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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS The business NEWSpaper for Kirklees

Company rolls out its expansion plan A FIRM manufacturing washroom supplies is set for a major move. Disposables UK, which supplied hand towels, toilet tissues and soaps to this summer’s London Olympics and Paralympic Games, plans to bring all its operations and its 92-strong staff under one roof next year. The relocation is part of a drive to create a “truly European” business by the firm, which was formed in 1987 and operates from five sites – its headquarters at Huddersfield Road, Meltham, three sites at Meltham Mills and a distribution centre in Milnsbridge. Disposables UK is set to move to the former tractor plant at Meltham Mills, which will be vacated by Fred Lawton following its merger earlier this year with fellow textile company, William S Graham, of Dewsbury, to form Lawton Yarns Ltd. Emma Wood, marketing manager at Disposables UK, said: “It was always our intention to get everyone under one roof. We have great staff, but it will help promote morale further to get everyone together. It will also enable us to run the business more efficiently.” Sales director Paul Halliwell said the company had been “courted” by South Yorkshire authorities to move to Dodworth, Barnsley, at a time when grants were being offered to help

regenerate the former coalfield areas, but added: “We are not going to move out of Meltham. Our staff are important and a lot of them live in this area.” Emma said the move would start to happen in the first quarter of 2013 and would be completed over three to five months. “We have to be able to maintain production, service levels and delivery schedules,” she said. “We have a management team in place responsible for making sure it all goes to plan.” Meanwhile, the company is focusing on promoting its two major ranges at events including The Cleaning Show at Birmingham’s NEC and Inter Clean, a major European event in Amsterdam – where it hopes to “max out” on the publicity gained as a supplier to the ■ ON A ROLL: Paul Halliwell and Emma Wood with new machinery which is helping boost production for Meltham-based Disposables UK Olympics. Disposables UK has launched Optisilk, a range of toilet tissues for which has allowed it to bring Optisilk we are looking to grow between 10% and 12.5% year-on-year. We have the £240m away-from-home market, to market faster than expected. Disposables UK already supplies expanded through natural growth which supplies premises such as pubs, clubs, hospitals, hotels and universit- washrooms at venues such as Arsenal’s rather than acquisition.” Emirates Stadium, the O2 Arena and The company is also recruiting more ies. staff in light of its drive into Europe The new range runs alongside its Twickenham. It also distributes to Europe with and planned growth in sales. well-established Bay West value-added France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Said Emma: “We came out of 2008 brand. The company has invested a Denmark and Rumania key markets. having made our best-ever profit. “The investments we are making seven-figure sum in new machinery, At present, almost 95% of export mean we can continue to take on more including a laminating machine, to business is for Bay West products. Paul said: “Over the next three years business.” meet rising demand for its products –

Firm on target to help Tour de France bid

■ PEDAL POWER: Craig Kelly, business development manager at Arrow Self Drive with one of the cars provided by the Huddersfield-based company to promote Yorkshire's bid to host part of the Tour de France in 2014

A HUDDERSFIELD firm has thrown its weight behind Yorkshire’s bid to host a stage of cycling’s Tour de France. Linthwaite-based Arrow Self Drive loaned two of the firm’s top-of-the-range cars to regional tourist body Welcome to Yorkshire, which is leading the bid for the county to stage the Grand Depart of the tour in 2014. The cars have been decked out in distinctive pink, yellow and white branding and will be on the road around the county as part of the final push to attract the epic race.

They made their first appearance in the Lord Mayor’s Parade in London. Chris Taylor, managing director of Arrow Self Drive, said: “Bringing the Tour de France to Yorkshire is a great idea and Arrow Self Drive is proud to be backing the bid. “We know that events of this sort generate lots of business for the county and these cars will certainly let people know that we are serious!” Arrow Self Drive has depots throughout the region, including ones in Wakefield, Leeds, Bradford, Barnsley, Knaresbor-

ough and Hull. Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said: “It is support from companies like Arrow Self Drive that gives that extra boost to our bid. “The cars look great and really get our message across. With its glorious countryside, fantastic coastline and vibrant cities Yorkshire is an ideal place to host the Grand Depart of the Tour de France in 2014 and if we are successful the economic boost to the county will be incredible.” A decision on the bid is expected in the New Year.

INSIDE Mentoring mission FOUR award-winning business women have teamed up to help the next generation of entrepreneurs. Huddersfield-based Janet Bebb, of Social Progress, and Kate Hardcastle of Insight With Passion have joined forces with Claire Mitchell, of Chillipeeps in Ripon, and Louise Turner of Your Virtual PR in Wakefield to run a competition offering free mentoring for one lucky winner or team of winners.

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Fearful figures FEAR of failure is hitting Yorkshire entrepreneurs, according to a survey by Barclays. The poll carried out among senior decision-makers in SMEs shows that 58% admit they’ve put off making important businesses decisions during the last 12 months in case they make the wrong call. In addition, 54% state the economic environment has changed their approach to making business decisions.

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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

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Majestic uncorks improved earnings MAJESTIC Wine achieved a 4% rise in half-year profits – despite the washout summer ruining a large number of outdoor events. T h e w i n e m e rc h a n t , wh i c h includes an outlet at Queensgate in Huddersfield among 189 stores UK-wide, said the improvement to £9.2m for the six months to October 1 demonstrated the resilience of the business. Sales through the store network grew by 4.7% to £108.7m. Excluding new floor space, sales were 0.6% higher. In the six weeks since then, like-for-like sales have risen by 1.2%. The company generates about 10% of retail business online. Majestic said: “During the summer sales were adversely affected by unseasonable weather that resulted in the cancellation of a large number of outdoor events.” It saw an 11% increase in the number of customers on its database

who have made a purchase in the last 12 months and said average spend per transaction was up by £1 to £126. The average bottle price of still wine purchased at Majestic is now £7.46, up from £7.13 a year earlier. Chairman Phil Wrigley said: “We recognise that the environment in which we operate is likely to remain challenging. “We are most encouraged by the number of new customers attracted to Majestic and we are well-prepared for the very important Christmas trading period.” Majestic opened nine new stores in the half-year, including its first outlet in Cornwall, and said it was pleased with initial sales in all of them. As a result, it continues to see the potential to expand the UK store portfolio to about 330 locations. The company has also reduced its involvement in the wholesale drinks market as it looks to focus the busi-

