Wright Vigar moves to new offices – but stays in Marshall’s Yard
The Gainsborough office of Chartered Accountants and Business Advisors Wright Vigar is to move to a new location in the town’s Marshall’s Yard.
Wright Vigar, who have been serving the Gainsborough market since 2005, is relocating within the venue as a result of the company’s continued growth over the past few years. Not only has this growth seen the Gainsborough team expand to 18 people, but there has also been a large increase in the number of clients using their services.
Originally starting as a partnership, the company has been providing accountancy and taxation services for over 40 years. During this time the practice has grown the number of their offices to 8 across Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire. At the same time they have increased the range of their services and expertise to support private clients and businesses alike. Wright Vigar provide a personal, relationship-based service whilst also having the expertise through the depth of their team to provide all the specialist services expected of a large practice.
Wright Vigar works with owner-managed businesses across the full range of business sectors. They provide more than the traditional accountancy and taxation services and pride themselves on offering a proactive and tailored service for their clients.
MD Pete Harrison said: “The relocation of our Gainsborough office is a reflection on the hard work and commitment from our team, who continue to provide an exceptional service to our clients and are dedicated to winning new business. Wright Vigar continues to go from strength to strength and this move is a really exciting development for us.
“The new office will enable us to provide even higher levels of service for our clients and gives us room for even further growth in the coming years.”
Network Rail signs on the dotted line to get more solar energy from EDF
Network Rail has signed an agreement with EDF Renewables UK that will mean almost 50 megawatts of solar energy will be fed into the company’s network – enough to cover 15% of the annual needs if its stations, maintenance depots, and other buildings.
Jo Lewington, Network Rail’s chief environment and sustainability officer, said: “Rail is already in a strong position in terms of its green credentials, but it’s crucial that we do everything we can as a business to improve air quality, minimise our use of fossil fuels, and transition to an industry powered by green, renewable, low-carbon energy.
“Our vision is to serve the nation with the cleanest, greenest form of public transport and this agreement marks another important step towards achieving our aims.”
Matthieu Hue, chief executive of EDF Renewables UK, said: “We are very pleased to be working with Network Rail to help them on their journey to decarbonisation. This project shows the ability of EDF Renewables UK to provide diverse solutions for customers in terms of low-cost renewable electricity.
“This also demonstrates our ability to develop competitive and affordable renewable power projects in the UK as well as underpinning the importance of all renewable technologies in de-carbonising the UK electricity system to reach the country’s net zero targets by 2050.”
Government invests £12.7m in ‘exercise prescription’ trials
Doncaster and Leeds are amongst areas of the UK to share in £12.7m from the government for a trial scheme in which GPs will issue ‘social prescriptions’, including walking, wheeling and cycling, aimed at improving mental and physical health.
The pilots, a commitment in the government’s Gear Change plan published in 2020, aim to evaluate the impact of cycling and walking on an individual’s health, such as reduced GP appointments and reliance on medication due to more physical activity. For the first time, transport, active travel and health officials will work together towards a whole systems approach to health improvement and tackling health disparities.
Walking and Cycling Minister Trudy Harrison said: Walking and cycling has so many benefits – from improving air quality in our communities to reducing congestion on our busiest streets. It also has an enormous positive impact on physical and mental health, which is why we have funded these projects which will get people across the country moving and ease the burden on the NHS.”
National Active Travel Commissioner Chris Boardman said: “As a nation we need healthier, cheaper and more pleasant ways to get around for everyday trips. Active Travel England’s mission is to ensure millions of people nationwide can do just that – so it’s easier to leave the car at home and to enjoy the benefits that come with it.
“Moving more will lead to a healthier nation, a reduced burden on the NHS, less cancer, heart disease and diabetes, as well as huge cost savings. This trial aims to build on existing evidence to show how bringing transport, active travel and health together can make a positive impact on communities across England.”
Art poster company secures £150k to expand sales to Europe
The North Yorkshire company behind an iconic art poster brand has secured a £150,000 loan from NPIF – Mercia Debt Finance, which is managed by Mercia and is part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund (NPIF), to help expand its sales in Europe.
Athena has been an art publisher for over 50 years and previously ran a chain of high-street stores. The new company is now owned by Simon Coates, previously a director of the original Athena company, and his business partner Nick Morgan. The duo moved the business online in 2012 and now supply a range of up to 250,000 product lines from their factory workshop in Easingwold.
The company, which employs a 20-strong team, is also a leading supplier of picture frames via the website Vivarti, providing artworks for consumers, hotels, commercial interiors and buy-to-let investors. The business, which had already begun selling into Europe, has undergone a transformation in the past two years to adapt its systems to comply with changes in export regulations, and European sales are now starting to grow again as a result.
The funding will help further expand its exports to Europe and increase stock levels to enable it to continue its growth plans.
