Funding approved for next phase of Huddersfield regeneration programme

Tess Egginton
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Funding approved for next phase of Huddersfield regeneration programme
Kirklees Council’s Cabinet has approved funding for the next phase of Huddersfield town centre’s regeneration programme, Our Cultural Heart. Work is already well underway on phase one of the scheme which will see the old Queensgate market reinvigorated as a community hub and leisure space with a library, food hall, new public square designed for socialising and events. Plans presented earlier this year set out the council’s ambitions for phase two of the project. This will see the four-storey former library, one of Huddersfield town centre’s most imposing and historically significant buildings, become a brand-new museum and art gallery with a 50-seat café with outdoor terrace. The plans include a sympathetic new extension which will improve accessibility, and better connecting the building with the outdoor space and the wider Our Cultural Heart. Councillors agreed the release of £5.413m from the overall project budget for Phase 2. This funding will be used to progress the next stage of Phase 2 contractor procurement and design. In addition to the Phase 2 funding, £250K will also be released for work on the programme master plan. This study will take a deep dive into plans for later stages of the programme. The aim of the study is to investigate how the council can complete delivery of Our Cultural Heart without additional capital borrowing, whilst ensuring minimal impact on the project’s overarching ambitions. There will also be some reallocation of capital funding from the overall programme budget to allow for the delivery of specific services within Our Cultural Heart. This includes £371K to allow the West Yorkshire Archive Service to deliver services from library, and £50K to prepare for future events in the public square. The report also includes details of service operating costs, and proposals for how these would be funded. This includes the budget for the essential interior design and functionality required for opening a world class museum and gallery. The report indicates that the Museum’s Service will be looking to identify additional forms of funding to cover the up to £14.480m costs, but that it may be reallocated from within the programme budget if this is not achieved.

Councillor Graham Turner, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, said: “Our Cultural Heart is our most ambitious regeneration programme, when completed it will bring a new, community-centred arts and leisure offer to the town, providing cultural activities to enjoy during the day and into the evening.

“It will play a significant role in making Huddersfield a family-friendly, prosperous town centre which provides exciting places to live, work or visit. “As with all large regeneration schemes, there are hurdles to jump and challenges to overcome, a worldwide pandemic and wars in other countries have of course made things even more complex. This has meant we’ve had to continually assess our finances and prioritise spend that will lead to the successful delivery of the first phases of the scheme, whilst still allowing for exciting new developments in the future. “Releasing the funds demonstrates our commitment to delivering something everyone can be proud of and doing that in a way that delivers real changes on the ground in the next few years. “Regeneration is not just about bricks and mortar. Our ambition is to give local people and visitors more reasons to spend time in the town centre. By increasing footfall, and in turn commercial opportunities, our plans will also benefit existing and future businesses from all sectors. Thriving businesses in turn provide employment opportunities for our communities. “Huddersfield has a bright future, and I am proud to be part of it.”

International airport operator “ready and waiting in the wings” for Doncaster

Tess Egginton
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International airport operator “ready and waiting in the wings” for Doncaster

Mayor Ros Jones has confirmed at City of Doncaster Council’s Full Council meeting that there is an international airport operator ready to run the airport.

The airport operator is secured as part of the procurement process to partner with the council which has established FlyDoncaster, a wholly owned limited company, to run the airport.   Mayor Ros explained to council that the process was complex and that there were several milestones to be reached before the airport can reopen in Spring 2026.  This included a submission to the Government’s Subsidy Advice Unit (SAU) which was published this week. It covered the financial elements including the proposal to use some of Doncaster’s share of Government funding via South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA), known as gainshare, to support the airport reopening and why public funding is an appropriate mechanism to help reopen the airport. “I want to confirm to council and the people of Doncaster that we have an international airport operator, ready and waiting in the wings to work with us,” said Mayor Ros.  “FlyDoncaster is a wholly owned company of this council, which has been established to manage the airport and partner with our international airport operator. Its key initial role is to mobilise the re-opening of the airport for passenger flights in Spring 2026. Further details in relation to this will be included in the reports to go through the council decision making process in the weeks ahead.  “The overall tone of the subsidy report is a positive one and acknowledges that this council has considered the options and why public funding is an appropriate mechanism to consider. There are a number of points raised for further consideration and these will be responded to as part of our ongoing planning.  “This is set to be the largest single investment in Doncaster for more than a generation, hence the considerable level of due diligence and our rigorous and logical approach to accomplish this monumental challenge of saving and re-opening our airport.  “This is a Team Doncaster and Team South Yorkshire effort, I would like to thank the residents and businesses of Doncaster for their patience, we are not over the line yet, but we are nearly there,” she added.  The next stage includes Mayor Ros’ budget proposals as part of the council’s budget setting process and approval from South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority which are scheduled to go through the decision-making process over the coming weeks, culminating at Full Council on February 27 that seeks budget approval. 

