Government pledges support for re-opening of Doncaster-Sheffield Airport

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Government pledges support for re-opening of Doncaster-Sheffield Airport

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves has backed Doncaster’s airport, with the government set to work with Doncaster Council and the Mayor of South Yorkshire to support their efforts to reopen Doncaster-Sheffield Airport.

Speaking to an audience of business chiefs at Siemens Healthineers in Oxfordshire yesterday, Reeves said: “The last government stood by as Doncaster Sheffield Airport was closed by its owner, despite the ovewhelming support for it to stay open. It now sits idle, despite the potential to drive jobs and growth across the north. “So I can announce today that we will work with Doncaster Council and the Mayor of South Yorkshire, Oliver Coppard to support their efforts to recreate South Yorkshire Airport City as a thriving regional airport.” South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard responded to the support: “This is a hugely welcome intervention from the Chancellor, committing to work with us on our plans to develop South Yorkshire Airport City. “That support from the government could be vital in helping us to re-open Doncaster-Sheffield Airport, and deliver our 10-year plan to unlock the significant potential of Gateway East. “I have been committed to re-opening DSA since day one. And the best way for us to give DSA the future it deserves is to get our plan right from the start, giving us the best chance to allow our airport to thrive, creating good jobs in the industries of the future, making best use of taxpayer’s money and bringing down the carbon footprint of flying. “The last government didn’t lift a finger to support our airport. That it closed with 800 direct jobs lost in South Yorkshire is in no small part down to their lack of support. By contrast, this government has now committed to working with City of Doncaster Council and with me because we share the same ambition for growth. “And can see the significant opportunity presented by the South Yorkshire Airport City Plan; a plan to reopen DSA, build hundreds of homes and create a world leading sustainable aviation hub in South Yorkshire. “But even with the support of government, none of that is easy. In the next few weeks City of Doncaster Council will deliver the full plan to the Mayoral Combined Authority Board. We will need to carefully review that plan while working with the government to get to a final decision by the summer. “I know people and businesses want to see DSA re-open as quickly as possible. I’m grateful to Rachel Reeves and the government for now committing to work with us on the challenges and opportunities that presents, and help us towards that goal.” Doncaster Council signed a 125-year lease to take over the former Doncaster-Sheffield Airport last year following its closure by Peel Group.

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

Yorkshire ends 2024 with £30m venture capital investment

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Yorkshire ends 2024 with £30m venture capital investment
Venture capital (VC) investment in Yorkshire reached £30 million in the last quarter of 2024, down 25% from £40 million in Q3 of 2024, according to KPMG’s latest Venture Pulse report. While overall funding fell, the volume of transactions remained robust, increasing quarter-on-quarter to 17 (up from 15 in Q3). Start-ups in Leeds garnered the largest volume of investment (41%) but of the £30 million raised in Q4, £15.9 million came from a VC investment, led by Felix Capital, into Cleckheaton-based pet food producer Pure Pet Food. Elsewhere, the IT sector, and more specifically software businesses, secured the highest number of VC investments (35%), with the majority of firms based in Leeds – a city whose software development sector is growing at an annual rate of 20%, outpacing the national average of 13.8%. Increased volumes of VC investment reflect the optimism among business owners in the region, with recent data from KPMG’s KPE Barometer revealing that more than a quarter of Yorkshire’s private business owners see VC as a means to financing business diversification this year. Phil Murden, Leeds Office Senior Partner at KPMG, said: “Yorkshire boasts a fantastic range of start-ups and companies across different sectors and it’s encouraging to see them continuing to attract significant levels of VC investment. “Despite a mixed picture for the deals landscape at the end of 2024, and challenges within the broader economy, the investor community remains active and we anticipate a positive year ahead as firms look to VC to aid their growth.”

Leeds Beckett University and Exemplas design new approaches for business productivity

