Keepmoat subsidiary starts housing projects in Manchester
Keepmoat subsidiary MCI Developments has started on site at three developments in Greater Manchester and Lancashire, which will deliver 84 affordable homes across the region.
When complete the homes in Oswaldtwistle, Leigh, and Tyldesley will be made available through housing associations Places for People, Your Housing Group and Torus, representing a multi-million pound investment into the regeneration of the North West.
In Oswaldtwistle the developer is regenerating abandoned and derelict land, formerly home to Ryddings Mill. The site will be transformed into a 37-home development available for affordable rent in partnership with Places for People. MCI Developments will create 27 semi-detached and mews properties, consisting of two and three-bedroom homes, and 10 semi-detached town houses.
The developer has also started work with Torus on a site in Shakerley Road, Tyldesley, unlocking another important piece of land in the North West. MCI Developments will transform the 2.4 acre site into 37 affordable homes which will be managed by Torus.
In Leigh, 10 additional homes will be delivered on MCI Developments’s joint venture at Waterside Point with Your Housing Group. The additional plots make use of derelict brownfield land with the site formerly home to a closed nightclub and gym. The scheme will deliver a mix of one bedroom flats, two- and three bedroom homes.
Craig Murphy, Regional MD at MCI Developments, said: “Across these sites we are making a significant investment into creating fantastic communities, improving biodiversity and upgrading frequently used public footpaths. We’re proud to stand alongside our partners to mark the beginning of our delivery of new developments.”
Target date set for bus station reopening
A target date of January 5 has been set for the reopening of Bradford Interchange bus station.
The West Yorkshire Combined Authority is working to bring the facility back into operation ahead of a final decision on reopening, which will be made by members next week.
Rail passengers will be able to use the lower concourse of the Interchange after the morning commute on October 28th (from midday) as part of a phased reopening of the wider structure.
Combined Authority officers took a decision to close the Interchange on safety grounds after some concrete fell in the basement.
Following initial findings from structural surveys, the Combined Authority has been reassured that the bus Interchange could safely reopen with mitigation measures in place.
These findings have been backed by an independent expert.
Preparations for reactivating the bus station are already underway, including health and safety checks, staff training, deep cleaning and relocating the travel centre back to the bus station.
Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin said: “I’m glad to see progress being made on our plan to safely reopen the bus station as soon as we can.
“In the meantime, access to and from the rail station will be made easier before the end of the month.”
Due to the need to complete carriageway waterproofing works which were underway before the Interchange closed, six bus stands out of a total 29 will stay out of action until at least April 2025, meaning some services will remain on-street until that time.
Which services will return is not yet confirmed.
Real time information will also be unavailable until at least February whilst new bus timetables are being developed for services moving back to the Interchange.
Extra staff will be deployed at the bus station, and printed information will be available at bus stops to keep passengers informed.
The lifts, escalator and toilets will all be in operation when the lower concourse reopens on October 28th.
At the same time, the rail station access ramp will close to allow for resurfacing and the installation of new lighting and artwork. Work to transform the former taxi rank into a new public plaza area is ongoing.
Sheffield looks to welcome more major events with development of new strategy
Sheffield could play host to more major events if plans are approved to develop a new city-wide events strategy.
Sheffield already has a reputation as a city of major events, festivals and conferences. The city has played host the Women’s Euros 2022 and the Rugby League World Cup, the 2024 MOBO Awards, and most recently, the third leg of the Tour of Britain. Sheffield was also shortlisted to host the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest in solidarity with Ukraine.
Alongside successfully bidding for some of the most high-profile and internationally significant events, Sheffield has its own home-grown festivals, from DocFest, which has been in the city for over 30 years, to Tramlines, one of the UK’s longest running, city-based music festivals. Sheffield is also home of Off the Shelf and No Bounds, which was recently described by the Guardian as ‘dizzingly daring’ and ‘impressive’.
Earlier this year, a brand-new podcast festival, Crossed Wires, was also launched in the city, attracting talent from across the UK and beyond, to Sheffield.
