Switalskis Solicitors strengthens commercial property team
Switalskis Solicitors has appointed experienced solicitor, Ryan Dhinsa, to bolster the firm’s commercial property department.
Ryan joins the firm’s growing team from his previous position at Raworths LLP in Harrogate. Bringing four years’ experience to the role, Ryan represents landlords and tenants in sectors including industrial, manufacturing, retail, office and leisure.
Ryan will work closely with the department’s two senior figures – head of Switalskis’ commercial property department, Claire Murphy, and senior solicitor, Andrew Lawson. Ryan will be responsible for providing customers with representation in areas including negotiating commercial leases; acting for landlords in estate management deals; and acquiring and disposing of commercial land. He will also maintain his valued relationships with brokers, accountants, and agents.
Says Ryan: “I was keen to join Switalskis primarily because of the quality of the team and also due to the opportunities within the business as it expands and develops. I have worked with Andrew Lawson in a previous role and admire his approach, so I am very much looking forward to working with him again and with the rest of the experienced Switalskis’ team. I wanted to work at a larger firm that has a portfolio of high calibre clients whilst retaining a personal level of service and Switalskis ticks all the boxes for me.”
Commercial property has been identified as an area with scope for growth across the Switalskis group. Department head Claire Murphy says: “We are delighted to welcome Ryan to the team at this point in our growth journey. He is well-regarded in the Yorkshire commercial property market and will no doubt help us achieve our growth ambitions. Ryan has an eye for detail and brings fresh ideas and enthusiasm to our team, which will prove invaluable as we develop our business further.”
Doncaster firm helps to decarbonise heavy transport fleet in New Zealand
Doncaster-based Clean Power Hydrogen Group 2 is to supply equipment that will help to decarbonise the heavy transport fleet in New Zeraland.
It’s received the second order in 18 months for hydrogen energy production equipment for New Zealand company AFCryo.
Due for delivery early next year, the sale is part of the established working relationship between CPH2 and AFCryo.
Jon Duffy, Chief Executive Officer of CPH2, said: “This is another positive commercial step for the Company. We have a strong working relationship with AFCryo as the Group uses its cryogenic cooling system in our electrolysers and the further order of another electrolyser from the Group shows the trust in each other’s products. We very much look forward to continuing our relationship with AFCryo and continuing our partnership in the region.”
Hugh Reynolds, Technical Director of AFCryo, added: “Our close commercial relationship and appreciation of each other’s technical standards, mean we can enter into a purchase order knowing the high quality and efficiency of the product. We see CPH2’s membrane-free technology as something which is potentially game changing on a global scale for green hydrogen manufacture, and we are very happy to be both a supplier and customer to the Group.”
Businesses urged to beef up cyber security in wake of Russian invasion
Businesses across the UK are being urged to improve their online security capabilities following Russia’s violation of Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) is calling on organisations to follow its guidance on steps to take when the national cyber threat is heightened.
While the NCSC and the government are not aware of any current specific threats to UK organisations in relation to the Ukraine crisis, there has been an historical pattern of cyber attacks on Ukraine with international consequences.
Guidance from the NCSC encourages organisations to follow actionable steps that reduce the risk of falling victim to a digital attack, such as a malware or ransomware strike.
Hannah Schofield, Emergency Planning and Business Continuity Officer at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “The NCSC publishes weekly threat reports – if organisations in Lincolnshire have their IT provided externally it’s likely that these businesses will already be looking into this, but if they do their own IT then it’s wise to keep up with the NCSC website.
“It’s all good practice. Cyber isn’t just an IT problem, it’s a business continuity problem and should be in all business plans to help mitigate future risks.”
The NCSC website explains how to ensure basic cyber controls are in place and functioning correctly. This can include:
- Check your system patching
- Verify access controls
- Ensure defences are working
- Logging and monitoring
- Review backups
- Incident planning
- Check your internet footprint
- Phishing response
- Third party access
- Brief your wider organisation
Pipeline Projects given the green light in Boston
Following on from the Boston Town Deal Board developing a vision and Town Investment Plan which secured a Town Deal worth £21.9m of funding, three projects are one step closer to development following on from approval by the Board and Boston Borough Council.
