Derbyshire accountancy and tax specialists Shorts has acquired South Yorkshire accountancy firm Hewson & Howson in a deal which sees all of the Hewson & Howson employees join the Shorts team.
Formed by Ian Hewson and Andrew Howson in 1995, Hewson & Howson built a respected reputation throughout its 30-year history, specialising in providing a partner led service to owner managed businesses. Driven by the decision for both Ian Hewson and Andrew Howson to retire, transferring the business to an accounting firm with a similar culture and service ethic was a key priority for both outgoing partners.
Andy Irvine, Managing Partner at Shorts, said: “Hewson & Howson have a long-standing reputation for providing their clients with high quality tax and accountancy service and we are delighted to now welcome their team and clients to Shorts. Their approach of providing a fully supportive and personal service, and building long standing relationships with their clients is very much in line with the culture here at Shorts and we are looking forward to working with their clients and team over the years to come. Our very best wishes go with Ian and Andrew for a long and happy retirement.”
Ian Hewson added: “When Andrew and I considered retirement and selling the practice, finding the right firm, with the perfect synergy for our clients and team was very important in that decision. Having built a business with a solid reputation, it was important to us that our clients would continue to be looked after with the same attention and support, following the transfer. We firmly believe that the culture at Shorts aligns with our own and we are confident that we leave our clients in the very safest of hands at Shorts going forward.”
With nominations OPEN for Business Link’s annual East Midlands Bricks Awards, it is time to applaud businesses, teams and projects by submitting an entry for the prestigious event.
Attracting leaders from across the region, the celebration of the property and construction industry is the perfect way for firms to raise their profile and promote the work they are completing.
Take this opportunity to showcase exceptional new commercial and residential developments, those demonstrating a leading position in sustainability and design excellence; gain recognition as outstanding developers, architects, contractors, and agents, as well as for significant deals; and ensure efforts in corporate social responsibility are rewarded, from eco initiatives to charity work, to social value schemes.
Winners will be revealed at a glittering awards ceremony on Thursday 3rd October,at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground– an evening also offering an opportunity to establish new connections with property and construction professionals from across the region.
After winning the Commercial Development of the Year award at last year’s event, Clare Swaine, business development manager at Henry Brothers, said: “I was delighted to collect this award on behalf of Henry Brothers, it was a fantastic team effort to deliver this impressive Passivhaus building which is supportive of Loughborough University’s path to net-zero and is a tremendous asset to the University and wider Leicestershire economy. The event was also a great networking opportunity and it was interesting to hear more about the various developments happening in the region.”
To nominate your (or another) business/development for one of our awards, please click on a category link below or visit this page.
Overall winner (this award cannot be entered, with the winner, and recipient of a year of marketing/publicity worth £20,000, selected from those nominated for the event’s other awards)
Nominations end Thursday 5th September
Guests network at the East Midlands Bricks AwardsTickets can now be booked for the 2024 awards event, click here to secure yours.
Taking place in the Derek Randall Suite at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground on Thursday 3rd October, from 4:30pm – 7:30pm, connect with local decision makers over nibbles and complimentary drinks while applauding the outstanding companies and projects in our region.
Attendees will also hear from keynote speaker Paul Southby, partner at Geldards LLP, chair of the Advisory Board to Nottingham Business School, chair of Broadway independent cinema, trustee of Clean Rivers Trust, chair of Nottingham Partners, board member of Marketing Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, and former High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire.
Dress code is standard business attire.
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Melton Borough Council has launched the next tranche of funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) for local businesses.
The council have announced that £170,000 is available for capital projects, with two categories of grants available: Pre-Start/Startup Businesses and Supporting Business Growth.
Businesses can apply for amounts of £2,000-£10,000, which depending on their project may need to be supported by a Business Plan for pre-startups, and a Business Case (if applying for over £7,500).
Leader of the Council, Cllr Pip Allnatt said: “I am pleased that once again the award of grants will be by a panel with independent and impartial assessment of all applications. We want to ensure that taxpayers’ money is used fairly.
“Our Council is not a big ‘mover and shaker’ in the world of private enterprise, but it is important we do our bit to support local initiative and business enterprise. In the long run, thriving small businesses benefits everyone.”
The application window for this tranche of business grants opened on 12 July 2024 and closes at midnight on 09 August 2024.
During the past financial year, the council had a total fund of £152,806.60 allocated for capital business grants from the UKSPF and REPF. They received a total of 65 applications, a clear indication of the high demand for financial support among local businesses, of these 13 businesses were successful.
