Harborough District Council has approved further details in the planning application for the new prison at Gartree, near Market Harborough.
Councillors approved proposals for the appearance and layout of the new prison submitted by the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) at Planning Committee on Tuesday 11 June 2024.
The committee also agreed to delegate authority to a designated council officer to approve planning conditions relating to specific issues including drainage and environmental considerations.
These will be discharged in agreement with the Planning Committee Chairman and following receipt of the necessary technical approvals from the expert technical organisations as needed.
In April 2022, Harborough District Council’s planning committee refused the outline application. An appeal from the Ministry of Justice against the decision was received in June 2022.
On Wednesday 15 November 2023 the government announced The Secretary of State’s decision that the Appeal from the MOJ should be allowed and outline permission should be granted, subject to conditions.
The MOJ is expected to start work on site later this year.
Plans for a controversial new logistics hub at St Johns, Enderby, which residents have fought against, have been approved.
Previously receiving refusal last year, the application from the Drummond Estate, now revised, includes plans for warehouses, offices, and gatehouses.
While many elements of the application remain from prior proposals, a planned training centre has now been omitted and replaced by industrial units.
The vision is for the site to accommodate four logistics buildings and three general industrial buildings.
Residents had been concerned about the loss of green space, one of the last between the village and Leicester, the effect on the road network and wildlife.
Public comments on the application saw 2,660 objections made of the 2,699 received.
Refurbishment works have begun to transform the Central Building at the University of Nottingham’s new Castle Meadow Campus.
Delivered by Midlands contractor, G F Tomlinson, the refurbishment works will breathe new life into the Central Building, which sits on the site of the former HMRC offices, helping to establish the campus as a social and commercial hub for the university.
The Castle Meadow Campus is a zone for entrepreneurship and innovation in the city centre, with a sustainability strategy implemented by the university that assesses each development to ensure carbon neutral targets are being met. Encompassing seven buildings, it features state-of-the-art facilities for its community of students, academics, and industry partners.
The Grade II listed Central Building is undergoing extensive renovation works including the complex replacement of the tensile fabric roof to ensure a future proof building, and the addition of a new mezzanine at first floor level offering views of the roof through a large, glazed roof light at its centre.
A new welcome reception area will provide unobstructed views from the entrance into the heart of the building. Alongside this, a new bistro café with kitchen facilities, study spaces and external seating will provide a social space accommodating over 200 visitors.
The new HV power sub stations are now under construction, with trench ducting between the neighbouring buildings being created and new power supplies being installed. Restoration works to the listed concrete slabs are underway, with specialist contractors carefully removing years of paint and debris, bringing the structure back to its original state.
The replacement of the roof is an extensively technical process due to its intricate design. As the build is a predominantly steel framed structure supported by tensile fabric and tensioned steel cables, it’s fundamental that each fabric panel is dismantled in sequence, to preserve the building and protect the fragile and vulnerable elements.
Structural temporary works will be implemented to support this process taking place over a 20-week period.
G F Tomlinson have a long-standing relationship with the University of Nottingham. Previous schemes delivered by the contractor include the Advanced Manufacturing Building at the Jubilee Campus, along with the Biodiscovery Institute and the East Midlands Conference Centre refurbishment at the University Park Campus. With extensive experience of refurbishing Listed buildings, G F Tomlinson also delivered the multi-million redevelopment of the Nottingham Castle.
As part of their commitment to provide added social value throughout the project, G F Tomlinson have already donated 10 dual side benches from the former changing rooms of the building to local football club, Pelican Colts. Year 10 students from Lees Brook Academy, Bemrose School and Minster School have been provided with work experience placements, working alongside the project team to gain valuable on-site skills and experience, helping them to scope out careers in construction.
Managing Director, Adrian Grocock, said: “We’re pleased to be building on our long-standing working relationship with the University of Nottingham to bring this landmark Central Building at Castle Meadow Campus to fruition. The team has worked extensively to plan intricate works for the unique building and roof design, drawing upon our specialisms and expertise.
“The city centre campus is a shining example of how the city can retrofit existing buildings to create sustainable modern facilities, and the Central Building works will maximise the current building’s potential to become a landmark social and commercial city hub.”
