Business Desk Headlines

B&B in new cash call as Texas walks away

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 08:39:52 +0100

BRADFORD & Bingley today confirmed that its plan to raise £400m had been rescued after an investor pulled out of a deal to buy a stake in the bank. US private equity firm Texas Pacific Group (TPG) wal...

Crunch time for firms in struggling sectors

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 08:30:13 +0100

FEARS that the current economic slump will spark a raft of insolvencies have grown after a number of the region's companies announced closures and job losses this week.Transport, housebuilding and ret...

Minorplanet ends takeover talks

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 08:24:26 +0100

MINORPLANET, the vehicle tracking company, today said it had "terminated" discussions with a potential suitor regarding a takeover approach.The Leeds-based company was initially made the subject of a ...

Profits warning at 1st Dental

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 08:06:23 +0100

DENTAL supplier 1st Dental Laboratories today issued a profits warning which the company blamed on uncontrollable "business disruptions".The Harrogate-based company said it expected its interim result...

Instore rejects £11.4m takeover bid

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 07:59:38 +0100

THE struggling owner of the Poundstretcher chain, Instore, has rejected an £11.4m takeover bid from a cash & carry magnate.The Huddersfield-based group dismissed the offer, which is lower than Instore...

BIMBO for banqueting Mecca Berties

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 21:28:14 +0100

ONE of the best known banqueting operations in the region has undergone a buy-in management buy out (BIMBO).The deal for Berties of Elland, which was founded more than 30 years ago, sees founder Brett...

TheBusinessDesk.com broadcast

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 21:25:56 +0100

WHAT a Carry On! Another Departure at the top at Leeds Bradford Airport, and York's racing ahead. From Kenneth Williams to Frankie Dettori in one simple step. That's this week's radio broadcast from T...

News in brief - Friday July 4

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 17:25:23 +0100

PROPERTY services company Work Services has won a UK-wide contract to provide furniture repair, disposal, and movement services across Barclays' 1,800 branch network. Craig Eastwood, chief executive o...

Findel positive despite downturn

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 14:52:06 +0100

HOME shopping and educational supplies business Findel has delivered an upbeat message about its performance, with group sales ahead of the same period last year.Keith Chapman, executive chairman of F...

Hundreds of jobs at risk as transport firm collapses

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 12:31:14 +0100

THE PRESSURES of spiralling fuel prices have been further highlighted as Yorkshire haulage company Macfarlane Transport went bust with the possible loss of around 300 jobs.The Leeds-based company, whi...

White Young Green upbeat

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 08:32:34 +0100

WHITE Young Green, the building, housing and environmental consultant, today said trading was in line with expectations and that it was looking forward to the new financial year with confidence despit...

Ward Hadaway set to open doors

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 08:29:34 +0100

NORTH East law firm Ward Hadaway will officially open the doors of its new Yorkshire base on July 7.The UK Top 100 firm recently revealed that it is expanding outside its native Newcastle to Leeds and...

Jinnah Group's appetite for success

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 08:23:18 +0100

SALEEM Akhtar is without doubt one of the most energetic people I have ever met. A self-made man who has quickly risen from the lowly rank of shelf-stacker to head one of Yorkshire’s most succes...

Marshalls sees flat sales

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 08:16:56 +0100

PAVING and landscaping business Marshalls saw flat sales in the first six months of the year with domestic sales down 10% but sales from the public and commercial sectors remains "robust".The Hudders...

Syntopix planning healthy future with global giant

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 08:16:45 +0100

A VENTURE which is developing treatments for skin conditions such as acne today revealed it is to work with Procter & Gamble, the world's largest consumer goods product company.Syntopix and Procter & ...

Contract hat-trick for Cape

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 07:53:49 +0100

CAPE, which provides support services to the energy and natural resources sectors, has won a contract with oil giant Shell in Singapore.The contract, which is worth a minimum £4.2m and will contribute...

