Work begins on £11.7m Queens Gardens redevelopment
Work begins today (Monday 14 February) on the £11.7m redevelopment of Queens Gardens in Hull.
The first stage of the redevelopment will include the refurbishment of the Rose Bowl Fountain and the removal of the bandstand which is being relocated to Pickering Park.
The first stage of works are due to be completed in June 2022. The works are being carried out in two phases, with completion expected late 2023.
Councillor Daren Hale, leader of Hull City Council, said: “Today marks the start of this fantastic project that will transform our city centre and play an important role in our future prosperity.
“I am pleased we are starting near the Rose Bowl, much improving accessibility for all residents and visitors to this much-loved space near the fountain.
“Queens Gardens is a fantastic urban green space but it is in desperate need of redevelopment and investment. I am particularly excited about the planting of already established mature rare trees as part of this development, which will futureproof it to react to challenges posed by climate change.
“The Queens Gardens redevelopment, alongside the new urban park we are creating as part of the Albion Square development, demonstrates our commitment to, and value of green spaces.”
The first stage of works will see the planting of the first Metasequoia tree – a species of conifer known as redwoods. Metasequoia trees are fast-growing and can grow to 50 metres in height.
The tree is one of the dozens of trees, of various size and majority, that will be planted during the project.
This includes the planting of new, feature trees that can cope with changes in climate and native trees to replace those that are in a poor condition or require removal due to the design of the park or the undertaking of essential structural repairs.
For every tree removed, three trees will be planted in the gardens and in other locations across the city centre.
Trees will be replaced and planted providing appropriate replacement species, improving foliage and providing a good source of nectar and pollen for birds, bees and insects to enhance biodiversity. The trees will also add seasonal colour along the perimeter of the gardens, complimenting the surrounding colours and architecture of buildings.
Some of the trees within the planting scheme are on the endangered species list.
The project’s contractor, C R Reynolds, is commencing the first stage of works on Monday 14 February.
The first stage of works include conservation and consolidation works to the Rose Bowl Fountain to improve the overall visual appearance of the fountain within the garden setting. This will include upgrading the water systems, water fountains and decorative lighting.
Demolition of the café building will also take place during the first stage of the works, with the removal of the Robinson Crusoe plaque which will be relocated elsewhere within the city centre.
The Queens Gardens bandstand will also be relocated to Pickering Park.
The Queens Gardens project includes the improvement of accessibility and visitor flows, delivery of structural repairs through rebuilding the perimeter walls, introduction of bespoke pieces of public art, improvement of biodiversity and the regeneration of a much-loved open space.
The project will make the gardens fit for purpose, futureproofing the space and its ability to host large-scale events. The history of the gardens will be incorporated in its design, reconnecting it with the origins of the space as a former dock.
The project includes the introduction of various art installations and the creation of a large and flexible event space.
The redevelopment will incorporate modern, eco-friendly features including electric charging points for taxis and the introduction of plants and trees to increase the gardens’ biodiversity.
The plans for the gardens are sympathetic to those of Sir Fredrick Gibberd, one of England’s most distinguished 20th-century architects who redesigned the gardens in the 1950s.
The Queens Gardens refurbishment is an integral part of the Hull: Yorkshire’s Maritime City project as it will link the Hull Maritime Museum to the North End Shipyard – which will be the new home of the historic Arctic Corsair. The shipyard is being transformed into a new visitor attraction, which will tell its rich story for the first time.
York awarded Purple Flag for evening economy excellence
York has been awarded the prestigious Purple Flag, for achieving excellence in the evening and night-time economy, joining cities, such as Bournemouth, Bristol, Halifax, Oxford and Winchester.
Awarded by the Association of Town and City Management (ATCM), Purple Flag is an international accreditation process similar to the Green Flag award for parks and the Blue Flag for beaches, that strives to help create safe and thriving locations at night for visitors and residents. It allows members of the public to identify town and city centres that offer an entertaining, diverse, safe and enjoyable night out.
Work on securing the accreditation began in September 2019, when proposals were approved to coordinate work with residents, businesses and visitors in the city centre through the development of Purple Flag model, leading to an application for Purple Flag accreditation, and the coordination of the city’s safety advisory group (SAG).
Councillor Keith Aspden, Leader of the council said: “Partnership work is key to supporting York city centre’s night-time economy to be vibrant, accessible and safe.
“It is the challenges and varying needs of visitors and residents that we have sought to address through bringing together those involved in the day time, evening and night time economies, to develop joint plans and make York even safer. This award is a great vote of confidence in that work as well as well as a further boost to our recovery and our credentials as a great and vibrant city.”