Director of Estates and Facilities at the University of Nottingham, Gary Moss, said: “Creating inclusive, sustainable environments is at the heart of our campus development programme.
“This great work with G F Tomlinson, who share these values, will enable the reimagined Central Building to become a welcoming, vibrant landmark at the heart of our new Castle Meadow Campus. With work well underway, including the complex roof replacement, we’re thrilled to be on track for a Spring 2025 opening of our new city centre campus hub.”
Evolve Estates, part of M Core, has acquired a portfolio of retail units in
Northampton as part of its continued strategic growth.
The deal includes 15-27 and 27/29 on Abington Street, the main road linking the
east of Northampton town centre with the Market Square, and 9/15 and 1-13
Wood Street. Units are let to established occupiers such as Waterstones, Barclays
Bank, Bodycare, Holland & Barrett, and Superdrug.
Evolve Estates acquired the units for an undisclosed sum as part of its proactive
acquisition drive in shopping parades, centres and retail parks across the UK.
Joe O’Keefe, Co-Founder at Evolve Estates, said: “This is an exciting and logical
addition to our portfolio, we already own and manage the Grosvenor shopping
Centre which has proved to be a great success.
“This continuity of ownership is great news for the community and local shoppers to the area, aiming to create spaces where businesses can grow and provide the community with further services and retail opportunities.”
Agents acting on behalf of Evolve were Tim Lloyd at Cited, Gregg Goodman as
the solicitor at Clarke Willmott. The vendor’s solicitor was Mishcon de Reya LLP.
East Midlands-based law firm Rothera Bray has made nine promotions across a range of key practice areas, including the elevation of two professionals to partner and four individuals to senior associate roles across four office locations.
Notable among the promotions are Ann Farnill, previously a Senior Associate Solicitor in wills and probate, and Emily Weston, formerly a Senior Associate Solicitor in conveyancing, who have been promoted to partner.
Four colleagues have also been promoted to senior associate: Transport Barrister Olivia Maginn, based at the firm’s Nottingham office, Conveyancing Associates Julekha Nathani and Kiran Phagura, based at the firm’s Leicester office, and Wills and Probate Associate Eleanor Robinson, based at the firm’s West Bridgford office.
Additionally, Family Law Solicitor Charley Kelly, Conveyancing Solicitor Tina Rana, and Wills and Probate Solicitor Aleksandra Cebula, who is based at Rothera Bray’s Beeston office, have been recognised with promotions to associate positions.
Christina Yardley, CEO of Rothera Bray, said: “It is fantastic to be able to recognise and reward the invaluable contribution our people make to the firm and our clients.
“These promotions highlight not only the dedication and excellence demonstrated by each individual but also the firm’s commitment to investing in its people, nurturing talent and fostering growth within its ranks.”
Mansfield-based Deanestor, one of the UK’s leading furniture and fitout specialists, has released its latest financial results for the year ending December 2023 which show a £3m increase in turnover to £22.4m and a record order intake of over £30m.
Forward orders have increased by more than £3m to over £30m compared to the same period last year for projects to be delivered through to the end of 2025.
Turnover rose by £3m in 2023, up from £19.2m in the previous year and again with a healthy operating profit. Net assets in the same period increased by £1.5m.
Projects have been delivered and awarded across diverse market sectors – healthcare, education, student living and build-to-rent – for the manufacture and installation of fitted furniture, bespoke kitchens and specialist joinery, and with a high level of repeat business from tier one contractors and major residential property developers.
William Tonkinson, CEO of Deanestor, said, “This latest set of figures demonstrates strong and sustainable growth for the business across multiple sectors. We have an exceptionally healthy project pipeline and are anticipating an increase in turnover to £24m by the end of 2024.”
“Our financial performance is testament to the hard work of our teams in the East Midlands and in Fife – from design and estimating to manufacturing and work on site – who help our clients achieve the balance between first class fitout services, fitted furniture of the highest quality, and project delivery to the required budget and programme.”
“Quality and longevity are vitally important for fitting out retained assets – from hospitals that are operational 24/7 to co-living apartments that require strong tenant appeal, long-term.”
