Center Parcs, a gamechanger for the Borders

by LESTER CROSS

Today's announcement of a £400 million tourism investment by Center Parcs to create their first Scottish holiday resort represents the largest single financial injection of its kind for the Scottish Borders economy, bringing with it hundreds of jobs and millions of pounds in extra spending power.

The massive development is earmarked for a 1,000 acre site close to the A7 trunk road some three miles north of Hawick. The land is currently part of Buccleuch Estates, the region's largest landowner.

According to some campaigners, the delivery of the Center Parcs centre will strengthen the case for an extension of the Borders railway, at least as far as Hawick. But that could still be a long way off.

Statements issued today revealed that the proposals are at an early stage and Center Parcs intends to submit a planning application to Scottish Borders Council in 2025. 

During the construction phase of the project, the company estimates 750-800 regional jobs will be created, and management has pledged to use local contractors.

The site will include a range of indoor and outdoor activities, shops, bars, restaurants, an Aqua Sana Forest Spa and Center Parcs’ iconic indoor water park, the Subtropical Swimming Paradise.

Center Parcs also plans to undertake an extensive programme of tree planting as currently, to transform the site by expanding existing woods.

Representatives of the holiday firm outlined their plans in Hawick to a gathering of community leaders and business and political representatives. The project could transform the economy of the town which has struggled to attract jobs and investment in recent years.

Colin McKinlay, chief executive officer of Center Parcs, said: “This is a tremendously exciting project and offers the opportunity to transform leisure and tourism in the Scottish Borders. Center Parcs is an exceptionally popular destination for families in the UK and Ireland and there is robust demand to support a seventh village.

“Throughout our history, we have demonstrated that a Center Parcs village provides significant economic benefits locally, regionally and nationally."

He pointed out that many Scottish families already visited Center Parcs villages in England, and this village would offer the chance for people to enjoy holidays closer to home, which in turn would benefit the local economy."

He added: “We are at an early stage with these proposals and have a lengthy and thorough planning process ahead. We have already conducted a significant number of surveys to assess the site and we intend to continue with additional site surveys and design development, alongside a programme of pre-planning application consultation and community engagement.”

The estimated investment to build the new village will be between £350 million to £400m.

Benny Higgins, executive chairman of the Buccleuch Group, said: “This project promises to have an outstandingly positive impact on tourism and leisure in the Scottish Borders and we are delighted to have signed an option agreement that will enable Center Parcs to take the next steps towards fulfilling its ambitions.”

Council expected to borrow £170 million in next three years

by OUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT EDITOR

Scottish Borders Council took its borrowing total for 2024 to £76 million last month after arranging another £20 million short-term loan from the Treasury Debt Management Office with further sizeable cash advances likely to be needed over the coming financial years, according to Audit Scotland.

The money will be used to partly bankroll the local authority's £454 million of capital investment which is planned over the next ten years.

A report from John Boyd, the auditor appointed by the public spending watchdog to inspect SBC's books, notes: "The extensive capital plan is primarily focused on economic regeneration and the learning estate. £187 million is on the school estate including the new high schools for Galashiels, Peebles and Hawick estimated at £145 million, with the majority of this invested over the next three financial years. 

"Borders Innovation Park and Borderlands are the two main areas for economic regeneration. The main sources of funding over the ten years for this investment is £115 million of specific project funding, £107 million of general capital grants, and borrowing of £220 million. £173 million of borrowing is expected to be undertaken over the next three years to support, in particular, the school estate projects."

Details of the October loan of £20 million from the Public Works Loans Board [PWLB] show the council will pay 4.93% interest [approximately £986,000] over twelve months before the loan matures in October 2025.

It follows a series of similar transactions over the course of this year. As Mr Boyd points out in his annual audit report - his inspection cost the council £347,980 - at March 2024 short term borrowing increased from £3.5 million to £50.0 million. £40 million of new short term borrowing (1 year) was undertaken in year with PWLB.

