Category Archives: Regional News

Energy, Green Energy, News, Scotland, Sustainability, Wales

UK Government must invest in hydropower, industry tells Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero

  • British Hydropower Association and Scottish Renewables leading calls for a ‘cap and floor’ mechanism to accelerate investment and demonstrate a “step-change” in decision-making 
  • UK has a pipeline of more than 9GW including several ‘shovel ready’ projects, but inaction has been costing consumers

 

The British Hydropower Association and Scottish Renewables have written a joint letter to Ed Miliband, the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Ian Murray, the Secretary of State for Scotland, and Jo Stevens, the Secretary of State for Wales, urging the UK Government to support the deployment of long-duration electricity storage (LDES), including pumped storage hydro (PSH).

In the letter, which is co-signed by all major developers of PSH in the UK, the trade bodies called on the UK Government to urgently introduce a ‘cap and floor mechanism’ for LDES to enable the delivery of the PSH pipeline which currently stands at more than 9GW of capacity, including several shovel ready projects.

Ian Murray & Kate Gilmartin at the BHA’s recent event

The ‘cap and floor’ is designed to unlock investment by striking a balance between commercial incentives and appropriate risk mitigation for project developers. The ‘floor’ provides a minimum revenue certainty for investors, with a regulated limit, or a ‘cap’ on revenues to avoid excessive returns to developers.

With the delivery of a LDES ‘cap and floor’ mechanism, PSH can play a key role in supporting the UK Government’s net-zero targets and helping secure Britain’s clean energy future.

PSH is essential for storing energy from variable renewable sources like wind and solar, ensuring power availability when demand is highest.

 

To enable the delivery of the LDES ‘cap and floor’ mechanism, the industry is urging the UK Government to:

  • Publish its response to the 2024 LDES consultation by August, confirming the decision to develop a cap and floor mechanism.
  • Commit to establishing a policy framework by the end of 2024, with a consultation on the scheme’s detailed design in early autumn.
  • Commit to opening the first application window for LDES technologies in early 2025 at the latest.
Ian Murray addressing the BHA’s recent event in his first official ministerial engagement

Ian Murray MP recently attended a high-profile BHA event in his first official engagement since being appointed to the UK cabinet where he indicated that the UK Government understood the importance of ‘cap and floor’ and said it “was key” to securing investment in new projects.

 

Kate Gilmartin, CEO of the British Hydropower Association, said:

“With economic growth and renewable energy at the centre of the new government’s agenda, there is an opportunity to demonstrate a step-change in decision-making after years of delay and uncertainty.

“By prioritising the urgent delivery of a cap and floor mechanism, we can send positive signals to international investors and trigger large-scale capital projects and job creation.”

Claire Mack, Chief Executive of Scottish Renewables, said:

“The UK Government has set a bold and ambitious target of achieving clean power by 2030. To deliver on this target, it is essential that Long Duration Electricity Storage is deployed at pace alongside renewable generation.

“As a well-established technology with a multi-gigawatt pipeline and several ‘shovel ready’ projects, Pumped Storage Hydro is a key technology to smoothly integrate the increase in generation we require, help reduce system costs and deliver huge economic benefits across the country.

“However, despite the extensive benefits of these projects being clear, the lack of policy support has meant that no new Pumped Storage Hydro capacity has been built in the UK for over forty years. By urgently delivering a cap and floor mechanism for Long Duration Electricity Storage, the UK Government therefore has an opportunity to put an end to years of delay and uncertainty and unlock the investment required for these projects to play their crucial role in enabling Britain to become a clean energy superpower.”

Cruachan Dam

The Scottish Renewables report, ‘The Economic Impact of Pumped Storage Hydro’, indicates that six PSH projects under development could deliver £5.8 billion in Gross Value Added (GVA) and create nearly 15,000 jobs by 2035.

Additionally, a Department for Energy Security and Net Zero analysis estimates system savings of up to £24 billion from deploying up to 20GW of long-duration electricity storage.

 

The BHA and Scottish Renewables represent developers with a combined pipeline of more than 9GW of new PSH projects, offering over 190GWh of storage capacity. Many of these projects are described as “shovel ready,” awaiting only the implementation of an appropriate cap and floor mechanism to enable deployment.

 

Business Travel, International News, Lifestyle & Travel, News

“I know that if we open ourselves to the opportunities that are around us there is a way for us to find the solutions.” – Ilian Evtimov

Moving Countries 101, hosted by Clare Kay, has released a captivating new episode this week featuring Ilian Evtimov, a former professional basketball player passionate about travel and helping people overcome perceived obstacles to create their ideal lives.

