Cape, the energy services business, has received a preliminary approach from a third party about a potential takeover. The company, which has its regional headquarters in Wakefield, did not identify the prospective buyer and said its announcement was made in response to a share price rise caused by speculation about a possible deal. Last month, Cape reported a “solid start” to 2010, after posting record revenues of £655.1m for the year to 31 December 2009.

Law firm Dickinson Dees has advised on an equity investment into Procomm Site Services, the Teeside-based temporary accommodation business. The investment enabled several Procomm shareholders to sell their stake to a financial backer with the resources to fund the company’s expansion plans. Solicitor Alistair Scott-Somers from the Dickinson Dees York office worked in conjunction with North East accountants Tait Walker on the deal.

In his weekly blog, Yorkshire Business Insider editor Jim Pendrill comments on the government cuts announced yesterday. As well as pondering the wisdom of Nick Clegg spending much time in his Sheffield constituency during the summer break, Jim is left perplexed by the piecemeal approach the government has adopted and says: “Just as dispiriting yesterday was the short-term, scattergun nature of the way the cuts were announced.” To read more from Jim, click here.

Tracsis, the provider of software and consultancy services to the rail industry, has won a three-year contract worth in excess of £150,000 with a UK train operating company. The contract secures licence revenue for Tracsis’ TRACSRoster optimisation suite and the Leeds-based company said it was a key milestone for its product, which should pave the way for broader industry acceptance.

Three Yorkshire businessmen have progressed through the regional heats of Ernst & Young’s (E & Y) Entrepreneur of the Year awards. Sean O’Connor, the 29-year-old chief executive of Clean Energy Capital, Crisp Thinking Group’s Adam Hildreth and Republic’s Tim Whitworth will compete in the business consultancy’s UK final in October this year. Whitworth's success follows hot on the heels of his coronation as Insider's 42 under 42er of the Decade.

Self-storage provider The Store Room is investing £50,000 into its Bradford storage and office facility to add an extra 10,000 sq ft alongside its 20,000 sq ft facility on Beckside Road in Great Horton. The investment will create 60 additional storage rooms, workshops and offices. The Store Room said sales have increased by 40 per cent in the last 12 months.

Mark Saxby, the group sales and marketing director of Cleckheaton-headquartered WorldEvents, has been appointed chair of Eventia, the official trade body of the events and live marketing industry. Saxby will lead the association for 12 months, with immediate effect, after being given the position at the annual general meeting of Eventia on 10 June. He will fulfil the role alongside his duties at WorldEvents.

Membership of Well Met Conferencing’s Ambassador scheme at Leeds Metropolitan University has risen to more than 100. The members have so far generated £415,000 of income from regional and national events held at its many venues. The scheme launched 18 months ago.

The events venue Broadcasting House has scooped an award for “architectural excellence” from the Royal Institute of British Architects. The building in Leeds was described as “truly iconic” by the judges at the 2010 ceremony. Earlier this year, Broadcasting Place picked up the Best Commercial Development 2010 prize at the Yorkshire Property Awards. It also took third place in Leeds’ favourite Building Shortlist and was crowned the winner of the New Building category in the 2009 Leeds Architecture Awards.

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Quebecs Hotel in Leeds has gone into administration. The hotel is owned by the Eton Group and is one of the company’s five luxury hotels in administration. KPMG’s Jane Moriarty and Allan Graham have been appointed as joint administrators and were hopeful of “securing a successful resolution to the situation”, as the hotels had previously traded successfully. No redundancies have been made and Moriarty said: “We are continuing to trade the business while we assess the position of the hotels.”

Property investment company Warner Estate Holdings has reported a pre-tax loss of £9.7m for the year 31 March 2010, down from its £297.1m loss in 2009. The business, which has an office in Leeds, had reduced revenue of £32.8m, down from £42.5m in 2009, which it said reflected lower rental incomes after its disposal of assets worth £131.9. Warner’s board said it regretted not being able to recommend a dividend payment.

Commercial law firm Gordons has promoted four partners to junior equity status. The promoted partners include head of personal law Frances Davies, Martin Holdsworth, head of contentious wills, trusts and probate and Barbara Rollin and Janine Eaglesfield in the firm’s commercial property department. Gordons, which has offices in Bradford and Leeds, reported turnover of £21.7m for 2009/2009.