Lincoln emerges as promising location for successful AI enterprises

Stuart Pearcey
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Lincoln emerges as promising location for successful AI enterprises
Lincoln ranks fourth in newly-published research about the best UK locations for AI enterprises, with the region’s other major cities not even making the top 20. The report is by BusinessFinanced.co.uk. Called AI Business Rankings 2024, it identifies the 59 leading towns and cities in the UK for artificial intelligence (AI) enterprises. Evaluating key factors that contribute to a thriving AI ecosystem, the report is said to be invaluable for a variety of stakeholders, including entrepreneurs and start-up founders looking to establish AI businesses, investors and venture capitalists seeking lucrative opportunities, policymakers and government officials aiming to foster AI development, and educational institutions preparing the future AI workforce. The report ranks 59 locations across the UK, identifying Cambridge as the top location for AI businesses. The rankings are based on a detailed evaluation of AI-related job vacancies, the number of AI-related businesses, online search volume for AI-related terms, and the 5-year business survival rate. It sais smaller locations like Lincoln and Gloucester are emerging as promising locations, offering high business survival rates and growing interest in AI technologies. The top 20 towns and cities are: 1. Cambridge 2. Bristol 3. Reading 4. Lincoln 5. Newcastle upon Tyne 6. Southampton 7. Gloucester 8. Slough 9. Oxford 10. London 11. Bournemouth 12. Milton Keynes 13. Chelmsford 14. Warrington 15. Cardiff 16. Exeter 17. Cheltenham 18. Belfast 19. Glasgow 20. Manchester

North Lincolnshire businesses sign up to Safer Nights charter

Stuart Pearcey
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North Lincolnshire businesses sign up to Safer Nights charter
Businesses and workers from Brigg’s Pubwatch have signed up to the Safer Nights NL charter. Many night time economy venues are part of Pubwatch and have signed the Safety at Night Charter, pledging to take the safety of everyone seriously. It shows venues are being proactive in improving safety of those working in the night time economy and members of the public who want to enjoy socialising safely. This follows on from the Safer Nights NL being successfully launched in Scunthorpe. The campaign sees venues being trained in bystander training, how to use bleed kits and First Aid training, and given details on Ask Angela and spiking and ‘One Punch’ awareness.  The charter was created by the North Lincolnshire Community Safety Partnership, which includes North Lincolnshire Council, Humberside Police, Humberside Fire and Rescue, Ongo, the National Probation Service, NHS Humber and North Yorkshire ICB and the Humberside Police and Crime Commissioner. North Lincolnshire CSP has also teamed up with WalkSafe, the UK’s most downloaded personal safety app. It features a safety map that will show the safe space venues in Scunthorpe and Brigg venues. The app has local safety information on the map’s menu button in addition to WalkSafe’s personal safety tools like WalkSafe Journey Sharing, Follow Me and HomeSafe.  Chief Superintendent Paul French of Humberside Police, said: “As part of our local Safer Nights North Lincolnshire partnership, we are delighted to support the launch of Pubwatch in Brigg and the initiative of the Walk Safe App extending its coverage across our local communities.   “Humberside Police are absolutely committed to working with our communities and our partners to ensure everyone can have a safe and enjoyable experience when out and around North Lincolnshire.” 

