Construction work begins on first phase of Our Cultural Heart in Huddersfield
The main construction work on the first phase of Our Cultural Heart – Kirklees Council’s major regeneration scheme in Huddersfield town centre – is officially underway.
Following the appointment of BAM as the principal contractor for this phase of work, core construction work began in earnest this week. This includes the demolition of some sections of the former Queensgate Market building, as its transformation into a vibrant new food hall and modern library ramps up.
The core Listed sections of the building will be fully refurbished, enhancing the end result and celebrating the venue’s unique heritage and character.
BAM has already completed significant pre-construction site preparation, with work including the ‘soft stripping’ of all non-structural and internal fixtures and fittings, as well as the removal of the former market stalls and asbestos.
To mark this significant project milestone, senior figures from Kirklees Council – including the Leader of the Council, Councillor Carole Pattison – joined project colleagues from Turner & Townsend and BAM.
This first phase of the masterplan concentrates on the major refurbishment of the Queensgate Market building, converting it into a new food hall and incorporating a new library within the existing east wing of the same building.
Both the food hall and new library will directly feed out to a new public square, with the connecting space perfectly suited to outdoor cultural events and gatherings.
Councillor Carole Pattison, Leader of Kirklees Council, said: “It’s a proud moment to see the main construction work on Our Cultural Heart get going and comes after extensive planning and consultation efforts over the last few years.
“We have high ambitions for this new era of our town centre. Developments like Our Cultural Heart will bring more visitors to the town and help to drive growth and investment in Huddersfield and the wider Kirklees borough.
“Now that the internal strip out is completed and the real work is underway, the transformation of the site will quickly become visible to all in our town and a source of pride and excitement for what’s to come.”
Paul Cleminson, Pre-Construction Director at BAM, said: “This is an exciting scheme for Huddersfield and we’re delighted to be starting work on site.
“An important driver for BAM is ensuring our projects positively impact the local community and we want to make sure that this project also leaves a lasting legacy for the people and businesses of Kirklees.
“We’re driving investment into the local economy by employing Kirklees-based subcontractors, procuring materials locally, and creating employment and apprenticeship opportunities on the project.
“We’ll also be reaching out to local schools and colleges, to provide learning opportunities on the project.”
Kirklees Council submitted updated plans for the second phase of the Our Cultural Heart development earlier this month, concentrating on a flagship new museum and art gallery in the former library building on Princess Alexandra Walk.
Contractors sought for next phase of historic Scunthorpe Church’s transformation
Bids are being sought for civil and landscaping engineering contractors to carry out the next phase in the restoration of St John’s Church in Scunthorpe.
A tender will be launched for works which will improve visitor access, while creating an inviting outdoor space for hands on exhibitions – connecting the building to Queen Elizabeth Gardens.
The works will enable the hoardings surrounding 20-21 to come down and bring the building back into full use, revealing the full extent of the restoration work to the Grade II* listed former church.
Discover@20-21, the new town centre attraction packed full of free family-friendly activities, is expected to open in Spring 2025.
Cllr Rob Waltham, leader, North Lincolnshire Council, said: “It’s great to see work progressing at pace on Discover@20-21, our new and completely free regional attraction for families, which will inspire and entertain our young people with hands on experiences.
“This next phase of the project is where residents will really start to see the difference to the outside of this important building, and creating new outside space will bring a new dimension to exhibitions.”
Works to restore St John’s Church are nearing completion, with specialist contractors UK Restoration Services concluding their programme of extensive repairs, which included the rebuilding of the roofs and tower pinnacles, cleaning, repairing and repointing the original stonework, plus installing a new building management system.
Cllr John Davison, cabinet member for community wellbeing (urban – Ashby, Bottesford and Scunthorpe), said: “We’ve stepped in to ensure one of Scunthorpe’s most visible and historic buildings – a place many residents have fond memories of – is protected for years to come.
“We are going further by bringing new experiences to the town. Plans for Discover@20-21 look absolutely brilliant and seeing them has made me even more excited to see the activities in this free family attraction take shape.”
