Reasons to shop at Morrisons - rediscovered

A bit of surprise news from the supermarket sector today as Morrisons announced that like-for-like sales, excluding fuel, had gone up by 0.2% in the nine weeks to 3 January.

Many of those paid handsomely to “know” about these things expressed surprise at the development.  And not without good reason. 

Last year the Bradford-headquartered chain saw its annual profits fall by 52% to £345m - its worst results since 2007 – and suffered the ignominy of falling out of the FTSE 100.

But in response to today's sales figures, Morrisons shares shot up by 9% to 166.7p.   

All good news for the firm although, with Sainsbury’s due to release its third-quarter figures tomorrow and Tesco on Thursday, the joy may yet be short-lived.      

Up, up and...hold on (tight)

Good news for the Northern Ireland economy today when it was confirmed that Ryanair is to open a new hub at Belfast International Airport. 

Flights to London Gatwick will begin in March with 90 jobs created initially. 

Five additional routes – including to Leeds Bradford – were also due to be confirmed this morning. But as one has come to expect with Ryanair, it was never going to be that straightforward.  Instead, the company’s chief commercial officer, David O’Brien, took the opportunity for a pop at local ministers over Air Passenger Duty.

"We're not asking the Government for money, we're asking them to stop taking money from us," he protested.  "And if they don't we will make decisions on that basis."   

The Republic of Ireland Government has already scrapped APD with the country enjoying significantly increased visitor numbers as a result.

But an Assembly decision to cut APD in Northern Ireland would see the Treasury in London reducing the amount it gives Stormont to run public services.

Still, don’t expect Mr O’Brien and Ryanair’s ebullient boss Michael O’Leary to cease grandstanding any time soon. 

Leeds ice rink plan set to glide

More good news for Leeds today as the Yorkshire Evening Post reports that work will begin next week on a long-awaited and certainly impressive new indoor ice rink for the city.  

Sited adjacent to Elland Road, the facility is due to open before the end of the year.

Artist's impression

Although its primary purpose will be to offer paying patrons the opportunity to skate, its owners - Ice Rink Company - have made clear that it could also act as home to a professional ice hockey team.  

It is therefore notable that the original plans have been changed to increase the number of seats from 1,000 to 1,500, surely raising the chances of Leeds one day hosting an Elite League franchise and all the benefits that would bring.

One to watch. 

New Year cheer for Leeds rail users

Some much-needed New Year cheer for Leeds commuters this morning with the opening of the new £20.4 million southern entrance to the city's railway station. 

An estimated 20,000 passengers are expected to walk through its doors each day, while additional customer information screens, ticket machines and automated ticket gates should help to reduce congestion and generally improve the experience for station users.

The Government contributed £12.4 million to the project which was delivered in partnership with West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Network Rail.  

Commenting on the development - that includes a new concourse, escalators, stairs, lifts and additional cycle storage -  Transport Minister Andrew Jones said he believed journeys would now be "quicker and more convenient for thousands of passengers every day."  

He added: "We’re determined to provide Leeds and Yorkshire with a transport network to support its ambitions with new rail franchises, new rail stations and major road upgrades to drive the region’s growth."

Let's hope his intentions stay on the rails.  

Shadow Chancellor ridiculed as Commons stunt backfires

Here at Vanbar Associates, we are strictly non-party political.  But we are also unashamedly pro-high quality public relations.

It would therefore be wrong - nay, unprofessional - not to point out that Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell's decision to quote from Chairman Mao's 'Little Red Book' in the House of Commons earlier today was, in our view, not a good move.

As you'll most probably be aware, Mr McDonnell was replying to George Osborne's Autumn Statement which, on the face of it, had gone well for the Chancellor.  Having shot Labour's tax credit and police budget cuts foxes, easy targets were always going to be tough to find for the Hayes and Harlington MP. 

So he choose to shoot himself instead.

Already being successfully characterised by his opponents as an old-style socialist with extremist left-wing views, Mr McDonnell would have been well-advised to play it straight or, at the very least, be boring.

But no.

Instead he rose in our nation's Parliament and offered credence to the views of Mao Tse-tung, a man widely held responsible for an estimated 40-70 million deaths.

In a subsequent TV interview, the Shadow Chancellor condemned what is thought to be the top incidence of democide in human history.  And no doubt his words were heartfelt.  But the fact he was forced to do so tells you something about the success of his Commons tactic, which aides later described as "a joke."  Yes indeed.

