North Yorkshire origin testing firm snapped up by Australian company
Agroisolab UK Ltd (AIL UK), an expert team leading the development of international projects verifying the origin of food, drink, timber, and protected species using stable isotope analysis and other laboratory-based authentication technologies, has been acquired by Source Certain International Limited, an Australian company specialising in advanced forensic traceability technologies.
Agroisolab UK, based in Malton, North Yorkshire, is known for setting up projects for retailers including detecting wine fraud and authenticating organic food, such as eggs, vegetables and grain products.
The acquisition by Source Certain International Limited represents a significant milestone in the latter’s global expansion strategy, bringing in a UK-based operation with experienced technical personnel and specialised scientific solutions.
Roger Young, CEO of Agroisolab UK, will assume the role of CEO of Source Certain UK. Commenting on the acquisition, he said: “I am excited to be joining the Source Certain team.
“I can see so much opportunity in leveraging the AIL UK experience including the exciting opportunity of introducing our customers to Source Certain’s capabilities, reputation, and experience. Now it’s back to work as new regulations are imminent that require more due diligence and verification of origin.”
Two York firms, Clive Owen LLP and Andrew Jackson Solicitors LLP, played an integral role in facilitating the acquisition.
Michael Cantwell, Corporate Finance Partner at Clive Owen LLP, said: “This was a fascinating deal to work on, given the cutting-edge technology and the potential for significant growth in the sector. We are delighted to have facilitated this strategic deal which is a testament to the expertise of our York office and our ability to work in a global, cross-border market.”
Susie Mortonson, Corporate Partner at Andrew Jackson Solicitors LLP, who led the legal team advising Agroisolab, added: “Having personally worked with the Agroisolab team for over a decade, it was a real delight to see this deal come to fruition for the company. It has been such a pleasure to work with Roger and his team over the years and I am really excited to see what the future holds for them, working in partnership with Source Certain.
“Working together with the team at Clive Owen LLP on the transaction ensured a smooth process and successful outcome for all parties involved.”
Green light granted to replace ageing leisure centre with state-of-the-art sports hub
Plans to transform an ageing leisure centre site into a new state-of-the-art sports and wellbeing hub have been approved by members of Leeds City Council’s north and east plans panel.
Fearnville Leisure Centre in Gipton – which dates back to the 1980s – will now be replaced with a much-needed new facility that will enhance the health and well-being of children, families, the local community and sports clubs in the area.
The new-look centre will be built on part of King George V Playing Fields, a 28-acre green space where the current leisure centre is housed, and will include high-quality amenities such as a 25-metre main pool, learner pool and water splash pads, a 120-station gym, all-weather pitch, spin studio, family changing village, soft play, party rooms and a café.
Work is expected to start on site early in the new year and take around 18 months to complete.
The existing centre will remain open for use while the new facility is built, before being demolished once construction is complete.
It is hoped the new site will encourage more take-up of physical activity among residents in Gipton and Harehills and Killingbeck and Seacroft – densely-populated wards which suffer from low life expectancy and high obesity rates – as well as benefiting wider east Leeds.
Councillor Salma Arif, executive member for adult social care, active lifestyles and culture, said: “This is an exciting step forward in the delivery of brand new facility that will provide a significant boost to the health and wellbeing of people in east Leeds.
“We hope the new centre will be a great source of pride for the local community, offering increased opportunities for physical activities as well as bringing social and mental health benefits to all who use it.
“Improving the health and wellbeing of our residents is one of the foundations of the council’s Best City Ambition and this new facility reaffirms our commitment to ensuring the people who are the poorest improve their health the fastest.
“We now look forward to progressing to the next phase of the plans and seeing this long-standing ambition become a reality.”
The plans also include tree-planting and soft landscaping to increase the site’s biodiversity, with inspects, birds and other wildlife giving people fresh opportunities to get in touch with nature.
Local demand for sports and leisure facilities is set to grow over the coming years, with thousands of new homes planned through the East Leeds Extension and related development sites.
