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Levelling up: organisations invited to apply for share of £5.5m to kickstart projects
North Lincolnshire organisations are being invited to apply for a share of Government cash to kickstart projects.
Last month the leader of North Lincolnshire Council welcomed the announcement of additional levelling up cash to enable even more people to complete high-quality skills training and access well-paid, sustainable jobs.
The cash is part of the Government’s £2.6bn UK Shared Prosperity Fund, designed to increase community pride by supporting businesses and helping people achieve better outcomes, access opportunities and lead better lives.
Now, local organisations are being invited to find out more about the fund by joining an online webinar taking place on Thursday 9 June 2022 between 9am and 10am.
Cllr Rob Waltham, leader, North Lincolnshire Council, said:
“This is further evidence of levelling up here in North Lincolnshire.
“Already, the Government has committed £30m of investment to transform Scunthorpe. A range of projects, including the construction of the enterprise and innovation hub and advanced manufacturing park, as well as the delivery of gigabit broadband and green energy schemes will help to stimulate growth, create jobs and build a different future for residents.
“This new cash injection will go even further and gives local organisations a fantastic opportunity to directly shape North Lincolnshire’s exciting future.”
Examples of projects eligible for funding include further enhancing:
Marketing Agency Pledges to Support Inspiring Charity
A South Yorkshire charity specialising in life-changing support for children and adults with motor diseases has been given a boost, with £25,000 of marketing work being donated completely free of charge.
Paces – based in North Sheffield – will first have its entire website upgraded, along with further social media and marketing support by the award-winning marketing agency MultiWebMarketing in Doncaster.
This will help the charity increase awareness of its work providing conductive education and support for children and young adults with conditions like cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, stroke and Parkinson’s.
Currently supporting more than 100 families, the charity’s aim is to promote its services more widely and help even more people understand how Paces can help their loved ones. Through conductive education, the charity teaches life-changing skills such as sitting, standing, walking, speaking and independence in an environment where people can have fun, develop friendships and feel like they belong.
Pace’s Head of Fundraising and Communications Julie Booth said: “We’re so thankful to the whole team at MultiWebMarketing for choosing to support Paces. Helping with our marketing will help to take us to the next phase of our journey and help us to raise the awareness so that we can support even more families with motor disorders.
“The package is a considerable financial amount to us and the huge saving means that we can put those funds to better use. We really can’t thank them enough and we’re so excited about our partnership.”
The partnership has moved fast and was born at Easter when the agency kindly donated 100 chocolate eggs to the charity’s sites. Since then, a fantastic rapport has been built between the charity and MultiWebMarketing’s Managing Director Paul Smith, who has a family member with Cerebral Palsy.
This has culminated in a fully-signed partnership with no end date which will help Paces at a time when it is striving towards opening a new school at Thorncliffe Hall in Sheffield.
“We felt such a strong connection with the charity,” said Paul. “We felt such a strong connection with the charity,” said Paul. ‘I’m one of five son’s, the youngest. My eldest brother has Cerebral Palsy, so I’m very aware of the challenges that this brings for the whole family. I’m happy that our agency is able to offer expert digital marketing support and know that my team are delighted to be involved on an ongoing basis.
In the hotseat to deliver the marketing work is MultiWebMarketing’s Client Account Manager Kelly White. She said: “We’ll be supporting Paces in many ways including providing photography and social media at their events, but the first big project is to give their website a revamp. We want to make it more user friendly and help support their long-term objectives.
“The main goal is to improve awareness. The charity has started to get more coverage and have loads of great stories to tell so it’s going to be an exciting partnership for us to work on.”
SKDC agrees office move to save £300k per year
South Kesteven District Council is to relocate to a modern, open-plan office in a move that will improve business efficiency and working conditions, and save taxpayers an estimated £300,000 a year in running costs.
The switch from St Peter’s Hill, Grantham, to office space on the top floor of the town’s nearby cinema complex was approved at the Council’s annual meeting on Thursday (May 26th).
The Council Leader, Cllr Kelham Cooke, said St Peter’s Hill was an ageing asset that needed significant investment if it was to provide a modern working environment.
“We aim to be a competitive employer of choice making maximum use of technology to obtain value for money and supporting a workforce able to work flexibly to support all residents and service users,” he said.
