Leeds housing association in the running for two Northern Housing Awards

Michael Fisher
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Leeds housing association in the running for two Northern Housing Awards

Unity Homes and Enterprise is in contention for two prizes at the Northern Housing Awards 2025.

The BME housing association, which manages almost 1,400 properties for tenants in Leeds and Kirklees, has been shortlisted for Best Customer Experience with the judges adjudicating on “organisations that are placing excellent customer experience front and centre of their operations.”

Meanwhile, its not for profit subsidiary, Unity Enterprise (UE) – which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year – is a finalist for SME of the Year which is open to “small or medium enterprises operating within the housing sector that have performed exceptionally well over the past 12 months.”

Cedric Boston, Unity Homes and Enterprise Chief Executive, said: “It is a wonderful achievement to be shortlisted for two Northern Housing Awards, particularly after winning Team of the Year in 2024. We are absolutely committed to high standards in all areas of activity, with customer services at the top of our priority list.

“For example, working alongside housing officers, our Employment Services and Enterprise team supports unemployed people in hard-to-reach communities find jobs, set up a business, become self-employed, access training and education opportunities or work as a community volunteer. 

“They also help people already working – particularly female entrepreneurs and those of BME origin – enhance their career prospects, boosting economic wellbeing in local communities and regenerating neighbourhoods. We are proud of what we do and delighted that these efforts have resulted in recognition from the Northern Housing Awards.”

Planning consent acquired for 271,000 sq ft site in Sheffield

Michael Fisher
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Planning consent acquired for 271,000 sq ft site in Sheffield
Proposals for a major, 271,750 sq ft industrial/logistics development on a prime site in Sheffield have been given the go-ahead with outline planning consent.  Europa Sheffield, off Junction 34 of the M1, is expected to support up to 500 job opportunities when delivered. The significant plot is located on Europa Way adjacent to the well-established Sheffield Business Park, and in the heart of the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District (AMID). Neighbouring occupiers include Pretty Little Thing, Grear Bear, IKEA, Motorpoint and Meadowhall. Rula Developments, which specialises in state-of-the-art logistics and warehousing delivery, intends to demolish existing factory premises to make way for one single unit of up to 271,750 but will consider splitting the site to meet occupier demand. Anthony Clitheroe, Development Director at Rula Developments said, “We are delighted to secure planning consent for the redevelopment and regeneration of this strategically important brownfield site. Our plans will replace the old manufacturing building with highly sustainable new industrial space of exceptional quality, in a well-established manufacturing and logistics location, just two miles from the M1 motorway. “We know that there is significant demand for purpose-built space in the area and are considering our delivery options based on current occupier discussions. We are open to let or sell either one larger unit, split the site, or potentially forward fund for speculative delivery.  The scheme could be delivered by Q1 2026.” CPP and Colliers are retained as marketing agents for the new development. Architects, The Harris Partnership has designed the scheme alongside Adept Consulting Engineers, and RPP whilst ID Planning is supported the planning application process. Rula Developments is a privately owned commercial development company focusing on identifying and developing sites across the UK for immediate or medium to longer-term strategic development, delivering high quality buildings and schemes.

North East business liquidation debts surge 42% over winter

April Lara
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North East business liquidation debts surge 42% over winter

New research shows a sharp rise in North East businesses entering liquidation with outstanding debts. According to R3’s analysis of Creditsafe data, 186 companies in the region were in liquidation over the winter months, a 42% increase from the same period last year.

The North East and Yorkshire & Humberside were the only UK regions to see a rise in liquidations with outstanding debt, with Yorkshire & Humberside recording a 17.4% increase.

The total debt owed by liquidated North East businesses exceeded £3.4 million, up from £780,000 the previous year. Financial strain from rising costs and reduced consumer spending has contributed to the trend, making it harder for businesses to stay solvent.

£5m redevelopment of Keighley church approved for community use

April Lara
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£5m redevelopment of Keighley church approved for community use

Bradford Council has approved a £5 million redevelopment plan for St Andrew’s Church in Keighley. The plan will transform the Grade II-listed building into a modern worship and community space.

The project, known as Project Beacon, includes demolishing the existing church hall, which was built in the 1980s, and constructing a new extension with a multi-use community hall and kitchen facilities. Internal church renovations will add a refurbished gallery, improved entrance lobby, and new meeting spaces. The redesign aims to provide flexible facilities for worship, social support, and community gatherings.

Planners noted that while some historic features would be lost, the development balances heritage preservation with the church’s long-term viability. The Church on the Green Neighbourhood Foundation, overseeing the project, will now begin fundraising efforts.

West Yorkshire flood schemes receive funding for improved defences

April Lara
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West Yorkshire flood schemes receive funding for improved defences

The government and Environment Agency have announced that West Yorkshire flood protection projects will receive funding as part of a £2.65 billion national investment in flood defences.

Nearly 30 regional projects will benefit over the next year, with funding to strengthen infrastructure and protect businesses and homes from future flooding.

Key allocations include £5 million for the Brighouse flood alleviation scheme, designed to safeguard more than 400 properties. Brighouse was among the areas severely affected by the 2015 Boxing Day floods, which caused an estimated £500 million in damages across West Yorkshire. The project will include Wellholme Park and Whinney Hill Park flood water storage areas.

