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RICHARD CONROY Building up the business
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COLIN BARRATT Big budget round-up Column - Page 4
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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS The business NEWSpaper for Kirklees
Trolley push into Canadian market
A COLNE Valley company has gone back to its roots with its latest contract. Milnsbridge-based firm Horizon Signs is celebrating after winning a large order to create a new range of bespoke products for one of Canada’s biggest supermarket chains. The Canadian supermarket needed s eve r a l wa re h o u s e t ro l l e y s i n non-standard sizes to move products around its depots and ultimately into its stores. The company’s regular supplier in China was unable to fulfil the request efficiently and cost-effectively – and the retailer’s quest for an alternative source took it to Horizon Signs. The project signals a return to its roots for Horizon, which started out as a fabrication company more than 20 years ago before diversifying into the
sign manufacturing. Currently, the company has 12 fabricators who can work on anything from gates and railings to shop, restaurant and pub fixtures. Horizon was able to make the custom-built trolleys and guarantee that the work was completed to the highest standards. Given the current value of the dollar against the pound, Horizon was able to compete on price against international suppliers and make the new products more cost effectively. Ross Ball, director at Horizon Signs, said: “We are able to compete effectively against internationally suppliers who have traditionally been thought of as a cheaper alternative. “That is down to our experienced fabricators working to very specific client requirements and offering a
cost-effective solution. “This order demonstrates that we can take on any fabricating enquiry and achieve the required result.” Horizon Signs is reaping the rewards of investment and cost-savings which enabled the firm to make a profit month-on-month between 2009 and 2010. The company negotiated better rates from suppliers, introduced a “just in time” approach to delivery to avoid overstocking and focusing on “stable” markets such as local authorities and schools. The firm, which supplies whiteboards for schools, also invested in its own powder coating works to reduce unit costs and open up to another market by providing the option to powder coat not only its own products but also those of other companies.
spects for the year ahead. Expectations for turnover and profit were also holding steady. But they remained cautious about employment intentions and said rising p r i c e s we re c a u s i n g c o n c e r n . Respondents also spotlighted competition and financial matters as the major external issues affecting their businesses. Steven Leigh, chamber head of policy, said firms were concerned about underlying weaknesses in the economy and the possible effects on the private sector of the deficit reduc-
tion programme. “Although the programme is supported by ourselves and the British Chambers of Commerce, the public sector spending cuts will definitely have an effect on the speed of our economic recovery.” He said: “In these second quarter results, there are a number of positive signs for the local and UK economy. Most key indicators have continued to maintain or improve on the results reported in the first quarter. “However, there are clearly some underlying concerns which our mem-
Breakfast TV in bed A FLOCKTON couple have no time for nodding off – after setting up a firm supplying luxury beds with fitted TV screens. Andrea and Andrew Montgomery have formed Visual Comfort Ltd to supply bespoke TV beds for style-conscious individual customers, providers of studio apartments and the boutique hotel sector.
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■ SHOP WORK: Ross Ball, of Horizon Signs at Milnsbridge
Survey detects worries over ‘weak’ economy SPENDING cuts and the “underlying weakness” of the UK economy are causing concern for West Yorkshire businesses, it was claimed today. The latest survey of member firms by the Lockwood-based Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce showed that home sales and orders continued to improve while exports were bouncing back during the second quarter of the year. Companies across Kirklees, Calderdale and Wakefield reported a recovery in capital investment levels and said they remained positive about pro-
INSIDE
bers remain wary about, including inflation, exchange rates and the effects of price increases in raw materials and other overheads which are increasing the pressure on manufacturers to raise prices – thereby potentially reducing our competitiveness.” Mr Leigh said: “Overall, these second quarter figures are encouraging and the chamber will continue to strongly lobby the coalition to c o n t i n u e t o i n t r o d u c e b u s iness-friendly measures which will encourage investment, create jobs, and promote a stronger economy.”
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Tops for the shops CONSOLIDATION and cost-cutting remain a priority for retailers, says a report. But the Colliers International Midsummer Retail Report said there were fewer signs of distress on the UK high street against a year ago.
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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
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Travis plumbs into BSS takeover deal BUILDERS’ merchant Travis Perkins has tabled a £558m takeover bid for plumbing supplies specialist BSS. The proposed tie-up, which has been backed by the board of Leicester-based BSS, will make the Wickes owner a leader in the trade and retail distribution of plumbing and heating products. BSS started life as British Steam Specialities in 1899. It now operates from 439 branches in the UK, generating revenues of £1.35bn and profits of £49.6 m in the year to March 31. The cash and shares deal is the largest undertaken by Travis since the £950m takeover of the Wickes DIY chain in 2005. Northampton-based Travis, which will gain access to new areas of the plumbing and heating supplies sector,
said it had believed for some time that consolidation was vital in the builders’ merchant industry. As well as creating a leading business in the sector, it said it will have the size and scale to purchase products more competitively. It expects to achieve annual cost savings of at least £25m by 2013, made up of £19m in purchasing benefits and £6m from overheads. Travis Perkins chairman Robert Walker said: “Our respective businesses are complementary and we look forward to working with BSS’s customers, suppliers and employees.” BSS, which employs about 5,000 people, adds to Travis’s existing 14,500-strong workforce and 1,238 UK sites.
Dividend resumes DEVELOPER St Modwen Properties has resumed dividend payments after swinging back into profit for the six months to May 31. Birmingham-based St Modwen reported pre-tax profits of £26.7m against losses of £98.3m a year earlier. The regeneration specialist said it had lifted new assets per share by 6.8% to 214p a share since November, 2009. Shareholders will get an interim dividend of 1p a share. The firm also announced a deal to buy 11 industrial estates for £21.4m with annual rental incomes of £2.2m. Chairman Anthony Glossop said he was delighted to report a “significant” improvement in trading performance.
It was founded in Nottingham before moving its head office to Leicester in 1900. BSS has grown through a number of smaller acquisitions in recent years, including the addition of Direct Heating Spares last year. The deal is subject to shareholder approval, although Travis said it had already received undertakings of support from about 35% of BSS investors. Collins Stewart analyst Imran Akram said the deal should boost Travis’s share of the plumbing and heating supplies market from 17% to about 25%. He said it would also remove major questions over Travis’ growth prospects.
BP oil spill costs hit 3bn dollars
Lloyds lightens the load
TROUBLED petroleum giant BP said clean-up costs for the Gulf of Mexico oil disaster have now passed the 3bn dollar mark. The oil company has spent 3.1bn dollars – £2bn – so far on efforts to stop the leak and to settle damage claims. But BP shares rose by 2% yesterday after hefty falls again last week. Speculation is mounting over the group’s efforts to raise capital – with reports that it has launched a hunt to find a strategic investor in a move to ward off hostile takeover attempts. BP is said to be looking at sovereign wealth funds, mirroring the tac-
LLOYDS Banking Group has confirmed a deal to offload investments bought by HBOS on a buying spree before its collapse. The part-nationalised bank is selling about 70% of the portfolio to a joint venture with private equity firm Coller Capital for £332m – valuing the assets at £480m. The portfolio, which includes cinema chain Vue and shirt maker TM Lewin, is widely blamed for many of the financial woes at HBOS, which bought the assets at the height of the market. The holdings also include minority stakes in 40 investments covering an
tic used by Barclays when it sold stakes to state-funded Middle Eastern groups to avoid a Government bail-out at the height of the financial crisis. BP has lost close to 50% of its stock market value since the Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded and sank on April 20, killing 11 workers and causing the worst US oil spill in history. Its share price plunge has put the group at potential risk of a hostile takeover approach from rivals. BP has declined to comment on rumours of its stake sale, except to confirm its aim to raise cash as liabilities of the oil spill soar.
Prison contract
array of British businesses, such as Sir Terence Conran’s restaurant empire D&D, gym chain David Lloyd and newsagent and convenience group Martin McColl. Lloyds, which will hold a 30% stake in the joint venture, said Coller will retain the former HBOS team responsible for buying the assets. Lloyds has now raised more than £750m from asset sales to shore up its finances following the rescue of HBOS and subsequent taxpayer bail out. It still holds the ill-fated property and housebuilding portfolio, which has landed the group with hefty writedowns since the credit crunch.
