In his weekly blog, Yorkshire Business Insider editor Jim Pendrill asks whether the government’s decision to schedule its emergency Budget in the middle of the World Cup was an inspired decision. Jim writes: “For the moment at least there’s a feeling that we can all suspend the pain just a few weeks longer and then all wake up with the mother of all hangovers in July.” To read more from Jim, click here.

Harvard Engineering has secured a £4m contract to install its LeafNut street lighting system across Blackpool. The deal means Leeds-based Harvard’s system will be used in 22,000 pieces of apparatus around the seaside resort. Harvard, which has been developing LeafNut for more than six years, said the technology will save an estimated £1m in energy costs per annum and more than two million kg per annum on carbon emissions.

Sheffield is below the UK average for business creation, coming 46th out of the UK’s 50 biggest towns and cities, according to research by Sheffield accountancy firm UHY Wingfield Slater. The survey identified that Sheffield formed one fewer business than it lost per 10,000 people in the year to 1 January 2009. UHY Wingfield Slater partner John Wingfield said that the statistics suggested Sheffield should be spared the worst of government cutbacks to support the creation of new businesses.

Cleethorpes Pier has been bought by businessman Bryn Illsley. The pier, previously owned by Kash Pungi, went into receivership earlier this year and was sold by the receivers GVA Grimley following a breach of the owner’s mortgage terms and conditions. Illsley is in the process of renovating the pier with the intention of re-launching it later this year.

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Last night over 300 people attended the St Paul’s Mercure Hotel in Sheffield to celebrate the very best in the South Yorkshire dealmaking community. One of the night’s big prizes was the Lifetime Achievement Award, which was won by Stephen Ingram, partner and founder of BHP Ingram Forrest. Insider is also happy to clarify that the award was sponsored by Lloyds TSB Corporate Markets, rather than Lloyds TSB Commercial Finance as reported in our special award winners email.

Conference Leeds and Bradford University will host a series of international technology conferences from 29 June to 1 July. The tenth IEEE International Conference for Scalable Computing and Communications, Computer and Information Technology and Embedded Software and Systems will be held at Bradford University. The three conferences will provide a forum for scientists, researchers and engineers to discuss issues affecting the IT industry.

Swinton Park has appointed Peter Llewellyn as general manager. Llewellyn takes over from Andrew McPherson at the Ripon-based hotel, owned by the Cunliffe-Lister family. The new manager has been tasked with maintaining Swinton Park’s four AA Red Star standard, improving the restaurant’s national profile and expanding the hotel’s facilities in conjunction with the Cunliffe-Lister-owned Swinton Estate which surrounds the hotel.

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Leeds City Council has agreed a deal to buy the Throstle Nest ground. The ground, belonging to Farsley Celtic, has been sold after the club entered administration last month. Robert Adamson, a Partner at administrator Mazars, said: “It is great news that we have been able to strike a deal with the council for the sale of this land.” The land will now be leased to FC2010 Holdings Ltd for use by their new football club.

The Bridge, a speculative development providing consulting rooms and offices for the private medical sector, has opened in Leeds city centre. The 3,015 sq ft development is available ready fitted with features including lead lined dry walls for x-ray shielding and the scheme’s developer is hoping to attract a private dental practice by offering dental equipment for purchase with the facility. WSB Property Consultants is acting as marketing agent for The Bridge.