In Scotland, Deanestor continues to perform well from its regional headquarters in Fife, particularly in the education sector. Current projects include Deanestor’s 13th school furniture and fitout project for Robertson Construction – a £3.8m contract for the new East End Community Campus in Dundee.
Contracts nearing completion in the build-to-rent residential sector include a contract worth around £2.5m to provide 399 bespoke, high specification kitchens for Winvic Construction at New Garden Square in Birmingham – Deanestor’s third project for Moda Living.
Also in the co-living sector, Deanestor has just been awarded a contract for more than 100 kitchens for a multi-tenure project in the EdCity development in London’s White City, working once again with Bowmer + Kirkland.
Hospital fitout contracts totalling £4m have also been secured, the largest of which is a project worth more than £1m for Integrated Health Projects (IHP) – a joint venture between VINCI and Sir Robert McAlpine, to fit out two 54-bed adult mental health facilities at Kingsway Hospital in Derby and in the grounds of Chesterfield Royal Hospital.
Deanestor’s latest major project in the student living sector is a £2m contract to fit out the bedrooms, studio and communal kitchens for a 550-bed scheme.
Nottingham-based students, budding entrepreneurs and local companies can get free help to take their business to the next level with mentoring and support from Oxford Business College.
The college has launched the Oxford Business Innovation and Incubation Centre (OxBIIC), which will support growing businesses with mentoring, workshops and product development sessions.
Fifty businesses – including 39 students and 11 local companies – are taking part in the first intake, and will receive one hour of mentoring every fortnight. Businesses could get up to three years of free mentoring.
The mentoring is being offered at the Oxford Business College campus on Carlton Road in Nottingham, as well as the campuses in Oxford, West London and Slough.
The business experts leading the mentoring have more than 45 years of experience taking companies from inception to IPO and in sectors including manufacturing, retail, food tech and wholesale.
Tech entrepreneur and investor Bryony Tinn-Disbury took a food tech company through three rounds of investment and created an incubator for MedTech entrepreneurs.
Simoni Wong has more than 20 years’ experience at C-suite level and successfully executed two IPOs.
Students, budding entrepreneurs and local businesses can apply to be part of the OxBIIC programme by emailing oxbiic@oxfordbusinesscollege.ac.uk
Mr Sarwar Khawaja, Chairman of the Executive Board of Oxford Business College, said: “The Oxford Business Innovation and Incubation Centre is another way that we are setting our students up to succeed in business. We are also giving back to the local community, and helping turn business ideas into success stories.
“Many Oxford Business College students are born entrepreneurs, and we love to support them as they launch and grow their own businesses. We are delighted to see that 50 firms have already signed up.
“Our flexible courses make it possible for students to hold down a job while studying, making us the perfect place for mature learners and those who want a new career.”
Lincolnshire-headquartered global airfield and runway specialist Jointline has made its largest investment since the establishment of the 37-year-old business, to enhance its runway grooving capabilities.
The £1m of new plant and machinery will help drive sustained growth for the privately-owned company, which currently has 120 employees.
Gary Massey, Managing Director of Jointline, said: “The current demand for runway refurbishment and development is the highest it’s been for the past decade. In order for us to fulfil the demand from existing domestic customers – while expanding our overseas operations – we have deployed company funds to purchase multiple new sets of specialist plant and machinery.
“We have also invested in the training and development of long-serving employees and increased our skilled workforce by 20% to 120 employees. This is setting us apart from our competitors, while keeping the team and our customers safe as we carry out grooving assignments on live airfields. I am proud to be leading a business that is set up for the future and able to continue to grow sustainably and profitably.”
Jointline’s investment in the expansion of its grooving division includes the purchase of five ride-on pavement groovers, a bespoke 30-ft articulated trailer and two 44-tonne DAF XF Super Space tractor units. The firm has also invested in the remanufacture of its 30,000-litre capacity water tanker, which has additional safety features, Chapter 8 requirements, and full 360-camera coverage.
Hospitality workers on precarious contracts are most likely to experience workplace sexual harassment, according to a new report.
The report reveals how a combination of precarious contracts, sexualisation of service work and the workforce’s demographics have contributed to making hospitality workers more vulnerable to workplace sexual harassment.
