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Leeds' Utc Travel receives £275k investment to grow online offer and create jobs
A subscription-based travel club that offers members discounted holidays has landed £275,000 investment from Finance Yorkshire to grow its online platform. Leeds-based Utc Travel, which launched in 2021, will use the funding to add a multiple destination tool to its online system - giving members the opportunity to build holiday itineraries on their site. The money will also go towards recruitment at the firm's customer service centre and be used to establish an AI chatbot that will field questions from customers. Utc's model is membership based, meaning users pay £9 per month to access what are described as trade prices for hotels, holiday packages, transfers, attractions and car hire. The firm, led by chairman Stephen Knight and CEO Brett Norton, says customers can save up to 40% on prices at other online operators. Its specialism is providing for businesses that to offer perks to employs via its club membership. So far it has set up partnerships with John Lewis, the British Chamber of Commerce and DHL, as well as with other membership organisations. Utc chairman Stephen Knight said: "Our subscription membership model enables customers to book everything in one place with more flexibility, greater discounts with full customer service.” He added: "We value Finance Yorkshire’s partnership approach in that the investment comes with advice and expertise from its fund management team." Alex McWhirter, CEO of Finance Yorkshire, said: “Stephen and Brett have brought together a team of seasoned travel professionals to deliver an attractive proposition to consumers particularly via the employee benefit market. Our investment will support utc.travel ’s growth ambitions at a time when today’s keen travellers are seeking the best deals."
Myenergi and Grimsby Town Foundation reveal £30k 'mygrimsby' fund to support local work
Eco-tech firm myenergi and Grimsby Town Foundation have launched a £30,000 fund to give financial support to social, environmental and economic initiatives in North East Lincolnshire. The fund, which is split into six pots of £5,000, is intended to support programmes that may promote or address the interests of those in need, that protect the environment or promote development. Its organisers say it celebrates the hard work of individuals, businesses and charities across the area. The charitable initiative is now in its third successive year, and timed for the 2024/25 English Football League Two season, with six beneficiaries to be chosen. A launch event will take place at Grimsby Town Football Club on January 13, from which point applications are open until February 10. Jordan Brompton, co-founder and CMO of myenergi, said: "Since first launching the mygrimsby fund in 2022, we’ve helped a number of important local charities expand their services and drive an even greater social impact. Providing financial support to underfunded initiatives has helped to build a sense of collaboration in the local area, bringing people together and helping to grow the community feel. "We’re proud to support the organisations that are doing something truly inspirational to give back to the local community.” Mike Thompson, community director of Grimsby Town Foundation, added: “We are honoured to continue our partnership with myenergi as we embark on the third year of the mygrimsby fund. The Grimsby Town Foundation has always been committed to bringing our community together, providing vital support to those who need it most and collaborating with myenergi to promote and distribute these funds to the charities and community groups that need it the most is unbelievably fulfilling.
