Uber launches courier service for business deliveries in Leicester and beyond

April Lara
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Uber launches courier service for business deliveries in Leicester and beyond

Uber has rolled out a new courier service across the UK, including Sheffield, aimed at individuals and small businesses needing fast, local deliveries. The new feature, Uber Courier, is now available through the Uber app and allows users to send and receive items up to 15 lbs in weight and under £200 in value.

Currently, the service is available in cities such as Sheffield, Glasgow, Oxford, Edinburgh, Leicester, and Belfast. By summer, it is expected to reach 20 locations. Upcoming rollouts include key business hubs such as Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, and Bristol.

Designed to support sectors like retail, legal services, and independent boutiques, Uber Courier enables SMEs to manage local deliveries on demand without traditional logistics contracts. Features such as real-time tracking, PIN code verification, and shareable updates for recipients support deliveries.

Uber Courier integrates directly into the existing app, offering a streamlined delivery solution that helps small businesses maintain customer satisfaction while staying flexible and cost-effective.

Contruction underway on state of the art visitor centre at Bennerley Viaduct

Tess Egginton
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Contruction underway on state of the art visitor centre at Bennerley Viaduct
Construction is underway for a new visitor centre to serve Bennerley Viaduct, with completion set for Autumn 2025, funded by the Kimberley Means Business Fund. Situated on the Eastern side of the ‘Iron Giant’, the new visitor hub will include a café, outdoor seating and bicycle parking. The visitor centre will also contain an educational space providing a more in depth understanding of the landmark for visitors and any tours or school trips. This will also double up as an exhibition space, which will host a variety creative works from the local community. Many environmentally friendly features have been incorporated into the design of the building, including light tubes which channel sunlight inside, reducing the use of electricity for lighting. The visitor centre will also include energy efficient LED lighting and insulation, as well as solar panels. Peter Collins, operation director at the Friends of Bennerley Viaduct, said: “The new visitor centre and café will be an amazing additional attraction to our area. It will be the focus of our activities as we look, with our partners, to bring to life the heritage and the environment of the Bennerley Viaduct, sustainably.”
Leader of Broxtowe Borough Council and portfolio holder for economic development and asset management, councillor Milan Radulovic MBE, said: “The new visitor centre will be a welcome addition to the iconic Bennerley Viaduct. Not only will it attract more visitors to Bennerley and surrounding areas, but it will also provide an opportunity for more to learn about its history and the part it played in our local mining heritage.” Completed in 1878 and standing 60m above the Erewash valley, Bennerley Viaduct is a marvel of Victorian British engineering, previously connecting Nottingham to Derby via rail.

Hospital trust targets major agency staff cuts in cost-saving drive

April Lara
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Hospital trust targets major agency staff cuts in cost-saving drive

University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust (UHDB) is implementing aggressive cost-cutting measures to save £67 million by the end of March 2026. Among the key initiatives is a reduction in agency staff expenditure by a minimum of 30%, a 10% cut in bank staffing costs, and a £3.3 million decrease in corporate expenses.

The trust previously achieved £62.7 million in savings in 2024/25 but acknowledges that further reductions are needed to meet national financial expectations for NHS trusts. The move forms part of a broader effort to address ongoing budgetary pressures and enhance operational efficiency.

The trust has positioned these changes as part of a broader push across the NHS to deliver better taxpayer value while maintaining quality care. There is an emphasis on using resources more effectively rather than compromising safety or performance.

Trade unions, including Unison, have expressed willingness to collaborate with the trust to ensure changes are implemented fairly and safely for both staff and patients.

Translink Express secures £5m logistics deal with Ramon Hygiene

April Lara
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Translink Express secures £5m logistics deal with Ramon Hygiene

Translink Express Logistics has signed a five-year agreement valued at £5 million to continue providing logistics and warehousing services for Ramon Hygiene Products. The Leicester-based hygiene supplier relies on Translink Express to manage daily pallet shipments across the UK, which range from 100 to 150 fully tracked units destined for supermarkets, wholesalers, and distribution centres.

The renewed contract extends a partnership that began in 2007 and includes warehousing support for Ramon Hygiene’s extensive product range. Translink Express operates from its Narborough headquarters and a 62,000 sq. ft. storage and distribution facility in Whetstone.

The company’s logistics capabilities are strengthened through its membership in the Pallet-Track network, which enables national coverage through a network of shareholder members. The deal is the largest in Translink’s history and reflects its role as a key B2B logistics partner for growing enterprises.

Both firms are locally based and family-run, reinforcing a regional supply chain partnership that supports national distribution. The contract positions Translink Express to scale its operations with Ramon Hygiene’s growth, while offering consistent service delivery across the UK.

