Northampton retail sites acquired
Evolve Estates, part of M Core, has acquired a portfolio of retail units in
Northampton as part of its continued strategic growth.
The deal includes 15-27 and 27/29 on Abington Street, the main road linking the
east of Northampton town centre with the Market Square, and 9/15 and 1-13
Wood Street. Units are let to established occupiers such as Waterstones, Barclays
Bank, Bodycare, Holland & Barrett, and Superdrug.
Evolve Estates acquired the units for an undisclosed sum as part of its proactive
acquisition drive in shopping parades, centres and retail parks across the UK.
Joe O’Keefe, Co-Founder at Evolve Estates, said: “This is an exciting and logical
addition to our portfolio, we already own and manage the Grosvenor shopping
Centre which has proved to be a great success.
“This continuity of ownership is great news for the community and local shoppers to the area, aiming to create spaces where businesses can grow and provide the community with further services and retail opportunities.”
Agents acting on behalf of Evolve were Tim Lloyd at Cited, Gregg Goodman as
the solicitor at Clarke Willmott. The vendor’s solicitor was Mishcon de Reya LLP.
Nine promotions made at East Midlands law firm
East Midlands-based law firm Rothera Bray has made nine promotions across a range of key practice areas, including the elevation of two professionals to partner and four individuals to senior associate roles across four office locations.
Notable among the promotions are Ann Farnill, previously a Senior Associate Solicitor in wills and probate, and Emily Weston, formerly a Senior Associate Solicitor in conveyancing, who have been promoted to partner.
Four colleagues have also been promoted to senior associate: Transport Barrister Olivia Maginn, based at the firm’s Nottingham office, Conveyancing Associates Julekha Nathani and Kiran Phagura, based at the firm’s Leicester office, and Wills and Probate Associate Eleanor Robinson, based at the firm’s West Bridgford office.
Additionally, Family Law Solicitor Charley Kelly, Conveyancing Solicitor Tina Rana, and Wills and Probate Solicitor Aleksandra Cebula, who is based at Rothera Bray’s Beeston office, have been recognised with promotions to associate positions.
Christina Yardley, CEO of Rothera Bray, said: “It is fantastic to be able to recognise and reward the invaluable contribution our people make to the firm and our clients.
“These promotions highlight not only the dedication and excellence demonstrated by each individual but also the firm’s commitment to investing in its people, nurturing talent and fostering growth within its ranks.”
East Midlands fitout specialist Deanestor announces financial results and record £30m order intake
Mansfield-based Deanestor, one of the UK’s leading furniture and fitout specialists, has released its latest financial results for the year ending December 2023 which show a £3m increase in turnover to £22.4m and a record order intake of over £30m.
Forward orders have increased by more than £3m to over £30m compared to the same period last year for projects to be delivered through to the end of 2025.
Turnover rose by £3m in 2023, up from £19.2m in the previous year and again with a healthy operating profit. Net assets in the same period increased by £1.5m.
Projects have been delivered and awarded across diverse market sectors – healthcare, education, student living and build-to-rent – for the manufacture and installation of fitted furniture, bespoke kitchens and specialist joinery, and with a high level of repeat business from tier one contractors and major residential property developers.
William Tonkinson, CEO of Deanestor, said, “This latest set of figures demonstrates strong and sustainable growth for the business across multiple sectors. We have an exceptionally healthy project pipeline and are anticipating an increase in turnover to £24m by the end of 2024.”
“Our financial performance is testament to the hard work of our teams in the East Midlands and in Fife – from design and estimating to manufacturing and work on site – who help our clients achieve the balance between first class fitout services, fitted furniture of the highest quality, and project delivery to the required budget and programme.”
“Quality and longevity are vitally important for fitting out retained assets – from hospitals that are operational 24/7 to co-living apartments that require strong tenant appeal, long-term.”
In Scotland, Deanestor continues to perform well from its regional headquarters in Fife, particularly in the education sector. Current projects include Deanestor’s 13th school furniture and fitout project for Robertson Construction – a £3.8m contract for the new East End Community Campus in Dundee.
Contracts nearing completion in the build-to-rent residential sector include a contract worth around £2.5m to provide 399 bespoke, high specification kitchens for Winvic Construction at New Garden Square in Birmingham – Deanestor’s third project for Moda Living.
