UK government expands defence contracts for SMEs

April Lara
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UK government expands defence contracts for SMEs

The UK government has announced new measures to increase small and medium enterprise (SME) involvement in defence contracts, following its commitment to raise defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by April 2027. A new hub will be launched to improve SME access to the defence supply chain, and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) will introduce direct SME spending targets by June.

Currently, nearly 70% of defence spending goes to businesses outside London and the South East, but only 4% reached SMEs in 2023-24. The new hub aims to address this gap by working with suppliers across the UK to increase procurement opportunities for smaller firms, enhance competition, and accelerate innovation.

Defence spending supported over 430,000 UK jobs last year, with government contracts injecting £28.8 billion into UK industry. Regional spending increases included a 30% rise in the East Midlands (£328 million), 20% in Northern Ireland, and nearly 19% in Yorkshire and the Humber. The government says expanding SME participation will drive further economic growth, create jobs, and strengthen the UK’s defence industrial base ahead of the upcoming Defence Industrial Strategy.

Work begins to transform site of former Chantry House building in Wakefield into affordable homes

Tess Egginton
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Work begins to transform site of former Chantry House building in Wakefield into affordable homes
Work has begun to transform the site of the former Chantry House building in Wakefield into 50 new affordable homes. There will be 26 townhouses and 24 apartments built on the site by Caddick Construction and owned and managed by WDH, for affordable rent and shared ownership.

Cllr Michael Graham, Wakefield Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Growth, said: “I am really pleased to see work beginning on this site.

“Good quality housing is the foundation for economic growth and the priority is for Wakefield to have a high-quality housing offer that meets our residents’ needs. “The Chantry House site is part of our plans to deliver more, better and affordable homes in our district. It is so important to us to create and provide places for people to live and be proud to call home. “We want to encourage people to come and live and work in Wakefield. Creating vibrant communities which will provide a real boost to our local businesses and high street. “The Kirkgate area is a key gateway into the city centre, and this is the next vital step in our regeneration plans.” The Council began preparing this site for development in 2020. After demolishing the Chantry House building, temporary greening was added to the area. Planning was granted for 50 new homes to be built, including 24 new apartments and 26 new houses. The Council has also supported WDH by providing a grant to fill the viability gap to build these homes, using Section 106 commuted sums. This is where developers pay a one-off contribution in lieu of onsite provision of affordable housing so it can be built in other areas of the district (subject to any restrictions). Joel Owen, Service Director for Development at WDH, said: “We’re excited to be working in partnership with Wakefield Council to transform the centre of Wakefield and provide much needed high quality affordable homes. “Investing in our communities is a key priority for WDH and by transforming the former Chantry House site, we’re breathing new life into the city centre creating a new, vibrant community enabling better futures for our customers.” Yorkshire-based Caddick Construction has been appointed as main contractor on the project, with Caddick Civil Engineering also appointed to deliver remediation and groundworks.
Steve Ford, Regional Managing Director for Caddick Construction Yorkshire & North East, said: “As a Wakefield-based business, we are proud to have been selected as main contractor and civil engineering partner on this new neighbourhood for Wakefield Council and WDH. “We have 40 years of experience building high-quality projects across the region, and in that time we’ve also developed a reliable and local supply chain network that we will enlist the expertise of at Chantry House.”

Building work completes on Keighley College’s new manufacturing and engineering hub

