< Previous10 Business Link www.blmforum.net TANKS & VESSELS INDUSTRIES LTD Q&A As TVI has been running since 1979 can you tell us some of the history of the company? For over 40 years we have been a reliable partner to the hygienic liquid processing industries. Throughout our history we have supplied quality process solutions across the world from Australia to Sri Lanka, and Canada to Nigeria. What Business Sectors do TVI offer services and solutions to and can smaller companies benefit from your products? TVI works with a wide range of industries, supplying high quality process Q&A Tanks & Vessels Industries Ltd This month we spoke to TVI, specialists in hygienic stainless steel storage and process tanks, to find out more about the company and its plans for the future. 10-11.qxp_Layout 1 06/02/2023 13:58 Page 1www.blmforum.net Business Link 11 TANKS & VESSELS INDUSTRIES LTD Q&A solutions to fit customer requirements and time frames. This includes, but is not limited to the food and beverage, chemicals, cosmetics, brewing, dairy and waste management industries. We have always maintained a commitment to supply customers’ big and small, whether they be blue chip multinationals or independent craft brewers. TVI have completed some mammoth projects. What has been your biggest scale challenge? We always aim to provide customers a bespoke solution to their requirements; all in line with their desired timeframe. With a huge increase in demand over COVID- 19 for our new vessels, our design and fabrication team was stretched to the limit undertaking a variety of large scale fabrication projects. But with our attention to detail, new capital investment and a focus on recruiting and maintaining the best team, we succeeded in surpassing customer expectations. After 44 years in business as a family company what are your plans projected for 2023? Through 2023 we plan to continue our focus on expanding our manufacturing capacity. While ensuring we maintain and exceed in our reputation as a reliable and quality partner to the hygienic processing industries. Do you have any announcements for our readers? In late 2022 we were awarded with an ISO9001 Quality Management System accreditation, ratifying the effort our team put in to ensuring quality excellence in all our activities. This is in line with our core value of continuous improvement, where we strive to invest in both our equipment, and our people. For more information visit www.tanksandvessels.com or if you would like to speak to the team call 01302 867 328 10-11.qxp_Layout 1 06/02/2023 13:58 Page 212 Business Link www.blmforum.net COMMERCIAL PROPERTY L ast month (January) the latest round of Levelling Up Fund grants were allocated throughout the UK, with over 100 projects awarded a share of £2.1 billion from the Government to create jobs and boost the economy. Lincolnshire in particular saw a number of bids selected for the second round of funding. Business Link reflects on some of the schemes set to move forward. Boston Borough Council successfully secured £14.8 million from the Government Levelling Up Fund to kick- start regeneration and draw further investment to the heart of the town centre. The Rosegarth Square masterplan will revitalise and repurpose the area between the River Witham and the bus station, focusing particularly on the area of the former Dunelm/B&M building and the vacant Crown House building. A new public park, covering the area between the river and the Len Medlock Centre will provide a new place for people, while new green spaces, improved pedestrian routes, artwork and other features aim to create an inviting, safe, accessible and enjoyable place, as well as offering significant environmental enhancements. The works to Crown House will see it converted to provide a mix of residential and other uses to support young people and families. The property will be visually improved, positively enhancing its presence. The existing B&M building Lincolnshire levels up Business Link highlights ambitious developments set to move ahead in Lincolnshire following successful bids to the latest round of the Government’s Levelling Up Fund. Lincolnshire levels up 12-15.qxp_Layout 1 06/02/2023 13:59 Page 1www.blmforum.net Business Link 13 COMMERCIAL PROPERTY 15 Á meanwhile will be demolished to facilitate future re-development. Collectively these interventions are intended to make a major impact both for the short and longer-term, revitalising a large brownfield site and acting as a catalyst for further positive inward investment and the regeneration ambition for the area. The aim is to change the character and appearance of this area, produce opportunities for new uses and homes, create jobs, support the economy and the community, and create a place where people want to live, work and enjoy. Cllr Nigel Welton, deputy leader and portfolio holder for economic growth at Boston Borough Council, said: “Since submitting the bid in early August, we have been eagerly awaiting to hear the result – and we are absolutely thrilled to be able to say that we have been successful in our bid, and have been allocated £14.8 million from the Levelling Up Fund. This is another great example of the public and private sector working together to help bring investment into Boston. This forward-thinking council is focussed on doing all that it can to help improve the economy, create new job opportunities and install a sense of pride for residents in the town. This is an ambitious scheme which we hope to bring real change for