The hub aims to provide training facilities and accommodation for businesses and service providers to inspire the next generation of skilled apprentices and maritime industry professionals.
It will also contain engineering workshops and office space for marine-based start-up businesses and other maritime industries.
Construction is expected to be completed by April 2026.
Director at Willmott Dixon, Nick Corrigan, said: “This is an exciting moment in the development of Whitby Maritime Training Hub.
“Our team thoroughly appreciated the opportunity to welcome councillors and local organisations to site to celebrate how the project will make a real difference to the Whitby community and add to its proud maritime heritage.
“Throughout this project, we and our local supply chain partners will provide up to 800 hours of employment support through our Building Lives Academy programmes, alongside 150 weeks of apprenticeship training and 20 work experience placement opportunities.”
Operations director at Align Property Partners, Andy Bardon, added: “Whitby is one of North Yorkshire’s most-loved coastal towns and we’re delighted to be part of this exciting project, which we hope will benefit the area for generations to come.
“The maritime training hub is an opportunity to protect the town’s rich maritime history, while also safeguarding and investing in its future by inspiring future professionals into the industry.”
Construction gathers pace on multi-million pound Whitby scheme
Construction is well underway on a multi-million pound scheme in Whitby aiming to help drive forward the economy and boost job opportunities.
The Whitby Maritime Training Hub is looking to establish the North Yorkshire port as a key player in the maritime and offshore renewable energy sectors.
It is set to build on the town’s fishing and sailing heritage with a dedicated centre on Endeavour Wharf to provide a greater breadth of careers in the historic port.
Early technical groundwork has now been completed, and with construction gathering pace, leading figures behind the project have visited the site to witness the progress.
North Yorkshire Council leader Cllr Carl Les said: “The construction of the maritime training hub is all about driving new economic growth on the coast, providing a diverse and sustainable range of job opportunities to help ensure Whitby’s thriving future.
“This first-class training facility presents a wonderful opportunity to achieve that by creating and inspiring the next generation of skilled professionals and apprentices in a range of maritime industries.
“It was great to meet the key contractors responsible for the hub’s construction, and it was clear they share our passion in delivering a facility that will benefit the entire region.”
Cllr Les was joined on the visit by Cllr Neil Swannick, the member for the Whitby Streonshalh division, and Cllr Phil Trumper, who represents the Whitby West division.
They met with representatives from the Whitby Town Deal Board, developer Willmott Dixon and the authority’s property consultancy Align Property Partners.
Cllr Swannick said: “I’m very pleased with the progress of this development, and I am looking forward to the completion of this wonderful facility which I believe will benefit the whole community.”
Cllr Trumper added: “It was fantastic to meet all the stakeholders who are working so hard on the maritime training hub with construction now well underway.
“I’m sure the project will bring a number of new opportunities for the town and it’s great to see the progress that is being made.”
High street investment aims to reignite North Yorkshire’s town centres
Town centres across York and North Yorkshire are set for targeted regeneration after the first round of funding was awarded through the region’s £10 million Vibrant and Sustainable High Streets Fund.
Launched earlier this year, the initiative aims to revitalise local high streets by supporting projects that boost foot traffic, strengthen community engagement, and enhance long-term economic resilience. The fund is being delivered over four years, with backing from the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority.
Eighteen projects have secured funding in this initial phase. In Selby, a network of charity shops will lead a reuse and recycling campaign aimed at increasing public engagement and reinforcing the town’s sustainability credentials. The campaign will include education drives, recycling initiatives, and events designed to promote the environmental and economic value of the sector.
York has received support for two projects: the University of York will lead a creative placemaking scheme to reframe the role of Walmgate as a modern high street destination. At the same time, Fabrication Crafts Ltd will explore new approaches to attracting and retaining foot traffic.
In a move to strengthen data-led decision-making, York BID and Harrogate BID have secured funding for a shared Data Intelligence Hub. Harrogate BID also received separate support to carry out a vacant shops audit, identifying opportunities for reuse and revitalisation in the town centre.
The region-wide platform Totally Locally will promote independent markets and businesses, while Tadcaster and Rural CIC will run a similar campaign tailored to local traders. Pickering Town CIC is launching an initiative to support economic growth through greater visibility for independent enterprises.
Scarborough is preparing a pilot campaign to refresh its town centre image and attract new visitors. Meanwhile, Circular Malton and Norton CIC will focus on improving the appeal of the Wheelgate area through local engagement and public realm improvements.
Event-led strategies also feature heavily. A community group in Kirbymoorside has received funding to deliver the Gateway to the Moors Music Festival in August, with the Thirsk and Sowerby Festival receiving similar support to increase visitor numbers and commercial activity in the area.
