Planning approved for 66-bed care home in Bourne

April Lara
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Planning approved for 66-bed care home in Bourne

LNT Care Developments has secured planning approval from South Kesteven District Council for the construction of a 66-bed residential care home in Bourne. The development will replace an existing house on Tarragon Way, with a two-storey H-shaped building designed to include parking for 30 vehicles.

The project is expected to create between 50 and 60 local jobs and represent a significant investment in the area. Beyond construction, it will generate ongoing opportunities for local contractors, suppliers, and community engagement, including potential partnerships with schools and community groups.

While most local residents supported the location, concerns were raised over the site’s accessibility and parking capacity. Ward councillor Helen Crawford noted issues with the proposed entrance on Coriander Drive, potential congestion from HGV traffic, and insufficient parking for visitors and staff.

The planning committee approved the project with the condition that a travel plan and construction plan be submitted. No timeline for the project’s completion has been provided.

NWSLC partners with JLR to upskill workforce for electric vehicle transition

April Lara
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NWSLC partners with JLR to upskill workforce for electric vehicle transition

North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College (NWSLC) has successfully delivered a bespoke training programme to over 1,000 Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) employees, aimed at addressing the skills gap in electric vehicle (EV) technology. This initiative supports JLR’s Reimagine Strategy, which aims to achieve carbon net zero by 2039.

The training programme focuses on transitioning automotive technicians from internal combustion engines to electric vehicle systems, providing a practical, hands-on approach. The programme is part of NWSLC’s broader strategy to collaborate with industry leaders to offer tailored apprenticeships, placements, and training that address specific business needs.

Following completion of the fundamental course at NWSLC’s MIRA Technology Institute in Nuneaton, JLR employees have the opportunity to advance their skills further through intermediate and advanced programmes offered by Coventry University, depending on their specific role and upskilling needs.

This collaboration highlights the growing importance of education and industry partnerships in meeting the evolving demands of the automotive sector, especially as companies like JLR accelerate their move towards electrification.

Wattbike acquired by NASDAQ-listed Interactive Strength to expand fitness equipment portfolio

April Lara
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Wattbike acquired by NASDAQ-listed Interactive Strength to expand fitness equipment portfolio

Wattbike, a Nottingham-based company specialising in indoor performance fitness bikes, has been sold to Interactive Strength, a NASDAQ-listed firm known for its innovative fitness equipment brands CLMBR and FORME.

This acquisition creates a comprehensive fitness equipment portfolio with a strong presence in three of the world’s largest fitness markets: the US, Germany, and the UK. By leveraging Interactive Strength’s marketing and distribution capabilities, the deal is expected to significantly enhance Wattbike’s international growth.

Wattbike’s team, renowned for its high-performance indoor cycling equipment, is set to expand its reach with new product launches. The company plans to continue developing training solutions for athletes and fitness enthusiasts while also targeting the mainstream health and wellness market.

Interactive Strength’s acquisition of Wattbike aligns with its strategic goals to drive growth in the global fitness sector, particularly across the US, UK, and Germany, with further expansion into Asia.

Over 250 jobs on the line at University of Nottingham

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Over 250 jobs on the line at University of Nottingham
Over 250 jobs are on the line at the University of Nottingham. A 90 day consultation has been launched on the proposals, as reported by the BBC, which also includes the removal of 98 vacant jobs. The university is looking to reduce its number of professional service roles by 258, covering a range of non-academic positions. University president and vice-chancellor, professor Jane Norman told the BBC that universities were “grappling with significant financial challenges” as revenues fall, which has been made worse by a drop in international students and the rising cost of living. Andreas Bieler, a professor of political economy and University and College Union (UCU) representative at the university, said that the job cuts were a “watershed moment” for the university. He expressed concern about the job security of UCU members, the service quality for students, and added that last year, almost 300 people left the university on a voluntary redundancy scheme.

European pet food company swoops for Leicestershire firm

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European pet food company swoops for Leicestershire firm
Leicestershire-based Bulmer Pet Foods has been acquired by The Nutriment Company (TNC), a European giant providing natural premium pet food. It marks TNC’s fifth acquisition in 2025 and strengthens the business’s UK raw pet food portfolio. Bulmer Pet Foods, which has been making and supplying dog food for over 30 years, will continue to be led by Mark Sharman. For customers, existing points of contact, ordering processes and delivery timelines will remain the same. The team at Bulmer Pet Foods will operate with the added support of TNC’s extensive network, expertise and resources, unlocking new opportunities for growth.

