Scunthorpe firm start work on £7m sports ground development in Goole
Work has started on the first phase of a £7m refurbishment scheme at the Goole’s Victoria Pleasure Ground has officially begun.
Scunthorpe-based Britcon, the main contractor for the project, has been on site since November 2024 carrying out preparatory work, but this week the demolition of the old stand and buildings began. This will be followed by the construction of a brand new, state-of-the-art, two-storey pavilion offering both internal and external viewing for spectators, as well as modern changing facilities, a kitchen, offices, a first aid room, a physiotherapy room, a cafe and a 160-seat conference and hospitality suite capable of hosting sporting, corporate and social events. The new layout will also significantly increase on-site parking.
Nick Shepherd, Britcon’s MD, said: “We will use best practice from previous sustainable leisure projects to minimise our impact and use regional suppliers wherever possible to maximise social value outcomes and local spend.”
As part of a second phase of work due to be carried out later in the year, a new, full-size, artificial 3G pitch and compact athletics facilities will be installed by S & C Slatter Ltd, a contractor specialising in sports facilities of this nature.
Goole Town Council Clerk Brian Robertson, said: “It’s a very exciting day for everyone involved with this project. The end product is going to be far bigger and better than anything we could ever have envisaged being able to provide for local teams, groups and organisations to use. It will undoubtedly make an enormous difference to the sports teams that already play at the VPG, as well as hundreds of local children who play for grassroots teams but currently have to travel outside Goole for training and many other local groups and organisations that will be able to make use of the new and improved facilities.
“Working closely with Britcon, we’ll be doing our utmost to keep disruption to user groups and nearby residents to a minimum over the coming weeks and months, but we’d ask everyone to bear with us as we work to deliver sports facilities that the town can be proud of, and which will undoubtedly help to bring more people into the town centre, boosting the local economy.”
Phil Jones, Chair of the Goole Town Deal Board, said: “Due to genuine fears for the long-term viability of the Victoria Pleasure Ground, as a Board we chose to prioritise its redevelopment as part of our strategic proposals to reinvigorate the town centre by allocating it a share of the town’s £25 million in Town Deal funding.
“Working with Goole Town Council and specialist consultants Steve Wells Associates, who brought their vast experience of developing top class sporting venues nationally to the project, we developed a visionary business case for the Victoria Pleasure Ground and it’s wonderful to see those ambitious plans now coming to fruition as demolition and building work gets underway.”
The venue is owned by East Riding of Yorkshire Council and leased long-term to Goole Town Council.
Work to start soon on Harrogate hospital enhancement
Work on the new Day Case Surgery and Imaging Centre at Harrogate District Hospital is due to start in the next few weeks.
Developed by Race Cottam Associates working with Morgan Sindall Construction has signed the building contract with Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust.
Following planning approval at the end of last year and the successful demolition of the existing Therapy Services building – part of efforts to remove RAAC from the estate – construction is set to begin in the coming weeks.
The two-storey facility, linked to the existing hospital street, will provide state-of-the-art surgical and imaging services. It will house two new operating theatres, two minor procedures treatment rooms, a dedicated day case ward, and an advanced imaging department.
Kirsty Pearson, Senior Project Architect at Race Cottam Associates, said: “It has been a pleasure working with all members of the team and we look forward to seeing the project come to life over the next few months. Thank you to everyone who has helped get the project to this point so far.“
Yorkshire Building Society names new Chief Commercial Officer
Yorkshire Building Society has appointed Simon Watson as Chief Commercial Officer, and he’ll join the company in May after 14 years with NatWest Group.
Currently MD of Affluent Banking & Investing, he has held a number of senior leadership positions spanning personal and private banking, digital transformation, corporate affairs, brand and customer propositions.
Susan Allen, the society’s Chief Exec, said: “Simon combines creative, commercial and strategic expertise with a strong focus on colleague and customer engagement.
“He understands and shares our vision for the Society and I am confident he will help drive our success as we continue to grow and support more people to find a place to call home and build financial wellbeing.”
Simon said: “It’s clear to me that Yorkshire Building Society has a proud history, great customer engagement, and committed colleagues. It is a mutual with ambitious plans to grow and help more people, and I’m thrilled at the opportunity to be part of the team that shapes its next chapter.”
Sarah lands business development role with ABB in Leeds
Professional services ABB has appointed Leeds-based Sarah Hex as Business Development Partner.
