Streets Chartered Accountants covers its Charity Golf Day, farmland inheritance tax reliefs, NICs and more in new news roundup

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Streets Chartered Accountants covers its Charity Golf Day, farmland inheritance tax reliefs, NICs and more in new news roundup

Streets Chartered Accountants covers the success of its Charity Golf Day, inheritance tax reliefs applicable to farmland, National Insurance Contributions, and more in its new news roundup.

Golf Day Secures Hole in One for Air Ambulance

Streets was delighted to host its tenth annual Charity Golf Day on Friday 7th July, raising a record amount of more than £8,000 for the Air Ambulance. The total amount fundraised will be divided between three regional charities; East Anglian Air Ambulance, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance and Yorkshire Air Ambulance. The winning team on the day was Varley Orthopaedics with Civil Recovery Solutions coming in second and The One Group in third place. The winners of the Longest Drive and Nearest the Pin competitions were Adam Aisthorpe and Paul Ward respectively… Agricultural Schemes and IHT ReliefsThere are two main reliefs for inheritance tax that can apply to farmland. These are Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPR). APR applies to the agricultural value of the land and applies where it is occupied for the purpose of agriculture. The length of ownership and occupation required depends on who occupies the land; if it is occupied by the owner or a company they have a controlling holding in then the period is 2 years, if occupied by another, e.g. a tenant, then the period is 7 years… Retrospective Voluntary National Insurance ContributionsThe UK government has announced a further extension to the deadline for making retrospective voluntary NICs covering the period from April 2006 onwards. If there have been gaps in your National Insurance Contributions, there is a possibility that you may not meet the qualifying year requirement to receive the full state pension (dependent on the size of the gap and how close you are to state pension age). Retrospective contributions can fill these gaps and ensure the full state pension is received… Could you and your business get greater value from your Year-End? Not to be confused with the tax year-end which is 5th April each year, the year-end date for your business is specific to you. The largest proportions of businesses tend to opt for either a 31st December or 31st March year-end. Typically, most businesses, when it comes to their year-end will focus primarily on finance and financial reporting, with Directors, owners and shareholders keen to know the financial outcome… Streets Summer Newsletter 2023It is looking as if the only respite we will get from ongoing economic challenges this year is warmer weather. Hopefully, readers of Streets’ newsletter will find something of interest that will help ease the burdens of rising fuel, food and other energy prices and provide business readers with ideas to meet their current challenges. As always, if you would like more information regarding any of the issues Streets has flagged in this summer edition, please pick up the phone… SmartMoney – July/August 2023SmartMoney is the bi-monthly magazine from Streets Financial Consulting plc, Streets Chartered Accountants’ independent financial planning arm, full of news and helpful information on personal financial planning…

Record year for Leicester interior fit-out contractor

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Record year for Leicester interior fit-out contractor
A Leicester-headquartered interior fit-out contractor has reported a record financial year and added new apprentices to its workforce. EE Smith Contracts, which marked its 125th anniversary last year and employs over 300 staff, has posted the highest annual revenues in its history for a second successive year – £75.1 million to the year ending March 31, 2023. This record-breaking activity includes working on multiple prestigious developments, particularly the luxurious Peninsula London hotel alongside Hyde Park Corner and Wellington Arch, and the completion of two super-prime London residences. EE Smith Contracts has added 18 new apprentices during the last financial year to build on its long-established apprenticeship programme. The business has reduced carbon emissions by 30 per cent over the last two years despite a material growth in activity and is aiming to further reduce its carbon consumption in the next 12 months. Neil Bottrill, Managing Director of EE Smith Contracts, said profits have returned to pre Covid-19 levels despite the business absorbing significant building products inflation in the year due to, now completed, fixed price contracts. He said: “When viewed against the continuing headwinds of material and labour inflation, as well as huge increases in energy costs, this last 12 months has been a financial success and one to be very proud of. “We have had the pleasure, and challenge, of carrying out work in what can only be described as the very pinnacle of the super-prime fit-out market, both in the residential and hotel sector in London. “This underlines the fact that our skillset, drive and attention to detail continues to attract the elite of the fantastic industry that we are in. “Our apprentice programmes continue to prosper and are producing excellent results. We are actively producing our next generation of highly skilled joiners, supervisors and managers. Our schemes continue our underlying philosophy to ‘train and retain’ our skill base because our workforce will always be our greatest asset. “We have a promising year ahead with the excitement of handing over the largest project in our history at The Peninsula London hotel this summer, and we will also be starting work on some phenomenal new schemes which complement our existing portfolio.” Neil Simpson, finance director at EE Smith Contracts, added that the business has continued to invest in its facilities and employee development. He said: “With the challenges of Brexit, the pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine over the last five years, we have seen an extended period of uncertainty for UK industry. “The strength of our markets, our continuing focus on client satisfaction and our relentless hands-on approach have allowed our business to grow significantly in size and capability against this testing backdrop. “Due to high client satisfaction, we have a continuous stream of new business prospects from previous clients or their professional advisors. “The company is well set to continue to grow in the coming years, having retained surplus profits and further strengthened our robust balance sheet. “I am excited to see what the business can deliver once freed from the external challenges.”

