Land lease helps Northamptonshire County Cricket Club take first steps towards new facility

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Land lease helps Northamptonshire County Cricket Club take first steps towards new facility
West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) has agreed to lease land to Northamptonshire County Cricket Club (NCCC) as it looks to deliver a brand-new cricket facility in Northampton. At a cabinet meeting on Tuesday (13 February), councillors approved plans for a 125-year lease for land at New Manor Farm, Moulton to NCCC, which will enable the club to take a step forward in consulting with residents around the further progress of proposals to deliver a second site. Those proposals will be tested through the planning process and local licensing regimes, which will be subject to the usual consultation processes. Ray Payne, NCCC Chief Executive, said: “This is an exciting milestone in a project that we’ve been working on for some time. “There’s so much growth happening for cricket in the county, particularly in the women’s game and disability cricket, and over the last few years this has significantly increased pressure on our existing facilities. “We cannot play any more games at The County Ground than we do currently, so it makes sense for us to investigate the idea of an additional venue, which the site at Moulton offers.” The plans are for a permanent capacity of 2,000 and while the illustrative plans from NCCC show temporary stands which would substantially increase the capacity, this could only happen with the permission of the local authority and is not part of the lease agreement considered by WNC’s Cabinet. The new venue would become a home for the development of women’s and girls’ cricket of all formats, including softball festivals, junior leagues and provide a consistent venue for pathway cricket. There are no plans to move the professional men’s setup or club offices away from The County Ground, a venue Northamptonshire County Cricket Club has called home since 1886. Cllr Adam Brown, Deputy Leader of West Northamptonshire Council and Cabinet Member for Housing, Culture and Leisure, said: “We are pleased to have agreed to lease this land to NCCC so that they can begin the process of making this opportunity a reality. “This is an exciting step forward in their plans to deliver a first-class facility in West Northamptonshire and supports the council’s commitment to providing accessible health and wellbeing facilities in local communities. “These proposals will ensure cricket, as the primary use, continues to be an important element in the Northamptonshire calendar, providing high-quality training opportunities as well as improved walking routes throughout the local area and will follow thorough consultation and discussion with residents.” Gavin Warren, NCCC Chairman, said: “We’re proud that prudent governance and commercial growth of the club have helped us to achieve an enviable level of financial security. “Now we need to ensure that we invest in our facilities so we can increase opportunities for everyone to play and expand the club’s reach into communities across Northamptonshire and surrounding counties.”

G F Tomlinson partners with Derby clothing bank for new year support

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G F Tomlinson partners with Derby clothing bank for new year support

Midlands-based contractor, G F Tomlinson, has linked up with the Hope Store Charity in Derby to support the local community with essential items.

The Hope Store – part of the Hope Centre food bank in Derby – seeks to provide clothing, toiletries, and kitchen equipment to those in crisis, alongside supporting with food donations and hot meals at its premises on Curzon Street.

The organisation currently serves approximately 30 customers per week, including young and elderly, refugees, asylum seekers, low-income families and single parents living in poverty or fleeing domestic violence.

Those in need of items are able to book an appointment and pick up a Hope Store voucher from a number of agencies within Derby, where they can access the donation services on a quarterly basis.

Since October 2023, G F Tomlinson has been organising a clothing and kitchenware collection at its offices and installed six donation containers across its Building and Group offices to enable employees to drop off items with ease.

A substantial amount of quality donations were received, which included essential clothing, shoes, saucepans, cutlery and crockery.

Adrian Grocock, Managing Director of G F Tomlinson, said: “Giving back to our local community is incredibly important to us as a business, and the Hope Store charity works hard to make a positive difference to the lives of so many in the area.

“Its services provide essential items to vulnerable people from all backgrounds, at a time when the cost-of-living crisis is making it very difficult for many to meet basic needs. We hope our donation can make a small contribution towards the important work that the Hope Store does for so many people in need.”

Denise Hawley, Manager of The Hope Store, said: “We would like to thank G F Tomlinson for the abundance of donations we have received. Their generosity will help improve the lives of those in the local community tremendously. We are extremely grateful for their support.”

AO World saves 73 jobs with A1 Comms acquisition

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AO World saves 73 jobs with A1 Comms acquisition
AO World, the electricals retailer, has swooped for A1 Comms, saving 73 jobs, following the Derbyshire mobile phone and communication solution provider’s fall into administration.

