Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co has completed the sale of The Lamb & Flag, located in the market town of Ripon, North Yorkshire.
Centrally located in Ripon, within close walking distance to the market square, The Lamb & Flag is an early 19th Century Grade II listed building which formerly operated as a pub/inn.
The three-story, white-washed building is full of historic charm and is well known within the local area.
Marslie McGregor, Business Agent at Christie & Co who handled the sale, said: “It was a pleasure to sell this property on behalf of a well-renowned pub company. Given the property’s excellent location, size and character, it is full of potential for the new owners, and I look forward to seeing what’s in store.
“The level of interest was extremely high, resulting in multiple offers received. Although the market has some challenges at the moment, we are still seeing positive buyer demand for well-priced sites in good locations.”
Zentra Group, the residential developer which has recently rebranded from the One Heritage Group, has completed its One Meadow Victoria Road development in Eccleshill, West Yorkshire.
The development consists of 24 high-specification two, three and four-bedroom homes, strategically located between the cities of Bradford and Leeds.
The site was previously occupied by the Airedale Group, which has relocated elsewhere within the Bradford district.
Construction work was undertaken by principal contractor Jack Lunn, with important contributions from Acanthus WSM Architects, ABA Consulting (Structural Engineers), Crookes Walker (M&E consultants), and property agents Cushman & Wakefield.
A sales and marketing campaign has now begun, driven by WW Estates and William H Brown. Two homes have already been reserved.
Jason Upton, CEO of Zentra Group PLC, said: “We are delighted to complete our One Meadow development at Victoria Road, Eccleshill. This is our first new-build housing project and the first to be delivered under our newly launched Zentra Homes brand.
“This represents an important milestone in our ongoing expansion and our commitment to delivering high-quality residential developments.
“This exclusive development of traditional two-storey family homes is located on a small cul-de-sac on the outskirts of Eccleshill, tucked peacefully away between the vibrant city of Leeds and the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
“The scheme goes beyond a typical housing specification, resulting in luxury, ready-to-move in homes. All kitchens come fully equipped with high-quality appliances such as an integrated fridge freezer, dishwasher and washing machine, alongside an oven and a hob.”
Sheffield-based Abbeydale Brewery Ltd has become an Employee Ownership Trust, strengthening the commitment to its team, safeguarding its values and securing the legacy of the business.
Since its foundation in 1996, Abbeydale Brewery have always utilised a people-focused ethos, growing organically over the past three decades and being open to learning from the team. The business, which employs over 50 staff (split between the brewery itself and their pub, The Rising Sun in Fulwood), has always been firmly rooted within the community. It benefits from an engaged and committed workforce, all of whom reside within the local area.
Both the brewery and pub are now 100% employee-owned, with a company name chosen by the new employee owners of Sheffield Beerworks EOT Ltd.
The new Board of Trustees will be comprised of Jon Conroy who will be the independent chair, Pat Morton (selling shareholder), Dan Baxter (Co-Managing Director), and two employee representatives – Finlay MacDonald who is a bartender at the Rising Sun and brewer Christie McIntosh representing the manufacturing side of the business.
Brewery founders Pat and Sue Morton will continue to be involved with Abbeydale Brewery – whilst they will step back from the day-to-day running of the business, their positions on the Board of Directors will remain, and they will continue to play an advisory role in the management of the business.
Dan Baxter said: “I could not be prouder of our team and everything we have achieved together over the years. We are a humble bunch, mentored by Pat and Sue, and a have a vast skill set amongst our staff at both the brewery and the Rising Sun. The future for the business is very exciting! The support of our customers and our community is paramount as it always has been. So a massive thank you for enjoying our beer. We will continue to do what we do best.”
Shorts acted as lead advisors on the transaction, including valuation, fundraising, tax advice and project management, with legal advice provided by James Burdekin of MD Law.
Sue Morton, one of the selling shareholders of Abbeydale Brewery, said: “Working on this transaction with our accountants Shorts was an obvious choice. They already know our business well and the Corporate Finance team have experience in EOTs. Connor Marshall who led on this for the Corporate Finance Team has also been able to pull in advisors from other teams as needed. Shorts also introduced us to James Burdekin of MD Law in Sheffield who has done all the legal work on the transaction. Both James and Connor have been great throughout, responding quickly and providing support and guidance every step of the way.”