Leicester business expands with a tasty acquisition

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Leicester business expands with a tasty acquisition
Aarti Sweet Centre has acquired Sangam Paneer, a manufacturer of paneer, supported by a seven-figure funding package from HSBC UK. The acquisition will allow Aarti Sweet Centre to grow its client base by integrating Sangam Paneer’s roster of long-standing customers, including major supermarkets. The deal secures 22 existing jobs and is expected to create new employment opportunities as Aarti Sweet Centre continues to expand. It will also increase the business’s overall production capacity, enabling it to meet rising demand across the UK. Hardas Keshwala, director at Aarti Sweet Centre, said: “With HSBC UK’s backing, we’re delighted to welcome Sangam Paneer into the Aarti Sweet Centre family. This strategic acquisition strengthens our production capabilities and enables us to serve an even wider client base across the UK. “We’re committed to preserving the heritage and quality Sangam Paneer is known for, while continuing to grow our offer.” Hitesh Mistry, relationship manager at HSBC UK, added: “This acquisition not only safeguards and creates local jobs but also brings together two respected brands to deliver high-quality vegetarian food at scale.” Richard Parker, area director at HSBC UK, said: “By supporting Aarti Sweet Centre’s growth, we have allowed them to not only foster innovation and quality but also create new employment opportunities in the local area.” Aarti Sweet Centre is now set to build on its expanded footprint and pave the way for growth in the UK’s vegetarian food sector.

Gateley RJA secures Eastern Procurement framework appointment

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Gateley RJA secures Eastern Procurement framework appointment
Leicester-based Gateley RJA, the specialist quantity surveying, employer’s agent, project management and clerk of works arm of professional services group, Gateley, has secured a place on Eastern Procurement’s £17m development consultancy services framework. Eastern Procurement drives procurement solutions for councils, housing providers and other public bodies across the East of England. Its development consultancy framework has been designed as a one-stop shop for providing built environment services. Initially appointed for four years, Gateley RJA will deliver employer’s agent, quantity surveying and clerk of works services across core regions including the East of England, East Midlands, North and North East Lincolnshire, Milton Keynes and Buckinghamshire. Steven Collin, managing director at Gateley RJA, said: “We are thrilled to be awarded a place on Eastern Procurement’s development consultancy framework which will see us support with built environment services across the East of England. “Eastern Procurement prides itself on quality and efficiency, so the appointment really is testament to the high standards produced by our dedicated teams across schemes for the private rented and affordable housing sectors.”

Viridis backs ‘Sustainable Development of the Year’ at the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025

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Viridis backs ‘Sustainable Development of the Year’ at the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025
Viridis Building Services Ltd has joined the sponsor line up for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025, backing the Sustainable Development of the Year category for a further year. Growing your business by building greener, Viridis are experts in providing sustainable passive environmental building services solutions incorporating renewable, low carbon, low energy, H.V.A.C, M.E.P, systems for the built environment whilst meeting client’s aspirations, helping you create sustainable, appealing and cost-effective buildings on the journey to Net Zero. Speaking with Business Link, a spokesperson for Viridis Building Services Ltd said: “We’re proud to once again sponsor the Sustainable Development of the Year award at the Bricks Awards. At Viridis Building Services, sustainability isn’t just a buzzword – it’s the foundation of everything we do, which is why we are so passionate about sponsoring this particular award. “Last year’s event was a fantastic showcase of innovation, collaboration and local talent, and it was inspiring to see so many projects delivering real, measurable impacts, having positive impacts on local social aspects, the environment and the local economy. We believe that building sustainably should also mean building smart, achieving environmental excellence without excessive cost, and this is what we saw last year. “This year, we’re especially looking forward to reviewing and understanding the amazing projects completed and in the pipeline, which promote sustainability in its greatest form. It allows opportunity for connecting with like-minded professionals, celebrating the power of local collaboration, and shining a spotlight on those who are pushing boundaries in sustainable design and construction. “We strongly encourage everyone in the industry to nominate the projects that are helping to shape a greener, more responsible future.” The East Midlands Bricks Awards, which will take place on Thursday 2nd October at Nottingham’s famous Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, celebrates the successes of property and construction companies in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, and Northamptonshire. Recognising those behind the changing landscape of the East Midlands, the occasion highlights development projects, businesses, and people in commercial and public building across the region – from office, industrial and residential schemes, through to community projects such as leisure schemes and schools. It also toasts the work of architects, agencies, and those behind large schemes. Welcoming almost 150 professionals, nominating a company or project for the awards is a great way to showcase your successes, recognise your team’s efforts, bolster morale, and reach our audience of over 60,000 business readers, while also offering a chance to connect with respected professionals. It’s completely free to enter and making the top three finalists in your category also wins you free tickets to the event.