Tess Egginton
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Building work completes on Keighley College’s new manufacturing and engineering hub
Building work on Keighley College’s new manufacturing and engineering hub has been completed. The project is part of the wider, £12 million creation of Providence Park, a new industrial site being built on the former Universal Mills plot on the corner of Dalton Lane and Bradford Road. Providence Park is being part-funded, to the tune of £6.5 million, through the Government’s Keighley Towns Fund – with £3 million of that used to produce Keighley College Engineering Hub. The hub has been designed to take the training of local apprentices and students to the next level, so it can meet the rapidly evolving skills needs of local employers. The college will now push ahead with kitting out the building with cutting-edge equipment – including a future technologies lab and engineering workshop – ahead of welcoming the first students in September. Keighley College Principal Kevin O’Hare said: “This is a major milestone for the college, Providence Park and Keighley – and could be a real game-changer for our district and its economy. “We are privileged to be based in an industrial heartland that continues to build on its proud history, with many of our employers forging ahead into exciting new areas of manufacturing, engineering and technology, including robotics. “For those businesses to flourish, though, they need a steady stream of apprentices and students who have industry experience and the up-to-date skills needed to join and strengthen their workforce. “That’s exactly what the engineering hub has been created to help us deliver – and we’ll be strengthening our already deep bonds with the district’s businesses as we develop our offering there, and work together on apprenticeships along with industry placements for our vocational students. “We can’t wait to show employers, and our learners, around these cutting-edge new facilities which we are delighted to be opening this year, as the college celebrates its 200th anniversary.” Bradford Council’s Lead Member for Regeneration, Transport and Planning, Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw said: “Alongside the new state-of-the-art manufacturing and engineering hub, Providence Place is also home to five new buildings housing 23 industrial units. We expect about 100 jobs will be created in total across the whole site. “Keighley has always had a proud manufacturing and engineering heritage. Its Engineering Hub will enable local people to learn highly-specialised skills and create employment opportunities for the future.” Keighley Towns Fund Chair, Tim Rogers added: “The creation of the Engineering Hub, in partnership with Keighley College, represents an incredible skills and training opportunity for the town. “We are proud of what is being achieved at Providence Park, which is a really exciting commercial development for Keighley, and the opportunities it will create for generations to come.” The hub will be able to train up to 120 students or apprentices, plus staff, at any one time. The building’s lower floor will include a fully kitted-out engineering workshop, complete with lathes and milling machines. The upper level, meanwhile, will have a future technologies lab fitted out with a laser cutter, printing machines and testing equipment, along with two IT rooms and a teaching space.

Business leaders invited to help shape Greater Lincolnshire’s economic future

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Business leaders invited to help shape Greater Lincolnshire’s economic future

Businesses have been invited to play a key role in the future growth of Greater Lincolnshire by becoming part of the Economic Advisory Panel.

The Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority (GLCCA) has opened applications for membership and a chair of the panel, which will help build a strong and successful future for the area. This is an opportunity for those who lead or own businesses across the region to provide advice, recommendations and guidance to the GLCCA board and the new mayor. It is a statutory requirement of the new devolved authority to bring together these key people as part of a formal board, comprising of 10 panel members from the private sector. They will serve a three-year term with one selected as chair. Shaping and influencing the development of economic strategy and policy within Greater Lincolnshire, membership is also an opportunity to provide a business voice. This will allow a new elected mayor to ensure that future economic plans for the GLCCA are heard in Westminster. It is hoped the panel will see a range of businesses represented. All of them will be vital to Greater Lincolnshire’s future and align to the GLCCA’s priority growth sectors of agri-tech and food, clean energy, ports & logistics, defence, and advanced manufacturing, along with the core sectors of education, housing and construction, transport and infrastructure, small business, and the visitor economy. Key priorities of the GLCCA are to turbo charge business growth, improve the adult skills offer across the authority footprint, support the building of good quality homes, and improve infrastructure and public transport. The investment to support the development of these priorities is now being devolved down from central government with a £720m pot over the next 30 years.

Initial works to begin on Alexandra Dock housing site in Grimsby

Tess Egginton
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Initial works to begin on Alexandra Dock housing site in Grimsby
The next step towards the complete transformation of Grimsby Town Centre’s Alexandra Dock area is being taken. Following approval at a meeting of North East Lincolnshire Council’s Cabinet, initial work will begin to look at an overall vision for the waterside land and how it could be redeveloped. This will focus on the potential to transform brownfield areas in and around Alexandra Dock. This investigative work will run alongside a refresh of the town centre masterplan, and a look at the current infrastructure in the area – including the highways and public transport. In a report to Cabinet members, it was outlined how funding of up to £500,000 is potentially available from Homes England and MHCLG (Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government) over the financial years 2024/25 and 2025/26. If the council was successful in securing some of that funding, it would be used to support the progression of plans. Fuller details would be outlined in future Cabinet papers, adds the report. It goes on to highlight how this redevelopment, as well as changes that have taken place, or are in progress, are in line with ideas outlined in the Grimsby Town Centre Masterplan. The current plan, which will now be refreshed and updated, was the basis for multi-million pound funding bids to Government, which were successful and have supported the work so far. This has included the new Garth Lane bridge leading to the redesigned walkways, grass areas and river embankments, the new OnSide Horizon Youth Zone, and the plans for 123 new homes on land bought by the council. There’s also the Freshney Place Leisure, Foodhall and Market scheme, the new-look Riverhead Square, E-Factor’s redevelopment of St James’ House, the work on St James’ Square and visual improvements to Victoria Street. North East Lincolnshire Council Leader, Cllr Philip Jackson, whose portfolio includes regeneration, said after the meeting: “Giving people reasons to visit, live in and enjoy our town centre means it must diversify and we are making great strides in doing just that. “We must now continue on this transformation path, and this is the next step that can be taken with the support of partners and those around us.”

