Flaw-free steel production earns Special Recognition Award for British Steel
British Steel’s Special Profiles business has been given a Special Recognition Award for Ongoing Engineering at the Plantworx Innovation Awards earlier this week.
David Waine, Commercial Director for Special Profiles, said: “This recognition for engineering excellence is so well deserved. The work the team has done to create our bespoke solution is nothing short of ground-breaking – it’s taken a lot of dedication, creativity and determination to give both the business and our customers absolute confidence in our product quality.
“Huge congratulations to all involved, this industry recognition is a true testament to your outstanding expertise, very well done.”
The awards are sponsored by Caterpillar and are the UK’s biggest construction equipment awards. They recognise and celebrate innovative companies, products and services that have made a major impact in the construction equipment industry and are judged by a panel of independent experts. It’s not the first time the Special Profiles business has been in the running for one of these awards, having received the gold award in 2019 for the Engineering category for development of next-generation descaling technology.
The Special Profiles sectors cover a broad range of product portfolios, ranging from bulldozers to ski-lifts. Most have ultra-critical requirements for surface quality and this can be a vital factor in choosing a supplier.
Dominic Hill, Customer Quality and Technical Manager, Special Profiles, said: “The challenge we face is that these companies have parts per million requirements, so if you were to miss one flaw amongst tens of kilometres – and bear in mind this flaw might only be 0.3mm deep and 1mm across – you’ve failed.
“While our primary focus is eliminating the issue at source, it would be extremely advantageous if 100% inspection were possible. This would also be of huge benefit to customers and provide the information we need to allow root cause elimination. This technology had never been possible in online environments for our range of products until we decided to develop it ourselves.”
Over 280 jobs on the line as closure of Young’s Seafood factory proposed
Over 280 jobs are on the line following the proposed closure of a Young’s Seafood factory in Grimsby.
Plans have been unveiled to halt production at the site on Marsden Road, with an October date mooted, and move what remains to another Grimsby factory and a Scottish site.
Owner of Young’s, Sofina Foods Europe, said the factory was “no longer financially sustainable,” according to BBC reports, with a spokesperson saying 285 roles could be lost.
The company said the decision does not reflect on the teams who work there, noting that “they are a credit to the company.”
Staff and unions are set to be consulted before a formal decision on the closure.
Sofina said some new roles would be created at a site on Grimsby’s Humberstone Road and in Scotland at Fraserburgh.
Yorkshire wins share in £77m creative arts development
New plans to maximise the potential of the UK creative industries and grow the economy set out by the government include investment in West Yorkshire, named as one of four centres to share in £77m of investment.
Led by York University and based at Langthwaite Business Park near Pontefract, the centre will be a collaboration between the University, Production Park Studios, Screen Yorkshire, Vodafone, Wakefield Council, and the North Yorkshire LEP.
The investment is part of the Government’s plan to grow the creative industries by £50bn and support a million more jobs by 2030.
One of the Prime Minister’s priority sectors for economic growth, the creative industries are a global British success story growing at more than 1.5 times the rate of the wider economy over the past decade and contributing £108 billion in gross value added annually.
Employment in these industries has grown at five times the rate of the rest of the economy since 2011. Speaking at the London Tech Week conference on Monday, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said that Britain’s creative industries were “going like gangbusters” and represent a “unique strength” for the country.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, said: “The creative industries are a true British success story, from global music stars like Adele and Ed Sheeran to world-class cultural institutions like the National Theatre.
“These industries have a special place in our national life and make a unique contribution to how we feel about ourselves as a country.
“We want to build on this incredible success to drive growth in our economy – one of my key priorities – and to ensure that UK creative industries continue to lead the world long into the future.
“Backed up with significant new funding, this ambitious plan will help grow the sector by an extra £50 billion while creating one million extra jobs by 2030.”
Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said: “The imagination and ingenuity of British designers, producers, content creators, writers and artists are spearheading growth right across our economy. “The government is backing our creatives to maximise the potential of the creative industries. This Sector Vision is about driving innovation, attracting investment and building on the clusters of creativity across the country. And from first days at school to last days of work, we will nurture the skills needed to build a larger creative workforce to harness the talent needed for continued success.“Working with the industry this vision is helping the UK creative sectors go from strength to strength – providing jobs and opportunities, creating world leading content and supporting economic growth across the country.”
