< PreviousJobs saved as sale of customised clothing, merchandise and printing business secured A Leeds-based merchandise business has been sold after Nick Holloway and Howard Smith from Interpath Advisory were appointed joint administrators. Awesome Merchandise Ltd is a customised clothing, merchandise and printing business, providing services to business and individual consumers across the music industry, creatives and power users of print via its e-commerce platform. 94 employees are located at the company’s Head Office in Leeds. With a large dependency on the live music and events sector, the business was hampered by the restrictions in place during the COVID- 19 pandemic, resulting in a difficult trading environment that has impacted on financial performance and increased cashflow pressure. Immediately following their appointment, the joint administrators concluded a sale of substantially all of the business and its assets to Print.inc Group Limited. All of the company’s 94 employees have transferred to the purchaser as part of the sale. 10 Business Link www.blmforum.net NEWS James Hall takes sole charge of Key Capital Partners following three years as joint managing partner Following three years as joint managing partner at Leeds-based lower mid market private equity firm Key Capital Partners, James Hall has taken sole charge of the firm. Previous managing partner Owen Trotter steps away from day-to-day management responsibilities. Owen was appointed managing partner of the firm in 2011 after founding the partnership with Mike Fell and Peter Armitage in 2007. James was appointed joint managing partner alongside Owen in 2019 in the first part of a structured succession plan. Since James joined the firm in 2015, Key has completed 12 new investments and exited 12 businesses. During that time, the investment team has helped numerous teams successfully grow, resulting in the generation of hundreds of jobs across the UK. James Hall said: “I would like to thank Owen for his contribution to the firm over the past 11 years. Owen has been an integral part of the team, particularly in the early years. We look forward to Owen continuing to contribute to the firm in his role as a partner.” Specialist chemicals distributor sold to global group Specialist chemicals distributor, Prime Surfactants Limited, has been sold to global group Brenntag. The deal sees the Leeds-headquartered business, which supplies specialty surfactants for the personal care and household, industrial and institutional (HI&I) industries, as well as other industry segments in the UK, become part of the Germany-based global market leader in chemicals and ingredients distribution. Founded in 2011, Prime Surfactants’ portfolio includes a range of sustainable products that are characterised, for example, by RSPO certification or nature-based solutions, and had sales of around £22 million in the most recent financial year. Law firm Addleshaw Goddard and corporate finance adviser Sentio Partners advised the founders of Prime Surfactants. © stock.adobe.com/88studio © stock.adobe.com/sodawhiskey James Hall 06-11.qxp_Layout 1 06/09/2022 09:26 Page 5www.blmforum.net Business Link 11 NEWS BT Group announces flagship new Sheffield office BT Group has unveiled plans to open a multi-million-pound new building in the heart of Sheffield. The technology and telecoms firm has put pen to paper on a deal to take up residence at the landmark Endeavour building, based at Sheffield Digital Campus, which will be able to house around 1,000 colleagues. Developed by property regeneration and placemaking specialist, Scarborough Group International (SGI), Endeavour is a seven storey office building, providing highly-efficient and flexible floorplates. The building will be kitted out with the latest technologies and collaborative workspaces, has club-class changing and shower facilities to promote active-travel, and features a rooftop terrace offering panoramic views of the Steel City’s skyline. The announcement forms part of BT Group’s Better Workplace Programme, the largest workplace improvement and consolidation scheme of its type ever undertaken in the UK. Sheffield joins other key locations including Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, and Glasgow in undergoing a workplace transformation under the Programme. It also follows the multi-million- pound refurbishments of BT Group’s contact centres in Doncaster, Plymouth, Newcastle and Warrington which completed recently. Brent Matthews, BT Group property director, said: “Our new base in Sheffield will provide colleagues with a state-of-the-art new base equipped with the spaces and technology which will make an office fit for the future. “Despite the economic challenges and changes to working patterns caused by the pandemic, we think this is an important investment and it secures our presence in Sheffield and Yorkshire. This investment follows the refurbishment of our Doncaster Contact Centre. “Endeavour provides us with the perfect location in the heart of the city and surrounded by the renowned Digital Campus, which reflects the growth, creativity and ingenuity which are core to BT’s work. “Our new offices reflect a move to more hybrid and flexible ways of working, with colleagues able to come together, using