The developer of a building in Job’s Yard, Kettering will have to demolish the top two storeys and rectify the other issues with the site, following a trial at Birmingham High Court at the end of May. The case was brought by North Northamptonshire Council following serious concerns about the building work taking place and a lack of adherence by the developer to building regulations. The result from the court case shows that the council were justified in their approach and are warning they will take other, similar matters to court, if necessary. After two days, the judge adjourned the trial and approved an order from the court compelling the developer to arrange for a specialist contractor to demolish the top two storeys and appoint experts to work with NNC’s Building Control team to identify all issues with the building that need to be resolved for the building to be considered safe. A strict timeline has been put in place for the developer to action, and if this is not met, NNC will reapply to the court for the total demolition of the building. The planning permission for the site allows for a four-storey building following an appeal decision, not a six-storey building which has been built on the site and was deemed unsafe by NNC Officers. Due to the current unsafe nature of the building, a cordon has been in place since June 2022 and once the building has been reduced to four storeys, NNC will be able to review the current size of cordon. Cllr David Brackenbury, the council’s Executive Member for Growth and Regeneration, said: “We have been trying to work with the developer of this site for some time now and going to court was always a last resort. “This is a positive step forward and we are hopeful the developer will follow the orders set out by the court. Following the removal of the top storeys, we will soon be able to look at the safety of the area and reducing the cordon in place at the earliest opportunity, which will benefit residents of Kettering and businesses around the site.” Cllr Jason Smithers, Leader of the Council, said: “Our officers work tirelessly across North Northants tackling issues that are important to residents. As this case shows, we take enforcement cases seriously and will send cases to the court, if necessary, to protect residents and prevent non-compliant building works.”

Design, refurbishment, and fit-out specialists DSP (Interiors) Ltd have been appointed by AMS Hayley Derby to carry out the design and fit-out of their new 16,000 sq ft premises at Dunstall Park in Derby. The company, which is part of Hayley Group, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of engineering components and consumables, is currently based on Riverside Industrial Park, off Raynesway, where its trade counter stocks a range of components and consumables including bearings, seals, power transmission, drives, lubricants, PPE and tools. The company is now expanding its operation, with the addition of a new building on Dunstall Park in the city. The team at DSP Interiors have been appointed principal designer and principal contractor on the project, which will involve transforming an empty building shell into a large bespoke office and warehouse facility to accommodate the company’s continued expansion. The turnkey project begins with the installation of office and storage mezzanine floors including 60 minute fire rated compartmentation, suspended ceilings, joinery, dry-lining and glazed and solid partitions. The office fit out includes toilets and amenities incorporating a large agile breakout zone to promote collaboration and provide an array of spaces for staff to work. The offices will feature graphic walls, carpets and luxury vinyl plank flooring as well as tiling to toilet amenities. DSP (Interiors) Ltd will be undertaking all works including furniture and seating, complete building mechanical and electrical systems including air-conditioning and energy recovery ventilation systems. An L2 fire alarm system and emergency lighting is being installed as well as intruder alarm inclusive of internal and external camera systems. DSP Interiors, which is based at the Parker Industrial Estate on Mansfield Road in Derby, are finalising designs, with the fit-out set to start in the next couple of weeks. The new facility at Dunstall Park will enable AMS Hayley Derby to streamline its operations, optimise storage and improve overall efficiency. Commenting on being awarded the contract by AMS Hayley Derby, Andy Priestley, director of DSP (Interiors) Ltd Derby, said: “We are delighted to have been selected by AMS Hayley to carry out the design and fit-out on their new building. “Our team of experts are looking forward to collaborating with the team at AMS Hayley to create a bespoke office and warehouse facility that not only reflects their brand identity but also provides a functional and inspiring work environment for their staff. “As principal designer and principal contractor for the project, there is a real buzz in the office as our team gears up to transform the newly completed building shell into a large bespoke office and warehouse facility. It’s definitely one to watch.” Simon Lister, director of AMS Ltd, added: “We are delighted to be working with Andy and his team at DSP Interiors on this exciting project to take our new building from a shell to a large bespoke office and warehouse facility. “The company has an impressive track record of delivering high-quality interior design and fit out solutions across a number of industrial and commercial sectors and we can’t wait to get started.”

Nottingham property developer ALB Group has landed a major coup by negotiating terms for homewares chain Wilko to retain its flagship store at an out-of-town Peterborough shopping centre.

Wilko’s lease at Ortongate Shopping Centre, in Orton Goldhay, was due to expire in September this year.

It was feared that the national retailer was poised to vacate its 23,436 sq ft unit after seeing the centre increasingly struggle for trade and other tenants over the past few years.

But ALB Group recently stepped in to purchase the majority of the shopping centre site, with an aim to revitalise it by offering cheaper and more flexible rent structures to tenants, as well as spending around £1m refurbishing some of the vacant units.

