Belvoir Castle reports record vineyard output

April Lara
-
0
Belvoir Castle reports record vineyard output

Belvoir Castle in Leicestershire has recorded its largest vineyard harvest to date, with operations commencing in late August, three weeks earlier than usual. Exceptional weather conditions contributed to improved grape quality, with harvesting expected to continue until the end of September.

The estate’s two-hectare vineyard, established six years ago on an east-west-facing slope, cultivates Solaris, Pino Prococe, Siegerrebe, and Seyval Blanc grape varieties. Previous production has fluctuated, rising from 700 bottles in 2021 to over 20,000 in 2022 and 2023, before dropping to 4,000 bottles in 2024 due to high rainfall. This year’s yield reflects a significant rebound.

Winemaking is carried out in partnership with Halfpenny Green Winery in Staffordshire, applying traditional double fermentation for sparkling wines, followed by two years of ageing. The estate highlights the vineyard’s soil composition and slope as key factors for frost management and vine health.

Mablethorpe set to receive £20 million government investment

April Lara
-
0
Mablethorpe set to receive £20 million government investment

Mablethorpe is scheduled to receive £20 million in funding over the next ten years as part of the government’s Plan for Neighbourhoods Programme. The investment is intended to support local regeneration and place residents at the centre of planning decisions for the town’s development.

The funding will complement the existing £23.9 million Mablethorpe Towns Fund, which has already delivered projects including the Station Leisure and Learning Centre, the Campus for Future Living, and the Seaview Colonnade in Sutton on Sea.

Mablethorpe joins Skegness, Boston, and Spalding in the government’s long-term renewal programme for Lincolnshire. Councils are expected to receive new powers under the Pride in Place initiative to manage community assets, regulate nuisance businesses, and influence the future of local high streets.

Recent funding in East Lindsey has included £24.5 million for the Skegness Towns Fund, £20 million long-term funding for Skegness, and £8.1 million for cultural and heritage projects in Alford and Spilsby. Councillor Craig Leyland described the announcement as “a huge boost for Mablethorpe and for East Lindsey as a whole,” highlighting its potential to drive regeneration and community-led development.

Hilton Food Group sells catering butcher Fairfax Meadow in £54m deal

Tess Egginton
-
0
Hilton Food Group sells catering butcher Fairfax Meadow in £54m deal

Hilton Food Group, the international multi-protein food business, has sold Fairfax Meadow Europe Limited to food distributor Sysco GB Ltd.

The deal will result in Hilton Foods receiving gross cash proceeds of £54m. The transaction includes a three-year supply agreement with Hilton Food Solutions, ensuring continuity of supply of the meat products that it provides to Fairfax Meadow.

Fairfax Meadow is a major catering butcher employing 360 people with operations in Derby, Eastleigh, and Enfield. It will add additional meat manufacturing capability to Sysco GB and build on the recent acquisition of Campbell’s Prime Meat, which operates across Scotland and the north of England. Fairfax Meadow will continue to operate as a separate business, but will now have the added benefit of specialist foodservice support with Sysco’s operating companies offering new routes to market, while they will benefit from Fairfax Meadow’s expertise in meat processing.

Steve Murrells, CEO of Hilton Foods, said: “Fairfax Meadow is a high-quality business, and we have supported its growth and development since 2021. I want to thank all our colleagues at Fairfax for their hard work and commitment and wish the entire team every success for the future as the business continues to grow under new ownership.

“At Hilton Foods, our objective is clear, to build on the strengths that have long defined our business. By refining our portfolio and focusing resources where our global expertise and strong customer partnerships create the greatest opportunities, we are reinforcing the platform for sustained growth and delivering attractive long-term returns.”

Paul Nieduszynski, CEO of Sysco GB, said: “We are delighted that Fairfax Meadow will be joining the Sysco family. We have a strategic focus on providing the best centre of plate offer in foodservice, and the acquisition of Fairfax Meadow is a crucial next step in our plan to build leadership in the critical meat category.

“Fairfax Meadow is a great business with skilled and experienced colleagues and a superb reputation for producing quality meat, combined with great levels of service.

“We believe this is a complementary fit for Sysco GB, strengthening our fresh meat proposition across the country and bringing even greater value to our customers.”

Penny Tomlinson, managing director at Fairfax Meadow, said: “This acquisition acknowledges and further strengthens our position as one of the market leading meat suppliers to the foodservice industry. “Sysco GB is a business with a deep-rooted understanding and unparalleled reach within the fast-moving foodservice sector. We are proud to bring our extensive meat industry knowledge and team expertise to complement Sysco GB’s existing strengths. “I look forward to continuing to lead the business with my experienced and loyal team, ensuring a seamless transition for all customers and stakeholders.”

Nottinghamshire pet care business expands with Start Up Loans support

April Lara
-
0
Nottinghamshire pet care business expands with Start Up Loans support

A Nottinghamshire-based pet sitting and dog walking service has received £9,000 in funding through the British Business Bank’s Start Up Loans programme, administered by First Enterprise.