Businesses that were unsuccessful in the initial funding round, as well as others seeking grants and support, were offered free assistance from the Leicestershire Business Advice Service. They were also encouraged to participate in workshops aimed at enhancing their applications for the upcoming round.
Between May and July, four workshops were held to guide potential applicants on the grant application process and the necessary information and evidence for a successful submission.
After more than a year of works, Ashfield District Council’s Moor Market in Kirkby is now home to a new Banking Hub.
Kirkby in Ashfield is set to experience a significant boost to its banking services following the opening of the new Banking Hub, bringing vital services to residents and businesses alike.
This comes as part of a national initiative that will see 66 new hubs established across the UK, aimed at revitalising banking accessibility in communities.
Ashfield District Council is hosting the new Banking Hub, located on the Lowmoor Road pedestrianised section of the High Street next to Moor Market Café.
Customers of multiple banks can now deposit and withdraw money, get face-to-face assistance, and carry out regular banking transactions.
Additionally, the hub features one private room for one-on-one discussions, ensuring a personalised banking experience.
The move follows the closure of three bank branches in the town centre over the past few years, culminating in the loss of Lloyds in February 2022.
The Banking Hub is operated by Cash Access UK and represents a collaborative effort to restore essential banking services to communities like Kirkby.
By reducing the need to travel out of town for banking needs, the hub will significantly enhance the convenience and financial wellbeing of the local population.
Cllr Matthew Relf, Executive Lead for Regeneration and Planning, expressed his enthusiasm. He said: “We know that so many residents and businesses have struggled with the lack of face-to-face banking in Kirkby since the banks closed and so we have been working hard to bring a banking hub here. This will make a huge difference to people’s lives.”
Cllr Andy Meakin, ward councillor, added: “We are over the moon to have secured this vital service and after months of incredibly hard work, we are really excited to see it opening.
“This is a vital part of our plans to regenerate the town centre.”
Reform in skills, planning and business rates are among asks from East Midlands Chamber, ahead of the King’s Speech at the State Opening of Parliament on 17th July.
East Midlands Chamber Chief Executive Scott Knowles said: “As the King reads out the bills the government proposes to make law, it’s vitally important this new government listens to the needs of the East Midlands business community.
“The East Midlands has immense potential but has been continually overlooked when it comes to investment from the centre and getting the region where it needs to be to enable growth.
“Enhancing infrastructure, rolling out high speed broadband and upgrading connectivity of the rail network are all essential components for East Midlands sustainable growth. Our labour market would be boosted with skills reform, while tax and regulation are barriers to business growth that need to be addressed.
“The ingredients for success in the East Midlands are already set out in the Manifesto for Growth launched in Westminster earlier this year. We ask the new government to engage with us so we can get the asks of the Manifesto implemented.”
Summary of asks in East Midlands Chamber’s Manifesto for Growth
Business rates: Full review of the system
Tax and regulation: Simplify the R&D tax credits system
Skills: Incentives for businesses that invest in staff training
Infrastructure: Speed up full-fibre Broadband rollout
Planning: Let the private sector plug gaps on council staffing
Transport: Electrification of the Midland Main Line, Reinstatement of Coventry and Leicester direct rail
Ashfield District Council (ADC) together with the Ashfield Arts Partnership has launched Ashfield Creates, a three-year transformational programme to inspire and sustain the cultural and creative fabric of Ashfield. The programme is supported by Arts Council England, who have awarded £1 million through their Place Partnership programme, which uses money from the National Lottery.
Ashfield is an area that Arts Council England has identified as having great potential but, where historically, investment and engagement has been too low. Arts Council has been working closely with leaders and cultural organisations in the district to encourage regeneration and growth through greater investment and access to creative and cultural activities. The programme will work to increase arts engagement and cultivate an environment where Ashfield can realise its creative potential dramatically and sustainably.
Ashfield Creates will activate the towns and neighbourhoods of Ashfield with creative activities, events and experiences through establishing ‘Local Creative Hubs’ in Hucknall, Kirkby and Sutton with a fourth hub travelling across Ashfield’s villages. The programme aims to engage over 160,000 live audience members, over 14,000 participants, 250 volunteers and over 500 creative practitioners.
Ashfield Creates will be led by the residents of Ashfield, working with local engagement producers to plan regular participatory activities across dance, art, music and craft. The programme will include weekly local events and performances, and a yearly community arts festival, as well as large-scale events and festivals working with national and international artists.
The initial three-years of the programme are part of a larger 10-year arts, cultural and creative strategy for Ashfield, commissioned by Ashfield District Council and Ashfield Arts Partnership. The aim of the programme is to galvanise the arts sector, creative practitioners and community organisations to become a strong and sustainable arts and culture sector that will thrive in Ashfield for many years to come.
