Inflation remains at historically high levels
After falling in April, inflation in the 12 months to May 2023 was unchanged at 8.7%, as current cost and price pressures persist, with households and businesses feeling the pinch.
Inflation had been expected to decline to 8.4% year on year, but now, to bring it under control a further interest rate rise from the Bank of England is expected by many.
Higher prices for air travel and recreational goods and services were a key contributor to inflation over the month, while this was offset by a fall in the cost of petrol and food prices not rising quite as quickly as they have been.
ONS Chief Economist, Grant Fitzner, said: “After last month’s fall, annual inflation was little changed in May and remains at a historically high level.
“The cost of airfares rose by more than a year ago and is at a higher level than usual for May. Rising prices for second-hand cars, live music events and computer games also contributed to inflation remaining high.
“These were offset by a fall in the cost of petrol. Food price inflation remains high, but the rate has eased slightly this month with costs rising more slowly than this time last year.”
Meanwhile core inflation – which takes out of consideration volatile items like energy and food costs – disappointingly rose in May to 7.1% from 6.8%, the highest reading since 1992.
Raise your business’s profile at the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023
Raise the profile of your business by submitting an entry for Business Link’s prestigious East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023!
Celebrating the region’s property and construction industry, its people, and outstanding developments, the annual awards attract leaders from across the region and are the perfect way for businesses to promote the work they are completing and create more buzz.
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.
A highlight in the business calendar, 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 opportunities to forge new contacts with property and construction professionals from across the region.
Nominations for the event are open, and now is the perfect time to make your submissions, ahead of the deadline (Thursday 31 August).
To nominate your (or another) business/development for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023, please click on a category link below or visit this page:
To be held at:
- 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
- Overall winner (this award cannot be entered, the winner will be selected from those nominated)
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:
New future beckons for County Hall as alternative uses sought
Ideas for alternative uses for Derbyshire County Council’s headquarters are being sought, as it looks to make the most of the historic building to bring a new lease of life for Matlock and the surrounding area.
The County Council have asked a team of advisors to seek expressions of interest from developers, hotel operators and others for their ideas on options for the future of the historic complex of buildings.
The over-riding objective is to deliver the best outcome for the long-term use of the complex so that it contributes to the vitality of the town of Matlock and makes a significant ongoing contribution to the economy of the area.
Deputy leader, councillor Simon Spencer, said: “We want to give County Hall a new lease of life that will capitalise on the special nature of the historic buildings and the uniqueness of Matlock being on the fringe of one of the UK’s most popular tourist attractions – the Peak District.
“We are asking for ideas from investors, developers and business operators, but we are at the start of a journey. Nothing is going to change overnight, and if we do find a new future for the building then we will enter into a period of consultation, including needing to seek planning approval.
“We are just not using the building to its full potential, particularly post pandemic, when many of our employees are working from home for several days a week. This does give us a once in a lifetime opportunity to make the most of this wonderful building.
“Our vision for County Hall involves transforming the current buildings, and the fabulous landscaped setting into a world class hotel and venue coupled with spaces for local businesses, new homes for local people, a revitalised Winter Garden, and opportunities for the community to hold events, meet formally, or simply just to convene.”
Every option suggested by businesses and developers for the future of the building will be considered, and they could include:
- hotel, conferencing and associated facilities to attract short and long stay visitors, to support events, and cater for the business community across Derbyshire, the East Midlands and beyond
- flexible office space in new and/or refurbished space on site for the council
- additional office facilities to support, for example, local public sector partners
- residential units to meet local demand
- co-working space and studios for the creative sector
- facilities for the local community
National business award success for Leicester school
New College Leicester’s business development manager, Wayne Allsopp, has scooped an award at the prestigious Education Business Awards.
Wayne was named as Business Development Manager of the Year at the awards ceremony, which took place in London on Wednesday 14 June. Wayne was presented with his award by former Team GB Athlete Donna Fraser.
It was a case of double success for New College on the night. In addition to Wayne Allsopp winning his award, New College Leicester was also named as a finalist in the ‘School Sports Award’ category. This is in recognition of its excellent sports provision, including its facilities, external partnerships, and its focus on making sport accessible for all.
