Businesses must prepare for single-use vape ban from 1 June

April Lara
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Businesses must prepare for single-use vape ban from 1 June

From 1 June, businesses in Derbyshire will be prohibited from selling, supplying, or possessing single-use vapes for sale, both online and in-store. The ban applies to all disposable vapes, regardless of nicotine content, and will be enforced by Derbyshire County Council’s trading standards team, excluding Derby city.

Violators face a £200 fine per offence, with repeat breaches risking unlimited fines, up to two years in prison, or both. Authorities will also have the power to seize illegal stock.

The move aims to curb environmental damage caused by vape waste and reduce fire hazards from improper disposal. Businesses are urged to review their stock and ensure compliance to avoid penalties.

Grand Central plans direct Lincolnshire-London rail service by 2026

April Lara
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Grand Central plans direct Lincolnshire-London rail service by 2026

Grand Central has notified Network Rail of its plans to introduce a direct rail service between Lincolnshire and London, connecting Cleethorpes, Grimsby, Habrough, and Scunthorpe to King’s Cross. The company will submit a formal application to the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), and pending regulatory approval, services are expected to launch by late 2026.

The proposed route would add over 775,000 new seats annually, improving regional connectivity and optimising underused rail capacity. Trains will integrate with Grand Central’s existing services via Doncaster, offering more travel options for passengers.

Managing Director Paul Hutchings highlighted the significance of restoring direct rail links to Cleethorpes, last available in 1992. The service aims to enhance economic ties between Lincolnshire and London, benefiting passengers and businesses.

The initiative follows London North Eastern Railway’s failed attempt to establish a similar route in 2023. Grand Central’s expansion could reshape regional transport and support economic growth in underserved areas if approved.

Avant Homes secures approval for £45m North Lincolnshire development

April Lara
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Avant Homes secures approval for £45m North Lincolnshire development

Avant Homes has received planning approval for a £45 million residential development in Yaddlethorpe, North Lincolnshire. The 20.1-acre site, named Moorwell Meadows, will feature 200 energy-efficient homes with two to five bedrooms.

Construction is set to begin in May, and the first homes will be available for sale in October. A show home is expected to open in November, and initial residents are scheduled to move in by December. The project includes a £170,000 community contribution towards improvements to Riddings Community Centre.

Delivered by Avant Homes North Yorkshire, the development aligns with the company’s expansion strategy in Lincolnshire. Avant Homes operates across the Midlands, northern England, and Scotland, focusing on multi-tenure housing for private, rental, and affordable sectors.

Cash injection helps Leicester supported housing provider upgrade homes

Tess Egginton
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Cash injection helps Leicester supported housing provider upgrade homes
Advance Housing and Support has been awarded £980,000 by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) to improve the energy efficiency of its homes. The funding comes from the Warm Homes Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (Wave 3) and will help boost the work Advance is already doing to upgrade all its homes to at least EPC band C by 2030. The full amount of funding will be matched by Advance to install energy efficiency measures such as insulation, low carbon heating systems and new windows and doors to its homes. While helping to reduce Advance’s carbon footprint, the measures will also deliver benefits to customers through lower energy bills and more comfortable homes. Chief Executive, Julie Layton, said: “This funding will support our ambitions to make sure all our properties end up meeting quality standards for energy efficiency, reducing costs and enhancing living conditions for customers.”

New tourism strategy launched for Blaby District to boost local economy

Tess Egginton
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New tourism strategy launched for Blaby District to boost local economy
Blaby District Council has launched a new tourism strategy to boost the local economy, supporting businesses and backing jobs. The Tourism Growth Plan has been developed with input from partners and local businesses. Building on the success of the previous plan, it sets out ambitions for an increase in visitor numbers and the local economy by 10% up to 2030. Figures from 2023 show tourism added £216.84m to the District’s economy and supported more than 2,000 local jobs. A key strength has been cooperation with local outlets through the Blaby District Tourism Partnership. Working with Visit Leicester has also provided wider opportunities. These alliances remain a priority in the Plan. Other priorities include: supporting firms facing skills or recruitment issues, using waterways, green spaces and cycling and walking routes to draw in visitors, focusing on accessible spaces, and promoting and boosting sustainable tourism. Marc Greenwood, Executive Director for Place at Blaby District Council, said: “Boosting tourism enhances the reputation of Blaby District as an attractive place to live, work, visit and invest in. “By raising our profile as an inspiring destination we can support businesses, safeguard jobs and grow the economy. A healthy tourism sector helps our District thrive. It creates rich memories for visitors and improves local prosperity, a benefit for all residents.” Jo Dempster, Chair of Blaby District Tourism Partnership and Director of Sales and Marketing at Leicester Marriott Hotel, said: “Over the last five years the Tourism Partnership has grown from strength to strength. “It has supported the Growth Plan and contributed to its significant achievements. We will build on this foundation for the new Growth Plan. By continuing to work together we can increase visitor numbers, creating a vibrant visitor economy.”