Building Society takes financial education to 13,000 children

Stuart Pearcey
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Building Society takes financial education to 13,000 children
Yorkshire Building Society employees delivered financial education lessons to more than 13,000 children and young people across the country last year, supporting the mutual’s call for all children in the UK to receive formal financial education at school. Chris Irwin, director of savings at Yorkshire Building Society, said: “Helping people with their financial wellbeing is at the heart of our purpose as a building society. We know that people who engage in positive financial behaviours such as saving are generally less anxious about money, and have greater life satisfaction overall. “We also know that delivery of financial education across the UK is inconsistent, and that is why our colleagues have been out to schools and youth organisations to deliver financial education lessons to over 13,000 children and young people in the last year. “Our research shows most young people rely on family to learn about money, meaning those from less financially savvy families may be at a disadvantage. There is an opportunity for us to help future generations have the best start in life, by teaching them important life skills and core financial information at school. “Delivering financial education consistently in schools, from a younger age, and in a way that helps people have the knowledge to deal with real-life issues, will help more people have a good foundation in life to face the future and its challenges, with confidence and optimism.” Research from Yorkshire Building Society suggests less than half of 16–27-year-olds recall ever receiving any financial education in secondary school despite it being on the national curriculum since 2014. To help support the delivery of financial education in schools, the Society delivered face-to-face financial education sessions in classrooms up and down the country through its flagship Money Minds programme, which sees the Society’s colleagues volunteer their time to deliver a series of lessons to teach children and young people of all ages and abilities about money.    

2025 Business Predictions: Angela Gorton, Head of Department, Employment at Lupton Fawcett

Tess Egginton
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2025 Business Predictions: Angela Gorton, Head of Department, Employment at Lupton Fawcett
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 Angela Gorton, Head of Department, Employment at Lupton Fawcett. 2025 looks set to bring many changes for employers. The government is seeking to narrow the age-based pay gap by increasing the national minimum wage for 18–20-year olds to gradually align with rates for those aged 21+. Combined with the rise in employer’s national insurance, this will increase labour costs and may affect recruitment. Employers face greater liabilities for failing to prevent workplace sexual harassment. Tribunal claims in 2025 may result in compensation uplifts of 25%, with mid-range injury to feelings awards reaching up to £44,000. Employers without policies, risk assessments, and staff training must act early in 2025 to protect themselves. The Employment Bill, hailed as “the biggest upgrade to worker rights for a generation,” will bring significant changes. Unfair dismissal will become a day 1 right, and zero/low-hour workers will be able to request guaranteed hours based on regular work patterns. Compensation will apply for short-notice shift cancellations. Fire-and-rehire practices are to be curtailed, by increasing compensation for failing to follow the Code of Practice and eventual outlawing except when business survival is at risk. Statutory sick pay will be payable immediately, with no waiting days causing concern as to whether short term absence levels may increase. Unions will gain greater access to workplaces for recruitment and recognition, with employers required to notify staff of union rights at the time they join the business and at certain points thereafter. With numerous changes to employment law planned, employers must act quickly to prepare.

Sheffield firm partners with European energy company to develop green hydrogen production plant

Stuart Pearcey
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Sheffield firm partners with European energy company to develop green hydrogen production plant
Sheffield-based ITM is to work with a European energy company to jointly develop a standard design configuration for a 10MW green hydrogen production plant for use in several projects across the UK. The design will combine two of ITM’s Neptune V plug-and-play 5MW containerised electrolyser systems.
The UK has ambitious targets for producing green hydrogen, with the aim of 6GW installed capacity by 2030, aided by the Hydrogen Allocation Rounds. ITM CEO Dennis Schulz said: “This agreement with yet another large-scale European energy company further cements Neptune V as the clear leader in its class. The 10MW configuration will allow our customer to deploy projects rapidly across the UK.”

