National law firm makes major investment in new Leeds office space
National law firm Freeths has made a major investment in new office space at Central Square on Wellington Street, Leeds, marking 10 years since the firm launched in the city.
The offices will encompass Freeths’ agenda of continuously investing in sustainability and reducing carbon footprint as it records ambitious year-on-year-growth with recent turnover up by 14.9% to £129 million – an increase of £17 million from last year.
With a circa 80-strong team, the focus of the new Leeds office design is to provide a flexible working environment that embraces Freeths’ working culture for the future.
With extensive consultation with staff, the new space is designed to foster the benefits of working in a dynamic and ergonomic workspace. The new office will support an improved footplate to accommodate the business’s needs with a multi-purpose, larger and more appropriate premises.
Managing Partner of Freeths’ Northern Offices, John May, said: “Our new office concept will take into account the key elements needed to create a collaborative and functional working environment for the ambitious, talented and dedicated staff that underly Freeths’ success.
“The design includes areas that are varied and versatile to facilitate productive and efficient use of the office space. The design provides areas for desk sharing, meeting with clients, quiet working spaces and multifunctional rooms equipped for training, client meetings and staff wellbeing. With an extensive cutting-edge media room this is certainly an avant garde, post covid workplace.
“Rather than paying lip service to the green agenda, Freeths have thought seriously about how to reduce their carbon footprint and this was a key consideration in the Leeds office design in collaboration with Dentons.
“As an ambitious law firm, the expansion of the Leeds office will facilitate our growth agenda.”
Step taken toward re-opening Doncaster-Sheffield Airport
South Yorkshire’s Mayor, Oliver Coppard, has announced that the region will take a major step toward re-opening Doncaster-Sheffield Airport (DSA) and allow for a 10-year plan to drive economic growth in Doncaster, subject to the decision of the Mayoral Combined Authority Board on 13 February 2024.
Fifteen months since DSA was closed by owners Peel Group, the Mayor, City of Doncaster Council and the Mayoral Combined Authority (MCA) have been working to find a way to re-open it that is legally and financially sound and protects the taxpayer.
Last summer, the MCA awarded City of Doncaster Council £3.1 million to prepare an Outline Business Case to take control of the airport through a leasing arrangement, re-establish operations under a new business model, and use the asset as an anchor for growth at the wider Gateway East site to support economic regeneration and benefits to the city and region as a whole.
The Outline Business Case, published yesterday, states that re-opening the airport provides the best opportunity to secure economic growth and well-being not just in Doncaster but will have wider benefits for South Yorkshire as a whole.
City of Doncaster Council will have £138 million made available by the MCA via Gainshare to support economic ambitions including as outlined in the Doncaster Place Investment Plan which includes South Yorkshire Airport City and Gateway East.
Elements of activity could also be supported from other MCA funding that has been set aside to support this project. Ultimately, significant investment is going into Doncaster to help it pursue the jobs, growth and opportunity it wants, and it will be local and regional residents and businesses who will benefit.
Crucially, the Outline Business Case is built on creating a sustainable airport hub with the airport anchoring a sector specific focus on aviation-related advanced manufacturing, advanced engineering and the growing jet-zero and decarbonisation industries.
Applied research is one of South Yorkshire’s core strengths as evidenced through McClaren, Boeing, Rolls-Royce, and Hybrid Air Vehicles choosing to locate in the region, and the opportunity exists to locate the next wave of advanced manufacturing at Gateway East connected to global markets through a reopened DSA.
Linking the return of aviation to the UK’s first Investment Zone worth £160 million with a focus on advance manufacturing could present significant opportunities for businesses and communities in Doncaster and the wider region, helping address long term challenges in productivity, worklessness and low wages, and poor life outcomes that hold South Yorkshire back.
The MCA Board is being asked to approve the recommendation to work up a Full Business Case which could be completed as soon as Spring 2024. If this happens and a suitable operator is found, South Yorkshire could be well on its way to seeing DSA re-open.
