Ship named after Yorkshire is launched in Japan
Fifty years after Drax Power Station stared generating power in North Yorkshire the Drax Group has named and launched a new transport ship the ‘Ultra Yorkshire’, in a ceremony at the Shin Kurushima Shipyard in Japan.
The ship is owned by Ultrabulk, which invited Drax to name the vessel in honour of the anniversary, and Drax selected the name in tribute to the county that is home to the power station.
Drax and Ultrabulk, the Danish-based global dry bulk operator, have a longstanding partnership. Ultrabulk is Drax’s largest freight provider and plays a key role in the company’s biomass supply chain, shipping sustainable wood pellets to Drax Power Station in the UK and to Japanese customers.
The ‘Ultra Yorkshire’ is a 40,000dwt bulk carrier and the launch ceremony was attended by representatives from Drax, Ultrabulk, the Shin Kirushima shipyard and a number of Japanese corporations.
Mark Gibbens, Drax Group’s Head of Logistics, said: “We are honoured that Ultrabulk allowed us to name the Ultra Yorkshire as part of Drax Power Station’s fiftieth anniversary celebrations. It was a privilege to participate in the launch ceremony of the new ship.
“Drax Power Station has kept the lights on for millions of homes and businesses across the UK over the years and, following its conversion to biomass generation, companies in our supply chain like Ultrabulk have become critical to its continued operation. We are proud of our strong and longstanding relationship with Ultrabulk.”
Ultrabulk CEO Hans-Christian Olesen said: “We are proud to celebrate the Drax Group and its fiftieth anniversary through the launch of the Ultra Yorkshire. This vessel is a great symbol of our long-standing partnership and shared commitment to sustainability and efficient logistics. We have always appreciated our close collaboration with Drax, and we look forward to continuing this successful partnership for many years to come.”
Hull-based Sewell Construction wins recognition for transformation of former fire station
The transformation of Hull’s former central fire station into a new creative studio for Ron Dearing University Technical College has been recognised at a prestigious awards ceremony.
The project by Sewell Construction to refurbish the disused fire station into a state-of-the-art sustainable learning space was the winner of the Regeneration and Retrofit category at the Constructing Excellence Yorkshire and Humber Awards.
The project then went on to take home the overall ‘Best of the Best’ prize as the top winner out of all projects showcased on the night, being commended for its sympathetic yet sustainable conversion of the building into a modern education facility.
The STEAM Studios are a dedicated centre for creativity, opened by Ron Dearing UTC in September 2023. The facility contains a gallery and exhibition space, 2D and 3D art studios, a photography studio and a sixth form independent study centre, as well as being used to educate engineering students about opportunities in green skills.
The judges were impressed by the long-term view the refurbishment took towards the carbon footprint of the studio, ensuring the fabric of the building was upgraded so the site will use less energy to heat in future, helping the UTC on its journey to net zero.
Chris Soper, MD of Sewell Construction said: “The STEAM Studios project was fantastic to work on, as the team at the UTC were really receptive to our ideas about how to make the building as sustainable as possible. Instead of trying to chase quick wins, they were happy to work with us to look a bit differently at the refurbishment, enabling us to support their long term journey to net zero. It’s vital for the sustainability of our cities that we learn to work with existing buildings to breathe new life into them and make them more efficient, instead of simply knocking them down and building anew.
“The STEAM Studios are now a fantastic new facility for the UTC, not only giving students a space to express their creativity, but also enabling students to learn from a real life case study about how careers in green skills can combine design, creativity and technical knowledge.”
Sarah Pashley, Principal at Ron Dearing UTC said: “The STEAM Studios project has enabled Ron Dearing UTC to offer an additional 200 student places, which is fantastic. STEAM Studios provides a beautiful, purpose-designed facility for students studying our creative subjects and those studying Renewables modules on our Engineering qualifications. The design and build process was a wonderful opportunity for our students to learn about sustainable construction practices and we are very grateful to Sewell Construction for involving them in this process. We are also extremely grateful to Orsted for their sponsorship which provided the additional funding we needed to upgrade the fabric of the building to ensure its energy efficiency.“
The Sewell Construction team will now go on to the UK finals of the awards in November, where they’ll be hoping to repeat their success at a national level.
