Yorkshire business confidence remains on upward trajectory
Business confidence in Yorkshire rose three points during February to 51%, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking.
Companies in Yorkshire reported higher confidence in their own business prospects month-on-month, up 12 points to 54%. When taken alongside their optimism in the economy, which dipped seven points to 48%, this gives a headline confidence reading of 51%.
The Business Barometer, which questions 1,200 businesses monthly, provides early signals about UK economic trends both regionally and nationwide. This month’s survey captured responses between 1st and 15th February before the removal of various COVID restrictions across the UK’s nations.
A net balance of 53% of businesses in the region expect to increase staff levels over the next year, the joint highest of all UK regions and nations, up a significant 24 points, the joint highest climb on last month.
Overall UK business confidence saw an uptick in February, rising five points from January’s reading of 39% to 44% – its highest level since last September. Firms remained positive about their future trading prospects, with a four-point increase month-on-month to 45%, while optimism in the economy overall also increased by five points to 43%. The net balance of businesses planning to create new jobs rose by nine points to 38%.
Every UK nation and region maintained a positive overall confidence reading in February. The North East (up 17 points to 57%), South West (up nine points to 46%) and West Midlands (up eight points to 47%) saw the biggest increases month-on-month, with the North East reporting the highest levels of business confidence overall. Only the North West (which remained unchanged at 44%) and Scotland (down two points to 35%) did not have higher confidence readings than last month.
Steve Harris, regional director for Yorkshire at Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said: “It is very encouraging to see the confidence of Yorkshire’s SMEs continue to grow this month. Our region’s resilient businesses continue to weather the complex storm of the COVID-19 pandemic, price rises and inflation, and keep investing in growth.
“With spring around the corner, Yorkshire’s thriving hospitality and leisure sector will be hoping for an uptick in tourists from the UK and further afield to further boost morale.”
The further easing of COVID restrictions in January had a positive impact across the sectors with strong increases in manufacturing (up 11 points to 54%) and construction (up 18 points to 51%) with both reaching their highest level since the start of the pandemic. Retail confidence rose three points to 47%, another high since the start of COVID. Services remained unchanged at 38%.
Hann-Ju Ho, senior economist for Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said: “It’s extremely encouraging to see a such an improvement in business confidence reaching its highest level since September, fuelled by trading prospects reaching their highest level since the start of pandemic.
“With hiring intentions also reaching their highest level since the end of the furlough scheme there is hope that the easing of supply bottlenecks will alleviate a number of challenges that businesses have been facing and help underpin the UK’s growth in 2022.”
Duo of deals see Bradford business park fully let
The two remaining units at Marrtree Business Park, Bradford have been let by Carter Towler and joint agent Walker Singleton.
Unit 3, a 23,082 sq ft warehouse, has been let to air conditioning and ductwork specialists Glidefield Engineering Solutions and exporter A & A Financial Consultancy has taken Unit 4 which is 18,400 sq ft.
Owned by London-based Paloma Capital, Marrtree Business Park is on Bowling Back Lane, close to the Sticker Lane junction and Bradford ring road. It is also just two miles from the M606/62 motorway network.
Carter Towler’s Hazel Cooper said: “We are delighted for Paloma Capital that the entire business park is now fully occupied. They made a very significant commitment when they acquired the estate in 2018 and then invested a further £400,000 in an extensive refurbishment programme. The estate is now thriving and I’m sure both Glidefield Engineering and A & A Financial Consultancy will do really well here.”
Paloma Capital’s asset manager, Tom Ridge, added: “The most recent lettings on the business park are testament to the convenient location and the quality of the newly refurbished units. Our two latest occupiers will be joining successful businesses including Peckover Transport; Pro-tec Covers and industrial lighting supplier, Crompton Lamps.”
Collectively the entire business park has 206,098 sq ft of warehouse accommodation.
Paloma Capital is a private equity real estate investor with a significant ownership of industrial parks across the country. Other assets located within the Yorkshire region include 400,000 sq ft at Interchange 38 in Barnsley and a 50,000 sq ft office in central Leeds.