Yorkshire businesses go wheel to wheel for The Children’s Hospital Charity
Motor racing driver Rowan Campbell-Pilling has been uniting Yorkshire businesses on the racetrack to raise cash for charity and compete for a coveted trophy.
Sheffield-based Rowan, a 17-year-old Motorsport UK Academy driver, is a rising star of British motorsport. He organised the inter-company karting event at Parkwood Karting in the city.
Following an initial two-day event at the outdoor track in June, teams that qualified were invited back to compete in the grand final.
Going from 100 drivers in qualifying to 24, the final saw teams from Gripple, Mattress Online, Cobra Sport Exhausts, Irwin Mitchell and H Harrold & Sons Locksmiths battle it out for pole position – as well as enjoy networking, pizza and refreshments off-track.
The F4 superstar, Rowan, also joined the businesses on track, racing alongside Gripple’s team and, unsurprisingly, he set the fastest lap of the night.
Rowan said: “It’s been great to see the businesses come back for the second leg of this year’s Steel City Cup and compete to be crowned winners of the final.
“Massive thanks must go to all of them, and those that took part in the qualifying rounds too, for helping us to raise such vital funds for The Children’s Hospital Charity.
“Being able to both boost the charity’s funds and introduce people to karting is brilliant.”
After 175 laps and nearly 100 minutes of racing, the winner of 2024’s Steel City Cup was H Harrold’s and Sons Locksmiths, with Irwin Mitchell only just behind them in second place and then Mattress Online in third place.
A total of £4,000 was raised during the final, helping Rowan to reach his £25,000 fundraising target.
Since the start of 2022, Rowan has been an Ambassador, and more recently, a Children’s Champion for The Children’s Hospital Charity. He has consistently raised funds for the charity between an intense F4 training schedule and school.
Not long into 2024, Rowan surpassed his initial target of £10,000 and, now, another six months on he’s thrilled to have raised over £25,000 in total.
“I am over the moon to be able to say we’ve raised over £25,000 for The Children’s Hospital Charity after almost two years. I can’t wait to see what our final total will be at the end of 2024,” Rowan said.
“My family and I know first-hand how important the services at Sheffield Children’s are, so it means a lot to us.”
The money Rowan has raised by hosting and taking part in various events will go towards many life-changing projects currently ongoing at Sheffield Children’s, including the National Centre for Child Health Technology (NCCHT) which will be run by Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust and based at the Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park.
Caitlin Hallatt, Philanthropy Manager from The Children’s Hospital Charity, said: “The Steel City Cup final was brilliant, thank you to all the businesses that came out and took part in the events and to Rowan for hosting.
“Rowan is very supportive of the charity and plays an excellent role as one of our Children’s Champions. We’re delighted to have him as a committed member of Team Theo and the money he’s helped to raise will make a huge difference to the lives of our patients, families and staff.”
Rowan is currently competing in his first Rokit British F4 certified by the FIA Season, driving for the Phinsys by Argenti team. This is seen as the first rung on the ladder towards Formula 1.
He joined the F4 grid following a successful karting career, where he competed in the Daniel Ricciardo Series and IAME X30 in both the junior and senior classes.
The Steel City Cup Final will return in 2025.
Restaurant chain signs up to fat and grease recovery scheme
Independent restaurant company The Big Table Group is partnering with grease management company GreaseTech Drainage Solutions and engineering technology company Eco Clarity to trial recovery of grease recovery unit waste from commercial kitchens for conversion into biofuel.
The companies are involved in the M62 Corridor project which will see kitchen waste its and oils collected from 25 BTG restaurant kitchens for re-use after processing in Hull, Stockport, and Stanlow.
Big Table Group operates some of the most recognisable brands in the eating-out market, such as Bella Italia, Las Iguanas, Banana Tree, Frankie & Benny’s, Chiquito, Cafe Rouge and Amalfi. Together with partners GreaseTech and Eco Clarity, the company is recovering GRU waste from
BTG group facilities manager Karl Tindall is optimistic about rolling out the trial to at least 230 BTG sites and encourages other food service businesses to get involved. “We’ve always been very conscious of putting GRUs in and managing our FOG correctly,” he says. “Now we’ve got an opportunity to know exactly where it’s going when it leaves our sites too.
