Prep work starts on South Yorkshire manufacturing base for revolutionary aircraft
Hybrid Air Vehicles has begun survey and preparatory work in readiness to build its revolutionary new aircraft on a 50-hectare site at Carcroft Common in Doncaster.
It’s the Airlander 10, which will be able to carry 100 passengers mobility or a ten-tonne payload of freight
The step comes after work in partnership with the City of Doncaster Council to release the first instalment of a £7m loan from South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority.
The is planned to house flagship facilities for Airlander 10’s production, testing and certification operations, and be able to build up to 24 aircraft per year.
It is also expected to establish new supply chains within the South Yorkshire Investment Zone and open up more than 1,200 new, highly-skilled green jobs in the region.
Nick Allman, COO of Hybrid Air Vehicles, said: “We welcome the release of the first instalment of the £7m loan from SYMCA. Alongside the investment that we are bringing to this programme, it allows our team to progress the planning permission submission for the Airlander 10 production site at Carcroft Common, advancing several steps on our production site such as completing surveys and ground investigations, as well as engaging key design and planning suppliers.
“This is a major step in creating a pioneering facility to assemble fleets of Airlander 10 aircraft, as well as establishing a hub for advanced manufacturing and sustainable aviation in Doncaster, bringing with it new opportunities, jobs and apprenticeships in South Yorkshire.”
The company has now opened an office at Cavendish Court in Doncaster to establish a presence in the city and provide a base for HAV employees while work gets under way at the Carcroft Common site.
Accident management specialist moves to larger premises at Dean Clough
Dean Clough-based accident management solutions company Activate Group has moved to a 50% larger space at the Halifax complex.
The Group has relocated from existing premises at Dean Clough to support expansion.
Founded in 2015 Activate Group employs more than 700 people nationwide, providing end-to-end accident management services to the fleet and insurance industries. Clients include Tesco, AXA, Holman, Direct line, Marshmallow and RSA.
Earlier this year Activate Group announced a major investment deal with Elysian Capital to fuel rapid growth plans for the business. This includes investment in expanding its headquarters at Dean Clough.
Adrian Furness, Managing Director at Activate Group, said: “We are pleased to be able to expand our headquarters whilst maintaining our established presence a Dean Clough. The historic mill complex has been home to Activate Group since inception and delivers a plethora of exceptional spaces and amenity for our team.
“Halifax itself is one of the biggest providers of insurance services in the UK and provides us with unparalleled opportunities for growth. We are expanding our presence here because of the incredible talent pipeline and the town’s commitment to nurturing skills through partnerships with local schools, colleges, and apprenticeship programmes.
“The Dean Clough team knew exactly what we wanted with our upgrade and presented several options. They supported us through every step, helping to make the process straightforward.”
Activate Group has relocated from a 9,000 sq ft premises in F Mill to 14,000 sq ft of refurbished, space in D Mill at Dean Clough.
Forgemasters names 23 new apprentices
Sheffield Forgemasters is taking on 23 new apprentices for a variety of roles in the developing work done by the business.
They will start at a variety of levels as part of the delivery of complex components for the UK defence programme, including for the new SSN-AUKUS submarine, which will replace Astute Class vessels.
Emily Wynne, People Development Advisor – Early Careers, said: “We are continuing to seek out the best candidates for our apprenticeships programme as we look to upskill the next generation of employees and to preserve the skills we already have.
“The company’s transformation covers both its physical assets and its skill set as we move into a high-technology engineering sphere.
“We need to adapt our capabilities to meet the future demands of our defence work, but we are also expanding in areas such as civil nuclear and renewable energy and require a workforce that will be trained to understand and exploit the very different technologies and workplace that recapitalisation will deliver.
“It is great to welcome these new starters to our site for the first time and to see so much enthusiasm for their future careers.”
Sheffield Forgemasters is investing heavily over the next ten years to support defence-critical assets, including a new 13,000 tonne Forge line and building, 17 major machine tool replacements within a new, 30,000m2 machining facility, which will be unmatched outside of the UK.
