What next for Central Library and Graves Gallery building Sheffield?
Sheffield City Council is working towards identifying the future use of the Central Library and Graves Gallery building, decisions on which will form a crucial part of plans to transform the city centre.
At a meeting of the Strategy and Resources Committee next week, councillors will consider a proposal for new feasibility studies to be completed to develop a vision for a 21st-century central library for Sheffield, and to explore the potential for the building to become a flagship gallery and arts venue.
Tom Hunt, Leader of Sheffield City Council, said: “This is a big, positive step forward to identify the future use of the Central Library and Graves Gallery.
“In 2024, if approved, we plan to kick off studies to assess options for the building’s future, including as a refurbished library and art gallery or a flagship standalone art gallery.
“The building has been used and loved by generations of people in Sheffield. Nearly 90 years after the building opened, it is right that we take steps to ensure the full potential of the building in the 21st-century is realised.”
If the process is approved, public consultation will also take place as part of the information gathering process.
The report also recognises that immediate, major repair works are necessary to achieve compliance, improve building efficiencies, preserve historic and heritage features, and prevent further deterioration.
If this process does go ahead, a full project timeline will be developed alongside the feasibility phase.
Incommunities appoints new director of communities
Bradford-based housing provider Incommunities has appointed Patrick Collins as its new director of communities.
Patrick joined Incommunities in November 2020, as head of neighbourhood management. He has more than 30 years’ experience in the housing sector and before joining Incommunities, Patrick worked for 10 years at Places for People in a variety of operational roles managing housing teams across the North West of England.
Patrick has also served as a board director for two north west housing associations. His wide ranging experience includes teaching Housing Policy and Housing Practice up to degree level for over 10 years.
Patrick Collins said: “I have worked in housing for many years and I have loved every day of it but none more so than the last three working for Incommunities.
“Here I am working alongside a completely new innovative senior management team who allow you to implement change and work with you to bring in best practice in all areas.
“The aim is to take the housing service back out on site to our customers so they can really influence how we do things.”
Janey Carey, executive director of customer and communities at Incommunities, added: “We are delighted Patrick was successful in securing this role.
“He brings not only a wealth of experience, enthusiasm and knowledge but he has a strong vision on how to modernise our housing service and offer to our customers.”
Patrick has now started his new role.
Hull-based TEPS builds new warehouse and office
Hull-based family-run haulage, storage, and distribution company TEPS is building a new warehouse and office.
As part of the sixth generation John Good Group, TEPS is reinforcing its commitment to adapt and grow in response to market needs, which is being a strategic supply chain & logistics partner in the Hull and Yorkshire region.
The new development will feature a state-of-the-art 25,000 sq. ft warehouse, capable of housing 5,000 pallets, alongside a 1,900 sq. ft office block. This expansion will not only increase TEPS’s capacity to nearly 200,000 sq. ft but also enhance its operational efficiency. The new warehouse will create new roles and opportunities within the local area to be recruited for in 2024. MD Paul Fordon said: “This expansion is a significant milestone for TEPS. By constructing this new warehouse and office space, we are not just scaling our operations but also reaffirming our dedication to our clients and the environment. The integration of the new offices within the warehouse facility is a testament to our commitment to operational excellence.” Adam Walsh, CEO of John Good Group, added: “I’m delighted we were able to give the green light for TEPS on this multi-million-pound investment into the site. It’s a real vote of confidence in Paul and the team, who consistently deliver a service that makes them a standout operator in the region. I’m also pleased we were able to include a new office block in the development. Our people make the difference in our business, and to give them a new home with far superior facilities will help us retain and attract talent for years to come.” Scheduled for completion in Spring 2024, this new facility is set to be a major milestone in TEPS’s growth strategy, solidifying its position as a leader in the warehousing, storage, and distribution sector.High-tech cobblers secure £300,000
A Leeds company pioneering a new approach to footwear repairs has secured a £300,000 loan from NPIF – Mercia Debt Finance, which is managed by Mercia Debt and is part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund, to enhance its technology.