Receiver called in at City Lofts

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 07:41:49 +0100

THE FUTURE of Yorkshire apartment developer City Lofts is in doubt after its residential investment portfolio and one of its development sites was put into receivership.It is understood that John Gers...

DR Who star of DLA Piper Monopoly Auction

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 17:15:35 +0100

David Tenant's original script from the Dr Who Christmas special will be sold to the highest bidder to raise thousands of pounds for two local children's hospices. The script, signed by stars of the h...

Yorkshire attracts record foreign investment

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 16:15:25 +0100

ONGOING challenging conditions in the global economy have not dampened investment interest in Yorkshire, according to new figures.Figures released by UKTI have revealed that the Yorkshire region attra...

York's economic boost is a racing cert

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 15:20:51 +0100

YORK Racecourse boosted the city's economy by £44m last year and the region's economy by £26m according to a new report by independent experts on the value of the historic sporting venue.Economists le...

Manufacturer completes MBO

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 08:33:05 +0100

YORKSHIRE manufacturing company Chem Resist, which builds bespoke chemical storage tanks and process installations for some of the UK's leading companies, has completed a management buyout.The company...

Euro first for Leeds

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 08:26:27 +0100

LEEDS Building Society has become the first UK mutual to open a euro deposit taking operation in Ireland.The new range of savings products includes one and two-year fixed rates with penalty free acces...

Fashion brands to open at Dock

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 08:26:26 +0100

THREE established fashion retailers are to launch outlets at a £260m Yorkshire development.All Saints, Rock Couture and G-Star will open shops at Clarence Dock in Leeds later this year.Despite the ann...

Regulatory burden could be reduced for SMEs

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 08:13:33 +0100

RED tape could soon be cut down to size thanks to a new act from the European Commission (EC).The Small Business Act for Europe aims to improve the policy approach to entrepreneurship by ensuring that...

Gluten free bread makers boost Finsbury

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 07:52:20 +0100

CAKE maker Finsbury Food Group today said its purchase of two Yorkshire companies earlier this year had given it a market leading position as a supplier of gluten free baked goods to supermarkets.Fins...

Leeds Bradford Airport chairman resigns

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 18:26:12 +0100

LEEDS Bradford International Airport chairman Sir Graham Hall has resigned over differences with its private equity owner Bridgepoint.Sir Graham, the former chariman of regional development agency Yor...

Hammonds increases fee income to £132m

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 18:15:04 +0100

LAW firm Hammonds has increased fee income to £132m with pre-tax profits coming in at £27.3m and profits per equity partner reaching £367,000. The group's results for the year to the end of March, fol...

Cheap apartments are future, claims developer behind city scheme

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 17:30:42 +0100

The LAUNCH of a flagship £65m development is being hailed by the team behind it as a positive marker for the regeneration of a Yorkshire city following the sale of apartments valued at £1m in less tha...

Ex-Poulters MD McCall back with Banana Kick

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 16:51:41 +0100

TWO former directors of Poulters, Gary McCall and Nick Goring, have launched their own marketing agency.Banana Kick opens its doors for business today in Leeds and will specialise in the sports and le...

Operon sees growth in Malta

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 15:58:06 +0100

OPERON, the facilities management and contracting company, has acquired a majority shareholding in a Maltese mechanical and electrical design consultancy.Leeds-based Operon has taken the shareholding ...

News in brief: Thursday July 3

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 15:04:17 +0100

ZENITH Vehicle Contracts, the UK’s largest independent fleet management specialist, has won a major new contract to supply 220 cars to the employees of Enterprise Inns, one of the largest leased...

Former colliery attracts national players

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 14:51:04 +0100

AN INDUSTRIAL estate built on a former Yorkshire colliery is attracting companies from across the country, according to the agents on the scheme.Redwood Court at Dinnington Colliery comprises 15 units...

Tenants move in to park

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 14:04:36 +0100

MORE than half of the units at a new business park in North Yorkshire have been taken by occupiers.Whitfield Business Park, off Manse Lane in Knaresborough, has attracted a number of tenants ranging f...

