Antiques Centre signs up to commercial waste recycling scheme
Hemswell Antique Centre has joined West Lindsey District Council’s Commercial Waste Service.
Switching to the council’s service will support Hemswell Antique Centre, home to Lancaster bombers during WW2, in improving its sustainability and reducing its carbon footprint. Increased recycling and diversion of waste from landfill is aligned with the council’s ambitious goal to reach carbon neutrality before 2050. Partnerships like this represent important steps on the path to curbing climate change and protecting the planet for future generations to come.
All mixed recycling is taken to MID UK Recycling who run two fully accredited recycling processing plants in Lincolnshire. Items are processed at their state-of-the-art Materials Recovery Facility, with any recyclable materials that are extracted being supplied to re-processors.
Separate paper and cardboard is taken to Palm Paper in Kings Lynn, which is one of the leading companies in the European paper recycling industry. It’s paper mills produce high-quality newsprint and corrugated packaging products.
Paul Dagg, Operations Director for Hemswell Antique Centre, said: “Antiques themselves are incredibly environmentally friendly – for example, industry studies have shown that an antique chest of drawers will have just one twelfth of the carbon footprint of its modern-day counterpart.
“It is essential that every part of our business is consistent with the same green credentials as the items we sell, and partnering locally is an important part of that strategy. We are thrilled to be working with West Lindsey District Council, trusting their proven record in waste management to help us become more sustainable, whilst keeping our costs low.”
Cllr Stephen Bunney, Chairman of West Lindsey District Council, said: “It is great to see businesses such as this signing up to the service along with more than 500 other customers in the West Lindsey area. The Council is a recognised brand, and we have a strong track record of collecting waste and recycling.
“As a Council, we are striving to become carbon neutral by 2050. We are leading the way by offering customers bins for general waste, mixed recycling and dedicated bins for paper and cardboard.
“Hemswell Antique Centre opting to use our service demonstrates their commitment and trust in us to recycle as much of their waste as possible, helping to reach our overall target.”
North Yorkshire charity upgrades accommodation block with £445,000 funding
A North Yorkshire–based youth charity has upgraded its accommodation to provide young people with improved living spaces, thanks to support from Lloyds Bank.
North Yorkshire Youth is a charity that provides support to young people through youth clubs, bespoke programmes, volunteering, and experiencing the outdoors. It was founded in 1941 by Lady Crathorne – a prominent youth worker in the years leading up to World War II – and today is led by her son Lord Crathorne, President of the organisation.
To strengthen its offering and provide a better service for its users, the charity approached Lloyds Bank securing a £445,000 funding package to upgrade one of its three existing accommodation blocks.
Due to the age and condition of the block, the accommodation could only be used for six months of the year as it didn’t have adequate heating. With its condition worsening, the charity was at risk of losing up to a third of its business as it fell into disrepair.
Following the funding from Lloyds Bank, work on the new modular building, which can accommodate up to 24 people, has now been completed. The refurbishment will also provide a more sustainable approach, using repurposed steel frames and improved insulation to increase energy efficiency.
Having increased its residential provision, the charity has also decided to increase its services. It is now offering 18 different activities to primary school-aged children, as well as supporting young people on a one-to-one basis through its youth mentoring programme with bespoke support packages. It has also taken on two apprentices this year.
David Sharp, Chief Executive of North Yorkshire Youth, said: “Our goal is to provide children with opportunities to discover their potential, and we’re delighted to be able to continue making a difference to over 5,000 children per year with the support of Lloyds Bank. Providing children with experiences outside of the classroom allows them to learn more about themselves, improve their self-esteem and self-confidence.
“We are very excited to have an extended range of activities for the children and to be able to offer our valuable youth mentoring experience as well.”
Paul Kelly, relationship manager of Lloyds Banking Group, said: “We are proud to be supporting a charity like North Yorkshire Youth that has a rich history of allowing children to expand their capabilities through a wide range of activities.
“Through our personal and responsive remote and flexible one-to-one service model for business customers, we were able to support them in their long-standing work with young people in a way that was suitable for them and their needs.
“We’ll continue to be by the side of North Yorkshire Youth and look forward to supporting them in their future growth.”
Yorkshire Country Properties strengthens management team
Huddersfield-based Yorkshire Country Properties (YCP) has strengthened its management team with a key appointment and three promotions.
