Leeds apprentices kickstart careers in construction
Sustainable regeneration specialist Equans has welcomed nine new trainees into construction roles in West Yorkshire. The new recruits have taken on titles including trainee quantity surveyor, estimator, site supervisor, and apprentice plumber and electrician. Their work will support housing repairs, maintenance and regeneration projects carried out by Equans’s expert teams to social-rented homes across the…
Turner & Townsend bolsters Yorkshire Real Estate team with three senior cost management appointments
Turner & Townsend, the global professional service company, is strengthening its UK real estate business with three senior appointments to its Yorkshire cost management team. Mark Morris joins as Director and Cost Centre Lead, alongside Michael Teggin as Director and UK Regions Retail Lead and Timothy Shaw as Director. Based in Leeds, they will work closely…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
Pumpkin Trails and Peppa Pig: free half-term fun at White Rose
White Rose Shopping Centre is set to welcome Peppa Pig, Mummy Pig, and recent arrival baby Evie Pig as part of a meet-and-greet event this October half term. The event takes place on Saturday 1st November in White Rose’s Central Atrium, and guests must book free tickets in advance to secure admittance to the events….
Run For All announces Clarion as title sponsor for Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon RELAY
Jane Tomlinson’s Run For All, one of the UK’s largest non-profit event’s companies, have welcomed Clarion Solicitors as the title sponsor for RELAY, after a hugely a successful debut. Taking place on Sunday 10th May, alongside the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon, the RELAY element offers a team-based way to take part in this iconic event….
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…
Estabulo Bar & Grill to open at The Merrion Centre
A New Brazilian Dining Experience at the Heart of Leeds Arena Quarter Authentic Brazilian rodizio bar and grill Estabulo is set to open a brand-new restaurant at the Merrion Centre in Leeds this October. Adjoining the Ibis Styles Leeds City Centre Arena Hotel and just a stone’s throw from the first direct bank Arena, the…
Trinity Leeds, White Rose and Xscape Yorkshire launch mental health initiative in partnership with Mind
Landsec, owner of Trinity Leeds, White Rose and Xscape Yorkshire, has announced a new partnership with leading mental health charity Mind to champion mental health awareness and support. The initiative launches today to coincide with World Mental Health Day (10 October). Mind is a national charity dedicated to supporting those experiencing mental health challenges by…
Celebrate the season in sparkling style at Harewood: Festive Afternoon Tea and exclusive Nyetimber Dining Experience announced
This Christmas, Harewood invites guests to step into a world of festive elegance with the launch of its Festive Afternoon Tea, running from 8 November to 4 January, and an exclusive evening of fine dining with Nyetimber on 5 December. Set against the backdrop of Harewood’s enchanting Grand Christmas Ball, Festive Afternoon Tea offers a…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Accu looks to roll out robotics stem challenge across West Yorkshire schools
Precision engineering component distributor Accu, based in Huddersfield, has completed a groundbreaking STEM pilot project with Holmfirth High School that challenged pupils to design and build their own Antweight combat robots, with the company now looking to gather interest from schools with a view to rolling out the programme across the West Yorkshire region. The…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Chadwick Lawrence advises Huddersfield Town AFC on landmark Accu Stadium share acquisition
Chadwick Lawrence Solicitors has advised its long-standing client, Huddersfield Town AFC (HTAFC), on the successful acquisition of shares in Kirklees Stadium Development Limited. This makes the Club the sole shareholder of the company that holds the long-term lease to its home ground, the Accu Stadium. The acquisition marks a major milestone in the Club’s ongoing…
Leeds based OPM Labels & Packaging Group Wins Prestigious “Converter of the Year” Award at Labelexpo Europe
Judges praised the independently owned family business for their product development, inclusive company culture, investment in people and training, and their ongoing community and charitable work. About OPM Labels and Packaging Group: Founded over 40 years ago, OPM Group has grown from a traditional self-adhesive label printer into one of the UK’s leading providers of…
Leeds Beckett University recognised for outstanding partnerships in national Knowledge Exchange Framework
