Member News Subjects

Vanilla joins new retailers at White Rose

Women’s fashion brand Vanilla has today opened its doors at White Rose Shopping Centre, the latest addition to the centre’s impressive mix of brands. Offering both its Pink Vanilla and Blue Vanilla collections with a wide range of options for shoppers of all ages, including clothing, footwear, and accessories, the new store can be found…

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Chadwick Lawrence marks fifth year sponsoring local charity tag rugby event at Headingley Stadium

Yorkshire law firm Chadwick Lawrence has sponsored its fifth annual tag rugby event for charity Aspire Community Benefit Society at Headingley Stadium in partnership with Leeds Rhinos Foundation. The firm has a longstanding relationship with Aspire, a charity which provides high-quality care and support services for people with learning disabilities in Leeds. The event, which…

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Diverse Minds, Stronger Businesses: The Autimatic Story

In the heart of a Halifax village, a quietly revolutionary organisation is reshaping what workplace inclusivity means, opening doors to employment for autistic adults across the UK. Their mission is clear: to reduce the staggering 70% unemployment rate among autistic people, while helping organisations access exceptional talent in key growth areas such as artificial intelligence,…

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Runaway trains, bumper cars, and free family activities: Family Festival of Fun arrives at White Rose

White Rose Shopping Centre is kicking off a calendar of fun this month with the return of its Kids’ Carnival from 25th July, as well as free family craft and play sessions throughout the summer holidays. Open from 11am – 9pm daily from 25th July to 7th September, the Kids’ Carnival invites guests to enjoy…

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Bradford manufacturer acquires waterproofing specialist

Concrete admixture manufacturer Oscrete has acquired structural waterproofing specialists, PUDLO, in a strategic move to diversify and strengthen the business. Bradford-based Oscrete, a leading UK supplier of specialist construction chemicals since 1983, manufactures and supplies a wide range of concrete admixtures for precast and ready-mix concrete, as well as the ready-to-use mortar industries. Peterborough-based PUDLO,…

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Community leader Dennis Robbins recognised with honorary doctorate from Leeds Beckett University

Dennis Robbins received his award for his outstanding service to the city. The award celebrates Dennis’ exceptional and inspiring leadership of The Hunslet Club, one of the UK’s largest and longest-standing youth organisations, along with his lifelong commitment to helping young people reach their potential. Dennis first joined The Hunslet Club as a member in…

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Tom Riordan CBE receives honorary doctorate from Leeds Beckett University

Tom Riordan CBE is being recognised for his service to the city. In his career to date, Tom has spent almost 30 years working in senior public sector roles in Leeds – first at Yorkshire Forward and then as chief executive of Leeds City Council for 14 years to 2024. His most recent role as…

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Expect Distribution joins West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce

Expect Distribution is proud to announce our recent membership with the West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, reinforcing our ongoing commitment to regional business growth and economic collaboration across Yorkshire. As a recognised leader in logistics and supply chain solutions, becoming part of this influential network marks an exciting new chapter for our organisation….

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AAB invests in talent as three rise to partner level

Leading professional services firm, AAB, has made a significant investment in its talent development strategy with the promotion of three employees to partner level and a further 134 promotions across the team of 1,000 people. This move reflects the company’s commitment to recognising and elevating talent from within, fostering a culture of growth and excellence….

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Ideal Extraction Ltd wins prestigious SME Business of the Year Award

Ideal Extraction Ltd, an innovative engineering company based in Ilkley, has proudly secured the coveted SME Business of the Year Award at the Bradford Means BUSINESSiQ Awards. The Gala Awards Ceremony, held on 11 July at the Cedar Court Hotel in Bradford, celebrated the vibrant business community driving success across the district. Organised by the…

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Accu strengthens commitment to STEM with team success in robotics competition

Accu, the precision engineering component distributor, based in Huddersfield, is celebrating the success of two of the student teams it sponsors at the FIRST Tech Challenge UK national championships held recently, as part of its commitment to STEM (Science Technology Engineering & Mathematics). Accu’s sponsored team ‘Powercut Robotics’ from Langley Park School in Bromley won…

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Leeds School Uniform Exchange launches first-ever pop-up shop at the Merrion Centre

The Merrion Centre in Leeds will host the first-ever city centre pop-up shop for the Leeds School Uniform Exchange (a campaign run by Wear and Share Leeds) this August – providing free, good-quality school uniforms to families across the city during one of the most financially challenging times of the year. The initiative, which promotes…

