Education furniture manufacturer sold
Metalliform, the education furniture manufacturer, has been sold thanks to a deal brokered by law firm Harrison Clark Rickerbys (HCR) and accountants and business advisers Hazlewoods.
The deal, which involved the two firms working closely together during negotiations, means Metalliform will retain its senior management, but have access to a wider client base and new sources of funding under its new ownership.
The Yorkshire-based manufacturer, with over 75 years’ experience in the industry, supplies a variety of institutions with furniture, ranging from schools, colleges and universities to offices, construction companies and local authorities. Its subsidiary Arena Stadia Standing is a major supplier of stadium seating to the best football and rugby clubs in the country.
Hazlewoods director, James Whittaker, said: “We have been working with the shareholders over the last few years and are delighted to have found a successful exit while providing the opportunity for the business to open its next chapter. This was another great transaction to work on alongside HCR and I am looking forward to seeing the prosperous future that unfolds for Metalliform.”
Tim Ward, HCR’s head of corporate in Cheltenham, said: “Being able to provide new opportunities for such a unique company is at the heart of what we do in the HCR corporate team. It has also been a pleasure to work with Hazlewoods once again for a common cause.”
One of the shareholders, Andrew Hall, said: “The success of the company is due to its highly skilled and loyal work force. The shareholders have each been involved in the company for many years and it was important to us that the exit would enable, and not disrupt, another successful 75 years for Metalliform and its staff. James and Tim respected that requirement, and successfully navigated the negotiations with that in mind.”
Dewsbury Riverside Development takes positive steps forward
The next phase for Kirklees Dewsbury Riverside Development has been approved at Strategic Planning Committee.
The site was marked for development as part of the Kirklees Local Plan in 2019. It will deliver up to 4,000 new homes over the next decade. As the aim is to create not just new homes but new communities, the project will also deliver infrastructure including schools, open spaces, and local facilities.
Once started, these initial works should take around 20 weeks to complete. The full Dewsbury Riverside project will take shape alongside the Dewsbury Blueprint over the next ten years.
Strategic Planning Committee granted planning permission based on full details of the first phase of access road into the site, and outline details for the provision of new community facilities and up to 350 new homes.
The application also supports the delivery of high-quality pedestrian and cycle facilities connecting to the new signalised site access junction at the existing Forge Lane / Lees Hall Road junction, as well as the ability to connect to the new Ravensthorpe Railway Station which is part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade.
The next steps include Kirklees Council working with local people to progress an Inclusive Communities Framework for the area which will feed the community’s future needs into the next stages of developing the site alongside external partners.
Councillor Graham Turner, cabinet member for regeneration, said: “This is an exciting step towards the creation of a vibrant and welcoming new community which has been made possible by collaborative working with local people, the council, Homes England, West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Network Rail.
“We are committed to ensuring that the new Riverside development works for new and existing residents, many of whom have had their say about the proposals during the consultation phase, helping us better understand the aspirations and needs of the local community.”
The first phase of construction has recently been completed by local company, The Casey Group Ltd with the creation of a new allotment site that will replace the original site of 25 plots with 43 plots. The transition of the existing allotment holders will start in the coming months.
Sheffield Hallam unveils new details on landmark campus plan development
Sheffield Hallam University has announced the names and purpose of each of the three new buildings that are at the heart of its emerging city campus development.
Construction of the new buildings around a public green space got underway at the start of the year as part of plans to transform a key gateway to Sheffield City Centre. The development will deliver state-of-the-art facilities for students and staff, as well as enhancing a major gateway to Sheffield City Centre and creating a vibrant site for the wider community to share.
The buildings, which will sit on the site of the former Science Park on Howard Street, have been named Rivelin, Loxley and Porter, reflecting the importance of Sheffield rivers to the success of the city.
The Rivelin Building will be a home for the College of Social Sciences and Arts, incorporating space for subject groups as diverse as architecture and psychology as well as providing a city-centre site for SHU Law – the University’s not for profit teaching law firm.