Emily added: “Sheffield Forgemasters’ apprenticeship programme is recognised as one of the best across the region, and to be able to provide future generations with the opportunity to have an exciting, meaningful career with skills which are for life, is extremely rewarding to us.
“As we welcome the new apprentices, we are already working on a recruitment drive for our 2025 apprentice intake, which will be launched in the coming months via the company website and social media channels.”
This year’s apprentices intake covers roles in the following disciplines; Site Services, Machining, Non Destructive Testing, Projects, Quality Control, Work Rolls, IT, Recapitalisation, Distribution, Test House and Finance and includes one degree apprentice, studying Metallurgy at Sheffield Hallam University.
APSS named finalists in Lincolnshire Construction and Property Awards 2025
Commercial design and fit out company APSS has been named as finalists in both the Design Consultant of the Year and Development Project of the Year (Under £5m) categories for the Lincolnshire Construction and Property Awards 2025, cementing its reputation as a leader in innovative design and development in the region.
Organised by the Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce, the awards celebrate excellence, innovation, and sustainability in the construction and property sector. APSS’s nominations highlight its dedication to delivering creative, client-focused solutions that combine cutting-edge design with practical functionality.
Recognition for Exceptional Design
The nomination for Design Consultant of the Year in conjunction with Bainland Lodge Retreats, underscores APSS’s commitment to providing tailored, high-quality design services.
“Our team takes immense pride in creating designs that not only look stunning but also enhance functionality and user experience,” said Laurence Barrass, Managing Director of APSS. “Being named finalists in this category is a testament to the creativity and hard work of our talented designers.”
Spotlight on Development Excellence
The second nomination, Development Project of the Year (under £5m), celebrates the standout project of LEW Electrical Distributors’ new headquarters in Gainsborough. It showcases APSS’s expertise in project management and execution. The project, completed earlier this year, exemplifies APSS’s ability to transform spaces while meeting the highest standards of sustainability and efficiency.
Stuart Marsland, Sales Director for APSS, said: “This project truly reflects our ethos of combining visionary design with practical implementation. Being recognised in this category is a huge honour and validates the efforts of everyone involved.”
Innovation and Collaboration at the Core
At the heart of APSS’s success lies a dedication to fostering strong partnerships with clients and stakeholders. The company’s collaborative approach ensures that every project is tailored to the client’s unique requirements, resulting in spaces that are not only visually striking but also highly functional and future-ready.
Over the past year, APSS has placed a particular emphasis on sustainable design and development, incorporating eco-friendly materials and practices into its projects.
Laurence added: “We are thrilled to be finalists in these awards. It’s a reflection of the hard work, creativity, and passion that drives our entire team. At APSS, we strive to deliver excellence in everything we do, and these nominations highlight the impact we’re making in the Lincolnshire construction and property sector. Regardless of the outcome, we are incredibly proud to be recognised alongside some of the Lincolnshire’s best.”
“Our team takes immense pride in creating designs that not only look stunning but also enhance functionality and user experience,” said Laurence Barrass, Managing Director of APSS. “Being named finalists in this category is a testament to the creativity and hard work of our talented designers.”
Spotlight on Development Excellence
The second nomination, Development Project of the Year (under £5m), celebrates the standout project of LEW Electrical Distributors’ new headquarters in Gainsborough. It showcases APSS’s expertise in project management and execution. The project, completed earlier this year, exemplifies APSS’s ability to transform spaces while meeting the highest standards of sustainability and efficiency.
Stuart Marsland, Sales Director for APSS, said: “This project truly reflects our ethos of combining visionary design with practical implementation. Being recognised in this category is a huge honour and validates the efforts of everyone involved.”
Innovation and Collaboration at the Core
At the heart of APSS’s success lies a dedication to fostering strong partnerships with clients and stakeholders. The company’s collaborative approach ensures that every project is tailored to the client’s unique requirements, resulting in spaces that are not only visually striking but also highly functional and future-ready.
Over the past year, APSS has placed a particular emphasis on sustainable design and development, incorporating eco-friendly materials and practices into its projects.
