Local firm triumphs at Bradford College Apprenticeship Games 2026
A local firm powered its way to victory at this year’s annual Bradford College Apprenticeship Games. Northern Pump Suppliers Ltd were crowned winners after a day of intense battling against nine other employer teams. The fourth annual Apprenticeship Games brought together teams of apprentices and their employers for a day of action-packed challenges. Each squad competed for…
Apprentice engineers welcome MP to mark National Apprenticeship Week 2026
Bradford College engineering apprentices welcomed a local MP to their workplace to celebrate National Apprenticeship Week 2026 (9-15 February). Judith Cummins MP visited the Engineering Manufacturing Technician apprentices to learn more about their jobs at AESSEAL plc near Dudley Hill – a firm that specialises in the design, manufacture, and supply of mechanical seals and…
Go wild this February half term with White Rose’s jungle adventure
Families are invited to swing into February half term at White Rose Shopping Centre as its much-loved free craft club returns with a roarsome jungle-themed experience for little explorers from Monday 16th – Friday 20th. Fun for the whole family, drop-in crafting sessions will be held from 10am – 4pm each day in White Rose’s Central…
Keighley ‘Soul Sisters’ are doing it for themselves
Manningham Housing Association (MHA) has successfully delivered an innovative local project to boost the health and wellbeing of local women in Keighley. ‘Soul Sisters’ brought 12 residents together over a six-week period for a series of themed sessions at Keighley Civic Centre and Keighley Central Hall. Led by Eyarun Nessa, MHA’s Community Development Officer, and…
National Apprenticeship Week: Shaping the future of rail in the North
The Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) is marking National Apprenticeship Week 2026 (9-15 February) by celebrating the impact being made by its investment in local skills, careers and talent. TRU will deliver faster, more frequent trains on a greener, more reliable railway. With the programme firmly in its delivery phase and many benefits already being realised,…
Events launched to help Yorkshire businesses navigate payroll shake-up
Employers in Yorkshire are being urged to get to grips with major payroll changes that are hurtling down the tracks. A raft of strict new regulations are coming into force under the April 6 overhaul, which includes the potential for significant enforcement action for non‑compliance. Azets, a UK top 10 accountancy and business advisory firm…
City of York Council join York City to raise awareness of Fostering
City of York Council’s Fostering Team will be at the LNER Community Stadium on Saturday 7 February ahead of the York City V Forest Green Rovers match to raise awareness about fostering in York. Football fans attending the match are encouraged to chat with the council’s fostering team before kick-off, where staff will be on…
York celebrates National Apprenticeship Week
City of York Council is celebrating the value, benefits and opportunities apprenticeships bring to individuals, businesses and the wider economy during National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) next week (9-15 February). NAW shines a light on how apprenticeships are a great option for people to consider when they are looking to start or change careers. With apprenticeships…
Bradford Garden Centre to host pruning masterclass with leading rose grower
A Bradford garden centre is hosting a rose pruning masterclass with one of the country’s leading names in roses later this month. On Tuesday, 24th February, an expert from the long-established, family-owned rose breeder David Austin Roses will be in The Mezzanine at Tong Garden Centre at 10 am and 2 pm for hands-on rose…
Bradford BID launches inaugural Member Awards celebrating the city’s business community
Bradford Business Improvement District (BID) has today announced the launch of its inaugural Bradford BID Member Awards, a brand-new celebration recognising the innovation, resilience and excellence of local businesses in the city centre. The awards ceremony will take place on Thursday 25th June 2026 at the iconic Bradford Live, bringing together businesses from across the retail,…
Universal AV Services proudly presents Connex 2026 – Bringing the future of workplace technology to Leeds
Universal AV Services is proud to present Connex 2026, the North of England’s leading workplace technology event, returning to Leeds to showcase the very latest in audio visual and collaboration solutions for modern working environments. Taking place at the Marriott Hotel, Leeds on March 12th, Connex has long been a must-attend event for organisations looking…
Leeds Independent Venues Group launches
Leeds Independent Venues Group launches: six independent spaces unite to elevate Leeds as a premier meetings and events destination Six of Leeds’ leading independent venues have joined forces to form the Leeds Independent Venues Group, a new collective created to showcase the city’s diverse event spaces and strengthen its position as a top destination for…
