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Markets Update: Crude Rises Amid Iran Ceasefire Concerns, Causing Jitters
Brent crude has headed back above $97 a barrel. Israel’s strikes on Lebanon have sparked accusations of a violation of ceasefire terms. Jitters hit equity markets, with London’s FTSE 100 struggling to hang onto gains. Diesel prices hit £1.90 a litre and £2 a litre at some motorway service stations.
P.ublished 9th April 2026
Sedbergh Inn Shortlisted For National Pub And Bar Award
Helen Kitchen
Deputy Business Editor
Black Bull, Sedbergh. Photo: Amanda Farnese-Heath Photography
A historic Cumbrian inn is in the running for a major industry accolade after being named a county finalist in the National Pub & Bar Awards 2026. The Black Bull in Sedbergh was this week confirmed as one of 252 businesses shortlisted across the UK.
P.ublished 9th April 2026
Leeds Secures Status As UK’s Third-Largest Regional Rental Market
Helen Kitchen
Deputy Business Editor
Leeds recorded £281m of investment into its build-to-rent (BTR) sector in 2025, cementing its position as the UK’s third-largest regional market outside London.
P.ublished 9th April 2026
Businesses Brace For Tougher Trading As Cost Pressures Drive Price Rises
Paul Dickson, CEO of Armstrong Watson
More than half of businesses expect trading conditions to worsen in 2026/27, while rising employment costs and wider uncertainty continue to weigh on confidence, according to Armstrong Watson’s latest Client Business Confidence Survey.
P.ublished 9th April 2026
Celerity Acquires Ibm AI & Automation Software Specialist
BGF-backed Celerity, a provider of hybrid cloud and IT managed services, has acquired Ranger4 as it continues to deliver strong growth and expansion. Since 2011, Ranger4 has built a solid reputation for delivering enterprise class solutions based on measurable outcomes that help organisations reduce cost and guarantee customer service levels and performance.
P.ublished 9th April 2026
Haydock Finance In Blackburn Achieves Record Q1 Results With 30% Increase In Lending Vol
Haydock has reported a record Q1 after a 30% YoY increase in lending volume, underscoring the success of its organic growth and market-leadership strategy. New business levels have outperformed expectations, fuelled by strong partner-network collaboration and the consistent service levels.
P.ublished 8th April 2026
New Climate Risk & Resilience Service Helps Businesses Navigate Climate Uncertainty
Sustainability consultancy Tunley Environmental has launched its new Climate Risk and Resilience Strategy service, supporting organisations in understanding and managing the operational, financial and strategic risks posed by climate change.
P.ublished 8th April 2026
Accu Components Power Round-The-World Sailor
Huddersfield-based precision engineering component company Accu is celebrating the success of Northumbrian adventurer and sailor Adam Waugh, who recently completed a 28,000-nautical-mile journey across some of the world’s most formidable oceans in a 19-foot yacht he built in his garden shed.
P.ublished 8th April 2026
Financial Services Saw Improved Activity In Q1 2026
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
Business volumes in the financial services sector rebounded in the first quarter of 2026 at the fastest rate since December 1996, according to the latest CBI Financial Services Survey. The improvement in activity supported a pick-up in sentiment for the first time since June 2024, alongside a recovery in profitability.
P.ublished 7th April 2026
£1.5 Million Recovered For Small Businesses By Small Business Commissioner
Image by Wilfried Pohnke from Pixabay
The Office of the Small Business Commissioner (OSBC) has supported small businesses to recover over £1.5 million in overdue late payments after they engaged with the OSBC through the enquiry service. Through the service, small businesses who have an unresolved payment dispute with a larger customer, which they have been unable to resolve, can reach out to the OSBC for support.
P.ublished 7th April 2026
The Best Time To List A Rental Property Revealed
Image by mastersenaiper from Pixabay
Lettings experts at Linley & Simpson reveal the best time to list a rental property to get twice as many enquiries Spring is a natural reset for our homes with a light refresh going a long way to help us feel rejuvenated.
P.ublished 4th April 2026
New Employment Laws Come Into Force In Biggest Overhaul Of Workers’ Rights In A Generation
Image by Pete Linforth from Pixabay
New employment laws come into force today [Monday, 6 April], as part the ‘biggest upgrade in workers’ rights in a generation’. From today, North West businesses will face a raft of new reforms intended to bring the world of work into the 21st century, transforming workplace law.
P.ublished 4th April 2026
Mind Your Manners, A British Traveller’s Guide To Etiquette Abroad
Travelling abroad is a wonderful opportunity for cultural enrichment and adventure, but it’s easy to forget that each destination comes with its own set of customs and expectations. For British travellers renowned for politeness, orderly queuing and frequent apologies, stepping outside the UK can bring challenges that require a little adaptation.
