Government report about UK’s nuclear future welcomed by Sheffield Forgemasters
A new all-party Government report highlighting the future of the UK’s nuclear industry has been welcomed by Sheffield Forgemasters, the only company in the country capable of producing ultra-large, nuclear-grade forgings.
Having developed some of the world’s most advanced technologies to make Small Modular Reactors, Sheffield Forgemasters is one of many UK companies which could aid a renaissance in British nuclear energy, which the report claims could add £20 billion to the UK economy.
Forgemasters’ Dominic Ashmore, Head of Strategy and Business Development – Clean Energy, said: “The Pathway to a Nuclear Renaissance Report, provides a definitive measure of just how valuable the UK’s nuclear power agenda is, with a potential value of £20 billion to the UK economy, if the process is implemented in a way that capitalises on UK manufacturing.
“With a clear focus on SMR technologies, the UK could quickly become a world leader in the manufacture and implementation of these reactors and with the skills and technology already in place, the UK supply chain has the ability to develop at pace.
“Our own investments into site recapitalisation are creating new capabilities, with a larger, 13,000 tonne forging press under construction and plans being laid for a state-of-the-art machining facility, which build on our phenomenal track record in nuclear manufacture.”
The launch of Great British Nuclear in July this year aims to start the next generation of nuclear deployment in the UK, and the all-party report states that a Nuclear Roadmap should set key targets to achieve this aim, with the report outlining a programme to create 24 GW of nuclear power.
Those targets include delivering further large scale nuclear, such as Westinghouse AP1000 or EPR designed power plants, but also defining sites and placing orders for SMRs to satisfy UK requirements and to start manufacture of these smaller units for export markets.
With UK-based Rolls-Royce SMR already registered as one of six reactor designers for the UK, production for domestic and export markets could be implemented relatively quickly, making about 250,000 skilled jobs available.
Dominic added: “The process of training and delivering a skilled workforce is a challenge that we are very happy to address and our own apprenticeships programme, which makes up ten per cent of our workforce at any one time, is testament to how strategically we can preserve and develop those skills.”
Finance Yorkshire invests £1.25m in Normanton asset disposal company
Normanton-based asset disposal company BPI is expanding with investment of £1.25m from Finance Yorkshire.
The company, which specialises in helping businesses to buy and sell commercial assets, has ambitions to double the size of its business over the next three years.
The investment, from Finance Yorkshire’s Growth Fund, has enabled the company to implement a shareholder restructure as part of its growth strategy which includes creating new jobs.
BPI was created in 2010 by MD David Boulton, who has spent his career in asset valuation and disposal. He said: “BPI has evolved from an auction house using shared industry software to run its sales to a leading commercial asset disposal company, helping businesses to dispose of their redundant machinery and equipment, quickly and efficiently.
“Significant investment in bespoke industry-leading online auction software and internal operating systems reinforce BPI’s position as a key player in the asset disposal market.”
The company hosts over 1,200 auctions a year through its online marketplace, and disposes of commercial assets for businesses across a wide range of sectors.
David added:“Finance Yorkshire’s investment has helped us put the business in a great position for the future following the restructure and a share distribution to the senior management team.”
Finance Yorkshire chief exec Alex McWhirter said: “BPI is a well-established business and it has set out an impressive growth strategy led by David and his senior management team. The company is in a leading position to change the way in which auction disposal of assets are managed. We invest in companies like BPI who have strong ambitions and where there are opportunities for business growth including the creation of jobs in the Yorkshire and Humber region.”
Scunthorpe town centre set for £16m Government cash boost
Scunthorpe will benefit from almost £16m Government cash to create more jobs and new town centre homes.
This funding – from the third round of the Levelling-Up Fund – will be used to reshape the High Street and create a new future.
Cllr Rob Waltham, leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said: “Levelling-Up is alive and well in Scunthorpe – the cash will make a huge difference to Scunthorpe and residents in communities who visit the town centre.
“The plans we have are ambitious and the Government has backed them. We know there are challenges for high streets up and down the country and with this cash we can start to move these plans forward by creating new jobs and building new homes.
“We are determined to improve Scunthorpe and we will back businesses to invest so we can create a new future together.”
Holly Mumby-Croft, MP for Scunthorpe, and vice-chair of the Towns Fund Board, said: “It is great that the Government has given us this extra cash to revitalise Scunthorpe town centre and create more new jobs and more new homes.
“There is a way to go still but with the backing of Government we will be able to create a new future for generations to come.”
