Yorkshire commercial property agent appoints head of valuations services
Morrisons reports sales growth despite cost pressures
Morrisons has posted a three per cent increase in group like-for-like sales for the 13 weeks ending 27 July 2025, with total sales rising 3.5 per cent to £4bn. The Bradford-based supermarket chain saw strong growth in its online division, achieving double-digit like-for-like gains.
During the period, Morrisons delivered £63m in cost savings, moving closer to its £1bn target set for the end of FY26. Product innovation also accelerated, with more than 400 new items launched, marking the company’s largest range refresh in a decade.
The retailer has been managing rising operational costs driven by inflation, government legislation, and the autumn budget. Market share remained stable throughout the quarter.
Morrisons has reduced gross debt from £6.2bn to £3.5bn since the acquisition by CD&R, repaying £2.7bn and extending debt maturities to 2031. The cost reduction programme continues, and the business expects to reach the full £1bn savings target by FY26.
The quarter reflects resilience in a challenging economic environment, underpinned by online growth, product development, and disciplined financial management.
UK approves major tissue paper factory in Goole
A Finnish company, Metsä Group, has received planning approval to build the largest tissue paper mill in the UK at Humber Freeport, Goole. The project is expected to create between 405 and 459 full-time jobs and is planned in four phases over a ten-year period.
The facility will cover approximately three million square feet and produce around 240,000 tonnes of tissue paper annually, meeting roughly one-fifth of the UK’s domestic demand and reducing reliance on imports by more than 30%. The project is projected to generate an estimated £217 million in economic activity during construction. Annual business rates are expected to average £3.67 million, retained locally for 25 years under the Freeport designation. The development is also forecast to contribute around £26.5 million in gross value added to the regional economy each year.
East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s planning committee noted the development will significantly change the site’s landscape, affecting local views and public rights of way during construction. Despite these impacts, the council highlighted the economic benefits, noting that employment in the local area is below regional and national averages, making the jobs and economic activity generated by the mill a substantial local advantage.
European engineering, environment and design consultancy takes entire floor at Leeds office building
Huddersfield launches health innovation incubator for B2B growth
Huddersfield has introduced a new programme aimed at accelerating health and wellbeing businesses in the region. The Huddersfield Health Innovation Incubator (HHII) is a collaboration between Kirklees Council, the University of Huddersfield, and the 3M Buckley Innovation Centre. It operates as part of the West Yorkshire Health Innovation and Digital Tech Investment Zone.
The incubator offers fully funded membership to start-ups and growing businesses, providing access to expert networks, events, and collaboration opportunities. Support includes hands-on product development from concept to testing, an 8–10 week workshop and mentoring programme for pre-start-ups, and tailored guidance for SMEs, including co-working space and connections to partners such as the NHS, University of Huddersfield, and Business Kirklees.
HHII operates across three locations: The Glass Box, 3M BIC, and the upcoming Health Business Innovation Centre (HBIC). The HBIC, scheduled to open in early 2026, will feature offices, laboratories, co-working areas, meeting and event spaces, and a Maker Space dedicated to developing health and wellbeing products and services.
The initiative aims to strengthen the North of England’s health innovation sector, supporting the development of user-centred solutions while connecting businesses to academic, clinical, and industry expertise.
Membership and support focus on scaling early-stage ventures, providing access to facilities, mentoring, and commercial opportunities within a collaborative ecosystem.
Shipley businesses offered grants for shopfront upgrades
Shipley business owners and tenants can now apply for grants to improve their shopfronts as part of a wider town regeneration initiative.
The grants, provided through the Shipley Towns Fund, cover 80 per cent of improvement costs, with minimum projects starting at £1,250 and a maximum award of £20,000. Eligible works include exterior painting, signage replacement, window upgrades, gutter cleaning, repairs, and improved access, all subject to planning approval.
Funding priority is given to shops, followed by restaurants, cafés, pubs, and service sector businesses, including units above shops. The scheme complements a £3 million investment in Market Square, part of broader efforts to enhance Shipley’s retail environment and commercial appeal.
Bradford Council and the Shipley Towns Fund aim to support business growth while enhancing the town centre’s character and attractiveness.
Insect farming business expands in South Lincolnshire
Fairman Knight and Sons UK, a commercial-scale insect farm, has invested in a 120,000 sq ft site at Holbeach Technology Park to support ongoing growth. The company converts surplus organic food waste into Black Soldier Fly larvae, which are dried for use as sustainable feed for pets, livestock, and aquaculture. By-products from production are also processed into high-quality fertiliser.
The business began operating from the South Lincolnshire Food Enterprise Zone (SLFEZ) in 2024, benefiting from local and national support, including Lincolnshire County Council, the UK Food Valley network, Innovate UK, Grants4Growth, UKSPF, and Made Smarter grants. During this period, Fairman Knight expanded its operations and established itself as a leading UK commercial-scale surplus waste upcycler.
The move to Holbeach allows the company to scale production while remaining within the UK Food Valley, a region noted for its concentration of food innovation and manufacturing. The previous site, The Hub, will continue to host new tenants as the SLFEZ develops its portfolio of innovative food and agri-businesses.
Fairman Knight’s relocation reflects the continued growth of sustainable protein production and highlights the support infrastructure available in South Lincolnshire for high-growth, environmentally focused food businesses.
Largest office deal in over a decade for Wakefield city centre
Doncaster distribution warehouse sold for £29.25m
New community launched to help more of Yorkshire’s women reach the top in finance
Senior female finance leaders in Yorkshire are being invited to join a newly created regional community that aims to help more women reach the very top in finance.
HerFinance Circle, the brainchild of Jenny Martin, a director at Leeds-based specialist finance recruiter Headstar, has been launched in response to the stark gender imbalance in senior finance roles.
Despite progress in recent years, women remain significantly underrepresented in the most senior positions. Just 24% of the top boardroom roles, including the position of chief financial officer, in FTSE 150 companies are held by women¹. Fewer than one in five of the top 1% of earners in finance and professional services are women², and the sector’s gender pay gap remains around 22%³ – nearly double the UK average.
Jenny Martin said the idea was born from a moment of reflection in her own role as a recruiter:
“I was shortlisting for a £150k CFO role, and my list was overwhelmingly male. Despite excellent representation of women at financial controller level, there’s still a sharp drop-off when it comes to CFO and finance director positions, with C-suite finance roles still very male dominated. At Headstar, we’re proud that 50% of our board is female, but we also see the urgent need to strengthen the pipeline of women stepping into top finance leadership.
“That’s why we’re launching HerFinance Circle, a peer-led community for female CFOs, finance directors and aspiring leaders in Yorkshire. It gives women a chance to come together, share experiences, build confidence and connections, and support each other.”
HerFinance Circle is free to join and already has more than 100 women involved. Members connect through a dedicated WhatsApp community – complete with sector-specific sub-groups such as CFOs-only, Women in Manufacturing, Women in Retail, and Women in Private Equity – and a programme of regular events designed to provide mentoring, peer-to-peer advice, and honest conversations about navigating female leadership in finance
The first official HerFinance Circle event takes place on Monday 22nd September, 8:30am – 11am at Box in Leeds. Attendees will hear a keynote on AI and Automation from Carolyn Cole, Partner at Unity Advisory, and Alice Fee, Associate at Faculty. This will be followed by a panel discussion with experienced CFOs and FDs from private equity, and there will also be plenty of networking opportunities over the course of the morning.
