Lincolnshire recruiters snapped up by UK-wide group

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Lincolnshire recruiters snapped up by UK-wide group
Kingdom Services Group has acquired Mercury Personnel Solutions – the Lincolnshire-based specialist recruiters to the fresh produce, horticulture, warehouse, and distribution sectors. The company will be branded and known as Kingdom Mercury. Robert Carter, Managing Director, and Gary Turner, operations director, will continue to lead the company along with the existing SMT. It will be a soft transition and business as usual for the Mercury customers and colleagues – but with the benefits that Kingdom can provide, which include wider “one stop” service capabilities, working synergies and specialist knowledge, and added value that come from being part of a 7000+ colleague and £200m turnover organisation operating across a UK-wide office network. Robert Carter, Mercury MD, said: “I’m incredibly proud of the achievements that the company has made over the years and extremely excited that the company has been acquired by Kingdom Services Group. I would like to thank the many clients that we have, the flexible workforce and the talented operations and accounts team that have made Mercury Personnel Solutions such a success over the years and look forward to continuing the success story with Kingdom Services Group. “The new merger will enable us to continue with our growth to the next level whilst being supported by the Kingdom Services Group whilst delivering enhanced services to clients and candidates alike. Further investment shall continue to expand our geographical offering and most importantly by joining an independently owned group I’m safe in the knowledge that business will be as usual only even better!” Terry Barton, CEO of Kingdom Services Group, said: “Mercury has 20+ years of trading and a strong and solid brand. They have an exceptional growth path because of a great team of people and like Kingdom also have a great energy about them. We also really liked that they are a 52-week recruitment business and aligned with Kingdom have a fantastic workforce (900+) and they attract and retain good people. The Mercury acquisition is aligned to our 2022 recruitment business growth plans. I personally welcome the Mercury team into the Kingdom Group.” Kingdom Services Group has a UK-wide network of 18 offices including Glasgow, Birmingham, London and Belfast with their National Support and Command Centre based at Newton-le-Willows. Kingdom also operates in India.

From city entrepreneurs and business leaders to county residents and tourists – why you should vote for Derby as the home of Great British Railways

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From city entrepreneurs and business leaders to county residents and tourists – why you should vote for Derby as the home of Great British Railways

Budding netball stars, train drivers and business leaders – plus a real-life pirate – have all shown their support as Derby bids to become the new home of the Great British Railways.

Derby is on a shortlist of six cities who are hoping to be chosen as the national headquarters. Great British Railways will be the new, single public body responsible for running and transforming Britain’s railways.

The city already has the backing of Local Authorities across the East Midlands and has received support from Derbyshire, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, Leicester and Leicestershire, alongside 21 MPs from across the region – including Pauline Latham and Amanda Solloway, who visited Derby County’s Pride Park Stadium for their opening League One fixture of the season, to drum up support for the campaign.

And it seems that there is support in the county, too, with Jan Manfredi of Chesterfield-based award-winning ice-cream company Smith’s Creamland Ices and voluntary engine driver Debbie Jackson, who drives popular steam train ‘Little David’ through Matlock’s Hall Leys Park, giving the bid their backing.

Even Captain Jack Sparrow, who was visiting Matlock Bath recently, has voted for Derby to be the next home of the Great British Railways. He said: “Arrghh, Derby gets my vote every time.”

Chesterfield MP, Toby Perkins, believes that Derby is “the perfect place as the home of railways” and has written a letter to Transport Secretary Grant Shapps.

He said: “Derby’s geographic location and transport links are perfectly situated at the heart of the country’s rail network and would provide the ideal setting for linking together the north and south of Britain.

“Locating the new HQ in Derby would be very beneficial for the Great British Railways and would bring in much-needed investment and skilled jobs to the city, which would benefit the whole of Derbyshire and the East Midlands region.”

But more votes are needed before the August 15 deadline and campaigners will be asking shoppers in the Derbion to back the bid this week (Tuesday, August 9) whilst other supporters have visited tourist hotspots in the county.

Husband and wife Adam and Natalie Bamford, of Derby-based personalised corporate gifting company Colleague Box, are backing the bid. Adam said: “Derby is the birthplace of the industrial revolution and a city of innovation and home to leading global companies such as Alstom, Toyota, Rolls-Royce and many more.”

