< Previous10 Business Link www.blmforum.net COMMERCIAL PROPERTY Y orkshire has entered 2025 by re-establishing its strength as a key location for industrial & logistics property. It comes after 2024 saw a significant decline in transactional activity in the logistics market, in square footage terms, in Yorkshire and the North East, as highlighted by research from Savills, although deal volumes remained in line with long-term averages. The first quarter of the year has seen the announcement of a plethora of new starts, planning consents, acquisitions and lettings for industrial & logistics schemes. In Sheffield, for example, proposals for a 271,750 sq ft industrial/logistics development have been given the go-ahead with outline planning consent. Europa Sheffield, off Junction 34 of the M1, is expected to support up to 500 jobs. The plot is located on Europa Way adjacent to Sheffield Business Park, and in the heart of the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District (AMID), with neighbouring occupiers including Pretty Little Thing, Great Bear, IKEA, Motorpoint and Meadowhall. Rula Developments intends to demolish existing factory premises to make way for one single unit but will consider splitting the site to meet occupier demand. Anthony Clitheroe, development director at Rula Developments, said: “We are delighted to secure planning consent for the redevelopment and regeneration of this strategically important brownfield site. Our plans will replace the old manufacturing building with highly sustainable new industrial space of exceptional quality, in a well-established manufacturing and logistics location, just two miles from the M1 motorway. We know that there is significant demand for purpose-built space in the area and are considering our delivery options based on current occupier discussions. We are A prime location for industrial & logistics property Yorkshire continues to strengthen its reputation as an industrial & logistics property powerhouse. www.blmforum.net Business Link 11 COMMERCIAL PROPERTY open to let or sell either one larger unit, split the site, or potentially forward fund for speculative delivery. The scheme could be delivered by Q1 2026.” Furthermore, in Wakefield, Network Space Developments (NSD) has gained permission for warehousing and distribution units on a 30-acre site on Newmarket Lane, just off Junction 30 of the M62. The 152,000 sq ft scheme will comprise of 12 commercial units. NSD’s Managing Director, Ste Barnes said: “This is a prime commercial and industrial site that is just a few minutes away from Junction 30 of the M62 and the M1 interchange, making it an ideal location for national and international operators. The Newmarket Lane area has become established as one of Yorkshire’s most attractive logistic hubs and we are 12 Á McLaren Construction Midlands and North has commenced construction on a distribution centre for retailer, TJ Morris Ltd, at the Unity Yorkshire development in Doncaster.12 Business Link www.blmforum.net COMMERCIAL PROPERTY delighted to have secured planning that will help promote this prime location even further.” The Newmarket Lane commercial area covers approximately 200 acres, with potential development of up to 1 million sq ft. Amazon, Newcold and Phoenix Healthcare are already established on site. In Doncaster, meanwhile, McLaren Construction Midlands and North has commenced construction on a distribution centre for retailer TJ Morris Ltd at the Unity Yorkshire development, bringing 1,000 new jobs and opportunities. The 1 million sq ft facility, located at Unity Connect, is scheduled to complete in October 2026. Neil Kelson, head of logistics at TJ Morris, said: “The new Distribution Centre represents a key step in our logistics strategy, enabling us to serve our customers more efficiently and support our expansion plans while creating significant employment opportunities for Two speculative warehouse units developed by Baytree Logistics Properties Ltd have reached practical completion in Stourton, south Leeds. www.blmforum.net Business Link 13 COMMERCIAL PROPERTY the local community.” This followed major lettings at Doncaster’s iPort, where Moran Logistics and a confidential occupier took a total of 414,829 sq ft of space at the 800-acre multimodal logistics hub. Moreover, in Leeds, Catella APAM, acting as Asset Manager on behalf of the Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF), has let 25,000 sq ft at Leeds Valley Park. This 10-year lease agreement, secured at a market-leading rate for industrial space in West Yorkshire, involves a food ingredient specialist who will utilise the space to enhance production and logistics capabilities. Elsewhere, at Leeds’ Towngate Link Development, wood panel specialist Lawcris Panel Products Ltd has signed a new 10-year lease at Unit TL2, a 65,000 sq ft warehouse situated within Cross Green Industrial Estate, and two speculative warehouse units developed by Baytree Logistics Properties Ltd have reached practical completion in Stourton, south Leeds. The scheme totals 552,000 sq ft, with Units 1 and 3, which comprise 76,231 sq ft and 145,454 sq ft, reaching practical completion, while Unit 2 is available on a build-to-suit basis and benefits from detailed planning consent for a single 329,000 sq ft warehouse. Finally, Gregory Property Group, in conjunction with Commercial Development Projects of Elland, has purchased a 10-acre development site at Dearne Valley Parkway in Barnsley from Barnsley Council. With planning permission to develop the site, the plan is to deliver three units totalling 125,000 sq ft of industrial accommodation with completion expected by February 2026. Councillor Robin Franklin, Barnsley Council’s cabinet spokesman for regeneration and culture, said: “We’re thrilled by this new development, which proves that Barnsley is open for business. It’s in an excellent location with great links to the M1 at Junction 36, and we’re excited to see how the land is