According to the latest Logic Industrial Property report from the Leeds office of global property consultancy Knight Frank, a robust 722,000 sq ft of take-up was recorded in the West Yorkshire and Humber region during Q2 2024, bringing the half year total take-up figure to 1.2 million sq ft (Units over 50,000 sq ft). Iain McPhail, partner in Knight Frank’s Yorkshire Industrial & Logistics team, said: “This puts the market in a good position against last year’s total of 1.6 million sq ft, reflecting a 20% improvement, and the highest H1 volume in three years. “One of the main drivers impacting the positive figures is the notable increase in demand from the manufacturing sector. Out of five leasehold and three freehold transactions to complete this year (as of end of June 24), all three freehold purchases have involved manufacturers. “The largest of these transactions was air conditioning manufacturer, Airedale, who acquired the 314,714 sq ft former Hallmark Cards facility at Dawson Lane in Bradford. In addition, the 275,413 sq ft former Ilke Homes factory in Flaxby, Knaresborough, was bought by bottled water manufacturer, Shepley Spring Water earlier this year. “The West Yorkshire and Humber market has seen a mini revival during H1 2024, which has also been driven by the increased availability of speculatively developed warehouse space in the region, with developments like Leeds Valley Park, Konect 62 and Velocity Point benefiting from pent-up occupier demand for small and mid-box units. “With the marked rise in manufacturing enquiries, we have seen increased demand from occupiers needing buildings with large electrical capacity. This further emphasises the need for developers to factor-in sufficient power supply to their speculative schemes to accommodate not only the B8 distribution sector, but also B2 manufacturing end users.” During the past year, over 1 million sq ft of space has been taken by manufacturers in the region. This is substantially higher than the circa 200,000 sq ft recorded in the same four-quarter period last year. Manufacturers now comprise over half of the space taken (56%), with distribution companies making up an additional 30%. This marks a shift from the previous year, when distribution firms occupied 72% and manufacturers only 16%. The largest letting in Q2 involved food and beverage logistics company, Oakland International who secured K161 at Konect 62 in Selby. The 161,578 sq ft new build unit was speculatively developed by Cole Waterhouse and reached practical completion in Q4 2023. Prime rents in Leeds for units over 50,000 sq ft remained stable in Q2 at £8.75 psf, however, with quoting rents for prime mid-box units now at £9.50-£9.75 psf, Knight Frank expects to see a substantial increase in headline rents within the next two quarters. Iain McPhail added: “Despite a small handful of second-hand modern warehouse space returning to the market recently, for example Unit TL2, Towngate Link in Leeds (see photo), we have seen total supply reduced by around 13% this quarter due to take-up levels and the notable absence of proposed speculative development on the horizon. “The exception is Baytree Developments, who are currently underway with their impressive speculative warehouse scheme located in South Leeds (Baytree Leeds), which consists of two best-in-class warehouse units of extending to 76,000 sq ft and 145,000 sq ft respectively.”

The pivotal role played by York Handmade Brick in the transformation of the southern end of York Racecourse has been highlighted by the racecourse’s Chief Executive. William Derby praised York Handmade for the company’s “magnificent contribution” to the multi-million-pound project, which comprised a significant upgrade to the 1913 Bustardthorpe Stand and the brand-new Roberto Pavilion The company, based at Alne, near Easingwold, supplied 70,000 bricks to the racecourse from its Ebor Range. The contract was worth £80,000. William Derby said: “York Handmade Brick is our brick supplier of choice and has been for some time. The previous development of the Northern End of the racecourse and transformation of the parade ring, weighing room and saddling boxes also used York Handmade and resulted in award-winning, world-class facilities for horses, jockeys and racegoers in 2015/16. “We wanted the Southern End development of our buildings at York to complement the quality and heritage of this development as part of our twenty year masterplan to transform the facility at York Racecourse as one of the best racecourses in the world. The transformation of the Southern End of the racecourse has now been completed and will be officially opened at the flagship Sky Bet Ebor Festival next month (21-24 August). We are thrilled with the finish, quality and architectural these high-quality bricks give to the area which will improve the facilities and race day experience for our racegoers. “We are proud to have worked in partnership with York Handmade Brick to deliver this scheme. Their contribution has been magnificent and strengthens what is already a brilliant relationship between us. It is wonderful to have such an accomplished quality brick-manufacturing company on our doorstep. “A key element of this new development is our emphasis on sustainability as part of our Green Knavesmire 300 commitment to the environment. With an eye on both the local economy and the inherent sustainability benefits, some 90 per cent of the works have been undertaken by Yorkshire firms, including the main contractors Lindum and, of course, York Handmade. “Sustainability has been embedded into the design and construction with solar panels, rainwater harvesting and a living roof all incorporated. A newly created and landscaped 900 square metre lawn area is covered by a canopy structure, six metres above the heads of racegoers, to give both the outdoor feel of a summer afternoon’s racing while offering protection from the elements.” Guy Armitage, managing director of York Handmade, said: “This was a very significant project for us. Apart from enhancing our special relationship with York Racecourse and helping to create even more superb facilities at one of the greatest racecourses in the world, it is a showcase for our brand-new Ebor Range of bricks. “This brick has a smoother finish than our standard texture bricks and is perfect for matching the style of the bricks on the historic outer wall of the racecourse designed by Walter Brierley, the Yorkshire Lutyens. The blend of colour is based on the Knavesmire Blend supplied for the earlier Northern End development in 2015-16. “This project was also a massive endorsement of our recent £1.5 million investment in brand-new machinery which has transformed how we make our bricks. Over the years, we have undertaken significant technological improvements, culminating in this overhaul and renewal of our manufacturing process, which has speeded up production, facilitated two brand-new products and increased efficiency. “This has played a major part in the success of this contract with York Racecourse, a stunning example of what we are able to manufacture with our brand-new plant.” Apart from the new lawns and open-air canopy structure, the area next to the refurbished Bustardthorpe Stand and Roberto Pavilion now features catering facilities, betting facilities, toilets and a new wrought iron gate that remembers Yorkshire owner-breeder, Reg Bond. The Roberto Pavilion itself provides racegoers with a bar, feature fish and chip shop, Tote and William Hill betting booths and a new Pimm’s bar.

