< Previous10 Business Link www.blmforum.net Yorkshire’s DJH accelerates expansion with acquisition of Haines Watts’ Chester, Liverpool and Wirral offices Yorkshire’s DJH has acquired three Haines Watts offices located in Chester city, Liverpool and Wirral, significantly strengthening its presence across the region. As a result of the deal, the accountancy firm will grow its turnover to £61.5m, with revenues in the North West surpassing £24m. All the newly acquired offices will operate under the DJH banner with immediate effect, strengthening and complementing the firm’s existing operations in Altrincham, Bury, Chester, Manchester and Nantwich. Mike Forshaw, director of Haines Watts’ Liverpool team, said: “Following significant changes within the Haines Watts network, joining DJH was an obvious strategic decision. “We were looking for a platform that shares our values and can provide the stability and enhanced resources that will support our valued clients now and in the future. “DJH’s strong regional presence and comprehensive support infrastructure makes it the perfect partner for our continued growth.” Local leadership structures remain unchanged, with Mike Forshaw and Tim Cherry leading the Liverpool team, Stuart Penny and Vikki Wynne heading up operations in Wirral, and Steve Greensill continuing as director at the Chester city office, alongside newly promoted Joe Walters. news Ambitious growth of Sills & Betteridge Solicitors continues following merger with Bell & Buxton Solicitors Historic Sheffield law firm Bell & Buxton Solicitors has merged with Sills & Betteridge Solicitors to form a new powerhouse in the Sheffield legal market. Bell & Buxton Solicitors has been a pillar of legal excellence in Sheffield for 150 years, renowned for its litigation and corporate law practices. Sills & Betteridge Solicitors, established in 1759, already has 16 offices across Lincolnshire, Yorkshire and the East Midlands and over 400 partners and staff. Their expansion into South Yorkshire began in 2019 with the acquisition of Bridge Sanderson Munro Solicitors of Doncaster, Bawtry, Thorne and Wath upon Dearne. The firm then extended its presence into Sheffield in 2021 with the acquisition of Rawson Family Law. Two years later, they acquired Acclaimed Family Law and the team now occupy offices at New Oxford House, Barker’s Pool in the regenerated ‘Heart of the City’ quarter. The merger of these two Legal 500 ranked law firms will create one of the largest law firms in Sheffield with a turnover of over £25 million. The combined firm will be known initially as Sills & Betteridge incorporating Bell & Buxton. Yaspa establishes Leeds tech hub to drive US expansion Yaspa has launched a new technology hub in Leeds to support its global growth, following a $12 million investment secured last month. The hub will focus on developing Yaspa’s US product and scaling its engineering capabilities. Initial hiring plans target ten mid-to-senior software engineers, with a second squad to follow, aiming for 20 engineers in Leeds by the end of 2025. The office, located in Platform by Bruntwood near Leeds train station, combines hybrid working flexibility with in-person collaboration and modern facilities. Leeds was selected due to its established pool of software engineers, particularly those with iGaming experience from companies including Flutter Entertainment, Paddy Power, Betfair, and William Hill. Yaspa plans to leverage this talent to accelerate product development and support its US expansion strategy. TSL Vanguard and Specialist Trailer Hire secure £3.75m funding for expansion South Yorkshire-based haulage and logistics companies TSL Vanguard and Specialist Trailer Hire have obtained £3.75 million in funding to support business growth. The package includes a £2.75 million invoice finance facility from the Royal Bank of Scotland and a £1 million loan. The funds will be used to acquire additional premises, increase storage capacity, and expand their fleet, which currently includes over 1,000 trailers. The companies also plan to bring specialist roles in- house, creating new positions in Leeds and Rotherham. TSL Vanguard provides general haulage and warehousing services across the UK. Specialist Trailer Hire focuses on commercial vehicle management, maintenance, breakdown support, contract hire, and long-term rentals. The firms have indicated that fleet upgrades will prioritise reduced emissions as part of their sustainability efforts. Tim Cherry (director - Liverpool), Joe Walters (director - Chester), Scott Heath (CEO - DJH), Steve Greensill (director - Chester), Vikki Wynne (director - Wirral), Mike Forshaw (director - Liverpool) and Stuart Penny (director - Wirral) L-R: Richard Bussell (Sills & Betteridge), Alex Ross (Bell & Buxton), Partner Sandra Russell (Sills & Betteridge Incorporating Acclaimed Family Law), Matthew Rodgers (Bell & Buxton) and Martyn Hall (Sills & Betteridge).www.blmforum.net Business Link 11 news Gift packaging supplier bags new Yorkshire HQ A Yorkshire company that supplies luxury gift packaging products to retailers has expanded into a major new distribution centre and head office building. Glick has signed a 10-year lease on a 34,400 sq ft building on Grange Valley Road in Batley. The building was marketed jointly by Leeds-based property consultancies, GV&Co and Michael Steel & Co, on behalf of