Only 4 weeks until nominations close for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2024!

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Only 4 weeks until nominations close for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2024!
With the nomination deadline (Thursday 5th September) approaching quickly for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2024, there’s only four weeks left to make your submissions for the annual celebration of the property and construction industry. Scheduled to take place on Thursday 3rd October, at the spectacular Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, the Bricks shine a light on the work of those shaping the landscape of our region, recognising development projects and people in commercial and public building across the East Midlands – from offices, industrial and residential, through to community projects such as leisure schemes and schools. We also showcase the work of architects, agencies and those behind large schemes. The glittering awards ceremony revealing winners will additionally offer the perfect opportunity to forge new contacts with property and construction professionals from across the region. Attendees will also hear from keynote speaker Paul Southby, partner at Geldards LLP, chair of the Advisory Board to Nottingham Business School, chair of Broadway independent cinema, trustee of Clean Rivers Trust, chair of Nottingham Partners, board member of Marketing Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, and former High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire. To nominate your (or another) business/development for one of our awards, please click on a category link below or visit this page. Take this chance to highlight exceptional new commercial and residential developments, those demonstrating a leading position in sustainability and design excellence; gain recognition as outstanding developers, architects, contractors, and agents, as well as for significant deals; and ensure efforts in corporate social responsibility are rewarded, from eco initiatives to charity work, to social value schemes.
Award categories include:

Nominations end Thursday 5th September

Tickets can now be booked for the 2024 awards event, click here to secure yours. Taking place in the Derek Randall Suite at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground on Thursday 3rd October, from 4:30pm – 7:30pm, connect with local decision makers over nibbles and complimentary drinks while applauding the outstanding companies and projects in our region. Dress code is standard business attire. Thanks to our sponsors:      

     
     
 

To be held at:

Rolls-Royce wins engine order from Cathay Pacific

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Rolls-Royce wins engine order from Cathay Pacific
Rolls-Royce has revealed that Cathay Pacific has agreed to place an order for 60 Trent 7000 engines that will power 30 Airbus A330-900 aircraft. At the same time the airline has signed a TotalCare service agreement that will cover the fleet.
Ewen McDonald, Chief Customer Officer, Rolls-Royce – Civil Aerospace, said: “The Trent 7000, coupled with TotalCare, is a compelling proposition for airline customers and this order shows significant confidence in the Trent 7000/A330neo combination. The engine will benefit from the £1bn investment we’re making to the Trent engine family.
“All of us at Rolls-Royce are proud of the trust that Cathay Pacific is placing in us and we look forward to supporting these new aircraft as they enter service.”
Alex McGowan, Chief Operations and Service Delivery Officer, Cathay Pacific, said: “We are delighted to announce this order for 30 Trent 7000 powered A330-900 which will be a natural replacement for our A330ceo aircraft. The Trent 7000/A330neo combination will provide excellent comfort for our passengers as well as improved fuel efficiency to help us achieve our sustainability goals.”
The Trent 7000 is the latest addition to the Rolls-Royce Trent family of engines and exclusively powers the Airbus A330neo. After entering service at the end of 2018, the Trent 7000 has flown more than two million hours. Incorporating the latest generation technology, the A330neo/Trent 7000 combination delivers a 14% better aircraft fuel burn per seat (compared to the A330/Trent 700), while significantly lowering emissions. Rolls-Royce is investing more than £1bn in a programme that will deliver further improvements to the Trent engine family. For the Trent 7000, a Durability Enhancement package has been introduced which more than doubles engine time on wing and a second package of hot-section enhancements will deliver a further improvement of up to 30%. The engine is certified to operate on a 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) blend today and has been proven to be compatible with 100% SAF for the future.

Construction company reappointed to deliver £4.4m speculative industrial and warehouse units at strategic development site

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Construction company reappointed to deliver £4.4m speculative industrial and warehouse units at strategic development site
Construction company Glencar has been reappointed by Verdant Regeneration to develop two new units totalling 31,350 sq ft at their 200-acre strategic industrial/warehouse development site at Ilkeston in Derbyshire. The appointment follows shortly after the completion of Unit 1, a new 20,400 sq ft build to suit regional hub development constructed for DX Group. Designed by architectural practice Stephen George Partnerships, construction of the £4.4m units started on site in June and is expected to take 34 weeks to build with PC expected in the spring of 2025. Speaking about the project Pete Goodman, Managing Director – UK Midlands, North and Ireland said: “Repeat business is the best business and after a successful negotiation we are once again delighted to be back onsite at New Stanton Park so soon after completing DX’s impressive new regional sortation Hub. “This development is a significant strategically located site in the Midlands adjacent to the M1 – ideally situated for the road and rail networks of the UK. It is therefore unsurprising that the development has already received major interest from numerous international, national and regional occupiers. “Glencar are delighted to be part of the delivery of this key scheme and we look forward to once again be working with the team from Verdant and delivering these next units to come out of the ground.” David Ward of Verdant Regeneration said: “We are delighted to re-appoint Glencar for the construction of the next 2 build to suit units on New Stanton Park following the successful build of Unit 1 for our first tenant DX (Group) plc. “New Stanton Park offers an excellent, strategic location, blending an active rail connection with strong private and public transport connectivity. “To finally see the buildings rising out of the ground following years of design and planning is fantastic. We look forward to welcoming many more new tenants to New Stanton Park.”

