Food processing facility gets green light in Easton
Plans for a food processing facility in Easton, Lincolnshire, have been approved by South Kesteven District Council.
The application site, off Burton Lane, forms part of the existing Magnavale Group and XPO Logistics site which comprises of a number of storage and distribution warehouses and ancillary offices, providing cold storage for frozen food products.
The buildings were developed in the late 1960s, and the site is best known locally for being previously operated by Christian Salvesen Limited. Various buildings have been updated over the 50-60 years of operation, with a new coldstore food warehouse under construction.
The proposed development site for the food processing facility consists of an area of vacant, brownfield land, which previously contained a warehouse building.
The processing facility, which will have a total footprint of 18,630 sq m, will operate alongside the other coldstores on site, which will be utilised for storing the raw materials and the final product.
It will bring new life to the former McCain’s factory site.
Easton Properties Limited, part of the Sadel Group, is behind the plans. The Sadel Group has plans for the whole brownfield site to operate as a hub for controlled-temperature storage of both raw materials and finished product, reducing food miles.
Further, the group plans to develop an anaerobic digester plant in the northern part of the site area to produce renewable energy to feed the cold storage plants.
30-year-old Derbyshire day nursery sold
Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co, has sold The Lanes Day Nursery in Ilkeston.
Established in 1994, The Lanes Day Nursery is a popular setting and one of the few nurseries still running a successful out-of-school club in the area. It has the capacity for up to 42 children and a ‘Good’ Ofsted rating.
The business has been owned by Angela Mold since 1994 and was brought to market to allow her to retire.
Following a confidential sales process with Jassi Sunner at Christie & Co, it has been purchased by Oak Wood Early Years Limited which comprises Oak House Nursery and now The Lanes.
Emily Waez, Manager at Oak Wood Early Years Limited, says: “We thank Angela for all of her hard work and wish her the best for the future; we look forward to building on the solid foundation she has created. We already operate an Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ nursery setting in Derbyshire, and we look forward to implementing our ethos and frameworks into The Lanes Day Nursery.”
Jassi Sunner, Associate Director – Childcare & Education at Christie & Co, says: “Lanes Day Nursery held a unique position on the border of Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire and, therefore, was always likely to attract a range of interest.
“Following a thorough marketing process, our client was delighted to select a local operator to continue the good work she had put in place and allow some synergy between her nursery and their existing set-up.
“This is another example of the confidence in the sector and the focus of activity in the Midlands at the moment where we have seen a number of sales over the long, medium and short term.
“Due to the funding changes this year, we are seeing an increase in activity from new entrants or smaller operators in the sector who are looking to benefit from the changes the sector will provide.
“Adopting tried and tested local approaches to childcare alongside managing local authority funding will be key to enabling the Government strategy to increase nursery uptake.”
The Lanes Day Nursery was sold for an undisclosed price.
Solicitors let Loughborough office building
EHL Solicitors has let 8 Forest Road, Loughborough; a semi-detached, self-contained two storey period office building.
8 Forest Road is located in a prominent position just south of Loughborough town centre, well served by a plethora of amenities and transport links.
Confirming the deal, FHP said the property generated a good level of enquiries from the commencement of the marketing, given the lack of available stock within Loughborough, and secured a high level of viewings on the property.
Amy Howard, surveyor at FHP Property Consultants, said: “It was a great result to finally get this letting over the line and the new occupier to be handed over the keys. The level of interest we received on the property portrays the demand for office stock within Loughborough is high although there is limited availability within the market.
“The ample parking available within the demise was certainly an attractive feature upon the marketing, something that is typically limited. Rents across Loughborough remain competitive, and we achieved a good result for our client, in which they were delighted with.”
Poor mental health costs employers £51bn a year
New mental health research from Deloitte has revealed that the cost to employers of poor mental health is £51bn per year, a decrease from £55bn in 2021, but an increase from £45bn in 2019. Presenteeism is the largest contributor, where people work in spite of illness and not perform at their full ability, which is costing employers around £24bn annually.
Deloitte’s fourth report on mental health and the workplace also shows that over half (58%) of survey respondents say their mental wellbeing was good or excellent. There were also improvements for younger people with 64% of 18-24-year-olds reporting that their overall their mental health is good, an increase from 53% in 2022.
This year’s report also explores the impact of children’s poor mental health on working parents for the first time. According to the survey, 46% of working parents are concerned about their children’s mental health. Half of those who are concerned about their children’s mental health say it impacts their performance at work.