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Leeds Beckett University and Exemplas design new approaches for business productivity
Experts at Leeds Beckett University, with business support provider Exemplas, have designed a series of new approaches to boosting the productivity and growth of West Yorkshire SMEs, through a partnership delivery of business support and academic research. The team have worked together since 2022, delivering grassroots SME business support programmes on behalf of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA), including the West Yorkshire Business Boost and Business Productivity Service, to explore new strategies for enhancing SME productivity and growth. They have now launched a series of four publications – sharing the research evidence and design principles that informed the business support programmes, as well as insights, trends and learning from the programmes and the extensive data they have collected from working with more than 600 SMEs in the region. The series describes how this led the team to creating an evidence-based and research-informed blueprint for the successful design and delivery of grassroots business support programmes to SMEs. Dr Ollie Jones, Principal Lecturer in Operations and Business Performance Management at Leeds Beckett University, said: “We believe this blueprint is pertinent at a time when government and commissioners will be looking to invest in interventions that drive productivity and growth for SMEs. Importantly, our work focuses on delivering benefits to local economies. “The triple learning loop, and the data and insights gathered through the partnership delivery with Leeds Beckett, Exemplas and WYCA, have been invaluable in developing a greater understanding of firm-level productivity and successful approaches to its improvement at scale.” Martin Coats, Chief Operations Officer at Exemplas, said: “The partnership with Leeds Beckett has been instrumental in delivering best-in-class business support programmes. By blending academic rigor with real-world business expertise, we can deliver transformative support that addresses the productivity and growth barriers facing SMEs.”
The Insight Papers were launched at an event held at The Knowledge Exchange at Leeds Beckett University ahead of National Productivity Week from 27 to 31 January. The event highlighted the complexity of firm-level productivity and the unique value of Leeds Beckett’s innovative diagnostic tools.

York company acquires property in Henley-on-Thames

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York company acquires property in Henley-on-Thames
York-based property company the Helmsley Group has acquired a 17th century grade II listed former coach house in Henley-on-Thames. Ed Harrowsmith, investment director at Helmsley Group, said: “Following a competitive bidding process, we’re thrilled to have made our first acquisition on behalf of our private investors in the iconic market town of Henley-on-Thames. The desirability of Henley-on-Thames compliments the prime and affluent locations that offer attractive potential investment returns within our managed portfolio, outside of the major city centre conurbations. “This acquisition presents an exciting opportunity to further expand our reach on behalf of our 800 client investors nationwide and we look forward to further investments nationally over the coming months.” The building at 21-23 Hart Street stands within a private courtyard and is divided into a large restaurant currently leased to Zizzi Restaurants and two self-contained courtyard offices providing over 7,500 sq ft of internal accommodation. There is also land to the rear of the property providing 20 on-site car parking spaces, taking the total site area to one third of an acre. James Bradley at Knights PLC and Tom Heptonstall from FMX Urban Property Advisers acted on the purchase for Helmsley Group.

Leeds IT and software engineering consultancy snapped up

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Leeds IT and software engineering consultancy snapped up
IT and business consulting services firm CGI is set to acquire BJSS, a Leeds-based technology and engineering consultancy known for its IT solutions and software engineering expertise. More than 2,400 consultants and professionals will join CGI, deepening the company’s operations across the UK in key industry sectors such as retail, health, government, financial services and energy & utilities. Founded in 1993, BJSS is one of the UK’s largest independent IT and software engineering consultancies. The company partners with clients to deliver large-scale software systems and address complex technology challenges through services such as technology strategy and delivery, customer experience design, managed services, software engineering, artificial intelligence (AI), data and insights, cloud and platform solutions, and cybersecurity services. “BJSS has a well-earned reputation for delivering exceptional value to its clients, driven by technical excellence and innovative thinking,” said Tara McGeehan, President of CGI’s UK and Australia operations. “By joining forces, we will strengthen our ability to help clients across the private and public sectors achieve measurable outcomes, such as driving efficiencies, improving customer experiences and generating business growth.” McGeehan added: “Our companies share a strong cultural alignment and pride in helping clients solve complex challenges to deliver value. “BJSS employees will benefit from CGI’s ownership culture, which empowers all employees to become company owners and actively shape our future direction, whilst providing an enjoyable and collaborative working environment where they can fulfil their career potential.” Glynn Robinson, BJSS Chairman, said: “Joining CGI represents an exciting new chapter for BJSS. Both CGI and BJSS share a commitment to sustainability, employee engagement and long-term client relationships. “Together, we can leverage our complementary strengths to deliver even greater value for our clients while creating new opportunities for our talented team.”

Leeds music and creative media scene receives boost with education provider’s move

