University joins £3m campaign to drive midlands economic growth
The University of Lincoln, UK, has joined a groundbreaking coalition of 17 universities, in support of a £3m international campaign which has been launched this week to drive economic growth in the Midlands.
Each year, the University contributes more than £400 million to the local economy and has forged sustainable, long-term relationships with a diverse range of organisations. These global connections will be leveraged to attract inward investment into R&D, innovation and science. This important work supports the University’s ambitions laid out in its Strategic Plan 2022-27 – of being a university which contributes significantly to the success of the region and beyond.
The campaign is led by Midlands Innovation and the Midlands Engine Partnership and hosted at Loughborough University, the Invest in UK University R&D – Midlands Campaign has been developed with a range of regional partners including the West Midlands Growth Company, Midlands Enterprise Universities and the East Midlands Freeport. It was launched at the UK Real Estate, Infrastructure and Investment Forum (UKREIIF), attended by nearly 13,000 investors, delegates and developers.
The university consortium will showcase five sectors in which the Midlands is world-renowned for the strength of its research and innovation. International alumni, industry and university connections in six markets (Australia, Germany, Japan, Singapore, South Korea and the USA) will be drawn upon to engage investors and raise the profile of the Midlands.
Vice Chancellor of the University of Lincoln, Professor Neal Juster, said: “The University of Lincoln is proud to be a member of this consortium whose aims align with, and further support, its commitment to driving economic growth and prosperity in the region and contributing significantly to the nation’s success through regional regeneration and international connectivity.
“This campaign will help to redefine how academia works in partnership with industry, and we look forward to showcasing what the University of Lincoln has to offer. From its R&D equipment and facilities spanning a range of key disciplines such as agri-food, engineering, and life science technologies, we have a wealth of opportunities for collaboration with.
“An example of this is the University’s sector-leading Lincoln Institute for Agri-food Technology, which was recently awarded the prestigious Queen’s Anniversary Prize for its work supporting the success and sustainability of the UK’s food and farming industries through innovations in research, education and technology.”
Minister of State for Science, Research and Innovation, Andrew Griffith MP, announced an award of £1.5 million from the UK’s International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF) to support the campaign over the next two years, which has been matched by universities and regional partners. The Minister said: “The UK is home to world class research hubs and by bringing together the expertise and connections of universities, government and industry, we can bolster our efforts to win international investment into some of the Midlands’ strongest sectors.
Boost for construction of Long Eaton business hub
Long Eaton Town Deal’s Stable Block refurbishment project is set to recommence construction activities later this month.
The building is being renovated to become a centre for commerce and innovation.
Work originally got under way last year but had to be put on hold when Nottingham construction giant J Tomlinson Ltd – which won the contract – rocked the building sector by going bust.
Erewash Borough Council was among a string of local authorities and government bodies that were left having to find new contractors to complete projects.
It meant painstaking fresh negotiations – but the town hall’s search is now over. Derbyshire-based Trident Construction Services Ltd has been engaged to complete the work.
The Stable Block project is being funded by government levelling-up cash as part of a £24.8million “Town Deal” that the council helped win for Long Eaton.
Offices, meeting spaces and studios will be available when the building next to Long Eaton Town Hall is transformed. The new business hub aims to create more than 30 jobs.
Erewash Borough Council leader James Dawson said: “This showcase project is among several that will help transform Long Eaton thanks to the council securing huge government investment to revitalise the town. The collapse of the original builder was a blow but we are pleased to be back on course.”
The old stables form part of what is known as the “curtilage” of the Grade II* listed town hall – which was built in 1778 by Joseph Pickford of Derby. Back then the town hall was a house for “gentleman farmer” Henry Howitt.
Richard Ledger, chair of the Long Eaton Town Deal Board, said: “We have been pulling out all the stops to minimise delays to the refurbishment of the old stables, which will enhance Long Eaton as a place to do business. The project will create the kind of modern hub that we know there is a demand for.”
Funding pledge helps SV2 support more young survivors
SV2, the Derbyshire charity that supports anyone who has experienced sexual abuse, is recruiting another children’s therapist to help more young survivors move forward with their lives. The expansion is thanks to a funding pledge from Alstom.
SV2 is one of the 11 recipients of the Alstom UK and Ireland Community Project Fund – with charities and organisations sharing nearly £160,000.
Alstom’s CPF aims to fund projects that deliver social and environmental value for the local communities in which the company operates and Alstom also encourages staff to use their annual volunteering day to support beneficiaries in their local areas.
Staff are encouraged to nominate good causes as part of the annual funding cycle and then work with a charity or community group to complete an application for up to £30,000. A senior panel then reviews applications against a robust criteria and, if successful, the project sponsor continues to support the individual scheme through delivery.
SV2’s funding will support its Children’s RASSO (Rape and Serious Sexual Offences) Therapy project which is available to children and young people across Derbyshire.
