INFORMATIONTECHNOLOGYThewirelesswaveofchangeCONFERENCINGAll-seeingeyeRECRUITMENTSevenstepstoNewYearJobseekingsuccessJANUARY2014EASTMIDLANDSLEADINGBUSINESSE-MAGwww.blmgroup.co.ukJANUARY2014ABRIGHTFUTURE?WWW.EASTMIDLANDSBUSINESSLINK.CO.UKEMBLjan:Layout118/12/13 11:40 Page 1YourguidetothepharmaceuticalworldPharmaBUSINESSINTERNA-ThecompletePharmapackageGetonestepaheadofyourcompetitorswithPharmaBusinessInternational–yourcompleteguidetothisfast-moving,innovativeandhighlyspecialisedindustry!FromthepublishersofFood&DrinkInternational,PharmaBusinessInternationalisbasedaroundincisiveandauthoritativeinformationandopinionfromthemajorplayersintheindustry–you'llwonderhowyoucopedwithoutit!AvailabletosubscribersasaprintedmagazinePublishedonlineatwww.pbiforum.netDistributedatnumerousindustryexhibitionsFindoutmore!Call+44(0)1472310302orvisitwww.pbiforum.netEMBLjan:Layout118/12/13 11:40 Page 2www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.ukEastMidlandsBusinessLink3FROMTHEEDITORTherearedefinitesignsouttherethattheeconomyisrecovering–thatno-onecandeny.Increasinghouseprices,anupturninmanufacturingandhousebuildersbeingmoreconfidentthantheyhaveinyears–allthesearecastironsignsthattheupturniswellunderway.Perhapsamorehiddensignisthatlendersarenolongerwillingtofundso-called‘zombiecompanies’,andarelookingtoinvestingrowingenterprisesagain.Forthelastfewyears,bankshavekepttheirmoneyinbusinessesthatarecontinuingtofail,inthehopethat,onedaysoon,they’llgettheirmoneyback.However,therehasbeenarashofadministrationsinthelastmonthintheEastMidlandsthatmightjustmeanthisischanging.InvictaPlastics,StructuredTechnologySpecialists,SilversideChilledFoodsandandTimberformhaveallslippedintoadministrationasthedeadlycombinationofpoortrading,lackoffundingandstifledcashflowhavetakentheirtoll.Itmightseemthatthisisbadnewsfortheregion–andofcoursejoblossesareneverwelcomed–butthemoneythatwastiedupinthesecompaniesmightdeterotherlendersfromfunding‘zombiecompanies’whilsttheeconomyrecovers.Withbanksnotexactlysplashingthecashagain,itwouldmakeforawelcomechangeifanyfundsforinvestmentwereaimedsquarelyatviablebusinesses.InthisissueofEastMidlandsBusinessLinkwetakealookbackat2013–ayearthatstartedsluggishly,but,toalmostuniversalacceptance,pickedupmarkedlyinthesecondhalf.Wetalktotherealbusinessesintheregion,andaskthemfortheirreviewofthelast12months,aswellastheirpredictionsfortheyearahead.Mostareconfident–andrightlyso.Wehopeyouenjoyreadingwhattheyhavetosay.SamMetcalfEditorLetsleepingdogslieEMBLjan:Layout118/12/13 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3January2014LatestNews6ThelatestnewsfromtheregionAppointments10Who’smovingwhereDeals12Around-upofwhatdealsarehappingintheEastMidlandsEndofyearreview14Wespoketoavarietyofbusinesses,includingaccountancyfirms,solicitors,propertymagnatesandSMEstogettheirthoughtsonhowthelocal-andUK-wideeconomywaslookingasweheadoutof2013.Retail19Withretailstillreelingfromtherecession,doespricinghaveanyeffectonhowthesectorcangrow?Apprenticeships20FollowingthepublicationoftheHoltReport,thegovernmenthascommitteditselftoincreasingawarenessamongstSMEsofthebenefitsofapprenticeships.Recruitment22Thenewyearistraditionallyatimewhenwetakestockofourlivesandstriveforchange.Formanypeople,thatmeansachangeofjob.PeertoPeerLending25Asanalternativetobankborrowing,peertopeerlending(oftenreferredtoascrowdfunding)isnowaviablealternativeintheUK.RoundTable26Auto-enrolmentisn’tgoingaway,andcompaniesneedtogetthemselvesuptospeedassoonastheycan–thatwasthemessagefromourlatestroundtableContentsViewpoint28Whatisthepurposeofacompany?GrahamWylie,CEOofTheMRNrespondsInformationTechnology32IanKilpatrick,chairmanofWickHillGroup,specialistsinsecureinfrastructuresolutions,looksattherapidgrowthofwirelessandhowitisaffectingournetworksandoursecurityManufacturing38ManyEastMidlandsbusinessesarebringingitallbackhome,asEastMidlandsBusinessLinkfoundout.AutoLink40Anexecutivecarshouldn’tsimplybeatoolforgettingyoutotheofficeorfortransportingyoutoclients.Itshouldalsoinspireyouandreflectwellonyouandyourcompany...Conferencing44Theriseoftechnologyinvideoconferencingequipmentmeansthatpotentialinternationalcommunicationisconnectingourregiontotheworldevenmore.CommercialMediation47SincetheWolffreformstocivilproceduresin1999,courtshavebeenhandedaresponsibilitytoofferamediation-basedapproachtodisputes.DressDownFriday48Adifferentlookatofficelife1244EastMidlandsBusinessLinkwww.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk4EMBLjan:Layout118/12/13 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432EditorSamMetcalfs.metcalf@blmgroup.co.ukAdvertisingLisaMucklel.muckle@blmgroup.co.ukAccounts&SubscriptionsAngelaSharman,DawnCookaccounts@blmgroup.co.ukTel:(01472)310301Fax:(01472)310311Design&ProductionGaryJorgensen,MarkCasson,RachelGreenstudio@blmgroup.co.ukTel:(01472)310304Fax:(01472)310314E-Mail:eastmidlands@blmgroup.co.ukPublisherHaychartLtd,t/aBusinessLinkMagazineGroup,ArmstrongHouse,ArmstrongStreet,Grimsby,N.E.Lincs.,DN312QE.Allrightsreserved.Nopartofthispublicationmaybereproduced,transmitted,photocopied,recordedorotherwisewithoutexpresspermissionofthecopyrightholder,forwhichapplicationshouldbeaddressedfirsttothepublisher.Whileeveryreasonablecareistaken,neitherthepublishernoritsparticipatingagentsacceptliabilityforlossordamagetoprints,colourtransparencies,negativesorothermaterialofwhatevernaturesubmittedtothispublication.Theviewsexpressedinthispublicationarenotnecessarilytheviewsofthoseheldbythepublisher.@BLMEastMidlandsBLMEastMidlandswww.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.ukEastMidlandsBusinessLink5Frontcoverphotocourtesywww.shutterstock.com/PeteSaloutosEMBLjan:Layout118/12/13 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5EastMidlandsBusinessLinkwww.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk6NEWSEastMidlandsAirportsees10%passengerhikeEastMidlandsAirporttodayrevealedthatithasexperienceditsbusiestsummerseasonsince2008andisexpectingthistrendtocontinueintothewintermonths.Almostthreemillionpassengerstravelledoverthesummerseason,anincreaseof10percentwhencomparedtosummer2012.Augustwasthebusiestmonth,withpassengerfiguresreachingalmost600,000,13percenthigherthanAugust2012.Onceagain,passengersheldtheirfavouriteSpanishdestinationsinhighregard,withfourofthetopfivedestinationsallinSpain.Palmawasinthetopspotwithalmost290,000travellingoverthesummermonths,anincreaseof15percenton2012,closelyfollowedbyAlicante(248,000),Malaga(211,000)andIbiza(114,000).Faro,aPortugalfavouriteforguaranteedsunsaw185,000passengerstravellingovertheperiod.AndyCliffe,ManagingDirectorEastMidlandsAirport,said:“Wehaveseensteadygrowthoverthecourseof2013andwe’redelightedwiththeperformanceoverthesummermonths.