the latest technologies, to collaborate in inspiring workspaces. It will help us attract and retain brilliant people.” BT Group will take up all floors in the 65,000 sq ft BREEAM Excellent building, which is currently under construction, and will open its doors to colleagues by the end of 2023. BUSINESS LINCOLNSHIRE Helping businesses reach new heights Business Lincolnshire supports enterprises of all shapes, sizes and sectors across Greater Lincolnshire and Rutland. Their targeted support programmes and expert guidance equip you with all the tools you’ll need to overcome barriers to success and make your ambitions a reality! Let’s take a look at the support programmes available from Business Lincolnshire this autumn! Launching in October, Business Lincolnshire’s Hospitable Boost Programme provides tailored support to businesses within the hospitality and tourism sectors. The fully funded 7-week programme combines group sessions with bespoke one-to-one support, providing you with a comprehensive understanding of how to tackle common industry challenges and elevate your business offer. For enterprises experiencing rapid growth, the Next Level Scale Up Programme is the perfect opportunity to take charge and re-evaluate your approach to leadership. You’ll be supported by dedicated leadership and management specialists throughout your journey, helping you efficiently manage your business growth and ensure you’re on-track to achieving your goals. Each month, Business Lincolnshire also host their ‘#BLLive’ show – discussing everything from the latest developments and opportunities for business growth to current issues and how to overcome them. After a short break from the air, Business Lincolnshire are excited to be re-launching the series later this year – so keep your eyes peeled! Business Lincolnshire also has a bi-weekly podcast, covering important topics for new business owners – from legal best practices, to how to get on-board with the sustainability movement. Hosted by CDI-Alliance, this podcast is a one-stop- shop for everything business orientated, don’t forget to tune in! Ready to reach new heights this autumn? Find out more: https://www.businesslincolnshire.com/ © stock.adobe.com/ ASDF 06-11.qxp_Layout 1 06/09/2022 09:26 Page 612 Business Link www.blmforum.net W ith the effects of climate change more evident than ever, governing bodies setting ambitious targets for carbon neutrality, and a clear demand for businesses to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and improve their sustainability, it is unsurprising that there is a desire for commercial property to become greener too. From using bigger windows to optimise natural light, thus minimising energy use, to incorporating renewables and efficient electrical design, to utilising fewer virgin materials in construction, many approaches are being taken to provide greener offices, warehouses, and other facilities, and moving forwards regulations will only home in more on reducing the impact of buildings on the environment. New rules from the Government for example are pushing for buildings in England to produce significantly less CO2, requiring CO2 emissions from new build homes to be around 30% lower than previous standards, while emissions from other new buildings, including offices and shops, must be cut by 27%. A plethora of projects in Yorkshire are leading the way to a greener future such as Opus North and Fiera Real Estate UK’s (FRE UK) newly completed building, 12 King Street, in the heart of the Leeds Business District. The building, which comprises 54,000 sq ft of Grade A space, features wide-reaching technology and energy-saving initiatives. A significant A sustainable future A sustainable future The need for greener buildings is clear as the world continues to battle climate change. In York- shire, a number of developments are ready to lead the way to a more sustainable future. 12-15.qxp_Layout 1 06/09/2022 09:29 Page 1www.blmforum.net Business Link 13 COMMERCIAL PROPERTY 15 Á £10m transformation of the building, which was completed in June 2022, includes a new facade, a complete replacement of the fifth and sixth floors, a state-of-the-art cycle spa, extensive roof terraces and the addition of a sky lounge which offers a unique communal space for occupants. Sustainability and environmental considerations were at the forefront of the design of the redevelopment, with the scheme achieving a 14% reduction in carbon emissions, 29% less energy consumption © stock.adobe.com/ hansenn for heating and cooling, and 42% less water consumption. The building recently secured two major occupiers, with a global financial services group set to occupy the entire top floor on a 10 year lease, whilst UK-based private equity firm Endless has signed a deal to occupy the ground floor on a 10 year lease. Ryan Unsworth, director at Opus North, said: “We are thrilled to secure our first two major occupiers who will be relocating their main offices in Leeds to 12 King Street. It’s a real testament to what is happening in the office market – occupiers are seeking the very best, most-inspiring, workspaces for their teams and clients, as well as demanding buildings with strong sustainability and environmental credentials.” Meanwhile, Hull’s @TheDock tech