The Lord Mayor prepares for festive Community Carol Concert
Following some 400 older residents enjoying the annual Christmas Cheer receptions held last week, another festive treat from the Lord Mayor of York is being prepared. The receptions have been held every year since the mid-1950s and are free to the residents who attend. They are funded in part by York’s annual Community Carol Concert….
Support for Blue Badge holders against fraudsters
To address any misuse of Blue Badges and to uphold the rights of disabled people, counter fraud investigators and council officers carried out a day of action. On 4 December 2024, officers patrolled high-traffic areas around the city to check that Blue Badges were being used correctly and by their legitimate holders. Of the 162…
Increased hours of access through new Central Hall building
City of York Council has welcomed news that the National Railway Museum has agreed to additional hours of pedestrian access through Central Hall, once major works are complete and it is open to the public. Central Hall is the National Railway Museum’s brand new welcome building. It will include a welcome and orientation hall, a…
Dransfield Novelty Company acquires Crystal & Son Group to strengthen northern presence
Dransfield Novelty Company Limited, the largest British-owned UK supplier of gaming machines and entertainment products to pubs and clubs, has acquired Newcastle Upon Tyne-based, Crystal & Son Group. This strategic purchase marks another milestone for the family-owned business, which boasts a proud 75-year history. The acquisition further enhances Dransfield’s range of goods and services it…
York teenagers give community space a makeover
York teenagers have been working with experienced tradespeople and an artist to breathe new life into a youth and community centre in The Groves. Community interest company Volunteer It Yourself provides free, hands-on work experience opportunities for local young people who are NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) and at risk of becoming NEET. Whilst renovating…
Boosting walking, wheeling and cycling in York
Plans to create new and improved walking, wheelchair-use, wheeling and cycling facilities across York will be considered by senior councillors this week. At the meeting on 12 December the council’s Executive will be asked to approve the first Local Walking and Cycling Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) for the city. The plan proposes aspirational strategic networks for…
Bradford Garden Centre relaunches its butchery offering
A Bradford garden centre has relaunched its butchery offering following feedback from customers. Hearty’s Food Hall at Tong Garden Centre has introduced a new butchery department in partnership with Yorkshire-based Bennett’s Butchers. Bennett’s founder, Phil Bennett, has been in the butchery trade since he was 12 and is excited by the opportunity at Tong Garden…
Enforcement against dog control and public urination could change. Do you agree?
The Council is looking at updating the way in which it can deter people behaving in anti-social ways including urinating in public or not controlling their dogs, and issue fines which are fair and timely. New proposals for powers to enforce these offences by police and council officers are being proposed. These Public Space Protection…
Bradford College officially opens STEM building after £6.9m refurb
Guests from education, construction, and regional employers joined staff and students for the official opening of Bradford College’s Garden Mills building. A multimillion-pound renovation project has transformed the derelict mill on Thornton Road into a flexible digital, science, and allied health training facility for higher-level students. The 1900s five-storey building opened after months of construction…
Bradford Grammar School to launch first Junior Committee for Action for Sport
Bradford Grammar School (BGS) is set to become the first school to establish a Junior Committee for Action for Sport, a Bradford-based charity that provides underprivileged children with sports clothing and footwear to encourage physical activity and participation in sport. Spearheading this initiative is BGS’s Head of Year 7, Emma Tomlinson, who was recently appointed…
A whole host of new names are joining the line-up at Trinity Leeds as the festive season gets in full swing
Popular boba tea brand CUPP has announced it will open a permanent store at the shopping centre on Friday, December 13th, with special launch offers including 100 free drinks for the first 100 customers, 50% off for the rest of the day, and 50% off for the whole weekend for those who scan the QR…
City of York Council invites residents to help shape the future of library services
City of York Council is calling on York residents, students and workers, other users and non-users, to participate in an early engagement exercise to help shape the future of the city’s library services. This exercise launches on 6 December 2024 and will remain open for nine weeks, closing on 7 February 2025. The Council has…