WorkWell acquires Aire Street Workshops from Leeds City Council

April Lara
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WorkWell acquires Aire Street Workshops from Leeds City Council

Yorkshire-based workspace operator WorkWell has acquired Aire Street Workshops from Leeds City Council for an undisclosed sum. The company plans to maintain the building’s commercial use while upgrading its interior, ensuring current occupiers can remain.

The four-storey, 22,979 sq ft property, originally built in 1875 as a cloth warehouse, features 30 individual units, communal spaces, a private road, and a small gated car park. It currently houses 50 creative businesses. The site was repurposed in 1981 to support small industrial firms.

WorkWell specialises in technology-enabled workspaces designed for hybrid working and productivity. The Leeds-based firm operates two centres in the city and recently opened its largest office development in Harrogate. It provides office space for 800 workers each month.

Hull KR reveals ambitious regeneration proposals

Tess Egginton
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Hull KR reveals ambitious regeneration proposals
Hull KR (Hull Kingston Rovers) is launching a major consultation exercise on ambitious proposals to regenerate land surrounding Sewell Group Craven Park. The plans will be the most significant changes to the stadium footprint since its original completion in 1989. The Club’s proposals are set to enhance the area with investment into better facilities and amenities, to promote health and wellbeing across East Hull and the wider city, while helping to future-proof the Club’s ambitions, both on and off the pitch. In doing so, Hull KR aims to generate a positive impact for local communities and the wider city through their proposals, which would contribute to wider rejuvenation efforts ongoing in East Hull by Hull City Council. If successful, the proposals would see significant investment into sport and leisure facilities, with the development of three training pitches, with one available for public use; new outdoor sporting facilities and the rejuvenation of the Waudby Centre. Proposals would also bring forward two, large-scale retail stores, which would be occupied by UK brands, in addition to the development of a retail terrace, open, public spaces, the refurbishment of the Waudby Centre, and adequate car parking facilities to support the masterplan. Some initial future enhancements to the Sewell Group Craven Park stadium itself have also been outlined within the plans. Paul Lakin, Chief Executive at Hull KR, said: “We are delighted to finally be able to share our plans with our supporters. “As an ambitious Club, dedicated to the fans and the city we represent, we are incredibly proud to share our vision for the masterplan with the public – which could mean big opportunities for communities and for people’s lives within the city, and for the Club itself. “This scheme aims to significantly enhance the stadium footprint and turn us into an impressive sporting campus in East Hull. “When we purchased the stadium and option on surrounding land in 2022, we said Sewell Group Craven Park would be our forever home, and these proposals are testament to that. “They will set a legacy, long beyond the current custodian’s ownership – securing the future of our Club, bettering our City and opening up fantastic opportunities for local young people – providing the right investment and infrastructure to help them to lead happier and healthier lives. “Crucially for the club, the proposals will provide improved training pitches for all levels, and a dedicated hub and place of work for the men’s first team and our Academy pathway, with all the facilities they need in one building for the first time ever.”

The Dustpan and Brush Store acquires former Malton Foods site in Amotherby, North Yorkshire

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The Dustpan and Brush Store acquires former Malton Foods site in Amotherby, North Yorkshire
The Dustpan and Brush Store has acquired the former Malton Foods site and premises in Amotherby, North Yorkshire to be its new warehouse and distribution centre. The family-run company is to relocate its current operation from Pickering to the complex in Amotherby, near Malton, which occupies a total site area of 14.81 acres. The former home of Malton Foods Ltd closed in 2023, with the Shrewsbury office of Towler Shaw Roberts instructed by the site owners to market the property. The Dustpan and Brush Store supply a range of brushes, brooms, dustpans and cleaning products to customers around the UK and internationally through its online shop. Director Tom Thorp said: “We currently operate out of different warehouses, with some on the same estate in Pickering and another in Scarborough, so this will enable us to bring all operations under one roof.” The Dustpan and Brush Store’s new premises include a range of industrial/warehouse and office buildings within the former food processing plant, which extends to 133,805 sq ft, and an extensive yard, which also provides car parking and further expansion land at the rear extending to 6.7 acres. Toby Shaw, who handled the sale for Towler Shaw Roberts on behalf of the owners, said: “We are delighted to have concluded the sale to The Dustpan and Brush Store and we wish them every success with their planned relocation. “This is a very significant sale for the area and demonstrates the continuing strong demand for industrial premises in the locality.”