"The capital financing need was not fully funded by external loan debt and instead by internal cash. The Council has applied this strategy on the basis that this is prudent and cost effective in an environment where investment returns are low and counterparty risk is high. The Treasury Management Strategy had estimated that £70 million might require to be borrowed in year to support capital investment, but with cash management, it was determined that only £40 million was required to be borrowed."

The report acknowledges  that SBC's total external debt, which includes the council’s long-term liabilities, is within the authorised limit and operational boundary set in the Treasury Management Strategy 2023/24. The current borrowing position complies with the Prudential Code, and the Council continues to consider the affordability of future borrowing.

In a commentary on the council's revenue spending [expenditure on services], the auditor states: "The Council has a good track record of operating within its annual budget. While facing financial challenges through inflationary pressures on pay and non-pay costs as well as demand on services, the Council continues to demonstrate sound financial management maintaining general fund reserves in line with the long term Revenue Financial Strategy."

Over the next five years of the revenue budget, revenue spend is planned at £1.89 billion, with savings required of £18.1 million (1%) over the same period. The Council has identified pressures totalling £63.1 million over the five years, which are dominated by pay pressures of £35.3 million, and non-pay and inflationary pressures of £14.9 million.

Although the revenue plan identified savings targets averaging just under £4 million per year, the report explains: "this does not reflect that temporary savings made in previous years will need to be made on a recurring basis. The savings target for 2024/25 has doubled to over £9 million, as a result of non-recurring savings being brought forward from the previous year. If this pattern continues over the medium-term this will make achieving a financially sustainable position more challenging." 

Mr Boyd adds: "One of the key measures of the financial health of a body is the level of reserves held. The level of usable reserves held by the Council increased from £62.2 million in 2022/23 to £72.4 million in 2023/24, a net increase of £10.2 million."

Total capital expenditure in 2023/24 was £90 million against a revised budget of £96.9 million. 

"Whilst there was an underspend on the planned budget, there is still a significant increase in capital investment from 2022/23 when £63.5 million was spent. The main ongoing projects are the Hawick Flood Protection Scheme and the building of new high schools in Galashiels and Peebles, and Earlston Primary School with £52.5 million invested in these projects."

Other areas of expenditure included roads and bridges, plant and vehicles and ICT transformation.

"The main challenges for delivery of capital projects in year has been the high levels of inflation along with supply chain issues relating to construction materials which have affected the public sector more widely. The impact of this has been price increases, material shortages and longer lead times for projects. The macroeconomic pressures of high inflation and significant increases in construction inflation has resulted in increased total expected spend for all the schools’ projects."  

 

Skills shortage challenge for local forestry industry

by LESTER CROSS 

The South of Scotland will need to recruit significant numbers of additional workers into the region's forestry industry if it is to continue producing a third of the country's timber into the future, according to a report  on the sector's prospects in the Borders and Dumfries & Galloway.

But efforts by Borders College to tackle forestry skills provision in recent years has had to be reined in due to a lack of applications for some courses. 

At the same time, it has been estimated more than £5 million of capital investment is needed to provide facilities and equipment for training in the region's key industries of forestry, construction and engineering. 

The report prepared for the Convention of South of Scotland [COSS] warns: "All options are being explored by skills providers – institutions are submitting proposals to the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal programme, and this may offer some options for providers to respond to the needs of these sectors. However, the reality of the situation is this – Regional Skills Planning processes have worked well to identify an evidenced based need arising in key South of Scotland sectors but responding to that need comes with significant financial challenges and, at the moment, there is a deficit in resources to overcome."

Official figures suggest that 900 people work within forestry and logging across the region. But industry body Confor estimate that between 3,000 and 5,000 jobs are associated with the wood supply chain in South of Scotland. 

As the report says: "Compared to some sectors, this is not a huge volume workforce, however it is a strategically important sector for the South of Scotland in terms of GVA and in the creation of well-paid jobs and spin off benefits to the associated supply chain. 

"And forestry activity in South of Scotland is strategically important for Scotland and beyond. It produces around a third of Scotland’s timber, which equates to nearly 20% of the UK production. Scotland cannot achieve its aims related to timber production and net zero without a sustainable forestry workforce in the South of Scotland."

