Phase one of Derby’s Becketwell regeneration scheme complete

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Phase one of Derby’s Becketwell regeneration scheme complete
Construction work is officially complete on phase one of Derby’s Becketwell regeneration scheme, with the eagerly anticipated opening of Springwell Square, the new public square for the city. Located adjacent to The Condor, Derby’s first Build to Rent (BTR) apartments on the site of the former Debenhams store on Victoria Street and close to the new £48.5m events and conference venue, the new public square is set to become the vibrant heart of the £200 million Becketwell scheme. Springwell Square will be a hub for culture, leisure, and social interaction and a place for residents to pause and relax and will integrate seamlessly into the urban landscape. It has been funded by Derby City Council, with funding from the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership. The Becketwell regeneration scheme is the most significant urban regeneration scheme in the city for more than three decades and will create a new quarter of residential, commercial leisure activity in the heart of Derby city centre. It is also hoped that the substantial levels of investment made at Becketwell will provide confidence for further new investment in surrounding areas of the city centre. The scheme is being developed by St James Securities, a privately-owned Leeds-based property developer, with a track record of delivering successful major regeneration schemes. With phase one now complete, construction work is now underway on phase two, a new 3,500-capacity events and conference venue, which will be operated by ASM Global, the venue management and services company, and producer of live experiences. Completion and handover to the operator is scheduled for early 2025. Commenting on the launch of Springwell Square, Paul Morris, director of developers St James Securities, said: “We are delighted to welcome representatives from our partners Derby City Council, D2N2 and other key stakeholders to Springwell Square to mark the completion of phase one of the Becketwell scheme, a landmark regeneration scheme for the City of Derby. “Over the past six years, we have been real trailblazers, prepared to take on a site that has been challenged for many years and creating a scheme which will revitalise and breathe new life into this area of the city. “Springwell Square will open up land to the south and bring it back into use. It will be a place where people can meet and relax in an informal space and will improve the vibrancy and attraction of the city centre.” Councillor Nadine Peatfield, Cabinet Member for City Centre, Regeneration, Culture and Tourism at Derby City Council added: “Becketwell is a key development for our city centre and the new public square is at its very heart. Our aspiration is to make Derby a vibrant place where people want to live, work, and visit and we are now seeing that aspiration become a reality. “We understand the importance of community spaces and Springwell Square will provide a great opportunity for residents to come together and enjoy the green, outdoor space that it provides.” Future planned phases of the scheme include the potential for a range of other complementary uses of the site including a hotel, further residential accommodation, and purpose-built student residential.

Burton clinic expands into new premises

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Burton clinic expands into new premises
Commercial property agent Rushton Hickman Ltd have helped an established Burton clinic move into new premises in a prominent location within Burton upon Trent. The premises comprise ground floor and upper floor accommodation in Horninglow Street. The property provides 1,573 sq ft of retail space on the prestigious mixed-use development of Anson Court. Alice & Co has a total of four treatment rooms, a studio space, two waiting rooms, retail area and a coffee lounge. Alice & Co founder, Alice Dring-Fern, said: “After working from home for four years, I knew I wanted premises to enable me to expand my business but also something to grow into. Everything about the building ticked all the boxes. The location, free car park, and beautiful Georgian features. “Everyone at Rushton Hickman have been so supportive and helpful throughout the entire process, from property viewings, buying the contents and every step in-between. It’s been really reassuring to know the team are there to help when I’ve needed it. We opened our clinic doors on 15th August, and have loved to see so many faces, both new and familiar.” Richard Fairey, director at Rushton Hickman, said: “We are pleased to have been able to help Alice secure her first premises and she has been a delight to deal with. “The location here at Anson Court should complement her use really well and we now only have one available retail unit left to rent on site, such is the popularity of the development.”

