Bradford textiles group strengthens international trading with new finance facility

April Lara
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Bradford textiles group strengthens international trading with new finance facility

SIL Group, a collective of 20 UK-based textile companies, has secured a multi-million pound asset-based lending facility with Shawbrook Bank. The financing is designed to support the group’s global trading operations, with a particular emphasis on European and Middle Eastern markets.

The group serves designer fashion clients in the UK, including Savile Row tailors, and luxury brands across Europe. Its portfolio spans technical fabrics, high-end fashion materials, and specialty textiles.

The refinancing provides capital to expand international sales, optimise working capital, and invest in operational infrastructure across its UK and Scottish sites. Advisory and restructuring firm Interpath guided SIL Group through the transaction, structuring the lending solution to align with the group’s growth ambitions.

The facility leverages the group’s asset base and established supplier and client networks, offering flexibility for strategic expansion. It positions SIL Group to respond to market opportunities and strengthen its footprint in key global markets.

Dewsbury launches new business network

April Lara
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Dewsbury launches new business network

Dewsbury is set to host a new business network this September, aiming to connect local companies, encourage investment, and drive activity in the town centre. The inaugural event takes place on Thursday, 11 September, at The Arcade from 5.30pm.

The launch will feature guest speaker Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, alongside multiple speakers, information stalls, and networking opportunities. The network is designed to bring together established and emerging businesses in the area, fostering collaboration and trade over the next three years.

The Arcade is positioning the initiative as a platform for Dewsbury entrepreneurs to exchange ideas, form partnerships, and contribute to the town’s economic growth. Attendance is free, but registration is required via The Arcade’s website.

Mayors plan bold new future for Peak District

Tess Egginton
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Mayors plan bold new future for Peak District
In a major boost to the Peak District, the Mayors of the East Midlands, Greater Manchester, and South Yorkshire are joining forces to launch a new agreement: The Peak Partnership. Mayor of the East Midlands Claire Ward, Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, and Oliver Coppard, Mayor of South Yorkshire, have come together in Buxton to kickstart a partnership that will work in service of the Peak District, an area of rich heritage, industry, and natural beauty which all three regions take value from.  The three Mayors, and their authorities, will work with each other, local councils, and other stakeholders to develop a joined-up, holistic approach to the future of the National Park. Their initial discussion will focus on several key areas that bind the regions together, including transport, stronger rural communities, housing and skills, and a thriving visitor economy. The Peak District consistently ranks in the top three most visited destinations in the UK, with nearly 14 million international and domestic visitors each year, supporting 30,000 direct and indirect jobs across the three regions and delivering a near £3bn annual economic impact.  The Peak Partnership was announced earlier in 2025 and recognises that while the Peak District is located predominately in Derbyshire, parts of it stretch into Greater Manchester and South Yorkshire, with people living, working and travelling between the regions daily – by rail, by bus and along the main road linking the three regions, the Peak Pass. The initial focus of the Partnership will be transforming the Snake Pass and rural network, boosting the visitor economy, and improving rural access and active travel. Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, said: “This is a landmark moment for the East Midlands and our neighbours in Greater Manchester and South Yorkshire. The Peak District is one of the UK’s most iconic landscapes and it is a shared treasure for us all. “By working together through the Peak Partnership, we can tackle long-standing challenges like the resilience of the Snake Pass, improve transport links, and unlock new opportunities for visitors and residents alike. This is about thinking bigger than our own boundaries, protecting what makes the Peaks special while making it easier for people to live, work, and thrive here for generations to come.” Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “The Peak Partnership is about recognising that our regions are stronger when we work together. The Peak District connects us geographically, but it also connects our ambitions – for better transport, stronger communities, and a growing economy that works for everyone. “By investing in rural infrastructure and improving sustainable travel links, we’re not only making it easier for people to get around, we’re unlocking new opportunities for tourism, business, and local jobs. This is about building a future where the beauty of the Peaks is matched by the strength of the connections between our people and our economies.” South Yorkshire’s Mayor, Oliver Coppard said: “My job is to bring investment, opportunity and growth to every corner of South Yorkshire, tackling the challenges which have held us back for far too long. Infrastructure projects on the Snake Pass and Woodhead Pass will create better connections across the Peak District and between the big cities of the North, helping build a bigger, better economy. “Alongside the work we’re doing through our Great North Partnership, White Rose Agreement and South Yorkshire Local Visitor Economy Partnership, the Peak Partnership will again show what real collaboration looks like – putting people, places, and potential at the heart of everything we do.”