Government says ‘no’ to sugar beet pesticide

Stuart Pearcey
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Government says ‘no’ to sugar beet pesticide
An emergency application for farmers to use a neonicotinoid pesticide on sugar beet in England will not be granted, the Government has confirmed. This is the first time in five years that an emergency authorisation of Cruiser SB – which contains the neonicotinoid thiamethoxam – has not been approved for use on sugar beet. There is clear and abundant evidence that this neonicotinoid is extremely toxic to pollinators such as bees. Even at doses that are not directly fatal to bees, it can cause cognitive problems impacting foraging abilities and the productivity of hives. Environment Minister Emma Hardy said: “Britain is currently one of the most nature depleted countries in the world. This government is committed to protecting bees from toxic neonicotinoid pesticides, while working with our farmers to find new ways to protect crops and support a profitable farming sector. “We recognise the threat that virus yellows can pose to sugar beet growers, and we will continue to support industry to develop alternatives to neonicotinoids on sugar beet that are effective at high levels of yellows virus infection.”
However, NFU Sugar Board chair Michael Sly said: “Following the devastating impact that Virus Yellows disease has had on the British sugar beet industry in recent years, we are disappointed that our emergency application has not been granted. “We must remember that any seed treatment would only have been used if an independent, scientific forecast of pest pressure had surpassed a threshold of severity to warrant its use. “Recent VY disease pressures have caused crop losses of up to 80%, which has put farm businesses under huge pressure, at a time when the sector is already struggling with high production costs, extreme weather and the transition to Environmental Land Management schemes.
“As a result of not having this emergency application granted, growers will not have a single viable solution to protect their crop in 2025 in the event of severe disease pressure.”  

Estama appointed as Asset Managers for Dewsbury’s Princess of Wales Shopping Centre

Tess Egginton
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Estama appointed as Asset Managers for Dewsbury’s Princess of Wales Shopping Centre
Estama, the commercial property and asset management specialist, has been appointed as the new Asset Managers for the Princess of Wales Shopping Centre in Dewsbury. This strategic appointment builds upon Estama’s existing track record of success for the shopping centre’s owner, for whom they already manage the Swansgate Shopping Centre in Wellingborough and Pescod Square Shopping Centre in Boston. This extension of Estama’s mandate to include Dewsbury follows their strong results in increasing the occupancy rates and income across both existing managed assets, combined with reductions to operational costs that have resulted in strong increases to NOI across both assets. The 83,060 sq ft Princess of Wales Shopping Centre is home to 26 occupiers, including nationally recognised retailers such as Boots, Greggs, Vodafone, and EE. Estama’s remit is to revitalise the centre and collaborate closely with the owners, and key local stakeholders, to ensure the site reaches its full potential. “We are delighted to have been appointed as Asset Managers for the Princess of Wales Shopping Centre and to continue to work alongside the owners to reinvigorate this important retail destination,” said Ross Campbell, Estama’s Director and Head of Asset Management. “It’s gratifying to see the confidence they’ve placed in our team, following the success of our work at both Wellingborough and Boston. “We are committed to driving positive change and creating a thriving, vibrant shopping environment for the community,” he added.

Manufacturing output volumes fall as cost pressures increase

Tess Egginton
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Manufacturing output volumes fall as cost pressures increase
Sentiment across the manufacturing sector fell at the fastest pace in over two years in January, according to the Confederation of British Industry’s (CBI) latest quarterly Industrial Trends Survey. Manufacturing output volumes fell over the quarter to January, though less sharply than in the quarter to December. Output is expected to fall further in the three months to April. The volume of total new orders decreased in the quarter to January, reflecting steep declines in both domestic and export orders, with the latter falling at the fastest pace since July 2020. Over the next three months, manufacturers expect the volume of total new orders to fall at the fastest pace since the onset of the COVID pandemic in April 2020, with 79% of respondents citing the condition of order books as a factor likely to limit output over the next quarter (the highest share since July 2020). Manufacturers reported increased cost pressures: growth in average costs accelerated in the quarter to January, compared with October, while expectations for growth in costs in the three months ahead rose to their strongest in over two years. Domestic and export selling price inflation was muted in the three months to January, but both are expected to rise rapidly in the three months to April. Investment intentions for the year ahead have deteriorated markedly across all categories. Manufacturers expect to reduce spending on buildings, plant & machinery, product & process innovation (which saw the weakest balance since 2009), and on training & retraining. Manufacturers cited uncertainty about demand, inadequate net returns and access to internal finance as key factors constraining investment. The outlook for hiring has also weakened. Manufacturing headcount fell slightly in the quarter to January, and manufacturers expect numbers to fall again in the quarter to April, and at the fastest pace since July 2020. Ben Jones, Lead Economist, CBI, said: “Manufacturers have entered the New Year in a grim mood. Confidence has evaporated over the last three months as orders have dropped. “A fall in domestic deliveries comes amid widespread concerns over the impact of the increase in National Insurance contributions, minimum wages and changes to employment law on firms’ operating costs. And a strong focus on managing operational expenditure is leading manufacturers to cut back their investment and hiring plans. “Meanwhile, export prospects appear worse than at any time since the pandemic, reflecting a slowdown in overseas demand and reports of ongoing difficulties securing supply contracts with customers based in the EU. “In comments to the survey, several firms noted concern that negative sentiment risks becoming self-fulfilling. “The government can play a role in re-booting confidence by sending clear signals of intent on policies that could support the manufacturing sector, notably delivering an industrial strategy that helps the UK win the global race for growth, matching skills to economic needs, and accelerating our energy transition and resilience.”

