Lincolnshire Coop invests £200k in body cameras to fight increasing threats to staff
In the wake of a 245% increase in threats, abuse, and violence to its staff Lincolnshire Coop is investing £200k in body cameras for al of its 99 food stores and 44 pharmacies.
Security Manager Mark Foulds said: “We have had positive feedback from four trial sites with colleagues telling us the body cameras helped them to feel more confident and secure.
“The cameras are front-facing so show the customer what the colleague sees, which we believe may help with de-escalating incidents or make people think twice about what they are doing and how they are treating our colleagues.
“They also record both video and audio which we can share with relevant authorities when we believe a crime has taken place.”
Mr Foulds said that incidents vary and can include abusive and foul language, threats against colleagues or their families and in some cases, physical attacks.
“The vast majority of our customers are polite and respectful, but there are a minority whose actions are unacceptable,” he said. “This not only impacts on our colleagues – who are simply trying to provide the best service they can to our communities – but it can also impact on our other customers, who can find these incidents distressing and who don’t want to see our colleagues treated in that way.”
Mr Foulds said that age-related sales refusals and shoplifting are two particular flashpoints.
“Our teams have a responsibility to enforce the legal requirements around age-related sales for products like cigarettes, vapes and alcohol but regularly face abuse and threats from customers when asked for ID, or when a sale is refused,” he said. “We have also seen a 37% rise in shoplifting in the past year, which is another trigger.”
The society, which operates in Lincolnshire, North Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, and surrounding counties, has seen a 245% increase in incidents of threats and abuse to colleagues in the past five years. In the last year, there has been 127 incidents reported in food stores and 23 in pharmacies. There are a range of other security measures in place in Lincolnshire Co-op outlets. These include security guards in some locations, CCTV monitored by central service desk, and personal attack alarms.
High-tech day care facilities for people living with dementia complete
Building works at Knowl Park House have come to an end, with Kirklees Council making final preparations before doors open to residents living with dementia.
The old two storey building has made way for a high-tech, single storey, purpose-built facility that better meets the needs of people living with dementia including those with physical disabilities, sensory, and mobility needs.
Situated on Crowlees Road next to Knowl Park in Mirfield, the new facilities will provide dementia care for vulnerable residents and give carers much needed respite from looking after their loved ones.
The new facilities incorporate design features to give maximum flexibility and be fully inclusive. A key collaboration with the University of Stirling’s Dementia Services Design Centre (DSDC) has ensured the facilities incorporate dementia design principles and meet the DSDC dementia design standards.
From the colour of the paint on the walls to the layout of rooms – everything has been envisaged through the eyes of someone living with dementia.
Modern facilities include a Home Therapy Zone incorporating a homely open plan lounge, dining, and kitchen area; an Activity Zone incorporating a large arts and crafts room; and a Wellbeing Zone incorporating a sensory and cinema room and a spa.
Throughout the building, people living with dementia can make use of the latest assistive technology that will enable them to maintain their independence as much as possible.
This continues outside in the sensory garden with more outdoor lighting, improved pathways, plenty of seating, a gazebo, and outside all weather coated handrails throughout allowing service users to move around freely.
Alongside the day service, which will run Monday to Friday with potential to expand to evenings and weekends, is the Centre for Excellence. The centre will offer advice and support for people with a dementia diagnosis, their carers, and adults and children with other physical and sensory disabilities.
The centre has a bungalow which is a mock-up of a Dementia Friendly home environment displaying the latest support techniques and practices in a safe and secure setting. There will also be opportunities for partnership working and the focus will be on early intervention, so people are better able to stay well and independent at home for as long as possible.
Councillor Beverley Addy, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health, said: “I am delighted to announce the completion of our fantastic, state-of-the-art day service facilities for people living with dementia. This is such a major investment for the council as we look to focus our efforts and resources on areas of the market where there are fewer alternatives.
