< Previous10Business Link www.blmforum.netEAST YORKSHIREwant to invest the money wisely andensure that it produces a significant andsustainable economic impact.”As well as existing businesses, theregion’s smallest new companies canalso benefit from funding. A Start-UpLoan is available to new businesses,and those which have been trading forless than two years, in Hull and EastYorkshire. The loans are delivered bythe Chamber Acorn Fund, which overthe past two years has assisted morethan 220 businesses, 17 of which havehad the full £25,000 at a rate of 6% perannum.Craig Simpson, contracts manager atthe Acorn Chamber Fund in Hull, says,“Any business sector can get this, it isnot linked to job creation and we offerfree business mentoring to help you getstarted. The variety of businesses wehave worked with is vast, from chimneysweeps to internet applicationdevelopment and everything inbetween.”There are certainly huge benefits tobe gained across the region thanks tonew technology and ways of working,but the challenge is to ensure thateveryone is prepared to make the mostof these opportunities. The introductionof the Ron Dearing UTC in Hull, whichwill specialise in digital technology andmechatronics, will be of major value inthis regard, and many local employersare supporting its foundation and willbe contributing to its curriculum. Gary Young, Managing Director ofsupporters KC says, “It’s vital to Hulland the Humber’s plans for growth andtransformation that our young peopleare work-ready and equipped with theright digital and new world skills. Weare looking forward to helping to makethat happen by playing our part in theformation and ongoing developmentand success of the UTC.”Meanwhile, the FSB and Hull Collegeare embarking on a programme ofcollaboration to give confidence andencouragement to the next generationof East Yorkshire entrepreneurs. Anetworking event at the College sawover forty students meet twenty localbusinesses who will bring a product orservice which will benefit fromimproved marketing. The students willthen use their youthful enthusiasm andinventiveness to identify new andinnovative ways of marketing theproducts and services. The exercise willculminate in an event during HumberBusiness Week in June when theparticipants will be able to celebratetheir successes.One issue affecting Hull and EastYorkshire has often been that ofconnectivity – both in terms of physicaltransport and that of its communication.Hull is of course in the unique positionof having its own city-widecommunications provider, which hasperhaps proven both a blessing and acurse for companies in the past. Whilecompanies are limited in the systemsthey can make use of, there areadvantages of the city’s unique status,notably the fact that Hull is the only cityin the UK where broadband officiallydescribed as “ultrafast” – deliveringspeeds of at least 100Mbps – is beingrolled out as standard.Broadband deployments in mostother parts of the UK deliver slowerspeeds because fibre is laid only as faras street cabinets, with existing coppercables used to complete the connectionto customers’ properties. In Hull, KCLightstream connects fibre cables fromthe telephone exchange directly to theindividual customers, providingadditional speed, and the companyaims to double the rate of its fibre roll-out over the next two years to make theservice available to an additional sixtythousand businesses and homes.In addition, the Budget included theannouncement that Hull will be part ofthe Government’s Superfast Citiesscheme, whereby SMEs can receive agrant of up to £3000 towards the cost ofconnecting to superfast broadband.Hull and East Yorkshire is certainlywell-placed to benefit from the rise ofrenewable energy in the next few years,and it’s not just the big companies inHull that can take advantage of theseopportunities. Across the East Ridingthere are opportunities for funding andsupport.Local employers are making a majorcontribution to the Ron Deering UTC in HullCompanies across theEast Riding can benefitfrom the rise ofrenewable energy08-10_Layout 1 02/04/2015 10:03 Page 3Business Link 11www.blmforum.net13 ÁCOMMERCIAL PROPERTYWith the economy recoveringand rate of business start-ups growing, it is thecommercial property market willcontinue to improve. Some of thelargest deals of the year have beencompleted already in recent months,and the focus on the sector is likelyto continue. But what areas areworthy of investment?In Sheffield, the largest office saleof the last twelve months happenedlast month, with a landmark 80,000sq ft office in the city centre sold foran undisclosed sum to WestfieldHealth. Westfield House intend tolocate its operations in to more thanhalf of the building, while developingthe remaining 35,000 sq ft to let.Previously a home to the InlandRevenue, it was redeveloped tograde A specification byDevelopment Securities in thenineties. Peter