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TopicUK ISSUE FOUR OCTOBER 2013

GRAHAM'S VISION FOR WAKEFIELD

THE HEPWORTH

NEW EXHIBITIONS THIS AUTUMN

massive

JOB BOOST FOR WAKEFIELD

AUTUMN FASHION FROM TRINITY WALK

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TopicUK New Leisure Project for Wakefield

News ................................................. 4-9 Massive job boost for wakefield-Second book for Local Author-Legal firm expand workforce

Passion for Wakefield ..................... 10-11 Vision for young entrepreneurs of tomorrow

Discover the Hepworth................... 12-13 One of the most visited galleries in the UK

16-17

Fashion with Trinity Walk ..............14-15 This Autumn think tartan, monochrome and much more

Legal Matters Mat

A win for Ramsdens ........................ 18 at the law firm SERVICES CONVEYANCING AWARDS

Restaurant Review .......................... 26-27 Lunching at The Castle

Council Business ............................. 32-33 Wakefield Business Support Programme helps local enterprise

HMRC crackdown on tax avoidance ... 34

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TopicUK 3

EWSNEWSNEWSNEWSNE

w

akefield to benefit from massive jobs boost

NEW LEISURE AND RECREATION PROJECT FOR WAKEFIELD

In Spring next year, work will begin on a scheme that is expected to create more than 5,000 new jobs in the area.

Wakefield architects, master planners and town planners, Spawforths are working with the Wakefield East Consortium consisting of Miller Homes; Stretton Estates; Grantley Developments; Yorkshire Water and WMDC on the development of an urban extension that lies to the East of Wakefield on a 149 hectare site which will comprise 2730 new homes, 16.3 hectares of employment land, a new primary school a district centre, a local centre and a new Wakefield Eastern relief road, which will form the backbone of the scheme for

the city, that will link the Bar Lane Roundabout near Pinderfields Hospital to the A638 Doncaster Road to the South of the city. The scheme is located on a combination of previously developed, industrial, former colliery and agricultural land.

High level At the initial inception of the project, the Spawforth team prepared a high level vision for the Development that was rebranded City Fields this year. This vision included a suggested route for the Wakefield Eastern relief road, the opening up of the waterfront to the east of Eastmoor and the creation of a

high quality urban landscape, ranging from more traditional estate housing in the North, to a more urban, higher density environment along the Aire and Calder Navigation. The project will be delivered over the next 20 years and is the largest regeneration project ever to be undertaken in Wakefield.

Dawn Jenkins, Director and Chartered Architect from Spawforths told TopicUK: “the Wakefield Eastern Relief Road will improve connectively through a reduction in journey times and journey cost savings and residents will also benefit from enhanced pedestrian and cycle linkage throughout the area. The physical benefits of the project will have a direct economic impact by helping to make the area more attractive to business, investors and high value workers. The project has the potential to accommodate a range of housing types,” Dawn continued, “increasing choice and mix in the area,

improving affordability with the planned new homes.”

There will be an estimated £0.5 billion of capital investment in the area, immediately bordering Stanley Ferry, Eastmoor and Agbrigg, creating one of the largest regeneration initiatives ever seen in Wakefield and the project will assist in addressing the high unemployment in eastern Wakefield, by creating long term jobs in a mix of retail, office, education, warehouse and industrial developments.

“The project will deliver new transport facilities including new bus routes and enhanced services to meet the needs of the increased number of households,” added Dawn. “In a nutshell, the new scheme will tackle three major issues the town faces: housing shortages; lack of employment and traffic congestion. We are really excited about this new project.”

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EWSNEWSNEWSNEWSNE

NEW LEISURE AND RECREATION PROJECT FOR WAKEFIELD THERE ARE PLANS FOR A SIGNIFICANT STRATEGIC LEISURE AND RECREATION PROJECT FOR WAKEFIELD THAT IS BEING PROMOTED BY THE NINELAKES TRUST, ALONGSIDE OTHER STAKEHOLDERS AND DELIVERY PARTNERS. The proposal is for a large, high quality and regionally significant sports, leisure and tourism destination to the South of the city, that builds on the existing environmental, cultural and locational assets of the area, uniting the three historic estates of Chevet, Waterton and Nostell. This will create a single, public park, extending to approximately 32 square kilometres.

Ninelakes will encompass forests, waterways, cycle paths and bridleways and the main route through the park will be the Ninelakes Trail, snaking through idyllic countryside. “This will be the first project of the development ,” explained Dawn Jenkins, Director and Chartered Architect at Spawforths, who established the Ninelakes Community Trust and are Masterplanners and Planners, “which will mean that visitors can start enjoying the full extent of the park straight away. “Future stages of progress will give visitors a choice of transport within the park. Obviously, walking the trail will provide an interesting and tranquil experience, but other facilities will be available,” Dawn continued. “Cycle paths will take in some of the more rugged areas and for those who do not bring their own bikes, cycle hire will provide an exhilarating way to get around. There will also be opportunities for equestrian sports, angling and sailing, so visitors of all ages and abilities will be catered for. Small business enterprise facilities

are envisaged, including woodland crafts, local produce and coffee shop. ”A significant part of the area is owned by three principal land owners: UK Coal PLC, Nostell Estates and Wakefield MDC, although a number of other smaller areas of land are owned or controlled by a relatively small number of individuals or companies. “Each part of the development will be carefully staged,” added Dawn, “so not to disturb the existing environment. Any plans for buildings will be subject to the most rigorous considerations for the environment, using natural materials where possible. One of the key objectives will be to create a local holiday or short destination area along with an environmental learning research for young people.”

This project is in early stages of development and TopicUK will keep you posted with developments over the coming months.

WAKEFIELD SALON WINNERS AT YOUR HAIR AWARDS 2013

BEAUMONT LEGAL TO EXPAND WORKFORCE BY 50 PER CENT Wakefield-based solicitors Beaumont Legal is to recruit 35 new members of staff over the coming months, as it moves towards its target to become the largest conveyancing firm in the UK within the next three years.

One of the largest conveyancing firms in Yorkshire, Beaumont Legal currently has a turnover of £3.5 million and has already employed 25 new members of staff since the start of the year. The new recruits will take the company’s total staff number to nearly 100 – almost double the number employed just 18 months ago.

Beaumont attributes its success to its ability to satisfy increased demand for fast, efficient and cost-effective online property services as the property market recovers from the recession. High levels of customer service also helped the business to be crowned the UK’s best law firm for conveyancing at the First Time Buyer Readers’ Awards earlier this year.

Room 97 Creative Hairdressing in Wakefield are the proud winners of Your Hair magazine’ss 2013 award as ‘Best North Western Salon’ of the year.

Beaumont Legal is now looking for 15 solicitors, 10 legal secretaries and 10 legal assistants to join them at their headquarters at Paragon Business Village, Wakefield as soon as possible.

Partner and head of conveyancing at Beaumont Legal, Nick Masheder, said of the move: “We’re very proud of our growth over the past 18 months – our dedication to providing a quality, technology-led service that today’s home buyers demand, has helped us to achieve rapid expansion since the recession. Our aim is to become the UK’s largest firm for conveyancing within three years and thanks to the quality teams of people we already have, we’re well on the way to that target. We are going from strength to strength but we need new talent to support the extraordinary growth of the business.”

Anyone interested in joining the company should visit www.beaumont-legal.co.uk/recruitment/

This was the inaugural awards which attracted the creme de la creme of the hair industry, at the Swan at Shakespeare’s Globe on 9 September, where excited winners congregated to receive their well-deserved awards from the Your Hair team.

Chosen for its decadent, vintage ambiance and breathtaking views of the River Thames, the venue provided the perfect backdrop for the awards.

Winners were welcomed with a ‘KMS in The City’ Vodka cocktail, created specially for the event and were served delicious canapes including miniature beef wellington, salmon croquettes and pea pod delights as well as delicious oysters served from a giant clam shell.

Awards were presented by Your Hair editor Charlie Lyon and others alongside Room 97 to receive a beautifully engraved award, was hair icon Nicky Clarke who won 2 awards with ghd walking away with a fantastic six accolades.

Collecting the award for Room 97 was Marcello and Clare Moccia who said: “We couldn’t be happier, this was an amazing accolade and it is extremely rewarding to be voted best North West Salon by the consumers, a happy day for Room 97.”

TopicUK 7

EWSNEWSNEWSNEWSNE

SECOND BOOK FOR LOCAL AUTHOR Josh Johnson, the Chief Instructor of the Wakefield Karate College has recently published his second book.

Entitled “Just a Boys Game.” The autobiography details the first 20 years in the life of a Wakefield boy, born and brought up on the Eastmoor Estate in Wakefield.

The book is a must read for anyone who lived on the Estate during the 50’s and 60’s, have a laugh at innocent childhood times gone by, sometimes happy, sometimes sad and others that could make you cringe with embarrassment.

Josh’s first book “HARD AS NAILS” was published last year and was the biography of his Karate teacher Phil Milner 10th Dan Grandmaster who passed away in 2000.

The book was eagerly bought up by members of the Martial Arts community throughout the U.K. and Europe, and is presently on its third reprint.

Both books can be obtained via the internet at www.wkc-martial-arts-supplies.co.uk or by calling into Wakefield Karate College.

The books cost £12.00 plus £3.00 post and packing if applicable for “Hard as Nails” and £15.00 plus £2.00 post and packing for the autobiography “Just A Boys Game”.

Josh can be contacted directly at: josh.johnson@tiscali.co.uk

WAKEFIELD CIVIC SOCIETY BUILDING INTEREST IN WAKEFIELD SINCE 1964 You don’t have to go very far in Wakefield to see evidence of Wakefield Civic Society’s influence. From obvious signs such as their blue plaques and design awards, or through less obvious associations such as building designs that were altered after discussion with the Society, Wakefield Civic Society has certainly left its mark on the city.

Set up in 1964 as a registered charity by a group of people who were concerned about the number of often much-loved buildings being demolished, and the quality of what was replacing

them, the Society is just one of many such societies across the country. Society president, Kevin Trickett, says “Civic societies are run by ordinary people who volunteer their time to help make our towns and cities attractive places in which to live or work. Here in Wakefield, the Society has a long tradition of working with developers, planners and council officials to try to improve the look of our city centre and beyond. Our efforts benefit local residents and local businesses, as we help to promote an interest in the city to visitors from near and far, offering guided walks and a range of publications”.

