Member News Subjects

Manningham Housing Association secures ownership of £5m affordable homes scheme

Manningham Housing Association (MHA) has acquired five new build detached houses in Eccleshill, Bradford in a £1.1 million deal. With the addition of these two three-bed and three four-bed properties, MHA now owns all 24 homes in the recently completed One Meadow development on Victoria Road. This represents a total investment of £5 million, delivered…

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Leeds Manufacturing Festival Awards hail industry’s rising stars as winners announced

Some of the brightest stars in West Yorkshire’s manufacturing and engineering sectors have been honoured, as employers gathered to celebrate the next generation of talent at a sold-out Leeds Manufacturing Festival Awards ceremony, held at Leeds Beckett University. Now in their fourth year, the awards have become a standout feature of the festival, marking the…

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Propolis: rise of the nutraceutical

It’s time we redefined our relationship with our immune systems. Consumers now look much more seriously at natural products in the context of mounting difficulties, dilemmas, side-effects and other problems with pharmaceuticals, particularly antibiotics. What consumers want is to move away from the folklore and witchcraft remedy process and thanks to our long-term collaboration with…

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Bulls announce partnership with Snowman

Bradford Bulls are delighted to announce a new commercial partnership with Snowman, who will become the official sponsor of the club’s LED screen at Bartercard Odsal Stadium. As part of the agreement, the Snowman brand will feature prominently on the stadium’s Big Screen frame during all home fixtures, delivering high-impact visibility for the lifestyle brand…

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Planning approved for student accommodation at the Merrion Centre

Major milestone reached in the next phase of the Merrion Centre’s evolution Leeds-based property investor and developer, Town Centre Securities PLC (TCS), has received planning approval from Leeds City Council for a landmark student accommodation scheme at the Merrion Centre, further cementing the centre’s position as a dynamic, mixed-use city destination. The approved plans will…

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56for56 appeal reaches target for Burns Unit

Firefighters from West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) have reached their £56,000 fundraising target for the University of Bradford-based Burns Unit to mark the 40th anniversary of the Bradford City fire. A legend-filled football match, a 75-mile walk from Lincoln to Bradford and a fundraising dinner were some of the events which helped firefighters…

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Laughter, legacy and local pride: The Cryer officially opens at GSAL in honour of Barry Cryer

The Grammar School at Leeds (GSAL) marked the official opening of The Cryer on Saturday evening – a state-of-the-art performing arts centre and landmark investment in the arts at the school, named in honour of the late Barry Cryer (OL53), renowned comedian, writer and Leeds Grammar School (LGS) alumnus. The special launch event brought together…

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Leeds Charity Ball boosts AABIE fundraising total to £200k

Leading professional services firm AAB welcomed over 300 guests to the third AABIE Charity Ball, held for the first time in Leeds on Saturday 14 June 2025. Taking place at the iconic Aspire venue, the event was a great success, celebrating the growing impact of AABIE as it looks ahead to its 10-year anniversary in…

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Azets UK appoints Yorkshire regional managing director

Azets, the UK top 10 accountancy and advisory firm, has appointed Claire Needham as its new regional managing director for Yorkshire and the North East. Claire is promoted into the role from her position as Azets’ York office managing partner and head of the UK technical accounting team. She will succeed Russell Turner, who is…

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LBU Impact Series: Leeds Beckett research team partners with urgent care provider IC24 to tackle stress in NHS 111 call centres

A new research-driven collaboration between Leeds Beckett University and urgent and primary healthcare provider Integrated Care 24 (IC24) is using innovative technology and psychological science to improve staff wellbeing and reduce stress for NHS 111 call handlers. The three-year Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) project, part-funded by UKRI (UK Research and Innovation) through Innovate UK, brings…

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Yorkshire Garden Centre Group creates new role for multi-site growth

A Bradford-based garden centre group with a site in Scarborough has created a new stock inventory role as it prepares for future growth across its multi-site business.  Yorkshire Garden Centres group, owner of Dean’s Scarborough, has appointed Dan Campbell as its Buying Support Manager to work across all seven sites in West and North Yorkshire….