Connor Marshall of Shorts added: “It has been great to work alongside MD Law in transitioning such a well-known, acclaimed business into becoming an Employee-Owned Business. From the start the Shareholders and Senior Management Team wanted to do what was best for the employees and, with the implementation of the EOT, this solidifies the prospects of both the business and employees for the longer term. We all look forward to seeing the continued success of such a prominent Sheffield business.”
James Burdekin of MD Law said: “It was a pleasure to work alongside the team at Shorts in implementing the transition of Abbeydale Brewery to employee ownership. We have no doubt that employee ownership will be a perfect fit for the iconic business which has established itself as a cornerstone of the thriving Sheffield beer community and we wish all those involved continued success in the next stages of their journey.”
Corby-based company See Limited has invested £700,000 into its distribution arm, Performance Panels, to drastically improve its environmental footprint while also revolutionising the day-to-day working operations at its distribution facility in Halifax, West Yorkshire.
The company, named after its ethical and sustainability ambitions – Supporting Ethical Enterprise – operates as a holding company for three businesses in the built environment sector, Performance Panels, Inspired Surfaces, and Bousfields.
With a focus on taking sustainable steps forward to reduce their carbon emissions year-on-year, this significant investment through the integration of HOMAG’s STORETEQ P-500 storage system and SAWTEQ S-300 panel dividing saw means that they will now be able to store a higher volume of 5,000 high-performance decorative panels on-site. In addition it will improve efficiencies and reduce energy consumption.
The automated storage system will now organise, stock, and select different sheet sizes and materials in its facility, in what is seen as a huge boost to its distribution arm’s operational capacity.
The new system will also help Performance Panels save 280 bottles of liquid petroleum gas on forklift use alone, equating to an estimated 17,495 kgCO2e avoided per year, based on calculations from the UK Government’s website.
This equates to the same amount of carbon emissions as if you were to drive a petrol-powered car around the world’s equator – twice!
Alongside the investment into the machinery, the Performance Panels facility has also had a complete transformation to get the most out of the storage system. The original floor was dug up and relayed with a new one, new lighting was fitted together with a new CCTV system. The extraction system was also enhanced.
“As Performance Panels continued to grow, it became clear that a full evaluation of our operations was necessary to meet our environmental and sustainable ambitions,” said Robert Thompson, Group CEO at See Limited.
“The implementation of the storage system and panel dividing saw is part of our continuous investment into See Limited’s operating businesses as we continue to grow and evolve.
“In a fast-moving industry, it is crucial we stay ahead of the curve and on top of the latest technological advancements.
“While the implementation of this significant investment has transformed the working operations onsite, it has also enhanced the health and safety measures too. Automation has replaced much of the manual handling and has drastically reduced the time spent locating and retrieving stock.”
MPs called on the government to back warm words with an increased agriculture budget after an opposition debate day in the House of Commons raised the importance of farming to Britain’s food security, environment, and economic growth.
NFU President Tom Bradshaw said there had been cross party consensus throughout the debate that food security is national security.
He said: “The agriculture budget is essential to investing in the farming and growing businesses that underpin the future of food and deliver for the environment. As we saw in the debate, food is not partisan. It should not be kicked around like a rotten pumpkin.
“The farming and growing businesses that produce food need long-term certainty so they can plan and invest for the future. The number one way to do this is to ensure we have a strategy to boost Britain’s food security, and this must be invested in, and supported by, an increased agriculture budget.
“The Chancellor recently held an ‘I’m backing British farming’ sign at our Labour Party conference stand. The Defra Secretary, Steve Reed, said at our Back British Farming Day parliamentary reception he was ‘making the case to Treasury to maximise support for farmers’. And the Food Security Minister Daniel Zeichner has been on farm six times in the past 100 days.
“There are countless examples of the government showing they value British farming, but these gestures and warm words must now be backed up by policy action,” he added.
Sandicliffe has bought the former Charles Warner site on Lincoln’s Outer Circle Road for an undisclosed sum.
However, agents Eddison agent said it was inviting offers around £2.5 million for the whole complex, including the automotive sales and servicing buildings, offices and ancillary properties, totalling 43,210 sq ft.
Will Wall, the Eddisons Director who led the agency’s deal, said the location saw the dealership set up in a prime position. “This is the location in which to be in Lincoln in terms of the commercial and domestic motor sales and wider automotive trade for the city and the wider area.
“Not only because it is where the full range of mainstream marques are represented – making it an established, high profile, one-stop style location for vehicle buyers and owners – but also as it’s a business district of the city which will see significant benefits through access to a wider regional reach with upgrade of the Lincoln Eastern bypass.”
