Work underway on new Eddie Stobart facilities at DIRFT
Work is underway on the construction of Eddie Stobart’s new, two-unit campus at Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal (Prologis RFI DIRFT), with cladding now being installed on the buildings. On completion, the new facilities will allow the company to further expand its road and rail operations.
Eddie Stobart has operated out of its existing facilities at DIRFT since 1997, and the plan is to vacate these properties on completion of the new units.
The build-to-suit project will see Prologis, the developer of logistics property, provide the haulier with two buildings, totalling 538,000 sq ft. Both buildings will benefit from a shared loading yard, which can be divided if needed. With a clear internal height of 18m, the buildings will also feature level access points, allowing for the loading and unloading of curtain-sided HGVs.
Sally Duggleby, vice president in the capital deployment and leasing team at Prologis UK, said: “We have a long relationship with Eddie Stobart and it’s brilliant to help them to expand their distribution operations at DIRFT. With work now underway, we are on track to complete the construction of the new buildings in Q3 2022. Our aim is to make Eddie Stobart’s transition to the new buildings as smooth as possible.”
Sally Duggleby continues: “There is a huge amount of development going on at DIRFT, including £100 million of infrastructure works and a brand-new rail freight terminal, which is set for completion in 2022.
“Since the start of the pandemic, we’ve seen just how important logistics and rail freight has been in supporting the nation and keeping vital food stocks and other much-needed consumer goods moving around the UK. We’re extremely proud that Eddie Stobart has chosen to further expand its foothold here.”
Prologis is advised at DIRFT by Savills and JLL; Eddie Stobart was advised by Roebuck Asset Management. The project is due to be completed in Q3 2022.
Yü Group outperforms forecasts in “remarkable year”
Yü Group, the independent supplier of gas, electricity and water to the UK corporate sector, has outperformed forecasts in terms of profitability, growth and forward looking contracted revenue in a tough year for the energy industry.
Its Group CEO says the company has “not only ‘weathered the storm’ but ‘blown it away’ in all key areas.”According to final audited results for the year to 31 December 2021, revenue grew to £155.4m from £101.5m in 2020. Meanwhile the company posted a profit before tax of £3.3m, up from a £1.5m loss in 2020.
Bobby Kalar, Group Chief Executive Officer, said: “We have delivered on our promise to deliver profitable growth, which is set to continue.
“2021 was a remarkable year and a stellar performance that’s seen the Group outperform forecasts in terms of profitability, growth and forward looking contracted revenue. Despite the turbulence of the global energy commodity market the business has remained focussed and disciplined underpinned by our robust hedging strategy.
“Our strategy is working well and the ‘hard yards’ have harvested rewards. With a very strong start to 2022 I’m pleased our January and February bookings, revenue and profitability have continued the momentum demonstrated in 2021.
“Our operational KPI’s used to measure and track performance drove over-performance in 2021. Revenue has increased by 53% to £155m, adjusted EBITDA and profit after tax leapt to £1.7m and £4.5m respectively, from losses in 2020, average monthly booking have jumped by 66% compared to £8.3m last year and the meter points on supply have increased by 83% in the year. I’m pleased our winning formula will continue in 2022 and beyond.
“Our inorganic strategy is contributing positively to our growth ambition. Being awarded the AmpowerUK B2B customer book in November by Ofgem, and two more customer books this year, provides an endorsement of our credentials and gives us confidence we are ready for bigger books be it via acquisition or via Ofgem’s Supplier of Last Resort process.
“We are making good progress with our Digital by Default strategy, which is seeing us design optimal processes for our customers with the launch of our digital customer portal and CRM customer journey.
“This year we will be supporting our customers transition on to our digital platform while continuing to deliver our unparalleled level of service. We now have the digital foundations in place and firmly embedded and we are looking forward to further enrichment of our data to drive profitable growth.
“It’s been a tough year for the energy industry in terms of unprecedented wholesale gas volatility causing some suppliers to exit the market, exacerbated by the effects of the pandemic. However, our results show we have not only ‘weathered the storm’ but ‘blown it away’ in all key areas.
“Our forward order book at 31 December 2021 stands at a record £157m to outflow during FY22. Our Digital by default transformation strategy is progressing well, and we’ve once again demonstrated our ability to migrate customer books onto our scalable platform. Our focus this year will be to continue the momentum of 2021 with continued emphasis on growth, profitability and further developing our already strong forward order book.
“We’ve become one of the fastest growing utility challenger brands in the UK and central to this success as always are the amazing people who I have the good fortune to work with every day. A huge thank you to all my team.”
Get a team together and make a splash for LIVES!
The iconic Lincoln Dragon Boat Festival, which takes place on 18 June on the Brayford Waterfront, will this year be raising money in aid of LIVES.
Several local firms across the region, including the reigning champions, Belton Construction, have already entered crews in what promises to be the biggest Dragon Boat Festival to date in Lincoln.
There is still plenty of time to raise a team and join in the fun! So, get your team of up to 10 paddlers, plus a drummer, together and battle it out in ornate 30 foot Chinese dragon boats over a 200m course along the Brayford Waterfront. The event promises to be colourful and great fun, no previous experience is required, just plenty of team spirit!
The teams will be encouraged to raise money for LIVES through sponsorship, raising funds for a life-saving Lincolnshire charity.
