The Northallerton-based building contractor has now re-started work on site to deliver a multi-screen cinema for upmarket group Everyman, three new-build restaurant units, and public realm works to create a showpiece civic square.
Family-owned Moody Construction has been appointed by the Central Northallerton Development Company Ltd (CNDCL) joint venture formed by Yorkshire developer Wykeland Group and Hambleton District Council to drive forward the mixed-use development of the former Northallerton Prison site.
It follows a temporary interruption to works after PDR Construction went into administration, resulting in work being paused for just under a month while a process was followed to appoint a new contractor to complete the project.
It means the award-winning regeneration scheme is now set to be fully completed, exactly as previously planned, by this autumn, just a few weeks later than originally scheduled.
Jonathan Stubbs, development director of Wykeland and a member of the CNDCL Board, said: “We’re pleased we have been able to put in place a rapid, but also rigorous, process to review progress, consider options for a new contractor and, finally, to appoint Moody Construction.
“This process has ensured we now have in place a new contractor with the capability and capacity to ensure a seamless transition and complete the project, while ensuring value for money.
“Moody Construction has mobilised its existing supply chain and also re-engaged a number of sub-contractors who were working on site before the construction pause. The resumption of works within a short period of time will minimise the impact on the build programme.”
Councillor Mark Robson, Leader of Hambleton District Council, added: “We are delighted to welcome Moody Construction back on to site – not only are they a Northallerton-based business but they have already worked with us, successfully delivering the external restoration and extensive internal redevelopment and modernisation of the Grade II listed buildings on the Treadmills site.
“Work on the site has only been delayed by a few weeks and we look forward to seeing the new cinema opening to the public. The council is committed to delivering a first class offer at the old prison site – all the current retail units are now occupied, businesses are joining C4DI and students will be on the campus site the spring. The creation of the cinema clearly demonstrates this council’s ambition to developing and enhancing our market town. It’s a very exciting time.”
The previous work by Moody Construction enabled the creation of the Centre for Digital Innovation (C4Di) Northallerton tech hub, a digital education ‘eCampus’, involving the University of Sunderland and York College, offices and other facilities.
James Moody, construction director of Moody Construction, said: “Following the successful completion of the challenging restoration and conversion of the listed buildings, we are delighted be part of the Treadmills development team again.
“We have been based in Northallerton since our company was founded over 100 years ago and the majority of Moody Construction staff live locally, so there has been a commitment from our pre-construction team to minimise disruption and expedite the complex and rigorous negotiations with a view to seeing progress on site resume as quickly as possible.
“Our project management staff and on-site personnel will now maintain momentum, working with our valued supply chain to complete the fantastic recreational facility to benefit future generations.”
The transformation of the former prison buildings followed delivery of the first phase of Treadmills, which saw the creation of three new-build stores, anchored by Lidl, and a 126-space car park.
Local contractor takes over construction to complete Northallerton’s Treadmills scheme
Local contractor Moody Construction has taken over the final phase of Northallerton’s Treadmills development, having been appointed to complete the scheme.
Fan merchandise supplier moves to Barnsley and creates new jobs
A global supplier of posters and pop culture merchandise has moved to Barnsley in a bid to dramatically increase sales within the UK market.
GB eye, part of the Abysse Corp Group, is a designer, manufacturer and distributor of posters, prints, tableware, clothing and collectables which celebrate everything from Peaky Blinders to Pokemon; and Rick and Morty to the Rolling Stones.
The company has taken on a new 78,000 square foot purpose-built manufacturing and distribution unit at Enterprise 36, Tankersley at Junction 36 of the M1. From here, it plans to expand operations to meet growing demand for its products across the UK and as far afield as Australia, Japan, the USA and Russia.
Established in Sheffield in 1986, GB eye will retain its existing Parkwood industrial estate base but concentrate growth in Barnsley, where it has gained increased storage capacity and introduced more efficient pick and pack processes.
In the coming months, it will also bring production to this Barnsley site with the manufacturing of posters, mugs, mouse mats and T-shirts, to further reduce the company’s reliance on supply chains.
GB eye Managing Director Steven Birks said: “We’ve expanded into Barnsley to maximise the opportunity for growth. This is a superior location for distribution and the large ready-made pick and pack facility is perfectly designed to allow us to produce and store more stock and turn around orders much faster. We look forward to increasing sales dramatically.”
GB eye became the UK arm of the European Abysse Corp Group last year and Abysse has backed the company’s expansion in Barnsley, to strengthen the group’s reach in the UK market. GB eye is a market leader in the UK with long-standing trade relationships with major retailers including Asda, Menkind, Game, HMV, Tesco, Argos, Smyths Toys and many more.