Rumours are circulating tonight that the Labour Party are considering the recruitment of a communications agency to guide them out of their predicament.      

Vanbar Associates would like to wish whoever wins that account the very best of fortune.  

Osborne announces cyber support for British businesses

An announcement of note this morning when the Chancellor of the Exchequer confirmed overnight reports that the UK Government is to increase spending on tackling cyber crime by £1.9 billion over the next five years   

Chancellor George Osborne 

Speaking at the GCHQ listening hub in Cheltenham, George Osborne outlined details of a new National Cyber Security Plan which, he said, would protect the country from a “rising tide of online attacks.”

He said: “It is a bold, comprehensive programme that will give Britain the next generation of cyber security, and make Britain one of the safest places to do business on line.  

“It will give our companies and our citizens’ confidence that their cyber safety is being properly protected.

“It will ensure that Britain remains at the cutting edge of the global cyber economy.”

Mr Osborne said that the Government had what he described as a “collective interest in the cyber defences of individual companies across the British economy.”

He contiuned: “The experience in the last month of TalkTalk shows how cyber attack can suddenly go from a theoretical risk to a massive business cost.

“We will work with businesses across the economy to ensure that they have the right defences in place.”

The new National Cyber Security Strategy will be published in 2016.

The Open secret is out

Stupendously good news for Northern Ireland this morning when it was confirmed that Royal Portrush Golf Club will host the 2019 Open Championship.

Last held there 64 years ago, it has long been rumoured that the greatest golf tournament of them all would one day return to what many experts regard as the world's premier links course.

And today the dream shared by so many in that corner of the Wee Country has come true.

It is estimated that the Northern Ireland economy will benefit to the tune of around £70 million from staging the four-day event, which will be watched by global television audience of half a billion people. 

But it's not all about the exposure or the cash.       

A few years ago, the reigning British touring car champion brought his four-wheeled demon to the Causeway Coast for a demonstration lap of the North West 200 road circuit.  And promptly drove it into a hedge near Coleraine.

Interviewed afterwards, the red-faced racer praised the local organisers for the way they went about things.

"I travel to all sorts of events around the world and am often told why I can't do something," he said.  "Since I arrived here in Northern Ireland, all I've heard are reasons why I can do something."

Expect players, officials and spectators at the 2019 Open Golf Championship to depart with similarly positive thoughts on their minds.

Bring it on.      

Leeds golden girl tops the bill at Unity AGM

Olympic boxing icon Nicola Adams was the star attraction at Unity Homes and Enterprise’s Annual General Meeting, which also heard a speech from Leeds City Council chief executive Tom Riordan praising Unity’s work.

Unity Housing Association was formed in 1987 with the objective of building a strong, BME-led, community housing association to address the needs of black and minority ethnic communities in Leeds.  Unity currently manages almost 1,200 properties, providing homes for single tenants, families, older people and those with special needs, from all communities.  The initial focus was on Chapeltown, but this has widened to other areas of the city. 

Unity Enterprise was established in 2000 to support local entrepreneurial activity, followed later by Unity Employment Services which helps tenants access employment and training.

Leeds City Council chief executive Tom Riordan addressing Unity's AGM 

“There is a really positive feel about the work Unity is doing,” Mr Riordan said.  “Leeds is a diverse place encompassing many different communities.  Unity’s activities in Chapeltown, Harehills, Holbeck, Beeston and elsewhere are fundamental to how the city operates.”       

In the last financial year, Unity’s turnover increased by 6% to £5.6 million. 80 new homes were built, including a small development in Huddersfield – the organisation’s first project outside of Leeds.  More than £1.3 million was invested in home improvements to 180 existing properties, with a further £1.4 million spent on the refurbishment of Chapeltown Enterprise Centre and Unity Business Centre, the latter now home to around 80 different companies.  Unity Employment Services helped 60 people into work, delivered accredited skills training to 61 others and enabled 20 to gain work experience.

Unity chief executive Ali Akbor told invited guests at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance that assisting people was in the organisation’s DNA. He said: “Unity will continue to do our very best to provide high quality housing and other professional support to as many individuals and families as we can.”  

