National Bed Federation calls for funding for mattress recycling

Stuart Pearcey
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National Bed Federation calls for funding for mattress recycling
The National Bed Federation is calling on the Government to support its plans for a nationwide programme to fund a service, enabling everyone to recycle their used mattresses. Around 4.75 million mattresses every year end up in landfill or are incinerated in the UK, – enough to fill Wembley Stadium twice. While some parts of the country are well-equipped with facilities to recycle end-of-life mattresses, either at the local household waste recycling centre or via a household collection service, many are not, with the fragmented system amounting to a postcode lottery, says the Federation’s Jessica Alexander. Last September, the NBF’s fourth report on the rate of mattress recycling in the UK showed that while the number of mattresses being sent for recycling between 2014 and 2022 had more than doubled to 24%, the ‘real’ rate of recycling – the fate of the mattresses or their components and materials after sorting and processing – was lower at an estimated 14%. The NBF has a target of 75% diversion from landfill by 2028. Ms Alexander said: “In the current economic climate, with so many pressures on local government budgets, it is not surprising that mattress recycling provision is so patchy across the UK. However, given the ever-growing concern about global warming and increasing demand from consumers for sustainable options, we believe that the Government should move towards implementing a national mattress recycling service as a priority.”
The NBF, which last year launched an industry-wide ‘Pledge for Our Planet,’ has seen the number of signatories from its bed company members more than double in the last 12 months. These businesses have committed to coming together to take steps that will address global environmental damage at both a company and product-level to reverse these trends. The Pledge includes progressive targets for halving greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and achieving net zero by 2050, in line with Science-Based Targets Initiative. “While many of our members are on a sustainability journey, working to find ways of operating in a more environmentally friendly way and developing products which re-use materials or can be recycled, it is still a real worry that so many mattresses end up in landfill. We have been actively supporting the development of the Register of Approved Mattress Recyclers (RAMR) which is now up and running, with the aim of helping to ensure that the 1.5m mattresses a year which are currently diverted from landfill are recycled in a responsible way. RAMR will help local authorities, public bodies and businesses wishing to dispose of used mattresses to identify responsible, reputable operators with whom they can work,” explains Ms Alexander. “Given their size and mix of component materials, mattresses are difficult to dispose of responsibly, and often the public simply do not know what to do for the best when their mattress reaches the end of its life. In the current landscape, we advise consumers to take the time to find their nearest recycling facility that will strip it down into its parts for reuse, or, alternatively, to organise for a specialist licensed company to come to collect it from their house. Most importantly, beware of people in white vans offering to pick your mattress up for free or at a ‘bargain’ price – these rogue traders may take your old mattress and stuff it into a new cover to re-sell or dump it at the roadside! “Our industry is offering leadership to solve this postcode lottery for those wanting to have their old mattress recycled and not dumped in landfill, we are calling on Government to play its part too with a regulative framework giving industry confidence to invest. “

KCOM in the running for title of UK’s best internet service provider

Stuart Pearcey
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KCOM in the running for title of UK’s best internet service provider
Hull-based broadband provider KCOM will find out in November if it has won the accolade as the UK’s best Best Consumer Internet Service Provider category with 50,000 to 250,000 customers. It’s currently on a shortlist of three, and will discover the result at national industry awards later in the year. KCOM has also scooped a second nomination in the Best Integrated Communications Category for its work raising awareness about its copper to fibre network upgrade. This £17m, two-year, project will see 170,000 customers across Hull and East Yorkshire migrating their landline phones from old legacy copper wires to future-proof fibre. KCOM Retail managing director Neil Bartholomew said: “I’m absolutely delighted we’ve been recognised by the industry for all our hard work making KCOM the region’s leading broadband provider that puts its customers at the heart of everything we do. “We’ve been a finalist for the Best Consumer ISP award for several years now which shows our standard of service and customer care have been consistently impressive thanks to our dedicated teams of locally-based customer champions and engineers. Indeed, a recent Ofcom report showed our customers experienced fewer faults and enjoyed faster repairs than for any other provider. I hope we can now one step further and bring the trophy home to Hull.” ISPA Chair, Steve Leighton, said: “This year’s landmark anniversary of the iconic ISPA awards presents the ideal opportunity to celebrate and showcase the significant endeavour we have seen from organisations across the sector in 2023. “In an economic climate that has seen increased pressure placed on financial investments and consumers, industry has worked tirelessly to get us beyond 50 per cent nationwide FTTP coverage, delivering increased speeds and better services to citizens and businesses across the UK – while also alleviating some of the strains imposed by the cost of living crisis on consumers. I am excited to see who the deserving winners will be.”