Nick Morgan said: “With 400 million consumers, Europe represents an important market for us and it was challenging to adapt to new regulations. However now things have settled down, we have been able to navigate the new customs arrangements and put measures in place to comply with the rules. The funding will help us rebuild and strengthen our trade with Europe.”
Andy Clough of Mercia added: “Nick and Simon are both very experienced operators who have spent years in art production. It is great to be able to help them reestablish their exports to Europe and support the growth of this iconic brand.”
Work completes on Sheffield student block conversion
Work has completed on transforming Phoenix Court, a historic former fire station in Sheffield, from student accommodation into all-purpose residential apartments.
The final phases have seen the ground and third floor units reconfigured and refurbished, while the lobby has undergone a remodelling to create a new reception area and general office, with the former laundry converted into a mail room.
Work on the 93-unit scheme has been undertaken by property management company Resify, which specialises in transforming undervalued schemes, on behalf of owner L1 Property.
The units were previously in an outdated configuration with clusters of two or three bedrooms, a shared kitchen and bathroom and no dedicated living space.
Resify’s understanding of local market requirements and its strategic approach has transformed Phoenix Court by creating one and two-bedroom apartments with separate living rooms; with some apartments also being reconfigured to make them open plan. Resify completed the first phase in January this year with 29 apartments on the first floor being transformed and fully let.
The 1920s building, which is situated on Division Street within the city centre close to the universities, was converted into student accommodation and extended to Rockingham Street in the early 1990s. However, with students staying away during the pandemic, occupancy levels plummeted, and L1 Property started working with Resify360 last year to explore other options.
Obi Williams, Managing Director of Resify, says: “The transformation of Phoenix Court has brought it back in line with market demand. It’s a historic building in a prime location, however the décor and layout were dated, and rental yields were well below par for the area.
“Given the wealth of student accommodation in Sheffield, it made sense to create multi-purpose apartments to appeal to a wider range of occupants.
“The project shows how an understanding of the local market, and how a strategic approach can transform a single-use development in an area of oversupply.
“We’re delighted with the response from tenants, which demonstrates the demand for high-quality, fully furnished apartments in Sheffield’s city centre.”
L1 Property, which is the UK property investment arm of fund manager L1 Capital, invests in existing and modern residential property with potential for capital growth in major UK cities outside London. It seeks to add value by bringing capital to underinvested assets.
Hull performance marketing business under new management
Hull-based performance marketing agency Summit and technology brand Productcaster have been bought by Managing Directors Ryan Thomas and Martin Corcoran.
Corcoran, who joined the business in 2015, and Thomas, who joined in 2017, acquired Summit from TCC Global after co-operating in a management buyout that saw them take 100% control of the agency.
Corcoran, who has moved to become CEO of the business, said: “We were always interested in buying Summit and know with certainty we have purchased a business with great people, products and clients.
“We are lucky to count Three Mobile, Joules, H Samuel, Ikea, The Range, Levi’s, Ann Summers and many more amongst our corner-stone clients and we are in no doubt other agencies in this space would be lucky to have such a strong track record in performance marketing and such prestigious client list.
“The business has clear positioning and heritage within online marketing and eCommerce as well as being highly differentiated through its proprietary Productcaster technology, which leads the European Comparison-Shopping Service market garnering 200m clicks on Google every month.
“We’ve seen incredible growth across all parts of the business in the last 12 months and by doubling our media spend with Google year on year, we know we’re one of that fastest growing Google Premier Agencies in the UK.”
The growth and ambition of Summit since completion of the MBO has seen them hire twenty new staff with another twenty hires expected before the end of the year.
On the recent growth Thomas, now Summit’s chairman, said: “We recognised we were about to go on a big growth curve more than 12 months ago so put in train a plan to invest in our team, drive our culture and develop our own talent.
“We’re seeing the fruits of this investment into people, enabling us to delight existing clients as well as win and onboard fantastic new brands such as Dr Oetker and Cult Beauty. Our ambition is to turn Summit into a true northern powerhouse agency and bring jobs, prosperity, and some glory to the city of Hull and the surrounding Yorkshire region.”
Post pandemic, Summit have made the digital quarter of Hull their permanent home, signing a long term lease within the C4DI complex.
Confederation of Passenger Transport welcomes Government’s bus service cash injection
Trade body the Confederation of Passenger Transport has welcomed news that the Government is to pump up to £130m into bus services to sustain routes between October and next March.
The organisation’s Chief Exec Graham Vidler said: “We welcome the government’s announcement of recovery funding to support bus services in local communities for a further six months.
“The announcement will help bus operators and local authority partners to balance a network of reliable and affordable services in the short-term as bus networks adapt to new travel patterns.
“For the longer term, we will continue to work closely with central government and local authorities to encourage existing and new passengers to get on board the country’s buses, ensuring they are provided the best possible services.”
