RPM International acquires The Pink Stuff owner Star Brands

April Lara
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RPM International acquires The Pink Stuff owner Star Brands

Star Brands, the Leeds-based company behind the viral cleaning brand The Pink Stuff, has been acquired by RPM International Inc., a global company with over $7bn in sales. RPM, known for its portfolio of leading brands such as Rust-Oleum and DAP, has purchased Star Brands from Mobeus, which has owned the business since 2019.

The acquisition marks the culmination of a successful partnership between Mobeus and Star Brands, during which the company evolved from a private-label cleaning products manufacturer to a globally recognised consumer brand. The Pink Stuff’s success has been driven mainly by its viral presence on social media platforms, particularly TikTok, where it gained traction through the “CleanTok” trend.

Since Mobeus’s involvement, The Pink Stuff has expanded into 118 countries, with the US becoming its largest market. Partnerships with major retailers such as Walmart and Amazon have significantly increased sales, with revenues growing over fivefold to £150m. The company’s earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) have increased 15 times during this period.

Mobeus has also facilitated strategic moves including the acquisition of Star Brands’ US distributor and efforts to strengthen the company’s intellectual property, particularly in the US and European markets. The sale is Mobeus’s largest realisation to date.

Bradford secures £13m funding for City Village housing project

April Lara
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Bradford secures £13m funding for City Village housing project

Bradford’s ambitious City Village regeneration initiative has been awarded over £13 million to help drive the development of up to 900 new homes in the city centre. This investment is part of a broader scheme by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) to kickstart housing projects on brownfield sites across the region.

The funding will support the early phases of the project, which involves redeveloping key sites, including the Kirkgate Shopping Centre and Oastler Market, as well as council-owned car parks around Chain Street. These areas will be transformed into residential communities as part of a wider effort to revitalise central Bradford’s housing market.

In addition to this new funding, the City Village project will benefit from ongoing support from housing developers. The development is expected to span multiple phases, with WYCA’s contribution covering the first two. The cost for these initial phases is projected at £33 million for Phase 1 and £58 million for Phase 2.

Bradford City Council has also moved forward with plans to use compulsory purchase powers, if necessary, to ensure the sites are cleared for redevelopment. The Kirkgate and Oastler Market locations will be vacated following the completion of the new Darley Street Market, which will replace the existing facilities.

The regeneration project is crucial for transforming Bradford into a more vibrant, sustainable, and community-friendly city centre. It addresses the shortage of new build homes in the area, with Phase 1 focusing on mixed-tenure townhouses and Phase 2 delivering rented apartments. Subsequent phases will provide additional rental housing, including around 630 apartments across multiple developments.

Construction to start on multi-million pound Whitby maritime development

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Construction to start on multi-million pound Whitby maritime development
A multi-million pound development aiming to establish Whitby as a key player in the maritime and offshore renewable energy sectors has reached a significant milestone. The Whitby Maritime Training Hub will build on the town’s fishing and sailing heritage with a dedicated centre created in Endeavour Wharf to provide a greater breadth of career paths in the historic port. Construction work on the hub is due to start next week and is planned to be completed by the end of April 2026. The development aims to provide first-class training facilities as well as accommodation for businesses and service providers to inspire the next generation of skilled apprentices and maritime industry professionals. The facility is set to also contain engineering workshops and office space for marine-based start-up businesses and other maritime industries. North Yorkshire Council will initially manage the facility, which has been designed to blend in with the existing views of the town. Once open, there will be the potential for a community interest company to be developed to take on the running of the hub. The facility is hoped to be occupied by local, regional and national businesses and organisations, making Whitby a hub of maritime activity. This would enable new commercial opportunities in the maritime and marine sectors, supporting the local economy and reducing a reliance on seasonal employment such as tourism. The funding for the project, which is expected to cost £9.6 million, will come from the £17.1 million given to Whitby as part of the Government’s Town Deals programme. A total of £37.3 million was awarded under the programme to Whitby and Scarborough in 2021. Willmott Dixon, will lead on the construction with work due to start on Monday (7 April). They will be supported by the council’s building design consultancy, Align Property Partners, who will assist with the day-to-day management of the construction site. The Yorkshire director at Willmott Dixon, Chris Yates, said: “We’re really excited to be working alongside North Yorkshire Council to create this landmark development which will add to Whitby’s proud maritime heritage. “We share the council’s passion for creating employment opportunities for this community. In partnership with our local supply chain partners, we will provide 800 hours of employment support through our bespoke Building Lives Academy programmes. “This will help those furthest from the job market become work-ready and give those involved the chance to leave a lasting legacy by contributing directly to the build of the new hub. “The project will act as a live learning environment facilitating 150 weeks of apprenticeship training, creating 20 work experience placement opportunities and opening our doors to visitors from local community groups and educational organisations.”