Laurence added: “We are thrilled to be finalists in these awards. It’s a reflection of the hard work, creativity, and passion that drives our entire team. At APSS, we strive to deliver excellence in everything we do, and these nominations highlight the impact we’re making in the Lincolnshire construction and property sector. Regardless of the outcome, we are incredibly proud to be recognised alongside some of the Lincolnshire’s best.” Jobs saved as manufacturer of decorating sundries sold
Enact Fund II, the UK special situations fund managed by Endless LLP, has sold Bartoline Limited, the Beverley-based manufacturer of decorating sundries for the home improvement industry, to Paramount Retail Group Holdings Limited.
The management team of Bartoline has been working with advisors in recent weeks to review options for the company, in view of the very significant trading challenges that it continues to face.
Yesterday (3 December) Jonny Marston and Joanna Bull of professional services firm Alvarez & Marsal Europe LLP were appointed as Joint Administrators to the company.
Immediately following the appointment, Bartoline has been sold to Paramount via a pre-packaged deal process. Paramount is acquiring the business and assets of Bartoline, and all staff will move under TUPE to the new owner, preserving the jobs of 89 employees.
Bartoline was originally an investment by Enact Fund II in March 2021 to support its growth ambitions.
While sales volumes for Bartoline in the immediate post-Covid period declined as expected, it has not been possible to fully reflect higher labour and raw material costs in more recent pricing, which has inevitably impacted cash flow.
Jonny Marston, Managing Director, Alvarez & Marsal, said: “Bartoline had been heavily impacted by challenging market conditions, which has been experienced across several sectors in the wake of the pandemic.
“We are delighted to have completed a sale to Paramount which will see the business continue to operate from its base in Beverley, safeguarding all jobs.”
Chris Cormack, Partner of Bartoline’s majority shareholder, Enact Fund II, said: “We have been very supportive of the business, investing significant capital and time since acquiring Bartoline in 2021. We worked closely with management to recruit additional skills and experience, as well as backing an expansion of production capacity.
“However, a more normalised post-Covid revenue profile has been unable to absorb higher costs beyond the company’s control. We wish the management and staff of Bartoline well as they enter a new phase of recovery under a new owner.”
Danieli lets former Rotherham business park base to medical equipment manufacturer
Process equipment supplier to the metals industry Danieli has let its former Rotherham business park base to a medical equipment manufacturer which is expanding its global footprint.
Wassenburg Ltd, which is a world leader in manufacturing endoscope reprocessing products and solutions, has taken a five-year lease, at a headline rent of £8.95 per sq ft, of a 10,900 sq ft modern warehouse and office unit at Ignite @ Magna Business Park.
Danieli recently relocated to the Advanced Manufacturing Park in a new purpose-built office, laboratory and distribution centre and joins occupiers including Rolls-Royce and the UK Atomic Energy Authority and McLaren Automotive.
Andrew Betts, Managing Director of Danieli, said: “As part of Danieli’s relocation to the Advanced Manufacturing Park following significant expansion, Knight Frank was appointed to market our former premises which offered a high quality, industrial/business unit, with above average office content.
“Following strong interest, a letting to Wassenburg was agreed and Nick Wales of Knight Frank Sheffield has been retained to sell the investment.”
Rebecca Schofield of Knight Frank, who dealt with the letting, said: “The Ignite at Magna Development continues to prove popular; the premises are of high quality and are well located with easy access to J33 and 34 M1.
“Unit 4 Ignite was well received to the market and the layout and fit out proved attractive to occupiers. Wassenburg was attracted to the quality of the unit and the split between office and warehouse space, and it is great to see them relocate and expand in the area.”
Rakesh Javer, Managing Director at Wassenburg, added: “We are delighted to relocate to Unit 4 Ignite. The high-quality facilities and strategic location provide the perfect base for our operations as we continue to expand and serve our customers more effectively.”
Refurbishment of Temple Mill gate lodge completes, testing repair solution prototype for Temple Works
Property development and investment company, CEG, has completed the extensive refurbishment of the Grade II* listed Gate Lodge, located adjacent to Temple Mill with its famous Egyptian façade.
