Yorkshire Children’s Hospice is named Garden Centre Group’s Charity of the Year
Bradford based Yorkshire Garden Centres (YGC) group has announced that Martin House Children’s Hospice will be its Charity of the Year for 2025, ten years after its first site at Tong supported the Wetherby based registered charity. Through a series of fund-raising events, collection boxes at the tills and a new ‘Pennies’ initiative, the teams…
AAB shortlisted for prestigious British Business Award
Leading UK and Ireland professional services firm, AAB, has been shortlisted as one of the finalists in this year’s British Business Awards, which celebrates and recognises trailblazers across the UK business community. AAB is the only company which combines both financial and professional services to feature in the shortlist for the Stellar Omada Financial Services…
Record sponsorship for 2025 Leeds Manufacturing Festival
A record number of sponsors are backing this year’s Leeds Manufacturing Festival, as employers in the region look to innovative ways to address the skills gap in the sector and inspire a new generation of talent to consider careers in the sector. The festival, aimed at connecting young people with engineering and manufacturing employers, launched…
Yorkshire legal firm launches official complaint over “outrageous” probate delays
A leading Yorkshire legal firm has submitted an official complaint over what it describes as “outrageous” and persistent delays in the probate system despite recent government claims of major improvement. Roche Legal, a specialist private client firm based in York, has made a complaint to HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) after experiencing severe delays…
MNA Group become main sponsors of Women’s Team
Bradford Bulls are proud to announce MNA Group as the new main sponsor of the club’s Women’s Team for the 2025 season. This exciting partnership will see MNA Group’s logo take pride of place on the front of the Women’s playing shirts, reinforcing their commitment to supporting the growth and success of women’s rugby league….
Bradford Garden Centre to host gardening masterclass with TV gardener
A Bradford garden centre is hosting a gardening masterclass with a respected horticulturalist next month. Renowned gardening expert and TV presenter, David Domoney will be in The Mezzanine at Tong Garden Centre on Saturday, 26th April to share his expertise for creating vibrant, successful gardens that thrive and reward all year round. “Whether you’re new…
Chadwick Lawrence Managing Partner wins Professional Services Leader of the Year
Neil Wilson, managing partner of Chadwick Lawrence Solicitors, was awarded Professional Services Leader of the Year at The Business Desk Yorkshire Leadership Awards last night. The Yorkshire Leadership Awards, which took place on Thursday 20 March at The Royal Armouries in Leeds, was created to celebrate people who are role models within their organisations, and…
Crysp visit the US: Women in BIM & Digital Twin Event
Bradford based technology business, Crysp have been in the US again, supporting two initiatives and celebrating their recent successes. Initiative 1: Women in BIM in New York “We aim to encourage women in BIM related roles to have a strong voice. By bringing together women in our industry supports the need to bridge digital skills…
New expert report published to share practical advice for growing local economies
Experts at Leeds Beckett University, with leading business support provider Exemplas, have designed a new blueprint for boosting the growth of local economies, through a partnership delivery of business support and academic research. The team have worked together since 2022, delivering grassroots business support programmes to SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) on behalf of the…
University takes over Bradford City match
The University of Bradford showed its support for Bradford City in style at one of the club’s home matches. Staff and students bolstered the crowd for the ‘University of Bradford Takeover Day’ at Bradford City’s home clash with Tranmere Rovers in Sky Bet League Two. The stadium’s TL Dallas Community Stand featured students, staff,…
Businesses face ‘wake up’ call about international indirect tax obligations
VAT specialists at UK top 10 accountancy and advisory firm Azets in Yorkshire have warned that international VAT and Customs Duty rules are like an iceberg ready to strike unsuspecting businesses. They state that although importers and exporters may have a general awareness, many do not fully understand the extent and complexity lurking ‘under the…
Anytime Couriers renew partnership with Bulls
Bradford Bulls are delighted to announce the renewal of their partnership with Anytime Couriers, extending a strong and successful collaboration between the two organisations. Anytime Couriers are a leading logistics company specialising in fast and reliable courier services across the UK. Their dedication to supporting local communities is reflected in their ongoing partnerships with sports…
Major Bradford affordable housing scheme reaches completion
Manningham Housing Association (MHA) has announced the completion of a £3.9 million affordable homes development in Eccleshill, Bradford. The One Meadow Victoria Road scheme comprises 19 properties – a mix of two, three and four-bed detached and semi-detached houses for social rent. The newly constructed homes have been delivered through a partnership with Zentra Group…