Freeths expands employment team

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Freeths expands employment team
Law firm Freeths has bolstered its national employment team with a number of new hires. Led by partner and national head of employment, pensions and immigration, Rena Magdani, the team has announced eight new lawyers across seven of its 13 offices, including in Leicester and Nottingham. The team has welcomed Fergus Currie (employment barrister, Bristol), Mitchell Roberts (senior associate, Leicester), Lisa Aitken (senior associate, Birmingham), Stephanie Clarke (senior associate, Milton Keynes), Jainika Patel (senior associate, Manchester), Sophie Lloyd (associate, Nottingham), Claudia Booth (associate, Sheffield) and Ellie Wise (qualifying as associate, Milton Keynes). Rena Magdani said: “I am delighted to welcome our eight new lawyers to the Team. This expansion is a direct response to our unprecedented growth and the increased demand for employment law advice, particularly driven by the Employment Rights Bill. This strategic growth ensures we continue to provide first-class, commercially astute, and pragmatic advice to our national client base.” Mitchell Roberts said: “I am delighted to join Freeths, which has a great reputation in helping public and private sector clients, as well as providing support to individuals. Everyone has made me feel welcome, I am looking forward to this exciting opportunity and working with the team to support our clients. “As we know, the Labour government are making radical changes to Employment law, and I am looking forward to playing my part in helping Freeths’ clients manage these changes and challenges.” Sophie Lloyd added: “It is an exciting time to become an Employment solicitor at Freeths, with significant reforms on the horizon due to the Employment Rights Bill. I look forward to contributing to our team’s success and helping our clients to navigate the evolving landscape of employment law.”

World class sports, leisure, and film production hub moves step closer in Derby

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World class sports, leisure, and film production hub moves step closer in Derby
Plans have been unveiled for a new world class sports, leisure, and film production hub in Derby. A detailed planning application has been submitted to Derby City Council by Damien Walters Ltd to repurpose the former Aida Bliss factory on City Road in Chester Green. A key element of the plans involve relocating the Derby City Gymnastics Club and associated sports clubs from their current home at Lancaster Sports Centre, located within the Chapel Street multi storey car park, which is set to be demolished as part of wider regeneration plans spearheaded by Derby City Council. Prior to the submission of this formal application, two temporary planning consents had been approved at the City Road site, which enabled partial repairs and remediation of the buildings to be carried out. Under these temporary consents rehearsal activities have taken place, culminating in scenes being shot by MARV Studios for their new action thriller, Stuntman. The project brought 250 technicians and industry professionals to Derby to help manage the filming process for the movie, which will be launched later this year. The planning application seeks full change of use to build on on-going conversion works, with the vision for a three-phase development. Phase one will see the conversion of the modern element of the building into a state-of-the-art gymnasium and stunt training academy. Phase two will involve bringing forward the film production studios and the final phase will see the creation of a world-class rehabilitation unit, designed to support professionals in the stunt industry and elite sports people. A public consultation event is set to take place in the coming weeks and anyone attending will get a first look inside the building and have the chance to learn more about the project. Further details about the event will be released shortly. Commenting on submission of the planning application, Damien Walters said: “We are thrilled to have reached this milestone and to be moving forward with our full vision for the site. This project will bring incredible opportunities to the City of Derby, and we aim to open phase one during the first half of 2026.” Russell Rigby of Rigby & Co, advisors for Damien Walters Ltd, added: “The submission of this application is the culmination of a huge amount of hard work from our team of expert consultants, including Sigma Architects, Jackson Purdue Lever, and Rodgers Leask. “This project will bring a long-term redundant space back to life, benefitting the local community, and playing a significant role diversifying Derby’s economy going forward.”

