Catering company goes back to school to launch pioneering partnership business

Stuart Pearcey
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Catering company goes back to school to launch pioneering partnership business

City of York Council has let pioneering food delivery business School Kitchen get established in the city by offering school catering facilities as a base for takeaway restaurants.

The company works in partnership with schools, taking over their kitchen facilities during the evenings and over the weekends. From these bases they run home delivery takeaway restaurants, with customers able to order from a wide range of world cuisines, from Sri Lankan to Mexican. The scheme delivers a boost to school funding, with schools receiving a share of the business’ revenue. Partner schools can also benefit from free cookery demonstrations and classes with pupils. School Kitchen MD David Nicholson outlined some of the challenges he faced when setting up a new business as a newcomer to the city. With support from Brian Littlejohn, one of the council’s Business Growth Managers, and Steven Lydiatt, a business advisor from Momentic’s Start and Grow York programme, David was able to tap into a wealth of local business expertise. Brian and Steven helped connect David to local suppliers and business networks, advised on marketing strategies to establish the new brand and reach consumer bases in York, and signposted him to local opportunities to grow the business. David said: “Establishing School Kitchen in York has been an incredible journey, made possible through the invaluable support from City of York Council and Momentic’s Start and Grow York programme. “The guidance and connections have been instrumental in navigating the challenges that come with setting up a new business and we are deeply grateful for their ongoing assistance and encourage other start-ups to take full advantage of the resources available here in York.” Cllr Pete Kilbane said:  ” School Kitchen is a great example of what can happen when the city council and its partners support innovating start-ups. “York’s food scene continues to thrive, and if businesses out there could do with a hand to get started and grow, then we want to hear from you. If your idea can also bring much needed funds back into the community then we are doubly keen! “In our council plan, One City for All, we committed to building a fair, thriving and green economy, and it’s wonderful to see that David chose York as the perfect place to get his business embodying these same values off the ground – I’d encourage anyone thinking of starting a business here to get in touch with us to discover how our expert business support team can help.” Building on their initial pilot at Carr Junior School in Acomb, School Kitchen has further expansion planned, aiming to open new restaurants operating out of a second school in York, as well as locations in Leeds, London and Sheffield.

Sewell employees come out top in national FM award scheme

Stuart Pearcey
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Sewell employees come out top in national FM award scheme
Sewell Facilities Management’s Operations Team has won ‘Team of the Year’ in the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management Impact Awards, after being chosen as the best team in the industry by a panel of 50 independent judges. Sewell Facilities Management is a Hull-based company offering facilities management services across the North of England, with a specialism in managing buildings across the education, health, community and workspace sectors. Providing hands-on support 24/7, 365 days a year, they pride themselves on the relationships they build with their customers, getting to know both their customers’ buildings and their people, and developing a bespoke service tailored to their individual needs. Sewell Facilities Management MD Sean Henderson said: “I’m so proud of the hard work each and every member of the team has put in over the past year, and I’m delighted to see their dedication and willingness to go the extra mile has been recognised on a national stage. “Although the team has achieved some fantastic results in 2024, they’re still determined to continue in their mission of moving from good to great. There are already plans underway to add to the team with another graduate, grow our existing offer of in-house services, and deliver further on our own carbon reduction plan, as well as helping our clients with their transition to net zero.” A diverse team at different stages of their careers, the Operations Team are key account holders for the company’s clients, with their aims being to wow their customers with their problem solving skills, keep all the facilities they manage in day one condition, and ensure they provide first-time fixes wherever possible. Notable successes for the team in the last year have included creating a new packaged water hygiene service to offer customers, becoming qualified drone pilots to carry out aerial surveying and over-performing against sustainability targets. The team also began working with a new client, ensuring staff at 17 schools across the North of England had a seamless transition to the company’s facilities management services. IWFM Chair Mark Whittaker said: “The IWFM Impact Awards recognise and celebrate our profession’s work, namely the outstanding professionals who push our sector forward to achieve excellence and recognition for the critical services we provide.”  

