Cash boosts for Shipley and Keighley businesses
Cash boosts for businesses from the Keighley and Shipley Towns Funds are still available and have already made a huge difference across the district.
Up to March 2024, 22 businesses in Keighley have been awarded more than £973,000, and 15 businesses in Shipley have received more than £604,000 with the expectation of 151 jobs being created across both areas as a result.
The Capital Assistance to Business Growth Programme is part of the Government-funded Towns Fund and there is £4m available to support local businesses in the Keighley and Shipley areas, with approximately £2m allocated to each.
Businesses can use the grant to invest in premises, machinery, equipment or property to fit out and bringing disused buildings back into use.
Funding has so far been spent on a wide-range of projects by businesses across the district such as expanding and modernising facilities, as well as replacing older equipment with more efficient, up-to-date systems.
Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council’s Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, explained: “It’s so positive to see how this funding is already making such a significant impact. It has directly translated into growth for the businesses who have received it so far and the welcome creation of new jobs for the area.
“Grants ranging from £1,500 to £315,000 are still available for businesses within – or looking to move to – the Keighley and Shipley Towns Fund Areas, and other businesses are invited to apply.”
Adam Clerkin, chair of Shipley Towns Fund, said: “The process of securing a grant is straightforward and the team at Bradford Council will advise businesses throughout. This kind of support for local businesses is crucial in the current economic climate and we want to make sure that everyone who is eligible, has access to it.”
Chair of Keighley Towns Fund, Tim Rogers, added: “Keighley has a proud industrial heritage and a thriving business community. There is funding available for businesses who would benefit and we’re keen to support them. I would encourage anyone interested in applying to get in touch.”
The Towns Fund Capital Assistance to Business Growth Programme Funding is available up to March 2026.
BCC launches digital revolution report to enhance secure future for UK firms
The British Chambers of Commerce has launched its Digital Revolution report outlining a framework to create a connected, dynamic and secure future for UK businesses.
Among the recommendations are:
- Government should appoint an AI champion for SMEs who will help spearhead a programme to improve business use of artificial intelligence.
- Government should explore social tariffs for lower-income areas, to enable more people to access broadband services – including small businesses.
- Wireless Network infrastructure should be strengthened through a pro-investment policy framework supported by a planning regime that unlocks the UK’s 5G ambitions.
- The government should work with the insurance industry to create a reinsurance pool that underwrites cyber risk for business.
Scunthorpe United splits ownership
Scunthorpe United has announced a split of ownership between four of the club’s Directors.
Chairperson Michelle Harness has allocated shares to Roj Rahman, George Aitkenhead and Ian Sharp, with the quartet now assuming equal joint ownership of Scunthorpe United Football Club with immediate effect.
Speaking about the decision to divide the club, Michelle said: “Nine months ago, I took 92% of the shares of the football club from the previous owner and had Roj, George and Ian at my side from day one.
“Since September, we have all worked extremely hard to battle the debt we inherited and work towards a more sustainable model. We’re not there yet, but we have made significant strides, and are on course to achieve this in the coming months.
“While we are at the stage where we can run from day-to-day on this sustainable model, I simply cannot grow the football club on my own, and I must also look to safeguard the business should anything happen to me, and should the football club need some additional support.
“Roj, George and Ian have shown a massive amount of commitment to this football club, and have made a big impact in helping us get to where we are today. Having them in joint ownership with myself will only help us progress further as we look to grow our reputation back to the well-run business that we can remember from years gone by.
“I’d also like to thank all the staff at the football club for their tremendous work ethic, determination and drive to bring us through the last nine months, and to the other members of my Board of Directors, who have all done some incredible work in assisting us to get to this stage.
“I have no doubt you will show your unwavering support to Roj, George and Ian, like you have shown to me so far.”
Vice Chairman Roj Rahman added: “What Michelle has achieved in the last nine months is nothing short of sensational. She will always be our Iron Lady, and everyone associated with Scunthorpe United will forever have the upmost admiration for what she has done to ensure there is, and will always be, a football club within our community.
“We’re all just custodians of this football club at the end of the day, and nothing will change as a result of this joint ownership. Scunthorpe United is a club that will always be for the supporters, for the community, and that will not change, regardless of who has the majority of the shares.