Whiteley, Partner at KnightFrank, who conducted the sale, says,“The redevelopment of theproperty’s remaining 35,000 sq ftcomes at an interesting time as wesee healthy demand for city centreoffices at sites such as The Balanceon Trippet Lane, Saville House onSavile Street, The Straddle at CanalBasin and at Northbank.”City Centre property, particularly inlarger cities such as Leeds orSheffield, has seen an increase indemand in the past year, with anumber of large sales taking placewithin the last six months. Officespace remains a strong investmentopportunity when it comes to thesecities, particularly where flexibleleasing can see anything from 1000to 20,000 sq ft let. Speaking of Leeds, there continuesto be strong demand for office spacewithin the financial capital of theNorth, with a number of commercialproperty transactions taking placeThe Milton House 80,000 sq ftproperty, sold for an undisclosedsum in SheffieldOFFICEHOTSPOTSThe commercial propertysector can produce goodyields, but where should onelook to invest?11-13_Layout 1 02/04/2015 09:57 Page 1ArmstronghouseOffering a prime position in Grimsby, Armstrong House onArmstrong Street is ideally located. Close to the ports ofGrimsby 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 officesare 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 contractmean confidence when it comes to affordability and with a rangeof office sizes there are opportunities for all types of business. Ifyou require virtual office services, prices start from just £15 permonth. For more information, or to discuss your office requirements,give Scotts Property a call today on 01472 267000 and askabout Armstrong House.Ground floor offices to letPrime location in GrimsbySuperb Location -- Close to the ports of Grimsby &Immingham- Great motorwaylinks- Close to the town centreSecure off street parkingHigh speed internet availabilityEasy in/out termsA range of affordable office sizes333335 Town Hall Street, Grimsby DN31 1HNed@scotts-property.co.uk www.scotts-property.co.ukwww.shutterstock.com/terekhov igorwww.shutterstock.com/Yentafern11-13_Layout 1 02/04/2015 09:57 Page 2www.shutterstock.com/YentafernBusiness Link 13www.blmforum.netCOMMERCIAL PROPERTYwithin the last six months. The Evans Property Group havesecured two new lettings at its Minerva office building in thecity centre, to BNP Paribas and UBS. Existing clients at theMinerva include CBRE and JLL. Since unveiling the refurbishment of the 30,000 sq ft GradeA, BREEAM Excellent offices at Minerva last summer, law firmGateley signed up for 7500 sq ft of office space, while existingtenants CDI AndersElite expanded into a larger suite to facilitatetheir expansion plans. The total investment put into theMinerva is part of an ongoing £20 million programme totransform the whole Bond Court area of Leeds City Centre. Alan Syers, Portfolio Director at Evans Property Group, says,“We were confident that the time was right to deliver this newGrade A space as supply is so severely limited in core locationswithin the city. We are delighted to have attracted and retainedsuch high-profile occupiers and also with how quickly thespace has been snapped up. The current status of supply anddemand means that the interest in the recently launchedCapitol is also attracting significant interest and we are set toemulate the success of Minerva there.” For those looking to invest however, city centre office spacecan be difficult to get hold of, particularly with much of italready owned by large property groups renting it out for profit.Some companies are instead looking to create their own, likeProspect Property Group’s £10 million office scheme atDoncaster International Business Park. This second schemewas undertaken after the first phase generated anunprecedented number of enquiries from potential tenants andinvestors. Phase two of the development will see main contractorHenry Boot Construction build a further nine ‘workpod’ officeunits of 1450 sq ft and 1600 sq ft, in two, three and four-unitblocks at the site located adjacent to RobinHood Airport. The initial phase of thirteenunits is due for completion in June, whilephase two will be completed thisSeptember.In total, Fountain Court will cover 62,000sq ft and is expected to create more than130 jobs, providing environmentallysustainable office accommodation for 134staff. The project is part-financed by theEuropean Union and the second phase hasattracted a further £1 million from theYorkshire and Humber ERDF programme2007-13 bringing total EU funding for thescheme to £2.49 million.Tim Cross – Partner, Commercial Property 01904 683167 or tim.cross@langleys.comwww.langleys.comPHOTO: GILES ROCHOLL PHOTOGRAPHY LTDEvans PropertyGroup’s Minerva officebuilding in LeedsConcept art of the sustainable pods in Doncaster11-13_Layout 1 02/04/2015 09:57 Page 3The HiltonPaddington14Business Link www.blmforum.netHOTEL