Independent property consultancy, Edwards Property Consultants has agreed a sale and leaseback of a 70,865 sq ft industrial building in Barnsley for £3.4 million, reflecting a net initial yield of 9.25%.
The building, which sits on a 10.15 acre site on Fall Bank Industrial Estate in Dodworth, was sold with a 15 year leaseback, incorporing 5 yearly tenant breaks, to long established haulier, Truswell Haulage. A private investor acquired the asset as part of its long term investment portfolio.
Oliver Rowe, Director at Edwards, says: “Completing this strategic sale leaseback deal marks a pivoltal chapter for our client, Truswell Haulage. By unlocking signifcant capital, the company can now prioritse ongoing investment into the business to secure its long term future and further grow it’s operations.
“We are advising a number of business owners looking to reduce traditional debt, or invest funds into the growth of their businesses. With a backdrop of higher interest rates and strong underlying industrial values, releasing capital through sale and leaseback is proving to be a good alternative for business owners.”
Christopher Dee acted for the purchasers.
Leeds City Council backs first phase of mass transit scheme
Leeds City Council is backing the first phase of West Yorkshire’s mass transit scheme, in a report due to go before senior councillors next week.
The West Yorkshire Combined Authority is currently consulting on the first phase of its mass transit scheme, which would see tram routes created between St James’ Hospital and the White Rose office park and shopping centre, and between Leeds and Bradford.
A report to the Leeds City Council’s executive board, to be considered at its meeting at Civic Hall on Wednesday 18 September, states that the council recognises the ‘strategic importance’ of mass transit across Leeds and West Yorkshire in improving transport connections and accelerating economic growth and regeneration.
This includes ‘unlocking of new housing growth opportunities across the city’ and ‘bringing people within easier reach of jobs and opportunities’, along with connecting people with education, health and local centres in addition to social and leisure destinations in the city centre.
The report also states that mass transit ‘will play a critical role in helping Leeds to be the city where you don’t need a car, encouraging mode shift from private car use to reduce congestion and meet the council’s carbon net zero targets’.
The combined authority’s consultation options splits the possible mass transit route into three sections – Leeds city centre and South Leeds, which together make up the ‘Leeds Line’, and the ‘Bradford Line’.
There are four options for the Leeds city centre route, between St James’ Hospital and the River Aire at Victoria Bridge.
There are three options for South Leeds route, which would join the city centre route at Victoria Bridge and end at the White Rose Shopping Centre via either Holbeck and Elland Road or along the A653 Dewsbury Road.
The Bradford Line options would connect Leeds and Bradford using three different routes between either Stanningley or Pudsey, and either Armley or Wortley.
The report states the council’s preference for Leeds city centre route known as L1 via East Parade and Infirmary Street, connecting to the South Leeds route known as L6 which would travel via Elland Road, Elland Road Stadium and Ring Road Beeston to the White Rose site.
The report states that the council supports routes that connect to these destinations along with the universities, hospitals, existing housing developments and the Innovation Arc, and ‘offer opportunities to accelerate urban regeneration… and be a catalyst for wider change by helping to unlock brownfield development and placemaking that contributes to new housing delivery and economic growth’.
The report goes on to state that mass transit ‘has the potential to radically change access to the south of the city and particularly the corridor comprising Elland Road, the football stadium, White Rose Office Park and White Rose Shopping Centre, and outer south Leeds, linking to growth points in Kirklees’. The report suggests that options which follow routes through Middleton similar to those in the previously-proposed New Generation Transport (NGT) scheme would be ‘sub-optimal’ compared to routes which connect to Elland Road, and previous ‘negative feedback’ about the NGT routes should be taken into account.
The report recognises the importance of improving connectivity between the two largest cities in West Yorkshire and the ‘clear regeneration opportunities for key settlements along the route’.
The council also wants to ensure that ‘centres like Pudsey gain maximum benefit from the provision of an enhanced transport link’ and supports improved connections between the city centre, Pudsey and Bradford.
