Placefirst has partnered with housebuilder Strata to form a joint venture with plans to deliver over 500 single-family homes by 2028.
Marking the first private sector joint venture for Placefirst, partnership remains a key element of the firm’s growth strategy across the UK, as it seeks quality housebuilders that can deliver at scale and speed without compromising on Placefirst’s commitment to long-term value and sustainability for its residents.
The partnership will begin with the delivery of 128 homes at Strata’s ‘Desire’ development near Thorpe Park, Leeds.
The homes will be built using Modern Methods of Construction (MMC), enabling them to be delivered faster and more sustainably than traditional building approaches, ensuring they enter the rental market quickly to meet rising demand.
Timber’s superior thermal insulation compared to steel or concrete will help reduce energy costs for residents, resulting in an EPC B rating and enhancing long-term affordability.
With completion scheduled for May 2025, the agreement will see Placefirst manage and maintain a mix of two-bedroom townhouses in addition to three- and four-bedroom semi-detached homes. It marks Placefirst’s second neighbourhood in Leeds, after Cross Heath Grove in the south of the city.
KPMG Corporate Finance advised Strata, and the framework agreement has already identified a further 221 homes for delivery across the UK.
Anna Hwang, Chief Investment Officer of Placefirst, said: “Our ambition to deliver more quality homes across the UK comes down to a simple belief: renters deserve better. For too long, poor-quality housing with unstable tenancies has been the norm in the UK’s rental market.
“We know the only way to solve this problem is deliver more expertly-built, professionally-operated rental homes – whether through building them ourselves or through collaborative partnerships.
“This partnership with Strata is one such example and represents an important step forward in our mission. Combining our expertise, we can deliver sustainable homes at scale faster than ever before. Through our shared commitment to creating places where residents don’t just live but thrive, we will deliver a homeowner-quality living experience for our renters.
“With over a decade of placemaking experience, we understand the importance for residents to feel settled and put down roots. By prioritising creating neighbourhoods with a mix of home sizes, such as the first tranche of this partnership, we will continue to create places where our residents can thrive long-term, supporting them at every stage of their life.”
Gemma Smith, Chief Executive Officer at Strata, said: “This partnership with Placefirst is a natural progression for Strata as we continue evolving to become an innovative multi tenure home builder. We believe everyone should have the opportunity to live in a home that is beautifully designed, build to high quality and energy efficient, whether buying or renting.
“We have designed a collection of homes for the single-family rental market, retaining the signature Strata style inside and out. We have worked with Placefirst to carefully consider the internal specification and ensure the homes offer everything a resident will be hoping for.
“We see it as our role to create communities that will in turn improve the lives of generations to come. By joining forces, we can expand this vision and not only deliver more high-quality homes in areas of need, but use our combined experience to ensure our developments retain a strong sense of community and meet the needs of residents today and in the future.”
SMH Group appoints new CEO
Yorkshire and Derbyshire-based accounting and business services firm, SMH Group has appointed Jonathon Dickens as CEO of the business, with James Hartley moving to the role of Chairman.
Having been at the firm for almost 20 years after joining as an apprentice in 2005, Jonathon has been instrumental alongside James in the firm’s strategic growth in recent years, completing multiple acquisitions since 2017 and expanding the group’s service offering to include commercial finance, mortgage brokering and wealth management.
Jonathon Dickens, CEO, said: “Our people are what makes SMH such a fantastic place to work and an equally trusted advisor to our clients. I hope to carry on the great work James and I have done together by continuing our growth trajectory into 2025 and beyond.
“On a personal note, I’d also like to thank James for being an inspirational figure, a true mentor and friend during our time to date at SMH and beyond.”
James Hartley will be moving to a strategic advisory position in his new role as Chairman of SMH Limited.
James Hartley, Chairman, added: “Over the last 22 years, SMH has become a business we can truly be proud of, with an incredible team and clients. I look forward to supporting the business in a strategic capacity in my new role as Chairman.”
Yorkshire pet food firm secures six-figure growth funding package
A Yorkshire company supplying raw pet food has secured a six-figure growth funding package from NPIF II – Mercia Debt Finance, which is managed by Mercia Debt as part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIF II).
The funding will enable Naturaw Pet Food to continue its rapid expansion following an 18-month period in which it has almost doubled the size of its team from 18 to 35, and won the King’s Award for Enterprise for excellence in sustainable development.
