Scope Construction starts work on sustainable bungalow development in Chellaston
Road opening marks key milestone at Fairham
Popular Nottingham bar to be sold
Derby County Football Club and Pride Park Stadium unified
“Winning a Bricks award was a real highlight for our team” – past winner encourages firms to enter the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025
To make a nomination for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025, please click here.
Supporting imagery, video, documents, or links to these, can be sent to bricks@blmgroup.co.uk. Video nomination pitches are also welcome as an alternative or companion to written entries. Categories include:- Contractor of the Year
- Developer of the Year
- Architects of the Year
- Most Active Agent
- Deal of the Year
- Residential Development of the Year
- Sustainable Development of the Year
- Commercial Development of the Year
- Excellence in Design
- Responsible Business of the Year
- Overall Winner
Nominations will close on Friday 15th August.
The East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025
What: The East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025 When: Thursday 2nd October (4.30pm – 7.30pm) Where: Derek Randall Suite, Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, Nottingham Keynote speaker: Councillor Nadine Peatfield – Leader of Derby City Council, Cabinet Member for City Centre, Regeneration, Strategy and Policy, and Deputy Mayor of the East Midlands Tickets: Available here Dress code: Standard business attire Thanks to our sponsors:








To be held at:

Construction starts on 50-home scheme in Leicestershire with £600K in local investment
Construction has commenced on a 50-home residential development in Stanton-under-Bardon, Leicestershire. The scheme, called St Mary’s Chase, represents the first project under Allison Homes’ newly launched East Midlands division.
The development will include a mix of two, three, and four-bedroom houses, eight of which are designated as affordable housing. It will feature established house designs and new models added to the developer’s range.
Outline planning permission was granted in June 2024, with full approval in February 2025. A show home is expected by autumn 2025, and full build completion is targeted for December 2026.
As part of the development, the site will include green space, a children’s play area, and new tree planting aligned with the nearby National Forest. Public footpaths running through the land will be preserved.
Through a Section 106 agreement, Allison Homes will contribute £600,000 to local infrastructure and services, including education, healthcare, recreation, and public transport. The investment underscores the development’s aim to integrate with and support the surrounding community while delivering new housing stock to the region.
East Midlands firms still cautious despite stronger UK growth
Despite a stronger-than-expected rise in UK GDP, business sentiment in the East Midlands remains subdued, with firms facing persistent cost pressures.
According to the latest Office for National Statistics data, the UK economy grew by 0.7% in the first quarter of the year. While this uptick signals the end of the technical recession seen in 2023, businesses in the East Midlands continue to report low confidence levels.
The East Midlands Chamber’s recent Quarterly Economic Survey data indicates a decline in local business confidence. Key concerns among B2B operators include increased employer National Insurance contributions, the higher national living wage, and corporate tax pressures.
Inflation remains a significant factor, with nearly half of businesses in the region expecting to raise prices. These margin pressures are contributing to cautious outlooks on investment and hiring.
Business leaders in the region are now looking to upcoming policy decisions, including the UK Government’s Comprehensive Spending Review and international trade discussions, for clearer support and incentives to stabilise operating conditions and boost competitiveness.
XR8 Technology expands services to support AI adoption and cyber resilience
IT solutions provider XR8 Technology Services is scaling operations to meet growing business demand for cyber security support, AI integration, and robust IT infrastructure.
Operating nationally from its Northampton base, XR8 has recently joined the Northamptonshire Chamber of Commerce and moved into larger premises to support its expansion. With a team bringing over five decades of combined experience, the firm delivers managed IT services, infrastructure procurement, and cyber strategy guidance for B2B clients across various sectors.
As businesses explore Microsoft Copilot for productivity gains, XR8 has responded by offering tailored advice, often at no cost, to help organisations deploy the AI tool safely while maintaining data control and compliance.
The company has also seen rising demand for support with Cyber Essentials certification. With recent high-profile cyber incidents in the national spotlight, many firms are prioritising the government-backed standard to strengthen their resilience and satisfy procurement requirements.
XR8 partners with major vendors, including Microsoft, Cisco, Lenovo, Dell, HP, Fortinet, and Ninjio, offering clients access to competitive pricing and deep product knowledge. It also provides rugged device solutions, such as Zebra products, for clients operating in warehousing and logistics where durability and reliability are critical.
The company’s recent investment in facilities and staffing reflects a strategic push to grow its capacity and broaden its footprint in the UK’s business IT sector.
£10m mixed-use farming estate with commercial income potential up for sale
A 878-acre mixed-use agricultural estate straddling Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire has been listed for sale at nearly £10 million, presenting an investment opportunity for commercial and agricultural buyers.
The property includes Cowsland Farm and Lea Marsh Farm and is being marketed by Bidwells. It is available as a whole or split into four lots, offering flexibility for various acquisition strategies.
The estate features a combination of arable land, pasture, a residential farmhouse, and commercial buildings currently generating income. It has been under long-term ownership and professionally managed through local farming agreements.
The land is arranged in two main blocks: one near South Leverton in Nottinghamshire, and the other south of Gainsborough in Lincolnshire, alongside the River Trent.
Lot 1 spans 12.5 acres and includes a large farmhouse now tenanted, along with commercial buildings currently leased to Cranswick Pet Products, providing ongoing rental income.
Lot 2 consists of nearly 290 acres of arable land used for typical crop rotations such as wheat, barley, maize, peas, and oilseed rape. Fields are configured to suit modern machinery.
Lot 3, Forwood Farmland, is a standalone 92.5-acre arable block located near Treswell Wood. It offers scope for further agricultural or environmental use.
Lot 4, Lea Marsh Farm, is the largest portion with 484 acres primarily of pastureland and one arable field. Its riverside location and environmental characteristics may appeal to buyers pursuing biodiversity or natural capital projects.
The estate combines commercial, residential, and environmental value streams, making it suitable for diversified rural investment portfolios or strategic land acquisition.
Derelict Long Eaton cinema to be demolished
Nottingham talent and innovation grants become available for local businesses
Construction starts on 1.46 million sq ft Golden Triangle logistics park
Office block to be converted into shared housing for 23 people in Northampton
West Northamptonshire Council has approved the conversion of a commercial property in Northampton into shared residential accommodation.
Kingswood House, located in Cliftonville, will be transformed from its former use as offices into a house in multiple occupations (HMO) that accommodates up to 23 residents. The building previously housed an insurance firm, a fertility clinic, and a laser eye surgery business.
The development will reconfigure the property into five shared flats. These will include a four-bedroom unit on the lower ground floor, two three-bedroom units on the ground floor, an eight-bedroom unit on the first floor, and a five-bedroom unit on the second floor. All bedrooms will be en suite, and each flat will have shared kitchen and living areas. Two communal laundry rooms will be available to all residents.
The conversion is mainly internal, with only minor alterations planned for the building’s exterior. The property will retain 15 on-site parking spaces. The first floor has already been stripped of its internal services in preparation for redevelopment.
The council considers HMOs a critical part of the local housing strategy, particularly for students, young professionals, and others requiring short- to medium-term accommodation. This project is expected to support demand in the area’s pressured rental market.
Luxury watch group returns to growth with strong US rebound
Watches of Switzerland Group posted full-year revenues of £1.65bn, up 8% year-on-year, as the business rebounded in the UK and US markets. The company, which is headquartered in the East Midlands, reported 2% revenue growth across the UK and Europe, while sales in the US rose sharply by 16% in the 12 months ending 27 April 2025.
The group attributed the stronger second-half performance to stabilised trading following a period of consumer hesitation linked to the initial announcement of US tariffs. While April trading returned to typical levels, the unresolved US tariff situation continues to add uncertainty to the outlook.
The retailer expanded its showroom portfolio during the year, opening a new flagship Rolex boutique on Old Bond Street in London. Several high-profile Rolex developments were also delivered in the US, including new and upgraded locations in Texas, Florida, and Georgia.
The business remains focused on capitalising on sustained demand for luxury timepieces, despite broader macroeconomic pressures and geopolitical risks affecting future planning, particularly in the US. It maintains a strong pipeline of showroom openings and anticipates continued interest in key high-demand brands.
Global HSE Group “proud to be returning as a sponsor of the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025”


