New research from Grant Thornton UK has revealed that although hybrid working has improved productivity and well-being, many businesses in Yorkshire are still keen to see their employees spend more time in the office.

The latest Business Outlook Tracker surveyed mid-sized businesses in the region, finding that 84% have adopted a hybrid working model. Most of these businesses report significant advantages, with 95% citing increased productivity, 93% observing a positive impact on employee wellbeing, and 91% confirming that staff prefer hybrid arrangements. Additionally, 95% of respondents believe hybrid working benefits their business.

However, despite these positive outcomes, 93% of businesses still want employees to return to the office more often. This is partly due to the recognition that some activities, particularly mentoring and developing younger staff, are more effective when conducted face-to-face. 86% of businesses with hybrid working models acknowledge that it has affected their ability to adequately support and train less experienced employees.

Businesses are now seeking the right balance between flexibility and in-person collaboration to ensure productivity and professional development continue to thrive.

In Yorkshire, insolvency activity has increased significantly, with cases rising to 284 in March, up from 248 in February. This marks a notable increase in financial distress within the region, reflecting broader economic pressures affecting businesses nationwide.

The Yorkshire & Humberside region now ranks fourth in the UK for insolvency activity, behind Greater London, the North West, and East Anglia. The data, analysed by R3, highlights a continued upward trend in insolvencies across all regions of the UK, pointing to a challenging financial landscape.

Rising costs, economic volatility, and reduced consumer spending have been major factors contributing to the region’s insolvencies. Many businesses are struggling with cash flow issues, and creditor actions have become more assertive in response. Inflationary pressures and uncertainty over future economic performance compound these difficulties.

While insolvency numbers have risen, Yorkshire has also seen an increase in new business activity, with a rise in startup registrations. However, the overall outlook for businesses remains cautious, as financial instability continues to impact established companies and new ventures in the region.

The Fitzwilliam Estate has submitted a proposal to Rotherham Council to transform a cluster of disused heritage farm buildings in Wentworth into a spa hotel, complete with a swimming pool, restaurant, holiday cottages, and event space.

The site, known as Home Farm, sits adjacent to the independently owned Wentworth Woodhouse, a major heritage attraction. The development is positioned to complement tourism in the area and support local economic growth.

The plan includes the restoration of several listed buildings. The Threshing Barn is earmarked for hotel use; the Gun Park would become a restaurant; the Potting Sheds and Cart Sheds would be converted into hotel suites. The Powerhouse, a 1904 structure once supplying electricity to Wentworth Woodhouse, would be repurposed as an events and wedding venue.

The scheme also provides for new visitor parking and an additional access route via Granny Clarke’s Wood, aimed at easing traffic congestion in the village.

This investment aligns with a broader push to boost visitor numbers and spending in the region, with the Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust expressing support for the proposal. The Fitzwilliam family, who retained ownership of the farm properties after selling the main estate in the 1980s, continues to manage development around the historic site.

Bradford Council has finalised a 25-year lease agreement with Trafalgar Entertainment to operate the newly restored Bradford Live venue, a key asset in the city’s cultural and economic strategy.

The former 1930s cinema has been transformed into a 3,800-seat venue, with Trafalgar Entertainment now managing operations. The long-term lease guarantees Bradford Council an annual rental income and a share of the venue’s profits, with projections suggesting the agreement could generate £17 million for the council over the contract period.

Initially expected to cost up to £25 million, the project received nearly £44 million in public funding—primarily from Bradford Council, with additional contributions from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, central government and the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The deal follows a turbulent period after the previous operator, NEC Group, withdrew from the project in 2023. Trafalgar Entertainment has since completed major renovations and installed thousands of seats before the venue’s official opening in September. A preview concert on 1 August, featuring the Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra and community choir Bantam of the Opera, will mark the first public event in the space.

While the full events calendar has yet to be announced, the venue is expected to play a significant role in Bradford’s upcoming City of Culture year, enhancing the city’s profile and offering local economic development and tourism opportunities.

The UK Government has approved the £200 million Viking onshore pipeline, enabling the development of carbon capture and storage (CCS) infrastructure on the Lincolnshire coast.

The project will see a 55-kilometre underground pipeline built from Immingham to the Theddlethorpe Gas Terminal. Captured CO₂ will then be transferred offshore to the Viking gas fields in the North Sea for long-term storage.

Led by Harbour Energy and supported by BP, the Viking CCS Pipeline is part of a broader decarbonisation strategy projected to attract up to £7 billion in investment across the Humber region by 2035. The initiative is expected to support 10,000 construction jobs and deliver £4 billion in economic value by 2030.

The pipeline’s design includes operational infrastructure such as valves, inspection and venting systems, handling facilities, and temporary construction sites.

After a six-month review by the Planning Inspectorate, which involved input from stakeholders and local authorities, the project received final consent from the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero.

The Viking fields have the potential to store up to 300 million tonnes of CO₂, with infrastructure designed to handle up to 10 million tonnes annually by the end of the decade.

Identity Consult has launched a new service, IC Development, to help housebuilders and residential developers accelerate the delivery of homes across Yorkshire and the Midlands. The service targets delays and inefficiencies in the housing development process by offering flexible, interim development management support.

The initiative is aimed at addressing the UK’s housing shortage and will expand Identity Consult’s existing portfolio of housing projects, including past work with social housing provider WDH. IC Development will assist clients across all stages of development, from feasibility assessments to funding applications and securing land.

The team is led by Russell Gallagher, who joined Identity Consult in 2021, and Clive Durkin, a recent hire with experience in both the public and private housing sectors. The new arm will also benefit from a strategic partnership with A&D Asset Release, supporting clients with land identification and planning processes.

The model offers tailored support for short or long-term needs, aiming to reduce bottlenecks caused by skills shortages or limited in-house capacity. IC Development will work directly with local authorities, housing associations and developers to speed up housing delivery while ensuring quality and compliance.

A supermarket delivery scheme in Leeds using autonomous robots has already covered 36,000 miles since its launch in 2022, reducing emissions and promoting sustainable delivery methods. The project, a collaboration between Leeds City Council, Co-op, and Starship Technologies, has saved approximately 6,000kg of carbon dioxide, with robots using minimal energy – comparable to boiling water for a single cup of tea.

The service, currently available in select areas of north and east Leeds, operates with six-wheeled robots travelling at walking pace (up to 4mph), navigating pavements and obstacles with ease.

The trial’s success has led to discussions about its expansion, with plans to extend the service to new areas in Leeds. Future pilots could partner with the University of Leeds and logistics company Evri. The initiative remains in the trial phase as the UK government has not yet permitted robots to use public highways permanently.

The pilot service is already operational in Co-op stores in Adel, Tinshill, Kippax, and Swarcliffe. Wakefield Council is also partnering with Co-op and Starship Technologies to offer the service to 13,000 residents in Outwood.

A recent report has revealed that the University of Sheffield contributed £4.82 billion to the UK economy in the 2022-2023 academic year, with a return of £6.40 for every pound spent. The report highlights the institution’s vital role in regional and national economic growth.

The university’s impact is particularly notable in South Yorkshire, where more than 80% of its regional contribution is focused. The analysis shows that over half of its total regional impact is felt in Yorkshire and the Humber, with significant contributions to local businesses, suppliers, and communities.

The findings, commissioned by the University and carried out by the consultancy London Economics, underline the institution’s strategic partnerships that aim to foster innovation, support local economic development, and shape the workforce of the future. These partnerships help the university address the challenges businesses and communities face, driving long-term growth in the region.