelerate, and secure large scale energy storage requirements for our Indian partners developing and transforming India’s EV mobility and transport sector.”
James Quinn, CEO of Faradion, said: “Faradion has been one of the first to champion sodium-ion battery technology. Reliance is the perfect partner for supporting Faradion’s growth in the rapidly expanding Indian market and to jointly speed up the transformation of the global energy market. Becoming part of the Reliance group validates the incredible work our team has done in advancing sodium-ion technology.”
Dr Chris Wright, chairman and co-founder of Faradion, said: “Dr Jerry Barker, Ashwin Kumaraswamy and I founded Faradion in 2010 to develop sodium-ion technology and bring it to market, with funds from Mercia Asset Management. This deal with Reliance firmly establishes Faradion’s sodium-ion batteries as an integral part of the global value chain for cheaper, cleaner, more sustainable energy for decades to come.”
New HQ for Leeds property company
Leeds-based property company, Adair Paxton, has relocated its Horsforth headquarters into a modern office building just off Town Street, as part of the company’s continued expansion programme.
The company’s new 3,000 sq ft premises, at Jason House on Kerry Hill, offer an open plan office space complete with a suite of meeting rooms, kitchen and breakout areas.
It was previously headquartered on Horsforth’s Station Road, opposite its residential sales and lettings office.
The new office will complement the existing Horsforth office, as well as its Leeds city centre office, which it expanded into 18 months ago, in a prime location on Wellington Street.
Simon Dalingwater, a director at Adair Paxton, said: “Expanding into Jason House gives us a modern working environment that will accommodate our ongoing growth, so it’s an exciting time for Adair Paxton.
“We’ve recently appointed a new director of operations and finance, an office manager, an assistant property manager in our block management division, and we’re now recruiting for a residential property manager to join our lettings team and an accounts administrator.
“As a longstanding Horsforth based business, we are delighted to have secured this prestigious building, in the heart of the town centre. Ultimately it will enable our commercial, residential and block management teams to collaborate even more effectively, which will further enhance the high standard of service that our clients enjoy.”
Work poised to start on phase four of Lincolnshire housing development
Work is poised to get under way on phase four of Charterpoint’s housing development in Louth, Lincolnshire.
It will bring a further 40 plots into build at Westfield Park on the edge of the town.
Planning permission was granted for 240 homes on the site in 2018. This latest phase is the penultimate phase and will bring the total number of homes built at Westfield Park by Snape Properties to 200.
Charterpoint CEO Adrian Goose said: “Westfield Park has proved to be a very popular housing development and the new homes can’t be built quick enough to keep up with demand.
“It’s an excellent location which has already become a thriving community for families in Louth and we are delighted to be releasing a further 40 plots to Snape Properties so that they can continue building and move onto the penultimate phase of the development.”
The housing development features a mix of three and four-bedroom semi-detached houses and four and five-bedroom detached houses.
A two-storey, 66-bed care home has also been built on the site, which is off Grimsby Road.
Specialists appointed to take forward Yorkshire Cruise Terminal project
Hull City Council has published a decision record that confirms that Royal HaskoningDHV has been appointed to provide planning consultancy support for the delivery of the Cruise Hull Yorkshire terminal project.
The appointment of the specialist international firm comes following an open tender process in which bids were assessed on a ‘best value’ basis combining both price and quality.
As a result of this process, the council will now be able to progress the project in completion of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Habitats Regulation Assessment (HRA), and subsequently submit a planning application in 2022 for the Sammy’s Point site.
Councillor Daren Hale, Leader of Hull City Council, said: “Hull needs a dedicated cruise facility in the heart of the Old Town so that we can greet cruise passengers with a five-star welcome and an immediate experience of Hull, in addition to the region’s world class visitor attractions.
“This could also be a carbon reduction measure, reducing the need for journey to south coast ports. A new cruise facility would be a huge boost to our plans to increase tourism and create new jobs, therefore this appointment is welcomed.”
The proposed design includes Shore-Side Electricity as a carbon reduction measure which allows cruise ship operators to turn off ship engines while in port and rely on more efficient power systems to reduce overall emissions.
Work will begin immediately to progress the scheme at a total cost of £182,185, running until 2025.
Wakefield city centre redevelopment moves forward
Plans to revitalise Wakefield’s Kirkgate area are moving forward this month (January) – as part of a wider, multi-million-pound plan to improve the city centre.
The redevelopment of the area from Chantry roundabout to the ABC cinema site has begun with preliminary works to prepare for demolition, with a temporary public open space to be created for local residents after this is completed.