AO World has acquired certain assets of A1 Comms Limited, principally the intellectual property rights in and to the websites.

The consideration for these assets was £2.2m paid in cash.

A statement from AO says: “As AO seeks to expand its mobile proposition, the acquisition of the brands and platforms will provide AO with expertise and synergies that will accelerate this ambition. AO is also pleased to have saved 73 jobs through the transaction.”

International freight company joins Space Park Leicester

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International freight company joins Space Park Leicester
An international freight company with a long-standing involvement in space tech logistics has joined Space Park Leicester. Founded in June 1972 in central Leicester by brothers Martyn, Stuart, and Chris Burrell, Pinnacle International Freight Ltd has grown into a globally recognised logistics solutions provider with bases in the UK and USA, along with a long-established network of global partners. Pinnacle has supported the University of Leicester Space Research Centre in transporting components for various projects, showing a commitment to the region’s space sector. Gavin Newman, operations director, said: “Pinnacle has been involved in Space tech logistics for many years, supporting the University of Leicester Space Research Centre with global movement of components for lots of exciting projects, including Swift X-Ray telescope, Catsat soft X-Ray Spectrometer, AstroSat India and the hugely complex delivery of MIRI for James Webb Telescope to NASA. “We are proud of our Leicester heritage and the development of Space City Leicester. Joining Space Park Leicester aligns with our goal to support and encourage international businesses to base their operations alongside this unique and innovative community.” Vinay Patel, Head of Commercial and Innovation at Space Park Leicester, said: “With over 50 years of international trade experience, the company will provide advice, guidance, and support for international trade and worldwide logistics within the Space City ecosystem. “Their on-site presence will give Space Park Leicester an ongoing resource for day-to-day advice and operations as a logistics services provider, including customs matters and project management. “Being part of the Space City ecosystem is a significant milestone for Pinnacle, marking a new chapter in the company’s history. “Their long-standing relationship with the University of Leicester Space Research Centre and Space Park Leicester demonstrates a deep understanding of the importance of the work carried out here, our role as a customs site operator for East Midlands Freeport and the broader Space Tech industry.” Gavin added: “This development strengthens our collaboration and demonstrates our commitment to being an integral part of the long-term, global space sector expansion. Our extensive experience ideally places us as a central point of advice and supply chain support, allowing scientists, researchers, and businesses to focus on their objectives. “We are proud to extend our heritage to being part of the Space City and its global reputation.”

NET gives back to Nottingham community groups, raising over £11,500

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NET gives back to Nottingham community groups, raising over £11,500
Nottingham Express Transit (NET) has completed a successful 12 months of support for local community groups, charities and initiatives, with a total of £11,573 in funds raised.
Over the course of the year, key partnerships included support for Aspley Food Bank, which saw the team donate food and household essentials on a monthly basis, while NET staff volunteered at the food bank over the Christmas period. In 2024, the team will be taking the partnership further, with both monetary and community commitments set to continue throughout the year.
Meanwhile, 2023 saw NET further develop its longstanding partnership with Nottingham community support group, The Pythian Club, by continuing its work alongside the club to support the city’s youth. This included joint ventures to local schools to educate on tram safety and anti-social behaviour, as well as raising £4,500 for the Club and its initiatives.
Other fundraising contributions were made throughout 2023 for local community charities such as Nottingham Central Women’s Aid and Framework. Here, NET participated in a charity golf day, hosted by Rothera Bray, which raised £5,902. Alongside these wider company campaigns, NET staff were encouraged to support their own personal fundraising initiatives during 2023, all of which were fund matched by NET.
Becki Horne, business engagement manager at NET, said: “We’re aware of our position as one of Nottingham’s fundamental infrastructure businesses and therefore how we can help the people of Nottingham with more than just their travel needs.
“We’ve had a fantastic year of support and fundraising which has seen us partner with some brilliant local causes like The Pythian Club, Aspley Food Bank and Nottingham Central Women’s Aid who work hard to offer care and support to so many across the city.
“At a time when charities all across the UK are really feeling the pinch more than ever before, we remain committed to supporting the many charities and causes across the city that do such fantastic work helping those who need it most. Looking ahead to 2024, we’re looking forward to taking our efforts even further, and helping even more Nottinghamshire charities, community groups and local initiatives.”
Last year also saw NET partner with visual communication experts Widgit, to provide newly enhanced travel aids on trams for those that may need additional support when travelling. Last year, the aids helped a group of special needs passengers easily travel to Nottingham’s Christmas Market, a trip that would not have been possible otherwise. Meanwhile Widgits’ digital aid has been downloaded over 1,000 times to date.
Becki added: “In addition to support for the community through working with local causes, we’re also really passionate about seeing what we can do ourselves to ensure we’re supporting as many of our passengers as possible. The introduction of our Widgit travel guides last year was a key part of that, ensuring that as many people as possible were able to travel around the city for days out, work, study and more.”