Yorkshire-based industrial and commercial property owner, Wharfedale Property. Glick was founded in Leeds in the 1990s and today it employs a 22-strong team and supplies gift wrap, bags and accessories to retailers throughout the UK, including department stores such as John Lewis and Fenwick, card retailer Clintons, as well as independent shops and garden centres. The company also exports its products across the world, to countries including the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Dubai, as well as throughout Europe. Prior to Glick moving into the new premises, Wharfedale Property carried out a programme of works that included altering the layout of the building, installing new doors and windows and creating new modern office space, as well as creating staff welfare facilities. Leeds’ Kennedy Building sold for £1.1m Fox Lloyd Jones has sold The Kennedy Building, a 6,617 sq ft standalone property in Leeds’ South Bank district for £1.1m. It follows the relocation of the owners, North America Travel Service (NATS), to Water Lane. Acting on behalf of the former directors of NATS, the property has been sold to Regional REIT, which is externally managed by ESR Europe. The Kennedy Building occupies a prominent 0.24 acre site at 48 Victoria Road, directly adjoining Central Park, a substantial multi let office development already under Regional REIT’s ownership. In the immediate term, Regional REIT plans to bring the building to market for lease, while concurrently developing long-term plans for site redevelopment. These plans have been unlocked by the recent lifting of HS2 safeguarding in the area, opening up new opportunities across Leeds’ rapidly evolving South Bank regeneration zone. Eamonn Stones, senior asset manager at ESR Europe, said: “This acquisition marks an important step in our wider growth strategy to assemble and optimise Central Park. The Kennedy Building enhances our footprint and unlocks future potential for redevelopment.” Sheffield hotel acquired with plans for multi-million- pound investment The former DoubleTree by Hilton Sheffield Park on Chesterfield Road South has been acquired by Village Hotel Club. The deal marks Village’s first location in Sheffield and follows its recent acquisition of the former Crowne Plaza hotel at Caversham Bridge, Reading, which will open in December. Under ambitious plans, Village will undertake a multi- million-pound investment and renovation at the Sheffield hotel. The site will remain closed whilst this renovation project takes place. Set to open in 2026, it will offer a range of modern leisure facilities, including a Village Health & Wellness Club, a Pub & Grill and an on-site Starbucks, as well as meeting and event space. Gary Davis, CEO of Village Hotel Club, said: “We’re thrilled to announce another new opening for Village which will see us bring our truly unique hotel and leisure club offering to Sheffield. The deal forms part of our ambitious growth plans, as we continue to invest in the guest experience and add more quality hotels for customers to enjoy across the UK.” David Lee, regional director – hotels at Christie & Co, managed the sale process. 12 Business Link www.blmforum.net COMMERCIAL PROPERTY B reathing new life into cities across Yorkshire, transformational schemes are taking off, with the last month seeing a number of milestones for key projects. In Leeds, on behalf of Forshaw Land and Property Group and Your Housing Group, Euan Kellie Property Solutions has submitted plans to the City Council for a £130m mixed-use project at 177 Kirkstall Road. The scheme, named New Foundry Square, follows a public consultation and aims to transform a disused brownfield site into a residential and commercial hub. The development plans include 504 apartments across six towers, consisting of one-bedroom, two- bedroom, and three-bedroom units, with seven percent designated as affordable housing. The proposal for the 1.4-hectare site, designed by Ollier Smurthwaite Architects, incorporates residential amenities such as a gym, sauna, swimming pool, cinema lounge, co- working spaces, and a concierge service. The scheme also allocates space for independent retail units. The project is framed as a regeneration initiative designed to blend contemporary housing with the area’s industrial heritage. Developers highlight the inclusion of green spaces and facilities intended to support intergenerational living. Situated in the heart of the Kirkstall Road Renaissance Area, the development will play a key role in the ongoing regeneration of one of Leeds’ most dynamic neighbourhoods. Elsewhere in Leeds, full planning consent has been granted for the first phase of Florence Square, a landmark new business district in the transformation of South Bank. This first phase of the development involves two new office buildings comprising over 220,000 sq ft of workspace. Block A comprises nine storeys in total, with seven storeys designated for office use, while block B hosts 11 storeys, with nine storeys dedicated to offices, both delivering prime workspace. The buildings will sit above a mix of active ground-floor uses including cafés, restaurants and retail units. A new public square and a landscaped pocket park will form the heart of the development. Florence Square is set to become part of the city’s South Bank regeneration, with potential for up to 500,000 sq ft of