Five-star homebuilder invites public to special preview event for upcoming North Yorkshire development
David Wilson Homes is inviting prospective buyers to a special preview event for its upcoming Castra Park development at LNER Community Stadium on Thursday 22nd January. Located in the sought-after village of Huntington, Castra Park will offer a collection of energy-efficient two, three and four-bedroom homes. The development is the ideal setting for families and young professionals with…
Warm Spaces cinema returns to York
York St John University’s Cinema & Social Justice team offer free film screenings for people trying to stay warm this winter York St John University is pleased to invite the local community to free Warm Spaces film screenings this winter. The University’s Cinema & Social Justice project is screening all-ages favourites Zootropolis 2 and Happy Feet at…
North Yorkshire homebuilder sponsors creative arts day with Whitby charity
Barratt and David Wilson Homes sponsors creative arts day for Whitby charity, WHISH. Barratt and David Wilson Homes sponsored a creative arts day at St. Hilda’s Hub with Whitby charity, WHISH. Nearby Barratt Homes’ Abbey View and David Wilson Homes’ Chaloners Green developments, the charity is a hub for the community, supporting many individuals with hidden impairments. The day…
LEAP celebrates 20 years of enterprise fairs at the Merrion Centre
LEAP (Leeds Enterprise Advisory Project) is celebrating 20 years of enterprise fairs at the Merrion Centre, reflecting on a journey that now spans decades of inspiring, mentoring and empowering young people in Leeds. The milestone year of 2026 will feature two LEAP Fairs at the Merrion Centre: the Valentine’s LEAP Fair on 7 February 2026,…
Join workplace wellness leaders, Hussle, for an energising morning of fitness and networking for HR professionals and business leaders
Hussle is the UK’s leading fitness network, collaborating with thousands of amazing venues across the UK to provide simple, flexible access to gyms, pools and spas. They partner with organisations that value the wellbeing of their employees to enable staff members to access fitness wherever and whenever they want, all as part of one simple…
Merrion Centre once again hosts Leeds city centre’s biggest Chinese New Year celebrations for 2026
Vibrant Cultural Festivities Return Following Previous Year’s Success The Merrion Centre in Leeds is set to once again host the city centre’s largest Chinese New Year celebration in 2026, welcoming the Year of the Horse with an exciting programme of cultural performances, workshops, and family-friendly activities. This year’s event, once again supported by the Business Confucius Institute…
CEO aims high as Manningham Housing Association prepares for 40th anniversary
The chief executive of Manningham Housing Association (MHA) has spoken of his hopes for 2026 as the BME organisation gets ready in September to celebrate 40 years of delivering homes and services to communities in Bradford and Keighley. In a New Year message, Lee Bloomfield reflected on another 12 months of achievement for MHA in…
Regional construction firms bring Christmas spirit to Leeds College of Building
A Child Friendly Leeds Christmas event has snowballed after regional construction firms responded to an urgent appeal for donations. The Child Friendly Leeds team work in partnership with their network of Ambassadors to offer a range of opportunities and experiences to families supported by children’s social care and third sector ambassador partners. This year, Leeds…
Building inclusive businesses. Strengthening our region.
The Institute for Equity University Centre is proud to launch two new networks designed to support the growth of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) across Yorkshire. In a fast-changing business environment, organisations that truly understand their workforce are better placed to attract and retain talent, build trust and ensure colleagues feel valued. Just as importantly,…
‘Clash on Campus’ sees wrestling rock University
The stars of Kingdom Wrestling, the UK’s first faith-based professional wrestling charity, slammed their way into the University of Bradford for an action-packed show. ‘Clash on Campus’ saw a crowd of enthusiastic fans enjoy a night of suplexes, clotheslines and powerbombs inside the University’s cavernous atrium. Fans of all ages gathered for what is intended…
A wonderous festive season at White Rose
The festive season is still in full swing at White Rose Shopping Centre this December, with plenty of reasons to celebrate this Christmas. The centre’s family-friendly ice rink is open until 4th January, with pre-bookable 45-minute sessions taking place every day (except Christmas Day) – the perfect all-weather, all-ages activity. Upcoming events include Friday Disco…
12 tips for controlling your eating over Christmas
With Christmas advertising for the big day feast in full swing, it’s time to consider how we will approach the season. A few techniques and strategies can help prevent us from overeating during the Christmas period, and a positive consequence from showing a bit of restraint now will leave us more resilient and better positioned…
