Nottinghamshire care centre to reopen following sale

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Nottinghamshire care centre to reopen following sale
The closed Churchfield Care Centre in Rainworth, Nottinghamshire, has been sold. Situated in a predominantly residential area in the village, the former care centre occupies a 1990s purpose-built nursing home and a converted property on the same 1.27-acre site. Together, they provide 56 beds, of which 22 have en-suite facilities. Following a sales process with Sam Fazackerley at Christie & Co, the home has been purchased by Cygnet Health Care, an independent provider of social care services for young people and adults with additional needs, with 150 services across the UK. The company plans to reopen the centre as a complex mental health facility in the next 12 months. Sam Fazackerley, business agent at Christie & Co, said: “I’m delighted to announce the successful sale of Churchfield to Cygnet Health Care. The opportunity produced a lot of interest and subsequently multiple offers from specialist care operators who were looking to redevelop the site. “I look forward to the site being reopened to provide much-needed housing, care, and support for people recovering from complex mental health needs. “We continue to receive high levels of interest for closed care homes across the country from a variety of care operators who want to either repopen the sites or redevelop into supported living, children’s homes, or specialist care services.”

N4 Pharma appoints non-executive director

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N4 Pharma appoints non-executive director
N4 Pharma, the Derbyshire-based, AIM-listed biotech developing Nuvec, its gene delivery system to enable advanced therapies for cancer and other diseases, has appointed Edward Wardle as a non-executive director of the company. Edward is joining the board as a representative of Northern Standard Limited, which is the company’s largest shareholder. Edward brings board-level experience of strategy, corporate governance and business development. Having founded and led multiple businesses, he is currently an investment adviser with Tracarta Limited and Northern Standard Limited, focusing on critical industries and cutting-edge technologies, as well as a senior business development executive at Ironveld plc. He joined the board of AIM-listed TheraCryf plc, the clinical stage drug development company focusing on neuropsychiatry and oncology, as a non-executive director in May 2025. Nigel Theobald, chief executive officer of N4 Pharma, said: “We are delighted to welcome Ed to the Board of N4 Pharma, representing our largest shareholder. “His experience in strategy, corporate governance, business development, and his background in innovative technologies will be invaluable as N4 Pharma develops its Nuvec® platform and continues to build out its data packages to secure licensing opportunities.”   Edward Wardle said: “Northern Standard sees a future where N4 Pharma’s Nuvec® platform shifts the paradigm of drug delivery by enabling the evolution of advanced RNA therapies; where time-consuming, in-clinic injections become something as small as a pill. “We believe N4 Pharma has the technology, IP, and world-class team necessary to deliver this future, and are honoured to support them as they do.”

Confidence returns among East Midlands entrepreneurs but economy leaves businesses in perilous position

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Confidence returns among East Midlands entrepreneurs but economy leaves businesses in perilous position
Confidence is starting to return among East Midlands entrepreneurs after a steep fall in the number of businesses set up in the region in April and May, but a sudden hike in the number of local companies with late payments highlights the perilous financial position many are forced to navigate due to current economic challenges. This is according to the Midlands branch of national insolvency and restructuring trade body R3 and is based on a monthly analysis of regional data from business intelligence provider Creditsafe. R3’s figures show there were 2,519 businesses set up in the East Midlands in June, which is a 17.77% increase compared to the 2,139 new businesses registered in May. The June figure is the highest percentage rise in the UK and is also almost one fifth higher (17.66%) than the 2,141 start-ups established twelve months previously in June 2024. In contrast, however, the number of companies in the region with late payments on their books rose sharply in June to 25,710 from 24,269, which is the highest monthly total for the East Midlands over the past 12 months. R3 Midlands chair Stephen Rome, a partner at Penningtons Manches Cooper in the region, said: “It is encouraging to see East Midlands entrepreneurs rallying against the effects of a very uncertain economic outlook, which includes tax rises, tariffs and spiralling fuel and energy costs. “At the same time, however, it is concerning to see the rise in the number of local companies with invoices on their books which are overdue for payment. This is leaving many businesses in an increasingly perilous cashflow position and highlights the importance of taking sound steps to minimise financial exposure at all stages of a company’s lifecycle. “For those directors with serious cashflow concerns, whether the business is a start-up or more established, R3’s advice is to seek professional help and to do it as soon as possible. The sooner support is sought, the more opportunities there may be to assure a company’s survival and future success.”