“Having visited the facilities myself, I know they will make the lives of those living with dementia and their loved ones, a happier and more independent one. I look forward to seeing how service users interact and make use of the latest equipment and technology that will enable them to live more independently for as long as possible.”
Phil Shaw, Managing Director-Building North, at Tilbury Douglas, added: “This project showcases what can be achieved when construction, community, and care come together. It’s a shining example of how we can deliver both outstanding facilities and meaningful social contributions, which is at the heart of what we do.”
Plans to redevelop Knottingley social club move forward
Plans to redevelop the site of the Kellingley Sports and Social Club have taken a step forward.
A planning application has now been submitted for the demolition of the Kellingley Social Club and Sports Pavilion. A new sports pavilion will be constructed in its place for community activities and a social club.
Cllr Michael Graham, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Growth, said: “The people of Knottingley have waited too long for work to progress on this site and it’s time to deliver.
“Various proposals have been put forward for its future. I hope that this latest news provides reassurance to the local community that work is continuing to transform the area.
“We remain committed to investing in Knottingley and delivering on our promise to provide improved facilities that everyone can enjoy.”
The first phase of the £6.345m project requires the Council to submit a planning request to demolish the existing buildings and construct a new sports pavilion. Providing a bar and function room, new changing facilities and enhanced spectator provision alongside a new car park and landscaping.
Avison Young (UK) Ltd. was instructed by Wakefield Council to prepare and submit a full planning application for the demolition of the Kellingley Social Club and Sports Pavilion in Knottingley. A decision is expected to be made by February 2025.
Revenue and profit on the rise at Gateley
Revenue and profit are on the rise at Gateley, the professional services group, according to a trading update ahead of half year results for the six months ended 31 October 2024.
The firm says its “increasingly diverse business lines combined to deliver a strong performance in the Period,” in which group revenue grew by 5% and is expected to be not less than £86m.
Underlying profit before tax, meanwhile, is expected to be not less than £10.5m, representing growth of 5%.
Rod Waldie, Chief Executive Officer of Gateley, said: “I am pleased with the Group’s performance in H1 25 and the ongoing improvement in activity levels as the financial year progresses, which means that we have good momentum into H2.
“The Group continues to benefit from the resilience created by our strategy of investing in a diverse and complementary range of professional services.
“We are pleased that our more recent organic investments are beginning to generate positive returns alongside the strong performance from our recently acquired businesses. Our balance sheet provides a strong foundation from which to take a long-term view of potential opportunities to further invest in both legal and consultancy services.
“Finally, as always, I would like to thank our clients for their support and our dedicated people for their ongoing hard work, commitment and can-do attitude.”
Work completes on major innovation facility at University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre
Henry Boot Construction, part of Henry Boot, has completed work on a major innovation facility at the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC).
Located next to the AMRC’s flagship Factory 2050 at the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District, the new 29,700 sq ft building delivers a state-of-the-art research and development hub which will be home to Composites at Speed and Scale (COMPASS).
The open-access facility will house cutting-edge research programmes aimed at meeting the growing demand for lighter commercial aircraft and supporting the aviation industry’s ultimate goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
The building itself has been awarded a BREEAM ‘Very Good’ rating, with notable sustainable features including the installation of solar PV panels on both the lower and upper roofs, and air source heat pumps – combining to reduce the building’s overall carbon footprint.
A high-performing building for the future, the facility has also been constructed to enable seamless integration with Sheffield’s district heating network by Veolia.
As part of its commitment to regional growth, lead contractor Henry Boot Construction has worked closely with local supply chain partners on the project, including Sheffield-based firm Elecomm, who was selected as the principal Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) partner for the project.
Tony Shaw, Managing Director from Henry Boot Construction, said: “We are pleased to have successfully delivered this world-class facility in partnership with the University of Sheffield and our regional supply chain. Our work on the AMRC further strengthens our long-standing relationship with the university and demonstrates our commitment to delivering truly innovative projects.