The city also has a strong track-record for bidding for and hosting a range of world-leading conferences, including the International Coeliac Disease Symposium and the British Association of Paediatric Surgeons.
Esther Britten, Deputy Director and Head of Events at UK Sport, said: “Sheffield has been a supportive partner and host to UK Sport funded major events over the last decade.
“Their commitment to not only staging the very best events but maximising their impact on the local community has enhanced the city’s reputation through the UK as a recognised host of the very best major international sporting events, we see them as a key host city looking into the future.”
A new proposal from Sheffield City Council to develop a city-wide major events strategy would seek to take things a step further – attracting more events to the city, better events and by creating a framework to ensure events hosted have a lasting, positive impact on local people, local businesses, communities and the Sheffield economy.
If given the go ahead, a new major events plan will be developed, aiming to provide a clearer ambition for events in the city and an action plan to transform Sheffield into a recognised destination for home-grown, curated, commissioned, and nomadic events.
Councillor Martin Smith, Chair of the Economic Development and Skills Committee at Sheffield City Council, said: “Events are big business, not just in Sheffield, but across the UK.
“Not only is the economic impact of events significant for the city, but events help us build our reputation and allow others to see and experience Sheffield on a different scale. Events bring people together, they celebrate our diversity and all of our local communities, helping to make Sheffield the vibrant place it is to live in and visit.
“Hosting more events, and more diverse events will help us attract more visitors to the city, generate more income, they will bring investment and help us to grow our economy.”
The idea behind the proposed plan is to create an approach that helps decision-makers identify the very best and most beneficial events for Sheffield and its people.
The plan would focus on ensuring events being held in the city are of a real benefit, with things like economic impact, community benefits and ensuring inclusivity and diversity always considered when bidding for and putting on events.
It will look to identify opportunities across sport, business and culture and find events that Sheffield is not only a good fit for, but that are also a good fit for Sheffield and the city’s ambitions.
Councillors will be asked to approve proposals to begin development of the Major Events Plan for Sheffield at an Economic Development and Skills Committee meeting on Thursday 31 October 2024.
If agreed, the first phase of development will involve engaging with experts in the field and local partners to help identify future opportunities for Sheffield.
This will be vital in ensuring the pipeline of events is right for the city and well positioned to attract wider investment.
Sheffield City Council snaps up former Salvation Army Citadel
A building which has stood in Sheffield city centre for well over a century, and now the former Salvation Army Citadel, has been acquired by Sheffield City Council.
The building, on Cross Burgess Street, opened in 1894 and was used by the Salvation Army for more than a century as their main church venue, before the charity moved out in 1999. Since then, the building, which includes a Grade II listed, red-bricked castle-style frontage, has remained empty.
The Citadel is surrounded by developments that have already transformed the city centre including the Heart of the City project, the award-winning Cambridge Street Collective foodhall, Leah’s Yard and several new shops, cafes and leisure venues including Pounds Park.
The building stands next to the brand-new Radisson Blu Hotel, a 4-star hotel with 154 rooms and rooftop bar and restaurant including an outdoor terrace overlooking the Peace Gardens.
Across the road is the former Cole Brothers department store, where regeneration company Urban Splash are currently putting plans together for the future of the building. Work is also nearing completion on Fargate to transform it into a new public realm area complete with ‘Grey to Green’ planting with the project linking in with the upcoming pedestrianisation of Pinstone Street and Surrey Street.
Sheffield City Council has already started the process of assessing the building and determining what the future usage of it could be with a further announcement expected in the coming months.
In a joint statement following the conclusion of the deal, Cllr Ben Miskell, chair of the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee at Sheffield City Council and Mr Robert Hill said: “Sheffield City Council and Tandem Properties Limited are pleased to have reached terms to settle court proceedings and at the same time the Council has acquired the property known as the Citadel.
“Sheffield City Council will now be progressing plans to see this important heritage building improved and both parties look forward to proposals then being progressed to see the building brought back into use. Neither party will be making further comment on this agreement.”
