Work well under way at Keighley industrial hub
The building of a major industrial hub in Keighley town centre, at Providence Park on the former Universal Mills site, is well under way.
Work is progressing well on the five buildings which will house 12 industrial units – the smallest unit is 150 square metres with the largest at 828 square metres. The roof work is due to complete soon, with further building work to follow over the coming months.
Ian Hayfield, chairman of Keighley Towns Fund, said: “This is another very exciting commercial development for Keighley. We believe the site opening will create between 80 to 100 jobs which is a real boost during the current economic climate.”
Plans for the development, on the corner of Dalton Lane and Bradford Road, were approved in 2021, and the scheme was awarded funding through the Keighley Towns Fund – a £33m Government-funded programme to boost Keighley. The Keighley Towns Fund has set aside £6.5m towards the £12m re-development of the 7,000 square metre site.
Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Planning, Regeneration and Transport, Alex Ross-Shaw said: “Demand for employment sites is huge across Keighley and the whole of the Aire Valley so this development is much needed and welcomed. One of the units we already know will be leased to Keighley College, which will work well because of the site’s proximity to the main campus.”
The development, which has been approved by planners at Bradford Council, will also include a car park for 133 vehicles. A condition of planning means that five per cent of the parking spaces will be fitted with EV charging points, and a further five per cent will be assigned as future charging points once EV take-up increases.
Leeds estate agents pedal thousands of kilometres to raise more than £3,000 for Cancer Research UK
A team of estate agents have raised more than £3,000 for Cancer Research UK after completing a gruelling cycling challenge that saw them pedal 2,300km in just five days.
Every member of HOP’s team completed at least six hours on one of four bikes outside the company’s Horsforth office on New Road Side, with the team clocking up 460km, or 286 miles, on each of the five days. This represented the 460 people that die from cancer every day in the UK.
HOP smashed its initial fundraising target of £2,300 and has raised more than £3,100 to date, with donations still coming in. The company also sold cakes baked by the HOP team, as well as their family and friends, which contributed £350 to the total amount raised.
Luke Gidney, managing director from HOP, said: “This was a tough challenge and especially on the days that it was windy and lashing it down with rain, but every single member of our team was happy to participate and help raise money for such a worthy cause.
“Our initial aim was to raise a pound for every kilometre we cycled, and we were all so pleased when we surpassed this target. The fact that donations are still coming in now makes it all worth it. Overall, the level of support from the people of Horsforth and the surrounding area has been incredible.
“We had passers-by of all ages cheering us on and jumping on the bikes to help put the miles in and the team from Workhouse Fitness in Farsley were also welcome guests who were only too happy to add a few miles, which was absolutely brilliant, when our legs were getting pretty tired!
“We’re now looking forward to handing our donation over to Cancer Research UK and supporting the organisation’s invaluable work in making new discoveries that will ultimately save lives.”
Anyone still wanting to donate and sponsor the challenge can do so in person at HOP’s office on New Road Side, or by visiting hop-property.co.uk or hop-charity-fundraiser.
Rotherham boxing centre receives funding boost
The Unity Boxing Centre CIC in Rotherham has received an unexpected funding boost following a visit to the centre by Nick Cragg, Founder & Executive Chairman of apprentice to boardroom recruitment specialists Nicholas Associates Group.
Nick was visiting the centre alongside MP John Healey as part of a delegation of people invited to tour the facility and understand how this volunteer led not for profit organisation uses the principles of boxing to support young people in Rotherham to not only engage in physical activity but to instil and support values.
Having seen how well Unity Boxing Centre is enabling people to be the best version of themselves, Nick asked what else the gym needed to increase capacity and the provision of mental health support and pledged the money to buy two new treadmills.
Atif Shafiq, Head Coach, said: “We are very grateful for the donation. It really will make a huge difference to our ability to have boxers in the right shape to meet our busy fight calendar, and how we promote the gym so that many more kids will take advantage of the opportunities we offer and achieve their goals.”
CEO Abdul Majid said: “The gym is buzzing to receive support towards the treadmills. The kids were delighted to use the new equipment and we’re honoured a local business could support the gym and our users.