Felicia joins charity on a year’s secondment from Wilkin Chapman

Stuart Pearcey
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Felicia joins charity on a year’s secondment from Wilkin Chapman

A senior lawyer from Wilkin Chapman joining charity Our Future and working with leaders across North East Lincolnshire to build a thriving future in the region.

Felicia Linch, a senior associate in the regulatory and public law department at Wilkin Chapman, has joined the team on a secondment for a year working on the first Our Future area, covering Grimsby and North East Lincolnshire.

As well as her experience working as a solicitor in Grimsby, Felicia has served as a governance advisor to several British Overseas Territories in the Caribbean under the sponsorship of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. She has also worked as a director of transformation and a programme director in the Caribbean, Latin America, Africa and UK.

Felicia will be responsible for engaging leaders from every sector to design and build the civic infrastructure needed to secure long-term funding and support to help Grimsby prosper in future.

She said: “Since joining Wilkin Chapman, I have focused on economic, social and environmental sustainability. Our social sustainability is in our firm’s DNA, so we aligned our ESG Strategy to several UN Sustainable Development Goals, including the ambition to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. This secondment is a natural extension of our sustainability commitment as a firm. I have been welcomed by the region’s community, especially in Grimsby, and I look forward to helping bring the vision to life.”

Wilkin Chapman is the leading law firm in Lincolnshire and East Yorkshire and its roots in the area go back more than 120 years. With well-established niche expertise in specialist services and sectors, it is a trusted law firm at the heart of the local community. The organisation shares Our Future’s belief that a thriving future can be built if everybody contributes to creating the places we love.

Chris Grocock, Senior Partner at Wilkin Chapman said: “Our law firm has grown with the communities in which it is based in Grimsby, Lincoln, Beverley and Louth. Actively playing our part to contribute to the wellbeing of those communities makes us stronger, more diverse and more successful. We are delighted to lend Felicia’s unique skills, talents and energy to help Our Future deliver positive change in Grimsby and the surrounding area in the next 12 months.”

Survey reveals extent of crime against South Yorkshire businesses

Stuart Pearcey
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Survey reveals extent of crime against South Yorkshire businesses
Shoplifting, assault, fraud, and blackmail are blighting more than 40% of South Yorkshire firms, and have experienced financial loss as a direct result of crime, according to the findings of a recent poll.
A survey of 300 companies conducted by the region’s chambers of commerce covering Doncaster, Sheffield, Barnsley & Rotherham highlights how frequently firms in South Yorkshire are targeted by illegal activities.
Cybercrime was cited as the most commonly encountered offence here, with more than a quarter of respondents indicating that they have been victims of it in the past twelve months. Yet despite this prevalence, very few businesses in the region know about the support that is available right on their doorstep to help protect themselves from — cybercrime. For instance, only 34% are aware of the Action Fraud website and even less (8%) are aware of the North East Business Resilience Centre.
Theft from motor vehicles and burglary emerged as the next most widespread offenses, affecting 26% and 22% of South Yorkshire firms respectively. As for the impact that business crime has on the region overall, 2 out of 5 survey respondents indicated that they have suffered both financial loss and disruption as a result of illegal activity, while around a quarter of them reported a negative impact on customer wellbeing.
Chief Execs for all three regional chambers of commerce issued the following joint statement: “These results will enable us, as well as our strategic partners, to better understand the scale of the problem when it comes to business crime in South Yorkshire and it’s clear that there is a lot of work to be done here. In particular, there is an obvious need to crack down on burglaries and vehicle theft — which are causing disruption and financial loss throughout the region — as well as to signpost firms to the support that is available to help them deal with cybercrime.
“However, while the prevalence of this illegal activity is itself a problem, we are also alarmed to learn that only 58% of firms are reporting it with any degree of consistency. Indeed, two fifths of businesses told us that they do not always report a crime when they have been targeted by it, and 20% said that they have never once done so.
“The reasons cited for such inaction on their part range from them not believing that they will be taken seriously, to them simply having had negative experiences in the past. On a related note, only 30% of our survey respondents expressed that they have been at all satisfied with the response to any reports that they have filed in the past which, suffice it to say, is a very concerning statistic.
“For us to have a truly business friendly environment here in South Yorkshire — and one that is conducive to economic growth — these issues must be urgently addressed. After all, our businesses need to feel assured that the region does indeed have their best interests at heart and that somebody is fighting in their corner here; especially if we ever hope to improve the number of firms who are willing to give back by employing ex-offenders or sitting on prison employment boards.”
South Yorkshire’s Mayor and Police and Crime Commissioner Oliver Coppard said: “I am working with South Yorkshire Police, experts and communities across South Yorkshire to develop my first Police and Crime Plan, setting out our policing priorities for the next five years. This type of in-depth, detailed feedback will help shape that Plan.
“Everyone in South Yorkshire has the right to feel safe and secure, that’s why I’m working with the business community, so we can understand their frustrations and concerns, and work together to make South Yorkshire a healthier, wealthier and safer place.”

