AUGUST 2015 £3.50YORKSHIRE & LINCOLNSHIRE’S LEADING BUSINESS MAGAZINEwww.blmgroup.co.ukVOLUME 30 ISSUE 8CONFERENCINGCentre of attentionEDUCATION ANDTRAININGUp-skill or hire new?ENGINEERING ANDCONSTRUCTION Leading the wayKEEPING AHEADOF THE CURVE KEEPING AHEADOF THE CURVE 01_Layout 1 05/08/2015 14:38 Page 1Fit Body. Fit Mind. Fit Business.The numerous benefits to business of employinga healthy, motivated and mentally alertworkforce have been well documented. Hereare just a few...nProven to reduce stress nImproves mental & physical fitnessnAchieves a happier work/life balancenImproves team efficiency & motivationnIncreases staff self confidencenBoosts morale in the work placenIncreases workforce productivitynReduces sick days taken by staffTotal Fitness 4 Business provides exclusive on-sitepersonal fitness training by fully qualified professionalgym instructors.Any time, either at your place of work, the nearestrecreational centre or local sports field, we fit aroundyouand your staff!We also offer 1-to-1 consultation on nutritionalprograms, weight management, fitness plans & adviceon healthy eating.Get your business fit. Get in touch today!Total Fitness 4 Business Limitedgetfit@totalfitness4business.uk01472 470 668Brett HindleManaging DirectorIncrease your Profitability,Staff morale and Productivity02_Layout 1 05/08/2015 11:37 Page 1Much has been said already on the Calais crisis. Almost every political partyhas voiced its concern, even Labour (finally) decided to join into the debate;albeit somewhat belatedly, which is surprising given all their preaching andposturing on toughening up on immigration, in the run up to the elections.Things have now got so bad that David Cameron may even be consideringcancelling one of his three vacations this summer - you have to hand it to theman, he doesn’t do things by halves. Of course, dashing back to his post to address the problem might not makevery much difference but, someone needs to come up with a plan if we’re tostem the losses to industry; now estimated at £250 million per day.Incredibly, against this backdrop, optimism remains pervasive in our regionwith most SME’s in Lincolnshire and Yorkshire enjoying another quarter ofgrowth and, as our talks with commercial property experts reveal, some areasare now reporting how demand for offices is even beginning to outstrip supply. There’s a real buzz at the moment, but it’s not all roses; the manufacturingsector report that their growth curve seems to be flattening - which is hardlysurprising given the strength of the pound, and the rising cost of energy. Manufacturers withenergy intensive processes have been pinning their hopes on government intervention, butdespite agreeing this months back in Westminster, we’ve yet to see what they intend to do.Addressing this problem is therefore fundamental for businesses in our region - to this end; wespeak with Stuart Turner at Flixborough Eco Tech, on how they’re helping readers stay ahead ofthe curve and using their expertise to reduce businesses overheads in this area, whichapparently includes finding more competitive energy suppliers. Elsewhere we report on the investment that’s pouring into the ports and its associated supplychain. And, following the chancellor’s latest ruling for landlords, those with buy to let portfolioswould be well advised to check out the advice from the experts at Streets CharteredAccountants, on page 9.There’s a whole lot more in this latest issue, which we’re sure you’ll enjoy and can use toyour advantage. Have a great month and don’t forget to check out the latest news, as it breaks,at www.blmforum.net.W S FisherEditorThe magazine that caresWE CARE because we want to leave our world a better place than we found itBusiness Link believes that being socially and environmentally responsible is the key to maintaining a flourishingbusiness that our customers will be pleased to use and our staff will be proud to be part of.Community-From a very local point of view, we strive to be a ‘good neighbour’. We also extend that into themuch broader local community, through financial support of local causes and charities. Environment-Our actions extend to: conservation of energy and natural resources, minimisation of waste andensuring our trading partners do likewise.From theEDITOR…SME’s inLincolnshire andYorkshireenjoying anotherquarter of growth03_Layout 1 05/08/2015 14:40 Page 16NewsCatch up with news from around theregion9TaxationRestricting