April sees leap in inflation

Tess Egginton
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April sees leap in inflation
Inflation increased in April, according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The higher than expected uptick, measured by the Consumer Prices Index (CPI), saw inflation come in at 3.5% in April, up from 2.6% in March. The largest upward contributions to the change came from housing and household services, transport, and recreation and culture, while the largest, partially offsetting, downward contribution came from clothing and footwear. Core inflation, meanwhile, which takes out volatile factors like energy, food, alcohol and tobacco to give a clear picture of underlying trends, came in at 3.8% in the 12 months to April, up from 3.4% in March and above forecasts. Martin Sartorius, principal economist, CBI, said: “April’s rise in inflation was widely expected, driven by a perfect storm of price pressures such as higher employer National Insurance contributions, the National Living Wage increase, and a hike in the Ofgem price cap. “Looking ahead, the Bank of England expects that inflation will stay above 3% this year, as these pressures continue to impact households’ cost of living. This suggests that the Monetary Policy Committee is likely to hold rates in its next meeting, especially after May’s finely balanced decision to cut. “Beyond then, the MPC will reduce borrowing costs at a gradual pace, as it assesses how price pressures are developing in the economy.”

New firms boost Harrogate flexible workspace uptake

April Lara
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New firms boost Harrogate flexible workspace uptake

Three new businesses have moved into Copthall Bridge, the £10.5 million redeveloped office site in Harrogate, signalling strong ongoing demand for flexible workspace solutions in the region.

Sustainability consultancy Flotilla, IT hardware firm ITinstock, and national accountancy group TC Group have joined a growing roster of tenants at the serviced office hub. Located on Station Parade near Harrogate’s transport links, the site caters to hybrid working needs with private offices, shared coworking zones, meeting rooms, and wellness facilities.

Developed by workspace provider WorkWell, Copthall Bridge had been vacant for over six years before its refurbishment. Since opening earlier this year, more than a third of its space was let within the first two weeks. It can accommodate teams of up to 40 and is aimed at growth-oriented businesses seeking high-specification, agile work environments.

The building now hosts a mix of regional and national firms, including Mobile Tornado, Primeast, Chronos Hub, Grateful, and Evelyn Partners. Once fully occupied, it is expected to support approximately 360 jobs in Harrogate’s town centre.

Director disqualified for 11 years after dishonestly securing Covid loan

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Director disqualified for 11 years after dishonestly securing Covid loan
The director of a plumbing and heating company has been banned for 11 years after overstating his company’s turnover by hundreds of thousands of pounds to secure a Covid Bounce Back loan. Carl Barnes was the director of Central Plumbing & Heating Lincoln Ltd, which was incorporated in April 2016. The company, based on Wavell Drive in Lincoln, made a small profit in its first year of trading, but dormant accounts were filed by Barnes in the following years. In August 2020, the 45-year-old falsely claimed the company had a turnover of £340,000 for 2019, despite the actual turnover being £0. He received a Covid Bounce Back loan for the company of £47,500 which it was not entitled to. Barnes was disqualified as a director for 11 years, with the ban beginning on 8 May 2025. Kevin Read, chief investigator at the Insolvency Service, said: “Carl Barnes exploited the Bounce Back Loan Scheme by providing false information about his company’s turnover. “His dishonesty has resulted in this significant director disqualification, which prevents him from forming or managing a company for more than a decade.

“The Insolvency Service will continue to investigate those who abused this scheme – designed to help small businesses during the pandemic – and bring them to justice.”

Central Plumbing & Heating Lincoln Ltd went into liquidation in October 2022. The disqualification order prevents Barnes from being involved in the promotion, formation or management of a company, without the permission of the court.

Carbon capture tech scales up in Yorkshire

April Lara
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Carbon capture tech scales up in Yorkshire

Huddersfield-based engineering firm Thomas Broadbent & Sons has completed testing on the world’s largest Rotating Packed Bed (RPB) carbon capture unit, a major step forward for commercial decarbonisation technology. Developed in partnership with London firm Carbon Clean, the CycloneCC system is now ready for deployment and can capture up to 285 tonnes of CO₂ per day.

The 160-year-old company led the design and manufacturing of the new system at its Queen Street South facility. Carbon Clean, a global player in carbon capture solutions, aims to use this scalable tech to accelerate uptake across heavy industries. The breakthrough puts Huddersfield on the map as a key player in Britain’s clean tech manufacturing ecosystem.

The CycloneCC is part of a broader movement to commercialise carbon capture at scale, similar to past trends in solar and EV battery adoption. For B2B stakeholders, this signals a rising opportunity for industrial emitters seeking viable, off-the-shelf decarbonisation tools. The move also reinforces the role of traditional UK engineering firms in delivering next-generation environmental solutions.

