Marketing Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, its visitor economy team – Visit Nottinghamshire and partners, have revealed impressive growth in the city and county’s tourism sector.
Based on the latest 2023 STEAM tourism data measuring trends and impact of visitor economy in the region, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire have witnessed a significant increase, underlining the importance of tourism in driving local economic growth and job creation.
The total value of tourism in Nottingham city and county in 2023 reached an economic impact of £2.36 billion, marking a 15.40% increase from the previous period. This reflects the rising appeal of the region as a destination for both day and overnight visitors.
In 2023, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire welcomed 34.33 million visitors, an increase of 4.12%. The average spend per visitor continues to climb as well, with an overall rise of 10.81% to £68.94 economic impact per trip.
Tourism in Nottinghamshire continues to play a crucial role in supporting local employment. The sector currently sustains 22,437 full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs, reflecting a 9.33% growth. This positive trend highlights the vital importance of tourism to Nottinghamshire’s economy, creating jobs and opportunities for local people across the city and county.
The sustained growth across multiple indicators, from visitor volume to spend and the number of jobs, highlights Nottinghamshire’s growing reputation as a visitor destination. Recent increased investment into the visitor offer and product – such as Sherwood Observatory, St Mary Magdalene Church in Hucknall, and the new play area at Sherwood Pines – alongside strategic marketing initiatives from Visit Nottinghamshire like the visitor guide, a B2C website attracting over 4 million visitors annually, and PR reach exceeding 251 million, places the region on a strong trajectory to attract even more visitors in the future.
This growth will further boost the local economy, support businesses, and enhance the quality of life for residents.
Megan Powell Vreeswijk, CEO of Marketing Nottingham and Nottinghamshire including Visit Nottinghamshire, said: “This significant growth in Nottinghamshire’s visitor economy is a testament to the hard work of local tourism sector, our team and partners.
“With a remarkable £2.36 billion generated in 2023 and increased visitor numbers, it’s clear that Nottingham and Nottinghamshire are becoming recognised as standout destinations for both day and overnight visitors.
“This success not only fuels economic growth but also creates valuable jobs and strengthens opportunities for our local people, making it a very attractive place to live, work, invest and visit. Through strategic investments and dedicated promotion, we look forward to continuing to enhance Nottinghamshire’s appeal and impact as a top tourism destination.”
Councillor Keith Girling, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Asset Management at Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “We are proud to be the home of globally-recognised legends, from Robin Hood to our local sporting stars. With a rich history and heritage, world-class country parks and green spaces, and a strong contemporary culture, it’s no wonder that people travel from near and far to explore Nottinghamshire.
“Our partnership with Visit Nottinghamshire has boosted promotion of the county at local, regional, and international levels, this alongside working collaboratively with businesses and stakeholders has resulted in fantastic growth.”
He added: “It is extremely encouraging to see growth in employment within the sector as we strive to return to pre-pandemic levels. We are committed to building on this momentum and fostering a vibrant and sustainable visitor economy that benefits both residents and visitors alike.”
Councillor Ethan Radford, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Skills, Growth and Economic Development, said: “I’m pleased to see an increase in tourism numbers for Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, our city is a top destination in the East Midlands with amazing retail, entertainment, cultural and heritage attractions.
“Hosting fantastic yearly events like our world-famous Goose Fair, our spectacular Winter Wonderland that kicks off Christmas in Nottingham every year and boasting unique destinations across the city like Wollaton Hall, Nottingham Castle, Newstead Abbey and the newly opened Green Heart.
“More tourists visiting Nottingham is great news for local businesses who work hard to give visitors a unique experience, growing the city and regional economy and providing jobs for local people.
“We will continue to work with our partners and stakeholders to provide the best conditions to build on this success to give visitors the best experience and make sure Nottingham remains the must-visit destination in the East Midlands.”
200° Coffee makes first store acquisition under new ownership
Nottingham’s 200° Coffee has made its first store acquisition since their sale to Caffé Nero.
The new venue is at Junction 32, Yorkshire Shopping Outlet and will be opening just in time for Christmas.
BOX Property director, Ben Tebbutt, says: “The Junction 32 outlet centre was an obvious choice following on from our success at McArthur Glenn, York, Cannock and Junction 29.
“Caffé Nero are committed to growing the 200° store portfolio and we are looking forward to being part of the ongoing journey.”
BOX are looking to acquire further sites for the brand in shopping centres, high streets, outlet centres and retail parks (1,200 -3,000ft²).
Target locations are in Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle, Leeds, York, Harrogate, Sheffield, Nottingham, Birmingham, Durham, Cheltenham, Bristol, Bath, Oxford, Cambridge, Norwich, Peterborough and Cardiff.
Altia appoints Chief Operating Officer
Investigative and intelligence tech specialist Altia has expanded its senior leadership team with the addition of a Chief Operating Officer (COO) as it looks to deliver on its expansive growth ambitions.
The move sees Allan Dunn join the tech company as COO and as a new member of its Board of Directors.
This significant hire links with Altia’s ambitious growth strategy, with Allan taking on responsibility for executing mergers and acquisitions and supporting the company’s expansion goals.
Headquartered in Nottingham, Altia serves a global audience, providing law enforcement agencies, government departments, and private sector businesses with intelligence and investigation software.