The company has just doubled its floorspace by taking on a second 15,000 sq ft unit at Wetherby’s Thorp Arch Estate. The NPIF II funding will enable the business to complete a fit-out and provide additional working capital as it steps up production.
Naturaw provides high-welfare meat from British farms in plastic-free packaging. The company, which is a registered B Corp, supplies over 15,000 customers consisting largely of pet owners, but also including independent pet shops and grooming parlours.
The business was founded by Jess Warneken in 2014 after her Rhodesian Ridgeback, Louis, developed recurrent ear and skin problems. She started to feed him a fresh meat-based diet which transformed his health.
Given the difficulties in sourcing high quality raw food, Jess saw the opportunity to start Naturaw. She was joined by her partner, Tom Johnson, who created the brand identity and later by Chris Broadbent, an experienced company director.
The couple used the proceeds from the sale of their house to set up their first manufacturing operation in 2018. Since then, the company has been doubling its turnover every two years and moved to larger premises three times to keep up with demand.
It now offers over 20 recipes, with all production, packing and distribution carried out from the Wetherby premises.
Jess Warneken, founder and Director, said: “Dogs are designed to eat fresh, natural, raw food rather than processed ingredients and we’re passionate about creating the best raw food we can.
“As demand continued to rise, it was clear we had outgrown our existing premises and we had no option but to take on and fit out a second unit. Together with the funding from Mercia and NPIF II, we now have both the space and the finance we need to continue growing the business.”
Gary Whitaker of Mercia Debt added: “Naturaw is a purpose-led business that has quickly built a following amongst pet owners and become a leader in its field. Access to funding is vital for fast-growing firms like these as they are constantly having to invest in bigger premises, new equipment and staff and they need more working capital.
“We are pleased to be able to support the Naturaw team as they take the business to the next stage of its development.”
Haroon Qammar, Growth Manager at Leeds City Council, has worked closely with Naturaw to help the company identify and leverage appropriate business support and introduced it to Mercia Debt.
New Chair takes helm at Make UK this year
Howdens takes first space at Trade Yard development in Barton
Joinery specialist Howdens is the first tenant at Allenby Commercial’s new Trade Yard business site in Barton.
Allenby has three more units at the same site, where it believes there could be the potential for up to 50 jobs, and is planning another at Immingham, which already has planing permission for six units.
Charlie Allenby, Business Development Director at Allenby Commercial, said: “We do a lot to support local communities and we gave one of the units at Barton for Cash for Kids to use as a seasonal headquarters for their Mission Christmas campaign.
“That project has come to an end and our focus now is on dealing with the interest which the development has generated, particularly following the arrival of Howdens as the first tenant.”
Howdens, which marks its 30th anniversary this year and now has more than 800 depots across the UK and Europe, has taken the largest unit of about 9,000 square feet at The Trade Yard at Falkland Way in Barton. The remaining four units offer 3,400 square feet each and are also capable of inter-connecting to offer up to 13,600 square feet of space.
A spokesperson for Howdens said: “We have been looking for the right location in Barton-Upon-Humber for a few years now and we are very pleased to be open at Falkland Way as part of our national expansion programme.”
The Trade Yard Immingham will offer units in Hall Park Road from 2,750 to 13,00 square feet and will again be aimed at the trade counter sector locally and nationally, continuing a strategy which was launched by the Hull-based developer in 2015 and which is in demand on both sides of the Humber.
Charlie added: “The Trade Yard sites at Beverley, Scunthorpe and Willerby are all full and the success of those gave us the confidence to develop the site in Barton and to move forward at Immingham.
“It is clear that the demand is there for The Trade Yard concept, tailored to meet the needs of the trade counter sector and which has attracted many national brands as well as some local businesses. Typically The Trade Yard tenants are creating as many as ten jobs with every move and our commitment is to continue investing to help them start trading and grow.”
Jordan Stokes, Surveyor at PPH Commercial Chartered Surveyors and Commercial Property Consultants, said: “The Trade Yard is the only speculative industrial development taking place at the moment and the shortage of availability is clearly a factor behind the increase in enquiries. It’s an opportunity for trade, warehouse and light industrial businesses to improve on the accommodation they have at the moment and it might also appeal to inward investors, as has happened at other Trade Yard locations.”
Government sets up Steel Council to ‘rebuild UK steel sector’
The Government is ramping up its plans to rebuild the UK’s steel sector with the launch of a new Steel Council which will bring together leaders from across the industry to advise on the upcoming Steel Strategy.
