Harrogate office building sold for holiday let conversion
A 3,150 sq ft three storey office building has been sold in Harrogate to York-based investors and developers Pierre Developments, who plan to convert the property into a holiday let.
The Victorian style property is located on East Parade in Harrogate town centre, directly adjacent to the train station.
The property was offered for sale by Sanderson Weatherall on the instructions of Interpath Advisory, acting as joint administrators of Planet-U Energy Ltd.
Peter Evans of Pierre Developments said: “We are glad to have recently completed on 19 East Parade. Our plan is to repurpose the building from a former office building into a large residential property which we intend to let out as a holiday let for large groups and families visiting Harrogate.”
Partner in Sanderson Weatherall’s Leeds office, Craig Watson, added: “We are delighted to secure this sale on behalf of Interpath Advisory following a competitive marketing process. The property is primely located and offered significant potential for conversion and we look forward to seeing what Pierre Developments do with the space!”
IT transformation consultancy secures transformative funding
Leeds-based IT and business transformation specialist, Iridium Consulting, has paved the way for further growth after securing funding from Santander UK.
Santander UK has provided the IT and business transformation consultancy with a £1.5m invoice finance package. The funding provides improved working capital to the business, supporting it through a period of growth and enabling it to expand its portfolio of clients.
Iridium Consulting provides a consultancy service, placing IT and business transformation experts primarily into financial services companies, particularly credit card issuers, supporting them to deliver IT programmes and solutions.
Established in 2018, the business is growing rapidly, with annual turnover increasing year on year, reaching £5.2m in 2020, and increasing to £18.5m across 2021. It is targeting a 30% increase in turnover this year to reach £24m by the end of 2022. The business’s expansion is being propelled by the technological demands within the financial services sector required to maintain a competitive offering to consumers.
Iridium Consulting has a full-time staff of 15 as well as a network of 187 contractors. It plans to hire eight new staff this year.
Matt Pickin, head of operations at Iridium Consulting, said: “We have banked with Santander UK since we were first established, and it has been a supportive partner right from the outset. The working capital facility it has provided us with gives huge comfort and enables us to focus on planning for our future growth.”
Nick Sharpe, relationship director at Santander UK, said: “We’re delighted to see Iridium Consulting grow so rapidly and have such an exciting future ahead. Santander UK is delighted to provide the consultancy with this invoice finance package to support the next exciting chapter of its growth journey.”
Get ready to network at the Property & Business Investment Lincolnshire Expo
With everything you require for a great day of networking and business generation, attend The Property & Business Investment Lincolnshire Expo to establish new contacts.
A well targeted, free to attend event aimed at the Construction, Property, Business, Investment, Finance, Professional Services and related B2B markets, for which Business Link is a proud partner, the expo will take place on Wednesday 27 April 2022 at The Bentley Hotel, Lincoln.
Opening at 9am, as the exhibition closes (circa 2pm), it will roll directly into an informal network lunch – tickets are just £25 plus vat and can be ordered and paid for directly online.
Meet more potential clients in one amazing cost effective day, than it would take months out on the road.
To attend the event, register for free here.
To generate opportunities by exhibiting at the event, click here.
Purchase tickets to the networking lunch here.
HETA submits plans for £4.8m engineering training centre
Plans have been submitted for a new £4.8m engineering training centre which is designed to boost skills and jobs by meeting the existing needs of employers and by building capacity to support inward investors.
Humberside Engineering Training Association (HETA) aims to open the new centre in Stallingborough, North East Lincolnshire, in August 2023 as a bigger and more modern replacement for the site which it currently operates.
Joanne Lawson, Deputy Chief Executive of HETA, said: “We will be able to offer more opportunities for young people starting out on their careers in engineering and for adults who want to improve their skills or re-train.
“That expansion will in turn create more jobs for instructors, including people who want to move into training and share their skills and experience. There is already strong demand from industry in the area, and that can only increase as more businesses move into a prime development zone.”
