Morrisons invests £1.4m in new Innovation Centre in Bradford
Morrisons Greenside fresh food manufacturing operation, has officially opened a brand-new on-site innovation centre as part of a significant investment programme.
Costing £1.4 million, the brand-new ‘Greenside Innovation Centre’, was officially opened with the unveiling of a plaque by the Leader of Bradford Council, Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe and Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin.
The centre features a new state of the art development and showcase kitchen that will support the growth of Greenside and the wider Morrisons manufacturing division – Myton Food Group. The innovation centre will allow the site to showcase the food they’re known for and allow for the development of new and exciting products to present to prospective customers.
Morrisons prepares and makes more than half of the fresh food sold in its stores. The Greenside site is the UK’s largest fresh food factory producing bacon, quiches, pies, sausages, gammon, cooked meats and packed cheese.
Rami Baitiéh, Chief Executive Officer of Morrisons, said: “We’re pleased to officially open our Greenside Innovation Centre here in the city of Bradford. At Morrisons we are proud food makers and we are always exploring ways in which we can showcase our expertise and develop new and exciting opportunities to take our products to a wider market.
“This new facility gives our fantastic team of chefs a space to create the high-quality, British products our customers want, using ingredients from our trusted farmers and growers.”
Bradford Labour Leader, Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, said: “We’re really proud that Bradford is the home of Morrisons and therefore I really welcome this latest investment from the company in the city.
“It’s a very well run operation and it’s great to see what care and thought they are putting into new product design at the Innovation Centre. It’s this kind of investment which will retain Morrisons’ place as a market leader.”
Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, said: “I welcome the investment Morrisons has made into the Greenside Innovation Centre, helping to bring new opportunities to Bradford. Morrisons is an important partner for Bradford and West Yorkshire and I will continue to support them to grow and succeed.”
The site has received significant investment in the past year, with an additional £6.6 million being used in cheese automation technology; a further £7m will be invested this year in new sausage lines.
Morrisons Greenside is a 400,000 sq ft manufacturing site, employing a 1,400 strong team, producing 277m packs of fresh food products across 44 production lines.
Retailers record six months of negative sales
Total in-store and online sales fell -2.2% in March, marking the sixth consecutive month of negative sales results, according to new data from BDO’s High Street Sales Tracker.
The last six months marks the longest consecutive period of negative growth outside of the COVID-19 pandemic.
BDO’s data, which looks at sales across discretionary spend categories, highlighted that in-store sales were negative for the fourth month in a row (-1.8%) and pulled down by sharp falls in both fashion and homewares sales.
Non-store sales were also negative (-2.3%), following three successive months of positive results.
Sophie Michael, Head of Retail and Wholesale at BDO, said: “These results continue to paint a bleak picture for retailers. Despite both the Easter bank holiday weekend and Mother’s Day falling in March this year, these results serve as a stark reminder of the pressure the sector is under.”
Fashion was the only non-store category to see positive results in March but the growth of 1.5% failed to offset the negative in-store sales, which declined by -6.0%.
The homeware sector also performed poorly, falling by -10.9%, the lowest monthly result for this category since May 2022. The lifestyle sector performed slightly better, with sales up +0.9% compared to the same month last year.
Sophie continued: “Going into April, retailers will see their costs rise even higher with the uplift in the national minimum wage and increased business rates leaving very little room to spend on investment, promotions or other ways of encouraging consumer spending.
“Elsewhere, there are reports that order levels fell in March and are expected to fall further in April, showing no signs of appetite for consumers to increase discretionary spend. Retailers will be fixated on managing their cost base to ride out what continues to be a challenging trading period, with no notable recovery on the horizon just yet.”
Hull firm acquires Scottish bathroom specialist
Hull-based MKM has acquired Dumfries bathroom specialist Rob Corder Bathrooms, making it the company’s 126th branch nationwide.
The acquisition marks an expansion of MKM’s presence in the Dumfries region, with Rab Corder Bathrooms becoming ‘MKM Dumfries St Mary’s’ with full support from existing branches, MKM Dumfries and MKM Dumfries Timber, both of which originated from the acquisition of Dumfries Timber Company (DTC) Merchants Limited in 2020.
