Work on major Northgate development in Halifax now complete
Work to transform the Northgate development in Halifax town centre has now finished, revealing modern new office and retail spaces and an improved public courtyard area.
The Northgate development has seen the transformation of the former central library and Council offices. The library section opened as Trinity Sixth Form Academy in September 2020 and the remaining space has been developed to provide high-quality office space and a new retail and leisure offer in the heart of Halifax.
Work has now concluded at the site and the hoardings around development have now come down to reveal a much improved and welcoming public space off Market Street, with seating, planters and lighting. Finishing touches have also been carried out to the office site, which has been completely transformed.
The Council has now formally handed the office space over to RSA, the multi-national insurance group. The refurbishment has been tailored to their requirements and preparations are being made for their staff to move into the large office space.
The completed commercial and academic developments at Northgate will introduce footfall of approximately 1,500 people per day into Halifax town centre, supporting the economic recovery of local businesses.
There are also four ground floor retail/commercial spaces, which could be let as cafes, restaurants, gyms or further smaller office spaces. These spaces are currently being marketed.
Calderdale Council’s cabinet member for regeneration and strategy, Cllr Jane Scullion, said: “The completion of work at Northgate House, including the reveal of the courtyard, is a major milestone in the transformation of this site, supporting a thriving town centre with improved public spaces.
“The work also complements the wider regeneration of Halifax, particularly the work taking place to improve public transport facilities, with the Northgate development well placed to benefit from the transformation of the adjacent bus station.
“Individually these projects are impressive, but together they’re truly transforming our town centre, with millions of pounds worth of investment supporting our economic recovery and contributing towards an exciting future.”
Julie Butler, business leader at RSA Insurance in Halifax, said: “We are really looking forward to moving in later this year and absolutely delighted that we’ve been able to play our part in the regeneration of a key city centre location. Across our business we operate a hybrid working model and high quality, modern office space, such as Northgate House, is an integral component of this.”
Tracy Brabin, mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “The regeneration of Northgate House is a great example of how we are working with our local authority partners to make West Yorkshire an even better place to live and work.
“This transformational scheme in the heart of Halifax will help boost skills and job opportunities, while also increasing footfall and acting as a catalyst for further investment.
“Importantly, Northgate House is also well-served by public transport links, including the new Halifax Bus Station, which is currently undergoing a £17.7 million redevelopment.”
Sir Roger Marsh OBE DL, chair of the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and the NP11 group of Northern Local Enterprise Partnerships, said: “We’re committed to leading the economic recovery and regeneration schemes such as this have a vital role to play in attracting businesses and further investment to our region.
“We have a strong track record in supporting projects that deliver growth and jobs benefitting all our communities. This work is more important than ever.”
The Northgate transformation is part of the Next Chapter to enable economic growth, reduce inequalities and build a sustainable future.
The Northgate House project has received £3million funding from the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP), delivered by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, through the Leeds City Region Growth Deal – a £1 billion package of Government investment to accelerate growth and create jobs across Leeds City Region.
Yorkshire bedmaker donates 136 mattresses to Ukraine for hospitals and refugee accommodation
Fifth-generation family bedmaker, Harrison Spinks, has continued its charitable giving with a recent donation of 136 mattresses to The International Charity Fund “For Ukraine”, to support the country’s needs within hospitals and refugee accommodation.
The company’s latest donation was initiated by Ukrainian native Olena Todd, buyer at Harrison Spinks. Originating from Lutsk in the Volyn region of Ukraine, Olena moved to the UK in 2002 and has friends and family currently fighting and residing in the war-torn country.
Over 130 mattresses – made up of a mixture of single, double and king sizes – have been donated to The International Charity Fund “For Ukraine”, which transports goods from the UK to Ukraine. The mattresses will be distributed across hospitals in Kyiv and within refugee accommodation for those fleeing the conflict.
Olena commented on Harrison Spinks’ donation: “As the conflict broke out in Ukraine, my managers approached me to see how they could help, and we discussed ways in which we could donate.
