- Improving skills of residents in large urban areas using skills money from the region’s allocation of the Shared Prosperity Fund, particularly targeted at residents with fewer than five good GCSEs.
- Making city centres more appealing places to do business with new, high-quality city centre office space that meets the needs of service exporting firms in particular.
- Improving public transport infrastructure and housing density particularly in areas with access to the two biggest cities, Birmingham and Nottingham.
Midlands’ economic output £18bn per year smaller than expected, contributing to national underperformance
Cities are crucial hubs in the Midlands, providing employment opportunities, higher wages and increased prosperity for their residents and those living in surrounding areas. As such, they have a vital role to play in tackling the region’s persistent productivity gap – the result of historic underinvestment and undervaluing of the Midlands – which costs the region £18 billion annually, a new Centre for Cities report highlights.
Centre for Cities says urban areas should be a key focus of Government efforts to help the Midlands reach its economic potential as part of the wider objective to level up struggling regions. It publishes its latest research in a new report, All Cylinders: The role of the Midlands Engine in the British economy, in collaboration with the Midlands Engine partnership.
The report identifies that if Birmingham, Nottingham and Leicester were enabled to play the same role that similar sized economies on the continent play within their local areas, the Midlands economy would be larger and more productive.
Centre for Cities estimates that the Birmingham urban area accounts for £11 billion of the £18 billion shortfall in economic output in the region. Urban areas across the Midlands account for 89 percent of the total output gap.
Centre for Cities identifies that focusing on Birmingham and Nottingham’s ability to attract service exporting companies into their city centres will be a key opportunity. At £70,000 per worker, the economic output of service exports in the Midlands is below the national average of £92,000 for the sector and tackling this shortfall will be of huge economic benefit to the region and the country.
Centre for Cities’ research suggests that Nottingham and the Birmingham area are missing out on some of the so-called “agglomeration effects” that make city centres advantageous places to do business, particularly for service exporting firms. Strategies are already being put in place to address public transport connections and road accessibility into the cities, and to improve available skills.
Centre for Cities highlights three key areas of economic policy to address to achieve the productivity potential of the Midlands:
Fire-hit HSBC opens pop-up branch in Loughborough Town Hall
From today HSBC is to open a pop-up branch in Loughborough Town Hall after its own building in the town’s Market Place was destroyed by fire.
The bank will be open for four days a week until further memorise, said Simon Gibson, Loughborough Town Hall manager said he was happy to be able to help its neighbour to keep a presence in the town centre following the devastating fire. “We had to close the town hall for a few weeks following the blaze and there are still some repairs to be carried out, but we are pleased to be fully up and running.” Gursh Bassi, Local Director for HSBC Leicester, said “I am really pleased we are now able to offer a pop-up branch solution at Loughborough Town Hall for our customers in Loughborough for the immediate future, thanks to the superb support received from Loughborough Town Hall and Charnwood Borough Council. “The town hall is centrally located, right next door to the branch site which was damaged in the recent fire. HSBC remains committed to the Loughborough community. The location of the town hall and the space we will have in the building, on the first floor, will also give us the room required to serve more customers. “The venue has excellent access via lift or stairs. I would like to thank our customers and our team for being patient and everyone who has supported us since the incident at the Loughborough branch.’’ HSBC will be operating the pop-up branch at the town hall on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, between 10am and 4pm (excluding bank holidays). It will be located on the mezzanine level at the town hall.Companies share in millions from Government to reduce energy costs and cut carbon emissions
Companies in our region are to share in more than £24m from the government to reduce their energy costs and cut carbon emissions.
- Magnavale Limited in Chesterfield is receiving nearly £372,000 to install a cutting-edge refrigeration system for food products that uses less energy than traditional systems.
- Breedon Cement in Hope, Derbyshire is receiving over £231,000 for a feasibility study on using carbon capture technologies at their Hope site.
- Lhoist UK Limited is receiving over £92,000 for a decarbonisation study at their Hindlow plant, near Buxton in Derbyshire, which manufactures high-quality lime.
- Toyota UK in Derby is receiving over £282,000 to introduce new airless paint atomisers for their automotive site, which aims to reduce the amount of energy required for their painting processes by reducing the spray booth size and equipment.