125 affordable homes given approval for site in Huddersfield
A major project in Linthwaite, Huddersfield, to build 125 high quality, eco-friendly affordable homes has been given the go-ahead by planners.
Casey have been granted permission to build on the site at the former Broad Oak Farm. The £22 million project is being supported with Homes England Funding.
Alan Taylor, director at Casey, said: “We have enjoyed working in collaboration with Yorkshire Housing to develop this scheme and are excited to begin work on site. We will be providing a high-quality scheme for residents, as well as improving lives in creating new communities.”
Designed by TADW Architects, the development will include two, three and four bedroom homes, as well as ten two-bedroom flats. They will be available for a mix of tenures including shared ownership, right to buy and affordable rent.
Director of development at Yorkshire Housing, Sian Grindley, said: “At Yorkshire Housing we’re passionate about building homes and communities that our customers are proud to live in and call home.
“Linthwaite is a great place to live and I’m proud that we’re able to deliver one of the few 100% affordable housing developments in the area. A lot of thought has gone into the design of the site to ensure we create a community as well as high quality homes.
“We’re well on track to hit our target of delivering 8,000 additional affordable homes by 2030 and we’re delighted that this development will give people an opportunity to move into a high quality new home.”
Work is expected to start on the site later this year and is expected to be complete in 2025.
Wellbeing company relocates to historic Yorkshire mill from London
A mindfulness and wellbeing company is moving into Sunny Bank Mills, the iconic Yorkshire mill complex at Farsley between Leeds and Bradford.
LSW London is relocating from the capital and is taking studio space in the recently refurbished Red Lane Mill.
During the past ten years Sunny Bank Mills, one of the most famous family-owned mills in Yorkshire, has been transformed into a modern office and mixed-use complex for the 21st century, creating 400 sustainable new jobs.
Lili Sinclair-Williams, the founder and creative director of LSW London, explained: “The location of Sunny Bank Mills in the centre of Farsley is perfect for us. We moved to the area in June 2020 and the mill has been a real draw for us – with its range of restaurants, bars, cafes and other exciting businesses. We’ve visited numerous times to enjoy all that SBM has to offer.
“We’ve experienced rapid growth in the past 18 months that has taken us from 30 stockists in the UK to over 600 stockists in 20 countries around the world. Over the next three years, we are going to expand our team, significantly increase our inventory levels and grow our distribution network – and we see Sunny Bank Mills as the perfect location to make this happen.
“Using my expertise as a therapist, I wanted to create wellbeing tools that were easy to use and accessible for everyone. Focusing on positive habits we repeat daily, I curated my favourite techniques into our first product, LSW Mind Cards. Today we have a full range of wellbeing and mindfulness products – including journals, cards and notebooks – selling in 20 countries around the world.”
John and William Gaunt are owners and joint Managing Directors of Sunny Bank Mills, where Yorkshire Television’s Emmerdale and Heartbeat were once filmed.
John Gaunt commented: “LSW London are a wellbeing brand offering a range of beautiful mindfulness products and are going to strength to strength. Lili and her husband Mark are based locally and I am pleased to be offering quality business space in the community, close to where people live. Mindfulness is even more important now than it was when we started redeveloping the mill in 2008.
“Our efforts are now firmly focused on refurbishing the remaining space in the iconic 1912 Mill with 14,000 sq ft of quality office space over two floors available to let in a variety of configurations.”
LSW London was established in the capital in 2017. Mark Sinclair-Williams joined the business in February 2021.
Plans submitted for 600 new homes to complete Goole regeneration scheme
Beal Homes has submitted plans for hundreds of new homes to complete a major residential regeneration scheme in Goole.
The East Yorkshire-based housebuilder’s plans are for a range of two, three and four-bedroom homes, providing a well-balanced housing mix to suit the full range of residents.
The reserved matters planning application submitted to East Riding of Yorkshire Council covers the development of 600 homes, with landscaping, public open spaces and associated works, on land off Rawcliffe Road in Goole.