Tiffany Allen, fundraising manager from LIVES, said: “We are delighted to have received such an excellent response to our call for crews from local businesses across the region. The Dragon Boat Race promises to be a great day out and will entice some healthy competition between local businesses in order to raise these vital funds to keep our Emergency Responders on the road and continue saving lives in Lincolnshire.”
For further information and details of how to become a participating team contact Alex Bennett alex.bennett@ringroselaw.co.uk or visit https://www.ringroselaw.co.uk/about/lincoln-dragon-boat-race/
Rolls-Royce signs Sustainable Aviation Fuel agreement with Air bp for engine tests
Rolls-Royce has signed an agreement with Air bp that will reduce lifecycle carbon emissions for gas turbine tests carried out at three sites and support one of the organisation’s key sustainability commitments.
It ensures that all of the aviation fuel supplied for engine testing at Rolls-Royce facilities in Derby and Bristol, UK and Dahlewitz, Germany will be a 10% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) blend.
The SAF is derived primarily from waste-based sustainable feedstocks such as used cooking oils and will be blended with traditional aviation jet fuel by Air bp. Deliveries will begin this summer and the 10% neat SAF element will total around three million litres a year.
In addition, Air bp will provide the fuel for the very first run of the Rolls-Royce UltraFan® demonstrator engine, which will be carried out entirely on 100% SAF later this year. UltraFan will deliver new levels of aviation sustainability in terms of improved fuel burn efficiency and 100% SAF capability. The demonstrator will be the largest aero engine in the world.
Chris Cholerton, president – civil aerospace, Rolls-Royce, said: “This agreement delivers on a commitment we made that the fuel for testing and development is a 10% Sustainable Aviation Fuel blend by 2023.
“We want to encourage the use of SAF throughout the aviation industry and this agreement is an example of the firm commitments fuel producers require to support their continued production investment.
“I will be proud and excited to see the UltraFan on our state-of-the-art testbed running for the first time on 100% SAF, creating a new chapter in engineering excellence and sustainable aviation history.”
Andreea Moyes, sustainability director, Air bp, said: “We are delighted to be supporting Rolls-Royce to achieve their sustainability goals. As bp transitions to an integrated energy company, we are leveraging our expertise in the sourcing of renewable feedstocks, SAF production, logistics and end customer supply.
“Our ambition is to be the decarbonisation partner in the aviation industry and we are working at pace to promote SAF availability, accessibility and affordability to support global aviation in realising its low carbon ambitions.”
The three Rolls-Royce testing centres of excellence cover engines for different aerospace sectors – Derby, civil aviation; Bristol, defence, and Dahlewitz, near Berlin, business aviation. Engines from the Trent, EJ 200 and Pearl families are routinely tested before delivery to customers, while product improvement tests are also regularly conducted.
Rolls-Royce has previously committed to ensuring all of its Trent and Business Aviation engines are compatible with 100% SAF by 2023. All Trent and Business Aviation engines are already certified and ready to operate on a 50% SAF blend with traditional fossil-based aviation jet fuel.
Notts County Foundation appoint two new trustees to board
Local charity Notts County Foundation has appointed Jordan Worthington and Meena Hanspal to its board of trustees.
Jordan, who was recently promoted to head of commercial at Notts County Football Club, joins having been a key member of staff at the club since 2018, having previously spent over 10 years working at Nottingham Forest covering roles in marketing, public relations, and ticketing.
Jordan said: “I have always had a great appreciation for the work the Foundation have provided for the local community throughout the vast array of programmes that are facilitated throughout the year.
“Looking from the outside in, I can see the fantastic progression that is being made and I’m delighted that I can now become further involved in the charity that I, and fellow supporters, have strong ties with.
“Within my newfound role as a trustee, I am committed to further strengthening the link with Notts County Football Club and forging collaborations with Notts County Foundation partners.”
The charity’s second appointment is Meena Hanspal, who has worked within the financial sector for over twenty years, taking up roles within human resources and fraud investigation. In search of a new career direction, Meena launched her own small business ‘The Vegetarian Rasoi’, using local produce and suppliers with a core ethos around sustainability and zero waste in 2017.
Quoting her passion for serving local charities and community groups, Meena is also a trustee with Her Lohri, an organisation that supports women and girls that have been subject to abuse or abandonment. Meena also operates as volunteer coordinator at Guru Nanak’s Mission, an organisation that provides hot meals and food parcels to the homeless and vulnerable families in Nottingham.
Meena said: “I am excited to have joined the Foundation as a community trustee. I’ve seen what a difference it makes when communities rally and work together as one. The Foundation provide an excellent vehicle for this to happen, and I want to help utilise my experience to support, educate and inspire as many people as possible within the community.”
Sam Crawford, head of business development at Notts County Foundation, said: “We are so pleased to welcome Jordan and Meena to the board of trustees. Jordan’s strategic operational knowledge and his key understanding of the football industry, as well as Meena’s valuable experience in working within the local community, will be a huge asset to the board. I look forward to working collaboratively with both of them to make further progress for Notts County Foundation.”
Comic Relief Jail Break at Hinckley & Rugby Building Society doubles expected fundraising target
Hinckley & Rugby Building Society staff have raised an impressive £2,868 for Comic Relief by taking part in various activities in aid of the charity, including a ‘Jail Break’ challenge for the Society’s Chief Executive.
