Final stages for Gainsborough regeneration projects

April Lara
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Final stages for Gainsborough regeneration projects

The Whitton Gardens and Baltic Mill regeneration projects in Gainsborough are nearing completion, with work expected to finish this spring.

At Whitton Gardens, the former riverside WC block is being converted into a café. Belton Construction teams are replacing the roof, installing internal walls, and beginning electrical work. The project is on track for completion in May, and West Lindsey District Council is working with property advisors Bruton Knowles to secure an independent operator for the café.

The Baltic Mill site is being redeveloped into a green public space by the riverside. Once construction is finished, the area will remain fenced off until May to allow newly planted greenery to take root.

Local council leaders have praised the progress, highlighting the projects’ role in enhancing community spaces and supporting local businesses.

Midlands to see average annual Gross Value Added growth of 1.5% between 2025 and 2028 – slower than UK average

Tess Egginton
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Midlands to see average annual Gross Value Added growth of 1.5% between 2025 and 2028 – slower than UK average
Lichfield and Birmingham are forecast to be the fastest-growing local economies in the Midlands over the next three years, according to the EY Regional Economic Forecast. The Midlands is projected to achieve an average annual Gross Value Added (GVA) growth rate of 1.5% between 2025 and 2028, slightly slower than the projected UK average of 1.6%. Lichfield is set to record average annual GVA growth of 2% between 2025 and 2028, which would make it the fastest growing of the UK’s smaller locations and authorities. Birmingham is expected to be the joint-fifth fastest growing major location in the UK with average annual GVA growth of 1.6% over the next three years. Lichfield and Birmingham are expected to record average annual employment growth of 1.1% and 0.9% respectively between 2025 and 2028, with both above the forecast national average for jobs growth of 0.7%. Despite the level rate of economic momentum expected across the Midlands over the next three years, growth is set to diverge in 2025. The West Midlands is forecast to see GVA rise by 1.5% over the next 12 months, with a 0.6% increase in employment opportunities. Lichfield, 2.0%, Birmingham, Redditch, and Rugby (all 1.6%) are expected to be leading locations for GVA in the region, with each benefiting from a diverse range of high-value sectors. The East Midlands is forecast to match the GVA growth of the West Midlands over the next year, with employment growth marginally lower at 0.5%. Cities like Nottingham (1.6% GVA growth) and Leicester (1.3% GVA growth) are projected to play key roles in the region’s economic landscape. While growth for the regions is aligned over the next year, the East Midlands’ overall economy is currently estimated to be around a fifth (21%) smaller than the West Midlands’ when measured in GVA, meaning that overall levels of economic growth will be smaller. Sectors set to drive disproportionate economic contributions across East and West Midlands The Midlands economy showcases varied performance across sectors, with both the West and East Midlands highlighting distinct strengths and challenges. Information and communication (which involves technology-led activity) and professional, scientific and technical activities (which includes R&D as well as business-to-business services) are expected to be among the West Midlands’ fastest growing sectors over the next three years with average annual GVA growth of 2.5% and 2% respectively. By 2028, the two sectors are expected to contribute a combined £1.5bn more to the West Midlands economy than they did in 2024. Information and communication and professional, scientific and technical activities are also expected to expand in the East Midlands over the next three years, with average annual GVA growth of 2.7% and 2% respectively. However, the contribution of these sectors will be significantly smaller, generating 24% less in GVA value for the East Midlands than for the West Midlands by 2028. Construction is set to continue being a significant contributor to GVA across the region and is forecast to see average annual GVA growth of 2% across both the East and West Midlands over the next three years. This growth is expected to be supported in part by the Government’s ambition to increase housing delivery and investment in transport. Both the East Midlands (1%) and West Midlands (1.3%) are expected to see their manufacturing sectors grow in average annual GVA over the next three years. The nationwide manufacturing sector will contend with elevated energy and labour costs in the coming years and this is expected to impact the sector’s job opportunities, with manufacturing employment declining by an average annual rate of 2% in the East Midlands and 1.5% in the West Midlands. Manufacturing has been a longstanding key contributor to the Midlands’ economy, making up 13% of West Midlands GVA and 15% of East Midlands GVA in 2024. Simon O’Neill, EY Managing Partner for the Midlands, said: “The Midlands is forecast to record solid, steady growth over the next three years, driven in large part by the high-value knowledge-based sectors that have built up across the region, as well as an expected uplift in construction. “The West Midlands’ more established ecosystem of tech and professional services businesses will likely give it the edge over the East Midlands, delivering greater levels of prosperity. “Manufacturing has traditionally played a key role in the Midlands’ economy, but many of these companies are facing elevated energy and labour costs, which is impacting margins and demand for staff. “Nevertheless, manufacturing is expected to remain a major economic contributor to the region in the years ahead, particularly as the sector transitions towards advanced manufacturing. “Policymakers and businesses should consider how to ensure the Midlands can capitalise on its traditional industrial and manufacturing strengths while also building skills to fuel emerging high-growth sectors such as tech and professional services.”

