Harrogate couple aim to conquer Kilimanjaro to support charity
Begbies Traynor partner Richard Pughe and his family from Harrogate are in training for an expedition to the summit Mount Kilimanjaro – to raise money for local charity Artizan International.
Richard will be accompanied by his wife Nikki Sutcliffe, his son Tom and stepson Lucas, as well as his friend James Bate.
Richard said: “We were all inspired to take on the challenge and raise money for Artizan after visiting their café in Harrogate and seeing the fantastic work they do to help differently-abled people become more independent through training and education. The passion and joy with which both the trainees and trainers work is incredible”.
“They’re making a tremendous difference to people’s lives, both here in Harrogate with their café and creative workshop and through projects in Ecuador and Peru”.
“We were looking to take on a fundraising challenge to mark a few different significant birthdays that are happening next year in our family and we were so impressed by Harrogate charity Artizan International that we wanted to help them.”
With the aim of raising at least £1,500 for the charity, the family are training for their eight-day Kilimanjaro expedition by walking in the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales and this summer spent time hiking in the French Alps near Chamonix.
“Without doubt, coping with the altitude and low oxygen levels will be the most challenging aspect of the climb,” said Richard. “We are doing as many high-level walks as we can and all trying to increase our fitness in preparation for February’s trip. We want to raise as much money as possible for Artizan International and it would be brilliant if our expedition inspires people to sponsor us.”
Susie Hart, founder of Artizan International said: “We’re tremendously grateful to Richard, Nikki and family for choosing to support our work with differently-able people locally and overseas in this way and the funds they raise will make a huge difference. We’ll be able to provide training and support that’s literally life-changing, for many more people with disabilities, thanks to their support. We’ll be cheering them on, all the way.”
Artizan International also runs projects to provide fairly paid work for people with disabilities in Peru and Ecuador, selling the jewellery and crafts they produce in its Oxford Street shop in Harrogate. The nearby training café in the centre of Harrogate is currently helping 23 young adults with learning disabilities to become independent.
Modest rise seen in GDP
A modest 0.2% rise in GDP in August, reported by the Office for National Statistics, is offering some relief for businesses, after the sharp drop recorded in July.
A recovery in services has driven the increase, but this has been hindered by falls in manufacturing and construction.
Tina McKenzie, policy and advocacy chair of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), said: “This modest rise in August’s GDP is a relief, coming on the heels of the sharp drop recorded in July.
“The recovery in services has driven the increase, but this masks concerning falls in production and construction, indicating that there are downward pressures on many sectors.
“Today’s figures will go some way to allaying fears that the summer was a wash-out for small firms, although our research has consistently found that confidence levels in some sectors – especially consumer-facing ones such as retail and hospitality – have trailed behind the overall results for all sectors.
“The early September pause in the upward march of the base rate has given small firms a ray of hope that the margin squeeze they’re enduring may ease.
“As we’ve seen in recent months, growth is volatile and fears of a recession have yet to be fully banished. If this most recent monthly rise is to be sustained, the Government will need to consider how it can promote a trading environment where small firms can flourish.
“It’s imperative for the Government to extend the 75% business rates discount for retail, hospitality and leisure firms beyond its current expiry date of April next year. It’s been a lifeline for thousands of small businesses and its continuation would limit the need for jarring price rises next April in consumer-facing sectors.
“Extending the VAT threshold to £100,000 would be another smart move to support economic growth.
“The blueprint for a thriving economy hinges on supporting small housebuilders. Small construction enterprises deserve a seat at the Government planning table, and by introducing brownfield development incentives and allowing the Community Infrastructure Levy to be paid at a project’s end rather than the beginning, we can lay the groundwork for strong GDP and economic recovery.
“The millions of small business owners and self-employed people make up a powerful voting bloc, and they will be looking to the Autumn Statement for policies which will help them achieve their ambitions, and which will help the economy overall.”