Schofield Sweeney names a trio of new hires

Stuart Pearcey
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Schofield Sweeney names a trio of new hires
Yorkshire-based Schofield Sweeney has expanded its corporate team with a trio of appointments. Saby Sambhi has joined the firm as a director after previously working at Blacks Solicitors. He has over a decade of experience acting for clients of all sizes, with extensive experience in the holiday and home parks, manufacturing and tele-communication industries. Ben Stephens has joined the team as a solicitor. His specialisms include acquisitions and disposals, management buyouts and buy-ins, franchising and pre-pack insolvency transactions. He has joined the firm from Weightmans, having qualified in August 2020. Liam Murphy started his training contract with Schofield Sweeney in September 2022, after working across several teams in the firm including dispute resolution and real estate, he qualified as a solicitor in September into the corporate team, where he has been based for the past year. Steven Millward, partner in the corporate team said: “It is an exciting time for the team and the Firm as we expand and build upon our already strong offering. 2024 has been another year of growth for us as a team and we have visibility of a strong pipeline of activity over the coming months. We now have a team of 25 dedicated corporate specialists with expertise in a range of sectors and are well positioned to help collaborate with our ambitious clients as they seek to execute their strategic aims and objectives We are delighted to be recognised as a Times Best Law Firm and a Sunday Times Best Places to Work. Schofield Sweeney continues to go from strength to strength, and the calibre of new recruits reflects this.”

Yorkshire Chamber acclaimed as one of the UK’s best

Stuart Pearcey
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Yorkshire Chamber acclaimed as one of the UK’s best
The West and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce has been confirmed as one of the leading Chambers in the UK at the association’s annual ceremony in London. With 52 accredited British Chambers of Commerce in the UK and a further 80 across the world, the West and North Yorkshire Chamber is within the top five for innovation, breadth of services, business support, membership retention, partnerships, digital marketing events and international services. James Mason, Chief Exec of the Chamber said: “It’s wonderful to be recognised in this way and I’d like to place on record our thanks to all the Chamber team, our Board and members for their hard work over the last 12 months. “They deserve the recognition that comes with this accolade and should be rightly proud. It is an honour to represent our part of the world regionally, nationally and globally. “The businesses we work on behalf of are the real winners. Onwards and upwards.” West & North Yorkshire Chamber received the award after being shortlisted alongside Chambers representing employers in Wirral, Herefordshire and Worcestershire and Suffolk and eventual winners Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce. The nomination included details about West & North Yorkshire Chamber’s hugely successful trade mission to New York City in May, which shone a spotlight on the volume and quality of business connections between Yorkshire and the United States and led to some very successful transactions and connections being formed between the two regions.

Government plans to bring ‘buy now pay later’ companies under control of the FCA

Stuart Pearcey
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Government plans to bring ‘buy now pay later’ companies under control of the FCA
The Government wants to bring Buy-Now, Pay-Later companies under the supervision of the Financial Conduct Authority and apply the Consumer Credit Act to them a move intended to ensure users receive clear information, avoid unaffordable borrowing, and have strong rights when issues arise. Buy-Now, Pay-Later products have become increasingly popular in recent years as they allow people to spread the cost of purchases over time, but users currently do not have access to a range of key protections provided by other consumer credit products. Economic Secretary to the Treasury Tulip Siddiq said: “Millions of people use Buy-Now, Pay-Later to manage their finances, but the previous government’s dither and delay left them unprotected.

“Our approach will give shoppers access to the key protections provided by other forms of credit while providing the sector with the certainty it needs to innovate and grow.”