The extensive programme of repair work was designed to seek the removal of the building from the Historic England Heritage at Risk Register in its 2025 publication. The project was also a prototype for the masonry repair of the Mill’s east elevation.
CEG’s project manager, Aaron Duggan, explains: “Our specialist team started work on the Grade II* listed Gate Lodge in spring 2023, with the key ambition of seeing the building’s removal from the Heritage At Risk Register next year.
“We have opened up the structure, removed the remnant roof slab, repaired, repointed and pinned fractured masonry, replaced corroded cast iron ties and reinstated the roof structure before laying a modern roof covering and fitting sash windows and new doors.”
The works were made possible due to a funding contribution from Historic England. CEG was supported by a team including contractor Pinnacle Conservation Limited, principal designer, Sycamore Square Group, ARUP’s structural engineers and Stephen Levrant Heritage Architecture.
Giles Proctor, Historic England Architect, said: “The successful restoration of the Gate Lodge marks a significant milestone for the Temple Works site. Through our funding support and working alongside CEG and their specialist team, we’re proud to have helped secure the future of this important historic building
“The high-quality conservation work undertaken gives us confidence that the Gate Lodge will be removed from the Heritage at Risk Register in 2025, ensuring it can be enjoyed by future generations.”
Multi-million pound deal sealed for 14-acre Hull site
Investors have snapped up a 14-acre site in Hull’s growing industrial, manufacturing and renewables sector heartlands in a multi-million pound deal.
The Century Yard site is opposite Green Port Hull on Hedon Road, where Siemens, alongside Associated British Ports (ABP) and Hull City Council, have invested more than £300m into creating wealth and employment for the region.
Now, commercial property specialists Garness Jones have overseen a deal which has seen another sprawling industrial site sold to BVG Property Investments.
Managing Director David Garness says it offers ‘a land of opportunity’ to its new owners: “This has been a very pleasing deal to be involved with at Garness Jones as it is rare for the freehold of a site of this size, in a location of such strategic importance to the region with regards to its proximity to the dock facilities, Green Port Hull and other major businesses, to become available on the market.
“Having gone to market an excellent price was secured for the vendor, and it really is a land of opportunity for BVG Property Investments, an expanding commercial property company who now have this site which has more than seven acres still undeveloped.”
BVG Property Investments have now also instructed Garness Jones to act for them in an advisory role to help develop the site.
“We are delighted that the new owners have asked us to work in partnership with them moving forward to make sure their investment is maximized, along with providing support on a number of other property projects,” added Mr Garness.
“Not only have they purchased a site which is already home to a number of businesses and generating excellent rental income from tenants, but one which is at the nerve centre of many growing industries in our region.
“It is a prime spot to attract businesses looking at what is happening in Hull and the East Riding and considering investing in the region, at a time when we are set to benefit from further growth as a result of the recently agreed £400m devolution deal.
“As the city and region is set to benefit from new investment, it is essential that facilities are provided to ensure we attract and retain businesses in growth sectors. We look forward to working together on the development of Century Yard over the coming years.”
New initiative aims to highlight the benefits of T Level students
“With long-standing skill shortages often holding our sector back, we see T Levels as an opportunity to develop the manufacturers of tomorrow and ensure businesses have the talent they need to thrive.”
£9.8m Government funding boost for major Wakefield schemes
Wakefield Council’s Cabinet is set to accept £9.8m of Government funding to benefit key schemes across the district.
This investment is set to boost key local schemes chosen by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).
This includes £4m for renovations to bring Wakefield’s Old Crown Court building back into use and £3.2m to create an ‘Academy of Live Technology’ at Production Park, bringing with it more jobs and employment opportunities for graduates.
Cllr Michael Graham, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Growth, said: “This additional funding is great news for Wakefield and will help us deliver several big-ticket projects, including bringing one of the City’s most recognisable buildings back into use.
“The Old Crown Court has stood empty for far too long, this funding will help us bring the building back to life and secure its future.
“And Production Park is a fantastic asset to our district, putting us on the map internationally. Some of the biggest names in entertainment have used the facilities on offer here. And by expanding the existing facilities we can attract even more business and investment to the area, as well as creating more jobs.”
