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…
Egg‑stra special Easter for patients at Bradford Teaching Hospitals
A record 3,000+ Easter eggs and toys have been delivered to patients across Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, thanks to a major community effort. The donations were organised by Bradford Hospitals Charity, with local people, schools and businesses coming together to make sure patients visiting or spending Easter in hospital didn’t miss out. Staff and volunteers handed…
New strategy and delivery partner will deliver much-needed homes and facilities
City of York Council will consider creating a new strategy, and securing a new strategic delivery partner to deliver high quality Council buildings including homes for social rent or housing for older people. This new Delivery Strategy has been developed to support the Council’s Housing Delivery Programme (HDP) of building homes for shared ownership and…
Excitement builds as the LEGO Group announces April launch date at Trinity Leeds
Excitement is building as the LEGO Group announces its new store will open at Trinity Leeds on Thursday, 23rd April. The 456sq m store will give shoppers the chance to fully immerse themselves in the world of LEGO building – with specially-designed, Yorkshire-inspired LEGO models available to see and pose with on launch day. The new…
LCB reaches regional apprenticeship awards finals with 13 shortlistings
Leeds College of Building (LCB) is a finalist for 13 awards across ten categories at this year’s West Yorkshire Apprenticeship Awards. The annual awards event celebrates outstanding apprentices, employers, and training providers across fields such as engineering, law, and construction. This year will mark the fourth edition of the awards, first set up in 2022…
Leeds Beckett Cyber Security degree fully certified by the National Cyber Security Centre
Leeds Beckett University has announced that its BSc (Hons) Cyber Security degree is now fully certified by the National Cyber Security Centre, a part of GCHQ. The certification places Leeds Beckett among a small group of UK universities to hold full certification for an undergraduate cyber security degree, recognising the quality and rigour of the…
Major event launched for businesses over payroll and HR crackdown
Businesses in Yorkshire are being urged to attend a free ‘strategic survival summit’ to help them deal with the most significant payroll and HR shake-up in a generation. Azets, a UK top 10 accountancy and business advisory firm in King Street, Leeds, has joined forces with Leeds Business Growth Service and The Knowledge Exchange (TKE)…
The Smarter Way to Support and Improve Microsoft 365
“Structured support and continuous improvement for the solutions you rely on” Most businesses don’t set out to build complex Microsoft 365 environments. It starts with a few flows. A SharePoint site. A Teams‑based process that works well… until it doesn’t. Over time, Microsoft 365 ends up supporting important day‑to‑day business processes but keeping everything running…
Strengthening Yorkshire’s Business Backbone: The Power of Inclusive Growth
Across Yorkshire, our businesses are the lifeblood of the community. But to stay competitive in a global market, we must move beyond traditional models. True growth isn’t just about the bottom line; it’s about the people behind it. That is why the Institute for Equity, University Centre is proud to champion a more inclusive future…
Accu components power round-the world sailor in support of young adult cancer charity
Huddersfield-based precision engineering component company Accu is celebrating the success of Northumbrian adventurer and sailor Adam Waugh, who recently completed a 28,000-nautical-mile journey across some of the world’s most formidable oceans in a 19-foot yacht he built in his garden shed. Every nut, bolt and screw holding Little Wren together was supplied by Accu, whose…
New Carers Strategy sets out York’s shared commitment to improving the lives of unpaid carers in the city
A new citywide strategy, setting out a shared vision for improving the lives of unpaid carers, will be considered by City of York Council’s executive later this month (14 April). The draft strategy has been developed through extensive engagement with local carers, carers’ groups and partner organisations. It focuses on four key areas of work:…
April powers: abolition of tax relief for household expenses for 300,000 people
Employers may be expected to plug the shortfall of up to £124 a year, adding to rising business costs Impacts employees who incur homeworking costs that are not reimbursed by their employer Measure, from Monday, April 6, will particularly affect remote staff if their employer doesn’t have a workplace Around 300,000 people working from home…
AAB appoints Jon Grainger as Chief Operating Officer
Professional services firm, AAB, has announced the appointment of Jon Grainger as the company’s Chief Operating Officer. Jonathon will lead AAB’s technology, operations and integration teams, driving the next phase of operational excellence and enabling the firm to embed end-to-end automation capability throughout its business operations. Jon joins AAB at a time of accelerated innovation across the…
Residents struggling with heating costs urged to apply for financial assistance from the York Crisis and Resilience Fund
City of York Council is encouraging residents who are having trouble affording their heating bills to apply for support through the new Crisis and Resilience Fund, which is replacing the Household Support Fund. The fund is designed to provide swift, practical financial help for residents experiencing hardship, particularly during periods of high energy demand, including…
Keane celebrates shortlisting at 2026 Prolific North Champions Awards
Recognition highlights impactful B2C campaign for Wilfreda Beehive Keane is proud to announce its shortlisting in the B2C Marketing Campaign of the Year category at the prestigious 2026 Prolific North Champions Awards, marking a significant milestone for the agency and its growing portfolio of high-impact work. The Prolific North Champions Awards celebrate excellence across the…