Time’s running out for thousands of UK companies, warns insolvency specialist

Stuart Pearcey
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Time’s running out for thousands of UK companies, warns insolvency specialist
Thousands of UK companies are running out of time as the burden of rising interest rates, unmanageable debt, subdued consumer confidence, higher material and labour costs, and wider economic uncertainty combine to put considerable pressure on businesses across the country, according to the latest Red Flag Alert by insolvency specialistBegbies Traynor. This latest data is sourced from a completely new Red Flag dataset that involved deep dive analysis of eight years’ company data by data scientists over the past two years to track key factors behind company distress and failure rates. The report revealed that almost half a million companies were classed as being in “significant” financial distress in the second quarter of 2023. This is an increase of 8.5% on the same period last year, and 3.7% higher than in the preceding three months. Julie Palmer, partner at Begbies Traynor, said: “Higher interest rates are causing real pain across the whole economy. Whether that’s because consumers are cutting back on spending as they face higher mortgage and loan repayments, or businesses seeing the cost of their debt rising, it’s putting extra strain on many companies still suffering from the hangover caused by the pandemic, the impact of conflict in Ukraine, higher energy bills and spiralling inflation. “As the Bank of England tries to battle inflation with almost monthly interest rate rises, companies are having to get used to the fact that the era of ‘cheap money’ is over, with rates now expected to remain at these elevated levels for years to come. “For businesses that loaded up with debt during a benign inflationary environment, that’s a huge extra financial burden in an environment compounded by consumersreining in spending. It’s no wonder that the number of companies facing significant distress has jumped since last year.” Ms Palmer added: “Construction and property have long been bellwethers for the health of the economy and their close links to interest rates and need for debt funding mean they are being hit hard and fast by the current environment, as the numbers show. “Consumers are desperate to avoid mortgage defaults so it’s no surprise we are starting to see them cut back discretionary spend such as meals out and hotels. It’s very likely that this spending will fall further and businesses that depend on consumers splashing out on treats will come under increased pressure as the country adjusts to the new normal of elevated interest rates.” Ric Traynor, executive chairman of Begbies Traynor, commented: “Official data from the Insolvency Service shows a marked increase in the number of companies that have collapsed. “Last week’s quarterly data revealed that 6,342 companies went into insolvency, a rise of 13% on last year and the highest quarter since 2009, highlighting that more and more businesses which have clung on until now can no longer withstand the pressure that the current economic climate is piling on them. “Many of these will have been the so-called ‘zombie’ companies, which were marginally profitable in the era of low interest rates. Unfortunately, high inflation will make many of these businesses financially unviable and the reality is that many of them are likely to fail over the next year. “Although we are likely nearing the peak of interest rate rises, many companies have never experienced such elevated rates, for instance in the last 10 years alone more than 1.5m companies have been added to the Companies House register. The outlook looks particularly challenging for sectors which are especially exposed to these macro-economic headwinds, such as construction, property and leisure as is clear in our latest research.” Top 10 Sector Ranking – Significant Financial Distress (Number of Companies in Significant Financial Distress) 1. Support Services (67,792) 2. Construction (61,423) 3. Real Estate & Property (56,872) 4. Professional Services (35,298) 5. General Retailers (29,675) 6. Telecoms & IT (28,877) 7. Health & Education (25,849) 8. Media (16,676) 9. Manufacturing (12,824) 10. Financial Services (12,739)