The Old Crown Court is a listed heritage building. Bringing it back into use will complement other work taking place to transform Wakefield’s historic Civic Quarter.
The expansion of Production Park could also provide new opportunities for local freelance creative professionals to work within the Wakefield district.
Boxphish snaps up dark web threat intelligence platform
Boxphish, a Leeds-headquartered human risk management platform, has acquired Trillion, an advanced threat intelligence service which tracks credentials shared on the dark web.
The Trillion technology allows customers to gain visibility of leaked credentials associated with their organisation and take the appropriate measures to reduce risk. This deal expands Boxphish’s capabilities and reach in empowering organisations to manage human cyber risk.
The acquisition extends Boxphish’s existing suite of products which includes cyber security training courses, customisable phishing simulations and data analytics.
BGF, the growth capital investors, invested £3.25m in April so Boxphish could accelerate investment in product, people and partners. The business’s expansion will enable even more organisations to stay ahead of what continues to be a rapidly evolving cyber threat landscape.
Boxphish CEO Nick Deacon-Elliott said: “This is another major step in our journey. Adding dark web monitoring to our product suite allows us to further strengthen visibility around human risk for our customers.
“By proactively monitoring billions of account credentials passing through dark markets and criminal forums, we now have the capability to pinpoint risk and notify users to act appropriately.
“We’ve seen significant appetite for dark web monitoring alongside our cyber security awareness training platform so it’s brilliant that this is now something that we can bring to market.”
Stuart Jubb, CEO at Crossword, the previous owner of Trillion, said: “We’re pleased to have found a new home for the Trillion technology and customers in Boxphish. Trillion already has several shared customers, including Leeds United FC and New College Worcester so the service will be undisrupted and continuing to protect customers’ organisations.
“The deal also provides long-term security for customers having been acquired by a well-capitalised business with a strong track record in Boxphish.”
Environmental horticulture industry could be worth £51bn to the UK economy by 2030
The reports, published by the Environmental Horticulture Group and Oxford Economics, predict a 45% growth opportunity for the industry – with adequate government support.
Oxford Economics’ research found that the sector, including UK gardens, landscaping, and arboriculture, contributed £38 billion to GDP and supported 722,000 jobs in the past year.
Defra Minister Daniel Zeichner welcomed the launch of the reports at a parliamentary reception last week, attended by over 140 MPs, Peers and industry figures, including the NFU.
NFU horticulture and potatoes senior policy specialist Christine McDowell said: “We welcome this report, which very clearly sets out the significant opportunities for the sector and the NFU was pleased to have been a contributor.
“The economic, social and environmental benefits plants and trees can deliver for, across the political sphere. The government now has the business case to unlock the growth potential for many within of the horticultural sector.
“We look forward to working with government departments on the green growth many grower businesses have ambitions to achieve.”
The reports found that:
- Urban green spaces provided pollution reduction and cooling effects valued at £27.4 billion in 2021 while helping avoid £800.5 million in health-related costs.
- Urban vegetation helped the UK avoid £800.5 million in health-related costs.
- In 2023, public parks, gardens, and green spaces attracted £4.2 billion in tourism spending while also proving essential for public health.
- UK households spent around £13.2 billion on garden goods and £5.8 billion on professional gardening and landscaping services in 2023.
In particular, the contributions to biodiversity, air quality and urban resilience underscore the sector’s role in advancing the UK’s net zero goals.
The EHG also published its Mission Green Growth’, strategy that underscores the sector’s importance and calls for collaboration between government, industry, and communities to unlock its full potential.
Chair of the EHG Boyd Douglas-Davis said the sector was already a hugely positive economic and environmental contributor to the UK, but could be worth so much more with greater government support.
“The time is now if we are to make the most of the next decade of growth opportunities and work with government to create a greener, happier, more environmentally sustainable society and economy.”
Baroness Fookes, co-chair of the APPG Gardening and Horticulture Group and sponsor of the parliamentary reception said she hoped the high turnout of MPs “is a sign that there is, at long last, recognition of the vital role environmental horticulture plays not only in the wellbeing of so many individuals but also in preserving our environment and mitigating the worst aspects of climate change”.