Sarah brings over 20 years of experience in professional, financial and investment services. An accomplished business development and client services leader, she will lead strategic business development for AAB across the North of England. An active member of the Leeds community, Sarah co-founded One for The City – an organisation which works to enhance community engagement. She is also a director on the Leeds Digital Board. Sarah is passionate about collaboration, innovation and balancing technology with a personal touch, to adapt to evolving client needs and industry trends.
She said: “I’m thrilled to join AAB during such an exciting period of growth, and to collaborate with the fantastic team here in Leeds, and across the wider business. I’m eager to help our teams expand further while continuing to support our clients in achieving their goals.”
James Hunt, Head of Leeds at AAB said: “Sarah’s appointment marks an exciting step forward for AAB as we continue to expand our presence and capabilities across the North of England. Sarah’s leadership in strategic business development will be instrumental in identifying and securing new opportunities, while remaining firmly focused on our clients’ needs.”
Government gives green light for £35m investment in Leeds roads
The Department for Transport has given the green light for funding of more than £35m to so Leeds City Council can improve the Dawsons Corner junction and finish joint replacement work on the Stanningley Bypass.
This forms part of a £42.6m total package with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority of £6.9m and contribution from the council.
It’s said that changes to the junction will reduce congestion and delays and help to support economic growth across Leeds and Bradford. Improvements are also planned to improve traffic flow, with bus journey times reduced and safer crossing points for cyclists and pedestrians.
The scheme was granted planning permission in October 2022 and business case was submitted in March last year with preparatory ground investigation work under way, and the safety critical repair works to Stanningley ByPass have been on-going since May 2021.
All the third party land required to build the scheme has been purchased. Subject to contractor approvals the main works are planned to start later this year take up to 15 months to complete.
ABP plans infrastructure procurement day for the Humber
ABP is holding a Humber 2025 Infrastructure Procurement Day in Hull on Thursday 27th February. to talk to potential suppliers about nine projects it plans for the next two years.
These range from warehouses to paving, electrification, quay strengthening and mechanical handling, with an overall spend of about £150 million.
One of the projects is around the first phase of developing the strategic land at Stallingborough, between the Ports of Grimsby and Immingham. The largest port operator in the UK completed the purchase of the freehold of the 227.5-acre site in December 2023 signalling a commitment to its new property strategy.
An outline planning application has been submitted across 96 acres of the site to be targeted towards the automotive sector. The planning application includes external storage and distribution of goods and products associated with port-related import-export activities; with up to 12,000 square metres floor space of associated buildings, landscaping (including land for biodiversity net gain), infrastructure, ground mounted solar PVs and other associated works.
The event will see the procurement and projects team give an overview of the 2025 and 2026 pipelines for Humber projects to support automotive and energy transition customers as well as Freeport investment, and ABP operations and minor works across its ports.
Sanyalax Morrison, Group Head of Procurement said: “We are excited to announce our upcoming Infrastructure Procurement Day in the Humber, showcasing the range of interesting civil, construction, marine and framework opportunities coming to tender. The day is designed to share ABP’s pipeline with the Market, ensuring visibility, transparency and supporting our supply chain in understanding our programme of work as well as building long term partnership with our supply chain.
“By increasing competition and setting projects up for success, we aim to foster a dynamic and thriving market environment. This will help pave the way for innovative and successful construction projects.”
Aimed at companies who need to be aware of upcoming infrastructure projects, the day will be split into a morning and afternoon session. Each session will begin with an overview of the 2025 infrastructure pipeline and follow with an opportunity to talk to members of the ABP in one to one discussions. ABP are keen to hold two way conversations with suppliers covering market expectations, project success including progamme value, sustainability and social value.
Yorkshire private equity investors deliver strong 2024
Total private equity investment in Yorkshire and the Humber increased in 2024, according to the latest UK Private Equity Review from KPMG UK.
The comprehensive annual study into private equity deal activity found that investment in the region grew by 4.1% in 2024, totalling £8.6 billion, amid a more stable economic climate, with interest rates and inflation falling; greater political certainty following elections; and a surge in transactions ahead of anticipated changes to Capital Gains Tax.
The volume of deals in the region increased from 120 to 122 year-on-year but volumes remained lower than 2022’s 145.
Investment in Yorkshire accounted for 5.4% of total new PE backing in the UK. London continued to deliver the greatest interest from PE funds, attracting £78.1 billion of investment, ahead of the North West (£20.0 billion) and the South East (£15.8 billion).
Giles Taylor, Head of Corporate Finance in Yorkshire at KPMG UK, said: “Private equity interest in the region remained robust in 2024, with deal volumes and values holding firm.
