They’re off! Doncaster businesses celebrate for return of the St Leger Festival
Doncaster Chamber is celebrating the return of the Saint Leger Festival this month when thousands of racegoers will visit the city, simulating economic activity with their presence.
This will be the 247th running of one of five British horse acing ‘classics’, with the 2023 festival kicking off yesterday with Ladies Day. Here, Doncaster Chamber members were able access to an exclusive marquee — with an unobstructed view down the home straight — that provided them with the ultimate St Leger experience.
Dan Fell, Chief Exec of Doncaster Chamber, enthused: “The St Leger festival is one of our biggest attractions here in South Yorkshire and its impact on the local economy cannot be overstated.
“Indeed, the business community truly reaps the benefits of this, especially those in the hospitality sector. Excited spectators come from all over the country to watch these races and, in the process, they inevitably end up staying in our hotels, dining at nearby restaurants, frequenting shops and visiting bars.
“Meanwhile, the St Leger Stakes itself is obviously an iconic race and the subject of enormous interest for sporting fans across the globe. Which means that it is also an opportunity for us to represent Doncaster on the world stage and really show ourselves in the best possible light.
“It should go without saying then that it’s incredibly heartening to see The St Leger return to its former glory, after all of the unforeseen disruptions that forced it to be cut short in recent years. In the face of great adversity, the racecourse has valiantly continued with this event in whatever form they could — and they deserve to be commended for that — but it’s great to see it now returning without any limitations.
“While we certainly have enterprising and tenacious businesses here in Doncaster — all of whom have demonstrated fierce resilience by weathering the economic hardships of our current times — we do need events like this to support them.
“It is for this reason that the Chamber always has a presence at The St Leger festival, as we recognise its importance for the region as a whole. Every year we have a dedicated marquee at Ladies Day where our members can relish in the glamour of the occasion, enjoy the various entertainment offerings and develop their relationships with peers.”
Stewart Olsen, MD of sponsor ORB Recruitment, said: “Ladies Day is always a fantastic event and one that we eagerly look forward to year after year. 2023 was no exception in this regard and, as proud Patrons of the Chamber, Orb Recruitment was delighted to be sponsors for the Chamber’s marque here. It was great to see members and colleagues networking together and enjoying a bit of downtime, at an event that’s truly like no other in our city.”
An airport in Doncaster is a viable proposition, says report
Next week, City of Doncaster Council (CDC) Cabinet will hear updates on several strands of work looking at the viability of a reopened airport, its economic and growth potential as well as its investment opportunities.
Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA) has the potential to be successfully reopened and offer a range of positives including thousands of jobs in aviation, leisure and retail for the City of Doncaster and South Yorkshire, according to a report.
Detailed assessments of the financial, business and investment calibre of what is now known as South Yorkshire Airport City – the programme which aims to reopen the airport – show that:
- The airport has the potential to be successfully reopened and could be profitable within five years of reopening
- It could attract up to two million passengers a year within a decade, which is considerably higher than the annual passenger numbers achieved prior to its closure
- It could bring almost 5,000 direct jobs as well as creating up to 11,500 jobs in the wider economy
- The net economic benefits of reopening the airport could be up to £1.5 billion within the first three decades of operating
- Reopening the airport offers the most favourable balance between economic cost and benefit and is the preferred option
Smarta Water secures £500,000 investment
Smarta Water has secured a £500,000 investment to support the future growth of the business across the UK.
The funding from NPIF-FW Capital Debt Finance, which is managed by FW Capital and part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund, is providing additional working capital to assist the creation of two new head office roles. It will also support general expansion of the business, assisting Smarta Water with the building of a new billing platform with Trevi to offer an enhanced and easier payment software solution.
Smarta Water was established in November 2018 and employs ten people. The business is an independent retailer supplying non-household water and wastewater services across England and Scotland. It operates from offices in Leeds and Bristol.
Paul Griffiths, investment executive, worked with Steve Black, Managing Director, and Paul Watson, finance director at Smarta Water to provide working capital to support their strategy for future growth.
Steve Black, Managing Director at Smarta Water, said: “We’ve recently taken on two new starters and have plans to grow the business further thanks to the working capital boost we have received from FW Capital. We’re an ambitious, fast growth business that today has a turnover of £26 million.