Boost for Ocado

ness towards the on-trade. It has built up a regional sales team of 25 people whose role is to secure restaurant, gastro pub and hotel business, with all subsequent logistics handled by the nearest Majestic store. Online sales were up by 14%, helped by a 20% increase in the number of orders placed online after the company reduced the minimum purchase requirement for web customers to six bottles, mirroring the change in its shops made in 2009. Philip Dorgan, retail analyst at Panmure Gordon stockbrokers, maintained his buy rating on Majestic and said he saw “many years of highly visible profit growth”. He added: “Given the headwinds, these interim results show good progress. We believe that Majestic has significant market share opportunity ■ DRINK DRIVE: Majestic posted a 4% as it builds on its position as the UK’s rise in half-year profits despite the impact of pre-eminent specialist wine retailer.” a sodden summer

Aga cooks up improving sales

Revenues rise for MITIE

THE maker of the iconic cast iron Aga cooker reported “some encouraging” sales trends as it targets a new generation of householders with updated products. A g a R a n g e m a s t e r ’s r e c e n t launches have included its iTotal Control models, which can be controlled remotely by smartphone and cost from about £10,000. The cookers were launched in May and Aga recently added a larger five-door version to the range. Its key autumn selling season got off to a slow start because of the Olympics, but since then chief exec-

OUTSOURCING group MITIE saw half-year sales top £1bn for the first time after starting its largest ever contract with state-backed banking group Lloyds. The Bristol-based company, which has a 63,000-strong workforce providing services from office cleaning to airport baggage screening, expects growth to accelerate further in the current half year as cash-strapped firms continue to outsource services. Despite the 5.6% rise in revenues to £1.03bn for the six months to September 30, MITIE’s pre-tax profits fell by

utive William McGrath said the trends that saw Aga’s volumes rise 4% in the first six months of 2012 have continued. He added: “After a late start to the autumn season, trading for our major brands has shown some encouraging signs.” The company, whose other businesses include the Rangemaster cooker range and wall and floor tiles specialist Fired Earth, is expected by City analysts to grow its profits by 17% to £7m this year – as it developing international dealerships in emerging markets.

13% to £37.7m after it incurred £4.8m in restructuring and redundancy costs – including through scaling back activities in some divisions. The cost of its recent acquisition of home care services provider Enara for £110.8m also suppressed the overall result, but excluding the one-off items profits were 2% higher at £48.8m. C h i e f exe c u t ive Ru by McGregor-Smith said new and expanded contracts coupled with the acquisition of Enara will help push total revenues growth higher in the second half.

ONLINE grocer Ocado vowed to boost its ranges and marketing efforts after a fundraising tackled uncertainty over its prospects. As well as selling new shares worth £35.8m, the group has extended the terms of its £100m loan facilities with its banks through to 2015. The backing came as the grocer reported a 13.7% rise in sales for the six weeks to November 11 as orders hit a new high of 140,000 a week. With Ocado hit by the cost of opening its second delivery centre in Dordon, Warwickshire next February, there were fears in the City that the company could breach loan agreements at the end of this month. Shares closed up 14.45p to 75p, or 24% yesterday – on a day when better economic news from the US lifted the FTSE 100 by 132 points. Investors expressed relief at Ocado’s funding boost and improved trading performance. Chief financial officer Duncan Tatton-Brown said the company now had the resources to focus on increasing its ranges. Barclays, HSBC and Lloyds will extend the maturity of the company’s existing £100m lending facility for a further 18 months to July, 2015. The placing of new shares with key investors was priced at 64p a share – a 6% premium on Friday’ closing price, but 65% lower than the flotation price of 180p a share in July, 2010.

SHARE PRICES NORTH AMERICAN American Express £34.57 +0.44 Gannett 1084.22 +16.97 Hess Corp £31.56 +0.82 Microsoft 1678.19 +11.26 Motors Liquidation 47.14 Wal-Mart Stores £42.99 +0.23 AEROSPACE & DEFENCE Avon Rbbr 330 +33/4 BAE Systems 3045/8 Rolls-Royce 867 +221/2 AIM Brady Plc 102 Man Brnze 9 AUTOMOBILES & PARTS GKN 2073/4 +63/4 BANKS Barclays 2493/4 +151/2 HSBC 6181/4 +221/2 1 Lloyds Banking Gp 45 /8 +11/8 1 Ryl Scotland 287 /4 +97/8 Stan Chart 1455 +401/2 BEVERAGES Diageo 18321/2 +39 SABMiller £263/8 +1/8 CHEMICALS Croda £23 +1/8 Elementis 98 2143/4 +51/2 7 Johnsn Mat £22 /8 +3/8 CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALS Balfour Beatty 256 +61/4 Costain 2353/4 +7

ELECTRICITY Drax Gp 5271/2 +3 SSE 1384 +20 ELECTRONIC & ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT Laird 222 +25/8 EQUITY INVESTMENT INSTRUMENTS Alliance Trust 3681/4 +41/2 FIXED LINE TELECOM SERVICES BT Grp 2237/8 +47/8 Cable & Wireless 347/8 Comm Colt Group 1021/2 +21/2 KCOM 71 +2 Talktalk Telecom 2211/8 +21/4 FOOD & DRUG RETAILERS Morrison W 2571/2 +11/4 Sainsbury 3355/8 +33/4 Tesco 318 +3 FOOD PRODUCERS AB Food 1434 +40 Tate Lyle 763 +81/2 3 Unilever £23 /8 +1/2 GAS, WATER & MULTIUTILITIES Centrica 3175/8 +41/8 National Grid 699 +11 Pennon Grp 598 -11/2 Severn 1543 +19 United Utils 653 +6 GENERAL FINANCIAL 3i Group 2085/8 +23/4 ICAP 2871/4 +51/4 London StockExch 987 +51

