Derby tech firm lands £3m contract with global industrial brand
Bloc Digital has signed a £3 million contract with a global industrial brand for its expertise.
The CG visualisation and digital solutions specialist has signed a three-year retainer agreement, which will see it provide its knowledge, skills and services.
The Derby firm said it has already been providing comprehensive creative, media and technology support for the client for a number of years.
According to the company, the new agreement will drive further collaboration between Bloc Digital and the global client, including across the UK, US, Asia and emerging markets.
Keith Cox, co-founder of Bloc Digital, said: “Bound by strict NDAs, we can’t disclose the name of the client, but I can say how proud we are to have an industry leader formally recognise the value of our unique and extensive mix of skills – investing in our creative, multi-media content and digital technology expertise.”
In recent years, Bloc has strengthened its portfolio across the client’s subsidiaries and worldwide locations, including concepting and creating brand collateral, AR (Augmented Reality) experiences, detailed 3D animations and interactive virtual platforms for product launches, exhibitions, and sales and marketing activity.
Chris Hotham, co-founder of Bloc Digital, said: “This contract also demonstrates how our commitment to delivering impactful, high-quality results while balancing costs is providing our clients with a real edge.
“It’s this combination of values, industrial expertise, and range of digital skills – something they described as being challenging to find within one company – that attracted this global brand to strengthening its relationship with us.”
Self Assessment income tax receipts reach record level, up by 33% year-on-year
New figures from the ONS show that income tax collected by HMRC via Self Assessment rose by 33% year-on-year to a record £21.9bn in January, helping to push public sector net borrowing into a higher than expected surplus of £5.4bn.
Meanwhile, the overall tax take for the month reached its highest level of £106.5bn, 19% up on the same month last year.
According to the ONS, January’s high annual self-assessed tax receipts were partly offset by substantial spending on energy support schemes.
Commenting on the latest figures, Dawn Register, BDO’s Head of Tax Dispute Resolution said: “After a record 11.7m tax returns were filed by the 31 January deadline, HMRC will have been expecting high tax collection figures for January.
“Despite this achievement for HMRC, these record figures for Self Assessment income tax payments also reflect the impact of frozen tax thresholds, and the subsequent increase in the number of people being pulled into the Self Assessment tax net.
“Those who missed the 31 January filing deadline should ensure their returns are filed as soon as possible as penalties will already apply.
“While January’s figures have boosted the public finances, what today’s figures don’t show is that the level of outstanding tax debt owed to the Exchequer also rose. The latest statistics released earlier this month show that tax debt rose by 22% year-on-year to reach £48bn as at the end of December 2022.
“Clearly there are taxpayers whose economic circumstances mean that they will need to agree Time to Pay arrangements with HMRC.
“But if HMRC were better resourced to tackle persistent and deliberate non-payers and prevent more tax avoidance, the public finances would be in a much better shape and the tax burden on those paying promptly could ease. This should be a priority for the Chancellor at the March Budget.”
An exciting new era for the White Hart Hotel
Positive changes are underway at the iconic White Hart Hotel in Lincoln’s historic Bailgate, with the recent appointment of a new General Manager and an imminent programme for a full transformation of the hotel with a sensitive and comprehensive refurbishment scheme.
The hotel’s owner, local businessman Andrew Long, said: “Since acquiring the White Hart Hotel in July 2022, the intention has always been to maximise the full trading potential and to enhance the status of the full range of facilities. Our extensive refurbishment will respect the centuries of heritage in the building and its exceptional location.
“To now have a confirmed date for the commencement of the works is very exciting for the future of the White Hart, as well as a further ‘milestone’ for Lincoln’s historic Bailgate and the surrounding Uphill area.
“We believe that the hotel will become one of the very best in the region, as well as remaining a popular and welcoming venue for our loyal guests, many of whom have known the hotel for several decades and generations.”
The hotel will close for the extensive refurbishment and improvement works for three months from 1st March and is scheduled for reopening in June. The work will include a complete refurbishment and ‘refit’ of the main Lounge Bar, as well as the addition of a new Club Bar and a relocated Reception. At the same time, the contractors will complete a sensitive refurbishment of the ground and first floor function rooms, inclusive of the former Orangery / Eastgate Suite and King Richard Room.
