Sheffield company provides power to support African healthcare locations

Stuart Pearcey
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Sheffield company provides power to support African healthcare locations

Sheffield-based pay-per-use battery technology company MOPO is to partner with The Health Electrification and Telecommunications Alliance to help bring reliable, 24-hour electricity access to healthcare facilities in Sierra Leone.

As part of the initial agreement, MOPO has provided solar energy to electrify two health centres, Waterloo Rural Community Hospital and Wara Wara Faith Clinic. Additionally, the Company has installed a solar-powered MOPO Hubs near each location, which rent MOPO’s proprietary batteries on a pay-per-use basis to individuals and business, particularly relevant to areas where grid infrastructure is unreliable.

MOPO Chairman Jono West said: “We are delighted to be working with HETA, deploying our technology and solar power generating expertise both for the facilities and the local community. Together, we’re building healthier, more resilient communities through sustainable energy solutions.”

Power Africa, through HETA is assembling the world’s leading renewable energy, digital technology, and health solutions providers to electrify and digitally connect health facilities.  It collaborates with foundations, the private sector, and African governments to expand access to electricity to health facilities across sub-Saharan Africa.

Humber-based company builds kit to break records at Tilbury

Stuart Pearcey
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Humber-based company builds kit to break records at Tilbury
A ship-to-shore hopper used to set new records at the Port of Tilbury and on the River Thames was designed, installed and commissioned by Hull-based Spencer Group. Teams from Hull-based Spencer Group’s Design, Civils and M&E teams created the new bulk handling device at the largest port serving London, to act as the primary link between vessels and shore conveyors. Two opposingly mounted vibrating feeders are speed regulated to ensure the hopper maintains a plug of material; preventing potential damage from falling lumps, whilst ensuring the outfeed on to the downstream shore conveyors is fed centrally without spillage. Spencer Group’s project team also carried out the strengthening of the existing jetty structure at London’s principal port, in order to support the weight of the new hopper. The hopper recently made history after receiving a visit from the Yeoman Bridge, one of the world’s two largest self-discharging bulk carriers. The 249m vessel, also known as Big Red, used the hopper, becoming the largest vessel ever to be discharged at the Port of Tilbury as well as the biggest ship to travel down the Thames. Chris Kirkby, Spencer Group Principal Engineer (Design), said: “The new hopper is an impressive machine, capable of handling different aggregate products from sand to primary crushed stone discharged by some of the world’s largest bulk carriers. “This was a fantastic project to be part of, with our team playing a significant role in leading the design development from an initial concept through to coordinating the commissioning activities for the hopper. “The successful outcome of the project is a testament to the absolute collaboration between the whole project team, as well as working closely with our client, Port of Tilbury London Limited, the supply chain and specialist contractors. “In my 10 years at Spencer Group, it certainly has been a career highlight and a project in which I am proud to say I played a part in.”

Planning permission secured to redevelop Bank House office building in Leeds

Tess Egginton
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Planning permission secured to redevelop Bank House office building in Leeds
Yorkshire-based property company Rushbond Group has secured planning permission for the redevelopment of the landmark Bank House office building in Leeds city centre – once the regional headquarters of the Bank of England. The developer will embark on a programme to refurbish the circa 90,000 sq ft building to create Grade A office and associated amenity rich floor space. Plans also include an internal extension and the creation of a multi-level central atrium, transforming this significant building into a sustainable, energy efficient, accessible, best in class scheme. The former bank vaults at lower ground floor will be repurposed to create a new auditorium, and those on the ground floor into a suite of meeting rooms. Rushbond also has plans to substantially restore the iconic exterior and create a new roof level business lounge and terrace. Richard Baker from Rushbond said: “We are excited to have secured the next chapter for this important building. For more than 50 years, Bank House has been a landmark in the heart of the city’s commercial and financial district, and our planned redevelopment will ensure it meets the requirements of modern businesses. “Rushbond’s long-term vision for Bank House is for a sensitive, best in class redevelopment which respects the significance of the building. The demand for Grade ‘A’ office space in Leeds remains strong and Bank House will deliver sustainable, energy efficient workspace to the highest design standards rich in occupier amenities – attracting a new generation of occupiers to be part of its future.” Located on the corner of King Street and Park Place, Bank House – which was purpose built for the Bank of England between 1969-1971 – features an ambitious, European Brutalist-style design, clad in Cornish granite. Rushbond believes the redevelopment will attract inward investment, as well as regional tenants looking for modern, highly specified, sustainable office space in a super prime location, which is at a premium in Leeds city centre. Work is anticipated to commence early in 2026, when the building becomes vacant, and to complete mid-2027.