In this episode, Clare and Ilian delve into the formative experiences that shaped Ilian’s journey from a young boy in Bulgaria to a professional athlete with a global footprint. Growing up with a father who was one of the first Bulgarian basketball players to play overseas, Ilian’s early move to France sparked a lifestyle intertwining sports and global living. By age 15, he pursued his basketball dreams in the United States, navigating language barriers and cultural adjustments with determination.

Listeners will hear how Ilian’s commitment to basketball led him from high school in Long Island and North Carolina to a successful college career and professional teams across Europe. Despite the demands of a professional basketball career, Ilian maintained a forward-thinking mindset, securing a master’s degree and investing in real estate.

Ilian’s passion for travel and enriching experiences with his four children has led to frequent family trips, from Abu Dhabi to a Caribbean cruise. His current ventures extend beyond sports and real estate. He is actively involved in personal development, leadership, and helping others achieve their dreams.

His work with Travel Advantage, a platform offering access to discounted hotel rates and travel deals, is a testament to his dedication to making travel accessible and enjoyable for everyone. For those interested in learning more about Ilian Evtimov’s incredible journey, his insights on achieving success, and the benefits of discounted travel through Travel Advantage, this episode is a must-listen.

 

Follow the link in the podcast description or scan the QR code on the screen to access a 1-2 night hotel stay at discounted prices. 

About Moving Countries 101 Podcast:

Moving Countries 101 is a podcast dedicated to exploring the lives and experiences of individuals who have made significant moves across the globe. Hosted by Clare Kay, the podcast aims to inspire and inform listeners and viewers about the challenges and rewards of living a life in different countries.

It’s a must-follow for anyone who is interested in or is planning on living and working overseas.

 

Podcast Links:

You can listen/watch and follow this week’s podcast here:

 

Apple

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/moving-countries-101/id1724940782

 

Spotify

https://open.spotify.com/show/4cxcZ9rbrvZ6A0B6UPMaXj

 

YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCo75XfTWDQl6JgTn4pzlvnA

Economy & Jobs News, Finance and Banking, International News, News

Global Trade Activity Stabilizing Amid Signs of Two-Speed Recovery

US trade activity climbs higher, China’s recovery remains steady, the Eurozone begins to plateau, and Vietnam, India, Malaysia, and Mexico rise rapidly as supply chain diversification intensifies.

Tradeshift’s Q2 Index of Global Trade Health reveals that the recent recovery in global trade activity is beginning to level off, with notable disparities emerging between regions. While trade activity in the US and China continues to build on recent momentum, Europe is struggling to keep pace, and the UK is showing ongoing weakness.

Total transaction volumes between buyers and suppliers on the Tradeshift network remained flat compared to the previous quarter, with growth still three points below the anticipated level in Q2. Order volume growth dipped six points below the expected level, having peaked at five points above expectations at the end of 2023.

“Order volumes have been climbing rapidly over the last six months, but we’re now seeing the rate of acceleration begin to cool,” said James Stirk, CEO at Tradeshift (pictured above). “This may well be the first indication that global trade’s recent resurgence is beginning to find its level, which may not necessarily be a negative.”

“We’re already seeing evidence of supply chains struggling to keep pace with higher demand. A more measured growth rate can provide suppliers with the breathing space needed to adapt and stabilize, reducing the risk of bottlenecks and disruptions that have plagued the industry in the recent past.”

Key regional and sector-based indicators from this quarter’s report include:

  • US Maintains Momentum: Trade activity in the US exceeded expectations for the second consecutive quarter, with transaction volumes tracking one point above the baseline.
  • China’s Steady Recovery: China’s trade activity continued to rise, exceeding expected levels by one point in Q2. This follows six months of steep decline in the second half of 2023, meaning recent growth comes from a fairly low base.
  • Eurozone plateaus: Activity in the Eurozone remains three points below the baseline. Despite a bright start to the year, the region has not surpassed this level in over two years.
  • UK Trade Slows: The UK saw a reversal in trade activity, with transaction volumes ending Q2 five points below anticipated levels, reflecting ongoing challenges in maintaining growth momentum.
  • Emerging Market Winners: Countries such as Vietnam, Malaysia, India, and Mexico are emerging as significant beneficiaries from the shift in global supply chains. Transaction volumes in these regions are growing at rates well above the global average.
  • Mixed bag across sectors: Manufacturing activity decreased slightly, while demand for freight capacity remained high. The retail sector continues to underperform, showing little change from its slow growth trend over the past eighteen months.
  • Supply Chain Liquidity: While cash flow pressures on suppliers have eased, payment cycles remain 5% longer than pre-pandemic levels, posing ongoing challenges for small and mid-sized enterprises.