“Having had to go through an awful lot in nine months, Michelle wished to further safeguard the future of Scunthorpe United by welcoming George, Ian and I as joint owners. It’s something we’re all delighted to accepted. The hard work doesn’t stop, it only continues to grow, as we work to provide a football club for us all to be proud of.”
Following the splitting of the club’s ownership, Michelle Harness will continue as the club’s Chairperson, while Roj Rahman will continue as Vice Chair.
Rolls-Royce SMR picks Sheffield for first-of-a-kind supplier conference
Rolls-Royce SMR is to hold its first Supplier Conference on 19 June at the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre’s Factory 2050.
This is the first event of its kind will be an important part of creating a diverse and resilient supply chain, essential in deploying Rolls-Royce SMR’s ‘factory-built’ nuclear power plant.
Existing and potential new suppliers are invited to attend and engage with senior representatives of Rolls-Royce SMR where they can discuss how to become involved in this generational opportunity.
Rolls-Royce SMR’s Chief Finance Officer, Peter Morton, said: “Our suppliers, and the wider supply chain, will be critical to the success of Rolls-Royce SMR and in maximising social value.
“We want to understand the breadth and depth of the capability and capacity within the supply chain, building on the great conversations we’ve had over the last few years, so we can move forward together at pace.
“We’re reaching out to small, medium and large organisations from the UK and further afield – with and without nuclear experience – to ensure we have an inclusive and exciting event with a diverse mix of suppliers.”
The Rolls-Royce SMR is the first nuclear power station to be designed and built in the UK for over a generation and offers a radically different approach to delivering new nuclear power. Each ‘factory-built’ nuclear power station will provide enough low-carbon electricity to power a million homes for more than 60 years and will create thousands of long-term, high-skilled jobs.
Last year, Rolls-Royce SMR launched a supply chain portal to build new relationships with organisations that have products and services to offer and help them in becoming a Rolls-Royce SMR supplier. More than 700 suppliers have already registered, helping build a strong and resilient supply chain and underpinning Rolls-Royce SMR’s social value commitment.
Heating firm works with City Council to test heat pumps in action in council homes
Hull-based Ideal Heating is installing four heat pumps in council homes in the city’s Nornabell Street where they’ll allow Hull City Council to monitor performance and cost as part of a net-zero campaign.
Councillor Paul Drake-Davis, the portfolio holder for housing, said the idea was to improve energy efficiency while providing comfort and affordability for residents”.
“We have a duty to tackle climate change,” he added. “A significant part of that commitment is the way homes across the city are heated.”
Air source heat pumps work by sucking in outdoor air and passing it over tubes containing refrigerant fluids, in order to produce heat.
Four neighbouring flats will receive new gas-powered combi boilers, in order to compare their performance with the heat pumps.
John Jackson, of Ideal Heating, said the trial could have a real impact on the way homes in the city are heated, as well as reducing bills.
Go ahead given to new food waste recycling site
A food waste recycling operator in Lincolnshire, BioteCH4, has been granted planning permission to build a second anaerobic digestion (AD) plant in the region, increasing the capacity to turn unavoidable food waste into green energy and biofertiliser.
The application for a new plant at the Hemswell Cliff Site near Gainsborough was approved by Lincolnshire County Council’s Planning and Regulation Committee on Monday 3 June.
The new 6MW AD plant will include a waste reception building, three digesters, a gas bag and a new access road. It will produce a quantity of green energy that is equivalent to powering over 19,000 homes when fully operational.
AD is the most sustainable process of recycling food waste, into methane-rich biogas and biofertiliser. Last year, BioteCH4 recycled over 600,000 tonnes of food waste across its six sites, transforming it into 300MWh of energy.
Lee Dobinson, Chief Commercial Officer at BioteCH4, said: “We’re pleased to receive planning permission for a new anaerobic digestion plant at our Hemswell Biogas site. The new facility will increase the group’s processing capacity by 200,000 tonnes annually. This will allow us to meet growing demands for food waste recycling, increase green energy outputs, and further strengthen our voice as market leaders.”
