Wykeland Group to develop further office space at Hull’s Fruit Market
Developer Wykeland Group is to develop the final building within the tech complex at Hull’s Fruit Market, adding 11,000 sq ft of office space at the waterfront location.
The final @TheDock building is a speculative project, and will be net zero, with renewable energy generated via an array of roof mounted solar panels. A green roof formed by flowering plants and a green wall section will also support biodiversity, while adding to the building’s insulation.
The offices will have an EPC energy rating of A – the highest possible to achieve. The building is all electric and will be mechanically heated, cooled and ventilated by a system that uses air source heat pumps and takes heat energy from extracted air and uses it to pre-heat incoming air.
Construction is due to begin next month having been delayed by a few weeks to make sure this did not disrupt this year’s Humber Street Sesh and Freedom Festival. The building is being developed speculatively and is scheduled to be completed next summer.
John Gouldthorp, Asset Manager at Wykeland, said: “@TheDock has become a thriving digital community, bringing together many leading tech businesses and innovative start-up and scale-up ventures.
“This latest investment in the final phase of the development is a further vote of confidence in @TheDock as a destination of choice for digital businesses. It will also mark another key moment in the regeneration of the Fruit Market.
“In recent years @TheDock has been transformed from derelict brownfield site into a prime location for digital innovation and excellence. This new building will complete that journey.”
Finance Yorkshire investment will fuel growth for cashmere garment producer
Yorkshire based Loop Cashmere is set for growth after securing a £250,000 investment from Finance Yorkshire’s Growth Fund.
The company specialises in luxury cashmere garments, sourcing its sustainable yarn and products from Inner Mongolia, and will use the funds to open a warehouse in Leeds and redouble its marketing and design efforts as it works towards its ambition to be one of the UK’s largest independent cashmere retailers.
Founder Richard Levin said: “Finance Yorkshire’s investment has come at the perfect time as we reveal our new autumn collection which will be stocked by our first 10 independent boutiques. We plan to increase our customer base by 500% in the next two to three years through our own ecommerce site, wholesale, marketplaces and expanding our presence overseas.”
Fellow founder Claire Heathcote added: “We saw a gap in the market for a sustainable cashmere brand offering contemporary styles made in the softest high-quality cashmere. Sustainability is the heart of brand from the way we source our sustainably accredited yarn, who we select as expert makers to craft our styles, our small production runs and the use of recyclable and compostable packaging.”
Alex McWhirter, chief exec of Finance Yorkshire, said: “Our Growth fund supports ambitious SMEs like Loop Cashmere to grow and create jobs across the Yorkshire and Humber region.
“In just two years Loop Cashmere has developed a strong brand with sustainable credentials which will appeal to fashion-conscious customers. We look forward to supporting them in the next chapter of their growth journey.”
Finance Yorkshire’s Growth fund is part of its newly launched fund which is expected to provide £50m to SMEs over the next five years. Investment is also available from its Seedcorn fund as well as through large and small business loans.
Ørsted includes Humber lifeboat in £140,000 volunteer training scheme
The Humber lifeboat station is one of seven RNLI locations that will share in a £140,000 two-year deal with offshore wind developer Ørsted to fund training for volunteers.
RNLI volunteers train at least fortnightly on station and regularly at night to replicate real life emergencies. This training is supported by attendance at the award-winning residential RNLI College in Poole, visits to stations by trainers and via distance learning courses.
With 12 operational offshore wind farms in the UK, Ørsted shares the same strong focus on safety and use training as a catalyst to ensure that staff have the right tools and the knowledge to keep everyone safe working at sea. These offshore wind farms are all located in areas corresponding to the seven RNLI stations supported through the partnership.
Since Ørsted and the RNLI first joined forces in 2015 the partnership has directly supported more than 1,700 lifeboat launches, helped more than 1,900 people in distress and saved 88 lives.
