As part of its ongoing commitment to accelerate the diversification of its workforce and publishing, Hachette UK is expanding their national office in Sheffield. The 23-strong team have moved to a workspace previously used by Twinkl, a leading education business founded in Sheffield. Hachette UK now has 120 staff based across the cities of Manchester, Bristol, Edinburgh, Newcastle and Sheffield. Of the 120 staff over 40% have been recruited locally and in Sheffield that number rises to over 50%. The Sheffield team includes colleagues from 8 different publishing divisions and a similar number of job functions, with particular strengths in editorial, marketing, sales, rights and IT. This move to a standalone space with two suites, meeting rooms with high-spec technology, a bespoke audio studio, and break-out and quiet spaces will enable Hachette UK to hire creative talent beyond London and better reach consumers. Nick Davies, MD of John Murray Press and national office lead at Hachette UK, said: “We are committed to growing our creative hubs across the UK. In just over two years, the national offices have more than doubled in size. The growth in Sheffield – from five staff to twenty-three – has been particularly exciting to see. And this impressive new space gives us the potential to grow that office to 75 colleagues or more. “We have already begun reaping the rewards of having a workforce that better reflects the UK’s population. Of course, better is not enough and we have ambitious plans to deepen our vital connections with readers, writers and booksellers in communities beyond London. The move to bigger premises in Sheffield plays a significant part in that.” David Shelley, CEO of Hachette UK, said: “I’m so proud of our national offices, and excited about the major expansion in Sheffield. Since 2021 the national offices have provided a gateway into creative talent – authors, illustrators, translators, publishing professionals – around the UK. “We’re 100% committed to the growth and development of these hubs over the coming years, and we really look forward to continuing and developing our work with bookshops, libraries, arts organisations, and charities in all five cities. “Opening offices around the country has been a crucial and transformative venture for us in our mission to publish for as wide a readership as possible, and we’re ambitious to increase our footprint outside London further in the years to come.”

The transformation of the historic Halifax Borough Market has moved a step closer, after the multi-million-pound revitalisation project reached significant milestones. Calderdale Council is investing nearly £4.5 million into a thriving future for the market hall as a focal point for shopping, business and leisure in Halifax, after it successfully secured £11.7 million from the Government’s Future High Streets Fund for improvements across the town centre. Work on the Grade II* listed Borough Market, which opened in 1896, will include:

• Restoration of the historic façade and repairs to the roof, which is an important heritage feature.
• Improved entrances and routes inside the market to make it easier to explore and to help people enjoy the market’s many features and stalls, and to better link the top and bottom ends of the town centre.
• Improved areas for events outside of market trading hours, including pop-up units and refurbished toilet facilities.

In the latest milestone, the Council has submitted the listed building consent application for improvements to the market arcade doors, to complement the new automatic sliding doors in the other entrances. The original swinging doors are still in place in the market arcade entrance, so listed building consent is being sought to make them fit for modern use and easier to open, whilst recognising their historical significance as a key part of the market’s heritage and identity. Subject to listed building consent, the outer two historic doors will be repaired and preserved to protect their original features and reveal previously hidden details. It is also proposed to renew the arched glazed wall that the doors sit within, and the whole entrance will be painted to reflect the roof’s new colour scheme. The application for market arcade comes after planning permission and listed building consent were recently granted for work to revamp the Albion Street entrance to the market. This will include renewing the shopfronts and creating a distinctive new steel and glass canopy above the entrance, new signs and retractable awnings, which will make the market stand out more at this side of the town centre. The Council has submitted a request for listed building consent for the area around the market hall’s clock, for work to make the most of the striking original clock in the middle of the market and to create an area for meeting, entertainment and information. The fruit and veg retailer currently based there will be relocating from the clock tower to a new purpose-built stall. The major reroofing project is well underway. All the glass is being replaced to make the market hall feel lighter and brighter. New double glazing and roof insulation will help to keep heat inside the building, increasing the building’s energy efficiency and contributing to the Council’s climate action priority and net zero carbon target. The roof’s steel structures are being fully redecorated with a blue, green and cream colour scheme, which Historic England approved as there was evidence that the same colours had been used historically in the market. New, high-speed WiFi networks have been installed for customers and traders, and work is ongoing to refurbish the public and trader toilets, to create clear signage for the whole building, and to develop the Albany Arcade space for daytime and evening events. Cllr Silvia Dacre, Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Resources, said: “The distinctive Victorian Halifax Borough Market is a much-loved part of the town and our local heritage. We are investing to make sure it stays at the heart of the community for years to come, with new facilities that will help secure the market’s future by encouraging more people to visit and trade there, and helping to tackle climate change.” Cllr Sarah Courtney, Cabinet Member for Towns, Tourism and Voluntary Sector, added: “Revitalising the Borough Market supports our priority for thriving towns and places. Alongside the other exciting regeneration projects across Halifax, including the Future High Streets investment into the Victoria Theatre, George Square and the historic alleyways, it will encourage people to explore and stay longer, boosting their experience, local businesses and cultural assets.” The market transformation, along with the range of other planned projects, is thanks to the £18 million awarded to the Council in December 2020 from the Government’s Future High Streets Fund, to support town centre improvements in Halifax (£11.7 million) and Elland (£6.3 million).