The Boot Repair Co provides an authorised repair service on behalf of leading footwear brands including Fairfax & Favor, Vivobarefoot and Dubarry of Ireland, and also operates ‘white label’ websites to manage sales of refurbished products on their behalf.
The funding will provide additional working capital following its recent success in winning a major contract with Dr Martens. It will also enable it to create 10 new jobs in the next six months and develop a bespoke software system to manage the entire repairs process, from receipt of goods to despatch.
The Boot Repair Co was formed in 2011 by father and son Gerald and Tom Forbes who run the Craggs Shoe Repairs chain, and Chris Wilson, whose family founded Leeds-based Charles Birch, Europe’s leading supplier of footwear repair components. The company is now led by Tom Forbes, the current Managing Director.
In addition to working with brands, it also provides repairs for customers direct, and has an exclusive contract with the Household Cavalry to repair military boots. Over the past 12 months it has refurbished over 100,000 pairs of boots and increased staff numbers from 35 to 68. Around 55 of these staff are based at its new premises in Leeds, and the remainder at its second site in Rochford, Essex.
The company is currently working with Leeds City College to launch a new apprenticeship scheme and has received a range of advice and financial support from business support programmes delivered in partnership between West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Leeds City Council. This includes grant support towards cost of the new software, premises fit out and the original introduction to Mercia.
Jamie Whitehouse, operations director, said: “We are pleased to have won contracts with so many prestigious brands. We have already made major investments in technology, machinery and training to enable us to take on this work including, most recently, sending staff to the Dr Martens factory for several weeks to learn their production techniques.
“The latest funding will enable us to continue to expand and develop software that will significantly enhance our efficiency.”
Gary Whitaker from Mercia Debt added: “Pre-owned footwear is a huge and growing market and offers benefits for brands and consumers alike, as well as being good for the planet. While many high street cobblers are struggling, The Boot Repair Co is bringing a new, tech-enabled approach to the industry.
“The company has already created dozens of jobs and we are pleased to support its continued growth.”
2024 Business Predictions: Richard Hanby, Technical Director at Ascendant Solutions
It’s that time of year, when Business Link Magazine invites the region’s business leaders to offer up their predictions for the year ahead.
It has become something of a tradition, given that we’ve been doing this now for over 30 years.
Here we speak to Richard Hanby, Technical Director at Ascendant Solutions.
Debt, Debt and more Debt – the more you know about your customer today will pay dividends tomorrow tenfold. Information accuracy is going to be a vital part of business operations moving into 2024, knowing which customers can, can’t and won’t pay before they fall into debt is an ideal prevention mechanism for your businesses cashflow.
If you aren’t regularly reviewing credit limits of your business-to-business customers based on their circumstances 2024 could be painful. Looking at our primary business activities, we’re approached more and more for information services like credit reports, debtor tracing and investigation work for pre-litigation.
It might seem like doom and gloom looms, but how deep this storm hits will depend on your preparedness for winter. Hopefully the BOE maintains if not drops the base rate, but we can’t rely on hoping for the best, we’re helping our clients prepare for the worst.
Look North recently ran a segment on Local Authority solvency, all of those on the panel said that their authority will be bankrupt within 2 years. As I write this, Nottingham City Council were the latest to issue a Section 114 notice barring all new expenditure and asking for central government intervention.
If we don’t hear “credit crunch” on the news by March, I’ll be very surprised. Changing times are hard but will be harder the less you know about your customers both before and after they fall onto hard times.
Ascendant Solutions provides credit risk and credit reporting services based on a wide combination of suppliers built within bespoke online software which meet NCSC standards.
Hybrid working is here to stay, according to BCC research
New research by the British Chambers of Commerce Insights Unit and technology firm Cisco shows less than 30% of firms expect their workforce to be fully in the office over the next five years.
A survey of more than 1,000 businesses, of which 96% were SMEs, found just 27% of respondents predict their staff will be fully in the office over the next five years, half 47 anticipate their staff to be mostly there, 16% expect mostly remote and 8% fully remote.
The research found a clear divide between different sectors, with business-to-business services firms (such as the finance and legal sectors) more likely to expect remote working. Only 17% of B2B services organisations expect fully in person working, while the figure for manufacturers is 38%, and B2C services 37%.
