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Dotty Bridal navigates expansion with Wakefield Waterfront move
Filtronic “delighted” with “strong trading performance”
Filtronic, the designer and manufacturer of advanced RF solutions for the space, aerospace and defence, and telecoms infrastructure markets, has seen revenue soar – surpassing market expectations.
According to a trading update for the financial year ended 31 May 2025 (FY2025), revenue is expected to come in at £56.3m, growing from £25.4m in the year prior. Meanwhile, the firm is anticipating an adjusted EBITDA of no less than £16.6m (FY2024: £4.9m).
The results follow multiple increases in expectations over the course of the financial year.Nat Edington, CEO, said: “We are delighted with this strong trading performance, demonstrating our ability to ramp quickly and respond to market needs. This has positioned us well with our lead customer where there is strong alignment on rapid execution.
“We look forward to FY2026 with further optimism as we continue to invest in the business and capitalise on the expanding market opportunity in front of us.
“The focus will be on broadening the customer base, completing key technology developments and relocating our state-of-the-art manufacturing site in Sedgefield to a new facility at the same science park, doubling our operational footprint by doing so.”
Econ Engineering strengthens support for Armed Forces community
Econ Engineering, based in North Yorkshire, has demonstrated its commitment to the Armed Forces community by signing the Armed Forces Covenant. This move solidifies the company’s ongoing pledge to ensure fair treatment and equal opportunities for veterans, serving personnel, and their families in areas such as employment, housing, and healthcare.
By signing the Covenant during Armed Services Week, which runs from June 22 to 28, Econ Engineering has taken a step that reflects its longstanding support for the Armed Forces. The company has previously employed many individuals who have served in various military capacities, both in the regular forces and reserves.
As part of the Covenant, Econ Engineering has committed to supporting its Armed Forces employees by providing guaranteed interviews for veterans who meet the job selection criteria, accommodating employees who are members of the Reserve forces during training and deployments, and inviting cadets to explore potential career opportunities within the industry.
The company has also pledged to offer two weeks of paid leave for employees who are deployed, a benefit not commonly found in many businesses. Econ’s involvement with the Armed Forces Covenant underscores its commitment to supporting military personnel and their families, ensuring they are treated fairly in the workplace.
Econ Engineering’s decision to sign the Covenant aligns with the two key principles of ensuring no disadvantage for Armed Forces personnel and offering special consideration for those who have sacrificed the most, including the injured and bereaved.
Gear4Music reports growth following competitor acquisitions
Gear4Music, the listed musical instrument retailer, has posted a positive financial performance for the year ending 31 March 2025, driven by strategic acquisitions and growth in its UK market. The company’s revenue reached £146.7m, up from £144.4m in the previous year, with profit before tax increasing to £1.6m, compared to £600,000 in 2023/24.
The growth was further bolstered by the company’s recent acquisition of the assets of two competitors, S & T Audio Ltd (PMT) and GAK.co.uk Ltd, both of which had entered administration earlier in the year. These acquisitions have allowed Gear4Music to strengthen its market position in a consolidating UK market.
In addition to these acquisitions, the company reported a rise in EBITDA to £10m, from £9.4m the previous year, and a reduction in net debt, following cost-cutting measures and the relaunch of its Growth Strategy in June 2024.
Since mid-March 2025, Gear4Music has seen a return to double-digit sales growth, with increasing sales momentum and improving gross margins. The company is optimistic about its performance for the year ending 31 March 2026, with expectations now higher due to the positive impact of its revised strategy and the enhanced competitive landscape following the competitor failures.
The company operates from its head office in York, with distribution centres across Europe and showrooms in the UK, Sweden, and Germany.
Mayor gives update on investment decision for Doncaster Sheffield Airport
Manufacturing output weakens in three months to June
- Output volumes fell at a steep pace in the three months to June, broadly similar to May (weighted balance of -23%, from -25% in the quarter to May). Manufacturers expect output volumes to decline at a slower pace in the three months to June (-5%).
- Output decreased in 14 out of 17 sub-sectors in the three months to June, with the decline driven by the chemicals, metal products and mechanical engineering sub sectors.
- Total order books were reported as below “normal” in June (-33% from -30% in May). The level of order books remained significantly below the long-run average (-14%).
- Export order books were also below “normal” and broadly unchanged from last month (-26% from -29%). The balance stood below the long-run average (-18%).
- Expectations for average selling price inflation eased in June (+19% from +26% in May) but remained above the long-run average (+7%).
- Stocks of finished goods were reported as more than “adequate” in June (+6% from 10% in May), but the balance fell below the long-run average (+12%).