The plans now lodged by HETA will add a key element to North East Lincolnshire Council’s £42m South Humber Industrial Investment Programme (SHIIP) project, which is transforming a total of 189 hectares of land along the south bank of the Humber to create attractive new opportunities for business and industry.
HETA has acquired the site of nearly three acres opposite the headquarters of renewables specialist myenergi, [correct] which opened in 2021. The new development will provide two storeys with facilities including workshops to enable individual training in fabrication and welding, machining, electrical and mechanical engineering.
There will be eight classrooms including an IT centre, informal learning and recreation spaces and a workshop viewing gallery.
Other features will include recreation and dining space and the building will benefit from sustainable drainage, eco-friendly landscaping and lighting and a low maintenance sustainable heating system with PV solar units on the roof.
The site will have parking for cars, bikes and motorbikes, all supported by new access roads.
HETA has already embarked on a series of briefings to alert employers to the opportunities which will be provided by the new centre.
Ms Lawson said: “We’ll be releasing more details in further presentations to employers as the project nears completion. It’s all about increasing the training support for employers across North and North East Lincolnshire and making it part of a package which will help to attract new businesses into the area.”
HETA was founded in 1967 and currently has more than 500 apprentices on programme, working with 350 employers. The company delivers 16 apprenticeship standards and returns Higher Nationals pass rates of 100 per cent at Level 5 and 88 per cent at Level 4 as well as 98 per cent at BTEC Level 3.
In 2021 HETA received more than 800 applications for the 210 apprenticeships available at its three sites – Hull, Scunthorpe and Stallingborough. The company is recruiting now for its 2022 cohort and is again experiencing high levels of interest for apprenticeships and for Higher National qualifications.
Decision record: Contractor appointed for East Park parking and footpath improvement works
A contractor has been appointed to provide a new footpath and parking improvements at East Park.
Hull City Council has today published a decision record confirming the awarding of the contract to CR Reynolds Limited, for the sum of £63,317.64, after an open tender process in which bids were assessed on a ‘best value’ basis, combining price and quality.
The East Park gates were closed to vehicles in 2020 to improve social distancing measures and increase safety for people walking, running and cycling in the park.
To mitigate the loss of parking space, last summer the overflow car park at Woodford Leisure Centre was used as a temporary solution, providing a link to the existing small car park within East Park.
However, the overflow car park closed during the winter, with a temporary access road installed as an interim measure until a permanent solution could be designed and procured.
The permanent solution includes the creation of 21 additional parking spaces on the park road that links the rear of the leisure centre car park and provides access to the small car park at East Park.
The work also includes the creation of a new permanent footpath and the installation of removable bollards forming an access barrier, as well as 36 timber bollards separating the overflow car park from the park road.
The Woodford Leisure Centre overflow car park will be used during periods of high demand, at the discretion of the operator, Hull Culture and Leisure.
Councillor Dean Kirk, portfolio holder for highways, roads and transport, said: “The closure of the East Park gates in 2020 provided a safer environment for people walking, running and cycling. However, it also created a need for additional visitor parking.
“We believe this is the most suitable and cost-effective solution, providing additional car parking spaces as well as a permanent link from the Woodford Leisure Centre car park to the existing East Park car park.
“We are confident this will provide the best outcome for people living in the area and for those who visit East Park.”
The funds to deliver the scheme will be reallocated from the Parks Improvement Fund.
The work is due to begin on Monday 7 March and is expected to last about three weeks.
Council aims to ‘Break the Bias’ and empower women in business
City of York Council is co-organising a networking event in York with Natwest for women involved in business on March 22, 2022.
In celebration of Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day on March 8, the council is partnering with Natwest to host ‘Break the Bias’ – the first of a series of networking events that aim to inspire and empower women to either start or scale their business.
The event will be held on Tuesday, March 22, 2022 from 12 pm to 2 pm at York Marriott Hotel, Tadcaster Road, York YO24 1QQ and will highlight the wide range of services offered to women in York who want to start, run and grow a business.
The participants will hear from inspirational speaker, Sarah Hannett – Founder of Dewcy who will talk about her business journey; researching, developing and growing her skincare brand DEWCY. There will be an opportunity to engage with Sarah Hannett during a Q&A session.
