Drax plans seminars for firms wanting to win carbon contracts
Renewable energy company Drax is teaming up with Worley, its engineering, procurement and construction partner, business development organisation NOF, and the West & North Yorkshire and Hull & Humber Chambers of Commerce to deliver events to provide British businesses with tips about how they could win hundreds of millions of pounds worth of contracts to deliver carbon removal technology, bioenergy with carbon capture and storage.
The May events will be held in Yorkshire & The Humber and the North East, and build on the success of a ‘virtual’ supplier event last September 2021, when around 400 UK businesses attended.
Drax has previously said that it aims to source 80% of construction materials and services from British firms and build a robust UK supply chain for BECCS, ahead of construction getting underway as soon as 2024, with the creation of around 10,000 jobs.
Graham Backhouse, Drax’s Commercial Director for the BECCS project, said: “We want to put British businesses at the heart of our plans to deliver BECCS, allowing them to benefit from hundreds of millions of pounds worth of new contracts.
“Negative emissions technologies like BECCS will play a vital role in enabling the UK to reach its net zero goals, as well as creating exciting opportunities for Britain to lead the world in a vital technology, creating a new sector of the economy, as well as export opportunities.
“Our programme of events is a great opportunity for businesses to get involved and learn more about the project – we encourage companies of all sizes across the region to come along and find out more about how they might benefit from the contracts available.”
Bradley Andrews, President at Worley, said: “We’re supporting the investment and scale up of the UK supply chain to maximise local business participation working alongside Drax, NOF and Worley’s e-procurement partner, Requis.
“Requis provides a digitally enabled platform where qualified suppliers can register their materials and services in line with what’s required for the project scope, driving opportunity for the UK supply market.”
Drax aims to deliver the world’s largest carbon capture in power project this decade, making a signification contribution to the UK’s decarbonisation targets.
Businesses can find out more about Drax’s plans and how to register with Requis to attend the nationwide supplier event series by visiting this link.
Steady consumer spending sustains retail sales growth in March
The retail sector has continued its strong start to 2022 by recording its thirteenth consecutive month of like-for-like sales, new figures by accountancy and business advisory firm BDO LLP reveal.
According to BDO’s High Street Sales Tracker, total like-for-like sales, combined in-store and online, increased by +60.9% in March from a base of +42.5% for the equivalent month in 2021.
Total non-store like-for-like sales fell by -10.8%, marking three months of decline for non-store like-for-like sales. This is in stark contrast to March 2021, when non-store like-for-like sales reached +157.2% during the third national lockdown.
Both fashion and lifestyle categories saw substantial increases in their total like-for-like sales, however, homewares saw its first fall since April 2020. The first week of the month saw growth of +48.31% from a base of +4.53% for the same week the previous year, and the second and third weeks of the month saw increases of +60.87% and +94.31% respectively. In the final week of March, total like-for-like sales rose by +76.13%, from a +131.54% base for the same week in 2021, when the government’s ‘Stay at Home’ order officially ended.
Sector Results
The fashion sector saw the biggest growth, with total like-for-like sales increasing by +87.0% for the month, from a base of +57.5% for the same time last year. Fashion was the only category to record positive non-store results in March, which contributed to positive total LFLs for fashion for the thirteenth consecutive month. Total like-for-like sales in the lifestyle sector increased by +71.4% in March, from a base of +14.7% for the equivalent month last year. However, the sector saw a significant fall in non-store like-for-like sales, falling from the highs recorded in lockdown last year. Homewares total like-for-like sales fell by -9.6% in March, from a base of +112.6% in the same month last year. This is the first time that the category has recorded a drop in sales since April 2020, recording negative LFLs in every week of March. Sophie Michael, Head of Retail and Wholesale at BDO LLP, said: “Our results in March have highlighted that consumer spending remains high despite impending increases to the cost-of-living this month. However, there are also concerning signs that some of this spending is being supported by record levels of household borrowing, which has increased lately even as consumer confidence plummets. There may be good reason to expect some pull-back in discretionary spending over coming months, though the impact will inevitably vary across different areas of retail. “Rising energy, operational and supply costs also pose a serious challenge for retailers, many of whom may look into raising prices and/or re-examining their supply chains, as they seek to mitigate these issues and make cutbacks where possible. While the cost-of-living crisis was largely still on the horizon in March, retailers have been planning ahead and have made allowances for higher levels of inflation. However, the forecasts only appear to be increasing so the question is whether costs will rise faster than initially anticipated and cause further disruption. “This myriad of issues will no doubt require retailers to reconsider their plans as the consumer purse comes under increasing pressure.”Business Lincolnshire launch new Next Level Scale Up Programme
The Growth Hub invites 12 high-growth businesses to apply for the first cohort of the new Next Level Scale Up Programme.