To raise the funds, the Society hosted a range of events for staff, including a bake sale, an amusing Red Nose and Spoon race and a comical quiz.
Chief Executive, Colin Fyfe, took part in a virtual Jail Break challenge which involved him being ‘locked up’ for 24 hours and a bail placed on his release. The bail for the challenge had to be raised after Colin quickly reached the initial fundraising target. The challenge ultimately contributed well over £2,000 towards the final total, more than double the original target.
Colin said: “The Comic Relief fundraiser is something that we at Hinckley & Rugby look forward to each year. Once again, Society staff have shown their enthusiasm for the charity and showed their support by getting involved, organising and participating in various activities. We’re delighted with the total amount raised and are sure it will be a huge help to the many projects Comic Relief supports.”
Anybody who wishes to make a donation to the charity, can do so via the Society’s Just Giving page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/hrbscomicrelieffundraiser2022
Corporate insolvency figures continue to soar
The chair of the Midlands branch of insolvency and restructuring trade body R3 is urging directors of the region’s businesses to seek advice if they are worried about their businesses, as corporate insolvency figures continue to soar compared to this time last year.
Figures published by the government’s Insolvency Service show that the number of companies entering insolvency decreased by 3.2% in February to a total of 1,515 compared to January’s total of 1,565. However, administrations increased to a 15-month high and overall levels of corporate insolvencies increased by 121.2% compared to February 2021’s figure of 685.
R3 Midlands chair Eddie Williams, a partner at PwC in the East Midlands, said: “The increase in administrations suggests that there are several insolvent businesses which still have some prospect of rescue, given this is one of the main statutory purposes of the administration process.
“Wherever possible, the insolvency profession will work to secure the rescue of businesses in administration to help ensure better outcomes for the company, its staff and its creditors.
“It is notable, however, that despite the month-on month-decline in corporate insolvencies, the Insolvency Service statistics show a marked year-on-year increase and highlight that corporate insolvency has returned to its higher pre-pandemic levels. The February figure of 1,515 is 12.6% higher than in February 2020, when corporate insolvencies totalled 1,346.
“It is evident that the ending of the peak of the pandemic and the lifting of the final set of restrictions has not led to the shot in the arm the business community had hoped for. Although the economy grew in January and firms benefited from restrictions ending in February, it took time for footfall to increase, and it will take a while before anything resembling normality returns.
“Consumer spending has declined and, here in the Midlands, consumer confidence is low as people are concerned about the economy and their own financial position. Inflation is now a real problem for local firms and individuals alike. This situation is unlikely to improve anytime soon given the impact current geopolitical events will have on energy costs.
“In addition to this, the restrictions on using winding-up petitions are coming to an end later this month – something which could see an increase in creditors turning to legal action to recover unpaid debts.
“Now is the time for directors to be alert to the signs of financial distress and to take the necessary action. We know conversations about finances are some of the hardest to have but speaking up about concerns at an early stage typically leads to a better outcome than holding back until the problem worsens.”
CEO “delighted” with Staffline’s 2021 performance
The CEO of Staffline Group, the recruitment and training group, is “delighted” with the company’s performance across 2021, during which a comprehensive restructuring and transformation programme completed.
According to audited results for the year ended 31 December 2021, revenue grew to £942.7m from £927.6m in 2020.
The news comes as Staffline announces a major contract win with BMW and a contract extension with VINCI.
Albert Ellis, Chief Executive Officer, said: “I am extremely proud of the commitment of the Group’s leadership and workforce who delivered throughout the ongoing COVID-19 restrictions, facing labour shortages and global supply chain issues. I wish to acknowledge their hard work and my confidence in their ability to continue to deliver, including generating new areas of growth in the future.
“I am delighted with Staffline’s performance across 2021, both in the significant operational progress we have delivered across the Group but also in more than doubling our underlying operating profit in the year. I am satisfied that we now have the operating platform, balance sheet strength and governance in place to fully capitalise on our market leading position and drive sustainable growth.”
Meanwhile the Nottingham-based business posted an increase in gross profit to £82.8m (2020: £74.6m), underlying operating profit jumped to £10.3m (2020: £4.8m), and profit after tax grew to £1.6m, after a £48.5m loss in 2020.
Final floor taken at Nottingham city centre office building
ADC Infrastructure, a Nottingham-based consultancy service to the property development sector in Transport Planning, Infrastructure Design, and Water Management, have expanded their offices within the city by taking the final floor available within the City Buildings on Carrington Street close to Nottingham Train Station.
The property has been substantially refurbished by Shoby Properties, retaining many original features while making the space suitable for the requirements of modern day office occupiers, with high quality finishes, full air conditioning as well as on site bicycle storage and repair facilities, showers and changing rooms.
Mark Tomlinson of FHP, who acted on behalf of the landlords, Shoby Properties, in securing the deal, said: “We are seeing a continued trend amongst office occupiers seeking to increase the quality of their working environments and secure premium office spaces within the city and City Buildings delivers just that.
“We are seeing strong uptake of prime offices across the city and ADC Infrastructure are a fantastic tenant to have secured for the final floor within this building. I’m sure that they will enjoy the quality of the space and the facilities.”
David Cummins, director of ADC Infrastructure, said: “Our current offices are to be redeveloped, so the opportunity arose to find new offices. We wanted to remain in the city centre, as our staff travel by bike, bus, tram and train.