COSS is told that forestry presents compelling evidence for future growth for various reasons: Afforestation is one element of the Governments approach to reaching net zero. The Scottish government target is to increase new woodland planting by 18,000 hectares per annum by 2025, as part of net zero plans.

The document sounds a cautionary note by stating: " The tensions between Sikta based afforestation and ambitions around biodiversity and planting of native hardwoods were discussed at the Convention of South of Scotland in February 2024. How these tensions are resolved moving forward will have an impact on the demand for skills somewhat, however it is felt that there is sufficient certainty around this issue; that it shouldn’t hold back plans for skills interventions."

 The issues facing recruitment are outlined by the report's authors. "The forestry industry has reported challenges with recruitment and retention for some time. Workforce and skills shortages are at all levels for the forestry sector – from entry level to higher level business, integrated land management and environmental management skills. There is also a significant lack of diversity within the workforce as traditionally it has struggled to attract women. The issues are compounded by an ageing workforce that needs replaced."

The expanding tourism industry in both local authority areas is also set to fuel demands for more staff.

According to the skills report the visitor economy is estimated to employ 13,000 people in South of Scotland and the South of Scotland. The local enterprise teams have set an ambition to take this employment above 20,000 within ten years. 

"Even if growth in the sector is not achieved, there remains the prospect of strong demand for labour to support the sector. Replacement demand (replacing workers leaving the sector) is forecast to be very high. It is forecast that 3100 workers will be required to satisfy demand in the sector to 2033 but over 90% of this estimated demand is replacement demand." 

Inadequate transport links hampering South's wellbeing

by EWAN LAMB

A strategy aimed at reducing "transport poverty" across the South of Scotland where roads are deteriorating, bus services are inadequate to meet rural needs and the electric vehicle (EV) charging network requires major investment has been recommended to civic leaders and national policy makers.

The transport issues and shortcomings which are said to be hampering economic growth and social wellbeing in the Scottish Borders and  Dumfries & Galloway were outlined in a major report considered by members of the Convention of the South of Scotland [COSS] this week.

According to the document: "This report seeks to make the case for establishing a collaborative, effective and productive partnership between Team South of Scotland, Transport Scotland and Scottish Government. This partnership would take joint, intentional, meaningful action that makes positive impact and progress in maximising the economic opportunities that contribute to addressing the distinct mobility challenges that rural economies face through policy, action and resource, making a reality the vision set out in the National Transport Strategy."

The region's demographics increase the challenges in providing adequate transport systems for local communities. Sparse population levels - less than half the national average - and a 20% decrease in spending on roads and transport since 2011 are among the factors compounding the situation.

As the report points out, spending cuts have led to 12% of the road network in Dumfries & Galloway being classed 'red' for condition and 35% amber, amongst the highest rates in Scotland.

The respective bus routes require 80% public subsidy in Borders and 55% in south-west Scotland. So far as so-called transport poverty is concerned, households in the south spend 18% of their income on transport compared to 9% in Edinburgh.

The report for COSS claims: "The proposed approach would address the specific challenges of the South of Scotland’s rural context, which is neither ‘island’ nor ‘urban’ and has historically found it more difficult to secure traction in national policy and practice."

The report invites the Convention to: reflect on the importance of transport to the success of the region, the challenges being faced, and the actions already being taken; and commit to engaging and supporting further work to develop solutions to the challenges, to identify tangible actions that can be taken to unlock the vision for transport in the region for discussion at its Spring 2025 meeting.

"Further investment in mobility infrastructure could enhance regional competitiveness, financial stability, and attract investment while reducing transport poverty. The South of Scotland’s low population density and rural expanse require a strong transport network to connect residents with essential services, employment, education, and social activities. 

"The region’s dispersed population makes public transport less efficient. Limited bus services and a lack of active travel infrastructure contribute to high transport poverty, reliance on private cars, and increased transport costs, particularly in rural areas. Making decisive progress in addressing these challenges provides the chance to address inequality and widen opportunities for people whatever their circumstances. A well-functioning transport system would support greater economic growth by facilitating business expansion and market access, which is crucial for building regional performance and resilience."