43 new businesses created in Charnwood incubator programme

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43 new businesses created in Charnwood incubator programme

Hundreds of people have sought help from a Loughborough-based startup incubator – with more than 43 new businesses created as a result.

The latest cohort of local entrepreneurs have now completed the fifth cycle of the programme, which first launched towards the end of the Pandemic.

A total of 460 individuals engaged with Charnwood’s Restocking the Business Base programme to seek initial guidance about setting up a business. That was almost double the 250 queries projected when the programme got underway in March 2021.

Of those emerging startups, 101 went on to receive structured support across five cohorts. A total of 43 new businesses were ultimately founded, creating 48 jobs.

Andy Reed OBE, Chair of the Leicester and Leicestershire Business Board, said: “All economies need productive and innovative small businesses and entrepreneurs.

“Programmes such as Restocking the Business Base help to nurture bright new business ideas, which is so important for local employment and growth.”

LUinc – the Loughborough University incubator – has been supporting graduate startups and research spinouts since 2011. It operates from bases on Loughborough University Science and Enterprise Park (LUSEP) and the Careers and Enterprise Hub in Loughborough town centre.

Restocking the Business Base saw LUinc. partner with the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP) and Charnwood Borough Council to extend its services to founders from outside the campus.

The aim was to develop a new generation of agile Leicestershire businesses.

As well as access to coworking space and other university facilities, members benefited from free weekly meetings, one-to-one coaching, structured training, and roundtable discussions delivered by a range of experienced experts and entrepreneurs.

Pete Hitchings, Incubator Manager, said: “Bringing together businesses from the university and the local area has grown a diverse community of business owners who are really invested in helping one another to succeed.

“We are now seeing businesses from our earlier cohorts grow and begin hiring new employees themselves.”

Sirius Transformation joined LUinc. in the Spring of 2022 after making an initial inquiry through the Careers and Enterprise Hub.

Founded in late 2021 by former 3M employees, James Whyley and Steven Sleath, Sirius is a process improvement consultancy based on its founders’ extensive manufacturing experience. It has gone on to work with a number of private sector clients in the construction, glass-processing and plastics industries.

Earlier this year, Sirius was appointed the Advanced Engineering and Manufacturing Specialist Advisor for a borough in Gloucestershire, assisting businesses on matters including capital investment, strategic planning, connections to subject-matter-experts, and targeted process improvements.

Charnwood Borough Council and Loughborough University have now collaborated to extend their small business incubation partnership for a further 12 months.

Cllr Jewel Miah, Leader of Charnwood Borough Council, said: “It’s great to see so many local startup companies taking advantage of what’s available through this programme.

“As a Council, we’re committed to supporting a thriving local economy; small businesses are central to that and that’s why we are keen to continue supporting them.”

The original three-year project was part-funded with £314,000 from a Covid-19 Recovery Fund, created using Enterprise Zone Retained Business Rates.

The extended programme, running until March 2025, is now accepting applications from local founders.

Construction of 22 new eco-efficient homes begins in Mansfield

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Construction of 22 new eco-efficient homes begins in Mansfield

Contractors drafted in to build new energy-efficient council homes in Mansfield have broken ground on-site.