+15/8 Man Group 731/2 Provident Financial 1308 +2 Schroders 1555 +37 Schroders NV 1268 +32 GENERAL INDUSTRIALS Cooksn Grp 5821/2 +151/2 REXAM 4327/8 +21/4 Smiths Grp 1039 +21 GENERAL RETAILERS Ashley L 271/2 +1/4 Carphone Whse 192 -2 Dixons Retail 25 +1/8 Home Retail 107 +1/8 Inchcape 4113/4 +131/4 Kingfisher 2791/4 +5 M&S 3725/8 +61/4 Mothercare 296 +11/2 Next £36 +5/8 1 WH Smith 627 /2 +4 HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SERVICES Smith Nph 6411/2 +1 HOUSEHOLD GOODS Aga Rangemaster 62 +6 Barrat Dev 1851/4 +37/8 Persimmon 7531/2 +81/2 Reckitt Benckiser £373/4 +3/4 Taylor Wimpey 571/2 +1/2 INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING IMI 989 +31 INDUSTRIAL METALS Ferrexpo 2133/4 +153/4 INDUSTRIAL TRANSPORTATION BBA Aviation 197 +11/4

LIFE INSURANCE Aviva 3311/4 +111/4 Lgl & Gen 1431/4 +35/8 Old Mutual 171 +47/8 1 Prudential 870 /2 +31 Resolution 2291/4 +13/8 Standard Life 3071/4 +71/2 MEDIA BSkyB 7531/2 +81/2 D Mail Tst 472 +12 1 HIBU /4 ITV 94 +2 Johnston Press 13 +1/2 Pearson 1191 +18 Reed Elsevier 605 +21/2 STV Group 1021/4 Trinity Mirror 781/4 -11/4 Utd Business 713 +91/2 UTV 118 +13/4 WPP 8151/2 +131/2 MINING Anglo American 17101/2 +461/2 Antofagasta 1226 +27 BHP Billiton 1942 +69 1 Eurasian Natural 272 /8 +121/2 Res Fresnillo 1946 +69 Kazakhmys 684 +291/2 Lonmin 515 +433/4 Rio Tinto £301/4 +7/8 VEDANTA 1083 +47 RESOURCES Xstrata 9563/4 +63/4 MOBILE TELECOM SERVICES Inmarsat 5631/2 +31/2

Local shares Carclo Marshalls National Grid Weir Gp

4151/4 98 699 1764

+293/4 +11/2 +11 +54

closed at at FTSE closed

5737.66 Up 132.07 Vodafone Group 1601/2 +23/4 NONLIFE INSURANCE Admiral Grp 1087 +27 RSA Insurance Gp 1121/4 +25/8 OIL & GAS PRODUCERS BG 1020 +191/2 BP 4315/8 +15 1 Cairn Energy 266 /4 +63/4 3 Royal Dutch Shell A £20 /4 +1/2 Royal Dutch Shell B £213/8 +3/8 3 Total £30 /4 +1 Tullow Oil 1367 +27 OIL EQUIPMENT & SERVICES AMEC 1026 +311/2 Petrofac 1553 +60

Wood Gp(J) 7921/2 +221/2 PERSONAL GOODS Burberry Gp 1214 +50 PHARMACEUTICALS & BIOTECHNOLOGY Astrazeneca £281/8 +1/4 GlaxoSmithK XD 191/2 Shire 1727 -2 REAL ESTATE Brit Land 515 +9 Captl Shop Cent 336 +71/4 3 Hamrsn 461 /8 +23/4 Land Secs 775 +121/2 SEGRO 224 +23/8 SOFTWARE ETC SERVICES Invensys 2191/4 -1/4 Sage Group 3021/4 +17/8 SUPPORT SERVICES Berendsen 575 +2 Bunzl 1038 +11 1 +51/2 Capita 718 /2 De La Rue 1011 +3 1 Electrocomp 207 /4 +31/4 Experian 1028 +7 G4S 2423/8 -13/4 Hays 777/8 +5/8 Homeserve 223 -2 Menzies J 580 -4 +3/4 Rentokil 853/4 Smiths News 153 -21/4 Wolseley £27 +5/8 IT HARDWARE ARM Hldgs 747 +36 Spirent Comms 1483/4 +23/4

TOBACCO Br Am Tob Imperial Tobacco

£321/8 £245/8

+7/8 +5/8

LEISURE & HOTELS Bwin.Party Digital Carnival Compass Grp easyJet Enterprise Inns FirstGroup Go-Ahead Gp Greene King Intercontl Htls Intl Cons Airl Ladbrokes Mitchells & Butlers Natl Express Rank Org Stagecoach Group TUI Travel Whitbread

1131/4 £25 702 6521/2 663/4 1781/8 1234 592 1590 1633/8 1871/4 330 1691/4 1473/4 272 2545/8 £231/2

+1/4 +3/4 +10 +111/2 +1 +23/8 +4 +21/2 +18 +47/8 +17/8 +4 +15/8 +17/8 +4 +77/8 +3/8

FTSE 100

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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS A VISIT to a secret part of North Yorkshire has cast a spell on solicitor Karen James. The head of conveyancing at Huddersfield law firm Ramsdens Solicitors visited tourist attraction The Forbidden Corner with 13-year-old son Toby and was inspired by what she saw. The Forbidden Corner is a unique labyrinth of tunnels, chambers, temples, follies and statues set in a four-acre garden in the heart of Tupgill Park, near Middleham. “You walk around the gardens and come across all sorts of treasures from a glass pyramid to 40ft giants,” says Karen. “We’ve decided to create our own Forbidden Corner in the garden at home. So now I’m working on making a bigger-than-life-size witch out of chicken wire and papier mache! I’m not really a ‘crafty’ person, but we’ve just been enthused by the visit. I’ll have to waterproof it somehow when it’s finished so it can stand in the garden.” Karen’s Fixby home backs onto Huddersfield Golf Club, so quite what the members will make of a fearsome witch staring at them as they try to sink that winning putt is anyone’s guess! Karen joined Ramsdens 20 years ago and has seen the Huddersfield-based law firm grow in that time – not least in her own department specialising in residential conveyancing. She says: “I always knew from about the age of seven that I wanted to be a lawyer. I think I was influenced by my father being a senior police officer. I had visions of wearing a wig and gown, going to court and puling out a last-minute witness to win the case! The reality of private practice is very different. It’s not nearly so glamorous.” Karen was born in Middlesbrough and later lived in Northallerton before coming to Huddersfield University to study law in the 1980s. She trained with Parker Bird before joining Ramsdens in 1991.

