Business Diary: January 21

Today, one of the most popular bolt-holes for green-fingered members of the aristocracy is enjoying a new lease of life, thanks to a Yorkshire company.

The stunning Victorian conservatory at Wentworth Castle in Stainborough, near Barnsley, is regarded as one of the finest examples of its kind.

William Anelay, a York building firm which dates from 1747, has spent a year restoring the property, with help from architects Buttress Fuller Alsop Williams.

The grade I listed Wentworth Castle is home to the Northern College for Residential and Community Education.

It became famous when it was a runner-up in the 2003 BBC Restoration series, which was hosted by Griff Rhys Jones. Over the past decade a major programme of work has taken place, with the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund, English Heritage, the Country Houses Foundation, the European Regional Development Fund and the venue’s own trust.

The conservatory was built in 1885 by Crompton and Fawkes of Chelmsford and it is thought to be the first to incorporate electric lighting. Sadly, it had fallen into disrepair and was in danger of being overwhelmed with vegetation.

All for nothing

The BBC’s new Sunday night drama The Musketeers has come in for a pasting by the critics with some saying it was so bad it might as well have been a parody.

TV critic Jim Shelley said the casting for D’Artagnan, Aramis, Athos and Porthos meant the show resembled a cross between Blackadder, a homoerotic ad for designer leather trousers and a pop promo by hairy rockers Kasabian.

“All it offered was a lot roustabout ‘action’ that wasn’t very exciting let alone violent and plenty of ye olde rumpy pumpy that was far too tame to be French,” he said.

Another critic said the new series had gone down like a lead balloon with TV viewers, who complained of a stilted script and uninspiring performances from cast members.

Apparently Twitter users were less than impressed.

“I’ve seen better fights in Asda,” wrote one scathing reviewer, referring to the break-out of fights at various stores during the Leeds-based retailer’s ‘Black Friday’ promotion last year.

The Musketeers’ fight scenes must indeed be plumbing the depths to be likened to over-weight men with beer bellies fighting over cut-price flat-screen TVs.

Maybe Asda could incorporate the footage in its next sales push?

Brady’s bunch of advice

NOBODY could accuse Karren Brady of being publicity-shy.

She is heading for Yorkshire later this year to give some no-nonsense advice to anyone who wants to follow in her footsteps.

Ms Brady, who advises Lord Alan Sugar on the hit BBC TV show The Apprentice, will take to the stage at this year’s Buy Yorkshire Conference.

As vice chairman of West Ham United Football Club, an England 2018 Board Member and a non-executive director at four other businesses, Ms Brady has a wealth of experience to share.

Conference organiser, Geoff Shepherd said: “Karren brings something completely new to the conference and we are looking forward to hearing more about her experiences and the difficulties she has had to face as an entrepreneur, mother and, of course, adviser to Lord Sugar.”

Ms Brady said: “It is great to come to Yorkshire and to share my experiences with an audience that is made up of some of the best business talents that the region has to offer. I hope that in sharing my story I will encourage others to think in the same way and to have the confidence in their own abilities to become a real success.”

Ms Brady will take part in the Billion Pound Panel as well as a standalone seminar. The Buy Yorkshire Conference is taking place on May 13 and 14 at The Royal Armouries, in Leeds.

No Flash in the pan

How many economists are down with the kids?

Not many, so Diary was amused to see Tom Vosa of Yorkshire Bank make a passable attempt at referencing youth culture during Tuesday’s annual economics lecture at Leeds Business School.

The esteemed economist was explaining to the audience how US economic policy has inadvertently created volatility in the currencies of certain emerging markets.

He dubbed these the “Fragile Five” and added, in case of any misunderstanding, that these are not to be confused with the Furious Five, the backing band of seminal 80s rapper Grandmaster Flash.