Andrew Lowson, Executive Director of York BID commented: “Statistically York is a very safe city, but there is always more we can do. Covid-19 has seen York become a top staycation destination in the UK and in 2021 a third of all visits to the city centre were from local people.
“Its vitally important to city businesses that we continue to make people feel safe and welcome and Purple Flag status shows a great commitment to this”.
Martin Bradnam, General Manager of the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel, York, added: “This is an amazing achievement for the city, and reflects what York is all about – putting our visitors and residents first.
“Having been an active partner, working with the council to achieve this accreditation, I was astounded and very proud to witness the services the city provides to underline the safety of night time economy, from the street wardens, to the River patrol, to the local police, ambulance services and guards at the railway, promoting a dry zone. All are actively helping to support and promote York as a great, safe and family friendly place to visit and enjoy.”
A spokesperson for the ATCM said: “The last few years have not been what anyone expected and we have had to tread new territory in the fight against COVID-19. Purple Flag has been instrumental in reopening policies and strategies with key stakeholders as our towns and cities adjust to the new way of life with the pandemic.
“Highlights in York include active licensing and public health enforcement, a clear commitment and passion for Purple Flag through the partnership, and examples of fantastic initiatives like the ‘My City Centre’ project”
Senior councillors approve £7.2 million district heating extension
Senior councillors have approved plans to invest £7.2 million extending the city’s flagship district heating network by 2500 metres so that more buildings can enjoy the benefits of reliable, affordable, and low carbon heating.
The £47 million Leeds PIPES network supplied 13,900 MWh of low carbon heat in 2021 and continues to grow. It is set to become one of the UK’s largest heat networks.
Five new extensions will see the Leeds PIPES district heating network expand into new areas of the city.
The council has identified at least nine sites that will be able to connect because of the approved extensions—potentially using another 11,600 MWh of sustainable heat every year.
By using heat and energy recovered from non-recyclable waste at the Recycling and Energy Recovery Facility (RERF) to provide hot water to buildings in the city, the network offers a reliable and significantly lower carbon alternative to traditional fossil fuel powered heating systems.
The scheme currently supplies heat recovered from the waste of approximately 10,700 Leeds households saving more than 2,000 tonnes of carbon from being emitted in 2021.
Buildings and new developments located near the network can choose to connect at any time. Almost 2,000 homes, commercial and public buildings have already connected to the scheme.
The project has also helped employ more than 430 people in the local low carbon sector including 36 apprentices.
Energy used to heating and power buildings is responsible for around a quarter of the UK’s carbon emissions. In its ‘Heat and buildings strategy’ published last year, the UK Government set out how low carbon heat networks will play an increasingly significant role as the country tackles climate change.
New regulations are expected to be introduced by 2025 which will give councils the power to require certain existing buildings and new developments to connect to networks in pre-defined zones. Leeds City Council is now working with government to test the methodology used to establish these zones before a wider rollout.
Councillor Helen Hayden, Leeds City Council’s Executive Member for Infrastructure and Climate, said: “Our city’s waste-powered district heating network is a great example of an innovative scheme that supports our long-term net zero carbon ambitions whilst enabling residents and businesses to enjoy reliable and affordable heating now.
“Economically, the planned expansion is also a fantastic investment for the council as well as those privately connecting. As the wholesale price of gas rises and as more and more building managers and developers seek to reduce their carbon footprint, our district heating offer has become even more competitive.”
Mike Cooke, Managing Director (North & Scotland) of Vital Energi, said: “As a result of visionary investment and working collaboratively with partners, Leeds PIPES has very quickly established itself as one of the UK’s major heat networks.
“As the network continues to grow it becomes more efficient and accessible to potential connections, enabling the transition from fossil fuels to deliver more carbon savings and contribute to a cleaner, greener Leeds.”
A report to executive board with the recommendations approved by councillors on Wednesday can be read online.
Commercial property company swoops for Bingley shopping centre
LCP, the national commercial property and investment company, has added a shopping centre in Bingley, West Yorkshire, to its growing portfolio.
The 5 Rise Shopping Centre, acquired for an undisclosed sum, is an open-air convenience centre with 18 retail units over 62,094 sq ft. It is anchored by a 17,000 sq ft Co-op supermarket with other retailers including Poundland, Home Bargains, Costa, Greggs, Timpsons and Card Factory.