4 ways to create a better workspace

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4 ways to create a better workspace

The environment your staff work in has a big impact on their mood and productivity. Lincolnshire-based commercial design and fit out company APSS looks at four ways to make the office as appealing as possible.

Here are some ideas to consider when it comes to your office design:

Keep things simple

Technology means we now carry our work with us wherever we go, via laptops, tablets and mobile phones. With so many distractions already lowering productivity, companies don’t want to add to this. Keeping it simple is a good way to reduce distraction.

Take time to declutter the office, a clean environment helps promote productivity. Make sure you have enough storage solutions for everything.

Nice views, daylight and simple written graphics or sculptures are great. They aid creativity and lift the general mood. However, big TV screens, busy artwork or loud colours often go the other way.

Flexible noise

Different people work better with different noise levels. Consider what’s right for your office and your staff.

Is it appropriate to play music? Do people have the need for headphones or do people need silence at certain points of their working day? Consider the neurodiversity of your employees.

Neurodiversity is a topic that has seen more attention lately and with good reason. If people have certain triggers within an environment, every step needs to be taken to address this from an employer’s perspective.

Creating a certain mood within a working space is integral to motivating employees. For business owners, it can increase employee productivity. Glass walls or partitions can be a great addition to an office space. Installing them creates a natural divide to give people privacy and quiet. However, they still give the feel of an open space.

Modern ways to work

Staff want comfort in their workplace now, having spent so many months at home during the pandemic changed the way people saw the workplace. Many businesses are moving away from the traditional work surface of desk and chair. The aim is to create a more relaxed environment to aid creativity and teamwork.

Sofas and lounge furniture are great for rest breaks, relaxation or brainstorm areas. However, they might not necessarily be good for long hours of work. They can have comfort and health implications if used for too long.

Biophilic design is also important, the process of bringing the outdoors inside has had a proven calming effect on employees. It can be as simple as providing more natural light, investing in diverse plant life or creating outdoor spaces that opens up existing office space. The days of harsh strip lighting and dull surroundings are set to be a thing of the past.

Standing up at work is becoming increasingly popular as the nation becomes more health-conscious. Therefore it’s always good to give people various options.

A question of light

Maximising natural light in the workplace is known to boost morale and in turn productivity. When it is not possible to have windows close to the workspace, there are other ways to make best use of what is available.

LED lights are proving to be very popular in modern offices as they have many health benefits. Lamps can also be fun and functional in an office space where certain areas need more lighting than others.

Try to keep wall colours light and fresh. This will make the overall space seem lighter, airier and larger than darks or vibrant bright colours.

For office design inspiration, APSS has more than 25 years’ experience providing exceptional workspaces across the East Midlands.

Armsons Barlow raise £2,000 for Derby charity

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Armsons Barlow raise £2,000 for Derby charity
Derby-based project managers, construction cost consultants and building surveyors Armsons Barlow have raised £2,000 for local charity the Derby Food 4 Thought Alliance at their annual golf day. Members of the Armsons Barlow team visited the company’s warehouse on Ascot Drive in the city to present the cheque for £2,000 to the charity. The money raised will help people across the city suffering from food poverty and help to provide long term solutions to deprivation and poverty. The funds were raised at Armsons Barlow’s charity golf day, which was held at Kedleston Park Golf Club in Derby. 14 teams of four comprising guests from the business community and Armsons Barlow staff took part in the tournament. Derby Food 4 Thought Alliance was initially created to respond to the needs of people at the start of the COVID pandemic in March 2020, but since then has progressed to deliver substantial work across the city. In 2022, the charity distributed more than 20,000 food parcels and supported 22,000 adults and 17,000 children. Commenting on the cheque presentation, Joshua Toon, director of Armsons Barlow, said: “It has been a very positive experience to visit Derby Food 4 Thought Alliance and see their valuable work at first hand. “The charity has done fantastic work over the past three years to help tackle poverty in Derby, and we hope the £2,000 raised at our annual golf day will enable them to provide their valuable services to even more local people.” Paul Brookhouse, senior manager at Derby Food 4 Thought, added: “We are currently giving away over 2,000 food parcels a month and due to a drop in food donations, are currently spending a significant amount on purchasing food to meet demand. “The £2,000 will help us ensure that fresh fruit and vegetables are still provided as part of our ambient food parcels. We are so grateful for the support.”

“Strong” year for Dunelm

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“Strong” year for Dunelm
Dunelm has hailed “another strong performance” for its latest financial year, despite a backdrop of increasing input cost prices and high general inflation. In a trading update the Leicestershire homewares retailer reported robust sales of £1.64bn in a challenging consumer environment – 6% higher than the year prior and nearly 50% higher than the last full year before any impact from Covid. Meanwhile, profit before tax for the full year is expected to be slightly ahead of current analysts’ consensus of £188m. Nick Wilkinson, Chief Executive Officer, said: “The breadth and relevance of our product offer has continued to resonate with our home-loving customers over the last quarter of the year. This has been reflected in our strong financial performance despite the challenging broader consumer backdrop. “Against this backdrop, our commitment to value is stronger than ever. During the quarter we lowered prices on over 1,000 lines, and our customers were also able to take advantage of great offers in our Summer Sale. “We have a strong business model, with committed colleagues and suppliers, who strive every day to improve our customer proposition. We continue to focus on further strengthening our product mastery, developing our stores, enhancing our digital channels, and building out our marketing ecosystem, in order to create an even better experience for our customers. With these improvements to our customer proposition and business capabilities we see a compelling opportunity for sustainable and profitable growth and are confident about the future.”