Further success at Sherwood Business Park

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Further success at Sherwood Business Park
Acting on behalf of long term investor clients, Tim Gilbertson of FHP has completed the letting of further warehouse/production space on Sherwood Business Park. Following on from the sale earlier this month of 60,000 sq ft of space on Sherwood Park at Junction 27, a further 10,000 sq ft has now been let on behalf of different long term clients to an unnamed PLC occupier who were represented by Sam Pearson of Gerald Eve in the transaction. Tim Gilbertson said: “The deal concluded was great for both parties, we have secured a Plc occupier who had been searching for some time for the ideal unit with craneage and their agent did a great job of agreeing terms on this deal. “Whilst for my client this was a perfect transaction as the former occupier of the building left one day before completion of the new lease and took a larger 15,000 sq ft unit adjoining. Therefore, we had no void period creating continued income for our clients. “This is the second deal on Sherwood Park that we have completed for this particular client this year and coupled with the sale I completed on Sherwood Park a few weeks ago, we have transacted in three deals just under 100,000 sq ft on this excellent location just off Junction 27 of the M1 motorway. “Despite the undeniably less than robust economic conditions the country faces as a whole, these deals show again the strength of some of our East Midlands locations and the very limited stock that is available. Hopefully more industrial and warehouse buildings will come to the market soon as stock is certainly required to meet demand. “Pleasingly, we should have another unit of circa 30,000 sq ft coming to the market on the estate in the next few months, one to be aware of for any occupiers seeking to take advantage of Sherwood Park and its proximity to Junction 27 of the M1 motorway.”
Sam Pearson of Gerald Eve said: “I am delighted to have secured this letting for my client, and believe the deal represents a fantastic agreement for all parties. Working alongside FHP, we were able to secure a tri-party agreement, effectively navigating challenges along the way to reach a successful completion.”

Comms agency pledges support to Framework in its mission to end homelessness

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Comms agency pledges support to Framework in its mission to end homelessness

Nottingham-based PR agency Redbrick Communications is stepping up to donate consultancy expertise to Framework, the charity working tirelessly to change lives for the better and tackle homelessness across the East Midlands.

Redbrick Communications will be helping Framework – which delivers housing, health, employment, support and care services to people with a diverse range of needs – with strategic advice and media outreach to raise awareness of its work on a local, regional and national level.

The announcement of the partnership coincides with reports indicating numbers in temporary accommodation in England have hit a record high, and as the charity looks ahead to its flagship fundraising event Framework’s Big Sleep Out (7 October 2023), as well as launching its Winter Appeal on World Homeless Day (10 October 2023).

Claire Eden, head of fundraising and communications at Framework, says: “As a small team, we are incredibly grateful to Redbrick for donating their time and expertise. We look forward to working closely with them to help us on our mission to end homelessness and tackle disadvantage. With the cost of living and housing crisis once again hitting the headlines, it has become ever more important for us to continue to support people and our communities.”

Work has already seen Redbrick Communications help publicise activities including the support of young fundraisers; a press call with corporate partner Tesco offering welcome packs and home comforts for first-time residents of Framework accommodation, and another Redbrick client DHP Family being honoured in the naming of new accommodation for long-term rough sleepers, thanks to the fundraising efforts of the charity music festival Beat The Streets.

Next up is Framework’s Big Sleep Out, the charity’s flagship fundraising event which aims to raise vital funds to get rough sleepers off the streets. As well as getting the word out to encourage businesses and individuals to sign up, a team from Redbrick will be spending the night in sleeping bags at Nottingham Racecourse on Saturday 7 October.

Liz Bee, account director at Redbrick Communications, says: “No one can have failed to see the growing number of people sleeping on the streets. Having seen firsthand how Framework is changing lives devastated by homelessness and giving people a chance of a better future, we knew we wanted to try and help make a difference. We’re excited to be working with the comms team to help shine a light on the issues and the support needed to provide long-term sustainable solutions.”

In addition to offering PR support to Framework, the agency will also lend its expertise through social media marketing and crisis communications services, as well as general consultancy advice.

361,000 sq ft Nottingham logistics scheme on track for December completion

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361,000 sq ft Nottingham logistics scheme on track for December completion
Construction work is well advanced on Nottingham 360, a 361,000 sq ft warehousing and distribution scheme situated five minutes from Junction 26 of the M1 motorway, as the project moves towards practical completion in December. The 16-acre site on Firth Way, Bulwell, was acquired by Premcor Estates and Barwood Capital’s Regional Property Growth Fund IV in August 2021. Nottingham 360 will be a high-bay logistics/production facility with a warehouse on the ground floor of 328,759 sq ft and additional office space of 32,874 sq ft which includes a hub office to the service yard. ESG credentials form a key focus for the building design, which will deliver a BREEAM Excellent rating as well as Net Zero in construction. Director of Premcor Estates, Rob Lane, said: “Nottingham 360 will be a best-in-class logistics scheme, which we are delighted to be bringing forward with Barwood Capital at a time when there is still robust demand for sustainable, well-located buildings. “The construction is progressing extremely well with Winvic Construction and we have developed a solid relationship with the Winvic team who are doing a fantastic job. We have invited the most active regional agents and other guests here today so that they can see for themselves the quality of the new building ahead of completion.” Retained agents for the scheme are Knight Frank (James Clements & Charlie Shephard) and Moriarty & Co. Commenting on Nottingham 360, James Clements, a partner at Knight Frank and head of the Midlands logistics and industrial occupational agency team, said: “We are delighted to be marketing such a readily accessible unit with strong ESG credentials and best in class specification which meets the demand from an increasingly selective occupier market. “We’re looking forward to completion in December and discussing requirements with interested parties.” Adam Smith, asset management director at Barwood Capital, added: “With a key focus on ESG credentials that will deliver BREEAM Excellent and net zero in construction, Nottingham 360 is ideally located in the heart of the UK road network.”