Eddisons secures new tenant for Lincoln’s Carlton Centre

Stuart Pearcey
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Eddisons secures new tenant for Lincoln’s Carlton Centre
The Carlton Centre in Lincoln is the location chosen by soft play leisure business, Bounce Central for its first venue in the East of England, confirms Eddisons incorporating Banks Long & Co who acted on behalf of the landlord in the letting of the premises. Unit 20 at the Carlton Centre, two miles north of Lincoln city centre, gives Bounce Central more than 8,500 sq ft in which to host its trampoline and soft play equipment open sessions, scheduled classes, parties and events. Established in 2016, the family-run business already has two successful venues in the North West – Salford and Oldham – and, in looking to branch out to the East of England, had been seeking a suitable location for a number of years. Bounce Central MD James Fearn said the business landed on Lincoln for a number of reasons. “Having grown up in the area, I know Lincoln very well and opening up a Bounce Central branch in the East of the country has been part of our business growth plan. “Lincoln has changed a lot since my childhood. Recent regeneration and investment in the city centre, in particular, sees the area raising its game in responding to changing habits and expectations of a young and vibrant demographic. It’s a market and a vibe we want to tap in to.” Bounce Central’s new venue at the Carlton Centre is currently being fitted out and is scheduled to open on 20 July. The new Lincoln operation will take the company’s total headcount to 75 staff, adding to its current number of 53 across its North West venues. James Butcher of Eddisons incorporating Banks Long & Co, who led the agency deal in the letting of the premises to Bounce Central, said: “The Carlton Centre is the largest retail park in the immediate Lincoln area and is a popular neighbourhood centre. “There are over 10,000 people living within easy walking distance of the centre and it has over 450 parking spaces. It’s an ideal location for an operator looking to bring a leisure offer to add to that of established high profile retailers at the centre. “We’re happy to have played our part in securing Bounce Central as the new occupier and, in doing so, providing a warm welcome home to a Lincolnshire lad.”

Businesses get new guidance from Security Industry Authority

Stuart Pearcey
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Businesses get new guidance from Security Industry Authority
The Security Industry Authority has published new guidance videos for business users, licence holders and licence applicants. Six new videos on the Authority’s YouTube channel provide helpful guidance to business users, licence holders and licence applicants in an easy-to-understand format. The new videos are:
  • Guide to the SIA’s business services
  • Setting up an SIA business account
  • Using the SIA’s Licence Status Checker or Licence Pay Only services
  • Keeping your SIA online account up to date
  • Telling the SIA when something changes
  • Overview of the Public Space Surveillance (CCTV) licence
Iestyn David, the SIA’s Head of Licensing and Service Delivery, said: “It’s important we give our customers quality advice and guidance to support them with the application process, and that we provide the information so that customers can easily self-serve any queries they have.

“We’ve been reviewing the advice and guidance we make available to customers to identify what more we can do to make the information more visual and easily understood. The new videos were developed as part of a wider review by our licensing team, keeping the customer experience at the forefront throughout.

“We will continue to monitor our contact strategy and continuously improve the advice and guidance we publish to help make the application process as straightforward as possible for new and returning customers.”

The Security Industry Authority is the organisation responsible for regulating the private security industry in the United Kingdom, reporting to the Home Secretary under the terms of the Private Security Industry Act 2001. The SIA’s main duties are the compulsory licensing of individuals undertaking designated activities and managing the voluntary Approved Contractor Scheme.

Bradford College secures £2.6m grant for energy-efficiency works

Tess Egginton
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Bradford College secures £2.6m grant for energy-efficiency works
Bradford College has been awarded a £2.6 million grant for energy-efficiency works that will contribute to national net-zero targets.

Delivered by Salix and run by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, the Phase 3c Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS) aims to slash energy bills and reduce carbon emissions.

The Scheme targets public sector buildings that still use fossil fuels for heating, hot water, and catering. In total, more than £530 million of funding is being handed to schools, hospitals, fire stations, universities and other public buildings across the country to help tackle climate change.

With a Bradford College contribution taking the funding total to over £3 million, the project will connect the David Hockney building and Advanced Technology Centre to the Bradford Energy Network by March 2026. Networks such as this produce heat on a large scale from the same source to buildings that are separated by miles.

Bradford has one of the UK’s largest Air Source Heat Pump installations. Buildings on the Bradford district heating network will benefit from an 85-90% reduction in emissions, contributing to a city-wide reduction in emissions of approximately 8,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent in the first phase of the network.

Bradford College is one of 189 public sector organisations nationwide that were awarded grants for heat decarbonisation and energy efficiency schemes. Work will also cover improvements to hot water distribution systems, pipework insulation, and emitter and substation upgrades.

Pamela Sheldon, Head of Projects at Bradford College, said: “Bradford College is committed to reducing its carbon footprint. This latest funding will be a huge boost to our decarbonisation strategy.

“Over the last two years, Bradford College has secured nearly £32 million in funding incorporating the PSDS grant. This substantial investment is helping us to rethink, reshape, rework, and rebuild aspirational new sustainable facilities in the heart of Bradford.”

The Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme was launched in 2020 and Phase 3 of Scheme was announced in 2021 to reduce fossil fuel usage and make public buildings more comfortable and efficient to heat. Phase 3c is the latest funding released by the Department for Energy Security to achieve net zero targets.

Director of Programmes at Salix Ian Rodger said: “Climate crisis is one of the greatest challenges of our time and we are pleased to be working with Bradford College on reducing its carbon footprint.

“Our teams will work closely with the college as they progress their decarbonisation journey, ensuring these buildings not only become more energy efficient but better places in which to work and study.”

Alongside this grant, other upcoming Bradford College capital work includes improvement of the fabric of buildings for optimum thermal performance, the incorporation of high levels of natural daylight to reduce artificial light sources in new buildings, energy-efficient LED lighting and optimising lighting control, as well as adding social value by targeting local SME labour and supply chains.

Harrogate firm facilitates MBO at £35m turnover tile business

Stuart Pearcey
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Harrogate firm facilitates MBO at £35m turnover tile business
Harrogate-based CorpFin has been instrumental in a management buyout of UK tile specialist Johnson Tiles, which has a turnover of £35m at its base in Stoke on Trent. The deal, which precedes a comprehensive restructuring of the business to safeguard the future of the respected British brand, was led by Chris Silverwood and Tony Norwood, partners at corporate finance and restructuring specialists CorpFin. The management team, led by MD Stephen Dixon, commercial director Rich Kelsall, procurement director Jason Bridges and finance director Melanie Birks has assumed full control of the business having acquired it from former owner Norcros Plc with the full support of all parties. An £8m revolving credit facility was sourced by CorpFin from Allica Bank, led by Ian Flaxman, head of growth finance, to provide working capital facilities to the new entity. Chris Silverwood said: “In a challenging time for UK manufacturing, the future of the business demands a root and branch review of strategy in order to establish new firm foundations for success, and the MBO enables the first stage of that process.” Tony Norwood added: “This was a highly complex situation successfully navigated due to the collaborative and pragmatic approach of the management team and Norcros, both of whom recognised that an MBO was in the best interests of all staff, customers and shareholders. “The transition to a fully outsourced model, alongside the secured funding package, will allow Johnson Tiles to maintain its market leading position following the buy-out and ensure that the company is ideally placed to benefit from future growth.”

Sheffield building products supplier gives profit warning

Tess Egginton
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Sheffield building products supplier gives profit warning

SIG, a Sheffield-based supplier of specialist insulation and building products, has warned of lower than expected sales and underlying operating profit.

In a trading update for the year ending 31 December 2024 to date, the business noted that market conditions have remained challenging, with subdued demand in the majority of its markets, reflecting ongoing softness in the building and construction sector.

With weaker than expected trading in recent weeks and a more cautious view of the timing of any potential market improvements, the Board now expects 2024 full year underlying operating profit to be in the range of £20m to £30m – below the current analyst range of £36.7m to £43m.

The company also highlighted a Group like-for-like (LFL) sales decline versus the prior year’s May and June of 7%.

SIG said it “continues to perform well relative to its markets and is also continuing to drive cost reductions and efficiency initiatives, which support the continued expectation of a stronger second half performance and will help drive higher profitability as markets recover.”

Green cleaning company’s recycling scheme saves 10,000 plastic containers from landfill

Stuart Pearcey
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Green cleaning company’s recycling scheme saves 10,000 plastic containers from landfill
Hull-based green cleaning company Bio-D has helped consumers return more than 10,000 of its 20 litre refill containers as a result of its initiative to further reduce plastic waste. The company’s ‘No Brainer Container’ scheme was launched in 2021 and encourages customers and suppliers to return their 20 litre Bio-D refill containers to be cleaned, refilled and used again. The 10,000 containers that have now been collected have saved 10 tonnes of plastic from going to landfill or incineration – saving the equivalent CO2 emissions as 1,330 trees would absorb in a year. Bio-D MD Lloyd Atkin said: “We are over the moon to have reached this incredible milestone so soon. We couldn’t have done this without our customers and suppliers, who are as passionate about sustainability as we are. “This is a significant environmental achievement for Bio-D and the next step in our ever-evolving green journey.” The independent company is the UK’s leading manufacturer of environmentally responsible, ethically sound, vegan cleaning products and secured B Corp Certification in 2022. Prioritising reducing plastic waste from the very beginning, it first introduced refill sizes for its products in 1998. Its closed loop ‘No Brainer Container’ initiative dramatically reduces the amount of plastic used within the company. Each returned container is rinsed, washed, steamed, and dried, before being quality checked, refilled, and reused by Bio-D customers. Heather Nixon, Bio-D’s sustainability, NPD and regulatory manager, said: “One of Bio-D’s main business objectives is to minimise its environmental impact as much as possible. It is wonderful to see our refill containers, which in themselves were designed to reduce plastic use, make even more of an impact.”