Membership of the Society is open to individuals, businesses and other organisations who receive regular updates and invitations to a varied programme of events and social occasions throughout the year. More importantly, through their annual subscriptions, members know they are supporting a very worthwhile cause and helping to shape the future of the city. For more information, see www.wakefieldcivicsociety.org.uk

SURGE IN DEMAND FOR PROPERTY LAWYERS

PROPERTY IN LEEDS IS BOOMING As experts predict a massive rise in property prices and recovery of the housing market as a whole, a surge in Leeds property law jobs points to a boom here in Yorkshire. A local recruitment consultant has 35 new clients in Yorkshire looking for residential lawyers and conveyancers.

“We took on 15 new property roles last Friday alone,” says Douglas Scott’s head of Yorkshire, Joanne Watkinson.

“Lots of lawyers left conveyancing in 2008 as the market slumped but it is back with a vengeance, and clearly not just in London and the Southeast.”

The company’s 2013 salary and benefits benchmarker, that processed over £19m of salary data and revealed that property, supports this and personal injury lawyers accounted for the highest paid paralegals in the UK. As consumers gain confidence in property as a viable investment again, Jo predicts that property lawyers will soon regain the top spot in terms of demand and wages.

SAINSBURY’S CHARITY LAUNCH EVENT Theatre Royal Wakefield’s new partnership with Sainsbury’s Ings Road launched in style on Saturday 31 August.

The talented Wakefield Youth Music Theatre, performed excerpts from Miss Saigon School Edition. Theatre Royal Wakefield’s performance Academy bagpacking team were also there to share their excitement and provide support.

Government assistance for prospective house buyers, plus a return of confidence in property as a whole, is meaning a shift - and this has already been reflected in Douglas Scott’s recruitment opportunities. “Demand for experienced conveyancers is starting to outstrip supply,” advises Jo. This optimism is echoed by Elliot Nathan, partner at John Charcol Associates, the leading independent mortgage and remortgage advisor. “Low interest rates are encouraging people to buy,” he says. “The banks are starting to see property as a reliable investment again, particularly in comparison to badly performing ISAs and pensions.

Property has always been a tangible asset and we are thankfully seeing the tide turning - people are buying again.”

Sir Rodney Walker, the Life President of the theatre, launched the new partnerships and Chris Elsey, Sainsbury’s store manager said he was ‘blown away’ by the wonderfully talented Miss Saigon cast.

Sainsbury ’s local charity scheme gives Sainsbury’s the chance to help raise money and awareness for Theatre Royal Wakefield. Over the past four years, Sainsbury’s stores, depots and support centres have been partnering with local charities to make a positive difference to the community. Sainsbury’s Ings Road will be promoting Theatre Royal Wakefield in store, together with planned fundraising activities with the theatre throughout the year.

WAKEFIELD THEATRE AWARDED PRESTIGIOUS BLUE PLAQUE Being the smallest Frank Matcham Theatre in the UK was just one of the reasons that Theatre Royal Wakefield was recently awarded a Blue Plaque.

At an unveiling ceremony on 4 September, Trevor Mitchell from English Heritage said “we are a theatre at the heart of the community and the Blue Plaque shows that the building has value. Heritage has to be about pleasure, if you don’t enjoy something then how can you value it?”

Trevor Mitchell, David Wilmore from Theatre Search and Kevin Trickett from the Wakefield Civic Society also shared insights on this very special building.

TTopicUK opicUK 9

Passion for Wakefield.

Graham’s vision for young entrepreneurs of tomorrow WRITTTEN BY SAM GRUNDY Imagination and understanding is the way forward to enable the districts young people to be work ready Local businessman Graham Howarth has a burning ambition to help young people become ‘work ready’.

Graham is a chartered engineer and the founder of Sarcophagus, innovators of the-project.com a cloud based project collaboration solution. He is a board member of Wakefield Enterprise Partnership but in his spare time, Graham has been working with Wakefield schools on an exciting and innovative project, based on his passion to get our young people better equipped for work.

Graham’s enthusiasm for bridging the gap between education and business came from his own struggle to get his potential recognised.

Graham talks with openness and candour about his early experience with school when his dyslexia went unrecognised.

“I felt from an early age that I was being “pigeon holed” as practical rather than academic,” Graham said. He

was able to put all the doubters behind him and overcome a major battle with cancer to achieve all his goals and has demonstrated that the only thing holding you back is your self belief.

Graham felt that young people are predominately judged on exam results which can bear little resemblance to an individual’s abilities or potential in a work setting. As an employer and an active member of the business community, Graham has concluded that academic achievement and life’s softer skills do not always go hand in hand. “The academic qualifications alone don’t paint the full picture when it comes to

performance in the workforce.”

Rather than sit on his hands, Graham, along with a with a number of like minded parents helped establish the Independent Schools Business Partnership an and Project Acorn was born. Acorn is a uniqu unique business-school collaboration. Li Like all the best ideas, this is a simple ap approach that makes the world of differenc difference. Project Acorn is a partnership between W Wakefield Girls High School, business and young people and helps provide work re readiness skills through work experience, aadvice and preparation for the world or work.

Graham wants to extend the lessons less learned from project Acorn to all Wakefield schools and has partn partnered with Wakefield council, education providers pro and business, to develop a passp passport application underpinned by a charter.

The ch skills passport will be used by stu students on a smart device or web application to applica record, recognise and celebrate y young people’s life skills. The applicatio application will

"the project won the favour of many Wakefield schools and other education providers" be designed to be accessible from the primary school age range through throug to employment. The passport will eenable individuals to demonstrate and m match skills that local businesses are cr crying out for. It’s a way for youngsters to really

shine and promote their life experiences such as part time jobs and participation in sport and music activities etc. It will be an incredibly useful tool for employers to be able to identify the right young people for each employment opportunity.

Graham is currently developing the software in his spare time. It is planned to roll out the project within a Community Interest Company (CIC) structure in association with other businesses, education, and the local authority. The CIC structure has been chosen to ensure that any profits are protected within the company. Graham is a local champion for our young people.

With help from education partners the life skills project has now won the favour of many Wakefield schools and other education providers. Patrons and sponsors are being sought to help promote and develop the application. Initially the passport will be rolled out within Wakefield and if successful it could lead to a national roll out. If you want to get involved and find out how your business or your school could benefit from the project, contact Graham directly: grahamh@sarcophagus.co.uk

Photographed by TopicUK photographer Julien Dyer (Liquid Squid)

Local Heroes guest editor, Sam Grundy, KIDS Wakefield fundraiser, interviewed Graham Howarth.

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Since opening in May 2011, Yorkshire’s major art gallery The Hepworth Wakefield has become one of the most visited and critically acclaimed galleries in the UK.

one of the world’s top art galleries on your doorstep, The Hepworth wakefield

S

ince opening in May 2011, Yorkshire’s major art gallery The Hepworth Wakefield has become one of the most visited and critically acclaimed galleries in the UK. Shortlisted for an unprecedented second consecutive year for the Art Fund Prize ‘Museum of the Year’ in 2012 and 2013, The Hepworth Wakefield has recently been heralded as one of the ‘Top 50 Art Galleries in the World’ by The Times.

At the heart of Wakefield’s regeneration plans, the gallery is located on the historic Wakefield Waterfront and this summer opened its new contemporary art space, The Calder in a 19th century former textiles mill, located opposite the gallery.

Designed by the award-winning David Chipperfield Architects, The Hepworth Wakefield is the UK’s largest purposebuilt gallery in over 50 years. It celebrates the achievements of Barbara Hepworth, one of Britain’s most significant sculptors, in the city in which she was raised and born. Plaster and aluminium prototypes from Hepworth’s second studio in St Ives,

along with her tools, models, photographs and archives are part of a fascinating, permanent display that explains how Hepworth approached her work. A lifesize aluminium prototype of Winged Figure (1961-3) is the centrepiece of the display, measuring almost six metres high.

In 1961 John Lewis commissioned the Yorkshire-born artist to create a new work that evoked common interest and ownership. Over the past 50 years, since it was unveiled to the public in 1963, Hepworth’s artwork, Winged Figure, has become part of the Oxford Street landscape. Placed 13 feet above the busy cross-section between Holles Street and Oxford Street, it is estimated that the sculpture is seen by 200 million people a year.

This autumn The Hepworth Wakefield has been working in partnership with John Lewis Oxford Street to commemorate the 50th anniversary of this iconic artwork. Celebrations began with the completion of a restoration project which returned the sculpture to its former glory and continued with a

series of in-store displays. A two-week window display on Oxford Street during September featured archive material, old photographs and letters that revealed the story behind the commission of Hepworth’s Winged Figure, from the challenges faced in transporting the six metre high sculpture through the cobbled streets of St Ives on its journey to London’s Oxford Street, many of which can be seen in The Hepworth Wakefield’s permanent display in Yorkshire.

Until 3 November shoppers and art lovers alike can get close-up to Hepworth’s iconic design with a display of Winged Figure I, 1957 by Barbara Hepworth in the Third Floor Brasserie at John Lewis Oxford Street. Kindly loaned by The Hepworth Wakefield this is a smaller version of the sculpture that Hepworth proposed to enlarge for the John Lewis commission and is complimented by a pop-up exhibition of three original graphic prints by Hepworth that are part of a new display Hepworth: Graphic Prints that is on show in the Wakefield gallery until early 2014.

AUTUMN 2013 EXHIBITIONS: MATTHEW DARBYSHIRE: THE W.A. ISMAY COLLECTION 12 OCTOBER 2013 – 26 JANUARY 2014 Artist Matthew Darbyshire creates a major new installation using one of the world’s largest collections of 20th century ceramics, the W.A. Ismay Collection. Yorkshire librarian and collector Bill Ismay built up his collection of over 3,600 pots from his twobedroom terraced house in Wakefield, where even the bathtub was used as a display shelf!

Using the floorplan of his house, along with some of Ismay’s own furniture, Darbyshire will showcase 700 ceramics from the collection, owned by York Museums Trust.

