Couple disqualified as directors after taking deposits in insolvent business

Stuart Pearcey
-
0
Couple disqualified as directors after taking deposits in insolvent business
Couple Paul Richard Hubbard and Susan Ann Hubbard have been disqualified as directors for eight and six years respectively, after taking deposits worth more than £30,000 from customers despite knowing their business was insolvent. The couple were directors of Scunthorpe-based Barningham Memorials Limited, which produced headstones and other memorial items. The company had traded since 2003 but went into liquidation in March 2020. However, the company was in fact insolvent from August 2019, yet continued to take payments and deposits from would-be customers despite knowing it would not be able to provide the finished products. In total, the company took over £30,000 from 41 customers during this period. The company had previously been hit by a five-year ban by North East Lincolnshire Council in 2015 for a failure to adhere to local regulations. From this point on it was forced to rely on subcontractors to install memorials. The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy accepted disqualification undertakings from both directors, after they did not dispute that they had been responsible for the company continuing to take money from customers while it was insolvent. Paul Hubbard has been banned for eight years, and Susan Hubbard banned for six years, both effective from 3 August 2022. The disqualification undertakings prevent them from directly, or indirectly, becoming involved in the promotion, formation or management of a company, without the permission of the court. Rob Clarke, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service said: “Any business in financial difficulty should be aware that its primary duty is to its creditors, and ensuring that their losses are minimised.

“In continuing to accept pre-payments for memorials which they had no reasonable prospect of supplying, Paul and Susan Hubbard have caused additional pain to grieving families over and above the purely financial loss.”

P&O Ferries won’t face criminal proceedings after dismissal of almost 800 workers

Stuart Pearcey
-
0
P&O Ferries won’t face criminal proceedings after dismissal of almost 800 workers
The Insolvency Service won’t be launching criminal proceedings in the wake of the redundancies made by P&O Ferries in March this year because it’s felt there is no real prospect of a conviction. An Insolvency Service spokesperson said: “After a full and robust criminal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the employees who were made redundant by P&O Ferries, we have concluded that we will not commence criminal proceedings.” The Secretary of State for the Department of Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy asked the Insolvency Service to investigate whether any offences had been committed in relation to P&O Ferries’ dismissal of 786 employees on 17 March 2022. The offence alleged was failure to notify in accordance with section 193 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 contrary to section 194(1) of that Act. The Insolvency Service conducted a criminal investigation, which was reviewed by an independent senior prosecution lawyer in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors, who concluded there was no realistic prospect of a conviction.

British Power launches energy-saving idea for leisure industry

Stuart Pearcey
-
0
British Power launches energy-saving idea for leisure industry
Green energy provider British Power Group, based in Kirmington in North Lincolnshire, has introduced a cost-saving and planet-friendly offering aimed specifically at hoteliers and leisure providers across the UK. It’s claimed its new combined heat and power system can dramatically reduce combined energy expense incurred with spas or swimming pools, which is now available at zero capital cost. The new CHP system for hoteliers is designed to reduce consumption by controlling the systems a hotel or leisure facility already has in place. It enables a site to produce its own electricity and heat through a micro-combined heat and power system which can help to not only adopt greener operations but will reduce energy and maintenance costs. The reduced running hours can also extend the life of the system and there is even the option to recapture heat waste. British Power Group can offer funding through its long established and extensive network of energy providers, meaning that the new CHP system for Hoteliers is available at zero capital cost. It presents the ideal opportunity for hoteliers and leisure providers who are looking for innovative ways to reduce their carbon emissions and lower both operational and maintenance costs. Director Steven Cullum said: “We understand the challenges faced by hoteliers in terms of financial constraints and high energy usage. Many of our clients work in this industry sector and are already enjoying the benefits of our existing Hotelier Energy Savings Pack. “We have drawn on the insight we have gained from working with our clients and the increasing feedback we receive from new contacts who approach us within the sector, to understand that there is a real need for combined heat power systems. “This is an exceptional opportunity to take advantage of a combined heat power system at zero capital cost and reap both the environmental and cost saving benefits that it brings. For example, over a 15-year period a hotel will save around 44.34% on average, which is understandably highly attractive.”