Deloitte’s report in collaboration with mental health charities Place 2 Be and Mind estimates that working parents’ concern about their children’s mental health is costing UK employers £8bn annually. The cost is due to parents and carers taking time off work to care for their children, the impact on their performance, or leaving their roles.
A majority of working parents (63%) who were concerned about their children’s mental health, say they turn to external sources of support to manage their children’s mental health challenges, rather than approaching their employer for additional support.
Of those who are concerned about their children’s mental health, a third (32%) have looked to reduce their working hours and 19% have turned to their employer for additional support, such as an employee support line, childcare, or flexible working arrangements.
Juggling demands of work alongside caring for a child with mental health difficulties led to 10% of parents taking up to five days off per year to support their children. One in a hundred working parents have left their jobs because of the poor mental health of their children.
Elizabeth Hampson, Deloitte partner and author of the latest mental health research, said: “Work performance is being impacted as more than one in ten parents have taken time off work to support their children’s mental health and one in 100 is leaving a job as they simply can’t juggle the demands of work alongside caring for a child with mental health difficulties.
“Alongside wider societal support, our research shows that specific support, including for working parents, can help reduce time out of the office and presenteeism.”
Catherine Roche, CEO, Place2Be, children’s mental health charity, said: “Children don’t come with a manual: in today’s fast-moving landscape we need to support parents and carers to build their confidence and understanding of emotions and behaviours, so they can foster resilience, healthy coping mechanisms, good mental health and wellbeing.
“Place2Be is delighted to work in partnership with Deloitte, whom we applaud for investing time and research into these complex issues. Creating mentally healthy workplaces has long-reaching benefits for employers, employees and society as a whole.”
Deloitte’s research found an increase in some elements of burnout. 63% of respondents said they were exhibiting at least one sign of burnout, such as feeling of exhaustion, mental distance from their job, or a decline in performance at work, an increase from 51% in the previous survey.
Given the implications of burnout on job performance and productivity, as well as employees’ overall wellbeing, there is a clear case for employers to recognise and address this issue.
Overall, the main concerns affecting the mental health of working adults are the increasing cost of living (60%), personal/family finances (46%), and job security (22%). Working parents were most concerned about the rising cost of living (65%), alongside family finances (55%) and about the mental health of their children (29%).
Dr Sarah Hughes, CEO of Mind, said: “Work is important. It affects every area of our lives – and that includes our ability to participate in our families, perhaps to be a supportive parent, and enjoy spending time with our loved ones.
“We know it’s critical for businesses to consider ways to better support working parents – considering flexibility, providing additional support, and creating a culture where talking about life’s challenges is acceptable. This research finds a link between the mental wellbeing of young people and their parents – when one suffers, the other does too.
“Parents of children with poor mental health found themselves struggling to do their best at work, perpetuating a cycle of stress both in their home life and in their working life. We envision a future where an employer can support the mental and emotional health not just of their own employees, but their families and networks too.”
Deloitte’s return on investment analysis of employee mental health interventions that was conducted as part of the research shows on average, for every £1 spent on supporting their people’s mental health, employers get nearly £4.70 back on their investment in improved productivity. Demonstrating that higher return on investment can be achieved by early interventions, such as organisation-wide culture change and education, than more in-depth support that may be needed at a later stage when a person is struggling.
Hampson concluded: “Employers are increasingly putting mental health and wellbeing at the heart of their business and providing effective mental health support for their people. The benefits of providing targeted support for employees are clear and compelling.
“Employers need concrete evidence to make informed decisions about how to invest in workplace mental health programmes and maximise benefits, including financial returns. We hope to inspire employers to take stock of the importance of their people’s wellbeing and mental health and put in place effective interventions to support their people, including working parents.”
Nottingham’s Phenna Group makes third Australian deal of 2024
Nottingham-headquartered Phenna Group, which invests in and partners with selected niche, independent Testing, Inspection, Certification and Compliance (TICC) companies that serve a variety of sectors, has acquired Resolve Group.
The acquisition is Phenna Group’s third deal in Australia this year and continues its strong growth in the region, whilst augmenting the firm’s Built Environment platform across the country.
Resolve Group is a building surveyor consultancy with capability in the construction, property and mining sectors.
Founded in 2011 by Scott Roberts and Kieran Hunt, they have built a reputation providing building code consultancy and certification services to a diverse mix of public and private sector clients, working on a number of iconic projects.
Scott Roberts and Kieran Hunt, Resolve Group Directors, said: “We are very excited to be joining Phenna Group. Making a decision like this after many successful years was a big step in the evolution of our business to ensure its ongoing growth and success.