Duncan Clark, Head of Region UK at Ørsted, said: “The offshore environment can be extremely challenging, so it’s vital that everyone is equipped with the knowledge and tools to keep themselves and others safe. As a company constructing and operating major offshore wind projects, we have first-hand experience of these challenges which is why we have such a strong focus on safety and training. Through the latest phase of this partnership, our aim is to help the RNLI crews to continue to deliver the best possible training to its volunteers.”
Alex Evans, Lifesaving Training Manager at the RNLI, said: “We are so grateful to Ørsted for funding vital training for our volunteer crews at these lifeboat stations. Their support is very important to us and it’s fantastic how, so many of our crew members have benefitted from Ørsted funding their training. As only one in ten of our volunteer crew members comes from a professional maritime background, the courses we deliver and ongoing support we provide is crucial in giving our volunteers the training they need to help keep them as safe as possible while carrying out rescues. It gives volunteers the confidence to save lives even in the most challenging conditions.”
Yorkshire business surprised with award on The One Show for community work
RJC Plant Services Ltd, the Church Fenton-based waste management company, received a special surprise when they were awarded a One Big Thank You on Thursday’s episode of The One Show.
In recognition for their good deeds and community spirit shown to local residents and charities over the last few years, co-founders and directors of the company, Chris Jackson and John Harrison were in shock as the award was revealed.
The North Yorkshire firm received a visit from Britain’s strongest man, Paul Smith under the guise he was shooting material for his new website involving pulling one of their grab wagons, before Chris and John were informed they had been nominated for a One Big Thank You on the popular BBC show.
The overwhelmed pair were greeted by cheers from family, friends and recipients of their acts of random kindness, along with special messages of thanks from Top Gear’s Paddy McGuiness and England rugby legend, Jonny Wilkinson.
Chris Jackson said: “When we were told Paul Smith wanted to come to the yard for a promo shoot, we were really delighted, and didn’t have a clue it could be for anything else! Admittedly as the filming went on and we had to don the green morph suits, we did ask a few times if this was something for You’ve Been Framed!”
John adds: “We are honestly so surprised and couldn’t believe it when Paddy McGuiness and Jonny Wilkinson appeared on screen saying our name! We are so grateful to everyone who was involved and really do appreciate the thank you as we didn’t expect it at all. We are just pleased we can help others when we can and make a positive difference.”
The firm were recognized for acts of kindness including donating 50 afternoon teas to elderly residents of the village, hosting a party for teachers at the local village school, donating 1000 meals to two dog charities, raising funds through Total Warrior Challenges for Holly Bank Trust and Yorkshire Air Ambulance, and recently donating a defibrillator to Church Fenton village.
RJC Plant Services are also finalists for the BBC Radio York Make A Difference Awards in the Good Neighbour category which are announced on the 16th September.
The episode featuring RJC Plant Services can be watched again on the BBC IPlayer.
Whitefriargate units to be given new frontages following Historic England funding
Units in Whitefriargate are to benefit from new frontages following over £95,000 funding from Historic England.
Owned by Hull Trinity House, 1-3 Whitefriargate will be given new frontages and 9 Whitefriargate will receive a new gate.
Councillor Drake-Davis, portfolio holder for regeneration, said: “These are landmark buildings in the city, and new frontages, kept in keeping with the building’s history, will further enhance Whitefriargate for our communities.
“The current frontages are not in keeping with the building or the heritage area, and so new frontages will make a big difference to the feel of this area of Whitefriargate.
“The work will both compliment established businesses and help attract new businesses.”
Hull City Council is determined to drive forward a major regeneration of Whitefriargate, and has secured private investment as well as funding from Historic England and the Hull and East Yorkshire LEP.
Historic England’s High Street Heritage Action Zone in Whitefriargate is investing £1.75m into projects that will revitalise the area, diversify the traditional high street offer and bring unused floor space back into use.
The Whitefriargate regeneration project includes a number of grant schemes and funding projects, for which Hull City Council is the accountable body.
