Health & Welfare, Lifestyle

Five Tips To Help Manage Menopause Symptoms

Menopause – when a woman has not had a menstrual period for 12 months – can be a challenging time. Night sweats, mood swings, hot flashes, insomnia, reduced sex drive, and even forgetfulness are just some of the physical symptoms that menopausal women may experience as a result of reduced oestrogen levels.

An estimated one in five of the UK’s population is currently experiencing menopause yet it’s still hushed up as if it’s something to be ashamed of – when in fact it’s a natural, normal stage of life for women of every race, religion, and sexuality.

Menopause Marva – aka Marva Williams, founder of Shhh…Menopause Wellness, a range of natural skincare products designed to support and encourage women who are going through menopause, and help ease their physical and emotional health is speaking up to end the stigma surrounding menopause and help more people understand the challenges. Coinciding with this year’s Menopause Awareness Month she shares five tips to help you through the menopause.

1 – Consider Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
Hormone therapy (HT), which infuses the body with hormones that are no longer naturally produced, can certainly help relieve menopausal symptoms while also preventing prevent osteoporosis.

The benefits of HRT can include reduced hot flashes and sweating and fewer mood swings – but it isn’t for everyone. If you think you are pregnant, have undiagnosed vaginal bleeding, liver disease, or heart disease, or have had breast cancer, uterine cancer, a stroke, a heart attack, or blood clots, then you shouldn’t take HRT.

If you’d like to learn about the types of HRT and how to get started on HRT, speak to your doctor. Together you’ll decide if HRT is the right option, and which one is most suitable.

2 – Choose Cotton And Linen Fabrics
Lightweight fabrics made from natural fibres like linen and cotton are more breathable than synthetic fabrics and therefore can help keep your temperature down.

The message? If you suffer from hot flushes, opt for clothes made from linen and cotton and think about dressing in layers – so that you can simply peel a layer off if and when your internal thermostat goes awry.

Switching to cotton bedding could also significantly help anyone experiencing night sweats.

3 – Keep Talking
Though there’s still some embarrassment around the menopause, it’s important to know that you’re not alone. Reach out and connect with friends going through the same changes as you – and check out the many websites, blogs and videos online where women have shared their stories of the menopause.

It’s also a good idea to open up to your partner, family, and friends about your symptoms – so as to help them understand exactly what you’re going through.

4 – Eat And Exercise Well
Eating a healthy balanced diet, with plenty of whole grains and fruit and veg, can help your body cope with menopausal changes. Conversely, certain types of foods such as sugary biscuits, caffeine, and alcohol have the potential to disrupt hormone levels – thereby worsening menopause symptoms.

Exercise is important too: Being active eases stress and depression, which allows your brain to cope better with menopausal symptoms. And remember, you don’t have to go to the gym to exercise.

Many activities – think dancing, yoga, cycling, walking, and gardening – can also improve your health. It doesn’t matter what form of exercise you do: Any and all kinds of movement will contribute to your physical and mental health.

5 – Turn To A Natural Product
Want to manage your menopause symptoms naturally? There are a range of natural remedies for menopause available that can help support you through this transition, reduce your symptoms and get you back to feeling yourself again.

Business, Events, News

Yorkshire Businesses Cutting Back On Christmas Parties

The office Christmas party season is fast approaching and many people are starting to plan for their work events. However, a recent survey from comparison site NerdWallet found that 36% of businesses will have to strip back their Christmas parties in 2022 to save on costs. The UK wide survey conducted by One Poll also identified that 27% of businesses won’t be having a Christmas party at all this year – 13% of all business decision makers had to call them off due to financial reasons, while 14% say their business doesn’t throw Christmas parties in general.

This is a further blow to the hospitality sector which is also struggling to bounce back across Yorkshire post the pandemic.

When asked about Christmas decorations, 42% of businesses said they will have to reign these in to save on costs. Also, 32% of companies will be stripping back their Secret Santa activities, with 19% claiming they won’t be doing the gift-giving event at all this year.

However, it is not all doom and gloom as many parties will be going ahead and for those that do, there are ways to budget to help plan a great Christmas party in 2022. NerdWallet’s business finance expert, Connor Campbell, gives his advice to Christmas party planners and shows where savings can be made.

Arrange Your Venue Now
If you are looking to cut back on your Christmas party spend, hosting your event at your office could be a great way to save on money. Whether you use this space as a starting point before venturing out, or turning it into a whole-night venue, you will save on hiring out somewhere else.

