Law firm Shakespeare Martineau, which has offices in Lincoln and Sheffield, has completed its merger with Bristol firm GL Law – expanding its reach into the Southwest for the first time.
Part of legal and professional services group Ampa, Shakespeare Martineau’s Bristol expansion is in line with the wider group strategy of investing in and bolstering the brands across the group’s portfolio. The union will help take the group’s turnover to more than £100 million for the current financial year.
There are no redundancies as part of the merger and the firm is proactively looking to recruit talent in the Bristol market. The partners based in Bristol will drive the Shakespeare Martineau brand locally.
Sarah Walker-Smith, CEO of Shakespeare Martineau and Ampa, said: “We’re thrilled the merger is now official and GL Law is part of Shakespeare Martineau.
“Our House of Brands strategy includes a combination of introducing new standalone brands to the group or combining new teams or entities with our current leading brands. In the case of GL Law, its existing legal offering and its market, it made sense for it to join Shakespeare Martineau and expand the footprint of this brand within our group.”
Richard Hill, MD at GL Law, said: “What’s crucial for us is continuation of service for our clients and the best opportunities for our people – this merger offers both. We’ve been acting for owner-managed businesses, SMEs, start-ups and some of the most discerning private clients across the Southwest and beyond for more than 300 years and we look forward to continuing and extending this legacy under the Shakespeare Martineau brand.”
UK’s largest fertiliser importer signs new deal with ABP
Associated British Ports and Thomas Bell & Sons Ltd have renewed their long-term agreement for a further eight years.
The agreement sees the current contract extend by another eight years, and will continue to see Thomas Bell supply quality fertiliser to the UK’s farmers.
With more than 140 years of experience in the trade, their Diamond Fertiliser brand is well known in the agricultural industry and is delivered directly to the farm gate from their operations in ABP’s Immingham Bulk Park.
Simon Bird, Regional Director of the Humber ports said:” We are delighted to have secured this new deal with Thomas Bell, who are one of our successful long-standing fertiliser customers. The Port of Immingham plays an important role in the supply of fertiliser to our farmers, and we handle large volumes in order to support the British farming industry.”
Thomas Bell & Sons MD Andrew Major said: “ With the continued investment from both partners this contract will enable us to increase our volumes while keeping our level of service and safety at the highest levels.”
Change to VAT filing system looms for businesses
From the beginning of November VAT-registered will no longer be able to use their existing VAT online account to submit VAT returns.
That’s the date that, by law, all VAT-registered businesses must sign up to Making Tax Digital and use compatible software to keep VAT records and file returns.
MTD’s aim is to help businesses get their tax right first time by reducing errors, making it easier for them to manage their tax affairs by going digital, and consequently helping them to grow.
More than 1.8 million businesses are already using the service, and more than 19 million returns have so far been submitted through MTD-compatible software.
In less than one month, businesses who file their VAT returns on a quarterly and monthly basis will no longer be able to submit them using their existing VAT online account, unless HMRC has agreed they are exempt from MTD.
If businesses do not file their VAT returns through MTD-compatible software, they may have to pay a penalty. Even if a business currently keeps digital records, they must check their software is MTD compatible and sign up for MTD before filing their next return.
Richard Fuller MP, Economic Secretary to the Treasury, said: “Making Tax Digital can help businesses get their tax right first time, which cuts the administration burden and frees up time for them to get on with what matters most to them – growing their business. I encourage any VAT-registered businesses still to register for Making Tax Digital to get online and sign up.”
PFF Group invests Clean Air Zone grant in new delivery wagon
Food packaging specialist PFF Group has invested a £16,000 Clean Air Zone grant in a new delivery wagon as part of the company’s drive to cut carbon emissions.
The grant was awarded under Bradford Council’s £6.4m Clean Air HGV Fund Programme to help HGV operators adapt to the district’s new Clean Air Zone.
The funding has enabled businesses to either replace or retro-fit their vehicles to reduce harmful emissions for around 400 HGVs.
PFF Group used its £16,000 grant as a deposit on a new diesel 18t DAF curtain-side wagon, replacing an older vehicle. The new wagon will be used to make deliveries from PFF’s factory in Keighley to customers in the Bradford area.
Lee Wilkinson, group supply chain director at PFF, said: “We are committed to being as carbon efficient as possible across all of our operations. The new vehicle meets the Euro 6 emissions standard as it’s a larger, more fuel-efficient wagon which means we can make fewer journeys and reduce our carbon footprint.”
Earlier this year, PFF invested £200,000 in new transformer technology which is reducing carbon emissions at its Keighley site.
The new voltage management technology will reduce PFF’s energy costs and increase efficiency at the site, resulting in a 5% reduction in the firm’s carbon footprint.