Lincolnshire Co-op achieves accolade held by fewer. than 200 UK companies

Stuart Pearcey
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Lincolnshire Co-op achieves accolade held by fewer. than 200 UK companies
Lincolnshire Co-op has achieved Investors in People Platinum accreditation, held by fewer than 200 employers nationally. CEO Alison Hands said: “Being accredited Platinum is a testament to the hard work of everyone involved in the development of our new business strategy Purpose Beyond Profit 2030. “To be recognised nationally demonstrates how we have a supportive workplace environment that is open, inclusive and progressive, and we will build on this with our new People and Culture strategy. “I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all colleagues who participated in surveys and interviews, to our Learning and Development team for the orchestration of the assessment, and to all our fantastic colleagues who continue to make Lincolnshire Co-op an amazing place to work.” Investors in People acknowledges organisations who promote a positive working culture for their colleagues so they can lead, support and manage people effectively, with platinum being the highest level of accreditation. The society achieved this status following over 2000 comprehensive surveys and more than 100 interviews with colleagues from different areas of the business. Using the We invest in people Framework, the co-operative was scored on different areas such as leading and inspiring people, managing performance and creating sustainable success, achieving ‘high performing’ for the majority. The report commended Lincolnshire Co-op’s effective communication on its new business strategy, Purpose Beyond Profit 2030, to provide a direction for the society to achieve its objectives and vision.

Company fined after HMP Lincoln inmate dies from Legionnaires’ disease

Tess Egginton
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Company fined after HMP Lincoln inmate dies from Legionnaires’ disease
A company has been fined after it failed to manage the risk of legionella bacteria in the hot and cold water systems at HMP Lincoln. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation followed the death of an inmate. Amey Community Limited has now been fined £600,000 after pleading guilty to a health and safety offence. Graham Butterworth died on 5 December 2017 after contracting Legionnaires’ disease while serving a prison sentence at HMP Lincoln. Water samples from Mr Butterworth’s cell and nearby shower blocks tested positive for legionella days after the 71-year-old died. HSE guidance states any risks of exposure to legionella needs to be identified and managed. The investigation, carried out by HSE inspector Aaron Rashad, found Amey Community Limited, which provided facilities management services at HMP Lincoln, failed to act on a risk assessment carried out in 2016, failed to put in place a written scheme for preventing and controlling legionella risks, failed to ensure that appropriate water temperatures were maintained and failed to monitor water temperatures in the water system in October and November 2017. This allowed legionella bacteria to multiply rapidly. Amey Community Limited pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The company was fined £600,000 and ordered to pay £15,186.85 in costs at Lincoln Magistrates’ Court on 3 December 2024. HSE inspector Stacey Gamwell said: “There is a legal duty to keep workers and inmates safe in prisons. The occupants of HMP Lincoln had been put at risk of legionella bacteria and developing Legionnaires’ disease because of Amey Community Limited’s failures. “Companies such as Amey Community Limited need to ensure they have identified any risk of legionella and have suitable and sufficient arrangements in place for managing the risk and control measures they have implemented.” This HSE prosecution was brought by HSE enforcement lawyer Andy Siddall and supported by HSE paralegal officer Helen Jacob.