“We wanted more space for growth, as we seek to double our numbers to around 60 in the coming years. And importantly, we wanted a quality environment that would encourage everyone to work in the office.
“The area around Carrington Street is an exciting place to be and the City Buildings felt right from our first visit. This is our fourth move since the company began in 2013, and FHP have again been very helpful at showing us the options. We look forward to working with them for many years to come as they are also the managing agents.”
Shortages of Pork Farms products expected in supermarkets due to strike at Nottingham factory
Supermarkets across the UK will face shortages of Pork Farms products during a continuous all-out pay strike by more than 170 workers employed at Nottingham’s Riverside Bakery.
Staff, who are members of Unite, earning just above the minimum wage, according the union, will go on strike from 30 March over “a pay cut disguised as a rise.” Unite says the offer would leave staff worse off by reducing overtime, bank holiday and premium rates.
Riverside Bakery produces quiches, flans and savoury tarts sold by major retailers including Tesco, ASDA, Sainsbury’s, Aldi and Marks and Spencer.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite is here to defend our members’ jobs, pay and conditions. Riverside Bakery’s pay cut in disguise is a direct attack on the living standards of their workforce.
“The workers’ all-out strike action will bring operations at the bakery to a halt. They will receive Unite’s full backing for as a long as it takes for the company to see sense and table a proper pay offer.”
Riverside Bakery is part of the Addo Food Group, which was bought by private equity firm PAI Partners in 2020. PAI is planning to merge Addo with another chilled food company it owns, Winterbotham Darby, to create a new company, The Compleat Food Group.
Unite regional officer Cheryl Pidgeon said: “Strike action and the resultant shortages of Pork Farms products in stores nationwide can still be avoided during negotiations scheduled for this week.
“For that to happen, however, the company needs to put forward an offer our members, who are struggling under the cost-of-living crisis, can accept.”
In February, a spokesperson for The Compleat Food Group said: “After extensive talks, The Compleat Food Group made a very favourable offer of an increase to hourly rates for the colleagues at Riverside Bakery which was rejected by the Union.
“To enhance the previous offers, the final offer from the business included the fixing of overtime premiums at the 2021 rates. This was a move to further enhance hourly rates and increase differentials in advance of the forthcoming increase to the national minimum wage.”
Planning permission secured for 280-home development on former green belt land in Nottinghamshire
A property consultancy has secured planning permission for a 280-home development on former green belt land in Nottinghamshire.
Fisher German has achieved outline planning permission for the new houses on a 28-acre site on land north of Grantham Road, in Radcliffe-On-Trent.
Plans include dwellings of varying sizes, 30 per cent of which will be affordable, as well as a park, areas of public open space, a wildlife corridor and the provision of a three-metre-wide cycleway adjacent to the A52.
The development also includes reconfiguring a junction on the A52 to provide a four-arm traffic signal junction which will not only provide access to the site, but also improve safety at the junction.
Fisher German acted on behalf of the landowner, a long-standing client of the firm, and first worked to release the site from the Nottingham Derby Green Belt and secure its allocation for housing in part 2 of the Rushcliffe Local Plan.
The firm’s planning team then worked on the complex planning application before securing outline planning permission for 280 dwellings, 40 additional dwellings than proposed in the local plan.
James Beverley said: “We were extremely pleased to get the green belt land allocated for housing and then ultimately achieve planning permission for the site on behalf of our client.
“Part 1 of the Rushcliffe Local Plan considerably underdelivered on the number of houses required. We therefore worked to promote the release of the site from the green belt through the Part 2 plan, ensuring the delivery of housing and reducing significant development pressures on the limited number of settlements outside of the green belt.
“When working on the planning application we encountered a number of challenges but were able to resolve these to the satisfaction of the relevant statutory consultees.
“We worked constructively with Network Rail successfully demonstrating that the new drainage system being introduced would take water away from their infrastructure so was a betterment to them.
“We also experienced challenges relating to junction works to the A52, which is part of Highways England’s strategic highway network.
“We worked with Highways England to demonstrate that the changes, which included remodelling of the existing junction and adding traffic lights, would benefit both the development and others living and working in the area who would find it easier to turn onto the strategic road.
“This is the second green belt site we have successfully progressed on behalf of the client, and we now look forward to seeing the sale of the site being completed and much needed homes being delivered.”
Planning & Design become a RIBA Chartered Practice
Planning & Design Practice have been recognised as a RIBA Chartered architectural practice. The Royal Institute of British Architects is a global professional membership body driving excellence in architecture.
RIBA Chartered practices are the only architectural practices endorsed and promoted by the Royal Institute of British Architects. This accreditation sends a strong signal to clients, employees and the wider construction industry and shows that the practice is committed to excellence in design and service delivery.
Planning & Design Practice believes in good architecture, to improve quality of life, create real value and to drive sustainable development, creating robust, resilient homes and buildings to face the challenges of climate change.
The approachable and experienced team comprises architects, architectural assistants, designers and technicians.
The team is led by Lindsay Cruddas, a RIBA accredited specialist conservation architect, of which there are currently only 141 in the country. Lindsay qualified as a RIBA Chartered Architect in 2012, after receiving her degrees in Architecture at Leeds Metropolitan University. She has a specialist knowledge and interest in historic building conservation, reuse of redundant buildings and residential design.