The construction industry’s growth in 2023

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The construction industry’s growth in 2023
The construction industry is one of the largest and most important sectors in the UK economy. It employed over two million people and contributed £115.5 billion to GDP according to the latest figures for 2021. A spike in demand in the housing market during the tightest grip of the COVID-19 pandemic led to renewed demand for construction, but rising interest rates and the cost-of-living crisis has slowed the rate of house purchases. Is this reflected in the construction industry? UK construction figures in 2023 Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that construction output in the UK increased by 1.6% in June 2023 – the third consecutive monthly increase, following a strong performance to start the year. The growth in construction output is being driven by a number of factors, including: · The government’s £100 billion infrastructure investment plan providing funds for construction projects · An ongoing need to build more homes to meet demand from a growing population · The growth of the renewable energy sector driving demand for new facilities The impact of growth on construction sites The growth in construction activity is generally having a positive impact on construction sites. There is more work for contractors, which typically results in increased employment and wages. However, the increased activity has resulted in a growing scarcity and price of many raw materials, which has been a significant challenge for firms to overcome in recent months. Some specialised roles are also experiencing a shortage of skilled workers, which can slow jobs down. One of the challenges facing construction companies is the need to find adequate site accommodation for workers, especially on large-scale projects. Site accommodation hire companies are playing a vital role in providing adequate facilities for workers, helping to keep construction projects on track and help firms meet their health and safety obligations. Can supply chains keep up? The growth in construction activity is putting substantial pressure on supply chains. There are shortages of materials and labour, which is driving up prices and delaying projects. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is also having a negative impact on supply chains, as it has disrupted the global trade of commodities such as steel and timber. Construction companies are working to mitigate the impact of supply chain disruptions by placing early orders for materials or finding viable alternatives. How construction companies are adapting The construction industry is adapting to the challenges of growth by: · Investing in new technology, such as improved site equipment to decrease delays · Autonomous plant machinery increasing efficiency The construction industry is facing a number of challenges, but it is also undergoing a period of rapid change. The industry is becoming more technologically advanced and efficient, and firms are also becoming more responsive to the needs of their clients as a result.

The winners of the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023 to be revealed next week

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The winners of the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023 to be revealed next week
With the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023 set to take place next week (Thursday 28 September), there’s not long left to secure your seat at the prestigious event. The awards recognise and celebrate those behind the changing landscape of our region – the very best companies, teams, individuals and projects – showcasing the exceptional work carried out across the East Midlands over the past 12 months. They also present a prime opportunity to network with the leaders of property and construction businesses from across the East Midlands. Attend the glittering awards ceremony at Trent Bridge Cricket Ground to see who takes home the title of Contractor of the Year, Developer of the Year, Commercial Development of the Year, Residential Development of the Year, Sustainable Development of the Year, Deal of the Year, Most Active Agents of the Year, Architects of the Year, Excellence in Design, Responsible Business and of course Overall Winner.

Tickets can be booked here.

The event, which will begin at 4:30pm and continue until 7:30pm, will also feature Mike Denby, Director of Inward Investment and Place Marketing at Leicester City Council, as keynote speaker. Complementary drinks and canapés will be served on arrival. Dress code is standard business dress.  

