Paul Hamer, Chief Executive, WYG Group, said “Today marks a huge milestone for our people, our company and the city of Leeds.  We have consistently delivered professional consultancy services on thousands of high profile projects, not only here in Yorkshire and the UK but throughout the world.  We are extremely proud of our heritage and I am personally proud to be Chief Executive of WYG on this significant occasion.

“Despite challenging market conditions we remain a profitable company and wth the continued support of our great people we look forward to future success for WYG for another 50 years,” he added.

For further information about the history of WYG, historical photographs and staff comments, please visit www.wyg.com/50years

Welcome to Ciderfest!

Celebrate summer with a fabulous selection of Ciders…..

Thatchers Katy Rose

Rekorderlig Pear

Rekorderlig Strawberry & Lime

Westons Cider Ice (Draught cider with its very own ice made from Cider!)

WE’RE ON THE BALL!

64 games, 32 nations but only 1 winner!

The World Cup kicks off Friday 11th June with England 1st game on Saturday 12th June against USA at 19:30pm.

Watch the action at The Arc, The Box & Trio.  From giant screens, digital walls, BBQ’s to private suites.  Arc Inspirations have got it all.

3 Days 10:00am - 5:00pm

3 Nights 6:00pm - 10:00pm

Left Bank Leeds, Cardigan Road, Leeds West Yorkshire

Art & design markets, workshops, marvellous tea dance company, vintage fairs, pop shops.

Tickets available now

www.leedstickets.com

Last year’s Live At Leeds saw the festival expand in size and diversity of programming and were thrilled to host mind-blowing performances from the likes of the Maccabees, Fionn Regan, Pulled Apart By Horses, Wintermute, Little Death, Grammatics and Dinosaur Pile Up and White Lies.

Live at Leeds is a noisy, vibrant festival which emphasizes the diversity of music currently being created in West Yorkshire and brings this music to a wider audience through the programming of regional acts amidst national talent. Live at Leeds 2010 will develop the profile, scale and range of activity at the festival to form a wholly unique event in the north of England.

For more information visit www.liveatleeds.com

The festival originated as the winning proposal in a ‘Dragon’s Den’ style competition held during the AGM of Headingley Development Trust (HDT) early last year. The festival will take place from 3rd-9th May 2010, during which local businesses are planning a unified week of promotions. The climax of this week will then be a festival of music and arts taking place over the weekend and running alongside Headingley Development Trust’s monthly Farmers’ Market.

Through fun and celebration of our local community the festival aims to widen the perception of Headingley in Leeds.

for more information visit www.headingleyfestival.com

The international multi-skilled consultancy employs around 2,500 people globally with over 400 based in Leeds. It was only in January that shareholders of WYG voted overwhelmingly to rubber stamp a refinancing deal that secured the long term future of the company.

Paul Hamer, Chief Executive, WYG Group, said: “As a major employer in Leeds, we are absolutely delighted that Greg officially opened our new headquarters and had the opportunity to meet our team. We are extremely proud of our base in Leeds and the move to the new office is another fundamental building block that provides renewed confidence to our clients.”

MP for Leeds North West and Shadow Health Minister, Greg Mulholland was taken on a guided tour of the building to meet staff before cutting the ribbon to officially open the building.

Greg Mulholland said: “As a significant employer in Leeds North West, WYG make a valuable contribution to the local economy. In these straightened financial times it is heartening to see that it is still possible for business to thrive without loosing their roots in the local community.”

The new headquarters consolidates three smaller offices in Leeds to improve communications and efficient working by bringing the teams together under one roof.

Photograph from Left to Right: Paul Hamer, Chief Executive Officer, WYG Group,  Greg Mulholland, MP for Leeds North West and David Wilton, WYG Group Finance Director.

A petition calling for change has attracted more than 1,200 signatures and presented to Gary Bartlett, chief highways officer.

A city council spokeswoman said later: “We have been carrying out a study into parking and traffic in Headingley over the past six months.

“We have consulted local residents, traders and other interested parties. The results will be reported to highway bosses shortly, after which a decision will be made on the existing parking restrictions.”

Traders flagged up their concerns two years ago since when the council has done nothing, despite making sympathetic noises.

Naveen Ahmed, of Parklane Properties, said: “As usual, the council has taken forever to deal with this issue. In the meantime businesses are trying to cope with the worst economic recession in living memory.

“Several businesses have closed or re-located. Some are better off re-locating to the city centre because there is no parking for their customers in Headingley.

“We think that when the council introduced residents-only parking schemes, they didn’t do a proper consultation. Hopefully they have now done a proper audit and they will come up with a fairer system.”

Traders say they are particularly incensed that spaces are free during the day on the Granby estate, where residents-only parking was
introduced, and yet they cannot be used by shoppers.

A spokeswoman for retailers at Far Headingley shopping parade said they were most concerned about the complete ban on parking after 4.30pm.

“There are a couple of restaurants here and a fancy dress business that
rely on trade at that time of day,” she said. “That is, when mums need to pick up costumes and restaurants open at 5.30/6pm, there is nowhere to park.

“We rely on passing trade, too, and people simply will not stop if they cannot pull over and find parking that is not resident-only or
restricted by the time of day”