“This move is a unique opportunity to rationalise the Council’s operations against the backdrop of continued financial challenges and to reflect the significant change in working practices accelerated by the Covid-19 pandemic.”
Throughout the pandemic the Council showed that it could operate in a more agile way and no longer required such large premises and a blended approach of home and office working is seen as the most effective way forward.
Cllr Cooke said: “No matter how our services are delivered, the first consideration must be the needs of the business and ensuring that our residents and businesses receive high quality, value for money, services.
“We need to identify ways of reducing operating expenditure, maximising the use of assets and removing unnecessary costs.
“The move allows us to make best use of vacant Council-owned assets, eliminate significant annual costs that are being incurred at the present office location, and provide our staff with a modern working environment.
“The projected saving is around £300,000 a year, while the potential sale of St Peter’s Hill could generate a significant capital receipt. Crucially, there will also be a reduction in our carbon footprint – a key priority for us.”
Potential partnerships with other public sector organisations are being explored to develop a Customer Service hub in vacant ground floor units with the cinema complex.
The local Trade Unions have given their support to the move, which could be completed by March next year.
Grimsby seafood firm acquired by global player
Northcoast Seafoods, a company of similar age as Seafood Connection, is a specialized player on the retail market. With innovative sustainable products it fits perfectly in Seafood Connection’s vision going forward.
This means that both companies can complement each other in their respectful markets. And with the sourcing power of Seafood Connection’s parent company Maruha Nichiro, both companies hope to grow Northcoast’s ambitions on the UK market.
This M&A granted a long-kept wish of Seafood Connection: being present through locally knowledgeable companies and people in all of Europe’s largest seafood markets. And with Seafood Connection’s proven track record on the (retail) market in Europe, Northcoast Seafoods has the potential to create an even stronger position on the UK seafood market. We are excited for the growing potential this strategic partnership will bring.
Seafood Connection CEO Jan Kaptijn commented: “I am glad to finally have a great partner to make the jump across the North Sea and be more active in the UK market. Of course, our presence doesn’t mean that we’re going to change the company. The same management will stay because I believe they are very able. Adrian Crookes has a long history with Northcoast Seafoods and has taken an important role in Northcoast Seafoods acquisition as well as in the restructuring of the company in the past 3 years. He will lead the company over the coming years as Managing Director together with Commercial Director Christopher Baird, who is a key long-time employee who has an important role in the wholesale and retail business development and diversification at Northcoast Seafoods. Fridrik Mar Thorsteinsson will step down as Managing Director and continue to contribute to the company as Advisor & Procurement Director.”
Takeyuki Nakazawa, Seafood Connection’s COO, supervised the acquisition and acted as liaison between Maruha Nichiro, Seafood Connection and Northcoast Seafoods: “Ever since I met the first time with the management of Northcoast Seafoods, I came to the conclusion that Northcoast Seafoods speaks the same language as Seafood Connection and Maruha Nichiro. We are definitely on the same page and share the same business philosophy. Their individual local uniqueness in a big market such as the UK’s made the company very appealing to Maruha Nichiro and Seafood Connection. Their size and influence made it a perfect partner for our all-round geographical expansion strategy into other parts of Europe. I have high hopes for Northcoast Seafoods and am delighted to be able to invite the company into our family, and myself become a colleague at Northcoast Seafoods as Liaison and Compliance Manager.”
The management team at Northcoast Seafoods are pleased and very excited to be part of Seafood Connection and Maruha Nichiro, Fridrik Thorsteinsson commented that he is proud and happy to join the largest seafood business in the world and is confident that this new relationship will strengthen the UK business.
Chris Baird said: “I am delighted that Seafood Connection and Northcoast Seafoods will be working together in the future. The synergies between the two businesses will undoubtedly strengthen our position in the Seafood sector, which Northcoast has grown significantly over the last 20 years, with the support of its suppliers and customers”.
Adrian Crookes mentioned that it was clear throughout the process that the culture of Seafood Connection will be a perfect fit for Northcoast Seafoods and that he was looking forward to working closely with the new owners and maximising the benefits from bringing the two businesses together.