Loxley will contain the Institute of Technology as well as being a food venue, including a café and fresh food market. There will also be a casual dining restaurant with teaching rooms on the ground floor.
Porter will house the Sheffield Business School with a business lounge and state-of-the-art trading floor, providing students with practical experience of working on a real trading floor.
It will also include a languages hub and be home to the Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research.
The buildings will sit around Hallam Green, a new green public space at the heart of the campus. This will provide more than 400 square meters of new greenery and spaces for up to 150 people to sit and relax.
The University has invested significantly in biodiversity as part of the development with green roofs and roof terraces, and green corridors, an integral part of the plans.
Designs include the latest technology and measures to make the new buildings zero carbon ready. They include the use of sustainable energy solutions such as heat pumps, maximising the use of photo voltaic panels and provisions to support and promote sustainable travel.
Sheffield Hallam University deputy vice-chancellor Richard Calvert said: “Delivering this first phase of the campus plan represents a significant investment in our University and our city, and is one of the key commitments in Sheffield Hallam’s Civic University Agreement. We’re committed to delivering outstanding facilities for the university, modelling zero carbon ready construction, and to working with local partners and to ensure that we maximise the benefits for Sheffield and the wider region.”
Campus plans are being developed by a number of key partners as part of collaborative ‘Hallam Alliance’. The first of its kind in the UK for a university building programme, the Alliance involves all design, construction and facilities management partners working collaboratively with the client through all stages of design, construction and operation.
Members of the Alliance include Sheffield Hallam University, BDP ARUP (Design), BAM (Construction) and CBRE (Facilities Management).
The first phase of the development is due to be completed in Spring 2024.
MBO for Bingley home and recycled garden products business
After more than 50 years in business, Primeur Ltd, the Bingley-based supplier of doormats and recycled garden products, is set to embark on a new phase of growth following the completion of a Management Buy Out (MBO) which will see the third generation of the family, along with one of its long-serving directors, taking the reins.
The MBO includes former sales director, Jenny Douthwaite, who becomes Managing Director after more than 19 years in the business, supported by buying director Rebecca Keighley and her brother, fellow director Edward Keighley. Former shareholders James Keighley and Ian Brazier will continue in their roles of chair and finance director respectively, as part of a phased retirement plan.
Founded in 1968 by James’ uncle, David Clayton, Primeur has become a market leader of domestic doormats in the UK, supplying most of the major retailers while its recycled garden products division has seen significant growth and also serves many independent garden centres. In addition to its head office and 50,000 sq ft warehouse in Bingley, the company has recently invested in additional warehousing in Skipton to provide extra capacity for the garden products division. Primeur has grown to a 70-strong team.
The deal was supported by Neil Sengupta from TC Murray Harcourt who advised on the MBO from a tax perspective; and a team from Clarion with Caitlin Hare and Sarah Harrison providing legal advice to Primeur.
Ian Brazier, finance director, said: “The MBO will enable a seamless transition with James and I on hand to mentor and support the new team in order to provide continuity for our loyal customers, suppliers and colleagues.”
James Keighley, chair of Primeur Ltd, said: “Having spent so many years building up a successful business, my aim was always to keep it in the family and pass it on to my children so that, with hard work and endeavour, they could enjoy the same opportunities that I have.
“I am proud that they, along with Jenny, one of our most experienced directors, will be taking the helm – they are an extremely capable team and are working towards further growth with some exciting plans ahead. While it will very much be business as usual, it will be great to see this ‘fresh blood’ coming up with new ideas to take the company forward.”
Kala Sangam reveals ambitious plans for the future
As Bradford prepares to welcome the world for a year as City of Culture, Kala Sangam has revealed plans for a major capital redevelopment of its building, which will see Kala Sangam become a bigger, more welcoming and accessible space.
