Sheffield provider of healthcare software solutions acquires e-learning firm
Leeds innovation hub boosts start-up growth through accelerator programme
Leeds-based start-ups are gaining a competitive edge with the Go-to-Market (GTM) Launchpad, an accelerator programme designed to fast-track business growth. A partnership between the University of Leeds, Leeds Beckett University, and innovation specialists L Marks, the programme offers structured guidance, resources, and mentorship to entrepreneurs.
After an intensive bootcamp at Nexus, the University of Leeds’ innovation hub, ten start-ups were selected for the eight-week accelerator. They received weekly learning sessions and one-on-one mentoring with experts, while L Marks facilitated corporate engagement opportunities with industry leaders.
This initiative, backed by Leeds City Council’s Innovation@Leeds 2024/2025 programme and funded by the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund through the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, aims to refine business models and accelerate commercial readiness.
Among the successful participants is Compost-It, a social enterprise co-founded by University of Leeds alumni Husain Alogaily and Simrun Punjabi. The company focuses on turning food waste into compost and bioenergy. The programme helped them transition from concept testing to acquiring their first set of customers and securing partnerships with local businesses, including the First Direct Arena.
Another participant, Caleb Forbes, founder of TRL Fashion Space, is helping clothing brands become more sustainable. The accelerator proved essential in refining his business model and scaling his operations.
The success of the programme highlights the growing impact of the Leeds Anchor Network, which unites the city’s major employers to drive inclusive growth and innovation. The GTM Launchpad is just one example of how collaboration can foster long-term success in the region.
Shopping centre facelift plans gain approval
Plans to revitalise Wakefield’s The Ridings shopping centre have received approval. The project will see 22 retail units upgraded, focusing primarily on those along All Saints Walk, a key link between the centre’s eastern and western sections.
The renovation will involve installing new cladding, repainting concrete panels, and adding black windows to create a more modern, cohesive appearance. These changes aim to address the outdated and mismatched storefronts, many of which are currently vacant. The goal is to attract new businesses to the underperforming areas of the shopping centre.
The proposed upgrades are expected to enhance the centre’s aesthetic appeal and foster a more vibrant retail environment. The development plans highlight a commitment to using high-quality materials that blend well with the existing structure and local streetscape.
Previously, Wakefield Council had considered purchasing The Ridings as part of a broader regeneration effort but opted against it in December 2022 due to financial constraints. Instead, the council chose to seek a third-party buyer. The centre was acquired by Zahid Iqbal in March 2023, marking a new phase for the shopping centre’s redevelopment.
IntelliAM expands to the USA with first order from major food manufacturer
IntelliAM, a Yorkshire-based tech firm, has successfully entered the US market, securing its first order from a leading food manufacturer. The order covers three major manufacturing sites and will see the integration of IntelliAM’s AI and machine learning technology. The company’s software, on-site sensors, and technology support will help the manufacturer optimise operations and enhance return on investment.
Installation of IntelliAM’s AI systems is set to begin this month, with the initial contract spanning 12 months. This expansion marks a significant step in IntelliAM’s global strategy to improve machine asset performance and boost productivity across industries.
IntelliAM’s technology helps manufacturers extract actionable insights from operational data, improving asset care, reducing downtime, and increasing productivity. With an established client base that includes half of the world’s top 12 food and drink producers, the company’s AI solutions are increasingly becoming essential in enhancing manufacturing efficiency and reducing operational costs.
Large industrial estate in West Yorkshire up for sale
A significant industrial property in West Yorkshire, Flush Mills in Heckmondwike, has been put up for sale. The estate offers 489,000 square feet of fully occupied industrial space across 23 acres.
Currently home to seven businesses, the estate is also poised for further development. Located less than three miles from the M62, it is easily accessible and sits between Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield, and Bradford.
The property is being marketed by GV&Co and Michael Steel & Co, on behalf of Wharfedale Property. The estate features a range of industrial accommodation, including newly constructed and refurbished warehouse buildings. Additionally, the sale includes a 3.9-acre plot on Wakefield Road, designated for potential residential development, subject to planning approval.
With a current annual rent of over £1.79 million, Flush Mills is being offered for more than £16 million, reflecting a net initial yield of 10.5%. The property is fully let to a mix of reputable manufacturing companies and SMEs, such as Autoneum, Wakefield Acoustics, and Quick Slide. This sale presents a prime opportunity for investors looking to acquire a high-yielding asset with future development potential.
Contractor appointed to restore one of Leeds’ oldest surviving textile mills
Global manufacturer takes 294,000 sq ft industrial and logistics facility
Rotherham’s advanced manufacturing sector leads regional productivity surge
Rotherham’s economic growth has soared over the past two decades, with the town recording an impressive 63.9% increase in productivity between 2004 and 2023. This surge has been driven by the success of the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District, a collaborative effort with Sheffield, which includes the renowned Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC). The centre has attracted both local and international investment, with its recent involvement in the Rolls-Royce Small Modular Reactors (SMR) project underscoring its cutting-edge capabilities.
South Yorkshire, with Rotherham at its heart, is seeing its industrial base undergo a renaissance. This growth has come from a combination of public-private partnerships, focused regeneration projects, and strategic investment in advanced manufacturing, positioning the region as a key player in the UK’s industrial future.
Rotherham’s transformation has not gone unnoticed. The ongoing redevelopment of former industrial sites like the Orgreave mine is a testament to the area’s commitment to innovation and long-term economic sustainability. Key to this success has been collaboration between the public sector, developers like Harworth Group, and local institutions, ensuring the region remains an attractive proposition for businesses and academia alike.
With future plans for infrastructure upgrades, including a new railway station and the creation of additional business spaces, Rotherham is poised to continue its growth, creating a blueprint for industrial regeneration across the North.
Museums give Leeds economy multi-million pound boost
Public inquiry opens for Lincoln’s £200m relief road project
A public inquiry has commenced into the proposed North Hykeham relief road, a £200m project designed to complete the ring road around Lincoln. The new road would connect the A46 with the Eastern Bypass, improving traffic flow and providing vital infrastructure for the city’s growth.
The scheme has sparked objections from landowners and businesses who are facing potential land acquisition. Over the next two weeks, an independent inspector will hear from Lincolnshire County Council, as well as other supporters of the plan. A few objectors, including Travelodge Hotels, have been represented at the inquiry, with further objections expected in the coming weeks. These objectors will have the opportunity to cross-examine witnesses supporting the project.
Despite some opposition, the council remains confident in the project’s broad support. A £110m government funding pledge was made in 2019, covering over half of the project’s total cost. However, confirmation of this funding is still pending, as the current Labour government has yet to finalise the capital spend review. The Reform UK administration has confirmed its commitment to providing the remaining £90m.
If the project proceeds on schedule, the road is expected to be operational by late 2028.
