Sheffield City Council welcomes six “high quality” proposals for Cole Brothers building
Sheffield City Council has received a strong response from developers resulting in six “high quality” proposals for the future of the Cole Brothers building in Barkers Pool.
The final six developers provide a range of exciting options for the refurbishment of the building which will secure the next phase of the Heart of the City project.
All six of the proposals are from experienced developers with a strong track record of redeveloping similar buildings.
All of the proposals plan to retain and enhance the Grade II listed building, with a variety of measures to improve the building’s efficiency – in keeping with the Council’s ambitions of achieving net zero by 2030.
Due to the number and quality of the submissions received during the marketing exercise, further analysis and discussion will be undertaken with the interested parties over the coming weeks. Therefore, the council says details about the six proposals cannot be shared at this stage.
A final decision on the preferred bidder will be made by the Strategy and Resources Committee as soon as possible after the local elections in May.
Cllr Mazher Iqbal, co-chair of the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee, said: “I am very pleased to see progress being made on the Cole Brothers building and it is fantastic to see so many developers saw the potential of the site and our city.
“The building sits right in the middle of our £470m Heart of the City regeneration project and I can’t wait to see how it ties in with the rest of the brilliant work going on there and across the whole city. I look forward to seeing the final option for consideration.
“As we look towards the future of Sheffield and all the impressive regeneration works, it is important we consider not just the overall look but the environmental impact these works have on our city. I am very happy to see this has been a key consideration in the development of these plans and we have shown we are committed to achieving net zero by 2030 through actions, not just words.”
The Cole Brothers building was Grade II listed on the National Heritage List for England in August 2022. As a result, all of the proposals have been drawn up in following discussions with Historic England to ensure they are deliverable within the listing.
Property owners offered grants to fund refits and rebuilds in Scunthorpe
Property owners and developers in North Lincolnshire can apply for up to £15,000 per vacant unit to help fund refits, rebuilds and new build homes designed for young professionals and families thanks to an injection of £1m from the Government
This latest part of a new vision for Scunthorpe High Street adds to the recent investment in gigabit broadband, community events space, new gardens and innovation grants for businesses.
Cllr Rob Waltham, leader, North Lincolnshire Council, said: “By developing new homes more people will be living and working in the heart of the town. People need good quality homes close to leisure facilities and amenities, places for young people to enjoy living in the town centre, or for people to raise families and feel part of a vibrant community and we will use this Government cash to make that happen.
“This is part of our vision for Scunthorpe which we have designed so that it evolves into a centre for learning, living, leisure and business.
“We have already created a wonderful open space with Church Square Gardens, we are preserving and developing St John’s church, building a technology and innovation hub, and have delivered broadband.”
This latest cash comes on top of targeted support through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund for retailers to adopt sustainability and digital technologies.
Shopkeepers can use the cash to invest in energy infrastructure such as solar panels, biomass boilers, insulation, heat pumps and energy efficient products such as LED lighting or invest in new digital technologies.
The £1m is targeted to the town centre from a £3.2m pot which will be used to deliver at least 400 new homes across the whole of Scunthorpe. Property owners can repurpose underused sites, bring back vacant units or derelict sites into residential use, or develop new-build homes.
Employment lawyer joins LCF Law
Yorkshire-based law firm, LCF Law, has appointed employment lawyer, Balal Qaiser. Balal has worked in legal practice for almost ten years and is experienced in providing employment law advice to both businesses and individuals. He will be based at the firm’s Bradford and Leeds offices.
Giving legal counsel on all HR issues, specialist employment matters, settlement agreements and data protection, Balal has also dealt with contentious claims. He joins from a Leeds-based national law firm where he worked on a varied case load involving allegations of whistle blowing, disability discrimination, race discrimination and unfair dismissal.
Balal said: “I’m really pleased to join LCF Law. Bradford is my hometown, and I went to university here. LCF Law has a long-standing history in the city, and I was keen to join the firm, as I know how committed they are to career development and what a strong reputation the employment team has.”
Head of employment law, James Austin, said: “Recently we have seen a big increase in the number of businesses seeking advice in all areas of employment law but especially when it comes to redundancies, allegations of unfair dismissal, discrimination and enforcing restrictive covenants. Balal is considered, experienced and very personable. He is a welcome addition to our team and a safe pair of hands helping deal with the increased workload.”
Auction acquisition sees further growth for Eddisons in South Yorkshire
Property consultancy Eddisons has strengthened its presence in South Yorkshire with the acquisition of long-established Sheffield firm of surveyors and auctioneers, Mark Jenkinson & Son.
