Business owners who describing themselves as ‘non-techies’ are being urged to sign up for one of two FREE workshops taking place later this month.
Organised jointly by Invest East Yorkshire, Invest Hull and the North East Business Resilience Centre, the ‘Cybersecurity for the Non-Techie’ events will offer practical tips on how to protect your business from online risks, but in a straightforward and jargon-free way. Those who attend will also be in with a chance of winning a website security assessment worth £250. Last year, online fraud accounted for more than £1.2 billion in losses in the UK, in addition to the significant additional cost to businesses in downtime, disruption and reputational damage. Led by Rebecca Chapman, the Chief Executive of the North East Business Resilience Centre, the workshops are aimed at those who want to stay safe online but find the subject of cybersecurity a little daunting or the technical jargon that’s often associated with it off-putting. The two sessions will be tailored to the needs of the business owners attending. They will also explain how the North East Business Resilience Centre, a police-led, not-for-profit organisation that provides 24/7 cyber security support to small to medium enterprises, can help. Taking place at the ergo Business Centre at Hessle (HU13 0GD) on Tuesday 17 October, between 8.30am and 12 noon and from 12 noon until 4pm, the free events will include an informal networking lunch to give attendees a chance to connect with like-minded individuals and share their experiences. Both workshops will also include a question-and-answer session, where attendees will be able to get the answers to any questions they have about cyber security; and there’s also the chance to win a free website security assessment. Don’t leave your business exposed; take the first step toward a safer digital future for your business by booking your free place at: https://investeastyorkshire.co.uk/cybersecurity-for-the-non-techie/Contractors prepare for transformation of Grimsby’s Freshney Place
Contractors appointed to transform Grimsby’s Freshney Place are preparing to carry out detailed examination surveys ahead of the major scheme starting next year.
A spokesperson from Morgan Sindall said: “This is an extremely exciting scheme, which is set to transform this western end of Freshney Place in terms of the diversity of the offer and the look and feel of the whole area.
“As we prepare for the main works to begin, we do need to do all the necessary groundwork and we appreciate this may cause slight disruption for both shoppers and traders. We do apologise for that, and we will endeavour to keep this to a minimum.”
Supported by a £20m LUF (Levelling Up Fund) grant award, the Freshney Place Market Hall and Leisure Scheme will create a modern and vibrant new Market Hall in the old BHS building, a new five-screen cinema operated by Parkway Cinema, more space for eateries and leisure, and a purpose-built community space.
From Tuesday 17 October to Friday 10 November the shopping centre’s Flottergate entrance will be closed along with one of the indoor Top Town Market entrances on the main Flottergate mall. The other three market entrances – including the two external ones next to Devonshire House and on Victoria Street – will be open as normal on market days – Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Freshney Place is otherwise unaffected, with just some slight diversions around Flottergate. Signs will direct shoppers.
Millions invested in capital and regenerative projects for Bradford’s cultural sector ahead of UK City of Culture
Bradford 2025 has announced that 21 organisations in the Bradford district have been confirmed to receive capital grants from the £3m Cultural Capital Fund.
The successful organisations are receiving funding to deliver projects that will increase the cultural infrastructure and enable more people – Bradford residents and visitors, to access and participate in cultural activities during 2025 and beyond.
The projects, focusing on the regeneration of existing community and cultural spaces, as well as the introduction of new and sustainable extensions to community organisations, will provide a range of physical environments for people of all ages and backgrounds to engage and interact with cultural activities.
Made possible thanks to funding from City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council, the Cultural Capital Fund will support a wide range of regenerative projects across the district, such as:
- £300,000 for Greensville Trust
- £280,000 for African Caribbean Achievement Project
- £50,000 for Bloomin’ Buds
- £10,000 for Mind The Gap
- £10,000 for Ilkley Playhouse
- To provide high quality, long-lasting venues and locations for arts and cultural activities that will drive additional footfall into the District’s key towns and city centre
- To increase visitor numbers into Bradford District
- To create new jobs in the Art/Culture sector within Bradford District
Expo helps Doncaster tradespeople promote themselves to potential buyers
Tradespeople have been given the chance to promote themselves to potential customers at an event in Doncaster.