Once complete, this new-build neighbourhood will consist of 22 properties, including three four-bedroom, eight three-bedroom and nine two-bedroom semi-detached houses. There will also be two two-bedroom detached houses, all of which will be available for council tenants on the housing waiting list. The homes will be the epicentre of the regenerated Bellamy estate, which is also home to a new parade of shops, now built and ready to be let out. Also, a new through road and a newly installed green space are all in the pipeline with building contractor Mercer. Executive Mayor Andy Abrahams said: “As well as building 22 well-designed, energy-efficient family homes, these much-needed houses will enable the council to play its part in tackling climate change and, just as importantly, help our tenants save money with lower electricity and heating bills. “Social value is also hugely important to us, so it is pleasing to see that 88 percent of the people employed on the project are from within 20 miles of Mansfield, against a target of 60 percent. “We want to expand this practice with all our local partners and suppliers to multiply the benefits to our economy, with the aim of seeing money being earned and spent in the Mansfield district.” The Bellamy regeneration scheme has a projected total cost of £7.7 million and is due to be completed next year. The site’s regeneration began more than 18 months ago with the installation of a new play park and a learn-to-cycle track for children. Mercer was appointed to the project via an open tender process with the council’s procurement partner Nottingham City Council, at the time, in July last year, in line with the Public Contract Regulations 2015 for over threshold projects. The council’s in-house architects designed the 22 homes in accordance with the Future Homes Standard, which requires new homes to have low-carbon heating and high energy efficiency, resulting in significantly lower carbon dioxide emissions than properties built to current Building Regulations. Fraser Mercer, Director at Mercer Building Solutions, added: “This is an exciting scheme, and it’s great to see the plots now coming out of the ground as we move into the next phase of our programme. “Our supply chain network is adapting well to the regulatory changes associated with the Future Homes Standard, and we continue to work alongside the council’s architects to implement the designs which go above and beyond present expectations in terms of energy-efficiency for each new property.”

Nottinghamshire engineering group acquires Italian business

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Nottinghamshire engineering group acquires Italian business
Langley Holdings, the engineering and industrial manufacturing group, has acquired GKN Hydrogen from Dowlais Group. Based in Northern Italy, GKN Hydrogen specialises in providing all-in-one clean hydrogen energy management systems and solutions to help achieve net zero emissions targets by generating green hydrogen from renewable energy sources and storing it compactly and loss-free in metal hydride. Nottinghamshire-headquartered Langley Holdings was established in 1975 by the current Chairman and CEO, Tony Langley. The Group operates in three principal areas: Power Solutions, Print Technologies and Other Industrials. Its 18 manufacturing facilities spanning Europe, the UK, and the USA are supported by a global network of more than 100 sales and service subsidiaries and a workforce of over 5,000 people. GKN Hydrogen will be a critical part of the Group’s Power Solutions division, which comprises Norwegian-based Bergen Engines, Italian Marelli Motori, and Piller Group, Europe’s leading producer of critical power conditioning, stabilisation, and backup systems based in Germany. In 2024, the Power Solutions Division will account for approximately half of the Group’s $1.5bn revenues. Anthony Langley, Chairman & CEO, Langley Holdings plc, said: “This acquisition underscores Langley Holdings’ strategic focus on sustainable energy solutions and commitment to a greener future.” David Armitage, corporate partner in the Leeds office of Gateley Legal, led on the deal and was supported by Scott Cooper. David Armitage added: “We are pleased to have acted on this latest strategic acquisition for our client. We were able to act quickly and decisively alongside our client based on our longstanding relationship and history of assisting Langley Holdings in its acquisitive growth.”

East Midlands logistics warehouse sold for £16.8m

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East Midlands logistics warehouse sold for £16.8m
DTZ Investors has completed the sale of an industrial warehouse in Amber Park, South Normanton, to EQT Exeter for £16.8 million. The property is fully let to Alloga UK Limited for a further 1.1 years, providing an opportunity to capture significant reversion at lease expiry. AP3 is one of seven units occupied by Alloga within South Normanton which acts as their central UK distribution hub. Tom Royston, Director at DTZ Investors, said: “We are very pleased to have successfully disposed of this asset. The sale crystalises an exceptionally strong outcome for our client, having held the asset for 15 years. “The divestment of this asset removes the impact of what was a high level of income concentration risk in 2025 due to the upcoming lease expiry and therefore the sale is in accordance with fund strategy.” Will Gubb, Head of Industrial Capital Markets at Knight Frank, said: “This transaction demonstrates the continued strong investor demand for reversionary logistics assets with lease events within the next 12-24 months. “We continue to see good liquidity in this area of the market, with investors remaining bullish on rental growth performance and re-letting prospects.” Knight Frank advised DTZ Investors on the disposal, BNP Paribas represented EQT Exeter on the acquisition.

Profit and revenue drop at building products manufacturer

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Profit and revenue drop at building products manufacturer

Ibstock, the manufacturer of building products and solutions, has seen a dip in profit and revenues.

According to results for the six months ended 30 June 2024, revenues reduced by 20% to £178 million, down from £223 million in the same period of 2023.

The firm said this principally resulted from lower sales volumes across the core business, with lower market demand compounded by exceptionally wet weather.

Statutory profit before tax, meanwhile, dropped to £12 million from £30 million.

Joe Hudson, Chief Executive Officer, said: “Market conditions remained challenging in the first half, as expected, with sales volumes below those reported in the comparative period. We delivered a solid profit performance for the period which reflected our ongoing focus on the active management of cost and margin.