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Leeds music and creative media scene receives boost with education provider’s move
The Leeds contemporary music and creative media scene has received a boost with the news that higher education provider AD Education UK (ADE UK) is moving into the Electric Press building in the city centre. ADE UK is opening its 17,000 sq ft Leeds Campus at Switch, the new office space within the Electric Press. AD Education UK combines creative media group SAE and ICMP, the Institute of Contemporary Music Performance, delivering music and creative media education in the UK and beyond. The deal, which sees the group taking a 15-year-lease at £32 per sq ft, was brokered by the Leeds office of global property consultancy Knight Frank. Eamon Fox, partner and head of development at Knight Frank, said: “Leeds has long had a reputation as one of the UK’s most innovative cities and a vibrant hub of northern creativity. “On top of being renowned for its vibrant music scene, the city’s tech sector is growing at a rate more than double the national average, meaning areas such as gaming, film, animation and digital marketing – all of which are closely affiliated with the music industry – are booming. “Switch is the perfect base for the institute, its contemporary design matching the institute’s cutting-edge culture and ethos. Our experience of living through the pandemic has turned aspirational goals for an amenity-led workplace to be accelerated. “Switch’s compelling design demonstrates the subsequent evolution and refinement of workspace requirements and a greater willingness to put employees first. It is a tremendous example of a progressive and transformative workspace in Leeds. “Part of the Civic Quarter’s iconic Electric Press building, ADE UK’s Leeds Campus is a symbol of the city’s continuous reinvention and dedication to creativity. Blending historic charm with modern facilities, the industrial building has been repurposed as a creative and cultural hub and is shared by many artistic organisations. “More generally, this letting is another excellent example of the influential role that educational establishments are now playing in Leeds city centre. Over the past two years, Leeds Trinity University has opened a new campus at Trevelyan Square in Boar Lane and the Mathematics School of Excellence has moved into bespoke space in Albion Street. This adds to the vibrancy of the city and to increased graduate retention.” Steffan Davies, Chief Executive of AD Education UK, which includes SAE Institute and ICMP, said: “We are excited to be expanding and solidifying our presence in the North of England and can’t wait to welcome eager artists and creatives to our open day, giving them a feel for our values and offering as a higher education provider. “Many of our graduates have gone on to become household names including Fraser T Smith, Clean Bandit and The Vaccines. “Our alumni have also made their mark behind the scenes, designing cutting-edge tech for the Rolling Stones and shaping industries by winning Oscars and receiving BAFTA nominations in film, TV, Content Creation and gaming. “This new chapter in Leeds gives us an exciting opportunity to develop the next generation of talent in one of the UK’s most vibrant cities. We can’t wait to see this come to life and welcome our first cohort of students this year. “In future SAE and ICMP will share some places and spaces to benefit all of our students. This move, beginning with two state-of-the-art locations in Leeds and Liverpool will allow SAE and ICMP staff and students to share facilities, collaborate on multi-disciplinary creative projects, build close ties with (local and national) industry and provide the best possible start to careers in music and creative media. “Jam-packed with brand-new music equipment and creative media software, The Electric Press is the perfect place to network and connect with Leeds’ many creatives.” The Electric Press building is Grade II-listed and was built in 1840 for the printing firm of Chorley and Pickersgill. Knight Frank advised DTZ Investors while the Institute of Contemporary Music Performance (ICMP) was advised by Newmark.

Yorkshire racking business acquired

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Yorkshire racking business acquired
Sale-based Palletower, the storage and logistics equipment providers, has acquired Beverley-based racking and shelving specialist Kingstonian Storage and Equipment Ltd. Palletower manufactures and supplies over 100 product lines including roll cages, trolleys, racking, stillages and storage boxes. With a 60-year heritage in the sector, it exports to more than 35 countries and works with companies including Waitrose, Walmart and DHL. Kingstonian, founded in 1992, supplies customers across East Yorkshire and Humberside with a range of racking and storage solutions, as well as products like ladders, trucks, trolleys and lifting equipment. Harrison Drury’s corporate team advised the shareholders of Palletower on the deal, led by Mark Traynor and supported by Ben Foulds and Richard Williams-Bulkeley. Jenny Potts from the commercial property team provided advice on the property aspects of the transaction. Matthew Palmer, owner and managing director of Palletower, said: “Kingstonian is another well-established business that plays a vital role in helping customers keep their businesses moving and their supply chains running smoothly. “Bringing Kingstonian into the Palletower group enables us to further accelerate the growth of our business, giving us access to new markets as well as a number of complementary products and services.” Mark Traynor, partner in Harrison Drury’s corporate team, said: “The management team at Palletower have a clear and ambitious growth strategy which includes acquiring like-minded businesses alongside steady organic growth. “After advising Matthew and the team on three of the company’s previous transactions, we’re pleased to have assisted on another exciting acquisition that will bring huge benefits to the customers and staff of both businesses.” The acquisition of Kingstonian follows Palletower’s purchases of West Pennine Storage, WP Group, Astirvant and Yorkshire Storage, all in 2024. Matthew added: “The last 12-months has seen us bring together a powerful collection of businesses in industrial racking, shelving, mezzanine floor installations, workplace equipment and warehouse fit-out services. “We look forward to further opportunities to grow, especially within the racking and shelving sector where the potential for further acquisitions is being explored.”

