Irish engineering company chooses Chesterfield for UK HQ

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Irish engineering company chooses Chesterfield for UK HQ

One of Ireland’s leading industrial automation and electrical engineering companies has opened its UK headquarters in the centre of Chesterfield.

NeoDyne’s newly recruited team, based at the company’s state-of-the-art Spire Walk office, was joined at the launch by Toby Perkins MP, Shadow Minister for Skills and Further Education; local councillors Jenny Flood and Keith Miles, Deputy Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council Amanda Serjeant; and Dom Stevens from Destination Chesterfield.

Referring to Chesterfield’s long history of engineering excellence, Matt Close, UK Business Lead, said NeoDyne was harnessing the area’s potential and local talent to guarantee the success of the office. “Chesterfield was the ideal location to base our UK headquarters, with its accessibility to the midlands and the north,” he said. “We are proud to invest in and support the local economy and to work closely with Destination Chesterfield to champion the area.”

Matt Close joined NeoDyne at the start of the year, bringing over 25 years’ experience of working with leading UK automation and engineering companies. He will head up the Chesterfield team.

Introducing Matt, Martin Farrell, NeoDyne MD, said: “With his industrial background, knowledge of our sectors and business connections, Matt brings a wealth of experience and local knowledge to the team. Matt has already grown our UK operation to 15 engineers with plans for significant further expansion. I am confident our UK office will go from strength to strength under his leadership.”

The launch was also attended by representatives from local universities, including Sam Trafford, Andrea Huidan and Greg Stewart, University of Sheffield; and Joe Hockney and John Sorsby, Sheffield Hallam University.

Thanking them for attending, Matt said: “Working with local institutions like Sheffield Hallam University and The University of Sheffield has helped us build a talented and skilled UK-based team. This talent pipeline is another key factor behind our decision to base ourselves in Chesterfield. We are committed to partnering with local universities to help develop future engineering talent through placement and graduate recruitment programmes.”

Toby Perkins MP said: “I am delighted to be joining NeoDyne for the opening ceremony of their new premises in Chesterfield. It is a real show of confidence in our town that NeoDyne has chosen to open here, bringing with them new jobs, and helping to boost the local economy. The company is bringing in highly-skilled jobs and will be a welcome addition to the strong engineering and manufacturing base we have here in Chesterfield.

“Manufacturing in Chesterfield has changed from the days when thousands turned up at factory gates every morning, but still there are products across the world, that are ‘Made in Chesterfield’. I look forward to formally welcoming NeoDyne to our town and discussing their plans for the future.”

Pick Everard takes place on £1.6bn national framework agreement

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Pick Everard takes place on £1.6bn national framework agreement
Extending its delivery of pan public sector services, multi-disciplinary consultancy Pick Everard has been appointed to NHS Shared Business Services’ new £1.6bn framework agreement.
Operating across a four-year term, the move will see the firm deliver each of its core services and more across ten lots of the NHS Shared Business Services (NHS SBS) Healthcare Planning, Construction Consultancy & Ancillary Services Framework Agreement, spanning architectural and project management services to net zero environmental consultancy.
Open to local authorities, emergency services, higher education, NHS and the wider public sector, the new agreement builds on the previous NHS SBS Framework Agreement and a nine-year working relationship Pick Everard has held with the organisation on the NHS SBS framework agreement.
Alex Hamilton-Jordan, associate director at Pick Everard, said: “This agreement provides an efficient route to market to procure our services, and offers flexibility for organisations to adapt to meet their requirements.  
“Collaboratively, we aim to deliver better, together. Nothing can be achieved in isolation, and key to our continued success on this framework will be to engage and work with a full range of partners throughout the supply chain, including local SMEs that can offer valued, local insight.  
“We’re excited and open to the opportunities this will bring to appoint our professional services, engaging public bodies through the framework agreement.”
Pick Everard has successfully delivered a wide range of projects through the existing NHS SBS framework agreement, including the relocation of congenital heart services for the Leicester Children’s Hospital in 2021 – which had been threatened with closure until campaigning efforts ensured the centre received part of a £450m pot of government funding.
The firm also designed and managed a £250m+ schools expansion programme for the London Borough of Hounslow, which delivered more than 1,000 new school places.  
Alastair Hamilton, partner at Pick Everard, said: “Our strength as a business is being able to create a positive impact for local communities, that scale regionally and nationally. We’ve made huge strides in growing our operation over the past five years, and part of this owes to our framework appointments, which have a real focus on quality, a broad range of service delivery and technical excellence.
“We’re hugely proud to be able to continue our journey with NHS SBS and the success the framework agreement delivers – ensuring the best possible outcomes for clients and end-users.”
Melissa King, senior category manager – construction and infrastructure at NHS SBS, said: “We’re excited to launch our Healthcare Planning, Construction Consultancy and Ancillary Services framework agreement, which replaces our successful Construction Consultancy Services 2 framework agreement.
“It is designed to support the NHS and wider public sector by providing high-quality, innovative and cost-effective solutions through UK-wide coverage, a unique depth of expertise and a broad range of suppliers.”