To make a nomination for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025, please click here.

Supporting imagery, video, documents, or links to these, can be sent to bricks@blmgroup.co.uk. Video nomination pitches are also welcome as an alternative or companion to written entries. Categories include: All finalists will have the chance to take home the Overall Winner award, which this year comes with a grand prize of a year of marketing/publicity worth £20,000, with the opportunity to split or gift the marketing to a charity of your choice.

Nominations will close on Friday 15th August.

New for this year, all entrants will also have the opportunity to be featured on our dedicated nominee showcase on the East Midlands Business Link website, providing space for marketing your achievements. Upon submitting a nomination, we will get in touch for any information, imagery, and video nominees would like to be featured on their showcase page.

The East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025

What: The East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025 When: Thursday 2nd October (4.30pm – 7.30pm) Where: Derek Randall Suite, Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, Nottingham Keynote speaker: Councillor Nadine Peatfield – Leader of Derby City Council, Cabinet Member for City Centre, Regeneration, Strategy and Policy, and Deputy Mayor of the East Midlands Tickets: Available here Dress code: Standard business attire Thanks to our sponsors:                                                                

To be held at:

With a limited number of sponsorship opportunities remaining, please contact Angie Cooper at a.cooper@blmgroup.co.uk to learn more if you are interested in becoming an East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025 sponsor.

Pink Storage expands in Midlands with £1.5m Nottingham deal

April Lara
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Pink Storage expands in Midlands with £1.5m Nottingham deal

Self-storage operator Pink Storage has acquired Nottingham-based facility StoreWise in a deal valued at £1.1 million, with a further £370,000 committed to upgrades. The 1.3-acre site, which houses 102 existing storage units, will be rebranded and integrated into Pink Storage’s tech-enabled service model, bringing the company’s UK footprint to 22 sites, a 22% portfolio growth this year.

The company plans to add 150 new units, boosting overall capacity for business and domestic users in the East Midlands. Upgrades will include resurfaced roadways, 24/7 CCTV, automatic number plate recognition, and digital access via online sign-up and secure PIN codes.

The site remains operational during the transition. Around 100 existing customers are being migrated to Pink Storage’s platform, with continuity provided by the existing site manager, who will remain in post.

This is the company’s fourth site addition in 2025, underscoring its strategic push into the Midlands and North. Pink Storage is seeking further acquisition targets as part of its growth strategy, which is focused on scalable technology, regional expansion, and improving access to secure storage in underserved locations.

Nottingham BTR project approved with design changes

April Lara
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Nottingham BTR project approved with design changes

A major build-to-rent (BTR) scheme adjacent to Nottingham railway station has secured planning approval, with conditions requiring changes to its visual design.

The second phase of MRP Nottingham’s Queens Road development will deliver 247 residential units across three connected buildings ranging from 8 to 18 storeys. It follows the earlier delivery of a 406-bed student accommodation block on the same site, forming part of a long-term redevelopment of this strategic city centre gateway.

The new scheme includes a mix of studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, alongside shared four—and five-bedroom units. The project is designed as a fully build-to-rent offering and aligns with rising investor and institutional interest in rental housing in key urban centres.

However, Nottingham City Council’s planning committee approved the application to revise the top three floors to deliver a “softer” visual profile. The director of planning and transport, in consultation with committee leadership, has been delegated final design decisions.

Located at the historic “Wagon Works” site on the corner of Queens Road and London Road, the project sits opposite the Hicking Building, now a successful mixed-use redevelopment, reinforcing the area’s ongoing urban regeneration.

UK explores hydrogen blending for gas supply decarbonisation

April Lara
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UK explores hydrogen blending for gas supply decarbonisation

The UK Government is actively considering introducing hydrogen blending into the national gas network as part of wider decarbonisation efforts. According to energy minister Michael Shanks, a formal decision is expected shortly following an evidence-gathering phase assessing the impact on consumers and infrastructure.

Blending up to 20% hydrogen with natural gas is technically feasible with most existing boilers and appliances in domestic and commercial settings. Gas network operators have indicated that current infrastructure could handle such a mix without significant modifications, offering a transitional path toward lower-carbon heating.

Scotland is leading several green hydrogen production projects to leverage the country’s renewable energy capacity. Recent developments include a large-scale hydrogen facility approved in Kintore, Aberdeenshire, and discussions around the Grangemouth industrial site as a potential hydrogen hub.

While hydrogen presents a cleaner alternative to natural gas, its lower energy density requires greater volumes to produce the same heat output. This raises ongoing questions about the viability of a 100% hydrogen gas grid for domestic use.

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