“From our first engagement with Phenna Group it was clear that their business model and their team was the right fit for our business.”
Brett Coleman, Divisional MD, Australia said: “I am very excited to welcome Scott, Kieran and their team to Phenna Group. Since 2011 they have built a very successful business with an excellent reputation for customer service and technical capability.
“I look forward to working with them to continue their growth, and to realise the significant opportunities that exist as part of the Phenna Group in Australia.”
Paul Barry, Executive Chairman & Founder of Phenna Group, added: “I am delighted to welcome Scott, Kieran and their team to Phenna Group. The addition of Resolve Group and their experience and capability supports our fast-growing certification and compliance operations in Australia.
“I look forward to working with Brett, and the Resolve Group team to continue their exciting journey.”
Phenna Group were advised by Macpherson Kelley and Pitchers Partners. Resolve Group were advised by Red Swan Partners, RSM and Holding Redlich.
New appointment for LCS IT Solutions
LCS IT Solutions Ltd are thrilled to welcome Matthew to our Support Team. He brings with him a wealth of experience after spending 20 years at a well known agricultural firm in Lincolnshire. Matthew has a strong knowledge base in all Microsoft systems as well as physical and virtual server infrastructures European wide.
Here at LCS, we now have a Team of 10 who are all dedicated to providing an honest, friendly and professionaI service to meet our clients’ specific needs.
LCS IT Solutions Ltd’s aim is to be Lincolnshire’s most trusted IT advisors, implementation and supporting solutions which are effective, secure and effortless to use.
Accountancy firms join forces
East of England accountancy firm Moore Thompson has joined forces with Jackson and Grimes, based in Stamford.
Moore Thompson has long sought to extend its footprint into the local market.
The senior directors of Jackson and Grimes identified Moore Thompson as the ideal partner to ensure the necessary succession that benefits clients and staff alike.
Mark Hildred, Managing Partner at Moore Thompson, said: “This move brings together two firms with a shared ethos of excellence, client service, and community engagement.”
Moore Thompson is taking on the entire workforce of Jackson and Grimes, including three directors.
This move not only enriches Moore Thompson’s team with fresh expertise and insights but also ensures continuity of service for all existing clients of Jackson and Grimes.
“The synergy between Moore Thompson and Jackson and Grimes has made this possible, setting the stage for enhanced service offerings to clients,” added Mark.
“We are looking forward to welcoming the clients of Jackson and Grimes, as we deliver an even broader spectrum of accountancy and advisory services tailored to their needs.
“This is more than a merger of resources. It represents a fusion of values and visions aimed at fostering growth, innovation, and community development.”
Loughborough University to help make manufacturing more eco-friendly
Loughborough University’s role in a national partnership will develop tools and technologies to help manufacturers across the UK become more efficient and eco-friendly.
The University has been announced as a partner in a new research hub focused on creating a sustainable circular manufacturing ecosystem nationwide.
The hub, which will be named the EPSRC Manufacturing Research Hub in Robotics, Automation & Smart Machine Enabled Sustainable Circular Manufacturing & Materials (RESCu-M2), will be led by the University of Birmingham as part of UK Research and Innovation’s ‘Manufacturing research hubs for a sustainable future’ programme.
The aim of the hub is to transform the sustainable use of critical materials, whilst improving the productivity of ‘Re-X’ manufacturing processes – which include reusing, repurposing, repairing, remanufacturing, and recycling.
These processes are currently much more labour-intensive than traditional manufacturing and businesses could save up to £23bn per year by making improvements at little or no cost.
Professor Shahin Rahimifard from the University’s Wolfson School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering, believes the impact of the hub can be wide-reaching: “It’s vitally important for all manufacturing businesses to embrace sustainable and circular innovative technologies being investigated by the hub.
“These will aid global societies to tackle many challenges in “new norms” caused by the rapidly evolving and growing climate crisis.
“Diminishing material reserves, the rapid growing industrial waste, increasing diversity of environmental regulations alongside the socio-political concerns regarding undisrupted access to critical raw materials have formed a perfect storm which leaves us with little choice but to take this path.
“Introducing a widespread move to a circular economy will take advantage of the latest advancements in intelligent automation to improve productivity and reduce costs whilst seeing material resources retained and reused – rather than being lost to landfill or converted to energy.
“It’s fantastic that Loughborough University is a part of this wider project. The Centre for Sustainable Manufacturing and Recycling Technologies (SMART) has been at the forefront of the circular manufacturing approach for the past two decades and our latest project, ReMed, which is investigating the circular use of medical devices has been adopted as one of the flagship themes of the new hub.”