Business and college work together to develop new skills academy

Stuart Pearcey
-
0
Business and college work together to develop new skills academy
Barnsley College has officially launched The Chamber and Brook Academy, which brings together Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber of Commerce and Brook Corporate Developments Ltd. The academy aims to provide students with hands-on business skills while developing new opportunities for businesses. The academy is in the Business classrooms at the College’s Old Mill Lane campus, the Chamber and Brook Academy has been designed to provide students with a dedicated space where they can learn about business, finance and funding and explore different areas of business. In addition, it will provide students with a range of opportunities to develop their skills, including the chance to work on real projects from local businesses and widen their knowledge of real-world business situations. Brook Corporate Developments Ltd. is a business improvement consultancy, based at The Business Village, Barnsley. It offers support for businesses to help staff growth and business development. Brook has seen the benefits of partnership working, being an active member of Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber of Commerce for over 10 years. Dom Brook, Director at Brook Corporate Developments, said: “We have been a member of The Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber of Commerce for several years, and we have collaborated on various projects. When the opportunity arose to work with Barnsley College to set up an academy we jumped at the chance. “Combining the business skills we have, and the large network Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber has, we can transfer this knowledge to students and create new opportunities within the future workforce. “We work with Barnsley College to develop the curriculum by integrating real life situations into schemes of work. If there is a certain topic that the students are working on, we, or the Chamber, will deliver a masterclass on specific topics to aid their business skills. It is not about teaching the students something they already know, it is about putting the skills they have learnt into practice.” The partnership between Barnsley College and The Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber allows students to learn from experts in their field as well as get hands-on experience by working with local companies. In addition to this, students will be able to network with employers through connections made through their collaborations with both organisations. Andrew Denniff, Chief Executive at Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber of Commerce, added: “We have been working with Barnsley College to bring businesses and College students together. We have over 1,100 businesses in our network and our aim is to build bridges between students and the business community. We have brought in specific businesses like Brook Corporate Developments Ltd. to help develop and strengthen these business links. “The aim of developing Academies within the College is to create an environment where both businesses and students can benefit from each other’s strengths, with businesses gaining access to talented students and students gaining experience in real-world environments that will help them succeed in their future careers.” Barnsley College’s Director of Business Development, Helen Weatherston, commented: “We are very excited about this partnership and what it means for both our students and the local community. We have worked with Brook Corporate Developments Ltd. and Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber for many years now, so we are delighted to be strengthening our partnership with them by launching this academy.” Barnsley College has a dedicated Business Development team which aims to help businesses identify and develop the best people, at the right level, with the right experience for their organisation. The College has a range of apprenticeships and professional training solutions that can be tailored to your exact requirements and will support your organisation to be productive and profitable.

