The £6.5m plan to transform Derbyshire’s National Stone Centre has been given the green light. A detailed planning application jointly submitted to Derbyshire Dales District Council last year by the National Stone Centre and the Institute of Quarrying plans to turn the site, near Wirksworth, into a centre of excellence for the industry – and a place to inspire the next generation. The first phase of the project includes a 100-seater café/restaurant, four classrooms with a combined capacity for 120 learners, museum/exhibition space, souvenir shop, playground and open-air circular piazza for community events. The National Stone Centre officially opened in 1990 to inspire people to engage with the origin, industry and the history of stone. It is set within six former limestone quarries on a 40-acre Site of Special Scientific Interest. The design of the new centre draws on influences from local rock formations, including the overhanging rock formations found in local gritstone outcrops, such as Black Rocks and Stanage Edge.

Property developer HBD has completed Power Park in Nottingham, providing 426,000 sq ft of sustainable industrial and logistics space. Construction began in May 2022 following a £53.8m forward-funding deal with Oxenwood Logistics Fund 1 SLP, a discretionary fund managed by Oxenwood Real Estate. The project transformed the former home of Imperial Tobacco, one of the city’s best-known sites, with seven sustainable new buildings taking shape across the 28-acre development. Sustainability has been a major focus, both throughout the construction process and within the completed development. Each of the seven units meet BREEAM “Very Good” standards, which will help occupiers to keep running costs low and limit the scheme’s environmental impact.  Justin Sheldon, Director and Head of Region at HBD, said: “It’s fantastic to see the regeneration of the site now complete. Power Park provides sustainable Grade A space in a prime industrial location. Supply remains constrained throughout the region and our decision to develop Power Park demonstrates our confidence both in the scheme and established demand.”  Jeremy Bishop, co-founder of Oxenwood, said: “Power Park is a high-quality development for Nottingham and for our fund. The variety of unit sizes and their specification are designed to address the regional demand in a market with an acute undersupply of 30,000 – 150,000 sq ft units.”  The agents for Power Park are M1 Agency and Knight Frank.

Property and asset management specialists FI Real Estate Management has completed all phases of a full refurbishment of The HQ, Rowland Hill House to reveal 44,000 sq ft of modern open-plan office space. The £1.2m project has seen FIREM upgrade the former Royal Mail building to Grade A office space specifically designed for flexible working, offering bespoke and turnkey packages tailored to meet specific business needs and requirements. The rise of hybrid working has created a shift in office requirements for businesses across the region, with The HQ pioneering a new approach in the Chesterfield business community. Commercial vehicle hire company Northgate has recently signed a lease of 8,000 sq ft, alongside other tenants, Derbyshire Police and Reed in Partnership, demonstrating the diversified offering of the office facilities to suit a range of businesses. Tim Knowles, founder and Managing Director of FIREM said: “The HQ’s office concept has never been seen before in Chesterfield and reflects the work we are doing to progress Chesterfield’s business offering in line with nearby cities. “It is arguably the most competitive office product in the Chesterfield market, offering businesses a bespoke turnkey service from day one that can be modified to suit their changing needs and requirements.” Modern, well connected office spaces are now available across Chesterfield. Regardless of your workspace requirements, from co-working and hotdesking to spacious offices for a large team, our aim is to make you as productive as possible.