Mayor sets out vision for high streets and visitor economy in Newark
Backing high streets and championing the region’s visitor economy were two key priorities outlined by the East Midlands Mayor on a visit to Newark.
Claire Ward, who was recently elected as the first-ever East Midlands Mayor, visited Newark where she met with small business owners, community leaders and representatives from Newark and Sherwood District Council.
The visit included a tour around the town’s historic marketplace and conversations with the owner of local independent business BeanBlock Community Café. This allowed the Mayor to understand more about the current challenges faced by retailers and the types of support that could be provided to help high streets across the region thrive.
Representatives from the council provided a tour of current projects in the town, including the Riverside regeneration project, the redevelopment of a former retail space on Stodman Street into high-quality living accommodation and a trip to Newark Castle to learn about the ambitious Gatehouse project, which will be a key attraction to help bring more visitors into the town.
Claire Ward, Mayor of the East Midlands, said: “I’ve had a great visit to Newark to see the potential they have and learn about the extra investment they have received and how it’s being used to revitalise the town centre.
“We’re seeing local towns and cities across the region recognising that the future of our high streets is a mixed economy with services, community activities, housing, and a great retail offer. Providing this mix of uses helps increase visitor numbers which will ensure places can thrive, creating new jobs and opportunities for our residents.
“The most exciting part of being Mayor is looking at the all the fantastic work being done by councils across the region and thinking about how strategically we can bring together the funding and powers from Westminster to support these areas and deliver the changes our residents want to see.”
Cllr Paul Peacock, Leader of Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome the first ever regional Mayor for the East Midlands Claire Ward to our wonderful town of Newark. It’s an exciting time for the area and through collaborative working, we’re eager to bring more opportunities, a bigger voice and more influence locally.
“Championing our High Streets, supporting job growth and making places more vibrant are some of our top priorities and these are shared by the East Midlands Combined Authority.
“We both share a passion for making our town centres a bustling place to visit by working to increase footfall through several means including events and business engagement. We’re looking forward to the next few years of positive collaboration that will benefit our residents across the district.”
Claire Ward was elected as the first Mayor of the East Midlands Region on Friday 3 May. As Mayor she will lead the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) and, over time, have access to over £4 billion in funding, alongside devolved powers around transport, housing, skills and adult education, Net-Zero and economic development.
This week the Mayor will be representing the East Midlands at the UK Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF), where she will be participating in a panel session to tell people exactly why they should invest in the region – and why it should be now.
She will also be launching a new investment prospectus to highlight the region’s key investment opportunities and explaining the role the region can play in the future of energy at the East Midlands Hydrogen reception.
Research and technology organisation joins Space Park Leicester
An independent research and technology organisation has joined the University of Leicester’s £100 million science and innovation park – Space Park Leicester.
TWI is a membership-driven organisation which helps firms design, create and operate products by providing them with expert advice and safety assurance related to engineering, materials and joining technologies.
It has been active in the space sector for decades and has joined Space Park Leicester to further increase its reputation among space companies.
TWI Business Development Manager Vito Di Pietro said: “We’re very well suited to tackling the manufacturing challenges faced by space companies and have joined Space Park Leicester to define our identity in the sector.
“Joining Space Park Leicester is helping us to engage with other established space companies and organisations and gives us a physical presence in the East Midlands to take advantage of regional funding opportunities and to join local clusters.
“Moreover, we see value in gaining access to Space Park Leicester’s manufacturing and testing capabilities which are complementary to our offering.”
As of this month, TWI is also the European Space Agency’s official Technology Broker in the UK and will run a Space technology transfer programme called Prepare for Space.
The Technology Broker activity aims to create, support and promote an ecosystem of space and non-space entities.
The Prepare for Space programme will enable companies from non-space sectors to apply for business and technical support to reduce the barriers to entering the space industry.
Vito added: “We see this as an opportunity for collaboration with Space Park Leicester and the University of Leicester, and as an additional service that Space Park Leicester could offer to attract new players to the space sector and to Leicester’s new Space City cluster.”
Vinay Patel, Head of Commercial and Innovation at Space Park Leicester, said: “TWI is one of the world’s foremost independent research and technology organisations. It employs around 650 people and has an annual turnover in excess of £60 million.
“TWI has provided services such as the development of materials, coatings processes and procedures to the space industry for over 30 years, working on several projects related to materials engineering and manufacturing technologies, developing advanced welding, joining and inspection technologies for space applications, as well as innovative materials such as lightweight alloys and composites.