Nicola Adams, who was born and educated in Leeds, offered an insight into her preparations for next year’s Olympic Games in Rio.  She said: “I am a proud Leeds girl and hope that my success will inspire many other young people in the city to work hard and achieve their dreams.” 

Closing the meeting, recently-appointed Unity chair Shruti Bhargava thanked staff, shareholders, tenants and board members for their contributions over the past year.  She said: “I look forward to playing a leading part in helping Unity to further enhance its well-established reputation for aspiration, excellence and delivering results.”   

Reigning Olympic boxing champion Nicola Adams (centre), flanked by Unity chair Shruti Bhargava (left) and chief executive Ali Akbor

TransPennine electrification to recommence

A key component of the Government's Northern Powerhouse initiative got back on track today as it was announced that work on the electrification of the TransPennine Express railway is to restart.

Halted back in June, Network Rail Chair Sir Peter Hendy said the "temporary pause" had "given us the space to develop a better plan." The decision has been signed off by Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin.

The result will be six "fast or semi-fast trains" per hour between Manchester, Leeds and York, reducing journey times by up to 15 minutes.

The Manchester to York section of the work is due for completion by 2022.

Sir Peter said: “We face some difficult challenges, and there is more work still to do, but the secretary of state's decision means we can now move forward with our plans to electrify TransPennine and Midland Mainline.”

Undoubtedly good news for the North, although perhaps we could’ve done without the three months of uncertainty.

London's Tour de France Non-Depart

There were howls of disbelief across Yorkshire this morning when it emerged that London had pulled out of hosting the start of the 2017 Tour de France because, according to Mayor Boris Johnson, "it wasn't worth it."

Last year's Grand Depart famously attracted millions of people onto the streets of God's Own County and, according to a report, generated an estimated £128 million for the economy.   

In common with the London 2012 Olympics, there was a real degree of scepticism before it got underway. But, with the exception of a handful of nimbies who you'd hate to sit beside at a wedding, everyone loved it. 

On the face of it, for London to turn away the world's biggest annual sporting event a mere day before contracts were due to be signed is nothing short of breathtaking.  

But London does have form.

Sports purists may remember that, having won the rights to stage the 2005 World Athletics Championships, our capital city subsequently withdrew after problems with the stadium. 

So what to do?  Well, isn't it obvious?

Why not build more and better sporting facilities here in Yorkshire and hold all future UK international sporting events solely in this region?  And don't invite Boris Johnson.

Job done.   

Chancellor's Chinese delivery

Big overnight news from George Osborne’s high profile Chinese trade mission as he announced a £1.2 billion deal for his hosts to fund the building of 10,000 new homes in Manchester, Leeds and Sheffield, creating 18,000 jobs.

All part of the Chancellor’s drive the create a 'Northern Powerhouse' to counterbalance the economic might of London, the agreement is set to deliver a major extension of Thorpe Park in Leeds, a large scale office, retail and leisure development led by Yorkshire property firm Scarborough Group.

Kevin McCabe, Chairman of the Scarborough Group, who is travelling with Mr Osborne on the five-day trip, said this morning: “As a family business with its roots in the North of England, we are now very proud to bring our partners in China to the UK to invest in our great Northern cities and to accelerate the development of our major projects." 

As the Chinese economy slows and with the Chancellor’s sights fixed very firmly on succeeding David Cameron as Prime Minister, perhaps China’s difficulties could well prove to be the North of England’s major gain. 

PMQs: It's Jeremy from Islington

Newly-elected Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn made his debut at the House of Commons Despatch Box today and, after a tough first few days in the job, will probably feel quite pleased with how it went. 

The  Islington North MP promised to bring a different approach to Prime Minister's Questions and he certainly did that.  His tactic centred on choosing questions from members of the public to put to David Cameron.  And, with more than 40,000 people answering his call to email suggestions, he had plenty to choose from.

Marie, Steven and Angela were just three of six wannabe inquisitors who had their words read out, encompassing a range of subjects from housing to tax credits to mental health services. 

Disdainfully swatting away questions from a fellow politician is normal form in the House of Commons.  T'was ever thus.  But to denigrate the concerns of a named member of the public is very much a no-no.

As such, the Prime Minister made certain to give a detailed - and civil - reply to each question relayed by Mr Corbyn.  But therein lies the immediate problem for the new Comrade Leader.

