Rovers return as Latus Group founders join board of Super League club they served as players
Eurocell acquires Dewsbury firm in £29m deal
Eurocell, the manufacturer, distributor and recycler of PVC window, door and roofline products, has acquired Dewsbury-based Alunet for £29m.
The deal comprises an initial payment of £22 million and deferred consideration of approximately £7 million payable in four annual instalments beginning in 2026. In addition, there is the potential for performance related payments of up to £6m over the same period.
The acquisition strengthens Eurocell’s position in residential aluminium systems and composite doors, and adds garage doors to its product portfolio.
Alunet includes a stable of home improvement brands and comprises four businesses: Alunet Systems, Comp Door, JDUK, and UK Doors (Midlands).
For the year ended 31 December 2024, Alunet delivered unaudited revenue of £43m and EBITDA of £4.5m.
Alunet’s retained team, led by Chief Executive Steve Hudson, will strengthen the group’s management and Steve will join Eurocell’s Executive Committee. Alunet employs approximately 200 people.
Darren Waters, Chief Executive Officer at Derbyshire-based Eurocell, said: “Alunet is a great acquisition for Eurocell. It significantly strengthens our position in aluminium, enhances our composite door offering, and adds a premium range of aluminium garage doors to our portfolio of home improvement products.
“Alunet has grown rapidly since its establishment in 2013, and under Eurocell’s ownership, we will leverage our leading market positions in new build, trade fabrication and distribution, to help the business reach its full potential.
“On behalf of the Board I am delighted to welcome the management and employees of Alunet to the Group.”
Acquisition brings together Yorkshire furniture solutions firms
“We’re looking forward to collaborating extremely closely with the highly experienced team at Corporate Workspace to drive innovation, increase our presence in Yorkshire and the Northeast, and continue to deliver exceptional workplace solutions.
“This move not only enhances our ability to serve existing clients with even greater expertise but also opens the door to exciting new relationships as we expand our reach in the market.” Simon Thrussell, Managing Director, Corporate Workspace Ltd, said: “I am delighted that we are now officially part of the Formm family. Formm have been our trusted go-to partner for over 5 years, delivering some amazing projects together. This acquisition by Formm is a natural progression of this proven partnership and I am incredibly excited for the future potential we can achieve.”Yorkshire artists struggle with financial instability, report finds
A new report from the Yorkshire Visual Arts Network (YVAN) highlights financial difficulties for artists in Yorkshire and the Humber. It cites a lack of funding, affordable studio spaces, and limited opportunities.
A survey conducted by YVAN in June 2024 found that more artists have seen their income decline over the past two years than increase. Only 4.4% of respondents earn more than £30,000 from visual arts, compared to the regional average salary of £36,900. The survey, completed by 248 artists and art workers, examined pay, employment, funding, and industry barriers.
YVAN’s national body, the Contemporary Visual Arts Network (CVAN), uses the findings to lobby MPs for policy changes to support the sector. The report advocates for increased funding to develop affordable studio spaces and improve financial stability for artists.
Rotherham to allocate over £3m of funding to support residents’ businesses
Funding worth over £3m has been earmarked to support a range of projects to help Rotherham residents boost their businesses.
- Supporting Local Business:
- £945,256 for business support, including Launchpad, Productivity, and Low Carbon initiatives to help entrepreneurs and businesses to develop their business ideas and boost productivity.
- £390,000 for shop unit grants and market improvements.
- £137,667 to promote social value and increase opportunities for local businesses.
- People and Skills:
- £444,985 for a skills programme incorporating Ambition (support for children and young people), Core Skills (community-delivered basic skills training), and Advance (support for career progression).
- £275,000 for the Children’s Capital of Culture traineeship programme.
- Communities and Place:
- £200,000 for the Children’s Capital of Culture festival year.
- £255,000 for a wide-ranging programme of events and festivals.
- £359,549 for community-based support, including local advice sessions and engagement events.
- £86,000 for Active Lives, providing match funding for a multi-use games area.
Lincolnshire leaders talk of positive future ahead as new authority meets for the first time
Arla Foods site in Leeds to become 618-home project
Construction has begun transforming the derelict Arla Foods site on Kirkstall Road into a 618-home residential development. Property developer Glenbrook, in partnership with US-based Barings Real Estate, is leading the project, which has secured £152 million in forward funding.
The five-acre site will include five buildings featuring one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments for rent and sale. Plans also include over 10,000 square feet of amenities, such as co-working spaces, a gym, a residents’ lounge, private roof terraces, and 3,800 square feet of commercial space.
The development aims to address housing demand in Leeds and revitalise the Kirkstall Road area. Leeds’ strong employment market and high graduate retention rates are key factors driving investment in the city’s residential sector.
Lincolnshire council approves 150-home development in Fiskerton
West Lindsey District Council has approved plans for a 150-home development in Fiskerton, Lincolnshire, submitted by the Church Commissioners for England.
Concerns were raised about traffic impact, as the initial proposal included a single access point via Corn Close. The council approved the project on the condition that a second access route be created on Hall Lane.
Residents expressed concerns over increased congestion and disruption during construction, while some councillors questioned the scale of the development in the 1,200-person village, which lacks shops and medical facilities.
The developer must submit detailed plans for further approval, including house designs and layouts.
Ison Harrison tops Yorkshire property transaction rankings
According to a UK-wide sector analysis by TM Group, Ison Harrison has been ranked the leading property law firm in Yorkshire and Humberside for transaction volume. The firm completed 1,733 property cases between September 2023 and 2024, securing the highest market share in the region.
The analysis also places Ison Harrison third in Yorkshire and Humberside for new build transactions, with an average price of £317,747. Nationally, the firm ranks 20th for total property completions, recording 2,583 transactions with an average price of £278,891.
The firm’s property division saw an 8.8% year-on-year increase in market share, contributing to a 33% rise in overall turnover for 2024. Ison Harrison reported record revenues exceeding £27 million, a 23% increase from the previous year.
Founded as the UK’s first fully employee-owned law firm in 2022, Ison Harrison operates 20 offices across Yorkshire and employs over 350 staff. It holds over 10 Law Society accreditations, including for conveyancing, clinical negligence, and family law.
The firm was named Residential Property Firm of the Year at the 2024 Yorkshire Legal Awards and is a finalist for New Build Conveyancing Team of the Year at the 2025 British Conveyancing Awards.
Arup invests £1m in UK nature restoration for carbon credits
Arup has committed £1 million to restore 67.5 hectares of degraded land at Boothby Wildland in Lincolnshire, a 617-hectare rewilding project led by Nattergal. In collaboration with Wilder Carbon, the initiative will secure 10,000 tonnes of carbon removal credits over 30 years.
Rather than purchasing land, Arup funds large-scale habitat restoration upfront, a model that aligns with the growing corporate demand for high-integrity nature credits. UK businesses face increasing pressure to meet net-zero targets, with demand for nature-based credits projected to rise 15-fold by 2030 and 100-fold by 2050.
The project will enhance biodiversity, improve soil health, support flood mitigation, and contribute to cleaner air and water. It also aims to set a precedent for private sector investment in ecosystem recovery. The UK has five years left to restore 30% of land and sea by 2030.
Wilder Carbon has certified the carbon credits under industry-leading standards, ensuring measurable and verifiable climate benefits. The partnership reflects a growing trend of businesses seeking long-term, science-backed carbon sequestration and biodiversity preservation solutions.