Are locally led initiatives more effective than top-down Government schemes?
A new national compendium published by the Key Cities Innovation Network (KCIN) highlights how cities and universities across the UK are rethinking innovation ecosystems to support more inclusive and sustainable regional growth. The University of Bradford is among ten contributors to Innovation Ecosystems, the first i‑PLACE Compendium, which brings together peer‑reviewed research and real‑world case studies exploring how…
National student nursing partnership award win for second year
The University of Bradford has won the Student Nursing Times Awards’ Partnership of the Year category for a second successive year. This year’s award recognises the University’s Student Supported Services Model, a collaboration with the West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board, developing student supported services that expand placements, support staff, and enhance patient care. Vikki Carter, the University’s…
Spring floral spectacle: rhododendrons bloom at Castle Howard and the Arboretum
Castle Howard’s Ray Wood, a 25-acre ornamental woodland in the Gardens, boasts a collection of nearly 800 rhododendron species from around the world. It is a fantastic location for spring-flower lovers to see rhododendrons and azaleas in April and May. The plant collection in Ray Wood, including the rhododendrons and azaleas, is of national importance….
Property Investment – The Why, the Do’s and Don’ts
With increasing tax pressures on landlords holding property in their personal name, evolving regulation through the Renters’ Rights Act, the expansion of selective licensing, and the potential for stricter EPC requirements, many investors are reassessing whether property still represents a worthwhile investment. The short answer is yes, but only if you approach it the right…
LCB to receive over £919k in Government funding for renovations
Leeds College of Building (LCB) is one of 18 colleges in Yorkshire and the Humber set to benefit from government funding for essential estates and building improvements. In a recent announcement, it was confirmed that LCB will receive £919,871 from the FE College Condition Allocation (FECCA) fund. This latest £30 million package from the Government…
Family fun with Shaun the Sheep and White Rose this May
A new Shaun the Sheep augmented reality trail will visit White Rose Shopping Centre next month, alongside a line-up of fun half-term activities. Families are invited to embark on a free adventure with the Shaun the Sheep: Fun with the Flock augmented reality trail at the city shopping destination, bringing the much-loved Shaun the Sheep character…
Bluey set to bring half term fun to the Merrion Centre
Families invited to enjoy free interactive story time sessions this May half term The Merrion Centre is excited to announce another fantastic free family event, as Bluey arrives for a series of live story time sessions this May half term. Taking place on Wednesday 27th May 2026 in The Green area on the main mall,…
Compliance shake-up by HMRC: which advisers will be caught out?
Government requires local tax advisers to mandatorily register from May if submitting documents to HMRC on behalf of clients. Conveyancing solicitors and payroll teams in Yorkshire are among local professional advisers who may find themselves on the wrong side of the law from May – with penalties of up to £10,000 for compliance breaches. They…
Es Devlin responds to Vanbrugh with new artwork for Castle Howard
Internationally renowned artist and designer Es Devlin will present Library of the Four Winds this summer, a new public sculpture in the Temple of the Four Winds at Castle Howard. The work will be on show from 13 June – 27 September and is conceived to mark the tricentenary of Sir John Vanbrugh (1664-1726), the…
A sweet new arrival: White Rose to welcome Rassam’s Creamery
White Rose Shopping Centre is set to welcome Rassam’s Creamery, the award-winning dessert brand known for its bold flavours, immersive experiences, and show-stopping creations. Opening this summer, the new White Rose location will be Rassam’s largest and most impressive site to date, bringing a whole new level of excitement to South Leeds. Rassam’s Creamery is…
Bradford workwear supplier launches 7-step enterprise ordering platform for local businesses
Revolutionary system streamlines uniform procurement with professional 7-step ordering process Bradford-based uniform supplier BR Apparel has announced the launch of an innovative enterprise ordering platform that transforms uniform management for local businesses with significant workwear requirements. The new system provides companies spending £5,000+ annually on uniforms with a comprehensive 7-step ordering process through their own…
Yorkshire engineering firm celebrates success with project extension at Europe’s deepest mineshaft
Leading mechanical and electrical engineering firm, Salko UK, has successfully secured a year long contract extension with Redpath Deilmann to continue providing mechanical labour at Woodsmith Mine – Europe’s deepest mineshaft once completed. The contract extension will see a dedicated team completing the mechanical labour, reinforcing Salko UK’s long term involvement in one of the UK’s…
Azets makes hat-trick of top promotions
Azets, a UK top 10 accountancy and business advisory firm, has strengthened its senior team in Yorkshire with a trio of high-level promotions. In its Leeds office, Ant Hamilton has become a partner in Accounts and Business Advisory Services (ABAS) and Alex Sidebottom has stepped up to associate director in audit. Becky Dawson has been…
First look at Bradford College’s new £19.3m Motor Vehicle & Engineering building
Scaffolding has come down on the new Bradford College Junction Mills building on Thornton Road, set to open in September this year. Junction Mills will offer students skills in new technologies, such as modern automotive and digital engineering, electric/hybrid vehicles, and advanced manufacturing. The building will be vital in supporting the growth of technology and…
Do you budget for Microsoft 365 or just hope nothing breaks?