P.ublished 4th April 2026
Small Businesses Say Rising Energy Bills Will Cost Them More Than £2,000 A Month
UK small businesses say that the hike in energy prices following the war in the Middle East will cost them an average of £2,273.90 extra a month –according to new research conducted this week for Novuna Business Finance. Whilst many consumers have noticed prices soaring at the pumps, small businesses need energy in various other ways.
P.ublished 3rd April 2026
DJH Completes Cross-Border Sale As IPEC Joins ABB’s Global Electrification Network
A North West accounting and professional services group has completed its involvement in a high profile cross-border deal, which has seen IPEC Limited become part of a world leader in electrification and automation.
P.ublished 3rd April 2026
Northwest Bakery Is Named One Of The Best By The Good Food Guide
Cumbria and Manchester’s Lovingly Artisan Bakery has once again been named among the UK’s top bakeries in The Good Food Guide’s annual Top 50 Bakeries list. First introduced in 2025, the list showcases the very best artisan bakeries in Britain, handpicked by The Good Food Guide’s expert judges from among the country’s finest producers of bread, pastries and baked goods.
P.ublished 3rd April 2026
Tool Theft Surges 16% Despite National Campaign
Image by Irina Savchishina from Pixabay
A fresh warning has been issued to UK tradespeople as tool theft continues to rise, with 30,848 offences recorded in 2025, valued at almost £19 million. That equates to around 85 incidents every single day, with some areas of the country being hit significantly harder than others.
P.ublished 2nd April 2026
Leeds To Host Major Infrastructure Summit As £725bn Funding Gap Looms
Helen Kitchen
Deputy Business Editor
Image by Dave Noonan from Pixabay
The future of UK infrastructure and the rise of AI-driven data centres will take centre stage in Leeds this May, as thousands of investors descend on the city for the UK Real Estate Investment & Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF).
P.ublished 2nd April 2026
Three Quarters Of UK Firms Impacted By Middle East Conflict But Confidence In Own Prospects Remains Resilient
Image by Mohamed Hassan from Pixabay
Barclays Business Prosperity research among over 500 UK business leaders assessing the impact of the Middle East conflict shows: 66 per cent of businesses say they are already experiencing pressures from fuel and energy prices, while 50 per cent report moderate or significant supply chain disruptions 37 per cent have taken steps to reduce energy usage or improve efficiency in response,…
P.ublished 2nd April 2026
Businesses Urged To Embrace "Real-Time" Tax Revolution
Helen Kitchen
Deputy Business Editor
Fraser Campbell, UK Head of Accounts at Azets
A major shift in how the UK handles tax is just around the corner, offering hundreds of thousands of sole traders and landlords a chance to modernise their finances. From 6 April, the Government’s Making Tax Digital (MTD) initiative becomes mandatory for those with a gross income above £50,000.
P.ublished 2nd April 2026
Paxon Strengthens Sales Capability With Second BDM Appointment In 2026
Newly formed Blackburn-based logistics brand Paxon, created by bringing together Active Ants, Staci and Radial, has appointed Anthony Heath as Business Development Manager (BDM), continuing the expansion of its commercial team.
P.ublished 2nd April 2026
Northern Talent Tracker: This Week's Key Appointments
Cleckheaton-based people consultancy Howarths has promoted Tracey Hopkins to Managing Director as the firm enters its 23rd year of operation. Previously the Chief Financial Officer, Ms Hopkins becomes the first person outside of the founding family to lead the West Yorkshire business.
P.ublished 2nd April 2026
Market Update: Roar Of Recovery Amid Iran Hopes And Openai’s Mega Fundraising Round
A relief wave hits equity markets amid Trump’s claims the war with Iran will end in weeks. Brent crude falls to below $100 a barrel, but worries remain about supplies going forward. OpenAI’s mega valuation following a funding round highlights private markets opportunities. Shares in Topps Tiles fall 8% as 23 stores are set to close.
P.ublished 1st April 2026
IoD: Middle East Conflict Drives Economic Confidence To New Record Low
The IoD Directors’ Economic Confidence Index, which measures business leader optimism over prospects for the UK economy, fell to its lowest ever reading of -76 in March 2026, from -63 in February. Business leader confidence in their own organisations also fell, to -2 in March from +1 in February.
P.ublished 1st April 2026
Lancashire Manufacturers Set For £2.5m Digital Leap Forward
Photo: Made Smarter
Hundreds of manufacturers across Lancashire are set to accelerate their digital transformation after the Government confirmed fresh funding for the Made Smarter programme from April.
