DSW Ventures has led a pre-seed investment into RoxFit, a York-based hybrid fitness platform that provides training and racing insights.
DSW Ventures led the £800,000 round, with co-investment from regional angel group, York Angels, and additional angel investment from across Europe and the US.
Since its launch in 2024, RoxFit has achieved more than 100,000 downloads. It offers features including detailed analysis of race results, a library of workouts, a workout builder, and ‘PaceMe’ – a smartwatch integration feature which enables users to pace themselves during races and workouts.
The fitness platform’s next phase of growth will focus on rapidly deploying key features on the technical roadmap, optimising the user experience, and building partnerships in the hybrid fitness ecosystem. RoxFit will also continue to extend its reach to as many users as possible.
CEO Ben Wilson is an experienced developer and entrepreneur, and RoxFit’s CMO, Joey Allott, leads the marketing strategy with previous experience at Runna, a personalised running coaching app that was recently acquired by Strava.
They are supported by recently appointed chair, Tom Sermon, former CEO of digital health and wellbeing company, The Global Corporate Challenge, which was acquired by Virgin Pulse.
Ben Wilson, CEO of RoxFit, said: “We’re thrilled to have the backing of DSW Ventures, York Angels, and our wider investor group as we build the go-to platform for hybrid fitness athletes. This investment allows us to accelerate product development, enhance the user experience, and grow our footprint within the Hyrox and wider hybrid fitness communities.
“As athletes ourselves, we’ve built RoxFit to solve real problems we’ve experienced, and this funding brings us one step closer to helping thousands more train smarter and race better.”
Heating supplier ramps up digital focus as B2B sales move online
FlexiHeat UK, a West Yorkshire-based heating systems supplier, has partnered with digital agency Digitaleer to expand its online presence amid growing demand for energy-efficient solutions and digital-first sales journeys in the B2B sector.
The move reflects a wider shift across the UK’s industrial and HVAC sectors, where procurement is increasingly driven by online research. Industry analysis reveals that over three-quarters of commercial heating purchases now involve extensive digital research before supplier engagement, a significant increase from just five years ago.
Established in 1992 and previously trading as Kroll UK, FlexiHeat UK serves commercial, industrial, and domestic markets. Its product line includes waste oil heaters, electric heating systems, and condensing oil boilers, with energy efficiency now a core selling point as businesses prioritise cost reduction and sustainability compliance.
The digital upgrade comes as SMEs across the UK face challenges in managing digital marketing due to limited in-house capacity. Recent research from the British Chambers of Commerce indicates that over a third of SMEs struggle with digital presence. At the same time, a growing share is prioritising marketing investment to bridge the gap.
The partnership aims to enhance search visibility and lead generation by showcasing FlexiHeat UK’s energy-efficient technologies, particularly relevant as energy costs remain elevated and sustainability pressure intensifies across supply chains.
Persimmon targets 150-home scheme in Pickering
Persimmon Homes has submitted a planning application to North Yorkshire Council to develop 150 homes on Firthland Road in Pickering. The scheme features a mix of two-, three-, and four-bedroom houses, with 35% designated as affordable housing.
Each home is planned to include electric vehicle charging infrastructure. The development also proposes financial contributions via a Section 106 agreement to support upgrades to local infrastructure and services. The proposal aligns with current demand trends for energy-efficient housing.
Vape ban forces stock sell-off across North Yorkshire
Businesses across North Yorkshire are being urged to clear the remaining stock of single-use vapes ahead of a nationwide ban taking effect on 1 June. Under new environmental regulations, the sale and supply of disposable vapes will be prohibited in England, Scotland, and Wales. All products sold after this date must be rechargeable and refillable.
The move aims to reduce plastic waste and limit youth access to vaping products. Trading Standards officers are encouraging retailers to sell off their existing inventory while advising consumers to shift toward reusable devices. Public health officials have reaffirmed that vaping remains a valuable tool for adult smokers seeking to quit, provided non-smokers and children are not targeted.
Waste disposal is also in focus, with lithium-ion batteries in vapes posing a fire risk if discarded improperly. Vape-specific recycling bins have been deployed across North Yorkshire’s household waste recycling centres to prevent contamination of kerbside bins and reduce landfill volume.
The shift is part of a broader public health and environmental strategy, with implications for retailers, distributors, and waste management providers operating in the region.
Wound care innovation hub to open in East Yorkshire
A £48 million wound care research centre is set to launch in East Yorkshire through a partnership led by the University of Hull and key industry stakeholders. The Wound Innovation Centre (WIC) will focus on chronic wound research and commercial development of treatments, addressing a condition that currently costs the NHS over £8 billion annually.
The project is backed by £16 million from the UK Research Partnership Investment Fund and an additional £32 million from partners including Reckitt and Polaroid Therapeutics. The WIC will operate across the University of Hull campus and Castle Hill Hospital, creating a joint research and clinical infrastructure.
The centre will serve as a national hub for skin and wound research, designed to accelerate discovery, clinical testing, and commercial application. With involvement from academia, healthcare providers, and private industry, it aims to accelerate the development and market introduction of solutions, particularly for antimicrobial resistance and hard-to-heal wounds.
The partnership aligns with Reckitt’s broader R&D interests in skin health and complements its consumer healthcare brands.
Plans submitted for £15m housing development at former Silsden school sites
Yorkshire property developer Redstart Robinson has submitted plans to City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council (CBMDC) for the redevelopment of two former school sites in Silsden.
If approved the £15m development will deliver a combined total of 48 new homes, including 10 affordable units across both sites.
The brownfield sites on Elliott Street and Hothfield Street, both formerly occupied by Victorian-era school buildings and located within walking distance of each other, have been vacant for around three years. The schools were closed following the development of a new, larger primary school in the town, making the historic buildings surplus to requirements.