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Memories of Bradford City fire shared in new project

People will be invited to share their recollections of the 1985 Bradford City fire for a new project by the University of Bradford. Student Mia Coe will speak to survivors of the May 11, 1985 fire, friends and family of the 56 people who lost their lives, the emergency service workers who treated the 258…

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Spending Review can be transformative for new homes and Bradford – housing association CEO

The chief executive of Bradford-based Manningham Housing Association has backed the Chancellor’s commitments to a £39 billion Affordable Homes Programme and a 10-year rent settlement announced in today’s Spending Review. In a statement, Lee Bloomfield said: “For far too long, housing associations have faced an impossible task in trying to provide enough decent homes for…

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Bradford Garden Centre to host first masterclass with leading rose grower

A Bradford garden centre is hosting a rose masterclass with one of the country’s leading names in roses next month.  In celebration of National Rose Month, an expert from the long-established, family-owned rose breeder David Austin Roses will be in The Mezzanine at Tong Garden Centre on Wednesday, 2nd July to share advice on planting,…

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York Cares celebrates 20th anniversary

A York charity is marking its 20th anniversary with an ambitious £20,000 fundraising campaign. York Cares, the independent employee-volunteering charity in the city, is celebrating two decades of bringing together local employers, employees, and community organisations to create lasting, positive change across York. Since its launch in 2005 by the University of York, Aviva, and…

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West Yorkshire adventure play area celebrates its new menu with team event

150 employees from Yorkshire Garden Centres were invited to celebrate the new menu at Mission Out outdoor adventure park with a stay and play session for family and friends. The play team at Mission Out hosted the exclusive after hours event to launch the new ‘Load & Go’ street food menu that comprises loaded nachos,…

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Schofield Sweeney welcomes Real Estate Partner Tim Richards

Appointment Consolidates Firm’s Position as a Regional Leader in Real Estate Law Award-winning Yorkshire law firm Schofield Sweeney has further enhanced its real estate expertise with the appointment of new partner Tim Richards to the 40-strong specialist team. Tim brings with him a wealth of commercial real estate experience, including advising end-to-end on major land…

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Ideal Extraction Ltd in Ilkley shortlisted for prestigious award

Ilkley engineering company, Ideal Extraction Ltd, is celebrating after being announced as a Finalist in the category SME Business of the Year at the prestigious BusinessiQ Awards 2025 hosted by the Telegraph and Argus. These coveted awards, first launched in 2011, recognise the best businesses across the whole of the Bradford district for excellence and innovation. The…

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JB Priestley’s 1933 Wedgewood vase surfaces after 40 years

A vase decorated by JB Priestley in 1933 and sold at auction following his death in 1984 has been donated to the University of Bradford’s Special Collections.  The Wedgewood vase is recalled in the Bradford-born author’s 1934 work English Journey but disappeared into a private collection after his death. In his 1934 account, Priestley recalls visiting…

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Plans to transform York city centre come under the spotlight at York Festival of Ideas

York Festival of Ideas in partnership with LNER is offering York residents and visitors an exciting opportunity to find out more about the major developments taking place in the city centre. The free event York: A 21st-century rail hub on Saturday 7 June will turn the spotlight on the York Station Gateway project, which is…

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Andrew Jackson advises Fortuna Ltd on award of Tristan Da Cunha Lobster Concession

Andrew Jackson Solicitors LLP is pleased to have acted as legal advisor to Falkland Islands based Fortuna Ltd, which will be taking over the Tristan da Cunha Lobster Concession from 2027. Having won the tender, Fortuna, a leading seafood producer and exporter, will be granted exclusive long-term rights to fish for lobster around the islands…

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Pedals cleared for take-off: 1,100-mile charity cycling challenge to launch from Leeds Bradford Airport runway 

Martin Mansell, CEO of Enjoy Travel, to cycle 1,100 miles to Nice, setting off from Leeds Bradford Airport’s runway on Tuesday 17th June.  World record-breaking cyclist Mark Beaumont will join part of the route, along with former England rugby league legend Eorl Crabtree and “I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!” runner-up Owen Warner….