Yorkshire, Humber and North East skills gap means region lags behind national productivity

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Yorkshire, Humber and North East skills gap means region lags behind national productivity

Areas of Yorkshire, Humber and the North East are lagging behind when it comes to productivity, according to the latest report from the University of Sheffield and The Productivity Institute (TPI).

The new report, published for National Productivity Week, highlights that productivity levels can vary greatly even within the same local region and present a substantial challenge to the economic success of the north of England, but national and regional coordination of policies which aim to boost skills and training could help local economies. Areas such as Northern Lincolnshire and the East Riding of Yorkshire have some of the highest productivity levels of the region, either on par, or above average for the UK. Whilst in South Yorkshire, areas such as Barnsley, Doncaster and Rotherham experience the lowest productivity levels in the region, and one of the lowest levels in the UK, which also affects wages and living standards.
‘Productivity, Training and Skills in Yorkshire, the Humber and the North East’, emphasises that better alignment of, and powers to enact, national and regional pro-productivity policies which focus on skills, innovation, trade and investment will be crucial to strengthen productivity and growth in the UK. Professor Jason Heyes, one of the authors of the new report, from the University of Sheffield, said: “Our latest research particularly sought to explore the link between productivity levels and the supply and demand for skills and training within these regions. “We found that those areas that are falling behind UK productivity levels have lower attainment of skills and qualifications, higher levels of under qualified employees and higher skills mis-matches in industry, which implies an increased skills gap is a big driver in the stalling productivity of a local economy. “This is demonstrated in places like Barnsley, Doncaster and Rotherham which are continuing to experience the consequences of deindustrialisation.” As productivity is a major driver of economic growth, increasing productivity also benefits wages and living standards. Even though productivity in South Yorkshire increased by £7.80 per hour worked between 2008 and 2022, the growth was less than the regional average in Yorkshire and Humberside of £9.30 per hour worked, and the national average of £11.10 per hour worked. Professor Jason Heyes added: “Improving the situation will require sustained actions to create more opportunities for individuals to obtain skills and qualifications as well as investment and support aimed at creating productive enterprises and high quality and sustainable job opportunities.” The report makes several recommendations for the government to understand and forecast labour market changes, and address persistent mismatches between the demand and supply of skills, including:
  • Supporting combined and local authorities to establish and maintain pathways for employers and their staff to access resources for education and training opportunities, qualifications and funding.
  • Further research into ‘good practices’ in relation to all forms of staff training, in particular apprenticeships to identify the best sources of support for employees.
  • Commissioning modelling of labour market business and investment trends, and analyses of employer skills needs to help forecast future regional industry needs.
  • Establishing working partnerships between Chambers of Commerce, Combined Authorities, Further Education Colleges and Universities to help build ongoing relationships with employers and training providers.
Redouane Sarrakh, report author, from the University of Sheffield, said: “Skills and knowledge – or human capital – are generally regarded as extremely important influences on productivity. “Cooperation and information sharing between government, employers and education and training providers to improve the ability for people to gain skills and qualifications, as well as provide accessible pathways into employment and make positive career transitions, will be critical to make a substantial improvement in UK productivity. “To help businesses adapt to changing circumstances, benefit from new technologies and compete effectively, it is essential that they are able to recruit and retain sufficient numbers of workers with the right types of skills and qualifications and upskill their existing employees.”
Bart van Ark, managing director of The Productivity Institute, said: “There is an urgent need for governments at all levels – national, regional and local – to adopt a place-based perspective on productivity growth. Many UK regions have such low productivity levels that single interventions, even significant ones, won’t suffice. A systemic approach to pro-productivity policies requires them to be joined up and scaled up.” The authors of the report make up the Yorkshire, Humber and the North East Regional Productivity Forum (RPF), one of eight around the UK established by TPI, which is an ESRC-funded initiative that brings together academics with business, industry and policy representatives to identify and address the causes of the UK’s weak growth in productivity.

