Lincolnshire business lands £300k grant to develop crypto platform
Lincolnshire-based company, Recap, a provider of crypto tax calculation services, is poised for significant expansion following its recent Innovate UK grant win.This milestone achievement marks a pivotal moment in Recap’s journey to revolutionise crypto asset management, with the £300k grant fueling the development of a pioneering, privacy-focused collaborative crypto tax and client due diligence platform tailored for accountants and professional services.Driving this initiative forward, Recap has brought together a consortium of industry experts – namely pioneers in source of fund analytics, Hoptrail, and top UK crypto specialist accountancy firms Andersen LLP and Wright Vigar – also headquartered in Lincoln.Together, they will enhance the platform’s capabilities to seamlessly track and process crypto asset transactions while ensuring trusted source of fund checks during customer onboarding.Speaking about the grant application success, Daniel Howitt, CEO and co-founder of Recap said: “This grant is a testament to our dedication to innovation and our commitment to addressing the evolving needs of the Crypto industry.“We are immensely proud to lead this project alongside esteemed colleagues and partners Andersen LLP, Wright Vigar and Hoptrail, who bring unparalleled expertise in accountancy, tax services and anti-money laundering compliance, respectively. “As HMRC urges crypto holders to disclose gains, it’s been a pleasure to assemble this team of ‘Crypto Tax Avengers’ to make the first steps towards revolutionising crypto asset management and equip accountancy firms with the cutting-edge tools they need to best serve their clients and remain compliant.
“With the support of Innovate UK and our esteemed collaborators, Recap is poised to lead the charge as the go-to solution provider for crypto tax and client due diligence.”Funding a 12-month project – already underway – the Innovate UK grant win represents a significant investment in Recap’s growth trajectory, with plans for its team of five to expand significantly over the next year, with multiple new hires in the pipeline.Playing a key role in the expansion of Lincoln’s digital hub, Recap’s ambitious drive to become the go-to provider for cryptocurrency accounting software is set to help boost the city’s economic landscape – drawing more fintech and digital asset experts to the area.Daniel added: “This investment is not just financial: it represents the confidence and support we’ve garnered from Innovate UK – a testament to our dedication to innovation, and the strategic vision we have for Recap and the future of crypto and digital asset management.“Moreover, our ambitious drive to become the top provider for cryptocurrency accounting software aligns with our hopes of contributing to the economic growth of Lincoln. By fostering innovation and job creation, we aim to make a lasting impact on the city’s financial standing.”
North Yorkshire urban improvement plans move to next stage
If the West Yorkshire Combined Authority approves the full business cases at its meeting on Thursday, multi-million pound schemes to transform the centres of Harrogate, Selby and Skipton can go ahead.
Approval would start the process of appointing a contractor for the year-long project, which is expected to be in the summer, with work on the ground starting in September.
The Transforming Cities Fund projects, which are due to cost a total of £44.6 million to enhance access to transport hubs in all three towns, have already been approved by the Department for Transport and North Yorkshire Council.
Executive member for highways and transport, Cllr Keane Duncan, said: “We welcome the Combined Authority’s proposal to support the transformative, revised schemes in Harrogate, Selby and Skipton.
“The plans have been revised to ensure we focus on the elements which gathered the most public support.
“After cross-party discussions, there has been significant change to the schemes, particularly in Harrogate, with the most controversial elements no longer moving forward.
“We will soon begin preparatory work ahead of construction starting. This is a very exciting time for the regeneration of all three town centres.”
The £12.1 million Harrogate scheme reflects the revised focus agreed by the council’s executive in November.
It will see pedestrian improvements along Station Parade, including raised crossings and signal junction improvements, a bus lane from Bower Road into the bus station and a south-bound segregated cycle lane. Station Parade will remain two lanes and there will be no changes to James Street.
The scheme will also see public realm improvements to One Arch and Station Square, and new cycle parking at the railway station.
Subject to Combined Authority approval, construction is due to start in September and will take one year.
The revised £25 million Selby scheme is focussed on improving pedestrian and cycling access along Station Road and Ousegate, the new station access and car park to the east, along with improvements to the station building and the new plaza entrance into Selby Park.
Other elements, including the connection to Portholme Road, junction alterations at The Crescent and wider landscaping plans for Selby Park, would be brought forward as subsequent phases.
Construction is due to start at the end of September, with completion due for late autumn 2026.
The revised £7.2 million Skipton project will deliver the canal path connection from the railway station to the Cattle Mart and college, and improve the walking route to the bus station, along Black Walk, including the replacement of Gallows Bridge.