If you do want a change of scenery and are looking elsewhere for your event, it’s best to try and book early to lock in a price and secure a venue. It’s important to compare different venues and packages to make sure you are getting a good deal. Having an idea of what other venues are charging may help when it comes to negotiating with your preferred vendor.

If you can afford to wait and use your office as a backup venue, you may be able to strike up a discounted deal with a venue with late availability. This is a riskier strategy that may not pay off, but it may be worth checking for late deals just in case you have a change of mind.

It may sound obvious, but is your office space geared up to support a party? You may have enough room for people to do their day to day work, but is there enough social space and areas for food, drink and entertainment?

Consider Travel Costs
If you or your colleagues live a distance away from where the Christmas party is being held, you may need to consider transport and accommodation costs. If you are not hosting your event at the workplace, you may wish to consider choosing a meeting point that is easy for the majority of your team to get to.

There will likely be demand for train tickets and rooms as Christmas parties make a comeback post-pandemic, so booking early could be a way to secure cheaper rates. It’s always worth exploring business or group rates with rail and hotel groups to see what discounts you may be able to get for multiple bookings.

Plan Your Food And Drink
If you are hosting an event in your office, it’s likely you will need to arrange food and drink for your guests. You will need to consider dietary requirements and allergies when it comes to food, as well as providing a range of drinks to suit casual drinkers, drivers and those that don’t drink alcohol. This may be a cheaper option overall, but outsourcing this may be more convenient.

Putting together a budget of what you may need to buy and comparing this with hiring out a venue will give you a greater idea of what may be the best option for your finances. It’s always wise to compare and work out the trade off to arranging food and drink versus giving the responsibility to a more experienced vendor.

Set A Price Limit On Gifts And Decorations
Many people will be feeling the pinch this winter and may not be in a position to take part in Secret Santa activities. Setting a price limit may be a good way to encourage participation, but it’s important to ensure this is an optional activity to reduce pressure on spending.

When it comes to decorations, less may well be more this year. Encouraging teammates to come in with homemade creations or borrowing decorations from home could be an easy way to save money, encourage creativity and have some fun along the way.

Business Insights, Health & Welfare Headlines, Property & Construction News

Improving Health & Safety In Construction With Technolgy

For construction workers, there are many dangerous risks to face. In fact, the cost of injuries within the industry across the UK has reached more than a staggering £16.2 billion a year, truly emphasising the impact that working on a building site can have.

However, despite the overwhelming findings, there are more ways to offer protection thanks to advanced technology. But how exactly does this work? Here, in an article drafted by the team at van leasing company, Van Ninja, we delve into five ways technology is helping to improve the health and safety of the construction sector, and how construction workers across Yorkshire could benefit.

  1. Wearable Technology
    While PPE is an essential measure for construction workers to ensure their health and safety, that’s not to say there’s room for improvement; in fact, there are more items that workers can wear to protect themselves.

    Wearable technologies are yet another way that safety can be improved in the construction industry, with many helping monitor vital signs, identify collisions, and keep track of workers who are working unaccompanied. So, if workers are using van leasing to go from site to site, you can keep an eye on them for their safety.

    When out and about, especially during rush hours, mishaps can take place at every turn. Even slamming the breaks to avoid colliding with another vehicle or a pedestrian can be harmful. You are likely to suffer an abrupt movement of the head and neck, which may result in whiplash injury.

    Susanne McGraw, Head of Personal Injury at Watermans, said: “As part of a team of personal injury lawyers, I support many people who have suffered a whiplash injury when at the wheel of their vehicle. Most of them will recover within days, whereas others have to deal with its effects for weeks or even months. My recommendation is to seek medical assistance as soon as possible. This will give you the chance to get the treatment you need and alleviate feelings of discomfort in a timely manner.”

    Exoskeleton is one example of wearable technology which assists the workers’ physical support when there is a high risk of injury.

  2. Site Sensors
    There are many risks that can affect the health of a construction worker, but with site sensors, there’s extra protection in place against these.
    With site sensors, which companies like SmartSite and Pillar Technologies have developed, many things such as noise levels, temperature, and dust particulates can be monitored to protect the workers from high exposure. Across the construction site, these sensors can be implemented to inform the employees if they are in danger of passing the exposure limit.

  3. Digitalised Safety Processes
    Turning the safety process to digital instead of having a pile of paperwork will not only provide more time to be used elsewhere, but also contribute to the safety process of the construction site.