COSS is told that weak transport links and declining public transport services limit job access and investment opportunities. The region’s reliance on private cars and the limited viability of bus services exacerbates these challenges. Improving transport infrastructure is central to transformative regional changes, including projects under the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal and other funding initiatives. 

In a section covering EV charging, the report explains that both Local Authorities are proactively engaging in collaboration to deliver economies of scale for procurement and operation of a future expanded EV public charging network.

"However, we are conscious that the indicative funding allocation from Transport Scotland (EV Investment Fund) is less than 50% of the funding identified in the Scottish Futures Trust operational model. Through collaboration we are trying to maximise economies of scale for a future Charge Place Operator to deliver new public charging infrastructure as equitably as possible across our regional partnership, there is still a risk that our most remote communities will not be catered for without further public sector investment." 

And, it is suggested, there should be an increased role for the two ports which lie at each end of the sprawling region.

"Ports are a fundamental part of the transport system, and a crucial gateway to green growth for the South. Our key port assets at Eyemouth in the East and Cairnryan in the West enable the region to seize major economic opportunities such as offshore renewables investment, growth in transport of people and goods to the EU, import/export of green fuels as well as supporting fishing and tourism industries. There is considerable untapped potential which would contribute to Scotland’s future." 

Role of Ancrum's medieval bridge needs further study

by LESTER CROSS

When experts 'confirmed' that carbon dating of oak timbers recovered from the bed of the River Teviot showed the wood had been used in the construction of a bridge in around 1350, Historic Environment Scotland rightly hailed the discovery as being of great national importance.

After all, the bridge, close to the Borders village of Ancrum, appeared to date from the war-torn reigns of David II of Scotland and Edward III of England, and carried the so-called King's Way or Via Regia on its route from Edinburgh to Jedburgh.

But now, only four years after the carbon dating test results were produced by the Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre in East Kilbride with a 1340-1360 construction date, a group of archaeological scientists using a newly developed and much more precise dating method have shown the Ancrum bridge oaks were, in fact, not felled until the winter of 1428/29.

Historians will now need to reassess the role played by the bridge in Scotland's past as it has now been proven the structure was put up in the less turbulent reigns of James I and Henry VI.

The findings from the follow-up research project, carried out by Darren Davies, Danny McCarroll and Neil Loader, from the Department of Geography at Swansea University has been published in great detail by the Journal of Archaeological Science.

The learned paper, produced along with Coralie Mills, explains that the discovery of bridge remains in the River Teviot in 2018 had been described as “one of the most exciting and significant archaeological discoveries in Scotland in recent years” (Historic Environment Scotland, 2020). The site is believed to have been an important, and at times possibly the only crossing point of the Teviot during the medieval period. As such,  the bridge would have assumed strategic, ecclesiastical and political importance.

Subsequent investigation and detailed surveys of the site by Ancrum & District Heritage Society and Wessex Archaeology identified that the bridge was constructed using “branders”; a process whereby a wooden frame is positioned in the river with stone or rubble placed upon it. This was the first record of this construction method being applied in Scotland. 

"The presence of timber preserved in situ provided an opportunity for dating the structure. During 2019 and 2020, seven oak timber samples were collected for dendrochronological dating", says the report.

According to the team: "The well-constrained felling date range indicated by the radiocarbon dating placed the construction of the bridge during the reign of David II and the Second War of Scottish Independence (AD 1332–1357), a period of significant political turmoil in the region and around the time of the arrival of the Black Death in AD 1350. 

"In such turbulent times, even with a tightly modelled age range, the radiocarbon dating results were puzzling and open to a wide range of interpretations regarding who built the bridge and why. A more precise date would enable more targeted historical research."

At the same time as the initial investigations at Ancrum Bridge, a new precision dating technique was being developed called stable isotope dendrochronology. The paper contains a full technical description of how the system works.

"Stable isotope dendrochronology has conclusively shown that timbers with intact bark edge used to construct the sub-structure of the medieval bridge at Ancrum were felled during winter of AD 1428/29. Given that wood was generally worked “in the green” (unseasoned) it is highly likely that the bridge would have been constructed within 12–18 months after felling.

