Associated British Ports acquires Grimsby Seafood Village

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Associated British Ports acquires Grimsby Seafood Village
Associated British Ports (ABP) has extended its property portfolio with the acquisition of the long leasehold interest of Grimsby Seafood Village, a seafood processing centre. The multi-let industrial site spanning over four acres is located on ABP’s Port of Grimsby in the Humber. The purchase of the long leasehold lasting 125 years, which ABP had previously granted to the owners of the complex, provides future security and support for an important hub of UK food production. The 70,000 square foot site comprises 21 units with several fish processing businesses. In 2010 the complex was built and operated by the Great Grimsby Seafood Village Limited. Andrew Dawes, regional director of the Humber ports, said: “The acquisition of the Grimsby Seafood Village strengthens Associated British Ports’ commitment to Keeping Britain Trading. “It enhances our property portfolio with a vital hub for the UK’s seafood supply chain – supporting regional jobs, boosting food security, and anchoring long-term supply chain resilience in the heart of the Humber.”

Rothera Bray makes record 15 promotions across the firm

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Rothera Bray makes record 15 promotions across the firm
Rothera Bray has made a record number of internal promotions, with fifteen team members from across the firm’s office locations being promoted. Among the promotions, five solicitors have been appointed to the newly introduced managing associate role, a testament to their leadership and specialist expertise. The new managing associates are:
  • Eleanor Robinson, private client – West Bridgford
  • Kiran Phagura, conveyancing – Leicester
  • Lucy Walsh, conveyancing – Derby
  • Ruth Tarr, mental capacity and court of protection – Nottingham
  • Sarah Soo, private client – West Bridgford
In addition, four solicitors have been promoted to the position of senior associate:
  • Amy Moore, commercial property – Leicester
  • Emma Adcock, family law – West Bridgford
  • Marneya Chauhan, commercial property – Leicester
  • Sade Love, conveyancing – Nottingham
Six solicitors have also been recognised with promotion to associate:
  • Abbey Freeman, conveyancing – West Bridgford
  • Arron Halait, corporate – Leicester
  • Emily Sherwood, family/child care – Nottingham
  • Georgina Power, transport – Nottingham
  • Jasmin Marshall, private client – Mapperley
  • Sarah Singh, private client – West Bridgford
Christina Yardley, CEO at Rothera Bray, said: “These promotions are a reflection of the outstanding talent, dedication, and professionalism we are proud to foster at Rothera Bray. “Each individual has demonstrated not only exceptional legal expertise but also a commitment to client service and teamwork that truly embodies our firm’s values. We are thrilled to celebrate their achievements and look forward to their continued success in their new roles.”

IMA Architects extends backing of Leicestershire women’s county cricket team

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IMA Architects extends backing of Leicestershire women’s county cricket team
Leicestershire-based industrial and commercial architects, IMA Architects has announced its ongoing support for Leicestershire County Cricket Club and its women’s team, The Foxes, as a shirt sleeve sponsor. This is the second year running that IMA has supported The Foxes, who will compete on three fronts this summer, as they bid to secure silverware in T20 Vitality Blast League 2, Metro Bank One Day Cup League 2 and the Vitality T20 Women’s County Cup. Led by captain Becki Brooker, Leicestershire recently named a 17-strong squad, boasts returning stars and a host of exciting additions from across the country. IMA and Leicestershire County Cricket Club (LCCC) have a long-standing partnership, following a series of projects to improve the facilities at the Uptonsteel County Ground. Ahead of the new season, IMA successfully delivered a new changing places facility and multi-faith room, as well as upgrading the Boardroom into an away team dressing room and providing new Umpire facilities. This led to LCCC winning the award for the ‘Best Development or New Facility Under £500,000’ at the 2024 Business of Cricket Awards. During a previous season, IMA also redeveloped LCCC’s changing rooms, providing the team with first class facilities in which to prepare for their games. The changing rooms have been extended, with improved shower facilities installed. Ben Hall, managing director of IMA Architects, said: “We’re pleased to build on our partnership with LCCC again this year by sponsoring The Foxes as they start their first season as a Tier Two County team. “LCCC’s commitment to improving Uptonsteel County Ground and making it a top-class facility for its own squads and visiting teams has been impressive and we’re proud to have played a part in supporting its ongoing both on and off the field.”

Inflation drop does little to ease pricing strain on East Midlands firms

April Lara
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Inflation drop does little to ease pricing strain on East Midlands firms

Despite a modest fall in UK inflation to 3.4% in May, businesses in the East Midlands are still under pressure to raise prices, according to regional insights from East Midlands Chamber.

The Office for National Statistics’ latest inflation estimate remains well above the Bank of England’s 2% target, adding further uncertainty for firms facing cost increases from higher employer National Insurance contributions and the recent rise in the National Living Wage.