Consultation opens for York Minster Precinct Neighbourhood Forum redesignation- Have your say on the future of planning in the Minster Precinct area
City of York Council is inviting York residents, businesses, and stakeholders to share their views on the redesignation of the York Minster Precinct Neighbourhood Forum. This follows the Forum’s application to renew its designation, which was first granted in 2019 for a five-year term. The York Minster Precinct Neighbourhood Forum has played a pivotal role…
The Grammar School at Leeds named Eco-School of the Year
The Grammar School at Leeds (GSAL) has been named one of five schools nationwide to receive the prestigious Eco-Schools School of the Year Award for 2024. This accolade celebrates GSAL’s outstanding commitment to environmental sustainability and its efforts to involve students and staff in creating a greener future. At the heart of GSAL’s success is…
West Yorkshire developments at the top of Santa’s list thanks to local housebuilder
The developer creating brand-new communities in West Yorkshire is taking steps to ensure their homes are on Santa’s list to visit this Christmas. Barratt and David Wilson Homes, which is building new developments in the county, have written to Mr Claus to make sure he stops by at the new homes this festive season. The…
Daniel Starkey appointed Associate Director at Leeds head office of property regeneration consultants AspinallVerdi
Independent nationwide property regeneration consultants AspinallVerdi continue to grow with the key appointment of Daniel Starkey as an associate director at the firm’s head office in Leeds serving public and private sector clients across Yorkshire and further afield.. Daniel joins the expanding consultancy following more than five years with planning, masterplanning and architecture consultants Spawforths…
A2Z floors back the Bulls in 2025
Bradford Bulls are proud to announce an exciting new partnership with A2Z Floors, who will join the club as one of our main sponsors for the 2025 season. As part of this landmark agreement, A2Z Floors branding will take centre stage on the front of the Bulls’ iconic home shirt. A2Z Floors, a leading provider…
Metalcraft Group back the Bulls in 2025
Bradford Bulls are delighted to announce the renewal of their partnership with Metalcraft Group, a long-standing supporter of the club. As part of this renewed agreement, the Metalcraft Group logo will continue to feature on the Bulls’ replica shirts for the 2025 season, alongside branding for their sub-brand, Varley’s Builders Merchant. The partnership reaffirms a strong and enduring…
Council presented with gold award for its support for armed forces’ members
The revalidated Gold Award has been presented yesterday (Tuesday 3 December) to City of York Council for the Ministry of Defence’s Employer Recognition Scheme for its work to support past and serving members of the armed forces. This prestigious medal acknowledges the depth and breadth of the Council’s ongoing work since it signed the Armed…
Morgan Sindall appointed to phase two of Bradford’s Future Technologies Centre
Morgan Sindall Construction will continue its work with Bradford College following its appointment as contractor for the purpose-built Future Technologies Centre. Having previously undertaken phase one of the project, which saw the demolition of a derelict mill on Thornton Road in the city, Morgan Sindall will now undertake phase two. This phase will see…
The Grammar School at Leeds recognised as a leading inclusive employer for 2024
The Grammar School at Leeds (GSAL) is proud to announce its ranking at number 20 in the top 100 most inclusive UK workplaces for 2024, as published by the National Centre for Diversity. This marks another milestone for GSAL, which has retained its place in the prestigious top 100 list and continues to lead the…
Aon back the Bulls in 2025
Bradford Bulls is proud to unveil a new partnership with Aon, a global professional services firm, for the 2025 season. As part of this exciting collaboration, Aon’s branding will feature prominently on the playing shorts, marking the start of a dynamic relationship between the club and one of the world’s leading insurance brokers. Aon, known…
Stress-free tips for decorating a home at Christmas
A new survey* from Barratt and David Wilson Homes reveals that 46% of Brits feel stressed when putting up their Christmas decorations. With 66% admitting that fairy lights get them flustered and 19% flapping over colour schemes, Barratt and David Wilson Homes Yorkshire West has teamed up with Bents Garden and Home – famed for…
Plans to improve air quality on York’s most polluted street
A trial that seeks to tackle congestion and improve air quality on Gillygate will be considered at a decision session this week (5 December). At the meeting, the Executive Member for Transport will review options and decide whether or not to carry out a trial in 2025 to understand how changing the traffic signal sequencing…
Enchanting Christmas trail brings festive cheer to Bradford city centre
