< Previous10 Business Link www.blmforum.net COMMERCIAL PROPERTY L ast year has been a very challenging year for the commercial property and construction sectors, with businesses returning to normality and taking back the spaces they had lost or given up during the pandemic. In Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, businesses have been showing resilience and the new year has brought a desire not only to go back to work, but also to improve, invest and grow. As part of the continued regeneration of The Cornhill Quarter in Lincoln, Lincolnshire Co-op are bringing forward proposals for the next phase of its development. Having established a vibrant leisure and retail environment in this area of the city, they are now seeking to bring further investment through the addition of both residential and hotel accommodation at the site. McCarthy Stone, the developer and manager of independent retirement living communities, is bringing forward proposals for a flagship development at the City Square Centre site on Sincil Street and Waterside South, combining specialist retirement accommodation with leisure facilities available to both its residents and the wider community. Adjacent to the McCarthy Stone development, on Melville Street, Lincolnshire Co-op is proposing to develop the site for a hotel with around 150 bedrooms, supporting and enhancing the city’s role as a key destination for tourism. Barnsley Council is launching the third stage of the Property Investment Fund scheme to help boost further economic growth in Barnsley. Stage three of the scheme follows on from the success of the first phases, which started back in 2014 and has created over 400,000 sq ft of commercial property, providing jobs across the borough. This scheme has worked with local property developers and succeeded in attracting major global companies to the area while also supporting local businesses to expand. Cllr Tim Cheetham, Cabinet Spokesperson for Place, said: “It is extremely positive news that our successful PIF scheme will launch its third phase. It shows that by having those long-term plans and funding in place for commercial developments, we have continued to attract businesses and create jobs.” Sheffield City Council has committed £200,000 to progress redevelopment plans for the site of the former Ski village at Parkwood Springs. New year means growth The new year has just started and businesses across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire are already investing and expanding into new spaces, showing that the commercial property sector across the two counties is ready for a new year of exciting growth. 10-13.qxp_Layout 1 10/01/2022 07:53 Page 1www.blmforum.net Business Link 11 COMMERCIAL PROPERTY 13 Á The funding will be used to carry out site investigation and assessment work and will inform plans for the site’s redevelopment as a major leisure attraction. Work will also begin on clearing some of the old ski village structures, debris and vegetation to make the site safe for future construction work. An ecological assessment will also be carried out to assess the potential impact of redevelopment on biodiversity and the local environment. Following the initial £200,000 funding provided, the council will be working with its partners in the region to secure further funding for the redevelopment of the site. Councillor Mazher Iqbal, Executive Member for City Futures: Development, Culture and Regeneration at Sheffield City Council, said: “We can’t get away from the fact that this is a challenging site with many complex issues, but we’re ready to meet the challenge and work to secure the future of Parkwood for years to come.” And while city councils are working towards improving and further developing their territories, businesses across the two counties are investing and expanding in new spaces. Land and property specialist Hargreaves Land has opened its first Leeds office in a bid to boost its development activity across Yorkshire, the North West and the Midlands. The property development division of Hargreaves Services plc has signed a 5-year lease on a 1st floor suite at 14 King Street in the heart of Leeds’ commercial district © stock.adobe.com/MarkLG1973 10-13.qxp_Layout 1 10/01/2022 07:53 Page 2Armstrong house Armstrong House, Armstrong Street, Grimsby DN31 2QE Tel: (01472) 310301 • Email: s.fisher@blmgroup.co.uk Superb Location - - Close to the ports of Grimsby & Immingham - Great motorway links - Close to the town centre Secure off street parking High speed internet availability Easy in/out terms A range of affordable office sizes 3 3 3 3 3 Last remaining office suites Prime location in Grimsby Offering a prime position in Grimsby, Armstrong House on Armstrong Street is ideally located. Close to the ports of Grimsby and Immingham, motorway links and the town centre, off-street parking is also available for all staff and visitors, meaning it’s convenient too. Our spacious, welcoming offices are located on the ground floor and are both secure and CCTV-monitored, giving you the ultimate peace of mind. At Armstrong House, the flexible in/out terms of contract mean confidence when it comes to affordability and with a range of office sizes there are opportunities for all types of business. If you require virtual office services, prices start from just £15 per month. For more information, or to discuss your office requirements call 01472 310301. 