Delifresh plans expansion with new facility and job growth

April Lara
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Delifresh plans expansion with new facility and job growth

Delifresh, a Bradford-based food service supplier, is expanding its operations following a funding boost from HSBC UK. The company is moving into a new 80,000 sq ft facility in Bradford, where it plans to implement cutting-edge systems to enhance its operations.

The £1 million investment will fund the complete fit-out of the new premises, which will feature advanced pick-and-pack technology, energy-efficient chilling systems, and an upgraded enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. These improvements streamline productivity, maintain high-quality standards, and enhance the customer experience.

Founded in 2002, Delifresh supplies restaurants, hotels, and independent food service businesses across the UK. The company expects its workforce, currently at 417 employees, to grow as it expands its geographical reach and increases turnover over the next 12 months. Investment will also go towards upgrading its fleet to meet growing demand.

The additional funding will give Delifresh the flexibility to better meet the needs of its clients in the competitive hospitality sector, helping the business stay responsive as it scales operations.

virtualDCS strengthens leadership team following private equity firm’s investment

Tess Egginton
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virtualDCS strengthens leadership team following private equity firm’s investment
Cloud hosting and cyber resilience specialist virtualDCS has revealed a new senior leadership team as it enters its next growth phase, backed by investment from private equity firm MonacoSol. Newly appointed chief executive officer (CEO) Alex Wilmot will lead the company’s next chapter, succeeding original founder Richard May, who transitions into product development director, continuing the ongoing solution innovation. Alex brings over 20 years of experience in managed services, strategic transformation, and sales growth. Having held senior leadership roles at Ingram Micro, Redcentric, and Daisy, he has a proven track record of scaling businesses and driving innovation. Under Alex’s leadership, virtualDCS will strengthen its technical capabilities while evolving its sales strategy to deliver more outcome-driven solutions for its clients. Alex believes virtualDCS’ data integrity-driven managed services are the key differentiator in an increasingly competitive market, and will be central to the company’s continued success. Commenting on his appointment, Alex said: “I’m thrilled to be joining virtualDCS – a business renowned for its expertise in data integrity, data protection, and cyber resilience – at this point in its journey. Its portfolio of services couldn’t be more relevant for organisations looking to protect their data against the growing threats entering the landscape every day. “With MonacoSol’s backing, we’re building on an already exceptional proposition while accelerating our ability to scale. As Richard and John move into their new roles, we’re able to retain their invaluable industry expertise, providing continuity as we move forward at pace.” Dan Nichols, a co-founder of virtualDCS, has also returned as chief technology officer (CTO) after more than a decade leading technology teams at Sleek Networks, Secura Hosting, and WebContractor. In his role, Dan is focused on strengthening virtualDCS’s technology partnerships and streamlining transactions as the company scales. Meanwhile, former CTO and fellow co-founder John Murray has transitioned to solutions director, where he will continue to work closely with clients to build long-term partnerships. “We’re a business built on trust, and I want to ensure we continue delivering the level of service our customers expect while broadening our technological capabilities,” Dan said. “We’ll be modernising our offerings, expanding our resilience-focused solutions, and working with the right partners to enhance our services.” Joining as chief revenue officer (CRO), Kieran Brady brings over 40 years of experience in sales leadership at major telecom and IT firms, including BT, Capita, Deutsche Telekom, Gamma, and Redcentric. Kieran is passionate about fostering high-performance sales teams through a coaching-first approach. “My priority is ensuring we deeply understand customer needs and provide solutions tailored to their business continuity and cyber resilience requirements,” Kieran said. “We’ll use AI-driven insights to target the right customers and continue building a team to deliver best-in-class service. Customers and colleagues are my joint priority because having the right team enables us to provide industry-leading services.” The leadership changes follow MonacoSol’s acquisition of a majority stake in virtualDCS.