Pendragon hails robust first half performance

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Pendragon hails robust first half performance
Car retailer Pendragon has “delivered another robust performance” in the first half of 2023, according to a trading update for the six months ended 30 June. Growth in gross profit more than offset underlying pressures of interest rate rises and ongoing cost inflation. As a result, the Nottingham-based business expects to report a 9% increase in underlying profit before tax to £36.5m for the first half of 2023, growing from £33.5m in the same period of 2022. Bill Berman, Chief Executive of Pendragon PLC, said: “Pendragon has continued to perform well, demonstrating the continued success of our strategy. Increased sales across all divisions and higher profitability more than offset cost pressures, resulting in a strong cash position. “While we expect high inflation and interest rates to persist in the second half of the year, our resilient model means we are well-placed to perform in line with Boards expectations.”

Planning application submitted for major Clay Cross town centre improvements

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Planning application submitted for major Clay Cross town centre improvements
A planning application for major regeneration in Clay Cross town centre has now been submitted. North East Derbyshire District Council and the Clay Cross Town Board have made progress over recent months, culminating in the planning application for the Town Centre Regeneration project. The planning application has been submitted as part of the next steps in delivering the £24.1m Clay Cross Town Deal and is a momentous occasion as the reality of the project draws nearer for residents and businesses. A public consultation was undertaken to gauge opinions of the proposed plans following on from ongoing face-to-face engagement with local businesses over the last few months. Feedback from this has been positive and has been taken into consideration as part of the ongoing project to help shape the future of Clay Cross. The planning application is made up of four key elements in the proposals, which are:
  • The creation of a new Town Square which will become a public space to be used for markets, seasonal events and as a public forum.
  • Food and Beverage and Leisure Units – the route from Broadleys to the public square to be lined with artisan food companies, leisure operators and cafes and restaurants.
  • The Clocktower (Derbyshire Adult Education Centre) – to make the best use of the existing building, enhancing existing uses and bringing the library into the heart of the town.
  • The “Block A” (working title) proposal – Repurposing an existing historic building with the aim of providing a quality food and drink offering and leisure opportunities, directly overlooking the public square.
North East Derbyshire District Council Cabinet Member for Clay Cross Town Deal, Cllr Jayne Barry said: “This is a momentous point in the delivery of the £24.1m Clay Cross Town Deal and a pivotal moment (in submitting the planning application) as our residents and businesses, who have shared their views and helped shape the proposals for the regeneration of the town, can now see we are moving onto the next stages of the project as it becomes closer to reality. “It’s an exciting time for the town with some amazing plans and developments underway already, including the building of the new Clay Cross Active leisure centre, and I am delighted at the progress made to deliver this exciting project by collaborating with our residents and businesses.”

Showcase sustainable developments at the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023

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Showcase sustainable developments at the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023
With the nomination deadline for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023 approaching quickly, there are 10 categories open for entry, providing a perfect opportunity to shine a light on outstanding businesses, teams and projects at the annual event celebrating the region’s property and construction industry. One such category is Sustainable Development of the Year, which can be entered here. The winner of this category will be the scheme that has displayed a true commitment to sustainable development in the East Midlands, whether this be in an environmental development, social enterprise or a scheme which will benefit the region in other ways, so long as it benefits the future generation. Schemes must have been completed over the last 12 months. Last year, Galliford Try Construction scooped the award, for Broad Marsh Bus Station and Car Park, beating out stiff competition from Scenariio, for the refurbished HQ for LKAB Minerals, and Chesterfield Borough Council and Whittam Cox Architects, for Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre. Judges said: “We felt that the building whilst sustainable in its own right could play a larger role in the longer-term sustainability of Nottingham by balancing people, planet and prosperity!” Jon Marston, Managing Director of Building East Midlands, Galliford Try Construction, said: “We are immensely proud of the work that has taken place at Broad Marsh Car Park, and the recognition it has received at the East Midlands Bricks Awards is just reward for the efforts of the team.” With this year’s Sustainable Development of the Year award once again sponsored by Viridis Building Services, a spokesperson for the company said: “We are proud to sponsor the Sustainable Development of the Year award at the East Midlands Bricks Awards for another year. We promote this award in particular because of its relation to us as a business and how it fits within our values. Sustainability isn’t just what we do – it’s who we are and to be able to live this through this award makes us proud to be involved. “Through this award we are ensuring the East Midlands is leading the market through sustainable design. We understand the passion from those involved towards this award and we know the great pride in delivering these outcomes. Therefore, to present this award allows us to promote this type of design and ensure innovative, collaborative and pragmatic solutions are provided. This not only helps promote those involved in the design stages, but also to promote those who will be using the spaces in the future. “We look forward to seeing this year’s entries to the Sustainable Development of the Year award and attending the event to reveal the winner. We feel the awards bring the East Midlands together, not just within the Sustainable Development of the Year category, but for all the categories – we are proud to be part of the East Midlands Bricks Awards to promote the area and molding its future.”