    With an ePTW system, safety is ensured while making life easier. Digital sign-offs allow for more traceability, and you can rest assured that you have clarity of what’s going on throughout the construction site, thanks to real-time visibility, even if you aren’t on-site. In addition to this, consistent standards can be implemented across various sites, even for different types of construction work. With consistency across teams and visibility over the sites, you can rely on this technology for a safer working environment.

  4. Drones To Monitor Sites
    It’s essential for site workers to be aware of hazards to avoid major injuries. Thankfully, technology can monitor sites to improve workers’ safety.

    Drones are excellent for construction companies as they can be used for an aerial inspection of their site, which offers a wide view of the area and the surrounding environment. Given their ability to reach elevated areas and places that may be deemed unsafe, the inspection is much more accurate and efficient. With this technology, any safety hazards can be spotted prior to work being carried out to identify any procedures that need to be in place.

  5. Digital Training Sessions
    Training is important in any job role for upskilling, but for the construction industry in particular, it is vital due to the many physical health risks like back injuries and the harmful chemicals in paints.

    By streamlining training sessions, all workers across several sites can learn the same information, avoiding miscommunication that could be spread through in-person training through multiple sites. As well as this, sessions can be recorded for workers to revisit to refresh their memory, ensuring excellent safety conditions as employees can become much more familiar with necessary procedures.

Technology provides an abundance of opportunities for many different industries, but given the risks for construction workers, the advancements are particularly useful for this sector due to the ability to improve safety.

Community, Council News

Rotherham Council Awarded For Tenant Engagement

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Rotherham Council celebrated receiving ‘Exemplar’ status for tenant engagement following a rigorous assessment process with national tenant engagement organisation Tpas.

Tpas promote, support and champion tenant involvement and empowerment in social housing across England, with the Council receiving the accolade for its continued commitment to making sure tenant’s voices are heard.

Tpas Exemplar is awarded to organisations who have been given the Tpas accreditation three times and have consistently demonstrated an exemplar approach to tenant engagement. Rotherham Council is only the third housing provider in the country to achieve the status.

Jenny Osbourne from Tpas presented the award to The Mayor of Rotherham, Councillor Tajamal Khan, at the annual Tenant’s Open Day held last week at New York Stadium.

Cabinet Member for Housing, Councillor Amy Brookes said: “This is excellent news for the Council and our tenants and residents. We will always listen to and involve our tenants and residents in how we can improve their homes, estates and services.”

“We take pride in our commitment to engagement and we take every opportunity to involve residents in decision making.”

To receive the Tpas Exemplar Accreditation, the Council had to demonstrate a strong culture of involvement and an ability to drive business improvements for tenants.

The assessment panel were especially impressed by staff commitment to making tenant’s voice listened to, with the partnership between the Council and partner Rotherfed held up as good practice.

Chief Executive of Rotherfed, Phil Hayes said: “This award is great recognition of the commitment shown by our tenants to get involved, have the confidence to have their voice heard, and make a difference in their community.”

“RotherFed would like to thank Tpas for the award, and hope that the unique partnership that is thriving in Rotherham including tenants, RotherFed, and the Council, will continue to make a difference in future years.”

The accreditation follows a comprehensive and collaborative process which included a full assessment of the Council’s approach to tenant engagement, reality checking and focus groups with staff and tenants.

Chief Executive of Tpas, Jenny Osbourne added: “We’re delighted that Rotherham Council has successfully been accredited with Tpas three times and completed a meticulous process to become an Exemplar Accredited housing organisation.”

“Rotherham Council have demonstrated their continuing commitment to the values we share. Tpas believe that involving tenants in all aspects of service delivery in the housing sector is not only the right thing to do but also makes great business sense. We look forward to sharing the stories of how Rotherham have continuously used the accreditation process to achieve success by working together with tenants.”

The Tpas accreditation will last two years and also makes recommendations for continuous improvements. Find out more about how to get involved in Rotherham Council’s Housing service by visiting their website here

East Yorkshire, Economic Climate, Economic Climate Headlines, News, North Yorkshire, People, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire

Workforce Boosted By Return Of Retirees

More than 733,000 retirees across the UK are preparing to return to work as the cost-of-living crisis escalates, according to new research by My Pension Expert.

The UK’s leading at-retirement adviser commissioned an independent survey of 2,000 UK adults. It found that, for 12% of those in retirement, rising inflation has “upended” their retirement plans.

More than a third (34%) of UK retirees are worried they will no longer be able to sustain their desired lifestyle in retirement as the cost-of-living increases so sharply.

Inflation in the UK has reached 9.9% and is expected to rise to 15% or higher by the start of 2023.