The plans will see the company take over the ground of its building, putting in a new 200 seat theatre, creating four new studio spaces, opening up a new prominent, easy to find front entrance and installing a new lift to give access to all floors. Work is hoped to begin in January 2024 and the reopen in 2025 as a major milestone in the City of Culture programme.
£295,758 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund has been received to begin the development phase of this project. This funding will enable Kala Sangam to secure planning permission and support the creation of an archive celebrating its 30 year history. Funding will also support Kala Sangam to employ its new head of community engagement to work with communities in the city to explore their own heritage, and that of the building, and empower those communities to co-programme and shape Kala Sangam’s future delivery.
Kala Sangam have also been successful in securing an increase in its regular funding from Arts Council England and will receive £362,000 a year for the next three years, starting in April 2023. One of the largest percentage increases in funding across over 900 organisations in the Portfolio, this additional funding will allow Kala Sangam to programme more dance, theatre, music and poetry and increase support for artists, focusing particularly on Bradford-based artists and those working in South Asian Artforms.
Alex Croft, creative director of Kala Sangam, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have secured these two significant pieces of funding in recent weeks. Each of these awards will be transformational for this organisation, and is a result of 5 years of incredibly hard work by our brilliant staff team.
“The increase in our regular funding from Arts Council England will enable us to support more artists in Bradford, have a greater role in developing South Asian Artforms locally and nationally, welcome larger audiences and play a bigger role in Bradford’s City of Culture celebrations.
“It is also incredibly exciting to that we are able to begin making our capital redevelopment plans a reality thanks to support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. At a time when our audiences have been increasing each and every year we know that, for some, our building is just not accessible, particularly as our public lift is too small and very unreliable. This crucial funding is the first step on the road to us changing that, creating a bigger, more open and accessible space for all communities in Bradford to visit and enjoy.”
Kala Sangam is working with Halliday Clark on the plans for the building redevelopment. Halliday Clark is a national architectural practice based in Ilkley, West Yorkshire.
Richard Walsh, director at Halliday Clark, said: “Halliday Clark Architects are delighted to be contributing a modern chapter to the rich history of this building, creating healthy shared spaces and functions which speak for our time, and the people who will use them.
“The redevelopment at Kala Sangam will enhance connections, both literal and symbolic strengthening links to the city and the Cathedral Conservation area as well as with the community, and our shared culture and heritage.”
Work accelerates on new Wakefield creative hub at waterfront
Weeks ahead of the operational opening of Tileyard North phase one, which will see companies from as far afield as Singapore calling Wakefield home, phase two of the state-of-the-art creative hub is underway.
The project, forming part of the approved City Masterplan, is regenerating the Grade II-listed former Rutland Mills on the historic waterfront into the largest creative community outside of London, bringing together people across West Yorkshire working in industries such as music, film, television and design.
Wakefield Council approved a City Centre Masterplan earlier this year which sets out how the city centre will be transformed into a vibrant city for the future and an even better place to live, work, visit and invest.
The long-term plan aims to bring new opportunities for businesses and residents, open up access to culture and bring different uses and experiences into the heart of the district, including leisure and education facilities.
The development of Tileyard North reflects the vision for the city and will play a part in realising the ambitions of the city.
The waterfront project is being developed by regeneration specialists, CPPI, who along with the Council and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority have funded the project. Phase one is due to begin opening in the coming weeks.
The first phase of this exciting development will include 25 music and creative studios, characterful office spaces, a much-needed large event space as well as public realm and leisure facilities.
Phase two, which is now officially underway, begins with the demolition of two buildings to make way for further creative industries office space as well as a boutique hotel.
Cllr Denise Jeffery, leader of Wakefield Council, said: “This state-of-the-art creative hub will firmly put Wakefield on the map. It will have many benefits for jobs and investment.
“It will also bring people from all over the region to Wakefield for their entertainment, as well as supporting creativity and associated industries that will help to generate a vibrant atmosphere at our historic waterfront as we create a city ready for tomorrow.