Natalie added: “It’s also a city with a big heart, supportive community and is brimming with talent. Its location makes it the perfect choice to be the home of the Great British Railways and the project would diversify and strengthen the local economy.”

Public relations company Penguin PR, who have offices in Derby and Chesterfield, are also supporting the bid. Director Simon Burch said: “Anyone who lives in Derby knows someone who works or used to work on the railways and there are reminders of our railway heritage everywhere, so the city has got rail tracks running through its veins.

“But as a local business owner and dad to two children, I realise how the region’s future relies on attracting projects of this calibre. Derby has been living in the shadows for too long when it comes to national recognition and attracting Government investment. I can’t think of a project that the city is more suited for, nor deserves as much.

“That’s why we’re supporting the bid and have placed our votes for Derby.”

Beverley Wakefield, of city-based Vibrant Accountancy, says that it would be a fantastic coup for the local economy.

She said: “We are very lucky to be situated in the heart of the country and so our network links are strong. Derby and Derbyshire has a great history with the rail industry and the city being home to the Great British Railways would be a fantastic boost for jobs in the region, and the local economy.”

Meanwhile, keen netball players Abi Smith (10) and her friend, 11-year-old Grace Ganly said that they love the fact that Derby is central to all UK destinations – and how exciting taking a train to a different city is.

“I travelled on the train from Derby to London at Christmas time, with my mum,” said Grace, “and it was really exciting. It didn’t take long at all, and I enjoyed watching the scenery go whizzing by.”

You can vote for Derby to be the location for the Great British Railways by clicking on the link here: Great British Railways Headquarters vote – Page 1 of 3 – Great British Railways – Citizen Space (gbrtt.co.uk)

Corporate insolvencies hit ten year high

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Corporate insolvencies hit ten year high

A dramatic year-on-year increase in corporate insolvencies to their highest point in a decade suggests that many East Midlands directors are opting to close their businesses, with failing confidence in their ability to trade in the current economic climate.

This is according to the Midlands branch of insolvency and restructuring body R3 and follows latest government statistics for England and Wales which highlight an 81.3% year-on-year increase in corporate insolvencies in the second quarter of 2022, rising from 3,105 in the same period in 2021 to the current total of 5,629.

R3 Midlands chair Eddie Williams, a partner at PwC in the region, said: “These figures show the highest levels of corporate insolvency since 2012, driven by an increase in all forms of insolvency process. Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidations have reached their highest recorded figure of 4,908, indicating that many directors are opting to close their businesses due to increasing economic pressures.

“The steady rise in Compulsory Liquidations since the start of the year also suggests that creditors are now making use of their power to issue winding-up petitions to try and claw back monies they are owed.

“Despite May’s unexpectedly positive GDP figures, these government statistics show that now is not the time for complacency. The current economic headwinds are only likely to worsen before they improve, and this will lead to local companies having to overcome a tough second half of this year.

“With household disposable income dropping for the eighth consecutive month in June, consumers are having to prioritise household bills before they can think about spending their money elsewhere. This, coupled with soaring utility costs, supply chain issues, rising interest rates and a tight labour market, will mean an uphill battle for many businesses.

“The insolvency statistics should be a timely prompt for any company director struggling with cashflow. Objective advice should be sought from a qualified, professional source to decide the best path forward – and the earlier this is done, the better.

“Most R3 members will give an hour’s free consultation to potential clients to enable them to understand more about the circumstances of the business, and to outline the options available to help them improve their situation.”