Groundbreaking event highlights benefits of employing SEND workers

Stuart Pearcey
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Groundbreaking event highlights benefits of employing SEND workers

Employers are being invited to find out about the benefits of hiring people with special educational needs and disabilities at a ground-breaking event in Lincoln in March.

The Greater Lincolnshire LEP’s Careers Hub is to stage its first-ever SEND-focused event for employers during Neurodiversity Week on Wednesday 19th March 2025 at the EPIC Centre on the Lincolnshire Showground. It’s called Innovate and Include: Harnessing SEND Talent and aims to help business owners to understand the benefits of recruiting people with special educational needs and disabilities and how targeted recruitment can help fill skills gaps and drive innovation. This event is being supported by Talentino Careers and will appeal to business owners and managers, HR professionals, educators and school administrators, and anyone interested in inclusive recruitment practices. Alex Nightingale, Operational Hub Lead at the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “By attending the event employers will not only enhance their recruitment strategies but also learn how to effectively collaborate with schools, including those that support pupils with additional needs and disabilities,” said “This can help businesses build a diverse talent pipeline, foster community relations and demonstrate a strong commitment to social responsibility. Investing in an inclusive approach to recruitment and educational support is a powerful way to drive innovation and create a more equitable workplace.” Kirstie Payne from energy business Sureserve said: “Our collaborative work with SEND schools has enabled us to carve out a model that suits our business needs and helps individual pupils flourish in the world of work. “Quite aside from the overwhelming feel-good factor, each activity we’ve engaged with has helped fulfil our talent pipeline, support our corporate social responsibility ambitions and further educate our teams on matters relating to equality, diversity and inclusion. “Our company is incredibly proud to be part of such an inclusive and supportive partnership model.”

Council offers SMEs access to pool of graduate talent

Stuart Pearcey
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Council offers SMEs access to pool of graduate talent
Businesses in West Yorkshire will be able to recruit from a talent pool of hundreds of professionally-trained graduates under a new scheme just launched by regional mayor Tracy Brabin. The Graduates West Yorkshire scheme is the first of its kind for the region, and will see up to a thousand graduates undergo rigorous employability training, to prepare them for jobs in the regional economy. The graduates will then be matched with small and medium-sized businesses in the region, progressing on to interviews, six-month work placements and, in some cases, permanent employment. More than 100 graduates have completed the award-winning development courses so far, which are delivered by higher education careers consultancy Gradconsult. The Mayor is now encouraging SMEs to register their interest for the free graduate scheme. Firms that apply will receive wrap-around support with the recruitment and retention of a graduate that is right for their business. She said: “Here in West Yorkshire we have seven leading universities producing thousands of talented graduates every year, alongside thousands of local businesses that are crying out for skilled workers. “Yet the path from university to employment isn’t always clear, with young people too often feeling that they lack the real-world transferable skills they need to be an asset to a business. “With this new grad scheme, we’ll ensure that our small and medium-sized firms can access the reliable talent they need, by equipping our graduates with the skills they need to contribute to a stronger, brighter region.” Mandy Ridyard, Business Advisor to the Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “This graduate scheme is a direct result of our conversations with businesses, who tell us they need better access to talent. “This scheme is free to our SMEs that have a compelling entry-level offer, but who are struggling to compete with the big grad schemes of multinational companies. Joining the dots between our businesses and talented graduates from our universities can help drive growth, and is a great example of devolution in action.”