Long-established Yorkshire bus operator sold

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Long-established Yorkshire bus operator sold
Reliance Motor Services, one of Yorkshire’s longest-established bus operators, has been sold to Transdev. Under the terms of the deal, Transdev’s subsidiary, Yorkshire Coastliner, has acquired 11 buses from family-owned Reliance, which has operated from its depot at Sutton on the Forest, north of York, for 94 years. Transdev has also acquired Reliance’s well established network of bus routes serving Easingwold and Thirsk, along with several villages north of York. All jobs are being retained as a result of the agreement between Reliance and Transdev. The Reliance business was bought by John and Margaret Duff in 1980, having first been established by Edward Sheriff in 1930, who started out with three buses. It has remained a family business since the Duffs took over, with John’s grandson, Gary Newby, and his wife, Hollie, running the current business. Gary and Hollie Newby were advised on the sale of Reliance by a multi-disciplinary team at Andrew Jackson Solicitors, led by corporate partner, Susie Mortonson, who was supported by Benn Shilleto (corporate), Gillian Markland (employment) and Robert Hill (real estate and property). Transdev’s legal advice was provided by Womble Bond Dickinson. Gary Newby said: “We are sorry to say farewell to our loyal customers on the routes which will see a change of operator, and to our drivers, whose loyalty and hard work is reflected in Reliance’s excellent reputation. “However, we know they will be in the best hands with Transdev, which has invested significantly in an impressive depot in York and has a strong track record of delivering for its customers. “We are grateful for the valuable guidance and support provided by Susie Mortonson and the rest of the team at Andrew Jackson Solicitors, who ensured that our best interests were protected throughout the transaction.” Susie Mortonson added: “I was delighted to see this transaction go smoothly for Gary and Hollie. It has been a pleasure to work with them and I’m sure that the business will continue to flourish under Transdev.”

Housebuilder Keepmoat names new CFO

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Housebuilder Keepmoat names new CFO
Doncaster-based housebuilder Keepmoat has appointed Mark Dilley as Chief Financial Officer. He previously held the position of Chief Financial Officer at Tilia Homes, as well as serving as Group Finance Director at Town Centre Securities. Mark also spent 14 years at Asda, where he was Vice President of Retail and Property Finance. Mark said: “The future is extremely bright for Keepmoat, and I am looking forward to playing a part in the continued success of the organisation. “Keepmoat’s vision of building communities and transforming lives speaks volumes about its ethos and culture, and I’m excited to have joined a leadership team so clearly committed to delivering quality affordable homes to more people where they need them most.” CEO Tim Beale added: “It’s great to have Mark on board. He brings a wealth of experience from not only the housebuilding sector but also property investment and FMCG retail. He is the perfect person to work alongside me and the other members of our executive board as we steer Keepmoat through its next stage of development.”

Judges select shortlist from record entries for Hull BID awards

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Judges select shortlist from record entries for Hull BID awards
Hull BID Executive Director Kathryn Shillito revealed that a record number of applications has been received for the awards, and the finalists are now looking forward to sharing their success with family, friends and colleagues at the big celebration on Friday February 21 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel. The judges have now drawn up their shortlists with three finalists in each of 10 categories – four of them earning two nominations. In addition there will be a Judges Special Recognition Award. Kathryn says more than 420 applications came in from city centre businesses and other organisations and the shortlist features hopefuls from sectors including retail, hospitality, personal services, professional services, leisure, culture, and charities. She said: “The feedback from all three judges once they’d finished their deliberations was that this year is all about quantity and quality – we received applications from a lot of businesses and other organisations and many of them really were outstanding. “That’s so important because the awards are about much more than a badge of honour for each of the winners – the fact that so many people entered with such impressive submissions sends out a clear message about the quality on offer in our city centre, and that’s something for us all to shout about when we get together for the big night.”

Schofield Sweeney names new employment team partner

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Andy Gilchrist has been appointed as a partner in the employment team at Yorkshire-based law firm, Schofield Sweeney. He is a multi-award winning employment lawyer and joins the firm from Lupton Fawcett, where he was Head of Employment. Andy has advised on significant employment law cases in the UK, and also businesses with operations overseas. Last year he advised a US Fortune 500 company on the departure of a senior executive, a US company on the closure of its UK operation, and a number of household brands on the restructuring of their workforces. Partner Simon Shepherd said: “Andy’s experience and excellent reputation enhances our already strong team, and shows our commitment to the growth plans we have for the employment team. I’m really pleased to welcome him, and to continue providing support to our existing and future clients.” The company has also promoted Rajveer Basra from Solicitor to Associate. Schofield Sweeney employs 175 at offices in Leeds, Bradford and Huddersfield.

Leeds agency appoints Head of AI to help drive growth

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Leeds agency appoints Head of AI to help drive growth
Leeds-based digital marketing agency Spike has appointed Said Lopez as Head of AI, underlining its commitment to cutting-edge technology to transform its services and drive growth. Said brings over a decade of expertise in machine learning, automation, process improvement and digital transformation. In the past four years, he has spearheaded artificial intelligence and ML initiatives, driving innovation and delivering impactful results for leading venture capital-backed companies. In his new role at Spike, the first of its kind for the business, he will spearhead the development and deployment of the agency’s AI tools, helping to accelerate the impact of Spike’s marketing strategies and deliver greater value and measurable results for its clients. Rob Powell, Founder and Director at Spike, said: “AI is going to revolutionise marketing as we know it, and we’re thrilled to welcome Said to our team to ensure we remain at the forefront of the technology.  “He has a breadth of experience, as well as an incredible passion and energy that I know will help take our innovative AI and digital transformation strategies to new heights. I can’t wait to see the impact he’ll make not only on how we work, but also the successes we drive for our clients.” Said added: “I’m really excited to be joining Spike at such a pivotal time for the agency. The bold move toward AI-driven digital transformation is a forward-thinking direction, and I can’t wait to help bring it to life.”

