Proposed egg production facility to boost local farming operations

April Lara
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Proposed egg production facility to boost local farming operations

Plans have been submitted for a new egg production facility at Owsthorpe Farm, near Eastrington in East Yorkshire. The proposal outlines a modern, efficient site designed to house 64,000 free-range laying hens. The facility will feature automated systems for feeding, drinking, lighting, and ventilation, ensuring streamlined operations.

Two poultry buildings will be constructed, each capable of housing 32,000 hens between the ages of 17 and 70 weeks. In addition, the plan includes a dedicated egg packing and storage building. The applicants aim to diversify their farming operations by meeting the growing demand for affordable, environmentally sustainable eggs.

The site will operate in compliance with the British Egg Industry Council’s Lion Code of Practice and the RSPCA Freedom Foods guidelines. The development is also expected to create three full-time jobs. The application is under review by the East Riding of Yorkshire Council.

YNY Equity Hub aims to foster business growth in York and North Yorkshire

April Lara
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YNY Equity Hub aims to foster business growth in York and North Yorkshire

A new digital platform, the YNY Equity Hub, has been launched to connect businesses in York and North Yorkshire with investors across the UK. The initiative addresses a significant barrier to regional business growth by providing SMEs and start-ups with a simple, accessible platform to present their investment opportunities.

This platform enables businesses, whether they are local or looking to relocate, to attract necessary capital for scaling. It provides a pathway to improved access to both traditional finance and equity in the future. Led by the York and North Yorkshire Growth Hub, the initiative supports businesses in securing the backing they need to drive expansion.

The Growth Hub, a government-backed initiative, works closely with various regional partners to offer bespoke business support, focusing on specific local needs. Key programmes include digital transformation support, hospitality sector development, and leadership training, delivered by industry professionals via workshops, coaching, and consultancy. The platform’s launch is expected to streamline business-investor connections, helping to grow and diversify the local economy.

British Business Bank boosts regional growth with £500m funding in Yorkshire and Humber

April Lara
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British Business Bank boosts regional growth with £500m funding in Yorkshire and Humber

The British Business Bank has delivered £500m in funding to 2,000 businesses across Yorkshire and the Humber in 2024/25. This contribution is expected to generate an additional £1.2bn in turnover over the lifespan of the financing, supporting 21,300 existing jobs and creating an estimated 2,200 new roles.

A major driver of this economic impact is the £660m Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIF II), which has secured over £130m in funding since its inception, including £80m in direct investment and £55m from private sector leverage.

Following a significant increase in financial capacity, the Bank is set to enhance its annual investment to £2.5bn. This move, part of its increased financial capacity of £25.6bn, is aimed at attracting more third-party capital and extending support to a broader range of businesses across the country.

In total, the British Business Bank has facilitated £6.8bn in finance for small businesses, with a notable 84% of this funding going to companies outside London. This marks a significant milestone in the Bank’s mission to increase access to funding for businesses across the UK, particularly in underfunded regions.

Greater Lincolnshire tourism surpasses £3bn mark

April Lara
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Greater Lincolnshire tourism surpasses £3bn mark

In 2024, Greater Lincolnshire’s visitor economy reached a significant milestone, surpassing £3bn for the first time. The region’s tourism and hospitality sectors were valued at £3.02bn, marking a 3.1% increase from the previous year.

Despite challenges such as fluctuating visitor numbers and rising operational costs, the sector has shown resilience. National trends also reflect similar pressures, with increased costs affecting businesses across the UK.

Tourism in Greater Lincolnshire remains a key contributor to the local economy, supporting 28,700 jobs. The county welcomed 32 million visitors in 2024, who collectively spent 46 million days exploring Lincoln’s vibrant cityscape, the picturesque countryside, and the coastal areas.

Online engagement has also surged, with Visit Lincolnshire’s website, receiving 1.67 million page views, a 33% year-on-year increase. Notably, the site achieved a conversion rate of 17.2%, significantly higher than the industry average of 4.7%, reflecting growing interest in the region as a tourist destination.

To build on this momentum, Visit Lincolnshire plans to enhance its marketing efforts, targeting national audiences and promoting the county’s unique attractions. Additionally, the region’s reputation as a prime birdwatching destination continues to grow, alongside increasing recognition of its coastal paths, including the King Charles III England Coast Path, which will eventually span 200km.