To make a nomination for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025, please click here.
Supporting imagery, video, documents, or links to these, can be sent to bricks@blmgroup.co.uk. Video nomination pitches are also welcome as an alternative or companion to written entries. Categories include:- Contractor of the Year
- Developer of the Year
- Architects of the Year
- Most Active Agent
- Deal of the Year
- Residential Development of the Year
- Sustainable Development of the Year
- Commercial Development of the Year
- Excellence in Design
- Responsible Business of the Year
- Overall Winner
Nominations will close on Friday 15th August.
New for this year, all entrants will also have the opportunity to be featured on our dedicated nominee showcase on the East Midlands Business Link website, providing space for marketing your achievements. Upon submitting a nomination, we will get in touch for any information, imagery, and video nominees would like to be featured on their showcase page.The East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025
What: The East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025 When: Thursday 2nd October (4.30pm – 7.30pm) Where: Derek Randall Suite, Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, Nottingham Keynote speaker: Councillor Nadine Peatfield – Leader of Derby City Council, Cabinet Member for City Centre, Regeneration, Strategy and Policy, and Deputy Mayor of the East Midlands Tickets: Available here Dress code: Standard business attire Thanks to our sponsors:








To be held at:

Staffline secures significant strategic partnership with food and drink logistics provider
Strong lending growth marks 2024 performance for Cambridge & Counties Bank
Cambridge & Counties Bank reported a 15% year-on-year rise in gross new lending for 2024, reaching £376 million. The growth was driven by continued property and asset finance strength, despite a cooling interest rate environment.
The bank’s pre-tax profits stood at £35.8 million for the year. Property finance drawdowns totalled over £285 million, marking a third consecutive year of growth in that core segment. Asset finance lending rose sharply, up 39% to £89 million.
Finance for classic, vintage, and sports cars increased notably, climbing 41% to £72 million. Customer loan balances rose 11% to £1.23 billion, while customer deposits grew 10% to £1.27 billion.
The lender invested heavily in operational infrastructure during the year, including new offices in Manchester and Reading to support asset finance. Headcount increased by 8%, ending the year with 243 employees.
2024 also saw the expansion of its lending portfolio with new offerings such as development finance and more fixed-rate products. The bank continues to focus on SMEs and underserved segments of the UK market, aiming to support business investment and property growth.
Mansfield secures £1.58 million to back business growth and local initiatives
Mansfield District Council has been awarded £1.58 million from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, with funding allocated via the East Midlands Counties Combined Authority. The investment will support business development, workforce upskilling, community grants, and local events.
This round of funding is part of the wider £2.6 billion UK Shared Prosperity Fund, which aims to reduce regional disparities and boost economic performance across the country. The financial package was reviewed during a council meeting in early May.