“The Council has successfully put forward a very strong bid for Levelling Up funding, that has unlocked £8m for this project which will benefit our residents and businesses.”
The Tileyard North development is part of the Council’s wider regeneration plans to make Wakefield a place that is attractive to new investors and businesses which has the flexibility to adapt to changing consumer and business trends.
Paul Kempe, director of City and Provincial Properties (CPP), said: “We are delighted to announce that the first phase of the Tileyard North (previously known as Rutland Mills) is about to open its doors and will be home to a new vibrant creative community of the North. This fulfils a six-year vision to provide world class facilities to artists and creatives based in the north of England by regenerating a series of dilapidated mill buildings that had been vacant for over 25 years.
“Tileyard North apart from being a creative hub will also be open to the whole community and will include restaurants, bars event spaces hotel and a variety of other uses making it a true destination for people to visit to enjoy the various offerings and of course to socialise with friends and family. The facility is directly opposite The Hepworth Wakefield so will accommodate any visitors to the gallery.
“We believe this creative destination will be transformational for both Wakefield and the wider area and will provide a facility that does not currently exist within the area which is accessible to all. There will be a central courtyard and two large event spaces which will cater for up to thousand people and cater for a variety of different events including fairs, farmers market, music events and much more and we very much look forward to welcoming the whole community in the coming weeks.”
Green light given for new £12.5m health hub in Castleford
Health care for residents in Castleford will get a massive boost after councillors gave the green light to a multi-million pound investment in a new purpose-built health hub in the town.
With increasing demand for healthcare services, Wakefield Council is investing £12.5 million in building a new hub, after Cabinet members approved funding for the plan (on Tuesday 8 November).
Two existing GP practices, along with a new practice and Council services will open in the building, that is planned on the site of the car park of an existing health centre, in Welbeck Street.
The new healthcare hub aims to help ease pressure on local hospitals and other NHS services by allowing residents to receive a wider range of treatments, closer to home.
The leader of Wakefield Council, Cllr Denise Jeffery, said: “I am delighted that this decision means we can move forward to achieving better health care for residents in Castleford.
“We want to support ways to create better health and lives for our residents and this new hub is part of our goal to make Castleford a great place to live with access to the best services.”
Jo Webster, accountable officer for Wakefield District Health and Care Partnership, said: “This is a great example of partnership working in Wakefield District and I’m delighted this is now becoming a reality.
“This new health centre, in the heart of Castleford, will provide excellent integrated healthcare services for local people, with better facilities and an improved environment for both those using and working in the building.”
The new hub becomes the first major regeneration project to be achieved by the Council, which recently committed to transforming the town centre and bringing improvements that could benefit residents, businesses, and visitors.
The health hub proposal comes under the Strategic Regeneration Framework for Castleford, and is a guide to how the town centre could be developed over the next two decades by the Council and in collaboration with other organisations.
This project is being delivered in a partnership between Wakefield Council, the West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB), and NHS Property Services.
Most of the Council funding will be covered by them leasing the building back to the occupiers.
Construction work on the new health hub is expected to start in the summer of 2023 and be completed by early 2025.
Sheffield transport company fined £400,000 after driver killed
A Sheffield transport company has been fined £400,000 after one of its drivers was killed after being knocked off his trailer while loading and unloading it.
On 16 November 2020, Robert Gifkins, who worked for Arnold Laver & Company Ltd, was delivering timber to a company in Whaddon near Salisbury. He had climbed onto the bed of his trailer to sling the load and attach it to the vehicle-mounted crane. While moving the load using the crane’s remote control he was struck by the crane and fell from the vehicle to the ground. Mr Gifkins was taken to hospital and subsequently died on 17 December 2020.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that this incident was the result of health and safety failings by the company. The risks associated this work at height had not been properly assessed and the risk of falls had not been adequately prevented or controlled. The company had also not provided Mr Gifkins with sufficient training and instruction on the safe operation of the remote crane controls on the vehicle.