Major marketing investment for Yorkshire bakery brand

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Major marketing investment for Yorkshire bakery brand
One year since the acquisition of sweet treats bakery Lottie Shaw’s by The William Jackson Food Group, as a bolt on to Jacksons Bakery, the brand is making an investment of over half a million pounds to evolve its positioning and channel strategy. “As a family-owned business with six generations of heritage, The William Jackson Food Group saw in Lottie Shaw’s a kindred spirit,” says Helena Wright, Marketing & NPD Director at Jacksons Bakery. “Both Jacksons Bakery and Lottie Shaw’s are proudly Yorkshire-based brands rooted in tradition, generosity, and craftsmanship. Now is the time to take that even further and supercharge growth.” Jacksons Bakery has ambitious plans for Lottie Shaw’s as it enters the next phase of growth. The focus is on driving awareness, making it easier for customers to buy, and expanding the product range to ensure year-round gifting appeal, as well as exploring export opportunities as a quintessentially British brand. To help meet these ambitions, the team has been working closely with brand strategy experts Big Black Door to refine Lottie Shaw’s positioning, provide strategic guidance on market orientation, and unlock its full potential. “Lottie Shaw’s is all about those everyday moments of delight, treating someone special or perhaps even indulging yourself,” said Gareth Turner, Founder and Director at Big Black Door. “We’ve been working closely with Helena and her team to ensure the Lottie Shaw’s brand remains true to its roots while growing efficiently and effectively. “We’ve focused on broadening availability, ensuring the right products are accessible where people expect to find them.” The brand’s growth strategy is built on a multi-channel approach, with a strong presence in both e-commerce and wholesale, including garden centres and specialist retailers. This balance allows Lottie Shaw’s to maintain its premium handcrafted feel while reaching a broader audience. “The brief was to enhance Lottie Shaw’s channel strategy while staying true to its heritage,” adds Turner. “We focused on mapping out gifting occasions, ensuring the brand had a clear, distinctive presence across all channels, and celebrating the richness of Yorkshire’s baking tradition. The result is a brand that resonates deeply with consumers and retailers alike.” “For us, it’s about making Lottie Shaw’s the go-to brand for thoughtful, high-quality baked gifts, for all of life’s little moments,” added Wright. “We’re just getting started, and look forward to the journey ahead.”

York Central appoints social impact consultant

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York Central appoints social impact consultant
The strategic development partners behind the York Central regeneration project have appointed CHY Consultancy to support the delivery of social impact for the scheme. Established in 2006, CHY Consultancy has extensive experience in helping built environment organisations get better at delivering social value. Director Rob Wolfe will be working alongside Principal Social Value Consultant Holly Onstenk, with the support of the wider team, to lead the design, delivery and measurement of social impact through each development stage of the York Central project. This full cycle, integrated approach is hoped to position York Central as a leading example of what can be achieved for local communities and economies when social impact is foundational to a significant local development. Rob Wolfe, Director of CHY Consultancy, said: “The developer’s decision to take a holistic approach to social impact allows us to weave leading practice and innovation into every stage of York Central’s development. “This gives us a fantastic opportunity to optimise the benefits of a huge, landmark development for local people and the local economy – creating a legacy that will endure for years to come. It’s an exciting time for CHY and for the City of York. We’re really looking forward to seeing what can be achieved.” Karen Stafeckis, Development Director for McLaren Regeneration, one of the strategic development partners for the York Central project, added: “One of the key principles behind the York Central vision is to leverage the opportunities of this significant development for the benefit of the existing communities and local businesses. “The appointment of CHY Consultancy will help us to focus on quality social outcomes and identify areas where we have the most opportunity to achieve positive change.” York Central is also supporting the York Community Fund and has committed £150,000 in funds to local good causes in the next three years. This fund has already helped a wide variety of local good causes and organisations, and a second round of funds will be available from August this year. York Central is one of the largest brownfield sites in the UK and has the potential to generate up to 6,500 jobs. It is predicted to grow York’s future economy by 20%. The new city quarter development is being led by McLaren Regeneration and Arlington Real Estate, which is working with the wider York Central Partnership of Homes England, Network Rail, National Railway Museum and City of York Council.