The funding package builds on almost two years’ worth of unprecedented government support to keep bus networks running. Today’s funding means almost £2 billion has been made available to over 160 bus operators during the pandemic. The additional funding will help to protect bus services and routes, which are particularly important to people facing pressures due to the rising cost of living. The government is using every tool at its disposal to help people, from ensuring they can access affordable travel, to providing £37 billion of support for the most vulnerable households. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “This funding will ensure millions across the country can continue to use vital bus services, and brings the total we’ve provided to the sector throughout the pandemic to almost £2 billion.“At a time when people are worried about rising costs, it’s more important than ever we save these bus routes for the millions who rely on them for work, school and shopping.
The government is also investing £3 billion in bus services by 2025, including over £1 billion to improve fares, services and infrastructure, and a further £525 million for zero emission buses.Further progress on York’s local plan
York’s Local Plan, a framework to guide development and protect the quality of the city’s unique historic, natural and built environment, is taking another step towards adoption.
City of York Council has been notified that the next stage of ‘phase 4’ hearing sessions are set to take place from September.
They will be held at the Citadel, Gillygate, York, YO31 7EA from 10am on Tuesday 6 September and are anticipated to run for three weeks.
The next round of ‘phase 4’ of hearings come after phase 3 hearings took place in May 2022 through to July. The hearings considered the comments submitted to-date, in relation to soundness considerations, such as whether the plan is justified, effective and consistent with national policy.
The Local Plan sets strategic priorities for the whole city and forms the basis for planning decisions. The council will continue to work with the inspectors to progress the plan.
Cllr Keith Aspden, leader of City of York Council, said: “Progressing to phase 4 hearings in September are another promising step forward towards adopting a Local Plan for our city. It is now crucial that we continue to build on this progress and work with the inspectors to take this plan forward to adoption.
“We’re confident that this is a robust and sound plan, which will ensure York is able to deliver the housing and jobs our city needs, whilst also protecting York’s unique character, green belt and natural beauty.”
A decision on adopting the plan expected in early 2023.
Cost of living win in battle for West Yorkshire’s buses
Ministers have conceded to demands from Northern Mayors to extend the Bus Recovery Grant for six months to help protect passengers during the cost of living crisis.
Local bus operators had said that if the grant ended as planned at the start of October they would withdraw services affecting up to 100 routes, around 11% of West Yorkshire’s bus network and one-sixth of the routes.
Mayor Brabin has been clear with operators that they must not continue with any planned cuts to services following this commitment of an extra six months of funding to protect bus routes until March 2023.
Tracy Brabin, mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “We’ve been clear that government inaction would have decimated vital bus services and pushed people onto more expensive forms of transport, such as taxis, during the cost of living crisis – a time they can afford it least.
“Now I am cracking on with rolling out cheaper bus fares across the region next month, including a £2 cap on journeys – to help ease the burden on household budgets.
“This shows how mayors can be powerful voices to advocate for their region – and I’m delighted that my colleagues across the North joined my push for action. We can be stronger together than the sum of our parts.”
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe, leader of Bradford Council and chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Transport Committee, said: “We’ve been telling Government repeatedly for over a year now that withdrawing the Bus Recovery Grant was a huge error, but they’ve literally left it to the very last minute to give this grant extension.
“Today is the day the bus operators had to make their decision about any bus services changes. If Government had made their decision any later than today the cuts to services would have been very severe indeed. As it is, the grant extension, we think, means that bus operators should really not be contemplating cuts at this time.
“In the longer term we cannot run bus services in such a hand to mouth fashion. Regardless of what model of operation is used, buses are a vital public service. Residents rely on them totally to get to work and to get to health, education and social activities. They are key to any economic recovery. There needs to be a long-term funding commitment from Government to regions for bus service operation.”
Small firms shared in £21.3bn of pandemic support, new figures reveal
Smaller businesses across the whole of England received £21.3 billion through the government’s COVID-19 Local Authority Business Support Grants scheme, a new report has shown.
Micro, small, and medium sized firms across different business sectors benefited from the funds available under the scheme, which was created to support businesses during and to recover from the impact of the global pandemic.
The new information, which includes a sector breakdown for the first time, shows more than a third of all available funding was allocated to the accommodation and food services sector, a part of the economy hit hardest by the pandemic.
The grant scheme was created by the UK government and administered by local authorities, with all regions in England found to have allocated most of their total available funds to businesses in need.
Small Business Minister Jane Hunt said: “Our amazing small businesses are the backbone of our economy and their efforts both during and since the pandemic have been heroic.
“In many cases, Local Authority Business Support Grants were essential to businesses who found themselves really struggling and who are now able to recover, grow, and look to the future.”
Data shows the accommodation and food services sector received the most funding. Businesses in this sector have also seen significant support from the government’s Hospitality Strategy, published in July 2021.
Firms operating in wholesale retail, arts and entertainment, recreation, and other services industries were also among the different business sectors to receive substantial help under the scheme.