Leeds Beckett University (LBU) has been recognised for the strength of its research and partnerships in the fifth national Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF), published today by Research England. The university remains in the top 20% of UK institutions for Working with Business, Working with the Public and Third Sectors, and Research Partnerships. It also retained…
When Labour Costs Rise, Robots Create New Value
What happens when wages climb, staff shortages worsen and customers still expect the same high standards? It is a dilemma many businesses across Yorkshire are grappling with right now. From hotels struggling to fill cleaning shifts to warehouses facing gaps on the night roster to hospitals under pressure to keep services running, the challenge is…
Huddersfield station set to reopen next week with new temporary layout
Huddersfield station will reopen on Monday 29 September with three rebuilt and extended platforms under new numbering, marking an important step in the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU). From this date, only platforms 1, 2 and 3 will be in use, meaning trains will run to and from different platforms than before and some services will…
Trinity Leeds to launch Student Shopper Sweep event
Leeds students are set for an unforgettable start to the academic year as Trinity Leeds brings back its hugely popular Student Shopper Sweep, packed with shopping sprees, exclusive student offers and heaps of prizes to be won. Inspired by the classic ‘Supermarket Sweep’, lucky students can win the chance to take part in a packed…
Celebrate the Festive Season at Hotel Indigo & Banksia Restaurant, Leeds
The most wonderful time of the year is fast approaching, and Hotel Indigo Leeds — together with its stylish in-house Banksia Restaurant — is delighted to unveil its Christmas party packages for 2025. Whether you’re planning a corporate celebration, a festive get-together with friends, or a seasonal escape to the city, our carefully crafted packages…
TRU launches second round of Community Fund with £250,000 for local communities
The Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) is launching the second round of its Community Fund, offering £250,000 to support local community groups, schools and charities along its major railway route. Building on the success of last year’s scheme, the TRU Community Fund will provide grants of £1,000, £5,000, £10,000 or £20,000 to organisations within five miles…
Harewood and the hunt for the half million pound stick in Capability Brown’s Serpentine Lake
September 2025 – February 2026 Crafted by Lancelot Capability Brown in the 18th Century, Harewood’s landscape encompasses 4000 acres and represents one of Brown’s most famous vistas. Upon first glance, it’s the perfect example of Brown’s work, but there are issues that lie deep beneath the surface. Harewood has had a turbulent relationship with Capability…
New Leeds Beckett University and Northern Ballet research partnership to support performance, wellbeing and health of dancers
Sports science is stepping onto the stage with professional ballet, as Leeds Beckett University (LBU) and Northern Ballet collaborate on an innovative new research-informed project to improve the health, wellbeing and rehabilitation of professional dancers. Drawing on LBU’s expertise in health and sport, the project will bring together academics with Northern Ballet’s Artistic Director and…
Renowned Disney Traditions creator Jim Shore to visit Clintons White Rose
Internationally acclaimed artist Jim Shore – famed for designing the Disney Traditions collectable figurines – will be visiting Leeds on his six-stop European tour, with a signing at Clintons White Rose on Saturday 20th September. In-store from 1pm – 4pm, Jim Shore will be greeting guests and signing items from his many collectable collections. Since…
Batley station car park to temporarily close as part of major rail upgrade
Batley station car park will close from 22 September until Summer 2026 to facilitate major upgrade work as part of the multi-billion-pound Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU). The temporary closure will enable essential piling works to take place to build a new accessible station footbridge with lifts. Work will also start to refurbish and extend the…
Merrion Centre launches new student food tours and initiatives worth more than £12,000
Exclusive rewards and new guided food tours set to welcome Leeds’ student community in 2025. Leeds’ Merrion Centre, the established shopping and leisure destination, has unveiled its line-up of activities designed to welcome the city’s student community this year. Students can look forward to over £12,000 worth of prizes through the popular ‘Shop, Show &…