However, the report does not outline a specific preference for any of the three Bradford Line options at this stage, stating that the council would welcome ‘further conversations on the design development with WYCA to fully inform future considerations on a preferred route’. This includes understanding how any route would integrate and impact on the existing railway and Northern Powerhouse Rail proposals, how any disruption to local highways would be minimised, and how mass transit would serve communities along the route.
Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s deputy leader and executive member for economy, transport and sustainable development, said: “We are extremely supportive of mass transit in Leeds and the wider West Yorkshire region. It will improve transport connections, bring people within easier reach of jobs and opportunities, boost our economic growth and regeneration ambitions, and have a positive impact on people’s overall quality of life.
“Improved connectivity with our neighbours in Bradford is incredibly important in boosting both cities’ economic potential and is something that we would like to see delivered as soon as possible.
“We recognise that the combined authority’s proposals are at an early stage, and as such we require greater clarity in some key areas, but overall we are keen to realise mass transit and its benefits for our city and the wider region as a whole.”
The executive board report outlines the council’s technical response to the combined authority’s first phase of consultation. Following approval at next week’s executive board meeting, the council will provide its response to the combined authority. The combined authority’s first phase mass transit consultation closes on 30 September 2024.
Camper van specialist secures grant to speed up productivity
A Barnsley manufacturer who has built more than 3,000 camper vans has invested in cutting edge technology to speed up production.
Wellhouse Leisure has bought a CNC machine with the support of a Business Productivity Grant secured through the Enterprising Barnsley programme.
The grant, designed to help SMEs improve productivity, is supported by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) and part-funded by the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).
It has been put towards the cost of the £83,000 Biesse Rover K FT machine which will now be used by Wellhouse to cut all component wooden parts for fitted furniture in their van conversions. Previously, the company sub-contracted this task to a business in Leeds.
Wellhouse Leisure CEO David Elliott said: “Having our own CNC machine on-site will save us so much time and money. We’ve worked out that we’ve paid out more than £53,000 over the years so our joiners could go and use someone else’s machine. On top of that, add the time and money spent on them going back and forth on a 70-mile round trip to Leeds.
“Having our own CNC machine cuts all that out; and eradicates any little hold-ups when we need to amend a piece or cut a replacement. It will speed up each job and make life easier for us all round – we estimate it will pay for itself within two years.”
David is planning to develop new products and explore new markets with the in-house CNC machine too. He is looking into the manufacture of flat-pack furniture kits to sell to other camper van companies and the manufacture of fittings for garden buildings and man sheds.
Business support advisor at Enterprising Barnsley Paul Johnson said: “We’re very pleased to support this latest bold move by Wellhouse Leisure to improve productivity and operational efficiencies at work. It’s great to see a manufacturing business continue to invest in Barnsley and grow. It highlights the strength of Barnsley as a great place to do business.”
Enterprising Barnsley has previously supported Wellhouse Leisure to invest in other machinery and software; developments in lean manufacturing; skills training to support new product ventures and engagement with a borough-wide Business Productivity Group.
David set up Wellhouse Leisure in 2002, building on a lifetime of experience in van conversions, having previously run Deepcar Motorhomes with his Dad.
He and wife Sarah now employ 21 people, and their Barugh Green factory manufactures, services, repairs and sells made-to-order and in-stock campers to customers nationwide.
The company has manufactured more than 3,000 conversions over the last 22 years, working with quality base vehicles such as the Toyota Alphard, Ford Transit, Nissan Serena and Honda Elysion.
David said: “As a business we’ve never been driven by price but always concentrated on quality and want to deliver the best camper van conversions on the market.
“Using CNC-cut pieces for our fitted furniture means we can guarantee precision and consistency which helps us deliver strong, durable and rattle-free cabinets for our premium camper vans.”
The Business Productivity and Digitisation grant is being delivered across South Yorkshire via part-funding from South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) and £5.2m of investment through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).
Companies who secure a grant can put it towards either a capital or revenue project. The funded initiative must identify and address a challenge to business productivity.