Companies were also asked about the connectivity tools they use such as video calling and cloud security. A quarter of firms say they are not confident they have the knowledge to make the right purchasing decisions, while three quarters are confident. Over half are relying on external experts when making decisions about adopting technology.
Jane Gratton, Deputy Director Public Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “Our data shows that hybrid working is now part of the fabric of the modern workplace. For millions of people, logging in remotely for at least part of the working week is now routine.
“This flexibility is valued by employers and their teams. Less than 30% of firms expect staff to be working fully in person over the next five years.
“Flexible working makes good business sense. In a tight labour market, where employers are competing for skilled workers, hybrid working, and flexible working more generally, has become an important part of staff benefit packages. As well as boosting recruitment and retention, it can help employers unlock new and diverse talent pools.
“Employers still value regular face to face contact with staff, however, and our findings show only 8% of businesses expect staff to be completely remote. “
Aine Rogers, MD of SME at Cisco UK & Ireland, said: “Small businesses are the heart of the UK economy, and their most important resource is their people. We know employees thrive in a hybrid working environment, as it enhances their wellbeing, work-life balance, and performance.
“When it comes to choosing the right solution, the key consideration is implementing a simple, secure collaboration platform that can help employees be just as productive remotely, as they would in the office. With the right technology in place, SMEs can also ensure their employees have inclusive, secure and resilient access to their network data and applications, as well as a seamless experience when calling, meeting, and messaging.”
Sheffield prepares to sign lease deal for Cole Brothers building
Sheffield City Council’s Strategy and Resources Committee meets next week to hear the latest update on the project to transform the former Cole Brothers building as part of the ongoing regeneration of the city centre, and to consider an agreement with Urban Splash over the lease.
Months of negotiations on the agreement have been taking place between Sheffield City Council and Urban Splash, which was announced in June as the preferred bidder to take on the building. Those negotiations have now concluded and the agreement for lease is expected to be signed in January 2024.
Once the agreement has been signed, the award-winning regeneration company will then be consulting with the people of Sheffield on their plans for the building and gathering thoughts and ideas.
The proposed Agreement with Urban Splash will result in the delivery of an exciting mixed-use scheme comprising flexible workspace and cafes/retail/leisure/cultural uses/event space which are all considered to be complementary uses to the rest of the Heart of the City project. Bringing this listed building back into active use will be hugely beneficial both for the wider city centre and the surrounding Heart of the City scheme.
Retaining much of the structure, whilst improving the thermal performance and energy efficiency of the building, should have a positive impact on climate change.
Leader of the Council Tom Hunt, Chair of the Strategy and Resources Committee, said: “The former Cole Brothers building is an important and much loved part of Sheffield City Centre. It’s great that we’re moving forward with Urban Splash to breathe new life back into the building. The exciting proposal from Urban Splash will add to the fantastic regeneration we’re seeing throughout the city centre in the Heart of the City development at West Bar and more.
“Sheffield is a city on the up. We are creating a city centre that will be a destination for people to come and relax, shop, eat, work, and drink.”
New networking group aims to support firms on Louth’s Fairfield Estate
A new business networking group is being created to companies based on the Fairfield Industrial Estate in Louth.
Set up by Wilkin Chapman in conjunction with Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce, the Fairfield Networking Group will welcome organisations of any size or industry, based on the estate which is home to hundreds of businesses.
Established in the late 1960s, Fairfield Industrial Estate has been steadily growing each year but there are no previous networking groups dedicated to this important part of the town and the Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce has historically been underrepresented in the area.
It’s hoped that the new group will connect businesses across the estate to help one another grow while encouraging collaboration on matters that directly impact the estate.
The group’s first meeting is set to take place on 9th January at Louth Distillery, where Pin Gin is produced. Meetings will continue to be held on the second Tuesday of each month from 5-7pm. It’s hoped that the event will be hosted by a different business on the estate each month.
