< PreviousMAG reports distribution reaching £20m amid company growth One of the UK’s leading suppliers of commercial laundry machines, MAG Laundry Equipment, has successfully distributed over £20m of equipment as they continue to support businesses across the UK, as well as celebrating a 16-year partnership with the manufacturing giant The Onnera Group. MAG, which has recently won a Laundry & Dry-Cleaning Award for Machinery Distributor of the Year, has experienced significant growth during its 13-year partnership with The Onnera Group. The company’s sales have been further enhanced by MAG’s exclusive UK distribution of the Primer brand, which has contributed to its overall machine distribution exceeding £20m. This record growth has resulted in a continued and steady investment into the commercial laundry sector, with MAG leading the way in research and development, upgrading its fleet with green vehicles, and doubling its network of UK engineers. Mark Dennis, Managing Director at MAG, said: “To have achieved such unprecedented growth and to be this year’s Machinery Distributor of the Year is truly such an honour.” 10 Business Link www.blmforum.net NEWS Consent secured for 33,000 sq ft industrial unit on Sheffield Business Park Gregory Properties has secured full planning consent from Sheffield City Council to deliver a 33,000 sq ft industrial unit at Sheffield Business Park. The long established, local developer plans to speculatively build the unit to support a major shortage of new space in the region. Gregory Properties acquired the prominent 2-acre vacant site on Europa Link from Sheffield Business Park Ltd earlier this year, adding to its portfolio of industrial developments on key strategic sites across Yorkshire. Sheffield Business Park is an already well established 200-acre development located off Junctions 33 and 34 of the M1 and to the North of Sheffield City Centre. Current occupiers include SIG Group, South Yorkshire Police, Gleesons, TNS, Primetals and Hart Shaw. The Park is situated within the heart of the Advanced Manufacturing & Innovation District (AMID) that has seen substantial investment from occupiers including Boeing, Rolls-Royce and McLaren. Plans submitted for new Kelham Island development Sheffield property company Crossbow Ventures have submitted plans to Sheffield Council for their eighth development in the city. The new project of one, two and three-bedroom apartments and commercial units will be developed on the former Avis car rental site in Ebenezer Street at Kelham Island. The scheme has been designed by the team at Sheffield practice CODA Architects. Crossbow director David Cross said: “This will be Crossbow’s biggest project to date, a six-storey development, with four storeys to the rear of the site. “It is important to us as this project not only marks one of the final pieces in the Kelham Island redevelopment jigsaw and also brings our investment in Sheffield to well over £11 million.” The Ebenezer Street proposal comes directly after the completion of the nearby £6.5 million Birtin Works site at Shalesmoor. 06-11.qxp_Layout 1 30/11/2022 13:42 Page 5www.blmforum.net Business Link 11 NEWS Agricultural Growth Zone created to support Lincolnshire and Rutland An Agricultural Growth Zone has been created to support Lincolnshire and Rutland’s agricultural sector. The Ag Zone will unite the work at Bishop Burton College’s Showground Campus, the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society, the Lincoln Institute of Agricultural Technology (LIAT), Barclays Eagle Farm Lab and the cluster of agritech companies now being established on the Riseholme Campus. It will create a centre to support agriculture and a skills pipeline to attract the next generation into the industry, from schools engagement through further and higher education and on to postgraduate education and continuing professional development for the farming industry. The Ag Zone will continue the growth of collaborative research which has attracted over £60m of investment to the area since 2016 and supported the establishment of new agritech businesses such as Fruitcast and Agaricus Robots, both created at Riseholme in 2021. The long-term aim is to link the cluster of skills, innovation and business support to a network of commercial demonstration farms across Lincolnshire to trial new technologies. LDC expands Yorkshire team with senior hire The Yorkshire team of LDC, the mid-market private equity firm, has appointed James Marshall as an investment director to further increase its support for mid-market businesses across the region. With almost 15 years’ experience in private equity and corporate finance, James joins the firm from private equity firm NorthEdge. In his previous role, James specialised in identifying investment opportunities and leading transactions across Yorkshire in a range of sectors, including TMT, healthcare and consumer. A well-known figure in the Yorkshire business community, James previously worked in the corporate finance team at Dow Schofield Watts, and in the transaction advisory services team at EY. In his new role, James will join LDC’s team in Yorkshire to underpin the firm’s commitment to invest in 100 medium-sized businesses nationally over the next five years. Dan Smith, partner and head of LDC in Yorkshire, said: “James is a highly respected member of the Yorkshire investment community who is known for his supportive and collaborative approach and is a