The Next Level Scale Up Programme is fully funded and provides high-quality, practical education and business support to leaders of high-growth SME businesses based in Greater Lincolnshire and Rutland, to help them fully achieve their growth plans through coaching and leadership development.
Business Lincolnshire has reinvented its support programme for high-growth, scale up businesses for 2022. Qualifying businesses can now take advantage of exclusive leadership development workshops and one-to-one coaching, delivered by best-selling author and high-growth business coach Stuart Ross and Scaling Up business coach Leon Mundey.
The businesses chosen will also take part in a dedicated Growth Sprint workshop event to accelerate business growth, led by Sean Sankey, which will support businesses to share strategies through the Google Design Sprint methodology. In addition to this, participating businesses will also receive an annual licence for the Zellar Sustainability Platform software, enabling businesses to measure, manage and share their sustainability journey in one place.
Councillor Thomas Dyer, executive support councillor for economy at the county council, said: “The new Next Level Scale Up Programme really stands out as a major opportunity for ambitious county businesses. The Zellar Platform focuses on making sustainability accessible, which we know is such a priority across the board. This will really help those who are developing their business and working towards net zero, in our area.
“This programme even continues to support you once you graduate. Businesses will get to join the alumni network and take advantage of the exclusive content. We can’t wait to see what the next cohort of businesses take away from this programme.”
You can now find out more information and enquire for the new Next Level Scale Up Programme on the Business Lincolnshire website here.
Work gets underway on new DPD distribution centre set to create 125 York jobs
Building work is underway on a major new distribution facility in York for national parcel carrier, DPD, which will create 125 new jobs.
Development company, Northminster Properties, has appointed Lindum, York, which is on site as main contractor for the 59,250 sq ft purpose-built distribution facility on a 6.9-acre site at Northminster Business Park.
DPD is relocating with 81 jobs after outgrowing its current base on Clifton Moor to meet the growing demand created by online shopping, a move accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The new depot will enable DPD to serve York city centre with only electric vehicles.
The new facility, which will have the latest conveying and sortation technology, opens this autumn and will serve the area from Northallerton to Scarborough; southwards to Hull and westwards to Selby and Wetherby.
The 41 by 117 metre distribution centre will include offices and staff welfare facilities and will be built on an extension to the 18-acre business park, accessed by newly created Cropton Road.
There will also be 30 level-access loading doors and 11 dock-level loading doors with space for 15 HGVs, 145 vans and 165 cars, including seven for disabled drivers, and 44 secure bicycle spaces.
Northminster Properties Managing Director, George Burgess, says: “We are delighted to be on site with Lindum which has seamlessly blended with our experienced design team to ensure a prompt start.
“DPD has demonstrated its commitment to York and Northminster Business Park by signing up to a pre-let. We are delighted to lead on such a prestigious scheme, which is positive news for DPD and its thousands of regional customers; for York as a business centre, by creating jobs at a difficult time for the economy and by improving city centre air.”
Managing Director of Lindum York, Jonathan Sizer, says: “We are very pleased to be working with Northminster. As a local York-based business, it’s great to be in partnership on a project that will generate employment opportunities for people in our community.”
Head of property, DPD group UK, Louise Ferguson, says: “It is great that work has started on site. Northminster is a fantastic location for us in terms of accessing the wider region and being able to serve York with a greener, electric-only service. The team is looking forward to being able to expand in York and make a positive contribution to the city in terms of new jobs and air quality.”
The Northminster design team also includes property and construction consultants, LHL Group, York; HTC Architects, Leeds; civil and structural engineers, Topping Engineers, Harrogate; mechanical and electrical consultants RBS Design.
Commercial agents Gent Visick, Leeds, acted for Northminster Properties, sbh, Hertford, acted for DPD.
Caddick Construction to deliver Bradford’s transformational One City Park office scheme
National urban regeneration business, Muse Developments, in partnership with Bradford Council, has appointed Caddick Construction to deliver the landmark One City Park office scheme, which will continue the transformation of the heart of Bradford city centre.
The 56,403 sq ft sustainable development on the former police HQ site, is the first high-quality, modern office scheme to be delivered in Bradford city centre for more than 20 years. It will offer adaptable floor plans to accommodate agile working practices.
The five-storey development – rated BREEAM ‘Excellent’ – will also feature new public realm areas around the scheme. The building will connect seamlessly to the multi award-winning City Park with new stepped access and attractive seating areas. It is also within walking distance to cultural assets including City Hall, St George’s Hall and new music venue Bradford Live, which is due to open later this year.
