Connectus doubles down on Doncaster Airport tech hub with new £500k investment

Connectus has committed another £500,000 to Doncaster Airport Business Park, expanding its digital infrastructure in a move aimed squarely at scaling B2B demand. This builds on a previous £1 million investment and comes as momentum grows around the site’s redevelopment.

The new funding will deliver a second fibre route to improve network resilience and uptime for businesses operating on the 62-acre site. The park, which houses 140 business units and has planning approval for over 186,000 sq m of future commercial space, is being positioned as a regional hub for innovation and high-growth companies.

The investment also supports the rollout of AI-powered diagnostics via Connectus’ partner Kaseya, recruitment of additional engineering staff, and new backup energy solutions to minimise service disruption. Part of the funding is earmarked for local engagement initiatives, including grassroots sports sponsorships.

This development follows the UK government’s recent £30 million pledge to reopen Doncaster Sheffield Airport, adding strategic significance to the business park’s growth trajectory.

Rotherham targets workforce reintegration with £1.7m employment push

Rotherham Council has approved a £1.7 million government-funded programme aimed at tackling one of the UK’s highest rates of economic inactivity. Nearly 46,600 working-age adults in the area — close to one in three — are currently out of work, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics.

The new initiative, Pathways to Work, will support over 1,000 economically inactive residents, including those with long-term health conditions, unpaid carers, early retirees, and individuals with limited skills or confidence. At least 400 participants are expected to move into paid employment during the 2025/26 financial year.

Backed by the South Yorkshire Economic Inactivity Trailblazer, the programme will create a coordinated local employment support system by integrating job placement, health, and training services. This model is designed to streamline access for job seekers and reduce gaps in provision.

Businesses in the region will also be engaged through workplace accessibility initiatives. These include tailored guidance to help employers adapt roles for individuals facing barriers to employment, particularly those related to health or skill limitations.

A dedicated team will lead delivery, supported by outreach and personalised support mechanisms to reach hard-to-engage communities. The council sees this approach as key to reactivating parts of the labour market that traditional employment support has struggled to serve.

Pending final confirmation of funding from the Department for Work and Pensions, the rollout is expected in spring or summer 2025. A successful implementation may lead to extended support through the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority.

Battery storage plans in North Yorkshire face community resistance

Two proposed battery energy storage systems in North Yorkshire have received over 1,000 objections, as developers aim to expand grid flexibility in the region.

Energy firm NatPower has submitted applications for two one-gigawatt battery storage facilities — one at South Kilvington, near Thirsk, and the other at East Rounton, located between Northallerton and Yarm. These installations are designed to store surplus electricity during off-peak periods and release it during high demand, supporting the UK’s transition to a more resilient and balanced energy grid.

The Bellmoor and Mowbray battery storage schemes projects have drawn significant criticism from local communities, parish councils, and environmental groups. Primary concerns include fire risks, visual and environmental impact, increased construction traffic, and the permanent loss of agricultural land.

Public consultation figures show the Bellmoor site attracted more than 800 objections, while the Mowbray scheme saw over 260. Local planning authorities have also received formal objections from countryside advocates, citing the proximity to the North York Moors National Park and the visual disruption such large-scale developments could cause in a rural setting.

Despite public resistance, NatPower maintains the projects as critical to national energy security and cost stability. The company has indicated it continues to consult with local stakeholders and adapt its plans based on community feedback.

North Yorkshire Council is expected to review both applications later this year. For B2B energy stakeholders, the outcome will signal how rural opposition may shape future battery storage infrastructure rollout across the UK.

Lincoln University ranked in UK Top 10 for student start-up businesses

The University of Lincoln has maintained its position in the UK top 10 for student start-up businesses, according to the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). This recognition highlights the institution’s commitment to fostering entrepreneurship among its students and graduates. HESA’s analysis, which looked at data spanning 2014 to 2024, revealed that the University has supported the establishment of more than 1,000 student businesses during this period. Students and graduates have access to an extensive range of business incubation support services, from workshops, digital resources, and working spaces, to funding and networking opportunities – these have been crucial facets to the University’s support success. Reece Leggett, Business Incubation and Growth Manager at the University of Lincoln, said: “We’re incredibly proud to see the University of Lincoln once again placed in the top 10 for student startups. Working closely with students and graduates, my team and I provide a service which encourages entrepreneurship, helping budding young business owners to shape their vision into something tangible. “The Student Enterprise team, alongside colleagues across the University, feel fortunate to work with students and graduates across all levels and disciplines who are determined, passionate, and show true entrepreneurial spirit. This not only benefits our university community but also has positive impacts across our region and business ecosystem. “We’re excited about the planned activities to support these startups thrive and to witness the impact they’re making, not just in Lincolnshire but also nationally and internationally.” Oliver Whitehead, third-year student at the University of Lincoln and owner of Synx Games Ltd, explained: “I can’t speak highly enough of the support offered through Student Enterprise, and I was pleased to see Lincoln had once again ranked in the UK top 10 universities for graduate start-ups.” “I’ve personally benefitted from multiple streams of support through Student Enterprise; particularly their 1-2-1 mentoring, networking events and access to grant funding, and would recommend their services to any student or graduate looking to start a business.”

Hull invites B2B interest in Albion Square redevelopment

Hull City Council has opened the floor to developers to submit early-stage proposals for the redevelopment of Albion Square, a key regeneration site in the city centre. The site includes the former BHS building and adjacent brownfield land.

The council is seeking a lead development partner to deliver a high-quality, mixed-use scheme incorporating residential, commercial, and leisure elements. This stage invites Expressions of Interest ahead of a formal procurement process later this year.

Albion Square is part of Hull’s broader regeneration push, which includes East Bank Urban Village by ECF and the Hull City Centre Vision led by Planit.