The charity, which has bases in Ripley, Derby and Buxton, provides a wide range of services to support victims and survivors of sexual abuse regardless of their age, gender, when the offence took place or whether they have reported the crime to police or not.
SV2 supported 1,536 children, young people and adults between March 2023 and March 2024 through a range of services including through the helpline, ISVA support through the criminal justice system, counselling and therapy.
The charity also supports the wider families and works to prevent and raise awareness of rape and sexual abuse and their effects through training and education programmes across the county.
Thanks to Alstom funding, the charity is recruiting another children’s therapist with further education work planned to raise awareness of the issue amongst young people and the wider community.
CEO Rachel Morris explained that child sexual abuse had significant and far-reaching impacts on both the survivors and local communities.
She said: “We are extremely grateful to be receiving support from Alstom which will make a real difference to the lives of children and their families across Derbyshire whose lives have been devastated by sexual violence.
“Demand for our children’s therapy services is sadly high and we have a waiting list which includes children as young as three-years-old.
“This financial support will enable us to put in the resources so badly needed to reduce the waiting list. It gives us the means to provide more children the specialist support they need to recover from their trauma and to ensure that the dreadful sexual assault or rape which they have suffered does not define their future.”
Colin Haynes, Environment, Health and Safety Director at Alstom UK and Ireland, said: “It’s fantastic to be able to award another round of funding for charities and community-led projects across the UK and Ireland.
“It was a humbling experience sifting through the applications because it was clear to me that many of these projects were looking for relatively modest grants, which in turn made a significant difference to lives and life chances.”
He added: “Alongside employment opportunities and mobility solutions, it is vital that we reflect the communities we serve and the Community Project Fund is just one way in which we can do this.
“By supporting initiatives that address social and environmental needs, we not only contribute to the well-being of these communities but also strengthen Alstom’s own commitment to sustainability and social responsibility.
“It’s a privilege to witness the positive changes these projects bring about and to be part of a company that prioritises making a meaningful impact beyond business operations.”
Staffline confident as positive momentum continues
Staffline, the Nottingham-based recruitment and training group, is “confident” that it is on track to deliver results in line with expectations, it has shared in a trading update ahead of its Annual General Meeting (AGM).
It comes as “positive momentum” reported across the final quarter of 2023, has continued into the first four months of 2024.
In particular, Staffline noted that it is encouraged with the performance of its recruitment businesses, which supported strong trading cashflow performance, that is ahead of management expectations.
Recruitment GB has seen a year-on-year uplift in temporary worker hours, up 8.6% for the first 19 weeks of 2024 compared to the prior year, as a result of new sites awarded with Tesco, Sainsbury’s, GXO Logistics and Wincanton.
Recruitment Ireland has reported permanent fees up 25% in the first quarter and PeoplePlus remains cautiously optimistic in its bid pipeline.
Reflecting on the progress, Staffline said: “The Board remains confident that the Group is on track to deliver results in line with management expectations for the full year.”
Revenue dips at Van Elle
Revenue has dipped at Van Elle, the Nottinghamshire-based ground engineering contractor, according to a trading update for the 12 months ended 30 April 2024, as it lines up a range of further cost saving measures, including headcount reductions and efficiency projects.
Group revenue for the year is expected to be £140m, approximately 6% below the previous year including five months contribution from the acquisition of Rock & Alluvium Limited.
Van Elle noted that this “is in line with expectations and reflects the impact of prevailing market conditions, with the housing and infrastructure sectors being impacted by lower levels of demand and delays.” Meanwhile, the business expects to report profit before tax in line with market expectations, as a result of continued focus on operational performance, whilst controlling its cost base. Looking ahead Van Elle said: “Both the housing and infrastructure sectors are widely expected to recover in the near term, and whilst timing remains uncertain, the Group will benefit from increased volumes. Van Elle is also developing a strong position in the water and energy sectors, which are both expected to contribute materially to activity levels from FY26 and beyond.“The Group has been awarded new frameworks in Q4 FY24 including in Network Rail’s CP7 civils and geotechnical programme, with the Coal Authority for national ground investigation services and for key customers in the energy sector.
“The Group will commence its first major energy transmission scheme in FY25 with further tender opportunities expected this year and is designing modular foundation solutions for several customers ahead of AMP8 in the water sector.
“The Board remains conservative on the timing of a full recovery in the housing sector, but the Group is seeing early signs of progress with order intake and rig utilisation increasing over the last three months.
“The Group has identified a range of further cost saving measures, consisting of headcount reductions and efficiency projects, with targeted annualised savings in excess of £1m.”
East Midlands among top regions for female trade workers – yet only making up 2.35% of workforce
A new study reveals that despite East Midlands having the third-highest number of female trade workers, women only make up 2.35% of the industry workforce.
This new research follows the recent revelation that the industry is one of the least diverse. This shortfall could potentially cost the UK economy around £98 billion in economic growth by 2030¹.