The appointment comes during a period of growth for Altia, with the company having recently hired Sarah Saxton-Jones as Head of Product in September this year, which was preceded by two senior appointments in the company’s Asia Pacific team to strengthen its presence in the region.
Allan joins Altia from private equity firm NorthEdge, where he served as Portfolio Director for the past eighteen months, advising Altia’s CEO and the Board.
His strategic insights and operational expertise during this period have already been instrumental in guiding Altia’s direction, making him well-prepared for his new leadership role.
As COO, Allan will ensure Altia’s operational plans are seamlessly executed, enabling CEO Rob Sinclair to focus on long-term strategy.
Rob Sinclair said: “With Allan’s extensive experience in both private equity and C-suite roles, I’m thrilled to have him on board. His deep understanding of Altia and his success in driving growth across various industries are tremendous assets for us at this pivotal time.
“We’re looking forward to seeing the impact he will make as we look to grow our offering around the world.”
Allan brings over five years of experience as a private equity portfolio director and is a seasoned C-suite executive, with prior roles as COO and CFO.
A Chartered Accountant, he successfully led and delivered a $100 million exit for shareholders of a technology services company, contributing to its growth across EMEA (Europe, the Middle East, and Africa), Asia-Pacific, and the Americas.
On his appointment, Allan Dunn said: “I am excited to join Altia as COO and to work alongside a talented team dedicated to delivering impactful solutions in investigative tech.
“Altia’s commitment to innovation and client-focused growth is second to none and aligns perfectly with my ambitions. Over the past couple of years Altia has gone from strength to strength, and I look forward to contributing to its continued success and expansion moving forward.”
Rail firm launches care-leavers party appeal to fund festive fun
A Midlands rail firm which hosts two Christmas parties every year to help young people who have left care feel less alone has launched its annual appeal to raise money to fund the festive fun.
MTMS has unveiled its 2024 Make a Difference campaign, which aims to sprinkle some Christmas joy across the lives of young people from across the region during December.
The aim is to raise money to pay for all the food, musical entertainment and hampers full of presents at two parties, which will take place in Burton and Derby for just under 200 16 to 25-year-olds who live independently after leaving the care system.
The annual tradition started seven years ago in the wake of a series of suicides among young care leavers living in Staffordshire around Christmas time.
Trandeep Sethi, who is the district lead for children’s services at Staffordshire County Council, realised the loneliness at Christmas was having a devastating effect on the young people who had no families of their own to share the festivities with.
He put out an appeal for help to arrange a party for them and MTMS, which is based in Moira in Leicestershire, responded, alongside members of Derbyshire Freemasons, who offered to host the event at Ashfield House in Burton.
Seven years later, the venue is due to host this year’s party on December 6, with another party, again organised by MTMS and Derbyshire Freemasons, taking place at Littleover Lodge in Derby on December 9.
Malcolm Prentice, group chairman of MTMS and a member of Derbyshire Freemasons, said: “Over the years the parties have proven to be a lifeline for young people who, through no fault of their own, find themselves feeling isolated at Christmas, which is the worst time of the year for anybody to feel alone.
“Every year they come to us and we give them a couple of hours of fun, a roast turkey lunch and a Christmas hamper containing what are likely to be the only presents they’ll receive that year.
“Our staff and volunteers give up their time to run the events, but we can’t make the magic happen without the funds, which is why we’re calling on people to help us out by making a donation to make a difference this Christmas.”
The donations will pay for the meal, entertainment such as a DJ, band or musician and gift hampers for each young person with goodies such as clothes, toiletries and snacks.
Anyone who would like to make a donation can do so by visiting https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/makeadifference2024
Plastic packaging firm invest in new machine to secure future growth
A Leicester-based plastic packaging manufacturer has invested in a new blow moulding machine to boost efficiency and support the growth of the business.
Family owned Measom Freer has purchased a GDK hybrid extrusion blow moulding machine from UK distributor 3PA which will support the growth of sales in the chemical market.
The machine signifies the company’s continued investment in new equipment and their drive to generate new business in the chemical sector with a focus on sectors such as janitorial and car care.
The hybrid, 10 litre capacity blow moulding machine will help improve production efficiency via automation and lower energy consumption. These improvements will enable Measom Freer to provide lower costs for products in high and low volumes.
As part of the company’s strategic growth strategy, new products targeting the chemical sector will be added to the range.
Measom Freer Production Manager Ben Freer said: “This machine represents a significant milestone for the business as we grow into new sectors.
“The new machine will enhance our capabilities and product offering to customers as well reducing our energy consumption and impact on the environment.”
Australian acquisition and investment in American team sees international growth for Grimsby kids swimwear brand
Children’s swimwear brand Splash About has seen international growth in both Australia and the USA. The company, which is headquartered in Grimsby, has acquired its distribution partner Little Toggs in New South Wales, rebranding the business Splash About Australia Pty Limited, and for the first time the business has hired a team in the USA.
The move into both continents will accelerate relationships with infant swim schools, retailers and facilitate distribution as demand for product increases.
Commenting on the Australian acquisition, Lesley Beach, Joint Managing Director of Splash About International Ltd, said: “The potential for growth in Australia is huge with over 1.8 million children currently learning to swim. We had a strong presence in the market working closely with Little Toggs, but the infant swimwear and accessories market has grown exponentially.”
