News

All-time high revenues reached at video games developer

All-time high revenues reached at video games developer 26 Mar 2025

Independent video games developer, everplay, has reported a “strong bounce back in profitability” in its unaudited final results for the year ended 31 December 2024.

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Wakefield BID and Trinity Walk join forces for Great British Spring Clean

Wakefield BID and Trinity Walk join forces for Great British Spring Clean 26 Mar 2025

Wakefield BID has launched its first M.A.D. (Make A Difference) event of the year in partnership with Trinity Walk.

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Mid-market businesses in Yorkshire show surge in confidence

Mid-market businesses in Yorkshire show surge in confidence 26 Mar 2025

New research from Grant Thornton UK LLP’s latest Business Outlook Tracker shows a significant recent uplift in business optimism.

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Plan to turn former city centre restaurant into play cafe

Plan to turn former city centre restaurant into play cafe 26 Mar 2025

Plans have been submitted to convert a former city centre restaurant into a children’s play café.

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Pontefract's historic Counting House reopens as bar and restaurant

Pontefract's historic Counting House reopens as bar and restaurant 24 Mar 2025

One of the oldest buildings in Pontefract has undergone a huge restoration and reopened as a bar and restaurant.

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Wakefield-based music app welcomes Non-Executive Chairman

Wakefield-based music app welcomes Non-Executive Chairman 20 Mar 2025

Pure Energy Music, a music service for the fitness industry, is delighted to announce the appointment of Ivan Stevenson as Non-Executive Chairman.

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Network Space secure planning for 30-acre commercial site near Wakefield

Network Space secure planning for 30-acre commercial site near Wakefield 18 Mar 2025

Network Space Developments (NSD) has secured Reserved Matters planning permission for warehousing and distribution units on a 30-acre site on Newmarket Lane, Wakefield.

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West Yorkshire Apprenticeship Awards 2025: Deadline looms for submitting entries for this year's event

West Yorkshire Apprenticeship Awards 2025: Deadline looms for submitting entries for this year's event 18 Mar 2025

Time is running out for businesses to submit their nominations for the West Yorkshire Apprenticeship Awards 2025.

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Junction 32 announces Wakefield-based Yorkshire Air Ambulance as new charity partner for 2025

Junction 32 announces Wakefield-based Yorkshire Air Ambulance as new charity partner for 2025 17 Mar 2025

The Castleford shopping hotspot has announced Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) as their new charity partner for 2025.

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Construction begins to turn vacant city site into affordable homes

Construction begins to turn vacant city site into affordable homes 17 Mar 2025

Wakefield Council says work has begun to transform the site of the former Chantry House building into 50 new affordable homes.

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New podcast series supports Wakefield business leaders

New podcast series supports Wakefield business leaders 13 Mar 2025

A Wakefield-based business advisory firm has launched a new podcast aimed at helping SME business owners relate, learn and grow.

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Care home company expands portfolio with seven-figure deal

Care home company expands portfolio with seven-figure deal 13 Mar 2025

Buxton-based Montane Care has brokered the sale of Cooper House care home in Bradford on behalf of Priory Group.

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A new chapter for WDH as it rebrands to Vico Homes

A new chapter for WDH as it rebrands to Vico Homes 12 Mar 2025

WDH will become Vico Homes from 1 April 2025.

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Pontefract opticians relocating after almost 30 years is set to quadruple in size

Pontefract opticians relocating after almost 30 years is set to quadruple in size 12 Mar 2025

After serving the local community for 29 years, Specsavers Pontefract is moving premises to accommodate the growing demand for eye and hearing care in the area.

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Maker of the Month: Tracy Hopkinson

Maker of the Month: Tracy Hopkinson 12 Mar 2025

Tracy Hopkinson is a talented textile artist and illustrator who creates story-based artwork from her home in the Wakefield District.

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More than 200 jobs safeguarded as company is acquired out of administration

More than 200 jobs safeguarded as company is acquired out of administration 10 Mar 2025

A Wakefield-headquartered provider of specialist industrial services has been bought of administration.

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Phoenix Works: Plan to demolish century-old industrial estate to build modern units

Phoenix Works: Plan to demolish century-old industrial estate to build modern units 10 Mar 2025

A century-old industrial estate could be demolished to make way for modern business units.