Dr Bob Jeffrey, lead author of the research from Sheffield Hallam University, said: “We’ve all seen the headlines over the last year about issues of sexual harassment in the fast-food industry. Our research helps to explain why it’s such a problem, not just in fast-food, but across the hospitality sector.
“Part of the reason for this is the hospitality industry having the largest percentage of zero-hour contracts, which makes it too easy for perpetrators in positions of authority to cut the hours of those who try and speak out.”
Researchers interviewed hospitality workers as part of a wider study on low paid and precarious work. Sexual harassment and unwanted sexual attention were mentioned by a significant number of interviewees.
The report highlights how the hospitality workforce is disproportionately young, female, from a minoritised background, on zero hours contracts and on the lowest rates of pay.
All of which make them more vulnerable to sexual harm, with workers on precarious contracts 60 per cent more likely to report being a victim of sexual harassment, and women generally reporting sexual harassment rates twice as high as men.
Findings showed that several of the women interviewed were harassed by their manager or supervisor, who used their position of authority and responsibility for their working patterns to harass them and control their working lives.
Forvis Mazars, a global professional services network, has appointed Mitesh Thakrar as an audit partner in the East Midlands.
Following the recent launch of Forvis Mazars, the newest top 10 global professional services network, Mitesh joins the firm at a period of great opportunity in the East Midlands. He will also be joining an expanding local partnership team following the appointments of Andy Hickson, Claire Cowen and Mark Surridge last September.
In his new role Mitesh, who has spent his entire career in the East Midlands and specialises in working with privately owned businesses, will be responsible for further strengthening the audit practice and supporting the firm as it continues to grow its client base in the region.
Mitesh joins Forvis Mazars following a strong financial reporting period in the East Midlands. This has seen the team expand by 10% over the last year and income rise to in excess of £40m across the region. Mitesh joins the firm from Azets, where he was a partner and regional head of audit (East Midlands).
Steve English, office managing partner for Forvis Mazars across the East Midlands, said: “Mitesh brings over a decade’s experience of working in audit and serving clients across the East Midlands.
“His insights into the local market will be invaluable as we look to continue to grow our presence and offering in the region. Mitesh’s dedication to his clients and to audit quality mean he will be a fantastic addition to the team and we look forward to welcoming him.”
Activewear retailer, Lucy Locket Loves has entered voluntary liquidation, owing just under £900,000.
It follows supply chain issues, warehouse floods that caused downtime and lost stock, rising import costs that impacted margins, and the cost of living crisis hitting revenue.
The Dronfield-based business was also affected by a change from monthly to quarterly rent payments for its warehouse, which it was unable to meet.
Founder Lucy Arnold said: “Firstly, I want to apologise to everyone impacted by this, especially our customers and the LLL Team. Despite everyone’s hard work, the challenges of the past 18 months were overwhelming, leading us to enter voluntary liquidation on May 28, 2024.
“Supply chain issues, warehouse floods that caused downtime and lost stock, rising import costs that slashed our margins, and the ongoing cost of living crisis hit our revenue hard and disrupted our operations. These essentially made our traditional business model obsolete.
“In December 2023, we managed to negotiate monthly rent payments for our warehouse, but by May 2024, the owners insisted on reverting to full quarterly payments, which we couldn’t meet. This led to their abrupt decision to take control of our warehouse on May 10th with no notice, disrupting our operations and leaving us without working capital.
“Facing no operational ability and mounting financial obligations, we made the difficult decision to enter voluntary liquidation.
“This has been incredibly distressing, particularly for our team, who were reluctantly made redundant. We deeply regret the impact on our staff and their families and I can never say sorry enough for how abruptly this happened. This has personally been the most upsetting part of this process.”
The business aims to relaunch the Locket Loves website in Summer with a new look, operational hub, and new leggings designs.
In 2020, Arnold was included in Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list.
Swedish multinational power company Vattenfall has put Derby-based Rolls-Royce SMR on a shortlist of just two companies competing to potentially deploy a fleet of small modular reactors in Sweden.
This selection follows a thorough assessment process in which Rolls-Royce SMR had the opportunity to present a fundamentally different approach to building nuclear projects and a modularisation strategy focused on risk reduction to Vattenfall, an experienced and technically respected energy utility.