Hard on the heels of the appointment of Paul Brown as Managing Director comes the news that a brand-new executive team is now in place.
Rob Wilkinson has joined YCP as financial director, while Mike May, Sam McGregor and Jenny Wass have been promoted to head of construction, head of sales and head of marketing respectively.
Rob, a Yorkshireman born in Wakefield, has joined YCP from Tilia Homes, previously known as Kier Living. A graduate of at Nottingham Trent University, Rob has also worked with accountancy firm Armstrong Watson.
He said: “This is a tremendously exciting move for me. Yorkshire Country Properties are a trailblazer in the development of beautiful, state-of-the-art houses, from starter homes to five-bed executive and family houses.
“It was too good an opportunity to miss. There is an excellent team already in place here and there is huge potential for growth. We have a clear vision of what we want to achieve and, personally, I will thrive on the responsibility I’ve been given.”
Paul Brown explained: “I am delighted to welcome Rob to Yorkshire Country Properties. This is a very significant appointment for the company as we embark on a programme of site acquisitions and expansion. A sound and sensible financial base is crucial to every successful company and Rob will provide exactly that.
“Meanwhile these three promotions are richly deserved. Mike, Sam and Jen are all very talented and are committed to making YCP the very best housebuilder in West Yorkshire. Their experience and expertise have already proved invaluable and – together – they comprise a superb management team. I am very lucky and proud to have such an excellent team to support me in growing our company and achieving our targets.”
Mike May said: “During the past three years, the company has made a positive and focussed contribution to the housing provision in the Kirklees and West Yorkshire area. Apart from a completed development at Netherthong, Holmfirth, where every single one of the 22 beautiful houses built were sold, YCP are now on site at Shepley, Skelmanthorpe and Denby Dale.
“All three of these new developments are providing much-needed housing, including a significant number of starter homes, enabling young people to get on to the property ladder. Our starter homes at Phase One at Shepley and Skelmanthorpe have now sold out, underpinning our contribution to both the community and to sustainability in the three villages.”
Sam McGregor explained: “We are currently building 147 beautiful, high-quality homes and, in total, we are looking at a potential pipeline of over 700 new homes. Given the current uncertainty of the mortgage and financial markets, we are placing more emphasis than ever on high quality and product differentiation.
“Clearly, the current state of the housing market presents challenges, but we are confident that the quality of our houses combined with the enthusiasm and commitment of our wonderful team here at YCP will enable us to continue to deliver the kind of homes that are needed across all demographics in Yorkshire.”
Jenny Wass added: “It’s exciting to be involved in such a dynamic and thriving company, I love property and I love people so working with the YCP brand which is all about delivering an exceptional experience and product to our customers is very rewarding. My previous role in Customer Service within YCP really helps me understand our customers and have them top of mind in whatever we deliver in our Marketing mix.”
Poly Postal Packaging wraps up property deal in Lincoln
Lincoln-based packaging business Poly Postal Packaging has acquired the freehold of warehouse premises on the city’s Cardinal Close in an off-market deal negotiated by Edison’s incorporating Banks Long.
Acting on behalf of the vendor, who was also the owner occupier, Eddisons secured the sale of Unit 11 Newporte Business Park. It’s a detached warehouse premises of 15,490 sq ft, plus an additional 8,698 sq ft mezzanine, on a 0.78 acre site just off the Outer Circle Road to the north east of the city.
Previously in leased premises on Freeman Road, in the North Hykeham district for almost 16 years, Paddy Micklefield, founder & Md of the packaging business, said he had been seeking new freehold premises for around seven years before being approached by Eddisons.
He said: “The business has expanded and diversified so much since I started in 2005 as a sole trader on the e-bay platform. Our previous location had become restrictive. We now have plans to expand including a new packaging shop which includes our existing counter click & collect services.”
William Wall of Eddisons incorporating Banks Long & Co led the agency’s negotiations on behalf of the vendor following its leasing of new, larger premises through Eddisons at Swinderby Industrial Park, Lincoln.
He said: “Lincoln’s growing profile as an increasingly viable logistics hub is seeing strong demand for freehold opportunities by investors & owner occupiers, alike – but availability remains squeezed.
