TPE issues advice ahead of Storm Goretti
TransPennine Express (TPE) is advising customers that they cannot travel between Manchester and Sheffield from 6pm on Thursday 8 January until Saturday 10 January, as the railway line will be closed ahead of Storm Goretti, which is forecast to bring heavy snowfall across the North of England and Scotland. Passengers cannot travel between Manchester and…
New mural celebrates 30 years of Natural Born Cobblers at the Merrion Centre
Bespoke Mural Celebrates Craft, Creativity and 30 Years of NBC at the Merrion Centre Natural Born Cobblers (NBC) at the Merrion Centre has unveiled striking new bespoke artwork inside its store on the Woodhouse Lane entrance, created by Yorkshire-based mural artist Seran Jordan. The large-scale piece celebrates craftsmanship, independence and the long-standing presence of NBC in…
Team TRU delivers package of festive railway upgrades
Across the Christmas and New Year period, Team TRU worked around the clock to complete major improvements that will help deliver faster, greener and more frequent services with more seats across the Pennines. During this time, engineers made significant progress at key locations including Mirfield, Deighton and Huddersfield, while a closure of the line between…
5 simple ways to introduce AI into your daily operations
Introduction Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer reserved for tech giants or futuristic visions, it’s here, and it’s transforming the way businesses operate every day. For small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), AI offers practical, affordable solutions that can save time, boost productivity, and give you a competitive edge. The good news? You don’t need a…
Save up to 50% on journeys with TPE as half a million tickets go on sale
Half a million tickets for train journeys across the North of England are up for grabs with 50%-off the cost, TransPennine Express (TPE) has announced. The train operator has slashed the price of select Advance Purchase tickets as part of the nationwide Great British Rail Sale which starts today (Tuesday 6 January) and runs until…
Transpennine Route Upgrade look back on 2025 as progress continues at pace
As the year draws to a close, the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) is marking another 12-months of strong progress, with major achievements delivered across the route, bringing customers closer to more frequent, faster and greener rail journeys between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds and York. Across the 70 miles, significant headway has been made with the roll-out…
Accu Managing Director named as one of Britain’s most impactful manufacturers
Alastair Morris, Managing Director of Huddersfield-based precision engineering component distributor Accu, has been named as one of Britain’s most impactful manufacturers, part of The Great 100 recently revealed by Made in Group, the organisation behind Made in the Midlands, Made in Yorkshire and Made Futures! The Great 100 recognises individuals who have been nominated by…
TRU offer £250,000 in grants to local organisations
The Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) has this week confirmed that £250,000 in grants has been awarded across 35 local organisations along the Transpennine route, as part of the 2025 TRU Community Fund in partnership with Neighbourly. Launched in 2024, the TRU Community Fund aims to help local community groups, schools and charities to create or…
Santa sends little helper to spread ‘Elf ‘N’ Safety’ message with North Yorkshire homebuilders this Christmas
A festive visitor from the North Pole has arrived at Barratt and David Wilson Homes’ developments across North Yorkshire, sharing an important message for local children this Christmas: remember your ‘elf and safety and stay away from construction sites. This year, Santa has dispatched one of his trusted workshop elves on a special winter mission….