“When I heard about the number of mattresses Harrison Spinks would be donating, I felt completely overwhelmed and extremely proud. I have friends and family who are currently fighting in the Ukrainian army and volunteering to help civilians, so I know that this donation will mean a huge amount to them.”
The donation follows a recent number of charitable contributions made by the Leeds-based bedmaker, including mattress donations to Yorkshire-based charities Zarach and St George’s Crypt, and Liverpool-based not-for-profit FRC Group.
Nick Booth, Managing Director at Harrison Spinks, said: “As a socially responsible business we have been fortunate enough to be able to make a number of recent charitable donations both in the UK and abroad.
“I’m incredibly proud of our team for supporting Olena throughout this difficult time and for arranging a donation of mattresses to her home country. We’re also grateful to Olena for bringing The International Charity Fund “For Ukraine” to our attention.”
Glentrool Estates strengthen team with two new appointments
Glentrool Estates Group, the Yorkshire-based property development and investment company, has strengthened its team with two new senior appointments.
Sophie Antill joins Glentrool as an in-house lawyer. Sophie arrives at Glentrool from Leeds-based law firm DAC Beachcroft LLP.
Meanwhile Lauren Swiers is the company’s new property investment manager, having previously worked for property consultancy Lambert Smith Hampton.
Sophie said: “I’m really excited to be Glentrool’s new in-house counsel. I’ll be managing all the company’s legal work, liaising with external lawyers and reporting back to the directors.
“Having worked in private practice for nearly twenty years, the main challenge is adapting to the role of the client. It is fantastic opportunity to use my previous knowledge and experience to advise and guide Glentrool ensuring its legal transactions run smoothly and efficiently.
“I have already been made to feel really welcome by the whole team and I’m looking forward to helping the company expand and build on its excellent work to date.”
Lauren said: “I am delighted to be joining the Glentrool team and will be covering all aspects of asset management in order to facilitate and expand the property portfolio. Having previously spent most of my career advising and acting for tenants I am looking forward to the new opportunities and challenges that working from a landlord’s perspective will bring. The whole Glentrool team have really welcomed me and I’m excited for this new chapter.”
Jeremy Nolan, director of Glentrool, said: “These are very important appointments for Glentrool and we are delighted to welcome two such talented, hard-working and enthusiastic people to our team.
“Both Sophie and Lauren have arrived at Glentrool at a significant time in our development, as we look to build on our success at Sherburn2 and enhance and expand our commercial property portfolio.
“So, looking ahead, we will need the best possible legal advice and an in-house lawyer is best placed to provide this. Sophie is perfect for this challenging and satisfying role. Our developments and income producing portfolio across Yorkshire are long-term projects, which demand the fullest commitment from all us and Sophie’s role is critical to successful delivery.
“Meanwhile Lauren, who is very highly-regarded in the Yorkshire industrial property world, is a great addition to the company. I know that LSH are very sad to lose her, and their loss is very much our gain, as we strengthen our industrial and logistics team.”
Salvage company joins ranks of Doncaster Chamber patrons
Salvage company Synetiq has become Doncaster Chamber’s newest patron member.
The automotive salvage, dismantling and recycling business works with clients, including leading household car insurers, to deliver financial and environmental returns of policyholder vehicles. It also helps everyday consumers make cost-effective and more environmentally friendly repairs through high quality, second-hand car parts, known as “green parts”.
SYNETIQ traces its roots back to 1939, when Sydney Martin first established Doncaster Motor Spares. After being rebranded as Motorhog, the dismantling and salvage specialist later merged with Car Transplants, DH Systems and Fab Recycling in 2019 to form SYNETIQ.
Since then the company has achieved Silver Carbon Literacy status, and won the Green Business of the Year accolade at the Doncaster Business Awards 2021.
Dan Fell, Chief Executive of Doncaster Chamber, said: “We are thrilled to welcome SYNETIQ as our latest patrons. A leading innovator within the field of sustainability and recycling, this trailblazing company brilliantly exemplifies the cutting-edge and fiercely determined entrepreneurial spirit that is at the heart of Doncaster’s best businesses.
“Not only that, but they have always been a strong supporter of the Chamber’s work and deeply committed to Doncaster and its communities, we look forward to strengthening that relationship even further over the coming years.”