Rolls-Royce SMR CEO Chris Cholerton said: “Success in reaching the final two, in such a fiercely competitive process, reflects the benefits of our integrated power station design, our approach to modularisation and our use of proven nuclear technology.
“Rolls-Royce SMR is the fastest and most affordable way of bringing new nuclear power online and we are excited to work with utilities and industrial customers around the globe, to unlock sustainable sources of low-cost, low-carbon electricity for decades to come.”
Vattenfall’s focus will be deployment at the Ringhals nuclear site with a project that, at the earliest, is operational in the first half of the 2030s, with assessments for SMR and large-scale reactors ongoing.
Sweden has said it needs an additional 100-250 TWh of electricity production over the next 25 years and Vattenfall is poised to play a critical role in the country’s energy transition, including integrating new nuclear capacity into the energy mix.
Rolls-Royce SMR is on track to complete Step 2 and immediately enter Step 3 of the Generic Design Assessment by the UK nuclear industry’s independent regulators this summer. This will be the most important regulatory milestone to date – confirming Rolls-Royce SMR’s first mover advantage as the leading technology in Europe.
Ensuring workplace safety is crucial for any organisation. By prioritising safety, companies can protect their employees and create a productive environment. In this article, we’ll explore effective strategies to enhance workplace safety.
Conduct Regular Risk Assessments
Regular risk assessments are essential to identify potential hazards. By systematically evaluating the workplace, employers can pinpoint areas that may pose risks to employees. This process helps in developing strategies to mitigate these hazards.
Conducting thorough risk assessments involves inspecting machinery, checking for electrical faults, and ensuring that emergency exits are accessible. It’s also important to review these assessments periodically, especially after any significant changes in the workplace. This proactive approach can prevent accidents and ensure a safer working environment.
Provide Comprehensive Training
Proper training is vital for workplace safety. Employees should be well-informed about safety protocols and how to handle emergencies. Training programs should cover various aspects, from operating machinery safely to emergency evacuation procedures.
One effective training method is first aid training. Offering first aid training in Nottingham through reputable services can equip employees with life-saving skills. Companies like Safe Haven Training provide comprehensive first aid courses that are essential for workplace safety. This type of training not only prepares employees for emergencies but also fosters a culture of safety within the organisation.
Implement Safety Protocols
Having clear safety protocols in place is crucial. These protocols should be documented and easily accessible to all employees. They should cover a range of scenarios, including fire safety, handling hazardous materials, and using personal protective equipment (PPE).
Safety protocols should be regularly reviewed and updated to reflect current best practices. Employees should be encouraged to familiarise themselves with these protocols and adhere to them strictly. This ensures that everyone knows how to act in an emergency, reducing the risk of accidents and injuries.
Promote a Safety Culture
Creating a safety culture is about more than just policies and procedures. It involves fostering an environment where safety is a shared responsibility. Management should lead by example, demonstrating a commitment to safety in all their actions.
Encouraging open communication about safety concerns is also important. Employees should feel comfortable reporting hazards or unsafe practices without fear of repercussions. Regular safety meetings and feedback sessions can help in addressing any issues promptly. A strong safety culture ensures that everyone in the organisation is actively engaged in maintaining a safe workplace.
Maintain Equipment Regularly
Regular maintenance of equipment is critical for ensuring workplace safety. Faulty machinery or tools can cause serious accidents and injuries. Therefore, it’s essential to have a routine maintenance schedule in place.
Maintenance should include regular inspections, servicing, and prompt repairs of any damaged equipment. Keeping detailed records of maintenance activities can help in tracking the condition of machinery and identifying patterns that may indicate potential issues. Well-maintained equipment not only ensures safety but also improves efficiency and productivity.
Use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is vital for protecting employees from hazards. Depending on the nature of the job, PPE might include items such as helmets, gloves, goggles, and high-visibility clothing. Employers should provide the necessary PPE and ensure that employees are trained in its proper use.
It’s important to regularly check PPE for any signs of wear and tear and replace it when necessary. Proper storage of PPE can also extend its lifespan. By prioritising the use of PPE, employers can significantly reduce the risk of workplace injuries.
