Yorkshire garden centre group moves in to Huddersfield site
The former Dobbies Garden Centre Pennine in Huddersfield is to join Bradford-based Yorkshire Garden Centres Group, which also acquired the Deans Garden Centres in York and Scarborough earlier this year.
Mark Farnsworth, MD of Yorkshire Garden Centres said: “Pennine Garden Centre is well known to many of our team who used to work there when it was owned by the Armitage family. Our team are excited about returning to the centre, and we hope we can revitalise the business in the coming months. We are delighted to welcome some of the Dobbies team into the business, and we look forward to them playing their part in the refurbishment over the next few weeks. We intend to reopen the store in the early spring.”
YGC Partners, a partnership with Altia Ltd, will reopen the four-acre site, previously run by the Armitage family, who sold it to Wyevale and subsequently Dobbies, following a period of refurbishment. 17 members of the Dobbies team will join the business.
Yorkshire Garden Centres began with the acquisition of Tong Garden Centre by Mark Farnsworth and Tom Megginson in 2015. They invested £9m and have turned Tong into one of Yorkshire’s leading garden centres. The Group’s strategy is to operate destination garden centres with a compelling mix of retail, food and play for all the family. It now operates sites at Tong, Tingley, Otley, Bingley, York and Scarborough.
Sheffield clean energy company signs hydrogen generation deal with EU buyer
ITM Power has been selected as the technology provider and awarded a Front-End Engineering Design contract for a 50MW green hydrogen production site in the European Union for an undisclosed experienced green hydrogen plant developer.
The FEED will be based on ten NEPTUNE V units, our full-scope 5MW containerised electrolyser plant ideally suited for mid-sized projects. The FEED will support the project development ahead of a Final Investment Decision (FID) for the whole project, which the customer expects to take in 2025. The plant is planned to start producing approximately 5,000 tonnes of green hydrogen annually from the second half of 2027 and supply local industries.
Dennis Schulz, CEO, said: “We are excited to have been selected as the technology partner for this project. NEPTUNE V was only launched in May of this year, and this FEED confirms our view at the time that mid-sized green hydrogen projects would experience strong momentum in the near term.”
Motor manufacturers invited for views on switch to electric vehicles
The UK automotive and charging industries have been invited to shape the UK’s transition to zero emission vehicles in a new consultation.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has launched a consultation to ask views from industry on how to deliver the manifesto commitment to restore the 2030 phase-out date for new purely petrol and diesel cars and make the transition to zero emissions vehicles a success.
The 2030 phase out date is said to have been broadly supported by industry before the previous UK government extended the phase out to 2035. Currently more than two-thirds of car manufacturers in the UK, including Nissan and Stellantis, have already committed to fully transitioning to electric cars by 2030.
Today’s consultation will restore clarity for vehicle manufacturers and the charging industry so that they have the confidence to invest in the UK in the long-term and drive growth in the UK automotive industry.
To support manufacturers in the transition, it’s said that the ZEV Mandate already features a range of flexibilities to help industry comply in a way that makes sense for them and the wider market, including selling fewer zero emission vehicles than the headline target if they make up for it in other ways. The consultation explores the design of the flexibilities to ensure they continue to support manufacturers.
This consultation is focused on how to reach the 2030 target. It will give the sector the opportunity to consider how the current arrangements and flexibilities are working, which hybrid cars can be sold alongside zero emission models between 2030 and 2035, and any further support measures to help make the transition a success for industry and consumers.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: “Employing 152,000 people and adding £19 billion to our economy, the UK’s automotive industry is a huge asset to our nation — and the transition to electric is an unprecedented opportunity to attract investment, harness British innovation, and deliver growth for generations to come.”
Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: “There is no route to net zero without backing British industries and workers. There are huge advantages for British industry and we must make sure decarbonisation creates jobs and opportunities.”
One in four new cars sold this November was an EV, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders – a 58% increase on November 2023. EV owners are seeing the benefits too, as 97% of electric car drivers say they do not want to go back to petrol and diesel cars.
New scheme aims to avoid food waste thanks to £15m investment
Thousands of tonnes of food that might otherwise go to waste will be delivered to those who need it most with the help of a new £15n government fund.
An estimated 330,000 tonnes of edible food is either wasted or repurposed as animal feed before leaving farm gates every year. While farmers would prefer for this to be destined for people’s plates, charities that redistribute food often lack the means to collect food from farms and get it to those who need it.
To strengthen the links between farms and charities and help solve the problem of farm food waste, a new scheme will see grants starting from £20,000 made available to the not-for-profit food redistribution sector in England. Throughout the year but especially over Christmas, the season of goodwill, this will help organisations like homeless shelters, food banks and charities fight hunger.
