Filey holiday accommodation complex 5 Leys has obtained a £2.5m investment from Lloyds TSB Commercial to expand in 2010. After four years of development, the complex has achieved 50 per cent growth in revenues year-on-year, and will be taking on seasonal staff to meet increased demands. Jon Welsby, director of 5 Leys, said: “We’re now focused on growing the business by establishing a strong customer base and rolling out our luxury apart-hotel concept to other areas of the UK, such as York.”

Morphy Richards increased pre-tax profit for the year to 31 March 2009 to £3.1m, up from £446,000 in 2008. The business increased profit despite a decrease in turnover from £74.3m in 2008 to £72.5m in 2009. The distributor of domestic electrical appliances, which is based in Mexborough, said a higher percentage of its sales is now made through a smaller number of retailers and product lives were becoming shorter because consumers were becoming more demanding.

Kevin Whiteman is stepping down as chief executive of Yorkshire Water parent company Kelda. Whiteman will be replaced by Yorkshire Water's current chief operating officer, Richard Flint. Whiteman, who has been with the company for ten years, will stay on as chairman. The management restructure is the first part of the company’s new five-year £1.9bn investment plan. Allison Bainbridge, group finance director, is leaving the company to pursue other challenges.

Unite, the union which represents Cadbury and Kraft workers in the UK and Ireland, has told Kraft to come clean about its intentions for the merged group's workforce before Cadbury shareholders vote on the revised offer tomorrow. Unite said Kraft's £22bn debt will mean there is an "irresistible imperative" to cut costs by cutting jobs, claiming that it was Kraft's policy to acquire new businesses by borrowing and paying down the debt with plant closures and job losses. It said the company has closed 35 sites between 2003 and 2008, with the loss of some 20,000 jobs globally. Unite's national officer for food and drink, Jennie Formby, said: "With the purchase of Cadbury sure to be completed in the next 24 hours, Kraft can no longer hide behind the secrecy of UK takeover rules. The company must come clean on its plans because workers are being left to dread the worst." Cadbury Trebor Bassett employs about 800 people in its Liquorice Allsorts factory in Sheffield.

Food processing company Cranswick has achieved sales of £200m in the quarter to 31 December 2009, an increase of 31 per cent on last year. The increase comprises organic growth of 17 per cent from the underlying business and 14 per cent from CCF Norfolk, which was acquired in June 2009; it also excludes sales from its pet business, which was sold in April 2009. The largest increase was in sales of fresh pork, which rose by 70 per cent, including the contribution from CCF Norfolk.

Over the past week, Hannah Stansfield, international trade and VAT compliance manager at Croda Europe, has been in our Ask the Expert hotseat answering your questions relating to working in overseas markets. Her guidance on trading overseas and incoming VAT changes could be vital to your business if you operate internationally or are looking to expand. She says: "I would always recommend you use a credit checking facility and trade on pre-payment or other forms of secured funds, letter of credit or draft when initially trading with overseas customers." Read the rest of her advice here.

York Investors is seeking permission to build a 120-room hotel as part of a scheme to regenerate the Toft Green area. York architects Crease Strickland Parkins have designed the development, and Christie & Co is marketing the site for York Investors. The company will be submitting its final plans to City of York Council for approval in Spring 2010, and if permission is granted, the hotel could be in operation by 2012. Current plans include a restaurant, meeting facilities, work-out room and approximately 120 en-suite guest rooms.

Asbestos consultancy company Global Environment has opened an office at the Wright Business Park in Doncaster, following a number of contract wins. Managing director Wayne Stead said the business plans to expand in the South Yorkshire region in 2010, and will be looking to work in partnership with local companies on the new Building Schools for the Future programme.

Reeds Recruitment is relocating it Leeds office to Highcross’s Toronto Square scheme. Reed Recruitment has taken 6,695 sq ft on the ground floor on a ten-year lease at a rent of £24 per sq ft. Following the letting, Highcross will be sub-dividing the ground floor to meet Reed’s requirements, creating an office suite of 3,300 sq ft.