Loan of £90,000 was just what the doctor ordered for North Yorkshire vet practice

Stuart Pearcey
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Loan of £90,000 was just what the doctor ordered for North Yorkshire vet practice

North Yorkshire-based Claro Hill Vets has secured a £90,000 loan to help navigate past cashflow issues during development of a state-of-the-art, purpose-built facility.

The money came from Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II – managed by Business Enterprise Fund.

Founded by experienced veterinary surgeon Laura Keyser in January this year, Claro Hill Vets services clients in Harrogate, Wetherby, North Leeds, and surrounding areas, operating from a state-of-the-art, purpose-built facility. The practice is equipped with three consulting rooms, two sterile operating theatres, a dental suite, digital x-ray, an in-house Idexx laboratory, and a cutting-edge CT scanner. Separate wards for cats and dogs ensure optimal patient care.

When unforeseen circumstances led to cost overruns during the facility’s development, the practice faced potential cashflow challenges. To navigate this, Laura turned to BEF for support, securing an NPIF II – BEF Smaller Loan alongside a £25,000 Start Up Loan provided by BEF in June 2024.

Laura said: “We’re incredibly grateful for the support we’ve received from BEF and the NPIF II fund. This funding has been instrumental in allowing us to overcome early financial challenges and focus on delivering the high level of care we’re passionate about. With our state-of-the-art facility, we’re excited to expand our services and grow our team, all while continuing to serve the communities of Harrogate and beyond. Our goal is to not only meet the rising demand for small animal care but to set new standards in veterinary services.”

The funding not only provided crucial working capital but also enabled the creation of four new jobs while protecting seven existing ones.

Claro Hill Vets is one of the first businesses in North Yorkshire to benefit from a NPIF II Smaller Loan since the launch of the £660 million fund in March 2024.

The £660m Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIFII) covers the entire North of England and provides loans from £25k to £2m and equity investment up to £5m to help a range of small and medium sized businesses to start up, scale up or stay ahead.

Mark Iley, Senior Investment Manager at BEF said: “Laura and her team have created a truly impressive facility with cutting-edge technology and a commitment to high-quality care. By providing this funding, we’re not only helping them stabilise their operations but also enabling future growth and job creation in the local community. We’re excited for this round of funding to play a role in aiding her vet practice to reach its ambitious growth targets.”

The purpose of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II is to drive sustainable economic growth by supporting innovation and creating local opportunity for new and growing businesses across the North of England. The Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II will increase the supply and diversity of early-stage finance for the North’s smaller businesses, providing funds to firms that might otherwise not receive investment and help to break down barriers in access to finance.

Former soccer referee named as next Chancellor of Sheffield Hallam

Stuart Pearcey
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Former soccer referee named as next Chancellor of Sheffield Hallam
Uriah Rennie, the first black referee to oversee Premier League football games, is set to be installed as Chancellor of Sheffield Hallam University next year. Uriah, best known as Uri, grew up “on the Wybourn”, a working-class neighbourhood in the east end of Sheffield. He became an international FIFA and FA football referee and officiated more than 300 games during his career. He already has strong connections to Sheffield Hallam. During his refereeing career Uri successfully studied for an MBA at the University. Last year, the University awarded him with an Honorary Doctorate in recognition of his distinguished contributions to sport and his work with resilient communities across South Yorkshire He will be installed as Chancellor early next year. He said: “I’m excited to be rejoining Sheffield Hallam University to become the next Chancellor. As a proud Sheffielder, I have seen first-hand the immense benefits that the University brings to communities across the region. “I want to pay tribute to those who have gone before me in this role, who have enabled the University to become such an integral part of the local, national and international educational community. “I’m looking forward to working with students, the wider university community and the Vice-Chancellor to make a real difference, particularly on the issues that I’m passionate about, including providing all communities with the opportunity to transform their lives through education.”

