Superdrug to open 25 UK stores in 2025, creating 600 jobs

April Lara
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Superdrug to open 25 UK stores in 2025, creating 600 jobs

Superdrug plans to open 25 new stores across the UK in 2025, creating around 600 jobs. The health and beauty retailer will also refurbish 65 existing locations and expand several stores, including Luton and Dundee.

The company focuses on larger-format stores in high-footfall shopping centres and retail parks. The new locations will feature expanded beauty treatment services, including manicures, eyebrow threading, ear piercing, and a wider range of luxury fragrances.

Superdrug has seen a 25% increase in sales from investments in its largest stores. Recent openings include Leeds Briggate, with upcoming launches in Guernsey, Cribbs Causeway (Bristol), and a significant expansion at Meadowhall (Sheffield).

The retailer aims to enhance in-store experiences as part of its bricks-and-mortar growth strategy.

Phoenix Brickwork supports HMP Bullingdon expansion

April Lara
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Phoenix Brickwork supports HMP Bullingdon expansion

Derbyshire-based Phoenix Brickwork provides brickwork and scaffolding services to expand HMP Bullingdon in Oxfordshire. The project includes a new fully electric, four-storey T60 houseblock, increasing the prison’s capacity by 247 places.

The expansion is part of the UK’s Accelerated Houseblocks Development Programme (AHDP), which aims to add 20,000 prison places across six sites. The initiative will create over 2,000 construction jobs and 750 roles within the new facilities.

The T60 houseblock, built using Modern Methods of Construction (MMC), features off-site manufactured components to reduce carbon emissions. The design improves visibility and access to rehabilitation services while aligning with the Ministry of Justice’s sustainability goals.

Phoenix Brickwork’s subsidiary, BMH Scaffolding, is also supporting the project. The expansion includes additional facilities such as a workshop, a programme building, and an extended recreation area.

Eurocell hails “resilient” year

Tess Egginton
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Eurocell hails “resilient” year

Eurocell, the Alfreton-based manufacturer, distributor and recycler of window, door and roofline products, has hailed a “resilient” year amidst weak macroeconomic conditions and declining consumer confidence.

According to preliminary results for the year ended 31 December 2024, pre-tax profits reached £13.8m, growing from £11.7m in 2023. Meanwhile, with “demand more subdued than expected,” revenue came in 2% below 2023, at £357.9m. The results follow Eurocell’s acquisition of Alunet in a £29m deal, announced in March 2025.

Darren Waters, Chief Executive of Eurocell plc, said: “Our financial performance in 2024 was resilient, in the context of trading conditions that remained challenging.

“We delivered an increase of 32% in adjusted profit before tax, as we continued to proactively manage gross margin and benefited from a reduction in input cost pricing. Our cash generation was solid and our financial position remains strong, following completion of a £15 million share buyback programme.

“We invested to generate momentum with our strategy, and I am pleased with the good early progress we have made across a broad range of initiatives.

“The recent acquisition of Alunet is a compelling strategic fit for Eurocell: it addresses a growing trend towards aluminium fabrication across the fenestration sector, significantly strengthens our position in composite doors, and adds aluminium garage doors to our home improvement product portfolio.

“Demand in our core RMI market remains sluggish. We have seen some early signs of an improving picture in new build housing, albeit from a very low base. We will therefore continue to focus on cost reduction and operational improvements to drive efficiencies, to mitigate against the impact of a slower market recovery.

“We are confident in delivering another year of good progress in 2025, as we continue to execute on our growth strategy. The medium and long-term growth prospects for the UK construction market remain attractive and we are well positioned to drive sustainable growth in shareholder value.”

