Kier has been appointed by the University of Derby to deliver a new business school in the heart of Derby city centre. The development of Derby Business School kickstarts the University’s City Masterplan which aims to develop its footprint in the city and improve connectivity across its sites. The new business school is 9,317 m2 and is planned to include a 233-seat auditorium, a stock market financial trading room, a creativity lab, an extended reality (XR) suite and a range of social collaborative study spaces and quiet contemplation areas. The school will also feature a café on the ground floor. The open design will provide air circulation and natural light. The new building is projected to be the study base for more than 6,000 students by 2030 and will provide a link between local businesses and the wider community. Two levels of the building will be open to the public, allowing students, academics, researchers and University staff to work alongside businesses co-located in the school as well as with the wider business community. This will support and nurture growth, knowledge exchange and idea generation. Andrew Bevan, interim director of estates at the University of Derby, said: “The development of the business school is a catalyst for the regeneration of our city hub site. “I’m delighted that we have entered into a contract with Kier to deliver this landmark building, which is part of the University’s broader vision to expand its reach and reputation across the UK and globally.” Colina Wright, CEO of the Union of Students at the University of Derby, added: “As a Union, we are delighted to be involved in this project and are both passionate and committed to ensuring the student voice is reflected throughout. “We have been impressed with discussions about student involvement and wider conversations about giving back to the community through employment and internship opportunities as well as considerations for sustainability and city regeneration. “I am motivated by what this project can do for the city but more importantly for our students, during their time at Derby and beyond. I look forward to continuing to work collaboratively with the University and its partners as the project develops.” Dan Doherty, regional director for Kier Construction North & Scotland, said: “The business school is a key strategic project in the University of Derby’s City Masterplan and it marks the first project we will deliver for the University. “We have extensive experience in delivering first-class higher education buildings and have no doubt that this business school will hugely benefit students, staff and the local community.” As part of the development, Kier will work with the University, local businesses and supply chain partners to create new jobs and apprenticeship opportunities, 25 work experience placements and two graduate opportunities. Kier has also committed to a minimum of 160 hours of charity and community volunteering and regular site tours for students, staff and the local community. 85% of the project spend will be within 40 miles of the development.

Construction works are now underway at Taylor’s Bellfoundry in Loughborough to protect and enhance the Grade II* Listed Bellfoundry buildings and onsite museum, the last of their kind in Britain. Funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Loughborough Town Deal alongside many others, the project is being led by the Loughborough Bellfoundry Trust working in partnership with the ancient bellfounding firm of John Taylor and Company. The Trust was set up in 2016 to begin the work of restoring the bellfoundry’s buildings and redeveloping the site’s museum to protect the ancient craft of bellmaking for generations to come. Taylor’s Bellfoundry – which was built in 1859 just a stone’s throw from Loughborough town centre – has cast more than 25,000 bells located in more than 100 countries. Bells from the foundry hang in famous landmarks including London’s St Paul’s Cathedral, the Washington National Cathedral in the US capital, Australia’s National Carillon in Canberra, and South Africa’s Cape Town City Hall. In spring 2022 contractors were invited to tender to deliver the programme of works, with specialist heritage conservation firm Messenger BCR winning out. The Messenger team will work alongside internationally renowned architects Caroe, who drew up comprehensive plans to restore the Victorian site. Other specialist practices involved include exhibition designers Redman Design and museum retail experts cre8. Phase one of the programme of works is now underway. This includes the stripping out of the existing museum, removing internal walls – which were added to the bellfoundry in the 80s – and replacing the leaking roof. A new lift is currently under construction as are new disabled and baby changing toilets. Major repairs to the roof over the bellfoundry’s main covered yard are also underway. The museum will be improved and enhanced by increasing its footprint to incorporate a multi-function activity room in the old Victorian laboratory and by reimagining the museum displays to provide an interactive and inclusive experience. There will be two primary spaces for visitors to explore within the museum. Firstly, a ground floor timeline detailing the history of both the bellfoundry and the art of bellfounding. Secondly, the Patternmaker’s Gallery, which will display a series of objects that have been recovered from existing foundry spaces, located in the original patternmaking workshop. Throughout the museum visitors will have the opportunity to touch and handle objects, making it an immersive and authentic experience for families, schools, bell enthusiasts and history lovers. Phase two of the project, which will start in 2024, will see the reconfiguration and improvement of the company archive room, offices, and board room, the last of which will be available to hire as a meeting space for outside organisations and community groups. Further ongoing and exciting developments include the restoration of the original historic entrance to the site, used by generations of the Taylor family, and the relandscaping of the Carillon Courtyard for visitors to explore and enjoy the grounds upon arrival. Bellfoundry museum director Dr Chrissie Van Mierlo said: “We are thrilled to see work getting underway. This project has been years in the making and will help preserve and protect our historic buildings for generations to come. “Our vision has always been to create a place where people of all ages can visit and learn about the craftmanship and art of bell making, as well as the history of the Loughborough site. Thanks to generous funders, and National Lottery players, we can now address the most urgent repair and conservation works to bring our vision to life. “Not only will the project allow us to welcome more visitors into the site, but it will also create additional volunteering opportunities for local residents. Our volunteers are the life and soul of the bellfoundry and we wouldn’t be able to do what we do without them.” Robyn Llewellyn, director for England, Midlands and East at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “We are delighted to support The Loughborough Bellfoundry Trust in saving the last, purpose-built bellfoundry in Britain. The funding, which has been made possible thanks to National Lottery players, will secure the future of this industry, unique skills, and rich history in a way that everyone can enjoy and be proud of.” Loughborough Town Deal comprises a number of organisations and people who have come together to deliver over £40 million of investment for the Leicestershire town. The Town Deal secured £16.9 million from the Government’s Towns Fund to boost skills and support the visitor economy and town centre of Loughborough. It is backing 11 projects, including the bellfoundry which it awarded £835,000.