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds will chair the first meeting of the Council today with co-chair Jon Bolton, Chairman of the Materials Processing Institute – a globally-recognised non-profit research and innovation centre based in the iconic steel community of Teesside.
The Council will bring together steel sector leaders such as CEOs from Tata Steel and British Steel with trade union leaders, industry experts, devolved government representatives and trade associations to address the challenges facing the steel industry and make the changes needed to secure steelmaking in the UK.
It will meet regularly as the Government prepares to launch its Steel Strategy, providing a vital link between industry, workers, experts and government in every part of the UK and ensuring that both the workforce and economic growth are at the heart of its plans to rebuild the steel sector.
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: “The industry and steel communities have had enough of lurching from crisis to crisis – this government will take the action needed to place steel on a secure footing for the long term. With the launch of the Steel Council we’re placing workers and local communities at the heart of our plans as we bring forward up to £2.5 billion of investment to secure growth right across the country.
“Steel was a neglected industry in this country under the previous government, but with the launch of this Council and our upcoming Strategy, we’re proving once again that we are the Government that’s committed to driving growth and innovation in the sector.
“A vibrant steel sector is crucial for economic growth and our national security, and by reflecting views from industry across the UK as we bring forward our Steel Strategy we’re delivering on the Plan for Change and boosting economic stability.”
Jon Bolton added:”I have worked in the steel industry globally for over 40 years, and it’s clear this sector has faced many challenges. “However, I believe the UK has all the essential elements to attract investment into the steel industry: demand, skills, technology, unrivalled research and development and, critically, a supportive government having announced up to £2.5 billion of support.“I see the Council’s task being to develop a strategy that details the core elements of that investment plan and to establish a roadmap towards a rejuvenated, competitive and environmentally progressive industry.”
Full list of the Steel Council’s membership:- Jonathan Reynolds, Secretary of State for Business and Trade (Chair)
- Jon Bolton, Chairman of the Materials Processing Institute (Co-chair)
- Sarah Jones, Minister of State for Industry and Decarbonisation
- British Steel
- Tata Steel
- Liberty Steel
- Marcegaglia UK
- Sheffield Forgemasters
- Celsa Steel
- UK Steel
- British Metals Recycling Association
- Materials Processing Institute
- Warwick Manufacturing Group
- Community Trade Union
- GMB Trade Union
- Kate Forbes, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic, Scottish Government
- Rebecca Evans, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Welsh Government
- Conor Murphy, Minister for the Economy, Northern Ireland Executive
Commercial property specialist grows operations across North Yorkshire
Garness Jones intends to continue growing its operations across North Yorkshire with a move into new offices in York city centre.
It comes as parent company, Garness Group, has taken a new lease in Queens House, Micklegate.
It will become the North Yorkshire operational base for the commercial property business, and the new home of long-established licensing and hospitality property specialist Barry Crux & Company, which became part of the Garness Group in 2023 and has moved from its previous offices in Castlegate.
“This is a significant step for our business,” said managing director Dave Garness.
“Our work in York, and across North Yorkshire, has grown across each of our dedicated property businesses over the past few years, and that has accelerated over the past 12 months since bringing Barry Crux & Company into the Group.
“Garness Jones is securing an-ever increasing number of commercial instructions across North Yorkshire, and Barry Crux is a name with an established reputation for being the leading specialists in the region in the restaurant, hotel, licensed and hospitality property sectors.
“As a business Garness Jones has grown and thrived in East Yorkshire over the past three decades because we have always had locally-based teams who have vast experience and knowledge of the commercial property market.
“That accessibility to local, knowledgeable experts has helped us stand out from the competition, and given us an advantage in terms of being able to properly support and advise our clients
“This is something we believe is essential to providing the very best levels of service and advice to investors, property owners, landlords and tenants and it is why adding a dedicated office in York to our base in Hull was always part of the plan, for when the time was right.
“That time is now and it means we head into 2025 with great excitement and anticipation about further growing our commercial property businesses across Yorkshire.”
Taxation concerns hit all-time high after October budget, shows BCC survey
In the largest poll of business sentiment since October’s Budget the BCC’s Quarterly Economic Survey shows concern about tax, including national insurance, has spiked to 63% – the highest level on record.
Business confidence has declined significantly with 49% of responding companies expecting their turnover to increase over the next twelve months (compared with 56% in Q3). Confidence levels are lowest in the retail and hospitality sectors (39% and 42% respectively).