PIB Risk Management and PIB Insurance Brokers come together in new offices in Chesterfield for the company, which already has bases in Derby, Leicester, and Lincoln.
The company says the expansion not only underscores its commitment to growth, but also reflects dedication to fostering professional development through the latest training facilities.
Rob Armitage, Business Development Director, PIB Risk Management, said: “We are looking forward to the positive impact that the Chesterfield branch will have on our operations and the local community. The blend of sales expertise and training excellence housed under one roof represents a significant step forward in our journey of growth and innovation.
“The new branch is a testament to our company’s vision of creating dynamic spaces that blend functionality with innovation. Equipped with advanced technology and modern amenities, the Chesterfield location is set to become a pivotal sales hub, driving business growth and customer engagement in the region.
“Moreover, the facility features dedicated training rooms, tailored to provide comprehensive training programmes for our colleagues and the businesses we support. Our external training schedule includes a wide range of accredited and non-accredited courses, tailored to our clients’ requirements.
“The opening of the Chesterfield branch is part of a broader strategy to expand our footprint in the region. By establishing a strong presence in the Midlands, we are better positioned to meet the needs of our clients and support the local economy. This expansion not only brings new job opportunities to the area but also strengthens our ties with the community.
Motorpoint Group, the independent omnichannel vehicle retailer, has called the past financial year the most difficult in its history, due to multiple negative headwinds in the macro environment.
It came as the firm announced its final results for the year ended 31 March 2024 (FY24), in which revenue decreased by 24.6% to just under £1.1bn.
Meanwhile the business posted an underlying loss before tax of £8.2m and a reported loss before tax of £10.4m, both widening from £0.3m in the year prior.
Mark Carpenter, Chief Executive Officer of Motorpoint Group PLC, said:“The past financial year was the most difficult in our history, with multiple negative headwinds in the macro environment such as rising borrowing costs and subdued customer demand, coupled with industry specific issues such as lower inventory and deflation.
“The resilience of our cash generation evidences the strength of our business model and we now look forward to continuing our journey of profitable growth as the improving trends of Q4 have continued into Q1.
“Following the rightsizing exercise of FY24, we now have a lean, technology-enabled business. I am very confident in our ability to scale profitability and cash generation as the market improves, which will allow us to invest further in growth.”
The company noted a positive start to FY25, with April and May both profitable.
Planning has been granted for the refurbishment and upgrade of the Sutton Community Theatre, which will be rebranded as ‘Cornerstone’ upon re-opening and designed by Nottingham-headquartered CPMG Architects.
The Cornerstone project aims to transform the existing theatre into a vibrant multifunctional entertainment space, catering to a wide range of events including professional theatre performances, cinematic experiences, music and comedy nights, academy concerts, and various community uses.
The upgrades come at a crucial time as the existing facilities age and face issues including a failing heating system, outdated lighting, inoperable microphone systems and inadequate changing rooms. The scope of works will largely be internal, providing complete renovation, refurbishment and reconfiguration to optimise the functionality of the theatre through enhanced facilities.
This includes the creation of a new theatre foyer, refurbishment of the auditorium, upgrades to the stage area, provision of new dressing rooms and backstage facilities, and installation of modern lighting and audio-visual systems.
Steve Milan, associate at CPMG Architects, said: “This represents a significant step forward in the efforts to bring the vision of Cornerstone to life, and providing the community with a space that is truly fit-for-purpose and something all can take pride in. The approval underscores our commitment to delivering architectural solutions that not only meet the functional needs of our clients but also enrich the fabric of the communities they serve.
“While the entrance to the theatre will remain unchanged from a practical perspective, a new foyer will be created at the front of the building, relocating a number of offices to create the new space and visitor facilities. In addition to the internal upgrades, there are a number of external improvement works planned, including recolouring the fly-tower cladding and installation of signage for Cornerstone’s new branding – all designed to be visible from the surrounding streets.”
The existing auditorium space will be given a complete refurbishment, with new flooring, ceiling, acoustic wall treatments and doors. A new retractable seating installation will provide 168 tiered seats, and specialist lighting will be installed throughout, to cater for a range of events. Meanwhile, a newly-constructed balcony will provide a further 24 seats and space for wheelchair users.
