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Incommunities hand over raffle cash boost to Cellar Trust

January 12th, 2021

KINDHEARTED Incommunities staff raised £2,817 for the Cellar Trust following a prize raffle. More than 200 gifts were donated by suppliers and contractors of the Shipley-based housing group.

Every year, staff with the Asset Management Service organise a prize draw in support of a different charity and this time they raised the highest amount they’ve ever done. The money will go towards the Cellar Trust’s mental health services which support people across Bradford, Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven. The charity provides tailored support to help local people move forward in their lives and unfortunately, they have seen the pandemic bring extra pressures on their vital services.

Incommunities’ support for the Cellar Trust comes on top of donations made by the housing group to three local charities helping families urgently needing food and other daily essential items.  They are Bradford Central Foodbank, Bradford Metropolitan Food Bank and the Welcome Trust in Kirklees.

Geraldine Howley, Incommunities’ Group Chief Executive, said: “Thanks to the wonderful support of staff at Incommunities and our partners we are delighted to handover this donation to the Cellar Trust. The pandemic has affected the vital services of so many charities – locally and nationally – and we hope our support will give a real boost to everyone at the Cellar Trust at this difficult time. As a local housing provider our staff see first hand the significant challenges many people are facing right now and we know the Trust do tremendous work to empower residents to move forward in their lives.”

Kim Shutler, Chief Executive of the Cellar Trust, said: “We are so grateful for the support from Incommunities, who we have worked with supporting people back into work for a number of years.  This has, and continues, to be a very challenging time for so many people in our District and contributions like this make a huge difference when it comes to ensuring that we can be there for people when they need us. The funding will support our Emergency Appeal which is to increase the capacity of our crisis provision when people are at their lowest.”

For more information, or to make a donation, go to thecellartrust.org

Demolition set to begin on Manchester Road flats

December 14th, 2020

WORK to demolish eight blocks of flats and change Bradford city centre’s skyline is due to start tomorrow, 10 December.

A 62 metre tall, 140 tonne excavating machine has been brought in ahead of the demolition of flat blocks just outside the city centre off Manchester Road. Thomas Crompton, which is carrying out the work, had to escort the Hitachi high reach machine into the city in four parts, and it has been assembled on site ready to work. It will work alongside two other 80 tonne machines to pull down the flats to make way for a multi-million pound housing development.

Local contractors have been stripping out the Stuart, Tudor, Hapsburg, Windsor and Bolingbroke Court blocks, and the 13-storey flats are set to be demolished over the coming weeks. Work will then begin again in the New Year to tear down the three Y-shaped blocks nearby – Ashton House, Osmond House and Taunton House. All debris and materials from the demolitions is being recycled into hardcore for roads and construction. Once the flats are gone, work can begin on building more than 100 family homes on the site.

Geraldine Howley, chief executive of Incommunities Group, said: “These blocks have been home to thousands of people over the years but sadly in recent years have proved difficult to re-let despite our best efforts. This really is a significant moment and the opportunity to make a big step towards delivering a prestigious development of much needed family homes fit for the 21st century.”

Rupert Pometsey, Incommunities’ director of development and growth, is overseeing the demolition programme. He said: “It’s great to see these specialist excavators move onto site as we get to the ‘business end’ of the demolitions of these blocks. Over the next few weeks it promises to be quite a sight as the structures come down and we look forward to a new beginning for the community. We have planning approval in place and are now finalising plans to deliver a landmark development that will be a catalyst for the revitalisation of the area.”

Angela Perry, Incommunities’ assistant chief executive, for asset management, added: “We are all really excited about building a new future at Manchester Road. There has been a significant change in the type of homes people want and it’s about providing the right housing in the right place. We are committed to regenerating the area with a development that  provides attractive affordable homes within easy access to the city centre.”

University of Bradford’s student hardship fund hits £5k mark

December 6th, 2020

THE University of Bradford’s student hardship fund is continuing to rise after raising £5,000 in the first day.

The Covid-19 Hardship Fund Appeal for students, launched on December 3, was a response from the University’s Money Team who saw a 107 per cent increase in applications for its hardship funding from students at the University. One of the first donors was retired Bradford pharmacist Manoj Joshi, pictured, who pledged £500. A Past District Governor of Rotary International, he is an honorary graduate of the University, Deputy Lieutenant of West Yorkshire and founding Chairman of Bradford Academy. Speaking about his donation, the former Ugandan refugee, who came to the UK in 1972, said: “I made a donation because I know what it’s like to have nothing. It’s so important to support people who are in that situation. It sends a powerful message and I urge others who can to do the same.”

