Wright Vigar makes senior promotions as part of continued investment in talent

Wright Vigar has promoted two long-standing team members to director, reinforcing the firm’s commitment to investing in its people. Louise Lane, who joined Wright Vigar in 2004, has been promoted to director. With over 25 years of experience in accounting and taxation, Louise has built a reputation as one of the UK’s leading experts in cryptoasset taxation. She began her career in accounts and audit before specialising in tax and now heads up Wright Vigar’s cryptoasset team. Since 2018, Louise has advised a wide range of clients on cryptoasset tax and accounting matters. She has worked closely with Recap.io to develop crypto tax software, author the Recap UK Tax Guide for Individuals, and liaise with HMRC on areas of uncertainty. Louise is also an active member of various crypto tax and accounting working groups / committees coordinated by CryptoUK, Bitcoin Policy UK, the Chartered Institute of Tax and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales. She regularly contributes to HMRC and Treasury cryptoasset roundtables, helping shape the future of crypto tax policy in the UK and takes every opportunity to speak on panels on this niche area. Louise said: “I’m incredibly proud to take this next step in my career with Wright Vigar. It’s been a privilege to grow alongside the firm and to help shape our approach to emerging areas like crypto taxation. I’m excited about what the future holds for our clients and our team.” Darren Ashley, based in the Gainsborough office, has also been promoted to director. Darren joined Wright Vigar in 2005 following the acquisition of Wilshaw & Ellis and was appointed associate director in 2020. He plays a key role in managing the Gainsborough office alongside David Goodall and oversees a large, diverse client portfolio. Darren has expertise in the property and construction sectors, as well as family businesses. Known for his open, honest, and friendly demeanour, Darren is highly regarded for his calm, down-to-earth approach and his ability to deliver clear, practical advice tailored to each client’s unique situation. He places great importance on listening and building strong, trust-based relationships, an approach that has led to many valuable client referrals. “Being promoted to Director is a real honour,” said Darren. “I’ve always valued the relationships we build with our clients and the trust they place in us. I look forward to continuing to support businesses in Gainsborough and beyond as part of the leadership team.” These promotions reflect Wright Vigar’s ongoing strategy to nurture talent and strengthen leadership across the firm.

Splendid Hospitality Group boosts York’s tourism sector with major investment

Splendid Hospitality Group (SHG) is ramping up its investment in York’s hospitality industry with a series of ambitious projects aimed at enhancing the city’s appeal for both business and leisure travellers. The company, one of the region’s largest hospitality operators, is injecting millions of pounds into its existing hotels, reflecting a long-term commitment to improving visitor experiences and fostering local economic growth.

The investment includes a comprehensive refurbishment of SHG’s ibis Styles York Centre. This Grade II listed building, once a brewery, has been updated to include 16 new rooms. The renovation highlights the company’s focus on blending historical charm with modern convenience to cater to diverse guest needs. This follows SHG’s commitment to maintaining high standards across its properties in York.

Meanwhile, The Grand, York, the city’s only five-star hotel, is undergoing a significant upgrade to its spa facilities, with £2.5 million earmarked for new treatment rooms and state-of-the-art wellness technology. The project, expected to be completed by early 2026, is part of a larger plan to refresh the hotel’s guest rooms and dining spaces, reinforcing SHG’s reputation for top-tier hospitality.

SHG is also growing its portfolio in York, having secured a deal to acquire 98 Walmgate, a property next to its Hotel Indigo York. The site, currently a restaurant, is set to be repurposed into an expanded accommodation and dining space, further diversifying SHG’s offerings. Additionally, the group has acquired 37 Tanner Row, a Grade II listed building, with plans to transform it into luxury long-term suites, providing an enhanced experience for extended stays.

As the city’s tourism continues to thrive, SHG is also considering further upgrades at its Holiday Inn Express York location. The company is exploring the potential for additional rooms to meet growing demand, as well as a full renovation of the public spaces in line with new Holiday Inn Express standards.

