Leeds letting set to strengthen city centre leisure scene
Yorkshire businesses help furnishing industry charity raise £250,000 in record-breaking year of fundraising
Connectivity shortfalls hinder tech investment on UK farms
A lack of reliable internet access is limiting productivity gains and delaying digital adoption across UK agriculture, according to new industry data.
The survey, commissioned by infrastructure provider CityFibre, found that 8% of farms still have no internet access, while 42% of respondents cite slow or unstable connections as a key barrier to investing in new technology. This comes despite nearly 60% of farmers expecting to scale up their use of digital tools—including AI and real-time data systems—over the next five years.
While cost remains the top obstacle to tech investment, poor connectivity is directly undermining the uptake of precision farming, operational automation, and digital admin tools. On farms where full fibre broadband is already in place, respondents reported tangible improvements in efficiency and diversification.
The issue goes beyond operations. Poor rural broadband is also disrupting workflows at the household level, with 90% of farmers avoiding internet use at peak times, creating friction in both business and personal settings.
CityFibre, one of the private players tasked with delivering the UK Government’s Project Gigabit programme, has secured £865 million in public funding to build out fibre networks across nine rural regions. Combined with private co-investment, the initiative represents £1.2 billion aimed at connecting over 1.3 million homes and businesses.
With agriculture under pressure to modernise amid rising costs and tight margins, the survey reinforces the commercial case for accelerated digital infrastructure in underserved areas.
Solar energy project near Heckington moves to next approval stage
The proposed Beacon Fen Energy Park, a large-scale solar and battery storage development located 2.5 km north of Heckington, is advancing to the pre-examination phase after the UK Planning Inspectorate accepted its Development Consent Order (DCO) application.
The project, led by renewable energy firm Low Carbon, aims to deliver approximately 400 megawatts of electricity through ground-mounted solar panels, with an additional 600 megawatts of battery storage capacity. It is intended to support the UK Government’s target of reaching 70 gigawatts of solar power by 2035.
Now in the pre-examination stage, the scheme will undergo a formal six-month review in 2025, involving written submissions and public hearings. Businesses and stakeholders can register to participate in the process through the Planning Inspectorate’s platform.
If granted consent, construction could begin as early as 2027. The project is positioned to contribute to the UK’s net zero ambitions while strengthening long-term energy security through increased renewable generation and storage infrastructure.
Elovade expands into UK with acquisition of Brigantia Partners
European cybersecurity distributor Elovade Group has entered the UK market through the acquisition of Brigantia Partners Ltd., based in North Yorkshire.
The deal is Elovade’s eighth and largest acquisition, strengthening its footprint across Europe, where it already operates in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Nordics and Italy. Brigantia, headquartered in Thirsk, will continue to operate under its existing brand for the time being.
The acquisition retains Brigantia’s current vendor portfolio and team, with managing director Angus Shaw now leading Elovade’s operations across the UK and Ireland. Founder Iain Shaw and chairman Martin Wright are exiting the business as part of the transition.
Elovade, formerly known as EBERTLANG, is pursuing strategic growth in European markets with a focus on IT security and managed services. The acquisition adds a UK distribution network to its offering and positions Brigantia as a key part of its plans, including the potential future rollout of Elovade Cloud Services in the region.
The transaction was advised by Watson Farley & Williams, BDO, and Singular Group AG on behalf of Elovade and HQ Equita, while KPMG and Squire Patton Boggs advised Brigantia.
Lincolnshire elder care charity shuts down amid ongoing financial strain
Age UK Lindsey, a long-established charity supporting older adults in Lincolnshire, will cease operations this week due to sustained financial pressure. The closure affects services provided across West Lindsey, East Lindsey, and North Lincolnshire.
The organisation cited a combination of long-term funding shortfalls, rising operational costs—including increases in National Insurance contributions and the national minimum wage—and lingering economic fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic and cost-of-living crisis.
While Age UK Lindsey is shutting down, related services in the region will continue through Age UK Lincoln and South Lincolnshire, which is working to absorb affected clients and coordinate future support.
