A disused council building in North Yorkshire could be sold to a care home provider.
The civic centre at Stone Cross in Northallerton served as the headquarters for the former Hambleton District Council before the authority was merged into North Yorkshire Council in 2023.
The building no longer has an operational need with many services that were previously run at the Rotary Way site, including a customer services hub, having already relocated to other council-owned premises.
The building was put on the market earlier this year after it was agreed its sale would provide valuable funds to be reinvested elsewhere to help North Yorkshire Council reduce annual running costs.
Members of the council’s executive will be asked on Tuesday 15 July to approve a prospective purchase from a care provider, which proposes to use the site for a care home.
Deputy leader, councillor Gareth Dadd, whose responsibilities include finance and assets, said: “Following local government reorganisation and the launch of this authority, we inherited a large number of buildings that were no longer fully used.
“It is imperative that we look carefully at the buildings we own and ensure all the existing space is used as efficiently as possible, so that we maximise the quality of services we provide to residents as well as reduce running costs.
“The sale of the civic centre at Stone Cross would provide a significant amount of money that can be reinvested into other key areas, as well as generate crucial revenue savings.
“As a result, we will consider the proposals carefully when the executive meets next week.”
Bradford Live venue settles £5.3m compensation deal with NEC Group
Bradford Council has received a £5.3 million compensation payment from NEC Group after the operator ended its contract to run the Bradford Live venue. The £5m+ settlement followed the ICO’s ruling that the amount be made public, overturning earlier confidentiality clauses that had kept the figure hidden.
NEC Group had been the operator for Bradford Live since 2017 but withdrew from the project in September 2024, prompting the council to find a new operator. Trafalgar Entertainment has since signed a 25-year lease to manage the venue.
The funds, now deposited in the council’s bank account, helped reduce Bradford’s borrowing requirement. The council’s original reluctance to disclose the settlement was based on commercial interests, but after securing a new operator, the public interest argument led to the ICO’s approval for the release of the information.
Trafalgar Entertainment has invested £3 million into renovating the venue, and its launch is expected to bring 300,000 visitors annually. The venue’s first major event, Yorkshire Calling, is scheduled for 1 August, featuring artists like Aled Jones and Chris Kamara.
Update to be provided on derelict Leeds heritage buildings after partial collapse
Senior councillors will be updated next week on efforts to safeguard the future of key heritage assets on an historic street in Leeds city centre.
A row of derelict privately-owned buildings on Lower Kirkgate has been cordoned off for safety reasons – and the road closed to traffic – since one of the properties suffered a partial collapse in April last year.
Leeds City Council is intending to carry out a 16-week programme of stabilisation work on the buildings after their current owners – two linked companies called City Fusion and Kirkgate Land Residential – failed to take the necessary steps to make them safe. It will then seek, as is its legal right, to recover the cost of this work from the companies.
The council is separately seeking to acquire the properties with a view to them being fully restored and brought back into meaningful long-term use, complementing the regeneration activity that has been delivered elsewhere on Lower Kirkgate.
Now a new report – due to be considered at a meeting of the council’s executive board next Wednesday, July 16 – has set out how these parallel courses of action are proceeding.
The report confirms that the council is in continuing negotiations with City Fusion and Kirkgate Land Residential over its proposed purchase of the properties.
It also confirms that a market value offer – based on an independent valuation undertaken in line with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors’ Red Book Global Standards framework – for the buildings has been made by the council but to date this has not been accepted.
As a result, next week’s executive board meeting will be asked to approve the development by the council of a case for the potential compulsory purchase of the buildings.
A compulsory purchase would only be pursued as a tool of last resort if a negotiated sale cannot be agreed and no other options remain available that would enable the full restoration of the properties.
Any formal decision – or resolution – on the use of compulsory purchase powers would be reserved until a future and as-yet unspecified meeting of executive board.
The report also confirms that the council hopes to be in a position to complete its 16-week programme of stabilisation work on the buildings by the end of 2025.
With detailed designs for this work close to being finalised, it is anticipated that a start on site should be possible during August.
Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s deputy leader and executive member for economy, transport and sustainable development, said: “The situation on Lower Kirkgate is a complex one and clearly remains a major source of frustration and concern for local residents and businesses.
“We are determined to find a solution to the issues affecting this historic street, where important heritage assets have been allowed to fall into a serious state of disrepair. It should be stressed that, at the current moment in time, the at-risk buildings are not owned by the council.