Also in the co-living sector, Deanestor has just been awarded a contract for more than 100 kitchens for a multi-tenure project in the EdCity development in London’s White City, working once again with Bowmer + Kirkland.
Hospital fitout contracts totalling £4m have also been secured, the largest of which is a project worth more than £1m for Integrated Health Projects (IHP) – a joint venture between VINCI and Sir Robert McAlpine, to fit out two 54-bed adult mental health facilities at Kingsway Hospital in Derby and in the grounds of Chesterfield Royal Hospital.
Deanestor’s latest major project in the student living sector is a £2m contract to fit out the bedrooms, studio and communal kitchens for a 550-bed scheme.
Nottingham students and entrepreneurs offered free mentoring by Oxford Business College professionals
Nottingham-based students, budding entrepreneurs and local companies can get free help to take their business to the next level with mentoring and support from Oxford Business College.
The college has launched the Oxford Business Innovation and Incubation Centre (OxBIIC), which will support growing businesses with mentoring, workshops and product development sessions.
Fifty businesses – including 39 students and 11 local companies – are taking part in the first intake, and will receive one hour of mentoring every fortnight. Businesses could get up to three years of free mentoring.
The mentoring is being offered at the Oxford Business College campus on Carlton Road in Nottingham, as well as the campuses in Oxford, West London and Slough.
The business experts leading the mentoring have more than 45 years of experience taking companies from inception to IPO and in sectors including manufacturing, retail, food tech and wholesale.
Tech entrepreneur and investor Bryony Tinn-Disbury took a food tech company through three rounds of investment and created an incubator for MedTech entrepreneurs.
Simoni Wong has more than 20 years’ experience at C-suite level and successfully executed two IPOs.
Students, budding entrepreneurs and local businesses can apply to be part of the OxBIIC programme by emailing oxbiic@oxfordbusinesscollege.ac.uk
Mr Sarwar Khawaja, Chairman of the Executive Board of Oxford Business College, said: “The Oxford Business Innovation and Incubation Centre is another way that we are setting our students up to succeed in business. We are also giving back to the local community, and helping turn business ideas into success stories.
“Many Oxford Business College students are born entrepreneurs, and we love to support them as they launch and grow their own businesses. We are delighted to see that 50 firms have already signed up.
“Our flexible courses make it possible for students to hold down a job while studying, making us the perfect place for mature learners and those who want a new career.”
Airfield runway specialist invests £1m in grooving capabilities
Lincolnshire-headquartered global airfield and runway specialist Jointline has made its largest investment since the establishment of the 37-year-old business, to enhance its runway grooving capabilities.
The £1m of new plant and machinery will help drive sustained growth for the privately-owned company, which currently has 120 employees.
Gary Massey, Managing Director of Jointline, said: “The current demand for runway refurbishment and development is the highest it’s been for the past decade. In order for us to fulfil the demand from existing domestic customers – while expanding our overseas operations – we have deployed company funds to purchase multiple new sets of specialist plant and machinery.
“We have also invested in the training and development of long-serving employees and increased our skilled workforce by 20% to 120 employees. This is setting us apart from our competitors, while keeping the team and our customers safe as we carry out grooving assignments on live airfields. I am proud to be leading a business that is set up for the future and able to continue to grow sustainably and profitably.”
Jointline’s investment in the expansion of its grooving division includes the purchase of five ride-on pavement groovers, a bespoke 30-ft articulated trailer and two 44-tonne DAF XF Super Space tractor units. The firm has also invested in the remanufacture of its 30,000-litre capacity water tanker, which has additional safety features, Chapter 8 requirements, and full 360-camera coverage.
Hospitality workers on ‘precarious’ contracts found to be vulnerable to sexual harassment
Hospitality workers on precarious contracts are most likely to experience workplace sexual harassment, according to a new report.
The report reveals how a combination of precarious contracts, sexualisation of service work and the workforce’s demographics have contributed to making hospitality workers more vulnerable to workplace sexual harassment.
Dr Bob Jeffrey, lead author of the research from Sheffield Hallam University, said: “We’ve all seen the headlines over the last year about issues of sexual harassment in the fast-food industry. Our research helps to explain why it’s such a problem, not just in fast-food, but across the hospitality sector.