City of Doncaster Council will continue to lead on the negotiation with airport owners and the procurement exercise to attract a new operator and public investment remains contingent on the successful completion of those negotiations. The MCA will continue to provide strategic advice and support to the council in relation to the wider regeneration of the development of the Gateway East site to support a reopened airport.
South Yorkshire’s Mayor, Oliver Coppard, said: “These proposals represent a major step towards re-opening our airport and delivering a 10-year plan for South Yorkshire Airport City at Gateway East; not only re-opening our airport but creating an internationally significant, sustainable aviation and advanced manufacturing hub in Doncaster.
“This is part of our plan for growth across our whole region, delivering long term benefits for Doncaster and the whole of South Yorkshire, with a thriving regional airport at its heart.
“Getting to this point has not been easy. I’ve always said reopening our airport would take time and huge amounts of hard work.
“But the plans we are putting forward at next week’s MCA meeting are a significant step in the process of reopening DSA.
“No ambitious plan is without risks, but alongside the other leaders in South Yorkshire, I believe the economic case is compelling.
“That cannot mean a blank cheque or a bad deal, so we are rightly following a process that is underpinned by robust governance. We’ve seen in other parts of the country what can go wrong if we don’t put transparency, accountability and the interests of taxpayers at the forefront of our thinking.
“I’m determined to get a good deal for our community, to do this work properly no matter the hurdles, so we can deliver a long-term plan for our airport and South Yorkshire Airport City. That’s exactly what this next step allows us to do.”
Mayor Ros Jones, City of Doncaster Council, said: “Saving and reopening our airport is my number one priority, I am pleased to say that lease negotiations continue to progress positively, and I am confident that we can agree a deal, but we are not over the line yet.
“Our airport represents incredible opportunities for Doncaster and South Yorkshire. City of Doncaster Council have entered the next stage of the procurement process, which is progressing as planned, with the aim of appointing an operator in the Spring.
“I never wanted our airport to close, it did not have to be this way, as a council we did all within our power, including offering to purchase the airport from the current landowners which was rejected.
“We are following our carefully managed plan; this is yet another step in the right direction for us to see planes flying again from our airport.”
Golf course predicts £200,000 saving after solar panel installation
York Golf Club expects a saving of £200,000 over the lifetime of a solar power system it has just had installed.
The 65-panel solar array has been installed by Green Building Renewables, which has five offices in Yorkshire, and is predicted to save the club six tonnes of CO2 each year.
Mike Wells, Managing Secretary of York Golf Club at Strensall, said: “The club had considered installing solar previously, but not progressed. However, escalating energy costs over the last year or two and the desire to reduce our carbon footprint led the board to proceed. The installation has been done without disrupting members or our operations, and Green Building Renewables was selected as the most appropriate installer for our needs.”
The installation of solar technology at the club signifies its commitment to environmental responsibility but also sets an example for the broader community.
Green Building Renewables’ MD Chris Delaney said: “Installing solar at such a well-known regional location is a real honour. Sports venues, like York Golf Club, use considerable amounts of energy, and solar systems allow them to make dramatic energy savings and reduce their energy bills.”
Professional services group agrees terms for new Leeds office
Evelyn Partners, the integrated wealth management and professional services group, has agreed terms to relocate its Leeds office to new premises at 3 Wellington Place.
Located in the heart of Leeds city centre and five minutes walk from the main train station, the new office provides a workspace for the group’s 85-strong team currently based in the city and will allow for further growth. The move is expected to take place in the second half of the year.
The new office will provide space for the team to work at both desks and meet with colleagues in collaborative areas, while clients will benefit from additional modern meeting rooms with the latest technology.
Wellington Place is a new 21-acre neighbourhood which consists of mixed used buildings spanning office, leisure and retail spaces.
Ian Gibson, Managing Partner of Evelyn Partners’ Leeds office, said: “We are delighted to have agreed terms to re-locate our Leeds office to Wellington Place. The new premises in a vibrant new quarter in the city centre will enable us to keep pace with the ambitious plans we have to work with more clients in Yorkshire.