Ørsted UK signs recognition agreement with trade union Prospect

Stuart Pearcey
-
0
Ørsted UK signs recognition agreement with trade union Prospect
All employees involved in the operation and maintenance of Ørsted UK’s 12 UK offshore wind farms are to be covered in a recognition agreement with the trade union Prospect.
The agreement will see Prospect recognised as the sole negotiating body for the terms and conditions of around 450 of Ørsted’s Operations & Maintenance staff, based at sites across the UK including Barrow, Grimsby, Liverpool and Brightlingsea. Both Ørsted and Prospect are committed to building a highly technically-capable workforce with sustainable careers and competitive terms and conditions. Prospect has extensive experience working with the energy sector – including in renewables and offshore – now representing more than 20,000 energy workers, in some of the same areas where Ørsted’s sites are based. In August and September, Prospect will be at Ørsted’s offshore operations sites, in Grimsby, Barrow, Liverpool and Brightlingsea for facilitated meetings to introduce the union and to provide the opportunity to join as a recognised union member. Duncan Clark, Head of Region UK at Ørsted, said: “When developing this partnership, Prospect and Ørsted have found strong alignment of values, ambition and experience in the energy sector. Prospect is well-established in the offshore wind sector, priding itself on empowering and upskilling highly technical roles whilst also having a strong reputation for establishing fair and equitable terms and conditions for employees. Prospect will work with our successful Employee Engagement Forum to support their ongoing work representing our offshore wind operations teams as well as providing specific support to individuals who choose to join Prospect as a recognised member. We believe our partnership with Prospect will complement the ongoing and forthcoming work on a range of complex and challenging tasks, ensuring Ørsted is best positioned for the future growth of the offshore wind sector as the UK aims to have 50GW installed by 2030.” Prospect trade union Senior Deputy General Secretary Sue Ferns said: “This landmark recognition agreement with Ørsted demonstrates Prospect’s commitment to securing a just transition for workers in the energy sector. It shows that employers and unions can work together constructively to meet the country’s greatest challenges and sets an example to the rest of the renewables sector. Wind power will play a critical role in securing an energy secure, net zero future for the UK and through this agreement we will ensure that the workers delivering that change have the best possible terms and conditions at work. We are a growing and ambitious union in renewable energy and we are working hard to increase our membership and recognition across the sector.”
Prospect currently has more than 150,000 members, with 22,000 working in every part of the UK’s energy sector. It has been campaigning for a just transition for workers in the sector. It is calling on the Government to achieve its Net Zero goals with investment in skills and infrastructure that deliver high-quality jobs and employment for communities across the country.

Major players in forging and forming industries join Advanced Forming Research Centre

Tess Egginton
-
0
Major players in forging and forming industries join Advanced Forming Research Centre
Six major players in the forging and forming industries have joined the University of Strathclyde’s Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC), part of the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) Group, just months after it established an outreach office in Sheffield to support a cluster of innovative companies vital to the UK’s transition to a greener economy. Keith Ridgway, executive chair of the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland, said: “South Yorkshire’s forging and forming skills are central to the UK economy, providing strategically critical components in the aerospace, defence, clean energy and infrastructure sectors. They are also crucial to combatting climate change, providing a huge opportunity for the region including the potential to support the manufacture of small modular reactors and offshore wind.” The six new members are: Sheffield Forgemasters; Forged Solutions Group; Independent Forging and Alloys; Maher; Castings Technology International; and Footprint Tools. “Forging also has a vital role to play in the aerospace and defence sectors, which are experiencing a sharp upturn in orders and adds more than £35 billion to the UK economy along with significant export earnings,” said Ridgway. “To remain competitive the industry needs to innovate which is why the AFRC, part of the High Value Manufacturing (HVM) Catapult, is connecting with small and medium sized firms in South Yorkshire to help them develop the technologies, talent and skills needed to grow their businesses.” Ben McIvor, president of Forged Solutions Group (FSG), has ambitious plans for the industry and sees membership of the AFRC as an opportunity to bring the sector together to share ideas and insights and to tackle common challenges: “Sheffield is a great place to do business and having the AFRC outreach office in the city provides direct links to some of the best research talent in the world, which is essential to us as we invest and grow.” Richard Jewitt, director of Footprint Tools, said: “We are a family business with deep roots in Sheffield and a long association with Keith Ridgway. Becoming members of the AFRC gives us the opportunity to shape their research agenda in a way that meets the needs of small and medium sized forging and forming firms across the region. We’re already working with them on developing drop stamp technology, particularly automation.” Independent Forgings and Alloys, which has just become a member, is now home to a productivity boosting rotary forge machine that can provide up to 90% materials savings compared to conventional machining, thanks to its partnership with AFRC. Michael Carlisle, IFA business development manager, said: “We are incredibly excited about its arrival from Scotland to our facility in Sheffield – which is the heart of the UK steel industry. Sheffield is in an ideal position to build on the great work already completed by the AFRC, and together we can take the machine and the capability forward to maximise the benefit for UK industry.” Business development lead for NMIS-AFRC in Sheffield, Alan Lyons, said: “The response from industry in South Yorkshire and the Midlands over the last six months has been amazing. Having Sheffield Forgemasters join us as a Tier One Member and supporting them for the last six months on their industrial digitalisation journey has been hugely rewarding. “In addition to the six new members we now have a flourishing Forging and Forming Forum, which meets regularly to discuss issues facing the industry and is fast becoming vibrant industrial community where knowledge, experience, capabilities and opportunities are shared. It’s great that Sheffield and the wider region now has access to the R&D talents of three High Value Manufacturing (HVM) Catapult centres.”