Echoing these sentiments, Tom Rumboll, CEO of SYNETIQ Ltd., added: “We’re delighted to become patrons of Doncaster Chamber. As a business with deep and far-reaching local roots, we’re looking forward to working with the Chamber to add value to our local community, to develop and retain skills, and to share and learn from other businesses as we continue on our innovation and sustainability-led growth journey.”
Skill centre opening completed at Lincoln College
Greater Lincolnshire Enterprise Partnership Chair Pat Doody has officially opened the new Digital and Professional Skills Centre at Lincoln College.
Housed in the 130-year-old grade II listed Gibney Building on Monks Road, the centre is the result of a £2.5m investment from the LEP, and will help train students for careers in health and social care and cyber security.
The centre is home to the latest technology to ensure graduating students are familiar with cutting-edge industry techniques.
It is also home to the Lincoln Business Centre, an incubation hub and co-working space for start-ups in the city.
Pat Doody said: “This fully restored and iconic 130-year-old building has been transformed into a cutting edge and beautiful centre. The facilities here will give students the self-confidence and experience to enter the workplace at an accelerated pace, which is vital to our local employers who have both skills and staff shortages.
“We supported this new centre because it responds directly to the skills and training requirements for employers in our priority sectors – particularly manufacturing and engineering, health and care, and digital and IT – at a time when it is needed the most.”
Thanks to this investment, Lincoln College health and social care students are now working on £26,000 simulation mannequins that help them to learn about monitoring the breathing and heart rate of elderly patients. The life-size mannequins replicate the weight and feel of the human body, allowing students to practise moving patients as they would in a care home.
The centre also boasts a fully equipped networking lab, allowing cyber apprentices to fight viruses and penetration-test servers in a secure environment.
Lincoln College Principal and CEO Mark Locking said: “Investment from the LEP, the DfE and Lincoln College has breathed new life into this 130-year-old building, transforming it into a state-of-the-art training centre.
“Thanks to this investment our students are now benefitting from an amazing, progressive learning environment that is equipped with the very latest technology.
“This represents and amazing opportunity for young people interested in careers in health and social care and cyber.”
Eddisons expands Sheffield office with new building and project consultancy division
Property consultant Eddisons has appointed newly promoted associate director Curtis Bowles to head the new Sheffield building and project consultancy team at its South Yorkshire office, which was launched in the city in October last year.
Joining Eddisons in 2016 as a building surveyor, Curtis was promoted to associate director at the Leeds-headquartered firm this year and will now head a five-strong team of building and project consultancy colleagues who will make the move to Sheffield with him from Eddisons’ Leeds office.
He will be joined by graduate building surveyors Jack Cooper and James Hunston, as well as a soon-to-be-appointed apprentice building surveyor and Caitlin Belshaw, an undergraduate building surveying student on her placement year in industry from Sheffield Hallam University.
Ian Harrington, who heads Eddisons’ growing building and project consultancy team nationally, said: “We’re really pleased to have such a talented and capable young team led by Curtis heading up our building and project consultancy operation in South Yorkshire. Eddisons are fully invested in recruiting and nurturing young people and enabling them to progress upwards within the business. It’s fantastic to see people who started with us as youngsters develop and rise to new challenges.”
He added: “The Sheffield office is seeing an increase in business across the board, with particularly strong growth in the education sector in South Yorkshire and the Midlands. The important work we are doing with schools and colleges is helping them generate winning bids to secure Government funding for much-needed physical improvements to grounds and buildings.
“Activity from the Government’s procurement frameworks, Crown Commercial Services and public sector professional buying organisation ESPO, is also increasing as Eddisons’ reputation grows in this area.”
Eddisons’ Sheffield office is headed by Adrian Lunn and has grown to become a team of 17 since its launch last autumn.
myenergi appoints Tom Callow as head of external affairs
myenergi, pioneer of the world’s first eco-smart EV charger, has announced the appointment of Tom Callow as head of external affairs. Joining the business from bp pulse, Callow is widely regarded as a leading voice in the electric vehicles sector.
