Leeds ice cream manufacturer gobbled up
Bidcorp UK has acquired the trade and assets of Northern Bloc Ice Cream, an independently run ice cream manufacturer supplying retail and food service customers including Booths, the National Trust and Wagamama.
The Leeds-based business, which opened its doors in 2014, offers a range of quality and natural products including vegan, bespoke and bold ice creams in various innovative flavour profiles. They also have a low-sugar ice cream range for children and an ice cream for dogs supporting the Dogs Trust.
Northern Bloc will join Bidcorp UK’s network of manufacturing businesses, which includes Simply Food Solutions and Yarde Farm, and will continue to trade under its well established name.
Jim Gouldie, Supply Chain and Technical Services Director at Bidfood UK, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Dirk Mischendahl, Managing Director, and the Northern Bloc team to our Bidcorp UK family.
“Their passion, ethical ethos and reputation for providing great-tasting products at an excellent service completely resonates with our core mission and values. We look forward to supporting the team and expanding their brand presence through multiple routes to market.”
Dirk Mischendahl, Managing Director at Northern Bloc, added: “We are very excited about joining the Bidcorp UK group and having the opportunity to continue the journey we started in 2014, creating great flavours and making ice cream centre of plate!”
Sheffield law firm wins place on housing investment communities framework
Sheffield law firm Shakespeare Martineau has secured a place on the Communities and Housing Investment Consortium legal services framework.
Louise Drew, partner and head of building communities at Shakespeare Martineau, said: “We are extremely proud to have been appointed to CHIC’s relaunched legal panel. This opportunity allows us to offer a comprehensive suite of legal support to CHIC’s members over the next four years.
“The current housing landscape presents significant challenges, with a national shortage of affordable and social homes that is expected to grow. In this rapidly-changing market, registered providers require robust advice and innovative solutions to meet the increasing demand.
“Our specialist legal and non-legal teams are dedicated to advising delivery partners of affordable and social housing in all facets – from securing development finance and innovative structures to collaborative working and managing the sale or rental of properties.
“This appointment is testament to the quality of our people and our unwavering commitment to supporting our clients in the social housing sector as they navigate both the challenges and opportunities presented to them.
“We look forward to contributing to the CHIC and supporting its members in their mission to deliver exceptional services to residents.”
CHIC is a member-owned and governed consortium that delivers compliant procurement solutions and commercial support to members. The consortium secures savings for members and is committed to the delivery of improved environmental outcomes and added social value.
Over the next four years, the 24-strong panel will share work with an estimated value of £50 million. The framework has four ‘lots’ covering corporate, governance and finance; housing and asset management; development; and property.
CHIC, formed in 2010 as a not-for-profit organisation, supports housing providers and local authorities to ensure they can provide the best service to their residents.
UK is leaving the 2020 inflation crisis, says BCC Head of Research
British Chambers of Commerce Head of Research David Bharier says data showing CPI easing to the Bank of England’s 2% target, is a further sign that the UK is exiting the inflation crisis which began in late 2020.
He said: “It provides additional weight for an interest rate cut in the coming months, something which will be welcomed by firms of all shapes and sizes.
“Our research has shown that a steadily declining number of businesses are concerned about inflation, from a record peak of 84% in mid 2022. This is positive news, but prices are not falling, just rising more slowly, and the economic outlook remains challenging. Our latest forecast expects inflation to nudge back up again to 2.3% by the end of the year.
“To restore economic growth and stability, policymakers should focus on the long-term. Our election manifesto outlines a 5-point plan for immediate action by the new government. We need a green industrial strategy, better skills planning, business rate reform, improved relations with the EU, and support for SMEs to embrace AI.
“Our manifesto has been welcomed by all the main parties and gives a clear blueprint for action after July 4th.”
Manufacturing employers come together for awards ceremony
Manufacturing and engineering employers have celebrated some of the sector’s brightest younger stars at a packed awards ceremony held at Leeds Beckett University’s Rose Bowl building.
The Leeds Manufacturing Festival Awards, now in their third year, showcase the talent and outstanding contribution of younger people to the industry in West Yorkshire. This year’s awards saw a record number of nominations from employers keen to reward and celebrate the achievements of outstanding apprentices and other team members.
Scooping the award for Future Manufacturing Leader, sponsored by Leeds City Council, was Kieran Dinsdale, operations supervisor at packaging manufacturer Greyhound Box.