There will also be a significant reconfiguration of the Restaurant, which will be ‘rebranded’ and re-launched in July. This will include an impressive new frontage onto Bailgate, appropriately elevating the venue as a sophisticated ‘special occasion’ dining destination in its own right, offering high standards of cuisine with extensive use of local produce.
Six bedrooms will be re-launched at the start of June, with the other 44 bedrooms and suites to be refurbished in a ‘rolling programme’ throughout the remainder of the year.
There is also a full re-branding project being undertaken in conjunction with renowned illustrator Chris Mitchell (who has been instrumental in many iconic designs for world-famous brands), which has already commenced in readiness for the reopening of the hotel.
Paul Noble joined the team as new General Manager in mid-January, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to the White Hart. Having worked in hotels and restaurants across the country, ranging from country houses to some of London’s finest eateries, he will oversee the preparation for the reopening in conjunction with the senior members of the full project team.
Paul said: “There’s nowhere quite like the White Hart and the uniqueness of this hotel is something which I’m very excited about. The world class location and the future potential are what have drawn me to this role and it’s going to be one of the most sought-after Cathedral city hotels in the country once the refurbishment has taken place.”
Andrew added: “Paul brings a huge amount of experience and energy to the role of General Manager. His appointment will be instrumental to the full delivery of our objectives to create a substantial jewel in Lincoln’s crown.”
Interior design concepts are being handled by the nationally renowned DO Design team. Director, Sarah Daniels, said: “Visiting Lincoln and the White Hart, we were struck by the need to reflect the heritage and innate features that may have been lost over time through previous renovations. We want to bring back a deep, warm feel and the colours and aesthetic choices we’ve planned will give a look that is both sympathetic to the building’s history without taking it back in time.
“This will also be supported by a suitable choice of varied furniture and antiques.”
Building work is to be undertaken by the Lindum Group in conjunction with many other Lincoln-based companies, project managed by Luxury Hotel Management, working in conjunction with John Robert Architects, Building & Quantity specialists P&BC, together with Banks, Long & Co.
New £741k Library Learning Facility set for Stapleford
A project to create a new £741k educational facility for people in Stapleford will begin next month.
The Library Learning Facility project is one of six regeneration projects being funded through the £21.1m Stapleford Towns Fund.
The existing town library, owned by the County Council, and run by Inspire will be remodelled, creating more space for new entry level skills education and training, allowing residents with little or no formal qualifications to take their first step, within their local community, on their lifelong learning journey.
Inspire, which delivers culture, learning and libraries on behalf of Nottinghamshire County Council, aims to support up to 1,000 local people with new skills over the next three years as well as providing community and family learning opportunities.
The reconfiguration will be delivered by Inspire with the Arc Partnership, a joint venture between Nottinghamshire County Council and SCAPE formed in 2016 to support and develop their property portfolio.
Phase one will begin in mid-March to create three new training rooms opening in June 2023. The library layout will be updated to make way for the learning facilities but will still accommodate the same amount of book stock as well as computers, floor space for children and exhibitions.
Ian Jowett, chair of the Stapleford Towns Board, said: “It’s great news that our plans have been approved to improve the education and learning provision in our town and help our people fulfil their learning and earning potential. The library’s a great local resource and this project will give it a new lease of life, making sure it remains at the heart of our great community.”
Peter Gaw, Inspire CEO, said: “We are excited to have this opportunity to improve education and learning for local residents to fulfil their learning and earning potential. We are delighted that we can provide three new learning spaces without compromising the library offer. We hope the new facilities will attract users new and old to use the space whether it be for learning, borrowing, events or community use.”
Councillor John Cottee, Cabinet Member for Communities at Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “The development of new learning spaces and our expanded learning offer at Stapleford library is a great opportunity for local residents to improve their skills and wellbeing on their doorstep. With a focus on entry level skills, we hope to see lots of learners start their learning journey with Inspire improving their employment prospects.”
Architect appointed to revamp auctioneers’ flagship site
Matthew Montague Architects has been appointed to revamp and extend the flagship site of Hanson Auctioneers.