The latest acquisition was founded by Rab Corder in Castle Douglas in September 2011. Company growth saw him open the Dumfries showroom in September 2018.
The business will continue to provide bathroom design to the trade and public, benefiting from MKM’s logistics and industry experience with the addition of new brands and free local delivery services, plus investment to enhance the existing bathroom showroom, introducing a new kitchen showroom and expanding the plumbing and heating offering in the comign months.
Andrew Popple, MKM’s Business Operations Director, said: “Rab has built an outstanding reputation in Dumfries, approaching MKM in 2023 about a potential acquisition due to retirement. We are delighted to retain the whole team. This acquisition is a fantastic opportunity for MKM to further strengthen our presence in Scotland, enhancing our services with the capabilities of Rab Corder Bathrooms.”
Former owner Rab Corder has stepped down from his position as CEO with immediate effect, but all other employees remain with the business as it transitions to MKM Dumfries St Mary’s. The acquisition and expansion of the plumbing and heating services will create three new full-time jobs in the next two months.
Sheffield Chamber offers financial advice service to members’ employees
Sheffield Chamber of Commerce and Industry has launched a new Financial Wellbeing Support Service to help employees in the city region amid growing cost of living concerns.
Partnering with Mortgage PA, Forest Oak Financial Planning, Money Helper, Step Change Debt Charity, Mind and Sheffield Credit Union, SCCI is offering the free-to-access service to all Chamber members.
It is split into two halves: the Financial Wellbeing Support Programme – available to all levels of membership offering a range of support through an online self-serve portal and a Financial Friend Session – available to Premium and Patron members.
Through this service, a financial expert will visit an organisation to offer one-on-one specific, tailored advice for employees.
The introduction of these services comes as the Bank of England reported that UK households and businesses remain under pressure from higher borrowing costs. Interest rates are expected to remain high and more than 1.5 million people are reported to be experiencing both problems with debt and mental health*.
Liam Hughes, MD at Mortgage PA, said: “One in three people are said to be experiencing anxiety caused by debt related worries or fears over job insecurity or unemployment. Regardless of the industry you work in, financial wellbeing is highly important, both for greater confidence in a business but in the wellbeing of employees too.
“Finance related anxiety, and more specifically debt related stress, is reported to cause sleepless nights, higher chances of anxiety and depression, and diminished social lives which can all lead to lessened wellbeing for individuals.
“We’re grateful to partner with Sheffield Chamber and work together to help those people that are struggling or who want greater confidence in managing their finances.”
Independent inspector to assess plans for major North Yorkshire housing scheme
Plans for thousands of new homes to help meet demand for housing in North Yorkshire have been submitted for independent examination.
The proposals for the Maltkiln Village scheme would see as many as 3,000 properties built on a site centred around Cattal Railway Station, which is 10 miles to the east of Harrogate.
North Yorkshire Council have sent the Draft New Settlement (Maltkiln) Development Plan to the Planning Inspectorate for independent examination.
The draft plan, which sets out how Maltkiln should be developed, has been drafted in consultation with communities and specialist organisations. It includes a vision, objectives and detailed policies to guide development.
Corporate director of community development, Nic Harne, said: “We are acutely aware of the need for more housing across the whole of North Yorkshire to meet the demand for homes so that people can choose to live in the communities that they wish to.
“The Maltkiln development is a major scheme and is aimed at addressing the housing needs in the area.
“We have now submitted documents for the independent examination, and we will wait for the inspector’s comments to see how we can then hopefully progress the development.”
The draft plan, as well as accompanying evidence and consultation responses received during the consultation on the draft plan, will now be examined by an independent inspector to assess whether it has been prepared in accordance with legal and procedural requirements and if it is ‘sound’.
In most cases the examination will include hearing sessions which are held in public. The inspector will determine the appropriate format for these sessions.
At the end of the examination, the inspector will send a report to the council recommending whether or not it can adopt the plan, and if any modifications are needed.
