< PreviousCOMMERCIAL PROPERTY10Business Link www.blmforum.netThe commercial property market nowseems to be over the worst of therecession and, across our region, itseems likely that developers will reapthe rewards. For example, Lloyds TSB’s regionalpurchasing managers’ index for Julysuggested the fastest-paced businessgrowth in at least twelve years.Yorkshire and Humber’s PMI showedstrong increases in both activity andnew business, and a rise inemployment for the first time in fivemonths. The figures show that theoffice sector recorded capital valuegrowth of 0.8% and a total return of1.3% in July, while the industrial sectorenjoyed capital value growth of 0.6%and a total return of 1.2% over themonth.As Stephen Hodgson, RegionalCommercial Head at Knight Frank tellsBusiness Link, “This research is awelcome boost to Yorkshire’s propertyand development market, but alsorepresents its success in the past fewmonths. Demand is now starting tooutstrip supply in the area’s goodquality small to medium sized industrialunits market, whilst there is continued,steady demand for industrial unitsunder 30,000 sq ft.“Take-up in the Sheffield officemarket is more than a third higher forthe equivalent period last year and allthis is extremely encouraging as itshows that businesses are looking toexpand and capitalise on the recenttrends of growth. It is also hoped thesepromising signs will encourageinvestment into the infrastructure andcommercial property developmentmarket, as its performance continues toimprove.”South Yorkshire is a good example ofthe encouragement to be found in alltypes of commercial property. InSheffield the city centre’s 100,000 sq ftFountain Precinct is now 97% let, whilein the industrial sector, NWS haverelocated to a 17,000 sq ft unit atThorncliffe Distribution Centre after adeal brokered by Knight Frank on behalfof clients Geopost.Other parts of the region are alsoreporting impressive growth and WestYorkshire has been one of the UK’s topperformers. Jones Lang LaSalle’sresearch suggests Leeds was one of thestrongest regional performers in thefirst half of 2013, recording take-up of438,000 sq ft. That was helped in termsof occupational activity by pre-lets toboth KPMG and Shulmans in the firstthree months of the year, while thesecond quarter saw a further fivelettings over 10,000 sq ft. It’s not justquantity but quality that can be foundhere too.Jeff Pearey, head of office agency inJones Lang LaSalle’s Leeds office, says,“Across the regional office markets wehave seen far more significant Grade Adeals completing in the first six monthsof the year. This was particularlyapparent in Leeds where Grade A take-up accounted for 74% of all deals,compared to just 41% in the whole of2012.”The sector also looks in rude health inLincolnshire where investmentproperties seem to be provingparticularly popular. Lincoln-basedchartered surveyor Banks Long & Cotells us they have already sold severalinvestment properties in the county thisPropertyon the riseThe commercial property sector is benefiting from increaseddemand for high quality buildings – and the long awaitedclarification from HMRC on tax relief10-11:Layout 1 22/8/13 09:04 Page 1Business Link 11www.blmforum.netCOMMERCIAL PROPERTYyear, and expect more deals to be completedshortly following their co-operation withauctioneers Allsop LLP and Acuitus, in their bidto seek faster disposal of a mixed portfolio ofcommercial investment opportunities. Included in Allsop LLP’s auction for instancewas the Tesco convenience store in NewarkRoad, Lincoln, which was snapped up by aLincoln buyer for £752,500, achieving a netinitial yield of about 5.5%. Meanwhile, JacksonBuilding Centres’ builders merchants depot inMarket Rasen, was bought by Grantham buyersfor £260,000.Banks Long consultant Peter Banks explains,“We are expecting to have all of the propertiesin this portfolio sold by the end of the year. Lowinterest rates continue to