Money raised will be used to support some of the poorest students, many of whom have little or no other means of financial income other than working part time – something many have been unable to do during lockdown.

 Professor Shirley Congdon, Vice Chancellor, University of  Bradford said: “This is an amazing response to our student hardship fund and shows the generosity and kindness of all those who donated. These donations will help some of our poorest students, many of whom have little or no support structures. We appreciate all the contributions which have been made so far and we’d love to get closer to our target. In a ‘normal’ year, evidence overwhelmingly shows, the number one reason students drop out of university is because of financial hardship and debt. As we know, this is not a normal year and some of our students are experiencing severe hardship. With your support, we can keep them in education and allow them to build the future they deserve.”

The money could help a student eat a healthy meal and cover the cost of food, pay for their heating bill or allow them to pay their rent.

The Broadway seals Purple Apple merit awards for Eid and BBC events

December 2nd, 2020

THE Broadway has scooped two coveted Purple Apple merit awards for campaigns run by the shopping centre that brought the community together.

The ‘Eid Celebration Weekend’ and the ‘We are Bradford’ week-long activity were both commended by the only award body that recognises and rewards effective retail destination marketing within the UK retail property sector.

Ian Ward, general manager at The Broadway, said: “2020 has certainly brought its fair share of challenges to communities across the world and to a huge cross-section of industries. The retail sector in particular has had to adapt, flex and bounce back; at The Broadway we’ve focused on providing a safe space for the people of Bradford and surrounding regions to shop in and our staff to work in.

Broadway Eid Celebration Week

“The merits for the two campaigns run in 2019 really showcase the hard work put into the events we hold, which unfortunately we haven’t been able to implement in 2020. Eid is such an important celebration in Bradford and we wanted to mark the event by showcasing the city’s wealth of diverse culture.

“The ‘We Are Bradford’ activity put the city on the national news agenda – it was designed to dispel misconceptions of Bradford and we did that by creating a hub to capture ‘real’ news from across the region.

“The Purple Apple merits are a sweetener as we draw close to 2020 and I’m delighted The Broadway has been recognised in these prestigious awards.”

The Eid celebration weekend injected an explosion of colour and culture into the shopping centre and was designed to celebrate

Broadway BBC We Are Bradford

Bradford’s diverse culture and raise awareness of Eid through free fun activities and entertainment. Henna artists, an arts and crafts area and dance performances from The Punjab Bhangra Crew encouraged the whole family to attend.

The heart of the We Are Bradford campaign was about creating conversations between the people of Bradford and the BBC.

It was a first-of its kind experiment delivered by BBC News and BBC Yorkshire and supported and implemented by The Broadway.

The Purple Apple awards acknowledge high standards and shows that retail destination marketing is effective and provides excellent value for money. The awards also reflect how marketers have to constantly adjust to changing times, from ensuring their budget goes further and works harder, driving retailer sales and harnessing new initiatives including digital marketing.

Damart UK confirms COVID-19 outbreak at its Bingley base

November 20th, 2020

DAMART UK has confirmed that its Bingley contact centre has experienced an outbreak of COVID-19, forcing staff to now work from home.

In a statement, the business – based at Bowling Green Mills on Lime Street – says it is following all government guidance, as well as listening to advice from Bradford Council and Public Health England.

The statement reads: “Damart UK can confirm that a number of cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed amongst staff who were based at its contact centre in Bingley, despite the business having very strict and comprehensive precautions and processes in place.   As a result, the business is now moving to home working for all remaining contact centre staff, joining their colleagues, many of whom have been home working since March.   Some contact centre staff have been asked to self-isolate as a result of the cases, in line with Bradford Council and Public Health England advice.   Virtually all head office corporate staff based in Bingley are now working from home, in line with government guidance, with just a skeleton staff remaining.

“Damart’s Steeton workplace, where parcels are dispatched from, is unaffected and operating as normal, with strict precautions and supervision in place.   Damart has worked in close co-operation with all relevant agencies throughout the pandemic and has provided its Lime Street Bingley car park to be used as a Covid drive-in testing centre, which is fully operational and has been open for the general public to book appointments from yesterday (16 November).”