Misconceptions about accountancy creating barriers for next generation of talent

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Misconceptions about accountancy creating barriers for next generation of talent

New research shows that many young people have misconceptions about careers in accountancy which may be creating unnecessary barriers and preventing them from seeing it as an attainable option, limiting the potential future talent pool of the profession. 

In the research, accountancy firm Grant Thornton UK LLP explores Generation Z’s view of accountancy as a career.  Analysing the responses of 2,000 people aged between 16 – 25 in the UK, the study seeks to better understand the attitudes and perceptions towards the accountancy sector of this age group.   

The top misconceptions held by Gen Z about accountancy, identified in the research, are:  

  • 62% believe you need high grades to become an accountant   

  • 57% believe you need to go to university to become an accountant   

  • 57% think training for accountancy qualifications is expensive   

  • 53% think accountants sit at desks all day  

The level of misunderstanding about the profession identified by the research may be explained by the finding that two thirds (65%) of young people have never received careers advice about accountancy.    

Those that have are most likely to have received it at school or college, however the type of school attended affects how much information young people receive. Those attending private schools are 20% more likely to have received careers advice about accountancy than those from comprehensive schools. Private school students are also more likely to know an accountant than those attending comprehensive schools (52% vs 43%).  

Social media and online research are the next most popular ways to source information about accountancy for Gen Z. Those from lower socio-economic backgrounds are more likely to find information in this way, they are also less likely to receive advice about the profession from a family member or friend. 

Richard Waite, people and culture director at Grant Thornton UK LLP, said: “There are now so many different routes available for young people considering joining the accountancy profession, whether that is starting on an apprenticeship straight from school, undertaking an internship or placement, or following the traditional graduate route. But it’s clear that there remain significant, and detrimental, misconceptions about access to and working in the accountancy profession. 

“It’s therefore vital that employers, such as Grant Thornton, take action to help bridge that gap so we do not miss out on attracting the next generation of new and diverse talent to the sector. Employers need to take the time to actively educate young people, to reach out and work with schools in target areas, such as social mobility cold spots, to tackle some of these false barriers and provide much needed advice and insight to those considering the next step in their lives.” 

The research finds that the school you attended has a significant impact on whether you view accountancy as an attainable career. Private school attendees are 25% more likely to believe that a career in accountancy is attainable than those from comprehensive schools. 

Gender is also found to impact young people’s perceptions of attainability. Men are 13% more likely to believe that a career in accountancy is attainable than women. Non-binary people are less likely than men or women to feel a career in accountancy is possible.  

Overall, half of respondents believe that accountancy is an attainable career for them, while one in four (24%) disagreed. Of those who disagreed, one third attributed it to not knowing enough about the profession to consider it for a career.  

James Brown, practice leader for Grant Thornton UK LLP in the Central and East region, said: “It’s clear that the accountancy profession needs to work harder to bust historic misconceptions. There remain clear misunderstandings about not only the routes to entry but also the scope of the career on offer, which may be preventing many from considering it as an option. 

“Both the people and the careers available within accountancy are now more varied and diverse than ever before, with opportunities for international travel, varied work across different sectors and specialities and long-term career prospects. It’s evident that we need to showcase this more prominently and shine a light on the reality of the working accountancy world and the broad and rewarding career path it can offer. 

“The school you attend, your background or gender should not dictate your access to information or the career path you follow yet our research shows that these factors contribute to the level of exposure to and understanding that a young person may have of the profession. 

“Volunteering our time, through established initiatives such as Access Accountancy, RISE and our own firm’s Schools Enterprise Programme, to build confidence and knowledge with a wider range of young people will encourage a better understanding of the sector. Without a concerted effort to tackle these lingering misconceptions, we risk, inadvertently, missing out on a huge diverse pool of untapped talent.”