Georgina joins Andrew Jackson’s tax and trusts team
Solicitor Georgina Wilkinson has joined Andrew Jackson Solicitors’ tax and trusts team.
She is is a newly-qualified solicitor specialising in private client work. As well as having experience of advising clients in the preparation of wills and lasting powers of attorney, and in relation to inheritance tax matters, she also advises on the administration of estates and applying for grants of probate. Richard Hoare, partner, and head of private client services at Andrew Jackson, said: “We welcome Georgina to Andrew Jackson, as we look to build upon the strengths of our team and to meet growing demand for our services. Having the ability not only to provide excellent legal advice tailored to clients’ needs, but also to build trusted client relationships for the long term, is what we strive for. I know that Georgina shares this view and, with her specialist experience and commitment, we will continue to provide the highest quality legal advice, which is consistently recognised in independent client feedback.” Andrew Jackson has also recently announced a raft of appointments to strengthen and support its existing teams. Joseph Healy has been appointed to the position of paralegal in the shipping & litigation team, whilst Grace Hanson (paralegal) and Samuel Bailey (trainee paralegal) have recently joined the corporate department, which has been further boosted by the promotion of Papinder Nahl to paralegal.Tech novice business owners invited to free digital workshop sessions
Business owners who describing themselves as ‘non-techies’ are being urged to sign up for one of two FREE workshops taking place later this month.
Organised jointly by Invest East Yorkshire, Invest Hull and the North East Business Resilience Centre, the ‘Cybersecurity for the Non-Techie’ events will offer practical tips on how to protect your business from online risks, but in a straightforward and jargon-free way. Those who attend will also be in with a chance of winning a website security assessment worth £250. Last year, online fraud accounted for more than £1.2 billion in losses in the UK, in addition to the significant additional cost to businesses in downtime, disruption and reputational damage. Led by Rebecca Chapman, the Chief Executive of the North East Business Resilience Centre, the workshops are aimed at those who want to stay safe online but find the subject of cybersecurity a little daunting or the technical jargon that’s often associated with it off-putting. The two sessions will be tailored to the needs of the business owners attending. They will also explain how the North East Business Resilience Centre, a police-led, not-for-profit organisation that provides 24/7 cyber security support to small to medium enterprises, can help. Taking place at the ergo Business Centre at Hessle (HU13 0GD) on Tuesday 17 October, between 8.30am and 12 noon and from 12 noon until 4pm, the free events will include an informal networking lunch to give attendees a chance to connect with like-minded individuals and share their experiences. Both workshops will also include a question-and-answer session, where attendees will be able to get the answers to any questions they have about cyber security; and there’s also the chance to win a free website security assessment. Don’t leave your business exposed; take the first step toward a safer digital future for your business by booking your free place at: https://investeastyorkshire.co.uk/cybersecurity-for-the-non-techie/Contractors prepare for transformation of Grimsby’s Freshney Place
Contractors appointed to transform Grimsby’s Freshney Place are preparing to carry out detailed examination surveys ahead of the major scheme starting next year.
A spokesperson from Morgan Sindall said: “This is an extremely exciting scheme, which is set to transform this western end of Freshney Place in terms of the diversity of the offer and the look and feel of the whole area.
“As we prepare for the main works to begin, we do need to do all the necessary groundwork and we appreciate this may cause slight disruption for both shoppers and traders. We do apologise for that, and we will endeavour to keep this to a minimum.”
Supported by a £20m LUF (Levelling Up Fund) grant award, the Freshney Place Market Hall and Leisure Scheme will create a modern and vibrant new Market Hall in the old BHS building, a new five-screen cinema operated by Parkway Cinema, more space for eateries and leisure, and a purpose-built community space.
