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

April Lara
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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

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

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

April Lara
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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

April Lara
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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.

Pets at Home revises profit forecast as market remains challenging

April Lara
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Pets at Home revises profit forecast as market remains challenging

Pets at Home has lowered its profit expectations for the current financial year, citing weaker-than-expected retail performance. The company now anticipates annual profits to be between £110 million and £120 million, a significant reduction from last year’s £133 million and the previous forecast of £115 million to £125 million.

The retailer reported a 3% decline in like-for-like sales over the 16 weeks to July 17, marking its third consecutive quarter of negative growth. This drop comes as the overall pet retail market struggles, with growth projected to be just 1%, down from an earlier estimate of 2%.

The company has attributed its revised outlook to subdued market conditions and an uncertain consumer environment, which have affected its trading performance. Despite efforts to control costs, including tight cost management measures, the retailer has faced additional challenges, such as a £20 million increase in wage-related expenses.

However, Pets at Home noted that its Vet Group segment has been performing well, with like-for-like revenue growth of 7.8%. Additionally, the company has seen a rise in its Pets Club membership, which now totals 8.1 million customers, contributing 14.5% of its revenue from subscriptions.

Plans for new housing development at Red Hall Nursery site approved in Leeds

April Lara
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Plans for new housing development at Red Hall Nursery site approved in Leeds

Leeds City Council has approved plans for a new residential development on the former Red Hall Nursery site in Shadwell, Leeds, marking a significant step in the ongoing East Leeds Extension project. The development will include over 350 homes, to be built by Redrow Homes on the 29-hectare site.

The plans encompass 352 homes, with a mix of housing types and the refurbishment of key historical structures, such as the Grade II-listed Red Hall House. The project also includes the creation of green spaces, communal areas, an orchard, and a civic space for public use. The development will make use of the existing Gate House, with some outbuildings being converted into garages and storage areas.

This approval follows Redrow’s acquisition of the site in 2021. The former nursery was the city’s main horticultural production site until 2017, after which operations were moved to the Arium in Whinmoor. The new development is part of the larger East Leeds Extension, which has the capacity for around 5,000 new homes, designed to support the region’s growing residential needs.

Despite some objections regarding potential traffic congestion and concerns over preserving the historic elements of the site, the council has granted planning permission, with conditions attached.

Civil engineering company doubles space at Leeds office building

Tess Egginton
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Civil engineering company doubles space at Leeds office building
Civil engineering company JN Bentley has doubled its office space at 1 Whitehall Riverside in Leeds city centre. Part of the Mott MacDonald Group, JN Bentley is taking over the whole of the 17,124 sq ft fifth floor in the office building. The Skipton-based company originally moved its Leeds city centre operations from Bank House to 1 Whitehall Riverside in October 2023. 1 Whitehall Riverside is now home to employees from JN Bentley and colleagues from Mott MacDonald and JBA Consulting working within the company’s design-and-build businesses – Mott MacDonald Bentley (MMB) and JBA Bentley. With a contemporary open-plan design, the office promotes collaborative working with purpose-built co-working areas, focus rooms and meeting rooms fitted with state-of-the-art technology. Jonny Burton, director, JN Bentley, said: “We are delighted to be doubling our operational space at our city centre Leeds office. “Record levels of investment in the UK water sector, coupled with buoyant frameworks across our other environmental and industrial markets, means our teams are growing. We need this additional space to facilitate even better collaboration that will help deliver the outcomes our clients and their customers need. “The office will be home to our colleagues delivering projects on our important frameworks with the likes of Yorkshire Water, Canal & River Trust, the Environment Agency, and Associated British Ports.” Eamon Fox, head of the Leeds office of Knight Frank, who advised JN Bentley, added: “1 Whitehall Riverside is owned by NFU Mutual, we have continually collaborated with JN Bentley over the years, and it’s wonderful to see the continued growth of the firm. “Office expansion, when done strategically, can significantly contribute to business success by enhancing employee morale, promoting collaboration, improving client perception, and facilitating future growth, we wish the team further success.”

Demolition of derelict Crimea Tavern building begins in Castleford

Tess Egginton
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Demolition of derelict Crimea Tavern building begins in Castleford
Demolition of the Crimea Tavern building in Castleford is now underway as part of plans to transform the riverside.
With demolition work expected to be completed in August, once the building is cleared, the site will be landscaped to create a new greenspace by the river.

Cllr Denise Jeffery, leader of Wakefield Council, said: “The Crimea has been derelict for far too long. So, it’s welcome news that demolition work is starting as a first step in our ambition to open up this part of Castleford’s historic riverside.

“The area is going to become a greenspace that everyone can enjoy. By making the most of Castleford’s great location on the River Aire we can make our town an even better place to live, work and visit.” The Council has secured £23.9m of funding from the UK Government’s Towns Fund for Castleford. This external grant funding will be used to deliver a series of projects – Castleford Riverside, improvements to property on Sagar Street, Heart of Castleford and Castleford Connections. Cllr Jack Hemingway, deputy leader and cabinet member for regeneration and economic growth, said: “This project will make the riverside more accessible for more people. We want everyone to enjoy spending time in this part of the town. In turn that will help local businesses across our town centre to thrive.”