Backstage, existing areas will be completely stripped out to reconfigure the space to suit modern requirements. This will see replacement of narrow staircases, and two new dressing rooms, performance green room and shower facilities to the upper ground floor. On the first floor, a further two dressing rooms will be created along with a laundry room, theatre workshop and housing for amplifier and lighting dimmer equipment.
A key focus of the refurbishment is sustainability and energy efficiency. A comprehensive strategy has been developed to ensure that all upgrades meet the highest standards of efficiency and minimise carbon footprints, while working within any constraints. This includes the integration of passive design measures, efficient engineering approaches and the use of natural daylighting where appropriate, and heat recovery systems.
John Bennet, executive director of place at Ashfield District council, said: “This project will help us achieve our goals of creating a vibrant and safe night-time economy in Ashfield. As the new Planetarium will connect young people to space and raise their aspirations, Cornerstone Theatre will ignite their creativity and imagination.
“We are so proud to be investing in arts and culture, to allow more people of all backgrounds, young and old, in Ashfield and beyond to experience the magic of cinema, live theatre and music in an easy to access place.
“All our regeneration projects, funded through over £100million external investment, have the common aim – to create an Ashfield that is a great place to live, work, play, study and visit.”
The Sutton Community Theatre project is one of those under Ashfield District Council’s Future High Streets funding programme through the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC), aiming to raise perceptions of the town and to contribute towards a vibrant and safe night-time economy in Sutton.
Stage Right Theatre Consultancy has been appointed to specify the theatre lighting and audio-visual systems.
Providing a key opportunity to shout about businesses’ achievements in the property and construction industry, submit your nominations for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2024 NOW – ahead of entries closing on Thursday 5th September.
The prestigious annual event recognises development projects and people in commercial and public building across the region – from office, industrial and residential, through to community projects such as leisure schemes, schools and public spaces. We also highlight the work of architects, agencies and those behind large schemes.
The awards attract leaders from throughout the East Midlands 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.
Winners will be 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 region.
To nominate your (or another) business/development for one of our awards, please click on a category link below or visit this page.
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
Following the 2023 event, Ben Dawson, business development manager at Blueprint Interiors, said: “I was very impressed with the calibre of award finalists and being able to network with so many other industry professionals.”
Winners and sponsors at the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023Tickets 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.
Dress code is standard business attire.
Thanks to our sponsors:
Hospitality and retail across the East Midlands are likely to benefit financially from UEFA Euro 2024, East Midlands Chamber has said.
Head of Special Projects Richard Blackmore said: “Our nation’s favourite sport always packs out the pubs across the East Midlands, increasing spending and for our region’s hospitality sector, having faced the burden of high costs for far too long, that’s something to welcome with open arms.
“It’s not just pubs and bars that will see more cash in the till; with busier streets, shops should see a lift in takings too. The feelgood factor behind backing our national team brings people together, buying merchandise and team shirts, all helping swell the economy.
“Wherever people watch UEFA Euro 2024, one thing’s sure; we’ve got four nail-biting weeks ahead and I’m wishing the England team the very best in bringing the trophy home.”
Everards of Leicestershire Joint Managing Director Andy Wilson said: “Major sporting events are a great opportunity for our pub business owners as we all know it’s better to watch the game at your local!
“There’s nothing like the atmosphere and having great food and drink on tap. A huge number of pubs will be showing the games and the British Beer & Pub Association estimate that an extra 300m pints will be sold during the Euros. We look forward to a busy sporting Summer with both the Euros and the Olympics!”
Castle Rock Brewery Managing Director Colin Wilde said: “We’re excited to celebrate the Euros alongside the rest of the nation this year and around half of our pubs will be showing the matches. We’re even bringing back a fan favourite beer, Brian Clough, in honour of ‘the best manager England never had!’
“Past World Cups and Euros have always created an incredible atmosphere, drawing people together and showcasing pubs at their best. We anticipate another fantastic event this year and hope England go all the way!”
Six Derbyshire businesses are amongst the first to pledge support for a new fundraising initiative launched by East Midlands charity, Star Trust – The Charitable Entrepreneurs.
