Nottingham College has launched a new Engineering and Electrical Centre at its Ruddington campus to address the growing demand for skilled engineers in manufacturing, electrical installation, and renewable energy. The facility is designed to strengthen apprenticeships and provide industry-aligned technical training.

The Centre complements Emtec, the college’s existing specialist automotive training facility, and features four purpose-built classrooms, a fully equipped engineering workshop with CNC machining, advanced welding bays, and a testing laboratory. Its electrical workshop includes 20 individual workstations, panel wiring stations, and sustainable energy systems to reflect current industry standards.

The Centre can accommodate up to 150 engineering apprentices and 160 electrical apprentices each year. Training is designed to provide hands-on experience with modern and traditional techniques in environments that mirror current workplace conditions. The facility was developed in collaboration with regional and national employers, including Make UK, CEMA, Charnvel, Actemium ICP, McCanns, Reckitt, and Blackburn Starling, ensuring curriculum and equipment are aligned with industry needs.

The opening on 10 September was attended by business representatives and highlighted the Centre’s role in preparing the workforce for evolving engineering and electrical sectors. The initiative positions Nottingham College as a regional hub for technical education while supporting businesses in developing a pipeline of skilled professionals for the future.

New high quality accommodation in Lincoln for people with a history of rough sleeping has been opened by homelessness charity Framework. The purpose-built Sincil House on Lincoln High Street includes 15 self-contained flats for residents who will be able to access tailored and comprehensive support to help them rebuild their lives. Staff will be onsite 24/7 to provide support to vulnerable people with complex needs, helping them to regain stability, achieve independence, engage with the community and improve their quality of life. Cllr Naomi Tweddle, leader of the City of Lincoln Council, cut the ribbon at the official opening with Framework’s chief executive Andrew Redfern and deputy chief executive Claire McGonigle welcoming the new provision which takes the charity’s total investment in accommodation for homeless people in Lincoln to just under £10m. Cllr Naomi Tweddle said: “We are delighted with this latest investment in the City by Framework. The service will complement existing provision for homeless people and rough sleepers in Lincoln, to ease pressure on the system. It will provide tailored and comprehensive support to help its residents regain stability, improve their quality of life, regain independence and engage with the community.” Framework CEO Andrew Redfern said: “The development of Sincil House is the latest evidence of Framework’s long-term commitment to increase the quantity and improve the quality of accommodation for homeless people across Lincolnshire. Sincil House provides good quality, self-contained supported accommodation for homeless men and women from the Lincoln area. “This new accommodation service will be Framework’s fifth major capital investment in Lincoln. It brings Framework’s investment in the city to more than £9.6m and means that Framework can accommodate more than 100 homeless people across Lincoln at any one time. “We are most grateful to the City of Lincoln Council with whom we have worked productively for many years. This £2.65m project has been developed in partnership with the Council who helped us obtain the site and also to obtain funding from the national Single Homelessness Accommodation Programme (SHAP). “In addition to capital support this includes funding to run the service for the first two years. Framework itself contributed £950,000 to supplement the government’s £1.7m capital grant.” The Gelder Group was awarded the contract to carry out the purpose-built construction. Gelder Group CEO Steve Gelder said: “It has been a pleasure to deliver our first development for Framework, an organisation that makes a real difference to those in need of support. “The site was once home to the Golden Cross pub, a well-known spot for Lincoln City Football Club supporters, so it’s no surprise the project has attracted a great deal of local interest. This new development continues that tradition of serving the community, and we’re proud of the quality and care that has gone into bringing it to life.”