profile

Career that casts a spell “At that time, there were 33 staff in total, all at Ramsden Street – and one conveyancing solicitor,” she says. “Now there are 40 in my team and the firm has eight offices in Huddersfield, Edgerton, Holmfirth, Slaithwaite, Elland, Mirfield, Dewsbury and Halifax. It has changed beyond recognition. “As head of department, I am based at Ramsden Street. While it would be nice to get out and about a bit more, there’s an awful lot of work I can do from my desktop. I can view any file in any office. “Managing a growing team has brought different challenges, but we have adapted our working methods to accommodate that growth while technology is making it easier to manage and supervise what goes on electronically.” Technology has also influenced clients’ expectations. “You have to provide the service people want,” says Karen. “Clients expect instant communications. Other

organisations have moved with us as well. The Land Registry, for instance, now provides copies of title deeds within seconds. When I started, searches would take 13 weeks! Now people can complete a transaction with us entirely online.” Despite the slump in the property sector, Karen says her department is busy and has even been recruiting. “It’s not because the property market is doing any better,” she says. “The market is fairly stagnant. But the number of people offering conveyancing services has got smaller, so those still doing it are getting a bigger share. “Land Registry statistics show that the number of firms of solicitors submitting Land Registry applications has halved since 2008. “It is all down to service Our clients come back to us time and time again, which suggests we are doing something right. They recommend us to others. The best source of new business is through recommendation. “We have a large client base and we are working around the country – and overseas. “I have a lot of overseas clients, including ones in Singapore and Hong

■ HOME MAKER: Karen James, partner and head of residential conveyancing at Ramsdens Solicitors

Page 3 Karen James

Kong, who are buying up property in central London. “We have taken our services to where the market is moving. We have a number of chains of estate agents in Surrey, for example, who send us work.” Karen says: “We have been very fortunate to survive the recession – which happened almost overnight. The trick was to respond quickly to the new market conditions.” Karen says the market now needs the kick-start traditionally provided by first-time buyers, but admits: “They are finding it hard to get mortgage finance. Their deposits are coming from third parties – such as mums and dads or grandparents. “One of the biggest problems is that lenders – who have rightly tightened their lending criteria – are getting more stringent about who they will act on their behalf.” Although she is head of department, Karen says she remains a “hands-on” leader – even at the height of the market. “If you are not hands-on, you lose track of what the job is all about,” says Karen “It means you are also better able to see what could be

done to improve the service you offer.” Karen says she “lives to work” but weekends find her driving the “mum’s taxi”. She says: “Weekends are structured around Toby’s sporting activities. He plays rugby for his school and Huddersfield Rugby Union Club at Lockwood Park in the winter. In the summer, it’s cricket.” Beach holidays are definitely out – in favour of something more adventurous. “We’ve trekked through the jungles of Borneo and been on a road trip down the west coast of America,” says Karen. “We even got stuck in Hawaii when our plane was twice forced to return to the airport. If you’re going to get stuck anywhere, Hawaii’s as good a place as any!” Meanwhile, Karen doesn’t hanker after the drama of the courtroom. “We’re lucky in residential conveyancing because we get an end result that people want,” she says. “It’s not particularly contentious. We aren’t fighting for a divorce or half a house or someone’s liberty. Our clients are grateful at the end of the job and that’s very rewarding.”

HENRYK ZIENTEK

Role: Partner and head of residential conveyancing Age: 47 Family: Son Toby, 13 Holidays: Anywhere exotic Car: Volvo 360. I live at the top of a steep hill, so while I would love to go through my mid-life crisis driving an open-top sports car, it has to be something more practical! First job: Working in a fruit and veg shop in Northallerton Best thing about job: Having clients who are grateful for a job well done gives me job satisfaction Worst thing about job: The duplication of effort in having to send the same information to different regulatory bodies Business tip: Lists. It’s very easy to be distracted by unexpected events. I couldn’t survive without lists to help me prioritise

Ramsdens Solicitors Work: Legal services Employs: 150 Sites: Huddersfield and seven other sites Phone: 01484 821500 Email: info@ ramsdens.co.uk Web: www.ramsdens .co.uk

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KIRKLEES BUSIN

Hi-tech contribution to Heseltine’s plan TWO Colne Valley businesses have teamed up with a hi-tech way to help Lord Heseltine kick-start the UK economy by liberating the regions from Westminster control. Paul Mulcock, of Slaithwaite-based executive search and selection company Broad Oak Solutions, is working with freelance IT consultant Leon Riley, trading at Katbox, to help businesses get the most out of their computer systems. Mr Mulcock said Lord Heseltine’s recent report into the UK economy suggested devolving power from Westminster to give local authorities the power to stimulate growth at grass roots level. Said Mr Mulcock: “In essence, the emphasis is on every worker, every business person to optimise their performance and create healthy local economies in order to drive our national ■ KEY PLAYERS: Paul Mulcock (left) and Leon Riley at Broadoak Solutions GDP and reduce the impact of the recession on the wider economy via this bottom up strategy.” and HD televisions in order to benefit a p p l i c at i o n s w h i c h m a ke o u r Mr Mulcock said the report had from advances in technology, but do four-year-old processes look archaic. prompted him to review his own busi- the owners of SMEs do likewise? “I had no idea that technology had ness plan and make some significant “I don’t want to waste time and I moved on. My nose was too close to the changes to move its focus towards need my business to access and share grindstone to question the appropriatesupporting local SMEs, having assisted vital documents and data when my ness of the tools I was using. For a very several of these over the last 12 team need it – not when the outdated modest spend, my business has been months. systems allow me to do so.” liberated from inefficient processes and He also reviewed the firm’s IT sysLeon Riley worked in IT for Kirklees the limitations of old software.” tems, which he last invested in four CouncilI before going freelance four He added: “Sometimes, a business years ago when setting up Broad Oak year ago. He now has contracts with a owner needs a fresh pair of eyes number of local schools, reviewing sysSolutions. He said: “The market we serve is tems security, installing hardware and through which to look at how things fast-paced, highly dependent on accur- software, providing IT training and are done and using a freelance IT consultant gave me a perspective I ate and swift sharing of data both creating mobile working solutions. Said Mr Mulcock: “Leon looked at could never have gained, without his internally and with our clients and how we organise and share data intern- expertise and ability to translate my candidates. “Households regularly update their ally and externally and within two needs into simple and economical solumobile technology, internet speed links hours we had simple-to-use kit and tions.”

