Investor partners with leadership in buyout of video game publisher
Doncaster trade park acquired for £7.85m
York logistics firm celebrates award win
A growing logistics firm in York is celebrating success after receiving a national award. Celkom Transport Ltd collected the ‘Brand Ambassador Award’ at a Shareholder Gala hosted by national pallet network Pallet-Track, held at Celtic Manor Resort in Newport.
The independent transport and warehousing company received the award in recognition of its efforts to build its reputation and promote its services. Celkom Transport was also highly commended for the Outstanding Growth Award, following a major expansion and investment in a new 50,000sq.ft. warehouse at its York site, which it has fully refurbished.
The new warehouse facility enables the business to provide greater storage and fulfilment options for its customers, while also creating five new jobs, as part of the company’s wider growth plans.
The York-based firm already provides an invaluable 24/7 operation for its customers, using a diverse transport service from vans to temperature-controlled HGVs.
Lukasz Komamicki, director at Celkom Transport, said: “We are proud to be awarded this trophy in recognition of our efforts to promote our services and the benefits of palletised freight distribution via the Pallet-Track network.
“We work hard to be brand ambassadors for the service Pallet-Track provides by educating our customers and supporting our fellow network members. It is very rewarding to be recognised in this way and to be able to celebrate our success as a growing business.”
The awards for Celkom Transport celebrate its contribution to the national Pallet-Track network, which enables independent logistics and hauliers’ companies to work together to transport freight efficiently around the UK.
Stuart Godman, CEO of Pallet-Track, said: “Celkom Transport consistently goes the extra mile to promote its services and the Pallet-Track brand and network as a whole, so it’s little surprise they were, very deservingly, honoured with the Brand Ambassador Award at our recent Shareholder Gala.
“They have been committed to improving their own brand, while also supporting their fellow network Shareholder Members, demonstrating their use of marketing and branding for maximum impact, proving a valuable addition to the Pallet-Track network. Congratulations to Lukasz and the team at Celkom, who I am certain will continue with its trajectory of sustained growth as a very valued Shareholder Member of the Pallet-Track network.”
Hull’s KWL enters housebuilding market with new division
Hull-based construction firm KWL has expanded into housebuilding with the launch of KWL Homes, aiming to meet the rising demand for quality housing. The firm, owned by Hull City Council, is starting with a 27-home development at Matheson Close near Sutton Golf Club, offering a mix of two, three, and four-bedroom houses designed for a range of buyers.
With £51 million in turnover last year and a workforce of 500, KWL is positioning this expansion as both a business growth strategy and an investment in Hull’s economic future. The company plans to integrate an apprenticeship programme to train new tradespeople, addressing industry skills shortages.
Estate agency William H Brown has been appointed to manage sales, while Sangwin Architects is overseeing the design, which prioritises contemporary aesthetics and practical living.
KWL, established in 2007, provides maintenance and refurbishment services to over 23,000 homes in the Hull area. The firm also owns a small portfolio of rental properties and focuses on restoring vacant homes to support urban regeneration.
Adderstone Living expands with new Leeds office to meet social housing demand
Affordable housebuilder Adderstone Living has opened a new office in Leeds to expand into Yorkshire. The move aims to support growing demand for regionally based social housing development.
Founded by Stephen McCoy and Peter Galbraith, Adderstone Living works with major social housing providers such as Karbon Homes, Gentoo, and Places for People. The company offers land-led solutions, including site sourcing, scheme design, and planning approvals.
The Leeds office, located in Carrwood Park, will be led by regional director Rick Long, who brings extensive experience in residential housebuilding. The expansion follows strong growth and aligns with government efforts to address the housing shortage.
Adderstone Living is also expanding in the North West and recently launched a £16 million, 70-unit scheme in East Cowton. To support its regional diversification, the company is actively securing framework agreements, including a place on the Homes England Delivery Partner Panel (DPP).
Challenges such as planning delays and environmental regulations remain, but the company’s in-house planning team is working to mitigate disruptions and ensure project efficiency.
Severfield shares plunge 48% after second profit warning
Severfield, the North Yorkshire-based structural steel group, saw its share price drop by 48% to 26.4p following a second profit warning in challenging market conditions.
The company now expects underlying pre-tax profit for the year ending 29 March 2025 to be between £18m and £20m. This follows a warning in November 2024, when Severfield highlighted a challenging trading environment in the UK and Europe.
Project delays continue impacting revenue, with a major contract initially scheduled to begin in January, which is now postponed to early FY26. The company’s UK and Europe order book stood at £403m as of 1 February 2025, down from £410m in November, with £281m scheduled for delivery within 12 months.
Severfield has implemented cost-cutting measures but has not secured enough short-term work to cover overheads in Q4. The company expects continued uncertainty, with delays in client decision-making and a lack of primary “anchor” projects affecting FY26 performance. As a result, it now anticipates profits for FY26 will fall below revised FY25 expectations.
Despite near-term challenges, Severfield has secured large projects for FY27 and sees future opportunities in data centres, industrial manufacturing, and commercial office developments, particularly in London. The company also aims to capitalise on long-term growth sectors, including green energy.
Councils urged to ease business rate burden as retailers face rising costs
The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) urges UK councils to adopt targeted business rate relief schemes to support struggling high streets, following Barnsley Council’s £5 million initiative.
Barnsley’s plan, set to launch in April 2025, will grant 100% business rate relief to qualifying retail, leisure, and hospitality businesses for a year. Bira CEO Andrew Goodacre called it a model for other councils, arguing that surplus business rate revenue should be reinvested in local businesses.
Independent retailers face mounting financial pressure from rising costs, reduced tax relief, and higher National Insurance contributions. Goodacre warned that without intervention, more businesses could be forced to close.
Sherburn-in-Elmet town centre begins £800,000 upgrade
North Yorkshire Council has started a six-month upgrade of Low Street in Sherburn-in-Elmet, aiming to improve infrastructure and support local businesses. The £800,000 project, funded in part by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, includes resurfacing damaged pavements, adding parking bays, installing benches, updating signage, and creating a new town centre map.
The upgrades are designed to make the area more attractive and functional for businesses, residents, and visitors. Work will be carried out in phases to minimise disruption, focusing on the stretch between The Swan pub and C & G Starkey Family Butchers.
The initiative has support from Sherburn-in-Elmet Town Council and local business owners, who see it as a way to enhance the town’s appeal and economic viability. The project was designed by Align Property Partners, a consultancy working with North Yorkshire Council.
Bradford College wins prestigious national education award
EGO Technology acquires Ucan Secure IT to expand recycling capabilities
Burton-on-Trent-based IT disposal firm EGO Technology has acquired Bradford-based Ucan Secure IT, expanding its footprint in secure and sustainable IT recycling.
Founded in 2010, Ucan specialises in recycling redundant IT equipment, including laptops, hard drives, mobile phones, and printers. It operates as a zero-landfill organisation serving businesses, schools, and universities across the UK.
EGO Technology says the acquisition strengthens its position in IT asset disposal (ITAD) by integrating Ucan’s recycling capabilities, which focus on recovering valuable materials such as rare earth metals. The move is part of a broader strategy to enhance UK-based IT recycling solutions that ensure compliance and reduce environmental impact.