At a sentencing hearing at Salisbury Magistrates’ Court on 13 October, Arnold Laver & Company Ltd, Bramall Lane, Sheffield, pleaded guilty to breaching section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act. Passing sentence on November 9 they were fined £400,000 and ordered to pay costs of £19,841.99.
Speaking after the hearing HSE inspector Leo Diez said: “Falls from vehicles can be overlooked by employers when considering risks from work at height. Simple control measures would have prevented this accident.”
In a victim personal statement from Mr Gifkins’ family, his mother Betty Gifkins said: “The pain of losing a son is only made worse by the fact this is the second son I have lost. I try not to think of him in the hospital as this only adds to my sadness. I miss him every day.”
Synectics sells non-core business
Synectics, a Sheffield-based leader in the design, integration and support of advanced security and surveillance systems, has revealed the conditional sale of the business of SSS Management Services Limited, which is a trading entity of its Synectics Security division, for cash consideration of up to £0.2 million to Parfas Limited.
The transaction is subject to certain closing conditions and is expected to be completed on or before the company’s financial year end on 30 November 2022.
SSS provides monitoring and managed services, principally to multi-site retailers in the UK. These activities are considered by the Board to be non-core and are not part of the company’s growth plan. The sale of the business will allow the company to focus on the growth of its core business and allow SSS to prosper under private ownership.
The consideration comprises an initial cash payment on completion of £0.1 million with the balance, conditional on the profitability of SSS post-sale, payable following the first anniversary of completion. The proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes.
In the company’s last financial year ended 30 November 2021, the SSS business generated audited revenues of approximately £7 million and an operating profit of less than £0.1 million and, as at 30 November 2021, had audited net liabilities of approximately £1.6 million.
Paul Webb, CEO of Synectics plc, said: “SSS Management Services is a unique business with a very strong management team that will thrive under private ownership.”
Stacey Anderson, Managing Director of SSS, added: “While our long-established business has been part of Synectics for some time, we believe that we can serve our customers better as an independent privately owned business remaining true to our core values of providing the very best levels of service, independent of service providers.”
Leeds engineers launch new geotechnical department to meet strong customer demand and strategic growth
A Leeds engineering firm has opened a new geotechnical department as it looks to expand its operations and improve customer service.
The move by Park Square-based RWO will see a range of ground construction services, including oil and rock, underground water, site and structural condition engineering and assessment expertise, available alongside the firm’s current structural and civil engineering services.
Headed up by experienced geo-environmental engineer Chris Rudd, who has worked in geotechnical and contaminated land ground investigation, geotechnical interpretation, coal mining legacy, land remediation, landfill engineering and waste classification, the department will be based at a new office in Stokesley, North Yorkshire.
RWO, which currently employs 35 people across its offices, and is targeting sales revenues of £3 million within the next 12 months, is seeing strong demand for geotechnical expertise from clients and new business requiring additional engineering support.
The geotechnical team is expected to grow as workloads increase in the coming months and the firm is currently recruiting additional specialist engineers and technicians to meet demand.
Managing director Ross Oakley said that the firm’s success is based on its ability to deliver services that add value and provide effective engineering solutions for complex problems.
He added: “We are really excited to launch our geotechnical engineering capabilities, which will complement our technical and advisory service arms. It’s a great advantage to our clients to have access to cost effective geotechnical services as well as structural and engineering support from the same company.”
Chris Rudd said RWO’s move to provide a geotechnical services arm was part of the company’s vision to provide clients with a full suite of high-quality technical engineering services.
He said: “I’m really looking forward to the challenge of building a highly skilled, well-resourced and dedicated team to meet the client needs as the firm moves ahead in the coming months despite the challenging economic conditions. We see opportunities across the UK as construction and the new homes sector continue to invest, with some great projects coming online.”
