19/12/2013 Look North (Yorkshire)

Adebowale show nod remorse. That is all from us. Now we join our news

teams where Welcome to Look North: On the

programme tonight: The developers of Bradford's long`awaited shopping

centre promise building work will finally start in January. There are

no bricks or steelworks and the cranes have not appeared but today's

announcement does mean that for the first time in five years, Bradford

can look forward to the prospect of this giant hole finally being

filled. We'll ask Westfield how confident they are there will be no

more hold`ups. Also tonight.: Warnings of blackouts and higher

electricity bills as one of Yorkshire's biggest power stations

warns it will be forced to shut after failing to secure Government

funding. Mr Harry Gration, for services to broadcasting. And what a

day for Harry as he receives the MBE from the Prince of Wales. Her happy

and wintry showers and this was the scene. A slight covering of snow.

Join me for the latest. `` there were very wintry showers. Welcome to

the programme. First this evening, is today a turning point for the

city of Bradford? Developers have guaranteed that work to build the

long`awaited Westfield shopping centre will start next month. It

will create thousands of jobs and should boost the local economy. So

how significant is it? Amy is here. Westfield say doors to the shopping

centre will open in the run`up to Christmas 2015. The development will

cost ?260 million. It will create around 4,000 jobs ` 1,500 in

construction and the rest in new retail jobs. The largest shops will

be Debenhams and Marks and Spencer plus 70 other shops, restaurants and

cafes. In a moment we'll hear from the developers, Westfield. Before

that, Spencer has the first of two reports on today's announcement. The

digging machine that could mark a turning point for a city. The

economic fortunes of Bradford and reputation have sunk because of this

whole. Today, another promise that it will soon be a thing of the past.

The funding is in place, the leasing has reached the charter point and

everything is all systems go. Bachelor point is 50% of the planned

floor space having retailers saying they will believe in but getting to

that point has been a cyber that will serve as a lesson in how not to

generate your city centre. In 2004, unloved but functioning shops and

offices were knocked down and that whole appeared. Welcomed as a sign

that something was happening, the giant chasm soon became a symbol of

the decline of Bradford. In 2007, preliminary work was carried out but

it stopped in 2009 when the economy nosedived. By 2010 a temporary

garden had created and then another three years of waiting to get to the

announcements today. Nine years and nine months from the initial start.

There are no bricks and mortar and the cranes have not appeared but the

announcement does mean that for the first time in five years, Bradford

can look forward to the prospect of this gigantic hole finally being

filled in. Westfield is an international brand was shopping

centres in some of the worlds glitziest cities. In Bradford it is

a laughing stock, where the word West has been subjected with the

word waste. We share the frustration. We are a company known

for getting on and doing things and nobody is more frustrated than

Westfield. A generation of people from Bradford who cannot shop in the

city. Even the Prime Minister has received that frustration. Today's

news was so significant, he released a statement, saying...

Some might say that is a little premature. Bradford does still have

a whole at its heart but the surgery is about to get underway. Let us

hear more on that. Duncan Bower is Westfield's director of development.

I asked him if he could give us a categorical assurance that work

would definitely start in January. It is early January, after the

Christmas break and people will be familiar with the construction

industry shutting down for those two weeks over Christmas and an early

January, the Bradford urban garden that people no and locally call the

bug, that gets taken back from the City Council. And we have been

preparing steelworks and we shall start to get steelworks on`site and

then roll on with that major operation that people associate with

a project of this size. Is a market? Trinity Shopping Centre opened in

Leeds and we have expansion of the White Rose Centre. York is down the

road. Is there any market for this? We firmly believe that there is and

we have always been committed to Bradford so we have signed Debenhams

and Marks Spencer for this scheme and we have major retailers. Next.