drive the interests ofprivate investors in good quality commercialproperty.”One bonus for the sector which should helpkick start more deals is the new guidance fromHMRC over stamp duty land tax group relief. It’scertainly the case that a number of transactionshave stalled recently over uncertainty onwhether this relief is available when a businessbuys a company and then transfers the propertyto another part of the group, but this shouldnow be made much clearer.As Katherine Bullock, head of private clienttax and Yorkshire-based partner at PwC tells us,“HMRC had stopped giving clearance on SDLTgroup relief while considering the line betweengenuine commercial deals and a concern thatbusinesses might be enveloping property incompanies purely to avoid SDLT on a sale.Uncertainty on the tax position has gummed upgenuine commercial transactions, as businessesassess the tax cost of their real estatetransactions and corporate reorganisations.“HMRC has now acknowledged that buyingcompanies instead of their individual assets isnormal commercial practice. It is thereforeacceptable for a business to acquire a property-owning company and then transfer the propertyto a different company in the group and SDLTgroup relief will not be denied on this basisalone. This brings to an end a considerableperiod of uncertainty and will help gettransactions moving again.”This change to the way companies can carryout deals for commercial property, combinedwith a host of high quality buildings comingonto the market, will doubtless mean the sectorwill continue to enjoy greater success over thenext year or so - suggesting the very worst isnow far behind us.South Yorkshire is a goodexample of the encouragementto be found in all types ofcommercial property. In Sheffieldthe city centre’s 100,000 sq ftFountain Precinct is now 97% letRushbond PLC has successfully letan office building in Holbeck, Leedsto Keepmoat after the buildingunderwent an extensiverefurbishment programme10-11:Layout 1 22/8/13 09:05 Page 212:Layout 1 22/8/13 08:47 Page 1Business Link 13www.blmforum.netCOMMERCIAL PROPERTYmercury_house@lincolnshire.gov.ukTake your meetingsand conference to anew placeLocal businesses in Gainsborough have aprestigious place in which to hold meetingsand conferencesMercury House, theCounty Council-runbusiness centre at FoxbyLane Business Park, is animpressive, yetcomfortable building,comprising of a fullymanaged reception area,with wireless broadband, seating area, coffee and snack vendingmachines, and a relaxing break-out area for conference guests. With three different size conference suites to choose from aswell as a small meeting room, the centre has capacity to holdone-to-one meetings to larger conferences of up to sixty peoplein Theatre Style. Prices start from just £8 plus VAT per hour, upto £120 plus VAT for a full day in the larger suite.Conference delegates can take advantage of free parking, highspecification AV equipment, video conferencing, administrationfacilities and a range of refreshments based on individualrequirements.The Business Centre is a professional environment in which tonot only hold conference and meetings, but also to do business.With managed workspace office suites, for new start andestablished businesses, and virtual office tenancy, Mercury Houseprovides a range of packages and benefits to suit the needs ofyour business.To give you the experience of working at Mercury House, thecentre is giving businesses the opportunity to book a full day’suse of the Hot Desk Room throughout September for free.Bookings must be made by 30th September, quoting codeMERCURY092013, and are subject to availability.Call 01427 619500, email mercury_house@lincolnshire.gov.ukor visit www.mercury-house.com to find out more and takeadvantage of this offer.13:Layout 1 22/8/13 08:48 Page 1Call Armstrong House,Grimsby on 01472 310302Ground floor offices to letPrime location in Grimsby•A range of