The new rules will allow the FCA to apply rules on affordability – meaning that Buy-Now, Pay-Later companies will have to check that shoppers are able to afford repayments before offering a loan, which will help to prevent people building up unmanageable debt. Companies will also need to provide clear, simple and accessible information about loan agreements in advance so that shoppers can make fully informed decisions and understand the risks associated with late repayments. Consumer Credit Act information disclosure rules will be disapplied so that the FCA can consult on bespoke rules that ensure users are given this information in a way that is tailored to the online setting in which Buy-Now, Pay-Later products are generally used. Buy-Now, Pay-Later users will be given stronger rights if issues arise with products they purchase, making it quicker and easier to get redress. This includes applying Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act, which allows consumers to claim refunds from their lender, and access to the Financial Ombudsman Service to make complaints. Rocio Concha, Which? Director of Policy and Advocacy, said: “Which? has been a leading voice calling for the regulation of Buy Now Pay Later for years so it’s positive that new rules are coming in that should provide much-needed protections for users of these products. “Our research found that many BNPL customers do not realise they are taking on debt or consider the prospect of missing payments, which can result in uncapped fees, so clearer information about the risks involved as well as the use of affordability checks and options for redress would be a win for consumers.

“We are keen to see legislation quickly passed to ensure that BNPL users are protected as strongly as consumers using other credit products.”

Council seeks farmers and landowners to become part of Northern Forest scheme

Stuart Pearcey
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Council seeks farmers and landowners to become part of Northern Forest scheme
Farmers, landowners, nd smallholders are being sought by North Lincolnshire Council to help creating a piece of woodland that will become part of the Northern Forest, an ambitious plan to plant 50 million trees across the country from Hull to Liverpool. The council is looking for any land that can be used to plant trees through its woodland creation offers, which include: • Woodland and hedgerow creation of many shapes and sizes • Shelterbelt creation, protecting areas of land from strong weather, particularly wind • Agroforestry systems – the integration of trees into a farming system • Riverside planting and natural flood alleviation • Gapping-up and replanting of hedgerows and woodland The council works with the Humber Forest, Woodland Trust and the Forestry Commission as well as volunteer groups who will help with planting and aftercare. They have already been involved in several large and small scale plantings across the region, in both rural and urban settings. Newly-planted trees in North Lincolnshire will be registered on the tree counter on the council’s website which keeps track of the ultimate aim of planting 250,000 trees in North Lincolnshire. It is part of the council’s Green Futures commitment to making North Lincolnshire greener, more sustainable and a better place to live and work for generations to come.

Insight agrees 15-year lease on Rotherham AMP property

Stuart Pearcey
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Insight agrees 15-year lease on Rotherham AMP property

Harworth signed a 15-year lease with Insight for a new Grade-A Industrial & Logistics building at Rotherham’s  Advanced Manufacturing Park.

Insight will use the 73,000 sq ft unit as a major European Solutions Integration Centre, bringing together a number of operational processes under one roof, including distribution, technology lab services and agile office space.

Jonathan Haigh, Chief Investment Officer at Harworth, said: “Insight is a global leader in its field and its decision to choose our Advanced Manufacturing Park to support its expansion plans is testament to the quality of space on offer, and appeal of the location. The AMP has established itself as an international centre of excellence for advanced manufacturing with its designation as part of the UK Government’s first Investment Zone, and we are proud to have played a role in its creation.

“We continue to focus on delivering high quality Industrial & Logistics schemes across the Midlands and the North of England in undersupplied markets where we are seeing strong demand from a wide range of businesses.”

The AMP is a major hub for manufacturing in the UK, and home to global businesses including Boeing and Rolls-Royce, as well as the UK Atomic Energy Authority and McLaren Automotive Composites Technology Centre.

Construction of a new 80,000 sq. ft. headquarters for Technicut, a specialist tool cutting manufacturer, is currently on site, with a further 0.4 million sq. ft. of consented developable space available.

Huddersfield’s Associated Utility Supplies acquired by US firm

Tess Egginton
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Huddersfield’s Associated Utility Supplies acquired by US firm
Osmose Utilities Services, a USA-headquartered provider of structural asset management solutions for the electric utility industry, has acquired Associated Utility Supplies Limited (AUS), a supplier of specialist equipment and services for distribution network operators based in Huddersfield. “We are excited to partner with AUS to strengthen electrical grids in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and beyond,” said Mike Adams, Chief Executive Officer of Osmose. “Integrating AUS’s pole restoration products and technology will help Osmose offer even more robust grid resilience services to our electric utility customers across the globe.” “This acquisition is a testament to our commitment to growth and innovation,” said Lee White, Managing Director of AUS. “Together, we will build a stronger, more resilient company that is well-equipped to meet the evolving needs of our market.” In addition to electric utilities, AUS also serves the railroad and telecommunications industries as a manufacturer and distributor of operational and safety critical products. AUS will continue to be headquartered in Huddersfield.