Wayne is the driving force behind New College’s sports provision and commercial strategy and everyone at New College is delighted that his tireless work in raising standards of provision and outcomes for children at the school has been recognised by his industry peers.
Set in New Parks in Leicester, an area of above average levels of social deprivation, New College Leicester places itself at the heart of the local community through sport. Following significant investment and established community partnerships, more than 2,500 people now use its outstanding sports facilities weekly. This includes one of the best gymnastics facilities in the UK, a purpose-built outdoor cycle track, gym, sports halls and a café that is open to the public.
The school also recognises that health and wellbeing are essential if students are to do well at school. Given that negative health outcomes are prevalent for many in New Parks, the school has placed sports, health, and wellbeing at the core of its strategy to help provide a rounded education and improve the lives of its students.
It is this commitment to getting the New Parks community active, both its students and local people, that led to New College being named as a finalist and Wayne winning his category.
The School Business Manager Award is given to an individual whose business leadership skills and commercial outlook have had a positive impact on the school’s budgeting and strategic decision making.
Wayne’s ability to realise the link between a strong sports offering, its benefits to local people and the positive commercial impact this brings to the school is one of the reasons he has been shortlisted.
Wayne says: “I am thrilled to have won the award and that the hard work the team at New College has put into improving our school has been recognised. We are proud of New College and what we are achieving for the New Parks community, so its fantastic to know our work is considered to be amongst the best in the UK and something others may look to replicate to improve outcomes for children.
“We are extremely proud of our asset-based community development approach to sport. Working in partnership to develop excellent sporting facilities that drive benefits for both the community and school is delivering tangible results for thousands of people.
“For the vast majority of people who can only dream of participating in an Olympics or a World Cup the school is working hard to make sport accessible for all of them. What Loughborough University is doing for elite sport, New College Leicester is doing for school and community sport, and we are proud to have been recognised for that at a national level.”
Liz Kendall MP, who supported the school’s application, says: “The school serves a community that faces significant levels of social disadvantage, deprivation and child poverty.
“Staff work tirelessly to overcome these barriers and the use of sport has been a particularly effective tool to boost aspiration, promote healthier lifestyles and encouraging parents and the wider community to get involved in the activities of the school. Sport is used to help unleash children’s wider talents, showing them if they work hard they can be successful.
“In other words, it acts as a hook, inspiring students to achieve better results in other subjects. The links New College have created with local primary schools enable this work to begin early, which is crucial to improving the life chance of children in this part of my constituency.
“I fully endorse New College Leicester’s nomination for these awards. It sends a strong message to the many unsung heroes, both at the school and in the community, who rightly deserve recognition for their tireless effort.”
This is the second time in as many months that New College Leicester has enjoyed award success. In May, Edwina Maguire, the school’s English as an Additional Language and Teaching and Learning Lead, was named as a finalist in the prestigious Times Educational Supplement (TES) Awards.
Eventful times for business
Companies the length and breadth of the UK are becoming increasingly brow-beaten by a seemingly relentless deluge of gloomy economic news.
Leadership teams grappling with rising costs, will be drawing up efficiency plans in a bid to identify how they can achieve more with less.
When it comes to increasing effectiveness there are a selection of obvious business levers to pull, but there are also some simple yet deceptively powerful principles that can help make big impacts to bottom lines. Improving customer retention can contribute to impressive increases in revenues of between 25% and 95%.
Keeping staff is another way for businesses to make gains, as reducing staff turnover means less hiring costs, increased productivity, and delivers a better customer experience. Achieving retention takes creativity particularly given that quiet-quitting, rapidly diminishing attention spans and time poor audiences are growingly prevalent considerations. As well as the more obvious choices of reward and recognition, delivering great customer service, loyalty, referral incentives and so on. A good old-fashioned face to face can be incredibly powerful when it comes to both winning and keeping clients or staff.
The pandemic was a catalyst for change and served as a reminder that there really isn’t any substitute for human contact no matter how high-tech a virtual setting may be.
Karis Hildred is an events specialist who manages an award-winning venue and events operation, she shared some insights saying: “We were honoured most recently with a bronze award from the M&IT which has been a superb stamp of approval for our venue.