The firm has been called in to design the upgraded premises at Etwall, providing it with an overall facelift and increasing space.
After a space-planning exercise, Matthew Montague Architects has finalised designs to re-organise the building, relocate the offices, improve the customer experience and maximise available space.
Paul Myers, the architect leading the project, said: “We have designed a two-story extension to be used as offices to replace the portacabin offices currently occupied by staff.
“We have also included meeting rooms, reconfigured the layout to maximize space, and designed a grand new entrance.”
Planning permission will now be sought from South Derbyshire District Council.
Hanson Auctioneers was founded in 2015 by antiques expert Charles Hanson, who is also a regular on television shows such as Flog It, Antiques Road Trip, and Bargain Hunt.
Matthew Montague said: “This is a great client for the practice; 2023 will mark our 25th year in business, we are well-known for our sports, education and residential projects, but in parallel we are equally pleased to be continuing to reinforce our portfolio of commercial work all across the Midlands.
“We are thrilled to be collaborating with Hansons.”
Charles said: “Matthew designed an elegant extension to my home; the addition to our period property was exactly what we wanted, and the new build blended seamlessly with the existing, suiting the house perfectly.
“Following that, I gave Matthew Montague Architects the approval to remodel the Etwall showroom. We are very excited for our business as we move into this new stage.”
Chesterfield open for business as Council approves new growth strategy
An ambitious plan which sets out a long-term vision for economic growth – including a focus on quality jobs for local people, access to higher level skills, and environmental sustainability – has been approved by Chesterfield Borough Council.
The new four-year Growth strategy (2023 – 2027) represents a long-term commitment from the council to make Chesterfield a thriving borough by strengthening local skills provision, supporting local businesses and further cementing Chesterfield’s role as a visitor destination.
It builds on the success of the last decade which has seen the creation of more than 2000 new jobs and more than 500 new businesses operating in the area, along with significant regeneration and investment across the borough.
The strategy – which was approved at a meeting of the full council on Wednesday 22 February – also has environmental sustainability at its heart, supporting the target of becoming a carbon neutral borough by 2050.
Councillor Tricia Gilby, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “This strategy is vital to ensuring our borough remains a thriving place to live and work, where everyone has the opportunity to boost their skills, and has access to quality jobs.
“It’s also crucial that we build environmental considerations into our long-term plans, as part of our ongoing commitment to create a sustainable borough for future generations and ensuring we do all we can to reduce carbon emissions.
“The plan builds on our successes over the last ten years including the creation of more than 2000 jobs, and with over 500 new businesses operating in the area.”
The strategy includes five key objectives, which are:
- Help businesses to grow and secure new business investment in the borough.
- Build a competitive place infrastructure that accelerates employment and housing growth.
- Strengthen the distinctive character and vibrancy of our town centres
- Develop Chesterfield’s role as a visitor destination and as a base for exploring the surrounding area.
- Ensure local people have the right skills to support progression in the labour market and benefit from future employment opportunities.
93,000 sq ft distribution facility completes in Burton
To meet continued demand for well-connected distribution space close to consumers, Goodman has completed a 93,000 sq ft high-specification facility at Centrum Logistics Park, Burton-upon-Trent.
This latest development builds on Goodman’s long-term investment at Centrum Logistics Park, having previously delivered the largest drive-through distribution centre in Europe for Palletforce.
Centrum 93 is built to a Grade A specification, with 1MVA of power capable of running investments in technology and automation, a 10m clear internal height, and office space, offering customers flexibility and supporting operational efficiency.
The sustainable property will help businesses to achieve energy efficiencies and have a lower carbon footprint, contributing to ongoing cost savings. Achieving an A-rated energy performance certification (EPC), the property features a solar PV system of 100kWp to generate clean energy, LED lighting to improve efficiency, and electric vehicle (EV) charging points and EV infrastructure to enable the next generation of vehicle fleets.
Nigel Dolan, development director at Goodman, said: “Strategically located distribution and logistics space provides essential infrastructure for businesses seeking to improve supply chain efficiency, reduce costs and lead times. A sustainable property in a Grade A location means that Centrum 93 provides customers with space to support their own long term sustainability and growth ambitions.”
