Monk Fryston Hall Hotel moves into the hands of administrators
Monk Fryston Hall Hotel is in the hands of the administrators having failed to recover for challenges arising from the Covid pandemic.
Located in the Vale of York, between Leeds and Selby, the Grade II listed country house hotel dates from the 12th century, and sits in extensive parkland, it has function rooms, a restaurant and 29 en-suite bedrooms. It was a popular wedding venue.
Having traded successfully for many years, the hotel was forced to close during the Covid pandemic and faced challenges that prevented it from re-opening. Despite interest from a number of parties, a sale has not been concluded and the directors have now appointed Begbies Traynor to place it into administration in order to protect the business while a purchaser is sought. It is being marketed by Eddisons.
The hotel is currently not trading and around 10 staff who were laid off following the Covid outbreak have now been made redundant.
Julian Pitts, joint administrator and regional managing partner at Begbies Traynor in Yorkshire, said: “Monk Fryston Hall Hotel is a magnificent historic building and has been successfully trading as a hotel and wedding venue since the 1950s. Unfortunately, like many businesses in the hospitality sector, the disruption of the pandemic proved to be too great a burden for it to bear.
“We are currently working closely with Eddisons to market the business in order to provide the best return for creditors as well as enabling it to continue to trade and provide jobs for local people.”
North East Lincolnshire firms offered advice about tapping in to Government funding
North East Lincolnshire Council is offering small firms advice about how to tap into Government funding of more than £6m through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund at an information event on October 12th..
It’ll run between 10am to 11.30am at Grimsby Town Hall, and attendance can be in person or via Teams.. You can either attend this in person at , or attend via a “Teams” meeting. If you would like to attend, you can
The session will give details of how organisations, community groups and individuals can bid for a share of this fund, with projects being delivered from April next year. It’s not a requirement to attend the webinar to bid for the money, and all information will be published on the council’s website, along with Frequently Asked Questions.
Cllr Philip Jackson, Leader of the Council, said: “There’s lots going on in North East Lincolnshire at the moment, and we want to do our bit to help businesses and organisations grow. As long as your plan fits in with the themes, you are based in North East Lincolnshire and deliver activities in the borough, you can bid for the money. We particularly want to hear from businesses and organisations that support others in the community to help promote growth.”
The UKSPF is allocated to local authorities to replace the “European Structural Funds” programmes, ERDF and ESIF which this area has previously benefited from.
North East Lincolnshire has been allocated £6,244,819 in the UKSPF, of which £962,714 is ringfenced adult numeracy skills in a scheme called “Multiply”.
The remainder of the UKSPF allocation will be split between the three core areas, as defined by Government: Communities & Place, Supporting Business and People & Skills, and the Investment Plan will outline the interventions which best meet the needs of the area.
These interventions cover:
Community and Place
- Strengthening our social fabric and fostering a sense of local pride and belonging.
- To build resilient and safe neighbourhoods.
- Creating jobs and boosting community cohesion by supporting local businesses.
- Promoting networking and collaboration and stimulating innovation and growth.
- Targeted support to help businesses grow – for example, innovation, productivity, energy efficiency, low carbon and exporting.
- Boosting core skills and support adults to progress in work.
- Supporting disadvantaged people to access the skills they need.
- Funding local skills needs and supplementing local adult skills provision.
- Reducing levels of economic inactivity and supporting those furthest from the local labour market.
SMEs are struggling with digital tools, says BCC
Cost, a lack of time, and inflexibility are the leading challenges faced by SMEs when it comes to managing their digital tools, according to the British Chambers of Commerce.
After a survey of more than 900 firms, the BCC says the results come at a time when SMEs are already facing an uphill battle to survive with rising inflation, spiralling energy costs and low growth risking long-term prosperity.
The management of digital tools stood out as a significant cause for concern for SMEs, with almost four in ten believing they did not have the capacity to effectively manage multiple ICT suppliers, contracts, and licences.
A quarter did not feel that their digital tools were resilient enough to help protect their business from emerging trends; just over a fifth did not feel that their digital tools were secure, whilst 17% disagreed their current suppliers of connectivity tools enabled them to adapt to changing circumstances.
BCC Director General Shevaun Haviland said:“In an environment where businesses are facing spiralling energy costs, record inflation and a declining economy, firms must feel confident in the technology they rely on to serve their needs and carry them into the future.
