MAY 2013 £3.50YORKSHIRE & LINCOLNSHIRE’S LEADING BUSINESS MAGAZINEwww.blmgroup.co.ukVOLUME 28ISSUE 5Business BankingAre the brakes finally offon business lending?HULL ANDEAST RIDINGBenefiting from diversityPHARMACEUTICALSA remedy for growth?RELOCATION Enterprising success01:Layout 1 3/5/13 14:40 Page 1World Class Tribute Artisteswww.christmaspartiesinleeds.co.ukPer PersonFromat Royal Armouries Museumwww.christmaspartiesinleeds.co.uk0113 220 1990See live footage and book onlineatper personwww.christmaspartiesinleeds.co.uk02:Layout 1 3/5/13 12:10 Page 143Environmental newsThe latest news from this fast-moving sector45Printing and packagingIt’s possible for packaging to be both secureand sustainable, as many local companieshave proven48LogisticsThe logistics sector in our region is turningever more to green methods of doingbusiness, and it’s coming with financial aswell as carbon-reducing benefitsRegulars4From the Editor5News8TaxationCould corporation tax changes be good newsfor businesses? asks Chris Connor, TaxPartner, Streets Chartered Accountants9LettersReader’s letters and replies25Social sceneCarluccios, Lincoln38AutoLinkThe sun will soon be shining, so whatbetter time to look at the choice ofconvertible cars currently on offer?50EventsWe take a look at business eventshappening around Yorkshire andLincolnshire52Classified53Appointments54And finally…Features10Commercial propertyCollaboration is one of the key conceptsbeing highlighted as a method to attainsuccess within commercial property. Whatis on offer for firms wanting to cometogether with others?• Lincolnshire County Council16RelocationThose who have lived and worked inYorkshire and Lincolnshire for many yearsdon’t need to be told about the benefits itcan offer – but it’s now becoming apopular destination for many morelooking to relocate19Hull and East RidingHull and the East Riding are some of themost diverse areas in our region,combining as they do rural and citylocations. What developments are inplace and how are businessesbenefitting? 22Business bankingAre our region’s banks keeping theirpromise to make it easier for SMEs tolend?26ConferencingSpeaking at conferences can be anincredibly daunting experience for thosenot used to it. Here’s some tips to helpease yourself into the public speakingarena comfortably28PharmaceuticalsThe pharmaceuticals industry in ourregion needs to be recognised. There areprojects in place that are helping shapeYorkshire and Lincolnshire• ABB Consulting32Warehousing and distributionSpeed is of the essence in warehousingand distribution – and innovation is alsooccurring at a frenetic pace• Defacto SolutionsEnvironmentalBusiness Link Environmental is yourultimate guide to the expanding world ofgreen business.42FreewattGround-breaking project by FreewattContentsMay 201318283843www.blmforum.net03:Layout 1 3/5/13 12:40 Page 1It’s been another dizzying turn of events over the pastfew weeks as Britain narrowly escapes the dreaded tripledip recession. This ought to be good news for MessrsOsborne, Cameron and Clegg - but they’re far fromcelebratory just yet. Why? Because over recent yearsthey’ve pointed to all the other countries in a similarposition, which affects us directly. The weakness in thisargument is that other G20 members have, with theexception of Italy, outperformed Britain, despite beingfaced with the same issues.One of the key reasons Britain is choking is that small firms have found credittight. Add to this the fact that key sectors such as financial services, on which oureconomy relies heavily, have suffered badly and the public services sector hasbeen cut in order to try and balance the books. It must be pretty clear to Osbornethat he’s had his last chance.The good news for businesses is that banks are at long last facing penalties ifthey don’t start lending to smallish firms but, as we all know, the coalition have ahabit of talking the talk but failing to walk the walk. One can only hope Cameronwill therefore realise that, although the general election doesn’t have to be helduntil 2015, any measures that’ll help the economy will take time to filter throughand any further delays or incompetence will leave the coalition very exposed ifthey fail to act yet again. Business banking is one of the topics we feature in this this month’s issue –and discuss whether local companies will get the access to finance they sourgently require. We also take a