Endless LLP acquires £400m edible oils supplier
Leeds based Endless LLP (‘Endless’), one of the UK’s leading mid-market private equity investors, has acquired K.T.C. (Edibles) Limited (‘KTC’).
KTC is one of the UK’s largest suppliers of edible oil, supplying over 250 million litres a year to manufacturers, retailers and wholesalers across the UK and globally. Headquartered in Wednesbury (West Midlands) and established in 1972, the founding family have grown the business to over £400 million turnover, four production sites and 450 employees.
Endless’ acquisition of KTC will provide additional investment for the company’s ambitious growth plans through further development of its operations, range and service offerings.
The investment in KTC adds another exceptional British food business to Endless’ existing portfolio, which includes Hovis, Bright Blue Foods and Yorkshire Premier Meat.
Paresh Mehta, CEO of KTC, said “This is fantastic news for KTC. While it is business as usual, we are excited by the opportunities new ownership will bring and we look forward to continuing our rapid growth and development. We would also like to thank the Khera family for building such a strong business and supporting the company and its employees over the last 50 years.”
Aidan Robson, Partner at Endless, added: “We are thrilled to have been given the opportunity to acquire KTC. Through its strong relationships with suppliers and customers, KTC has demonstrated its importance to the UK food industry at a time of increasing volatility across the global food market. We look forward to supporting Paresh and the wider KTC team as we build upon the excellent platform laid down by the founding family.”
Wells Fargo Capital Finance (UK) Limited supported the transaction. Nigel Hogg, head of EMEA Commercial Credit, said: “We are delighted to be supporting Endless in the acquisition of KTC, a superb business with a strong position within the food sector”
KTC was advised by Oghma Partners (corporate finance), Walker Morris (legal), PWC (financial and tax) and Progeny (management advisory).
Endless was advised by Eversheds Sutherland (legal), Interpath (debt advisory and tax), KPMG (financial), Spayne Lindsay (commercial) and Lockton (insurance).
Harrogate Spring Water re-submits more modest expansion plans
Harrogate Spring Water has announced new public consultation events over its plans to expand operations in the town, scaling back plans after its 2019 proposal met objections .
The company is now putting together a “Reserved Matters” application which will detail how the new building will look and how the surrounding area will be landscaped.
Before putting in the proposals to Harrogate Borough Council, Harrogate Spring Water wants to hear from members of the local community about how they would like to see the expansion carried out.
The company will organise a series of public consultation events next month where people will get to have their say on the design and landscaping of the proposed extension and surrounding land.
These views will help to shape the final application which will then go on public display before being submitted to the council.
Richard Hall, managing director at Harrogate Spring Water, said: “The town of Harrogate and the local community are at the heart of our business. So it is important for us to ensure that, as we look to grow, create further job opportunities and continue to support the local and regional economy, we also listen to them.
“That’s why we are now encouraging people to engage with us on this process, to give us the benefit of their views and to help shape the future of the company.
“We have a shared interest in driving prosperity for the town and creating a sustainable future for a key business that takes the Harrogate name around the UK and the world, and we hope that this process will allow us to come to a resolution which addresses people’s concerns and the town’s aspirations.”
Harrogate Spring Water secured outline planning permission for its expansion in 2017 with a plan that was passed unanimously by the council following an extensive public consultation exercise involving various stakeholder groups.
But in 2019, the company put forward new proposals to increase the size of that expansion. That application was turned down by Harrogate Borough Council despite being recommended for approval by planning officials.
Having taken stock, Harrogate Spring Water is now reverting to its original 2017 plan, covering a smaller area than the 2019 proposals, and is again inviting stakeholder groups and the public to give their views on what the new building and surrounding landscaping should look like.
Richard Hall said: “We have thought long and hard about the concerns raised about the 2019 plan, we have taken on board the feedback from the community and we are now looking to move forward.
“By reverting to the original plan and again consulting on what the final development could look like, we are going back to previously agreed plans and taking what we believe is a real gold standard approach on responsible development.”
Proceeding with the original 2017 plan reduces the size and impact of the extension compared with the 2019 proposals.
