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Land transferred for next phase of Derby’s Castleward development
Derby City Council has now transferred the final piece of land ready for work to start on phase 4 of the Castleward development.
The former Derbyshire County Transport site was the last piece required to allow the next stage of works to begin, following the acquisition of the former Tarmac site and properties on Canal Street earlier this year.
The Council took possession of the site and has now passed it over to Compendium Living, who will be carrying out clearance works in the coming months. Construction on the new homes will begin in 2024, carried out by Compendium Living’s construction partner, Lovell Partnerships.
Derbyshire County Transport has relocated to the Merlin Park development off Osmaston Road, helping bring forward the regeneration of another former industrial site, and keep this important service based in the city.
Phase 4 was given the green light by planners in May 2023 and will provide 112 new homes in the city centre, 34 of which will be affordable homes. The properties will be a mix of two-, three-, and four-bedroom houses, and one- and two-bedroom apartments.
Castleward is one of the city’s largest regeneration projects, providing around 800 new homes in total, alongside green spaces, a new boulevard, and new commercial units.
Councillor Nadine Peatfield, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Culture and Tourism, said: “Castleward is one of the city’s key regeneration projects as we look to bring people back to the city centre.
“I’m delighted that we’re now able to push forward with this next phase. Derby needs an attractive gateway from the train station, and these 112 new homes will contribute to that.
“Just recently we celebrated as the showhomes opened at phase three, and I look forward to seeing the next round of homes take shape over the coming years.”
Bruce Lister, Managing Director of Compendium Living, said: “As we near completion of our current phase on Castleward, we’re really pleased to have secured the final piece of land that will form part of the next construction phase, Phase 4, which is due to start on site in Spring 2024.”
Chesterfield temperature sensor manufacturer snapped up
SDI Group, the AIM-listed group focused on the design and manufacture of scientific and technology products for use in digital imaging and sensing and control applications, has acquired Peak Sensors, a manufacturer of temperature sensors in a £2.4m deal.
Peak is based in Chesterfield with a 5,300 sq ft leasehold facility, and has approximately 14 employees.
Revenues for the year ended 31 March 2023 were £2.1m, with EBIT of c.£330,000.
Peak will join the group’s Sensors and Controls division.
Ken Ford, chairman of SDI, said: “The acquisition of Peak is a further step in our group growth strategy, demonstrating again the opportunities to acquire businesses with high quality products with export growth potential.
“The acquisition is expected to be earnings enhancing in the first full year of ownership. We are delighted to welcome Roshan Aucklah, Peter Smith and their staff at Peak to the SDI Group.”
Kimberley Levelling Up Project takes step forward as planning permission approved at historic site
Kimberley’s £16.5 million Levelling Up Project has taken a major step forward after planning permission was approved for significant works at Bennerley Viaduct, including a visitors’ centre.
Broxtowe Borough Council has granted planning permission, which includes:
- The creation of an eastern earth ramp at the Viaduct.
- The creation of a cycle path and pedestrian access on this new ramp.
- A Visitors Centre which will include educational facilities, a shop, toilets, and a seating area in the summer.
- Cycle racks.
- Car Parking facilities for visitors.
New owner sought for Derbyshire pharmacies in administration
Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co, has been instructed to sell an established pair of pharmacies in Chesterfield, on behalf of joint administrators, Christopher Latos and Richard D’Arcy.
The two community pharmacies – Dents of Chesterfield on Windermere Road and Dents Pharmacy in Saltergate – are well-established, modern, health centre-integrated pharmacies with over 100 years of trading history. Together they dispense an average of 16,000 items per month and are run by employed Pharmacists with locum Pharmacists one day per week.
The settings are available for sale on a group or individual basis.
Carl Steer, director – pharmacy at Christie & Co, who is handling the sale, says: “We expect that the sale of these two long-established pharmacies within health centres that are thoroughly modernised throughout will bring about strong interest from a mix of pharmacy operators. Interested parties are encouraged to act swiftly to meet the deadline for offers of 30 November 2023.”
The pharmacies are on the market with an asking price of £850,000.
Second round of £1.2m East Midlands Create Growth programme opens to businesses
Applications have opened for the next cohort of a £1.2 million support programme for East Midlands creative businesses.