Jobs lost as decarbonisation and water efficiency firm falls into administration

Tess Egginton
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Jobs lost as decarbonisation and water efficiency firm falls into administration
Cenergist Limited has entered administration, seeing 100 staff made redundant and the immediate sale of the company’s water division to Control Flow Technologies Group. Cenergist, which was the sole trading subsidiary of Eneraqua Technologies plc, designed and implemented decarbonisation and water efficiency projects in the private and public sector. The business employed 144 staff through its operations in Sunderland, London, Cardiff and Leeds, and a further 42 staff at its overseas operations in the Netherlands, Spain, and India. In recent months, Cenergist faced financial challenges after suffering delays on a number of large energy projects, which put unsustainable pressure on working capital. In view of the funding requirement, the company launched an accelerated investment process to seek to secure new funding into the business. Despite an extensive marketing process led by Interpath, unfortunately there were no viable solvent proposals received for Cenergist and a pre-packaged sale was deemed the best option in the interest of creditors. Immediately upon appointment, joint administrators James Lumb and Howard Smith from Interpath concluded the sale of Cenergist’s water business to Control Flow Technologies Group, a company led by the Cenergist water management team and supported by four of the directors of Eneraqua. The transaction includes the acquisition of various subsidiaries of Cenergist including Control Flow Technologies Limited, Cenergist Spain SL and its subsidiaries HaGePe International BV and HGP Exploitatie BV, and Cenergist Energy Private Limited. It will see the transfer of 42 UK-based staff from its operations in Sunderland and the North East, as well as 42 colleagues from its international operations. Approximately 100 staff have been made redundant. The joint administrators are now focused on winding up the group’s energy and eco divisions and supporting impacted staff. James Lumb, managing director at Interpath and joint administrator of Cenergist Limited, said: “Cenergist required significant investment following delays to certain major contracts and an adverse outcome from a contractual dispute. “While a solvent sale was unfortunately not possible, we’re pleased to have secured a future for its water division, safeguarding a number of jobs, and we wish the team all the best with the venture as they look to rebuild. “The issues faced by Cenergist are consistent with what we are seeing in the market across number of sectors; quality investment projects are being commissioned but timelines are slipping. So, while businesses are winning good work, cash flow is becoming stretched. “Lenders and stakeholders are being very supportive and there are options out there but, in businesses like Cenergist that rely on a large turnover of projects, this can become unsustainable. “Regrettably, not all of the group could be saved and so we’re focused on supporting impacted employees through this difficult period, including making representations to the Redundancy Payments Service, and winding down the rest of the group.”

218 mixed-tenure homes to be built near Pontefract

Tess Egginton
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218 mixed-tenure homes to be built near Pontefract
Vistry Group, the provider of mixed-tenure homes, is to build 218 new homes in Knottingley near Pontefract. Vistry has forward-sold 109 homes to affordable housing provider Incommunities, whilst also agreeing the forward-sale of 55 homes to Sigma for its Simple Life BTR (build to rent) brand. The remaining 54 homes will be sold on the open market by one of Vistry’s housebuilding brands. The site, located on Womersley Road on the southern edge of the town, is bordered by the M62 motorway, a trainline and a manufacturing facility. Alongside the new homes Vistry will contribute almost £1m to improve local travel services, whilst the development will also create a biodiversity net gain. The site is estimated to be completed by March 2029. Andrew Poyner, managing director of Vistry West Yorkshire, said: “This latest site in Knottingley plays entirely to the strengths of our partner-delivery model – by working in partnership with Incommunities and Sigma we can provide a wide range of housing choices, giving local people genuine opportunities to own or rent a high quality new home. “At the same time, our experience of transforming sites like these into thriving new neighbourhoods means that we can bring new benefits to the community, generating additional social value by using local supply chain partners and investing in public services.” Aimee Law, director of development and regeneration, Incommunities, said:“We’re proud to be working in partnership with Vistry on this exciting development in Knottingley, as well as on other projects across the West Yorkshire region. “These new 109 homes, offering both social rent and Shared Ownership, will provide much-needed affordable housing for local people. This development is part of our wider ambition to deliver 350 new homes each year across the region, as set out in our Development and Regeneration Strategy, helping to build stronger, more sustainable communities.” Kenny Brewster, acquisitions and investments director from Sigma, said: “We’re delighted to be part of this new neighbourhood with our long-standing partners, Vistry. We are looking forward to launching Simple Life and the build to rent proposition to the local renters of Knottingley. “Not only will our homes provide Vistry’s outstanding quality and specification, renters will benefit from a professionalised approach to renting. With an established track record of building new mixed tenure housing developments with Vistry and other Affordable Housing providers, we’re excited to see this new community flourish.”
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