Yorkshire’s industrial & logistics market sees strong H1

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Yorkshire’s industrial & logistics market sees strong H1
Yorkshire’s industrial and logistics occupational market has strengthened with a strong H1 performance and includes one of the country’s largest lettings of the year. In South Yorkshire and North East Derbyshire, the first half of the year saw 2.4m sq ft transacted, marking the strongest H1 period since 2021. Take-up of units over 50,000 sq ft in Q2 exceeded 1.1 million sq ft, a significant rise from the 422,000 sq ft transacted in the same period last year. In West Yorkshire, the largest letting in 2025 so far was completed by ID Logistics who took a new lease on Logicor’s 556,000 sq ft high-bay warehouse (Sherburn 550) in Sherburn in Elmet, Selby. H1 2025 in West Yorkshire totalled 1.7 million sq ft, with 751,600 sq ft recorded in the second quarter (units 50,000 sq ft+), an increase of 41% on H1 last year, boasting the region’s strongest first-half performance since 2021 and continuing a three-year upward trend in take-up. Commenting on the South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire region, Rebecca Schofield, partner, Knight Frank, said: “We are continuing to see a steady level of occupier requirements in the market. Occupier are taking time to make decisions but we have seen a number of transactions happen at the larger end of the market, which is positive as it demonstrates occupier confidence is returning. “Whilst there remains choice in the market, some size brackets, such as the 100,000–150,000 sq ft bracket, are seeing more limited supply. “Demand for the region continues to be from a mixture of B8 and B2 occupiers, which we expect to continue. Availability of power continues to be a driver for both B2 and B8 occupiers.” Turning to the West Yorkshire and Humber markets, Iain McPhail, partner in Knight Frank’s Leeds Logistics and Industrial Agency team, said: “Take-up in Q2 hit around 750,000 sq ft (50,000 sq ft+). “Whilst take-up is expected to surpass last year’s total by the end of the next quarter (with over 400,000 sq ft of space under offer), it will highlight the even greater need for speculative development in prime West Yorkshire. “For greater context, there are now only nine grade A units available in the region, none of which are larger that 200,000 sq ft. “Consequently rental growth and market sentiment continue to increase in the region with the mid-box headline rent now reaching a new market high of £10.25 psf achieved at Leeds Valley Park.”

Chadwick Lawrence becomes Huddersfield Town Football Club’s legal partner

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Chadwick Lawrence becomes Huddersfield Town Football Club’s legal partner
Chadwick Lawrence Solicitors has been named Huddersfield Town Football Club’s official legal partner, continuing the firm’s long-standing partnership with the club. The firm recently negotiated its biggest-ever sponsorship agreement – a five-year exclusive naming rights deal for the Club’s home ground, now known as Accu Stadium. Alongside being its legal partner, the firm has various sponsorship agreements in place. The latest agreement, which began in June 2024, saw Chadwick Lawrence become the official technical area sponsor, which includes sponsorship of the dugouts and seat hoods in the dugouts, and advertising on the programmes, LEDs, TV and jumbo screens, and a static sponsor board both inside and outside the stadium. For the 2025/26 football season, Chadwick Lawrence will move into the newly refurbished 1908 lounge, as part of its matchday hospitality package. The firm will have eight seats in the lounge, which will bring it closer to the local businesses, and seats in the Director’s Box alongside match sponsorship for the Barnsley vs Huddersfield Town game. Neil Wilson, managing partner at Chadwick Lawrence, said: “The firm has had a partnership with Huddersfield Town AFC for many years, acting as its trusted legal advisor on commercial matters and offering valuable sponsorship. “Our relationship continues to grow, and we are thrilled to officially be named as the club’s official legal partner; a collaboration which reflects the firm’s deep roots in the West Yorkshire community and our commitment to supporting both local sport and business.” Paul Reeves, chief revenue officer at Huddersfield Town AFC, added: “We are proud to partner with Chadwick Lawrence Solicitors and also work with them on a professional basis as our trusted legal representatives on all commercial matters. “Over the past months, the firm’s legal expertise and commercial know-how has been crucial in finalising some of the largest commercial sponsorship terms that the club has worked on, including the naming rights deal. “These are huge developments for the Club, and Chadwick Lawrence played a vital role in working with us to get them contracted and finalise commercial terms. Their ability to negotiate firmly, move quickly, and think strategically has been excellent and they have been a pleasure to work alongside.”

