Yorkshire Water is investing £40m in its Blackburn Meadows wastewater treatment works, as part of its ongoing commitment to improve river water quality.
The project, which is being delivered by Glanua, will focus on removing the amount of phosphorus in the treated wastewater that is returned to the river after treatment.
Phosphorus is a normal part of domestic sewage, entering the sewer system via domestic showers and washing machines due to products such as shampoo and liquid detergent containing it.
The work will be completed by December 2024. To enable the construction on the site the operations of Blackburn Meadows, which takes wastewater from Sheffield and the surrounding areas, will be diverted to Jordans Dam. Yorkshire Water has liaised with the Environment Agency in the planning of this work.
Rachael Fox, head of programme delivery at Yorkshire Water, said: “We are committed to improving water quality in the rivers across our region. One of the key focuses is the reduction of phosphorus entering rivers in the treated wastewater we safely return to the environment. Reducing phosphorus levels can make a real difference to water quality in our rivers.
“This project is a significant part of a £790m investment by 2025 in Phosphorus removal. Blackburn Meadows is one of our largest wastewater treatment works. The upgrade of the site will significantly reduce the Phosphorus levels in the Don, benefiting the watercourse and the wildlife in it.”
Leeds healthcare specialist secures £8.25m investment
Healthcare specialist Primary Care Physio Limited (PCP) has secured an £8.25 million investment from BGF.
Founded in 2020 by Ryan Allen, Mohammed Nazir and Professor Gary Shuckford, PCP is a rapidly growing primary healthcare service. It provides physiotherapists and podiatrists to Primary Care Networks (PCNs), freeing up GP capacity in the primary care sector. The company currently employs over 300 clinicians.
This significant investment from BGF will allow PCP to execute its ambitious growth strategy, while helping to alleviate some of the challenges facing the primary healthcare market, including chronic GP shortages, growing musculoskeletal issues, and an increasing emphasis on community-focused care.
Jon Lowe, the former CEO of Connect Health, will join PCP as its non-executive chair. Meanwhile, Dean Barber will be joining as chief financial officer.
Ryan Allen, CEO at Primary Care Physio, said: “With a growing, ageing, and increasingly complex patient landscape, there is an unprecedented need for a flexible and fast musculoskeletal platform that enables GP practices to continue to deliver best practice care. At PCP, we enable PCNs to meet their objectives.
“To achieve our wider strategic aims, we wanted a minority investment partner that recognised the vast potential that exists—not only in our business, but in the wider marketplace.
“We also wanted to work alongside an investor that could adopt a patient and long-term outlook, but equally had a strong track record of helping businesses to capitalise on the opportunities ahead of them. BGF ticked all those boxes and we’re delighted to be working with the team, who we can see will add value beyond the investment.”
The deal was led by Chris Boyes and James Baker, investors in BGF’s Yorkshire team.
Chris Boyes, BGF investor, said: “PCP is an exciting and rapidly expanding business in a sector with significant potential, led by a highly experienced management team, with strength and depth in the primary care market.
“We’re delighted to be supporting PCP’s ambitious growth plan, as it looks to continue to deliver best in class solutions and outcomes. As the primary care market continues to recover from the pandemic, PCP is well placed to maintain its rapid growth, supporting the delivery of patient outcomes.
“We look forward to partnering with Ryan and the wider PCP team as we continue to scale the business.”
Printing company fined £100,000 after worker’s hand crushed
A commercial printing company has been fined £100,000 after an employee’s hand was crushed by a laminating machine.
The man had been working for Celloglas Limited at the firm’s site at Cross Green Industrial Estate in Leeds.
He was attempting to fix a laminating machine on 25 November 2020 when his right hand was drawn into the device and crushed between two rollers. The worker, who was 31 at the time, realised the machine had broken while he was feeding the device with paper.
The incident led to the man’s right hand sustaining soft tissue crush injures as well as nerve damage and contact burns to his right wrist. The injuries to his hand meant the man could not drive for seven months following the incident and also led to him suffering with anxiety and PTSD.
A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation into the incident found the laminating machine was not adequately guarded and that the company failed to review existing risk assessments for the machine which required the production of a safe system of work.
Celloglas Ltd, of Exeter Way, Theale Commercial Estate, Theale, Reading, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2 (1) of the Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974. The company was fined £100,000 and ordered to pay £5,165.09 in costs at Leeds Magistrates’ Court on 30 August 2023.
HSE inspector Darian Dundas said: “A review of existing risk assessments for the machine should have identified that a safe system of work was required to keep operatives safe from harm. Had such a review taken place then this incident could so easily have been avoided.”
This HSE prosecution was supported by HSE enforcement lawyer Gemma Zakrzewski.
