Tag Archives: Yorkshire

News

Leeds Marketing Agency and North Yorkshire Council partnership adds up

Leeds-based marketing firm The Marketing Optimist has partnered with City of York Council and North Yorkshire Council on a marketing project to promote MultiplyNYorks – a new, free adult numeracy project for York and North Yorkshire residents.

The full-service digital marketing agency is supporting the council with marketing strategy, social media marketing, SEO, website design and copy on the programme.

Multiply was created to help people over 19 years of age who don’t have a maths GCSE at grade C (or equivalent). It’s a national programme which offers courses and activities in the local community that help people manage their money better, improve their confidence, and open up better employment opportunities.

Employers and businesses can also access these adult numeracy courses to upskill their workforce or request bespoke training sessions to meet employee needs.

The MultiplyNYorks project will run until 2025 and is led by a dedicated central team created as a partnership between the Adult Learning Service of North Yorkshire Council, City of York Council’s York Learning, and a consortium led by Better Connect.

The overall project has been given £2.6 million from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to improve the numeracy skills of working-age people in the UK.

Lois Calvert, Multiply Development Manager for North Yorkshire Council and City of York Council, said, “We are delighted to be working with The Marketing Optimist on this programme. The collaborative work has allowed us to reach individuals who would not usually engage in learning activities. The dedicated website has allowed us to showcase the fantastic work that is happening across York and North Yorkshire.”

Working on the client’s brief, The Marketing Optimist has delivered a new website for MultiplyNYorks – focusing on accessibility, design and usability. The team will also work on an in-depth SEO strategy and ongoing optimisation, writing compelling web copy and delivering a social media strategy to raise awareness of the Multiply programme.

Richard Michie, CEO of The Marketing Optimist, explains, “This project is one of our biggest to date, and we are thrilled to be chosen as the marketing partner for such an important initiative. This project requires a thorough, collaborative approach to deliver an extensive multi-channel marketing strategy, as there are over 20 delivery partners across York and North Yorkshire.”

The Marketing Optimist is a full-service digital marketing consultancy based in Leeds and founded in 2016. The agency works with a range of local, national and international clients. 

With a team of experts specialising in digital marketing, social media, SEO, copywriting,  website design, video marketing, marketing strategy and PR, the business offers a strategic and agile approach to help clients achieve meaningful results from their marketing activities.

News

Knightsbridge Furniture welcomes new National Business Development Manager

Bradford-based contract furniture company, Knightsbridge Furniture, expands its team with the appointment of Vicky Taylor as the new National Business Development Manager. 

Vicky will be supporting the Knightsbridge Furniture team to grow the business across all sectors, with a particular national focus on mental health and healthcare environments. Her new role will involve exploring trends across the contract furniture industry and analysing how those trends positively influence interior choices within care settings. 

Since achieving her BA (Hons) Interior Design degree at the Manchester Metropolitan University, Vicky has collaborated on a vast range of interior design projects, including residential, commercial, retail and care schemes. She has a wealth of experience in design, stakeholder engagement and project delivery, and is well versed in creating inspiring environments that support well-being and enhance the user experience.  

Speaking about her new appointment: “I’m thrilled to have been appointed as the National Business Development Manager at Knightsbridge. This is a great opportunity for me to utilise my skills and previous experience to grow the business even further. I have a huge passion for furniture, and enjoy collaborating with partners across multiple sectors, so this role is the perfect fit. I’m looking forward to working alongside a dynamic and forward-thinking team.”

Knightsbridge Furniture is one of few contract furniture suppliers in the UK to design and manufacture its furniture pieces in-house. The Yorkshire furniture company has over 80 years of experience creating furniture for the healthcare, hospitality, workplace, care and challenging environments sectors. 

News

Planet-conscious PR agency partners with recycled cashmere company

A Yorkshire-based, purpose-driven PR agency has been appointed to handle the PR for the second-hand cashmere brand, Nearly New Cashmere Co.

LIT Communication is supporting Nearly New Cashmere Co with a tailor-made digital PR strategy and media relations to help grow the digital presence of its eCommerce store. They’ll also be raising awareness on a local and regional level for the fashion company’s physical retail store in Masham, Yorkshire Dales and their busy schedule of pop-up events.

Established in 2018 and based in West Yorkshire, LIT Communication is a conscious copywriting and PR agency specialising in ethical communications, public relations management and strategy. The agency is a remote-first, 4-day working week business that supports clients from all over the globe to drive organic business growth and brand awareness.