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Greggs jobs: UK bakery chain to hand out record £20.5m in staff bonuses as sausage roll sales soar

Greggs jobs: UK bakery chain to hand out record £20.5m in staff bonuses as sausage roll sales soar 10 Mar 2025

Staff are in for a treat as the bakery chain dishes out its biggest bonus yet

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Pontefract-based CIC marks one year of delivering immersive team development workshop: ‘Battle of the Barristers’

Pontefract-based CIC marks one year of delivering immersive team development workshop: ‘Battle of the Barristers’ 10 Mar 2025

Mum of two, Diane Hall, 50, based in Pontefract, founded Evolve3 CIC in 2022.

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Worktops manufacturer invests to drive up production capacity and quality

Worktops manufacturer invests to drive up production capacity and quality 6 Mar 2025

Roann, a fabricator and installer of high-volume low-silica worktops, has unveiled a £300,000 investment in its Wakefield factory.

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Popular pet superstore confirms opening date of new Pontefract shop

Popular pet superstore confirms opening date of new Pontefract shop 4 Mar 2025

Award-winning pet retailer Jollyes has confirmed that its new Pontefract branch will open next week.

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'This Was Our Year': Exhibition celebrating city's culture, heritage and community to open at Wakefield Exchange

'This Was Our Year': Exhibition celebrating city's culture, heritage and community to open at Wakefield Exchange 4 Mar 2025

Wakefield Council’s newest events space, Wakefield Exchange is hosting an exhibition to celebrate the amazing culture, heritage and community of the Wakefield district.

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Town centre church set to be converted into carpet warehouse

Town centre church set to be converted into carpet warehouse 3 Mar 2025

A church close to Pontefract town centre which dates back to the 1920s looks set to be converted into a carpet warehouse.

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British Pie Week: Castleford-based family business to compete in British Pie Awards with Steak & Leeds Best Pie

British Pie Week: Castleford-based family business to compete in British Pie Awards with Steak & Leeds Best Pie 3 Mar 2025

A Castleford-based family business will compete in the British Pie Awards.

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Partnership deals boost activity for regeneration specialist

Partnership deals boost activity for regeneration specialist 3 Mar 2025

Muse, a regeneration business which has a base in Leeds, has contributed to the financial results released today by parent company Morgan Sindall Group.

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Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce’s MY Awards return for 2025

Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce’s MY Awards return for 2025 28 Feb 2025

Two new categories have been launched for 2025 – Apprentice of the Year and Manufacturer of the Year.

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Former Barclays bank to be turned into gym

Former Barclays bank to be turned into gym 28 Feb 2025

A former Barclays bank branch in Hemsworth is to be converted into a gym and physiotherapy centre.

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Castleford’s Brewing Revival: Lost Cause Brewing launches crowdfunder to bring production home

Castleford’s Brewing Revival: Lost Cause Brewing launches crowdfunder to bring production home 25 Feb 2025

While many breweries are being swallowed up by big corporations or setting up shop in city centres, Lost Cause Brewing is taking a different path.

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Specialist hired to deliver £2.5m worth of works at flagship regeneration

Specialist hired to deliver £2.5m worth of works at flagship regeneration 25 Feb 2025

Wakefield-based CCL Facades has been appointed by property developer BAM to deliver a £2.5m package of works at Kirklees Council’s development in Huddersfield.

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Life sciences company seals exclusive overseas supply deal

Life sciences company seals exclusive overseas supply deal 25 Feb 2025

Wakefield-based ProBiotix Health, a life sciences business developing probiotics to support cardiometabolic health, has secured a new supply agreement in the Far East.

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Pontefract's revamped Counting House is set to reopen as a pub and restaurant

Pontefract's revamped Counting House is set to reopen as a pub and restaurant 24 Feb 2025

One of Pontefract’s most historic and striking buildings has undergone a massive revamp and is set to become a pub and restaurant.

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Mayor opens Hamilton Springs care home in Pontefract which has created 100 new jobs

Mayor opens Hamilton Springs care home in Pontefract which has created 100 new jobs 24 Feb 2025

A new home offering nurse-led care to adults living with a range of complex needs has opened in Pontefract, creating 100 new jobs.