New report reveals multi-million-pound contribution of museum

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New report reveals multi-million-pound contribution of museum
A new report published by Derby Museums has revealed the multi-million-pound contribution its Museum of Making makes to the city. According to the Social Return on Investment (SROI) report, the museum, which opened to the public in 2021, contributes almost £4 million a year to the local economy. The SROI report also highlights the significant social impact the museum has had on the city and the community. The report proposes that for every £1 invested in the operations of the museum, there is a social return of almost £6 lasting over the next five years. Tony Butler, executive director of Derby Museums, said: “From the outset, Derby Museums was galvanised by the public interest in Derby Silk Mill, perhaps the most recognisable building in the city. “This new report shows clear evidence of the significant impacts the Museum of Making project has had on Derby, its communities, visitors, participants, staff, volunteers, makers and artists, as well as Derby Museums itself, and the museum sector more widely.” The Museum of Making at Derby Silk Mill was created thanks to more than £18 million of grant funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Arts Council England and D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership alongside support from Derby City Council, Rolls-Royce and a range of charitable trusts and foundations. It was designed and created by the people of Derby to tell the city’s 300-year history of making and innovation. According to the new report, the Museum of Making attracted more than 90,000 visitors in its first year of operation, and more than 122,000 during its last financial year. To date, more than 1,500 people have been involved in the museum’s development, alongside community and business partners who, together, have gained new skills and contributed more than 40,000 volunteer hours to the project. It also sustains a range of learning and community development programmes. And in terms of jobs, the museum has created the equivalent of more than 50 full-time jobs, as well as more than 150 jobs indirectly.

Inflation sees further fall – but remains stubborn

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Inflation sees further fall – but remains stubborn
Inflation has fallen to 6.8% in the year to July, new data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows, with the consumer price index (CPI) down from 7.9% in June. It marks the second month in a row that the rate of inflation has dipped sharply. Falling gas and electricity prices provided the largest downward contributions to the monthly change, while a slower rise in food prices helped ease inflation rates. The decline sees prices increasing at a less rapid rate than wages, indicating further pressure for the Bank of England to raise interest rates next month. Moreover, core inflation, which takes out energy, food, alcohol and tobacco to give a clear picture of underlying trends, was unchanged from 6.9% in June. Alpesh Paleja, CBI lead economist, said: “A big fall in inflation was widely expected in July, given the 37% cut to Ofgem’s energy price cap. However, the Bank of England will be more concerned about signs of persistent domestic price pressures. In particular, the latest data points to continually strong wage growth, which means that more interest rate rises are in the pipeline. “Inflation will continue to fall through the remainder of this year. While this is welcome news for households, the Bank has been clear that they’re willing to keep interest rates higher for longer if needed, to reign in price pressures. So, at least for the time being, tighter financial conditions for households and businesses look like they’re here to stay.” Martin McTague, national chair of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), said: “While a drop in inflation provides some comfort, today’s figures show less of a drop in inflation than hoped for, and will renew fears of a wage-price spiral, and of yet more base rate hikes in future. “The worry now is that rising wages ignite a fresh wave of inflation in September, which will threaten the momentum from June’s GDP growth. “The cost of doing business crisis still has a grip on the small business community, as prices for many key inputs, from energy to components and raw materials, remain far above where they were a year ago. “Any reduction in inflation is good news, but the huge toll that spiralling prices have inflicted is still being keenly felt by small firms. “Despite the inflationary pressures that we’ve seen for more than a year, more small businesses have seen their revenues shrink over each of the last five quarters than have seen them increase, according to our research. “Small business confidence levels fell back in the second quarter, with stickier-than-expected inflation alongside interest rate increases playing a major part in that. We very much hope that these inflation figures continue on a downward trend in Q3, to give confidence among small firms a chance to recover. “Yesterday’s record wage increase figures will however make the path back to lower inflation and lower interest rates more complicated, while the news that GDP rose by 0.5% in June makes the job of maintaining recovery while bearing down on inflation a tricky one. “With low interest rate deals on loans and finance options near-impossible to find, small firms looking to grow will be keeping their fingers crossed that the end of base rate rises is in sight. “We’re calling on the Government to use the rest of the summer to plan a growth agenda for small firms, and tackling late payment should be top of the list. Having to chase overdue payments is a huge drain on small firms’ resources, increasing their cost of doing business and making them more likely to have to apply for finance to manage their cashflow.” Remaining stubborn, inflation sits much higher than the Bank of England’s 2% target.