There’s always something new to see or experience at The Hepworth Wakefield, with free admission year-round. This autumn the gallery opens two major exhibitions, several new collection displays, events and talks, along free familyfriendly drop-in activities. And as the gallery prepares to welcome its millionth visitor this autumn, there’s no better time to visit!

For the latest information and to book your place at one of our events visit www.hepworthwakefield.org or telephone 01924 247360.

The Hepworth Wakefield, Gallery Walk, West Yorkshire, WF1 5AW Free admission Open Tuesday – Sunday, 10am – 5pm and 10am – 9pm on the Third Thursday of every month Closed Mondays (except for Bank Holidays and local school holidays) www.hepworthwakefield.org 01924 247360 Twitter: www.twitter.com/HepworthGallery Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheHepworthWakefield

DANA SCHUTZ 12 OCTOBER 2013 – 26 JANUARY 2014 See the first UK solo exhibition of one of America’s most acclaimed young contemporary painters, Dana Schutz. A series of large, brightly coloured paintings created 2010-13 will be shown for the first time in Europe at The Hepworth Wakefield, featuring odd characters, grotesque creatures and everyday scenarios that demand your attention.

Simon Wallis, Director of The Hepworth Wakefield said: “I’ve long followed the development of Dana’s work and vividly recall first encountering her paintings at the Venice Biennale in 2003. 10 years on, it’s wonderful to be premiering her new work in Wakefield. I’m very much looking forward to seeing her first UK solo show and introducing her work to our wide audience.”

COLLECTION DISPLAYS: ALBERT WAINWRIGHT 21 SEPTEMBER 2013 – 30 MARCH 2014 The Hepworth Wakefield is home to the largest public collection of Albert Wainwright’s work, consisting of more than 300 watercolours, sketches, drawings, painted ceramics, illustrations, costume and set designs. A childhood friend and peer of Henry Moore, Wainwright’s work has remained largely forgotten and this will be the first exhibition of Wainwright’s work in over 30 years. Art Deco, Art Nouveau, Japanese ukiyo-e prints, Aubrey Beardsley and the Viennese Secessionists are clear influences in Wainwright’s highly decorative style, with his watercolours lauded by The Sunday Times as showing ‘great ability in decorative design’.

TopicUK 13

This autumn think tartan, monochrome, P U trims and much much more!

Whether you want something to brighten those dark nights or keep you warm on those brisk days,there is something for everyone at Trinity Walkthis autumn.

George Mono Print Midi Dress £18.00

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Debenhams Debenh hams Red Herring Kilt £28.00

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Tartan coloured check oversized shirt

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TTopicUK opicUK 15 1 5

Legal Matters.

Each issue Chadwick Lawrence, Yorkshire’s Legal People share with TopicUK readers, information to keep us all within the law. If you have a legal question, or need to know about a particular subject, email topicuk@ghost-communications.com and we’ll get Chadwick Lawrence to answer it for you!

Agents Secret Emails There has been a recent case go through the courts about the ownership rights of emails sent by an agent on behalf of a business.

In the case in question, the agent has been acting as CEO of a company.

The company was the subject of a hostile takeover and the agent’s contract was terminated.

After the termination of his contract, the company was investigated in relation to its accounts in order to put together a defense, they needed access to the former CEO’s emails. He refused to grant access. The court of appeal decided that emails are to be treated like hard copy documents which, as a general rule of principle can require an agent to provide.

Tenancy Deposit Protection Scheme Tenants who pay their landlord a deposit at the inception of the tenancy to cover any damages that may occur over the course of their tenancy will, more often than not, be presented with a document informing them which Tenancy Deposit Scheme their deposit has been placed in. This ensures that at the conclusion of the tenancy, if the terms of the tenancy agreement are conformed to and the property is handed back in good condition and free from any damage, the deposit will be returned in full.

Whilst the case ended in the company’s favour, a lot of time, money and inconvenience could have been saved if the company had ensured there were suitable provisions in the agents contract governing this type of situation.

Landlords must now protect a tenants deposit in a government approved protection scheme. If the property is let on an assured shorthold tenancy that started after April 2007, the schemes available are My Protection Service; My Deposits and finally, Tenancy Deposit Scheme.

It is always important to ensure that you have a robust agency agreement in place if you are planning on hiring agents.

Landlords need to follow the rules properly. If they don’t they, risk being made to pay tenants up to three

times the amount of the original deposit. Protecting a tenant’s deposit is particularly important if you later wish to seek possession of the property in accordance with Section 8 or Section 21 of the Housing Act. In the case of Universal Estates v Tiensia 2009, the deposit was paid by instalments. The tenant, Ms Tiensia, fell into rent arrears and the landlord ultimately served a section 8 notice based on rent arrears. Ms Tiensia counterclaimed for three times the amount of her deposit on the basis that it was unprotected. The landlord later protected the deposit with My Deposits and faxed through a certificate to Ms Tiensia. However, the judge found that this was not enough and ruled the landlord had failed to comply with the initial requirements of My Deposits terms and conditions and was therefore held to be in breach of section 213(1) and section 214 (1)(a) of the Housing Act 2004. Ms Tiensia was awarded £7000.00

New Emp Employment p Tribunal Fees: 29 July 2 2013 For the first time, tthe Government has introduced a fee fe structure to the procedures, so Employment Tribunal Tribu free to bring that it is now no longer lo a claim or submit aan appeal in an Tribunal or Employment Employment Tribu This change came Appeal Tribunal. T into force on 29 July Ju 2013.

In relation to subm submitting a claim to an Employment Tribunal (on or after T 29 July 2013), an ‘Issue Fee’ is now required and then th a further ‘Hearing Fee’ is payable before the case is allowed to p progress to a final hearing. If a Claimant fails to pay the Issue Issu Fee or Hearing Fee then ultimately the claim will not no be allowed to commence or continue. comm There are two fee levels, Type A Claims and Type B Claims. Type A Claims are the more straightforward/ simple claims, such as statutory redundancy payment claims, unlawful

deduction from wages claims and breach of contract claims. Type B Claims are the more complex claims, such as unfair dismissal claims, discrimination claims and whistle-blowing claims.

Type A Claims attract an Issue Fee of £160 and a Hearing Fee of £230 whereas Type B Claims attract an Issue Fee of £250 and a Hearing Fee of £950.

Employment Tribunals have the power to order the unsuccessful party to reimburse the fees paid by the successful party.

As an alternative to paying the fees, Claimants can make an application for fee remission. Claimants whose income is below a certain threshold will be exempt from paying the relevant fee/part of the relevant fee.

With the total Tribunal fees for taking an unfair dismissal case to a final hearing being £1,200 a dismissed employee with no savings and/or limited household income is likely to struggle to afford to pay the relevant Tribunal fees. The Government’s aim, when introducing Employment Tribunal fees, was to see a reduction in the number of Tribunal claims submitted. This is likely to be the outcome as a number of Claimants will not be able to afford to pay the

Enforcement: A Balancing Act As we see an ever increasing number of debtors rise, creditors and their lawyers must be more subtle than ever in regards to how they approach recovery. There has been a lot of publicity concerning Debt Recovery Agencies and the way in which they practice. The most recent attempt to regulate the sector was the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007.

Amongst the provisions that have not yet come into force is the abolition of the historic office of bailiff which is to be replaced with court-appointed certified enforcement agents.

The Act will also provide for an online certified bailiff database.

Basic training will have to be given and all bailiffs will be forced to undergo a Criminal Records Bureau check. The regulation of the sector is aimed at seeing an improvement in the way bailiffs try and recover debts. Much has been made of their bullying tactics and intimidation of people. A regulated sector ector should hopefully see an end to reports of this kind. nd.

Regulation is just one part of the issue; the real task ask of recovering the debt can often be overlooked. Most debtors, when faced with court action will tend to o realise they can no longer bury their head in the

Tribunal fees and will not be eligible for fee remission. Although this may well achieve the Government’s aim, it is likely to be done at the cost of making access to justice an expensive luxury beyond the reach of many employees who have been unfairly dismissed.

Similar fees will apply to the Employment Appeal Tribunal along with fees being due in relation to applications for reconsideration of a default judgment, applications for reconsideration of a judgement following a final hearing, applications for dismissal following withdrawal of a claim and any employer’s counterclaim made as part of the response to the employee’s contract claim. There is also a judicial mediation fee of £600 that is payable by the respondent if the case is listed for mediation.

The introduction of Tribunal fees is also likely to create an increase in tactic playing when it comes to settling claims before the final hearing, with Claimant’s wanting to settle before the Hearing Fee is paid or, if settlement is agreed once the Hearing Fee has been paid, for the settlement amount to be increased by the cost of the Hearing Fee.

sand. Defended debt recovery cases are, on the whole, quite rare and most of the cases that we deal with remain uncontested which makes it much easier to secure default judgment. If a debt is valued at £600.00 or more, the case will generally be transferred to a High Court Enforcement Office who will obtain what is known as a ‘writ of fieri facias’ which will allow them to attend and levy on goods. The success rate is high and a recovery can be made within a matter of weeks after securing judgment. Other enforcement methods to consider include a Charging Order; this prohibits the sale of property without paying off the debt first; a Third Party Debt Order; this will result in a bank account being frozen and money transferred to the creditor. An Attachment of Earnings Order; this ensures that if the debtor is in employment, payment will be deducted from their monthly pay packet until the debt has been cleared in full. The last resort will tend to be bankruptcy.

The process of commencing debt recover proceedings is one that should be tackled not always straight forward and o with caution. Consideration should shou always be given to the with the various enforcement debtor’s ability to pay. However, w methods that are now av available, the prospect of making a recovery is better than ever.

TopicUK 17

Winners

at the Law Firm Services Conveyancing Awards

commented: "We are delighted to have been recognised for a second year in this award category.

Social media will continue to evolve and at Ramsdens we will carry continue using it as a tool to engage with our audiences in real time with real people."

R

amsdens are delighted to have won two awards at the recent LFS Conveyancing Awards.

Having won 'Best Use of Social Media' last year Ramsdens won silver this year.

Sinéad Sopala, Director of Marketing

Lindsey Frith, solicitor in our Wakefield office won the coveted Young Conveyancer of the Year award.