“We are, however, acutely aware of the need to protect the 18th and 19th-century fabric of Lower Kirkgate. It is against this backdrop that we are continuing to pursue the separate but parallel courses of action outlined in the report to next week’s executive board meeting.”
The report also sets out how the council attempted – for more than a decade – to facilitate improvements to the buildings.
Key to these improvements would have been the award of grant support from a council-backed regeneration scheme called the Lower Kirkgate Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI).
Despite its best efforts, however, the council was unable to formally agree terms for this award of THI funding before the scheme came to an end last year.
THI grants helped drive the restoration of a number of other buildings on Lower Kirkgate, including the Grade II-listed First White Cloth Hall, as well as a fundamental redesign of the local street-scene.
Skipton Business Finance fuels expansion for Sheffield fragrance distributor
Skipton Business Finance has provided a six-figure funding package to SG Brands, a Sheffield-based distributor of luxury fragrances.
SG Brands, founded in 2019, is known for supplying niche fragrance labels to high-end retailers like Liberty and Fortnum & Mason. The invoice factoring facility will support the businesses growth plans by enabling it to purchase stock from brand holders, strengthen supplier partnerships and expand distribution across a broader retail network.
With the financial backing, SG Brands plans to diversify its product range, bringing on well-established brands such as Portuguese beauty label Benamôr and French fragrance house Bienaimé. This support will also allow the company to scale operations and respond more effectively to market opportunities.
Samuel Gearing, director at SG Brands, said: “Securing the funding from Skipton Business Finance is a pivotal moment for SG Brands. It gives us the capacity to scale our stockholding and develop relationships with our brand partners. “We chose to work with Skipton not just because of their flexible funding model, but because they took the time to understand our business and what makes it special. Their support means we can now pursue our growth plans with greater certainty and ambition.” Jim Furey, regional sales director for the North West and Midlands, Skipton Business Finance, said: “We’re delighted to support SG Brands at the start of this exciting growth chapter. Samuel and his team have built a distinctive and highly respected business in the fine fragrance sector, and our funding will enable them to respond to increasing demand while safeguarding the operational ability of the company. “At Skipton, we work with an incredibly diverse client base, from traditional industries to innovative niche sectors, and SG Brands is a great example of that range. We’re proud to be backing them through this period of growth and looking forward to being on that journey with them.” This deal between Skipton and SG Brands was introduced by Mark Millhouse from Oldham-based PMD Business Finance.Ron Dearing UTC and Arco join forces to empower young women
Major Hull employer, Arco, has teamed up with the city’s Ron Dearing University Technical College (UTC) to empower the next generation of women as they prepare to take their first steps into the world of work.
The safety products and services business has joined forces with the UTC to deliver a new female mentorship programme – Empower Women Now.
The initiative aims to support the success of young females who are looking to forge a career in sectors such as STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) that are largely male-dominated.
By connecting women professionals from Arco, who are already operating in these fields, with female students from Ron Dearing UTC, the programme aims to support personal growth and assist the students in developing skills and working towards their career goals.
Arco is a Major Partner of the UTC and Arco non-executive director, Richard Martin, is chair of the school’s Governing Board. Arco team members regularly participate in careers workshops and sessions at the school with the new programme taking the partnership a step further and deepening the company’s commitment to supporting young people in its home city.
The programme was inspired after Arco employee experience coordinator, Sarah Jones, met with a focus group of Ron Dearing UTC students to learn more about what young women feel will be their biggest challenges when pursuing a career in a STEM field.
Sarah revealed: “The common concern from the students was clear – ‘how do we know STEM careers are achievable if we don’t see women where we want to be?’ Seeing is believing and it was apparent that female students are desperate to see women in established careers in STEM-based roles.
“It’s clear that there is much more that needs to happen to encourage females into the STEM sector and into leadership positions. Women have a responsibility to make themselves more visible and keep the passion ignited in the younger female generation, to encourage them to pursue their goals.
“To accelerate action and continue our dialogue to support the female student population at Ron Dearing, we decided to launch a woman-to-woman mentorship programme, and we were delighted to see so many of our Arco colleagues come forward to volunteer their time to help the next generation.”
As part of the programme, students have been partnered with a mentor from Arco who they meet with weekly for one-to-one sessions, providing them with a safe space to ask questions, seek advice and gain insights into working in STEM.