perfect fit for our team.” Significant deal agreed as Leeds Trinity University heads to Trevelyan Square UK property company Kinrise has been advised by Knight Frank on the letting of 1 Trevelyan Square to Leeds Trinity University. The University is to establish a city centre location to complement its main campus in Horsforth. It is anticipated that new students will use the facility at the 57,000 sq ft building just off Boar Lane during the 2024/25 academic year. The establishment of a city centre base is part of Leeds Trinity University’s growth ambitions, set out in its Strategic Plan 2021-26, which is underpinned by increasing engagement in the Leeds City Region. A city base to complement its existing campus in Horsforth will enable the University to work more closely with key partners and employers to bring new opportunities for its students, contribute to the continued growth of Leeds city centre and support demand for skills. In addition, by refurbishing an existing building, the University is seeking to contribute to sustainable development in the city centre. © stock.adobe.com/Mose Schneider L-R: James Marshall and Dan Smith 06-11.qxp_Layout 1 30/11/2022 13:42 Page 612 Business Link www.blmforum.net COMMERCIAL PROPERTY W ith a wealth of derelict and disused sites prime for redevelopment in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, a plethora of projects continue to be planned and begin across the area, injecting new life into beleaguered buildings and static sites. In Grimsby, a vital step in the transformation of St James’ Square has been completed, with local company the E-Factor purchasing St James’ House — a former office building. E-Factor Group has plans to bring the building back to life using a £1.5m slice of Towns Fund money along with significant private investment. The move provides a major boost for the Square and will pave the way for the building to be completely renovated and transformed into a business hub exclusively for local businesses. Mark Webb, Managing Director of E-Factor, said: “We’re absolutely delighted that we can now plough on with our plans to develop this building and provide quality business accommodation for a variety of local businesses and entrepreneurs right in the town centre. There will also be space for business events and small conferences, all aimed at supporting local business people. This is a significant investment for our company, but we are determined to continue to be part of the positive story of growth in this area. We recognise that this building has been empty for some time and with our investment, supported by the Towns Fund, we are confident we can bring it back to life.” In Saltaire, on the outskirts of Bradford, meanwhile, plans have been submitted for the development of 289 homes, and a small commercial office space scheme on an 11 acre site adjacent to the Salts Mill World Heritage Site. Leeds-based developer Artisan Real Estate has submitted the ambitious plans which include a sizeable riverside park that will link the development to the River Aire, providing woodland, grasslands and lawns to act as a natural flood water storage area. The proposal will first require demolition of the former unused five-storey HMRC building. James Bulmer, development director for Artisan A new lease of life A new lease of life Positive progress has been made for the rejuvenation of a number of disused sites across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. 12-15.qxp_Layout 1 30/11/2022 13:44 Page 1www.blmforum.net Business Link 13 COMMERCIAL PROPERTY 15 Á North, said: “Our proposals for Saltaire Riverside herald another significant addition to Artisan’s enviable list of transformational regeneration projects in highly desirable regional locations across the UK. Progressing such a large development on the very edge of a UNESCO World Heritage site brings its own set of challenges and responsibilities, and we have taken time to understand and reflect the unique historical contexts of the Salts Mill location.” He added: “We want this to be a modern interpretation of neighbouring Saltaire, bringing much needed sustainable family housing in an accessible, well connected and environmentally responsible setting – with the added advantage of low energy costs and exemplarily green credentials. This is a hugely exciting development that will spectacularly open up a large riverside area that has effectively been closed to the public since the 1970s when the HMRC complex was built.” Furthermore, in Huddersfield, Kirklees Council’s cabinet have approved the next steps for the refurbishment and redevelopment of the vacant George Hotel, while residents have now been invited to view and comment on proposals in preparation for a formal planning application. The proposals would see the building used as a hotel once again and secure the long-term future of this important Grade II* Listed landmark. The proposals would see the George Hotel renovated to become a high-quality hotel with Kirklees Council’s preferred hotel operator, Radisson Hotel Group. The £20m project would increase the number of bedrooms from 60 to 91 — the number of bedrooms that research has shown is needed to make the hotel a viable business. The ground floor could house the hotel’s reception and lounge, as well as a 70-seater restaurant and bar, and a large conference-style room for business use. The lower ground floor will provide a 100-cover banqueting suite for business