Achieving Financial Discipline through Mindful Practices
Many financial struggles stem not from low earnings, but from excessive spending. During my early investment days, I worked as a Grand Canyon river guide with a modest annual salary of $4000. Despite this, I managed to live comfortably for ten years, residing in my VW bus and occasionally on the floor of the Transcendental Meditation Center in Flagstaff during the coldest nights. While you may not wish to adopt my extreme thriftiness, it is feasible to live within your budget and even save for investments by mastering a few straightforward strategies. 1. Perfecting Expense Tracking To effectively manage your finances, it's crucial to understand where your money is spent. Instead of the laborious task of budgeting and tracking every penny, consider a more intuitive approach that's as delightful as a summer day. Gather several envelopes and a black marker. Label each envelope with a spending category, such as "fuel," "dining out," or "groceries." After receiving your paycheck, allocate a portion of cash to each envelope based on your anticipated expenses for that period. If you plan to spend $200 on fuel, place that amount in the "fuel" envelope. Continue this process until you've either run out of envelopes or cash. If you find empty envelopes before your cash runs out, rearrange the funds to cover your essentials. Spend only the cash from the designated envelopes, avoiding credit cards and other payment methods. If the "groceries" envelope is empty, it's time to get creative with your meals. By following this method for a few pay periods, you'll gain insight into your spending habits and identify areas where you can reduce expenses. 2. Curbing Impulsive Spending I must admit, I have a tendency for impulsive purchases. However, when funds are limited, such as in my early days, this habit is naturally subdued. To control your impulses, question the necessity of any purchase over $50. Consider its impact on your life and whether it's worth the cost. Apply this discipline especially to food purchases. You may find that not only do you spend less, but you also eat healthier, potentially even losing weight in the process. Ask yourself: How long will the item last? Will it put you in debt? Is the value it provides over time worth the expense? 3. Credit Card Usage: Paying in Full Each Month Credit cards are not inherently bad, but they often represent a trade-off between discipline and convenience, which is usually not a favorable exchange. As you work on financial discipline, keep those cards in your wallet and use cash for your transactions. If you must use a credit card, ensure you pay off the balance in full each month. This practice will help you track your spending without incurring interest charges, effectively making it similar to paying with cash. 4. Dropping the Desire to Impress Let go of the desire to impress others; no one is truly concerned with your choices. People are more focused on their own image and what others think of them. Embrace individuality and avoid the common trap of spending to maintain a certain image. This often leads to unnecessary expenses on cars, clothing, and other superficial items. I've always been good at this; I didn't care about impressing others. My possessions were minimal, and I focused on buying what I truly enjoyed rather than what others might think. 5. Identifying and Eliminating Budget-Draining Habits Living on a shoestring budget for over a decade taught me the importance of avoiding bad spending habits. If you have any, it's a sign that you likely have more money than necessary. Examine your habits for leaks in your
Builders' merchant MKM Supplies expands with new branch at Central Park in Bridgend
Central Park in Bridgend has been boosted with another key letting. Independent builders' merchant MKM Supplies has opened a new 20,000 sq ft branch at the Robert Hitchins developed park under a 25-year leasing agreement. The 355,000 sq ft park provides a mixture of trade and industrial warehousing properties ranging from 2,500 sq ft to 40.000 sq ft. Other tenants include Evri, PCI, Plumbase, Edmundson Electrical, Markes International and Pensord Press. Development opportunities exist for a further range of commercial buildings from 10,000 sq ft to up to 145,000 sq ft. The new branch, which has created 18 jobs, is MKM Supplies’ 132nd in the UK. Its other outlets in Wales include those in Cardiff, Llandudno and Ruthin. A further branch in Bangor due to open later this month. Branch director Jonathan Thomas said: “We’re bringing something new to Bridgend - a one-stop shop for builders, tradespeople and the public.” John Jones, senior asset and development manager at Robert Hitchins, said: “Our commitment to delivering employment-generating development in Bridgend and South Wales continues and we are proud to be investing further with commercial premises which are best-in-class,” he said. Robert Hitchins has developed Central Park over several phases since it acquired the former Kimball Electronics plant in 2006. A scheme of 16 trade counter units amounting to 51,000 sq ft was developed in 2008, followed by a 13,500 sq ft trade counter scheme in 2012, a 40,000 sq ft facility for PCI Pharma Services in 2017, and an 82,000 sq ft industrial warehouse for parcel giant Evri last year. The new building from MKM, brings Robert Hitchins’ investment in Central Park to more than £25m. Mr Jones estimated that there are currently more than 500 jobs associated with Central Park. He added: “We are proud to be investing for the long term in Bridgend by self-funding the development of high-quality buildings which has become increasingly rare in the commercial property market due to rising build costs and other factors.” The builders of the MKM unit were EG Carter & Co.