Cranswick golf day boosts charity fundraising by more than £100,000
Played at at the Forest Pines golf course in Scunthorpe, the annual Charity Golf Day organised by Cranswick Country Foods Preston raised £102,000 for the charity KIDS!
The event brought together teams of Cranswick’s colleagues, suppliers and customers, many of whom have been supporting this event for several years.
In the evening 250 guests gathered for a meal accompanied by a hotly contested auction and raffle. The highlight of the evening was the presentation of awards to the winning golf team, Dan Food, and a talk from KIDS shedding light on the work they do around the UK providing practical, life-changing and creative support for disabled children, young people and their families.
Cranswick has been a supporter of this charity since 2007, so far raising more than £430,000 for KIDS over the years.
New hire and £75k investment at Wetherby interiors company
Richard Grafton Interiors in Wetherby will celebrate its third birthday by appointing experienced interior designer Rosie Tangi and investing £75,000 in a new look for its showroom.
Rosie, who has ten years’ experience in interior design, returns to the Richard Grafton Interiors team having spent five years working for the business before taking a career break in 2018 to have her children.
Having worked in the Harrogate showroom, Rosie moved across to Richard Grafton Interiors’ showroom in Ilkley. In her new role, she will be based at the Wetherby showroom, joining interior design specialists Donna Schofield and Karen Draper who manage the showroom, supported by Leona Connelly.
Director Charlotte Grafton said: “Having been part of the Richard Grafton team for five years, we are well-aware of Rosie’s talents and passion for interior design – we’re genuinely delighted that she has chosen to re-join us. With her experience of working with younger clients, she adds strength in depth to our Wetherby designers, and her flair for classic contemporary looks fits perfectly with the Richard Grafton style and our clients’ tastes.
“Over the last three years, our Wetherby showroom has built a loyal following from within the town and surrounding areas. We’re keen to expand our architectural design capabilities, including our kitchen, bathroom, dressing room and media cabinet offering, by growing the team here and continuing to invest in inspiring clients with the most up-to-date but classic room designs. Our ability to deliver complete, turnkey solutions, even on a large scale, is proving extremely popular with time-poor clients who are turning to us to provide all of their needs under one roof, from conception to project management. We’re even seeing Yorkshire-based clients coming to us for international projects, designing interiors for their holiday homes from France to the Caribbean!”
Rosie adds: “Returning to Richard Grafton Interiors feels like coming home. I’m exciting to be working with the fantastic team in Wetherby to develop our following here, and look forward to bringing our design expertise to a younger market who we believe will be inspired by the diverse range of installations and interior design-led products showcased in our stunning new room sets.”
Finance Yorkshire cash injection helps one Leeds agency to acquire another
Leeds-based digital marketing agency Creode Agency is expanding with a £100,000 investment from Finance Yorkshire, using the money from Finance Yorkshire’s business loans fund to support its acquisition of Blue Digital, another Leeds agency.
The acquisition will enable Creode to strengthen its service offering to clients across the Yorkshire region. The agency provides marketing, brand and website development and digital media support to B2B SMEs in professional and financial services and other sectors.
Creode employs 28 people and is managed by CEO Guy Weston, who said: “The acquisition complements our offer to clients and strengthens our broader proposition, particularly in the Google Ads and SEO space which is a growing area for us.
“The benefit for clients using an integrated agency is that we can be more efficient on their behalf – we have the overview of the different elements of work and can keep our focus where it needs to be.
“There are lots of opportunities in Yorkshire to grow,” said Guy. “Acquisition is a good way to gain additional clients and we would look to do it again beyond the next 12 months.”
Alex McWhirter, chief exec of Finance Yorkshire, said: “Digital and creative are among the fastest growing sectors in Yorkshire and particularly in Leeds. Creode has a strong track record as digital marketeers and we are pleased to support them in their growth journey.”
Carter Jonas selected to advise Defence Infrastructure Organisation at Catterick Garrison
National property consultancy Carter Jonas has been instructed by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) to advise on the delivery of the regeneration of Catterick Garrison town centre.