Huddersfield community food bank receives £1,000 donation from Vivly Living

Tess Egginton
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Huddersfield community food bank receives £1,000 donation from Vivly Living
Vivly Living, the Huddersfield-based residential property builder and developer, has donated £1,000 to the HD8 Food Pantry. The HD8 Food Pantry is a community food bank which supports over 100 families in the villages of Skelmanthorpe and Denby Dale, close to Huddersfield. Jen Wass of Vivly Living said: “These are very stressful and difficult times for many families living in the Huddersfield area. The cost-of-living crisis has caused real hardship, which is felt more keenly than ever over Christmas. “We believe that by working with the local community food bank and the Lions, we can make a difference and help struggling families to cope with the extra cost of Christmas.” The food pantry is a membership discount grocery shop that supports families and individuals who are living in hardship and is determined to bring dignity to accessing affordable food. Pantry membership is not just for people on benefits, it is for anyone who is feeling financial hardship and membership is free. Drew Atkins, the landlord of the White Hart in Denby Dale, who has sourced the food for the hampers and is co-ordinating their distribution, said: “I’d like to thank Vivly Living for their generous help in providing much-needed food for families in the Denby Dale and Skelmanthorpe areas this Christmas. “Together with the Denby Dale Lions and Giraffe Logistics, who have provided the cardboard boxes for the Christmas hampers, Vivly have played a crucial role in making this project a success. “There are two different hampers, one for families with 40 items in and one for couples with 30 items. They will both contain cleaning and hygiene materials as well as food, covering breakfast, lunch and dinner. “The hampers will be distributed by the HD8 Pantry and will help to make this Christmas that little bit easier for over 100 families in the Denby Dale and Skelmanthorpe. There is no doubt that many families will be struggling, especially with the removal of the Winter Fuel allowance, so this is an important campaign.”

Keepmoat finishes £80m housing development in Huyton

Stuart Pearcey
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Keepmoat finishes £80m housing development in Huyton
Doncaster-based Keepmoat has finished an £80m regeneration investment Huyton near Liverpool on a site formerly occupied by sub-standard post-war housing. More than 300 homes have been built in the Canterbury Park development, with 125 of these offering affordable housing in partnership with Livv Housing Group, Knowsley Council, Knowsley Housing Trust, and North Huyton Communities Future. Peter Barlow, North West MD at Keepmoat, said: “We’re thrilled to share that all the homes have been sold at Canterbury Park. The community that has been created is thriving and is situated in a brilliant location surrounded by green spaces. “Over the four year construction process, the development has engaged more than 100 young people locally through apprenticeships, college and school talks, and training programmes. “At Keepmoat, we don’t just build homes, we aim to invest in and regenerate areas sustainably to drive further investment into areas that need it the most. These homes were specifically designed for first time buyers, growing families and downsizers, to support residents across the housing ladder.” The latest phase adds to the community already existing in Huyton and when complete the regeneration project will create a total of much needed new 700 homes, representing a multi-million pound investment from the housebuilder. Tim Molton, REVIVE Project Director and North Huyton Communities Future CEO, added: “Keepmoat has been the cornerstone of a significant public and private sector partnership known as Revive since they were selected as lead developer in 2005. “Over the 19 years that Keepmoat have been involved in the partnership, they have led the rebuilding programme, often through difficult times in the housing market and never waivered in their support of the stakeholder’s objectives. Keepmoat has gone above and beyond their original remit to physically build out the new communities.”

First aircraft returns to Doncaster airport

Tess Egginton
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First aircraft returns to Doncaster airport

The first flight back into the former Doncaster Sheffield Airport has landed.