Now, property agent Prime Retail has completed negotiations with Wilko on behalf of ALB, persuading the high street giant to sign a new five-year lease at the centre.

Joe Bryan, senior surveyor for Prime Retail, said: “This is fantastic news for Ortongate and shows just how much of a positive effect ALB has had on the general outlook at the shopping centre.

“Wilko currently occupies the second largest unit on site, so this is a major coup for everyone, and a huge relief I’m sure to many shoppers.

“Having pre-empted a situation which could have left a very large hole in the centre’s fortunes, we clearly offered them a good enough deal to stay.”

Joe said that, since ALB announced it was taking over at Ortongate, the shopping centre seemed to be gaining a new lease of life, with a number of businesses showing an interest in leasing vacant units.

Potential new businesses currently in negotiation with the joint agents Prime Retail and FHP Property Consultants include an Indian restaurant, pet store and an arts, crafts and garden store.

All have been attracted by ALB Group’s growing reputation for kickstarting the fortunes of depressed high streets and retail centres in other parts of the UK.

Areas like Bridlesmith Gate in Nottingham, Albion Street in Derby and Sailmakers Shopping Centre in Ipswich have all benefitted from ALB’s promise of better tenancy terms for traders.

While a wide mix of both large national chains and small independent traders is the goal, ALB has been especially keen to make tenancy agreements affordable and flexible enough to attract more local and niche entrepreneurs.

Arran Bailey, founder and Managing Director of ALB, said: “Our approach is quite simple: high streets and retail centres have been facing challenges for years, from online shopping to the effects of Covid, so it could not be a case of ‘business as usual’.

“Many landlords have not woken up to the fact that a fresh approach was needed. But we have seen a hugely positive reaction to our more flexible leasing model.

“The fact that Wilko has reconsidered its position and signed a new five-year lease illustrates just how serious we are at breathing new life into our centres. We expect to be able to share many more positive stories from Ortongate in the very near future.”

Ortongate Shopping Centre was placed on the market earlier this year following a long struggle to fill vacant shop units.

Built 15 years ago, the shopping centre serves a local population of around 30,000 residents as well as many more from surrounding areas who take advantage of the good transport links and free parking spaces.

Major plans to build a new primary school in Worksop have moved a significant step closer after planning approval was granted for the scheme. The new school will be built on land off Gatekeeper Way in Gateford in two phases as part of a major residential development on the northern fringes of the town. It is expected to open for the new school year in September 2024 and will eventually have the capacity for 315 primary places plus a 26-place nursery – with the first phase of the scheme seeing capacity for a 210-place school. This will ensure that there are enough places to meet the needs of families in the Gateford area. Nottinghamshire County Council’s Planning and Rights of Way Committee gave the new-build the green light yesterday (Tuesday 6 June). The single-storey building will provide eight classrooms, a number of learning resource areas, a school hall and catering kitchen, together with staff rooms and administration spaces; externally the site will provide learning and play areas, and sports pitches. Up to 33 car parking spaces and two disabled bays will be created on site, while there will be provision for Electric Vehicle (EV) charging points. Solar panels are also proposed on the building’s roof for both phases. The project will be led by the county council with its partner Arc Partnership, a joint venture between the council and SCAPE, which has designed and will manage the construction through its delivery partner, Morgan Sindall Construction. Councillor Tracey Taylor, Cabinet Member for Children and Families, said: “I am delighted planning permission has been granted for the new primary school in the Gateford area of Worksop. “This project reaffirms our commitment to ensure that every child in Nottinghamshire not only has the best access to education but will be able to learn in an environment which will help them to succeed. “One of our key commitments is to make sure that there are the right number of mainstream and special school places for Nottinghamshire’s children and young people. “This school will eventually deliver an additional 315 primary places and will be a huge benefit to families living in the Gateford area.” The new build has been planned as part of the county council’s commitment to ensure children across Nottinghamshire are able to attend good and outstanding primary schools. Councillor Keith Girling, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Asset Management, said: “There is no better investment in our children’s future than ensuring they get a good education. “We are committed to investing millions of pounds to provide pupils with the best facilities to allow them to learn in modern, well-equipped buildings. “This is yet another development I’m fully supportive of and the approval of the new school will help to address the growing demand for places in the Worksop area.” Sara Williams, Head of Pre-Construction at Arc Partnership, said: “The new school will be built to the highest standard and will be net zero in operation. “Using the expertise of Morgan Sindall Construction and their skilled, local supply chain we will create a modern, sustainable building that will support the surrounding community and its residents for years to come. “With Arc Partnership’s focus on delivering real value together, the development will also drive socioeconomic benefits across the county and continue to support the council’s wider 10-year growth plan.”