Northampton transformation partner secures £5m investment
BGF has invested £5 million in Socitm Advisory, an independent transformation partner working with UK public sector organisations to improve the services they deliver through people change, data, technology, and innovation.
With over 100 consultants across the UK, Socitm Advisory provides a range of professional services to maximise organisational effectiveness and enhance customer and employee experiences on projects ranging from multi-million, multi-year enterprise resource planning (ERP) system transformations to broader digital and organisational change programmes.
Founded in 2015, the business is headquartered in Northampton and is the sister company of Socitm – the membership network for more than 250 public services organisations engaged in technology-enabled modernisation.
BGF’s investment will provide the foundations for the business to further expand its range of services and client base across local and central government and the wider public sector.
Tony Summers, Chief Executive Officer of Socitm Advisory, said: “We are delighted to welcome BGF as an investment partner to support our vision of bringing inspiration to UK public services. For many of our client organisations, technology-enabled modernisation is a necessity. This investment will support our aspiration to be their trusted advisor for delivering sustainable change, shaping future policy, and improving the lives of local citizens, communities, and the environment.
“Over the past seven years, we have re-invested £1.1 million in public services through our sister organisation, Socitm. Our future growth will unlock further investment in digital skills and leadership within the sector.”
The deal was led by Mark Nunny and Elena Kovalikhina, investors in BGF’s Central & East growth team. Mark will join the Socitm Advisory executive board as part of the deal.
BGF’s Mark Nunny, said: “Socitm Advisory is a well-established transformation consultancy, having built market-leading expertise and specialist services to support public sector clients facing the challenges of increased citizen demand for front-line services and expectations of a more digital and responsive organisation.
“We were attracted to the business by its focus on improving public services, the calibre of its people and the ROI it is delivering to its clients. It has strong ambitions to grow its services and influence in a large, addressable market and we’re excited to be partnering with Tony and the team on the next stage of their journey.”
As part of the deal, Socitm Advisory has also appointed Paul Heywood as non-executive chair. He brings significant experience of operating, growing and scaling businesses within the data and technology sectors, having previously served as chairman of BGF-backed IT consultancy and Cloud service provider DevOpsGroup, which was successfully acquired by Amdocs (DOX) in November 2021. Paul’s appointment follows an introduction from BGF’s Talent Network.
Consultation launched on plan for future of student living in Nottingham
A new plan has been created by Nottingham City Council to increase the choice and quality of student housing, maximise the benefits of a large student population and better tackle any associated challenges for communities.
Both of Nottingham’s universities add a combined £3.8 billion to the UK economy every year and support around 14% of the local economy, plus 25,000 jobs across the area.
The Student Living Strategy marks the first time that Nottingham City Council, the University of Nottingham, and Nottingham Trent University have made a formal commitment to work proactively together on shared priorities for housing and local services, as well as maximising the benefits that students bring to Nottingham.
Together they have launched a four-week consultation so people in the city can have their say on the proposals.
The Student Living Strategy sets out three main priorities:
- Improving the quality, safety, affordability and location of student accommodation, and encouraging a better balance of student housing choice across the city
- Encouraging neighbourliness, where students contribute to creating a clean, attractive and sustainable environment, and tackling the impact of waste and noise
- Increasing community cohesion, ensuring students are valued members of their communities and improving graduate retention in the city
£2.6m teaching block complete at Nottinghamshire school
South Nottinghamshire Academy in Cropwell Road, Radcliffe on Trent, celebrated the official opening of its new teaching block named The Maple Building this month.
Midlands-based main contractor G F Tomlinson lead on the construction and design of the £2.6 million two-storey teaching block facility, which comprises new classrooms, a seminar room, independent study space, IT facilities, staff offices and welfare facilities. The building has been designed to provide enhanced learning areas for an additional 150 pupils.
The opening ceremony was attended by Dan Philpotts, executive headteacher at South Nottinghamshire Academy, and Andrew Burns, Chief Executive of Redhill Academy Trust. School staff, governors, G F Tomlinson colleagues, local dignitaries and other partner and community organisations were also in attendance.