Outline planning permission is already in place and approval for the detailed plans would give the green light for the homes to be built.
A site of around 2.7 acres suitable for a potential primary school has been included in the proposed layout of the development. The plans also include a pedestrian and cycle route through the site and a new public right of way around the perimeter.
Delivery of the new homes would complete Beal’s The Greenways development, which will ultimately feature 800 homes across a 73-acre site.
Beal is making a long-term investment of £150m in The Greenways, which is the largest residential development in Goole for decades.
Construction began on the first phase of The Greenways in 2020 and the development is now well advanced.
Beal Chief Executive Richard Beal said: “This planning application demonstrates our commitment to completing this much-needed development and to making a very significant contribution to the regeneration of Goole.
“It also reflects the tremendous success of the first phase of The Greenways. Demand has been incredibly strong and the sales momentum has been exceptional.
“The Greenways is providing high-quality, contemporary homes for local people and families drawn to Goole by the many new opportunities in Goole. It’s an essential element of the unprecedented investment now being delivered in the town.
“Phase one of The Greenways is creating a highly attractive new neighbourhood. Approval for these plans will enable many more people to join this community and provide a major economic and social boost for Goole and the wider area.”
Mooving with the times: old cow byre to be converted into indoor play centre and café at Temple Newsam’s Home Farm
An udderly exciting development project starts this week, which will see an old cow byre converted into an indoor play centre, café and shop at Temple Newsam’s Home Farm.
The cow byre and its surrounding buildings were built over 100 years ago and were used as a milking parlour to provide clean tuberculin-tested milk to the hospitals in Leeds. The building and production systems were state of the art for their time and by the 1940s, had Shorthorn cows producing over 70,000 gallons of milk each year.
The council ceased dairy farming in 1968 and after that time the building had various other uses including being a vehicle depot for the council’s parks department and even being home to West Yorkshire Police’s stables in the 1970’s.
The various activities had led to multiple alterations to the building and some of the original fixtures and fittings, including the magnificent-looking ventilation turrets, had fallen into disrepair – it was apparent that urgent repairs were needed and a new use found for the building that could respect its original design and history.
Now, 100 years on from when it was first built, a new development will take the place of the old cow byre which will see two new play areas developed, a comfy café offering drinks and light meals and a shop.
Public consultation revealed that visitors were keen that Home Farm should have more indoor facilities so that they could visit at all times of the year and from this the idea, the ‘Playbarn’ was developed.
The new development, due to open in late autumn, will have two play areas, one in the original milking parlour, suitable for up to 12 year-olds and the second area for toddlers which will be situated in a purpose built extension to the rear yard. Both areas will take inspiration from the farm and the park bringing the great outdoors inside.
Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s executive member for public health and active lifestyles said: “I am so pleased to see that this fascinating old building will be given a new lease of life offering families a place to come along and enjoy for many years to come. Creating more indoor space for people to enjoy at Home Farm was a key finding from a public consultation we did last year so we are excited to move this project forward and deliver on this commitment.
“I am looking forward to following the progress of this project and to visiting in autumn once the scheme is complete.”
Kasbah Conservation Area Management Plan
The unique nature of the Kasbah area of Grimsby docks, and how to manage it for the future, is the subject of a new management plan by conservation specialists, Alan Baxter Ltd.
The Kasbah Conservation Area was designated in 2017, in recognition of its distinctive and special character with a unique set of industrial buildings relating to the fishing industries and associated uses, particularly smokehouses.
Now, the company has been employed to work with the Council and other partners, including current and potential future occupiers of the docks’ premises to provide solutions and guidance for current and future occupiers of the historic buildings.
Al Eggeling of Alan Baxter’s heritage team explained: “The Kasbah Conservation Area Management Plan will be unique. It will not just be about preserving the unique smokeries and buildings of the world’s greatest fishing port but rather it will be about managing change: enabling a thriving, heritage-led regeneration of this unique town-within-a-town.