Multi-million pound investment in Scarborough over next decade to drive forward regeneration on the coast

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Multi-million pound investment in Scarborough over next decade to drive forward regeneration on the coast
A multi-million pound investment in Scarborough over the next decade will drive forward regeneration on the coast, boosting job opportunities and helping to improve the health and wellbeing of communities, North Yorkshire Council’s leader has said. The Government has confirmed that funding of almost £20 million will remain for Scarborough as part of a national programme to bring major investment to towns across the country. The programme has now been rebranded as the Plan for Neighbourhoods with an expanded remit to improve health and wellbeing along with work, productivity and skills. It is also aimed at boosting cohesion and education along with opportunities for local communities. The original ambitions of the national programme, which was previously known as the Long-Term Plan for Towns, also remain and include reviving town centres, regeneration, promoting heritage and culture and addressing safety and security concerns. Improving transport and connectivity are also key considerations under the initiative. Council leader, Cllr Carl Les, said: “The chance to use such a significant amount of funding in Scarborough will bring wide-ranging benefits not just for communities in the town, but also far wider across the region. “Scarborough is one of our biggest towns here in North Yorkshire, and there is real potential to bring a new era for what is among the country’s most popular seaside destinations. “The fact that the scope of the Plan for Neighbourhoods has been broadened to the previous incarnation of the scheme gives us an even greater chance to transform Scarborough for residents, businesses and visitors.” A total of £19.5 million in funding has been allocated for Scarborough to be spent over the next 10 years. The new Plan for Neighbourhoods for Scarborough needs to be developed and submitted by the winter of this year, with the delivery of the projects due to start from the spring of 2026. The chair of the council’s Scarborough and Whitby area committee, Cllr Liz Colling, who represents the Falsgrave and Stepney division, said: “Scarborough is such a wonderful place to live, work and visit, but like so many coastal areas, it does need investment. “The funding that has been allocated to the town will bring very real benefits for so many people, and it is a welcome announcement from the Government that the money remains in place. “I look forward to seeing the range of projects that come forward for this investment.” The Government has said that previous work to consult and engage with local communities should be retained and adapted for the new programme. North Yorkshire Council previously worked in partnership with the Scarborough Town Board to develop a 10-year vision document and a three-year plan for investment. In addition, there was extensive public consultation with more than 1,600 people taking part in Let’s Talk Scarborough events in the town centre and surrounding area and an online survey. Key priorities for people who took part in the consultations included a cleaner, more attractive town centre in Scarborough and more frequent bus services, especially for teenagers and the elderly. There is also a desire among the public to balance the needs of residents and tourists, and addressing the need for more public spaces and seating areas where people can gather and interact. The initial vision focused on a number of measures that could be delivered within the town centre including the further redevelopment of the Scarborough Station area in Westborough, improving the appearance of the town centre and the inclusion of more public spaces. North Yorkshire Council will be overseeing further community engagement in due course to build on the Let’s Talk Scarborough consultations and identify further priorities within the expanded themes of the Plan for Neighbourhoods.

Sheffield pest control products supplier transitions to employee ownership

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Sheffield pest control products supplier transitions to employee ownership
Pest Control Supermarket.com (PCS) has transitioned to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT), in a deal advised by accountants Hawsons. PCS, a Sheffield-based online supplier of pest control products, undertook this transition to strengthen its future while ensuring continuity for employees and customers. As part of the process, Hawsons also advised on a group reorganisation to ensure the business was structured appropriately before the EOT transaction. Jack Ware, Corporate Finance Director at Hawsons, said: “Helping businesses transition to employee ownership requires careful planning to ensure the structure is right for the company and its employees. “Every transaction is different, and it was important that this transition not only met the company’s commercial needs but also provided a strong foundation for future growth. It has been a pleasure working with the PCS team to put the right framework in place. “PCS is a great Sheffield based business that has successfully implemented a growth strategy over recent years and has plans for further growth under its new ownership model. With more businesses exploring EOTs as a succession option, having experienced guidance through the process is crucial.” Allister Ashmore, Managing Director, PCS, added: “Transitioning to an EOT was a strategic decision to safeguard the future of the business, ensuring our employees have a real stake in its ongoing success. “As a business with strong roots in Sheffield, ensuring local jobs and the long-term stability of PCS were key considerations in this transition. Hawsons’ guidance was invaluable in helping us navigate the process efficiently and structure the transition to support long-term stability.” Legal aspects of the transaction were managed by Peter Turk and Michael Hall of Knights, with Clare Darwood overseeing the property elements.
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