The scheme has been completed on behalf of South Nottinghamshire Academy, which was rated ‘Good’ in its most recent Ofsted report, and currently offers 600 places for children aged 11-16 plus sixth form students, with plans to accommodate the increasing need for school places in the area.
Since 2016, following relocation into a brand-new school building, the academy has been an integral part of Redhill Academy Trust which has a proven track record of enhancing school improvement. South Nottinghamshire Academy has continued to invest in its facilities, to meet the educational needs of current and future students, including a 3G floodlit pitch.
As part of efforts to boost the environmental credentials on the project, heat recovery units were installed which enabled 100% of all warm air in the building to be reused, increasing energy efficiency. The site management team also created a “Zen Zone” which involved fencing off a dedicated area for growing vegetables with a small green house, raised bed and benches made from recycled site materials to support their mental health and wellbeing.
During construction, G F Tomlinson partnered with the academy generating social value through the provision of site tours, a careers fair and a mock interview day to enhance students’ understanding and awareness of the careers in construction.
Chris Flint, Managing Director of G F Tomlinson, said: “We’re pleased to see work has completed at South Nottinghamshire Academy. The expansion of the school means further school places can be provided for children within the area, which are currently in demand across the region.
“The new teaching block will help to enhance student’s learning and educational experience, and we look forward to seeing them make use of their new space.”
Dan Philpotts, executive headteacher at South Nottinghamshire Academy, said: “The new Maple building accommodation will provide our school community with a long-lasting, modern-day facility that will undoubtedly enhance students’ educational experience. We are so proud of our first-class facilities, and we look forward to a very exciting future.”
Andrew Burns, Chief Executive of Redhill Academy Trust, said: “We are all pleased to see the continued popularity and demand for places at the South Nottinghamshire Academy. These great new facilities will help our students achieve their very best.”
Freeths pays tribute to much-loved colleague and partner, Mukesh Patel
National law firm Freeths has paid tribute to a much-loved colleague and partner, Mukesh Patel, who died unexpectedly on Saturday, February 18th. Mukesh was the Managing Partner of the Leicester office.
A very popular member of both Freeths and the local community, Mukesh had been with the firm since 2009 and quickly established himself as a highly respected member of the business. He always regarded his colleagues at Freeths as his second family having led the dispute resolution team in Leicester and subsequently becoming Managing Partner of the Leicester office in 2014.
Regarded as a man of impeccable manners, courtesy and respect, Mukesh committed himself to doing everything he could to create a happy and inclusive team within the firm.
Mukesh leaves behind his wife and two sons.
In a statement, Julian Middleton, Chairman of Freeths, said: “This desperately sad, shocking, and heart-breaking news has come as a real blow to us all at Freeths. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with his wife and their two boys.
“Mukesh was a trusted and valuable member of the Firm’s management team. He was an exemplary team player and would always place his personal interests second to those around him for the common good. Mukesh was very well known in the Leicester business community and was tireless in his efforts to raise the profile and reputation of the Firm and his office.
“We have lost a real force for good in the Freeths community, but we will ensure that his legacy lives on through our commitment to those shared principles that were so dear to him.”
Sanctuary for endangered animals set for Nottinghamshire following land deal
Licensed zoo keeper Reece Oliver is forging ahead with plans to build a world class sanctuary for endangered animals after securing a 23 acre plot of land in Broxtowe in a deal agreed by commercial property consultants OMEETO.
Plans have been submitted to Broxtowe Borough Council for the £10 million development on land near Station House in Trowell and, if approved, Mr Oliver is hoping to start the two-year construction project this spring.
Mr Oliver is best known for keeping rescued lions, a Canadian puma and 24 squirrel monkeys in specially-built enclosures in his back garden in Strelley. The African lions, Rock and Rora, were rescued from a circus in Eastern Europe and were joined by their cubs two years ago.
His plans for the sanctuary, named the Broxtowe Retreat, include reserves for rescued endangered animals as well as a tropical-themed spa complete with Rainforest inhabitants and an African water-hole themed restaurant and function venue. Visitors will be able to stay in 27 guest lodges, each with unique views into the expansive animal habitats.