“Lead indicators point to an improving sector picture, and although we are taking a cautious view of the extent to which this will translate into a demand improvement in the balance of the year, we expect adjusted EBITDA for the second half of the 2024 year to be broadly in line with the comparative period in 2023.

“The new government’s commitment to increasing the supply of new homes creates a more positive backdrop for medium term demand, and the Group remains well-positioned for market recovery.

“Our investments over the last few years have added high quality, lower cost, efficient and more sustainable capacity to our network and developed new capabilities for the group in diversified construction markets, while also creating a leaner, more customer-focused business. We believe this will be a powerful combination as market conditions improve.

“The fundamental drivers underpinning demand in our markets are firmly in place and our prospects remain strong, underpinned by our robust balance sheet.”

Contracts exchanged for development of new 100,000ft² facility at Fairham Business Park

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Contracts exchanged for development of new 100,000ft² facility at Fairham Business Park
Contracts have been exchanged with ABB Group for the bespoke development of a new 100,000ft² facility at Fairham Business Park, just on the edge of Nottingham adjoining the A453. Clowes Developments’ Development Director, James Richards, formally announced the news. In a deal agreed by Tim Gilbertson of retained agents FHP Property Consultants, work has already started on site with the property due to be constructed at speed and ready for occupation by ABB in July 2025. The new facility will replace ABB’s current Nottingham base closer to the City Centre and will provide state of the art accommodation for their electrification and automation businesses. James Richards, Development Director at Clowes Developments, said: “We are delighted to welcome ABB to Fairham Business Park. “Their arrival is a great step for the business park and hopefully for ABB as well as we continue to capitalise on Fairham’s unique location, which adjoins the A453 providing quick access to the centre of Nottingham and Junction 24 of the M1 whilst also abutting a tram stop, park and ride and having the benefit of Parkway Station on the other side of the A453 and a location which still sits within minutes access of East Midlands Airport as well as the M1 motorway. “We have further deals to announce shortly at Fairham and once completed, the ABB building will take us to well over half a million square feet built. “Many thanks to Tim Gilbertson at FHP Property Consultants who introduced us to ABB and agreed the deal on our behalf and thank you as well to our joint agents Fisher German.” Tim Gilbertson, Director at FHP Property Consultants, said: “It is a pleasure to work on Fairham Business Park, we have a very capable client and a fabulous location and when combined, these factors are leading us to complete a number of deals on the site with this latest one seeing a further one hundred thousand square feet built bespoke for ABB who will purchase the building upon completion. “The ability to sell as well as rent space on the park really is a massive advantage and in a market where there is still a real lack of stock, we are seeing more and more interest on design and build opportunities so that we can provide bespoke property solutions for occupiers. “I am sure Fairham will continue to go from strength to strength and together with our joint agent, we look forward to announcing further deals shortly.”

Burton pharmaceutical services business makes acquisition

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Burton pharmaceutical services business makes acquisition
Clinigen, a Burton-based specialist pharmaceutical services business, has acquired Kinesys Consulting, a provider of strategic regulatory affairs, regulatory/medical writing, and medical devices services for the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. This strategic acquisition strengthens Clinigen’s ability to offer clients comprehensive high value services across the entire drug development and commercialisation lifecycle. Kinesys adds valuable expertise in regulatory strategy and execution for drugs and medical devices, complementing Clinigen’s existing capabilities in regulatory affairs, pharmacovigilance, medical information, clinical trial services, licensed and unlicensed distribution, managed access, and commercialisation. The Kinesys team of experts will integrate into Clinigen’s Lifecycle Services division. Kinesys also brings a respected scientific and regulatory advisory board, comprised of seasoned industry veterans, including former regulatory agency assessors. Clinigen was advised on the transaction by BDO LLP and Stevens & Bolton LLP, while Ernst and Young LLP and JMW Solicitors LLP acted as financial and legal advisors to Kinesys Consulting. Clinigen CEO Jerome Charton says: “At Clinigen, we’re dedicated to ensuring everyone has access to the treatments they need, and this acquisition unites Clinigen’s commitment to healthcare equity with Kinesys’ specialised expertise, solidifying Clinigen’s position as a life sciences leader. “By combining the expertise of Kinesys with our existing services, Clinigen will be better positioned to achieve our mission of accelerating the development and delivery of life-saving treatments to patients worldwide. This move underscores our commitment to helping our clients navigate the complexities of developing and commercialising drugs and medical devices, bringing innovative therapies to patients faster.” Co-founder of Kinesys Consulting Elaine Murphy says: “At Kinesys, we specialise in guiding clients through the intricacies of regulatory strategy and execution for drugs and medical devices, as well as providing a high-quality medical/regulatory writing service. This strong foundation allows us to support our clients throughout the entire development journey. “By joining Clinigen, we’re excited to offer both our existing clients and Clinigen’s a seamless path from navigating initial regulatory hurdles to achieving successful market access.” Co-founder of Kinesys Consulting Gerry McGettigan says: “Clinigen’s commitment to improving access to crucial treatments for patients across the globe make them the perfect partner to take Kinesys into its next exciting chapter. This partnership unlocks new horizons for Kinesys. “By joining forces with Clinigen, with its leading expertise across the entire drug development landscape, we can create a truly powerful force for accelerating patient access to life-saving treatments on a global scale.” Both Elaine Murphy and Gerry McGettigan will remain within the business to ensure a smooth transition and bring their wealth of expertise to Clinigen’s new Lifecycle Services division.