Nearly New Cashmere Co was founded in 2015 by Alison Orr after she decided to pursue her passion for second-hand buying and selling. Now, the sustainable fashion retailer has a growing team and continuously finds innovative new ways to restore and recycle discarded 100% cashmere that would otherwise face a future in landfill – transforming them into high-quality, unique cashmere pieces. The company is on a mission to be the go-to destination for luxurious, sustainable cashmere clothing and accessories at affordable prices. 

Sophie Marsden, Director of LIT Communication, explains: “We’ve recently started to focus on working with climate-conscious and sustainable companies and are delighted that Alison and the team at Nearly New Cashmere Co have chosen us to manage their PR. 

“While we don’t exclusively work with eco-friendly businesses, we are being much more selective about the types of clients that we work with. The opportunity to work with people like Alison and her team, whose values closely align with ours, is fantastic. We can’t wait to communicate the brand’s story and raise awareness of the positive impact that second-hand fashion can have on the planet.

“Our values must align with that of our clients, and we would rather grow slowly without compromising on that. I’m not afraid of turning down briefs from companies that aren’t a good fit for us.”

Nearly New Cashmere Founder and Co-Director Ali Orr commented: “PR is a significant investment for our small business marketing budget. So, we needed to choose a team that could help us multiply our output and maximise every penny spent on marketing. It was clear from their pitch that this would be the case with LIT Communication. Like us, LIT Communication is a small but ambitious team, so it was an easy value-led decision.”

“We have ambitious plans to grow the business. We have a strong returning customer base but plan to make big strides at increasing the top of our funnel in the next 1-2 cashmere seasons. With the cost of paid ads increasing, we plan to achieve this with an email and SMS-based loyalty programme and PR.”

The new client win follows a successful first nine months of the year for LIT Communication after securing new PR contracts with Systemise Fulfilment, Bobble Digital, and That Works Agency.

News, North of England

All four one – town’s leading organisations unite to showcase the very best of Huddersfield

Four of Huddersfield’s leading organisations have come together to champion the town under the proud banner of ‘Our Huddersfield’ – an initiative designed to shine a bigger and brighter spotlight on all that is great and good, and going on in Huddersfield.  

Huddersfield Unlimited, a business-led organisation that stands for the town of Huddersfield, working to promote economic prosperity for its businesses and diverse communities that make the town great, has partnered with The University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield BID (Business Improvement District) and Kirklees Council in a joint effort to bring real attention to all the amazing projects and achievements taking place in the town.  

Showcasing Huddersfield as a vibrant and thriving place to live, learn and work, news and activities under the ‘Our Huddersfield’ banner will be featured in a new dedicated section on Huddersfield Unlimited’s website . This will include content curated by local experts focusing on 4 key pillars of local life – Lifestyle, Business, Education and Culture. A supporting Instagram page will also launch soon.  

Visitors to the ‘Our Huddersfield’ section on Huddersfield Unlimited’s website will be able to find articles and insider tips on new business investments in the town, property hot spots, world-beating educational achievements and home-grown, ground-breaking research discoveries, as well as the town’s coolest new bars and restaurants, which festivals and shows to put in the diary and the lowdown on local celebrities.  

There will also be insightful and interesting stories coming out of ‘Our Huddersfield’, featuring real people living life to the full in the town and testimonials from businesses and investors capitalising on Huddersfield’s vibrant economic landscape, ideal geographic location and excellent transport links.  

Sir John Harman, director of Huddersfield Unlimited, said: “We all know that Huddersfield has a lot to offer, but in true Yorkshire style, we don’t blow our own trumpet enough. While there are a lot of organisations doing their best to tell our story, that can sometimes give possible investors a less than clear impression of what Huddersfield is about. From the outset, Huddersfield Unlimited has wanted to see collaboration so that we all become more effective in promoting the town. Through ‘Our Huddersfield’, our partners – the Council, Huddersfield BID, the University – and ourselves can work collaboratively to show the world what we have to offer with a collective voice.”  

 

Cllr Shabir Pandor, Leader of Kirklees Council said: “These are exciting times for Huddersfield. The council is leading one of the biggest regeneration projects the town has ever seen and we’re restoring historic local buildings like the George Hotel back to their former glory. We will continue to work with Huddersfield Unlimited as we will with a range of other partners to improve our infrastructure, create opportunities for local people and deliver on our major ambitions for the town.”  

 

Professor Bob Cryan, Vice-Chancellor of the University said: “The University is always proud and pleased to support initiatives to promote our town – and to help boost businesses here.  We are delighted to be part of this partnership and look forward to celebrating present and future successes.”  