Family-owned PFF Group is one of the UK’s largest independent food packaging manufacturers, supplying supermarkets, multi-national food manufacturers, food service and fresh produce companies across the country.
PFF employs more than 250 people in total at its Keighley headquarters and at its Sedgefield site. The company is a member of Made in Britain, an initiative which champions UK manufacturing.
Yorkshire-based manufacturer celebrates 50 years in construction
A North Yorkshire-based manufacturer reached a major milestone this week when Neaco Ltd celebrated 50 years in business supplying architectural solutions to the construction market.
Neaco formed in 1972, setting up a design team and a factory in Malton to engineer building products from aluminium alloy. The company started with the production of industrial walkways before diversifying with the development of multi-purpose architectural grilles, decking, adaptive bathing aids and a range of balustrade and balcony systems. Five decades later, Neaco has navigated the peaks and troughs of the construction sector to establish a global reach supplying some of the world’s largest architectural projects.
Neaco Managing Director, Alan Green, said: “Fifty years is exceptional longevity in construction, which is regarded as a bellwether sector for the wider economy and has experienced some of the most challenging downturns over the past five decades. There have been two in the past two decades alone – the 2008 financial crash and covid – but we have always been able to adapt. Research and Development has been a big part of Neaco’s operation from the start – we have a policy of continuous product development and we established a diverse portfolio from a very early stage. It has broadened the range of markets we serve and means that whenever one product range has been impacted by a slowing market, our other product ranges have compensated with revenue in other markets.
“With its low carbon footprint and 100% recyclability, aluminium has become increasingly preferred in construction as sustainability has risen up the industry’s agenda. Its non-combustibility has also become a valuable attribute in a post-Grenfell sector which has given long-overdue attention to the importance of fire safety.
“Developing business overseas has also been a huge factor in Neaco’s success. An extensive international network enables us to supply complete solutions for projects in every region, from Europe and the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Our products have been used on some massive international projects, from flagship airport and infrastructure developments in Riyadh to $200 million football stadiums in Mexico. We’ve also been specified at some of the UK’s most iconic locations, from Wimbledon Centre Court to Buckingham Palace. Our factory in Malton has recently been expanded over the years to 52,000 square feet and we are now preparing for the next 50 years on a very strong footing for a new phase of growth.”
ABP and Thomas Bell sign new agreement in Immingham
Associated British Ports (ABP), the UK’s leading port operator has signed a new long-term agreement with Thomas Bell & Sons Ltd, the UK’s largest privately owned fertiliser importer.
The agreement sees the current contract extend by another eight years and will continue to see Thomas Bell supply quality fertiliser to the UK’s farmers.
With over 140 years of experience in the trade, their Diamond Fertiliser brand is well known in the agricultural industry and is delivered directly to the farm gate from their operations in ABP’s Immingham Bulk Park.
Simon Bird, Regional Director of the Humber ports said:” We are delighted to have secured this new deal with Thomas Bell, who are one of our successful long-standing fertiliser customers.
“The Port of Immingham plays an important role in the supply of fertiliser to our farmers, and we handle large volumes in order to support the British farming industry.”
Andrew Major, Managing Director, Thomas Bell & Sons Ltd said: “We are very pleased to announce a new, long term service agreement with ABP at our Immingham operation. With the continued investment from both partners this contract will enable us to increase our volumes while keeping our level of service and safety at the highest levels.”
‘Outstanding’ Leeds Montessori day nursery sold to Bright Stars
Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co, has announced the sale of Leeds Montessori Nursery and Pre-School.
Leeds Montessori Nursery and Pre-School is an ‘Outstanding’ rated freehold nursery located adjacent to Roundhay Park in Leeds. This is undoubtedly one of the area’s leading childcare providers boasting an effective operating capacity for 94 children aged zero to five years in a most impressive Grade II listed property. The nursery has created a reputation for childcare of the highest calibre, with a highly qualified, dedicated staff team and strong demand for parents looking to get their child a place at this sought-after nursery.
Following a confidential sales process, Leeds Montessori Nursery and Pre-School has been sold to Bright Stars Nurseries (previously known as ICP Education) which now has over 70 settings in its portfolio.
Previous owner, Anooj Kotecha, comments, “I am thrilled that Bright Stars Nursery Group has taken Leeds Montessori into their group. There is a great fit in terms of values and approach, and I have no doubt that Stephen and his team will build on the work done at Leeds Montessori in creating somewhere special for children. I also want to thank Nick at Christie & Co for his valuable guidance through the process.”
Stephen Booty, Executive Chairman at Bright Stars Nurseries, comments, “Anooj has built a really high-quality nursery and we are delighted to have the Leeds Montessori as part of our Group. We look forward to working with Annette and her team to continue to build upon the success that they have achieved.”