Bosses ‘frozen with fear’ FEAR of failure is hitting Yorkshire entrepreneurs, according to a survey by Barclays. The poll carried out among senior decision-makers in small and medium firms shows that 58% admit they’ve put off making important businesses decisions during the last 12 months in case they make the wrong call. In addition, 54% state the economic environment has changed their approach to making business decisions while 22% say they now “play it safe” and focus purely on the day-to-day. Some 26% admit that economic uncertainty has made them much more hesitant about longer term decisions. James Cliffe, divisional director for Barclays Business Banking, said the impact of BOFF – Businesses Overcome by Fear of Failure – could not only hamper individual business success, but could also collectively stall the UK's economic recovery. He said: “At the time of making important business decisions, it’s only

■ SCARE TACTICS: James Cliffe, of Barclays Business Banking natural to be scared of getting it wrong. “It can feel like you are taking a big risk – whether that is decisions about staff, products, finance or even your marketing strategy. “Despite the tough external environment, there are many opportunities to be seized upon and the ability to make important decisions is vital to the growth of all businesses and the overall UK economy.”

Business psychologist Jon Cousins said: “While risk aversion is a totally normal human response, the BoFF phenomenon is out of character when compared to the traditional risk-seeking behaviour we might expect of entrepreneurs. “In the face of adversity, a fear of failure can cause a freeze reaction amongst businesses, where it can often wrongly seem safest to do nothing at all.” He said: “In general, younger entrepreneurs are greater risk-takers when compared to their older counterparts, as it’s natural for the young to believe they are invincible. Older entrepreneurs have had greater life experiences, which prove to them that success is rarely guaranteed.” The survey showed that Yorkshire business bosses were also worried about cash flow and late payments, competition, legislation and regulation – which were amplifying their fears.

Safe wor Get the t

KIRKLEES firms ha make use of a new businesses to get o health and safety. The new Health and is the latest in a pac guidance available and Safety Executiv together in one plac small, low-risk busi to manage health a The package of gui developed by the H support of busines small business own employers avoid wa time reading what t spending money on bureaucracy or reso costly consultants they need. Quick, simple guide tools on how to ide control common wo have been pulled to first time. Core heal issues relating to th business, its workfo workplace are set o then ever before. It includes sections common risks such handling, trip hazar substances as well protective equipme David Snowball, HS Northern England a said: “While our ins ensuring that highe in Yorkshire and the taking the right pre protect their worker we do appreciate th smaller, lower-risk b feel daunted by wha safety law requires. “It doesn’t have to b task and we will be the Toolkit for all th could need in one p Mary Boughton, of Small Businesses, “The Toolbox shoul low-risk businesses that they need in a to use way without read through reams Go to www.hse.gov

Meeting

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NESS NEWS

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local

Home truths to remember T is taken for granted that any Iisgain on the sale of your home exempt from tax.

For those who have just one home and have used it as such from the time of purchase to the time of sale that will always be the case. Some people may have more than one home, for example, a weekend home and a weekday home near work or they may have a holiday home. As an individual or a married couple can only have one home at a time then all the properties cannot all be exempt from tax as the private residence. Where you have more than one home it is important that you make an election as to which one is your private residence. Such an election can only be made within 24 months of acquiring a different number of residences. So if you buy a holiday home you would need to make an election as to which of the homes is your private residence within 24 months of that acquisition. The making of the election is important as without one the question of as to which house is your private residence will be determined as a matter of fact. Clearly if you have a holiday home that you visit for six to eight weeks in a year and a private residence where you live for the rest of the time, it will always be the private residence that is determined to be the one that gets the exemption. By making the election, you can opt for the holiday home to be your private residence. That election might be for just one week. For example, you elect for the holiday home to be your private residence with effect from February

TAX TALK Colin Barratt

1, 2012, and then you make another election to change it back to your main home from February 8, 2012. The result is that the holiday home is your private residence for just one week and your main home is your private residence throughout ownership apart from one week. The effect of this on the main home is negligible and any gain should still be completely exempt as one week’s worth of the gain will be insignificant. The important point for the second home is that it will then have been your private residence for one week and any property that has ever been your private residence automatically qualifies for exemption for the last three years of ownership. That means if you owned a property for five years and you had made the election for it to be your private residence for tax purposes for one week, then three years out of five would be exempt. In other words, 60% of the gain on sale would be exempt from capital gains tax. If you never made the election, then 100% of the gain would have been chargeable to tax on sale as your main home would have been treated as your private residence as a matter of fact. The important point is that you only have 24 months from the date you acquire a different number of residences to make the election. If you do not make it in that time period you will not be able to. It might be possible to create

Colin Barratt is tax partner at Wheawill and Sudworth chartered accountants, Huddersfield

The trail to Indonesia KIRKLEES firms have been invited to hit the export trail to Indonesia. RTC North, based in Sunderland and Leeds, is leading a trade mission to the country in early December. The visit is open to all sectors, but should be of particular interest to manufacturers and businesses with an interest in innovation and technology services. It is timed to coincide with South East Asia’s largest manufacturing event, which takes place between December 5 and 8.

RTC North is well-connected with the Business and Technology network in Indonesia, which will help by providing introductions to research and science-based organisations. In addition, the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce has offered to provide contacts with local businesses. The British Embassy in Jakarta will host a reception on December 3 and will arrange for specialist market research if required. Contact Donna Smith on 0191 5164400 or email donna.smith@rtcnorth.co.uk

another 24-month period by having a change in the number of residences. That could even happen if you let one of the properties for a 12-month period because that would mean only one was then available for your use for that 12-month period. At the end of the letting you would then again have a different number of residences. Alternatively, you might buy a third property before selling one of the other two properties. Again this would bring about a new 24-month period. As the relief has been used by MPs for a considerable period of time and despite the bad publicity continues to be used in this way, it is doubtful that this will be changed. Make sure you do not miss out if it is appropriate to you.

Page 5 Circle lines suit accountancy firm A HOLMFIRTH marketing agency has helped provide a new look for one of West Yorkshire’s leading accountancy firms. The agency, We Are Circle, was called in to rebrand Wakefield-based independent accountancy firm Joliffe Cork and its sister organisation Joliffe Cork Consulting. Laura Pegg, managing director at We Are Circle, said: “Brand insight surveys revealed that Jolliffe Cork’s dedication to their clients is what made them different and kept their customers with them for a very long time – often through generations. We Are Circle used these insights to create the new brand, website, stationery and signage based around the concept of ‘our clients are at the centre of everything we do’.” Jolliffe Cork Consulting was also rebranded, changing the name to Jolliffe Business Solutions while launching a new logo and stationery.