P.ublished 1st April 2026
Creative Industry Tax Reliefs Must Take Centre-Stage For Yorkshire’s Arts And Cultural Sectors
Fergus Watson-West
Chartered accounting and business advisory firm, Saffery, has experienced an increase in enquiries from theatres, museums and arts organisations, from across Leeds and beyond, seeking specialist advice on cultural tax relief, as the city’s creative sector continues to grow. Leeds is increasingly recognised as one of the UK’s creative centres.
P.ublished 1st April 2026
York Handmade Triumph In Major Manchester Building Competition
3 Circle Square Photo: Brick Development Association
The York Handmade Brick Company has played a pivotal role in securing a major award for one of Manchester’s most impressive new buildings. 3 Circle Square, in the heart of Manchester’s innovation district, has been named the best new building in the annual Manchester Chamber of Commerce awards.
P.ublished 1st April 2026
Growing Building Services Group Merges With Decarbonised Ltd
L-R Phil Riddeal, Christian Southee, Leigh Farr, Chris Tate.
Growing building services group merges with Decarbonised Ltd, strengthening its commitment to a low-carbon built environment Leeds-based building services group behind commissioning specialist Verisys Ltd and building services design consultancy Kaizen Consulting Engineers Ltd, has announced the merger with Decarbonised Ltd.
P.ublished 1st April 2026
Market Update: Trump Talk Pushes Oil Down, But Markets Remain Unsettled
Reports that President Trump is inclined to end the war, even without controlling the Strait of Hormuz, have pushed down oil prices. Markets remain skittish, with futures indicating a rise for the FTSE 100 and Wall Street, while Asian markets remain in the red. Conflicting signals from Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu and retaliatory strikes by Iran are set to keep markets volatile. Data from the British Retail Consortium confirms UK prices were already rising as the conflict in Iran broke out.
P.ublished 31st March 2026
SealStop Joins An Elite Band Of Responsible Businesses
SealStop, the Yorkshire-made automatic shut-off valve designed to eliminate water waste and save gardeners’ time, has joined an elite band of organisations who promote responsible business behaviour. The business has just become Good Business Charter-accredited. SealStop was invented by Yorkshire farmers Jason and Belle Richardson of Pocklington.
P.ublished 31st March 2026
£30bn Of Savings Available To Employers Before Pensions Salary Sacrifice Reforms Take Effect In 2029
UK businesses could benefit from £30bn of National Insurance savings before the reforms to salary sacrifice schemes for pensions come into force in April 2029, new analysis from accountancy and business advisory firm BDO has found.
P.ublished 31st March 2026
North West Business Confidence Dips In March
Business confidence in North West fell five points to 53% in March. Firms’ optimism in their own trading prospects fell seven points to 60%, while their optimism in the economy dipped two points to 46%. A net balance of 50% of businesses in the region also expect to increase staff levels over the next year, up six points on last month.Overall UK business confidence rose 11 points to 55%.
P.ublished 31st March 2026
North West PE-Backed Mid-market Businesses Saw Average 32.9% EBITDA Growth Over Three Years
Image Pixabay
North West-headquartered private equity-backed businesses achieved average annual EBITDA* growth of 32.9% over the latest three-year-period, underlining the positive impact that private equity is having on the region’s economy, according to a new report.
P.ublished 30th March 2026
Monday Market Report: Oil Prices Stay Scorching, Debenhams Turnaround And Apple Turns 50
Brent crude hovers around $115 a barrel, as Iran conflict looks intractable. Investors show more scepticism about Trump’s claims about the war’s trajectory. FTSE 100 opens slightly higher, with energy giants among the gainers, but wariness remains. Debenham's Group (formerly Boohoo) shift to a marketplace model reaps rewards. Apple is set to turn 50, with its brand power intact but is under pressure to deliver on AI.
P.ublished 30th March 2026
10 In 10: Freya Taylor
Freya Taylor, Marketing and Communications Manager at West Yorkshire Manufacturing Services (WYMS), is the latest regional business professional in the hot seat as we give her just 10 minutes to answer our 10 burning questions. 1. What does a typical working day for you involve?
P.ublished 30th March 2026
Autentica And NCC Validate Secure Digital Thread For Distributed Additive Manufacturing
Autentica,
Autentica, a blockchain platform that secures authentic digital assets, has partnered with NCC (part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult) to validate a secure digital thread platform for additive manufacturing.
P.ublished 30th March 2026
UK Redundancy Warnings Reached Five-Year High In 2025
Last year (2025), the UK labour market experienced its most significant period of contraction since the pandemic, with redundancy warnings and payouts reaching record levels.