The event will also allow participants to learn about the available business support that York businesses can access from City of York Council, Natwest and the Aspire2lead programme.
The networking event welcomes women business owners, senior managers and women thinking about starting a business in York.
Councillor Andrew Waller, Executive Member for Economy and Strategic Planning said: “Break the Bias is the first of many business networking events for women that the council is excited to organise. Along with our partners at Natwest and Aspire2Lead, we are determined to support and help local businesswomen overcome any barriers they may be facing through learning, networking and funding.
“Our aim is to create equal opportunities for all across York’s business community. We hope that the event and the range of services on offer inspire and empower women in York to start, grow or upscale their business.”
Councillor Paula Widdowson, Executive Member for Environment and Climate Change said: “During Women’s History Month and on International Women’s Day, March the 8th, the council and partners are hosting ‘Break the Bias’, an event that will support women in York’s business community to become even better.
“We believe that York’s businesswomen have the potential and capability to achieve great success. Our aim is to provide the right support and the motivational boost needed to thrive in the world of business. I urge all businesswomen in York to attend this event and make the most of the fantastic opportunities and support offered by the council and its partners.”
Budget 2022: Environment at heart of council as net-zero ambition embedded into budget plans
Protecting and enhancing the environment has been hard-wired into every part of North Lincolnshire Council’s budget.
A scheme to support schools to install green-energy solutions will be rolled out across the area, enforcement of litter louts and fly-tippers will be stepped up and the council will look to add a sixth park to its stable of five Green Flag-winning parks.
Hundreds more homes will be fitted with insulation, a raft of new electric charging points will be installed and thousands more trees and hedges will be planted – adding to the more than 90,000 trees which have been planted already.
Cllr David Rose, cabinet member for the environment, said: “We launched our Green Futures strategy recently, announcing our intentions to be net-zero by 2030.
“This is the first budget since it was launched and I am pleased to be able to say we have already made great strides into embedding the intentions of the Green Futures across the council.
“The protection and enhancement of the environment is integral to everything we do.”
The investments are part of North Lincolnshire Council’s annual budget which was approved at a full council meeting on Thursday, 24 February.
The inflation-busting budget saw only a small council tax rise of 0.89 per cent and an uplift in the social care precept of two per cent.
Budget 2022: Successful business digital grant scheme reopens with £100,000 top-up
The recently launched digitalisation grant – designed to supercharge digital growth across North Lincolnshire – has proved so popular with local business it has re-opened with more funds.
The Government-funded £150,000 cash pot was immediately over-subscribed, so North Lincolnshire Council has allocated a further £100,000 to the scheme.
The grants – which can be up to £5,000 – are targeted at companies looking to invest in the latest technology.
This can be everything from cutting-edge hardware and software, upgrading internet connections, buying e-commerce equipment and paying for marketing campaigns or consultancy costs.
Businesses of all sizes are eligible to apply, with the minimum award being £1,000.
Cllr Rob Waltham, leader, North Lincolnshire Council, said: “We are listening to businesses and enabling them to take the steps they need to flourish.
“We were pleased at the success of the digitalisation grant offer and have worked quickly to pour more money into the fund so no business will lose out.
“This is part of the council’s pledge to deliver on the levelling-up agenda and support a strong, diverse business sector that will create jobs and enable growth.”
The investment is part of North Lincolnshire Council’s annual budget which was approved at a full council meeting on Thursday, 24 February.
The inflation-busting budget saw only small council tax rise of 0.89 per cent and an uplift in the social care precept of two per cent.
Bus franchising proposals put forward for South Yorkshire
Mayor Dan Jarvis is bringing forward proposals for the formal investigation of bus franchising in South Yorkshire – describing it as a critical step for efforts to transform the region’s transport.
The decision, which will set the wheels in motion for greater public control over buses, will be put before a special Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) meeting on 4 March.