City Council promises to get tough with property owners over derelict buildings

Stuart Pearcey
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City Council promises to get tough with property owners over derelict buildings
Hull City Council is warning property owners in the city that it is prepared to take tough action against them, including convictions and fines, if buildings are allowed to fall into poor condition. This was demonstrated by a Section 215 notice issued by the council to a freeholder, which it’s believed will act as a deterrent to other building owners to ensure their properties are well-maintained. The notice was served to the owners of the ‘Westobys’ building – London-based Arthur Westoby & Co. Limited – at 124 Boulevard. The property was vacated less than four years ago but has been left to deteriorate and it is now considered to have a detrimental effect on the building’s character, local amenity and conservation area as a whole. The building has vegetation growth and rotting fabric, and is now impacting an adjoining residential building through damp. The council’s planning enforcement department served the notice on the freeholder on 25 October and it has now taken full effect since the 14-day appeal period has surpassed without action. The freeholder was aware of the department’s investigation and has taken no action as requested. The council has requested the removal of all the vegetation from the façade and gutters, removal of waste materials and general rubbish and necessary and appropriate repairs to windows, gutters, fascia detail, dental blocks and paintwork. The freeholder has two months, from 8 November, to comply with the notice. Should the steps required by the notice not be undertaken the council will not hesitate to take further action, which could result in a conviction and fine for the property owner.

Yorkshire law firm Gordons’ growth continues with net profit up 14 per cent to £12.1m

Michael Fisher
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Yorkshire law firm Gordons’ growth continues with net profit up 14 per cent to £12.1m
Law firm Gordons has grown its net profit by 14 per cent to £12.1m for the year ended 31 March 2024 whilst increasing its annual revenues six per cent to £22.3m during the same period As a result, all staff received a payment equivalent to five per cent of their annual salary. The firm has also reported a strong start to the first half of this latest financial year with turnover up 12 per cent year-on-year. Gordons’ revenue growth for the year ended 31 March 2024 was achieved via increased instructions from existing clients and new client acquisition, including Zoopla parent company Houseful. In particular, the firm’s corporate and commercial team grew its annual turnover by 20 per cent, whilst the employment practice saw its revenues rise 14 per cent. Gordons’ clients include retailers AO, Iceland Foods, Morrisons, Ocado Retail and Wren Kitchens as well as drinks company Molson Coors and parcel delivery business Evri. The firm also promoted two new partners during the period which saw litigation lawyer and head of wellness and inclusion, Catherine Woodward, and head of regulatory, Simon Tingle, join Gordons’ leadership team. Causes supported over the year included Bowel Cancer UK, in memory of partner Bryony Goldspink, child bereavement charity Elliot’s Footprint and underprivileged children’s charity Bradford Cinderella Club. Gordons managing partner, Victoria Davey, commented: “Our continued success is based on building trusted and enduring client relationships underpinned by strong financial management. “These results demonstrate the effectiveness of our distinct ability to think and act entrepreneurially on behalf of our clients. This approach sets Gordons apart.”

More than 400 attend LEP Conference to talk AI and innovation

Stuart Pearcey
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More than 400 attend LEP Conference to talk AI and innovation

More than 400 attended this year’s LEP Conference where AI and innovation were on the agenda.