“With a more stable economic and political environment, it’s right to be cautiously optimistic about what 2025 holds. Investors are sitting on large amounts of dry powder, and Yorkshire boasts a burgeoning business community that will no doubt attract the attention of private equity firms looking to invest in the region.”
Bank of England reduces interest rates to 4.5%
The Bank of England has reduced interest rates to 4.5%, in line with expectations.
The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), which sets monetary policy to meet the 2% inflation target, voted by a majority of 7–2 to reduce Bank Rate by 0.25 percentage points, to 4.5%.
Two members preferred to reduce Bank Rate by 0.5 percentage points, to 4.25%.
The Bank said in a statement: “There has been substantial progress on disinflation over the past two years, as previous external shocks have receded, and as the restrictive stance of monetary policy has curbed second-round effects and stabilised longer-term inflation expectations. That progress has allowed the MPC to withdraw gradually some degree of policy restraint, while maintaining Bank Rate in restrictive territory so as to continue to squeeze out persistent inflationary pressures.
“CPI inflation was 2.5% in 2024 Q4. Domestic inflationary pressures are moderating, but they remain somewhat elevated, and some indicators have eased more slowly than expected. Higher global energy costs and regulated price changes are expected to push up headline CPI inflation to 3.7% in 2025 Q3, even as underlying domestic inflationary pressures are expected to wane further. While CPI inflation is expected to fall back to around the 2% target thereafter, the Committee will pay close attention to any consequent signs of more lasting inflationary pressures.
“GDP growth has been weaker than expected at the time of the November Monetary Policy Report, and indicators of business and consumer confidence have declined. GDP growth is expected to pick up from the middle of this year. The labour market has continued to ease and is judged to be broadly in balance. Productivity growth has been weaker than previously estimated, and the Committee judges that growth in the supply capacity of the economy has weakened. As a result, the recent slowdown in demand is judged to have led to only a small margin of slack opening up.
“In support of returning inflation sustainably to the 2% target, the Committee judges that there has been sufficient progress on disinflation in domestic prices and wages to reduce Bank Rate to 4.5% at this meeting.
“Based on the Committee’s evolving view of the medium-term outlook for inflation, a gradual and careful approach to the further withdrawal of monetary policy restraint is appropriate.”
Sheffield skip hire boss avoids immediate spell behind bars after health and safety failures
The director of a Sheffield-based skip hire company has avoided an immediate spell behind bars after being found guilty of multiple breaches of health and safety law.
Following an investigation and subsequent prosecution by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Jamie White, the director of M White (Skips) Limited, was given an eight month custodial sentence, suspended for a period of 12 months. His company was fined £65,000.
Both White and his company appeared at Sheffield Magistrates Court on 23 January 2025 to be sentenced, the same court where they had been found guilty of several charges brought by the HSE following a five day trial in October last year.
The court heard that HSE inspectors visited the company’s site on Worthing Road in the Attercliffe area of Sheffield, on 8 August 2022, after receiving multiple reports of poor conditions both there and along the public highway.
When inspectors arrived, they found skips loaded with waste material stacked along the public highway and piles of other waste preventing workers from safely moving around the site, as well as blocking access to welfare facilities, including the staff toilets.
Immediate action was taken by HSE, with prohibition notices being issued preventing any further stacking of the already loaded skips. However, a follow-up visit less than a month later found no improvements had been made – as well as evidence the enforcement action had been ignored.
Subsequent enquiries found the company did not hold Employers’ Liability (Compulsory Insurance), a legal requirement for employers. Further prohibition notices were served, including the prevention of hand sorting of waste materials from skips on the public pavement due to the obvious risks to members of public trying to walk past.
The subsequent HSE investigation found there had been a steep decline in general health and safety standards at the firm, giving rise to significant risk to employees and members of the public.
With no effective health and safety management and an apparent loss of control over general conditions, there had been no attempt to reduce the risk from hazards on site to safeguard employees. The company, and White, failed to comply with the law, despite enforcement notices being served requiring action to be taken.
M White (Skips) Limited of Worthing Road, Attercliffe, Sheffield pleaded guilty to non-compliance with three Prohibition notices and to breaching Sections 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, and also Section 1(1) of the Employers’ Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969. The company was fined £65,000 and ordered to pay £13,280 in costs at a hearing at Sheffield Magistrates Court on 23 January 2025.
Jamie White, Director of the company when HSE visited, pleaded guilty to non-compliance with two Prohibition notices and to breaching Sections 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 by virtue of Section 37(1), and also Section 1(1) of the Employers’ Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969.