“We’re thrilled that TWI has joined our vibrant community at Space Park Leicester.”
£1.4m grant awarded to revamp Newark Castle Gatehouse
Newark and Sherwood District Council has received a £1.4m grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for its plans to create a new and improved visitor attraction at Newark Castle.
Made possible by money raised by National Lottery players, the project will allow visitors into Newark Castle’s original Romanesque Gatehouse where they’ll be able to learn more about the castle’s story through time as five gallery spaces bring its medieval history to life through interactive displays, designed by Nissen Richards Studio.
Councillor Rowan Cozens, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Heritage, Culture and the Arts at Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “This is absolutely wonderful news for the town, and is the final piece of the puzzle we’ve been waiting for to kick start this fantastic project.
“Without the funding from National Lottery players and the Heritage Fund, we could not start the project, so I’m delighted they have made such a substantial grant to the project, and like us, could see the huge benefit this could bring to Newark. I thank them wholeheartedly.”
Robyn Llewellyn, Area Director, Midlands & East at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “We are delighted to be supporting these ambitious plans to revitalise the historic Newark Castle Gatehouse. The story of the castle dates back to the 12th century, and it’s fantastic that support from National Lottery players will keep this historic site relevant for future generations.”
The project will enable people to discover the origins of the castle and explore the wealth of its history which dates back to the 12th century.
There will also be a tower-top viewing platform from which visitors can overlook great views of Trent Valley. The project aims to enhance and protect the natural environment and green space within this historic site, establishing more biodiversity and enhancing accessibility through landscape development.
More than 600 visitors and non-visitors were initially consulted to help shape the development. The District Council then worked closely with historians, archaeologists, conservators, ecologists, access consultants, architects and designers to ensure that plans are robust and well-researched.
Local people’s ideas were also taken on board and have been incorporated in the final design. HE Milner’s beloved flowerbed will remain, and the gardens will be physically accessible for everybody.
It’s anticipated that, once works are completed, the Castle will attract almost 17,000 visitors each year from outside of the district, helping to deliver sustainable economic growth. It is proposed that entry to the exhibition will be half price for Newark and Sherwood residents, with free entry for children and young people. Visitors will also be able to return for free as many times as they like within a 12-month period. Access to the grounds will remain free for all.
Councillor Cozens continues: “This project ensures accessibility and biodiversity remains at its very heart while providing a beautiful green space for our residents as well as our visitors. It is hoped that increased visitors to the site will be a huge boost to our local economy too with local businesses having access to more people who can spend in their stores.
“The District Council is planning to use the grounds for a range of activities and events for all the community and entry to the galleries itself will be reduced for Newark and Sherwood residents. I’m incredibly excited about the future for Newark Castle and am waiting with eagerness for the next stage in its journey.”
The town’s early evening economy will be supported too with plans to improve the lighting in the grounds to enable a safe ‘after dark’ experience.
The project will cost £5.4m in total, with a £3m investment already committed from Newark and Sherwood District Council’s application to the Government’s Towns Fund initiative through Newark Town board.
Work on the Castle is expected to take place in late 2024 with construction likely to take a couple of years.
Businesses prioritising retention of talent following Covid, finds employment survey
Over four out of five businesses across the UK are still struggling to recruit people in 2024 following the Covid-19 pandemic four years ago. A total of 81 per cent of employers revealed the main reason being a lack of candidates with the right skillset.
Hybrid working is also being considered as challenging with HR teams finding people don’t want to return to the office for a variety of reasons, including a number reporting that a factor is anxiety of having to be separated from their pets.
The research, compiled by the employment team at national law firm Freeths, analysed a variety of sectors and found that the main HR priorities for 2024 are retention of employees, health and wellbeing, diversity and inclusion and motivation, engagement, and performance management.
Amongst this:
- The most common top HR priority for 2024 is employee retention
- The most popular reason given for resistance experienced in getting staff to return to the office was that it meant a poorer work life balance.
- Over 35% of respondents reported that a reason given to them for not wanting to return to work in the office was fear of being separated from their pets
- Whereas only 20% of these surveyed cited family separation as a reason given for not returning to the office
- Only a mere 11% of respondents said that they would trust AI tools to recruit the best candidates, and only 19% said that they had a good understanding of artificial intelligence HR tools available.
- 43% of employers said that they would trust AI tools to support employee learning and development.
Rena Magdani, Partner and National Head of Employment at Freeths, said: “Our survey has provided valuable insights into how businesses are coping with the past and looking to the future. Employers are still experiencing the impact of the covid pandemic with challenges in recruitment and finding working arrangements that suit all parties.