“Part of the reason for this is the hospitality industry having the largest percentage of zero-hour contracts, which makes it too easy for perpetrators in positions of authority to cut the hours of those who try and speak out.”
Researchers interviewed hospitality workers as part of a wider study on low paid and precarious work. Sexual harassment and unwanted sexual attention were mentioned by a significant number of interviewees.
The report highlights how the hospitality workforce is disproportionately young, female, from a minoritised background, on zero hours contracts and on the lowest rates of pay.
All of which make them more vulnerable to sexual harm, with workers on precarious contracts 60 per cent more likely to report being a victim of sexual harassment, and women generally reporting sexual harassment rates twice as high as men.
Findings showed that several of the women interviewed were harassed by their manager or supervisor, who used their position of authority and responsibility for their working patterns to harass them and control their working lives.
Forvis Mazars appoints audit partner in the East Midlands
Forvis Mazars, a global professional services network, has appointed Mitesh Thakrar as an audit partner in the East Midlands.
Following the recent launch of Forvis Mazars, the newest top 10 global professional services network, Mitesh joins the firm at a period of great opportunity in the East Midlands. He will also be joining an expanding local partnership team following the appointments of Andy Hickson, Claire Cowen and Mark Surridge last September.
In his new role Mitesh, who has spent his entire career in the East Midlands and specialises in working with privately owned businesses, will be responsible for further strengthening the audit practice and supporting the firm as it continues to grow its client base in the region.
Mitesh joins Forvis Mazars following a strong financial reporting period in the East Midlands. This has seen the team expand by 10% over the last year and income rise to in excess of £40m across the region. Mitesh joins the firm from Azets, where he was a partner and regional head of audit (East Midlands).
Steve English, office managing partner for Forvis Mazars across the East Midlands, said: “Mitesh brings over a decade’s experience of working in audit and serving clients across the East Midlands.
“His insights into the local market will be invaluable as we look to continue to grow our presence and offering in the region. Mitesh’s dedication to his clients and to audit quality mean he will be a fantastic addition to the team and we look forward to welcoming him.”
Activewear retailer enters voluntary liquidation
Activewear retailer, Lucy Locket Loves has entered voluntary liquidation, owing just under £900,000.
It follows supply chain issues, warehouse floods that caused downtime and lost stock, rising import costs that impacted margins, and the cost of living crisis hitting revenue.
The Dronfield-based business was also affected by a change from monthly to quarterly rent payments for its warehouse, which it was unable to meet.
Founder Lucy Arnold said: “Firstly, I want to apologise to everyone impacted by this, especially our customers and the LLL Team. Despite everyone’s hard work, the challenges of the past 18 months were overwhelming, leading us to enter voluntary liquidation on May 28, 2024.
“Supply chain issues, warehouse floods that caused downtime and lost stock, rising import costs that slashed our margins, and the ongoing cost of living crisis hit our revenue hard and disrupted our operations. These essentially made our traditional business model obsolete.
“In December 2023, we managed to negotiate monthly rent payments for our warehouse, but by May 2024, the owners insisted on reverting to full quarterly payments, which we couldn’t meet. This led to their abrupt decision to take control of our warehouse on May 10th with no notice, disrupting our operations and leaving us without working capital.
“Facing no operational ability and mounting financial obligations, we made the difficult decision to enter voluntary liquidation.
“This has been incredibly distressing, particularly for our team, who were reluctantly made redundant. We deeply regret the impact on our staff and their families and I can never say sorry enough for how abruptly this happened. This has personally been the most upsetting part of this process.”
The business aims to relaunch the Locket Loves website in Summer with a new look, operational hub, and new leggings designs.
In 2020, Arnold was included in Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list.
Rolls-Royce SMR wins place on shortlist of two for nuclear development in Sweden
Swedish multinational power company Vattenfall has put Derby-based Rolls-Royce SMR on a shortlist of just two companies competing to potentially deploy a fleet of small modular reactors in Sweden.
This selection follows a thorough assessment process in which Rolls-Royce SMR had the opportunity to present a fundamentally different approach to building nuclear projects and a modularisation strategy focused on risk reduction to Vattenfall, an experienced and technically respected energy utility.
