Member News Subjects

Manningham Housing Association lauded at national awards ceremony

Manningham Housing Association (MHA) has received warm praise from judges at the Housing Executive Awards. In their formal adjudication, the judges said: “Manningham Housing Association stood out among the other strong finalists for its digital innovation and community involvement, earning Highly Commended recognition.” The BME organisation, which manages more than 1,400 homes for over 6,000…

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Skate into the festive season: White Rose ice rink to return for 2025

White Rose Shopping Centre’s magical Christmas ice rink is returning due to popular demand this festive season, open from 20th November until 4th January 2026. The family-friendly attraction returns this year with more events and offers than ever before: fun themed events will take place throughout the season, as well as regular Friday Disco Nights plus special…

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Leeds’ largest Chinese bakery, Sing Sing Bakery, opens at the Merrion Centre

Authentic, freshly made Hong Kong-style treats now served at the Merrion Centre. The Merrion Centre announces the latest arrival of Leeds’ largest Chinese bakery, Sing Sing Bakery, which is now open inside the long-established Sing Kee Chinese Supermarket. Serving a wide range of authentic, freshly made sweet and savoury items inspired by traditional Hong Kong recipes,…

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Upgrades underway for oldest in-situ cast-iron railway bridge in the world

Crawshaw Woods Bridge near Leeds is the oldest cast-iron railway bridge in the world to still be in use over a live railway, and last weekend (October 11-12), engineers carefully moved it as part of the multi-billion-pound Transpennine Route Upgrade. A bespoke arched framework was constructed to support the 191-year-old Grade II listed structure, before…

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Yasper supports trio of Bradford cultural projects

Leeds-based PR agency Yasper has been appointed to provide media relations support for a trio of creative and community projects in Bradford, the 2025 City of Culture. The work has already seen the agency generate regional and national awareness of the inaugural Leeds Road festival, which organisers estimated attracted 25,000 visitors over three days. Yasper’s…

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Halfway mark reached for TRU Community Fund applications

Strong interest has already been shown in this year’s Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) Community Fund, and local community groups, schools and charities are urged to apply now before applications close – or earlier if capacity is reached. With just 12 days remaining until the Monday 27 October deadline, the TRU Community Fund is offering £250,000…

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Planned essential maintenance works on Lendal Bridge head to decision session

Plans to carry out essential maintenance works on Lendal Bridge will be discussed at a decision session next week (21 October). These structural repairs are needed to protect the bridge so it can continue to be used for decades to come. The proposed works consist of urgent structural repairs, re-waterproofing the structure and resurfacing the…

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Inspiring commitment of York’s longest serving foster carers celebrated by the civic party

The inspiring life-changing work of some of York’s longest serving foster carers has been recognised at a special awards ceremony. Seven fostering households were welcomed to the Mansion House and awarded certificates by the Rt Hon The Lord Mayor of York, Cllr Martin Rowley BEM, for completing 20, 30 and 40 years of fostering. Throughout…

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Ideal Extraction Ltd named a finalist in the Yorkshire & Humberside Family Business Awards 2025

Ideal Extraction in Ilkley has been announced as a finalist in the category ‘Builders of Tomorrow – Construction, Property and Engineering’ at the prestigious Yorkshire & Humberside Family Business Awards 2025. Based in Ilkley, Ideal Extraction is a specialist engineering company providing bespoke dust and fume extraction systems, primarily in the woodworking sector. The company…

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Over 2,000 York residents still to claim £100 Household Support Fund payment

Over 2,000 eligible residents who have been contacted directly by the council have not yet claimed their one-off £100 Household Support Fund payment this winter. A total of 2,700 York residents have already responded to the letter sent out by City of York Council last month [September]. The payment is part of the Government’s Household…

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Bulls sign Ackers

Bradford Bulls are delighted to announce we have beaten off competition from a leading Super League club to secure the signing of Andy Ackers on a two-year deal from Leeds Rhinos. The 31-year-old made his professional debut for Swinton in 2014 before spells at London Broncos and Toronto Wolfpack. His impressive performances for the Canadian…

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Chadwick Lawrence advises Dormeuil on prestigious acquisition to become one of the UK’s largest fabric producers

Leading Yorkshire law firm Chadwick Lawrence Solicitors has advised prestigious luxury cloth maker Dormeuil Manufacturing Limited on the acquisition of Alfred Brown (Worsted Mills) Limited, a leading Yorkshire-based worsted cloth producer, for an undisclosed sum. The acquisition reinforces Dewsbury-based Dormeuil Manufacturing’s commitment to British textile manufacturing, as it acquires 100% of Leeds-based fabric mill Alfred…