Lesley continued: “Demand for our Happy Nappy swim nappy has soared due to its technical design which prevents faecal leaks. Unwelcome leaks are bad for business; pools need to close for cleaning and lessons must be cancelled, which results in unnecessary and avoidable expense.
“Insisting on a reusable Happy Nappy to prevent these accidents is a simple, proven cost-effective option, saving operational costs and in turn increasing revenues.”
To facilitate demand, Splash About has invested in state-of-the-art warehouse facilities to quickly fulfil orders and maintain a high level of customer service. In Australia the business is based in New South Wales and will be spearheaded by Little Toggs founder Kylie Hadid and in America, Damien McDonnell is heading up business development in Texas.
In addition to swimwear and swim accessories, Splash About has devised a range of flexible Partnership Programmes to work with swim schools globally regardless of their size, which are aimed at helping them drive revenue, operate efficiently, and decrease costs without increasing prices.
Surprise fall in corporate insolvencies as East Midlands businesses face new economic hurdles
There has been a surprise fall in both the month-on-month and year-on-year corporate insolvency numbers ahead of the chancellor’s plans to increase both the national minimum wage and employers’ national insurance contributions from next April.
This is according to the Midlands branch of insolvency and restructuring body R3 and follows latest statistics published by the Insolvency Service which show that corporate insolvencies in England and Wales fell by 10.4% in October compared to the previous month – dropping from 1,950 to 1,747 – and by 23.8% against the same month in the previous year (2,293).
R3 Midlands Chair Stephen Rome, a partner at Penningtons Manches Cooper in the region, said: “The decrease in corporate insolvency numbers may seem surprising, as concerns about potential tax changes in the Budget resulted in high numbers of Members’ Voluntary Liquidations in September and October. Directors of solvent companies chose to wind down their businesses before any changes were announced, which may have skewed this month’s figures.
“The big question for many businesses, however, is how the upcoming changes to employer national insurance contributions and the minimum wage will affect them. Although this will increase costs for all but the smallest businesses, the feedback from the market is that some directors and management teams will look to manage the financial impact by adapting their staff levels or raising their prices.
“Businesses in hospitality, retail and construction are particularly vulnerable to these changes due to high staffing levels and a large proportion of employees on the national minimum wage. Directors of companies in these sectors will need to review all their costs, if they haven’t done so already, and think carefully about how these additional expenses can be absorbed.
“The silver lining here, albeit a thin one, is that we have seen a more positive trading climate recently as interest rates and inflation have fallen and retail, hospitality and construction have seen an improvement in spending, sales or output.
“As we head towards 2025, we urge anyone who is worried about finances to seek advice as soon as they possibly can. Discussions with a qualified advisor at the earliest possible opportunity will provide more options for improving the situation and more time to take a decision about the next step.
“Most R3 members will give prospective clients a free initial consultation so they can learn more about their circumstances and outline any potential solutions for improving them.”
Harris Lamb makes appointment to oversee East Mids Agency operations
Harris Lamb has strengthened its Commercial Agency team with the appointment of Scott Osborne, who joins the business to focus on the East Midlands region.
Scott, who has spent the past 17 years with Innes England, joins the business as a Director, overseeing Commercial Agency operations at Harris Lamb’s Nottingham office.
Scott began his surveying career after graduating in 2007 with a Masters degree in Property Investment and Management from Nottingham Trent University, joining Innes England shorty afterward on a graduate placement, and working his way up to Director.
While Scott’s primary specialism is acquisition, disposal and development consultancy, he also has extensive experience of providing advice and support on landlord and tenant matters, property management and business rates guidance.
Neil Slade, Director at Harris Lamb, said: “We are extremely pleased that Scott has joined our team. He has a superb reputation within the East Midlands and is very connected and well respected throughout the sector. His experience and knowledge of the marketplace throughout the region will be a huge asset to the business.”
Scott said: “I am excited to be commencing a new path on my career. I take great pride in offering bespoke advice to clients and maximizing return on their property through strategic asset management, ensuring full, transparent communication with key stakeholders throughout.
“Harris Lamb’s core approach is very much aligned with my own and I chose to join the business because of its strong reputation and its ambitious plans moving forward.
“The multi-service offering the business provides is very appealing, and this opportunity will enable me to offer further solutions and support to clients within the region.”
Nottingham Trent University awarded £2.5m for world-class ‘accelerator’ speeding development of RehabTech
A world-class impact accelerator will connect hundreds of East Midlands MedTech SMEs with health and care professionals, academics and the public to drive the design, development and delivery of pioneering rehabilitation technologies.
Nottingham Trent University has been awarded £2.5 million by the UKRI Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) to lead the project, which is expected to accelerate innovation into health and care pathways and transform how people recover and regain independence and function following injury or illness.
As people live longer and chronic health conditions increase, the demand for rehabilitation technologies, or ‘RehabTech’ is soaring.
The ‘EMERGE’ project – East Midlands Emerging RehabTech Growth Enterprise – will launch the East Midlands as the UK’s ‘RehabTech Valley’, a leading hub for rehabilitation technologies excellence.
The University of Nottingham, Loughborough University and the University of Derby will co-lead, supported by a 30-strong consortium spanning research and innovation, medical and health tech organisations, the NHS, local government and economic development.
The project will connect the region’s cluster of 459 med-tech SMEs, addressing current challenges around slowing productivity, access to skills, clinical partnerships and private investment.