Kieran, who joined the company as an apprentice 10 years ago, was singled out to receive the award for his creativity, professionalism and outstanding leadership qualities.
MD Louise O’ Brien said: “Kieran leads a team of 12 and commands respect from everyone he works with. He is composed, patient, intelligent and highly skilled; a real asset to Greyhound Box and someone who always upholds our values and culture.”
The Apprentice of the Year award, sponsored by engineering apprenticeship benchmarking organisation Next Gen Makers, went to Dan Brodie of electrical control panel designer and manufacturer Bensons Panels. An apprentice panel wirer who has been with the business for just over a year, Dan is in the second year of his level 3 electrical fitter apprenticeship with the company.
This year’s Employers of the Year, sponsored by E3 Recruitment, were selected for their commitment to employees and investment in people development. They were named as energy equipment and solutions firm Schneider Electric in the large employer category, with FaberExposize UK named as SME Employer of the Year. The company specialises in large-format printed flags and banners for outdoor sporting events, festivals, major retail and automotive brands.
A special award of Manufacturing Ambassador went to Graham Cooper, formerly site director at Agfa UK’s Leeds plant. The award recognised Graham’s role in initiating the Leeds Manufacturing Festival and his contribution in raising the profile of the sector.
The trophy was presented by Chris Black, president of Leeds Chamber of Commerce on behalf of the manufacturing employers sponsoring this year’s festival: Greyhound Box, Leeds Welding Company. MPM, Sound Leisure, Saftronics, Bensons Panels and Kirkstall Precision Engineering.
HullBID launches networking opportunity for hospitality businesses
HullBID has launched a venture designed to offer city centre hospitality businesses a helping hand and bring together the wider membership for a new networking opportunity.
The HullBID Supper Club was unveiled with a launch at Bilocca – the new training restaurant at Hull College – and will be rolled out from next week with a first season of six dates at destinations including local independents and big brands.
Kathryn Shillito, HullBID Executive Director, said: “Our new supper club is a great opportunity for our members to network in a relaxed and informal setting and at the same time to support some fabulous city centre eateries.
“We will be covering a variety of dining styles and cuisines and each venue has agreed to put together a bespoke, discounted menu for us, with HullBID providing a complimentary welcome drink at each event. The response from restaurants and guests has been really enthusiastic and we’re expecting demand to increase as the supper club becomes established.”
The first HullBID Supper Club will takes place on Wednesday June 26 at Bert’s Pasta Bar in Humber Street. Further events will take place every month through to November.
BID members were given a taste of what to expect with an exclusive lunch at Bilocca, named in honour of Lilian Bilocca and her fellow Headscarf Revolutionaries, who campaigned to improve safety for working at sea.
Kathryn said: “The preview event at Bilocca is the perfect place to launch what we’re doing because it shows what Hull College is doing to address the issues in the hospitality sector.
“Young people and adult learners can learn all aspects of the hospitality and put them into practice in a real restaurant setting. Everything we have seen suggests they will all be an asset to any hospitality business as they embark on their careers. All the feedback from our guests indicates they will be coming back to Bilocca for a second helping!”
Debra Gray, Principal and Chief Executive at Hull College, said: “In relaunching the restaurant we thought about our city and our roots and about the work of Lil Bilocca and her fellow Headscarf Revolutionaries who fought for their men and the fishing industry in which they worked.
“Our brand is based around their headscarf knot and features in our marketing, menus and as etchings on the windows. The famous Headscarf Revolutionaries mural takes pride of place on our wall.
Samantha Dunion, General Manager of the DoubleTree by Hilton in Hull, said: “The HullBID Supper Club is a great idea. It’s an opportunity to network in a different environment and to welcome so many businesses into our world.
“We work with Hull College a lot and Bilocca is the pinnacle of what we are all trying to achieve. It’s enabling young people to showcase what they can do and develop their talents ready for coming into my industry.”
Phil Ascough, who co-founded the Monday Night Supper Club in 2014, said: “From day one we were all about bringing businesses together to support the hospitality sector and we were delighted when HullBID launched their own initiative.
“We estimate we’ve generated more than £150,000 plus repeat business for restaurants and café bars over the last 10 years but it’s not enough, we’ve lost some fantastic venues and we welcome anything that helps to keep the sector afloat.