The UK has a population of approximately 12.2 million retirees. My Pension Expert’s research found that 6% of retirees (around 733,000 people) are likely to return to the workforce in the coming months to top up their pension pots as a result of the cost-of-living crisis.

Less than half (46%) of respondents said they are confident in their current financial strategy.

The study also showed that despite concerns over their finances and potentially having to ‘unretire’, just 5% of retirees in the UK have sought independent financial advice in 2022.

Andrew Megson, executive chairman of My Pension Expert, said: “As the cost-of-living crisis bites harder, we’re seeing a worrying spike in ‘unretirement’. It’s a hugely important issue – after working and saving for decades, having to re-enter the workforce will be a bitter blow to many retirees.”

“The reality is that many people’s pension pots are losing value in real-terms amid sky-high inflation. And as such, their hard-earned retirement funds won’t stretch as far or sustain the same lifestyle. That’s why it’s so important those approaching or in retirement take the time to assess their financial strategies and, as necessary, consult experts.”

“Despite all the challenges they are facing, a mere 5% of retirees have spoken to an independent financial advisor this year. Some might think it’s too expensive; others might feel their pension pot is too small to warrant it. But these are misconceptions. Advice is for everyone – it helps each saver develop a financial strategy to best support their individual circumstances and needs. I would encourage anyone who’s worried about the state of their retirement finances to reach out for advice from credible, regulated sources.”

Community, Council Headlines, Council News, Infrastructure, Wakefield, West Yorkshire

Millions Of Pounds Secured For Improvements

Wakefield Council has secured millions of pounds in contributions from developers to pay for infrastructure improvements associated with new development.

The Council’s Cabinet will discuss at their meeting next week a report which shows nearly £5.7m came in from Section 106 agreements last year.

Some £2.3m was spent on improving schools, sustainable transport, including foot paths and cycleways, affordable housing, public open space and sports facilities.

Section 106 agreements are where developers pay to off-set the impact of their development proposals.

One of the biggest amounts invested from Section 106 funding, £493,391, was put into education, and £1.2million was spent on improving the district’s highways.

Just over £270,000 went into providing affordable homes, 132 affordable homes were provided directly by developers, while public open space benefitted from more than £170,000.

Further examples of improvements delivered in 2021/22 include:

  • Expansion of Kettlethorpe School
  • Wrenthorpe Park improvement works
  • Ferrybridge Pavilion
  • Saville Park play area upgrade, Castleford
  • Prince of Wales Northern Relief Road, Pontefract
  • Glasshoughton Southern Link Road

    Cllr Matthew Morley, Cabinet Member for Planning and Highways, said: “These are all projects making a visible difference to the lives of our residents. They also ensure that developments are sustainable and that we build real communities, not just houses.”

    Separately, the Council also received over £850,000 from the Community Infrastructure Levy on developers in the period from April 2021 to March this year.

    It takes the funding pot retained for future strategic infrastructure investment to £3.758m, of which £300,000 is reserved for the Castleford Housing Zone.

    A further £1m is allocated to sport and leisure infrastructure improvements in Stanley following housing growth in the wards of Stanley and Outwood, Wakefield East, Wakefield North and Wrenthorpe and Outwood West.

    This year it is recommended that £500,000 is committed to the Broad Lane Improvement Scheme and £400,000 to a local area improvement scheme in association with the development of Land at Highfield Road, Hemsworth.

    Seventy per cent of the levy is prioritised for projects that will support sustainable growth, prosperity, new jobs, education, skills and housing.
    This covers roads, flood defences, schools, medical facilities, sports and leisure and open public spaces.

    Twenty-five per cent goes to individual wards or Town and Parish Councils, where money has been raised from development, to be spent on local neighbourhood projects, while the remainder covers the cost of administering the levy.

    The Council aims to become a carbon-neutral organisation by 2030 and both funding streams are being used towards achieving that goal.
    Contributions collected through the levy and Section 106 Agreements paid for measures to improve things such as air quality and reduce flood risk.

    It also supported environmental projects, including tree planting as part of the White Rose Forest initiative.

    Cllr Morley added: “All of these projects are putting us in a good position to grow economically and improve the lives of our residents. We’ll continue working with developers to ensure their development proposals are both right for the district and to help them help us deliver on our ambitious targets for sustainable growth.”