Long Sutton dental practice sold to expanding group

Tess Egginton
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Long Sutton dental practice sold to expanding group
Long Sutton Dentistry in Lincolnshire has been sold to an expanding group. Set up by the previous owners, Kenny Doig, Jez Hyland, and Sam Wright, in 2013, it is located in the market town of Long Sutton, near Boston and Spalding in South Lincolnshire. Over the last 12 years, it has grown into a four-surgery practice and become a mainstay for the local community. The practice was brought to market to allow the sellers to concentrate on their other business interests. Following a confidential sales process with Tom Morley at Christie & Co, it has been sold to The Dental Design Studio. Dr Kenny Doig, former owner of Long Sutton Dentistry, said: “It’s reassuring to know that our staff and patients are in excellent hands, thanks to DDS’s outstanding track record of professionalism and expertise. The trust and confidence we feel stems directly from their proven capabilities. “We would like to express our appreciation for Jeff and Larry, who made every interaction a pleasure. Their approachability and professionalism ensured the process was not just straightforward but truly instilled confidence that we had made the correct decision to sell to a group rather than a large corporate.” Dr Jeffrey Sherer, Clinical Director at The Dental Design Studio, said: “We’re very happy to have acquired Long Sutton – our twenty-second dental practice. It is a fantastic practice with a great team, and we are so pleased to have it as part of our group.” Tom Morley, Associate Director – Dental at Christie & Co, said: “It was a pleasure to represent, Jez, Kenny, and Sam in the sale of Long Sutton, and I wish Larry and Jeff all the best with their new acquisition. Another successful sale in the East Midlands demonstrates to the market that quality private practices are continually acquired by aspirational groups.” Long Sutton Dentistry was sold for an undisclosed price.

Proposal for Chinese supermarket on Scarborough’s Falsgrave Road

April Lara
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Proposal for Chinese supermarket on Scarborough’s Falsgrave Road

A new Chinese supermarket could be established on Falsgrave Road in Scarborough, pending approval from North Yorkshire Council. Mrs Wen Zhu Chen is proposing converting a ground-floor office at 29–31 Falsgrave Road into a retail space selling Chinese food products and decorations.

Located near Sainsbury’s and within walking distance of Scarborough railway station, the site would offer various Chinese products, including packaged snacks, frozen seafood, and decorative items. Mrs Chen cited a lack of such products in the area, noting growing demand for Chinese goods among local consumers.

The plans indicate no need for external or internal alterations to the property. The shop’s location near the town centre, with easy access to transport links, is expected to help attract customers, benefiting both the business and the local economy.

The council has not yet set a date to decide on the application, which is still open for public consultation.

Sheffield training group diversifies with acquisition

Tess Egginton
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Sheffield training group diversifies with acquisition
Sheffield-based Realise Training Group, backed by Endless’ Enact fund, has taken a step forward in its buy-and-build strategy with its acquisition of Smart Gas Training and Assessment Centre, based in Derbyshire. The announcement marks the next phase of its journey, as Realise formalises a new group structure and strategy, broadens its commercial offerings and diversifies into another regulated employment sector. The move comes at a time when regulatory and policy changes, brought in by the government, are driving demand for upskilling in key sectors, including more heavily regulated apprenticeship sectors linked to unlocking UK economic growth. It also aligns with the £600 million investment into the training of up to 60,000 skilled construction workers, announced in the Chancellor’s Spring Statement. Gregg Scott, CEO of Realise Training Group, said: “We are committed to not just off-the-shelf products such as apprenticeships, skills bootcamps or adult skills, but to being a fully integrated training solutions business. We listen to the training problems of organisations and our teams create a bespoke solution. “As well as supporting investment in green energy and the push for net zero through our Smart Gas acquisition, we are continuing to focus on reducing economic inactivity and promoting social mobility throughout the UK.” Paul Denvers, partner at Endless, said: “We are delighted to see how Realise is going from strength to strength and entering new markets within the apprenticeship and adult education sector. “Expanding into additional regulated employment markets will help bring more learners into the high demand sectors, as well as continuing to support quality delivery in the critical infrastructure sectors we are well established in.” The Smart Gas acquisition was supported with advice from James Cook from Womble Bond Dickinson, Russ Cahill from Tax Advisory Partnership and Paul Fox from Fox Lloyd Jones. Realise recently secured a multi-million-pound facility from OakNorth.

