A new passport scheme has been introduced along England’s Coast to Coast route as part of a broader strategy to stimulate economic activity in rural communities ahead of the route’s reclassification as a National Trail in 2025.

Stretching 190 miles from Cumbria to North Yorkshire, the Coast to Coast path currently attracts around 6,000 walkers each year. The passport, developed by the Richmond Yorkshire Community Interest Company and backed by multiple local authorities and stakeholders, is intended to turn this foot traffic into a more measurable economic benefit for small businesses situated along the trail.

Participants can collect stamps from 80 registered venues, such as local pubs, shops, cafés, and attractions. Many of these venues are offering small incentives to encourage additional spending. The initiative is expected to drive greater dwell time and transactional activity in areas that rely heavily on seasonal tourism.

The scheme precedes a £5.8 million investment from Natural England, aimed at upgrading infrastructure to meet National Trail standards. Stakeholders anticipate that formal National Trail status will boost the route’s visibility, drawing increased visitor numbers and enabling more consistent income streams for hospitality and retail operators along the corridor.

The programme is being positioned as a model for how public-private collaboration can support rural regeneration through experiential tourism.

Harrogate Spring Water has submitted its final expansion plans to North Yorkshire Council. The company, owned by Danone since 2020, aims to grow its bottling operations while addressing earlier environmental concerns. The company revised its proposal following further consultation with local groups and planning officials.

The updated scheme includes a slight increase to the building’s footprint, up 9 square metres, but remains within approved limits and avoids impact on surrounding landscaping. To meet biodiversity goals, the business has scaled back the number of trees planted on-site, shifting from a dense layout to fewer, native species better suited to long-term growth. As part of its broader commitment, it will increase tree planting elsewhere in the Harrogate area from 1,500 to 2,500. So far, 840 trees have already been planted.

The project is expected to deliver over 50 permanent roles and boost the company’s annual contribution to the local economy to £6.2 million. A formal consultation will follow before the proposal goes to committee.

Middleton Law has appointed Matthew Clayton as Senior Personal Injury Solicitor and Head of Catastrophic Injury, further strengthening the firm’s expertise in high-value and complex medical negligence and personal injury claims. Matthew brings with him more than 30 years of legal experience, having built a distinguished career supporting clients with life-changing injuries, including brain and head trauma, spinal cord injuries, and amputations. Formerly a Principal Lawyer with Slater and Gordon Lawyers UK, he most recently led the Serious Injury department at Simpson Millar. Recognised as a leading name in the sector, Matthew has earned praise from Chambers and Partners, and in the Legal 500. Clients and peers alike noted his extensive expertise in highly complex cases, his commitment and the ability to deliver incredible results. Matthew said of his appointment: “I’m delighted to join Middleton Law Ltd and to work with a team that shares my commitment to achieving life-improving results for seriously injured clients. Helping people rebuild their lives after major trauma has always been at the heart of my work, and I look forward to continuing that here.” Matthew recently successfully concluded a catastrophic brain injury case involving a 28 year old woman who was struck by a speeding taxi while crossing at a zebra crossing. Following a 10-day trial at the High Court in Manchester, the claimant was awarded 100% of the damages after overcoming extensive arguments on contributory negligence. She received a £3.75 million lump sum, along with substantial lifelong annual payments to cover her ongoing care and support needs (PHJ v HML before HHJ David Allen KC, 7/12/23). Other multi-million-pound cases successfully led by Matthew include a recent case involving a teenage cyclist who suffered a traumatic brain injury after being hit by a car. Initially, the injury was underestimated by medical staff, and the long-term effects were only discovered years later. Eventually the family was awarded £1.5m thanks to Matthew’s skilful representation, making a huge difference to victim and his family. Neil Fearn, Medical Negligence solicitor and MD of Middleton Law Ltd, commented: “We’re delighted to welcome Matthew to the firm. His track record in serious injury litigation speaks for itself, and his expertise will significantly strengthen our ability to support clients facing the most complex and life-changing injuries across the UK. “Matthew’s arrival reflects our ongoing commitment to growing a first-class team and ensuring every client receives not only exceptional legal advice, but real support when they need it most.” Matthew’s tactical insight, tireless client advocacy, and experience with complex medical-legal evidence make him a powerful addition to the team which, though based in Leeds, works with clients across England and Wales.

A major upgrade to the UK’s energy grid has secured £1.35 billion in financing, positioning the North East as a key player in the country’s clean energy transition.

The funding, led by the National Wealth Fund alongside Bank of America, BNP Paribas, Lloyds, and NatWest, will support ScottishPower’s Eastern Green Link (EGL) project. The project involves building offshore electricity cables to transfer renewable energy from Scottish wind farms to England via the North Sea.

The initial phase will connect Scotland to County Durham, with a second phase planned to reach Lincolnshire. The upgrades aim to relieve bottlenecks in the grid that currently force wind farms to shut down and increase reliance on more expensive gas-fired power stations.

Around £600 million of the funding comes from the publicly owned National Wealth Fund, which was established to drive economic growth through decarbonisation and infrastructure modernisation.

This initiative is particularly relevant for high-energy-demand sectors such as data centres, housing development, and advanced manufacturing. By improving transmission capacity, the project is expected to reduce energy waste, lower electricity costs, and support business expansion across the UK.

Yorkshire Water has activated its drought plans in response to the driest spring England has experienced in nearly 70 years. Alongside United Utilities and Severn Trent, the company is ensuring adequate water supplies as the risk of hosepipe bans increases across the country.

Data from the Met Office shows that the period from February to April this year was the driest since 1956, with Sheffield’s forecast indicating no significant rainfall until at least May 14. Yorkshire Water’s reservoir levels are currently at 73.1% of capacity, well below the usual 89.5% for this time of year.

Along with other water providers, the company is focusing on two key actions: accelerating leak repairs and redistributing water across regions to support the driest areas. Yorkshire Water is also investing £16 million in reducing leakage and has installed 20,000 smart meters in Sheffield to detect leaks more efficiently. Additionally, the company is replacing 43km of water mains in the Sheffield area over the next two years.

As the demand for water increases, especially on hotter days, customers are encouraged to reduce consumption and help conserve resources. Water UK, the industry body, has called on householders to make minor adjustments to daily routines, particularly in gardens, to alleviate the pressure on water supplies as summer approaches.

Leeds United’s return to the Premier League is set to deliver immediate economic benefits for the city, with tourism, hospitality, and retail businesses likely to see increased activity.

The promotion ends Leeds’s two-year absence from top-flight football and positions Leeds among the most commercially valuable clubs in the UK once again. Premier League status comes with heightened international media exposure, larger matchday crowds, and more lucrative sponsorship and broadcasting opportunities that extend beyond the club to local enterprise.

The uplift in footfall, particularly on matchdays, is expected to benefit city-centre venues, hotels, restaurants, and travel operators. Leeds Beckett University’s Carnegie School of Sport has noted the potential for sustained growth in local tourism and brand visibility for the city due to the club’s elevated profile.

The development marks a key moment for the regional economy, primarily as stakeholders across the public and private sectors aim to capitalise on the renewed national and global attention.