Over the next few years, the Council plans to bring over 150 good quality new homes and create new green areas to the Kirkgate area of the city.
This is subject to the Government approving the release of funds that it has allocated to Wakefield via the Towns Fund. The next stage of the application process will see the Council finalising business cases for each project throughout January, with submissions to the government to be made in March 2022.
Already Chantry House has been cleared and a planning application for 50 new homes is expected in Spring 2022 with work expected to start in 2023.
This next phase of the Council’s wider city transformation plan will see the creation of a further 100 new homes via the Kirkgate Innovative Neighbourhood Gateway (KING) project.
Preliminary works for the demolition of the derelict ABC cinema began yesterday (4 January) which will be completed by May, followed by temporary public open space being created for local residents, by the summer.
Discussions are underway to re-locate existing retail business in the block and to demolish the units over the next 18 months, but keeping the historic Harewood Arms pub.
Cllr Denise Jeffery, Leader of Wakefield Council, said: “We are pleased we are at the stage where we can move forward with the next stage to progress plans to improve the Kirkgate area, which is a key gateway to the city. If the government approve our application to the Towns Funds and release funds, we’ll be able to develop these ambitious plans.”
Cllr Darren Byford, Cabinet Member for Economic Growth, Regeneration and Property, said: “The demolition of the ABC building supports our plans to regenerate the area and bring additional investment to Wakefield and it is great to be looking forward to the benefits this will bring for our city and district.
“We are supporting investment and change for our city centre as well as boosting the wider district’s economy. It is a very positive stage to be at, as we continue to work with our partners and plan regeneration.”
The Council’s wider city transformation plan for Wakefield includes the repurposing of the former BHS store to bring more of the Council’s services into the heart of the city centre, including a new museum and gallery, and the second phase of the redevelopment of the Rutland Mills site at Wakefield waterfront, with support totalling £20m from the Levelling Up fund.
Other emerging plans for the city centre include the opening of Tileyard North next summer and the redevelopment of the former Market Hall into a performance and exhibition space, and plans to transform the historic Civic Quarter on Wood Street into a thriving neighbourhood, with new homes and a stunning new public facility.
Clarion marks Family Mediation Week 2022 with series of events
Clarion marks Family Mediation Week 2022 with series of events
Leeds law firm Clarion is holding a programme of events for professional advisers working with separating families as part of Family Mediation Week (17-21 January 2022).
Organised by the Family Mediation Council (FMC), the week aims to raise awareness of the benefits of family mediation and encourage separating couples to think about it as a way of helping them take control, make decisions together and build a positive future for them and their family.
With an 8-strong team of specialist family lawyers, Clarion plays an active role in promoting the use of mediation. Senior Associate solicitor and mediator at Clarion, Sarah Manning, is currently chair of the FMC Family Mediation Week committee organising a series event which can be found on the FMC’s website. This is the first year that the FMC have organised a series of free seminars targeting to promote Family Mediation Week to professionals working with separated families and the public.
Clarion are hosting a number of events throughout the week:
- Tuesday 18th January 2022 – 11am to 11.45am (for professionals working with separating families) Emma Heptonstall, a divorce coach from The Divorce Alchemist and Sarah Manning, Solicitor and Mediator from Clarion will be discussing the use of a divorce coach throughout the mediation process to assist parties to be ‘mediation ready’.
- Wednesday 19th January 2022 – 10am to 11am (for those working with separated families or going through their own separation) Sue Atkins, ITV ‘This Morning’, BBC Radio and Disney Jnr UK’s Parenting Expert is guest speaker with Sarah Manning of Clarion; they will discuss the effect of conflicting parents on children and how mediation can assist families going through separation.
- Friday 21st January 2022 – 1.30pm to 2.15pm (for lawyers and mediators) Tamsin Caine, a chartered financial planner from Smart Divorce, Sarah Manning, Solicitor and Mediator and Justine Osmotherley, Head of Family and Solicitor from Clarion will be discussing the use of a financial neutral within the mediation process to assist parties to reach a financial settlement.
- Friday 21st January 2022 – 4pm to 6pm Drinks reception To encourage collaboration with professionals in the local area. (Held at Clarion’s offices at Elizabeth House, 13-19 Queen Street, Leeds LS1 2TW.) Please note this event is by invitation only.
To register for any of the events, please visit contact Laura Courbet on 0113 336 3348 or at laura.courbet@clarionsolicitors.com .