SECURITY group Serco is to run the new Belmarsh West prison in London after the services company signed a contract with the Ministry of Justice worth £415m over 26 years. The category B prison, which will be built by Serco’s construction partner Skanska, will accommodate 900 adult male prisoners. A separate agreement relating to Maghull prison near Liverpool will be signed later this year.
SHARE PRICES NORTH AMERICAN American Express £26.06 Gannett 868.16 Hess Corp £33.11 Microsoft 1538.61 Motors Liquidation 49.59 Wal-Mart Stores £31.74 AEROSPACE & DEFENCE Avon Rbbr 1071/2 BAE Systems 3091/8 Rolls-Royce Gp 5411/2 VT Group 795 AIM Brady Plc 56 Dawson Intl 21/8 Man Brnze 35 AUTOMOBILES & PARTS GKN 1121/8 BANKS Barclays 2591/4 HSBC 5961/4 Lloyds Banking Gp 543/4 Ryl Scotland 39 Stan Chart 1608 BEVERAGES Diageo 1033 SABMiller 18271/2 CHEMICALS Croda 1030 Elementis 98 63 Johnsn Mat 1479 CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALS Balfour Beatty 2365/8 Costain 205 ELECTRICITY 5
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Intl Power 2967/8 +1 Scottish & Sthrn 1134 +6 Energy ELECTRONIC & ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT Chloride 372 -1 -13/4 Laird 1013/4 EQUITY INVESTMENT INSTRUMENTS Alliance Trust 2953/8 +3/4 FIXED LINE TELECOM SERVICES BT Grp 1261/4 -1/4 Cable & Wireless 581/4 +3/8 Comm Cable & Wireless 86 +1 Wwide Colt Group 1255/8 -13/4 KCOM 45 +11/4 Talktalk Telecom 1183/4 -13/4 FOOD & DRUG RETAILERS Morrison W 2671/8 +3 +15/8 Sainsbury 3203/4 Tesco 389 +61/8 FOOD PRODUCERS AB Food 947 -2 -1/4 Nth Foods 433/4 Tate Lyle 4697/8 -23/4 Unilever 1736 -6 Uniq 12 +1/4 GAS, WATER & MULTIUTILITIES Centrica 2931/4 +1/2 National Grid 4873/4 -1/8 Pennon Grp 557 Severn 1230 +4 United Utils 526 -21/2 GENERAL FINANCIAL 3i Group 2561/2 -31/2 ICAP 393 -13/4 1
Man Group 2123/4 -13/4 Provident Financial 833 +71/2 Schroders 1167 +13 Schroders NV 963 +8 GENERAL INDUSTRIALS Cooksn Grp 3831/8 +41/8 REXAM 2903/8 -23/4 Smiths Grp 1051 -3 GENERAL RETAILERS Ashley L 13 +1/2 Carphone Whse 187 +3 5 +3/8 DSG International 25 /8 1 Home Retail 215 /4 +1 Inchcape 2413/4 -17/8 Kingfisher 2101/4 +21/2 M&S 3417/8 +83/4 Mothercare 534 +21/2 Next £201/8 +1/4 WH Smith 412 +1 HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SERVICES Smith Nph 580 -11/2 HOUSEHOLD GOODS Aga Rangemaster 85 -21/2 Barrat Dev 937/8 +11/2 1 Persimmon 348 /2 +51/4 Reckitt Benckiser £303/8 -1/8 Taylor Wimpey 25 -5/8 INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING Charter 605 +21/2 IMI 6731/2 +71/2 INDUSTRIAL METALS Ferrexpo 2373/4 -23/8 INDUSTRIAL TRANSPORTATION BBA Aviation 1803/4 +3/4 Forth Ports 1180 +14
3173/4 +25/8 755/8 -1/4 103 -1/2 1 490 /4 -33/4 68 +1 1747/8 -11/8 MEDIA BSkyB 694 -2 Chrysalis 993/4 +1/4 D Mail Tst 4401/8 -15/8 ITV 481/4 -11/2 Johnston Press 141/2 Pearson 8871/2 +201/2 Reed Elsevier 4951/8 +1/4 1 STV Group 70 /2 Trinity Mirror 651/2 -33/4 Utd Business 4931/2 -1 1 UTV 113 /2 +3/4 1 WPP 631 /2 +71/2 Yell Group 25 -1/2 MINING Anglo American £221/2 -1/2 Antofagasta 761 -161/2 BHP Billiton 16841/2 -381/2 Eurasian Natural 818 -231/2 Res Fresnillo 950 -14 Kazakhmys 9671/2 -17 Lonmin 1360 -18 Rio Tinto £283/4 -1/2 VEDANTA £21 -1/4 RESOURCES Xstrata 851 -201/8 MOBILE TELECOM SERVICES Inmarsat 711 +7 Vodafone Group 1361/2 NONLIFE INSURANCE Admiral Grp 1398 -2 Aviva Lgl & Gen Old Mutual Prudential Resolution Standard Life
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Local shares Carclo Chapelthorpe Marshalls National Grid Weir Gp
1571/2 23 921/2 4873/4 1049
+1/2 +71/2 -1/8 -3
FTSE closed at
4823.5 Down 14.5 OIL & GAS PRODUCERS BG 1038 +121/2 BP 3331/4 +111/4 Cairn Energy 4163/8 -53/4 3 Norsk Hdro 474 /4 1 Royal Dutch Shell A 1635 /2 -13 Royal Dutch Shell B 1561 -151/2 Total £297/8 -1/8 Tullow Oil 1041 -5 OIL EQUIPMENT & SERVICES AMEC 821 +4 Petrofac 1164 -8 1 Wood Group 319 /4 -13/4 PERSONAL GOODS Burberry 745 +51/2 PHARMACEUTICALS & BIOTECHNOLOGY Astrazeneca £301/2 -3/8 1
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GlaxoSmithK XD Shire 1350 REAL ESTATE Brit Land 4373/4 Captl Shop Cent 3015/8 DTZ Hldgs 65 Hamrsn 3361/4 Land Secs 545 SEGRO 2531/8 SOFTWARE ETC SERVICES Autonomy Corp 1761 Dimension Data 903/4 Invensys 2421/2 Logica 1033/4 Misys 230 Sage Group 2223/4 SUPPORT SERVICES Bunzl 658 Capita 7381/2 Davis Service 363 Group De La Rue 9521/2 Electrocomp 2095/8 Experian 5821/2 G4S 2661/4 Hays 891/8 Homeserve £201/8 Menzies J 3711/4 Rentokil 1043/8 Smiths News 113 Wolseley 1330 IT HARDWARE ARM Hldgs 2707/8 Psion 78 Spirent Comms 1101/2 TOBACCO Br Am Tob £211/4
131/2 -15 +13/8 -31/4 -1/4 -3/8 -61/2 -13/4 -40 -1/4 -5/8 -1/4 -17/8 -11/2 -6 +41/2 +23/4 +4 +1/4 +41/2 +35/8 +3/4 +1/4 -3/4 +3/4 -23/4 +8 +3/8 +4 +3/8 +1/8
LEISURE & HOTELS Arriva Brit Airways Carnival Compass Grp easyJet Enterprise Inns FirstGroup Go-Ahead Greene King Intercontl Htls Ladbrokes Mitchells & Butlers Natl Express PartyGaming Rank Org Stagecoach Group TUI Travel Whitbread
7631/2 1865/8 £211/8 5111/2 392 873/4 3631/4 1053 4197/8 1047 1273/8 2813/8 2173/4 2203/4 100 1761/4 2093/4 1373
TOURIST RATES
-13/4 -1/4 +6 -47/8 -3/8 +11/4 +43/4 -4 +13/4 +4 +41/4 +23/8 +1/4 +13/4 +3/4 +6
FTSE 100
INDEX 4823.53
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INDEX 9301.35
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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
profile
Career choice is by design
A BUILDING company based in the Holme Valley is defying the uncertain economic climate. Conroy Brook Developments has seen strong demand for houses at its prestigious Broomfield Avenue development at Savile Park in Halifax while it has also sold 40 out of 46 apartments at its Holme Valley Court retirement complex in Holmfirth – with the remaining six all reserved. It is a thoroughly satisfying state of affairs for chief executive Richard Conroy, who sees it as vindication for a long-standing policy to focus on quality design and construction – even in the face of a damaging recession. The Halifax development of eight town houses and eight detached homes is being marketed by Conroy Booth as Savile Row Meets Savile Park. Fourteen of the 16 natural stone properties have been sold or reserved – with all interest secured prior to development. The first four homes – which were sold off-plan in the first phase of the scheme – are now experience of the property complete and Conroy Brook’s industry before joining his housebuilding arm Towngate father, Ivan, in the family Homes is now progressing business. with the remainder of the Richard studied surveying scheme. at Reading University and “It has been a tough last worked for 10 years in couple of years,” says London – first for Taylor Richard. “But Broomfield Woodrow and later for Avenue has continued to sell Stanhope plc, where he was well. We are having to work assistant to well-known hard, but we are getting London developer Sir Stuart results by working hard. Lipton. After that, Richard “But because we are took a year out to complete a relatively small, we are light masters degree at Harvard in on our feet. We can work with the USA and sample “design individual customers and give and real estate them an individual service. American-style”. For instance, customers can “Following that, I was choose the kitchens, supposed to go back to bathrooms, woodwork and London to resume my job, but even the door handles for my wife Rachel and I had their home. enough of London. She was “At Holme Valley Court, we training to be a teacher at could have sold the Sheffield University and I apartments twice over. We decided to work for the family now have a waiting list for the business. six that are currently “I very much enjoyed reserved.” working in London. I was The firm’s apartment working on some big, development at Somersbury high-profile projects, but I had Court, Almondbury – which always wanted to be my own boasts money-saving air boss, albeit in a much smaller source heat pump technology way. Working on those – is now 50% full. Although projects taught me a lot. It initially aimed at first-time was excellent grounding.” buyers, the flats are proving Richard still makes a point popular among older people of visiting America every year downsizing from the family home. While Conroy Brook and its operating companies – Towngate Homes and Conroy Homes – are weathering the storm, Richard says more could be done to revive the housing market. “The market picked up earlier in the year, but since the general election it has gone quieter,” he says. “There is uncertainty over the new government’s planning policy and how it intends to meet demand for new homes and the budget hasn’t done anything positive to help the industry. “People are still struggling to get mortgages and until first-time buyers can get onto the property ladder it is ■ HOME FRONT: Richard difficult for others to move up Conroy says Conroy Brook has it.” weathered the storm