River Island have recently been announced. Sainsbury's. And a number

of other retailers so we are over 50% committed. We do not get

international investment if people don't think there is a market in

Bradford. You expect to open and Christmas 2015 but that is very

vague? You have wriggle room for that not to happen? We still have

construction work to do so as is normal, especially with the

relevance of this size, we give targets and we announce the actual

opening date and confirm that closer to the time. David Cameron says he

welcomes this news. How much political pressure has been put on

new? Have you had pressure from Downing Street? No, no political

pressure although what the government has done together with

the Bradford Council is they have put together a package of incentives

in terms of the growth and that has certainly helped. It has helped

attract investment into Bradford and, in our case, retailers where

they shall get holidays on rates for a period of time. We are pleased

that the government and the council put that together. Can you tell us

how much floor space has been taken up? Well, we have signed up

Debenhams and other retailers and we will over 50% at this stage. You

need to be 100 present? The way that we work in retail is you get a

certain number of lettings to give you the confidence to start but it

is the objective of Westfield to be fully let at the opening. The

stalled shopping centre in Bradford became one of the symbols of the

recession. But it's hoped today's announcement will help kick`start

the local economy. In Leeds, the Trinity Shopping Centre is predicted

to contribute ?80 million into the local economy in 2014. Danny

Carpenter has been trying to find out what impact Bradford's new

shopping centre could have there. This, for many years, has been the

view from the middle and hotel in Bradford. A depressing sight for the

general manager. Use of an impending start to the long`awaited

development has brought a welcome lift. He estimates ?10,000 every

week for his business alone. Effectively, most businesses within

the city centre, three retail, should benefit. For shoppers waiting

for the bus, a more cautious welcome. They should get on with it

and put Bradford back on the map. We can go shopping in Bradford instead

of going somewhere else. I am going to Leeds to buy my presence. There

is evidence to support optimism. Leeds Trinity opened in May and the

rest of the city centre has benefited. Football is up by 1.5%

and the busiest Christmas for four years. `` footfall. Nobody will

consider the possibility that the Westfield development will fail to

regenerate this town centre but there is a new challenge. The

night`time economy. Pubs and clubs and constructs that will make people

not only want to come to Bradford but stay. There will literally be

millions of people every year walking through the streets so what

better place to open a restaurant or a lifestyle business? I am sure this

will be a catalyst to the redevelopment of other businesses in

Bradford. It will be many years before it is for sure whether this

development is the start of a brighter future for Bradford. But it

is, at least, finally, a start. It certainly is a start. Good to see

those bulldozers. But there have been false ones in the past! Later

on Look North: Paying their respects. The family of the murdered

Sheffield man Simon Holdsworth visit the place where he died as police

try to find out who killed him and why. One of Yorkshire's biggest

power stations is warning it will have to shut down after it failed to

get government support to convert to renewable energy. Bosses at

Eggborough near Selby say the first reactor could stop supplying the

national grid from as early as September. Nearby, Drax Power

Station did qualify for Government support. But there are now fears for

the future of 800 jobs at Eggborough as well as warnings of future

blackouts. Here's our business correspondent, Danni Hewson. It was

told to clean up, like most coal`fired power stations. So

Eggborough began the process of converting to renewable fuel. It had

been due to start construction on the 6th of January, hopeful it would

secure government support. But it was today told it was not on the

list and shortly after it announced it would have two activate a phased

shop down with the first unit coming off`line in September. It is a

quarter of our generating capacity which will be no longer available

and consequently it will be less frost is applied to the National

Grid. Eggborough was not asking for the government to pay for the

conversion, they have private investment. But they have been

asking for was a guaranteed prize for the electricity that they could

produce and that has not been forthcoming. Without any certainty,

the project is not likeable for commercial banks and new equity

would be taking on too much risk. Better news of the road with Drax

getting news that it will convert to units. The Department of Energy and

Climate Change said there had been high interest of the budget was

limited. But there would be further funding rounds so Eggborough could

still benefit. Eggborough power station is too important to close

and it represents 4% of the UK generation capacity. With Ofgem

predicting that this time next year we could be at 2% spare capacity,

you don't have to be Einstein to work out that this is incredibly

important. For now, and certainty for both the 800 staff and the

consumer. `` uncertainty. Other news... A report has found the death

of a baby killed by his father could have been avoided if concerns for

his welfare had been picked up sooner. 29`year`old Michael Beaumont

from Hoyland was jailed for life yesterday for murdering his

11`month`old son Kadan. A serious case review noted numerous problems

with both the NHS and social workers. Warning signs such as

Kadan's weight loss were missed. Sheffield Forgemasters has been

ordered to pay almost a quarter of a million pounds in fines after the

death of a worker. Brian Wilkins died of carbon dioxide poisoning

after the cellar he was working in filled with the deadly gas in 2008.