Former hospital site to be developed with almost 60 homes

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Former hospital site to be developed with almost 60 homes
Work has begun to transform the site of Bolsover’s former hospital into a development of 58 properties for Sheffield-based housing provider Forge New Homes. Work is being done by Lincoln-based Lindum Group, and will provide a mix of three and four-bedroom properties on a 6.5-acre site off Welbeck Road. Freddie Chambers, chairman of Lindum Group, said: “The first phase of work involves segregating and securing the site and then conducting the bulk earthworks to level the land. “We will be installing the first section of drainage and infrastructure before moving on to the construction stage. We plan to hand the homes over in groups of four, with the first properties due for completion in April.” Andy Beattie, MD at Forge New Homes, said: ‘This development marks a momentous day for both Forge and Lindum Group as we join forces to bring affordable houses to Bolsover, a charming Northern town with a bonded community. “We’re excited to bring new life to this historic location, and in the process contribute to the economy with the provision of new jobs as we create a vibrant neighbourhood with much needed family homes.” Nick Atkin, Chief Exec of Yorkshire Housing and Chair of Forge New Homes, added: “This progress is testament to the work Forge has been doing in expanding its offering across the Midlands and Yorkshire. Our strategy is to move forward with much needed new homes for all and I am proud to see this now becoming a reality.” The work is expected to be finished by June 2026.

Businesses to get earlier flood warnings in Charnwood

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Businesses to get earlier flood warnings in Charnwood
Businesses in Charnwood will get earlier warnings of potential flooding thanks to a new service being launched by the Environment Agency. The Agency has installed three upgraded and modernised gauges in Charnwood Borough, and will be fully integrated into existing incident systems, including River Levels Online for public consumption. This development is allowing the Environment Agency to expand its Flood Warning Service to three additional communities, including those impacted last winter, and those still relying on a legacy flood siren system. The flood warning service will go live on August 14, covering the following areas:
  • Barkby Brook at Syston – 481 properties
  • Rearsby Brook at Rearsby – 36 properties
  • Sileby Brook at Sileby – 154 properties
Businesses and residents are encouraged to develop a personal flood plan.  If they receive a flood warning they could be prepared with a bag containing medicines, insurance documents and anything else they wouldn’t want to lose if flooding were to take place. Paul Lockhart, Flood and Coastal Risk Manager for the East Midlands said: “We know how devastating flooding can be and saw last winter the impact of flooding on communities in the East Midlands.  These new flood warnings will help people to get early warnings and know what actions they need to take if there is risk of flooding in their area.” The Environment Agency will be writing to all businesses and residents within the new Flood Warning areas to let them know about the service and how to register. Residents are able to register directly after the service has gone live by calling Floodline on 0345 988 1188