Currently, there are 1,051,508 skilled workers in England and Wales. Of this, 1,026,734 are male, with just 24,774 females making up the remaining workforce. This stark gender disparity in the trade sector is a pressing issue that needs immediate attention.
So, just how diverse is East Midlands skilled trades workforce? By analysing the data, money.co.uk business insurance experts can reveal the demographic differences across the skilled trades sector in the top three UK regions, including East Midlands.
The top three female-to-male diversity in the skills trade workforce:
Kyle Eaton, money.co.uk business insurance expert, offers tips on how trade businesses can attract diverse talent: “Workplaces focusing on diversity have a range of experiences, opinions and beliefs that can benefit your business, improve morale and solve problems creatively. With this in mind, here are some pointers to attract diverse talent to your skilled trades business:
| Female | Male | |||
| Region | Total | % | Total | % |
| London | 4,986 | 3.42% | 140,655 | 96.58% |
| South West | 2,818 | 2.36% | 116,507 | 97.64% |
| East Midlands | 1,990 | 2.35% | 82,831 | 97.65% |
- Review your recruitment strategy
- Focus on the positives
- Promote a supportive company culture
- Encourage word-of-mouth referrals
- Target diverse spaces
Business funding package to boost Ashfield economy
Grants worth up to £30,000 are available to businesses across Ashfield thanks to a new scheme aimed at boosting the local economy.
Ashfield District Council is offering grants to support the growth of established micro, small and medium sized businesses based in the District.
The programme is being funded using some of the £3.2 million allocated to Ashfield District Council from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).
The business grants – which range from £8,000 to £30,000 can be used to support staff training, IT equipment and machinery, marketing, consultancy services, overseas trade visits including conferences, and other project-related expenses.
To apply businesses need to be engaged on the Ashfield Accelerator Project and have an eligible project cost of at least £16,000. This is a match funded grant scheme, with an intervention rate of 50%.
The scheme will close on 31 October 2024 and any awarded projects must be completed by 31 January 2025 at the latest to be accepted.
Diane Beresford is Deputy Chief Executive of East Midlands Chamber, which delivers the Ashfield Accelerator Project on behalf of Ashfield District Council. She said: “We are delighted to be working with Ashfield District Council on this new grant, which will provide a boost to local businesses and the local economy.
“We think there will be a lot of interest in the new fund and would urge businesses to get in touch now, talk to an Accelerator Business Adviser and discuss the growth projects they have in mind before all the funds are allocated.”
Cllr Jason Zadrozny, Leader of Ashfield District Council, said: “Business investment is crucial as we continue to drive local growth. Ashfield is an area where businesses can thrive, knowing they can access support to help them flourish. This scheme is another fabulous example illustrating our commitment to growing Ashfield’s economy.”
Manufacturers’ output volumes rise for first time in year and a half
Manufacturers reported that output volumes rose for the first time since November 2022 in the three months to May, according to the CBI’s latest Industrial Trends Survey (ITS). Manufacturers expect output to rise further in the three months to August, albeit at a modest pace.
Order books remain under pressure, with both total and export order books weakening in May. Manufacturers reported that stocks of finished goods were more than adequate to meet expected demand. Meanwhile, expectations for selling price inflation softened, having picked up earlier in the year.
The survey, based on the responses of 245 manufacturers, found:
- Output volumes rose in the three months to May, having been flat or falling in every month since November 2022 (weighted balance of +14%, from +3% in the three months to April). Output is expected to rise modestly in the three months to August (+7%).
- Output increased in only 8 out of 17 sub-sectors, but this was sufficient to offset flat or falling volumes in the remaining sub-sectors, with the chemicals, food, drink & tobacco and motor vehicles & transport equipment sub-sectors driving overall growth.
- Total order books weakened in the three months to May, with a net balance reporting order books as “below normal” falling to -33% (from -23%). The level of order books therefore remained below the long-run average (-13%).
- Export order books were seen as below normal and deteriorated relative to last month (-27%, from -23%). This was also below the long-run average (-18%).
- Expectations for average selling price inflation softened in May (+15%, from +27% in April), having picked up steadily over the first four months of 2024.
- Stock adequacy for finished goods improved in the three months to May, with the net balance of firms reporting that stocks were “more than adequate” rising to +14% (from -1% in the three months to April), broadly in line with the long-run average.
Trio of appointments at Rothera Bray
Rothera Bray, the East Midlands law firm, has made a trio of appointments following the launch of its licensing team at its Nottingham office.
The firm has bolstered its services with the addition of three experienced professionals specialising in licensing law. Senior associate Jo Soar, associate Lesley Harper, and senior paralegal Caroline Twist collectively bring over a century of expertise in this domain.
The establishment of the licensing team follows the recent appointment of corporate partner David Kaplan.
Reflecting on her appointment, Jo said: “I am delighted to join Rothera Bray and eager to lead the team in building upon our success and reputation. We remain committed to serving leading names in the leisure and hospitality industry, continually enhancing our team to meet the evolving licensing needs of clients at both local and national levels.”