Throughout the programme, the pairs have been guided on suggested topics, such as personal development, preparing for interviews and writing job applications, while also being encouraged to set their own agendas and explore topics which are of most benefit to each individual student.
Students taking part in the programme are currently in Year 12 at the school and are primarily studying STEM subjects or have an interest in pursuing a career in a STEM-related field.
Richard Martin, chair of the Governing Board and non-executive director of Arco, added: “It’s brilliant to see the UTC students develop such vital workplace skills, building confidence and expanding their knowledge to pursue their ambitions and make a real difference in their chosen fields.
“We’re optimistic this impactful initiative will grow to support even more young women into STEM careers in the years to come.”
Rowing lawyers smash £150,000 fundraising target for Yorkshire charities at Summer Ball
A pair of Yorkshire lawyers who will be embarking on the 3,000-mile World’s Toughest Row across the Atlantic in December this year, have smashed the £150,000 fundraising target for their nominated Yorkshire charities, Maggie’s Home of Cancer Care and Friends of Alfie Martin, following the success of a charity ball.
The mammoth target set by Team Greens2Blue rowers David Knaggs and Richard Larking was reached after the success of a Summer Ball fundraiser at The Pavilions in Harrogate, that so far has raised over £110,000 in addition to more than £43,000 already raised by other activities including a golf day at Alwoodley Golf Club, sponsored entries in the Great North Run and via online fundraising platform GiveWheel.
The event saw 340 guests from across Yorkshire welcomed by the Summer Ball Committee, headed by David’s wife Jackie, which was the culmination of 18 months planning.
“It’s been amazing to put on such a great event for their fundraising and the committee’s hard work over the last 18 months has really paid off. We were blown away be people’s generosity and it was fantastic to see everyone having a fabulous evening,” said Jackie Knaggs.
The rowing duo are now setting their fundraising sights on a new £200,000 target, and have issued a call for more sponsors before they set off to row their seven-metre boat ‘Brizo’ from La Gomera in the Canary Islands to Antigua in just five months’ time.
“We were ambitious in our aim to raise as much as we could for the two causes, but we’re keen to make sure that as our training intensifies in the run up to the race start, we don’t let up on securing sponsors and raising more funds for these local charities,” said Richard Larking.
“Whether it is the scale of the challenge, or the fact that we will be 59 and 60 years old when we set off to row 3,000 miles that has caught people’s imaginations, we are keen to welcome more sponsors to get on board with the event before we embark on this journey in December. We would welcome any support from businesses across the region to top the new £200,000 target,” added David Knaggs.
In addition to headline sponsor, independent business rescue and recovery specialist Begbies Traynor, the pair have also secured sponsorship from leading regional and local businesses over the last 12 months, with 11 other corporate supporters including Ginetta; Happy Drains; Optivet Referrals; Cellular Pathology Services; Macintosh James & Partners Wealth Management; El Gato Negro Tapas; Middleton Law; Richard Fahey Racing; Springfield Healthcare; Waterer’s Services Limited; Walker Morris and SBFM Ltd.
Julian Pitts, regional managing partner for Begbies Traynor’s 10 offices across Yorkshire, The Humber and the North East, said: “The event was fantastic and the amount of money raised remarkable, with so much generosity shown by the guests on the night. We’re very proud to be a supporter of the team, and hope that other businesses will join the efforts to keep filling the coffers for two very worthy causes.”
Further opportunities to support the pair in their fundraising can be found on www.greens2blue.co.uk
£5m affordable homes development reaches completion in Bradford
Special guests including Manningham Housing Association (MHA) residents, project partners, board members and staff joined together at Eccleshill in Bradford for the official opening of the BME organisation’s new £5 million affordable homes scheme.
The ribbon was cut by MHA Chair Rupert Pometsey, supported by Councillor Ian Paterson, who represents the Eccleshill ward in Bradford City Hall, and former MHA Chair Barrington Billings.
The One Meadow development on Victoria Road – a mix of two, three and four-bed semi-detached and detached properties, plus a town house – was delivered through a partnership with Zentra Group and support from Homes England and Bradford Council.
The properties, built by Jack Lunn Construction, have a reduced carbon footprint and an expected minimum energy performance rating of B or greater.
Rupert Pometsey said: “Manningham Housing Association was formed in 1986 out of the need to support the BME community who were living in unsuitable accommodation and chronic conditions.