Construction of Etiquette Park units completes

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Construction of Etiquette Park units completes
Eight months after breaking ground at Clowes Developments-owned Etiquette Park in Ilkeston, lead construction contractor TanRo has handed over the completed units to occupiers Catering24 and WELEDA. Construction of both units, totalling circa 50,000 sq ft, began in December 2021. Despite a host of challenges faced by the industry, namely supply and demand of materials and a shortage of skilled labour, TanRo has delivered the bespoke units for Clowes Developments’ clients on time and according to programme, just eight months on. On Monday 25th July, practical completion of Unit A was certified. Unit A is a 27,349 sq ft industrial unit which sits on the left-hand side of the business park. Family business owners, Charlie, Steve and Oliver were onsite to mark the occasion and commented: “This is an exciting new chapter for Catering24. Our growth over recent years has led us to this point but it’s been 30+years in the making. We are looking forward to having our own set of keys and start making the brand new, pristine unit feel like home for our staff.” The deal marks significant expansion for the food packaging distributor who have doubled their turnover in the past two years. Catering24 has the option to purchase the property within the first 2 years. Assuming the option is triggered this will represent a total investment in the warehouse, equipment, racking and IT software to the sum of £2.8m. Charlie Dean, Managing Director at Catering24, added: “My daughter has been tracking the progress of the build since January, we have been driving her down to have a sneak peek at the unit which she has loved. I cannot wait to bring her back and show her around. This really is a special moment for us as a local family business.” Sustainable health and beauty pioneer WELEDA will also be moving into Unit B at Etiquette Park which comprises of a warehouse and office facility totalling 24,207 sq ft. The modern facility sits adjacent to Catering24’s unit on the right-hand side as you enter the site. The company’s Customer Care and Warehousing teams are expected to migrate over to the brand-new facility from WELEDA’s manufacturing site at Ilkeston within the next few months, allowing additional breathing space at the Heanor Road headquarters for the expanding business. WELEDA’s supply chain & warehouse manager, Robert Wood, said: “We are really delighted that our move date is now in sight, and cannot wait to settle our team into their new offices and warehouse facility. The expansion will not only enable us to recalibrate systems and streamline our business, but the exciting new space will undoubtedly inspire and motivate our team as it will provide improved working conditions. A great new springboard for the business!” Having completed the construction of Etiquette Park, lead contractor, TanRo, will have a short period of time to complete any snagging list items identified during the final inspection prior to practical completion sign off. Within a matter of weeks, the construction team will depart from the site and get ready to go again at the next Clowes project, Fairham Business Park. Fairham Business Park (FBP) is being brought forward as part of the wider masterplan for the £800m Fairham development, south of Clifton in Nottingham. The brand-new neighbourhood is being delivered by a joint venture between Clowes Developments and Homes England, the government’s housing accelerator. Outline planning permission is in place for one million square feet of commercial space within the 50-acre Fairham Business Park. TanRo have recently been announced as the lead construction contractor and are getting ready to settle into life on site at Fairham.

Property and construction firms have just 10 more days to showcase their achievements at the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022

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Property and construction firms have just 10 more days to showcase their achievements at the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022
Providing a prime opportunity to shout about your business’s achievements, there are only 10 days left to enter the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022! The annual event, organised by East Midlands Business Link Magazine, is an independent awards and publicity programme recognising development projects and people in commercial and public building across the region – from office, industrial and residential schemes, through to community projects such as leisure schemes and schools. The prestigious awards attract leaders from across the region and are the perfect way for businesses to promote themselves and those they work with. Indeed winning one of these awards will add considerably to a company’s or individual’s brand and enhance their commercial reach significantly. 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. Winners will be revealed at a glittering awards ceremony on Thursday 15 September, at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground – an evening that will also provide plenty of time to forge new contacts with property and construction professionals from across the region. Henry Brothers, winners of Commercial Development of the Year at the 2021 East Midlands Bricks Awards, reflected on the event: “Henry Brothers was absolutely thrilled to have won the Commercial Development of the Year award at the East Midlands Bricks for the delivery of the Medical Technologies Innovation Facility at Nottingham Trent University’s Clifton Campus. “The Henry Brothers story began in Northern Ireland in the 1970s and the company has grown to become a leading UK construction company. However, this award for Henry Brothers Midlands cements our position as a significant member of the East Midlands construction sector and we are very proud to have been recognised for our contribution. “We enjoyed the informal atmosphere of the East Midlands Bricks Awards ceremony and hope to nominate projects next year, as we’d very much like to be part of the event in 2022.” To submit a business or development for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022 before nominations close on Friday 19 August, please click on a category link below or visit this page.
The Overall Winner of the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022 will also be awarded a year of marketing/publicity worth £20,000. Find out who last year’s winners were here.