additional commercial, residential, and leisure space in future phases. The development will be positioned between the River Aire and the Leeds & Liverpool Canal. The design focuses on sustainability, with ambitious goals in energy efficiency and health-conscious workspaces. The scheme, bringing together Southside Leeds Ltd (a joint venture between Shelborn Asset Management and Stamford Property Holdings) with DLA Architecture, aims to provide a flexible environment that can adapt to changing work patterns, aligning with the future of urban development. Meanwhile, in Sheffield, enabling works have begun at the historic Cannon Brewery, marking the start of a major regeneration project at the long- abandoned site. Capital&Centric, the developers behind the plans, are preparing the grounds for construction to start in early 2026. The 3.5-acre site, just north of the city centre, is being readied for 550 homes, 20,000 sq ft of commercial space, and a new public square. Originally dating back to the 1800s, Cannon Brewery was once one of Transformational developments are progressing across Yorkshire, ready to revitalise sites throughout the region. Transformational plans Transformational plans www.blmforum.net Business Link 13 COMMERCIAL PROPERTY Sheffield’s biggest employers, producing beer that was shipped across the country. Capital&Centric are keen to keep that history alive; while some of the later warehouse additions will be demolished, the water tower and brew house will be restored. John Moffat, joint managing director at Capital&Centric, said: “Cannon Brewery is a sleeping giant that had been left to rot for years, but it’s got incredible bones and bags of potential. We won’t be flattening the past, instead we’re preserving the characterful bits and building a proper community around them. Getting enabling works underway is a massive milestone and sets us up to get cracking with construction early next year.” Furthermore, Willmott Dixon has been chosen by Sheffield City Council to deliver the £14.4m transformation of Event Central, a project that will repurpose a former retail building on Fargate into a cutting-edge music venue and collaborative workspace. The scheme will involve substantial structural alterations to create a new atrium spanning from ground to first floor, comprehensive strengthening works to accommodate revised loadings, façade reimagining, and complete fit-out of both music venue and workspace elements. The work will create a venue featuring a 200-person live event space and café/bar area on the ground floor, plus four upper floors dedicated to co- working space and meeting rooms. The venue will host community events, showcases, exhibitions, workshops and 14 Á14 Business Link www.blmforum.net COMMERCIAL PROPERTY talks once complete, and build on Sheffield’s city centre regeneration at venues like Cambridge Street Collective and Leah’s Yard. Cllr Ben Miskell, chair of the transport, regeneration and climate policy committee at Sheffield City Council, said: “Sheffield is home to some legendary venues, known across the country and we want Event Central to be added to that list. A venue where the next generation of Sheffield bands begin their journey, the next great artists displayed their work for the first time and the place where meetings will be held that will shape the future of this great city and beyond. This project will breathe life back into the building, transforming it into a venue we can all be proud of.” Creative Arts Development Space will be the operator, and completion is expected during the second half of 2026. Finally, proposals to transform Wakefield city centre are moving forward as the Council agrees terms with Muse, the Strategic Regeneration Partner for Wakefield. This is the first stage of work to accelerate the delivery of the city’s regeneration plans. It will lead to new proposals being developed for the Cathedral Quarter and Borough Road, which are the first two elements of ambitious plans with further phases to follow. The partnership’s work will consider new public realm at Cathedral Square, how to increase green space, bringing new homes into the city, increasing leisure footfall, and improving connectivity across key areas of the city. Simon Dew, development director at Muse, said: “Wakefield is a city ready for its next chapter – and we’re excited to be part of the team helping to unlock its potential. The developments at Cathedral Quarter and Borough Road will drive real economic growth, attract new investment, and create the kind of homes, jobs, and public spaces that support thriving local communities. With decades of experience delivering regeneration that lasts, and extends beyond bricks and mortar, we’re looking forward to working closely with Wakefield Council to realise our shared ambition. The Partnership’s plans are truly transformative and will help shape a city centre that’s greener, better connected, and full of opportunity for residents across Wakefield and the wider borough.” Other existing plans include a hotel on the old Westgate Station site and the delivery of new housing in the Kirkgate area. Demolition of the Wilkinsons unit and small number of units on Kirkgate is planned for late 2025.Armstrong 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 310301.16 Business Link www.blmforum.net MANUFACTURING Manufacturing anchoring