John Good Group opens new offices in Hessle
John Good Group has opened its new HQ at Quarry House on the Hesslewood Office Park in Hessle.
The opening of the purpose-built office was marked by the company’s Annual General Meeting, where John Good Group welcomed the Good family shareholders and wider stakeholders to the new building. The event was also the first AGM of the modern era, attended by three generations of the Good family.
CEO Adam Walsh said:“The official opening of Quarry House is a significant milestone for us, celebrating not just a new office, but the culmination of two years of transition and growth. Quarry House, alongside our beautiful Hesslewood Office Park, provides the perfect environment for our team today and for future generations of employees and business partners.
“Quarry House is also a testament to John Good Group’s commitment to sustainability and investing in creating a working environment that prioritises both well-being and performance. Every choice was considered from multiple perspectives including commercial, employee experience and sustainability. The project team, led by our Chief Financial Officer Ben Norman, with input from Julie Ornsby, Steve Pullen, Darren Howden, and Michelle Taft, have done a superb job. They should be congratulated for what they have delivered for the business and their colleagues.”
The newly-constructed Quarry House is a cornerstone of the Group’s Fast Forward plans, which emphasises strategic growth alongside commitments to People, Planet, and Performance. The design of Quarry House was guided by a sustainable and local-first philosophy, using nearby suppliers to support the local economy. This sustainable approach includes locally-sourced timber, recycled fishing nets repurposed into a boardroom carpet, and reclaimed materials from a Canary Wharf building for raised access flooring.
South Yorkshire football ground to continue as ‘MEPS International Home of Football Stadium’
Sheffield FC’s ground will be called ‘The MEPS International Home of Football Stadium’ for the entirety of the upcoming campaign.
Partnerships Manager Dylan Ralph said: “We are thrilled to retain MEPS International as stadium sponsor and a major partner of The Club.
“We’ve also got some great content and brand activations planned, so keep your eyes peeled for that.
“We look forward to welcoming all of our supporters to The MEPS International Home of Football Stadium in the season ahead, with hopefully plenty to celebrate.”
Joe Rugg, Commercial Lead at MEPS International said: “We’re thrilled to be renewing the naming rights of the MEPS International Home of Football Stadium.
“Steel and football lie at the heart of Sheffield’s heritage, and as MEPS International celebrates its 45th anniversary in 2024, it feels poignant that we’re able to maintain close ties with a such a historic and enduring sports club that is also such a globally-recognised symbol of the city.
“We’re proud to see the MEPS name displayed at the stadium and can’t wait for another exciting season to get under way.”
Bradford-based food group expands further with a slice of cheesecake market business
Bradford-based Regal Food Products Group Plc expands further with acquisition of artisan cheesecake makers Love Cheesecakes.
Based in Lancaster, Love Cheesecakes specialises in handcrafting over 100 premium cheesecakes for wholesale, food services and the hospitality sector.
In 2020 Love Cheesecakes appeared on TV show, Dragons’ Den, giving the artisan bakery a step on the online ladder. The bakery now also holds a strong online presence through several ecommerce platforms in which it operates. With a strong focus on gifting, the service allows customers to indulge in doorstep desserts at home.
Since the acquisition of Just Desserts Yorkshire in 2022 and more recently Love Handmade Cakes, the Regal Group have strategically focused on growing and developing their desserts range in the food service and wholesale market.
Younis Chaudhry, CEO of Regal Food Products Group said: “The acquisition of Love Cheesecakes will further strengthen our chilled desserts portfolio allowing us to give customers a solid offer across all ranges and price points.”
“With a catalogue of over 100 products, there will be plenty of opportunities for new product developments, giving us the platform to bring a whole new range of exciting flavours and combinations to customers old and new.”
“As a group we have the resources and infrastructure in place to bring Love Cheesecakes in line with our vision and family of dessert brands and look forward to integrating the bakery and its assets into one of our existing manufacturing sites.
“This strategic step will further strengthen our growth and open up opportunities in the chilled desserts category.”
James Asquith, founder of Love Cheesecakes adds: “This acquisition marks an exciting new chapter for the Love Cheesecakes, promising tremendous growth and innovation. I am confident that Regal Food Products Group’s expertise and resources will take the bakery to new heights, reaching even more customers and continuing to deliver the quality and values we as a business stand for.”
