Student accommodation development tops out in Leeds

Tess Egginton
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Student accommodation development tops out in Leeds

Study Inn, the student accommodation owner, developer, and operator, has celebrated another milestone in its journey to 10,000 rooms with the topping out ceremony of its latest Leeds development.

The event marked a crucial point in the construction of its new 15 storey tower building.

Phase 1 of the development comprised regeneration of an existing landmark building and was opened by the group in September 22, delivering 163 rooms. This new second phase will add a further 222 rooms and is on track for opening as planned in September 2024.

Amenities already opened with the first phase of the development include a wellness spa, yoga studio, gym, entertainment area, and bowling lanes. The link block joining the two buildings will include a large reception area and study rooms with modern breakout spaces.

Simon Liversage, MD of Developments at Study Inn Group, said: “We are delighted to mark this significant milestone in our ongoing drive to redefine student living in the UK. “It is a testament to our dedication to providing a dynamic, conducive environment for academic growth and personal development and we eagerly anticipate the positive impact this facility will bring to the Leeds community.”

College secures £2.5m for two years’ worth of skills training

Stuart Pearcey
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College secures £2.5m for two years’ worth of skills training

Bishop Burton College has secured £2.5 million from the Department for Education to create cutting edge training solutions to transform skills and employability, creating a trained workforce ready to take on the jobs needed to strengthen the region’s competitiveness in rapidly developing sectors.

Bill Meredith, Principal and Chief Executive of lead provider partner, Bishop Burton said “It is clear that the future workforce will need a very different set of skills from those of the past. The two strands of this project ensure that the region’s key industry sectors will be able to recruit employees with the necessary technical skills and knowledge to meet the challenges of the current industrial revolution arising from digitalisation, automation, robotics and AI. “The way in which we teach the new technologies will also be a focus, with exciting developments such as the use of virtual reality to simulate real working environments. A further objective of the project will be to prepare employees to be adaptable, with the ability to re-skill and potentially take on portfolio careers, as business needs change”. The college submitted two applications, endorsed by the Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce as the designated Employer Representative Body for the Hull and East Yorkshire Local Skills Improvement Plan, in partnership with TEC Partnership (East Riding College), Hull College, Wyke 6th Form College, Wilberforce Sixth Form College, HETA, and the Hull & East Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership. Project 1 will focus on Technical Transformation, developing resources and courses aligned to the key industrial sectors identified as needing investment in skills:
  • Agri-Tech
  • Health & Social Care
  • Construction
  • Engineering Construction
  • Manufacturing
Cutting across all of these will be an emphasis on low carbon initiatives. Project 2 will prioritise Digital Transformation to support those training the workforce of a very different employment future:
  • Developing Virtual Reality (VR) and ICT infrastructure to underpin vocational training aligned to LSIP priority sectors
  • Creating VR content
  • Innovation in teaching and learning including AI applications
  • Developing digital qualification modules and progression pathways
  • Creating digital careers guidance and accessibility applications
  • Teacher Training
The funding boost will mean investment in the region into:
  • More high-quality training opportunities to help people kick-start careers
  • Specialist technical qualifications such as apprenticeships and Higher Technical Qualifications
  • A drive to get more people into good jobs closer to home
  • Plugging skills gaps and growing the economy

Sugar beet growers enlist MP help to secure fair price from sole UK buyer

Stuart Pearcey
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Sugar beet growers enlist MP help to secure fair price from sole UK buyer
Hundreds of sugar beet growers have enlisted the support of their MPs with a plea to intervene in a feud over a unilateral contract offered to growers for next year’s crop by British Sugar – the UK’s only purchaser.
UK sugar beet growers have been invited to write to their constituency MP urging that they approach Defra and request immediate intervention in two areas: Within two hours of a call to action urging them to email their MP more than 200 growers had done so, urging that they take action to protect them from vulnerability as a price taker to the only buyer in the market. British Sugar is the sole buyer and processor of sugar beet in the UK. Therefore, UK sugar beet growers do not have the option to sell their sugar beet crop to any other sugar processors. The NFU has long performed a unique role in representing all sugar beet growers in negotiating and agreeing the annual sugar beet contract on their behalf. In view of British Sugar’s monopsony in the UK sugar beet market, the NFU’s role in negotiating is critical to helping to secure a fair deal for growers. Farming Minister Mark Spencer has urged both sides to follow the established process to agree the sugar beet price. The NFU has welcomed this but clarified that this can only occur if British Sugar retracts its current sugar beet contract offer, as it was made to growers outside of the well-established process outlined above. As of this week, the NFU understands that British Sugar has not withdrawn its unilateral offer and is reported as having no plans to do so.

