Bradford 2025 hits the halfway mark with people, participation and pride at its heart – and a blockbuster Summer ahead
An estimated 1.1 million people have experienced Bradford 2025 projects celebrating the district Events have taken place in every ward in the Bradford District, covering 141 square miles across West Yorkshire from the city centre to the wild moors Over 40,000 local people have participated in Bradford 2025 activity so far More than 500 local…
Summer holiday ‘carnage’ when consequences of VAT imposition on private schools becomes fully known
THE imposition of VAT on private schools could lead to ‘carnage’ in the summer holidays, says a sector specialist in Yorkshire. Fees at the UK’s 2,500 private schools have been liable for 20% VAT since 1 January following a decision made by the government soon after it came to office last July. But, because the measure was introduced mid-academic year, its full effects are just beginning to fully emerge….
Bradford BID launches two new creative city centre events to celebrate culture and community
Bradford Business Improvement District (BID) is launching two exciting events designed to inspire creativity, bring people together, and showcase the city centre in a fresh and engaging way. The first event, a Family Photo Walk, will take place on Thursday 1 August, starting from Waterstones at 11am. Participants will follow a guided route through the…
Friday Night Fever is back!
Bradford Bulls are turning up the heat this summer as Friday Night Fever makes a spectacular return to Bartercard Odsal Stadium on Friday 4 July – Adults can gain entry from just £10 and Under 18-s GO FREE! A electrifying evening of entertainment both on and off the pitch awaits as the Bulls face Hunslet RLFC in a must-see rugby league showdown, kicking…
New product launch at IFT Chicago – TasteMod2 is unveiled
CO2Sustain a leader in flavour innovation, is proud to announce the launch of TasteMod2, a groundbreaking Flavour with Modifying Properties (FMP), specifically developed to help beverage manufacturers meet the growing demand for healthier, zero and lower-sugar drinks—without compromising on taste. CO2Sustain have a healthy obsession with how things taste. We understand that taste is the…
HMRC list 57 Yorkshire employers for minimum wage breaches
Businesses in Yorkshire could potentially face financial penalties for underpaying staff on wages. The latest list published by the Department for Business & Trade and HMRC includes 518 businesses in the UK which hadn’t correctly paid minimum wage. Some high-profile businesses are named, including one where underpaid wages exceeded £1.1 million. It shows that there…
Premier League and STRI Group document benchmark for pitch quality
The Premier League, widely considered the world’s most competitive football league, understandably put the playing surface at the heart of everything they do. The recently launched Premier League Pitch Standards Framework is a resource that documents the requirements of establishing and maintaining an elite surface, that performs to the highest standards and keeps players safe….
Schofield Sweeney ranked in UK Top 20 for Mergers & Acquisitions
Commercial Law Firm also Ranks Second In Yorkshire in Experian Report Award winning commercial law firm Schofield Sweeney has soared up the rankings to be named one of the top 20 most active legal advisers for mergers and acquisitions in the latest M&A report from Experian Market IQ. The company’s M&A expertise saw it leap…
M&S-style attacks are just the beginning: new Barometer shows economic risk from cyber breaches rising fast
Large businesses in Yorkshire are increasingly exposed to cyberattacks, with fresh data showing a clear link between company size and breach frequency – but experts are warning that smaller firms may be dangerously underestimating the threat. According to the latest Azets Barometer, just 41% of large UK businesses avoided cybersecurity incidents in the past year…
Switalskis strengthens Leeds presence with move to West Village
Leading Yorkshire law firm Switalskis has relocated its Leeds-based teams to a new office at West Village on Wellington Street. It’s a significant milestone in the firm’s continued growth and investment in the region. After 15 years at nearby St James House, the move to the state-of-the-art, 3,326 sq ft workspace in Bruntwood SciTech’s innovative…
Manningham Housing Association secures ownership of £5m affordable homes scheme
Manningham Housing Association (MHA) has acquired five new build detached houses in Eccleshill, Bradford in a £1.1 million deal. With the addition of these two three-bed and three four-bed properties, MHA now owns all 24 homes in the recently completed One Meadow development on Victoria Road. This represents a total investment of £5 million, delivered…
Bulls announce partnership with Snowman
Bradford Bulls are delighted to announce a new commercial partnership with Snowman, who will become the official sponsor of the club’s LED screen at Bartercard Odsal Stadium. As part of the agreement, the Snowman brand will feature prominently on the stadium’s Big Screen frame during all home fixtures, delivering high-impact visibility for the lifestyle brand…
Azets UK appoints Yorkshire regional managing director
Azets, the UK top 10 accountancy and advisory firm, has appointed Claire Needham as its new regional managing director for Yorkshire and the North East. Claire is promoted into the role from her position as Azets’ York office managing partner and head of the UK technical accounting team. She will succeed Russell Turner, who is…
Yorkshire Garden Centre Group creates new role for multi-site growth
A Bradford-based garden centre group with a site in Scarborough has created a new stock inventory role as it prepares for future growth across its multi-site business. Yorkshire Garden Centres group, owner of Dean’s Scarborough, has appointed Dan Campbell as its Buying Support Manager to work across all seven sites in West and North Yorkshire….