Regional construction firms bring Christmas spirit to Leeds College of Building
A Child Friendly Leeds Christmas event has snowballed after regional construction firms responded to an urgent appeal for donations. The Child Friendly Leeds team work in partnership with their network of Ambassadors to offer a range of opportunities and experiences to families supported by children’s social care and third sector ambassador partners. This year, Leeds…
Law firm knits 150 twiddle muffs for people in Yorkshire living with dementia in annual Christmas gift drive
Chadwick Lawrence Solicitors has donated over 300 gifts, including 150 twiddle muffs, as part of its annual festive gift drive in support of local care and healthcare units. This marks the firm’s largest festive gift drive to date, with colleagues donating or hand-making gifts for people living with dementia, homeless and vulnerable individuals, children in…
TRU sets new benchmark for sustainable delivery as electrification, skills investment and community impact accelerates
The Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) has released its 2025 Sustainable Development Report, demonstrating a year of significant progress towards delivering a faster, greener, more reliable railway across the North, and leaving a long-lasting legacy in the communities it works in. Guided by its sustainability strategy, Our Guiding Compass, the programme has embedded long-term thinking into every aspect…
Pop Specs Launches at Trinity Leeds
Trendy eye-wear brand, Pop Specs has officially opened its doors at Trinity Leeds today (18th December), joining the centre’s vibrant retail line-up. Located near Boots and H&M, the new Pop Specs store offers shoppers the chance to shop for trendy glasses. Combining style, comfort and speed, Pop Specs allows customers – with a prescription – to walk…
Azets’ five cashflow management tips for SMEs: Turn over new leaf on stock and inventory
Be ruthless with stock management to improve cashflow – that is the message for SMEs in Yorkshire from international accountancy and business advisory group Azets. Matthew Grant, Yorkshire head of accountancy and business advisory, urged businesses to think more strategically to tighten up their stock and inventory processes. He has offered five key tips for…
Leeds set for growth opportunities following Autumn Budget, despite ongoing viability pressures, according to latest Rider Levett Bucknall report
The Autumn Budget has opened several significant construction opportunities for Leeds and the wider Yorkshire region, according to Rider Levett Bucknall’s (RLB UK) latest Construction Market Intelligence (CMI) report. New regional analysis from the independent built environment consultancy, highlights that Leeds is well positioned to benefit from major investment in transport, regeneration and housing, even as…
Accu celebrates major win at Northern International Trade Awards
Accu, a leading global distributor of engineering components, has been named International Company of the Year (£10m–£30m) at Insider’s Northern International Trade Awards, which celebrates the successes of the North West, North East and Yorkshire’s top exporters, importers and their supply chains. The prestigious award recognises Accu’s achievements in delivering an unrivalled service for the…
Blacks Solicitors is ‘movin’ on up’ with major office move in Leeds
Reflecting its growth, ambition and investment in its people, Blacks Solicitors has today announced that the firm is ‘movin’ on up’, relocating its Leeds headquarters at 29 King Street from the second floor to the newly acquired fourth and fifth floors. The move will increase the firm’s workspace from 11,500 sq ft to 17,000 sq…
A wonderous festive season at White Rose
The festive season is still in full swing at White Rose Shopping Centre this December, with plenty of reasons to celebrate this Christmas. The centre’s family-friendly ice rink is open until 4th January, with pre-bookable 45-minute sessions taking place every day (except Christmas Day) – the perfect all-weather, all-ages activity. Upcoming events include Friday Disco…
Leeds Heritage Theatres announces Dame Dr Linda Pollard DBE DL Hon LLD as New Chair of the Board
Leeds Heritage Theatres (LHT) is delighted to announce the appointment of Dame Dr Linda Pollard DBE DL Hon LLD as its next Chair of the Board of Trustees, following a comprehensive recruitment and interview process. Dame Linda will formally take up the position in May 2026, succeeding Alan Gay OBE, who concludes his final term…
12 tips for controlling your eating over Christmas
With Christmas advertising for the big day feast in full swing, it’s time to consider how we will approach the season. A few techniques and strategies can help prevent us from overeating during the Christmas period, and a positive consequence from showing a bit of restraint now will leave us more resilient and better positioned…
10 ways to enjoy your first sober Christmas
A sober or sober-curious Christmas can feel unfamiliar, especially if your usual festive routine has always involved alcohol. However, with a little planning, it becomes far easier than you might expect, and you can still enjoy the celebrations, the people around you and the atmosphere without feeling like you are missing out. These 10 tips…
Innovative construction partnership reaches apprenticeship awards final
A long-standing partnership between Leeds College of Building (LCB) and construction firm BAM has been shortlisted for the 2026 Apprenticeship & Training Awards – one of the most high-profile events in the education sector. The prestigious annual awards recognise those who are shaping a highly skilled, inclusive, and future-ready workforce through their commitment to apprenticeships…
Upgrade work in Deighton continues over Christmas period
From 22:15 on Wednesday 24 December until 05:30 on Sunday 27 December, the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) team will undertake major engineering work in Deighton whilst trains aren’t running on the network. Whitacre Street overbridge will be demolished, whilst the A62 Leeds Road bridge will see the installation of pre-cast concrete parapets using a crane….
