International House, a three storey office scheme on Trinity Business Park, Wakefield, has been sold in a multi-million-pound deal.
Agreed by commercial real estate specialists Commercial Property Partners (CPP) on behalf of its client M7 Real Estate, the deal was concluded for an undisclosed sum.
International House is a modern purpose-built building with basement car parking for 18 cars in addition to surface car parking.
Trinity Business Park comprises a modern mixed-use scheme that houses seven detached buildings.
As a secure business park with one entrance and egress, it offers manned security personnel and includes a range of modern industrial and office buildings providing a total of 95,710 sq ft and 372 parking spaces on site.
CPP director Robin Bullas said: “This deal reflects a strong office investment opportunity in Wakefield, despite tough market conditions.
“We are delighted to have secured the best possible price and a successful disposal for our client, who is delighted with the outcome.”
Thirty-six city centre apartments will be created as part of a £4m project thanks to support from Levelling Up Funding (LUF).
A grant of £390,000 has been awarded from Hull City Council’s government grant scheme to DAQRI Limited for its conversion of 9-11 Chapel Lane.
The funding is to support Phase 1 and part of Phase 2 of the overall development proposals, which includes 19 apartments, comprising 14 one-bedroomed apartments, four two-bedroomed apartments and one three-bedroomed apartment.
A further 17 apartments will be created as part of later phases, helping to address the demand for city centre living in Hull.
The costs of Phase 1 and part of Phase 2 is £1.653m, with the overall development estimated to cost around £4.12m, meaning over £3.5m of private sector capital is being invested.
The project will see the Grade II listed Standidge Building, 9 Chapel Lane, brought back into use, as well as its two neighbouring properties.
Around 1,626 sq m of unused floorspace will be brought back into use, with two full-time equivalent jobs created.
Cllr Paul Drake-Davis, portfolio holder for regeneration and housing at Hull City Council, said: “This project not only brings back into use a dilapidated heritage building, but will also help address the growing demand for city centre living in Hull.
“It is pleasing that the council is able to support the applicant’s significant private investment through this Levelling Up Fund Grant award.”
Kirklees Council has appointed the contractor for its upcoming renovations to the Dewsbury Arcade – a key part of the Dewsbury Blueprint.
The Dewsbury Arcade is a Grade II Listed building, which has been a focal point in Dewsbury town centre since 1899 but has now stood empty for the best part of a decade. The arcade is a key focus of the Dewsbury Blueprint, which lays out Kirklees Council’s big plans for investment in Dewsbury over the next decade and beyond.
The arcade is set to reopen as the UK’s first ever community-run shopping centre, following the massive success of the Arcade Group – a community business formed specifically to lease and manage the building, in their public fundraising last year.
Kirklees Council has appointed William Birch Construction as the contractor set to undertake the work, which will see the much-loved arcade restored to its former glory and brought back into regular use.
The renovations needed to reopen the arcade are being funded by £4.5 million from the National Heritage Lottery Fund, grants from the Dewsbury Town Deal Board and West Yorkshire Combined Authority, support from the government’s Getting Building Fund, and capital funding from the council.
Once reopened, the Arcade Group will take on management and operation of the business side of the arcade without further financial input from the council.
Construction is planned to begin within the next few months – and the arcade should be reopened by summer 2025.
Councillor Cathy Scott, Leader of Kirklees Council and Ward Councillor for Dewsbury East, says: “The Dewsbury Arcade is a project I’m tremendously excited about, because it’s so steeped in feeling from local people – including myself.
“Those of us who’ve lived in Dewsbury for a long time remember that beautiful building through the years, and I’m absolutely passionate about it remaining a beating heart of our town centre.
“I’m glad we’re working with a company that are Yorkshire-based, and have a history of future-proofing treasured heritage buildings like this one whilst bringing them into the twenty-first century.
“With the passion of local people, the hard work of the Arcade Group, and the support of our other blueprint projects like Dewsbury Market – which should, in perfect timing, be underway just as we’re looking to reopen the arcade – this can once again be a great place for people to enjoy, and for businesses to thrive.”
Gemma Shahjahan, Business Development Director for William Birch Construction, says: “We are delighted to be working with Kirklees Council on this treasured building in Dewsbury, and are looking forward to starting onsite in the coming weeks.
“The plans to bring the arcade back to life are really exciting, and our teams are looking forward to being part of that journey in what is a special year for our business – celebrating 150 years!”
Keith Ramsay, Chair of the Dewsbury Town Deal Board, says: “We’re very pleased to see William Birch come on board. The history and heritage of the Dewsbury Arcade is something the Town Board, and the people of Dewsbury, are incredibly passionate about – we don’t just want to see the arcade brought back to life, we want to see it restored and preserved for the future.