Submit your nominations for Deal of the Year at the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025

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Submit your nominations for Deal of the Year at the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025
Shining a light on the region’s property and construction industry, nominations are OPEN until Friday 15th August for East Midlands Business Link’s 10th annual Bricks Awards. With 10 categories available to enter, make sure to take this opportunity to showcase outstanding businesses, teams and projects at the prestigious event. One such category is Deal of the Year, which can be entered here. Sponsored by Frank Key, the winner of this category will be the deal that has truly pushed the boundaries over the last 12 months – from jobs created to complexity, size and scale. However, that’s not to say the biggest deal will automatically win; the deal which has had most impact in the East Midlands is what we’re looking for. The winning deal will have displayed courage in a tough market to deliver a great outcome for all concerned. It’s completely free to submit a nomination and making the top three finalists in your category also wins you free tickets to the awards ceremony. Last year the award was won by heb Surveyors for their deal at The Oaks, Mansfield, with FI Real Estate Management (for their deal at The Quad, Chesterfield) and Freeths (for their deal at the former Boots factory site, Beeston) runners up. Robert Maxey, partner at heb Surveyors, said: “It was an honour to take home the Deal of the Year award at the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2024, especially because the other nominees in the category were so strong! It was extremely pleasing to see recognition of our team’s efforts and the event provided a great boost to morale. “Celebrating excellence in our region’s property and construction sector, and offering a great chance to catch up with local professionals, I’d encourage other businesses to get involved with an entry, to showcase your business and the impact it is making in the industry.” Submit your nominations for Deal of the Year here before entries close on Friday 15th August.
Guests network at the East Midlands Bricks Awards
Winners will be revealed at a glittering awards ceremony on Thursday 2nd October, at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground (4:30pm – 7:30pm) – an evening also offering an opportunity to establish new connections with property and construction professionals from across the region, and hear from keynote speaker Councillor Nadine Peatfield – Leader of Derby City Council, Cabinet Member for City Centre, Regeneration, Strategy and Policy, and Deputy Mayor of the East Midlands. Other award categories open for entry include: Responsible Business of the Year, Developer of the Year, Sustainable Development of the Year, Commercial Development of the Year, Contractor of the Year, Excellence in Design, Architects of the Year, Most Active Agent, and Residential Development of the Year. All entry forms can be accessed here. The Overall Winner award will also be presented at the event. This award cannot be entered, with the winner selected from those nominated for the event’s other awards. The Overall Winner of the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025 will also receive a grand prize of a year of marketing/publicity worth £20,000, with the opportunity to split or gift the marketing to a charity of your choice.
 

The East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025

What: The East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025 When: Thursday 2nd October (4.30pm – 7.30pm) Where: Derek Randall Suite, Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, Nottingham Keynote speaker: Councillor Nadine Peatfield – Leader of Derby City Council, Cabinet Member for City Centre, Regeneration, Strategy and Policy, and Deputy Mayor of the East Midlands Tickets: Available here Dress code: Standard business attire Thanks to our sponsors:                                                                        

To be held at:

Output in the East Midlands nears stabilisation in June

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Output in the East Midlands nears stabilisation in June
Business activity across the East Midlands neared stabilisation during June, according to the latest NatWest Regional Growth Tracker, as the decline in new orders eased. At 49.7 in June, the headline NatWest East Midlands Business Activity Index picked up from 49.3 in May to signal the slowest decrease in output levels since January. Although companies reported that economic uncertainty and lower new order inflows dampened activity levels, others saw some signs of improving demand conditions. Nonetheless, a ninth successive monthly drop in new business weighed on hiring decisions, as employment was cut further. The modest decrease in new sales reportedly stemmed from economic uncertainty and the non-renewal of contracts. At the same time, business optimism dipped from May’s recent high and was historically subdued. On a more positive note, inflationary pressures softened as input costs and output charges rose at weaker rates. Moreover, muted demand conditions led to the weakest increase in selling prices since January 2021. Lisa Phillips, regional managing director, Midlands and East, commercial mid market, said “Although still signalling a decline in new orders, firms in the East Midlands recorded a near-stabilisation in output in June. A less marked drop in new sales coincided with further expectations of greater activity in the coming year. “That said, cost pressures relating to the recent hike in the Minimum Wage and National Insurance contributions continued to influence business decisions, as employment fell at a solid pace and business confidence in the outlook was dented. “On a more positive note, rates of increase in input costs and output charges softened. In fact, selling prices were raised to the smallest extent since the start of 2021 as firms sought to entice customers amid challenging demand conditions.” Performance in relation to UK The slight decrease in business activity in the East Midlands contrasted again with an expansion across the UK as a whole. The pace of decline in new orders eased from May and was the second-slowest since December 2024. Nonetheless, the modest decrease in new sales reportedly stemmed from economic uncertainty and the non-renewal of contracts. Of the 12 monitored UK regions and nations, the East Midlands recorded the second-fastest fall in new orders (slower than only Northern Ireland). June data signalled further optimism at East Midlands firms regarding the outlook for output in the coming year. Panellists stated that hopes of stronger demand conditions and planned product releases underpinned confidence. The latest drop in employment extended the current sequence of contraction that began two years ago. The pace of job cutting accelerated and was slightly quicker than the UK average, as firms attributed the fall in headcounts to the non-replacement of voluntary leavers amid cost control measures. Meanwhile, the pace of cost inflation softened to the weakest since December 2024 and was slower than the UK average.

Derbyshire’s new rail innovation centre to reshape UK rail industry

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Derbyshire’s new rail innovation centre to reshape UK rail industry

A new state-of-the-art rail innovation centre is taking shape in Derbyshire, poised to redefine research, development, and training within the UK’s rail sector. Located near Chesterfield, the DRIIVe Rail Innovation Centre will combine advanced research facilities with a comprehensive training ecosystem, enabling rail businesses to stay at the forefront of technology and talent development. Slated for completion in 2026, the centre will provide a mix of digital labs, practical workshops, and dedicated spaces for cutting-edge projects.

The centre will cater to a range of training needs, offering everything from technical qualifications to postgraduate programs. Its collaborative environment will also foster connections between suppliers and businesses developing the next generation of rail solutions.

Supported by local authorities through the Staveley Town Deal, the centre will play a key role in strengthening the region’s rail ecosystem, benefiting both regional suppliers and national projects. The strategic location will enable businesses to engage with a skilled workforce, while the centre’s focus on innovation will position the UK rail industry to compete globally.

This development reflects an ongoing commitment to skills training, technological advancement, and industry collaboration in the railway sector.

East Midlands Airport reconfigures to support expanding air cargo and passenger services

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East Midlands Airport reconfigures to support expanding air cargo and passenger services

East Midlands Airport is revamping its layout to boost capacity for both cargo and passenger operations, responding to increasing demand in both sectors. The airport has initiated changes to its aircraft stand spaces as part of its long-term strategy to support growth across its operations.

The new layout includes optimising the east and west aprons to accommodate more wide-bodied cargo planes, with capacity now doubled to seven stands. Additionally, the central apron will gain four new stands to accommodate the increasing passenger traffic, with a focus on expanding existing infrastructure to meet future needs. This includes updating apron markings, enhancing ground service areas, and improving lighting systems to support increased operations.

As cargo volumes continue to rise and more airlines like SunExpress begin services, the changes are crucial in ensuring the airport can handle both sectors without compromising operational efficiency. By making better use of available space and enhancing airfield functionality, East Midlands aims to remain competitive in both logistics and passenger services.

These developments are designed to future-proof the airport’s position as a vital hub for air cargo while accommodating the growing demands of air travel.

