Free-to-attend showcase returns to celebrate Lincolnshire’s business community
Members of the Lincolnshire business community are being invited to discover, celebrate and champion local enterprise at this year’s Lincolnshire Business Showcase.
Returning for the second time, the free event will take place on Wednesday 15 October in the EPIC Centre at the Lincolnshire Showground, offering the opportunity to explore local businesses and network with industry professionals.
Attendees will be able to meet a wide range of exhibitors, hear from expert speakers and discover the latest trends and tools shaping the Lincolnshire business environment.
The event is organised by the Lincolnshire Showground, which is owned by the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society – a registered charity dedicated to championing the importance of food, farming and the countryside.
Sophia Phillips, sales and events manager at the Lincolnshire Showground, said: “We’re delighted to welcome the business community back to the Lincolnshire Business Showcase this October.
“As the second largest county in the UK, Lincolnshire is home to over 28,000 companies and we’re very proud to be bringing people together to celebrate its rich heritage as we represent the county with pride.
“The Showcase is about so much more than just exhibition stands – it’s about celebrating the entrepreneurial spirit that defines our county. Whether you’re looking to make new connections, learn about ways to grow your business or simply be inspired, it’s a day not to be missed.
“There will be the chance to get insights from our impressive line-up of speakers throughout the day, who will be sharing their expertise and knowledge, and we’ll soon be announcing who these speakers are – so watch this space!”
Tickets to attend the Lincolnshire Business Showcase are free, but donations on the day will support the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society in its work to teach over 20,000 young people in Lincolnshire about food, farming and the countryside.
Registration is essential and tickets are available now by visiting www.lincolnshireshowground.co.uk/event-details/lincolnshire-business-showcase.
Inflation continues to rise
Inflation continued to rise in July, according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Measured by the Consumer Prices Index (CPI), inflation was stronger than expected at 3.8% in the 12 months to July, up from the 3.6% reported in June.
On a monthly basis, CPI rose by 0.1% in July 2025, compared with a fall of 0.2% in July 2024.
Transport, particularly air fares, made the largest upward contribution to the monthly change.
Core inflation, meanwhile, which takes out volatile factors like energy, food, alcohol and tobacco to give a clear picture of underlying trends, came in at 3.8% in the 12 months to July, up from the 3.7% in June.
Martin Sartorius, principal economist, CBI, said: “Inflation ticked up slightly in July, broadly in line with the Bank of England’s expectations. Higher energy and regulated prices continue to put upward pressure on inflation, and the increase in labour costs following last year’s Autumn Budget are also feeding through.
“Today’s inflation data will reinforce the Monetary Policy Committee’s cautious approach to cutting interest rates going forward. While inflation is projected to ease next year, the risk of second-round effects means that the MPC will not race to loosen policy in the near term. We expect that the MPC will keep rates unchanged in September, as it waits to see how inflation and labour market data develop going into the autumn.”
Doncaster SMEs access UKSPF funding
Small and medium-sized businesses in Doncaster are using UK Shared Prosperity Fund support to improve productivity, adopt digital solutions, and implement low-carbon practices.
The funding, provided through the Low Carbon Project and the Productivity and Digitisation Grant, has enabled local companies to invest in technology upgrades, streamline operations, and reduce environmental impact. Business Doncaster and the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority provided advisory support to guide applicants through the process and ensure projects meet eligibility requirements.
Applications remain open for initiatives that can be completed by the end of December. Each submission is assessed individually to confirm alignment with funding criteria.
2-Work expands Leeds city centre presence
Flexible workspace provider 2-Work will open a new office in Leeds city centre at Albion Court, a Grade II listed building with gothic revival architecture. The space, named 2-Work St. Albions, is scheduled to launch at the end of September and will offer 8,000 sq ft across two floors. Facilities include coworking areas, meeting rooms, and private offices designed for start-ups, growing businesses, and established teams.
The development follows a design-led refurbishment of the former church institute and is located close to Leeds rail station and the main shopping district. The launch increases 2-Work’s footprint in Leeds to four sites, with an additional location at Tileyard North in Wakefield.
The expansion responds to growing demand for flexible, community-oriented office space that supports hybrid working and SME growth. Leeds is currently the sixth most popular city in the UK for coworking spaces.
The project is delivered in partnership with building owner Glenbrook, aiming to enhance the amenities and workspace options available to tenants at Albion Court.