Boston for future generations. We want to continually improve the town and help to raise aspirations and this investment will play a key role in that.” East Lindsey District Council, meanwhile, is set to benefit from £8 million Levelling Up funding to regenerate three historic sites; Alford Manor House, Alford Windmill and Spilsby Sessions House. The funding will help transform these culturally significant sites, attract new visitors and enhance their uses. It will create a financially stable future for the three at risk heritage assets and will have a beneficial impact on the entire Lincolnshire Wolds tourism economy. Spilsby Sessions House is to be © stock.adobe.com/sommart 12-15.qxp_Layout 1 06/02/2023 13:59 Page 2Armstrong house Armstrong House, Armstrong Street, Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire DN31 2QE Tel: (01472) 310301 Email: s.fisher@blmgroup.co.uk Superb Location - - Close to the ports of Grimsby & Immingham - Great motorway links - Close to the town centre Secure off street parking High speed internet availability A range of affordable office sizes 3 3 3 3 Last remaining office suites Prime location in Grimsby Offering a prime position in Grimsby, Armstrong House on Armstrong Street is ideally located. Close to the ports of Grimsby and Immingham, motorway links and the town centre, off-street parking is also available for all staff and visitors, meaning it’s convenient too. Our spacious, welcoming offices are located on the ground floor and are both secure and CCTV-monitored, giving you the ultimate peace of mind. At Armstrong House, when it comes to affordability and with a range of office sizes there are opportunities for all types of business. If you require virtual office services, prices start from just £15 per month. For more information, or to discuss your office requirements call 01472 310301. 12-15.qxp_Layout 1 06/02/2023 13:59 Page 3www.blmforum.net Business Link 15 COMMERCIAL PROPERTY supported to bring the building back into use as a theatre and as a community- owned space. The listed property also has an important place in history, for its past use as a jail, and funding would allow the building’s old police cells to be opened to the public, creating a new visitor attraction. £2.5 million is going to Alford Manor House to create a permanent function space as well as the relocation and improvement of the tearoom and kitchen, freeing up space for improved displays within the museum. £1.1 million is secured for Alford Windmill to help save the historic mill which is now on the Heritage at Risk register. Work will see the mill restored and reopen as a major attraction, including a new visitor experience, café and shop. South Holland District Council has been awarded £20 million for the remodelling of the Castle Sports Complex site in Spalding. The plans involve a new 3G floodlit football pitch to allow play all year round, a changing pavilion, a multi-use games area for a variety of other sports and three new swimming pool facilities — a large pool, a teaching pool and a splash pad. The bid also involves funding to provide community rooms and space dedicated for use to provide a health and wellbeing hub including services for mental health, diabetes, Alzheimer’s and dementia support, as well as an Extra Care housing scheme for the District’s older residents. Moreover, Cleethorpes landed over £18.4 million of grant monies, to continue the resort’s reinvention. The area of focus for the bid was Market Place, Sea Road and Pier Gardens, which were three initial projects identified in the “Think Cleethorpes” Masterplan, developed alongside the local community. The key vision is to reintroduce the historic Market Square, creating a safe and flexible space that can accommodate markets, festivals and associated retail events, which will encourage outdoor dining, and present a healthier, more pleasant environment. The successful funding bid will also © stock.adobe.com/sirisakboakaew support the redevelopment of the Sea Road site which received planning permission for a new building and is currently being marketed. There is also an opportunity to change Pier Gardens, retaining the Victorian heritage and feel, but making it more attractive. Numerous other projects, of course, missed out in this round of Levelling Up funding, such as significant bids for Grimsby. £20 million was sought for the development of a transportation hub in the town centre alongside the provision of a fleet of zero emission buses and associated infrastructure, while a further £20 million was requested to help redevelop the western end of Freshney Place shopping centre, creating a new market hall, cinema, and other leisure facilities. The latter project is still intended to go ahead, beginning in the summer, with a contingency plan having been in place for the funds for the scheme. The Government has confirmed there will be a further round of the Levelling Up Fund. 12-15.qxp_Layout 1 06/02/2023 13:59 Page 416 Business Link www.blmforum.net ENGINEERING SPOTLIGHT Much has been made of the government’s vaunted “levelling up” scheme, but how effective has it been for our region’s engineering sector, and how does this compare to our neighbours? W ith British Steel HQ being based in Scunthorpe, Lincoln being the birthplace of the tank, and Sheffield being renowned for steel, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire are considered synonymous with the engineering industry. Yet, the industry is in trouble. A dearth of skilled engineers