“Geopolitical tension and economic fragmentation are increasingly determining the shape of recovery,” added Stirk. “Winners and losers are now starting to emerge. At the business level, success means forging new trade relationships quickly while avoiding becoming tangled in a web of tariffs, taxes and ESG regulations. Digitalization is crucial in enabling companies to adapt to changing conditions.”

Charity & CSR, London, London News, News

Rimini Street Announces the 2024 RMNI LOVE™ £50,000 Grant Programme Winners

Five UK-based charities selected to each receive £10,000 grants from the Rimini Street Foundation to support families and communities in the London region

Rimini Street, Inc. (Nasdaq: RMNI), a global provider of end-to-end enterprise software support, products and services, the leading third-party support provider for Oracle and SAP software, and an AWS partner, today announced the winners of its third annual RMNI LOVE™ Grant Programme, each receiving £10,000 to further their significant impact for their respective communities served.

The final winners of the programme were Children Ahead, Fight Against Blindness (FAB), Parenting Special Children (PSC), Room to Heal, and The Vavengers.

 

“In our third year of celebrating and sharing our RMNI LOVE through our special grant programme, we selected London as the city to host this spectacular giving opportunity,” said Janet Ravin, founder and committee chair of the Rimini Street Foundation. “Receiving so many worthy nominations and having to select only five is truly a difficult process, as each are impactful and extraordinary in their mission. We are humbled to gain deeper understanding of the needs of the London community, and are grateful for the opportunity to alleviate the challenges through our grants, and offer greater hope to those who need a hand up, now and into the future.”

 

How the Grant Winners Were Selected

The rigorous process of selecting the top five charities to receive the grant administered by the Rimini Street Foundation – the privately funded charitable program of Rimini Street, Inc. and its global subsidiaries – involved a three-tiered qualification, elimination and voting method. The first round of reviews was conducted by select team members from the UK region, then by all of the regional Committee Members that represent the diverse cultures and backgrounds of Rimini Street colleagues, and finally by the Committee Chair, Committee Lead and Committee Secretary.

 

Meet the 2024 RMNI LOVE Grant Winners

 

Children Ahead – Founded in 2010 by parents of children with differently-abled learning capabilities, Children Ahead addresses the need for specialised support services. Its goal is to improve children’s long-term education, health, and employment outcomes by preventing and reducing the impact of untreated mental health problems and equipping children with essential skills. The £10,000 grant will fund 12 psychotherapy sessions for 20 vulnerable children, along with mentoring and befriending programs for 20 children in crisis

 

Fight Against Blindness (FAB) – FAB was established in 2008 and helps children and young people with sight loss and visual impairment (VI), across the UK, to reach their full potential – educationally and socially. Its work addresses barriers, helps to build confidence, and provides practical tools to support well-being. The grant will pay for specialised psychologists to give 1:1 sessions to approximately 65 children and young people affected by sight loss, directly improving young Londoners’ mental health and wellness.

 

Room to Heal – Room to Heal supports refugees and people seeking asylum from over 30 countries overcoming the traumas of torture, trafficking, and a myriad of human rights violations. Its mission is to provide tailored support to give survivors the best possible chance of rebuilding their lives and thriving in their healing journey. The £10,000 grant will be used to provide holistic support programmes, mental healthcare, casework, and community support.

 

Parenting Special Children (PSC) – PSC provides specialist parenting support to parents and carers of children and young people with special needs and early life trauma. Their mission is to create positive, long-lasting, and resilient change in the lives of those who need it. Since its launch in 2006, the charity continues to provide specialist parenting support and tackles multiple adversities such as social isolation, low self-esteem, stress and anxiety, sleep issues, child-to-parent violence, mental health crisis, and financial pressures. The £10,000 grant will be used to support several life-changing projects and run workshops in different languages to vulnerable families.