    Members of the Cabinet are meeting on Tuesday 11 October at 10.30am. The meeting can be watched live or later on the Council’s website.
News, West Yorkshire

Attacks On Yorkshire Firefighters Totally Unacceptable

Fire chiefs have condemned those who deliberately attack firefighters after two separate incidents in Bradford and Elland this week.

Crews from West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) attended two unconnected fires when they were targeted by youths throwing bricks and other missiles. Both incidents took place on Monday, just after 8pm, after the local stations received calls about fires outdoors.

The attacks happened while firefighters were tackling a blaze on Broadstone Way, Holmewood in Bradford and at a second fire at Stainland Road, Sowood, Elland. While the attacks did not lead to any injuries, it did cause damage to the vehicles involved.

Scott Donegan, Area Manager with responsibility for prevention and response, has criticised the behaviour and urged local communities to help educate young people on the important work the service does.

He warned the culprits are putting lives at risk. He said: “Too often now we are hearing reports of our crews being attacked by youths as they respond to calls – this is totally unacceptable.”

“We all know the dangers involved in tackling a fire. It is a challenging enough situation without our teams having to deal with attacks from young people that clearly don’t understand how reckless their actions are.”

“We are working with police to find those responsible and I would ask local communities to help educate these young people and speak to them about their behaviour. It not only has a huge effect on our crews, but it can also lead to young people being arrested.”

A recent report that went to West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority last week detailed attacks on firefighters since the start of the financial year – with the majority having taken place in Bradford. Out of 15 incidents in the last six months, nine took place in Bradford and seven of those were recorded at Bradford Fire Station on Leeds Road. These attacks involved firefighters being assaulted, stoned, or threatened with weapons.

Area Manager Donegan added: “As a service we will continue to work with a number of partner agencies to ensure our communities are safe for everyone – and that includes firefighters. These attacks have to stop, as they could end up putting the safety of residents at risk.”

Chief Inspector Richard Sumner from West Yorkshire Police said: “Assaulting an emergency service worker is totally unacceptable, no one should go to work and be attacked in this way.”

“West Yorkshire Police campaigned actively as part of the ‘Protect the Protectors’ campaign for stronger sentences for assaults on police officers and blue light colleagues and has made it clear that tolerating abuse isn’t part of wearing the uniform.”

“We take these assaults seriously and would encourage anyone with information about these incidents to come forward.”

Community, Council Headlines, Council News, Health & Welfare Headlines, South Yorkshire

Rotherham Residents Get More Support With Cost Of Living Crisis

Rotherham residents facing financial hardship during the cost of living crisis will receive further support as part of a £2.4 million package agreed by the Council’s Cabinet, including an extension of free school meal vouchers and an expansion of grants to help with energy bills.

Cabinet has agreed that the funding be allocated to the following:

  • £899k to continue to fund free school meals vouchers during the school holidays for eligible children, which will continue until Easter next year
  • £1.4m to expand the Council’s Energy Crisis Support Scheme
  • £45k allocation to support care leavers
  • £30k to support local voluntary organisations to support an estimated 300 vulnerable families over Christmas and New Year
  • £90k to supplement crisis food parcels provided by local food banks
  • £25k to provide additional non-food products for inclusion in crisis food parcels, such as personal hygiene, sanitary and household products.

Already more than 1,000 households have received payments of up to £250 through the Council’s Energy Crisis Support Scheme, which helps residents with bills that have put them in an impossible position.

As a result of this additional funding, from this week, anyone eligible for the support will be able to receive up to £400 as a one-off payment. Households which received support in the first round will now be eligible to apply again, if they need to do so.

Rotherham Council’s Leader, Councillor Chris Read, said: “The current situation is having a monumental effect on residents in Rotherham and as we go into the winter months that situation seems likely to only get worse. That’s why we have moved quickly to ensure this grant funding finds its way to residents who need it most. There are a wide range of services and advice on the Rotherham Council website so if you do have concerns or worries, go to http://www.rotherham.gov.uk to see how we can help.”

The funding will ensure that almost 12,000 children across the borough will be able to access free school meals during the Christmas and Easter holidays. Free school meals during the October half-term holidays will be covered by previous funding through the Household Support Fund.

Care leavers, such as young people leaving foster care or living independently after leaving care, will also be supported through the funding so that they are able to continue being independent.

Rotherham Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young People’s Services, Councillor Victoria Cusworth, said: “Our children and young people are some of our most vulnerable residents in Rotherham and I am pleased that Cabinet have agreed these funding streams to support families and individuals.”

“It is my belief, as well as the Council’s, that no child should be made to go hungry due to the cost-of-living crisis. If your circumstances do change, please see if your children are eligible for free school meals by going to the Rotherham Council website.”