It will create mechanisms for engagement between businesses, academics, the NHS and patients and speed up the development and availability of RehabTech.
It will translate theoretical breakthroughs and proof-of-concept ideas to cutting-edge innovations across areas including sensors and imaging, medical device materials and device design, smart medical wearables, bioengineering, robotics and artificial intelligence.
As well as supporting recovery and helping people to regain their independence, the move is expected to deliver a significant economic impact, boosting regional growth and productivity and enabling SMEs to secure an increasing share of a rapidly growing market.
Work will also involve ensuring public and patient involvement is embedded in activities and projects to best address health inequalities.
There are widening health inequalities in the East Midlands and preventable diseases such as heart disease, stroke and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are worse in the region’s cities than the UK average.
Despite deprived communities being 60% more likely to suffer long-term health conditions than the richest, they still face significant barriers to accessing rehabilitation services that would speed up recovery and return to work.
The East Midlands is well-positioned to tackle these issues, with the region now considered to be at the forefront of rehabilitation and associated technologies, recognised by the Government’s £105m investment in the National Rehabilitation Centre, which is located in Nottinghamshire and will be run and staffed by Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust.
The EMERGE project will be led from Nottingham Trent University’s Medical Technologies Innovation Facility, a dual-site medical devices and advanced materials technology innovation centre.
Professor Richard Emes, Pro Vice-Chancellor Research and International at Nottingham Trent University, said: “This award further supports our ambitions in the theme of Health Innovation where NTU researchers are dedicated to transforming patient and community care outcomes.
“The impact acceleration account will speed the translation of applied research between academic partners and healthcare providers in the region to achieve real-world change for the benefit of patients.”
UK Science Minister Lord Vallance said: “This investment will allow innovators up and down the country to continue or expand their pioneering work to improve lives and kickstart growth in our economy with new opportunities.”
Seven projects are being funded through EPSRC’s Place Based Impact Acceleration Account (PBIAA) scheme.
EPSRC Executive Chair, Professor Charlotte Deane, said: “The seven projects announced today will harness regional research and innovation strengths to unleash the potential of emerging and existing innovation clusters across the UK.
“Our investment will strengthen partnerships between UK universities, civic bodies and local businesses to create new jobs, improve skills and boost regional economic growth that will benefit places and communities directly.”
Tile industry supplier snaps up last spot at Northampton distribution park
Prologis UK, an investor, owner and developer of logistics property, has secured a new lease with Pro Tiler Tools, part of Topps Group, a supplier of tiles and tiling equipment, for DC2 at Prologis Park Pineham, in Northampton, bringing the park to full occupancy.
Following a comprehensive refurbishment, the nationwide brand has signed a 15-year lease to use the unit as a base for future growth plans.
The refurbishment was designed with sustainability and operational efficiency in mind, raising the 138,192 sq ft distribution centre to an EPC A rating. The finished space features LED lighting, a fully-electric office, EV parking, rainwater harvesting whilst the roof is already futureproofed for solar PV.
The building is equipped with 12 dock doors, two level access doors and a clear internal height of 12.5 metres, and is due to be fitted-out with racking through the Prologis Essentials platform.
Ash Patel, Head of Property at Topps Tiles, said: “Finding the right partner and location was key when looking to expand our operations, and Prologis and their Pineham Park was just that. Being close to our existing operation for our staff, whilst also having the prime distribution location by J15A M1 perfectly meets our logistical and operational needs.
“The Essentials platform that Prologis offers has also been of real benefit. We look forward to becoming part of the community at Pineham and can’t wait to see our partnership with Prologis grow and develop even further.”
Situated within the Midlands’ ‘Golden Triangle’ of logistics, Prologis Park Pineham will serve as a crucial part of Pro Tiler Tools’ supply chain operations through its strategic location near Junction 15A of the M1, offering easy access across the UK.
The Park is also home to a number of other leading brands, including Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, BMW and Wincanton. The Park also offers dedicated areas of open space with walking trails of up to 3km where Park employees can enjoy breaks, along with art installations through Prologis UK’s PARKlife initiative.
Tom Price, Leasing Director at Prologis UK, said: “For many years we have incorporated sustainability into the designs of all our units, ensuring refurbishments can easily elevate existing facilities to match the industry-leading standards of our brand new properties, and DC2 is a perfect example of this. We look forward to welcoming Pro Tiler Tools to Prologis Park Pineham and seeing the business go from strength to strength.”
Cushman and Wakefield, BNP Paribas and Knight Frank acted for Prologis and Colliers acted for Pro Tiler Tools.
Derby businesses come together to help charity give children seaside holidays
Members of Derby’s business community have come together to back a charity’s campaign giving seaside holidays to children who might not otherwise get a break.
Dean Jackson MBE, founder of sporting apparel company Huub, Kan Koo, owner of COSMO restaurant, Mark Perks, co-owner of finance firm Pay with Click, and Simon Evans, co-founder of tree planting enterprise Co-Treetment, have all got behind the Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre’s “Just 1 Child” campaign.
The Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre charity has been going since 1891. Every year it gives hundreds of children a five-day stay at its specialist centre in Skegness, where they benefit from a range of activities such as trips to Butlins, a day on the beach, meals out, visits to the swimming pool, and enjoyment of the centre itself with its fully equipped games room, creative area, themed bedrooms, home-cooked meals and chill-out TV room.