SMEs offered new AI readiness workshops
Connectus Business Solutions and Automated Analytics have launched a series of free workshops to guide SMEs on adopting Artificial Intelligence (AI). The sessions are intended for business leaders and decision-makers and will provide practical guidance on implementation, regulatory compliance, cost management, and workforce considerations.
The workshops start on 18 September 2025 at Castle Park, Doncaster, with additional sessions scheduled across the north of England and the Midlands throughout the second half of the year. Attendees will have access to post-workshop resources, case studies, and sector-specific examples to support ongoing AI integration.
Industry data shows AI adoption among UK SMEs is increasing, with 45% of small businesses and 65% of medium-sized businesses expected to implement AI solutions by mid-2025. However, surveys indicate almost half of SME leaders feel unprepared due to gaps in skills, support, or confidence. Previous adopters report productivity improvements of up to 133%, with AI expected to contribute £78 billion to the UK SME economy over the next decade.
Connectus has supported more than 500 SMEs across Doncaster, Salford, Lincolnshire, and the Midlands. Recent infrastructure investments, including a £500,000 fibre upgrade at Doncaster Airport Business Park, are intended to strengthen digital capacity for AI applications.
Workshops will focus on practical AI adoption strategies, demonstrating automation opportunities, decision-support tools, and approaches to mitigate operational disruption.
Skipton Business Finance appoints chief operating officer
Skipton Business Finance (SBF) has appointed Michelle Wilson as its new chief operating officer, following her successful tenure as interim COO.
Michelle joined SBF eight months ago as a director, after spending 23 years at Close Brothers Invoice Finance. Sixteen of those years were in senior operational leadership positions, including head of commercial client services and head of northern operations.
Since joining SBF, Michelle has played a key role in enhancing operational performance, improving client experience, and supporting the company’s ambitious growth strategy.
“I’m delighted to be taking on the role of Chief Operating Officer on a permanent basis,” said Michelle. “Skipton Business Finance has a strong reputation for putting clients first and delivering flexible, relationship-driven funding solutions. Over the past eight months, I’ve seen first-hand the passion and commitment across the team — and I’m excited to help lead our next chapter as we continue to scale and support more SMEs across the UK.”
“Michelle has brought structure, energy, and clarity to our already successful operations during her time as Interim COO,” said Greg Bell, CEO of Skipton Business Finance. “She is a highly respected leader who shares our commitment to delivering outstanding client outcomes. Her permanent appointment strengthens our senior team and positions us strongly for future growth.”
Yorkshire housebuilder donates £20,000 to health and wellbeing charities
The Yorkshire West regional division of housebuilder Keepmoat has donated £20,000 to support local families affected by childhood cancer and professionals in the construction industry battling mental health crises.
The £20,000 donation will support Sheffield-based PACT (Parents Association of Children with Tumors and Leukemia) and the Lighthouse Charity, a charity dedicated to supporting the wellbeing of construction workers and their families in the UK and Ireland.
The funds were raised at an event hosted at York Racecourse by Keepmoat’s Yorkshire West commercial team. In total £18,503.40 was raised through tickets & table sales, and various raffles held on the day. Keepmoat have rounded this figure up to a total of £10,000 for each charity.
The donation to PACT will help the charity continue providing specialist equipment, facilities and family holidays, as well as supporting families in providing a ‘Home from Home’ during difficult periods.
Meanwhile, the money contributed to the Lighthouse Charity will provide emotional, physical and financial wellbeing support to construction workers and their families, helping to improve access to mental health resources, crisis support and wellbeing training across the industry.
Warren Thompson, regional managing director at Keepmoat Yorkshire West, said: “As a company, we’re driven to go beyond bricks and mortar and make a real difference to local communities. Both of these charities are close to our hearts, and it is a true privilege to support them.
“Supporting PACT and The Lighthouse Charity means helping families through incredibly difficult times, whether that’s dealing with childhood cancer or mental health challenges in our industry.”
Keepmoat has supported PACT for more than 16 years, helping the charity maintain a property near Sheffield Children’s Hospital where families can stay free of charge during their child’s treatment. Over the years, the company has assisted with purchasing a new caravan and helped fund family breaks that offer much-needed respite.
Beryl Welburn, coordinator at PACT, added: “PACT would like to thank everyone at Keepmoat Yorkshire West Regional Division for their very kind and generous donation of £10,000.00. Through their hard work and huge efforts, the race day at York Races was a tremendous success and very much enjoyed by all those who were fortunate enough to attend.