Derbyshire pharmacy sold to online clinic

Tess Egginton
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Derbyshire pharmacy sold to online clinic
Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co, has sold Omega Pharmacy in Derbyshire.
Omega Pharmacy is a standard-hours community pharmacy that dispenses an average of 3,000 items per month. It is located opposite a large modern medical centre on St Thomas Road, a densely populated residential area two miles south of Derby. The pharmacy was owned by husband-and-wife, Manny and Poonam Rai, who, after a short period of ownership, decided to sell to focus on their other pharmacy in Coventry. Following a confidential sales process with Carl Steer at Christie & Co, it has been sold to an online clinic and prescription service based in the East Midlands. Carl Steer, Director – Pharmacy at Christie & Co, said: “From offer to completion, this sale took just 18 working days which is not only my fastest ever sale in 20 years with Christie & Co, but is also four to six months quicker than a typical sale and we achieved over the guide price. “Since marketing commenced, we saw good levels of interest from first-time buyers, distance-selling contractors, and some existing pharmacy operators. This shows that even if you have a pharmacy with quite low dispensing numbers, the market is active and it will be a perfect buy for someone.” Omega Pharmacy was sold for an undisclosed price.

Green light for 30 new business units in Nottinghamshire

Tess Egginton
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Green light for 30 new business units in Nottinghamshire
Planning permission has been granted to develop a former underused site at Clipstone Holdings into high-quality space for businesses.
The project has already seen the demolition of most of the existing old industrial units at the site, which is understood to have formerly been the train yard for the Clipstone colliery, for which the old powerhouse and headstocks (Grade II listed) still stand to the east of the site. Work will now begin towards the end of Spring to develop 30 brand new units on the site, the plans for which were last week unanimously approved by members of Newark and Sherwood District Council’s Planning Committee. The proposals include eight blocks of development, comprising 30 units of four different sizes. The new units will create new jobs, during both the construction and when operational. The District Council’s environmental strategy was embedded within the plans, with Solar PV panels to be installed on all units, a garden to utilise rainwater and cycle stores built to promote sustainable travel. The landscape and greenery will also be developed to increase biodiversity and bring character to the area, and permeable surfacing will be used in parking areas to reduce surface water run-off into storm drains. Councillor Paul Peacock, Leader of Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “This is a big milestone in our plans to regenerate Clipstone. The new energy-efficient office and workshop spaces will bring huge economic benefits – from providing modern facilities to attract businesses, to increasing the opportunities for employment and skills for local people, while also sustaining the overall character and appearance of the area, which is the setting of landmark nearby listed buildings. “The units have already received lots of interest and we have received several enquiries about renting these, which just goes to show how in demand modern business spaces such as these are for the community.”

East Midlands to unveil investment vision at UK real estate forum

April Lara
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East Midlands to unveil investment vision at UK real estate forum

The East Midlands will launch a new economic vision at the UK Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) in Leeds from 20-22 May. East Midlands Mayor Claire Ward will lead a delegation of regional partners to outline major commercial opportunities and long-term growth plans.

The region will host an East Midlands Pavilion for the first time, providing investors, developers, and businesses with direct access to the Mayor and local investment teams. Key topics will include the East Midlands Freeport, the East Midlands Investment Zone, and the region’s appeal as a tourism destination through the Visit East Midlands initiative.

Investment showcases will highlight opportunities in Derby and Nottingham, focusing on advanced manufacturing, life sciences, creative industries, food production, and logistics.

Mayor Ward will be joined by representatives from the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA), East Midlands Freeport, Marketing Derby, Invest in Nottingham, Invest in Derbyshire, and Destination Chesterfield.

Santander accelerates digital shift with branch closures and job cuts

April Lara
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Santander accelerates digital shift with branch closures and job cuts

Santander is closing 95 UK branches as part of a broader shift toward digital banking, putting around 750 jobs at risk. The bank will also shorten operating hours at 36 locations and remove counters from 18 branches.

The decision follows a 63% rise in digital transactions since 2019, while in-branch usage has declined by 61%. After the closures, Santander will operate 349 branches, including 290 full-service locations and five work cafés.

The bank says 93% of the UK population will still be within 10 miles of a branch, though some closure dates remain unconfirmed.

Clifton’s £20m regeneration funding moves forward

April Lara
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Clifton’s £20m regeneration funding moves forward

Clifton will receive £20 million in investment under the Government’s £1.5 billion Plan for Neighbourhoods, a programme aimed at long-term community regeneration. The funding was initially announced in October 2023 but was paused when the new Government took office. It has now been confirmed, with Clifton listed as one of 75 areas selected for support.

