MPs gather in Westminster to call for improvements to Junction 28 of M1
Local MPs and stakeholders are gathering in Westminster this afternoon (Tuesday 16 May) to call for improvements to Junction 28 of the M1 in Derbyshire following a previous Westminster Hall Debate on this issue on 11 January 2023. Politicians will be joined by senior officials from the Department for Transport and National Highways.
The event, chaired by Mark Fletcher, MP for Bolsover, will bring together local MPs like Ashfield MP Lee Anderson as well as local businesses and councils with the Department for Transport, National Highways and Midlands Connect.
The area is a well-known pinch point and upgrading the junction is a hugely popular idea amongst local residents. Consumer research shows that 82% of respondents supported improvements. More than half of respondents (51%) said the improvements would be ‘very important’ for local businesses.
Delays at junction 28 are costing the economy £4.5 million and MPs are hoping to hear from local firms coming down to Westminster about what impacts it is having on them and what potential upgrades could do to boost the local economy.
Local leaders are recommending that these improvements should be considered for funding as part of the Government’s upcoming Road Investment Strategies (RIS), covering the period from 2025 to 2040.
Mark Fletcher, MP for Bolsover, said: “It is fantastic that we are able to have this roundtable event today on improving junction 28 of the M1.
“This junction is so important to my constituents. Many people in the area are stuck in delays daily as they travel to work or to appointments. Congestion is causing misery and pollution for the people of Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.
“We are calling on the Government to work with Midlands Connect and National Highways to prioritise improvements to this junction, in line with their levelling up targets.”
Maria Machancoses, CEO of Midlands Connect, added: “Junction 28 is a key interchange in our patch. We are working with local politicians and councils to develop the best strategy for reducing delays in the area.
“It is great to be able to attend this roundtable today and hear from local leaders and businesses on how important this issue is to them and the people they serve.”
Revenue rises at “resilient” Shoe Zone while pre-tax profits dip
Revenue is up while pre-tax profits have dipped at Shoe Zone, according to interim results for the 26 weeks to 1 April 2023.
The retailer’s half year revenue hit £75.4m, up 7.9% from £69.9m in the same period of the year prior. This included store revenue of £61.1m (growing from £57.2m), trading out of 52 fewer stores compared to 12 months ago, and digital revenue of £14.3m (rising from £12.7m).
Furthermore, the Leicester-based company posted a profit before tax of £1.5m, adjusted to £2.5m, down from £3.1m in 2022. The adjustments include foreign exchanges losses and profit on one freehold property sale. The £0.6m reduction year on year reflects inflationary increases, mainly National Living Wage, and a lower margin achieved percentage due to higher container prices and a weak sterling to dollar.
In a statement to London Stock Exchange Shoe Zone said it had “delivered a robust and positive performance in the period against a backdrop of consumer uncertainty and macroeconomic volatility,” adding “the performance further demonstrates the resilience of our business and the success of our ongoing strategy.”
In the first half Shoe Zone closed 39 ‘Original’ stores, opened 16 Hybrids, refitted six ‘Original’ stores to its Hybrid format, closed two Big Box stores and opened one new Big Box. In total it is now trading out of 226 ‘Original’ stores, 66 Hybrids and 44 Big Box.
Shoe Zone said: “We are actively working to relocate and refit further stores in the second half of the year, together with a number of stores currently in the pipeline, opening before Christmas.”
Don’t let bad marketing become par for the course: by Greg Simpson, founder of Press for Attention PR
Greg Simpson, founder of Press for Attention PR, shares the importance of following up on leads.
I have a confession, which I was reminded of whilst casually watching The Masters recently. I am seriously considering taking up golf.
There, I’ve said it. That feels better now.
It probably happens to most people in the end, so why fight it any longer? The thing is…nobody wants my money. Or so it seems.
Just before the “P” word, Mrs S and I began golf lessons at a lovely little club up the road from us. We’re both pretty sporty and both a tad competitive so we wanted to learn the game properly with a pro. Then the P word hit and shortly after we moved 40 miles away.
We made a note that we should start again locally because we were really starting to get into the swing of things, and the handy thing is that there is another golf club pretty much a 3-wood away from us. Or at least one of the holes is, the clubhouse is about a mile in the distance.
I was reminded of our golfing goals during The Masters last month – mainly because I was admiring the landscaping not the golf. However, this then mentally nudged me that I’d dropped a note to my local golf club last year. In fact, I’d CALLED them because dropping a note via social media seemed nigh on impossible. Someone answered and we had a pleasant enough chat, confirming couples’ lessons should be feasible BUT the person who handles these enquiries wasn’t in that day. They had my details though so…well, nothing. Not a text. Not a call. Zero follow up whatsoever…no pitch.