Improvements to the railway station car park would be brought forward at a later date.
We hope to appoint a contractor in July, with construction starting in September, lasting until June next year.
West Yorkshire’s £80m investment zone promises up to 2,500 new jobs
Businesses, universities, and hospitals will benefit from an £80million pound investment zone to drive the development of life-changing technologies.
The plan will be brought forward on Thursday by West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin when regional leaders meet for the final Combined Authority meeting of her mayoral term.
The first half of the 10-year, £160m West Yorkshire Healthtech and Digital Tech Investment Zone – given the green light from Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove last week – is expected to leverage over £220m of public and private sector investment over five years, creating over 2,500 skilled jobs.
The package of support will bring together universities, businesses and hospitals to deliver cutting-edge research and develop innovative new technologies for patients, to be used in the UK and world-wide.
As the home of NHS England, West Yorkshire is a global leader in health and digital technology, with universities in Bradford, Huddersfield and Leeds partnering with NHS Trusts and local firms to share their expertise, develop exciting new products, and transform patient care for millions of people.
Tracy Brabin said: “For the UK economy to prosper it needs West Yorkshire to succeed, and devolution is helping us empower our healthtech and digital sectors, transforming the lives of patients world-wide.
“This multi-million pound investment will help us build world-leading centres of innovation in Bradford, Huddersfield and Leeds, bringing together our universities, businesses and hospitals to drive the development of lifechanging technologies and deliver thousands of skilled jobs.
“Through our investment zone, we’re changing our region for the long-term, working with partners and the government to build a stronger, brighter West Yorkshire that works for all”.
The investment zone will centre around three nationally significant clusters of economic activity, powered by investment in infrastructure, skills training and business support.
They are:
- The Digital Health Enterprise Zone at the University of Bradford, which supports business growth, knowledge and skills development by connecting academics, researchers and health and social care partners. It also contributes to the training of future healthcare professionals, advancing research and commercial opportunities through its dedicated simulation space, The Technology House. Its aim is to work with other universities, local government and wider partners to make West Yorkshire the place for health tech innovation.
- A National Health Innovation Campus at the University of Huddersfield, where the university is investing over £250 million to develop a state-of-the-art campus, focused on specialist clinical teaching and research to tackle health inequalities.
- A HealthTech Innovation Hub in Leeds – a flagship project of the investment zone which will see the development of the first phase of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust’s 1 million square foot “Leeds Innovation Village” on the site of Leeds General Infirmary. This will involve the construction of the Trust’s new, world-leading, state of the art digital hospital at the Old Medical School.
Traders gather for first time ahead of Lincoln Market re-opening
City of Lincoln Council’s refurbished Cornhill Market will host an official opening celebration event on Friday 17 May, exactly 86 years after it first opened in 1938.
Funded by a £5.9 million investment from the government’s Towns Fund programme through the ‘Be Lincoln Town Deal’, £1.9 million from City of Lincoln Council, and additional funding of £918,000 from Historic England, the major regeneration works for the building were completed at the end of 2023, including;
- The opening up of the blind arches on the north and east elevations
- A new mezzanine floor overlooking the market hall, a space to enjoy food and drink
- Replacement roofing and glazed lantern
- Demolition of the butcher’s corridor to the south of the building and the construction of a new two storey extension to accommodate a new restaurant with a roof terrace
- New heating and lighting in the building
- Freestanding stalls in the interior space of a contemporary, minimal design for local businesses to promote local produce and an area within the centre of the Market Hall to accommodate seating for the associated food outlets within the stalls
- Unisex toilets including disabled and baby changing facilities
- Repaving and enhancing external areas in City Square have also been completed, to encourage more visitors to use the space in events and activities
- Corner Farm: Catering service, providing satisfying meals such as jacket potatoes and salads
- Stokes: Award winning family business in sourcing, roasting, blending & supplying coffee
- Bella Di Casa: Authentic, homemade Italian ice cream (gelato)
- Tick King: Specialises in watch repairs and watch servicing
- Bradford Plants: A Lincolnshire based husband and wife duo selling a variety of plants
- Oatz and Co: Sweet treats baked with oats, including vegan and gluten free options
- Fabrick Tattoos Embroidery: Alternative embroidery, crafts and sustainable clothing
- Bubble Kiss: Exciting bubble teas and mouthwatering bubble waffles to accompany
- Lincs Mo Mo: Pop up food vendor specialising in tasty dumplings called mo mos
- The Cookie People: Cookies, cookie dough and drinks to satisfy any sweet tooth
Water companies get £180m to prevent sewage spilling into watercourses
Fast-tracked investment of £180m over the next year is expected to prevent more than 8,000 sewage spills polluting English waterways, the Environment Secretary will announce today.