Reward property and construction firms for their achievements at the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023

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Reward property and construction firms for their achievements at the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023
Providing a prime opportunity to shout about your business’s achievements, enter the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023 NOW – ahead of nominations closing on Thursday 31 August. The annual event, organised by East Midlands Business Link Magazine, is an independent awards and publicity programme recognising development projects and people in commercial and public building across the region – from office, industrial and residential schemes, through to community projects such as leisure schemes and schools. The prestigious awards attract leaders from across the region and are the perfect way for businesses to promote themselves and those they work with. Indeed winning one of these awards will add considerably to a company’s or individual’s brand and enhance their commercial reach significantly. Award categories include: most active estate agent, commercial development of the year, responsible business of the year, residential development of the year, developer of the year, deal of the year, architects of the year, excellence in design, sustainable development of the year, contractor of the year, and overall winner. Winners will be revealed at a glittering awards ceremony on Thursday 28 September, at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground – an evening that will also provide plenty of time to forge new contacts with property and construction professionals from across the region. To enter your (or another) business/development for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023, please click on a category link below or visit this page:
The Overall Winner of the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023 will also be awarded a year of marketing/publicity worth £20,000. After winning a trio of awards at last year’s event, Jon Marston, Managing Director of Building East Midlands, Galliford Try Construction, said: “We are immensely proud of the work that has taken place at Broad Marsh Car Park, and the recognition it has received at the East Midlands Bricks Awards is just reward for the efforts of the team. I congratulate all those involved for their achievement in winning these three awards.”
Find out who last year’s winners were here.

Book your tickets now

Tickets can now be booked for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023 – click here to secure yours. The special awards evening and networking event will be held on Thursday 28 September 2023 in the Derek Randall Suite at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground from 4:30pm – 7:30pm. Connect with local decision makers over canapés and complimentary drinks while applauding the outstanding companies and projects in our region, and hear from Mike Denby, Director of Inward Investment and Place Marketing at Leicester City Council, our keynote speaker. Dress code is standard business attire. Thanks to our sponsors:                                                             To be held at:

Every little helps make homes for homeless people

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Every little helps make homes for homeless people

Homeless people moving into new accommodation in Nottingham are making a house a home with help from thousands of Tesco customers and staff at stores across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.

Staff at Tesco stores in the area have been supporting Framework since 2021 and have now combined their fundraising efforts – raising more than £10,000 to fund fittings and equipment for new purpose-built flats for homeless people in the Forest Fields area of Nottingham.

Prior to moving in, each of the six residents was invited on a free shopping trip to choose clothing with a personal shopping assistant, and then to choose homeware (soft furnishings/decorations) with Tesco’s interior designer who attended specially to help them. For an extra personal touch, service users chose photos to be printed and framed.

On top of these fundraised items, the Tesco businesses have provided extra items such as clocks, towels, bathmats, lamp shades, kettles and toasters, and teams from local Tesco Express stores created a welcome hamper for each flat containing basic food items and toiletries.

Future residents of the new accommodation will also benefit from a Tesco move-in pack.

On 11 August representatives from the Tesco teams visited the new accommodation to meet the residents they have supported in furnishing their new homes. They joined the Sheriff of Nottingham and local ward councillor Shuguftah Quddoos who led a ceremony officially opening the accommodation.

The £950,000 capital cost of the premises has been funded by Framework and Homes England with support from The Wolfson Foundation, The Thomas Farr Charity and Southwell & District Lions Club. Residents receive support from Framework staff and are expected to stay for up to a year before moving to their own accommodation in the community.

Welcoming Tesco’s contribution, Framework’s corporate services director, Dave Newmarch said: “It is great to have this unique support from Tesco to enhance the quality of our accommodation – turning housing into homes.

“The UK is in the middle of a major housing crisis and these six new, purpose-built flats are part of Framework’s response. They are also part of our strategy to move away from unsatisfactory shared accommodation and provide everyone with self-contained facilities which create a better experience for tenants and improve their life chances. The generous support of Tesco stores, staff and customers help us achieve that.”