Government decides to end sponsorship and funding for LEPs

Stuart Pearcey
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Government decides to end sponsorship and funding for LEPs
Government’s sponsorship and funding of LEPs will come to an end in April next year, when support will switch to local authorities to take on the functions they currently deliver. Where not already delivered by a combined authority, or in areas where a devolution deal is not yet agreed, the Government expects these functions to be exercised by upper tier local authorities, working in collaboration with other upper tier local authorities over functional economic areas as appropriate. Alongside this decision, we have published technical guidance for LEPs and local authorities to support them through this policy change.
Dehenna Davison, pictured, Minister for Levelling Up, Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities, said: “An information-gathering exercise identified overlap between some of the functions being discharged by LEPs, local authorities and combined authorities, as well as confirming that there is already a high level of integration of LEP functions in Mayoral Combined Authority areas. The exercise also highlighted the different perceived levels of benefit and engagement between LEPs and local authorities. “The Government’s view is that there is likely to be scope for greater join-up, efficiencies, and clarity for the private sector by these functions being discharged within Mayoral Combined Authorities, devolution deal areas and upper tier local authorities, working together as appropriate.”
The Government will therefore provide some revenue funding to local and combined authorities in 2024/25 to support them in delivering the functions currently delivered by LEPs. She added: “Reiterating the message we sent to LEPs in March, we would like to thank LEPs and their staff for their hard work in supporting and driving local economic growth across England since 2011. We remain enormously appreciative of all the work LEPs have done in advising and supporting businesses and local decision makers for more than a decade, including through EU Exit and the COVID-19 pandemic. We would again like to thank those LEPs that have played an important role over the last year in helping areas broker new devolution deals and prepare Investment Zone bids.”

Expansion to see 130 jobs created at sweet treats chain

Tess Egginton
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Expansion to see 130 jobs created at sweet treats chain
A retailer which sells artisan bakery products from Yorkshire through its outlets nationwide has secured a £250,000 loan from NPIF – Mercia Debt Finance, which is managed by Mercia and is part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund. Despite being launched just two years ago, Batch’d already has 24 sites throughout the UK. The funding will support its plans to add more locations, treble its turnover and create 130 new jobs in the next three years. Batch’d sells high-quality sweet treats such as brownies and cookies from independent Yorkshire bakers. The Leeds-based company was founded by David Richmond who previously ran the taxi firm Arrow Cars. When demand for taxis dwindled during the pandemic, he started offering food deliveries, initially trading as Arrow Fresh. The company soon began to specialise in bakery products and opened its first shop in the White Rose Centre in Leeds. It now has stores or kiosks in locations including York, Hull, Bradford, Sheffield, Manchester, Preston, Nottingham, Leicester, Birmingham and – the latest – Wolverhampton. Batch’d currently has 120 direct employees, in addition to supporting jobs in independent bakeries, and has a turnover of £6.5m. It plans to increase that to over £20m by 2026 and raise staff numbers to 250. The funding will enable it to install new kiosks, recruit staff to operate them and enhance its ecommerce site, to expand online sales. David Richmond, CEO, said: “Our strength lies in our suppliers. We handpick the best small-scale bakeries and sell their products across Batch’d locations. We are enormously proud of our range and want everyone to feel included which is why we take our vegan range seriously. This funding will help us to continue our growth and bring Batch’d products to an even wider audience.” Gary Whitaker of Mercia added: “Batch’d is a great post-Covid success story. David’s transition from running a taxi company to deliveries and then developing a fast-growing artisan bakery chain is truly remarkable. Batch’d is a hugely successful operation that offers high-quality products and supports independent bakers. We are delighted to support its future growth and help it create many more new jobs.”

