Nottingham-headquartered UK immigration law firm, OTB Legal, is spreading its wings once more – this time with a new office in London. The firm will be based from Uncommon in Liverpool Street, in East London. The move follows OTB Legal’s recent opening of a Manchester office to support its clients in the north-west. Offering expert legal advice and support from sponsor licences and skilled worker Visas to spouse Visas and citizenship, OTB Legal has grown consistently from its Chase Park headquarters just outside Nottingham. Now, the firm is ready to make the major move into the capital, as Director Sally McEwan explains. “We’re thrilled to announce OTB Legal’s expansion to London, a milestone that aligns perfectly with our vision for the future,” she said. Sally added: “London, as a global hub, presents an incredible opportunity to extend our expert legal services to a wider audience at a time when the demand for top-tier immigration and business law advice is soaring. “This move enables us to provide even more responsive, innovative, and client-focused solutions, meeting the needs of our clients in this dynamic and fast-paced environment.”

National Grid is extending its public consultation on its proposals to build a new 60-kilometre, high voltage electricity power line running between a new substation at Chesterfield and an existing substation at Willington. The public consultation has been extended until 11:59pm on Tuesday, 17 September 2024 to give people additional time to have their say and provide feedback. National Grid says building a new power line between Chesterfield and Willington will increase the capacity in the centre of the country, enabling cleaner, greener energy to be carried around the network, benefiting homes and businesses in Derbyshire and beyond, and supporting the UK’s offshore wind and net zero targets. Leanne Evans, Project Director for Chesterfield to Willington, said: “We’d like to thank everyone for taking part in our consultation so far, your comments and feedback are invaluable in helping to refine our proposals for this important development. “Feedback previously submitted during this consultation remains valid, but if you haven’t yet done so, please do get involved, visit our website and find out more.”

Mexican brand Boojum is planning to open a second UK mainland restaurant in Nottingham this autumn. The news comes hot on the heels of the opening of its Leeds eatery, which launched in April this year. The new 2,377 sq ft restaurant will be located on Lower Parliament Street, opposite the Victoria Centre in Nottingham city centre, close to the Nottingham Trent University Campus. It will create 25 local jobs and have seating for 42 diners. Established in 2007 in Belfast, Boojum has 17 outlets across Ireland, Northern Ireland and the UK mainland. The Nottingham operation will be its 18^th eatery. Boojum CEO, David Maxwell, said: “We are hugely excited to be launching our second UK mainland operation. We have been overwhelmed with the huge success of our Leeds launch with customers loving our energetic and vibrant atmosphere and are looking forward to creating more ‘Boojum addicts’ in Nottingham.” Boojum operations director, Rob Powell added: “Boojum Nottingham marks the next phase in our national expansion strategy, which will see us open 25 new stores over the next five years. “A lot of love goes into what we do, with a huge passion and commitment for quality and the best tasting Mexican food. Nottingham is an ideal fit for us with its eclectic student population and a vibrant and diverse culture and we can’t wait to bring the Boojum vibes to the city’s food offering.”

Police are encouraging businesses to be wary of a scam in which “leftover” tarmac is offered to them for free. A number of Nottinghamshire businesses – including farmers – have been approached by scammers who say they work for a construction company and are conducting road works in the local area. The scammers have then offered the businesses leftover tarmac for driveways and potholes, claiming it is free. Some business owners accepted the offer but were left shocked when they later received a phone call billing them for the work. When they refused to pay, they were threatened with violence. PC Kelly Carlile, of Nottinghamshire Police, said the majority of the reports had been from the Rushcliffe area but urged all businesses to be vigilant. She said: “We’ve had a number of reports in recent weeks. In one case, the business owner felt so threatened they paid £9,500 before reporting the matter to the police. “Elsewhere, the owner of a car dealership also said he’d accepted the offer of free tarmac and was later billed £10,000. When he refused to pay, a male caller threatened to burn his business down. “In another reported incident, a family-run farm accepted the offer of free tarmac and were later billed £500. When they refused to pay, the caller threatened to fight them – prompting the family to contact the police and install CCTV at their home.” PC Carlile said all the incidents were being investigated and urged anyone with information about those behind the scam to come forward. She added: “These reports are concerning and we are doing everything we can to identify those involved in the scam. “In the meantime, we are encouraging businesses to stay vigilant and ensure they exercise caution when dealing with unsolicited offers such as free tarmac. “Whilst we haven’t received any reports from residents, they too should be vigilant as similar scams to this have occurred elsewhere in the UK in residential areas.” Businesses and individuals are advised to take the following precautions:

• Verify caller identity: Always verify the identity of the caller. Contact firms directly using official contact details to confirm the legitimacy of any offers.
• Do not share information: Avoid sharing personal or business information with unknown callers.
• Do not accept unsolicited offers: Be wary of unsolicited offers for services, especially if they seem too good to be true.
• Report suspicious activity: If you receive such a call or are approached with this offer, report it to the local authorities or trading standards.
• Stay informed: Keep updated with official communications from local authorities regarding such scams.

Businesses can report suspicious calls to Nottinghamshire Police by one of the methods on its contact us page. Alternatively contact Trading Standards by calling 0300 500 8080.

With the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2024 drawing nearer, nominations are now flowing in. Celebrating the outstanding work of those shaping the landscape of our region, this year’s highly-anticipated awards ceremony will take place on Thursday 3rd October, at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground in the Derek Randall Suite. Here are 5 top tips for a successful entry:

1. Make your nomination compelling.
2. Less is more – as often judges have to read a large number of nomination forms, no one wants to read “waffle” or an excessive use of jargon in an award entry, so be concise and specific with what you write.
3. Use facts, statistics and key examples that support why a project, person or business should win an award, as they will make any statement you make much stronger.
4. Make sure to read the criteria carefully to be sure that your nomination does in fact fit what is being looked for. Why not reflect on last year’s winners to get an idea of whether your nomination reflects a certain category’s requirements.
5. Finally, proofread your nomination and submit it in plenty of time!

Sponsors of the awards have also contributed their advice, with Greg Simpson, founder of Press for Attention PR, sponsor of the Responsible Business award, sharing: “First up, tell us judges a story. “We don’t need to hear about what you do, your history and inside leg measurements. Set the scene by all means but grab our attention early on by explaining the problem or challenge as it stood and how you tackled it and crucially…why? How did you change things? What does it mean for the user/stakeholder. Remember, nobody wants a drill…they want a home in the wall. Show us the results.” Offering advice to those entering Mather Jamie’s sponsored category, Architects of the Year, Amy Biddell, director, said: “For architects looking to submit an application, we will be looking for them to demonstrate an understanding of planning regulations so that development meets approval. Sustainability and biodiversity are hot keywords within the industry, so we will be looking for entries to showcase an innovative approach to sustainable working practices, which meet development briefs. “Other points to consider include; design ethos that shows sympathy to local aesthetics, consideration for ecology/environment, ease of construction without too many modifications to design or materials, demonstrate client satisfaction, schemes that also benefit the local community.” Meanwhile, Ed Tripp, consultancy director at EMEC, which is backing Contractor of the Year, said: “Our top advice for any contractors looking to submit an application is to showcase a nature/ecology first approach to their development schemes. We firmly understand the need for new developments in order to drive the economy forward, but we will be looking for contractors who are showcasing an innovative approach to embracing sustainability. Our role as the consultant ecologist is as much about protecting habitats as it is about offering added value advice to the developer so that the communities they create, incorporate diversity.” William Crooks, Managing Director of Cawarden, sponsor of Excellence in Design, said: “For those contemplating a nomination, our foremost advice is to embrace boldness and innovation. Demonstrate how your project pioneers new frontiers and positively impacts the environment, people, or communities. We eagerly anticipate reviewing the exceptional submissions and paying tribute to the visionaries propelling design excellence in the East Midlands.” Sponsoring Deal of the Year, Tutum Consulting’s director, Simon Prescott shared: “To create a compelling nomination, focus on what sets your deal apart. Highlight the unique impact and innovative aspects of the project, detailing how it pushed boundaries and achieved significant results. Here are some key elements to emphasise:

1. Clear Objectives and Vision: Start by outlining the clear objectives and vision behind the deal. Explain the goals you set out to achieve and the strategic thinking involved.
2. Challenges and Solutions: Describe the challenges faced during the deal’s execution and the innovative solutions implemented to overcome them. Highlight any creative approaches or out-of-the-box thinking that contributed to the deal’s success.
3. Collaboration and Team Effort: Emphasise the collaboration and teamwork that drove the project. Recognize the contributions of all stakeholders, including partners, clients, and team members, showcasing how their combined efforts led to a successful outcome.
4. Quantifiable Results: Provide concrete, quantifiable results to demonstrate the impact of the deal. Use metrics such as financial performance, project scale, timelines, and any other relevant data that illustrates the success and significance of the deal.
5. Broader Impact: Explain the broader impact of the deal on the community, industry, or market. Highlight any long-term benefits, sustainability initiatives, or positive changes resulting from the project.
6. Supporting Materials: Include supporting materials such as testimonials, visuals, and any other documentation that strengthens your nomination. These materials can provide additional context and evidence of your achievements.

“By focusing on these aspects, you can create a compelling and comprehensive nomination that clearly demonstrates why your deal deserves to be recognised as the ‘Deal of the Year.’ Remember, the goal is to tell a compelling story of innovation, collaboration, and success that captures the judges’ attention and showcases the excellence of your project.” If you haven’t submitted your entries for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2024 yet, now is the prime time to take this opportunity to showcase your business, team and projects. Nomination forms can be found here and entry is free. Alternatively, click on an individual link below to go straight to a specific category’s nomination form. Award categories include:

• Most active 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, with the winner, and recipient of a year of marketing/publicity worth £20,000, selected from those nominated for the event’s other awards)

Nominations end Thursday 5th September, with winners revealed at a glittering awards ceremony on Thursday 3rd October at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground – an evening of celebration and networking with property and construction professionals from across the East Midlands.

Tickets can now be booked for the 2024 awards event, click here to secure yours. Taking place in the Derek Randall Suite at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground on Thursday 3rd October, from 4:30pm – 7:30pm, connect with local decision makers over nibbles and complimentary drinks while applauding the outstanding companies and projects in our region. Attendees will also hear from keynote speaker Paul Southby, partner at Geldards LLP, chair of the Advisory Board to Nottingham Business School, chair of Broadway independent cinema, trustee of Clean Rivers Trust, chair of Nottingham Partners, board member of Marketing Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, and former High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire. Dress code is standard business attire. Thanks to our sponsors:      

             

To be held at:

Business owners in Ashfield thinking about trading abroad, or existing importers and exporters looking to drive international sales, can take advantage of a fully funded service from the Ashfield Accelerator Project. ‘Trading Overseas’ is part of the Project delivered by East Midlands Chamber and funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). It forms part of Ashfield District Council’s Accelerator Programme and offers support to local businesses to tap into global markets. This could be for strategic as well as operational support. Sole traders, micro and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can be supported by a specialist consultant – Andrea Collins of the Global Trade Department – to address import and export challenges such as finding new markets, suppliers, distributors and trade events. The service will be tailored to the needs of each business and could cover global trade functions, regulatory compliance or sustainability planning. Home Curtains, a maker and supplier of curtains based in Sutton-in-Ashfield, is one business that has already benefitted from support. Home Curtains head of finance Rachel Binks said: “We were looking for support to guide us through the exploration of new markets abroad. We contacted the Accelerator project and explained what we were looking to investigate, and in turn built a plan to turn our ideas into practice. “We were introduced to Andrea who worked tirelessly with us, showing patience and understanding in every question we had. The support and guidance paid significant dividends upon the acceptance of a Customs warehouse and continued support through applications for VAT numbers in EU countries and further afield.” East Midlands Chamber Deputy Chief Executive Diane Beresford said: “We are delighted to be working with Ashfield District Council on the Accelerator Trading Overseas project. This is hands-on support for any business in Ashfield wanting to break into overseas markets or grow its current international portfolio. “Eligible businesses also have access to the new Ashfield Accelerator Grant, which can provide between £8,000 to £30,000 to support costs for trading overseas as well as adopting new technologies, research and innovation, decarbonisation and workforce development.” Businesses wanting to find out more should visit the Ashfield Accelerator pages of the D2N2 Growth Hub website and complete an Expression of Interest form. This project will end on 31 March 2025.