10 ways to enjoy your first sober Christmas
A sober or sober-curious Christmas can feel unfamiliar, especially if your usual festive routine has always involved alcohol. However, with a little planning, it becomes far easier than you might expect, and you can still enjoy the celebrations, the people around you and the atmosphere without feeling like you are missing out. These 10 tips…
Signs, tips and advice on men’s mental health at Christmas
As the festive season approaches, a mental health campaigner is calling on men to prioritise their wellbeing and open up about their struggles. Luke Ambler, co-founder of male suicide prevention charity, Andy’s Man Club, warns Christmas can be one of the toughest times of the year for many men. He says men might struggle with…
Castle Howard and Brew York create bespoke beer to celebrate Oz Christmas extravaganza
Castle Howard and Brew York have collaborated on a unique beer for the festive season celebrating the stately home’s Wizard of Oz Christmas experience. ‘No Place Like Home’, a Hazy Session IPA with a citrus character and floral notes, is brewed at Brew York’s Osbaldwick location and stocked exclusively at Castle Howard for the duration…
Castle Howard’s Christmas events to star in Channel 4 documentary series
Castle Howard’s Christmas events will feature in a new Channel 4 documentary series, ‘A Very British Christmas’. The programme is a three-part series following designers Adrian Lillie and Charlotte Lloyd Webber from CLW Event Design as they create festive experiences for iconic British stately homes, with one episode dedicated to Castle Howard’s extravaganza. The Castle…
Businesses collaborate with childcare providers to celebrate National Tree Week
The team at a Bradford-based garden centre group has collaborated with its managed print supplier to celebrate National Tree Week with a childcare provider in Wakefield. Yorkshire Garden Centres, owner of Tong, Tingley, Bingley, Otley and Pennine Garden Centres, plus Dean’s York and Scarborough, has partnered with Oyster to provide the Nurtured Childcare group of…
Bradford College honours higher education students at annual graduation ceremony
A remarkable 373 higher education students gathered at The Life Centre to take part in the 2025 Bradford College graduation ceremony. This is the first year that all Bradford College higher education students attended the same graduation, making it the largest ceremony ever held to date. The annual event brought together special guests, family members,…
Graduation Day 25th November 2025
The countdown is on! On Tuesday 25 November, we’ll be coming together at the iconic Central Hall Westminster, London to celebrate the achievements of our apprentice graduates. This year’s cohorts have shown incredible commitment and talent throughout their programmes, and we couldn’t be more proud of everything they’ve accomplished. Their success is a reflection of…
Lantern parade lights up Festival of the Dead
More than 200 people paid tribute to their loved ones at a lantern parade held in a Bradford district park. The Festival of the Dead parade, organised by the University of Bradford in collaboration with Cecil Green Arts, Bradford Death Cafe and Kynd, was at Northcliffe Park, Shipley, on Sunday 16 November. Following a parade…
Online auction launches to support Tiny Lives Appeal
York & Scarborough Hospitals Charity has launched an online auction to help raise funds for the Tiny Lives Appeal, supporting the Neonatal Unit at York Hospital. Local businesses and supporters have shown incredible generosity by supporting the appeal which launched earlier this month to support premature babies and their families. This year, the charity hopes…
White Rose and Kidz Klub deliver festive cheer to Leeds families
White Rose Shopping Centre has opened its annual gift donation campaign in support of Leeds based charity Kidz Klub, helping spread the festive spirit in the lead-up to Christmas. Guests are invited to donate toys and gifts suitable for children aged zero to 16 years old, with the 4+ age range most in need, at…
From AI to lego play, startups to expansion overseas, York Business Festival offers something for everyone in the region’s business community
Business leaders, entrepreneurs and industry experts set to gather for week of events at York St John University An expanded and ambitious York Business Festival returns next week with a packed, week-long programme of events. The Festival aims to support, connect and celebrate the region’s business community through a series of talks, workshops, advice clinics,…
Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland opens for its 20th season of festive fun at McArthurGlen Designer Outlet York
Celebrating its milestone 20th season in York, Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland opens today with an array of festive touches and colourful surprises. The award-winning outdoor ice rink, funfair and Santa’s Grotto provides a fun-filled winter experience at York Designer Outlet and no end of photo opportunities for all the family. At the Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland lights switch-on last…