Across the summer the Ashfield Arts Partnership will be talking to people at local events to find out what they want to see and do and to help shape the programme of events and activities which are due to start in the Autumn.
Jason Zadrozny, Leader of Ashfield District Council, says: “I am absolutely thrilled that the incredibly strong partnership working we have in Ashfield has led to us securing this investment. It’s fantastic that the Arts Council is entrusting us with such a large grant to achieve truly transformational change. Investment into the arts is something that I am very passionate about and I believe it will set us on our way to everyone being able to experience arts on their doorstep.”
Peter Knott, Midlands Area Director at Arts Council England, said: “We’re delighted to invest £1 million into Ashfield through our Place Partnership programme, with funding from the National Lottery.
“We’ve been working closely with local leaders and cultural organisations to improve investment and access to culture and creativity in the district. We know the positive impact that cultural investment has on places, such as regeneration, growth, employment and happiness, so we’re delighted that local people will have more opportunities to experience, connect and take part in creative and cultural activities where they live.”
Edward Boott, Artistic Director & CEO of Nonsuch Studios who coordinated the bid efforts and member of Ashfield Arts Partnership says: “This is an incredible achievement by the people and communities of Ashfield. With over 200 community members and 25 local organisations coming together to help shape what Ashfield Creates will be, we created a truly transformational, community-led proposal to Arts Council England which the whole of Ashfield Arts Partnership can’t wait to put into action over the next three years. We can’t wait to see what we can create together!”
Playwright and screenwriter James Graham says: “As an Ashfield born-and-bred writer I can’t begin to express my delight that the area is to receive this cultural boost. We all know it is not a level playing field when it comes to accessing the arts, but I know from experience the talent in these towns and villages that is waiting to be supported, and the appetite that potential audiences have for engaging as a community with work that can bring people together. Congratulations to the dedicated team who brought this project to life, I can’t wait to see the work begin.”
Gatehouse Investment Management has acquired 82 single-family build-to-rent homes from Persimmon Homes for £18.7 million, as part of its joint venture with global investment firm Carlyle.
Persimmon will deliver the homes within its Bardolph View development in Gedling and its Hawkers Place site in Hucknall over the next 18 months. This is the joint venture’s second deal with Persimmon, following its acquisition of 174 homes across three West Midlands schemes in December 2023.
As part of Gatehouse IM’s commitment to sustainability, all homes will have an EPC rating of ‘B’ or higher. In total the joint venture has completed the purchase of, or is under offer on, over 820 homes nationwide, all of which will be managed by Ascend.
John Coles, Director of Acquisitions at Gatehouse IM, said: “Nottinghamshire is a location we know and understand well, with strong demographic support for increased SFR provision, and as such it is fantastic to be expanding our presence in the county.
“Both Bardolph View and Hawkers Place are established master planned schemes with a strong base of amenities, excellent transport links and good local schooling provision perfect for our target rental market. Through our previous deal with Persimmon Homes, we have seen the high-quality product they deliver, and hope to work with them again on further acquisitions.”
Anssi Halonen, Managing Director and Head of Acquisitions on the Carlyle Europe Realty advisory team, added: “This acquisition is testament to our ability, alongside our partners Gatehouse, to identify high-quality, well-situated assets, complemented by excellent transport links and local amenities. We are pleased to continue expanding our UK residential platform and look forward to seeing these homes delivered between now and the end of 2025.”
Gareth Hankin, Managing Director for Persimmon Nottingham, said: “We’re delighted to have worked with Gatehouse IM to deliver much needed new housing in Nottinghamshire. With housing rightly high up the political agenda, we’re working with partners to provide the high-quality, sustainable new homes the country urgently needs.”
More than 100 people are now working on the site of Derby’s new £45.8m entertainment and conference venue as the auditorium begins to reveal its size and scale.
Built on the site of the former Pink Coconut nightclub and several other buildings, the new Becketwell entertainment and conference venue offers a much larger and more adaptable space than anything previously available in the city centre.
Three quarters of the glass curtain walling on the east side is now installed. Inside, all the internal work is well underway, giving a good sense of the space within the auditorium and the areas around it.
Councillor Nadine Peatfield, Leader of Derby City Council and Portfolio Holder for City Centre, Regeneration, Culture and Tourism said: “It’s fantastic that we’re now getting a real idea of the impressive scale of the auditorium and a feel of what it will be like when the building opens.
“This venue is a key part in making Derby a lively city centre that puts culture at the forefront. It isn’t just a building; it’s a place where people can come together to learn new things and create innovative ideas. All kinds of events will be hosted here, from business meetings to exciting cultural activities and great entertainment.”