This closure underscores a broader trend within the UK voluntary sector. According to the Charity Commission, financial pressures have reduced public donations significantly since 2020, even as demand for services has tripled. Many organisations are facing difficult decisions, including closures and mergers, as funding fails to keep pace with growing needs.
HMRC launches online tool to simplify tax compliance for businesses
HMRC has released a new digital tool designed to help businesses better navigate tax compliance checks. The Interactive Compliance Guidance platform consolidates essential information and support resources in a single location on GOV.UK, aiming to streamline the process for users engaging with HMRC over compliance matters.
The tool walks users through the steps involved in a compliance check, including the reasons HMRC may request documents, how to respond to tax assessments or penalties, how to request additional support due to health or personal circumstances, and how to challenge decisions. It also outlines how to authorise a third party to act on a business’s behalf.
Primarily targeted at unrepresented individuals and smaller businesses, the tool uses a question-and-answer format, instructional videos, and clear step-by-step explanations. It is intended to reduce confusion and improve accessibility across all stages of the compliance process.
This latest launch is part of HMRC’s broader digital support strategy, which includes tools like the VAT Registration Estimator. HMRC’s guidance pages collectively receive over 750 million visits annually, reflecting the growing demand for self-serve resources among the UK’s business community.
The tool is free, doesn’t require registration, and doesn’t collect user data. HMRC is continuing to gather feedback from stakeholders to refine its digital guidance offerings and enhance customer experience.
Wakefield churches earmarked for business use as firms seek space to grow
Two former churches in Wakefield are being positioned for business use, reflecting increasing demand for commercial premises in the area.
Plans have been submitted to convert the former Well Church in Wrenthorpe into administrative and storage space for a local refurbishment company. The firm, currently based in Ossett, has outgrown its existing facilities and aims to relocate to the School Lane site to improve efficiency and facilitate future expansion. The company also anticipates the move could support new job creation.
The Well Church site consists of a mix of original and extended structures, including a single-storey stone section with a slate roof and a two-storey brick-built addition. No structural or visual alterations to the building are planned under the current proposal.
Separately, Flanshaw United Reformed Church, which closed in 2023 after its final elder retired, is under offer after being listed for £225,000. The property, dating back to 1866, was marketed by Walker Singleton as having broad potential for reuse or redevelopment.
These developments highlight a growing trend of repurposing underutilised religious buildings to meet commercial demand in West Yorkshire.
SIG grows despite market headwinds, driven by UK and German strength
Building materials supplier SIG reported a 2% increase in like-for-like sales for the first quarter of 2025, reaching £636 million, outperforming wider market trends despite continued construction sector weakness across Europe.
Total revenue fell by 1% compared to the same period last year, largely due to fewer trading days, currency fluctuations, and the impact of branch closures over the past 12 months.
Demand remains well below historical levels in most markets, but the company has observed early signs of volume stabilisation. SIG attributes its relative strength to operational and commercial improvements, with the UK and Germany delivering the strongest results.
While construction demand across the UK and EU remains subdued, SIG’s performance suggests it is gaining market share and positioning itself to benefit from any future recovery.
Private school closure signals business pressure from new VAT rules
St George’s Preparatory School in Boston, Lincolnshire, will shut down at the end of the academic year, citing financial strain following the introduction of VAT on private school fees.
The school, rated “outstanding” by Ofsted, is among the first in the independent sector to announce closure directly linked to the government’s new tax policy, which took effect in January. The VAT measure is part of a broader initiative expected to generate £1.8 billion annually by 2029/30, supporting public services, including state education.
In addition to the VAT burden, the school’s operating costs have risen due to increases in employer National Insurance contributions and the National Minimum Wage. The combined financial pressure has led to daily losses that the school describes as unsustainable.
Falling enrollment has also contributed, as fewer families opt for fee-paying education due to the higher cost base.
The decision highlights growing concern within the independent education sector over the impact of fiscal policy changes on private institutions’ viability. Support measures are being arranged for students transitioning to new schools and for staff facing redundancy.
The policy is currently under legal challenge, with critics arguing it may breach human rights and be discriminatory. The government maintains that the primary aim is revenue generation for public investment.