It will help British farmers to deliver good food for those that need it and reduce the costs they face when dealing with waste, while also increasing the capacity and capability of the redistribution sector to take on farm surplus.
Circular Economy Minister Mary Creagh said: “With families gathering to celebrate Christmas and the New Year, it’s important to remember those in our communities who may be going hungry this festive period.
“Nobody wants to see good food go to waste – especially farmers who work hard to put food on family tables across the country.
“Our new fund will help the charitable sector to work more closely with farmers, helping to find new opportunities to get their world-leading produce to those most in need within our communities.”
The funding could go towards enabling successful applicants to buy new equipment, such as balers or hoppers, to allow bulky food items to be collected or processed into parcels, and technology to help donors and food redistribution charities work more closely. Money could also help provide more training to staff, to enhance their IT and food safety skills. Information on when the fund opens and full eligibility criteria for applications will be confirmed in the New Year.More than 4,000 filed tax returns on Christmas Day
More than 4,400 people avoided peeling the sprouts to file their tax return online on Christmas Day, says HM Revenue and Customs.
In total, 40,072 customers, as well as spending the three-day holiday indulging in usual Christmas pastimes of eating, drinking and watching festive favourites on the TV, found time to go online and wrap up their 2023 to 2024 tax return, well ahead of the 31 January deadline.
Festive filing statistics show that over Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day:
- 15:00 to 15:59 proved to be the most popular time to file on the big day itself, with 368 filing their return
- 11,932 customers missed out on leftovers for lunch, submitting their tax return on Boxing Day, with the most popular time being 16:00 to 16:59 and 1,108 filing during that time.
- 23,731 filed on Christmas Eve instead of last-minute shopping and wrapping. The most popular time was 11:00 to 11:59 when 3,458 filed their tax return
Bradford’s year as City of Culture holds promise of new jobs, says Government
Bradford has been promised a major boost to economic growth including thousands of new jobs as final preparations are made for its year as UK City of Culture 2025, says Culture Minister Sir Chris Bryant has announced.
An additional £5 million in funding takes the amount of economic support for Bradford’s year to £15 million, helping the Bradford Culture Company deliver a programme of events and support a legacy of cultural regeneration.
It will also encourage the next generation of creatives with 6,000 training opportunities expected across the district and Bradford expecting to create 6,500 new jobs as a result of being UK City of Culture.
The £5m additional investment is helping to kickstart economic growth, investment and reform and the extra funding will go towards the development of key venues that will host next year’s events, such as Bradford’s touring venue – The Beacon. It will provide key equipment for Bradford Theatres, who run one of the UK’s oldest concert halls, St George’s Hall, as well as Alhambra Theatre, The Studio, Kings Hall & Winter Garden and will support the development of new spaces for the National Science and Media Museum.
Bout 1,000 events will take place in 2025, developed alongside and in collaboration with local artists and creatives. They are expected to attract an additional 3.3 million visitors and bring in a visitor spend of nearly £140m into the local economy over the course of the year.
It is also estimated that the increased cultural and economic activity as a result of being UK City of Culture 2025 could leverage and accelerate an extra £700m of growth for the Bradford district by 2030, whilst helping to get more people involved in cultural events across the city.
More than 3,000 volunteers are being recruited to ensure that events run smoothly. This will boost civic pride as part of Bradford’s year in the spotlight by engaging communities right across the district and upskilling people wanting to get involved in events happening throughout the year.
Dan Bates, Executive Director at Bradford 2025 said: “By working together with DCMS we are not only creating new opportunities, but also equipping local people with the skills needed to thrive. This commitment to Bradford to enhance and develop its infrastructure, and ensuring our creative venues are accessible for all, will leave a lasting impact on generations to come. This investment is helping to shape a brighter, more dynamic future for Bradford and beyond.”
Government intensifies clampdown on illegal working
Immigration officials have been out in force across the UK to disrupt rogue employers who hire migrants illegally and exploit vulnerable people, and to address the promise of illegal jobs that are used by criminal smuggling gangs to sell spaces in small boats crossing the Channel.
Particular focus has been on targeting car washes, nail bars, supermarkets and construction sites suspected of hiring illegal workers and subjecting them to squalid conditions and illegal working hours at below minimum wage.
As part of activity to tackle illegal working, Immigration Enforcement also plays a critical safeguarding role, working closely with the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority and other organisations to allow employees to report labour exploitation.
More biometric fingerprinting kits will also be deployed to the frontline, allowing officers to check those they apprehend in illegal working raids against police databases on the spot, rather than having to take them to local police stations.