Scarborough and Filey food festivals to boost local economy

April Lara
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Scarborough and Filey food festivals to boost local economy

Scarborough is set to host a new food and drink festival to attract thousands of visitors and support local businesses. Scheduled for April 12-13 at the Open Air Theatre, the event will feature 50 independent vendors offering various products, from international cuisines to handcrafted goods. The festival is designed to strengthen Scarborough’s position as a year-round tourist destination, with local traders benefiting from exposure to both regional and national audiences.

Crofts Chocolates, a local business that sees such events as vital for growth, is among the participants. Their participation highlights how food festivals can serve as valuable marketing platforms for small enterprises.

The festival is expected to contribute to the local economy, encouraging earlier-season visits and adding to Scarborough Open Air Theatre’s £8.5 million impact on the area last year. Scarborough’s tourism sector, which generates £561 million annually, plays a crucial role in the local economy, with over 3.8 million visitors and 5,600 jobs tied to the industry.

In addition, the Filey Food Festival will return this year with multiple dates, further driving foot traffic to the region and complementing Scarborough’s efforts to extend its tourism season.

Legal challenge to UK’s Jet Zero strategy heads to High Court

April Lara
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Legal challenge to UK’s Jet Zero strategy heads to High Court

A judicial review of the UK government’s Jet Zero strategy will be heard in the High Court from 1–4 April. The challenge, brought by the Group for Action on Leeds Bradford Airport (GALBA), questions the feasibility of achieving net zero aviation emissions by 2050 through alternative fuels and emerging technologies.

Jet Zero, introduced in 2022 and retained by the current Labour government, promotes biofuels, hydrogen, carbon capture, and aircraft efficiency improvements to decarbonise aviation. However, independent experts—including the Royal Society and industry consultants—argue that sustainable aviation fuels remain scarce and costly, while hydrogen and electric flight face significant technological and economic hurdles.

The Climate Change Committee has labelled Jet Zero a “high-risk” strategy and warned that aviation growth targets are incompatible with net zero commitments. Despite these concerns, airport expansion projects are still being considered, raising questions about the UK’s long-term approach to aviation sustainability.

McLaren Construction Midlands and North completes the UK’s largest cold store facility

Michael Fisher
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McLaren Construction Midlands and North completes the UK’s largest cold store facility

McLaren Construction Midlands and North is proud to announce the successful completion of the UK’s largest cold store facility, developed for Magnavale Ltd, one of the country’s leading temperature controlled warehouse and value added service providers.

The fully automated facility stands at 47 metres tall with a capacity for 101,000 pallets and represents a significant milestone in logistics and sustainable storage solutions.

Located near Grantham, the purpose-built, rack-clad automated cold store has been designed to support Magnavale’s goal of creating Europe’s most efficient cold storage facility, operating at a standard temperature of -200C. The 474,283 sq. ft. development can function at temperatures as low as -28°C and is powered entirely by renewable energy, reinforcing Magnavale’s commitment to sustainability.

The facility features a five-storey office space, extensive external yards, an HGV marshalling area, and a large staff car park. Additionally, cutting-edge refrigeration plant ensures that the storage chamber maintains optimal conditions for frozen food products from leading retailers.

The construction of the project presented a range of unique challenges. The facility was delivered while maintaining 24/7 access to the adjacent McCain food production facility, alongside another existing cold storage unit and water treatment processing works, while ensuring minimal disruption to operations and a water treatment facility. Extensive demolition and controlled waste removal was required to clear the site, which was previously home to an iron ore drift mine. The project team also had to divert and relay multiple services and utilities across the site.