“We’re the first hospitality company to do it, but we want to encourage other restaurant businesses to get involved too, and help open doors so we can get more awareness about the multiple environmental benefits of this initiative.”
Rob Thomas, commercial director at GreaseTech said: “We’ve been working very closely with Big Table Group to manage their grease management requirements and recognised the opportunity to present Eco Clarity to BTG as a solution for their FOG disposal. We are excited to be part of this pioneering project, which we hope will provide some significant benefits to everyone involved, and the environment.
“Across our customer base, we already specify, supply, service and maintain GRUs at some 3,400 sites nationally, but Eco Clarity has made it possible to start recovering and reusing this waste. The sampling shows that 60% of the waste is reusable, which represents a step-change in sustainable waste management for food service establishments.”
Fat, oil and grease – otherwise known as FOG – are common byproducts of restaurants and food processing facilities, but FOG disposal has long posed a challenge. Currently too much FOG enters the sewers and drains, where it can harden, often results in blockages, which can significantly impact the public, the environment, and be costly to clear. The alternative is landfill disposal, which fails to capitalise on the value of FOG as a potential renewable fuel source.
Eco Clarity’s first three FOG Recovery Hubs are at sites operated by Yorkshire Water, United Utilities and Argent Energy. Each hosts the company’s containerised, patented separation technology, which turns tankered liquid waste containing FOG into a feedstock for biofuels, alongside a clean water stream ready for discharge or further processing for reuse.
Eco Clarity chief executive Chris Clemes said: “We could not be more excited about having Big Table Group and GreaseTech onboard for the next phase of this initiative, which is the M62 Corridor Project. The hospitality sector has a major role to play in helping us capture the benefit of FOG, and BTG with GreaseTech has opened the door wide to us.
“Not only does sustainable management of FOG provide a valuable biofuel resource, it ensures that restaurant kitchens run more efficiently, avoiding risk of pipe blockages, non-compliance and reputational harm.”
Two earn promotion at Rollits
Millie Bird and Molly Bloom have won promotions are law firm Rollits.
Millie has been promoted into the firm’s dispute resolution department, having joined Rollits in 2021 as a paralegal with the property team in the York office before progressing to become a trainee solicitor in March 2023.
Molly’s first experience of the firm was as a participant in the summer work experience scheme in 2019. She started her training contract in 2022 and has now joined the firm’s employment law team.
Millie attended George Pindar School in Scarborough and then progressed to Scarborough Sixth Form College before embarking on her legal career. She studied at The University of Law in Leeds, graduating with First Class Honours in 2019 and staying on to pass her LPC with Distinction a year later.
Molly studied at the University of Hull after leaving Longcroft School in Beverley, graduated in 2021 with a First Class (Hons) degree in Law and then completed an MSc in Business Management which she passed with distinction. She then moved to The University of Law in Leeds to complete her Legal Practice Course.
Ralph Gilbert, Managing Partner at Rollits said: “As a firm we’re committed to encouraging and facilitating the various avenues into the legal profession and it’s incredibly satisfying to see people take these opportunities.”
“Millie came through the paralegal route and Molly was introduced to the profession through our summer work experience scheme. I’m delighted to see both of them progress and we look forward to helping them achieve success in their chosen profession.”
Refractory company MD shows how gender diversity could bridge skills gap
Trent Refractories MD Katy Moss has travelled to Germany to talk about the benefits woman can bring to industry.
As a member of a panel headed ‘Female Talents: Innovation through Diversity’ she was able to talk about female diversity in the refractories industry sector. The event was organised by the Women@Refractories initiative, as part of the International Colloquium on Refractories.
She said the event was a great opportunity to network and motion modern issues within the sector, while engaging in this important conversation.