The main contractors, Heage-based Bowmer + Kirkland, took over the site in June 2023 and by December, the steel frame and concrete tiers for seating were already complete.
Construction work is progressing to plan with practical completion and handover scheduled for the first quarter of 2025.
The mechanical and electrical systems, which are the building’s lifeblood, are also progressing well. The cladding on all the exterior walls is nearing completion, giving the building a finished look from the outside and showcasing its striking architectural design.
The massive birdcage scaffolding that supported the terraced seating is being dismantled in the coming weeks, now that the acoustic ceiling work is finished.
Christian Parnell, Regional Director, Bowmer + Kirkland, said: “We are delighted with our progress on site and are on course for this exciting new leisure destination to be handed over early next year. As a Derbyshire-based company, it is an honour for our team to be part of such an important scheme for the city and wider region.”
The venue is set to host over 200 cultural and commercial events each year and expected to attract an additional 250,000 visitors to the city.
It is also expected to create over 200 new local jobs and provide the impetus to kick-start further investment in surrounding areas of the city centre.
The venue will be owned by Derby City Council and leased to and operated by ASM Global, the venue management and services company, and producer of live experiences, whose UK portfolio includes OVO Arena Wembley, AO Arena (Manchester), first direct Arena (Leeds) and Olympia and OVO Hydro (Glasgow).
The new 3,500 capacity entertainment and conference venue forms the second phase of the £200m Becketwell regeneration scheme. Phase one includes the city’s first purpose-built Build to Rent scheme. The Condor is owned and operated by Grainger plc and now almost fully let. The adjacent Springwell Square, a new public green space for the city, officially opened in September 2023.
The Becketwell scheme is being developed by St James Securities, a privately-owned Leeds-based property developer.
Paul Morris, Development Director at St James Securities, said: “Five years ago, discussions started on transforming this derelict five-acre city centre site, and now we’re witnessing the vision for Derby’s long-awaited new entertainment and conference centre come to life.
“We look forward to celebrating the completion of the arena with a topping-out ceremony in the autumn.”
Future planned phases of the Becketwell scheme include potential for a hotel and purpose-built student residential.
National developer Taj Ubhi, CEO of 9 Property Group, has teamed up with commercial real estate buyer Emmanuel Agalamanyi, MBA, of BlackBridge Property Partners to acquire the former well-known Antibo Restaurant in Nottingham City Centre.
The building’s acquisition, led by Emmanuel Agalamanyi, is set to see it transformed as 9 Property Group begins work on the site, to develop 51 modern student living spaces.
Bought out of receivership, the purchase marks the partnership’s first pipeline of acquisitions set to take place over the coming months, which is currently in legal, as similar distressed sites throughout the country have been placed on the market.
The neglected building will be given a new chapter, providing a central location for students to call home, but still maintaining much of the building’s historic architecture.
The project is designed by ARC Design Studio.
Principal developer and CEO Taj Ubhi has a strong track record in delivering PBSA schemes and is a well-known client of finance provider Assetz Capital.
Emmanuel Agalamanyi said: “Our growing equity fund has placed us in a very strong position to acquire similar buildings and ground-up developments to cater for the student and private rental sector. We are aggressively seeking more opportunities.”
Rolls-Royce SMR has signed a £1.2million contract with GSE Solutions to develop a power station simulator, as it continues to mature the design of its Small Modular Reactor technology and remains on track to complete Step 2 of the Generic Design Assessment this summer.
GSE Solutions is a world leader in advanced engineering and workforce solutions across the clean-energy and power industries. This simulator will play a key role in Rolls-Royce SMR’s programme to develop, verify and validate the performance and control systems of its unique ‘factory-built’ nuclear power plant. It forms part of a much wider programme of development activities that are focussed on ensuring the ‘delivery-certain’ nature of the plant.
David Dodd, Rolls-Royce SMR Engineering Director, said: “Commissioning a simulation and test platform is another stride towards deploying the first Rolls-Royce SMR power plant. The work with GSE is part of our ‘digital-first’ methodology and our truly modular approach to developing new nuclear power – a reliable source of clean, affordable energy for the UK and the rest of the world.”
In a recent update, the Office for Nuclear Regulation confirmed that Rolls-Royce SMR is on track to complete Step 2 of Generic Design Assessment this summer – with the intention of moving straight into the third and final step. This progress through the assessment by the nuclear industry’s independent regulators (the ONR, Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales) confirms Rolls-Royce SMR’s position as being significantly ahead of any other SMR design in Europe.
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