Are locally led initiatives more effective than top-down Government schemes?
A new national compendium published by the Key Cities Innovation Network (KCIN) highlights how cities and universities across the UK are rethinking innovation ecosystems to support more inclusive and sustainable regional growth. The University of Bradford is among ten contributors to Innovation Ecosystems, the first i‑PLACE Compendium, which brings together peer‑reviewed research and real‑world case studies exploring how…
Property Investment – The Why, the Do’s and Don’ts
With increasing tax pressures on landlords holding property in their personal name, evolving regulation through the Renters’ Rights Act, the expansion of selective licensing, and the potential for stricter EPC requirements, many investors are reassessing whether property still represents a worthwhile investment. The short answer is yes, but only if you approach it the right…
Family fun with Shaun the Sheep and White Rose this May
A new Shaun the Sheep augmented reality trail will visit White Rose Shopping Centre next month, alongside a line-up of fun half-term activities. Families are invited to embark on a free adventure with the Shaun the Sheep: Fun with the Flock augmented reality trail at the city shopping destination, bringing the much-loved Shaun the Sheep character…
Bluey set to bring half term fun to the Merrion Centre
Families invited to enjoy free interactive story time sessions this May half term The Merrion Centre is excited to announce another fantastic free family event, as Bluey arrives for a series of live story time sessions this May half term. Taking place on Wednesday 27th May 2026 in The Green area on the main mall,…
Es Devlin responds to Vanbrugh with new artwork for Castle Howard
Internationally renowned artist and designer Es Devlin will present Library of the Four Winds this summer, a new public sculpture in the Temple of the Four Winds at Castle Howard. The work will be on show from 13 June – 27 September and is conceived to mark the tricentenary of Sir John Vanbrugh (1664-1726), the…
A sweet new arrival: White Rose to welcome Rassam’s Creamery
White Rose Shopping Centre is set to welcome Rassam’s Creamery, the award-winning dessert brand known for its bold flavours, immersive experiences, and show-stopping creations. Opening this summer, the new White Rose location will be Rassam’s largest and most impressive site to date, bringing a whole new level of excitement to South Leeds. Rassam’s Creamery is…
Bradford workwear supplier launches 7-step enterprise ordering platform for local businesses
Revolutionary system streamlines uniform procurement with professional 7-step ordering process Bradford-based uniform supplier BR Apparel has announced the launch of an innovative enterprise ordering platform that transforms uniform management for local businesses with significant workwear requirements. The new system provides companies spending £5,000+ annually on uniforms with a comprehensive 7-step ordering process through their own…
Yorkshire engineering firm celebrates success with project extension at Europe’s deepest mineshaft
Leading mechanical and electrical engineering firm, Salko UK, has successfully secured a year long contract extension with Redpath Deilmann to continue providing mechanical labour at Woodsmith Mine – Europe’s deepest mineshaft once completed. The contract extension will see a dedicated team completing the mechanical labour, reinforcing Salko UK’s long term involvement in one of the UK’s…
First look at Bradford College’s new £19.3m Motor Vehicle & Engineering building
Scaffolding has come down on the new Bradford College Junction Mills building on Thornton Road, set to open in September this year. Junction Mills will offer students skills in new technologies, such as modern automotive and digital engineering, electric/hybrid vehicles, and advanced manufacturing. The building will be vital in supporting the growth of technology and…
Do you budget for Microsoft 365 or just hope nothing breaks?
Microsoft 365 quickly becomes business‑critical. Teams, approvals, workflows, automations, before long, people rely on them every day to get work done. Licences are planned and solutions are delivered. However, what often isn’t planned is what happens after go‑live. Keeping things running Improving what’s clunky Adapting as Microsoft changes Instead, support tends to be reactive. Something…
Entries open for Leeds Manufacturing Festival Awards as new generation reshapes sector’s image
Entries have opened for this year’s Leeds Manufacturing Festival Awards, with manufacturing and engineering employers across West Yorkshire being encouraged to put forward their most promising young talent at a time when a new generation is helping to redefine the industry’s image. Now in their fifth year, the awards, which take place in June, recognise…
West Yorkshire consultancy marks growth with move to Salts Mill
A West Yorkshire technology consultancy is building on more than a decade of growth following its move to Salts Mill in Saltaire, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. True9 Limited, founded in 2014 by Chris Richardson and Martin Taylor, has relocated from Croft Myl in Halifax and is now based at the historic Salts…
Middlethorpe Hall & Spa partners with St Leonard’s Hospice to offer complimentary treatments and fundraising support
Middlethorpe Hall & Spa is proud to be collaborating with St Leonard’s Hospice this May, offering a series of complimentary wellbeing treatments for residents, out-patients, staff and carers, alongside a month of dedicated fundraising activity. Throughout May, Spa Managers Lisa and Helen will visit the hospice every Thursday morning (7th, 14th, 21st and 28th May, from…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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)…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…