“Looking ahead, there seems to be a low level of trust in AI, perhaps linked to the lack of knowledge of the available tools. It will be interesting to see the extent to which attitudes towards AI will change during this year.”
PR and communications agency appoints former journalist to support East Midlands growth
A PR, communications and public affairs agency has made a major appointment in its bid to grow in the East Midlands.
PLMR Advent, part of the Westminster-based PLMR Group, is based in Coventry and was founded 25 years ago.
It has a string of clients in the East Midlands and is looking to grow its client base in the area after some recent wins.
It has just appointed Leicestershire-based Paul Suart as an account manager. Suart has 20 years’ experience in the industry as a reporter, copy writer and content editor, most recently working for Reach plc.
Suart will work across the PLMR Advent client base and will support growth in the East Midlands.
Lee Corden, a PLMR board director who heads the Coventry office, said the appointment was part of a plan to extend the company’s footprint.
“We work with clients locally, nationally, and internationally but have a strong focus in the Midlands as we are based in Coventry and Birmingham,” he said. “In recent years, that scope has widened and we work with clients both based in the East Midlands or with projects in the area.
“That has gone very well on every level, with our work for them appearing in regional, national and trade titles, and we have grown our client base as a result.
“We are delighted to have attracted Paul to join us. He has great experience in the media and his presence in the East Midlands will prove very useful as part of our ongoing push to attract more clients from that part of the region.”
Suart added: “I had been considering moving into public relations but wanted it to be with an agency with the highest quality. I have dealt with PLMR Advent for more than a decade and I know how well they represent their clients.
“They have a great knowledge of the media, employ staff who have a proven track record in producing accurate and relevant copy and are very sharp when it comes to what has news value.
“As a journalist there are certain agencies you can rely on – and PLMR Advent is among the best.”
Island Quarter developer makes gym site purchase
The Conygar Investment Company has purchased the long-leasehold interest of the site occupied by Virgin Active gym, located on The Great Northern Close at The Island Quarter, Nottingham.
The freehold of the site is already owned by Conygar, with the leasehold purchased from Wood Pension fund.
The purchase, which enables better control of Conygar’s arrangements for this and the adjoining site at The Island Quarter, was subject to signing a new direct 25-year lease with Virgin Active at a rent of £600,000 per annum with a 12-month rent free period spread across the first 24 months.
This will replace the rent received by Conygar from the long-leasehold, which amounted to 10% of the rent previously received by the vendor from Virgin Active.
The purchase price of £5.9 million was funded by way of a drawdown of the second and final £7 million tranche of an existing debt facility with ASK Partners Ltd. The surplus funds received over the purchase price and associated fees will be applied in the further progression of The Island Quarter.
New East Midlands legal firm Devello Group signs up as drinks sponsor for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2024
Law firm Devello Group has joined the lineup of businesses backing the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2024, becoming the event’s drinks sponsor.
Devello Group is a specialist planning and property development practice with offices in Nottingham and Lincoln, founded by experienced lawyers Shruti Trivedi and Iain Hibbert. Their niche law firm can help clients with a wide range of services in the sector, operating with a bespoke, value-led approach that does not use a traditional hourly fee-paying model.
Devello Group also has a strategic arm, offering a high-level advisory service to developers, landowners, promoters and others in the planning and property development sectors.
Speaking with Business Link, Shruti Trivedi said: “Devello are delighted to be sponsoring the Bricks Awards as what better way to mark our own start as a brand new business offering to the region than by being associated with the Bricks who burst on the scene similarly a few years ago with an innovative and fresh approach.
“The Bricks have always been appealing as they value local and regional businesses in the region in an inclusive and fun manner but also connect these businesses with each other to foster relations and lay foundations for future working relationships. We are looking forward to being part of that community as that is very important to us as a regional firm and very much welcome the Awards as an opportunity to meet other businesses in a relaxed setting on the evening.”
The East Midlands Bricks Awards, which will take place on Thursday 3rd October, at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, recognise 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.
Winning one of these awards will add considerably to a company’s or individual’s brand and enhance their commercial reach significantly.
Nominations are now OPEN for East Midlands Business Link’s annual Bricks Awards, which provide the ideal opportunity to celebrate successes, boost businesses’ profiles, showcase teams, reward their efforts, and bolster morale.
To nominate your (or another) business/development for one of our awards, please click on a category link below or visit this page.
A highlight in the business calendar, 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 leaders from across the region.
Tickets can be booked for the 2024 awards event here. 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.