“to catch up on things and look at some of their skyscrapers”. He says: “In the USA, they build a lot more efficiently and more cost-effectively. They have a lot of space, so they don’t have the same planning restrictions. They also have a ‘can-do’ attitude. “However, we do a lot of things right in this country. We need to keep the best of the traditional buildings we have, but you have to combine that with more modern element. For instance, people are looking for open plan and flexible space.” Richard was brought up in a world of building sites and bulldozers. “I can remember first going on a building site at Scholes when I was two or three,” he says. “I worked on sites during school holidays and I have mixed my fair share of cement and carried my fair share of bricks.” Now he shares an office at the firm’s Brockholes headquarters with his father. Ivan retains a key role in the business – and has recently been in Romania where Conroy Homes is building a one-off house for a friend in a suburb of Bucharest. Working closely with his father is no problem for Richard. “We have some interesting moments,” he says. “We see eye to eye on most issues because we have both been brought up with the ethos of providing quality and doing your best. “I suppose he is a traditional entrepreneur while I’m slightly more cautious. But we work well together and we have a very good team behind us.” Conroy Brook and its subsidiaries posted combined turnover of £10m last year. Richard says the aim will continue to be consolidation – positioning the business in the gap in the market between the “one-man band” and the big housing companies.
Page 3 Richard Conroy
Conroy Brook to diversity – into the health sector through its scheme to deliver a close-care unit for the Hollybank Trust at Holmfirth – as well as the retirement homes market. Richard is also talking to potential partners about social housing. Richard gets away from work by finding time for family. He and wife Rachel have an 11-month-old daughter, Elsa. He also has a passion for motorbikes – and hill walking. “I started by competing in moto-cross as a kid and eventually raced at club level,” says Richard. “I have fallen off at most race tracks across the country, but luckily without major injury. The worst that happened was breaking my foot. I officially retired about five years ago and I now have a Kawasaki ZX10. It’s hellishly fast and you have to treat it with respect. I still keep my hand
in at the occasional track day.” Hill walking couldn’t seem more of a contrast, but Richard’s just as happy trudging in the Peak District as he is pounding the tarmac. Not surprisingly, he is intensely interested in design and architecture and seeks to include elements of the best in modern architecture in Conroy Brook’s own schemes. “It’s not just about making buildings, it’s about making places,” he says. “We are very conservative in this country and people are scared of anything innovative or new. Most building schemes get dumbed down to the lowest common denominator and we end up with architectural ‘pastiches’ and red-brick boxes. Good design can make a difference and modern architecture and design at its best can have a beneficial effect.”
HENRYK ZIENTEK
Role: Chief executive Age: 38 Family: Married to Rachel with daughter Elsa Holidays: France and Tuscany Car: Land Rover Discovery Best thing about job: Giving people their dream home and seeing their delight Worst thing about job: Bureaucracy red tape and – in these tough times – the intransigence of the banks Business tip: Put your faith in quality
Conroy Brook Work: Property development and housebuildng Site: Brockholes Employees: 15 Phone: 01484 667777 Email: information @conroybrook.co.uk Web: www.conroy brook.co.uk
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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
Everybody happy? It’s time to let Sarah know WHAT’S the secret to being happy in your work? A farmer’s daughter from Denby Dale reckons she has the answer after conducting a “happiness” survey among workers at mobile phones company O2. Sarah Sargeant, head of the O2 Customer Service People Programme, invited the firm’s call centre advisers to suggest ways of making their working lives more enjoyable. Now she is helping put their ideas into practice. Suggestions ranged from providing staff with clear career paths through training, coaching and mentoring to giving workers “break-out” time to aid their health and well-being. Others wanted to see fun events and more family time. Said Sarah: “All too often when companies want to improve things for employees, they ask managers to think of ways of achieving that goal. These ideas are then imposed on staff. “We believe in doing it the other way round. We think our employees are the best people to come up with ideas for enhancing their working lives and environment. We want to find out what will motivate them and how we can help them move up in the organisation.” Sarah admits she likes a challenge. She lives by the maxim of “doing something every day that scares” –
which recently included taking part in the Manchester Shine Marathon. In her working world, her challenge is to engage everyone in customer service, so that they stay loyal to the company and give customers the best possible service. She strongly believes that employees should have a say in how their part of the company should progress if it is to be a fulfilling and fun place to work – which is how the People Programme came about. Sarah began by taking 100 staff of all grades on a two-day brain-storming break in the Lake District and challenged them to come up with ideas to enhance their jobs, career prospects and working environment. Said Sarah: “We wanted our employees to tell us how they felt. We asked for volunteers who wanted to make a difference and more than 500 people came forward. Those who were selected left their job titles at the door and worked in teams. “Following workshops, they gave presentations to Cheryl Black, customer service director, and her top team in a Dragon’s Den format. “After two days, we ended up with some really exciting ideas. We were bowled over by their enthusiasm. They are empowered to make change happen and some of their ideas are already being put into practice.” Sarah said: “Listening to staff is
Awards deadline THERE’S just days left for Kirklees business men and women to enter the annual Barclays Trading Places Awards. Enterprising individuals who have beaten the odds to turn their business dreams into a reality have until Friday, July 16, to send in their nominations. Entry forms are available in Barclays branches, by phone on 020 86732020 or at www.barclays.co.uk/tradingplaces.