Chamber announces finalists for Greater Lincolnshire Construction and Property Awards 2025
The Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce has named the finalists for the Greater Lincolnshire Construction and Property Awards 2025.
Simon Beardsley, Chief Executive of Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “We are always amazed by the outstanding quality of applications we receive each year. A huge thank you to all the businesses who participated and invested their time in the process.
“The judging panel faced a tough challenge this year, given the exceptional entries. Being named a finalist is a remarkable achievement, and we eagerly await the opportunity to celebrate their successes in February.”
Finalists for the 2025 awards are:
• Luke Wells
• Sophie Vanstone
• Kye Graham
• Alex Wilding
• Ben Martin Project Management Ltd
• APSS
• Stem Architects
• Architectural Imaging Solutions Ltd
• Lindum Group
• Rase Steels Construction & Civils Ltd
• Influence Landscape Planning and Design
• Belvin Construction Ltd
• Evans McDowall Architects Ltd
• Stirlin
• Starglaze
• Waldeck
• Origin Design Studio Ltd
• Old School Architects
• LACE Housing Association
• R G Carter Lincoln Ltd
• Longhurst Group
Councils get powers to tackle the scourge of empty shops with ‘right to rent’ scheme
High streets could be revitalised as the government hands councils new powers to tackle the scourge of empty shops.
From this week local authorities will be able to auction off leases for commercial properties that have been empty for long periods, helping bring business back to the high street and drive growth across the country.
High Street Rental Auctions will create a ‘right to rent’ for businesses and community groups, giving them access to city, town and village centre sites. The changes will stop disengaged landlords sitting on empty lots for more than 365 days in a 24-month period, before councils can auction a one-to-five year lease.
With growth a key mission for the government, it is committing over £1m in funding to support the auction process, which will create jobs for local people and boost trade by bringing local businesses back to the heart of our communities.
Local Growth Minister Alex Norris said: “High streets lie at the heart of communities the length and breadth of this country. But in many areas, they are not what they used to be.
“Small businesses need our support and that’s why we are creating a ‘right to rent’ so that high street lots that have been left empty for far too long can be brought back to life. We want shops and shoppers back on the high street – and that’s what these changes will help to bring.”
Firms advised to make sure Christmas parties aren’t too taxing
Businesses planning to treat staff to a festive party this Christmas are being warned not to end up with a tax hangover by overspending on the event.
Tax specialist Richard Whitelock from accountancy firm Azets says it is easy to fall foul of tax legislation regarding exemptions – and if a slip-up over expenditure means staff end up paying a share of the costs to the tax authorities as a ‘benefit in kind’, then companies will get a reputation for being Scrooge-like.
To be exempt from tax and National Insurance, parties or similar social functions – including online or virtual parties – must be open to all employees, annual in nature (such and cost £150 or less per person.
Richard said: “It has been a tough year in many respects so it is only natural that those businesses able to afford it will want to reward hard-working staff with an all-expenses-paid, morale-boosting celebration at Christmas.
“However, while there is usually no need to inform the tax authorities of such events, business leaders and directors need to tread carefully to avoid overspending and having to report the tax implications to HMRC.”
He confirms to work out the total cost of such events, businesses need to include not only the cost of the function itself, but any associated costs such as travel, taxis, or hotel accommodation. All costs must be inclusive of VAT, and £150 is a cost per head – so divide by the total number of attendees (not necessarily the number of employees).
He added it should be noted that the £150 was an exemption and not an allowance and that the whole cost would be subject to tax and NI if the figure was exceeded, even by just £1.
Government starts to bring all UK’s rail services into public ownership
Today the Government will start its three-year programme of bringing all of the UK’s passenger train services back under public control.
First to change will be South Western Railways, which will transfer into public ownership next year.
The transition to a publicly-owned railway will improve reliability, says the Government, and will support economic growth by encouraging more people to use the railway.
It’s also claimed that the change will also clamp down on levels of delays, cancellations and waste, and will save up to £150m a year.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: “For too long, the British public has had to put up with rail services that simply don’t work. A complex system of private train operators has too often failed its users.
