Leeds engineering services group eyes renewable energy services market with acquisition

Tess Egginton
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Leeds engineering services group eyes renewable energy services market with acquisition
Renew, the Leeds-based engineering services group supporting the maintenance and renewal of critical UK infrastructure, has acquired Full Circle, a specialist provider of repair, maintenance and monitoring services for onshore wind turbines in the UK and Europe, for €60m (£50.5m). Full Circle was controlled and owned predominantly by AtlasInvest Holding, the Belgian family holding specialised in the energy sector.

The acquisition represents a compelling strategic fit for Renew, entering the high-growth renewable energy services market with a leading position, in line with the group’s stated strategy of capitalising on the green energy transition.

Renewable energy is forecast to become the largest component of Europe’s total energy mix by 2050. The onshore wind market is well-established and forecast to grow at 7.7% CAGR over the next six years.

Paul Scott, Chief Executive Officer of Renew, said: “The acquisition of Full Circle represents an exciting opportunity for the Group to enter a high-growth, and fragmented onshore wind services market.

“Full Circle operates a scalable technology-enabled platform across a diverse customer base with existing long-term contracts and a fast-growing brand in the UK and across Europe. The company’s proven track record in its core markets, and highly experienced management team mean the business is well positioned to service other turbine technologies and geographies both through acquisition and an organic growth strategy.

“With governments across Europe reaffirming their commitments to achieving Net Zero by 2050, the addition of Full Circle’s industry-leading offering will allow us to play a pivotal role in supporting the green energy transition and benefit from the long-term, non-discretionary funding programmes that underpin it. I am delighted to welcome the Full Circle team to the Renew family.”

Bradford Council backs first phase of Mass Transit scheme

Tess Egginton
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Bradford Council backs first phase of Mass Transit scheme
Bradford Council has submitted its response to the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s proposals on the first phase of Mass Transit in West Yorkshire. The Combined Authority has been consulting on the first phase of its Mass Transit scheme, which would see two tram routes created: a Bradford Line connecting people between Bradford and Leeds city centres and a Leeds Line, entirely within the Leeds district, connecting people between St James’ Hospital and the White Rose Office Park and Shopping Centre. Bradford Council’s response to the consultation gives option B3 as the Council’s preference, with other options considered viable but less preferred. A decision on the route to be developed will be made by West Yorkshire Combined Authority when the consultation concludes. The preferred route proposals use a disused railway corridor to the north of Holme Wood, a route through the Parry Lane Enterprise Zone and along Bowling Back Lane to Wakefield Road. It would then approach the city centre via Bridge Street and Market Street before stopping at Forster Square Station. The main positives to this route are that it directly serves the Southern Gateway area, which has been identified as a key regeneration area with potential for significant housing growth. It would also serve more of the city centre area with potential for stops at City Park and Bradford Interchange. It could also be adapted to take in the proposed new through station in the Southern Gateway area. The preferred proposed route will also serve Holme Wood, giving this area better links to Bradford and Leeds city centres. The route also allows for better separation of Mass Transit from other traffic, leading to better journey times and less congestion. The council’s response to the consultation emphasises that to increase overall use of public transport Mass Transit must supplement rather than replace rail or buses. The response also says that any Mass Transit system should be planned to function as part of the overall wider public transport network and how it works for both transport within the city and also in connecting urban communities considered. Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration, Planning and transport, said: “Connecting Bradford and Leeds with Mass Transit is such a huge opportunity to grow our economy and better connect our communities, not just across the district but the whole region. “We’re working with the Combined Authority ensure the proposed Mass Transit system contributes to significant growth and regeneration in central Bradford and the Southern Gateway and that the designs take into account all the work currently being done to make our city centre more pedestrian friendly. “Alongside the government commitment for a £2bn new Bradford rail station we now have a rare opportunity to develop a truly integrated transport hub, working across different modes of transport, with active and public transport as an attractive option for residents and visitors. “The project should also recognise the potential for easing the housing pressure between Bradford and Leeds. Having this Mass Transit scheme in Bradford aligns perfectly to the governments mission to kickstart economic growth and will help people have better access to jobs and opportunities, education and health as well as hospitality and leisure destinations.”

Network Rail moves into £26m former college building in Doncaster

Stuart Pearcey
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Network Rail moves into £26m former college building in Doncaster
Network Rail has signed a 25-year contract to move into the £26m former National College For Advanced Transport & Infrastructure promises in Doncaster, which closed in 2023. It will be developed into a bespoke training facility that offers a range of different apprenticeship and trainee opportunities. In its original form, NCATI was envisioned as a specialist institution that would provide the skills required to help deliver HS2. However, the college’s narrow remit was eventually expanded to try and improve enrolment, with it becoming the less niche NCATI when the University of Birmingham took over in 2021. Despite this broadening of scope, the institution continued to suffer from low student numbers and was ultimately forced to close its doors just two years later; winding down all of its education programmes in the process. Dan Fell, Chief Exec of Doncaster Chamber, said: “While not a fatal blow for our economy, the closure of NCATI in 2023 was certainly bruising for Doncaster. After all, the college had state-of-the-art facilities, an excellent faculty and a very exciting offer for students. Yet, thanks in no small part to Government indecision regarding HS2, it was sadly hobbled for the start and never allowed to reach its full potential. “As such, the announcement that a significant industry player, in the form of Network Rail, has signed a 25-year lease to be the new tenants of this building is extremely heartening. Not only does it signal that the outside world does indeed have faith in Doncaster — and in our well-earned reputation as both a historic rail city — but it also means that we will be able to draw upon even more expertise in this area than we already have. “Meanwhile, the fact that we will be getting another specialist, post-16 education provider on our doorstep will only serve to enhance our exemplary skills offer. While many of the operational details still need to be ironed out, it’s safe to say that our residents, businesses and economy are all set to reap the benefits of this.”