Accent on exporting MANUFACTURERS will get some pointers on exporting. Calderdale and Kirklees Manufacturing Alliance is staging an event at 5.30pm on Thursday at the Briar Court Hotel, Birchencliffe when the main speaker will be Ian Farquahar, managing director of wind energy at David Brown Gear Systems Ltd. An expert panel will answer areas of concern and discuss new opportunities during the event, which gets under way at 5.30pm and is sponsored by UK trade & Investments. For further details go to www.ckma.co.uk and to book email enquiry@ckma.info

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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

property

Trades people are ‘leading recovery’

Existing housing stock in need of attention – FMB ACTION is needed to tackle Britain’s existing housing stock if the Government is serious about improving energy efficiency, said a construction industry group. The Federation of Master Builders, said existing houses accounted for 27% of the UK’s total carbon emissions. Responding to the Government’s Energy Efficiency Strategy, FMB chief executive Brian Berry (pictured) said: “The Government’s energy efficiency strategy is an important step forward in ensuring the UK devises a meaningful long term strategic plan for maximising the potential for energy efficiency improvements. “However, radical action is needed to transform our existing building stock to make it greener and more energy efficient.” He said: “It’s becoming ever more apparent that the Government’s Green Deal retrofit initiative is not going to deliver the transformational change that is needed, which is why we need a range of incentives to promote energy efficiency. “We are doing our bit to encourage small builders to

equip themselves with the skills and training needed to compete in the energy efficiency marketplace, but they need certainty that the Green Deal will deliver the much needed business opportunities and that the Government is fully behind the scheme.” Said Mr Berry: “Whilst the strategy usefully summarises the challenge ahead it contains very little in terms of detailed aims and objectives. “The Government’s intention to develop a series of sector guides on what benefits increasing energy efficiency can bring to consumers by next summer is welcome and the FMB looks forward to working to assist on behalf of the building industry.”

SEVEN out of 10 British tradespeople work extra unpaid hours each week – gifting their employers about £4.8bn in unpaid overtime every year. Figures from Direct Line for Business also showed that just one in four workers claim they don’t work any unpaid overtime in a typical week. On average, each trades person completes 5.29 hours of unpaid work a week, totalling 275 hours a year and equivalent to about £1,702 in wages based on the minimum wage. The research also showed that more than one in ten of the UK’s 2.8m tradespeople – some 308,000 people – claim to complete more than 10 hours of unpaid work each week or 520 hours a year. Tradespeople who have been in the job the longest are more likely to work an extended, unpaid week. On average, tradespeople who have worked for up to 10 years complete an average of 34 hours per week, while those who have been in the industry for more than a decade typically work 41.8 hours per week. Tradespeople in the UK work on average 40 hours a week with nearly

modern industrial premises

STUBS BECK LANE, CLECKHEATON, BD19 4TT £125,000 p/a MAY SELL

4 RANGE LANE Halifax, HX3 6DL FORMER HOSTEL PREMISES

395m2 (4,250ft2) Site Area 0.13 Hectares (0.33 Acres) ■ Vacant possession ■ Suitable for refurbishment for alternative occupational residential uses or possible complete redevelopment, subject to planning consent

● 2,502sqm (26,936 sqft)

4 RANGE LANE Halifax, HX3 6DL location adjacent to ● Strategic FORMER HOSTEL PREMISES 2) M62/M606 395m2 (4,250ft Site Area 0.13 Hectares (0.33 Acres) ■ Vacant possession ● 6m internal eaves height ■ Suitable for refurbishment for alternative occupational residential ● Good yard and parking uses or possible complete redevelopment, subject to ● consent High quality offices planning

industrial premises

MELTHAM MILLS ROAD, MELTHAM, HD9 4DS Rents on Application

4 RANGE LANE Halifax, HX3 6DL FORMER HOSTEL PREMISES

● 958.9 sqm (10,322 sqft)

4 RANGE LANE Halifax, to HX3 6DL 1415 sqm (15,231 sqft) FORMER HOSTEL PREMISES 2) 395m2 (4,250ft ● Popular Industrial Location Site Area 0.13 Hectares (0.33 Acres) ■ Vacant possession ● Loading door ■ Suitable for refurbishment for alternative occupational residential ● 3 Phase electricity uses or possible complete redevelopment, subject to ● consent Shared yard planning

industrial premises

4 RANGE LANE Halifax, HX3 6DL FORMER HOSTEL PREMISES

half – 48% – completing more than 40 hours a week. The current average for the UK’s overall workforce is 37 hours a week. Jazz Gakhal, head of Direct Line for Business, said: “Tradespeople are the unsung heroes leading the way in nursing our economy back to health. “The research shows that, despite the sometimes negative publicity that surrounds the work ethic of tradespeople, they are doing more than their fair share and setting the right example for the rest of the UK’s workforce. “Next time a builder or plumber takes a tea break, be conscious that you are probably getting free hours spent working on your home improvements or repairs.” Said Mr Gakhal: “Given these extra accumulated working hours, it is crucial that tradespeople have the right insurance cover for their business to ensure that all these extra hours worked are adequately compensated in the event of an accident.” ■ HARD WORK: Trades people, sich as plumbers, are putting in unpaid overtime

prominent ground floor premises

ST GEORGES SQUARE, HUDDERSFIELD, HD1 1LA £6,000 p/a

4 RANGE LANE Halifax, HX3 6DL FORMER HOSTEL PREMISES

● 49.33sqm (531sqft) 4 RANGE LANE Halifax, HX3 6DLtown centre ● Prominent FORMER HOSTEL PREMISES location 2) 395m2 (4,250ft

Site Area 0.13 Hectares (0.33 Acres) ■ Vacant possession ● Opposite railway station ■ Suitable for refurbishment for alternative occupational ● Attractive Graderesidential II listed uses or possible complete redevelopment, subject to building planning consent

prominent office premises

WAKEFIELD ROAD, HUDDERSFIELD, HD5 9AN £6,500 p/a

4 RANGE LANE Halifax, HX3 6DL FORMER HOSTEL PREMISES

● 105 sqm (1,130 sqft)