“The last few years have been eventful to say the least with most people adapting roles and rapidly upskilling to take events online through the pandemic. Now, in a post Covid world, like many, we are bracing ourselves.
“We’re holding on to the hope that our industry won’t be affected again on such a massive scale as we enter a potential economic crisis. But we’ve found that organisations are still focusing on planning events and their priority is ensuring that every one of their guests gets maximum value from attending. Clients are looking for the wow factor that simply cannot be delivered online.
“We’ve seen a huge increase in full day event bookings which incorporate experiences. Our venue and events centre is housed in a beautiful 200 year old building owned by a fourth generation family of coffee roasters, Stokes Tea & Coffee. This is fantastic for us as we can include tours of the onsite coffee roastery followed by tastings or ‘have a go at latte art’ classes at the Barista Academy located in the same building.
“These dynamic elements allow the event organisers to interact with their guests in exciting and informal ways. Being able to provide such a wide range of unique options as well as a full range of events and venue services is valuable to our clients.
“Shared experiences allows them to break down barriers and interact with their clients, along with having the right facilities to do the important stuff and deliver those key messages. Attendees want to walk away with something extra that cannot be delivered through a screen. Clients want to see, smell and taste an event and organisers stepping into this new field want to deliver these experiences with exceptional customer service.”
Debbie Connelly, Head of Awards and Conferences Operations, Northstar Meetings Group, organisers of M&IT Awards, said: “From galvanising workforces to spreading knowledge and inspiring innovation, the meetings and events industry has played a crucial role in rebuilding economies in the aftermath of the pandemic.
“Our latest research shows that, while business remains challenging, optimism about the continued return of in-person events continues to grow. That’s because, ultimately, you can’t replicate the in-person experience online – the special buzz you get when people are in the same room. At a time when hybrid working has become the norm, events like the M&IT Awards play an even more crucial role in bringing people together and celebrating success.”
Budgets are tightening and the competitive environment is hotting up, so finding ways to cut through the noise and stand out from the crowd is crucial. The newfound popularity of in-person conferences is not just a result of people missing these interactions but rather that businesses are seeing real benefits.
Businesses are using events to elevate their company brand, convert sales opportunities more rapidly, build contact lists and data, strengthen existing relationships to realise greater potential and value, build a collaborative approach to a collective problem or challenge, generate new leads and so much more.
Putting on an event or arranging a conference doesn’t have to be costly, complicated or cumbersome. Using professional organisers and setting clear objectives is a focused way of achieving real results.
The next 12 to 18 months look set to be far from plain sailing for all businesses everywhere. But resisting the urge to batten down the hatches and using ingenuity to reach the people that count in personal ways can make all the difference.
Karis’ Top Tips For Event Success:
1. Have clear objectives – share these with your event organiser to achieve concrete outcomes.
2. Do something different – choosing the best venue with great facilities is a good start but consider what else is on offer to make your event unique and memorable.
3. Make it worth it – budgets need a pay back and so do your attendees – consider what’s the value for both.
4. Plan ahead – it may seem obvious but allowing enough lead-time will take your event from good to great.
5. Share the load – choose an organiser and venue with the solid facilities, expertise and the flexibility to make your event unique to elevate your brand and be remembered long after the car park is cleared.
Find out more at: Wedding Venue | The Lawn | England (lawnlincoln.com)
Burton RBS building sold to aid Solesmith brand expansion
Burton upon Trent commercial property agents and consultants, Salloway have completed the sale of a 5,671 sq ft two storey modern office/retail property in Burton town centre to local business, Solesmith.
The move opens up an opportunity to grow a corporate merchandise and embroidery services side to the thriving business.
The property is located at 38-41 Station Street, Burton and was formerly occupied by RBS, with recruiter Pertemps previously occupying the first-floor space.
Solesmith are a local, well-established cult personalised gifting brand, conceptualized and founded by proprietor Lauren Dorling in 2014 when she realised there was a huge gap in the personalised gift market, an often-overlooked fashion accessory and gift opportunity – Great Socks.
