- Building a small business-friendly Single Trade Window, an online portal delivering a ‘once and done’ approach to Government data collection.
- Targeting business support towards those with high export potential, and those in sectors that say they find a lack of guidance particularly difficult.
- Monitor potential anti-competitive behaviour resulting from supply chain disruption via the Competition and Markets Authority Five Eyes working group.
- Adopting a ‘think small first’ approach to customs policy development, including robust piloting and staggered implementation timelines. Government should also commit to raising the de minimis customs duty threshold to £1,000.
Simple customs declarations top trade priorities for Government as majority of small firms outsource paperwork to intermediaries
A majority of small international traders do not have the dedicated manpower required to handle complex customs paperwork and need to turn to high-cost intermediaries, according to new research by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).
FSB’s Customs Clearance report finds that the smaller the businesses, the less likely they are to have in-house resources for customs and trade – only 9% of small firms have a dedicated staff member or team. Of these firms, four in ten (38%) have more than 50 employees.
Seven in ten (71%) small exporters and importers say they use an intermediary for at least some of the process of handling customs declarations, compared to just a quarter (24%) that handle the entire process in-house.
Fast parcel operator (60%) is the most widely used type of intermediary by small international traders, followed by freight forwarder (50%) and customs agents/broker (26%).
As businesses are adjusting to the new UK-EU trade relationship, small international traders say they have been asked to pay fees attributed to post-Brexit paperwork, but in many cases there is a lack of clarity from intermediaries on what exactly these extra costs are for.
A third of respondents cite high intermediary fees as a challenge for overseas trade.
Despite facing higher costs, many small businesses say they will continue to rely on intermediates to export and import. Four in ten (39%) explain this is because they do not have the expertise required to handle customs declarations, while over half (57%) say footing the extra bill would free up their time for other tasks.
FSB sets out a list of recommendations to bring down the costs and barriers of international trade in the report, including:
Government climate targets must be backed by specific policy, says Drax CEO
The Drax Group has welcomes the Climate Change Committee’s recommendation that if Government wants to deliver on its climate targets it must deliver specific policy which supports the development of carbon removals projects in this country.
And the call became even more focussed because Drax is continuing the decommissioning of its two remaining coal units at Drax Power Station, which won’t be available to generate power this winter after almost 50 years of keeping on the UK lights.
This confirmation follows a recent request by National Grid ESO to explore the possibility of extending coal generation at Drax Power Station but concluded that due to a combination of technical, maintenance and staffing reasons, the extension of coal over this winter was not possible.
Group CEO, Will Gardiner, said: “The CCC’s report is welcome as it is a holistic view of the scale of the challenge facing us all in reaching Net Zero, as well as acknowledging the vital role that carbon removals technologies like BECCS will play in getting us there. We support its recommendation that faster progress is needed to reach the UK’s ambitious carbon removals targets.
“With the right support from the UK Government, we plan to invest billions into delivering BECCS at our power station in Yorkshire. Our formal discussions with the UK Government on BECCS deployment and parallel discussions about a ‘bridging mechanism’ to support the transition to BECCS have been productive and we are looking forward to continuing these in the coming months.
“We also await the publication of the UK Government’s biomass strategy, which we hope will reinforce the critical role that BECCS will play in energy security and decarbonisation, as well as timelines for the deployment of initial BECCS projects in the UK.”
Business Growth Programme creates 35 new West Yorkshire jobs
Thirteen Keighley and Shipley businesses have benefited from Keighley & Shipley Towns Fund Business Growth Programme funding, allowing them to expand and create 35 new full-time jobs.
Since the scheme was launched in the last quarter of 2022, ten businesses in Keighley have received more than £180,000 between them, and just under £50,000 has been awarded to three businesses based in Shipley.
Funding has been spent on a wide-range of projects such as expanding and modernising premises, as well as replacing older equipment with more efficient, up-to-date systems.
Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council’s Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, said: “It’s so positive to see how this funding is already translating into growth for the businesses who have received it so far and the welcome creation of new jobs for the area.
“It is a huge boost for the economies of Keighley and Shipley in an increasingly difficult economic climate. I hope other business will take advantage of the opportunity.”
Chair of Shipley Towns Fund, Adam Clerkin, said: “These grants are providing businesses with a catalyst to invest and grow. Shipley has a thriving business community and it is fantastic to see businesses benefit from the support. I would encourage local businesses planning capital investment to contact the team to see how they can help.”
