Two new lettings announced for Sheffield’s Heart of the City

Tess Egginton
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Two new lettings announced for Sheffield’s Heart of the City
Two new lettings, Fjällräven and Yards Store, have been announced for Heart of the City – the flagship city centre development scheme led by Sheffield City Council and their Strategic Development Partner, Queensberry. Swedish fashion brand Fjällräven will open only its second dedicated UK store on Charles Street, operated by The Sporting Lodge Limited. Set to sit alongside the Fjällräven on the corner of Charles Street and Pinstone Street, Yards Store is an independent men’s fashion retailer, owned by Parasol Retail Limited, offering some of today’s most popular British and International brands. This includes the likes of Carhartt, Patagonia, RRL by Ralph Lauren, Paul Smith and New Balance. It will be the second Yards Store to open in the UK following the success of the company’s Manchester shop, which opened in 2019 off St Ann’s Square, and the company also recently opened its new store in Altrincham, Cheshire under the Parasol fascia. Tim Gardiner, co-owner of The Sporting Lodge Limited and Parasol Retail Limited, said: “Firstly, in terms of the new Fjällräven store opening in Sheffield, we have been looking at the city as new opportunity now for some time and we’ve been very impressed with the plans for the re-invigorated city centre. “Our partners at Fjällräven have been very supportive in our new store opening plans and we feel that Sheffield is the perfect place for our next stage of development. “With regards to Yards Store, we feel the brand mix we now have will appeal to the people of Sheffield, with an exciting blend of heritage, outdoor and fashionable international brands that has proved to be a successful mix in our Manchester store. “The appeal of Yards Store has seen us being approached by several up and coming and global brands, who want to be stocked in our stores.” Councillor Ben Miskell, Chair of the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee at Sheffield City Council, said: “To secure the second Fjällräven store in the UK is a clear reflection that Sheffield city centre is on the up. It shows the confidence that the market has in the future of our city, driven by the high-quality regeneration that the Council has led. “I am thrilled to welcome both Fjällräven and Yards Store to the city centre. Plans for their new units are really impressive and I’m sure both will be hugely popular. We’re transforming the city centre into a vibrant destination where people can relax, shop, enjoy a drink, dine and work. “We will be introducing many more popular fashion brands and trend-setting retailers to Sheffield – Weekday, Monki, Sostrene Grene and now Fjällräven and Yards Store is just the start. 2024 is shaping up to be an excellent year for the city centre, with many more businesses of a similar high calibre already expressing an interest.” Alex Hyams, Senior Asset & Leasing Manager at Queensberry, added: “Both Fjällräven and Yards Store will bring stores of exceptional quality to Heart of the City. Fjällräven, along with the high-end labels that Yards Store stock, will offer Sheffield some of the most sought-after brands in the UK right now. “For Heart of the City, these are milestone lettings, which are in line with the high benchmark Queensberry set when we were appointed on the scheme. We are continuing to curate an exciting mix of independent, national and international operators – that bring something new to the city centre. “We are close on several more lettings and look forward to sharing more news in the new year.” The design and development of Yards Store has been managed by One Fine Day. Kevin Gill, One Fine Day’s Director, said: “We are thrilled to embark on this exciting journey with Yards Store as we bring their distinctive retail concept to life in Sheffield’s vibrant Heart of the City development, blending authenticity and function to create a truly exceptional shopping experience. “One Fine Day are also working with Fjällräven’s international retail team, to ensure the brand’s distinctive and unique guidelines are adhered to, as they roll out more international partner stores.”

2024 Business Predictions: Louisa Harrison-Walker, CEO of Sheffield Chamber of Commerce

Tess Egginton
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2024 Business Predictions: Louisa Harrison-Walker, CEO of Sheffield Chamber of Commerce
It’s that time of year, when Business Link Magazine invites the region’s business leaders to offer up their predictions for the year ahead.  It has become something of a tradition, given that we’ve been doing this now for over 30 years. Here we speak to Louisa Harrison-Walker, CEO of Sheffield Chamber of Commerce. Without the assistance of a crystal ball it’s tricky to say what curve balls might come our way in 2024. I would like to think we have had our fair share of challenges with Brexit, the pandemic, energy price hikes, inflation, and the effects of long term austerity measures. We have tested businesses more in the last few years than we have in the previous fifty. If nothing else, let’s hope that 2024 is more of a return to normality and just a bit more ‘business as usual’ – please! We look after private, public and third sector organisations within our roughly 1000 business membership, so we see the challenges and opportunities played out in micro-SME’s and huge anchor institutions, and across all sectors. The one common denominator is people, skills, talent and access to good employees, and being part of a local business community can help you grow your people, your markets and your networks. We know it’s been tough to recruit in 2023 and I can see that trend continuing in 2024 for those that don’t get serious about competing for talent. Prior to the pandemic and the rise in flexible working you were in competition with employers in your city or region, now, generally speaking, you could be in competition with employers anywhere in the world. The organisations that offer flexibility in the hours people work, a broad range of employee benefits, healthcare, mental health support, genuine support for professional development implemented by a good manager, strong social values and a good CSR programme, will have a competitive advantage. You don’t build a business, you build people and they build your business, and they have more choice now than ever before. That’s what we need to be careful about in 2024.