Microsoft 365 quickly becomes business‑critical. Teams, approvals, workflows, automations, before long, people rely on them every day to get work done. Licences are planned and solutions are delivered. However, what often isn’t planned is what happens after go‑live. Keeping things running Improving what’s clunky Adapting as Microsoft changes Instead, support tends to be reactive. Something…
Entries open for Leeds Manufacturing Festival Awards as new generation reshapes sector’s image
Entries have opened for this year’s Leeds Manufacturing Festival Awards, with manufacturing and engineering employers across West Yorkshire being encouraged to put forward their most promising young talent at a time when a new generation is helping to redefine the industry’s image. Now in their fifth year, the awards, which take place in June, recognise…
Higher labour costs dominate business impact concerns in latest Azets Barometer
Smaller businesses are struggling more than larger companies amid relentless economic challenges and higher labour costs, according to Yorkshire accountants Azets. A business sentiment survey by Azets, the top 10 UK accountancy and business advisory firm with offices in Leeds, Bradford and York, laid bare the issues facing SMEs, which make up the vast majority…
West Yorkshire consultancy marks growth with move to Salts Mill
A West Yorkshire technology consultancy is building on more than a decade of growth following its move to Salts Mill in Saltaire, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. True9 Limited, founded in 2014 by Chris Richardson and Martin Taylor, has relocated from Croft Myl in Halifax and is now based at the historic Salts…
Middlethorpe Hall & Spa partners with St Leonard’s Hospice to offer complimentary treatments and fundraising support
Middlethorpe Hall & Spa is proud to be collaborating with St Leonard’s Hospice this May, offering a series of complimentary wellbeing treatments for residents, out-patients, staff and carers, alongside a month of dedicated fundraising activity. Throughout May, Spa Managers Lisa and Helen will visit the hospice every Thursday morning (7th, 14th, 21st and 28th May, from…
Transforming a Buy-to-Let property in Pudsey, Leeds
Across West Yorkshire, many buy-to-let opportunities are not defined by the condition a property is purchased in, but by the potential it offers once improved. A recent project in Pudsey, Leeds highlights how a considered approach to property sourcing, renovation and interior design can enhance both rental appeal and overall property performance. The property was…
Bradford Bulls announce Embrace live performance at Bartercard Odsal Stadium
Multi-platinum Yorkshire legends headline pre-match show on Sunday 14th June ahead of Leigh Leopards clash The Bradford Bulls are proud to announce that acclaimed Yorkshire rock band Embrace will be performing a live 60-minute pre-match set at Bartercard Odsal Stadium on Sunday 14th June, ahead of the Bulls’ Super League fixture against the Leigh Leopards….
National Offer Day for primary schools- York children allocated their Reception school place for September
A total of 94.3% of children who applied for a Reception place at a primary school in York this September were allocated their first choice on National Offer Day [Thursday 16 April]. All the children who applied for a Year 3 place in a junior school were allocated their first choice. Parents who applied online…
York parents and carers to receive support to help get their child school-ready
York parents and carers with children starting school in September will receive specialist information to help them get their child school-ready this month. Around 1,700 households will receive two information booklets – one focussing on how parents can get children toilet trained before starting school – and another with helpful tips to make sure children…
Health T Level Placement Awards
Our Health T Level students received some exceptional feedback and results at the recent Placement Awards at St James’ Hospital recently. Notre Dame students secured a clean sweep of all award categories ahead of Leeds City College, who we partner with through the Leeds Health and Care Academy for T Level Health placement opportunities. The…
Understanding property opportunities across West and North Yorkshire
West and North Yorkshire continue to attract interest from property buyers, developers, and business owners, supported by strong regional demand, ongoing regeneration, and a diverse mix of city centres, suburbs and surrounding towns. While Leeds is often seen as the focal point, the wider region, including Bradford, Wakefield, Huddersfield, Harrogate and York, presents a range…
Azets joins trailblazing flood defence project
A UK top 10 accountancy and business advisory firm in Leeds has thrown its weight behind a trailblazing new community initiative to protect the city from floods. Azets, which has offices in King Street, is a business partner of the Aire Resilience Company (ARC) and has taken on the role of inaugural finance partner. It…
Star Coaches run with the Bulls in 2026
Bradford Bulls are delighted to announce a brand-new partnership with Star Coaches, who will supply the club with a new full specification sports team coach for travel across Super League in 2026. In addition, Star Coaches sponsor Match Highlights on BullsTV, bringing fans closer to the action throughout the 2026 season. The new agreement ensures the Bulls will travel in…
York supply specialists secure seven-figure public sector contract with Bolton Council
Following a competitive tendering process, York-based supply specialist, PPS, has been awarded a seven-figure contract with Bolton Council for the supply and delivery of chemicals and consumable goods for services across schools. The three-year agreement will see PPS responsible for supplying a comprehensive range of cleaning and hygiene products to approximately 90 schools across the…
How do we better connect people with opportunities in tech?