Dilettante wins inaugural new music stage at Aesthetica Film Festival
Aesthetica Film Festival is delighted to announce Dilettante as the winner of its first-ever New Music Stage, a showcase of the UK’s most exciting emerging musical talent. Dubbed the “UK’s version of SXSW,” the festival brings together music, film, games, and XR in one immersive environment, providing a unique platform for collaboration, discovery, and cultural exchange. This…
YorEnergy retrofit event to help York and North Yorkshire residents cut bills and make homes warmer
Residents across York and North Yorkshire are invited to discover how to make their homes warmer, greener, and cheaper to run at the YorEnergy Retrofit Futures event on Tuesday 25 November 2025 at York Guildhall. The event also marks the public launch of YorEnergy, a new end-to-end home retrofit service developed through the Retrofit One…
Female Founders boosted by Bradford start-up event
Female-led innovation took centre stage at the University of Bradford’s Demo Day, showcasing some of the region’s most promising start-ups. Among the 20 start-ups on display were Lotessa, a digital health platform founded by Tsitsi Chinyandura, and X-Trim, a wearable fitness device developed by Lucy Finn. The event marks the culmination of the Bradford-Renduchintala Enterprise…
There is no place like this home: Castle Howard opens their Oz-tastic Christmas extravaganza
The iconic North Yorkshire stately home is transformed into Oz, until 4th January Castle Howard has opened their 2025 Christmas event, Christmas at Castle Howard with the Wonderful Wizard of Oz. The 300-year-old House becomes an immersive Christmas experience, dressed in set pieces, decorations, floristry, projections, lighting and sound, set to delight tens of thousands of…
Winners Announced at Aesthetica Film Festival 2025
The BAFTA-Qualifying Aesthetica Film Festival has concluded its landmark 15th anniversary edition, announcing this year’s award-winning filmmakers — a new generation of talent poised to shape the future of screen culture. For 15 years, Aesthetica has been the home of new voices in film, where tomorrow’s BAFTA and Oscar nominees and winners are first discovered. Across five transformative days, from 5-9 November…
York celebrates its amazing care leavers as part of National Care Leavers’ Month
City of York Council is celebrating the positive impact young people leaving care have on communities across the city during National Care Leavers’ Month (November). The month-long event aims to raise awareness and celebrate care leavers, with this year’s theme being “Rising as Me: Overcoming challenges, transforming, and finding your identity”. Around 30 young people…
Strongman says ‘I Do’ before national competition
A former University of Bradford student has undergone a different type of build-up to compete in this year’s England’s Strongest Man by getting married and going on honeymoon. George Smith, 27, who studied BSc (Hons) Computer Science for Cyber Security at the University, is taking part in the televised strongman contest on Sunday 9 November, after he…
York & Scarborough Hospitals Charity’s first golf day raises over £10,000 for hospital breast unit
Eighty golfers from across the area teed off for a sell-out charity golf day supporting York & Scarborough Hospitals Charity. Held on Thursday 2 October at the stunning Sandburn Hall near York, the event was hailed a huge success by the Charity, with local businesses and community supporters uniting to make a real difference. Proceeds…
Aesthetica Film Festival 2025: The UK’s Premier Screen & Media Event Opens This Week
This November, the BAFTA-Qualifying Aesthetica Film Festival celebrates its 15th anniversary, reaffirming its position as the UK’s leading screen and media event. Taking place from 5–9 November 2025, the festival brings together filmmakers, industry leaders, and audiences from across the country in a bold celebration of storytelling, innovation, and creative excellence. Transforming York into a national hub for the creative…
York’s Remembrance Sunday parade and service
The Rt Hon Lord Mayor of York, Councillor Martin Rowley BEM, the Civic Party and City of York Council will pay their respects at York’s official Remembrance Sunday service and parade. On Sunday 9 November, the parade will leave Clifford’s Tower at 10.20am and make its way to the City War Memorial via the Mansion House. The…
York Talk Money fortnight
York residents can access a wealth of information and support that could save them £1000s as part of this autumn’s York Talk Money fortnight (3-16 November). Run by City of York Council and partners across the city, including Citizens Advice, Peasholme Charity, Age UK, York Energy Advice and OCAY, the regular event aims to help…
Trinity Leeds and White Rose seek accessibility feedback this Purple Tuesday
Trinity Leeds and White Rose shopping centres will mark Purple Tuesday on 4th November, raising awareness of the challenges that disabled shoppers can face as well as engaging with guests to explore ways to make the centres more accessible. Purple Tuesday is an annual initiative which looks to improve the customer experience for disabled people…