- Pioneer Foods Limited, a cereal manufacturer in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, is taking forward three different projects, with grants of over £27,000, £29,000, and £136,000 respectively. The projects include exploring reusing waste wheat products as a biomass fuel, installing a biomass combined heat and power system, and improving the energy efficiency of their ovens.
Frontline named Best National Recruitment firm at the UK Recruitment Awards
Careers specialist Frontline Recruitment is celebrating after being named Best National Recruitment firm at the UK Recruitment Awards.The awards acknowledge and recognise exceptional accomplishments by recruitment agencies and organisations throughout the UK.
Over 40 recruitment and talent agencies entered to compete for award categories for companies and individuals around the United Kingdom, all of which have demonstrated exceptional achievements in categories such as candidate and client care, innovation and more.Frontline Recruitment is headquartered in Nottingham and has offices in Chesterfield, Derby, Hull, Leicester and Weymouth.The private panel of judges, consulting from various recruitment sectors with the Business Awards UK team, decided that Frontline’s successes over the last 12 months made the company a worthy winner.Frontline Recruitment’s national operations manager, Sarah Bowater, said: “We feel very privileged and a tad overwhelmed in receiving this award. I would like to thank all our clients who nominated and voted for us. I am very proud of what we have achieved and the National Partnerships we have and our continued commitment for making the recruitment world a better place is being recognised.”David Essam, Frontline Recruitment’s operations director, added: “This is a proud moment for the business and demonstrates the hard work and investment pre- and post-Covid. I echo Sarah’s comments and this reward really reiterates how hard our staff work to ensure we offer the best possible service. I would like to thank our clients who played their part in helping Sarah and her team win this award.” Business Awards UK’s director, Dan Trindade, said: “Our inaugural Recruitment Awards showcased some of the very best of the industry, celebrating the achievements, innovations, diversity and spotlighting individuals who have demonstrated excellence in recruitment practices.
“From disruptive sourcing strategies to exceptional candidate experience, the winners have demonstrated outstanding performance and commitment to raising the bar in the recruitment industry.”
Estate agency announces a range of promotions
Redbrik Estate Agents has made a number of internal promotions within its 70% female workforce.
These include:
- Gemma Hynes has been promoted to Area Manager from her previous Property Consultant role.
- Sarah Bicknall has been promoted to Area Manager from Lettings Property Consultant.
- Thea Cox has been made Marketing Manager, promoted from Marketing Executive.
- Grace Bradbury has been promoted to Sales Manager from her previous role as an Applicant Manager.
University launches unique international partnership with Paul Smith to enhance Nottingham’s global profile
Two iconic Nottingham institutions are joining forces to form a unique international partnership designed to support the city’s business growth, investment, and global profile.
The collaboration between the University of Nottingham and Nottingham’s home-grown fashion designer Paul Smith, will capitalise on the international reputation of both organisations to fly the flag for the city overseas.
The two partners have particular influence in Asia, where the university has campuses in Malaysia and China, and Paul Smith has significant presence including a number of stores across China, Hong Kong and Malaysia.
Commenting on the new partnership, Paul Smith said: “Growing up in Beeston, my father was a keen amateur photographer. I very vividly remember a photograph he took of the original University of Nottingham campus mid-construction.
“Having a university in the city I grew-up in was always something I was very aware and proud of and so it’s really exciting for me to be launching this partnership between what I consider to be two quintessentially Nottingham organisations that are now known for their excellence around the world.”
To mark the start of the partnership, Paul Smith has launched an exclusive limited-edition collection of University of Nottingham merchandise which pays tribute to his connection to his hometown and features the company’s striped design alongside a stylised depiction of the university’s iconic Trent Building.
Alex Favier, Director of Global Reputation and Relations, said: “The University of Nottingham and Paul Smith Ltd partnership began during Nottingham in Parliament Day in 2016. The University worked with over 100 businesses, local authorities and third-sector partners to help tell the story of a pioneering, creative and innovative Nottingham to a wider audience.
“The launch of the Paul Smith for the University of Nottingham collection is underpinned by the same desire from both partners to use their global reach and reputation to help promote our city, county and its businesses to a global audience.
“The University of Nottingham has international alumni around the world, all of whom have an affinity with Nottingham as a place, not just as a university. We are committed to helping Nottingham’s businesses and visitor economy recover from the pandemic by making more of these global connections.