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Children in the North are losing up to 10 years of life due to inactivity and inequality

Children across the North are facing a health crisis and experts say physical activity must be at the heart of the solution.  As part of the national Child of the North #ChildrenFirst campaign, the University of Bradford has joined with universities across the North to call on the Government to adopt a “whole-of-school” approach to…

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Pontefract youngster wins competition to help Santa switch on Britain’s Biggest Lemax Winter Village

A five year old from Ackworth has helped make history by launching the UK’s biggest single display of Lemax collectables. Thomas Kerry won a competition to help Santa switch on the Lemax Winter Village at Tingley Garden Centre following an appeal for someone to help Santa make the village come alive. Thomas was nominated by…

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Azets appoints Corporate Finance Partner

International business advisory group Azets has further strengthened its Corporate Finance presence in Yorkshire, welcoming Iffy Hussein as a Corporate Finance Partner in its Leeds office. Iffy joins Azets with over 13 years of experience at EY and PwC, where he spent his time supporting and advising privately owned and private equity backed businesses across…

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Andrew Jackson announces further promotions across the firm

Andrew Jackson Solicitors LLP is delighted to announce two further promotions in recognition of the hard work, expertise, and dedication demonstrated across the firm. Rikki Foster has become an associate within the firm’s litigation team. As an experienced solicitor, Rikki supports clients in the resolution of a wide variety of contentious matters including boundary disputes, right…

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£400,000 for new gestational diabetes umbilical chord study

The University of Bradford has been awarded more than £400,000 to carry out research into gestational diabetes among women from different ethnicities. Dr Kirsten Riches-Suman, Associate Professor of Biomedical Science at the University of Bradford, is leading the research project into gestational diabetes which commonly affects women during pregnancy. The three-year study, conducted at the…

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Crysp founder named as ‘One to Watch’ in LDC/The Times Top 50

The founder of a Bradford success story has been recognised as ‘One to Watch’ in LDC and The Times’ prestigious Top 50 Most Ambitious Business Leaders. Pete Mills, chief executive of Crysp Ltd, was awarded the accolade in the eighth annual listing of Britain’s best and brightest business leaders and entrepreneurs – marking the culmination…

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York secures £479k to help prevent homelessness

Recognising the needs of York residents facing homelessness, £479,438 has been secured to help the Council prevent homelessness and provide accommodation and support where it’s most needed. This Government funding supports the Council’s aim to make rough sleeping rare, brief and non-recurring. A proportion of this funding will be used to support homelessness prevention and…

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Professor’s vision for future cities inspires international award

The next generation of architects and urban planners will be honoured through an international award created in memory of a University of Bradford academic.   ‘The City of My Future – Professor Claudia Trillo Award’ will promote the work of young researchers in the field of sustainable urban regeneration.    The award celebrates the work…

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New community wellbeing hub opens in York

A much-anticipated community wellbeing and mental health hub, based in Acomb Garth, York, is opening its doors to the public on 13 October. A much-anticipated community wellbeing and mental health hub, based in Acomb Garth, York, is opening its doors to the public on 13 October, the week after World Mental Health Day on Friday…

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Yorkshire Garden Centre Group celebrates its 2025 Great by Nature cohort

34 Team members from a Bradford garden centre group are celebrating the successful completion of an internal training programme which identifies and nurtures talent. Yorkshire Garden Centre Group’s ‘Great by Nature’ programme was established to develop individuals identified by their managers as emerging talent with high potential for growth within the multi-site business. During the…

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Accu fasteners drive innovation at London’s robotic salad bar

Huddersfield-based precision engineering component supplier Accu has supported robotics start-up KAIKAKU with the development of Fusion, a modular robotic food assembly line designed and built in London. Now running daily at KAIKAKU’s flagship site, Common Room in London’s Brunswick Centre, Fusion is transforming how fresh, made-to-order meals are prepared in quick-service restaurants. Founded in 2023, KAIKAKU set out…

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Remember lost loved ones at park lantern parade

People are encouraged to contribute to a commemorative lantern parade held in a park. The Festival of the Dead parade, organised by the University of Bradford in collaboration with Cecil Green Arts, Bradford Death Cafe and Kynd, will be at Northcliffe Park, Shipley, on Sunday 16 November from 17:00 to 19:30.   A series of…