Children from across Derbyshire are nominated to go to the centre if they may not otherwise get a break, whether that is due to financial hardship or other reasons, such as caring for relatives.
The charity’s Just 1 Child campaign invites supporters to pay for one child to attend the centre for a week, at a cost of £450.
The first business to back the campaign was Des Gosling Mobility of Melbourne, which makes innovative disability aids for vehicles. Now Huub, COSMO, Pay with Click and Co-Treetment have come on board too.
Kan Koo, director of COSMO Derby, said: “We have supported Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre for many years and have raised thousands of pounds to help them take youngsters on holiday.
“As a family restaurant, we believe every child deserves happy memories and the chance to explore beyond their everyday environment. This partnership allows us to give back to our community and bring a bit of brightness to families who need it most.”
Dean Jackson, owner of Huub, said: “It’s a real pleasure to back the Just 1 Child campaign. Going to Skegness with my family in the 1970s and 80s will forever live with me as the most exciting times. I’m so happy that our support will help deliver some of that East coast magic to these wonderful young people of Derby and Derbyshire.
“The bus which travels weekly to the Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre leaves from a central Derby location very close to our offices at Huub – seeing them boarding the minibus from my office window just melts me.
“It’s so important for children to get a great start in life and I’m delighted to play my part by taking part in this campaign.”
Co-Treetment is based in a Leicestershire field and offers businesses and individuals the opportunity to offset their carbon emissions through planting trees. Co-Treetment also runs a special Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre tree planting scheme.
Co-Treetment has been so successful that businesses and other supporters have paid for 4,500 trees so far, of which 750 directly benefit the charity.
This has generated thousands of pounds for the Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre – which includes support for two children under the Just 1 Child campaign.
Co-founder Simon Evans said: “The project has had a really good take-up. It’s exceeded our expectations. We have some very generous supporters who have been to the centre as young children and they know how hard it is to have a break or a holiday.
“Supporting young people is extremely important to me and I’m delighted that through something so simple but so profound as tree-planting, children are benefiting as well as our environment.”
Mark Perks, co-owner of open banking payment provider Pay with Click, said he was very pleased to support the campaign, with the charity’s offices in Pride Park being just a few doors down from his.
Mark, who has previously donated a giant Easter egg to be sold off for the charity, said: “Giving children a great start in life is so important and I really appreciate the work that the Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre does.
“Adults can make their own decisions but children really benefit from being supported at a young age, helping them develop great self-esteem as they move through life. I’m proud to be supporting the Just 1 Child campaign.”
Charity chair Alan Grimadell said: “We’re delighted that generous businesses have supported our Just 1 Child campaign to pay for a child to attend our centre. Running a charity like ours isn’t cheap but the service we provide is extremely valuable.
“Holidays at our centre aren’t just about giving children a break; they help young people develop in other ways such as self-confidence and forming friendships too. Thank you so much to Huub, Co-Treetment, COSMO, Pay with Click and Des Gosling Mobility for all your support. The smiles on the children’s faces as they attend our centre will say it all.”
To support the campaign, visit www.justgiving.com/campaign/just1child
New five-year plan to bolster Leicester’s creative economy
A five-year strategy that aims to create thousands of new jobs in Leicester’s creative economy and engage hundreds more adults in the city’s arts and cultural offer has been published by the city council.
Called Leicester Leading:2025-2030, the new cultural and creative industries’ strategy aims to build on the city’s status as one of the most creative cities in the UK and reflects Leicester’s ambitions to be more vocal about its success in the sector.
Work carried out for the strategy revealed that Leicester had nearly three times as many jobs in the creative economy as official figures suggested – 15,600 compared to 5,310 – with people working in the arts, computer consultancies, music, photography, publishing, film and television, design and designer fashion, advertising and marketing, and software and gaming.
But over the next five years, the city council wants to see the number of jobs in this fast-growing sector rise by 28% to 20,000.
It also wants to boost the number of adults in the city who actively participate in cultural and creative activity, aiming to increase the engagement rate from 80% to the national average of 90%.
Assistant city mayor for culture Cllr Vi Dempster said: “Over the last decade or so, the city council and its partners have supported Leicester’s creative economy with around £75m, investing in major projects – including the expansion of the Phoenix Arts Centre, DOCK workspaces and the Leicester Museum & Art Gallery – that has helped to create a strong and diverse creative sector.
“Working with our partners, we want to build on that success and showcase the city as a leader in the cultural and creative industries – and promote it nationally as a place to invest in.
“Furthermore, we also want to reach out to the people who live here and engage more of them in the city’s rich and varied cultural life. Whether it’s visiting a museum, attending a festival, learning a new skill, helping to plan cultural and heritage celebrations, or taking part in a creative activity, these experiences can greatly enhance the quality of people’s lives and their enjoyment of their city.
“So this new strategy will have real benefits for the people of Leicester, while also providing an ambitious roadmap of change and growth for the city and its creative sector over the next five years.”
Consultants Fifth Sector carried out the initial engagement for the strategy, involving hundreds of key stakeholders in round table discussions, one to one meetings and online questionnaires.
Extensive research and consultation helped shape the strategy and identify its eight key themes: Leicester Leading; Empowering Talent; Sharing and Shouting; a Signature Festival; Inclusive Heritage; Inspirational Spaces; Creative Circuits; and Vision for Growth.