“We extend across a wider area but we’ll still be visiting city centre venues and we’ll definitely be booking in at Bilocca and supporting Hull College in training the hospitality professionals of the future.”
Sustainable aviation fuel project set for Saltend
px Group has revealed that OXCCU will develop a First-of-a-Kind (FOAK) demonstration plant at its Saltend Chemicals Park in the Humber that will convert carbon dioxide and green hydrogen into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
OXCCU is a carbon-to-value company that develops catalysts and processes to convert carbon dioxide and green hydrogen into fuels, chemicals and plastics.
The climate-tech spin-out from the University of Oxford has demonstrated the world’s first direct carbon dioxide (CO2) hydrogenation process, turning CO2 directly into aviation fuel range hydrocarbons, also known as SAF, with minimal oxygenate byproducts.
The project presents a novel approach to SAF production simplifying a multi-step process to a single step.
OXCCU will now build a First-of-a-Kind (FOAK) demonstration plant at Saltend Chemicals Park, which will be fed by biogenic carbon dioxide, and green hydrogen. The plant is expected to produce 160 kilos (200 litres) of liquid fuel per day, of which the majority will be SAF.
The approach directly aligns with the Advanced Fuel Fund’s objective to use carbon dioxide as a carbon source for SAF production due to feedstock concerns at scale with the other biofuel SAF routes.
px Group will provide the engineering design and construction of the Outside Battery Limits (OSBL) support facilities as well as operations and maintenance when the plant is up and running. The plan is for operations to start in 2026.
The project has been announced at a time when the UK Government has developed a framework to cement the UK’s status as a world leader in SAF, with a SAF mandate and a revenue certainty scheme to boost uptake and help create jobs.
The Government has committed to having at least five commercial SAF plants under construction in the UK by 2025, viewing low or zero emission technologies as key to sustainability targets.
Geoff Holmes, CEO of px Group, said: “We are truly excited to be working with OXCCU on a world’s first project that will shape the long-term sustainability of the UK aviation industry.
“At px Group we are passionate about cutting CO2 emissions and helping the UK to meet its sustainability ambitions.
“This groundbreaking project with OXCCU further meets this commitment and demonstrates the confidence in Saltend as a pioneering centre for industrial decarbonisation projects.”
Andrew Symes, CEO of OXCCU, said: “The strategic combination of OXCCU’s highly efficient novel catalyst and process with px Group’s world leading facilities creates the perfect environment for us to scale-up.
“This project will demonstrate CO2 and hydrogen directly converted into jet fuel-range hydrocarbons and the potential for much lower cost SAF.
“We look forward to working with px Group on this exciting step for the global aviation industry.”
The announcement with OXCCU follows the Hydrogen-to-Humber H2H Saltend decarbonisation project recently being granted planning permission. Equinor’s H2H Saltend is a 600-megawatt low carbon hydrogen production plant with carbon capture, one of the first of its kind and scale to be granted planning permission in the UK, helping to establish the Humber as an international hub for low carbon hydrogen whilst significantly reducing carbon emissions.
px Group is backed by Ara Partners, a private equity company specialising in decarbonisation investments. OXCCU is backed by investors including IP group (Kiko), Clean Energy Ventures, United Airlines, Eni, Aramco Ventures and Trafigura.
Seaford chef Amy to appear at Port of Grimsby Heritage Open Day
Grimsby-born seafood chef Amy Salisbury is to be one of the headliners at the Port of Grimsby Heritage Open Day on September 14th representing the Made Great in Grimsby brand.
Theme for the day is a celebration of trade routes and connections, exploring the major roles the port has played over the years and to the present day with global connections.and who will be cooking up a storm in the marquee with a seafood demonstration alongside Grimsby’s Master Fishmonger, Ivan Jaines-White.
Simon Bird, ABP’s Regional Director of the Humber ports said: “Our heritage open days grow year on year and it’s great to see the support made by visitors all interested in the amazing work being carried out in our port at Grimsby.
“We’re pleased to see the seafood sector represented and we can’t wait to see what Amy will be cooking. The event this year will be spectacular as more of the buildings have been transformed and visitors will have an opportunity to explore inside.”
Amy Salisbury, founder of seafood brand Particular & Co, and Ambassador of Made Great in Grimsby said: “I’m looking forward to you all joining me on my fishy mission in my hometown of Grimsby at this year’s Heritage Open Day.