John Taylor’s Bellfoundry, also known as Taylor’s Bellfoundry or simply Taylor’s, is the last major bellfoundry in the UK and Commonwealth.

A property consultancy has been awarded a major five-year contract to provide land agency services on projects that will play a crucial role in driving the UK’s net zero goals. Fisher German has won a place on a framework contract with National Grid UK Limited. The firm has been awarded one of just five places on the framework, with the contract commencing in September 2023. It follows an 18-month tender process in which Fisher German achieved some of the highest marks for technical responses. The contract will see the firm’s Infrastructure Services division working closely with National Grid UK Land and Property (UKLP) and National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) on a range of projects. These include Development Consent Orders (DCO) and Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPO) for major overhead and underground power line projects, and providing infrastructure planning services and valuation services. The contract delivery is being led by Matthew Hodgetts who will be supported by a team of more than 32 surveyors. The primary delivery will be from the firm’s Chester, Knutsford, Stafford, Worcester, Banbury, Ashford, Bedford, Market Harborough, Bury St Edmunds, Ashby, Newark and Doncaster offices, with additional support from the firm’s wider 28-office network. This will include the whole of Fisher German’s 220-strong infrastructure services team, including planners, surveyors, project coordinators, GIS technicians and technical administrators. Matthew said: “We are extremely pleased to be awarded a place on National Grid’s framework and be part of the delivery to achieve net zero. “The excellent feedback we received is a testament to the whole team who worked on the tender for 18 months. “We have a fantastic existing relationship with National Grid, and the focus on understanding our client’s needs and the trust generated by successful project delivery and knowledgeable advice in the past, along with our drive to improve and adapt, put us in a strong position. “We are excited to be able to continue our long-term relationship with National Grid and continue to deliver for this valued client.” Prem Gabbi, director of UK Land and Property at National Grid, said: “Working together with our supply chain, we are embedding a results-driven culture as we strive to continue delivering for our customers and achieving our ambitious targets around net zero and the clean energy transition. “We look forward to strengthening our relationship with Fisher German as we enable wider National Grid to keep the lights on and the energy flowing for millions of British households.”

An established Burton tattoo studio has moved into new premises in a prominent location within the town centre. The corner premises forms part of the Abbey Arcade development, which is situated adjacent to Burton & South Derbyshire College and Coopers Square Shopping Centre. The ground and upper floor unit provides 1,015 sq ft of retail space. The new tenants Outsider Art Tattoo Studio have been established in the town since 2010. They were formerly based on New Street and opened their new doors on Friday 5 May 2023. Kaylee Osborne from Outsider Art Tattoo Studio said: “Over the years our team has expanded, and we outgrew our New Street studio. The Abbey Arcade building is an ideal location for passing trade, which is conveniently located close to the college and also has plenty of parking. “Our move took quite a while as we had to apply for a change of usage with the council. The building had been empty for quite a while, but we managed to turn it around quickly and open within just four weeks. “All the staff at Rushton Hickman were so helpful and supportive, it was reassuring to know that if we ever came over any issues or problems they were always on hand with advice and support.” Agency surveyor Taylor Millington added: “Its great news to see a Burton-based company move into new larger retail space which should help them continue to grow. The affluent town centre has exciting opportunities to attract national and new independent occupiers.”

Contracts have been signed in a deal that will see Nottingham Community Housing Association’s (NCHA) Pelham team deliver 68 new homes for Tuntum Housing Association. A mix of new-build and renovations, the homes will be developed across Nottinghamshire in the next five years. Pelham will deliver architectural, project management and development services to deliver the contract. Plans are already underway for a third of the new homes, with all 68 due to be complete by March 2028. Richard Renwick, Chief Executive of Tuntum Housing Association, said: “We have worked on and off in partnership with NCHA since we were established 35 years ago. This is the latest phase of our development programme through the Blue Skies Consortium and NCHA. We look forward to these new homes being completed to match the criteria laid out in our Development Strategy.” Financed by Tuntum and Homes England, these homes will contribute to NCHA’s new homes delivery quota as part of their SP2 Strategic Partnership to deliver new affordable homes across the East Midlands and East of England. Allan Fisher, director of development and assets at NCHA, says: “As members of the Blue Skies Consortium, NCHA and Tuntum have been working together on affordable home development for many years. “This new contract cements Tuntum as a trusted delivery partner under our Strategic Partnership with Homes England. I look forward to seeing the new homes complete and providing much needed, affordable accommodation for people in need across the county.”