Other occupiers include Boots, BetFred and a Harvester pub, while Bingley Library is located beneath the Home Bargains unit. Only one unit of 1,995 sq ft remains available.
The acquisition comes hot on the heels of its £138 million purchase of The Cwmbran Centre in Wales and the Galleries shopping centre in Washington, Sunderland, and takes the group’s retail acquisitions over the past 12 months to a record £300 million.
George Kearney, asset manager at LCP, said the 5Rise Shopping Centre is at the heart of the community in Bingley, is close to the primary town centre bus stops and forms the main pedestrian link between Aldi and Lidl.
“Bingley is a thriving market town and the centre is well used, with a healthy footfall, so we recognise it as a great investment,” he said. “We understand just how important these smaller, local centres are to the communities they are located in and have focused our acquisitions over the past few years on this sector.
“As we are renowned for our proactive asset management approach, we’re looking forward to working with the tenants and local community, as well as attracting a new occupier for that final unit that’s available.”
Downes Consulting acted as agent for LCP on the acquisition.
79% of business leaders expect to use remote working in the long-term
An Institute of Directors survey of almost 700 business leaders in January 2022 has shown that around 8 out of 10 organisations plan to adopt remote working in the long-term.
The research found that over a quarter (27%) of directors expect their organisations to be fully flexible, with the use of remote working being down to the individual staff member, and a further 39% intend to shift towards one to four days of remote working per week.
An additional 13% reported their organisation moving entirely to remote working, while just 16% are not planning to introduce any form of remote working.
The IoD also found that business leaders were split on whether working from home was more or less productive. 43% said remote working was more productive, while 31% felt it was less productive for their work.
However, women have found remote working more productive than men. The net positive (percentage finding remote working more productive, minus the percentage less productive) for women is +42, compared to just +7 for men.
Commenting on the findings, Alex (Alexandra) Hall-Chen, senior policy adviser at the Institute of Directors, said: “It is clear that businesses are embracing remote and hybrid working beyond the pandemic.
“Remote working can be a powerful tool in improving employees’ work/life balance and job satisfaction, which contributes to a more engaged and productive workforce. It can also give employers access to a wider and more diverse talent pool, something particularly valuable in today’s competitive labour market.
“However, remote working is not suitable for all organisations. Different businesses have different needs, and companies will work closely with their employees to find the best solutions.”
Brighouse fire safety firm acquired by Marlowe
Marlowe, the AIM-listed company which delivers business critical services and software that assure regulatory compliance, has acquired S F Fire Limited.
Founded in 1973, S F Fire is a provider of fire safety services based in Brighouse, West Yorkshire.
The business has been snapped up for an enterprise value of up to £1.1 million including a payment contingent on integration of £0.1 million.
For the year ended 30 September 2021, S F Fire generated profit before tax of £0.2 million on revenue of £0.8 million. Net assets at 30 September 2021 were £0.5 million.
The acquisition will be funded from Marlowe’s existing cash resources.
Apprenticeship funding to create new opportunities in North Yorkshire
Funding is available to help North Yorkshire businesses invest in staff development through the delivery of apprenticeships within their workforce for new and existing staff.
As a large employer, ourselves and schools are required to pay an Apprenticeship Levy at the rate of 0.5% of their pay bill under the government’s apprenticeship scheme introduced some years ago. The levy can be spent on apprenticeship training, but it is not possible for the council and schools to fully spend the amount of levy they pay, due to specific features of the scheme such as the need for 20 per cent to involve “off the job” learning; apprenticeship standards not being available for many roles and limitations for part time staff.
In order to reduce the amount of unspent levy funds returned to the treasury, we have adopted a strategy to transfer up to 25 per cent of its apprenticeship levy fund to other employers in the county. The focus is on supporting employers delivering services in North Yorkshire, or providing community services, by boosting the number of high-quality apprenticeships on offer in key areas of industry and supporting the social and economic needs of the county.
A total of 41 employers have already taken advantage of our Levy Transfer offer since 2019, allowing them to train 152 apprenticeships across the county. They include organisations in the care sector, construction, digital and voluntary sector. So far, we have allocated approximately £1m worth of funding.
Justine Brooksbank, Assistant Chief Executive for Business Support: “This week is National Apprenticeship Week and we want to highlight the huge benefits to both organisations and employees through the use of apprenticeships.
“By transferring some of our levy to help fund apprenticeship training and learning for other business, we are reinvesting back into the North Yorkshire community and helping organisations meet the social and economic needs of the county.”