This extensive investment is being made as York’s visitor economy remains strong, with tourism contributing significantly to the city’s economic success. SHG’s continued development within the region demonstrates its dedication to supporting local growth while providing exceptional experiences for visitors.

Leeds office boosts northern expansion

A leading planning consultancy is expanding its northern presence with the launch of a new office in Leeds, located in the city’s business hub at Wellington Place, just a short walk from the railway station. This office forms part of the firm’s broader strategy to grow its northern footprint, with plans to increase headcount in the region and open a Manchester office soon.

The Leeds office will be led by Dan Mitchell, who joins as a partner with 28 years of experience in planning and development. He will oversee the establishment and growth of the northern team, with an ambition to scale to eight members within 18 months. The office will cater to clients from across the northern region, including landowners, developers, and public sector bodies, providing comprehensive planning services.

Supporting Dan is Hannah Malyon, a principal planner who will join in August with five years of experience, including work with the Environment Agency. The new office will focus on a wide range of planning projects, from residential and employment developments to retail and mixed-use schemes, serving both private and public sector clients.

The office’s design facilitates flexible, collaborative working, allowing the team to partner effectively with clients and project stakeholders across the region.

Business Lincolnshire partners with UK Government to boost business support

Business Lincolnshire has announced its partnership with the UK Government’s Department for Business and Trade (DBT) Business Growth Service, a new service designed to make it easier for businesses across the UK, including Greater Lincolnshire, to find and access the support they need to start, grow and succeed. The Business Growth Service helps businesses to access fully funded, expert and impartial advice, including vital local support through Growth Hubs across England. Addressing feedback from businesses, the new service will make it easier to navigate support by more closely connecting Government support with the vital services delivered through local partners. Councillor Liam Kelly, Executive Councillor for Growth at Lincolnshire County Council, commented: “The Business Lincolnshire Growth Hub helps support hundreds of local businesses across the county, from small independent stores to multinational companies, by providing the advice, guidance, and access to the networks they need to grow and thrive. “Our new partnership with the Business Growth Service will serve to enhance this support by providing seamless access to both local and national resources. This collaboration will ensure businesses throughout Greater Lincolnshire can easily find the right assistance at the right time.” Business Lincolnshire will continue to provide personalised, one-to-one support to businesses in Greater Lincolnshire, while now being able to connect them with wider Government resources through the integrated Business Growth Service. Lincoln-based digital agency Jolly Good Web, founded by RAF veteran Andy Vaughan, is one of the many businesses that has benefitted from Business Lincolnshire’s support. With guidance from local advisers and the Create Growth Programme, the business evolved from a solo venture into a thriving agency with five employees, a permanent office, and a growing client list including the Royal Signals Charity and the University of Lincoln. “The connections, advice, and guidance we’ve had through Business Lincolnshire have been invaluable,” said Andy Vaughan, Founder of Jolly Good Web. “From financial planning to networking and growth strategies, the support has helped us build a stronger, more resilient business.” You can read more about Jolly Good Web’s journey and how Business Lincolnshire supported their growth here. Businesses across Greater Lincolnshire can explore the new Business Growth Service here or connect with a local Business Lincolnshire adviser.

