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Widespread project delays to impact profits at Van Elle
Widespread project delays are hitting profits at Van Elle, the Nottinghamshire-based ground engineering contractor has revealed in a new trading update for the year ending 30 April 2025.
In interim results the company shared that market conditions had proved challenging. Despite benefitting from a strong order book, the trading environment and volumes remained supressed throughout January and February.
The business has seen widespread project delays, including the ongoing impact of delays to Building Safety Act approvals. These have primarily impacted trading for Rock & Alluvium, which is focused on taller residential schemes in London and the Southeast.
With over 40 projects currently in the approvals process, the majority of these are now expected to commence in FY26 and will result in a FY25 performance for Van Elle’s UK operations slightly below expectations.
At Van Elle Canada, meanwhile, further delays have been experienced as a strategic supply partner to the major infrastructure upgrade programme for the Toronto rail network. The division’s trading performance will now be weaker than anticipated.
While Van Elle has secured several key frameworks throughout FY24 and FY25 in Canada, with near-term uncertainty around the timing of key investment programmes, the business is reviewing its strategic options with its Canada operations.
As a result of the impact of the Rock & Alluvium and Canada trading performance, Van Elle now expects underlying profit before tax for the second half of FY25 to be similar to the first half.
Digital innovation company finds oasis at new Chesterfield office
EY boosts Midlands Private team with two appointments
Lincolnshire estate planning firm secures funding to expand outreach
Westwood Estate Planning, a Lincolnshire-based estate planning business, has received £8,000 in funding from First Enterprise through the British Business Bank’s Start Up Loans programme. The funds will support marketing efforts to raise awareness of estate planning and financial wellbeing.
The business provides legal services including will writing, lasting power of attorney, probate, and estate administration. Founder Gary Tonsley established the company after experiencing firsthand the challenges of inadequate financial planning when his mother passed away without arrangements in place.
The funding will enable Westwood Estate Planning to expand its client education initiatives, including seminars, newsletters, and partnerships with financial advisers. First Enterprise – Enterprise Loans, a not-for-profit lender, provides loans between £500 and £150,000 to start-ups and SMEs unable to access traditional bank financing.
Representatives from First Enterprise and the British Business Bank praised the company’s efforts to improve financial literacy and support local families in securing their futures.
Lincoln footbridge to be demolished for hotel development
A pedestrian bridge over Melville Street in Lincoln is set to be demolished in May as part of a multi-million-pound hotel project by Lincolnshire Co-op. The bridge, previously part of the former City Square shopping centre, has been deemed an obstacle to development both logistically and visually.
Lincolnshire Co-op, which has outline planning permission for the hotel, is working with the Department for Transport and other stakeholders to finalise the demolition timeline and road closures. Notices have been issued under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, confirming the planned removal.
The demolition is expected to take place over a weekend to reduce disruption. The bridge, a popular location for city and cathedral views, will be permanently removed as part of the site’s redevelopment.
Compleat Food Group acquires The Real Yorkshire Pudding Co amid job cuts
The Compleat Food Group has acquired The Real Yorkshire Pudding Co for an undisclosed amount, shortly after announcing plans to cut nearly 200 jobs across its Nottingham and Crewe sites.
The Yorkshire-based Real Yorkshire Pudding Co, which generates £33 million in revenue, supplies both own-label and branded chilled Yorkshire puddings.
This acquisition follows Compleat’s 2024 purchases of SK Foods and Zorba Foods, which specialise in private-label party foods, dips, and deli fillings, and Harvey & Brockless, a specialty food producer and distributor.
Backed by private equity firm PAI Partners, The Compleat Food Group was formed in 2021 and employs over 5,000 staff across 15 locations. Its portfolio includes brands such as Pork Farms, Wall’s Pastry, unearthed, Vadasz, Squeaky Bean, Wrights, and Palace Culture.
ATS Euromaster closes Kettering branch as part of UK-wide restructuring
ATS Euromaster has permanently closed its Kettering service centre, one of 86 locations shutting down as parent company Michelin shifts to a mobile servicing model. The nearest remaining branch is in Northampton, with 235 centres operating across the UK.
Employees affected by the Kettering closure have been offered interviews at Halfords, which has also committed to prioritising MOT and service bookings originally made with ATS to minimise customer disruptions.
An ATS Euromaster spokesperson previously cited overcapacity, rising costs, and sluggish market growth as reasons for the restructuring. The closures are expected to impact up to 400 employees across the UK.
Humber businesses urge mayoral candidates to unify for regional growth
Business leaders across the Humber call on mayoral candidates in Hull, East Yorkshire, and Greater Lincolnshire to adopt a coordinated economic strategy to maximise the region’s potential. A joint letter, signed by major companies including ABP, Drax, Reckitt, Arcadis, Able, and Smith-Nephew, as well as organisations like the Humber Energy Board and Hull University, highlights challenges and opportunities for the area.
