Housebuilder buys land for £35m second phase of Nottingham’s Barton Quarter
Faith organisation relocates to new Nottinghamshire headquarters
A major faith-based organisation is set to relocate its administrative base to Sherwood Park in Nottinghamshire. The North England Conference of the Seventh-day Adventists has secured a 22,335 sq ft Grade A office at the Evo Business Park.
The move to the Vertex building will centralise the organisation’s operations, which oversee a network of churches, schools, and community initiatives across the North of England. The new headquarters will accommodate administrative functions, training facilities, and community programme offices.
The relocation is designed to enhance collaboration between departments and expand capacity for projects focused on youth development, family support, and wellbeing. The property’s accessibility and modern facilities are expected to improve efficiency and service delivery for the organisation’s members and partners.
The transition to Sherwood Park is scheduled to take place later this year.
East Midlands unemployment dips as businesses await Budget clarity
Unemployment in the East Midlands fell slightly to 4.4% between June and August 2025, according to new data from the Office for National Statistics. The regional figure remains below the national rate of 4.8% but is higher than at the start of the year.
The figures reflect a mixed picture for employers across the region. Recruitment difficulties continue to challenge many firms, with labour shortages persisting in key sectors. Rising operational costs, including higher employer National Insurance contributions and increases to the national living wage, have compounded the pressure on businesses’ hiring decisions.
Business groups in the region are urging the government to review elements of the Employment Rights Bill, arguing that added administrative demands could hinder firms already facing tight margins. Many also want assurances that the Autumn Budget will avoid further tax increases and instead offer measures that support investment and job creation.
With the Budget scheduled for 26 November, business leaders are calling for policies that prioritise economic stability and protect growth prospects in the East Midlands. For now, while the latest unemployment figures offer cautious optimism, the regional outlook remains closely tied to national fiscal policy and workforce legislation.
Council allocates £1.3m to support Ollerton regeneration
Newark and Sherwood District Council is preparing to allocate £1.33 million to address a funding shortfall in the Ollerton Regeneration Scheme. The project, backed by £20 million from the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund, aims to redevelop Ollerton town centre with new facilities and public spaces.
Council documents confirm that additional funding is required to finalise the business case and avoid delays. The scheme will include a cinema, café, public sector hub and housing. Adjustments to the original plans have been made to control rising construction costs, such as reducing part of the public sector hub to a single storey and separating the cinema and café from the main building.
The hub is intended to offer community services, including advice, support, and adult education. The council is expected to review the business case this week, with a planning application anticipated later this month.
The regeneration project is part of a wider investment across Nottinghamshire, designed to revitalise local economies and improve public access to services through mixed-use developments.
Businesses told to leave Pleasley Vale Mill One over safety concerns
Operations at Mill One in Pleasley Vale Business Park have been halted following safety advice from the Derbyshire Building Control Partnership. Bolsover District Council has instructed all businesses based in the building to vacate immediately.
Council Leader, Councillor Jane Yates said: “This is a very upsetting situation but our absolute priority is the safety of the businesses in the Mill. We have been advised to immediately close, empty and secure the building for safety reasons. We understand this is a huge upheaval for the businesses involved and we will do absolutely everything in our power to help them, but we must put safety first.”
The council is offering assistance to help affected companies relocate and has made financial support available to ease the transition. The decision follows a structural assessment that raised concerns about the safety of the historic mill.
The site, which has been part of the district’s industrial landscape since 1784, has served multiple purposes over the centuries, including as a cotton mill, munitions factory, and business hub. The council is seeking expert guidance on the issues identified and will review future options for the Mills to preserve their heritage while ensuring public safety.
Nottingham developer’s £151K fundraiser to send scores of children to Lapland
Major fit-out complete at MIDFIX’s new Nottingham HQ
The eight-month project was delivered in two phases to ensure a seamless transition with minimal disruption to MIDFIX’s business operations.
Phase 1 comprised the warehouse and workshop fit-out, completed in time for MIDFIX’s operational relocation in April. Phase 2 focused on the design and fit-out of premium office spaces, culminating in a successful relocation in August.
“This project has been an incredible journey from concept to completion,” said Rodney Hibbert, sales director at Accent Office Interiors. “It’s been extremely rewarding to help transform MIDFIX’s new home into a space that not only unites their operations under one roof but also positions them for continued growth. The results are outstanding and a testament to the hard work, collaboration, and dedication of everyone involved.”
The warehouse fit-out included full power distribution, energy-efficient LED lighting, and an advanced fire alarm system. Accent also delivered a bespoke workshop facility to support MIDFIX’s pre-fabrication division in both metal and woodworking.
The new office environment was designed with modern functionality and staff well-being in mind. Accent constructed a two-tier mezzanine floor with a concrete subfloor, extending the raised access flooring to create a continuous, cohesive workspace. Key features include open-plan office areas, a canteen and meeting room suite, a fully equipped gym, dedicated locker room, and enhanced WC and shower facilities.
“The final outcome was amazing,” said Angela Potts, head of business services at MIDFIX. “Staff absolutely love it, and the feedback has been incredible. This is largely credit to Accent – listening to us and finding solutions.” Inflationary pressures soften in September for East Midlands businesses
Plans lodged for next phase at Derby’s Castleward redevelopment scheme
Splitstone Capital moves to acquire UK lead recycling business Ecobat Resources
London-based private equity firm Splitstone Capital has agreed to acquire Ecobat Resources UK Limited, the country’s largest lead battery recycling business, from US parent company Ecobat LLC.
The deal, structured as a corporate carve-out, will see Ecobat Resources transition to standalone ownership under Splitstone’s management. The company operates Europe’s biggest lead battery recycling plant in Matlock, Derbyshire, along with a sheet lead production facility in Welwyn Garden City.
Together, these sites form the UK’s largest integrated lead recycling and refining operation, processing used lead-acid batteries and scrap lead into refined materials for use across automotive, industrial, and construction sectors. The company achieves a lead recovery rate of more than 99%, contributing significantly to the UK’s circular economy.
Splitstone will fund the acquisition through £100 million in committed capital, alongside £40 million in additional facilities to support future growth.
Peter Foxwood, Managing Partner of Splitstone Capital, said: “Ecobat Resources UK is a strongly-performing market leader with a vital and enduring role in the circular economy. We are excited to support the Managing Director, John Manning, and his team as they build on the company’s impressive heritage. This transaction exemplifies the kind of complex carve-outs we actively seek out, where focus, pace and creativity are essential to deliver a successful outcome.”
The deal remains subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.