On receiving the RIBA Chartered Status Lindsay said: “We strive to gain the best outcome for our clients and design spaces that we are proud of. Becoming a RIBA Chartered Practice demonstrates that commitment to quality, service and design. I was delighted to receive the Chartered Status and proud to be developing the architectural side of the business.”
Joining Lindsay are senior architect Siegfried Doering (Dipl.-Ing. Architecture, AKH, ARB, RIBA) and project architect Manik Karunaratne (BA (Hons), MArch (Leicester), ARB).
Prior to Planning & Design Siegfried was senior architect/project design manager as part of a team of 25 architects and engineers, and also quality manager in the department for an international company offering worldwide infrastructure buildings including train stations, data centres, train/tram depots, offices and maintenance facilities.
An Architects Registration Board (ARB) UK registered architect, Manik qualified in 2018 at the University of Nottingham, following an architectural journey comprised of several universities, having studied at the University of Derby, Nottingham Trent University and De Montfort University.
Having worked in commercial architecture practices previously, Manik has experience on office buildings, high rise apartments buildings, housing developments and barn conversions. Currently he is working on a variety of vernacular and domestic projects liaising closely with clients and further developing his knowledge in heritage and conservation.
Also, part of the team is Part II architectural assistant Tina Humphreys, a graduate of De Montfort University in Leicester with a Master’s in Architecture, who is now working towards becoming a RIBA Chartered Architect. Joseph Cattmull is architectural technologist, who graduated from the University of Derby, after studying the built environment at Cambridge Regional College, and who brings an interest in listed and traditional architecture and how they can be modernised.
Continuing a tradition of encouraging and supporting emerging talent, the business was pleased to announce the recent addition to the team of Joshua Bunce and Matthew Kempster as junior architectural technicians. Both joined the company in 2021.
Since being founded in 2002 Planning & Design Practice Ltd has earnt an excellent reputation for winning approvals and for creating attractive and viable proposals.
Comprising RTPI Chartered town planners and RIBA Chartered Architects the company has generated over £200m of uplift in land values for clients through its consents and proposals. The architectural side of the business boasts true international expertise having worked on large scale projects across Europe and the United States as well as in the UK. The company is able to design award winning proposals for a wide range of clients across the country.
The company’s heritage team can advise on listed buildings and developments in sensitive locations whilst maintaining a strong planning consultancy team. In both 2019 and 2021 the business’s heritage work was recognised and awarded the Highly Commended Certificate for Excellence in Planning at the RTPI East Midlands Awards for Planning Excellence.
The architectural team are based across Derby, Matlock, Macclesfield, and Sheffield.
Council outlines vision for potential revamp of popular Leicester shopping street
Initial ideas for a potential revamp of a popular shopping street in Leicester’s Clarendon Park area have been outlined by the city council.
The city council is considering a range of possible improvements to Queen’s Road as part of a citywide programme of investment to help the city and local businesses recover from nearly two years of disruption from the pandemic.
At Queens Road, the city council aims to create a more attractive shopping environment, with more space for outdoor café areas and wider, safer pavements for pedestrians.
Initial ideas could see changes to some side road junctions – including potentially removing the junctions at Montague Road and Cecilia Road – to create more pedestrian space and cut the amount of traffic turning into Queens Road, helping to make the busy shopping street safer for pedestrians and cyclists.
Pavements could be widened at key points to make more space for outdoor café-style seating areas to support businesses, while ensuring that adequate parking space is maintained for shoppers and visitors and loading bays are available for businesses.
This could include widening pavements outside Barceloneta and Friends Tandoori – between Howard Road and Cecilia Road – and filling in the existing bus bay alongside the shopping area between Montague Road and Clarendon Park Road to create more space.
The proposals will not impact the number of limited-time waiting bays on Queens Road.
Improvements to make the route safer and more appealing to cyclists are also being considered, along with the introduction of a docking bay on Queens Road for the new Santander Cycles Leicester e-bike hire scheme.
Traffic calming measures, such as raised crossings, on Queens Road are also being considered to encourage motorists to cut their speed and improve road safety.
Earlier this year, the city council set aside £11.3million of capital funding for a number of road and transport schemes as part of its budget for 2022/23. This includes the regeneration of key shopping streets such as Queens Road.
The initial ideas for improvements to Queens Road have been developed closely with ward councillors and discussions are ongoing.
Assistant city mayor and Castle ward councillor Danny Myers said: “Queens Road is at the heart of the community in Clarendon Park. It’s a space that is held dear. Events like our Summer and Christmas fairs attract thousands and it is a place that is enjoyed throughout the day and evening, all year round.
“Creating a high quality-space that reflects this popularity is a great opportunity. It’d be really interesting to see what people think of these proposals and other ideas they may have for Queens Rd too.”
Deputy city mayor Cllr Adam Clarke, who leads on environment and transport, added: “It’s really important that we continue to invest in streets like Queens Road to enhance the environment, make them more people-friendly and help ensure their local businesses continue to thrive.
“Although these initial ideas are in the very early stages, it’s clear that we have a real opportunity to invest in Queens Road and make it an even more attractive place for residents, local business and visitors.
“These early thoughts have already been shared at a meeting of Friends of Clarendon Park and we’re very keen for the local community to be an integral part of the creative process as this scheme develops.”
