The £42m package of infrastructure improvements aims to increase productivity through improved transport connectivity and promote healthy and sustainable travel. The spending should also deliver a much-needed economic boost after successive town centre lockdowns.

In a report published this week, our Executive is recommended to take the proposals forward to detailed design stage to be ready for implementation and for a final business case to be prepared for each project. The proposals include:

• For Harrogate, improved railway and bus station frontages with better access for walking and cycling; improved facilities for walking and cycling in the town centre; and improvements to public spaces in the town.
• For Selby, improved station frontage and links to the town centre, Abbey and nearby bus station; improved walking and cycling links to major redevelopment sites, including a new cycle and footbridge over the River Ouse to the Olympia Park site.
• For Skipton, improved access for walking and cycling from the railway station to the bus station; improved railway station frontage and improved access to education and employment sites.

The schemes are being paid for from the government’s Transforming Cities Fund and aim to drive up productivity through improved connections between urban centres and suburbs with a focus on investment in infrastructure to improve public and sustainable transport connectivity. North Yorkshire’s proposals are set to increase people’s access to jobs, education, healthcare and leisure facilities, encourage sustainable travel, reduce car journeys, improve public health and wellbeing and create a higher-quality environment for residents, visitors, businesses and wildlife. County Councillor Don Mackenzie, Executive Member for Access, said: “These proposals represent the biggest investment in Harrogate, Selby and Skipton town centres in decades and aim to increase productivity by making it quicker, easier and safer for people to travel around and connect with economic opportunities. We want to encourage more people to travel by foot, bike and public transport because it is good for health and the environment by promoting fitness and reducing congestion. The spending will also provide a welcome boost for our town centres after two difficult years of trading during the pandemic. “The entire project is a great example of partnership working between Craven District Council, Harrogate Borough Council, Selby District Council, North Yorkshire County Council and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and is set to deliver real benefits to residents and businesses across our county. We have listened to feedback from the public consultations and are confident people will be pleased with the results.” A report for our Executive seeks member approval to submit a final business case to the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, which is administering funds on behalf of the Department for Transport.

A specialist recruitment firm is doubling its office space at the iconic 34 Boar Lane in Leeds. Charlton Morris will now occupy the whole of the building’s fourth floor, as well as the third floor, having relocated from Park Row two years ago. The company has just agreed a deal to take 8,751 sq ft of office space on the fourth floor of the recently refurbished building on a ten-year lease at a rent of £32 per sq ft. The move follows the expansion of Charlton Morris, with the creation of 100 new jobs over the coming years. Owner Kinrise is behind the transformation of 34 Boar Lane, a 57,000 sq ft building with 46,000 sq ft of office space over five floors and cafes and restaurants on the ground floor. It is located immediately opposite Leeds Railway Station in the heart of the city’s professional and retail quarters. Eamon Fox, partner and head of office agency at global property consultancy Knight Frank in Leeds, which is marketing 34 Boar Lane, said: “This significant deal is a resounding endorsement of the quality of this magnificent building, with an existing occupier doubling their space. Testimonials don’t get any better than that. “Ever since we started marketing 34 Boar Lane, we have been choosing our occupiers very carefully. The spirit and ethos of the building is crucial. Charlton Morris is one of the fastest growing and most progressive recruitment companies in the UK and fits this aspirational culture perfectly. “During the past two years, we have transformed this well-positioned building into an exciting workplace at the forefront of the Leeds market. Three floors have been let, leaving a total of 21,000 sq ft on the first and second floors available to lease, where we have spaces ready to occupy from 4,900 sq ft.” Andy Shatwell, CEO of Charlton Morris, said: “When it comes to facilities and location, I honestly don’t think that there’s a better office space in Leeds than 34 Boar Lane. “We recently announced our expansion plans for 2022 and it coincided with the opportunity to take the fourth floor in addition to our current lease on the third, so we couldn’t be happier. Having an amazing office environment is central to our vision of ‘giving our People the best possible experience’ and we’re delighted that this continues to be at 34 Boar Lane. “It’s a beautiful building that is perfectly located with great views over the station. You get a sense of the community spirit when you walk through the doors and this is also really important to us.” George Aberdeen, co-founder of Kinrise, said: “It is very exciting to announce this significant new office deal with Charlton Morris, especially since they have already made their home here at 34 Boar Lane. This special building has been regenerated into an inspiring collaborative environment that offers our occupiers characterful, design-led office and co-working space with top technology as well as an exciting range of independent restaurants and an events space.” Samuel Lawson Johnston, co-founder of Kinrise, added: “Our aim at Kinrise is to turn iconic but un-loved buildings into creative work and community space. It means that the city’s heritage and soul can live on and real cultural capital remains in the centre rather than being pushed further out of the city.”