“We are all made up and extremely grateful as it also means the gym will be able to further support the development of its carded fighters and their ability to train for more fights which will ultimately enhance our reputation and attract more users and hopefully funding.”
Unity Boxing Centre CIC is an affiliated England boxing gym set up to use the vehicle of boxing as a way to engage young people in the area from diverse backgrounds. Nestled in the heart of some of the most socio economic deprived wards of Rotherham, the gym provides facilities and support to over 100 young people and adults that use the facilities on a daily basis.
Global media company strengthens Leeds presence
A global media company has strengthened its presence at 26 Whitehall Road in Leeds.
The media company has taken 8,514 sq ft of office space on the first floor of the building, which is owned by Credit Suisse Asset Management. The company already occupies 30,000 sq ft on the second and third floors.
The deal was brokered by Eamon Fox, partner and head of office agency at property consultancy Knight Frank in Leeds.
Mr Fox, who advised Credit Suisse Asset Management, said: “The media company’s expansion in this prestigious building underlines the fact 26 Whitehall Road is one of the finest office developments in the city.
“This deal comes hard on the heels of engineering and development consultancy Mott McDonald taking over 15,000 sq ft of office space at 26 Whitehall Road in one of the most significant office transactions of the year so far.”
The Leeds office of property consultancy CBRE represented the media company.
City council presses Minister for Hull-Leeds rail line electrification timetable
Hull City Council leader Mike Ross has met Rail Minster Huw Merriman to seek assurance that electricfication of the Hull to Leeds rail line remains a priority.
Cllr Ross also pressed the Rail Minster for a commitment on when the electrification will happen, with the minster offering to get a timetable out imminently.
Following the meeting Cllr Ross said: “Rail electrification is something that would make a huge difference for Hull and the wider region, helping lead to quicker connections to the rest of the north of England.
“Sadly, it is something that has been promised by previous governments, only for those promises to be broken later on. This is why it is so important for the government now to clearly set out when and how this will happen.
“I look forward to getting more information from the government on exactly what they are proposing. Now is the time for the government to turn their promises into action.”
Chamber Chief Executive, Dr Ian Kelly, added: “We had a detailed and candid discussion with the Rail Minister, Huw Merriman, in the House of Commons yesterday afternoon.
“He promised that the money which was being saved by the cancellation of the HS2 Project would be available for electrification work on the Hull to Selby line and other rail improvements locally. However, he was at this stage unable to commit to any timescales for work to begin.
“He also said that he was mindful of the freight issues and was looking at what could be done to improve those and wanted to see more freight on the railways.”
The proposals to electrify the rail lines from Hull to Leeds as part of Northern Powerhouse Rail, has been something that Hull City Council has been working on with its partners at Transport for the North and Network Rail, alongside the Department for Transport for some time.
Reliable rail connectivity is crucial for Hull’s economic growth, and if rail electrification goes ahead, it could potentially put 1.1million people and 31,000 businesses within 90 minutes of Hull.
As well as cutting journey times from Hull to Leeds from 57 minutes to 38 minutes, electrification would also make travel more environmentally friendly, reliable and ensure that new rolling stock could run right across the network.
JV partners get planning permission for another Leeds city centre development
Joint venture partners Asset Capital and Prescient Capital have been given planning permission to develop central Leeds Wellington Plaza to offer 77,000 sq ft of prime, best in class workspace.
The partnership intends to fund and deliver the £50 million enhancement of the 1980s HQ building speculatively with a start on site by early 2024.
Designed by Leeds based DLA Architecture, the approved plans will increase floor space availability from 21,000 sq ft to 77,000 sq ft with Grade A specification floorplates up to 10,000 sq ft. A total redesign of the buildings’ façade is influenced by the local conservation area and ESG credential targets including BREEAM Outstanding, minimum NABERS 5 Star, Fitwell 3 Star and Wired Score Platinum Certification.
The internal space is designed to support the post-pandemic hybrid way of working with total flexibility for occupiers fit out. Communal spaces will include a large roof top terrace, sky lounge, and business lounge linked into reception for occupiers and their guests.
Asset Capital CEO Daniel Newett said: “We have plans to not only bring the site in line with its neighbouring Grade A premises but surpass this with a specification that the city has not yet seen, redefining the term ‘super prime’.