Hull Trains named ‘best place to work’
Hull Trains has been named as “Best Place to Work” at this year’s Hull Live Business Awards.
The operator has seen record employee engagement levels this year and its ongoing commitment to improving diversity and colleague wellbeing, whilst maintaining a strong focus on their customers, has landed the top spot at the local business awards.
Louise Mendham, Service Delivery Director at Hull Trains, said: “We’ve invested heavily in creating a working environment in which our colleagues feel proud to work here and where we can attract the right new talent. This award is a real testament to the work we’ve done over the past few years and I’m extremely thankful to the whole Hull Trains team.”
MD Martijn Gilbert added: “At Hull Trains, our colleagues are at the heart of our organisation and our team is built on local people, working for a local company, providing a great service to our customers, so this recognition is invaluable. This award reaffirms our commitment to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and supported and is a testament to the great work of our whole team who all help make our company such a great place to work.”
Lincolnshire garden centre hits the market after 40 years of family ownership
Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co, and joint agent, Clark Weightman, have been instructed to market Millstone Garden Centre in Grimsby.
The garden centre was originally established in 1989 by current owners, Tom and Joanna Rutherford.
Set in the foothills of the Lincolnshire Wolds and across a 4.2-acre site within walking distance of Waltham village, the traditional, family-run garden centre specialises in offering a comprehensive range of high-quality plants, hard & soft landscaping products and a wide range of other garden-related products. The site features a retail shop, large glasshouse, conservatory and extensive standing beds.
Also included in the sale is a detached, five-bedroom house with a double garage, gardens front and rear, pond, greenhouse and vegetable plot.
After almost four decades of ownership, Tom and Joanna have decided to sell as they are hoping to retire. They said: “After 50+ years landscaping and 40 years nurturing our family-run garden centre, retiring feels like we are ready to bring our story closer to a conclusion.
“We really do cherish the countless memories, blooming friendships, and the joy of cultivating a thriving and passionate gardening community. It’s our time to bid farewell and send our heartfelt thanks to all our wonderful staff and our beloved customers. We’re very much looking forward to writing the next, peaceful chapter in our book!”
Andrew Birnie, director at Christie & Co who is handling the sale, said: “This is a great business, ideal for a family to purchase and live on site. Alternatively, as the house is accessible through its own driveway, a new owner may wish to sell it separately without too much alteration at a later date.
“The site is well-managed, has ample space for development, and enjoys a loyal customer base which is continually expanding. With the hundreds of houses being built nearby, there is plenty of scope to grow the business and capitalise on the increasing demand.”
Coastal music studio amplifies ambition with move to new facility
Beckview Studios, an independent Yorkshire-based centre for recording and music production, has undergone expansion of its offering with a move into a new characteristic studio on the Yorkshire Coast.
Located in the village of Scalby, North Scarborough, the significant six figure investment in the new studio by co-founders Chris and Kristina Jones, has transformed a historical 1937 detached office building.
The open-plan layout and ‘grand design’ style renovation involved knocking down 11 supporting walls and excavating down, in order to reconstruct a fully soundproofed, fit for purpose large and versatile space for every musical need.
The studio was installed using ‘room within a room’ concrete block construction, and the integrated air conditioning and extensive ventilation was especially designed to minimise sound transmission to the outside world.
Founder and chief producer Chris Jones said: “It has always been a dream of mine to own and run a professional recording studio, so when we decided to expand Beckview Studios, we wanted to ensure we built the perfect space for artists to thrive and to reach their full creative potential.
“The coastal location next to the village of Scalby with its pubs and cafes is perfect to get the creative juices on track. Our dream is to provide a platform for local Yorkshire talent but also a studio that attracts professionals from all corners of the UK and around the world.”
Founder Kristina Jones added: “We are over the moon with the results following the investment in the new studio. It is one of a kind within the area and has been carefully planned and designed. Chris and I both hope that the new facilities offer a platform for musicians and creatives, while also introducing and attracting new opportunities for the area.”
In addition to the studio expansion, Beckview Studios has also renovated the first floor of the studio building to create a living space, Beckview Apartments, for musicians and artists on the go, work professionals and visitors to Scarborough and its surrounding areas.
APSS eyes further growth following office furniture business buyout
Lincolnshire-based APSS Group has acquired furniture supply and installation business TPS Office Furniture Ltd, significantly expanding its furniture offering and expertise.
