Member News Subjects

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…

Published in - , , , , ,

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…

Published in - , , , ,

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…

Published in - , , , ,

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…

Published in - , , , ,

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…

Published in - , ,

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…

Published in - , , , ,

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…

Published in - , , ,

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…

Published in - , , ,

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…

Published in - , ,

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…

Published in - , ,

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…

Published in - , , , ,

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…

Published in - , , ,

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…

Published in - ,

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…

Published in - , , ,

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,…

Published in - , , ,

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…

Published in - , ,

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…

Published in - , , ,

Sovereign Health Care takes the ‘Home from Home’ to £2 million milestone

Bradford Hospitals Charity and The Sick Children’s Trust’s ‘Home from Home’ Appeal has reached a major milestone, thanks to a generous £250,000 donation from Sovereign Health Care. The appeal is raising funds to create free, on-site accommodation for families whose babies need treatment on the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Bradford Royal Infirmary (BRI)…

Published in - , , ,

Local mental health charity ensures Bradford’s City of Culture legacy lives on through major new creative health programme

Bradford District and Craven Mind is set to continue the creative legacy of Bradford 2025 with the launch of an ambitious two-year programme designed to tackle local health inequalities through arts, culture and creativity. Bradford is currently the fifth most income‑deprived district in England, facing deep-rooted challenges including economic inequality, poor health outcomes and limited…

Published in - , , ,

Leading homebuilder features high-quality five bedroom homes in North Yorkshire

Barratt Homes is encouraging families looking to step up the property ladder, or move away from the city, to consider its five bedroom Lamberton style homes at its Russet Park development in North Yorkshire. Located in the semi-rural village of Copmanthorpe, Russet Park offers the ideal balance between city and country living. Situated less than five miles…

Published in - ,

Buy-to-let property in West Yorkshire: Rental yields and capital growth around Leeds

West Yorkshire continues to be a key area of interest for buy-to-let property, particularly for those looking beyond Leeds city centre and into the surrounding suburbs and commuter towns. While Leeds remains a strong economic hub, many buyers are now exploring nearby areas where entry prices are more accessible and rental yields can be comparatively…

Published in - , ,

Step into a Woodland Wonderland this Easter at White Rose

White Rose Shopping Centre invites families to enjoy free crafting sessions with a woodland adventure theme from Tuesday 7th to Sunday 12th April. Guests can get creative from 10am – 4pm each day in White Rose’s Central Atrium, near the escalators leading to The Balcony and The Village. Little ones can let their imaginations run wild during…

Published in - , , ,

Our brand evolves for the future…

Over the past 27 years we’ve helped thousands of companies across the UK evolve their brands or completely rebrand through visual display. Now, as we enter our next chapter, it felt right to give ourselves the same treatment. Reaching 27 years in business has given us a rare chance to pause, look back and ask…

Published in - , , ,

Town Centre Securities PLC Donates 500 Easter Eggs to Yorkshire Children’s Charity

Leeds-based property investment and car park operator Town Centre Securities PLC (TCS) has supported this year’s Easter campaign in partnership with Yorkshire Children’s Charity, donating 500 Easter eggs to help bring joy to vulnerable children across the region. The donation forms part of a wider coordinated effort to ensure that children who may otherwise go…

Published in - , , , ,

Carbon Neutral Group reveals why sustainability plans can fail and how businesses can fix this

Consultancy shares some tips on how to create a good starting point when it comes down to sustainability Carbon Neutral Group, one of the UK’s fastest-growing carbon neutral and sustainability consultancies has revealed why some businesses have sustainability plans that can fail and how brands can prevent this happening. Most organisations now recognise the need…

Published in - , , , ,

Adcrete strengthens service delivery with major investment backed by Oscrete

Concrete admixture specialist Adcrete, the official sister company of Oscrete Construction Products in Northern Ireland and Ireland, is marking its 10th anniversary with a significant investment designed to further enhance service, availability and technical support for customers. The Lisburn-based business has completed a major refurbishment of its warehousing and logistics facility, thanks to investment from…

Published in - , , ,

Salko UK awarded four-year maintenance contract for Uniper’s Enfield power station