developed for the new high-spec industrial units which will encourage business growth, provide new employment opportunities for our residents and boost our local economy.” With industrial & logistics property deals and developments abound across Yorkshire, the region is maintaining its reputation as a prime location for these schemes.14 Business Link www.blmforum.net PORTS R egardless of the additional system and administrative requirements introduced by Donald Trump’s decisions and the continued difficulties faced by our economy, ports have benefitted from increased scrutiny of routing choices by shipping stakeholders. There has been a noticeable uptick in services to various areas as individuals explore different routes for moving goods to and from the EU. Amid the promise of freeports, challenges persist for all UK ports. The aftermath of Brexit introduced complexities in trade regulations, customs procedures, and border checks, which have collectively led to a prolonged adjustment period to our new norm. Ports grapple with the need to adapt, raising concerns about vulnerabilities in port connectivity, and the long- term efficiency of trade flows. Humber’s Freeport tax sites have attracted £1 billion in investment for the area, Simon Green (Humber Freeport CEO) told a decarbonisation conference late last year. He said the initiative had seen tangible progress at sites in Goole and Hull and would create over 600 jobs for the region. Such successes are bucking trends elsewhere in the country, especially as the UK officially enters a recession, and show the potential the Hull and Any port in a storm News of tariffs from the US will have put a damper on the UK economy and its prospects of trade, and yet this may also be the sign many have needed to look at improving our trading relationship with the EU. One thing’s for sure: international trade can’t afford to stop, and so the region’s ports will continue to play a major part in shipping our goods around the world. www.blmforum.net Business Link 15 PORTS Humber have to stand out. Humber Freeport comprises of three defined tax sites – Hull East; Able Marine Energy Park and Immingham, on the south bank of the Humber; and Goole – each of which offers incentives for businesses operating within the zones. Benefits include land tax relief, business rate relief, enhanced capital allowances and National Insurance contribution relief for employers. “The success we have already seen across our freeport sites has been very tangible. Investments totalling around £1bn have been announced, which will create up to 600 jobs in both Hull and 16 Á16 Business Link www.blmforum.net PORTS Goole,” said Simon Green. “Crucially, those investments are innovation-led, from companies across the world who are bringing new skills and technologies into the region. Collaboration is a key measure of success in freeports and what we’ve created across our sites in the Humber is a portfolio which meets the investment needs of the region – from advanced manufacturing and engineering to decarbonisation and clean energy projects.” Not all is good, however. A study in 2024 found that there are over £2 billion worth of goods languishing in Yorkshire warehouses due to supply chain issues. The study went on to claim that over 66% of businesses in the region are affected, at a cost of up to £900,000 per company in some cases, with the most affected industry being food and drink. When quizzed, 86% of manufacturers in the region said their customers were being affected and facing delays. Furthermore, 60% claimed they were planning to increase prices in the new year to deal with rising costs, but 90% went on to say they expect their business to grow. This may seem a polarising message to many but is pretty much a view of the logistics industry in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire right now. It is a sector with huge potential for growth, constantly increasing demand, but too few people to address it. Normally when this happens businesses grow or crop up to take their share of the profits, but that isn’t possible when new companies cannot hire enough staff to do the work. The simple fact is that the sector is a lucrative and successful one that – despite soaring fuel costs – has incredible potential to grow, but all the potential in the world is meaningless without employees. Brexit has closed off the ability to bring in foreign workers, and the ports industry is one with the least uptake among younger people, who see it as uninteresting labour with minimal pay. The latter is not true in many cases, but the truth matters little if the perception is otherwise, and this only goes to show that the industry is not doing enough to reach out and change the minds of young people. While ports and shipping firms are doing their best to lobby to younger audiences to try and get more people interested in the industry, it’s hard to know how effective this has been. Shocking new research published nationally suggested that 25% of young people feel they are not prepared to enter the workforce, up to and including having no idea what they want to be. While it’s naïve to say that is 25% of young people the logistics industry can be targeting, they can at least aim for a portion of that number. www.blmforum.net Business Link 17 ABP PORTS A re you looking for a prime location to handle your construction bulks and expand your business operations? Look no further than Pad 4 at the Port of Immingham. This exceptional development area is set to become a hub of activity and innovation, offering unparalleled opportunities for businesses aiming to thrive in the construction, logistics, and industrial sectors. Strategic location Strategically located at the Port of Immingham, the UK’s largest port by tonnage, handling around 50 million tonnes of cargo each year. This port is a leader in managing a diverse range of cargo, including Ro-Ro, dry bulks (such as grain, animal feed, and aggregates), steel, and