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■ CHIEF OF STAFF: Sarah Sargeant turned up some interesting answers when she polled O2 employees on being happy at work
critical and time well-spent. I believe passionately that a fulfilled, happy and engaged employee who feels val-
ued and respected will do a better job. “One of the most rewarding com-
ments to come out of the People Programme event was from someone who said: ‘Prior to the conference, I had lost enthusiasm and was considering leaving O2. I have now completely turned around’.” Projects already under way include Twinville – the opportunity for staff to “shadow” someone in another department to learn more about the different career opportunities in the company. Staff also suggested Stepping Stones – an online portal enabling advisers to chart their own career development, link to a mentor and get help with career essentials such as CVs. Other projects include providing health and well-being space – available on-site for relaxation in break time. There will also be Fun Champions for each of O2 UK’s four customer service centres in Bury, Runcorn, Leeds and Glasgow. They will help co-ordinate activities ranging from family days to events such as running a fantasy football league. O2 staff gave their employer a ringing endorsement in a recent Sunday Times survey which put them in the UK’s best 25 big companies to work for. The survey said that O2 staff feel in tune with their workmates and very connected with the firm. They were also said to care about giving a good service and were proud to work for O2.
Reviewing the budget moves HE intention of new Chancellor T George Osborne’s emergency budget delivered a couple of weeks ago
is to tackle the public deficit while demonstrating that “Britain is open for business.” As expected an increase in the rate of capital gains tax was announced for disposal of non-business assets on or after June 23, 2010. The rate is increased to 28% and applies to taxable gains or part of gains which exceed the basic rate band, which for 2010-11 is £37,400. The CGT rate of 18% continues to apply to individuals where taxable gains and income fall within the basic rate band as well as to all gains of non-business assets made prior to June 23. Because of the discrepancy in CGT rates for higher rate tax payers, they will be allowed to deduct capital losses and the annual CGT exemption of £10,100 in the way which minimises their CGT liability. In an unexpected but welcome announcement, the amount of gains that can qualify for Entrepreneurs’ Relief was increased from £2m to £5m. But for individuals (or trustees) who made qualifying gains above the previous £2m limit before June 23, no additional relief for those gains will be allowed following the increase to £5m. For those under 65, the Personal Allowance
TAX TALK Colin Barratt
April 6, 2011, and the basic rate limit will be reduced so that higher rate taxpayers do not benefit from the increase in the allowance. By increasing the allowance, the government states that 880,000 people will be taken out of tax altogether. In a pre-election pledge, the Chancellor also committed to reduce the headline rates of Corporation Tax. For companies with taxable profits in excess of £1.5m, the main rate is to be reduced from 28% to 27% from April 1, 2011. Further graduated reductions are to be made until the main rate is 24% by April 1, 2014. The CT rate applied to companies whose profits are less than £300,000 is to be reduced from 21% to 20% from April 1, 2011. Changes to tax relief on business capital
Colin Barratt is tax partner at Wheawill and Sudworth chartered accountants, Huddersfield
expenditure were also announced in the Budget. The major change was the reduction in amount of expenditure qualifying for the 100% Annual Investment Allowance. The current limit of £100,000 is to be reduced to £25,000 from April 1, 2012. Also, the general rates of writing down allowance are to be reduced from 20% to 18% on expenditure allocated to the main pool and from 10% to 8% on expenditure allocated to the special pool, such as cars with CO2 emission over 160/kg and fixtures integral to a building. Those businesses planning significant capital outlay over the next year or so should carefully consider the timing of their expenditure so as to maximise the tax relief available. As widely predicted, the Chancellor also announced an increase in the standard rate of VAT from 17.5% to 20% which will come into effect from January 4, 2011, with measures to be prevent transactions aimed at forestalling the increase in rate.
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
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Turning retail into theatre ■ LAW REPORT: Huddersfield Town chairman Dean Hoyle (right) with Jeremy Garside, senior partner at law firm Chadwick Lawrence
Town’s landmark deal tackles laws of the game A LANDMARK deal has been signed between Huddersfield Town and law firm Chadwick Lawrence. The agreement sees the launch of “Town’s Legal People”, a dedicated service offering advice to Town supporters on all legal matters. Chadwick Lawrence, which has offices at Railway Street in Huddersfield, is also committed to supporting the Keep It Up campaign run by Town and Yorkshire Air Ambulance. So 10% of any work the law firm undertakes through Town’s Legal People will go towards funding the football club’s academy and the charity. Chadwick Lawrence has been one of Huddersfield Town’s key partners over the past two seasons. In previous years, Chadwick Lawrence has
sponsored the Yorkshire Business Forums and a number of other similar networking events held by Huddersfield Town at the Galpharm Stadium. Jeremy Garside, senior partner at Chadwick Lawrence, said: “Our continued sponsorship of Huddersfield Town and the launch of a dedicated legal service for fans is evidence of our long-term commitment to both the club and the region.” Town chairman Dean Hoyle said: “This unique deal takes our partnership with Chadwick Lawrence to a new level. “It also demonstrates the calibre of companies which are involved with the football club, which is increasingly attracting interest and support from some of the Yorkshire region’s major players.”
College puts its faith in Batley technology firm A TECHNOLOGY company in Batley has landed a key contract. Leeds City College has selected Caltech, a leading supplier of customer relationship management systems to install its Microsoft Dynamics CRM system to handle key processes at the college and help it develop further links with its many business customers. The college is one of the largest and most influential in the country with more than 45,000 students and a turnover of £80m a year. Paul Titman, the college’s business manager for computing, said: “We expect the move to Microsoft Dynamics CRM to provide significant value for our college. “The programs and features are familiar to our people and flexible for our needs. Caltech’s e x p e r t i s e w i t h M i c ro s o f t Dynamics made them the right choice to help make this project a
success.” Rob Walwyn, project manager at Caltech, said: “Microsoft Dynamics CRM provides high value for our customers. The education sector is an exciting market, so it’s fantastic to be working with such an influential organisation as Leeds City College.” Caltech, based at Batley Business Park, is one of the UK’s leading suppliers and implementers of CRM software. The firm works with clients to manage their customer contact strategies, operational processes and daily business functions in order to maintain audience loyalty, increase awareness and drive sales. Caltech works with customers in sectors including manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, finance, leisure and retail, distribution and marketing as well as organisations such as local authorities and sporting clubs and associations.
A YORKSHIRE company took centre stage when the curtain rose on a major retailing conference. Barkisland-based business transformation specialists Insight with Passion delivered an innovative seminar on “retail theatre” at the fifth annual World Congress at London’s Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre. Insight partners Kate Hardcastle and Richard Gomersall provided advice and suggested practical ways to improve the environment in town centre stores as a way of increasing shopping time and average customer spend. The seminar highlighted how retail theatre was being used by forward-thinking retailers to great success – but had yet to be widely adopted on the high street. Said Kate: “Retail theatre techniques have been used successfully by N i k e, N a t i o n a l G e o g r a p h i c , Landrover and more. “As far back as 2001, John Lewis gave its Oxford Street store a multi-million pound retail theatre makeover which transformed the sales floor and put it streets ahead of its rivals.”
■ CURTAIN CALL: Kate Hardcastle and Richard Gomersall, of business consultancy Insight With Passion, were centre stage at the annual World Congress in London
The presentation to delegates at the World Congress focused on how transforming the look, feel, sounds, scents and the service delivered in-store could help town centre retail businesses transform their sales floor
and increase footfall and profit. Insight with Passion, founded in January 2009, is working with clients across sectors as diverse as interiors, finance, fashion and online services.