affordable office sizes available on easy in/easy out terms•Easy access to motorway, ports and town centre•Secure off street parking for staff and visitors •Virtual office services from only £15 per month WE AREHEREarmstronghouse14:Layout 1 22/8/13 08:48 Page 1OFFICE SPACE,WORKSHOPS& STORAGE SPACENEW & REFURBISHEDOFFICES AVAILABLE!Flexible TermsSafe & SecurePFree Onsite ParkingGreat LocationsImmediate Move InEasy AccessWe are confident wecan find you yourperfect space at aprice you willlove!Call0800 039 3900or visitwww.evanseasyspace.comLEEDS, BURLEY HILLLS4 2PUHARROGATEHG3 2XAYORKYO26 6RRLINCOLNLN6 9UHSHEFFIELDS2 5TGWAKEFIELDWF2 7AS15:Layout 1 22/8/13 08:49 Page 1TRAINING & EDUCATION16Business Link www.blmforum.netThe SheffieldCollegewww.sheff col.ac.ukExcellenceEmployabilityEnterpriseE-EnabledEngagementApprenticeships deliver skills designed around your business needs providing the skilled workers you need for the future. They also help you develop the specialist skills you need to keep pace with the latest technology and working practices in your sector.t5IF4IFóFME$PMMFHFIBWFBQQSFOUJDFToBOEJUTHSPXJOHt0VSUFBNPGFYQFSJFODFEBEWJTPSTIBOEMFUIFQSPDFTTPGUBLJOHPOBOBQQSFOUJDFt5IF"QQSFOUJDFTIJQ(SBOUGPS&NQMPZFSTPGZFBSPMET "(& PGbJTBWBJMBCMFUPIFMQCVTJOFTTFTXJUIGFXFSUIBOFNQMPZFFTUPUBLFPOBOBQQSFOUJDFCalling EmployersFILL YOUR SKILLS GAPContact us on 0114 260 2600 oremail: businessgateway@sheff col.ac.ukInvestingin thefutureNew technology has certainly brought aboutnew opportunities – but with that comes therequirement for greater education and trainingto ensure it can be used to its fullest effectAdvanced manufacturing has always been a speciality inour region and this will increase in importance with theexplosion of interest in renewables technology. With thatcomes the challenge of offering improved training to ensureemployees can meet the requirements. Engineering degrees,for example, are certainly useful for those who wish to getinvolved in renewable energy but although the principles aresimilar, the circumstances are often very different – workingwith a wind turbine at a great height is not something thatengineers in other sectors have to concern themselves withon a regular basis, for example. Hence the new breed of training options. Facilities such asCATCH – where the Grimsby Institute present the East CoastSchool of Occupational Safety and Health with an array ofcourses that apply to the region’s leading manufacturing andengineering sectors – are great examples of what’s on offer.Our region’s universities are renowned as some of the bestin the UK and many are working with business to carry outvaluable research and training, and making their top classfacilities available. The University of Sheffield’s AMRC has16-19:Layout 1 22/8/13 09:32 Page 1Business Link 17www.blmforum.netTRAINING & EDUCATIONOur Apprenticeships have an 82% success rate. We can help with your recruitment &training needs for young people with flexible Apprenticeships tailored to your business.We also offer Staff Development programmes to support older employees indeveloping their skills.What one of the employers we work with had to say "Our experience has been sopositive that should our firm identify a need for another Apprentice inthe future, we would have no hesitation to repeat the process." JulieBridgman, Partner, AWB Charlesworth LLPInterested? Get in contact with our Business Developmentteam on 01274 327271 or go online at www.shipley.ac.ukJoin in our success!long been established as an innovator whose workhas a worldwide impact, and they continue toexpand their portfolio, most recently with thepurchase of Castings Technology Internationalwhich means that can now expand their researchcapabilities to include castings technology.Professor Richard Jones, Pro-Vice-Chancellor forResearch at the University of Sheffield, says, “Thenew centre will develop techniques that will enablethe UK sector to