Majority stake in Leonard Curtis sold

Tess Egginton
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Majority stake in Leonard Curtis sold
Leonard Curtis has sold a majority stake in its business to Pollen Street Capital, a private capital asset manager with specialist experience in the financial and business services sectors and real estate. Leonard Curtis, which has offices across Yorkshire, has over 30 years’ experience in providing restructuring, legal, funding, M&A advisory and business services to SMEs and corporates throughout the UK and offshore. The business has expanded rapidly through organic growth, geographical expansion and acquisitions, resulting in headcount increasing to over 330 employees across 30 offices. The group will continue to be led by current CEO Dan Booth and Pollen Street’s investment will accelerate growth across the platform through product expansion, technology and M&A. Pollen Street was supported by private credit investor TDC, and the deal will see the successful exit for family investment office Arete Capital Partners and SVELLA Plc, who took a significant stake in August 2021. Jonathan Guest, investment director at Pollen Street, said:  “Leonard Curtis is a high-quality business with a proven model, experienced leadership, and has demonstrated strong organic growth in the UK and offshore. “We are proud of our track record of supporting fast-growing players in the financial and business services ecosystems and are looking forward to partnering with the team for the next stage of Leonard Curtis’s growth, as it diversifies and scales organically, and further consolidates the fragmented UK professional services market.” Leonard Curtis CEO Dan Booth said: “The partnership and investment from Pollen Street Capital, together with support from TDC, will allow the business to move forward and better execute our plans to grow and develop the group. “We have our sights on building a business that is sustainable for many years to come and to represent something that we can all be proud to be a part of. “None of this would be possible without the hard work, commitment and brilliance of our people. We are building something very special here, and I truly hope we all continue this journey together to be better every day. In years to come, we all want to be able to look back and know we played a positive part.” Advisors for Leonard Curtis included KPMG Corporate Finance, Hill Dickinson on legals, PwC on tax, BDO on financial due diligence and Graph on commercial due diligence.

UK steelworks faces potential government intervention

April Lara
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UK steelworks faces potential government intervention

The UK government is reportedly preparing to take control of Speciality Steels UK (SSUK) in Sheffield and Rotherham to safeguard around 1,500 jobs and ensure the plant continues operating. The facility, owned by Liberty Steel, uses electric arc furnaces to produce steel from scrap metal, a process considered more energy-efficient and crucial to the sector’s transition to lower-carbon production.

SSUK has faced financial difficulties since Liberty Steel’s main lender collapsed, leaving the company unable to procure the scrap metal required for production. Creditors, owed hundreds of millions of pounds, have petitioned for the business to enter liquidation so assets can be sold to recover debts. Lawyers for GFG Alliance, Liberty Steel’s parent company, requested a court adjournment to allow the company to enter administration and potentially be sold without government involvement.

The government has reportedly provided assurances it would step in to take over the steelworks if necessary. The High Court has adjourned the case, with a final decision on the company’s future still pending.

East Yorkshire holiday park plans major redevelopment

April Lara
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East Yorkshire holiday park plans major redevelopment

Skirlington Coast Holiday Park in East Yorkshire is set for its largest redevelopment since opening, with proposals submitted by Legacy Leisure Group, the parent company of Unity Holidays. The investment follows Unity Holidays’ acquisition of the park in 2024.

The redevelopment plans aim to expand and modernise the park’s leisure and entertainment facilities. Proposals include a seaside festival-themed area featuring a food and drinks pavilion, a promenade walkway, a new lido with an outdoor pool, splash pad, tots pool, cabanas, garden and sunbathing areas, a terrace, and a feature piazza. The existing Coastal Tavern is also due for refurbishment and expansion to connect with the pavilion theatre.

The park currently operates 680 holiday caravans and around 400 tented or touring pitches. Planning documents describe its communal facilities as outdated and insufficient for current visitor numbers. The redevelopment aims to enhance public spaces, improve pedestrian connectivity, and provide modern leisure amenities consistent with contemporary expectations.