Lincoln-based Lindum Group has begun work to transform the site of a former hospital in Bolsover into an development of 58 properties for Sheffield-based housing provider Forge New Homes. The scheme will provide a mix of three and four-bedroom properties on a 6.5-acre site off Welbeck Road, the former home of Bolsover Hospital, which closed in 2019. Freddie Chambers, chairman of Lindum Group, said: “The first phase of work involves segregating and securing the site and then conducting the bulk earthworks to level the land. “We will be installing the first section of drainage and infrastructure before moving on to the construction stage. We plan to hand the homes over in groups of four, with the first properties due for completion in April.” Andy Beattie, MD at Forge New Homes, said: ‘This development marks a momentous day for both Forge and Lindum Group as we join forces to bring affordable houses to Bolsover, a charming Northern town with a bonded community. “We’re excited to bring new life to this historic location, and in the process contribute to the economy with the provision of new jobs as we create a vibrant neighbourhood with much needed family homes.” Nick Atkin, Chief Exec of Yorkshire Housing and Chair of Forge New Homes, added: “This progress is testament to the work Forge has been doing in expanding its offering across the Midlands and Yorkshire. Our strategy is to move forward with much needed new homes for all and I am proud to see this now becoming a reality.” The work is expected to be finished by June 2026.

Listed Building Consent is being sought for conservation works on Grimsby’s iconic landmark, the Dock Tower. The Grade I listed structure owned by Associated British Ports (ABP) is the only one of its kind in the country and the work will include key structural repairs on the parapets, building of a new staircase, and drainage. If approved by North East Lincolnshire Council, work could start on the historical structure later this year in the hope it can reopen to the public. Simon Bird, Regional Director of the Humber ports, said: “It was during some routine maintenance work that it was picked up some of the further works that needed to be done to ensure the tower remains safe and accessible for the future. “The Dock Tower is the jewel in the Port of Grimsby. It has been a beacon to so many over the years and for Grimbarians it is a symbol of home. As its custodians we have over the years spent time and money maintaining it, as it has such architectural historic value, and will be here for many more years to come once these essential works are carried out.” Standing 309 feet (94.2m) tall to the top of the lantern, the tower was completed on 27 March 1852 to power the hydraulic machinery of Grimsby docks. Its height was to achieve the sufficient pressure needed to operate the machines. It was built by James Meadows Rendel, the civil engineer who constructed the docks at Grimsby between 1844 and 1853 and opened by Queen Victoria when she visited the port in October 1854. Designed by James William Wild, an architect born in Lincoln, he also contributed to the Great Exhibition of 1851 and spent several years in Egypt, and you can see the middle eastern influence on the lantern at the pinnacle. Jenny Bulmer, Conservation Engineer of Alan Wood & Partners, said: “Opportunities to work on such a unique and historically significant building as this come about rarely. Being able to discover some of the building archaeology and the history of its use throughout the process is a real privilege. Getting to see the tower brought back to life with a renewed purpose is something we can all look forward to.” The current plans submitted include:

• Insertion of a new staircase
• Installation of internal lighting
• Brickwork repairs
• Metalwork repairs
• Paintwork
• Roofing
• Floor repairs
• Drainage
• Interpretation panels