Detailed plans have now been submitted to Leeds City Council to create a private hospital in one of Leeds’ most iconic buildings. Dr Fas Arshad, facial plastic surgeon and the lead surgeon at The Hair Dr – Hair Transplant Clinic, has drawn up proposals to turn the 17th century Red Hall House estate near Roundhay Park into a private multi-disciplinary hospital. The new £5m Red Hall Private Hospital will specialise in cosmetic and non-cosmetic surgeries. It will create 40 permanent and high-quality jobs, providing a timely boost to the area’s economy. A Phase One planning application has just been approved by the city council, which features the full refurbishment of the listed building and the creation of three bespoke operating rooms to support the transition of Dr Arshad’s operation from their current surgical facility. The more detailed Phase Two application, which is scheduled to be discussed by planners this spring, offers a full Day Case surgery facility, a full operating theatre with associated support spaces, four examination/consulting rooms and two additional treatment rooms. The bulk of the new clinical space will be housed in a 6,500 sq ft annexe, allowing for the latest sustainable and medical technology to be integrated seamlessly with the listed Red Hall House. Jonathan Erkulis, director of the Yorkshire-based E3 Architecture, is working very closely with Dr Arshad on the transformation of the Red Hall House estate. He said: “Our proposals commit to the future restoration, sustainability and longevity of this important Grade II Listed Building while creating sensitive and high-quality designed additions to create a prestigious state-of the-art medical facility.” Dr Arshad and his wife and business partner Ms Sommiya bought Red Hall House from the Rugby Football League last year for over £1.65 million. Dr Arshad explained: “The Hair Dr Clinic is expanding quickly and we have outgrown our current premises. The majestic Grade II Red Hall, close to the new East Leeds Orbital Route, is absolutely perfect and it is humbling to be moving into such a magnificent building with such an illustrious history.” The building is set in over 3 acres of landscaped grounds ensuring patient welfare, comfort and discretion are at the forefront of design. Ms Sommiya said: “The main focus of our work at Red Hall will be to offer up-to-date and state-of-the-art treatments, which include surgical and non-surgical treatment. Our approach is holistic, ensuring that everyone who comes here for surgery will also receive the very best psychological and emotional support. “It is a common but dangerous misconception that, for example a successful hair transplant can be done in isolation with no regard for a client’s emotional wellbeing and mental health. It can’t. With this in mind, we have to identify our clients’ goals and expectations and fulfil them accordingly.” The founders of Red Hall Private Hospital have strong links to the region having both graduated from the University of Leeds. Dr Arshad, who is a consultant head, neck and facial plastic surgeon and Ms Sommiya, who is a practice manager and audiologist with a Masters in Advanced Clinical Practice, have plans to expand the repertoire of surgeries that will be offered at Red Hall Private Hospital. These additional services are to include other cosmetic procedures such as facial plastic surgeries as well as non-cosmetic day case surgeries such as Cataracts and Arthroscopies with the aim to ease the current huge pressure on NHS waiting lists. Jonathan Erkulis added: “It is a pleasure working with Dr Arshad to secure the positive redevelopment of Red Hall. The project is an example of where conservation and commercial aspirations can work together through major investment. “E3 Architecture have worked closely with Leeds City Council ensuring a unified approach to maintaining the setting and integrity of Red Hall, via careful and innovative design, preserving the landscaped grounds and approach securing the Red Hall Estates long-term preservation, enhancement and future viability.” Jonathan Hyland, partner at global property consultancy Knight Frank in Leeds, who sold Red Hall House to Dr Arshad, said: “There was a good deal of interest in this iconic building, but we believe the eventual purchaser, Dr Arshad, is best placed to breathe fresh life into Red Hall. His plans to transform the building into a pioneering private hospital are tremendously exciting and we wish him the very best of luck.”

Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co, has announced the sale of Happy Days Nursery in Wakefield, West Yorkshire. Happy Days Nursery is a leasehold nursery operating from a large, converted setting in Wakefield. Running for 25 years, the setting has established an excellent reputation in the local area for providing day care as well as a successful before and after school provision for children aged 0-11 years. Previously family-owned, the nursery was brought to market as a retirement sale. The business has been purchased by The Little Sports Group (LSG) the parent company for an established primary education business, LSC.  Founded in 2006, LSC provides permanent subject specialist staff for primary schools across the UK. Supporting subjects such as PE, Music, Drama, Spanish and more, as well as offering out-of-school childcare through high-quality breakfast, after-school and holiday clubs. Having now established its footing in early years, Happy Days is LSG’s latest acquisition, taking the group to a total of seven settings across the Midlands and North of England, providing over 400 childcare places. Previous owner, Soheir Ishak, comments, “Having made the decision to retire and spend some quality time with my grandchildren and family, I wanted to pass the baton on to a passionate team, who I know will continue ensuring that the children at our setting have the best possible care. I was keen to find someone with similar values to take over our family business which I started with my husband and nurtured for 25 years. I know that Craig, Rebecca and the team at LSG will do a fantastic job of caring for the children and developing the business further to enhance all that is already in place.” Craig Brennan, Chief Executive of LSG, comments, “Having operated and built successful businesses within the early years, primary education and out-of-school childcare sectors over the last 15 years, we knew moving in to ‘full day care’ would be the next natural step for us. We have been very focused on building the nursery business over the last six months and are extremely proud of the progress we have made to date. We have already completed on a number of acquisitions and put a fantastic senior management team in place. Happy Days ticked all the boxes for us, ‘great people, great spaces, great community’ and so we are hugely excited to welcome Amy (the manager) and the rest of the team to the group. We have plans to update the setting both internally and externally and make great use of the fantastic outdoor space we have there.” Vicky Marsland, Senior Business Agent at Christie & Co, who handled the sale, comments, “It’s been a pleasure working with both parties, and I’m very pleased to have facilitated the sale, allowing our clients to take a well-deserved retirement after over 20 years in the sector. Having originally spoken with LSG when they were considering their expansion into early years, it’s satisfying to see them grow and I certainly look forward to working with them again in the future. “Buyer demand is stronger than ever in the sector and, as more and more businesses bounce back to pre-COVID levels, we are seeing many operators resume their exit strategies after holding off on decision making over the past year.”