“Our Connectivity Survey has highlighted significant areas of concerns for businesses, with firms expressing particularly low levels of confidence in the flexibility and value for money offered to them by suppliers.
“With BCC data highlighting the huge challenges businesses are facing in the current economic environment, now more than ever, they need help wherever they can find it. Finding the right connectivity tools for firms can not only save time and money, it can also help future-proof businesses against further challenges down the line.
“Suppliers of digital tools and services must work with businesses, in particular small and medium sized businesses, to ensure that they find their right fit and reap the benefits of a flexible and secure connectivity offering.”
The Challenger Group becomes employee owned
Azets, the UK’s largest regional accountancy and business advisors to SMEs, has advised The Challenger Group, an engineering manufacturing business based in Yorkshire, on becoming employee owned.
The first of the businesses started in 1989 and the Group grew steadily over the years to now have four companies, on three sites, with more than 70 employees. The four companies are Challenger Hydraulics Ltd, Challenger Manufacturing Ltd trading as Comet Fluid Power, Challenger Handling Ltd and C.F.P. Hydraulic Systems Ltd. The manufacturing sites are in Chesterfield, Dewsbury, and Hull.
Sam Pepper and Richard Green, the owners are transferring 100% of their shares to the Warwick Street Holdings Ltd Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) for the benefit of all its employees. Under the move, all employees will benefit financially from the future success of the company and Sam and Richard will remain in the business as Joint Managing Directors.
The Challenger name has been synonymous with high quality engineering solutions for more than 30 years. Manufacturing a range of products from hydraulic cylinders, balers, conveyors, hose and fittings and recycling / reconditioning equipment, with their core strength providing professionally designed, bespoke and well-engineered solutions.
The Group is split into four distinct manufacturing divisions;
- Recycling / reconditioning machinery, shredders, conveyors, and other mechanical handling equipment
- Hydraulic cylinders
- Hydraulic power units, hydraulic components, and hydraulic systems
- Hose and fittings
Yorkshire electrical engineering firm welcomes pair of apprentices
A Yorkshire-headquartered high-voltage electrical engineering firm has extended its commitment to reducing the industry’s skills gap, by continuing its popular apprenticeship scheme – and is in the process of enrolling this year’s intake.
Smith Brothers will provide vital hands-on experience to a pair of trainee cable jointers, which will be dovetailed by a two-year City & Guilds academic course and three years with Utility and Construction Training (UCT).
The candidates include Tristan Fallowfield who previously worked as an accredited technician for Volkswagen, as well as in sales and customer services for Audi. Speaking about his decision to switch career paths, Tristan explained: “Learning a trade can set you up for life – and that’s more important than ever right now.
“I’m looking forward to learning a new skillset, while also getting back to my roots of being ‘hands on’ at work. I hope that I can have a real positive impact on both the team and Smith Brothers as a company.”
The second apprentice, Zachary Naylor, joins from Trinity Sixth Form Academy – having been keen to join an apprenticeship since finishing his A-levels earlier this year. “Electrical engineering has always fascinated me,” Zach explained. “I’m a very hands-on worker, and I’ve been waiting for an opportunity to get into this career since I left high school.”
“As an employer, it’s our responsibility to support the ambitions of those in our sector and region,” Richard Smith, co-founder of Smith Brothers explained. “If you qualify as a jointer, you have a ready-made, lifelong career – anywhere in the world. It’s important that we do our bit in addressing the skills gap when it comes to fostering the brightest and best in engineering talent.”
The annual apprenticeship scheme is not solely reserved for school-leavers though, as Richard continued: “We take apprentices of all ages because we believe that everyone deserves the chance to learn a trade. Some of the best engineers left school and went straight into a labouring job, but years later, they might be keen to back up that practical experience with a formal qualification.”
As part of the programme, trainees will spend one month per year at the training centre, 9-10 months on site with Smith Brothers, and the remaining time focused on completing the City and Guilds academic requirements.
Watson Buckle welcomes new wave of trainees
Bradford accountancy firm, Watson Buckle, has recruited four new trainees as it looks to its future and the ongoing delivery of high-quality services to its clients.
Lauren Szulc, Matthew Swain, Jack Holder, and Imaan Ali have all recently joined the practice to undertake their professional accountancy and tax training.