Central to the development of each theme is a commitment to promoting equality and inclusion, challenging entrenched inequalities, celebrating diversity, and providing access to opportunity for all in Leicester.
Leicester Leading: 2025-2030 was developed and funded by the city council in partnership with Arts Council England, De Montfort University and the University of Leicester.
Peter Knott, Midlands area director at Arts Council England, said: “Leicester is a diverse and international city, with its artists, cultural organisations and creative industries making it a great place to live, grow up, study, work and visit.
“This strategy provides an ambitious pathway so that, by 2030, people at all stages of their lives, and from all parts of the city, can actively participate in, and benefit from, high quality cultural and creative activity.”
Professor Katie Normington, vice-chancellor at De Montfort University, said: “A cultural and creative strategy is key for the development of Leicester as a specialist centre for arts.
“Central to that is how we work together. I am excited by the opportunity to take part in the cultural strengthening of our diverse offering and to showcase our world class provision.”
Professor Henrietta O’Connor, provost and deputy vice-chancellor at the University of Leicester, said: “We are delighted Leicester City Council is spearheading a new cultural and creative industries’ strategy, which will support the growth of these important sectors in the city.
“University research and innovation has a key role to play in the regional economy. This is exemplified by the partnership between the University of Leicester, Leicester City Council and the National Space Centre, which is transforming the local technology economy at Space City. Home to global space sector leaders, including Rolls Royce, Airbus, Maxar and CGI, the £100m Space Park Leicester will contribute £750m to the economy and create high value employment.”
Dunelm snaps up soft furnishings retailer
Dunelm, the Leicester-headquartered homewares retailer, has acquired Homefocus Group Limited.
Home Focus is a soft furnishings retailer which trades under the ‘Home Focus at Hickeys’ brand, with 13 stores trading in high-quality locations across the Republic of Ireland. The business also operates online, providing home delivery and a ‘Click & Reserve’ option for customers to collect products in-store.
With a focus on fabrics, the brand specialises in specific home categories including curtains and bedding. Home Focus’ c.140 colleagues will be welcomed to Dunelm.
The acquisition is an attractive opportunity for Dunelm to connect with more customers by entering a new geography, with a homewares market of more than £1bn. The acquisition immediately provides the Group with good coverage across the Republic of Ireland, through Home Focus’ portfolio of smaller stores (<10,000 sq ft).
Dunelm sees potential to offer a broader range of products in Home Focus stores, in line with the Group’s existing smaller format stores in the UK, giving customers more choice and a more comprehensive offer for the home.
Dunelm also sees opportunity to introduce a more comprehensive online proposition and, over time, will assess new store opportunities across Ireland.
Nick Wilkinson, CEO of Dunelm, said: “In Home Focus we have found a high-quality and complementary business, with a shared heritage in home textiles and strong values which stem from family ownership.
“We’ve really enjoyed getting to know the team and look forward to welcoming them to the Dunelm family as we work together to further develop and invest in their specialist home proposition.
“We see a clear opportunity to introduce more choice and value into the offer which Home Focus has built for its customers. With an established national store footprint and expertise in mutual growth areas like Made to Measure, we’re confident that Home Focus will help us to continue unlocking our full potential.
“We’re proud to be embarking on this journey with Home Focus and investing in the next stage of its story, where we look forward to providing further opportunities for colleague development, creating additional jobs, and supporting local communities.”
Ian Donnelly, Managing Director of Home Focus, added: “With around 80 years in business, we have been looking for a new custodian to take Home Focus into its next chapter. Dunelm immediately struck us as having a clear cultural fit, with a strong team guided by sound values and focused on investing for long-term growth.
“We’re confident that Dunelm’s experience as a multi-channel retailer, together with its ability to offer a wider assortment of products across multiple home categories, will offer both our colleagues and customers an even better proposition as we move forward.”
Closure considered for Kettering mochi ice cream factory
Closure is being considered for Little Moons’ Kettering factory, less than a year after it opened.
Workers at the plant in Kettering have been told it is likely to close, according to reports in the Northamptonshire Telegraph, with their jobs now at risk following an assessment of the business.
The producer of mochi ice cream has seen its products hit the shelves of major supermarkets, with its growth leading to a 50,000 sq ft factory at Cransley Park.
In a statement the business said it had “led a robust assessment of its business to ensure operational efficiency that will facilitate a stable and profitable future.”
It added that this had “resulted in proposed structural changes across the whole business” including how it goes to market and manufactures. This includes “exploring the viability of shutting down the factory in Kettering” and consolidating operations back into Park Royal and Wembley.
The business noted that the proposals may lead to job losses, with staff being formally consulted before final decisions are made.
Royal approval for innovative Derby company
Derby-based water conservation and washroom services specialists HSG has been formally presented with The King’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation by HM Lord-Lieutenant of Derbyshire Mrs Elizabeth Fothergill CBE and Deputy Lord-Lieutenant of Derbyshire Mr Tony Walker CBE.
They joined civic dignitaries including The High Sheriff of Derbyshire Mr Ian Morgan OBE and the Mayor of Derby Cllr Ged Potter for the presentation at Derby’s Pride Park Stadium.