Abysse Corp has seen consistent double-digit growth in global sales over the last four years and aims to achieve a significant increase in turnover this year.
Steven said: “The market for fan merchandise is currently very strong as more people, young and old, seek to surround themselves with wall art and merchandise that celebrates their interests and passions and reflects who they are.
“Now we have moved, we are in an excellent position to scale-up production, sales and distribution to meet this growing demand.”
GB eye has created 15 new jobs in Tankersley since it moved in three months ago and, once it is fully operational, expects to employ up to 100 people on this site. Specific teams will move from its existing Sheffield premises, but it anticipates it will recruit to an additional 35 posts in sales, ecommerce, manufacturing and warehouse work over the next 12 months.
Enterprise 36 business park was developed by Wilton Developments following investment from Barnsley Council through their Property Investment Fund. The unit occupied by GB eye is owned by clients of CBRE Investment Management and CBRE and CPP advised the landlord on the letting. GB eye’s neighbours include Dura-ID, Universal Sealants (UK) and William Rowland.
Cllr Tim Cheetham, Barnsley’s Cabinet Spokesperson for Regeneration and Culture, said: “We backed this speculative development at Enterprise 36, alongside the M1 corridor, because we knew it would be a real asset to the borough and would help us achieve our ambition to make Barnsley a destination of choice for companies with national and international reach.
“We are delighted to welcome GB eye as a key occupier on site bringing new opportunities and jobs to the borough.”
Enterprising Barnsley has also helped GB eye move to the borough, make connections with local suppliers and recruit to its vacancies.
Steven said: “The Enterprising Barnsley team has been great and we appreciate the support they’ve given us to establish ourselves here.”
Enterprising Barnsley, the business support arm of Barnsley Council, aims to attract new businesses to invest in the borough and help new and existing businesses develop and expand; generating economic growth and creating jobs.
Wellington Place strengthens position as Northern Tech Hub with new occupier
Developer and asset manager, MEPC, has revealed Burendo, a fast-growing IT firm that specialises in agile business transformation, as its latest occupier to take space in 10 Wellington Place, Leeds.
Following a period of growth and expansion, the move will mark a new chapter for the tech trailblazer, which boasts a 140 strong team. Burendo is the latest firm to join the growing tech hub based at Wellington Place, which includes NHS Digital, Sky Betting and Gaming, Netpremacy and most recently, Lexis Nexis.
Burendo, meaning ‘blended’ in Japanese, tackles organisation transformation and technology delivery in short ‘sprints’ or iterations to ensure the solution addresses the client’s digital needs more quickly and effectively.
Established in 2018, the business has worked with numerous household names including Yorkshire Building Society, the NHS and William Hill. It is projected to turnover £18 million in the current financial year.
The 2,271 sq ft of office space in 10 Wellington Place will provide an environment which encourages collaborative working, whilst giving Burendo access to a like-minded business community at the development and a host of great amenities and initiatives such as restaurants, wellbeing webinars and a running club, all of which aid staff wellbeing.
Paul Pavia, commercial director at MEPC, said: “We’re thrilled that Burendo has chosen Wellington Place as its new home in Leeds. The company have gone from strength to strength, and we hope that their move to the development will help to further facilitate this, as they join a host of other tech centric businesses. We’ve seen a real increase in demand for first-class office accommodation in the tech sector specifically and we’re proud of the hub that Wellington Place is becoming.”
Austen Bell, operations director at Burendo, added: “Wellington Place is increasingly becoming known as the go to tech hub in Leeds, and this was a real driver for us when it came to selecting the development as the home for our new head office. We want to be part of a bigger community and be in close proximity to likeminded businesses and people.
“We’ve grown significantly in our short history and want to prepare for the future. Having the best office space will allow Burendo to attract further talent and provide our team members with a world class environment in which to work.”
Leeds law firm to double turnover and grow headcount after securing six-figure finance facility
A law firm is set to grow its headcount and double turnover within the next five years, after securing a six-figure finance facility.
Tyr, based in Leeds, is a full-service practice founded three years ago by partners Alistair Kennedy, Dean Jowett and Matthew Fidler. Growing from a core team of just seven to more than 30 today, the firm recently relocated to a new office space in the city centre to enable future expansion.
Now, after securing a £340,000 finance package from Lloyds Bank, Tyr has completed its fit out of the new space, and is focusing on investment in recruitment and integrating a full suite of new digital technologies. It is also working to introduce a range of complementary service lines to broaden its offering to clients.
Over the last three years, the practice has already hit annual turnover of more than £3million, and is now on track to grow by 20% each year for the next five years.