“Wellington Place, which is well-located and within easy reach of the train station, will provide a modern working environment for our staff and first-class meeting rooms for clients to meet their advisers.”
£4m project restoring buildings on historic Eldon Street in Barnsley
Visitors to Barnsley town centre may have spotted scaffolding as work is underway to restore buildings on Eldon Street, between Regent Street and the junction of Market Hill.
The Eldon Street High Street Heritage Action Zone (HAZ) is a four-year project between Barnsley Council and Historic England which aims to bring back to life historic buildings through restoration work and cultural activity.
By the end of March, the project will have seen almost £4m of investment go into the historic street. It includes an ambitious community and schools’ engagement programme promoting creative careers and opening up possibilities within the town centre. Helping to connect the town’s heritage to the new development, The Glass Works.
The final stage of the project is about to begin and will see conservation works completed to 58 Eldon Street (Leslie Frances Hairdressing Academy), 60 Eldon Street (Globe Holidays) and 70-72 Eldon Street (Best Kebab & Pizza).
The project, delivered by Barnsley Museums, with support from other local partners, has uncovered more about the fascinating heritage of Eldon Street and hidden stories behind the historic facades.
58 Eldon Street is one of the oldest surviving buildings on the street and was originally built as a linen warehouse. It later became an adult education school in the 1870s, before it became Anne Porter’s and Sons, one of Barnsley’s first department stores to cater specifically for women.
60 Eldon Street also has a fascinating history and has been used for many things over the years. It was originally built as a furniture shop and warehouse. Then in the 1880s it was a music warehouse selling instruments and sheet music. After that, Roebuck’s furniture emporium.
In more recent years, the building has been used for a series of fast food restaurants before becoming Globe Holidays.
Next door, the Parkway Cinema is also due to have its original canopy restored as part of the street’s regeneration. The site has a long fascinating history but the current building was well known as the Odeon Cinema in the 1960s. Now as the Parkway Cinema, it is one of only a handful of cinemas in the UK to still use 70mm film.
Dr Tegwen Roberts, Heritage Action Zone Project Officer, said: “There’s so much history hidden within these buildings. To be able to uncover so much of it and to share that with local communities has been incredible.”
In this phase of restoration work, the buildings will undergo cosmetic work to restore their frontages and repair windows and other historic features. This will ensure their look and feel is in keeping with their historic façades, and compliments the work already undertaken elsewhere on the street.
As part of a £95m government-funded scheme, the HAZ’s aim nationally is to fuel economic, social and cultural recovery, while restoring previously neglected historic buildings to maintain them for generations to come.
Tegwen added: “The whole project will have a huge positive impact on Eldon Street as we connect historical areas with the exciting new developments in the town centre.
“The HAZ is not only restoring elements from the past, maintaining buildings and stories for generations to come, but it provides these buildings with a new lease of life so they can continue to have purpose now – and in the future – as part of a modern town centre.”
Eldon Street is the key missing element of the town’s current regeneration. Improving the appearance of the buildings and bringing activity back to the street will make a significant difference to the town centre as a whole.
Over the past five years, Barnsley’s town centre has transformed. Together the completion of its £200m development, The Glass Works, with its championing of its Victorian Arcade and the restoration to many buildings on its historic Eldon Street, footfall is being encouraged right across its centre.
Footfall on Cheapside in Barnsley town centre was up 5.7% in 2023 compared to 2022, and events also proved a hit in 2023. During Barnsley’s Bright Nights Festival that spanned across the town centre back in November, footfall was recorded at a significant 27.5% increase over the same event the previous year.
Cllr Robin Franklin, Cabinet Spokesperson for Regeneration and Culture at Barnsley Council, said: “The Eldon Street HAZ project is breathing life into an important historic street, which also happens to be many people’s gateway into Barnsley town centre.