“I’ll be talking all things fish and cooking up some fishy delights that will inspire you to get cooking our delicious seafood at home. I’m thrilled to be representing the Grimsby Fish Merchants Association’s Made Great in Grimsby at this year’s Heritage Open Day, together we can show how Great Grimsby really is!”
Ivan Jaines-White was awarded Master Fishmonger accreditation in 2019 by the Worshipful Company of Fishmongers. He has had a long and varied history with the seafood sector in the town, and currently delivers filleting training courses at the Seafood Village as a consultant to the industry.
The Made Great in Grimsby brand signifies the scale and importance of the Grimsby seafood processing sector that today directly employs over 5,500 jobs in the region and supports employment of over 10,000 job roles in the supply-chain. Trade in sustainable fish and seafood for all over the world is important to the cluster with much of its seafood arriving in the ABP ports of Grimsby and Immingham.
Assured Group moves into first northern base
A trio of companies dedicated to helping others run smart, clean and smooth-running workplaces has moved into their own new premises. Acerta, Logic 360 and Chemisure, all subsidiaries of Assured Group Ltd, have taken on a shared space at Platinum Park in Doncaster.
Assured Group has purchased the new-build 2,250 square foot unit to provide the three UK-wide enterprises with their first northern base.
Acerta delivers facilities management, property maintenance, small projects and contract services to clients. Logic 360 provides recruitment and workforce management support and services. And, Chemisure supplies chemicals, consumables and equipment to businesses for vehicle and property cleaning.
The aim of their new Doncaster base is to strengthen their presence in the north. Existing Assured Group bases are in Warwick, Shrewsbury and Colnbrook, near Heathrow Airport.
The unit combines an office facility for training, development and meetings and a warehouse hub to improve efficiency – and reduce the carbon footprint – of deliveries across the north.
Managing Director of Acerta, Richard George, who has led on the purchase and fit-out, said: “We wanted to establish a base in Doncaster to give us representation in the north and provide a quality working environment for our dedicated teams who mostly work remotely across 200-plus clients’ sites.“We’re very pleased with our investment and have already seen the benefit of bringing everyone together, in terms of improved interaction and development. The team love it and we only anticipate expansion here in Doncaster.”
Acerta has designed and built every aspect of the unit’s interior, from creative concept and planning through to electrical and plumbing details. This means the office and warehouse facility also acts as a showcase for Acerta in the fitting-out of workspaces.
Richard said: “We’d welcome anyone to come and have a look at what we’ve done here. We’ve put a lot of effort into making sure our workplace is quite quirky, stylish and meets our needs. When existing and potential clients come to see us, it shows what we can offer to others.”
Platinum Park and neighbouring Jubilee Park are new developments by Priority Space, in partnership with H.G. Sites, bringing 16 new industrial and warehousing units to the region’s commercial property market.Director of Priority Space Lee Buchanan said: “It’s great to see Assured Group investing in the purchase of one of our Doncaster units to strengthen its portfolio of workplaces across the UK.
“Opportunities for owner-occupiers are still quite rare in the commercial property market, and it remains a USP for us, as an independent developer of speculative new-builds, that we’re committed to giving businesses the option to buy, rather than let, premises.
“In our experience, we often see that owning their own premises enables many businesses to more confidently and quickly invest in growth.”
New partnership to boost sustainability of start-ups
Business experts at Leeds Beckett University have teamed up with marketing agency, GOLD79, in a new partnership to boost the long-term growth and sustainability of start-up businesses across the UK.
A new programme – GOLD79 MINE – has been launched as a collaboration between Leeds Business School at Leeds Beckett and GOLD79. The programme will support talented and entrepreneurial individuals who want to start their own businesses through academic consultancy, expert business support services, mentoring, networking, business infrastructure and financial support.
GOLD79, which has offices in Leeds and London, will also invest a minimum of 10 per cent of its profits into an investment fund for MINE members each year.
Professor Lebene Soga, Academic Director of the Centre for Entrepreneurship and Knowledge Exchange at Leeds Business School, said: “GOLD79’s collaboration with Leeds Beckett University in the launch of GOLD79 MINE is a testament to our shared commitment to fostering innovation in the vibrant Leeds City Region and beyond.
“Through GOLD79 MINE, we aim to provide a dynamic environment for students, graduates, academics and wider talent from the marketing industry to collaborate with entrepreneurial minds, echoing our dedication to driving growth and sustainability in the marketing agency scene.
