Revised plans lodged for prime Derby riverside site
Eight-figure investment works complete for logistics firm
Midlands-based contractor, G F Tomlinson, has completed the latest scheme for Ascott Transport Limited (ATL) at their Midlands Hub in Foston, Derbyshire, as part of a major eight-figure investment project.
The development, which is the second project that G F Tomlinson has constructed for ATL, includes a new 127,000 sq ft warehouse with 14 loading bays, offices, welfare rooms and external concrete yards and roads.
The modern facility will enable ATL to meet increased demand from both new and existing clients as part of their strategic expansion plans.
The first phase of the development, which allowed the company to almost double its Midlands operating capacity, included a 190,000 sq ft high-bay warehouse, three-storey gatehouse, high-spec offices, workshop, outside storage, and parking facilities.
The addition of the new warehouse not only expands ATL’s operational capacity but also cements its position as a major logistics and storage hub in the Midlands.
Technological innovations within the building included the warehouse’s internal floor, which was designed and constructed with no joints, to facilitate the smooth movement of semi and fully automated MHE throughout the warehouse.
The development also boasts a number of sustainable features including photovoltaic panels, which will generate enough solar power to sufficiently supply the warehouse’s energy requirements, and their recent investment into electric trucks, along with 400mm thick walls and roof to create a thermally stable warehouse and increased insulation to the office areas.
During the project, a pre-cast retaining wall was infilled on-site using surplus soil, reducing waste and transportation costs. An attenuation pond adjacent to the warehouse was also created to hold the site’s surface water to prevent flooding.
Andy Sewards, Chairman of G F Tomlinson, said: “Building on our long-standing relationship with ATL, it’s been a privilege to be part of the next phase of their growth plans. We’re pleased to have reached this completion milestone, which reflects our commitment to delivering high-quality projects that contribute positively to the communities we serve.”
Pete Ascott, Managing Director of ATL, said: “G F Tomlinson have been a consistent partner for us throughout this journey and both phases of the development have been a great success. The second phase adds a further 21,000 pallet storage capacity to our portfolio so now, with the development complete, we can begin our extensive growth plans and support our clients with industry leading quality warehousing space.”
Just not cricket – community farm fears for future as academy ground gets green light
An award-winning community farm and wellbeing centre which has been described in parliament as a “point of light” in supporting some of Northamptonshire’s most vulnerable individuals is under threat as the proposed cricket ground for Northamptonshire’s academy, women’s and disability sides appears to have been given approval.
The proposed site backs on to New Manor Farm in Moulton where Sol Haven, which hosts wellbeing projects, particularly for people who have experienced hardship, has been based for nearly a decade.
Sol Haven is co-founded by Sammuel Yisrael and Natasha Caton and provides sessions in rural skills, growing food, eco-therapy, meditation, nature-based arts and crafts, and cooking, which is led by Natasha, who is a Michelin-trained vegan chef.
Natasha experienced various addictions and homelessness at a young age, and partnered with Samuel, a long-time community volunteer with people who are disabled, have learning disabilities or are living homeless, to create a project that could help people grow and recover from adversity by connecting meaningfully with natural surroundings.
As well as being officially recognised by the then prime minister Boris Johnson, Sol Haven has collected a raft of awards for its work in supporting vulnerable people, including the Lush Spring Prize for social and environmental regeneration.
However, with plans for the new facility seemingly moving forwards, co-owner Natasha Caton said traffic and fans travelling to matches would disrupt the calm the farm provided and also potentially have a major impact on local residents.
“This came pretty much out of the blue to us. In fact, the first we knew about it was when someone mentioned it on Facebook,” explains Natasha.
“There will undoubtedly be an impact on the way we run things here as we are proudly seen as an oasis of calm, peace and tranquility for our users, many of whom are very vulnerable and have been signposted to us from local stakeholders from within the care sector.
“Also, this is far from an issue that is just going to potentially impact Sol Haven. There are environmental impacts in terms of flora, fauna and biodiversity and also the impact of noise and traffic. There appear to be plans for parking on the new site but it won’t take much of a leap to find the little roads around the area are soon full of cars.
“Right now we are processing what this all means whilst trying to focus on supporting our users but finding that balance is a battle all of its own.”
Co-owner Sammuel Yisrael adds: “These are worrying times as previous works have caused issues already with the building of a housing estate built on the field behind. It appears that a lot of waste from there was dumped on a piece of land that was earmarked for community use.
“This has caused flooding on to the farm fields and into Sol Haven and also made the school playing fields unuseable. This has a massive impact on the children in the neighborhood.
“We are concerned that any additional development could make this sorry situation worse and also promises for keeping community space will not be honoured as seen with this other building development. What is critical right now is a plan that engages with the local community and their needs.”
East Midlands manufacturer delivers first project in tertiary education sector
Mansfield-based Deanestor has delivered its first project in the higher education sector – providing fitted furniture for the Clarice Pears Building which houses the University of Glasgow’s School of Health and Wellbeing.