Alistair Kennedy, partner and co-founder at Tyr, said: “Since starting up in 2019, we have been able to grow while not losing sight of the personalised, bespoke service and boutique feel our clients have come to expect from us.
“We had naturally reached the stage where additional financial support was needed to unlock our next stage of expansion, and we’re now on track to welcome yet more talented lawyers, refresh our digital offering to ensure we remain at the cutting edge of legal practice, and further expand our service proposition. We’re excited to see what the future holds for Tyr.”
Lara Berry, relationship director at Lloyds Bank, said: “Tyr’s growth journey should serve as inspiration to anyone looking to start up their own business. In just three years, it has become a trusted local brand, boasting an impressive head office with space to continue investing in new talent.
“We look forward to supporting Alistair, Dean and Matthew and the wider team as they continue on their growth journey.”
Ideal Heating prepares next generation for the future of green energy with record number of new apprenticeship opportunities
Ideal Heating has announced it will be offering a series of new apprenticeship opportunities throughout 2022 as it prepares the next generation of talent with skills ready for a future in green energy.
With over 10 new apprenticeships set to be introduced across various areas of the business, the successful applicants will help Ideal play a part in the UK’s drive to become a net-zero economy by 2050, as it increases its production of low carbon heating products.
Maria Cunningham, HR advisor for development at Ideal Heating, said: “Nurturing the next generation of talent is something we’re passionate about, and 2022 will see a record number of apprenticeship opportunities become available in the business. We’re excited to be able to pass on our knowledge and expertise to the workforce of the future as we focus on providing greener energy alternatives.”
Opportunities will be listed on the Ideal Heating website as they become available, with apprenticeships being offered in areas including Research & Development, Quality, Engineering, and Marketing.
Maria continued: “Whether working in our R&D department, as an engineer in our Manufacturing Centre of Excellence, or within the digital services department, all our apprentices contribute to our collective journey of reducing carbon emissions.”
Employing over 1,300 people, Ideal has been offering apprenticeships throughout its history.
“The resources and training we provide allows apprentices to undertake high impact, structured programmes alongside our experts carrying out both theoretical and practical work as part of our end to end service.
“There are currently 15 apprentices employed here at Ideal, who work across various areas of the business. This includes within our R&D department, where they have the opportunity to work as part of our team designing and developing truly innovative products including air source heat pumps and hydrogen ready technology.”
Ideal Heating has also recently announced plans for one of the first training centres in the UK that will focus primarily on green technology, housing specially-designed equipment to deliver high-quality and in-depth training. It is also investing in a £16m expansion to its manufacturing site on National Avenue.
Those interested in an apprenticeship at Ideal Heating should email enquiries@idealheating.com
For more information on Ideal Heating, visit https://idealheating.com/.
Dessert manufacturer appoints new staffing agency
BBF Limited, the ambient cake and dessert manufacturers, has appointed Stafforce to manage its recruitment of production personnel.
The manufacturer has appointed Stafforce to provide a volume labour solution across its five UK bakeries based in Hull, Blackburn, Bradford and Doncaster.
A team of Stafforce recruitment professionals will be based on-site to liaise with production managers to assess daily needs, which continuously change according to seasonal fluctuations and customer demand. Whilst production personal engaged through Stafforce for BBF are temporary workers, most have contracts with Stafforce that provide them with a range of benefits which help to ensure loyalty and job security.
Sunny Singh, Stafforce sales director, said: “Over the last two years, we’ve had to think outside the box to find innovative ways to ensure we can meet demand for clients across all sectors, in particular the food industry, that has been severely impacted by the effects of Brexit and the pandemic.
“This has included a mix of traditional recruitment methods as well as new approaches such as social media campaigns and local initiatives where we’re out and about in communities speaking to people about jobs in the area. We’re delighted to have been appointed by BBF Limited to support with their recruitment of production personnel.”
Cheryl Charnley, head of HR at BBF, added: “The consultative approach and close working relationships we have developed with the Stafforce team working on-site has resulted in a true partnership.”
BBF operates six bakeries, five across the North of England and one in Poland. The baker works closely with the UK’s most prominent retailers to produce more than 600 million cakes/desserts annually.
Stafforce is a division of Nicholas Associates Group and has a branch network located across the UK and several other on-site managed services contracts with other leading food producers including Youngs Seafoods and Birds Eye.
Yorkshire-born Olympian to open new gymnastics centre in Leeds
World-class gymnast Nile Wilson is seeking to increase participation in the sport at all levels with the opening of a new gymnastics club, named after him, in his home city of Leeds.