“Starting with journeys on South Western Railways, we’re switching tracks by bringing services back under public control to create a reliable rail network that puts customers first.”
New partnership to empower Leeds start-ups
Leeds-based start-up businesses will be empowered to boost their strategies to enter new markets, achieve growth, and build long-term sustainability, through a new partnership between Leeds Beckett University, the University of Leeds, L Marks and Leeds City Council.
The project is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.
The Leeds Go-to-Market Launchpad aims to support 30 start-ups based in Leeds by assisting them in refining their go-to-market strategies through strategic and tactical guidance to effectively target and engage corporate customers and partners.
It is free to take part – start-ups or anyone with a minimum viable product can apply for a place via the L Marks website before the closing date of Monday 9 December.
The programme consists of three elements:
1-Day Bootcamp at Nexus: On Tuesday 21 January, startups will participate in practical sessions, supported by innovation specialists L Marks. This bootcamp will focus on solution design and market entry strategies, addressing critical aspects such as identifying target customers, formulating engagement approaches, and demonstrating value.
8-Week Accelerator at The Knowledge Exchange: Selected startups will take part in an in-depth learn-by-doing course by the Centre for Entrepreneurship and Knowledge Exchange at Leeds Business School, Leeds Beckett University, between 30 January and 20 March. Led by Professor Lebene Soga, Professor of Entrepreneurship and Management Practice at Leeds Business School, the accelerator includes eight workshops and mentoring sessions from Leeds Beckett experts. It will build on the progress made in the bootcamp, equipping start-ups with the skills, knowledge, tools and frameworks needed to validate their products and grow the business through customer acquisition.
Corporate Engagement: L Marks will draw on its extensive corporate network to assist selected startups in corporate engagement, alongside the accelerator programme. This includes a roundtable with decision-makers from innovative organisations who will share strategic and tactical insights on collaborating with other businesses.
Professor Lebene Soga said: “We are delighted to be a partner in the Leeds Go-to-Market Launchpad where we will share our extensive expertise in supporting start-up businesses and SMEs to growth, increase productivity, and achieve long-term sustainability.
“Through our accelerator programme, we will ensure that start-ups effectively embed the knowledge gained during the bootcamp, and tailor this to their individual businesses.
“By welcoming start-ups into The Knowledge Exchange here at Leeds Beckett, we hope this will open the doors to the University for them, where they can access further business support programmes to help them innovate and thrive.”
Daniel Saunders, CEO of L Marks, said: “With Leeds quickly gaining recognition as one of the UK’s most dynamic cities for startups, we are delighted to partner with Leeds Beckett University, the University of Leeds, and Leeds City Council to create the Leeds Go-to-Market Launchpad.
“The city’s thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem, coupled with a rich talent pool, has already positioned it as a leader in tech and digital sectors. This initiative will provide local businesses with hands-on support, solution guidance, and corporate connections to help refine their market strategies, scale effectively, and unlock new growth opportunities.
“At L Marks, we have seen first-hand how entrepreneurship and innovation drive economic growth. Through the Leeds Go-to-Market Launchpad, we will enhance the startups’ commercial readiness enabling job creation, attracting investment, and fostering a more resilient and diversified local economy – further strengthening Leeds’s position as a hub for innovation and business growth.”
Work gets underway on £18.9m sustainable, affordable housing development
Work is underway on an £18.9 million zero-gas affordable housing development at Newstead in South East Sheffield.
Esh Construction is delivering 77 new homes with enhanced sustainability credentials on behalf of Sheffield City Council.
Designed by Peak Architects, the development will feature 36 one and two-bedroom apartments with communal gardens and balconies, alongside 41 two, three and four-bedroom properties with off street parking and gardens.
All homes will be fitted with air source heat pumps instead of traditional gas boilers, as well as enhanced insulation and electric vehicle (EV) chargers.
Esh’s Operations Director, Simon Woodward, said: “This project underscores our commitment to delivering more sustainable and future-proofed housing that meets the needs of the community and supports the transition to greener living.