Regional leaders back Bradford-boosting plans

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Regional leaders back Bradford-boosting plans
Residents of Bradford will benefit from more housebuilding, better transport and increased investment into the district, after regional leaders came together to back ambitious plans for a flagship regeneration project in the city. Yesterday (Thursday 3 April), the regional mayor and five district leaders of West Yorkshire cemented their commitment to the long-term prosperity of Bradford by approving funding for its City Village scheme, pending final business case agreement. The development aims to transform Bradford City Centre with almost a thousand new homes and three new green spaces, alongside opportunities for independent retail, hospitality sites and office space to open. The flagship sustainable community to the North of Centenary Square is a part of wider regional plans to unleash the full economic potential of Bradford and improve the living standards of local residents. Mayor Brabin’s proposals to bring trams to Bradford – which received renewed backing from the Prime Minister last week – will redefine the urban journey from Bradford city centre to Leeds city centre, improve public spaces, drive economic growth, and ensure faster, more reliable access to essential destinations, while linking key communities in between. The West Yorkshire Combined Authority is also prioritising Bradford’s transport links to other regions, to make life easier for working people and to accelerate the flow of inward investment into the district. Plans to regenerate Bradford’s Southern Gateway with a new railway through-station could unlock 5,000 new homes and 27,000 jobs. Combined with improvements to the East-West rail line through the £11 billion Transpennine Route Upgrade, this would mean a journey time of just 30 minutes between Bradford and Manchester, and 12 minutes between Bradford and Leeds. The Mayor’s in-principle investment of £13.2 million for Bradford City Village is another major boost for the UK’s City of Culture 2025, after the Government committed £30 million of funding for the scheme, which will be delivered by Bradford Council working with ECF, formerly the English Cities Fund. ECF is a partnership between the Government’s housing and regeneration agency, Homes England; the UK financial services group, L&G; and the nationwide placemaker, Muse. Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “Devolution is working for West Yorkshire. The flagship City Village scheme will deliver high-quality homes and act as a catalyst for jobs and economic growth, putting more money in people’s pockets. “This is a historic moment for Bradford. By developing the City Village and Southern Gateway, and then bringing these sites into our fully integrated transport system, we will help residents to thrive and businesses to flourish. “As the UK’s City of Culture, the eyes of the nation are fixed upon Bradford as one of our youngest, most exciting and up-and-coming cities. Already an economic powerhouse, with the right housing, transport links and business growth, Bradford’s rise will be unstoppable.” Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe, Leader of Bradford Council, said: “It’s fantastic news to secure £13m from the Combined Authority for the first phase on top of the £30m we’ve already secured through Homes England. That represents significant investment into Bradford and is another positive step forward towards achieving our vision of a sustainable, healthy and thriving neighbourhood, which will re-define the city centre. “Housing, which includes affordable housing, is at the heart of the plans but the impact will be far greater than new homes. This is a transformative regeneration programme including three new community parks and public spaces, along with independent shops, cafes, restaurants, and offices designed to meet the needs of future generations. “We’re delighted to be moving forward on City Village, and this incredible opportunity is part of a much bigger picture of ongoing regeneration across Bradford with the pedestrianisation and re-landscaping of the city centre already making such a significant positive impact, alongside ambitious projects like One City Park and Bradford Live.” Sir Michael Lyons, Chair of ECF, said: “This funding is very welcome and strengthens our confidence in the ambitious plans for Bradford City Village. It will enable us to move forward at pace with delivery of the first phase of high-quality townhouses, subject to planning. “By delivering much-needed new homes alongside retail, business and leisure spaces and public realm, we are changing the way Bradford city centre will be used and enjoyed by future generations. “Creating the right mix of amenities, housing and infrastructure means we can support both existing and new communities economically, socially and environmentally for the long-term. “We have a real opportunity to unlock more opportunities and catalyse further investment in Bradford. We will continue to work with our partners – all of whom share our bold vision for the future of this city – to make this happen.” The City Village masterplan proposes the re-development of Kirkgate, Oastler, and Chain Street. All owned by Bradford Council, the three sites will accommodate over 900 new homes in a city centre location for young professionals to live and work. With over a quarter of Bradford’s population under the age of eighteen, the proposed neighbourhood has been designed to serve both the current and future needs of the district. It will also include revamped roads and pavements alongside new cycle lanes and urban spaces, to improve transport links to local amenities and promote the health and wellbeing of local residents. If agreed at the final business case stage, the £13,166,409 grant will come from the West Yorkshire Mayor’s £89 million Brownfield Housing Fund, and will support the first phase of the scheme. ECF is currently working in partnership with the Council to progress a planning application for Bradford City Village, expected to be submitted late summer 2025, following a second phase of public consultation later this spring.