Catterick Garrison has grown to be the largest Army base in the UK and requires an area for people to gather and spend their leisure time. The need for a good quality town centre, alongside increased employment and training opportunities, has highlighted the importance of transforming the area around Shute Road to provide improved public realm and essential services to increase footfall and dwell time, and encourage greater social cohesion.
The project has been awarded £19m of Levelling Up funding to create an attractive, vibrant and inclusive town centre, which will comprise a new town square with a Community and Enterprise facility, significant landscaping improvements both in the town centre and in the adjacent Coronation Park, and enhanced pedestrian and cycle links.
The project is set to be the first phase in the regeneration of the wider area and will be delivered in accordance with the emerging Catterick Masterplan Vision Document. The DIO is working in partnership with North Yorkshire Council to deliver the project.
Caroline Searle, partner in Carter Jonas’ Regeneration team, said: “We are delighted to be appointed to advise the DIO on the delivery of this important project and the wider regeneration of Catterick Garrison.
“The successful Levelling Up Fund bid has unlocked a project that will transform the town centre, increasing economic activity, providing new opportunities for social interaction and driving investment in the area.”
James Roy, principal manager (Acquisition & Disposals) at the Ministry of Defence, said: “The LUF project is a catalyst to improvements to the off-duty retail and leisure experience for military personnel, their families and wider community who live, work and train in this major garrison.
“DIO on behalf of the Ministry of Defence is collaborating from a strategic point of view with the Local Authority by transferring land to facilitate LUF and also enable other real estate improvements to Catterick Garrison town centre as part of a wider masterplan.”
Caddick gets green light for new Wakefield office
Caddick Construction Group has secured planning permission to redevelop Cape House at Wakefield 41 Business Park, which is set to become the business’s new headquarters in 2024.
Building work on the new office is set to commence imminently, and will include extensive refurbishment work to repurpose and modernise the vacant two-storey building, increasing its size from 11,000 sq ft to 15,000 sq ft.
Designed by DLA Architecture, the office will incorporate a new two-storey extension, a glazed front extension with a double height atrium reception and cafe space. The development will include open-plan office space, meeting rooms, and break-out areas.
Work will include a range of measures to enhance sustainability, both in the building’s design and operations. Features will include renewable energy technologies such as photovoltaic panels with EV charging stations also being installed.
The redevelopment plans will incorporate the existing building superstructure, which will be stripped back to its steel frame and updated with new building fabric, windows, and all new mechanical and electrical installations.
Once complete in early 2024, Cape House will become home to 130 staff. Caddick Construction plans to retain its current premises at Knottingley, which has acted as the business’s HQ for its 500-strong team since its formation in 1979, and is also undertaking wider regional expansion in the North East.
The move will form part of Caddick Construction Group’s controlled and planned growth following the appointment of its new Construction Group Managing Director last summer. The business is active in a range of sectors, with key projects including SOYO, Leeds’ new £300m neighbourhood, Trafford Council and Bruntwood’s £50m King Street regeneration scheme and Bradford’s new Grade A office development, One City Park.
Paul Dodsworth, Caddick Construction Group Managing Director, said: “We are growing as a business; our team is expanding, we’re extending our geographical presence and our project portfolio is growing in all of our core sectors.
“It’s the perfect time for us to invest in our new headquarters, which will give us a well-connected, modern and energised office from which we’ll continue to thrive. It’s also vitally important that we create a head office that will help attract and retain staff going forward.”
Jason Clarke, director at DLA Architecture, said: “DLA are delighted to support the Caddick Group in achieving planning consent to redevelop Cape House for its new HQ. This collaboration further strengthens our long and illustrious relationship with the Group and we feel privileged to have been entrusted to design new state of the art premises to align with their business aspirations and expansion plans.”
The team working on the project include planning consultant, Sheppard Planning, M&E delivered by CSD, structural and civil engineering delivered by Roscoe, building control by Stroma, acoustics by Apex and the transport assessments were completed by Fore Consulting.
Iconic British brand ghd takes 10,000 sq ft of office space at Leeds’ Wellington Place
Iconic British brand ghd (good hair day) has launched its new office space at Wellington Place.
The tech-beauty business has taken 10,345 sq ft at 11 Wellington Place where it has relocated from its previous base in Leeds.