Digital dentistry firm receives £2m seed funding
A spin-out company from the University of Leeds has received investment to accelerate the development of AI dentistry products.
Northern Gritstone has led a £2m seed funding round in Mimetrik, alongside participation from angel investors with decades of experience in the dental industry. The investment will enable the company to expand its team and deliver its first three products to market.
Based in the University’s state-of-the-art innovation hub at Nexus, Mimetrik was founded in 2020 and builds on more than a decade of world-leading research at the School of Dentistry.
The company has developed a 3D-scanning technology that uses machine learning to generate fully digitised images of patients’ dentition and facial structure. The products combine cutting-edge software, hardware and mobile apps.
Mimetrik’s aim is to create a full ‘digital pathway’ between dental labs and clinicians for the benefit of patients, replacing the costly, time-intensive current approach of creating physical models of each patients’ dentition and enabling more accurate and faster treatment.
Together, this investment is set to redefine the global digital dentistry market, covering dental impression scanning, occlusion, virtual articulation and restorative treatment planning. The software is primed to make significant advancements in preventative treatment pathways.
Dr Martin Stow, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Business Engagement and Enterprise at the University of Leeds, said: “Our world leading research in the School of Dentistry, coupled with the collaboration opportunities provided by our innovation hub, Nexus, has enabled the University’s spin-out company Mimetrik to develop groundbreaking new technologies to advance patient treatment.
“It is fantastic to see Northern Gritstone choosing to invest in the business and we hope that the funding will accelerate the company’s development to start bringing vital improvements to dental clinicians, manufacturers and patients around the globe.”
Alyn Morgan, Founder and CEO of Mimetrik, added: “With over 30 years in clinical dentistry, I have seen first-hand the time and cost spent on traditional techniques and I believe that our products have the ability to transform the industry and ultimately ensure better patient care.
“Northern Gritstone’s investment is a vote of confidence in our technology and we will benefit from their advice and knowledge as we continue to grow and bring our products to market.”
Duncan Johnson, CEO of Northern Gritstone, said: “Mimetrik’s technology has the capacity to bring dentistry into a new age, removing unnecessary costs and time delays with AI-driven software. It is fantastic to see the North of England producing such cutting-edge technology that might have an impact on an essential part of our lives.”
Hessle travel firm acquires corporate clients from London-based company
Hessle-based travel management company Good Travel Management Ltd has acquired the corporate customer base of London and South-East based, Wexas Travel Management for an undisclosed sum.
The acquisition will add 70% growth to the turnover of the Hessle-based operator in a deal that sees all 21 business travel employees from Wexas joining Good Travel Management, bringing their headcount to more than 50. Kevin Harrison, MD of Good Travel Management said, “We’ve been an admirer of Wexas’ corporate business for a number of years. They’re known for high quality service, delivered by a very experienced team. In an industry where the quality of people makes the difference, we believe this acquisition complements our business and aspirations perfectly.” The newly acquired team will continue to work from their central London location, with support from Good Travel Management’s team in Hessle. With GTM boasting a range of new services and tools to help clients book travel better and make smarter choices when it comes to travel and business’ ESG policies, Harrison is confident of a bright future, “The joining of these two corporate travel teams will create benefits for both sets of customers and this acquisition reinforces our commitment to delivering the best travel service experience for customers. Together, we will continue to shape the future of corporate travel while leaving a positive impact on the travellers and businesses we serve.” The John Good business can trace its travel industry routes back to the late 1890s, at which time it was looking after passengers travelling to and from Scandinavia. In 1946 it became one of the first travel management companies to be recognised by IATA. Today, Good Travel Management is a proud member of the John Good Group of companies, which traces its roots back to 1833. The group compromises of interests in shipping, logistics, warehousing, property and travel.New director for CBRE’s Planning & Development team in the North
CBRE’s Planning & Development team has named Hannah Blunstone as its new director to join the Northern business, in an internal move to focus on the team’s alternative use capabilities.
Hannah has been with CBRE for more than a decade and was previously a director in the London and South East team. She brings more than 15 years’ experience as a chartered town planner across a range of sectors, most recently focusing on life sciences, higher education and student accommodation, film studios, healthcare and mixed use development.
Hannah will be based out of both Manchester and Leeds, with a focus on identified growth sectors across the region.
In CBRE’s recently issued research report, ‘Which City? Which Sector? – Real Estates prospects over the next decade’ – that identifies the top 10 growth cities for different sectors, Manchester takes the top spot as the UK’s leading growth city across multiple sectors including all residential classes (including student accommodation) and a top 3 destination for Life Sciences.
The research report also identified positive signs for other northern core cities with Leeds, Sheffield, Newcastle and Liverpool named amongst the top 10 growth locations for all use class sectors covered by the report. Hannah’s appointment is timely to support these growth sectors.