Derby entrepreneur Kavita Oberoi OBE, who is a patron of the Star Trust, launched the monthly pledge scheme at a Marketing Derby event at Darleys Restaurant recently alongside the charity’s founder Steve Hampson.
They invited the local business community to pledge a monthly amount from £50 upwards which will be ring-fenced and then donated to SME charities from the county who apply for much-needed funding to improve the lives of people in their local communities.
The first to join the scheme were Darleys restaurant, Ask The Chameleon, Cosy Direct, Q Branch Consulting, WDS Limited and Worcester Lloyd.
Kavita Oberoi, who is the founder and managing director of the Oberoi Business Hub in Pride Park, said: “Star Trust has traditionally raised over £100,000 from their Star Trust ball and Motoring Day each year which is then deployed within weeks to charities that have applied.
“When I joined as a patron, I was keen that we look at ways to generate funds throughout the year so that charities can benefit from our support when and where they most need it.
“I knew from experience that the Derby business community would get behind such a worthwhile cause and, as ever, the Marketing Derby bondholders have stepped up to the plate.
“Their monthly pledges will be ring fenced to Derbyshire and will be donated to local charities who make the greatest impact on our local communities.”
The Star Trust is run by charitable entrepreneurs and business leaders who are committed to supporting their local communities across Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire and Rutland.
Since its launch ten years ago, Star Trust has supported 114 charities with a total of £852,642 and has directly touched the lives of more than 71,732 people in the East Midlands area.
Among the Derbyshire charities recently supported are Derventio Charitable Trust which received £2,739 that paid for 155 essential food hampers for the charity’s supported housing residents in the city and county.
Star Trust founder Steve Hampson concluded: “The fantastic companies and individuals across the East Midlands who support Star Trust do so safe in their knowledge that their generosity is translated into real support for real people in the heart of our local communities.
“Our goal is to surpass the £1 million fundraising mark in 2024 and a key part of this will be growing the number of businesses who pledge on a monthly basis.
“This saves time and resources for these like-minded businesses as our role as conduit is to handle all the funding applications, site visits and due diligence process and always aim to support grassroot charities who are making a positive difference to people’s lives in their local communities.
“The application process is very straightforward so that it is accessible to even the smallest of charities and we look forward to helping more organisations in the coming year.”
EarthSense, the Leicester-based air quality expert, has announced a strategic partnership with Ganeca Environmental Services, bringing its bespoke solutions and services to the Indonesian government, local authorities, and industries to visualise and manage air quality issues, aligning with its shared goals to bring solutions to the world’s environmental challenges.
Following rapid population growth in Indonesia, accompanied by high levels of industrialisation and urbanisation, and with almost 23 million vehicles in the Jakarta metropolitan area alone, big cities in Indonesia face serious challenges in managing air quality.
EarthSense and Ganeca’s partnership will enable both government and commercial organisations to monitor ambient air pollutants in real-time and track and visualise data to implement change where necessary.
Founded in early 2014, Ganeca is one of the leading consultants and providers of environmental management technology in Indonesia. The partnership will provide accurate and reliable air quality monitoring solutions in the country, with EarthSense’s Zephyr® air quality sensors providing governments, local authorities, and industries with the ability to take real-time measurements of pollution.
The air quality data can then be analysed in EarthSense’s MyAir® web application, where it can be visualised, analysed, and downloaded, allowing for strategic changes to be planned.
Muhammad Sonny Abfertiawan, Senior Managing Director at Ganeca Environmental Services, said: “We are thrilled to partner with EarthSense and look forward to bringing its complete air quality monitoring solution to our customers.
“We believe this collaboration will provide reliable and accurate air quality monitoring technology to various sectors including the Indonesian Government, manufacturing, mining industries, and academic communities, facilitating scientific research endeavours.
“The air quality challenges in Indonesia are growing, but the innovative MyAir® app will allow its users to isolate areas of concern, enabling the authorities and industries to make changes to reduce pollution levels.”
Greg Lewis, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer at EarthSense, said: “We are delighted to have partnered with Ganeca Environmental Services and bring our industry-leading suite of air quality solutions to Indonesia. The partnership will allow us to join our air quality expertise with Ganeca Environmental Services’ tailored approach to environmental challenges to improve air quality in Indonesia.”
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