Data from the Chamber’s Quarterly Economic Survey shows that half of local businesses expect to raise prices in the coming months, with inflation ranking as one of their top concerns. This pricing pressure is compounded by continued hesitancy around interest rate cuts, as the Bank of England weighs inflationary trends.

While recent government investment in areas like AI, skills development, and apprenticeships offers some longer-term optimism, the Chamber says any upcoming fiscal decisions must be carefully costed to avoid worsening already difficult trading conditions.

Real-world driver training strengthened through heritage rail partnership

April Lara
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Real-world driver training strengthened through heritage rail partnership

East Midlands Railway (EMR) is expanding its hands-on training for driver apprentices through a growing collaboration with the Great Central Railway (GCR), a heritage rail line operating between Loughborough and Leicester North.

The partnership enables EMR apprentices to train on GCR’s line using Class 153 units, providing practical instruction that simulators cannot replicate. This includes real-time exercises on gradients, power adjustments, and managing speed, all under the supervision of qualified EMR trainers.

Originally, the heritage line was used by EMR to simulate onboard scenarios for guards, including emergency procedures and customer service situations. These controlled, real-time simulations allowed for safe learning without disrupting live rail services.

With the addition of Class 153 units, the training scope has expanded to include systems such as power-operated doors, providing apprentices with experience directly applicable to the EMR fleet. EMR trainers underwent route familiarisation and safety assessments under GCR’s standards to ensure seamless delivery.

Both organisations have conducted safety validations to uphold rigorous training standards. Feedback from apprentices has been strongly positive, highlighting the effectiveness of learning in a realistic setting.

EMR and GCR are now exploring further enhancements to the driving programme, aiming to equip apprentices with the skills required for long-term careers in the rail sector.

Merger sees Streets expand North West presence

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Merger sees Streets expand North West presence
Streets, a Lincolnshire accountancy, audit, assurance and advisory practice, has announced a new merger with the Burnley-based firm MacMahon Leggate. The merger sees MacMahon Leggate become part of Streets. It also further extends Streets’ footprint across the North West, adding to its growing number of offices nationally. The merger coincides with the launch of Streets’ refreshed brand and visual identity. Richard Robinson, director at Streets MacMahon Leggate, said: “Merging with Streets is a hugely positive move for both our clients and our team. As a larger, people-centric firm with a small-office feel, Streets gives us the backing and bandwidth to offer clients an even more proactive, tailored and knowledgeable service with faster response times and a broader range of expertise. “For our clients in Burnley and East Lancashire, the merger opens the door to a truly comprehensive advisory service. Everything from business start-up support to scale up advice, corporate and personal life tax planning, and personal wealth management is now available under one roof. “Our team is equally excited about the future as they now have the opportunity to learn from a multidisciplinary group of professionals, progress their careers locally, and collaborate with like-minded colleagues who share a clear purpose and vision. “Personally, joining Streets gives me the support of a dynamic, growing team and the freedom to focus on what I do best, building lasting business relationships and helping clients thrive.” Paul Tutin, chairman and managing partner, Streets, said: “We are delighted to welcome Richard and his team to Streets. Their well-established presence in Burnley and East Lancashire aligns perfectly with our strategic vision for the North West, and the merger complements our growing number of regional offices. “We see great synergy and shared values in the way MacMahon Leggate supports its clients, and it is especially pleasing that we can build on this strong local reputation while offering broader advisory services and greater opportunities for growth. “This merger also comes at an exciting time as we unveil our new brand, a clear signal of our commitment to evolve while staying true to our values with independent ownership, people-focused service and a dedication to supporting clients and communities across the UK.” As part of the merger process, Streets Law – the firm’s specialist legal services arm – advised on all corporate aspects of the deal, working closely with internal colleagues across tax and audit.

Bank of England holds interest rates at 4.25%

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Bank of England holds interest rates at 4.25%
The Bank of England has held interest rates at 4.25%, in line with expectations. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), which sets monetary policy to meet the 2% inflation target, voted 6 to 3 in favour of leaving rates unchanged. Three members preferred to cut rates to 4%.
Alpesh Paleja, deputy chief economist, CBI, said: “Today’s pause on interest rates is a pit stop on the way down. While inflation is likely to be bumpy over the next few months, we expect that the Monetary Policy Committee will look through this. Price pressures are gradually waning as the MPC predicted and downside risks to inflation are growing, particularly as the labour market looks to be cooling more decisively. “Nonetheless, there is still entrenched concern among some of the MPC about the persistence of underlying price pressures. The Committee will likely want to see further evidence that indicators of domestic inflationary pressure are easing – particularly wage growth, which remains higher than the MPC would like. They will also have one eye on whether renewed conflict in the Middle East will cause an oil price shock, which would have the potential to push up inflation even further. “The balance of all these factors reinforces our view that while the Bank will reduce interest rates further, they will do so gradually. We expect the MPC to cut rates three more times, bringing Bank rate to 3.5% early next year.”