 

The Vavengers – This survivor-led organisation stands with and for every woman affected by Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) and other forms of Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). The Vavengers were founded in 2014 by a group of survivors and activists who wanted to raise awareness and end FGM/C together, aiming to educate, collaborate, aid and empower. Its work includes providing community outreach hubs for vulnerable females, leading educational workshops for businesses and organisations, and running national and international campaigns to ensure FGM/C and VAWG are on the political and social agenda.

 

Learn more about the Rimini Street Foundation and the 525+ charities supported to date, and enjoy highlights from the 2023 RMNI LOVE Grant Day Celebration hosted during the Street Smart client event in Tokyo, Japan with hundreds of executives in attendance.

 

About Rimini Street, Inc.

Rimini Street, Inc. (Nasdaq: RMNI), a Russell 2000® Company, is a global provider of end-to-end enterprise software support, products and services, the leading third-party support provider for Oracle and SAP software, and an AWS partner. The Company has operations globally and offers a comprehensive family of unified solutions to run, manage, support, customize, configure, connect, protect, monitor, and optimize enterprise application, database, and technology software, and enables clients to achieve better business outcomes, significantly reduce costs and reallocate resources for innovation. To date, over 5,500 Fortune 500, Fortune Global 100, midmarket, public sector, and other organisations from a broad range of industries have relied on Rimini Street as their trusted enterprise software solutions provider.

To learn more, please visit riministreet.com, and connect with Rimini Street on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn. (IR-RMNI)

Law, News, North of England, Yorkshire

Law firm opens new office in Selby increasing regional network presence to 20

A leading Yorkshire law firm has opened its newest regional office in Selby, taking its total network of offices to 20.

Ison Harrison’s new office on Brook Street will be managed by Daniel Kenworthy, who is assistant head of residential conveyancing for the firm and also manages the firm’s successful Pontefract office. Daniel joined Ison Harrison in April 2019 and specialises in residential conveyancing.

The team at Selby also comprises Lucy Hough, associate and wills and probate solicitor, Emma Clowes, family solicitor, and Gemma Atkinson, conveyancing legal executive.

 

Lucy has worked in wills and probate for eight years and qualified as a solicitor in October 2020. She joined Ison Harrison in July 2021 and was promoted to associate solicitor in 2023.

 

Emma Clowes works in the firm’s successful family law division and has four years’ experience in the field. She joined Ison Harrison after qualifying in September 2023.

 

Gemma Atkinson is due to qualify as a chartered legal executive later this year after completing a six year apprenticeship. Gemma has worked in the legal sector for 10 years and as a Selby resident has extensive insight of the local property market. Gemma joined Ison Harrison’s conveyancing division in April this year.

 

Ison Harrison became a 100% employee-owned business in January 2022. Since becoming owned by its employees, the firm has experienced significant growth in the number of clients that it acts for, with this 20th office launch reaffirming its expansive presence in the region.

Selby is the fourth new office the firm has opened since becoming entirely employee-owned, after Wakefield in 2022, Doncaster in 2023, and Queensbury earlier this year.

Ison Harrison’s new Selby office is offering a comprehensive suite of legal services for both business and private clients, ranging from new build and conveyancing to family law and wills and probate matters, as well as being able to draw on the wider expertise in the firm for commercial clients.

 

Selby branch manager, Daniel Kenworthy, commented: “We’ve assembled a talented team at Selby and we’re all looking forward to establishing a strong presence in the area. This new office launch is the next step in Ison Harrison’s continued expansion, enabling us to build solid connections in the local community, to provide a comprehensive legal service and repeat the success we’ve achieved across the entire Yorkshire region.”

 

Ison Harrison managing partner, Jonathan Wearing, said: “This is our 20th office and our fourth since becoming employee-owned in just over two years. We’re delighted to have opened two new offices in the first half of this year and completed the recent acquisition of established Leeds firm, Cohen Cramer.

“This latest office sees us further strengthening our reputation in Yorkshire, providing an even wider range of legal expertise through our expanding network of offices. One of the driving factors at the firm is that clients can easily access high-quality, local legal advice thanks to our visibility and prominence across the region’s high streets. We’re looking forward to seizing the opportunity to further establish the Ison Harrison name in a new and exciting location.”

 

Ison Harrison employs more than 300 staff across Yorkshire, offering the broadest range of legal services in the region.

The firm has over 10 Law Society accreditations including Lexcel, Clinical Negligence, Family Law, Immigration & Asylum, Conveyancing Quality and SRA Higher Courts Rights – civil and criminal.

