< Previous10 Business Link www.blmforum.net COMMERCIAL PROPERTY A done Aerial view of the former Ramsdens Superstore site in Grimsby. dealwww.blmforum.net Business Link 11 COMMERCIAL PROPERTY Y orkshire and Lincolnshire have seen a plethora of significant deals across industrial sites, retail, and office schemes over the last couple of months as the region continues to attract investors, businesses and developers. In Sheffield, Network Space Investments (NSI) has completed the £9m acquisition of a 103,262 sq ft industrial estate on Grange Mill Lane, near Meadowhall and junction 34 of the M1. Comprising four vacant warehouse units, NSI will comprehensively refurbish and reposition the estate as a modern, high-spec industrial hub. This will deliver high-quality space across a range of flexible unit sizes from 10,000 to 50,000 sq ft, all featuring eight-metre eaves. The new units will be available from late summer 2025. Tom Dawson, investment director at NSI, said: “This is a well- located and underutilised estate that offers significant potential for value creation. Our plan is to deliver modern, energy-efficient space suitable for a range of occupiers – and the flexibility of unit sizes will appeal to both regional businesses and national operators. The acquisition reflects our confidence in the industrial sector and supports our long- term strategy of investing in assets with strong fundamentals in resilient, growth locations.” Meanwhile, in Grimsby, commercial developer Wykeland Group has snapped up a landmark site, announcing new investment is on its way. Wykeland has purchased the former Ramsdens Superstore site from the retail and cash and carry business Ramsden Group and, as the new owner, will take the lead in rejuvenating it. That has already begun with Wykeland announcing that, in a linked transaction, a deal has been agreed to sell part of the site to Farmfoods, for the development of a new 15,000 sq ft store with car parking. Wykeland will retain the remaining 1.8 acres and explore opportunities to attract further investment and regeneration, while investing around £100,000 to improve the site, including structural repairs to a property fronting Cleethorpe Road. Wykeland has also renamed the development as Ramsden Park, in tribute to the site’s history as the place where the Ramsden Group business was founded, with the opening of the Ramsdens store in 1946. Wykeland development director Jonathan Stubbs said: “We’re pleased to announce we have acquired the site from Ramsden Group and have also concluded a deal, subject to planning consent, to bring in new investment from one of the UK’s most popular food retailers. As well as supporting Farmfoods through the planning process, we’ll be investing in improvements on site and exploring further development opportunities. We’re committed to the regeneration of this important location on the main route between Grimsby and Cleethorpes and keen to hear from investors who would like to work with us to realise its potential.” The site has existing planning approval for 65,000 sq ft of retail development, with units ranging from 1,000 sq ft to 10,000 sq ft. Elsewhere, in York MCR Property Group has finalised the acquisition of Moorside, a Grade A office development in Monks Cross. Moorside comprises 69,351 sq ft of space, arranged over two floors, with tenants including Aviva, Garbutt & Elliott, Rollits Solicitors, Portakabin, and Shepherd Group. Martin Brown, fund director at MCR Property Group, said: “This is an important acquisition for MCR that strengthens our position, not only in the office sector, but in this part of the country with other active projects in Bridlington and surrounding area. We are fully in tune with the demands of a modern day business environment, and are building a portfolio that meets these very needs, creating smart, versatile and creative spaces that support business growth. York is a key regional location and is considered to be the commercial hub of Yorkshire, A number of significant deals have taken place across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire in the last couple of months, with investors, businesses and developers setting their sights on the region. 13 ÁArmstrong house Armstrong House, Armstrong Street, Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire 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 A range of affordable office sizes 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, 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.www.blmforum.net Business Link 13 COMMERCIAL PROPERTY attracting more and more businesses keen to make this thriving city their HQ. Our aim is to consolidate Moorside’s position as a key commercial location for now and the future.” Moreover, The Dustpan and Brush Store has acquired the former Malton Foods site and premises in Amotherby, North Yorkshire to be its new warehouse and distribution centre. The company is to relocate its current operation from