Rolls-Royce SMR CEO Chris Cholerton said: “Success in reaching the final two, in such a fiercely competitive process, reflects the benefits of our integrated power station design, our approach to modularisation and our use of proven nuclear technology.
“Rolls-Royce SMR is the fastest and most affordable way of bringing new nuclear power online and we are excited to work with utilities and industrial customers around the globe, to unlock sustainable sources of low-cost, low-carbon electricity for decades to come.”
Vattenfall’s focus will be deployment at the Ringhals nuclear site with a project that, at the earliest, is operational in the first half of the 2030s, with assessments for SMR and large-scale reactors ongoing.
Sweden has said it needs an additional 100-250 TWh of electricity production over the next 25 years and Vattenfall is poised to play a critical role in the country’s energy transition, including integrating new nuclear capacity into the energy mix.
Rolls-Royce SMR is on track to complete Step 2 and immediately enter Step 3 of the Generic Design Assessment by the UK nuclear industry’s independent regulators this summer. This will be the most important regulatory milestone to date – confirming Rolls-Royce SMR’s first mover advantage as the leading technology in Europe.
Essential strategies for boosting workplace safety
Ensuring workplace safety is crucial for any organisation. By prioritising safety, companies can protect their employees and create a productive environment. In this article, we’ll explore effective strategies to enhance workplace safety.
Conduct Regular Risk Assessments
Regular risk assessments are essential to identify potential hazards. By systematically evaluating the workplace, employers can pinpoint areas that may pose risks to employees. This process helps in developing strategies to mitigate these hazards.
Conducting thorough risk assessments involves inspecting machinery, checking for electrical faults, and ensuring that emergency exits are accessible. It’s also important to review these assessments periodically, especially after any significant changes in the workplace. This proactive approach can prevent accidents and ensure a safer working environment.
Provide Comprehensive Training
Proper training is vital for workplace safety. Employees should be well-informed about safety protocols and how to handle emergencies. Training programs should cover various aspects, from operating machinery safely to emergency evacuation procedures.
One effective training method is first aid training. Offering first aid training in Nottingham through reputable services can equip employees with life-saving skills. Companies like Safe Haven Training provide comprehensive first aid courses that are essential for workplace safety. This type of training not only prepares employees for emergencies but also fosters a culture of safety within the organisation.
Implement Safety Protocols
Having clear safety protocols in place is crucial. These protocols should be documented and easily accessible to all employees. They should cover a range of scenarios, including fire safety, handling hazardous materials, and using personal protective equipment (PPE).
Safety protocols should be regularly reviewed and updated to reflect current best practices. Employees should be encouraged to familiarise themselves with these protocols and adhere to them strictly. This ensures that everyone knows how to act in an emergency, reducing the risk of accidents and injuries.
Promote a Safety Culture
Creating a safety culture is about more than just policies and procedures. It involves fostering an environment where safety is a shared responsibility. Management should lead by example, demonstrating a commitment to safety in all their actions.
Encouraging open communication about safety concerns is also important. Employees should feel comfortable reporting hazards or unsafe practices without fear of repercussions. Regular safety meetings and feedback sessions can help in addressing any issues promptly. A strong safety culture ensures that everyone in the organisation is actively engaged in maintaining a safe workplace.
Maintain Equipment Regularly
Regular maintenance of equipment is critical for ensuring workplace safety. Faulty machinery or tools can cause serious accidents and injuries. Therefore, it’s essential to have a routine maintenance schedule in place.
Maintenance should include regular inspections, servicing, and prompt repairs of any damaged equipment. Keeping detailed records of maintenance activities can help in tracking the condition of machinery and identifying patterns that may indicate potential issues. Well-maintained equipment not only ensures safety but also improves efficiency and productivity.
Use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is vital for protecting employees from hazards. Depending on the nature of the job, PPE might include items such as helmets, gloves, goggles, and high-visibility clothing. Employers should provide the necessary PPE and ensure that employees are trained in its proper use.
It’s important to regularly check PPE for any signs of wear and tear and replace it when necessary. Proper storage of PPE can also extend its lifespan. By prioritising the use of PPE, employers can significantly reduce the risk of workplace injuries.
