We love it when businesses send us their good news and here’s our latest good news round-up, kindly sponsored by PALADIN. Awards, expansion, new contracts or new appointments, if you’ve got some good news you want to share please email the editor, Martin Shaw, on martin@huddersfieldhub.co.uk.
Award-winning Portland Nurseries Group has acquired Totspot Nursery in Shelf, Halifax, growing the group from five to six settings.
Now renamed Fairfield Nursery, it is a 62-place purpose-built nursery that was established in 1995, four years after Portland Nurseries was founded in 1991, making them two of the longest established nurseries in Huddersfield and Halifax.
Portland Nurseries joint MD Michael Murphy said: “The nursery is well-loved with an outstanding local reputation. We started around the same time and we are delighted to bring a nursery of its standing into the group.
“It fits well with our portfolio of nurseries, which are focused on providing industry-leading childcare, excellent indoor and outdoor areas and convenience for parents.
“We are looking forward to bringing the Portland Nurseries brand of early years education to Shelf and building on the excellent foundations that have been established over the last 30 plus years.”
Michael confirmed all staff will be retained and the acquisition will mean fresh opportunities and improved career prospects across the group.
“It is full of wonderful children and a fantastic staff team. We are delighted to welcome them to the Portland Nurseries family. It was important for us that we retained the staff as we know how tough the economic climate is at the moment,” added Michael.
“Moreover, it will bring new career prospects and personal growth opportunities, such as cross-site roles, training and wellbeing programmes for our current staff members and the staff at Fairfield Nursery.
“We have ambitions to keep growing, and this is our second nursery acquired in the last 12 months.”
Fairfield Nursery joins Portland House (Lindley), Oakwood House Nursery Forest School (Edgerton), Harlequin (Edgerton), Bradley House (Bradley) and Holly Bank Nursery (Birkby).
Huddersfield-founded law firm Holden Smith has opened a new office in Horsforth as it continues its rapid growth trajectory.
The firm’s fifth office will be headed up by established family law solicitor, Leanne Pollard, and drive growth of the firm’s family law services across Yorkshire and the North.
Holden Smith was co-founded in 2019 by James Smith, David Bancroft and Jamie Megson, and now employs over 100 people.
James Smith said: “Our Horsforth office will bolster and expand our services across all areas of family law. We are delighted Leanne has joined us to help deliver our next stage of growth – she is a highly regarded family law specialist whose knowledge and experience will be hugely beneficial to our clients.”
Mr Bancroft said: “We have experienced rapid growth in the last 12 months, growing the firm to a team of more than 100 people. We have ambitious plans for the coming year, and now is the right time for our fifth branch to open.”
Mr Bancroft said the firm was also looking to recruit new staff as it continues to grow and added: “We’re a young, dynamic and very experienced firm and we are passionate about growing the business with an ambitious and driven team of solicitors who want to help shape the future of Holden Smith and make their own mark.”
A fitted furniture brand based in Slaithwaite has reached the long list for a prestigious design industry award.
Daval Furniture has been named in the Best Overall Kitchen Brand in the 2023 BKU (Bedroom & Kitchen Update) awards, organised by the industry publication of the same name.
James Bodsworth, creative director at Daval, said: “We’re delighted to have reached the long list for this year’s awards, especially given they are voted for by our peers from the kitchen, bedroom and bathroom industry.
“As a family-owned brand, our kitchen collections are rooted in our British heritage, family values and connections to Huddersfield in particular, with ranges including Meltham and Farnley being named after nearby villages.”
Founded in 1978 by trained cabinetmaker, David Bodsworth, Daval now employs 65 people and has 100 retail partners across the UK and a 100,000 sq ft factory and showroom in Huddersfield. The business remains family-run by David’s sons, Simon, Paul and James Bodsworth.
The BKU award shortlist will be revealed on April 3 before the final at the Lancaster Hotel in London on June 9.
Following a successful pitch, Unify has added two new iconic British brands to its growing client list, welcoming Kilner and Mason Cash.
A specialist PR and influencer marketing agency based in Hipperholme, Unify has built a strong reputation for supporting both homegrown and international brands within the interiors and housewares industries.
The team will be building on its extensive experience of delivering national campaigns and its impressive network of journalists and influencers to generate stand out results for these two icons of the housewares world.
The new account wins come as a result of the agency’s successful track record working with Viners and Typhoon, two other brands within The Rayware Group portfolio.
Based on the results generated by Unify and the company’s aim to streamline its PR outreach activities, Unify will take over both accounts as of the start of February with a remit to drive forward PR and digital content creation.
A much-loved household name with a huge following, Kilner is recognised for its range of glass storage jars, bottles and tools for creating homemade foods such as jams, pickles and preserves.
Mason Cash is steeped in British heritage spanning over 200 years, and is best known for its iconic mixing bowl. The brand has since introduced other kitchenware to the range, including oven, baking and cooking tools, as well as a pet collection.
Emma Leonard, managing director of Unify, said: “The team and I are all hugely passionate about interiors and housewares. Whether it’s in or outside the home, a residential or commercial setting, we love to represent brands in these key specialist markets.
“Being appointed to look after both Kilner and Mason Cash is a real highlight for the business as we’ve long admired the brands and the products they create. We can’t wait to work our magic on all of The Rayware brands.”