Jack will be studying for the Association of Tax Technicians (ATT) qualification, while Matthew and Imaan will begin the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) accreditation.
Meanwhile, Lauren Szulc will study for the ACA qualification from the prestigious Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), which will allow her to achieve Chartered Accountant status.
Mark Wilcock, Managing Director at Watson Buckle, said: “We are excited to be welcoming these new trainees to our practice. We hope that they will learn lots within their new roles and develop their skills so that they can deliver effective advice and support to our wide range of clients.”
Watson Buckle has a long history of supporting trainees in the tax and accountancy profession and has several long-serving staff members, who have risen the ranks under the firm’s guidance.
Work starts on £6m care centre in Scunthorpe
Construction has started on a new multi-purpose short-break care centre in Scunthorpe designed to support local young people who have complex disabilities, and their families, by offering access to opportunities and bespoke support.
Hull-based Hobson & Porter, which operates throughout Lincolnshire and Yorkshire, is delivering the £6million project on behalf of North Lincolnshire Council, via its Construction & Highways Framework.
The development, which is being supported with funding from the Government’s Department for Education (DfE), is being built on the site of a former community wellbeing hub that was demolished earlier this year, approximately one mile from Scunthorpe town centre on Alvingham Road.
The single storey building will include multiple sensory rooms, dining and lounge areas, staff bedrooms, 13 specialist accessible residential bedrooms for children with complex needs, accessible kitchens and bathrooms, a medical room, administrative spaces and family rooms. The centre will also feature gardens and outdoor spaces for staff, residents and their families. Work is due to complete in spring 2023.
In addition to offering care to children with complex needs, young people using the new facility will be able to participate in a wide range of activities that will help them build important life skills. The centre will be the new home of Cygnets, which currently offers these services in the area and was recently rated outstanding by Ofsted.
Cllr Rob Waltham, leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said: “With Government support, we are investing millions of pounds of local taxpayers’ money in people supporting our most vulnerable children.
“We know how vital it is to local families that their children have access to this brilliant support here in North Lincolnshire rather than going out of the area. It ensures they can stay safe and connected in their own community.”
Joe Booth, business development director from Hobson & Porter, said: “This is a significant contract for Hobson & Porter and further strengthens our position in the health and social care sector.
“It’s also very rewarding to win another good-sized project through North Lincolnshire Council’s Construction & Highways Framework and follows a £4million MRI project in Grimsby, for Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which we won through the same framework and completed last year.
“Seeing work start on this latest project is a big moment for everyone involved, especially because it is such an important project for North Lincolnshire that will make a big difference to children with learning and physical difficulties, or other health needs, as well as their families.”
AW Repair Group sold to Steer Automotive Group in multi-million-pound deal
Azets, the regional accountancy and business advisor to SMEs, has advised on a multi-million-pound sale of specialist accident repair centres, AW Repair Group, to Chiltern Capital-backed Steer Automotive Group.
Founded in 1996 by Andrew Walsh, AW Repair Group Limited operates a group of specialist accident repair centres. From its 12 operational sites spread across South Yorkshire and the East Midlands, the business delivers a mix of vehicle accident repair services to its established and growing base of customers in the insurance and manufacturer sector.
With over 30 years of experience within the body shop industry, Steer Automotive Group is now the new owner of AW Repair Group.
Exiting founder and CEO of AW Repair Group, Andrew Walsh, said: “I started the business at the age of 24 and to negotiate its sale was, at times, emotive, frustrating and also exciting.
“Thanks to the guidance from the Azets’ team, namely Martin Poole, Tom Eastwood and Doug Allan, who were always calm, diligent and consistent in their approach and any alternative proposals were always explored. They had a really good understanding of all the intricacies, and worked in partnership with our legal advisors.
“We wish the team at Steer Automotive Group all the best and look forward to following their journey.”
Martin Poole, partner at Azets, added: “It was a pleasure working with Andrew and Emma, long-standing clients of the firm. Through their hard work, they have grown a business from scratch into one that is at the forefront of the industry. Their commitment and determination through the transaction process has been second to none and they thoroughly deserve the value that they have achieved for all of their efforts.
“I have no doubt that the legacy and dedication shown by AW Repair Group’s founder and CEO Andrew and finance and legal director Emma will enable the business to flourish under new ownership.”