In partnership with Scarborough District Council, we have supported employers through levy transfer to access training provided by the Coastal Communities Government Grant Funded Project, Scarborough Construction Skills Village. The project aims to support local residents into apprenticeships and jobs within the construction industry, with the ability to access training in Scarborough, helping prevent that drain of local talent.
Graham Ratcliffe, runs the Skills Village, which trains up apprentices for all areas of the construction industry on a full-scale, mock-building site in Scarborough. It trains up people in joinery, brickwork, ground work, plastering, plumbing and electrical work.
He said: “Apprenticeships can be a great opportunity for a young person to earn a salary while they learn, but they also provide opportunity for people wanting to upskill. For instance, if there is an individual who is working as a general labourer and wants to learn a trade such as joinery or plastering, we can support them to get an apprenticeship within that trade.
“Apprenticeships are a good way of retaining people and are good for small or medium employers who want to build their business organically.
“They also benefit the area as a whole. Young people no longer have to go out of the area to learn.
Receiving apprenticeship levy transfer funding has also helped the County’s care sector in attracting and retaining staff by increasing their skills and progressing their careers.
Joanne Rowntree, manager of Gravers Care Home said: “The levy funding that we received from North Yorkshire County Council has greatly benefited our staff team and our organisation. It has enabled our staff to work towards a qualification needed to help them build a career in health care.”
More than 50 per cent of the apprentices funded so far work in care settings across the County and at a time of national crisis in the recruitment of care staff it’s important for the County Council to be able to support local employers to upskill new and existing staff.
The arts centre and outreach charity, Rural Arts, in Thirsk, is one of the community organisations to have benefited from the council’s apprenticeship levy transfer fund which can also be used for management qualifications.
Max May, Director and Chief Executive Officer of Rural Arts, is completing the Senior Leadership Apprenticeship, which includes an MBA in Management after he was awarded money from the levy.
Max was appointed director of the charity in 2019, but had first joined the organisation via a publicly funded internship in 2014. After leaving to work with an award-winning arts charity in London, he then returned to Thirsk to take up his post at the head of the organisation.
Max said: “Because I have received funding for the apprenticeship, it means I’m able to pursue this qualification while I work and get the skills to support my organisation and the team around me.
“If community organisations make use of this resource made available by the county council, we can make sure we’re responding to the changing needs of our communities, particularly after the pandemic.”
Read more details on North Yorkshire’s the Apprenticeship Levy Transfer Fund.
Cubo hails demand at Wellington Place
Cubo has revealed it has seen positive demand for space at its new Wellington Place base as it opens its doors at the leading urban quarter.
The fast-growing co-working space provider has already signed up a number of occupiers, including a financial services company which has chosen Wellington Place in Leeds city centre as the location for its first operation outside London, taking a 50-seat office space.
Ranging from entrepreneurs beginning their commercial journeys to established businesses, Cubo at 6 Wellington Place has the capacity to accommodate more than 300 people at any one time over 19,821 sq ft of space.
The Cubo concept offers hot desking in communal spaces, designated desks in shared private offices and office space providing flexible opportunities for prospective occupiers, including smaller businesses on shorter lease terms and combined memberships for businesses who have both private office and hot desking requirements.
Cubo at Wellington Place is its fourth site since launching in Derby in early 2020 before the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Marc Brough, Founder and Managing Director at Cubo, said: “Cubo is proud to have opened its doors at Wellington Place as people continue to explore new ways of connecting, collaborating, being creative and productive.
“This is an approach that has been pioneered by the team behind Wellington Place since long before the pandemic hit, and one which has firmly established it as one of the north of England’s leading business communities, with people and place at its heart.
“We were confident that selecting a partner with the same ethos as Cubo to become the latest addition to our portfolio would be the right choice, and the interest we are already seeing to join the Wellington Place community has fully justified this.
“Cubo is committed to harnessing an inspirational, creative and enjoyable working environment, whether that be through private offices, a designated desk or hot desking. Our flexible membership offer, and availability of shorter lease terms has attracted an exciting mix of businesses and entrepreneurial talent across our sites and all this, coupled with the superbly designed space at 6 Wellington Place and the fantastic offer across the development, means we are looking forward to a bright future in Leeds and welcoming more occupiers.”
Paul Pavia, Commercial Director at MEPC, the developer and asset manager behind Wellington Place, said: “Cubo has created a proposition centred around enabling people to have positive experiences in how and where they work, helping them to not only succeed commercially but also personally.
“This very much aligns with our own values and our view that the workplace will become even more important as the pandemic ends. Therefore, we see Cubo as a perfect fit to open its doors within the Wellington Place community as we look forward to expanding our choice and offering as a socially cohesive place to work and visit throughout 2022 and beyond.