Submit your nominations for Sustainable Development of the Year here before entries close on Thursday 31 August.

Winners will be revealed at a glittering awards ceremony on Thursday 28 September, at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground – an evening also offering an opportunity to establish new connections with property and construction professionals from across the region. Other award categories open for entry include: Most Active Estate Agent, Commercial Development of the Year, Responsible Business of the Year, Contractor of the Year, Developer of the Year, Deal of the Year, Architects of the Year, Excellence in Design, and Residential Development of the Year. All entry forms can be accessed here. The Overall Winner award will also be presented at the event. This award cannot be entered, with the winner selected from those nominated. The Overall Winner of the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023 will also receive a year of marketing/publicity worth £20,000.

Book your tickets now

Tickets can now be booked for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023 – click here to secure yours. The special awards evening and networking event will be held on Thursday 28 September 2023 in the Derek Randall Suite at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground from 4:30pm – 7:30pm. Connect with local decision makers over canapés and complimentary drinks while applauding the outstanding companies and projects in our region, and hear from Mike Denby, Director of Inward Investment and Place Marketing at Leicester City Council, our keynote speaker. Dress code is standard business attire. Thanks to our sponsors:                                                             To be held at:

Chartered surveying practice snapped up by Gateley

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Chartered surveying practice snapped up by Gateley
Gateley, the professional services group, has acquired Richard Julian and Associates Limited, trading as RJA Consultants, in a deal worth up to £6 million. The deal includes, subject to certain revenue targets being achieved, an earn out based on the EBITDA achieved in each twelve-month period expiring 31 March 2024 and 31 March 2025. Established by founder and Managing Director, Richard Julian, RJA is a chartered surveying practice, providing quantity surveying and project management services across a variety of construction sectors. It specialises in the provision of these services to organisations that deliver affordable housing, a resilient sector which is underpinned by high levels of grants to support delivery of the Government’s housing targets. Richard Julian and directors Steven Collin, Liza Julian, Hardeep Kooner and Chris Clubb, will continue to work as part of the RJA management team post acquisition. The company employs approximately 50 staff based in Nottingham and Leicester. In the financial year ended 31 March 2023, RJA generated revenue of c.£3.9 million, corporatised profit before tax of c.£0.8 million and organic revenue growth of 65% against the prior year. Rod Waldie, Chief Executive Officer of Gateley, said: “I am delighted to welcome the team from RJA, who are already well known by our colleagues in Gateley Smithers Purslow. “There are common threads between the two teams and across our Property Platform, bringing opportunities to increase market share, as well as target new markets and workstreams. They have considerable expertise in the construction market and specifically in resilient sectors such as affordable housing and insurance services. “RJA has a strong track record of growth, excellent relationships with clients, a dedicated and positive culture and an ambitious management team, qualities which closely match Gateley’s business and culture.”

Nottingham firm named as one of the first retail partners of premium Korean car manufacturer

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Nottingham firm named as one of the first retail partners of premium Korean car manufacturer

Nottingham-based Pendragon PLC has been chosen as one of the first retail partners of premium Korean manufacturer, Genesis. 

Further building its Stratstone brand portfolio, which includes manufacturers such as Aston Martin, BMW and Mercedes, Pendragon will operate the Genesis Leeds, York, Sheffield market area from January 2024. 

With the agreement signed last week, over the Genesis Scottish Open, the move will support Genesis’ expansion plans to grow capacity and capabilities for test drives, sales and service operations, ahead of further expansion into other European markets.    

Bill Berman, Chief Executive Officer of Pendragon PLC, said: “We are delighted to add Genesis to our Stratstone roster and be able to offer Pendragon customers another luxurious and sustainable brand from next year. As the fastest-growing luxury car brand in the world, we are looking forward to being an integral part of Genesis’ continued success and its plans to become an EV leader in the UK.” 

Lawrence Hamilton, Managing Director for Genesis Motor Europe, said: “This is an exciting milestone for Genesis in the UK. Earlier this year, we announced we would be expanding the Genesis footprint and we are delighted to now have Pendragon on board who share our vision for the future. 

“With Pendragon now officially part of the Genesis family from the start of 2024, it means we can deliver our unique Korean customer service directly to our new and existing customers in Leeds, York and Sheffield.” 