From Tuesday 17 October to Friday 10 November the shopping centre’s Flottergate entrance will be closed along with one of the indoor Top Town Market entrances on the main Flottergate mall. The other three market entrances – including the two external ones next to Devonshire House and on Victoria Street – will be open as normal on market days – Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Freshney Place is otherwise unaffected, with just some slight diversions around Flottergate. Signs will direct shoppers.
Millions invested in capital and regenerative projects for Bradford’s cultural sector ahead of UK City of Culture
Bradford 2025 has announced that 21 organisations in the Bradford district have been confirmed to receive capital grants from the £3m Cultural Capital Fund.
The successful organisations are receiving funding to deliver projects that will increase the cultural infrastructure and enable more people – Bradford residents and visitors, to access and participate in cultural activities during 2025 and beyond.
The projects, focusing on the regeneration of existing community and cultural spaces, as well as the introduction of new and sustainable extensions to community organisations, will provide a range of physical environments for people of all ages and backgrounds to engage and interact with cultural activities.
Made possible thanks to funding from City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council, the Cultural Capital Fund will support a wide range of regenerative projects across the district, such as:
- £300,000 for Greensville Trust
- £280,000 for African Caribbean Achievement Project
- £50,000 for Bloomin’ Buds
- £10,000 for Mind The Gap
- £10,000 for Ilkley Playhouse
- To provide high quality, long-lasting venues and locations for arts and cultural activities that will drive additional footfall into the District’s key towns and city centre
- To increase visitor numbers into Bradford District
- To create new jobs in the Art/Culture sector within Bradford District
Expo helps Doncaster tradespeople promote themselves to potential buyers
Tradespeople have been given the chance to promote themselves to potential customers at an event in Doncaster.
Jointly organised by Doncaster Chamber and Business Doncaster, the “Building Your Network” supply chain expo allowed SMEs in various trades — ranging from plastering to joining, bricklaying, gardening and decorating — to get themselves in front of potential buyers and to forge meaningful relationships that will help them prosper into the future. Meanwhile, those larger businesses had a valuable opportunity to scope out all of the potential collaborators on their doorstep in South Yorkshire.
More than 60 Doncaster-based suppliers put on exhibition stands, while major companies like IMYCO Construction, Gleeson Homes and Fenwood Estates all had a presence there as well. In addition to this, there were also a number of insightful masterclasses taking place throughout the day, delving into pertinent themes like how SMEs can make compelling bids for public-sector contracts, and the importance of demonstrating one’s Net-Zero credentials.
Dan Fell, Chief Exec of Doncaster Chamber, said: “We have a truly thriving construction industry in Doncaster and, as representatives and champions of that community, we are determined to help it unlock its full potential.
“This event was created with that very goal in mind and it was heartening to walk the expo floor and see just how diverse and healthy the sector here really is. Indeed, there were so many fantastic businesses on show representing a wide range of niche specialities, proving that, no matter what a prospective buyer might be looking for, they will be spoilt for choice when searching for suppliers and partners here in Doncaster.
“I hope that this event has opened the eyes of larger companies to the benefits of localising their supply chains. Keeping spend within our community is a real win-win for all parties involved and ultimately serves to bolster our economy.”
The “Building Your Network” supply chain expo was sponsored by Polypipe Building Products, whose PR & Digital Marketing Executive Maria McDonald said: “We were pleased to see so many in attendance and to see how many visitors were engaging with the companies exhibiting. It really solidified what we already knew; Doncaster has a thriving construction industry and is a fantastic place to do business. Thank you to Doncaster Chamber and Business Doncaster for hosting the event and to all those who attended.”
York expansion for Carter Towler
Carter Towler, the independent chartered surveyors and property management company, is opening a new office at Tower House, Fishergate, York which will be headed up by surveyor Miles Lawrence.
Miles said: “I am absolutely delighted to be joining Carter Towler, having been in the property business for over 30 years, I’ve had the pleasure of working alongside the company many many times and have greatly admired their strength in depth.