10-13.qxp_Layout 1 10/01/2022 07:53 Page 3www.blmforum.net Business Link 13 COMMERCIAL PROPERTY with landlord, Bruntwood. The move follows the firm’s creation of its central region earlier this year as part of its continued growth strategy to expand the reach of its UK regional network, which includes existing teams based in Yorkshire, the North East and Scotland. David Anderson, group property director at Hargreaves Land, said: “Having such a presence in central Leeds will enable us to raise our profile in the area and strengthen relationships with our existing contact base as well as new development partners. “Expanding our land and property development business and replenishing our development pipeline is a key element of our strategic vision. We already benefit from a significant land bank, but we are constantly seeking to enhance our offering through an active acquisition strategy, whether that involves strategic land, joint venture partnerships or other development opportunities.” Similarly, Munroe K and Knight Frank have brokered one of the most significant office deals in the Leeds out of town office market this year. The Leeds office agency team of Knight Frank, led by partner Eamon Fox, has let 12,414 sq ft of Grade A office space at 1 Munroe Court in the heart of the White Rose Park in south Leeds. NHS Shared Business Services (NHS SBS) has taken a 10-year lease on the first floor of the building, relocating from the nearby Capitol Park East by Junction 28 of the M62. Eamon Fox, who advised landlords Munroe K, said: “This is a very significant deal, underlining the fact that White Rose Park is a magnet for attracting high quality occupiers, such as NHS SBS. This deal, one of the largest of the year, also emphasises the strength of the Leeds out- of-town office market, and the trend for occupiers seeking better quality space in locations which provide a plethora of amenities for their staff.” In Tankersley, South Yorkshire, Wilton Developments has completed a 80,500 sq ft letting and investment sale at Enterprise 36 industrial and warehouse scheme. Market-leading multiple services provider, USL has agreed a 20 year lease on Unit 1 for its new HQ at the scheme and the investment has been sold to CBRE Investment Management (CBREIM). Alex Whiting and Mike Baugh from the Leeds office of CBRE advised Wilton Developments. The unit provides a new headquarters for USL Group, which provides specialist construction solutions on a global basis to the telecoms, utilities, construction and energy sectors and will house state-of-the art production and warehouse facilities, as well as office space for teams and will accommodate future expansion plans. Jason Stowe, Managing Director of Wilton Developments, said: “This is the final piece in the jigsaw of our very successful Enterprise 36 scheme in Barnsley. We are particularly pleased for BMBC that all of the occupiers we have accommodated on the scheme have maintained and indeed expanded on their businesses within the Sheffield City Region. This is good for Barnsley but also good for the region as a whole. We look forward to announcing further investment in the City Region early in the New Year.” The year has already started with many new exciting opportunities for the commercial property market. Businesses are expanding, relocating and developing, while local authorities are investing and providing communities with old and new resources that will make the economy grow in the new year. © stock.adobe.com/MarkLG1973 10-13.qxp_Layout 1 10/01/2022 07:53 Page 414 Business Link www.blmforum.net PRODUCTIVITY AND EFFICIENCY IN MANUFACTURING © stock.adobe.com/Nataliya Hora The future is automated automated The future is 14-17.qxp_Layout 1 10/01/2022 07:54 Page 1www.blmforum.net Business Link 15 PRODUCTIVITY AND EFFICIENCY IN MANUFACTURING Automation is the future. There is no doubt this technology will slowly but steadily become part of our daily life, but when it comes to manufacturing and production this future might be closer than it seems. Talks about the introduction of automated technologies in manufacturing industries has been in the air for some time now, and companies have been investing more and more into the research and development of automation and trying to introduce Artificial Intelligence and robotics into their facilities. There is very little automated technologies can’t do, they are used in a very wide range of industries and can perform almost all tasks down the production line. There are many benefits and advantages that come with the use of automation; however, what has been driving the shift to these new technologies is how automation allows companies