REVIEWdoors in January this year. First impressions of the hotel arepositive. Easily located by PaddingtonStation, and with entrances to theUnderground directly across the road,there is no trouble finding it, and, onceinside staff are only too happy to assistin any way they can. While such good customer servicecomes to be expected in London, pastexperience has shown us that theexpectations rarely match the reality.Not so with the Hilton, whose staff seemgenuinely happy to chat and show us toour rooms in the tower itself. The GWR Tower is accessible onlythrough a specific elevator, whichrequires a GWR pass card to activate,securing the sense of exclusivity thatsurrounds the entire hotel. There is alsoa separate lounge that is exclusive tothe GWR Tower, which fits perfectly forbusiness meetings with clients in amore informal setting. The room itself is luxurious andspacious in a manner that is almostunexpected in the capital. The Art Decodesigns and subtle grey tones offer atasteful elegance that accentuates theexperience of first-class accommodation,without being too ostentatious. Theinclusion of a working desk in the roomsis a much appreciated acknowledgementof the hotel’s attraction as a destination forthe business minded – enabling visitors tobreak out their laptop or iPad on a muchcomfier surface than their own knees. The concessions to comfort in theroom go a long way to reducing thestress and frustration of attending eventsin London. After our business is dealtwith, the journey back in bitingly coldweather is made history by the franklybeautiful bathroom which offers aninstant hot shower with refreshing force.The king-size bed is also far comfier thanwe’ve come to expect in hotels bothwithin, and outside, of London andprovides a very pleasant night’s sleep. For breakfast there is the option of alight breakfast in the GWR Tower lounge,or retiring to the Brasserie restaurantBusiness trips to London can be frustratingaffairs, so one decision you need to get right isyour choice of hotel. This month we had theopportunity to stay at the GWR Tower at theHilton Paddington Hotel in London and comeshighly recommended.For business leaders in the region,visiting London is an almostinevitable necessity - whethermeeting with clients, liaising withsuppliers, or attending one of the manyevents in the city. While there are many parts of Londonwe would be happy to do without, suchas the bustle and congestion theopportunity to enjoy a new locale is awelcome change in our busy lives. But allof this can be made, or undone, basedon the accommodation we choose. On our most recent journey to Londonwe were fortunate to have a chance tostay at the Hilton London PaddingtonHotel, and more specifically in theirexclusive new wing – the GWR Tower. One of London’s most iconic Victorianbuildings, the hotel was originally builtin 1854 and was the world’s first palatialrailway terminus hotel. Now, following a£20 million investment by Hilton, theGWR Tower acts as a stunning venuefor business and leisure travellers incentral London, and finally opened itsThe HiltonPaddington14-15_Layout 1 02/04/2015 09:56 Page 1www.blmforum.netBusiness Link 15within the hotel proper, there boasts an excitingmenu selection at any time during the day.Unfortunately our business prevented us fromexperiencing the evening meal selection, whichboth looked and smelled fantastic as we passed by. What makes the Hilton Paddington one of thebest hotels for the business traveller, though, issimply how well-connected the hotel actually is.With Heathrow Airport being only fifteen minutesaway via the Heathrow Express, and fourindividual London Underground lines on itsdoorstep, not to mention Paddington station itself,it’s clear that the hotel offers an almostunparalleled level of access to London as a whole- perfect when you have to attend events whichcan be held in any number of venues. With this level of luxury and convenience, itwouldn’t be a stretch to imagine the roomscoming with quite a price tag, which is whatmakes the Hilton Paddington so surprising - withrooms, even within the GWR Tower, starting fromjust £259 per night. Hilton London Paddington Hotel,146 Praed Street, London, W2 1EETel: 0207 850 0500 14-15_Layout 1 02/04/2015 09:56 Page 216Business Linkwww.blmforum.netPrime multi-let industrial acquisitionRepresented by Gent Visick, listed property company Town Centre Securities has made its first acquisition for some time in the industrialproperty sector. The company has acquired the freehold interest in Units 2, 3 and 6 Waterside Business Park, Stourton, Leeds from clients ofCBRE Investors.The high quality multi-let industrial estate is strategically located in the prime industrial and distribution ofLeeds with excellent access to the national motorway network.Constructed in the late 1990s the property comprises three detached warehouse buildings totalling 77,400sq