Historic Hull buildings to be reborn in £2.5m project
Work to revive Hull’s historic Castle Street Chambers building and rebuild the former Earl De Grey pub has begun in a project valued at £2.5m.
It’s in the hands of developers the Wykeland Group, who’ll create more than 6,000 sq ft of prime commercial space as well as reconstruction of the pub.
Wykeland has liaised closely with National Highways, Historic England and Hull City Council to bring the restoration project forward.
The company’s Development Director Jonathan Stubbs said: “Castle Buildings is one of the most complex and challenging restoration projects we’ve undertaken.
“Having been unused for decades, the building is understandably in a very poor condition. Since acquiring the site in recent years, we have worked hard to bring forward this project which is now coming to fruition
“That has included taking down the Earl De Grey before the A63 works, while retaining its listed frontage in order that it can be reinstated as part of this exciting development.
“In all of our restoration projects, protecting and enhancing heritage is at the forefront of our approach. That is certainly the case with Castle Street Chambers and the Earl De Grey.
“This project represents a significant investment into Hull city centre, rejuvenating a key corridor which links Connexin Live and the heart of the city centre to the Marina and thriving Fruit Market.”
Castle Street Chambers was built in 1900 as offices for Hull steamship owners and brokers Messrs G R Sanderson. The now derelict Grade II-listed building has been unoccupied since the 1970s, supported by protective scaffolding for more than 20 years.
The same happened to one of Hull’s oldest pubs the Earl De Grey, which dates back to the 1840s. In 2020, the Grade II-listed Earl De Grey’s historic frontage was removed brick by brick, before being placed into storage, prior to the start of the ongoing £350m A63 Castle Street improvement scheme to relieve congestion on the main route through Hull.
South Lincolnshire business community shares in almost £2m cash awards from prosperity fund
More than £1.5m has been awarded by South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership this week to support local business growth, skills and community projects across the sub-region through the UK Shared Prosperity and Rural Prosperity Funds (UKSPF/REPF), along with the next phase of the Lincolnshire Community Foundation’sGRASSroots scheme.
The majority of the funding has been awarded through the ‘Communities and Place’ and ‘Supporting Local Business’ areas of focus, targeting those aiming to have a positive, meaningful impact on communities in Boston, East Lindsey and South Holland, as well as those looking to support local businesses to develop and create jobs in the area.
About half a million pounds has been granted through the first round of the Partnership’s People and Skills awards, which is helping to directly support residents access higher paid, higher skilled work while also reducing unemployment and economic inactivity locally.
The latest round of funding has allowed the Partnership to expand the reach of UKSPF – which was made available by the Government to invest in and empower local communities – ensuring that the greatest possible number of areas within the sub-region benefit from support. This includes communities such as Louth, Wainfleet, Frieston and Holbeach, ensuring that the prosperity the fund brings is truly shared.
Funded projects include:
- LCVS Community Transport : Looking to develop and enhance community transport infrastructure across the entire sub-region, aiming to increase the number of journeys available and volunteers taking part.
- Community-Based Digital Support Sessions :Using local venues across the Partnership area to support residents in our Districts (particularly in rural communities) to access digital services, go online and become digitally savvy , including supporting them to access key online services such as health providers and HMRC, as well as scam-awareness training.
- PAB Languages – Global Entrepreneurs : This project will provide a structured programme supporting the development of entrepreneurship and upskilling employees of our larger businesses to engage with export and international markets, drawing participants from people in employment in food processing, logistics, social care and e-commerce.
- Heritage Skills in South and East Lincolnshire :A Programme to encourage the development of traditional and ‘at risk’ heritage and craft skills, giving residents in our area the opportunity to try their hand at skills like lime plastering, traditional joinery and thatching, as well as supporting them to explore future careers in the heritage construction sector
- Connect2Grow : A project focussed on reducing economic inactivity in Boston and South Holland, helping individuals who are economically inactive or in receipt of universal credit skills training and support, identifying suitable vacancies, providing job interviews and follow-on in-work support.
- Higher Level Engineering Skills for South Lincolnshire’s Key Sectors : Working with local employers to build engagement, shape provision and strengthen local access to specialist higher level training in food and manufacturing engineering courses at the National Centre for Food Manufacturing. This will be supported by a Programme providing insight into the sector for local school-aged learners, giving them experiences of and hopefully, an interest in working in our area’s vital agri-tech and food industries.
- Future Skills Programme : Delivered by the TEC Partnership, this will deliver digital training to 100 economically inactive beneficiaries focused on digital employability skills including data management, design, multimedia and AI support, supporting this group to gain key digital skills and access employment with local employers
FirstGroup signs agreement to acquire York Pullman Bus Company
FirstGroup has signed an agreement to acquire York Pullman Bus Company, a business comprising five well-established coach services brands.
