Decarbonisation specialist doubles turnover
South Yorkshire’s £7m health initiative sets new standard for preventative care
South Yorkshire is embracing a pioneering £7 million public-private partnership aimed at transforming regional health outcomes and reshaping how physical activity is integrated into everyday life. The partnership between the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA), Sport England, and Westfield Health aims to boost physical activity levels, promote preventative healthcare, and stimulate local economic growth.
The initiative is centered around the launch of the Sport Legacy Institute (SLI), located at the Olympic Legacy Park in Sheffield. This facility will serve as a hub for research, policy development, and innovation to improve public health, particularly in underserved communities. It represents a shift from treating illnesses to preventing them through physical activity, mental health support, and wellness programmes.
The SLI, backed by a £7 million investment, will focus on six key areas: enhancing health and wellbeing, supporting economic growth, increasing physical activity among young people, promoting active transport, creating inclusive spaces, and driving health-related innovation. The project also aims to attract private investment, drive business growth in health and fitness, and reduce NHS strain by focusing on long-term wellness strategies.
This collaboration highlights the growing importance of integrating preventative health measures into urban planning and daily life, positioning South Yorkshire as a leader in health innovation. The project is expected to generate new jobs, encourage start-ups, and offer valuable research in the health, wellbeing, and sports sectors.
York’s tourism sector continues to grow, but challenges remain
York’s tourism sector is becoming an increasingly significant contributor to the city’s economy, despite visitor numbers still lagging behind pre-pandemic levels. According to a new report from Make It York, the sector generated £2.01bn in 2024, marking a 5.04% increase over the previous year.
The report reveals that retail, food and drink, and accommodation were the largest sectors for visitor spending. Retail saw 34% of visitor expenditure, followed by food and drink (27%) and accommodation (25%).
Visitor numbers in 2024 reached 9.4 million, still falling short of pre-pandemic figures. Although the city has seen growth in both domestic and international tourism, the pace of recovery remains slower than anticipated. Overseas visitors made up nearly a quarter of the tourism revenue.
The tourism sector also experienced employment growth, with 16,788 people employed in the industry, representing a 4.8% increase compared to 2023.
Overnight stays in York also saw a slight rise to 1.7 million, with more than half of these visitors opting for serviced accommodation such as hotels. However, concerns have been raised about the impact of short-term rentals on the housing market, and Make It York is looking into ways to balance tourism growth and sustainability.
The organisation is also exploring the broader social impact of tourism, such as encouraging public transport use to avoid over-tourism and ensure long-term benefits for both locals and visitors.
Sika UK secures major space at Sherburn42 industrial park
Sika UK has leased 42% of Sherburn42, a state-of-the-art industrial park in North Yorkshire, marking a significant move for the global construction and manufacturing company. The lease covers 280,000 sq ft of the park, which totals 660,000 sq ft across four units.
The Sherburn42 site, situated near Tadcaster, has been designed to meet the highest sustainability standards, boasting the highest BREEAM energy efficiency and net-zero targets. Firethorn manages it on behalf of Cain International, which is behind the development of this leading logistics space in the UK.
This deal highlights the park’s appeal to large-scale, international tenants, with Sika UK joining other major businesses in the region. As the last three units remain available, further leasing discussions are underway, with plans to attract additional high-quality tenants to the space. The park’s strategic location positions it as a key hub for manufacturing, distribution, and innovation across northern England.
Seafront development opportunity in Chapel St Leonards up for auction
A 1.1-acre site on Chapel St Leonards’ promenade in Lincolnshire will be available for auction, offering potential for 67 beach huts. This prime location in a popular holiday area between Skegness and Mablethorpe has a guide price of £175,000.
The land will be part of SDL Property Auctions’ online auction on 31 July, which features over 225 properties and land plots. The development proposal is expected to receive approval from East Lindsey District Council, making it a valuable opportunity for developers targeting the growing coastal tourism sector.
Beach huts have gained popularity as leisure spaces, with demand for unique coastal experiences rising. Chapel St Leonards, known for its classic British seaside appeal, draws thousands of tourists each year. As UK staycations continue to grow, the site offers significant potential for developers aiming to capitalise on the area’s tourism growth.
Jaguar Land Rover to reduce UK workforce by 500 jobs
Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) is set to cut up to 500 management jobs in the UK, a decision prompted by pressure on sales and profits, partly due to US trade tariffs. The cuts, which amount to about 1.5% of its UK workforce, will be part of a voluntary redundancy programme. This move is seen as part of “normal business practice” as the company adapts to changing market conditions.