in the UK has meant that nationwide progress has stalled, causing great concern over the financial viability of the industry. As a result, the Department of Levelling Up, Housing, and Communities has pledged a Levelling Up fund, designed to provide a cash injection to worthy projects across the UK. The second round of funding was announced in January 2023, with 111 Levelling up our engineering Levelling up our engineering 16-19.qxp_Layout 1 06/02/2023 14:02 Page 1www.blmforum.net Business Link 17 ENGINEERING SPOTLIGHT announced in Autumn 2021, and the second in January 2023. The second round of funding has seen 11 East Midlands schemes, and 8 West Midlands schemes receive funding. Successful projects include £20M to build two new bridges in Lincoln to traverse the East 18 Á © stock.adobe.com/NDABCREATIVITY projects to be bolstered with £2.1 billion collectively. So, how is this scheme helping local businesses? To summarise, The Levelling Up Fund invests in infrastructure projects that will improve everyday life across the UK. The total fund constitutes £4.8 billion, to be spent before the end of 2025. The fund will support town centre and high street regeneration, local transport projects, and cultural and heritage assets. Funding is allocated upon a successful bid made from the applicant (usually these are local authorities, but can also be universities, voluntary and community sector organisations). Currently, two tranches of the fund have been announced. The first was 16-19.qxp_Layout 1 06/02/2023 14:02 Page 218 Business Link www.blmforum.net ENGINEERING SPOTLIGHT Midlands Railway. In Yorkshire, the total allocation is stated to be at £308 million, but this funding is across a wide range of projects. The Round 2 projects are larger scale, have higher budgets and will have a higher implementation value. Particular attention seems to be being paid to road infrastructure projects. It has been found that delays caused congestion are costing the economy over £8 million in lost work hours and fuel costs. This also means that perishable stock (like food and medicines) is sitting in transit longer than it should, reducing shelf life. In light of this, improving the roads across the region will certainly improve the quality of life for residents, furthering the overall goal of the fund. Whilst this does demonstrate that the funding is being allocated appropriately, it also highlights the vast and ongoing issues with infrastructure. Yorkshire and Lincolnshire should therefore not expect any miraculous improvements to road infrastructure any time soon. Road infrastructure (and transport in general) is key to the success of the engineering industry. In a report labelled “Regional Rebalancing” by the Northern Powerhouse Partnership and the University of Durham, it was stated that transport and skills should be top priorities for the north of England, and that these factors are tied to the success of the manufacturing and engineering sectors in our region. Simply put, our engineering sector needs more skilled workers and better transport access, and it’s hoped that the levelling up fund will go toward enabling that. There have been concerns directed at the Levelling Up fund itself, however. Experts believe that the funding is not being strategically directed so as to meaningfully tackle regional inequality. For example, road maintenance in London is already more efficient (due to the population density and cultural significance of the city) than in the Midlands (where populations are smaller, more spread out, and the landscape is largely rural). This means that more money is required to raise it to the standards of other areas of the country, which the fund is not able to provide due to funds having to extend nationwide. There have also been accusations of favouritism toward Conservative areas. It appears as though the engineering industry is gaining rapid growth. There has been a shortage of skilled workers due to the Covid pandemic and Brexit, as well as delays caused by supply chain issues and rising material costs. Yet, the funding from various schemes has © stock.adobe.com/Freedomz © stock.adobe.com/ProstoSvet 16-19.qxp_Layout 1 06/02/2023 14:02 Page 3Units 4b & 4c, Harpings Road, National Avenue, Kingston-upon-Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire HU5 4JF Tel: +44 (0)1482 440222 Email: esales@eyh.co.uk Web: www.eyh.co.uk eyh .co.uk EAST YORKSHIRE HYDRAULICS Hydraulic engineering - design, build, installation and service. • Complete hydraulic systems • Installation and commissioning • Hydro-pneumatic accumulators • Hydraulic equipment • Cylinders Single Source Hydraulic Solutions Design, build, installation and service of hydraulic systems, cylinders, accumulators and equipment. www.blmforum.net Business Link 19 ENGINEERING SPOTLIGHT changed the fortunes of the industry. Admittedly, companies remain concerned about meeting demand, but projects are now able to be scheduled and costs can be met. The next step for the industry is likely to be investment in people rather than projects, bringing true “levelling up” to the engineering sector. Experts agree that the best way to resolve the lack of skilled engineers is to invest in reach out programs, to encourage school leavers into the sector and foster interest through stable and financially appealing apprenticeships. Ultimately, seeing the Levelling Up Fund extended to human resource procurement would mean a great boost to the industry. 16-19.qxp_Layout 1 06/02/2023 14:02 Page 4Next >