Join education providers and training innovators from across Leeds as they explore the evolving tech skills pipeline, from traditional degrees to alternative routes like bootcamps, apprenticeships, and tailored training programmes. Chaired by Kirsten Brumfitt, Chief People Officer at PEXA UK, this event will offer expert insights along with a panel discussion to unpack how different education models are helping to open up access to tech…
Building a Brighter Future: Embedding Inclusivity in Yorkshire Schools
In the heart of our region, a transformative movement is taking shape. As the Institute for Equity, University Centre (IEUC), we understand that the strength of our future workforce begins in the classroom. To ensure our students continue to thrive in an increasingly globalised world, our schools must be environments where every student and staff…
Fashion Retailer schuh Steps into Trinity Leeds
Fashion footwear retailer schuh has announced it will debut its new store at Trinity Leeds on Friday 17th April – with giveaways, competitions and free coffee for visitors on opening day. To celebrate the launch, Vinyl Grounds will be offering complimentary barista-made coffee, and customers who purchase from BIRKENSTOCK will get an exclusive anklet with a choice of a charm from Nelle Studios. Customers can also be in with a chance of winning a pair of BIRKENSTOCK when signing up or checking in to THE SCHUH CLUB loyalty programme. The store will showcase the…
HE Day 2026
Last Thursday [19th March], students benefitted from an inspiring and informative Higher Education Day, an annual event designed to support students in their decision-making for their next steps after college. The event, which was compulsory for all Lower Sixth students, featured a carousel of activities throughout the day. In the morning, students had the opportunity…
Whitby school receives book donation from North Yorkshire developer
Barratt and David Wilson Homes has donated a range of books to East Whitby Academy. The housebuilder has donated a range of books spanning all age groups to East Whitby Academy, less than a mile from its Chaloners Green and Abbey View developments. To combat the declining rate of reading enjoyment in the UK, the National Literacy Trust has launched its…
Commemorative student and community documentary honours railway police officer killed in wartime air raids in York
PC Robert Smith – The Final Beat brings together students, historians, museums, businesses and creatives from across York and North Yorkshire York St John University is to host the premiere of a new historical documentary, PC Robert Smith – The Final Beat. The film tells the tale of Robert Smith, a railway police officer who was on duty the night York was targeted in the so-called Baedeker Raids in WWII. The film is produced and directed by Mick Child as his MA Media Production Independent Project at York St John University. As a former railway worker himself, the the project represents a deeply personal creative endeavour for filmmaker Mick. More than ten MA and undergraduate students from York St John University have been involved in both the film’s production and the organisation of the premiere evening. The film will premiere on Monday 27 April 2026 in the Creative Centre at the University. The date is especially significant, taking place two days before the 84th anniversary of the devastating 1942 bombing in York that claimed numerous lives, including that of PC…
Katrina Lewis champions AI innovation transforming workplace design
As a board member of the West North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce and founder of Katrina Lewis Interiors, Katrina Lewis is proud to spotlight a groundbreaking step forward in workplace design innovation led by Design Tonic. Working in client development at Design Tonic, Katrina is supporting the launch of an industry-first AI-powered moodboarding tool—an idea…
Castle Howard Estate plants over 60,000 trees to create more woodland, as part of wider strategy to sequester carbon and increase biodiversity
Castle Howard has planted 60,978 trees in winter 2025/6 on the Castle Howard Estate, as part of a five-year plan to plant 100 hectares of new woodland, supported by the Forestry Commission England Woodland Creation Offer. Trees have been planted between the Stray (the six-kilometre public road that stretches through the Estate) and the village…
Notre Dame signs up to Leeds City Council’s Future Talent Plan
Notre Dame Catholic Sixth Form College has formally pledged its support to Leeds City Council’s Future Talent Plan, a city-wide initiative to ensure Leeds becomes a place where no one is left behind in an increasingly competitive labour market. The pledge, submitted by Principal Justine Barlow, reflects Notre Dame’s commitment to supporting young people across…