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TPE customers set to be kept on the move during major TRU work thanks to upgraded Huddersfield diversionary route

TransPennine Express (TPE) will increase the number of services on a key diversionary route between Manchester and Leeds to three trains per hour from last weekend, keeping passengers moving while the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) continues to transform the railway. The uplift in services on the Calder Valley route, between Manchester Victoria and Mirfield via…

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Vacant offices at Vicarage Chambers, Leeds

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Wyedean leads “timeless” fairtrade project with Haworth school

Exploring Fairtrade on the doorstep was the theme behind a unique collaboration between a Haworth manufacturer and its local primary school. Wyedean Weaving, which celebrated its 60th anniversary last year, has opened its doors to Haworth Primary School pupils to help support their understanding of Fairtrade and global trade. Haworth – the first village to…

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Fourth consecutive Microsoft MVP Award for Principal Consultant Jamie Taylor

RJJ Software is delighted to announce that Jamie Taylor, Principal Consultant and founder, has been awarded Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) status for Developer Technologies for the fourth consecutive year. This prestigious recognition, held by fewer than 3,000 individuals worldwide, acknowledges Jamie’s exceptional contributions to the global development community and his continued commitment to advancing…

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Bettys pop-up shop to return to Castle Howard this Christmas

The Bettys pop-up gift shop will return to Castle Howard for the second year running. Synonymous with Yorkshire and celebrated internationally, Bettys is known for mouthwatering confectionary, chocolates, teas and coffees and had never-before created a pop-up shop until their Castle Howard offering last year, which coincided with the stately home’s Christmas events. The shop…

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Celebrations in Bradford as £5m affordable homes development reaches completion

Special guests including Manningham Housing Association (MHA) residents, project partners, board members and staff joined together at Eccleshill in Bradford for the official opening of the BME organisation’s stunning new £5 million affordable homes scheme. The ribbon was cut by MHA Chair Rupert Pometsey, supported by Councillor Ian Paterson, who represents the Eccleshill ward in…

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Why human-led telemarketing still matters in a digital-first world

In the age of AI-generated content, algorithmic outreach, and automated customer journeys, it’s tempting to see the humble phone call as a relic. But what if the very thing modern marketers are contemplating leaving behind is the one thing that helps them stand out and succeed? While digital tools, from PPC ads to automation and email…

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Yorkshire Garden Centre Group raises over £11,000 from till donations in two months

A Bradford garden centre group has raised over £11,000 for its charity of the year through a till donation initiative. Yorkshire Garden Centres group has partnered with fintech charity Pennies to raise funds for Martin House Children’s Hospice and has raised £11,313 since it was rolled out to all seven sites in May. Pennies acts…

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Bradford wins ‘College of the Year’ at Edufuturists Awards

Bradford College has won a prestigious award recognising its groundbreaking use of digital technology to enhance student learning. The annual Edufuturists Awards are dedicated to those at the forefront of teaching and learning. At a special award ceremony in Manchester, Bradford College was announced ‘College of the Year’ in a highly competitive category. A group of…

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Industry leaders The Environmental Protection Group are recognised in water and geoenvironmental sectors

Leading SME, The Environmental Protection Group, has been awarded SME Consulting Firm of the Year at last week’s NCE Awards 2025. Celebrated for their innovation, diversity of services, and involvement in industry guidance within the water and environmental sector, EPG were crowned winners in a glittering London ceremony. With a team of multidisciplinary expertise, EPG…

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Rose Masterclass at a Bradford Garden Centre raises funds for charity

A rose masterclass hosted by Bradford garden centre has raised funds for a charity supporting children with life-limiting illnesses. In celebration of National Rose Month, Andy Rollings from the long-established, family-owned rose breeder David Austin Roses visited Tong Garden Centre to share his advice on planting, pruning, feeding, and caring for roses. The audience enjoyed…

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Accu leads fundraising mission for Huddersfield charity The Kirkwood

A group of employees from Accu, an engineering component distributor in Huddersfield, have gone the extra mile in support of The Kirkwood charity by taking part in the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge. Eighteen team members hiked up and down the Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough mountains – a 24-mile round trip, including 1,585m of ascent, raising…

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Accu secures stadium naming rights in landmark partnership