Salko UK, a leading mechanical and electrical solutions provider, has been awarded a major contract encompassing the supply and associated on-site activities for the Once-Through Cooler (OTC) and GT Exhaust works at the Enfield Power Station located in Brimsdown, London. The M&E specialist will also manage ongoing maintenance operations at Uniper’s Grain and Taylors Lane…

Published in - , ,

20 years and 180 million miles: TransPennine Express marks milestone for Class 185 fleet

TransPennine Express (TPE) has marked 20 years of its Class 185 trains with a special celebration at Siemens Mobility’s Ardwick depot in Manchester. The event recognised two decades of an award-winning fleet that has become a backbone of rail travel across the North, travelling almost 180 million miles – the equivalent of circling the earth…

Published in - , , ,

Bulls and Council develop youth engagement partnership

Bradford Bulls and Bradford Council have developed a new partnership to engage young people across the district and introduce a new generation of fans to rugby league. The Council’s Youth Service has been working with the club following their return to the Super League and have been taking young people to home games. Many of…

Published in - , , , ,

Bradford-based Refreshment Systems shortlisted for National Retail Technology Award

Bradford based Refreshment Systems Ltd (RSL), a family-run business based in Bradford, has been shortlisted for the Most Disruptive Retail Technology Award at the Retail Systems Awards. The shortlist recognises RSL’s Vendsmart technology, a new software platform built to transform how vending machines operate. While Vendsmart looks like a vending machine, it runs on completely…

Published in - , , , ,

North Yorkshire developer reveals top tips for a clutter free home

Housebuilder Barratt and David Wilson Homes is encouraging North Yorkshire residents to think proactively when it comes to decluttering their homes this spring. With the season symbolizing a new beginning, many people also see spring as a chance to renew or rearrange their home, but many people may feel lost when faced with their own…

Published in - , ,

City of York Council celebrates National Social Work Day [17 March] with local social workers nominated for national awards

Social workers from City of York Council’s Adult and Children’s Social Work teams have been nominated for the national Amazing Social Worker awards. Organised by the British Association of Social Workers (BASW), the campaign aims to recognise individual and collective achievements in social work, shining a spotlight on the countless examples of exceptional social work practice in…

Published in - , , ,

Bradford broker opens Harrogate base to support expansion plans

Family and employee owned insurance firm, TL Dallas, is expanding its footprint in North Yorkshire with a new presence in Harrogate, as the Bradford-headquartered firm continues to invest in regional growth. The long-established insurance broking, risk management and financial services group will operate from premises at 36 Victoria Avenue, placing its team in the centre…

Published in - , ,

Yorkshire garden centre group shortlisted for national people and culture award

A Bradford-headquartered garden centre group is celebrating after being shortlisted for a prestigious national HR award. Yorkshire Garden Centres Group has reached the final in the Large Organisation of the Year category at the British HR Awards, which celebrate organisations and individuals delivering a world-class people experience. The recognition comes after a period of significant…

Published in - , ,

Bradford College Named ‘Apprenticeship Provider of the Year’ 

Bradford College has been named ‘Apprenticeship Provider of the Year’ at the national Apprenticeship & Training Awards 2026. Announced at the Apprenticeships and Training Conference gala dinner and awards evening at the ACC Liverpool, the award recognises a provider that specialises in delivering apprenticeships and has achieved outstanding results. Bradford College was among 19 winners…

Published in - , , ,

Accu wins Exporter of the Year Award!

Accu, the Huddersfield-based precision engineering component distributor, has won the prestigious ‘Exporter of the Year’ category at the ‘Made in Yorkshire’ awards, held at the Royal Armouries in Leeds last week.  The company, alongside the other category winners from the evening, will now go forward to the national Made in the UK Awards in June. Accu…

Published in - , , ,

Why getting staff uniforms right matters more than many businesses realise

For many businesses, staff uniforms are often treated as a simple purchase. In reality, getting uniforms right can directly impact presentation, staff confidence, day-to-day operations and unnecessary cost. One of the most common issues businesses face is garment sizing. A uniform order can look straightforward on paper, but problems often begin once garments arrive. Staff…

Published in - ,

Why Microsoft MVP expertise gives your business a strategic advantage

Microsoft’s ecosystem is shifting faster than ever, new AI features, platform changes, governance updates and Copilot capabilities arrive monthly. For most businesses, that pace creates a simple challenge: how do you make confident decisions when the technology won’t sit still? That’s where recognised expertise matters and why partners backed by Microsoft MVP leadership, like iThink…