Student accommodation developer consolidates financing to enhance continued growth

Tess Egginton
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Student accommodation developer consolidates financing to enhance continued growth
Study Inn Group, the owner, developer, and operator of student accommodation, has completed the refinance of three recently created assets, taking total secured facilities for the group to £153m. The Study Inn platform was established in 2009 to develop portfolios of high-quality, well-located student accommodation with particular emphasis on micro location in Russell Group and top 100 university cities. Once operational, its properties are stabilised at strong occupancy levels under the Study Inn brand and then consolidated and packaged for sale into the investment market, with or without ongoing branding and management. This re-finance completes the consolidation of the group’s latest portfolio of assets in Bristol, Loughborough, Nottingham, Exeter, Leicester, and Leeds. The group has a further property in development in Birmingham which will take the portfolio to over 2,000 rooms. Study Inn said: “This is a key milestone in our long-term strategy, of bringing completed institutional grade assets under an efficient capital structure. These facilities reduce overall debt servicing costs, enhance financial stability, and provide the stable base upon which to continue the group’s expansion into key student markets. “The due diligence which has to be undertaken to complete this type of consolidation underpins the strength of the portfolio and its value in the sector at a time when scrutiny is at its highest.”

Waste company prosecuted for ignoring audit at site near Mansfield

Tess Egginton
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Waste company prosecuted for ignoring audit at site near Mansfield

A Midlands-based waste company and a partner in the business have been prosecuted for failing to comply with a demand for information about materials accepted.

At Worcester Magistrates Court on Friday 14 March, Tetron Welbeck Limited Liability Partnership pleaded guilty and were fined £44,800 and ordered to pay costs of £5,605.05. The Partnership was also ordered to pay the victim surcharge of £2,000. In total the Partnership has to pay £52,405.05. Edward Seekings, a designated member of the Partnership, also pleaded guilty and was fined £1,708. Seekings was also ordered to pay costs of £5,605.05 and the victim surcharge of £683, coming to a total of £7,996.05. The court was told that the Partnership had an environmental permit since 2013 to operate a site at Welbeck Colliery near Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. It was stated that the business changed hands around 2020. The Partnership failed to comply with a formal information notice served on it after it failed to provide information requested by the Environment Agency. The information was required to allow the Environment Agency to conduct an audit of the site to ensure waste within the correct category was being accepted. The deadline in the notice for the receipt of the information was the 15 June 2023. No information was received. Seekings sent a work plan on 15 June 2023 but it did not include the required information. He engaged with the Environment Agency but did not provide the information required. Further attempts by the Environment Agency to obtain the relevant information failed. A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said: “We welcome this sentence which should act as a deterrent to others considering flouting the law. “As a regulator, the Environment Agency will not hesitate to pursue any person failing to provide information requested. “The Environment Agency served a formal legal notice in this case requiring information to be provided. It is a criminal offence to fail to comply with a notice requiring information.”

Derbyshire private school to close as financial pressures mount

April Lara
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Derbyshire private school to close as financial pressures mount

S. Anselm’s, a private school in the Derbyshire Dales, will close at the end of the summer term due to financial challenges, including government tax changes and declining enrolment. The school announced the decision to parents on 17 March, beginning a statutory consultation with staff.

According to Paul Houghton, chair of the board of governors, rising costs—such as the new 20% VAT on school fees, increased National Insurance contributions, and the removal of business rate relief—have made the school financially unsustainable. The school explored alternatives but found no viable solution.