“As with all these plans for the town centre, we want to be carrying our heritage forward in a way that works for the modern-day visitor, and works with all the other Dewsbury Blueprint projects to bring new life to the town centre as a whole.”
Chris Hill, Co-Founder of the Arcade Group, says: “We’ve been close to this project, and it’s been close to our hearts, for a very long time now, so it’s incredibly exciting to be so close to work starting onsite.
“Once the transformation starts, the whole project will become real to people – they’ll start seeing the changes before their eyes. We’re having very exciting conversations with traders potentially looking to take up residence in the arcade once it reopens, and this update will definitely spur on these conversations – it’s an exciting time!”
Harrogate environmental risk reduction services business, Adler and Allan, has acquired quality and engineering management solutions company, QEM Solutions.
QEM has been providing professional services, technical consultancy, inspections and surveys, management and training, and software for safe systems of work to the highly regulated gas and water industries for over 20 years.
Rob Graham, Chief Executive Officer, QEM, said: “We are excited to be joining the Adler and Allan Group. The services Adler and Allan delivers, and their established position in the utilities and environmental markets, allows us to provide our expert quality and engineering management solutions to more companies, providing a full turnkey package of process management and engineering solutions.”
Henrik Pedersen, Chief Executive Officer, Adler and Allan, said: “We help organisations manage, improve, maintain, and upgrade their infrastructure so that they can solve their biggest environmental challenges such as managing energy transition and mitigating the effects of climate change.
“This critical acquisition supports our mission and our ambitious growth plans, by bolstering our specialist quality and engineering management capability and enhancing our range of services to the gas and water sectors, making us partner of choice for utilities companies as they tackle the challenges of energy diversification and distribution through RIIO-3 and RIIO-4.”
This is Adler and Allan’s fifth acquisition in the utilities sector, and eighth overall in the last three years.
Law firm Andrew Jackson Solicitors has appointed of Amy Youngman as associate in the firm’s tax and trusts team .
Amy has over 10 years’ experience advising on wills, trusts, the administration of estates and Lasting Powers of Attorneys (LPAs). As a full member of the global professional body STEP (Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners), Amy has particular expertise in helping clients across a whole host of issues concerning inheritance tax and lifetime planning, including advising landowners and business owners in respect of agricultural relief and business relief from inheritance tax.
Richard Hoare, partner, and head of private client services at Andrew Jackson, said: “We warmly welcome Amy to Andrew Jackson, as we strengthen further our existing team to meet continued demand for our services.
“We remain committed to providing excellent legal advice tailored to our clients’ specific needs, and to building trusted relationships for the long term. I know that with Amy’s specialist experience and commitment, we will continue to provide the highest quality legal advice, as reflected in independent client feedback.”
The Mayor of West Yorkshire and leader of Leeds City Council have written to the Prime Minister, urging him to ensure land around Leeds Station continues to be safeguarded.
Leeds Station is at capacity, and land to the south could provide space for expansion – boosting economic growth across West Yorkshire and improving reliability across the rail network in the North.
The Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, said: “Failing to expand the capacity at Leeds Station would hold West Yorkshire and the North’s economy back for decades to come.
“We’re an economic powerhouse desperate to grow further – I’m calling on the Government to sit down and work with us to find a solution.
“Don’t force us to fight with one hand tied behind our back as we seek to create a better-connected North.”
Cllr James Lewis, Leader of Leeds City Council, said: “The value of our city’s station to our economy as well as that of Yorkshire and the North cannot be overstated, and yet we are already approaching capacity.
“We must protect the limited opportunities we have to ensure the station and railway infrastructure in central Leeds can continue to grow in order to meet ever-increasing passenger demand and not become a bottleneck for other significant new schemes such as the welcome new station for Bradford and Northern Powerhouse Rail.
“It is vital that safeguarding restrictions on land around the station are extended until the current study is completed, to help ensure that opportunities to better connect our city with the wider region and the rest of the country are not lost through short-sighted decision making.”
The letter in full:
We are writing to draw your urgent attention to the future of rail connections to and capacity within Leeds City Station – the North of England’s busiest rail station – and the huge strategic risks that any hasty release of HS2 safeguarded land in Leeds would bring to securing the long-term economic potential of our railway for the North as a whole.
Plans to develop the station have been uncertain since the Government’s decision to cancel the eastern leg of HS2 in 2021 and were put further at risk by your statements last autumn to accelerate the release of land safeguarded for HS2 delivery.
Our concerns were further heightened by the Network North document published at that time which, whilst including welcome commitments to the West Yorkshire mass transit and Bradford station schemes, did not include any commitments to Leeds City Station.
Nonetheless, we had been led to believe that the Government shared our ambition to secure the right solution for Leeds and that this would be provided by thorough a robust evidence-led study of rail connectivity between the Midlands, Yorkshire and the North East (“the MYNE study”). This was required by the Transport Select Committee and committed to by the Rail Minister.