Leicester estate agency expands into Essex

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Leicester estate agency expands into Essex
Hortons, the estate agency brand founded in Leicester by local entrepreneur Adam Horton, has expanded into Essex, as it takes a step toward becoming a national brand. Launched in 2016, Hortons was one of the first brokerages in the UK to pioneer the self-employed estate agency model. Today, the firm operates across more than 30 areas nationwide and continues to grow. “Our agents are fully invested in the success of every sale because it’s their business too,” Horton explained. “That creates a different level of service and commitment, and it’s a big part of what’s driven our growth.” The latest expansion sees Hortons launch in Essex, led by new partner Danielle, and follows moves into Sussex, Surrey, and London. Horton says the brand’s growth has been driven not by loud recruitment campaigns, but by building a high-performance culture that attracts ambitious professionals. “We’ve stayed true to our values throughout,” Horton said. “We’re focused on building a credible brand with productive, high-quality agents who are proud to represent it – and that approach is working.”

Funding secured for Midlands Rail Hub

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Funding secured for Midlands Rail Hub
Midlands Connect’s flagship scheme, a transformational rail improvement which will benefit 7 million people across the region, has been given the green light. Midlands Rail Hub is a blueprint for faster, better and more frequent connections across the Midlands. Two new ‘chords’ and 10+ engineering interventions throughout the region will allow more than 20 million extra seats for passengers and up to 300 extra trains every day. Chancellor Rachel Reeves highlighted the scheme in her Comprehensive Spending Review in June. Today’s announcement goes beyond this, providing the capital investment needed to make it a reality. Maria Machancoses, chief executive of Midlands Connect, said: “This is a breakthrough moment for our region, one which will led to a fundamental shift in opportunities and investment, and we will see growth in jobs, housing and in our economy as a direct result. “We are beyond thrilled to welcome this Government commitment, and it is a testament to the determination of our mayors, leaders, MPs and partners across the region who have championed this scheme. “Midlands Rail Hub is a once in a generation chance to change our collective future for the better.” The scale of this announcement is a huge step forward in delivering the overall ambition of Midlands Rail Hub – to boost frequency and capacity to as many places as possible across the region. It is a vote of confidence in a project which is expected to create nearly 13,000 construction jobs and serve up to 50 stations and destinations across the Midlands and beyond. Thanks to the work of the co-sponsor partners involved – Midlands Connect, the Department for Transport, Network Rail and West Midlands Rail Executive, it will progress to Full Business Case completion in 2028, with parts of the scheme entering into service in the early 2030s.

Demand for East Midlands industrial and logistics space outstripping supply

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Demand for East Midlands industrial and logistics space outstripping supply
Harris Lamb’s Commercial Agency team has hailed the East Midlands industrial market one of the most resilient and dynamic in the UK, with demand for stock within the region consistently outstripping supply. Competition for space in Nottingham is particularly fierce, according to Scott Osborne, director, who said that the team was entering Q3 of 2025 with a significant need for new stock to meet the unrelenting demand from occupiers. “The East Midlands – and Nottingham in particular – continues to show real strength, with enquiry levels remaining robust and healthy. Across the board, we are experiencing a steady flow of requirements from both local and national occupiers, with demand particularly strong for modern, well-specified units in strategic locations,” said Scott. “Despite broader economic uncertainties, the appetite for industrial and logistics space across the region has remained remarkably resilient, and we are consistently working with occupiers seeking space from sub-5,000 sq ft units right up to large-scale distribution facilities, with location, connectivity, and specification being key drivers of decision-making. “The biggest challenge we face is the volume of stock needed to fulfil the high enquiry levels we’re receiving, and we are actively seeking new instructions throughout the East Midlands to meet occupier demand. “My colleagues within the West Midlands are seeing an increase in speculative high-specification logistics facilities to satisfy the need in the region, and we need more of that here – from developers looking to speculatively build, to landlords with upcoming voids or refurbishment projects, we are keen to hear from anyone with industrial space coming to market.” Scott said that the forecast for the second half of 2025 was extremely positive. “In the nine months since I joined Harris Lamb, I’ve had the opportunity to immerse myself in what I acknowledge as one of the UK’s most dynamic and resilient commercial property sectors, and have contributed to a number of exciting instructions and supported a wide range of clients with their industrial property needs across the region. “It’s an exciting time to be part of this sector, and I’m looking forward to further strengthening our presence across Nottingham and the wider East Midlands, helping clients navigate a fast-moving market with confidence and clarity.”