An on-site education centre with qualified teachers would provide ‘out of the classroom’ practical experiences for school children, college and university students, and apprentices. The planned facilities, which have been described as state-of-the-art, would make use of solar panels, heat-pumps, and rainwater capture and recycling, making it one of the first sustainable and carbon neutral visitor facilities in the UK according to its developer.
New ponds, water features, and a tree and hedgerow planting program are also planned. The development would be expected to create more than 60 jobs in hospitality, education, catering, customer service, site maintenance, and animal care, with local skills and suppliers prioritised.
The retreat would be operated by an experienced team of experts to the highest animal welfare standards according to Mr Oliver.
He continued: “With the purchase of the land complete, we have now submitted plans for consideration by the borough council which I am confident will be approved.
“Rescuing animals is something that is very close to my heart, and we intend to create a world class sanctuary for animals and a uniquely special experience for visitors to enjoy.
“From environmentalism and ecology to education and employment, we think this development will really put Broxtowe on the map, and I’m delighted to bring such exciting plans to the local area.”
Chris Wright, director of OMEETO, completed the deal on behalf of the landowners, William May Holdings.
He said: “Mr Oliver is an extremely driven and motivated individual with a very admirable cause, we wish him every success with his plans. This is a very exciting project which could be a major asset for the region.”
Payroll fraudster who stole more than £120,000 sentenced
A payroll administrator who stole more than £120,000 from her employer has been sentenced.
Sandra Komunska, aged 29, worked for a specialist payroll management company when she made dozens of payments to her own accounts by creating false emails, invoices and payee details.
Between June 2016 and January 2020 she embezzled around £123,000.
Komunska was exposed during an internal investigation into a missing client payment.
She later admitted that the money had been paid directly into a bank account controlled by her and was sacked by her employer.
Further investigations revealed multiple payments to two other accounts controlled by Komunska.
Komunska, of Lovesey Avenue, Hucknall, claimed the money had been stolen to support her children during a period of financial hardship.
She later pleaded guilty to fraud by abuse of position and appeared at Nottingham Crown Court on Friday.
She was given a two year jail sentence suspended for 18 months, ordered to complete 20 rehabilitation days and complete 150 hours of unpaid work.
Detective Constable Christopher Underwood, a specialist fraud investigator at Nottinghamshire Police, said: “Komunska repeatedly stole a very large sum of money over a three-and-a-half-year period.
“She could have stopped this offending at any time but chose instead to keep stealing more and more from the employers who had put so much time and effort into training her. This was an appalling abuse of trust.”
Orders, revenue, profit and cash flow improve at Rolls-Royce
Orders, revenue, profit and cash flow all improved at Rolls-Royce in 2022, according to full year results, though its new CEO has said the company is “capable of much more.”
The Derby firm hailed strong new order wins during the year in Civil Aerospace and Defence and a record order book in Power Systems.
Meanwhile the business posted an underlying operating profit of £652m, £238m higher than the prior year with the increase driven by Civil Aerospace and Power Systems, and underlying revenues of £12.7bn, up from £10.9bn.
The firm also highlighted free cash flow from continuing operations of £505m, £2bn higher than the prior year, led by engine flying hour recovery.
Furthermore, net debt of £3.3bn was down from £5.2bn at end 2021, due to disposals and improved cash flow.
Looking ahead, Rolls-Royce is focusing on a transformation programme to deliver further performance improvements from 2023.
Tufan Erginbilgic, CEO, said: “It is an honour to lead Rolls-Royce, one of the world’s most trusted brands and a business with strong positions in growing markets. Our people take tremendous pride in our innovation and engineering solutions. Together, we must now move at pace and harness that pride to create a high-performing, growing and competitive business.
“While our performance improved in 2022, we are capable of much more. Our transformation programme will improve our efficiency and commercial outcomes, and deliver a sustainable reduction in working capital. This will require a winning culture, underpinned by more effective performance management and a shared determination to deliver cash and reduce debt. Our success will enable us to reward investors for their support and invest in future growth.