An inspiring keynote by rebel technologist Brett StClair set the tone for the event, which took place at the EPIC Centre on the Lincolnshire Showground. A Demonstration Arena, showcasing the latest technology and innovation from Greater Lincolnshire businesses and academics, was a popular attraction with delegates, and two In Conversation discussions on innovation provided much food for thought. The three past and present Chairs of the LEP – Professor Neal Juster, Pat Doody and Ursula Lidbetter – shared their reflections on the achievements of the LEP and looked forward to the future. And James Pinchbeck, Chief Marketing Officer at Streets and Chair of the Greater Lincolnshire Innovation Commission, launched the Greater Lincolnshire LEP’s Innovation Routemap. Developed by the LEP and the University of Lincoln, the routemap sets out a new approach to accelerating innovation-led growth across Greater Lincolnshire. “The LEP Conference is a chance for us to bring our supporters together, share ideas and see how technology is shaping the future of our economy,” said Professor Neal Juster, Chair of the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership. “One of the great things about the LEP is the collaboration that goes on between businesses. The conference is a great networking opportunity because you never know where your new business friends, supporters and collaborators are going to be. “Today our theme is innovation for growth, and it’s clear that if businesses are going to survive in a competitive market they need to either do new things or do what they’re currently doing differently. Today is an opportunity to see how other companies are doing things and share knowledge and experiences. “The feedback from our annual conference has always been extremely positive, and every year we’ve always had more people coming along. What they get out of it is an understanding of how others are operating in Lincolnshire, the challenges they have, the opportunities they’re grasping and how best they can capitalise on new technologies.” Laura Capindale from Hit Your Target was visiting a LEP conference for the first time. She said: “There’s been an amazing atmosphere, so many people here and lots of networking,” she said. “It’s been great to hear about some of the innovation that’s happening. “I’m particularly interested in the culture side and it’s been interesting to find out about some of the challenges in Lincolnshire around recruitment and retention and building a growth mindset within businesses.”

York Central names Development Director for expanded team

Stuart Pearcey
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York Central names Development Director for expanded team

Karen Stafeckis has been appointed as Development Director of York Central as part of an expanded team under Tom Gilman, MD of McLaren Regeneration, and will collaborate closely with Allan Cook, founder of Arlington Real Estate, the debvelopment’s strategic partner.

She said: “York Central is one the UK’s most exciting regeneration projects, with huge opportunity and potential. I’m really looking forward to working with Tom and the team, our partners, stakeholders and local people to deliver our vision for a highly sustainable place, full of life, vitality and community.

“A key focus for me is to embed and deliver upon the generational environmental and social sustainability commitments and opportunities that this development presents.”

Stafeckis will have a strategic role within the York Central team, which includes Jack Widdup, a current Development Director at McLaren Living, who will focus on York Central, and Joseph Young, a recent graduate joining as a Development Surveyor.

Tom Gilman said: “We are assembling a strong team of experienced professionals, with expertise and insights gained from major regional regeneration projects and broad sector knowledge. I welcome Karen, Jack and Joseph to the team and very much look forward to working together to deliver an outstanding new quarter for the city of York.”

York Central will deliver 2,500 new homes (20% of which will be affordable) and create up to one million sq ft of office, retail and hospitality space, along with improvements to the York Railway Station and an enhanced National Railway Museum.

Next to York railway station and covering 45 hectares, York Central has the potential to generate up to 6,500 jobs and will help to grow York’s future economy by 20%, by adding £1.1bn GVA to the city.

ITM signs contract to supply hydrogen production technology for German firm

Stuart Pearcey
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ITM signs contract to supply hydrogen production technology for German firm
Sheffield-based ITM Power has signed its first contract to sell one of its Neptune V units to Guttroff, a private German company that provides solutions for technical and medical gases, welding supplies, and engineering.
Neptune V as a containerised unit capable of producing industrial hydrogen, and was launched in May this year.
In July, Guttroff received €5m of funding from Bavaria’s Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy as part of a subsidy scheme to start the domestic production of green hydrogen in the area. The electrolyser will provide green hydrogen to a planned refuelling station.
ITM CEO Dennis Schulz said: “We are delighted to have been chosen by Guttroff, a renowned gases company, to provide our best-in-class technology for their first green hydrogen project. Since its launch just a few months ago, NEPTUNE V has been very well received by customers, and we are excited about the level of interest”.
 