Energy consultancy lets Wakefield office suite for headquarters
Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH) has completed the letting of a refurbished 5,160 sq ft office suite at 3 Paragon in Wakefield to Compliance 365, a specialist independent energy consultancy.
Acting on behalf of Nationwide, who retain offices on other floors within the building, LSH secured the lease on a 5-year term.
This modern ground-floor space features an open-plan layout with abundant natural light and glazed meeting rooms.
The upgrade, overseen by owner-occupier Nationwide, has elevated the building to a high standard, incorporating air conditioning, raised access floors, and secure 24-hour access.
Matt Procter, Senior Surveyor at Lambert Smith Hampton, said: “This letting not only underscores the high quality of its refurbished office space, but also reflects the growing confidence in the Wakefield market.
“With its modern amenities and prime location, 3 Paragon is well suited to meet the needs of forward-thinking businesses like Compliance 365.”
Malcolm Wallis, Managing Director of Compliance 365, said: “We are thrilled to establish our headquarters at 3 Paragon. The state-of-the-art facilities and secure, strategic location provide the perfect environment to deliver exceptional customer service to our clients while supporting our ambitious growth plans.”
Flint Bishop prepares for further growth with strategic appointment of new Chief Information Officer
Law firm Flint Bishop, with offices in Birmingham, Derby and Leeds, has appointed Paul Tennant as its new Chief Information Officer (CIO), as it looks to make further significant investment in innovation and technology to enhance the delivery of its services, support clients’ objectives and disrupt the market in its quest to become a leading scaled provider of legal services in the UK.
Tennant has held several senior technology positions within the financial services and legal sectors, including C-suite and director roles at Simply Conveyancing Group and My Home Move Ltd (now Simplify), the UK’s largest conveyancing firm with over 1,100 employees across the UK and India. He brings over two decades of experience in driving significant growth through innovation, transformation, and the design and delivery of strategically aligned information technology solutions.
In his new role, Tennant will be responsible for developing and executing the firm’s innovation and technology strategy, ensuring the successful delivery of transformational projects across all areas of the business. He will work alongside the broader team to advance the company’s data and technology strategy, keeping it at the forefront of new tools and advancements, including AI, to support both internal processes and client services.
Qamer Ghafoor, Chief Executive of Flint Bishop, said: “I am delighted to welcome Paul to the firm. His extensive experience—particularly in designing and executing technology roadmaps, innovation, managing large-scale IT projects, and leading teams through significant growth and change, together with onboarding several legal businesses through acquisitions—makes him an exceptional addition to our leadership team.
“In today’s rapidly evolving legal landscape, law firms must embrace efficiency, innovation, and diversity to meet client demands. Flint Bishop is firmly on course to adopt client-centric, diversity-focused, and innovative solutions poised for success. I am confident that Paul’s knowledge and expertise will help us continue to innovate and strengthen our position in the market.”
The appointment follows the recent addition of a Chief Operating Officer to Flint Bishop’s senior leadership team earlier this year, further solidifying the firm’s commitment to driving innovation and excellence in the legal sector.
Aldi searches for site in Cleethorpes as part of £800m nationwide investment
Aldi is looking for a site in Cleethorpes as part of a nationwide investment of £800m, its largest-ever package of annual investment.
In its annual trading update, Aldi said it plans to open 23 new locations before the end of the year – marking a record £800m investment programme during 2024.
Richard Thornton, Communications Director at Aldi UK, said: “We are committed to bringing high quality, affordable groceries to millions more British families.
“With more than 1,000 stores across the country, our footprint is definitely growing, but we know there are still a number of towns that either don’t have an Aldi or have shown demand for more stores.”
The supermarket is searching for freehold town-centre, edge-of-centre, and retail park sites suitable for property development. The sites should be able to accommodate a 20,000 sq foot store with around 100 parking spaces. Ideally the location will be near a main road with good visibility and access.Mayoral Authority spending pumps £150m into South Yorkshire
New figures have shown that the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority has invested £150m over the past financial year – the highest-ever figure – into projects across every part of South Yorkshire.
