Real-time chronological feed of business press releases and corporate disclosures.
Deirdre LaBassiere has been appointed as the new Chair of Tuntum Housing Association, bringing over 20 years of experience in governance and community leadership. Tuntum, based in Nottingham, provides housing and services to people of BME heritage and other vulnerable groups. Her appointment is significant as Tuntum approaches the final year of its strategic plan, aiming to enhance its services and community impact.
Duckhams Oils partnered with the Sim To Reality motorsports challenge to raise over £20,000 for The David Riddell Memorial, a charity focused on mental health and suicide prevention. The funds, collected through competition entry fees and donations, will support training for organisations to better address mental health issues in the workplace. The event culminated in a karting final, with winner Will Foulkes earning a spot in the Mini Trophy Championship, highlighting the initiative's success i
Abu Bakr Supermarket in Yorkshire is celebrating Black History Month by expanding its product range to include more items from Black-owned brands, such as food, drink, beauty, and lifestyle products. The initiative aims to highlight Black entrepreneurs and their stories, with dedicated in-store displays and online promotions. This effort is part of the supermarket's broader strategy to support independent suppliers and increase customer access to diverse products.
Construction employers with active CITB Skills & Training Fund agreements are being reminded to review their training plans as the October 2026 deadline for completing funded activities approaches. Any unused funds from these agreements must be returned, and businesses are advised to ensure all planned training is completed and documented before the deadline. This reminder comes as CITB shifts its support model, with Employer Networks now the primary route for training support for smaller constr
The Wrexham-based music duo Igloo Hearts, consisting of Katie and James MacGregor, are embracing the Welsh language following personal loss and TV success. They are studying Welsh at Coleg Cambria and have launched a Welsh-language creative project, supported by various organisations, to promote Welsh music and culture through workshops and performances until 2026. This initiative aims to encourage others to learn Welsh and engage with the language and arts without fear of not being fluent.
Taylor Maxwell supplied over £500,000 of bespoke stone for the restoration of Crystal Palace Park's historic Italian Terraces, part of a major regeneration project. The restoration, led by Bromley Council and Crystal Palace Park Trust with support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, also included improvements to the park's Victorian dinosaur sculptures and infrastructure. This project is significant as it revitalises a historic site, enhancing public access and preserving cultural heritage.
FREETOUR.com analysed over 337,000 tour selections by more than 264,000 travellers from 51 countries, revealing that while travellers may visit the same cities, they often choose different cultural experiences. Italian travellers showed a strong preference for tours focused on politics and 20th-century history, while travellers from Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, and Colombia favoured architecture and design. These insights highlight the varied interests of travellers from different countries, which
CES, a renewables energy specialist, reports that a lack of charging infrastructure and understanding of funding options is hindering the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in the UK's commercial fleet sector. Despite a 31% increase in electric commercial vehicles from 2024 to 2025, businesses face challenges due to inadequate national charging facilities and complex funding landscapes. CES urges the government to provide clarity and support to facilitate the transition to electric fleets.
VEV has completed the installation of high-powered charging infrastructure at Stagecoach’s Gillmoss depot in Liverpool, enabling the deployment of over 100 new battery-electric buses. This project, part of a collaboration with Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and others, supports Mayor Steve Rotheram’s plan to reform bus services and improve public transport by reducing emissions and enhancing service reliability. The infrastructure includes 54 dual-socket chargers and a new power connec
A leading dentist in Cumbria, Dr Neil Cooper, is advising individuals considering overseas dental treatments to thoroughly research and understand the procedures before committing, especially with an upcoming dental promotion event in Barrow-in-Furness. He emphasises the importance of knowing who will perform the treatment, understanding the procedures, and considering aftercare options, as corrective work can be more complex and costly. The General Dental Council recommends consulting with a UK
Suzanne Vernazza, a pelvic health physiotherapist from Newcastle, has won a £75,000 Innovate UK Women in Innovation Award to develop a digital pelvic health app. The app, Know Your Floors, aims to help users understand pelvic health, build healthy habits, and know when to seek further support, with features like daily exercises, gamification, and AI-supported information. This initiative addresses the need for accessible pelvic health support, a priority in the North East and North Cumbria Women
Holiday home manufacturer Willerby donated over 1,300 battery-operated smoke alarms to Humberside Fire and Rescue Service after new industry guidelines required mains-powered alarms. This donation will help the fire service extend its fire safety efforts to vulnerable residents, providing them with essential life-saving equipment. The initiative reflects Willerby's commitment to community safety and support.
