In brief: Bakery chain in jobs boost; York site up for eco-award
A DESIGN for a pioneering office complex for fledgling businesses in York is in line for a top industry environmental award.
The Eco Business Centre, in Clifton Moor, designed by DSP Architects, of York, has been shortlisted for the Green Awards run by top UK property magazine Estates Gazette.
The 24,000sq ft, two-storey Eco Business Centre, pictured, described in the shortlist as “inspirational”, has been leased to City of York Council and sublet to Business Advice Centre Ltd with more new tenants moving in daily.
The building in Amy Johnson Way was created with developer The Helmsley Group, York, for Ilchester Estates and built by Lotus Construction, Otley. On-line voting for the shortlisted schemes closes on November 10 with the judges, chaired by former Tory environment secretary, John Gummer, announcing the winner on November 22.
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A YORKSHIRE joinery firm has completed one of its most prestigious commissions to date with the creation of a new chapel for St Paul’s Cathedral in London.
Houghtons of York, based in Dunnington, has spent eight months on the project which involved carving and sculpting a dedicated chapel area within the south east corner of the crypt.
The new chapel forms part of a long-term programme of repair, conservation and adaptation work in anticipation of the St Paul’s tercentenary in 2010.
Houghtons of York employs 21 and offers a full manufacture and installation service for joinery and carving work including ecclesiastical woodwork, hardwood panelling, shopfitting, reproduction furniture and internal refurbishments.
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BAKERY chain Greggs has revealed it is on course to create up to 200 jobs in Yorkshire this year, as it aims to win customers from rivals selling more expensive sandwiches and pasties.
Phil Wright, the general manager of Greggs of Yorkshire, said the company was set to achieve its target of opening 13 extra shops in Yorkshire during 2008.
The expansion has been achieved despite Newcastle-based Greggs’ recent announcement that it was cutting £3m from its full year profit forecasts. The company said bad weather had affected sales, and it was also facing rising costs.
Analysts had been expecting a pre-tax profits figure of around £48m for the year to the end of December.
Earlier this month, Greggs said its desire to maintain the brand’s value-for-money market position meant it had absorbed some of the recent impact on margins.
However, it added that prices for many ingredients were now stabilising, with reductions in some areas including vegetable oils and vehicle fuel.