The survey was conducted after the Budget, with the fieldwork carried out between 11th November and 9th December. The data from over 4,800 businesses across the UK (91% of whom are SMEs – fewer than 250 employees) also shows that the majority of firms are expecting to raise prices.
Tax now by far the top external concern: Following the Budget, concern about taxation is now cited by 63% of responding firms, up from 48% in Q3. This is the highest level of tax concern since 2017, when the BCC started asking this question. The levels in certain sectors are higher, with 72% of production and manufacturing firms, and 68% of construction and engineering businesses raising tax as a concern.
Concern about inflation remains broadly similar to the previous quarter – 47% compared to 46% in Q3. Worry about interest rates has fallen slightly to 28% (29% in Q3).
Business confidence hit by Budget measures: There has been a significant drop in business confidence since the Chancellor’s statement. Only 49% of firms say they expect their turnover to increase in the next twelve months, down from 56% in Q3. This is the lowest figure since the aftermath of the mini budget in late 2022. A fifth (21%) of businesses expect turnover to worsen, up from 15% in Q3, and 30% expect no change.
Profitability confidence has also been hit, 40% of firms expect profits to increase over the next year (48% in Q3), while 32% of businesses expect them to fall.
More businesses expecting to raise prices: Over half (55%) of responding firms say they expect to raise their prices in the next three months, compared with 39% in Q3. While 43% of businesses expect prices to stay the same, and only 2% expecting to decrease.
Labour continues to be the main cost pressure for firms – but the issue is now raised by 75% of businesses, up from 66% in Q3. The issue is most significant for the hospitality sector with 87% reporting it as a challenge, followed by 84% of firms in the transport and logistics sector.
Fewer firms have increased investment plans: Only 20% of businesses say they have increased investment plans over the last quarter, down from 23% in Q3. 24% of firms say they have cut back investment plans, a steep rise from the Q3 figure of 18%. 56% of businesses say their plans have remained the same.
The issue is more marked in certain sectors, with 42% of retail and hospitality firms reporting a scaling back of investment and 30% of manufacturers.
Business conditions struggle: The percentage of respondents reporting increased domestic sales has fallen again to 32%, compared to 35% in Q3. 42% reported no change and 26% of firms said they had seen a decrease in sales.
Retailers were the most likely to have seen a fall in sales (36%) followed by manufacturers (33%).
Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce said: “The worrying reverberations of the Budget are clear to see in our survey data. Businesses confidence has slumped in a pressure cooker of rising costs and taxes.
“Firms of all shapes and sizes are telling us the national insurance hike is particularly damaging. Businesses are already cutting back on investment and say they will have to put up prices in the coming months.
“The Government is rightly coming up with long-term strategies on industry, infrastructure and trade. But those plans won’t help businesses struggling now.
“Business stands ready to work in partnership to make the proposed Employment Rights legislation work for all, but the current plans will add further costs on firms.
“To help business we need to see quick action in three specific areas. Firstly, ministers should accelerate business rate reform to create a system that incentives investment.
“We also need the Government to speed up infrastructure investment, to help SMEs in supply chains across the country. Finally, it’s crucial to support exports, prioritising a better trading deal with the European Union.
“Without urgent Government action to ease the pain on businesses, the challenging economic landscape will get worse before it gets better.”
More than 5m people still have to file tax returns
With less than a month to go, the countdown is on for 5.4 million customers who still need to complete and pay their Self Assessment and avoid penalties, HM Revenue and Customs warns.
More than 24,800 people filed on 1 January. A further 38,000 had even squeezed theirs in before the bells on 31 December, with 310 filing between 23:00 and 23:59.
Anyone required to file a tax return for the 2023 to 2024 tax year who misses the 31 January 2025 deadline could face an initial late filing penalty of £100.
Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said: “We know completing your tax return isn’t the most exciting item on your New Year to-do list, but it’s important to file and pay on time to avoid penalties or being charged interest.
“The quickest and easiest way to complete your tax return and pay any tax owed is to use HMRC’s online services – go to GOV.UK and search ‘Self Assessment’ to get started now.
“Some 97% of customers now file online and one benefit is that they don’t have to complete it all in one go – they can save what they have done and pick it up again later. ”Management of two iconic Sheffield venues handed over to major operator
Management of two iconic Sheffield venues has now been handed over to one of the world’s biggest venue operators.