Lindsey comments: " I am over the moon to have won this national award and brought a Gold Award home to the Ramsdens Conveyancing Team. The competition was extensive and tough this year, it also included last years’

winner. The category was judged by some of the best conveyancers in the business, so this is something that I am really proud of. I am very fortunate to have the support of an excellent team here at Ramsdens headed up by Karen James who has been incredibly supportive and encouraging throughout my entire time here at Ramsdens. My colleagues and I work very hard to ensure that we offer a good service to all of our clients. I am very grateful to receive recognition for that.”

You can follow Sinéad on Twitter @ Ramsdens, Lindsey @LindseyRamsdens and the Conveyancing team @RamsdensConvey.

Ramsdens reach finals inYorkshire

RAMSDENS ARE DELIGHTED TO BE SHORTLISTED AS FINALISTS IN THE YORKSHIRE LAWYER AWARDS 2013 year Ramsdens has had, in spite of the tough economic climate.

Paul Joyce, Managing Partner at Ramsdens comments: “We were incredibly proud to have won this award back in 2011 and to be recognised again puts our regional practice on the map and is a real tribute to the continued hard work and determination of our entire team, across our nine offices throughout Kirklees, Calderdale and Wakefield over the last two years.”

As well as celebrating this news, trainee Jane Underwood has been shortlisted as Trainee of the Year. Jane comments: “I am delighted to have been shortlisted and am looking forward to the awards next month.

Good luck to all the finalists.”

Ramsdens Solicitors LLP are delighted to announce that they have been shortlisted in the Yorkshire Lawyer Awards 2013 for the ‘Law Firm of the Year’, 11-30 Partners category.

Being shortlisted as a finalist is a real accolade as the number of entries this year has been the highest ever and reflects what a successful

A few days after the awards Jane will be cycling across Africa to raise money for Against Breast Cancer.

Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony at The Queens Hotel, Leeds on Wednesday 2nd October.

NB : As TopicUK went to press, we were informed that sadly on this occasion the team missed out on securing an award but were delighted to be finalists in the Law Firm of the Year.

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QUAINT COTTAGES NEAR NAINTIAL LET YOU SAVOUR THE FEELING OF DOING NOTHING As the winter draws in, perhaps you’re thinking of a last minute break in the sunshine. Philippa Kaye from hotelsunder100.com tells us about one of her favourite destinations for a little rest and relaxation.

India has been my second home. Yet, since 1997 for some inexplicable reason, other than a brief visit to Corbett National Park, I had never visited Uttarakhand until this past May. Now, I simply can’t fathom why.

Every time is a good time to visit the mountains. The thought of sitting outside a quirky homestay in Nainital in May, having drinks and snacks around a fire, sleeping under a duvet is bliss. It is no wonder that I extended my stay and pleasantly discovered more treasures.

One of the treasures tucked away is Ananta Dunagiri. Peace, tranquility,

serenity – three words that I usually do not associate with myself I found myself repeating on having reached this retreat.

There is a wonderful spirituality about the place that envelopes you immediately.

This remote, litter- free and car- horn free destination was bought as a personal retreat for the owner but then some friends visited and fell in love with the remoteness of the destination and asked if they could revisit with some friends, who told some other friends and so the place developed. It is a labour of love.

There are 4 rooms in the main house and 5 more cottages have been added, all are spacious and simple yet elegant, each with a wood burning stove and spacious stone built bathrooms with modern amenities.

In the evening, I climbed the hill behind the property to the simple Sukh Devi temple, where lives the local babaji. After being privy to the myriad of sunset colours, I settled down in front of a fire whilst babaji made me chai and we communicated with sign language and smiles, occasionally lapsing into a companionable silence.

One can be taken in by the atmosphere of this place and spend days in a state of suspended animation. There is the local Dunagiri temple where one can go and receive a blessing from the local priest ( after climbing 350 steps) or enjoy walks with stunning mountains views and rural village life.

This is also an ideal place for yoga groups.

From there, a four- hour drive, on what is quite honestly one of the most pristine and beautiful tracks with no traffic, no litter, beautiful forests and mountain views, brought me to the lake side resort of Nainital and a cosy homestay, Abbotsford.

This house dates back to 1867, the décor is eclectic, the pictures on the walls tell tales of a history untold and the threadbare carpets and scattered sofas give the place the air of a slightly faded country home.

The house has recently been renovated to its original specification, with the addition of modern bathrooms. It has large rooms with high ceilings and thick walls to protect against the cold winters and warm summers so that even in May, there was no need for fans or air conditioning.

To emulate an English country home, the dining room is lit up in deep red and gold with traditional old English furniture

and textured walls and the lounges are replete with artefacts.

The meals are a delight with either Indian or continental cuisine to suit your palette and can be taken in the dining room or al fresco on the terrace. The breakfasts are deliciously healthy and will deďŹ nitely set you up for the day, whether the activity you choose for the day is sailing on the lake in Nainital or trekking up to China Peak for stunning vistas over the area.

This is an ideal retreat for writers, a place to plan themed weekends for birding, walking or cooking or to simply relax in a corner with a good book. And as a treat, they are pet- friendly too.

Philippa Kaye is founder of www.hotelsunder100.com

Lord Victor Adebowale, Chief Executive of leading health and social care organisation Turning Point, recently visited Wakefield to officially open a new shop front, known as the Retail Learning Experience (RLE).

TURNING POINT CHIEF EXECUTIVE OPENS NEW SHOP FRONT

By Dr Andrew Furber Director of Public Health

Based at shop unit number 2 at the front of the Market Hall, opposite Grosvenor House the RLE gives service users within the Wakefield District Substance Misuse Services an opportunity to gain relevant qualifications and access support and advice around employment. The initiative was implemented with help from Wakefield Council, the Wakefield City Centre Partnerships business support grant and Wakefield Market Hall management as part of the small business grants scheme and gave Turning Point’s Accord Recovery Centre (ARC) the opportunity to take the scheme forward.

The shop which sells local produce and is run by service users from Turning Point’s Wakefield Districts Substance Misuse Services, first opened its doors for business in July and is becoming well known in the area. Being fully integrated in the local community, particularly in relation to links with

other businesses in the area, is integral to the ethos of the RLE. Several local market stall traders already work with the RLE and have been extremely supportive in their outlook towards the initiative, seeing the benefits not only to the service users and the local community but also to their business.

Bev Firth-Lewis, Operations Manager for Wakefield Criminal Justice Services and ARC spoke about this aspect of the RLE; “It has been fantastic to see this initiative grow and develop but we want to see it grow further. The Social Enterprise model, where the profits are reinvested back into the business or the local community, is at the heart of the business. One of the central aims of the RLE is to work in partnership with other local businesses or traders in promoting their products that have been locally produced and sourced. Stocking the store with local produce isn’t a matter of convenien convenience, it’s at the core of what we are trying to achieve. ” Strong commercial links between com businesses can have a lasting positive impact on the local im community, communit creating jobs and opportunities for people oppo in the area. are Sean Glover, Team Leader at Turning Le Point’s Accord Recovery A Centre spoke about how s this willingness to work in wil partnership with the RLE partner shows how local businesses are taking the idea of social tak responsibility seriously. respo “Being “Bein involved in a Social Enterprise, supporting Ente a leading provider in lea health heal and social care and promoting employment pro opportunities in the opp local loc area all positives for fo local businesses.

The T last 10 years have seen an increase h in ethical businesses; people bus want more from what wha they buy. Your spending power bec becomes a way of making a statement; of feeding directly back into your local community.”

BEWARE

THE LIFESTYLE LANDLORD TRAP Nichola Wallis, Lettings Manager at Holroyd Miller.

Y

ou’d be mistaken for thinking that becoming a landlord is a sure bet. It isn’t, but it can be if you are prepared to sacrifice your time and your money and offer a good service.

Regardless of what you read in the media demand for rental properties in West Yorkshire is good. However the rental market is extremely competitive. With more and more properties to choose from it’s the landlords offering a great service that are coming out on top.

No longer is it a foregone conclusion that an available property will be let simply because it is empty. You have to offer the right product and service at the right price. Today’s tenants are families, professional couples, divorcees and entrepreneurs who have

suffered at the hands of the economic crisis. They are looking for long-term contracts not stop-gaps and as such expectations are much higher.

Properties that are within good school catchment areas, offering good quality family accommodation and decorated to a high standard, are flying off our books. In short, tenants are not prepared to compromise.

Don’t inflate your prices, the days of charging over the odds are gone; especially for properties that are looking a little tired! Our average rents for appealing properties in Wakefield average out at £580 per month. This is the most popular sum potential tenants are prepared to pay for a well presented 3 bed semi-detached home in a good area.

Moving up the scale a well presented 4 bed detached home in a good area is averaging out at £800 per month and a 2

bed flat is consistently at the £500 mark.

In our experience this is the pricing structure you should be looking at.

The rental market has definitely changed and some landlords are finding it hard to adjust to the fact that their properties are not cash cows. Invest in your property, market at a realistic price and you’ll find the right tenant.

Simply put it is a tenants market right now and it is likely to remain so for some time to come, so if you’re serious about being a landlord be warned.

Nichola has nine years of experience in the property industry working for some of Yorkshire’s top estate agents. Now running the lettings division at Holroyd Miller, her role is to organise valuations, viewings and inspections, rent management and repairs as well as referencing tenants. www.holroydmiller.co.uk

CHRISTMAS CHARITY LUNCH A SELL OUT! There has been a fantastic response to the inaugral Wakefield Annual Christmas Charity Lunch which is to be held at the Cedar Court Hotel Wakefield on 12 December, so much so that it has now completely sold out.

However, if you have missed out and would like to go on the reserve list, contact Kate Hainsworth from Theatre Royal Wakefield, beneficiaries of the lunch immediately on 01924 334116.

Tables of ten are priced at £450 and individual tickets £45, with all funds raised, going directly to the theatre’s Performance Academy, allowing young people from the local area to participate in performing arts activities.

There are still some sponsorship packages available at just £250 each, a great way to showcase your business.

Once again, further information is available from Kate.