"Significantly, this result shows that the bridge is approximately 80 years younger than the date indicated by radiocarbon dating. The initial objective of this study was to apply stable isotope dendrochronology to refine the wiggle match [radiocarbon dating] date range and provide a felling date that could allow historians to undertake targeted research on the social and political context surrounding construction of the bridge. Somewhat unexpectedly, the stable isotope dendrochronology returned a date well outside the most likely modelled radiocarbon date range".

 The Swansea scientists stress that neither the radiocarbon results nor the wiggle matching are errant or necessarily in conflict with the stable isotope dendrochronological dating. 

"The wiggle-match determined range 1340–1360 reports only that there is a 95.4 % chance that the date would lie within this range. In other words, there is an approximately one in 20 chance that the true date lies outside of 1340–1360.

"In this case the date for the sample falls outside of the modelled most probable range. In this specific case, using the ‘standard’ probability range resulted in a misinterpretation of the age of the timber samples and therefore the social and political context in which the bridge was built. 

"Given the strong isotopic dendrochronological evidence we now know that rather than being constructed during a period of instability and conflict during the reign of David II, the timbers used to construct the bridge at Ancrum were felled during a less turbulent period of King James I’s reign. From this new insight it is now possible to redirect archaeological and archival research to focus on this later period and in doing so develop a better understanding of the role that the bridge played in the social and cultural history of the region."

In conclusion, the study team explain that while their findings will necessitate a revision to the current interpretation of Ancrum Bridge, and an update to the details of its Scheduled Monument designation, "this site remains a discovery of national importance and a rare example of medieval bridge construction methods in Scotland."

  

Inflation busting council tax rise on the cards?

by OUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT EDITOR

The prospect of a 10 per cent increase in council tax bills for Scottish Borders householders next year has been flagged up by the local council's head of finance, a move which would yield an extra £7 million for front-line services.

Suzy Douglas, director of finance at Scottish Borders Council warns in a budget planning report for 2025/26 that the authority faces a £50 million funding gap over the next ten years, according to the latest forecasts.

The director points out that the Borders currently has a Band D charge for Council Tax of £1,356 per annum. This represents the seventh lowest Council Tax charge in Scotland and the fifth lowest on the mainland.

"This relatively low level of Council Tax reduces the Council’s spending power compared to other Scottish Local Authorities with higher Council Tax rates. For comparative purposes, a neighbouring authority’s current Council Tax charge is 12% higher than that in Scottish Borders. 

"If our Council tax had been set at this rate during 2024/25 it would have equated to additional income of £8.4 million to spend on local services. The indicative budget approved in February 2024 assumed that from 2025/26 the Council will increase Council Tax by 10%. This increase will allow the Council to protect important front line services which otherwise may be impacted by service reductions in order to balance the budget. Each one per cent increase in Council Tax provides circa £700,000 to the Council to support delivery of Council services."

A 10 per cent uplift in council tax would be equivalent to 5.8 times the current rate of inflation which stands at 1.7%. 

Ms Douglas's report updates the financial challenge facing the Council and sets out an approach to balancing the budget. 

She says the longer term corporate approach which has been adopted over the past decade has delivered significant cost reductions and increased income of over £84 million. These significant reductions have ensured the Council has balanced its budget and delivered a small underspend in each of the last ten years. 

But the report warns: "The forthcoming budget round will be very challenging for the Council given significant cost pressures including pay, inflation and ongoing service demand pressures. Consequently, continuing the robust corporate approach to the budget focussed on transforming Council services, investment in new technology to reduce costs, greater operational efficiency, new ways of working and the prioritisation of core Council services will be essential.  All opportunities for increased income must also be progressed including Council Tax increases."

Ms Douglas adds that the Council has an ambitious Capital Plan in place, currently delivering key infrastructure projects to improve community facilities including roads and bridges maintenance, completion of the £90 million Hawick Flood Protection Scheme, two new primary schools, three new Secondary schools and two new care villages. 