Helmsley Group appoints new group business ambassador

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Helmsley Group appoints new group business ambassador
Helmsley Group, a property investment and development specialist based in York, has appointed Jeremy Oliver as its new group business ambassador. Jeremy brings over 35 years of experience in business advisory, accountancy, and strategic development after spending more than three decades at accountancy firm Garbutt & Elliott, now known as Azets, where he worked as an advisor to SMEs, family businesses, and entrepreneurs across Yorkshire. In his new role, Jeremy will focus on business development, client liaison, and driving new investor engagement across Helmsley Group’s portfolio. He will also support the identification and growth of new business opportunities throughout the Yorkshire region, helping to strengthen Helmsley’s investor network and expand its reach across key sectors. Speaking about his appointment, Jeremy Oliver, group business ambassador at Helmsley Group, said: “I’m thrilled to be joining Helmsley Group at such an exciting time and to contribute to its vision for growth and regeneration across York and the wider region. The business is building on 45 years of experience and a track record of success which I’m excited to become a part of and help drive Helmsley’s continued growth.” Ed Harrowsmith, director at Helmsley Group, added: “Jeremy’s appointment comes at a pivotal time for Helmsley as we continue to grow our investor base and bring forward new opportunities across the region. His consultancy and extensive network will be invaluable in helping us deliver long-term value for our clients and partners. We’re delighted to welcome him to the team.”

Palletforce expands coverage with new member in north-east Yorkshire

April Lara
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Palletforce expands coverage with new member in north-east Yorkshire

Palletforce has strengthened its network by adding York Warehousing & Distribution (YWD) Transport to handle the YO postcodes in north-east Yorkshire. The new addition will cover a wide area, including Malton, Pickering, and Scarborough, bringing over 30 years of market experience to ensure a high-quality service.

YWD’s transport operation, launched five years ago by Joe Wilkinson and Matt Potts, has grown steadily despite industry challenges. Their expertise in haulage and distribution makes them well-positioned to handle the demands of the region. The move into Palletforce’s network is aimed at further expanding their capabilities and driving sustainable growth.

YWD’s extensive warehousing infrastructure, consisting of four storage sites, handles goods for a variety of well-known high-street and consumer brands. By joining Palletforce, YWD Transport aims to leverage its local knowledge while offering the operational support and resources of a larger network.

The partnership highlights Palletforce’s ongoing strategy to enhance its coverage by integrating experienced local players, ensuring operational stability and superior service standards across its network.

UK businesses face escalating financial distress amid tough economic conditions

April Lara
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UK businesses face escalating financial distress amid tough economic conditions

UK businesses are grappling with a surge in financial distress, with the latest Begbies Traynor Red Flag alert indicating a significant increase in companies facing critical financial challenges. By the end of Q2 2025, 49,309 businesses were in “critical” distress—an increase of 21.4% from the previous year and 8.6% from Q1 2025.

Regions including London, the South East, and the Midlands were the hardest hit, while the North West recorded a high number of companies in distress, with over 69,500 businesses facing significant issues. The financial difficulties have extended across almost all sectors, with consumer-facing industries such as Bars & Restaurants, Travel & Tourism, and Retail seeing the most severe declines.

Despite a slight recovery in Q1, the second quarter of 2025 revealed a marked deterioration in the UK’s economic health, with sectors like Support Services and Construction experiencing a sharp increase in financial distress. The overall number of businesses in significant distress rose by 10.8% compared to last year, putting over 666,000 companies at risk.

The financial burden on businesses, particularly small and medium-sized firms, has been exacerbated by rising labour costs, including hikes in National Insurance contributions and the national minimum wage. These pressures are forcing many companies to explore cost-cutting measures or restructure to survive the ongoing economic turmoil. With no clear end to the current economic strain, many businesses are at risk of insolvency in the months ahead.

Applications open for EarthScale climate tech programme

April Lara
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Applications open for EarthScale climate tech programme

EarthScale, a new initiative designed to help climate tech startups scale up, is now accepting applications for its first cohort. This three-year programme is backed by a £5 million grant from the Research England Development Fund and led by Imperial College London, in collaboration with five other UK universities: Nottingham, Cranfield, Derby, Exeter, and Leeds.

The aim of EarthScale is to bridge the gap between the prototype phase and market-ready deployment for climate tech ventures, addressing the challenges startups face in scaling innovative technologies. The programme offers participants access to specialised research, manufacturing facilities, and a network of experts across various technical fields.

The support provided will also include business development assistance, talent acquisition, and help navigating the complexities of regulations and policies. Startups that are selected will have the opportunity to enhance their operations and bring their climate solutions closer to commercialisation.

Applications are open until 7 September 2025, with the programme set to start on 1 October.

West Yorkshire’s bus franchising set to reshape services

April Lara
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West Yorkshire’s bus franchising set to reshape services

West Yorkshire’s bus services are set for a major transformation, with franchising expected to roll out across various regions starting in 2027. The move, supported by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA), will allow for greater control over routes, schedules, and service delivery.