Creative and cultural celebrations boost visitor spend in West Yorkshire

West Yorkshire’s recent creative and cultural celebrations have contributed to record visitor numbers, new figures reveal. Mayor Tracy Brabin has welcomed research which shows that West Yorkshire welcomed 73 million visitors in 2024, a 3% increase on the previous year, with spending in the local economy rising by 7.8% to £6.26 billion. The tourism and hospitality sector now supports 54,000 jobs for local people, up by 2.6%. This growth has been attributed to successful ‘year of culture’ events hosted across the region ahead of Bradford UK City of Culture 2025, taking place this year. Kirklees and Leeds set the scene in 2023 by rolling out diverse programmes of performances, exhibitions and community-led projects, before handing the baton to Calderdale and Wakefield to showcase even more of the region’s creative spirit in 2024. With Bradford’s year in the spotlight now in full swing, the momentum is expected to boost West Yorkshire’s visitor economy further in 2025. Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “It’s fantastic that more people are visiting the region and seeing everything we have to offer. “And these record figures clearly show that culture isn’t just nice to have – it helps us create good jobs, vibrant places and economic growth. “That’s why we’re investing in culture, heritage and sport, and putting West Yorkshire on the map as the place to be. “Building on this legacy with even more investment and opportunities will attract more people to a stronger, brighter West Yorkshire that works for all.” Cllr James Lewis, Leader of Leeds City Council and Chair of West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Economy Committee, said: “It’s truly inspiring to see the combined and sustained efforts of cities across the region to put culture at the heart of life in West Yorkshire bearing fruit in such impressive fashion. “We have long championed the huge social, economic and reputational value of culture and the arts and the unique power they have to unite and galvanize cities and communities to be their best. “These figures demonstrate that by putting our faith in culture, we can drive economic growth, inward investment and job creation, all while putting our cities on the map and making them incredible, exciting places to live, work and visit.” The new research was carried out by Global Tourism Solutions UK, using the industry recognised STEAM Economic Impact of Tourism Model. It was commissioned by West Yorkshire’s Local Visitor Economy Partnership – a strategic partnership between the region’s five local authorities, chaired by Mayor Tracy Brabin, to support the tourism sector across West Yorkshire. The partnership proactively develops tourism product and experiences, and markets West Yorkshire as a visitor destination to attract new visitors. Belinda Eldridge, Head of Destination Marketing and International Relations and West Yorkshire Local Visitor Economy Partnership Lead, said: “These results reflect the growing appeal of West Yorkshire as a must-visit destination. “Through strategic marketing, international outreach, and a strong partnership approach, we’re attracting more visitors, encouraging longer stays, and showcasing the very best of what our region has to offer. “This momentum is vital for sustaining a thriving visitor economy that benefits communities across West Yorkshire.”

Lincolnshire food and drink gift company secures £500k investment

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Luxury food and drink gift company, IMP & MAKER, has secured a £500,000 investment in a deal that values the business at £2m. The funding comes from an unnamed angel investor in exchange for a minority stake in the growing Lincolnshire-based business. Sarah Louise Fairburn, who founded IMP & MAKER in 2020, hailed the investment as ‘game-changing’. She said: “It’s a real validation in what we’re building at IMP & MAKER and me personally. The investor was impressed by the strength of our brand, the quality of our products, and the breadth and range of our customer base. They saw the amazing growth potential in eCommerce and B2B that will see us grow to over £2m this year. “He shares our vision to disrupt the food and drink gift sector with our beautifully packaged and personalised gifts that our customers remember and savour – all underpinned by the best technology.” The majority of IMP & MAKER’s business comes through its eCommerce platform, a growing list of corporate clients and its existing relationships with retailers like Costco and Not On The High Street. The investment will be used to scale the business and repay £200,000 in funding from the Midlands Engine Investment Fund II (MEIF II) and the Regional Growth Fund. Fairburn, a single mum-of-four, said: “We’re debt-free and set for growth. Most startups have difficulty obtaining investment, especially in the eCommerce space, which requires large levels of money to gain brand recognition “We’ve now got the right infrastructure and team in place to take IMP & MAKER to the next level and we’ve significantly increased our margins and reduced our customer acquisition costs. “We’re on track to make our first profit this year and the £500,000 investment will enable us to take full advantage of the busy Christmas and New Year period. Thank you to our valued advisors – Franklins – in assisting with this investment and Collin Franklin for his continued belief and vision.” IMP & MAKER employs eight people at its head office in Lincolnshire. Fairburn previously worked at Fairburn’s Eggs, helping to grow the company’s turnover from £12m to more than £100m. She helped establish the firm as one of the UK’s largest independent egg packers, winning contracts with several major supermarkets, including Asda, Sainsbury’s and Iceland.

