Leeds pharmacy changes hands in strategic sale

April Lara
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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

April Lara
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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

Tess Egginton
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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.”

British Business Bank boosts SME lending with Close Brothers

April Lara
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British Business Bank boosts SME lending with Close Brothers

The British Business Bank has secured a transaction of up to £300 million with Close Brothers under the ENABLE Guarantees programme. The deal expands lending capacity for Close Brothers Asset Finance, covering hire purchase, sale and leaseback, and leasing products.

The expanded facility targets smaller businesses seeking finance for essential capital assets, including vehicles, machinery, and equipment. Funding may also support investment in green and sustainable assets. In 2024, asset finance accounted for around a third of UK investment in these areas, according to the Finance & Leasing Association.

The ENABLE Guarantees programme provides a government-backed guarantee to encourage additional lending to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It applies to UK banks, branches of foreign banks, and asset-based finance providers lending to viable SMEs. Participating lenders receive support for defined portfolios of debt finance in return for a fee.

Close Brothers Commercial, which delivers almost £5 billion in lending annually to UK businesses, will use the additional capacity to extend finance to a broader range of firms. Loan amounts range from £5,000 to £100 million. The programme aims to improve access to finance for SMEs, particularly during periods of economic uncertainty.

HAIG Legal Group expands into larger Lincoln headquarters

April Lara
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HAIG Legal Group expands into larger Lincoln headquarters

HAIG Legal Group has moved its operations to Pinnacle House on Doddington Road, Lincoln, consolidating offices previously located on Low Moor Road in Lincoln and Coventry Road in Birmingham. The relocation provides 14,832 sq ft of office space, a 67% increase on the previous footprint.

The move supports the group’s expansion strategy, which includes a planned 17% increase in headcount across its three businesses—Simpler Law, Fidelis Legal Services, and Northwood Banks & Co—raising staff numbers from 135 to more than 155 by the end of 2025.

Property agents Eddisons and Pygott Crone jointly represented the landlord in securing the premises. Pinnacle House offers scale and facilities designed to enhance operational efficiency while accommodating long-term growth.

The relocation positions HAIG Legal Group to strengthen its presence in Lincoln, leveraging the city’s status as a growing hub for professional services.

HICL offloads £225m hospital assets to APG

April Lara
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HICL offloads £225m hospital assets to APG

HICL, the UK infrastructure investor managed by InfraRed Capital Partners, is selling seven public-private partnership assets to Dutch pension provider APG for around £225 million.

The sale covers half of HICL’s holdings in Pinderfields and Pontefract Hospitals in West Yorkshire and Southmead Hospital in Bristol, plus full equity in four NHS Local Improvement Finance Trust projects and Edinburgh Schools. A £14 million deferred payment is scheduled for June 2026, with the option to accelerate.

The transaction is expected to close by the end of December 2025, pending regulatory and third-party approvals. Post-sale, HICL’s exposure to healthcare will drop from 22 per cent to 16 per cent of its total portfolio. The company will maintain 50 per cent in Pinderfields and Pontefract Hospitals and 31.25 per cent in Southmead Hospital.

Proceeds will fund a £150 million share buyback, repay HICL’s revolving credit facility, and support around £110 million in existing investments. InfraRed will continue managing the assets for APG under a separate arrangement.

This move is part of HICL’s broader strategy to adjust portfolio composition and capital allocation, following £725 million raised through disposals over the past two years.

Neill & Brown launches UK–Italy rail freight service

April Lara
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Neill & Brown launches UK–Italy rail freight service

East Yorkshire logistics firm Neill & Brown Global Logistics has introduced a new rail freight operation connecting the UK and Italy. The service is part of a joint venture with Italian partner Sogedim.

The companies have invested in Huckepack trailers designed for combined road and rail transport. Six reinforced trailers have been added to Neill & Brown’s fleet to move goods bound for Italy. Shipments leave the company’s Hessle base by road, travel by ferry from Hull, and are transferred onto trains at Zeebrugge.

The rail service complements Neill & Brown’s existing European road and sea operations, offering daily timed deliveries and a lower-carbon transport alternative.

Supporting the service, the company maintains warehousing facilities at two Hull and Humber locations and provides in-house customs documentation and clearance. Neill & Brown also operates global sea and air freight services, UK pallet deliveries, and abnormal load transport.

