Yorkshire business confidence rebounds in December
Business confidence in Yorkshire and the Humber rose eight points during December to 28%, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds.
Companies in the region reported higher confidence in their own business prospects month-on-month, up 10 points at 47%. When taken alongside their optimism in the economy, up seven points to 9%, this gives a headline confidence reading of 28% (vs. 20% in November).
A net balance of 25% of businesses in the region also expect to increase staff levels over the next year, down five points on last month.
Looking ahead to the next six months, Yorkshire businesses identified their top target areas for growth as investing in their team, for example through training (37%), evolving their offering, for example by introducing new products or services (35%) and entering new markets (35%).
The Business Barometer, which surveys 1,200 businesses monthly and which has been running since 2002, provides early signals about UK economic trends both regionally and nationwide.
National picture
Overall UK business confidence fell two points in December to 39%, although remained above the long-term average of 29%.
While firms’ confidence in the wider economy strengthened five points to 31%, their confidence in their own trading prospects fell eight points to 47%.
London was the most confident UK nation or region in November (53%) for a second month in a row, followed by the North West (50%).
Sector insights
Although confidence fell in the service sector, this was partly offset by rises in manufacturing and retail, with these sectors swapping places in December.
Services fell from 46% to 35% in December – a fall of 11 points. In contrast, manufacturing and retail increased 10 points to 42% and 43% respectively, thereby taking manufacturing and retail above services for the first time in 4 months.
Trading prospects for retail rose for the first time in three months, while construction confidence was steady at 41%, equalling last month’s result.
Martyn Kendrick, regional director for Yorkshire and the Humber at Lloyds, said: “After a drop last month, business confidence in Yorkshire is rising again, driven by greater optimism from businesses around their own trading prospects.
“With many companies planning to make investments in areas like upskilling their workforce and breaking into new markets, there’s a clear focus on further growth. We’ll remain by the side of the region’s businesses to support their plans and ambitions.”
Doncaster housbuilder to invest almost £22m in development near Coventry
Doncaster-based house builder Keepmoat is working with with Walsall Housing Group whg and investing £21.9 million into Bedworth to deliver 95 new homes.
The housebuilder is regenerating 6.92 acres of unused land in the town, between Coventry and Nuneaton, and will transform the site, now named Exhall Meadow, into a new community.
Ben Leather, Regional Managing Director at Keepmoat, West Midlands & South West, said: “The investment at Exhall Meadow will provide much needed eco-friendly, multi-tenure homes. We’re looking forward to working with whg to deliver what is set to be a fantastic community. Our partnership approach allows us to develop strong relationships and it’s a privilege to work together to supply much needed affordable housing stock.”
With more than 65 percent of Keepmoat’s current developments on brownfield sites, the housebuilder says it is also committed to regenerating abandoned and unused land to transform areas that often suffer from neglect, breathing new life into local neighbourhoods and communities.
Kirsty Powell, Assistant Director of New Business and Partnerships at whg, added: “We are thrilled to collaborate with Keepmoat on this exciting project. This development is a testament to our commitment to addressing the housing needs of local people. By providing a mix of affordable rental and shared ownership homes, we aim to offer more options for families and individuals seeking quality housing at an affordable price.
“We look forward to seeing these homes come to life and making a positive impact on the lives of many in Nuneaton and Bedworth.”
Work starts on ‘transformative’ development in Lincoln
Work has begun on the first 52 energy-efficient homes at Charterholme, a landmark new neighbourhood predicted to transform the western side of Lincoln.
The start of construction marks a significant milestone in the city’s largest development project in decades. Previously known as the Western Growth Corridor, Charterholme has been more than 100 years in the making and is the result of a partnership between the City of Lincoln Council and city-based construction company Lindum Group.
The project will unfold over the next 25 years, delivering 3,200 homes alongside shops, a business park, a leisure village, community services, and enhanced transport infrastructure.
Lindum Homes is part of the Lindum Group, a Lincoln-based construction business known for delivering high-quality developments and working closely with communities to create places where people thrive.
Rebecca Hurst-Miller, Director of Lindum Homes, said that this first phase of 52 houses would play a key role in establishing the vision and character for the entire development.“One at Charterholme will combine thoughtful planning and sustainable principles to create a neighbourhood that benefits both its residents and the wider community.”
Yorkshire chemical company sold to Los Angeles buyer
Yorkshire-based Vickers Laboratories has sold its entire share capital to Calibre Scientific, based in Los Angeles.
The company, with its based in Stanningley near Pudsey, has been serving the chemical industry for more than 50 years.
Calibre Scientific is a global provider of life science reagents, tools, instruments, and other consumables to lab research, diagnostics, industrial, and biopharmaceutical communities. Extending to over 175 countries, this acquisition strengthens their UK presence.