New homes and retail offer to breathe new life into Newark

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New homes and retail offer to breathe new life into Newark
Work to transform the empty former M&S building on Stodman Street in Newark into an attractive hub made up of homes and retail units is nearing its start date. The project will breathe new life into the heart of the town when completed.
Stepnell has been appointed to undertake the demolition and mobilisation of the project. Plans will see the empty building made into an attractive hub made up of 29 high-quality residential homes in the heart of Newark which will provide a new town centre housing offer with a sympathetic but eye-catching and vibrant design. There will also be two refurbished retail units which will improve Newark’s retail offer with the aim of attracting more people into the town centre. Matt Lamb, Director of Planning and Growth at Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “Like us, our local community care passionately about the health of our town centre and we’re doing all we can to support businesses and find new ways to bring people to the town in challenging times. “The loss of a town centre Marks and Spencer store left a significant vacant building within the town which was generating little interest from new tenants. “This development enables a new approach, bringing a high-quality residential scheme into the town centre for private let and sale, alongside two new ground floor commercial spaces, with smaller footprints to make them more attractive to retailers. “The scheme will bring more residents and footfall into the Town Centre, acting as a catalyst for a revitalised and thriving town centre.” Tom Cartledge, Co-Chair of the Newark Town Board, said: “Everyone wants a town centre that is thriving where living, working, shopping, leisure and enjoyment can all merge together. “This is an opportunity to transform a large empty building into something that will be hugely beneficial to the health of our high street in the future. Across the country retail in towns and cities is in decline which is why we’ve put this project together to inject new life in the area with the aim to make the heart of Newark a great place to live and shop. “While Newark performs well compared to the UK average for numbers of vacant town centre retail units, it’s important that we continue to do all we can to attract people. Currently, the average vacancy rate for England Town Centres is 13.9% while Newark equates to 9.54%. “There are many other projects running alongside the development including Newark Cultural Heart which has already brought people to the town centre through creating exciting events and programmes and the Stodman Street work is an extra step in encouraging more to visit, stay longer and take advantage of the activities and hospitality on offer.” Tom Sewell, Regional Director at Stepnell, said: “We are proud to be working as a complete construction partner with the council on such a fantastic scheme for the people of Newark. As well as facilitating the demolition and mobilisation works, we will also be making a significant investment back into the local community. “Our team at Stepnell will do this via targeted regional spending, employability programmes with local schools and colleges, and sustainability initiatives to reduce our carbon impact throughout our work on the project. “We understand the power regeneration projects like this have to provide more opportunities for local people and to develop a more vibrant town centre. Our work aims to reflect the same value, so it is a privilege to bring our construction expertise to the development of this new and exciting town hub.” Despite a vigorous search and engagement process where a long list of national traders had been approached to find a retailer to occupy the store as it is, no one has stepped forward as the current unit is too large for most traders in a town centre the size of Newark. Cost increases were predicted but will not affect the ability to deliver the project which continues to be supported by government grants. Work on the site is set to take place in late summer this year. The construction phase is likely to begin around Christmas 2023 with completion in summer 2025. The Stodman Street development is one of many projects being funded by Newark Towns Board’s successful application to the Government’s Towns Fund initiative. It is being delivered by Newark and Sherwood District Council whose aim it is to breathe new life in Newark town centre. Other projects include the £3m restoration of Newark Castle and a £2.1m Cultural Heart project aiming to provide a varied and exciting events programme alongside investments to improve the town centre even further.

Northampton logistics company acquires local parcel and pallets business

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Northampton logistics company acquires local parcel and pallets business
A Northampton logistics specialist has swooped for a local parcel and pallets company. Crisis Logistics has acquired Action Express as part of its growth plans, as the company looks to expand its portfolio of services. Established as a same day delivery specialist in 1998, Crisis Logistics has developed its service offering to include warehousing and fulfilment, alongside national and international road haulage. The company plans to retain Action Express’s Brackmills Industrial Estate depot and make key investments in the site and its facilities as it increases the volume of pallets and parcels it handles. It has already purchased 10 new vehicles for Action Express, including seven articulated lorries and three 18-tonne trucks, and plans to create new jobs as it grows the company. Action Express founder and former APC Overnight Chief Executive, Syed Ziaullah, who established the company in 1982 with just a bike and a van, will join the board of directors at Crisis Logistics. Charles Grant-Salmon, chairman at Crisis Logistics, said: “As part of our growth strategy we are expanding our business and developing Crisis Logistics into the market leader and one-stop shop for all logistics services in Northamptonshire. “The acquisition will benefit customers of both companies by enabling us to provide a full range of logistics services across pallets, parcels and general haulage, in addition to specialist services like temperature-controlled delivery and secure distribution. “We are delighted that Syed will join our board for the next five years to allow us to benefit from his wealth of knowledge and enable a smooth integration into Action Express’s new era.” Edward Grant-Salmon, Managing Director at Crisis Logistics, said: “We want to provide flexible solutions for our customers as they expand and diversify their own operations, and the acquisition of Action Express will allow us to do that. “The business is a perfect fit with our own operation, as we’re both well-established firms with a loyal long-term customer base, and we remain committed to providing the best experience for all of our customers. “In recent years, we have invested heavily in building a Customer Relationship Management system to improve efficiency and speed up processes, which has ensured we are in a strong position to grow while also maintaining the quality of service that is so important to our customers.” Caroline Green, Chief Executive at Pallet-Track, added: “We are delighted to be working with Crisis Logistics and would like to extend a warm Pallet-Track welcome to Charles, Edward and the whole team. “Action Express is a well-respected and long-term member of our network and we have every confidence that the new team will steer the business to great success in its new era.”

Motorcycle insurance firm appoints administrators

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Motorcycle insurance firm appoints administrators
Motorcycle insurance firm MCE Insurance Limited has been placed into administration by its directors. Mark Holborow, Vincent Green and Steven Edwards, of Crowe U.K. LLP, were named joint administrators on 17 July.
The Financial Conduct Authority said in a statement: “Having considered the firm’s financial position, its directors made a decision to place it into administration and on 17 July 2023, Mark Holborow, Vincent Green and Steven Edwards, all of Crowe U.K. LLP were appointed as joint administrators.” The Northamptonshire-based firm’s contact centre remains operational and will be overseen by the joint administrators. The Financial Conduct Authority added: “If you bought your insurance through MCE Insurance Limited, they acted as your insurance broker and you are insured by Sabre Insurance Company Limited…Sabre Insurance are not affected by this administration and your policy is still in force.”