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Multi-billion-pound building materials sector unites to showcase career options in Wakefield

Multi-billion-pound building materials sector unites to showcase career options in Wakefield 24 Feb 2025

A pioneering careers campaign led by a national trade body has been launched, delivering a united voice across the multi-billion-pound building materials sector.

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Number of Companies In West Yorkshire Hits Record High

Number of Companies In West Yorkshire Hits Record High 24 Feb 2025

New figures just published reveal that in 2024 the number of companies in West Yorkshire was the highest ever recorded.

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£220m turnover car dealership shifts gears into employee ownership

£220m turnover car dealership shifts gears into employee ownership 18 Feb 2025

West Yorkshire-based car dealership, Cars 2 Ltd, has been sold by its shareholders to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT).

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Wakefield's The Dam Inn pub's record-breaking fundraising earns national recognition

Wakefield's The Dam Inn pub's record-breaking fundraising earns national recognition 18 Feb 2025

The finalists in the influential pub industry awards, PubAid’s Community Pub Hero Awards, have been announced and Wakefield’s The Dam Inn has been shortlisted.

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Wakefield Council makes market licensing simple for event organisers

Wakefield Council makes market licensing simple for event organisers 17 Feb 2025

Wakefield Council is urging event organisers to check whether they need a market licence, making it easier than ever to apply.

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Castleford Brewery unleashes 'Creaking Bones', a tangy tribute to the city’s rhubarb heritage

Castleford Brewery unleashes 'Creaking Bones', a tangy tribute to the city’s rhubarb heritage 17 Feb 2025

Castleford-based craft brewery, Lost Cause Brewing, is giving Wakefield's world-famous forced rhubarb a bold, refreshing twist with their latest creation.

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Former Wakefield library could be converted into a shop

Former Wakefield library could be converted into a shop 15 Feb 2025

Plans have been submitted to convert a vacant former library into a retail unit.

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Specialist recruiter grows its footprint with another office opening

Specialist recruiter grows its footprint with another office opening 14 Feb 2025

An education recruitment agency has opened a new office in Wakefield to support business growth across West Yorkshire.

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Banking hub opens in South Elmsall with community bankers from HSBC, Barclays, NatWest, Halifax and Lloyds

Banking hub opens in South Elmsall with community bankers from HSBC, Barclays, NatWest, Halifax and Lloyds 13 Feb 2025

A new banking hub has opened in South Elmsall.

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The Communities Innovating Yorkshire Fund is now live

The Communities Innovating Yorkshire Fund is now live 12 Feb 2025

A key element of the Yorkshire Policy Innovation Partnership project is this £800k funding pot to support additional exploration into innovative approaches to policy.

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Trinity Walk Wakefield bucks national trend with more than 11 million visits in 2024

Trinity Walk Wakefield bucks national trend with more than 11 million visits in 2024 11 Feb 2025

Wakefield’s Trinity Walk shopping centre is celebrating its best ever year after welcoming around 11.35 million visits in 2024.

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Maker of the Month: Wayne Sables

Maker of the Month: Wayne Sables 11 Feb 2025

Our Maker of the Month for February is Wayne Sables. He's an innovative local creative who specialises in dynamic filmmaking, stunning projection mapping and much more. 

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Citizen Coin: Rewarding social good in Wakefield

Citizen Coin: Rewarding social good in Wakefield 11 Feb 2025

Are you a Wakefield business looking to boost visibility and connect with community champions? Join the Citizen Coin initiative!

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Six Chimneys: JD Wetherspoon to extend pub beer garden opening hours

Six Chimneys: JD Wetherspoon to extend pub beer garden opening hours 10 Feb 2025

A city centre pub has been granted permission to extend its beer garden opening hours.

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Wakefield district pavement cafe licences to remain free of charge

Wakefield district pavement cafe licences to remain free of charge 9 Feb 2025

Wakefield Council has agreed not to charge fees for pavement cafe licenses for two more years.