An external gantry system was used to accommodate certain services instead of traditional underground installations due to space constraints. The construction incorporated a contractor-designed steel fibre slab, eliminating the need for more than 20 steel fixers on-site, while an on-site gas generator was refurbished to provide 1.45MW of power. Due to the size of concrete pours, an on-site concrete batching plant was incorporated into the build, to eliminate issues with delivery delays.

Cirata shares rise as revenue grows and losses narrow

April Lara
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Cirata shares rise as revenue grows and losses narrow

Cirata shares rose by up to 9% after the cloud analytics firm reported a 15% increase in revenue and a significant reduction in losses for 2024. Despite the gains, the stock remains down 70% over the past year.

The Sheffield-based company posted $7.7 million in revenue, while losses fell to $13.5 million, less than half of the previous year’s figure. Cirata also secured a $2 million contract with a top-three US bank for its Live Data Migrator platform and announced partnerships with IBM, Databricks, and Oracle.

Following a financial misstatement that led to a rebrand and restructuring, CEO Stephen Kelly said the company had moved from “rescue to recovery” and was now focused on long-term growth.

Cirata remains under investigation by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regarding its past financial reporting, but no liability has been recorded.

Benchmark sells genetics business for £260m

April Lara
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Benchmark sells genetics business for £260m

Sheffield-based aquaculture biotech firm Benchmark has finalised the sale of its genetics division to Novo Holdings for £260m. The deal, initially reported in November 2024, includes an upfront payment of £230m and contingent consideration of up to £30m.

For the year ending 30 June 2024, the genetics business generated £57m in revenue and £14.5m in adjusted EBITDA. As of 30 June 2024, its net assets stood at £52.8m.

After adjustments related to cash, debt, and working capital, Benchmark expects to receive approximately £194m in gross cash proceeds, excluding potential earn-out payments.

Following the repayment of £63m for Benchmark’s unsecured green bond and £23.75m under its revolving credit facility, net cash proceeds are expected to total £107.5m. Benchmark will disclose further details on its ongoing strategy and use of proceeds in mid-April.

UKREiiF in talks to move major property event from Leeds to Liverpool

April Lara
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UKREiiF in talks to move major property event from Leeds to Liverpool

UKREiiF, the UK’s leading real estate investment and infrastructure forum, is in discussions to relocate from Leeds to Liverpool. Organisers have entered exclusive negotiations with Liverpool city officials, raising concerns about Leeds’ ability to retain the high-profile event beyond 2025.

Since its launch, the event, which brought 13,000 visitors and generated nearly £21 million for the local economy in 2024, has been held in Leeds. However, venue capacity, hotel availability, and rising accommodation costs have led organisers to reassess its long-term location. Some hotels in Leeds have been charging up to £1,000 per night during UKREiiF, making it less attractive for delegates and other event planners.

Liverpool is a strong contender with approximately 10,000 hotel rooms and an established events infrastructure. Other shortlisted cities included Manchester and Birmingham. Leeds had been given a one-year extension as the host city but now faces uncertainty. UKREiiF confirms it has signed a non-disclosure agreement with an undisclosed city for further discussions.

An ARUP report found that UKREiiF has driven repeat business to Leeds, with a third of attendees visiting more frequently outside the event. Despite this, concerns over logistics and infrastructure remain. If the move goes ahead, it would be a blow to Leeds’ position as a business hub while boosting Liverpool’s profile in the property investment sector.

The 2025 event is scheduled to take place in Leeds from 20-22 May, but the location for 2026 and beyond remains undecided.

Quickline expands full fibre broadband to 6,000 more premises in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire

April Lara
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Quickline expands full fibre broadband to 6,000 more premises in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire

Quickline is expanding its Project Gigabit rollout, bringing full-fibre broadband to an additional 6,000 homes and businesses across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. The expansion, backed by £11 million in public funding, will ensure improved connectivity in underserved areas.