Network security feature

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 10:42:28 +0100

BRITAIN’S economic progress is at risk because small firms are not doing enough to stop cyber crime and human error from damaging business information.That’s the grim conclusion following ...

News in brief: Wednesday July 2

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 09:22:07 +0100

FORENSIC accountants in the Leeds office of Grant Thornton have raised £1,500 for charities including St Gemma's Hospice. The company's annual quiz night, held at the Town House in the city centre, sa...

LDC completes Eve deal

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 08:23:24 +0100

EVE Trakway, the business which helped ensure the long-term future of the Glastonbury festival by preventing ‘fence jumpers’, is targeting further rapid growth after completing a deal with...

Leeds chamber CEO appointment confirmed

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 08:00:01 +0100

GARY Williamson has taken up the position of chief executive officer of Leeds Chamber of Commerce. Mr Williamson has been acting CEO since January and has now been officially confirmed as successor to...

Abbeycrest shines overseas but UK market fails to sparkle

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 07:53:25 +0100

JEWELLERY maker Abbeycrest said its overseas business had performed well despite its UK market declining further.The Leeds-based jeweller reported an operating loss of £1.1m in the year to February 29...

Infoserve appoints new sales director

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 07:46:55 +0100

INFOSERVE, the online local search business, has announced it has appointed Mark Riley to its board of directors.Mr Riley joins the company as sales director and was previously the managing director o...

Video Report: Business leaders raise concern over region's transport system

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 07:46:25 +0100

YORKSHIRE'S most successful business leaders believe that the region’s transport and communications infrastructure is the issue most in need of attention in order to ensure the future health of ...

New life for famous landmark

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 16:15:03 +0100

A FORMER Victorian furniture repository built by famous Yorkshire retailer John Walsh is set for a sympathetic refurbishment taking it into the next century.The attractive three storey warehouse build...

Surveying firm bought by rival

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 16:03:24 +0100

A YORKSHIRE specialist surveying services company has acquired a fellow surveying firm for an undisclosed sum.Cartographical Surveys, based in Worcester, has been bought by 40Seven, of Leeds.40Seven h...

Architects search for more space

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 15:26:46 +0100

ARCHITECTURE firm _space, which has an office in Yorkshire, is scouring regeneration areas in and around several UK cities to find further bases as part of its five year growth plan.The 150-strong pra...

Building Briefs - July 1

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 14:55:14 +0100

A YORKSHIRE charity is set to benefit from rental income received from five new tenants at its Bradford base.Acting on behalf of The Lighthouse Group, a Christian education Charity, the Bradford offic...

Brunswick Place in doubt as developer pulls out

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 14:17:57 +0100

THE PREFERRED developer of a £275m Yorkshire regeneration scheme has pulled out of the project - leaving the future of the site uncertain.Brunswick Place was set to revitalise a 1m sq ft area of Leeds...

News in Brief: Tuesday July 1

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 11:39:48 +0100

RECYCLING products and services group Straight has announced that Roger Green has formally resigned from its board. Colin Glass, currently a non-executive director of the Leeds-based firm, has become ...

Free online business health check launched

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 10:57:25 +0100

A FREE online tool has been launched to help small and medium sized businesses check their resilience to any downturn that hits the UK.The Self Assessment Business Diagnostic has been developed by Not...

Friday: Business Moves

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 10:27:59 +0100

A round-up of the week's top appointments. THE Old Bear Brewery in Keighley has appointed Penny Hutton as office manager.Ms Hutton was previously manager of the e-learning curriculum support centre at...

Thursday: PR and Marketing

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 10:27:35 +0100

A round-up of the weeks top appointments within the PR and marketing industry. SHEFFIELD FC have appointed a new commercial manager to capitalise on the global awareness the club achieved during their...

Wednesday: Commercial Property

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 10:27:12 +0100

A round-up of the week's top commercial property appointments. GRONTMIJ, one of Europe's leading engineering consultancies, has appointed built environment specialist Dennis Markey to head up its new ...