Major group snaps up North Yorkshire nursery

Tess Egginton
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Major group snaps up North Yorkshire nursery
Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co, has sold Fieldside Day Nursery in Great Heck, North Yorkshire.
Originally established in 2001, Fieldside Day Nursery is a successful day nursery business that was rebuilt in 2022 to comprise a state-of-the-art property with six children’s rooms, large customer parking, and gardens and views. The setting has been owned by Gail and Colin Hope since 2001 and was brought to market to allow Gail to retire. Following a confidential sales process with Grace Day at Christie & Co, it has been purchased by Kids Planet Day Nurseries which now owns over 200 settings across the UK. Gail Hope, former owner of Fieldside Day Nursery, said: “Over the last 23 years, we have been a big part of the village and wider community. We have watched our Fieldside ‘babies’ grow into strong independent adults with wonderful careers, and we are now seeing those families bring their own babies to Fieldside. “We chose to sell to Kids Planet as it is a very successful family-owned business that shares our vision for excellent quality childcare and education, and I’m sure it will remain with its strong values and fantastic outdoor ethos that has shaped so many young people. “We know our wonderful families will be in safe hands with our existing team of staff with Charlotte and Simera at the helm. Colin and I wish the whole Fieldside team, families and staff the best for the future. See you all at the nativity.” Clare Roberts, CEO at Kids Planet Day Nurseries, said: “I am delighted to welcome this wonderful nursery into the Kids Planet family. It comes with a wonderful team that act as role models to the children and creates inspiring environments that closely align with our approach. “We are continuing to grow our network of award-winning nurseries but our core values remain consistent with high-quality early years education at the heart of everything we do. I look forward to the exciting future ahead at Kids Planet with our fantastic team.” Grace Day, Business Agent – Childcare & Education at Christie & Co, said: “Gail and Colin had always had a good working relationship with us at Christie & Co, taking the opportunity to keep up to date on market trends and the evolving value of their nursery to help plan for their future. “Sure enough, we were able to act swiftly to achieve the desired sale when the time came. This is a great example of just how valuable it is to keep in touch regularly with an experienced, specialist broker to understand the full value of your business. I wish Gail and Colin all the best in the next chapter of their lives, it was a pleasure working with you both.” Legal support was supplied by Tom Shorten of Mills & Reeve Solicitors and Tim Grover of Harrison Drury Solicitors. Fieldside Day Nursery was sold for an undisclosed price.

Business looks forward to interest rate cuts on the back of reduced inflation, says BCC

Stuart Pearcey
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Business looks forward to interest rate cuts on the back of reduced inflation, says BCC
Businesses are looking forward to reducing interest rates on the back of news of reduced inflation, says the British Chambers of Commerce. David Bharier, Head of Research at the BCC, said: “Today’s data showing CPI has eased further than expected to 1.7% continues the move away from a prolonged period of high inflation. Coupled with an easing to average earnings growth, businesses will be looking forward to a clearer path for further interest rate cuts. “Our research has shown that a steadily declining number of businesses are concerned about inflation. In our recent Quarterly Economic Survey, 46% of businesses cited inflation as concern, down from the all-time high of 84% seen in 2022. Taxation has instead emerged as the top issue of concern. “However, major uncertainties remain. With escalations in the Middle East conflict, oil and energy prices are likely to be impacted. Our latest Forecast expects inflation to tick higher towards the end of the year at 2.6%. Core inflation also remains quite stubborn and owner occupiers’ housing costs continue to rise. “This month’s Budget is a critical juncture. Businesses will need to see action on implementing an effective industrial strategy, solving the investment puzzle and supporting global trade, particularly with the EU.”
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