Name unveiled for first phase of York’s Coney Street Riverside masterplan

Tess Egginton
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Name unveiled for first phase of York’s Coney Street Riverside masterplan
St Martins Yard will be the name of the first commercial and residential district at Helmsley Group’s Coney Street Riverside development in York. The new name and brand, developed by DS.Emotion, reflect the geography of the area, which includes the historic 11th century Church of St Martin le Grand. St Martins Yard, the first phase of the major Coney Street Riverside development with building work set to get underway later this year, will see a new passageway from Coney Street to the riverfront created at the St Helen’s Square end of Coney Street. It will offer three new ground floor retail units and seven riverside apartments in the heart of the city. As well as connecting Coney Street to the river, the creation of the new snickelway will also allow for the introduction of restaurants and cafés with outdoor seating. The existing shopfronts of the listed buildings at 3-7 will be sensitivity regenerated to reflect their historic character, with retail space primarily aimed at independent businesses. Max Reeves, development director at Helmsley Group, the York-based property investment and development company behind Coney Street Riverside, said: “Perfectly positioned, between the tranquil riverside and York’s bustling city centre, St Martins Yard will provide a quality environment and unmatched location and opportunity for leisure and retail operators. “A select number of commercial units are available to capitalise on one of the highest footfall areas in York and to help meet the current demand, which is far outstripping supply in the city centre, and we have already received high levels of interest. “The residences at St Martins Yard will create a benchmark for York city centre living. With south facing views over the river to one elevation and superb views of York minster to the other, this unique setting provides a stunning location.” On completion Coney Street Riverside will bring extensive public realm and 250,000 sq ft of mixed-use retail, leisure, commercial and residential and student space to the heart of York. Max added: “St Martins Yard is at the heart of the transformative Coney Street regeneration area, a much-anticipated project that will enhance connectivity between York’s vibrant city centre and its iconic riverside. “We are confident this development will draw and captivate both locals and tourists from across the globe.”

York Handmade plays key role in two Design Awards triumphs

Tess Egginton
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York Handmade plays key role in two Design Awards triumphs
The York Handmade Brick Company has played a role in two award-winning projects at the 2025 York Design Awards. York Handmade, the independent brickmaker, provided bricks for York Racecourse and the York Minster Centre of Excellence, who won the Sustainability and the Best New Building categories respectively. Guy Armitage, the managing director of York Handmade, based at Alne, near Easingwold, said: “We are extremely proud to have played our part in the success of these two wonderful projects, which have deservedly been recognised in this year’s York Design Awards. “The bar is incredibly high when it comes to designing new buildings in a city with such an outstanding architectural heritage like York. There’s no doubt that both these projects are a fabulous addition to this heritage, as are the other winners in this year’s Design Awards.” Speaking about York Handmade’s role in the Bustardthorpe Stand development at York Racecourse, Guy explained: “This was a very significant project for us. Apart from enhancing our special relationship with York Racecourse and helping to create even more superb facilities at one of the greatest racecourses in the world, it is a showcase for our brand-new Ebor Range of bricks. “This brick has a smoother finish than our standard texture bricks and is perfect for matching the style of the bricks on the historic outer wall of the racecourse designed by Walter Brierley, the Yorkshire Lutyens. “This project was also a massive endorsement of our recent £1.5 million investment in brand-new machinery which has transformed how we make our bricks. Over the years, we have undertaken significant technological improvements, culminating in this overhaul and renewal of our manufacturing process, which has speeded up production, facilitated two brand-new products and increased efficiency.” William Derby, chief executive of York Racecourse, said: “The competition was high in this year’s Design Awards with impressive submissions from the likes of York Minster and the Cocoa Works development. “We were so pleased to win this award which ties in so well with our Green Knavesmire 300 strategy and all the hard work everyone put into this aspect of the development. We were delighted that everyone’s hard work on this project was further recognised by another award. “York Handmade Brick is our brick supplier of choice and has been for some time. The previous development of the Northern End of the racecourse and transformation of the parade ring, weighing room and saddling boxes also used York Handmade and resulted in award-winning, world-class facilities for horses, jockeys and racegoers in 2015-16.” Meanwhile the York Minster Centre of Excellence, which also won the Lord Mayor’s and the York Mix People’s Choice Award, featured 17,000 specially manufactured bricks provided by York Handmade. Guy Armitage said: “This was a tremendous project with which to be involved, and we are very proud to be associated with it. It is such a forward-thinking facility that will safeguard skills in the city of York to preserve the heritage of York Minster for the future.” Alex McCallion, the director of works and precinct at York Minster, explained: “York Handmade’s bricks were used in the construction of the ancillary building which houses the plant room, gardeners’ store and LEV system. We have used their bricks many times in projects throughout the Minster Precinct. “The use of York Handmade on this project ensured we secured support from our own Fabric Advisory Committee and York’s Conservation Officer when discharging the conditions around material. We are delighted with the result.”