Spending Review can be transformative for new homes and Bradford – housing association CEO
The chief executive of Bradford-based Manningham Housing Association has backed the Chancellor’s commitments to a £39 billion Affordable Homes Programme and a 10-year rent settlement announced in today’s Spending Review. In a statement, Lee Bloomfield said: “For far too long, housing associations have faced an impossible task in trying to provide enough decent homes for…
Bradford Garden Centre to host first masterclass with leading rose grower
A Bradford garden centre is hosting a rose masterclass with one of the country’s leading names in roses next month. In celebration of National Rose Month, an expert from the long-established, family-owned rose breeder David Austin Roses will be in The Mezzanine at Tong Garden Centre on Wednesday, 2nd July to share advice on planting,…
West Yorkshire adventure play area celebrates its new menu with team event
150 employees from Yorkshire Garden Centres were invited to celebrate the new menu at Mission Out outdoor adventure park with a stay and play session for family and friends. The play team at Mission Out hosted the exclusive after hours event to launch the new ‘Load & Go’ street food menu that comprises loaded nachos,…
Schofield Sweeney welcomes Real Estate Partner Tim Richards
Appointment Consolidates Firm’s Position as a Regional Leader in Real Estate Law Award-winning Yorkshire law firm Schofield Sweeney has further enhanced its real estate expertise with the appointment of new partner Tim Richards to the 40-strong specialist team. Tim brings with him a wealth of commercial real estate experience, including advising end-to-end on major land…
Ideal Extraction Ltd in Ilkley shortlisted for prestigious award
Ilkley engineering company, Ideal Extraction Ltd, is celebrating after being announced as a Finalist in the category SME Business of the Year at the prestigious BusinessiQ Awards 2025 hosted by the Telegraph and Argus. These coveted awards, first launched in 2011, recognise the best businesses across the whole of the Bradford district for excellence and innovation. The…
AWB Charlesworth Solicitors welcomes new Commercial Property Director
AWB Charlesworth Solicitors is pleased to announce that Claire Roberts has been appointed to the role of Director in the Commercial Property department. Felicity Green, Practice Manager of AWB Charlesworth said: “We are delighted that Claire will be joining the Commercial Property team as Director. Claire brings a wealth of skills, experience and achievements to…
College’s £17m building hits milestone as steel frame completed
The four-storey steel frame of Bradford College’s new £17 million building is now in place—marking a key step in transforming the Thornton Road site. Led by Morgan Sindall, the new Junction Mills building will offer students specialist training in motor vehicle, advanced electrical, hybrid and hydrogen technologies, vital in supporting the growth of low-carbon skills…
Young Creatives tackle smart glasses design challenge
Students at Bradford College have been given the unique opportunity to design packaging for a new range of smart glasses. The competition by Zanco, a digital tech firm set up by former Bradford College student Shazad Talib, will see Professional Services and Leisure learners compete to design the best packaging for new Zanco Smart Glasses. The…
Garden centre group’s cycle challenge raises over £4,000 for Martin House Children’s Hospice
A team of cyclists led by the MD of Yorkshire Garden Centres raised over £4,000 for Martin House Children’s Hospice when they tackled a challenging 85 km ride recently On 25th May, the team of 18 led by Mark Farnsworth completed the challenging, hilly ride that took them through the scenic Yorkshire Wolds villages of…
Narangs joins the Bulls family
Bradford Bulls are proud to announce a new partnership with Narangs, who will become the official sponsor of the Chairman’s Suite within the Southbank Venue at Bartercard Odsal Stadium. The Chairman’s Suite, one of the premier hospitality spaces at the Southbank Venue, offers panoramic views of the pitch and serves as a hub for VIP…
Businesses need to boost bottom line with price increases or slide into red