Siemens Mobility breaks ground on Goole Rail Village project

Stuart Pearcey
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Siemens Mobility breaks ground on Goole Rail Village project
Siemens Mobility has announced their latest expansion project at the Goole Rail Village: the development of a new regional materials and logistics warehouse. The new site at Goole, alongside another warehouse at Kettering in the East Midlands, will store materials for Siemens Mobility’s train manufacturing and maintenance locations across the United Kingdom. This latest addition to the Goole Rail Village further expands the sites portfolio of services and allows us to respond to customer needs even more quickly and effectively. Having two dedicated warehouses will reduce travel miles for train parts needed at depots helping to lower the carbon footprint, supporting the company’s goal to decarbonise operations by 2030. Siemens Mobility trains make up almost a quarter of UK passenger trains with maintenance locations from Central Scotland down to the South East of England. Siemens Mobility is partnering with Trebor Developments and long-term Yorkshire based partner GMI Construction to build the 94,841 sq. ft warehouse set to open in the summer of 2024. To mark the beginning of construction, Siemens Mobility hosted their partners alongside local MPs Andrew Percy and David Davis, inviting them to break-ground on the new site on Tom Pudding Way. Sambit Banerjee, for Siemens Mobility said: “This is a further expansion and investment into our Rail Village at Goole. Our partnership with Trebor and GMI Construction continues to embed our commitment to a local supply chain and supporting the economy. “Bringing together our warehouse capabilities in one location serving our depots in the north, and another at Kettering for the south, allows us to focus on ensuring our depots can deliver the best service for the trains maintenance keeping availability and reliability at the forefront of what we do. This is another way we are actively focused on transforming the everyday for our customers and passengers.” The Goole based Materials and Logistics warehouse will join the newly opened 102,500 sq ft warehouse in Kettering, further increasing Siemens Mobility’s significant UK footprint. These new modern facilities will service all Siemens Mobility’s rolling stock maintenance locations across the UK and create more than 40 direct roles including apprenticeship and intern roles.

Doncaster firms put business concerns to MP at Chamber event

Stuart Pearcey
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Doncaster firms put business concerns to MP at Chamber event
Current economic conditions, ongoing recruitment difficulties, improvements to the region’s skills system and plans to rejuvenate Doncaster city centre were all topics of discussion at a recent MPs Roundtable event, organised by the local Chamber of Commerce. At this session, a collection of businesses from the Don Valley constituency — all of differing sizes and from across various sectors — met MP Nick Fletcher to pose questions directly to the backbencher, raise their top concerns, and generally hash out the most pressing matters of the day. There was healthy debate on a number of key issues, as well as about how Doncaster can become an even more business-friendly environment going forward. Themes covered included challenges and barriers employers often face when trying to recruit apprentices; the value that ex-offenders can bring to the workforce; and the importance of Doncaster capitalising on its City Status in the imminent future. Dan Fell, Chief Exec of Doncaster Chamber, said: “We always aim to come out of these roundtables with fresh homework assignments, so that we can strive towards making our city an even better place to do business. “This time around, we spoke a lot about skills and how some of our members are struggling to fill apprentice vacancies in particular. Fortunately, this is something that’s already on our radar and we will soon have a big update about work that is being done in the region to address these concerns. “Elsewhere, we also spoke about the importance of highlighting all of the different places that talent can come from and what more ought to be done to revitalise Doncaster City Centre. Both of these things are obviously of paramount importance to our local economy and we will be campaigning for them in the near future. “With all of that said, I would like to thank all of the businesses that attended the meeting for coming along, sharing their insights, and offering new ideas. Their input helped to make this a truly productive session. I would also like to extend my gratitude to Nick for so generously giving up his time here to engage with our members and for his incredible candour throughout.” Nick Fletcher added: “I am a strong supporter of business. I will always support local businesses. They create jobs and drive our local economy. “Doncaster Chamber do a fantastic job in speaking up for Doncaster businesses. It’s always a pleasure to attend Chamber events and drive Doncaster forward.”