The move increased the total government investment in Quickline’s fibre network to over £300 million, covering more than 170,000 premises. The rollout targets rural communities across West Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, East Riding of Yorkshire, and Lincolnshire, aiming to provide fast, reliable internet to businesses and residents in hard-to-reach locations.

Project Gigabit, funded by the UK Government, focuses on delivering gigabit-capable broadband to areas lacking access to next-generation speeds. The latest expansion is based on updated data to prioritise locations with the highest need.

Forecourt group sells site near Hull

Tess Egginton
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Forecourt group sells site near Hull
Wyton Bar Service Station, a BP-supplied petrol filling station and forecourt shop in Bilton, near Hull, has been sold to a growing independent forecourt group owner. Located on Main Road, the site also includes a tenanted workshop and car wash. The site was sold by Sewell On The Go. Managing Director, Patrick Sewell, said: “It was a difficult decision for us to put Wyton Bar up for sale, as we had a great team running the store and a loyal local customer base, but we are confident that the new owner will continue to operate high standards and enhance the site into the future. “We are now looking to the future of our wider business and the sale will allow us to reinvest elsewhere to ensure we remain a great place to work and leading convenience retailer for our customers.” The site has been acquired by a growing independent forecourt group owner, who plans to continue running the site as it is, whilst looking to develop and increase the site’s offering in the future. Andrew Birnie, Director at Christie & Co who managed the sale, said: “We were delighted to work for Patrick on this, the only forecourt they have sold. Sewell On The Go is an extremely strong and well known forecourt brand, in particular in the East Riding of Yorkshire region. “This was a specific task where only one of the group was being sold, and the remainder will be strengthened going forward. “Forecourts in this price range are in very high demand, from new entrants to the sector, first time buyers moving up from stand-alone convenience stores, and small groups already owning two or three sites. We had strong interest which produced a range of offers from as far North as Scotland and South as London.” The site was sold at an undisclosed price.

York Handmade chairman goes back to school to land major contract

Tess Egginton
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York Handmade chairman goes back to school to land major contract
The chairman of the York Handmade Brick Company, David Armitage, has returned to his old school to secure one of the most prestigious contracts in the company’s 37-year history. The independent brick manufacturer, based at Alne, near Easingwold, is providing 350,000 bricks for two new boarding houses for girls at Winchester College in Hampshire. David shared: “When I was a teenage schoolboy at Winchester College in 1955, I had little idea that I would ever become a brickmaker, despite the fact that my family had all been in the trade for four generations. In time, I became the fifth. “I am sure no-one had any idea then that the all-boys Winchester College would one day admit girls. However, the scene moves on 70 years and two new boarding houses for sixth-form girls are opening in September next year. And, to my pride and delight, we are providing the bricks for this historic development. “It is obviously a great honour for me personally to be supplying bricks to the college and even more so because I made the original contact with architects Stanton Williams to secure the contract. The college wanted a very special brick for a very special building and we were very pleased to be able to fit that bill and help to create this splendid structure.” David added: “This has been a magnificent way to reconnect with my old school. It has brought back many happy memories of a formative part of my life.” The value of this contract is £540,000. The main contractors are Gilbert Ash. The project began several years ago when Winchester College decided to welcome girls into the Sixth Form as boarders. The college hopes that the two new boarding houses, and the introduction of girls will increase its involvement with, and contribution to, the city of Winchester.

Chuckling Cheese Company to close Middlesbrough and Doncaster stores

April Lara
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Chuckling Cheese Company to close Middlesbrough and Doncaster stores

The Chuckling Cheese Company will permanently close its Middlesbrough and Doncaster stores on 12 April 2025, citing declining footfall and rising operational costs.