Just over a week to go until businesses battle at the 2024 Lincoln Dragon Boat Race!
The spectacular event, taking place on Saturday 15th June, has become one of the biggest in the City’s event calendar, attracting hundreds of spectators and competitors on the day along the Brayford Waterfront.
This year the event is raising money for Lincolnshire’s first responders LIVES and nearly 20 teams have signed up to take part on the day.
Teams include the two headliners Freedom Fire & Security and Siemens Energy as well as other local organisations from across Lincolnshire.
The event promises to be colourful and great fun, no previous experience is required, just plenty of team spirit!
As well as the boat racing there will also be plenty of family activities, food and drink stalls along the Brayford Waterfront for the whole family to enjoy, and there will also be a special performance from Rock Choir Lincolnshire from about 12.30pm on the day.
Teams are encouraged to raise money for LIVES through sponsorship and fundraising.
LIVES is a vital Lincolnshire charity who attend 999 medical emergencies across the county, 365 days a year. Whether they are providing rapid first response support on their doorstep, or highly specialised medical interventions to the most seriously ill patients, they all volunteer their time – for free – to save lives and be there when someone is having their worst day. The charity provide the equipment and training for the ever increasing need.
Charlie McCelland from LIVES said: “We are immensely excited to be announcing the Dragon Boat Race for 2024 after the success of previous year’s event. We need to raise over £1.4 million every year to ensure our highly skilled volunteers are there when a 999 call is made, when minutes matter. The Dragon Boat Race is a great day out and will entice some healthy competition between local businesses in order to raise these vital funds to keep our Emergency Responders on the road and continue saving lives in Lincolnshire.”
For further information and details for the day contact Alex Bennett alex.bennett@ringroselaw.co.uk or visit https://www.ringroselaw.co.uk/about/lincoln-dragon-boat-race/
University of Sheffield partners in new manufacturing hubs
Four new research hubs aiming to address the challenge of commercialising early stage research within key areas of manufacturing, such as aerospace, medicines and semiconductors, have been launched with academics at the University of Sheffield.
The hubs – four of the five hubs in the funding programme recently announced by the UK Research and Innovation Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) – are also aiming to make manufacturing processes more sustainable by reducing waste, emissions and pollution as well as lowering production costs.
The first hub – CSManuHubSust – aims to capitalise on the huge opportunity of compound semiconductor manufacturing, as identified in the UK’s national semiconductor strategy.
The researchers will develop energy-efficient opto-electronics for use in key emerging technologies such as quantum. They will expand on the environmental benefits of compound semiconductors by creating new devices, such as mercury-free ‘night vision’ mid-infrared detector arrays and devices that both communicate and illuminate based on integrated transistors and LEDs. The hub is led by Cardiff University in collaboration with Professor Lenny Koh from the University of Sheffield’s Management School.
The second – the Advanced Metrology for Sustainable Manufacturing hub – will develop ground-breaking new technologies, such as ultra-fast and compact sensors using nanophotonic metamaterials and quantum sensors, to improve resource efficiency and productivity across the range of sectors that rely on precision manufacturing.
The advances in metrology – the science of measurement – that this hub aims to achieve could ultimately reduce industries’ reliance on cheap international labour and significantly reduce the carbon cost of transportation for many types of manufactured goods. The hub is led by the University of Huddersfield in collaboration with Professor Ben Morgan from the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC).
The third – the MediForge hub – aims to transform the development and manufacturing of medicines by pioneering an Industry 5.0 approach focused on harnessing advanced technologies, such as robotics and AI for sustainable, resilient and human-centric medicine production.
This includes:
The MediForge hub is led by the University of Strathclyde in collaboration with Professor Rachel Smith and Professor Jim Litster from the University of Sheffield’s Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering.
The fourth hub – Manufacturing Research Hub in Robotics, Automation and Smart Machine Enabled Sustainable Circular Manufacturing and Materials (RESCu-M2) – is led by the University of Birmingham in collaboration with Professor Ashutosh Tiwari, Deputy Vice-President for Innovation at the University of Sheffield and Airbus/RAEng Chair in Digital Manufacturing.