Design plans indicate the new Festival Gardens will integrate native planting and pollinator-friendly species, promoting biodiversity and improved landscape quality. The development is expected to support year-round employment and deliver sustainable economic benefits for the local area.

If approved, the project will position Skirlington Coast Holiday Park as a leading regional leisure destination, reinforcing its role in Yorkshire’s tourism sector and enhancing its competitiveness within the UK holiday market.

West Yorkshire launches tender for bus services

April Lara
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West Yorkshire launches tender for bus services

West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) has invited transport operators to compete for contracts to run the region’s new franchised bus network. The authority will manage routes, timetables, and fares, while operators deliver the services.

The initiative, named the Weaver Network, is part of WYCA’s strategy to streamline public transport and improve passenger experience. Operators will join a dynamic procurement system, enabling them to bid for individual route contracts. Contracts are expected to be awarded in 2026, with operations beginning in 2027.

The franchise sets performance and value-for-money standards for operators, aiming to raise service quality across the network. West Yorkshire will become the third UK region, after Manchester and Liverpool, to implement a fully franchised bus system.

WYCA plans to roll out the network branding across buses and the upcoming tram system, creating a consistent regional identity. Operators of all sizes are encouraged to register interest and participate in the procurement process.

Rising demand shapes rental market in Lincolnshire and Rutland

April Lara
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Rising demand shapes rental market in Lincolnshire and Rutland

The private rental sector has expanded across Lincolnshire and Rutland over the past decade, reflecting shifting housing patterns. Data from the Office for National Statistics shows Lincoln’s privately-rented homes increased from 21% in 2011 to 27% in 2021, while Leicester led the East Midlands with a rise from 23% to 29%.

Other Lincolnshire districts followed a similar trajectory. South Holland moved from 13% to 17%, South Kesteven from 15% to 18%, East Lindsey from 17% to 20%, West Lindsey from 14% to 18%, North Kesteven from 14% to 16%, and Boston from 16% to 20%. Rutland recorded a smaller increase, from 16% to 17%.

Market insight points to growing rental demand. Homeowners increasingly list properties for rent when sales stall, intensifying competition for available units. Local letting agencies report consistently high enquiry volumes, with interest in rentals rising alongside active property sales.

The trend highlights the private rental sector’s growing role in the regional housing market, presenting opportunities for investors, property managers, and developers seeking to meet evolving demand.

Wakefield tourism drives growth with record visitor numbers

April Lara
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Wakefield tourism drives growth with record visitor numbers

Wakefield district welcomed over ten million visitors in 2024, marking a 10 per cent increase from 2023. Visitor spending reached £851 million, up 13.3 per cent from £751 million the previous year. The tourism sector supports around 7,600 full-time equivalent jobs across hospitality, cultural venues, and associated services.

The district’s profile was boosted by the year-long programme ‘Our Year – Wakefield District 2024’, which highlighted local heritage, cultural sites, and arts venues. Key attractions such as the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Hepworth Wakefield, and Pontefract Castle maintained high visitor appeal.

In 2024, Wakefield launched its Destination Management Plan (DMP) to strengthen the tourism offering. The strategy targets longer visitor stays, higher spending, and the development of unique and sustainable experiences in collaboration with local businesses.

Wakefield’s combination of cultural, historic, and hospitality assets positions the district for continued growth in visitor numbers and economic contribution, reinforcing its status as a significant regional destination.

New tyre centre opens in Middlesbrough

April Lara
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New tyre centre opens in Middlesbrough

New Bridgegate Tyres has launched a tyre and autocare centre in Middlesbrough, creating five new roles across management and technical positions. The facility is located on the Tees Advanced Manufacturing Park near the A66, positioning it close to major industrial and manufacturing operations.

The centre provides vehicle services including tyre fitting and wheel alignment. It supports the company’s mobile servicing operation, which delivers 24-hour roadside tyre fitting and breakdown assistance across Teesside.

This marks the company’s fifth location, joining sites in Barnard Castle, Newton Aycliffe, Birtley and Newcastle. The expansion strengthens local automotive service capacity and provides businesses and drivers in the region with additional options for vehicle maintenance and support.

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