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.”
HMRC warns self-assessment tax filers to be on their guard against fraudsters
HMRC is urging Self Assessment customers to be alert to potential scams and fraudsters ahead of the filing deadline at the end of January.
Kelly Paterson, Chief Security Officer at HMRC, said: “With millions of people filing their Self Assessment return before January’s deadline, we’re warning everyone to be wary of emails promising tax refunds.
“Being vigilant helps you spot potential scams. And reporting anything suspicious helps us stop criminal activity and to protect you and others who could have received similar bogus communication.
“Our advice remains unchanged. Don’t rush into anything, take your time and check ‘HMRC scams advice’ on GOV.UK. HMRC will not contact you by email, text, or phone to announce a refund or ask you to request one.”
Concerned customers reported nearly 150,000 scam referrals to HMRC in the last year, as Self Assessment filers are warned to be alert to fraudsters. Fraudsters are targeting people with offers of tax refunds or demanding payment of tax to get hold of personal information and banking details. Around half of all scam reports in the last year were fake tax rebate claims. There has been a 16.7% increase in all scam referrals to HMRC – 144,298 were received between November 2023 and October 2024, up from 123,596 the previous year. “HMRC will never leave voicemails threatening legal action or arrest, or ask for personal or financial information over text message – only fraudsters and criminals will do that,” added Kelly.Work starts to bring 393 new homes to Sleaford
Bellway East Midlands has started construction work on two new developments at Handley Chase in Sleaford.
Detailed plans for 393 homes within the new neighbourhood taking shape on the southern edge of the town were approved by North Kesteven District Council earlier this year.
Bellway is building 204 homes at Quarrington Edge at Handley Chase, while Ashberry Homes – part of the Bellway Group – is building 189 homes at neighbouring Daedalus Park at Handley Chase. 31 of the homes will be provided as affordable homes for local people, available through low-cost rent or shared ownership.
Steve Smith, Sales Director for Bellway East Midlands, said: “With work now underway on these two developments, which will bring nearly 400 much-needed new homes to Sleaford, we are looking forward to releasing the first homes for sale in March.
“The mix of two, three and four-bedroom homes across the two developments has been carefully designed to provide the types of properties needed within the local area, while the affordable housing will give local people the opportunity to secure a high-quality place to live within the local community.
“The new homes will be energy-efficient and feature solar PV panels and electric vehicle charging points. The properties will also benefit from Google Nest technology, with a smart thermostat to help people reduce their energy bills.”
The two developments are part of the wider Handley Chase neighbourhood. Outline plans for 1,450 homes, a primary school, care home, local centre, public open space, sports pitches and allotments were approved in 2015, with work already underway on other land parcels within the scheme.
Steve said: “We are proud to be part of the wider Handley Chase project which will not only deliver new homes to Sleaford but will also bring with it a host of new community facilities which will benefit the town as whole.
“Our two developments – which lie to the east of Stumps Cross Hill and comprise the southernmost parcels of the Handley Chase scheme – will also feature green landscaping designed to ensure they will blend in with the surrounding natural environment.
“We will retain existing trees and hedgerows wherever possible and carry out a new planting programme, creating ponds within the public open space and new habitats for local wildlife.”
Lincoln BIG wins mandate for a further five years
Lincoln Business Improvement Group has won a mandate to continue its work for the next five years, with more than 85% of voting businesses in favour.
The organisation’s chair John Latham said the renewed mandate enabled BIG to further enhance the visitor experience, support local businesses, and contribute to the city’s continued growth and vibrancy.
He said: “We are absolutely thrilled with the outcome of the ballot. This is an exciting time for us, and we’re full of anticipation for what the next five years will bring. Our focus has always been on creating an enjoyable environment for residents and visitors alike while boosting the amazing businesses that make Lincoln so special.
“We would like to thank the businesses for the continuous support over turbulent five years and for us trusting to continuing delivering our services.”
Lincoln BIG is already working on a number of exciting projects aimed at making Lincoln a must-visit destination. From enhancing public spaces and promoting local events to improving business support services, we are committed to fostering a thriving city that will continue to attract visitors and ensure a prosperous future for all.
Mr Latham added: “We are so proud of our city, and the projects we’re working on will help ensure that Lincoln remains an enjoyable and welcoming place for everyone.”
UK Steel calls on Government to buy more home-produced steel
UK Steel has published a report containing a range of proposals to improve the uptake of British steel in taxpayer-funded projects.
It highlights the opportunity for the Government, as the single biggest buyer of steel in the UK, to further support its steel sector by procuring the steel it buys from domestic companies.
UK Steel says the Government has a unique opportunity to support the domestic steel sector, but the latest data reveals that a third of the steel it procures is not British, costing UK taxpayers £1.5bn annually rather than supporting UK steel companies.