Published in - , ,

£40,000 helps create comfort for hospice residents

A Keighley chemical company has completed its latest donation to a local hospice bringing its total contribution to £40,000. Airedale Group’s long running partnership with Sue Ryder’s Manorlands has seen staff at the manufacturer compete in marathons, a dragon boat race, a football match, sweepstakes, cycle rides, a straw race and ‘It’s a Knockout’ contests…

Published in - , , ,

Sir Stephen Fry urges people to support York Against Cancer and spread the word about the importance of early diagnosis in prostate cancer

In a video to York Against Cancer this prostate cancer awareness month, Sir Stephen Fry has urged people to support the charity and spread the word about the importance of early diagnosis in prostate cancer. Sir Stephen Fry was diagnosed with an aggressive prostate cancer in 2017. In a video for York Against Cancer, he…

Published in - , , , ,

Huddersfield company Accu takes part in trade mission designed to strengthen business opportunities across Europe

Alastair Morris, Managing Director of Huddersfield-based Accu, one of the UK’s fastest growing distributors of precision engineering components, travelled to Switzerland and Germany last week as part of Mayor Tracy Brabin’s West Yorkshire trade mission. Alastair was invited to join the trade mission due to his high-profile work championing UK advanced manufacturing. he was part of…

Published in - , , ,

Scaling your team? Your workwear should scale with it

For growing businesses across the trades, logistics and hospitality sectors, team presentation becomes increasingly important once you move beyond 10 employees. What often begins as ad-hoc ordering can quickly lead to inconsistencies — mismatched garments, uneven branding and diluted brand identity. In client-facing industries, that inconsistency is visible. At BR Apparel, we partner with Yorkshire…

Published in - ,

Leeds locals invited to be part of 400-Portrait celebration

To mark 400 years since Leeds received its Royal Charter, award-winning creative studio Buttercrumble is embarking on an ambitious creative challenge: to illustrate 400 portraits of the people who make Leeds, Leeds. During March, Buttercrumble’s twin-founders, Chloe and Abigail Baldwin, will capture residents’ faces in a celebratory drawathon designed to reflect the city’s diversity, warmth…

Published in - , , ,

Institute for Equity, University Centre awards qualifications to 20!

The Institute for Equity, University Centre – Developing Individuals, Changing Organisations & Society (IEUC) is proud to congratulate learners who have successfully completed academic and professional qualifications in EDI: Certificate in Inclusive Curriculum Leadership Certificate in Leading Equity, Diversity & Inclusion EDI Fellowship © All 20 successful awardees have led change in EDI within their…

Published in - , , ,

Accu set to inspire young minds with robotics at UK’s largest 3D printing festival

Accu, a Huddersfield-based engineering business that supplies 50% of the world’s top manufacturers with precision engineering components, is proud to be a platinum sponsor at the UK’s largest 3D printing festival, SMRRF (Sanjay Mortimer RepRap Festival) in Manchester; 7-8th March. Attending SMRRF for the first time, Accu will be giving live demonstrations of its ‘AccuBots’ combat…

Published in - , ,

New member introduction: BR Apparel

The Premium Standard in Branded Workwear Across Yorkshire BR Apparel is a trusted partner to ambitious businesses seeking a higher standard in branded workwear. We specialise in supporting growing companies with 10–50 employees who recognise that team presentation is a direct reflection of their brand. Through carefully selected premium garments, precision embroidery and refined finishing,…

Published in - , , ,

Comic artist raises £25,000 for Bradford mental health charity in memory of her brother

Award‑winning British comic book artist and author Zoe Thorogood has donated £25,000 to local mental health charity Bradford District and Craven Mind. The donation was made in memory of her brother James, who died by suicide in 2024 at the age of 23. In the wake of her brother’s death, Zoe turned to her art…

Published in - , ,

Yorkshire Garden Centre group celebrates primroses with month long festival

A Yorkshire garden centre group is marketing the approach of spring with a celebration of primroses. The month-long Primrose Celebration will take place at Yorkshire Garden Centres’ sites at Tong, Tingley, Otley, Bingley, Pennine, York and Scarborough until March 14th. “Primroses are the first true sign of spring and a welcome reminder that it’s time…

Published in - , ,