National Lottery funding will see one of the Lace Market’s most historic buildings brought back to life. The People’s Hall on Heathcoat Street has received nearly £250,000 of support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, enabling the Nottingham Historic Building Trust (NHBT) to reimagine the Grade II* listed building as a community-powered space. The 275-year-old three-storey building will now be brought back to life through a two-year programme of activity led by local volunteers, heritage experts and the multidisciplinary board of trustees at NHBT. The building is synonymous with Nottingham’s School of Art and Design – from which the city’s universities can trace a common lineage – and was renamed The People’s Hall in 1854, when it was reimagined as a space for working people to learn, socialise and connect by renowned Victorian philanthropist George Gill. Work has already begun at the building, with volunteers taking on tasks including removing old carpets and clearing debris, with the initial goal of making the space clean, safe and welcoming for small-scale public events. The project is spearheaded by NHBT, which rescues some of Nottingham’s at-risk heritage buildings with the goal of putting them into positive use for the city. Toby Ebbs, chair of NHBT and a working conservation officer, said: “Thanks to the support of the National Lottery Heritage Fund, we’ve been able to unlock the doors and begin the journey towards returning The People’s Hall to the community. “This is about more than restoring bricks and mortar – it’s about building a more inclusive, ambitious approach to heritage, and we see this project as a launchpad for future building restoration projects.” The initial stage will see the building opened for community-led programming, consultations and heritage storytelling while longer-term restoration plans are developed. Polly Schomberg, who is part of the initial group of volunteers supporting the project, said: “There’s something very powerful about the hands-on work of clearing out a space that’s been forgotten. You feel the ghosts of what’s gone before – and the potential of what could come next. We’re not just tidying up; we’re making it a space for the people of Nottingham to enjoy, learn about local heritage, and imagine its future together.” The People’s Hall is owned by Nigel Kirk, who has handed the restoration of the building over to NHBT to ensure it is revitalised in keeping with the building’s long and prestigious history.

The next stage of the Southeast Coalville Urban Extension is underway, as Lovell teams up with Harworth Group to progress the delivery of 146 new homes. With land now acquired, the Lovell team in the East Midlands is set to deliver the homes as part of 2,000 homes in the National Forest area, alongside a new local centre, primary school and new public spaces. Included within the 146 plots will be a number of affordable homes, along with a mix of one, two, three and four-bedroom homes for open market sale. Mark Roe, partnerships director for Lovell in the East Midlands, said: “This collaboration with Harworth strengthens our commitment to creating successful communities through large-scale and affordable development, alongside our successful partnership delivery. “Unlocking the next stage of this pivotal development allows us to continue our mission of delivering much needed quality housing ensuring buyers in the East Midlands have access to safe, affordable and quality homes they can call their own locally.” David Cockroft, managing director – national development delivery at Harworth Group, said: “We’re delighted to complete our first transaction with Lovell at South East Coalville. “This development is about more than building homes, it’s about creating a true sense of place. By delivering high-quality housing alongside green spaces, essential infrastructure, a new two-form primary forest school, and a Local Quarter with retail and community amenities, we’re enhancing the appeal of South East Coalville and the wider area as a fantastic place to live. This is placemaking in action.” The next phase of the development is due to commence in early 2026 and is expected to complete in late 2026.

Thrive Alternative Provision has taken 3,735 sq ft of light industrial space on Colwick Industrial Estate in Nottingham to support its continued growth. Unit 8, Morris Court, includes a mezzanine floor, secure compound, three-phase electricity, heated warehouse, 5m eaves height and an electric roller shutter door. The site also benefits from professional estate management. Thomas Szymkiw, head of agency at NG Chartered Surveyors, said: “We’re delighted to have secured a high-quality tenant for Unit 8 in Thrive Alternative Provision. Their move into Colwick Industrial Estate underlines the strength of demand we’re seeing from ambitious, growing businesses looking for well-located, modern space in Nottingham.” Thrive Alternative Provision delivers education to young people with complex social, emotional and educational needs from within the local community. Hamza Bencherif, Thrive’s regional operations manager for Nottingham, said: “Unit 8, Morris Court will enable our pupils to gain necessary vocational qualifications as well as core subjects to provide further educational and employment pathways for them to reach their full potential.”