This festive season, Bradford City Centre is transforming into a winter wonderland with a magical, family-friendly Christmas Trail! From 3rd December to 5th January, residents and visitors can enjoy festive-themed window displays and a unique nutcracker adventure – all for free! Ten large nutcrackers are positioned across various locations across the city centre. Adventurers of all…
BGS pupil supports dad’s epic 3,000-mile ocean row for charity
AS YORKSHIRE McDonald’s franchisee Matthew Pitchforth undertakes the remarkable fundraising challenge of rowing 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean this December, his daughter Olivia, a Year 7 student at Bradford Grammar School, is determined to stay strong… but she can’t help counting down the days until her dad’s safe return. On December 7, Matthew, from…
Leeds College of Building students triumph at national SkillBuild competition
Leeds College of Building is celebrating after four students took podium positions at the national final of SkillBuild 2024 – the largest multi-trade skills competition in the UK for construction trainees and apprentices. Delivered by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), SkillBuild showcases some of the brightest talent in construction. The prestigious competition brings together highly…
West Yorkshire garden centres host festive play sessions for charity
Tong and Tingley Garden Centres are to host festive-themed play sessions to raise money for their charity of the year. The Grass Hoppers team at both centres have launched ‘Not So Merry Christmas’ playtime parties as part of its fundraising campaign for Yorkshire Children’s Charity. The parties are at Tong Garden Centre at 4.30 pm…
Bosses urged not to end up with a tax hangover after staff Christmas parties
Expert warns that exceeding the £150 tax exempt limit could have costly ramifications Yorkshire businesses planning to treat their staff to a festive party this Christmas are being warned not to end up with a tax hangover. Tax specialist Richard Whitelock, Employment Tax Advisory Partner at UK top 10 accountancy and advisor firm Azets, says…
Unleash the Power of SMS Marketing with SMS Direct
In today’s fast-paced business landscape, effective communication is the key to success. Core Telecom is excited to announce the launch of SMS Direct, our state-of-the-art SMS platform designed to revolutionise how UK businesses engage with their audiences. With Special December Offers available now, there has never been a better time to enhance your customer outreach…
Date changes for some Christmas waste and recycling collections
Waste and recycling collection dates in York will be changing for some households over the Christmas and New Year period. On average, City of York Council collects waste and recycling from around 18,000 households every day. Crews carry out around six million waste collections every year and is proud to be the only frontline service…
Buttercrumble boosts visibility for North Yorkshire’s cultural gems with award-winning branding expertise
Award-winning design agency Buttercrumble continues to support North Yorkshire Council’s cultural institutions with their branding to increase attention, visibility and footfall. For the past 5 years, Chamber member Buttercrumble has been working with galleries and museums in North Yorkshire, including Harrogate’s Mercer Gallery, the Royal Pump Room Museum, and Knaresborough Castle. Throughout a host of…
EM Workwear back the Bulls in 2025
Bradford Bulls are delighted to announce the renewal of their partnership with EM Workwear & Embroidery. Under this renewed agreement, EM Workwear & Embroidery’s branding will once again feature on the club’s socks for the 2025 season. In addition, EM Workwear & Embroidery will continue to produce the players’ names and numbers on all Bradford…
City of York Council joins national campaign to showcase rewarding careers in local government
City of York Council is proud to support the national “Make a Difference, Work for Your Local Council” campaign, a ground-breaking initiative designed to highlight the vast range of career opportunities available in local government and attract new talent to the sector. As part of this government-funded campaign, the council aims to demonstrate the transformative…
York St John University hosts the latest free, thought-provoking event in the Ebor Lecture series
“God Is Not a White Man: Race, faith and belief in a post-riot world” York St John University hosts the latest free, thought-provoking event in the Ebor Lecture series On Wednesday, 4 December 2024, York St John University’s Centre for Religion in Society will host the Winter 2024 Ebor Lecture, “God Is Not a White…
Bradford garden centre group wins regional business award
The team at a Bradford-based garden centre group is celebrating after winning a regional business award for its sustainability initiatives. Yorkshire Garden Centres, owner of Tong, Tingley, Bingley and Otley Garden Centres, plus Dean’s York and Scarborough, won the Sustainability category of the Yorkshire Post Excellence in Business Awards that were presented last week. Yorkshire…