Leeds social enterprise lists business hub for sale

April Lara
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Leeds social enterprise lists business hub for sale

Shine, a Leeds-based social enterprise, has placed its 40,000 sq ft Grade II-listed headquarters in Harehills on the market. The Victorian-era building, originally constructed in 1897 as Harehills Middle School, was transformed by Shine into a business and events centre in 2008.

The site spans one acre and includes office and co-working spaces, meeting rooms, and a conference centre. It also features an outdoor amphitheatre-style garden, an allotment, parking for 55 vehicles, EV charging points, and cycling facilities.

Eddisons is marketing the property. The building is currently used by various organisations, including the NHS, the University of Leeds, private firms such as Goldman Sachs, and global consultancies.

Following the sale, Shine’s founders plan to concentrate on scaling their SheCanShine programme, which supports women-led start-ups through peer-driven networks.

The asset is expected to appeal to investors, institutions, and operators seeking a distinctive, income-generating property with scope for further development in a community-oriented location.

Keepmoat targets 800 homes annually in East Yorkshire amid market pressures

April Lara
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Keepmoat targets 800 homes annually in East Yorkshire amid market pressures

Housebuilder Keepmoat is scaling up plans to deliver 800 new homes annually across East Yorkshire, an increase from the current rate of 630, as it responds to steady demand and shifting buyer behaviour. The company is expanding its regional operations, supported by 15 recent construction, surveying, architecture, and engineering hires, and expects to be active on 18 sites by spring 2026.

Despite broader market volatility, Keepmoat reports stable buyer interest, particularly for two-bedroom properties. The end of the Help to Buy scheme and adjustments to working patterns have redirected demand towards urban areas with strong commuter links.

Although sales volumes remain below the post-COVID boom, improved mortgage affordability, now below 4%, has supported recovery. National housebuilding volumes have moderated, easing labour pressures and enabling better resource allocation for firms like Keepmoat.

Challenges remain. Once national build levels surpass 200,000 homes, industry-wide talent shortages persist, and planning application delays, driven by resource constraints in local authorities, continue to hamper delivery timelines.

Despite this, land availability is expected to improve over the next 18 months, thanks to the government’s push to deliver 1.5 million homes during this parliament. However, pressure remains in the affordable housing segment as registered providers face funding constraints until the next allocation round, expected in April 2026.

Council seeks new contractor after delays in Grimsby bridge project

April Lara
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Council seeks new contractor after delays in Grimsby bridge project

North East Lincolnshire Council is terminating its contract with Spencer Group to refurbish Grimsby’s Corporation Road Bridge, citing unacceptable delays in the £5 million project. The council is seeking a new contractor to complete the remaining work, including restoring the Grade II-listed bridge’s lifting mechanism.

The project began in 2023 and involved wrapping the structure in protective sheeting during restoration. While much of the bridge has recently been unveiled, the final stages have been hindered by unforeseen rust and deterioration that required additional surveys and extended the timeline.

Spencer Group expressed disappointment at the termination and attributed delays to unforeseen conditions that increased workload and costs. The council, however, has signalled a need to expedite completion and is prioritising the appointment of a new specialist firm to reopen the bridge as soon as possible.

Systematic celebrates landmark year with double win at business awards

Tess Egginton
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Systematic celebrates landmark year with double win at business awards
Lincolnshire-based creative services company Systematic is marking its 50th trading year with standout success, having been recognised with two major accolades at the 2025 Northern Lincolnshire Business Awards. Led by Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce, the awards are in their 23rd year of celebrating business excellence across the region, and on 15th May at Scunthorpe’s Baths Hall, Systematic proudly took home the HETA Green Sustainability Award and the Forrester Boyd Business Excellence Award – the top prize of the evening. The business’s initial entry into the awards was focused on sustainability, a core value that continues to guide its strategic direction. The judging panel sought organisations actively contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and creating long-term, positive change – and Systematic’s submission stood out. As a small-to-medium enterprise operating outside of the traditional ‘green’ sector, Systematic approaches sustainability with pragmatism and purpose. Their belief? Small actions can create big ripples. The company’s environmental journey began formally in 2009 with ISO 14001 accreditation. Today, they operate a fully electric vehicle fleet, are entirely fossil fuel-free, and use 100% renewable energy – supported by a 50-panel, 23kWp solar array. No waste goes to landfill. Systematic also measures and manages their Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions in alignment with the GHG Protocol, with their second full carbon footprint verified earlier this year as part of their roadmap to net zero. Environmental considerations are woven into every client project, from material selection to production methods that prioritise efficiency and minimal impact. Many of Systematic’s clients now look to the team for sustainable corporate gift solutions, that begin with their curated range. The highlight of the evening came when Systematic was announced as the winner of the Forrester Boyd Business Excellence Award – a prestigious honour reserved for a business that demonstrates outstanding performance across profitability, adaptability, management, and sustainability. Operations director Jacqui Vear reflected on the achievement: “We’ve always valued the benchmarking, inspiration, and connections that come with award forums. They’re a reminder that we’re part of a dynamic, progressive business community. To enjoy this level of success at such a prestigious event is an unbelievable honour – a celebration of where we’ve been, and a launchpad for where we’re going.”