"These projects are all funded within the current financial plan, following completion of these new builds the Council will refocus the Capital Plan from years 5-10 on prioritising refurbishment works and energy efficiency works to support the Council’s response to the climate emergency."

Councillors are told the forthcoming budget round will be very challenging for the Council given significant cost pressures including pay, inflation and ongoing service demand pressures.

As Ms Douglas explains, the indicative budget for 2025/26, published in February 2024, made assumptions including an assumed level of Scottish Government grant, increases in Council Tax levels, inflationary increases and savings required to balance the budget. As such the budget for 2025/26 at that point was balanced, however as the financial and economic landscape has changed since February 2024 a number of these assumptions will require to be updated. This will increase the challenge facing the Council. 

The director's report continues: "The finance circular detailing individual funding allocations for Councils in 2025/26 is planned for issue on 12 December 2024 following the Scottish Government’s budget announcement on 4 December. 

"The Council is currently assuming a flat cash revenue settlement for 2025/26; this means inflationary increases experienced by the Council are not funded within the grant. A reduction of one per cent in revenue support grant would equate to reduced funding of around £2.3m. 

"The Capital grant provides a lower percentage funding of the capital plan with the remaining capital investment mainly funded from external grant and Council borrowing. The Capital grant for 2025/26 is forecast to remain flat which again means inflationary increases are not funded and means there is limited capital flexibility. Any reduction in grant would impact on capital investment in the Borders."

Avocet "mismanagement and neglect" saw patents disappear

by OUR BUSINESS STAFF

The failure of company bosses to pay renewal fees on a dozen patents resulted in almost 40% of Avocet IP Ltd's intellectual property being lost while three of the seven brands acquired by Avocet's predecessor AFS Ventures suffered a similar fate.

Official UK records also show twelve other applications associated with Avocet IP were terminated before grant, seven were abandoned and one was withdrawn.

The potentially grievous losses of patents linked to fuel additives and livestock feed production were first revealed to investors in 2021 by way of written correspondence purporting to emanate from Tim Carter, of PCH Holdings. Later it was claimed Carter did not exist and was a figment of the imagination of Martin Frost, ex-chairman of the insolvent Avocet Group.

'Carter' claimed in his circulated missive that 90 per cent of the patents linked to the companies had been "lost" since 2019, "reducing the value of intellectual property from a possible figure of £400 million to just £69 million."

As we reported at the time, extracts of emails sent to Mr Frost by fellow Avocet director and Genfro Ltd life president Dr Bob Jennings warned: "Dear Martin, This is not good news. We have filed some 120 cases in various countries and the majority have lapsed.

"Some others are still live pending further checks, but will need completion fees to be paid by June 30th. All of the rest have lapsed, with little chance of reinstating. The June date is absolute and must be paid if we are to recoup some value."

According to 'Carter' PCH had arranged for a formal valuation of the remaining intellectual property list to ascertain the strength of  Jennings' guesstimate of £69 million. 

Shareholders were assured that PCH would pay the overdue fees on the relevant patents and this intellectual property would be transferred into the ownership of Genfro Limited. However, that did not happen as Genfro never owned any patents throughout that firm's existence.

A few weeks later, 'Carter' - in yet another message to Frost which was shared with investors - declared: "Dear Martin, It was good to clear the air with our frank though heated discussion. For the avoidance of doubt, PCH is not happy. 

"PCH is not pleased with your ‘soft’ administration. PCH is appalled by Dr. Bob Jennings' business acumen which cost ANC Plc shareholders $60 million US dollars in June. PCH had spent months and much influence to secure a deal of the century, to see it go down the tubes in a matter of hours is unbelievable. PCH sees neither you nor Bob as irreplaceable. PCH has practical alternatives for both of you.”

An investor who lost a significant sum as a result of Avocet's failures said: "This was a classic case of mismanagement and neglect by management. The financial losses associated with their errors was never set out in detail...just some bland figures from the imaginary Carter.

"All of this should have been a subject for consideration at an annual meeting several years ago when investors would have had the chance to get rid of those in charge".