Agency that’s in the driving seat! A DESIGN company in Huddersfield has teamed up with car maker Chrysler for a summer campaign. The Sharp Agency, based at the town’s Media Centre, and Cheshire-based agency 438 were engaged to help raise awareness of the manufacturer’s family vehicles. The campaign kicked off with a number of activities centred on National Family Week. During the half-term holiday, events were held at venues including city centre shopping malls, municipal parks, national heritage sites and sports grounds, including Twickenham and the City Ground in Manchester. To add to the fun, a deal was struck with Hasbro to offer toys and games. The campaign is already achieving
excellent results with more than 30,000 returns to date. Nigel Land, marketing director of Chrysler said: “Working in partnership with two agencies is really allowing us to challenge both our strategic and creative approach to live marketing. “This enables us to speak with relevance to our tightly-defined target audience groups and ensure we use the correct channels to amplify our marketing
investment.” This is the latest activity in a programme of “experiential” work Sharp and 438 are developing for Chrysler, which will culminate in a major campaign planned for Jeep during the autumn. Centred on the banner, Life’s Ultimate Adventure, the campaign planning is well under way and will help prepare the ground for the brand’s launch of the all-new Grand Cherokee in 2011.
local
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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
Here is the news – and the snooze! THERE’S nothing new about having a television in the bedroom – but a TV in the bed? Flockton couple Andrea and Andrew Montgomery woke up to the idea of providing bespoke beds with fitted TV screens after buying one themselves from a leading high street retailer – and being disappointed with the product. Said Andrea: “We bought a TV bed a few years ago. It provided a real focal point in the house, but the quality of manufacture and design was not really that good.” Andrea, who previously worked in banking, and Andrew, an IT consultant, decided to set up Visual Comfort Ltd. The company makes bespoke TV beds for style-conscious individual customers, providers of studio apartments and the boutique hotel sector. Its recently-launched Sandman is a hand-made super king-size bed with a silent and smooth system capable of lifting a 40-inch screen out of the frame in seconds. Andrea and Andrew joined forces with Richard Booth and Darren Battye, of Slaithwaite-based home cinema specialists RB Vision to
develop the product – with RB Vision taking care of the screen and sound elements. Branding and web design have been undertaken by Lepton-based Blacksmith Design Consultancy. Now the product is being marketed among furniture retailers, interior designers and the hotel industry and is set to be featured at major trade exhibitions during 2010. Said Andrea: “The bed is supremely well made and gloriously comfortable while the audio-visual dimension virtually transforms the Sandman into an intimate and relaxing home cinema. “It reflects the trend for making bedrooms more than just places to sleep, but venues for relaxation and viewing movies and live TV. “The bed can be upholstered and tailored to individual clients’ needs and we also offer a full consultancy service to clients wishing to take the design to the ultimate level. “We use sustainable materials where possible and the lighting is highly efficient low voltage technology, which makes the bed environmentally friendly as well as something of a style statement – a bit of a dream combination!”
■ LATE SHOW: Andrea Montgomery, of Visual Comfort Ltd tries out the Sandman – billed as the ultimate TV bed
They’re all ale and hearty in Brighouse
■ CASK TASK: Brighouse-based BOGE Compressors has supplied equipment to award-winning The Black Sheep Brewery
A BRIGHOUSE company is helping keep the beer flowing for a famous brewery. Boge Compressors Ltd, based at Rastrick Common, have supplied a screw compressor to power the cask-filling process at the award-winning Black Sheep Brewery in Masham, North Yorkshire. Compressed air is used at various stages in the brewing process. The brewery was already using a Boge screw compressor for all its machine and valve actuation when it started looking to expand the cask line four years ago. Alan Dunn, head brewer, specified a Boge compressor for the new line due to the efficiency and reliability of the brewery’s existing Boge equipment. Said Mr Dunn: “We rely on the efficiency of our cask line in getting more than 80,000 pints of Black
Sheep ales and bitters out of the door every day. “The Boge compressor has proven to be very reliable and efficient. As the casks are filled, a dedicated supply of sterile compressed air compresses the build up of foam. This speeds up the filling process and facilitates the prompt turnaround of casks.” Boge Compressors Ltd is part of Boge International, based in Bielefeld, Germany. The firm makes a range of screw and piston compressors used to supply compressed air for a wide range of manufacturing processes. It also supplies a range of filters, dryers and condensate management equipment. The products are sold and serviced through a dedicated network of 36 distributors throughout the UK and Ireland.
Bank cashes in with green award YORKSHIRE Bank’s “green” credentials have been recognised in the B u s i n e s s i n t h e C o m mu n i t y Awards. The bank, which has branches across Kirklees, was awarded the coveted Gold Environment Index Accreditation. It is one of only six organisations
in the region to be presented with the gold award out of more than 100 entries to the Yorkshire and Humber Environment Index. The award was presented at the Cedar Court Hotel in Bradford. Yorkshire Bank was praised by C02Sense Yorkshire for the measures it has taken to reduce its impact on
the environment. The bank was also named as one of five Climate Change Champions with a score exceeding 95% for that section – having reduced its impact on the climate for three years or more. This is the second year in which Yorkshire Bank has been named a
Climate Change Champion, commended for continuing to measure its carbon emissions and reduce carbon over the organisation as a whole. Entrants signing up to the index undergo checks to validate the environmental claims they make and feedback is offered suggesting ways to make further improvements.
Networks aim to cut costs and waste COMPANIES across Kirklees can now benefit from online support to cut costs, waste and carbon emissions. Business support group CO2Sense Yorkshire has launched a series of free networks and is encouraging as many people as possible to sign up and become members. Professionals can join any of more than 20 networks set up to share knowledge and best practice in a number of specialist areas. The public networks cover sectors such as carbon capture and storage, renewable energy, food and drink, plastics and wood fuel. Private networks have also been established for local authority waste management, resource efficiency in the NHS and members of the Green Business Support Organisation. The interactive network forums compliment CO2Sense’s website by allowing people to take part in online discussions and find solutions to common industry problems. They also meet CO2Sense’s objectives of lowering the region’s carbon footprint and helping businesses to reduce costs and encourage growth. Jeanine Willoughby, project executive for CO2Sense Yorkshire, said: “The networks have been launched to give technical advice and offer examples of best practice. And to give members peace of mind, they have support at just the click of a button. “Learning from others is often the best way to solve problems and by creating this online doorway to other professionals within specific industries, I am confident both individuals and businesses will benefit from this resource.” To register for on a network visit www.co2sense.org.uk/networks
Spotlight on Kirklees firms KIRKLEES firm get the chance to spotlight their products and services to a Yorkshire audience next week. A business-to-business exhibition called Bloom in Business will be staged on Wednesday, July 14, at the Cedar Court Hotel, Wakefield. It will include an area dedicated to firms in their first year of trading. Victoria Roberts, director of Bloom In Business Ltd, said the aim was to give young businesses a chance to compete on a level playing field with established companies. Attendance is free, but register at www.bloominbusiness.co.uk
BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2010 CONGRATULATIONS! WINNER
h t 5 1 ar e y
AS FABRICATIONS (UK) LTD
This Liversedge based company is an amazing success story. After being placed in administration in May 2009 by its parent group, with the loss of 40 staff, a management buy-out (followed by lots of hard work and the goodwill of previous suppliers and customers) has seen the business expand to become a leading UK supplier of architectural metals. With staff numbers back to the status-quo, the company provides jobs, business and training opportunities across the region. 1ST RUNNER UP PLOUGHCROFT LTD
2ND RUNNER UP THE HARRIS PARTNERSHIP
Located in Brighouse, this family-run roofing industry specialist has shown remarkable determination to tough out the current economic climate by developing niche areas of work such as solar panelling, a successful franchise operation, and training to the industry.
With a Wakefield HQ and other offices in the UK, this leading architect practice continues to enhance its reputation and grow its client base. It has maintained its workflow by diversifying its portfolio of work and developing its expertise.
Enter our Business of the Month Award Established by Eaton Smith in 1995, the award has been won by a diverse range of businesses over that time. No matter how large or small your business or workforce, all applications are treated equally. Monthly winners are automatically entered into our Business of the Year Awards, held every July, when the preceding twelve monthly winners and members of the business community attend the annual breakfast awards ceremony. So if you are proud of what your company has achieved and it is based in Kirklees, Calderdale or Wakefield why not tell us about your success story.
If you would like more information on how to enter, please contact: Deborah Melluish, Eaton Smith LLP Tel: 01484 821300 Email: deborahmelluish@eatonsmith.co.uk or visit our website www.eatonsmith.co.uk and follow the link to Business of the Month.
Eaton Smith is proud to help businesses across the region achieve their objectives by providing support on local, national and international legal matters and transactions.