Ownership of Elland Road transferred back to Leeds United
Elland Road Limited is now wholly owned by Leeds United Football Club Limited.
Elland Road Stadium has been the club’s home since 1919, but was sold in 2004 during a period of financial difficulty.
In 2017, Elland Road was purchased by Greenfield Investment Pte Ltd, an Aser Group company, which at the time was the parent company of Leeds United Football Club Limited.
Ownership of the stadium was then transferred, following the formation of a new company, to Elland Road Limited in December 2020.
In July 2023, 49ers Enterprises Global Football Group LLC assumed full control of Leeds United Football Club Limited and Elland Road Limited.
On 27th March 2024, the ownership of Elland Road Limited was transferred to Leeds United Football Club Limited. This transaction ensures Elland Road Stadium is now back in full control of the club, for the first time since 2004.
Angus Kinnear, CEO of Leeds United, said: “Whilst this may seem like only a subtle change in corporate structure, I know that our supporters will understand its broader significance in signalling our ownership’s intent that Leeds United and Elland Road should always be inextricably bound.”
Elland Road is also an Asset of Community Value (AoCV), which was formally approved and listed by Leeds City Council, following an application by the Leeds United Supporters’ Trust.
Planning application submitted for final phase of Aire Park Masterplan in Leeds
A planning application has been submitted for the final masterplan phase of Aire Park.
Transforming the former brownfield site into a vibrant new destination, the plans for the second phase feature 502 homes, including affordable housing, over 20,000 sq ft of flexible, ground floor space for leisure use, including cafes, restaurants and cultural activities, and a new 353-space multi storey car park.
The application also details the final hectare of Aire Park’s park, set to become the largest new city centre green park in the country. Designed by landscape architects Planit, the whole park will introduce 700 new trees, dedicated areas for residents as well as public exercise routes and flexible spaces for outdoor events, bringing a range of opportunities and benefits to the locals, neighbouring communities and visitors.
Situated south of Crown Point Road and bordered by Black Bull Street and the A61, phase two of the masterplan strategically connects the South Bank to the city centre and Leeds Dock, creating an accessible and safe route for pedestrians and cyclists whilst reducing traffic flows through the site.
Alongside the new buildings will be a refurbished and revitalised Crown Pub and Hotel, which was originally built in the late 19th Century and been closed in the late 20th Century. The venue, now owned by Vastint UK, was granted planning permission for a change of use and extension to create new commercial space in 2019, alongside the reinstatement of the pub.
Simon Schofield, Head of Development North at Vastint UK, commented on the second phase of the development: “We always envisioned and masterplanned Aire Park in its entirety.
“As work continues on the first phase of this landmark development and we prepare for the completion of 1 & 3 South Brook Street and opening of the first pieces of the public realm, Tetley Triangle, Tetley Green and Theatre Gardens, we’re pleased to be moving forward with our vision and plan for this second and final phase of Aire Park.
“The plans in their entirety aim to breathe new life into the Leeds South Bank and create new opportunities for people to live, work and enjoy this part of the city.
“Throughout the delivery of Aire Park, we are focusing on cultivating an accessible and welcoming environment, these plans show how we will use the new public park to not only promote active travel but create much needed new greenspace within this part of the city for everyone to enjoy whilst also providing a boost to biodiversity.”
Michael Westlake, director at Supervene Architects, added: “We have been working on this project since 2016 so submitting the final phase to the masterplan is a fantastic moment for us.
“Aire Park supports the Southbank vision for Leeds, providing new connections to improve the quality of access through the city centre and the communities to the south. Aire Park is in the process of transforming this former industrial site into an exciting new part of Leeds City Centre.
“The conceptual masterplan was designed as a balanced neighbourhood with an expansive city park at its centre that makes new connections across the site whilst embedding itself in the city’s heritage. Leeds Southbank strategy sought to introduce a 20% contribution to create a city centre park.
“The conceptual masterplan introduced a larger, more meaningful contribution creating a green corridor that with other sites connects all the way to the River Aire in the North and allows for future connections to the South of Aire Park.”
