Work starts to deliver a new travel centre at Bradford Interchange
Work on a redesigned travel centre at Bradford Interchange has begun, creating a brand-new and more accessible customer services facility for passengers.
Among the improvements, the travel centre will be moved closer to where passengers board their bus, making it easier and more accessible.
The £550,000 investment to the centre will ensure the latest in self-service ticketing and up-to-date timetable and travel information. The work is expected to be completed in November 2022, where a modern customer service desk will welcome passengers to the station.
Bradford is set to benefit from a series of transport schemes aimed at transforming the city centre and making it easier for people to walk, cycle and use public transport.
Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “Bradford will be the UK’s City of Culture in 2025 and much awaits the city and the surrounding region. We all want visitors to Bradford to feel welcome from the very moment they arrive, whether that’s by train or by bus into the Interchange, and that’s why I am really looking forward to seeing this work begin and improvements.
“When I was elected Mayor of West Yorkshire, I promised to improve our bus services and make using them easier. This investment in the new travel centre is part of that commitment.”
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe, leader of Bradford Council and chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Committee, said: “Public transport has a huge part to play in the city’s post pandemic recovery, and to make it easier for customers to get around we need excellent travel information facilities. I look forward to work getting started and the people of Bradford benefitting from these improvements.”
Shaun Morris-Armitage, chairman of Bradford’s Mobility Planning Group, said: “I am pleased to see this level of investment in Bradford creating a new accessible for all travel centre for the Interchange.
“It is encouraging to note that a lowered counter is to be provided to assist wheel-chair users and that loops are being installed at each workstation to assist those who wear hearing aids. As an ambulatory disabled person myself, I look forward to using the travel centre.”
This project is funded by West Yorkshire Combined Authority.
Hayley’s on course to becoming a Board Member with the Lincolnshire Housing Partnership
Ongo Customer Engagement Officer Hayley Sleight has begun her journey to becom a Board member.
The aim of the programme is to support individuals to develop their skills, knowledge and confidence to become fully ready to apply for and join a Board or Committee as a non-executive director.
Steve Hepworth, Chief Exec at Ongo said: “We’re incredibly proud of Hayley for securing a place on this programme. Colleague development is so important to us here at Ongo, so to see her embark on this journey to learn everything she needs to be able to successfully apply and become a Board member is just fantastic.
“Hayley is a key member of the Ongo team and she has such passion and drive to do the best job she can, particularly in supporting and working with our tenants to give them a voice in everything we do.
“I can’t wait to hear how the programme progresses and what she learns that will also no doubt help her in her role here too.”
Hayley can’t wait to get started. She said: “I am excited to get a further understanding of social housing at Board level. I feel blessed to have been successful in gaining this opportunity and look forward to the knowledge and experience I’ll get throughout the programme.”
SME owners fear winning big contracts, according to new poll
More than 80% of small business owners admit to being scared by big contract wins, fearing affordability and resourcing, a Censuswide poll commissioned by Monspire has found.
The study highlights a confidence problem among the UK’s small business community, with cashflow ranking as the number one concern for company bosses, followed by finding new business, keeping new business and funding.
Ben Gillen, Co-Founder of Monspire, said: “Even to consider venturing out on your own demonstrates a drive and determination that rightly positions small businesses as the backbone of the UK economy. But the Covid-19 pandemic and cost-of-living crisis have demonstrated a lack of confidence, particularly when it comes to managing finances. Small business owners must feel empowered if they are to grow and succeed – and that starts with getting a handle on their finances.”
The study found that more than two thirds of entrepreneurs believe managing day-to-day finances ‘completely distracts’ them from running the company, while 82% said having a clearer picture of cashflow forecasts would cause them less stress.
Only a third of business owners polled believe they have a complete view of their financial incomings and outgoings for the next 12 months. In response, almost half have used a bank loan to fund their business, a third have relied on friends and family while a quarter have used invoice financing. One in five have put their own money in as a director’s loan to pay for ongoing activities.
Gillen added: “Most owners don’t go into business to spend their days looking at numbers on a spreadsheet. They do it to fulfil a passion, or to solve problems. Without a crystal ball to see into the future, it is clear that owners are intimidated by big contract wins, which should in fact be a cause for huge celebration.”