The city council expects to firm up proposals for Queens Road over the coming months, with a view to inviting feedback on final design plans from local residents and businesses this summer.
Derby out of the running to become UK City of Culture 2025
Derby is out of the running to become UK City of Culture 2025, but the council says it is not disheartened.
As the Government announces its shortlist of four, the team behind Derby’s bid is now looking to the future, using all the support it has won over the past few months to set its sights on becoming UK City of Culture 2029.
Arts Minister Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay said: “The UK City of Culture competition is a brilliant opportunity for places to increase people’s interest in the arts while benefiting their local economies. I offer huge congratulations to Derby for making it this far in the process and I hope that being part of the 2025 longlist will leave a rich cultural legacy for the local community.”
What began as an expression of interest put together in just a few weeks quickly gathered momentum, uniting the arts and business sector, local authorities, environmental organisations, politicians and even Derby’s twin city of Toyota in Japan to get behind the ambition.
Even before the initial bid was submitted, Derby’s culture and heritage was at the forefront of the city’s economy and recovery. From being the birthplace of the industrial revolution and home to Rolls-Royce, Alstom and Toyota, to the delivery of the new 3,500 capacity Becketwell venue, Derby’s bid was seen as a springboard for culture-led regeneration in the city.
Using culture as the starting point to improve citizens’ wellbeing, opportunities and social mobility was also vital to the bid, and that ambition is set to continue.
Adam Buss, interim director of Derby’s City of Culture bid, said: “This process has never been just about winning a competition. It’s been about recognising the role of culture in making our city a vibrant place to live and work.
“Congratulations to those cities moving forward, and to those like us who did not make the final four. Everyone has worked so hard and the diverse group of places represented is testament to the competition and its potential to transform not only those places but the whole of the UK.
“For Derby, it’s now time to reflect on how far we’ve come in such a short space of time, having won the support of the city’s sectors. Industry, the arts, education, sport, politics and the environment – all of Team Derby – will continue to be behind us as we move forward.
“There is more understanding now of how important culture is to the city, not only in terms of regenerating buildings and public space, but also to the wellbeing and prospects of our citizens, and this work will continue. Being UK City of Culture 2025 would have opened up opportunities to make this happen more quickly, but our ambition remains as we set our sights on winning the status for 2029.”
Councillor Chris Poulter, leader of Derby City Council, said: “There is no reason for us to be disappointed today. A huge amount of hard work went into Derby’s bid and it was a prime example of the city working together in partnership. We’ve built a foundation for the future and I’m very proud of Derby for getting this far in such a short space of time.
“Putting culture at the heart of our plans for Derby’s regeneration was a priority even before we submitted our expression of interest. It’s about improving our city, making it a vibrant place to live and work, and setting the scene to make culture shine through. This will continue to remain our vision as we bid to become UK City of Culture 2029 and beyond.”
Bradford, County Durham, Southampton and Wrexham County Borough have been unveiled as the four areas shortlisted to be UK City of Culture 2025.
The correct footwear for each working condition
Whatever you happen to be doing with your working day, it’s essential that you’re wearing the right shoes. Arguably more than any other item of clothing, the shoes we wear play a critical role in protecting us from the world and safeguarding our general well-being. After all, your shoes are there to not only cover your feet but support your entire body.
The type of work you’re doing, and the environment in which you’re doing it, should both inform the type of footwear you wear. Here, we’re going to look at exactly how.
Safety Footwear
Wherever there’s a risk of injury to your feet, you should be wearing protective footwear. Shoes of this sort might incorporate metal caps around the toes, or the soles. If you injure your feet, then your ability to work will be severely impacted – especially if you’re doing an active job. Potential sources of injury might include slipping, standing on something sharp, or being splashed by chemical spillages. Research your options and invest in something that will provide the appropriate level of protection. It’s usually better to spend more if it means avoiding pain and a lengthy spell in recovery.Electrical Hazards
Particularly worthy of consideration in some professions is the danger posed by electricity. If you’re dealing with high-voltage machinery, then you need to ensure that the shoes you’re wearing are non-conductive and resistant to electrical shock. This will help reduce the likelihood of you inadvertently completing a circuit and channelling thousands of volts into the Earth. While safety footwear won’t guarantee that you don’t get a shock, it can reduce both the likelihood and the impact of an injury. This is especially important if you’re working at a height, or in an environment where a shock might be compounded by other hazards.Explosives
On the other hand, you might also wish to avoid building a static charge yourself. If you’re working with explosives, then you might inadvertently generate a spark, which might ignite the fuel source. This means conductive shoes with socks that don’t generate static electricity. While the risk of this kind of scenario unfolding is very small, the potential costs can be catastrophic. It’s therefore worth doing everything you possibly can to reduce the risk.Blades
If you’re handling sharp objects, then there’s always the possibility that they’ll slip from your grasp and land on your toes. If you don’t have the right shoes on, then you might suffer a serious injury. This is where robust, steel-capped boots of the sort we’ve already talked about come in handy. In certain cases, you might look for boots that are specially designed to deal with special kinds of hazards, like chainsaws.Establish new connections and strengthen old ones at the Property & Business Investment Lincolnshire Expo
Free to attend, The Property & Business Investment Lincolnshire Expo will return on Wednesday 27 April 2022 at The Bentley Hotel, Lincoln, presenting an ideal opportunity to forge new contacts and reconnect with old ones.