“The15newroutesonofferwithcarriers,Monarch,Jet2.comandRyanairwillhaveundoubtedlyattractedmanypeopletoflyfromtheirlocalairport;howeverforus,thesefiguresshowthatwearebackontrackfollowingtheclosureofbmibabyandheadingtowardsrecoveryfromtherecession.”Thewinterseasonisalsocontinuingtobuckthetrendaspredictedpassengernumbersaresettoincreaseto1.3millionpassengers,3percenthigherthanwinter2012.PassengernumbersinOctoberexceededexpectationswitharound430,000passengerstravellingduringthemonth,a15.5percentrisewhencomparedto2012.NewwinterroutestoPragueandBudapestwithJet2.comtakethetotalamountofwinterroutesavailablefromEastMidlandsAirportto27andofferpassengersavariedmixofcitybreaksandwintersun.Linwavesecures£244,000USdealALincolnshiremanufactureriscelebratingits10thbirthdayinstylewithamajornewcontractwin.LinwaveTechnology,theLincolnfirmwhichoffersspecialistsolutionsformicrowaveandRFapplications,hassealedthe£244,000dealtosupplyaUScustomerwithbespokegunndiodesthatprovidegreateraccuracy,flexibilityandreportingoptions.BackedbysupportandfundingfromtheManufacturingAdvisoryService(MAS),themanagementteambelievesthelatestdealisafittingwaytomarkadecadeinbusinessthathasseenitgrowfrom£100,000toapredicted£2minannualsalesthisyear.“We’veenjoyedsteadygrowthoverthetenyearsandarenowestablishingaglobalreputationforprovidinghightechnologysolutionstocustomersinvolvedinsatellitecommunications,military,telecomsandindustrialmarkets,”explainedIanDuke,managingdirector.“About10to15percentofoursalesareexportedandwe’vebeenabletoincreaseourworkforceto25highlyskilledstaff…thishasgivenustheplatformtoreallypushonandattacknewopportunities.”Hecontinued:“Infact,wearecurrentlyintheprocessofmovingfromdevelopmentanddesignprovingactivitytocontinuousproductionforanumberofindustry-leadingproducts.It’sanexcitingstarttothenextdecadeinbusiness.”Straight-talkingHallamgoesitalonewithHalbornsWellknownEastMidlandsemploymentlawyer,GinnyHallam,hassetupherownemploymentlawfirm-Halborns.Hallam,whoat29becameBerryman'syoungestpartnerinovertwodecades,lefttheroleofemploymentpartneratGeldardstoformthecompany.Sheexplained:"Iwantedtocreatealawfirmthatiscurrent,innovativeandquicktoadapttoclientneeds.It’salwaysbeenthecasethatI’veprovidedstraight-talking,straightforwardlegalsolutionsbutnowIcanensurethattheentirefirmdeliversthatapproach."RenaChristou,employmentlawyeratHalbornsadded:"Withtheintroductionofemploymenttribunalfeesmanythoughttherewouldbeadeclineintribunalclaimsbutthishasnotbeenourexperiencenorthatoftheemploymenttribunals.Wehavebeenverybusydealingwithon-goingclaimsandwithincreasedbusinessconfidencewehavebeensupportingourclientswiththeirinvestmentintrainingandensuringthattheiremploymentinfrastructureisappropriateandefficient."HalbornsislocatedonWaverleyStreetinNottingham,butwillworkonanationalbasis,saysHallam.FCCartonstocreate12newjobsFCCartons,aproviderofspecialistgluingsolutionstothecartonandpackagingindustry,issettocreate12newjobsaftersecuringfundingthroughtheDerbyEnterpriseGrowthFund(DEGF).Thegrantwillenablethecompanytoinvestincapitalequipmentandcreateatotalof12newjobsbyApril2015.Aspartofitsbusinessgrowthplan,FCCartonsrecentlyexpandeditsmanufacturingfacilitywithanadditionalunitontheLanghamParkIndustrialEstateinCastleDonington,doublingitscapacity.FCCartonssaystheDEGFsupportwillenablethecompanytoinvestinstateoftheartmachineryaspartofanew,dedicatedcuttingandcreasingdepartmentthatwillbehousedinthenewunit.DespiteadevastatingfirethatdestroyedtheoriginalFCCartonspremisesin2006thecompany,whichcelebratedits10thanniversarythisyear,hasgrownsteadilyandnowemploys23membersofstaff.Thefundingwillalsosupportthecompany’sthree-yearrecruitmentplantobuilditscompetitiveadvantagebasedontheskillsandcompetenciesofthebestcandidates.AnestimatedsevendirectjobsareexpectedtobegeneratedbyApril2014asaresult,withanotherfivetocomelateraspartofongoingdevelopments.Speakingaboutthegrant,DavidWoodyatt,FCCartons’managingdirectorsaid:“WeareunderstandablydelightedtohavesecuredthefundingfromDerbyEnterpriseGrowthFund.ThisshowsthatDerbyCityCouncilrecognisestheimportanceofcompanieslikeFCCartonsandthesupportthatourhighlyskilledworkforceprovidestocompaniesthroughouttheUK.”"Ourcustomersexpecttheverybestintermsofourservice.Thisrequiressignificantinvestmentinnewemployeesandequipment.Thegrantwillhelpusexpandrapidlytomeettheincreaseddemandsofourgrowingcustomerbase.”EMBLjan:Layout118/12/13 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6www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.ukEastMidlandsBusinessLink7NEWSDebtconcernsdoublein2013,saysPwCThenumberofpeopleintheEastMidlandsworryingabouttheirabilitytorepaydebthasdoubledin2013,accordingtoPwC’slatestreportontheconsumercreditindustry,PreciousPlastic2013.PwCsurveyedmorethan150intheEastMidlandstogaugetheircreditconfidence.Thestudywascarriedouttwice,onceinQ1(February2013)andtheninQ3(August2013),toallowacomparisonofconsumerconfidencewhentheeconomicoutlookwasstillrelativelygloomytonow,whentheoutlookisstartingtoimprove.Theresultsrevealthatdespitetheimprovingeconomicoutlook,therehasbeennorealchangeincreditconfidenceintheregion.Oneinfive(20percent)intheEastMidlandsisworriedabouttheirabilitytomeetrepaymentsinfuture(comparedto10%inQ1),31percentexpecttheirpaytobefrozeninthenextyear(comparedto32percentinQ1)and19percentremainworriedaboutlosingtheirjoboverthenext12months(comparedto12percentinQ1).ThePwCstudyshowsthattraditionalformsofborrowingintheEastMidlandsareontheup,withthenumberofpeopleusingcreditcards,personalloans,storecardsandoverdraftsallincreasingin2013.Thenumberofpeopleintheregionapplyingforcredithasincreasedfrom14percentinQ1to17percentinQ3andthenumberneedingtousecreditforessentialitemshasincreasedfrom9%inQ1to12%inQ3.Morepeopleintheregionarealsoturningtofriendsandfamilyforloans,risingfrom20percentinQ1to40percentinQ3.Andwhiletheuseofnewerformsofborrowing,suchashighstreetoronlinepaydaylendersislow,ittooisincreasing.InQ3of2013,only4percentofpeopleintheEastMidlandsusedhighstreetoronlinepaydaylenders,butthishasincreasedfromjust1percentinQ1.ConsumersintheEastMidlandsalsoremainvulnerabletointerestraterises.PwCcalculatesthatwithallotherthingsbeingequal,a1percentincreaseinborrowingcostswouldresultintheaveragehouseholdneedingtopayanextra£550ayearininterestpaymentstoservicetheirdebts.DavidRoper,partnerandfinancialservicesleaderatPwCintheEastMidlands,said:“Havingfirstenjoyedthebenefitsofmorethanadecadeofgrowth,thennavigatedthefinancialcrisisanditsimmediateaftermath,theUKconsumercreditandretailbankingmarketisnowenteringanewandverydifferentera.