Pickering to the complex, which occupies a total site area of 14.81 acres. The former home of Malton Foods Ltd closed in 2023, with Towler Shaw Roberts instructed by the site owners to market the property. Tom Thorp, director, The Dustpan and Brush Store, said: “We currently operate out of different warehouses, with some on the same estate in Pickering and another in Scarborough, so this will enable us to bring all operations under one roof.” The Dustpan and Brush Store’s new premises include a range of industrial/warehouse and office buildings within the former food processing plant, which extends to 133,805 sq ft, and an extensive yard, which also provides car parking and further expansion land at the rear extending to 6.7 acres. Finally, in Doncaster, Northern Trust Company Ltd has swooped for Wheatley Hall Trade Park for £7.85m. The multi-let trade park totals 49,282 sq ft across 12 units, with sizes from 2,470 sq ft to 5,164 sq ft. Located on a key arterial route, Wheatley Hall Trade Park sits at the heart of Doncaster’s prime industrial and out-of-town retail area. The site is adjacent to Wheatley Centre Shopping Park and next to Northern Trust’s existing Crompton Business Park. Jonathan Houghton, property portfolio executive at Northern Trust, said: “We are extremely pleased to have added Wheatley Hall Trade Park to our growing portfolio. Its prime location on a key arterial route and its proximity to our existing Crompton Business Park makes it a perfect fit for our strategic vision. This acquisition strengthens our footprint in Doncaster and enhances the flexible business space options we can offer to new and existing occupiers. This latest acquisition underscores Northern Trust’s continued investment across key regional markets.” Network Space Investments has acquired a 103,262 sq ft industrial estate on Grange Mill Lane in Sheffield 14 Business Link www.blmforum.net ONLINE TRAINING Beyond traditional workplace training www.blmforum.net Business Link 15 ONLINE TRAINING Online learning is breaking down barriers and offering a smarter, more adaptable approach to employee development for companies. T he unmistakable thrum of industry across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire speaks volumes. From the historic manufacturing heartlands of West Yorkshire to the burgeoning tech scene in Leeds, the agricultural powerhouse of Lincolnshire, and the energy sector along the Humber, businesses here are the bedrock of the UK economy. But in today’s rapidly evolving landscape, staying ahead of the curve demands investment in your most valuable asset: your people. And when it comes to upskilling and developing your workforce, online training is a smart and convenient option. For too long, traditional in-person training has been the default. Now, online learning is here, dismantling geographical barriers with a click. Online training delivers the expertise directly to your employees, wherever they are 16 Á16 Business Link www.blmforum.net ONLINE TRAINING based. The cost benefits alone are compelling. Beyond travel and venue hire, online courses often boast more competitive price points thanks to lower overheads for providers. This allows you to stretch your training budget further, investing in a broader range of development opportunities for more of your staff. But the advantages surge beyond mere convenience and cost. Online learning offers a level of flexibility that traditional training simply can’t match. Employees can learn at their own pace, seamlessly fitting studies around their existing workload. This is particularly crucial in our dynamic business environment where deadlines shift and priorities change. This flexibility can also lead to better knowledge retention, as individuals can revisit materials and concepts as needed, solidifying their understanding in a way that a fast- paced, in-person session often doesn’t allow. Furthermore, the digital nature of online courses unlocks a world of engaging and interactive learning experiences. Today’s platforms pulse with multimedia content, interactive quizzes, discussion forums, and even virtual simulations that bring learning to life. This variety caters to diverse learning styles, ensuring your employees aren’t just passively receiving information but actively participating in their growth. This proactive commitment to employee development resonates across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. Lincolnshire Co-operative, for instance, has partnered with AS Training to develop their staff within their 13-branch travel agency. Recognising the challenges of recruiting experienced travel agents, they’ve enrolled new staff on flexible online Level 3 Travel Consultant and Level 4 Sales Executive courses to support their work directly in branches. This highlights how online learning can address specific industry needs and facilitate the entry of new talent. Moreover, the importance of accessible online training extends to critical