“Eldon Street is a very special place with a fascinating history so we are delighted that the works taking place will restore the façades, bringing our historic buildings back to life while also encouraging experiences along the street.
“Not to mention, for the businesses that reside inside these buildings right now, it is hoped that, after surviving so much disruption throughout the pandemic and more recently the cost of living crisis, the completion of this final phase of work will beckon a time of celebration for them too.”
Nicola Brown, from Historic England, said: “It has been a joy to watch the regeneration of Eldon Street over the past few years through the High Street Heritage Action Zone programme. This latest phase of works on this historic street will cement its role as one of the most vibrant and attractive parts of the town centre.”
Lincolnshire SMEs eligible to receive fully funded Net Zero support
Business Lincolnshire has announced a series of tailored workshops for businesses wanting to shift to sustainability.
The UK has set an ambitious goal of becoming Net Zero by 2050, and many large businesses have pledged to bring their target forward to 2030.
Whilst there is guidance for larger organisations, the national objective requires the involvement of all sectors, including small businesses, which constitute 99% of the UK’s enterprises and employ 60% of the workforce.
Yet, many smaller businesses are finding themselves at a crossroads, unsure of how to navigate the path towards sustainability without incurring excessive costs or disrupting their existing practices.
Low Carbon Lincolnshire is a programme designed to help small-medium businesses (SMEs) in Greater Lincolnshire and Rutland begin or continue their journey to Net Zero.
Working on behalf of Business Lincolnshire, a series of fully funded, bespoke workshops and supporting materials will be delivered by the business support team at PECT (an environmental charity based in Peterborough), who already work with over 300 organisations on sustainability and decarbonisation projects.
The team has a solid understanding of the current trends and challenges in the field of sustainability and low carbon, as well as practical ways to implement them.
Says Councillor Davie, Executive Councillor for Economy & Place at Lincolnshire County Council: “Business Lincolnshire’s Low Carbon Lincolnshire programme offers vital support to our local SMEs.
“These fully funded workshops are a gateway for small businesses in Greater Lincolnshire and Rutland to embrace sustainability and contribute to the broader Net Zero mission. A crucial initiative for a greener and more resilient business landscape in our region.”
Each business will undergo an onboarding process at the beginning of their journey to confirm eligibility and ensure that the workshops can be tailored to suit those attending.
Introductory webinars:
- Energy Management – Wednesday 21st February 2024, 1pm-2pm
- Supply Chains – Thursday 29th February 2024, 9am-10am
With many more webinars to follow, find out more about what is available and register your attendance on the Business Lincolnshire website.
Please note: Geographical restrictions may apply to certain programmes. Interested businesses are encouraged to verify their eligibility before applying. Three-year project aims to protect infrastructure from cyber attack
The University of Sheffield Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Centre at Rotherham is leading a new international project to protect critical infrastructure such as power stations and water systems from cyber attack.
The three-year project, called Troci (Towards Resilient Operation of Critical Infrastructure), focuses on protecting the monitoring and control systems which make or inform operational decisions about infrastructure based on data from a large number of sensors.
The project consortium includes experts from across Europe who will bring their unique capabilities to different areas of the challenge. The University of Vienna brings its expertise in sensor networks and distributed computing to lead the development of the C&I infrastructure. University College Dublin brings interdisciplinary expertise in civil engineering and computer science, and will focus on applications in the water sector. And Holisun, a Romanian software company specialising in machine learning and cybersecurity, will lead software platform development.
With increasingly complex and autonomous control systems, cyber attacks on the sensors can have serious consequences. At the least, operators can lose reliable data on the state of the system – at worst, decisions are made on false data, with potentially disastrous consequences.
Infrastructure systems can be attacked deliberately, or by autonomous software which seeks out vulnerabilities. One of the first major cyberweapons, Stuxnet, was designed to attack control systems in Iranian nuclear enrichment facilities but went on to infect other industrial and energy systems.
