Hamza Hussain, managing director of Abu Bakr Supermarkets in West Yorkshire, has been shortlisted for the Next Gen Award at the Asian Trader Awards, following his recent recognition in the 30 Under 30 awards. This nomination acknowledges his contributions to the family-run business and his ambitions for future growth. The winner will be announced on November 4 at an industry event in London.
Armathwaite Hall Hotel & Spa in the Lake District has been shortlisted for the 'Best Bar' category at the 2027 Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence. This nomination highlights the hotel's dedication to creating exceptional drinking and dining experiences in its historic setting. Winners will be announced in November 2026, and voting is open until October 19, 2026.
Georgia Ellams, a 19-year-old Airbus apprentice from Wrexham, completed the Welsh Three Peaks Challenge to raise funds for a humanitarian mission to Ghana. She is one of 20 young people from the UK selected to work on projects improving education and clean water access in Accra. Her efforts are part of the Scouts of the World Award, highlighting her commitment to community service and leadership.
Tunley Environmental has launched "Grow Your Impact," an initiative to help organisations extend the benefits of their sustainability projects beyond initial completion. The programme includes a Progress Pathway to embed sustainability findings across businesses and a referral rewards scheme to encourage clients to introduce others to Tunley Environmental's services. This initiative aims to address ongoing sustainability challenges and promote broader engagement across supply chains and professi
Russell Roof Tiles supplied 1,400 Bute3® concrete roof tiles to the BBC's DIY SOS project, helping transform a family's home in Freckleton, Preston, after their previous supplier fell through. The tiles were chosen for their quick installation, allowing the team to meet a tight deadline and convert a two-bedroom bungalow into a four-bedroom home for a family bringing their son home from hospital. This contribution highlights the importance of reliable and efficient building materials in time-sen
NEPO, a public sector procurement organisation in North East England, has been awarded the region's SME Apprenticeship Employer of the Year 2026 at the National Apprenticeship Awards. The award recognises NEPO's Regional Procurement Apprenticeship Programme, which successfully develops public sector procurement professionals and boasts a high first-time exam pass rate. This programme, launched in 2024 with 12 local authorities, addresses the procurement skills gap and supports workforce developm
Luca Bloom, a Japanese personal care brand, has started selling its men's self-care tool in the UK through Amazon.co.uk, marking its first market outside Japan. The brand, founded by Kei Sato, aims to make men's intimate care products easy to purchase and receive discreetly. Luca Bloom plans to expand to the US, Canada, and Mexico in November 2026.
Vismo has launched Vismo AI, a tool designed to improve the safety of at-risk employees globally by providing real-time location updates and threat alerts through the Vismo Locate & Protect App. It allows security teams to quickly access information and issue instructions, such as geo-fencing and notifications, enhancing the speed and effectiveness of their response to potential threats. The system prioritises data security by using only the organisation's own data and live intelligence feeds, w
Untapped Innovation has launched Innovation Gym, a toolkit designed to help FMCG R&D teams develop products more effectively and efficiently. The toolkit includes eight digital tools aimed at improving product development processes by aligning them with consumer needs, thus increasing the success rate of new product launches. This initiative addresses the high failure rate of consumer product launches by providing a structured framework that enhances speed and rigour in R&D efforts.
North Wales entrepreneur Gareth Jones has expanded his businesses, Carbon Zero Renewables and UK Leisure Living, by uniting them under one roof in St Asaph, quadrupling their previous space. This move aims to enhance their service offerings, with UK Leisure Living diversifying into swimming pool installation and Carbon Zero continuing its renewable energy projects. The expansion is part of a strategic plan for growth and improved customer experience, with further investments planned for the futu
Prolog Fulfilment highlights the importance of a well-managed returns process for ecommerce brands, emphasising that it impacts customer loyalty, operational efficiency, and profitability. The company advises integrating returns into the fulfilment strategy from the start, ensuring the process is customer-friendly and efficient, while using returns data to improve product and inventory management. By doing so, brands can turn returns from a cost centre into an opportunity for insight and value r
The Field Studies Council, an environmental education charity, is urging MPs to support the Outdoor Education Bill, which would mandate daily outdoor time and weekly outdoor lessons for schoolchildren to address the youth mental health crisis. The bill, backed by South Devon MP Caroline Voaden, aims to counteract the decline in outdoor activity among children, which has been linked to rising mental health issues. The charity emphasises the benefits of outdoor learning for children's confidence,
Tunley Environmental has released an updated Guide to Sustainable Manufacturing, offering advice to manufacturers on reducing environmental impacts and improving efficiency amid rising costs and complex supply chains. The guide, updated in October 2026, helps businesses understand their environmental impacts, address sustainability challenges, and respond to customer demands for verified sustainability data. It includes recommendations on energy efficiency, materials, supply chain transparency,
Vinted and Damson Madder have climbed in the UK fashion influence rankings, highlighting a shift towards second-hand and responsible fashion. Vinted moved up to 17th place on Instagram, while Damson Madder rose to 50th, both gaining significant attention from influencers. Despite these gains, fast fashion brands like Zara and Primark continue to dominate in terms of media value on Instagram and TikTok.
Telford College has opened a Skills Shop in Telford Centre to enhance skills and job prospects for local residents. The shop offers training, education opportunities, and services like a retail and hospitality academy, and will also host a Youth Employment Hub to support young people not in education, employment, or training. This initiative aims to provide accessible education and employment resources, benefiting both individuals and local businesses.
RebuildCostASSESSMENT, a UK insurance valuations provider, warns homeowners and landlords that property alterations, such as extensions or upgrades, can impact rebuild costs and potentially invalidate existing insurance assessments. With a significant number of UK properties inaccurately insured, the company advises reviewing rebuild costs every three years or after major changes to ensure accurate insurance coverage. This is crucial to avoid being underinsured or overinsured, which could affect
StayCotswold is offering fans of the BBC show "The Traitors" a themed getaway in the Cotswolds, featuring visits to Broadway Tower, which resembles the show's Traitors' Tower, and guided Land Rover tours. The experience includes exploring local attractions like Sudeley Castle and the village of Avening, home to actor Richard E. Grant. This themed staycation aims to immerse guests in a setting reminiscent of the show's dramatic atmosphere.
Dorset Cottage Holidays supports VisitEngland's new campaign aimed at boosting domestic coastal tourism, as bookings for such breaks have declined by 18% year-on-year. The campaign, 'All on England's Coast', promotes outdoor adventures and local attractions to encourage more people to choose coastal getaways, potentially adding £8 billion to the economy if overseas travel spending shifts domestically. The initiative is seen as beneficial for local businesses in Dorset, which relies heavily on to
The book "Governing the Machine" by Ray Eitel-Porter, Dr Paul Dongha, and Miriam Vogel has won the Specialist Business Book 2026 award at The Business Book Awards. The book provides a practical framework for organisations to responsibly manage AI while addressing risks such as fairness, privacy, and security. This recognition highlights the growing importance of effective AI governance as organisations increasingly integrate AI into their operations.
The Weston family has acquired Boots for £6.7 billion, taking over from Sycamore Partners, amidst a challenging period for UK pharmacies marked by closures and the rise of online services. Parcelhero suggests that the real value in Boots lies not in its physical stores but in its potential to succeed in the growing online health market. The acquisition highlights the ongoing transformation in the pharmacy sector, with Boots being the last major player in a market increasingly dominated by online