closer look at the pharmaceuticals sector – ahuge growth industry in our part of the world and one that’s likely to be ofincreased importance in the years to come. Certainly the enthusiasm and skillsexist in our part of the world to enjoy continual success – we just need to makesure the support is available.Good reading as always,W S FisherEditorEditorSteve Fisher (s.fisher@blmgroup.co.uk)JournalistsSteve Williams (s.williams@blmgroup.co.uk)Mike Shields (m.shields@blmgroup.co.uk)Michael Fisher (m.fisher@blmgroup.co.uk)Editorial contactnewsdesk@blmgroup.co.ukTel: (01472) 310305 Fax: (01472) 310317Sales DirectorTeri Cooper (t.cooper@blmgroup.co.uk)AdvertisingTel: (01472) 310310Kim Collins (k.collins@blmgroup.co.uk)Patrick Hewitt (p.hewitt@blmgroup.co.uk)Accounts & SubscriptionsAngela Sharman, Dawn Cook, John DownesTel: (01472) 310301 Fax: (01472) 310311Design & ProductionGary Jorgensen, Mark Casson, Rachel GreenTel: (01472) 310304 Fax: (01472) 310314(studio@blmgroup.co.uk)E-Mail:yorks-lincs@blmgroup.co.ukWebsitewww.blmforum.netAddressHaychart Ltd, Armstrong House, Armstrong Street, Grimsby, N.E. Lincs., DN31 2QE.ISSN No:1462-2092All rights reserved. No part of this publication may bereproduced, transmitted, photocopied, recorded or otherwisewithout express permission of the copyright holder, for whichapplication should be addressed first to the publisher. Whileevery reasonable care is taken, neither the publisher nor itsparticipating agents accept liability for loss or damage toprints, colour transparencies, negatives or other material ofwhatever nature submitted to this publication. The viewsexpressed in this publication are not necessarily the views ofthose held by the publisher.This magazine is now fully recyclable. By recyclingmagazines, you can help reduce waste and add to the 5.5million tonnes of paper already recycled by the UK paperindustry each year. Before you recycle your magazine,please ensure you remove all plastic wrapping, free giftsand samples. If you are unable to participate in a recyclingscheme, then why not pass your magazine onto a localhospital or charity?The magazine that caresWE CARE because we want to leave our world a better place than wefound itBusiness Link believes that being socially and environmentally responsible is the key tomaintaining a flourishing business that our customers will be pleased to use and our staffwill be proud to be part of.Community-From a very local point of view, we strive to be a ‘good neighbour’. We alsoextend that into the much broader local community, through financial support of local causesand charities. Environment-Our actions extend to: conservation of energy and natural resources,minimisation of waste and ensuring our trading partners do likewise.From theEDITOR…Yorkshire-Lincolnshire-Business-Link @blmforumblmforum.netCOVER PHOTOS: ALL FROM SHUTTERSTOCK.COM • TOP: ANTON BALAZH • MIDDLE ROW: JULIUSKIELAITIS • BOTTOM ROW: TUPUNGATO04:Layout 1 3/5/13 14:09 Page 1Clegg Food Productscomplete bakeryexpansionClegg Food Products has completed a multi-million pound scheme to expand the productioncapacity at Fletchers Bakeries’ Sheffield site.The work on the Sheffield site involvedconverting an existing de-commissioned freezerarea to increase production capacity for thebakery. There was demolition work involved andmodifications to the car park and vehicle entranceswere also part of the project. Operations continuedon site as the work took place to improvemanufacturing and boost output.John Moxon, business development director at CleggFood Projects, says, “We’re delighted to have completed the work to boost production for ourclient. It is reassuring that we have continued to secure a number of significant contracts such asthis in the current, difficult financial climate. We have completed many similar projects to thisscheme which meant our experience and expertise was ideally suited to carry out the work to thevery highest standards.”Branston hosts Bookergraduation dayBranston, the UK’s leading supplier of potatoes, hosteda graduation event for Booker’s latest greengrocers at theirLincoln site. It was the culmination of Booker’scomprehensive greengrocer training programme. As well as presentations from the Booker seniormanagement team, the event at Branston provided anopportunity for the greengrocers to get a better understanding ofthe complexities of fresh potato supply. There was a presentationfrom