BUSINESS OF THE MONTH AWARDS - REWARDING SUCCESS SINCE 1995
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
local
PM urged to fund youth enterprise WEST Yorkshire entrepreneur Claire Young has urged Prime Minister David Cameron to do more to inspire young people to get into business. Claire, a finalist in the 2008 series of TV’s The Apprentice, now works with students of all ages and with Birstall-based design and marketing agency Fantastic Media to raise aspirations and encourage young enterprise. She told Mr Cameron that work to encourage enterprise was not being properly measured – so that in years to come the government would not be able to accurately judge the effect of its investment. She also argued that the current secondary curriculum did not equip young people with the life skills needed post-education. Mr Cameron praised Claire’s involvement in enterprise and the inspirational role she plays in schools. He said all businesses and the people working in them had a social responsibility to engage with young people and work with local schools
■ PM’S QUESTIONS: Claire Young, 2008 finalist in The Apprentice, got the chance to quiz Prime Minister David Cameron on enterprise
to encourage students to participate in enterprise projects and build skills that they will use throughout their lives.
He also commented that TV shows such as The Apprentice and Dragon’s Den had a positive effect on students encouraging entrepren-
eurship. Mr Cameron was speaking at a question and answer session at Leeds Trinity and All Saints’ College after holding a cabinet meeting in West Yorkshire. Key figures from both public and private sector were invited to participate. Said Claire: “I’m passionate about enterprise and work extensively with young people nationwide. “ I felt I had to take the opportunity to question the Prime Minister on their behalf. “Hopefully, we’ll see the new government backing enterprise schemes and encouraging young people to think big!” Claire, who also runs venues management company Elegant Venues, is an official patron of Yorkshire – a title conferred on her by regional tourism agency Welcome to Yorkshire, which set up the patronage scheme last year to create a list of high-profile ambassadors who will fly the flag for the county and further boost tourism.
Triumph of technology
Brewing up business at Blackburn Rovers
YORKSHIRE technology firms have been urged to enter a national award. Entries are now open for the 2010 Deloitte Fast 50 Technology awards. The awards, which are in their 13th year, recognise and rank technology companies with an exceptional growth in turnover over the last five years. Rob Seldon, Deloitte’s Leeds-based technology partner for the north, said: “The Technology Fast 50 Awards are an opportunity for businesses to gain recognition for their successes and achievements over the previous 12 months. “The technology industry has turned a corner recently and confidence is returning to the market. “As Yorkshire is particularly strong in this sector, we are keen to encourage technology companies in the region to take part and look forward to seeing how they have fared in this year’s ranking.” Last year’s winning entry was Distribution Technology, which supplies a range of financial software products that enable qualified advisers to pinpoint key products and cross-sell others to customers faster and more efficiently. It works with 25 major financial services organisations in the UK. For full details, award entry forms and details of the criteria for entries, go to www.fast50.co.uk
A COFFEE distributor in Huddersfield has netted a new deal – with the caterers supplying Blackburn Rovers. Cooper’s Coffee, based at Cooper Bridge, will supply the N o r t h c o t e G ro u p, wh i c h includes the Michelin Star Northcote Hotel, four Ribble Valley Inns gastro pubs and Northcote at The Rovers– the group’s outside catering division serving the Premiership football club. Cooper’s Coffee will provide a full range of Fairtrade coffee and teas as well as coffee equipment. Northcote, formerly known as Northcote Manor, is also taking a range of Cooper’s products for its hotel rooms, including coffee sticks, hot chocolate sachets and teas. Cooper’s won all the business after initially supplying one of the Ribble Valley Inns, The B u l l , at B ro u g h t o n n e a r Skipton. The Northcote Group is co-owned by celebrity chef Nigel Haworth and wine expert Craig Bancroft. They have been running Northcote since 1983 and Northcote at the Rovers, outside caterer at Blackburn Rovers’ Ewood Park since 2001.
Page 8 Heed this warning from the taxman KIRKLEES firms have been handed a warning from the taxman. HM Revenue & Customs is issuing a reminder to businesses across Yorkshire affected by new online filing requirements for VAT returns. On average, there are about 14,000 new VAT registrations each year across Yorkshire. Under new rules, existing VAT-registered businesses with annual turnovers of £100,000 or more and any businesses which registered for VAT from April 1, 2010, now have to file their VAT returns online and pay their VAT electronically. The vast majority of traders file their VAT returns quarterly and the first quarterly returns affected by the changes are those covering April to June, 2010. For most online filing customers, they must be filed online by August 7. Stephen Banyard, director of HMRC’s Business Customer Unit, said: “The vast majority of customers affected by the new arrangements have already enrolled for HMRC’s VAT Online service and many have also filed their first returns online. “However, if you’re a VAT-registered trader who is affected by these changes and you haven’t yet signed up, you need to take action now.” Customers wishing to sign up for the VAT Online service should go to the HMRC website – www.online.hmrc.gov.uk/ registration.htm – and follow the instructions on screen. For more information about the registration process go to www.hmrc.gov.uk/vat/ vat-online/index.htm
COUGAR adding bite
■ WINNING BLEND: Nigel Haworth (left), of the Northcote Group, with David Cooper, of Cooper's Coffee, who have agreed a catering deal
They formed Ribble Valley Inns in 2004. Cooper’s managing director David Cooper said: “After a successful nine months with The Bull, we’re delighted that Nigel and Craig have decided to introduce Cooper’s into all their
venues. “After recently entering the sports stadiums sector, we are particularly excited to be also supporting our first premiership team with Northcote at The Rovers, taking our tally of football clubs to 10 in total.”
A SALES and marketing company has launched a new telemarketing system to generate leads across the country. Denby Dale-based DPA Marketing launched the COUGAR system to allow firms to generate “warm” leads by targeting the ideal recipients for their goods and services, send them an email and follow up by phone. A number of DPA’s clients have already signed up to the system. Colin Beaumont, of DPA, said: “It is our own software and it allows our clients to see which links have been followed by their target contacts – and what these contacts have been looking at on our clients’ websites.” DPA Marketing clients have included Huddersfield University and the National Coal Mining Museum.
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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS AN office development in West Yorkshire is now 95% let following a major deal. Civil service union the Public and Commercial Services Union has taken 6,315sq ft of office space on the third floor of Town Centre House – the six-storey refurbished office building in the heart of the Merrion Centre in Leeds. That leaves just over 2,000sq ft left to let in the flagship building, which is owned and managed by Leeds-based Town Centre Securities PLC.