The deal will see the further expansion of Eddisons’ Sheffield office, which was launched in 2021 and bolstered by the acquisition of Fernie Greaves later that year. The addition of Mark Jenkinson & Son, which has been in business in Sheffield for over 125 years, strengthens the Eddisons auction team, currently trading as Pugh & Co. Both firms are due to be integrated under the Eddisons branding.
Eddisons managing partner Anthony Spencer said: “The acquisition of the Mark Jenkinson & Son business will enhance our existing property auction team and grow our successful team in Sheffield and South Yorkshire. I am very pleased to welcome the team to Eddisons.”
Pugh director Paul Thompson said: “It’s great news that Mark Jenkinson is now part of Eddisons. By combining two highly respected auction houses we will be able to offer an unrivalled service to clients, with an excellent geographic spread and depth of professional expertise and experience.”
The deal follows a number of recent acquisitions for Eddisons including South Coast-based Daniells Harrison and Midlands firm Budworth Hardcastle in the past year. The firm now employs over 350 staff across 25 offices, offering a full range of property services including agency, auction, valuation, property management, lease advisory and building consultancy.
Adrian Little, senior partner at Mark Jenkinson & Son, added: “We’re delighted to be joining Eddisons and to be working with Paul and the rest of Eddisons’ Sheffield colleagues, building on the successes and momentum that they have already achieved and continuing to drive the business forward in South Yorkshire.”
Consultation begins on major new commercial development for Spalding
A public consultation on plans for a 750,000 sq. ft development at the Lincs Gateway site at the edge of Spalding is about to begin.
Alcan Properties Limited have put together proposals for warehouse and logistics facilities to attract high-profile companies to the site. The new development would cover roughly 18.5 hectares to the south of Spalding town centre, identified for development in the 2019 Lincolnshire Local Plan – between the B1173 Barrier Bank and the A16.
Plans for the scheme are being drawn up by UMC Architects, with Lincolnshire-based legal and professional services firm Knights co-ordinating the work which will support a future application for outline planning permission.
Before any planning application is submitted, members of the public are being invited to find out more at an informal drop-in session between 2pm and 7pm on Monday 13th March at Welland Yacht Club in Spalding.
Councillor Nick Worth, South Holland District Council deputy leader, said: “It is testament to the national, and even international, reputation of South Holland that we continue to attract major investment to the District, bringing new jobs for our residents, improvements to infrastructure and new opportunities for local businesses.
“It is really positive to see proposals put forward for this prime site in Spalding, and I would encourage people to attend the consultation event and find out more about the plans being put forward.”
Emma White, acting on behalf of Alcan Properties, said: “We are delighted to be bringing forward our proposals and in so doing have the opportunity to deliver on South Holland District Council’s aspiration for this site, to see it developed.
“Our proposals will provide much needed storage and distribution space and will generate significant employment opportunities for the local population during both the construction phase and once the units are occupied.
We have been working alongside South Holland District Council and Lincolnshire County Council in developing our scheme and we are keen to explain our plans and to hear the views of people and businesses local to the site, prior to submission of our application.”
James Rigby, Senior Associate at Knights, said: “This scheme seeks to bring forward a Prestige Employment Site in accordance with the allocation in the South East Lincolnshire Local Plan and we are actively looking to explore opportunities to improve the site’s connectivity to adjacent communities as a key element of the proposals.
“For example, we would like to discuss ways of improving the existing bridleway, including our ideas for resurfacing and improved lighting.”
New barge boosts canal as route for commercial traffic and eases road burden
A historic Yorkshire waterway has once again welcomed regular commercial traffic with trips by a barge operated by MMS Workboats of Hull taking 18 aggregate-hauling lorries off the road on each trip.
The 500-tonne capacity barge ‘MMS Off-Roader’ has been transporting marine aggregate from ABP Humber’s Albert Dock in Hull to Knostrop in Leeds, from where it’s forwarded for use across West Yorkshire.
Each trip is welcome news for those using Yorkshire’s strategic road network as it immediately takes over 18 heavy goods vehicles off the roads, a figure that will increase if commercial traffic using waterways grows as expected.
David Lowe of the Commercial Boat Operators Association said: “Commercial traffic is returning to the Aire and Calder Canal after a lot of hard work by a lot of people. Britain’s waterways are an underused part of the transport network, with an ability to deliver heavy goods in a quiet but efficient way that helps keep heavy lorries off the roads. The run of ‘MMS Off-Roader’ to Leeds is something to celebrate, and is the largest vessel to reach central Leeds for 30 years.”
MMS MD Rob Langton said:“As a key part of the local marine industry MMS are very happy to get this ship under way with what we hope is the first of a regular trade for the building industry of West Yorkshire. It is a shipment that takes heavy good vehicles off our pressurised road network, a win for logistics and the wider environment.”