Vickers Laboratories’ directors Phil Constantine and Paul Bottomley started with Vickers as teenagers, and rose up the ranks to management and ownership.
Vickers was advised on the sale by Schofield Sweeney, whose Jack Venable said: “This was a fantastic outcome for all parties.”
Acquisition sees Rix Petroleum strengthen Lincolnshire presence
Family-owned business Rix Petroleum Ltd has strengthened its base in Lincolnshire with the acquisition of a Grantham-based fuel provider.
The company, which is headquartered in Hull, has acquired EFuels Ltd in Gorse Lane for an undisclosed sum.
The move brings the number of fuel depots Rix Petroleum owns and operates in the county to four, with others in Immingham, Gainsborough, and Spalding.
The Grantham depot will remain branded as EFuels for the time being, and will continue to be headed up by existing depot manager Matthew Keightley, who moves to Rix under the deal.
Duncan Lambert, Managing Director of Rix Petroleum, said the move would enable the business to provide a better service to farms, businesses and rural households across south Lincolnshire.
Rix specialises in the provision of agricultural fuels and lubricants, standard diesel, and home heating oil for rural communities.
Mr Lambert said: “We’re delighted to complete this deal. Lincolnshire is a famously agricultural county and acquiring this depot will enable us to support local farmers, businesses, and rural communities across the south of the county more efficiently and effectively.
“As a sixth-generation family business, we pride ourselves on our values of fairness, great customer relations and service, and supporting communities, and it precisely these values we will bring to our newly acquired Grantham depot.”
The deal completes the company’s coverage in Lincolnshire, with the combination of all four depots providing easy access to communities across the entire county.
Depot manager Matthew Keightley, said he was delighted with the deal.
He said: “Rix Petroleum is well known in the industry as a long-established family business that customers can rely on.
“I know that our customers in and around Grantham will be very well looked after by myself and the wider Rix team, so I feel this is a fantastic opportunity to take the business forward.”
Council seeks business award winner from the East Riding
East Riding of Yorkshire Council is on the lookout for the business that’s contributed to the economic prosperity of the region to receive the 2025 Chairman’s Award.
The business award is one of four categories in a scheme designed to recognise outstanding contributions of individuals, businesses, and projects that have made a significant impact on our community.
Last year’s winner was Hawk Furniture, based in Holme Upon Spalding Moor. The company said that bring nominated had been an honour, and winning was fantastic. A spokesman said: “It shows that our efforts to create a great culture and team have been recognised. Thank you for acknowledging our hard work over the past few years.”
Council Chairman Linda Bayram will present the awards in May 2025. The awards celebrate excellence across four categories:
- Community: Honouring groups and individuals who have improved the lives of East Riding residents through non-commercial projects.
- Built Heritage: Celebrating private homes, new builds, or business premises that have been sympathetically renovated or restored.
- Business: Recognising businesses that have contributed to the economic prosperity of the region.
- Sport: Celebrating local talent and dedication to sports clubs and activities.
Housing Association ready to help deliver 1.5m homes challenge, says Chief Exec
The Chief Exec of Bradford-based Manningham Housing Association has said 2025 must be the year for the government to inject real momentum into its housebuilding plans if Ministers are to meet their pledge to deliver 1.5 million new homes by the end of this Parliament.
In a New Year message, Lee Bloomfield reflected on what he called incredible milestones achieved by the MHA over the last year.
Notable successes included being recognised as the first housing association worldwide to win the ISO 30415 accreditation for HR and diversity and inclusion, the launch of a greatly enhanced user-friendly website as part of its digital transformation agenda, and the upgrade of MHA properties with assistance from the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund.
Mr Bloomfield stressed that MHA, managing more than 1,400 homes for 6,000 residents in Bradford and Keighley, was keen to deliver more new homes.
He said: “Last month, we were privileged to host strategy and policy staff from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government in Bradford and Keighley as part of the Social Housing Immersion Programme
“We made clear that MHA stands ready to help in any way we can to help the government deliver its promise of 1.5 million new homes within five years.
“Whilst Ministers have faced criticism for the direction taken in some areas of policy, I believe the tone and approach they have adopted in relation to housebuilding has been impressive.
“But with the clock ticking, they must inject real momentum into the process by swiftly enacting the planning legislation they have talked up before getting actual shovels in the ground.
“And signs of delivery must be visible this year, otherwise those who believe that the 1.5 million housing target is fanciful will have added reason to be sceptical.
“A new year brings new hope, new aspiration and new energy – nowhere more so than Bradford UK City of Culture 2025.
“The sincere wish of everyone in the housing sector must be that this new year will herald a new dawn in the delivery of new homes.”