ft. The units were purchased for £4.48 million, reflecting a net initial yield of 7.25%.Edward Ziff, Chairman and Chief Executive of Town Centre Securities, says, “Working with leading sectorspecialists, Gent Visick, we are delighted to have concluded this acquisition. The property is a logical andcomplementary diversification for our existing portfolio.”Garry Howes, Investment Director at Gent Visick, says, “This is a strategic acquisition for our client andconfirms the strength and depth of demand for fundamentally prime stock in the industrial investmentmarket.”Industry andeducation unitefor future ofport workforceEducation and industry came together for an eventaimed at readying the workforce of the future for careersin ports and logistics.The event was held at the Seafarers Centre, at the Portof Immingham. Speakers included key figures fromacademic centres across the region, representatives fromports and logistics businesses, and current and formerapprentices and graduates from Associated British Portsand DFDS.Humber Education Business Partnership, whichorganised the event with the support of the RegionalGrowth Fund, said the aim was to develop knowledge andunderstanding of the local ports and logistics sector, the job opportunities available and the skills andqualifications required by the sector for careers advisers in North and North EastLincolnshire.PORTS & LOGISTICSTreble hire for DTZ’s UKDevelopment team in LeedsDTZ has recruited three new staff to its Leeds-based UK Development team as part of itscontinued growth in response to an improving development market. Ben Pretty, WilliamSteel and Harry Mason join the expanding team as Associate Director, Planning Consultantand Graduate Surveyor respectively.Ben Pretty joined the team in October 2014 as an Associate Director to support thegrowing opportunities within the regeneration and economic development sector. He iscurrently advising a number of Local Authorities and Local Enterprise Partnerships on thefunding and delivery of property and infrastructure investment priorities. He has developeda significant number of business cases on behalf of public and private sector clients tosuccessfully secure capital funding.William Steel joins as a Planning Consultant, from the City of York Council, where he hasworked for the past four years across a broad range of planning policy and developmentmanagement remits. He will support the planning specialism within the team on allelements of its offer, focusing on the progression of key development projects through theplanning system.16-19_Layout 1 02/04/2015 11:18 Page 1Triple win fortruck dealer innational awardsYorkshire and North Lincolnshire Mercedes-Benz franchiseeNorthside Truck and Van, which has dealerships in Leeds,Doncaster, Immingham, Hull, Sheffield, York and Bradford,has scooped three awards at the national Mercedes-BenzTruck Awards, including the prestigious Truck Dealer of theYear title.Northside Truck and Van, with its HQ in Doncaster, alsowon the Mercedes-Benz Financial Services Truck Teamtrophy, while truck sales director Ben Sowersby took the honours on behalf of his teamwhen he was named Truck Sales Manager of the Year.Underlining its all-round strength, the company additionally made the final three inthe Truck Sales Team and the Truck Customer Service Dealer categories, the latterfocusing on after-sales back-up. Truck sales executive, Tony Birtwistle, was also arunner-up in the Truck Sales Masters Member of the Year class and one of only foursales executives nationally to win a Diamond Club award in recognition for his tally ofrigid vehicle registrations.These awards have cemented significant growth for Northside Truck and Van overthe last year. “It was certainly a great year, thanks to another magnificent effort by thecompany team,” says dealer principal Tim Ward. “We’ve made fantastic progressacross all parts of our business and it’s gratifying that our achievements have beenrecognised by the manufacturer.Exclusive sponsorsG L COMMERCIALScommercial trailer hirewww.blmforum.netBusiness Link 17PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/NIGHTMAN1965PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/ANDREY MYAGKOVDriver trainingschemeextends acrossHumber regionThe Humber’s vital logistics industries have been givena support with the roll-out of a specialised programme totrain new LGV drivers and place them with Humber-basedfirms. Following the success of the Driving Skills Programmein North and North East Lincolnshire, additional moneyhas now been secured by Jobcentre Plus to extend thetraining programme, helping selected jobseekers tobecome fully qualified LGV drivers across the Humberregion. It will build on the North and North East Lincolnshirebased-programme that continues to offer people a routeinto the driving profession. In this, 18 jobseekers have sofar completed challenging lorry