Ian Hayfield, Chair of Keighley Towns Fund, said: “We are delighted to have made such a significant difference to these local businesses in a relatively short space of time. The funding will have an impact for years to come and the successful growth of our business community will help drive real social and economic change for the whole area.”
Grants from £1,500 to £315,000 are still available for businesses within – or looking to move to – the Keighley and Shipley Towns Fund Areas, and other businesses are invited to apply. The funding is available for start-ups, small, medium-sized and large businesses and can be used to either expand, increase productivity, create a new business, safeguard existing jobs and create new ones. The funding is available up to March 2026 or earlier if it is spent prior to that date. Further information: https://www.investinbradford.com/business-support/keighley-and-shipley-towns-fund/
Bringing it home: Regenerated Cole Brothers building stays in the family
Regeneration company Urban Splash has been selected as the preferred bidder for Sheffield’s former Cole Brothers building – and they’ll work with an architect with a close personal connection to the iconic structure, because his father designed the original.
He’s Simon Allford, co-founder of AHMM Architects, and the son of David Allford, who designed the building sixty years ago. Simon said: “My connections with Sheffield, and this building, run deep and far back. My family is from the city, my father was born there, and we both studied architecture at the University of Sheffield. I am looking forward to working in the city to help the client team reinvent this Sheffield icon, which was designed over sixty years ago by a son of Sheffield, my father David Allford!
“The refurbishment of the Grade 2 Listed Cole Brothers building is perhaps the key project in the ongoing reinvigoration of the Sheffield city centre. We have worked with the Urban Splash team for many years and we look forward to collaborating with both them and the City of Sheffield.”
The Urban Splash vision is to transform the building into a mixed-use space with substantial areas of the building reopening for the public, with the ground floor filled with retail, food and drink and the upper floors providing flexible workspace for Sheffield’s growing business base.
The plans will see Barker’s Pool and Cambridge Street entrances opened up to allow for outdoor on-street dining areas, similar to the popular seating introduced on Division Street. The lower ground floors will be used for leisure purposes; the upper ones as workspaces, studio spaces, a gym and rooftop offices together with a publicly accessible pocket park at the top of the former car park.
The developers plan to keep the existing car park structure but with fewer parking spaces for use by the tenants of the building only.
Mark Latham, Regeneration Director at Urban Splash, said: “We know how important this building is to so many Sheffielders and look forward to sharing and developing our ideas for its future together with the city.
“This scheme bears all of the hallmarks of an Urban Splash project; from Park Hill, to similar urban and civic listed buildings in cities all across England, our portfolio is filled with award-winning schemes that have been transformed through working with an original building, keeping the best of the old , while adding new design ideas and new life.
“We will adopt a similar approach in our plans for Cole Brothers – engaging with local people as we immerse ourselves in the heritage and emotional connections many have here. There’s a lot of hard work ahead, but we are excited to get started as we take on another Sheffield icon.”
Cultural Heart development in Huddersfield to move into delivery phase
Kirklees Council’s Cabinet have approved the next stage of funding for its flagship development, Our Cultural Heart, as it moves toward the delivery phase.
Planning was approved for Our Cultural Heart – the centrepiece of Kirklees Council’s ten-year Huddersfield Blueprint vision – earlier this year and work to fine-tune the design has been progressing since then.
On 27 June, cabinet agreed to release a further £5.6m from the project’s allotted funds to trigger the finalisation of a robust delivery programme.
Plans for Our Cultural Heart will see the refurbishment of the former Queensgate Market and Huddersfield Library buildings to house a vibrant food hall and a modern museum and gallery respectively. These new offers will sit alongside a new community-focused library, live entertainment venue and a 350-space car park – all of which will be connected by a series of world-class public spaces.
In addition to approving contract extensions for the project’s architects, engineers and project managers, cabinet gave the green light to the proposed phased delivery programme plus the appointment of BAM Construction Ltd as the lead construction contractor for phase one.
Phase one of the works will concentrate on the major refurbishment of the historic Queensgate Market site, which will be transformed into a new food hall and modern library along with a brand-new outdoor public square. There will be various site surveys and preparation works completed throughout 2023, with work getting underway in earnest early in 2024.
The first phase of the scheme is expected to complete in the winter 2025.
Plans for future phases of the development were also considered by cabinet including the proposal to bring the museum and art gallery under one roof in the Grade II Listed building that formerly housed the town’s library.