Bus franchising plan to improve North Yorkshire’s public transport network
A new review suggests that bus franchising could be the key to improving North Yorkshire’s fragmented public transport system. The report highlights the lack of peak-hour services, such as the absence of buses connecting towns like Leyburn, Masham, Wensleydale, and Ripon to major routes like the 73 service to Northallerton. This gap in services is affecting local commuters trying to access work and education.
The study revealed widespread dissatisfaction with the current bus provisions, with businesses reporting difficulties in recruiting staff due to poor transport connections. In addition to these concerns, the research found that while major towns receive multiple services, the overall quality and timing of services remain inconsistent.
To address these issues, the report proposes several improvements, including better information about existing services, the introduction of multi-operator bus ticketing, extended peak-time services, and improved coordination between bus and train timetables. One of the key recommendations is to trial a bus franchising model, which would see local authorities take control of bus planning and management, while private operators run the services.
North Yorkshire’s York and North Yorkshire region is set to be one of the first to trial this model, which could serve as a model for other areas. The report also advocates building on demand-responsive services and encouraging businesses to consider pool bicycles as part of the solution.
The review was conducted by Align Property Services and forms part of the Transport to Work and Study Review in the Richmond and Northallerton constituency, commissioned by North Yorkshire Council. The findings will be discussed by the Richmond area committee next Monday.
Bradford businesses tackle digital upskilling and AI adoption
Bradford’s business community recently gathered to explore the future of digital skills and AI integration, highlighting the importance of equipping the local workforce to support business growth. Hosted by West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, the roundtable discussion focused on the urgent need for businesses to adapt to technological shifts, particularly AI.
Business leaders from Bradford College, Bradford Council, EY Foundation, and others shared insights on how their organisations are responding to the challenge of digital transformation. Yorkshire Building Society’s team, led by incoming Bradford Chamber President Rebecca Fitzgerald, outlined their approach to upskilling employees to meet evolving demands. With AI now central to many business functions, the group emphasised the need for continuous, targeted training to stay ahead.
The discussion also touched on the wider implications of AI adoption across industries, highlighting the government’s £2bn investment in AI initiatives and £1.2bn for youth training, which was seen as a step in the right direction for securing the future of AI-driven industries.
However, smaller businesses voiced concerns over the cost and accessibility of high-quality training, with legal firms like Schofield Sweeney raising issues about keeping staff updated in a fast-evolving regulatory environment. Bradford Chamber president Mark Cowgill noted that securing skilled talent remains a top priority, alongside responsible leadership and the necessary infrastructure to manage AI’s growth.
This event is part of the Local Skills Improvement Plan, aiming to enhance Bradford’s position within the broader Yorkshire and Humber region’s growing digital economy.
Private prep school in Leeds to close after 127 years
Moorlands School, a private institution in West Yorkshire, will shut its doors at the end of the autumn term, citing economic pressures such as VAT on fees and rising operational costs. The school, which has been in operation for 127 years, will close on 31 December.
The trustees of the Methodist Independent Schools Trust, which runs the school, decided after a thorough review of the school’s financial viability. The school identified multiple factors contributing to its financial challenges, including VAT on school fees, declining student inquiries, the loss of charitable relief on business rates, and rising costs associated with maintaining its facilities.
Despite the closure, the school emphasised that the quality of education would continue until the end of the term, and teachers would ensure that student activities remained unaffected. The announcement was met with sadness from parents, with some expressing concerns over the sudden nature of the decision, especially for families with children who are set to transfer to new schools in a matter of weeks.
Nearby institutions, such as Richmond House School, have assured parents that they remain financially stable and have expressed their sympathy for those impacted. The Department for Education noted that around 50 private schools close annually and that local authorities would support affected families in finding new placements for their children.
Solar farm near Scarborough receives approval
North Yorkshire Council has approved plans to establish a large solar farm near Scarborough. The 49-hectare facility, which will span the equivalent of 70 football pitches, is set to be built in East Heslerton.
Once completed, the solar farm will have the capacity to generate up to 23.5 megawatts of power, helping to meet peak energy demand. Construction is expected to take six months, with the site set to operate for the next four decades.
The original proposal for an 89-hectare site was scaled down following consultations, with the new plan incorporating community feedback from a month-long consultation held in summer 2023.
The farm will be primarily composed of solar panels, while battery storage will be housed in shipping container-like structures. The batteries will be charged during off-peak hours and used to supply electricity to the local distribution network during peak times.
The development received no objections from key authorities, including the Environment Agency and the North York Moors National Park Authority. While some local concerns were raised about the use of agricultural land and food security, the proposal received support for its environmental benefits, including contributing to climate change mitigation.
Approval was granted with several conditions to ensure the project aligns with local regulations.