 

Huddersfield BID manager, Sam Sharp, said: “Any decision made by individual groups, to come together in collaboration and promote our wonderful town of Huddersfield, can only be of great benefit. Huddersfield BID has strong relationships with Huddersfield University, Kirklees Council and Huddersfield Unlimited and we look forward to continuing to work together and strengthen ties between all the organisations for the good of Huddersfield.”  

 

For more information on how Huddersfield Unlimited is supporting business and investment in the town, visit: https://www.huddersfieldunlimited.co.uk/what-we-do/    

Children and Childcare, Events, Midlands News, News

Finding the perfect pram is as easy as ABC (Design)

Luxury pushchair and carseat brand, ABC Design, is extending the Jubilee celebrations this weekend by hosting an in-store event at local baby and nursery retailer, Kiddies Kingdom, in Dewsbury.

With over 34-years experience in developing and designing exclusive, high quality, prams and accessories for families around the world, ABC Design is welcoming parents from near and far to put their time-honoured prams to the test. 

The event will provide parents with an opportunity to ‘meet the expert’ as ABC Design’s Country Manager for UK and Ireland, Fiona Suffield, will be joining the crowds to share her expert advice over a mocktail (or two) on Saturday. In addition, there will be delightful discounts on offer alongside goodie-bags and treats to sweeten the deal!

Fiona commented: “I’m excited to meet so many wonderful families this weekend and help them on their journey to purchasing the perfect pram. At ABC Design, we pride ourselves on quality and safety so families can rest assured that their little ones will travel in comfort and style from the moment they’re born and throughout their childhood.”

ABC Design’s complete range of prams will be showcased at the weekend-long event, giving families the unique opportunity to compare and contrast styles including versatile travel systems, such as the Samba and Salsa 4, alongside ingenious twin and sibling pram – Zoom. 

For families welcoming a sibling to the family, there’s also the one-of-a-kind Migno doll’s pram – the ultimate treat for any soon-to-be big brother or sister.

The stunning selection of German-engineered prams are available in a range of quality materials and distinctive designs that are sure to turn heads and stand out from the crowd. Unique colourways, such as Bubble, which boasts a rose gold chassis and dreamy pale pink interior is the go-to for any baby girl whilst the neutral Nature and sophisticated Dolphin options offer classic elegance that will stand the test of time for growing families.

What’s more, ABC Design is committed to using recycled materials and all of its products are 100% vegan so you can rest assured that both your bundle of joy and the environment are in the safest hands.

Families are invited to come along to Kiddies Kingdom from 10 am – 6 pm on Saturday 11th June and 10 am – 4 pm on Sunday 12th June: Kiddies Kingdom Showroom, Ground Floor, Savile Mills, Mill Street East, Dewsbury WF12 9BD.

Awards, Franchises, News

Yorkshire businesswoman secures finalist place in national franchising awards

Fiona Ibbetson of Get Ahead Leeds, York & Harrogate is celebrating being shortlisted in the Encouraging Women into Franchising (EWIF) Awards 2022.

Fiona fought off fierce competition to be one of just four finalists in the Woman Franchisee of the Year category. The Encouraging Women into Franchising (EWIF) awards celebrate the achievements of women across the franchising industry. The Woman Franchisee of the Year award recognises the most successful woman franchisee in 2021.

According to organisers, this year saw a record number of entries, and the standard was the highest in the twelve years of the EWIF Awards. Winners of each of the ten categories will be announced at the in-person EWiF Awards Ceremony on Thursday 30th June 2022, at RBS Building, 280 Bishopsgate, London.

Commenting on her shortlisting, Fiona said: “2021 was a massive year for my business. In June 2021, I took a giant leap towards achieving my vision by completing the purchase of the additional franchise of York and Harrogate. This allowed me to unlock significant growth by taking on new clients and new virtual assistants. I also became an award-winning business, winning the first-ever Great British Franchisee Awards 2021.

As a result, I smashed my financial targets, and I expect to deliver even higher numbers this year. With passion, drive and commitment, I overcame the challenges of COVID19 in 2020 and delivered exceptional results in 2021, creating a bigger, stronger, award-winning business. I am immensely proud of everything I have achieved.”

Rebecca Newenham, founder of Get Ahead said: “I am blown away by what Fiona has accomplished since starting her business just four years ago. To be shortlisted in this category, fighting off competition from other, well-established franchisees that have been in operation for many years, is fantastic. It has been a pleasure to support her on her journey so far. I know she will continue to go from strength to strength as she grows her specialist outsourcing team further and enables even more businesses to get ahead.”

