Ground works have begun on Rotherham’s Forge Island development – soon to be home of a state-of-the-art cinema, 69-room hotel, and six restaurants providing food from around the world.

Lincoln City FC Directors have downsized plans for the redevelopment of the iconic Stacey West Stand at the LNER Stadium. Original plans for the stand included an extra tier with a hospitality suite, boosting capacity by around 1,500, but due to the current economic climate, the project will now proceed as a two-tier development. In a press statement, the club said: “Against the acute backdrop of an economic climate that has further weakened, and which remains both challenging and volatile, this project has presented many challenges which were unforeseen at its outset three years ago. Despite this, the board’s non-negotiable position on investment remains unchanged – firmly and responsibly committed to growth and progress, but without placing the financial future of the club at risk. “Following a further project review, the board concluded that the original proposal would present an unacceptable risk to this commitment. Nevertheless, it remains absolutely dedicated to investing in infrastructure, and to delivering on the original project objectives – increasing capacity, improving fan experience and creating new community facilities. “Therefore, to maximise the £1.8m already secured from various grant funds and investment from supporters and investors alike, the project will now proceed with a two-tier development, omitting a proposed third-tier hospitality suite, demonstrating that the club remains fully committed to increasing its social impact in the community through the vital work delivered by Lincoln City Foundation. “Building a new Community Skills and Education Hub will help tackle the growing skills gap in the city by providing the Foundation with a fit-for-purpose facility from which it can champion the delivery of education and employability skills, all under the brand of the football club. The contemporary new-build will offer community space, offices and dedicated classrooms, enabling the club to increase its social impact value and improve the quality of life of local residents through its wide range of educational, health and well-being initiatives. “Following a successful pilot scheme in early 2022 and a recent landmark change in legislation, the club will seize upon this new opportunity by investing in rail seating. Working closely with the Sports Grounds Safety Authority, the club have submitted an application to trial ‘safe-standing’ in a small section of the Stacey West Stand – with the intention of installing rail seats throughout the entire stand should the trial be successful. “In addition, the club will install barriers in Upper 7 of the GBM Stand to facilitate the safe-standing of supporters in that area. If successful, along with improving stadium aesthetics and fan experience, this significant investment in infrastructure would place Lincoln City as a leading player in safe-standing at football stadia in England, and also offer the potential to increase the LNER Stadium capacity to 11,500. The project will also benefit from some key infrastructure improvements including: • Investment in a new mains water supply to the LNER Stadium, addressing the much- needed demand for improved services for supporters • Investment in power supply to the LNER Stadium, part of a longer-term strategic plan to become more energy-efficient, which will also enable other further plans such as enhancements to the University of Lincoln Fan Village • Investment in a new, state-of-the-art recycling irrigation system which aims to re-use up to 50% of the water used to irrigate the fibre sand pitch, providing much-needed economic and environmental benefits and a major step forward as part of the club’s climate action plan T”he matchday experience will be further enhanced by using the new Hub in other ways such as a social space, a shelter for vulnerable fans, family activities or a multi-faith prayer room. “In line with the board’s vision to have a home that is contemporary, accessible, has soul and reflects the strength of the club’s ambition, this project is just one of many potential investments into infrastructure from a maintained list of future opportunities to upgrade the stadium as part of a longer-term plan.”

Commercial real estate investor and developer, Firethorn Trust has appointed Glencar, a construction company specialising in industrial, logistics, distribution and manufacturing, to deliver a 340,000 sq ft logistics warehousing scheme in South Yorkshire. The 24-acre site, called Barnsley340, will include a Grade-A warehouse unit spanning 320,000 sq ft, along with 20,000 sq ft of highly specified office space. Work will start imminently, with completion expected in Q3 2023. In line with Firethorn’s enhanced specification, the scheme will be delivered to net-zero carbon in construction and target an ‘Excellent’ BREEAM rating. A sustainable design is featured throughout to reduce operating costs and increase energy efficiencies, with initiatives including rainwater harvesting, provisions for HGV EV charging and capabilities for 100% Photovoltaic arrays. Paul Martin, development director at Firethorn Trust, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Glencar again, on what will be its third appointment on a Firethorn logistics development. We are continually impressed by the team’s expertise and ability to deliver schemes that are in keeping with the values of Firethorn, ensuring that future occupiers will benefit from a high-quality, flexible and market-leading design. “Widely regarded as a prime logistics site in an area benefitting from ongoing inward investment and regeneration, Barnsley has become a highly sought-after location for ambitious businesses looking to expand their operations. As market demand for modern logistics space continues to grow, we are confident that the Firethorn specification will unlock the full potential of this site, whilst bringing economic and societal benefits into the area.” Also commenting on the project appointment, Pete Goodman, Glencar Managing Director Midlands and North, added: “Glencar prides itself on solid partnerships and has built its business based on long-term, mutually successful relationships with our customers. We are therefore delighted to receive our third project instruction to date from Firethorn following other recent appointments in Erith and Peterborough. “As Firethorn continue to expand their portfolio of sites and presence in the logistics real estate sector around the UK, we are ready, willing and able to support that growth and fully committed to a long-standing partnership. “We look forward to getting started on this project and delivering a first-class outcome to the net zero in construction benchmark specification which is rapidly becoming the new norm in the sector.”