This move allows for the new building being developed on Queen Street, which was originally earmarked for the art gallery, to have another complementary use. The council is currently in early discussions with The Conway Education Trust, set up by Greenhead College, about the potential for a dedicated Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) facility.
Councillor Shabir Pandor, leader of Kirklees Council, said: “In times of financial challenge, like the ones we are facing now, it is vital that we don’t lose sight of the investment that will safeguard our economy in the future.
“Our Cultural Heart is testament to our commitment to bringing a prosperous new era to Kirklees along with vital community services like the library, museum and gallery that will all be free to visit.
“I look forward to seeing this important regeneration project come to life and see the positive effect it will have on Huddersfield town centre for generations to come.”
Councillor Graham Turner, cabinet member for regeneration, said: “I’m thrilled that we have been able to update cabinet on the significant progress we’ve made on the Our Cultural Heart project and that we now have all the resources in place to enable us to carry the project forward to construction next year.
“Our Cultural Heart is going to deliver multiple long-term benefits for Huddersfield and the wider borough. It will increase the number of visitors to our town centre, safeguard key heritage assets, create new job opportunities, enhance our green credentials and act a catalyst for further investment and economic growth.
“These are exciting times for Huddersfield town centre. The impact of our ten-year Blueprint vision is really starting to be felt and we were also delighted to see refurbishment plans for the George Hotel unanimously approved by the Planning Committee recently.”
Paul Cleminson, BAM’s project director for Our Cultural Heart, added: “This is an exciting scheme for Huddersfield and its wider regeneration. As a resident of Kirklees, I hope that this will be another vital piece of the plan, to attract people back to the town centre.
“The chance to build something special for the town brings with it an obligation, as a responsible business, to use this opportunity to add value to the local economy and community.
“For BAM, it will allow us to build on the work we are doing at Huddersfield Station and the new Daphne Steele Building for the University, where we are working to leave a positive community legacy, as well as delivering outstanding new buildings and infrastructure.”
Sheffield Hallam University city campus development tops out
South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard has joined Sheffield Hallam University and partners to celebrate the ‘topping out’ of the University’s new city centre campus development.
The topping out ceremony, which took place yesterday (Tuesday 27 June), marks the milestone of reaching the highest point in the construction of the multi-million-pound development on Howard Street. The first phase of the development is due to be completed in Spring 2024.
The mayor was invited to visit the construction site alongside the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Chris Husbands, design and construction partners BAM, CBRE and BDP Arup, as well as and Sheffield Hallam students and apprentices currently on placement with construction partners BAM and CBRE.
The first phase of the campus plan will deliver state-of-the-art facilities for students and staff, as well as enhancing a major gateway to Sheffield City Centre and creating a vibrant site for the wider community to share.
Three new net-zero ready buildings will be set around Hallam Green, a new green public space at the heart of the campus.
The buildings will provide a new home for the Sheffield Business School; the College of Social Sciences and Arts including SHU Law, the University’s not-for-profit teaching law firm, and a South Yorkshire Institute of Technology site as well as providing several food outlets and social spaces.
Hallam Green will provide more than 400 square meters of new greenery and spaces for up to 150 people to sit and relax. The University has invested significantly in biodiversity as part of the development with green roofs and roof terraces, and green corridors, an integral part of the plans.
Designs include the latest technology and measures to make the new buildings zero carbon ready. They include the use of sustainable energy solutions such as heat pumps, maximising the use of photo voltaic panels and provisions to support and promote sustainable travel.
Sheffield Hallam University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Chris Husbands, said: “Delivering this first phase of the campus plan represents a significant investment in our University and our city, and we’re proud to have reached this milestone in the construction.
“This development is one of the pledges in Sheffield Hallam’s Civic University Agreement and we are committed to delivering outstanding facilities for the university community, modelling zero carbon ready construction, and to working with local partners to ensure that we maximise the benefits for Sheffield and the wider region.”
South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard said: “I’m delighted to see the development of Sheffield Hallam University’s new city centre campus, which is a significant investment not just in the future of its students but into South Yorkshire itself.
“The facilities being created for Hallam’s next generation of student’s are genuinely state-of-the-art, offering first class teaching facilities and doing it in a way that’s carbon neutral. This is yet more evidence of South Yorkshire’s ambition and drive to build a new future; a future I’m proud to be working with Sheffield Hallam University to help create.”