Tax Relief on Buy to LetMortgage Interest by Kelly Goodchild,Property Tax Specialist, Streets CharteredAccountant11Commercial propertyWith demand looking like it could outstripsupply in the office market, investors arelooking elsewhere for returns13LettersReaders’ letters and replies14Ports and logisticsThe exceptional port facilities in the regionare already among the biggest and busiestin the business and their success is oftenseen as a barometer of the region’seconomy20Engineering and constructionInnovative construction companies in theregion are making great strides on thenational stage and helping the regionbecome a key player in ChancellorGeorge Osborne’s “northernpowerhouse”24Food, chemicals and process industriesThis month we examine the ways in whichfood companies carry out audits andinspections of their products and supplychains28Business sceneStreets Chartered Accountants hosted theirfourth annual Charity Golf Day recently30Business services and growthBanks may not always be in the mood forlending, but the days of having to relysolely on them are a thing of the past32Energy and renewables All the news from one of the region’sfastest growing industries34Flixborough Eco Technologies Businesses are often so caught up in theircore business activities that they may haveoverlooked the significant savings that canbe made on their energy bill36RWM 2015 Following the high level of attention onfood waste this year, RWM 2015 is atopical and important event for thoseworking in the food and drink supply chain4411CONTENTSAUGUST 2015www.blmforum.net37The Energy EventThe Energy Event is the first post-electionindustry event for this audience, and is setto answer a lot of questions about thefuture of renewable energy39ConferencingHosting a conference or seminar is afantastic way to draw more custom to yourbusiness – but speaking at events can bea daunting task for the uninitiated42Education and trainingA skills shortage is facingthe business industry in our region,but is the solution to hire new talent,or work on the people you already have? 43QR code directoryQR codes are a quick and effective way toengage with your customers44AutoLinkStatus-conscious motorists across theregion will soon be making a beeline forcars with shiny new 65 plates46EventsWe take a look at business eventshappening around Yorkshire andLincolnshire49Classified50And finally…04-05_Layout 1 05/08/2015 14:46 Page 1EditorSteve Fisher (s.fisher@blmgroup.co.uk)JournalistsMichael Fisher (m.fisher@blmgroup.co.uk)Stuart Pearcey (s.pearcey@blmgroup.co.uk)Dominic Cuthbert (d.cuthbert@blmgroup.co.uk)Editorial contactnewsdesk@blmgroup.co.ukTel: (01472) 310305 Fax: (01472) 310317Sales DirectorAngela Cooper (a.cooper@blmgroup.co.uk)AdvertisingTel: (01472) 310310Accounts & SubscriptionsAngela Sharman, John DownesTel: (01472) 310301 Fax: (01472) 310311Design & ProductionGary Jorgensen, Mark CassonTel: (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 be reproduced,transmitted, photocopied, recorded or otherwise without expresspermission of the copyright holder, for which application should beaddressed first to the publisher. While every reasonable care istaken, neither the publisher nor its participating agents acceptliability for loss or damage to prints, colour transparencies,negatives or other material of whatever nature submitted to thispublication. The views expressed in this publication are notnecessarily the views of those held by the publisher.This magazine is now fully recyclable. By recycling magazines,you can help reduce waste and add to the 5.5 million tonnes ofpaper already recycled by the UK paper industry each year.Before you recycle your magazine, please ensure you removeall plastic wrapping, free gifts and samples. If you are unable toparticipate in a recycling scheme, then why not pass yourmagazine onto a local hospital or charity?Yorkshire-Lincolnshire-Business-Link @blmforumblmforum.netCOVER PHOTOS: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM - IURII • TUM2282 • HXDBZXY • JESUS KELLER • DAVID LEE PHOTOGRAPHY LTD2004-05_Layout 1 05/08/2015 14:48 Page 2Landowners warned offinancial implications ofillegal tippingThe Environment Agency is warning landowners, in Yorkshire andLincolnshire, to beware of illegal waste operations that may cost themthousands in clean-up costs. The warning comes after investigatingofficers, at the Environment Agency, discovered large-scale tipping ofwaste at sites throughout Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire without therequired permits. In a series of incidents, a waste operator hasnegotiated access to land by signing leases for their use. Once theoperators have access to the land, they dump waste and thendisappear, leaving the landowners to face the clean-up bill. In recentweeks, waste has been dumped at six sites across Sheffield,Rotherham, Leeds and Brigg. Joanne Holt, enforcement team leaderat the Environment Agency, says, “Illegal waste activities pose asignificant threat of harm to the environment and local communities,and they also undercut legitimate businesses that comply with therules.” 