Make UK acquires Sheffield-based legal practice
Make UK has acquired fast-growing and dynamic Sheffield-based legal practice Bhayani Law.
As part of its portfolio of business services, Make UK is already one of the country’s foremost providers of employment law consultancy and advice to thousands of businesses across the UK, from FTSE100 companies and hallmark British brands through to innovative startups.
For Make UK, this acquisition forms part of an ongoing strategy to strengthen and grow Make UK’s employment law service regionally throughout the UK and to increase our customer base by acquiring one of the most exciting and dynamic specialist firms in the UK.
This acquisition gives Bhayani Law access to a wide range of support and resources available from Make UK to grow their HR and employment law business to even more effectively support the business community in the South Yorkshire region.
Streets Chartered Accountants’ golf day secures hole in one for Air Ambulance
Lincoln-based Streets Chartered Accountants, a top 40 accountancy practice, has hosted their eleventh annual Charity Golf Day raising a record amount of more than £7,500 for the Air Ambulance.
The total amount fundraised will be divided between three regional charities; East Anglian Air Ambulance, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance, and Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
The winning team on the day was Bickford Ltd with Martin Sheardown coming in second and Fisher Motor Factors in third place. The winners of the Longest Drive and Nearest the Pin competitions were Scott Park (Mens) and Alice Gray (Ladies) and Rory Colhoun respectively.
Streets would like to say a huge thank you to all those people who sponsored, donated, gave their time and helped in some way, without whom the day would not be possible.
The event received fantastic support with 25 teams taking part and more than 30 local businesses sponsoring the day, including Business Link Magazine, which sponsored a hole at the event. There were Stableford team prizes as well as competitions such as Longest Drive, Nearest the Pin, Beat the Pro, All four hit the Green and Hole in One.
Commenting on the day, Streets Partner Mark Bradshaw said: “The support we have received has been truly overwhelming and has helped us raise a staggering £7,545 for our three local Air Ambulance services. We’re delighted to be able to support our local Air Ambulance Services, who are the true winners of the day.”
Streets’ 12th Charity Golf Day will take place on Friday 4th July at Lincoln Golf Club, Torksey. Once again this will be in aid of the three Air Ambulances for which Streets have raised more than £70,000 for over the last 11 years.
Bradford and Hull are UK’s most entrepreneurial cities, says report
A new report has revealed that two Yorkshire cities are the most entrepreneurial in the UK, with Bradford taking the top spot and Hull snapping at its heels in second place. Leeds is ninth on the list.
However, Sheffield and Leeds can out top for the highest levels of business confidence.
The report from Yorkshire-based marketing agency Wildcat Digital, compares four data sources across 30 of the biggest cities in the UK. Each data point represents a factor which is relevant to the city, based on its entrepreneurial credentials and business innovation.
Wildcat Digital have collated, analysed and ranked this data to reveal the top 10 cities which are the most entrepreneurial. These ranking factors include:
- A Higher Number of New Business Registrations (Business Births) per 100,000 people
- A Higher Business Confidence Score
- A Higher Number of Self-employed Workers per 100,000 people
- A Higher Number of Business owners on LinkedIn (based on profiles) per 100,000 people
Bradford performed well across all four categories, scoring:
- 45 points for new business registrations
- 100 points for business confidence
- 36 points for number of self-employed workers
- 56 points for number of business owners on LinkedIn Chaudhry Mobeen, founder of MealPro, a Bradford-based business that offers ready-made healthy meals, said: “Bradford is an amazing place to own a business because of the strong sense of community here. The togetherness and the support found in the area is unlike anything you’d find in other parts of the UK. If you took the same situation and compared how it plays out in London versus Bradford, you’d see completely different outcomes. “I can personally attest to the unmatched community spirit in Bradford, having grown up in London. This culture of togetherness is evident in how businesses here help each other out. Just yesterday, we ran out of grated cheese on an unusually busy night, and a neighbouring business immediately stepped in to help us out without hesitation.”