Book your tickets now

Tickets can now be booked for the awards event – click here to secure yours. The special awards evening and networking event will be held on 15 September 2022 in the Derek Randall Suite at the Trent Bridge County Cricket Club 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. The event will also welcome John Forkin MBE DL, Managing Director at award-winning investment promotion agency Marketing Derby, as keynote speaker, as well as award-winning mind reader, magician, and professional mentalist Looch, who will bewilder and astonish guests during the evening’s networking. Dress code is standard business attire.
Thanks to our sponsors:                                      

To be held at:

Levelling up bid submitted to transform Worksop Town Centre

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Levelling up bid submitted to transform Worksop Town Centre
Bassetlaw District Council have submitted plans to government in an effort to secure £20 million in funding to transform Worksop Town Centre. The District Council, working in partnership with the Levelling Up Board, has applied for a grant through round two of the UK government’s Levelling Up Fund (LUF). If successful the District Council will redevelop the Priory Shopping Centre delivering a brand new family orientated leisure facility in the heart of the town centre. This will be complemented by a new towpath and moorings along the Chesterfield Canal, a new bridge linking to the north of the town and a focus on town centre living, with under used space being turned into apartments and town houses. A new multi-function market area and food court will also be created in addition to a new cycle hub, with café, changing rooms and lockers. The bid, shaped by the Levelling Up Board including Bassetlaw MP, Brendan Clarke-Smith, and chaired by Andria Birch, Chief Executive of BCVS, will:
  • Redevelop the Priory Centre including the development of a brand new leisure facility focused on family orientated activities such as tenpin bowling, indoor soft play facility, Trampoline Park and a café. Redevelopment will retain existing occupiers and bring in new tenants for current empty units.
  • Deliver a new green footpath/towpath link along the Chesterfield Canal along with new moorings capitalising on canal boat traffic, whilst improving a green corridor through the town centre.
  • Create a footbridge over the Chesterfield Canal resulting in improved connectivity to the main town centre from the residential areas to the north of the town which is one of the most deprived areas within Bassetlaw.
  • Enable the redevelopment of the area for new town centre living, bringing two sites forward for development and encouraging underutilised space to be made into apartments and town houses.
  • Create a multi-functional market area with a new food court.
  • Create a new cycle hub that includes a cafe with changing facilities and bike lockers.
  • Improve the existing road surfacing to ensure there is a defined access into the shopping centre.
The bid is designed to encourage people into the town centre and give visitors a reason to stay longer by offering activities and interests that currently do not exist in Worksop. It will also make better usage of the canal and waterways within the town. A successful bid will kick start the improvements required to encourage new investments and create a new sense of confidence for Worksop Town Centre. Cllr Simon Greaves, leader of Bassetlaw District Council, said: “Levelling Up Funding is crucial to the long term future of Worksop Town Centre. This bid complements developments like the new Bridge Skills Hub and will provide a catalyst to unlock investment, to give people a purpose not just to come into town, but to stay longer in town. “We need to create a shift from surviving to thriving. We have strong support from our MP and the County Council and look forward to the Government delivering on their promise to Level Up forgotten areas like Worksop.” Brendan Clarke Smith, Member of Parliament for Bassetlaw, said: “The ‘Levelling Up Fund’ provides Worksop with an opportunity to start the process of regenerating our town centre, to bring new life into empty units and to restore pride in a once thriving high street. “This will build upon the £17.6m for a new A&E village at Bassetlaw Hospital, which will allow overnight treatment for children to return; the £3.5m funding for the Skills Hub, giving people the opportunity to retrain and reskill; the extra per pupil funding provided to our schools, giving our children the best start in life; the Safer Streets Funding, that provided new CCTV in our town centre to assist the police in making the high street safer and also the support to small businesses during the pandemic with grants, loans and the furlough scheme. “I am delighted that we have been able to work together in partnership with other stakeholders, including the District Council, to produce a bid we feel gives us the best chance of securing this extra funding and once again delivering a town centre we can be proud of. I would like to thank everybody involved for their hard work in putting this proposal together.” Chair of the LUF Board, Andria Birch, Chief Executive of BCVS, said: “Bassetlaw CVS has been pleased to support development of the Worksop Levelling Up bid submission. The strong and diverse partnership approach has kept community voice at the heart of proposals as they have developed. Levelling Up funding will provide a critical stimulus for the creation of a Better Bassetlaw for everyone. We now look forward to next steps and building on the great work to date once funding is secured.”

Nottingham group bookings firm acquires Canadian ticketing provider

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Nottingham group bookings firm acquires Canadian ticketing provider

Groubook, the Nottingham-based platform dedicated to group bookings, has acquired StudentSphere, the student ticketing provider in Canada, for an undisclosed sum.

The acquisition is a strategic move for Groubook as they continue to expand into new regions with a high priority on their student business. The acquisition is teased to see Groubook move into the UK ticketing market whilst expanding the reputation that StudentSphere have in Canada.