Too many businesses in the Yorkshire run the risk of financial ruin because they are not improving efficiency and removing process waste from their business to counteract increasing input and wages costs. Profit erosion caused by inflation – branded the invisible tax – has repeatedly been identified by the UK top 10 accountancy and advisory firm Azets…
New management team at Verner Wheelock
Alison Wheelock, Managing Director of leading food industry training company Verner Wheelock Associates Ltd (VWA), has completed the acquisition of the company from its founders. The transaction was completed on 3rd April 2025 with Ms Wheelock buying out her parents’ shares in the family business. Claire Lennon, VWA’s former Business Development Executive, has been appointed…
Bradford School of Art students support large-scale textile installation for world heritage site
A group of Bradford School of Art higher education students were given the opportunity of a lifetime after being selected to support one of America’s most distinguished visual artists. We Will Sing is a new, large-scale, site-responsive installation by renowned artist Ann Hamilton, commissioned for Salts Mill as part of Bradford 2025 UK City of…
Wakefield and Selby Children’s University enhance learning with free family event
Wakefield and Selby Children’s University is hosting a free, fun-filled event for local children and their families during half-term – providing them with the opportunity to enhance their learning. After successfully running for nine years, May-Hem will return to Castleford College on Wednesday 28th May 2025, from 10am to 2pm, and will include a range…
Bradford College connects to Energy Network in Net Zero Push
Work to connect Bradford College to the £70m Bradford Energy Network is officially underway, marking a significant move away from fossil fuels and towards achieving Net Zero. Heat networks (also known as district heating) supply heat from a central source. Underground pipes carry hot water to buildings on a network, enabling the rapid decarbonisation of…
Bulls raise the roof with new partnership
Bradford Bulls are proud to announce a new commercial partnership with Fairway Roofing, who will serve as the official sponsor of the Bulls’ match highlights throughout the 2025 season. As part of the partnership, Fairway Roofing branding will feature prominently on all match highlights published across the Bulls’ digital platforms, including YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and…
Bradford garden centre group appoints new finance director
A Bradford garden centre group has recruited a new board member as it prepares for future growth across its multi-site business. Yorkshire Garden Centres group has appointed Emma Bristow as its full-time finance director. In her new role, Mrs Bristow will lead the finance team to support the continued growth of the business. An early…
Haworth’s Wyedean Weaving serves historic international reenactments
The military expertise of Haworth’s Wyedean Weaving is “front and centre” of international commemorations of the American Revolution. Orders of Wyedean’s regimental lace have increased by nearly 20% as re-enactment groups across the UK create their replica British regimental uniforms associated with the 250th anniversary of the American War of Independence. Since January, the Haworth-based…
Chemical company actions environmental commitment with 220 hours of work
A chemical specialist has actioned part of its plan to be a net-zero company by 2045 with the completion of its first environmental project. Forty members of staff at Airedale Group have volunteered 220 hours of time to the Aire Rivers Trust, helping nurture the waterways in the Aire Valley and encourage natural life in…
Iconic Meltham café business goes up for sale
A unique café and events business in Meltham, near Holmfirth, has been put up for sale with a guide price of £175,000 with commercial property estate agent Ernest Wilson, which is part of Eddisons. Launched in 2020, Lu’s Place, on the edge of Meltham and adjacent to open countryside and woodland, has built a reputation…
Big wins for Bradford College at West Yorkshire Apprenticeship Awards
Bradford College scooped a trophies haul at the 2025 West Yorkshire Apprenticeship Awards at the Cedar Court Hotel in Bradford. The event saw three apprentices win their categories and another receive highly commended, alongside a Mentor of the Year award for an employer partner. Now in its fourth year, the Awards celebrate excellence across 14…
Bradford business apprentice secures double award win!