Simon Bird, ABP Humber Director, said: “Operating commercial vessels across the region’s waterways will bring huge benefits to the area. Along with a reduction in emissions, taking heavy goods vehicles of the roads will also help reduce road congestion and improve safety. Congratulations to MMS Workboats of Hull and the wider team involved with this project.”
The historic Aire and Calder Navigation has not had regular commercial traffic to Leeds for over 10 years. The trip starts its journey at ABP’s Albert Dock in Hull, locks into the canal at Goole before heading to Knostrop, Leeds. It is hoped it will encourage similar traffic to other destinations. The start of this traffic represents a major investment by MMS Workboats of Hull and other interested parties including AC Marine Aggregates Lt. and the Canal and River Trust.
Another sustainable accolade for the ‘MMS Off-Roader’ is that it has been repurposed. The vessel was originally a tanker named the ‘Humber Princess’ built in Hull in 1979. MMS’s skilled team, planned and delivered the conversion project, taking just short of a year.
Yorkshire bus operator gets £7.6m to boost zero emission bus fleet
York, Bradford, Leeds and Sheffield are to get zero emission buses thanks to an investment of more than £7m from the government.
The fleet will involve a total of 117 buses worth £25.3m to be built in Northern Ireland by Wrightbus and operated by First Bus.
The funding is an additional investment from the Zero Emission Buses Regional Areas scheme (ZEBRA), which was launched in 2021 to allow local transport authorities to bid for funding for zero emission buses and supporting infrastructure.
- West Yorkshire Combined Authority will receive an extra £5.7 million to deliver 25 additional ZEBs
- City of York Council will receive an extra £1.9 million to deliver 9 additional ZEBs
- Norfolk County Council will receive an extra £11.5 million to deliver 55 additional ZEBs
- Portsmouth City Council and Hampshire County Council will receive an extra £6.2 million to deliver 28 additional ZEBs
“We’re providing an additional £25.3 million to roll out 117 new buses to provide residents in Yorkshire, Norfolk and Portsmouth with better, cleaner and quieter journeys, as we step up a gear to reach net zero faster and level up transport across the country.”
Janette Bell, MD at First Bus said: “We are accelerating investment in the electrification of our bus fleet and infrastructure, supported by co-funding from the Department for Transport.“As leaders in sustainable mobility, we are fully aligned with the government’s ambitions for a net-zero carbon transport system. We are rapidly transforming our business with zero emission bus fleets and will continue to work closely with central and local government across the UK to deliver our decarbonisation plans.”
Much-anticipated ring road pinpointed as cause of increased footfall at The Springs
The Springs retail and leisure centre at Thorpe Park Leeds has reported a significant boost in footfall and trading for its occupiers, attributing the opening of the much-anticipated new East Leeds Orbital Route as a major influence.
The road is a key part of the East Leeds Extension to create strategic growth for the city and includes major infrastructure and plans for significant new housing.
December trading figures for most stores at The Springs showed a marked increase year on year since the park first opened five years ago. However, trade increased significantly in December 2022 compared with the previous year, in some cases by more than 50%.
Since the official opening of ELOR on 22 August 2022, access to The Springs has become even easier for the local community as well as people further afield that don’t benefit from a retail and leisure offering of this scale. While the new road has created increased awareness for passing traffic, the Route has also opened a more sustainable passage for walkers and cyclists.
Rachel Vickers, Senior Commercial Manager at Scarborough Group International, which delivered The Springs with funding partner Legal & General Capital, said: “We already have a strong onsite business community of around 5,500 people as well as the local East Leeds community, but there is no doubt that the new ELOR has opened up the The Springs to a wider catchment.
“When we started phase two at Thorpe Park Leeds, a significant part of our commitment was to improve infrastructure through delivering the Manston Lane Link Road (MLLR), a new railway bridge and considerable public realm as the enabling works for ELOR. Our commitment continues as we look to progress construction of state-of-the-art business accommodation, a dedicated railway station, an adjacent industrial and logistics park, and even more green spaces. Over the next five years we anticipate that the onsite community will at least double.
“The data also suggests that retail is not dead, it is merely evolving. While online shopping continues to surge, a day out looking for inspiration and personal interaction is still an attractive proposition for consumers, particularly post-pandemic. Our growing leisure amenity and wide-open spaces with ample free parking are also a big draw.”
With footfall on the increase and further development of commercial and residential schemes in the pipeline, The Springs continues to attract strong performing brands with a healthy mix of chain operators and independent businesses. Expanding café and bar group, Loungers was the latest to announce plans to open on site.
Woman takes the wheel as Chair of Hull Truck’s trustee board
Beckie Hart has been appointed as the new Chair of the Board of Trustees at Hull Truck Theatre as her predecessor, Alan Dix steps down after nine years in the post.