Derby partners collaborate to enhance city centre after dark

April Lara
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Derby partners collaborate to enhance city centre after dark

A partnership between local businesses, community organisations, and civic leaders in Derby is transforming the city centre into a safer, more vibrant hub, particularly after dark. This collaborative effort has led to the city earning the esteemed Purple Flag accreditation, recognising high standards in managing the night-time economy.

The initiative involves a variety of stakeholders, including Marketing Derby, Derby’s Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), the University of Derby, Derbion, Derbyshire Police, Vaillant, and Derby Museums. Their combined work focuses on improving safety, accessibility, and cultural appeal in the evenings. The University of Derby has spearheaded student safety efforts, while Derbion has provided late-night shopping and events. The BIDs have ensured visible policing and coordinated city centre management.

Vaillant’s involvement in community initiatives highlights the importance of a united approach to civic responsibility. The collaborative work not only strengthens Derby’s night-time economy but also fosters a more inclusive and engaged city.

These efforts reflect a commitment to building a city where both residents and visitors feel welcome and secure, with the aim of further enhancing the evening experience for all.

Funding secured for critical Newark business route

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Funding secured for critical Newark business route
Funding for a significant upgrade of the A46 Newark bypass will ‘end the daily grind’ for local businesses and the economy. The stretch of A46 between the Farndon Junction, to the west of Newark-on-Trent, and the A1 to the east of Newark-on-Trent, is the last remaining stretch of single carriageway between the M1 and A1 and consequently queuing traffic is a regular occurrence, often impacting journey time reliability. Midlands Connect’s research has previously found traffic speeds are frequently below 20 mph around Newark resulting in unreliable journey planning, rising export transport costs and business unproductivity. Government’s announcement to upgrade this section will reduce journey times and ease congestion on this important route. Commenting on the announcement of funding for Newark bypass, the CEO of Midlands Connect Maria Machancoses, said: “Midlands Connect has long called Newark bypass the last piece of the puzzle – supporting housing, local jobs and vital connectivity to the Grimsby and Humber ports. “We are over the moon that funding has been allocated for the scheme and it’s something we have continually advocated for as a critical project for Midlands. “This announcement is the beginning of the end of the daily grind for commuters and residents who have endured sitting in tailbacks, making their lives a nightmare. We look forward to working with partners to deliver this regionally significant project.” The scheme will:
  • Improve traffic signals at Farndon roundabout to achieve smoother traffic flows in peak hours.
  • Provide a new dual-carriageway bridge over the A1.
  • Enlarge and partially signal Winthorpe roundabout to reduce congestion and improve journey reliability.
  • Create a new grade separated junction at the Cattle Market roundabout.
The main issue affecting the route is traffic congestion. The A46 Newark bypass is a heavily trafficked route, with an average of 15,440 and 16,290 vehicle passing through the corridor northbound and southbound respectively, per day.

Dunelm appoints new CEO

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Dunelm appoints new CEO
Dunelm Group, the Leicester-based homewares retailer, has appointed of Clodagh (Clo) Moriarty as CEO, with effect from 1 October 2025. Clo will succeed Nick Wilkinson, who intends to retire from Dunelm and full-time executive life following seven years in the role. Nick will continue in his role until Clo’s appointment and will step down from the Board at the end of September, before leaving the business in early October. Clo is an established retail leader and is currently the chief retail and technology officer at Sainsbury’s. As a member of the operating board, she holds responsibility for all stores and their operations, alongside Sainsbury’s digital offer and strategy, customer experience and end to end technology platforms. She has been with the business for 15 years, holding a variety of leadership roles, having previously worked for nine years at Bain & Company. Alison Brittain, chair of Dunelm, said: “We are thrilled to be appointing Clo as our new CEO. She is a proven industry leader and brings an impressive range of skills and experience from one of the UK’s largest retailers, where she has played a prominent role in developing the Sainsbury’s offer to drive market share gains over a number of years. “Clo was the standout candidate from a strong field, and we are delighted that we have been able to attract such a talented and high calibre executive. As Nick hands on the baton, we are confident that her blend of retail, digital and strategic expertise will be a significant asset as we move into our next phase of growth as The Home of Homes.” Clodagh Moriarty added: “Dunelm is a fantastic business which I have followed and admired for many years, so to be joining as CEO is a real privilege. Our homes play a central part in our lives and Dunelm has a very special role in helping customers to create a space which is truly their own. “Even from the outside, its values, purpose and culture are plain to see, which is credit to the thousands of committed colleagues across the business. Nick and the team have done an incredible job growing the business, its channels and its capabilities over recent years in service of Dunelm’s customers. We have an amazing platform to build from, and I can’t wait to get started.”