The strategic location and scale of the project are expected to attract interest from developers focused on urban renewal and mixed-use investments in secondary city markets.

Data analytics company eyes growth with Finance Yorkshire investment

A company specialising in data analytics and AI for the retail sector is expanding with investment from Finance Yorkshire.

Leeds based HyperFinity uses data and AI to help retail customers make smart decisions around customer loyalty and pricing, leading to increased profitability.

Investment from Finance Yorkshire’s growth fund will enable the company to build its sales and marketing function as well as support product development.

Co-investor River Capital has made an investment in HyperFinity from its fund:AI. Finance Yorkshire and River Capital join existing investor, Snowflake Inc, a global leader in data and AI technology, completing a seven-figure investment round.

HyperFinity was founded in 2019 by Pete Denby, Adam Barrowcliff, Damon Bryan and Tom Hill who have grown the business’s client base to include Asda, Costa Coffee, Card Factory and Toolstation.

CEO Pete Denby said: “HyperFinity helps retailers make the most of their data using analytics and AI. We’re already helping some of the best-known retailers make profitable loyalty and pricing decisions through a combination of powerful software and expert services.

“We’re delighted to be working with Finance Yorkshire and River Capital whose investments will enable us to accelerate our growth plans.”

Finance Yorkshire CEO Alex McWhirter said: “The team at HyperFinity has established the business as a recognised decision intelligence company for the retail sector. We are pleased to invest in HyperFinity and support its aspirations to be the go-to company that delivers transformational growth in retail using data and AI.”

River Capital Investment Director David Walters said: “We are delighted to support HyperFinity in building their product offering and sales and marketing team. We are excited to see how the business continues to grow over the next few years.”

Finance Yorkshire’s growth fund is part of a wider regional business fund which is expected to provide more than £50m to SMEs over five years. Investment is also available from its seedcorn and loan funds.

Dack Motor Group acquires MotorServ UK to preserve operations and jobs

MotorServ UK, formerly the largest independent garage in Solihull, has been acquired by Dack Motor Group in a strategic move designed to stabilise operations and protect jobs amid a downturn in the automotive sector.

Established in 2014, MotorServ UK grew to a £9.3m turnover business by 2022, offering MOTs, servicing, and community-focused initiatives. However, an 85% drop in used car transactions in 2023 and a 45% decline in servicing revenue over two years forced a shift in direction. The founder has exited the business, triggering the sale.

The Solihull site will continue operating under Dack Motor Group, which already runs facilities in Lincoln, Northampton, and Coventry. Dack plans to integrate the new site with upgraded systems and processes, and a rebrand is expected.

As part of the acquisition, all jobs at MotorServ UK are being retained, and further roles may be created under the new ownership. Once the transition is complete, MotorServ UK Ltd will be formally liquidated, with Dack assuming all staff and assets.

Loxley Collection adds capacity and event space at Hotel Victoria

Hotel Victoria in Robin Hood’s Bay has expanded its room count to 30 as part of a wider refurbishment by new owners, the Loxley Collection. Seven new rooms—including dog-friendly and family-oriented options—have been added, along with an accessible suite completing in April.

The property, acquired in late 2023 by entrepreneur Andrew Long, has undergone significant upgrades, including the addition of Osborne’s Restaurant and Cocktail Lounge, a refurbished pub, and expanded event space. The hotel now offers full hire options for weddings and private functions.

This site joins the Loxley Collection’s growing UK portfolio, including Lincoln and Cornwall hotels. The group is targeting higher occupancy and increased event-driven revenue through its investment in location-based hospitality assets.

Esh Construction scales land-led model with £65m regional housing rollout

Esh Construction is expanding its land-led housing strategy with a £65 million pipeline of developments across the North East and Yorkshire, targeting the delivery of around 300 affordable homes.

The expansion includes four newly acquired sites. In Bridlington, the company plans a 68-unit extra care scheme. In Hull, it’s set to build 65 homes, a mix of two—to four-bedroom properties. The Yorkshire schemes account for £36 million of the total investment.

In the North East, Esh will develop a 55-home extra care facility valued at £20 million in Gateshead, replacing a disused library. A further £9 million has been allocated to a residential scheme in Jarrow, where the company will deliver a mix of houses and flats.

These projects are part of Esh’s ongoing strategy, first launched in 2019, to secure and develop land directly. The firm takes ownership of technical, planning, and construction processes to reduce delivery risk and improve project viability. The firm leverages its status as a Homes England Investment Partner to unlock funding for housing association clients, helping bridge financial gaps in affordable housing projects.

Since adopting this approach, Esh has delivered schemes in Leeds, Doncaster, and County Durham, and is preparing additional sites across both regions for planning submission.

Temporary respite as inflation falls

Responding to the latest CPI inflation figures, which show headline inflation falling to 2.6% and food inflation falling to 3.0%, Kris Hamer, Director of Insight of the British Retail Consortium, said: “Headline inflation fell marginally in March though still remains above the Bank of England’s 2% target. Stable energy prices and falling petrol prices were the main drivers of the fall, while sustained promotional activity by retailers meant inflation in the clothing and footwear category was minimal. Having jumped significantly in recent months, consumers will welcome news that food inflation decreased, despite some extreme weather, poor harvests and high commodity prices. This was driven by falls in price on the month for certain sweeter items such as sugar, jam and honey.” “The slight easing in inflation in March will prove to be largely insignificant once the figures for April are released next month. Not only will many feel the pinch of rising household bills, but the impact of higher employer National Insurance and NLW could begin to filter through into consumer prices. To protect households, it is essential the government limits the burden on the industry in other areas, ensuring no shop pays more as a result of the upcoming business rates reform.”