Family Mediation Week focuses on working collectively to help raise awareness of family mediation among members of the public, solicitors and other professionals working with separated families. The week allows the FMC to create and promote family mediation-specific information.
400,000 small firms threatened by late payment as costs surge, new study finds
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) is warning that a worsening of the UK’s late payment crisis, high inflation and mounting admin for firms that trade internationally will cause the business community to further shrink in size if left unaddressed, as it releases fresh findings from its quarterly Small Business Index (SBI).
The new study of more than 1,200 business owners finds that close to one in three (30%) has seen late payment of invoices increase over the last three months, with a further 8% experiencing other forms of poor payment practice. Only 6% say that a change in payment terms has been agreed over that period.
As a result, approaching one in ten (8%) say late payment is now threatening the viability of their business. Latest government statistics show that there are an estimated 5.5 million small business in the UK – a figure which fell by 400,000 over last year’s lockdowns. The new FSB study suggests that a similar number of firms (440,000) could be forced to close again this year due to late payment alone.
The headline UK SBI measure of confidence has dropped to -8.5 in Q4, during another uncertain festive season. The figure has fallen every quarter over 2021, having stood at +27.3 in Q1. More small firms now expect their performance to worsen over the coming three months than expect an improvement. Pessimism is especially pronounced in the retail (-40.3) and accommodation and food (-33.0) industries.
The vast majority of small businesses (78%) say costs are rising. The figure is at a seven-year high.
Inputs are most commonly cited as a primary cause of that increase, with half (49%) of those surveyed flagging it as a main driver of higher outgoings. Fuel (46%) and utilities (45%) were the second and third most highlighted primary causes of rising costs respectively. All figures are at their highest levels since Q4 2014.
Elsewhere, with full import checks and rules of origin requirements now in place for firms which do business in the EU, the bulk (74%) of small exporting firms report that international sales were flat or falling over the past quarter. Close to one in four (38%) of these firms report a decrease in exports. Previous FSB research shows that only one in four small importers are fully prepared for new import checks.
FSB National Chairman Mike Cherry said: “The small business community diminished in size over the past year and, unless action is taken now to tackle the challenges it faces, history is set to repeat itself.
“After another frustrating festive season, small firms are facing flashpoint after flashpoint. Today, it’s a fresh wave of admin for importers and exporters – in three months’ time it will be a hike to the jobs tax that is national insurance contributions, a rise in dividend taxation, business rates bills and an increase in the national living wage. On top of that, operating costs are surging – many will soon be trying to strike energy deals without the clout of big corporates or the protections afforded to consumers.
“Small business confidence dropped in every quarter of 2021. As we head into the New Year, the government needs to act now if we’re to reverse that trend and secure an economic bounce back.
“Late Payment was destroying thousands of small businesses even before the pandemic hit – the pandemic has made matters worse. In the past, the Government has rightly identified greater Board accountability as key to spurring change in this area, but delivery has been slow. We responded to its consultation on extending the Small Business Commissioner’s powers more than a year ago, but have yet to see a response.
“The pandemic is absorbing bandwidth, and rightly so, but policymakers need to understand that late payment is the issue that keeps thousands of entrepreneurs up at night, and one that has worsened in lockstep with lockdowns. We need to see words turned to action.
“Every big UK corporation should have a non-executive director on its board with direct responsibility for payment culture. And every big business and government organisation should be abiding by the prompt payment code: 30-day payment terms are not a nice to have, they’re the norm for those who are committed to environmental, social and governance best practice.
“If this government is serious about levelling-up, it needs to get serious about helping community businesses struggling to make ends meet as costs surge. Increasing the small businesses rates relief ceiling to £25,000 would take 200,000 more firms out of this regressive tax altogether, primarily in levelling-up target areas, meaning more investment, recruitment and retention within local economies up and down the country.
“Equally, with the omicron variant hammering consumer confidence, April’s tax hikes are looking increasingly misjudged. The Chancellor should look again at how to protect small firms from this fresh blow. An increase in the Employment Allowance would provide some breathing space.
“Small firms that do business internationally are usually among our most profitable and innovative. That’s why it’s so hard to watch so many becoming increasingly weighed down by bureaucracy. The Government should learn lessons from the botched roll-out of the SME Brexit Support Fund and launch a new fund with similar aims but more sensible eligibility criteria, reasonable application deadlines and a genuinely international focus.”