Staffordshire sausage manufacturer sold to Yorkshire food producer

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Staffordshire sausage manufacturer sold to Yorkshire food producer
Blakemans, the manufacturers of sausages for the foodservice industry, has been sold to Yorkshire food producer Cranswick. Headquartered in Staffordshire, Blakemans is a family business that has been manufacturing specialist raw and cooked sausage and meat products for over 70 years. The business, which employs a total workforce of approximately 290, has a particularly strong foothold in the UK foodservice market and is a leading supplier of sausages to UK fish and chip shops; and also supplies products to leading manufacturers of prepared meals. The acquisition is complementary to Cranswick’s existing added-value gourmet business, adding capacity in raw and cooked sausage production whilst enabling efficient supply into the foodservice market. Founding family members, and current CEO and finance director of Blakemans, Philip Blakeman and Susan Cope, said: “We are excited to have the opportunity to become part of the Cranswick business. The two businesses compliment each other in so many ways and we also look forward to working with the management at Cranswick to continue producing quality products into the foodservice sector.” Cranswick’s chief executive officer, Adam Couch, said: “I am delighted to announce the acquisition of Blakemans, a well-invested, leading foodservice sausage manufacturer. Blakemans is highly complementary to our existing added-value Gourmet business. We look forward to welcoming the entire Blakemans team to Cranswick and to working with them to develop the business further.” Mark Lynch, partner at Oghma Partners, which acted as financial advisor to the shareholders of Blakemans, said: “Working with Phil and Sue and all the team at Blakemans was a great pleasure for us; we are thrilled to have found an ideal Partner for the business in Cranswick who will be able to help build on the success of the business to date.”

Council to sign 15-year development agreement with ECF at Hull’s East Bank Urban Village

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Council to sign 15-year development agreement with ECF at Hull’s East Bank Urban Village
Hull City Council’s East Bank Urban Village project continues to take steps forward with ECF being confirmed as lead developer partner. The council will sign a 15-year development agreement with ECF, a partnership between Homes England, L&G and Muse, for the master planning, development and construction of the site, which is expected to see a mix of uses including up to 850 new homes. Located to the east of the River Hull, opposite the old town, the scheme will comprise new homes and infrastructure in the heart of the city, transforming a forgotten part of Hull into a vibrant contemporary urban village. The regeneration is backed by £9.875m of secured Levelling Up Partnership funding and will be a long-term investment into the city. The new homes will be developed alongside ground floor commercial uses and an interconnected network of streets, plazas and green spaces to promote a pedestrian and family friendly atmosphere. ECF, through the development manager Muse, will now begin to action site enabling works for the scheme including structural repairs to Trinity Buoy Shed and adjacent river walkway. Alongside this, preparations are underway to design the East Bank Urban Village in more detail, ready for a hybrid planning application to be lodged in 2026. Cllr Mike Ross, leader of the council, said: “The council is delighted to be finalising our partnership with ECF. “East Bank Urban Village is one of Hull’s largest ever regeneration projects and will act as a catalyst for further urban renewal and help to increase investor confidence in the city with all the economic benefits that will arise. “Initial discussions with ECF too place at UKREiiF in 2024, so it’s fitting that we can sign the contract for the project at the event this year.” Sir Michael Lyons, chair of ECF, added: “East Bank is a new neighbourhood that supports Hull’s wider city centre vision, and is a perfect example of how this resilient city is using its industrial and maritime past to build a bright future for generations to come. “We look forward to working closely with Hull City Council and local communities, drawing on the combined skills of our partners to realise the potential of this regeneration for the city. This includes creating new homes, boosting local employment, and driving inclusive economic growth. “We’re delighted to be working with our partners on East Bank Hull and, with the quality of the waterfront site and the impact it will make on the city, it’s an incredibly exciting project to be involved in.”
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