He was given an eight month custodial sentence, suspended for 12 months, and must complete 150 hours of unpaid work. He was also disqualified as a company director for a period of three years and ordered to pay £13,280 in costs.
After the hearing the HSE inspector Laura Hunter said: “As the sole director, Jamie White also worked on the site and was fully aware of the poor conditions which his employees were subjected to.
“Full skips were deposited and stored on the public highway, with employees later needing to use the street to sort through waste materials when the site became inaccessible.
“By law, employers are required to insure against liability for injury or disease to their employees arising out of their employment – it is compulsory insurance. Mr White failed to arrange for his company to obtain it for his workers, despite HSE serving an enforcement notice legally requiring him to do so.
“Companies should ensure that they understand and follow health and safety laws and guidance and act responsibly to protect both their employees and the public from the activities under their control.”
The HSE prosecution was brought by senior enforcement lawyer James Towey and enforcement lawyer Kate Harney, supported by paralegal officer Imogen Isaac.
£7m refurbishment scheme officially begins at Goole’s Victoria Pleasure Ground
Work on the first phase of Goole Town Council and the Goole Town Deal Board’s £7 million refurbishment scheme at the town’s Victoria Pleasure Ground has officially begun.
Scunthorpe-based Britcon, the main contractor appointed to work on the project, has been on site since November 2024 carrying out preparatory work, but this week the demolition of the old stand and buildings began.
This will be followed by the construction of a brand new, state-of-the-art, two-storey pavilion offering both internal and external viewing for spectators, as well as modern changing facilities, a kitchen, offices, a first aid room, a physiotherapy room, a cafe and a 160-seat conference and hospitality suite capable of hosting sporting, corporate and social events. The new layout will also significantly increase on-site parking.
As part of a second phase of work due to be carried out later in the year, a new, full-size, artificial 3G pitch and compact athletics facilities will be installed by S & C Slatter Ltd, a contractor specialising in sports facilities of this nature.
Welcoming this significant milestone on behalf of Goole Town Council, Town Clerk Brian Robertson, said: “It’s a very exciting day for everyone involved with this project. The end product is going to be far bigger and better than anything we could ever have envisaged being able to provide for local teams, groups and organisations to use.
“It will undoubtedly make an enormous difference to the sports teams that already play at the VPG, as well as hundreds of local children who play for grassroots teams but currently have to travel outside Goole for training and many other local groups and organisations that will be able to make use of the new and improved facilities.
“Working closely with Britcon, we’ll be doing our utmost to keep disruption to user groups and nearby residents to a minimum over the coming weeks and months, but we’d ask everyone to bear with us as we work to deliver sports facilities that the town can be proud of, and which will undoubtedly help to bring more people into the town centre, boosting the local economy.”
Phil Jones, Chair of the Goole Town Deal Board, said: “Due to genuine fears for the long-term viability of the Victoria Pleasure Ground, as a Board we chose to prioritise its redevelopment as part of our strategic proposals to reinvigorate the town centre by allocating it a share of the town’s £25 million in Town Deal funding.
“Working with Goole Town Council and specialist consultants Steve Wells Associates, who brought their vast experience of developing top class sporting venues nationally to the project, we developed a visionary business case for the Victoria Pleasure Ground and it’s wonderful to see those ambitious plans now coming to fruition as demolition and building work gets underway.”
Nick Shepherd, Britcon’s Managing Director, said: “We are excited to be working with all stakeholders to deliver this exciting local project. We will use best practice from previous sustainable leisure projects to minimise our impact and use regional suppliers wherever possible to maximise social value outcomes and local spend.”
Owned by East Riding of Yorkshire Council and leased long-term to Goole Town Council, the historic venue was no longer fit for purpose and in dire need of investment just to remain open. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the Town Deal process made some early funding available which had to be spent by a strict deadline.
Some of this money was used to install energy efficient LED (light emitting diode) floodlighting at the Victoria Pleasure Ground, helping to reduce the running costs of the venue and making it more environmentally friendly. This new lighting will remain as part of the redevelopment plans.
In addition to the Town Deal funding, the Football Foundation is contributing more than £2 million towards the project. Planning permission for the work was granted in 2023.
The town’s semi-professional football club, Goole Association Football Club, which plays in the Northern Counties East League Premier Division, is based at the Victoria Pleasure Ground and has been joined by Goole Vikings Rugby Club, which is now a professional rugby league side competing in Betfred League One.