In confirming the attractiveness of the site as an ‘oven ready’ facility to move in to, Tom Barton, Director of family-run Sandicliffe, added: “The site also allows the continuation of the MG brand in Lincolnshire. Additionally, exciting brands, such as the commercial vehicle marque Maxus, will be added to the site over the coming months.
“Once the refurbishment works are complete, then any surplus space within the site may be available to let on a short-term basis.
Roger and Giles Davis at Geo Hallam & Sons and Browne Jacobson acted for Sandicliffe in the acquisition.
Development of lorry parks at multiple locations throughout our region feature in a raft of grants being introduced in a £14m nationwide scheme to enhance efficiency and working conditions in the haulage industry.
Funds are being given to enhance parking and driver welfare facilities throughout Lincolnshire, Yorkshire, and Derbyshire including at Immingham, Stallinborough, Ulceby, Colsterworth on the A1, Newark, Sutterton, Bardon in Leicestershire, and numerous Moto locations amongst other.
it’s also intended that more green e-cargo bikes will deliver parcels to doorsteps and that better truckstops will help relieve local congestion, thanks to efforts from both government and industry to drive innovation in freight and improve working conditions.
Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood revealed the 23 successful applicants of up to £4.5 million from the government to improve truckstops and working conditions for lorry drivers.
The investment will also help build better dining, changing and rest facilities, as well as new CCTV and secure fencing to boost welfare and security for lorry drivers.
The funding is from the third year of the HGV parking and driver welfare grant scheme, which will come in addition to £8 million from industry, for a total funding boost of £12.5 million to improve truckstops. This investment comes on top of £1.8 million from the government for 10 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to trial new groundbreaking technology for decarbonising freight and driving innovation in the sector.
Ideas that will become reality include TUAL working with Wincanton to trial high-performance powerbanks for electric lorries, and Innervated Vehicle Engineering working in partnership with Asda to retrofit hydrogen power to small delivery vans.
This funding is the third tranche of the department’s Freight Innovation Fund Accelerator Programme, a £7 million government investment across 3 years to support the freight sector in deploying AI and automation to improve the way trains, lorries, vans, and ships carry parcels and goods.
Lilian Greenwood said: “Freight is a crucial engine of our economy and it is only right we do all we can to improve working conditions, pioneer innovation and drive sustainability across the industry.
“Our funding, combined with investment from the industry, will ensure lorry drivers can enjoy safer parking, a proper rest and a warm meal, while supporting UK businesses to harvest the best of technology to move freight faster, decarbonise our supply chain, and grow the economy for all.”
Government is introducing a new Employment Rights Bill which brings forward 28 individual employment reforms, from ending zero hours contracts and fire and rehire practices to establishing day one rights for paternity, parental and bereavement leave for millions of workers.
Its also intended to strengthen statutory sick pay, remove the lower earnings limit for all workers, cut out the waiting period before sick pay kicks in, and scrap the existing two-year qualifying period for protections from unfair dismissal.
Flexible working will be made the default where practical, and large employers will be required to create action plans to address gender pay gaps and support employees through the menopause, as well as strengthened protection against dismissal for pregnant women and new mothers.
The Government says getting the labour market moving again is essential to economic growth, with one in five UK businesses with more than 10 employees reporting staff shortages. It says flexibility, for workers and businesses alike, is key to answering this challenge and is at the heart of the legislation to upgrade the law to ensure it is fit for modern life and a modern economy.
It’s also intended to consult on a new statutory probation period for new hires, allowing for a proper assessment of an employee’s suitability to a role as well as reassuring employees that they have rights from day one, enabling businesses to take chances on hires while giving more people confidence to re-enter the job market or change careers, improving their living standards.
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said: “This is the biggest upgrade to rights at work for a generation, boosting pay and productivity with employment laws fit for a modern economy.
“The UK’s out-of-date employment laws are holding our country back and failing business and workers alike. Our plans to make work pay will deliver security in work as the foundation for boosting productivity and growing our economy to make working people better off and realise our potential.”
Brothers Richard and Graham Downs have moved to Barnsley to launch a digital innovation they’ve created.
Called AnchorVine, it’s an AI-powered digital platform targeted at business support agencies, accelerators, incubators, universities and colleges.
It aims to improve the efficiency of their programmes by bringing together all management and communication tools and automating essential routine tasks. Itincludes a 24/7 virtual business assistant to maintain focus on actions they need to take between meetings with their real-life advisor.