Accu becomes Official Stadium Partner for the next five seasons. Growing local business to take over the naming rights from John Smith’s. Comments from Accu Managing Director, Alastair Morris and Town’s Chief Revenue Officer Paul Reeves. Huddersfield Town is proud to announce a historic and significant partnership with Accu, a Huddersfield-born e-commerce business, named after…

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Phoenix Software teams to compete in “Race for a Reason” charity event in Benelux this summer

Three-day race across Benelux inspired by BBC TV show, “Race Across the World” in support of St Leonard’s Hospice Phoenix teams have already smashed their preliminary target of £5,000 from pre-event activities so far Keep up-to-date on the team’s progress on YorkMix Radio and track their GPS coordinates live at https://www.phoenixs.co.uk/race-for-a-reason-2025/ Donate at https://www.justgiving.com/team/raceforareason  …

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Leeds College of Building competes at ‘The Big Construction Diversity Challenge’

A team of Leeds College of Building (LCB) staff have competed in ‘The Big Construction Diversity Challenge’ for the first time. The annual event, held at Newark Showground, promotes the importance of equality, diversity, and inclusion in the construction industry today. Twenty teams participated, including prominent industry names such as Axis CLC, Worcester Bosch and…

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Warning to small businesses over new food waste regulations

Firms face fines for not separating food waste, lawyer warns Employers could face fines if they fail to separate their food waste from other recyclables and rubbish, an environmental lawyer has warned. New legislation that requires businesses with as few as ten employees to follow strict waste rules has flown under the radar, according to…

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AAB announces new investment from Goldman Sachs Alternatives

Leading professional services firm, AAB, today announced that Goldman Sachs Alternatives has agreed a deal to acquire the firm from August Equity, subject to regulatory approvals. The transition marks a significant milestone for AAB, reinforcing the firm’s trajectory of sustained growth while ensuring continuity for clients and further strengthening its reputation in the professional services…

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University of Bradford academic awarded historic honour by Royal College of General Practitioners

Professor Mahendra Patel becomes first pharmacist in England to receive RCGP Honorary Fellowship Professor Mahendra G Patel OBE, a distinguished academic pharmacist with deep-rooted ties to the University of Bradford, has been awarded an Honorary Fellowship by the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP)—the highest honour the medical College bestows on a non-GP and the…

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Sudha swaps Corrie cobbles and Virdee squabbles for campus

A former soap star says she is honoured to be named Artist-in-Residence at Theatre in The Mill, the University of Bradford’s arts organisation.  Sudha Bhuchar, who has starred in EastEnders and Coronation Street, will host masterclasses with district residents and stage performances of her solo show, Evening Conversations, as part of her residency, which helps…

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Bradford 2025 hits the halfway mark with people, participation and pride at its heart – and a blockbuster Summer ahead

An estimated 1.1 million people have experienced Bradford 2025 projects celebrating the district Events have taken place in every ward in the Bradford District, covering 141 square miles across West Yorkshire from the city centre to the wild moors Over 40,000 local people have participated in Bradford 2025 activity so far More than 500 local…

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Leeds College of Building launches aspirational new branding and website

Leeds College of Building (LCB) has marked its 65th anniversary in education with refreshed branding and a new website. The rebrand launch follows 18 months of work with branding agency Born Communication to help find a way to better reflect a modern and inclusive construction industry workforce. The project involved months of planning and research, as well…

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New research-informed podcast series launched to help boost SME productivity

A new joint podcast series from Leeds Beckett University (LBU) and business support experts Exemplas is bringing research-led insights to business owners and policy makers – offering practical, real-world advice on how to drive productivity and sustainable growth. The six-part series of bite-sized, accessible episodes are focussed on what really makes a difference when it…

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Bradford cancer screening for South Asian women project hailed

A research project aimed at increasing the uptake of cancer screenings among South Asian Muslim women in Bradford by working with their male family members has been hailed a successful community engagement programme.  Developed in partnership with women in Bradford from the South Asian community, the Muslim Families Screening 4 Life project has seen researchers…

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TPE adds more services to support national Armed Forces celebrations in Cleethorpes this weekend

TransPennine Express (TPE) will be running extra services and providing more seats this weekend to support customers travelling to Cleethorpes for Armed Forces Day. The popular three-day event, recently chosen as the national celebration, will take place from Friday 27 to Sunday 29 June and is expected to draw large crowds to the coastal town,…