More than 300 jobs will be created throughout the construction with a further 450 jobs based in the building once completed. Enabling works are already underway with construction due to start on site later this month, and the building due to complete by summer 2023.
The development will have strong sustainability credentials, including high-performance glazing to the façades to maximise natural light while reducing solar gain; photovoltaic panels and air source heat pumps to make sure the building operates on renewable energy.
A roof terrace will serve a dual purpose, helping with the natural cooling of the building as well as promoting the wellbeing of its occupants. All of the car-parking spaces will have electric car charging points, coupled with secure cycle storage and changing facilities on the ground floor to encourage workers to take more sustainable and healthier ways to travel to the office.
Simon Dew, development director at Muse Developments, said: “We’re very excited to announce this important milestone for One City Park and to be working with Bradford Council and Caddick Construction on this flagship scheme. The significance of One City Park can’t be underestimated for Bradford, and we know there’s growing demand from businesses looking to relocate or expand in the city centre.”
Adrian Dobson, Managing Director for Caddick Construction, said: “This is a high-profile scheme in the heart of Bradford that will have a transformational effect on the city centre. Caddick is delighted to have been chosen as construction partner to deliver on such an important project for Muse, Bradford Council and the city as a whole.”
Jason Longhurst, Bradford Council’s strategic director for place, said: “We are delighted that Caddick Construction has been appointed to bring this flagship scheme to life. One City Park will be a huge step forward in our ambition to become a clean growth city district and provide a welcome boost to the city centre economy.”
Administrators appointed to Doncaster mechanical and electrical contractor
Mechanical Facilities Services Limited has entered administration.
Founded in 2008, the company operated as a mechanical and electrical contractor offering bespoke engineering solutions nationwide and through its sister companies in Ireland and Germany.
It traded from a head office in Beckingham, Doncaster as well as from five other leasehold premises across the UK. More recently, the majority of the group’s work had been as an M&E sub-contractor in the building of large warehouse units. It had a turnover in excess of £50million.
The company came under increasing cashflow pressure in the weeks prior to the appointment of Howard Smith and Chris Pole of Interpath Advisory as joint administrators (on 5 April 2022), as a result of a dispute on a large contract.
As no resolution could be reached imminently, the directors made the difficult decision to cease to trade and place the company into administration.
The company had 75 employees upon appointment, of which six have been retained to assist the joint administrators with the wind-down of the business. The remaining 69 employees were made redundant upon appointment of the joint administrators.
The joint administrators are now seeking to realise the company’s assets which include but are not limited to, book debts, a freehold property, vehicles, tooling and office equipment.
Howard Smith, Managing Director at Interpath Advisory and joint administrator, said: “Our immediate priority is to assist those employees who have been made redundant in making claims to the Redundancy Payments Service. We will also be seeking purchasers for the company’s assets, including its properties, plant, machinery and vehicles.”
Free workshop on becoming a council supplier set for the Property & Business Investment Lincolnshire Expo
Have you ever thought about supplying your local council with goods or services? Would you like to access public sector contract opportunities but are unsure where to start?
Team Lincolnshire and Business Lincolnshire are set to run a free workshop on this very topic at the Property & Business Investment Lincolnshire Expo, taking place on Wednesday 27 April 2022 at The Bentley Hotel, Lincoln.
Running from 10:15 – 11:45, the workshop will demystify the procurement process and explore the potential which public sector contracts could bring to your business.
Team Lincolnshire ambassador Neal Wheatley, director and general manager of RG Carter Lincoln Limited, and Barry Taylor, regional director at Parker Technical Service, will be sharing insightful first-hand experiences on winning a major Lincolnshire County Council contract for the construction of the South Lincolnshire Food Enterprise Zone and how supporting the local economy is a core value within the RG Carter Supply Chain Commitment.
Senior commercial and procurement officer at Lincolnshire County Council, Megan Rice, said: “We recognise the frustrations caused and the barriers created through a lack of understanding of the public sector procurement process around why and how decisions are reached.
“This event will guide businesses through what is meant by procurement and why public sector bodies must follow certain processes, as well as providing insights into where to find tender opportunities including new procurement pipelines and how to identify supply chain opportunities.”
Sign up to the workshop here.