Innovative aviation and aerospace company 2Excel has had permission from City of Doncaster Council to bring back one of its aircraft to the site as part of a winter maintenance programme. The company, which has occupied a hangar on the airport site for over a decade, has continued its technical delivery operations on site since the airport closed two years ago but had to relocate its aircraft fleet to other airports and airfields around the country. Last week saw the return of the first of its aircraft – a 1977 Piper Panther PA31 Navajo twin-engined utility aircraft that is used as a search and rescue spotter plane – in a managed process known as an unlicensed flight; one which is not carrying passengers or cargo. The team at 2Excel will once again be able to use the hangar to house aircraft over the winter period which will return to Doncaster from bases around the country. It is envisaged that several flights will take place in the coming months. Mayor Ros Jones said: “We know how important the airport is to local people and businesses so it is great to see an already established aviation business in our city being able to use the site again. “2Excel is a great supporter of the airport and a strong advocate for the aviation industry in Doncaster and them returning their aircraft to the site as part of their winter planning is really a positive step. Their presence sends a signal to others about the importance of the site as a strategic base. “I have made reopening our beloved airport my number one priority. We are still working steadfastly to reopen the airport by Spring 2026 and there will be further news forthcoming in early 2025. Progress is going well and further updates will be given in the New Year.” Andy Offer, Director and Co-founder at 2Excel, said: “It’s a testament to all at 2Excel that we absorbed the pain caused by the unexpected closure of Doncaster to aviation in November 2022. “It’s a place we’ve been proud to call our home for more than a decade. But it’s important to recognise that we never left! Throughout the past two years, some 150 people have continued to work in Hangar 3, day in, day out. “City of Doncaster Council have never lost sight of the goal to reopen the airport and we’ve remained in constant contact. We look forward to continuing to work with both the Council and the new operator to return Doncaster airport to its rightful place as a major employer in the South Yorkshire region. “The airport can regain its status as a hub for creating economic prosperity and employment for well-paid and highly skilled people – including our employees who create nationally strategic technologies and delver critical services to the British public and Government.”

North Yorkshire sees new venues to boost area’s economy

Stuart Pearcey
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North Yorkshire sees new venues to boost area’s economy
Two new venues are to open as part of an ongoing commitment to drive regeneration and investment in towns across North Yorkshire with the Council having secured a tenant for a vacant unit in the council-owned Royal Baths building in Harrogate and the opening of Northallerton’s multi-million pound Treadmills scheme due next year. Cllr Mark Crane, whose responsibilities include economic development and regeneration, said: “The arrival of these new venues benefits everybody. They will provide local employment opportunities and hopefully attract more people to our town centres, who are likely to spend money in other shops and use local accommodation providers. “It’s crucial that we continue identify opportunities to drive investment and increase footfall in our high streets. “We want to have economically vibrant and thriving town centres where residents, visitors and businesses work together to drive growth – and our larger centres such as Harrogate and Northallerton play a key role in driving economic activity elsewhere across the county.”

Morgan Sindall appointed for next phase of Bradford College development

Stuart Pearcey
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Morgan Sindall appointed for next phase of Bradford College development

Morgan Sindall Construction is to continue its work with Bradford College thanks to its appointment as contractor for the purpose-built Future Technologies Centre.

Having previously undertaken phase one of the project, which saw the demolition of a derelict mill on Thornton Road in the city, Morgan Sindall will now undertake phase two. This phase will see the construction of a state-of-the-art four-storey building, which will house modern automotive, digital and engineering training at Bradford College.

The facility will offer students skills in new technologies, such as modern automotive and digital engineering, electric/hybrid vehicles and advanced manufacturing. As such, the Centre will be vital in supporting the growth of technology and low-carbon skills capability within West Yorkshire.

Once completed in 2026, the Bradford College Automotive and Digital Engineering Department will relocate from Bowling Back Lane to the new premises. As many as 650 students could enrol at the Centre.

Ben Hall, Area Director for Morgan Sindall Construction’s Yorkshire business, said: “We’re thrilled to be able to continue our relationship with Bradford College by delivering what will be a game changing new facility for Bradford.

“As part of our delivery of this project we look forward to undertaking social value initiatives that benefit the people of Bradford, ensuring this new facility is having a positive impact on the city way ahead of opening.”

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