Plan set out to kickstart major development

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Plan set out to kickstart major development
New plans designed to kickstart a major development and generate thousands of new jobs have been revealed. Leicestershire County Council secured planning permission two years ago for the 550-acre Lutterworth East site – a key part of Harborough District Council’s local plan – creating 2,750 new homes, 36 acres of business space, over 100 hectares of green space, including protecting Misterton Marshes, schools and around 5,000 new jobs. Now, with a vastly different landscape of rising construction costs and a stagnant housing market, the council has set out how it will make the scheme a reality:
  • Create the business space first – so companies can move in
  • Develop in phases – and consider options for homes next year
  • Unlock a prime 30-acre development site on the M1 – by removing the unit size limit and marketing the site
  • Invest in infrastructure – creating site access, delivering major M1 J20 improvements and contributing to Gibbet roundabout improvements
  • Market the 6-acre Swift Valley Business Park – to create jobs
  • Work with Harborough District Council – to review the right level of affordable homes in the current market conditions
Timescales are dependent on planning decisions but it’s hoped to find a developer to create the distribution site later this year, with work hoped to start in 2026. Decisions about how best to develop the homes element will be considered next year. Councillor Lee Breckon, cabinet member for finance and corporate resources, said: “The world has changed, with Covid, inflation and rising construction prices almost doubling the infrastructure cost of this project. “Across the country, inflation costs are putting schemes under water but we’re determined to find the best way to generate jobs and much-needed homes. “This is a complex project. We’ve thought long and hard about next steps and independent assessments show that phasing development and sales to ensure a financial return is the best approach. “We need to be shrewd and that’s why we’re focused on making it financially viable and attractive to developers, reducing the risk to Council Tax payers.” Harborough District Council’s ‘local plan’ sets out how land is used and what is built where and both councils are working together on next steps. Lee Breckon added: “The housing landscape has radically shifted but we’re committed to working with the district council to ensure the local plan is delivered.” Applications are being submitted to Harborough District Council proposing to remove the unit size limit for the distribution site, and a reduction in affordable housing.

Keynote speaker revealed for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2024

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Keynote speaker revealed for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2024
The keynote speaker for this year’s East Midlands Bricks Awards, taking place on Thursday 3rd October, at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, can now be revealed. Paul Southby is a partner at Geldards LLP, chair of the Advisory Board to Nottingham Business School, chair of Broadway independent cinema in Nottingham’s Lace Market, and a longstanding trustee of environmental charity Clean Rivers Trust. He is chair of Nottingham Partners, a group of businesses that supports the work of the local inward investment agency, Invest in Nottingham, and a board member and past chair of Marketing Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Limited. Paul is also a former High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire (2022/23). Paul shared: “The East Midlands development and property community faces an exciting time ahead with a new government in place and the advent of a new East Midlands Combined County Authority under the leadership of the first Mayor of the East Midlands. “As we step into this new political and economic phase, the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2024 is a great opportunity to look back on our past successes, to reflect on where we are as a region, to consider what needs fixing, and – looking forward – to emphasise our region’s strengths as a strong investment location.” Celebrating the property and construction industry, the East Midlands Bricks Awards showcase the outstanding work of those shaping the landscape of our region, recognising development projects and people in commercial and public building – from offices, industrial and residential, through to community projects such as leisure schemes, schools and public spaces. We also highlight the work of architects, agencies and those behind large schemes. Nominations are OPEN for East Midlands Business Link’s annual Bricks Awards. To nominate your (or another) business/development for one of our awards, please click on a category link below or visit this page.

Nominations end Thursday 5th September

Tickets can now be booked for the 2024 awards event, click here to secure yours. Taking place in the Derek Randall Suite at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground on Thursday 3rd October, from 4:30pm – 7:30pm, connect with local decision makers over nibbles and complimentary drinks while applauding the outstanding companies and projects in our region. Dress code is standard business attire. Thanks to our sponsors:      

     
     
 

To be held at:

HMRC gets tougher on R&D claims

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HMRC gets tougher on R&D claims
HMRC’s annual report suggests that the tax authority is getting much tougher on historic R&D tax relief claims it suspects may be incorrect or fraudulent.

The new statistics show that the tax under consideration in R&D investigations being carried out by HMRC’s Wealthy and Mid-sized Business Compliance Directorate has doubled over the past year to reach £641m in 2023/24.

Over the last few years, there has been increasing concern about the level of fraud and error in R&D claims. Last year, HMRC published a new analysis of R&D claims in 2020-21 which estimated that almost a quarter (24.4%) of claims by value in the SME scheme and 3.6% of claims in the RDEC scheme were either incorrect or fraudulent – with a combined cost to the Exchequer of an estimated £1.13bn.

While the new report shows the estimated level of “error and fraud” in claims for 2022/23 is almost unchanged, HMRC estimates that its policy and operational measures in 2023/24 – notably the introduction of the Additional Information Form – will have reduced the overall level of error and fraud in claims to 7.8% overall (down from 13.3% in 2022/23).

Commenting on the report, Carrie Rutland, Innovations Incentives partner at accountancy and business advisory firm BDO, said: “We’ve been aware of an increase in HMRC activity in relation to historic R&D claims. Buried in the detail of today’s report are clear signs that the tax authority is getting much tougher when it comes to investigating past claims it thinks were wrong or fraudulent. “In our view, the published increases in tax under consideration must equate to a lot more R&D investigations.

“With an increase in targeted HMRC activity, many businesses may find they are subject to an enquiry triggering a large clawback in R&D tax credits. Many will require specialist advice to ensure their claims, both historic and current, are watertight.”