JLR reported a decline in sales for the three months to June, influenced by a halt in exports to the US due to tariffs, as well as the phase-out of older Jaguar models. The carmaker had already warned that the 10% tariff imposed by the US on British car exports would negatively impact its profits. Despite this, JLR remains optimistic about future investments, particularly following the UK-US trade agreement that has reduced tariffs on a limited number of vehicles.
The company’s strategy includes a shift towards electric vehicle production, which has led to an increase in the mixed workforce. The ongoing global trade challenges, including the imposition of a 25% tariff on UK car exports earlier this year, have caused significant disruption.
JLR, a key player in the UK automotive sector with over 30,000 employees, continues to face complex market dynamics as it navigates this period of change.
Leaders gather for groundbreaking of Doncaster digital tech hub
Tech leaders descended on Doncaster yesterday (Thursday 17th July) for the groundbreaking of Gateway One, the £32m digital tech hub set to transform the city’s AI ecosystem.
Esselle acquires Facetheory in strategic retail move
Esselle, a retail group based in Lancashire, has acquired Agden Consulting Limited, trading as Facetheory, in a transaction that saw the skincare brand enter pre-pack administration. This acquisition, which includes the transfer of 28 employees and the Regent Street retail store, strengthens Esselle’s presence in the consumer goods market.
Facetheory, founded in 2013, has built a loyal customer base with its sustainable skincare products. The brand holds certifications such as B Corp and PETA, reflecting its commitment to eco-conscious practices. However, the company faced financial difficulties, reporting a loss of £1.1 million for the year ending April 2024, despite a turnover of £13.7 million. The challenges were compounded by a disruptive rebranding and the recent departure of founder Jamie Shuker.
The acquisition aligns with Esselle’s growing portfolio. Esselle, launched in 2023, initially acquired Arthouse, a home furnishings business, for £1.5 million. Esselle, owned by retail entrepreneur Suraj Lalvani, plans to expand Facetheory’s reach in the clean beauty sector, assuring customers that there will be no disruption in fulfilling current or future orders.
The deal signals Esselle’s commitment to scaling Facetheory’s innovative skincare products and building deeper customer relationships in the growing clean beauty market.
Environmental consultancy provider acquires urban drainage modelling firm
Paediatric HealthTech platform secures £300,000 investment
Foresight Group, a regional private equity and infrastructure investment manager, has made a £300,000 investment into Little Journey, a developer of innovative digital solutions to support children and their caregivers throughout medical procedures and clinical trial participation.
Founded in 2018, the Leeds-based company initially focused on reducing pre-procedural anxiety through virtual reality and interactive digital content. Its mobile app is now used across 49 NHS hospitals and delivers personalised, procedure-specific content to young patients and their families, aligned with local clinical pathways.
In 2021, Little Journey expanded into the global life sciences sector to support patient engagement in paediatric clinical trials – a space where recruitment and retention remain major challenges.
As demand for digital engagement tools grows, particularly in the high-cost and complex field of paediatric trials, Little Journey sought funding to support its commercial expansion and further enhance its offering. Foresight’s investment forms part of the final close of Little Journey’s £6 million Series A funding round, alongside Mercia, Octopus Ventures, and Par Equity.
The proceeds will be used to accelerate commercial expansion, strengthen marketing activity, and deliver targeted enhancements to the product suite.
Foresight’s investment will support Little Journey through growth capital, strategic advice, and access to a broader network across healthcare, life sciences, and digital technology sectors. The company is already led by an experienced leadership team, including Dr. Chris Evans, co-founder and CEO, Sophie Copley, co-founder and CPO, and Nicolaus Henke, chairman, with experience across clinical care, digital design, and healthcare strategy.
Dr. Chris Evans, co-founder and CEO of Little Journey, said: “We are delighted to have secured this investment from Foresight, which will accelerate Little Journey’s product development and commercial expansion. We look forward to working with the Foresight team to continue to deliver our mission of supporting all children to better health through personalised care.”
Louise Mackie, investment manager at Foresight Group, said: “Little Journey is delivering meaningful improvements in paediatric healthcare and clinical trials through its award-winning, innovative technology. With strong roots in the UK and growing global demand, we are delighted to be supporting the Little Journey team as they enter their next phase of growth.”