“We were introduced to eleven investors and lenders and chose FW Capital because we were impressed with Paul Griffiths, who was phenomenal. His communication was fantastic, and he was always available when we needed to talk to him. He played a massive part in getting the funding across the line for us which is instrumental to Smarta Water’s future growth.”
Paul Griffiths, FW Capital, investment executive, said: “Smarta Water is an impressive business that is expanding at pace. The team are all highly experienced and knowledgeable in the water sector and as a result can bring all the benefits of a big brand, but with the high level of service and care of an independent, small company. This sets them apart and is a key driver of their success. I’m thrilled to support the next phase of their company development.”
High profile property development director joins BRM Solicitors
Regional law firm BRM Solicitors has appointed a new director to its Real Estate team.
Julie Carr joins from national law firm Knights, bringing with her extensive background in handling residential property development, guiding conditional contracts for purchasing and selling development land, and managing options and overage agreements.
Julie also oversaw planning promotion agreements, joint ventures, and various collaborative arrangements, coordinating land assembly, and establishing development sites for plot sales.
BRM’s 26-strong property team now includes nine directors and counts Woodall Group, Gleeson Homes, Reef Group and Global Brands among its clients.
Adrian Sheehan, head of BRM’s Real Estate department, said: “The addition of a new director is a significant move for us and reflects our ambitious strategy for BRM’s Real Estate Department. Julie’s strong track record and breadth and depth of experience highly complement our growing residential developer client portfolio, whilst we provide her with a platform regionally and nationally.”
Julie Carr added: “BRM’s department has developed an enviable client portfolio and earned a well-deserved reputation as one of the most highly regarded in the region. I’m looking forward to being part of its future growth.”
Law firm’s partnership with Yorkshire Dales Millenium Trust continues to grow
A Yorkshire law firm has entered its second year of supporting the work of the Yorkshire Dales Millenium Trust – a charity that helps the people, landscapes and wildlife of the Yorkshire Dales.
LCF Law’s partnership with the Trust has seen the firm donate £7,500 to date, which has so far contributed to 500 trees being planted, which will offset 80 tonnes of carbon in the Yorkshire Dales over the next 50 years. Many of the firm’s team have also volunteered with the Trust and some of the donated money is being used to help support several ongoing community projects run by the Trust.
Bridie Johnson-Power, from LCF Law, said: “Our first volunteering project with the Trust involved us helping to maintain the woodland and clear redundant plastic tubes for recycling at Bargh Wood. Then more volunteers ventured out into the Dales to join a mixed group of corporate partners planting 400 trees to extend The Hawes woodland. Most recently a group of us volunteered for the woodland maintenance day at Swinesett Hill, and despite the torrential rain, we got a lot done!”
Development officer, Richard Hore, from the Yorkshire Dales Millenium Trust, said: “It’s been great getting to know some of the LCF Law team, all of whom have been so enthusiastic about volunteering and learning more about our work. We know they have enjoyed engaging with our partnership and connecting with nature to improve their wellbeing and that of our planet.” Swinesett Hill is a new woodland located in Gayle, just outside Hawes, and near the iconic Pennine Way. It is a native broadleaf woodland with a sweeping vista across much of Wensleydale and beyond. Approximately 13,000 trees have been planted including Sessile Oak, Rowan, Holly, Birch, Alder, and Willow. The woodland stretches across much of the fell to provide a vital habitat for wildlife and create interest in the landscape. When mature, this 11-hectare woodland will be a valuable home for black grouse and red squirrels, both of which can be found in the local area.
LCF Law’s managing partner, Simon Stell, said: “Through this partnership with the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust, we are helping to address the climate and biodiversity crises, whilst supporting the creation of beautiful new woodlands for everyone to enjoy. Our donation to the charity will result in 1,000 trees being planted in total over two years and we would highly recommend other businesses get involved with this fabulous and well-run initiative.”
Estate agents ‘HOP’ on the bike for gruelling 2,300km charity challenge
A team of estate agents will take on a relentless charity cycle next week to raise money for Cancer Research UK, as they attempt to cover a whopping 2,300km in just five days, which equates to the number of people that will die from cancer in the UK during the challenge.
