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West Yorkshire law firm raises over £8,000 for local homelessness charity
West-Yorkshire homelessness charity, Simon on the Streets has received more than £8,000 from local law firm Schofield Sweeney during its time as charity of the year.
Schofield Sweeney which has offices in Bradford, Leeds, and Huddersfield, has supported the charity since 2017 and made Simon on the Streets its annual charity partner throughout 2021, raising £8700 over the past 12 months.
The 170-strong workforce has fundraised via lockdown-friendly activities including participating in sleep-ins, plus bake sales, bike rides, payroll giving and business events including networking and sponsoring the charity’s annual golf day.
Simon on the Streets is an independent charity which offers support to homeless and vulnerable people across Bradford, Leeds, and Kirklees.
It costs the charity £13.08 to fund an outreach worker’s support for an hour meaning the funds raised by Schofield Sweeney have paid for 16 weeks’ worth of support to those on our streets.
Schofield Sweeney’s marketing manager Ann-Marie Keighley commented: “We’re really proud to have been able to provide this much support to Simon on the Streets during a turbulent year. Despite the difficulties everyone has faced, and the fact homelessness hasn’t been as visible to much of our workforce who have been homeworking, Simon on the Streets has remained a cause close to our hearts and the people they support have not gone forgotten.”
Simon on the Streets’ CEO, Natalie Moran said: “We’re so grateful to Schofield Sweeney for once again supporting us so generously. The amount raised has funded our hardworking outreach team for an incredible four months which has allowed us to reach vulnerable people and support them to access the support they need.”
Simon on the Streets is encouraging local businesses to continue to support them throughout 2022 and is offering the chance to pay for as little as an hour of an outreach workers time at just £13.08.
Natalie continued: “We know people want to see exactly how their funds are spent. Whatever people can raise helps, for example, just £15 could give someone a phone with credit to help us stay in contact with them and remind them of their appointments.”
To find out more about ways to support Simon on the Streets visit https://simononthestreets.co.uk/ways-to-give.
Lassic Group acquires 175,000 sq ft distribution centre
A supplier of flat packed furniture and home furnishings has acquired substantial new distribution premises in Cleckheaton, which will create up to 50 new local jobs.
Located on Bradford Road in Cleckheaton, the facility was previously home to Westex Flooring. The company has now relocated to Dewsbury.
Lassic Group was represented by property consultancy Gent Visick (GV), as well as Schofield Sweeney, which provided legal advice. The premises were marketed by Michael Steel & Co.
Lassic Group is a family-owned business with existing UK distribution facilities in both Bradford and Brighouse, as well as staff and manufacturing bases in the Far East and South America. The company sources, imports and distributes a vast range of household products and furniture to both national and independent retailers throughout the UK and Europe.
Suresh and Raj Handa of Lassic Group said: “We are absolutely thrilled with our new freehold purchase. The highly sought-after site boasts 175,000 sq ft of warehouse capacity and now gives Lassic Group access to three warehouses with over 400,000 sq ft of total warehouse space. This will allow us to add more products to our portfolio, which allows our business to expand and grow to the next level to become one of leading furniture suppliers in both the UK and EU.
“The transaction will create up to 50 new jobs for the area taking our total head count to around 150 members of staff. GV were instrumental in advising on this transaction, whilst Schofield Sweeney provided fantastic legal advice and guidance throughout. Also, thanks to the teams at HSBC, Dhillon Accountants and all the Lassic Group staff for all their help and support.”
Paul Mack, director at GV, said: “The Westex Building provided a very rare opportunity to acquire the freehold interest in a large-scale distribution facility just off the M62 motorway. We are therefore delighted to have advised Lassic Group on this transaction, whilst working alongside Schofield Sweeney.”
Pardeep Khela, associate at Schofield Sweeney, said: “I am thrilled to get this deal over the line and achieve a great result for the Lassic Group. The site itself is quite complex and involved calling upon our property, banking and environmental expertise to ensure a swift completion. I thoroughly enjoyed working with the Lassic Group, GV and HSBC UK Bank plc on this job and wish the Lassic team all the best with their purchase.”
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Mechanical and electrical solutions business acquired in MBO deal
A mechanical and electrical solutions provider has been acquired in a management buyout deal.
Birstall-based Yorkshire Building Services, which was founded in 1992, predominantly works in the commercial and industrial sectors.
The company’s 65-strong team works for clients throughout the UK providing a full range of mechanical heating, ventilation, air conditioning systems, electrical installations, building management and maintenance services.
The buyout was led by David Broadhurst and Mark Peat, who are now both majority shareholders in the business, along with Tim Anderson and Darren Hill, who have also increased their share. David joined the firm when it was established in 1992 and Mark, Tim and Darren have all worked there for more than 10 years and offer over 90 years of combined industry experience.
Former directors, Andrew Sutcliffe and Paul Harrison, who themselves completed a management buyout of the firm in 2007, will continue to work in the business for the foreseeable future.
The buyers were advised by Cathy Cook, from the Leeds office of Yorkshire-based solicitors LCF Law, and Dale Coleman from accountants Ford Campbell Freedman provided accountancy, financial and strategic advice. Adrian Ballam from Ward Hadaway advised the sellers.
David Broadhurst said: “Over the last 30 years Yorkshire Building Services has established a superb reputation for the breadth of projects we work on and the practical approach to the design and innovative engineering solutions that we offer. Our extensive client base now includes the likes of M&S, Waitrose & Partners, Morrisons, Royal Mail and a recent introduction into public sector work.
“Both Andrew and Paul have been key to this and have always strived to lead a well-run business that offers an industry leading standard of service. The buyout comes at a time when the business is thriving, and we are working on a vast range of exciting and innovative projects throughout the UK including DWP Job Centres, HSBC data centres, MOJ covid reduction works and local authority leisure centres.”
Cathy Cook, who is a partner within LCF Law’s corporate department, said: “After completing a management buyout themselves, Andrew and Paul knew the importance of succession planning, and in recent years had already taken steps to pave the way for the new shareholders.
“This thorough preparation made it a seamless transaction to work on because everyone involved was unified and already had a clear understanding of the eventual outcome. This resulted in a very smooth transition for Yorkshire Building Services’ clients and team, and the MBO is a fantastic example of how other business owners and management teams can plan effectively and successfully for the future.”
Dale Coleman, partner at Ford Campbell Freedman, said: “We have a longstanding relationship with Yorkshire Building Services providing them with strategic and planning guidance at appropriate times together with accountancy, audit and corporate tax advice for more than 20 years.
“After working with Andrew and Paul on their buyout in 2007 and supporting the company through a period of growth since then, it’s been a pleasure to advise the team on passing the business to the next generation of shareholders and completing their entry to exit plan. We’re now looking forward to continuing our work with David, Mark, Tim and Darren as they take the business forward.”
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Opportunity for York businesses to innovate, grow and access funding
The council is hosting an event to introduce York businesses to the Knowledge Transfer Partnership scheme in partnership with University of York, York St John University and Innovate UK.