City Council expects to quit lease on Thwaite Watermill to save £750k

Stuart Pearcey
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City Council expects to quit lease on Thwaite Watermill to save £750k
Leeds City Councillors expect to close Thwaite Watermill as a Museums and Galleries attraction from April 1 as a step towards quitting the lease to save up to £750k over the next five years.
Thwaite Watermill is open to the general public during weekends and school holidays only, and during term time for booked groups and school visits only, so the proposed date of closure is not expected to have a significant impact on visitors. The council will honour all existing bookings until October 2024 and will continue to work closely with site owners the Canal & River Trust and other stakeholders on any transition arrangements. The proposed closure and surrender of the lease will be published as a key decision and subject to call-in by elected members. A spokesperson for Leeds City Council said: “The council does not take any decisions affecting our visitor attractions lightly. However, the financial pressures we are now facing have forced us to look at options which would never have previously been considered. “Ending the lease on Thwaite allows us to balance the urgent and unavoidable need to make cost savings whilst continuing to provide a high quality experience for our visitors at Leeds Museums and Galleries’ other eight sites, all of which are owned by Leeds City Council.”

Leeds-based Answer Digital acquires provider of specialist healthcare digital systems

Tess Egginton
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Leeds-based Answer Digital acquires provider of specialist healthcare digital systems
Leeds-based Answer Digital has strengthened its healthcare division with the acquisition of Interneuron, a provider of specialist healthcare digital systems. Answer is an employee-owned digital consultancy that works extensively across the NHS to support everything from deploying AI at scale to GP interoperability. It also provides private-sector companies with services ranging from data and software engineering to artificial intelligence and cloud computing. Interneuron provides cutting-edge software to healthcare organisations with its Open Modular Care Record, openMCR, which supports direct patient care in inpatient, outpatient, and virtual care settings. The acquisition, for an undisclosed sum, will add product expertise to Answer’s 20-year history of enabling digital transformation across industries, including healthcare and finance. The breadth of the partnership between the two parties accelerates growth, and all roles will be retained. Richard Pugmire, CEO of Answer, said: “Bringing the two teams together will enable Interneuron to expand rapidly, by allowing them to focus on product development, with support for EPR implementation, data and integration services from Answer. “Answer’s AI toolkit and award-winning AI implementation best practices will enhance Interneuron’s cutting-edge product suite and drive significant growth potential. Answer, perhaps best known for incubating products and start-up ideas, now has a dedicated long-term product unit, which will enable us to deliver innovative, scalable solutions across all sectors.” Joel Ratnasothy, CEO at Interneuron, said: “We are thrilled to join an employee-owned company that shares a commitment to its values and people. Bringing our teams together will have an incredible impact on our current and future customers. “It’s clear that our companies share a passion for reforming healthcare services through digital transformation and the power this can have to drive efficiency and improve outcomes for all stakeholders. “The openMCR platform is a truly open modular care record that has been designed and built from the ground up to give our customers the most control of their data, at a time when data has become the key to genuinely achieving healthcare service transformation.”

Hull and Humber Chamber appoints new President

Stuart Pearcey
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Hull and Humber Chamber appoints new President
Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce has appointed Turkish businessman Kirk Akdemir as its new President, with Irene Keal, who also chairs the Chamber’s North East Lincolnshire Area Council, taking the role of Vice President. Kirk paid tribute to Albert Weatherill, the outgoing President, who he described as a role model who had been a diplomatic, tactful and capable leader who he hoped would continue to be so for the next year, too. Kirk said he was grateful and humbled to become President of the Chamber of Commerce, which, he said, comes with a great deal of responsibility. In his speech, he told guests he was born in Turkey and only came to the UK for six months as he wanted to learn the Queen’s English before going to the US to study at university there – but his plans changed when he met a blue-eyed blonde and he never made it to America. He started working as an interpreter, and in 1992 AaGlobal was born. It quickly grew to cover 500 languages and dialects all over the world and in 2011 he decided to open a branch “up north” to serve his northern clients, and he chose to come to Hull. Kirk said: “I joined the Hull & Humber Chamber in 2011 and started supporting the Chamber’s International Trade Department, quickly becoming a Patron, which has been excellent for us, running foreign trade missions overseas. “I now describe myself as a Turkish British Hullensian, who believes that Chamber membership brings invaluable benefits to businesses big and small and plays a vital role in shaping the area. “The Chamber is the indisputable voice of the business community and is influential in everything that is happening in the region and it needs to be stronger than ever before. “There are many business representatives here today, but it is easy to miss the big picture. Hull and Humber is the gateway to Europe and beyond and in my year as Chamber President I aspire to boost international trade and encourage Chamber members to consider the potential of broadening their horizons.”

