Retrofitting Billions – West Yorkshire’s Retrofit Sector Mapped

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  Posted by: electime      11th December 2025

New report highlights WYCA’s strategic importance within the UK’s wider Domestic Retrofit landscape.

  • Sustainability consultancy, Green Economy, has published West Yorkshire’s Retrofit Sector Mapping Report today.
  • The report details the size and scale of Domestic Retrofit sector in West Yorkshire, exploring major growth opportunities.
  • By 2025/26, the research concludes that the sector is expected to reach a value of £2.4 billion with 730 companies operating in the sector.
  • West Yorkshire accounted for 3 per cent of all UK Domestic Retrofit sales and 3.5 per cent of England’s.
  • The report also breaks down the strengths of each of the five local authorities within West Yorkshire Combined Authority – Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds and Wakefield.

New research has found that West Yorkshire’s domestic retrofit sector is contributing billions to the local economy and employing thousands.

In 2022/23, WYCA’s Domestic Retrofit sector contributed £1.9 billion to the region’s economy, supported by 730 businesses employing 16,828 people.

Looking ahead, total sales are projected to grow by 26 per cent, reaching £2.4 billion by 2025/26.

Published by sustainability consultancy, Green Economy, West Yorkshire’s Retrofit Sector Mapping Report 2025 provides insights into the growth of the sector and where opportunities will arise in the coming years. The report was backed by research from industry data specialists, kMatrix and funded by UK Government on behalf of West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

The report notes that West Yorkshire’s retrofit sector is characterised by high productivity, with a strong sales-per-employee ratio and a well-diversified business base of 730 firms. Exports from the region totalled £379m, aligns with the region’s share of the UK market, while imports (£217m) underscore opportunities to localise supply chains and increase regional competitiveness.

Speaking about the findings of the report, Vicky Wilding, Green Tech and Services Lead at Green Economy, said: “The retrofit sector’s growth is being driven by a combination of public and private investment, targeted policy interventions, and increasing consumer demand. Government schemes are supporting households on low incomes, in poorly insulated homes, or with health vulnerabilities.

“Our hope is that by identifying gaps in skills, supply chain capacity, and market readiness, this report will help ensure that West Yorkshire’s retrofit sector is equipped to meet growing demand. It will also support the development of targeted interventions to unlock barriers to growth, such as access to finance, specialist knowledge, and skilled labour.”

The report also details the strengths of each of the five local authorities within West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

Leeds contributed 46.5 per cent of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s (WYCA) domestic retrofit sales, with sales of £891 million, supporting more than 300 businesses and providing employment for more than 7,700 people.

The report also highlights that most of the retrofit activity in West Yorkshire is delivered by SMEs, sole traders, and subcontractors. Many tradespeople are expanding their capabilities into ventilation, plumbing, joinery, plastering, solar and battery installation, and low-carbon heating – through support and partnerships with organisations like Green Economy.

Find out more about Green Economy’s sustainability and net zero services by visiting their website.

https://www.greeneconomy.co.uk/business-support/decarbonise/consultancy/