< Previous10 Business Link www.blmforum.net Yorkshire - a hub for huge logistics schemes Yorkshire - a hub for huge logistics schemes With demand high, large logistics developments are cropping up across Yorkshire. COMMERCIAL PROPERTY Symmetry Park 10-13.qxp_Layout 1 03/10/2022 13:36 Page 1www.blmforum.net Business Link 11 COMMERCIAL PROPERTY 13 Á W ith excellent transport links, a strong labour pool, and a growing on-demand logistics market thanks to digitalisation and quicker delivery expectations, the desire for large logistics properties in Yorkshire continues to boom. Our county is only becoming more popular as a location for businesses to establish hubs and for investors and developers to construct major new schemes. Indeed recent deals and newly released and approved plans have showcased the increasing demand for logistics buildings in Yorkshire. Here, Business Link highlights some of these key developments. Tritax Symmetry, the dedicated logistics development company for Tritax Big Box REIT plc, recently committed to speculatively build a 132,750 sq ft logistics building on the last remaining plot at Symmetry Park, a £70 million industrial and distribution scheme located at junction 34 of the A1 (M) on the North Nottinghamshire/South Yorkshire border, where the logistics developer has committed to deliver up to 721,000 sq ft of logistics space. It follows a deal with B&Q, which is taking a 430,240 sq ft warehouse and distribution facility already well under construction. The Leeds offices of Savills, Dove Haigh Phillips and Colliers International are representing the development. Simon Dove, partner at Dove Haigh Phillips, said: “This commitment from Tritax Symmetry to speculatively deliver the third and final unit, offering over 132,000 sq ft is testament to a very strong occupier market. In particular for this location which has become a hot bed for industrial and distribution businesses, not least because of its direct access to the motorway. The new unit will have over 250 metres direct frontage to the A1(M), giving major brand prominence for any occupier, with a market leading specification and full infrastructure already in place.” Meanwhile Verdion has revealed a £300 million speculative development programme that will deliver all remaining warehouse capacity at iPort, the 6 million sq ft multimodal logistics hub just outside Doncaster. Totalling 1.75 million sq ft, this final stage of development at iPort will offer five buildings from 82,000 sq ft upwards, with delivery from June 2023. The largest of the buildings will extend to 848,250 sq ft and complete in June 2024, becoming one of the largest speculative logistics units ever developed in the UK and presenting a significant proposition for businesses looking for a new national hub. John Clements, executive director of Verdion, said: “This is a major investment that underlines our unwavering confidence in both iPort and the UK market. Demand for high quality, efficient space in strategic locations remains extremely strong and this programme addresses the current scarcity in Yorkshire market and further afield head on. Speed of delivery is important and we have a fantastic on-site construction team, planning permission is in place and contractors’ agreements are signed.” The 10-13.qxp_Layout 1 03/10/2022 13:36 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. 10-13.qxp_Layout 1 03/10/2022 13:36 Page 3www.blmforum.net Business Link 13 COMMERCIAL PROPERTY decision follows a number of recent lettings at iPort, with Woodland Group, Euro Pool Systems and Maritime Transport all signing leases for new space at iPort this year, as well as the completion of the final building in its previous speculative phase, iP10, which is located adjacent to the on-site rail terminal. Moreover, a letting announced just last month further illustrates the demand for logistics space in Yorkshire, with GLP, the global investment manager and business builder in logistics, digital infrastructure, renewable energy and related technologies, signing a 15-year lease for its G-Park Doncaster Mammoth 602 development with Maersk, the Danish shipping and logistics company. The unit totals 601,761 sq ft, is net zero carbon for construction, and is part of the Planet Mark accreditation scheme which helps to reduce the carbon footprint for the occupier. In addition to an array of sustainability features, including rainwater harvesting and a building analytics system, the development is home to unique initiatives such as the ‘Tiny Forest’. Adrienne Howells, senior development director at GLP Europe, said: “The signing of this lease is a great milestone for our G-Park Doncaster development. Mammoth 602 offers a unique opportunity to lease a large-scale site in a prime logistics location in the North and exemplifies GLP’s innovative and comprehensive commitment to sustainability. Doncaster is already home to a variety of top-tier companies, including Next, Amazon, IKEA, B&Q and Asos, and we look forward to welcoming Maersk as a new customer.” Providing more new space for the region, Panattoni, the logistics real estate developer, has secured planning consent for a 710,000 sq ft speculative logistics development in Rotherham. Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council approved Panattoni’s reserved matters planning application for two facilities adjacent to junction 1 of the M18 at Rotherham, one of 630,000 sq ft and a smaller 80,000 sq ft facility. Completion is expected in July 2023. Wilton Developments meanwhile has secured detailed planning consent for the first phase of Doncaster North, with works due to start on site this year. The first phase of detailed planning is for 2.26 million sq ft of development immediately adjacent to J6 of the M18 at Thorne. This includes an opportunity to develop a single unit of 1.15 million sq ft. The scheme will create around 8,500 jobs for the region. Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council approved the scheme which forms part of Wilton Developments’ wider 180 acre, 3.52 million sq ft, industrial and logistics site, within one junction of the M62/M18 interchange. The first phase of delivery will extend to more than 700,000 sq ft across 6 buildings, ranging in size between 21,750 sq ft to 284,000 sq ft. The site, which will be delivered to a BREEAM Excellent rating, will address a trend towards larger units, responding to supply and demand with first buildings due to be delivered by 2023. G-Park Doncaster Mammoth 602 10-13.qxp_Layout 1 03/10/2022 13:36 Page 414 Business Link www.blmforum.net IT AND COMMUNICATIONS They say ‘crime pays’ and unfortunately cybercrime is no different because of the huge financial gains, disruption to competitors’ computer software or data theft that make it worth any cyber criminals’ time. Criminals want to earn money as easy and quickly as they can, and it’s only the difficulty of the anti-virus software and security information that they face, which increases their time in accessing the software or data, that stops them. The NCA (National Crime Agency) stated: “This year shows that organised crime groups (OCGs) are exploiting digital technology more.” When it comes to cybercrime and criminals it’s often worth understanding the different types of hackers recognised in the industry. These are, in no particular order: White Hat Hackers (ethical hackers), Black Hat Hackers (who violate computer security out of malice for their own personal profit), Grey Hat Hackers (security experts who may violate laws but don’t often have malicious intent), Green Hat Hackers (who learn the tricks of the trade, e.g. in Microsoft’s world, they are employed by the company to find vulnerabilities in unreleased products), Blue Hat Hackers (external computer security consulting firms who are employed to bug test a system prior to its launch), and Red Hat Hackers (hired by government agencies to identify vulnerabilities, mainly identifying and neutralising Black Hat Hackers). Finally, and the most common, are Script Kiddies, who use programs/scripts to attack networks, computer systems and deface websites, and State/Nation Sponsored Hackers, who may be from China, Korea or Russia, given a ‘Licence to Hack’ to gain valuable intelligence/data that has international significance – it’s important to note following Russia’s recent invasion of Ukraine, the NCCS (National Cyber Crime Security) is advising that UK companies strengthen their online defences. However, the most common cybercrime today is ‘Phishing Scams’ that make up 91% of cybercrime, according to PhishMe. They start when curiosity, fear or a sense of urgency entices someone to enter personal data or click on a link often instigated by spam; unsolicited junk email sent out in bulk via electronic messaging systems, text messages or media messaging. Added to this is ‘website We live in an increasingly digital world and that has left many systems open to online attack. As scams, hackers and scripts become ever more sophisticated, so too must the defences of local businesses. 16 Á 14-17.qxp_Layout 1 03/10/2022 13:37 Page 1www.blmforum.net Business Link 15 IT AND COMMUNICATIONS © stock.adobe.com/Philip Steury 14-17.qxp_Layout 1 03/10/2022 13:37 Page 216 Business Link www.blmforum.net IT AND COMMUNICATIONS spoofing’ where a website is designed to make you believe it’s a legitimate site – all to get access to your systems, steal data, steal money, or spread malware. Companies should also be aware of Ransomware, which is a technical twist on extortion (it works when criminals steal something and demand payment in exchange for its return), and Internet of Things (IoT) Hacking. This is a world that opens insights into our daily routines/business processes to the web. All internet-connected objects are constantly collecting and exchanging data and Keystroke software monitors activity to give hackers information on your personal data, such as credit card numbers and the different web pages you use – done by logging the user’s keyboard strokes. As all data is valuable, the more ‘things’ recorded, the juicier the reward becomes for hackers. Investing in protection from cybercrime is very important as according to Agneska Sablovskaja, a data researcher at VPN provider Surfshark, cybercrime is increasing in the UK by up by 40% each year and costs about £27 billion each year! Only this September Go-Ahead, provider of 11% of the UK’s bus market, stated it was dealing with a cyber-attack within its IT systems. Luckily, many businesses consider cyber security a high priority. For example 95% of large businesses invest heavily in cyber security, 92% of medium sized businesses and the same of high-income charities. The sectors who have to consistently remain vigilant are finance and insurance, health/social care and Councils. In the past Lincolnshire