Morgan Sindall starts work on Leeds housing development next month

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Morgan Sindall starts work on Leeds housing development next month
Next month Morgan Sindall expects to start building an extra care housing scheme on a two-acre site at Armley in Leeds. The Middlecross development will be home to 65 affordable apartments providing independent living opportunities for older people.
The three-storey complex – to be built on brownfield land between Armley Grove Place and Simpson Grove – will also have care facilities and communal spaces, including a 50-seat dining area. It’s expected to be finished by 2027. The bulk of the funding for the development is being provided by the council’s housing service via Right to Buy receipts and borrowing, with £1.3m of grant support due to come from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Brownfield Housing Fund. Councillor Jess Lennox, Leeds City Council’s executive member for housing, said: “At a time when there is a well-documented shortage of affordable extra care housing in Leeds, this development will make a real difference to the lives of its residents. “The start of construction will also be another notable milestone for our Council Housing Growth Programme, which is working – with the support of partners – to bring positive and lasting change to communities across Leeds.”

Government organisation says inheritance tax changes will hit three quarters of farms

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Government organisation says inheritance tax changes will hit three quarters of farms
According to the Government’s own Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board the proposed changes to inheritance tax will affect more than three quarters of English and Scottish farms bigger than 50 hectares. NFU President Tom Bradshaw said: “The fact that the government’s own levy board has now come to the same conclusion as the NFU, that 75% of commercial farm businesses could be affected by this policy – more than 42,000 farms – speaks volumes. “It could not be clearer that the data behind this abhorrent family farm tax is wrong and that the Treasury has drastically underestimated the scale of the impact on British farming and food.”
AHDB has calculated 42,204 out of 54,938 farming businesses (76.8%) in England and Scotland that are 50 hectares (124 acres) or larger will be affected. The study looks at average balance sheet data mainly sourced from Defra, the Farm Business Survey and the Scottish Government. More than half of those affected are involved in cereals or general cropping production as their main enterprise, with the rest predominantly livestock producers or mixed farming operations. The NFU has repeatedly warned of the risk the changes to Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief pose to family farms throughout its Stop the Family Farm Tax campaign, with the majority of farms not earning enough money to pay the potential inheritance bill without selling off some of their land or business.

Sheffield businesses Visit Pittsburgh with city councillors

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Sheffield businesses Visit Pittsburgh with city councillors
Sheffield-based businesses Tickets for Good, Westfield Health, and Reach Studios are currently in the American city of Pittsburgh to help explore the possibilities for inter-city collaboration.

With Sheffield City Council Leader Tom Hunt and Chief Exec Kate Josephs they are working on building meaningful and fruitful relationships and to open lines of opportunity to work together in the future.

They will meet city officials and a range of organisations and businesses from the biological and advanced manufacturing, health, medical tech and robotics sectors, plus many more.

Tom Hunt said: “Sheffield is global, green and growing. We have world-leading strengths in many sectors, from advanced manufacturing to health technology, cultural industries and low carbon, resilient energy. This week we will share our knowledge and best practice with our friends in Pittsburgh. “As sister cities, Sheffield and Pittsburgh share a similar industrial past, but we have both seen our economies transform in recent decades. We both have big ambitions for our future and I’m really looking forward to seeing what we can learn from one another and achieve together”

Work starts on sustainable Harrogate business units as part of scheme that could support 2,000 jobs