“We are particularly proud to have built a facility that will be used by some of the world’s largest manufacturing brands, helping to drive our economy forward and create more high-quality jobs in the region.”
Emma Hutton, AMRC director of major projects, added: “This new facility represents a significant milestone in the UK’s aerospace and manufacturing sector, offering a unique opportunity for industry partners to access cutting-edge equipment and expertise.
“This is a collaborative R&D environment which will foster innovation and accelerate technological advancements, contributing to the nation’s economic growth and global competitiveness.”
The new innovation facility has been jointly funded by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, Sheffield City Council, the University of Sheffield and the High Value Manufacturing Catapult. It will house a raft of advanced-manufacturing equipment secured through a £29.5m grant from the UK Government’s Aerospace Technology Institute Programme.
The first programme to be undertaken in the new space is the Isothermic High-Rate Sustainable Structures (IHSS) project, led by global aerospace leader Boeing in partnership with AMRC, Loop Technology and Spirit AeroSystems.
Incommunities appoints new Director of Financial Operations
Bradford-based housing provider Incommunities has appointed Adam Hutchinson as its new Director of Financial Operations.
Adam joins Incommunities after more than 20 years’ experience in the housing sector, having previously been Director of Resources at two other Yorkshire-based housing associations in the last eight years, where he acted as strategic lead for finance, IT, HR, communications, risk and governance.
Prior to that, Adam had worked for Anchor for 13 years, working as a Finance Business Partner, where he owned management accounts and was in charge of forecasting and budgeting for all major projects.
In addition to his day job, Adam is a Board Member and Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee at Berneslai Homes, who manage 18,000 homes on behalf of Barnsley Council, and chairs the National Housing Federation’s Finance Network in Yorkshire and the Humber.
Adam said: “I’m really looking forward to joining the team at Incommunities and working in my home town of Bradford.
“With the recent launch of a new five year Corporate Strategy, this is an exciting time to join Incommunities and provides an opportunity for me to work with the Finance Team and stakeholders across the organisation to make an important difference for our customers.”
John Wright, Executive Director of Finance at Incommunities, added: “After a comprehensive interview process, I am delighted to announce we have offered the role to Adam Hutchinson who will be joining us from 54North Homes where he is currently Director of Resources.
“Adam knows the area well, living locally and has a wealth of housing finance experience, along with a dedication to social housing.”
Connective link for York’s Coney Street Riverside recommended for approval
Yorkshire property specialist Helmsley Group has received recommendation for approval for the final part of its Coney Street Riverside masterplan which will play a key role in reconnecting Coney Street to the riverfront.
Approval of this section would see the development of 3-7 Coney Street, with work expected to start on site as early as summer 2025. The development will also create a new snickelway connecting Coney Street to a riverside walkway on the River Ouse.
The recommendation follows recent approval from City of York Council (CoYC) for the development of 19-33 Coney Street and 39 Coney Street to 2 Spurriergate which saw members vote both the masterplan planning application and a separate listed building application through with overwhelming majorities.
Currently used only for bin storage, the land Helmsley Group hopes to develop is not utilised by the general public and would be another example of the business’s “fantastic use of unused space,” as noted by CoYC in its recent planning meeting.
The creation of the new snickelway will also allow for the introduction of restaurants and cafés with external seating and is in keeping with Helmsley Group’s ambition to create a much-needed public realm of national standing and improve both connectivity and accessibility within central York.
In addition to the creation of an extensive public realm through the introduction of the access route, the plans would also introduce new residential apartments into the currently unused upper floors of buildings 3-7 Coney Street. Bringing underused upper floors back into use is a key aspiration across the Coney Street Riverside regeneration.
Max Reeves, development director at the Helmsley Group, said: “A recommendation for approval brings us a step closer to securing the final piece of our much anticipated Coney Street Riverside masterplan. Our plans would realise a 50-year ambition to reconnect Coney Street with its riverfront and honour the area’s rich heritage while sensitively taking the necessary strides required to secure its long-term future.