“I will continue to manage my existing portfolio of loyal clients from across the York area as well as getting involved with new clients and projects regionwide. With my previous company Lawrence Hannah I worked with clients in the office, retail, industrial, leisure and education sectors assisting with all aspects of commercial property agency, particularly with the acquisition and disposal of development, investment, retail and business space.”
Carter Towler’s Managing Director, Ian Greenwood added: “We are extremely pleased that Miles is joining us and will be managing our York office. He is very experienced and has developed an excellent reputation. There is a really good strategic fit between Miles and Carter Towler, and together we are looking forward to further developing Carter Towler’s presence in York.”
Port of Grimsby becomes London for new Netflix drama
The Port of Grimsby has been transformed into London to feature in the Netflix drama Bodies, a part sci-fi, part murder mystery series.
It’s part of a drive by ABP to generate an income stream from film and television work, and saw the port taken over by the production for a month as the location was transformed in to 1940s London, including the transformation of one building into Aldgate East tube station. Other buildings were transformed into period shops and houses.
Simon Bird, Regional Director of the Humber said: “It’s great to see our Port of Grimsby being used by film and television production companies. The historic quarter is attracting a lot of interest from location managers and producers who like the authenticity and character of the place. We hope this is the start of a new venture for the area.”
The port over the years has already hosted many productions from an episode of Wheeler Dealers last year when Mike Brewer and Elvis toured round in a renovated Ford Transit van to the film Three Day Millionaire about a group of fishermen who stage a robbery; to Atonement when it featured as a French town.
Greg Lacey, Head of Property (Humber) added: “Having a rich and diverse mix of historic buildings is proving popular with film makers. It’s becoming the catalyst to make this area viable and money from these productions can be put back into the buildings to make them more appealing.
“We know from the feedback we receive there is a demand in this area for period buildings and large space, as London and the south east has become overpriced, and companies are looking to the north. The film and TV industry is highly diverse with £6.3 billion spent on production last year, we only expect demand to continue to grow.”
The eight-part series follows four detectives across different time periods all trying to solve the same murder.
The limited eight-part series Bodies airs on Netflix next Thursday, and the Humber team will be attending FOCUS at the Design Centre, London in December to promote Grimsby’s Kasbah Film Quarter to television and film companies.
Demolition of six high-rise buildings in Leeds to be agreed
Members of Leeds City Council’s executive board are set to approve plans to rehouse residents and demolish six high rise buildings, across Leeds.
The six tower blocks, initially constructed in the 1960’s, have exceeded their original design life, and would require significant investment for them to be brought up to an appropriate standard to have a future, as part of the council’s housing estate.
Although the blocks remain safe at present, in light of financial pressures and the significant cost of delivering remedial work, the decision to demolish the six sites is set to be approved.
The future use and development of the sites will be subject to further review, with the ambition to facilitate the delivery of good quality affordable housing on the sites.
Extensive consultation has already taken place with residents in Bailey Towers, Brookland Towers and Ramshead Heights in Seacroft, Leafield Towers in Moortown, and Raynville Court and Raynville Grange in Armley, who will be fully supported through the rehousing process.
To enable council tenants to find new homes, the council’s executive board is set to agree to prioritise their housing applications, so that they are successfully rehoused into suitable long-term housing. Tenants who have lived in their homes for 12 months or more will also qualify for compensation.
Councillor Jess Lennox, Leeds City Council’s executive member for housing, said: “The demolition of the tower blocks is an important step towards future proofing the council’s housing stock, ensuring that we meet our commitment to delivering good quality and affordable homes for residents.
“However, we understand the impact that this will have on our residents across the sites, and I would like to extend my thanks for their constructive engagement with the council so far.
“We’ve undertaken extensive and proactive consultation with all of our impacted residents and will continue to do so as we are absolutely committed to ensuring any disruption is minimal. We will continue to ensure that all residents are supported through the rehousing process, to see that they are successfully rehoused into homes that suit them for the long term.”