UK falls into technical recession

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UK falls into technical recession
Newly released figures show the UK economy entered a technical recession as 2023 ended – defined by two consecutive periods in which the economy contracts. UK GDP (gross domestic product) figures, a key measure of economy growth, show the economy contracted by 0.3% in the final three months of 2023, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). This is a slightly bigger fall than predicted by economists and follows a 0.1% shrink in the period from July to September. The fall mirrors weakness seen across all three major sectors of the economy, with services output falling 0.2% quarter-on-quarter, construction output falling 1.3%, and production falling 1% quarter-on-quarter. The technical recession is, however, expected to be shallow and short lived. Anna Leach, deputy chief economist, CBI, said: “December’s GDP number suggests that the UK narrowly fell into a technical recession in the second half of the year. This brings to a close a pretty stagnant year for UK economic growth. “The CBI’s most recent surveys suggest this year has started better than last year ended, with expectations for services and manufacturing in positive territory and the drag from higher interest rates expected to diminish. “Better-than-expected real earnings growth will support consumers against the headwind of higher interest rates. But firms remain under pressure from higher borrowing costs, higher prices, weak demand and ongoing challenges recruiting the workers they need to grow and invest. “There are multiple growth opportunities across the UK economy this year. As we head towards the Budget in March, we’re looking for action to support labour market participation and investment so that opportunities in high-growth industries like net zero can be fully realised.”

Nottingham’s Phenna Group makes eighth Australian acquisition

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Nottingham’s Phenna Group makes eighth Australian acquisition
Nottingham-headquartered Phenna Group, which aims to invest in and partner with selected niche, independent Testing, Inspection, Certification and Compliance (TICC) companies, has made its eighth Australian acquisition. The deal continues Phenna Group’s growth in the region, whilst augmenting its entry into the building certification market. Modern Building Consultants (MBC Group) is a building surveyor consultancy with capability in the retail, industrial, government, education, health and aged care sectors. Founded in 2013 by Heath McNab and joined by Joel Lewis in 2018, MBC Group has a team of experienced specialist consultants based in NSW that also service the ACT, Queensland and Victoria. Heath McNab and Joel Lewis, MBC Group Directors, said: “We are genuinely excited to be joining Phenna Group. This was clearly a very important strategic decision for our business. “From our first engagement with the Phenna Group team, it became obvious that their commitment and focus to the continued growth of our business and their differentiated business model was the perfect fit for MBC Group. “We believe we have a strong future together and look forward to working with Paul, Brett and their teams to grow our business and capabilities.” Brett Coleman, Divisional MD, Australia, said: “It is very exciting to welcome Heath, Joel and their team to Phenna Group. Over the past ten years they have built a very strong business with an enviable reputation for technical capability within the Australian building certification market. I look forward to working with them to continue their growth.” Paul Barry, Group CEO of Phenna Group, added: “I am delighted to welcome Heath, Joel and their team to Phenna Group. The addition of MBC Group supports our fast-growing certification and compliance operations in Australia. “Their experienced team and extensive capability provide a strong base to grow our certification and compliance business. I look forward to working with Brett, and the MBC Group team to continue their exciting journey.” Phenna Group were advised by Macpherson Kelley and Pitchers Partners. MBC Group were advised by Red Swan Partners, RSM and Holding Redlich.