Streets Chartered Accountants covers election concerns, trivial benefits, and more in its latest monthly news roundup. What might businesses want from the next government? The wait is over and we now have a date for a general election, the 4th July. Whilst many will have been pressing for and wanting an election, how many of us have considered why or what we really want from the next government? Whilst individuals will no doubt have their own thoughts and asks, these invariably will be unique to them. When it comes to businesses there is probably a more collective thought or ask. Read More Employment, workforce and skills election special This special episode of The Streets Sessions, with guests Anita Wynne, CEO of Beststart Human Resources, and Taj Rahil, Partner and employment law specialist with leading law practice Fladgate LLP, focuses on the election and what the main party manifestos have in store for employers and employees, as well as addressing workforce skills shortages and managing migration. Listen Now Small perks, big impact: keeping your team happy In today’s competitive business landscape, finding and retaining great staff can feel like finding a needle in a haystack. But did you know that something as simple as trivial benefits can make a significant difference? Trivial benefits are small perks that don’t attract tax. Think coffee vouchers, seasonal gifts or a team lunch. These little tokens of appreciation can work wonders for morale and loyalty across all industries. Read More Bloodstock industry benefits from Streets Bloodstock’s new Taxation Guide for 2024 Streets are excited to announce the publication of the 2024 Bloodstock Tax Guide, in association with The Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association. This specialist guide has been produced in response to the members of the association seeking advice and guidance on the specific tax implications and treatments for those involved in the sector and in particular breeders. This new guide supersedes the Horseman’s Group guide for bloodstock taxation advice. Read More Banking & Finance services for clients – business funding options available There are numerous reasons why many clients are using Streets’ Banking and Finance services. Their dedicated in-house team are easy to access, work with your accountants and are situated within Streets offices providing an expert knowledge in all areas of finance. Like your accountant they always have the client’s and their businesses’ best interests at heart. Whatever your funding requirements are it pays to engage with experts to support you, who have access to whole of market to secure the right funding solution for your business needs. Read More HMRC wrongly refund voluntary Class 2 National Insurance payments This incorrect refunding may have significant effect on many individuals in the future when the time comes to receive their state pension and other contributory benefits. Each year, Class 2 National Insurance is collected via self assessment returns and payments transferred through self assessment to each individual’s National Insurance record by HMRC. However, all Class 2 contributions need to be paid by 31 January for the contributions to be accepted by HMRC systems. Read More

Around 460 jobs could be created if plans for a new Nottinghamshire solar park are approved. The proposed Great North Road Solar Park, near Newark, would create enough clean energy to power every home in the county. Developer Elements Green states that around 400 roles would be created during the construction phase, with a further 60 needed permanently once it is operational. “The benefits of the Great North Road Solar Park aren’t just limited to cheaper bills and greener energy,” said Mark Noone, head of UK development. “There will be hundreds of secure well-paid jobs created during construction and the project’s legacy would include scores of skilled positions once the site is operational. “Over half of those will be engineering roles, but there will also be a need for admin and support staff, and there will be plenty of chances for these roles to be filled locally. “These will be good jobs, which are permanent and pay a proper wage. And much like the Great North Road Solar Park, we believe they will make a positive contribution to the lives of families across the area. “The skills and training opportunities on offer to local people will form part of a separate announcement to follow in the coming months.” According to Mark, an initial public consultation staged earlier this year revealed “pleasing” levels of support for the development which would be built north of the town. Almost half of the respondents either backed the development or could support it in an amended form. If approved it would see around 1.5m solar panels erected to produce cleaner energy, which would play a significant role in hitting the UK Government’s Solar PV target of 70GW constructed by 2050. Locally, it would lead to a greener Nottinghamshire – with substantially less carbon emitted into the atmosphere each year. Additionally, around £1m-a-year in grant funding would be made available to the local community via the NG+ scheme, helping community projects that have a focus on areas such as education, food security, energy efficiency, wellbeing and the environment. Mark added: “Whilst the Great North Road Solar Park is still currently a proposal, the benefits it could bring to this area – be it jobs, community funding and cleaner energy – are huge. “And this all signals our intent to make a permanent and positive economic difference to the area through Great North Road Solar Park.”