Senior promotions at Lichfields’ Leeds office drive continued growth
UK planning and development consultancy Lichfields has announced the promotion of Emma Gomersal and James Cox to Planning Directors in its Leeds office as its Yorkshire team continues to grow. Emma has a strong background in strategic land, specialising in the promotion of residential and employment sites. She has worked extensively with landowner and developer…
Business move for expanding Ilkley engineering company
Ilkley engineering company Ideal Extraction has announced an office move to the International Development Centre on Valley Road as a result of business expansion. Ideal Extraction, owned by directors Steve and Helen Rhodes, design, install and maintain dust and fume extraction systems for many sectors across the UK. The company had been trading from premises…
Bulls announce new partnership
Bradford Bulls are delighted to announce a new partnership with Nuffield Health – which will see the Bulls utilise their impressive facility in Shipley for post-game recovery sessions throughout the 2025 season. This collaboration marks a significant step forward in the club’s commitment to player welfare and performance, ensuring that players receive top-tier care to…
Bradford’s Online MBA ranked 1st in world (again) for value for money
The University of Bradford’s Distance Learning (online) MBA has been ranked 1st in the world for value for money for the second year running by the Financial Times. It was also ranked 2nd for ESG and Net Zero teaching, 4th for student demographics and 9th for career progression. The University’s Distance Learning MBA has featured in the…
Deal completes for supported living and day service provider
Hollybank Trust (‘Hollybank’) has acquired one of Calderdale’s leading providers of support services for people with learning disabilities. The charity, based in West Yorkshire, has signed a deal for Halifax-based Community Support Services (‘CSS’), following the retirement of Dawn and Danny Hartley who founded the business 30 years ago, in 1995. CSS has grown organically…
Trimble Studios opens doors to businesses in Yorkshire & the Northeast
Specialist Photography & Videography Space Now Available for Hire Trimble Studios, a state-of-the-art 3,500 sq. ft. photography and videography facility, is inviting businesses and organisations across Yorkshire and the Northeast to express their interest in hiring its space. Originally built in 2024 for Trimble Group’s own creative projects, Trimble Studios has since evolved into a…
Bradford start-up off to Houses of Parliament to launch UUK campaign
University of Bradford start-up i-Diagnose, which aims to save the NHS thousands of pounds by using artificial intelligence to slash training costs, has been invited to the House of Lords as part of the Universities UK ‘Unis start up the UK’ campaign. Sania Bibi and Aaron Walshaw, who started their business through the University’s BREE…
YBS Commercial grows balance sheet to more than £2bn in 2024, lending close to £500 million to commercial investors and landlords
YBS Commercial Mortgages, the commercial lending arm of Yorkshire Building Society, has revealed it had another strong year in 2024, as commitment to broker relationships and personalised service catalysed the growth of its balance sheet to £2.2bn. The commercial lender completed £0.453bn of commercial mortgage loans during the year; £377m of which went into servicing…
Yorkshire & Humber Construction Market poised for growth, driven by private housing boom
The latest Construction Market Intelligence (CMI Q1 2025) report from Yorkshire & Humber-based construction and property management consultant, Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB UK) forecasts a positive outlook for the region’s construction sector, with private housing emerging as the fastest-growing sector. Key Regional Developments Regional market sentiment remains generally optimistic, with significant development activity across the region’s larger…
New chapter for historic Leeds Library with opening of £2.3m extension
The Leeds Library turns the page on a new chapter in April with the unveiling of a new extension. In an investment totalling £2.3million, the library has extended its historic home on Commercial Street and created new facilities including an event space for education and community activities, a rooftop reading terrace, more space for books…
New Boots Opticians store with innovative eye scan technology opens in Trinity Leeds
A new stand-alone Boots Opticians store has opened in Trinity Leeds offering optomap® as part of its Ultimate Eye Test, which could help to detect signs of serious health conditions including diabetes and hypertension. The store, which is located on the ground floor of Trinity Leeds, provides an inspiring and inviting shopping experience for customers…
Oscrete’s new testing facility helps reduce carbon footprint
Bradford-based concrete admixture manufacturer Oscrete has doubled its customer trials following investment in its expanded and upgraded laboratory. Oscrete’s enhanced, secure laboratory with dedicated office, tests admixtures to evaluate and optimise their effects on concrete’s properties. The new, advanced 100m² lab is a full concrete testing facility, in use up to six days a week….