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£1m AV transformation at University of Bradford in running for second award

A £1m overhaul of audio-visual infrastructure at the University of Bradford is in the running for its second prestigious industry award, recognising its impact on student experience, sustainability and hybrid learning.  Delivered by Roche AV Pro, the ambitious upgrade tackled years of underinvestment across the campus estate, replacing outdated systems with cutting-edge technology.  The project…

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Bradford helps shape the future of 6G

The University of Bradford is playing a key role in shaping the future of mobile technology, as part of a major European research initiative exploring how 6G networks will transform society.  The University recently hosted the 6th plenary meeting of the EU-funded 6G-PATH project, which brings together 28 partners from 13 countries to design and…

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Don’t leave National Insurance money on the table, Azets warns

Larger businesses across Yorkshire could be missing out on thousands of pounds annually by not claiming their national insurance (NI) allowances, a senior payroll professional has warned. Julie Gunnell, associate director of payroll growth at UK top 10 accountancy and business advisory Azets, working from the York office, said firms could be missing out on…

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York community shapes new rivers trail at soft launch walk

As part of York Walking Festival and York Environment Festival, York residents joined a creative riverside walk to help shape the new York rivers trail.  The trail, co-designed with schools, stakeholders and local communities, will blend art, science and local voices to tell the city’s flood and climate story when it plans to launch in…

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Kiril Mischeff Group acquires East Yorkshire Based Primepak Foods Ltd

Leading food and beverage supplier Kiril Mischeff has completed its latest acquisition, adding food manufacturer and processor Primepak Foods to its expanding group. The Nottinghamshire-based, privately-owned business was once again advised on the 100% share acquisition by leading commercial law firm Schofield Sweeney. Kiril Mischeff, established in 1935, is one of Europe’s leading food and…

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Record breaking freshers footfall at The Merrion Centre

Freshers’ 2025 delivers biggest week of student visitors to date The Merrion Centre has once again cemented its position as the heart of Leeds student life, welcoming record-breaking numbers of visitors during this year’s Freshers’ period.  The start of the new term saw more than 416,000 visitors at the Merrion Centre, with Freshers’ Week delivering…

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White Rose Shines a Spotlight on Local Heroes

White Rose Shopping Centre has celebrated some of Leeds’ most inspiring individuals and organisations at its annual Community Awards, which recognise grassroot leaders, dedicated volunteers, and life-saving specialists who make a real difference. This year’s Community Awards honours the incredible local people working hard to benefit their community, with just a few of the 2025…

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Bloomin’ marvellous: Campus strikes gold with award

An edible campus, beehives and wooded areas helped clinch gold for the University of Bradford at this year’s Yorkshire in Bloom.  The gardening team secured the prestigious prize in Yorkshire in Bloom 2025’s Universities, Colleges and Further Education (FE) Establishments category, moving up from the Silver Gilt prize in 2024. They were also named joint…

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Chadwick Lawrence welcomes 18 new starters as headcount surpasses 250

Yorkshire legal experts Chadwick Lawrence has announced the appointment of 18 new team members – a significant milestone that takes total headcount to 252. The new recruits span the firm’s Yorkshire office network, strengthening teams across Leeds, Wakefield, Huddersfield, Bradford and Horbury, in every corner of the business, reflecting the firm’s commitment to investing in…

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Bolton-based Barlow Andrews announces rebrand following acquisition

Bolton-based accountancy firm, Barlow Andrews has today announced its official rebrand to AAB.  The strategic move comes 12 months after the firm joined the rapidly expanding professional services challenger brand, AAB. This latest development sees Barlow Andrews finalise integration in the AAB Group and highlights its alignment with their focus on delivering specialist, full-service support…

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Transpennine Route Upgrade prepares for major upgrades between Dewsbury and York

Customers are being urged to check before they travel as work between Dewsbury and York throughout October and November means there will be changes to services. The closures of the railway are in place to facilitate essential work as part of the multi-billion-pound Transpennine Route Upgrade. From Monday 6 October until Friday 24 October (excluding…

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New 1.5-acre park opens next to 78 new Passivhaus homes

A new green space for all to enjoy has been opened as part of work to build 78 ultra low-energy homes at Burnholme Green. A 1.5-acre park has been opened with play and exercise areas, meadows and coppices of trees, connected to the local communities by a network of paths dotted with benches. Across the…