regional resilience From food production to heavy industry, manufacturers in Yorkshire & Lincolnshire remain a cornerstone of resilience, adapting to supply chain shocks, skills challenges and shifting economic pressures. www.blmforum.net Business Link 17 MANUFACTURING M anufacturing in Yorkshire & Lincolnshire has always carried a weight of responsibility. From heavy industry to food processing, it provides not only economic strength but also a sense of security. In uncertain times, when supply chains falter and costs rise, the region’s manufacturers remain a vital anchor. Geography is a major part of this resilience. The Humber ports act as a gateway for imports and exports, linking regional producers with international markets. Whether it is raw materials heading to steelworks or finished goods bound for overseas customers, these routes sustain much of the regional economy. The importance of this connectivity has grown in an era of global disruption. When supply chains tightened during the pandemic and energy markets became volatile, the ability to move goods efficiently in and out of the country reinforced the region’s role as a critical logistics hub. The reliance on strong trade links has also pushed firms to strengthen their own supply chains. Manufacturers are investing in local sourcing where possible, shortening delivery routes and reducing exposure to global bottlenecks. For food and drink processors in particular, sourcing closer to home has proved valuable in maintaining steady production. This pragmatic approach reflects a broader culture of resilience that is deeply ingrained across the region’s industries. Food and drink production remains one of the most visible pillars of this manufacturing base. These regions host a high concentration of processing plants that supply supermarkets, restaurants and wholesalers nationwide. From large-scale dairy operations to confectionery production, the sector provides both revenue and security of supply. Recent years have seen accelerated investment in automation, driven by labour shortages and a need to meet rising demand. Automated packing lines, robotic handling and real-time monitoring are now standard in many facilities. This is not only 18 Á18 Business Link www.blmforum.net MANUFACTURING helping to maintain output levels but also pushing the sector towards higher levels of efficiency and competitiveness. Yet resilience is not built solely on machines and infrastructure. People remain central to the manufacturing story. Recruitment and skills shortages are among the most pressing challenges the sector faces. An ageing workforce is creating gaps in key roles, while younger generations often gravitate towards service industries. To counter this, companies are investing in apprenticeships, training programmes and partnerships with local colleges and universities. These initiatives aim to secure a pipeline of talent, ensuring technical skills and knowledge are carried forward. By offering structured career pathways, manufacturers are attempting to retain local talent and demonstrate that the sector offers long- term prospects. The workforce issue is compounded by wider economic pressures. Volatile energy prices, regulatory changes and rising input costs have forced manufacturers to adapt quickly. Many long-standing family-owned businesses have responded by diversifying product lines, adopting energy-efficient technologies and identifying new export opportunities. Others have looked to collaborative purchasing arrangements to bring down costs. This pragmatism has kept firms competitive during periods when conditions might otherwise have eroded profitability. Cultural factors also play a significant role in shaping resilience. Manufacturing is part of the identity of towns and cities across the region. Generations of www.blmforum.net Business Link 19 MANUFACTURING families have worked in factories, and many communities still rely on these employers for stability. When a manufacturing business thrives, the benefits ripple through supply chains, high streets and service providers. In this sense, resilience is more than economic—it is social. The continuity of work, the preservation of skills and the sense of pride tied to local industry reinforce a community fabric that has withstood many upheavals. Looking to the future, the ability to combine tradition with modernisation will determine how the sector evolves. Heavy industry and food production are likely to remain the cornerstones, but the methods used to run them are changing rapidly. Digitalisation, robotics and data analytics are becoming standard tools in production management. Real-time monitoring of energy use, predictive maintenance on machinery and data-driven quality control are transforming operations. Firms that invest in these technologies are not only improving efficiency but also building in greater capacity to respond to shocks. At the same time, sustainability has emerged as a defining theme. Manufacturers are under increasing pressure from customers, regulators and investors to demonstrate progress towards lower emissions. For energy- intensive industries in the region, this is both a challenge and an opportunity. Investment in renewables, energy recovery and carbon-reduction technologies is beginning to take hold, and those that move early are likely to set the benchmark for others.Next >