MKM sets up shop at new premises in Boston

Stuart Pearcey
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MKM sets up shop at new premises in Boston
The opening of a new MKM building supply store has further boosted the profile of Boston Trade Park, say letting agents Edisons Following the recent completion of construction and fit out works, the new facility gives MKM more than 15,000 sq ft of warehouse, trade counter and showroom space, as well as a large merchant yard in a prominent position at the front of the trade park. The building suppliers’ presence will, according to the agents, act as a showcase for newly refurbished units at Boston Trade Park when they are marketed later this year. Asset managed by South Street Capital on behalf of private clients, Boston Trade Park is the principal trade counter location in the town. MKM Building Supplies joins existing high profile national occupiers including Screwfix, Howdens, Euro Car Parts, Rexel and Edmundson Electrical. Eddison Director William Wall acted, jointly alongside Lambert Smith Hampton, for South Street Capital in the MKM Building Supplies deal. He believes that MKM’s commitment to the site is a testament to his client’s long term confidence in the location and the significant investment it has made at the park over recent years. Richard Henley, Senior Asset Manager at South Street Capital, said: “We have invested heavily in the park over recent years and securing this long term letting to MKM is just reward for this commitment to the estate. We are encouraged that, along with the park’s more established occupiers, MKM Building Supplies has seen the advantage of locating here for the long term. “We have already commenced our next phase of investment in the estate which will see the full refurbishment, including new roofs, of five units totalling circa 16,500 sq ft.”

All fuel retailers to be forced to come clean on road fuel profits or face large fines

Stuart Pearcey
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All fuel retailers to be forced to come clean on road fuel profits or face large fines
UK motorists will be protected at the pumps under tough new powers designed to shine a light on attempts from retailers to hike up fuel prices unfairly. Under new amendments tabled to the Digital Markets, Competition & Consumers Bill, the CMA will become the body responsible for closely monitoring road fuel prices and reporting any sign of malpractice to the government. The move aims to help improve competition in the market, making sure customers across the country are given a fair choice of prices when they buy fuel. Fuel retailers, including supermarkets, will be forced to come clean on how much they are charging customers on their forecourts versus their profits. Those that fail to comply could face a fixed fine from the watchdog of up to 1% of their worldwide turnover, or an ongoing fine of up to 5% of daily turnover. Energy Security Secretary Claire Coutinho cautioned retailers that she will not hesitate to hold them to account, if there is any evidence of unfairly hiking up prices and holding back savings from UK motorists. The warning follows a report from the CMA earlier this year that revealed some supermarkets had failed to pass on savings in oil prices – charging drivers 6p more per litre for fuel, which amounted to £900 million in extra costs in 2022 alone. It forms the latest step in the government’s drive to halve inflation and reduce costs for families across the country. Claire Coutinho said: “At a time when many were struggling with increased living costs, we saw shocking behaviour from some fuel retailers who failed to pass on savings at the pump. Now we are cracking down on any petrol station bosses found to be unfairly hiking up their prices.

“That’s why we’re giving the CMA new powers to bring fairness back to the forecourts and make sure UK drivers get a competitive fuel price.”

Work is already under way from the CMA to step up their oversight of the fuel market. Last week, the watchdog published their first road fuel monitoring report – which found that there may be some early signs the road fuel market is not working as it should be, but it is too early to confirm. Although many retailers have voluntarily increased transparency of their costs and returns, the CMA also revealed that Shell and Moto-way had failed to meet their information requests, despite calls from the Energy Security Secretary to do so. On top of this, twelve of the biggest retailers, including all four fuel-selling supermarkets, have already signed up to the CMA’s voluntary scheme to share daily price data – allowing news outlets and websites to create price comparison tools for customers to easily compare costs. The government is progressing plans to make this legal requirement for fuel retailers to share daily price information that will help customers to easily shop around for deals. A consultation on the design of government’s open data scheme is due to launch this autumn. Minister for Energy Consumer and Affordability Amanda Solloway said: “Today marks an important step in our commitment to stand by UK drivers as we continue to keep costs down for families. “I’m pleased to see many retailers cooperate with the CMA so far, to share their price information and bring competition back to our petrol stations.

“I now urge comparison sites and others to get onboard to help UK motorists find the best local price for their fuel.”