to increase their productivity and improve their production rate. Increasing production means increasing profits and it has been predicted the use of automated technologies will be implemented to the point they will contribute up to 15 trillion USD to global GDP by 2030. Another important quality that makes automation attractive for businesses and incredibly efficient is its consistency; machines are able to perform the same task at the same exact standard each time without any variation. This leads to a greater control over product quality and use of materials, resulting in better management time but also of resources and waste and, again, to higher profits. The potential of automation in the manufacturing industry is obvious, however in the last couple of years it has become particularly evident and switching to automated technologies might now be necessary. With the COVID-19 pandemic and all the restrictions that came with it, including lockdown and social distancing, businesses have found themselves facing many issues. While keeping workers safe was and still is a priority, essential industries still needed to function in order to provide people with goods. Following these times, the value of automated technologies has become very promising as it allows businesses to fully function without the need of human workers, and hence without putting workers at risk of catching the virus, while still increasing their productivity. The robots are not trying to take over, they are just here to help 16 Á 14-17.qxp_Layout 1 10/01/2022 07:55 Page 216 Business Link www.blmforum.net PRODUCTIVITY AND EFFICIENCY IN MANUFACTURING Automation can and does improve a production line’s safety. With tougher, most challenging and dangerous tasks left in the hands of machines, there is a significantly smaller chance of incidents occurring. Hence, while human labour is kept safe, businesses do not run the risk of losing labour, or facing lawsuits that could potentially cost them a substantial amount of money. Despite the efficiency, there always is a little disadvantage to it that keeps businesses from investing completely in automation, which is the fear these technologies will take over. In a way, it is inevitable machines will replace humans. The benefits significantly outweigh the costs and automation allows companies to work more proficiently and productively without altering, and actually improving, their operations. For example, one robot can easily substitute 2 to 3 workers, and it can work in complete safety without any light or heat, and it does not need breaks and time off. This allows companies to reduce their manufacturing times and costs while increasing their efficiency. The potential of technologies like AI and robotics is incredible and impressive, and there is no doubt they will substitute humans at some point in the future, which creates an ethical dilemma for some. People argue that it would be wrong to replace human workforce with machines, as it would take jobs away from people, especially less well- educated individuals and it would create more inequality. However, it is also arguable that as research and technologies are constantly evolving and improving, society should adapt to those improvements and change with them, utilise them to its own benefit and improve the quality of our lives. While it is inevitable machines and robots will replace humans in 14-17.qxp_Layout 1 10/01/2022 07:55 Page 3www.blmforum.net Business Link 17 PRODUCTIVITY AND EFFICIENCY IN MANUFACTURING © stock.adobe.com/ipopba manufacturing, this will also mean that people will not be required to perform dangerous or hazardous tasks that can have a serious impact on a person’s health and life. And if employment rates for manual labour will decrease, there will also be a higher demand for different and new jobs; as much as machines are automated and can take over tasks performed by humans, they cannot fully function without humans as they need maintenance and managing. The increased use of machines in businesses will lead to the creation of new jobs, like maintenance, scheduling and process optimisation, system analysis and programming. Human workers will be required to learn new skills and be technologically proficient in order to evolve and adapt with the new automated work environments. It should be up to governments, businesses, companies, trade unions, and educational providers to regulate the transition to automated processes runs smoothly and make sure people get the help they need to adapt to the new production lines. With technologies getting more advanced and sophisticated by the minute, it is the business’s responsibility to understand the risks of transforming their work environments into automated ones, how that will affect their workers, and create new opportunities for their workforce. Automation is the future of manufacturing and there is no doubt soon most if not all companies will be moving towards fully automated production lines. The efficiency of these technologies will bring businesses to new and improved quality standards, and although it is true they might not have that unique human touch, it is also true the advancement of these technologies is inevitable and in the long run it will lead to extraordinary results. 