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Brighter classrooms, smaller bills: UK schools cut carbon and costs with Drax Foundation funding

Schools across the UK are taking the lead on important energy saving measures, reducing their carbon footprint and reaping the rewards where it matters most, in the classroom. Over £1.5 million worth of investment from the Drax Foundation has enabled 27 schools across the country to slash their carbon emissions, saving thousands on energy bills…

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Sandburn Hall wins VisitEngland Silver award for excellence as best large hotel

Sandburn Hall has won one of the country’s leading hospitality prizes with a Silver award for ‘Large Hotel of the Year’ at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence, held in Brighton this week. Sandburn Hall, set on a 1,000 acre country estate at Flaxton, near York, is an outstanding Yorkshire hospitality, golf, wedding, events and business…

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AWB Charlesworth Solicitors welcomes new Commercial Property Director

AWB Charlesworth Solicitors is pleased to announce that Claire Roberts has been appointed to the role of Director in the Commercial Property department. Felicity Green, Practice Manager of AWB Charlesworth said: “We are delighted that Claire will be joining the Commercial Property team as Director. Claire brings a wealth of skills, experience and achievements to…

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Leeds Beckett University celebrates reaccreditation of prestigious Small Business Charter Award

Leeds Beckett University has been reaccredited after a recent assessment, recognising the ongoing impact of its work supporting small businesses, student entrepreneurship and local economic growth. The award, granted by the Charter Association of Business Schools and the Small Business Charter, places Leeds Beckett among a select group of UK universities acknowledged for their deep…

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College’s £17m building hits milestone as steel frame completed

The four-storey steel frame of Bradford College’s new £17 million building is now in place—marking a key step in transforming the Thornton Road site. Led by Morgan Sindall, the new Junction Mills building will offer students specialist training in motor vehicle, advanced electrical, hybrid and hydrogen technologies, vital in supporting the growth of low-carbon skills…

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Bradford to open joint college with university in China

The University of Bradford has announced a new international joint college with one of China’s leading research technology universities.  The Yangzhou University–University of Bradford Joint College of Advanced Manufacturing will welcome its first students in September 2025.  Based entirely in China, the Joint College, which has been formally approved by the Chinese Ministry of Education,…

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Young Creatives tackle smart glasses design challenge

Students at Bradford College have been given the unique opportunity to design packaging for a new range of smart glasses. The competition by Zanco, a digital tech firm set up by former Bradford College student Shazad Talib, will see Professional Services and Leisure learners compete to design the best packaging for new Zanco Smart Glasses. The…

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Introducing Batten Disease Family Association CIO

Family Away Day Funding Request We would like to introduce our charity, the Batten Disease Family Association CIO (BDFA) based in Shipley, West Yorkshire. Batten disease is a life-ending, neurodegenerative condition, predominantly affecting young children and has no cure. It progresses rapidly and leads to blindness, loss of dexterity and mobility, epilepsy, childhood dementia and…

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LBU Impact Series: Research-led partnerships to help secure future of two Guiseley heritage businesses

Academics at Leeds Beckett University (LBU) are partnering with two long-standing, family-owned businesses at the heart of the Guiseley community in Leeds – Abraham Moon & Sons Ltd (Moon) and Haighs Bakery – in research-driven projects designed to safeguard traditional skills while accelerating innovation and growth. The partnerships are Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) projects, part-funded…

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Garden centre group’s cycle challenge raises over £4,000 for Martin House Children’s Hospice

A team of cyclists led by the MD of Yorkshire Garden Centres raised over £4,000 for Martin House Children’s Hospice when they tackled a challenging 85 km ride recently On 25th May, the team of 18 led by Mark Farnsworth completed the challenging, hilly ride that took them through the scenic Yorkshire Wolds villages of…

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Star-studded line-up for Bradford Literature Festival

TV stars and political figures will be among the contributors to this year’s Bradford Literature Festival events with University of Bradford links.  Bradford Literature Festival 2025 will be held at a host of venues across the city, including the University of Bradford, a strategic partner of the event, between Friday 27 June and Sunday 6…

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Leeds College of Building hosts sold-out UKREiiF property fringe events

The South Bank Campus of Leeds College of Building recently hosted two sold-out fringe events as part of the UK’s Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF). UKREiiF is the UK’s leading event within the real estate, property and infrastructure sectors, and saw over 16,000 industry professionals descend on the New Dock area of Leeds. A short…

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Bradford’s alternative music scene celebrated

The alternative music scene in Bradford from the 1970s onwards will be spotlighted at an event held at a new city entertainment venue.  Alternative Bradford will explore Bradford’s alternative music scene from the 1970s, the present day and its future. It will be hosted and chaired by Nick Toczek, a poet, writer and performer and…

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Sports Direct unveils bigger and better new White Rose store

Sports Direct, a leading international retailer of sports and fitness footwear, clothing, and equipment has opened (30th May) a new and upsized 11,000 sq. ft store at White Rose Shopping Centre, offering even more choice to guests. The relocated Sports Direct store boasts equipment, clothing, footwear, and accessories from global sports brands such as Nike,…