S. Anselm’s, which was named Tatler’s ‘Prep School of the Year’ in 2021, had already withdrawn GCSEs in 2022 to focus on younger pupils and merged with Birkdale School in Sheffield in 2023. From September, pupils have been offered places at Birkdale or assistance in finding alternative schools.

Labour introduced VAT on private school fees in January 2025 and will remove charitable business rate relief in April 2025. The Treasury estimates these measures will generate £1.725 billion annually to support state education. The government expects minimal impact on overall private school enrolment, with an estimated 35,000 pupils transferring to state schools.

Ventola Projects expands UK headquarters, strengthens global operations

April Lara
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Ventola Projects expands UK headquarters, strengthens global operations

Ventola Projects is expanding its global headquarters in Leicestershire to increase manufacturing capacity, develop new products, and enhance international reach. The expansion will also create new jobs in the East Midlands.

The company is growing its US presence in Kingsport, Tennessee, improving supply chain efficiency between its UK and US operations. The Kingsport expansion is expected to generate additional employment opportunities.

Ventola is also leveraging the UK’s Indo-Pacific Free Trade Agreements membership to strengthen its presence in Canada, Mexico, Australia, and New Zealand. This move aligns with the company’s strategy to expand its high-performance lighting solutions into key global markets.

Frasers Group to slash design and editorial staff

Tess Egginton
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Frasers Group to slash design and editorial staff
Shirebrook-based Frasers Group is to make cuts to its design and editorial staff as part of the retailer’s latest restructure.

Consultations began earlier this month, as reported by Retail Gazette, impacting employees across the business’s London and Shirebrook offices.

A spokesperson for the firm said that 30% of staff in the affected teams will be impacted.

It follows a restructure of Frasers’ digital team last July, putting 45 jobs at risk, which came after Frasers showed “sustained profitable growth” in full year results for the 52 weeks ended 28 April 2024, with its CEO hailing it a “break-out year.”

The new streamlining plans come as Frasers Group confirmed its intentions to make a mandatory offer for XXL ASA, a Norwegian sporting goods retailer.

Following the completion of a fully underwritten rights issue of new shares, raising gross proceeds of NOK 600 million, Frasers will own approximately 32.9% of all shares in XXL ASA and approximately 40.8% of the voting A-shares. As a result, Frasers Group will trigger an obligation under the Norwegian Securities Trading Act to make a bid for the remaining shares in the company that it does not already own.

Council approves sale of Broad Marsh site

Tess Egginton
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Council approves sale of Broad Marsh site
Nottingham City Council has approved the sale of the Broad Marsh site. The authority’s Executive Board has agreed to sell the land to a proposed buyer with a considerable track record of major development, which will now take on this key city-centre location. Due to commercial sensitivities, the proposed buyer will be announced once the deal has been finalised. The sale will provide a significant capital receipt for the council and help accelerate ambitious plans for the area, which include:
  • More than 1,000 homes
  • Up to 20,000 square metres of retail, office and community spaces
  • Creation of around 2,000 full-time jobs
The land included in the sale comprises the former Broad Marsh shopping centre, the cleared site to the west of the Green Heart, the NCP multi-storey car park, Severns House and former college site in Maid Marian Way. The council took back control of the wider site in July 2020 following the sudden collapse of the Intu group of companies. Over the past four-and-a-half years, the authority has:
  • Put full site management in place
  • Carried out grant-funded demolition of part of the former shopping centre
  • Assisted with a new Nottingham College hub and repurposed Sussex Street with seating, basketball and skating areas
  • Consulted with the public and partners to establish what people wanted to see in this space
  • Implemented major road network changes, including the pedestrianisation of Collin Street
  • Opened new Central Library, Broad Marsh bus station and car park, new play area on Collin Street and Green Heart
  • Worked to secure a £3.4m grant from the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) to allow further demolition of the old shopping centre frame
  • Begun working with NHS on new Community Diagnostic Centre at foot of Lister Gate
It is widely recognised that the Broad Marsh site is one of the largest and most important city-centre development opportunities in the UK at present, but the council was aware that it would not be able to deliver its redevelopment alone. The proposed buyer intends to work with partners, including the council, to drive forward this regeneration. The council will continue to be actively involved in the site as it develops over the coming years, with the proposed buyer due to consult over the delivery of the project through the planning process. Councillor Neghat Khan, Leader of Nottingham City Council, said: “This is really positive news for Nottingham and marks the start of a major redevelopment for this key part of our city. “We know that people have wanted to see progress here for a long time and we understand that it has been a frustration for some that this hasn’t happened. “However, it’s important to be clear just how much work has been undertaken by the council since the site was suddenly handed back to us in 2020 – in the middle of a global pandemic – when Intu went into administration. “We developed the Green Heart as a direct result of feedback from residents and businesses, who shared what they wanted to see here. We now have a fantastic new green space, right in the heart of the city. The council has also successfully applied for grants to facilitate the demolition of the former shopping centre frame to prepare the ground for development. “We’re excited by the plans that the proposed buyers have and we look forward to working closely with them on bringing these to fruition.” EMCCA recently confirmed it was investing £3.4m to fund demolition of part of the frame on the land near to the Green Heart. The Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, said: “It is great news that the Broad Marsh is to be sold for redevelopment. It is a key regeneration site in the East Midlands and this sale will help make the plans for the site come to life. “Myself and the Combined Authority are really keen to partner and support wherever we can, and we want to work with the new owners as they transform the area. “The opening of the Green Heart and the pedestrianised area along Collin Street have both been recent positive steps forward for Broad Marsh and this sale shows the further ambition and intent to really invest and transform that part of the city.”