Concerns include the uncertainty surrounding the Scunthorpe steel plant and the Humber’s absence from the Chancellor’s recent growth speech. Business leaders argue that a unified approach is essential to securing investment and maintaining the region’s economic competitiveness.
The letter emphasises the Humber’s strengths in renewable energy and advanced manufacturing, citing the potential for 28GW of offshore wind energy and £15 billion in private investment for carbon capture and hydrogen projects. It calls for a Humber Estuary Growth Zone to align Freeport development with other key infrastructure projects, ensuring a streamlined approach to attracting investors.
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East Midlands Combined County Authority approves £175m in funding to improve roads and public transport
- Derby City Council will receive funding for several key projects, including the A52/A52T Spondon Interchange to allow better traffic flow and support active travel initiatives, making it easier and safer for pedestrians and cyclists.
- Nottingham City Council will focus on improving major roads for walking and cycling, as well as upgrading real-time parking information systems.
- Derbyshire County Council will invest in repairing roads and works to help prevent landslips, particularly on key routes.
- Nottinghamshire County Council will focus on maintaining and upgrading its roads, along with planning for future transport projects.
- £66 million for City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements 2 (CRSTS2): This funding will support road repairs, improvements to highways, and projects to make walking, cycling, and public transport easier.
- £21 million for Bus Service Improvement Plans (BSIP): This funding will be used to make bus services more reliable, affordable, and accessible across the East Midlands.
- £75 million for Highways Maintenance Block: EMCCA will receive this funding, £22m of which is extra money the region is getting because it has a Mayoral Combined Authority. This will go on road repairs in 2025/26.
- £12.86 million for Integrated Transport Block Funding: EMCCA is expecting this funding to deliver activities across the local transport network.
- £7.27 million for Active Travel Fund: The region has been awarded this funding to improve walking, wheeling and cycling and infrastructure.
Loughborough University to drive business innovation at Leicester Innovation Festival
Loughborough University will play a key role in the 2025 Leicester Innovation Festival (LIF), hosting events to strengthen local business growth through innovation, research, and collaboration. The festival, organised by the Business Gateway Growth Hub, runs from 31 March to 4 April and brings together public, private, and academic partners to support businesses in Leicester and Leicestershire.
One of the university’s key events, held online on 2 April, will focus on adopting digital technology in manufacturing. Led by Dr Kate Broadhurst from Loughborough Business School, the session will present findings from the £4.4 million InterAct programme, which explored the human impact of new technologies in the sector. The event will offer practical strategies for businesses integrating digital solutions into their operations.
On the same day, the university will co-host a business engagement event at Harborough Innovation Centre, showcasing opportunities for companies to collaborate with local universities. The session will cover industry placements, graduate recruitment, consultancy, and Innovate UK-funded Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, which help businesses access academic expertise to drive innovation.
A Clean Tech networking event will occur on 4 April at Loughborough University Science and Enterprise Park. Organised by the LUinc. team, the event will connect Clean Tech entrepreneurs with investors, mentors, and industry professionals through networking sessions, tech talks, and startup introductions.
Other organisations involved in LIF 2025 include De Montfort University, the University of Leicester, Innovate UK, the British Business Bank, and Charnwood Campus. All events are free to attend.
Sale of Nottingham’s Broad Marsh development site to be discussed, with purchaser ready to take on council’s vision
Forterra reports “resilient” 2024 performance
Forterra, the manufacturer of clay and concrete building products, has reported a “resilient performance” in 2024, as challenging market conditions continued.
According to full year results, revenue was flat year-on-year, with a double digit increase in the second half relative to both the prior year and first half of 2024. Statutory pre-tax profit, meanwhile, grew to £24.8m from £17.1m. Forterra noted that 2024 UK brick industry despatches were up 2% compared with 2023, with fourth quarter despatches 20% ahead of the corresponding period. Total UK brick consumption, however, remains 30% behind 2022 levels.Neil Ash, Chief Executive Officer, said: “2024 saw the continuation of the challenging market conditions we have witnessed over the last two years, though the second half saw an improving position.
“Our focus has been on the areas we can control and delivered a resilient performance by successfully aligning our production to demand and returning the Group to a position of strong cash generation.
“We also continued to make good progress with our £140m strategic capital investment programme at Desford, Wilnecote and Accrington, which is now nearing completion.
“Trading in the first two months of 2025 has continued the positive trends seen in the final quarter of 2024, with our brick despatches 17% ahead of the prior year. We are currently concluding our customer pricing discussions and expect to deliver necessary price increases to offset cost inflation.
“We continue to take encouragement from the Government’s ambition to materially increase housebuilding but remain wary of the challenges in delivering this. During 2025, we anticipate some recovery in our markets, whilst remaining mindful of the wider macroeconomic conditions.
“Following our significant strategic investment in increased manufacturing capacity, the Group remains well placed as its key markets recover.”
East Midlands economy continues to toughen with hike in demand for insolvency advice
Leicester law firm expands Development team