Every member of HOP’s team will complete at least six hours on a bike outside the estate agent’s Horsforth office on New Road Side, starting on Monday 18th September and finishing on Friday 22nd September. The team will aim to clock up 460km, or 286 miles, on each of the five days.
As well the cycling challenge, the company will also be hosting a HOP Bake Sale on Friday 22nd September in its Horsforth office, with cakes, buns and other sweet goodies all for sale.
Luke Gidney, Managing Director from HOP, said: “It’s a sad fact that 460 people die from cancer in the UK every day. For the past 120 years Cancer Research UK have been making discoveries that have saved countless lives, but there is still so much more to do and we’re hoping to support their work by raising £2,300, which will be a pound for every kilometre we cycle.
“The challenge won’t be easy and will involve every member of HOP’s team jumping on a bike for a minimum of six hours throughout the week and any donations, as well as friendly support or words of encouragement during the week, will be hugely appreciated!”
Anyone wanting to sponsor the team can do so in person, on New Road Side, during the duration of the challenge, or by visiting hop-property.co.uk or hop-charity-fundraiser.
CBRE appointed to manage £840m fund
Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF) has appointed CBRE as the new investment advisor for its Greater Manchester Property Venture Fund (GMPVF).
The Fund has an £840m investment allocation to local property development, focused on the North West and West Yorkshire.
The prestigious seven-year mandate will see CBRE provide strategic advice to the Fund to help it invest in direct and lending opportunities across the full range of commercial and residential property sectors, whilst meeting its other core investment objectives.
These include generating income for the Fund whilst contributing positively to the economic growth and environment of the region through the generation of employment opportunities, improving long-term job prospects, advancing environmental and residential living standards, stimulating further investment, and regenerating urban areas.
GMPVF has invested in property development across the North-West for over 30 years, both as a developer in its own right, and also by providing development debt and equity, alongside other developers in the region.
Notable developments supported by GMPVF over recent years include: One St Peter’s Square, 8 First St, Airport City, Circle Square, Manchester New Square, Leonardo Hotel, Crusader Mill, Colliers Yard, Mailbox Stockport and Island Manchester.
Colin Thomasson, head of Northern investment, CBRE, said: “We are honoured to have been appointed to service this significant mandate on behalf of the Greater Manchester Pension Fund.
“The investment potential across the north of England is exceptional and the scope of this investment programme will enable us to draw on the full power of the CBRE platform, bringing together experts from our Capital Markets, Asset Management, Development Advisory, Lending and Direct Investment Advisory teams to deliver significant value to the Fund over the next seven years.
“We are excited to build a powerful partnership with GMPF that will drive social, economic and community impact.”
Will Church, executive director, lending, CBRE, added: “Our lending team within Capital Advisors has originated and deployed over £1.6bn into debt investments across the North West and Yorkshire in the last 12 years, and manage some of the most successful Impact Funds in the UK.
“We consider GMPF’s ability and commitment to invest in schemes that benefit local communities to be fundamental to the ongoing success of the region and we are delighted to be able to build on our track record of delivering impact outcomes.”
Councillor Gerald Cooney, chair, GMPF, added: “On behalf of the Fund, we would like to acknowledge the contribution made by the retiring manager, Avison Young (formerly GVA Grimley), in the successful expansion and deployment of the GMPVF allocation over the past 15 years.
“We now look forward to building a strong and effective partnership with CBRE to successfully deliver against our strategy and drive social, economic and community impact through our real estate investments across the north of England.”
Step forward in transformation of Goole’s historic Market Hall
Plans to transform Goole’s historic Market Hall into a vibrant food, drink and events venue using £4 million of Goole Town Deal funding are progressing.
In preparation for when refurbishment work is complete, Coverpoint, a specialist within the food service sector that East Riding of Yorkshire Council (which owns the Market Hall) has appointed to work on its behalf, is seeking expressions of interest from potential commercial operators for the venue.
The council, working in conjunction with the Goole Town Deal Board, is open to expressions of interest from a broad range of potential operators, from restaurants, breweries, coffee roasters and social enterprises to street food collectives, contract caterers and local entrepreneurs.