Trinity Leeds and White Rose unite with Retail Trust to tackle abuse towards retail workers this festive season
As the festive rush begins, Trinity Leeds and White Rose have both joined forces with the Retail Trust, the retail industry charity, to help protect retail workers from rising levels of abuse, with dedicated free training to help colleagues manage difficult interactions. Delivered through the charity’s Let’s Respect Retail campaign, Trinity Leeds, White Rose and…
Bradford Buy-to-Let 2025: Performance, Forecasts and Why Investors Are Paying Attention
Yorkshire continues to establish itself as one of the strongest-performing property regions in the UK. The latest analysis from our regional insights report shows that several Yorkshire districts have significantly outperformed national averages, and the most recent Savills Residential Forecast places Yorkshire and the Humber as the number one region in the UK for projected…
Ravensthorpe station closure: brand-new station to open in 2028
From Sunday 14 December, Ravensthorpe station will close until summer 2028 to facilitate Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) work on a new, modernised station 200m west of the current location. The new Ravensthorpe station will have a footbridge with lifts for step-free access, along with a new forecourt and drop-off facilities. A new, longer island platform…
LCB Win Double at ‘Building the Future’ Construction Awards 2025
Leeds College of Building (LCB) is celebrating after taking home two awards at the ‘Building the Future’ Construction Awards in Birmingham. The college won both the ‘Best Further Education Provider Supporting Careers in Construction’ award and the ‘Best Higher Education Provider Supporting Careers in Construction’ award. Celebrated annually, the Building the Future Construction…
AAB reinforces Yorkshire audit capability with appointment of Abdullah Daji as Audit Partner in Leeds
Leading professional services firm, AAB has announced the appointment of Abdullah Daji as Audit Partner in its Leeds office, further strengthening the firm’s presence and audit capability across Yorkshire. Abdullah will be based in Leeds, joining a 140 strong team, where he will focus on managing a diverse audit client portfolio while playing a key…
AI Readiness for Microsoft Customers
AI Readiness for Microsoft Customers Data, Governance, Strategy and Adoption That Works AI isn’t just turning on Microsoft Copilot. Sustainable success starts with clean data, strong governance, and a clear strategy followed by careful training and adoption with small pilot groups. Why This Matters Businesses that prepare properly: • Reduce risk and avoid compliance issues…
Leeds College of Building apprentice wins National Education Award
A Leeds College of Building (LCB) apprentice has scooped one of the country’s top education prizes at this year’s National Apprenticeship & Skills Awards. Elyssa Marshall, a Level 2 Property Maintenance Operative apprentice at Yorkshire Housing Association, won the ‘Amazon Intermediate Apprentice of the Year Award’, beating finalists from across the nation. Elyssa progressed to…
All aboard for festive feasting as TPE unwraps its new seasonal menu
TransPennine Express (TPE) is spreading festive cheer on board this winter with the launch of its new seasonal dishes. The new offering with be available from Monday 1 December to Sunday 4 January across its First Class menus: TransPennine Kitchen- West Coast and Coast to Coast. The seasonal offering introduces a selection of locally sourced…
Season’s eatings: Trinity Kitchen welcomes a new street food lineup this festive season
Trinity Kitchen has welcomed a host of new street-food vendors, ready to tantalise tastebuds in the run up to Christmas. From Mac & Cheese and loaded Chicken Nuggets and Tater Tots to succulent burgers and slow-cooked spicy Birria tacos, guests are in for a truly indulgent treat. Christmas favourite Nelly’s Barn is back alongside the much-loved Big Mouth…
Accu fasteners part of world first marine seagrass harvester
Precision engineering component distributor Accu has collaborated with Tandem Ventures, an organisation which specialises in science, technology and conservation innovations, and Project Seagrass, a marine conservation organisation, in the development of the world’s first underwater seagrass harvester. Seagrass thrives in vast meadows in sheltered coastal waters and these ocean meadows are known as the lungs…
Head of Strategic Partnerships reacts to Autumn Budget
Andy Clarke, Head of Strategic Partnerships at Ahead Partnership: “We welcome the additional information provided around the Youth Guarantee in today’s budget. With more than one million young people currently NEET and national productivity still lagging, this type of targeted investment is essential. The Prime Minister has talked about putting apprenticeships on an equal footing…
Where to invest in Leeds: the city’s best buy-to-let areas for 2025
Leeds as a Buy-to-Let Market Leeds continues to rank among the most dynamic property markets in the North of England, combining affordability, consistent rental demand and strong employment growth. The city attracts a wide tenant base of students, professionals, and families, making it one of the UK’s most resilient regional markets. Over the past five…
LCB roofing apprentices scoop gold and silver at SkillBuild 2025 national final