Sewell Construction, who have their headquarters in Hull, deliver a range of construction projects across the Yorkshire and Humber region. Part of the larger Sewell Group, the company works on design, build, refurbishment and retrofit schemes, and recent projects have included the refurbishment of the Endeavour building for Hull Trinity House Academy, the creation of new T-Level facilities at Bradford College, the construction of West Hull health Hub and the refurbishment of The Edge fitness centre at the University of Leeds.
Matt’s furniture firm gets £2k grant to help buy CNC machine
Saltaire-based furniture design and production business Plaey, which works with galleries and museums including the TATE, The Hepworth Wakefield and the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, has received a grant from the Shipley Towns Fund.
Matt Kelly designs and hand-makes modular furniture from his workshop at Salts Mill where he’s been based for the past four years.
Plaey received a grant of £2,055.60, which contributed to buying a CNC machine. The machine automates some of the production process, allowing the business to produce furniture at a faster rate, while maintaining standards.
Matt said: “It has been a privilege to work with world class galleries and museums and growing ‘a go to’ reputation in this field. I am a team of one – but the new CNC machine is like having a very accurate and fast second member of the team. It will enable us to take on more work and be even more competitive with pricing.
“The £2,000 has allowed us to purchase the new equipment and is ultimately an investment in our future growth and the local economy, because it means I can look to take on an apprentice.
“We are currently working on our biggest project yet – designing and making a new gallery space in the Lake District. The CNC machine is allowing us to design and produce an innovative modular design that we are very excited about.”
Bradford Council’s Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Transport and Planning Alex Ross Shaw said: “The furniture Plaey creates here in our district, which goes on to be enjoyed in incredible places far and wide, is something for us all to take pride in.
“Alongside the valuable funding from the towns fund, Bradford Council has also provided support and advice on the recruitment of new staff to facilitate future business growth. Businesses like Plaey are an important part of the thriving business community here and others are welcome to apply for both funding and to access support.”
Chair of the Shipley Towns Fund Adan Clerkin explained: “It’s so positive to see how the funding is already making such a significant impact. It has directly translated into growth for the businesses who have received it so far and the welcome creation of new jobs for the area.
“Grants ranging from £1,500 to £315,000 are still available for businesses within – or looking to move to the Shipley Towns Fund area, and other businesses are invited to apply.”
Yorkshire law firm Gordons appointed by Iceland Foods on all property matters
Retail specialist law firm Gordons has been granted exclusivity by Iceland Foods to advise on all the British food retailer’s property matters.
Founded in 1970 and with its head office in Deeside, Flintshire, Iceland has been a Gordons client since 2015. The retailer has more than 1,000 stores throughout the UK.
Gordons previously predominantly advised on Iceland’s store acquisitions but now has the overall property mandate to act on Iceland’s behalf.
Iceland Foods group chief executive, Tarsem Dhaliwal, said: “We rate Gordons highly. They understand our business and how we need to operate to enable continued success.
“Appointing them on an exclusive basis for our property work is a natural evolution of our relationship. It is also testimony to the commercial outlook of the firm which is most evident in my discussions with Gordons senior partner, Paul Ayre.”
Commenting on the announcement, Paul Ayre said: “We’re delighted with this appointment. Relationships and results are the foundations for successful client partnerships at Gordons and this has been the case from the outset with Tarsem and Iceland.”
Tyre specialist signs 10-year lease on Wakefield industrial unit
Bush Tyres (B.A. Bush & Son Limited), the independent tyre specialists, has signed a 10-year lease on an industrial unit in Wakefield, as the firm gears up for further expansion across the North of England. The news comes just three months after Bush Tyres opened its first branch in the city.
Located at Unit 3 Flanshaw Industrial Estate, Wakefield, the Towngate PLC-owned property comprises a 6,437 sq ft (598.05 sq m) trade counter unit, set to aid the company’s service delivery over the next decade of letting.
Matthew Lincoln, general manager at Bush Tyres, says: “Our ‘quality at all costs’ philosophy underpins everything we do at Bush Tyres. Choosing the right locations to expand our footprint is a significant part of that promise — ensuring we not only deliver exceptional products and services but that our expertise is timely and accessible too.
“Situated just a few miles west of Wakefield city centre, and less than half a mile from Junction 40 of the M1 motorway, the space forms part of a busy and thriving industrial area, with excellent connections to partners and suppliers. We’re confident this investment will help us deliver exactly that.”