events, receptions and weddings. The development plans have The Judge’s Lodgings, Lincoln 12-15.qxp_Layout 1 30/11/2022 13:44 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 30/11/2022 13:44 Page 3www.blmforum.net Business Link 15 COMMERCIAL PROPERTY been split into three defined blocks, with Block A incorporating the site’s original and most celebrated building, with a prominent location facing St. George’s square towards the south. This part of the building will be carefully restored to retain and protect its heritage features. It has five floors and a basement and would continue to be the main entry point to the hotel reception area. Heritage experts have concluded that Block B, which faces the train station, is of low heritage value and in poor condition. Plans are to demolish this three-storey part of the complex and create a new-build block. Block C on John William Street is structurally in a similarly poor condition. Under the new plans, the attractive building façade would be retained, with all existing internal structures and the courtyard removed and replaced by a new building. Lastly, the Judge’s Lodgings, an iconic and historic property in the heart of the cathedral city of Lincoln, has been acquired by local businessman Andrew Long, following his recent purchase of the adjacent White Hart Hotel, together with the site of the White Hart Garages and car park in July this summer. A full refurbishment of the Judge’s Lodgings building is planned, with the ground floor to be used for high quality restaurant and other hospitality facilities, and the upper floor level made into hotel bedrooms. The Grade II ‘star’ Listed building was owned by Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) who had declared it surplus to their requirements and sought to find a suitable new owner committed to the full refurbishment of the building and its appropriate long- term use. The predominantly Georgian building was first built in 1810 and has a © stock.adobe.com/kokliang1981 commanding ‘landmark’ location overlooking Castle Hill Square, immediately adjacent to the Eastern Main Gate of Lincoln Castle (built by William Conqueror in 1068). Andrew Long noted: “There is a relatively unattractive 1958 utilitarian-style flat roof extension that has no architectural merit, but there is now a significant important redevelopment opportunity.” These represent just a handful of recent projects in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, with developments small and large all over the region transforming derelict sites, to give them a new life. St James’ House, Grimsby 12-15.qxp_Layout 1 30/11/2022 13:44 Page 416 Business Link www.blmforum.net END OF YEAR SUCCESS STORIES Surrounded by economic and political uncertainty, rising costs and supply chain struggles, businesses have had to combat a multitude of challenges in 2022. But that doesn’t mean it’s been a year with no positive news for Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. 2022 has been another tough year for Yorkshire and Lincolnshire businesses. Having just got to grips with and readjusted to post-COVID working — still dealing with the ripple effects of the pandemic — further novel complications arose on the global, national, and local stage, from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to the escalating cost of doing business crisis. The year has seen a rotating cast of prime ministers, multiple Budgets, a recession, skyrocketing costs and spiralling inflation, as well as a continued skills shortage. Confidence among Yorkshire firms also continues to decline, however growth ambitions are strong. As noted in the latest (at time of writing) Business Barometer from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, Yorkshire businesses expect to increase staff levels over the next year, and pinpoint top target areas for growth in the next six months as evolving product or service offerings, developing teams, and investing in sustainability. Steve Harris, regional director for Yorkshire at Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said: “It’s clear that ongoing economic challenges are taking their toll on Yorkshire firms’ outlook. But, positively, management teams are remaining resilient and are working hard to find new ways to grow A year of transition A year of transition 16-19.qxp_Layout 1 30/11/2022 13:46 Page 1www.blmforum.net Business Link 17 END OF YEAR SUCCESS STORIES and face into the hurdles in their path. The key now will be maintaining a healthy cashflow, especially as we enter the busy festive period, when seasonal spikes in demand can stretch businesses and their customers’ finances alike.” Though some firms may have folded as a result of this year’s significant pressures, myriad have risen to the challenge of maintaining resilience and being proactive in a complex environment, reassessing their organisation and putting new plans in place, reviewing cashflow, forecasts and funding models, investing in productivity, efficiency and automation, investigating energy use, and more, with hopes of emerging a stronger organisation. Meanwhile business start-ups have been rising in the region despite the turmoil of recent months, showing our entrepreneurs are still able to spot opportunities. It is not all doom and gloom, especially in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, where there has been plenty of good news this year alongside the bad, showcasing a future that is brighter