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Narangs joins the Bulls family

Bradford Bulls are proud to announce a new partnership with Narangs, who will become the official sponsor of the Chairman’s Suite within the Southbank Venue at Bartercard Odsal Stadium. The Chairman’s Suite, one of the premier hospitality spaces at the Southbank Venue, offers panoramic views of the pitch and serves as a hub for VIP…

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Businesses need to boost bottom line with price increases or slide into red

Too many businesses in the Yorkshire run the risk of financial ruin because they are not improving efficiency and removing process waste from their business to counteract increasing input and wages costs. Profit erosion caused by inflation – branded the invisible tax – has repeatedly been identified by the UK top 10 accountancy and advisory firm Azets…

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Virtuance launches to empower businesses in the new AI era of digital marketing

We’re delighted to announce the official launch of Virtuance Digital Marketing, a company born from vision, resilience, and the belief that businesses of all sizes deserve to thrive in the rapidly evolving digital landscape. While Virtuance is new, its roots stretch back to 2018, when our founder, Gustavo De Amorim, launched a company called Influxbot…

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Chadwick Lawrence appoints Justine Hunkins to launch Social Housing Management Team

Law firm Chadwick Lawrence has announced the launch of a new Social Housing Management Team, providing nationwide litigation support to social housing providers. A new partner, Justine Hunkins, has been appointed to drive the development of the team. Justine is a social housing litigator, with 19 years’ experience in the social housing sector and arrives…

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Ancient DNA samples chart how fever-causing bacteria has evolved

Researchers at the University of Bradford have contributed to archaeological analysis which has found how ancient DNA for a type of bacteria which causes a fever has evolved.  University of Bradford has been collaborating with the Francis Crick Institute and UCL on samples of archaeological human bone for ancient DNA analysis.  Four samples from across…

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Leeds Beckett University’s the Retail Institute leads groundbreaking project on sustainable packaging

The Retail Institute at Leeds Beckett University, one of the UK’s leading academic research centres focused on the future of consumer experiences in retail, food and packaging has released a major new report on the future of sustainability in the packaging sector. Bringing together senior leaders from across the FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer Goods) supply…

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Africa’s future under spotlight at conference

The shape of Africa’s future was discussed at a conference held at the University of Bradford. ‘African International Conference: Shaping Africa’s Future: Innovation, Integration and Impact’ brought together academics from around the world to discuss what the future of the continent could look like.  The two-day conference featured panel discussions on themes including economic growth…

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Waterstones opens at White Rose

Waterstones has opened a new bookshop at White Rose Shopping Centre, its second location in Leeds. The UK bookseller’s newest shop has opened in a section of the lower-ground floor at the former Marks & Spencer unit at White Rose, opposite Primark. The space boasts a large children’s section for younger readers, and an extensive…

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Taste the sunshine: new street food stars hit Trinity Kitchen

Trinity Kitchen comes alive for summer with an irresistible new lineup of culinary delights this Summer – from parmos to bao buns and crispy falafel bites. Guests visiting Trinity Kitchen can treat their tastebuds to an eclectic mix of mouthwatering street food from the likes of Shouk, Wagyu Lookin’ At?, Niko’s Comfort Kitchen, Fat Cat…

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Yorkshire Building Society and Citizens Advice partnership supports over 11,900 people

An award-winning collaboration between Citizens Advice and Yorkshire Building Society has provided assistance to over 11,900 individuals across the UK over the past four years, and has potentially unlocked more than £6.5 million in additional income for those benefiting from the advice. The partnership allows Yorkshire Building Society to host advisors from Citizens Advice at…

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Clarks steps into Trinity Leeds with brand-new store opening

Global footwear brand, Clarks, has officially opened its new store at Trinity Leeds today, Friday 23rd May, marking a celebratory return to the heart of the city centre. The opening was commemorated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, and comes at a milestone moment for the brand, as Clarks celebrates 200 years of heritage, style and craftsmanship…

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Sporting chance for active schools scheme thanks to new £4m investment

An initiative to encourage Bradford children to become more active has received a huge boost thanks to a £4 million investment from Sport England.    Over the next three years, the JU:MP (Join Us Move and Play) programme will work with children and their families from across the district to help improve physical activity levels.    The…

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