“As well as creating a welcoming, family friendly offer through the realisation of these plans, we’re also seeking to introduce much-needed housing within the city centre. This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reinvigorate a much-loved but sadly under-appreciated area of the city centre, and one that has played such an important role in York’s history to date.”
Led by York-based developer the Helmsley Group, the Coney Street Riverside masterplan seeks to create 250,000 sq ft of mixed-use retail, leisure, commercial, residential and student space, alongside extensive public realm.
The project team for the scheme includes Helmsley Group, brown + company, O’Neill Associates, Corstorphine and Wright, Montagu Evans, Aspect4, Gillespies, Troup Bywaters & Anders, Billinghurst George & Partners, Jane Simpson Access, Knight Frank, DS Emotion and Aberfield Communications.
Time running out for York businesses to get free green makeover
York businesses are being urged to sign up in time for a free green makeover scheme that has already made 587 tonnes of CO2e savings.
Run by the Green Economy in partnership with City Of York Council, the carbon reduction scheme offers a package of free tailored support to help businesses reduce energy costs and boost their green credentials as they transition to Net Zero.
Alongside access to training and expert advice, the successful scheme includes green makeovers – with specialist decarbonisation consultants producing carbon reduction plan masterplans after conducting onsite inspections and reviews of buildings and energy use.
More than 35 businesses have signed up since its launch in September 2023 and a whopping 587 tonnes of CO2 savings have already been identified – equivalent to taking 214 petrol cars off the road for a year.
Savings have been achieved in a host of ways ranging from switching to LED light fittings, implementing low and no cost energy efficiency solutions and investing in green tech.
But the scheme, funded via the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and part of York’s ambition to be a net-zero carbon city by 2030, can only accept applications until the beginning of January.
City of York Council has set an ambition for York to be a net-zero carbon city by 2030. With businesses accounting for around a third of emissions through industry, farming and buildings, the local business community has a vital role to play.
Green Economy officials issued a rallying call for applications and is particularly keen that rural businesses and those in the hospitality and services sector don’t miss out on the free support.
Green Economy Sustainability and Net Zero consultant, Suhail Ahmed, said: “The scheme is already achieving huge carbon savings as well as slashing businesses’ energy costs across York, but we want to ensure other businesses sign up while they can and benefit from a superb package of free support to transition to Net Zero.
“These green makeovers have a raft of benefits including reduced energy bills through a mix of quick wins and longer-term planning to improve efficiency and reduce carbon footprints.
“Aside from the Net Zero and sustainability benefits, a proper environmental strategy can also increase your competitiveness and demonstrating green credentials will help businesses win more work and play a key role in recruitment and retention of talent.”
Businesses already benefiting from the scheme include City Cruises. Since signing up they have replaced 38 fluorescent bulbs with LEDs, generating anticipated annual energy savings of 5,788 kWh, annual cost savings of £1,157.67, and carbon savings of 1,304 kgCO2e. They’re now planning to present a business case to their US parent company to install solar power onto their site.
Chris Pegg, Head of Regional Commercial, Sales & Marketing of City Cruises, said: “We do as much as we can to be sustainable, but our options aren’t always clear. The Green Economy team visited our site and outlined six suggestions for sustainable growth. We’ve since acted on two of these six recommendations, focussing on two quick wins.
“The support was enormously helpful in helping us focus on activity that will bring results, and we’re starting to see how sustainability can give our business a competitive edge and attract more customers.”
Applications for the scheme which is open to businesses that reside in York close on 10 January 2025. To apply click HERE.
ABP aims to provide better facilities for seafarers at its ports
ABP is taking steps to offer better facilities to seafarers arriving at its ports by allowing shipping agents to pay an optional contribution in support of the work of the Merchant Navy Welfare Board.
Adam Northover, ABP’s Marine Designated Person and the company’s technical lead for marine matters, explained: “In the modern marine environment where ships are facing shorter turnarounds and smaller crews it is not always possible for seafarers – the unsung heroes behind the 95% of UK trade that moves by water – to get ashore or take shore leave.