Businesses challenge BID levy despite legal threats

April Lara
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Businesses challenge BID levy despite legal threats

A dispute has arisen over the Business Improvement District (BID) levy in Spalding, with a group of business owners refusing to pay the charge. The BID, which was created following a local vote in July 2024, aims to fund town centre improvements and increase foot traffic. However, some businesses argue the vote was flawed due to missing ballots and have vowed not to pay the levy.

The levy is calculated based on a business’s rateable value, meaning larger businesses contribute more. Despite the backlash, South Holland District Council has defended the process, asserting the vote was legally conducted and in line with national guidelines.

Small business owners, including photographer Julian Wheeler and beautician Macie Harman, are among those opposing the BID. While Wheeler has expressed his intent to challenge the legality of the vote, Harman has opted to pay the levy to avoid further costs, but still plans to fight the BID’s validity.

The council has maintained that the ballot and levy collection process were fair and properly managed, with strict oversight from an electoral services provider and the returning officer. Recovery actions have been handled in accordance with national regulations, with the council standing firm on the legitimacy of the levy.

Vistry Group signs contracts with Sigma Capital for development of 153 Nottinghamshire homes

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Vistry Group signs contracts with Sigma Capital for development of 153 Nottinghamshire homes
Vistry Group, the provider of mixed-tenure homes, has signed contracts with Sigma Capital Group, a provider of Build To Rent Housing (BTR), for the development of 153 homes at Linby Meadows, Nottinghamshire. The homes form part of Vistry’s 763-home development, 2km north of Hucknall town centre at Top Wighay, which has been hailed as Nottinghamshire County Council’s (NCC) flagship mixed-use scheme. It will feature two-, three-, and four-bedroom homes, maisonettes and apartments, of which 269 will be available for the affordable market, 153 BTR homes through Sigma and the remaining 341 homes available on the open market through Vistry’s Linden, Bovis and Countryside Homes brands. Rory Keys, acquisitions and investment director, Sigma, said: “We’re delighted to be part of this flagship development site with our partners, Vistry. Once built, these homes will be available via Sigma’s BTR brand, Simple Life, offering the local community high quality, professionally managed, pet friendly homes to rent. “Sigma has a strong history in regeneration and place making and we are looking forward to being part of what is set to be a thriving, new community at Linby Meadows.” Andy Reynolds, managing director of Vistry Group’s partnerships division in the South East Midlands, said: “We are delighted to be working with Sigma to provide these much-needed new family rental homes at Linby Meadows, Hucknall. “Over the past year, we have consulted with the community to finalise the details of the scheme and ensure it meets local people’s needs and now we are on site, ready to create a new community of high-quality, mixed-tenure properties for people in the area to call home.” The land was acquired from the Council in March 2025 triggering the start of a £6m investment to bolster local services. This includes £4.75m for education, £800,000 for highways and bus improvements, and £436,000 towards healthcare. The scheme also includes new parks, sports facilities, wildlife corridors, pedestrian and cycle routes, and a new primary school. This development will also house an on-site Skills Academy in partnership with Chameleon School of Construction.

Homes plan near Derby’s ancient woodland faces rejection

April Lara
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Homes plan near Derby’s ancient woodland faces rejection

A proposal for 150 new homes on the outskirts of Derby is facing significant opposition, primarily due to concerns over its potential impact on Chaddesden Wood, a designated ancient woodland. The land, spanning 20.3 acres, is currently under review by Derby City Council after being submitted by JGP Properties Ltd. The developer claims the scheme has been designed with environmental considerations in mind, aiming for a seamless integration with the surrounding landscape.