Thanks to our sponsors:
Devello Group also has a strategic arm, offering a high-level advisory service to developers, landowners, promoters and others in the planning and property development sectors.
Speaking with Business Link, Shruti Trivedi said: “Devello are delighted to be sponsoring the Bricks Awards as what better way to mark our own start as a brand new business offering to the region than by being associated with the Bricks who burst on the scene similarly a few years ago with an innovative and fresh approach.
“The Bricks have always been appealing as they value local and regional businesses in the region in an inclusive and fun manner but also connect these businesses with each other to foster relations and lay foundations for future working relationships. We are looking forward to being part of that community as that is very important to us as a regional firm and very much welcome the Awards as an opportunity to meet other businesses in a relaxed setting on the evening.”
The East Midlands Bricks Awards, which will take place on Thursday 3rd October, at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, recognise 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.
Winning one of these awards will add considerably to a company’s or individual’s brand and enhance their commercial reach significantly.
Nominations are now OPEN for East Midlands Business Link’s annual Bricks Awards, which provide the ideal opportunity to celebrate successes, boost businesses’ profiles, showcase teams, reward their efforts, and bolster morale.
To nominate your (or another) business/development for one of our awards, please click on a category link below or visit this page.
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)
Nominations end Thursday 5th September
A highlight in the business calendar, 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 leaders from across the region.
Tickets can be booked for the 2024 awards event here. 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.
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Council steps up mission to ensure £25m of Town Deal cash is spent
Erewash Borough council is stepping up its mission to ensure £25m of government Town Deal cash gets spent in Long Eaton, a new report reveals.
The authority is reassuring the public after it emerged most Town Deal projects across the UK are falling behind schedule.
In a report to the Long Eaton Town Deal Board the council concedes it has not been immune to the kind of challenges faced elsewhere in the UK – where barely a fifth of towns fund initiatives have been meeting their own deadlines.
Reasons include labour shortages and the impact of rampant inflation on costs. In Erewash a new business hub being created next to Long Eaton Town Hall was hit by the contractor going bust. The town’s West Park was due to get new lighting – but flooding from winter storms caused a delay.
Both these projects are now resuming. Lampposts are being installed to illuminate the park, while new builders have been found to continue converting what is known as the old Stable Block.
The biggest chunk of the £25m will be spent refurbishing Long Eaton’s town centre. Plans have advanced to a detailed design stage while consultations take place with residents and businesses. Work is scheduled to start in the New Year.
The five key Long Eaton projects include building iconic new bridges, paths and cycle routes – and compulsory purchasing the derelict Galaxy cinema.
The report stresses how most of the progress so far in terms of meeting delivery timescales is “in common with other Town Deals across the country.”
All risks are being “actively managed” as feverish work goes on behind the scenes. The report says of a March 2026 deadline for money being spent: “The council believes this target can be met.”
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities said earlier this year that the completion rate for Town Deal projects “is entirely consistent with the delivery timeframes we have set out.”
It added: “All of the money which was allocated from the towns fund is on track to be spent by March 2026 as planned.”
Law firm acquires West Bridgford conveyancers
As part of a succession strategy, West Bridgford conveyancing firm Michelle O’Shea & Co has been acquired by AG Corporate Law.
Founded in 1995 by Michelle O’Shea, the company is based on Exchange Road and has developed a five star reputation for delivering residential conveyancing services. Initially, there will be no changes to the management team or how the company is run under the new ownership.
Michelle plans to continue working part time and oversee the work of the team of seven conveyancers and administrative assistants for an initial term of 2 years. Longer term the intention is to develop the existing team and recruit more people.
Founded in 2023 by Adam Gilbert, AG Corporate Law is a boutique firm specialising in Corporate and Commercial Law.
The acquisition of Michelle O’Shea & Co will be the second legal business to be owned by Mr Gilbert who plans to continue operating each brand as entirely separate entities due to their different geographic location and target markets but with the benefit of being able to cross refer work between the two firms.
Michelle O’Shea said: “Once I had taken the decision to sell the business it was necessary to find a buyer who would be willing to retain the team and acknowledge that we have a robust and profitable operating model. AGCL is a perfect fit and Adam is committed to a ‘business as usual’ policy which has been good for the confidence of our staff and clients.”
Nottingham immigration law firm looks North
Nottingham’s OTB Legal, a UK immigration law firm, is expanding with a new Manchester base. The firm will be based at Bloc on Marble Street.