Independent advisors, Turley provided planning, strategic communications, EIA and townscape and landscape services. Director, Taylor Cherrett added: “We are proud to support Vastint UK in bringing their vision for Aire Park to life, reflecting Leeds’ strategic goals and community aspirations, alongside ensuring the development is truly a part of the fabric of the city.
“This development is set to transform Leeds’ South Bank, creating vibrant new spaces for living, working and leisure, whilst enhancing the city’s green infrastructure to deliver a thriving neighbourhood.”
Once completed Aire Park will include 1,400 modern homes and over 1 million sq ft of mixed-use office, retail, leisure and commercial space, anchored around an 8-acre public park with the refurbished Tetley at its heart.
Machinery safety experts acquire Bingley company
Wolverhampton-headquartered machinery safety experts Fortress Safety has acquired Remlive, a Bingley company that specialises in electrical safety warning indicators.
This strategic move aims to enhance the Fortress product portfolio by integrating Remlive’s advanced live circuit detection technology, which helps reduce workplace accidents and improve overall safety.
John Rollason, Managing Director of Remlive, said: “Fortress has the expertise and market reach to accelerate our mission to improve safety in the workplace.
“We see huge potential to enhance global workplace safety and bring innovative new product ideas to market by combining our electrical safety capabilities with Fortress machinery safety expertise.”
The acquisition is an important step for both companies, allowing Fortress to expand its offerings in the safety market while leveraging the expertise of Remlive in electrical safety.
Pete Browitt, Managing Director of Fortress Safety, said: “Remlive and their indicator products have a strong market reputation. This acquisition allows us to further live our purpose of ‘saving lives by providing the best safety solutions’.
“By adding Remlive to our portfolio, we strengthen our position as machinery safety experts and enhance our ability to help our customers provide comprehensive solutions that ensure people’s safety.”
Leeds pharma company makes US acquisition
Rosemont Pharmaceuticals, a Leeds-based developer, manufacturer, and distributor of liquid medicines for over 50 years, has acquired Sabal Therapeutics and its affiliates Metacel Pharmaceuticals, Palmetto Pharmaceuticals, Athena Bioscience and Sarras Health, a group of privately owned specialty pharmaceutical companies and distributors of prescription, liquid medicines, based in Watkinsville, Georgia, USA.
This acquisition further enhances Rosemont’s ability to serve patients with swallowing difficulties across the USA. Previously, Rosemont has developed, registered and supplied medicines to the US market via distribution partners. This acquisition now provides the company with the ability to supply branded and generic medicines directly into the US market.
Howard Taylor, CEO of Rosemont, said: “Acquiring Sabal is a key milestone for Rosemont to commercialise our world class medicines to help US patients with swallowing difficulties, building on our platform of high-quality development teams in both the UK and Greece.
“Our Vice President for the US Market, John Denman, who heads our Rosemont Inc US operations, will be leading this venture and all of us at Rosemont are looking forward to working with the Sabal team.”
Sabal president and CEO, Jeff Bryant said: “This fusion of Rosemont and Sabal allows us to greatly expand our vision across therapeutic areas, with the ultimate mission of changing patients’ lives for the better. We are delighted to join the Rosemont team to deliver even greater value to our providers and those in their care.”
Chancellor gets to work with Mayors on growth mission
Yorkshire’s Mayors welcomed a “new dawn” for devolution after Tracy Brabin hosted talks with the Chancellor on the government’s growth mission in West Yorkshire yesterday (11 July).
The meeting, which included West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin, South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard and York and North Yorkshire Mayor David Skaith, was convened by the Chancellor Rachel Reeves MP to discuss how deeper devolution could stimulate greater economic growth in Yorkshire and across the UK.
With the promise of new “freedoms and flexibilities” in next week’s King’s Speech, the Mayors hope to be empowered to boost economic growth and deliver record numbers of jobs, through bold action on skills, transport, housebuilding and supporting businesses.
By ensuring that everyone can get on the housing ladder, get the skills they need to succeed, and get to work quickly and reliably using public transport, the three Metro Mayors hope to transform their regional economies and put money back in people’s pockets.