Blueprint produced to shape Nottingham’s Eastside

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Blueprint produced to shape Nottingham’s Eastside
A blueprint for how the Eastside of Nottingham is developed in the coming years has been produced, underpinned by sustainability and protection of green spaces and heritage sites. A Supplementary Planning Document produced by the City Council will provide developers with a clear idea of what is expected for the area, which includes Sneinton Market and runs north-west to include Victoria Park and St Mary’s Rest Garden, parts of Lower Parliament Street and Glasshouse Street and Huntingdon Street as far as just below Woodborough Road. It provides a connection between the Victoria Centre, Hockley and Lace Market shopping areas and the communities of St Ann’s and Sneinton. It is also close to the Island Quarter and Waterside regeneration sites. As part of the Creative Quarter, the redevelopment of Sneinton Market and the Victoria Leisure Centre has created a vibrant centre for creative and digital economies which the new planning document aims to build from. All of these elements place Eastside as an important centre for regeneration. The new planning guidance states that the area presents a unique opportunity to contribute to the economic growth of the city, providing opportunities for a vibrant mix of new residential, business, shops, restaurants, leisure and cultural uses including the night-time economy. It is envisioned that there will be a variety of high quality housing, attractive to a wide range of households, well related to public realm and accessible to public open space and benefiting from good access to existing and new facilities. New and enhanced pedestrian routes will be created between the Eastside, city centre and adjoining neighbourhoods. The council will assemble existing and potential new sources of infrastructure funding to create high quality public realm and co-ordinate safe pedestrian, cyclist and traffic movement. All new development will be required to achieve a high standard of environmental sustainability and an appropriate balance in the type of housing. Portfolio Holder for Highways, Transport and Planning, Councillor Angela Kandola, said: “Regeneration of the Eastside area aims to deliver high quality housing, attractive to a wide range of households, to promote mixed and balanced communities, improved public realm and enhance connections between the Eastside, the city centre and adjoining neighbourhoods. “In line with our ambitions to become carbon neutral by 2028, we also want to encourage a range of measures that developers can employ to reduce carbon in their development proposals. These relate to energy efficiency, renewable energy and sustainable design and construction.” The Eastside Supplementary Planning Document was approved for adoption by the council’s Executive Board when it met on Tuesday 18 July.

Inflation falls as fuel and food prices decrease

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Inflation falls as fuel and food prices decrease
UK inflation fell to 7.9% in June, according to the latest ONS figures, down from 8.7% in May and coming in below expectations. With hopes that this means a turning point for stubbornly high inflation, reduced motor fuel and food prices drove the decrease – the lowest inflation has been since March 2022. Core inflation, meanwhile, which takes out energy, food, alcohol and tobacco to give a clear picture of underlying trends, was down from 7.1% to 6.9%. Commenting on June’s inflation figures, Editorial and Research Fellow at the free market think tank the Institute of Economic Affairs, Professor Len Shackleton, said: “If last month’s 8.7 per cent annual increase in the CPI was unexpectedly high, this month’s 7.9 per cent is a shade lower than expected. This is mirrored in other indicators such as CPIH and core CPI. “Since these figures were tallied, Russia has ended a deal to allow grain exports from Ukraine, which will likely push up global and UK food prices. Mortgage rates have also gone up. Nevertheless, since the extraordinary increases in the money supply that ultimately fuel inflation have ended, inflation is set to fall further. “Rishi Sunak’s pledge to halve inflation by the end of the year may still be optimistic, but at least there are no grounds for the Bank of England to raise interest rates further. Nor are there any grounds for panic measures to hold down prices artificially, such as Grant Shapps’ silly initiative to curb supermarket petrol prices.”

Microlise Group helps raise over £15k at the inaugural Transaid Cup

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Microlise Group helps raise over £15k at the inaugural Transaid Cup

Microlise Group, a Nottingham-based provider of technology solutions, has helped raise over £15,000 in support of a new fundraising initiative: the Transaid Cup, for international development organisation, Transaid.

Working closely alongside the charity and Libra Consulting to organise the event which took place at Ilkeston Town Football Clubs’ Microlise Ground, employees also took to the pitch to compete against 12 other industry teams.

The tournament featured 13 teams in a 7-aside format, with Michelin Riverside going head-to-head with Michelin Factory in the final match, stealing the crown with an impressive victory. Other teams in attendance on the day included Dawsongroup, Goodyear, GXO, Kinaxia, Lytx, MAN, MEP Hire, and RHA.

Microlise customer, Creed Foodservice, made a sizeable donation of food and drinks, which players and spectators were able to purchase, with all proceeds going directly to Transaid. Employ Recruitment also provided sponsorship to support the event.

All money raised will directly support Transaid’s mission to transform lives through safe, available, and sustainable transport, by improving road safety and access to healthcare in sub-Saharan Africa.