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Leeds College of Building Principal attends Construction Skills Mission Board at Westminster

Senior leaders from across construction and Government Ministers will launch the construction sector skills mission this week, to ensure the sector has the workforce it needs to deliver. The Construction Skills Mission Board will meet today, 26 June, to set a strategy for recruiting an additional 100,000 workers a year by the end of the…

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Bradford Vice-Chancellor to retire to spend more time with family

University of Bradford Vice-Chancellor Professor Shirley Congdon is to retire at the end of 2025 to spend more time with her family.   Professor Congdon is the University’s eighth vice-chancellor and the first woman to hold the position, which she has held since August 2019.   Her legacy includes leading the University to four successive number one rankings…

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Summer holiday ‘carnage’ when consequences of VAT imposition on private schools becomes fully known

THE imposition of VAT on private schools could lead to ‘carnage’ in the summer holidays, says a sector specialist in Yorkshire. Fees at the UK’s 2,500 private schools have been liable for 20% VAT since 1 January following a decision made by the government soon after it came to office last July. But, because the measure was introduced mid-academic year, its full effects are just beginning to fully emerge….

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University nursery to remain open following consultation

The University of Bradford Nursery will remain open following consultation over its future.   The University announced a review of its early years’ service in March as part of a drive to save at least £16m in the next 12 months.  The consultation involved talks with staff, parents and carers, trade unions and other stakeholders.  Dave…

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Chadwick Lawrence awards four new training contracts

Leading Yorkshire law firm Chadwick Lawrence has awarded training contracts to four candidates, as it continues to champion future legal talent from the local area.   Christian Licerdale has been awarded an 18-month training contract at Chadwick Lawrence working across the firm’s corporate and commercial and litigation departments. Christian studied for both his LLB law…

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Bradford BID launches two new creative city centre events to celebrate culture and community

Bradford Business Improvement District (BID) is launching two exciting events designed to inspire creativity, bring people together, and showcase the city centre in a fresh and engaging way. The first event, a Family Photo Walk, will take place on Thursday 1 August, starting from Waterstones at 11am. Participants will follow a guided route through the…

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Friday Night Fever is back!

Bradford Bulls are turning up the heat this summer as Friday Night Fever makes a spectacular return to Bartercard Odsal Stadium on Friday 4 July – Adults can gain entry from just £10 and Under 18-s GO FREE! A electrifying evening of entertainment both on and off the pitch awaits as the Bulls face Hunslet RLFC in a must-see rugby league showdown, kicking…

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New product launch at IFT Chicago – TasteMod2 is unveiled

CO2Sustain a leader in flavour innovation, is proud to announce the launch of TasteMod2, a groundbreaking Flavour with Modifying Properties (FMP), specifically developed to help beverage manufacturers meet the growing demand for healthier, zero and lower-sugar drinks—without compromising on taste. CO2Sustain have a healthy obsession with how things taste. We understand that taste is the…

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Bradford City fans’ stories shared at stadium project

Bradford City AFC supporters’ memories of the club have been brought to life through an innovative virtual reality (VR)-inspired project from the University of Bradford. ‘Stories from Valley Parade’ has seen academics create a digital copy of the University of Bradford Stadium, traditionally known as Valley Parade, which people can explore through VR. The project…

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HMRC list 57 Yorkshire employers for minimum wage breaches

Businesses in Yorkshire could potentially face financial penalties for underpaying staff on wages. The latest list published by the Department for Business & Trade and HMRC includes 518 businesses in the UK which hadn’t correctly paid minimum wage. Some high-profile businesses are named, including one where underpaid wages exceeded £1.1 million. It shows that there…

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Premier League and STRI Group document benchmark for pitch quality

The Premier League, widely considered the world’s most competitive football league, understandably put the playing surface at the heart of everything they do. The recently launched Premier League Pitch Standards Framework is a resource that documents the requirements of establishing and maintaining an elite surface, that performs to the highest standards and keeps players safe….

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Solicitor returns to Andrew Jackson’s Litigation team as a partner

Andrew Jackson Solicitors LLP announces that it has welcomed Rob Ripley as a partner in its commercial litigation and dispute resolution team, strengthening the firm’s well regarded practice, which acts for clients across the UK and globally. Having first joined the firm in 2007 for 10 years, Rob has gained over 30 years’ experience in…

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