Mr Cameron has a well-earned reputation - even amongst his most bitter opponents - for being well-briefed and on top of policy detail, which he is happy to espouse for as long as time allows.

Today he was effectively presented with a platform to address some of the most nagging current concerns of "ordinary people" - and speak to those people directly.  And rather than seek to pick holes in the Prime Minister's arguments,  Mr Corbyn - looking very much the geography teacher in a beige jacket and dark trousers but sounding like a radio host - simply moved on to a new question from the next "caller."

Whether this approach will work for him in the longer term remains to be seen.  But, after a faltering start to his leadership, it is likely that Team Corbyn will be feeling a mixture of relief and pleasure that their man came through unscathed.            

PMQs: Out with the old, in with the older?

It was the end of an era in the House of Commons this afternoon when Acting Labour Leader Harriet Harman stood at the Despatch Box for the final time at Prime Minister's Questions. 

Next week, after 28 years on her party's front bench, she will be replaced by Labour's newly-elected leader with Jeremy Corbyn the bookies' stand-out favourite. 

What impact this will have on British politics in general and Her Majesty's Official Opposition in particular is anyone's guess. 

At 66-years-old, Mr Corbyn is a year older than Ms Harman - meaning he'll be 71 at the next General Election. 

But, rather than his age, it's his unashamed socialist policies which are the cause of greater alarm for many of his more mainstream Labour colleagues.

For them it was Ed Miliband's insistence of taking his party to the left which did for Labour in May.  The idea of adopting a raft of policies with a much deeper red hue has left them in even greater despair.

At today's PMQs, Harriet Harman looked every bit the statesman as she concentrated her six questions on the Syrian refugee crisis - drawing worthy tribute from David Cameron in an unusually civilised exchange.

Whether the Prime Minister will be as serious or respectful to her successor next Wednesday is very much in doubt.   

Final countdown to the Big Marquee Weekend

Organisers are predicting a total ticket sell-out as solo artists, bands, DJs and music fans from across Northern Ireland prepare to converge on the village of Macosquin near Coleraine for the inaugural Big Marquee Weekend which gets underway next Friday (21 August).  

The three-day event, being held in a professionally-erected marquee in the car park of Mary Pat’s Bar, begins with a clubland night headlined by Micky Modelle and Ultrabeat with local support.

A hotly-anticipated Rock v Brit Pop battle will top Saturday’s bill as long-established Bon Jovi tribute act Con Jovi from Armagh go up against Belfast’s Oasis copycats Roll With It.  Coleraine band Cellar Door, acoustic performer Adam Buick, and DJs Steady and Trigger will warm up the crowd.

And the weekend will conclude to the sound of country music when singer-songwriter Ritchie Remo, duo JD Country and Ireland’s most popular Garth Brooks tribute act Jason Hughes perform on the specially-constructed indoor stage on Sunday. 

Drew Hutchinson, who has been organising the Big Marquee Weekend with Robert Todd and the bar’s proprietor Hughie Hamilton, said everyone involved was thrilled at the reaction the event has generated.

“We were ambitious from the outset in going for a big marquee with its own fully-kitted bar, booking top quality acts and running the event over three days,” Drew commented. 

“And we are delighted that the public have backed us by their buying tickets.  We are looking at an absolute sell-out, and we can’t do better than that.

“I have spoken to all of the artists over the past few days to finalise the running orders, and they are as excited as the rest of us.  

“There are a handful of tickets still available but all the indications are that they’ll be gone before we open the doors on Friday.

“It’s going to be a weekend to remember.”

Day tickets for the Big Marquee Weekend are priced at £10 for Friday and £12 on Saturday and Sunday.   A two-ticket is also available priced at £20.

They can be purchased from Mary Pat’s Bar, Romaya Hair Sanctuary in Coleraine or by calling Tel: 028 7034 4659.

A special put down for the Special One

It's unlikely that Dublin-based amateur football club St Mochta’s FC will ever have the opportunity to challenge Premier League Champions Chelsea on the field of play.  But in PR terms, they have just handed the London giants something of a hammering.

As you may have heard on the news, last weekend Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho took it upon himself to issue a public rebuke to team doctor Eva Carneiro after she ran onto the pitch to aid his supposedly stricken star player Eden Hazard.  TV replays have since shown that she was summoned to action by the referee.