College of Building joins PIPES heating network in Leeds
Leeds College of Building’s North Street Campus is set to benefit from the latest expansion of the Leeds PIPES district heating network.
The network uses heat recovered from non-recyclable domestic waste to provide warmth and hot water to buildings in the city. The project is helping businesses and residents to move away from costly fossil-fuel heating systems to more reliable, affordable, and lower carbon heating.
Expansion into the South Bank area of Holbeck and Hunslet comes after £24.5m funding was secured to expand the network. This multi-million-pound investment will be key in delivering Leeds City Council’s ambition of becoming a zero-carbon city by 2030.
David Pullein, Leeds College of Building Vice Principal – Finance & Resources, said: “Joining the Leeds PIPES network was an easy decision to make, given the original gas boilers at our North Street Campus only operate at 75% efficiency. Switching over to the heat network brings several benefits, the most significant being a 3,800-tonne carbon saving over 20 years. “This low-carbon energy source will significantly reduce our costs and help to bring the site in line with our modern South Bank Campus, which already uses air source heat pumps and biomass pellets. “Moving to the district heating scheme is one of our largest environmental actions to date. It is a big step in supporting Leeds College of Building’s sustainability agenda and the city’s greener vision for the future.”Yorkshire Building Society Chief Exec leads sleepout team to raise charity funds
A team of 13 senior leaders from Yorkshire Building Society spent the night under the stars to raise money for the mutual’s charity partner, FareShare, as part of CEO Sleepout’s event at Elland Road Stadium in Leeds.
The group of colleagues, which included chief exec Susan Allen, CFO Tom Ranger and interim CCO Tom Simpson, raised more than £13,000. The group was joined by FareShare’s chief executive officer, Kris Gibbon-Walsh and network director, Gareth Batty.
CEO Sleepout is a nationwide event which sees business leaders sleep outdoors for a night to raise money and awareness for charities that fight homelessness and poverty.
Susan Allen said: “At Yorkshire Building Society, a core part of our purpose is helping people improve their financial wellbeing and find a place to call home. That’s why we’ve partnered with FareShare to support them in their mission to tackle the problem of food waste, and to help lift people out of financial hardship and into the world of work.
“Taking part in CEO Sleepout not only gave us a great opportunity to support FareShare, but also helped us to gain further insights into the challenges facing local people in the grip of financial hardship.”
“Sleeping out for the night was a powerful experience, with all the participants creating such a supportive atmosphere. As well as giving up our home comforts for a night, my colleagues and I learned more about the issues that so many people are facing and how businesses, like ours, can come together to help to overcome some of these challenges.”
Kris Gibbon-Walsh, chief executive officer of FareShare said: “We are hugely grateful to all the Yorkshire Building Society colleagues who took on the challenge of the CEO Sleepout in support of FareShare, and for all the generous donations received.
“I was delighted to be able to join members of the Yorkshire Building Society’s senior leadership team at Elland Road and contribute to raising awareness of homelessness. Through our work redistributing surplus food to thousands of frontline charities across the UK, we witness firsthand the scale of need in communities.
“This partnership with Yorkshire Building Society not only supports our mission to reduce food waste and provide vital meals but also makes a crucial contribution to our employability programme, which helps thousands of people find long-term employment in the food industry. Together, we are making a lasting impact on people’s lives and strengthening communities.”
Yorkshire Building Society’s partnership with FareShare began in November 2023. Through the partnership, the mutual aims to raise over £1 million to fund Building Skills for the Future employability programmes in seven of the charity’s 34 regional centres, including Yorkshire, London, Bristol, Milton Keynes, Merseyside, Edinburgh, and Cardiff. The programmes will offer coaching, support, practical workshops and work experience to help enable participants to secure full-time employment.
In addition, the partnership will fund an outreach programme offering free of charge face-to-face sessions and workshops helping participants overcome financial hardship by supporting the building of important skills such as CV writing, job searching and improving financial wellbeing. It is hoped that the two programmes will help 2,500 people improve their employability and help them become more financially resilient.