Business Link is a proud partner of the well targeted event aimed at the Construction, Property, Business, Investment, Finance, Professional Services and related B2B markets, which will include exhibitors such as Aspbury Planning Ltd, Belvoir, Business Lincolnshire, BSP Consulting, Delta Simons, the Federation of Small Businesses, J Tomlinson, NatWest, Willmott Dixon, and YMD Boon, to name a few.
To see the full list of who is exhibiting click here.
Opening at 9am, the expo will also host a seminar, and as the exhibition closes, it will roll directly into an informal, open buffet style network lunch – tickets are just £25 plus vat and can be ordered and paid for directly online. Spaces for the lunch are limited, so order as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Tina King, of Business Shows Group, said: “It’s been a long time in the making thanks to the pandemic, but we are finally nearly there, The Property & Business Investment Lincolnshire Expo is gearing up to be one of the best to date!”
To attend the event, register for free here.
To generate opportunities by exhibiting at the event, click here.
Purchase tickets to the networking lunch here.
Meet more potential clients in one amazing cost effective day, than it would take months out on the road.
Leicestershire’s Business Gateway offers green suppliers a shop window for sustainable products and services
The Business Gateway for Leicester and Leicestershire is calling on suppliers of environmentally friendly products and services to make contact, so that it can showcase these to local businesses trying to become more sustainable.
Rachel York, manager of the Business Gateway, explained: “We are consistently encouraging small local businesses to reduce waste, find a renewable supplier for their energy and make other changes to reduce their carbon footprint.
“This will save them money and attract new customers, so it makes business sense. However, we are aware that it can be difficult to find suppliers of these green solutions and we wanted to make it easier for our small business clients.”
The Business Gateway plans to include details of green suppliers in its Business Support Finder. This is a searchable directory of services which small business clients may find useful in supporting their growth. It is part of the website www.bizgateway.org.uk.
Mrs York added: “Ideally we would like to prioritise suppliers who are based in Leicester or Leicestershire to retain the business locally but suppliers from outside the region are also welcome, particularly if they offer something that no one else does.
“One thing we ask from suppliers is that, as well as being environmentally focussed, they try to meet some of the criteria from the Social Value Act that we follow. Being a publicly funded body, we can’t recommend these suppliers, of course, but we think it is valuable to make our clients aware of them.”
Over the past year, the need for businesses to operate more sustainably has become a priority as the UK strives to reach Net Zero by 2050 and Leicester City Council aims to do the same by 2030.
The Business Gateway has delivered two programmes of webinars on the theme of ‘Reducing Carbon Emissions in your Small Business’, both of which proved very popular.
It has also worked with the LLEP to launch the Zellar carbon reduction scheme to nearly 100 small local businesses. This pilot scheme is the first of its kind in the Midlands region and only the second in the UK as a whole.
Any business wishing to find out more should email peter.allen@bizgateway.org.uk and mark their message ‘green supplier’.
Image credit: Naja Bertolt Jensen on Unsplash
Derby submits bid for Great British Railways headquarters
Derby City Council has submitted their expression of interest for the city to become the home of Great British Railways (GBR).
The bid outlines why Derby would be a good fit for the new headquarters, as well as promoting its 180 years of rail history. Being based in the heart of the UK rail network means that over 11,000 workers are employed in Europe’s largest and most diverse rail cluster. Centred around Derby it covers every aspect of railway building, maintenance and operation.
Uniquely, Derby is home to major players in the automotive and aviation industry including Rolls-Royce and Toyota, making it uniquely placed for GBR to benefit from cross-sector collaboration and a highly skilled workforce.
Councillor Chris Poulter, leader of Derby City Council, said: “Rail is in the blood of many generations of people in Derby, who are naturally proud of our rich and deep-rooted rail heritage and that’s why I’m delighted to announce that we have submitted an expression of interest to become the home of GBR.
“As a city we’re looking towards the future of the sector and this is where Derby can excel. We are the centre for rail excellence and innovation, with a strong supply chain to support a large, diverse rail cluster.
“We believe we have a very strong and compelling case for Derby to be the home for the first national headquarters of Great British Railways, which we’ve outlined in our expression of interest to Government.
“I would like to thank key partners from across the region for supporting us with our submission and for helping back our bid! The East Midlands makes us the best-placed region to meet GBR’s requirements and levelling up needs.”
Just as Derby is a great opportunity for GBR, it’s also a great opportunity to level up the region. Derby currently has a low proportion of Government jobs, the lowest for a city of its size in the UK. Becoming the home of GBR would directly help level up the area by diversifying and strengthening the local economy.
Government announced their commitment to move 22,000 civil service jobs out of London by the end of the decade. The relocations will be an opportunity to improve the capacity of the civil service, by helping to attract and retain talented staff across the whole of the UK and for decision-making to better reflect the whole population.
The timeline for the GBR competition:
Stage 1 – Expression of Interest deadline 16 March 2022
Stage 2 – Shortlist announced May 2022
Stage 3 – Ministerial visits to shortlisted places and a public vote May 2022
Stage 4 – Headquarters’ location announced Summer 2022
The bid has the backing of all three counties, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire, as well as support from 22 East Midlands based MP’s.