Wilkin Chapman creates new Directorship role and appoints Jody to it

Stuart Pearcey
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Wilkin Chapman creates new Directorship role and appoints Jody to it
Law firm Wilkin Chapman has hired Jody Evans to be the Director leading  its risk and governance team. The Directorship is a new role for the firm, ensuring that risk, compliance and governance are represented at a strategic level within the business. Jody said:“My job is to help the firm remain compliant, creating governance structures to embed risk awareness across all roles and areas. It’s effectively a dual role – supporting the business in making sure that effective processes exist and are followed, and making sure clients receive the best service possible and are protected in their instructions with us. “In the rare instances where things go wrong, my team and I will manage those incidents to ensure a good outcome, review how the issue has happened, and take steps to help reduce the risk of future recurrence. “I’ll be helping to create and implement a strategy to ensure the firm, its people and its clients are protected as much as possible.” As well as ensuring the firm is compliant, Jody’s role also sees her taking a lead in driving Wilkin Chapman’s environmental, social, and governance activities. “Wilkin Chapman already does a lot of fantastic things, particularly in the local community as well as implementing operational changes to ensure we’re more environmentally aware and sustainable. However, previously there hasn’t been a role, or strategy, to spearhead and coordinate those efforts. “My role looks to change that by bringing all of that activity in line with the firm’s strategy, and ensuring we are measuring, monitoring and reporting those activities. It’s a chance to reset, further embed ESG into our culture, and bring all the great work that’s already happening together in a more coordinated way. “Applying for the role at Wilkin Chapman was a little bit of a wildcard for me in terms of location as I’m based in North Birmingham – however the forward thinking approach of the firm meant this geographical hurdle was not an issue and so I’ll be working remotely and travelling around the firm’s offices. “There was more than enough in the job description and in the discussions with the HR team and senior management team to really pique my interest. The passion and drive to ‘be better’ with risk, compliance, and governance being at the heart of this change really came through. “The firm is at a great junction. It has placed significant investment in its people, infrastructure and offices – such as the new Wolds office in Louth – to ensure client service is delivered at the best possible level and that our people can continue to thrive in the best working environment. “The firm’s presence within the local area is also fantastic – people know and really trust the brand. Now that all of these investments have been made the opportunity is to build on this excellent foundation to make things even better. “The other thing that struck me was that everyone I met as part of my recruitment process was so passionate, energetic, engaged, and genuinely wanting to make things even better. From a risk and compliance perspective, that is absolute gold dust! The worst case scenario for me is to join a team who think that everything is already perfect and are reluctant to explore opportunities and adapt to change. That is not Wilkin Chapman at all. This firm recognises that it needs to constantly strive to improve, even when already delivering outstanding service. “It’s a brilliant firm that I’m really happy to be a part of and I’m looking forward to the future.”

New tenants for industrial business park in Hull

Tess Egginton
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New tenants for industrial business park in Hull
A new industrial business park in Hull is set for success with commercial trade units earmarked for tenants following the completion of the development – and the first two occupiers set to move in. Careco Limited has taken two adjacent units totalling 6,000 sq ft and Lincs Electrical Wholesalers Limited has agreed to have a 4,350 sq ft unit. The tenants have agreed 10 and five year leases respectively. Developed by The Derwent Group on behalf of the Albert Gubay Charitable Trust, Anlaby Trade Park in Springfield Way provides 49,000 sq ft of new industrial space in the city. In total 16 new units have been created in sizes from 1,500 sq ft to 3,550 sq ft. The new site sits on land adjacent to Anlaby Retail Park – also part of the The Derwent Group – which is an established destination with businesses including M&S, Costa, Pets at Home, Next, Asda Living, Iceland and a JD Gym on site. Andy McCormack, senior asset manager at the Derwent Group, said: “We were confident in our decision to develop this speculative scheme having recognised a lack of supply of high quality industrial and trade counter units in the area. Whilst we have already secured the first two tenants at the Park, we have also had a number of serious enquiries from other potential occupiers – both locally and nationally.” Chris Hyam, senior surveyor at Garness Jones, says there has been ‘high levels’ of interest in the development, attracting enquiries from a range of national and local operators. “We’ve seen excellent levels of interest in this development ever since we commenced marketing. The high quality specification of the units, mixed with the excellent West Hull location and close proximity to the Anlaby Retail Park, has proven popular with potential occupiers,” he said. “As new build units they are more energy efficient than older stock, which in the current climate is a consideration for occupiers. These units have returned ‘A’ rated energy performance certificates. “The high levels of interest are a reflection of the need for high-quality, adaptable industrial space in the local market, which has not seen speculative new development of this high quality for a number of years.”