compete in current markets, andmore importantly, provide the resources to takecastings into new safety critical areas, such asaircraft structures. The integration of CTI will bringabout substantial leaps in casting technology,comparable to those that the AMRC has made inareas such as machining and composites. Sheffield18 PHOTO: WWW.PAULHARNESS.CO.UK25 schools in the region are now sending students toLeeds College of Building to learn about construction– an illustration of Yorkshire and Lincolnshire’sexceptional educational facilitiesHuddersfield University’s Computing and EngineeringSchool were winners of the recent Railway Challenge16-19:Layout 1 22/8/13 09:32 Page 2TRAINING & EDUCATION18Business Link www.blmforum.netis the home of engineering, and we’rethrilled to be adding this to ourportfolio.”The new collaboration means majorOEMs will be working with the centre toensure developments are focused totheir needs and take full advantage ofthe exceptional facilities, while thebacking of the University will allow forgreater investment than would havebeen the case had it remained anindependent entity.Other educational establishments areworking with leading companies toprovide a steady stream of talented newstaff – a relationship that can have hugevalue for both employers and potentialemployees. Huddersfield University’sComputing and Engineering School areamong those illustrating that the qualityof teaching that is now available, whichhas got to be a bonus for employerslooking for the next generation.The University’s team were winnersof the recent Railway Challenge, whichaims to bridge the gaps betweentheory, experience, industry andeducation for engineeringundergraduates by challenging them todesign a working locomotive. TheRailway Challenge offers youngengineers a glimpse of the engineeringopportunities in the railway industry anda priceless chance for the railwayindustry to see the next generation ofengineers and innovation at first hand.The winning locomotive was not onlydesigned and built by students atHuddersfield University’s Computingand Engineering School, it was alsojudged to be the premier entry based ontheir combined sales, business andproject management skills.Huddersfield’s winning design was afour-axle machine with a three phase ACtraction package which allowed theconsiderable power available to appliedthrough the wheels without traction loss.Simon Iwnicki, Director of the Instituteof Railway Research at Huddersfield,says, “We now have sixteen studentswho are in the perfect position toapproach potential employers with acompetition winning, designed,developed and built locomotive on theirCVs. Perhaps even more importantly ithas changed their perception of theproblem solving challenges andattractiveness of a career in railwayengineering.”It’s often been reported that manysectors require a consistent stream ofnew talent to replace those that areretiring, and educational establishmentscan help in this regard. Many areinvesting in the future, and indeed linksto a wide range of companies havehelped secure a £6.8 million in theUniversity of Lincoln. The investmentfrom the Higher Education FundingCouncil builds on the model establishedthrough the development of the LincolnSchool of Engineering and will be usedto introduce the same concept inMathematics and Chemistry.Other areas can also benefit and TheSheffield College are among thosebehind the bid for a second universitytechnical college specialising in sportsand life sciences in Sheffield. TheSheffield College had been chosen asthe lead sponsor for the project and willsubmit a bid by October. AndrewCropley of The Sheffield College, who isleading the project, says, “A second UTChas the potential to bring significantinvestment into the city region. Supportfrom regional employers is crucial to itssuccess and we would urge localbusinesses in the sports and life sciencesectors to get involved.”The Sheffield College