New leadership for engineering consultancy BWB

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New leadership for engineering consultancy BWB
Nottingham-headquartered engineering consultancy BWB will grow under new leadership with the appointment of Graham Sant as Chief Executive. Graham, who joined the company’s board three years ago, takes over from long-running CEO Steve Wooler, who has led BWB since a management buy-out in 2008 and will stay on as a non-executive director. Graham said: “I joined BWB because it stood out as something almost unique – a consultancy of national standing that has a refreshingly agile and entrepreneurial approach, and a team of people who combine experience and intense professionalism with real ingenuity and client focus. “They’re passionate about creating places which work for everyone while preserving our planet in the process. It’s a guiding principle for them. “My remit has been to help the business build on that culture to grow the number of large, high-value projects that we are delivering on behalf of clients, and I’m delighted to be taking over the reins from Steve at a time when BWB is doing significantly more large-scale work.” Major projects BWB has delivered include SEGRO’s strategic railfreight interchange at Radlett, the BBC’s new West Midlands headquarters in Birmingham, the Hinckley national railfreight interchange with Tritax Symmetry and National Highways’ major improvement scheme on the M621 in Yorkshire. Graham added: “Steve has done an incredible job leading BWB. It has navigated the financial crisis, Brexit and the pandemic, but it has grown significantly, and delivered landmarks that embody sustainable design. It has also become established as an employer of choice and recognised as the best large consultancy by the Association for Consultancy and Engineering.”
Reflecting on his time leading BWB, Steve Wooler added: “In many ways, BWB has been my life’s work professionally, and while I’m stepping down as CEO I am definitely not stepping away from a business I’m passionate about. “I was BWB’s 18th employee in a small office in Nottingham, and have seen it evolve from a single-discipline small consultancy to a national multi-disciplinary business which delivers for blue chip clients from offices across the UK. “There is so much more that we can still achieve and I’m absolutely confident that with Graham at the helm of a brilliant team we have an exciting journey ahead of us.”

Business leaders join Nimbus Disability’s board

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Business leaders join Nimbus Disability’s board
Nimbus Disability, the Derby-based social enterprise run by disabled people for disabled people, has appointed two new non-executive directors. Lisa Sturley and David Gordon will join the established board which oversees the organisation’s operations including the award-winning Access Card which simplifies and improves disabled people’s access to a wide range of venues and events. Lisa Sturley has more than 30 years’ experience in financial services including roles at RBS and Credit Suisse. She is currently head of market intervention, insurance at the Financial Conduct Authority – supervising retail and wholesale general insurance providers and intermediaries, life insurers and funeral plan providers. She is also an experienced school governor – supporting schools which ‘require improvement’ and building governance frameworks to support and challenge leadership. Lisa said: “This is a great opportunity to support Nimbus Disability as they continue their work to break down the barriers faced by disabled people who are seeking fair access to venues and experiences. “I am proud to be part of the organisation and look forward to providing strategic oversight, working with the Nimbus Disability team to identify future opportunities to improve the lives of disabled people and supporting the team as it expands.” David Gordon, who is associate professor of marketing at the De Montfort University’s Leicester Castle Business School, has also joined the Nimbus Disability board – bringing a wealth of business knowledge and lived experience as a wheelchair user.
David Gordon
He said: “As a full-time wheelchair user, I face the challenges of access in my daily life and can guide and advise Nimbus Disability from both a commercial, academic, and lived experience perspective.” Martin Austin MBE is the founder and managing director of Nimbus Disability. He said: “Since gaining The Queen’s Award for Innovation, we have grown rapidly both in terms of colleagues and in the volume of disabled people who hold the Access Card. “Strong governance is key for social enterprises such as ourselves whose ultimate aim is to provide a high quality service that generates profits for the benefit of charitable causes – in our case Disability Direct. “We regard ourselves fortunate to continue to attract highly experienced and knowledgeable non-executive directors to provide guidance, governance and to be our critical friend. We look forward to welcoming Lisa and David to our board in the coming weeks.”

Footwear wholesaler accelerates growth following seven-figure funding package

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Footwear wholesaler accelerates growth following seven-figure funding package
A Leicestershire-based footwear wholesaler is accelerating its growth in international and domestic markets following a seven-figure funding package. T&A Holdings, whose subsidiaries include T&A Footwear Limited and Heavenly Feet Limited, will use an international trade finance package from HSBC UK to support their global growth. T&A Footwear Limited specialises in designing, manufacturing, and supplying footwear to major retailers like Sainsbury’s, George at ASDA, and Clarks. Meanwhile, Heavenly Feet Limited focuses on designing and supplying its own brand, Heavenly Feet, to a network of over 300 independent retailers, along with partnerships with prominent retailers such as Next, JD Williams, and Shoe Zone. T&A Holdings works closely with manufacturers across the Far East, including China and Vietnam. Funding from HSBC UK will enable the company to source and purchase plant-based materials as the company invests in designing and manufacturing recyclable footwear. David Markham, financial director at T&A Holdings, said: “This funding from HSBC UK provides an exciting opportunity for us to explore sustainable production opportunities within Asia and bring our products to new and existing customers worldwide.”

