Vastint UK has received planning permission from Leeds City Council to bring one of Europe’s largest electric vehicle charging car parks to its Aire Park development in Leeds.
The private multistorey car park, which will be located to the north of Great Wilson Street, will serve the occupants of Aire Park’s commercial district, offering 433 spaces, all with electric vehicle charging capability.
In line with the development’s commitment to encouraging healthy and sustainable lifestyles, the car park will also provide a secure cycle hub at its ground floor with 516 spaces, bike wash and service stations.
Set to be built on land originally used as warehousing for the Tetley brewery, designs for the new car park building will be in keeping with the sensitive development already seen across Aire Park.
Designed to be a safe and easy to use parking facility, the car park building will conveniently connect with Aire Park’s office facilities and provide an attractive new link street connection from Great Wilson Street onto South Brook Street and into the heart of the development.
This link street will also offer additional opportunities for planting and landscaping, building on the 700 new trees Vastint will bring to Aire Park as part of its eight-acre park, set to be the largest new city-centre public park in the UK.
On the planning approval, Simon Schofield, head of development North, said: “We’re really proud to be bringing one of Europe’s largest EV car parks to Leeds and our plans for this car park are in keeping with the ethos we’re applying throughout the development of Aire Park.
“We want to make sustainable and environmental choices an easy option for the future users of the development, from the convenience of charging their car in any parking space to having a bicycle service station on hand for quick fixes if required.
“This is the level of detail and attention we’ll be bringing throughout the creation of Aire Park as we build a brand-new community in the Leeds South Bank with wellbeing and sustainability at its heart.”
Doncaster firm helps to launch plastering academy on Merseyside
Doncaster-based Keepmoat is one of a trio of businesses partnering with a Merseyside college to launch a plastering training academy.
Keepmoat is working with Sterling Plastering and Hugh Baird College to launch a bespoke training academy that will support young people into plastering apprenticeships, bolstering its commitment to bridge the nationwide construction skills gap.
It’s anticipated that 225,000 new construction workers are needed by 2027 in the UK, and this week the Government also announced that 5,000 more construction apprenticeship places will be made available every year through DoE funding.
The SPL Change Academy will offer Level 1 and Level 2 NVQ plastering courses, supported by tutors from Hugh Baird College. Peter Barlow, Keepmoat’s North West Regional MD, said: “It’s been brilliant to support the launch of the SPL Change Academy by providing a mock timber frame house.
“The Keepmoat team has also created a traditional working environment of closed rooms, where the students will carry out their training, in place of small open bays. The team is also set to deliver a series of site skills-focused employability sessions, in order to help bridge the gap between college and site work.”
Chris Cox, MD at Sterling Plastering adds: “We’re thrilled to be partnering with like-minded and local businesses to create our newly built 6,000 square foot warehouse-style unit to upskill young people across Merseyside to help guide future professionals in the trade.”
Bradford firm wins UK Employer of the Year title
Bradford-based Mansfield Pollard has been named UK Employer of the Year at this year’s Lloyds British Business Excellence Awards.
CEO Lou Ellis-Frankland said: “Winning any award is an honour, but earning a national award takes it to another level. It is a powerful affirmation of our vision to drive profitable growth, establish Mansfield Pollard as the industry brand of choice, and become the region’s top employer. This achievement reflects the exceptional dedication of our employees and their invaluable contributions across every area of our business.”
Ashe said this had been an outstanding year for Mansfield Pollard, completing a hat-trick of business accolades. Earlier this year, the company was also recognised by The Sunday Times as one of the Best Places to Work 2024, and named Yorkshire Business of the Year 2024. Together, these awards highlight the company’s relentless focus on its people, innovation, and excellence in all aspects of business operations.
Demolition clears the way for £21m development at Catterick Garrison
Catterick Garrison’s £21m town centre development has taken a major step forward with the demolition of buildings on the site now under way.
Preparatory work, including asbestos removal and the stripping out of internal fixtures such as wiring, is nearly complete. Demolition specialists are taking down the buildings where the internal work has concluded, to make way for construction on the new facilities to start early in the new year.
Once complete, the development will include a new community building, a multi-use events space and a new public square. Alongside this, the project will improve landscaping, pavements and cycle paths, as well as upgrading Coronation Park and improved play areas.
The new town centre buildings will benefit both service personnel and their families and the public. We are working with the Defence Infrastructure Organisation on the multi-million pound project. The Defence Infrastructure Organisation is funding the demolition and we have secured funding from the Government for the redevelopment.