liquid bulks. The port’s extensive capabilities and specialised equipment make it the perfect partner for your bulk handling needs. Unmatched connectivity One of the features of Pad 4 is its excellent connectivity. Situated close to both rail and road networks, this location ensures seamless integration with the broader logistics network. Direct rail connections make transporting goods efficient and hassle-free, positioning your business for growth and operational efficiency. Robust infrastructure It spans 7.88 acres of open storage, split into four pads, each designed to meet the demands of modern industry. The heavy-duty surface is built to withstand substantial loads, making it ideal for heavy machinery, construction aggregates, and more. This robust infrastructure ensures that your operations run smoothly and efficiently, regardless of the scale of your activities. Flexible layout options Flexibility is key at Pad 4. Whether you require a large, continuous space or a smaller, custom-sized plot, this development area can be tailored to suit your specific requirements. The ability to split the area according to your needs allows a range of businesses to find their perfect fit, making Pad 4 a versatile choice for various industrial applications. Comprehensive services At Pad 4, we offer a suite of services designed to handle your bulks safely and securely. Our facilities include both outside and inside storage options, weighbridges, and TASCC registered facilities. Our expertise in handling and added value services, such as blending, screening, and road and rail loading, ensures that your cargo is managed with the utmost care and efficiency. Lease terms Pad 4 is available by way of a new full repairing and insuring lease, with terms to be agreed upon. This flexible leasing option allows you to tailor the agreement to best suit your business needs, providing you with the security and peace of mind to focus on your operations. Why choose Pad 4? Choosing Pad 4 means opting for a location that is poised to become a key player in the construction, logistics, and industrial sectors. Its strategic location, unmatched connectivity, robust infrastructure, flexible layout options, and comprehensive services make it the ideal choice for businesses looking to expand and thrive. Seize the opportunity to be part of this dynamic new development at the Port of Immingham. Contact us today to learn more about how Pad 4 can meet your business needs and help you achieve your growth objectives. Let us handle your bulks with expertise and care, ensuring your operations are safe, secure, and efficient. Join the future of bulk handling at Pad 4 – where innovation meets opportunity. Interested? Contact humbercommercial@abports.co.uk Discover Pad 4: Your ideal solution for construction bulks at the Port of Immingham 18 Business Link www.blmforum.net HEALTHCARE The strain on Britain’s National Health Service (NHS), marked by underfunding and escalating wait times, has spurred a significant shift in how UK businesses approach employee healthcare. In Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, this trend is particularly evident, with companies increasingly supplementing the NHS to ensure a healthy and productive workforce. The need to protect crucial staff from prolonged absence due to NHS waiting lists has become a pressing concern for many employers, impacting operational efficiency and project timelines. The limitations of the public system, characterised by lengthy waiting lists and appointment scarcity, create a tangible risk for businesses reliant on their personnel. This has led to a surge in interest in private healthcare options, as companies seek to mitigate potential losses from prolonged employee absences. The private acute Yorkshire & Lincolnshire’s new approach to employee health As NHS pressures mount, businesses in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire are proactively investing in employee health, supplementing public services with comprehensive private care. www.blmforum.net Business Link 19 HEALTHCARE programs to manage employee well- being and facilitate timely returns to work. This includes preventative care, early intervention, and tailored support for employees with chronic conditions or those recovering from illness. The focus on preventative care aims to reduce the likelihood of employees requiring lengthy absences in the first place. Yorkshire Water, with its 4,300 employees across Yorkshire, demonstrates this holistic approach. The company utilises a structured fit note process, emphasising work adjustments and modifications. Their internal occupational health service provides access to occupational health practitioners, physicians, mental health coordinators, and a 24/7 employee assistance program. This comprehensive approach underscores the recognition that employee well- being is multifaceted, encompassing physical, mental, and emotional health. Employees can self-refer for confidential consultations on any health-related issue, and the company offers phased return-to-work plans and rehabilitation programs for severe conditions. They provide physiotherapy, a 24/7 GP line, counselling, and private medical and dental insurance, alongside flexible working options. This integrated approach to employee healthcare market reflects this growing demand, with specialities like ophthalmology and orthopaedics seeing substantial growth. The financial implications of employee absences due to prolonged NHS waiting times are becoming increasingly apparent to employers, who are now factoring in the potential loss of productivity and the associated costs. Consider Siemens Mobility in Goole, a manufacturing giant providing private healthcare options for its employees. This shows the proactive stance of major employers in the region. However, the approach extends beyond simply offering private insurance. Organisations are increasingly implementing comprehensive occupational health 20 ÁNext >