Sheffield BID hails success of Christmas marketing campaign
Sheffield BID’s Christmas marketing campaign, designed to promote the city centre festive offer, support local businesses and add additional activities to bring festive cheer to the city centre by engaging thousands of visitors, has been a success, say organisers.
Diane Jarvis of Sheffield BID said: “We are thrilled with the success of this year’s Christmas marketing campaign. The engagement from the community and local businesses has been fantastic, and it’s wonderful to see so many people enjoying the festive activities in the city centre. We look forward to building on this success in future events.
“The Sheffield Christmas Trail has been an annual favourite with visitors since 2018, and we are committed to continuing creating vibrant and engaging events for our community.”
The festive marketing campaign achieved the following results across various platforms:
- Social media reach: The campaign reached 230,936 people on Facebook and X, generating 15,498 engagements and 11,378 clicks.
- Website traffic: The campaign drove 37,790 unique visits to www.sheffieldchristmastrail.com and www.sheffieldcitycentre.com.
- Email marketing: Over 6,500 emails were sent to subscribers, with a notable 35% open rate, reflecting strong interest and engagement from our audience.
Align consultancy leads on regeneration of historic asset in Whitby
A £1m scheme to restore one of Whitby’s most recognisable buildings and bring it back into public use is due to begin next month, led by Align Property Partners, the North Yorkshire Council’s multi-disciplinary building design consultancy.
The managing director of Align, Ron Walton, said: “Our building design team of architects and engineers have worked closely with the council to ensure this important building is restored in the best way possible.
“We are all looking forward to seeing the project come to life and work to be completed – to the benefit of everyone who lives, works in and visits Whitby.”
The Old Town Hall building has been one of the town’s most famous heritage assets and a focal point for residents, visitors and traders since the 18th century.
An outdoor market is currently held in the under croft of the building and Market Place – but the Grade II* listed premises is in a poor state of repair and the first floor has been unoccupied since 2017.
The renovation will allow the building to be used as a public space for community, heritage and cultural activities all year round.
Executive member for open to business, Cllr Mark Crane, whose responsibilities include economic development and regeneration, said: “The Old Town Hall is a crucial part of Whitby’s rich history and heritage.
“Through this scheme we hope to restore, renovate and repurpose the building so it can be a thriving community anchor for local residents, businesses and visitors to enjoy and use.
“Whitby is a place held in the hearts of so many people and we hope the project can help create and maintain a vibrant and bustling year-round market place, increasing crucial footfall into the town and providing a welcome boost to the local economy.”
BCC revises growth expectations downwards for the nest two years
The British Chambers of Commerce Quarterly Economic Forecast has revised down growth expectations for 2024, but marginally improved GDP expectations for 2025 and 2026.
Increased government spending is likely to boost GDP, but business investment and trade are likely to suffer this year through the impact of the national insurance rise and major global uncertainties.
David Bharier, Head of Research at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “Our forecast expects the national insurance hike, alongside other growing cost pressures on business, to impact on several economic indicators over the coming months.
“GDP is expected to pick up slightly next year, but that’s likely to be down to more government spending. Our research continues to show that most SMEs are not increasing investment, amidst an array of rising costs and admin burdens.
“The knock-on effect of rising business costs are likely to restrict wage growth in the short term and employment, as firms struggle to pass on costs and boost recruitment. With fears of a tariff war and continued trade barriers with the EU, international trade will be challenging for many firms.
“Our surveys already showed a fall in business confidence before October’s Budget. While the full impact of the Chancellor’s statement is yet to be seen, businesses face tough decisions as bills rise. It’s vital that business rate reform is accelerated and much anticipated strategies on industry, infrastructure and trade deliver at pace in the months to come.”
The QEF, winner of the 2024 FocusEconomics award for best GDP forecast, expects the UK economy to grow by 0.8% in 2024, a downgrade from the previous forecast (1.1%). Growth has been revised upwards for the next two years – with 1.3% expected in 2025 and 1.5% in 2026, higher than previous forecast (1.0% and 1.1%). Upgrades to 2025 and 2026 are driven by increased levels of government spending, but the overall growth landscape remains relatively weak.
The rise in employer national insurance contributions, announced at the Budget, has had a small impact on the forecast – including average earnings and unemployment.
Inflation is now expected to remain above the Bank of England’s target until the end of 2026, due to increased business costs and global trade uncertainties. CPI is forecast to be 2.2% in Q4 2025, unchanged from the previous forecast, and 2% in Q4 2026, slightly higher than the last forecast.
As businesses face tough decisions on costs, unemployment has been revised upwards to be 4.5% by the end of 2025 before falling to 4.2% in 2026 (previously 4.4% in 2025 and 4.1% in 2026).