Funding from the government’s Household Support Fund Grant for the support has now been confirmed. To see the full range of support and advice available visit the Rotherham Council website here

Business, Business Headlines, Business Insights, Professional Insights

4 Elements Making A Business Investment Attractive

Business owners often put in blood, sweat, tears and more to build the business of their dreams. But, change is the only constant; therefore, most entrepreneurs eventually sell their businesses to pursue greener pastures sooner or later.

Regardless, getting the right price for a business that an individual has built from scratch doesn’t simply depend on the work they put into the business.

So, precisely what factors help a business stand out from the rest to investors looking to purchase full equity of a business for sale?

Hilton Smythe, the UK’s leading experts in facilitating business sales delve into the detail with four elements being key.

1- A Wide Customer Base
The first step to making your business more appealing to investors is to broaden your customer base. This can be done by expanding your product or service offerings or targeting new markets. Doing this will show investors that your business has growth potential and provide a potential opportunity to tap into a wider segment if it aligns with their goals.

2- A Solid Business Plan
It may sound like a no-brainer, but you would be surprised how many businesses don’t have a solid business plan (two-thirds of companies with under 250 employees). A well-thought-out business plan is essential to attracting investors, as it shows you have a clear vision for your business and how it will make money.

3- A Track Record Of Financial Performance
Investors will want to see the numbers behind a business, to assess whether a track record of consistent growth exists. Therefore, ensure you have all your financials in order. They’ll want to see your revenue, expenses, and profits to understand how well your business is doing.
If your company generates much revenue but doesn’t make much profit, you’re probably not worth as much as a company that produces less income but is more profitable. Good financial performance is a key indicator of overall business health and can help a company attract and retain customers.

4- A Strong Team
People on your team and their calibre also play a significant role in whether your business turns out to be an attractive investment for the potential buyer or not. Therefore, before sitting at the negotiating table, ensure that your team is cohesive and synergising their efforts.

In Conclusion
Considering these factors won’t just enable you to find an offer that matches your business’s worth but will also help you better understand your potential value in the marketplace.

Council Headlines, Infrastructure Headlines, News

Plans To Transform Castleford Town Centre Set For Approval

Plans to develop and shape future regeneration in Castleford are set to be approved at the next meeting of Cabinet members.

The ambitious plan, known as the ‘Strategic Regeneration Framework (SRF), is a guide to how Castleford town centre could be transformed over the next 10 to 20 years, to bring improvements that could benefit residents, businesses and visitors.

To achieve a sustainable and successful future for Castleford, the SRF aims to create an environment that will see local businesses thrive and make Castleford a destination, by building on the town’s unique heritage and one of its best assets, the River Aire.

The SRF highlights the need to address the problem of empty properties and the challenges of transport links both within the town centre and the wider area.

There are two distinct phases, short-term and long-term.

The short-term phase will largely be delivered through the government’s Town Deal funding. Wakefield Council received nearly £24 million (£23.9m) which will mainly be invested in the Riverside, Boho and Heart of Castleford proposals:

Castleford Riverside – creating access to the river with improvements to public spaces and investment in Queen’s Mill.

Castleford Boho – enhancements to Sagar Street as the key link between the riverside and town centre, including the delivery of a work and skills hub, revitalising of Kingdom Hall for community and enterprise uses, and improvements to public spaces including the existing shop fronts.

Heart of Castleford – this proposal aims to make Henry Moore Square the heart of the town, delivering a meeting place, events space and consolidated home for the markets in what is seen as one of Yorkshire’s premier public spaces while introducing a new multi-purpose building.

Back in May, the first stage of the Town Deal programme – a shop front improvement scheme with grants of up to £12,000 – opened for eligible businesses in Sagar Street.

Future developments will rely on finding further funding opportunities, identified by the Council or in collaboration with private or non-profit organisations.

A key consideration will be sustainability, to ensure they are long-lasting for future generations.

The blueprint has the approval of residents, businesses, councillors, and other stakeholders, who had their say, during a series of engagement events that have taken place since 2020.

Councillor Darren Byford, Wakefield Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Economic Growth and Property, said: “These are exciting plans that will provide the town with more than just a physical makeover. It will deliver a prosperous Castleford where people and businesses succeed and visitors are welcome.”

“The proposals outlined will lay the foundation to ensure that the town, the people who live, work and own businesses there can go from strength to strength.”

Cabinet meets on Tuesday 11 October at 10.30am.

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