Sheffield training group diversifies with acquisition
Scarborough and Filey food festivals to boost local economy
Scarborough is set to host a new food and drink festival to attract thousands of visitors and support local businesses. Scheduled for April 12-13 at the Open Air Theatre, the event will feature 50 independent vendors offering various products, from international cuisines to handcrafted goods. The festival is designed to strengthen Scarborough’s position as a year-round tourist destination, with local traders benefiting from exposure to both regional and national audiences.
Crofts Chocolates, a local business that sees such events as vital for growth, is among the participants. Their participation highlights how food festivals can serve as valuable marketing platforms for small enterprises.
The festival is expected to contribute to the local economy, encouraging earlier-season visits and adding to Scarborough Open Air Theatre’s £8.5 million impact on the area last year. Scarborough’s tourism sector, which generates £561 million annually, plays a crucial role in the local economy, with over 3.8 million visitors and 5,600 jobs tied to the industry.
In addition, the Filey Food Festival will return this year with multiple dates, further driving foot traffic to the region and complementing Scarborough’s efforts to extend its tourism season.
Legal challenge to UK’s Jet Zero strategy heads to High Court
A judicial review of the UK government’s Jet Zero strategy will be heard in the High Court from 1–4 April. The challenge, brought by the Group for Action on Leeds Bradford Airport (GALBA), questions the feasibility of achieving net zero aviation emissions by 2050 through alternative fuels and emerging technologies.
Jet Zero, introduced in 2022 and retained by the current Labour government, promotes biofuels, hydrogen, carbon capture, and aircraft efficiency improvements to decarbonise aviation. However, independent experts—including the Royal Society and industry consultants—argue that sustainable aviation fuels remain scarce and costly, while hydrogen and electric flight face significant technological and economic hurdles.
The Climate Change Committee has labelled Jet Zero a “high-risk” strategy and warned that aviation growth targets are incompatible with net zero commitments. Despite these concerns, airport expansion projects are still being considered, raising questions about the UK’s long-term approach to aviation sustainability.
McLaren Construction Midlands and North completes the UK’s largest cold store facility
McLaren Construction Midlands and North is proud to announce the successful completion of the UK’s largest cold store facility, developed for Magnavale Ltd, one of the country’s leading temperature controlled warehouse and value added service providers.
The fully automated facility stands at 47 metres tall with a capacity for 101,000 pallets and represents a significant milestone in logistics and sustainable storage solutions.
Located near Grantham, the purpose-built, rack-clad automated cold store has been designed to support Magnavale’s goal of creating Europe’s most efficient cold storage facility, operating at a standard temperature of -200C. The 474,283 sq. ft. development can function at temperatures as low as -28°C and is powered entirely by renewable energy, reinforcing Magnavale’s commitment to sustainability.
The facility features a five-storey office space, extensive external yards, an HGV marshalling area, and a large staff car park. Additionally, cutting-edge refrigeration plant ensures that the storage chamber maintains optimal conditions for frozen food products from leading retailers.
The construction of the project presented a range of unique challenges. The facility was delivered while maintaining 24/7 access to the adjacent McCain food production facility, alongside another existing cold storage unit and water treatment processing works, while ensuring minimal disruption to operations and a water treatment facility. Extensive demolition and controlled waste removal was required to clear the site, which was previously home to an iron ore drift mine. The project team also had to divert and relay multiple services and utilities across the site.
An external gantry system was used to accommodate certain services instead of traditional underground installations due to space constraints. The construction incorporated a contractor-designed steel fibre slab, eliminating the need for more than 20 steel fixers on-site, while an on-site gas generator was refurbished to provide 1.45MW of power. Due to the size of concrete pours, an on-site concrete batching plant was incorporated into the build, to eliminate issues with delivery delays.
Cirata shares rise as revenue grows and losses narrow
Cirata shares rose by up to 9% after the cloud analytics firm reported a 15% increase in revenue and a significant reduction in losses for 2024. Despite the gains, the stock remains down 70% over the past year.
The Sheffield-based company posted $7.7 million in revenue, while losses fell to $13.5 million, less than half of the previous year’s figure. Cirata also secured a $2 million contract with a top-three US bank for its Live Data Migrator platform and announced partnerships with IBM, Databricks, and Oracle.
Following a financial misstatement that led to a rebrand and restructuring, CEO Stephen Kelly said the company had moved from “rescue to recovery” and was now focused on long-term growth.
Cirata remains under investigation by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regarding its past financial reporting, but no liability has been recorded.
Benchmark sells genetics business for £260m
Sheffield-based aquaculture biotech firm Benchmark has finalised the sale of its genetics division to Novo Holdings for £260m. The deal, initially reported in November 2024, includes an upfront payment of £230m and contingent consideration of up to £30m.
For the year ending 30 June 2024, the genetics business generated £57m in revenue and £14.5m in adjusted EBITDA. As of 30 June 2024, its net assets stood at £52.8m.
After adjustments related to cash, debt, and working capital, Benchmark expects to receive approximately £194m in gross cash proceeds, excluding potential earn-out payments.
Following the repayment of £63m for Benchmark’s unsecured green bond and £23.75m under its revolving credit facility, net cash proceeds are expected to total £107.5m. Benchmark will disclose further details on its ongoing strategy and use of proceeds in mid-April.
UKREiiF in talks to move major property event from Leeds to Liverpool
UKREiiF, the UK’s leading real estate investment and infrastructure forum, is in discussions to relocate from Leeds to Liverpool. Organisers have entered exclusive negotiations with Liverpool city officials, raising concerns about Leeds’ ability to retain the high-profile event beyond 2025.
Since its launch, the event, which brought 13,000 visitors and generated nearly £21 million for the local economy in 2024, has been held in Leeds. However, venue capacity, hotel availability, and rising accommodation costs have led organisers to reassess its long-term location. Some hotels in Leeds have been charging up to £1,000 per night during UKREiiF, making it less attractive for delegates and other event planners.
Liverpool is a strong contender with approximately 10,000 hotel rooms and an established events infrastructure. Other shortlisted cities included Manchester and Birmingham. Leeds had been given a one-year extension as the host city but now faces uncertainty. UKREiiF confirms it has signed a non-disclosure agreement with an undisclosed city for further discussions.
An ARUP report found that UKREiiF has driven repeat business to Leeds, with a third of attendees visiting more frequently outside the event. Despite this, concerns over logistics and infrastructure remain. If the move goes ahead, it would be a blow to Leeds’ position as a business hub while boosting Liverpool’s profile in the property investment sector.
The 2025 event is scheduled to take place in Leeds from 20-22 May, but the location for 2026 and beyond remains undecided.
Quickline expands full fibre broadband to 6,000 more premises in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire
Quickline is expanding its Project Gigabit rollout, bringing full-fibre broadband to an additional 6,000 homes and businesses across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. The expansion, backed by £11 million in public funding, will ensure improved connectivity in underserved areas.
The move increased the total government investment in Quickline’s fibre network to over £300 million, covering more than 170,000 premises. The rollout targets rural communities across West Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, East Riding of Yorkshire, and Lincolnshire, aiming to provide fast, reliable internet to businesses and residents in hard-to-reach locations.
Project Gigabit, funded by the UK Government, focuses on delivering gigabit-capable broadband to areas lacking access to next-generation speeds. The latest expansion is based on updated data to prioritise locations with the highest need.
Forecourt group sells site near Hull
York Handmade chairman goes back to school to land major contract