“OurowngrowthscenariosexpecttheEastMidlandseconomytogrowfromaround1.2percentin2013toaround2.4percentin2014,anda1.7percentyearonyeargrowthinhousespricesintheregionisaddingtotheairofoptimism.Butevenwiththisbettereconomicoutlook,existingdebtlevelsandthecontinuedreductioninrealincomesareleavingpeoplecautiousaboutfurtherborrowing.“Growthwillbehardwoninthismarket,forcinglenderstocompetemoreforalimitedpooloflending.Thebusinessesthatcomeoutinfrontwilldeliverthegoodcustomeroutcomesthatbothregulationandmarketcompetitiondemandbyshiftingawayfromafocusonsimplysellingproductstoamorecustomerfocusedapproach.”PwC’sPreciousPlastic2013alsorevealsthat,excludingstudentloans,unsecuredconsumerdebtremainedflatin2013atanaverageofaround£5,900perhouseholdalthoughaveragehouseholddebthasdroppedbyaround25%sincethestartofthecrisisin2008.Roper,continued:“UKhouseholdspayingoffaquarteroftheirdebtsince2008isabigmilestonewhichshowsthatperhapswearechangingourways,andarefocusingonpayingoffwhatweoweandsavingmoreforthefuture.”99pStoreslookstooffloadloss-makingstoresNorthampton-basedbudgetretailer99pStoreshasreportedlyappointedpropertyrestructuringspecialistsCedarDean,followingaperiodofdisappointingsalesfigures.CedarDeanwillreviewthecompany'sprofitportfolioinabidtocutoutanylossmakingstores.Themovecomesafter99pStoresrevealeda£6mdropinprofitsto£4.9mintheyeartoJanuary31,blaminginvestmentinthebuyingteams,retailoperations,IT,financeandHRandtosupportitsgrowing231-storeestate.However,grossturnoverincreased27percentto£391mintheyear,whilegrossprofitfell“marginally”by0.28percentdueto“substantial”costpressurefromrawmaterialpricesandwages.CommercialdirectorHusseinLalanisaid:“Lastyearwasaconsolidationyearinwhichwebuiltinfrastructureforcontinuedgrowthandtheseresultswereinlinewithexpectations.”99pStoresisplanningtoopenanother120UKstoresby2017,aimingfora350-storeestate.Lalanisaidthecompanyisaimingfor1,000UKstores.Headded:“WearegoingtoexpandintothenorthofEnglandwherewedonothavemanystoresandinScotland,wherewejustopenedourfirststoreinAyrinJune.Wehave231branchesandthereispotentialtoexpandto1,000storesinBritain.”MazarsunveilsnewLeicesterofficeAccountancyfirmMazarswilllaunchitsnewLeicesterofficewith20staffincludingfourpartners,ithasrevealed.Thefirmhastakenover5,000sqftatMeridianBusinessPark,withthenewofficebeingledbypartnerChrisDarlington.Hesaid:"Wewillbecoveringallmajorserviceslinesandweplantodoublethesizeoftheofficeinthenexttwotothreeyears.“WehavechosenalocationatMeridianBusinessParkwhichhasastrongprofessionalandfinancialcommunitywithallthemajorbanksthereornearby,withmanyothermajorprofessionalfirmscloseby.