£15.6m development loan secured for 293-bed Lincoln student scheme

Tess Egginton
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£15.6m development loan secured for 293-bed Lincoln student scheme
Moorfield Group, a real estate fund manager, has secured a £15.6 million facility from Investec Real Estate to fund the development of a 293-bed purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) campus in Lincoln. The development is already under construction and due to complete ahead of the 2024/25 academic year. Comprising four three-storey townhouses and a further five four-storey buildings, features will include an on-site reception and laundry facilities. This is Investec’s second student deal with Moorfield, having previously provided an £18.97 million loan for the development of a 282-bed PBSA scheme in Colchester. Jonathan Long, Head of Corporate Lending at Investec Real Estate, said: “With UCAS expecting to receive one million applications annually by 2030, we remain bullish on the student accommodation sector’s compelling long-term outlook. It has an attractive, inflation-protected income profile supported by deep-rooted demographic tailwinds. “Our 13-year track record providing a mix of domestic and international capital with a range of funding solutions means we are well placed to capitalise on the continued demand for new development. “Working with repeat borrowers is central to our longevity – in particular with businesses like Moorfield, who deliver high-quality specialist schemes that are key to supporting the UK’s growing student numbers.” Charles Ferguson Davie, Chief Investment Officer at Moorfield Group, said: “We have been investing in student housing for over twenty years and investor confidence in the sector remains resilient, with domestic and international investors keen to increase their exposure to an undersupplied asset class offering risk-adjusted returns and long-term income streams. “We see a market opportunity in new-build development and refurbishment of existing stock, with both strategies responding to investor demand for high-quality assets with leading ESG credentials.”

South Yorkshire invention could help clean up energy production globally

Stuart Pearcey
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South Yorkshire invention could help clean up energy production globally

Am engineering breakthrough from a South Yorkshire company could solve the problem of flaring and venting from oil and gas fields and help clean up energy production.

Rotherham-based AESSEAL has invented new technology that seeks to eliminate or reduce both intermittent and continuous emissions and could be retrofitted to oil and gas facilities across the world. The company  has partnered with pump manufacturer Torishima UK to develop EcoGuard, which will be made in Glasgow. The product has been hailed as a game-changer for the oil and gas industry and could extend the life of existing rigs. Chris Rea, founder and group MD of AESSEAL, said: “My interest is in the environment. AESSEAL does not make pumps and the EcoGuard technology does not use seals, but I would like to turn off the industrial-scale bunsen burners that are destroying the planet for my grandchildren. On a case specific basis, I will give our competitors a royalty-free licence as the environment needs all the help it can get. “In Scotland, which has nearly 90 per cent of UK oil and gas production, more than one billion cubic metres of gas was flared in 2019, releasing 2.9 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions – 21 per cent of the total. “Not only is this damaging, it is extremely wasteful. The gas flared off could have been used for heating and is the same as the total energy consumption of Glasgow, where EcoGuard will be produced at Torishima’s plant in the city.” EcoGuard is a small but powerful booster pump that transports gas around a rig’s compressor in a similar way to a central heating system circulating water around a house. The booster maintains the flow of gas during intermittent shutdowns, an established practice that removes the need for deliberate emissions to prevent contamination of the system. In the inventive step, the booster also keeps the seal clean to stop leakage throughout continuous operation. The EcoGuard is at prototype testing stage and will be ready to market in early next year, six years before the UK government deadline for the oil and gas industry.