York Pullman has a strong presence in regional and adjacent services operations in York and surrounding towns in North Yorkshire.
It provides home-to-school and college contracted services and private hire operations including rail replacement services, and operates a small number of local bus routes on behalf of several local authorities, complementary to the operations of First Bus in York.
It has a mixed fleet of more than 130 vehicles with varying passenger capacity which has enabled it to build a broad range of customers. For the year ended 31 December 2022, York Pullman reported revenues of c.£10m and EBIT of c.£2m.
Tom James, Managing Director of York Pullman, will remain with the company as Managing Director and continue to run it on a standalone basis, as well as contributing to the development of the First Bus coach services growth strategy, with synergy benefits and support from the First Bus executive team.
Graham Sutherland, FirstGroup Chief Executive Officer, said: “A key pillar of our strategy is to grow and diversify our portfolio. The acquisition of York Pullman, a long-established, high-performing business fits well with our strategy as it will both enhance the First Bus operational footprint in North Yorkshire and expand our adjacent services business, where we are looking to grow our presence.”
Future of North Brewing Co secured
The future of North Brewing Co has been secured following a sale out of administration to Steve Holt of Kirkstall Brewery.
Howard Smith and Rick Harrison of Interpath Advisory were appointed Joint Administrators of North Brewing Company Limited, North Brewing Leisure and North Brewing Management Limited on 25 January 2024.
Based in Leeds, the Group traded under the ‘North Brewing’ brand, and supplied several supermarkets and casual dining chains nationally, as well as exporting to 27 countries worldwide, trading through its own taprooms and bars and selling to pubs and bars across the country either directly or via beer wholesalers.
In line with many companies within the hospitality sector, Covid-19 had a materially adverse impact upon the Group’s financial performance, as Government restrictions forced the business to close for extended periods of time between 2020 and 2022. In more recent months, the Group had also faced rising costs including energy, labour, and raw materials, which had an impact on cashflow.
In response to this, the Directors sought to explore a number of options, including a sale of the business. When it became clear a solvent solution could not be found, they took steps to file for the appointment of administrators.
Immediately following their appointment, the joint administrators sold the businesses and its assets to Vertical Drinks Limited and Kirkstall Brewery Limited (as part of one transaction). The transaction safeguards the future of the brewery in Leeds, as well as the North Taproom bars in Leeds and Manchester. A total of 78 members of staff have transferred to the purchaser as part of the deal.
North Brewing Co will continue to be an independent brewery operating from its Springwell site and will be run by the existing management team. The new company will be known as Vertical Drinks Ltd T/A North.
The transaction does not include the North Taproom in Birmingham, which will close, resulting in 15 redundancies.
Tom Swiers, head of food and drink at Interpath Advisory who advised North Brewing Co on the transaction, said: “North Brewing Co is a renowned craft brewer that has forged an excellent reputation over the years for the quality and innovation of its beers.
“We are pleased to have completed this transaction which represents an exciting tie up of brilliant beer brands based here in Leeds. The deal will allow the Group to move forward under new ownership and we wish the purchaser and the management team all the best for the future.
“We’d also like to thank our advisors for their work in helping drive this transaction to a successful conclusion.”
The joint administrators were advised by Charles Boyne, Kiri Hutton and Shauna-Leigh Thompson at Weightmans, with the purchaser being advised by Daniel McCormack and David Smyllie at Lupton Fawcett.
First new development completed at South Yorkshire UK Investment Zone
Gregory Property Group’s new industrial development has become one of first projects to be completed in the Innovation District of the South Yorkshire UK Investment Zone.Unit T1 Sheffield Business Park is one of the first new builds in the zone, which was announced by the Government last year.The development, which features a 33,600 sq ft unit including 3,100 sq ft of office space, occupies a position fronting Europa Link and is already attracting interest from potential occupiers interested in joining high profile businesses including SIG Group, South Yorkshire Police, Gleeson, TNS, Primetals and Hart Shaw on site.Agent Knight Frank is marketing the detached unit, suitable for warehouse and distribution, general industrial and manufacturing, which sits on the 200-acre Sheffield Business Park development near Junctions 33 and 34 of the M1, North / East of Sheffield. Gregory Property Group acquired the two-acre vacant site on Europa Link, the main road running through the estate, from Sheffield Business Park Ltd in May 2022.
Airfield runway specialist makes senior appointment
Lincolnshire-headquartered global airport runway specialist Jointline has appointed Matt Ragless as Head of Airfield Lining, Grooving and Distribution Centres.
Matt Ragless joins Jointline from Lincolnshire-based BESA Group Ltd, where he was Head of Operations. Prior to that he was the Operations Manager for TMAK Construction Ltd, and previously a Contracts Project Manager for Education Business Partnership.
Mr Ragless commenced his career at T&S Group, where he was based for five years. The 38-year-old brings a total of 17 years’ industry experience to the Witham St Hughs-headquartered firm.