In response to Damart’s announcement, Sarah Muckle, Bradford Council’s Director of Public Health, said: “Following a number of staff working at Damart testing positive for COVID-19, we have been working closely with the business and Public Health England to provide advice and guidance so that the risk of infection spreading is reduced. Staff are aware of their need to self-isolate if they have been a potential contact of someone who has tested positive.  We know that rates of COVID-19 in the district have been high, and so unfortunately we know there are likely to be outbreaks in some workplaces.  That is why it is so important that we all follow the advice to keep a safe distance, wear a face covering and wash our hands regularly.”

Dr Trevor Higgins, a key figure from Bradford’s business community, said that the outbreak at Damart was “unfortunate”, but added that its staff being forced to work from home is a sign of how businesses are changing and adapting amid the pandemic.

Dr Higgins, the chief executive of Bradford Breakthrough, said: “It’s unfortunate that this is happening, and I feel for everybody affected.  But, I do think it is a good sign that Damart has managed to continue operating – it’s a sign of how businesses are changing, as we go forward.  I think that the impact we saw on businesses at the start of the original lockdown will be lessened this time. Businesses are more prepared and are able to operate in different ways.  More companies are beginning to do conference calls and Zoom meetings and I think that will continue throughout the future.

“People are learning that business can be conducted in different ways, and some of the time that was wasted by travelling to and from meetings is ceasing to be seen on a large scale.  But some of the one-man bands and smaller firms – like your plasterers, plumbers and electricians – aren’t getting much support, which needs some serious looking at.  I do worry about the impact this is having on them. They will be at a disadvantage, if no one helps.

“In terms of the virus itself, I think we all need to take personal responsibility, and ask what we can do to keep the numbers down – we have to comply with the rules. We have to ask ourselves if we are socially distancing, wearing masks – where appropriate – and washing our hands.

“I don’t think we can just rely on waiting for a vaccine – that would be great, but we have to start thinking about what we can do, personally, to address things.”

New group CEO at social housing provider InCommunities

November 20th, 2020

INCOMMUNITIES has appointed Rachael Dennis as its new group chief executive in February 2021.

Rachael has extensive experience in the housing sector and moves from her current role as Managing Director (South East Region) at Taylor Wimpey plc.  She previously worked for Catalyst, one of the largest housing associations in London and the South East as their Chief Operating Officer, after joining them as Executive Director of Finance in 2014.

Rachael will take over from Geraldine Howley who is retiring in early 2021 after successfully leading Incommunities since its formation in 2003.

On the new role, Rachael said: “I am passionate about social housing and making a difference to people’s lives and I look forward to working with the board, all the staff, our customers and our partners. I’m really looking forward to getting started.

“I am extremely proud to be joining Incommunities as its new Chief Executive and build on Geraldine’s many achievements.

Rachael has over 20 years experience in social housing with many of those spent at a senior level.  She has also held a number of non-executive roles in housing, the NHS and charity boards.

Jan Ormondroyd, Group Chair of Incommunities said: “We are delighted to be making this appointment at an exciting time for the Group.  Rachael has extensive leadership experience as well as a strong knowledge of the sector and is keen to deliver our ambitious strategy for growth and achieve our potential.  Both the Board and I are looking forward to working with Rachael and taking the business forward in line with our strategic aims.”

 

Amjad Pervez awarded honorary doctorate from University of Bradford

November 20th, 2020

AN entrepreneur who went from a corner shop to cash and carry king has been has been awarded with an honorary doctorate.

Bradford’s Amjad Pervez, who owns one of the UK’s largest cash and carry/food retailer chains, the Seafresh/Adams Group, has received the Honorary Degree of Doctor of the University of Bradford.

The university presented the accolade for “his valuable and continuous support for the City of Bradford, to the University and for internationally championing a culture of enterprise”

Looking back on his youth, Amjad recalls: “When I first came to Bradford I was fascinated, imagine somebody coming from a village environment in Punjab and you come to an urban bustle. In the 60s, Bradford was the epicentre. It was one of the most thriving cities that I’d known. It was very exciting.  “It was a welcoming environment which allowed us to grow and become stakeholders in society. Bradford has a long history of welcoming immigrants and I think that is one of its strengths.”