The Maltkiln Village development is due to be heavily themed around sustainability and the environment and is set to provide local amenities and facilities alongside the new homes, as well as extensive areas of open space and landscaping.
£1.8m seed fundraise for biotechnology business
SynGenSys, a fast-growing biotechnology spinout company from the University of Sheffield, has completed a successful angel-led £1.8m seed fundraise as Dr Andy Racher steps in as its Commercial Operations Director.
SynGenSys specialises in designing and constructing synthetic genetic components to advance next-generation biomedicines and biomanufacturing processes.
With over three decades of experience in the biotechnology sector, Andy brings a wealth of expertise to his new role. He has previously held numerous senior positions at Lonza Biologics, a Contract Development and Manufacturing Organisation (CDMO).
Andy’s roles at Lonza included Director of R&D IP Strategy, Associate Director within the Future Technologies Group, Head of Process Development Sciences, Acting Head of Cell Culture Process Development, and Senior Principal Scientist of Cell Culture Process Development.
Andy said: “I am delighted to be joining the SynGenSys team at such an exciting time in the company’s development, and I am looking forward to helping SynGenSys build out its market-facing commercial function.”
Professor David James, co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of SynGenSys, added: “We are very pleased to have recruited someone of Andy’s calibre to our team. His is the first of a number of appointments that the company is looking to make as we start to offer our products and services to customers across the world.”
Law firm Freeths advised SynGenSys on the seed fundraise. Commenting on Andy’s appointment, Freeths’ Corporate Partner, Peter Crawford said: “Having recently advised on SynGenSys’ successful seed fundraise, it is great to see the company making real progress and Andy’s appointment is fundamental to support that growth. I’m confident he will be a great addition to the team.”
Corporate finance advice on the fundraise was provided by Translink.
Fifty North Bank funeral directors get clean bills of health from local authorities
Fifty Hull and East Riding funeral directors have been visited in the wake of the ongoing police investigation into Legacy Independent Funeral Directors Ltd.
Public protection teams from Hull City Council and East Riding of Yorkshire Council have spent three weeks speaking to funeral directors and carrying out visits to their premises to review compliance with health and safety regulations, operational procedures and care of the deceased, and to offer support and advice to businesses.
While the sector is not formally regulated, the visits were an opportunity for the public protection officers to look at a number of key areas of funeral directors’ business and provide reassurance to both customers and businesses.
Rachel Stephenson, head of public protection at Hull City Council said: “The businesses we visited were all welcoming and receptive if any advice or suggestions were made. It is very clear from our visits that the ongoing incident at Legacy Independent Funeral Directors Ltd is in no way typical of the funeral industry in our area.”
Angela Dearing, director of housing, transportation and public protection at East Riding of Yorkshire Council said: “We would like to thank all the funeral businesses for their cooperation, professionalism and for their support of these visits.
“There is currently no national statutory regulation of funeral directors, so councils don’t have specific powers or responsibilities to oversee these businesses.
“Therefore, these voluntary visits were conducted in partnership with funeral directors, in order to give reassurances to customers and our local funeral directors.”
The visits were supported by the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) and the National Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF).
Small firms offered free support to tackle cowboy practices in energy contracts
Businesses are to be given free support to resolve issues with their energy contracts as government and Ofgem set out to tackle cowboy practices like hidden fees, inaccurate energy bills and pressurising sales tactics for energy contracts.
Organisations with fewer than 50 employees will be entitled to free support from the Energy Ombudsman on disputes with their energy supplier. It will extend the service to cover 99 per cent of all businesses in Great Britain.
The Ombudsman has the power to order suppliers to provide compensation of up to £10,000 or take action to resolve issues – such as raising standards for their customers, or to credit or amend customer accounts.
The move will also enable businesses and other organisations to settle disputes with their energy broker via the Ombudsman, without the need for costly legal proceedings – as part of changes set out by the government and Ofgem today. It is a first step in a crackdown on rogue energy brokers targeting small organisations with thousands of pounds in hidden fees.