New hire at Leeds-based architects

Stuart Pearcey
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New hire at Leeds-based architects
Leeds-based Watson Batty Architects has appointed John Nall to its team. He is a highly experienced architect with particular skills in the high-rise sector.  His involvement with several prestige projects, overseeing delivery of around 2,000 Build-to-Rent homes in Leeds over the last four years, brings a significant boost to the Watson Batty residential design proposition. Watson Batty MD Peter White said: “We are very pleased to be able to report sustained growth at Watson Batty with an increasing workload across both Leeds and Loughborough.  This is boosted particularly through the education, leisure, later living and care sectors where there is continued client investment and a commitment to deliver, UK wide. “Our ongoing success is reward for our commitment to investment in new talent over the past few years that has placed us in such a strong position. We are acutely aware of the rapidly changing agenda for the built environment, not least through sustainability and net zero carbon commitments, and this has been our primary, future focused approach for clients.” The company, currently trading ten percent ahead of its £3.3m turnover target just six months into its current financial year, has recently worked on new educational facilities with Tilbury Douglas and ISG, as well as further successes with Algeco via the Modern Methods of Construction framework. The later living and care sector continues to expand through clients Exemplar and Torsion, whilst recent leisure sector successes include new build projects in Goole and Caerphilly which is part funded via the Governments levelling up fund. Employing a team of 35 people, the practice is credited for a number of major public and private sector projects including schools, universities, sport and leisure, distribution facilities, commercial, master planning, residential and care developments and transport hubs. Its team is also involved with the RIBA Student Mentoring Programme at the University of Sheffield, De Montfort University in Leicester, and Loughborough University.

New HR manager for Sheffield solicitors

Tess Egginton
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New HR manager for Sheffield solicitors
Wake Smith Solicitors in Sheffield has appointed a new HR manager to further develop its workplace culture, people policies and industry accreditations.Laura Bathgate, who lives in Rotherham, studied law before moving into HR, gaining chartered membership status MCIPD in 2020 and then working across South Yorkshire at in-house roles in solicitors and manufacturers.Her role will be to undertake all aspects of HR at Wake Smith including managing recruitment and selection processes; facilitating training and development; co-ordinating provision of benefits and continuously reviewing and improving HR practices from talent management to employee satisfaction.Laura said: “I am delighted to join Wake Smith. I am all about people and culture, and this is exactly the right fit for me here. It’s clear Wake Smith has strong values of integrity, loyalty and quality, and a positive culture, created by great people across the firm. “I’m looking forward to supporting Wake Smith’s directors in developing its people strategy and collaborative and supportive environment further, where everyone can feel invested in, and excel.”Ivor Donn, finance director at Wake Smith, said: “We are excited to welcome Laura as our new HR manager. Her extensive experience in human resources and strong people skills make her a valuable addition to our firm.“We have already made great strides to build a positive workplace culture, and we hope Laura will play a crucial role in fostering further employee engagement, creating effective policies, and ensuring compliance with industry standards.“Wake Smith values collaboration, communication, and innovation, and we believe Laura’s expertise will help us achieve our goals.”

CBRE demonstrates ongoing commitment to retail with senior regional hire

Tess Egginton
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CBRE demonstrates ongoing commitment to retail with senior regional hire
Real estate advisor, CBRE, has appointed Stephen Proudley as executive director and head of Northern retail. Stephen will be responsible for spearheading CBRE’s retail offering in the North, using his knowledge, regional expertise and extensive client relationships to further elevate CBRE’s position in the sector. Stephen joins from Savills, where he has been a director in the retail team for over five years. Prior to this, he was head of North West transactional agency at Lambert Smith Hampton following the firm’s acquisition of Tushingham Moore in 2015. Stephen was one of five equity partners at Tushingham Moore, having joined in 1997. Stephen has advised on some of the largest occupier transactions and flagship acquisitions across the shopping centre, out-of-town and high street sectors, with clients including Primark, Next and other major retailers. Stephen’s appointment demonstrates CBRE’s continued commitment to its retail growth strategy, following the firm’s acquisitions of UK asset management and development management firm, Sovereign Centros earlier this month, and independent retail and leisure property consultancy, CWM last year. John Ogden, Managing Director for the North at CBRE, said: “Stephen brings with him a wealth of experience and has become a recognised, trusted advisor to many leading retailers, notably in the North. His appointment adds regional depth and gravitas to our 125-strong retail team at a strategic, senior level, further enhancing our ability to provide best-in-class service to our clients.” Stephen Proudley added: “It’s an exciting time to be working in the retail sector, following years of rapid change brought about by evolving consumer shopping habits and the growing demand for experience-led offerings. Activity levels are high, with occupiers seeing the true value of bricks-and-mortar stores and I’m really looking forward to joining CBRE at a time of significant opportunity.”
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