Opening at 9am, the free to attend Property & Business Investment Lincolnshire Expo, provides everything required for a great day of networking and business generation. Business Link is a proud partner of the well targeted event, which is aimed at the Construction, Property, Business, Investment, Finance, Professional Services and related B2B markets. As the exhibition closes, it will roll directly into an informal, open buffet style network lunch – tickets for the lunch are just £25 plus vat and can be ordered and paid for directly online. Spaces for the lunch are limited, so order as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. To attend the event, register for free here. To generate opportunities by exhibiting at the event, click here. Purchase tickets to the networking lunch here. To see the full list of who is exhibiting click here. Meet more potential clients in one amazing cost effective day, than it would take months out on the road.West Yorkshire firm swoops for Burton pitched roof systems manufacturer in £535m deal
West Yorkshire-based Marshalls, a supplier of concrete and natural stone products for external landscaping, has entered into a conditional agreement to acquire Marley Group in a £535 million deal.
Burton-headquartered Marley is a leader in the manufacture and supply of pitched roof systems to the British construction market.
The acquisition is conditional, amongst other things, on the approval of Marshalls shareholders, and completion of the acquisition is expected to occur in late April / early May.
Martyn Coffey, Chief Executive of Marshalls, said: “The acquisition of Marley represents a significant step towards achieving our strategic goal to become the UK’s leading manufacturer of products for the built environment.
“Marley is a highly profitable business with established market positions across UK RMI and new build housing. Much like Marshalls, its position is underpinned by a track record of product quality and customer service, and we believe Marley will represent a strong cultural fit with our own business.
“We would like to welcome Marley’s management team and colleagues to the Marshalls family and look forward to working with them in the coming years.”
Marley’s management team, led by David Speakman (Chief Executive Officer), Dominic Heaton (Chief Financial Officer), and Paul Reed (Chief Operating Officer), will continue to lead Marley following the acquisition and Marley will operate initially as a standalone division within the Marshalls group.
David Speakman, Chief Executive of Marley, said: “Marley is a robust business with a strong future ahead of it. As part of the Marshalls family, I believe we will be extremely well-positioned to continue our growth strategy to the benefit of our colleagues, customers and partners.”
£8.425m investment deal sealed for Mamas & Papas HQ
The freehold for the headquarters of nursery manufacturer and retailer, Mamas & Papas in Huddersfield, has been acquired by a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) owned by funds managed by ARA Dunedin Ltd.
The SPV has acquired the entire 175,211 sq ft site from Clearbell Capital for £8.425m, which reflects a net initial yield of 5.91%.
The investment team at Leeds property consultancy, Gent Visick (GV), acted for the SPV and Clearbell Capital was represented by CPP.
Gordon Kellie, head of origination at ARA Dunedin, said: “It’s great to have added another high quality, mid-sized box to our portfolio, that is in a sought-after location with a strong and well-known tenant in place.”
The modern building sits within an established industrial location on Colne Bridge Road, which is less than two miles from Junction 25 of the M62 Motorway. Mamas & Papas has been based there for almost eight years and has leased the site, which includes a high bay distribution warehouse interlinked to a two-storey office building, until May 2029.
Garry Howes, director of investment at GV, said: “This is the global HQ and sole distribution centre for well-known baby brand Mamas & Papas, which has 30 stores across the UK and has been in business for more than 40 years. Market demand for modern freehold logistics warehousing, with strong tenants like this is high. Its location and grade A specification combined to deliver an attractive investment opportunity for our client.”
The modern unit also includes showroom and exhibition space, an outlet shop that is open to the public and ample parking.
Lupton Fawcett signs lease on prestigious Leeds city centre office
Yorkshire law firm Lupton Fawcett LLP has signed the lease on 12,000 square feet of new office accommodation in the popular southern professional quarter of Leeds city centre.
The company will occupy the entire first floor of the prestigious 2 The Embankment building on Sovereign Street.
Lupton Fawcett’s Leeds-based employees will move from its current base in Yorkshire House, East Parade, to the newly refurbished Embankment property in late spring.
Managing partner James Richardson said: “This is the latest in a series of investments to support the next phase of our growth.
“The working habits of many of our people have changed in recent years. Our new office reflects this shift and will offer an improved environment for our people, enhancing our ability to work together to deliver the best outcomes for our clients.
“Its location in the heart of the business centre of Leeds means we’re more accessible to clients than ever and we look forward to welcoming them to our new home soon.”
The building is next to the River Aire and offers facilities including electric car charging points and a cycle hub.
Elizabeth Ridler, partner with global property consultancy Knight Frank in Leeds, said: “We were delighted to help Lupton Fawcett in their search for new premises in Leeds. The recently refurbished 2 Embankment is now one of the most attractive Grade A office buildings in the city, so we believe they have chosen well.
“This deal underpins the high quality of 2 Embankment and its excellent location in Sovereign Street overlooking the River Aire within the popular southern professional quarter of the city. It is only a few minutes’ walk from the southern entrance to Leeds Station and from Leeds’ retail core.”