Lowell Group considers sale of Nordic debt collection operations

April Lara
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Lowell Group considers sale of Nordic debt collection operations

Lowell Group, a debt collection company based in Leeds, is reportedly considering selling its Nordic business operations span Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden. The potential sale, valued at up to €730 million (£610 million), is still in the early stages, and the final price may be lower.

Barclays is managing the auction process, and Lowell’s Nordic division was acquired from Intrum in 2018. The division includes balance sheet portfolios valued at €475 million (£400 million) and a third-party debt-servicing business.

Owned by private equity firm Permira and Canada’s OTPP pension fund, Lowell Group serves around 15 million customers across Europe. In its most recent financial year, the company reported cash earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation of £774 million.

Tech company scales up with Finance Yorkshire investment

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Tech company scales up with Finance Yorkshire investment
A company specialising in Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions is expanding with investment from Finance Yorkshire. Entrepreneur Lucy Blackley launched Bombiix in Hull almost 10 years ago after a career in product development and the fashion industry. Using her experience, Lucy has built a PLM software solution which delivers a one-stop shop for brands and SMEs, helping them to develop and improve their product readiness for market while saving time and money. Bombiix’s customers specialise in the supply of consumer goods, operating in the UK, North America, Europe and China. The potential for growth is also being driven by new sustainability regulations which will require all products being sold in the EU to have Digital Product Passports. A £530,000 investment from Finance Yorkshire’s growth fund is supporting the business to market its PLM solution to new customers and recruit additional staff to its five-strong team at its base at the ergo business centre in Hessle, East Yorkshire. Lucy, who has previously worked for fashion giant Zalando, said: “Our solution takes brands and SMEs from concept and product development through to production and beyond. “It groups everything in one place and creates a single source of truth for the users’ product workflows and data, demonstrating transparency and sustainability. “We’ve added to our team in Yorkshire – we like to hire from within the region where there is so much talent.” Lucy added: “We were ready to grow when we approached Finance Yorkshire – the investment will help us capture more customers and strengthen our marketing campaign.” Bombiix already counts Smiffys, Rubies, Radley and Joanie Clothing amongst its clients. In September last year Neil Weaver, previously Global Supply Chain & IT Director at Cath Kidston, was appointed as CEO to Bombiix to help scale the business through this important period of growth. There is potential to grow the business in other sectors including food and drink. “My ambition is to become an adaptable PLM that can work for businesses across multiple product categories,” added Lucy. Finance Yorkshire CEO Alex McWhirter said: “Lucy’s knowledge and experience of PLMs has enabled her to build a solution which is fully focussed on the product. We are pleased to support her and the team at Bombiix to reach a wider client base in its established sectors as well as venturing into new markets.”

Khalbros and Torsion to drive £1bn Leeds city regeneration project

April Lara
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Khalbros and Torsion to drive £1bn Leeds city regeneration project

Khalbros and Torsion Group have joined forces in a venture to redevelop the Eastgate Quarter in Leeds, a £1bn mixed-use regeneration initiative. The acquisition of the site signals a shift from its previous retail-focused vision to a comprehensive residential and commercial hub, set to redefine a key area of the city.

Located adjacent to Victoria Gate, the Eastgate Quarter development will feature a variety of housing options, including student accommodation and build-to-rent properties. It will also incorporate office spaces, leisure facilities, and lifestyle amenities, creating a fully integrated community designed for modern urban living.

The project is expected to be a driving force in Leeds’s future growth, contributing to the city’s evolution with new homes, jobs, and commercial spaces. The development aligns with the city’s broader ambition for sustainable and inclusive growth, with a focus on supporting local businesses and employing Leeds-based firms in the process.

Parseq expands secure print capacity with new Rotherham facility

April Lara
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Parseq, a major UK managed service provider, has launched a new secure print facility in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, in response to increasing demand from both domestic and international clients. The company has invested nearly £500,000 in advanced secure print technology and equipment, with plans to employ up to 20 staff at full capacity.

This new site marks Parseq’s third UK-based secure print operation, reinforcing its position as a global leader in producing secure, fraud-proof print products. The company already prints over 50% of the UK’s cheque volume and provides secure printing services for financial institutions, educational certificates, election ballots, and gift vouchers.

With an emphasis on fraud prevention, Parseq’s secure documents incorporate multiple layers of encryption and other security features. As demand for outsourced print services grows, Parseq aims to offer greater capacity and continuity for its increasing global customer base, especially as businesses look to reduce costs and focus on core operations.

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