“Getting the input of current businesses, local people in Grimsby and heritage stakeholders will be critical to provide a consensus for future decisions in the Kasbah, and continued stewardship of the conservation area long after the Heritage Action Zone projects come to an end,” she continued.
Alan Baxter Ltd is a multi-disciplinary practice with a wealth of skills to draw on, including heritage professionals; urban designers; landscape architects; civil & structural engineers and transport planners.
Previous experience has seen them deliver holistic visions for the conservation of the coastal town of Ramsgate in Kent and also for the historic core of York.
“This is a project I really wanted to work on,” Al continued. “Not just because it’s a fantastic opportunity to help breathe new life into Grimsby’s docks but because it has parallels with our own practice’s experience.
“In 1979, Alan Baxter bought and renovated a former bacon smokery in a run-down, declining area close to Smithfield Meat Market and established a design practice. In time, the company expanded and we bought, refurbished and occupied a former warehouse on the same street, leasing our original building to architects and built environment start-ups.
“Today, the area is home to many related design firms and creative industries so we know it can be done with some vision and momentum. The team that has been assembled are really committed to making that happen”.
North East Lincolnshire Council Cabinet member for Tourism, Heritage and Culture, Cllr Callum Procter, said: “I’m really pleased this Management Plan is underway. We need to understand how buildings on this important dock can be used so we can attract creative and other industries to use the docks as a base to work from in the future.”
David Walsh, Principal Adviser at Historic England, said: “The Kasbah is seeing new hope in 2022 with works starting on a number of Heritage Action Zone projects and new businesses coming to the area. The conservation area management plan will provide a strategic approach and action plan to help tackle the challenges the historic dock faces now and in the future, including the poor condition of many buildings and low occupancy rates. Historic England is delighted that this vital work is underway.”
Simon Bird, Director of ABP Humber said: “We look forward to seeing the Kasbah Conservation Management Plan and how it will celebrate the distinctive sense of place within this part of the operational port in Grimsby. Alan Baxter Ltd have a strong record in heritage buildings and the right skills in order to deliver the vision, and ABP Humber look forward to working with them on the transformation of this unique space.”
The Conservation Area Management Plan will be developed through 2022, with a final report on the best way to manage the historic buildings on the Kasbah delivered later in the year.
Budget 2022: Communities to flourish as road infrastructure fast-tracked and new homes sites opened up
A raft of new announcements designed to support communities to flourish have been made as part of North Lincolnshire Council’s budget plans.
Council leader Rob Waltham said new 20mph zones will be implemented in places across the area, a route for a bypass in Barton-Upon-Humber will be announced next month and that work will start on the Burringham bypass this year.
Cllr Waltham said: “This inflation-busting budget recognises that people are feeling the pinch through global inflation while still enabling the council to prioritise the most vulnerable people here in North Lincolnshire. ”
The budget meeting also heard how sites in Ashby, Brigg and Scunthorpe will be brought forward for create the largest ever investment in housing for older people in North Lincolnshire.
Cllr Neil Poole, cabinet member for commercial, said: “The budget will allow us to make a massive difference to the lives of many people. The council will invest to create sites which will enable the market to develop much needed new homes to ensure people have comfortable places to live in.”
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 small council tax rise of 0.89 per cent and an uplift in the social care precept of 2 per cent.
Inflation-busting budget to banish Covid-19 impact and supercharge recovery
A below-inflation budget for North Lincolnshire residents will supercharge the post-Covid recovery and continue to protect the most vulnerable people.
In the coming year, the council will spend almost £170m on its residents with more than 80 per cent used for vulnerable children, families, older people and those with disabilities.
The budget – of which £100m comes from Government – includes investments to radically enhance the environment in every community across North Lincolnshire, enable businesses to create more new jobs, fast-track road infrastructure upgrades and crack down even further on anti-social behaviour while protecting the most vulnerable.
It is designed to super-charge recovery and growth in North Lincolnshire, driving prosperity and enabling the many communities of North Lincolnshire to flourish.