6Business Link www.blmforum.netNEWSFilmore & Union celebratecrowdfunding successFilmore & Union launched their campaign with Europe’s largest online crowdfunding platform,Crowdcube, in May this year with a target of £500,000. The company have now successfullyraised a total of £931,960 from 317 investors in return for 22.28% equity, more than £430,000over their original target goal. The extra funding means that Filmore & Union is able to openmore sites in a shorter space of time than initially planned, with a new site in Ilkley scheduled toopen in early August, followed by restaurants in Harrogate at the end of the month, Beverley inSeptember, and an extension of the company’s Wetherby based restaurant. Filmore & Union’sdirector, Adele Carnell, commented: “We can’t believe we’ve managed to overfund by such alarge amount, the response from customers and investors from across the country has beenoverwhelming and we want to thank everyone for their support during our journey so far.” Developers invest£300,000 in prioryrefurbishmentAn 18th century Priory in North Lincolnshire has undergone a challengingrenovation to become a prestige new venue for weddings and events. Morethat £300,000 has been invested by landlord The Hunt Group and newoperator Genex, which has taken a 10 year lease on the Grade II listedbuilding. The renovation investment has allowed the transformation of theground floor space to facilitate up to 110 guests with on-site cateringkitchens, a fully licensed bar, preparation areas and a fully licensedceremony room provided. Genex has plans to expand into the second floorspace with meeting rooms for corporate use and has already sub-let spaceto some of its event suppliers. The Priory, located near the market town ofCrowle in North Lincolnshire, was previously used as a private residencebefore being neglected. It was acquired in 2004 by the Hunt Group, whichsecured planning permission for hotel use. Leeds workers foot the bill forworking from homeThe majority of Leeds home workers have to meet the associated costs of equipping andmaintaining their workspace themselves, according to the latest research by leading global workplaceprovider, Regus. The survey found that only around a third of people who work from home receivedcontributions from their firm towards their home office. 85% say most companies that encouragetheir employees to work from home do not cover all the costs of creating and maintaining aprofessional workspace. Just under a quarter of respondents claim that it would take a wholemonthly salary for them to fit out a professional working space. Additionally, the survey reveals thatthe average cost of running a home office in the UK is almost £2,000 a year. Nearly half of workers think that most companies encouraging theiremployees to work from home are simply trying to transfer the workspace cost to the employee. 06-09_Layout 1 05/08/2015 14:53 Page 1www.blmforum.netBusiness Link 7Support available forsmall Sheffieldbusinesses The success of the Renew Newcastle initiative, led by writer andbroadcaster Marcus Westbury, prompted the Re:New project in Sheffield.The scheme, based on an Australian model, aims to help buddingentrepreneurs get their businesses off the ground. The goal is to allow newconcepts to be tested on a temporary basis, with those businesses thatbecome established to find a permanent location elsewhere in the citycentre. Organisations in Sheffield have already begun to take on vacantunits and transform them into vibrant businesses. It is anticipated thatmany more unoccupied or underused buildings in the city centre willbecome active, providing much needed footfall, spenditure and morevaried activities to areas in transition. The project will be funded by theCouncil’s ‘Keep Sheffield Working Fund’, University of Sheffield