Trans-Pennine transport links are promised upgrades

Stuart Pearcey
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Trans-Pennine transport links are promised upgrades
Transport crossing the Pennines from York, Leeds, and Huddersfield to Manchester could be improved by two multi-billion-pound rail and road schemes. The budget secured funding to deliver electrification of rail links and an upgrading of the A57 between Sheffield and Manchester, both of which are said to boost critical connectivity between some of the country’s biggest economic centres. The main line between Manchester and York, via Leeds and Huddersfield, will be an electrified railway with more frequent, faster and greener journeys, and there are expected to be more trains, but journey time will reduced by no more than ten minutes. The A57 scheme will see the creation of two new link roads and will be integral to growing the region’s economy, making jobs more accessible but also accelerating the delivery of goods. Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: “Investment in our transport infrastructure is vital to delivering our growth mission. Without improvements to our roads and rail we won’t be able to create jobs and boost business, which is why I prioritised projects like the Transpennine Route Upgrade and the long awaited A57 upgrade in the Budget last week.

“Securing the delivery of these two important schemes brings our key northern economic centres closer together. This government is ending 14 years of neglect of the north, instead bolstering the region’s immense growth power to benefit the whole country.”

Alongside guaranteeing the start of works on the A57, last week’s budget saw further funding committed to transform local road networks; providing a £500 million cash increase for local highways maintenance to support everyday journeys and to help local authorities fix up to an additional a million potholes every year.
 

Tech Institute enrolments create pipeline of talent for regional businesses, says Director

Stuart Pearcey
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Tech Institute enrolments create pipeline of talent for regional businesses, says Director
The Yorkshire & Humber Institute of Technology has welcomed over 400 new students to its STEM programmes since the start of September, creating a pipeline of talent for businesses in the region. That’s the view of Mark Gibson, Director of the Yorkshire & Humber Institute of Technology, who said: “Many businesses in the region face challenges when it comes to upskilling their workforce and accessing a pipeline of industry ready talent. By welcoming these new students to our courses, which are tailored to local business needs, we’re ensuring that the future workforce will have the skills that these businesses need to succeed. “STEM plays a critical role in today’s world and almost every industry is connected to it in some way, so welcoming fresh talent to our courses every year is so important as we work to drive innovation and economic growth in the Yorkshire and Humber region.” The new students, who will learn technical skills in a variety of subjects including engineering, equine science, precision livestock and computing. The Institute of Technology provision gives students access to cutting-edge learning environments and state-of-the-art facilities, recreating real-life working environments to prepare them for the world of work. After completing their courses, students will be equipped with qualifications including Bachelors of Science with Honours, Foundation Degrees in Science and Higher National Certificates (HNCs). The Yorkshire & Humber Institute of Technology is a partnership of local employers and education providers including York College & University Centre, Selby College, Askham Bryan College, Bishop Burton College, Craven College, East Riding College, Scarborough TEC, the University of Hull and York St John University. The partnership aims to support learning in STEM by working collaboratively with learners, education providers and employers in the region. It creates opportunities for students and employers, as well as supporting regional economic growth.

Aviation sector work boosts consultancy’s turnover by 15%

Stuart Pearcey
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Aviation sector work boosts consultancy’s turnover by 15%
The lead consultancy role it took in the £100m extension for Leeds Bradford Airport has helped Leeds-based engineering consultancy Dudleys to a 15% increase in turnover for the 2023/24 year. The project is just one of further new contracts in the aviation sector, including London Luton Airport and Heathrow Airport. Dudleys, which is celebrating 15 years in business has enjoyed several highlights in the last 12 months, including a property industry award for ‘Best Consultancy’, five new recruits at its Leeds headquarters, and new offices in Manchester city centre for its North-West base. Dudleys MD Andy Walker said: “Strong trading over the last financial year is boosted by our work for Leeds/Bradford Airport, for which we have been retained as lead consultancy for all our 15-year history. “We are immensely proud of our ability to maintain close working relationships with clients for the long term with intimate knowledge of the estates for clients including Leeds United and Betty’s and Taylors of Harrogate. “Diversification and multi-sector work has also helped us to maintain business resilience and we are pleased to have expanded our care sector portfolio and repeat instructions from leading operators including Torsion Group, Voyage Care and LNT Care Developments. We have also seen a significant increase in business for large scale housing developments and the energy sector, particularly for EV charging sites. “With a robust growth plan and succession planning in place we are very optimistic about future business development and regional growth.”
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