Branston field director DavidNelson, followed by factory tours wherethe greengrocers saw a range ofBooker products being washed, gradedand packed. Richard Clark, commercial director atBranston, says, “We were delighted tohost the Booker greengrocer graduationevent. Not only did it provide us withan opportunity to build our relationshipfurther with Booker, it also created anexcellent working platform to engagewith their greengrocers and increasetheir fresh potato product knowledge.”Business Link 5www.blmforum.netLATEST NEWSLocal apprentices work onArbourthorne developmentTwo Sheffield apprentices have been hired to work on a £6.5 millionresidential development in Arbourthorne as part of a commitment to provide on-site job opportunities to local people. These are the first of many apprenticeshipposts being made available through a partnership between Sanctuary Group andKeepmoat to build four hundred homes over the next three years. Callan Woodhead and Matt Neely have now started their two-yearapprenticeship posts with Keepmoat, and are part of a team that will build 56apartments and bungalows. Keepmoat and Sanctuary have held two open days and a construction tasterevent to find potential apprentices, and the events attracted over fifty people intotal, which Jobcentre Plus, Sheffield Futures and Manor and Castle Trust alsohelped to find. All other attendees will now be given the opportunity to start alevel one or level two foundation programme in construction delivered byConstruction Careers or relevant work experience. Lewis on course formore success A young entrepreneur from Sheffield whorecently scooped a top business award is oncourse for more success thanks to support from aninternational training and developmentorganisation.Lewis Bowen, who runs Geco Industries,scooped the Young Business Personof the Year accolade at theSheffield Business Awards and,as part of his win, is set tobegin a leadership coursespecially designed for highpotential, early careerindividuals. The CommonPurpose Navigatorcourse aims to bringtogether high potential,early career individualsfrom a range ofbackgrounds on a local,regional, national andinternational basis.Lewis, who receivedsupport and advice fromSheffield Enterprise Agencyon starting his business, says,“Common Purpose is a fantasticorganisation which provides such vitalsupport for business people and I’m extremelygrateful to them for giving me the opportunity tobe a part of one of their courses.”Lincolnshire-based charteredaccountancy firmNicholsons has relocated itsMarket Rasen office to newpremises in the town.Previously based in Union Street,the firm’s new office is situated inKing Street. Richard Hallsworth, apartner at the firm, says, “We areabsolutely delighted to havemoved into our new office,which is larger and morecentrally located, enabling usto better serve businessesand individuals inMarket Rasen.”Dewsbury-based RixonwayKitchens has won a fiveyear contract worth £3.2million to supply new kitchens toWest Lancashire Borough Councilas part of the biggest ever housingregeneration programme to takeplace in the area. Rixonway willsupply 3788 new kitchens whichwill be installed in councilhomes by Lovell andWates across theborough.05-08:Layout 1 3/5/13 08:58 Page 1LATEST NEWS6Business Link www.blmforum.netFocus Consultants wins Pro5framework appointmentFocus Consultants has been appointed to one of thelargest local government frameworks in the countryfor two years, with the option of a two-yearextension.The firm, which has offices in Boston andAubourn , has won a position on the Pro5 nationalframework, a public sector buying consortia.Following a competitive tendering process, Focuswas appointed to provide consultancy advice onleisure, culture and heritage services, regenerationand regional development and asset managementand delivery.Focus Consultants has also been appointed toprovide consultancy support in the community researchand engagement sector for local authorities and the widerpublic sector nationwide following the firm’s appointmentto the Pro5 framework.Trevor Newton, Focus Lincolnshire partner, says, “This is excellent news for the business. Weare delighted to have been appointed to the framework. It is a great opportunity for Focus andpublic sector clients to work in partnership and build beneficial lasting relationships.”Present for giftscompanyA Lincolnshire gifts wholesaler islooking