The Middlesbrough store, located in the Cleveland Centre, and the Doncaster branch are part of a wider restructuring effort by the artisan cheese retailer. The company will continue to operate through its online store, other retail locations, and events.

The closures reflect broader challenges for high street businesses, as shifting consumer habits and increasing costs impact physical retail.

Northumbrian Water invests £6.5m in sustainable aviation fuel project

April Lara
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Northumbrian Water invests £6.5m in sustainable aviation fuel project

Northumbrian Water has launched a £6.5 million project to develop sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) using algae cultivated in wastewater. The initiative, known as the “Green Machine,” will extract nitrogen and phosphorus from domestic sewage at the Bran Sands Treatment Works in Teesside, converting it into biofuel.

The project is being developed in partnership with US-based BrightWave, which supplies photobioreactors for algae cultivation, and Ligoflux, a specialist in algae harvesting technology. If successful, it could reduce operational costs by up to £1 million per year and support Northumbrian Water’s net zero goals.

This initiative aligns with the UK Government’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel Mandate, which requires 10% of all jet fuel used in UK flights to come from sustainable sources by 2030.

Development Frameworks guiding the vision for the Bradford District to be unveiled

Tess Egginton
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Development Frameworks guiding the vision for the Bradford District to be unveiled
Development Frameworks to guide the vision for Bradford, Keighley, Shipley and Bingley over the next 10 to 15 years will be unveiled to councillors this week. The Development Frameworks were commissioned in 2022 to guide the future development of Bradford, Keighley, Shipley and Bingley. They will act as a vision of the type of developments Bradford Council wants to see in these key areas, as well as encourage and attract new investment into the district. Through the setting of visions for each place, and the identification of development opportunities, they are designed to shape the thinking of developers and investors to enable them to independently deliver investment. The plans include the potential for:
  • Thousands of new jobs to be created.
  • New public realm developments.
  • Retail and restaurant development space to be unlocked.
  • Office and manufacturing space to be developed creating new jobs.
  • New active travel routes for walking and cycling.
  • Over 17,000 new homes.
Cllr Alex Ross-Shaw, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Planning & Transport, said: “We are committed to developing Bradford district’s potential through a coordinated development strategy. “We will always be ambitious for our city and district and know the potential for growth that exists. This framework is a long-term vision to create the right conditions for growth. “Being the UK City of Culture for 2025 and the work that is already progressing in our city and town centres means it is a great time for us to show people our capacity and potential for growth. “They should inspire investment confidence and maximise the district’s development potential beyond the Bradford City of Culture year of 2025 to create opportunities that will improve local people’s lives and protect the environment for future generations. “Not all of the ideas in these frameworks will be directly delivered by the Council, but they will serve to provide a vision for the future and allow the council to work with the private sector, local communities and other organisations to bring about their delivery.” The frameworks will go to Bradford Council’s Executive on Wednesday 2 April to be endorsed.

Yorkshire business confidence continues to climb in March

Tess Egginton
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Yorkshire business confidence continues to climb in March
Business confidence in Yorkshire rose 13 points during March to 52%, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds. While companies’ confidence in their own business prospects remained steady month-on-month at 53%, their optimism in the economy rose 24 points to 50%. Taken together, this gives a headline confidence reading of 52% (vs. 39% in February). Looking ahead to the next six months, Yorkshire businesses identified their top target areas for growth as investing in their team, for example through training (50%), evolving their offering, for example by introducing new products or services (40%), and entering new markets (37%). The Business Barometer, which surveys 1,200 businesses monthly and which has been running since 2002, provides early signals about UK economic trends both regionally and nationwide. This data was gathered between the 3rd – 17th March, ahead of the Spring Statement. National picture Overall, UK business confidence was 49% in March – the same as in February. While firms’ optimism in their own trading prospects held steady at 57%, their confidence in the wider economy dropped one point to 40%. The West Midlands and London were the joint most-confident of any UK nation or region in March (both 62%), followed by the North West (59%). Sector insights Retail confidence rose seven points to 58%, a post-pandemic high, reflecting positive trading prospects. In contrast, the manufacturing sector saw the largest decrease in business confidence this month, declining 12 points to 39%, due to increased concerns about supply chain disruptions. Construction firms also saw a decline to 48% and businesses in the service sector saw confidence decline to 47%. Martyn Kendrick, regional director for Yorkshire and the Humber at Lloyds, said: “Business confidence in Yorkshire has been growing consistently through the year so far, and is outpacing the UK average this month. “Local firms will be looking how they can build on their positive outlook and drive fresh growth. We’ll be on hand to support their plans, whether that involves training for their team, or launching new products in new markets.”