“ThelocalteamaredelightedtobebackinLeicesterandtobebrigingtheMazarsofferingtothecityandcounty.MycolleaguesandIhavestronglinkswiththebusinesscommunityandahistoryofcreatingopportunityanddrivingactivitygoingbackto1999whenwefirstappearedinthecity.“Wearelookingforwardtocarryingonwhereweleftoffbymakingabigcommitmenttothecity.ThisinvestmentbyMazarsissubstantialatatimewhenotherhavechosentomoveoutofLeicester,NottinghamandDerbytoaregionalEastMidlandsoffice.”EastMidlandsmanagingpartnerMartinRogerssaid:“ThisinvestmentispartofMazars’ambitiousplanstoexpandacrosstheUKwiththeEastMidlandsasakeypartofthisstrategy.“OurCentralRegionnowincludesofficesinNottingham,Leicester,Birmingham,MiltonKeynesandGloucesterandthisgivesusadepthandbreadthofcapabilityacrossallservicelinesthatwecandeliveracrosstheregion,butwithadistinctlylocalfocus.”ThefirmisplanningaformalopeningceremonyintheNewYearwhenitsaysitwillannouncefurtherdevelopmentsandappointments.EMBLjan:Layout118/12/13 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7EastMidlandsBusinessLinkwww.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk8PROPERTYNEWSLidlbuysintoDerbyRealEstateInvestors(REI),theWestMidlands-basedpropertygroup,hassoldUnits1,2and3atSouthgateRetailPark,Derby,toTEBeteiligungs-theparentcompanyofLidl-for£4.25m.REIboughtSouthgateRetailParkfor£4.8minSeptember2011.PaulBassi,chiefexecutive,said:"Thisisanexcellentdisposalsignificantlyaboveourbookvaluation,demonstratingthegrowingappetitefrominvestorsandoccupiersforregionalassets."TheremainingfiveunitsonSouthgateRetailParkhavebeenretainedandareeitherletorunderofferwithanERVof£250,000p.a.E.ONinlargestofficedealof2013E.ONhastakenaleaseassignmenton43,250sqftofofficespaceat1NewsteadCourtonSherwoodBusinessPark,inwhatisthebiggestofficedealoftheyearintheGreaterNottinghamregion.LSHactedonbehalfofBabcockNetworks–asubsidiaryofengineeringsupportservicescompanyBabcockInternationalGroup–tosecurealeasetransferwithE.ON.Babcockwillconsolidateitsoperationstoonefloorinthebuilding.PhilQuiggin,directorofLSH’sNottinghamoffice,said:“We’redelightedtohavesecuredtheregion’slargestofficetransactionof2013,whileprovidingaccommodationtosuitthechangingbusinessneedsofbothE.ONandBabcock.Thedealwascompletedinlessthansixweeks,whichisapositivesignforthecurrentofficemarket.”DavidTonksofDTZ,whoactedonbehalfofE.ONfortheletting,said:“BysecuringaleasetransferwithBabcock,E.ONhasbeenabletoaccommodateashorttermbubbleinitsneedswithinSherwoodBusinessPark.”GFTomlinsoncompletes£15mschoolDerbyconstructionfirmGFTomlinsonhascompletedanew£15mschoolbuildingproject.ThenewTibshelfCommunitySchoolinTibshelf,Derbyshirehasbeendesignedandconstructedtoaccommodatemorethan750studentsfromthelocalcommunity.Theschoolhasbeenconstructedwithfiveinterlinkedbuildingscontainingspecialistandgeneralteachingareas,offices,sportshall,library,dramafacilities,diningareaandoffices.Thereisalsoanew,standaloneautismunitincludingteachingandsensoryrooms.StuartLawrence,managingdirectoratGFTomlinsonBuilding,said:“Weareveryhappytohavecompletedthestate-of-the-artschemeatTibshelfCommunitySchoolwhichhasbeenconstructedtotheveryhigheststandards.