Shortlist for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023

Most Active Estate Agent – sponsored by OMS

BB&J Commercial

Mather Jamie

FHP   Commercial Development of the Year – sponsored by MKM

HBD – Power Park, Nottingham

Henry Brothers Construction – SportPark Pavilion 4, Loughborough

Bolsterstone Group Plc, Chesterfield Borough Council – One Waterside Place, Chesterfield   Responsible Business of the Year – sponsored by Press for Attention PR Cawarden G F Tomlinson Aspbury Planning Limited   Residential Development of the Year – sponsored by Sterling Commercial Finance

Phoenix Brickwork UK Ltd – St Marks student accommodation, Lincoln

Elms Developments – Elms Phase Two Ltd

St James Securities, Grainger – The Condor, Derby

  Deal of the Year – sponsored by Mather Jamie

Rushton Hickman Limited – Branston Locks deal

Bassi Group Nottingham Ltd – Job saving Pizza Hut takeover

Rigby & Co – Aida Factory deal

  Developer of the Year – sponsored by Ward

Chevin Homes

Clowes Developments

Brackley Property Developments

  Architects of the Year – sponsored by Blueprint Interiors

IMA Architects

Matthew Montague Architects

Influence Landscape Planning and Design

  Excellence in Design – sponsored by Cawarden

Chevin Homes – Amber Farm

Marchini Curran Associates – Phoenix cinema and art centre

Trident Construction Services – Lark Hill Retirement Village refurbishment

  Sustainable Development of the Year – sponsored by Viridis Building Services Ltd

HBD – Power Park, Nottingham

Henry Brothers Construction – SportPark Pavilion 4, Loughborough

Elms Developments – Elms Phase Two ltd

  Contractor of the Year – sponsored by RammSanderson Cawarden

EE Smith Contracts

Bowmer + Kirkland

  The Overall Winner, sponsored by Streets Chartered Accountants, will also be announced at the ceremony, who will be awarded a year of marketing/publicity worth £20,000.
East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023 When: Thursday 28 September 2023, 4:30pm – 7:30pm Where: The Derek Randall Suite, Trent Bridge Cricket Ground Keynote speaker: Mike Denby, Director of Inward Investment and Place Marketing at Leicester City Council Dress code: Standard business attire Tickets: Available here Thanks to our sponsors:                                                             To be held at:
 

Pendragon motor and leasing businesses to be sold to one of the largest automotive retailers in North America

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Pendragon motor and leasing businesses to be sold to one of the largest automotive retailers in North America

Nottingham-based Pendragon and Lithia Motors, one of the largest automotive retailers in North America, have agreed the terms of a proposed sale by Pendragon Group Holdings Limited (PGHL) of the entire issued share capital of Pendragon NewCo 2 Limited (Pendragon NewCo) which will hold, either directly or indirectly through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, the company’s entire UK motor business and leasing business, to Lithia UK Holding Limited (Lithia), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lithia Motors, Inc. for a gross aggregate consideration of £250 million.

Pendragon and Lithia Motors, Inc. have also agreed the terms of a strategic partnership with Lithia, including the rollout of Pinewood, the company’s dealer management software (DMS) business, to Lithia’s existing 50 UK sites and the creation of a joint venture to accelerate Pinewood’s entry into the highly attractive North American DMS market.

As part of the transaction, Pendragon’s Pinewood division, which operates the company’s proprietary DMS business, will become a standalone entity, retaining Pendragon’s existing listing on the London Stock Exchange and creating a pure play Software as a Service (SaaS) business with an accelerated growth plan.

The transaction is the conclusion of the strategic review announced by Pendragon last year and the Board believes that it will deliver an attractive cash dividend to shareholders of c.£240 million.

Ian Filby, non-executive chairman of Pendragon, said: “Pendragon has made strong progress executing its strategy in recent years and the business has been repositioned successfully as a digitally-enabled automotive retailer. Today’s announcement follows an extensive strategic review undertaken by the Board of Pendragon to maximise value for our stakeholders.

“The proposed transaction provides shareholders with an immediate dividend close to the company’s undisturbed market capitalisation as well as ongoing ownership in an exciting technology company with improved growth prospects.”

Bill Berman, Chief Executive of Pendragon, said: “Pendragon has built one of the UK’s leading automotive retailing businesses, underpinned by a market leading dealer management system, the quality of our people, long-standing relationships with OEMs and excellent execution for customers.

“The Pendragon Board considers Lithia to be perfectly placed to build on this progress. The launch of Pinewood as a standalone company is a unique and exciting opportunity to create a best-in-class product for customers, which we can market globally and drive substantial value for our shareholders and in Lithia we have the perfect partner to help accelerate Pinewood’s push into the hugely attractive North American DMS market.”

Bryan DeBoer, Chief Executive of Lithia, said: “The strategic partnership with Pinewood Technologies and acquisition of Pendragon’s UK motor and vehicle management divisions is a massive step in delivering on our longer-term growth strategy. We are excited about the great potential in Pinewood’s offering and envision our strategic partnership to further expand this SaaS business globally.