Darren Print, store manager at Tesco Extra, Toton said: “Stores across Nottingham and Derbyshire wanted to come together to support a single cause and the work of Framework really stood out to us.

“Through a series of fundraising activities and the hard work of colleagues and our generous customers we’ve been able to provide vital support for the great work Framework does. We’re incredibly proud to have helped and hope this will go some way towards making a difference to people’s lives.”

Sheriff of Nottingham and councillor for the local Berridge Ward, Shuguftah Quddoos said: “A place to live can only become a home when it has our own personal choices of furniture, pictures, crockery and decorations. I am delighted that this partnership recognises that a home is more than just four walls.

“I am hoping that this new community will be warmly welcomed by its neighbours in Forest Fields.”

Welcoming this unique initiative, Framework’s head of fundraising and communications, Claire Eden said: “Providing good quality accommodation for homeless people is a priority for Framework. Creating a home is equally important, and that is what Tesco’s initiative makes possible.

“Framework provides high-quality housing; the contribution of Tesco stores, staff and customers through a variety of fundraised and donated items, is to turn a house into a home.

“By providing self-contained accommodation with its own front door, Framework enables people to develop their independence more effectively, address issues they may face, and move on more easily.

“Tesco’s special contribution will go a long way to building the self-esteem and self-confidence which is vital to service users’ progression: many of the items in the flats have been chosen by the service users themselves to suit their personal tastes.

“This is a major development in our very valuable partnership with Tesco which has been in place since 2021. Thank you to all the Tesco staff and customers who have taken part in this massive fundraising effort. I hope everyone concerned will be pleased to see the difference their contribution is making to the lives of people in need.

“Due to financial pressures Framework is finding it increasingly difficult to provide these facilities without assistance. We hope that many individuals and organisations will follow the example of Tesco and other funders involved in this project and support our Building Better Futures campaign at www.frameworkha.org to provide 200 new homes for homeless people by 2026.”

Existing tenants upsize at Derby’s Cardinal Square

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Existing tenants upsize at Derby’s Cardinal Square
FHP Property Consultants has let Suite C at Cardinal Square, Derby to expanding logistics firm AGI Global. Cardinal Square is a multi-tenanted office building situated in Derby just off Pentagon Island/A52. Darran Severn of FHP Property Consultants said: “AGI Global have been a tenant at Cardinal Square for some 15 months. Due to rapid expansion this is the second occasion they have upsized to larger accommodation, originally taking space within the Business Centre. “They now occupy 3,776ft2 on the Third Floor East, which is capable of accommodating 40 plus people. This is an excellent result for both AGI Global and Nurton Developments, the owners of the building. “The building has undergone substantial investment over the past 18 months which includes the comprehensive refurbishment of the office space, resurfaced car parks and a one of a kind ‘office garden’ providing meeting pods and unique break out space.”

New grants open for High Peak businesses

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New grants open for High Peak businesses
High Peak Borough Council has launched six new grants for local businesses and communities and is now inviting applications. The funding, totalling £969,541, is from the UK Shared Prosperity and Rural England Prosperity Funds aimed at levelling up all areas of the UK. The funding seeks to help businesses and the community to build pride in the place where they live and work and to increase life chances for all residents. Councillor Anthony Mckeown, leader of the Council, said: “This is the latest batch of grants that can be bid for to tackle issues at a local level to help businesses and communities to thrive. “The grant streams cover a range of funding opportunities from investing in community infrastructure and social enterprises, to helping existing high street businesses boost footfall and profitability and grants for micro and small businesses. “We want the High Peak to be a place where people choose to live and work and these grants have been tailored to help meet local needs. I’d encourage voluntary and community groups and businesses across the Borough to take a look at what’s available and put in an application so that we can get this money out to those that will make the best use of it.” The business grants now available are: ·       Capital grant for improvement to high street businesses – to improve  accessibility and/or the attractiveness of retail premises to increase footfall and profitability ·       Peak innovation SME grant – to increase private-sector investment in growth-enhancing activities ·       Peak innovation micro growth grant – to invest in growth through innovation which creates new jobs and to encourage new start-up businesses ·       Peak innovation micro growth grant for tourism – small capital grants for the development and promotion of the visitor economy for all businesses including diversification of farm enterprises The grants now available to voluntary and community organisations, town and parish councils, cooperatives, community businesses and social enterprises are: ·       Peak innovation community infrastructure grant – capital funding for capacity building and infrastructure support for activities that enhance physical, cultural and social ties and amenities ·       Peak innovation community enterprise grant – for new and existing community enterprises that are trading or plan to trade The funding also includes support for organisations to bid for funding. The grants are available until 2025 or until all the funding has been allocated.