The projects are Boston Leisure, The Mayflower and the refurbishment of Boston Train Station.
The Boston Leisure project, part funded by the Boston Town Deal, will see a redeveloped Geoff Moulder Leisure Complex which will provide additional facilities, utilising the public and training pools, under one roof. The project provides the opportunity to transform the leisure provision.
The Mayflower project (led by Boston College) will be sited opposite the Geoff Moulder Leisure Complex and will become a bespoke learning centre for adults and further enhance and develop learning provision within the town through the rapidly expanding learning facility. The building will provide a unique and inspirational learning, business and community space and provide access for skills training, especially for digital skills, business development and support.
Collectively the Mayflower and Leisure projects create a unique leisure and educational space, intrinsically designed to be linked together via a central public open space/piazza area and will function as a single campus, thus offering an improved sense of place and enhancing the aspirations of all learners at the College. The projects offer the potential to derive significant positive outcomes for people in education/attainment, place-making, health and wellbeing and skills.
The refurbishment of the Railway Station will include extensive refurbishment to include community space, a café, commercially rentable units, a new ticket office and much more, through a partnership with East Midlands Trains.
The Town Deal has three key themes: Skills and Aspirations, Sustainable Economic Growth and Pride in Place. The projects have been submitted this week to the Department for Levelling up, Housing and Communities and fall into each category to fulfil the Board’s aims.
Councillor Paul Skinner, Leader of Boston Borough Council, said: “This is an exciting time for Boston, as we look to enhance the offering for residents and communities by providing newly refurbished facilities within the town centre.”
Councillor Tracey Abbott, Portfolio Holder for Town Centre, said: “The provision of facilities within Boston will be further enhanced thanks to these projects, part-funded by the Boston Town Deal. For years, the training pool and public pool have been separated, but the Boston Leisure Project will bring them all under one roof and will include a new gym facility, changing village and much more.”
Work starts to transform Leeds city centre building into residential development
Work has started on the transformation of a landmark building, Fairfax House, in Leeds city centre’s Arena Quarter, into a major new residential development consisting of 168 apartments.
Fairfax House, on the corner of Merrion Street and Wade Lane, is being developed by Leeds-based property company YPP and has been designed by Brewster Bye Architects.
The main seven-storey office building, which was built in the 1960s, is being transformed into 154 studio and one-bedroom apartments, which already had permitted development approval.
In addition, Brewster Bye secured planning permission earlier in the year for a two-storey rooftop extension that will comprise of 14, one, two and three bedroom apartments, and will replace an existing rooftop plant structure. Amenity space for residents will also be incorporated into the scheme.
Colbre Projects Ltd has been appointed as principal contractor and work is due to complete in August 2023. The development will then be managed by YPP Lettings and become part of the Live Oasis brand which offers high quality rental apartments across numerous purpose-built developments throughout Leeds and beyond.
A spokesperson from YPP said: “Securing planning permission and then immediately starting work on the transformation of this iconic Leeds building, is a fantastic position to be in.
“The scheme benefits from having both Leeds Arena and the city’s main shopping and leisure areas on its doorstep. It’s also in a part of the city that is currently benefitting from a huge amount of new development, as well as numerous new and completed tall building projects, which all enhances the vibrancy of the area and will make it a fantastic place to live.”
Andrew Chapman, associate director at Brewster Bye Architects, said: “Fairfax House is a very distinctive Leeds building in a prominent city centre location, but it was no longer fit for purpose and looked dated in this fast-evolving part of the city.
“As part of the development’s design, we’ve made major improvements to enhance the building’s appearance which will include partial glazing and recladding, and a smart new welcoming feature entrance will be created. This will be complemented by a generous outdoor and indoor amenity space for residents to enjoy across the ground and upper ground floors, that will offer landscaped seating areas and various other communal spaces.