Jointly organised by Doncaster Chamber and Business Doncaster, the “Building Your Network” supply chain expo allowed SMEs in various trades — ranging from plastering to joining, bricklaying, gardening and decorating — to get themselves in front of potential buyers and to forge meaningful relationships that will help them prosper into the future. Meanwhile, those larger businesses had a valuable opportunity to scope out all of the potential collaborators on their doorstep in South Yorkshire.
More than 60 Doncaster-based suppliers put on exhibition stands, while major companies like IMYCO Construction, Gleeson Homes and Fenwood Estates all had a presence there as well. In addition to this, there were also a number of insightful masterclasses taking place throughout the day, delving into pertinent themes like how SMEs can make compelling bids for public-sector contracts, and the importance of demonstrating one’s Net-Zero credentials.
Dan Fell, Chief Exec of Doncaster Chamber, said: “We have a truly thriving construction industry in Doncaster and, as representatives and champions of that community, we are determined to help it unlock its full potential.
“This event was created with that very goal in mind and it was heartening to walk the expo floor and see just how diverse and healthy the sector here really is. Indeed, there were so many fantastic businesses on show representing a wide range of niche specialities, proving that, no matter what a prospective buyer might be looking for, they will be spoilt for choice when searching for suppliers and partners here in Doncaster.
“I hope that this event has opened the eyes of larger companies to the benefits of localising their supply chains. Keeping spend within our community is a real win-win for all parties involved and ultimately serves to bolster our economy.”
The “Building Your Network” supply chain expo was sponsored by Polypipe Building Products, whose PR & Digital Marketing Executive Maria McDonald said: “We were pleased to see so many in attendance and to see how many visitors were engaging with the companies exhibiting. It really solidified what we already knew; Doncaster has a thriving construction industry and is a fantastic place to do business. Thank you to Doncaster Chamber and Business Doncaster for hosting the event and to all those who attended.”
York expansion for Carter Towler
Carter Towler, the independent chartered surveyors and property management company, is opening a new office at Tower House, Fishergate, York which will be headed up by surveyor Miles Lawrence.
Miles said: “I am absolutely delighted to be joining Carter Towler, having been in the property business for over 30 years, I’ve had the pleasure of working alongside the company many many times and have greatly admired their strength in depth.
“I will continue to manage my existing portfolio of loyal clients from across the York area as well as getting involved with new clients and projects regionwide. With my previous company Lawrence Hannah I worked with clients in the office, retail, industrial, leisure and education sectors assisting with all aspects of commercial property agency, particularly with the acquisition and disposal of development, investment, retail and business space.”
Carter Towler’s Managing Director, Ian Greenwood added: “We are extremely pleased that Miles is joining us and will be managing our York office. He is very experienced and has developed an excellent reputation. There is a really good strategic fit between Miles and Carter Towler, and together we are looking forward to further developing Carter Towler’s presence in York.”
Port of Grimsby becomes London for new Netflix drama
The Port of Grimsby has been transformed into London to feature in the Netflix drama Bodies, a part sci-fi, part murder mystery series.
It’s part of a drive by ABP to generate an income stream from film and television work, and saw the port taken over by the production for a month as the location was transformed in to 1940s London, including the transformation of one building into Aldgate East tube station. Other buildings were transformed into period shops and houses.
Simon Bird, Regional Director of the Humber said: “It’s great to see our Port of Grimsby being used by film and television production companies. The historic quarter is attracting a lot of interest from location managers and producers who like the authenticity and character of the place. We hope this is the start of a new venture for the area.”
The port over the years has already hosted many productions from an episode of Wheeler Dealers last year when Mike Brewer and Elvis toured round in a renovated Ford Transit van to the film Three Day Millionaire about a group of fishermen who stage a robbery; to Atonement when it featured as a French town.
