Business Diary: November 8

The chief executive was at Leeds-Bradford Airport to announce Ryanair’s plan to have a third aircraft based at the site, which will result in the airline travelling to six new routes.

Asked the key to company growth despite the difficult economic climate, Mr O’Leary replied: “I think you have to have supremely brilliant senior management, which is generally what we have at Ryanair.”

Vacancies at hotel for apprenticeships

HE wants to tell them “you’re hired” but Bradford hotel boss Gary Peacock was astonished when he received no applicants for two apprentice positions at the Midland Hotel.

One vacancy is with the hotel’s kitchen team led by head chef, Simon Thomas, while the second apprentice will learn reception and reservations skills under the guidance of Joanne Miller, front office manager.

He received no applicants during the first round of advertising and following further unsuccessful attempts to find suitable candidates with the National Apprenticeship Service and a national training provider, Mr Peacock is now working with Bradford College to try to fill the positions.

“It’s surprising and disappointing when, according to the latest unemployment figures, there are more than 900,000 young people looking for jobs in this country,” Mr Peacock said.

“I am offering two apprentices a chance to learn the skills they need to begin a career in the hotel business.”

Law firm’s supporting role in acclaimed film

Its not unusual for lawyers and dinosaurs to appear in the same sentence but on this occasion Lee & Priestley is delighted with the link.

The Leeds-based law firm has advised on the critically-acclaimed film Tyrannosaur, a production by Sheffield based Warp X, which was part-funded by Screen Yorkshire and filmed in Leeds.

Felicity Harrison, of Lee & Priestley, acted on behalf of Screen Yorkshire advising on the co-financing documentation and production agreements.

The film has won 10 awards during 2011, including three at the prestigious Sundance International Film Festival.

Despite the title, the film is not about dinosaurs. Instead, it is an exploration of how love and friendship can be found in the darkest of places.

Ms Harrison said: “Lee & Priestley is proud to have been involved in this truly Yorkshire based project.

“The film is an intense but fascinating watch and contains more than a little Yorkshire grit.”

Tyrannosaur is currently being screened at selected cinemas nationwide.

Trendsetters who are still in fashion

TO a large extent, modern British history has been defined by its youth cults, particularly in the second half of the 20th century.

Styles come and go, but the look that has prevailed is the Mod, according to Mark Maidment, creative director at Ben Sherman, the revitalised fashion brand that first became famous during the 1960s.

Retailers also come and go, but Leeds independent Hip has proved it has lasting power. Next year it celebrates 25 years, while joint venture partner Ben Sherman reaches 50.

Everton Campbell, the co-founder of Hip, told Diary the secret of success in retail

“People have to believe in you,” he said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re selling clothes or cars, you have to have that connection with the customer, where they believe in you and they trust you.

“Spend as much time as possible on the shop floor. They need to see you.”

Swapping canapes for Currys as austerity bites

You only realise just how tough times are when you receive your festive party invites.

For Diary, this hit home when instead of the usual flurry of invites from high street retailers offering champagne and canapes in lovely locations, we received a tired bunch of invitations.

Perhaps the saddest was from hard-hit Dixons, which is holding an informal Christmas drinks evening with its chief executive and the rest of the team.

The location? The Currys and PC World store on Tottenham Court Road.

Might give that one a miss.