“Knowledge of active players in the local market certainly helped us achieve best value for our client in this deal.
“While the value of the freehold sold remains commercially confidential, the off-market sale of Unit 11 reflects the nature and the strength of the local industrial market.”
Revenue and profit rise at Belvoir Group
Revenue and profit are on the rise at Belvoir Group, the property franchise and financial services group with its Central Office in Grantham.
According to interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2023, revenue at the business increased by 3% to £15.9m. Meanwhile Belvoir posted a 10% increase in profit before tax to £4.4m.
The period also saw the acquisition of BMA Bristol Ltd, a financial services business comprising 21 self-employed advisers and a lead-generating website.
Dorian Gonsalves, Chief Executive Officer of Belvoir Group, said: “The outperformance of our business model continues to reflect the entrepreneurial nature of our franchisees and self-employed financial services advisers, who remain entirely focused on maximising the opportunities presented in all market conditions.
“With 58% of their revenue derived from a strong recurring lettings market, our property franchisees have been able to offset the impact of the reduction in UK housing transactions. Meanwhile our financial advisers are mitigating the lower level of new purchase mortgages by servicing demand for remortgages and other related products from their substantial client banks.
“Our resilient business model and our proven growth strategy underpin the ongoing success of the group’s performance and consequently, the Board confirms that the group is trading comfortably in line with management’s expectations for the year ending 31 December 2023.”
Belvoir Group acquired MAB (South West) Ltd, a financial services business, last week.
Move to new premises offers space for company’s expansion
Relocation to business premises on The Point Business Park in Lincoln will give UK data measurement systems & electronics firm, HGL Dynamics Ltd, a new base from which to expand its operating division and recruit to accommodate business growth.
HGL’s move to its new Lincoln base at The Point Business Park follows the firm’s purchase of the freehold of Unit F – a 503 sq m (5,415 sq ft) detached, two storey, self-contained office building, with parking – through Eddisons incorporating Banks Long & Co, who acted as the sole agent on behalf of the vendor.
HGL – whose client base varies from household names in the aerospace & industrial gas turbine sectors to classic car restorers & drone manufacturers – has been based at Lincoln’s Lindum Business Park for more than ten years, but the firm has outgrown that space.
Julian Howden, Principal Mechanical Design and Production Engineer, said: “In logistical terms, we had reached full capacity at our original Lincoln site. The move to Unit F at The Point gives the team scope to design a floorplan and layout for improved flexibility, efficiency and ergonomics.
“Our Lincoln operation currently has a headcount of 16, but we have plans to recruit to meet business growth and our acquisition of Unit F gives us the space to do that.”
William Wall, who led Eddisons’ agency negotiations with HGL, said, “It’s a testament to the vibrancy of Lincoln’s business scene that companies like HGL are keen to reinforce their presence here by investing in property and recruitment.”
HGL is due to move in to Unit F at The Point Business Park later this year following a comprehensive fit-out programme.
FSB draws up Christmas wish list on behalf of SMEs
The FSB wants Government to start thinking about its Christmas policies following the latest Small Business Index results.
The research shows that small firms in retail and accommodation and food sectors had a far lower confidence reading than businesses from all sectors, at -38 points and -36 points respectively, against an all-sector finding of -14 points in the second quarter of 2023.
The UK’s largest business group has released a Tinsel List of policies – following a challenging three years of dealing with Covid-19, energy hikes and soaring interest rates and inflation.
Policies in the Tinsel List include:
- High streets must be easily accessible, with available parking, and increasing park and ride. Local transport must be reliable, affordable and well connected – and the Government must ensure its Pothole Fund is fairly allocated.
- Raising the VAT threshold from £85,000 to £100,000 could spark growth across the economy. Many firms halt trading near the end of the tax year to avoid hitting the current limit and incurring additional costs.
- The Small Business Rates Relief threshold should be increased to £25,000 to remove 200,000 small firms out of the rates system.
- Cheaper energy costs – energy firms should more widely adopt FSB’s proposal to allow small firms that negotiated their contract at the height of the energy crisis last year to be able to ‘blend and extend’ their contracts to take advantage of lower, wholesale prices. Lower energy bills will allow firms to keep their prices low for consumers.