Chirag Makwana, relationship manager at HSBC UK, added: “T&A Footwear and Heavenly Feet are long-established wholesalers and retailers of footwear in the UK. As interest in sustainable fashion continues to increase, we’re excited and delighted to support with boosting growth for both companies internationally.”

Dunelm Group delivers “strong performance”

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Dunelm Group delivers “strong performance”

Dunelm Group, the Leicester-headquartered homewares retailer, has hailed a “strong performance” in its interim results for the 26 weeks to 30 December 2023.

The company reported sales growth of 4.5%, with total sales increasing to £872m, up from £835m in the same period of the year prior. Profit before tax, meanwhile, increased by 4.8% to £123m, growing from £117m.

Nick Wilkinson, Chief Executive Officer, said: “In the past six months we have kept our customers front of mind, ensuring our broad offer has value at its core whilst also expanding our ranges, introducing new styles, and improving the experience across our store and digital channels.

“This has been particularly important in a more difficult trading environment and has resulted in another strong sales performance combined with market share gains. Despite ongoing pressures on consumers, we are encouraged by the wide variety of new customers shopping with Dunelm, and existing shoppers also coming back more frequently.

“Alongside the positive sales performance we have delivered a very strong gross margin, which is testament to our tight operational control and the inherent strength of our business model.

“As we move towards Spring and customers look to freshen up their homes, our specialist proposition continues to resonate strongly and, in a dynamic retail environment, we are relentlessly focused on evolving and investing in our business to ensure we remain relevant to further increase our broad appeal.

“We have never been more excited about our future as we build trust in our offer and identity as the Home of Homes.”

Woo the media on Valentine’s and all year-round: By Greg Simpson, founder of Press for Attention PR

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Woo the media on Valentine’s and all year-round: By Greg Simpson, founder of Press for Attention PR
Greg Simpson, founder of Press for Attention PR, helps you get the media to fall in love with you.

Roses are red, 

Violets are blue

The media craves experts

Might the next one be you?

 

Because here is the truth

When it comes to the press

It’s not about budgets

That’s not how you impress

 

Imagine a journalist,

Locked in their tower

As the deadline ticks down

Slowly, hour by hour

 

And yet they still lack

That nugget, that quote

To enliven their copy

On that, they will dote

 

Because too many times

When they open a pitch

It’s a glorified advert

I’m sorry to bitch

 

But it’s true, coz I’ve been there

I’ve seen it and done it

Folk send in their “stories”

There’s no way they will run it

 

Yet there’s always that hope

That in amongst all the waste

Is a beautiful gem

They can copy and paste

 

Full of insight, and wisdom

Knowledge and skill

The work of a lifetime

Broken down and distilled

 

To a couple of sentences

Sometimes much more

That sheds light on a topic

Like never before

 

For that they will thank you

Be you butcher or baker

Dentist or broker

Or candlestick maker

 

For you are the expert

That means you have the clout

To transform your marketing

Of that there’s no doubt

 

The challenge for you 

On this Valentine’s Day

Is to drop them a line

When the chance comes your way

  So, apart from poems of questionable quality, how do you make the media fall in love with you? There’s no need for incantations and you will be pleased to see that neither eye of newt nor toe of frog are on your shopping list. However, we are going to weave something of a spell here as we aim to at least get you a date with your target media. By the end of it, you might even be holding hands. OOOOOOhhhhhh. All too often when people chat to me at events, they seem keen to find ‘sneaky ways’ to get the press to cover them. Almost like they are trying to get away with being covered by them before they are rumbled! A bit like online dating but using a VERY old photo or perhaps exaggerating some of your ‘achievements’ in the hope that they will pique interest. The problem is, this strategy will only work in the short-term before you are rumbled, if indeed it works at all. Are we in a relationship? I want you to be more mature about what you want from each other in any potential media relationship. I want you to think about what you BOTH bring to the party. It shouldn’t just be about you getting media coverage, it should be about them getting a great story so they can sell more copies or clicks. It is a win/win for both of you. I want you to start looking for a relationship where you are perfect for one another. The problem is, although it is perfectly possible to DIY when it comes to PR, too many people are focused on What’s In It For Me? To be really good at the PR game, you need to think about What’s In It For Us? You need to find the right media partner, the perfect fit for your business, not your ego. You need to find common ground where you and the journalist are greater than the sum of your parts. You need to add some Valentine’s Value. If you work with this approach, you will soon start to find that you are doing less of the chasing and the media suitors are actually flocking to you for a date. Valentine’s Day was originally a celebration of the coming of spring. If you start to work with my approach you will soon find your PR and marketing campaign is blooming marvellous. Or you could just send them flowers, it’s a start.   A former business journalist, Greg Simpson is the author of The Small Business Guide to PR and has been recognised as one of the UK’s top 5 PR consultants, having set up Press for Attention PR in 2008. He has worked for FTSE 100 firms, charities and start-ups and conducted press conferences with Sir Richard Branson and James Caan. His background ensures a deep understanding of every facet of a successful PR campaign – from a journalist’s, client’s, and consultant’s perspective. See this article in the February issue of East Midlands Business Link Magazine here.