The chosen operator will manage the venue, taking responsibility for letting the food and drink kiosks within it and organising both commercial and community events.
A statement from Goole Town Deal Board says: “Interested parties must have the passion and ability to help turn the Market Hall into an attractive visitor destination that, together with the other seven projects funded by Goole Town Deal, will enhance Goole town centre by increasing footfall and boosting the local economy.”
CATCH named as one of three finalists for national award
Stallingborough-based CATCH has been selected as a finalist for the ECI Training & Development awards, in the category of Training Provider of the Year.
The award is to recognise an exceptional training provider with a proven track record in delivering high quality training & assessment and creating a positive impact with learners, employers and clients. The awards will take place on Thursday 2nd November at The Cutty Sark in London.
The Approved Training Provider category is full of strong competition, with fellow finalists GSS Training and Forth Valley College both in the running for the award.
It is the second time in four years that CATCH has been selected as a finalist, having won the award in 2019, only two years after the CATCH Skills training brand was formed. Since becoming an ECITB training provider, CATCH has awarded ECITB qualifications to over 7,000 learners across various training programmes. The CATCH footprint has grown exponentially in the past 12 months which has led to us delivering courses across the UK on clients’ sites including Scotland, Isle of Man, Teeside, West Yorkshire, Wales and the South East of England.
In addition, the launch of our apprenticeship programmes across Electrical, Instrumentation, Mechanical, Process Operations, Welding & Pipefitting, some of which are for ECITB clients and supply chain contractor employers, has seen us take steps to help bridge the skills gap in the region and meet the demand of net zero transition. Our apprenticeship programme features a range of added value courses, some of which are accredited by ECITB, to enhance the learners skills set and experience before they join site in their second year of training.
CATCH COO James McIntosh said: “To make the final three providers is great recognition for the hard work and effort of our fantastic team of people at CATCH. I am sure the event will be an enjoyable evening and showcase the many success stories that we have in our industry.”
Farmers welcome Government announcements – but say they’re a million miles away from promises made
This week’s good news for British farming leaves more to do, particularly on a farm support roll-out that remains “a million miles” away from government commitments – that was the verdict following a series of Defra announcements timed to coincide with the NFU’s Back British Farming Day.
Defra Secretary of State Thérèse Coffey and Farming Minister Mark Spencer unveiled a number of new measures in areas the NFU has long campaigned on.
Positive news for British farmers included support for a “buy British button” in online supermarket shopping, a new grant scheme for rooftop solar panel installation, confirmation that farmers enrolling in new environmental support schemes will be able to use them to meet public procurement standards and a new £4m fund to help establish new small abattoirs.
NFU President Minette Batters said: “We have heard a number of welcome announcements this week, and credit where it’s due, farmers will be pleased government has listened to them, but the backdrop to these pieces of good news is that many farmers continue to face a bleak end to the year, with money they were promised, and rely on, not coming.
“While we have been working hard to prepare for changes to the essential support schemes that support farming and environmental management, delays in the roll-out of the new scheme, coupled with reductions in the current scheme, mean most farmers have been unable to access the new SFI while facing significant holes in their finances from the withdrawal of BPS.”
Chief among the announcements made, ministers also pledged that farmers who have a ‘live’ Sustainable Farming Incentive agreement before the end of the year will receive an advance payment of 25% of their money in ‘the first month of their agreement’. This, the government said, would help with cashflow against a background of high inflation and rising input costs.
Minette added: “Today’s announcement will mean those farmers that are able to apply for SFI in October are being promised a percentage of their first payments before the end of the year.
“While this announcement will provide welcome progress it doesn’t go far enough to deliver on the promises made countless times that the replacement to BPS would be open to all, less bureaucratic, offer a profitable and seamless transition from old to the new. What we have today, after years in the making, is still a million miles away.
“Under the current plans the SFI is open to the few and not the majority. The lack of budget transparency in Defra makes it almost impossible to know where the BPS money, initially earmarked for SFI in 2023-24, has gone.
“In the short-term, we need the government to bridge the gap it has created in taking away one set of payments before delivering access to their replacements by ensuring farm support payments made in December are not capped as currently planned.”