4 RANGE LANE Halifax, HX3road 6DLlocation ● Main FORMER HOSTEL PREMISES 2) 395m2 (4,250ft ● On-street car parking

Site Area 0.13 Hectares (0.33 Acres) ■ Vacant possession ● Outskirts of Huddersfield ■ Suitable for refurbishment for alternative occupational residential town centre uses or possible complete redevelopment, subject to ● consent Fully centrally heated planning

office premises

OSSETT LANE, DEWSBURY, WF12 8LS £450,000

● 1,150.2sqm (12,380 sqft)

4 RANGE LANE ● Three Halifax, HX3 lofty 6DL engineering FORMERworkshops, HOSTEL PREMISES part with

Page 6

395m2 (4,250ft2) Site Area 0.13 Hectares (0.33 Acres) craneage ■ Vacant possession ■ Suitable for refurbishment for ● Attached office building alternative occupational residential possible uses or ● Good complete yard space and loading redevelopment, subject to ● consent Development potential planning

4 RANGE LANE Halifax, HX3 6DL FORMER HOSTEL PREMISES

■ industrial LAND

■ offices OFFICES

■ retail

INDUSTRIAL

■ investment

INVESTMENT

■ land CHAPEL STREET, HUDDERSFIELD, HD4 6HL £12,000 p/a ● 114.17 sqm (1,230 sqft)

4 RANGE LANE Halifax, HX3 6DL ● Attractive building FORMER HOSTEL PREMISES 2 Miles 2) from Huddersfield 395m2 ● (4,250ft

Site Area 0.13 Hectares (0.33 Acres) ■ Vacanttown possession centre ■ Suitable for refurbishment for alternative occupational residential ● Excellent car parking uses or possible complete redevelopment, subject to ● Good quality accommodation planning consent

T. 01484 530361 www.bramleys.com

RETAIL

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

AN online petition has been launched to stop the Government’s planned postponement of the 2015 business rates revaluation. Property firm Colliers International has started the e-petition on the Government website www.direct.gov.uk and is urging businesses in Yorkshire to show their support by adding their names to the list. If the petition receives 100,000 signatures it will be considered for debate in the House of Commons. The proposal to delay the 2015 rating revaluation until 2017 is one of a number of measures being put forward by the Government as part of the Growth and Infrastructure Bill. If implemented, businesses will continue to pay business rates based on property values in 2008, instead of current values, which are considerably less. For the retail sector in particular this could have a devastating impact. Colliers said many retail centres across the UK had seen significant falls in rental value since 2008 – with some of the worst hit regions falling by as much as 27%. Retail values in Yorkshire fell by 23% – while

London’s West End was the only retail area to see rental values increase, rising by 26% over the same period Mick O’Donoghue, director of rating at Colliers International in West Yorkshire, said: “Struggling businesses have been eagerly awaiting the 2015 revaluation as a relief from high rates bills. “Having it deferred until 2017 simply means that any decreases in their bills or chance of clawing much needed money back from the Government will have to be deferred. “At a time when businesses need all the support they can get from Government, this is just another slap in the face. “And while the Government is stating that it won’t increase rate bills more than inflation, postponing the revaluation means many businesses are being denied decreases in real terms. “For some ailing high streets, this really could be the final nail in the coffin. “This is why we are urging the Government to rethink its proposal and in doing so help to save our high streets.”

Tourist sites select Orchard ENERGY management consultancy Orchard Energy has agreed deals with two of the region’s tourist attractions to help them control energy costs. The Yorkshire Sculpture Park at Bretton and Cannon Hall Farm at Cawthorne are the latest new client wins for the Elland-based firm, which advises on efficiency and purchasing. “Like any business, tourism venues can

make a big impact on their overheads by buying strategically and having the right energy contract in place for their needs,” said Gareth Henderson, managing director of Orchard Energy. The firm’s other tourism sector clients include the Jorvik Viking Centre in York, Harewood near Leeds and Chatsworth House in Derbyshire.

25 – 29 Market Street

Huddersﬁeld

1 Substantial town centre commercial property/site opposite Sainsbury’s 1 Exciting development/conversion opportunity

Eastlawns

Thomas Street, Lindley, Huddersﬁeld

1 Residential building land, 0.62 Acre site (0.25 Hectares) 1 Planning permission for 12 semi detached houses in village centre location close to shops and amenities

19, 21 & 21a Southgate Elland

1 Town centre investment opportunity 1 Two self-contained retail units with separate three bedroom ﬂat 1 Gross rental income of £18,200 per annum exclusive

Cold Hill Farm

Cold Hill Lane, Berry Brow, Huddersﬁeld

1 Farmhouse, barn and outbuildings for conversion 1 Rural location 1 Planning permission for conversion to a large four bedroom house 1 Site area of 0.07 Hectares (0.17 Acres)

58 Market Street

Milnsbridge, Huddersﬁeld

1 Prominent commercial property in centre of Milnsbridge 1 Suitable for a variety of uses subject to planning permission 1 Refurbishment/conversion opportunity with good investment potential

Former Honley Council Ofﬁces Eastgate, Honley

1 Planning permission for residential conversion 1 Close to village centre 1 Waterside frontage 1 Prominent landmark building

£2 60 ,0 00 £2 45 ,0 00

Petition on rates move

1 Character detached stone property 1 667m2 (7180 sq ft) 1 Former ofﬁces with planning permission for change of use to C3 residential

£3 85 ,0 00

land to support the growth of Persimmon within the region in the future. “The UK housing market continues to be challenging and mortgage availability remains the key constraint. “However we remain confident of the future successful growth of Persimmon in the region.”