“Through the Midlands Innovation university collaboration, the university hosts a regional pilot funded by the UK Government that will explore practical ways in which universities can help boost local trade and investment.”
Paul Smith is an invited member of the university’s Business Partnership Programme, which is designed to help its key industry partners to collaborate with the university and to work together on shared objectives.
The partnership, which is tailored to each business, offers access to the university’s eco-system of innovation, talent and connections.
Opportunities on offer through the programme include the chance to develop collaborative bids for UK Research and Innovation funded projects; preferential updates on intellectual property including technology for license and spin-out companies looking for investment; and access to experts for academic consultancy and cutting-edge facilities and equipment. Noodle bar to be served up at Markham Vale
A drive-thru noodle bar is set to become the final catering offering to join Markham Vale, HBD’s 200-acre industrial and logistics development.
Planning permission has been granted for a Chopstix Noodle Bar which will occupy the remaining plot in the services area at Markham Vale – one of the region’s flagship industrial schemes, attracting new businesses into the area and creating thousands of jobs.
The new drive thru joins the likes of fish and chip restaurant Chesters and Gridserve, another new occupier set to open a state-of-the-art electrical vehicle charging station later this year.
Derbyshire County Council Cabinet Member for Clean Growth and Regeneration, Councillor Tony King, said: “It’s great that we’ve secured another employer bringing a further 20 full time equivalent service industry jobs to Markham Vale.
“We’re pleased that this phase of the scheme to establish a high-quality service stop at junction 29a is almost complete with Gridserve due to start work on building an electric charging forecourt later this year.
“Next we’ll be concentrating our efforts on securing new occupiers for the remaining development plots having just gained planning approval for the construction of four new industrial units on Enterprise Way.”
Richard Hinds, senior development surveyor at HBD, said: “We’re pleased to welcome Chopstix to Markham Vale; it joins several drive-thru restaurants and facilities and will no doubt prove a popular addition to the scheme.”
Chopstix is part of the QFM Group – one of the UK’s leading franchise businesses. Founded almost 40 years ago, it has built success in recent years with growth across several brands including Costa Coffee, KFC and Taco Bell.
Markham Vale is one of the region’s most successful industrial and logistics schemes. Just 11 acres now remain for development, accommodating a further 190,000 square foot.
How to choose a video production company
Video content has become an integral part of any business marketing strategy and, as a result, the demand for video production companies has increased significantly in recent years. Choosing the right video production company can be a daunting task as it can be difficult to determine which one fits your needs best. In this article, we will discuss some important factors to consider when choosing a video production company.
Experience and Expertise
When it comes to video production, experience and expertise are crucial. Look for a company with a proven track record of producing high-quality videos. Check out their portfolio and previous projects to get an idea of their style and capabilities. You should make sure to choose a video production company that specialises in video marketing and corporate videos, as they will have the most relevant experience and understand your needs.
Quality of Work
The quality of the video production company’s work should be one of your top priorities. Look for a company that produces high-quality videos that are visually appealing, engaging, and effective. A good way to gauge the quality of their work is by watching their previous projects or by checking out their reviews and testimonials.
Creativity and Innovation
A good video production company should be creative and innovative. They should be able to come up with unique ideas and concepts that will make your video stand out from the crowd. Look for a company that is willing to think outside the box and take risks to create something truly special.
Communication and Collaboration
Communication and collaboration are essential when working with a video production company. You want to work with a company that is easy to communicate with and that listens to your ideas and feedback. Look for a company that is willing to collaborate with you throughout the entire process to ensure that you are happy with the final product.
Price and Value
Price is an important factor when choosing a video production company, but it shouldn’t be the only factor. Look for a company that offers competitive pricing while still providing high-quality work. Our local recommended video production company can be hired from just £599, yet they create outstanding 4K content for businesses. Choosing the right video production company is crucial for the success of your marketing strategy, allowing you to create high-quality videos that will help you reach your business goals and get the results you want.
Project D cooking-up super-expansion with crowdfunding campaign
Investors are being invited to “join the inner ring” as doughnut brand Project D launches its first crowdfunding campaign.
The multiple award-winning bakery is looking to raise investment capital of at least £400k through its launch this week on the Crowdcube crowdfunding platform.
Founded in 2018 by three former school friends working from a kitchen table, Derby-based Project D has already attracted partnerships with heavyweight brands like British Airways, Brewdog, Amazon and Rolls-Royce.