Two Leeds College of Building (LCB) apprentices were crowned winners at this year’s SkillBuild national final, securing first and second places in the Roof Slating & Tiling category. Dalton Roofing apprentices Samuel Jinks and Levente Szasz won gold and silver medal places respectively at the event held at Arena MK, Milton Keynes. SkillBuild is the UK’s largest…
Introducing Hospitable Automation
Are your floors really clean? Could a robot meet and greet your customers? Hospitable Automation is on the move across the UK, showcasing the future of service — our innovative cleaning and meet and greet/event guidance robots. Our mission isn’t to replace people, but to enhance the guest experience, delight families, and empower teams by…
Leeds College of Building named UK leader in staff health & wellbeing
Leeds College of Building (LCB) has been recognised as one of the best UK employers after winning the ‘Health & Wellbeing’ category at The Personnel Awards 2025. The 27th national awards celebrate the vital work of HR and Learning & Development teams and showcase the very best achievements of the profession. Almost 900 guests and leaders…
Azets’ five cashflow management tips for SMEs
Small changes to policies and processes could help Yorkshire SMEs improve their cashflow levels, a senior finance professional has said. Matthew Grant, Yorkshire head of accountancy and business advisory at international accountancy and business advisory group Azets, is encouraging business owners to think strategically about their terms of trade and customer relationships, and review their…
Major improvements this Christmas at Mirfield station
Customers travelling over the Christmas period are being encouraged to plan ahead as significant upgrades continue across West Yorkshire to bring faster, more reliable and greener journeys. To allow these improvements to be completed, Mirfield station will be closed from Tuesday 23 December, reopening on Saturday 27 December. When it reopens, customers will benefit from…
NHS worker, who became a patient in her own hospital after being hit by a taxi, launches charity Christmas appeal as demand for its services increases by 40%
An NHS worker who ended up as a patient on the very trauma ward she worked after being hit by a taxi, is backing a charity’s Christmas Appeal to help other major trauma survivors. Chloe Boobier, 30, from Acton, London, suffered catastrophic injuries, including a broken spine, pelvis and shoulder, when she was hit by…
Graduation Day 25th November 2025
The countdown is on! On Tuesday 25 November, we’ll be coming together at the iconic Central Hall Westminster, London to celebrate the achievements of our apprentice graduates. This year’s cohorts have shown incredible commitment and talent throughout their programmes, and we couldn’t be more proud of everything they’ve accomplished. Their success is a reflection of…
Town Centre Securities PLC acquires prime retail asset on Marylebone High Street, London W1
Strengthening TCS’s Portfolio with a High-Quality Marylebone Asset Leeds-based Town Centre Securities PLC (TCS) announces the off-market acquisition of 68–69 Marylebone High Street, London W1, a high-quality retail property located in one of the capital’s most desirable and resilient retail and residential districts. The property comprises two ground and basement retail units, let to high-end…
New Chair of Governors announced at The Grammar School at Leeds
Charlene Lyons has been appointed as the new Chair of Governors at The Grammar School at Leeds (GSAL), taking over from Angus Martin, who is retiring after over a decade of remarkable service to the school. Charlene has been a governor for nine years and vice chair for the past five, and she brings a…
Seasonal shopping at Trinity Leeds with festive kiosks and pop-ups
Trinity Leeds welcomes a host of new retailers ahead of the busy festive period. From unique decorations and intriguing beverages to luxurious fragrances and candles, Christmas shoppers in Leeds can explore a wide range of unique stores and kiosks alongside well-known brands at Trinity Leeds. Premium retailer J. Fragrances by Janan has brought its collection…
White Rose and Kidz Klub deliver festive cheer to Leeds families
White Rose Shopping Centre has opened its annual gift donation campaign in support of Leeds based charity Kidz Klub, helping spread the festive spirit in the lead-up to Christmas. Guests are invited to donate toys and gifts suitable for children aged zero to 16 years old, with the 4+ age range most in need, at…
Bridging the gap: Law Society President visits Leeds Beckett to support aspiring students
Law students at Leeds Beckett University had the opportunity to hear from leading legal professionals at a special Law Society Aspiring Solicitors event on Tuesday 12 November, focusing on social mobility and widening access to the legal profession. The event welcomed guest speakers Mark Evans, President of the Law Society of England and Wales, alongside…
Keighley’s new engineering and manufacturing hub is officially opened
Keighley College’s cutting-edge Technical Engineering Centre (TEC) has been officially opened by a stalwart of the local manufacturing industry. Ninety year old Michael Parkinson OBE from Airedale Springs – whose links to the college span more than half a century – joined employers, apprentices and alumni for the event on Wednesday 12 November. The multi-million…