It follows the Secretary of State directing water and sewage companies to measurably reduce sewage spills over the next year by accelerating commitments and delivering new funding.
Examples of measures include investment in AI systems to help manage storm loads, the installation of thousands of new in-sewer monitors to check flows and spot blockages early, the recruitment and training of specialist staff, and accelerated wetland construction programmes.
These new funding commitments are over and above water companies’ existing £3.1 billion investment into storm overflow improvements, as well as their ongoing annual investment to maintain the performance of the existing network.
It follows the recent ban on bonuses for water company executives where firms have committed serious criminal breaches, subject to Ofwat consultation, and the quadrupling of the Environment Agency’s regulatory capacity, enabling them to carry out 4,000 water company inspections by the end of the next financial year.
Environment Secretary Steve Barclay said: “The amount of sewage being spilled into our rivers is completely unacceptable, and the public rightly expects action. This £180 million of accelerated investment, which will stop more than 8,000 sewage spills over the next year, is a welcome step forward as we continue to push for better performance from water companies and hold them to account.
“This money will mean more cutting-edge technology, including artificial intelligence, and more specialist staff to detect and reduce spills.”
York structural steel firm helps build hospital in £4.5m contract
York-based Severfield has sent almost 2,000 tonnes of structural steel to Guyana as part of a £4.5m contract secured with support from the UK government’s export credit agency.
At its Dalton site in North Yorkshire Severfield has been fabricating steel for a paediatric and maternity hospital in the country’s capital Georgetown, which is being built by VAMED Engineering GmbH.
Rob Evans, Divisional Managing Director of Severfield’s Commercial & Industrial division, said: “With the invaluable support of UKEF, we are proud to add to our strong and varied history of delivering high quality, fabricated steelwork for use in overseas projects.”
Headquartered in York, Severfield has five manufacturing sites in the UK and two in mainland Europe. It operates in a range of sectors including infrastructure, transport, and commercial, working on high-profile projects such as Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, 22 Bishopsgate, and The Shard, London’s tallest building.
Lord Offord, Minister for Exports, added: “This deal, made possible by UK Export Finance, is great news for Severfield which will support hundreds of jobs across the country. Its story shows that the UK’s steel expertise remains in high demand for ambitious projects around the world, supporting jobs, growth and prosperity.”
Leeds honours entrepreneur for contribution to the city
Entrepreneur Nazir Ahmed, who arrived in the UK from Malawi almost 50 years ago, has been honoured at a special Civic Reception hosted by Leeds City Council.
Nazir and his wife Razia Ahmed were recognised for their outstanding contribution to the City through The Parklane Group and its philanthropic arm, The Parklane Foundation.
Established in Leeds from the purchase of Mr and Mrs Ahmed’s first UK home in 1977, the Parklane Group now employs more than 350 people across a substantial property holding.
Launched in 2005 The Parklane Foundation was born out of an inherent desire to help build better futures within local communities through fundraising initiatives, community-inspired projects, and national charity partnerships. It has donated hundreds of thousands of pounds to charitable causes in the UK and overseas. Its current focus is on children and young people, improving educational attainment, access to sport, and homelessness. It also supports causes in Malawi, one of the most deprived countries in Africa, through instigating micro finance, water irrigation and housing projects to assist poor and homeless communities.
The special ceremony took place at the Civic Hall in Leeds and was attended by Councillor Alison Garthwaite – Lord Mayor of Leeds, Zulfi Karim DL. – High Sheriff of West Yorkshire, and Tom Riordan CBE – Chief Executive of Leeds City Council. Tributes were also delivered by the three sons of Mr and Mrs Ahmed, Naveen, Nadeen and Sameer who now lead the business and Foundation ventures.
Mr Ahmed said: “I am truly honoured to receive this recognition alongside by wife who has been my life partner through not only raising our beloved family but also creating a lasting legacy through Parklane and the Foundation.
“Strong family values remain at the heart of everything that we do at the Parklane Group and we are determined to use our resources to deliver real change across society and support those less privileged than us.”
One Harrogate brewery acquires another with help of private investor
Harrogate-based Rooster’s Brewery has acquired Daleside Brewery Ltd with the help of a substantial amount of new capital from a private investor.