However, we now understand that a decision to release HS2 safeguarded land, that could provide new south-facing platforms and onward rail connections, is to be taken imminently, before the MYNE study has even commenced.
Leeds City Station is the busiest and most congested rail station in the North of England. Sitting at the centre of the rail network, which connects Liverpool, Manchester, York, Hull, Sheffield, Newcastle, Birmingham, and Edinburgh. As such, the station provides the same national hub role on the east of the Pennines as Manchester Piccadilly does to the west.
It is also at the most important hub for the West Yorkshire economy. Services into Leeds from Bradford, Kirklees, Wakefield, and Calderdale have shaped our modern economic footprint.
Towns such as Ilkley, Halifax and Hebden Bridge, alongside places such as Harrogate beyond our boundaries, now providing some of the greatest concentration of higher skilled communities due to their rail connections.
Collectively, Leeds City Station and its connections provide perhaps the greatest single example of how transport connectivity to our Northern cities can genuinely unlock economic agglomeration and transformation.
The city of Leeds continues to grow, with an average of 3,000 new homes delivered annually, population growth higher than the national average, and GVA projected to increase by £12.9 billion by 2040. To support this growth, Leeds rail station must expand, with passenger numbers forecast to exceed 43 million users within the next twenty years alone.
Hence, it was a major surprise that commitment to increase the capacity at the station was not part of the Network North plans. The station’s potential to secure further economic benefit is currently constrained. A third of delays on the rail network in the North can be found here, and 50% of passengers travelling through the station have their trains delayed or cancelled.
This situation will worsen if improvements are made elsewhere on the railway without addressing the Leeds hub properly.
However, the land is safeguarded by HS2 Ltd only until this Summer. We understand that a decision is in front of you to not extend this safeguarding, well ahead of the MYNE study work that is required. We are aware of some hasty work within government, with some headlines from which DfT officials only very recently revealed to our officials. That work falls well short of the study commitments that have been made and would bring strategic risks for West Yorkshire and the North for the remainder of this century.
Therefore, we have to implore you in the strongest terms to instruct HS2 Ltd to extend the safeguarding on the corridor between Clayton Junction and Leeds City Station for a period to allow the MYNE study to be completed. We would be grateful if you could confirm this decision at the earliest possible opportunity and would ask that you discuss with us if you are not in agreement with safeguarding the land.
We and our officials remain committed to working with you and your officials, to determine the parcels of land which needs to remain safeguarded, so not to delay disposal of land that is no longer required. We can work co-operatively on this matter to ensure the residents of Leeds, the commuters of West Yorkshire, and passengers across the North have the appropriate transport infrastructure to reach our full potential.
Chemical specialist Airedale Group has strengthened its team by filling three new roles, reflecting the company’s growth and its focus on health and safety as a business priority.
With the addition of a deputy head of regulatory, HR manager and marketing executive, the number of people employed by the business has risen to more than 125.
As the business steps up its commitment to ensuring the highest standards of health and safety on site, Louise Copeman has been appointed as deputy head of regulatory, with more than 20 years of experience in health and safety in the chemical industry.
She says: “I will be focusing on fostering a culture of safety to keep staff and visitors safe and well.”
Jacquie Hodgson has spent over 25 years in human resources, having worked most recently at Craven District Council and joins the company as human resources manager.
She said: “The health and wellbeing of staff will be one of my main priorities as I settle into the role which will form part of a wider people strategy. There will also be plenty of work to do when incorporating new staff from business acquisitions and organic growth.”
The marketing team has expanded with the creation of a new marketing executive role. Harrison Firth joins the company with an apprenticeship in digital marketing which will be used to develop the company’s online presence. Harrison adds: “This is a fantastic start to my career and it’s really rewarding to clearly see the results of our online activity in our bottom line.”
Airedale Group, founded in 1973, is based in Cross Hills and provides chemicals and related services to the UK and Europe.
Dean Clough is to let almost 13,000 sq ft of state-of-the-art workspace on a new five-year lease in which Calderdale College will expand its digital creative skills hub following a £700,000 Government funding boost.
The new skills hub, Mill Studios, will serve students aged 16+ with high-tech facilities for studies in film and TV production, design and editing, esports and games design. The centre will also include collaborative space for events, exhibitions and engagement with employers.
The College already occupies 2,344 sq ft of space at Dean Clough in Halifax for its Creative Arts Foundation and BA Degree courses. Students benefit from engaging with practicing artists through the College’s partnership with Dean Clough Galleries and Arts Charity and have their work displayed in the renowned Crossley Gallery.
David Malone, Principal and Chief Exec at Calderdale College, said: “Our students benefit tremendously from the vibrant and captivating community at Dean Clough, which is one of the most celebrated heritage and cultural sites here in Calderdale.