Asda invests in Yorkshire stores as part of £7.2m refurbishment plan

Asda is investing £7.2m in a store renovation programme across key locations in Yorkshire. The Leeds-based supermarket chain will refurbish stores in Kingswood, Harrogate, York, Pudsey, and Keighley by the end of 2025, as part of its broader strategy to improve the customer experience.

The refurbishments will include a revamped shop floor layout for easier navigation, new lighting, and neon signage aimed at modernising the stores. Additionally, Asda plans to allocate £4.6m to update two other stores in Grimsby and Stockton.

The project is set to begin in September, with each store’s refurbishment taking around seven weeks. The chain assured that stores will remain open throughout the work.

This follows the success of a £2m renovation at Asda’s Pilsworth store in Bury, completed earlier this year. The company intends to expand the renovation programme to more UK locations in 2026.

FinTech growth fuels £5bn boost to the North of England’s economy

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The FinTech sector in the North of England is now adding £5 billion to the regional economy each year, with nearly 400 firms employing close to 20,000 people. This contribution is growing, as the workforce across FinTech and related sectors swells to almost 70,000.

The North, which accounts for over 20% of the UK’s population and generates £344 billion in economic output, has long been recognised for its importance in driving national economic growth. The region’s educational infrastructure, with 42 universities and over a million students, further supports its rising prominence in FinTech.

New recommendations aim to accelerate sector growth, such as a dedicated FinTech Accelerator, Investment Fund, and Reskilling Programme. The report also highlights the concentrated FinTech clusters in cities like Manchester, Leeds, and Liverpool, where Payments, Banking, and WealthTech dominate.

Despite a strong economic footprint, the report points to gaps in diversity, noting the low percentage of female founders. Nevertheless, with continued investment and support, the sector is poised to play an even greater role in the UK’s broader financial technology landscape.

This data underscores the North’s growing influence as a key player in global FinTech.

Small businesses adopt technology and eco-friendly measures to reduce costs

Small business owners are increasingly turning to technology and sustainable practices to tackle operational challenges and reduce costs, according to recent research from Smart Energy GB.

The study reveals that over 84% of small business owners are confident in using new digital tools, with a significant focus on automating time-consuming tasks. Key areas for automation include accounting, invoicing, customer communication, marketing, and tracking energy costs.

Financial pressures are also a concern, with 22% of respondents identifying energy costs as a significant burden. Despite this, only 24% feel completely in control of their cash flow and financial planning.

Sustainability is also a growing consideration for small businesses. The research shows that 84% of owners see sustainability as an important factor in their decision-making. Many are now considering eco-friendly technology, with 73% more likely to invest in sustainable tech if it offers a cost benefit. Additionally, 31% of respondents say they are responding to customer demand for more sustainable practices.

Efforts to reduce environmental impact include waste reduction (30%), energy-saving initiatives (25%), and upgrading to more energy-efficient technology (22%). For many, these measures are seen as both environmentally responsible and beneficial for long-term business sustainability.

Coastal flood defences at risk of failure unless significant investment is made

Flood defences along Lincolnshire’s coast are expected to become ineffective by 2040 without substantial funding, according to the Environment Agency (EA). A failure of the coastal defences could result in flooding in areas such as Mablethorpe, with floodwaters reaching around 1.3 metres, and Ingoldmells, with up to 1.6 metres of water.

The flood defences, stretching 30 miles from Saltfleet to Gibraltar Point, are under pressure, with nearly 90% predicted to fail in the next two decades. The region, which lies below sea level, relies heavily on these defences to protect over 20,000 homes and 38,000 static caravans. Without immediate action, the area’s flood protection could be compromised.

The Environment Agency has estimated that replacing the existing flood defences will require billions of pounds. Additionally, ongoing maintenance costs, such as the replenishment of sand along the coastline, are currently between £10 million and £15 million annually.

To address this growing issue, a masterplan is set to be developed by 2028, with the aim of securing funding and contracts by 2036. Local councillors have highlighted the urgent need for investment to prevent economic decline in local holiday resorts. If adequate funding is not secured, a “managed retreat” approach may need to be considered, potentially leading to long-term consequences for the region’s infrastructure and economy.