The investment has enabled Pet and Home Services to purchase a vehicle, allowing the founder to access a wider range of walking locations and expand client capacity.

The funding supports business growth by helping start-ups and SMEs that may not qualify for conventional high-street loans.

The investment enables the company to expand its operational reach, increase client intake, and streamline day-to-day logistics, thereby facilitating sustainable growth in the local pet care sector.

Alex Tobin, founder of Pet and Home Services, said: “The loan has allowed me to turn dog walking and pet care into a career. One of my challenges as a potentially Autistic individual is the paperwork aspect. My Investment Manager, Lottie from First Enterprise, was incredibly helpful through this process. We arranged a phone call to go over the information she needed. I wouldn’t have been able to secure this loan without Lottie’s help, she was always reassuring and encouraging.” Lottie Naylor, investment manager at First Enterprise, said: “I could really see Alex’s love and passion for taking care of animals through our conversations. I thoroughly enjoyed working with her through this application, and it was a pleasure getting to speak to her in the call. I wish her all the best with the business!”

College opens £8.8m Mansfield Ambition Exchange for skills and enterprise

April Lara
-
0
College opens £8.8m Mansfield Ambition Exchange for skills and enterprise

West Nottinghamshire College has launched the Mansfield Ambition Exchange, a £8.8m facility designed to support skills development, business engagement, and innovation in Mansfield. The centre provides teaching up to level 3 for more than 350 students across business and T Level professional construction programmes.

The two-level building spans 1,343 sq. m., featuring classrooms, IT suites, a Learning Resource Centre, and flexible spaces for independent study, meetings, and conferences. T Level construction students access high-spec computers, computer-aided design software, and dedicated learning spaces.

The centre serves as a hub for collaboration between students, local businesses, and Nottingham Trent University. It hosts employer-focused events, workshops, and masterclasses covering growth capital, artificial intelligence, social media marketing, and Making Tax Digital. The facility also aims to address skills gaps, provide a pipeline of talent, and support local businesses in improving efficiency and competitiveness.

Mansfield Ambition Exchange was funded through £4.3m from the UK Government’s Towns Fund, £3.8m from the Education and Skills Funding Agency, and £734,000 from the college and Nottingham Trent University. Clegg Construction completed the 16-month build, which included student industry placements.

Andrew Cropley, principal and chief executive of West Nottinghamshire College, said, “This excellent facility also gives us a great venue to offer technical courses to adults wishing to take their career forward or in a new direction, and to support businesses to prosper and grow.” Executive Mayor Andy Abrahams added, “Our goal is simple: equip people with the capabilities our economy needs and energise the town centre while we do it.”

The centre aligns with Mansfield’s broader development strategy, linking education, enterprise, and community initiatives to support workforce development and economic growth in the region.

Peak District pubs and cafés on the market as Peak Venues shifts focus

April Lara
-
0
Peak District pubs and cafés on the market as Peak Venues shifts focus

Three freehold hospitality sites in the Peak District are being offered for sale as Peak Venues concentrates on accommodation and property management. The properties are being marketed through Fleurets and Savills and are available individually or as a portfolio.

The Royal Oak is a high-traffic pub set on a 2.2-acre site, including indoor and outdoor dining, staff accommodation, a bunk barn, a seasonal campsite, and extensive parking, with a guide price of £1.5 million. The Yondermann Café, a roadside café operating for more than 60 years, attracts locals, walkers, and cyclists, and is listed at £600,000. The Bull I’th Thorn is a destination pub with letting rooms, managers’ accommodation, a campsite, and development potential, positioned on a main road through the Peak District, with a guide price of £1 million.

Peak Venues operates over 100 sites across the UK, including holiday cottages, farmhouses, converted pubs, and luxury apartments. The sale is part of a strategic shift to focus on its accommodation and property management operations.

Nottingham engineering business expands training academy to mark 20 years of operation

Tess Egginton
-
0
Nottingham engineering business expands training academy to mark 20 years of operation
Nottingham-based Caunton Engineering has completed the refurbishment of its training academy, marking 20 years of operation. More than 100 apprentices have passed through the Caunton Academy’s doors since it was first launched in 2004 to address the industry’s skills shortages in fabrication and welding. Employees who joined the academy as apprentices now represent 22% of the company’s current workforce. The refurbishment has increased the academy’s working area at the heart of the company’s factory floor – as well as providing state-of-the art machinery reflecting the company’s move towards more robotic and laser-based technologies. Caunton hosted a launch event on Wednesday (September 24) to showcase the refurbished academy, which combines both a classroom and a model production line to simulate the actual working environment. Guests included representatives of the local and national business communities who have supported the academy during the past 21 years. Speaking at the event, the company’s chairman Simon Bingham said: “Caunton Engineering is passionate about recruiting apprentices and graduates, offering young people the opportunity to take the first step towards a career in the engineering and construction industries. “The redevelopment of the Caunton Academy is testament of our long-term commitment to training our future workforce, giving them best possible skills and experience to harness the new technological developments that are transforming our industry. “Apprentices who joined the academy have progressed to become structural engineers, quantity surveyors and contract managers within the business – demonstrating the transformational impact of the apprenticeship programme, turning student potential into long-term professional careers.”