Craig Broadwith, Historic England, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Hull Trinity House as they help to transform Whitefriargate. Historic England is proud to be part of this renewal, working with our partners at Hull City Council.
“The High Streets Heritage Action Zones, led by Historic England, is a government-funded initiative and designed to secure lasting improvements to our historic high streets for the communities who use them.”
Leadership duo appointed to deliver Bradford’s UK City of Culture 2025 programme
Two leading cultural figures have been appointed to lead the development and delivery of Bradford’s UK City of Culture 2025 programme, marking a major milestone in the year-long cultural celebrations that promise a game-changing new chapter for the district.
Shanaz Gulzar, nationally-acclaimed artist, producer, presenter and former chair of Bradford 2025 – who played an instrumental role in the district’s winning bid campaign – has been appointed as creative director.
Shanaz will lead on creating the cultural programme; working with local, national and international partners to produce an ambitious programme of work rooted in the unique heritage and character of Bradford district.
Shanaz, whose career spans film, visual arts, theatre, public art and media, most recently worked as a producer at Manchester International Festival (MIF) and has fronted a number of BBC television programmes including ‘Yorkshire Walks’ and the documentary film ‘Hidden Histories: The Lost Portraits of Bradford’.
Shanaz said: “I’ve been on Bradford’s UK City of Culture journey for more than two years, so to be able to develop it and see it through to delivery itself is a fantastic opportunity and a huge honour. I’m of Bradford, a Keighley lass, and having been part of the cultural community here for over 25 years, I know the passion and potential of the brilliant artists and creative communities in the district.
“I will be drawing on my years at MIF, producing events and experiences that have an international outlook whilst shining a light on homegrown stories and talent. Our winning bid was shaped by thousands of conversations with our many, diverse communities and our extraordinary young population across the district.
“I’m thrilled to be working alongside Dan to bring the ambition of our bid to life in our mills, across our hills, in our towns and streets from Haworth to Keighley, Bingley to Bradford city centre. We’re ready to write a new narrative for the next chapter of Bradford’s story. I can’t wait to get started.”
Dan Bates will take up the role of executive director of Bradford 2025, joining Bradford Culture Company – the charitable organisation delivering Bradford 2025 – from his current role as Chief Executive of Sheffield Theatres.
Dan, who trained as a stage manager at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, will draw on his expertise developing world-class programmes for a number of major cultural institutions including the Theatre Royal in Windsor, West Yorkshire Playhouse in Leeds and York Theatre Royal. He will lead on the recruitment of wider delivery team – with roles in marketing, financial management, HR and administration being recruited over the coming months.
Dan said: “I have had the most amazing 13 years at Sheffield Theatres and I’m incredibly proud to have helped nurture and showcase South Yorkshire talent across the city. When I heard that Bradford had won the title of UK City of Culture 2025, I was so excited for what an opportunity a year of culture can bring to the district and its people. I am even more so now to deliver this for the district, alongside working with Shanaz and can’t wait to get to work.
“Throughout the recruitment process and my many visits, it has been wonderful to meet the people behind the bid, to hear their stories and their passion, and it is a real honour to work alongside the many partners, supporters and sponsors who have already pledged their support. I’m also thrilled about the opportunities we will create for young people to develop their skills and to have lasting careers in creativity and culture way beyond 2025.”
Bradford district was named UK City of Culture 2025 in May, beating a record number of more than 20 locations who entered the hotly contested competition. The district received £275,000 in initial seed funding from the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to hit the ground running, paving the way for a year of unforgettable cultural activities and events. It is estimated that UK City of Culture 2025 title could bring an extra £700m into Bradford district, creating 3,000 jobs and attracting around 1.1m visitors by 2030.
Shanaz and Dan will initially focus on recruiting the wider delivery team by the end of 2022, before work to bring Bradford’s winning bid to life starts in 2023.