“At that time, it had 22 houses. With grants and support from Bradford Council, Homes England and MHA staff, today we have 1,400 homes including these 24 which have been developed by Zentra and Jack Lunn. You can see how beautiful the properties are.
“But really, it’s all down to MHA staff. Without them, we wouldn’t have achieved this.
“We’ve won many awards including Landlord of the Year and Tenant of the Year at the Northern Housing Awards 2025.
“I am sure that MHA will continue in the same vein – building in the service of local communities.”
Barrington Billings, a former President of the Chartered Institute of Housing, said: “Seven years ago, when I joined the board of Manningham Housing Association, we were at an all-time low. There was a lot of discord around – people were low.
“We worked hard over those years to bring what was an exceptionally good organisation back to the top of the pinnacle, where it belongs.
“Since then, MHA has won so many awards in recognition of the hard work that has been done.
“How it engages with its residents is fundamental to the success of Manningham Housing Association, together with committed board members and really professional staff.
“I drove up from Nottingham specifically to witness this scheme opening because I was involved in some of the decisions about new developments back when we started to redevelop, and so it was fitting to come and see one of the finished products.
“I’m honoured to be with you. I hope MHA continues to have lots more new developments.”
Councillor Ian Parsons, who represents the Eccleshill ward on Bradford Council, said: “We are working very closely with the local housing associations, including Manningham Housing Association, and we fully support this beautiful development.
“I have been around one of the houses and it is top class. It has provided exactly what Eccleshill needs, which is fully affordable social housing. So, all strength to you.
“I promise to work with you in the future to make things better and better for the people of this area.”
Sheffield tech consultancy expands into Leeds to meet growing demand
Sheffield-based software consultancy, The Curve, has entered the Leeds market, responding to increasing demand for its technology services across the North of England. Specialising in custom business-critical systems, IoT solutions, and connected devices, the company has secured office space at Platform, a tech hub located next to Leeds train station. This move follows a surge in business, with turnover nearing £2m.
The Curve has also appointed Alina Eden Cornea as the regional partnerships and growth lead. Eden Cornea brings significant experience across multiple sectors, including engineering, logistics, and telecommunications, having been involved in coding and 3D modelling since the age of 11. Her role will focus on strengthening The Curve’s relationships in Leeds, where the company has already engaged with the local tech community through events like the Leeds Digital Ball.
The company, founded in 2019, has recently experienced a 49% growth in annual turnover, reaching £1.76m. The expansion into Leeds is part of The Curve’s organic growth strategy, which also includes the creation of 10 new technical roles in the coming year. With a workforce of 28, the company is poised to continue its growth trajectory in sectors such as healthcare, manufacturing, agriculture, and professional services.
Google partners with UK government to modernise public sector tech
The UK government has struck a partnership with Google to provide free technology solutions for various public sector services, including the NHS and local councils. The deal aims to phase out outdated technology across government systems, with a focus on upgrading to cloud-based platforms that are more secure and efficient.
Under this agreement, Google will invest significant resources into public sector infrastructure without requiring any direct financial payment from the government. Importantly, the deal ensures that public sector data will remain protected, with no access granted to Google.
The initiative is designed to improve access to public service information while cutting costs, potentially saving up to £45 billion in taxpayer money. The shift to cloud systems is also expected to reduce vulnerabilities to cyberattacks and system outages, which have become an increasing concern for public sector operations.
The UK Government is encouraging other tech companies to submit proposals, aiming to create more effective and cost-efficient technology solutions across various sectors, including healthcare and local services.
Jet2’s revenue and profits hit record highs as demand grows
Yorkshire-based tour operator Jet2 has achieved record revenue and profits as the demand for its leisure services continues to rise. For the 12-month period ending in March, Jet2 reported a 15% increase in revenue, reaching £7.2bn, while pre-tax profit rose by 12% to £593m.
The company saw significant growth across both its flight-only and package holiday offerings. Flight-only passengers grew by 18%, reaching 6.62 million, while package holiday customers increased by 8%, totalling 6.58 million. Overall passenger numbers were up by 12% compared to the previous year.
Earlier this year, Jet2 initiated a £250m share buyback programme, of which 35% has already been completed. The company remains on track to achieve its long-term growth objectives, with bookings for Summer 2025 still trending strong despite being made closer to departure.
In line with its performance, the board declared a final dividend of 12.1p per share, reflecting a 13% increase.