The region will be divided into nine zones, each undergoing a series of franchising rounds. The first to see franchised services will be the Heavy Woolen area, Kirklees, and West Leeds/Ilkley. Following that, Five Towns, Leeds, and Wakefield will be franchised, with Bradford, Calderdale, and Keighley scheduled for the final round.

A key part of this shift involves negotiations to secure depots across the region. As depots are vital for service delivery, the Authority aims to acquire strategically located facilities to ensure competition, especially for larger contracts. If these negotiations fail, compulsory purchase orders could be used to acquire the depots.

The goal of the franchising programme is to enhance service reliability, address route cancellations, and improve the passenger experience, particularly for communities with previously unreliable or under-served bus networks.

Leeds office rates to rise sharply in 2026 revaluation

April Lara
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Leeds office rates to rise sharply in 2026 revaluation

Leeds businesses occupying grade A office space are set to face a significant increase in their business rates following the 2026 Revaluation. The city’s central business district will see rates soar by up to 44%, with rates expected to jump from £12 per square foot to nearly £20 per square foot. This surge is attributed to high demand and limited supply in prime office locations.

While the rise is steep, Leeds’ rates remain favourable compared to London, where some business districts will experience rates exceeding £40 per square foot after the revaluation.

For businesses in Leeds’ sought-after office spaces, this increase adds another layer of pressure in an already challenging cost environment. With rising operational costs, companies will need to incorporate these changes into their budgeting and long-term property strategies. To navigate potential overvaluations in the Draft List later this year, a solid understanding of local market conditions will be key.

Grant Thornton makes Leeds move

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Grant Thornton makes Leeds move
Business and financial advisor Grant Thornton UK is taking 9,974 sq ft of prime office space at developer MRP’s City Square House in Leeds. The high-profile office deal brokered by Knight Frank sees Grant Thornton relocate from Whitehall Riverside in Leeds. City Square House is a 140,000 sq ft development fronting City Square in the heart of the city. It is now almost full, with the second floor under offer, and only 6,000 sq ft on the ground floor still available. Dan Dickinson, partner and practice leader for Yorkshire at Grant Thornton UK, said: “We’re very excited to have agreed this exceptional new space in the heart of Leeds city centre. The building’s sustainability credentials, substantial amenities and modern design will provide our people with a great base from which to support our clients in the region.” Grant Thornton will be joining Liberty Global, Barnett Waddingham, DLA Piper and Markel in the building. Eamon Fox, partner and head of the Leeds office of Knight Frank, said: “We are delighted to welcome a company with such an excellent reputation as Grant Thornton to City Square House. This latest signing means the development is now 96% occupied, 12 months from completion of the building. “Securing this prestigious deal is a very significant and positive statement of intent in the long-term future prosperity of office space in Leeds and, indeed, in urban centres throughout the UK. We expect this strong demand for some of very best workspace in the city will continue.” Alex Hailey, at the Leeds office of property consultancy CBRE, advised Grant Thornton.

Leeds law firm merges with Teesside’s The Endeavour Partnership

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Leeds law firm merges with Teesside’s The Endeavour Partnership
Law firm Ward Hadaway has merged with The Endeavour Partnership LLP, a Teesside commercial law firm. Now operating under the Ward Hadaway name and identity, all of the existing team from The Endeavour Partnership will continue to operate from offices on Teesdale Business Park near Stockton. Clients will benefit from legal expertise across a broader range of practice areas, including succession planning, matrimonial advice, construction and tax, as well as having access to the extended networks and opportunities of the wider firm. Meanwhile, The Endeavour Partnership team will benefit from the resource and business services support of Ward Hadaway, whose combined headcount will now stand at nearly 600. Lee Bramley, The Endeavour Partnership’s managing partner, will become executive partner of the Teesside office. The addition of a Teesside office will mean Ward Hadaway now has five regional centres, after the firm recently announced the opening of a Birmingham office in June to add to its established offices in Leeds, Manchester and Newcastle. Steven Petrie, Ward Hadaway’s managing partner, said: “I am delighted that The Endeavour Partnership decided to merge with Ward Hadaway. The move is part of our strategic plans to grow revenue by 100% over the next 10 years. I’ve been clear about our ambitious growth plans since I became Managing Partner in 2024, and I’m proud to see our strategy coming to life. “The alignment between our two firms has been obvious from those very first conversations. The Endeavour Partnership’s commitment to client service excellence and to its people, close attachment to the Teesside region, and straightforward, commercial approach mirrors our own vision and values. “We have worked closely together for many years, and so it was a natural progression to merge, adding additional services and support to the clients of Teesside and beyond.” Lee Bramley added: “We are delighted to be joining forces with Ward Hadaway. We have worked extremely hard over the past 25 years to create a firm trusted by valued clients and colleagues. The merger gives us an opportunity to build on that, adding scale and further expertise to our offering as part of Ward Hadaway.”
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