Tanker hire business takes open storage land in prime location

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Tanker hire business takes open storage land in prime location
A HGV tanker hire business has taken more open storage land in a prime location to grow the already successful business. WG Tankers, which has a strong presence on Woodyard Lane, Foston, is taking further space nearby at Heath Top on the former RAF Church Broughton runway. William Speed of Salloway Property Consultants, who negotiated the deal to WG Tankers on behalf of a private client, was very pleased with the result of his brief marketing campaign.  “The demand for open storage land has increased dramatically over the past couple of years, so it isn’t surprising to see that when an opportunity like this presents itself there are high levels of interest. “The site comprised over 5 acres of open storage located on a former poultry farm in Foston, extremely well located for accessing the A50 dual carriageway and in turn Derby, Stoke and the M1 and M6 motorways. It will provide WG Tankers with the perfect opportunity to increase their storage provisions and offerings for customers.” Ian Buxton, Director of WG Tankers, added: “It was great to be able to find more space so close to our existing site on Woodyard Lane. This new site gives us the opportunity to consolidate a number of storage facilities and improve our offering and accessibility to customers throughout the UK. “It can be very difficult to find suitable open storage land in the current market so we had to jump on the opportunity when it presented itself!” William Speed added: “WG Tankers’ desire for the site really emphasised the lack of suitable open storage land on the market currently. With the majority of sites being developed on, open storage sites are becoming rarer and rarer. “Former poultry farms make great sites for open storage space and more often than not provide level, hard surfaced land in an accessible location. If anyone is considering selling or letting their site, poultry related or not, please contact me at Salloway Property Consultants as I would be delighted to help.”

Profits and revenue decline at Travis Perkins in challenging trading conditions

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Profits and revenue decline at Travis Perkins in challenging trading conditions
Builders’ merchant Travis Perkins has battled through a challenging first half of the year, with profits and revenue declining. For the six months ended 30 June 2024, the business delivered revenue of £2.3bn, down 4.4% versus the same period of the prior year. The decrease in revenue was driven by the firm’s Merchanting segment which experienced a combination of activity across the construction sector remaining subdued and significant price deflation, predominantly on commodity products. Adjusted operating profit of £75m, meanwhile, was £37m lower than the first half of 2023. Moreover, adjusting items of £32m recognised in the first half resulted in statutory operating profit of £38m, down from £107m. Nick Roberts, Chief Executive Officer, said: “Trading conditions have remained challenging through the first half of the year and we have continued to prioritise delivering for our customers whilst also recognising that a persistently lower volume environment means that we have to deliver a simpler, more efficient business. “Whilst market conditions have impacted on our trading margin, we have made good progress on managing our overhead base and generating cash. “With a new government quickly setting out its plans to reform planning to deliver more housing and infrastructure, and the expectation of an easing in macroeconomic conditions, the Group is focused on ensuring that it is well placed to maximise the benefits from both a future recovery in demand and the long term requirement for the UK to expand and decarbonise its housing stock.”

Deals in Derby city centre support high street vibrancy

Tess Egginton
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Deals in Derby city centre support high street vibrancy
Commercial property consultancy OMEETO has completed a series of lettings in Derby city centre’s Cathedral Quarter and St Peters Quarter business improvement districts – supporting the resurgence of the area and particularly the progress of the Becketwell regeneration area. The deals have been completed by surveyor Ruby Scott-Mullen. Recent lettings include an off-market deal to wine expert, Chris Barlow, who has realised a long-held ambition and opened a new wine bar and tasting rooms. Wine Stories recently had their opening launch weekend at 5-6 Strand Arcade. Mr Barlow said: “This wonderful building in the heart of the Cathedral Quarter is the perfect place for Wine Stories and it is great to see this area buzzing again. “This has been a dream of mine for many years and I am loving it. I am so grateful to Ruby at OMEETO for going the extra mile to help us secure the property. “The feedback so far from our customers has been amazing and the whole Sadler Gate and Strand Arcade business community have been incredibly welcoming and supportive.” Other lettings include a prominent retail unit on the corner of Sadler Gate and The Strand.  The former Eye Gallery opticians is now due to be re-opened as a convenience store. A street-facing unit at the historic Royal Buildings in Victoria Street has been let to AK Tattoos and the leases on two retail units in Babington Lane have also been completed. Miss Scott-Mullen explained: “Although we work across Derbyshire and the East Midlands, we are definitely seeing an increase in activity in Derby city centre which is long overdue. “Enquiries for commercial property leases have been steadily rising in recent months and feedback is that the progress on the Becketwell Regeneration area and particularly the pending opening of the new 3,500 capacity performance venue has been the catalyst for the surge in interest. “I look forward to carry on working with all my clients to market new instructions and bring more new businesses to the city.”