Work starts on 158-home development in Hornsea

Tess Egginton
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Work starts on 158-home development in Hornsea
Housebuilder Keepmoat is breaking ground on a new site on Rolston Road, Hornsea, which  will see the creation of 158 homes. The scheme will be delivered in partnership with social housing provider Together Housing, representing a £25m investment into the town. A total of 84 homes will be built as affordable housing, offering a mix of properties for affordable rent and shared ownership. As part of the development, Keepmoat will also contribute £260,000 to the local authority to support improvements to local schools. A further £195,000 will be provided to enhance outdoor sports provision in the area. Daniel Crew, divisional chair at Keepmoat, said: “It’s a pleasure to be working with Together Housing on our latest development in Hornsea. “With over 50 percent of the homes having already been pre-sold, we’re pleased to be delivering much-needed housing stock to the local community. Alongside this, we’re proud to be investing over £450,000 into the local area to support schools and sports facilities, demonstrating our commitment to building not just homes, but thriving communities. “This is a fantastic example of how Keepmoat unlocks land to deliver real benefit and we’re excited to be investing in Hornsea’s future.” Dai Howells, assistant director of development at Together Housing, added: “We’re proud to be partnering with Keepmoat on this exciting new development in the East Riding of Yorkshire which will deliver high-quality, affordable homes. “Together, we’re committed to meeting Hornsea’s growing housing demand while supporting the community’s long-term growth and supporting those who are being priced out of the current market, to live and work in this growing community. “Our aim is that this new neighbourhood will offer more than housing, it will become a vibrant, supportive community that brings people together and provides lasting benefits for generations to come.”

Wakefield-based worktop specialist achieves record half year results

Tess Egginton
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Wakefield-based worktop specialist achieves record half year results
Roann, a Wakefield-based worktop specialist, has achieved a record half year with turnover increasing by 50 percent to £5,277,718 when compared to the same period last year. The business credits its growth to customer acquisition and major contract wins. In collaboration with kitchen, bedroom and bathroom manufacturer Woodland NI, Roann has been appointed by McAleer & Rushe, the design and build construction company, to install 359 kitchen worktops at The Bermondsey Project development in London. Meanwhile, housebuilder The Hill Group has appointed Roann to provide kitchen and bathroom worktops for 265 plots at its Aylesbury Estate in Southwark, London. Between January and June, Roann’s 40-strong team fabricated 6,344 worktops, making it the busiest production period in the company’s 30-year history. Scott Wharton, operations and technical director at Roann, said: “This strong start to the year has been driven by increasing our market share with long-standing customers, securing new contracts, and attracting new clients. “Our strategic investment in people and factory improvements has given us the right team and the capacity to deliver our growth plans. “Our pipeline is healthy and with increasing demand we are committed to growing our workforce with two new appointments in July and plan to further invest in our manufacturing capabilities.” In March 2025, Roann announced a £300,000 investment in its factory to support growth and sustainability goals, increasing its kitchen worktop fabrication capacity from 15,000 to 25,000 units per year.

Tadweld marks 40% revenue growth

Tess Egginton
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Tadweld marks 40% revenue growth
Tadweld, a provider of metal fabrication and engineering solutions based in Tadcaster, is marking a landmark year of growth despite significant challenges for the steel industry. The company has reported a 40% increase in revenue and welcomed its 50th team member. Chris Houston, managing director at Tadweld, said: “Welcoming our 50th team member is a proud moment for us and reflects a 30% increase in staff over the past year. This growth is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team, as well as the trust our clients place in us.”

He adds: “While the UK steel industry continues to struggle under the weight of cheap imports, challenging economic conditions, and a significant skills shortage, we’ve managed to deliver a truly outstanding financial year at Tadweld. Our resilience stems from strong client relationships, a flexible service offering and a relentless focus on building the best team in the industry.” Tadweld supports major blue-chip clients including Coca-Cola, Nestlé, Britvic, Yorkshire Water, Balfour Beatty, and Sutcliffe Construction.

The business has invested over £500k in capital equipment in the last 12 months and acquired 17,000 sq ft of additional workshop and office space adjacent to its existing facilities in Tadcaster. Houston concluded: “Investment and growth go hand in hand, and at Tadweld we’re focussed on investing in our people, processes, equipment and facilities. “Whilst there are undoubtedly challenges ahead, we believe that we are well placed to capitalise on the opportunities across the UK food & drink, water, construction and fabrication markets. We’re proud of what we have achieved in the last 12 months, and we’re feeling positive about the future.”

New housing development at Red Hall site gains council approval

April Lara
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New housing development at Red Hall site gains council approval

Plans for the construction of over 350 homes at the former Red Hall Nursery in Shadwell, Leeds, are moving forward after council approval. The development, led by Redrow Homes, is part of the broader East Leeds Extension project, which aims to bring thousands of new homes to the area.

The proposal focuses on the redevelopment of land at Red Hall Lane, close to the city’s ring road. Alongside the housing project, Redrow will contribute £7.2 million to the East Leeds Orbital Route (ELOR) and £353,000 for improvements to local bus services. The development is seen as a vital step in addressing the city’s housing needs.

Despite objections regarding traffic congestion and the potential impact on nearby historic buildings, the council’s planning officers have recommended the development for approval. Concerns from Historic England and Leeds Civic Trust about the effect on the grade II-listed Red Hall estate were raised, but these were not enough to prevent the project.

The council first approved the sale of the land to Redrow in 2021, after negotiating a reduced price. Initial plans called for 380 homes, but this number was reduced to 352 following further discussions. In addition to the new homes, an old farmhouse on the site will be converted into two apartments. Red Hall, once the council’s main horticultural site, was replaced by the Arium in Whinmoor in 2017.

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