Housing association Chief Exec calls for political unity over homebuilding
The chief exec of Bradford-based Manningham Housing Association has urged politicians from all parties to support more housebuilding following the announcement in today’s King’s Speech of proposed changes to planning laws and the introduction of housing targets to boost the delivery of new homes.
Lee Bloomfield said: “The country has endured a deepening housing crisis for many years which has curtailed life chances and stunted economic progress in deprived communities.
“Sadly, successive governments have backed away from their housebuilding commitments after encountering opposition either within their own ranks or from local pressure groups.
“I welcome the measures outlined in the King’s Speech aimed squarely at delivering the homes we need in Bradford, Keighley, and elsewhere – but we have been here before.
“This time must be different which means Ministers sticking to their policy pledges and standing strong in the face of the inevitable challenges to new developments.
“That task will be greatly helped by politicians from all parties accepting the need to build new homes, rather than habitually opposing local housebuilding for political gain.”
Founded in 1986, Manningham Housing Association manages more than 1,400 homes for over 6,000 residents in Bradford and Keighley. Over 80 per cent of residents are of South Asian origin but the association proudly serves all of those in need.
Manraj lands Director role with Quantuma
Business advisory firm Quantuma has promoted restructuring expert Manraj Mand to the role of Director in its Yorkshire practice. Manraj is based in Quantuma’s premises in Leeds and also spends time in the firm’s Bradford office.
Manraj joined Quantuma in 2021 as a Senior Manager from a regional restructuring practice, where he had worked for the previous nine years. He began working in corporate insolvency in 2012 and qualified as an Insolvency Practitioner in 2018.
Manraj provides advice to owner-manager SMEs and has significant experience in the care industry, retail, and property sectors. He also advises clients who are in personal financial difficulty.
He said: “I really appreciate the recognition from my colleagues and continuous support from the business community. As a firm, Quantuma continues to have tremendous ambition and I look forward to giving my continued support to the brand and to promoting our service lines in Yorkshire and further afield.”
Quantuma MD Rehan Ahmed added: “We are very pleased to recognise Manraj’s achievements since joining Quantuma in 2021. Manraj has a wealth of experience, and he is committed to helping to achieve best outcomes for clients at all times, so it has been a pleasure to support him in progressing his career over the past three years.”
Google returns to York to talk AI with city’s businesses
For the second year running, York has hosted a meeting of medieval architecture and cutting edge technology as local businesses boosted their digital skills with Google.
Over 80 businesses from York and North Yorkshire gathered on Tuesday 16 July for a day of free digital skills training delivered by Google Digital Garage in partnership with City of York Council.
Held in the city’s fourteenth-century Hospitium, Tuesday’s session concluded a series of three events – two online webinars and one live training day.
Over two years of the council’s partnership with Google Digital Garage, over 400 businesses have been able to learn new digital skills thanks to these events.
Debbie Weinstein, MD of Google UK & Ireland, said: “Digital technologies are truly transformative and can help businesses and individuals across the UK to increase their earnings, boost their productivity and unlock their full potential.
“As a former business owner myself, I understand how tough it is to know where to turn to for advice. That’s why we’re providing hands-on support as part of our nationwide digital skills drive to help equip more people with invaluable skills that help to create jobs and economic opportunities.”
Among the topics covered were crafting effective AI prompts, how to save time using AI-powered tools and techniques and the fundamentals of data analysis. Businesses also learned how to problem solve like a consultant, by defining a ‘problem statement’, implementing proven problem-solving techniques and finally, evaluating solutions.
Cllr Pete Kilbane, Executive Member for Economy and Culture, said: “York is well known for its fabulous history, but it is also at the cutting edge of science and innovation. This Google digital garage taking place in our medieval Hospitium shows how York’s future economy sits easily with our proud heritage.
“Our Council Plan, ‘One City for All’ aims to build a thriving economy that is driven by innovation and good business. These events are just one example of the work our business growth managers are doing to help local businesses to upskill, innovate and grow.
“We’ve seen rapid growth in the AI tools now available to businesses of all shapes and sizes, and it’s vital that our local businesses are able to use these to their advantage, to boost their profits and remain globally competitive.
“It’s been a really enjoyable, engaging day and I hope that our city’s businesses have been inspired to seize the opportunities offered by AI.”
Pukka Pies signs up for another year with Sheffield FC
Sheffield FC and Pukka Pies will continue their sponsorship agreement into next season.