These are the UK patents/patent applications linked to Avocet IP Ltd., a subsidiary of liquidated Omega Infinite PLC:

AVOCET IP Ltd. [company dissolved via compulsory strike-off 21/5/2024]

1 – Conversion of carbon dioxide to hydrocarbons via hydrogenation. Filed 24/11/2012. Assigned to Avocet IP November 2018. Status: EXPIRED – FEE RELATED. Lapsed for failure to pay maintenance fee 28/8/2023.

2 – Process for the conversion of carbon dioxide to methanol. Filed 24/11/2012. Assigned to Avocet IP November 2018. Status: EXPIRED – FEE RELATED. Patent expired for non-payment of maintenance fee 21/10/2019.

3 – Integrated system and method for producing methanol product. Filed by Avocet IP 15/12/2016. STATUS: ABANDONED 28/5/2020.

4 – Agricultural system and method (hydroponics arrangement). Filed Avocet IP  4/12/2017. Status: ABANDONED 20/4/2020.

5 – Apparatus and method for continuous production of polyethylene glycol dinitrate. Filed Avocet IP 15/2/2016. EXPIRED – FEE RELATED - failure to pay renewal fee 7/11/2022.

6 – Enhanced fuel and method of producing enhanced fuel for operating internal combustion engine. Filed 16/8/2015. Assigned to Avocet IP 27/11/2018. Status: ABANDONED 27/3/2019 – failure to respond to an office action.

7 – Combustion system method. Filed Avocet IP 3/7/2015. Status: ABANDONED 3/2/2020 – failure to respond to an office action.

8 – Hydroponics apparatus and method. Filed Avocet IP 12/2/2016. Status: EXPIRED – FEE RELATED. Non-payment of renewal fee 24/8/2022.

9 – Combustion system and method. Filed Avocet IP 3/7/2014. Status: EXPIRED – FEE RELATED. Non-payment of renewal fee 25/3/2020.

10 – Livestock feed production apparatus and method. Filed Avocet IP 2/12/2016. Status: EXPIRED – FEE RELATED. Non-payment of renewal fee 24/8/2022.

11 – Method of growing seeds. Filed Avocet IP 2/12/2016. Status: EXPIRED – FEE RELATED. Non-payment of renewal fee 24/8/2022.

12 – Method and system of livestock feed production. Filed Avocet IP 8/12/2016. Status: EXPIRED – FEE RELATED. Non-payment of renewal fee 24/8/2022.

13 – Enhanced fuels, methods of producing enhanced fuels and additives for mitigating corrosion. Filed Avocet IP 15/2/2016. Status: ABANDONED 13/5/2019 – failure to respond to an office action.

14 – Fuel system and method. Filed Avocet IP 17/8/2014. Status: EXPIRED – FEE RELATED. Non-payment of renewal fee 29/4/2020.

15 – Combustion engine and method. Filed Avocet IP 17/8/2014. Status: EXPIRED – FEE RELATED. Non-payment of renewal fee 26/2/2020.

16 – Apparatus and method for producing methanol. Filed Avocet IP 27/11/2017. Status: WITHDRAWN 18/11/2020.

17 – Apparatus and method for producing methanol. Filed Avocet IP 27/11/2017 Status: ABANDONED. Incomplete application. Discontinuation 4/4/2022.

18 – Apparatus and method for continuous production of polyethylene glycol dinitrate. Filed Avocet IP 1/2/2019. Status: ABANDONED – failure to respond to an office action. Discontinuation 2/12/2019.

19 – Method of enhancing omega-3 oil content in livestock. Filed Avocet IP 2/12/2016. Status: EXPIRED – FEE RELATED. Non-payment of renewal fee 24/8/2022.

20 – Livestock feed production system and method. Filed Avocet IP 8/12/2016. Status: EXPIRED – FEE RELATED. Non-payment of renewal fee 24/8/2022.

21 – System and method for producing nitrate esters. Filed Avocet IP 12/12/2019. Status: CEASED. Application terminated before publication 7/7/2021.

22 – Apparatus and method for producing plant growth material using hydroponics apparatus. Filed Avocet IP 19/12/2019. Status: CEASED. Application terminated before publication 14/7/2021.