Mr Pervez completed his A Levels at college and graduated from the University of Huddersfield with a degree in business and marketing in 1983.  He found work with Yorkshire Building Society but soon joined the family business, a humble corner shop, with dreams of becoming his own boss.  “I enjoyed my work at the Yorkshire Building Society,” he said. “I don’t know what it was about me, I didn’t like hierarchical structures, the reports and wait again and be given the greenlight. I was a very impatient man, I wanted to do things, I wanted to change the world.  We saw a double fronted shop and we took the risk. It came together.”

In the late 80s, the businessman was mentored by Jason Fuller of Fullers Foods who told him about the growing food services industry.  More families were choosing to eat at restaurants or buy package holidays so the businessman took a risk – his mantra to aspiring entrepreneurs in today’s world.

The father-of-six, who also has 10 grandchildren, said: “Invest in good, honest friends because they are difficult to find. In your chosen sphere, find someone who is much more experienced to guide you. Why? Because such people will help and support you when you make mistakes.  I would say to young people do not be afraid of making mistakes. So long as you are not reckless or foolish, when you are young and you have bounce and energy, that’s the time to make mistakes. I have made many and learned from them. Take risks, be audacious in your aspirations; it’s not the lack of education that limits people, it is imagination. Remember, you are the privileged few who got to this stage. There are others who are less fortunate.”

In a city known for its business-minded population, Mr Pervez thinks there is a culture of “entrepreneurialism”.  “I think the culture of Bradford is that we don’t envy people. We have success but we’re not jealous of success. If you see somebody with a nice car we don’t all go scratch it or get jealous. We go up to them and say well done. That culture of success and hard work, it’s the Yorkshire thing; that grit, it’s being hard working. That’s what created it.  We’ve got some really good businesses and in the history we’ve got some of the best names. Our youngsters are starting this chai craze. There’s entrepreneurialism.”

Former long-standing T&A editor joins Bradford Breakthrough

June 20th, 2020

The longest-serving modern-day editor of Bradford’s award-winning Telegraph & Argus newspaper is the latest recruit to Bradford Breakthrough.

Perry Austin-Clarke, who led the newspaper from 1992 to 2017, left to launch his own PR and communications business, Yorkshire Media Partners Ltd (YMP).

Perry Austin-Clarke

When he decided to step down from the role, Perry was also Yorkshire Group Editor of Newsquest Media Group and was directly responsible for The Press, in York, the Keighley News, Craven Herald & Pioneer, Ilkley Gazette,

Wharfedale Observer, York Herald, Yorkshire Gazette & Herald, Asian Life and Bradford Business Voice as well as a host of associated websites and other standalone publications.

In the year he left, the York Press was voted Regional Daily Newspaper of the Year in the Regional Press Awards and the Telegraph & Argus was the runner-up.

Under his editorship, the T&A raised millions of pounds for charity, including buying Bradford Royal Infirmary’s first MRI scanner and setting up a chair of cancer research at Bradford University which has led to major advances in treatment. In 2015-16, the T&A’s Crocus Cancer Appeal helped raise another £1 million for a mass spectrometer to aid the development of new cancer drugs.

The newspaper campaigned on many important Bradford causes, including dangerous driving, forced marriages, abuse of NHS staff among many others and was outspoken on racial equality. It received three awards from the Commission for Racial Equality for its sensitive and insightful reporting of equality issues, including the two Bradford riots and their aftermath.

Many people will also know Perry from the Bradford Means Business Awards, which he launched and hosted for many years, along with the Bradford & District Schools Awards.

Perry served on the Press Complaints Commission – the forerunner of IPSO – for six years.

Yorkshire Media Partners has rapidly established itself as a trusted and reliable PR and communications business, with clients ranging from Exa Networks to Skipton BID to Bingley Business Expo and charities such as QED UK, Yorkshire Asian Young Achievers (YAYAs) and Children & Families Across Borders on its books.

YMP also became the official PR and communications partner of Bradford Business Improvement District (BID), after running the 10-month campaign which led to it achieving a substantial ‘YES’ vote in the ballot of 630 city centre businesses at the end of 2018.