 

Further information about Ison Harrison is available at https://www.isonharrison.co.uk

 

EU, European News, News

Ursula von der Leyen re-elected as President of the European Commission

Written by Martin Banks

In what some have called a “pivotal moment” for the European Union, Ursula von der Leyen has been re-elected as the President of the European Commission.

With 401 votes in favor, von der Leyen (VDL) will serve once more as the head of the EU’s executive.

She was re-elected by MEPs in Strasbourg a secret ballot on 18 July.

Image credit: CC-BY-4.0: © European Union 2019 – Source: EP”. (creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

A majority of MEPs at the parliamentary plenary in France voted for her in the four mainstream groups: the EPP, S&D, Renew and Greens.

This will be von der Leyen’s second term as Commission President. She was first elected by MEPs in July 2019.Parliament is currently composed of 719 MEPs, so the necessary majority was 360 votes.

However, some 284 voted against her getting re-elected, and 22 cast blank or invalid votes.

Just ahead of the vote, von der Leyen presented her political priorities for the next five years during a debate with deputies. The next step will be to confirm the 26 Commissioners and their portfolios.

All must appear at confirmation hearings with MEPs in the coming weeks.

The Greens said the vote “confirms a four-group democratic majority in the House and prevents the far-right from driving the agenda of the EU over the next five years.”

A large number of MEPs from the Right were elected to the EU Parliament in the recent EU elections.

The Greens, in a statement, said, “The four group majority is holding firm and is vital for defending our democracy against the far-right. We want to build on this majority to deliver for citizens.”

It said, “We welcome the commitments she has taken to build on the success of the Green Deal, to develop a climate-neutral industrial policy and boost just transition funding.”

It warned, “We will carefully scruitinise whether the new Commission as a whole will live up to our demands.”

Further reaction to the vote came from the EPP leader Manfred Weber, a German MEP, who said he considers von der Leyen’s election “to be a victory for democracy and a united Europe.”

He added,”Europeans want a democratic Europe, not a radical one. With the election of Ursula von der Leyen, we are strengthening a democratic Europe.The vote was also a vote for clear priorities: prosperity, security, and stopping migration. The next Commission will embody the EPP spirit.”

The S&D Group, the 2nd biggest after the EPP in the parliament, also voted to back the former German defence minister for another term in office.

Its leader Iratxe Garcia Perez said, “We have made the Commission’s Political Guidelines the most social and the greenest ever. With our demands, we shaped the chapter on the social dimension and we achieved a clear commitment not to cooperate with the far right, on the fight against climate change, and on a just transition.

“For the first time, the EU will have a European strategy against poverty and we will finally address the problem of housing, with a Commissioner for housing. And this will happen because we asked for it.”

However, there was severe criticism of von der Leyen from some quarters including the ECR group who voted against.

In a speech on Thursday, ECR Co-Chairman Joachim Brudziński (Law and Justice party) told von der Leyen,she had been “a very poor president, perhaps the worst.”

He added, “As ECR, we unenthusiastically supported your candidacy five years ago. We made this decision, choosing the lesser evil.”

He went on, “Your management style was terrible. Decision-making in a narrow group of German advisors, arrogance, hypocrisy, lack of cooperation with commissioners, exuberant ambitions and passionate concerns about your own image.This was your work style.”

Some in the world of NGOs were also highly critical, with Vicky Cann, Corporate Europe Observatory researcher and campaigner, saying von der Leyen’s “priorities have drastically changed compared to her first mandate.”

“Five years ago, she promised a transformative Green Deal but is now openly embracing corporate lobbyists and their deregulation agenda.”

Cann added, “At the beginning of her first mandate, von der Leyen lauded the Green Deal as a tool to reconcile the economy with our planet, a strategy that “gives more back than it takes away.” Despite her warm words, her first term as EU Commission president saw strong political, financial, and regulatory support for corporate power.

“By reappointing von der Leyen, the European Parliament has given corporate power a green light to keep on pushing its damaging pro-business and anti-regulation agenda.

“This is an agenda that is already well heard in VDL’s Commission and which does not bode well for ambitious action to tackle the cost of living crisis, nor the use of fossil fuels, harmful chemicals, and pesticides,” she claimed.

However, the EU wide body representing the electricity sector, Eurelectric, said it “welcomed” her renewed mandate.

Eurelectric’s Secretary General, Kristian Ruby noted, “Von der Leyen set out a pragmatic, yet ambitious agenda for the next five years to address the new challenge landscape the EU is facing with geopolitical tensions, sharpened industrial competition, on top of the impacts from increasingly extreme weather.”

