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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS The business NEWSpaper for Kirklees
Job-creating park hailed a success
A BUSINESS park at Birstall is proving a popular destination for companies in the region. More than 170 jobs have been created over the past two years at Springwell 27, which stands at Junction 27 of the M62. Occupiers now include online shopping retailer Ocado, Floorbrite, shopfitters K R Hannaford and UPVC Maintenance. Springwell 27, which comprises 11 industrial terraced units and Ocado’s 10,500 sq ft distribution warehouse, is a joint venture between Leeds-based developers Gregory Property Group and the Eshton Group. Nine of the high-quality 11 units have been sold. The two remaining units, one of 6,830sq ft and one of 3,600sq ft, are available to rent or buy. Richard Tovey, director of Eshton Gregory, said: “We are delighted by the success of Springwell 27, especially in these challenging economic times. “The decision of Ocado to base a distribution centre here was a massive endorsement of both the park itself and its location. “The park is within half a mile of
Junction 27 of the M62 motorway, three miles from the M1 and just six miles from Leeds. It is perfect for servicing both Yorkshire and Lancashire.” Mr Tovey said: “The two remaining units are built to the highest specification and are suitable for small businesses in the manufacturing and distribution sectors, which require modern accommodation in a strategic location. “We also have planning for another 30,000sq ft of industrial development, available on a design and build basis.” Ian Pattle, northern general manager for Ocado, said: “Exactly two years ago, Ocado opened its first purpose-built regional distribution centre at Springwell 27. “The business park’s fantastic facilities and transport links have more than helped us cement our delivery service with customers in the north, and we continue to enjoy fast growth here. It’s a superb site.” Alex Wyers, business development manager of Floorbrite, added: “We looked at a number of sites before choosing Springwell 27 and it was the
Circuit training SPEEDWAY star Josh Auty is on the right track thanks to advice from his business coach. The Mirfield rider has taken the unusual step of regular sessions of business coaching from Graham Summerscales, of Coach for Solutions, in order to gain a different perspective on himself and his sport. And it seems to be working. Josh travelled to Australia to take part in state and national competitions – and won the Queensland Under-21 title and the solo competition.
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■ PARK LIFE: Kevin Rhodes (left), of Hannaford, with (from left) Jonathan Chapman, of Eshton Gregory; David Earnshaw, of UPVC Maintenance; Richard Tovey, of Eshton Gregory; Alex Wyers, of Floorbrite
right decision. We are exceptionally happy here. It is the perfect platform for Floorbrite in West Yorkshire.”
Marketing agents for Springwell 27 are the Leeds offices of Carter Jonas and Dove Haigh Phillips.
Companies braced to weather fiscal storm YORKSHIRE companies have emerged from the recession in fairly good shape, according to an assessment by a leading economist. But businesses are unlikely to come through the current austerity measures entirely unscathed, said Roger Bootle, economic adviser to accountancy firm Deloitte. Commenting in the latest issue of the Deloitte Economic Review, Mr Bootle said: “The corporate sector looks set to escape the direct effects of the tax and spending measures set to be implemented. Indeed, the main rate of corporation tax is set to fall from 28% to 24% over the next five years. “But there are all sorts of other ways in
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which companies will be affected by the fiscal squeeze. “Most obviously, those private sector companies which supply goods and services directly to the public sector are set to suffer from the retrenchment in the Government’s procurement spending. “Meanwhile, any other effects which hit the general level of demand in the economy will also hit companies. “In particular, the major squeeze on households’ disposable income from tax rises, the public sector pay freeze and job cuts will clearly hit the revenues of those firms connected to the consumer and retail sectors.” Mr Bootle said firms could benefit from increased business and consumer confid-
ence, relaxation of monetary policy and a lower exchange rate. He added: “What’s more, there are a number of reasons to think that companies are in fairly good shape to deal with the adverse effects of the fiscal squeeze. “Profitability has held up well during the recession and business insolvencies have been low. “Meanwhile, the corporate sector’s balance sheet is less stretched than those of the household and public sectors.” Mr Bootle said the economic recovery would remain sluggish at best – meaning it was impossible to rule out a “double-dip” recession – with a forecast for growth of around 1.5% this year and just 1% in 2011.
■ FORECAST: Roger Bootle, of accountancy firm Deloitte
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Ringing success A TELECOMS firm in Brighouse has rung up awards success. Abzorb, which offers mobile phones, fixed lines, phone systems and network services, was among the winners at the CNA Comms National Awards, which were presented at London’s Park Lane Hilton.
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