Hospitality businesses join Treadmills scheme
Two exciting hospitality businesses are coming to Northallerton. They join the expanding portfolio of companies now operating from the redeveloped prison site, Treadmills, in the North Yorkshire town.
Farmhouse has taken the ground floor unit at the former Governors House and Open Jar will move into one of the three restaurant units currently being built with a new Everyman Cinema on the site.
Open Jar currently operates from bases in Norton and Seaton Carew and will serve street food as well as a classic menu – and offer live entertainment. Farmhouse is an all-day independent restaurant which also has a base at the Everyman Cinema in Harrogate.
The former Northallerton Prison site has been transformed into a retail, business and leisure destination by Hambleton District Council and leading Yorkshire developer, Wykeland Group.
Wykeland Development Director, Jonathan Stubbs, said: “Securing two high-quality independent restaurant businesses for Treadmills is a further demonstration of the appeal of this unique destination.
“The formerly derelict Northallerton prison site has been transformed into a thriving hub for shopping, business and learning with the latest phase adding leisure into the exciting mix of uses.”
Hambleton District Council Leader, Councillor Mark Robson, said: “It is an exciting time for Northallerton – and the Treadmills development. It is fast becoming the place to be based to work, learn and enjoy leisure time.
“We have an eclectic range of businesses choosing to expand here – once the cinema is open and the public open space is complete later this year, Northallerton will have a much improved offer for the day and night time economies which we hope will attract people from both inside and outside the district to enjoy.”
The Treadmills development is currently home to two supermarkets – Lidl and Iceland, a kitchen supplier – Kutchenhaus, pilates studio – UMove, business centre C4DI (Centre for Digital Innovation), and Campus@Northallerton (University of Sunderland and York College).
The latest phase of the development will be completed by the end of this year and will house the Everyman cinema and three restaurants. There is also a further unit for a hospitality business under the first floor wing of the C4DI building.
AgriTech and net zero innovators awarded top prizes
The University of Lincoln has awarded Colombian sustainability business Entio a cheque for £10,000 and trophy at their AgriTech and Net Zero Accelerator Programme final.
At the event, 14 early-stage AgriTech and Net Zero businesses from across the UK and beyond pitched for a range of prizes in front of a live Zoom audience.
The event on 25th May was the conclusion of 11 weeks of intense business support as part of the University of Lincoln’s AgriTech and Net Zero Accelerator Programme, supported by Barclays Eagle Labs and delivered by Lincolnshire business accelerator specialists, known as the “10×10”.
The programme provides an opportunity for businesses with growth potential, at any stage of their development, to benefit from intensive professional and personal support over 10 workshops.
After 30 hours of workshops, three masterclasses, an “Ask the Expert” panel session and several hours of specialist mentoring from experienced AgriTech and Net Zero professionals, the businesses were put through their paces. Each had five minutes to pitch in a Dragons Den-style format to a panel of four judges selected from the University, Barclays Bank and Business Lincolnshire Growth Hub, as well as Martin Collison, AgriFood Advisor to the Greater Lincolnshire LEP.
The eventual winner, Rafael Cepeda Lopez from Entio, pitched from Colombia and impressed the judges immensely, even while presenting at 5am local time.
Rafael and his team have developed a business which uses waste materials from coffee and cocoa production to grow insect larvae which is then added into animal feed, driving down both landfill waste and significant financial costs.
The runner-up prize was awarded to Luke Smith, a University of Lincoln final-year student who is developing an innovative business which uses a special type of seaweed as an animal feed supplement to drive down harmful methane gas emissions. Luke won a three months’ membership to the innovative Eagle Labs Farm at the University’s AgriFood campus at Riseholme.
Taking third place were Paul Coker and Rebecca Cole-Coker from PCI Technology, an early-stage business which has created an app called ‘Farm Smarter’ to help farmers and small-holders in developing economies to be more productive and efficient.
Charlotte Baxter, Enterprise Manager at the University of Lincoln, said: “We are deeply invested in helping fledgling businesses to flourish. Our Riseholme Campus’ Eagle Labs Farm gives start-ups access to invaluable business support and innovative facilities, tailored to a sector of great importance to our institution and region.
