Michael Crossland

A study by precision engineering firm Accu found that only 9% of UK engineering vacancies advertised over the previous year were entry-level. Bradford had the lowest proportion among UK cities, with 4.4% of 685 vacancies aimed at junior candidates, compared with 10.4% in Leeds and 11.4% in York. Sheffield recorded 8.2% and Middlesbrough 8.7%. Accu managing director Alastair Morris called for greater investment in apprenticeships, graduate schemes and trainee roles, alongside stronger support for women entering STEM careers. The findings come as South Yorkshire's TechSY taskforce seeks to increase women's participation in technology and engineering, where women currently represent 18% of the regional workforce.

Heuro Studios, a young digital business based in Hull, has received a £728.97 grant from broadband provider Quickline to purchase equipment and website domains. Founded by University of Hull graduates Alex Sparkes, Rand Nessif and Jack Shanks, the company creates immersive digital experiences, apps and websites, with a focus on educational and heritage projects. The grant comes through Quickline’s two-year partnership with the John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank, which offers up to £1,000 to East Yorkshire entrepreneurs aged 16 to 29. Heuro co-founder Rand Nessif also received a £741.37 test-market grant, while the wider initiative aims to support at least 25 young people over two years and promote digital inclusion and entrepreneurship.

York-based tour operator Great Rail Journeys more than doubled pre-tax profits to £18.5 million in the year to 31 October 2025, while revenue rose from £111 million to £140 million. The growth followed Vitruvian Partners’ acquisition of the company from Duke Street and was attributed to higher passenger volumes and average selling prices across its product ranges. Great Rail Journeys plans to invest in technology, develop a connected booking platform and expand beyond rail tours, building on its river-cruise offering and recent luxury rail launches including Orient Express trips. CEO David Riley said the company’s US business was gaining momentum and that the latest results reflected continued strong performance.

Tadweld says revised UK steel trade measures introduced in July are increasing raw-material costs for domestic fabricators while imported fabricated steel can avoid equivalent cost pressures, creating what it calls a fabricated-product loophole. The Tadcaster manufacturer reports price increases of 24.51% for mild steel sections, 30.63% for aluminium sections and 5.94% for stainless steel sheets. Managing director Chris Houston argues the policy disadvantages manufacturers that use steel, while the Government says the measures protect domestic production from global overcapacity and will be reviewed after 12 months.

Landlords accounted for 14.1% of Great Britain’s home purchases in July 2026, above the 12.4% year-to-date average, as investors took advantage of weaker buyer demand and longer selling times. Hamptons analyst David Fell said cash reserves and chain-free status gave landlords greater negotiating leverage. Investors paid an average of 88.7% of initial asking prices, while 56% of their offers were at least 10% below asking—the highest proportion since April 2020.

W.B.H Lord and Sons, the company behind Brighouse photography shop Lord’s Photography and Harrison Lord Gallery, has closed after almost a century of trading. The directors cited recent ill-health and reduced footfall during Brighouse town-centre regeneration works. Walker Singleton will auction the businesses’ assets, including cameras, photography supplies, frames, art stock, studio equipment, photo-printing systems and gallery framing machinery, with bidding closing on August 21.

Facegym will open a 1,772-square-foot studio at the Victoria Gate shopping centre in Leeds, its second standalone UK location outside London. The studio will provide non-invasive facial workouts combining massage techniques and skincare, with CEO Angelo Castello citing Leeds’s beauty, wellness and retail markets and growing demand across Yorkshire.

Sheffield FC has appointed CMS as its exclusive legal partner, creating a relationship between two organizations with longstanding ties to Sheffield. Club chairman Jon McClure said the partnership would support efforts to establish the world’s oldest football club as financially sustainable while preserving its identity. The agreement follows IAV Holdings Limited’s investment in the club and McClure’s appointment as chairman.