Built by Multiplex and designed by AtkinsRéalis, the £50m facility on the University’s Gilmorehill Campus brings together five academic teams from different locations across Glasgow. This has created a single multi-disciplinary centre for world-class research into improving health and reducing health inequalities.
The building is named after Clarice Pears, the mother of the founders and trustees of the Pears Foundation which donated £5m towards the building’s construction.
Deanestor fitted out 42 rooms across five storeys, manufacturing more than 700 items of fitted furniture and joinery at its factory in Mansfield. These included the main reception desk in the entrance atrium, purpose-designed tables and benching, informal booth seating to encourage social interaction and quiet study, storage solutions, kitchenettes, and worktops.
William Tonkinson, Managing Director of Deanestor, said: “This scheme, uniquely, utilises our experience of delivering fitout contracts for state-of-the-art hospital and laboratory projects and also multi-school campuses that promote a high level of collaborative learning and social integration.
“We are really proud to have contributed to this wonderful building that has created such an exciting global centre of research excellence.”
The choice of natural materials for the interior included extensive use of wood finishes to help promote a sense of naturalness and calm in the building.
Bespoke, full height seating booths in a maple wood finish with brightly coloured seating according to the zone, add to the aesthetic impact and were also manufactured by Deanestor.
The booths were provided in different sizes and configurations and incorporate acoustic treatment with padded upholstery above head height to create a canopy that promotes quiet working in the inclusive study spaces. Each was fitted with power, data and charging facilities.
Other booth-style seating arrangements were designed to encourage collaborative working and study whilst incorporating good acoustic performance with the use of upholstered screens.
The Clarice Pears Building is a prominent feature on a new central university square and accommodates over 8,000sqm of research, engagement and teaching space. It will be used to host workshops and knowledge exchange events, as well as to develop new multi-disciplinary postgraduate courses.
New care home set for Derbyshire town following sale of development site
Major milestone for new student accommodation scheme in Derby
Ashfield businesses offered support to go green
Local businesswoman in final line up for two national awards
Strong year as Microlise Group sees revenue growth and increased profitability
Recurring revenue, meanwhile, was up 11% to £45m, ahead of market expectations and supported by the renewal of several major customer contracts and new customer wins.
Moreover, profit before tax grew to £2.5m, up from £1.4m in 2022.Nadeem Raza, CEO of Microlise, said: “Microlise performed well in FY23, delivering double digit revenue growth, increased profitability and strong cash flows. During the period, we secured the renewal of several major customer contracts and significant new logo wins.
“We are continuing to build a resilient business to deliver sustained, efficient growth having made three key acquisitions that have enabled us to improve and expand our product offering.
“Our focus remains on scaling our business and increasing margins through consistently improving the efficiency of our business. With the supply chain issues in the first half of the year now fully behind us, and with a strong order book and healthy pipeline, we look forward to 2024 with confidence.”
Rolls-Royce gets UK Space Agency backing
Steve Carlier, President for Rolls-Royce Submarines Ltd, said: “We are delighted to win the award for the second phase of the International Bilateral Fund and to be continuing our collaboration with the UK Space Agency and our international project partner BWXT.
Joe Miller, president of BWXT Advanced Technologies LLC, said: “BWXT and Rolls-Royce share a commitment to creating and delivering nuclear energy systems to explore space, support global security imperatives and generate clean energy.
Professor Anu Ojha, Director of Championing Space at the UK Space Agency, said: “Our International Bilateral Fund bolsters international collaboration that harnesses the UK’s national expertise, supports new space capabilities and catalyses investment. This exciting research by Rolls-Royce to develop space nuclear power is an opportunity to showcase the UK as a spacefaring nation.
Chesterfield pharmacy moves to new HQ and invests in innovative equipment
PAB Languages Centre secures place on prestigious framework
PAB Languages Centre has been named as a supplier on the KCS Procurement Services Language Services Framework Y23031 for the next four years.
Operating nationally and regionally, the East Midlands business will provide an array of services, including translations, transcriptions, ancillary services, telephone and video interpreting, and face-to-face interpreting with a focus on inclusivity through BSL interpreting.
The award of Framework Number Y23004 by KCS Procurement Services marks a pivotal step for PAB in expanding its footprint in public sector language services.
Tarryn Kerr, Director of KCS Procurement Services, said: “We are delighted to have launched our new Language Services framework, which has been created to help support public sector organisations across the UK. “Our framework experts have undertaken a stringent tender process to award to the successful suppliers and we are pleased that PAB Languages Centre is one of our new partners. We look forward to creating a long-lasting relationship with PAB Languages Centre and working collaboratively to support the needs of the UK public sector.”“Being part of this prestigious framework is not just a great achievement; it’s a responsibility that we take very seriously,” said Iwona Lebiedowicz, Managing Director of PAB Languages Centre Ltd.