Applications for phase two of the fund are expected to open in the coming months, with businesses, local authorities, and community organisations encouraged to submit proposals that align with the fund’s goal of creating vibrant, sustainable high streets tailored to local needs.
Rail disruption expected as Lincolnshire crossings undergo upgrades
Businesses reliant on East Midlands Railway (EMR) services through Lincolnshire should prepare for travel disruption between Saturday 31 May and Sunday 8 June as Network Rail upgrades four level crossings in the region.
The nearly £1 million investment will affect crossings at Holton le Moor, Brigg, Butterswood, and Little London. To facilitate the works, rail services will be suspended between Cleethorpes and Barnetby, with replacement buses operating during this period.
Key service alterations include the termination of Leicester to Grimsby/Cleethorpes trains at Lincoln, with buses covering the remainder of the route. Additionally, no trains will run between Cleethorpes and Barton-upon-Humber; replacement buses will serve all intermediate stations.
The upgrades are part of a broader programme aimed at enhancing safety and improving long-term network reliability. Businesses and commuters are advised to check journey times and plan for delays during the affected dates.
Level Best expands operations to support national growth
Concrete flooring contractor Level Best is ramping up investment at its East Yorkshire headquarters to support growing demand from industrial and retail clients across the UK.
The business has completed a £1 million upgrade of its premises in Swinefleet Common, converting former agricultural buildings into expanded office and warehouse space. The development features the UK’s first installation of a joint-free concrete floor utilizing the firm’s latest product offering, designed for clients in food production and logistics who require hygienic, low-maintenance surfaces.
Founded in 2017, Level Best now services clients nationwide, with recent projects including flooring for the Siemens Gamesa blade factory and a primary international food production site in Hull, as well as new industrial units in Hull and Essex.
To meet the growing demand for cost-effective refurbishment over new build, the firm has also expanded its service capabilities with the purchase of a concrete crusher. This move supports clients seeking to enhance sustainability, minimise downtime, and avoid the higher costs associated with relocating to new premises, particularly in urban areas where land prices are high.
Level Best now employs over 60 staff across its head office and field teams, operating a fleet of specialist equipment including laser screeds, power floats, and floor grinding machines. The firm reported a turnover of £14.5 million in its last financial year.
KFC ramps up UK expansion with £1.5bn investment
KFC is committing £1.5 billion to expand and modernise its operations across the UK and Ireland over the next decade, targeting long-term growth in the quick-service restaurant sector.
The investment includes plans to open 500 new restaurants, adding to the 1,000 outlets already in operation across the region. The fast food chain, which currently employs around 30,000 people, aims to create an additional 7,000 jobs as part of this expansion.
Alongside new openings, KFC will upgrade 200 existing restaurants with refreshed designs and enhanced digital capabilities, reflecting the changing expectations of consumers regarding in-store experiences and mobile ordering.
The move is part of a broader growth strategy amid rising demand for fast food, with the UK fried chicken market now estimated to be worth £3.1 billion. Yorkshire is among the areas identified for new openings, presenting supply chain and franchise opportunities for regional operators.
KFC’s investment aligns with a trend of major QSR brands re-evaluating physical footprint strategies to balance convenience, digital innovation, and evolving customer preferences.
Hospice restructures as rising costs bite
Kirkwood Hospice in Huddersfield has implemented significant cutbacks in response to sustained financial pressure. To stabilise operations, it has reduced its inpatient capacity by 25% and cut nearly 30 roles.
The charity, which provides palliative care across Kirklees, will now serve approximately 1,300 patients annually, down from over 2,000, following a cost-saving drive aimed at offsetting £1.7 million in budget shortfalls. The hospice’s inpatient unit has been downsized from 16 to 12 beds, while community-based services will continue at reduced capacity.
With staffing costs consuming the bulk of its £11 million annual budget, Kirkwood cited inflationary pressures and increased employer National Insurance contributions as key drivers behind the restructuring. Only a quarter of its funding is publicly sourced, leaving the hospice heavily reliant on fundraising and donations.
The workforce adjustment includes 19 redundancies, nine staff shifting to part-time contracts, and additional early retirements. Leadership said the changes are designed to preserve core clinical services while prioritising patients with the most complex needs.
Kirkwood’s move reflects growing pressure on third-sector healthcare providers, many grappling with rising costs, constrained public funding, and volatile donor income.
TL Dallas strengthens sustainability ties through Swinton Estate initiative
Insurance broker TL Dallas has joined Nourish, a corporate sustainability programme led by the Swinton Estate in North Yorkshire. The programme aims to help businesses develop environmental resilience and carbon reduction strategies.