driver training and securedwork with local companies and the latest to complete wasPaul Todd from North Lincolnshire who started work atClugston Distribution last week.Paul says, “Made redundant in March after four years in ahigh position, I had to sign on for the first time ever. It was agreat struggle and a lot of stress especially having twochildren and a disabled partner.”David Heath, Head of Logistics at Clugston, adds, “We aredelighted to have recruited Paul Todd as an LGV driver thisweek. Paul initially came to Clugston Distribution for on thejob taster days and proved he had a good attitude to be aprofessional LGV driver working for my company. Paul hashad a further week of on the job training since his employmentstarted and is progressing well.”16-19_Layout 1 02/04/2015 11:18 Page 2Lincolnshire and Yorkshire are beingrented out for long periods of time,with relatively few companies decidingto end their tenure. In fact, the M62Business park by Cleckheaton wasannounced to have been fully let thismonth as well, with the NorthernPower Grid taking the final 10,000 sq ftunit in West Yorkshire.Not only has this created increasedopportunities for the warehouse market,but the knock-on effects for thoseLincoln. They are intending to developindividual lots between 2600 and12,500 sq ft in size. This newdevelopment is in response toincreased demand for flexible storagespace, and owning company TaylorLindsey say they are expecting tosecure early interest in renters. It’s not just Lincolnshire which isexperiencing a shortage in qualitywarehousing space however. Over inLeeds, In-Site Properties recentlypurchased a 29,691 sq ft warehouse,which is currently undergoing anextensive refurbishment programme.The company hopes the rental of thissite will help address a well-documented regional shortage ofquality circa 30,000 sq ft units. The shortage the region isexperiencing is more a result of thesuccess of the region, than any realproblem. Many large retailers operatetheir own distribution centres withinthe region, and there is little sign ofthese investments being poorly made.Simply put, warehouses withinOur region’s position in thesector is a strong one, withmany companies takingadvantage of the strong links withEurope, as well as the easy access tothe motorway network connecting theNorth and South of the country.Certainly there are many differentdistribution centres and warehouseswithin our region, with more being builtin coming months.High quality warehouse space is inhigh demand at the moment, withfigures suggesting that the availability ofwarehouse space within Lincolnshireand Yorkshire could be decreasingfaster than new facilities are being built.No doubt this is a reflection of thestrong logistics sector our regionexperiences, but it does create aninteresting dilemma of supply anddemand. Many companies are seeking to takeadvantage of this opportunity, with TealPark for instance announcing plans for anew 26,700 sq ft industrial andwarehouse scheme, south-west of18Business Link www.blmforum.netPORTS & LOGISTICSOpportunityAHEADA demand for quality space in our region iscreating opportunities in the warehousing anddistribution sector. The uk’s leading under waterengineering servicesince 1963Oslo Road • Sutton Fields Ind Est. • Hull HU7 0YN • Tel: +44 (0)1482 227276 (24-Hours)Email: contact@northerndivers.co.uk • www.northerndivers.co.uk16-19_Layout 1 02/04/2015 11:18 Page 3www.blmforum.netBusiness Link 19economy. In the coming months the opportunityto take advantage of the activity withinthe sector will rest with logistics andsupply chain firms best poised to bid toprovide services to these newwarehouses. With new business parksopening around the region, includingthe Environmental Logistics LearningHub near Grimsby, there are plenty ofopportunities for the sector to steamahead. further down the supply chain – fromwarehouse IT system providers, tologistics companies themselves – canalso be felt. As more warehouses arebuilt, there are more potentialcustomers for those providing servicesto the warehousing sector. Each ofthese warehouses will also need a newset of distribution systems put intoplace, be it the purchase of new lorriesand hiring of drivers – or the usage ofan independent logistics firm. In the Humber, the Jobcentre Plushave taken steps to address anopportunity ahead of time, byincreasing funding to extend asuccessful Driver Skills Programme. Theprogramme saw specialised trainingoffered to help people become LGVdrivers, who were then placed inHumber-based firms. This scheme is tofurther support the logistics industry,which represents over 20,000 workersin the Humber – almost 6% of the localPHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/CHAMPIOFOTOYour worldwide freight and logistics partnerT: 01709 529709 www.daviesturner.co.ukPIONEERS IN SERVICE SINCE 187016-19_Layout 1 02/04/2015 11:19 Page 4Next >