The charity works closely with local communities, government agencies, and the private sector to develop sustainable transportation systems and advocate for policy changes that enhance mobility and improve road safety.

The Transaid Cup offered multiple avenues for participation, including team registrations, spectating, volunteering, and company sponsorship. Its JustGiving page is still open for donations.

Speaking on the event, Nadeem Raza, Microlise Group’s CEO, said: “We are delighted to collaborate with Transaid and Libra Consulting on this dynamic fundraising initiative, to engage with the transport and logistics industry and rally support for Transaid’s life-saving work.

“The event not only offered an exciting day of sporting competition but also the opportunity to contribute to a worthy cause. By raising funds through the Transaid Cup, we have helped Transaid to expand its reach and deliver essential transport solutions to those who need them the most.”

Caroline Barber, Chief Executive at Transaid, added: “We are incredibly grateful to Transaid’s long-term corporate partner Microlise, and the team at Libra Consulting for the level of effort put into making the inaugural Transaid Cup such a great success.

“We would also like to thank the event sponsors for their generous donations, Ilkeston Town F.C. for hosting the tournament, and all the individuals in the teams that participated. The funds raised will contribute significantly to sustaining and developing our programmes in sub-Saharan Africa, ensuring professional drivers can safely leave for a day’s work, and people can access healthcare when they need it most.”

Chesterfield to bridge the skills gap with businesses

Tess Egginton
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Chesterfield to bridge the skills gap with businesses

A new plan which is designed to boost skills and career opportunities for local people has been launched by Chesterfield Borough Council.

The new Skills Action Plan sets out a variety of partnership initiatives – working with local agencies and businesses – to help bridge the skills gap.

It includes new projects that are designed to provide training and support for local people to improve their skills and access a wider range of career opportunities. The plan also establishes a new Skills and Employment Partnership which aims to put employers at the heart of local skills development and ensure local people are developing the right skills to access new opportunities.

Councillor Tricia Gilby, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council and vice chair of the Skills and Employment Partnership, said: “This new plan and partnership aims to deliver our objective of creating a thriving borough where everyone can benefit from a growing local economy.

“We want to ensure that local people have the skills to progress in their careers or access new opportunities as they become available. Working closely with businesses is key to achieving our aims because we need to ensure that we are helping local people develop the skills that employers need.

“Our action plan introduces a range of new programmes and initiatives that will help people of all ages to boost their skills and develop new careers. We will be working with lots of delivery partners including education providers, employers, voluntary sector organisations and other councils, to ensure these programmes meet the needs of local people.”

The action plan sets out 12 areas of action across six themes including, Young People, Ambitions and Connections to Work, Increasing Higher Level Skills, Barriers to Employment and Widening the Workforce, Anchor Organisation Project Opportunities, Sector Specific and Future Skills, and Skills Brokerage and Partnership.

Within each theme there are a series of activities and commitments, these include the expansion of the Careers Made In Chesterfield programme, delivering a digital inclusion and work readiness programme, and the creation of a workforce upskilling programme focussed on green and digital careers. These are just some of the many actions that the council will take over the next five years to realise the ambitious plan.

Michael Timmins, a director at AECOM and chair of the Skills and Employment Partnership, said: “To help the local economy continue to grow we need to work together to ensure people have the right skills and experience to access high quality jobs.

“I’m proud to chair the new partnership because it shows there is a strong commitment to listening to businesses and responding to their needs through skills development. I look forward to seeing the new programmes starting up and hope that lots of people will take these opportunities on.”

The Skills Action Plan will run from 2023 until 2027. It is just one of a range of projects and initiatives which is being funded through the UKSPF, after the council was successful in securing £2.6m from the Government. It will fund initiatives, until 2025, which are designed to improve life for local people and support local businesses.

Construction completes on new Loughborough apartment development

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Construction completes on new Loughborough apartment development
Horsnall Holdings has completed the construction of The Wharf, a 55-unit scheme in Waterside Village, Loughborough, with support from funding from Paragon Bank’s Development Finance division. Paragon provided an £8.3 million finance package in a deal led by senior relationship director Simon Dekker, with support from senior portfolio manager Craig Seaborne. The Wharf consists of 55 one, two and three-bedroom flats with facilities including a fitness studio, private rooftop garden, co-working space, canalside garden and concierge service. All units within the scheme are fully sold out. The development forms part of the three-phase scheme, with all new apartment buildings, funded by Paragon Bank. Waterside Village developments include award-winning, The Gate, repurposed 1800s hosiery factory, The Mill, and the final installment, The Wharf. Mark Horsnall, director of Horsnall Holdings, said: “We are delighted the final stage of Waterside Village has concluded with The Wharf. The project signifies the completion of the stunning three-phase apartment development in Loughborough. “Our strong relationship with Paragon continues to grow, with the completion of The Wharf. Not only have they funded all three phases of Waterside Village, but this completion is also our seventh deal with Paragon. Working with Simon and his team is always a delight and they are a crucial part of delivering these fantastic facilities.” Simon Dekker, Paragon Bank Development Finance relationship manager, said: “Congratulations to the team at Horsnall Holdings for completing the final development in this incredible scheme. We are delighted to be there from the very beginning and to see their vision come to fruition. “The apartments are superb homes and facilities with each build complementing the other as part of the Waterside Village. We enjoy working with Mark and his team at Horsnall Holdings and are thrilled with their success.”