Energy Affordability Minister Amanda Solloway has warned energy brokers to end these unacceptable practices, with the government planning to consult later this year on regulating brokers and other third-party intermediaries. She said: “All businesses deserve to get a good service from their energy supplier – and today’s changes will empower small businesses with free redress support via the Ombudsman.
This is just the beginning. Rip-off energy brokers have no place in our market and we will act to raise standards for customers.”
Energy brokers are used to help small businesses and organisations, like charities or schools, find the best energy deal for their needs – which larger businesses often manage in-house. This can leave smaller organisations vulnerable to unfair fees, with only the courts as a route to redress.Yorkshire Building Society joins Hidden Disabilities Sunflower network
Yorkshire Building Society has joined the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower network, showing its support for customers and colleagues with non-visible disabilities.
Branches and offices will display “We Support the Sunflower” stickers and colleagues have taken part in training. Colleagues with non-visible disabilities themselves can choose to wear a Sunflower lanyard or pin badge.
Wayne Measor, the Society’s Director of Retail Distribution, said: “We are driven by our purpose to provide real help with real life, so it’s important that all our members and customers feel able to be themselves when interacting with us and in a manner that suits them. I am proud we are supporting the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower by providing training and visibility through our amazing colleagues.”
Paul White, CEO of Hidden Disabilities Sunflower, said: “In the rapid acceleration of digital finance, it’s essential that the public can gain access to support on a local level as technology can present barriers to many people with non-visible disabilities. Yorkshire Building Society demonstrates that they put the customer and their colleagues at the heart of their strategy by becoming Sunflower-friendly. Sunflower wearers can access their finances, advice, and guidance when they visit branches with the confidence that they will be recognised and supported with extra time, understanding, and patience.”
The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower was launched in 2016 to encourage inclusivity, acceptance and understanding for those with conditions that are not immediately obvious to others.
The Sunflower is a simple, discrete way people can choose to make their disability visible, and share that they might need more help, understanding or time.
The Society joining the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower has been championed by a colleague network tasked with making the organisation more accessible for customers, members and colleagues.
Called to the colours: Haworth firm’s £5m seven-year contract leads to mill refurbishment
A seven-year £5million contract under which Haworth-based Wyedean Weaving will replace all British Armed Forces’ Standards and Colours with the King’s insignia and the Tudor Crown, has helped to fuel the company’s recent investment in a £300k refurbishment to futureproof its 150-year-old Grade II listed mill building.
The fourth-generation family firm is currently putting the finishing touches to the Irish Guards regimental King’s Colour which will be carried at the Trooping of the Colour ceremony on June 15th.
Next Monday four generations of the Wright family will be celebrating Wyedean’s Diamond Jubilee alongside invited guests and guest of honour, the Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, Ed Anderson. The event includes a special recognition presentation to Norma Wright, Wyedean’s 99-year-old chairwoman.
MD Robin Wright said: “60 years ago my parents set up shop here in Haworth with a fledgling business. Since then, Wyedean has employed over 1,000 people with many local family members working here over two and three generations.
“Sixty years on we are Haworth’s oldest employer and also one of its largest, and we wanted to host a celebratory event to say thank you to our team and our customers and to showcase our recent refurbishment alongside the ceremonial regalia for His Majesty’s Forces and His horses that we create every single day. We are also offering a unique opportunity to see our team’s hand embroidery work on the regimental Colours and Standards ahead of the King’s Birthday Parade in June.”
Wyedean was founded as a manufacturer of braid and military uniform accoutrements in 1964 by David Wright who ran the business with his father Frank, a former textile machine designer who was awarded an MBE in recognition of his invention of a new yarn spinning technique called centrifugal spinning.
Robin added: “Our Diamond Jubilee is a very proud moment for all our family, our team and our village, whose rich heritage is a fitting backdrop to the historic and ground breaking manufacturing that happens behind our mill’s walls every day of the week.
“We couldn’t be more proud of the road we have travelled and of the exciting future ahead as we continue to bring our Yorkshire expertise to the creation of royal and military regalia which forms part of our nation’s most ancient ceremonies and traditions.”