Get Ahead provides virtual marketing and business support services enabling businesses of all sizes and from all sectors to get ahead. Their growing network of regional directors in Berkshire & North Hants, East Midlands, Leeds, Oxford, Suffolk & Essex, Surrey, and Wirral & Cheshire West, York and Harrogate and Australia is expanding both nationally and internationally.

News, North of England, Property

Promotions and new arrival for Scanlans as expansion continues

Property management and surveying firm Scanlans has promoted two staff at its Leeds office and made a senior appointment as its expansion continues.

Senior property manager Michael Willans has been promoted to associate and Bethan Fletcher has become a property manager.

Alex Homer has joined as a senior property manager and will be responsible for managing larger residential block developments in Scanlans’ expanding portfolio across Yorkshire and beyond.

Scanlans has gained property management contracts at residential developments in Leeds, Bradford, Halifax, Harrogate, York, Sheffield, Whitby, Rotherham and Doncaster, as well as further afield in Nottingham and Chesterfield.

Michael, who heads Scanlans’ Leeds operation, joined the practice in 2018 and has overseen a period of rapid growth.

Bethan Fletcher was previously a property management assistant. Bethan joined Scanlans after gaining a master’s degree in real estate at Northumbria University.

Alex has more than 10 years’ experience of providing block and estate management services and has earned a raft of professional qualifications, including membership of the Institute of Residential Property Management and associate membership of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

Scanlans partner Ian Magenis said: “We have secured a large number of new property management contracts across Yorkshire and this growth has created a need to strengthen our operation.

“Alex has a wealth of experience, and is a great addition to our team. We feel sure she will be a great asset to the practice, and we are very excited to have her on board.

“In line with our growth, we are still recruiting for our Leeds office and expect to announce further appointments in the near future.

“Michael and Bethan have played key roles in our expansion, and their promotions are well deserved.

“It’s very satisfying to see the Leeds-based team developing and we look forward to further growth in the coming months and years.

“In recent weeks we have won some significant instructions, including a number of apartment blocks in Harrogate, and Michael in his business development role has been instrumental in securing these.

“Our expansion strategy does not stop there, and we are exploring other interesting opportunities across the town and throughout the region as a whole.”

Michael said: “I’m delighted to become an associate in recognition of the steady growth we have achieved in our Yorkshire office. We are excited about the new opportunities opening up and think 2022 will be our best year yet.”

Alongside property management, Scanlans provides commercial and residential property valuations and surveys, building surveying and LPA Receivership services from its Leeds operation, which is based at the Thorpe Park business and retail park.

Charity & CSR, News

Yorkshire business celebrates fourth birthday with £10,000 donation to charity

Social Cactus, a mindset coaching business, was established four years ago by Leeds-born Amy Crumpton while she was backpacking through South America. They celebrated their fourth birthday (22 October 2021) with a full-day Instagram Live event, a £10,000 donation to charity, and Founder Amy will be returning to London from Spain to host an in-person event, ‘Magnetic Live Event’.

Amy, a certified Time Line Therapy and NLP Practitioner, said: “It’s hard to believe that we are four years down the road and Social Cactus continues to thrive and get bigger and more successful. 

“We have had remarkable financial success this year and so are lucky enough to be able to mark our birthday by donating £10,000 to Rescued Paws, a charity set up by a fellow Leeds-woman. Total donations to Rescued Paws have hit £15,000, and we hope to be able to donate further through The Cactus Foundation.”

In the four years since inception, Social Cactus has helped over 2000 women  and has grown to a team of nine following the appointment of Laura Greaux, a Social Cactus client who has now completed her coaching certificate and will join the business as a coach. 

Amy added: “We have so much to celebrate this month, but most notably for me is being able to help so many women to reach their potential. I love working with such focussed and powerful women on a daily basis and I hope that in the next four years we can reach even more amazing business women.” 

Their fourth anniversary was celebrated on 22 October on Instagram, with a full day ‘Birthday Bonanza’, featuring stories from former clients, coaches and others who have worked with Social Cactus along the way.  Social Cactus will also be sharing details of the challenges they’ve faced along the journey of growing the business. 

Amy, along with Social Cactus Head Coach and fiancé Chris, are gearing up for a brief return to the UK from Spain to host an in-person event, ‘Magnetic Live Event’. Aimed at coaches and service-based business women, the event will focus on mindset, strategy and action. 10% of all ticket sales will be donated to The Cactus Foundation, and will be matched funded by Social Cactus.