SFC Partnerships Manager Dylan Ralph said: “We are delighted to have continued the partnership with Oukka and be using them as The Club’s official supplier in our ground. There is so much synergy between both brands, with over 200 years of history between us.”
Pukka’s Sport & Stadia Sector Manager, Nik Jones said: “Pukka are delighted to continue our partnership with The World’s First Football Club, and be available in their rightful place at The Home of Football.”
The news comes hot on the heels of agreement with Propensio Finance to continue as Dugout and Community Partner for the season.
Propensio Finance CEO Dave Hindle said: “Renewing our dugout sponsorship and community partnership with Sheffield F.C. was never in doubt. This partnership reflects our shared values, love for football, and engaging the community. We’re excited to be one of the many supporters of this institution as they begin the journey towards their new stadium. Up The Club!”
The dugout is a focal point during matches, symbolising strategy, teamwork, and the spirit of the game. Propensio Finance and The Club are forward-looking and committed to innovation and future growth.
Chairman Richard Tims, said: “It’s great to have Propensio as a partner at The World’s First Football Club.
“There is a real synergy between both brands and the branding on the dugouts looks fantastic. We’re really grateful for their support and we’re looking forward to growing our partnership even more this season.”
West Yorkshire still features amongst local authority areas doing most commercial property deals
Challenging conditions in the commercial real estate market have contributed to a collapse in the number of local authorities in England and Wales attracting annual commercial real estate sales of more than £1bn, according to new analysis from property data provider Search Acumen – but West Yorkshire is amongst them.
It’s one of just nine areas of England and Wales seeing more than £1bn of commercial real estate sales during 2023, according to analysis of official data from HM Land Registry.
This is the first time the number of £1bn+ local commercial real estate markets has dropped into single figures since comparable records began in 2017.
Andrew Lloyd, MD of Search Acumen, said: “Our analysis points to a persistently flat picture for commercial property growth since 2021. Debt, interest rates, and investment returns and opportunities continue to bite commercial markets, leaving some investors hesitant to commit until they are confident in a healthier forecast ahead.
“Whilst these figures are disappointing for the economy, the real estate industry is adept at navigating periods of uncertainty, often using these times to strategise and capitalise on emerging opportunities. We know there are some pockets of investment thriving, focusing on the fundamental strengths of prime assets and emerging opportunities in sectors such as technology and life sciences. This selective approach to investment underscores the importance of detailed, reliable property data in informing strategic decisions. For those of us in the property data and search sector, this reinforces the need to continue innovating to provide fast and effective tools that enable transactions to happen swiftly and confidently in a sensitive market.
“For transaction volumes in particular, it is also important to view this development in the context of wider industry delays. Over the past two years, we’ve witnessed a dramatic reduction in the number of conveyancing companies, creating a bottleneck among those that remain. This consolidation may now be stabilising, allowing the surviving firms to adapt and potentially expand their capacities to meet the growing demand, something which may be more reflective in HMLR figures later in the year.
“Looking ahead, whilst the election’s outcome will undoubtedly have a substantial impact on broader economic policies that could either stimulate or stifle property market activity, the wheel of fortune also lies in the hands of the Bank of England as the industry waits with bated breath for interest rates to reduce. If this happens, by the end of 2024 we may well see an injection of energy into the sector and more billion-pound districts emerge.
“Until then, it will be vital for a new Government to bolster the amount of money flowing into the UK commercial property sector if it is to successfully oversee a continuation in economic growth. Policy and industry must work together to enable the sector to bounce back from its cycle low.”
Plans to transform Goole’s Market Hall into food hall and events venue take leap forwards
Plans to transform Goole’s Market Hall into a vibrant food hall and events venue have taken a major leap forwards with the announcement that a third party operator has been appointed to run the venue.
In response to a formal tendering process conducted earlier this year, Brew York, a brewery based in York that also operates tap rooms and bars at venues in York, Leeds, Otley, Pocklington, Guiseley and Knaresborough, submitted a successful bid to bring its hugely popular combination of craft beer and street food to Goole.
In addition to the food and drink offering from Brew York, the refurbished Market Hall will also offer flexible space for local creative and craft businesses and host events of both a commercial and community nature to generate an income. A boxing event held there earlier this year was just one example of the many different types of activities that the venue could host in the future.