Christina Yardley, CEO at Rothera Bray, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Jo, Lesley, and Caroline to the firm and expand our core services through the establishment of a dedicated licensing team. Their wealth of experience will further strengthen our ability to deliver exceptional legal solutions to our clients.”
Inflation nears Bank of England target
Inflation has continued its journey towards the Bank of England’s 2% target, coming in at 2.3% in April, down from the 3.2% reported in March.
Measured by the consumer prices index (CPI), it is, however, slightly ahead of forecasts (2.1%).
Falling gas and electricity prices resulted in the largest downward contributions to the monthly change, while the largest, partially offsetting, upward contribution came from motor fuels. There were also large downward effects from alcohol and tobacco, food and non-alcoholic beverages, recreation and culture, and communication.
Meanwhile, core inflation, which takes out volatile factors like energy, food, alcohol and tobacco to give a clear picture of underlying trends, stood at 3.9% in the 12 months to April 2024, down from 4.2% in March.
Alpesh Paleja, CBI Lead Economist, said: “A big fall in inflation was always on the cards for April, given Ofgem’s 12% cut to the energy price cap. Households and businesses will welcome a more benign inflationary environment, but it’s worth noting that many will still be struggling with a high level of prices, particularly in food and energy bills.
“Today’s data further sets the stage for interest rate cuts in the coming months. While the Monetary Policy Committee is likely to reduce interest rates over the summer, they are still holding out for more definitive falls in measures of domestic price pressures.
“It’s encouraging that pay growth is now a touch below the Bank of England’s forecast, but there’s still a long way for it to get closer to levels consistent with inflation at target.
“The Bank will also be mindful of growing upside risks to inflation in the near-term: with the growth outlook improving at home, and tensions in the Middle East threatening to stoke commodity prices and supply pressures globally.”
Leicester rag trade £1.3m tax fraudsters handed jail terms
The directors of a Leicester clothing company that supplied high street and online retailers have been jailed for a £1.3m tax fraud.
Hifzurrehman Patel, 40, and Ehsan-Ul-Haque Dawood Patel, 46, set up a sophisticated network of front companies to evade VAT between 2014 and 2017.
They were caught after a specialist rag trade taskforce made an unannounced visit to their Midlands Trading Ltd factory in December 2015.
The taskforce, which included officers from HMRC, became suspicious when staff clock cards completely disappeared during a tour of the factory while the business also handed over false invoices.
Investigators discovered the pair had been diverting VAT liabilities to a string of front companies, by claiming they produced clothes on their behalf.
It meant they evaded paying £1.3m of VAT on the clothes they were in fact producing themselves and selling on to unsuspecting high street and online retailers.
The pair were jailed for a total of nearly nine years at Leicester Crown Court on 17 May 2024. Hifzurrehman Patel of Evington Parks Road, Leicester, was sentenced to five years in prison having been convicted of conspiracy to evade VAT, contrary to section 1(1) of the Criminal Law Act (1977), and two counts of money laundering.
Ehsan-Ul-Haque Dawood Patel, of Homeway Road, Leicester, was sentenced to 47 months in prison having been convicted of conspiracy to evade VAT, contrary to section 1(1) of the Criminal Law Act (1977), and two counts of money laundering.
Mark Robinson, Operational Lead in HMRC’s Fraud Investigation Service, said: “Hifzurrehman and Ehsan Patel carried out a relentless and sustained attack on the tax system. They invented contracts and forged documents to evade VAT. This is money that should have been helping to fund our public services and was instead spent on cars and property.
“Tax fraud is not a victimless crime. It has real consequences for the public services we all rely on and we are working hard to ensure tax cheats do not gain an unfair advantage over their law abiding competitors.”
Paula Lloyd, Specialist Prosecutor in the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “While other businesses were doing the right thing by paying their taxes, these criminals thought they could enjoy a cushy lifestyle paid for hardworking taxpayers.
“The CPS will be taking them back to court to confiscate any goods or assets they bought using money from their offending.
“We are determined to ensure tax dodgers face the full consequences and hopefully this will make others think twice before they do the same.”
A further three people were convicted for their roles in the fraud. Pravinbhai Purshotam Valland, 54, was handed a suspended two-year prison sentence at Leicester Crown Court on 17 May 2024.
Mohsin Dawood Patel, 42, and Munaf Yusuf Banglawala, 62, will be sentenced at the same court on 21 June 2024.
Final handover of family homes for new Bestwood community
Vistry Group, the provider of affordable mixed-tenure homes, has celebrated the final handover of new family homes at their Ridgeway development in Nottingham. The final home was completed and handed over 20 months after the development received planning permission.