to an even brighter future after“treating itself” to new premises.Gainsborough Giftware called on Banks Long& Co to help it switch to a larger site and alsofind a buyer for its current headquarters. Gainsborough Giftware, which isheaded by directors Peter and PamDrinkall and their son Tom, has beengoing since 1977 and all its staff willbe moving to the newunit on Caldicott Drive. MeanwhileBanks Long is seeking another buyerfor the firm’s current headquarters onthe Corringham Road IndustrialEstate. Gainsborough Giftware is alsorelinquishing a major storage facilityon Lockwood Road as part of itsmove. Banks Long & Co Director WilliamWall says, “As soon as we were madeaware of Gainsborough Giftware’s requirements, we knew the Caldicott Drive site would be idealfor the company’s purposes and, therefore, we were able to close the deal quickly.”MEC and multi-million pound clientoff to Far EastTwo Sheffield companies have won a major engineering contract with a Far Easternclient, following a multi-million pound R&D investment.Sheffield company Atomising Systems and specialist engineers MEC ElectricalContracting are developing an innovative, highly efficient metal powder technology. Thetwo Yorkshire firms are about to embark on an initial three-week assessment in Asia,followed by six weeks installing the bespoke equipment to a very detailed specification.MEC Managing Director Phil Slater says, “ASL required an extensive electricalinstallation programme. As we have been in uncharted territory, we have beenprototyping systems and processes, learning together in a close collaboration andworking to the highest standards to meet the client’s needs. The full install in Summer2013 is the culmination of nearly two years of work – we consider ASL to be marketleading in the field and are proud to be collaborating and helping fly the flag for Britishinnovation worldwide!”Chamber supportingbusinesses with SEOrankingsBusinesses across Sheffield are being offeredexpert advice on how search engine optimisationcan boost income. Sheffield Chamber of Commerce has launched anew Chamber SEO service to help companies of allsizes increase their online rankings on key searchwebsites. The service will be provided by leadingsearch engine optimisationcompany SEO Works, which hasmore than eighty clientsacross the UK from avariety of sectorsincluding IT,manufacturing,recruitment, drinks,retail and property. Sheffield-basedSEO Works wascreated by managingdirector Neil Palmerwho says, “In pastyears, the main uses ofSEO were e-commercecompanies, but we arenow seeing a shift intrends with moretraditional SMEs and soletraders using it to boost theirprofile. If anyone is researching aservice or product, they will turn to theinternet first. Therefore, a company with the bestSEO will be best placed to benefit.”CompassPoint, the sharedservices companyowned by East Lindsey andSouth Holland DistrictCouncils, has won theLincolnshire & Rutland Skills Awardfor Employer of the Year. Theawards recognise employers thatdemonstrate commitment toexcellence in skills developmentthrough high quality training supportto their staff. Each apprentice inCompass Point has a structuredinduction, reports into a teamleader and is mentored toensure they have thesupport theyrequire.SheffieldChamber of Commerce haswelcomed plans by retailer IKEA todevelop a 37,000 sq m facility on SheffieldRoad, in the Lower Don Valley area, creating apotential four hundred new jobs. Sheffield Chamberexecutive director Richard Wright says, “These planscompliment the offering at Meadowhall which is aregional facility and brings shoppers in from muchfurther afield. What the proposals do indicate is asignificant need to boost transportinfrastructure in the Lower Don Valleyquickly, especially around Junction34 of the M1.”05-08:Layout 1 3/5/13 08:58 Page 2East Yorkshire Microbrewerycreates employmentBuoyant sales at an East Yorkshire microbrewery have prompted arecruitment drive. Wold Newton based Wold Top Brewery have takenon four new members of staff to take the total head count to fourteen.Dan Walling has been employed as a delivery driver and generalbrewery worker and Gil Robinson has been recruited as a part timedelivery driver. Anne Duerden is the Events Manager for new businessMuddy Souls Events and a credit controller for the brewery while AnnaCowton has been taken on as a general brewery worker and gardener tokeep the