The self-styled Special One launched into his hissy fit as his team were already down to 10 men - the starting Chelsea goalkeeper having been sent off - and any injured player is compelled to briefly depart the field following treatment.   

After remonstrating  on the touchline, Mourinho later publicly described Dr Carneiro as “impulsive and naïve” for temporarily leaving him a player down, and said she needed to “understand the game.”

But it didn't end there.  Rather than seek to quell the public relations blaze, the club then let it be known that their doctor's role would change and she would no longer be allowed to sit on the bench during games. 

Cue St Mochta’s FC who tweeted Dr Carneiro to advise that they had a vacancy for a club doctor which she might wish to fill.  And seeking to further entice, they added: "You can even sit on the bench. Free family season ticket."

Her response is as yet unknown.  But whatever happens, it's ten out of ten for ingenuity to the Dublin amateurs - and a big fat zero to Jose and his even fatter ego. 

Leeds is up for the Cup

This is the sight that now greets travellers at they pass through Leeds Train Station.

Yes, the Rugby World Cup is coming to town.

Well, I say that - it's here already.  And this is the proof.

Above you can see Sion Lloyd-Parry (left) and Oisin Higgins - two fine up-and-and coming young players at Aireborough Lions RUFC in Leeds - on their visit to Headingley yesterday.  And between them is what it's all about, the William Webb Ellis Trophy, which 20 international teams will be fighting for (sometimes literally) in September and October.

The Cup is in Yorkshire for a few days as part of its nationwide tour before the big kick-off at Twickenham on Friday 1 8 September when England take on Fiji.  

Leeds itself will play host to two games; Italy facing Canada at Elland Road on Saturday 26 September, and Scotland tackling the US Eagles at the same venue the following day.  Indeed, both the Scots and the Americans will be based in the city for the group stages.

An exciting time for rugby union fans here in Yorkshire - and great news for the local economy which is set to benefit from the very welcome visitor influx.  Let's hope our Scottish friends are aware that you don't get owt for nowt in these parts.

Fake words exchanged as tribute bands prepare for Big Marquee battle

A fake war of words has broken out between two tributes bands due to go head-to-head later this month at the inaugural Big Marquee Weekend music festival in Macosquin on the outskirts of Coleraine.

The three day event gets underway on Friday 21 August with a Clubland night headlined by Micky Modelle and Ultrabeat, before climaxing on Sunday with a hugely impressive country music line-up featuring JD Country, Ritchie Remo and Ireland’s leading Garth Brooks tribute act Jason Hughes.

But it is on Saturday 22 August when sparks have long been expected to fly as Belfast’s Oasis look and sound-alikes Roll With It go up against Bon Jovi tribute band Con Jovi from Armagh in a Brit Pop versus Rock battle.

And the verbals have started early after Roll With It’s “Liam” claimed that Con Jovi would “cast no shadow” over the Belfast boys. 

“Liam” from Roll With it, letting it out

“Look man, some might say that Con Jovi are half a world away from us,” said Liam, who said he was looking forward to lots of cigarettes and alcohol after coming off the professionally-constructed stage. 

"We’ve played all around the world and, unlike the real Oasis, we’ll not fade away and gonna live forever.  We’ve got a masterplan, I’m a rock ‘n’ roll star and Con Jovi can slide away.  Come the Big Marquee Weekend, they’ll be standing on the shoulders of giants as we bask in the sunshiiiiiiiiiiiiiiine. D’you know what I mean?”

But “Jon” from Con Jovi wasted no time in hitting back, saying that his band were planning to give Roll With It “a taste of their own bad medicine.”

“Hey, we weren’t born to follow,” said Jon.  “We’ll have a nice day in Macosquin and leave in a blaze of glory.  But we won’t runaway and, no apologies, Roll With It are livin’ on a prayer if they think they’re better than us.  

Con Jovi who have pledged to leave the Big Marquee stage in a blaze of glory

"This ain’t a love song and I say to Liam, you give love a bad name. Keep the faith.  I’ll be there for you, always, but don’t lay your hands on me or you’ll be wanted dead or live. These days life isn’t a bed of roses and you were born to be my baby. What about now?”  

Hearing Jon’s fighting talk, Liam’s pretend big brother “Noel” entered the fray with a direct challenge to Con Jovi.