Greg Lacey, Head of Property (Humber) added: “Having a rich and diverse mix of historic buildings is proving popular with film makers. It’s becoming the catalyst to make this area viable and money from these productions can be put back into the buildings to make them more appealing.
“We know from the feedback we receive there is a demand in this area for period buildings and large space, as London and the south east has become overpriced, and companies are looking to the north. The film and TV industry is highly diverse with £6.3 billion spent on production last year, we only expect demand to continue to grow.”
The eight-part series follows four detectives across different time periods all trying to solve the same murder.
The limited eight-part series Bodies airs on Netflix next Thursday, and the Humber team will be attending FOCUS at the Design Centre, London in December to promote Grimsby’s Kasbah Film Quarter to television and film companies.
Demolition of six high-rise buildings in Leeds to be agreed
Members of Leeds City Council’s executive board are set to approve plans to rehouse residents and demolish six high rise buildings, across Leeds.
The six tower blocks, initially constructed in the 1960’s, have exceeded their original design life, and would require significant investment for them to be brought up to an appropriate standard to have a future, as part of the council’s housing estate.
Although the blocks remain safe at present, in light of financial pressures and the significant cost of delivering remedial work, the decision to demolish the six sites is set to be approved.
The future use and development of the sites will be subject to further review, with the ambition to facilitate the delivery of good quality affordable housing on the sites.
Extensive consultation has already taken place with residents in Bailey Towers, Brookland Towers and Ramshead Heights in Seacroft, Leafield Towers in Moortown, and Raynville Court and Raynville Grange in Armley, who will be fully supported through the rehousing process.
To enable council tenants to find new homes, the council’s executive board is set to agree to prioritise their housing applications, so that they are successfully rehoused into suitable long-term housing. Tenants who have lived in their homes for 12 months or more will also qualify for compensation.
Councillor Jess Lennox, Leeds City Council’s executive member for housing, said: “The demolition of the tower blocks is an important step towards future proofing the council’s housing stock, ensuring that we meet our commitment to delivering good quality and affordable homes for residents.
“However, we understand the impact that this will have on our residents across the sites, and I would like to extend my thanks for their constructive engagement with the council so far.
“We’ve undertaken extensive and proactive consultation with all of our impacted residents and will continue to do so as we are absolutely committed to ensuring any disruption is minimal. We will continue to ensure that all residents are supported through the rehousing process, to see that they are successfully rehoused into homes that suit them for the long term.”
South Yorkshire green energy project sold
A green energy project in South Yorkshire which includes one of the largest battery storage systems in the world is under new ownership.
Renewable energy, minerals and property firm The Banks Group launched plans last year to create a new flexible energy storage hub through the reclamation and restoration of part of the former Thorpe Marsh power station site near Doncaster.
After gathering feedback on the project plans from local people and businesses through a range of consultation activities, Banks submitted a planning application for the project to Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council at the start of this year.
But as part of Banks’ evolving position in the renewable energy sector, it has sold the project to independent power producer West Burton Energy, which already operates the West Burton power station and battery energy storage system in Nottinghamshire.
West Burton Energy will now take the project on through the planning process, construction and into operations.
The Thorpe Marsh Green Energy battery storage project could store up to 2.9GWhrs of energy, enough to supply around 340,000 households with electricity for one day, and would be used to ensure reliable and stable electricity grid operation at times of peak demand, thus helping to improve the UK’s energy security over the long term.
In particular, it will be able to store renewable power generated during periods of oversupply of renewable electricity, and then release such power into the national electrical network when there is insufficient supply of renewable generation, such as when it is less windy or sunny.
Richard Dunkley at The Banks Group says: “We are proud to have identified and proposed a project that could deliver one of the world’s largest battery storage plants providing an invaluable use for part of the derelict former power station.