Vistry Group secures 28.5-acre residential development site in Sileby

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Vistry Group secures 28.5-acre residential development site in Sileby
Vistry Group, the provider of affordable mixed-tenure homes, has completed contracts on a 28.5-acre site on Barnards Drive in Sileby. The land, with a gross development value of £63.2m, is being developed to build 228 family homes to help combat the need for housing in the area. Andy Reynolds, Managing Director of Vistry South East Midlands, said: “We are thrilled to have completed contracts, bringing us a step closer to delivering much-needed mixed-tenure homes for the area demonstrating our commitment to delivering high-quality, affordable homes in a sustainable manner to enhance communities and meet the diverse housing needs in the area. “We know that people from all walks of life will relish the opportunity to live in modern family homes and to be part of a vibrant and well-connected community here in Leicestershire.” Situated just beyond Barnards Drive on the eastern edge of Sileby, the new development will be made up of both affordable and open market homes. The new development will feature a mix of one-bedroom maisonettes, and two-, three-, four-bedroom homes. Julian Hamer, Senior Land Director at Gladman Developments Limited, said: “Gladman are delighted to have completed the sale of the land at Sileby to Vistry Group. “The Gladman team have worked on the site since 2019, securing an Outline Planning Permission at committee and are pleased to be contributing towards the delivery of much needed housing, S106 contributions and job opportunities for the local community.” All of the homes will be constructed using modern methods of construction, with timber frame panels produced at the local Vistry Works factory in Bardon, Leicestershire. This will improve the sustainability and speed of the construction process, as well as reducing disruption for the local community. Each home built using these panels emits 14,460kg CO2e less than a traditional brick-and-block house. The site has outline planning permission with a decision on Reserved Matters expected in the next few months with a view to starting work later in 2025.

Castleforge secures £26.6m refinancing loan for property portfolio

April Lara
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Castleforge secures £26.6m refinancing loan for property portfolio

Castleforge has secured a £26.6 million refinancing loan to support its portfolio of nine apartment blocks in the Midlands and northern England. Secure Trust Bank (STB) Real Estate Finance provided the loan, which spans five years. This marks the fourth collaboration between the two firms since 2019.

The portfolio, spread across Leeds, Derby, Preston, Walsall, Cannock, and Leek, has substantially upgraded recently. Renovations have increased the number of lettable rooms from 302 to 543. The assets include diverse properties such as a former mill, converted office buildings, and a Grade II listed former school building.

STB’s involvement in the refinancing deal highlights its deep knowledge of property finance. It supports Castleforge in navigating the complexities of managing multiple properties. This partnership follows a previous deal in which STB provided a £3.9 million loan for the refurbishment of Spring Court in Ipswich.

Small businesses in Derbyshire losing millions to cyber-attacks each year

April Lara
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Small businesses in Derbyshire losing millions to cyber-attacks each year

According to new findings from Vodafone Business, small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) across Derbyshire are collectively losing £84 million annually to cyber-attacks. The surge in cybercrime has left many local businesses exposed, with nearly one in three (29%) reporting they were targeted at least once in 2024 alone.

The study showed that more than 10% of businesses in the region were hit with between one and five cyber-attacks, while 5% faced multiple attacks, with some experiencing more than ten. This translates to a loss of £1,559 per business each year.

A key issue is the lack of robust security measures. Many local businesses struggle with limited budgets and insufficient expertise, leaving them vulnerable to data breaches, system failures, and reputational damage. These challenges are part of a broader national problem, with UK small businesses collectively losing £3.4 billion annually to cyber-attacks.

The research highlighted several concerning trends. Over half of SMB employees (52%) have not received cybersecurity training, and nearly a third (32%) of businesses operate without adequate protection against digital threats. Furthermore, despite the growing risks, 38% of businesses invest less than £100 annually in cybersecurity. With remote working becoming more common—64% of companies have staff working off-site regularly—cybersecurity vulnerabilities are exacerbated by using personal devices for work, with 60% of companies allowing this practice.

The most common attacks reported include phishing, which affects 70% of businesses, ransomware (23%), and Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks (20%). In light of these findings, some businesses are opting to restrict remote working for employees to mitigate the risks associated with cybercrime.

To address the escalating threat, Vodafone Business is emphasising the importance of SMEs investing in scalable, cost-effective cybersecurity solutions. The company also offers a complimentary one-month trial of CybSafe, a platform that leverages AI and behavioural science to improve cybersecurity awareness and practices within organisations.

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