Demand for Mercia Marina places high after planning permission is confirmed

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Demand for Mercia Marina places high after planning permission is confirmed
The UK’s largest inland marina reports high demand for a new £6 million mixed used development for which planning permission was recently confirmed. Councillors at South Derbyshire District Council approved the plans for the Mercia Marina development, known as the Promenade, last March – but have now formally green-lit the scheme, paving the way for construction to start. The Promenade will house 14 apartments above seven ground floor retail units. Made from glass, stone and timber, the building will mirror two similar developments, which have been created at the 77-acre site, near Willington, over the past decade – the Boardwalk and Piazza. Mercia Marina has grown from a former fishing lake in a gravel pit to becoming one of the leading leisure and tourism businesses in the East Midlands, supporting more than 300 jobs directly, and many more indirectly. It has moorings for more than 600 narrowboats, as well as housing dozens of holiday lodges.

Chesterfield businesses expand into new spaces at Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre

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Chesterfield businesses expand into new spaces at Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre

Two Chesterfield-based companies have expanded into larger offices at the Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre after growing their businesses over the last year.

We Are Spaces, a commercial interior design and property solution company, and Integrated Interest, a sales and marketing technology company, have expanded into larger office spaces in the centre.

Owned by Chesterfield Borough Council, the office development opened in July 2022 and with the expansion of these businesses is now 85% let.

Amy Revell, co-founder and director of We Are Spaces, said: “The Enterprise Centre is a wonderful space for us to call our home. The Grade A space and service we receive from the team here really is great value for money. We are incredibly settled and have a great relationship with the other businesses and staff, so we didn’t want to lose this, when needing to increase the size of our office to meet the new needs of our team.

“The Enterprise Centre has made the process so easy for us to move into a bigger suite without incurring big moving costs and disruption. We always knew that when we first based ourselves here, it provided us with lots of flexibility to grow efficiently and we are doing just that.

“It’s a pleasure to have our offices within the enterprise centre and we are investing a huge amount to create an amazing fit out for our clients and staff to enjoy for many more years to come.”

Steven Brough, director of Integrated Interest, said: “When we first started looking for office space the Enterprise Centre was at the top of the list straight away, with it being in such a prominent location.

“It is perfectly placed for access by car, bus or train, and with access to Chesterfield town centre and Queen’s Park, there is everything you need on the doorstep. With it being such a new building, everything is modern and creates the feel I wanted for a technology company.”

The Enterprise Chesterfield model aims to provide space for new and small businesses, where they can access a range of support that will help them to grow.

Councillor Tricia Gilby, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “It is fantastic to see local businesses growing, employing more of our residents, and expanding their presence in the Enterprise Centre.

“Our investment in the development formed a key part of our economic recovery plan following the pandemic – the growth of these businesses and the high occupancy rate of the centre shows how the building has helped our borough’s economy to bounce back and has created new employment opportunities for our residents.

“As well as growing the local economy, our enterprise centres also provide a small income for the council. This income helps ensure we can support businesses to grow whilst still providing the essential services our residents rely on.

“We knew our Enterprise Chesterfield model would be successful because we’ve seen businesses based at our other centres grow significantly and expand their presence in our borough, but it is great to see this working as planned in our newest centre less than two years since opening.”

Renewable energy experts move to new Nottingham head office

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Renewable energy experts move to new Nottingham head office

Renewable energy experts Geo Green Power have moved to new head office premises at Bradmore Business Park, Nottingham, thanks to rapid growth in demand for its green energy solutions which is expected to see the business double in size by 2025.