“Marking the first affordable homes Esh will deliver for Sheffield City Council, we are proud to be supporting the council’s goal to develop energy efficient housing stock that will reduce the environmental impact and ensure long-term affordability for residents. We look forward to showcasing progress over the coming months.”
Sheffield City Council has been awarded £1.3 million of funding from the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority’s Brownfield Housing Fund towards the Newstead development.
Cllr Douglas Johnson, Sheffield City Council’s Chair of the Housing Policy Committee, said: “Sheffield City Council is delighted to be pushing ahead with expanding our council housing offering for current and prospective tenants.
“Our plans remain to build or acquire more than 1,000 council homes in the next five years – and partners such as Esh are instrumental in helping us achieve this. Our aim, as always, remains to provide more choice of good quality, environmentally friendly and affordable homes for residents.
“The Council continues to face an unprecedented demand for affordable and social housing in the city, and projects such as Newstead being completed will help to meet some of that demand.”
Through its Constructing Local strategy, while on site Esh will deliver a range of employability sessions to local schools and colleges, while investing in a local workforce and apprenticeship opportunities.
The scheme is expected to complete in Summer 2026.
Approval gained to bring one of Europe’s largest EV car parks to Leeds
Vastint UK has received planning permission from Leeds City Council to bring one of Europe’s largest electric vehicle charging car parks to its Aire Park development in Leeds.
The private multistorey car park, which will be located to the north of Great Wilson Street, will serve the occupants of Aire Park’s commercial district, offering 433 spaces, all with electric vehicle charging capability.
In line with the development’s commitment to encouraging healthy and sustainable lifestyles, the car park will also provide a secure cycle hub at its ground floor with 516 spaces, bike wash and service stations.
Set to be built on land originally used as warehousing for the Tetley brewery, designs for the new car park building will be in keeping with the sensitive development already seen across Aire Park.
Designed to be a safe and easy to use parking facility, the car park building will conveniently connect with Aire Park’s office facilities and provide an attractive new link street connection from Great Wilson Street onto South Brook Street and into the heart of the development.
This link street will also offer additional opportunities for planting and landscaping, building on the 700 new trees Vastint will bring to Aire Park as part of its eight-acre park, set to be the largest new city-centre public park in the UK.
On the planning approval, Simon Schofield, head of development North, said: “We’re really proud to be bringing one of Europe’s largest EV car parks to Leeds and our plans for this car park are in keeping with the ethos we’re applying throughout the development of Aire Park.
“We want to make sustainable and environmental choices an easy option for the future users of the development, from the convenience of charging their car in any parking space to having a bicycle service station on hand for quick fixes if required.
“This is the level of detail and attention we’ll be bringing throughout the creation of Aire Park as we build a brand-new community in the Leeds South Bank with wellbeing and sustainability at its heart.”
Doncaster firm helps to launch plastering academy on Merseyside
Doncaster-based Keepmoat is one of a trio of businesses partnering with a Merseyside college to launch a plastering training academy.
Keepmoat is working with Sterling Plastering and Hugh Baird College to launch a bespoke training academy that will support young people into plastering apprenticeships, bolstering its commitment to bridge the nationwide construction skills gap.
It’s anticipated that 225,000 new construction workers are needed by 2027 in the UK, and this week the Government also announced that 5,000 more construction apprenticeship places will be made available every year through DoE funding.
The SPL Change Academy will offer Level 1 and Level 2 NVQ plastering courses, supported by tutors from Hugh Baird College. Peter Barlow, Keepmoat’s North West Regional MD, said: “It’s been brilliant to support the launch of the SPL Change Academy by providing a mock timber frame house.
“The Keepmoat team has also created a traditional working environment of closed rooms, where the students will carry out their training, in place of small open bays. The team is also set to deliver a series of site skills-focused employability sessions, in order to help bridge the gap between college and site work.”
Chris Cox, MD at Sterling Plastering adds: “We’re thrilled to be partnering with like-minded and local businesses to create our newly built 6,000 square foot warehouse-style unit to upskill young people across Merseyside to help guide future professionals in the trade.”