A business apprentice from Drighlington property compliance specialists Inspectas, has won two Bradford College Star Awards for being an inspirational student. Faye Oxley (19), won Business Admin Subject Student of the Year and Inspirational Student of the Year, an accolade chosen by Bradford College’s Senior leadership Team. The annual Bradford College Star Awards cover all…
Bradford City Centre sees positive growth as footfall rises 25% in early 2025
Bradford City Centre is showing encouraging signs of recovery, with both footfall and dwell time on the rise following a challenging year for local businesses. The Bradford Business Improvement District (BID), which represents almost 600 member businesses in the city centre, closely monitors a range of performance indicators. Figures from the first quarter of 2025…
Bulls cook up Perfect Storm
Bradford Bulls are delighted to announce an exciting new partnership with full-service marketing agency Perfect Storm – to develop a growth marketing strategy to support the club’s ambitions. As well as providing strategic insight, the Leeds-based agency will grab the bull by the horns with a ramp-up of digital activity, fan experience and creative strategies….
Bradford based Garden Centre Group crowns Values Champions
A Bradford based Garden Centre Group has held a celebration lunch to honour its Values Champions. On 1st May, Yorkshire Garden Centres directors celebrated the success of the 10 Values Champions winners with a lunch at the Mezzanine Restaurant at Tong Garden Centre. Throughout 2024, the team at all seven Yorkshire Garden Centres sites voted…
Schofield Sweeney supports ‘home city’ again with Bradford Showcase partnership
Leading commercial law firm Schofield Sweeney will play a key role in showcasing the Bradford district’s planning and investment potential at an event alongside the UK Real Estate Investment & Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF), in Leeds from May 20th-22nd. Working in partnership with Bradford Council, Schofield Sweeney, which has one of the region’s largest and most…
Engineering expertise is expanding at the Environmental Protection Group
The team at EPG goes from strength-to-strength with the appointment of a leading and ambitious individual to bolster the current expertise. George Grant, an award-winning engineer with a passion for innovative design, joins the team as Principal Engineer for the water team. George will be responsible for ensuring projects are delivered effectively and to the…
TL Dallas strengthens in-house claims team
Leading independent insurance broker, TL Dallas, has expanded its highly respected in-house claims team with the appointment of claims handler, Caroline Thorpe. Caroline brings over 12 years of specialist experience in the health and care claims sector, having previously worked at Bupa and Markel. Her expertise includes handling complex cases involving employers’ and public liability,…
Manningham Housing Association achieves Northern Housing Awards double
Manningham Housing Association (MHA) has triumphed in two categories at the Northern Housing Awards 2025. The BME organisation – which manages more than 1,400 homes for over 6,000 residents in Bradford and Keighley – won the blue riband Landlord of the Year award at a prizegiving ceremony at Emirates Old Trafford in Manchester, with MHA…
Regal Foods launches family of brands on Ocado.com
Yorkshire-based food group, Regal Food Products Group launches products from Regal Foods and Yorkshire Baking Company on Ocado.com, the world’s largest dedicated online supermarket. The listing with Ocado.com will see an extensive range of products listed on the online platform, covering both world food and mainstream cake. Regal Foods will offer a solid range of…
Schofield Sweeney triumph at FB Yorkshire Business Hero Awards 2025
Leading commercial law firm Schofield Sweeney is celebrating after a double win at the Yorkshire Business Hero Awards. The West Yorkshire-based firm secured the Diversity, Inclusion & Equality award for the third time in four years, with Marketing Director Ann-Marie Keighley and her team being named Marketing & Digital Disruptor of the Year award at…
Manningham Housing Association retains world-leading position on diversity and inclusion
Manningham Housing Association (MHA) has again met the global Standard for Diversity and Inclusion in HR Management – building on its unique status as the first housing association in the world to achieve it. ISO 30415 is an internationally recognised certification that endorses exemplary practices in diversity and inclusion within organisations. The accolade is awarded…
Local business ASK The Office celebrates 40th anniversary with brand refresh
ASK The Business Supplies Specialists are proudly celebrating their 40th trading anniversary here in Bradford. The company was founded four decades ago in Shipley and then moved to its existing premises in 1987 in the centre of Bradford, off White Abbey Road. ASK has been a trusted provider of business and office supplies throughout Yorkshire…
Bradford Garden Centre adds fresh fish to its retail offering
A Bradford garden centre has added a weekly fresh fish offering for its customers. Mobile fishmonger Jody Douglass from The Grimsby Fish Company, sells fresh fish and shellfish from a bespoke van at the entrance to Tong Garden Centre between 10 am and 2 pm every Wednesday. Mr Douglass, who has been in the fish…