The company is looking into ways to achieve net biodiversity gain for the site, pursuing proposals to carry out a compensatory tree planting scheme and there is also the potential to make Rotary Wood more accessible to the public, create more shared areas or to leave the land as it is, depending on the outcome of the public consultation.
The extension to Harrogate Spring Water’s building could also have a green roof, a living wall or other features.
The expansion will help to create over 30 new jobs for local people at Harrogate Spring Water, in addition to at least 25 jobs during the construction process.
It will boost the level of economic output generated (GVA) by around £1.3m a year. Business rates, contributing to the funding of public services, will also increase by over £900,000 a year.
Richard Hall said: “We feel it is vital for us as a business to take our environmental responsibilities seriously.
“We also want to work in partnership with the local community on this. We want them to help shape the woodland into the resource which they would like to see and ensure our extension blends in as well as it can into the surrounding area.
“By engaging meaningfully with local residents, stakeholder groups and the public, we feel this represents the best and fairest way forward for everyone.”
£25m investment for Doncaster to help increase economic growth
As part of the Doncaster Town Deal, in partnership with the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, nearly £25m is being prepared to invest in an extension to the recently upgraded Railway Square (£4.149m) and the delivery of a new office/mixed-use building (£20.09m). Both projects will offer significant enterprise and growth opportunities for the city.
Both projects will also have a “green” focus, including the promotion of green urban space, active travel and connectivity and follow the confirmation from Central Government that a £24.8m Towns Deal fund had been approved for Doncaster in November 2021.
The projects will see the new square outside the railway station extended to allow for additional public space and for a better first impression of Doncaster for visitors, while the proposed office space will also be based close to Doncaster Rail Station.
A further project will allow for the commission of feasibility studies of identified heritage sites to potentially find a new future for these sites in the city.
Portfolio holder at Doncaster Council for Housing and Business, Cllr Glyn Jones, said: “The overarching aim of the Doncaster Towns Deal is to help increase economic growth, with a clear focus on regeneration, improved transport, better broadband connectivity, skills and culture.
“The projects outlined will allow our newly-named city to deliver a new urban greenspace in the town centre which will improve current opportunities related to wellbeing and leisure for residents, as well as offering space for further potential employment opportunities, strengthening our mission to represent people, place and planet as a council.
“The mentioned projects have been subject to intense dialogue with businesses and stakeholders over the past months, who have all helped us identify the needs of the town and I want to thank everyone for their contributions so far.”
Chair of the Doncaster Town Deal Board, Tariq Shah said: “This is a significant boost to the City Centre and is designed to catalyse further public and private sector investment. Doncaster has fantastic connections and this will help us to utilise them even better.”
The Doncaster Town Deal Board initially submitted the bid for funding in January 2021, following the Government announcement that up-to £25m in funding was available to 100 places invited to apply. Doncaster was identified as an area where this opportunity would become available.
As a consequence of the funding, the Towns Deal Board have identified major areas which will see improvements and benefits as a result of the funding, including in crime reduction, improved health and well-being, the value of land, and in employment opportunities.
It is anticipated that, if approved by cabinet, the construction for these projects will begin in April 2024, with completion due by September 2025, with the timeline also including the agreement of the acquiring of certain assets and land.
Cabinet members will meet on 8 June to discuss the proposals.
APSS become proud sponsors of C2C2C 100-mile bike ride
Lincolnshire-based commercial interior design and fit out business APSS has sponsored the 11th annual charity 100-mile bike ride, submitting its largest team of 17 riders to take on the challenge.
The Castle to Coast to Castle (C2C2C) bike ride first started with 79 riders in a bid to get local businesspeople out of the office and onto their bikes. Now in its 11th year, more than 600 riders take part for local charities.
This year the event will raise money for charities including the APSS charity of the year St Barnabas Hospice in addition to EDAN Lincs, Headway Lincolnshire and Just Lincolnshire.
Laurence Barrass, APSS Managing Director, said: “As a company, APSS wants to help support and strengthen its local community. It’s a great bonding opportunity for our staff, clients, and supply chain alike and is always an excellent challenge for all involved. This year we have a team of 17 people, 10 of which are APSS staff.
“Seeing so many people take up the challenge within the office is fantastic and we are looking forward to raising more money for chosen our charity of the year – St Barnabas Hospice.”