News, North of England

Santa IS coming to Yorkshire this year and bringing a very special guest…

Lotherton announces special sixth anniversary Christmas Experience with an extra sprinkle of festive magic and a record-breaking start to the festivities

Popular family attraction, Lotherton, has announced that Santa will return to the heart of Yorkshire this Christmas with a very special guest. Yes, for the first time ever Mrs Claus will join her husband to sprinkle more magic than ever before across the region for a very special sixth anniversary of the sell-out Christmas Experience. 

From 27 November 2021 to 2 January 2022, The Christmas Experience will return for its sixth fantastic year, and the elves have been busy tweaking the tinsel and adding the last sprinkle of festive fairy dust to make this year even more magical than ever after a challenging 2021. 

It’s been a record-breaking start to the festivities, with more than 15,000 tickets for the Christmas Experience at Lotherton sold in just seven days. 

While Mr and Mrs Claus are dusting off their suits and boots, ready for an immersive family experience that visitors will never forget, Santa’s diary is filling up fast with families across Yorkshire looking to make this the most magical Christmas yet. 

Mrs Claus will take up residence in Lotherton’s kitchens where she will be decorating gingerbread and sprinkling some extra magic over the House’s festivities. She’ll also be supervising those cheeky elves as they bring back Christmas crafts in the Stables where children – and creatively minded grown-ups – will be able to decorate a Christmas Eve plate or make Christmas decorations.

Returning to the joy and magic of a traditional Christmas, visitors will enjoy a new and exciting festive woodland walk through the grounds of the stunning Lotherton estate. Revellers will journey through the winding paths filled with twinkling lights and enchanting larger than life installations of Christmas traditions including a giant Christmas cracker, the chance to step inside a Christmas card, adventure through a snow globe tunnel and explore a maze of presents.

Tread quietly and you may be able to hear the fairies giggling and whispering in their secret hideaway Fairy Dell, before exploring the stunning Hall decked in all its festive finery. With tickets starting from just £4.40, visitors can marvel at an Edwardian Christmas table, go on a Christmas Tree hunt in the Hall, and explore the lives of the Gascoigne family from the late 1700’s. 

And of course, no Christmas Experience would be complete without a visit to the main man himself. Santa will be in The Elf Village ‘Under The Wishing Tree’, waiting to greet boys and girls, hear their yuletide wishes and give them a special early Christmas gift. Pre-school children will also have the opportunity to visit Santa in his cabin during the day.

The Christmas Experience opens on 27 November 2021 and is run by Lotherton and Breeze. Tickets are available now, with a number of visit options; early booking is highly recommended as spaces are limited and strictly on a pre-booking only, time-slotted system.

Awards, IoT, News

Industrial IoT specialist Powerhouse Digital crowned ‘Most Innovative’ in national innovator awards

Powerhouse Digital is delighted to have won the Most Innovative Industrial IoT Company at the 2021 Media Innovator Awards.

Powerhouse Digital was founded by Tim Bennett in 2017, with a vision to help companies reduce their carbon footprint. The Huddersfield-based consultancy works with companies in the IoT space to improve efficiencies in manufacturing and supply chains. It specialises in developing IoT monitoring systems and data visualisation solutions for manufacturing and technical engineering businesses, such as the industrial door and loading bay sector. By identifying areas where efficiencies can be improved or processes changed, energy consumption is reduced, delivering cash and environmental benefits.

The business is focused on supporting the supply chain for the warehouse and distribution sector, which has experienced an unprecedented uptake in demand due to the explosion of internet shopping and home delivery needs. This is highlighting the need for better servicing and maintenance for key supply chain equipment such as loading bay doors, to avoid rising costs and a damaging environmental impact.

Tim Bennett said, “Industrial Internet of Things, or IoT, is the concept of bringing together data collected from various sensor devices in connected environments that can be analysed and acted upon to help boost the operational efficiency of machinery and day-to-day activities. IoT is already having a huge impact on everything from domestic kitchens to industrial loading bay doors. But now, with more and more advances across the IoT sector, the capabilities of the concept are growing rapidly.

Industry is one of the worst offenders in terms of carbon footprint, accounting for 23% of total greenhouse gas emissions today. Many businesses operating in the industrial sector are already starting to digitise processes and utilise AI and machine learning. By incorporating IoT into these growth and development strategies, they can help reduce their carbon footprint through more accurate forecasting, preventative maintenance, environmental monitoring, better use of renewable energy and design of energy efficiency policies.

I am delighted that our work has been recognised by this award. I am passionate about using technology to drive future solutions, working smarter for the benefit of our planet. Climate change is a real phenomenon, and, with the right support, industry can start making significant inroads in carbon footprint reduction through the use of smart data today.”