Iain Jenkinson, executive director, CBRE Planning & Development, said: “We are delighted to welcome Hannah into the northern team. She brings a wealth of experience from London and the South East in many of the growth areas we are seeing right now and will add depth to our strategic advice and the project management of major planning applications in these sectors. We look forward to Hannah joining us.”
Hannah Blunstone, director, CBRE Planning & Development, said: “With the government’s focus on the regeneration of northern towns and cities and many transformational projects identified, it is an exciting time to be joining the growing Northern Planning & Development team. I am looking forward to utilising my recent experience in some of the alternative use classes which are key to many large scale regeneration projects.”
Antiques Centre signs up to commercial waste recycling scheme
Hemswell Antique Centre has joined West Lindsey District Council’s Commercial Waste Service.
Switching to the council’s service will support Hemswell Antique Centre, home to Lancaster bombers during WW2, in improving its sustainability and reducing its carbon footprint. Increased recycling and diversion of waste from landfill is aligned with the council’s ambitious goal to reach carbon neutrality before 2050. Partnerships like this represent important steps on the path to curbing climate change and protecting the planet for future generations to come.
All mixed recycling is taken to MID UK Recycling who run two fully accredited recycling processing plants in Lincolnshire. Items are processed at their state-of-the-art Materials Recovery Facility, with any recyclable materials that are extracted being supplied to re-processors.
Separate paper and cardboard is taken to Palm Paper in Kings Lynn, which is one of the leading companies in the European paper recycling industry. It’s paper mills produce high-quality newsprint and corrugated packaging products.
Paul Dagg, Operations Director for Hemswell Antique Centre, said: “Antiques themselves are incredibly environmentally friendly – for example, industry studies have shown that an antique chest of drawers will have just one twelfth of the carbon footprint of its modern-day counterpart.
“It is essential that every part of our business is consistent with the same green credentials as the items we sell, and partnering locally is an important part of that strategy. We are thrilled to be working with West Lindsey District Council, trusting their proven record in waste management to help us become more sustainable, whilst keeping our costs low.”
Cllr Stephen Bunney, Chairman of West Lindsey District Council, said: “It is great to see businesses such as this signing up to the service along with more than 500 other customers in the West Lindsey area. The Council is a recognised brand, and we have a strong track record of collecting waste and recycling.
“As a Council, we are striving to become carbon neutral by 2050. We are leading the way by offering customers bins for general waste, mixed recycling and dedicated bins for paper and cardboard.
“Hemswell Antique Centre opting to use our service demonstrates their commitment and trust in us to recycle as much of their waste as possible, helping to reach our overall target.”
North Yorkshire charity upgrades accommodation block with £445,000 funding
A North Yorkshire–based youth charity has upgraded its accommodation to provide young people with improved living spaces, thanks to support from Lloyds Bank.
North Yorkshire Youth is a charity that provides support to young people through youth clubs, bespoke programmes, volunteering, and experiencing the outdoors. It was founded in 1941 by Lady Crathorne – a prominent youth worker in the years leading up to World War II – and today is led by her son Lord Crathorne, President of the organisation.
To strengthen its offering and provide a better service for its users, the charity approached Lloyds Bank securing a £445,000 funding package to upgrade one of its three existing accommodation blocks.
Due to the age and condition of the block, the accommodation could only be used for six months of the year as it didn’t have adequate heating. With its condition worsening, the charity was at risk of losing up to a third of its business as it fell into disrepair.
Following the funding from Lloyds Bank, work on the new modular building, which can accommodate up to 24 people, has now been completed. The refurbishment will also provide a more sustainable approach, using repurposed steel frames and improved insulation to increase energy efficiency.
Having increased its residential provision, the charity has also decided to increase its services. It is now offering 18 different activities to primary school-aged children, as well as supporting young people on a one-to-one basis through its youth mentoring programme with bespoke support packages. It has also taken on two apprentices this year.
David Sharp, Chief Executive of North Yorkshire Youth, said: “Our goal is to provide children with opportunities to discover their potential, and we’re delighted to be able to continue making a difference to over 5,000 children per year with the support of Lloyds Bank. Providing children with experiences outside of the classroom allows them to learn more about themselves, improve their self-esteem and self-confidence.
“We are very excited to have an extended range of activities for the children and to be able to offer our valuable youth mentoring experience as well.”
Paul Kelly, relationship manager of Lloyds Banking Group, said: “We are proud to be supporting a charity like North Yorkshire Youth that has a rich history of allowing children to expand their capabilities through a wide range of activities.
“Through our personal and responsive remote and flexible one-to-one service model for business customers, we were able to support them in their long-standing work with young people in a way that was suitable for them and their needs.