Aviva pledges £100k to South Yorkshire’s apprenticeship scheme

Stuart Pearcey
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Aviva pledges £100k to South Yorkshire’s apprenticeship scheme
Aviva will pledge £100k to the new Apprenticeship Levy Matchmaking Service launched by South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority and the South Yorkshire Apprenticeship Hub. The money will help fully fund training costs for four apprentices as they start their training as Level 3 Early Years Educators and Level 5 Early Years Practitioners from early nest year. The Apprenticeship Levy Matchmaking Service is a new scheme in the region which provides smaller businesses with access to additional apprenticeship funding. As part of this, larger employers pledge funding to support other businesses who would benefit from apprenticeships through unspent Apprenticeship Levy funds. Smaller businesses can then apply for this money and if successful will no longer pay the 5% costs towards the training of apprentices. Khalil Kirkwood, Senior Development Manager at SYMCA, said: “Large employers, who are currently paying the Apprenticeship Levy, can pledge their unspent allocation into a pot that smaller businesses can then apply for. “Smaller businesses, if successful with their application, will have the opportunity to upskill their workforce or expand their team through the apprenticeship funding that has been pledged by larger companies. “Being able to offer this innovative approach to address collective skills shortages in South Yorkshire is just one of the strategies we are looking at to improve the lives of our residents.” The Apprentice Levy Matchmaking Service was launched alongside the new South Yorkshire Apprenticeship Hub on 5 December, with the ambition to bring 300 new high-quality apprenticeships to the region by June 2025. South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard said: “South Yorkshire doesn’t just need a bigger economy, we need a better economy. But if we’re going to get there, and if everyone is going to be able to access the jobs and opportunities that the new economy will bring, we need to make sure people have the right educational skills, so they can access opportunity wherever it might be. “That’s what our new Apprenticeship Hub is all about; offering people, organisations and businesses a ‘one-stop shop’ for all the information and support they need to get the right skills, in the right place, so we can all benefit from more jobs.” Danny Harmer, Aviva’s Chief People Officer, said: “Apprenticeships create meaningful opportunities for people to develop their careers, at any stage and age. Giving some of our Apprenticeship Levy means Aviva can support businesses in South Yorkshire to create the skills they need for the future – which can only be good news for our communities.”

University of Bradford re-affirms its position as one of world’s best for business education

Stuart Pearcey
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University of Bradford re-affirms its position as one of world’s best for business education

The University of Bradford’s business school is among the top two per cent in the world following an official re-accreditation.

The School of Management has won joint re-accreditation from the Association of MBAs  and the Business Graduates Association, two of the world’s leading authorities on business education. It is three years since the School of Management became the first business school in England to receive its initial joint accreditation from AMBA and BGA. A total of 300 of the world’s 16,000 business schools, including Bradford, are AMBA accredited, equivalent to two per cent. Professor Sankar Sivarajah, Dean of the School of Management, says the latest re-accreditation shows that the university is delivering high levels of management education and research. He said: “It’s important to maintain our accreditation as it gives reassurance from an external perspective that we are doing the right things. “The hard bit is to maintain accreditation and consistently innovate and what we are doing in the forefront of business school education. It’s about delivering quality management education and impactful research. “Thank you to all our colleagues, students, alumni and business community who have played their part in helping the School securing this re-accreditation.” Bradford’s re-accreditation follows a two-day visit in September 2023 by a three-strong team of international business school leaders.

Ministry awards £54m contract for development of Catterick Garrison

Stuart Pearcey
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Ministry awards £54m contract for development of Catterick Garrison
Catterick Garrison’s Marne Barracks is to receive a £54m upgrade thanks to a new deal signed by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation and construction firm Morgan Sindall. The Barracks, which is currently the home of 5 Regiment Royal Artillery and 32 Regiment Royal Engineers, requires additional infrastructure to prepare for the arrival of 21 Regiment Royal Engineers by 2027. Upgrades, being delivered under the Defence Estate Optimisation (DEO) Army Programme, will see nine new facilities built alongside refurbishments to existing buildings. The new or upgraded infrastructure includes Single Living Accommodation, sporting facilities including multi-use game areas and a gym, and storage facilities. Andy Hall, Director of Morgan Sindall’s Yorkshire and North East business, said: “Our Armed Forces give one hundred percent dedication year-round and are committed to the service and protection of our country. To be one of the contractors named to support them through applying our expertise is a great honour.” Robin Hartley, DIO’s Deputy Head of Major Programmes & Projects (Army), said: “The award of this contract is the start of a major programme of upgrades for Marne Barracks, which will see some real improvements to the site in preparation for the arrival of new units. We look forward to working closely as a team with Morgan Sindall and the Army to ensure the success of the programme.” Survey work is already under way with enabling works expected to start at the end of next year, followed by the start of construction in summer 2025.