“The community at Dean Clough has really helped us to enhance our provision for students. Mill Studios , delivering a digital creative hub that will transform learning in this sector, and bring new courses to Calderdale along with cutting-edge facilities in the most engaging environment.”
Mill Studios, which is due to launch ahead of the next academic year as part of Calderdale’s Year of Culture 2024, has been funded by the Local Skills Improvement Fund, which aims to tackle skill shortages by responding to employers’ needs and giving young people the skills to get good jobs and increase their prospects.
Jeremy Hall, Chairman and MD of Dean Clough, added: “We are thrilled that Calderdale College has chosen to expand its educational facilities here at Dean Clough and excited to be involved with Calderdale’s progress as a cultural centre for creative production. Indeed, our region is fast becoming recognised as the ‘Hollywood of the North’ and Dean Clough has been host to many high-profile TV and film productions already.
“We truly believe that a vibrant and diverse amenity and cultural experience is so vitally important in creating the environment that people want to visit and work within. This, alongside the indisputable carbon benefits that the reuse of historic buildings brings for sustainable practice, is fundamental to attracting business occupiers.”
Leeds’ JM Glendinning Insurance Brokers has acquired Birmingham-based Madoc & Rhodes (Lea Village) Ltd, strengthening the JMG Group portfolio.
Incorporated in 1967, Madoc & Rhodes is a team of seven insurance brokers headed by MD Paul McGrory, who has worked in the insurance industry for over 37 years. The business will continue to deliver vehicle, home and property insurance services from its Lea Village office, whilst working closely with JM Glendinning’s Birmingham-based business.
Paul McGrory joined Madoc & Rhodes in 1985, became co-owner in 1997 and sole owner in 2008. Paul says: “We’ve experienced significant growth over the last 12 months and by joining the JMG Group, we are now stronger than ever.
“We are a friendly and proudly traditional team that thrives on delivering outstanding customer service. Every client is important to us and we have a fantastic retention rate. In fact, we have fifty clients who have been with us for over 50 years – I think that makes us unique!
“I was considering a change in career when this opportunity came about but I am delighted that the right business came along at the right time. This move will allow me to get back to the shop floor, working directly with clients and investing time in the team and developing our offering.”
Jake Fox, group managing director at JM Glendinning, says: “This is a great opportunity for JM Glendinning and will unlock many opportunities as we build upon the existing well-known brand and quality service that’s already associated with Madoc & Rhodes.
“As a long-standing firm in Birmingham, we believe Madoc & Rhodes will complement our established team in Birmingham, led by Chris Hitch, and add breadth to our existing base in the city and beyond. Paul’s strong, principled leadership will no doubt help continue driving growth in the business.”
Madoc & Rhodes was advised by Worcester-based The Company Solicitor and MDP Accountants.
Network Rail, in partnership with City of York Council and the Department for Transport, has submitted a planning application to build a new, two platform railway station in Haxby.
The multimillion pound station, located on Towthorpe Road, will be part of the York to Scarborough line and be the town’s first rail connection in almost 100 years after the previous station was closed in 1930.
The £24m project is being delivered by Network Rail through funding from the Department for Transport and City of York Council. Subject to planning consent being granted, final detailed designs will be completed throughout the remainder of 2024, with construction expected to start on site in spring 2025.
New images show what the station could look like in the future, with a fully accessible footbridge with lifts and steps connecting the two platforms, bike shelters, a 154-space car park (including EV charging), taxi rank and a bus stop. Shared-use paths will connect the station to residential areas of Haxby for those travelling to the station on foot or by bicycle.
Proposed appearance of Haxby Station. Credit: Network Rail
So far, around £3.5m has been provided from the Restoring Your Railways fund, which aims to support the reinstatement of old lines and stations.
Network Rail has already carried out ground surveys at the proposed station site. The new station is expected to enter service in 2026.
Iain Kelly, Network Rail’s Project Sponsor for Haxby station, said: “The submission of this planning application is a major milestone in the development of Haxby station. A lot of behind-the-scenes work by Network Rail and City of York Council has taken place to get the project to this stage and we are ready to press ahead with delivering a station local residents can be proud of.
“Haxby’s new station will provide residents with greater connectivity and offer more sustainable transport methods which tie in with Network Rail’s ambition to be simpler, better and greener.”
Councillor Pete Kilbane, Deputy Leader of City of York Council and Executive Member for Economy and Transport, said: “This is a significant step towards bringing a railway station back to Haxby.
“We have been working closely with Network Rail to progress this project and look forward to making this become a reality. If approved, a new station at Haxby would greatly improve public transport in the north of the city, reducing the need for people to travel by car. This is in line with our Council Plan priority of ‘sustainable, accessible transport for all’.
“This application will now go through the independent planning process and I would urge anyone to have a look at the plans and share your comments.”
Proposed appearance of Haxby Station. Credit: Network Rail
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