Michael Graham

The Ridings reverses decision to reduce public toilet opening hours

The Ridings to reduce public toilet opening hours due to exceeding costs

A proposal to tackle speeding on Thornes Road has been criticised by a councillor.

Councillor criticises council's plans to tackle speeding on Thornes Road

Residents began a campaign to stop plans to turn the former Avondale Fisheries, in Thornes, Wakefield, into a HMO in August 2022. LDRS image.

Former chip shop to be turned into HMO after new planning appeal

Wakefield Council’s opposition leader said members should be tested on literacy, numeracy and their knowledge of the district in order to prove they are “role models” in their communities.

Councillors vote down calls for them to sit ‘local knowledge’ tests

The property on Avondale Street. Picture by Google

Plans to turn former chip shop into HMO refused

Nick Farmer, councillor for Ossett, has resigned from the Conservative party to join Reform UK. LDRS image

Wakefield gets first Reform councillor as Tory quits to join party

The leader of Wakefield Council has announced changes to the authority’s cabinet following the sudden resignation of a senior member of her top team.

Leader announces cabinet reshuffle after resignation of senior councillor

Wakefield West councillor Michael Graham.

Cabinet member resigns, saying he has ‘lost all faith’ in the Labour Party

Over 25 traders will offer a diverse range of global products, from gourmet street food to artisan gifts.

Wakefield to welcome a feast of flavours at continental street market

The careers and employment event will be held next month at Wakefield Exchange.

Find out how to have a career in TV, film, music and radio at WX event

Castleford Indoor Market will host the Young Traders Market tomorrow.

Support the next generation of entrepreneurs at the Young Traders Market

From left to right, Tamsin Hart-Jones, Homes England, Tony Reeves, Wakefield Council, Mark Lynam, Wakefield Council, Liz Hunter, WYCA, Simon Dew, Muse

City regeneration firm partners with Wakefield Council

Streets for People scheme to get underway in Pontefract, which will include the introduction of a new one-way system, designated cycle path, wider pavements and more.

Lower speed limit, improved crossings and cycle path for Pontefract

Heritage specialist Rushbond said the development would be the "final key piece" in the regeneration of Wakefield's civic quarter.

New plans to transform landmark courthouse building into city's 'village hall'

The £60,000 upgrade is now complete.

New playground opens following £60,000 refurbishment
Work is now complete on a £60,000 makeover of the play area at Gorton Street Park in Kinsley.
Leanne Clarke

Matt Focarelli outside a revamped shopfront on Bread Street.

Shopfront revamps and Cathedral Square projects will 'help transform city'

The artwork will be painted onto the side of the bingo hall building and will be visible when using the Welbeck Street route to Carlton Street.

New mural to be created in town as part of transformation plan

Work is due to start next month to prepare the site of the former Kellingley Club for a major regeneration project in Knottingley.

Work to start on Kellingley Club demolition as part of major redevelopment plan

Tenpin is coming to Trinity Walk.

Strike! New Tenpin bowling and entertainment centre coming to Trinity Walk

Coun Michael Graham.

'The town centre has drastically improved': Businesses praise grant schemes

Castleford's Young Traders Market will return later this year.

Young entrepreneurs in Wakefield encouraged to apply for free market stalls

Coun Hannah Appleyard and Harriet Colours at the mural.

Mural celebrating local heritage unveiled in Normanton

There will be free family-friendly Easter events at all six Wakefield District Markets sites.

Easter Egg-stravaganza: Family-friendly activities this half term

Plans to demolish a derelict former social club in Knottingley have been approved.

Planners give go-ahead for Kellingley Social Club to be demolished

The market is part of a district-wide series, with upcoming events in Wakefield and Castleford.

Pontefract to host a feast of flavours as the continental street market returns

The Wakefield Futures Commission held its first meeting at Wakefield Town Hall on Wednesday December 18.

Residents asked for views on future of higher education and skills
Residents are being asked for their views as part of a major study into the future of higher education and skills across the Wakefield district.
Tony Gardner

Work is due to start on improving the former Station Road approach to Castleford Rail Station.