The company has pleaded guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at

Work Act. An employment tribunal has decided that hundreds of

Yorkshire`based workers were unfairly sacked after the collapse

of the rail company Jarvis. 1,200 staff lost their jobs when the firm

went into administration more than three years ago. Many were based in

York, Doncaster and Leeds. There will be another hearing in March

next year in Leeds to decide the value of the unfair dismissal

claims. Plans for the first phase of building work on the old Terry's

chocolate factory site in York are being discussed by councillors. The

landmark building has been empty since the factory closed in 2005.

Developers Henry Boot and David Wilson Homes want to build hundreds

of homes and a business park. The first phase of the scheme includes

57 houses and two apartment buildings. City of York Council's

planning committee has been asked to approve the plans. Wensleydale

cheese has been awarded official protection by the European Union

following a long campaign. The status means no other cheese`maker

outside the designated area can produce a cheese and call it

Yorkshire Wensleydale. The product was first made by French monks who

settled in the region. It has emerged that a 36`year`old man from

Sheffield who was murdered on Monday night had been due to get married in

August next year. Simon Holdsworth from the Hackenthorpe area of

Sheffield had worked for the same company for 16 years and was an avid

Sheffield People in Shipley on the outskirts of Bradford have been

protesting over possible plans for at least one new supermarket in the

town. Bradford City Council are meeting today and tomorrow at

Shipley library to consider three planning applications. The

saccharine, the family of Simon Holdsworth went to the place it was

murdered in to lay flowers. He had been due to get married in August

next year. He had a three`year`old stepson who supported Sheffield

Wednesday. But he was murdered on 1's `` on Monday night making his

way home from work. Mr Holdsworth worked as it takes greyer for 16

years and his colleagues are understandably devastated by his

murder. They have issued a tribute to him, saying that he was a

dedicated family man, a conscientious and hard`working

employee and an extremely lovely man to know. He will be sadly missed by

everyone who knew him. What triggers were paid online. Mr Holdsworth was

a long time season ticket holder at Hillsborough and many fans left

messages. His future father`in`law also wrote... Our family has been

devastated by what happened on Monday night. All seminars doing was

coming home from work. He got off the bus and started to come across

this group feels. Evil has stepped in and taken his life. At a press

conference, police appealed for information. I would like to appeal

directly to members of the public to get in touch with us. Even if you

did not see anything, you might have heard raised voices or shouting or a

secular movement. Officers expect to release more information tomorrow.

Before 7pm: It's been a big day for Harry as he's honoured by Prince

Charles at Buckingham Palace. Mr Harry Gration, for services to

broadcasting. We have just given it away! Just in case you wondered! In

case you've been wondering where Harry is today, he's had a rather

pressing engagement. That's right ` he's been to Buckingham Palace to

collect an MBE. And he was in good company because he rubbed shoulders

with the singer Adele and a number of other Yorkshire men and women who

were collecting their honours. We'll hear more about Harry's big day in a

moment. First, Nicola Hudson reports on a special day for two other

Yorkshire people. A day to remember. Collecting his CBE from Prince

Charles, Geoff Lister was honoured for services to the training and

construction industry. It was a great occasion. Getting a reward

like this was something I'm very passionate about and I am very lucky

to do that. It was his work setting up apprenticeship task forces and

his 20`year connection with the College of building that led him to

be recognised. He has had a lifetime in the construction industry and if

you cut him in half, you would have construction and apprenticeships

running through him. It is completely justified and an honour

to have this CBE. Also receiving another was Bradford probation

officer. She was instrumental in helping build bridges between the

Asian community and the Probation Service. Very committed to her job

and she believes that people can change and she wants to impact on

the community to make it safer to live in. It was great to know that

you have been recognised for your work and the people you work with

recognising and it is unbelievable, really. I am really privileged. I am

in awe of the entire occasion, it is a wonderful day. And to be here on

the same day as Harry Gration! Congratulations to all of them. Now

to a man who has run marathons, commentated at over eight Olympic

Games, reported on Grandstand and Match of the Day ` not to mention

presenting Look North for much of the last 30 years. We are, of

course, talking about our very own Harry Gration, who also collected

his MBE today from Buckingham Palace. Cathy Killick joined him in

London to share a very special moment. What does an MBE and his

family have for breakfast before an appointment at Buckingham Palace?

Help the and yoghurt. In the Executive lounge of a swanky hotel.

Is he all set for his big day? I doubted! We have his wife, Helen.

Sons Harrison and Harvey and his daughter, Hannah. He is so excited.

It is a queer mix of excitement and nervousness. Some trepidation.

Hoping he does not fall over as he approaches. But incredible pride.