Groubook CEO Bradley Gough said: “StudentSphere have culminated a great reputation in the Canadian market for being a no-fuss, cost effective and easy to use platform for event organisers.

“Groubook similarly has a reputation amongst organisers and the acquisition not only allows us to move into the Canadian market which has over 1.5m students, but affords us the technology of potentially offering our partners ticketed events for promoters and clubs in the UK as well as bolstering our own platform. “I’d like to place my sincere thanks on record to Andrew, Allan & Sebastien for the opportunity for Groubook to acquire StudentSphere.”

Andrew Lockhead, co-founder of StudentSphere, said: “The company was created by students for students, we couldn’t be happier to ‘pass the torch’ to a group of people who share the same passion and vision for the students market. StudentSphere will be in great hands and be able to accomplish so much more with the help of the Groubook team.”

Macmillan advised Groubook on the deal.

The Recruitment Group expands into Yorkshire with eighth acquisition

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The Recruitment Group expands into Yorkshire with eighth acquisition
Derbyshire-headquartered The Recruitment Group has completed its eighth acquisition – of MYNT Recruitment, expanding its footprint into Yorkshire. Established in 2004, MYNT has offices in York, Hull and Rotherham and specialise in recruiting for the Commercial, Industrial, Professional and Technical sectors. The Recruitment Group’s group Managing Director, Paul Hipkiss, said: “This is a great milestone for us, as it signifies the next stage of our growth and another great business joining our family. Mynt and The Recruitment Group have a lot in common. Both companies share the same values and are dedicated to providing industry-leading service. Our combined expertise will bring loads of new job opportunities to Yorkshire.” Martin Shaw, Managing Director of MYNT, added: “When we were looking for a buyer for our business, we needed to find a company that shared our values, focus on customer service and who had the vision matched with the expertise to take MYNT Recruitment to the next stage of our development. I can’t wait to see how our business and employees develop in the future. It’s certainly exciting times and my team and I can’t wait to see where this journey takes us.” MYNT founder, John Stanton, is now leaving the business to retire. He said: “As I enter retirement, I am really pleased that Martin and I found a buyer who shares those exact same values and the ethos on which I formed this business back 2004 and I know that whilst we have had great success, that The Recruitment Group will take our team to that next level.”​

The deal is set to take The Recruitment Group’s headcount to nearly 150 and increase its footprint to 15 locations nationwide.

Next in discussions with Joules over equity investment

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Next in discussions with Joules over equity investment
Joules, the Market Harborough-based lifestyle group, has confirmed that it is in talks with Next about a potential equity investment. Raising proceeds for Joules of £15 million, Next would become a strategic minority shareholder. Joules has also revealed that it is in discussions with Next over adopting its Total Platform services to support its long term growth plans. In a statement Joules said: “Joules confirms it is in discussions with Next about a potential equity investment raising proceeds for Joules of c.£15 million at no less than Joules’ current market price, which would result in Next becoming a strategic minority shareholder in the Group. The equity investment would be subject to approval by Joules’ shareholders. “There can be no certainty these discussions will lead to any agreement. A further announcement will be made if and when appropriate.”

Only 11 days remain until nominations close for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022

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Only 11 days remain until nominations close for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022
With nominations set to close on Friday 19 August for the prestigious East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022, time is running out to make your submissions. Celebrating the outstanding work of those shaping the landscape of our region, the Bricks provide a prime opportunity to put property and construction businesses, professionals and projects in the spotlight while networking with local decision makers over canapés and complimentary drinks. To make an entry for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022, please click on a category link below or visit this page.
The Overall Winner of the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022 will also be awarded a year of marketing/publicity worth £20,000.
This year’s must-attend awards ceremony, revealing winners, will take place on Thursday 15 September at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, and will hear from John Forkin MBE DL, Managing Director at award-winning investment promotion agency Marketing Derby – the evening’s keynote speaker.
Find out who last year’s winners were here.

Book your tickets now

Tickets can now be booked for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022 – click here to secure yours. The special awards event will be held on 15 September 2022 in the Derek Randall Suite at the Trent Bridge County Cricket Club from 4:30pm – 7:30pm. The occasion will also welcome award-winning mind reader, magician, and professional mentalist Looch, who will bewilder and astonish guests during the evening’s networking. Dress code is standard business attire.
Thanks to our sponsors:                                      

To be held at:

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