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Module shortlisted for AMBA CSR and Sustainability Award

A University of Bradford module on sustainability has been shortlisted for a prestigious international award. The Circular Design for the Real World module is a finalist in the Best Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Sustainability Initiative category at the Association of MBAs (AMBA) and Business Graduates Association (BGA) Excellence Awards 2026. Dr Farzaneh Fakhredin, Lecturer…

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Another key appointment for Andrew Jackson

Sarah Thomsen joins as partner and head of contentious probate Regional law firm Andrew Jackson Solicitors LLP is delighted to announce the appointment of Sarah Thomsen as a partner and head of the firm’s contentious probate team. A registered contentious trust and probate specialist and a full member of the ACTAPS (Association of Contentious Trust and Probate…

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Equans to deliver Leeds warm homes boost

Energy and regeneration expert Equans has secured a contract with Leeds City Council to make over 270 council-owned homes in Seacroft more affordable to heat. Equans will install insulation to external walls and some lofts, proving an extra layer of protection from all types of weather. The new insulation will also prevent heat escaping from…

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Children’s Heart Surgery Fund (CHSF) celebrate the career of Carin Von Doorn, OBE

Children’s Heart Surgery Fund (CHSF) have put together a film, to celebrate the career of Consultant Congenital Cardiac Surgeon Carin Von Doorn, OBE. It is estimated that Carin has operated on over 5,000 patients in her career, from babies through to adults, and she is soon retiring. CHSF want to ensure Carin’s legacy lives on after…

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Thwaites triumphs as AA Group of the Year

Lancashire-based family-run hospitality group, Thwaites – which operates a collection of 23 hotels and inns across England – clinched the coveted AA Group of the Year title at the AA Hospitality Awards 2025. Recognised for delivering exceptional hospitality at one-of-a-kind properties in outstanding locations across the country, Thwaites’ modern spa hotels and coaching inns lie…

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First passenger train pulls into Huddersfield station following 30 days of major upgrades

This morning, the first passenger train arrived at the newly rebuilt platforms at Huddersfield Station, marking a major milestone in Phase One of the station upgrades. This achievement takes customers one step closer to faster, cleaner, more reliable trains across the North. Over the past month, our TRU West Alliance has been working around the…

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New Non-Executive Director appointed at Yorkshire Building Society

Yorkshire Building Society has announced Elaine Bucknor joined its Board as Non-Executive Director on 26 September. She brings 30 years’ experience in the technology sector, including the delivery of complex multinational programmes and innovative strategies to support organisational transformation and growth. Elaine has held executive, operational and consultancy roles with leading companies in the telecommunications,…

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Azets’ six SME savings suggestions

Small changes could help Yorkshire SMEs lessen the pressure on their finances, staff and management, a senior accounting professional has said. Matthew Grant, partner and head of accounts and business advisory at international accountancy and business advisory group Azets in Yorkshire, is encouraging directors and owners of SMEs to explore their options around technology, tax…

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Beware QR codes in Council car parks and texted parking fines

City of York Council is warning drivers to stay vigilant after its car parks were targeted by a fake QR code parking scam and as a wider parking ticket scam hits the country. A widespread parking scam involving fake Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) has targeted people across the country in recent weeks. Scammers send text…

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Outstanding student achievements recognised at Leeds College of Building Awards

Leeds College of Building (LCB) students and apprentices from the 2024/2025 academic year have been honoured at the annual BIG (Building Industry Greats) Awards. More accolades than ever before were handed out, including 44 trophies, seven Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) QUEST Technician Scholarships, and one medal from the British Tunnelling Society Young Members. Virgin…

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Otley Garden Centre celebrates refreshed catering offering with mayoral visit

The team at Otley Garden Centre celebrated the reopening of its popular restaurant by hosting Otley Town Mayor, Cllr Paul Carter, for afternoon tea recently. Cllr Carter, along with his wife and consort Denise, was invited to Blooms, the refurbished and renamed 200-seater table service restaurant, by Otley Garden Centre’s catering manager, Marina Jannetta. Yorkshire…

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MP officially opens brand-new housing development in North Yorkshire

Member of Parliament for York Outer, Luke Charters, has officially unveiled a brand-new housing development in Copmanthorpe. The constituency MP joined Barratt Homes to celebrate the launch of the 75-home development, named Russet Park. Set to deliver a selection of one to five bedroom properties, the growing community offers house hunters a village retreat only…

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