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Society with Wakefield branch named top high street provider for savings for third year running

Society with Wakefield branch named top high street provider for savings for third year running 8 Feb 2025

Yorkshire Building Society’s savings team collected the awards for High Street Savings Provider of the Year 2025

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Rob Hubbard to Host "Cost Matters  - Redefining Excellence in Quantity Surveying” Conference 2025

Rob Hubbard to Host "Cost Matters - Redefining Excellence in Quantity Surveying” Conference 2025 7 Feb 2025

Rob Hubbard, Principal Consultant and Owner of Cantidad Limited, is pleased to present their conference, "Cost Matters: Redefining Excellence in Quantity Surveying."

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Davis Wagon Services invests £130,000 in staff welfare and facilities at its Ferrybridge site

Davis Wagon Services invests £130,000 in staff welfare and facilities at its Ferrybridge site 7 Feb 2025

Davis Wagon Services has completed a £130,000 refurbishment project to transform a derelict building at its rail freight maintenance depot at Ferrybridge.

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Schools raise cash for Prince of Wales Hospice in Dragon’s Den meets The Apprentice challenge

Schools raise cash for Prince of Wales Hospice in Dragon’s Den meets The Apprentice challenge 6 Feb 2025

The Prince of Wales Hospice put local schools to the test with their new Dragon’s Den meets The Apprentice style challenge and the winners were revealed at a final event.

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Castleford’s former M&S store set to become Heron Foods supermarket

Castleford’s former M&S store set to become Heron Foods supermarket 5 Feb 2025

Castleford’s former Marks & Spencer store looks to be converted into Heron Foods supermarket.

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Wakefield based Atkin Automation lands largest ever export contract

Wakefield based Atkin Automation lands largest ever export contract 4 Feb 2025

The Atkin Automation division of Group Rhodes, based in Wakefield, is celebrating a record 7-figure export contract win.

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Appointment aims to accelerate city’s long-term regeneration

Appointment aims to accelerate city’s long-term regeneration 3 Feb 2025

Wakefield Council has appointed Muse as its new strategic regeneration partner.

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Six-figure investment helps fitness operators hit the right notes

Six-figure investment helps fitness operators hit the right notes 3 Feb 2025

A music streaming app, developed in West Yorkshire, has launched to the UK fitness and gym industry.

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Housing provider secures £30m to support green improvement plan

Housing provider secures £30m to support green improvement plan 3 Feb 2025

Wakefield-based social housing provider, WDH, has agreed to a £30m funding deal with NatWest to support a series of green improvement projects across its portfolio.

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All the Wakefield cafes, restaurants and pubs taking part in the Rhubarb Festival Food and Drink Trail 2025

All the Wakefield cafes, restaurants and pubs taking part in the Rhubarb Festival Food and Drink Trail 2025 31 Jan 2025

The countdown is underway for Wakefield’s famous Rhubarb Festival.

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Supermarket giant Tesco to open new store in Wakefield

Supermarket giant Tesco to open new store in Wakefield 30 Jan 2025

Tesco is getting ready to welcome customers to a brand new Express store in Wrenthorpe.

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City centre events, leisure and casual dining space to launch next month

City centre events, leisure and casual dining space to launch next month 30 Jan 2025

Wakefield Exchange (WX), a new space hosting events, street food, studios and more, will open next month in the city centre.

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Pets & Friends launch on Just Eat, offering thousands of pet products delivered in 30 minutes or less

Pets & Friends launch on Just Eat, offering thousands of pet products delivered in 30 minutes or less 29 Jan 2025

Specialist petcare retailer Pets & Friends has teamed up with the UK’s biggest delivery network, enabling millions of customers to order products for same day delivery.

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Pet superstore Jollyes announces plans for brand new store in Pontefract creating 12 jobs

Pet superstore Jollyes announces plans for brand new store in Pontefract creating 12 jobs 29 Jan 2025

Award-winning pet superstore Jollyes has announced it is to open a brand new store in Pontefract later this year as part or its expansion plans.

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Aegis Energy secure £100 million to build new network

Aegis Energy secure £100 million to build new network 29 Jan 2025

Aegis Energy has successfully completed their fundraising, securing £100 million to build a network of clean, multi-energy refuelling hubs for commercial vehicles.

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Castleford's Junction 32 wins big at Loo of the Year Awards 2024

Castleford's Junction 32 wins big at Loo of the Year Awards 2024 27 Jan 2025

It’s official, Castleford is home to the UK’s very best public toilet!