Yorkshire chocolatier gobbled up by food group

Tess Egginton
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Yorkshire chocolatier gobbled up by food group
Bramble Foods Group, a supplier of branded ambient foods, has acquired Whitakers Chocolates, Yorkshire’s renowned chocolatiers since 1889. This strategic move strengthens the Bramble Foods portfolio, uniting two family-owned brands. Whitakers Chocolates has been at the heart of British chocolate-making for 135 years, crafting luxurious confectionery for retail, private label, and food service markets. The acquisition builds on a trusted working relationship spanning 17 years, during which Whitakers has been a key supplier to Bramble Foods Group. Tony Foster, Managing Director of Bramble Foods, said: “We are delighted to welcome Whitakers Chocolates to the Bramble Foods Group and look forward to working with William and his team to further develop the business. “Whitakers is a well-run business with a long history of producing excellent products, this coupled with a broad customer base and dedicated team of employees attracted us to the business. As a family, Whitakers is our longest standing supplier having worked together for over 40 years.” Founded in 2008 by brothers Nigel and Tony Foster, alongside Chris Neville and Ken Osborne, from its Market Harborough headquarters Bramble Foods produces a wide range of premium products, including its largest category confectionery, traditional cakes, award-winning preserves, and chutneys, while supporting local employment and suppliers. William Whitaker, Managing Director of Whitakers Chocolates, said: “As a fourth-generation member of the Whitaker family, chocolate has been at the very heart of my life for as long as I can remember. “I am delighted that Whitakers Chocolates have joined the Bramble Foods Group as it is a wonderful opportunity to share our knowledge and invest for the future together. Whilst I will always carry the immense pride and heritage we’ve built over 135 years, I recognise that now is the right time to pass on our cherished traditions to a company that can develop the business further.” The Whitakers Chocolates management team, led by William Whitaker, will remain in place. Bramble Foods was backed by LDC, the private equity investor which is part of Lloyds Banking Group, in 2022 and since then LDC has supported Tony and the wider management team as they deliver their organic and acquisitive growth strategy.

Doncaster bid consultancy acquired by Manchester firm

Tess Egginton
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Doncaster bid consultancy acquired by Manchester firm
Bespoke Bids, a Manchester provider of bid management consultancy services, has acquired Doncaster-based Carley Consult, an award-winning bid consultancy specialising in education, employability and justice. This strategic acquisition marks a significant step in Bespoke Bids’ journey to becoming the largest bid management consultancy in the UK. Leon Bright, Managing Director of Bespoke Bids, said: “This is an incredibly exciting milestone for Bespoke Bids. Carley Consult has a fantastic reputation in the education sector, and their expertise perfectly complements our existing capabilities. “By uniting our teams, we can expand our reach, refine our processes, and help more clients achieve outstanding results. We’re extremely grateful to Jim Carley for his leadership and the outstanding business he has built over 17 years.” Outgoing Managing Director of Carley Consult, Jim Carley said: “It’s been an honour to lead Carley Consult and see the company grow over the last 17 years. I’m confident that under the Bespoke Bids leadership, this will create new opportunities for our clients and team members. I look forward to seeing the combined company flourish.” The integration of the two firms will be phased over the next six months.

ABP appoints Head of Engineering for Humber region

Stuart Pearcey
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ABP appoints Head of Engineering for Humber region
Brad Crumbleholme has been appointed as ABP’s Head of Engineering & Asset Management for the Humber Region. Brad has been supporting the team on the Humber on an interim basis for several months in addition to his current accountabilities as Head of Engineering & Asset Management across Wales & Short Sea Ports and leading the ABP wide Energy Project. He said: “I am excited to take on this new role and to be working with the Humber team in a permanent capacity. We have great opportunities ahead and having got to know the team here it is clear that we are well positioned to drive Continuous Improvements to the benefit of our customers.” Brad started at ABP in 2018 and reshaped the W&SSP Engineering function, its people and processes. He spent 10 years at Peel Ports covering the Mersey Division, and before that 10 years working in manufacturing for a global stainless steel manufacturer. Brad’s heavy engineering career started in precision engineering where he was an apprentice toolmaker. He will retain oversight of Engineering and Asset Management in W&SSP until a replacement is found. He will report directly to Regional Director for the Humber ports Andrew Dawes, and will be part of the leadership team on the Humber with a key focus on continuous improvement as part of Keeping Britain Trading and Enabling the Energy Transition. Mr Dawes said: “Brad has done an excellent interim job supporting the engineering teams here and we look forward to the opportunity the role will give him to help shape the engineering function and the wider ABP business. His work is a vital component for us to keep Britain trading and help deliver with our energy transition internally.”  