“We are delighted to widen and strengthen this support in partnership with Barclays Bank and 10×10, while shining a spotlight on talented, game-changing innovators in the AgriTech and Net Zero areas, each seeking to make a difference to our planet and communities. Congratulations to all involved!”
Adam White, Head of Agriculture at Barclays Business Banking, said: “Reducing the impact of the agriculture sector on the climate will not come from any one action but from the combined efforts and innovations of firms throughout the industry, so the wide variety of innovative AgriTech businesses that took part in the accelerator was brilliant to see.
“I applaud all the businesses that presented and look forward to seeing how they play a part in the sector’s transition towards achieving Net Zero.”
100 Yorkshire entrepreneurs helped by business support programme
More than 100 Yorkshire entrepreneurs have been helped by a free business accelerator programme.
The Northern Max Accelerator, which is backed by business support programme AD:VENTURE, has also helped create 44 new jobs and give businesses grants and funding worth nearly £300,000.
AD:VENTURE is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), along with other funding and delivery partners across the Leeds City Region, including Bradford Council.
The accelerator, which is aimed at ambitious technology-orientated businesses under three years old, runs over ten weeks in Bradford. It has been delivered every year since 2018, with sessions going online during lockdowns, and is due to run again in early 2023.
It includes a range of practical support, such as specialist workshops and expert mentoring, and provides opportunities for entrepreneurs to access funding and pitch for potential investment at the end.
The pitch for the last cohort was held at Kala Sangam in Bradford, with judges including Sara Parker, from North Invest, and Colin Glass OBE, of Murray Hardcourt.
This year’s successful pitch was by David Owumi, whose start-up business Qinq, is developing a software tool to help businesses to sell, re-use and re-purpose waste, preventing items ending up in landfill.
The judges felt his business could address the environmental impact of waste and support local businesses and communities.
David said: “Northern Max is all you need to transform your business ideas into a marketable reality. The facilitators, organisers and partners make the programme impactful and memorable. I made good friends too!”
Among others in this year’s cohort was Sian Purver, whose company Crysp has been trading for one year, has three staff and is in the process of recruiting two more. The company undertakes health and safety audits, fire risk assessments and occupational health evaluations, all backed up with a unique app.
Sian said: “The programme has allowed me to grow not only as a person, but in the world of business. Working with like-minded businesses and having the opportunity to soak up all the nuggets of knowledge has been brilliant. I have loved being part of the course.”
Insolvency-related activities soar in Yorkshire and Humberside during 2022
Amidst increasingly bleak predictions for the UK economy, the number of businesses in Yorkshire and Humberside experiencing insolvency-related activity is once again on the rise.
Research from insolvency and restructuring trade body R3, which is based on an analysis of data provided by CreditSafe, shows that insolvency-related activities in the region are increasing again after a drop in April. This type of activity, which includes liquidator and administrator appointments and creditors’ meetings, affected 601 businesses in Yorkshire and Humberside in March, falling to 238 in April (down 60%) and rising to 244 in May (up 6%). Overall, the region has seen a 63% increase in insolvency related activities since the start of the year.
Looking across the rest of the UK, only three regions saw a higher overall increase in insolvency-related activity than Yorkshire and the Humber between January and May. The West Midlands experienced the highest overall increase with a 87% uplift, followed by the East Midlands (up 76%), and Northern Ireland with a 67% rise. Only the South East saw an overall decrease in insolvency-related activity (down 3%) so far this year.
R3’s analysis of the CreditSafe data also showed a steady increase in the late payment of invoices, one of the key indicators of business distress.
In April just over 51,100 companies in Yorkshire and Humberside owed money having been unable to meet their payments on time which rose by 315 companies to 51,423 in May. Last month, the region’s firms had a total of almost 765,000 invoices on their books that had gone past their payment deadline without being settled (up by 12,135 from April), with an average invoice value of around £10,500.
Eleanor Temple, chair of R3 in Yorkshire and a barrister at Kings Chambers in Leeds, comments: “With the news that, in April, the economy contracted for the second month in a row, the first time this has happened since Covid struck, it’s no surprise that businesses in Yorkshire and across the UK are struggling in the face of record-breaking fuel and energy costs.