As the sock business has grown, ranges have been developed to include underwear, slippers, homeware and cosy loungewear with magical personalised touches. Solesmith now have gift ranges that they design and make for major high street brands such as Next, Joules, Dunelm and John Lewis.
Lauren Dorling, proprietor of Solesmith, said: “What started as a sock brand has grown amazingly. All of our gifts are designed, photographed and personalised to order in our local workshop by our experienced, lovely skilled team.
“We have invested a lot in technology and systems but are at capacity in our current business premises in Burton and have been struggling to find the right property locally to purchase for our very much needed business expansion and relocation. Luckily, Salloway were able to provide us with the solution to our property needs!
“The new premises offer Solesmith room to grow as a design and online gifting business with more space, and an in-house photography studio. Alongside that we will have more focus on growing our sister brand Podsmith.co.uk, which specialises in corporate merchandise, workwear, embroidery services and product brand development for fellow independent businesses.
“The new property is ideally located in Burton town centre to enable us to offer potential customers an interactive retail showroom facility to visit, to see first-hand the unique products we offer and to discuss personal design requirements for individual personalizing of our range of gifts and merchandise. We feel really passionate about our local area and working closely with other local businesses and customers to collaborate and grow opportunities here.
“It was great to work with Salloway, another Burton business who really knows the market here and who helped the sale.”
Responsible for brokering the sale, Anwar Hussain, associate partner at Salloway, added: “As a former bank comprising just under 6,000 sq ft, this property attracted a lot of interest. It really is great to see a local independent business become established not only in the local market but thriving nationally through its supply to major High Street brands and its online presence. We wish Lauren and her team the very best.”
Leicester-based technology innovator establishes new head office in the city
Cyferd, an innovative software company, has set up a new head office and AI research hub in a historic building close to Leicester city centre.
Cyferd’s game-changing software can generate applications in seconds with just a few keywords, providing businesses across all sectors with a comprehensive suite of advanced tools that can help them to improve their operations and stay ahead of the competition on a global scale.
The decision to set up in Leicester reflects the company’s commitment to the UK tech sector and its passion for helping underrepresented groups advance their journeys to successful careers in technology. The new head office is based in the Grade-II listed former Fielding Johnson Hospital building on Regent Road, close to the city centre and Leicester’s two universities.
By establishing its head office in Leicester, Cyferd is committed to providing employment opportunities for local people and contributing to the city’s growing technology sector. The move is a testament to Cyferd’s belief in the potential of Leicester as a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship.
The company’s founder and CEO, Ranjit Bahia said: “We are thrilled to be establishing the new tech hub of the UK, here in Leicester. Our vision is to bring together the brightest and best minds from all corners of the country in our new AI R&D facility. We aim to inspire the youth of Leicester and the UK, and show them that they could have a bright future ahead in the world of tech at our Leicester hub.”
With the establishment of its head office in Leicester, the technology start-up is poised for continued growth and success in the field of AI. As the company continues to develop ground-breaking solutions, it is committed to encouraging the next generation of tech pioneers by starting outreach programmes into primary and secondary schools to encourage interest in STEM subjects and careers in tech.
Leicester City Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: “I’m very pleased that Cyferd has chosen to make its head office in Leicester, thereby joining what is the largest cluster of creative and digital businesses outside London.
“With two local universities at the forefront of design and technology on their doorstep, they certainly have a wealth of local talent to recruit from, and I welcome their commitment to developing local educational and job opportunities in this exciting sector.”
Work starts on second phase of Oadby residential development
Work on phase two of the Horwood Gardens development in Oadby is now under way.
The scheme being built by Ashberry Homes – part of the Bellway Group – is named after the first curator of the University of Leicester’s Botanic Garden, Arthur Horwood.
Horwood Gardens is bringing 71 homes for private sale and 46 affordable homes available for local people through low-cost rent or shared ownership.
Phase one included the construction of 45 private properties, and all the affordable homes, and now work has begun on the remaining 26 three, four and five-bedroom houses, which occupy a smaller site on the opposite side of Gartree Road.
Shirley MacLeod, sales manager for Ashberry Homes, said: “Work at Horwood Gardens is advancing extremely well, as we can see from our progress on phase one and the start of construction on phase two.