Perry said: “I have had a long-standing relationship with Bradford Breakthrough, which launched shortly before I became editor of the T&A, and I am very happy to be bringing my own company into membership.

“I have a passionate interest in Bradford and its future and I believe Breakthrough is a very important voice in helping to shape it as well as a vital touchstone for the opinions, knowledge and aspirations of the city’s senior leaders, who have a vested interest in its success, both culturally and economically.”

Breakthrough calls for business to innovate its way out of the pandemic

June 20th, 2020

Bradford Breakthrough says the city’s businesses should try to innovate their way out of the financial difficulties caused by the Coronavirus lockdown.

The organisation, which represents the senior leaders of influential businesses and organisations across the city, says that, with no end in sight to the emergency measures, firms need to adapt to survive wherever they can.

Breakthrough chief executive Trevor Higgins said: “It’s becoming increasingly clear that there is no quick way out of the current lockdown and many businesses could face restrictions on their trading for many months to come.  Even with the unprecedented levels of Government support, it’s likely to be survival of the fittest and, by that, we mean those who are able to maintain their cash flow and revenues by finding new ways to extend and shape their business model.

“Of course, it’s not the answer for everybody – we understand just how difficult this situation is for many small businesses, in particular, who depend on providing a long-established traditional service to a loyal customer base.  But where there is room to develop, where there is scope for a change of direction or the development of an idea that’s been hanging around, now may well be a good time to start looking at building a wider customer base to help bring in business from a new market.”

Dr Higgins said there were already some “brilliant” examples of Bradford firms opening up new markets in response to the Coronavirus pandemic.

Bob Gomersall , Chairman, BTL Group Ltd.

“For instance, the three successful local businesses run by Breakthrough’s chairman, Bob Gomersall – BTL Group Ltd, Virtual College Holdings Ltd, and Advanced Digital Innovations (UK) Ltd – have all developed online services that can help customers in the current Covid-19 crisis,” said Dr Higgins.

“One of them, Saltaire-based BTL, which has just won a Queens Award for Enterprise in International Trade, has introduced an Online Invigilation Service to help universities, colleges and other educational institutions who are unable to deliver exams on site to monitor students remotely as they sit their tests in a secure home environment.”

Dr Gomersall said: “The company was founded, has grown, and has remained in Yorkshire, and we are very proud that the technology we provide is used all over the world. It is great to think that assessment technology for many organisations around the world comes from Saltaire, Yorkshire.

“We have advocated and embraced remote working technology for 35 years and we are very proud that our technology has a positive role to play in the current COVID-19 pandemic.”

Dr Higgins also cited the example of Delifresh, a Bradford-based food wholesaler which normally supplies top chefs and restaurants in the region, which launched an online emergency food store and delivery service.

“Delifresh realised that many people needed to avoid contact in food stores and supermarkets but were struggling to find a source of home delivery,” he said. “So they launched the new service through their website and are reported to have so far taken more than 15,000 orders.  It’s a fabulous example of a company spotting an opportunity to not only help the local community but also develop their business in a new area.”

He added: “There are many more firms already starting to show the innovation and commercial acumen that Bradford is renowned for in response to these very difficult times.

“Our city has a long and proud history of coping with change and we’re sure that with the right support and a dash of creativity, we can come through this crisis with a strong economic future ahead.”

 

Bradford Breakthrough members meeting in the Houses of Parliament

January 24th, 2019

The image shows Bradford‘s MPs, Parliamentarians and Bradford breakthrough members meeting recently in the Houses of Parliament.

The city’s senior business leaders and parliamentarians have pledged to work closely with each other to promote the Bradford District economy. At their regular six monthly meeting at Westminster , the business delegation, organised by Bradford Breakthrough, met with all of the District’s MPs, several Bradford-based members of the House of Lords and The Secretary of State for Transport, Chris Grayling to discuss the transport problems facing Bradford. Specifically they discussed – the provision of a high speed station for Bradford City centre; plans for the Skipton-Colne rail link; the Shipley by-pass scheme and improvements to the transport infrastructure serving Leeds Bradford airport.’

Bradford breakthrough CEO Trevor Higgins said “Breakthrough members were pleased that the Minister had acknowledged that the Transport Infrastructure serving Bradford was simply not good enough. He said that he would consider sympathetically any Bradford projects that were put forward by Transport for the North”

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