South Africa poultry deal could be worth £160m to UK producers

Stuart Pearcey
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South Africa poultry deal could be worth £160m to UK producers
British poultry producers now have access to South Africa after the UK secured market access worth up to £160m to the industry over the next five years. The development will allow UK traders to export poultry to South Africa for the first time in eight years, after restrictions were placed on UK imports following outbreaks of avian influenza in the UK. The UK was declared free from avian influenza earlier this year. Lowering this trade barrier has been one of the UK’s priorities for agricultural trade, and its resolution marks a significant step forward, benefiting South African consumers with access to high-quality and securely supplied poultry meat. Food Security Minister Daniel Zeichner met South African ministers, Deputy Minister Rosemary Capa (Agriculture) and Deputy Minister Andrew Whitfield (Trade), last week to finalise the deal. This access will provide further opportunities to grow the UK economy and strengthen the trading relationship between both countries. Daniel Zeichner said: “This deal not only opens new opportunities for UK poultry traders, but grants a new avenue through which to grow the UK economy.

“We’re one step further on our journey to securing better trade deals for UK farmers, improving industry resilience and kickstarting our food exports.”

South Africa has historically been an important market for UK poultry, with exports of poultry worth over £37 million to South Africa in 2016. Teams from across government have worked in combination with their counterparts in South Africa for many years to regain market access. International Meat Trade Association CEO Katie Doherty said: “The reopening of South Africa for UK poultry meat exports is fantastic news for UK producers and exporters – prior to the ban, it was a vital market for UK exporters.

“It is testament to all the hard work by Defra’s market access team and the agricultural attachés and other officials who have supported this crucial work over many years, for which we are very grateful.”

1,000 jobs lost as TGI Fridays goes into administration

Stuart Pearcey
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1,000 jobs lost as TGI Fridays goes into administration
More than 1,000 people lost their jobs yesterday as the owners of TGI Fridays went into administration. As Thursdays UK Limited, operating under the brand ‘TGI Fridays UK’, entered administration 51 off its sites were sold, securing for now almost 2,400 jobs, but 35 sites have been closed, resulting in 1,012 redundancies. Chief Exec Julie McEwan said: “We are doing everything possible to retain our team and support those impacted.” Buyers Breal Capital and Calveton UK already own restaurant chains Byron Burgers and Vinoteca as well as restaurant group D&D London. The Government has stepped in to help resolve issues around payment of wages and tips.

Sheffield Forgemasters help with restart of world’s oldest working nuclear reactor

Stuart Pearcey
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Sheffield Forgemasters help with restart of world’s oldest working nuclear reactor
Work done by Sheffield Forgemasters has allowed the restarting of a nuclear reactor in Switzerland that has been offline for two years. Unit 1 of the Beznau nuclear power plant is the world’s oldest nuclear power plant still in commercial operation, having been commissioned in September 1969. It was taken offline for two years until confirmed to be safe by the Swiss Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate. As an engineering consultant for the project, Sheffield Forgemasters was responsible for the entire process of recreating a section of the reactor, conducting materials testing and establishing a root cause analysis. Using the same techniques employed in the original manufacturing in the 1960s, Sheffield Forgemasters as faithfully as possible produced a large cylindrical forging almost identical to the original. Ultrasonic testing was conducted on the full-scale replica and similar ultrasonic indications were discovered. A spokesman for Forgemasters said: “The work carried out by Sheffield Forgemasters gave significant support to the overall safety case and allowed the reactor to be restarted after a significantly costly two year hiatus. It has also provided information which will help to assess the current and ongoing safety of the RPV and ensure the operation requirements of the whole power plant are met for the future of the reactors life.”

East Lindsey businesses warned about new ‘licence expiry’ scam

Stuart Pearcey
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East Lindsey businesses warned about new ‘licence expiry’ scam
Businesses in the East Lindsey area of Lincolnshire are being alerted to a new scam being attempted in the area, where fraudsters posing as Council officials claim alcohol licences are about to expire. A spokesman for the Licensing Officers of South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership said: “The scam involves individuals falsely claiming that your Alcohol Premises Licence is running out or expiring. This is incorrect, as alcohol licences do not expire or run out. Any annual licence fees due will be handled by the Council through the usual annual invoice/reminder process. “These fraudsters can seem very convincing, sometimes having accurate information such as the fee amount or the names of real Council staff. If you’re ever in doubt about someone claiming to be from the Council, contact your local council directly to verify their identity. “We are committed to protecting our local businesses from fraudulent activities. Please remain vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour to ensure the safety and integrity of our community.” If you believe you’ve been targeted by this scam or have any relevant information, please report the incident to the Licensing Team at your local council, Lincolnshire Police on 101, and Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.