Other funding includes £2 million for flood defences at Hebble Brook in Halifax, £200,000 for the Keighley and Stockbridge scheme, and £100,000 for Haworth flood defences.

The investment is part of a wider effort to enhance flood resilience across the UK. Over the next two years, more than 1,000 flood schemes are planned for construction or repair nationwide.

UK gig economy employers face jail for failing worker checks

April Lara
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UK gig economy employers face jail for failing worker checks

The Home Office has announced that the UK government will require all employers in the gig economy and zero-hour contract sectors to verify that workers have legal employment status. Company directors who fail to comply could face up to five years in prison, business closures, bans from directorship, and fines of up to £60,000 per worker.

The policy change, part of amendments to the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, aims to curb illegal working and disrupt people-smuggling networks. The Home Office says the checks, which take minutes to complete, will be provided free of charge.

Major gig economy firms like Deliveroo, Just Eat, and Uber Eats already conduct voluntary worker eligibility checks, but thousands of other businesses currently have no legal obligation to do so. The government argues the new rules will create a level playing field for compliant companies.

The announcement comes ahead of an international summit in London, where ministers from 40 countries will discuss strategies to combat human trafficking and illegal migration routes. The UK government also plans to expand enforcement powers against people-smuggling networks.

Spring Statement 2025

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Spring Statement 2025
 
The Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, delivered her first Spring Statement in the House of Commons on Wednesday 26th March 2025. To help you navigate these announcements, our colleagues from Streets Tax and our financial services arm have provided a comprehensive breakdown of the key changes. We also covered important updates on topics impacting businesses and private individuals as we prepare for the new tax year 2025/26.

NHS hospitals secure £8.5m for solar energy projects

April Lara
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NHS hospitals secure £8.5m for solar energy projects

Hospitals in Hull and northern Lincolnshire have received £8.5 million from state-owned Great British Energy to fund large-scale solar power installations. The investment will support rooftop solar panels and solar car ports at Hull Royal Infirmary, Diana Princess of Wales Hospital in Grimsby, and Scunthorpe General Hospital.

At Hull Royal Infirmary, solar panels will be installed on rooftops, starting with the women’s and children’s building, while solar car ports will be added to the Argyle Street and smaller hospital car parks. The initiative is expected to generate annual savings of over £635,000.

Grimsby hospital will install rooftop solar panels, and Scunthorpe General Hospital has been allocated just over £1 million for similar renewable energy upgrades. The funding is part of a broader effort to cut NHS energy costs and reduce reliance on traditional power sources.

ProBiotix secures exclusive distribution deal in South Korea

April Lara
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ProBiotix secures exclusive distribution deal in South Korea

UK-based life sciences company ProBiotix Health has signed a long-term agreement with South Korea’s TopHealth to distribute its probiotic products. The deal grants TopHealth exclusive rights to sell ProBiotix’s CholBiome® brand, private-label solutions under YourBiotix, and products under TopHealth’s own consumer brand.

South Korea’s probiotics supplement market, valued at £350 million in 2023, is projected to reach £870 million by 2030. The partnership leverages TopHealth’s expertise in consumer health and its strong presence in the influencer-driven marketing space to expand ProBiotix’s footprint in this high-growth market.

Yorkshire textile manufacturer launches 100% textile-to-textile recycled polyester on UN’s Day of Zero Waste

Michael Fisher
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Yorkshire textile manufacturer launches 100% textile-to-textile recycled polyester on UN’s Day of Zero Waste

Camira, a leading textile designer and manufacturer, has innovated Lucia T2T, a new recycled polyester made entirely from 100% textile-to-textile (T2T) waste. This innovation aims to address the growing, global textile waste crisis and promote a circular approach to textile design.

On the United Nations’ International Day of Zero Waste, March 30, 2025, Camira will unveil Lucia T2T, which blends pre-consumer textile offcuts from garment manufacturing and post-consumer clothing that has reached the end of its wearable life.

Ian Burn, Camira’s Director of Marketing and Sustainability, said: “Lucia T2T is a new generation textile which helps combat the environmental impact of textile waste. It’s a reimagination of our first post-consumer recycled polyester, previously made from plastic bottles, now made from 100% textile-to-textile waste from the apparel industry.”

With millions of tonnes of fabric sent to landfills each year, and less than 1% recycled into new products, fast fashion is a significant contributor to global textile waste. The UN’s Day of Zero Waste highlights the need for circular solutions in fashion, supporting Sustainable Development Goals 11 and 12.

Ian Burn continued: “Camira has always been an industry leader when it comes to the manufacturing of sustainable fabrics, having introduced our first recycled fabric in the 1990s. But Lucia T2T is the next step for us – we’re viewing textile waste, from our own manufacturing or the wider textile industry, as a hugely valuable, precious resource which allows us to create new materials, and support a circular economy.”

Lucia T2T is produced through tertiary recycling, where discarded textiles are shredded, crushed, and treated to remove colorants and treatments, resulting in a regenerated polyester with no colour constraints that meets commercial performance standards.

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