County Council had to act quickly, another good practice, and shut down all of its computers after an alleged ransomware attack began to spread throughout its systems. The Chartered Institute of IT reminds us, “It is important to remember that cyber criminals are clever and they try to attack the weakest links in a chain. An example of recent ransomware attack was on the NHS where attackers took aim at one of the suppliers.” Another thing to remember is the good news, there are many ways you can help yourself and your business stay safe from ever evolving cybercrime! Enforcing strong passwords is one of the best protections against breaches; using upper and lower case, numbers and symbols, may help keep hackers out, and of course keeping the passwords safe. In addition keep computer screens and mobile phones locked when not attended and ensure that passwords/codes can’t be seen when they pop up on a screen, even if it’s locked. Be cautious about all email attachments and avoid suspicious websites (look at spelling carefully) - some of the fake websites are surprisingly believable. It is always best to ensure your company emails stand out, with a clear logo, and possibly with regulation warnings, for example that staff will never ask for personal details. Updating passwords regularly adds further security as well as using multi-factor authentication where a user is only granted access to a website or application only after correctly presenting 2 or more pieces of evidence/passwords. Also ensure a different SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) account is created for all senders within a company, this will ensure if someone’s computer is hijacked where spam is sent out from it, it can be disabled rapidly and easily without involving other users. Implementing VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) for all connections is an arrangement whereby a secure, apparently private network is achieved using encryption over a public network, typically the internet. Retiring all unused services, therefore deleting/removing old computer packages and out of date software is good practice and remember to leverage existing security options by researching, installing and continually updating a high-quality antivirus program. Additional issues you can consider are monitoring personal devices brought in and used by employees, limiting data access to employees, and holding employees accountable for their data use and protecting any devices they may use in the office or working remotely, as out of the office is just as dangerous an environment than in the office for an employee as there is sometimes less exchange of information about the latest ‘scams’. In summary, it is important to be aware what the top causes of security breaches are and what’s more, being aware that successful hacking attempts are often the result of human error so education and awareness are as important in the fight against cybercriminal activity and preventing security breaches as the anti-virus security software that is installed and the access passwords created. 14-17.qxp_Layout 1 03/10/2022 13:37 Page 3www.blmforum.net Business Link 17 IT AND COMMUNICATIONS © stock.adobe.com/Thapana_Studio 14-17.qxp_Layout 1 03/10/2022 13:37 Page 418 Business Link www.blmforum.net LEGAL SERVICES The legal landscape © stock.adobe.com/joyfotoliakid The legal landscape 18-21.qxp_Layout 1 03/10/2022 13:41 Page 1www.blmforum.net Business Link 19 LEGAL SERVICES More than two years down the line from Brexit, incoming changes to UK statutes will be likely to affect business operations soon. Furthermore, the trend towards hybrid working has thrown up a myriad of complex legal questions, particularly surrounding data protection and employers’ responsibility towards employees. this article does not seek to give legal advice, it will explore some anticipated legal changes resulting from Brexit and how this could affect your business and employee rights. We will explore what protections employee contracts give them, and what should be considered before any amendments are made. On the 31st January 2022, to mark the 2 year anniversary of Brexit, the Government set out plans to bring forward the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill. This bill will end the special status of retained EU law in the UK as of the 31st December 2023. This means that retained EU law will no longer be protected, allowing Parliament to more easily amend, repeal, or replace these laws. There will also be a sunset date, by which all remaining retained EU law will have to be repealed or assimilated into UK domestic law. For some laws, this date could be as far in the future as 2026. The government sees this Bill as a way to make UK statute more sustainable, by ensuring that nothing supersedes the UK Parliament. With just over a year until EU law special status end, what practical implications does this have for UK businesses? In truth, it could be extremely beneficial for many businesses’ bottom lines. The Truss government has stated that it aims to use this Bill to boost economic growth by reducing regulatory burdens on businesses, which also Business law has never been so complicated as it is expected to be in the coming years, with a wealth of new legislation coming in as a result of Brexit, the changing economy and the new Truss Government. 20 Á 18-21.qxp_Layout 1 03/10/2022 13:41 Page 2Next >