Running trio raise almost £3,000 for Northamptonshire Mind

Tess Egginton
-
0
Running trio raise almost £3,000 for Northamptonshire Mind
A trio who donned their trainers to complete the Great North Run have raised £2,825 for Northamptonshire Mind. Kev Garfield, Richard Crook, and Brian Jukes completed the 13.1 mile running challenge in Newcastle on Sunday 7th September with all monies raised going directly to the Northampton-based charity, which provides vital mental health services in Northamptonshire. Of the achievement, head of business support at VMS Ltd Kev Garfield, who spearheaded the charity run, said: “With the help of a strong network, alongside local businesses including VMS Ltd, BACA, BTN automotive, JW Signs and D&H Commercial Repairs Ltd, we successfully completed the Great North Run and have raised almost £3,000 for Northamptonshire Mind. “Our little running group was established to provide support to Richard following the loss of his twin brother, who sadly passed away in 2023 aged just 45. “It’s important to recognise the impact of mental health on many individuals, particularly as one in four people experience related challenges, So for the three of us, the opportunity to assist others and unite businesses for the benefit of the community has been remarkable.” Speaking of the support received, Northamptonshire Mind’s community services manager, Paul Marshall, said: “We’re incredibly honoured that Kev, Brian and Richard chose to support Northamptonshire Mind. Donations like theirs make a real difference, helping us be there when people need us most. “Their run is also a powerful reminder of the role friendship plays in men’s mental health. Too often men struggle in silence, but by looking out for one another we can change that. Our Community Mental Health Hubs provide a safe space where people can find connection, understanding and share their experiences. “Every step they ran helps break down stigma and ensure more people get the support they deserve.” The running trio’s Just Giving page is still accepting donations at: www.justgiving.com/page/kev-garfield-1?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=EM

Gedling council approves next steps for Carlton leisure centre

April Lara
-
0
Gedling council approves next steps for Carlton leisure centre

Gedling Borough Council has approved further feasibility work for a new multi-use leisure centre in Carlton, moving the Carlton Active project closer to realisation. The facility is planned for the site of the existing Richard Herrod Centre and will replace both that centre and Carlton Forum Leisure Centre. The Carlton Forum site will remain operational until the new centre opens.

A public consultation in May drew responses from over 1,400 residents, with strong support for the development. Proposed features include an 8-lane swimming pool with a teaching pool, a 100-station gym with an assisted exercise suite, studios, community rooms, a café, and a soft play centre. Indoor bowls is not included due to high projected costs, though the council will work with Gedling Indoor Bowls Club on alternative arrangements.

The decision follows a strategic review of leisure facilities across Gedling, which recommended new centres in Carlton and Arnold to accommodate population growth, modernise ageing infrastructure, reduce council expenditure, generate income, and lower carbon emissions. Plans for a new Arnold facility will be addressed separately.

The wider leisure strategy also involves consulting residents on the future operation of Redhill and Calverton centres, which are not council-owned. Any withdrawal from their management would trigger discussions with local partners to secure ongoing service provision.

Cabinet members approved the Carlton Active project proposals on 25 September, endorsing the next steps toward detailed planning and further feasibility assessment.

East Midlands businesses face declining sales and rising undercapacity

April Lara
-
0
East Midlands businesses face declining sales and rising undercapacity

Recent research from the East Midlands Chamber highlights a continued slowdown in trading conditions across the region. Data collected from nearly 300 businesses for the third quarter of 2025 shows that both domestic and international sales have fallen, and a growing proportion of companies are operating below full capacity.

UK sales declined by 3%, while domestic orders dropped 1%. Overseas sales fell 1%, and export orders decreased by 2%. Eight in ten businesses reported operating below capacity, up from seven in ten at the end of 2024.

Pressure to increase prices has eased. Only three in ten firms expect to raise prices in the next three months, a slight decline compared with earlier quarters. Recruitment activity remains steady, with 47% of companies seeking new staff. Around 70% anticipate workforce numbers will remain unchanged, and six in ten firms continue to report challenges finding suitable candidates.

Business confidence shows marginal improvement. Four in ten firms expect profitability to rise over the next 12 months, while half predict higher turnover. Despite this, inflation, corporate taxation, and competition remain the top concerns for regional businesses.

The survey underscores the ongoing pressures on East Midlands firms as they manage rising costs, fluctuating demand, and talent shortages, while preparing for potential policy changes in the upcoming Autumn Budget.

1234...1,129Page 3 of 1,129