Holmfirth town centre improvement scheme to get underway in July

Tess Egginton
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Holmfirth town centre improvement scheme to get underway in July
From Monday 1 July, work will start on the Holmfirth Town Centre Access Plan, a £10.3 million investment scheme to create a more accessible town centre for businesses, residents and visitors. Initial work starts at Huddersfield Road Car Park, where the existing market hall and footbridge will be replaced with a unique community events space where markets and events will take place throughout the year, drawing in visitors and cultivating the local economy. Along with electric vehicle points, car parking facilities, widened footbridge and footways, new kerbing, and improved drainage, pavements will be resurfaced which will improve safety in the town centre, the pedestrian crossing on Victoria Street will also be signalised, along with improved street lighting, traffic signals and signage.

David Shepherd, Strategic Director for Growth and Regeneration at Kirklees Council, said: “Holmfirth is a beautiful town, and a fantastic place to live, visit and spend time. The Holmfirth Town Centre Access Plan will give longevity to the area, modernising Holmfirth’s unique offering, whilst embracing and celebrating the town’s world-famous heritage.

“Once complete, the town centre will be much more accessible and enjoyable for all, whilst we continue to help local businesses thrive and boost the local economy, whilst improving congestion, journey times and encourage active travel.

“This is scheme is a collaborative effort by the community, council and the Combined Authority to create a brighter future for Holmfirth.” The Holmfirth Town Centre Access Plan is a partnership project between the council and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority. The scheme aims to help reduce traffic congestion and carbon emissions by prioritising sustainable transport options such as walking, cycling, wheeling and public transport, while ensuring accessibility for all, and supporting the growth and development of the cultural sector.

Councils turn to TV personality to promote sustainability in construction industry

Stuart Pearcey
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Councils turn to TV personality to promote sustainability in construction industry
East Riding of Yorkshire Council and Hull City Council are joining forces to stage a free-to-attend Construction Summit for businesses from across the sector, hosted by television presenter and DIY expert Mark Millar. Mr Millar is best known for his roles in DIY SOS, Build Your Dream Home in the Country and Dream Kitchens and Bathrooms, but also appears on Fix Radio’s property development show, Building Ideas. The DIY expert will lead a varied programme of discussions, inspiring sessions and practical workshops, all aimed at helping businesses to grow, enhance their offering and win new contracts. Approaches to environmentally responsible construction; insights into the procurement process from both sides; and methods of streamlining construction business operations and boosting productivity are among the topics that will be covered. Attendees will also have plenty of opportunity to engage directly with procurement teams from key national and regional organisations, including Kier, Sewells and Hobson & Porter, as well as East Riding of Yorkshire Council, which will be represented by Construction Framework Manager Stefanie Wright, and Hull City Council’s Mark Homersham. Mark Millar said: “Those who attend will benefit from the latest knowledge on industry trends and developments; information about new opportunities and forthcoming major projects; an increased awareness of local supply chains and opportunities for collaboration; insights into the supply chain network and how to navigate the market; exclusive ‘meet the buyer’ sessions; and strategies for improving their operational efficiency and sustainability.” The Construction Summit 2024 is suitable for construction businesses of all sizes from across the Hull and East Yorkshire area that are looking to grow, increase their efficiency and make their operation more sustainable. Taking place this  Thursday, 27 June, from 8.30am to 1pm, at the MKM Stadium in Hull, the summit will focus on the themes of sustainability, efficiency and growth.
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