andEuropean Regional Development Fund through the North Sea Region andInterreg IVB, SEEDS (Stimulating Enterprising Environments forDevelopment and Sustainability) project. LCF secures a hat-trickof award nominations Long established law firm LCF, whoworks with businesses and privateindividuals alike, has been shortlisted inthree categories at this year’s YorkshireLegal Awards. Managing partner SimonStell has made the cut for the ManagingPartner of the Year, while commercialproperty team member Ann-Marie Caseyis in the running for the Rising StarAward. The firm itself is up for thecoveted Law Firm of the Year Award, inwhich companies with between 11 and30 partners are eligible. The event bringstogether the region’s leading law firm,ranging in size from small practitionersto global organisations. Marilyn Stowe, ofStowe Family Law and chair of the judging panel, commented that thisyear’s entrants were particularly strong. The award ceremony, where thewinners will be announced, takes place on 22nd October at Leeds’ NewDock Hall, with more than 500 legal professionals in attendance. BUSINESSLINKMULTI-PLATFORM MARKETINGIN PRINTBusiness Link is theregion’s leadingbusinesspublication,reaching decisionmakersthroughout the region.Often imitated but never equalled.ON LINEWith over 200,000visitors per monthvisiting our website,Business Link gets youradvertising message infront of the peoplethat count.FACE TO FACEBusiness Link hostsmany corporateevents bringingtogether theregion’s topbusinesses todiscuss hot topicsand provide valuablenetwork opportunities.GAIN AN UNRIVALLED ADVANTAGEThe region’s leading companies and mostprestigious brands promote themselvesthrough Business Link.You can too, just call Angela Cooper orSam Trott on 01472 310310 foran informal chat.www.blmforum.netLinkingbusinesstogether06-09_Layout 1 05/08/2015 14:54 Page 28Business Link www.blmforum.netNEWSWordsandSpacesLtdtel:01724 352156 mob:07736 952885 fax: 0871 989 5784 email: stuart@wordsman.co.uk twitter:@stuartpearcey Armstrong House, Armstrong Street, Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire, DN31 2QEI’ll write blogs, websites, ads, articles, leaflets, news releases and newspapers; I’ll design print and buy it. I’m Stuart Pearcey. How can Imake your life better today?www.wordsman.co.ukWhere goodcopywritingmeans businessMAC’s Truck Rental takes to theroad with £10 million investmentIn response to market conditions and customer demand, leadingcommercial vehicle sales company MAC’s Truck Sales Ltd hasannounced plans to launch a dedicated commercial vehicle truck rentalbusiness to complement its long established truck sales operation. With effect from September 15th 2015, MAC’s Truck Rental & LeasingCo Ltd will commence business based at the same head office site asMAC’s Truck Sales in Huddersfield, and the Yorkshire company hasalready invested over £10 million in brand-new vehicles as part of itslaunch programme, promising immediate availability of vehicles forshort, medium and long term rental customers. With the backing of its long established and successful parentcompany, MAC’s Truck Rental will focus on specialist vehicle typesincluding skip vehicles, hook loaders, crane mounted trucks, beavertail/cheese wedge rigids, as well as tipper trucks and tipper grab trucks,with DAF, Volvo and Scania being the predominant vehicle marques inthe MAC’s Truck Rental range. CBRE launches SIXTY2industrial unit to marketThe Industrial Agency team at CBRE in Leeds has been appointed byHorley Beulah Ltd to launch to market Sixty2, a 62,117 sq ft distributionunit at Junction 27 of the M62 in West Yorkshire. Sixty2 is located within the well-established and popular Leeds 27industrial estate which is approximately 5 miles to the south west of LeedsCity Centre. Strategically located at Junction 27 of the M62 / M621intersection, Sixty2 benefits from excellent links to the Leeds City Centreand the national motorway network. Originally built as an industrial unit, the property was converted into acall centre, but is now being returned to its original use, refurbished andupgraded. In addition to distribution space, Sixty2 incorporates groundfloors offices along with 50 car parking spaces and offers an exceptionalopportunity to tenants looking for modern accommodation within anestablished strategic location. Sixty2 will be ready for occupation in Q3this year.06-09_Layout 1 05/08/2015 14:54 Page 3www.blmforum.netBusiness Link 