This is over a year ago now and I was only reminded of this because the golf was on the telly. They should have been reminding me. The worst bit is they have a WHACKING great sign up on the main road as you drive by welcoming new member enquiries. Judging from my experience to date, that WELCOME will be lukewarm at best.
Now, they could simply have failed to take my details down properly or the chap who took my call just lost the scrap of paper he scribbled on for his colleague. The problem is, whilst this appears to be a SALES problem, it is actually a MARKETING problem.
I always refer to “Marketing and Sales” rather than the traditional vice-versa phrasing because marketing drives the latter.
This sales team (it may well be the same mystery person) needs to have warm leads. Well, you couldn’t have got much warmer than me proactively calling to enquire out of the blue!
Their problem is there appears to be no system when receiving enquiries. So it doesn’t matter what they do in terms of marketing outreach and spending a wedge of cash, because the leads will not be captured and/or not followed up on.
There’s loads they COULD be doing to improve the inflow of leads like me that doesn’t require rocket-science levels of marketing magic. For instance, when they see a For Sale sign go up locally note it. When it turns to SOLD, why not give it a few months then pop a flyer through the door? If curry houses and removals firms can crack this surely a golf club can?
However, please remember, you might have the smartest lead-gen campaign in the world with PR, Digital and Traditional Marketing all working away brilliantly, but if you can’t take an enquiry or follow up on one, you will be the one with bogey all over you. That’s putting it gently.
A former business journalist, Greg Simpson is the author of The Small Business Guide to PR and has been recognised as one of the UK’s top 5 PR consultants, having set up Press for Attention PR in 2008.
He has worked for FTSE 100 firms, charities and start-ups and conducted press conferences with Sir Richard Branson and James Caan. His background ensures a deep understanding of every facet of a successful PR campaign – from a journalist’s, client’s, and consultant’s perspective.
See this column in the May edition of East Midlands Business Link Magazine here.
Private equity firm to sell Center Parcs
The owner of Nottinghamshire-headquartered Center Parcs has put the holiday village chain up for sale.
According to reports in the Financial Times, Canadian private equity firm Brookfield is aiming to achieve between £4bn and £5bn in the sale after buying the business in 2015 for around £2.4bn.
The first UK Center Parcs location opened at Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire in 1987.
Today, Center Parcs serves over 2 million guests per year with a 98% occupancy rate.
The Financial Times notes that Brookfield has appointed investment bankers to uncover potential buyers, including other private equity firms.
Nottingham’s architectural community forms charity champions league
Architecture firms in Nottingham have joined forces to launch the Nottingham Architects’ Charity League (NACL) – a not-for-profit organisation aiming to raise as much money as possible for local charities through a fun annual competition.
Bringing the industry together to give back to local communities, the NACL has brought together architecture firms based in Nottingham that will compete annually in a fun challenge to raise money and awareness for local charities that each firm is partnered with.
Kick-starting the league is a bowling competition, which will mark the launch of the NACL and will be held at Tenpin Nottingham on Clifton Boulevard, Redfield Way on 17th May. Eight architectural teams of six will take part, each competing for the highest score to raise more money for their partner charities.
First place will receive £2,000, second and third place will receive £1,250, and team places four to eight will receive £500, totalling a figure of £7,000 for charities.
Each firm will have five slots and a wildcard slot for anyone who has donated more than £750, and the team can nominate an extra person or sponsor to attend on the day and bolster the team’s scores.
This year, the NACL comprises of Marchini Curran Associates supporting Juno Women’s Aid, CPMG Architects supporting The Television Workshop, Leonard Design supporting Tara’s Angels, Lathams Architecture + Urbanism supporting Hope Nottingham, Allan Joyce Architects supporting the Framework Housing Association, Franklin Ellis Architects supporting Nottinghamshire Hospice, Maber supporting the Nottingham Hospitals Charity who raise funds each year to transform services and facilities for patients at Nottingham’s hospitals, and GT3 Architects supporting Switch Up.
The event is also an opportunity for informal networking to develop new relationships between industry sponsors and architectural practices to create a more connected future. Generous sponsors of the launch event include SPECIFI, Unilin, Zentia, Altro, Ibstock Brick, DOMUS and ROCKWOOL.
Ahmed Elamin, director of the NACL and architectural designer at Marchini Curran Associates, said: “The basis of forming the NACL was always about local architects supporting local charities. The vital funds raised will have a real-world impact on the lives of people in Nottingham.