As Hull Truck Theatre wraps up its 50th anniversary celebrations, Beckie’s appointment will see the board work towards the theatre’s aspirations for the next 50 years. From showcasing and developing young writers and performers, reaching communities who do not typically engage with the arts, to exploring capital development opportunities, ambitions for the future are diverse and far reaching. She said: “I’m excited about what’s next for Hull Truck Theatre, having secured NPO status and Arts Council England funding for another three years, and I look forward to working with Janthi, Mark and the whole team to take it from strength to strength”. Alan Dix’s tenure as Chair has seen him successfully lead the Board of Trustees through a crucial period, transforming the theatre from a period of uncertainty to a position of stability and growth. He has provided strategic guidance and ensured the smooth running of the organisations since 2014, offering clarity, challenge and direction – from delivering a year of exceptional drama during Hull’s tenure as UK City of Culture in 2017 to dealing with the after-effects of the Coronavirus pandemic. Alan’s contribution has enabled the organisation to thrive over the past decade. With a special interest in audience development and community engagement, he has helped secure the theatre’s solid reputation as a forward-thinking and inclusive producing theatre and the beating heart of both the community and cultural landscape in East Yorkshire. He said: “As the new Chair Beckie will soon discover what an extraordinary pleasure and privilege it is to work with such a talented, experienced and dedicated team lead by Mark and Janthi. To be Chair of a regional theatre is a great honour, and I’m sure Beckie – with her love of the city and its people, her passion for the arts and a consummate belief in creative opportunity – will bring all her energy and enthusiasm to ensure a bright future for Hull Truck Theatre”.East Yorkshire excavator bucket manufacturers set up US distribution network
East Yorkshire-based Rhinox Group Ltd has taken turnover from £3.5 to £17m in just five years, increasing sales of its excavation buckets and attachments five-fold since its launch in 2018, and is now aiming even higher having set up a distribution network in the United States which will cut delivery times from weeks to days in a game-changing market.
The business is using technology to drive its campaign, with Hull-based performance marketing agency 43 Clicks North already delivering on a comprehensive e-commerce programme.
Sales Director Will Hooper said: “We evolved from a plant spares business and had been selling our products under the Rhinox brand since about 2014. We made big changes in 2018, renaming the business after the successful brand, committing to continuous improvement and taking turnover to £17m.
“We are aiming to reach £50m in the next three years, and some of that will come from the US as a result of our investment in our own distribution network over there.”
Rhinox employs more than 40 people, including about 30 at North Newbald near Beverley, where the site has been transformed from traditional farm buildings to an HQ for manufacturing, storage and all back-office functions.
The company also has exclusive manufacturing agreements at third-party factories in India and Eastern Europe and has remote sales staff in Tunbridge Wells, Ipswich, India and the Philippines. The new distribution network in the US will be supported by its own sales team.
Josh Sprakes, Marketing Manager at Rhinox, said work began during 2022 on raising the profile of the Rhinox brand in the US with 43 Clicks North, based in the Old Town of Hull, selected to develop the existing e-commerce strategy.
Josh said: “Because of the work we have done there is already a lot of awareness of Rhinox in the US and the distribution deal will boost customer confidence because they know the product is already in the country.
“Instead of having to fly the orders in we can land-freight them across the US and reduce delivery times from three to four weeks down to five or seven days and maybe quicker.
“Our approach to ecommerce is unusual in our industry and has also helped us make a lot of progress in the UK in a short space of time compared to competitors who have been out there for 30 or 40 years. We have gone from being an outlier in the market to the UK top two in various product categories.
“There are not many others doing it on the scale that we have adopted. After Covid we took the decision to look at other markets. We set up a website in the US and started to get somewhere, and then we felt we needed a partner to help us take our ecommerce strategy to another level.”
Mike Ellis, Managing Director of 43 Clicks North, said he was attracted to Rhinox because of the company’s track record of ecommerce success.
He said:” The exciting part for us is that this is a traditional B2B industry but the way they have set it up is B2B2C – ultimately they are pitching and marketing a strong brand to the end user to build demand for the network of dealers.
“When we looked at Rhinox we saw a huge opportunity to drive performance through brand recognition. Usually B2B businesses are a lot further behind us in their approach to speaking to the end user but Rhinox already had two working ecommerce sites.
“There’s a lot of work to do but it’s clear the ambition is there and it’s a good fit. As soon as you get to the end user everything else becomes easier.”
Will said Rhinox will continue to build its UK business while preparing the ground for “mega-exciting” opportunities in the US.
He said: “We are more established in the UK so we will keep chipping away because there is a lot more we can do here. In the US we think brand strategy is key and we are very much scratching the surface of a mega-exciting market that’s worth hundreds of millions of dollars.”