The proposals will be formalised in Local Growth Plans that pay special attention to the unique strengths of each region. Meeting with the UK’s Mayors earlier this week, the Prime Minister Keir Starmer vowed to put more power in the hands of local leaders who have “skin in the game” and know what is best for their regions.
Speaking after her visit to Leeds, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves MP, said: “Economic growth is a national mission and my top priority. To achieve it we must fix the foundations of the economy and reset our relationship with local leaders. That starts with the grown-up conversations like we’ve had today.
“Through partnership with the Mayors in Yorkshire, we are entrusting them to deliver change for their communities, secure investment and power growth so that people here feel better off.”
Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “It was fabulous to host the Chancellor in her first week in post. This new dawn in the working relationship between the Government and the regions will help create growth and put money back in people’s pockets.
“We’re already cracking on with our local growth plan and today’s discussion was a helpful chance to ensure we maximise West Yorkshire’s contribution to growing the UK economy.
“With greater freedoms and flexibilities over devolved funding and a more formal relationship with the heart of government, we will help deliver the change our country so desperately needs.
“We will be giving more details about our plans for a West Yorkshire mass transit network, starting with trams in Leeds and Bradford, next week, and we look forward to progressing them with this government. This project will be instrumental in boosting growth and helping create a brighter future for all.”
Oliver Coppard, South Yorkshire’s Mayor, said: “I’m delighted that in her first week in the job, the Chancellor has come back to Yorkshire to begin a conversation about how we can work together to grow our economy, and create real opportunity for everyone across South Yorkshire.
“The tone and approach of Rachel, Keir and Angela in this first few days is making real their commitment to deliver power, control and hope back to communities across the north.
“Today we agreed to quickly work together to unlock the potential of South Yorkshire. We’re home to the largest cleantech cluster in the UK and the world’s first and best advanced manufacturing innovation district. By working with government to capitalise on our unique strengths, we can deliver on our shared promise that everyone can stay near and go far.”
David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, said: “The meetings we have had this week with Government are creating a real momentum. It’s hugely positive that Government is so engaged with Mayors around the country.
“By engaging so closely with us, we can ensure that Growth Plans can truly support the distinctive needs and opportunities of our regions. Each region is unique and with our rural strengths, York and North Yorkshire has so much to offer towards UK Growth.
“In York and North Yorkshire, we urgently need more affordable homes and to unlock the potential for growth in our green economy that creates new, higher paid jobs. These are two key areas for our developing economic plans. The prospect of deeper devolution is exciting and will help us all to reach our full potential.”
Strategic Regeneration Partner to be sought for Wakefield
A plan to accelerate Wakefield’s ambitions to regenerate parts of the city centre and attract investment is to be discussed by Cabinet members.
Senior councillors meeting on 16 July will be asked to support the Council’s intention to seek a Strategic Regeneration Partner to work with the Council and partner organisations to deliver the vision.
“Working with a Strategic Regeneration Partner will help us to drive forward our ambitious plans for an even better city centre for businesses, residents and visitors,” said Cllr Michael Graham, Wakefield Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Growth.
“This new partnership will help us to increase public and private sector investment in Wakefield. It will help to transform our city centre, accelerating our masterplan for the benefit of everyone who lives and works here.”
The regeneration partnership would be a long-term programme, in place for a decade or more, that would work closely with city centre businesses and the wider community to shape any strategic plans.
The partner would also work with public sector regeneration partners such as Homes England and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA). The aim is to bring in a partner who can add development and commercial capacity to complement the work of the Council.
If Cabinet members agree, the next step would see the Council holding a competitive process for organisations interested in becoming the Strategic Regeneration Partner, to be completed by the end of the year.
The selected partner would need a strong track record of working on similar strategic development plans.
Once appointed, there will be engagement with residents and businesses to share the strategic approach for future development of the city.
Development work will take place in accordance with the Wakefield City Centre Masterplan, that includes heritage led regeneration.