Construction firm named to deliver new headquarters building for Cardiff Council
German-owned construction group Goldbeck has been chosen to build a new 100,000 sq ft headquarters for Cardiff Council in Cardiff Bay. The new HQ is scheduled to open around the same time as the 15,000-seater indoor arena - subject to financial close this spring - in 2027. Both schemes form part of the wider Atlantic Wharf 30-acre mixed-use regeneration scheme, with plans for leisure, restaurant and hotel developments, as well as office and residential. Goldbeck UK has entering into a pre-contract service agreement (PCSA) with the council - which will finalise the cost and design of the building - before entering into a development agreement later this year. The project will be the biggest undertaken by Goldbeck’s UK subsidiary. It will finance its construction through its group investment company Indigo. On completion Cardiff Council, using its long-term borrowing powers with the Treasury’s Public Works Loans Board (PWLB), will acquire the building. The council’s cost, while yet to be finalised, will be around £60m. The payment of interest and capital on its PWLB borrowing will partly be covered from savings generating by operating a smaller and more energy efficient building that its current 270,000 sq ft County Hall building. The existing building will be demolished with the land freed up for mainly residential development at Atlantic Wharf. The building will also provide new studio and production facilities for the Wales Millennium Centre to help training and developing talent in the performing arts. It will arranged its own funding mechanism for ownership post construction. Craig Davies, managing director of Goldbeck UK, said: “The new County Hall to be built by Goldbeck UK for Cardiff Council at Atlantic Wharf will use our industry-leading construction model to deliver an operationally zero-carbon building. “The new office space will provide a modern working environment more closely tailored to the council’s needs and have significantly lower operating costs to the current building it replaces. "As we manage all aspects of the project from architectural design to the manufacture of materials and assembly on-site, we ensure tight cost control, which is a top priority for Cardiff Council and vital to the success of the Atlantic Wharf area redevelopment as a future working and cultural hub for the city.” He added: “Atlantic Wharf is exactly the type of mixed-use sustainable development project delivering modern commercial space, private and affordable housing and leisure facilities, with new urban infrastructure, that is urgently needed across the UK to support local communities and drive the country’s economic growth. The UK potentially will be the biggest construction growth market in Europe over the next 10 years.
Plymouth Argyle's Foulston Park community hub secures £2.2m
A community sports hub at Plymouth Argyle's Foulston Park has secured a £2.24m grant. The Brickfields site in Devonport is being redeveloped into a sporting centre of excellence and asset for the city. The new state-of-the-art facility will include a gym, fitness rooms, café, soft play area, esports and youth zones, along with health and support services. A 3G pitch - measuring 112m x 68m - will accommodate football and rugby activities, beside a new athletics track. The Argyle Community Trusthas procured the funding from the Premier League, The FA, and the Government’s Football Foundation, marking it as one of the charity's most substantial investments across the South West. The investment is earmarked for the construction of the new hub as well as broader enhancements to Foulston Park. Other developments funded as part of the package include a Football Foundation PlayZone and upgraded changing facilities. Additionally, the site will host Plymouth Argyle Youth Academy and Plymouth Argyle Women, with the construction process already in progress. Mark Lovell, chief executive at Plymouth Argyle Community Trust, said: "The Hub at Foulston Park represents a transformative opportunity to deliver a facility in the heart of Devonport that can reduce health inequalities and become a beacon for community provision. "It would not be possible to achieve our ambitious plans without the generosity of funders like the Football Foundation. We are looking forward to our continued partnership as we work towards opening The Hub in early 2025." This new facility is a collaboration between Plymouth Argyle, the Argyle Community Trust, Plymouth City Council, Plymouth Albion RFC, and Devonport Community Leisure Limited (DCLL) and will be under the management of the Argyle Community Trust, reports Plymouth Live. Football Foundation chief executive Robert Sullivan confirmed the Foundation's commitment. He said: "The Football Foundation is working closely with our partners – the Premier League, The FA and Government – to transform the quality of grassroots facilities in England by delivering projects like this across the country." He also expressed delight regarding the community benefits anticipated from Foulston Park, including a new Football Foundation PlayZone: "We're delighted that the local community in Devonport and Plymouth will now be able to enjoy all these benefits thanks to the new facilities at Foulston Park, including the new Football Foundation PlayZone." Sullivan highlighted the bespoke nature of the PlayZones, indicating the involvement of the local community in their design: "As with all PlayZones, the new small-sided pitch will be designed by the local community who'll be able to step out onto the pitch and get active in a way that suits them."