New ‘Ready for Parenthood’ campaign launches across York and North Yorkshire to support healthier, happier pregnancies
City of York Council, North Yorkshire Council, York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and YorSexualHealth have joined forces to launch ‘Ready for Parenthood’ – a new regional campaign designed to help women feel informed, supported, and confident from pre-conception through to birth and beyond. The campaign focuses on three simple themes that make…
Fuel duty regulations
The Cost of War on Transport As a small business, we pride ourselves on flexibility and stability of service. We know that things can be unpredictable for our customers, and that is exactly why we work hard to be a dependable partner for their transport needs. That reliability, however, is deeply compromised when the government…
Free energy improvements keep residents warm and worry-free – and others are urged to apply
Homeowners and private tenants can apply for free energy efficiency improvements to make their home more comfortable and affordable to run. “We feel like we’ve won the Lottery!” say a retired couple in Heworth after their bungalow was made more energy efficient. Solar panels generating free electricity, loft insulation, and air source heat pump and…
T Level Partnerships at Notre Dame
T Levels are Level 3 qualifications that are equivalent to three A-levels. They were created in collaboration with employers and businesses, so the content meets the needs of industry and prepares students for work. Students are provided with a genuine experience of the workplace through practical learning via a 315-hour or 45-day industry placement. We…
Azets’ five cashflow management tips for SMEs: Monitor and manage Work in Progress
Businesses in Yorkshire are being urged to meticulously track the heartbeat of work in progress throughout its lifecycle. Monitoring, managing and making changes to reduce mission creep, improve efficiencies and maximise cashflow are critical steps which can improve a business’ health and growth prospects, according to a senior finance professional. The advice comes from Matthew…
York St John researcher and music activist selected to represent the UK at TED2026 with warning about AI’s cultural erasure of women
Gabriella Di Laccio MBE wins TED Idea Search London PhD student Gabriella Di Laccio MBE is to present her research at TED2026 in Vancouver after bringing judges and audiences to tears with her powerful talk about gender inequality in music through history and in the age of AI. “If we don’t fix this silence now,…
North Yorkshire homebuilders celebrate 17 years of five-star customer ratings
Leading housebuilders Barratt and David Wilson Homes have once again received the maximum five-star rating in the new Home Builders Federation (HBF) annual New Homes Customer Satisfaction Survey. This is the 17th year in a row that Barratt and David Wilson Homes have achieved the top five-star rating – an accomplishment no other major housebuilder has…
Accu to present FightFest at Smart Manufacturing Week
Leading precision engineering screw supplier Accu is bringing a thrilling, exciting and engineering-driven combat robotics tournament with FightFest to Smart Manufacturing Week held at the NEC in Birmingham on June 3rd and 4th. FightFest, presented by Accu, is a high-energy one-on-one combat robotics exhibit designed to add drama and excitement to Smart Manufacturing Week, making it…
Harrogate Homeless Project Announces New Charity Partnership with Swinton Estate
Harrogate Homeless Project (HHP) is delighted to announce the launch of a new year‑long charity partnership with Swinton Estate, beginning 1st April 2026. This collaboration will raise vital funds and awareness to support people experiencing homelessness across the Harrogate District. Felicity Cunliffe-Lister, Proprietor and Countess of Swinton, said: “The Harrogate Homeless Project provides vital, compassionate…
How US-Iran war makes a mockery of climate change targets
Has the world just avoided a major environmental catastrophe in the Middle East? A direct missile strike on the South Pars refinery in Iran would release more than double the amount of CO2 the UK generates in a year into the atmosphere – that’s according to University of Bradford pollution expert Dr Nejat Rahmanian, who…
Former smokers from York voice their support for regional quit smoking campaign
Peter Milner and Shaun Bettison from York are lending their support to Yorkshire and Humber’s first quit smoking campaign developed and filmed in the region. Pete, from the Stockton Lane area of York, smoked for more than 50 years before a diagnosis of COPD finally prompted him to quit. Just six weeks after giving up…