New £20m plan for Scarborough to be sent to Government
A £20 million development plan for Scarborough, shaped by residents, businesses and community organisations, is to set to be sent to the Government in the next few weeks.
A total of 55 towns across England, Scotland and Wales are set to receive funding as part of the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) initiative.
The money can be used for reviving town centres, regeneration, promoting heritage and culture and addressing safety and security concerns. Improving transport and connectivity are also key considerations.
Next Tuesday, the plan will come before a meeting of North Yorkshire Council’s executive, where members will be asked to agree a series of proposals to enable it to be submitted to the Government by 1 August.
North Yorkshire Council have been working in partnership with the Scarborough Town Board to develop a 10-year vision document and three-year plan for investment.
In addition, there has been extensive public consultation with more than 1,600 people taking part in Let’s Talk Scarborough events in the town centre and surrounding area and an online survey.
Full results of the consultation will be presented to the Scarborough and Whitby Area Constituency Committee on Thursday (11 July).
People said they wanted the plan to include:
• A cleaner, more attractive town centre
• More frequent bus services, especially for teenagers and the elderly
• A desire to balance the needs of residents and tourists
• The need for more public spaces, including a town square, fountains, and seating areas where people can gather and interact
The area covered runs from Eastfield and Cayton to the south of the main town and up to Newby and Scalby in the north.
The vision focuses on a number of measures that can be delivered within the town centre including the further redevelopment of the Scarborough Station area in Westborough, improving the appearance of the town centre and the inclusion of more public spaces.
In partnership with community partners, North Yorkshire Council are also considering how a safe and secure area where young people can gather and socialise can be provided.
The plans are yet to be finalised and are subject to change, with final costings still to be decided.
North Yorkshire Council executive member for open to business, Cllr Mark Crane said: “This is a hugely significant plan for Scarborough and a great deal of work has gone into getting it to this stage.
“We are very grateful for the input of the Scarborough Town Board and the invaluable contribution from people living in and around the town who have helped inform the process to this point.
“Obviously, there is now a new government in place at Westminster, but we are confident that Ministers will understand the importance of this funding to the future of Scarborough.”
Chair of the Scarborough Town Board, David Kerfoot, said: “Given the tight timetable imposed by Government, the board and wider team have worked extremely hard to get our submission to this stage.
“Consultation has been extensive, and we are grateful for this vital input. This will be of huge benefit to Scarborough and while there is much more work to be done, I am confident we can make a difference on the ground where it really matters.”
The regeneration plan is set to build on previous investment in Scarborough, including the Green Construction Skills Village and more than £500,000 in funding that is transforming the town’s cricket ground in North Marine Road.
Trio of deals for former aircraft production base
Humber Enterprise Park in Brough is marking its first decade as a strategic business location, with two major long-term lease extensions and a significant new office tenant.
Three completed property deals are providing owner Westcore Europe with the thrust to take it to the next level, 10 years on from the sale and part leaseback that ended the site’s exclusivity as a BAE Systems facility.
The historic home to the Hawk jet, afforded iconic status by the Red Arrows, was opened up to new occupiers when the defence giant significantly reduced its East Yorkshire footprint in 2014.
Cablescan and Supercraft have now made long-term commitments to the site, with seven-and-a-half and nine-and-a-half year deals respectively. Both work in the defence arena. Also arriving on site is Pure Renewables, with its commercial and industrial division, on a three-year deal.
Cablescan, part of Fortune 500 listed Amphenol Corporation, manufactures high performance electrical cable assemblies and control panels for defence, aerospace, marine, industrial, and commercial applications, with a team of 100 employed on site. Brough is the company’s UK headquarters, with further satellite facilities in the UK and Europe.
Lloyd Cooper, Cablescan’s Business Unit Director, said: “We are delighted to commit to Humber Enterprise Park, a business location steeped in history and ripe with innovation, that really sets itself apart. As a company with global partners, the site’s heritage is a source of real pride.
“The decision has underpinned our plan to invest in the facilities we operate from, with a refurbishment of our office space underway and improving shop floor facilities next on the agenda, further enhancing the great working environment we provide.”