campus is set to be completed with a net zero office building, bringing an additional 150 digital jobs to the city’s Fruit Market. Developer Wykeland Group has revealed it will develop the final building within the tech complex, to offer a further 11,000 sq ft of office space at the waterfront location. The final @TheDock building will include renewable energy generated via an array of roof mounted solar panels, a green roof formed by flowering plants and a green wall section to support biodiversity, while adding to the building’s insulation. The offices will have an EPC energy rating of A, the highest possible to achieve, and the building is all electric and will be mechanically heated, cooled and ventilated by a system that uses air source heat pumps and takes heat energy from extracted air and uses it to pre-heat incoming air. Electric vehicle charging points will be provided in the ground floor car park. Energy efficient sensor lighting will also be installed and the building has been designed to make sure it has very high levels of both thermal insulation and airtightness. This ensures the offices can be run more sustainably. Earlier in development, new plans to transform Barnsley’s landmark digital business district into a smart and sustainable urban village for the 21st century have been unveiled. The Seam digital campus in Barnsley town centre - home to two Digital Media Centres and Barnsley College’s SciTech building - is already established as a place where people set-up and grow innovative tech businesses, explore new ideas, study and collaborate. New plans for the site propose to add a range of accessible, inclusive and inspiring community facilities to benefit all. These 12-15.qxp_Layout 1 06/09/2022 09:29 Page 2Armstrong 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. 12-15.qxp_Layout 1 06/09/2022 09:29 Page 3www.blmforum.net Business Link 15 COMMERCIAL PROPERTY will include an active travel hub for cyclists and walkers in support of the shift towards greener transport, a multi-storey car park with 40 electric vehicle charging points, new green public spaces and low- carbon housing development. The Seam development will embrace pioneering digital and eco-friendly tech solutions and actively seek to engage with entrepreneurs based at The Seam. For example, the new open spaces will feature smart lighting which will shine brighter when people or vehicles pass to conserve energy and improve safety. Furthermore, a planning application has been submitted to rejuvenate a landmark office building in Leeds City Centre, to give it a sustainable future. Palace Capital plc has put forward plans to transform Bank House on King Street, upgrading the existing office space and adding a complementary three storey extension to the top of the iconic building. Once completed, over 110,000 sq ft (net) of carbon neutral office space will be created. The formation of a new eight storey atrium is central to the scheme. The existing building is let on short term leases, but the building will not meet new and emerging Government sustainable regulations in the future if no changes are made. The proposals will transform the building into an exemplar development and is set to attain sustainable standards beyond Leeds City Council policy requirements and achieve BREEAM Outstanding and EPC A ratings. Reaching this EPC A Rating would put the revamped Bank House in the top 3 per cent of commercial buildings in the UK. The embodied carbon assessments, submitted as part of the planning application, shows a 7,884-tonne operational saving over a 25-year period and an overall saving of 1,690 tonnes, when embodied carbon from the works is taken into consideration. Bank House was purpose built for the Bank of England between 1969-1971 and was given Grade II listed status in 2015. CGI of Bank House New plans have been revealed to transform Barnsley’s digital business district into a smart and sustainable urban village for the 21st century 12-15.qxp_Layout 1 06/09/2022 09:29 Page 416 Business Link www.blmforum.net FOOD & DRINK INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT © stock.adobe.com/anitalvdb 16-19.qxp_Layout 1 06/09/2022 09:31 Page 1www.blmforum.net Business Link 17 FOOD & DRINK INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT I t’s hard to think of an industry that has been pulled around more in recent years than the food and drink industry, and maybe only the pharmaceutical sector has faced worse. The lockdown played havoc on distribution centres and manufacturing plants, forcing companies to adapt in awkward and difficult ways. Then Brexit struck, robbing many food producers of foreign labour that filled in at key times of the year. The employment market has since been problematic, granting more power to employees and leaving many companies shorthanded at a time when they were supposed to be recovering from the pandemic. The food and drink industry will never be one that truly dies out, and it has proven the most resilient of all in the face of crises like the credit crunch, the pandemic and beyond. Now, however, the cost of living threatens to have a new impact on an industry that has already been beleaguered, and while it will not be the end of all things, it will mean yet more adaptation. As people