“In particular, Eurelectric welcomes VDL’s announcement of a new Clean Industrial Deal to keep industry competitive while decarbonising. We support the call for implementing the Green Deal and positively note the reference to scaling-up investments in low-carbon green infrastructure as well as the creation of a Savings and Investment Union to back this vision with the necessary financial means.”

More comment on Friday came from Chiara Martinelli, Director at Climate Action Network Europe,who said, “Von der Leyen’s commitment only to 90 percent emission cuts is a step in the right direction but a missed opportunity to align EU’s ambition with science and equity by achieving climate neutrality by 2040 at the latest. She could at least have supported the EU’s scientific advisory board’s and the upper end of her own Commission’s Impact Assessment’s 95 percent reductions.”

Petri Salminen, the president of SMEunited, the EU wide body representing SMEs, said, “Small businesses emphasised the need to finally make policy on the basis of the 99,8% companies in Europe, instead of for the 0,2% and called for focus on implementation in this new mandate. We welcome that von der Leyen in her Political Guidelines states that future legislation must be designed with small businesses in mind. However, we have seen SME washing before, and therefore call to act according to this statement now.

“The 24.3 million entrepreneurs, craftswomen and -men and small business in Europe appreciate the recognition given by von der Leyen, when she refers to ‘we all know there is no Europe’ without SMEs.”

 

About the author

Martin Banks is an international freelance journalist with 44 years experience covering national and international stories.

Holidays, Outdoor Holidays, Scotland

Official launch event of new £800k development at Sauchope Links Holiday Park

Largo Leisure Holidays were honoured to host The Provost, Councillor Jim Leishman MBE, at Sauchope Links holiday park this morning (18/7), to formally launch their new £800k development with a traditional ribbon cutting ceremony.

The new development at the coastal park near Crail, is an investment into tourism in the area and aims to attract not only more holiday guests, but also to encourage longer term investment from holiday homeowners with 8 new holiday home pitches available.

In addition to the 8 new holiday home pitches, the park has also invested in 5 new holiday accommodations, and a recent addition of the park’s first three-bedroom caravan to attract families.

This impressive investment in Scottish tourism is part of an overall investment programme by private equity firm, Limerston Capital, who acquired Largo Leisure in March 2022.

The Provost was given a tour of one of the newly purchased holiday homes and gave a short speech before cutting the ribbon, saying: “I am extremely impressed with the quality of the lodges on the new development. In fact, they aren’t lodges they feel more like homes with some amazing views. I wish Alison and team at Sauchope good luck with the new development.”

As well as The Provost, the park had invited representatives from the Crail Community Partnership and the local community newspaper Crail Matters as well as local businesses in the area to come along for the event.

Group Operations Director for Largo Leisure, Alison Watson said: “We are really proud of the new development at Sauchope Links and have already sold a number of the new holiday home pitches including the one we showed our guests around today. The new pitches are literally metres from the coastal path, giving the most stunning, uninterrupted views of the sea from large, decked areas which also make a great spot for dolphin watching. They really are something special.”

“The new pitches provide buyers with an opportunity to build their own dream holiday home from plan and that’s one of the reasons we are seeing so much interest in them. Owning a holiday home which provides views like these across the Firth of Forth is a pretty rare thing and we don’t expect them to be on sale for long.”

More details about the new development can be found at Largo Leisure and holiday booking availability for the new holiday lodges can be found at Largo Leisure Holidays.

Fife, Lifestyle & Travel, News, Scotland, Travel, UK Travel

Sauchope Links introduce the parks first 3-bedroom caravan at their stunning coastal holiday park in Crail, Scotland

Sauchope Links holiday park near Crail in Scotland have expanded their accommodation offering to make the park more accessible to families, with the introduction of the first 3-bedroom unit.

The new 3-bedroom caravan has been introduced as part of a wider £800k investment in park by Largo Leisure Holidays who own six holiday parks across Scotland.The brand new, modern, 3-bedroom static caravan is located in a prime position with uninterrupted views across the Firth of Forth and its beautiful coastline. It is the only 3-bedroom unit on the park and is expected to be in high demand.

 

The large, family sized caravan, which can sleep up to 6 people, will boast one double bedroom and two twin bedrooms with all bedding provided as well as a family bathroom with walk-in shower. The modern open plan kitchen and lounge area is spacious, modern, and bright with high quality fixtures and fittings and all the mod cons making it the perfect accommodation for a fantastic self-catering holiday in the East Neuk of Fife.