Prestige Gifting celebrates another successful ‘Peak’ period
Prestige Gifts has once again mastered its ‘Peak’ period. Each year, the business faces three major challenges: Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, and Christmas. With the first two behind us, all focus is now on Christmas. Success relies on meticulous planning. Predicting the number of flower stems needed 12 months in advance is critical—too few bouquets…
Manningham Housing Association in running for four awards
Manningham Housing Association (MHA) has been shortlisted for four Northern Housing Awards, including ‘Landlord of the Year’ which it won last year. The BME organisation – which manages more than 1,400 homes for over 6,000 residents in Bradford and Keighley – is also a finalist for ‘Best Affordable Housing Development (Up to £10 million)’ for…
Castle Howard opens dedicated shop stocking seasonal Jellycat collection
The seasonal shop, exclusively stocking the popular soft toy brand, has opened in the stately home’s Stable Courtyard Castle Howard has opened a new space stocking the beloved Jellycat soft toys, just in time for the Easter holidays. The beloved brand, known for their soft, charming and amusing toys, will be displaying their Spring and…
Research partnership secures bright future for Guiseley bakery with new products, branding and growth
A research-led partnership between Leeds Beckett University (LBU) and Haighs Bakery in Guiseley has brought together marketing students and academics to launch new product ranges, branding and social media accounts, and a unique Master Baker Experience, helping to secure the long-term growth and sustainability of the Leeds family bakery. The project is a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP), part-funded…
Chadwick Lawrence expands into the North East with new Darlington office
Chadwick Lawrence Solicitors has opened a new office in Darlington, marking a significant step in the firm’s expansion into the North East. The firm’s ninth office, based in Business Central – just a two-minute walk from Darlington train station – will provide commercial, practical, and supportive legal advice to businesses and individuals across County Durham,…
Highways maintenance plan dedicates £16.5m across York
York’s annual maintenance plan for our roads and streets has been published today (31 March), which will result in a 50% increase in investment in highways, pathways, lighting, drainage and more. This will see significantly more invested in York’s roads than in previous years and the wide-ranging plan commits to highway repair schemes in villages…
Public consultation on proposed rail upgrades between Standedge and Gledholt (Huddersfield) extended
The public consultation on proposed rail upgrades between Standedge and Gledholt has been extended, giving communities in and around Huddersfield more time to share their views. The consultation, which opened on Monday 16 February 2026, has been extended until Friday 24 April 2026. The extension provides a further opportunity for residents, businesses and stakeholders to…
AAB launches ‘Office of the CFO’ service to support growing businesses with flexible finance leadership
In response to the increasingly complex trading environment for businesses, professional services firm, AAB, has launched a new ‘Office of the CFO’ service designed to give organisations the ability to strengthen their finance leadership and gain clarity in their numbers without the difficulties of recruitment of finance professionals at all levels. Businesses across the UK are facing more challenges than ever before – from inflationary…
Award winning York data firm secures grant thanks to support from City of York Council
City of York Council is celebrating the continued success of York-based data transformation specialist Simpson Associates, following targeted support from the Council’s Business Growth Manager to help the company expand its reach, strengthen partnerships and unlock new opportunities. After help from the council’s Business Growth Manager they have recently secured £10,000 from the Get Exporting…
A fusion of street food favourites arrive at Trinity Kitchen
Trinity Kitchen is back with an unbeatable new line-up of mouth-watering dishes. From bold fusion flavours to crowd-pleasing classics including Pan-Asian fried chicken and traditional poutine, this latest drop is set to put smiles upon faces. Guests can sample some of Trinity Kitchen’s favourites, including Jimmy Macks, Luigi Street Food Italiano, Spuds & Bro’s, Wagyu Lookin’ At? and Yoi Fried Chicken,…
Are You Ready for 6 April Changes?
Major changes are on the way that might impact both your income and your business. From Making Tax Digital (MTD), relief reforms and employment law changes – the way you run and reward your business is set to change. Our experts have pulled together what you need to know, what to plan for, and the…
Viva Leeds Vegas! Trinity Leeds raises the roof with plans for ‘Sphere’-Style Dome
Leeds looks set to get its own Las Vegas-style ‘Sphere’ complete with dazzling LED rooftop displays, according to exciting new plans unveiled today. Unlike the revolutionary Las Vegas Sphere, which was a $2.3bn purpose-built arena, ‘T’Yorkshire Sphere’ will be housed on the iconic Trinity Leeds glass-domed roof. Lighting up the city’s skyline with hundreds of…
Thank you, key workers: Leading North Yorkshire housebuilder donates to key worker services
Leading housebuilder David Wilson Homes is donating to key workers across the region this Easter. David Wilson Homes is showing its appreciation for key workers by donating Easter eggs to multiple essential services across its operational areas of North Yorkshire, East Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, and Lincolnshire. Delivering hundreds of eggs across the region, the developer…
The Secrets of Succession
Part One – Introduction Published research has repeatedly shown that only a very small minority of family businesses survive intact for more than two generations of ownership. But there is, equally, clear evidence that this is not an inevitable outcome and that (not surprisingly) effective planning is the key to success. For example, findings published…