Agents FHP and Phillips Sutton, acting on behalf of Northwood Urban Logistics, have concluded a string of deals at the Teal Park Trade & Industrial Scheme in Nottingham. It sees an established line up of trade occupiers now in place with just 1 of the 14 trade units remaining. The latest occupiers to sign up on the trade scheme include ETB Tyres, a brand owned by Bridgestone, Clifton Trade Bathrooms, and Octopus Energy, who join an already established trade line up including PaintWell, Screwfix, Howdens, Toolstation and Karcher. The scheme also includes a 155,000 sq ft industrial scheme with individual units from 9,606 sq ft up to 31,553 sq ft. The recent letting of Unit 1 and Unit 2 to Yellow Octopus UK and Upcycle Labs leaves remaining availability from 17,785 – 31,553 sq ft. Anthony Barrowcliffe of FHP said: “This scheme has proven very popular and we are delighted to have secured such a high quality tenant line up for our clients. “The scheme is located on a busy arterial route to the east of Nottingham surrounded by a lot of new housing development taking place which makes it a perfect new location for new trade occupiers, last mile logistics companies and also production occupiers who can take advantage of the emerging population in this location. “There are ongoing discussions on the remaining units and we hope to announce further occupiers in the near future.” Brodie Faint of Phillips Sutton said: “It is great to see this development fulfil its potential as a new location for both trade and industrial occupiers. The strength of the trade counter scheme has been further enhanced with the most recent lettings to Clifton Tiles & Bathrooms and Octopus Energy. “With continuing demand and limited remaining availability, the goal of securing 100% occupation across the estate is now within reach.” Iain Taylor at Northwood said: “We are very pleased to welcome our latest occupiers to Teal Park demonstrating that it is appealing to a wide range of occupiers who will be able to adapt the units for a variety of uses.”

Excel Therapy Limited has taken the lease on a prestigious office building in the heart of Nottingham’s historic Lace Market in a deal completed by commercial property specialists Landa Associates and FHP Property Consultants. Sunny Landa FRICS, director of Landa Associates, acted on behalf of Excel’s founder Scott Poundall to successfully secure a new home for the sports and performance therapy business at 48-50 St Mary’s Gate. Amy Howard, surveyor at FHP, acted for landlord Nigel Rhodes. Poundall established Excel Therapy in early 2019. The specialist osteopath has worked with members of the Nottingham Forest first team squad and the Nottingham Panthers, where he worked for 14 years. The Excel Therapy team will use the space to deliver a wide range of therapeutic services including rehab, osteopathy and sports massage as well as high-level specialist training for aspiring and established therapists. The site has something of a storied history, having once been occupied by Bombardier, who took a lease on the premises in 2008 in another deal completed by Sunny Landa. The property has also belonged to the well-known Strauss family in times past. Sunny Landa FRICS said: “I’m delighted to have acquired this distinguished property for a great client. Excel Therapy really is a one-of-a-kind business, great to work with, and I firmly believe Scott will do very well there. “48-50 St Mary’s Gate has a fascinating history and it’s a property that’s very close to my heart, given I once let it to Bombardier. I used that deal as a case study for my APC qualification many years ago.” Scott Poundall, founder of Excel Therapy Limited, said: “I’d like to thank Sunny for securing such fantastic premises for the business. His work on this deal was meticulous and his expertise was invaluable at every stage of the process. We will be using our new home to offer an expanded range of services and specialist training.” Amy Howard of FHP said: “It was a pleasure to work with Sunny and Scott on this deal. This is one of the most prestigious properties in an area brimming with prime assets. The building really is special – you can almost feel the history of the place. Excel Therapy is exactly the kind of tenant my client was looking for. They will bring something fresh and exciting to this historic part of Nottingham. I wish them all the best in their new home.” Nigel Rhodes, landlord, added: “Excel Therapy is already one of the most dynamic businesses in Nottingham and I am delighted to welcome Scott and the team to the Lace Market. Hats off to Amy and Sunny for their sterling work in getting the deal over the line. As a landlord, it’s vital to surround yourself with advisors who know the market inside out, and I’m very pleased to say the advice I received on this occasion was second to none.”