For over 25 years, APSS, as part of the APSS Group, has been at the forefront of designing and creating dynamic spaces for office, retail, healthcare, educational and industrial environments.
Following the acquisition, TPS Office Furniture Ltd, which will maintain its distinctive identity, will join the group and operate from the APSS Group’s headquarters on Kingsley Road, Lincoln. Founder Ted Sidebottom will stay on as a consultant and Rob Coomber as installations manager to ensure a seamless transition.
Laurence Barrass, APSS Managing Director, expressed his enthusiasm, emphasising that integrating Ted and his team’s knowledge will strengthen APSS Group’s comprehensive range of services.
“This acquisition aligns perfectly with the APSS Group’s growth trajectory. Over the past 25 years we have evolved from providing office partitions to offering a complete design and fit-out service,” explained Laurence.
“With TPS Office Furniture now on board, a dedicated service for standalone furniture will be available to our customers across the East Midlands and throughout the UK.
“The synergy between the two companies will benefit both sets of customers. TPS Office Furniture’s clients now have access to APSS’ team of skilled commercial design and fit-out specialists, enhancing workspace efficiency.
“Simultaneously, APSS customers now have a broader range of furniture options and over 30 years of knowledge, contacts, and experience at their disposal.”
Ted added: “I’ve really enjoyed my time in the furniture industry and I have built up a lot of good relationships and I am excited by this next chapter.”
Join Streets Chartered Accountants’ Autumn Statement webinar
Following Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt’s Autumn Statement today, join Streets Chartered Accountants for a post event webinar tomorrow at 11am.
Colleagues from Streets Tax and Streets’ financial services team will present on the announcements made along with providing an update on topical issues affecting business clients and private individuals during this tax year 2023/24.
Whilst the Autumn Statement will most likely focus on measures to bring down inflation, it is likely to provide some indication as to the treatment of taxation and potential changes that might take place in the Spring Budget 2024.
This presentation will be recorded and available on demand for those not able to join live. Simply register to receive a link to watch on demand.
South Yorkshire names new team for Business Advisory Board
South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority has unveiled the membership of its new Business Advisory Board, which is committed to growing South Yorkshire’s economy and driving business growth in the region.
The Board will be co-chaired by Louisa Harrison-Walker, representing the three South Yorkshire Chambers of Commerce, and Tariq Shah OBE, Director of the Vigo Group – a leading, sustainability-driven, transformational property enterprise. Both are leading South Yorkshire’s business revolution.
Members of the Board are:
- Co-chair: Louisa Harrison-Walker representing the three South Yorkshire Chambers (Barnsley & Rotherham, Doncaster, and Sheffield)
- Co-chair: Tariq Shah, Director, Vigo Group
- Rachel Abbott representing the Cutlers, South Yorkshire International Trade Forum, Manufacturers Forum and Made In Sheffield
- Dawn Huntrod representing MakeUK
- Paula Gouldthorpe representing the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB)
- Angela Foulkes representing the South Yorkshire Skills Advisory Board (SYSAB)
- Liz Blackshaw representing the Northern Trade Union Congress
- Sherry Kothari, Chief Executive, Plasma 4
- Roz Davies, Chief Executive, Green Estate
- David Cross, Chief Executive and Architect, Sky-House
- Richard Gould, Sales Director, Metlase
- Ken Perritt FCILT, Senior Director, GXO Logistics
Hethertons Solicitors joins forces with AJC Law in strategic merger
Hethertons Solicitors has merged with local law firm AJC Law to enhance its services in York and beyond.
The two firms, who will operate under the Hethertons name, believe that the merger will enhance their combined dispute offering, amalgamating the strengths of two teams.
“Our merger with AJC Law will enhance our dispute resolution capabilities, offering our clients an elevated level of service backed by wider expertise and a broader resource pool,” said Tom Henry, a director at Hethertons Solicitors.
“We are thrilled to leverage the strengths of both teams to offer a deeper breadth of service to those navigating complex disputes.”
As part of the merger, Hethertons Solicitors will welcome AJC Law’s founder Anthony Corps as a director of the practice.
A former founding partner at Pryers Solicitors, and head of dispute resolution at Langleys Solicitors in York, he has more than 20 years of extensive experience in his field.
Speaking about the merger, he said: “Our partnership is founded on a shared vision of offering superior legal services rooted in professionalism, dedication, and a keen understanding of our client’s needs.
“We are excited to step into this new chapter, confident in the enhanced value we will bring to our clients through a renewed dispute resolution offering.”