Leeds Manufacturing Festival launches 2025 programme with need for ‘generational shift’ topping the agenda
The shortage of new talent that continues to hamper growth in the manufacturing and engineering industries is the focus of the Leeds Manufacturing Festival, which returns this month with a packed programme running through to September. The festival, which kicks off this week at a high-profile launch event in the city, is focused on raising…
Chadwick Lawrence invests in local community with sponsorship of five Yorkshire rugby clubs and two Leeds Rhinos players
Leading Yorkshire law firm Chadwick Lawrence has announced the renewal of its longstanding sponsorship of Leeds Rhinos, as it approaches almost 20 years of being the official legal partner to the rugby club. The firm has also committed to supporting five other local rugby clubs for the upcoming season. This season, in addition to sponsoring…
Trinity Leeds and White Rose host Made in Yorkshire initiative, encouraging next generation to reimagine the future of retail
Trinity Leeds and White Rose Shopping Centre have hosted their enterprise challenge, ‘Made in Yorkshire’, with three local schools competing in a ‘Dragons’ Den’-style pitch. Made in Yorkshire is a cross-school competition with students tasked with designing a brand-new community space for the city before going head-to-head and pitching their proposals in the finals. Centred…
Yorkshire garden centre group appoints new board member
The team at a Bradford-headquartered garden centre group with sites in West and North Yorkshire has made a new appointment to its board of directors. Neil Barwise-Carr, former Head of People and Culture at Yorkshire Garden Centres, has been promoted to the position of Director of People and Culture to lead a team of 573…
Brainstorm Club launches fully funded Sales & Marketing alignment programme for West Yorkshire SMEs
New “Align4Growth” initiative offers 4-week transformation programme with 12 months’ support at no cost to qualifying businesses Brainstorm Club, a West Yorkshire-based consultancy specialising in revenue growth strategies, today announced the launch of its fully funded Align4Growth programme. This initiative aims to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Yorkshire rapidly improve revenue by aligning…
Olympic champion Tessa Sanderson CBE inspires GSAL pupils ahead of International Women’s Day
Pupils at The Grammar School at Leeds (GSAL) were treated to an inspiring visit from Olympic gold medallist Tessa Sanderson CBE on Wednesday 5 March, as the former javelin thrower shared her journey to sporting success ahead of International Women’s Day. Tessa, who made history as the first black British woman to win an Olympic…
Regional legal powerhouse to launch April 2025
Two of Lincolnshire’s and Yorkshire’s leading law firms have announced they are to merge on 1 April 2025. Wilkin Chapman LLP and Rollits LLP will merge under the trading name of Wilkin Chapman Rollits. The new firm will have more than 500 people including 70 partners and have a combined annual turnover of £40 million….
Bradford vying for two national student nursing awards
The University of Bradford has been shortlisted in two categories at the Student Nursing Times Awards 2025. Bradford is nominated in the Partnership of the Year category, for its work with New Vision Bradford/Waythrough on overdose awareness and response training and for the Student Placement of The Year: Community award. Natalie Finch, Assistant Professor Mental…
TPE launches TransPennine Kitchen: A First Class feast from coast to coast
First Class TransPennine Express (TPE) customers can now tuck into a tasty new menu while travelling between Liverpool and Newcastle. The new service, TransPennine Kitchen: Coast to Coast combines locally sourced, mouthwatering dishes with exceptional hospitality. Building on the success of TPE’s popular West Coast Kitchen service on its routes between the North West of…
Andrew Jackson advises Woods Tours on purchase of UK’s first electric tour boat
Vessel set for launch this year with Tower of London River Tour Regional law firm Andrew Jackson Solicitors LLP announces that it has assisted Woods Tours on its commission of the UK’s first zero emissions tourist vessel, which is set to launch later this year with a 40-minute Tower of London River Tour that will…
Cross Hills based IT Firm celebrates business accolade from Theo Paphitis
Last month Comprendo IT Support & Consultancy, based in Cross Hills, was presented with their Small Business Sunday winner’s certificate by the business and retail entrepreneur, and self-confessed Shopkeeper, Theo Paphitis. At the Small Business Sunday’s15th anniversary event at the Birmingham ICC, Comprendo’s Sara Haggas accepted the accolade for the business’s winning Instagram post from…
Bradford College wins prestigious national education award