Millions face £100 fine for late filing of tax returns

Stuart Pearcey
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Millions face £100 fine for late filing of tax returns
More than three million people are running the risk of a £100 for failing to file their 2023 to 2024 tax return before the deadline of January 31st. Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said: “Time is running out for the millions still to file their Self Assessment tax return by 31 January. Help and support is available for those who have not yet started their return. Visit GOV.UK and search ‘Self Assessment’ to find out more.” She emphasised the importance of including bank details as part of their tax return to ensure that if there is any repayment due, it can be done quickly and securely, adding that customers’ reasons for not paying their tax bill or arranging a payment plan by the deadline would be considered individually. While customers who provide HMRC with a reasonable excuse may avoid a penalty, those without reasonable excuse face will be issued with a penalty including:
  • an initial £100 fixed penalty, which applies even if there is no tax to pay, or if the tax due is paid on time
  • after 3 months, additional daily penalties of £10 per day, up to a maximum of £900
  • after 6 months, a further penalty of 5% of the tax due or £300, whichever is greater
  • after 12 months, another 5% or £300 charge, whichever is greater
There are also additional penalties for paying late of 5% of the tax unpaid at 30 days, 6 months and 12 months. If tax remains unpaid after the deadline, interest will also be charged on the amount owed, in addition to the penalties above.

Forgemasters’ lathe developments reach critical milestone in Germany

Stuart Pearcey
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Forgemasters’ lathe developments reach critical milestone in Germany
The first of 11 bespoke Vertical Turning Lathes being built for Sheffield Forgemasters’ new machining facility, has passed a milestone test with its German manufacturers ahead of shipping it to the UK. Thew machines are being designed and built by WaldrichSiegen, and will be capable of working with pieces weighing up to 120 tonnes. John Cocker, Recapitalisation Machine Tool Lead at Sheffield Forgemasters, said: “The completion of factory acceptance testing for our first new Vertical Turning Lathe is a critical milestone for Sheffield Forgemasters and essentially underpins our confidence in WaldrichSiegen to deliver the remaining machines for our recapitalisation programme. “Despite the size of these machines, the VTL has the capability to work to the finest tolerances and deliver significantly improved efficiency gains. “The machine has advanced probing technology that will improve our machining and inspection accuracies when machining large forgings and castings for the defence sector. “The VTL underwent highly rigorous FAT procedures to ensure absolute operational accuracy before shipment to the UK and to see a machine of this scale and complexity, assembled and tested to such exacting standards, is a very exciting development for us, and for UK manufacturing.” Sheffield Forgemasters’ new machine shop will cover 35,000m2, housing 21 new heavy-duty machine tools from Waldrich Siegen and nine large cranes to deliver crucial components for the UK defence programme. It will be the most advanced facility of its kind in Europe, providing highly-skilled jobs for decades to come and work has already started on a 21-acre plot of brownfield land in the Meadowhall district of Sheffield, which the company purchased last year to house the facility. Piling for that development is 70% complete.

National Grid response over Lincolnshire pylons is ‘outrageous’, says County Council leader

Stuart Pearcey
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National Grid response over Lincolnshire pylons is ‘outrageous’, says County Council leader
Lincolnshire County Council leader Martin Hill says it’s outrageous that National Grid won’t share cost comparisons about its plans to run chains of pylons through the Lincolnshire countryside. He says requests from the Council have been blocked with a response which claims there is ‘very little benefit to be gained’ from sharing this information. He said: “I think it’s outrageous that National Grid still refuses to present us with their workings and is hiding from a legitimate – and very reasonable – request for facts and figures. In their letter back to the council, they said they believe there is ‘very little benefit to be gained’ from sharing this information. I wholeheartedly disagree.” He says the company is hiding detailed costings on cabling, and is demanding to know details about the planned Grimsby to Walpole pylon route to make sure that the other options – including placing cables on the seabed – had been properly considered. He added: “We’re not talking about a small proposal – these pylon plans will have a major impact on the east coast of Lincolnshire and we want to make sure these costs have been properly worked through. “Residents have told us that they are concerned about Nationally Significant Infrastructure proposals like these, and believe that these pylons specifically will have negative impacts on our environment, tourism and the landscape. We have a duty to these residents to make sure we do what we can to protect their homes and livelihoods. “We don’t deny that connectivity is important, but the infrastructure needs to be upgraded properly, and all views considered. We’re not going to give up on this; we’re going to keep trying to get some honesty and transparency. The campaign continues.” Lincolnshire County Council will now look to revise and resubmit further questions to National Grid. In a conducted by the county council 84% of residents said they were ‘concerned’ or ‘very concerned’ about the impact on the county caused by Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects.
Lincolnshire County Council wrote to National Grid in December 2024, The company has since replied, refusing to answer legitimate questions, saying that they ‘do not hold a central database of all the information’, that it would take too long to pull the information together, and labelling the request as ‘unreasonable’.