The dream of a Yorkshire gin-maker to move into brand-new premises in the shadow of Whitby Abbey is now becoming a reality. Work is beginning this autumn on Whitby Distillery’s £1.8 million project to renovate two derelict barns on Abbey Lands on the south-west corner of the Abbey grounds. The build programme, which has been partly funded by the Whitby Distillers Founders Club, is scheduled to be completed by the end of next year. It will feature a unique pathway, engraved with the names of friends and supporters of the distillery. Whitby Distillery, makers of Whitby Gin, was founded in 2017 by Jessica Slater and Luke Pentith who have grown their business from a passion project to one whose gin stocked in more than 500 outlets across the UK. The move will enable the distillery to become one of the most iconic distillery visitor experiences in England, providing high-quality leisure and function space for the local community to enjoy. Luke Pentith said: “This move is a gamechanger for us. Whilst we have been very happy in our current premises in Botany Way in Whitby, our new home will take Whitby Distillery to the next level, stepping up production and giving visitors the opportunity to see us distilling and bottling through the week with our tour experiences. “It is an honour and a privilege to be restoring these derelict buildings on such a world-famous site. For us, this is all about launching an amazing adventure on the atmospheric North Sea coastline, with tremendous knock-on effects for the local economy.” Jessica said: “Our new distillery is a serious commitment to Whitby. We are making a significant investment into the local community and the future of the town. In the longer term, we anticipate up to 25 employees. “As well as the distillery, our plans include a visitor centre, which will showcase our production process and our various spirits, as well as paying homage to the amazing cultural heritage of Whitby and providing an educational and corporate business space. “Whitby Distillery aims to offer an educational and enchanting visitor experience which can be accessed all year round, as an out-of-season and wet weather destination. The visitor experience venue and exhibition/hire space build on the strong links Whitby distillery has with the adjacent English Heritage attraction.” “The site has these incredible views of the Abbey, the town, the moors and the sea and no-one gets to see it as the area is closed off at the moment. We want to use the area for people to be able to take tours and also host small events up there,” she added. Luke added: “The renovation work is partly be funded by Whitby Distillery’s Founders Club, which gives members to chance to become part of the Whitby Distillery success story. “We have chosen to work with Native Architects who are the experts when it comes to sustainable redevelopment of heritage buildings. They value the qualities of traditionally crafted buildings but adapt and convert in a way that sets the reduction of CO2 emissions as a priority. “Whitby Distillery is designed to be an inspirational building that has minimal environmental impact. We are taking a ‘fabric first’ approach to refurbishment to improve the energy efficiency. Wastewater from the distilling process will be used where possible to irrigate plants and the vegetated roof. “The heat extracted from this water will be used to warm the building. Green roofs will be planted with wildflowers to nurture the natural plants and wildlife. Hidden roof solar PV panels will generate electricity on site. Building materials can have high carbon footprints so materials have been selected that have low levels of embodied carbon.”

Following 12 years of continuous growth and in preparation to support future expansion plans, alternative finance lender Reward Finance Group has moved its national headquarters to new Grade A office space in the heart of Leeds’ business district.

Previously housed in Central House, Reward has relocated to the recently refurbished 12 King Street, where the team in Leeds now occupies 4,000 sq ft on the 1st floor. The landmark building underwent an £11m investment last year, to introduce a futuristic workspace with enhanced features such as a cycle spa, roof terraces and a sky lounge.

Reward’s group managing director, Nick Smith said: “We had a tremendous journey in our latest Leeds office for more than eight years. At Reward, we’re always looking towards the future, so this move is a major milestone in our expansion plans. The transition into state-of-the-art offices represents 12 years of continuous growth in Leeds and it sets the stage for our plans to further expand the team in the coming months.

“We outgrew our previous space due to rapid business growth across the UK, therefore the new office ticks every box. We also place a high priority on the wellbeing of all our teams, so the availability of breakout spaces, improved facilities and enhanced sustainability credentials allows us to provide the ideal environment for all our staff.

“Ben Johnson did a fantastic job with the interior design and fit out of the new space, we’re delighted to call 12 King Street our new Leeds home and very much looking forward to the next chapter for our business.”