Nominate exceptional businesses for Developer of the Year at the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023

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Nominate exceptional businesses for Developer of the Year at the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023
With nominations OPEN until Thursday 31 August for the annual East Midlands Bricks Awards, shining a light on the region’s property and construction industry, 10 categories are available to enter, offering a prime forum to showcase outstanding businesses, teams and projects. One category at the prestigious event is Developer of the Year, which can be entered here. The winner of this category will be the developer that has truly pushed the limit over the last 12 months. Their scheme(s) will have shown to not only be a success, but that there was true demand for them. The winning developer will have displayed courage in a tough market to deliver award winning results. There is no size limit, but schemes must have been completed over the last 12 months. Last year the award was won by HBD. Judges said: “HBD has demonstrated a commitment to creating places in the East Midlands with purpose. Their work at Markham Vale, Nottingham’s Power Park and plans for TMS in Leicester are driving regeneration and delivering potential for inward investment and job creation across our region.” Runners up were Hockley Developments and St James Securities. With this year’s Developer of the Year award once again sponsored by Ward, Donald Ward, Operations Director at Ward, said: “Each year the Bricks Awards get better and better. The quality of entries gets even tougher to judge. It’s a real celebration of the achievements of businesses in the building and construction sector across the East Midlands. We’re pleased to be sponsoring the Developer of the Year award again this year and look forward to getting involved.”

Submit your nominations for Developer of the Year here before entries close on Thursday 31 August.

Guests network at the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022
Winners will be revealed at a glittering awards ceremony on Thursday 28 September, at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground – an evening also offering an opportunity to establish new connections with property and construction professionals from across the region. Other award categories open for entry include: Most Active Estate Agent, Commercial Development of the Year, Responsible Business of the Year, Residential Development of the Year, Contractor of the Year, Deal of the Year, Architects of the Year, Excellence in Design, and Sustainable Development of the Year. All entry forms can be accessed here. The Overall Winner award will also be presented at the event. This award cannot be entered, with the winner selected from those nominated. The Overall Winner of the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023 will also receive a year of marketing/publicity worth £20,000.

Book your tickets now

Tickets can now be booked for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023 – click here to secure yours. The special awards evening and networking event will be held on Thursday 28 September 2023 in the Derek Randall Suite at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground from 4:30pm – 7:30pm. Connect with local decision makers over canapés and complimentary drinks while applauding the outstanding companies and projects in our region, and hear from Mike Denby, Director of Inward Investment and Place Marketing at Leicester City Council, our keynote speaker. Dress code is standard business attire. Thanks to our sponsors:                                                             To be held at:

Company insolvencies up 40 per cent year on year

Tess Egginton
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Company insolvencies up 40 per cent year on year
The number of registered company insolvencies in May 2023 was 2,552, 40% higher than in the same month in the previous year (1,825 in May 2022). This was higher than levels seen while the Government support measures were in place in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and also higher than pre-pandemic numbers. There were 189 compulsory liquidations in May 2023, 34% higher than in May 2022. Numbers of compulsory liquidations have increased from historical lows seen during the coronavirus pandemic, partly as a result of an increase in winding-up petitions presented by HMRC. In May 2023 there were 2,181 Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidations (CVLs), 38% higher than in May 2022. Numbers of administrations and Company Voluntary Arrangements (CVAs) were higher than in May 2022. The numbers provided in this publication are not seasonally adjusted and changes between consecutive months may not indicate overall trends. Therefore, in this publication Forbes Burton compare to the same calendar month in the previous year. The number of registered company insolvencies in May 2023 was higher than in the same month last year, driven by a higher number of CVLs. England and Wales, May 2019 to May 2023, not seasonally adjusted.
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This statistical release presents the numbers of CVLs, administrations, CVAs and receivership appointments based on their registration date at Companies House, and therefore numbers reflect company insolvency registrations rather than insolvency procedure start dates. Compulsory liquidation data are sourced from the Insolvency Service and provide an accurate measure of the number of new cases in each month. Data for the latest month were extracted from a live system five working days after month end and therefore figures are provisional. Of the 2,552 registered company insolvencies in May 2023:
  • There were 2,181 CVLs, which is 38% higher than in May 2022;
  • 189 were compulsory liquidations, which is 34% higher than May 2022;
  • 31 were CVAs, which is 121% higher than May 2022;
  • There were 151 administrations, which is 80% higher than May 2022;
  • There were no receivership appointments.
The chart above shows the historical trend of company insolvencies covering the past four years. Up from pre-pandemic levels From the start of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic until mid-2021, overall numbers of company were low when compared with pre-pandemic levels. This is likely to have been partly driven by government measures put in place to support businesses and individuals during this time. Company insolvency numbers have now returned to and exceeded pre-pandemic levels. Between 26 June 2020 and 31 May 2023, in England & Wales, 44 moratoriums were obtained and 21 companies had a restructuring plan registered at Companies House. These two procedures were created by the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020. Need help navigating the rough seas we’re facing right now? Give Forbes Burton a call on 0800 975 0380. This article contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
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