Leeds housing association in the running for two Northern Housing Awards

Michael Fisher
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Leeds housing association in the running for two Northern Housing Awards

Unity Homes and Enterprise is in contention for two prizes at the Northern Housing Awards 2025.

The BME housing association, which manages almost 1,400 properties for tenants in Leeds and Kirklees, has been shortlisted for Best Customer Experience with the judges adjudicating on “organisations that are placing excellent customer experience front and centre of their operations.”

Meanwhile, its not for profit subsidiary, Unity Enterprise (UE) – which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year – is a finalist for SME of the Year which is open to “small or medium enterprises operating within the housing sector that have performed exceptionally well over the past 12 months.”

Cedric Boston, Unity Homes and Enterprise Chief Executive, said: “It is a wonderful achievement to be shortlisted for two Northern Housing Awards, particularly after winning Team of the Year in 2024. We are absolutely committed to high standards in all areas of activity, with customer services at the top of our priority list.

“For example, working alongside housing officers, our Employment Services and Enterprise team supports unemployed people in hard-to-reach communities find jobs, set up a business, become self-employed, access training and education opportunities or work as a community volunteer. 

“They also help people already working – particularly female entrepreneurs and those of BME origin – enhance their career prospects, boosting economic wellbeing in local communities and regenerating neighbourhoods. We are proud of what we do and delighted that these efforts have resulted in recognition from the Northern Housing Awards.”

Planning consent acquired for 271,000 sq ft site in Sheffield

Michael Fisher
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Planning consent acquired for 271,000 sq ft site in Sheffield
Proposals for a major, 271,750 sq ft industrial/logistics development on a prime site in Sheffield have been given the go-ahead with outline planning consent.  Europa Sheffield, off Junction 34 of the M1, is expected to support up to 500 job opportunities when delivered. The significant plot is located on Europa Way adjacent to the well-established Sheffield Business Park, and in the heart of the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District (AMID). Neighbouring occupiers include Pretty Little Thing, Grear Bear, IKEA, Motorpoint and Meadowhall. Rula Developments, which specialises in state-of-the-art logistics and warehousing delivery, intends to demolish existing factory premises to make way for one single unit of up to 271,750 but will consider splitting the site to meet occupier demand. Anthony Clitheroe, Development Director at Rula Developments said, “We are delighted to secure planning consent for the redevelopment and regeneration of this strategically important brownfield site. Our plans will replace the old manufacturing building with highly sustainable new industrial space of exceptional quality, in a well-established manufacturing and logistics location, just two miles from the M1 motorway. “We know that there is significant demand for purpose-built space in the area and are considering our delivery options based on current occupier discussions. We are open to let or sell either one larger unit, split the site, or potentially forward fund for speculative delivery.  The scheme could be delivered by Q1 2026.” CPP and Colliers are retained as marketing agents for the new development. Architects, The Harris Partnership has designed the scheme alongside Adept Consulting Engineers, and RPP whilst ID Planning is supported the planning application process. Rula Developments is a privately owned commercial development company focusing on identifying and developing sites across the UK for immediate or medium to longer-term strategic development, delivering high quality buildings and schemes.
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