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…
Higher labour costs dominate business impact concerns in latest Azets Barometer
Smaller businesses are struggling more than larger companies amid relentless economic challenges and higher labour costs, according to Yorkshire accountants Azets. A business sentiment survey by Azets, the top 10 UK accountancy and business advisory firm with offices in Leeds, Bradford and York, laid bare the issues facing SMEs, which make up the vast majority…
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…
Transforming a Buy-to-Let property in Pudsey, Leeds
Across West Yorkshire, many buy-to-let opportunities are not defined by the condition a property is purchased in, but by the potential it offers once improved. A recent project in Pudsey, Leeds highlights how a considered approach to property sourcing, renovation and interior design can enhance both rental appeal and overall property performance. The property was…
Bradford Bulls announce Embrace live performance at Bartercard Odsal Stadium
Multi-platinum Yorkshire legends headline pre-match show on Sunday 14th June ahead of Leigh Leopards clash The Bradford Bulls are proud to announce that acclaimed Yorkshire rock band Embrace will be performing a live 60-minute pre-match set at Bartercard Odsal Stadium on Sunday 14th June, ahead of the Bulls’ Super League fixture against the Leigh Leopards….
National Offer Day for primary schools- York children allocated their Reception school place for September
A total of 94.3% of children who applied for a Reception place at a primary school in York this September were allocated their first choice on National Offer Day [Thursday 16 April]. All the children who applied for a Year 3 place in a junior school were allocated their first choice. Parents who applied online…
Understanding property opportunities across West and North Yorkshire
West and North Yorkshire continue to attract interest from property buyers, developers, and business owners, supported by strong regional demand, ongoing regeneration, and a diverse mix of city centres, suburbs and surrounding towns. While Leeds is often seen as the focal point, the wider region, including Bradford, Wakefield, Huddersfield, Harrogate and York, presents a range…
Azets joins trailblazing flood defence project
A UK top 10 accountancy and business advisory firm in Leeds has thrown its weight behind a trailblazing new community initiative to protect the city from floods. Azets, which has offices in King Street, is a business partner of the Aire Resilience Company (ARC) and has taken on the role of inaugural finance partner. It…
Star Coaches run with the Bulls in 2026
Bradford Bulls are delighted to announce a brand-new partnership with Star Coaches, who will supply the club with a new full specification sports team coach for travel across Super League in 2026. In addition, Star Coaches sponsor Match Highlights on BullsTV, bringing fans closer to the action throughout the 2026 season. The new agreement ensures the Bulls will travel in…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
50,000 tonnes of ballast, 11.5km of track, 5,515 sleepers: the numbers behind TRU’s next series of major upgrades
Throughout May and June, Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) teams will take another huge step in delivering faster, more frequent trains on a greener railway across the North, through a series of engineering works between Huddersfield and Leeds. From Saturday 2 May until Monday 25 May, 56 engineering trains will be deployed along this stretch of…
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)…
York woodland supports work of York’s foster carers
The work of City of York Council’s amazing foster carers is being recognised and celebrated with a special area of designated woodland at York Community Woodland this spring. The 78 hectare York Community Woodland site has been identified by the council to increase green space in the city. The area of woodland dedicated to fostering…
University of Leeds ‘Growing Well Study’ to launch pop-up research hub at Merrion Centre
Families invited to participate in child health research in central Leeds The Merrion Centre continues to diversify its city centre offering with the arrival of a new research-led pop-up from the University of Leeds this April. Located in an upper-balcony level retail unit, the temporary ‘Growing Well Study’ hub will open on 8th April and provide…
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…
Leading housebuilder donates £1,500 to North Yorkshire horse riding charity
Barratt and David Wilson Homes has donated £1,500 to York and District RDA, a York based charity enriching lives through innovative equestrian programmes. York and District RDA is a registered charity that is part of the Riding for the Disabled Association. The group was established 55 years ago by Mrs Margaret Dibb, who is still a…
Bulls sign Phoenix Steinwede
Bradford Bulls are delighted to announce the signing of towering Australian forward Phoenix Steinwede on a permanent deal until the end of the season. The 23-year-old arrived in the country this morning and the club would like to thank the Bradford Bulls Squad Booster Association for their support in bringing Phoenix to the club. A…