With more than fourteen years’ experience in senior level strategic and operational roles, Callow has worked with some of the world’s largest automotive and electrification brands. Most recently, he was head of insight and external affairs at bp pulse, with responsibility for both monitoring and influencing the regulatory landscape, as well as representing the business to a wide range of external industry stakeholders.
Prior to this, he was head of external communications at Cox Automotive (previously Manheim UK) and helped to build the brand’s national profile as a leading provider of auto auction, defleet, remarketing and retail operations. Having started his career agency side, Callow has been involved in ground-breaking low-carbon, cleantech and electrification programmes for more than a decade.
In his new role, Callow will drive myenergi’s engagement with policy and regulation, as well as leading on a wide range of public relations initiatives.
Jordan Brompton, co-founder and CMO of myenergi, commented: “As a renowned EV expert, I’ve known Tom for a number of years. His reputation within automotive and electrification is simply unmatched, so we’re delighted to welcome him to the team.
“Since founding myenergi in 2016, the business has continued to scale. We now employ more than 350 team members in the UK, with teams growing globally and subsidiaries now operational in Australia, Germany, Ireland and the Netherlands. Earlier this year, we shipped our 350,000th unit – an important milestone for our rapidly-growing global business.
“Tom’s appointment demonstrates our commitment to further developing the team with some of the sector’s most ambitious and respected leaders. I’m looking forward to working in close partnership to further drive our policy and regulation engagement activity over the coming months.”
Commenting on his appointment, Callow added: “Having followed the myenergi story almost from inception, I’ve greatly admired what Jordan, Lee and the rest of the team have accomplished in such a short space of time. As someone with a background in the automotive sector, I’ve been acutely aware for many years of the need to transition towards zero emission vehicles and believe that myenergi is truly leading the way.
“In my new role, my goal is to ensure that myenergi is not only recognised for its fantastic zappi EV charger, but becomes absolutely synonymous with smart home energy technology more generally. Indeed, with the largest share of household emissions coming from heating, decarbonising homes is of paramount importance.”
Seven new contract wins secured as Yorkshire communications specialist continues to grow
Brighouse-based communications agency Faith has been appointed by seven new and retained clients across a range of sectors to provide media relations, social media and digital marketing services, which will bring in 35% additional annual revenue.
The agency has been appointed by direct mail provider Propack to manage all communications and social media activity for the firm which recently celebrated over 25 years in business with a £2.7m investment into new technology.
Cementing its expertise in the direct mail sector, Faith has also secured a contract renewal for long term partner, The Strategic Mailing Partnership (SMP), and will lead on refreshing the national mailing industry body’s internal and external communication strategies.
The UK’s leading annexe builder, iHus, has appointed Faith to deliver a digital media relations programme to raise its profile on a national level, improve SEO performance and drive enquiries.
Pan-European sales and marketing specialist durhamlane has enlisted the agency for profile-building media relations, while AgriSound, a fast-growing start-up tech firm specialising in pollination management, has tasked Faith with managing all of its social media, investor and media relations to drive awareness.
In West Yorkshire, Faith will manage all communications activity for Huddersfield Unlimited, a business-led organisation which aims to promote Huddersfield as a key player in the Northern economy and beyond, as a great place to do business, ultimately attracting inward investment and enhancing the prosperity of its residents.
The agency has also been appointed as a bolt-on marketing department for Brighouse-based IT support & development firm Fusion IT, as it ramps up its communications and marketing activity ahead of its 20th anniversary in 2023.
The new client wins and contract renewal mean the agency is recruiting for an account manager and at executive level to support its continued growth.
Managing director of Faith, Stefanie Hopkins, said: “I’m delighted to welcome six new businesses to our client portfolio and to continue our partnership with the SMP.
“The appointments demonstrate the continued confidence of companies to invest in their communications activity and we’re looking forward to delivering a range of traditional and digital PR, social media and digital marketing to help build profile, improve SEO performance and put their brand, products and services in front of the right audiences.
“The team is excited to be working with such innovative and forward-thinking brands. We can’t wait to support them in expanding the way they approach their marketing strategies and help them really maximise the influence that each brand already enjoys.