She said: “The session delved into the opportunities for the refractories industry to attract, develop, and retain competent women professionals. The panel explored the benefits and challenges of integrating gender diversity into the industry, with a focus on how these efforts can strengthen the workforce and drive innovation.”
New law will force employers to take steps to prevent sexual harassment
From next month the Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Bill will strengthen existing protection for workers against sexual harassment by placing a new duty on employers to take ‘reasonable steps’ to prevent sexual harassment.
HR Sarah Derbyshire, HR Consultant and Director at HR Solutions Yorkshire, cuts through the legalise of the law when she says: “It is important for businesses to make it clear to all members of their teams what they expect in terms of behaviour, what everyone’s rights and responsibilities are, and what the consequences are likely to be for failing to meet these expectations.
“Senior leaders and managers set the tone for expectations around workplace behaviour. They need to embed and live the values and behaviour that underpin dignity, respect and inclusion. They also need to call out unacceptable behaviours to nip things in the bud at an early stage.”She says companies should set out policies and put in place the necessary training. She went on to explain that under the law, ‘harassment’ covered unwanted conduct related to a protected characteristic which has the purpose or effect of violating a person’s dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for them. Sexual harassment is unwanted conduct of a sexual nature which has that impact.’
A protected characteristic is as set out in the Equality Act 2010 and includes gender, age, race, disability, sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity, religion or belief, gender reassignment, marital status or civil partnership. An employee who feels that they have been treated differently because of a protected characteristic can make a claim of discrimination to an employment tribunal.
She added: “Any claim on the grounds of discrimination is uncapped at tribunal. In addition, tribunals will have the power to increase compensation by up to 25% if they find an employer has breached this duty. As well as the financial costs of a claim against the business, cases of sexual harassment impact on management and HR time, potentially legal costs, damage to a company’s reputation and on other members of the team.”
Kromek wins place on Government supplier list for radiation equipment
A radiation detection company with its R&D centre in Huddersfield has won a place on the supplier list held by the Home Office.
Kromek has been selected as a supplier under the UK Government’s Radiological Nuclear Detection Framework for the supply of radiological nuclear detection equipment and supporting services.
Arnab Basu, the company’s CEO said: “We are delighted to have become one of the few companies approved for the supply of radiological nuclear detection equipment under this important Home Office initiative. We have been providing our detectors to the UK government for several years and it is great to see the continued expansion of programmes that will enhance the UK’s protection against radiological threats.
“Alongside our recent selection under the UK Government Resilience Framework for supplying emergency services operators and our contract award from the Ministry of Defence, we are experiencing excellent momentum in this area of our business and we look forward to reporting on further progress.”
The Framework was established to co-ordinate the RN detection procurement requirements and capabilities of the Home Office, Counter Terrorism Police and other public bodies to support Home Office strategic aims and to deliver enhancements to the UK’s end-to-end system for domestic nuclear security.
Kromek applied for three of the four Framework categories, covering the supply of handheld, wearable and large volume static radiation detectors, and was successfully approved and awarded a Framework contract. Accordingly, Kromek is pre-qualified to be selected for orders in these categories, which over the four-year term of the Framework have a combined maximum procurement value of £84 million. The Group will provide further updates as and when there is progress in respect of any contracts within these three Framework categories.
New music industry network launched for West Yorkshire creatives
A brand-new network has been created to connect creative musical talent with opportunities in West Yorkshire.
It brings together everyone in the region’s music industry, from creative organisations and freelancers to venues and communities.
Launched by Mayor Tracy Brabin in collaboration with Leeds Conservatoire, Come Play With Me, and Create Britain, the regional network will be a central hub for music industry professionals to share knowledge and insight, create opportunities and collaborate.
Open to creatives at any career stage, the network will encourage inclusivity across West Yorkshire’s music sector, with activity tailored towards underrepresented groups and those facing barriers to opportunities.
It will also seek to attract national music sector activity at conferences and events across the region, while supporting creatives to represent West Yorkshire at national and international music events.
The West Yorkshire Music Network is part of Mayor Tracy Brabin’s £2.3 million ‘You Can Make It Here’ programme, designed to support and drive growth across the region’s creative sector.
Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “We’re giving a voice to music professionals in West Yorkshire, and helping them to collaborate on opportunities and unleash their full potential.
“There is so much talent and ambition in our region, and this network will help to drive opportunities, growth and inward investment.
“This new network is an opportunity for our incredible musicians and backstage creatives to thrive in their careers, as we work to build a stronger, brighter West Yorkshire that works for all.”
James Warrender, Head of Strategic Partnerships and Enterprise at Leeds Conservatoire, said: “The aim is for the network to be diverse and representative of the brilliantly broad variety of music related activities that take place within the region.
“It’s an opportunity to bring existing networks together with new voices, really promote the success stories, but to also unite in solving the challenges.”
Tony Ereira, CEO of Come Play With Me CIC, said: “There is such a wonderful mix of diverse music adjacent activity happening on our doorsteps here in West Yorkshire and I am so excited about how the Network can celebrate everyone involved, introducing opportunities locally, regionally and nationally – be they a large music organisation with a huge team or a freelancer juggling multiple roles.
“At a time when arts funding and education is in a critical condition across the country, having been undervalued nationally for years, we really value the Mayor and Combined Authority recognising the need to give the music sector a much-needed voice to come together and demonstrate the significant potential it has to add value across the region.”
Jeremy Aird, Founder, CREATEBritain, said: “At CREATEBritain, our goal is to help energise and network creatives at every level across the country and work with ambitious partners like West Yorkshire to deliver real goals for real people.
“Together we are lighting the fuse on a fantastic new community – West Yorkshire Music Network. A place for anything and everything music related to thrive, a critical local resource that also delivers nationally and globally.
“Driving real change and creating opportunity for all of our musicians starts with bold, unapologetic creativity and a platform that can grow and deliver the features they need to succeed.”
Further ‘You Can Make It Here’ initiatives in the pipeline include opportunities for young people to boost their skills and progress into creative roles, while businesses and freelancers will benefit from investment, expert advice and training to unleash their potential.
New operator sought as NEC Group steps away from Bradford Live
A process is underway to appoint a new operator for Bradford Live, the newly renovated entertainment centre on the site of the former Bradford Odeon.
This follows a decision by the NEC Group that the venue will be better served by an alternative operator. Following a strategic review of its business, the NEC Group will focus on its existing operations in the Birmingham area.
Bradford Council and the NEC Group have agreed settlement terms to release NEC from the contract that was in place for them to operate the venue. NEC will step away from Bradford Live with immediate effect.
Bradford Live and the Council will now move at pace to identify a new operator and ensure the restored landmark venue will take its place as a major entertainment hub that Bradford can be proud of.
The Council and NEC have been unable to provide any significant detail on the situation relating to Bradford Live until now, whilst negotiations were taking place. Further updates, and a new date for opening, will be provided when a new operator is confirmed.
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe, Leader of Bradford Council, said: “Bradford Live is a major part of our ongoing investment in revitalising the city for the benefit of the whole district. It is a magnificent venue, something which the NEC recognise. But after being a founding partner with Bradford Live years ago, their business plans have changed. We respect their position and wish them well.
“It’s been very frustrating that we have had to remain so tight-lipped but at all times we have followed expert legal advice to protect the interests of the venue and the Council.
“Advice from the sector leads us to believe that there are a number of potential operators who have shown initial interest in the venue. We are now in a position to have further discussions with them about the opportunity. We can’t say more about this at this stage given the commercially sensitive nature of discussions.
“We are aiming to have the venue operational in 2025 to host events as part of Bradford’s year as UK City of Culture.“
Lee Craven, Founding Director of Bradford Live, said: “Bringing this much-loved building back to life has been a huge task spanning years and involving many tough challenges. Throughout, we have had the steadfast support of Bradford Council, who have never wavered in their commitment.
“The result is a world class music venue whose quality exceeds even our own hopes. We look forward to securing a new operator soon who can do justice to the building’s potential and make Bradford Live a ‘must play’ venue for major touring acts.”