National Grid put under pressure to ‘come clean’ over costs in pylon plan

Stuart Pearcey
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National Grid put under pressure to ‘come clean’ over costs in pylon plan

National Grid is being pressured by Lincolnshire County Council’s legal department to share the data used to justify its claim that 400 pylons running through Lincolnshire are cheaper than seabed cabling.

The council believes the costing for the Grid’s proposal for pylons and substations across 80 miles of productive farmland between Grimsby and Walpole are fundamentally flawed. Officers have already requested official costings twice and have been ignored by the Grid, which has cited commercial sensitivities. The council, which is supportive of the need to route offshore renewables to UK communities to achieve net zero, believes the Grid’s ‘value for money’ claims may be flawed on the following grounds:
  • They are deliberately using out of date costings to justify pylons over seabed cabling.
  • They are ignoring indirect costs like the compensation they would need to pay to land and property owners, the extra infrastructure needed to allow for the maintenance of the network and the compensation that councils would claim for loss of tourism.
  • They have not considered other alternatives like investing in existing pylon networks to boost their capacity.
The council has formally requested a response from the Grid on these points by 29 October, ahead of official consultations planned for spring next year. Martin Hill, leader of Lincolnshire County Council, said: “We have been quite clear about the impact these proposals would have on the county if they came to fruition, and we deserve to have the full information to ensure that National Grid has truly considered all the options before decimating Lincolnshire’s countryside. “The county council is experienced with dealing with commercially sensitive information, so hiding behind this excuse simply does not make sense. “We believe their data is flawed, but if the Grid stands by the claim that pylons are a cheaper, they need to simply tell us how they have reached that conclusion – show us the figures. “Upgrades to national energy infrastructure need to be done properly, and we’re seeking assurances for our residents that every option is being properly considered.”  

College takes almost 13,000-foot space at Dean Clough

Stuart Pearcey
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College takes almost 13,000-foot space at Dean Clough
Calderdale College has taken on a 12,834 sq for space at Dean Clough in Halifax for a  digital creative skills hub. ‘Mill Studios’ now serves students aged 16+ with high-tech facilities for studies in film and TV production, design and editing, esports and games design. The centre has dedicated learning studios with the very latest equipment and software for games design and filming as well as collaborative spaces for events, exhibitions and engagement with employers. The new facility was made possible by funding from the Local Skills Improvement Fund and the College’s own capital investment. LSIF aims to tackle skill shortages by responding to employers’ needs and giving young people the skills to get good jobs and increase their prospects. David Malone, Principal and Chief Executive at Calderdale College, said: “We are incredibly fortunate to have partnered with Dean Clough, whose spacious and professional venue provides the ideal environment for our students to thrive and excel in these fast-growing industries. I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Jeremy and everyone at Dean Clough for their unwavering support throughout this project. Their collaboration has been instrumental in bringing Mill Studios to life, and I am confident that this partnership will open new doors for both our students and the broader creative community in Calderdale. “This is just the beginning, and I look forward to seeing how our students and staff make full use of this incredible facility as we continue to innovate and expand our curriculum to meet the demands of the future.”

East Yorkshire to share in £500m bus bonanza

Stuart Pearcey
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East Yorkshire to share in £500m bus bonanza
Up to 500 UK manufacturing jobs could be supported because of the decision by bus operator Go Ahead to invest £500m investment to decarbonise its fleet, which operates in areas including East Yorkshire. The investment is set to fund Northern Ireland manufacturer Wrightbus building up to 1,200 new zero emission buses over the next three years for operator Go Ahead. Transport Secretary Louise Haigh is to create a new UK Bus Manufacturing Expert Panel, bringing together industry experts and local leaders to explore ways to ensure the UK remains a leader in bus manufacturing, help local authorities deliver on their transport ambitions, and begin to seize opportunities to embrace zero emission transport technologies. She said: “This announcement will see communities across the country benefit from brand new, state of the art green buses – which will deliver cleaner air and better journeys. “We’re creating the right conditions for businesses to flourish, so we can support jobs and accelerate towards decarbonising the transport sector.”The Transport Secretary will also announce plans to create a new UK Bus Manufacturing Expert Panel. This panel will bring together industry experts and local leaders to explore ways to ensure the UK remains a leader in bus manufacturing, help local authorities to deliver on their transport ambitions, and begin to seize opportunities to embrace zero emission transport technologies. Go-Ahead Bus CEO Matt Carney said: “This multi-million pound investment and partnership with WrightBus will accelerate the transition to zero-emission fleet across the UK. “We are proud to be working in partnership with the UK Government and local authorities to deliver transformational environmental change for communities, while supporting UK jobs and the growth of the country’s supply chain.”
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