“Itisagreatassetforthelocalcommunityandwillbeafantasticteachingandlearningenvironmentforstaffandyoungpeopleintheareaforyearstocome.”CouncillorKevinGillott,DerbyshireCountyCouncil’scabinetmemberforchildrenandyoungpeople,added:“Byprovidingaschoolfitforthe21stcenturyandbeyondwe’regivingpupilstheverybestchancetoachievetheirfullpotential.CooperParryannouncescitycentredeparturesCooperParryhasannouncedthatitwillmergeitsNottingham,DerbyandLeicesterofficesintowhatitiscallinga"superoffice"atPegasusBusinessPark,nearEastMidlandsAirport.Themove,whichhasbeenrumouredforsometime,isscheduledforspring2014,andwillseethecompany's200employeesmoveoutofthecitycentres.CooperParrysaysthemoveisexpectedtoimproveeaseofaccessforthefirm’snationalandinternationalclientbase.AdeCheatham,chiefexecutiveatCooperParry,said:“Consolidatingallofourexpertise,peopleandoperationsintoonelocationwillconsiderablyenhancewhatwedoforourclients.“Thisisaveryexcitingtimeforusaswecontinuetoworktowardsourgoalofbecomingnumberoneinallourcorebusinessareas–providingahigherquality,iconicworkingenvironment,whichwillenableustobetterattractandretainthemosttalentedpeopleinourfieldiscriticaltothis.”AtrainingproviderhasmovedintonewcitycentrepremisesinNottinghaminadealsecuredbycommercialpropertyconsultantInnesEngland.LearningUnlimitedhastakenthefirstfloorof15CastleGateinthecitycentre.HeadofbusinessdevelopmentatLearningUnlimited,JennieSpendlove,saidthemovewouldenablethecompanytobuildonitssuccessingrowingitsbusinessinNottinghamandthesurroundingarea.RobertWoodhead,theconstructioncompanypreviouslybasedinBilsthorpesince1990,hasreturnedtoEdwinstowe,afterbuyingthebusinessandassetsoftheformerNEGroupatEdwinstoweHouse.Thecompanyhasexperienceda58percentincreaseinturnoverin2012,andforecastsafurther20percentgrowthforecastin2013and2014.EMBLjan:Layout118/12/13 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8www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.ukEastMidlandsBusinessLink9PROPERTYNEWSPlanssubmittedforIntuVictoriaCentreentranceAplanningapplicationhasbeensubmittedtoenhancethephysicalappearanceofthesouthernentranceofintuVictoriaCentre.Thedesignsfeatureanextendedglassentrance,withnewback-litcladdingpanelsthatcanchangecolourusingLEDtechnology,complementedbyaluminiumdetail.NottinghamCityCouncilhasalreadygiventhegoaheadforimprovementstootherentrancesatintuVictoriaCentre–ClockTowerandGlasshouseStreet–whichwillhaveasimilarlook.TheplansformpartofIntu’s£40mrefurbishmentprogrammeforthecentre.JanineBone,generalmanagerforintuVictoriaCentre,said:“Theproposednewentrancewouldconsiderablyenhancethevisualappealofthisentrancetothecentre.Thisnewdesignismuchmoremodernandinkeepingwiththerestoftheplansforthecentre’sremodelling.”PavilionsgrantedplanningpermissionPlanningpermissionhasbeengrantedfortwonewsportspavilionstobedevelopedattheUniversityofNottingham’sRiversideSportsComplex,alongsidetheRiverTrent.PlanningpermissionhasbeengrantedfortwonewsportspavilionstobedevelopedattheUniversityofNottingham’sRiversideSportsComplex,alongsidetheRiverTrent.The£4.8mdevelopmenthasbeendesignedbyNottingham-basedCPMGArchitectsandwillseeoldunsuitablechangingroomsreplacedwithmodernefficientfacilities.KieristhemaincontractorontheschemeandworkedwithCPMGtoputtogetherthebidonthisproject,withotherNottinghamcompaniesCPWandMillwardalsopartoftheprojectteamprovidingspecialistconsultationandsupport.GaskellAssociatesaretheProjectManagers.ChrisWhite,groupdirectoratCPMGsaid:“We’reexcitedtobeworkingonanotherprojectwiththeUniversityofNottingham,thesesportspavilionswillprovidevaluableadditionalresourcesforstudentsandstaff.We’vefacedanumberofchallengesindesigningthisprojectthathavebeenovercomebycloseconsultationwiththeenvironmentagencyandtheplannerswhohavesupportedusincreatingadesignthatisbothfunctional,attractiveandperhapsmostimportantlywellprotected.”RichardWigginton,seniorcapitalprojectsofficerattheUniversityofNottinghamsaid:“WethankCPMGfortheirdiligenceandcommitmentinworkingwiththewholeteaminobtainingplanningconsentforthischallengingproject.Thepavilionsareattractivebutpragmaticandwillenhancethesiteandprovidefirstclassfacilitiesformanyyearstocome.Welookforwardtotheireffectivedeliveryandopeningforthenextacademicyear”AMProfileswarehousesoldoutofliquidationSallowayPropertyConsultants,alongsidejointagentBNPParibasRealEstate,hassolda53,000ftwarehouseatHolmewoodIndustrialEstate,Chesterfield,toUtopiaTablewareonbehalfofappointedliquidators,BakerTilly.StephenSallowayofSallowayPropertyConsultantssaid:“Asmighthavebeenexpectedfroma‘distressedsale’,interestfrompropertydealerscamefromfarandwideinageographicalsensebutthestrongestlevelsofenquirycamefromlocalcompanies.TheultimatesaletoUtopiameansthecreationandretentionofjobswhichisgreatnewsforthelocaleconomy.”StuartWaiteofBNPParibasRealEstate’sSheffieldofficeadded:“Thepropertyreceivedinterestfromvariouspartiesandwaseventuallysoldfollowingabestbidsprocess.Thesaleisfurtherevidencethatthereisastrongdemandforwell-locatedsecondhandindustrial/distributionunitswithin20,000–100,000sqftasaresultofgrowingoccupierconfidenceandalackofnewdevelopment.”OfficedevelopmentsetforformerTonicbarPlanstoconverttheformerTonicbarandrestaurantinNottinghamintoofficeshasbeengrantedconditionalpermissonbyNottinghamCityCouncil.Theplans,submittedbyJonesLangLasalleonbehalfofGloucester-basedHoodPropertyInvestment,willseethebuildingtransformedintoan8,331sqftofficedevelopment,overtwofloors.TamsinCottle,ofJonesLangLasalle,said:"Theareaisverymuchdominatedbydrinkingandeatingestablishments,andofficeusewillcomplimentthisbyaddingtothelunchtimeandearlyeveningmarketandgeneratingmorefootfallinthearea."ThenewscomesaftertheChapelQuarterareahassufferedtwohigh-profilediningcasualtiesinrecenttimes,withSinatra'sfollowingTonicoutofbusiness.LondonMetrichassoldNottinghamRoadRetailParkThe47,100sqftdevelopmentwasboughtbyLondonMetricinSeptember2010for£7.25mwithavoidunitof16,000sqft.FollowingacomprehensiverefurbishmenttheentireaccommodationwaslettoCurrysPCWorldatarentof£801,000perannum.Theunexpiredleasetermis12.5years.AndrewJones,chiefexecutiveofLondonMetric,said:"Thiddisposalclearlyendorsethevalidityofourbusinessmodelbydemonstratingthepotentialvaluethatcanbecreatedthroughinstitutionalisinggoodqualitysecondarystockanddemonstratesthedepthofdemandamongstinstitutionalinvestorsforwellletrealestateassets.Thedisposalallowsustocrystalliseattractiveprofitsoncostandrecycleourequityfollowingcompletionoftheassetmanagementinitiatives."Strutt&ParkeradvisedHendersononthedealEMBLjan:Layout118/12/13 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