Richard and Graham developed their new platform into a commercial proposition through The Furnace business incubation programme delivered by Enterprising Barnsley at Barnsley’s Digital Media Centre. Undertaking that programme convinced them to move from Sheffield to DMC 01 and build their business in Barnsley – and Enterprising Barnsley, via its Launchpad programme for startups, has become one of the first organisations to adopt the AnchorVine platform.
Richard said: “The Furnace experience was pivotal in helping us to refine our MVP – Minimum Viable Product – and our sales pitch for AnchorVine and land our first customers.
“It was a no brainer decision for us to stay in Barnsley and be part of the ecosystem we’re now trying to help grow. We look forward to working with Enterprising Barnsley help make future business support programmes even more effective, as well as playing an active part in the business community.”
The brothers’ decision to rent office space at DMC 01 has been backed by a Tech Welcome Grant. Plus, as part of the Barnsley digital business community, they now have access to on-going support and workshops through Enterprising Barnsley and Launchpad Enterprising Barnsley group leader Ben Hawley said: “It’s been a pleasure to work with AnchorVine to help them bring their innovative business support tool to market through The Furnace incubator.
“We’re very pleased they’ve decided to stay on and make Barnsley their base as they pioneer their product with us, and promote it across South Yorkshire, the wider region and ultimately nationally as the go-to AI-enhanced digital tool to support business transformation.”
Two heritage and culturally significant attractions are set to expand their offer and attract even more visitors to the Lincolnshire Wolds following the approval of planning consent.
On 3rd October, on determining two separate applications with unanimous decisions, East Lindsey District Council’s planning committee granted planning permission and listed building consent for Alford Manor House and the grounds of Alford Windmill.
The consent marks a huge milestone for both projects which, once complete, will see new uses for each attraction, generating greater footfall into the town all year round, supporting the local economy, and safeguarding these heritage assets for future generations.
Both sites, along with Spilsby Sessions House, are part of the Lincolnshire Wolds: Culture and Heritage Programme. The ambitious regeneration scheme is benefitting from £8 million funding from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to regenerate the assets to secure their future.
The permission for Alford Manor House will realise a new permanent, flexible event space which will see the temporary marquee removed that has been in place since 2006. The new function room will allow the Manor House to provide event space for up to 100 people. The consent also includes minor works to the car park and construction of a canopy to store large pieces of machinery for the Rural Life Museum and workshop.
The consent for the Alford Windmill site includes a new visitor centre incorporating a café and shop, refurbishment of the Miller’s Cottage into a two-bed holiday accommodation, refurbishment of the Sail Store as an educational space, the pigsty to be converted into a children’s play area, refurbishment of the former shop to display Millwright tools, and landscaping throughout the site.
The approvals follow a period of public consultation, including local residents, Alford Town Council, Historic England, Natural England and Heritage Lincolnshire. The Council will continue to work alongside Lincolnshire County Council at Alford Windmill as the project develops.
Cllr Graham Marsh, Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture at East Lindsey District Council, said: “I am delighted the Council’s planning committee has supported these ambitious plans which will help secure the future for these attractions.
“The Council is working collaboratively with Alford Manor House and Alford Windmill Trust as well as other partners to bring new uses and extend the visitor offer which is important for the local economy and to grow tourism opportunities in the Lincolnshire Wolds.
“These attractions hold so much historic value for local people as well as wider East Lindsey. A lot of work has gone on behind the scenes to get to the milestone of planning approval today and I look forward to seeing these projects being delivered further over the coming months.”
Cllr Adam Grist, Portfolio Holder for Market Towns at East Lindsey District Council, said: “Both Alford Manor House and Alford windmill are part of the fabric that makes Alford the historic market town that it is. I am therefore, delighted that these schemes have been given the go ahead to bring these plans to life.
“The plans offer great potential to really impact the tourism economy of the Lincolnshire Wolds and bring visitors and holidaymakers to Alford and the surrounding Wolds.
“These plans are hugely exciting and the benefits they bring will be far reaching for businesses and organisations in Alford and surrounding areas.”
William Silby from STEM Architects said: “We are pleased to see the planning officers and local councillors support the projects with a unanimous decision to approve both applications.
“It has been a pleasure working with the rest of the design team, ELDC and the trustees at both Alford Manor House and Windmill. We are looking forward to continuing with the next stages of both projects. In particular, it is fantastic that these schemes will support the ongoing viability of the Windmill and Manor House and protect these beautiful heritage assets for generations to come.”
A range of pre-construction work will now continue on both sites ready for work to start next year. A planning application for Spilsby Sessions House is due to be submitted later this year.
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