Placemaking and regeneration expert LCR has completed the £2.8m acquisition of Midland House, further accelerating Derby’s city centre regeneration plans. The high-profile 19th century heritage building sits adjacent to Derby railway station amid an area earmarked for regeneration by Derby City Council to create a new, more effective gateway to the city centre. The acquisition was made possible with the support of £500,000 funding from Derby City Council. LCR and the City Council are now working to bring forward a regeneration masterplan for the station area as part of the wider regional growth story. The plans will then be subject to consultation with residents, local businesses and other key stakeholders. The c.55,000 sq ft building was originally the headquarters for Midland Railway and has also served as a free school. Local residents may associate the building with its most recent use as a COVID vaccination centre. Midland House forms a key component of regeneration plans for the area, with the building linking multiple plots of underutilised land ready for regeneration. The sale of the building to government-owned LCR ensures that the heritage of the building will be protected and serve as a focal point for the wider regeneration of the city. The transformation of Derby has gathered pace in recent years, with the Castleward and Derbion projects among those aiming to provide new housing, amenities and public realm. The news also follows the confirmation that Derby will be the home of the headquarters for Great British Railways. Karl Drabble, regional director at LCR, said: “It is an exciting time to live, study and work in Derby, with plans to transform the city and its surrounding areas already moving at pace. News of Great British Railways’ arrival will only galvanise these, and it’s crucial that the area around Derby station, which has long been under-loved, provides a gateway that is symbolic of the direction the city is heading. “We’ll be working hand-in-hand with Derby City Council to kickstart plans to regenerate the area, and the iconic Midland House will play a crucial role. Residents’ and visitors’ experience will sit at the heart of efforts to revitalise the area, and in partnership with the council, we want to ensure that the area is an exciting space for people to live and work again.” Rachel North, Deputy Chief Executive (Communities and Place) at Derby City Council, said: “The news of the acquisition of Midland House by LCR is particularly welcome now that Derby has been confirmed as the new home of Great British Railways. It is an important building close to Derby station and its heritage will be protected. As well as having a proud rail history, Derby has an exciting future. “The planned regeneration will help build the potential of the city’s Railway Conservation Area and continue to make Derby a more attractive place for residents, businesses, tourists and investors.” Pinsent Masons advised on the acquisition for LCR.

A global developer and operator of logistics real estate, data centres, renewable energy and related technologies has struck a deal to occupy a landmark scheme developed by Clowes Developments. GLP has signed a 15-year lease for a 135,000 sq ft warehouse at G-Park South Normanton. GLP completed G-Park South Normanton as a forward funded project with NFU Mutual at the end of 2022, developed by Clowes. It forms part of a development within Castlewood Business Park, which totals more than 1.5 million sq ft of warehouse space and is home to a range of tenants such as Co-op Food, Alloga and Parker Knoll. Adrienne Howells, senior development director at GLP, said: “G-Park South Normanton Castlewood is another important step in our ongoing commitment to the Midlands – one of the UK’s major logistics hubs. “We’re continuing to invest in the region to provide high-quality, strategically located, sustainable logistics space to our growing pool of top-tier customers.”