With the company on target to grow its turnover by 50 percent this year to more than £18m (from £12m to 31 March 2023), Geo Green needs more space as team numbers have passed 60 people and will continue to rise. At 6000 ft over two floors, the new head office can house the existing office team of around 30 with capacity to more than double in the years ahead. Warehousing and supply will continue at Geo Green’s existing premises in Costock.

Geo Green Power operates nationally with multiple teams installing solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, electric vehicle (EV) charging, heat pump and battery storage systems in both the commercial and residential sectors for customers including Kingspan, Mitchells & Butlers, Inchcape, Mercedes-Benz and JCB.

James Cunningham, MD, Geo Green Power, said: “It’s been an incredible three years at Geo Green Power, our purpose-built offices have served us well but the rapid expansion that we have seen since 2021 has quite literally seen them overflow.

“We’ve a fantastic team, and it was important that we moved to a location that would enable us to keep them all. I’m delighted that our new offices will give our people much needed space and storage, more meeting rooms, kitchen facilities and a fabulous break area which we’re still fitting out. It’s absolutely what they deserve for the hard work and commitment they have shown while delivering year on year growth.”

Geo Green worked with commercial property agents FHP to secure the new premises at Bradmore, which includes 25 car parking spaces and is leased for five years. Interior design and office fitout work was undertaken by 360 Commercial Projects.

Inflation holds steady at 4%

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Inflation holds steady at 4%
Annualised inflation remained at 4% in January, unchanged from December despite a forecasted rise. Measured by the Consumer Prices Index (CPI), the Office for National Statistics (ONS) noted this was influenced by higher gas and electricity charges, while inflation kept at 4% due to a downward contribution from furniture and household goods, and food and non-alcoholic beverages. Meanwhile, core inflation, which takes out volatile factors like energy, food, alcohol and tobacco to give a clear picture of underlying trends, came in at 5.1% in the 12 months to January 2024, also the same as December. Alpesh Paleja, CBI lead economist, said: “No movement in inflation over January is not entirely a surprise, due to base effects and a small rise in Ofgem’s energy price cap coming into effect. “We may see a few more bumps in the road over the coming months, but the broad direction of travel with inflation is encouraging, having fallen considerably from its double-digit highs 15 months ago. “The Bank of England seems to share this view, though will want to see more definitive signs that domestic price pressures are continuing to soften. But with monetary policy now believed to be doing the trick, it’s increasingly a case of ‘when’ rather than ‘if’ interest rates will be cut.”

Flexible packaging manufacturer seeks buyer after administrators appointed

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Flexible packaging manufacturer seeks buyer after administrators appointed

Flexible packaging manufacturer Surepak Limited is seeking a buyer after filing for administration. Dean Nelson and Nick Lee, Business Recovery and Restructuring Partners at PKF Smith Cooper, were appointed on 12 February 2024.

Sole director Stuart Yorston made the decision to file for administration to protect the company’s business, assets, goodwill and employees from a winding-up petition recently served by a creditor, which was due to be heard on 14 February.

Surepak Limited will continue to trade in the short term whilst in administration, as an accelerated merger and acquisition process begins with the aim of finding a purchaser in whole or part for the company.

Nottinghamshire-based Surepak Limited manufactures flexible packaging for businesses across a wide range of sectors in the UK. Incorporated in 1991, the company has been trading for over 32 years, starting out as a distributor before moving into manufacturing in 1995.

In 2007, the company relocated its base to a 45,000 sq ft, BRC ‘AA’ accredited facility in Nottingham to facilitate printing.

The company’s financial issues began during the global energy crisis when its electricity costs increased by more than 425%. This cost hike was followed by the loss of two major contracts, which reduced the company’s turnover by £1m due to customers’ packaging requirements and a relocation abroad.

Dean Nelson, Head of Business Recovery and Restructuring at PKF Smith Cooper, said: “Our aim is to preserve the business and protect employees’ jobs, in addition to maximising returns for creditors.

“We will keep stakeholders and the press informed of any developments as matters progress. If you are interested in purchasing the company, please contact me as a matter of urgency.”