British Steel Strategy and Marketing Director Lisa Coulson said: “We welcome this report and hope it leads to more British steel being used in Government projects.
“Our highly-skilled employees make world-class products and we have the capacity and capability to supply increased amounts of steel for domestic projects.
“We look forward to continuing to work with Government to ensure we deliver a stronger future for British Steel, our employees, customers, suppliers, and the communities in which we operate.”
UK Steel Director-General Gareth Stace said: “Strategic procurement can transform taxpayer investment into a win for the economy, safeguarding well-paid jobs and revitalising our industry.
“The findings on offshore wind alone illustrate what’s at stake: £21 billion in steel purchases that could drive a major upturn in UK production.”
Jonathan Clemens, CEO of the British Constructional Steelwork Association, added: “The BCSA believes this to be an important report detailing a way in which the UK Government and industry can work together and align to provide skilled jobs over the next three decades through a UK based supply chain providing a vital more sustainable energy source and a greener economy. BCSA membership represents the highest standards in quality and competence with respect to fabricated steel for the construction industry and civil engineering projects, with the Offshore market proving to be an area for growth and investment.”
It’s estimated that over the next decade, government will need to spend almost £4.5bn on steel without even accounting for major initiatives such as carbon capture and storage, hydrogen infrastructure, nuclear energy, and offshore wind.
Offshore wind experts LumenEE estimate that up to 25 million tonnes of steel will be needed in the next 25 years for offshore wind investment around the coast of Britain. This single opportunity alone is worth about £21bn in steel sales.
UK Steel has set out five key recommendations to ensure that, where reasonably possible, British companies stand at the front of the queue when Government is making purchasing decisions on steel. A change in culture is needed to reap the benefits of government-funded steel procurement. To do this is a win for the Government, for the UK steel sector and for the highly skilled, well-paid jobs that our sector provides.
Key recommendations to boost domestic steel purchases include:
- Public Procurement Contracts: The UK Government should use the contribution our steel industry makes to national security to mandate or incentivise the use of steel products manufactured in the UK, where possible, for projects of energy, defence, and related infrastructure via domestic content stipulations in contracts where public funding or subsidy is involved utilising World Trade Organisation (WTO) opt-outs.
- Contracts for Difference: In future auctions, the Government should evaluate the bidders’ contributions to sustainability, resilience, and local content, with these criteria applying to at least 30% of the volume auctioned annually, as the EU is currently implementing without challenge in its Net Zero Industry Act.
- Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects: These should be required to adhere fully to the Procurement Policy Note for Steel and, given their criticality for our economy, be subject to local content requirements of not below 30%.
- Procurement Policy Note for Steel: The existing PPN should be strengthened to require developers and public bodies to justify why they did not use UK-manufacturers’ steel, if it was available, and require a mandatory consultation of the forthcoming UK Steel Digital Catalogue.
- Investment in steel supply chains: A public-private partnership should drive investment into steel supply chains, which will attract inward investment, create jobs, drive economic growth, and ensure the UK develops resilient supply chains in the face of uncertain geopolitics.
Work starts on £3.5m Calder Park business units that will generate 100 jobs
Marrtree Investments has begun construction work on a £3.5m 40,000 sq ft development of nine new business units at Calder Park near Wakefield.
Marrtree Business Park Wakefield will be the Yorkshire developer’s 23rd strategically located employment site across the north of England, with completion scheduled for June 2025.
The new development will provide warehouse, industrial and trade counter space across nine units of between 3,500 sq ft and 5,000 sq ft.
The firm recently completed a £4.5m 27,000 sq ft business park and Starbucks drive thru at Clifton Moor in York earlier this year.
Marrtree Investments director William Marshall said: “Calder Park is a really great location for our brand of modern, ergonomic business space.
“It has fantastic communication links, situated right next to junction 39 of the M1 motorway, which makes it ideal for a variety of occupiers, and the site is also served by regular public transport and safe cycle routes from Wakefield town centre.
“Demand for really good quality space of this size, like our product, continues to outstrip supply and not surprisingly, we have seen excellent levels of interest so far.
“As with our previous developments, such as the 70,000 sq ft Sowerby Gateway site at Thirsk, we expect demand to be high for the units at Marrtree Business Park Wakefield, with the prospect of around 100 jobs being created.”
Organisations currently based at Calder Park include National Highways, Taylor Wimpey Homes, West Yorkshire Police and Minster Law.
Marrtree Investments director George Marshall added: “We have also worked really hard on the environmental credentials of this new development, which is next to a 100-acre nature reserve.
“We have incorporated solar panels on the roofs of the units as well as EV charging points, and we are excited that it’s a location that enables people to cycle to work safely and easily.”
Newcastle-based STP Construction has been appointed as the main contractor for the construction of the new business park, with the Leeds offices of Savills and GV & Co appointed as letting agents.