“Pressure is being felt across all sectors with services, manufacturing and production all shrinking in April. As we see prices rising at their fastest rate for 40 years and inflation forecast to reach more than 10% by the end of the year, both households and businesses are being impacted and the threat of recession appears to be looming ever closer.
“For any businesses that are experiencing insolvency-related issues, it is vital that they seek qualified help as soon as possible – insolvency practitioners have a wide range of tools at their disposal that can help companies get back on track.”
Administrators appointed to Leeds pharmaceutical company
James Clark and David Pike from Interpath Advisory have been appointed joint administrators to 4D Pharma plc.
Headquartered in Leeds and listed on both AIM and NASDAQ, the pharmaceutical company focusses on the development of Live Biotherapeutics, an innovative and emerging class of drugs, defined by the FDA as biological products that contain a live organism, such as a bacterium, that is applicable to the prevention, treatment or cure of a disease.
The company has six clinical programs underway, including therapeutic trials for conditions including cancer, asthma and Parkinson’s Disease.
The company has a number of subsidiaries which are currently not subject to an insolvency process, with facilities based in Scotland, Ireland, Spain, and the US.
The company had recently embarked on a fundraising exercise to help fuel the next stage of its growth. However, with significant uncertainty currently affecting the global capital markets, the company was ultimately unable to progress the fundraise sufficiently quickly to deliver the required funding into the business.
Against this backdrop, and with the company requiring significant cash to fund day-to-day trading, the secured lender found it necessary to take action to protect its collateral, and subsequently sought the appointment of joint administrators.
James Clark, Managing Director at Interpath Advisory and joint administrator, said: “Since its inception, 4D Pharma has been at the forefront of innovation around the development and use of live biotherapeutic products, but unfortunately has been impacted by the growing uncertainty gripping the capital markets.
“Our intention is to try to stabilise the company in the immediate term whilst we assess options for the business. We would encourage any parties interested in acquiring the business to contact us at the earliest opportunity. At this stage, 4D Pharma plc’s subsidiaries remain outside of an insolvency process and continue to trade.”
New funding from West Yorkshire Combined Authority set to improve transport, create new training opportunities, and boost a major music festival
Plans to increase the number of electric buses in West Yorkshire to help lower carbon emissions have been approved at the recent meeting of the Combined Authority.
The new vehicles would be part of the West Yorkshire Zero Emission bus programme and replace older, more polluting diesel vehicles. New electric charging facilities in the region’s bus depots and charging points on bus routes are also planned as part of the scheme.
The programme would be delivered in three phases with the first introducing 111 electric buses in Bradford, Leeds and Wakefield. The second phase would introduce electric buses to Calderdale and Kirklees, and the third intends to introduce a further 126 zero-emission buses across West Yorkshire, with the infrastructure to support them.
The programme has the potential to reduce carbon emissions in the region by between 12,000 and 17,000 tonnes per year, during the lifetime of the electric buses compared to diesel vehicles.
It also aims to modernise services, increase the number of people using buses in West Yorkshire and potentially increase the number of green jobs in the region.
At its meeting in Leeds on Thursday (Jun 23), the Combined Authority agreed to begin work on the final business case for the West Yorkshire Zero Emission bus programme, and agreed to indicatively allocate £50m towards the scheme, subject to final approval.
The Combined Authority has also agreed to support Kirklees Year of Music 2023 with £850,000 of funding. The event aims to engage with 400,000 people and includes a year-long programme of online and in-person events, as well as a three-year programme of community projects, to ensure widespread participation.
This will build on the rich musical history in Kirklees, increase awareness of music produced in the area and raise the profile of local artists. The festival is forecast to give a £6.5 million boost to the economy in the region. All events will be inclusive and conform to internationally recognised standards for environmental sustainability.
Meanwhile, £6.5 million of funding for a training scheme which will help more adults learn higher-level skills for better jobs has also been approved by the Combined Authority. The scheme is the latest phase of the Skills Connect programme and will benefit 4,500 people in West Yorkshire up to March 2025.
This new Level three training – equivalent to A Level – has been designed after consultation with businesses in the region and will therefore help respond to current recruitment needs and tackle skills shortages.