Located in Elmfield Way, Bramley, the Nile Wilson Gymnastics Club will be one of a network of gymnastics clubs around the UK that aim to ‘change the game’ by delivering unique and more engaging activities balanced against the requirements of gymnastics programmes. The clubs are suitable for all ages, offering pre-school programmes and recreational gymnastics for 4-16 year olds, through to adult gymnastics.
Due to open on 21st February, the Leeds venue offers an outstanding 11,000 square feet facility with state-of-the-art equipment for all gymnasts, including climbing walls and slides. It also features viewing areas with cafeteria facilities, as well as changing and toilet facilities. It will create between 15 and 20 jobs.
Grace Allison of Leeds law firm Clarion’s real estate team advised Nile Wilson Gymnastics on securing the seven-year lease at Elmfield Way. It joins the business’ inaugural 12,000 square feet facility in Dinnington, Rotherham, which opened in summer 2019.
Having been a gymnast from the age of five years old at Leeds Gymnastics Club, Nile was crowned British Junior Champion in March 2014 and the same year he became the first British gymnast ever to win five gold medals at the European Junior Gymnastics Championships. In 2016, Nile competed in the Rio Olympics where he won a bronze medal in the High Bar final, again a first for GB in gymnastics. In 2017, Nile was placed sixth in the All-Round World final and in 2018 he won five medals at the Commonwealth Games, three Gold and two Silver, to take his Commonwealth medal total to nine.
Luke Sutton, director of Nile Wilson Gymnastics said: “It’s great news that we’ve not only been able to save an established gymnastics facility from closure, but also that we will be offering a huge range of exciting programmes for all members of the family. The aim is to create a modern and welcoming club which can provide opportunities for gymnasts from around the Leeds area, and we’re pleased to have been able to partner with one of the region’s leading law firms to help us to secure this first-class site.”
Shipley-based Tech R&D innovator, Consult Red appoints Raghu Venkatesam as new CEO
Shipley-based Consult Red, an employee-owned tech R&D innovator, has appointed experienced technology consulting leader Raghu Venkatesam as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). A leader in software and hardware innovation of Media and IoT platforms for enterprise customers, Consult Red’s success is rooted in deep engineering and R&D.
Raghu will assume day-to-day leadership of the company and join the Board of Directors. With a proven track record of customer centricity and scaling technology-led services business in Asia, Europe and the USA, Raghu joins Consult Red from IBM Consulting. He held several roles as a Senior Partner over 12 years, including transforming their Cloud Application Innovation business in the UK & Ireland and leading global client engagements across financial services, public sector, media & telco, energy & utilities, automotive and retail.
Raghu’s broad sector experience will help Consult Red to leverage its track record in cutting-edge, connected devices and systems to meet soaring demand for smart, internet-of-things (IoT) products.
Raghu Venkatesam, new CEO, said: “I am excited to join the Consult Red team as we accelerate our clients’ innovation and delivery of differentiated Media and IoT solutions in their markets. Our deep experience in R&D, embedded hardware design, software development and systems integration, along with our competencies in Edge Computing, AI and Security, enable our clients to scale their IoT offerings quickly and securely.
I look forward to further capitalising on our heritage in the media industry. At the same time, we continue setting strong foundations in other industries such as Industrial & Manufacturing, Healthcare, Consumer Electronics and Energy & Utilities. Our Employee Ownership model is one of the key ingredients in our ‘secret sauce’ which differentiates us in the industry.”
Karen Bach, Chairman of the Board of Directors, said: “I am delighted Raghu is joining the team. Consult Red has successfully built an enviable track record helping clients deliver digital transformation, manage risk and get to market faster. Andy has led the team to our strong position today, and I thank him personally for everything he has achieved.
We are very excited about building on this great success, and Raghu’s impressive international tech knowledge and understanding will help us support more customers. He will lead our deeply experienced software engineers to continue delivering world-leading and innovative IoT solutions for companies. It is the start of an exciting new chapter.”
Raghu replaces Andrew Stewart who is retiring from the company. Andrew will remain on the Board of Consult Red and continue supporting the business.
Andrew Stewart, retiring Consult Red CEO, said: “I’m so proud of what had been achieved during my time at the helm. Our global growth is beyond what we hoped for, but our transition to an employee-owned organisation is the greatest achievement. A key to our success has been that we have engineers and innovation at the heart of our culture and service offer. Employee ownership means that those values and the foundations we’ve put in place will be preserved as the company continues its journey”.
Grade II-listed buildings to be converted into apartments following £433,000 Historic England grant
A row of Grade II-listed buildings on Whitefriargate in Hull are to be partially converted into modern apartments following a £433,000 grant from Historic England.