“This makes the work of the charities and seafarer centres even more important to the welfare of seafarers visiting our ports. We are proud that the seafarer welfare facilities in the Humber that have been supported by a positive default contribution have been used as examples by the Merchant Navy Welfare Board. We are delighted to be extending this easy way for the shipping industry to support this crucial work.”
Maritime Minister Mike Kane said: “I have said before that we will not leave seafarers behind, and I am delighted to see ABP strengthen support for the Merchant Navy Welfare Board and its charities. Seafarers deserve our upmost respect and it is great to see the positive default contribution for welfare facilities be extended to ports across the country.”
Stuart Rivers, Chief Executive of the MNWB, welcomed the initiative by ABP. “Our 47 constituent charities work tirelessly to ensure that seafarers and fishers have access to the best possible welfare facilities in UK ports. Our Port Welfare Committees are the front line of welfare development and play a vital role in securing the wellbeing of all seafarers.
“With 45 seafarers’ centres, around 400 welfare workers, a fleet of over 70 vehicles for seafarer transport and WiFi and mobile broadband services, the UK’s welfare charities are proud to support crew visiting UK ports and grateful to ABP for extending this to 21 of its ports. Our hope is that other port owners will follow and introduce their own welfare levy schemes in the near future.”
The change to a positive default will take effect from 1 January. It is hoped that organisations will support this worthwhile cause, but they can opt out in PAVIS should they wish not to pay.
£200k grant secured by ag-tech pioneer for bioacoustic monitoring tech
AgriSound, a bioacoustic monitoring technology firm, is close to launching a fully automated acoustic landscape monitoring system, made possible by securing a significant industry research grant of almost £220,000 from Innovate UK.
The new system in development is set to revolutionise biodiversity monitoring, with a primary focus on scaling environmental surveillance for agriculture, businesses and policymakers alike.
The project sees AgriSound collaborating with two strategic partners: Baker Consultants, a UK ecological consultancy, and Crop Innovations, a charity driving agricultural diversification.
The project builds upon AgriSound’s existing innovative insect monitoring system, Polly, to offer an even broader range of environmental insights.
By using sophisticated audio analysis algorithms and cloud-based AI, this new product will automatically generate comprehensive biodiversity metrics across diverse landscapes, offering actionable insights into natural ecosystems.
The technology is being developed to address critical challenges, including the need for real-time ecological data amidst growing demand for biodiversity protection, particularly with new government policies such as the Environmental Land Management Schemes (ELMS).
With a shortage of qualified ecologists and fragmented ecological data, businesses are increasingly struggling to meet regulatory demands.
Casey Woodward, CEO and co-founder of AgriSound, said: “Our new acoustic monitoring system is the first solution to offer fully automated, maintenance-free landscape monitoring at scale, giving industries and landowners access to more accurate, timely, and comprehensive biodiversity data.
“This will allow for improved compliance with government policies and offer key insights to manage land sustainably.
“AgriSound’s innovative solution promises to deliver low-cost, holistic biodiversity monitoring and actionable insights for industries, developers, and farmers, as they continue to scale up their efforts to safeguard the environment while meeting stringent regulatory requirements.”
Dr Carlos Abrahams, Director of Ecoacoustics at Baker Consultants, said: “We are anticipating that the new system will greatly expand our capabilities to rapidly generate biodiversity information, and make this available in real-time across a landscape-scale array of sensors.
“This automation of data collection goes beyond, but complements, what we can achieve through manual field surveys, ensuring that ecological methods keep pace with technological advancements – and offering clients more detailed data at a lower cost.”
James Theobald, Chair of Crop Innovations, said: “Our field facilities and expertise in biological innovation make us perfectly suited to guide the deployment of this game-changing technology. We look forward to supporting AgriSound in shaping the future of environmental monitoring.”