Online sales in the UK increased by 2.5% in August, recovering from a decline in July, with e-commerce now accounting for 28.8% of total retail spending. Parcelhero attributes July's dip to previous promotions and a heatwave, suggesting that online retail's long-term growth remains strong. The rise in online spending is significant as it outpaced overall retail growth, indicating a continued shift towards e-commerce, especially as rising fuel prices make online shopping more appealing.
Newcastle Hospitals Charity has partnered with Seven Stories to bring storytelling sessions to young patients at Great North Children’s Hospital and Freeman Hospital. The initiative aims to improve well-being and provide a sense of normality for children during hospital stays through creative storytelling. The programme has positively impacted over 430 young patients and their families, helping reduce anxiety and encouraging family reading.
British homeware retailer Terrys Fabrics has launched the ANTE Décor Retro Collection, featuring 1970s-inspired fabrics named after icons Mercury, Bowie, and Elton. The collection includes bold patterns and colours available for curtains, blinds, and fabrics, aiming to bring vibrant retro style into modern homes at affordable prices. This launch offers consumers a way to experiment with expressive interior design without high costs.
Sheffield's Sip Fest will host a coffee festival at Trafalgar Warehouse on October 3, 2026, featuring coffee tastings, a latte art competition, and over 30 exhibitors. The event is part of a week-long celebration of the city's independent coffee culture, running from September 28 to October 4, 2026, with a free fringe programme across more than 40 local venues. The festival aims to unite Sheffield's coffee community and encourage visitors to explore and support local businesses.
Woodpecker Flooring predicts that by 2027, flooring choices will prioritise the feel and authenticity of homes, with a shift towards warm, natural materials like real wood. Trends include a move from grey to warm oak tones, the return of richer and darker woods, and the use of wider boards and sophisticated herringbone patterns. This change reflects a broader movement in interiors towards craftsmanship and character, emphasising natural variation and texture.
The Leonard family has relocated from Kent to East Yorkshire, moving 250 miles to settle in Bellway’s Palmers Grange development in Brough. They chose the area for its slower pace of life and spacious environment, purchasing a four-bedroom home. This move highlights a trend of families seeking better quality of life and modern homes in East Yorkshire.
Hydrafly, a company in the North of England, is using drone technology to clean large and hard-to-reach structures more safely and quickly than traditional methods. By employing high-pressure drones, the company can reduce the need for scaffolding and work at height, completing projects like warehouse cleaning in significantly less time. This approach offers a safer and less disruptive alternative for maintaining commercial and industrial buildings, potentially transforming how such tasks are ma
BRCK Group plc has obtained three ISO certifications-ISO 9001 for quality management, ISO 14001 for environmental management, and ISO 45001 for occupational health and safety-across its entire business portfolio. This achievement, following an 18-month preparation programme, underscores the company's commitment to quality, environmental responsibility, and health and safety standards. The certifications were formally presented at the company's Bracknell head office, marking a significant milesto
Integra Buildings, a modular construction company based in Yorkshire, is expecting record financial performance in 2026 with a forecasted turnover of over £55 million and pre-tax profits exceeding £6 million. The company attributes its growth to delivering more complex projects and investing in its workforce and facilities, including a planned expansion of its headquarters. This growth positions Integra for further success as it approaches its 30th anniversary in 2027.
Ecommpay has released a free guide called 'The Black Friday Stress Test' to help small businesses prepare for Black Friday by optimising their websites and operations. The guide provides practical tips on ensuring profit from bestsellers, testing website functionality, having backup payment options, setting realistic delivery times, checking fraud protections, and planning for post-sale processes. This initiative aims to help smaller merchants maximise their profits during the peak shopping peri
Herringbone House, a family-run cabinet and furniture maker, has launched an online shop offering British-made interiors, including wallpapers, fabrics, and furniture. The shop features products crafted in England by skilled artisans, emphasising local craftsmanship and sustainability. This initiative aims to provide customers with high-quality, uniquely designed home decor that supports British manufacturing.
The Verification of Lubricant Specifications (VLS) has appointed Nigel Bottom as its new Chairman, succeeding Darren Frogson. Nigel Bottom, who is the Group Managing Director of the Witham Group and has extensive experience in the UK lubricants industry, aims to promote a fair market and uphold compliance standards. This leadership change is significant for maintaining trust and standards in the lubricant industry.
A community open weekend will be held on 16th and 17th October at the Marchesi Centre in Windermere, inviting locals and visitors to learn about the transformation of the historic Windermere Hotel. The event, organised by the Elysium Windermere hotel and spa team, will showcase the hotel's refurbishment plans, which aim to preserve its heritage while adding modern amenities. The project is expected to boost the local economy by creating up to 130 jobs and supporting the supply chain.