Situated on a 4.2-acre brownfield site in the Bestwood area of Nottinghamshire, the 71 one-, two-, and three-bedroom properties comprise 33 affordable homes, built on behalf of Nottingham City Council and 38 homes for private rent through Start Living, the single-family build-to-rent platform established by Gatehouse Investment Management and TPG Real Estate Partners.
All the homes were built using modern methods of construction (MMC) reducing the carbon footprint of every property. The properties were manufactured off site using open panel timber frames from the Vistry Works East Midlands factory in Bardon in neighbouring Leicestershire. Each home built using these panels emits 14,460kg CO2e less than a traditional brick-and-block house and has a faster construction time.
The development’s completion heralds a new era of enhanced living standards for residents and the local community, with landscaping, public open spaces, and road improvements. The wider community has also benefitted from investment with £1,911,255 towards local educational and a further £85,764 going to other services.
Lee Parry, Managing Director of Vistry North East Midlands, said: “We are thrilled to mark the successful handover of the final homes on our Ridgeway development. This milestone represents not just the final stages of this project but also the beginning of a new chapter for the residents as this new community flourishes.”
Councillor Jay Hayes, Portfolio Holder for Housing and ward representative for Bestwood at Nottingham City Council, said: “I’m delighted to see these new properties reach completion, ready to become family homes in a part of the city with high levels of housing need. We’re creating new communities that everyone who lives in the area will benefit from.
“The amount of housing being delivered currently in Nottingham is a positive sign and it’s also a clear indication of the willingness for developers to invest here. Construction activity has a large and positive impact on jobs and the local economy, so this is great news for Nottingham.”
John Coles, Head of Acquisitions at Gatehouse Investment Management, added: “Ridgeway was one of the first Start Living locations to be acquired, forming part of our wider investment in the area, and it is hugely pleasing to see the final properties delivered.
“Many residents are already enjoying the high-spec homes and fantastic local amenities that Ridgeway has to offer, and we look forward to more families moving into these last few homes. We are also due to launch an additional 64 plots at the adjacent Padstow site in the coming months, which is already generating strong interest.”
Housebuilder’s £3.5million investment helps create thriving communities across East Midlands
An East Midlands housebuilder has pumped more than £3.5million into improving local communities.
Redrow East Midlands, which is currently building at seven developments across the region, has made a significant investment into all its surrounding communities – over £3.5million – and isn’t finished yet.
With developments proving popular with buyers looking for their dream home, Redrow East Midlands has been hard at work supporting the surrounding areas, providing funds to support local education services, infrastructure and biodiversity.
Supporting local bio-diversity a key priority, and the developments have seen hundreds of pounds poured into the creation of animal-friendly spaces, with woodland planting and meadow grasslands aimed at making the developments a sanctuary for nature, as well as residents.
Across Leicestershire, Redrow has invested over £752,000, with a further £706,000 still to be invested in supporting local communities to thrive.
At Foxbridge Manor, in Castle Donington, Derbyshire, over £1.2million has already been invested in the local community, with a further £1.1million still to be invested – including in local youth and adult facilities, and support for local recreational grounds.
Meanwhile, at Redrow at Nicker Hill, Nottinghamshire, over £600,000 has already been invested into local health and education services, as well as funds to help maintain the local bus stops and provide bus taster tickets to local people. Further contributions of almost £200,000 are underway to improve local sports facilities and swimming pool.
The housebuilder is also implementing measures to reduce its carbon footprint, closely monitoring its water, electricity and gas usage to reduce environmental impact as much as possible.
Ryan O’Sullivan, Sales Director for Redrow East Midlands, said: “We are thrilled to be continuing to support East Midlands communities and improving the sustainability of our already popular developments, while bringing much-needed homes in the region. Our commitment to creating thriving communities benefits the local area, our residents and those looking to move in the future.
“With investment in local education providers, youth and adult facilities, and biodiversity, we are proud of the difference we’ve made so far and are excited to continue supporting the region.
“Our developments are proving incredibly popular with buyers and we’d encourage anyone looking to purchase a new home to come along and chat to our friendly team about how we can help you find your dream home!”
New Leader and Deputy Leader of Nottingham City Council officially appointed
The new Leader and Deputy Leader of Nottingham City Council have been officially appointed.
Councillor Neghat Khan and Councillor Ethan Radford are the youngest team to hold the top two council positions in Nottingham.
Councillor Khan was officially appointed as Leader at a formal city council meeting on Monday evening (20 May). She is the first woman of colour to be Leader and only the second woman to hold the role. Councillor Khan, who represents the Dales ward in the city, leads the majority group of Labour councillors in Nottingham.
Councillor Ethan Radford was appointed as Deputy Leader. He has served as a councillor for Bulwell since 2019 and has worked with the Executive group of councillors for the last two years.
They replace councillors David Mellen and Audra Wynter who have been Leader and Deputy Leader since 2019 and 2023 respectively.
Councillor Khan, who has been a city councillor for 10 years, said: “I’m proud to serve as Leader of the Council. I am ambitious for Nottingham, where I was born and grew up. I care about the people who live, work and study here and I want only the best for our neighbourhoods and communities.