Bradford College has won ‘The Bell Foundation Award for Excellence in ESOL’ category at the 2025 Association of College’s Beacon Awards. The College was the only winner from Yorkshire or Northeast England. The national Beacon awards celebrate the best and most innovative practice in further education colleges and demonstrate the far-reaching impact of colleges on…
Drax RNS: Full year results for the twelve months ended 31 December 2024
Strong operational and financial performance, increasing visibility on long-term outlook Twelve months ended 31 December 2024 2023 Key financial performance measures Adjusted EBITDA(1/2/3) (£ million) 1,064 1,009 Net debt(4) (£ million) 992 1,220 Adjusted basic EPS(1) (pence) 128.4 119.6 Dividend per share (pence) 26.0 23.1 Total financial performance measures Operating profit…
Chadwick Lawrence advises on seven-figure sale of occasion wear label Lavish Alice
Yorkshire-based law firm Chadwick Lawrence has advised on the sale of occasion wear label Lavish Alice, known for its A-list clientele including Gigi Hadid and actress Lindsay Lohan, to womenswear brand Club L London. Chadwick Lawrence has provided trusted legal support to Manchester-based Lavish Alice for over a decade and the Corporate team led by…
Leeds City College achieves NEBOSH Silver Learning Partner status
Leeds City College is proud to announce its recent accreditation as a Silver Learning Partner by the National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH). Following a rigorous inspection audit in November, this prestigious upgrade from Bronze status highlights the college’s dedication to exceeding NEBOSH’s principles of learning excellence. Why Choose NEBOSH? NEBOSH, a globally…
Bradford professor prepares to launch Space Tech Assembly
Businesses from this region and beyond can partake in ‘astronomical opportunities’ outlined at the forthcoming Space Tech Assembly in March, according to the University of Bradford professor who is set to open the event. The conference, organised by Space Hub Yorkshire, the UK Space Agency-funded regional space cluster, will examine how space tech is evolving…
Bulls bringing the hits to West Yorkshire
Bradford Bulls are excited to announce the renewal of their partnership with Hits Radio West Yorkshire, a relationship that continues to strengthen the club’s connection with fans and the wider community. As part of this collaboration, Hits Radio West Yorkshire will remain a key partner, supporting the Bulls to connect with existing and new fans. Hits Radio…
Weidmann support upgrade to local children’s playground
Weidmann UK is thrilled to support its local community by contributing vital funds to the Parish Council. As a major employer in the region, Weidmann was approached to provide financial support to upgrade and improve the local children’s playground that had fallen into disrepair. The donation will contribute towards replacing outdated and worn-out surfaces with…
Bradford seals £1m funding for 6G research projects
The University of Bradford has been awarded £1 million from the European Union’s Horizon Innovation Action programme to lead pioneering research into the socio-economic and sustainability impacts of disruptive technologies, including 6G networks and edge computing. Secured by a team of researchers at the University’s School of Management, the funding supports three ambitious projects—COP-PILOT, 6G-VERSUS,…
Reopened Huddersfield garden centre donates plants to local school
The team at a Huddersfield garden centre celebrated the reopening of its site by donating plants to a local primary school. Yorkshire Garden Centres acquired the former Dobbies Garden Centre Pennine at Shelley and has renamed it Pennine Garden Centre in line with its growing family of centres at Tong, Tingley, Otley, Bingley, York and…
Azets UK announces new director in Yorkshire amid raft of promotions
International business advisory group Azets has announced 11 promotions across its three offices in Yorkshire. Edward Cliff (Audit & Assurance, York) has been promoted to Director while, also in the York office, Bethan Hughes has been appointed Senior Manager, Adam Wingrove Manager and Rutendo Chikukwa Assistant Manager. Also in York, Ashley Greaves and Benjamin Jones…
Broadcaster fondly remembers Bradford student days
A news and sports broadcaster who has retired after more than 40 years says his time as a student at the University of Bradford stood him in good stead throughout his career. Nick Powell, who studied BA Modern Languages, German and Russian at the University of Bradford between 1977 and 1981, has retired following a…
Yorkshire garden centre group is shortlisted for a national people and culture award
The team at a Bradford-headquartered garden centre group is celebrating after being shortlisted for a prestigious national HR award. Yorkshire Garden Centres Group has reached the final in the People Team of the Year (500 – 1,000 employees) at the British HR Awards which celebrate organisations and individuals that are driven by delivering a world-class…