In less than five years the self-proclaimed “disruptive” doughnut retailer and manufacturer has grown from the three young entrepreneurs to a company of more than 100 staff operating from a purpose-built 11,000 sq ft bakery.
The firm is seeking to further accelerate its dramatic success by using investors’ funds to multiply its current £2.6m annual turnover to a figure of more than £12m in three years.
For as little as £50, anyone from professional investors to members of the public can become a shareholder in an ambition to create the world’s biggest doughnut company, in a global market estimated to be worth almost £25bn.
Finance raised from the crowdfund campaign will be invested in product innovation, retail expansion, digital marketing and e-commerce and key office hires.
Project D marketing director Max Poynton, who set up the firm with Matt Bond and Jacob Watts, said: “This is a unique opportunity to invest in a young business that has already established itself as one of the leading doughnut manufacturers in the UK.
“There is no better time than now to be involved in this market, as the popularity of doughnuts keeps growing year-on-year.
“We offer a bigger and better product, with more innovation than any of our competitors. I’d therefore urge investors to join the inner ring and enjoy our journey towards becoming the largest doughnut company in the world.”
Project D has recently expanded its senior management team, taking on a head of finance, head of HR and head of retail and wholesale. It also works with business advisor Mark Doleman, who previously spent 20 years as a partner at Deloitte.
The firm, which has to date created more than 2,500 individual product lines, works closely with food scientists and nutritionists at a state-of-the-art research and development facility in Corby, Northamptonshire.
Its rapid expansion has been aided by the company’s huge digital marketing push and social media following, with its TikTok account alone receiving 19m views, 1.1m likes and 27,000 comments in a single two-month period.
Added to that, Project D is preparing to open its first flagship store, in Sheffield’s Meadowhall shopping mall, with plans to open more permanent retail outlets in the near future.
“We’ve already received a great deal of interest from prospective investors,” said Max. “We’re extremely confident that we will smash our £400k target.
“There’s no limit to what people can invest – and we’d love to see a mix of small, £50 investments alongside some big-ticket investments.”
Max added that the firm future-proofed itself for fast expansion when it took on a manufacturing facility capable of turning out more than 17m doughnuts per year. It currently manufactures around 2m doughnuts each year at its Derby headquarters.
The crowdfund campaign has already generated £150k of lead investment prior to the official launch on Crowdcube.
New chair for Business Peak District
At the Business Peak District (BPD) Annual General Meeting, Board members agreed that Dr Peter Dewhurst be invited to take over the role of chair, following the announcement that Robin Eyre was stepping down from the role.
Robin had led BPD since July 2018 and amongst his many achievements have been a series of 23 well attended BPD member webinars held between April 2020 and May 2021. These were introduced partly as a response to the sense of isolation that many Peak District business owners were feeling at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. They also proved to be a vital tool in disseminating business support information during a period of significant business challenge.
More recently Robin led negotiations with East Midlands Chamber, which have seen the appointment of Kate Kearns as a BPD support officer. Kate has had an early impact, taking the lead in organising the BPD conference which took place at the Crescent Hotel in Buxton on March 30th.
Peter Dewhurst, the incoming chair, began by thanking Robin for his “outstanding leadership” over the last 5 years and noting that “under Robin’s tenure BPD membership has grown to 728 with a newsletter subscription list of 852.”
Peter went on to explain that his “aim will be to build on the foundations laid by the previous BPD chair and in collaboration with key partners, to support both existing and future Peak District based businesses to achieve their full potential, whilst helping to ensure a low carbon and sustainable future for the economy of the Peak District.” He added: “I also believe that the current period is a time when there is a need for BPD to become a more visible champion and voice of businesses within the Peak District.”
The incoming chair began his working life as co-founder of an import, wholesale & retail business, with outlets in Manchester & London. He subsequently moved into the higher education sector, taking on senior management roles first at the University of Wolverhampton and then at the University of Derby’s Buxton Campus.
Currently Peter is the director of strategic projects at the University of Derby, whilst also serving as a non-executive director on the Board of East Midlands Chamber and chair of the Peak District Partnership.
At the same AGM, Tracy Duggan, the founder and director of High Peak-based skillslocal, was appointed as vice chair, with her committing to support and champion the Peak District’s business community.