- Reinstate tax free shopping for international visitors, to add £4bn of GDP through increased retail and tourism, secondary spending and small producers – and signalling that the UK is open for business.
Late announcement of early delivery allowance is a bitter pill for sugar growers
British Sugar’s announcement of an Early Delivery Allowance for this year’s crop has come far too late to enable many growers to change their plans to benefit from it, says the NFU.
NFU Sugar welcomes the scheme which it has been calling on British Sugar to introduce for months. However, the organisation is disappointed that British Sugar waited until just days before the campaign begins to announce it, given that an early start to the 2023 campaign was known about since January.
The NFU says that executed correctly and planned in advance, the EDA would have had the potential to solve British Sugar’s perennial challenge of slow beet deliveries early in the campaign. In addition, it could also have spread contactor workload more smoothly, helping growers wanting to lift early maintain beet in their rotation.
Michael Sly, NFU Sugar Board chair, said: “Many growers will have sprayed crops recently, many harvesters will be undergoing maintenance with staff potentially absent or working elsewhere in the business in September, and many hauliers will already be committed to other work. All of these will prevent growers from delivering beet early who could otherwise take advantage of the EDA to service British Sugar’s need.”
NFU Sugar was not given the opportunity to agree the details before British Sugar announced the EDA. As discussions for 2024 are ongoing, says the NFU, it is essential British Sugar executes the EDA in future contracts in a timely, planned and appropriate manner so that all parties can reap the benefits.
BRM Solicitors appoints new director for Sheffield Dispute Team
BRM Solicitors has appointed Lewis Hastie as a director of its Sheffield-based Dispute Team.
Lewis joins the firm with more than 14 years’ post qualified experience, specialising predominantly in contentious probate cases and acting in contentious Court of Protection proceedings.Strengthening both the Dispute and Private Client teams, Lewis joins at a time of expansion for the departments.Lewis said: “I am very excited to be joining BRM, a firm that is expanding quickly and is fully committed to providing the best possible service for its clients, really going above and beyond for them.
“I look forward to bringing my strong experience in contentious probate and contentious Court of Protection cases to the firm and positively contributing to the firm’s vision for the future.“I look forward to working with the team and helping to expand its growing client base, building on the excellent progress it has made.”BRM director and head of the firm’s Dispute Team, Rob Cooke, said: “Lewis brings a whole wealth of experience to the team having worked in contentious probate for a number of years.
“It is immediately evident that Lewis really cares about getting to know each of his clients and prides himself in building long-lasting relationships – a value that BRM holds at the heart of the firm.”
Golf day raises over £5,000 for Sheffield young persons charity
The annual Nicholas Associates Group (NAG) & CSP Systems golf day has raised over £5,000 for a Sheffield-based charity which will benefit young people.
Now in its third year, the beneficiary for money raised from the 2023 golf day will be Endeavour, a charity which aims to enrich the lives of young people through education and adventure.
Held at Wortley Golf Club, the golf day attracted over 120 players from 30 local businesses and supply chain partners who played in a team competition with a number of individual prizes.
The winning team was The Business Village, Chris Goddard from B&B Vehicle Contracts won nearest the pin on hole 9 whilst Graham Jamson from Coster UK won nearest the pin on the 16th, and Ryan Hopeley from D&G Utilities won longest drive.
Commenting on the success of the day, Joanne Wilson, group marketing & communications manager from NAG, said: “This is our 3rd joint charity golf day with our suppliers CSP Systems. We chose Endeavour because their mission to empower young people is very closely aligned with our own values and ambitions to enable people to be their best. We are pleased to support Endeavour to create opportunities and support for more young people to develop skills, knowledge and confidence to enable them to fulfil their potential and create a positive future.”
Andy Bethel from CSP Systems said: “We have expanded the number of teams taking part, which has, in turn, increased the amount raised. The day was a fantastic success, and we hope to build on this for next year. Thanks again to Wortley for hosting our event so professionally.”
Ed Thatcher, CEO of Endeavour, added: “It has been great to welcome Nicholas Associates Group & CSP Systems on board as a corporate partner. We really appreciate their support and also the opportunity to meet other potential partners through their golf day. It is vital that we continue to expand our partner network. Being part of this golf day has been a great opportunity to raise our profile and hopefully engage with potential new corporate partners.”