Dr Hafiz Ahmed, head of controls & instrumentation at the Nuclear AMRC, said: “Cybersecurity infringements which target instrumentation and control systems of critical infrastructure can severely disrupt our modern way of life, which relies on direct and continuous access to water and energy systems around the clock. The nuclear sector is undergoing a digital transformation, introducing additional cybersecurity challenges alongside existing physical security concerns.”
National Park farmers offered advice about different sources of income
This month farmers in the Yorkshire Dales National Park are being invited to one of five meetings being held at what’s said to be the ‘crux moment’ of the government’s seven-year agricultural transition in England.
Advisers from the National Park Authority’s farm conservation team will be on hand in Hawes, Reeth, Orton, Sedbergh and Settle to explain how this summer farmers will be able, for the first time, to submit a combined application for Countryside Stewardship and the Sustainable Farming Incentive, the government’s post-Brexit farm payment schemes.
Farmers in the uplands will be eligible for new payments for moorland management, as well as for keeping up dry stone walls and a greatly increased payment rate for managing grassland as species-rich hay meadow.
Member Champion for the Natural Environment at the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, Mark Corner said: “As well as being at its mid-point, the Government’s seven-year agricultural transition has reached its crux moment. The Basic Payment Scheme is now closed, while the new combined Sustainable Farming Incentive /Countryside Stewardship offer is about to open for all. This means that in the next few months people farming in the National Park may have some big decisions to make on how they wish to farm, and which options and payments they wish to pursue, in order to sustain a viable business.
“We are particularly keen to support people to get the new payment for species rich traditional hay meadows. Now there will be a more appropriate payment – of £646 per hectare, plus a £187 per hectare hay making supplement – to reflect the increased management needed to nurture an upland hay meadows.
“Our farm conservation team is likely to be in demand during this period, so booking a place at one of the free meetings is highly recommended.”
The evening meetings are scheduled as follows:
- Mon 5 Feb, 7-9pm Hawes Market House,
- Weds 7 Feb, 7-9pm Reeth Memorial Hall
- Mon 12 Feb, 7-9pm Orton Market Hall, CA10 3RU
- Fri 16 Feb, 7-9pm Sedbergh Peoples Hall
- Tue 27 Feb, 7-9pm North Ribblesdale Rugby Club, Settle
ABP film wins recognition in ‘best animation’ category of national competition
A sustainability film created by ABP in collaboration with creative agency, Polar Media, has won Bronze in the ‘Best Animation’ category at London’s prestigious Lens Awards.
Created by ABP, the UK’s largest port operator, the film helps tell the story of ABP’s sustainability journey and celebrates the launch of the company’s first ever sustainability strategy ‘Ready for Tomorrow’. With a female protagonist, the film invites audiences to see the world through the eyes of a woman who progresses through different stages of her life and maritime career, whilst witnessing and helping deliver various green energy infrastructure projects enabled by ABP’s ports.
She travels from Immingham up on the Humber, where she sees the growth of green hydrogen and carbon capture and storage to Port Talbot in Wales, where the exciting floating offshore wind industry is in bloom. Along the way, she meets different animals from a seal to kittiwakes, all serving as a reminder that industrial progress needs to go hand in hand with protecting biodiversity to create a sustainable future.
An original scored soundtrack was created especially for the project as well as a voiceover delivered by a woman in her 50s, in an effort to address the noticeable absence of these types of voices in the majority of B2B corporate videos.
Max Harris, ABP Head of Strategy and Sustainability, said: “We are very proud of what we have achieved with the ‘The Voyage’. We see it as a tool to highlight the important role ports are playing in decarbonising the UK. It was a very rewarding project and I would like to thank our team and Polar Media who helped bring this vision to life.
“We hope the film is accessible for people from all ages and backgrounds who may be unfamiliar with what we do in the ports industry. The low-poly animated style also set the creative for the other assets in our ‘Ready for Tomorrow’ sustainability strategy campaign, including school competition posters, documents and more.”