Lincolnshire business lands £300k grant to develop crypto platform

Tess Egginton
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0
Lincolnshire business lands £300k grant to develop crypto platform
Lincolnshire-based company, Recap, a provider of crypto tax calculation services, is poised for significant expansion following its recent Innovate UK grant win.This milestone achievement marks a pivotal moment in Recap’s journey to revolutionise crypto asset management, with the £300k grant fueling the development of a pioneering, privacy-focused collaborative crypto tax and client due diligence platform tailored for accountants and professional services.Driving this initiative forward, Recap has brought together a consortium of industry experts – namely pioneers in source of fund analytics, Hoptrail, and top UK crypto specialist accountancy firms Andersen LLP and Wright Vigar – also headquartered in Lincoln.Together, they will enhance the platform’s capabilities to seamlessly track and process crypto asset transactions while ensuring trusted source of fund checks during customer onboarding.Speaking about the grant application success, Daniel Howitt, CEO and co-founder of Recap said: “This grant is a testament to our dedication to innovation and our commitment to addressing the evolving needs of the Crypto industry.“We are immensely proud to lead this project alongside esteemed colleagues and partners Andersen LLP, Wright Vigar and Hoptrail, who bring unparalleled expertise in accountancy, tax services and anti-money laundering compliance, respectively. “As HMRC urges crypto holders to disclose gains, it’s been a pleasure to assemble this team of ‘Crypto Tax Avengers’ to make the first steps towards revolutionising crypto asset management and equip accountancy firms with the cutting-edge tools they need to best serve their clients and remain compliant. “With the support of Innovate UK and our esteemed collaborators, Recap is poised to lead the charge as the go-to solution provider for crypto tax and client due diligence.”Funding a 12-month project – already underway – the Innovate UK grant win represents a significant investment in Recap’s growth trajectory, with plans for its team of five to expand significantly over the next year, with multiple new hires in the pipeline.Playing a key role in the expansion of Lincoln’s digital hub, Recap’s ambitious drive to become the go-to provider for cryptocurrency accounting software is set to help boost the city’s economic landscape – drawing more fintech and digital asset experts to the area.Daniel added: “This investment is not just financial: it represents the confidence and support we’ve garnered from Innovate UK – a testament to our dedication to innovation, and the strategic vision we have for Recap and the future of crypto and digital asset management.“Moreover, our ambitious drive to become the top provider for cryptocurrency accounting software aligns with our hopes of contributing to the economic growth of Lincoln. By fostering innovation and job creation, we aim to make a lasting impact on the city’s financial standing.”

North Yorkshire urban improvement plans move to next stage

Stuart Pearcey
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North Yorkshire urban improvement plans move to next stage

If the West Yorkshire Combined Authority approves the full business cases at its meeting on Thursday, multi-million pound schemes to transform the centres of Harrogate, Selby and Skipton can go ahead.

Approval would start the process of appointing a contractor for the year-long project, which is expected to be in the summer, with work on the ground starting in September.

The Transforming Cities Fund projects, which are due to cost a total of £44.6 million to enhance access to transport hubs in all three towns, have already been approved by the Department for Transport and North Yorkshire Council.