New bank NW Mutual plans 60 branches as it wins key council backing: full list of proposed locations
A new mutual bank for the North West of England says it wants to open a network of 60 branches across the region. Co-operative society NW Mutual was launched in response to waves of bank closures across the region and aims to provide a customer-owned alternative to high street banks. The bank says it will operate with a “bricks, clicks and flicks” business model including a branch network and mobile and online banking, offering products and services to SME customers. It’s chaired by David Milner, who was chairman of Dudley Building Society and Nottingham Imperial Building Society, while its non-executive director James Moore has more than 25 years of boardroom experience in sectors including financial services in theUK and overseas,, and also founded the Community Savings Bank Association. Some £1m from directors has already been invested to build up NW mutual behind the scenes, including building its systems and preparing its banking licence application. Now the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) has confirmed that Preston City Council has agreed to purchase £250,000 worth of shares in the bank. The council has had £1m earmarked to invest in the launch for the past six years, with this being the first time is has formally committed cash. Senior financial services executive Dave Burke, originally from Bolton, was recently appointed as chief executive. The bank’s headquarters, set for Preston, will open later this year. The bank ultimately hopes to have more than 20 branches in Greater Manchester, 17 in Lancashire, 12 in Merseyside, 10 in Cheshire and six in Cumbria. NW Mutual says its potential target business market is huge, with 494,395 small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in the region employing more than 1.65m people and generating turnover of more than £239bn in 2024. Mr Burke said: “When our plans are finalised, NW Mutual will open approximately 60 branches across the north west, with the first branch and head office also in the region. “Our aim is to provide access to as many people and businesses in the north west as possible, with 95 per cent of residents and small and medium-sized businesses within a 30-minute drive to a branch. “Whilst we have specific locations in mind to achieve this, we also want to listen to the people and businesses of the region and welcome thoughts and suggestions on branch locations." NW Mutual’s backers say the venture is needed because traditional banks are abandoning the high street. Recent analysis from consumer group Which? Showed banks and building societies had closed a total of 6,266 UK branches since January 2015, equivalent to about 53 closures per month. He said: “Our market research, supported by a large body of public research and information, shows a proven need and demand for a bank that’s trustworthy, democratic, ethical, deeply rooted in the north west and that enough people and businesses in the region would use to make it a great success. “The North West is more than capable and large enough to create and sustain a prosperous bank. When we achieve our goals, our mutual bank will recycle more than £900m of money from the north west back into the region. “This is serious money… we want to stop it leaking out and heading south, north or east.” Mr Burke is now preparing a banking licence application to submit to the Bank of England in late 2025. If NW Mutual secures the licence, it hopes to open its first full branch in the third quarter of 2026. NW Mutual says “the potential and yet to be confirmed locations for branches” are: Lancashire Preston (head office), Accrington, Blackburn, Blackpool, Burnley, Clitheroe, Chorley, Lancaster, Leyland, Lytham St Annes, Morecambe, Nelson, Rawtenstall, Fleetwood, Garstang, Skelmersdale. Greater Manchester Altrincham, Ashton-under-Lyne, Bolton, Bury, Droylsden, Eccles, Hyde, Harpurhey, Hyde, Leigh, Longsight, Manchester, Manchester Victoria, Oldham, Rochdale, Sale, Salford, Stockport, Stretford, Urmston, Wigan, Wythenshawe. Liverpool and Merseyside Bebington, Birkenhead, Bootle, Crosby, Formby, Huyton, Kirkby, Knowsley, Liverpool, Prescot, Speke, St Helens. Cheshire Chester, Crewe, Ellesmere Port, Knutsford, Macclesfield, Northwich, Runcorn, Warrington, Widnes, Winsford. Cumbria Barrow-in-Furness, Carlisle, Kendal, Keswick, Penrith, Whitehaven.
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