Great Northern Conference postponed due to Coronavirus concerns

The conference was due to take place on Thursday March 19 at Sheffield's Cutlers' Hall, with Transport Secretary and Northern Powerhouse Minister Grant Shapps and former Chancellor George Osborne among the confirmed speakers.

However, in light of the pace of the spread of coronavirus, organisers the Northern Powerhouse Partnership and Yorkshire Post parent firm JPI Media have chosen to postpone the event until later in the year so as to protect the health of delegates.

It is anticipated that a new date will be confirmed within days. The event will still take place at the Cutlers' Hall. Both the main headliners of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership and Virgin Money have confirmed their ongoing support.

James Mitchinson, editor of The Yorkshire Post, said: "I do hope you can understand the predicament in which we find ourselves, but also hope you support this decision which we know will capture headlines and generate positive outcomes.

"Please accept our apologies once again for having to take this decision, but in order to keep as many people safe as we possibly can we felt this was the right thing to do for all concerned."