The authority has invested in 182 projects through the Capital Investment Programme for South Yorkshire businesses and people in Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield. They include:• Renewal of Supertram £100m – allowing us to extend the life of tram tracks, improve reliability and safety and connect communities for generations to come
• South Yorkshire Airport City – over £3m of funding committed to support Doncaster Council to undertake the processes needed to acquire the airport site and go through the procurement process to appoint a new operator who will re-open Doncaster Sheffield Airport
• Glass Works £3.6m and Barnsley Market Gate Bridge £8.9m – helping deliver the award-winning Glass Works retail, leisure and public space in Barnsley’s regenerated town centre and deliver the Market Gate Bridge, a much-needed active travel link into the town centre
• Sheffield Heart of the City 2 £9m and Westbar £3.65m – supporting Sheffield’s Heart of the City 2 development which is currently transforming the city centre with an improved retail, working, leisure and living environment and Westbar which is the second largest regeneration project in Sheffield that will deliver accommodation, offices and retail
• Rotherham to Kilnhurst Flood Alleviation Scheme £2m and Forge Island to Riverside footbridge £1m – improved flood defences to reduce risk of flooding in Templeborough, Rotherham town centre, Parkgate and Kilnhurst area and a new footbridge across the River Don connecting Forge Island to Riverside, supporting regeneration to the town centre
• Zero emission buses £18.1m – the introduction of zero emission electric buses across South Yorkshire through the Zero Emission Bus Regional Area (ZEBRA) scheme
South Yorkshire’s Mayor, Oliver Coppard, said: “I’m proud that we’re investing in every part of South Yorkshire to help all of our communities stay near and go far.
“We’re renewing vital parts of our Supertram network, supporting the brilliant Glass Works development and Market Gate Bridge in Barnsley’s revitalised town centre, improving flood defences to protect people and businesses in Rotherham, backing the transformational Heart of the City 2 development in Sheffield and funding the reopening of Doncaster Sheffield Airport.
“There’s talent and opportunity right across our region and by investing in our people and places I’m determined to unlock South Yorkshire’s full potential.”
Charity launches free jobs fair for Bradford women
Women jobseekers in Bradford are being encouraged to attend a free jobs fair hosted by charity Smart Works Leeds in partnership with Ilkley-based High Speed Training.
The event, on 24th September at Bradford City Football Club, will provide local women with an opportunity to meet employers who are keen to bring more women into their workforce, with a variety of live vacancies and training opportunities.
Lottie Roberts, Outreach Manager at Smart Works Leeds, said: “We are so proud and excited to host our first Women Into Work Bradford Jobs Fair, an event to connect women in attendance to prospective employers directly. Our clients often tell us that job application processes are confusing, that they struggle to find opportunities, and that it is really hard to get in front of employers.
“Through this event attendees will be able to find out more about the rich range of vacancies available in Bradford and the surrounding areas and speak personally to top employers- to get advice about making applications and further their job search. It is an honour to do an event on this scale for the women of Bradford.”
Smart Works Leeds is a women’s employment charity offering free interview coaching and a dressing service so women can feel confident and be empowered to find a job quickly. It supported over 800 women across Yorkshire in 2023, and are on course to help 1000 women a year by 2025. 63% of the women supported by Smart Works are in employment within one month of their appointment.
The Women Into Work Jobs fair is being sponsored by Ilkley-based online training provider High Speed Training, who are members of Smart Works’ Collective, corporate supporters’ network. A registered B-Corp, High Speed Training believes in using their business as a force for good and one of the issues that they focus on is employability.
The last job fair hosted by Smart Works saw more than 360 women attend to speak to prospective employers, and was attended by a range of local businesses, including Lloyds Bank and Morrisons, who will be returning to the Bradford event. They will be joined by a host of other top employers including Yorkshire Water, Solenis, and the National Media Museum.
Harrogate firm changes leadership at the top of its Trusts, Wills and Estates team
Harrogate-based Raworths has changed the leadership of its Trusts, Wills and Estates team with partners Alison Walker and Sam Jenner stepping up to take over as joint heads of the 23 strong department.