Grimsby retail park acquired

Tess Egginton
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Grimsby retail park acquired
Commercial property and investment company LCP, part of M Core, has taken ownership of the largest retail warehouse scheme in Grimsby. It has acquired Alexandra Retail Park, Alexandra Road, for an undisclosed sum from an institutional vendor, as part of its proactive acquisition drive in shopping parades, centres and retail parks across the country. The 125,695 sq ft retail park comprises eight units, with tenants Matalan, SCS, The Food Warehouse, My Energi Ltd, Argos, Pets at Home and Poundstretcher. There are also about 560 parking spaces for shoppers. It is prominently situated, adjacent to a Sainsburys superstore and petrol station, with access directly off Corporation Road, which is one of the key routes through the centre of the town. It is also close to the A180, the main arterial route and dual carriageway through the town. James Buchanan, LCP group Managing Director, said: “Our asset management team is working hard to identify sites that have potential for us to add value to, provide good value for money for tenants, a great shopping experience for local people and a good return on our investment. “M Core has already invested more than £100 million in the first half of 2023 across the UK. We continue to believe this is a strong and positive market to be in and because we have healthy cash reserves, we can move swiftly when we want to complete a transaction. “This approach has stood us in good stead for years, which is why we are renowned in the commercial property sector for our acquisition and intense asset management strategy.” Barry Flint, LCP director and asset manager at Alexandra Retail Park, added: “Alexandra Retail Park is well positioned in the town and has a strong tenant line-up. We’ll be exploring options over the next few weeks to see how we can add to it further.” The solicitor acting on behalf of LCP was Catherine Gunz of Osborne Clarke and ESH acted as the agent for LCP. Savills acted as an agent for the vendor, and its solicitor was Gowling WLG (UK) LLP. Appointed agents are Henry Phipps of Edgerley Simpson Howe and Duncan Wiley of PPH Commercial.

Significant office deal sealed in Leeds

Tess Egginton
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Significant office deal sealed in Leeds
Property consultancy Knight Frank has brokered one of the most significant office deals in Leeds this year. The Leeds office agency team of Knight Frank, led by partner Eamon Fox, has let 15,500 sq ft of Grade A office space at 26 Whitehall Road. Engineering, management and development consultancy Mott MacDonald has taken a 10-year-lease on the fifth floor of the building, which is owned by Credit Suisse Asset Management. Eamon Fox, who advised Credit Suisse Asset Management, said: “This is a very significant deal, underlining the fact that 26 Whitehall Road is one of the finest office buildings in the city. “It already boasts some high-profile occupiers, including Yorkshire Post Newspapers, global consumer finance business International Personal Finance (IPF), energy company Engie (formerly GDF Suez) and Sky. “These occupiers underpin the quality of 26 Whitehall Road and its excellent location. It has an enviable combination of low running costs, high-tech features, quality design and superb office space. It is also one of the most energy efficient buildings in Leeds and has recently been refurbished. “This deal, one of the largest of the last three months, also emphasises the strength of the Leeds office market, which has proved remarkably resilient in the face of the challenging economic climate.” Lisa Littlefair, Leeds City Lead for Mott MacDonald, said: “Following the continued growth of our business as we deliver work across West Yorkshire and nationally, we’re pleased to be expanding our base in Leeds city centre. “Being in the business district of the city, between Temple Quarter and Wellington Place, our new office will continue to benefit our staff with excellent local facilities and good travel connections, whilst also offering a contemporary space that fosters a spirit of collaboration and creativity.”

Businesses given chance to support Scarborough and take naming rights to its stadium

Tess Egginton
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0
Businesses given chance to support Scarborough and take naming rights to its stadium
Organisations that want to support grassroots sport are being given the chance to secure the naming rights to the home of Scarborough Athletic Football Club. North Yorkshire Council are asking for bids from organisations that are interested in the naming rights to the community stadium in the coastal town. The stadium opened in 2017 and represented a return to the town for the fan-owned club, after the former Scarborough Football Club folded in 2007. Since opening, the stadium, at Scarborough Sports Village, has increased its capacity to more than 3,250 thanks to the on-field success of the team, which now plays in the National League North following two promotions in the last five seasons. The stadium naming rights would give the selected organisation the chance to become a part in the club’s and the town’s continuing success story, as well as exploit new marketing opportunities and help to support the area’s football and sporting community. Executive member for culture, leisure and housing, Cllr Simon Myers, said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for an organisation to become part of the fabric of Scarborough and attach themselves to a team on the rise. “The football club is at the heart of the community and provides access to sport for children of all ages. This is the chance to help the club to continue to grow.” Scarborough is managed by ex-Manchester United, Middlesbrough and West Bromwich Albion footballer Jonathan Greening, who was born in the town. The stadium is also the base of Scarborough Ladies Football Club and is widely used by the local community for football. As well as its men’s first and reserve team, Scarborough Athletic also delivers inclusive and walking football offerings, through to academy teams starting at under-sevens. It has recently added female teams at various age groups who participate in the Scarborough and District Minor League.
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