“Keepmoat have supported PACT for over 16 years which is the most wonderful thing they could do for our charity. In the past the funds raised have been used to run our caravans, fund our children’s Christmas party, helped with the running costs of the charity house as well as providing trips and treats for the children and their families.
“We are so grateful that you have been so involved with PACT and helped us in so many ways.”
The housebuilder recently formalised its support for the Lighthouse Charity by signing the Building Mental Health Charter and committing to training at least 50 mental health first aiders by the end of 2025.
Sarah Bolton, CEO of the Lighthouse Charity, said: “Keepmoat’s commitment to making a difference is amazing. Their continued support helps us to deliver vital emotional, physical and financial wellbeing support to our construction community. They’re also ensuring that there is on site support for local teams, providing a safe space for people to start open conversations about any issue they are struggling with.”
Leeds pharmacy changes hands in strategic sale
Seacroft Pharmacy, a community pharmacy on Leeds’ A64/York Road, has been acquired by an expanding West Yorkshire operator. The pharmacy, operating standard hours in a two-storey retail unit, dispenses approximately 5,761 items per month and is located near a large medical practice.
The business was owned by Pharm-Assist (Healthcare) Ltd since 2008. Following a strategic review of its portfolio, the company appointed Christie & Co to manage a confidential sale process. The transaction attracted multiple competitive offers.
The pharmacy has been purchased by Jeet Vadodaria, marking his third acquisition in the region. The deal was facilitated with funding arranged through Christie Finance. Vadodaria’s acquisition is structured as a joint venture with first-time buyer Mohammad Khabib Ali.
The purchase forms part of a broader expansion strategy, with the Leeds site intended to operate as a local branch linked to a new West Yorkshire hub. Operational plans include utilising the hub to manage some dispensing tasks, allowing in-pharmacy staff to focus on patient engagement and service delivery.
Leeds Digital Festival marks 10th year with expanded programme
Leeds Digital Festival will return from 22nd September to 3rd October 2025, marking its 10th edition. The festival is set to host over 230 events across the Leeds City Region, covering Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield.
Since its launch, the festival has grown into the UK’s largest open-platform tech event outside London, showcasing more than 2,000 events organised by over 800 companies. The 2025 programme will include sessions on artificial intelligence applications in marketing, SEO, financial services and healthcare, alongside topics in emerging technologies, skills development and entrepreneurship.
This edition will be the final under Stuart Clarke MBE as festival director. Clarke, involved since the festival’s inception, will transition to a non-executive role as chair. Deb Hetherington will take over as festival director.
Confirmed venues include Nexus at the University of Leeds, Platform, Avenue HQ and Department at Leeds Dock. The full programme will be published on 26th August.
Sponsors supporting the 10th festival include PEXA, CGI, Skipton Group, Accenture, Lloyds Banking Group, Genio, Nexus, Leeds City Council and the city’s three universities, alongside a network of associate partners.
The festival aims to highlight regional innovation, support collaboration, and provide opportunities for investment and skills development across the North of England’s digital sector.
Lincolnshire architects to revive historic Boston building following purchase
Lincolnshire architects have bought an historic Boston building ready for a £1.1m conservation project.
Scorer Hawkins Architects has bought the Grade II* Listed Shodfriars Hall for a six figure sum. It will now carry out work to conserve the building, which has been part of Boston’s townscape since the fifteenth century and is on English Heritage’s Heritage At Risk Register.
The sensitive refurbishment is being grant funded by the Towns Fund, overseen by Boston Town Board.
Refurbishment work and structural repairs will include improvements to the roof and the timber frame structure, conservation of windows and historic features, and external decoration plus repairs and repointing to the brickwork.
Chris Bowen, director at Scorer Hawkins Architects, said: “The purchase and conservation of Shodfriars Hall is part of our ongoing and long-term commitment to the town.
“The work we do is about caring for the places that we love and treasure, and this is an opportunity for us to invest in the town and the business within it to continue to deliver heritage-led regeneration.
“The grant funding agreement means the refurbishment can now move forward, breathing new life into one of Boston’s best-known buildings.”
Plans for the local landmark include providing space for commercial and community uses, plus new employment opportunities.
Travis Wood, senior associate commercial property solicitor at MD Law, who acted for the purchasers, said: “It has been a pleasure to be able to work with and support Chris and Jonathan on their project to acquire this building, and that will see the preservation of our property heritage for future generations.”