Merrion Centre adds to entertainment offer with new tenant

Tess Egginton
-
0
Merrion Centre adds to entertainment offer with new tenant
The first city electric drift karting indoor experience, Drift Stop, is set to launch at the Merrion Centre in the heart of the Leeds Arena Quarter. Leeds-based property investor and car parking operator, Town Centre Securities PLC (TCS), has signed its latest tenant, Drift Stop at 16-18 Merrion Centre, creating 12 jobs for the city. Drift Stop, the brainchild of owner/director Andreas Aristotelous, has agreed terms on 7,308 sq ft of space at the Merrion Centre with the track on the ground floor and a workshop and repair station on the first floor. It will be situated in a prominent position within the main mall close to retailers Iceland, The Works, Superdrug and the Leeds United FC store. The Leeds venue will also incorporate Arcade games offering a mix of classic and modern options from Ferrari Twin, Sega Rally and Street Fighter Multi-play to Table Football, Fastrack Air Hockey and Boxing. The venue will also offer on site food/beverage with the new Leeds track soft launching from 18 August 2022. Private parties and corporate events will be available and there will be over 20 customised e-drift karts on site, with options for budding e-karters to buy their own karts which can be personalised. Charles Newman, associate director at Town Centre Securities (TCS), owners of the Merrion Centre, said: “We are delighted to bring this exciting urban karting adventure to the city of Leeds. “Drift Stop will add something unique to our entertainment offer at the Merrion Centre and I’m sure it will appeal to both novices and experienced karters alike. It promises to be a fun, adrenaline pumping experience for the whole family to enjoy and it’s great to support a young business with ambitions to open more tracks across the UK.” Andreas Aristotelous, owner/director of Drift Stop, said: “I am thrilled that the Drift Stop vision to deliver a fun and affordable, fully immersive, audio, visual, sports & gaming entertainment venue in the heart of Leeds is now becoming a reality. “One of the best graffiti artists in the business, Andy Parle has transformed the space with huge art installations that are set to assault the senses as guests drift around the track. We are confident the unique karting experience, combined with nostalgic tech and gameplay, will prove popular with all ages and be a fantastic addition to the city’s Arena Quarter.”

Plans progress for Event Central on Sheffield’s Fargate

Tess Egginton
-
0
Plans progress for Event Central on Sheffield’s Fargate
Plans to create a vibrant cultural community hub on Fargate are progressing, with Sheffield City Council seeking an operator to run the space. Event Central is a regeneration project commissioned by Sheffield City Council and funded through the Future High Streets Fund, which will see the refurbishment of the existing building at 20-26 on Fargate. The Council is seeking an operator committed to successfully developing and managing Event Central, as well as taking a lead on the regeneration of the wider Fargate area. The chosen occupier must also understand and advocate sustainability – a key component of this low impact space. Event Central will showcase Sheffield’s diverse talent with artistic events and opportunities for exhibitions, workshops and talks to be hosted in one space. It will also feature co-working spaces, a café/juice bar and a 200-capacity standing music venue. The development will see the creation of a flexible space for a year-round programme of major international events in Sheffield, expected to attract more than 110,000 visitors a year. As part of the wider Future High Streets Fund project, pocket parks will be introduced through Fargate, using the design skills and knowledge gained through the Grey to Green scheme. Sheffield City Council’s bid for the Future High Streets Fund has been supported by the University of Sheffield. These inputs included elements of the written bid as well as 3D modelled visuals of the proposals for Fargate and Event Central, developed by Architectural and Urban Planning students. The University has also coordinated and hosted a series of consultation events for cultural stakeholders. Cllr Mazher Iqbal, co-chair of the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee, said: “Event Central promises to be an incredible and welcomed addition to Fargate. We have a rich artistic heritage in Sheffield and it will be fantastic to see this celebrated all under one roof. “As we drive forward with our commitment to achieve net zero carbon by 2030, it is more important than ever to have the climate as a top priority, and so we’re seeking an operator which is focussed on sustainability in operation. With that, they must also share our passion and vision for Fargate and the city centre as a whole – highlighting the great city Sheffield is and unlocking even more of its potential.” Professor Vanessa Toulmin, director of City and Culture at the University of Sheffield and member of Sheffield’s Future High Street Fund Stakeholder Panel, said: “This is an exciting time for the reinvention of Fargate and the University is delighted that the vision we helped to create with Sheffield City Council is coming to fruition. “Event Central is designed to have a strong community element, benefit the people of Sheffield as well as showcase our wonderful creative artists. It is destined to be a culturally vibrant addition to our city centre and I am confident that Sheffield will be proud of it.” Interested parties will need to submit an expression of interest by noon on October 19. Once submitted, the Council will shortlist a number of operators, asking for more detailed proposals before deciding on an appropriate operator.