New rules offer workers more rights, says Government

Stuart Pearcey
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New rules offer workers more rights, says Government
The government has set out the next stages for a number of new Workers’ Rights Acts which it says will give more money and more say back to UK workers. The changes come on the back of this year’s legal requirement for employers to pas all tips to employees, and include:
  • new rights to protect new parents from redundancy
  • extra support for carers
  • help for all employees work flexibly
  • a week’s leave for those with a caring responsibility to care for a dependent
  • an increase in the Natrionbal Living Wage to almost £21,000, and
  • extending the NLW rules to 21-year-olds.
Acas Chief Executive Susan Clews said: “The shift in recent years towards increased use of flexible working by organisations has allowed more people to better balance their working lives and enabled employers to attract and retain skilled staff.

“Acas has recently consulted on a new draft Code of Practice which outlines good practice around requests for flexible working and explains the forthcoming changes in the law to employers and employees.”

On tipping, Business and Trade Minister Kevin Hollinrake said: “As we approach Christmas, it’s more vital than ever that we do what we can to support workers and families across the country. “I’d like to encourage businesses to be as flexible as possible and give their hard-working employees the tips they deserve.

“I want to thank the MPs who brought forward this legislation to support hard working families and shape the UK’s outstanding workers’ rights record.”

The Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act 2023, which became law in May this year, requires employers to pass all tips on to workers. Mr Hollinrake added that Christmas was an incredibly busy season for hospitality workers, and usually a time of year when customers are more generous with their tips. All employees deserved to receive their fair share of tips, so the Government has launched a public consultation on the Tipping Act’s Code of Practice to gain feedback from employers, workers and other stakeholders on the fair and transparent distribution of tips.

Contractor sought to restore Hull’s National Picture Theatre

Stuart Pearcey
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Contractor sought to restore Hull’s National Picture Theatre
The search is on to appoint a contractor to restore and preserve the National Picture Theatre in the wake of a funding award from Hull City Council and The National Lottery Heritage Fund. The National Picture Theatre is the last remaining WW2 civilian ruin in the UK, and will be restored as a flexible space for community events and education, it will also be  a place of reflection for the 1,200 Hull civilians that died during WW2. The contractor will undertake work to restore the façade to its former period style, including its iconic windows and signage. Structural elements, including the two large concrete beams, which saved the lives of the 150 people inside the theatre on the night it was bombed, will also be preserved. Councillor Rob Pritchard, Portfolio Holder for Culture and Leisure, said: “The council is looking to appoint a contractor who can sensitively restore the façade and undertake structural work. “This is an untouched site, and this work will not only protect its future but raise awareness of its significance as a rare surviving bomb-damaged building from the Second World War.” The former National Picture Theatre was designed by architects Runton and Barry for the De-Luxe Theatre Company and was constructed in 1914. The building was badly damaged during a Luftwaffe air raid on 18 March 1941, although none of the 150 people inside the cinema at the time were killed or seriously injured. The former National Picture Theatre gained Grade II listed status in 2007 due to its significance as a rare surviving bomb-damaged building from the Blitz of the Second World War. Air raids on Hull went on longer than on any other British city and, out of Hull’s 91,660 houses, only 5,945 survived the air raids undamaged. Remedial work to stabilise the building took place in 2020 and now the major works are scheduled to begin in 2024.

Funeral director signs up as Scunthorpe United sponsor

Stuart Pearcey
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Funeral director signs up as Scunthorpe United sponsor
Jason Threadgold Funeral Director signed a sponsorship deal for Scunthorpe United’s training ground.
The agreement, which runs until the end of the 2024-25 season, will see the club’s pitches be known as the Jason Threadgold Funeral Director training ground for the duration. The deal also sees the Iron players debut brand new training kit from Technical Kit Partner Kelme, with the gold Jason Threadgold Funeral Director logo emblazoned across the new clothing. United owner Michelle Harness said: “I would like to thank Jason, Nichola and the team at Jason Threadgold Funeral Directors for their amazing support since we took ownership of the football club. “To get another local business on board supporting the Iron is another massive step forward to help the football club get on the path to sustainability, and it’s another positive partnership created that we hope will continue to grow over the course of this deal, and beyond.

“I would also like to reserve a special mention to Jake Pullan, who is just 15 years old and a media intern at the football club and works closely with James Moody, for his involvement in getting this deal secured.”

Company Directors Jason and Nichola Threadgold added: “As part of our continued commitment to supporting our local community we felt it only prudent that we should step in to help support our local football team. “Both of us being Scunthorpe born and bred, we have both seen the changing faces of Scunthorpe United, and we have both supported the teams over the years. “We are very privileged to be given the opportunity of sponsoring the training ground here at Scunthorpe United, and look forward to the future of this team.”
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