The partnership gives TL Dallas access to the Swinton Estate’s environmental initiatives, including its Carbon Plus credit scheme and a suite of local investment opportunities for biodiversity, conservation, and community development.
Through the estate’s Climate Action Academy, the firm’s teams will participate in hands-on, nature-based training to support employee well-being and carbon literacy. The academy also runs forums featuring expert-led environmental learning tailored to SMEs.
New consumer law tightens rules for online businesses
Leeds-based businesses trading online are urged to review their sales practices after introducing the UK’s new Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024. The legislation significantly expands consumer protection laws, particularly targeting misleading pricing tactics and inauthentic online reviews.
The new Act replaces the 2008 Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations and introduces clear requirements for digital commerce. It explicitly bans practices such as ‘drip pricing’—where fees are added late in the purchase process—and the use or facilitation of fake or incentivised reviews. Businesses must now display full pricing upfront, including mandatory charges like booking or membership fees.
The Act outlines 32 specific unfair practices, with regulatory enforcement under the Competition and Markets Authority. Firms that fail to comply could face fines of up to £300,000 or 10% of global turnover, whichever is higher.
The CMA expects businesses to establish transparent review policies, assess risk regularly, and proactively address manipulation. These changes apply to businesses of all sizes, including SMEs, and reflect a broader effort to ensure trust and fairness in the digital marketplace.
Commercial legal experts are advising businesses to review their policies and digital practices immediately to avoid potential penalties.
Partnership with Holtec to help grow nuclear workforce in South Yorkshire
South Yorkshire’s mayor, Oliver Coppard, has welcomed a cooperation, skills and supply chain agreement signed between South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority and Holtec Britain.
The announcement paves the way to help train and grow the nuclear workforce within the region.
This partnership comes after South Yorkshire was announced as the home of Holtec’s new planned Small Modular Reactor (SMR factory) in 2024. The factory represents a major £1.5bn investment and is set to create thousands of highly skilled jobs.
The intention and purpose of the agreement is to establish a framework for collaboration in support of Holtec’s manufacturing facility plans.
Through the agreement, SYMCA and Holtec will collaborate in the following key areas:
- Skills, planning and workforce development: SYMCA’s skills team will work with Holtec, partnering with colleges and other educational institutions to ensure the regional workforce is equipped with the skills required
- South Yorkshire Energy: This partnership will contribute to the growth and direction of South Yorkshire Energy
- Investment Zone funding: Should the chosen site of Holtec’s proposed manufacturing facility be located in a designated Investment Zone, both parties will work collaboratively to unlock access to a share of the potential £80m funding available
- Alignment with SYMCA’s Economic Strategy: The collaboration will align with SYMCA’s broader economic strategy, which prioritises the growth of nuclear expertise, infrastructure and supply chain capabilities
- Supply chain opportunities: SYMCA and Holtec will work together to help develop understanding and awareness of the opportunities of Holtec’s SMR programme from a South Yorkshire perspective.
Carter Towler secures White Rose Park property management instruction
Carter Towler, the independent chartered surveyors, has been appointed by Munroe K Luxembourg SA to oversee the management of White Rose Park.
Spanning 565,000 sq ft and situated next to the White Rose Shopping Centre in Leeds, the business and education campus is the largest single asset now under Carter Towler’s management.
Commenting on the appointment, director James Skirrow said: “We are immensely proud to have been chosen to support the future development of White Rose Park. This is a significant addition to our portfolio, and we are excited to contribute to the ongoing success of such an innovative business and education hub.”
Spanning 26 acres, White Rose Park comprises nine buildings ranging from 10,000 to 250,000 sq ft. Key office tenants include CAPITA, NHS Shared Business Services, NG Bailey, Hisense, NHS LCH, O2, DAZN and Samsung together with 2 higher educational colleges (Broomfield SILC & Elliott Hudson College), a creche and HUB restaurant/Starbucks.
David Aspin, CEO of Munroe K, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Carter Towler at such a pivotal stage in the park’s evolution. We have worked tirelessly to create a unique environment and community, and having their expert property management team on board will help take things to the next level.
“We are redefining the concept of a business park by integrating business, wellbeing and academia to develop an ESG-focused talent and knowledge hub. Our aim is to foster an environment where innovation and commerce intersect, inspiring a community of forward-thinkers and industry disruptors.”
Carter Towler’s 30-strong property management team will be responsible for a range of services, including tenant relations, rent collection, service charge management, contractor supervision, energy and insurance procurement, and health and safety compliance.