9TAXATIONRestricting Tax Reliefon Buy to LetMortgage InterestKelly Goodchild, Property Tax Specialist,Streets Chartered AccountantWithin his Summer Budget,the Chancellor announcedplans to restrict the amount ofmortgage interest relief higherrate tax payers can claimagainst their rental income, tobring the relief they get in linewith basic rate tax payers.The measures will come intoeffect from April 2017 and willbe introduced gradually. Currently, if you are a higher rate taxpayer and you pay £10,000 mortgage interest you would receive£4,000 tax relief on this.For the 2017-2018 tax year 75% of the mortgage interest costswill be relived in the usual way, against rental income. Theremaining 25% will receive a basic rate deduction.As an example using £10,000 mortgage interest: £7,500 will bededucted from the rental profits: £7,500 x 40% = £3,000£2,500 will be given as a deduction from your taxable profitsthus: £2,500 X 20% = £500 tax relief.In the example above, if you are a 40% tax payer, in 2017-2018you will receive £3,500 tax relief rather than as currently £4,000tax relief.In 2018-2019, 50% of the mortgage interest is relived in theusual way, and 50% as a basic rate tax deduction. So again inthe above example you will receive £3,000 tax relief.In 2019-2020, 25% of the mortgage interest is relived in theusual way, and 75% as a basic rate tax deduction thus youwould only receive tax relief of £2,500 overall.Finally in 2020-2021 and onwards, all of the mortgage interestrelief will be given as a basic rate deduction, so a higher rate taxpayer will then only receive £2,000 worth of tax relief, half ofwhat he is currently receiving.For basic rate tax payers, this obviously will have no effect andthey will receive the same relief as they always have done.Please note that these changes do not apply to furnishedholiday lets.The only other major change in relation to rental income is thatfrom April 2016 the amount that you can receive tax free forrenting a room in your own home will increase from £4,250 to£7,500.If you are concerned about the changes, please do not hesitateto contact one of our property specialists who can assess yourexpenditure to ensure that you are claiming all that you canagainst your rental income.Kelly Goodchild is a Property Tax specialist at Streets CharteredAccountants, a top 40 UK accountancy firm. Telephone 0845 8800320,email info@streetsweb.co.uk or visit www.streetsweb.co.ukGrantham proves best ofboth worlds for commutersDavid WilsonHomes isencouragingLondoncommuters toconsider itsBarrowby Edgedevelopment inGrantham,which hastopped a recentnational survey.The survey,conducted bythe DailyTelegraph, found that Grantham was the most affordable place to livewithin a 60-90 minute train journey from London. According to a recentstudy by the Office of National Statistics, workers, on average, spend 11weeks every year commuting. With that in mind, David Wilson Homes isurging buyers to consider its developments. Each are designed aroundmodern life and purposefully built near transport links. Steve Smith,Sales Director at David Wilson Homes East Midlands, said: “Grantham isa hidden gem for commuters. It’s got fantastic road links to Nottingham,Peterborough and Lincoln, and Grantham Railway Station is located onthe East Coast Mainline, which gives a direct route into central Londonin just over an hour.” Yorkshire Water gives£113 million maintenancecontract to AmeyYorkshire Water has awarded its new waste £113 million waternetwork repair and maintenance contract to regulated services provider,Amey. Yorkshire Water has around 55,000 kilometres of sewerage pipesacross the county, shifting used water and sewage from nearly 2.5million properties to over 600 waste water treatment works, where it isthen processed to meet strict environmental standards. Amey willundertake all of Yorkshire Water’s contracted repair and maintenanceservices on its extensive network. They will also support the companyin protecting homes from sewer flooding and pollution incidents, whichequates to over 100,000 jobs per year. The contract is set to start inSeptember this year and will run until 2020, with Amey covering thewhole of the Yorkshire region. Charlie Haysom, Director of ServiceDelivery, commented: “This major contract has been designed todeliver the best possible service for our customers at the best pricewith the highest levels of safety.” Steve SmithSales Director06-09_Layout 1 05/08/2015 14:54 Page 4Next >