Executive member for highways and transport, Cllr Keane Duncan, said: “We welcome the Combined Authority’s proposal to support the transformative, revised schemes in Harrogate, Selby and Skipton.

“The plans have been revised to ensure we focus on the elements which gathered the most public support.

“After cross-party discussions, there has been significant change to the schemes, particularly in Harrogate, with the most controversial elements no longer moving forward.

“We will soon begin preparatory work ahead of construction starting. This is a very exciting time for the regeneration of all three town centres.”

The £12.1 million Harrogate scheme reflects the revised focus agreed by the council’s executive in November.

It will see pedestrian improvements along Station Parade, including raised crossings and signal junction improvements, a bus lane from Bower Road into the bus station and a south-bound segregated cycle lane. Station Parade will remain two lanes and there will be no changes to James Street.

The scheme will also see public realm improvements to One Arch and Station Square, and new cycle parking at the railway station.

Subject to Combined Authority approval, construction is due to start in September and will take one year.

The revised £25 million Selby scheme is focussed on improving pedestrian and cycling access along Station Road and Ousegate, the new station access and car park to the east, along with improvements to the station building and the new plaza entrance into Selby Park.

Other elements, including the connection to Portholme Road, junction alterations at The Crescent and wider landscaping plans for Selby Park, would be brought forward as subsequent phases.

Construction is due to start at the end of September, with completion due for late autumn 2026.

The revised £7.2 million Skipton project will deliver the canal path connection from the railway station to the Cattle Mart and college, and improve the walking route to the bus station, along Black Walk, including the replacement of Gallows Bridge.

Improvements to the railway station car park would be brought forward at a later date.

We hope to appoint a contractor in July, with construction starting in September, lasting until June next year.

West Yorkshire’s £80m investment zone promises up to 2,500 new jobs

Stuart Pearcey
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0
West Yorkshire’s £80m investment zone promises up to 2,500 new jobs
Businesses, universities, and hospitals will benefit from an £80million pound investment zone to drive the development of life-changing technologies. The plan will be brought forward on Thursday by West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin when regional leaders meet for the final Combined Authority meeting of her mayoral term. The first half of the 10-year, £160m West Yorkshire Healthtech and Digital Tech Investment Zone – given the green light from Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove last week – is expected to leverage over £220m of public and private sector investment over five years, creating over 2,500 skilled jobs. The package of support will bring together universities, businesses and hospitals to deliver cutting-edge research and develop innovative new technologies for patients, to be used in the UK and world-wide. As the home of NHS England, West Yorkshire is a global leader in health and digital technology, with universities in Bradford, Huddersfield and Leeds partnering with NHS Trusts and local firms to share their expertise, develop exciting new products, and transform patient care for millions of people. Tracy Brabin said: “For the UK economy to prosper it needs West Yorkshire to succeed, and devolution is helping us empower our healthtech and digital sectors, transforming the lives of patients world-wide. “This multi-million pound investment will help us build world-leading centres of innovation in Bradford, Huddersfield and Leeds, bringing together our universities, businesses and hospitals to drive the development of lifechanging technologies and deliver thousands of skilled jobs. “Through our investment zone, we’re changing our region for the long-term, working with partners and the government to build a stronger, brighter West Yorkshire that works for all”. The investment zone will centre around three nationally significant clusters of economic activity, powered by investment in infrastructure, skills training and business support. They are:
  • The Digital Health Enterprise Zone at the University of Bradford, which supports business growth, knowledge and skills development by connecting academics, researchers and health and social care partners. It also contributes to the training of future healthcare professionals, advancing research and commercial opportunities through its dedicated simulation space, The Technology House. Its aim is to work with other universities, local government and wider partners to make West Yorkshire the place for health tech innovation.
  • A National Health Innovation Campus at the University of Huddersfield, where the university is investing over £250 million to develop a state-of-the-art campus, focused on specialist clinical teaching and research to tackle health inequalities.
  • A HealthTech Innovation Hub in Leeds – a flagship project of the investment zone which will see the development of the first phase of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust’s 1 million square foot “Leeds Innovation Village” on the site of Leeds General Infirmary. This will involve the construction of the Trust’s new, world-leading, state of the art digital hospital at the Old Medical School.
Professor Shirley Congdon, Vice-Chancellor at the University of Bradford, said: “We welcome the opportunities for Bradford and West Yorkshire businesses afforded by the Investment Zone. “Our University will offer businesses in the digital and health technology sectors access to many ways to make a difference, through innovation, workforce development and access to high end facilities, an example of which is our recent £4.8m award from Research England to develop and evaluate innovative health technology.”