TopicUK 25

R ESTAU R A N T R EV I EW

Lunching

Opening Times: 11am-11pm Monday to Saturday 11am-10.30pm Sunday Food available: 12 noon - 10pm Monday to Saturday 12 noon - 9.30pm Sunday

The Castle Written by kevin trickett

T

here’s something rather civilised about having a good lunch in elegant surroundings. I’ve been a frequent practitioner in my day, taking time out whenever the opportunity presents itself to meet up with friends and colleagues for three courses of scintillating conversation, sparkling repartee and a dollop of witty banter, interspersed with fine food and something liquid in a nice glass. No wonder Miss Otis regretted……..

I decided it was time to do a lunchtime review for my column and so, accompanied by three hungry companions, I made the short trip along Barnsley Road to visit The Castle at Sandal, a long-established venue which claims

on its website to be “a fabulous village pub and restaurant serving up tasty, top-notch food alongside an eclectic range of wines and cask ales in cosy, stylish surroundings”.

Although the building dates back to the 1820s, it has been much extended and altered and, on entering, you do get the feel of walking into a cosy country house. There’s a comfortable lounge area with open fireplaces and then the bar area itself; the restaurant is to the back of the pub overlooking the garden. The whole place is tastefully fitted out in a mix of traditional and contemporary furnishings that give little hint that The Castle is actually part of a larger chain – one of 40 pubs across the country that make up Mitchells and Butlers ‘Village Pub and Kitchen’ brand.

I have been to The Castle before, of course, so

had some idea of what to expect. It was voted one of Wakefield Civic Society’s ‘Restaurants of the Year’ in 2010 by members of the Dining Club. Booking a table is strongly recommended, especially on Friday evenings and at the weekend, as it gets very busy. You can do this online via their website or by phone. I had booked the table a few days before and, on arrival, my companions and I were shown to our table straightaway by our waitress, Ruth, who then took our drinks orders while we perused the menu.

The drinks menu is probably worthy of a special menu in itself being a 26-page booklet that tells you all about the wines, bottled beers and ciders, soft drinks and post-prandial beverages that are available.

You can download a copy from their website and study it in advance if you want to avoid a lull in the conversation over the meal while you read through it!

Prices start at a fairly typical £12.95 for a bottle of Cabernet or Chardonnay but work their way up to a rather sobering £79.95 for a Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru Morgeot. The pub also specialises in cask ales and is Cask Marque accredited.

For the food, there are two menus, the main, anytime à la carte menu and a shorter, daytime, menu of “lighter bites”.

There is also a separate desserts menu.

For my starter, I chose the Sautéed Portobello and Oyster Mushrooms in a Marsala cream sauce on toasted ciabatta (£4.95) from the à la carte menu and what an excellent choice this turned out to be: light, delicious and beautifully prepared! It was the envy of my companions, two of whom had opted for the Baked Chilli and Garlic flat Mushrooms from the daytime menu. These were very well presented and looked good on the plate but, although regular eaters of the hot and spicy, my companions were a little surprised by the strength of the Chilli. They got used to it though.

Kevin Trickett Follow me on Twitter: @MrTrickett Kevin dined as a guest The Castle, Address: 343 Barnsley Road, Wakefield, WF2 6AS Website: http://www. thecastlewakefield.co.uk/ E: enquiry@thecastlewakefield.co.uk T: 01924 256981

For mains, I stayed with the à la carte menu to order the Crispy Potato, Squash, Olive and Truffle Oil Cake with globe artichoke, roasted beetroot and home-made salsa verde (£10.95). This was very pleasant and one of three main dishes suitable for vegetarians on the à la carte menu; the beetroot was lovely and sweet. Two of my companions joined me on the à la carte menu meanwhile, one enjoying the Grilled Sirloin Steak served with chunky chips, confit tomato, mushroom and watercress (£16.50) while the other tucked into the Slow-cooked Pork Belly and Seared Fresh King Scallops served with black pudding, mashed potato, a Braeburn apple fritter, green beans and a sticky Crabbie’s Alcoholic Ginger Beer glaze (£17.50). They both expressed themselves very content with their choices. My third companion ordered a Baked Macaroni Cheese Tart served with roasted onion puree and a caramelised onion and wild rocket salad.

Again, he was satisfied with his choice and at £7.95 from the daytime menu, it represented good value for money.

We all managed to order desserts – well, you have to, don’t you? However, I have to confess that my rather generous but very agreeable Apple and Summer Fruit Crumble served with a small jug of custard (£5.50) proved my undoing and I had to draw a line with some left uneaten in the dish. My companions had no such problems and variously polished off a Strawberry Tart with fresh strawberries, strawberry coulis and chopped nuts (£4.95); a Salted Caramel and Chocolate in a Pastry Pot with caramel sauce and Chantilly cream (£6.25); and a Vanilla & Peach Crème Brûlée with poached raspberries (£5.75).

juices to do their work, I sought out The Castle’s manager, Neil Grant, for a chat and to fire off some questions: I know my readers like background!

Neil told me that the establishment employs between 18 and 25 people throughout the year, depending on the season. Neil has been there nearly two years himself now but is to move off shortly to another position in the company: assistant manager Chris Chew will be taking over the reigns as manager when Neil leaves.

Neil ran me through the weekly programme at The Castle: from Retro Dining Nights on Monday and Tuesday, Ladies Night (open to men as well, or course!) on Wednesdays, Tastefully Social Night on Thursday, and Fin and Fizz on Friday (that’s fish and bubbly, by the way), there is something for everyone here.

Saturday specials offer freshly prepared premium meals while Sunday is the day for the traditional Sunday lunch, which can be served on platters made for sharing.

The Castle has a lot going for it. Good food, nice surroundings, friendly staff, a large car park and a beer garden. If you are looking to entertain a client, have lunch with a colleague, or meet up with friends and family, this place is certainly worth a try. You can relax in an armchair over a bar meal with waiter service or have the full dining experience in the restaurant. There’s no need to rush your meal - the pace can be as relaxed as you like and the restaurant serves food all afternoon – they don’t close after lunch as some pubs do. And if you find you’ve over-indulged, you can always go for a walk around Wakefield’s other castle which is just a short stroll away.

Now, a restaurant reviewers life is not just about eating a hearty meal and then knocking out a thousand words or so to impress the readers.

Research has to be done as well. So, hardly waiting for the digestive

TTopicUK opicUK 27 27

COMMERC I AL P R OP E RTY NEWS

Written by Nigel Christie For many small businesses, one of the biggest expenses is the monthly rent.

In addition, any small business owner will tell you that trying to get finance at the moment, particularly for purchasing property isn’t easy.

There is however a way of financing commercial property which may be a viable option to many business owners, particularly if they already have a personal pension.

Purchasing commercial property as part of a pension scheme and renting back to the company could just be the answer that business owners are looking for. What’s more is that company directors, business partners etc can combine their personal pension pot to increase the capital available.

HMRC impose restrictions on the type of properties that can be purchased as part of a pension scheme. Acceptable properties must be commercial and can be either freehold (outright ownership of the property), or leasehold (holding property for a specific number of years in return for paying a ground rent to the landlord). Examples of acceptable properties include: offices, industrial/ business units and warehouses, shops, land for development and public

Why rent when you can buy? houses. Residential property is not permitted other than a few exceptional circumstances. Commercial property with a residential element may only be accepted if you can demonstrate that the residential element is an integral part of the property, such as a caretakers flat.

There are generally two types of schemes used to invest in commercial property; a SSAS and a SIPP. A SSAS (Small Self Administered Scheme) is an occupational pension scheme that gives its members considerable flexibility and control over investment policy and assets. It is usually limited to a maximum of 11 members who are likely to be directors or key employees of a company, which is known as the ‘Sponsoring employer’.

The SSAS, is established under trust by the sponsoring employer for the benefit of the scheme members. All members of the scheme are trustees.

A SIPP (Self Invested Personal Pension) is specifically designed to enable you to take direct control over the investment strategy for your personal pension scheme. This allows you to

invest directly in a range of investments including commercial property.

Naturally you should seek independent financial advice before entering into any agreements which may affect your pension, however this hopefully has given our readers an insight into what could be a viable option into purchasing commercial property and becoming your own landlord.

Having done this ourselves, we know it works. In fact over the past 18 months, we have invested in three commercial properties, an office and two shops.

In such a short space of time, we have learned the benefits and pitfalls and are therefore ideally placed to advise anyone else looking to invest.

FSL Estate Agents help people and businesses find suitable commercial property in West Yorkshire to suit their needs. For more information ring David Martindale, Diane Maskill or Nigel Christie with your requirements on 01924 365250 and they will be happy to help.

Get the action! in on

TopicUK are now offering readers the chance to be part of our magazine’s success! Until December this year, we are giving you the opportunity to be a sponsor of TopicUK for a one off payment of just £1,200.

For your payment you will receive a full page advertisement in each issue worth £1,770, have your name and logo placed on our sponsors page and receive 20 copies of the magazine to place

in your reception area or send to your clients.

All sponsorship raised will be spent on making your magazine bigger and better by increasing the circulation and the pagination.

For further details of how you can take up this offer, call Gill on 07711 539047 or email gill@ ghost-communications.com

Business health check for your company Just how healthy is your business? Do you have the necessary legal protection in place? Sue Barrington-Binns of Barringtons Solicitors, sets out key issues for every business to ensure your company is in the best possible shape.

Prevention is better than cure.

By taking a few simple steps, you can prevent severe damage to your business if you have an exposed business liability, a commercial contract goes wrong, or someone misuses your intellectual property.

Do you have problems getting paid?

ARE YOU A NEW START UP BUSINESS THAT REQUIRES BRANDING AND STATIONERY? Ghost Communications are offering complete stationery start-up packages from as little as £500.

This includes design and print for 250 letterheads, 250 business cards and a logo.

For a small additional cost, you can add 250 compliment slips and a small website package.

We can also offer existing businesses competitive rates on stationery, leaflet and brochure printing or complete rebranding packages.

To find out more, call Gill on 07711 539047 or email gill@ghost-communications.com

Cash flow is the lifeblood of every business. We can review and put in place a system to reduce the time you spend chasing your debts. Barringtons free health check will examine your internal payment system and look at your credit control procedures, sales ledger review processes and if necessary, provide a new set of Terms and Conditions, to keep debt recovery to a minimum.