areas like food safety. In a move to protect customers with allergies and ensure businesses are aware of their responsibilities following “Natasha’s Law,” Business Lincolnshire and Lincolnshire Trading Standards have launched an online training video. This initiative underscores how online platforms can efficiently disseminate vital information and training across the region’s food sector, ensuring compliance and, crucially, safeguarding customer health. Navigating the digital learning landscape, however, demands a discerning eye. With a plethora of options available, businesses need to be strategic in their selection to ensure they’re investing wisely. The first step is clarity: truly understanding the skills your organisation needs to flourish and the specific learning outcomes you aim to achieve. This focused approach will act as your compass in the often-crowded marketplace. It pays dividends to seek out providers with a solid reputation and demonstrable experience in delivering training tailored for the business world. Scrutinising their track record and www.blmforum.net Business Link 17 ONLINE TRAINING perhaps seeking out testimonials from similar companies in the region can offer valuable reassurance. Delving into the course content itself is equally crucial. A compelling title isn’t enough; businesses should examine the syllabus and learning objectives to ensure a genuine alignment with their identified needs. Look for courses that promise practical, actionable insights – knowledge that your team can readily apply to their day- to-day roles, driving tangible improvements and fostering a culture of continuous growth. The learning experience itself is another key consideration. Does the course offer more than just passive viewing? Engaging elements like interactive exercises, opportunities for peer discussion, and built-in assessments can significantly enhance knowledge absorption and retention. Furthermore, understanding the level of support offered to learners is vital. A quality online course should provide avenues for employees to ask questions, receive constructive feedback, and perhaps even connect with fellow learners, fostering a more enriching and less isolated learning journey.The tangible defence 18 Business Link www.blmforum.net SECURITY T he reality of business crimes extends beyond the digital realm. While the complex nature of online threats is a concern, the more immediate and statistically significant risks for many businesses lie within the physical realm. Looking specifically at Lincolnshire, recent data from the Office of National Statistics reveals a positive trend, with overall crime falling by 5% in 2023. This decrease encompasses notable reductions in offences such as burglary (down 11%), violence against the person (down 5%), criminal damage and arson (down 13%), and vehicle offences (down 16%). Lincolnshire Police’s Chief Constable, Paul Gibson, hailed these as “really positive results,” particularly noting the impact on distressing crimes like burglary. However, the picture is not uniform. While Lincolnshire has seen these encouraging decreases, there have also been increases in certain crime categories relevant to businesses. Shoplifting in the county rose by 18%, aligning with a national trend where shop theft has reached its highest level in 20 years. Additionally, there were increases in drug offences (up 13%) and possession of weapons offences (up 15%). These Lincolnshire-specific figures, alongside the broader insights from the South Yorkshire Business Crime Survey, Understanding and implementing effective physical security measures to safeguard your business from real-world threats. www.blmforum.net Business Link 19 SECURITY underscore the nuanced reality of crime across the region. The South Yorkshire survey revealed that a significant 41% of firms targeted by crime experienced financial loss, with 40% reporting both financial loss and disruption. It also highlighted that theft from motor vehicles affected 26% of firms and burglary impacted 22% in that part of the region. While Lincolnshire shows a decrease in burglary, the rise in shoplifting across the county demands attention from businesses. Consider the motivations of a would- be thief. Businesses, by their very nature, often house valuable assets. From high- spec computer equipment and tools of the trade to stock, cash registers, and even intellectual property stored on physical media, the potential spoils can be considerable. Furthermore, the predictable ebb and flow of business hours presents a clear window of opportunity. Businesses in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire understand the importance of robust physical security. Local police forces in the region often provide valuable advice for businesses looking to bolster their defences. Common recommendations frequently revolve around a layered approach, combining several preventative measures to create a more robust defence. 20 ÁNext >