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.

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 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.

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.

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.