Azets provided corporate finance, audit and tax advisory services to the shareholders of AW Repair Group Limited.
Whitby Distillery’s donation gives seas a chance
Whitby Distillery, the producers of Whitby Gin, have underlined their commitment to the planet with a £5,000 donation to Yorkshire Wildlife Trust.
The donation will support the Trust’s Give Seas A Chance campaign, which seeks to protect and restore Yorkshire’s incredible seascape.
Yorkshire Wildlife Trust is championing natural climate solutions like the restoration of seagrass meadows and oyster beds to naturally clean our seas and trap carbon. The Trust also campaigns for bigger and better-managed Marine Protected Areas, the nature reserves of the sea, and runs a number of local community projects such as Fishing for Litter and regular beach cleans.
Jess Slater, co-founder of Whitby Distillery with her partner Luke Pentith, explained that this donation was part of their contribution to the 1% For The Planet movement, a global network of businesses, individuals and environmental organisations tackling the planet’s most pressing environmental issues.
“We are acutely aware of the many pressures facing our fragile environment today and we strongly believe that every responsible business, large or small, should play their part in reducing global warming and looking after our precious planet. Both Luke and I regard it as our responsibility to do as much as we possibly can to preserve and enhance our beautiful Whitby and North Yorkshire surroundings.
“The 1% For The Planet campaign is brilliant in its simplicity. It just asks supporters to donate 1% of their annual revenue to fund diverse environmental organisations so that collectively they can be a more powerful source in solving the world’s problems. It’s important to stress that donations come from revenue not profit.”
Whitby Distillery is forging a strong relationship with Yorkshire Wildlife Trust as plans move forward to relocate the distillery from its current base on Botany Way in Whitby to a site in the shadow of Whitby Abbey.
Jess explained: “We are planning to restore two derelict barns close to the abbey, giving them an exciting new life through sensitive conversion and extension and providing an enchanting new home for our award-winning gin. A crucial part of this restoration will be to ensure that the green areas and grass roof at our new site will nurture wildlife.”
She stressed that the distillery’s commitment to a green agenda was an essential part of its philosophy and everyday activity.
The distillery’s commitment to sustainability includes:
* Local box/case reuse & recycling
* Bottles manufactured in Yorkshire
* Zero plastic used in packaging
* Locally foraged ingredients from the North York Moors and the North Sea coast
* Work with Scarborough-based seaweed farming and processing company Seagrown and use of seaweeds in its gin
Jess commented: “Taken together, these initiatives make a real difference. In addition, we are embarking on a juniper planting project with the Egton Estate. We are working with the estate to understand the best areas to plants and how it can encourage the wildlife there. Its early days but one day, we would like to harvest the juniper to use in our gin!”
Luke Pentith added: “These are exciting times for us, as our award-winning gin becomes increasingly popular across the UK and we look to move into superb new premises, which will include a visitor centre. Underlying all our efforts is a commitment to sustainability, which is such an integral part of our whole business.”
£7.5 million secured for Huddersfield residential development
Newett Homes has secured a £7.5 million funding package from Paragon Development Finance to support a new build home development in Huddersfield.
The finance will assist with the purchase of land in the Fenay Bridge area of Huddersfield and the subsequent development of 54 private and 14 affordable two, three and four-bedroom homes.
This is Paragon’s first deal with Newett Homes. The deal was led on behalf of the bank by senior relationship director Simon Dekker with support from senior portfolio manager Craig Seabourne.
Newett Homes is a jointly owned business by David Newett and his youngest son Will Newett.
In addition to this new scheme in Huddersfield, the company also has developments in the pipeline in Sheffield, Ripon, Harrogate and Rotherham.
Will Newett, Newett Homes director, said: “This will be a high-quality residential scheme that caters for the needs of a wide range of groups including first time buyers, growing families and downsizers. The development will be sympathetic to the local area, within an attractive landscaped setting.”
He added: “Paragon Development Finance has been first class. It’s a bank that understands the needs of developers and working with Simon and his team has been seamless. We are excited to partner with the company on this scheme.”
Paragon’s Simon Dekker said: “This new development will bring high-quality homes to the area. David and his son Will have a great track record of delivering well-designed homes in Yorkshire that are popular with buyers. They also focus on ensuring their schemes are sympathetic to the environments in which they are built.”