Scunthorpe’s Queensway Business Centre has been bought by Manchester property investment and development company, Hurstwood Holdings. Previously owned by Dean Property Group, the recently Refurbished Business Centre in Scunthorpe boasts 20,820 sq ft comprising 33 offices from 168 sq ft. Hurstwood Holdings has added the hub to its portfolio as part of a recent £14 million acquisition run in recent weeks, taking its total spend on new properties this year to £35m. In addition to the Queensway Business centre, the company has completed the purchase of five additional industrial and office properties, nationwide, which include:

• Vision Park in Peterborough: Six modern warehouses totalling 15,037 sq ft and set to undergo a refurbishment, providing flexible leasehold accommodation from 1,150-6,781 sq ft.
• Fraser House in Ipswich: A 16,409 sq ft multi-let office building on Museum Street in the town centre where Hurstwood already owns another building. The prominently located, period building is fully let to Savills (UK) Limited, Peopleplus, Netscout, Attwells and Brewin Dolphin.
• Bridge of Don Industrial Estate in Aberdeen: Comprising six warehouse units, totalling 30,470 sq ft and fully let with occupiers including Andrews Hydrographics.
• Mandale Triangle in Thornaby, Stockton-on-Tees: A 30,656 sq ft industrial building that is part vacant and part let to a Gym company.
• Kings Court in North Shields: Situated close to the town centre, this two-storey modern office building totals 78,577 sq ft, the majority of which is let as a courthouse to the Secretary of State, which has been in occupation for more than 20 years.

Stephen Ashworth, Chairman and CEO of Hurstwood Holdings, says: “So far this year, we have acquired 15 new properties with a total investment value of over £35 million. We are always on the lookout for unique opportunities to boost our portfolio from fully occupied buildings to ones where we can capitalise on our in-house team’s expertise and add value. Whilst we are a North West based business, we are significantly increasing our presence nationally with properties in England, Scotland and Wales, spanning from Inverness to Ipswich. We have the experience and skills in house to manage large commercial investments having grown organically over the last 30 years which has helped shape the future of the business. Our focus is to buy property well and use our skills and efficiency of service to provide value and quality of space for our occupiers large and small and for all aspects of commercial uses.” The buildings were all sold for an undisclosed figure by auction or private treaty. Together provided the funding for each of the purchases.  

Talent management solutions provider Nicholas Associates Group has opened a new branch office in Doncaster for its Stafforce recruitment brand. Stafforce has branches across the UK and provides temporary, flexible roles as well as ongoing permanent career moves. The new office is located in Bizspace on TenPound walk in Doncaster. The Nicholas Associates Group, which has its HQ in Rotherham, has established business in Doncaster having had a Stafforce office in the town five years ago. Since then, candidates, as well as three staff that live in Doncaster, have been travelling to Rotherham for interviews. The new office means that job seeker needs will be met locally in a more sustainable and environmentally conscious manner. Stafforce Managing Director, Tony Boorman, said: “We’ve identified that the market has changed and there is a definite need for a quality local recruitment specialist. Whilst video interviews will still be an option, having a local office means we can also offer a place for face-to-face meetings. “We believe offering flexible options enables us to interact more with our clients and candidates and allows us to get to know them better. This in-depth understanding enables us to match candidate skillsets, personalities and ambitions with client needs.”

A new sustainable office building in Sheffield City Centre, 190 NORFOLK STREET has been granted planning approval and will help meet the need for Grade A accommodation in the city. Grantside’s proposals for a six-storey office development on the corner of Charles and Norfolk Street were approved by Sheffield City Council’s Planning Committee, after taking on feedback following a refusal earlier this year. The proposed building will include around 2,200 sq ft of retail and active space on the ground floor, with around 19,500 sq ft of flexible office space above. Steve Davis, founder and Chief Executive of Grantside, said: “We have listened to feedback and amended the plans and are pleased that Councillors recognised the benefits that this exciting development will bring. “It fits in with our sustainable approach to development and will be a landmark Net Zero-carbon ready building, regenerating a prime site within the city’s commercial quarter. The building is targeting BREEAM ‘Excellent’, EPC ‘A’ rating, Wired Score Platinum and Cycle Score Certified Platinum rating for sustainability.”