It will support people to move to better jobs or make more progress within their current roles and will also help improve business productivity. The scheme is flexible and can respond to changes in the region’s labour market.
Via work with local authority partners, training opportunities will be made available to communities across West Yorkshire who are currently underrepresented in skilled jobs, including older people.
And a project to improve a major road which connects Huddersfield and Bradford has also progressed, after the outline business case was approved at the Combined Authority meeting. The A641 runs through Brighouse and the planned improvements will benefit walkers, cyclists, and motorists.
The outline business case sets out key proposals and objectives for the project. In addition, the Combined Authority agreed to release more than £8 million for the scheme, enabling the development of detailed designs.
The work to improve this key route through Brighouse is being delivered in partnership with Calderdale Council. It also aims to reduce traffic congestion and poor air quality. Proposals include junction improvements, new cycleways and green space and other new transport measures to better connect communities. The next steps for the project involve undertaking further public consultation later this year.
Commenting on the four programmes, Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “This agreement on the plans for more zero-emission buses in our region is a hugely positive step in our vital work to reduce carbon emissions and reach our target of net-zero by 2038.
“And it’s made even more important by recent figures which showed that one in 22 deaths in our region is due to poor air quality.
“We’re working with bus operators through our Enhanced Partnership to increase bus usage and improve all aspects of services and the travel experience. The West Yorkshire Zero Emission bus programme will play a key role in this.
“We’re also pleased to be working in partnership with Calderdale Council on the scheme to improve the A641 between Bradford and Huddersfield which will make it easier to walk, cycle and use public transport.
“It is more important than ever that we continue to modernise and improve our region’s transport networks to respond to the climate emergency and achieve our inclusive growth ambitions by connecting more people with job, training and education opportunities.”
Tracy Brabin added: “Kirklees Year of Music 2023 is a hugely exciting event which I’m delighted to be supporting.
“Along with events such as Leeds 2023 and Calderdale 2024, and Bradford’s time as UK city of culture in 2025, it will highlight that we have some of the finest creative and cultural talent, events, festivals, and destinations anywhere in the UK.
“And the approval for this latest phase of our Skills Connect programme is also a major step forward which widens the access to high-level training for more people and will also support our region’s businesses to find talent they need for skilled jobs.
“The programme will help people to make more progress in their careers and will allow more adults, at all life stages, and from a range of diverse communities to benefit from new opportunities.”
Precision medical tech company demonstrates work with Parkinson’s
A Parkinson’s-focused precision medicine tech company has presented the results of its research with Sheffield’s Neurology Academy, demonstrating how digital transformation stands to improve management of Parkinson’s for patients whilst enabling providers to better target care.
Kinetikos Health has developed a suite of digital tools called Kinetikos4PD, including a medical-grade platform for healthcare professionals and a phone app for those living with Parkinson’s. Together, they allow clinicians to better manage treatment programmes and provide individuals with more control and visibility into how their condition is being treated.
The presentation brought together a select audience of researchers and healthcare professionals, including Dr Richard Genever and Sue Thomas from the Neurology Academy, alongside representatives from the Yorkshire & Humber AHSN, Parkinson’s UK, Sheffield Care Commissioning Group, Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre and Healthwatch.
Pedro Teixeira of Kinetikos Health said” “Our platform offers significant benefits, from early detection when a patient’s condition changes, to tracking whether someone is taking their medication. For individuals with Parkinson’s, we believe it is very powerful to have access to this real-time data.
“The Kinetikos Health platform also allows clinicians to prioritise patients for follow-up, which is an important part of how we can help healthcare providers allocate resources more efficiently,” Teixeira continued. “We believe that by enabling better shared decision making between clinicians and the individuals they treat, we can improve outcomes.”
“This was a brilliant opportunity to present the benefits of the digital app to the range of people and organisations involved in Parkinson’s management across South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw ICS,” said Sue Thomas, a healthcare consultant for the Neurology Academy. “This includes those living with the condition, as well as consultants, specialist nurses, commissioners, providers, AHSN, and academics from the Universities of Sheffield and Hallam. It was agreed digital technology could improve patient outcomes as well as increasing service capacity and reducing costs.”
