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Plans Submitted For Wellington Place Development
Development at Wellington Place looks set to move forward, after developer MEPC submitted plans for the Business Quarter scheme’s next phase.

The proposals are to construct two Grade A office buildings on the site. Number 3 Wellington Place, at the junction of Wellington   Street and Northern Street, would comprise 110,000 sq ft of unit space, while Number 10 Wellington Place would offer 30,000 sq ft.

Andrew Barlow, managing director at MEPC, said: “We feel positive about the future expansion of Wellington Place and our recent £1m investment into the greening of the site demonstrates our commitment to its continued growth and to the city of Leeds.”

It is not clear when building work will start if the plans are approved. Other office buildings have been constructed by the firm at Wellington Place, but work was halted due to the economic downturn. MEPC launched a number of community facilities in the meantime, including a football pitch and allotments.

The company recently secured the sale of Benson House, located on Wellington   Street, to Lancashire County Pension Fund.

Business Link Defend Future Prospects
Business Link Yorkshire’s chief executive has suggested that the organisation could survive deep budgets cuts and the planned closure of Yorkshire Forward.

Wider cuts have resulted in a budget reduction of £4.4m this year for Business Link Yorkshire, and further cuts are expected. The abolition of Yorkshire Forward in 2012 is also anticipated to have a devastating impact on the organisation.

However, chief executive Helen West has warned against making premature judgements. She said: “We are waiting not just for the Comprehensive Spending Review but for the White Paper at the end of the summer which will set out the Government’s thinking not just on Business Link but business support more generally.”

Business Link Yorkshire employs around 400 people and helped around 120,000 businesses and start-ups last year. Mrs West admits that while the organisation could survive, spending cuts will impact on staff and the ability to provide services.

She added that the uncertainty surrounding the organisation’s future has contributed to a reduction in businesses seeking advice over the last three months. However, she urged businesses to continue to utilise the service.

“We cannot let the next 18 months to be dominated by navel gazing because services are going to be available. The worst thing is if we don’t maximise the impact we can have. We have got to stay focused on helping businesses secure their position.”

Consultation Underway For Threatened Trolleybus Scheme
A public consultation is underway to highlight the transport difficulties experienced by Leeds businesses. It is hoped that the consultation, launched by Leeds, York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, will contribute to the efforts of city representatives to secure funding for the under-threat NGT Trolley System and Leeds Train Station Southern Entrance improvement schemes.

Both the NGT Trolley System and the Southern Entrance improvement scheme have been put on hold by the Coalition Government, pending the Comprehensive Spending Review this autumn. If public funding is withdrawn, it is likely that both schemes will be scrapped.

Director of Policy at the Chamber of Commerce, Ian Williams, said: “Although nobody can question the need for the Government to make cuts and tackle the deficit, our city needs this transport funding. Improvements to the local transport infrastructure are crucial to the future economic success of our city.

“The Chamber is asking the business community to join in our transport consultation. We can only secure the investment if we can make the case for it. We need as many businesses as possible to join in and highlight the transport issues facing their business and voice their support for the funding. We cannot afford to stay silent on this issue.”

For more information or to contribute to the consultation, visit the ‘Representation’ section of www.yourchamber.org.uk or email ian.williams@yourchamber.org.uk

Posted on Wednesday 18th August 2010
Naomi Rainey

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