Largo Leisure Parks Commercial Director, Rachel Mabbs said

 

“Sauchope Links is such a special park with amazing sea views and just a stone’s throw away from the famous, quaint fishing village of Crail. The park has a range of different accommodation types from Glamping Domes, Beach Huts and Lodges which sleep up to 4 people, so to be able to offer a caravan suitable for larger families to come and enjoy a holiday at Sauchope is really exciting and the new accommodation is already proving to be a popular choice. We can’t wait to welcome its first guests.”

Beautiful Crail

Stay at the new for 2024 3-bedroom Caravan (sleeps 6) at Sauchope Links –

Monday 12th August – 4 nights – from £653.

Friday 16th August – 3 nights – from £746.

Friday 23rd August – 7 nights – from £932.

The new caravan is available to book now via the website: www.largoleisure.co.uk

About Largo Leisure​

Largo Leisure Parks offer award winning glamping and lodge holidays in six stunning areas of Scotland.

Each park has its own unique characteristics and offers a varied choice of holiday accommodation to rent and own including self-catering glamping, wooden cabins, cottages, deluxe beach huts, premium lodges, and Caravans.

Largo Leisure Parks was founded in 2003 when it acquired its first holiday park in Scotland, Sauchope Links Park in the East Neuk of Fife. In March 2022, the group was acquired by Limerston Capital.

The aim of Largo Leisure Parks is to put the needs of their customers at the heart of their business, providing a wide choice of quality holiday homes at affordable prices or rental.  To learn more visit www.largoleisure.co.uk

 

—

Images show a Typical 3 Bedroomed Caravan when staying with Largo Leisure Holidays 

Cardiff, Manufacturing, News, Wales News

Access equipment specialist T.B Davies announces major expansion of Cardiff manufacturing facility

T.B Davies, a leading access equipment supplier, has announced a significant expansion of its manufacturing facility in Cardiff. The expansion will boost the company’s production capabilities and reinforce its commitment to innovation and sustainability.

 

T.B Davies manufactures and distributes a wide range of access products for working at height, including steps, ladders, towers, and podiums for professional, trade and domestic users. Its customers include Screwfix, Toolstation and Amazon.

T.B Davies employs 27 people at its Lewis Road site in Splott and achieved a turnover of £7.8 million in 2023, up from £7.1 million in 2021. The company’s newly expanded facility, now spanning a 3.5-acre site, includes 31,000 square feet of offices and warehousing space with the potential to add 14,000 square feet as demand grows. The facility is equipped with cutting-edge, fully automatic machinery to produce high-volume aluminium extension ladders and assemble combination steps from Little Giant Ladder Systems, for which it holds the exclusive UK licence.

The expansion was made possible through a strategic investment of £500,000 and financial restructuring assistance from NatWest. It has been further backed by £100,000 in support and expertise from the Welsh Government’s innovation team.

 

The expansion has already created six new jobs, with more expected as production scales up. The upgrade to their production facilities forms part of T.B. Davies’ commitment to enhance its sustainability practices. The company, recognising the need to improve its engineering capabilities while reducing environmental impacts, recently embarked on a transformative journey in sustainability. Taking part in the Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme Carbon Emission Reduction Pilot in 2022 led to the development of an award-winning detailed carbon reduction plan.

 

Since then, T.B Davies has made strides in minimising its environmental footprint by sourcing materials locally, using solar energy, minimising plastic packaging, and introducing hybrid vehicles. The new facility will produce the new Taskmaster Extension Ladder, made from 100% recyclable materials and aluminium sourced from Hydro Aluminium in Wrexham. T.B Davies aims to achieve Net Zero by 2050.

 

To celebrate this expansion and the legacy of chairman Patrick Gray, marking his 55th year with the company, T.B Davies will host a summer barbecue for employees, local schools, charities, and key partners.

 

David Gray, Managing Director of T.B Davies, said:

“My father joined my great-grandfather’s company 55 years ago to help sell aluminium ladders, a revolutionary product at the time. His hard work has helped us become an industry leader in building sustainable ladders, securing the company for future generations through responsible practices.

“Expanding our manufacturing facility in Cardiff is part of our commitment to innovation and sustainability. By increasing our production capabilities and continuing to implement cutting-edge manufacturing technologies, we are proudly setting new standards in the industry.