Midlands-based contractor, G F Tomlinson is celebrating success on several local schemes it has secured preferred contractor status on via a number of public sector frameworks, including Pagabo, Scape and the Department of Education, giving the firm a forward pipeline of work for the second half of 2023 and through to 2024 of £60 million. These schemes include 90 new council houses in Worksop for Bassetlaw District Council valued at £21 million which will comprise of a mix of two, three and four-bed houses and two-bed bungalows. The scheme contains a host of green credentials including energy efficient air source pumps, solar panels, high insulation and electric vehicle charging points. There will also be cycle routes to encourage health and wellbeing. George Betts Primary Academy in Smethwick valued at £9 million comprises a newbuild replacement school for 420 pupils and 26 nursery places. Once on site the works will be phased so that the existing school can continue to operate whilst the new school is being built. Another high-profile scheme is the refurbishment of the Grade II Listed Stephenson Memorial Hall, which houses both the Pomegranate Theatre and Museum, for Chesterfield Borough Council valued at £16 million. The project aims to enhance the building by creating a modern visitor experience in the heart of the town centre and extend the life of an important heritage asset – creating a gateway impact and a ‘sense of arrival’ to the town. Works comprise refurbishment, refit and extension to the listed building, which stands within a conservation area. This includes creation of a new café bar to enhance the theatre and museum experience and the installation of new lifts and a changing places toilet to improve accessibility. The scheme also includes improvements to Corporation Street with new paving and lighting that will revamp this key gateway to the town centre and provide a welcoming environment for visitors to the refurbished theatre and museum. The final project to highlight is the Sherwood Observatory Science Discovery Centre in Sutton in Ashfield, valued at £5 million, which will transform a disused underground Victorian reservoir, dating back to 1880, into an education centre for school and group visits. The scheme will feature an exhibition hall, classroom, a cafe and meeting rooms as well as the state-of-the-art planetarium. It is hoped the new facility will increase annual visitor numbers from 3,000 to 20,000. The company’s strategy has been to concentrate on the public sector, particularly through frameworks, which continues to provide ongoing opportunities in buoyant markets such as education, healthcare and bespoke civic schemes being funded by Government Spending initiatives including Towns Fund, the Levelling Up Agenda and Department for Education. Andrew Sewards, group chairman at G F Tomlinson, said: “We are delighted with these recent successes, which are testament that our strategy of concentrating on the public sector is paying off. We continue to invest in and strengthen our workforce in order to capitalise on the opportunities we have moving forward, ensuring we remain in a very positive position within the marketplace.” G F Tomlinson is also providing sustainable employment for its local supply chain, helping to generate social, economic and environmental benefits to the surrounding communities in which they work in.

The independent tax advisory firm, Claritas Tax, has expanded into the East Midlands through the opening of its newest office in Nottingham. The firm currently has offices in Birmingham and Manchester. Ses Memhi, associate partner, who will lead the Nottingham office, explained: “The office will allow us to attract high calibre students and professionals in the region who are keen to develop their professional career in an environment where they will be provided with many challenging opportunities to develop, progress, and become part of our exciting growth story.” The office has been designed with the needs of the team at its core, to enable flexible working and collaboration, and great transport links in a thriving business district. Ses continued: “This is an exciting time for Claritas as we embark on the next stage of our growth plan with a new office in the East Midlands. My own professional journey continues having joined Claritas almost 8 and ½ years ago as the 4th fee earner; there are now 47 of us! “Having previously worked in Nottingham and continuing to work alongside many contacts and clients in the region, I am fully aware of the talented professionals and leading-edge businesses in the region. “I have also lived in Derby for over 13 years and with family in Leicester, I am truly excited and enthused at the prospect of leading our offering in the East Midlands and would like to thank everyone for the support they have shown to Claritas and to me personally. “My role as head of transactions tax means my time will be split between the West and East Midlands, so don’t worry my ‘West’ friends; I’ll still be there!” Iain Wright, partner and founder of Claritas, adds: “Ses has been an important member of the senior team over the last 8 and ½ years, bringing in a wealth of experience, knowledge, and ideas. He has some fantastic long-standing relationships within the East Midlands, which we are keen to see grow. With this move, our clients will benefit from greater local collaboration, enabling us to deliver enhanced outcomes for them and their businesses.”

Grass machinery distributor, Henton & Chattell, has expanded its warehousing space with the purchase of a substantial new unit near its head offices in Nottingham. The family business was established in 1931, and now employs 85 people across the country, supplying the general public, golf, public authorities and 1,500 garden machinery dealers across the UK and Ireland. The new warehouse is set to create eight more jobs for the city and doubles the capacity of the current premises. The increased space enables improved stock availability so that orders can be fulfilled quickly and efficiently, streamlining the overall logistics of the company, its deliveries and order fulfilment. On the expansion, Peter Chaloner, Managing Director, said: “There are some really exciting times ahead for us all here at Henton & Chattell, not just with the new facility but also within the products we plan to bring to market in 2023. “The acquisition of the new warehouse is a massive step in the company’s journey and, hopefully, it is one of many more to come. We always pride ourselves on our commitment to our dealers and the ambition we have to deliver the best possible service to support them and their businesses. “With this new increased capacity, we’ll be able to provide an even greater level of support that will improve operations all round.”