Director of Enforcement, Compliance and Crime at Immigration Enforcement is Eddy Montgomery. He said: “This activity demonstrates our laser focus on holding employers to account and safeguarding those who are made to work in squalid conditions.
“I am proud of the teams across the country, for their hard work in accelerating this activity in recent months to prevent exploitation and ensure those who break the law face consequences.”
KCOM shares almost £20,000 between three charities
Telecoms company KCOM has marked the end of its 120th anniversary year with a bang by sharing almost £20,000 amongst there charities.
The Hull-based broadband provider has handed over £6,531.14 to each of its three official charity partners of the Year: Hull and East Yorkshire Children’s University, Hull and East Yorkshire Mind and Age UK Hull and East Yorkshire.
The cash was raised by a number of fundraising events held throughout 2024 including a sponsored 120km Tour De KCOM cycle challenge, sponsored runners in the Hull 10k and an epic, three-day 120km walk across the region, starting in Filey and ending at the company’s Hull city centre HQ. Money raised was then matched by KCOM to add to the total.
KCOM CEO Tim Shaw, said: “It’s been a brilliant year packed with events and activities celebrating our 120-year history and heritage.
“It’s been important to us, in this landmark year, to keep giving back and I couldn’t think of three more deserving charities to raise funds for. Each of these charities do phenomenal work in Hull and East Yorkshire and I know the money raised will go towards improving the lives of many local people.
“I’d like to pay tribute to all the KCOM staff who have taken part in our fundraising events this year, they did a sterling job and epitomise our commitment to be at the heart of the local community. “
Firms step up to support Christmas dinners through FareShare
100,000 Christmas dinners will be donated as part of the King’s Coronation Food Project and distributed by FareShare to families in need over the festive period.
M&S will donate 240,000 portions of vegetables across its Christmas lines, ensuring everyone can enjoy two servings of vegetables with their meal.
In addition, 100,000 servings of turkey crowns have been donated by Bernard Matthews, and 1,800 pots of Bisto Turkey gravy granules will be provided by Premier Foods. Families will also receive a Matthew Walker Christmas Pudding, a brand owned by Valeo Foods Group, completing the full Christmas dinner experience.
FareShare will distribute these to local charities across the UK, including community centres, homelessness charities, lunch clubs and youth centres. More than three quarters of charities FareShare provides food to support children and families. This donation will help those who might otherwise be unable to celebrate this festive season.
Ranjit Singh Boparan, Founder and President of 2 Sisters Food Group, which operates a factory in Scunthorpe, said: “We are delighted to be involved in this festive donation with FareShare to provide 100,000 Christmas meals for those that need it most at this time of year. “We are very proud to be part of this powerful alliance between Marks & Spencer, Bernard Matthews, Valeo Foods Group and Premier Foods which brings together retailers, manufacturers and suppliers to make this possible. “I appreciate the support that Valeo Foods and Premier Foods have given in donating the Christmas puddings and gravy granules. I made just one call to the CEO’s and they stepped forward with these generous donations. Without the support of M&S, Valeo Foods, Premier Foods and 2SFG, none of this would be possible. The flexibility the teams have shown and their generosity in giving up their own time has made all this possible, and I applaud everyone for their efforts.”Siemens adds £5,000 more to its support for Goole’s Two Rivers Community pantry
Siemens Mobility is to continue its support for the Two Rivers Community Pantry in Goole, near the company’s state-of-the-art Rail Village.
Donations of £5,000 from the Siemens Mobility team included £1,000 towards Christmas pantomime tickets at the local theatre, Junction Goole, for families who would not ordinarily be able to attend.
This contribution marks the fifth consecutive year of donations to community causes from Siemens Mobility, helping provide support for those in need within the local community.
To help the team at Two Rivers Community Pantry, first year apprentices from Siemens Mobility’s Goole Rail Village packed items in bags for distribution, stocked shelves and learned more about the local community.
Natalie Thornton, Operations Support Manager for Siemens Mobility in Goole, said: “We deliver trains, technology and infrastructure from Britain, for Britain, to transform rail travel and transport – but we also hope that the support we provide to our local community makes a difference to those in need this Christmas.
“I am proud of the team for all the help that has been provided to the Two Rivers Community Pantry, marking the fifth year in a row that the Siemens Mobility team has donated support for our local community in Goole.”
Councillor Anne Handley, Leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council and Councillor for Goole North, said: “Five years of support for important causes, such as the community pantry, demonstrates Siemens Mobility’s continued commitment to Goole. Their kind donations and volunteering efforts will make a great difference to those in need as we head into Christmas.
“I would like to thank the team at Siemens Mobility’s Goole Rail Village for their support to the local community.”