The move to Wellington Place sees ghd’s 120-strong digital, IT, administrative and accounts teams based at one of the UK’s most sustainable buildings in a state-of-the-art space uniquely designed to meet the brand’s strong growth ambitions.
It includes branded workstations, meeting rooms and styling desks where staff and visitors can test and use ghd’s award-winning products.
Founded in Leeds in 2001, ghd’s hair tools are used by 200,000 stylists around the world, stocked by more than 50,000 salons and sold in more than 30 countries.
Paul Pavia, head of development at MEPC, the developer and asset manager behind Wellington Place, said: “ghd is an iconic international brand and one of the most celebrated British business success stories of recent times. We’re incredibly proud to welcome ghd to Wellington Place, a globally recognised name with roots very much here in Leeds.
“ghd’s move is not only a significant indicator of confidence in the Leeds office market, but also further evidences the flight to quality that we continue to witness, with organisations prioritising securing the best space available to support employee wellbeing and social value.
“Wellington Place is home to a thriving community, and we look forward to supporting ghd in what is sure to be an exciting next chapter for the business.”
Jeroen Temmerman, Chief Executive Officer of ghd, said: “ghd was founded by three hairdressers in Leeds in 2001 and has become a leading global beauty-tech business, transforming lives with the power of a good hair day.
“Having been founded and based in Leeds for more than 20 years, we’re passionate about the city and all that it offers, and we’re confident Wellington Place will play a major role as we deliver on our strategic growth ambitions.
“Energy efficiency is an R&D priority for ghd, and 11 & 12 Wellington Place have set the standard for sustainable development in the Yorkshire region and beyond, so we are delighted to have committed our future here.
“With strong growth ambitions, accelerated by tech innovation, the move to Wellington Place will enable us to scale our operations and further cement our reputation as a world leading beauty-tech business. Our team will benefit from the fantastic amenities and events Wellington Place has to offer, and we are proud to join the community here.”
ghd’s move follows the announcement of recent lettings at 11 & 12 Wellington Place to law firm Hill Dickinson, Lloyds Banking Group and Arup.
JLL and Savills are the joint commercial letting agents on the scheme, with Lyons Thompson Letts (LTL) appointed to market its retail and leisure space.
Leeds Kirkgate Market hotel plans hit key milestone
Plans for a major new hotel development at Leeds Kirkgate Market are set to take a significant step forward.
Leeds City Council has for some time been exploring the potential for a hotel to be built on the George Street side of the market complex, as part of the wider regeneration of the area.
Now initial proposals for the development are due to go before the council’s city plans panel at a meeting next Thursday, June 22.
Subject to feedback from panel members at the meeting, a full planning application is expected to be submitted in July.
The scheme is designed to complement the ongoing transformation of a large swathe of the city centre that is also home to the Victoria Gate retail destination as well as the refurbished Leeds Playhouse, one of Leeds City College’s main campuses and the rest of the fast-growing Quarry Hill area.
The proposed hotel is also seen as a way of driving further footfall into the market, which has already benefited in recent times from a multi-million pound investment programme.
Currently occupied by a number of vacant low-rise shop units, the council-owned site earmarked for the six-storey development offers an important regeneration opportunity as Leeds city centre seeks to consolidate its position as the region’s key retail and leisure hub.
The 143-room hotel would be developed by the council, with a pre-let lease in place with a proposed operator.
The scheme’s high-quality approach to design would respect the heritage of the Grade I listed market building while also delivering a stylish modern addition to George Street.
Its ground floor would be home to commercial units and a council-operated gym, improving the local ‘fitness offer’ for people living in both the city centre and nearby communities.
A glazed central block, meanwhile, would provide an inviting and prominent entrance to the market from George Street.
Planning permission for an aparthotel complex on the same site at George Street was granted in 2018 but has since expired, with progress on that scheme having been hampered by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s executive member for economy, culture and education, said: “The area around Leeds Kirkgate Market – and indeed the whole eastern side of the city centre – has undergone some massive and positive changes in recent years.
“The proposed hotel would add another vibrant piece to the jigsaw by contributing to the regeneration of George Street and acting as a visually-impressive linking point between Vicar Lane, the Eastgate roundabout and Quarry Hill.
“These plans also underline our commitment to the market and its future as a much-loved fixture on our retail scene that is now attracting more than 400,000 visitors a month.”