Amanda Solloway, Member of Parliament for Derby North, said: “I’m very proud to be backing Derby’s bid to be the new HQ for Great British Railways and I believe that our city has outstanding credentials for the role. With Derby’s rich heritage as the longstanding home to Midland Rail and prime location at the heart of the rail network, it is well placed to serve as the centre for the new organisation.
“What truly makes our bid unique is the vital importance that our tremendously skilled workforce continues to play in underpinning our national industry. More than two thirds of the UK’s rolling stock is supported from the Litchurch Lane site in Derby alone, and Derby is home to the largest cluster of rail companies anywhere in the world.
“Together with the significant work going on locally to explore the potential of AI and rail decarbonisation, Derby possesses an exceptional combination of representing the past, present and future of the rail network and our national rail industry.”
Pauline Latham OBE, Member of Parliament for Mid Derbyshire, said: “I think the Government would be making a very good decision by bringing Great British Railways to Derby.
“Derby has a fantastic rail heritage, is the centre of the UK’s rail network, and is the home of rail sector innovation for the future. There is no better place for public-private collaboration, with excellent connectivity around the country, and building on over 180 years of railway history.”
Dame Margaret Beckett, Member of Parliament for Derby South, added: “The history of the rail industry is inextricably interwoven with the history of Derby but that is not why Derby would be the best possible place for the headquarters of GBR.
“It is because the Derby of today and tomorrow is a transport hub steeped in contributing to the transport of the future, the home of the largest network of rail companies probably in the world – building operating and maintaining the transport of the future is part of Derby’s raison d’être. That is what makes it the right place for the new GBR to be headquartered.”
Streets cover Making Tax Digital, cyber risk in light of the Ukraine conflict, year end tax planning and more in latest business support update
In its latest Business Support Update, Streets Chartered Accountants dives into Making Tax Digital, the opening of its new Birmingham office, cyber risk in light of the Ukraine conflict, year end tax planning, and more.
Making Tax Digital applies to all VAT registered businesses from April 2022. Are you ready?
Since April 2019 most VAT registered businesses with a turnover over £85,000 have been within Making Tax Digital (MTD) for VAT. This means that they have had to keep digital records and submit their tax returns via MTD compatible software. From April 2022 MTD for VAT is being extended to all VAT registered businesses. In practical terms this means that they will no longer be able to submit their VAT returns via the old HMRC portal.
New Birmingham office sees Streets become a truly pan regional assurance and advisory firm
Streets have opened a new office in Birmingham as part of its firm wide growth strategy. The new office, located at the Birmingham Business Park, along with well-established offices across the Midlands – including Lincoln, Luton and Northampton – mean Streets are now a pan regional player covering the East, West and South East Midlands.
Streets appoint Martyn Shakespear as head of banking & finance
Streets have announced the appointment of experienced banking and advisory specialist, Martyn Shakespear, as head of banking & finance. Martyn joins Streets with over 40 years’ experience of providing funding advice to SMEs and corporates.
The Streets Sessions Podcast – Do businesses face an increased cyber risk in light of the Ukrainian conflict?
In this session, cyber security specialists Rick Jones, CEO of DigitalXRaid, and Oliver Pinson-Roxborough, CEO of Bulletproof, discuss the heightened level of cyber threats faced by businesses in light of the Ukrainian conflict. In discussion they also provide practical guidance and advice to businesses about managing cyber threats and ensuring cyber security.
What does 2022/23 look like for payroll?
As we head into the final few weeks of the 2021/22 tax year, and following last year’s Autumn Budget announcements and the news of the National Insurance rise that preceded it, what do those charged with payroll need to know to start preparing for the new tax year on 6th April?
Year End Tax Planning Guide 2021/22
With the end of the tax year fast approaching, now is a good time to review your business and personal finances to ensure that they are as tax-efficient as possible. As your accountants, Streets can work with you to make sure your business and personal finances are in a strong position to weather whatever lies ahead. This includes planning to make the most of the tax-saving opportunities available to you, particularly ahead of the tax year end.
New planning manager for Mather Jamie
Loughborough-based specialist land development and property consultancy Mather Jamie has increased the size of its planning team following the appointment of Jenny Adams as a planning manager.
Jenny, who is from Keyworth in Nottingham, is a Chartered Planner, having studied a BA in Geography and MSc in Planning. She joins the company from Arup where she was an associate planner.
Having joined as graduate 11 years ago, she helped to grow and manage Arup’s Nottingham planning team and has worked on a variety of strategic planning and economic regeneration projects. Latterly she was involved in supporting towns on the Towns Fund programme and progressing the planning consent for the National Rehabilitation Centre at the Stanford Hall Rehabilitation Estate.
In her new role, Jenny will be working closely with Tom Collins, helping to progress sites forward on behalf of clients, from allocation in the local plan system to outline application.
Commenting on her appointment, Jenny said: “The role sounded really interesting as I would have the opportunity to work on numerous sites and understand how they progress through the planning system from start to finish. It also felt like the right point in my career to explore planning from a new perspective as well as experience working for a smaller firm.”
In her spare time Jenny is generally quite outdoorsy and sporty. She has previously climbed Mt Kilimanjaro for the water charity Dig Deep and is currently training to participate in the Belles of Belvoir 80k cycle challenge on 12 June, which uniquely promises multiple cake stations on the route.