Also in attendance were employees from the sales, technical and administration teams at HSG, key customers, representatives from businesses and organisations who have supported the company throughout its 17 years in business, East Midlands Chamber and local charity, Me & Dee, which the company supports.
The guests were officially welcomed to Pride Park by Stephen Pearce, CEO of Derby County Football Club, who thanked the company for their kit sponsorship for the men’s and women’s first teams and the vote of thanks was given by HSG founder and managing director Simon Rice.
Family-owned HSG, based in Pride Park, is one of just 252 organisations nationally to receive the award this year. It recognises the company’s further innovative developments that have been made in its revolutionary washroom innovation technologies that significantly reduce water consumption, save money and help support a more sustainable planet.
HSG originally won The Queen’s Award for Enterprise: Innovation in 2018 for its market-leading Ureco System, comprised of the Ureco urinal sleeve and Uretech water management system. The Ureco System works to save water and money whilst improving the washrooms by eliminating smells and preventing urinal blockages.
Every year, the Ureco System saves over 1 billion litres of water which equates to 500 Olympic-sized swimming pools, across its customer sites which include Tesco, Toyota Manufacturing UK, NEC, Pizza Hut, All England Lawn Tennis Club, Aston Martin and more than 100 NHS sites.
The King’s Award recognises the further innovative technologies that HSG has brought to market alongside the Ureco System:
- The Ureflush which was launched in 2022 and is a low-cost alternative to dual flush. A toilet flush will use 11-13 litres, whereas Ureflush reduces this consumption to as low as 1 litre, depending on the duration the button is held whilst flushing.
- A new version of Uretech enables data capture, remote flush and a real time clock – providing more flexibility for the customer to concentrate the 4 daily flushes at high footfall times.
- The Uretech Plus+ also provides wifi-enabled water management – providing minute-by-minute readings of water usage, leak detection and software that can remotely switch off the water if necessary.
- Since the 2018 Award, an eighth enzyme has been included in the Ureco to enable the breakdown of the protein strain in hair.
Leicester Business Festival marks tenth year with over 3,000 attendees
Leicester Business Festival (LBF) 2024 marked its tenth year with over 3,000 attendees from 1,000 businesses and over 40% of its 70 events sold out.
Early feedback indicates that over 96% of events were rated as good or excellent, highlighting the festival’s impact.
For the second consecutive year, the Boss Break Out fundraising event ran and raised nearly £24,000 for Leicester Hospitals Charity, supporting the purchase of Smileyscopes—specialised VR headsets designed to help children stay calm during medical procedures.
Held at the Haymarket Shopping Centre, the event saw nine business leaders competing to raise funds through donations from their networks. One standout participant, Alister de Ternant from Associate Events, exceeded his fundraising goal by 500%, raising an impressive £5,000 in just three hours.
Throughout the two-week festival, businesses hosted events at key venues such as King Power Stadium, De Montfort University, and The Gresham Aparthotel. The packed schedule included invaluable networking opportunities, expert insights, and industry celebrations, including the East Midlands Chamber’s annual Leicestershire Business Awards.
The festival also saw the launch of new partnerships, including the Leicester Music Board (LMB) and the Leicester Cultural and Creative Industries Strategy. The Power to Change Conference also took place and brought together key sectors to drive change for young people in the region.
At the closing ceremony attended by more than 70 business people and hosted by The City Rooms in Leicester, three awards were presented:
- First Event to Sell Out: How to Use Creative Storytelling to Hook in Your Customers by Altitude Marketing
- Most Unique Event: The How I Failed in Business Podcast LIVE with Sophia Grace & Rob Spence
- Special Award: De Montfort University for hosting the most events at LBF over the past decade.
Derby ICT company expands
Link ICT, which recently moved to new offices in Pride Park, Derby has further expanded its team following the appointment of Hugh Burch and Jai Shergill.
Hugh is joining as an IT Systems Administrator having previously been a Senior IT Technician in a school and an IT infrastructure Engineer. Also joining the company is Jai Shergill who is beginning an apprenticeship as an Information Communications Technician arranged by Althaus.
Founded in 2004, these are the fifth new appointments in 2024 for Link ICT, which specialises in the provision of outsourced IT Support where technicians are based on-site to help ensure users understand IT and the cost and efficiency benefits of using IT are fully realised.
Commenting on his new role, Hugh said: “Following the recent move to Pride Park, now is a great time to join the company. The role spans business and education-based customers, so there is lots of scope to learn and expand my skill base working alongside some really good people.”
Jai, who lives in Derby left school with GCSEs in English, Math’s, Computer Science, Combined Science, History, Music, and History. He has previously worked for Tesco Mobile as a Sales advisor. He therefore has lots of experience in helping customers set up their new technology and helping them feel confident using their device – experience which will be invaluable in his new job role.
Jai added: “I wanted to join Link ICT because it combines aspects of my previous work experience such as customer relations, computer science knowledge, using software and diagnosing problems. I am really looking forward to the opportunity to learn more about the IT industry in such a team-focused and supportive work environment.”
Inflation rises, ahead of expectations
UK inflation rose last month, with energy prices in part to blame, according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Measured by the Consumer Prices Index (CPI), inflation ticked up by 2.3% in the 12 months to October 2024, up from 1.7% in September, and ahead of expectations of a 2.2% rise.
The largest upward contribution to the change came from housing and household services, mainly because of electricity and gas prices. The largest offsetting downward contribution came from recreation and culture.