Traders gather for first time ahead of Lincoln Market re-opening

Stuart Pearcey
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Traders gather for first time ahead of Lincoln Market re-opening

City of Lincoln Council’s refurbished Cornhill Market will host an official opening celebration event on Friday 17 May, exactly 86 years after it first opened in 1938.

Funded by a £5.9 million investment from the government’s Towns Fund programme through the ‘Be Lincoln Town Deal’, £1.9 million from City of Lincoln Council, and additional funding of £918,000 from Historic England, the major regeneration works for the building were completed at the end of 2023, including;
  • The opening up of the blind arches on the north and east elevations
  • A new mezzanine floor overlooking the market hall, a space to enjoy food and drink
  • Replacement roofing and glazed lantern
  • Demolition of the butcher’s corridor to the south of the building and the construction of a new two storey extension to accommodate a new restaurant with a roof terrace
  • New heating and lighting in the building
  • Freestanding stalls in the interior space of a contemporary, minimal design for local businesses to promote local produce and an area within the centre of the Market Hall to accommodate seating for the associated food outlets within the stalls
  • Unisex toilets including disabled and baby changing facilities
  • Repaving and enhancing external areas in City Square have also been completed, to encourage more visitors to use the space in events and activities
With hundreds of traders interested in pitching up in the refurbished building, ten have now been announced as the first confirmed stallholders, with more to be revealed over the next few weeks. These include:
  • Corner Farm: Catering service, providing satisfying meals such as jacket potatoes and salads
  • Stokes: Award winning family business in sourcing, roasting, blending & supplying coffee
  • Bella Di Casa: Authentic, homemade Italian ice cream (gelato)
  • Tick King: Specialises in watch repairs and watch servicing
  • Bradford Plants: A Lincolnshire based husband and wife duo selling a variety of plants
  • Oatz and Co: Sweet treats baked with oats, including vegan and gluten free options
  • Fabrick Tattoos Embroidery: Alternative embroidery, crafts and sustainable clothing
  • Bubble Kiss: Exciting bubble teas and mouthwatering bubble waffles to accompany
  • Lincs Mo Mo: Pop up food vendor specialising in tasty dumplings called mo mos
  • The Cookie People: Cookies, cookie dough and drinks to satisfy any sweet tooth
The market will run at full operation from 17 May, to coincide with Love Your Local Market Fortnight 2024. Opening hours will also be extended to reflect the changing demands of city centre activity, with a food and drink offer available on evenings, encouraging the evening and nightlife economy. Naomi Tweddle, Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth said: “It’s fantastic that the market will welcome traders open for business this May, and for members of the public to see all the hard work that has gone into restoring and transforming the building. “We’re confident the new market has such a diverse retail, food and drink offering that residents and visitors will enjoy, while contributing to the economic growth of the city.”