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Work starts on sustainable Harrogate business units as part of scheme that could support 2,000 jobs
Opus North and Bridges Fund Management have begun construction of the Harrogate 47 sustainable employment development in North Yorkshire. These works will deliver new flexible business units totalling more than 106,000 sq ft of high-specification Grade A space, with a focus on sustainability. The units are expected to complete in Autumn 2025. The partners will speculatively develop two terraces of flexible business units from 5,540-12,188 sq ft, as well as three detached units from 10,200-21,600 sq ft. Access and infrastructure works for this major new mixed-use employment scheme are now complete, allowing delivery of the first units on site. The appointed contractor is Stainforth Construction. The units are situated on a 45-acre site near Harrogate at J47 of the A1(M) in North Yorkshire, which in total comprises more than 600,000 sq ft of employment space for industrial, logistics, hi-tech and office uses, as well as amenity uses, within a landscaped environment. Planning permission was secured from Harrogate Borough Council for the low-carbon scheme, which is targeting BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and has the potential to support 2,000 jobs. Ryan Unsworth, Joint MD, Opus North, said: “Seeing construction of the units get underway at Harrogate 47 is a great way to start the year. Our innovative scheme has been designed with energy efficiency in mind to offer sustainable, high-quality property solutions for businesses.” Henry Pepper, Partner, Bridges Fund Management, said: “This well-connected development on the A1(M) corridor will support economic growth and job creation in the local area. “Our plan is to develop sustainable units that will be highly attractive to a range of regional or national occupiers looking for cost-efficient, future-proofed employment space. We are delighted that construction can now begin on the units.” North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for open to business, Cllr Mark Crane, said: “This is a very welcome investment in mixed use business accommodation in North Yorkshire. “It’s in a prime location to boost employment in the county and encourage economic growth across a range of sectors. We look forward to seeing the development take shape and hearing about the businesses that will eventually occupy the site.” Appointed agents for Harrogate 47 are CBRE and Gent Visick.

Contractor appointed in Hull for Drypool Bridge investment

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Contractor appointed in Hull for Drypool Bridge investment
Hull City Council’s cabinet has approved the appointment of Esh Construction Limited to deliver a programme of works to futureproof and extend the lifespan of Drypool Bridge. The historic structure has been a part of the city’s transport network and skyline for generations, but a routine inspection in April 2024 discovered that several of the load-bearing columns under the bridge had significantly deteriorated, resulting in a short-term closure to enable emergency repairs to be undertaken and allow the bridge to re-open. Since then, council engineers have been proactively planning a wider scheme of investment to the full structure, which will guarantee the bridge for 25 years and add a further 50 years to its operational life. “We’re committed to Hull’s bridges, as they play a massively important role in people’s day-to-day lives,” said Councillor Mark Ieronimo, cabinet portfolio holder for transportation, roads and highways. “We know the council must maintain and invest to fix Drypool Bridge and that’s why we’re taking action. “Now that we’ve approved these next steps, the council will work with our contractor to deliver a scheme that will improve the bridge’s integrity and maintain it as a reliable transport link for decades to come. “We fully understand the frustration that roadworks can have for residents, commuters, businesses and visitors, but the council needs to step in now to fix this bridge. “As part of the scheme, we will look to reduce the likely impact that these essential works will have on the city.” Details of the scheme, including exact timeframes, will be announced in the coming weeks, but it is anticipated work will start on site in the spring and take approximately six months.

Streets gains greater footprint with further merger

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Streets gains greater footprint with further merger
Streets Chartered Accountants, a Lincolnshire-based top 40 UK professional service firm, has established Streets Hackett Griffey LLP. It follows the merger of the well-established Haverhill practice of Hackett Griffey Chartered Certified Accountants with Streets Chartered Accountants. This latest merger sees Streets establish a greater footprint in the East of England. When asked about the merger, Jon Griffey, Partner at Streets Hackett Griffey, said: “The firm was founded in 1984 by Philip Hackett but our roots can be traced back to the 1950s, making us by far the longest established firm in Haverhill and the surrounding area. “As such when myself and fellow partners Simon Iron and Nicky Harris were looking at a merger with a larger firm, it was important that we considered and were able to retain a local presence and personal service that our staff enjoy and clients expect. “We chose to merge with Streets as they are a very well respected and established firm and we are delighted to say they share the same client focussed ethos as we do which makes them somewhat unique amongst larger firms. “Streets are not private equity backed and have no interest in being so, which offers long term security for our staff and clients. “The need to look at a merger was driven by the fact that to remain competitive; to service the needs of clients and to look after our staff now and in the future, we need to be part of something bigger. “Being part of Streets offers economies of scale and a wide range of expertise and other services, the benefits of which we can pass onto our clients. They also offer sector specialisms such as agriculture, technology, legal and entertainment which will enable us to attract clients that require a more specialist service. “They also have a strong presence and so were the perfect fit for us. “The merger will offer much greater career prospects for our staff as Streets are keen to promote rising stars and offer opportunities to do more specialised work if they so want.” Looking at what the merger means to Streets, the firm’s Managing Partner, Paul Tutin, said: “We are delighted to have partners Jon Griffey, Simon Iron, Nicky Harris and their colleagues join the practice. It is especially pleasing to see and experience the mutual benefits and synergy to be had through firms like ours coming together. “It certainly is important to us and those firms we come together with to share the same ethos and values and to have a real sense of community in terms of that in which we live, work and for the clients we look after. “Following on from the merger of the Colchester and Essex practice of Whittles, now Streets Whittles, as well as Mitch Consulting, the specialist tech start up and scale up accountancy practice in the East of England, we have been keen to increase our presence locally. “With Hackett Griffey joining the practice we are truly becoming a significant player in the region. With our regional approach forming part of our overall strategy to be a substantial UK practice. “We continue to find that firms we talk to and that merge with us like our approach, which is very different to the private equity led deals, as we seek to build on the success of the existing practice and empower individuals to drive and lead on their future growth and success.” Streets Law, the firm’s dedicated corporate and commercial law offering led by Managing Director and Solicitor, Adam Aisthorpe, undertook the legal work on behalf of Streets for the merger, including drafting the sale and purchase agreement and dealing with the due diligence process in collaboration with internal colleagues in the tax and audit teams at Streets.