Welcome to Yorkshire announce ‘Yorkshire Menu’ as their key campaign for 2022
Celebrating Yorkshire’s fabulous food and delicious drink is the order of the day … and year … as Welcome to Yorkshire launches Yorkshire Menu on New Year’s Day 2022. The aim is to showcase Yorkshire as the food and drink capital of the UK in the biggest ever year-long promotion of the county’s delicious delights … regionally, nationally and internationally, scrumptiously showcasing the very best of Yorkshire’s culinary creations across the globe.
From street food to Michelin-starred restaurants, farm shops to tea rooms, vineyards to distilleries, local produce to international cuisine, market stalls to delicatessens … and so much more, check-in and check out the Yorkshire Menu. Sourced and enjoyed across the county … Yorkshire’s breathtaking coastline, stunning countryside, vibrant cities and bustling towns serve up the finest food and drink.
There’ll be Yorkshire on Tour, Eat Around the World (whilst staying in the county), mouthwatering recipes, food and drink trails, and a calendar of competitions and creative campaigns.
Yorkshire Menu will feature celebrated chefs, food and drink experts, a whole host of celebrities and the magnificent team of people who create the delectable delights the county is famous for. From fantastic fishing crews to fabulous farmers, restaurant owners to world-renowned cooks and drinks producers, it’s going to be a top year for tucker, tipples and brilliant beverages.
There’s much to shout about. Here’s a taster … Yorkshire has 16 commercial vineyards, 7 Michelin-starred restaurants (1 with a green Michelin star), Bridlington is England’s biggest shellfish port and for 6 consecutive years Bradford was crowned Curry Capital of Britain. The county also counts an impressive and inspiring list of protected status foods: Wensleydale cheese, Swaledale cheese (from both ewes and cows) and Yorkshire forced rhubarb. That’s just for starters!
Food and drink is a much-loved constant whatever is happening in the world and is to be promoted and enjoyed. Spending time eating and drinking with friends and family must be at the top of most people’s favourite pursuits AND even during a pandemic and challenging times for businesses, the way many have adapted with home deliveries and hampers has been truly inspirational.
Everyone will be invited to participate in the #YorkshireMenu by sharing their own favourite places to eat and drink. Popping to the pub, dining out in style or picking up pieces from a favourite Yorkshire store, it’s the perfect opportunity to promote the county’s finest food and drink offerings for all budgets by using the hashtag #YorkshireMenu, as well as sharing on Welcome to Yorkshire’s social media channels. The destination marketing organisation believe this will be a great PR opportunity for the county and its visitor economy, as Welcome to Yorkshire’s annual social reach is almost 20 million and has a global brand reach of over 23 million.
Celebrating city, coast and countryside food and drink, the campaign will also allow the opportunity for businesses and organisations to sponsor events and promotional activities throughout the year.
Welcome to Yorkshire Chair Peter Box CBE said: “2021 has been another tricky year for all and certainly a time to reflect on what is positive and what we should be proud of, which is certainly the case when it comes to Yorkshire’s fantastic food and drink offering. What better way to start the new year and continue through 2022, than promoting all this wonderful produce, award-winning places to dine and drink, as well as supporting local businesses, which is needed now more than ever.
Yorkshire Menu will have a worldwide appeal and will welcome visitors to the most diverse of counties through the most inclusive of campaigns. Food and drink is enjoyed by everyone and we really hope visitors in and out of county will embrace and enjoy the Yorkshire Menu as much as we do. It will also incorporate Yorkshire’s art and culture, sport, history and heritage locations and the region’s amazing attractions with food and drink connected to all.”
Multi-award-winning Consultant Chef Stephanie Moon added: “I am really excited that Welcome to Yorkshire’s Yorkshire Menu will be celebrating all of the county’s fantastic food and drink. It’s something I’m incredibly passionate about and proud to be a part of. I’ve travelled extensively and can honestly say that Yorkshire’s fabulous fresh produce combined with its lovely locations to dine and drink are simply world-class and that’s why I choose Yorkshire as my home and place to work.”
Prashad’s Minal Patel said: “We’re incredibly lucky in Yorkshire to have a vast choice of excellent local produce to create world-class international cuisine. Seeing the pleasure our customers, from far and wide, get from lovingly created cooked dishes and for them to return time and time again, is the greatest compliment as a restaurant owner.
Welcome to Yorkshire’s the Yorkshire Menu is a great initiative to amplify the county’s fantastic food and drink businesses.”