North Yorkshire steel stockholder fined £250,000 after death of employee

Tess Egginton
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North Yorkshire steel stockholder fined £250,000 after death of employee
A North Yorkshire company has been fined £250,000 after the death of a worker who became trapped in machinery holding a five-tonne steel pipe. The 63-year-old man was employed by Cleveland Steel and Tubes Ltd, of Dalton, near Thirsk, when the incident happened in November 2022. York Magistrates’ Court heard yesterday (Wednesday 22 January) that the man became entangled in the machine, which is used to strip coatings off lengths of metal pipe. Despite the efforts of colleagues and paramedics, he died at the scene. An investigation by North Yorkshire Council’s environmental health team found the machine did not have a suitable guard which would have prevented people coming into contact with its moving parts. Cleveland Steel and Tubes Ltd pleaded guilty to one offence under Regulation 11(1) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998. The charge related to failures in working practices at the site, including a failure to ensure dangerous parts of machinery were suitably guarded. The court heard environmental health officials, working alongside a specialist inspector from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), served a prohibition notice on the company at the time of the incident, preventing further use of the equipment until suitable guarding had been installed. Cleveland Steel and Tubes Ltd did not appeal the notice and complied with this requirement in June 2023. As well as the fine, the company was ordered to pay costs of £9,796 along with a victim surcharge of £2,000. North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for regulatory services, Cllr Greg White, said: “Our sympathies go out to the family and friends of the man who lost his life in this incident. “We hope the fact that we have taken the actions we have demonstrate our commitment to ensuring people can work in a safe and secure environment. “We believe this death could have been prevented had the company adhered to safe working practices and procedures, in particular ensuring the dangerous moving parts of the machine in question were guarded. “The health, safety and welfare of employees is paramount, and we would remind all businesses of their duty to ensure equipment is safe to use and the risks of doing so have been suitably assessed. “North Yorkshire Council will not hesitate to take action where we find these standards have not been met.”

Proposals to be considered for Scarborough’s West Pier

Tess Egginton
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Proposals to be considered for Scarborough’s West Pier
Plans to transform Scarborough’s historic West Pier and celebrate the town’s long-standing fishing industry are set to be considered by councillors. North Yorkshire Council’s strategic planning committee will next week consider proposals as part of the prospective multi-million pound scheme. Permission is being sought for the regeneration project which includes restoring and repairing the harbour’s existing heritage facilities, as well as replacing buildings that are no longer fit-for-purpose. It is hoped that the proposed regeneration would also see new kiosks, improved offices, sheds and warehousing for the fishing sector as well as new parking arrangements, public toilets and a space that can be used for outdoor events and cultural activities. The chairman of the Scarborough Town Board, David Kerfoot, said: “Scarborough’s West Pier is due to provide a major boost for both economic and environmental reasons. “The proposed project is an opportunity to transform the harbour whilst respecting and celebrating Scarborough’s rich fishing heritage. “Many of the buildings on the West Pier are in desperate need of renovation, and these proposals would dramatically improve the facilities for the local fishing industry, staff and visitors to the pier. “It is also imperative that we continue to drive growth in the town, and the plans would make West Pier a must-visit destination for hospitality, leisure and events which we hope will encourage further investment to boost the local economy.” The regeneration scheme sits alongside the council’s wider investment plans for Scarborough Harbour, which include work to the infrastructure and other facilities for harbour users. The project would be funded from the £20.2 million grant which was awarded to Scarborough as part of the Government’s Towns Fund, as well as by North Yorkshire Council’s investment fund and regeneration budgets. The Towns Fund has already helped finance work to enhance the West Stand at the town’s cricket club and new teaching facilities at the Construction Skills Village. Other major projects to be delivered include improvements around the town’s railway station, work to boost access on the Cinder Track between Whitby and Scarborough, the Scarborough Fair cultural initiative and activities linked to the Wild Eye outdoor and nature project on the coast. The proposals are due to be considered by the council’s strategic planning committee on Thursday next week (30 January).
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