However, the proposal has garnered nearly 1,500 objections, including from prominent groups such as CPRE Derbyshire, the Woodland Trust, and the Friends of Chaddesden Wood. These groups express concerns about the loss of habitats, potential harm to wildlife, and the erosion of green wedge land north of the city. Chaddesden Wood is recognised as both a nature reserve and ancient woodland, home to veteran trees that are irreplaceable.

A council report highlights the already significant human activity within the woodland and warns that new housing would exacerbate pressure on the area. Additionally, the development would fragment the remaining Oakwood green wedge, isolating the woodland from the surrounding open countryside.

Despite the developer’s assertion that the project represents a respectful transition between urban and rural areas, the proposed development faces strong pushback. Planning officials are expected to recommend refusal when the application is discussed later this week.

Turnover rises 22% at Howes Percival

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Turnover rises 22% at Howes Percival
Law firm Howes Percival’s turnover increased 22% in 2025, according to its latest annual results. The firm, which has offices in Leicester and Northampton, posted turnover of £41.7m for the year ending 31 March 2025. The result is the third double-digit turnover rise in three years and represents an increase of over 77% in the last four years. The growth has been across all practice areas, with the Corporate and Banking team and newly formed Commercial, Technology and Intellectual Property (CTIP) team seeing growth between 27% and 29%, Commercial Property 26% and Private Client 17%. The firm has created over 100 new roles in the last four years and increased the number of partners to 72, alongside investments in IT and office infrastructure including opening an office in Oxford, the refurbishment of the Leicester office and new offices for the Cambridge team, as part of its ongoing investment and growth plan. Howes Percival’s chairperson, Geraint Davies, said: “This is a fantastic result and testament to the hard work our whole team has put in over the last 12 months. Growth was a key goal. “It enables us to keep investing in developing our service to clients and in making Howes Percival a place where talented people want to work and enjoy working. All our teams have developed three-year growth plans based on the target of £50m turnover by 2028.  Currently we are ahead of those plans. “We will continue to invest in improving every aspect of the service we provide to clients. Developments in tech and AI will transform the way that legal services are delivered over the next few years, and we are investing significantly in these areas. “But we remain a relationship driven business and our focus will always be on helping our lawyers build stronger relationships with clients, ensuring they engage with them empathetically, discussing what they need from us and responding to those requests.”

Could you take home Excellence in Design at the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025? Enter now!

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Could you take home Excellence in Design at the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025? Enter now!
Shining a light on the region’s property and construction industry, nominations will close on Friday 15th August for the 10th annual East Midlands Bricks Awards. With 10 categories available to enter, the independent awards and publicity programme recognises development projects, businesses and people in commercial and public building across the region – from office, industrial and residential schemes, through to community projects such as leisure schemes and schools. We also showcase the work of architects, agencies and those behind large schemes. Amongst this year’s categories is Excellence in Design, which can be entered here. The winner of this category will have shown true originality in design excellence across a scheme or schemes over the last 12 months, whether this be aesthetically, functionally or in any other manner. It’s completely free to submit a nomination and making the top three finalists in your category also wins you free tickets to the awards ceremony. Last year the award was won by Distinctive Developments, for Woodwell and Meadow Barn, with G F Tomlinson (for The Air and Space Institute, Newark) and Design Haus (for Musters Road) runners up. Upon winning, Richard Evans of Distinctive Developments said: “Winning the Bricks award for our Woodwell and Meadow Barn project is a huge honour for the Distinctive Developments team. This project truly reflects our passion for blending traditional design with sustainability. Turning a steel barn into two beautiful farmstead homes, we’ve used local materials and eco-friendly features to create homes that fit perfectly into the Rutland countryside, while still offering modern luxury. We’re so grateful to the judges for recognizing our hard work and commitment to quality design and craftsmanship. What a super event as well for networking and business connections, thankyou Business Link.” Submit your nominations for Excellence in Design here before entries close on Friday 15th August.
East Midlands property and construction industry awards
Property and construction professionals gather for the East Midlands Bricks Awards
Winners will be revealed at a glittering awards ceremony on Thursday 2nd October, at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground (4:30pm – 7:30pm) – an evening also offering an opportunity to establish new connections with property and construction professionals from across the region, and hear from keynote speaker Councillor Nadine Peatfield – Leader of Derby City Council, Cabinet Member for City Centre, Regeneration, Strategy and Policy, and Deputy Mayor of the East Midlands. Other award categories open for entry include: Responsible Business of the Year, Developer of the Year, Sustainable Development of the Year, Commercial Development of the Year, Contractor of the Year, Deal of the Year, Architects of the Year, Most Active Agent, and Residential Development of the Year. All entry forms can be accessed here. The Overall Winner award will also be presented at the event. This award cannot be entered, with the winner selected from those nominated for the event’s other awards. The Overall Winner of the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025 will also receive a grand prize of a year of marketing/publicity worth £20,000, with the opportunity to split or gift the marketing to a charity of your choice.
 