Warning for East Midlands businesses as public sector toughens up on debts

Tess Egginton
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Warning for East Midlands businesses as public sector toughens up on debts
A monthly increase in compulsory liquidations – to their highest level in more than ten years – is indicating a toughening of the position towards debts owed by companies to the public sector, and the ongoing efforts of government to help balance their books. This is according to the Midlands branch of the UK’s insolvency and restructuring trade body R3 and comes on the back of figures published this week [18/3/25] by the Insolvency Service which show that corporate insolvencies increased by 2.95% last month to a total of 2,035 compared to January’s total of 1,978. The February figures include 393 compulsory liquidations, which is the highest monthly number since September 2014. R3 Midlands Chair Stephen Rome, a partner at law firm Penningtons Manches Cooper in the region, said: “Compulsory liquidations are often initiated by HM Revenue and Customs or local authorities as a measure of last resort, and the increase indicates that the public sector is now becoming much stricter with its debtors. “This pattern of debt recovery is also being reflected more broadly across our region. High costs and cautious consumer and client spending mean creditors are being more aggressive about pursuing the money they are owed and aren’t afraid to turn to the courts to recover outstanding debts. “At the same time, a large proportion of directors of insolvent businesses feel closure is the only option open to them after years of trading through tough conditions and with little hope of these improving in the short-term. “With firms facing further hikes in expenses when National Insurance and National Minimum Wage rises are introduced in April, enquiries for restructuring and insolvency support are increasing as directors look to take specialist advice about their business finances. “From a sectoral perspective, the region’s retail and hospitality firms are continuing to suffer as consumers cut back on their discretionary spending, while construction output has been affected by a fall in new work and poor weather, and manufacturing has continued to be impacted by cost and trade issues, which have hit demand and output levels. “For any business owner worried about finances, R3’s message is to seek advice as soon as possible. Most R3 members will give prospective clients a free initial consultation to learn more about their situation and outline the potential options open to them to improve it.”

Housebuilder breaks ground on Ruddington development

Tess Egginton
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Housebuilder breaks ground on Ruddington development
Work is now underway at Cameron Homes’ new development in Ruddington, Nottinghamshire. When complete, the 36-home development will offer a mix of three, four and five-bedroom homes. Ruddington will consist of 25 private homes and 11 affordable homes. The development will also provide outdoor spaces for new residents, including a pond area and community orchard. Lewis Brazier, head of production at Cameron Homes, said: “We’re delighted to share that work has now started on our new site in Ruddington. The development offers a contemporary build style and modern internal specifications across all homes. “Our Ruddington development enables us to work with local contractors and businesses from across the region, while also addressing the demand for housing in this sought-after area.”
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