This hub aims to use advances in AI, robotics and intelligent automation to create a new sustainable circular manufacturing ecosystem across sectors, such as large aerospace structures, electric drives, energy, and medical devices.
By improving the way we reuse, repair, refurbish, remanufacture and recycle in manufacturing, the hub will help to ensure that we increase reuse of critical components by at least 75 per cent and reclaim at least 50 per cent more components.
For example, increasing the reuse of rare earth metals from magnets by just 30 per cent could secure the UK’s supply of these critical materials whose supply is typically environmentally destructive and from politically unstable regions.
Professor Sue Hartley, Vice-President for Research and Innovation at the University of Sheffield, said: “I’m really pleased to see academics from Sheffield collaborating in so many of these new sustainable manufacturing hubs. Research and innovation in manufacturing is an area of strength for us here at the University of Sheffield.
“Our academics have a fantastic track record delivering projects that have real impact locally, nationally and internationally and these hubs continue that tradition. I’d like to congratulate everyone involved on these awards and I wish you every success in your research to help make manufacturing more efficient, productive and sustainable.”
- Achieving a 60 per cent reduction in raw material use and the reduction of waste
- Accelerating patient access to new medicines by increasing research and development (R&D) productivity and agile manufacturing
- The use of technologies to reduce repetitive tasks to free researchers up for creative tasks
Pensions law firm welcomes new associate in Leeds
National specialist pensions law firm Arc Pensions Law has welcomed associate Michael Wilcock to its Leeds office.
Michael joins from Walker Morris and has wide ranging experience working with clients on a broad range of pension matters involving both defined contribution and defined benefit schemes.
He specialises in advising on complex and high-value advisory and transactional matters involving schemes with assets ranging from £10 million to £1.5 billion. Michael also has extensive experience advising on the provision of life assurance benefits, individual and bulk transfers, and also on communications to pension scheme members.
Michael also delivers seminars and training sessions for trustees on various aspects of pensions law and legal updates.
Kate Payne, managing partner, said: “We are delighted to have Michael joining us in Leeds. His broad experience across both defined benefit and defined contribution schemes makes him a great addition to the firm.”
Michael said: “I am extremely pleased to join the growing team of experts at Arc Pensions Law, with a longstanding reputation for delivering first-rate advice on all aspects of pensions law.”
Humber Freeport makes new home in historic trade centre
Associated British Ports (ABP) is delighted that the Humber Freeport Company has located its headquarters in the Grade II Listed Grimsby Dock Office.
The Humber ports play a vital role for the UK as nation’s premier gateway with the world, handling around 17% of the nation’s trade, and the Freeport expands across the Humber including ABP’s four major ports of Grimsby, Goole, Hull, and Immingham. As a new catalyst for further boosting trade and investment it’s particularly appropriate that the Freeport has selected an office location in the heart of an enduring part of the Humber’s trade network.
The Grimsby Dock Office is just one element of ABP’s extensive and diverse offering of property and development opportunities – from heritage assets to large scale development sites like the Humber International Enterprise Park (HIEP) in Hull, offering 468 acres of prime development land, including 212 acres of port estate and is situated within the tax-assisted zone. The site also has access to a dedicated road/rail link and is ideally suited for port-centric manufacturing, logistics and green energy uses.
Greg Lacey, Head of Property for ABP in the Humber said: “The Humber Freeport is a fantastic opportunity for the UK to attract new inward investment from both international and domestic businesses. We have several complementary development sites across the North and South Bank, all of which have their own USPs and the ability to attract transformational projects to the region. What is also exciting, is the opportunity for the development sites to play a vital part in the Humber’s transformation to green energy and decarbonisation”.
“We welcome Simon and the Humber Freeport Company team to Grimsby, which is the customs zone of the Freeport, and located close to the offices of North East Lincolnshire Council, which is the accountable body for Humber Freeport.”
Simon Green, CEO of Humber Freeport said: “This is another significant landmark for Humber Freeport, giving us a base in the heart of the region from which to drive further investment. Large-scale developments with a total value of more than £1bn have already been announced for freeport sites in the Humber, demonstrating how attractive our proposition is for inward investors. That investment in turn creates skilled jobs for local people, broadening our region’s supply chain while driving innovation and economic growth.”