Founded over 100 years ago, Neill & Brown positions the new rail offering as a sustainable addition to its European logistics network.

JPS takes space in Scunthorpe to support partnership with affordable housing provider

Tess Egginton
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JPS takes space in Scunthorpe to support partnership with affordable housing provider
Northern Trust Company has let Unit 4 at Eastgate Park, Scunthorpe, to Stark Building Materials UK Limited, trading as Jewson Partnership Solutions (JPS). JPS has taken the 7,754 sq ft unit on a 10-year lease to support their continued collaboration with Ongo Homes, a provider of affordable housing and property services in the region. The new premises will enable JPS to operate more efficiently and expand their services in support of Ongo Homes’ property maintenance and improvement programmes across North Lincolnshire. Ryan Kellingray, operations director at JPS, said: “Jewson Partnership Solutions are very excited to be entering into partnership with Ongo Homes. By combining our expertise on solutions and products with Ongo’s commitment to delivering efficient services to their residents, we will ensure their operatives have the tools and resources they need to make a real difference. Together we’ll help create and maintain a neighbourhood people can be proud of.” Lee Coulson, head of commercial at Ongo, said: “We’re really pleased to see Jewson secure a new base in Scunthorpe to support our exciting new partnership. This move will help streamline the supply of materials for our repairs and investment programmes, making sure we can deliver high quality, efficient services to our tenants and customers. It’s another great example of how strong local partnerships can bring real benefits to our communities.” This latest letting means Eastgate Park is now fully occupied. It is home to 11 different businesses, collectively supporting over 130 jobs in the local area. Dan Hodge, regional property director at Northern Trust, said: “We are delighted to welcome Jewson to Eastgate Park and to see the estate reach full occupancy. Jewson’s presence further strengthens the high-quality tenant line-up and underlines the strategic importance of this location for supporting key regional partnerships like the one with Ongo Homes.” Duncan Willey, divisional director at PPH Commercial, letting agents on the site, said: “Eastgate Park continues to attract strong occupier interest due to its modern facilities, strategic location, and high specification. We’re pleased to have secured this letting with Jewson – a testament to the strength of the local industrial market.”

Tiffin Sandwiches plans major factory expansion in Bradford

April Lara
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Tiffin Sandwiches plans major factory expansion in Bradford

Tiffin Sandwiches is set to expand its operations with a new 50,000 sq ft facility adjacent to its Commondale Way headquarters in Bradford, close to the M606. The £10m project is expected to create around 400 jobs and includes additional office space.

The company has also acquired fellow Bradford sandwich producer Love Bites. The deal secures the continuation of Love Bites’ operations and retains key leadership from its founders to support integration and future growth.

The expansion replaces a former lorry park and is positioned to strengthen Tiffin’s supply chain, increase production capacity, and support local employment. The move aligns with the company’s broader strategy to scale operations while reinforcing economic activity in the Bradford area.

Supermarkets halt supplies from Lincolnshire pig farm over welfare breaches

April Lara
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Supermarkets halt supplies from Lincolnshire pig farm over welfare breaches

Tesco and Asda have suspended supplies from Somerby Top Farm in Lincolnshire, operated by British meat producer Cranswick, following an investigation into alleged animal welfare violations.

Footage showed pigs being struck with boards, paddles, and fists, targeting sensitive areas such as snouts and eyes. The content, recorded over a 10-month period by Animal Justice Project, reportedly highlighted incidents including poorly conducted euthanasia and visible injuries overlooked during inspections.

Red Tractor, the UK food chain assurance scheme, suspended the farm’s certification after reviewing the footage and referred the matter to the Animal and Plant Health Agency. Investigations are ongoing, including a review of both current and historical practices, compliance, staffing, and farm management.

Cranswick described the footage as historic and not representative of current operations. The company has replaced farm management, retrained staff in animal handling, recruited five full-time welfare officers, and is installing AI-enabled CCTV across indoor farms to monitor livestock health and colleague behaviour in real time.

This follows similar issues at Northmoor Farm earlier in 2025, where undercover footage led supermarkets to suspend supplies temporarily. Northmoor Farm has since met conditions for reinstatement, including staff retraining, CCTV monitoring, and regular unannounced welfare checks. Cranswick is also conducting an independent review of on-farm practices at all sites.

The incidents have previously affected Cranswick’s share value and prompted wider scrutiny of farm compliance, welfare monitoring, and supply chain assurance across the sector.

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