Significant milestone for development of £8.5m Health and Wellbeing Hub in Worksop

Tess Egginton
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Significant milestone for development of £8.5m Health and Wellbeing Hub in Worksop
A ground-breaking ceremony has marked a significant milestone in the creation of an £8.5m Health and Wellbeing Hub in Worksop. Expected to be completed by early 2026, Bassetlaw District Council has awarded the building contract to Tilbury Douglas to transform the long vacant site on Newgate Street, which is owned by the council and will be leased to the NHS and operated by Newgate Medical Group. Leader of Bassetlaw District Council, Cllr Julie Leigh said: “This is a significant milestone in transforming a vacant site into a new Health and Wellbeing Hub that will benefit residents and patients across the area. “A great deal of work has taken place to get us to this stage where construction is getting underway, and we look forward to working with our NHS partners to bring about this exciting development.” The new hub, next to the Newgate Medical Practice, will include 24 consulting rooms, three treatment rooms and additional space for admin and support services. Paul Ellenor, Regional Director for Yorkshire & North East at Tilbury Douglas, said: “Breaking ground on the Newgate Street Health & Wellbeing Hub is an exciting milestone. “This project will not only provide high-quality healthcare facilities for the local community but also create opportunities for apprentices and trainees, reinforcing our commitment to developing the next generation of construction professionals.”

Journeo achieves revenue and proft growth for fifth year running

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Journeo achieves revenue and proft growth for fifth year running

Journeo, an Ashby-de-la-Zouch-based provider of information systems and technical services to transport operators and local authorities, has achieved growth in sales, profit before tax and recurring revenues for a fifth year running.

According to final results for the year ended 31 December 2024, revenue at the firm increased 8% to £49.6m, while profit before tax grew 33% to £5m.

Russ Singleton, CEO of Journeo plc, said: “Journeo has delivered another strong set of results, achieving growth in sales, profit before tax and recurring revenues for a fifth year running. The increasing adoption of our core IP is delivering a growing sales pipeline based on technology created and implemented by the operating companies within the Group.

“In addition to our financial performance, we have made significant operational improvements. We have formed the Journeo Design Centre to create new world-class products and made strategic investments for our next growth phase with new appointments to our Senior Leadership Team.

“We have also made steps forward in our ESG and carbon reporting and are progressing with a number of potential complementary acquisitions.

“We move forward into 2025 with confidence that we will continue to deliver stakeholder value as the Group benefits from Government-backed initiatives for the more sustainable, safer and more secure communities and transport of the future.”

Derby recruitment business hails 2024 as “extremely satisfying year”

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Derby recruitment business hails 2024 as “extremely satisfying year”
The CEO of Derby-based recruitment business RTC Group has hailed 2024 as “an extremely satisfying year for the Group” with a “strong set of results.” According to audited results for the year ended 31 December 2024, profit before tax grew to £2.54m, up from £2.53m in 2023. Meanwhile, group revenue from continuing operations stood at £96.8m, down from £98.8m in 2023. Andy Pendlebury, Chairman and Chief Executive, said: “2024 was an extremely satisfying year for the Group. “Another strong set of results, another constructive year of value enhancement for our shareholders, while continuing to invest in the future, and a business with an outstanding balance sheet, and long-term revenue visibility through its strong order book with blue chip clients. A Group with strong independent yet interlinked subsidiary businesses with proven track records in both UK and International markets. 