“We’ll continue to be by the side of North Yorkshire Youth and look forward to supporting them in their future growth.”
Yorkshire Country Properties strengthens management team
Huddersfield-based Yorkshire Country Properties (YCP) has strengthened its management team with a key appointment and three promotions.
Hard on the heels of the appointment of Paul Brown as Managing Director comes the news that a brand-new executive team is now in place.
Rob Wilkinson has joined YCP as financial director, while Mike May, Sam McGregor and Jenny Wass have been promoted to head of construction, head of sales and head of marketing respectively.
Rob, a Yorkshireman born in Wakefield, has joined YCP from Tilia Homes, previously known as Kier Living. A graduate of at Nottingham Trent University, Rob has also worked with accountancy firm Armstrong Watson.
He said: “This is a tremendously exciting move for me. Yorkshire Country Properties are a trailblazer in the development of beautiful, state-of-the-art houses, from starter homes to five-bed executive and family houses.
“It was too good an opportunity to miss. There is an excellent team already in place here and there is huge potential for growth. We have a clear vision of what we want to achieve and, personally, I will thrive on the responsibility I’ve been given.”
Paul Brown explained: “I am delighted to welcome Rob to Yorkshire Country Properties. This is a very significant appointment for the company as we embark on a programme of site acquisitions and expansion. A sound and sensible financial base is crucial to every successful company and Rob will provide exactly that.
“Meanwhile these three promotions are richly deserved. Mike, Sam and Jen are all very talented and are committed to making YCP the very best housebuilder in West Yorkshire. Their experience and expertise have already proved invaluable and – together – they comprise a superb management team. I am very lucky and proud to have such an excellent team to support me in growing our company and achieving our targets.”
Mike May said: “During the past three years, the company has made a positive and focussed contribution to the housing provision in the Kirklees and West Yorkshire area. Apart from a completed development at Netherthong, Holmfirth, where every single one of the 22 beautiful houses built were sold, YCP are now on site at Shepley, Skelmanthorpe and Denby Dale.
“All three of these new developments are providing much-needed housing, including a significant number of starter homes, enabling young people to get on to the property ladder. Our starter homes at Phase One at Shepley and Skelmanthorpe have now sold out, underpinning our contribution to both the community and to sustainability in the three villages.”
Sam McGregor explained: “We are currently building 147 beautiful, high-quality homes and, in total, we are looking at a potential pipeline of over 700 new homes. Given the current uncertainty of the mortgage and financial markets, we are placing more emphasis than ever on high quality and product differentiation.
“Clearly, the current state of the housing market presents challenges, but we are confident that the quality of our houses combined with the enthusiasm and commitment of our wonderful team here at YCP will enable us to continue to deliver the kind of homes that are needed across all demographics in Yorkshire.”
Jenny Wass added: “It’s exciting to be involved in such a dynamic and thriving company, I love property and I love people so working with the YCP brand which is all about delivering an exceptional experience and product to our customers is very rewarding. My previous role in Customer Service within YCP really helps me understand our customers and have them top of mind in whatever we deliver in our Marketing mix.”
Poly Postal Packaging wraps up property deal in Lincoln
Lincoln-based packaging business Poly Postal Packaging has acquired the freehold of warehouse premises on the city’s Cardinal Close in an off-market deal negotiated by Edison’s incorporating Banks Long.
Acting on behalf of the vendor, who was also the owner occupier, Eddisons secured the sale of Unit 11 Newporte Business Park. It’s a detached warehouse premises of 15,490 sq ft, plus an additional 8,698 sq ft mezzanine, on a 0.78 acre site just off the Outer Circle Road to the north east of the city.
Previously in leased premises on Freeman Road, in the North Hykeham district for almost 16 years, Paddy Micklefield, founder & Md of the packaging business, said he had been seeking new freehold premises for around seven years before being approached by Eddisons.
He said: “The business has expanded and diversified so much since I started in 2005 as a sole trader on the e-bay platform. Our previous location had become restrictive. We now have plans to expand including a new packaging shop which includes our existing counter click & collect services.”
William Wall of Eddisons incorporating Banks Long & Co led the agency’s negotiations on behalf of the vendor following its leasing of new, larger premises through Eddisons at Swinderby Industrial Park, Lincoln.
He said: “Lincoln’s growing profile as an increasingly viable logistics hub is seeing strong demand for freehold opportunities by investors & owner occupiers, alike – but availability remains squeezed.
“Knowledge of active players in the local market certainly helped us achieve best value for our client in this deal.
“While the value of the freehold sold remains commercially confidential, the off-market sale of Unit 11 reflects the nature and the strength of the local industrial market.”