Naylor Agility makes second acquisition this year
South Yorkshire-based Naylor Agility, a UK manufacturer of high-quality agility equipment and a division of Naylor Specialist Plastics Ltd, has acquired First Contact, an established agility equipment-hire and sales business.
The acquisition is the second to be completed by Naylor Agility this year and will enable Naylor Agility to further expand its product offering to include ‘contacts’ – dog walks, seesaws and A-frames – and weave poles. Naylor Agility’s product range also includes high quality dog agility tunnels, soft walls and long jumps.
John Grice, MD of Naylor Agility, said: “We’re excited to welcome First Contact to the Naylor Agility family. First Contact is a trusted supplier of premium agility equipment and this acquisition aligns perfectly with our mission to improve the standard of agility equipment which is available in the UK. Together, we will continue to innovate and to deliver the very latest solutions to enhance the sport of agility.”
Based in Deepcar, South Yorkshire, First Contact will benefit from additional resources and be able to offer a wider range of products to its customers. The dedicated First Contact team trading as ‘Naylor Agility’ will also continue to offer their expertise in equipment hire to ensure competitors and their dogs receive the best possible competition experience.
Hazel Higgins, co-founder of First Contact, said: “The time is now right to take First Contact to the next level and I am confident that this will happen with the support of Naylor Agility. My team and I are very excited to be working with Naylor Agility, making the best agility equipment in the world and putting UK based manufacturing at the forefront of sport.”
Naylor Agility is based in Wombwell near Barnsley, and is a division of Naylor Specialist Plastics Ltd, a fourth generation family-owned business. The company has been manufacturing dog agility tunnels since 1983 and has worked with First Contact since 2003, making tunnels for hire at events.
Construction hire firm turns to SEO experts to boost online visibility
Family-run construction hire company PAL Hire has appointed digital agency The SEO Works to bolster its online visibility.
Following the initial enquiry an in-depth audit from the expert team at The SEOWorks identified several opportunities that could be taken in order to take organic visibility to the next level – all of which were highlighted within a competitive pitch process.
Marketing Manager Barnaby Crawshaw said: “We welcome The SEO Works as our partner to amplify our online presence and help us deliver great customer experience. Their expertise in digital marketing and the construction industry aligns perfectly with our vision for growth and passion for innovation. As a company, we partner with suppliers that are best in class, and the SEO Works is a welcome addition to our team.”
The digital agency will identify gaps in strategy and potential opportunities – all helping to contribute towards the end goal of improving search visibility throughout the UK for PAL Hire.
Azets recruits former KPMG leader as regional Sanrio partner
Azets has appointed Ian Beaumont, recently retired head of KPMG in the north east, as regional senior partner for Yorkshire.
Ian started his career with Haines Watts before going on to become office senior partner at RSM Robson Rhodes, BDO and KPMG.
Russell Turner, regional MD for Yorkshire, said: “To attract a heavyweight business advisor of Ian’s calibre is a genuine coup.
“With more than 35 years’ experience in this region, Ian’s appointment demonstrates our commitment to develop and attract top talent in order to ensure we can provide the high quality advice and support regional businesses and their owners deserve.”
Ian said: “Azets is fantastically placed to support aspiring regional businesses and their owners with expertise that will support them along the full growth lifecycle.
“With growth comes additional complexity for our clients and, as a national firm, we are able to call upon national specialists as well as provide international reach.”
Azets has three offices in Yorkshire in Leeds, Bradford and York where it employs 335 people.
Greater Lincolnshire launches AI accelerator project 20 firms
Twenty businesses in Greater Lincolnshire and Rutland to take part in an AI Adoption Accelerator designed to guide business leaders through the transformative journey of Artificial Intelligence adoption.
Running from January to the end of March, this hands-on programme provides workshops and expert-led sessions aimed at helping businesses overcome common barriers to AI, such as misconceptions and fears about cost, complexity, and relevance. AI is no longer exclusive to large tech firms – businesses of all sizes, including SMEs, can integrate AI solutions to boost productivity, improve customer experience, and streamline operations.
Councillor Colin Davie, Councillor for Economy and Place at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “AI is transforming the way businesses operate, and we want to ensure that businesses in our region aren’t left behind. This programme is a fantastic opportunity for local companies to explore how AI can streamline their operations, enhance productivity, and stay competitive in an increasingly digital world. The hands-on support provided by this programme will help businesses overcome any reservations they might have and empower them to adopt AI confidently.”