“I continue to believe in the huge potential of our buses, but it is clear the current system in South Yorkshire is not delivering as it should. We have to look at every option to transform our region’s transport – and that has to include franchising.” Jarvis said.
“Franchising is not a silver bullet and we should be under no illusion about the challenges we face, irrespective of which bus model we choose. But greater public control has the potential to help build a bus system that better meets the needs and priorities of South Yorkshire. The assessment is a critical step that sets the stage for franchising if we are satisfied the case has been made.
“Nevertheless, we’ve set out strong ambitions and invested millions to improve services. But just when we should be working together to rebuild public transport, bus companies that received millions in public subsidy during the pandemic are rushing to cuts and fare hikes that will cut off communities and lock in the harm done by Covid – while the government is asleep at the wheel.
“Moving to the formal franchising assessment is the right decision for South Yorkshire. But I want and need operators to act like real partners now, for government to continue emergency funding support, and provide the transformative investment they promised. Without that we cannot hope to reverse the cycle of decline – and build the future that South Yorkshire deserves.”
South Yorkshire’s proposed assessment of bus franchising follows plans to develop an Enhanced Partnership in response to the government’s National Bus Strategy (Bus Back Better). The Partnership’s blueprint for bus reform – founded on feedback from the region’s Bus Review – includes proposals for free travel for under 18s and capped fares for all passengers, bus priority measures to make journeys quicker, better journey planning information, ‘turn up and go’ bus options, and zero emission buses to make travel cleaner and greener towards a net-zero future.
The Enhanced Partnership Plan and Scheme, recently subject to public consultation, would form a legally binding agreement between SYMCA and local bus operators to deliver the actions set out in South Yorkshire’s Bus Service Improvement Plan. Work to establish and implement the Enhanced Partnership continues, in order to deliver passenger benefits.
Law firm takes on boardroom challenge to turn £100 into thousands for charity
Leeds office holds auction and raffle with prizes including signed merchandise from Leeds Rhinos, the Brownlee brothers and AJ Pritchard
National law firm Weightmans LLP is hosting a nationwide £100 boardroom challenge between its offices.
Weightmans’ Leeds team is supporting West Yorkshire homelessness charity Simon on the Streets which supports and delivers emotional and practical outreach support to the homeless community and those that are most vulnerable in Leeds, Bradford, and Kirklees.
Each team is tasked with converting £100 into as much money as possible for their local office charity. Senior partners will form part of a judging panel assessing creativity, ingenuity and amount of funds raised.
The Leeds office team, comprising of Oliver Hall, Sophie Hudson, Matthew Jones, Holly Knight and Samantha Patel, mentored by Marc Allison, named ‘Taking the Leed(s)’ has chosen to host a virtual charity auction and raffle on Thursday 10 March 2022. Top prizes on offer include vouchers for restaurants, bars, experiences, flights to Europe and products as well as signed merchandise from Leeds Rhinos, the Brownlee brothers, AJ Pritchard and many more.
The auction catalogue is available at https://justgiving.com/fundraising/2022simononthestreetsauction with bidding commencing 3 March 2022. An online event announcing the raffle and auction winners will be held on Thursday 10 March 2022 at 5.30pm.
The Leeds base aims to beat its seven counterparts and raise at least £3000 for the homelessness charity.
Matthew Jones, associate for Weightmans LLP, Leeds commented: “It’s a pleasure to be taking part in Weightmans’ £100 Boardroom Challenge. It is a fantastic initiative and is certainly putting our skills to the test.
“The best part of course is that we are raising money for such a good cause. Our Leeds office has partnered with Simon on the Streets for a number of years, and we have seen first-hand the vital work that they do in the area. Hopefully, our silent auction and raffle will raise as much money as possible for this very worthy cause. Please buy as many tickets as you can and bid generously in our auction!”
Simon on the Streets’ fundraising manager, Leah Charlson said: “Weightmans has been a generous supporter of ours over recent years and we’re truly grateful for all they continue to do for us to continue combatting the issues of homelessness. This challenge is fantastic, and we wish the Leeds team the best of luck to come top across the country!”