P.ublished 28th March 2026
Whether You Are A Store Manager Or A Football Manager
It's a question many new managers and leaders grapple with but often fail to find the answer to…how to win over a team you are just taking charge of. Now one of the UK’s leading experts in this field has shared his advice.
P.ublished 28th March 2026
Why Fractional Roles Are Reshaping Modern Business Leadership
The way organisations access senior expertise is changing, and fast. As businesses grapple with economic uncertainty, rapid technological change and rising employment costs, many are rethinking the traditional model of full-time executive leadership. One solution gaining serious momentum is the rise of fractional roles.
P.ublished 28th March 2026
Northern Talent Tracker: This Week's Key Appointments
Chadwick Lawrence is strengthening its private client capabilities across West Yorkshire with the dual appointment of Helena Wong and Tom Grice. The move signals an expansion for the firm’s wills and probate team, bridging local expertise with international perspective.
P.ublished 27th March 2026
North Of England Drives UK’s Global Surge In Professional Services Exports
Helen Kitchen
Deputy Business Editor
Image by Paweł Grzegorz from Pixabay
The North is rapidly cementing its status as a global powerhouse for the UK’s service-led economy. New data from TheCityUK reveals that financial and related professional services exports from the North West and Yorkshire and the Humber collectively reached nearly £19bn in 2023, underscoring the region's massive contribution to national trade.
P.ublished 27th March 2026
Premier Modular Takes Home Major International Safety Award
Premier Modular's Brandesburton site
Offsite manufacturer, Premier Modular has won a 2026 International Safety Award from the British Safety Council in recognition of its commitment to keeping its workers and workplaces healthy and safe.
P.ublished 27th March 2026
North Of England Bucks National Decline In Video Games Sector
Helen Kitchen
Deputy Business Editor
Dr Richard Wilson OBE, CEO of TIGA
The North of England is proving to be a powerhouse for the UK’s video games industry, with the North West and North East emerging as two of only three regions in the country to grow their workforce over the last year.
P.ublished 26th March 2026
Outlook For Private Sector Activity Remains Subdued
Image by AI ARTIST KING from Pixabay
Firms across the private sector expect activity to fall in the next three months (weighted balance of -18%), according to the CBI’s latest Growth Indicator. Expectations for growth have now been negative since the end of 2024, and the latest outturn is roughly in line with the average seen over this time.
P.ublished 26th March 2026
Evri Group Invest Over £4m To Expand Fulfilment Network In Barnsley
Parcel delivery company Evri Group has announced the launch of a new 265,000 sq ft fulfilment centre in Barnsley, following an investment of over £4m into the site. This new Barnsley opening marks the latest milestone in Evri’s rapidly expanding fulfilment operation, which has seen sustained double-digit year-on-year growth since its launch in 2021.
P.ublished 26th March 2026
Armstrong Watson Named As Finalist For British Business Awards
Armstrong Watson has been shortlisted among the UK’s top employers to compete for a coveted accolade at the British Business Awards, featuring special guest George Clooney in a star-studded ceremony in Edinburgh on 30 April 2026.
P.ublished 26th March 2026
Hull’s Spencer Rail Scoops National Engineering Award
Hull-based Spencer Rail Engineering has been honoured for its role in transforming rail services at a national industry ceremony in London. The multi-disciplinary specialist received the Delivering for the Customer award at the Spotlight Rail Awards, held at the Hilton on Park Lane.
P.ublished 25th March 2026
Retailers Report Poor Sales In March
Retail sales volumes dropped at a rapid pace in the year to March, marking the quickest decline since April 2020 – according to the latest CBI Distributive Trades Survey. Retailers anticipate the sales decline to continue at a similarly sharp rate in April.
P.ublished 25th March 2026
New Powers For Small Business Commissioner As Part Of Government Package To Tackle Late Payments
Image by josbarbosa020 from Pixabay
New powers will give the Small Business Commissioner the ability to issue financial penalties to persistent late payers. The Commissioner will be able to settle late payment disputes out of court. Part of a wider package of measures to be introduced by the Government giving the UK the strongest laws on late payments in the G7.
P.ublished 24th March 2026
Lake District Property Expert Secures Third Consecutive Spear’s Ranking
Gemma Dawe
Gemma Dawe, founder of Lake District Relocation Ltd, has been named among the UK’s top country property specialists for the third year running. The Windermere-based buying agent has been featured in the latest edition of the Spear’s 500, an influential directory for high-net-worth individuals.
P.ublished 24th March 2026
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