venue at its best.Brewery owner Gill Mellor says, “It’s thanks to the support that wehave from local people and businesses we have been able to expandthe team. It’s an exciting time to join the business as we celebrate ourtenth anniversary and we’re looking forward to growing the businessfurther with the new team members.”Pegler Yorkshire welcomesHead of CBIAt a visit to theDoncaster offices ofPegler Yorkshire, theDirector General of theCBI cited the companyas one of the‘cornerstones’ of thecountry that canprovide the engine ofgrowth required for therecovery of theeconomy.John Cridland,Director General of theCBI, met with GroupManaging DirectorStuart Anderson todiscuss the expansionof Pegler Yorkshire intooverseas markets whichnow makes up 35% ofthe overall sales.Infrastructure was alsoa topic of discussion and how investment into energy projects wouldhelp control the soring energy costs faced by businesses. John Cridland says, “A significant driver of the UK’s future economicgrowth will depend on the ability of firms to break into new overseasmarkets to sell their products and services internationally, so it’s beenfascinating to learn about Pegler Yorkshire’s success as an establishedexporter.”Export lunch to boost international tradeBusinesses from the Sheffield City Region joined export advisors in around-table lunch aimed at sharing knowledge and experience oninternational trade. The South Yorkshire International Trade Centreorganised the inaugural exporters’ lunch with partners Hill Dickinson, 512and the Sheffield International Freight Terminal. A number of businesses from different sectors and varying levels ofexporting experience attended the event, which was staged at HillDickinson in Sheffield. The main issues raised by companies included the need for the exportinglandscape to be made easier by Government and HMRC to facilitate theprocesses of exporting overseas. Other key areas covered internationalpayment methods, a shortage in export skills and understanding thecultures and languages of various markets around the world. Giles Searby from Hill Dickinson says, “There were many interesting andinsightful topics discussed during the lunch, which offered an opportunityfor businesses and export advisors to meet face-to-face to discuss bestpractice.”Business Link 7www.blmforum.netLATEST NEWS05-08:Layout 1 3/5/13 08:58 Page 3TAXATION8Business Link www.blmforum.netCould corporationtax changes begood news forbusinesses?asks Chris Connor, Tax Partner, StreetsChartered AccountantsThere has been a great deal ofcoverage following the proposedreduction of corporation taxrates. While the proposals willundoubtedly benefit largercompanies, what do they meanfor smaller businesses?The big Budget announcementwas the main rate of corporationtax, already reduced in recentyears from 28%, is to bereduced further from 24% to20% by April 2015. While thiswill benefit companies with taxable profits of £300,000 or over,the tax rate for companies with profits below that level remainsunchanged. Changes made by the coalition means thecorporation tax rate will have fallen by 8% for large companies,but by only 1% for smaller companies.Nonetheless, operating businesses with relatively modestprofits through a limited company can still be tax efficient andsavings available have increased due to the higher rates ofNational Insurance now payable by sole traders and partnerships.Indeed, recent research has shown small businesses could bewasting up to £4.2 billion in tax by operating as a sole traderrather than through a company. Taking into account income tax,national insurance and corporation tax, tax savings of just under£1900 can be achieved by a business with £30,000 of profits forthe current year. For a business with profits of £100,000, thesavings can increase to just under £4900.To achieve these savings, it’s important monies withdrawnfrom the company are done so in the most tax-efficient way.Typically, this would mean a small salary of around £7500 wouldbe taken with the rest of the profits extracted by way of adividend. The tax savings could be increased further if it werepossible to make a spouse a shareholder in the company, andsignificant deferments of tax can be made if some of the profitscan be left in the company. The main downside to incorporating a business is that statutoryaccounts will need to be filed at Companies House which willmean limited information