“We are delighted to have been able to offer a solution to aid Bush Tyres’ expansion plans,” adds Tom Lamb, property manager at Towngate PLC. “It is a pleasure to welcome them to Flanshaw Industrial Estate.”
Tourism was worth £4bn to North Yorkshire last year, says report
Tourism contributed more than £4 billion to North Yorkshire’s economy last year, attracting more than 31 million people to the county.
Figures just out highlight a strong outlook for the sector, as the summer holiday season gets underway with the average length of stay for visitors in North Yorkshire being four nights and surpassing the national average of 2.8 nights as recorded by Visit England.
The report also demonstrates how the local tourism industry supports 38,486 jobs through direct and indirect employment making up 13 per cent of all employment across North Yorkshire.
The figures have been collected for the first time on a county-wide scale using the STEAM model, which measures the economic impact of visits to an area. This provides an important baseline for the future growth of the sector.
North Yorkshire Council leader Carl Les said: “The release of these new figures not only confirms the importance of tourism to our local economy, but it also provides a baseline to work from as we begin an exciting new journey for the visitor economy in North Yorkshire.
“The value of the visitor economy must not be underestimated which is why we have made it a priority for us. It supports tens of thousands of jobs and sees visitors come to the county from across the world, and we are committed to ensuring that the sector continues to grow.”
Simon Wright, who is the general manager at the Burgoyne Hotel in Reeth, said: “We have seen an increase in visitors coming here from home and abroad over the past year, and it is no wonder with so much on offer across North Yorkshire. People are truly spoilt for choice with things to see and do.
“Reeth itself is surrounded by stunning scenery and is an ideal base for those wanting to explore the broader dales and National Parks. For history lovers, there are abbeys, castles and other villages to discover. For those that like nature and the outdoors there’s hiking, cycling and walking on offer.
“It truly is an amazing county and no matter what the weather, North Yorkshire is breathtakingly beautiful in all seasons which is why people keep coming back here.”
Shorts acquires Hewson & Howson
South Yorkshire Accountancy firm Hewson & Howson has a been acquired by accountancy and tax specialists Shorts in a deal which sees all of the Hewson & Howson employees join the Shorts team.
Formed by Ian Hewson and Andrew Howson in 1995, Hewson & Howson built a respected reputation throughout its 30-year history, specialising in providing a partner led service to owner managed businesses. Driven by the decision for both Ian Hewson and Andrew Howson to retire, transferring the business to an accounting firm with a similar culture and service ethic was a key priority for both outgoing partners.
Andy Irvine, Managing Partner at Shorts, said: “Hewson & Howson have a long-standing reputation for providing their clients with high quality tax and accountancy service and we are delighted to now welcome their team and clients to Shorts. Their approach of providing a fully supportive and personal service, and building long standing relationships with their clients is very much in line with the culture here at Shorts and we are looking forward to working with their clients and team over the years to come. Our very best wishes go with Ian and Andrew for a long and happy retirement.”
Ian Hewson added: “When Andrew and I considered retirement and selling the practice, finding the right firm, with the perfect synergy for our clients and team was very important in that decision. Having built a business with a solid reputation, it was important to us that our clients would continue to be looked after with the same attention and support, following the transfer. We firmly believe that the culture at Shorts aligns with our own and we are confident that we leave our clients in the very safest of hands at Shorts going forward.”
British Chambers of Commerce call for growth to feature in King’s speech
The British Chambers of Commerce is calling for growth to be the focus of the King’s Speech next week to give businesses confidence to invest.
Baroness Martha Lane Fox, President of the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “The smoke signals coming from our new Government have been very encouraging so far in terms of its ambition and the direction of travel for business.
“Well over half of the 149 recommendations in our five challenge reports were featured in the Labour manifesto. We look forward to working with the Government to implement them, shifting the economy out of first gear.
“So, we’re feeling positive that the voice of business has been heard and the Government will introduce measures that benefit firms and help unlock investment.
“We want to work in partnership with the Government to make this happen, connecting them with businesses of every size and sector across the country.
“They will be watching this King’s Speech closely to see if the Government’s positive words translate into legislation and policy that can really make a difference to them.”
The latest data from the BCC’s Insight Unit shows investment remains patchy with wide sectoral differences. Worryingly, three quarters of firms, overall, have no current plans to raise spending. This inertia remains despite business confidence rising and fears over inflation and interest rates falling.