“We are very much repurposing an existing building, in line with our commitment to reducing our carbon footprint, to provide an inspirational, collaborative, sustainable and futureproof working environment that is worthy of a leading European city for business.”
Fox Lloyd Jones, strategic property advisors have been appointed joint office leasing agents for the scheme alongside Cushman & Wakefield and Knight Frank. Society Studios is appointed as branding and marketing consultants for the scheme.
Adam Cockroft at Cushman & Wakefield said: “Wellington Plaza will offer much needed, new, super prime office accommodation with a level of specification and ESG credentials that Leeds city centre has not yet seen. Several pre-let discussions are already underway, confirming that the desirability for such high-quality workspace in a prime city centre location is still high.”
Nick Salkeld, Director at Fox Lloyd Jones, said: “Wellington Plaza’s speculative development is a huge boost for the critically undersupplied Leeds office market. There remains an underlying ‘flight to quality’ with Grade A demand accounting for almost 80% of take up which has seen headline rents continue to rise. Wellington Plaza is the first of a new generation of offices coming forward in the pipeline which will set the benchmark for boutique ESG led workspace in the prime core and is already attracting pre-let interest.”
Developer secures funding for three care homes
Leeds’ LNT Care Developments has secured funding from Shawbrook Bank to drive the construction of three 66-bed care homes.
LNT have a wealth of experience in the industry, having built more than 200 homes across more than 30 years, with over 20 schemes currently in progress. LNT will be building these new sites as part of its new Danforth operating entity. With a facility capable of funding three care homes, this development marks a significant milestone as the largest singular deal backed by Shawbrook’s Development Finance Team.
Shawbrook’s Development Finance and Healthcare teams worked closely together to develop an innovative funding solution for LNT. The package brings the development and the operating funding under one roof, providing simplicity for the client and ensuring funds are more easily accessible throughout the build programme.
Representing a significant stride forward for Shawbrook, this deal provides a combined five-year facility that will support not only the project’s construction, but also extends its assistance over a continuous trading period post-practical completion to build occupancy and reach trading maturity.
Strengthened by a well-established relationship between LNT Care Developments Directors and Shawbrook, the combined expertise of Shawbrook’s Development Finance and Healthcare Finance Teams has been central to the deal’s success.
Matt Lowe, CEO of LNT, said: “We are delighted to have secured support from Shawbrook. The teams at Shawbrook were able to offer a bespoke facility to enable us to drive forward our commitment to building the country’s leading care home portfolio.
“It was important for us that they provided a facility which not only enabled the construction of three new homes, but also supported the operational side of the business once construction of the care home is complete.
“It was great to work with a team who combined their knowledge in development and healthcare to structure a transaction in a way that worked for all parties. We have established a strong relationship with Alastair, Christos, Dasos and the Shawbrook team, and look forward to working together in the future.”
Alastair Partridge, Senior Relationship Director at Shawbrook, said: “We are thrilled to announce this collaboration between LNT Care Developments and Shawbrook to build three new care homes.
“LNT have a wealth of specialist experience developing leading care facilities and are one of the most recognisable names in the industry. This deal serves as a big leap forward for Shawbrook, and we look forward to seeing the progress of the developments.
“Despite being a new-to-bank client, we have forged a strong relationship with LNT and hope to build on this in the future.”
Christos Christodoulou, Senior Director, Healthcare Finance at Shawbrook, said: “This is a fantastic example of the innovative and collaborative way that we work at Shawbrook.
“This deal brought together the expertise and experience of both the Development Finance and Healthcare Finance teams, allowing us to fulfil all the client’s needs, from the first spade in the ground to full operation.
“We’re delighted to have worked on this deal with LNT and are excited to see the developments take shape.”
Tadweld Limited swoops for AJAX Safe Access
Tadweld Limited, an engineering and fabrication specialist based in Tadcaster, Yorkshire has acquired AJAX Safe Access from Canal Engineering.
AJAX has carved out a reputation for delivering cutting-edge safe access solutions across varied industries, including warehousing, quarrying, mining, petrochemicals, and road tanker access. The addition of established products like folding tanker access steps, roller step units, and various pallet gates enhances Tadweld’s robust offering in the market.