“Nottingham is a diverse city and it now has its first British-Asian leader. I hope that young women and young people of colour from Nottingham, like my son who is 12, see that there should be no barrier to their ambitions and aspirations.
“It is no secret that Nottingham faces significant challenges, but I have never shied away from a difficult situation. I will work with senior officers and Government Commissioners to drive forward the changes needed to continue the council’s improvement journey. The people of Nottingham deserve nothing less.
“Money remains tight, and we know that further difficult decisions will be needed. However, I believe that cuts to our funding does not mean we can’t afford to be ambitious; it means we can’t afford not to be. What Nottingham needs now more than ever is politicians ready to rise to the challenge facing us, setting a renewed vision for our city, and achieving the promises we made when we were given a clear mandate from the public at the last local election.
“I would like to pay tribute to Councillors David Mellen and Audra Wynter for their hard work and dedication as the previous Leader and Deputy Leader. They have helped to lay the foundation for significant changes and improvements in Nottingham – not least their work to secure the devolution deal that will now see us working closely alongside the Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, to fight for a fairer share of funding for the city.
“I’m clear that our council cannot work in isolation. I want to work with partners, businesses and the voluntary sector to give Nottingham a fresh start.”
Councillor Radford said: “I’m honoured to be appointed as Deputy Leader of the Council – and I am determined to deliver improvements for the people of Nottingham.
“We have all lived through the last 14 years of austerity and reduced funding to public services which have, in turn, led to cuts to the services we all rely on. Public services are in crisis. These difficult times have led to real challenges in delivering on our ambitions for Nottingham but it is vital that we remain ambitious for our city.
“The leaders of this city need to be united, pulling in the same direction with a shared vision for our city, built on a solid foundation of trust. Neghat and I have worked together for a number of years and have skills and abilities that together cover a wide area and complement each other. We offer Nottingham strong political leadership focussed on fulfilling our promises to voters, delivering for residents by working with the regional mayor and the Police and Crime Commissioner.
“We want to protect services and jobs, and optimise every pound spent in Nottingham. By targeting root causes of major cost areas to the authority, we can reduce costs but maintain value, support communities, and invest in Nottingham’s future.”
Councillor Khan will also be Executive Member for Strategic Regeneration, Transport and Communications, and Councillor Radford the Executive Member for Skills, Growth and Economic Development.
The Leader and Deputy Leader are joined by a Cabinet of six Executive Members who were also confirmed at the Full Council meeting:
- Councillor Linda Woodings, Executive Member for Finance and Resources
- Councillor Cheryl Barnard, Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education
- Councillor Jay Hayes, Executive Member for Housing and Planning
- Councillor Corall Jenkins, Executive Member for Communities, Waste and Equalities
- Councillor Pavlos Kotsonis, Executive Member for Adults Social Care and Health
- Councillor Sam Lux, Executive Member for Carbon Reduction, Leisure and Culture
Future of Buxton Brewery secured following pre-pack deal
The future of Buxton Brewery has been secured following a sale of its business and assets to Happy Place Investors Limited.
Rick Harrison and Howard Smith from Interpath Advisory were appointed joint administrators to Buxton Brewery Company Limited and Axe Edge Bars Limited on 20 May 2024.
Founded in 2009 and operating from a custom designed and built brewhouse in Buxton, Derbyshire, the Group is a producer and retailer of craft ales, producing upwards of 30 distinct brews, with volumes of around 3,500 litres per brew, seven times per week.
Trading under the Buxton Brewery brand, it supplies several supermarkets and pub chains nationally, as well as exporting overseas through a number of export partners. In addition, the Group also operates four taprooms and bars located in Buxton, alongside a pop-up bottle shop and online store.
In common with many other craft breweries, Buxton Brewery had experienced financial pressures in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, which were then exacerbated in more recent times by high-cost inflation and increases to interest rates.
The director sought to explore their options, including options for sale and investment, but with creditor pressure mounting, the director took the decision to seek the appointment of the administrators.
Immediately following their appointment, the joint administrators sold certain of the business and assets of the Group to Happy Place Investors Limited. The deal safeguards the future of the brewery and the Group’s taprooms and bars in Buxton and the employment of all 50 members of staff who have transferred to the purchaser as part of the transaction.
Rick Harrison, managing director at Interpath Advisory and joint administrator, said: “Independent craft brewers have had to navigate a number of headwinds in recent times, not least the long-term impact of the pandemic, as well as the impact of inflation on raw material costs.
“We’re therefore pleased to have concluded this transaction which safeguards the future of this well-regarded craft ale brand and its collection of popular taphouses in Buxton. We wish the purchaser and all of the team at Buxton Brewery all the best for the future.”
Topps Tiles sees slip in results
Topps Tiles, the Leicester-based tile specialist, has a seen a slip in its results.