Business leaders seek tax, trade and skills support to meet challenges of next 20 years
Almost half (47%) of UK businesses said taking on new staff is their key ambition in the medium-term, according to new research to mark the 20th anniversary of the Lloyds Bank Business Barometer.
The survey asked 600 businesses about the major challenges and opportunities faced in the last two decades and anticipated challenges up to 2040 and beyond.
Companies also highlighted developing new products and services (36%) and increasing online sales (30%) as major ambitions and priorities.
The survey found that businesses expect online purchasing (20%) and demand for instant products and services (18%) to be the biggest changes in consumer behaviour in the next 20 years, forcing them to be more creative and innovative in order to adapt to deliver quickly.
These predictions mirror the factors which businesses cited as having had the biggest impact on their operations in the past 20 years – chiefly greater access to information (24%) and more online purchasing (22%) changing customer behaviour.
However, firms are optimistic about further changes to consumer behaviour, with 38% reporting that advances in technology have had the biggest positive impact on their business in the past 20 years.
Challenges ahead
Despite a clear drive towards growth, a net balance of 83% of firms anticipate the next 20 years will be more challenging than the past two decades – which included the financial crisis and resulting credit crunch, recession, the Brexit referendum and the global pandemic.
Some of the challenges that businesses see themselves facing can be linked back to the pandemic, including rising costs (23%) and the ability to recruit staff (11%). In addition, one in ten (11%) businesses see the need to keep up with technological developments as their biggest challenge in the next two to three years.
Government provision of greater access to more vocational-based learning was seen by 44% of firms as being a way to help mitigate these challenges. However, companies believe that future growth opportunities will need to be supported by more favourable taxation to encourage sustainable business practices (52%) and new trade agreements with major trading partners (48%).
Paul Gordon, Managing Director for SME and Mid Corporates, Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said: “The Business Barometer has provided unique insights into the views of British businesses for 20 years. In that time, we have seen a seismic shift in the economic context in the UK, as well as the extraordinary ability of business leaders to adapt and evolve to meet changing market needs.
“Perhaps it is not unsurprising that, having faced a quite unprecedented period of late and enormous change over the last twenty years, the majority of business leaders feel the next twenty years will be more challenging. To help them through this, businesses are looking for support on skills, finance, trade and taxation to navigate in this environment.
“One thing that is clear is that our businesses and business leaders are incredibly resourceful and resilient and are adept at facing into constant change. They tell us they are gearing up for growth and expect to increase headcount, enhancing their service offering or utilising new technologies. We’ll be by their side over the months and years ahead as they deliver on their ambitions.”
Redbrik Foundation donates £10k to local charities
Award-winning South Yorkshire and North East Derbyshire Estate Agents, Redbrik has donated nearly £10,000 to six local charities.
Fairplay, St. Luke’s Hospice Sheffield, Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice, The Children’s Hospital Charity, Ashgate Hospice and Paces will benefit from the funds raised through the Redbrik Foundation.
After hosting and supporting many charity events over the years, the Redbrik Foundation was set up in 2020 to help children, young people, the elderly and those with disabilities in the Sheffield and Chesterfield areas.
Naturally, since the Foundation was set up in 2020, restrictions have limited the number of in-person fundraising events. However, Redbrik’s team came up with new ways to generate support for the Foundation and its charities at a time when they need it most.
The Redbrik Foundation has organised virtual events, and challenges and donations of Christmas presents to Sheffield Children’s Hospital two years running so that every patient receives a gift during the festive season.
The team tackled the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge earlier this year, raising over £4,000, and held the very first – and very successful – Redbrik Foundation Chesterfield 10k in October 2021. In addition, donations were raised through a match funding initiative whereby clients of Redbrik are given the option to donate £25 to the Foundation, which the company then matches.
Redbrik Foundation Trustee, David Cooper, commented: “This is a proud moment for every one and thank you to anyone who has promoted, donated to or fundraised for the Foundation. One hundred per cent of all money raised is donated back out into the community to support the incredible work these organisations carry out every day.
“Rather than have a changing list of annual charity partners, we’ve decided instead that we’d rather have an ever-growing list of amazing charities to support, so watch this space!”
Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance sign off 2021 as busiest year in charity’s history.
A lot has happened at LNAA this year, from moving to a new headquarters to upgrading the helicopter, the charity hasn’t stood still through what has been a monumental year of change.
And the numbers reflect the pace of transformation with the crew having responded to more than 1,400 missions in 2021. Compared to 1,095 in 2020 and 877 in 2019, it’s a significant leap.