Core inflation, meanwhile, which takes out volatile factors like energy, food, alcohol and tobacco to give a clear picture of underlying trends, rose by 3.3% in the 12 months to October 2024, up from 3.2% in September.
Alpesh Paleja, Interim Deputy Chief Economist, CBI, said: “Inflation was always expected to pick up in October, but the increase was bigger than the Bank of England had expected.
“We’ll continue to see bumpier inflation over the coming months, as more base effects play out in the data. But the big picture should still remain one of headline inflation being much lower than this time a couple of years ago.
“Despite the upside surprise in today’s data, the Bank is still likely to continue cutting rates at a gradual pace going forward. However, renewed price pressures from the fiscal loosening in October’s Budget means that the CPI rate is likely to stay above the 2% target for longer than previously expected.
“Coupled with continued strength in services price inflation and wage growth, this all but rules out the prospect of a faster pace of rate cuts in the year ahead.”
Three charities to receive expert branding support from Nottingham creative agency
To celebrate two decades of helping organisations to tell their stories, Threerooms, a brand and creative agency, is giving back to the charity sector with a £15,000 branding support giveaway.
Three UK charities will each receive a bespoke branding package worth over £5,000 to help amplify their cause, strengthen their identity and deepen their connection with supporters.
Ian Morris, Director and Founder of Threerooms, said: “At Threerooms, our mission is to empower charities to connect with their communities through impactful, authentic branding.
“In today’s crowded landscape, it’s vital for charities to stand out and convey their purpose clearly. Good branding isn’t just about logos – it’s about building a story that resonates, fosters trust and drives action.”
He added: “We’re delighted to mark our 20th anniversary by offering this support to three charities, helping them strengthen their message and ensuring it reaches people in powerful, meaningful ways.”
Threerooms will work closely with each chosen charity to understand their goals and provide one of three tailored branding services:
Brand Strategy Workshop – A focused session to clarify brand values, messaging and mission-aligned direction.
Brand Identity Refresh – A revitalised visual identity designed to enhance the charity’s presence and appeal to supporters.
Design or Motion Support – Professional design or motion graphics that compellingly convey the charity’s message.
Charities are invited to apply at the Threerooms Charity Branding Application page by December 23, 2024. Recipients will be chosen based on their impact and how branding support could help them grow their reach. Winners will be announced on January 31, 2025.
Streets Chartered Accountants makes latest in string of mergers
Lincolnshire-based top 40 professional service firm, Streets Chartered Accountants has established Streets Bush Limited.
The announcement follows the merger of the Exeter chartered accountancy firm of Bush & Co with the fast-growing multi regional practice, Streets Chartered Accountants. This latest merger, along with that of the Bristol practice of Streets Steele following a merger only 12 months ago, now sees Streets firmly establish a presence in the South West.
When asked about the merger Shane Cann, Managing Director of Streets Bush, said: “We are thrilled to announce our merger with Streets and are excited about the future for our team and our clients as we move forwards as part of the wider Streets team.
“Bush & Co was founded in 1955 and over the years has grown into one of the leading accountancy firms in Exeter thanks to our strong reputation and excellent client care and continuity.
“It was very important to us that we joined forces with a firm who shared our values and ethos with an underpinning focus on excellent client service.
“We chose Streets because they also provide a tailored and bespoke service covering all areas of expertise across a broad range of sectors and in addition, we wished to retain some independence and investment in the existing business, providing for the continued longevity of the practice for our clients and our team.
“Being part of a wider, thriving UK practice means that we can now offer a more diverse range of specialist services including specialist corporate and private client tax planning, banking and finance, grants, R&D tax reliefs, international advice and personal financial planning. It also improves career prospects and training for our team, as well our ability to attract quality staff.
“The merger will strengthen our position in Exeter and Devon and enhance our reputation as a pre-eminent accountancy and business advice provider benefiting from the support of a multi-office and multi-region firm.
“Now we are very much an integral part of the further growth of the Streets practice we are all working closely to explore further expansion of the firm across the South West, including Cornwall, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire, both organically and through other merger opportunities.”
Looking at what the merger means to Streets, the firm’s Managing Partner, Paul Tutin, said: “We are especially pleased to have Shane Cann, his fellow directors and all the team in Exeter join the practice.
“We have wanted for some time to have a meaningful presence in the South West. In Streets Bush we have not only realised this but also our wider ambition to be amongst the region’s leading professional service firms looking after and supporting the needs of businesses, large and small, as well as private individuals.
“This latest merger, along with others over recent months, now means we have surpassed our target revenue of £40m for the year, a position we are delighted to be able to report and which reflects the success of our growth strategy and all the hard work by the team involved in our merger and acquisition activity.
“The profession is going through significant consolidation with heightened levels of merger and acquisition. In contrast to many, our approach seeks to build on the success of merging firms, ensuring we retain and build on their winning approach – an approach we believe is particularly liked by many of those looking to exit routes, the challenge of growing their practice or facing increased competition and the need to widen their service offering.”
Streets Law, the firm’s dedicated corporate and commercial law offering led by Managing Director and Solicitor, Adam Aisthorpe, undertook the legal work on behalf of Streets for the merger, including drafting the sale and purchase agreement and dealing with the due diligence process in collaboration with internal colleagues in the tax and audit teams at Streets.