“In addition, Cubo’s opening in Leeds not only also demonstrates ongoing confidence in Wellington Place but also in the Leeds city centre office market.”
For more information please visit www.cubowork.com, email enquiries@cubowork.com or call 01332 977700.
For more information, visit https://www.wellingtonplace.co.uk/.
New ABCD grants, worth over a quarter of a million, announced to support community building programmes across Leeds
New grants worth £262,500 have been announced to support the expansion of the successful Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) programme across Leeds, with five new ‘pathfinder’ sites receiving grants.
The successful third sector organisations awarded the ABCD community grants are Halton Moor and Osmondthorpe Project for Elders (HOPE), InterACT, Slung Low, New Wortley Community Association and Give a Gift.
Asset based community development is an approach to sustainable community-driven development, supporting local people to make the changes they want to see in their neighbourhood, developed on the premise that everyone has assets and strengths to contribute to their community.
Pathfinder sites work within their local community to uncover and develop existing strengths and assets of individuals and groups, helping to build social connections and fostering citizen led action.
In 2021 Leeds Beckett University published the findings of an 18-month research study into the ABCD model in Leeds. The evaluation found evidence that individuals were better connected, friendships were made, and supportive relationships were formed during this period across ABCD sites.
Examples of better community cohesion were also found across the ABCD sites, with different generations coming together and communities becoming more inclusive of people with disabilities.
The grants are set to return a significant value of investment for the council, with the Leeds Beckett University study estimated between £5 – £14 of social value is returned for every pound invested into the ABCD community pathfinder programme.
Cllr Fiona Venner, executive member for adults and children social care and health partnerships, said: “ABCD has been pioneered in Leeds and has been a real success story of how the council has supported communities to create the change they want to see. It is fantastic that we can roll out the programme to a further diverse selection of communities across the city.
“I look forward to seeing the impact that these new ABCD pathfinder grants will have on empowering communities.”
Georgie Spedding, chief executive officer of Halton Moor and Osmondthorpe Project for Elders, said: “HOPE is delighted to have been awarded the funding to employ an ABCD community builder for the community of Halton Moor, to uncover and develop existing assets, strengths, and connections between people.
“This investment will enable an exciting and new way of working in partnership with our community by focusing on its strengths and not what’s wrong, it will empower the community growth and development. The investment will further bring people together and improve health and wellbeing.
“This is a partnership we are proud to be part of and we look forward to our new ABCD Community Builder joining us in the new year and start connecting with the diverse community of Halton Moor.”
To find out more about the ABCD programme, visit: www.abcdinleeds.com
First tour of new build Broadacre primary school
The first tour of new £8.2million Broadacre primary school has today been held ahead of pupils moving in this spring.
The completion of the school provides an additional 210 places to that of the old building, bringing capacity up to 630 pupil places. It incorporates a 10-place purpose-built space for children with Autistic Spectrum Condition, as well as a 52-place nursery, and enhanced external spaces and teaching areas, including a fenced multi-use games area.
Councillor Shane McMurray, Portfolio Holder for children’s services said: “Not only does this new build provide a fantastic environment for local children, but I’m pleased that it offers purpose-built provision for children with autism.
“This school is part of the council’s wider investment of £50milion into the city’s schools, to ensure children have the best learning environments possible, and this school will provide just that.”
Children and staff at Broadacre have worked closely with Esteem Consortium and Sewell Construction, who have delivered the project. Every class completed a mini project on Autism to learn more about the condition during World Autism Awareness Week, children waved flags to celebrate the “topping out” when the build reached its highest point last summer, and special guest mascot, Roary the Tiger joined pupils and staff to celebrate the opening of the multi-use games area for a day of sporting activities.
Lisa Staines, Executive Head at Broadacre Primary School said: “Staff and pupils have been involved throughout the process and everyone has really enjoyed watching the building progress, as well as being involved in key milestones. We are now very excited to move in and enjoy the school!”
The school has been designed and built sustainably, with maximum energy efficiency, including solar panels on the roof and electric vehicle charging points. The children will also enjoy bug hotels and bird boxes around the school, along with CCTV in one of the boxes so children can see first-hand wildlife interactions.
Esteem General Manager, Gavin Barley, added: “Working with Hull City Council and Sewell Construction on this project has been a pleasure. The process instils such a sense of pride in the whole team, especially when we see the excited faces of those it means the most to – the pupils.”