Council wins long-running battle to prevent construction of almost 200 homes on greenfield site

Tess Egginton
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Council wins long-running battle to prevent construction of almost 200 homes on greenfield site
Erewash Borough Council has won a long-running battle to prevent almost 200 homes being built on a greenfield haven opposite a historic row of cottages. The plan would have seen an entire new estate in countryside near Ilkeston – and sparked an appeal by the would-be developer after the authority rejected it. The Worcester firm argued that the scheme would help the borough meet housing targets. The fight went all the way to the government’s Planning Inspectorate – and threatened the council with a massive legal bill. But a judgment handed down by the inspector has now backed the authority. The 196 homes had been proposed off Sowbrook Lane on land facing the historic Twelve Houses – a terrace of isolated Grade II-listed cottages built in 1848. Locals were enraged by the planning application, which was rejected in October 2022 and led to a public inquiry being hosted at Long Eaton Town Hall. The government’s Planning Inspectorate said Erewash was right to scotch the plans, which had been slammed by campaign group Kirk Hallam Green Squeeze. The protesters branded the appeal by Wulff Asset Management Ltd as “just a money-making attempt from the developers who want to challenge the local authority.” Andrew McCormack, the government-appointed planning inspector, visited the proposed site and agreed with the council that issues included access and transport. He said of the development: “It would be perceived negatively as a housing scheme that would appear as an isolated development in a countryside setting and unsustainable location.” Erewash Council leader James Dawson said: “This is a victory for common sense. Despite the need for new homes in the borough this site was never a sensible location for such housing. “The council is pleased that an independent Planning Inspector has endorsed the authority’s decision to refuse the original planning application.”

Derby Book Festival appoints new chair

Stuart Pearcey
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Derby Book Festival appoints new chair
Professor Keith McLay, Provost – Learning & Teaching at the University of Derby, has been appointed as the new Chair of Derby Book Festival. He takes over from Liz Fothergill CBE, the Lord-Lieutenant of Derbyshire, who has held the position since the Festival’s inception in February 2015. Professor McLay has been a Derby Book Festival Trustee since October 2019 and has provided an important link between the Festival and the University, one of its key funders. He has also taken an active role at the Festivals by interviewing several high-profile authors on both fiction and non-fiction. He said: “It is a privilege to be taking on the role of Chair of Trustees which builds on the strong partnership that the University already has with Derby Book Festival. “Events such as the Book Festival are of vital importance in promoting culture within our city, and it is encouraging to witness its growth and continuing success. As a Civic University we champion the arts as a driver for positive change within our communities and the Book Festival plays a pivotal role in this.  I am excited to see what this next chapter in our partnership will bring.”

Flex office operator raises funds for national literacy charity

Tess Egginton
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Flex office operator raises funds for national literacy charity
A fundraising campaign organised by flex office operator, Cubo, has raised £750 for national literacy charity, Bookmark. The campaign was launched in late November in a bid to encourage members and businesses to ‘Gift a Child a Book at Christmas.’ By the end of the year £750 had been raised, which will enable the charity to buy 150 new books for children. Cubo has now adopted Bookmark Reading Charity as its annual charity for 2024. The company is set to organise a series of fundraising events throughout the year to buy more books and help transform children’s lives through the joy of reading. SATs results from July 2023 revealed that one in four children leave primary school without the ability to read proficiently. In addition, the attainment gap between disadvantaged children and their peers has now reached its widest point in a decade (FEA, 2022). Bookmark was founded by Sharon Pindar in 2018 and aims to change children’s life stories through the joy of reading. Bookmark works with children who face barriers to becoming readers by providing one-to-one reading programmes, both online and in person. The charity also equips schools with dedicated resources to offer wraparound support, providing diverse, high-quality books, materials for extracurricular reading, and on-going support for teacher training and development. As part of its mission, Bookmark aims to deliver 50,741 one-to-one reading sessions to children during 2024. This time, when scheduled back-to-back equates to three years of non-stop reading. The charity also aims to send out thousands of books and reading resources to children across the country, putting them directly into the hands of children who need them most. Commenting on the money raised for Bookmark, Rebecca Brough, CMO at Cubo, said: “The response from our members and local businesses in the run up to Christmas was fantastic, and we’re thrilled to have raised so much money in such a short space of time. “Bookmark is an incredible charity, which is working to brighten the lives of children and empower them through the gift of literature. This aligns perfectly with Cubo’s vision of making a tangible difference in communities where we have a presence.” To donate to Cubo’s fundraising appeal, visit bit.ly/Donate-cubo.
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