“We understand the critical role language services play in a diverse and multicultural society. Being appointed onto the framework reflects our team’s dedication to delivering top-tier language services and demonstrates PAB’s excellence in service quality, efficiency, and reliability.”
This framework is designed to streamline the procurement process for public sector entities, offering a direct award capability that ensures a quick and compliant route to acquiring language services.
New Chief Executive for Futures Housing Group
Financial services activity sees strong rebound in first quarter
- Business volumes grew rapidly in the quarter to March (+36%) after having fallen last quarter (-23% in December). Firms expect volumes to increase at an even quicker rate in the next three months (+50%).
- Optimism increased at a quick rate in the quarter to March (weighted balance of +29% from -3% in December).
- Average spreads declined in the quarter to March (-19% from -4% in December) but are expected to increase next quarter (+9%).
- The value of non-performing loans increased in the quarter to March (+11% from +3% in December) but is expected to fall next quarter (-7%).
- Profitability grew at a quick rate in the quarter to March (+37% from -3% in December). FS firms expect profitability to increase at a similarly fast pace next quarter (+38%).
- Headcount grew at a fast pace in the quarter to March (+40% from +46% in December). Firms expect headcount growth to accelerate slightly next quarter (+45%).
- Firms expect to increase investment in IT in the next 12 months (compared to the last 12). Capital expenditure on land & buildings is set to be unchanged, while firms expect to cut back on investment in vehicles, plant & machinery.
- Uncertainty about demand was the most commonly cited factor likely to limit investment in the next 12 months (53% from 53% in December).
Community cash up for grabs from housebuilder’s £10,000 fund
Charities and community groups across the East Midlands will benefit from £10,000 of housebuilder funding this year.
Miller Homes has launched its annual Community Fund initiative, which enables local charities, businesses and sports clubs to apply directly to the housing developer for up to £2,000 per organisation as part of the overall pot for 2024.
Each of the housebuilder’s 10 trading regions will have access to £10,000 as part of the Community Fund, including the developer’s Derbyshire-based East Midlands region.
Applicants can request a specific donation amount from Miller Homes, ranging from £250 to £2,000, and must provide their proposals for how the money will be spent as part of their application.
The housebuilder supported several groups as part of its Community Fund programme in 2023, including foodbanks, schools, football and cricket clubs, homelessness charities and autism support groups.
Entries for the first funding round of 2024 can be submitted until Wednesday, April 24, when applications will close for Miller Homes to review the submissions ahead of making their choices of which groups will benefit.
Alastair Parsons, area sales director for Miller Homes East Midlands, said: “As a responsible housebuilder, we appreciate how important giving back to the communities where we’re delivering new homes really is, and our Community Fund enables us to achieve this.
“Twice annually, we open our doors to local charities, sports clubs, small businesses and those who best represent their communities to apply for a donation from Miller Homes to help them achieve their next goals.
“We are really proud to be able to fund local community projects and we always marvel at the stories we hear in response when we see how our money has been used to create positive momentum for those involved.
“So, with applications open again for the first round of funding in 2024, I hope we will receive some inspiring entries once again, to allow Miller Homes to contribute towards our communities as part of our long-term aim to create a better place for people to prosper.”
Renewable energy company expands to Bradmore Business Park
Commercial property agents find own new premises
Salloway Property Consultants, which specialises in the sale, letting and management of commercial and industrial property together with providing strategic advice on development land, has purchased premises in Royal Scot Road, on Pride Park.
Founded by lifelong Derby County fan Stephen Salloway, the company was responsible for the sale of the Baseball Ground in the 1990s, paving the way for the creation of Pride Park Stadium itself, and the 100,000 sq ft Soccer Dome which it pre-let to JJB Sports.
The new office is designed to allow Salloway to grow the property management side of the business and expand its land development division with both areas becoming increasingly popular with clients.
Staff have worked together to create a contemporary, user-friendly office space, specifically designed to enhance the teamworking ethos which has been the cornerstone of the firm’s success. Managing Director Stephen said: “We have been based on Pride Park since 2005 when we were the very first commercial property agent to move here. But of course, our association with Pride Park goes back in further than that with our links to the stadium and soccer dome.
“With such strong links to the area, it seems very fitting that the future of our company is being shaped so close to the site of a deal that was really significant in our history.
“Since then, Pride Park has gone from strength to strength and is now seen as one of the region’s most successful business parks with a variety business, leisure and residential users sharing the same address in a fully integrated manner. Many of the property enquiries we receive have already determined that Pride Park is their favoured location.
“Obviously Covid was a shock to the market giving rise to the work-from-home and hybrid-working concepts, but we can sense the resurgence – people want the experience of going out to work. We feel that with our own staff too which is why we have invested in a new office.
“It was certainly all hands to the pump at times but that turned the move into a team-building exercise, which I dare say was quite fun at times. There is little doubt that the move has refreshed and energised us all which is timely as the market, like the economy, starts to re-emerge from the doldrums of high interest rates and we are seeing a marked increase in demand for our services.”