More improvements to be made around Castleford Station

The old Wilko store and four other commercial properties on Kirkgate look set to be knocked down as part of a Wakefield city centre redevelopment scheme. LDRS image

Former Wilko store among city centre shops set for demolition

Steve Emmett (Caddick), Kathryn Hutchinson (WDH), Richard Gaukrodger (Caddick), Coun Michael Graham, Joel Owen (WDH), Chesley Taylor (WDH), Steve Benson (Caddick) at the Chantry House site.

Work begins to transform Chantry House into 50 affordable homes

Thousands of people visited the city centre over the weekend. Photo: Andrew Benge

More than 40,000 people flocked to Wakefield's Rhubarb Festival 2025

Wakefield District to hold its first “Festival of Learning”

Wakefield to hold its first Festival of Learning with employment opportunities

The former Debenhams store at Trinity Walk Shopping Centre

Plans to transform Wakefield’s former Debenhams store into a bowling alley

Markets - from farmers’ markets to Christmas fairs and car boot sales - bring vibrancy to the district’s towns and communities.

Wakefield Council makes market licensing simple for event organisers

Wakefield Council has agreed not to charge fees for pavement cafe licenses for two more years.

Wakefield district pavement cafe licences to remain free of charge

The former M&S building in Castleford town centre remains vacant after the retailer left the town in 2023.

Castleford’s former M&S store set to become Heron Foods supermarket

Castleford Market will be United by Breaks, from February 15 to 22 where incredible young breakers from all over the UK will battle it out as part of the School Battle Championships on launch day.

Hip Hop extravaganza at Castleford Market this February half term

A report at the time highlighted 19 council-owned buildings and sites earmarked for redevelopment.

New ‘strategic partner’ appointed to speed up Wakefield city centre masterplan

Budding entrepreneurs are being invited to turn their passions into profit with Wakefield Council’s ‘Trade Your Way’ scheme.

Start your own business in 2025 with Wakefield Council's 'Trade Your Way' scheme

Wakefield Council said the report, by a national thinktank, reinforces the need to address a skills gap in the city.

Wakefield in top 10 cities with low qualification rates, study shows

Welbeck Street canopy is being demolished with new lighting and CCTV cameras installed to increase safety and visibility between the train station and town centre.

Demolition to target anti-social behaviour hotspot in Castleford town centre

Councillors Michael Graham and Denise Jeffery in Wakefield city centre

These are some of the regeneration projects set for 2025

The Wakefield Futures Commission held its first meeting at Wakefield Town Hall on Wednesday December 18.

Commission holds first meeting over future of education in Wakefield

Bike trail is designed for different fitness and experience levels

Plan on track for bike skills trail at Fitzwilliam Country Park

Professor Sir Chris Husbands is to chair the Wakefield Futures Commission during a six-month study into higher education in the district

A university for Wakefield? Professor says ‘nothing is off the table’

Planning permission has been submitted to demolish the Kellingley Social Club and Sports Pavillion A new sports pavilion will be built in its place with a new bar and function room, changing facilities and spectator provision

Plans submitted to demolish Kellingley Social Club and Sports Pavillion

Festive ice rink at Castleford Market

Fun on the ice! Castleford Market's FREE indoor ice rink opens

Visitors to Castleford can take to the ice as a free indoor ice-rink is set to open at the market.

Get your skates on! Free indoor ice rink heading to Castleford

The scheme was created to make accessing housing services as easy as possible for residents and referring agencies.

Wakefield Council's popular housing support scheme reaches 1,000 referrals

Coun Denise Jeffery and Coun Michael Graham looking at plans for the new Cathedral Square in Wakefield

More images revealed of plans for new Cathedral Square in Wakefield

The Crimea site is not part of the Town Deal programme but it will form part of a separate project.

Plans submitted to bulldoze former Castleford pub

aerial shot of the whole Civic Quarter. (Vector Design Concepts)

Iconic Wakefield police station begins transformation into apartments

Even more businesses across the district can now apply for a grant from Wakefield Council to help improve shop security measures.

Security grants for up to £6K available for businesses across Wakefield

Wakefield District Markets is hosting a summer long, district wide, family funfest!

Free events and activities this summer at district's markets

Wakefield Council's depot at Newton Bar

Council agrees to ’embrace private sector’ to advance city centre regen plans

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