According to unaudited consolidated interim financial results for the 26 weeks ended 30 March 2024, group revenue was £122.8 million, down from £130.3 million in the same period last year, driven by lower footfall in Topps Tiles.
Meanwhile, the firm fell to a loss before tax of £1.5 million, dropping from a pre-tax profit of £1.7 million last year.
The results come as Topps Tiles sets new financial goals and an updated strategy for growth in the medium term.
Rob Parker, Chief Executive, said: “Trading conditions in the first half have been challenging in a tile market which is down 20% on 2019. Against this backdrop, we are continuing to take market share, our online pure play businesses are growing strongly and the Group remains in a robust financial position.
“Lead indicators of market activity such as mortgage approvals, consumer confidence and smaller ticket DIY spend are improving, and while we are yet to see this feed through into our customer’s spending patterns, as market leader Topps Group remains well-positioned for recovery.
“Notwithstanding the challenges of current market conditions, we believe that Topps Group has a substantial opportunity to increase sales and profitability over the medium term through our new growth strategy of Mission 365.
“Mission 365 includes the development of new digital platforms for Topps Tiles trade customers; an increase in our addressable market of 75% by entering new product areas adjacent to our core tile specialism; a drive for accelerated growth in B2B markets through a more co-ordinated Group-wide approach; and continued momentum in our high growth online pure play businesses, Pro-Tiler and Tile Warehouse.
“Together these initiatives represent an opportunity to grow sales to £365 million over the medium term, while delivering profit before tax margins in the range of 8-10%.”
Shoe Zone delivers “robust performance”
Leicester footwear retailer, Shoe Zone has “delivered a robust performance,” according to interim results for the 26 weeks to 30 March 2024.
Revenue at the business grew to £76.5m, up from £75.4m in the same period of the year prior. This was supported by a 19.6% increase in digital revenue, to £17.1m, while store revenue dipped, down 2.8% to £59.4m.
Adjusted profit before tax meanwhile stood unmoved at £2.5m.In a statement to the London Stock Exchange, Shoe Zone said: “Shoe Zone delivered a robust performance in the period against a continuing backdrop of consumer uncertainty and macroeconomic volatility. Total revenues increased by 1.5% having traded out of 27 fewer stores compared to 12 months ago, with digital revenue increasing by 19.6%. The performance further demonstrates the resilience of our business and the success of our ongoing strategy.
“Trading over all channels was positive with total revenues of £76.5m (2023 H1: £75.4m), store revenues were £59.4m (2023 H1: £61.1m – trading out of fewer stores), digital revenues were £17.1m (2023 H1: £14.3m) with strong performance across all online channels with additional growth from our online exclusive range and range extensions.
“Adjusted profit before tax was £2.5m (2023 H1: £2.5m), which is in line with management expectations for the period.
“We ended the period trading out of 309 stores, which is a reduction of 27 compared to 12 months ago and 14 lower compared to last year end. In the first half we closed 29 stores, opened 15 new format stores and refitted 15 Original stores to our new format. In total we are now trading out of 147 Original stores and 162 new format stores. We are actively working to relocate and refit further stores in the second half of the year, together with a number of stores currently in the pipeline, opening before Christmas.”
Transreport partners with East Midlands Airport
Transreport, a pioneering tech company specialising in inclusive travel solutions, is thrilled to announce its partnership in the aviation industry with East Midlands Airport (EMA), part of the MAG Group and one of the UK’s leading airports in accessibility. With over four million passengers flying annually from EMA to over 80 leisure and business destinations, the introduction of Transreport’s flagship technology – Passenger Assistance – marks a significant milestone in the company’s journey.
Transreport’s partnership with EMA will empower more passengers to fly with confidence through streamlined processes and greater accessibility, facilitating a more inclusive air travel experience for all. Winners of the 2023 Business Disability Forum “Disability Smart Inclusive Customer Service Award”, EMA is dedicated to improving customer experience for disabled and older people. This is reflected in their continuous investment throughout the airport which includes the purchase of new, and the refitting of existing, high-lift vehicles, as well as the installation of a live chat service allowing passengers to request assistance. These efforts have been acknowledged by the Civil Aviation Authority, further affirming the airport’s commitment to creating an inclusive environment. Transreport will collaborate closely with EMA to take these efforts to the next level.
Recent global expansion has also extended the reach of Transreport’s accessible technology to Japanese rail, which is renowned for exceptional standards of service. There is a clear growth in demand for accessible travel within UK air travel, with 3.45 million passengers requesting assistance in 2022 according to the CAA Airport Accessibility Report. Transreport have transformed accessible travel in UK rail, partnering with train operating companies to facilitate over 2.4 million journey legs since the launch of Passenger Assistance in 2021. By expanding their reach to Japanese rail and aviation, they have diversified the transportation modes and geographies their technology is integrated with, to shape inclusive travel experiences on an international scale.