was chosenfollowing its successful launch of thecity’s first UTC Sheffield on ShorehamStreet, which is opening this Septemberand specialising in advancedengineering and manufacturing, and thecreative and digital media industries.Initiatives such as this will ensureYorkshire and Lincolnshire continues tohave a huge impact on future success innumerous sectors.PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/AUREMARThe investment from the HigherEducation Funding Council builds onthe model established through thedevelopment of the Lincoln School ofEngineering and will be used tointroduce the same concept inMathematics and Chemistry16-19:Layout 1 22/8/13 09:32 Page 3Business Link 19www.blmforum.netTRAINING & EDUCATIONPROFESSIONAL PROVIDER OFSafety, Health, First Aid & Environmental TrainingEK^,EĂƟŽŶĂů'ĞŶĞƌĂůĞƌƟĮĐĂƚĞŝŶKĐĐƵƉĂƟŽŶĂů^ĂĨĞƚLJĂŶĚ,ĞĂůƚŚStarts week commencing 02/09/13 block release 14 days/Day Release Tuesdays 9am-4pm for 13 weeks/Evening Class Tuesdays & Thursdays 6pm-9.30pmfor 13 weeks EK^,EĂƟŽŶĂůĞƌƟĮĐĂƚĞŝŶŶǀŝƌŽŶŵĞŶƚĂůManagementStarts week commencing 02/09/13:Evening Class Wednesdays 6pm-9.30pm for 13 weeks Starts week commencing 23/10/13:Day Release Mondays 9am-4pm for 7 weeks IOSH Managing SafelyŽƵƌƐĞƐƐƚĂƌƟŶŐ4 Days 07/10/13 – 10/10/134 Days on 7, 14, 21 and 28/11/13&ŽƌĨƵƌƚŚĞƌŝŶĨŽƌŵĂƟŽŶƉůĞĂƐĞĐŽŶƚĂĐƚϬϭϰϲϵϱϱϮϴϲϲŽƌĞŵĂŝůĞĐŽƐŚΛŐƌŝŵƐďLJ͘ĂĐ͘ƵŬ£875£425άϵϵ͘ϳϱ£65£80£185£155£3,700£750ŐƌŝŵƐďLJ͘ĂĐ͘ƵŬͬĞĐŽƐŚECOSH, CATCH, Redwood Park Estate, Stallingborough, DN41 8THEK^,EĂƟŽŶĂůŝƉůŽŵĂŝŶ KĐĐƵƉĂƟŽŶĂů^ĂĨĞƚLJĂŶĚ,ĞĂůƚŚdĂŬĞƚŚĞĮƌƐƚƐƚĞƉƚŽďĞďĞĐŽŵŝŶŐĂŚĂƌƚĞƌĞĚ^ĂĨĞƚLJĂŶĚ,ĞĂůƚŚWƌĂĐƟƟŽŶĞƌStarts week commencing 02/09/13 and 03/02/14 One day per week, Mondays 9am-4pm E^'^ĂĨĞƚLJWĂƐƐƉŽƌƚŽƵƌƐĞƐĚĞůŝǀĞƌĞĚǁĞĞŬůLJ2 Day Programme 1 Day Refresher Course 1 Day Supervisor Course ,^ƉƉƌŽǀĞĚ&ŝƌƐƚŝĚŽƵƌƐĞƐĚĞůŝǀĞƌĞĚǁĞĞŬůLJ3 Day Programme ϮĂLJZĞƋƵĂůŝĮĐĂƟŽŶŽƵƌƐĞMany organisations have identifiedthat tackling environmental issues canbring many benefits to their business,including reduced waste and energycosts, reduced liabilities and access tonew markets and investors.To raise awareness of the basicprinciples and best practice ofenvironmental performance in theworkplace, the East Coast School ofOccupational Safety and Health (ECOSH)offer Chartered Institute ofEnvironmental Health and NationalExamination Board of OccupationalSafety and Health accredited courses inenvironmental principles, best practiceand management. Course elementscover subjects including sources and useof energy, energy efficiency, energy useand carbon management and resourceefficiency and waste minimisation.As part of the Grimsby InstituteGroup, ECOSH provides an excellentquality training and consultancy service,with courses in addition to EnvironmentalManagement available, including Healthand Safety and First Aid. With experiencein delivering to an extensive portfolio ofclients, the programmes have beendelivered to various industries includingthe chemical, petrochemical,pharmaceutical, food, logistics,engineering and renewable sectors.Located at the heart of the industry andboasting new larger facilities at CATCHon Stallingborough’s Redwood ParkEstate, ECOSH offer a variety of coursesfrom entry level to postgraduate whichare always delivered to a high standardby staff who have extensive experienceECOSH – helping businessesachieve health, safety andenvironmental objectivesin their field. Courses are offered as day release,block release, part-time and shortcourses. Popular accredited coursesinclude the NEBOSH Level 3 Certificatein Environmental Management, NEBOSHNational Diploma in Occupational Safetyand Health, IOSH Managing Safely andHSE Approved First Aid at Work, whichare delivered at CATCH or are taught astailored on-site programmes designed tomeet specific client needs.For more information or to discuss any ofour courses, contact the team on 01469552866 or email ecosh@grimsby.ac.uk.16-19:Layout 1 22/8/13 09:32 Page 4Next >