Campus plans are being developed by a number of key partners as part of collaborative ‘Hallam Alliance’. The first of its kind in the UK for a university building programme, the Alliance involves all design, construction and facilities management partners working collaboratively with the client through all stages of design, construction and operation.
Members of the Alliance include Sheffield Hallam University, BDP ARUP (Design), BAM (Construction) and CBRE (Facilities Management).
Paul Cleminson, Preconstruction Director at BAM, said: “The topping out ceremony at Sheffield Hallam is an exciting step towards the completion of these three highly sustainable buildings, which will form a stunning new gateway to Sheffield city centre.
“We are delighted to be delivering the development as part of the Hallam Alliance, a delivery model in which collaboration delivers efficiencies, standardisation and long-term value, and an inspiration for change in the construction industry.”
Sue Emms, principal and north region chair at BDP, said: “As part of the Hallam Alliance, we are edging close to the realisation of a place that promotes civic engagement in innovative, sustainable, and inspiring buildings. The new campus will foster collaboration, creativity, a shared sense of belonging, and will work to prepare students for the challenges of the 21st century.
“The social impact of this new development will be transformational for Sheffield. It creates a new gateway to the city, and it is already bringing staff, academics, students, local businesses, partners, and communities closer together. It highlights the importance of Sheffield Hallam University as a leading institution in the region and we look forward to celebrating the next milestone as the campus opens in 2024.”
Stage set for Halifax theatre improvements
Plans to improve the facilities and visitor experience at the Victoria Theatre in Halifax are moving forward, with planning approval granted and a contractor for the works due to be appointed this autumn.
The Victoria Theatre is an impressive Grade II listed building in Halifax town centre, and one of the top events venues in the region. Funding from the Government’s Future High Streets Fund is set to enhance the experience for those visiting and ensure that more people can enjoy all that the theatre has to offer.
Plans for the theatre include a new box office on Commercial Street, with independent opening hours. The current box office and part of the foyer area would become a new café/bar which will provide new food and drink opportunities and could hold small performances.
Access improvements are also included in plans, with a new lift taking visitors to the Green Room Bar for the first time in the venue’s history and two new accessible toilets being installed. This would vastly improve the visitor experience for those with access requirements.
Planning approval, including listed building consent, for the project was granted earlier this year and now the process of appointing a contractor to carry out the works is underway. Following this appointment, it’s estimated that work will start in mid-October.
Throughout the works, the theatre will be open as normal, with performances unaffected. However, the building will look different while the work is taking place and some facilities may be temporarily disrupted.
The work will be complete by summer 2024, in time for celebrations for the borough’s Year of Culture, with the theatre due to play a key part in the planned major events programme recognising the importance of culture to the local economy and communities.
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Towns, Tourism and Voluntary Sector, Cllr Sarah Courtney, said: “Revitalising the stunning Victoria Theatre is a key part of the £11.7 million Future High Streets work.
“This is an exciting time for Halifax, with the fund also supporting other projects in the town, including contributions to completed works at Northgate House, ongoing improvements at Halifax Borough Market and the planned creation of new welcoming spaces and better connections between existing attractions around the town.
“The Future High Street projects also complement further works in Halifax, including the new bus station and other improvements to the transport network. The wider plans ensure that the town continues to be a thriving place for people to live, work and visit, with good connections and improved access to our wonderful attractions.”
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Services and Communities, Cllr Jenny Lynn, said: “The Victoria Theatre has proudly stood in Halifax for over 120 years, delighting its audiences and over its long history hosting some of the biggest names in entertainment.
“The planned works, using Future High Streets funding, will support improvements to transform the foyer and box office area, creating new and improved facilities, including enhanced accessibility and new food and drink options.
“The works have been carefully designed to ensure that we retain the wonderful heritage features of the iconic Grade II listed building. The fantastic programme of events planned at the theatre during the works will go ahead as normal and work will be complete for celebrations as part of the planned Year of Culture in Calderdale in 2024.”
Construction firm zones in on latest project win
A construction firm has been awarded a £10m contract to build the start-of-the-art Horizon Youth Zone complex in Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire.
Yorkshire and Lincolnshire construction firm, Hobson & Porter, will start the preliminary works at Garth Lane in Grimsby in the next few months, preparing the ground and heritage-listed buildings ahead of the major build, which will begin this summer. The disused site was formerly home to West Haven Maltings and Migar House buildings. The maltings and grain store were built in the 19th century and are listed.