‘Giant’ strides: halfway mark reached in Huddersfield station closure
Two strong teams have come together to mark the halfway point of 30 days of intense rail upgrade works that will give passengers better journeys, with players from Rugby League side Huddersfield Giants joining TRU as the midway point of activity has been reached. Representatives from the Super League club handed over a signed ball…
North Yorkshire housebuilder and RSPB working together for five more years
Local housebuilder Barratt and David Wilson Homes and the RSPB, the UK’s largest nature conservation charity, are extending their partnership for another five years. The two organisations have agreed to work together for another five years, with parent company Barratt Redrow investing over £1m in the new partnership, on top of what it spends supporting…
Harewood volunteers have made 5,000 upcycled decorations for Christmas event
With just over 100 days until Christmas to go, renowned maximalist interior designer Siobhan Murphy has already dived head first into the festivities, working with dozens of volunteers at Harewood to create over 5,000 handmade decorations using secondhand items. There’s a real focus on upcycling for this year’s event, A Glittering Invitation: Harewood’s Grand Christmas…
Secure a move this weekend at housebuilders event in North Yorkshire
House hunters in search of a quick move to a brand-new home are being encouraged to attend David Wilson Homes’ Instant Part Exchange event at its Bramble Wood development in Wheldrake this weekend. The event, taking place on Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th September between 10:30am and 5pm, will present the opportunity for home buyers…
TPE welcomes new finance director
TransPennine Express (TPE) has announced the addition of Manchester-born Fiona Roberts as is new finance director. Fiona, from Boothstown, brings a wealth of experience to the role, having led major finance transformation programmes in fast-moving and complex organisations. She also has direct industry experience, having spent six years at Network Rail, with three years as…
New initiative launches to give West Yorkshire’s unpaid carers a well-deserved break
The Caring Kind Project. A bold new initiative supporting West Yorkshire’s unpaid carers officially launches this month. The Caring Kind Project offers carers the chance to take a well-deserved break – breaks that have been gifted by businesses from the hospitality, leisure, tourism, and culture sectors across the region. Unpaid carers are family members, friends,…
The Grammar School at Leeds welcomes new Principal, Michael Hall
The Grammar School at Leeds (GSAL) is delighted to welcome Michael Hall as its new Principal, following the retirement of Sue Woodroofe, who led the school with distinction for nearly a decade. Michael officially took up his post in September 2025. Michael joins GSAL with a wealth of experience as a senior leader in the…
Savills says Yorkshire retail warehouse market shows resilience and opportunity as 2025 lettings activity builds momentum
The Yorkshire and the Humber out-of-town retail warehouse market is showing strong signs of resilience and opportunity in 2025, according to new research from international real estate advisor Savills. Following a robust performance in 2024 – accounting for 9.6% of all new UK lettings – the region is on track to deliver another solid year,…
Strategic growth journey continues for AAB
AAB has today announced the latest step in their rapid growth journey with the acquisition of Integrity Financial Management in addition to a strategic brand consolidation. Integrity Financial Management is a trusted financial planning firm renowned for its commitment to evidence-based advice and deep client relationships. This acquisition underscores AAB’s ongoing ambition to expand both…
Home buyers invited to first look at new Copmanthorpe community
Property seekers in North Yorkshire are being invited to an exciting pre-launch event to take a first look at a brand-new housing development. Ahead of the imminent launch of Barratt Homes’ Russet Park development in Copmanthorpe, prospective purchasers are being encouraged to attend a preview event on Thursday 4th September between 4pm and 7pm. Taking…
Huddersfield station: its heritage and its future
On 6th October 1846, a public bank holiday was declared as the Earl of Fitzwilliam laid Huddersfield station’s foundation stone. Last Saturday (30 August), nearly 180 years on from that momentous day, the station closed for 30 days of intense work, as its grandest transformation in a generation is undertaken as part of the Transpennine Route…