£1 50 ,0 00

Oaklands

Dalton, Huddersﬁeld

£2 10 ,0 00

1 Lofty barn (150m2) with stable block, ripe for residential conversion 1 Stunning rural location with panoramic views

£5 7,0 00

Clough Ing Barn

Lumb Lane, Almondbury, Huddersfield

£1 25 ,0 00

THE managing director of one of the region’s leading house builders said the business is on track to meet end-of-year expectations. Wayne Gradwell (pictured), managing director of Persimmon Homes West Yorkshire, said the autumn selling season has seen visitor rates rise by 6% compared with this time last year while weekly private sales rates were up by 4%. Commenting on Persimmon plc’s November trading update, he said: “House buyers in our region have been helped by the cost of mortgage loans reducing slightly as lenders access the Government’s Funding for Lending Scheme and pass the lower funding costs through to our customers. “The take-up of the Government-backed 5% deposit NewBuy mortgage product has also helped our region, with a steady increase in customers purchasing a home with a NewBuy mortgage.” Persimmon has been trading since 1972 and the business operates under three main brands, Persimmon Homes, Charles Church and Westbury Partnerships. It has opened new developments in Leeds, Wakefield and Bradford and has further developments opening in the next three months at Bradford, Hipperholme and Rotherham. It also has sites in Huddersfield and Cleckheaton. Said Mr Gradwell: “A critical part of our strategy is the continued investment in new

£2 66 ,0 00

Persimmon on track

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

Movers and shakers

Page 8

Award-winners’ mentoring plan

Jonathan O’Connor & Daniel Hey

Walker Singleton WEST Yorkshire chartered surveyors Walker Singleton have appointed Jonathan O’Connor as an associate in the commercial property office in Huddersfield. Mr O’Connor (above, right) joins from Eddisons, where he spent eight years as an associate director in the firm’s commercial agency department. Daniel Hey (above, left), an existing associate with Walker Singleton, transfers from the firm’s Halifax office to Huddersfield to head the new machinery and business assets department in the town serving Kirklees and the wider area. Mr Hey is a specialist in this area and has been with the firm for 10 years providing asset valuation and sales advice to financial professionals and private clients across the UK. Walker Singleton opened its growing Huddersfield office four years ago. The office at New North Road is now the base for eight professional staff with administrative support. This is expected to increase as the firm extends its presence and influence in Kirklees.

FOUR award-winning business women have teamed up to help the next generation of entrepreneurs. Huddersfield-based Janet Bebb, of Social Progress, and Kate Hardcastle of Insight With Passion have teamed up with Claire Mitchell, of Chillipeeps in Ripon, and Louise Turner of Your Virtual PR in Wakefield. They met up after becoming the only four Yorkshire business women named in the MumsClub Top 100 Business Mums – and decided to pool their skills and help future business women by offering to mentor one lucky winner or team of winners. Now the women are appealing for entries to their competition, which is open to any female over the age of 16, either individually or as part of a group. They are encouraging teams of college students as well as young mums or women with a business idea, but who are unsure of how to get the business off the ground. Janet, who was ranked 10th in the Mums Club Top 100 Business Mums, said: “A recent government report found that lots of young girls don't think they could run their own business. We're keen to bust that myth. “We got together as Yorkshire winners

■ BUSINESS CHALLENGE: Award-winners (from left) Louise Turner, Kate Hardcastle, Claire Mitchell and Janet Bebb are offering free mentoring to one lucky winner

and decided we didn't want to waste this opportunity. We have a wide range of complementary skills which we know we can use to help one of the next generation of business women. “It doesn't matter if you're at college, a stay-at-home mum or already in a good job,

Trophy is just the ticket

Adrian Mullen & Adam Irwin

Purebrand BRAND marketing consultancy Purebrand has announced two key appointments. The Mirfield-based agency has named Adrian Mullen as creative director to lead the creative and brand consultancy team. Mr Mullen (top) has held board-level creative positions at agencies including EHS Brann and Millennium – and has worked on some of the region’s highest profile accounts such as Tesco, Asda, Barclays and M&S Financial Services. Purebrand managing director Simon Ryan said: “Adrian has deep experience in using customer insight to shape marketing strategy and it’s this approach that also lies at the heart of what Purebrand represents – so Adrian’s appointment couldn’t be a better fit.“ Adam Irwin (also pictured) joins Purebrand as account manager with previous experience including a spell as marketing manager for Bradford-based automotive accessories manufacturer Specialised Covers. His appointment further strengthens Purebrand’s expertise in the automotive sector. Mr Irwin will be a key member of the account management team which works with global automotive parts manufacturers Hella, TMD Friction and Vision Alert.

■ FARE DEAL: Carl Stott (centre) and co-director Mark Stott (second right), of E Stott & Sons, receive the award with (from left) Mike Morgan, group editor of Expo Management Ltd; Steve Powell, marketing director of award sponsor Webasto; and presenter Maggie Philbin A COACH operator based in Huddersfield has found the route to success. E Stott & Sons, based at Milnsbridge, won the trophy for Excellence in Minibus Operations at the Route One Operator Excellence Awards. Directors Carl and Mark Stott received their prize at the award ceremony which was held during the Expo Coach Show at the NEC in Birmingham. The award recognised the company’s local bus service operation, which uses minibuses. The company, which was a finalist in

the Green Award at the Examiner Business Awards, was shortlisted for two awards at the NEC event – the Coach Operator Innovation Award and the Excellence in Minibus Operations. The judges commented: “Our winner is a family-run company with more than 25 years’ experience. It is perhaps better known for its coach operation, which initially was the main attraction for the judges. “However, they were soon drawn to the excellence of the minibus side of the business, which clearly demonstrates how successfully coach standards of operation can be applied to local bus services.”

if you have an idea for a business, are female and over 16 we want to hear from you. All you need to do to enter is send us 300 words describing your business idea.” Entries should be sent to iwant tobe@madwomeninbusiness.co.uk by December 10, 2012.

Jen Moffatt

Clough and Company CHARTERED accountancy firm Clough & Company has appointed Jen Moffatt as an audit accounts assistant. Ms Moffatt (pictured), who is originally from The Wirral but lives in Huddersfield, is based within the firm’s audit and accounts department. She is also working towards her Associate Chartered Accountant qualification at college. To qualify, she must pass 15 exams while also receiving valuable experience in the workplace. She said: “I have already sat and passed six exams and I’m now working towards the remaining nine over the next couple of years.” Clough & Company, which has offices in Cleckheaton and Keighley, is financing Ms Moffatt’s study. Steven Gash, practice chairman of Clough & Company, said: “We are committed to recruiting and training the most talented professionals in order to provide the very best accountancy services to our valued clients. “At a time when many professional services firms are making cuts or merging we have built up a respected business that hires, trains and keeps its staff to provide our clients with unrivalled continuity.”