CEO Karen Jobling said: “Just like many other charities, we went into 2021 not knowing what to expect. We had projects that were underway before the first lock-down so we had to dig in and keep going on those fronts, keeping in mind that they were all foundations for the future of the charity. This is what has enabled us to reach more patients this year.”
The addition of a second helicopter in the summer came in response to an anticipated surge in visitors to the Lincolnshire coast as lock-down measures eased. This contributed to the rise in call-outs as it became the busiest summer the charity had ever had.
Throughout the year additional, highly skilled doctors and paramedics have joined LNAA with some travelling from Aberdeen, Kent and even Lisbon to be part of a team that is leading the way in this specialist sector. This meant that by September, crews were able to respond day and night using a mix of the helicopter and critical care cars.
The charity teams and crew moved into a new, purpose-built headquarters in Lincoln – HEMS (Helicopter Emergency Medical Service) Way – in the summer and celebrated the official opening in September when HRH The Earl of Wessex, officially opened the building. The clinical and aviation operation had formerly been based at RAF Waddington with the staff situated in Bracebridge Heath, so the development of HEMS Way gave everyone the opportunity to be under one roof for the first time.
Another stride in clinical care came with the introduction of blood plasma. Blood was already carried on board but plasma was added because it is the component of blood that helps it to clot – integral to the care given at the scene of a traumatic incident, anywhere within the 3,500sq miles LNAA covers.
“Our crews continue to be out there and, just like their NHS colleagues, they are dealing with the added pressure and complexity the spread of Covid brings, said Karen. The only difference is that we are there purely because of the generous donations we receive from our communities.
She added: “We are so pleased that we have been able to be there for more patients in 2021. Of course, with each mission costing on average £3,500, it comes at a cost. It is only because of the generosity of our supporters that more patients have been helped by a crew with the highest skills and standards in pre-hospital care. Everyone here at LNAA would like to send all of our wonderful supporters our whole-hearted thanks.”
Visit www.ambucopter.org.uk/donate to help save lives.
Holiday park operator swoops for Sheffield business
UK holiday park operator, Away Resorts, has reached an agreement to acquire Sheffield-based Coppergreen Leisure Resorts. This expands Away Resorts’ footprint to 27 locations across the UK.
Coppergreen has 370 lodges across four parks in Yorkshire, Scotland, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire. Growth capital investor BGF exits as part of the deal, having backed Coppergreen in 2016.
The acquisition will complement Away Resorts’ existing portfolio, increasing its presence in the North of England and in Scotland, and growing the number of visitors the group welcomes every year to over 750,000.
Carl Castledine, CEO of Away Resorts, said: “We are delighted to be welcoming Coppergreen to the Away Resorts family to support our ambition of forming the leading UK holiday park provider. Coppergreen’s prime locations and leadership in sustainability will further enhance our offer as we look to provide perfect holiday destinations for UK holiday makers.”
David Copley, CEO at Coppergreen Leisure Resorts, said: “Away Resorts has a reputation for driving innovation across the industry and is the ideal owner for the business. We look forward to seeing what the team goes on to achieve in its next successful chapter.”
2022 Business Predictions: Mark Goodson, owner and MD of Wayside Holiday Park
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 Mark Goodson, the owner and Managing Director of Wayside Holiday Park near Pickering.
The picture facing the tourism industry in Yorkshire in the next 12 months is nuanced and complex. On the one hand, the threat of Covid and the worrying new variant, combined with a chronic lack of capable staff and a fractured supply chain, is a real challenge for our sector. There’s no getting away from that. On the other hand, the global pandemic has fuelled the “staycation” boom in the UK and it is highly likely that many people won’t be going abroad next year, because it is a logistical nightmare as well as a potential risk to health.
So let’s be optimistic to start with. Yorkshire is a most fabulous county and has flourished during the past 18 months, despite the problems faced by its main tourism body, Welcome to Yorkshire. Its beauty speaks for itself, from the glorious Dales, to the historic city of York and from the atmospheric North Yorkshire coastline to the stunning Moors. Our county has it all. There is every reason to believe that 2022 will be an exciting and successful year, Covid and lockdowns permitting.
Looking more specifically at the holiday park sector, our supply chain is a major worry. Because of the staycation boom, and the buying power of the grey pound, the demand for static caravans and holiday lodges is very strong. But the availability of both is erratic at best, despite strenuous efforts by the manufacturers. However, I am an optimist by nature and have invested £200,000 to upgrade our holiday park for the New Year. I am confident that this optimism isn’t misplaced.