Commercial contracts All companies have commercial contract matters affecting their businesses. This ranges from all kinds of agreements including those relating to your property, including leases, employment contracts and commercial terms for your trading.

You also need to ensure you comply with all relevant regulatory obligations including health & safety, the Bribery Act and all relevant consumer law.

Would this create problems for you?

Don’t forget, protect the IP on your social media, including your website, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Should you change your

corporate structure?

Do you have an adequate corporate veil that protects you personally in the event that your business goes wrong? Whilst a Limited Company is the most common form of limited liability, partnerships and sole traders may want to consider changing their structure to a limited liability partnership or limited company.

If you would like to book an appointment for a free business health check, contact Barringtons Solicitors on 01924 368896 or email suebinns@barringtonslegal.co.uk

TopicUK 29

BEAUTY

Touch!

The finishing

Perfectly manicured nails add the finishing touch to any outfit, especially for the professional business lady, whether you use bright colours, patterns or French polish, they all compliment that well groomed look.

With the vast array of products available on the market, you can achieve the celebrity look cheaply in the comfort of your own home. One tip we can give you, is after applying your nail varnish, make sure you put an additional top coat on and apply oil to the cuticles to extend the life of a manicure. Don’t forget, apply your hand cream and cuticle oil daily to maintain the look.

Salon nail treatments

are more in depth, offering a variety of treatments, ranging from a file and polish to acrylic extensions and gels.

The treatment you choose will have an effect on how long the colour/design will last. Nail lacquer will last approximately one week, where as some of the gels on the market can last up to a month.

Gels have advanced tremendously over the years and are now even available with glitter known as Rockstar or Swarovski crystals for those show stopping nails we see on celebrities. You can now walk out of a salon with perfectly manicured nails, knowing you can continue your day with no more smudged nails.

On the other hand, acrylic extensions are the ideal way to add length to any nail. The new stiletto shape can give you a dramatic look for special occasions, or you can go for the shorter natural look for everyday wear.

The only thing to remember with gels or acrylics, is not to soak your hands in water for at least 24 hours - that means no washing up ladies - bonus!

For more information about nail treatments and how to get those beautiful nails that look professional, contact True Beauty on 01924 369369 or visit their website at www.true-beauty-salon.co.uk

DOES THE

‘ALWAYS-ON’

CULTURE IN WHICH WE NOW LIVE ALLOW BUSINESS OWNERS TO SWITCH OFF AND ENJOY A WELL-EARNED BREAK? Neil Kendall of Business Doctors

As a business owner, where prompt communication with customers, suppliers, partners and colleagues is now the expected norm, is it feasible to be able to plan your absence and ensure there’s no drop in company communications? The answer is yes, with the right planning you can enjoy your holiday and return to a relatively manageable email inbox.

The BBC reported earlier this year that an employee from a Berlin based charity was taking a month long ‘email sabbatical’ (bbc.co.uk 4/8/13). Ms Briedenbach, who is now in her third year of what she terms ‘August unplugged’, told the BBC it was ‘liberating’. She normally receives 100 email a day and found it ‘overwhelming’ to be on holiday knowing they would be there when she got back. Time and again in recent weeks we’ve heard of business owners saying that their workload increased so much on their return from holiday that their relaxing vacation is now long forgotten.

For fear of incurring the wrath of holiday partners, family members, and playful offspring I would suggest that it is almost impossible to entirely switch-off and leave your business behind for a sun-lounger and a good book. Certainly the idea of deleting a whole month’s email is just a crazy idea for a business where every email could be a prospective lead.

Planning a break from your business well in advance is the only way that

you can get the benefit from your holiday that you and your family deserve.

Spending more time working on your business, and less time working in your business is a Business Doctors mantra, and it is certainly relevant here.

Try to understand what tasks you have to achieve and then prioritise them accordingly.

Most people will undertake the tasks they like to do first, leaving the complicated or repetitive jobs until last. If you use a tool like the ‘Important/ Urgent Time Management matrix featured here you will begin to understand how clearing your mind of all the clutter associated with the day-to-day running of a business will help you see the bigger picture, and more able to react accordingly.

Strategic thinking and planning will really benefit you, your business, and your holiday plans. Avoiding the checking of your email whilst on holiday may be impossible as the owner of a business, but with careful advance planning and management of your business and its employees you shouldn’t have any large surprises in your inbox on your return.

1. Make a list of all your tasks 2. Place them on the matrix depending on your perception of their urgency and importance.

This should help you prioritise your time and mean you work on the critical tasks first, not just the ones you enjoy.

Yes you really can ignore tasks! If they come back again, give them a higher priority, if they don’t then they weren’t relevant.

Work on your business, not in your business. Talk to Neil Kendall of Business Doctors on 07747 675 739 or email neilk@businessdoctors. co.uk and book a free one hour Business Health check.

TopicUK 31

Wakefield Business Support Programme Helps Local Enterprise Wakefield Council launched the Wakefield Business Support Programme, on 5th September 2013 at The Orangery, to help local businesses and boost jobs in the district. The launch event was a huge success with 74 businesses attending in total and 23 businesses signing up for support on the day.

The Wakefield Business Support Programme aims to support new start-ups and established businesses to grow, innovate and prosper. It is a partnership between Wakefield Council, RCP21, and South Elmsall, South Kirby and Moorthorpe Town Councils.

The project has secured investment into Wakefield from the European Regional Development Fund as part of Europe’s support for the region’s economic development, through the Yorkshire and Humber 2007-2013 ERDF Programme.

Councillor Peter Box CBE, Leader of Wakefield Council, said:

Big success “The launch was a big success with lots of positive feedback from businesses who attended. “We’re facing really tough times in business – despite this we have seen a huge amount of investment into the city and district. We are trying to create the conditions where the private sector is able to thrive. Local businesses are the wealth creators and the SME’s of today have the potential to become the big businesses of the future. The Wakefield Business Support Programme is designed

to help you to achieve your goals – we can help open doors to funding and wider business opportunities.”

At the launch, Business Support Advisors were on hand to give advice and support. Speaking at the event, local employers Chris Shaw and Dr Nick New shared how the Wakefield Business Support Programme has supported their businesses.

Chris Shaw from Overview Photography based in Castleford attended the event.

Overview photography specialise in building sets for advertising products and furniture. Chris needed help to fund larger premises to enable the business to expand internationally. So he made an appointment with the team at the Wakefield Business Support Programme, who helped him produce a business plan. A grant application was then fast tracked and he was awarded a business growth programme grant of £40,000.

Chris is using the money to prepare the new building and is also looking to employ some more local people.

Chris said: “Without this help from the Wakefield Business Support Programme and the team working on it, the building would have slipped through my fingers and I wouldn’t have been moving forward with my plans to create four new jobs.

“I am going to take full advantage of the FREE range of activities the Wakefield Business Support Programme offers and I will continue to take advantage of the one to one support that’s available. Who wouldn’t want this level of free assistance.

“I’d recommend you take this opportunity and take full advantage of the support offered by the team through this programme.”

Business experience Another company that has benefitted from the Business Support Scheme is Optalysys, now based in Hemsworth.

Optalysys aims to develop optical processing technology that offers the

ability to analyse and also calculate large scale simulations. Dr Nick New, the CEO of the company came to the programme as although he had a technical background, had no previous business experience. The Council’s business officers helped with preparing business plans, cashflow forecasts and bringing in UKTI for exporting advice.

Also establishing the company office at the Council’s Cedars Business Centre in Hemsworth was a real boost

as this provided all the facilities they needed, without having to be tied to traditional long term contracts – and with the added bonus of the on-site business support team, with whom Nick developed a close working relationship.

Over the next few weeks we aim to secure the larger sums of investment which have already been pledged and then to quickly grow the business by bringing in highly skilled graduates, followed later by taking on local apprentices and staff.”

Nick told TopicUK: “We are indebted to the Wakefield Council business support team under the ERDF scheme, for their help in getting us to this point and we look forward to continuing the close working relationship as we progress.

If you would like to know more about the scheme, please visit www.wakefieldfirst. com for further information.

TopicUK 33

HMRC

and is proposing to name and shame tax avoidance schemes that are unlikely to deliver the tax savings claimed. Anyone found to be using the schemes might have to pay the tax avoided upfront, plus an extra charge on that tax.

HMRC itself recognises that much avoidance of income tax by wealthy individuals has relied upon ‘sideways loss relief schemes’. These are schemes that seek to create trading losses, which are incurred in accounting form but not economic substance, which can then be used to offset an individual’s normal income from employment. Loss schemes have been the subject of antiavoidance legislation in recent Finance Acts and the remaining schemes are “extremely contrived”, the HMRC warns.

However, the tax avoidance crackdown should not stop people from looking at legitimate ways of saving tax, even though the differences between tax avoidance and tax mitigation are less than clear (tax avoidance is deemed to be a use of the tax law not envisaged by Parliament).

This tax avoidance consultation is part of the Government’s end-goal to bring in an extra £7bn through initiatives to tackle tax avoidance, evasion and fraud by the end of the Parliament.

At a time when our tax system appears to be getting more complicated it makes sense to try and pay HMRC no more than you are legally obliged to do so.

ON TAX AVOIDANCE

So, should individuals be worried?

HMRC is ratcheting up its crack down on people who try to avoid paying tax. It is spreading its net wide. From plumbers, to restaurant owners, to private tutors, to offshore investors, few appear safe as HMRC bids to narrow the so-called tax gap – the difference between tax collected and the tax they believe ought to be collected.

HMRC has said it will use “cuttingedge” tools such as web robot software to search the internet and find targeted information about specified people and companies. Using the software, the department will be able to pinpoint more accurately those people who have failed to pay the right amount of tax.

The idea of HMRC banging on the door demanding answers is likely to have those concerned waking up in a cold sweat but HMRC’s latest efforts are not just about illegal tax evasion. This time it is investigating tax avoidance. In May 2011, HMRC launched a consultation – “High Risk Tax Avoidance Schemes” –

Most people will have little to be concerned about, but now, more than ever it may be appropriate to err on the side of caution on all tax-saving matters.