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Fresh brand identity rolled out for video games developer

Fresh brand identity rolled out for video games developer 23 Jan 2025

Independent video games developer, Team17 Group, is rebranding itself to everplay group plc.

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Castleford business networking group celebrate award winning success

Castleford business networking group celebrate award winning success 23 Jan 2025

The Growth Community Castleford networking group is celebrating a remarkable achievement after winning prestigious awards, recognising its impact on local businesses.

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Coca-Cola plans to generate nitrogen at West Yorkshire drinks plant

Coca-Cola plans to generate nitrogen at West Yorkshire drinks plant 21 Jan 2025

Coca-Cola has revealed plans to generate nitrogen at its factory in Wakefield to use in the production of soft drinks.

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Amazon team in Wakefield celebrates as company is named top employer for second consecutive year

Amazon team in Wakefield celebrates as company is named top employer for second consecutive year 17 Jan 2025

The company, which has a fulfilment centre in Wakefield has received an accolade as a Top Employer in 2025.

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Family-run Castleford estate agents start the new year with one mission - to give back to the community

Family-run Castleford estate agents start the new year with one mission - to give back to the community 17 Jan 2025

A family-run estate agents in Castleford are giving back in 2025 by supporting people and organisations that make their community thrive.

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Bringing care closer to home: local social worker translates experience into new care company

Bringing care closer to home: local social worker translates experience into new care company 17 Jan 2025

After four years of working in social care, James Cobbett saw firsthand the challenges faced by carers – burnout, long hours and a lack of appreciation.

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Hands Across Wakefield: Celebrating 125 Years of Pinderfields Hospital

Hands Across Wakefield: Celebrating 125 Years of Pinderfields Hospital 17 Jan 2025

Hands Across Wakefield is a landmark event celebrating 125 years of healthcare on the Pinderfields site.

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Fry Awards 2025: Two fish and chip shops in Wakefield named among 50 best in UK

Fry Awards 2025: Two fish and chip shops in Wakefield named among 50 best in UK 16 Jan 2025

Two fish and chip shops in the Wakefield district have been named among the 50 best in the UK.

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Card Factory has good Christmas on the high street

Card Factory has good Christmas on the high street 14 Jan 2025

The cards and gifts retailer increased sales by 4.7% through November and December.

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Specialist machinery manufacturer is on the move

Specialist machinery manufacturer is on the move 13 Jan 2025

Group Rhodes, which designs, develops and makes machinery, has relocated its BJD Crushers business to Wakefield from Barnsley.

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Maker of the Month: Tori Tipton

Maker of the Month: Tori Tipton 13 Jan 2025

Tori Tipton is a local contemporary artist. She uses her natural surrounding in Ackworth to inspire her creations and she is featured as our Maker of the Month.

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Wakefield's Conservatory Outlet posts £35m sales as Premium Retailers break record after record

Wakefield's Conservatory Outlet posts £35m sales as Premium Retailers break record after record 8 Jan 2025

The UK’s leading manufacturer of windows, doors and living space products has seen its Network of Premium Retailers achieve an economy-busting 24% year-on-year growth.

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Leading bodywork and alloy wheel repairer comes to Wakefield

Leading bodywork and alloy wheel repairer comes to Wakefield 8 Jan 2025

Revive! opens an exciting new franchise in Wakefield to expand on its rapidly growing SMART Repair network.

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Vue Cinema coming to Castleford

Vue Cinema coming to Castleford 6 Jan 2025

Xscape Yorkshire in Castleford has today announced that cinema chain Vue will be opening at the leisure hub next year.

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Normanton engineering firm teams up with clothing bank for Christmas mission to help people in poverty

Normanton engineering firm teams up with clothing bank for Christmas mission to help people in poverty 3 Jan 2025

A Normanton based engineering firm has teamed up with a charity to tackle clothing poverty.

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Escape rooms firm shortlisted for Yorkshire Business of the Year award

Escape rooms firm shortlisted for Yorkshire Business of the Year award 1 Jan 2025

The business behind the escape rooms and cocktail bars found in Xscape and White Rose, The Escapologist, has been shortlisted for the Yorkshire Business of the Year.

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