“This is great news for this part of Leicestershire as there is certainly demand for new housing here and in particular for high-quality, well-designed properties.
“The range of homes here has proved to be very attractive. There is something for every kind of buyer, whether they are purchasing their first home, upsizing to accommodate a family, or looking to downsize into a modern and more efficient property.
“Horwood Gardens is already an integral part of the Oadby area as a neighbourhood and a community is forming. And it is very fitting that it is named after Arthur Horwood as people in the area are rather fond of the Botanic Garden, which was transferred to Oadby in 1947 and is still here to this day.”
The scheme is part of wider 310-home project which is being delivered jointly by Ashberry Homes and Bellway. Work started towards the end of 2020.
The developers are investing more than £987,000 in local services and infrastructure through the contributions agreed as part of the planning agreement, including funding for bus passes, healthcare, primary and secondary education, as well as library contributions, allotment contributions and Coombe Park Pavilion contributions.
Miller Homes makes divisional managing director promotion
Ben Massey has been promoted to divisional managing director for Miller Homes, leading the company’s regional offices in East Midlands, South Midlands, and Yorkshire.
Ben joined Miller Homes in 2001 after completing his degree in residential development at Nottingham Trent University. Over the last 22 years, he has progressed through the company, becoming land director for the Midlands regions in 2013, before achieving promotion to the post of regional managing director for Miller’s East Midlands office and its South Midlands office, which opened in Northampton in 2022.
As divisional managing director, Ben will oversee the East Midlands and South Midlands regions, as well as taking on responsibility for the Yorkshire regional office, based in Wakefield.
Ben Massey said: “I’m very pleased to be taking on this new role at Miller Homes, working with our excellent teams across three unique and distinctive regions. I look forward to developing our presence in the South Midlands, where we will be celebrating our first completions this summer, while continuing to deliver top quality homes at new and existing sites in the East Midlands and Yorkshire.
“At Miller Homes, we take great pride in the work we do, building the best houses possible for our customers and maintaining strong relationships with contractors and landowners across the UK. It’s a real privilege to continue my professional journey with Miller as a divisional managing director, building on the invaluable experience I have gained to date with the company.”
Stewart Lynes, Chief Executive Officer at Miller Homes, said: “Since joining the company in 2001, Ben has made an excellent contribution to our work in the East Midlands, and more recently, he has played a key role in setting up a new regional office in South Midlands.
“His promotion to divisional managing director is well deserved and I’m sure he will work hard with the three regional teams to continue to grow our reputation as a quality homebuilder that customers can trust and rely on.”
Double award glory for Northamptonshire housebuilder
A Northamptonshire housebuilder is celebrating after winning big at a local business awards ceremony.
East Haddon-based Cora took home the gold award in the Sustainability category at this year’s SME Northamptonshire Business Awards, while Managing Director Luke Simmons scooped silver in the Business Person of the Year category.
The business creates developments throughout the Midlands, focused on sustainability and building energy efficient homes for the future.
The shift in focus comes after the business rebranded from Barwood Homes late last year.
Luke said: “We are absolutely thrilled to take home such prestigious awards, in recognition of all the hard work put in over the last year.
“Everyone at Cora is committed to sustainability and creating amazing places that support our environment. We are proudly Northamptonshire-based, so winning a local award makes this feeling that extra bit special.”
Cora has invested heavily in renewable energy alternatives on its sites, while it is also researching innovative new ways to heat its homes using waste water recovery systems.
It has also contributed more than £11,000 towards nature preservation in the last year while planting over 9,000 trees and shrubs.
The business also recognises its social responsibility and puts great emphasis on training apprentices and graduates, while setting targets to hire more people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
It has also set a goal of designating 50% of its homes for affordable housing over the next two years.
Luke added: “As a business we recognise the impact our industry has on the world – and we want to make it a better one.
“We are proving that investing in sustainable practices and delivering on our social ambitions can have a real impact not just on our customers, but us as a business too.
“This is a very exciting time for our business and I speak on behalf of the whole team when I say we are looking forward to extending our reach further throughout the Midlands and beyond.”