With the new Government placing economic growth at the heart of its early plans, the BCC has set out five key asks for the Government in its King’s Speech:
- An Industrial Strategy Bill that gives businesses greater certainty on the direction of travel and places green innovation at its core.
- A Skills For The Future Bill, which incentivises businesses to invest in skills and widens the scope of the Apprenticeship Levy.
- A Devolution Bill to shift more powers to regional and local government decision makers – who best understand their economies.
- A Planning Freedom Bill that sets out a system to allow large scale and local infrastructure projects, including digital, to happen at much greater pace.
- A Trade Bill which beefs up the Board of Trade with a fresh remit to improve EU relations and focus on the UK’s future growth sectors.
Firms offered grants of up to £35,000 to boost rejuvenation of Fargate in Sheffield
Grants of up to £35,000 are available as part of the second round of funding to support businesses and organisations in reviving empty shops in the Fargate area of Sheffield and adding to the ongoing transformation work that is now well under way.
The transformation and regeneration of the area is at the centre of Sheffield City Council’s plans to reimagine the city centre into a cleaner, greener, and more vibrant area for people to live, work and relax.
Cllr Ben Miskell, chair of the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee, said: “Fargate has long been known as a vibrant and social part of the city centre and we’re looking to continue that with the fantastic regeneration work we have currently taking place there. The ReNew project is one of the many ways we hope to achieve this.
“With so many exciting businesses in the city, some just starting out and others keen to expand, it is critical we work with them to inject new life into the area. We are looking for businesses to be creative in their ideas and use this opportunity to try something new, expand, or move to a central location.”
During the first round of ReNew funding, businesses just like Juno Books were able to launch, opening up their brand-new shop in Chapel Walk.
Sarah and Rosie, from Juno Books, said: “The support from the ReNew team to make our ambition of opening our first retail space was really appreciated, helping us fit out the shop to a high standard to provide a warm and welcoming space for all.”
Game Show All-stars was another business that benefited from ReNew funding. Based in Orchard Square, Director Hannah said: “The ReNew grant was instrumental in bringing Gameshow All-Stars to life. We used the grant to renovate our venue and to create a vibrant and engaging atmosphere. The financial support allowed us to focus on providing a high-quality experience for our guests from day one. The difference it made was significant, it transformed our vision into a reality and enabled us to create a space that is both entertaining and welcoming.”
The improvements and ReNew grants are funded as part of the £15.8m Future High Streets Fund which the Council successfully bid for in 2021.
Boston company closed down after Insolvency Service reveals loan misconduct
An eel protection business based at Boston in Lincolnshire has been closed down after investigations by the Insolvency Service revealed two cases of government loan misconduct.
The Eel Screen Company Ltd, based on Dolphin Road in Boston, was wound up at the High Court in Manchester. The company provided inaccurate and inconsistent information when it applied for a £50,000 Bounce Back Loan in 2020 and a £225,000 Recovery Loan Scheme payment in 2022.
David Hope, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service, said: “Our investigations revealed concerns that The Eel Screen Company was being used as a vehicle to fraudulently obtain significant, government-backed loans during the pandemic.
“Bounce Back Loans in particular were made available for trading businesses adversely affected by Covid and were issued based on what should have been accurate financial statements.
“The Insolvency Service will not hesitate to apply to have companies wound-up in the public interest in such cases.”
Insolvency Service investigations into The Eel Screen Company began in August 2023. One of the former directors of the company told investigators that the business was involved in the installation of screens to protect eels in rivers. A second director of The Eel Screen Company said it had since moved into drainage and most recently the construction business. The Eel Screen Company obtained a £50,000 Covid Bounce Back Loan in May 2020, claiming an annual turnover of £320,000 for 2019. Analysis of the company’s bank account showed a turnover of just over £49,000 for that year, with no loan repayments were made despite this being a condition of the scheme. The Eel Screen Company followed this misconduct up with a £225,000 application in January 2022 under the Recovery Loan Scheme, which supports SMEs to access the finance they need to grow and invest. Insolvency Service investigators found inconsistencies in the accounts and VAT returns submitted as part of the application as well as bank statements that appeared not to be genuine. Of the £225,000 The Eel Screen Company received, £148,000 was withdrawn as cash. The company made one repayment under the loan agreement to date, with £213,750 plus £30,726 in interest outstanding. Current and former directors of The Eel Screen Company also failed to produce accounting records on request to the Insolvency Service. The Official Receiver has been appointed as liquidator of the company.