“This will support our growth and significantly enhance our ability to serve our customers more effectively, further embedding our roots into the local economy and its future.”

 

Huw Thomas, Leader of Cardiff Council, said:

“I am delighted to see T.B Davies expanding its manufacturing facility in Splott. This significant investment reinforces the company’s commitment to innovation and sustainability while bringing valuable job opportunities to our local community.

“T.B Davies’ dedication to fostering a skilled workforce and enhancing the local economy is commendable. I look forward to seeing this expansion’s positive impact on Splott and the wider city.”

 

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Caption L-R: Mat Gray and David Gray (Safety, Health, Environment and Quality Director and Managing Director, T.B Davies), Huw Thomas (Leader of Cardiff Council) and Francis Camilleri (Business Development Director, T.B Davies).

Wales News

Calum excited to return to Wales as director of five star Palé Hall

A hospitality professional who has managed award winning hotels across the UK has  returned to Wales to become director of one of the country’s leading country house hotels.

Calum Milne is running Palé Hall, at Llandderfel, near Bala, an AA Five Red Star, Relais & Chateaux destination luxury country house hotel, with an acclaimed AA three-rosette and Michelin Green Star fine dining restaurant.

He previously held a similar role at Llangoed Hall, a country house hotel established by the late Sir Bernard Ashley at Llyswen, near Brecon which he led to a series of notable hospitality industry awards. He was a tourism ambassador for the Prince of Wales, who is now King Charles III, during his previous 15 years working in Wales.

Calum, who has also managed award winning hotels in England and Scotland, has been recruited by entrepreneurs Anthony and Donna Cooper-Barney, new owners of Palé Hall.

The couple have exciting plans for the luxury hotel and its 50-acre estate, as well as supporting Bala and the local community.

Calum’s mission is to keep improving the five star standard to establish Palé Hall as a coveted destination in the beautiful heart of Wales by employing local people, enhancing skills and showcasing quality, Welsh artisan food and drink products and art and crafts.

Managing a workforce of 45, Calum has vacancies for a full-time events manager and six housekeeping and restaurant staff. He is willing to offer flexible hours for working mothers and keen to promote apprenticeship opportunities at the hotel to develop and enhance hospitality skills.

Stressing that the Palé Estate is committed to playing an active and supportive role in the local community, Calum revealed that the owners have a number of exciting investment plans in the pipeline.

Projects include developing a sculpture trail in the impressive gardens, which are being redesigned by noted New Zealand-born landscape designer Anthony Paul.

Exclusive chauffeur driven Rolls Royce guided tour packages will also be provided, reflecting the hotel owners’ passion for luxury cars.

Palé Hall is a member of Relais & Chateaux, Pride of Britain Hotels and Celebrated Experiences.

When he walked into the hotel last week, it was a déjà vu moment for Calum, as he had visited a couple of times 12 years ago to consider when he passed up the chance to buy the property for a previous employer.

He is delighted that Mr and Mrs Cooper-Barney have given him a chance to return to the grand property to become director, having been impressed by their enthusiasm for the new project.

It’s his first major hospitality post since becoming deaf, following illness, five years ago. With the dedicated help of his parents back in Scotland, Calum has learned to lipread and a telephone app instantly converts verbal conversation into text.

He feels that his return to Wales and Palé Estate were preordained. Wealthy Scottish railway engineer and entrepreneur Henry Robertson bought the estate in 1868 and took three years to build Palé Hall.

“There are so many coincidences about me being here that it was obviously meant to be,” said Calum. “Palé Hall was built by a Scotsman in the style of a Scottish baronial castle, and now another Scotsman is back running it.

“Palé Hall and the surrounding area are stunningly beautiful and the new owners share my passion and enthusiasm for the hospitality industry.

“I have been fortunate to live in Wales for 15 years and I know how special the country is in terms of the fantastic scenery and places to visit.

“Here at Palé Hall, we are just 90 minutes from Manchester Airport which makes it a very attractive destination for visitors from American and other countries. I plan to tour of the United States with Celebrated Experiences and will be working closely with Visit Wales to promote the hotel and this part of Wales.

“I shall also be entering the hotel for awards to showcase our green credentials. We already produce 65% of our own energy through hydro power and are introducing new measure to save water.

“The owners have some very exciting plans in the pipeline to support the local community and attract more visitors to Bala, so watch this space. We are determined to be good neighbours and to support the community in any way possible.”