The sale was handled by Nick Brown and Vicky Marsland at Christie & Co.
Nick Brown, Director & Head of Brokerage – Childcare & Education at Christie & Co, comments, “This was a fantastic instruction to win with my colleague, Vicky Marsland. We were delighted to help Anooj with his exit strategy for this fantastic flagship nursery. This was a highly confidential sale which created a super level of interest from a number of well-funded buyers. We are delighted to announce that Bright Stars Nursery Group were the preferred party. This is a fantastic springboard both for further growth in this area and to take Leeds Montessori Nursery and Pre-School forward.
“The demand for nurseries in and around Leeds has continued to grow after the recent sale of two other high-profile groups, Twinkles Nurseries and the Kinder Haven nursery group. Our specialist team at Christie & Co is delighted to have secured another sale.”
Leeds Montessori Nursery and Pre-School was sold for an undisclosed price.
Plans to transform Castleford town centre set to be approved
Plans to develop and shape future regeneration in Castleford are set to be approved at the next meeting of Cabinet members.
The ambitious plan, known as the Strategic Regeneration Framework (SRF), is a guide to how Castleford town centre could be transformed over the next 10 to 20 years, to bring improvements that could benefit residents, businesses and visitors.
To achieve a sustainable and successful future for Castleford, the SRF aims to create an environment that will see local businesses thrive and make Castleford a destination, by building on the town’s unique heritage and one of its best assets, the River Aire.
The SRF highlights the need to address the problem of empty properties and the challenges of transport links both within the town centre and the wider area.
There are two distinct phases, short-term and long-term.
The short-term phase will largely be delivered through the government’s Town Deal funding. Wakefield Council received nearly £24 million (£23.9m) which will mainly be invested in the Riverside, Boho and Heart of Castleford proposals:
- Castleford Riverside – creating access to the river with improvements to public spaces and investment in Queen’s Mill.
- Castleford Boho – enhancements to Sagar Street as the key link between the riverside and town centre, including the delivery of a work and skills hub, revitalising of Kingdom Hall for community and enterprise uses, and improvements to public spaces including the existing shop fronts.
- Heart of Castleford – this proposal aims to make Henry Moore Square the heart of the town, delivering a meeting place, events space and consolidated home for the markets in what is seen as one of Yorkshire’s premier public spaces while introducing a new multi-purpose building.
Work starts on duo of Doncaster business parks
Work has started on construction of 16 speculative business units to meet high demand for small and medium commercial properties in the Doncaster region.
Developer Priority Space, backed by H.G. Sites, is behind the new-builds at Platinum Park and Jubilee Park – named in honour of the Queen’s 70 years on the throne, and Doncaster being granted city status to mark that occasion.
The twin developments, off First Avenue, stand on a 4.8 acre site adjacent to Priority Space’s existing 12-unit Avro Park, which was completed in 2019 and is now fully occupied.
The new parks will deliver a further 13 of Priority Space’s signature smaller properties for industrial and logistics use, ranging in size from 1,750 sq ft to 5,800 and also three larger units, designed to meet rising demand amongst SMEs for units with more space and storage capacity. These will measure 13,000, 16,000 and 30,000 sq ft.
Once the new development is delivered, Priority Space and HG Sites will have invested £12 million in this Doncaster site and created more than 120,000 sq ft of industrial space across 6.3 acres, making this their largest development in any one location in the UK.
Director of Priority Space Lee Buchanan said: “We are very proud of our commercial property investment in Doncaster and look forward to completing this development.
“We’re delivering three properties a little larger than our usual units in this second phase to meet growing demand from businesses in the online retail and specialist supply sectors. They need warehousing and distribution bases which are that bit bigger to successfully run their businesses.
“Our new units are well-placed in Doncaster and provide them with the space and facilities they need to expand and invest in growth.”
Completion of all units is expected in spring 2023.
Gateley makes fresh acquisition
Gateley, the legal and professional services group, has acquired Symbiosis IP in a £2.5 million deal.
Founded in 2008 by directors, Julie Myint and Rob Docherty, Symbiosis is a chartered patent attorney firm specialising in IP services for the life sciences industry. Symbiosis is the second patent attorney business Gateley has acquired onto its Business Services Platform following the acquisition of Adamson Jones in January 2022.
For the year ended 31 March 2022, Symbiosis delivered revenue of £1.8 million, with corporatised profit before tax of £0.3 million.
Rod Waldie, Chief Executive Officer of Gateley, said: “I am delighted to welcome Symbiosis to the group. This strategic acquisition will extend the reach of our offering in IP, patents and trademark work across our consultancy and legal services teams who operate in this field.
“The acquisition of Symbiosis forms part of an acquisitive and organic growth plan that builds on the expertise we have in the intangible assets market and where we believe there is potential for further development.”