“Thorpe Marsh will utilise the site’s large scale grid capacity to facilitate the increased deployment of renewable energy technologies on the National Grid network, so that more of the energy that we all use in our homes, businesses, schools and hospitals can be generated via our own renewable means and less from unreliable overseas sources.
“The response we’ve had from local people, businesses and community leaders over the last year to our ideas was very encouraging and we look forward to seeing West Burton Energy bringing this nationally significant scheme to fruition.
“West Burton Energy’s local knowledge, significant experience in the energy generation and storage sector and access to the capital required to take this nationally-significant project forward makes them the ideal owner.”
Morris Van Looy, chief growth and strategy officer at West Burton Energy, adds: “Richard and the Banks team have done an excellent job identifying and progressing the Thorpe Marsh energy storage project, which is a real world leader in its ambition.
“West Burton Energy is delighted to take over ownership and looks forward to delivering this much needed project to ensure security of supply, maximise the use of renewable energy, and to re-use this former power station site.”
The Banks Group was advised by Rothschild & Co (corporate finance and M&A) and Ashurst (legal) during the transaction. West Burton Energy was advised by Burness Paull (legal).
York-based law firm continues expansion with appointment of senior solicitor
York-based property and life planning solicitors firm, Guest Walker, has appointed senior solicitor, Sue Hanley, to its Life Planning department.
Sue, who began her legal career almost 30 years ago in Norwich, brings with her a wealth of expertise in Probate, Wills, Powers of Attorney and Estate Planning and has a well-established reputation in York having previously worked at Hethertons Solicitors.
Speaking of Sue’s appointment, Rowena Rogers, head of department and firm director, said: “I am thrilled to welcome Sue to the team. Sue is extremely approachable and is able to offer our clients a wealth of experience across all life planning matters.
“Guest Walker has very strong, well-established residential and commercial property departments and I am proud of the way the Life Planning department has grown in recent years to offer our clients a holistic approach to all of their property, business and personal affairs. We want our clients to know they can rely on Guest Walker at every stage of their life.”
Sue Hanley, Life Planning solicitor, said: “I am delighted to have joined such a well-respected firm in the heart of York city centre. The way the team has grown in recent years is testament to the service that the team are offering their clients and their growing reputation in the city and beyond.
“I am really looking forward to building my client base here at Guest Walker and helping the team to continue looking after our clients and their families with all aspects of Life Planning.”
Lincolnshire sole trader fined following workers’ exposure to hazardous substance
A Lincolnshire-based sole trader has been fined after his employees were exposed to a hazardous substance.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted Chris Buckley, trading as The Furniture Chest, after the workplace regulator inspected the firm’s site on Station Road, Heckington, Lincolnshire, on 7 April 2022.
HSE inspectors found a significant build-up of wood dust and that Local Exhaust Ventilation systems, provided to capture wood dust and protect employees, had not been thoroughly examined and tested.
A subsequent HSE investigation found Chris Buckley had failed to prevent or adequately control employees’ exposure to wood dust and had failed to ensure that Local Exhaust Ventilation systems had been thoroughly examined and tested. Improvement Notices had been served in relation to the control of wood dust at previous inspections.
Wood dust is a hazardous substance and exposure can lead to workers suffering from respiratory diseases such as asthma and sino-nasal cancer.
Chris Buckley of Heckington, Sleaford, Lincolnshire, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulations 7(1) and 9(2) of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002. He was fined £1,354 and ordered to pay costs of £3,578 at Boston Magistrates’ Court on 9 October 2023.
HSE inspector Muir Finlay said: “Chris Buckley could have ensured that his Local Exhaust Ventilation systems were thoroughly examined and tested to ensure that they were working to protect the health of employees. A suitable and sufficient cleaning regime could have been implemented to further reduce the build-up of dust.
“HSE recognises wood dust can cause serious health problems and launched its Dust Kills campaign to help businesses to take action now to protect their workers’ respiratory health.”
This HSE prosecution was supported by HSE enforcement lawyer Rebecca Schwartz.