As of this month (January 2025), ASM Global have taken over operation of Sheffield City Hall and Utilita Arena Sheffield, who will join ASM Global’s network of more than 350 venues, which collectively host 20,000 events and welcome 164 million guests every year.
The new operators will oversee a new chapter for the Sheffield venues with investment powering a series of improvement works, funded by Sheffield City Council and ASM Global.
Taking place across all areas of Utilita Arena, the vision is to reimagine the venue as a world-class touring destination, while developing the venue experience at Sheffield City Hall in line with its prestigious heritage identity.
Councillor Tom Hunt, Leader of Sheffield City Council, said: “Sheffield has an excellent reputation for hosting major events, festivals, live music, culture and sport, and the city’s venues play a huge role in this.
“As our new venue operator, ASM Global will bring the benefits of global scale and expertise to operate and invest in the Utilita Arena and Sheffield City Hall.
“Last year, the Utilita Arena played host to MOBO Awards, Matchroom Boxing and countless global stars and is home to the Sheffield Steelers. Sheffield City Hall is one of the city’s most historic venues and has hosted some of the biggest names in music and entertainment, from Elton John to the Beatles and Kylie Minogue.
“We have big ambitions to develop Sheffield’s events offer even further and our new partnership with ASM Global will ensure our city continues to have fantastic venues for the best events.”
Councillor Kurtis Crossland, Chair of the Communities, Parks and Leisure Committee at Sheffield City Council, added: “ASM Global have a world-class reputation within the venue and entertainment industry, I am confident that both Sheffield City Hall and the Utilita Arena Sheffield are in great hands and that this new investment will help our fantastic Sheffield venues compete on the global stage.
“As we enter this new exciting chapter, we would also like to thank the amazing team at Sheffield City Trust, who have done so much for our entertainment venues and the people of Sheffield. The majority of these teams will transfer to ASM Global where they will continue their hard work to help Sheffield’s event and cultural offer thrive.”
In 2023, Sheffield City Council revealed that the city’s leisure and entertainment venues were set to receive £117 million of investment including rebuilds of some of the city’s most popular leisure centres and improvements to Sheffield’s Arena and City Hall.
As part of these plans, a competitive procurement process was launched in a bid to attract the best in leisure and entertainment provision to run Sheffield’s venues.
Last year, ASM Global were announced as the new operator for both Sheffield City Hall and the Utilita Arena Sheffield.
Chris Bray, President of ASM Global Europe, said: “We are excited to welcome Utilita Arena and Sheffield City Hall to the ASM Global family – two amazing venues with a rich history.
“We’re looking forward to working with the teams to elevate the guest experience and future proof both venues for years to come. Everyone who walks into an ASM venue is a guest – fans, production, artists and athletes; and with this in mind, our ambition is to reimagine the venues, delivering world-class live entertainment in Sheffield.”
Venue improvements to begin this month
The Utilita Arena fan experience is set to be transformed. The first phase will focus on enhancements to the venue concourses including more points of sale to improve speed of service, the introduction of Boxbar – the automated self-serve drinks solution, improvements to the entire food and beverage offering to ensure great quality and more choice, improved digital signage on the concourses, scan-and-collect options for drinks, and more.
There will be additional major developments such as new supersuite spaces, a newly refurbished arena club, and revamped lounges.
As part of the overall enhancements, the venue’s capacity will increase. The Arena’s back of house will be upgraded with a complete overhaul of the backstage areas for artists, production and crew, to ensure a best-in-class experience for all who set foot in the venue.
At Sheffield City Hall, ASM Global will undertake improvements to the concert-goer experience including the addition of more tills and the introduction of a new and improved food and beverage offering.
In Spring, the focus will be on enhancing the customer journey around the venue, with improved signage, screens and security.
ASM Global’s operation of the venue will retain a heavy focus on upholding the cultural heritage of what is one of Sheffield’s most historic buildings, futureproofing it for years to come while preserving its iconic features.
Enhancement works are set to get underway this month and will continue throughout the year, whilst the venues remain open for the duration.
Dom Stokes, General Manager of Utilita Arena Sheffield & Sheffield City Hall, said: “Joining ASM Global is an exciting new chapter, and an incredible opportunity, for both Utilita Arena and Sheffield City Hall.
“ASM’s network, vision and expertise are unmatched, and their ambition for both venues is truly inspiring. Utilita Arena and Sheffield City Hall are integral to the region, and we can’t wait to showcase new experiences while ensuring they remain at the heart of our wonderful community.”