Alison’s and Sam’s promotions will enable the former Head of TWE, Rachel Tunnicliffe to focus on expanding her other leadership roles as Senior Partner at Raworths and Head of Private Client Services. She will continue to manage her existing portfolio of client work offering specialist legal advice on wills, trusts and succession planning.
Rachel said: “I’m so proud of this incredible team. On the back of achieving national recognition at the recent Chambers HNW awards now is the perfect time to hand over the reins. Alison and Sam each bring a unique set of skills and knowledge which together make for an inspirational leadership team. I’m looking forward to embarking on a new chapter at Raworths, supporting our Managing Partner, Simon Morris, in my role as Senior Partner and Head of Private Client Services – and continuing to work with my clients, many of whom I’ve advised for more than 2 decades and who I hope to continue working with for a long time to come.”
Alison Walker, who joined Raworths in 2015, advises on all aspects of wills, trusts and wider succession, wealth structuring and tax issues, particularly for business owners. Alison has specialist knowledge in the administration of complex estates, with business interests and overseas property. Sam Jenner, who has been with the firm since 2014, offers a breadth of technical expertise on complex succession planning, administration of estates, family investment companies, wills and tax. Sam is also involved in leadership on the firm’s IT projects. Both Sam and Alison play an instrumental role in mentoring younger members of the team.
Alison commented: “I’d like to thank Raworths for this opportunity. Rachel has been an inspirational leader over the last ten years, and I’m looking forward to continuing to work alongside Sam to oversee the future direction of the team, whilst providing the very best service to our clients.”
Sam added: “I have really enjoyed mentoring junior team members and as joint head of TWE, I hope to play an even bigger role in the development of the next generation of talented lawyers. Raworths has a special culture that places value on building relationships, as a team within the firm and with our clients and referrers. Alison and I both have families – and I’m glad that Raworths supports joint leadership roles that enable us to have work/life balance, which can only be a positive for both our professional and personal lives.”
Two dozen young people start work at Siemens Mobility in Goole
Siemens Mobility has taken on 24 apprentices and graduates at its Goole Rail Village, where it’s assembling new Piccadilly line trains, and which could deliver the UK’s next generation of main line trains.
The recruitment includes 22 apprentices – its highest number in the UK for a single site in a year – and comes as the pioneering development in East Yorkshire gears up to becoming fully operational.
The trainees are aged between 16 and 26 and all started on the same day, across a variety of roles in the Manufacturing, Logistics and Warehousing, Quality, Commissioning, Components, Materials Control, Operations and Commercial teams at Goole. More than half of the new starters are from the Goole area, with most of the others from the wider Yorkshire region.
Taking on so many young people in a single phase demonstrates Siemens Mobility’s commitment to developing a new generation of talent while establishing Goole as a centre of excellence for the rail industry in the UK, according to Mark Speed, General Manager of Siemens Mobility at Goole. He said: “We’re excited to welcome all these new recruits to our growing team in Goole. Bringing on board so many talented young people demonstrates our commitment to creating new opportunities to join the UK rail industry and help to shape its future.
“These new team members represent a major investment in creating a powerful pipeline of talent and a lasting legacy of skills for our business and the wider industry. The numbers taken on also reflect the scale of our operations in Goole and the range of functions within the Rail Village.
“We’re looking forward to seeing our new colleagues grow and develop in their roles and contribute to the success of our operations in Goole as we transform rail travel and transport.”
Siemens Mobility is investing £200m to develop a train manufacturing facility and associated operations in Goole, creating up to 700 jobs directly as well as around 1,700 opportunities in the wider supply chain.
The first trains built at the new factory will be new tube trains for Transport for London. 80% of new trains for the Piccadilly line on the London Underground will be assembled at Goole.
Siemens Mobility plans to build all future main line trains for the UK at Goole, including new battery bi-mode trains that it has calculated could save Britain’s railways £3.5bn and 12 million tonnes of CO2 over 35 years.