The grant will support the conversion of unused upper floor space, above retail units, at 7-9 Whitefriargate.
Hull City Council is also supporting the project, which is being delivered by Hull Trinity House Charity, with a £35,000 grant.
Whitefriargate is undergoing a multi-million pound regeneration scheme, supported by private investment as well as funding from Hull City Council, Historic England and the Hull and East Yorkshire LEP.
Historic England’s High Street Heritage Action Zone on Whitefriargate is investing £1.75m into projects that will revitalise the area, diversify the traditional high street offer and bring unused floor space back into use.
Councillor Daren Hale, leader of Hull City Council and portfolio holder for regeneration, said: “Whitefriargate is an important and historic part of our city centre. The ongoing investment in the area will ensure that its iconic buildings and historic past can play a key role in the bright and exciting future of our city.
“Revitalising and reinventing our city centre requires a balance of various different ideas and projects. We all know that retail can no longer dominate and sustain our high streets, which is why projects like this one, that will create first-class and modern city centre housing, are key to creating a sustainable and successful city centre offer.”
The project will create two one-bedroom apartments and one two-bedroom apartment over two floors on 7-9 Whitefriargate.
Hull Trinity House Charity has been working with Historic England architectural consultants and Hull City Council’s conservation officer to create a scheme for the comprehensive refurbishment of the previous shop upper floors, where existing historic features will be retained and restored to create a unique place to live in the heart of the Old Town Conservation Area.
The Grade II-listed 7-9 Whitefriargate buildings were designed by Charles Mountain Junior for Hull Trinity House in 1829-30.
Craig Broadwith, from Historic England, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Hull Trinity House as they help to transform Whitefriargate and bring much needed homes into the heart of Hull’s Old Town. Historic England is proud to be part of this renewal, working with our partners at Hull City Council.
“The High Streets Heritage Action Zones, led by Historic England, is a government-funded initiative and designed to secure lasting improvements to our historic high streets for the communities who use them.”
The Whitefriargate regeneration project includes a number of grant schemes and funding projects.
Regeneration is also being supported by the Hull and East Yorkshire LEP’s Humber High Street Challenge Fund, which is investing £1m in the area.
Leeds City Council receives funding to make hundreds of homes warmer by boosting thermal efficiency
630 properties in Leeds will see improvements in their energy and thermal efficiency thanks to a £9.6million grant from the government’s Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund.
The funding will be used to improve some of the council’s least insulated properties in some of Leeds’ most vulnerable communities. The properties identified will benefit from the installation of external wall insultation, reroofing, roof insulation and provision of ventilation.
Leeds has a long and successful history of improving the energy efficiency of social housing. The average council home is typically warmer than an equivalent private property, however, there are still a considerable number of less efficient properties where the council aims to focus these improvements.
Seven high-rise buildings have been identified where efficiency improvements would deliver the biggest economic and environmental benefits. The properties included in the first wave of funding will be: Lovell Park Grange, Lovell Park Heights, Lovell Park Towers, Moor Grange Court, Parkway Court, Parkway Grange and Parkway Towers. Once complete, residents living in these properties will benefit from significant reductions in heat loss, due to better insulated homes.
Leeds City Council will also contribute £12million of its own resources towards the project which will work towards the city’s ambition of being carbon neutral by 2030.
In addition to the funding received by Leeds City Council, The West Yorkshire Combined Authority have attracted a further £5million which will be match funded to total £10million. This investment will further reduce carbon emissions from residential properties across the region.
Councillor Mohammed Rafique, Leeds City Council’s executive member for environment and housing said: “I am delighted that we have received this funding from the government which can now be used to invest into homes across the city which need these improvements the most.
“Ensuring residents have a warm and safe home that they can afford to heat is a priority for the council, especially given the rising costs of energy bills which many people are facing this year; and this project will help to achieve that. It will also support the council’s commitment to invest £100million on energy efficiency upgrades to social housing by 2025 as well as the potential to generate new ‘green’ job and apprenticeship opportunities similar to those we have seen in previous council-led decarbonisation programmes.”
Councillor Helen Hayden, Leeds City Council’s executive member for infrastructure and climate said: “Every resident in Leeds deserves to live in a warm home. By improving the energy efficiency of some of the coldest council properties in some of Leeds’ most vulnerable communities, we can help reduce fuel poverty (currently experienced by an estimated 10% of Leeds households), and help cut the city’s carbon emissions from domestic properties. It will also help us make Leeds a greener, fairer and healthier city and support local ‘green’ jobs in industries carrying out the improvements, all while supporting our ambition to become carbon neutral by 2030.”