Water companies get £180m to prevent sewage spilling into watercourses

Stuart Pearcey
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Water companies get £180m to prevent sewage spilling into watercourses
Fast-tracked investment of £180m over the next year is expected to prevent more than 8,000 sewage spills polluting English waterways, the Environment Secretary will announce today. It follows the Secretary of State directing water and sewage companies to measurably reduce sewage spills over the next year by accelerating commitments and delivering new funding. Examples of measures include investment in AI systems to help manage storm loads, the installation of thousands of new in-sewer monitors to check flows and spot blockages early, the recruitment and training of specialist staff, and accelerated wetland construction programmes. These new funding commitments are over and above water companies’ existing £3.1 billion investment into storm overflow improvements, as well as their ongoing annual investment to maintain the performance of the existing network. It follows the recent ban on bonuses for water company executives where firms have committed serious criminal breaches, subject to Ofwat consultation, and the quadrupling of the Environment Agency’s regulatory capacity, enabling them to carry out 4,000 water company inspections by the end of the next financial year. Environment Secretary Steve Barclay said: “The amount of sewage being spilled into our rivers is completely unacceptable, and the public rightly expects action. This £180 million of accelerated investment, which will stop more than 8,000 sewage spills over the next year, is a welcome step forward as we continue to push for better performance from water companies and hold them to account. “This money will mean more cutting-edge technology, including artificial intelligence, and more specialist staff to detect and reduce spills.”

York structural steel firm helps build hospital in £4.5m contract

Stuart Pearcey
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York structural steel firm helps build hospital in £4.5m contract
York-based Severfield has sent almost 2,000 tonnes of structural steel to Guyana as part of a £4.5m contract secured with support from the UK government’s export credit agency. At its Dalton site in North Yorkshire Severfield has been fabricating steel for a paediatric and maternity hospital in the country’s capital Georgetown, which is being built by VAMED Engineering GmbH. Rob Evans, Divisional Managing Director of Severfield’s Commercial & Industrial division, said: “With the invaluable support of UKEF, we are proud to add to our strong and varied history of delivering high quality, fabricated steelwork for use in overseas projects.” Headquartered in York, Severfield has five manufacturing sites in the UK and two in mainland Europe. It operates in a range of sectors including infrastructure, transport, and commercial, working on high-profile projects such as Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, 22 Bishopsgate, and The Shard, London’s tallest building. Lord Offord, Minister for Exports, added: “This deal, made possible by UK Export Finance, is great news for Severfield which will support hundreds of jobs across the country. Its story shows that the UK’s steel expertise remains in high demand for ambitious projects around the world, supporting jobs, growth and prosperity.”

Leeds honours entrepreneur for contribution to the city

Stuart Pearcey
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Leeds honours entrepreneur for contribution to the city
Entrepreneur Nazir Ahmed, who arrived in the UK from Malawi almost 50 years ago, has been honoured at a special Civic Reception hosted by Leeds City Council. Nazir and his wife Razia Ahmed were recognised for their outstanding contribution to the City through The Parklane Group and its philanthropic arm, The Parklane Foundation. Established in Leeds from the purchase of Mr and Mrs Ahmed’s first UK home in 1977, the Parklane Group now employs more than 350 people across a substantial property holding. Launched in 2005 The Parklane Foundation was born out of an inherent desire to help build better futures within local communities through fundraising initiatives, community-inspired projects, and national charity partnerships. It has donated hundreds of thousands of pounds to charitable causes in the UK and overseas. Its current focus is on children and young people, improving educational attainment, access to sport, and homelessness.  It also supports causes in Malawi, one of the most deprived countries in Africa, through instigating micro finance, water irrigation and housing projects to assist poor and homeless communities. The special ceremony took place at the Civic Hall in Leeds and was attended by Councillor Alison Garthwaite – Lord Mayor of Leeds, Zulfi Karim DL. – High Sheriff of West Yorkshire, and Tom Riordan CBE – Chief Executive of Leeds City Council. Tributes were also delivered by the three sons of Mr and Mrs Ahmed, Naveen, Nadeen and Sameer who now lead the business and Foundation ventures. Mr Ahmed said: “I am truly honoured to receive this recognition alongside by wife who has been my life partner through not only raising our beloved family but also creating a lasting legacy through Parklane and the Foundation. “Strong family values remain at the heart of everything that we do at the Parklane Group and we are determined to use our resources to deliver real change across society and support those less privileged than us.”
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