Scarborough sites pinpointed for redevelopment

Tess Egginton
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Scarborough sites pinpointed for redevelopment
Developers are due to be urged to come forward with initial plans to transform a series of sites in Scarborough’s North Bay amid proposals to bring a wave of new investment to the seaside town. Locations which are owned by North Yorkshire Council have been identified for potential redevelopment in the area. The sites are seen as providing an ideal opportunity for future development and are aimed at bringing fresh investment to Scarborough while helping to boost the town’s vital visitor economy, which is already worth £561 million each year and employs more than 5,600 full-time staff in the area. Members of executive will consider plans on Tuesday next week (4 February) for a marketing exercise to ask developers how they would transform the locations that have been identified for investment. The executive member for open to business, Cllr Mark Crane, whose responsibilities include economic development and the visitor economy, said: “Scarborough is one of our most popular destinations on the coast, and we want to help ensure that there is the investment in the town to benefit both local communities and visitors alike. “We believe these sites in the North Bay offer real potential to help to drive forward the local economy. “We will consider the proposals carefully to ensure that any market testing attracts the right sort of developer to provide the right kind of schemes for the town.” The sites which have been identified include the former Atlantis Waterpark, the former Marvel’s amusement park and the land that was previously the location of the Kinderland children’s activity park. The other sites include land where the town’s former indoor pool was based alongside its off-street parking while there are plans to maximise the potential for footpaths that weave around the North Bay. The Alpamare Waterpark, which North Yorkshire Council took control of in December 2023 when the previous operator went into administration, and its off-street parking have also been identified as one of the sites. The Alpamare site is currently run by Malton-based Flamingo Land, which has signed a 12-month lease after re-opening the attraction in July last year and has expressed an interest in extending the deal for a further year. A report to the executive has stressed that a waterpark should remain as one of the long-term attractions in the North Bay. The proposals would see the market testing launch in the middle of next month (February) and continue for between four and six weeks. It is hoped the exercise would allow the council to engage with private developers and gain an understanding of market interest and the potential for future development for the sites. The responses received from developers would be assessed and used to inform the council’s approach for the sites, with updates presented to elected members later this year. Deputy leader, Cllr Gareth Dadd, whose responsibilities include the authority’s finances, said: “The North Bay area of Scarborough does provide exciting opportunities for the town, and its future development would bring benefits for both residents and visitors. “The sites which have been identified could also have major financial benefits for the council if they are redeveloped and we will consider the options which are available for the approach to the market testing when the executive meets next week.” The report to the executive has outlined plans to bring high quality development to create a clear identity for the North Bay area and provide a contrast to the more traditional “seaside town” nature of the resort’s South Bay. The ambition would be for development to complement existing attractions in the area, including the Scarborough Open Air Theatre, the North Bay Railway and Peasholm Park. Under the plans for the market testing exercise, developers would be asked to provide a 1,000-word brief outlining projects which they have been involved in. They would also be asked to identify the potential for the sites and whether they would be interested in taking on more than one location for redevelopment. The market testing would ask for views on the inclusion of the Alpamare Waterpark site within the package of sites, and whether the council should also look to broaden the redevelopment plans to other locations in the town for longer-term partnerships. The chair of the Scarborough and Whitby area committee, Cllr Liz Colling, who represents the Falsgrave and Stepney division in Scarborough, said: “This is set to be the first step in identifying potential developers for these sites which will hopefully lead to investment to benefit our local communities in the town. “While the visitor economy is a huge part of Scarborough’s economy, we need to make sure that any development in the town is beneficial for residents too. “This is about the future of Scarborough and potentially bringing new job opportunities and careers to the people who live here and in the surrounding area. “This would help to ensure that the younger generations of our residents can remain in the town where they grew up and embark on a career here.”
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