Katherine Marshall, a partner at Wilkin Chapman which moved into a new office on the estate earlier this year, said: “I’m really excited to be helping to launch this new business networking group dedicated to this energising and inspiring area of Louth which has become a real hotbed for innovation, ingenuity and expertise. It does seem remarkable that even though Fairfield Industrial Estate has grown to become so important for the local economy the businesses here haven’t had a forum to regularly get together, get to know each other and work together, but that’s all about to change.
“The news has gone down very well so far, with lots of interest in our first meeting so I’m sure it’ll be a great success, and it’ll become a must-do event in everyone’s calendar here. I’d like to thank co-organisers Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce and our first hosts, Louth Distillery for their support and enthusiasm. I can’t wait to see everyone in the new year!”
Simon Beardsley, pictured, Chief Exec of Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for businesses to network with other industry professionals, potential customers, and suppliers.
“We’re constantly striving to support local businesses in their efforts to grow their businesses and develop meaningful relationships with other firms and are confident this venture will unlock new opportunities for them.”
While the group is primarily for those working at businesses based on Fairfield Industrial Estate, those from further afield are also welcome to attend. Pre-registration is not required and there is no membership fee, although future events may charge a small attendance fee to cover the cost of food and drink. Venues for future meetings will be discussed and agreed between attendees.
£1m from Finance Yorkshire supports management buy-out in Morley
A management buyout (MBO) has been completed at Morley-based Elm Building Services supported by £1m investment from Finance Yorkshire.
Elm is an established provider of mechanical and electrical services to the industrial, commercial, retail and leisure industries. Key clients include David Lloyd Clubs and Whitbread, owner of Premier Inns.
The company was founded by electrical engineer Neil Munday in 2002 who has grown the business year on year with turnover this year expected to exceed £8-10 million.
Elm employs 23 staff members and is projecting turnover of £15-17m over the next three to five years. It undertakes large scale mechanical and electrical projects across the UK and Europe.
The MBO will see Neil’s senior colleagues John Newton and Ian Walker take on the business with a view to growing the company particularly in the fields of solar power and low carbon solutions. Neil will stay in the business to provide support to John and Ian and further enhance their current client base.
Finance Yorkshire’s £1m investment from its Growth Fund is supporting the MBO. Neil said: “We have grown a successful business which is in good hands with John and Ian at the helm with my ongoing support. Finance Yorkshire can see we are moving the business into a new chapter with the opportunity to become a £15m to £17m business over the next three to five years. Its investment will support us to bring in new customers and grow further.”
Finance Yorkshire chief exec Alex McWhirter said: “Neil and his team have established Elm Building Services as a highly reputable provider of mechanical and electrical services. Our investment supports the opportunity to further grow the business as demand increases for the installation of green and sustainable energy technologies.
“The MBO at Elm is the type of investment Finance Yorkshire is keen to support to ensure the retention of companies and jobs in the Yorkshire and Humber region.”
Next year’s Guinness Book of World Records records Hornsea 2 as planet’s largest wind farm
Next year’s edition of the Guinness Book of World Records names Hornsea 2, off the east coast of our region, as the world’s largest windfarm in capacity.
The book records: “Highest-capacity offshore wind farm. Hornsea 2 is a 1,320-MW wind farm built by Danish firm Ørsted some 89km (55.3miles) off the coast of Yorkshire, UK. The facility’s 165 turbines were declared operational on 31 Aug 2022. At maximum efficiency, the turbines can generate enough power for 1.4 million homes.’
This feat of engineering was built through Covid-19, battling with restrictions, and self-isolation rules. The 165 mighty turbines stand at over 200m tall, with most of the blades being delivered from the Siemens Gamesa factory in Hull. One rotation of the blades on each turbine generates enough electricity to power a home for 24 hours. In September 2022, AXA IM Alts and Crédit Agricole Assurances together purchased 50% of the windfarm for £3 billion.
Duncan Clark, Head of UK and Ireland at Ørsted, said: “This fantastic achievement has come from years of hard work planning, building, and now maintaining Hornsea 2. Being named by the Guinness Book of World Records is recognition that we’re immensely proud of. There are too many people to thank, but each and everyone’s efforts has made this happen. Thank you all for your continued hard work.”