“Once complete, there’s no doubt it will be a sought-after place to live in one of the city’s most exciting areas.”
This is YPP’s latest development in the city’s Arena and Northern Quarters. The company is also behind Havana Residence, Q1, Belgrave & Warwick and Commerce House, which is currently under construction.
York City Football Club sells former stadium for £7m
York City Football Club has sold its former stadium at Bootham Crescent to Persimmon Homes Ltd for £7m.
The sale has allowed the Club to pay off both the Football Stadia Improvement Fund and the City Council who had assisted by the provision of historical funding which has allowed the Club to contribute significantly to the cost of the building the new LNER Community Stadium.
The balance after payment of project related costs has been used to pay off a capped element of the capital invested by JM Packaging Ltd (JMP). All interest accrued on that capital as well as part of the capital itself being written off by JMP.
JMP have entered into a funding agreement to ensure generous funds will be made available to the Club for the remainder of the season. JMP are prepared to provide further funding beyond this date if so required and if agreed with the Supporters’ Trust.
The Club has entered into a written protocol with the Supporters’ Trust to ensure that they work more closely together in the future. These parties have also put in place a streamlined procedure which could be utilised should any third-party who is interested in moving the Club forward table a suitable offer. Such an offer would only be accepted if both the Club board and Supporters Trust agree that it is in the best long-term interest of the Club.
James Bradley of Knights plc acted as legal advisor to Bootham Crescent Holdings Limited in relation to the sale. Savills and Aspect4 acted on the price negotiations with Persimmon. The Club was represented by Stephen Baylis of Parisi Solicitors Ltd.
Works begin on £16m North Yorkshire housing project
Work has begun on a £16m housing project in High Leven, Yarm-on-Tees, North Yorkshire. The project, known as The Meadows, is a development of 69 contemporary-styled homes.
The scheme will deliver 19 three-bedroom plots, 20 four-bedroom plots, and 30 five-bedroom plots.
The project is being delivered by a local team consisting of North Yorkshire-based developers, Mode Homes and Tolent, a contractor with a number of live housing projects throughout the North East and Yorkshire with regional offices in Thornaby, Gateshead and Leeds.
Chris Price, divisional director of Tolent, said: “We are beginning to see a change in the housing market with a number of emerging technologies becoming mainstream. Not only do these improvements support local and central government initiatives toward net zero but provide real savings to homeowners through reduced energy bills and homes that are fit for the future.
“I am really looking forward to seeing The Meadows develop in the coming months as the first plots emerge. The variety of house types and finishes available provide a wide range of choice to buyers with traditional brick, render and timber cladding, providing a vibrant street scene with bundles of space and off-street parking, not something commonly offered by larger housebuilders.”
Wilf Cook of developer Mode Homes said: “We are delighted to be working with Tolent on this exciting project which will be a welcome addition to the local new homes market. As a family, we have been farming this land for generations and are fully committed to ensuring that The Meadows provides a fitting and lasting legacy.”
With construction now underway, the site is set to develop at a rapid pace with show homes, together with the first phase, available for release by the end of 2022. A further five phases will be released over the next three years.
Sheffield Hallam reveals health-tech businesses set to join its accelerator programme
A Finnish start-up that delivers online postnatal exercise programmes to help new mothers recover safely after childbirth is part of the cohort of health businesses accepted onto Sheffield Hallam University’s latest Wellbeing Accelerator.
Nordic Fit Mama is one of 12 national and international SMEs set to receive up to £20,000 of support to accelerate product development and help bring new health products and services to market.
The flagship innovation programme, led by Sheffield Hallam’s £15.7m Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre (AWRC), brokers academic expertise from across the University to deliver research and development (R&D) support to businesses and leverages its network of over 90 experienced mentors.
It follows a successful inaugural Wellbeing Accelerator programme in 2020 which saw 28 businesses supported, including Sheffield-based sleep-tech start-up SleepCogni that recently raised more than $2million to commercialise into the US market.