Cllr Rob Waltham, leader, North Lincolnshire Council, said: “This inflation-busting budget recognises that people are feeling the pinch through global inflation while still enabling the council to prioritise the most vulnerable people here in North Lincolnshire.
“As we truly begin to emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic, we will be investing heavily in our young people – from continuing the Imagination Library scheme which sees 7,000 under fives get free books every month to major capital allocations for school buildings to ensure they can maintain their excellent education.
“We’ll be supporting our communities further, enabling them to recover properly from the impact of the pandemic and ensuring that they are even better placed to take advantage of the many opportunities coming to North Lincolnshire.
“The plans will support businesses to create jobs, creating a more attractive environment for businesses to invest so we help create more highly-skilled, well-paid, sustainable jobs in Scunthorpe and North Lincolnshire.”
Spending plans include protecting free parking in Ashby, Brigg and Scunthorpe, the continuation of the Imagination Library, the planting of thousands of trees, additional investment to extend footpaths across the county, increasing visitors to the Baths Hall, and protecting concessionary fares for older and disabled people.
The inflation-busting budget means general council tax will increase by 0.89 per cent and the adult social care precept increase by two per cent.
Inflation in January, according to the Consumer Prices Index (CPI), stood at 5.5 per cent.
The small increase is being offset further by the Government’s £150 rebate for people living in Band A-D properties (the majority of homes in North Lincolnshire) which is designed to assist households with cost-of-living pressures.
Cllr Waltham said: “We have had unprecedented levels of support from the Government throughout the last two years – more than £200m alone in North Lincolnshire.
“That support continues and means that the majority of people across the area, and particularly those who need it the most, will pay less council tax in the coming year than they did last year.”
City of Lincoln Council delivers successful Christmas Market enabling wider economic spend in Lincoln
City of Lincoln Council delivered a successful 2021 Lincoln Christmas Market despite the pressures of an exceptional year due to Covid-19, allowing for an increase in visitors for the local economy.
In 2021, the city welcomed a covid-safe Lincoln Christmas Market between 2 and 5 December, drawing in a near-record 276,000 visitors over the four days.
In doing so, City of Lincoln Council committed to a loss in income to allow for Covid-19 safety procedures to take precedence and ensure the 2021 event went ahead.
According to economic assessments and visitor surveys previously conducted by the University of Lincoln, visitor spend from the annual market is estimated in the region of £12 million, with approximately £2.65 million going directly into the economic value of the city.
Ahead of the 2021 market, and reflecting the impact the pandemic had on some regular stallholders, many had ceased to trade or found other forms of business or employment, while others felt nervous about committing to any events due to potential cancellation due to government restrictions.
To maintain the quality of stalls, and to keep the reputation of the market, the city council made the decision to reduce the number of stalls at the 2021 market.
Reducing number of stalls, from 185, to 150, allowed for more space for visitors during the pandemic, and was just one of a number of procedures in place to give confidence in a covid-safe event. This also included hand sanitisation stations, the use of face coverings in indoor settings and crowded areas, and increased covid messaging both prior to and during the market.
However, stallholder fees are the main source of income for the Christmas Market and therefore a reduction in stalls had a serious impact on the budget.
This, combined with a shortfall in associated income from parking fees, resulted in an estimated income loss of £45,748 – a figure anticipated by the city council.
Cllr Neil Murray, Portfolio Holder for Inclusive Economic Growth at City of Lincoln Council said:
“In 2021 we fully committed to putting on the Lincoln Christmas Market as we are aware of the wider benefits the market brings to the local economy.
“The market is one of the biggest in the country and attracts visitors from far and wide, really putting Lincoln on the map, and is an important calendar event for many local businesses in the area, with over a third of the market’s stallholders from Lincolnshire.
“The 2021 market was a great success, welcoming 276,000 visitors, many of which are likely to visit our beautiful city again throughout the year, further benefitting the local economy.
“We continue to be proud to host this festive event, which keeps the spirit of Christmas alive in the city – something Lincoln greatly needed last year.”