Sheffield furniture retailer adds to property portfolio
A Sheffield law firm has acted for a furniture retailer on the purchase of a new property.
Wake Smith Solicitors represented Ponsford, the family-run, luxury furniture retailer in Sheffield, on the six figure acquisition of a 7,437 sq ft premises on a 0.57-acre plot, behind its existing Millennium Building on London Road.
The well-known independent business, which has operated in the city for more than 130 years, brings Impression House on Oak Street, formerly the headquarters of ASAP Stamps, into its property portfolio.
The deal saw the purchase of the building and site, which was home to the UK’s largest independent rubber stamp manufacturer, potentially for regeneration for the traditional and contemporary furniture retailer.
Wake Smith’s commercial property director Neil Salter handled the building and land sale in the latest legal transaction for the two established Sheffield firms. Ian Osborn, senior associate in Taylor Emmet’s Commercial and Agricultural Property Department, acted for the sellers.
Neil Salter said: “The new site sits adjacent to Ponsford’s existing premises and was bought from the owners with vacant possession after a relatively short and smooth transaction when any issues were ironed out with minimum fuss.
“Our role was advising on due diligence, agreement for sale, the transfer deed, searches and title report and then completion.
“As an established business in Sheffield, Ponsford operates with many of the same values as Wake Smith to offer quality, innovation and excellent customer service to the people of Sheffield, South Yorkshire and beyond.”
Angus Ponsford said: “Using Wake Smith was the natural choice for us to process the transaction without fuss or bother. Their thorough approach to detail and timely completion made the process easy for everyone involved.”
Ian Osborn added: “It was a pleasure to work opposite Neil. His pragmatic approach to the transactional needs of the sale demonstrate the fruitful benefits for all parties in instructing local and knowledgeable firms, who can work together collaboratively to move high-value transactions swiftly to legal completion.”
Harry Ponsford founded Ponsford selling household goods from a barrow in Sheffield 130 years ago. By the 1930s, the thriving business moved into a shop on Sheffield’s London Road, part of the same premises in Ponsford’s Victorian building still occupied today.
As successive generations of the Ponsford family evolved and grew the business, the Millennium Building was acquired in the early 2000s, which is linked by a covered walkway called the Golden Jubilee bridge to the original base.
Lomond strengthens student let portfolio with acquisition of Leeds firm
Hot on the heels of its acquisition of Kent-based agency, Miles and Barr, Lomond has made its 65th acquisition, a deal which further strengthens the firm’s existing presence within the student lettings space.
Lomond’s latest deal, brokered by Atomic Consultancy, sees it acquire Sugarhouse Properties, a Leeds-based lettings and property management company with 13 years of experience.
Sugarhouse Properties was founded in 2011 by Charles Aston and Richard Napier, both of whom boast years of experience operating within the rental market and, more specifically, within student lets and HMOs.
With their flagship office located on the Otley Road, Sugarhouse Properties is one of the largest independent student lettings agents in Leeds, with the firm having also branched out to provide lets to professional tenants in the last few years.
The firm currently manages 372 properties, including large numbers of HMOs within the Leeds area and places a strong emphasis on providing high quality and well managed accommodation – an approach that has seen the firm win multiple industry awards.
Lomond’s latest acquisition sees it significantly strengthen its foothold in the student lettings space, an area where the firm has already placed a great deal of focus.
Lomond’s CEO, Ed Phillips, said: “Sugarhouse Properties is an outstanding company and one that has formed a formidable reputation within the student lettings space over the last 13 years.
“The company’s culture is centred around delivering high quality accommodation, with management and customer service to match, so it was clear from the start that both Lomond and Sugarhouse shared a great deal of synergy and that combining forces would be beneficial for all involved.
“What’s more, they’ve gone against the grain with respect to traditional marketing methods, utilising online channels that resonate with their target audience and with the help of Lomond’s marketing assets, we look forward to helping supercharge these efforts.”
Director of Sugarhouse Properties, Richard Napier, said: “We’ve put a great deal of blood, sweat and tears into Sugarhouse Properties and we’re immensely proud of the outstanding business we’ve built and the reputation we’ve developed across the student lettings sector.
“However, we believe that now is the right time to allow the business to evolve and with the help of Lomond, we’re extremely excited about what the future holds.
“It’s clear that Lomond places a real emphasis on empowering the businesses they acquire and with the additional assets that this deal will provide Sugarhouse Properties, we can’t wait to see how the brand evolves going forward.”
Founder and CEO of Atomic Consultancy, Lucy Noonan, said: “Sugarhouse Properties is one of the best established operators within the students lettings space in Leeds and we’re delighted to have played a pivotal role in the evolution of the company via its acquisition by Lomond.
“Both companies are ideally aligned with respect to their company culture, the quality of the service they provide and their ambitions for future growth and we’re excited to see what the future holds now that the deal has completed.”