about the business available to thepublic. However, the tax savings and the limited liability offeredmeans that for many smaller businesses, it is well worthwhile.Chris Connor is a Tax Partner with Streets CharteredAccountants, a top 40 UK accountancy firm. Telephone01522 551200, email info@streetsweb.co.uk or visitwww.streetsweb.co.ukDon’t forgetyou can now read Business Linkon thego!Digital Editions now available on iPad & iPhoneWWW.BLMFORUM.NETIdeal for those who spendtime away fromtheir office05-08:Layout 1 3/5/13 08:58 Page 4Business Link 9www.blmforum.netSomething to say? Write to: Business Link Magazine,Armstrong House, Armstrong Street, Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire DN31 2QE oremail: letters@blmgroup.co.ukReaders’LETTERSReaders’LETTERSIt’s good to talkDear Sir,In the immortal words of the TV ad, our company was one of those thatwent back to BT - a decision that’s cost us thousands in lost business. DoBT want to compensate us for that loss? Not on your life. A letter to their Chief Executive, Mr Ian Livingston reveals that this hugeorganisation cannot communicate with itself let alone the public that itpurports to serve.We did everything that was required of us including payingcompensation to Daisy Telecom for shortening their contract in order to“release the lines back to BT.” The lines had to be released in order forthem to move those telephone numbers (we had eight in all) from one sideof Lincoln city to the other. The due date of the move was 10th August.What BT achieved was the disruption of our removal process - a businessPartner left answering telephones in the basement of an otherwise emptybuilding for thirteen days, a total loss of communication with our clients,business going to competitors; all followed by a claim for compensationsystem that is a joke. The matter is not resolved and BT cannot get thedates or the circumstances correct from their inaccurate records.We thought we would use BT because they ‘own’ the telephone lines.Their engineer, when he arrived on 14th August to put the phone lines live,simply walked away muttering something about a leaning telegraph poleacross the road that he could not climb. He failed to notice the multiple linefacility entering the building from underground and the distribution pointwithin the building itself. If it was not so serious, it would be funny.Our experience with BT has been one of pseudo pleasantry from them -“Call me Jackie” accompanied by a complete and blanket denial that theyhave caused us any distress or have any responsibility to us. When I think of the number of small Financial Services companies thathave been shut down because of spurious claims and witness thearrogance of this monolith it makes me sick to the stomach.From our experience, the only thing I can say with some certainty is ifyou want service and a responsible and comprehensive facility with regardto your telephone and broadband connections, use anyone other than BT.They certainly cannot be any worse.Terence P O’Halloran BSc FCII AIFPLincolnA fond farewellDear Sir,I’d just like to say how much Professor MurielRobinson will be missed at Bishop GrossetesteUniversity after she retires. Muriel has been at thehelm of the institution for almost ten years and hasoverseen a decade of growth, modernisation anddiversification at the university.Having joined in 2003 as Principal of BishopGrosseteste College, she was installed in Januaryas the first Vice Chancellor of Bishop GrossetesteUniversity.During her time as the head of the institution thenumber of students at BGU and the range ofdegree courses offered has expanded significantly.BGU gained the authority to award its own degreesin 2006 and achieved university title in 2012.I wish her well for the future.T RobinsLincolnFund timesDear Sir,Reviewing the Funding for Lendingformula so more and cheaper loans areavailable to small businesses is good newsas is the extension to the length of thescheme. The Federation of SmallBusinesses has found that lending costshave slowly started to come down andmore firms are finding loans at reducedcosts, but there are still plenty ofbusinesses that cannot access finance inthe first place. We hope that the non-banklenders that will be able to use this schemeand have different risk appetites mightbring about a real increase in smallbusiness lending.G MillwardSheffield09:Layout 1 3/5/13 12:41 Page 1Next >