Chris Houston, Tadweld’s Managing Director, said: “AJAX’s innovative product range is highly complementary to our existing portfolio of access solutions and walkways, and aligns seamlessly with our commitment to quality and safety. We are eager to explore synergies and invest in the brand further.”
Canal Engineering’s Managing Director, Gareth Bull, expressed confidence in the acquisition: “Tadweld’s reputation and expertise assure us that the AJAX brand is in capable hands, poised for continued growth and innovation.”
This acquisition includes all finished and work-in-progress goods, drawings, and tooling of AJAX Safe Access.
Furthermore, Tadweld is welcoming Mike Godbert to the team as Business Development Manager. With 17 years of experience under his belt as AJAX’s Technical Sales Manager, Mike’s wealth of knowledge will be instrumental in accelerating the integration of AJAX products into Tadweld’s portfolio.
Houston warmly welcomed Mike, stating: “Mike’s in-depth knowledge of AJAX’s offerings and industry insights will be pivotal in ensuring a smooth transition and sustained innovation. We are excited about the expertise and energy he brings to the table.”
The acquisition creates three new jobs at the company’s Tadcaster site and first shipments of AJAX products have already been completed.
MD of new recruitment firm describes journey of growth as ‘exhilarating’
The MD of a Hessle-based recruitment company has described as ‘exhilarating’ his company’s two-year a growth journey – not only has it grown its client base by 40% and doubled the size of its own team, but it also aspires to double the size of its team again within a year.
David Lipton is MD of Consortium Recruitment, which was created in 2021, and is based a Hessle’s Ergo Centre. It sources talent for a diverse range of industries whilst working with some of the biggest brands in the region. He said: “‘It’s truly exhilarating to see the remarkable growth we’ve experienced over the past two years. The team’s dedication, passion and commitment to delivering exceptional results for our clients and candidates has been instrumental in achieving this milestone. As we reflect on our journey, we’re even more excited about the future and the opportunities ahead.”
He said the company’s innovative approach to recruitment, personalised solutions, and dedication to fostering diversity and inclusion had paved the way for what he called astounding success.
Kirsty Hussey, People Director at Vivergo Fuels said: “David and the team at Consortium have been an invaluable partner in our journey to build a standout team. Their dedication to understanding our unique needs and culture is truly commendable. With their expert guidance, we’ve not only found some of the best talent but also individuals who seamlessly integrate into our organisation.”
Consortium Recruitment also runs Consortium Collaborate workshops covering key topics such as Menopause and Mental Health in the workplace, which have been attended by over 50 delegates, with demand increasing.
Insurance services group acquires Yorkshire firm
Insurance services group Jensten has acquired the business of White Rose Insurance Solutions in a deal which sees its regional centre of excellence in Yorkshire & Humberside grow with additional offices and teams.
With offices in Skipton and Settle, White Rose has established itself as the local broker of choice for commercial and private clients across North Yorkshire. The business also trades as South Lakes Insurance Solutions from its office in Kendal.
Jensten currently has offices in Bradford and Leeds. The business’s presence in the region was bolstered last year with the acquisition of Ravenhall Risk Solutions, which saw MD Neil Grimshaw taking on the role of Regional Managing Director. Andy Gould, White Rose’s Managing Director, will report into Grimshaw.
Andy said: “From the beginning of our conversations with Jensten, it was clear that becoming part of the group was the right route for the business in its next chapter.
“Throughout the process, the Jensten team has focussed on our people, our culture and our clients. Having shared values is really important to us and provides a great foundation for future growth and development.”
Neil said: “White Rose is a well-regarded broker whose commitment to servicing customers to the highest possible standard is clear throughout the business. As such they are the perfect fit for our growing region. Andy and his team will give us the foundations for growth in North Yorkshire, and we are excited to welcome them to the Jensten family.”
Rob Organ, Jensten Retail MD, added: “Increasingly, we’re talking to brokers who are considering a sale and want to sell to a business which has a clear commitment to retaining a regional presence, providing certainty to their people and clients.
“Our strategy of growing regional centres of excellence fits well with these businesses. We’re delighted to welcome Andy and the White Rose team to the business as we continue to build our presence in Yorkshire.”