23 – Apparatus and method for producing plant growth material using hydroponics apparatus. Filed Avocet IP 13/7/2018. Status: CEASED. Application terminated before publication 8/1/2020.

24 – Fuel for internal combustion engines and additive for fuel thereof. Filed Avocet IP 29/4/2019. Status: CEASED. Application terminated before publication 28/10/2020.

25 – System and method for producing glycol dinitrate. Filed Avocet IP 12/7/2019. Status: CEASED. Application terminated before publication 10/2/2021.

26 – Apparatus and method for producing polyethylene glycol. Filed Avocet IP 12/7/2019. Status: CEASED. Application terminated before publication 10/2/2021.

27 – Method and apparatus for production of livestock feed. Filed Avocet IP 12/3/2019. Status: CEASED. Application terminated before publication 7/10/2020.

28 – Fuel for internal combustion engines and additive for fuel thereof. Filed Avocet IP 16/1/2018. Status: CEASED. Application terminated before publication 22/5/2019.

29 – Method and apparatus for production of livestock feed. Filed Avocet Infinite 4/12/2017. Status: CEASED. Application terminated before publication 3/4/2019.

30 – System and method for producing nitrate esters. Filed Avocet Infinite 3/7/2018. Status: CEASED. Application terminated before publication 1/1/2020.

31 – System and method for producing glycol dinitrate. Filed Avocet Infinite 3.5.2018. Status: CEASED. Application terminated before publication 7/8/2019.

32 – Apparatus and method for producing polyethylene glycol. Filed Avocet Infinite 3/5/2018. Status: CEASED. Application terminated before publication 7/8/2019.

AFS VENTURES LTD

On August 19th, 2024  ‘Rebecca’ - like 'Carter', something of a mystery - wrote in an email to a select group of investors: “In 2014 AFS Ventures was valued by KPMG at £50 million. In 2015 AFS Ventures morphed into Avocet Infinite PLC. In 2019 Avocet Infinite was valued by the market at £230+million."

But reports prepared by AFS Ventures liquidator Eric Walls include an entry of £680,000 for an ‘Intellectual Property Settlement’. Frost, while a director of AFS Ventures valued the company’s IP at £4 million in a signed Statement of Affairs.

AFS VENTURES PATENTS

1 – Combustion engine and method. Filed AFS 17/8/2014. Change of ownership to Avocet Fuel Solutions Inc. (US) 1/4/2015. Status: EXPIRED – FEE RELATED. Non-payment of renewal fee 26/2/2020.

2 – Fuel systems and method. Filed AFS 3/7/2014. Change of ownership to Avocet Fuel Solutions Inc 1/4/2015. Status: EXPIRED – FEE RELATED. Non-payment of renewal fee 29/4/2020.

3 – Combustion system and method. Filed AFS 3/7/2014. Change of ownership to Avocet Fuel Solutions Inc 1/4/2015. Status: EXPIRED – FEE RELATED. Non-payment of renewal fee 25/3/2020.

4 – Enhanced fuel methods for producing advanced fuels and additives for advanced fuels. Filed AFS 3/7/2014. Change of ownership to Avocet Fuel Solutions Inc 1/4/2015. Status: WITHDRAWN 1/5/2019.

5 – Enhanced fuels, methods of producing enhanced fuels and additives for enhanced fuels. Filed AFS 3/7/2014. Change of ownership to Avocet Fuel Solutions Inc 1/4/2015. Status: CEASED. Application terminated before publication 11/11/2015.

6 – Compound, method of manufacturing compound, enhanced fuels, methods of producing enhanced fuels and additives for advanced fuels. Filed AFS 3/7/2014. Change of ownership to Avocet Fuel Solutions Inc 1/4/2015. Status: CEASED. Application terminated before publication 11/11/2015.

7 – Method and apparatus for producing methanol. Filed AFS 14/4/2014. Change of ownership to Avocet Fuel Solutions Inc 1/4/2015. Status: CEASED. Application terminated before publication 26/8/2015.