Horizon Youth Zone is being delivered by national charity OnSide, in partnership with North East Lincolnshire Council which is contributing towards the Youth Zone as part of the Greater Grimsby Town Deal. Other key supporters include Historic England, the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Ørsted, St. James’s Place Charitable Foundation, The Youth Investment Fund and private donors.Business development director from Hobson & Porter, Joe Booth, said: “We can’t wait to get started on-site on this hugely beneficial project that is going to make such a difference to so many people in and around Grimsby. OnSide have a phenomenal track record elsewhere in the UK of operating these facilities and the positive impact they have on communities is unparalleled.
“This is a very intricate, exciting project which plays to several of our strengths; not least listed, heritage building restoration, educational buildings and the creation of sports and leisure facilities. Our track record in Grimsby has been incredibly strong in recent years and we are delighted to be playing our part in turning the tide for investment in the town.”
Expected to open in early 2025, the state-of-the-art youth centre will provide thousands of young people with opportunities to engage in activities and access support from skilled youth workers, helping them to develop their skills and reach their full potential. It will be open to young people aged between eight and 19 (up to 25 for those with additional needs), seven days a week, for just 50p a visit. Members will have access to an indoor climbing wall, four court sports hall, training kitchen, music room with a recording studio, fully equipped gym, dance and drama studio, 3G kick pitch, arts and crafts room, enterprise and employability suite. Horizon Youth Zone is an independent charity with a private sector led board, and once opened, it will be part of the OnSide Network of 14 Youth Zones nationwide, supporting over 50,000 young people annually. After completion, it’s thought the centre could benefit up to 4,000 young people across the borough. Jason Stockwood, chair of the Horizon Youth Zone, said: “As chair of Horizon and someone who grew up in Grimsby, I am so proud we have reached this incredible milestone. It won’t be long before Grimsby’s young people can see the heritage buildings transformed into a space which they truly deserve. The project will also help support the wider regeneration of Grimsby Town Centre.”Leeds business park put up for sale
A well-known Leeds business park that is currently home to 18 companies and public sector organisations, that employ hundreds of people, has been put up for sale.
WIRA Business Park offers 111,197 sq ft of accommodation, in a wide range of suite sizes, spanning office spaces and light industrial units. The 4.38 acre site, which sits between Lawnswood roundabout and Horsforth’s Woodside roundabout, also has parking for 259 cars and is being marketed by Leeds property consultancy, GV&Co’s investment division, on behalf of Canmoor.
The business park was originally constructed in the early 1980’s as the headquarters of the Wool Industries Research Association (WIRA). Its two main buildings have been re-purposed in recent years to appeal to a variety of businesses.
Garry Howes, director of investment at GV&Co, said: “WIRA Business Park is well-positioned on the Leeds outer ring road. It currently produces a total passing rent of £839,720 and there are immediate asset management and ESG opportunities to grow this significantly, as well as some vacant units which are in an immediately lettable condition.
“The site also offers an attractive weighted average unexpired lease term (WAULT) of more than five years, which further enhances its credentials as a solid investment opportunity, and we’re envisaging significant interest from both local and national investors.”
GV&Co is instructed to seek offers in excess of £7.87million, reflecting a net initial yield of 10%.
Yorkshire Country Properties appoints new MD
Paul Brown, a residential property developer in the north of England, has been appointed as the Managing Director of Huddersfield-based Yorkshire Country Properties.
Paul, formerly the founder and MD of Caedmon Homes, has more than 35 years’ experience in the residential and commercial property sectors in Yorkshire and the North East.
Paul commented: “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.
“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, 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 have sold out, underpinning our contribution to both the community and to sustainability in the three villages.
“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 I am 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.”
Richard Butterfield, non-exec chairman of Yorkshire Country Properties, said: “I am absolutely delighted to welcome Paul to Yorkshire Country Properties. This is a key appointment for us as we look to expand our portfolio of housing developments. Paul has a superb track record in residential development in Yorkshire and beyond and his extensive skillset is perfectly suited to the ethos of our company.
“In particular, his knowledge of the housing sector in Yorkshire, combined with his excellent man-management skills, makes Paul the ideal appointment. I feel we are very lucky to have found him and I look forward to working with him as he takes our company to the next level.”