There are a number of tell-tale signs to spot tax avoidance schemes. For example, if a scheme sounds too good to be true, it probably is, and if a confidentiality and secrecy agreement needs signing, you can be pretty sure that there is intellectual property involved which is designed to kept from HMRC. Likewise, if you are required to take out an insurance policy or there is a contingency fund, whether or not at your cost, against the tax benefits of the scheme failing to materialise then give it a wide berth. Tax mitigation should be based on sound principles, statutory reliefs and accepted HMRC practice.

Watch out for contrived schemes too and any arrangement which in itself provides no fiscal or economic benefit other than the avoidance of tax should also be viewed with suspicion.

It is also worth remembering that there are still many ways that people can legitimately reduce their tax bills. From making the most of family and spouses to maximise allowances, to using offshore bonds to defer tax, to sacrificing part of your salary to bring your tax threshold down. Trusts and tax-efficient investments can also be thrown into the mix and won’t be frowned upon by HMRC, so it is worthwhile exploring your options carefully with a specialist adviser.

With HMRC sharpening its claws and the boundaries between what is legitimate and what is not becoming blurred, it is vitally important for people to seek expert help. Indeed, Nick Clegg, the Deputy Prime Minister, admits that consumers are ‘perfectly entitled’ to employ an expert tax adviser. It is an entitlement that people should grab with both hands.

To receive a complimentary guide covering this subject, contact Gareth Glendinning of Glendinning Wealth on 07818 015141 or 0113 212 0722, by email at gareth.glendinning@sjpp.co.uk or visit www.glendinningwealth.co.uk.

Face to Face How many children do you have?

We have 4 children; 2 boys and 2 girls ranging in age from 4 to 14. They can be a handful at times but we have lots of fun.

What’s next for Calder Security?

SIMON COOK Calder Security LTD

Were you academic at school?

No I wasn’t especially academic; my skills and interests were much more practical! My father ran his own garage and so I spent most of my spare time there; helping out, tinkering with cars and seeing him grow his own business. That’s definitely where my ambition to run my own business came from.

Did you go to university and if so, which one and what did you study?

Being more of a practical person I decided to complete an apprenticeship as an electrical engineer, which stood me in good stead to run the company I own today. I’m a strong believer you should not employ people to do a job that you cannot or are not willing to do yourself!

What was your first proper job and did you enjoy it?

My first job was with a local company as an apprentice electrical engineer; the work was fantastic and greatly developed me as a person. During the training I gained great technical skills and experience which provided me with all the engineering knowledge to run Calder Security.

When did you start Calder Security?

Calder Security was a well-established when I bought it and had been operating since 1976, before I was born! I bought the business in November 2006 when the founder decided to retire. I was already working here as the Contracts Manager and knew it was a sound business that had much more potential to grow so when the opportunity arose I had no hesitation.

Where did you meet your wife?

We met at mutual friend’s party and we have not been apart since. Rachel runs our accounts department so I get to see her a lot.

Now we’ve grown the company to its current level my next goal is to develop our national business. We already carry out work in England, Scotland and Wales and have recently completed our first jobs in Northern Ireland.

Gaining more national contracts will help us achieve this.

Do you have any ambitions left to fulfill?

I’d like to set up some regional hubs around the country to help facilitate the national contracts.

If you were shipwrecked on a desert island, what couldn’t you do without?

My iPhone. I love it that technology allows you to keep in touch and run your business remotely around the clock. I often deal with issues as they arise, whether that’s in business hours or not. I have a saying; don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today! (My wife may not agree with me on this one!).

Do you have a favorite Wakefield restaurant and if you do, which one?

As a family we enjoy going to Rinaldi’s Italian restaurant in Sandal. We know the owner, Glyn Margrave, quite well and they can’t do enough for you. It’s also a great atmosphere.

What have been, in your view, the main improvements that Wakefield has seen over the years?

There have been some great improvements in Wakefield over the last few years. The investment in the retail sector with developments like Trinity Walk is a positive one and there are a lot of initiatives such as Buy Wakefield, Unique Wakefield and Wakefield Works that demonstrate that people really care about doing business here. Wakefield is thriving and not just a glorified suburb of Leeds as it has been viewed in the past.

If you won the lottery how would you spend the money?

I don’t believe in borrowing money so we self-finance all business growth. I’d therefore put half the money into the business to allow us to speed up the growth that’s already taking place. 20% I’d put in trust for the children, 20% I’d invest outside the business and the other 10% I would have lots of fun buying cars and gadgets!

TopicUK 35

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www.christmaspartiesinleeds.co.uk 0113 220 1990

JORDANS SOLICITORS PROUDLY PARTICIPATE IN DRAGON BOAT RACE On Saturday 13th July, 18 members of staff from Jordans four regional offices, participated in the fifth annual Dragon Boat Race held at Pugneys County Park, organised by the Wakefield and Huddersfield Rotary Club.

As this was their first participation in the Dragon Boat Race they were surprised and delighted to win “Best Ladies Team”, awarded to the team with at least 50% female participants who recorded the quickest time.

Next year they will be aiming for the main prize!

The team at Jordans would like to thank everyone who donated to and supported them as they raised £903 in total for local charity KIDS who received 70% and the Rotary Club who received 30%.

Local solicitors for all your legal needs Our Specialist Services Conveyancing and Commercial Property Employment Law Li ga on and Disputes Professional Negligence Commercial Law Drop In: 18 King Street, Wakefield, WF1 2SQ Call: 01924 387110 Email: enquiries@jordanssolicitors.co.uk Visit: h p://www.jordanssolicitors.co.uk/ Also offices in Dewsbury, Castleford and Horsforth twi er.com/JordanSolicitor facebook.com/Jordanssolicitor

wife, Senior Planner, Jen, along with Jen’s brother David Peacock, set off on the 170 mile challenge which took them a total ride time of 15 hours.

Day one and they faced 77 miles in the saddle from Morecambe to Ripon. “This was a tough day Jen told TopicUK with a very steep climb out of Settle and a high point of Green How Hill, total elevation gain in a day of nearly 6000 feet!”

Day two saw the trio leave Ripon for the 50 mile ride to Pocklington near York. “We were really lucky with the weather, although it did rain for an hour on the second day,” Jen continued. “Day three and the weather was glorious, but we still had 43 miles to tackle in the heat from Pocklington to our final destination in Bridlington.”

“We arrived in Bridlington to a fantastic welcome from friends and family who had gathered, waving flags and cheering us on, but more importantly had the welcome cool beers lined up!”

PEDAL POWER FOR THE HOMELESS Three keen cyclists decided to use their love of the sport to raise money for a good cause, when they set off from Morecambe during August, to cycle the Coast-to-Coast challenge to Bridlington.

Spawforths Principal Planner Mike Ashworth and his

As Spawforths are this year celebrating their 25th Birthday, the trio decided to raise money for the company’s chosen charity, Simon on the Streets. The charity works with the homeless in Leeds, offering them emotional as well as practical support. They receive no Government funding and therefore rely totally on donations from people and businesses. “Completing the ride simply makes us ready to take on the next challenge, pushing ourselves further,” concluded Jen, who last year cycled from Manchester to Blackpool and this year, is hoping to take part in the Manchester to Blackpool midnight cycle.

There is still time to donate to this very worthy cause. Visit http://www.justgiving.com/

CASH GIVEAWAY 2013 – OUR LOCAL FUND The Community Foundation for Wakefield District have once again partnered with the Wakefield Express to launch The Cash Giveaway 2013. There are two parts to the Cash Giveaway:-

1:An Appeal for funds.

2:A Grants Programme, available to local voluntary and community groups based in the Wakefield district.

The Appeal was launched at the end of July and will run throughout the Autumn/winter. The Grants Programme will be open in December with grants being given out around Christmas time.

For a second year running, West Yorkshire Police have kick

started the Appeal with a donation of £10,000.00. This donation is from the ‘Proceeds of Crime Act (P O C A).They would now like to lay down the challenge to the businesses, individuals and organisations throughout the district to contribute to the Appeal.

Their inaugural Cash Giveaway in 2011 raised £14,500 and funded 13 groups. The charity hopes to raise even more this year.

The more they raise, the more they can give away. To donate, please contact Shona Walsh, Chief Executive – The Community Foundation for Wakefield District on 01924 239 181 or email: swalsh@communityfoundationwakefield.co.uk

D AVE FACES TOUGH CHALLENGES Spawforths Chairman and Town Planner Dave Rolinson is having a tough year having already faced two challenges he is about to embark on his third.

Dave’s first challenge was The Tough Mudder, which he completed on 8 September. Described by some as probably the toughest event on the planet, the event is a hard-core, 12-mile long obstacle course, designed by Special Forces to test all round strength, stamina, mental grit and camaraderie. “Being a mudder is about taking on obstacles in life and the enormous sense of accomplishment people feel when overcoming them,” Dave told TopicUK “and only 78 percent of entrants successfully complete each course.”

Just a week later on 15 September, Dave faced his second challenge: The Great North Run, which he completed in just one hour 44 minutes, coming 5,454 out of a total of 56,000 runners. “I was delighted with the result as my training has not been good this year. I have covered more than 600 miles in two different countries and suffered two torn calf muscles and endured lots of visits to a physiotherapist!

Dave’s final challenge of the year will be the PlusNet Yorkshire Marathon in York in October. This much-anticipated run, which is set to be flatter and faster than London, Paris, Chicago and Berlin, is the biggest marathon being staged in Yorkshire. Athletes, both professional and amateur will come from not only the UK but from France, Spain, Ireland, USA, Africa and the Caribbean.

So why is Dave doing this? Quite simply, to raise much needed funds for The Jane Tomlinson appeal. The late fundraiser

and campaigner Jane, raised almost £2m for charity by tackling a series of epic challenges, including cycling over 4,000 miles across America, despite being diagnosed with incurable cancer. Jane was just 36 when in August 2000, she and her family received the devastating news she had terminal breast cancer.

Over the next seven years, Jane captured the attention of the world through her achievements as she outlived her initial six-month prognosis. With seemingly endless reserves of determination and

courage, Jane completed incredible challenges to raise money to help others.