Jointline has undertaken renovation and improvement works at every major civilian airport in the UK as well as runways across continental Europe, Africa, Asia, and South America.
Matt Ragless has been appointed to lead a team of 20 experienced technicians, ensuring projects are programmed and delivered to schedule. He also undertakes the commercial aspects of running the department.
Gary Massey, Managing Director of Jointline, said: “Matt has made an immediate impact to Jointline. His ambition, commitment and professionalism are first rate. Matt also has outstanding technical knowledge to help our customers implement the most effective solution within budget.
“The team we now have in place will enable us to fulfil many more airfield projects overseas during 2024 and beyond. This year will be pivotal for the long-term growth and success of the business.”
Matt Ragless, Head of Airfield Lining, Grooving and Distribution Centres at Jointline, said: “Jointline is already known across the industry, but the new investment in technology, machinery and people at every level of the business is creating a new buzz.
“It’s a really exciting time to join such a brilliant team. We hope 2024 will be a year of ‘firsts’ as we put ourselves in the running for larger, more technically complex projects, while making significant inroads into the distribution centre market.”
New investment boosts The Gluten Free Kitchen
North Yorkshire business, The Gluten Free Kitchen has been boosted by new investment as demand soars for its gluten and ‘free-from’ food.
NPIF – FW Capital Debt Finance, which is managed by FW Capital and is part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund, has provided a six-figure loan to assist The Gluten Free Kitchen with its growth and the creation of five new jobs.
The business was established in 2005 by Sue Fleming after she saw the challenges faced by people with coeliac disease when sourcing good quality food that is free from gluten. Sue began to experiment with a series of recipes and created dishes which are today available from The Gluten Free Kitchen’s online store.
A selection of products are also available in a selected number of Waitrose Stores, online at Ocado, as well as independent outlets and farm shops throughout the UK. The product range includes ‘free from’ cakes, puddings, and savoury pies.
Sue’s Gluten Free Kitchen started in the village of Aysgarth in North Yorkshire and moved to larger production facilities and a retail outlet in Leyburn. The business plans to move to larger premises in the Leyburn Business Park to accommodate the increased demand.
Sue Fleming, director at The Gluten Free Kitchen, said: “Our ‘free from’ ethos is centred around flavour and quality. I’m proud to have created a delicious range of foods that doesn’t compromise on flavour. The increased demand for our product ranges means we need more staff who will also be part of our expansion journey into larger premises.
“We’re fit for bursting at the moment and are excited to be creating more jobs. Without the support of Keith Charlton and Lindsey McMenamin at FW Capital we wouldn’t be able to do this.”
Lindsey McMenamin, portfolio manager at FW Capital, added: “Sue’s passion for the business is evident and she has created a successful and innovative brand which provides consumers with gluten intolerance with a wide variety of choice. The Gluten Free Kitchen is today a prominent brand serving the UK coeliac community.
“With demand for ‘free from’ products rising, Sue needed further working capital to support the creation of new jobs and the expansion of the business. I’m thrilled to be part of this and help The Gluten Free Kitchen with their next stage of development.”
FW Capital was introduced to Sue at The Gluten Free Kitchen by Barry Gill at TIG Corporate Finance and consultant Karen Wyndham-Webb.
Airport future: Chamber issues stern warning over mudslinging and electioneering
Doncaster Chamber of Commerce is calling for all parties in negotiations to reopen the region’s airport to show a united front to get the site back up and running, rather than be concerned with mudslinging, political point scoring, and electioneering.
Chief Exec Dan Fell says business doesn’t care which political party gets to cut a ribbon at the airport reopening ceremony, so long as the aim of bringing international connectivity back to South Yorkshire is achieved.
He said: “Unfortunately, we are seeing a lot of unwelcome commentary at the moment that, at best, is a needless distraction and, at worst, could potentially jeopardise the future of this hard-fought campaign by spooking potential investors.
“Pulling together to get a favourable deal done should be our focus right now, rather than needless mudslinging in public forums. After months of uncertainty, plans to get South Yorkshire’s airport reopened are moving forward at pace and there is finally some light at the end of the tunnel. This is owing to the tireless efforts of many partners and colleagues — of all political dispositions — behind the scenes and should be a cause for celebration.
“The negotiations here are necessarily detailed and complex and we need to give those in the thick of it time and space to get it over the line. 24/7 commentary is not going to be conducive to that goal.
“Lots of people have contributed to this and it has been a true collaborative effort. For example, national government played a huge role in conferring Investment Zone status to South Yorkshire and the Civil Aviation Authority has been helpful in retaining the airspace over DSA whilst negotiations take place. Meanwhile, local and regional government has poured considerable resource into the campaign and demonstrated great leadership and tenacity.”