A LETTINGS agency in Huddersfield has scooped a gold award. Belvoir Lettings, which has an office at John William Street in the town centre, was named best lettings agency franchise in the annual Lettings Agency of the Year Awards in London. Operations director Dorian Gonsalves accepted the award from comedian Ruby Wax at a ceremony in London. Judges cited stringent standards and the appointment of high calibre franchisees as the main reasons for Belvoir’s success, adding: “The company’s business formula is proven to work and we are delighted to award Belvoir Lettings the gold.” Belvoir chief executive Mike Goddard said: “I’m hugely proud of what Belvoir has achieved. Gaining this kind of recognition is great for the business and will
an office you can’t refuse! FROM
£89* per month rent
FULLY SERVICED LUXURY OFFICES 1 PERSON UPTO 20
Central Arcade, Cleckheaton
01274 877888
www.titanbusinesscentres.co.uk
*plus telecoms
trade counter unit
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
● 95.44m² 4 RANGE LANE (1,027ft²) Halifax, HX3 6DL ● Includes 2 Mezzanine FORMER HOSTEL PREMISESLevels 395m2 (4,250ft2) 46.64m² (502ft²) Site Area 0.13 Hectares (0.33 Acres) ■ Vacant possession ● Trade Counter ■ Suitable for refurbishment for alternative occupational residential Securecomplete Site uses or ● possible redevelopment, subject to planning ● consent Prominent location
retail property
For Sale OIRO £55,000
395m2 (4,250ft2) Site Area 0.13 Hectares (0.33 Acres)
● 14.5m² (156ft²) ■ Vacant possession
Suitable for refurbishment for ● Outskirts of popular town centre alternative occupational residential uses or possible complete ● Sold with vacant possession redevelopment, subject to planning consent ● May let at £85 p/w ■
4 RANGE LANE Halifax, HX3 6DL
WAKEFIELD ROAD, HUDDERSFIELD, FORMER HOSTEL PREMISESHD5 9AB
To Let £12,500 p/a
395m2 (4,250ft2) Site Area 0.13 Hectares (0.33 Acres)
● 103m (1,110ft) ■ Vacant possession
Suitable for refurbishment for ● Main road location alternative occupational residential uses or possible complete ● Outskirts of town centre subject to redevelopment, planning consent ● On Street car parking ■
modern offices
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
CROFT HEAD BUSINESS PARK, SKELMANTHORPE, To Let Rents on Application
● From (1,120ft²) to 4 RANGE LANE Halifax, (4,754ft²) HX3 6DL FORMER HOSTEL PREMISES
● Pleasant working 2) 395m2 (4,250ft Site Area 0.13 Hectares (0.33 Acres) ■ Vacantenvironment possession ■ Suitable for refurbishment for ● Controlled entry system and alternative occupational residential uses or possible CCTV.complete redevelopment, subject to planning ● consent Close vicinity to M1 motorway
■ WINNER: Ruby Wax (left) with Belvoir operations director Dorian Gonslaves and Annmarie Blomfield, managing director of award sponsor One Property Place, after Belvoir won the gold award for best lettings agency in the 2010 Lettings Agency of the Year Awards
4 RANGE LANE Halifax, HX3 6DL
potential development
4 RANGE LANE Halifax, HX3 6DL
COLNE VALE BUSINESS PARK,PREMISES MILNSBRIDGE, HD3 4NY FORMER HOSTEL
NEWSOME ROAD, HUDDERSFIELD, HD4 6LR FORMER HOSTEL PREMISES
● 444.37sqm (4,783sqft) ■ Vacant possession
● 154sqm (197sq yds) ■ Vacant possession
To Let Rent On Application
395m2 (4,250ft2) Site Area 0.13 Hectares (0.33 Acres)
Suitable for refurbishment for ● 3■Phase Electricity alternative occupational residential ● Popular Industrial Location uses or possible complete redevelopment, ● Good Access for Loadingsubject to planning consent ● 666sqft Also Available
retail unit
4 RANGE LANE Halifax, HX3 6DL DOCTOR LANE, MIFIELD, FORMER HOSTEL PREMISES
provide a boost for the 140-plus network of franchisees which operate the Belvoir brand throughout the entire country. “We always strive to meet the highest of standards and winning this award proves that we are reaching our goals.” Belvoir has weathered the recession and plans to launch another 20 franchises this year. Mr Goddard said the general consumer trend was for the public to use well-established and respected franchised companies which offered the security of guaranteed service levels backed by a large network. Since its formation in 1994, Belvoir has created one of the UK’s leading franchises and has won a wide range of accreditations and awards, both corporately and for individual franchisees within its national network. industrial unit
COLNE ROAD, HUDDERSFIELD, HD1 3ER To Let £8,000 p/a
4 RANGE LANE Halifax, HX3 6DL FORMER HOSTEL PREMISES
Page 10
Gold award for lettings agency
Centre points
2 Superb Locations! Birstall Junction 27 n Cleckheato 2 Junction 6
property
For Sale £35,000
395m2 (4,250ft2) Site Area 0.13 Hectares (0.33 Acres)
■ Suitable for refurbishment for ● Potential development opportunity near local shopping alternative occupational residential uses or possible complete parade redevelopment, subject to planning consent ● Expired planning permission for A1/A2 Uses
restaurant premises
4 RANGE LANE Halifax, HX3 6DL SOUTHGATE, ELLAND, FORMER HOSTEL PREMISES
To Let £10,500 p/a
395m2 (4,250ft2) Site Area 0.13 Hectares (0.33 Acres)
● 119.09sqm (1,282sqft) ■ Vacant possession
Suitable for refurbishment for ● Rateable value £7,900 alternative occupational residential uses or possible complete ● Close to public car parking redevelopment, subject to planning consent ● Available for other use, subject to planning ■
commercial / office premises
4 RANGE LANE Halifax, HX3 6DL
offices
4 RANGE LANE Halifax, HX3 6DL
WESTGATE, HUDDERSFIELD, HD1 1NX FORMER HOSTEL PREMISES
To Let £6,000 p/a
395m2 (4,250ft2) Site Area 0.13 Hectares (0.33 Acres)
● *■175.12m² Vacant (1,885ft²) possession
for alternative occupational residential ● Night heaters complete usesstorage or possible redevelopment, to ● Close to bus station and subject railway station planning consent ● Victorian building
●
■ Suitable for refurbishment Town centre location
town centre storage
4 RANGE LANE Halifax, HX3 6DL
NEW STREET,HOSTEL HUDDERSFIELD, HD1 2AX FORMER PREMISES
STFORMER JOHNS ROAD, HUDDERSFIELD, HD1 5AY HOSTEL PREMISES
● 413.52sqm (4,447sqft) ■ Vacant possession
● 205m² to 410m² (2,206ft² to 4,412ft²) ■ Vacant possession
To Let £17,500 p/a
395m2 (4,250ft2) Site Area 0.13 Hectares (0.33 Acres)
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From £2,500 p/a
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■ industrial LAND ■ offices OFFICES INDUSTRIAL ■ retail INVESTMENT ■ investment RETAIL ■ land
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
property
Retail rents slide amid tough times GOVERNMENT cuts and a fall in consumer spending have created fresh uncertainty for the retail property market in Yorkshire, said a report. The Colliers International Midsummer Retail Report said there were fewer signs of distress on the UK high street compared with a year ago. Retail administrations fell by 65% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2010 – down to 44 from 124 in the same period last year. However, consolidation and cost cutting in relation to high street property continued to be a priority for many retailers – as cuts in public spending and increased taxes put more pressure on consumers. The report said there had been a modest 1.5% decline in prime retail rents over the past year – a big improvement on the 11.5% fall logged a year ago. Only a quarter of the 420 retail centres covered in the report showed a fall in prime retail rent between June, 2009, and June, 2010. That compares with 90% in the corresponding period last year. Yorkshire shopping centres saw a 1.1% decline in retail rents. But the average disguised a mixed picture – with prime retail rents falling in Huddersfield, Keighley and Hull but rising in Leeds, Scarborough and York. Meadowhall continued to
command the highest rents in the region. The report also logged an increase in the proportion of empty retail units – from 10.7% to 11.4% now. Greg Styles, head of retail development at Colliers International in Yorkshire:I believe that we will start to see a marked polarisation in the retail property market as a whole – with an increased demand for ‘quality stock’ in major towns, city centres and major regional shopping centres. “We have found that retailers are finding it increasingly difficult to justify being represented in every town in the UK. “This means that larger cities and towns like Leeds and the biggest shopping malls, like Meadowhall in Sheffield which offer ‘experience’ and choice for the consumer and high volume trading potential, will continue to be viable. “In the smaller and weaker trading locations, high vacancy rates will persist.” The report also highlighted the rise of internet shopping – with clicks taking over from bricks – as “savvy shoppers” looked to save money against high street prices and retailers looked for the most cost-effective way to sell their goods and services.
■ ENERGY WATCH: Charles Hardcastle, Carter Jonas’ head of energy for the north
Power players
■ SHOP COUNTERS: Colliers International says public sector cuts and tax rises are likely to mean fewer cases of crowds thronging the high street
Right climate to bid for funding support
■ PUB TRADE: The Blacksmiths Arms at Kirkheaton
Fleurets sell pub lease A HUDDERSFIELD pub has been sold. The leasehold of the Blacksmiths Arms at Heaton Moor Road, Kirkheaton, has ben sold to Ray Parker and Co off a guide price of £40,000. The food-led pub has a 36-cover lounge bar and an 10-cover upper lounge area as well as parking for
30 vehicles. It also has an adjoining field which is licensed as a caravan park, a beer garden and three-bedroom private accommodation. David Broschomb, of Fleurets’ northern office, said: “This food-led and popular local pub situated in a semi-rural location generated a high level of interest.”