OTB Legal has grown consistently from its Chase Park headquarters just outside Nottingham. However, with demand increasing for immigration services in the region, OTB Legal’s Marcus Worthington says the time is right to expand the offering north: “Expanding our leading immigration team into Manchester is a strategic move aimed at better serving our clients in the area.
“Manchester’s vibrant and diverse community provides an excellent backdrop for us to deepen our connections with individuals and businesses navigating complex immigration laws.
“Our expansion into Manchester aligns with the city’s role as a magnet for talent and investment, positioning us to provide crucial guidance and advice as clients navigate the evolving landscape of immigration regulations and pursue their business and personal goals.”
The Manchester office will act as a northern hub for OTB Legal’s growing team.
Hannah Bowers, OTB Legal’s marketing manager, says: “We have a thriving and growing team and have plans for further growth in terms of expansion across the UK. I am based here at Bloc and the space is fantastic. It has a vibrancy to it that I know our team will love and I can’t wait to welcome them here.”
Real estate investor adds 315,000 sq ft of retail parks to portfolio
Columbia Threadneedle Real Estate, the real estate investment and asset management specialist of Columbia Threadneedle Investments, has acquired Phase 2 and 3 of Merry Hill Retail Park in Brierley Hill and Phoenix Retail Park in Corby on behalf of separate client funds for undisclosed sums.
These recent acquisitions follow the purchase of Parkgate Shopping Park in Yorkshire earlier this year and reinforce Columbia Threadneedle Real Estate’s position as one of the largest retail park owners in the UK.
Phases 2 and 3 of Merry Hill Retail Park comprise a combined circa 197,000 square feet of retail warehouse and restaurant space on a site that extends to almost 15 acres with approximately 600 free parking spaces. Anchor tenants include The Range, Currys, Wren Kitchens, DFS and Pets at Home trading from a range of retail formats from 1,900 square feet to circa 52,000 square feet.
Phoenix Retail Park is the dominant retail park in Corby, offering 118,200 sq ft of retail warehouse accommodation with anchor tenants including M&S Foodhall, Matalan, The Range, Currys, Next and The Food Warehouse.
Its occupier mix is complementary to the demographics of the local catchment with a focus on food, discount and convenience-led retailing. It adjoins a 95,000 sq ft Asda superstore, which adds further critical mass, and the town of Corby has recorded significant population growth over the last decade, with further growth on the existing 203,000-strong catchment forecast thanks to a residential development pipeline of more than 12,000 new homes.
Tom Elviss, Fund Manager at Columbia Threadneedle Real Estate, said: “The simultaneous acquisition of both Phases 2 and 3 at Merry Hill Retail Park from two separate vendors constitutes a majority holding at one of the UK’s dominant retail warehouse clusters in the West Midlands. This presents a significant opportunity to maximise the assets’ potential under single ownership.
“Phoenix Retail Park is set to benefit from Corby’s sizeable residential development pipeline, which brings with it a catchment growth proposition that will allow us to enhance the tenant mix further.
“At both locations, we intend to draw on our strong retailer relationships and scale in the retail warehouse market as we seek to proactively asset manage the holdings to deliver strong returns for our investors.”
For the Merry Hill transaction, Harvey Spack Field acted for the purchaser and Morgan Williams represented the vendors, while Savills advised the purchaser on the Phoenix Retail Park acquisition and Knight Frank represented the vendor.
YMD Boon extends Midlands footprint
YMD Boon, a team of architects, building surveyors and health & safety professionals, has opened its new office in Birmingham, marking a pivotal moment in the business’s growth strategy to extend its footprint across the Midlands.
Over the past 18 months, YMD Boon has made significant strides by expanding into new sectors, securing positions on various procurement frameworks, broadening its client-base and boosting its employee headcount by approximately 30%.
With established offices in Market Harborough, Nottingham and Lincoln, the expanding firm aims to replicate the successes achieved in these regions with a renewed focus on the West Midlands and surrounding areas.
Located just off the M6 at the iconic Fort Dunlop, the new office will be headed up by Jonathan King, Associate Director of Building Surveying, and Shari Setayesh, Director of Architecture.
Jonathan King, Associate Director of Building Surveying, said: “We are really excited at the prospect of working with more organisations in and around the Birmingham area, expanding our network in the process. The move to this new office space strengthens our capabilities within Birmingham at a time when the region is experiencing remarkable investment prospects.”
Shari Setayesh, Director of Architecture, said: “With established relationships with clients in the West Midlands and ongoing projects in the area, it was a natural progression for us to establish a presence here for our growing team. We look forward to continuing to grow our presence in Birmingham and surrounding areas!”