“Our transformation programme is already underway and is moving at pace. It will include a strategic review so that we can prioritise our investment towards the most profitable opportunities. We will report the findings together with our medium-term goals in the second half of this year.”
Rail hub consultation is “incomplete and inadequate”
Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council has submitted its first response after the application for the Hinckley National Rail Freight Interchange (HNFRI) was submitted.
The application, from developers Tritax Symmetry, was lodged with the Planning Inspectorate on 3 February 2023. The council had two weeks to comment on whether it believed consultation on the submission had been adequate.
The scheme, earmarked for 440 acres of land between the M69 and the Leicester to Birmingham railway line, is to the north-east of Hinckley – partially within the Hinckley and Bosworth Borough with the majority situated within the Blaby District – and would be based close to Junction 2 of the M69 to the north of Burbage Common.
Up to 268 hectares (equivalent to 662 acres) of land would be used for the construction of a rail terminal for the loading and unloading of freight trains under the proposals, providing 650,000 square metres of floorspace and up to 250,000 square metres of mezzanine space.
The council responded to the consultation on 21 February and advised the Planning Inspectorate:
- Time available for consultation was inadequate given the scale of the proposal and the information that had to be absorbed
- Some of the information available during consultation was incomplete, for example, highway modelling
- The baseline information used was incomplete in parts
- This rendered the consultation ineffective which falls short of the government guidance and case law on what constitutes effective consultation
Second phase of Unity Square office development approved
The next phase of Nottingham’s Unity Square office development is set to move ahead after securing approval from the council.
Peveril Securities and Sladen Estates are behind the major scheme on Queens Bridge Road, for which the original hybrid application was approved in January 2019.
Phase 1 of Unity Square is now complete and occupied by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
Phase 2 would provide a 12 storey office development with 235,000 sq ft of space.
The reserved matters planning application was approved at a planning committee meeting yesterday.
Go ahead given to extend Nottingham building for student scheme
Plans to extend a Nottingham City Centre building to provide 104 student bedspaces have been approved.
Maven Property (Nottingham) LP are behind the proposals for the two storey building on Lower Parliament Street, whose ground floor is occupied by two retail units for Poundland and Bonmarche.
The plans for the site involve an upward extension of between one and three stories to create a building three to five stories in height.
The ground floor would be retained as retail use, with the upper floors used as 104 student bedspaces with a mixture of cluster and studio flats.
The development also includes communal lounges, a gym, a laundry room and cycle store with two small roof gardens.
The development would be three stories at the northern end facing Lower Parliament Street, stepping up to five stories facing Thurland Street.
Derby businesses go flat out to win flipping fantastic fundraising pancake race
Businesses across Derby went head-to-head in an annual Shrove Tuesday pancake race raising money for city children in the process.
Public relations agency Penguin PR battered the competition to lift the trophy, beating teams from doughnut makers Project D, sportswear giant HUUB and digital marketeers Alphageek.
The annual event was organised by staff at carbon composite company Pentaxia, in Alfreton Road, and was designed to raise money for YMCA Derbyshire’s new nursery provision, Derwent Stepping Stones.
Each firm taking part donated to the registered charity which will allow nursery staff to purchase a new water wall for the children’s outdoor play area, replacing a broken one.
Penguin PR director Sarah Newton said: “We’ve taken part in a few fundraising activities for the YMCA including the annual sleep easy event and the community meal; it’s such a brilliant cause.“We thoroughly enjoyed the race and, even though the combined age of our team was significantly higher than most of the others, it was flipping brilliant to win.”
It is the fourth time the annual race has taken place and other businesses taking part included Natwest, two teams from Pentaxia and a team from YMCA Derbyshire.The 25m relay was held over three heats, with each team member required to flip the pancake at the start, the middle and the end.
The winners received a carbon trophy and medals, while every competitor received a pot of honey made by Pentaxia’s own bees, who live in five hives at the Alfreton Road site.
Pentaxia Managing Director Tim Ollier said: “As a company we are very keen to give back to the local community and if we can have some fun and rope in some other local businesses then all the better.
“This year’s pancake day challenge was absolutely brilliant, and we’d like to thank everyone involved. We can’t wait for next year to try and win the trophy back.”