struggle to make ends meet and energy costs (and inflation) rise, difficult choices surrounding food are being made by consumers in the region and beyond. This is problematic for manufacturers of high-quality and high-price food, while conversely being a major boon for those that produce own-brand or budget options. It might be too reactionary for companies to look at price-dropping, especially if their brand or related costs make such untenable, but supermarkets are ever responsive to the needs of consumers, and it seems likely that shelves will begin to stock lower-priced goods in an effort to deal with the shortfall of disposable income. This will The food and drink industry faces fresh pressure from the cost of living, driving consumer buying behaviour toward cheaper, long-lasting foods. With the UK economy struggling, it might be time to look toward exports. 18 Á 16-19.qxp_Layout 1 06/09/2022 09:31 Page 218 Business Link www.blmforum.net force yet more adaptation, and the only obvious ways to go are to make goods cheaper or sell them in more places through exporting. The impacts of Brexit are keeping the UK in the spotlight for the state of its food and drink imports and exports; the country’s Government is striving to take advantage of the opportunities created by the UK’s independent trade policy and ability to establish new trade deals around the globe. New research from the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) shows positive progress, with exports and imports of food and drink with non-EU countries skyrocketing above pre- pandemic levels for the first time. The Trade Snapshot, examining developments in the first quarter of 2022, indicates that food and drink imports have recovered well, and are over 13% higher than in 2019, while exports to major markets including the USA, Australia, Canada, Japan, and the UAE exceeded pre-pandemic levels. Indeed exports to non-EU markets have reached a record £2.3 billion, the highest value recorded in Q1, whereas imports from non-EU markets have witnessed robust growth, rising 16% since 2021 to £4.3 billion. Food and drink exports to the EU however are still greater at £3 billion, though this is below pre-Brexit and pre-pandemic figures, yet up on the first quarter of 2021. Imports from the EU meanwhile for the start of 2022 sat at £9.2 billion. Though the US remains the country’s largest non-EU partner, the FDF highlights Canada as a pivotal ally for the UK. As a key source of ingredients used by UK manufacturers, imports from Canada rose 5% while exports to the country are flourishing, up 26% on pre- pandemic levels. India too looks to have increasing importance, with exports to India up more than 25% compared to pre-pandemic levels. The country also remains a large import partner - © stock.adobe.com/Sondem © stock.adobe.com/Pormezz 16-19.qxp_Layout 1 06/09/2022 09:31 Page 3www.blmforum.net Business Link 19 FOOD & DRINK INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT Kingston Engineering Co. (Hull) Ltd Pennington Street, Hull, East Yorkshire. HUB 7LD. UK Tel: +44 (0)1482 325676 Email: sales@kingston-engineering.co.uk Website: www.kingston-engineering.co.uk Specialised precision machined components Corrosion prevention Component reclamation and enhancement Production machinery maintenance and repair Ex-stock power nuts and screws Specialised power screw products Leading Specialist Manufacturer and Producers of Bespoke Power Screws Over One Hundred Years Of Engineering Excellence capital costs of these new machines may leave many feeling out of pocket. While it is true and understood by many that you need to invest to become more efficient, the industry has faced a barrage of difficult economic events in the last half a decade, and there is only so much adaptation any one company can afford to enact. Seeking help with exports may be the only real solution for many who cannot market their goods at “cost of living” prices here in the UK. The Department for International Trade holds many seminars and events to help instruct manufacturers on how to export their goods overseas, including advice on picking a market and how to break into it. Far be it for a regional magazine such as us to advocate marketing outside the region, but it may well be what is best for food and drink companies in the area. The UK is just too volatile a market right now. particularly for agricultural goods - accounting for £172.5 million. Negotiations are currently underway with both Canada and India over ambitious free trade deals and present significant export opportunities, with demand soaring in India for example in the health, organic, fortified and ready-to-eat packaged food sector, while a rapidly growing middle class forms prime possibilities for UK exporters. When it comes to the other option – that of reducing costs – it might be even trickier. Food manufacturers have already been squeezing everything they can out of their companies since before the pandemic and during it, and this was supposed to be their recovery period. While technology continues to perform well in the industry, and trade shows are this very month highlighting the latest innovations in automated production lines at the PPMA in Birmingham, the 16-19.qxp_Layout 1 06/09/2022 09:31 Page 4Next >