Cedar Court Hotels Yorkshire back the Bulls in 2025
Bradford Bulls are proud to announce the renewal of their partnership with Cedar Court Hotels, the club’s official accommodation partner for the 2025 season. Cedar Court Hotels’ branding will feature on the back of the Bulls’ playing shorts, further strengthening the relationship between the two organizations. Having joined the Bulls family in 2024, Cedar Court…
Appeal to York businesses to support local young people leaving care
City of York Council is thanking businesses and residents across the city who have already contributed Christmas gifts for children in need and young care leavers in York. The festive season can be a difficult one for many children and young people, particularly those who have had a challenging start in life and who live…
Johnson-Strafford appointed women’s Head Coach
Bradford Bulls are delighted to announce the appointment of Gail Johnson-Strafford as Head Coach of the Women’s Team for the 2025 season. Johnson-Strafford, who served as Assistant Coach last season, will lead the team into an exciting new era as they prepare for the upcoming Northern Women’s Championship campaign. With a host of talented new…
Free start-up launchpad programme to boost economic growth in Leeds
Leeds-based start-up businesses will be empowered to boost their strategies to enter new markets, achieve growth, and build long-term sustainability, through a new partnership between Leeds Beckett University, the University of Leeds, L Marks and Leeds City Council. The project is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and the…
£3,000 donation secures additional revenue for local arts venue
A North Yorkshire venue for arts, events and community groups has received a boost to its ability to raise revenue with a £3,000 donation from a local manufacturer. Glusburn Institute Community and Arts Centre provides a much-loved venue in the North Yorkshire village for events from concerts and film showings to hosting local groups such…
Fighting the Fakes: Data scientists create cutting-edge tool to verify image authenticity
York St John University-led research is “essential in helping people to navigate the fine line between reality and fabrication” Data scientists at York St John University have announced the launch of a pioneering new tool to spot fake images. Pixelator v2 uses a new combination of image veracity techniques with capability beyond what can be…
Senior hire for Azets in Yorkshire
Azets has appointed Ian Beaumont as regional senior partner for Yorkshire. He was the recently retired head of KPMG in the north east before joining Azets, the UK top 10 accountancy and advisory firm. Ian started his career with Haines Watts before going on to become office senior partner at RSM Robson Rhodes, BDO and…
Startup programme supports stained glass studio launch
A stained glass studio has been supported in its early business stage by a startup programme, commissioned by City of York Council. Since they first met several years ago while studying for their MAs in Stained Glass Conservation at the University of York, best friends and Megan Barnett and Zoe Harrigan have been united by…
Employment costs to soar in beleaguered hospitality sector
Hospitality firms in Yorkshire could be facing the most arduous financial challenges since the pandemic. The sector, including food and beverage, accommodation, travel and tourism and entertainment and recreation, is particularly vulnerable to a range of Autumn Budget measures because of a younger workforce, recruitment problems and reliance on discretionary spending by consumers. Employer National…
Chadwick Lawrence back the Bulls in 2025
Bradford Bulls are delighted to announce Chadwick Lawrence, a leading Yorkshire-based law firm, have renewed their sponsorship heading into the 2025 season! The renewed partnership will see Chadwick Lawrence’s branding proudly featured on the club’s sleeves for the upcoming season, further solidifying a strong relationship that has flourished over recent years. The partnership extension underscores…
Otley garden centre provides charity with plants to encourage wildlife
The team at Otley Garden Centre has donated wildflower seeds to Wildlife Friendly Otley to improve habitat corridors around the town. The Otley team worked with members of Wildlife Friendly Otley volunteers and Councillor, Linda Hoare to sow seeds in a 429 m2 area along the verge from the garden centre to the Otley/Pool boundary….
Ousewem unveils second video in partnership with The Artery
Ousewem, an innovative flood resilience project supporting vulnerable North Yorkshire communities, is proud to release the second video in its compelling series exploring the transformative role of natural flood management (NFM) in building resilient communities. Created in collaboration with The Artery, a champion for creativity and collaboration in North Yorkshire’s rural and coastal communities, the…