Jay Shen, CEO of Transreport, comments: “The team at East Midlands Airport are already pioneers in inclusive travel. As well as being recognised for their commitment to accessibility and inclusion, they are award-winning in the accessibility space. At Transreport, our technology has been specifically designed for disabled and older people, and we are excited to work with an airport where they hold themselves to an incredibly high standard, in order to provide excellent service to all customers.
“These are just some of the reasons why we are so excited to start our partnership in aviation with EMA. We recognise that disabled and older people can encounter barriers to access whilst travelling, but we also know there are many already working hard to change that – including the team at EMA. At Transreport we’re committed to reshaping those experiences into positive ones, and working with EMA, we know our technology can facilitate greater inclusion in the air travel experience.”
Transreport’s innovative Passenger Assistance technology empowers staff to deliver exceptional service and support to customers. By streamlining processes and providing comprehensive passenger profiles, staff can offer personalized assistance tailored to individual needs. The technology enables seamless coordination between office and frontline teams, ensuring a consistent and elevated experience for customers throughout their journey. With real-time visibility into assistance requests, staff can proactively manage operations and allocate resources effectively. Sophisticated reporting capabilities provide valuable insights, enabling continuous improvement and enhancing operational efficiency. Transreport’s solution equips staff with the tools to provide unparalleled service, fostering a seamless and inclusive travel experience for all.
EMA’s Customer & Planning Director Mike Grimes said: “We’re really pleased to be working with Transreport to become the first UK airport to offer this more personalised approach to our popular assisted travel service. Our aim is to offer an effortless travel experience to all our customers and we’re really proud that we already achieve high levels of customer satisfaction with our assisted travel service. With this new technology, we can provide a tailor-made service which will give customers all the information and choice they could want on their journey through the airport, so they can relax and start enjoying being on holiday before their plane even leaves.”
Digital marketing agency doubles turnover
A Derby marketing agency launched during lockdown is celebrating after doubling turnover in the last 12 months, surpassing one million pounds for the first time.
Alphageek Digital has reached the milestone after less than five years in business during which it has picked up more than 50 clients based across four continents.
The firm’s annual turnover passed £1.2m in the last financial year – more than a 50% growth on the previous year, with continued progress this year.
The agency, which was founded by friends Art Lindop, Alex Mills and Kieran Flynn, is committed to further sustainable expansion during 2024.
Managing Director Art Lindop said: “When we launched Alphageek Digital back in 2020 it was an exciting time for the industry – everyone was moving online and so we were in our absolute element.
“The true test was when business returned to normal, but by then we had begun making a name for ourselves and were working with some high-profile clients, so we’ve never looked back.
“This fiscal year has been outstanding for us and we’re really proud of everything we have achieved. We’re a very ambitious team operating in a young and dynamic industry and every day we’re proving that you don’t need to be a big London agency to win international clients.
“The entire team has worked together to create a set of brand values that we are very much aligned with and I believe we have surrounded ourselves with an excellent crew, so the future is really bright for Alphageek.”
Water source heat pump unlocks University of Nottingham net zero ambitions
A new aquifer-fed open loop heat pump-based energy centre has been designed to offer the University of Nottingham an effective route to decarbonising its campus with an initial focus on the Law and Social Sciences Building and the Hallward Library.
Silcock Leedham Group, an RSK company, has worked on the project with WM Saunders, the project’s lead designers. The Law and Social Sciences Building and Hallward Library, which officially opened in 1960 and 1973, respectively, are currently connected to a gas-fired district heating system commissioned in 1954 to heat the campus. The buildings are to be removed from the network as part of the university’s decarbonisation strategy, and an alternative, sustainable heating and cooling system will be introduced. Work on-site is expected to begin in July 2024 and will include building the water source heat pump infrastructure on campus.
Once complete, the new infrastructure is estimated to save around 500 tonnes of CO₂ per annum, according to engineers at Silcock Leedham Group. This is the equivalent of 250 return flights from London to New York or enough CO₂ to fill 500 hot air balloons.
Silcock Leedham Group Associate Sean Kitchingman said: “Finding a substantive viable alternative to the current heating system that meets the university’s carbon management plan was a challenge. These are big buildings that were built to older building construction standards and regulations when energy preservation and reducing carbon emissions were not a priority – we needed to find a system that offered sufficient low-carbon heat to maintain internal building temperatures required for learning and comfort and to maximise energy efficiency at the same time. A conversation between the Silcock Leedham Group team and Carbon Zero Consulting led to the mixed open loop water source heat pump energy centre and air source heat pump type solution that the university has opted to install.
“To make this possible, the systems will use the abundant groundwater and atmospheric air renewable energy sources to supply the heat pump-based systems. The groundwater will be sourced from the Sherwood Sandstone aquifer, which flows directly below the campus. Once installed, these systems will be low carbon, using the heat energy contained within the surrounding air and groundwater to provide heating and cooling to the buildings at scale.”