This is an award that someone gets... We know it is an award that

you can get at the Palace... And MBE, OBE, CBE and nitride. We know

that. `` knighthood. People talk about my socks. Look at these. If it

is the Queen, show me your ankles, Harry! She must have heard you were

coming because she left just for you arrived! She let Prince Charles do

the honours. Mr Harry Gration. For services to broadcasting. Somebody

said to me when I was in that queue, you are used to this? Why? ! This

will never happen to me again. I got very emotional waiting. The whole

thing is very well organised and when it is your turn and you are

going to be introduced, that was special. Today has been a crowning

moment in a career full of highlights. Harry has always been

happy to do would ever takes to inform or entertain. But he is

modest and surprised he has been made and MBE. But we are not.

Congratulations, Harry! We are very proud. We certainly are very proud.

And his family. Didn't his boys look smart! They read double act. Bright

future ahead. It's fair to say that it's been a bit of an emotional

roller`coaster for Harry today. Yes, the day has clearly meant an awful

lot to him. I caught up with him just as he left Buckingham Palace

and he told me what the occasion had meant for him. Well, it has been an

unbelievable location. I met Adele. And lots of other lovely people. I

just thought that I would be able to control myself when I was making my

way in but I must admit, I got a bit emotional and it has affected me. We

can see that woman. You walked up to Prince Charles and he presented you

with that MBE. What did he say? Was Paul Hudson still doing his

unnervingly accurate weather forecast? ! We talked about the

Olympic Games and my career. The highlights. Would I continue? I said

yes,. But he was very knowledgeable about everybody, every single

person. 120 people who chatted with him. That is special. Something I

will always remember. Here at Look North we have had many good wishes

from viewers who have been in touch to say congratulations. This is from

one viewer who says, well done, quite a journey from Rothwell

grammar school! You were my teacher! I thought she might have been an old

flame! It is an amazing journey and a very long way? Remember that very

well. I distinctly remember teaching their and my A`level history group

was 18 strong and there were 17 girls so I don't know if that says

something about the way that I taught but they were smashing. It

has been an amazing journey and I must say thank you sincerely to all

of my colleagues, especially you people... I am getting emotional

night! But you people in Leeds... Thank you... Congratulations. Enjoy

the rest of your day. We look forward to welcoming you back to

Look North. Thank you to everybody who has helped make this day one

that I will never forget. We should say a big thank you to Harry are

making the programme what it is. It is down to him that the programme is

so successful. What a great day! And for his very proud family. It is a

special moment. And a special moment for Look North. When it went out

this afternoon, there were some tears in the office. And thank you

for all of your comments on Facebook and Twitter. And also, who else got

a mention? Dickie Bird has got some

competition! What a fantastic day. This picture was sent in. Of the

sunshine. Wintry showers. I should the picture earlier. And this one is

a field fair and these birds come from Scandinavia. They come to the

mild UK. That was sent in from Tony. He is in Chesterfield. Sanders

pictures on. `` said those pictures in. Tomorrow does not look bad in

the morning but once when we have a vigorous Atlantic depression pushing

wind and rain in. Late afternoon and tomorrow night, south`westerly gales

and spells of heavy rain but before that, a lot of tomorrow will not be

too bad. We have had an area of rain and showers, sleet and snow and a

slight covering over the tops. One or two wintry showers from the West

but they will become increasingly isolated. The main issue tonight

will be widespread ice on and treated surfaces, especially over

the tops. One degree is the low. 34 Fahrenheit. The sun will rise in the

morning at 8:21am. The high water times... Apart from one or two

showers, there will be low cloud and it should be a generally right

morning with some sunshine but quickly through the afternoon that

cloud will increase with rain for the middle of the afternoon reaching

most parts. Quite a wet and windy end to the day across the Pennines.

The wind will reach gale force from the south`west tomorrow evening and

tomorrow night with top temperatures of seven degrees. As that wind picks

up, the wind will take the edge off those temperatures. Very wet and

windy Friday night. Saturday is better, bright and breezy with sunny

spells and scattered showers. Similar on Sunday with one or two

showers on the wintry side and on Monday, more heavy rain and gale

force wind. Very unsettled in the lead up to Christmas. Thank you very

much. It will be slowing in Lapland, where you are going. Have a lovely

one. Good night. Me and Alan don't always

play by the rules. I think perhaps we should

never mention it again. I'm getting wed again. I hope that's

all right. Ready when you are, kid.