Yorkshire breweries feature in New Zealand beer festival

Stuart Pearcey
-
0
Yorkshire breweries feature in New Zealand beer festival
To breweries from Yorkshire are amongst ten featuring on the UK Government’s GREAT stand at New Zealand’s beer festival Beervana, taking place today and tomorrow. Theakston’s from Masham and Timothy Taylors from Keighley are the companies, of which British High Commissioner to New Zealand Iona Thomas said: “The UK and New Zealand share so much – whether it’s our common values, our passion for sport, or our shared love of beer! Beervana is a wonderful celebration of some of the best beer in the world, so I’m delighted that ten British breweries are taking part this year. We’re showcasing how British bars, pubs and breweries are greenifying the industry and tackling climate change – another important goal we share with New Zealand.” British Consul General and Deputy Trade Commissioner Asia Pacific (Australia and New Zealand) Louise Cantillon said: “Beer is one of the UK’s top food and drink exports valued at £413 million. There are over 3,000 breweries in the UK. An impressive 441 million kilograms of beer is exported from the UK around the world each year. “Through the UK-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement we will strengthen opportunities to export high-quality British food and drink products so they can be enjoyed by even more New Zealanders.”

Continuing inflation means businesses have no option but to increase prices, says BCC

Stuart Pearcey
-
0
Continuing inflation means businesses have no option but to increase prices, says BCC
Business are being driven to increase prices by continuing high inflation, which has increased every month for almost a year, say the British Chambers of Commerce. The BCC’s Director of Policy and Public Affairs Alex Veitch said: “The rise in Consumer Prices Index inflation to 10.1% is the tenth monthly increase in a row and another record high. “This higher than expected inflation increase, alongside eye-watering energy prices, this confirms the severity of the cost of doing business crisis. “This squeeze on businesses’ operating costs is also reflected in the latest Producer Price Inflation figures which show a 22.6% rise in the year to July 2022, which remains among the highest levels since records began in 1985. “The difference between input and output inflation illustrates that many firms are absorbing as much of these additional costs as they can. There is a limit to how much additional cost firms can absorb and is limiting growth and investment. “Our research shows that two out of three firms expect to raise their own prices in the coming months, with utilities, labour costs, and raw materials all cited as the main drivers of costs. Firms have been telling us about this inflation shock for 18 months now. “Businesses want to support their people, they want to invest and grow and they don’t want to put prices up for their customers, but they are left with little choice. “The Government should act and has levers to pull to give vital support to businesses now. “The two immediate and impactful choices would be to review and reform the Shortage Occupations List to help fill the 1.3 million job vacancies; and bring businesses’ energy costs down by lowering the VAT rate from 20% to 5%. It’s time for action and we’re offering solutions. It’s time for Government to listen.”
1...785786787...974Page 786 of 974