“My initial fundraising target was £500 which I have already exceeded with one challenge still to complete,” added Dave, “and hopefully with the support of the local business community this could reach £1000.”

If you would like to sponsor Dave in his final challenge or make a oneoff donation visit www.justgiving. com/Dave Rolinson for details.

TopicUK 39

NEW Whats On GET NOTICED!

URBAN BATTLEFIELD

Welcome to the offices of accountants Trump, Trump and Trump, on the face of it, a sedentary, peaceful and gentile environment which hides a new urban battlefield, where the turmoil and chaos of Health & Safety at work regulations plays out its drama.

Wakefield Curry Club - third Friday of each month at Kashmiri Aroma Restaurant, Paragon Business Park.

Noon to 2.00pm. Cost just £20 + VAT for three course lunch with top quality speaker. For details call Gill on 07711 539047 or email gill@ ghost-communications.com Ridings Yorkshire Market - first Sunday of each month in The Ridings Shopping Centre, 10.30am - 4.30pm, up to 50 stalls selling quality crafts and produce.

MYNetwork The Hop Bar, Bank Street, Wakefield. Second Friday of each month, no need to book, informal networking, just turn up and meet valuable contacts in a relaxed setting. Partners: Ramsdens Solicitors; Barclays; Copiserv; First Choice Recruitment; Statement and Wakefield Wildcats. FREE EVENT info@ myccci.co.uk or ring 01924 311600 Wakefield Civic Society present Wakefield Artwalk - 27th November from 5.00pm to 9.00pm, 19 King Street.

As part of the November Artwalk, the Civic Society will be hosting an exhibition of work by local artist Emma Horsfield. Emma specialises in fantasy art and portraiture. Call in anytime and check out further details on the Artwalk website http://artwalk.org.uk

OJ walked into the office, he was 23 minutes late! He had to drive to his sons middle school following a distress call saying that his ten year old son had forgotten his hair gel! It was swimming day and if he doesn’t have his hair gel and can’t gel his hair after swimming, he might be bullied!

He saw the handwritten sign on the photocopier OUT OF ORDER. Why, on the day he needed to photocopy was it out of order?

“There’s been an accident,” Mrs Gravely told him, gravely. “Well, accidents strictly speaking.”

“What accident?”

“The new office trainee was running down stairs to use the photocopier and tripped over the extension cable.”

“What extension cable?” OJ was struggling to remember any such item.

“The one the electrician was PAT testing,” Mrs Gravely explained.

“Why was an electrician testing an extension cable in our office?”

“Because in order to plug the photocopier in the extension cable it needed PAT testing first.”

“But cable?”

But why do we need an extension cable?

“Because the lead from the

photocopier didn’t reach the plug when we moved it” “OK, why did you move the photocopier?” Asked OJ “Because it needed to be near the store cupboard so that the heavy boxes of paper were nearer to it.”

“And why would you do that?” OJ now felt he was trapped in a conversation he may never get out of!

“So that the new trainee, who we risk assessed and can’t lift so much weight, didn’t have to carry the paper across the office every time it needed to be re-filled!”

“Why is it still out of order then?”

“The new extension cable was damaged in the accident and the electrician failed it, so we need a new one,” Mrs Gravely explained.

“So the photocopier is not actually out of order?”

“No, it works fine, but cannot be used.”

OJ lowered his head slowly until his forehead rested against the desk. “So, in order to prevent any possible back injury to the new trainee, you instead injured him by breaking his leg when he fell over a trailing cable?”

“Fracture, not break and technically it was the electrician who injured him.”

“Anything else?”

“Yes, Mr Peabody sustained a slipped disc moving the photocopier. He has also gone to casualty.”

“So we face the weeks ahead with two hospitalised workers and no photocopying machine?”

“It does appear that way,” concluded Mrs M Gravely.

Things looked looke grim!

Health and safety doesn’t have to be a big s deal, especially especia in an office environment.

The company compan does need to have clear health and safety policies and does have sa to risk access acces its activities but it need only be b proportionate to the risks involved. Young people are vulnerable and do need to be separately risk assessed, but this would form part of any induction process.

The ke key thing for office managers is to have a good awareness of what is required of o them. Any training and advice can be obtained from the staff at OJ Health & Safety on 01924 261789 or by email at info@ojhealthandsafety.co.uk i

Christmas Events Calendar 2013 Cabaret Carvery Party Nights

Christmas Party Nights

Thurs 12th Dec Take That Tribute Night Abba Tribute Night Sun 15th Dec Take That Tribute Night Thurs 19th Dec £25 per person £55 per person dinner, bed & breakfast*

Fri 6th | Sat 7th | Fri 20th | Sat 21st £33.95 per person £60 per person dinner, bed & breakfast*

Cracking Christmas Carvery Party Night Thu 5th | Sun 8th | Tue 10th | Wed 11th | Thu 12th | Mon 16th | Tue 17th | Wed 18th | Thu 19th | Sun 22nd | Mon 23rd £19.95 per person £49 per person dinner, bed & breakfast*

Cedar Suite Gala Cabaret Party Nights

Fri 13 Dec | Sat 14 Dec £35.95 per person £62 per person dinner, bed & breakfast* th

th

Panto Sunday Lunch Sun 15th Dec £17.95 adults | £8.95 children

Christmas Cracker Sunday Lunch Sun 1st | Sun 8th | Sun 15th | Sun 22nd Dec £18.50 per person

Sunday Lunch Carvery with Santa and Mini Disco

Fri 6th Dec Take That Tribute Abba Tribute Sat 7th Dec Fri 20th Dec Abba Tribute Take That Tribute Sat 21st Dec £35.95 per person £63 per person dinner, bed & breakfast

Sun 8 Dec | Sun 22 Dec £18.50 adults | £9.25 children

80s Night with Live Band Fri 13th Dec Queen Tribute Sat 14th Dec £39.95 per person £65 per person dinner, bed & breakfast*

Tue 24th Dec £37.50 per person £65 per person dinner, bed & breakfast

th

nd

Christmas Eve Dinner Dance

Traditional Christmas Day Lunch JLSLIYH[L ^P[O ÄUL MVVK ÄUL ^PUL Nreat company Wed 25th Dec £59.95 adults

Christmas Day Family Carvery Lunch ^P[O ]PZP[ Mrom Santa Wed 25th Dec £47.50 adults | £20 children

Boxing Day Family Carvery Lunch Thu 26th Dec £26.50 adults | £13.50 children

Traditional New Year’s Eve Dinner Dance in the Brasserie £62.50 per person, dinner only £120 per person, residential package

New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner Dance in the Cedar Suite with Tribute to Take That £89.50 per person, dinner only £145 per person, residential package

Tel: 01924 261 294 E-mail: christmas@cedarcourthotels.co.uk

www.cedarcourthotels.co.uk TopicUK 41

Seasonal favourites make quick tasty suppers

Roasted Corn Parcels – serves 4 (500 calories per serving)

As the nights draw in and the weather turns colder, we all want a warming tasty supper that is quick and easy to make.

Seasonal favourites include pumpkins, potatoes, onions, sweetcorn, apples and pears.

50g butter 1 tbsp dried mixed herbs 1 red pepper 300g cherry tomatoes 288g king prawns

We’ve pulled together three quick and easy suppers that take minutes to prepare:

Pumpkin Soup – serves 4 (100 calories per serving) 1tbs olive oil 1 peeled chopped onion 700g pumpkin flesh ½ stock cube Black pepper to taste Heat the oil in a large pan and add the onion, cooking until softened. Add the pumpkin cut into cubes and 500ml hot vegetable stock using the stock cube. Bring to the boil and simmer for 10 minutes until the pumpkin is tender.

Blend then heat through adding black pepper to taste.

1 large garlic clove 4 ears of sweetcorn 150g mange tout 1 tbsp olive oil 4 tbsp sweet chilli sauce

Preheat the oven to 200 degrees (gas mark 6). Mix together to butter, garlic and herbs and season with salt and pepper.

Place the corn on 4 pieces of foil and place the tomatoes, mange tout and peppers equally between them. Cover generously with the butter and garlic mixture and drizzle with olive oil. Scrunch the parcels and bake in the oven for 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and add the prawns, returning to the oven for a further 5 minutes.

Once cooked, drizzle with the sweet chilli sauce and serve with rice.

Baked Apple Pancake – serves 4 (200 calories per serving) 2 tbsp butter 1 apple cored & chopped 6 eggs 125g plain flour 250ml milk Preheat the oven to 230 degrees (gas mark 6). In a large cast iron frying pan, heat the butter and apples together until the apples soften. Whilst the apples are cooking, place eggs, flour and milk in a liquidiser or food processor and puree until smooth. Pour the batter over the apples and stir briefly. Place the frying pan in the oven for 15 minutes. Reduce the heat to 190 degrees (gas mark 5) and bake for 10 more minutes until golden brown.

Pears can be used as an alternative in this recipe

Create is a welcome addition to Wakefield

Tucked away below the new and iconic Wakefield One building, you will find a thriving social enterprise. Like a Phoenix from the ashes, Create Café, situated on the ground floor of WF1 is the remaining legacy of the Create Foundation, an organisation that offered a hand up, not a hand out, to those in society who are less fortunate than most.

When the foundation folded in 2012, the café manager Shaun Mounsey and head chef James, stepped in to take over the newly created Wakefield café. It’s a bright, vibrant and airy space that offers homemade food with ingredients sourced from local suppliers. As well as a take-out side that makes fresh sandwiches to order, there’s an eat-in table service option too. Serving fish and chips on a Friday has become something of a tradition and when you taste the quality of the fish, it’s easy to see why.

Shaun and the team are now getting ready for Christmas with their cocktail master class and 3 course meal offer, so if you’re looking for something a little different for this years’ ‘party’ you won’t go far wrong by supporting a café that serves more than food.

Cafe @ Wakef ield One.

IIIT’S CHRIISTMAAAS!!

Come and celebrate here at Create Cafe in Wakefield One with our unique Christmas parties.

1 hour long cocktail master class followed by a delicious 3 course dinner prepared by our professional chef. £30 including cocktails and dinner Just looking for dinner?

Only wanting cocktails?

We can do that too!

Booking is essential, call the cafe on 01924 332 330 for more details!