Councillor Anne Handley, Leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “I’m absolutely delighted that Brew York has been appointed to operate the Market Hall and will be bringing its incredibly popular combination of craft beer and street food to the heart of Goole. This is a massive boost for the town centre, which will undoubtedly bring more visitors and increased spending to Goole.
“It was very important to the Goole Town Deal Board that, in addition to a food and drink offering that would boost the evening economy, the Market Hall should also still be able to host pop-up events and performances so we’re absolutely delighted with this outcome and can’t wait to welcome Brew York to Goole.”
Brew York’s Managing Director, Wayne Smith, said: “We are really excited to be part of this amazing scheme. We have been working closely with the Goole Town Deal team since the back end of 2023 to ensure that we transform the Market Hall into a hub for the town to draw more people out and create a vibrant destination for everyone to enjoy. We can’t wait to bring our experience in events and entertaining to the town, and bring along our friends to serve up some of the best brews and local street food in the country.”
The Goole Town Deal Board is investing £4 million of Government funding into the Market Hall and see it as an important ‘anchor’ destination that will significantly increase footfall and spending in the town centre, benefiting other town centre businesses and boosting the local economy. It’s hoped that the venue can become a central part of what’s considered to be Goole’s ‘cultural quarter’ by collaborating closely with Junction Goole and Goole Museum, which are both nearby.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, the Government gave the Goole Town Deal Board an early funding allocation and this came just at the right time for the Market Hall. A sum of £190,000 was used to carry out urgent repairs to the leaking roof, as well as a series of improvements inside, including the removal of the fixed stalls and levelling of the floor to create more space. This timely intervention halted the Market Hall’s long-running decline and made it possible for it to become a hub of activity once again.
Planning permission for the refurbishment project was granted in May of this year and work is due to start on site later this year in preparation for it re-opening as a food hall and events venue in the spring of 2025.
Back in 2019, the Victorian Market Hall’s future was looking increasingly bleak. It was costing Goole Town Council more than £1,000 per month to operate the market and the fabric of the building was in an increasingly poor state of repair. As a result, the market closed and the building was handed back to East Riding of Yorkshire Council. Thankfully, a golden opportunity arrived later that same year when Goole was invited to apply for a share of the Government’s Town Deal funding and the Market Hall became central to the Goole Town Deal Board’s plans to reinvigorate the town centre.
Bradford Live hits major milestone
Construction work at the new Bradford Live venue has reached ‘practical completion’.
This means all the major building work at the former Odeon cinema in the city centre has been finished and it is ready for the final fit-out.
After being empty for around 20 years, the art deco building, which originally opened in 1930 and in the 1950s and ‘60s hosted legends including Buddy Holly and The Beatles – on the first date of their first ever UK tour, has been beautifully restored and transformed into a world-class, 3,800-capacity music and entertainment venue.
Cllr Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council’s portfolio holder for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, said: “This is an exciting day for Bradford and a milestone in our ambitious efforts to regenerate the city centre.
“It has been a joy to watch this much-loved building coming back to life.
“Not only has an iconic building been saved but it has been given an incredibly exciting new future as one of the region’s best live entertainment venues.
“Bradford Live will play a crucial role in the regeneration of our city centre, improving Bradford as an entertainment destination, attracting new visitors and offering employment and economic opportunity for our district.”
Lee Craven, founding director of Bradford Live, said: “Reaching practical completion is a vital milestone in bringing this beloved building back to its former glory.
“We’ve battled tough challenges for over three years, but the restored venue justifies all the hardship.
“We’ve worked closely with Bradford Council throughout the works and would like to thank them for their unwavering support and commitment. This investment will serve the city and people of Bradford for decades to come.”
Work on the landmark building on Godwin Street, next to the Alhambra Theatre and opposite City Park, has been led by local construction firm RN Wooler, from Keighley.
Gareth Wooler, director at R N Wooler, said: “It has been an honour and a privilege to restore this local heritage building.
“Construction on Bradford Live commenced in 2020; it’s been quite a journey but one which all our colleagues and fellow associates on the design team have relished. There have been many challenges but nothing we collectively haven’t been able to overcome.
“We would like to thank our incredible team and the wider project personnel for their endeavours in extending the legacy of this Bradford icon.”
The cost of the scheme is £50.5m, of which £43.75m is from the council and the remainder from West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Department for Culture, Media and Sport and The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The legal processes relating to handover to the NEC Group will now be progressed.