14-17.qxp_Layout 1 10/01/2022 07:55 Page 418 Business Link www.blmforum.net 2022 BUSINESS PREDICTIONS © stock.adobe.com/natali_mis Looking ahead It’s that time of year, when Business Link Magazine invites the region’s business leaders to offer up their predictions for the year ahead. 18-21.qxp_Layout 1 10/01/2022 07:56 Page 1for balance between the North and South, it should not distract us from the bigger picture which could be the driver for a year of positive change for UK plc. This coming year will see a huge opportunity for British business to fill the gaps which historically have been filled through so called ‘value’ global sourcing policies, aka ‘cheap’ products. We have to educate the British consumer as to the benefits of buying British and to look beyond buying solely on price – quality and price equals value. British manufacturers are world-leading innovators and produce quality products here in the UK, supporting domestic jobs, as well as the environment. I predict that 2022 will be the year that sees capitalisation of the UK manufacturing sector which will step up to the mark and establish itself in the mind of the domestic consumer as the value driver of the UK economy. 2022 should be the year we all make a choice to invest in ourselves, our country, our products and our planet’s future sustainability by buying the things we make well on our own doorsteps. After all charity starts at home and if there was ever a year that we should look to support ourselves, it is 2022. www.blmforum.net Business Link 19 2022 BUSINESS PREDICTIONS Mandy Watson, MD at Ambitions Personnel 2021 has been somewhat of a hangover from the events of 2020. 2022 will be slightly different, but we envisage staff and skills shortages will continue as the unpredictability carries on. The realities of the issues associated with this are yet to be really perceived by the public. As a result of labour shortages, some employers may have to reign in their product range or level of services. Consumers may well have to accept a more limited array of products to choose from than they are used to and less chance to enjoy perks like same day or next day deliveries. Fulfilment may well be an issue. Employers will also have to continue to increase offerings, although possibly not salaries as these have already been pushed to the limit of what firms are comfortable and able to pay. This is where working conditions and other benefits become important. Therefore, employer branding is more important than ever and those who are simply returning to a ‘business as usual’ model pre-pandemic might find themselves the ones not able to attract talent. As a recruitment operator in the East Midlands, we are already seeing businesses who don’t believe the labour market will become favourable again, they are turning to automation as the solution and we could expect to see a gradual reduction in the demand for low-skilled positions in the longer term. Kenton Robbins, Managing Director at PFF Group We all worked tirelessly through 2021, focussing on the belief that 2022 would hail a return to the good times we remember. COVID-19 would be a thing of the past and the New Year would be an opportunity for us all to get back to normal. Yet, as I write we are heading into a ‘soft lockdown’ with a return to working from home being advised by the Government and mask wearing once again as fundamental as coffee and tea! 2022 is going to be the hardest year yet of this pandemic for business. We are staring down the barrel of inflation and supply chain shortages, the like of which we haven’t seen for many years. Energy prices will continue to be the lead item on boardroom agendas through 2022 as we face the greatest increase in wholesale marketing pricing in a generation. Those that have not hedged or have an ability to do so will face profitability challenges based on energy increases alone. Businesses based on a sourcing model of importing cheap goods from across the globe will see their margins eroded like the cliff sides of the East Coast unless they drive significant price increases to their customer base to offset their increased costs. The availability of everyday items we have all taken for granted throughout our lifetimes will soon be something of a fond memory. You only need to walk the aisles of a B&Q store looking for Far East sourced electrical sockets to see an issue that historically would have had the buying dept in a tailspin (incidentally, if any readers have a three-way switched Georgian brass effect socket going spare, I’ll pay good money, no questions asked)! We have spent months focussed on the Northern levelling up debate only to miss the much more significant global levelling up issues right under our noses. As much as I am an advocate 18-21.qxp_Layout 1 10/01/2022 07:56 Page 2Next >