“We are always on the look-out for talented individuals who want to be part of our business so if you have a passion for communications and want to be part of an agency that is big enough to have an impact but small enough to care, please get in touch.”
Coffee legends unveil brand new store
120-year-old family firm and coffee legends Stokes, has unveiled its new fast and fabulous dining destination – Stokes To Go!
The new Stokes To Go take-away, means everyone can enjoy top quality menu options, even when they are on the move.
Located next door to the Stokes iconic High Bridge café on Lincoln’s High Street, it’s the only place in Lincoln and for miles around, where you can get your hands on a genuine Cornish Pasty and lots of beautifully presented takeaway options that are making Stokes To Go an irresistible choice. Hungry locals, workers, students and visitors on the lookout for a hunger-busting breakfast, luscious lunch, veggie options, a sweet snack and of course Stokes’ famous freshly roasted coffee will not be disappointed.
Stokes To Go has a modern and vibrant interior with a beautiful seating area upstairs for those who want to rest their feet while they tuck into the delicious locally sourced produce, freshly baked pastries, genuine pasties, breakfast ciabattas, fresh-cut sandwiches and even Project D doughnuts.
Nick Peel, MD at Stokes Tea & Coffee, said: “We’re thrilled to launch the new Stokes To Go store. Customers have been asking us if we would take over the space next door to our High Bridge Café as it’s been empty for some time. It’s brilliant to see that the whole iconic building has now been brought back to life and everyone can enjoy it.
“We were conscious that there hasn’t been a lot of choice for customers who prefer locally sourced, top-quality options for their takeaway breakfasts and lunches. So, opening Stokes To Go means customers can not only enjoy a unique menu served fast, they don’t have to compromise on quality anymore even when they are short on time.”
For more information go to stokescoffee.com
Coastal businesses offered help to boost environmental credentials
Tourism businesses along the Lincolnshire coast can take part in a new programme to help them take advantage of being more environmentally sustainable.
Considerate Group has been commissioned by Lincolnshire County Council and Greater Lincolnshire LEP to deliver a Green Tourism Ambassador Training Programme – working with a selection of businesses to upskill them around green tourism.
Cllr Colin Davie, Executive Councillor for Economy at the county council, said: “Funded through the Coastal Communities project, we’re keen to work with businesses across the coast from the Humber to the Wash, to give them the opportunity to pilot, showcase and lead in this exciting area.
“Eventually we want to see this rolled out across the business community in the whole of Greater Lincolnshire.
“The Green Tourism Toolkit on the visitlincolnshire for business website has had some great feedback already. The toolkit can actually be applied to any business with masterclasses, tutorials and templates.
“The training programme will really bring the toolkit to life and help businesses embed it in their everyday operations.”
Nicky van der Drift, Chair of the Greater Lincolnshire LEP’s Visitor Economy Board, said: “The LEP is pleased to be supporting this pilot programme, which is designed to provide practical help to a selection of coastal businesses in the visitor economy.
“In addition to receiving training on the foundations of sustainability in a tourism business setting, employers will also be able to examine in great detail their impact on energy use over a one-year trial.
“There are already some excellent examples of sustainable tourism businesses in the area who recognise that operating in this way is good not only for keeping costs down, but also for attracting new visitors keen to minimise the impact of their holiday, and we expect the learning from this pilot will encourage more.”
Cllr Philip Jackson, Leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, said: “With its internationally important wetlands and rich feeding grounds for wading birds, Cleethorpes plays a vital role in one of the largest mass migrations on the planet.
“Our Cleethorpes masterplan sets out how we want to make the most of the resort’s natural environment and encourage more visitors year-round.
“The Green Tourism Toolkit is a great way for businesses to learn how they operate more sustainably and take the lead in the growing green tourism market.”
Initially, 15 businesses will be selected to take part in a pilot, before the training is rolled out further. The first two training sessions will take place on 15th and 23rd of June, and businesses must be available on these dates.
Coastal tourism businesses interested in taking part in the programme can contact nicola.radford@lincolnshire.gov.uk.