New report reveals recommendations to manufacture a digital future for industry
A major new report that seeks to future-proof the UK’s manufacturing sector, helping it adapt to, and benefit from, digital technologies has been published.
The Digital World 2050 report marks the conclusion of a six-year study funded by Connected Everything – an ESPRC-funded network led by the University of Nottingham comprising circular economists, digital manufacturing experts, and more. It has identified five key recommendations that will support the longevity of UK manufacturing.
Co-authored by researchers from the Universities of Nottingham, Exeter, Liverpool, and Cambridge, the study draws together evidence from a plethora of areas, such as policy literature and government documents, as well as conversations with leaders from academia, industry and policy that took the form of conferences, surveys and roundtables.
Dr Oliver Fisher, co-author and former research fellow at the University of Nottingham’s Faculty of Engineering, said: “When we started this horizon scanning work, imagining what manufacturing in 2050 would look like was a daunting prospect. But by bringing together of expertise from across disciplines we were able to gain new insights and perspectives on the challenges and opportunities that may emerge as digital technologies are embedded within manufacturing processes and workforces.
“I hope the knowledge generated within this report will help accelerate the transition towards a sustainable manufacturing future.”
To establish the recommendations, researchers identified four themes: industrial digital technologies in 2050; digitisation and the manufacturing workforce of the future; digital support for achieving net zero by 2050; and digitally enabled manufacturing excellence – from which five recommendations emerged strongly:
- Connect technology to manufacturers: To create opportunities, increase productivity and solve industry challenges.
- Reduce digital manufacturing knowledge barriers: To make solutions simple and intuitive for all users.
- Consolidate digital manufacturing guidance: So that manufacturers can access the relevant expertise to implement solutions.
- Support employee wellbeing during transition: To help them engage with digital transformation and not be left behind.
- Transparency of value chain data: To greater understand environmental and social impacts of manufacturing decisions and drive more sustainable choices.
Locally-owned franchise expands into London
A franchise has secured a key expansion just months after it was bought by Long Eaton entrepreneur Liam Hobbs.
Mr Hobbs bought the More Than Loft Ladders franchise last October – nine years after he became a franchise holder with the company and built up his business across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and South Yorkshire – operating from his base in Long Eaton.
The first new franchisee to join More Than Loft Ladders since the acquisition are London-based entrepreneurs Indika Wanigaratne and Krish Hapugoda who will be operating in Edgeware, Harrow, Uxbridge, Watford and Wembley.
Both have run several businesses in the South East – most recently a restaurant near Watford.
Mr Wanigaratne explained: “I first became aware of the business potential for loft conversions when I needed to do work on my own house to create additional storage space. I contacted local and national companies and was shocked by some of the standard of services on offer.
“Having supported the trades people who I eventually hired for the job, I started to look into diversifying my own business interests into this field and came across More Than Loft Ladders.
“Liam’s experience as a franchise holder himself and the comprehensive help and support he provides for everyone in the franchise is amazing and we are very much looking forward to building our business in this geographical area. Krish and I will be recruiting fitters so that we can concentrate on sales, marketing and customer service.
“More Than Loft Ladders is a growing business which operates in a competitive industry but, with the support of Liam and his team and the fantastic reputation that the company already has in other parts of the country, I am confident that we will make a success of our new venture.”
Liam Hobbs continued: “We already have seven franchise holders who cover a wide area from Liverpool to Northampton and are delighted to have Indika and Krish on board in this important patch around London so soon after acquiring the franchise.
“We have been working hard to cement the support package available to new and existing franchisees which ranges from a full training programme and customer finance packages. Having been a franchisee myself, I know how important it is to be part of a network with support, advice and additional services.
“This is a growing market – particularly in the current economic climate. Homeowners recognise that, rather than taking on more mortgage debt with a larger home, they can maximise the storage or living space in their current homes by converting the loft.
“Upgrading insulation at the same time also makes perfect sense in both the shorter and longer terms with heating bills continuing to rise at such an eye-watering rate.
“With a solid reputation and growing customer demand, I am confident that our growth plans will be achieved, and I look forward to providing personal and practical support to many more franchise holders in the coming months.”