Under the proposals, the derelict buildings will be demolished to make way for a mix of new homes. Both sites are allocated for residential use in CBMDC’s housing supply plan and the development supports the council’s ambition to bring underused brownfield land back into productive use.
Redstart Robinson Developments director, Andrew Foggitt, said: “These sites offer an opportunity to provide a well-balanced mix of housing while bringing new life to two long-vacant plots in the heart of Silsden.
“Our proposals align with Bradford Council’s commitment to regenerating brownfield land and meeting local housing needs and, subject to approval, we’re excited to move forward and bring this high-quality development to life for the benefit of the community.”
As part of the plans, Redstart Robinson will make section 106 financial contributions towards the South Pennine Moors Special Area of Conservation and Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) payments, ensuring environmental responsibilities are met in line with planning policy.
If approved, construction is expected to begin within three months, with the build programme estimated to take between 12 and 18 months.
Lincolnshire neurodiversity assessment provider acquired
Keys Group, a provider of specialist education and care services, has acquired ADHD 360, a Lincolnshire-based private healthcare provider specialising in neurodiversity assessments, diagnosis and treatment.
The acquisition enables Halesowen-based Keys Group to expand and diversify the specialist support it offers to children and adults across the UK. ADHD 360 delivers services for both privately and NHS-funded clients, supporting individuals with ADHD, autism and other neurodiverse conditions.
David Manson, CEO of Keys Group, said: “As waiting times for ADHD and neurodiversity diagnoses continue to grow, ADHD 360 offers an invaluable and timely service.
“Many of the individuals we support – both children and adults – are neurodiverse, and we understand the transformative impact of receiving the right diagnosis and treatment at the right time. ADHD 360’s expertise will not only strengthen our service offering, but also help us to improve outcomes for even more people across the UK.”
Trade deal puts UK’s largest bioethanol plant at risk of closure
The future of the UK’s largest bioethanol production facility, Vivergo Fuels in Saltend, East Yorkshire, is uncertain following the removal of a 19% import tariff on US ethanol. The tariff cut was part of the recent UK-US trade agreement, which has intensified pressure on domestic producers already grappling with depressed bioethanol prices.
Vivergo, owned by Associated British Foods, had already scaled back production earlier this year due to market conditions. The company has now warned that, without immediate government intervention, it may be forced to shut down operations entirely, putting more than 160 jobs at risk and halting local wheat procurement.
The Saltend facility produces bioethanol for E10 fuel, which contains up to 10% bioethanol and is used across the UK to reduce transport emissions. It also supplies animal feed as a by-product. The plant’s viability is heavily tied to stable domestic policy and pricing conditions.
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds has met with Vivergo and Ensus UK, the country’s other major bioethanol producer, to discuss the industry’s future. While the government has acknowledged concerns and expressed willingness to explore support options, no concrete commitments have been made to date.
The outcome may have broader implications for the UK’s low-carbon fuel strategy and domestic supply chain resilience.
Youth centre redevelopment plans move ahead in Rotherham
Plans have been submitted to redevelop a long-standing youth facility in Kimberworth, Rotherham, replacing the current building on Baring Road with a larger, modernised space tailored for youth and community use.
The existing site, which has been home to the Rotherham Blackburn Club for Young People since 1974, would be demolished to make way for a new, modular structure featuring a main hall, youth rooms, an outdoor patio, and enhanced accessibility infrastructure. The proposed facility would expand the internal floor area by 43% and retain four part-time staff roles.
The new design prioritises flexibility and sustainability, featuring timber-effect cladding, black aluminum fixtures, and a flat roof. Ten new cycle parking spaces and added shrubbery to support biodiversity are also included in the plan.
The project, submitted by Corstorphine and Wright on behalf of the youth club, aims to minimise construction disruption through off-site modular building methods. The club remains active during the planning phase, offering regular programming for young people aged 8 to 18.
The public consultation on the proposal is open until June 19. The upgrade is positioned to support expanded services and improve long-term community engagement, particularly in youth development and mental health support.
Harrogate College gets go-ahead for £22m campus rebuild
Harrogate College has been given the go-ahead from the Harrogate and Knaresborough Area Planning Committee to proceed with a £22m campus rebuild. The plans were passed unopposed by councillors.
In addition to a new state-of-the-art main campus building, the planned facilities also include a renewable energy technology centre.
Harrogate College is undertaking this rebuild to strengthen its ability to offer cutting-edge courses in priority growth sectors for Harrogate and the wider North Yorkshire region, including advanced manufacturing, low carbon construction, retrofit, sustainable energy, health science, and hospitality.
The improved facilities that learners will benefit from include a mock hospital ward, a digital technology suite, an electric vehicle workshop, and a construction centre focused on modern building methods.
Harrogate College are now awaiting written confirmation from the council before commencing the project.
Harrogate College’s principal, Danny Wild, said: “It is immensely pleasing to have now secured planning permission to pursue this forward-looking, innovative and value for money investment into Harrogate’s educational infrastructure.
“We are now awaiting written confirmation from the local authority to proceed with Harrogate College’s rebuild.
“The new campus will enable increased breadth and quality within the curriculum on offer at the college, allowing us to better support local and regional skills needs. As the only general further education college in the area, I’m excited to see the benefits these new facilities will bring local young people, adults and the economy.”
David Skaith, mayor of York and North Yorkshire, said: “Everyone in our region should have the chance to thrive – that means connecting our communities to the opportunities that matter. Harrogate College’s redevelopment marks a big investment for the future of our region, giving people the skills and training needed for tomorrow’s jobs and helping our local economy grow.”
Construction is due to begin on the rebuild in the coming months, with the new buildings set to open their doors to students in the 2026 academic year.