Specialist facade contractor placed into administration
Administrators have been appointed to Speedclad Limited, a specialist facade contractor providing design, supply and installation of cladding and curtain walling facades.
Speedclad operates from its head office in Northallerton, with a regional site in Doncaster.
Over recent years, the business has faced challenges on multiple fronts including a difficult trading environment, paticularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. The business has been hampered by the wider economic conditions, resulting in a number of postponed or abandoned contracts, supply chain challenges, material and labour shortages, and rising prices. Against this difficult business landscape, one of Speedclad’s major contracts became loss-making, having a profound impact on working capital.
Despite significant efforts by the company to avoid insolvency, the directors reached the conclusion that it was in the best interest of creditors for the company to be placed into administration.
James Lumb and Howard Smith from Interpath Advisory were appointed joint administrators of Speedclad Limited on 16 August 2022.
44 members of staff have been made redundant, with a small number retained to assist with the administration. The joint administrators are exploring a number of options including seeking a buyer for the business, its assets and intellectual property.
James Lumb, Managing Director at Interpath and joint administrator, said: “The administration of Speedclad is symptomatic of the growing challenges facing the construction sector, particularly cladding and facades businesses.
“Speedclad is historically profitable and has delivered notable projects such as the facades at the Wellington Place office development in Leeds. The company is a well-respected business with strong goodwill in the market from customers, suppliers and other stakeholders. Whilst we are hopeful of finding a solution for Speedclad, its administration suggests that other strong businesses could be facing similar challenges.”
Yorkshire company supports trailblazing women’s project to create new stone monument celebrating Anne Lister
A West Yorkshire-based natural stone supplier is supporting a group of female traditional stone specialists who are building a new monument at Shibden Hall, Halifax to celebrate the life of Anne Lister, the diarist, industrialist and landowner whose controversial life inspired the global hit BBC-HBO TV series, Gentleman Jack.
Traditional Stone is working with the team of six members of the Women’s International Stone Alliance (WISA), led by Anglo-Australian Emma Knowles, who was born and grew up in East Yorkshire. Formed of traditional stone specialists from Italy, Ireland, the UK and USA, the team’s month-long programme will see the creation of three monoliths connected by dry stone walls, complete with carvings.
The monument will be created using ten tonnes of stone for the three monoliths, coping stones and carving stone donated by Wakefield-based Traditional Stone, plus ten tonnes of building stone for the dry stone walls donated by Simon Lumb. Calderdale Council is also supporting the project by transporting the stone to Shibden Hall and preparing the site.
The monument is designed by Master Craftsman and accomplished designer, David Griffiths, to reflect the strength of Anne Lister and her love of landscapes and the mining industry, with the carvings revealing more about Anne as a person, including an extract from her diaries, both in her original code and a translated version.
It will serve as a fitting tribute to Anne Lister, whose life rose to prominence in 2019 when the TV series Gentleman Jack told the story of how she shook off female stereotypes to live a successful life that challenged 19th century English norms. The female wallers, masons and carvers working on the Shibden Hall monument work in a heavily male-dominated sector which they are aiming to change by encouraging more girls and women to get involved in the traditional trades.
Project leader Emma Knowles said: “There are so few women working in the stone industry and this is why we want to do everything we can to encourage more to get involved and support them through our network.
“We are thrilled to have been invited to create the new monument at Shibden Hall to celebrate Anne Lister, who wasn’t afraid to challenge convention and show that women can excel in male-dominated professions. And a big thank you to David Griffiths, Calderdale Council, Simon Lumb and Traditional Stone – without their support we would never have been able to build this unique monument.”
The supplier of the feature stones for the Shibden Hall monument, Traditional Stone, is itself unusual in being one of the few companies of its kind to employ women in skilled roles. Its workforce is around 15% female, including its general manager, IT manager and a stone mason.