The East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025

What: The East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025 When: Thursday 2nd October (4.30pm – 7.30pm) Where: Derek Randall Suite, Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, Nottingham Keynote speaker: Councillor Nadine Peatfield – Leader of Derby City Council, Cabinet Member for City Centre, Regeneration, Strategy and Policy, and Deputy Mayor of the East Midlands Tickets: Available here Dress code: Standard business attire Thanks to our sponsors:                                                                        

To be held at:

Peak Cluster carbon capture project to create thousands of jobs

April Lara
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Peak Cluster carbon capture project to create thousands of jobs

A major carbon capture initiative is set to transform the cement and lime industries in the Peak District, with the creation of thousands of jobs across the Midlands and North West of England. The £59.6 million Peak Cluster project aims to capture carbon dioxide (CO2) from cement and lime factories in Derbyshire, Staffordshire, and the North West, transporting it via pipeline to be stored in depleted gas fields beneath the Irish Sea.

The project, described as the world’s largest cement decarbonisation effort, is expected to generate around 300 permanent jobs and support over 2,000 roles in cement and lime production. In addition, approximately 1,200 temporary positions will be created during the construction phase. Together with the Morecambe Net Zero carbon storage project, the initiatives are anticipated to support up to 13,000 jobs across the region.

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology, which prevents CO2 from entering the atmosphere, is seen as a vital part of the UK’s plan to achieve net-zero emissions. The Peak Cluster project will significantly reduce emissions from the cement and lime sectors, which are among the hardest to decarbonise due to their high CO2 output. The scheme is expected to prevent more than three million tonnes of CO2 from being released each year.

The government has committed £28.6 million from the National Wealth Fund (NWF), with additional funding from private sector partners, including Holcim, Tarmac, Breedon, and Progressive Energy. The initiative is part of the UK’s broader push to build a resilient carbon capture industry, with further investments in sectors such as hydrogen, electric vehicle supply chains, and steel.

The Peak Cluster project is also seen as a catalyst for the UK’s clean energy transition, driving job creation and economic growth in the industrial heartlands. It is expected to help modernise the cement and lime industries, positioning the UK as a global leader in carbon capture technology.

Hospice in Leicestershire cuts patient services amid £2m deficit

April Lara
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Hospice in Leicestershire cuts patient services amid £2m deficit

A hospice in Leicestershire is making significant reductions in patient services to address a £2m funding shortfall. LOROS Hospice, a vital community resource, has announced cuts to inpatient beds, day therapy, and a range of other patient support services.

The charity has cited rising operational costs, decreased income, and increased demand due to an ageing population as contributing factors to the financial strain. As part of the adjustments, the number of inpatient beds will be reduced from 31 to 20, and day therapy services will experience a 25% cut. Physiotherapy, occupational therapy, social work, chaplaincy, and complementary therapies will also see reductions of up to 50%. Additionally, the volunteer home visiting service will be discontinued.

LOROS estimates that 69 jobs could be affected, although the final count may fluctuate due to reduced hours and staff transitioning into NHS roles.

The hospice, which operates on a budget of approximately £932 per hour, relies heavily on fundraising, with only 20% of its funding provided by the NHS. The charity needs to raise £9m annually to maintain operations. In response to the financial challenges, LOROS has ramped up its summer fundraising activities, including the “Stomp Round Leicester” art trail.

Despite these challenges, LOROS has pledged to continue offering high-quality care, ensuring that the services that remain will still support the needs of the community.

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