Daleside will continue to operate as a separate company with its existing team of staff and brew its existing range of beers, but will in due course transfer and fill spare capacity at Rooster’s in Harrogate’s Hornbeam Park. The two businesses will continue to trade separately within their respective markets with the Daleside portfolio of beers brewed by their existing team, using their own dedicated strain of yeast.
Daleside Brewery was founded in 1991 by Bill Witty, who passed away in 2007. Eric Lucas joined the brewery in 1993, eventually becoming MD.
Ian Fozard, Rooster’s Chairman, said: “We know the Daleside business and the team well and, with only a few miles between us, have helped each other countless times out over the years. In addition, my son Oliver, Rooster’s Head Brewer, did his apprenticeship and cut his teeth in the world of brewing at Daleside in the early 2000’s, while I was also a good friend of Daleside founder Bill Witty.”
Eric Lucas, Daleside’s MD, said “The long-term future of Daleside Brewery, its team and its brands have been secured and will remain in Harrogate with the highly respected and acclaimed Rooster’s Brewery. Being with Daleside has been an astonishing and enjoyable journey. On behalf of myself and my fellow owners, I would like to thank everyone who has contributed and has been part of this great Daleside experience. I’m sure that we’re all looking forward to many pints of both Daleside and Rooster’s beers in the future.”
Yorkshire Dales hotel sold
Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co has sold the former White Rose Hotel in Askrigg, a village in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
Following the completion of the sale, the venue has now been re-named and re-branded The Middle House, Pub | Dining | Hotel.
The hotel has been purchased by Complete Hospitality, an expanding hotel group who have made the White Rose their first purchase. Directors, John Teasdale and Mervyn Parrish, have significant experience in the hotel sector, with John being local to the village and well known throughout the area.
Boasting 12 bedrooms along with a bar, games room and orangery restaurant overlooking the garden, this popular hospitality business is a focal point of the village and regularly frequented by locals and tourists alike.
The property has already gone through the first phase of an extensive refurbishment programme, including an upgrade of all guest bedrooms, redecoration of the reception and restaurant areas and a significant transformation to the bar area.
John Teasdale of Complete Hospitality says: “Located in the ‘middle’ of the thriving village of Askrigg, the venue now offers great food and drinks, comfortable accommodation and the very best of Yorkshire Hospitality.
“We have received amazing support and feedback from the local community, and we want to provide them and visitors with a cosy and comfortable place to have a pint of local beer, eat some tasty locally sourced food and enjoy great company. Our plan is to sympathetically refurbish the entire building and create a venue everyone can enjoy.”
Handling the sale for Christie & Co was Mark Worley, Director – Hotels North, who says: “We are delighted to have assisted John and Mervyn in their purchase and the sale is yet another example of the demand for leisure led hospitality businesses in tourist locations such as National Parks and seaside towns.
“We wish the new owners every success with this exciting project and I look forward to hopefully helping them secure their second venue at some point in the not too distant future.”
Funding for the purchase was arranged via Gary Boyce, Director at Christie Finance, who adds: “John and Mervyn are experienced hoteliers and with John and his family residing in the immediate area, this was the perfect opportunity.
“The hotel sector has experienced difficult lending conditions over the past 12 months however, the finance that we were able to secure will help support their acquisition and future intentions to grow the business.
“The rebrand of the White Rose, now known as ‘The Middle House’, is a positive statement of change and showcases John and Mervyn’s commitment to being integral within their community and encourage new business and tourist trade to the area. We wish them all the very best.”
Former M&S building in Hull set for restoration with Levelling Up Funding
Plans are in place to support enabling works to bring back into life one of Hull city centre’s most prominent buildings.
The former Marks & Spencer (M&S) building at 40-44 Whitefriargate is subject to improvement works which are being supported by Levelling Up Funding (LUF).
Hull City Council is supporting the work by allocating government funding totalling £156,784.50 which will contribute 50 per cent of the renovation costs.
Grant beneficiaries Wykeland Properties Limited is funding the remaining costs.
The LUF grant will support works to make the property safe and viable for long-term occupancy, including the removal of remaining asbestos and the installation of lighting, a disabled toilet and a new fire alarm system.
Over 3,000 sqm of unused city centre floor space will be brought back into use, as well as supporting the restoration of a Grade II listed building.
Cllr Paul Drake-Davis, portfolio holder for regeneration at the council, said: “The former M&S building is one of the most prominent on Whitefriargate, both for its size and heritage characteristics.
“I am delighted that the council is able to support renovation works through its LUF grant scheme and I hope to see the building occupied soon.”