He said: “Either stop crying your heart out or go let it out.”  But Noel added: “We’ll never acquiesce so let there be love.  I’m a songbird and I don’t look bank in anger.  But after the gig, Con Jovi can stand by me as I sit on a wonderwall and toast Roll With It’s victory with a champagne supernova.” 

Noel also revealed that Roll With It are planning to travel from Belfast to Macosquin in a supersonic car.  “She’s electric,” he explained.

Day tickets for the Big Marquee Weekend are priced at £10 for Friday and £12 on Saturday and Sunday.   A two-ticket is also available priced at £20.

Tickets can be purchased from Mary Pat’s Bar in Macosquin, Romaya Hair Sanctuary in Coleraine or by calling Tel: 028 7034 4659.

Garth Brooks fans urged to drown their sorrows at Big Marquee Weekend

Garth Brooks fans left broken-hearted at the US country music star’s Croke Park no-show last summer have been urged to flock to the village of Macosquin on Sunday 23 August where Jason Hughes, Ireland’s best-loved Garth Brooks tribute act, will join other big names in the local country music scene to bring the curtain down on the inaugural Big Marquee Weekend.  

The three-day music festival, which kicks off on Friday 21 August with a clubland DJ night headlined by Ultra Beat and Micky Modelle, will take place in a professionally-erected marquee in the car park of Mary Pat’s Bar.

Portadown’s renowned Bon Jovi tribute act Con Jovi and Belfast’s biggest Oasis dead ringers Roll With It will be the star attractions on Saturday in a Rock v Britpop face-off, with Cellar Door and Adam Buick providing top notch support.

And then on Sunday, hugely popular two-piece band JD County and the brilliant Ritchie Remo – whose version of Hit the Diff has now attracted more than half a million views on YouTube – will join Jason Hughes in laying on an all-day feast of country music.

Drew Hutchinson, who is organising the event with Robert Todd and the bar’s proprietor Hughie Hamilton, said he had been taken aback by the level of interest the Big Marquee Weekend has generated since being announced.

“What started off as quite a modest event when we first came up with the idea has really taken off,” said Drew.  “Kerry McLean has talked about it on her BBC Radio Ulster afternoon show and it’s been getting lots of mentions on social media.

“We’re now getting ticket enquiries from all over Northern Ireland, from across the border and from England.

“The quality and variety of the acts over the three days has been the key and no one will leave disappointed – unless, of course, we sell out before they’ve managed to get their hands on a ticket.

“The appearance of Jason Hughes on Sunday has excited a lot of people, particularly after Garth Brooks decided not to bring his big hat to Dublin last year.  

“Disappointed Garth fans have had refund money burning a hole in their pockets for a whole year now.  And at just £12 for a full day of country music, they will still have plenty left after buying a ticket.  I know some of them are still hurting after Garth’s snub, but I think a few drinks from the marquee’s fully-kitted bar will help to ease the pain.”     

Day tickets for the Big Marquee Weekend are priced at £10 for Friday and £12 on Saturday and Sunday.   A two-ticket is also available priced at £20.

Tickets can be purchased from Mary Pat’s Bar, Romaya Hair Sanctuary in Coleraine or by calling Tel: 028 7034 4659.

Jason Hughes, who will perform his critically-acclaimed Garth Brooks tribute show at the Big Marquee Weekend in Macosquin

Leeds and Sky: Marching on together

More excellent news for the Leeds economy today after Sky announced plans to create 400 jobs at a new tech hub in the city centre. 

The digital skills and innovation centre will be located at Allied London’s Leeds Dock with the design and development of Sky’s next generation of apps and websites the primary focus.

And in an added boost for Leeds, Sky will also create a Software Engineering Academy here.  Based on a similar scheme established in London in 2011, the facility will provide young people across the North with the opportunity to learn digital skills and find a route into the sector.

“Digital skills and innovation are at the heart of what we do at Sky, helping us give customers the best possible TV experience, whether at home or on the move,” said Sky Group Chief Executive Jeremy Darroch.  “With our investment in Leeds, we’re creating one of the largest digital communities in the UK.”

Culture Secretary Sajid Javid added: “The announcement is a boost to the digital economy of the entire Northern Powerhouse, and will undoubtedly help to cement Leeds as a leading technology cluster.”   

Sky’s investment will take the number of its employees in Leeds past 1,000, spread across tech and customer services.

Truly a city on the digital march.