The programme focuses on building thriving places, strengthening communities, and increasing local decision-making power. The Clifton Town Board, chaired by Stephen Hackney, Pastor of Hope Church, was initially established to oversee the funding and will now be refreshed to reflect the new priorities.

Community consultation has already occurred, with residents highlighting the need to improve parks and public spaces, new community and youth facilities, long-term infrastructure upgrades, and a revitalised high street and market. The board will revisit this feedback and conduct further consultations to ensure the investment meets local needs.

Nottingham City Council leader Neghat Khan welcomed the funding, calling it an opportunity for significant regeneration in Clifton. Hackney said the board is ready to move forward with a strategy informed by local priorities and will continue to engage with the community as plans take shape.

Lincolnshire councillors debate unitary authority restructure

April Lara
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Lincolnshire councillors debate unitary authority restructure

Lincolnshire councillors are considering major local government reforms as they prepare to submit proposals on restructuring the county into unitary authorities. The government has requested interim proposals by 21 March, aiming for authorities with at least 500,000 residents while minimising service disruption.

Lincolnshire County Council has outlined two main options. One plan would merge North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire into a single northern authority, with the rest of the county forming another council. The second option proposes combining North Lincolnshire, North East Lincolnshire, West Lindsey, and East Lindsey into one authority, while Lincoln, North Kesteven, South Kesteven, Boston, and South Holland would form another.

Cost projections differ between the options. The first would cost £27 million to implement, with expected savings of £250 million over 10 years. The second option carries a higher setup cost of £42 million but is projected to save £246 million over the same period.

Opposition councillors introduced a third option: splitting Lincolnshire into three unitary authorities to create a more balanced population distribution. Some councillors argue that this alternative could be more efficient and should be explored further.

The government makes the final decision, but the Lincolnshire County Council’s full meeting on 22 March will determine which proposals are formally submitted.

Streets Chartered Accountants covers payroll and HR updates, company vehicle changes, payroll outsourcing, and more in new news roundup

Tess Egginton
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Streets Chartered Accountants covers payroll and HR updates, company vehicle changes, payroll outsourcing, and more in new news roundup
Streets Chartered Accountants covers payroll and HR updates, company vehicle changes, payroll outsourcing, and more in its latest news roundup. Annual Payroll & HR Update 2025 – catch up! Last month Streets hosted its Annual Payroll and HR Update webinar to keep you informed of the issues, regulations and changes affecting payroll management, HR and compliance. This presentation was recorded and is now available on demand for those who weren’t able to join live. Click here to catch up. The fast approaching demise of the double cab pickup company vehicle  From the 6 April 2025 newly acquired Double Cab Pick Ups will no longer be treated as a van for the purposes of Income Tax or Corporation Tax. However the old rules will continue to apply to vehicles purchased, leased or ordered before 1 April 2025. The old rules will apply to these vehicles until the earlier of their disposal, lease expiry or 5 April 2029. Read more here. Podcast: From photography to farming – Anna Jackson’s regenerative journey In this episode of The Streets Sessions, James Pinchbeck is joined by Anna Jackson, a young farmer, entrepreneur and advocate for regenerative agriculture. Originally pursuing a career in commercial photography, Anna has since returned to her family farm where she is pioneering regenerative farming practices. Listen here. Why outsourcing your payroll to Streets is a smart move for your business Managing payroll is one of the most critical yet time-consuming tasks for any business. Ensuring employees are paid accurately and on time, complying with tax regulations and handling deductions can be complex and stressful. Many businesses, from startups to large enterprises, are turning to dedicated payroll bureaus to handle their payroll processing. Read more here. Event: Post-Spring Statement Wealth & Estate Planning Insights This is an exclusive presentation designed for individuals, providing expert insights on wealth preservation and estate planning following Rachel Reeves’ Spring Statement. Streets’ panel of speakers will provide clear guidance to help you secure your financial future. Find out more here. SmartMoney – March/April 2025 SmartMoney is the bi-monthly magazine from Streets Financial Consulting Ltd, Streets’ independent financial planning arm, full of news and helpful information on personal financial planning. Download it here.
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