He said the programme wa s a unique opportunity for businesses to explore the potential of AI in a structured, supportive environment.
With only 20 places available, Business Lincolnshire encourages businesses to register early for this transformative programme. Applications are open to businesses that have been trading for over 12 months and are based in Greater Lincolnshire and Rutland. The programme requires attendance from a decision-maker and another key staff member to ensure the successful implementation of AI solutions within their organisation.
New plans aim to crack down on late payments to SMEs
A package of new measures to support small businesses and deliver growth is being set out today in the run up to Small Business Saturday this weekend.
It includes targeted action to a crack down on late payments and to unleash the potential of disabled and female entrepreneurs.
A new ‘Fair Payment Code’ is being launched to address the problems with late payments, with research showing that SMEs are on average owed £22,000 a year. It comes on top of an earlier announced consultation which will investigate the scale of the problem and best solutions.
The code, overseen by the Small Business Commissioner Liz Barclay, introduces a gold, silver, and bronze system to reward best payment practices and help smaller firms identify reliable and trusted partners. It aims to boost cash flow for small businesses which is crucial for their survival, by tackling late payments and lengthy payment terms that can lead to financial strain and failure.
The code aims to boost cash flow for small businesses, crucial for their survival, by tackling late payments and lengthy payment terms that can lead to financial strain and failure.
It comes as the Prime Minister invites small business leaders and small business representative organisations from across the UK to a reception in Downing Street to celebrate their achievements and their crucial role in economic growth. Some of the businesses set to attend include Kim Innes, CEO and Founder of Humble Crumble, Freddie Blackett, Founder of Patch Plants and former Paralympian swimmer and medallist, Mark Williams who founded LIMB-Art.
Liz Barclay, Small Business Commissioner said: “The Fair Payment Code is our response to all those suppliers who begged for a more aspirational, robust and ambitious approach to changing the business to business payment culture in the UK. It also gives a clear signal of intent on the part of Government.
“We want suppliers paid within 30 days with payment beyond the due date a rare event. We want longer contractual payment terms to be recognised as potentially detrimental to vital supply chains. We want businesses of all sizes to commit to fair and quick payments and to avoid harmful disputes. This new Code will drive a better payments culture and benefit everyone.”
Lettings and estate agent platform secures new investment
LDC, the private equity investor which is part of Lloyds Banking Group, has exited its investment in Lomond, the lettings and estate agent platform, following a transformational growth journey. LDC will reinvest in Lomond alongside new investor ICG, the global asset manager, the founding Chairman and management.
The transaction will support Lomond’s continued growth strategy of further consolidation through M&A in its existing markets and provide additional capital to drive expansion into new regions.
LDC originally backed Yorkshire-based Linley & Simpson in 2018, before merging the regional sales and lettings agency with Lomond Capital in 2020. Since the merger, Lomond has completed 65 acquisitions, becoming one of the fastest growing estate agency networks in the UK, growing from 600 to 1,900 employees and from 22,000 properties under management to more than 50,000.
The transaction delivers a money multiple return of 3.5x for LDC.
Ed Phillips, CEO at Lomond, said: “We’ve had a superb journey so far with LDC. What we’ve achieved together is a testament to the hard work and passion of our people and I am delighted they will remain as a partner going forward.
“To have secured new investment from such a leading investor in ICG underlines the level of ambition of the team at Lomond and our new partner. We’re now looking forward to accelerating our growth in the coming years as we continue our journey as the best estate agency network in the UK.”
Stuart Pender, Founder and Chairman at Lomond, said: “The new investment from ICG creates significant firepower to fuel the next phase of Lomond’s growth and allows us to realise our ambitions for the business over the next three to five years.
“Our management team has done an excellent job over the last three years in building a market-leading platform and we have been well supported by LDC during this critical phase of our growth. We now very much look forward to working with ICG and LDC to maximise the full potential in the platform over the next few years.”
Gareth Marshall, Partner and Head of LDC’s North East & Scotland team, said: “This has been a truly transformative partnership spanning six years.
“We are proud to have supported Will and Nick initially, Stuart and Ed and the current team to scale from a regional lettings and estate agency to a multi-regional platform and now to a leading, multi-brand, national player.
“Today Lomond has unrivalled reach, reputation and the strongest team in the market and we’re looking forward to continuing our support for the business alongside ICG and management.”
LDC and Lomond were advised by Clearwater and Womble Bond Dickinson.