New £8.8m tech and skills campus gets the go-ahead

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New £8.8m tech and skills campus gets the go-ahead

A new technology and skills centre is set to be built in Mansfield after it was given the go-ahead by councillors.

The Mansfield District Council planning committee met to discuss the ambitious proposals for the multi-million-pound centre and gave it full planning permission. It means the Future Tech Skills and Knowledge Exchange can now be built, creating a new teaching and innovation space at the Chesterfield Road campus of West Nottinghamshire College. The centre aims to address high-value employment opportunities in priority sectors and support businesses to adopt new technologies. This state-of-the-art education facility, due to open in autumn 2024, will deliver qualifications at level 3 and above, with a strong focus on innovation and STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) subjects. Incorporating facilities to support construction, engineering and digital technologies, the campus will offer local people the opportunity to meet future labour market needs, plug skills gaps, and, ultimately, help to create well-paid jobs in Mansfield and the wider district. Funding for the £8.86m facility was made possible thanks to an allocation of £4.3m from the council’s Towns Fund pot, £3.827m from the Education and Skills Funding Agency as part of the second phase of its Further Education Capital Transformation Fund, and £734,000 from the college and Nottingham Trent University. Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Growth, Councillor Stuart Richardson, said this go-ahead marked an important milestone in the Towns Fund delivery of projects. He said: “I am thrilled to see the planning committee approve these proposals so we can kick-start the project and get a spade in the ground to deliver this skills hub for our next generation. “We now have two of our Towns Fund projects progressing at pace, the Warsop Health Hub and now the skills hub. Although these processes take time, coupled with inflation and soaring construction costs, we are doing what we can to make these projects happen to give residents and future generations a Mansfield they can be proud of. “This partnership with the college will see one of the district’s biggest expansions in educational and skills provision for decades. It will also encourage new employers to start or come to Mansfield, knowing that high-level, industry-relevant skills are being developed here.” The new centre will provide 1,343 sq m of high-quality teaching space over two floors and be a focal delivery point for T Levels – new qualifications developed in collaboration with employers – being introduced by the college. Andrew Cropley, principal and Chief Executive of West Nottinghamshire College, said: “I’m delighted we’ve been given approval to start work on this flagship project for Mansfield. “It is important for our local economy that businesses can embrace new technologies so they can become more competitive and have confidence there is a pipeline of skilled people to support them. “Preparing students for rewarding careers in emerging industries and further strengthening our partnerships with employers will create the future-facing and well-paid jobs that are so crucial to the area’s prosperity. “This building is another symbol of the potential that Mansfield now has, with a world-class university fully invested in our future. “I’m very much looking forward to seeing the centre take shape over the next year and to working with partners to further develop our curriculum offer to ensure it delivers a lasting impact on our communities.” The Future Tech Skills and Knowledge Exchange will offer opportunities for businesses to benefit from the technological expertise of the college and Nottingham Trent University (NTU) and their networks of industrial partnerships. It will also provide a space where students of the college and NTU will work collaboratively with businesses on projects to support greater use of evolving technology. The centre will allow students to gain significant work experience with local businesses on technology-driven projects, giving them valuable insight into how companies work and supporting their progression to higher education or employment. Meanwhile, businesses will gain access to support with product and process innovation, along with a ready-made future workforce, to help improve their competitiveness and efficiency. The centre will host regular business engagement events and roadshows and will showcase specialist equipment to reach firms in the district and surrounding areas. On-site works are expected to begin in the next few weeks. They will include demolishing the college’s former visual art and design building – once the Mansfield School of Art – which has not been widely used for education for almost a decade due to its poor condition. It temporarily served as office accommodation until five years ago. Parts of the portico on the former School of Art building will be retained and re-positioned to create an entrance to the new centre to preserve its historical significance. Councillors also put a condition on the application to include the remaining elements of the portico within the grounds. The rear extension to the Ashfield House building will also be demolished. However, the original early nineteenth-century building will be retained and given prominence in front of the skills hub, forming a visual link between the area’s past and present.
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