The businesses accepted onto this year’s programme, which has been sponsored by investment and commercialisation specialists InterMedi Group, include:
- SCALED, based in London, uses Computational Design to develop nature-inspired, custom-fit, flexible and protective material solutions to tackle injury prevention for healthy ageing
- Nordic Fit Mama, based in Helsinki, delivering an online training programme with proven results to help mothers to recover safely after pregnancy and childbirth
- Ventriject, based in Copenhagen, delivering a cost-effective, fast and reliable estimate of cardiorespiratory fitness, a strong indicator of overall health
- Physiobuddie, based in Yorkshire, an innovative, secure digital-first service that provides its users with remote step-by-step progressive rehabilitation
- DM Orthotics, based in Cornwall, designers and manufacturers of specialist orthoses that help to improve the lives of adults and children who face a range of neuro-muscular and musculoskeletal challenges
- MindBehind gmbH, based in Cologne and Istanbul, develops intelligent virtual assistants powered by conversational AI to improve communication in multiple sectors. It aims to maximize its impact in the healthcare industry by building a chatbot to promote physical activity and enhance mental health
- Hyivy Health Inc, based in Ontario, Canada, creates a pelvic rehabilitation system for the 1 in 3 women worldwide who will experience a pelvic health complication in their lifetime
- Elecura, based in Sheffield, delivering an all-in-one business management platform for social care providers that enables and promotes a best-in-class and easily auditable service
- Tellu, based in Oslo, developing digital health technologies that helps to make everyday life easier for employees in the home care service, in institutions, hospitals and nursing homes
- THERAPHA is an AI enabled chatbot, designed to detect hidden clinical patterns to identify the best possible diagnosis. It effectively performs differential diagnoses, triages spine pathologies, automates the subjective portion of clinical documentation in a narrative format, even before an in-person visit
- Motion Exercise CIC, based in Sheffield, designing and remotely delivering interactive and inclusive exercise programmes tackling social isolation and increasing physical activity, amongst older adults
- Active Orbit Limited, based in Sheffield, allowing individuals to track all their daily activity, uses behavioural science to encourage an active lifestyle and rewards them for the levels of activity they achieve and maintain
Cabinet approves revised budget of £8.2m for dementia day care facility in Mirfield
Councillors have approved proposals to increase funding to £8.2m for the redevelopment of new dementia day care facilities in north Kirklees at Cabinet.
The funding is for the developments at Knowl Park House, Mirfield.
Developments include a revamped dementia day care facility and a new Kirklees Living Well Centre.
The proposed new dementia day care facility will benefit from improvements to the environment by using the Stirling University dementia friendly design standards to improve accessibility for all. The layout includes a homely open plan lounge, dining and kitchen area; a large arts and crafts room; a sensory and cinema room and a spa, and a bespoke accessible sensory garden.
The Kirklees Living Well Centre will provide support and advice for families and professionals. The community will also benefit as more people will be able to live in their own homes for longer. Residents will maintain their independence and delay the need for more intensive and longer term residential and/or nursing care.
Richard Parry, Strategic Director for Adults and Health, said: “It is vital that we take advantage of the latest research and technology to support our residents living with dementia and other complex physical and learning disabilities. We asked cabinet to increase the investment in Knowl Park House so that we can provide high quality care for vulnerable residents so they can maintain their independence for as long as possible.
“Our dementia day care facility is being designed in collaboration with the University of Stirling’s Dementia Services Development Centre (DSDC). This will ensure the new facilities incorporate dementia design principles and meet the DSDC dementia design standards.”
Council names Balfour Beatty as North Hykeham Relief Road contractor
Lincolnshire County Council’s Executive yesterday agreed it wants Balfour Beatty as the contractor to build the final piece of Lincoln’s ring road and begin all pre-construction elements of the scheme.
Among the pre-construction elements Balfour Beatty will be:
- Preliminary site surveys
- Preparing an outline scheme design
- Assisting with planning application submission and any resulting planning conditions
- Detailed design of the new road
- Carrying out preliminary on-site works