Board launched to be voice of business across the region

Tess Egginton
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Board launched to be voice of business across the region
Representatives from across the East Midlands are being sought to help strengthen the connection between East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) and local businesses. EMCCA’s Business Advisory Board will provide strategy, advice and guidance to the main EMCCA Board, chaired by Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward and EMCCA’s committees. It will help ensure the experience and knowledge of regional businesses is harnessed when making decisions around the economy, skills, transport, housing and the transition to net-zero. David Williams, Chairman of Geldards, one of the UK’s leading law firms and business representative on the EMCCA Board will chair the new Business Advisory Board. David Williams, Chair of the Business Advisory Board, said: “I’m committed to raising the economic prosperity of our region and through this board we will build a strong partnership between the public and private sector and ensure that the benefits of devolution can be realised across the region. We need experienced individuals to join the board who are willing to share their insights to help guide the work of the new combined county authority.” Mayor Claire Ward said: “It is vital that we bring together representatives from across the business community to help shape the future direction of the East Midlands. Our region is home to a huge range of businesses from global manufacturers through to small high street retailers and through this board we can shape policies and support programmes that will drive growth across our region.” EMCCA’s Business Advisory Board will include 16 members, including representatives from the private and public sector and East Midlands Chamber of Commerce. Private sector representatives will include experts from large businesses, small and medium enterprises and sectors with a significant chance of attracting further investment. Members of the Board will be expected to have a good understanding of the East Midlands region and the business sectors that operate within it, experience of leadership roles in business and understand the challenges faced by businesses. The Business Advisory Board will meet four times during each financial year.

New report sets out plan to transform high streets across the East Midlands

Tess Egginton
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New report sets out plan to transform high streets across the East Midlands
A package of new measures has been unveiled to help transform life for small businesses on East Midlands’ ever-evolving high streets, in a major new report by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). Supporting pop-ups and temporary use initiatives for new businesses, creating mobile phone-based loyalty programmes and providing accessible public toilets are some of the recommendations aimed at local government to help the East Midlands’ small firms thrive and grow. The Future of the High Street report calls for local authorities to create a specialised fund to support pop-ups, markets, and temporary use initiatives for first-time businesses to encourage new ventures and help them set up on the high street. A total of 39 per cent of high street small businesses across the UK say the availability of affordable commercial space is important for the future of an area. Ensuring temporary spaces are available will not only help fill vacant sites but also provide opportunities for small firms eager to launch on the high street. The report, which features in-depth analysis following a large-scale survey of small businesses, also suggests a specialised fund to support a mobile phone-based loyalty programme for high street firms and launching community-specific online marketplaces to showcase local shops and services. The research highlights the need for well-maintained and accessible modern public toilets and family-friendly services like creche facilities on our high streets, encouraging visitors to stay longer, upping footfall and supporting the local economy. Jennifer Thomas, Development Manager for FSB, said: “It’s important that small firms across the East Midlands are provided with the right environment, infrastructure and flexibility to be successful – and in turn help grow their local economy. “From the core high street issues of business rates, parking and transport to more innovative asks, this report sets out a raft of recommendations to try to revive our town and city centres and ensure our small businesses are well supported. “Local authorities can play a pivotal role in improving the experience of a high street, encouraging more people to visit, shop and invest there, and we look forward to working closely with them. “Our high streets have been through many changes and will continue to evolve – and that’s why it’s so important that the small businesses at their heart are well-equipped for the future.” The survey found local businesses in the East Midlands saw a range of closures on their local high street since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, including: retail stores (70%), hospitality (64%), banks (62%), post offices (21%), entertainment venues (20%). Within the report FSB is calling for a band of on-site high street chiefs responsible for the growth and wellbeing of high streets across the country, creating promotion plans and monitoring vacant units within their area. They would work with local businesses, landlords, BID managers and community groups to help encourage growth in the area, as well as lead a Vacancy Taskforce, monitoring commercial properties. Business rates remain a huge burden on high street small businesses, with the current Small Business Rate Relief (SBRR) a key part of their survival. The research found 36% of high street small businesses in the East Midlands say they would not survive without SBRR. To help small firms to grow further, the SBRR threshold should be increased from £12,000 of rateable value to £25,000. Good transport links are important for the future of the high street, according to 47% of small businesses in the East Midlands. The report calls for a high street hop scheme providing free bus fares on key routes during peak shopping days to help increase footfall and support local businesses. 43% of high street small businesses in the East Midlands say parking facilities are managed poorly on their local high street. Offering free parking on at least two Saturdays plus two additional days a month, would increase footfall and support local businesses by making high streets more accessible.
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