“Bringing the industry together to create a more connected future, we are excited to launch the NACL annual event and feel honoured that this organisation can help charities in the region. We thank the generosity of everyone involved and all of our sponsors and look forward to the future of the NACL.”
Matt Blakeley, regional director of RIBA East Midlands, said: “The RIBA represents the community of architects and those connected to the industry to strive for the betterment of design but also for a better society.
“At a local level we are keen to support our members to be positive role models in their communities, making strides to make a positive contribution wherever possible. Initiatives like the NACL are a great example of how collectively our community can have an impact in our local areas.”
A GoFundMe page has been set up where donations, no matter how big or small, can be made, at www.gofundme.com/f/theNACL.
New hires and promotions as OTB Legal goes for growth
Nottingham-based UK Immigration Law specialist, OTB Legal, has made a raft of new hires and promotions as it goes for growth.
The 15-strong firm, whose head office is on Daleside Road in the city, has appointed Amritpal Singh as a personal immigration solicitor.
In the new role, Amritpal will focus on providing excellent service and delivering positive results for OTB Legal’s personal immigration clients.
Meanwhile, OTB Legal has rewarded two staff for their hard work with key promotions.
Tom Davies steps up from trainee operations manager to operations manager. His new role will see him continue the smooth running and high performance of all aspects of OTB Legal – from accounts to IT.
Hannah Bowers is promoted from trainee marketing manager to marketing manager.
Hannah will work across the board to ensure that OTB Legal is represented with the vibrancy that this modern law firm is proud to be known for. Hannah will also be responsible for keeping the firm up-to-date with growth strategies and rolling out OTB Legal’s upcoming series of webinars, which will encompass all aspects of Immigration Law.
Marcus Worthington, OTB Legal’s operations director, said: “We’re delighted to grow our team yet again by welcoming Amritpal to the firm. His Immigration Law expertise will prove crucial to our clients who I am sure will be delighted to learn that he has joined our growing team.
“We are a future-focused law firm that is proud to think and act with a more modern approach to the market, client service and customer care. Attracting and rewarding top talent is critical in delivering this and that’s why it was an easy decision to promote both Tom and Hannah, who have more than proved that they’re ready for the next step up.
“Congratulations to them both. They truly deserve their promotions and will prove invaluable as the firm looks to grow even further.”
Kier secures Derby business school contract
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.
Northern Trains chooses Ashby-de-la-Zouch firm for new passenger information displays
Information systems and transport technical services group Journeo’s recently acquired subsidiary, Infotec, has received a £0.9m purchase order for the manufacture and supply of passenger information displays for Northern Trains.
Northern Trains, branded as ‘Northern’, is a publicly owned train operating company owned by DfT OLR Holdings for the Department for Transport which operates a fleet of 345 trains calling at 474 stations.
Northern have recently commenced a programme to replace and upgrade the passenger information displays in all their stations and this purchase order for approximately 200 displays follows on from purchase orders received by Infotec prior to the acquisition, where over 300 displays have been manufactured and shipped in the last 12 months.
On completion, this new purchase order will take the total number of displays supplied to Northern for their station upgrade to around 50% of its estate and the directors consider that, due to the ongoing demand for Infotec’s high performance, high reliability displays technology there is potential for additional revenue opportunities for the company in 2024 and 2025 as Control Period 7 commences and Northern continues with the remainder of its station upgrade programme.
This new purchase order includes both ruggedised indoor and optically bonded outdoor TFTs, ECO-White LED platform displays along with associated services such as communication hubs, bespoke steelwork and design services. All displays are connected to Infotec’s Javelin Content Management System (CMS) software to enable advanced content delivery and hardware monitoring via an easy-to-use web-based application.
The display systems are scheduled to enter production during H2 2023 with revenue recognised late in Q4 2023 and early Q1 2024.
Russ Singleton, Chief Executive of Journeo plc, said: “I am delighted to see the continuation of the relationship with Northern, following the acquisition of Infotec by Journeo. Across the board, customers have been welcoming of the change and we are beginning to see the resulting growth of Group revenues, order book and sales pipeline.
“By continuing to place orders for our high-performance displays, Northern know that they are investing in a solution that is robust and reliable, with the backing of a larger group and technical development force, and access to the full suite of Journeo products, software and services for larger or more complex projects in future.”
Work gets underway to save UK’s last major bellfoundry
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.
Ashby-headquartered consultancy wins five-year National Grid contract to help achieve UK’s net-zero goals
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.”