Emma Hudson, general manager at Traditional Stone, added: “This is a tremendous project to be involved with, and we are delighted to donate the raw materials that WISA team need to create this unique monument. It is so important to encourage women and girls to get into the natural stone trades and hopefully more will be inspired to explore a career path and seek training in our sector when they see the skill and creativity on show at Shibden Hall.”
Calderdale Council’s cabinet member for public services and communities, Cllr Jenny Lynn, said: “We’re delighted to be able to accommodate this work at Shibden and support this great initiative. The resulting work will create a lasting legacy of this female-led project and provide a fitting tribute to Anne Lister. The monument will also be a further attraction at the beautiful Shibden Hall and Park and will be enjoyed by visitors for many years to come.”
Emma and the stone specialists will complete most of the monument and wall construction in the period towards the end of August and first week of September, with an official unveiling set to take place around 10th September.
Bourne homebuilding firm’s £120m refinancing deal paves way for 2,000 new homes a year
Bourne-based homebuilding the Allison Group has signed up got a £120m refinancing deal with a £20m five-year term loan from HSBC and a five-year £100m Revolving Credit Facility with HSBC and NatWest, placing the group in a strong position for future growth plans.
The RCF will be used for investment in new land and development, and will enable Allison Group to build 2,000 homes a year by 2025. The business is also supporting the supply chain by cutting supplier payment terms from 45 to 30 days.
COO and former CFO Alastair Gordon-Stewart said: “I am very satisfied with the financial firepower the refinancing gives to the Allison Group. This builds on our long-standing relationship with HSBC and I am delighted to form a new relationship with NatWest and look forward to working with both lenders into the future.”
John Anderson, CEO of Allison Group said: “Refinancing will undoubtedly bring exciting possibilities for Allison Group. We are making significant progress and have excellent ideas in store for our future that will now be viable with the £120m we’ve secured from HSBC and NatWest. We are continuing to seek new talent, improving payment terms for suppliers, and making great headway towards our goal of building 2,000 homes a year. Our growth strategy is being brought to life and we are excited about what the future holds for us.”
Wanted: Buyer for ‘treasure trove’ of craft beer
Buyers are being urgently sought for a huge stock of beer brewed by defunct Beatnikz Republic Brewing Co which ceased trading in April this year.
Liquidators at Begbies Traynor say there are about 300 barrels of beer and hundreds of cans of craft ale left over following the demise of the award-winning brewery.
The beer, currently in a bonded warehouse in Manchester, is a mix of craft ales including IPAs, Pale Ales, Stouts and specialist fruit-based beers with names like Beach Bum, Oblivion Now, Miami Amor and Chocolate Fudge Cake.
Paul Stanley and Jason Greenhalgh of Begbies Traynor have been appointed as Joint Liquidators of Beatnikz Republic Brewing Co. They say the stock is a good opportunity for someone in the trade as they seek to recover funds for creditors of the company.
Mr Stanley of Begbies Traynor, said: “We’re looking for someone in the trade to see the opportunity, step forward and buy the bulk of the stock that’s left over in this treasure trove of ale. At this stage we estimate there’s almost 20,000 pints of craft ale sitting here and we’ll supply a full inventory upon request. It would be good for a trade buyer such as a freehouse, independent bar or organised beer festival.
“Plenty of the beer has a 2023 ‘best before’ date. Buyers would have to collect the barrels and kegs and the price of the beer reflects this logistical challenge. This beer was commonly retailing at around £6 a pint in the Northern Quarter but we’re looking for around £1 a pint which includes the duty that needs to be paid.
“The company was hit hard by the impact of lockdown restrictions, rising transport costs and inflation. Its primary customers were licensed premises across Manchester city centre and in particular in the Northern Quarter from where they were able to grow good awareness of their brand locally and even internationally.
“This case highlights the challenging times faced by many in the hospitality trade. It’s not the first brewery we’ve been appointed to in recent times and it certainly won’t be the last in this kind of inflationary economic climate.”
Interested parties should contact Mark Dyer: mark.dyer@btguk.com