and transformative. A boon came with the proposed, historic devolution deal for York and North Yorkshire. Signed as our region celebrated Yorkshire Day, the significant deal will create a new combined authority across the region with a directly elected mayor, enabling local leaders to better address specific needs within the region. The mayor will have powers to invest in transport, housing, and education, and will be handed £540 million by government over the next 30 years. The mayor and local constituent councils will have more flexibility to decide how best to spend money on key local priorities, for example capital infrastructure projects like transport, affordable housing and bringing forward 18 Á 16-19.qxp_Layout 1 30/11/2022 13:46 Page 218 Business Link www.blmforum.net END OF YEAR SUCCESS STORIES economic development sites. The deal will additionally provide powers to better improve local skills to ensure these meet the needs of the local economy. This will include devolution of Adult Education functions and the core Adult Education Budget and contribute to the Local Skills Improvement Plan. York and North Yorkshire is the first city and rural region to see devolution on the scale enjoyed by the core city regions including South and West Yorkshire. North Yorkshire County Council’s leader, Cllr Carl Les, said: “The chance to secure a host of decision- making powers as well as bringing in millions of pounds of investment for North Yorkshire is a huge opportunity to shape the future of the county for many years to come. Whether it is improving skills and education, bringing in more investment to the region or helping improve transport links and providing much-needed affordable housing, the deal will enable us to take far greater control of our own destinies. An elected mayor representing both York and North Yorkshire would be a powerful figure to have a seat at the table for further negotiations with the Government, bringing real and tangible benefits to the region.” 2022 also saw the spotlight shine on North Yorkshire, and how our region is transforming, when approval was given to create a ‘cyber cluster’ in Scarborough, a seaside town that is looking to reinvent itself as a cyber security leader. Across the UK there are three existing clusters, with another four in the planning stage, each focusing on a specific area of expertise. The Yorkshire coast cluster would focus on operational technology such as home automation or the so-called internet of things. This could include sensors to control domestic heating systems or large pieces of equipment in a business or industrial setting. The aim is to establish the borough as a national centre of excellence with a partnership between local and national government, industry and academic institutions. The cluster has the potential to create highly skilled new jobs, opportunities, products, services and digital solutions. Moreover, a plethora of promising and exciting Levelling Up bids were submitted this year, while town deal funding was confirmed for many areas, © stock.adobe.com/stanciuc 16-19.qxp_Layout 1 30/11/2022 13:46 Page 3www.blmforum.net Business Link 19 END OF YEAR SUCCESS STORIES reviving the region. Brighouse, for example, is set to be transformed with a more welcoming town centre, new market building and investment in manufacturing, skills and jobs, now that the proposals that make up The Brighouse Deal have been approved by Ministers, unlocking the £19.1 million funding that will write a new chapter in the story of the town. One of the approved projects focuses on ‘Industry 4.0 & Skills’, involving £650,000 to put high-tech manufacturing at the heart of the town’s future by creating an Industry 4.0 Hub where small and medium sized businesses can explore how digital technology can improve their productivity and increase innovation. Meanwhile major development projects continued to progress in 2022, advancing the status of the region and attracting investors and businesses, from Rotherham’s £47m Forge Island development (the single biggest investment in the town’s centre for decades) to Hull’s £96m regeneration project Albion Square. Furthermore, many schemes have reinforced confidence in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire this year, such as Verdion’s plans for a £300m speculative development programme delivering all remaining warehouse capacity at iPort, the 6 million sq ft multimodal logistics hub just outside Doncaster. The plans follow lettings to Woodland Group, Euro Pool Systems and Maritime Transport at iPort this year. Yorkshire has long attracted household names and continued to do so in 2022, with BT Group unveiling plans to open a multi-million-pound new building in the heart of Sheffield, and B&Q recommitting to its Doncaster distribution centre. Concurrently, global firms are also making the region their home, with one of the largest IT solutions providers in the world, US company SHI International, setting up a new state-of-the-art business facility in Barnsley to support its global expansion plans, and global speciality chemical distributor, Ravago Chemicals, opening its main UK headquarters in the town as well. Amidst myriad challenges, our region has continued to transform itself and entice investment and businesses despite historically difficult trading conditions that will be battled once again in the year ahead. © stock.adobe.com/bannafarsai 16-19.qxp_Layout 1 30/11/2022 13:46 Page 4Next >