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BUILDING projects under way in Kirklees could be in line for a share of a £5m funding pot. The Technology Strategy Board is inviting applicants for the cash, which is being made available to help adapt new and existing buildings to combat climate change. The Construction Sector Network, a new body funded by Yorkshire Forward to support the construction sector, is staging from a briefing session from 8.30am to 12.30pm on Thursday at the office of DLA Piper in Leeds. The event will highlight £5m of funding available for sustainable construction and energy businesses throughout the region. The event, which is aimed at SMEs, will offer businesses the chance to hear about current competitions for funding in low-impact building innovation and meet potential collaborators in putting together funding bids. Dr Fionnuala Costello, lead
technologist at the Technology Strategy Board, will outline all TSB competitions relevant to the construction sector and supply chains at the event. She will also cover the competition process and answer questions regarding particular project proposals. She said: “The government targets for all new homes to be zero carbon by 2016 and non-domestic building by 2019, coupled with growing customer demand for lower impact buildings are creating new growth opportunities for innovative businesses.” Karl Redmond, chief executive of the Construction Sector Network, who is also speaking at the event, said: “Whatever your role in the built environment, you could access funding to put your ideas for low-impact building into practice. To book a place at the briefing email bookings@construction sectornetwork.org
LANDOWNERS in Kirklees are well-placed to benefit from the most profitable renewable energy sources, according to new research. A study by the energy team at estate agency Carter Jonas, which has offices at Slaithwaite, found that wind provides the best investment return out of four renewable energy technologies analysed. The Energy Index shows that wind, solar, hydro and anaerobic digestion projects all produced a solid financial return, but each carried its own risks. The report found that a 330kW wind turbine produced the highest Internal Rate of Return at 18.1%, with a payback period of 5.7 years. That was closely followed by a 50kW hydro plant (IRR of 17.8% and 5.3-year payback) and a 1MW anaerobic digestion plant (IRR of 16.5% and 5.5-year payback). The introduction of the Feed in Tariff (FiT) scheme by the Government earlier this year provides landowners with financial support to develop renewable technology projects. This has led to a substantial increase in renewable energy interest – with Carter Jonas currently working on more than 50 projects across Yorkshire. Charles Hardcastle, head of energy in the north for Carter Jonas, said: “The results of this report highlight that wind energy technology – on an average wind speed site – will out-perform other renewable technologies. “This is a positive outcome for Yorkshire as the region benefits from significantly higher than average wind speeds, making Yorkshire a prime area for wind turbine projects. “However, as with any investment, landowners and farmers should seek professional advice and carefully assess all the risks at the outset.”
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS Jil Hague
HSBC HSBC Commercial Banking has appointed Jill Hague as area commercial director for Wakefield – extending her current patch which covers Kirklees and Calderdale. Ms Hague, who is based in Huddersfield, will now oversee a team of 35 individuals based across the area who provide banking support for SMEs in the region. Ms Hague (pictured) is a long-standing HSBC employee with 30 year’s experience at the bank. During this time, she has held positions including commercial manager, credit controller and branch manager before returning to the commercial team three years ago as head of commercial banking in Huddersfield and Halifax. Mark Vines, HSBC regional commercial director for the north-east and Yorkshire said: “Jill’s wealth of local knowledge and leadership qualities will allow us to invest even more time in talking to our customers to better understand their needs, the issues they face, their ambitions and most importantly how we can help facilitate their growth and expansion plans. Ms Hague said: “I have been with HSBC for many years now and am extremely pleased to have been appointed as the area commercial director for this extremely important part of Yorkshire. “The difficult economic environment has meant businesses have become leaner and more innovative. With confidence across the business community improving, my team and I are looking forward to engaging with and helping these local businesses to take full advantage of the expected upturn and thereby maximising the profitable opportunities before them.”
Rob White
Movers and shakers
It all computes for the Terriers HUDDERSFIELD Town has added another business to its list of partners for the coming football season. The club has teamed up with South Yorkshire- based ICT company cbccomputers.com – a leading provider of ICT infrastructure services in the region. The new deal will see the firm’s brand feature prominently around the club throughout the new campaign. The partnership is an extension to an existing arrangement between cbccomputers.com and the club’s academy. The South Yorkshire firm already provides ICT services at the Sports Barn, Leeds Road playing fields. Mark Goodwin, managing director, of cbccomputers.com, said: “We are proud to be associated with Huddersfield Town – a local club with strong family and local business values which is so important in the current climate.” Town commercial director Sean Jarvis said: “I’m delighted to welcome cbccomputers.com to the Town family.”
■ DEALMAKERS: Town advertising manager Mark Jacobs (left) and commercial director Sean Jarvis (right) with (from left) James Housley, Ben Mitchell and Mark Goodwin ,of cbccomputers.com
Suzanne is on song!
Revell Ward HUDDERSFIELD accountancy firm Revell Ward has appointed Rob White as an audit assistant. Mr White (pictured) joins the Market Street firm having graduated with a first class degree in accountancy and finance from Huddersfield University. He willl be undertaking training and exams to become a chartered accountant during the next three years while gaining practical experience in the Revell Ward audit team. Mr White has already gained experience in the charity sector, having worked in the finance department of several charities over the past five years. He is used to producing financial statements and preparing charities for audit and is now looking forward to being involved in the audit of charity and business clients of Revell Ward.
Favourable reactions A CHEMICAL company in Huddersfield has picked up a prestigious industry award. Syngenta, based at Leeds Road, Deighton, won an Excellence in Engineering Award at the Chemical Industry Awards hosted by the Chemical Industries Association in Liverpool. The award recognises the contribution of engineering excellence towards improving business performance in the chemical industry. Syngenta was recognised for the success of partnerships between its own engineering department and outside contractors, which have saved hundreds of thousands of pounds over the past two years, changed culture and working practice and developed innovative solutions to long standing problems. Examples range from working with a scaffold company to working with power plant engineers.
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■ MUSIC MAKERS: Candlelighters administrator Pauline Jolley (front) with (from left) Approach PR's Verity Hudson, Charlote Booth, Suzanne Johns, Becky Armstrong and Claire Moulds KIRKLEES businesswoman Suzanne Johns made sure her team were on song for a charity event with a difference. Gomersal woman Suzanne and her firm Approach PR held the first Musicalathon at Bradford Playhouse in aid of childhood cancer charity Candlelighters. The Approach team challenged the public to watch musical classics in a 12-hour marathon and raised just over £700 for the charity. Candlelighters is looking to raise an extra £500,000 in funds this year to help its “Big Move” from St James’s Hospital at Leeds to Leeds General Infirmary. Films including Mamma Mia and
Hairspray were shown from 8pm while Bradford’s Midland Hotel kept the marathon effort going with bacon sandwiches for all participants at 5am. There was also a raffle with prizes donated by local businesses. Suzanne, who is managing director of Approach PR, said: “All who took part really entered into the spirit of the evening and it was so much fun to be able to put on such an unusual event and raise money for a charity that is so close to the hearts of all of us here at Approach. “Most who attended made it to the end – we were quite euphoric, not to mention exhausted - by morning!”
Following Elle, after a fashion WOMEN entrepreneurs in Kirklees have been urged to emulate fashion icon Elle Macpherson (right) by entering a prestigious awards. They have until the end of July to take part in the Natwest everywoman Awards, which were first staged in 2003 and celebrate women who have started and run successful businesses despite obstacles and challenges along the way. This year, two new awards have been added – for a woman running a rural business and for a woman running an ethical business. Other awards cover areas such as innovation in IT and communications as well as an everywoman Ambassador Award for an iconic figure. Previous winners of awards include Elle Macpherson, Colleen Rooney, Karren Brady and Dame Stella Rimington. Organisers said this year’s awards were particularly special given the economic downturn during which women-run businesses have generally fared better than those led by men. Research commissioned by NatWest showed that 50% of women claimed their business had not been hit by the recession against 38% of men. Enter online at www.everywoman. com/natwesteverywomanawards. The winners will be announced at a ceremony held on December 1, 2010, at The Dorchester in London.