Mr Fell said pitting one transport scheme for South Yorkshire against another, as he believed some had been seeking to do, was simply reductive. “The region needs both an airport and a mass transit system for its core city, and those two things should not be seen as mutually exclusive. In the fullness of time, it is true that we will need to establish a better plan for increasing the overall investment into South Yorkshire’s infrastructure, and it will be reasonable to ask why other regions — such as West Yorkshire — seem to be more successful than us at leveraging in infrastructure investment. However, that conversation must be decoupled from the immediate need to get our airport reopened.
“Politicians need to hold each other to account; the business community accepts and understands this. Yet there are ways of achieving this without resorting to megaphone diplomacy and without jeopardising projects that are essential to South Yorkshire’s future growth. Airing political differences in public diminishes investor confidence and achieves very little, even in an election year. With that in mind, we are urging our political friends and partners to, please, tone it down and focus on telling the outside world what a great place South Yorkshire can be to do business.
“Finally, to any organisations who are involved in the plans to reopen DSA — including carriers who may wish to be based there in the future — we say this: ‘South Yorkshire’s business communities are grateful for your keen interest in our region and are standing by ready to welcome you to our networks. Here, you will find a private sector that is eager to partner with you so that, together, we can grow the airport, fulfil its latent potential, and help you achieve your aims as well. We look forward to working with you to make the airport a resounding success.”
Could South Holderness be suitable for a nuclear waste disposal site?
The suitability of South Holderness in Yorkshire’s East Riding as a site for disposing of nuclear waste is to be explored by a newly-formed working group – the second potential site in our region; the other being at Theddlethorpe in Lincolnshire.
Establishment of the group is said by the Government to be a starting point for a conversation with a local community, and is in no way an indication that a ‘Geological Disposal Facility’ will be built in a particular area.
One of the Working Group’s tasks will be to engage people across the community to begin to understand the local area and any issues or questions the community might have.
Councillor Anne Handley, leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “East Riding of Yorkshire Council has today accepted the invitation to join the South Holderness GDF Working Group, which is the first step to opening discussions with the community about whether a GDF would be right for the area.
“Understanding what a GDF is and exploring the associated benefits is critical to the decision-making process for any community, because it will ultimately be the local community who decide.”
Dr David Richards, independent Chair of the Working Group, said: “The South Holderness GDF Working Group marks the beginning of finding out more about what a GDF is and gives our community an opportunity to share their thoughts about what it means for them. “We want to work with local communities to discuss the potential of a GDFand the establishment of a Community Partnership, which if formed would benefit local good causes through grants of up to £1million pounds per year.“My role as Chair is to make sure local communities have access to information and to understand what people think about a GDF. We look forward to meeting local people and listening to their views.”
A GDF is internationally recognised by governments and scientists as the only viable permanent solution for the safe disposal of higher-activity radioactive waste in the long-term. It involves isolating the waste deep underground in suitable geological formations, placing it in highly engineered vaults and tunnels, keeping the waste safe and secure over the many thousands of years it will take for the radioactivity to naturally reduce. NWS will be a member of the South Holderness GDF Working Group, along with the independent Chair, David Richards, Invest East Yorkshire (the Interested Party), East Riding of Yorkshire Council and members of the community. NWS CEO Corhyn Parr, said: “South Holderness joins three other communities involved in the GDF siting process who are already learning more about this vital project and the benefits and opportunities it could bring, such as the creation of thousands of jobs and opportunities for investment in local infrastructure. “We are looking forward to meeting local people, providing more information, answering questions, and listening to all views. This is a consent-based process, meaning if the community does not express support for a GDF it won’t be built there.”Hull gets £22m to develop low carbon heating network
A £22m grant for the Hull East District Heat Network is amongst four similar projects to share in £80.6m from Government.
The Hull funds will be used to create build a heat network using excess heat generated by a nearby chemicals park. The project will provide low carbon heating to 14 public sector council buildings and industrial businesses.
Other projects, in Bolton, Exeter, and London will recycle heat from other sources, including waste water from washing machines and sewers.
Lord Callanan, Minister for Energy Efficiency and Green Finance, said: “These innovative projects will help drive down energy costs while also demonstrating why the UK has led the way in cutting carbon emissions.
“They show how energy sources can be found in the most unexpected places – as more homes and businesses will benefit from cleaner heating and lower energy bills.
“Our upgrades will also make sure our existing heat networks are upgraded – so customers can get the reliable heating supply they deserve.”
Heat networks supply heating and hot water to homes and businesses via heat pumps or sources from underground, manufacturing, and waste management. They help cut carbon emissions by supplying heat to multiple buildings from a central source, avoiding the need for households and workplaces to rely on individual, energy-intensive heating solutions, such as gas boilers. The transition to heat networks forms a major part of the UK’s carbon reduction commitment, with heating in buildings making up 30% of all UK emissions.