“Additionally, the proposed acquisition presents a highly synergistic growth opportunity with our existing UK presence with Jardine Motors Group; provides a new adjacency with PVM; and expands our brand and geographic footprint while serving to further strengthen our existing OEM relationships.”

Seafood industry boosted by Lincolnshire organisations’ research

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Seafood industry boosted by Lincolnshire organisations’ research
Two Lincolnshire-based organisations have joined forces to identify a fresh and sustainable approach to the freeze/thaw process of seafood produce, which could transform the global seafood industry. The University of Lincoln, UK, has partnered with New England Seafood International (NESI), through a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP). Designed to link forward-thinking businesses with the expertise of academics, KTPs provide schemes to help organisations innovate and grow. This KTP project will research and develop a brand-new fish thawing process, combining ecological, environmental and sustainable business outputs. The UK seafood industry relies on a large quantity of frozen and raw ingredients as part of the food manufacturing process. Currently, seafood thawing remains an under-researched area of the food chain, bringing many costly processes relating to timescales, cost efficiencies and retention of produce quality. In addition to identifying new and sustainable practice in the seafood industry, the initiative will also aim to tackle the skills shortage gap. The project will be based at NESI’s North East Lincolnshire facility in Grimsby, and the team at NESI will have access to a team of the University’s industry experts at the National Centre for Food Manufacturing (NCFM), who will assist on the project and impart their knowledge and expertise. The KTP will use a blended approach across manufacturing and scientific disciplines, in which they will challenge established industry practise, advancing the understanding of the freeze/thaw process and creating opportunity for wider industry adoption. Martin Davies, Group Operations Improvement Manager at NESI, said: “New England Seafood are delighted to have the opportunity to work alongside the University of Lincoln to improve one of the most complex and critical manufacturing process steps. “The academic expertise the University will provide, combined with many years of seafood industry experience in New England Seafood, a recipe to optimise this process for the long-term in a balanced way, across people ergonomics, food hygiene, environmental, and operational efficiency factors.” Janey Bellamy, Associate Professor in Food Robotics and Process Automation at NCFM, said: “This is a great opportunity to challenge established industry practices and to advance the understanding of the freeze/thaw process with clear and validated data. This work will have a positive transformational impact on the food supply chain across multiple sectors.” The project is funded by Innovate UK and will last for 2 years.

Cawarden becomes Derbyshire FA’s 140th year headline sponsor

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Cawarden becomes Derbyshire FA’s 140th year headline sponsor
Derby-based Specialist Contractor, Cawarden, continues to support grassroots football in Derbyshire. Cawarden is no stranger to supporting grassroots football in the county. Just last season, they sponsored the highly successful Derbyshire County Cups competitions, as they returned after a 3-year hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This season, Cawarden continues to offer their support to Derbyshire FA, reconfirming themselves as the Derbyshire County Cups sponsor for the second season running, as well as becoming the new official partner of Derbyshire FA’s 140th year. This new partnership means that Cawarden will be the headline sponsor for all Derbyshire FA events for the duration of the 2023/24 season – the County FA’s 140th year in operation. This partnership will launch at the Derbyshire FA Grassroots Football Awards Night 2023, hosted at Pride Park Stadium on Friday 15th September 2023. Ricky Stevenson, Chief Executive Officer at Derbyshire FA, said: “It’s fantastic to have Cawarden on board again this season. We are two Derbyshire-based businesses with aligned values, and this partnership really enables us to excel in the delivery of our mission to change lives through football in our county. “This year is an extremely important one for us here at Derbyshire FA, and we’re immensely proud to be entering our 140th year since our inception all the way back in 1883. It’s something we really want to celebrate, and with Cawarden’s support, the sky is the limit. “It’s also brilliant that Cawarden will continue to sponsor the Derbyshire County Cups this season. Last year, the return of prestigious County Cups went down really well, and we can’t wait to make them even better this time around with the support of Cawarden.” William Crooks, Managing Director of Cawarden, said: “We are thrilled to announce our continued commitment to supporting grassroots football, following the great success of our sponsorship deal for the Derbyshire FA County Cups during the 2022/23 season. “Our support will not only extend to the 2023/24 County Cups, but we are also excited to reveal that Cawarden will take on the role of Headline Partner, in honour of Derbyshire FA’s 140th year. “This is a very special year, and we are proud to align ourselves with an organisation that shares our values of supporting local communities. Football is an integral part of community life, and we are delighted to continue our support for Derbyshire football. “There are many exciting plans in store for this celebratory year, and we look forward to an exciting season ahead!”
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