“I am confident that our strategy of building a diverse group of subsidiaries partnering with companies heavily invested in long-term capital-intensive infrastructure sectors will continue to provide us with a layer of protection from the peaks and troughs of the traditional recruitment cycle. 

“Our solid order book across rail maintenance and renewals, and smart meter roll out and upgrades alongside other key infrastructure programmes, provides some clear visibility of revenue in 2025 and I remain cautiously confident in our short, medium and long-term prospects.

“Once again, our excellent performance is as a direct result of the exceptional people that we employ across the Group. The accumulation of both industry and company knowledge, experience and operational capability, coupled with the continual and unbridled enthusiasm and energy of everybody combines to create the unique and distinctive culture which permeates every corner of the Group and differentiates us as a company. 

“A big thank you to everybody for all your hard work.“

Morrisons to close cafés and counters, 365 jobs at risk

April Lara
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Morrisons to close cafés and counters, 365 jobs at risk

Morrisons is set to close 52 cafés, 18 market kitchens, 17 convenience stores, 13 florists, 35 meat counters, 35 fish counters, and four pharmacies due to rising operational costs. The supermarket chain stated that the affected services were no longer financially viable.

While most impacted employees will be offered redeployment within the company, 365 jobs remain at risk of redundancy. CEO Rami Baitieh described the closures as necessary to refocus investment on areas that customers prioritise.

East Midlands businesses show downbeat outlook in new research

Tess Egginton
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East Midlands businesses show downbeat outlook in new research
The economy has remained challenging during the first months of 2025 for East Midlands businesses, with four out of ten expecting profitability to worsen and half expecting to raise prices. The East Midlands Chamber’s Quarterly Economic Survey for Q1 displayed a bleak forecast for the region. Future pricing intentions
  • Half of businesses (54%) expect to put their prices up. This figure has shown little sign of improvement from 56% at the end of 2024
  • Labour costs are the biggest driver of the pressure to put prices up
Profitability
  • 4 out of 10 expect profitability to worsen over the next 12 months. This figure has doubled from 2 out of 10 in Q3 2024
Recruitment
  • 65% had difficulty finding suitable staff. The figure was 72% at the end of 2024
Top 3 worries of East Midlands businesses
  1. Corporate Taxation
  2. Inflation
  3. Business Rates
East Midlands Chamber Director of Policy and Insight Richard Blackmore said: “For businesses to be reporting such low levels of confidence in future profitability over the next 12 months is a stark reminder of how hard things are right now. “If we look at the Quarterly Economic Survey data over the last six months, we see profitability expectation nosedive. On turnover, fewer respondents reported that they’re expecting turnover to improve over the next three months, so when we look at profitability and turnover expectation through the same lens, you get a fairly grim outlook. “Businesses have faced challenging trading conditions for some time, navigating everything from inflation to soaring energy bills, but higher costs hitting from April will have added another layer of concern. “Raised employer National Insurance contributions, for example, appear to have been a factor behind cautious spending plans, while the expectation of having to raise prices is still high. When you consider rising inflation, it’s not surprising that half of businesses are considering putting prices up. While that number has eased very slightly from six out of ten at the end of last year, but it’s still high. “There was modest improvement this quarter in orders for overseas trade and a slight lift in investment intention for plant, machinery and equipment, but spending plans are still not very ambitious. 30% of firms have revised investment intention on those things downwards and that’s a huge change from just 8% last summer. With training it’s the same story – nearly a quarter of businesses have adjusted their spending plan downwards when it was just 5% last summer. “With corporate taxation still the number one concern of East Midlands businesses, closely followed by inflation, you get a picture of the protective approach being taken, treading carefully to alleviate the effect of rising costs. “When it comes to recruiting staff, there was a slight improvement in the number of businesses reporting difficulty in finding suitable candidates. That’s eased from 72% to 65% – but while that’s a step in the right direction, we’re still talking about the majority of firms, and it highlights the continued need to address skills investment. “Amid so much economic uncertainty, full growth potential in the East Midlands is being held back. The discouraging outlook in these findings underlines the need for government to step up. The government’s spring statement and comprehensive spending review are opportunities to put supportive policies for businesses front and centre and it’s essential that happens.”
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