UK government backs £25m conservation hub at Twycross Zoo

April Lara
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UK government backs £25m conservation hub at Twycross Zoo

Twycross Zoo is set to launch a new £25 million Global Conservation Centre, bolstered by £18 million in government funding. Positioned as the UK’s largest-ever public investment in a zoo, the facility aims to become a central hub for international conservation efforts, scientific research, and education.

The site will host a 200-seat lecture theatre overlooking a new Bornean orangutan habitat, research labs, wildlife classrooms, and on-site accommodation for visiting scientists and students. The initiative involves collaboration with eight leading UK universities and is expected to open by late 2026.

In addition to supporting global biodiversity, the centre is designed to generate regional economic value. Estimates suggest that the project will create 90 direct jobs and inject £3.9 million of Gross Value Added (GVA) annually into the local economy.

A new Indonesian-themed zoo zone will open alongside the centre, featuring habitats for threatened species and linked education programmes. Twycross Zoo is also expanding its conservation work in Indonesia through partnerships with Borneo Nature Foundation and Action Indonesia.

The centre supports Twycross Zoo’s wider 2030 strategy, which targets reversing IUCN Red List status for 15 species. Construction begins in June 2025, establishing the Midlands as a growing centre of applied conservation expertise.

Redevelopment of Nottingham Forest’s City Ground takes step forward

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Redevelopment of Nottingham Forest’s City Ground takes step forward
Revised plans for the redevelopment of Nottingham Forest’s City Ground have taken a significant step forward, with approval recommended for the proposals ahead of a planning committee meeting next week (26th June). The hybrid scheme comprises a full planning application for the redevelopment of the Peter Taylor stand (including the demolition of existing buildings/structures), new public realm, a replacement club shop, and car parking, and an outline planning application for up to 170 residential units. This application was originally received by Rushcliffe Borough Council in November 2019, with a final revised scheme presented to the planning committee in July 2022. Notable revisions were made, related to the reduction in scale of the residential aspect, the introduction of commercial uses to the residential building, the re-provision of the club shop within the stand, and technical work to demonstrate impacts of the development could be adequately mitigated and controlled. While, at the time, planning committee meeting members resolved to allow the granting of planning permission, subject to conditions, due to the extended passage of time that has elapsed, it has been considered necessary to return the application to the planning committee for fresh consideration. The plans will see the demolition of the Peter Taylor Stand, Champion Centre, Club Shop, associated outbuildings, and NRC’s Britannia Boathouse building, and the development of a new stand with capacity for 10,000 seats, including associated stadium facilities and a new club shop. The proposal would increase the overall capacity of the existing stand by around 5,000 seats. The replacement stand would also accommodate business and commercial activities. The replacement stand would continue to be accessed from Pavilion Road, but a new plaza would be created between the proposed replacement stand and the proposed residential building. The residential element would offer 170 apartments over 13 floors, with seven commercial units on the ground floor. Issuing a joint statement, Nottingham Forest and Rushcliffe Borough Council said: “Nottingham Forest has been in regular dialogue with Rushcliffe Borough Council, Nottingham City Council and Nottinghamshire County Council regarding the redevelopment of the City Ground. “The parties can confirm they are working towards the Rushcliffe Borough Council Planning Committee date of Thursday 26 June to consider the application. There will be no further comment other than as required by the relevant legal process.”

New homes prioritise affordability and sustainability in Derbyshire

April Lara
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New homes prioritise affordability and sustainability in Derbyshire

Work is progressing on a £14.5 million affordable housing scheme in Sandiacre, Derbyshire, led by Nottingham Community Housing Association (NCHA) in partnership with Moorbridge Developments. The 53-home development sits across Gas Street near the River Erewash and Erewash Canal, close to the Grade II-listed Springfield Mill.

The project includes 22 shared ownership homes and 31 for affordable rent, all managed through Erewash Borough Council’s Home Options system. Properties will range from two to four bedrooms and are designed with high energy performance in mind. Each unit features solar panels, electric vehicle charging points, private gardens, and allocated parking. All homes are built to EPC A rating using a fabric-first construction method to improve energy efficiency and reduce running costs.

NCHA’s delivery is supported by funding from Homes England as part of a strategic push to expand affordable housing across the East Midlands through 2028. The site, designed by Urban Plus and built by Moorbridge Developments, aims to blend sustainability with the area’s industrial heritage.

Construction has already started, with the first homes expected to be ready by autumn. Full project completion is scheduled for summer 2026.

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