Claire Grieves, one of the event organisers, said: “As a committee we are incredibly grateful for local businesses, like APSS, which have supported the ride over several years as sponsors, and often fielding a large team of riders on the day.
“It is down to generous support of our sponsors covering the costs, that allows all rider entry donations go straight to local charities.”
If you would like to support the APSS riders, please donate via the APSS Just Giving Page.
Yorkshire business confidence falls in May but firms eye growth
Business confidence in Yorkshire fell seven points during May to 34%, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking.
Companies in the region reported lower confidence in their own business prospects month-on-month, down eight points at 44%. When taken alongside their optimism in the economy, down five points to 24%, this gives a headline confidence reading of 34%.
Yorkshire businesses identified a range of growth opportunities for the next six months, including evolving their offering (53%), entering new markets (31%) and investing in their teams (28%).
The Business Barometer, which questions 1,200 businesses monthly, provides early signals about UK economic trends both regionally and nationwide.
A net balance of 30% of Yorkshire businesses expect to increase staff levels over the next year, down 11 points on last month.
Overall UK business confidence increased by five points during May to 38% – its highest level since February. Firms’ outlook on their future trading prospects rose three points to 42%, and their optimism in the economy increased seven points to 33%. The net balance of businesses planning to create new jobs also increased by 11 points to 37%.
Every UK region and nation reported positive confidence readings in May. London (up 23 points to 63%), Scotland (up 14 points to 42%) and the North West (up 12 points to 44%) reported the largest increases month-on-month, with London now the most optimistic region overall. The East of England, which experienced a 20-point dip in confidence in the last month, is now the least optimistic overall, at 14%.
Steve Harris, regional director for Yorkshire at Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said: “The region’s firms aren’t immune to the ongoing challenges many businesses are facing, including rising costs and skills shortages.
“Despite this, it’s encouraging to see business confidence remain in positive territory, with many setting their sights on growth. To ensure they can jump on opportunities as they arise, firms now need to be prioritising their cash flow management, reviewing supplier and customer payment times and optimising inventory levels to ensure that vital funds are ready to invest, as and when they’re needed.
“I have every confidence that our region’s resilient business community will overcome current headwinds and continue to help Yorkshire prosper.”
From a sector perspective, retail confidence fell two points to 27%, remaining lower than the all-sector average of 38% in the last three months. The confidence level is also the lowest since March 2021 as pressure on household real incomes weigh on spending prospects. In contrast, there was a 21-point rise in construction to 54%, while manufacturing sentiment remained resilient, up two points to 45%. Confidence in the services sector reached a three-month high, increasing 4 points to 36%.
Hann-Ju Ho, senior economist for Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said: “Business confidence improved this month and firms in general seem able to rebuild some of their margins through price increases. However, they also report several challenges ahead, including concerns around higher costs and an economic slowdown. More immediately, consumer-facing industries, such as retail, are not feeling the same confidence uplift amid the widespread reports of a squeeze on household incomes.”
Leeds-based Financial Planning firm acquires southern advisor
Progeny, the Leeds based Financial Planning and professional services firm, has acquired Hampshire-based Financial Planning firm Coll Perkins for an undisclosed sum.
Coll Perkins is a Financial Planning firm, which was founded in 2011, specialising in pension planning, investment planning, estate planning and insurance & protection and is based in Fareham, Hampshire.
It was founded by Chartered Financial Planner Mark Perkins, who says: “Joining a multi-disciplinary professional services firm like Progeny will allow us to grow and develop while staying true to our values and founding principles.
“It will also bring benefits of scale and scope and comes with new opportunities for our team and our clients.
“We can continue to deliver exceptional service and build long-lasting and trusting relationships, while now offering them an even wider range of market-leading services.
“The ethos of Progeny closely matches our own and we’re looking forward to the fresh potential and productive results that joining them will bring.”
Progeny chief executive officer Neil Moles, adds: “It’s a pleasure to welcome Coll Perkins to Progeny. They will bring new skills and expertise into the mix and the way they operate, engage with their clients and conduct business will ensure they fit right in.
“We are looking forward to extending our footprint in Hampshire and the south of England and to the real value that Coll Perkins will add to our proposition.”