“This partnership exemplifies our role as an anchor institution, proudly working alongside GOLD79 to offer a central hub in Leeds for engaging with entrepreneurial marketing people, supporting their resilience, and contributing to the overall success for our community.”
A key criterion for all businesses applying to the MINE programme is that they must operate within the guidelines and parameters of both B-Corp and Net Zero.
A series of 12 modules will be delivered over the course of the 12-month programme, with a selection of sessions delivered by Leeds Business School at The Knowledge Exchange business hub at the Rose Bowl in Leeds city centre. Professor Soga has inputted his academic know-how into all modules across the programme, which will be delivered by a range of academic and industry experts across a broad range of themes.
Tamarind Wilson-Flint, co-Founder of GOLD79, said: “We’ve always believed in the transformative power of entrepreneurship. From our beginnings 20 years ago with Jet2.com and Jet2holidays as our first and only client, to becoming industry leaders with a global presence through our L’Attitude network, our journey has been shaped by our ability to spot new opportunities and grow our business.
“Now, the launch of the MINE Programme represents a new chapter for GOLD79. We’re not just looking to the future; we’re actively shaping it. By fostering a community of entrepreneurs, we hope to create a ripple effect that extends far beyond our immediate reach. Our partnership with Leeds Beckett University underscores our commitment to education, innovation, and community engagement.
“Entrepreneurship has the power to transform lives, economies, and societies. It’s a path filled with challenges, but also immense rewards. Through MINE, we’re excited to support the next wave of entrepreneurs, helping them navigate their journeys and achieve their dreams.”
Inflation returns to target
Inflation has returned to the Bank of England’s 2% target for the first time since July 2021.
Measured by the consumer prices index (CPI), which rose by 2% in the 12 months to May 2024, it is down from 2.3% in the 12 months to April.
The biggest downward contribution to the fall in inflation came from food-price inflation, which dipped to 1.7% in May, the lowest annual rate since October 2021. This was partially offset by higher petrol prices.
The UK has also won the international race to get back to target, being the first among the euro area and US to bring headline inflation back down to 2%. In fact, the UK currently has the lowest headline inflation rate in the G7 bar Italy.
Despite this, the impacts of sustained high inflation over the past three years will remain for some time, with the relative cost of essential goods expected to remain high.
The Resolution Foundation notes that overall prices have risen by 22% since July 2021 (when inflation was last at 2%), while energy prices have risen by 66% and food by 31%.
Core inflation, meanwhile, which takes out volatile factors like energy, food, alcohol and tobacco to give a clear picture of underlying trends, rose by 3.5% in the 12 months to May 2024, down from 3.9% in April.
James Smith, Research Director at the Resolution Foundation, said: “It’s very welcome to see headline CPI inflation falling back to its 2 per cent target for the first time since July 2021. And while the UK experienced a higher inflation peak during the cost-of-living crisis, it has now got back to target more quickly than either the US or euro area.
“But the legacy of a long period of very high inflation means there is unlikely to be much of a feel-good factor among families, as they continue to struggle with the higher cost of essentials.
“And while headline inflation is back to normal levels, domestically-driven services-price inflation remains elevated. This inflation will worry the Bank of England, and may give pause for thought when it comes to cutting interest rates.”
“Inflation returns to target, but Bank of England is unlikely to fire starting gun on interest rate cuts tomorrow,” noted Yael Selfin, Chief Economist at KPMG UK.
“The Bank of England will be encouraged by the slowdown in headline inflation, and while concerns will remain over elevated underlying price pressures, further falls in services inflation are anticipated over the coming months. Today’s data are unlikely to spur a surprise rate cut tomorrow, however, the MPC could have sufficient evidence to begin its easing cycle in August.
“While underlying price pressures have moderated somewhat, they remain uncomfortably high, with services inflation running at 5.7%. The Bank will need to see a continued fall in services inflation before it can be confident that headline inflation will stay sustainably at its 2% target in the medium term. A slower pace of pay rises may lead to weakening services inflation, helped by a loosening labour market.
“Energy prices continue to present a risk for the UK inflation outlook. Wholesale gas prices have risen by more than 30% since the start of April, and if prices remain at this level into the autumn, household energy bills could potentially rise again in October. Nevertheless, the overall outlook for inflation remains broadly positive, and we expect headline inflation to hover around the target range over the coming months.”