Companies are being encouraged to apply for the second phase of Create Growth, which is funded by the Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS).
It comes as 23 East Midlands businesses completed the first cohort of the regional business growth accelerator.
The inaugural cohort, made up of firms from across Leicester, Leicestershire, Derby and Derbyshire, and Lincoln, Greater Lincolnshire and Rutland, have benefited from a programme of focused support over the last eight weeks.
Participants ranged from marketing and design agencies to architects, theatre companies to video producers.
Businesses completed an initial business health check, attended a full-day business bootcamp – which included opportunities to network, and logged on to eight virtual masterclasses covering themes including leadership, marketing, sales, finance and business planning.
As well as the 90-minute masterclasses delivered by industry experts, all participants were also assigned a mentor offering five hours of free support.
Guy Lewis, Director at programme delivery partner CDI Alliance, said: “Our first cohort were enthusiastic, engaged and committed to the programme.
“We’ve had some really encouraging feedback about the bootcamp session, masterclasses, and support offered throughout the programme, and look forward to seeing what’s next for the businesses who took part in Cohort One.”
All of the participating businesses now have the option to complete a fully funded 12-hour investment readiness workshop, helping to prepare their firms for growth.
To be eligible for Cohort 2 of the East Midlands Create Growth programme, businesses must:
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Have turnover growth of 10% year-on-year over approximately 3 years (including either prior to or during the Pandemic)
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Employ a minimum of 2 people over the last two years (full-time, part-time or freelance)
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Have created a revenue generating product, launched a new platform or service, or reached a market of scale
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Generated sales revenue in the last 2 years
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Be trading or registered within Leicester, Leicestershire, Derby, Derbyshire, Greater Lincolnshire, or Rutland.
Warehouse upgrade attracts global engineering group
Refurbished industrial property is in good demand with the lease of warehouse and office space to a global engineering group on Leicester’s Hamilton Business Park.
Andrew + Ashwell, the Leicestershire commercial property expert, has negotiated the deal to bring engineering solutions specialist The Brush Group to the sought-after site following recent renovation.
The building, at 30 Waterside Road, occupies almost 1.45 acres (approx. 0.6 hectare) in a prominent setting close to the Hamilton Way/Thurmaston Lane roundabout, providing fast access to ring road connections for the A46 and M1/M69 motorway network.
With 21,625 sq ft of space the premises delivers modern accommodation, including a detached, single-storey warehouse and industrial unit, with integral two-storey office space, plus car parking at the front and a rear service yard and enclosure.
Constructed around a single span steel portal frame, the warehouse accommodation had been refurbished throughout. The air-conditioned two-storey offices were purpose-built to benefit from good natural light, incorporating an open-plan, first floor working area, with ground floor meeting rooms and amenities.
Kelvin Wilson, associate director at A+A, said: “We received healthy interest following the landlord’s refurbishment works to modern standards. Following competitive demand, Brush came forward and the transaction completed swiftly. The group aims to use the building for storage and distribution, alongside research and development from what is recognised as a prime Leicestershire location for communication.
“There is still a lack of good quality second hand industrial accommodation within the county and this important letting shows the benefit that an effective schedule of landlord refurbishment works can achieve.”
Corby contractor launches new fund to help local community
Charities and community groups in Corby are now able to access a new funding pot thanks to local building contractor Kori Construction.
The business, based on Headway Business Park in Corby, has launched an annual fund of £10,000 and is encouraging charities and other groups from the town to apply for a share of the money.
The fund has been set up to celebrate Kori Construction’s roots in Corby and to enable the town to share in the business’s ongoing success.
The money will be allocated in two sums of £5,000 each year, and any organisation working in sustainability, social inclusion, or strengthening local communities is free to apply.
Kori Construction Managing Director Jordan Connachie said the company had always been a keen supporter of its hometown and as it had grown as a business, the directors wanting to extend that support.
He said: “Although we now have a national footprint in terms of our developments, we are very much a Corby business. Many of our employees live in Corby and our name, Kori, dates back to the first settlers who created the beginnings of a town here.
“We’re launching this fund to help make a small difference to the lives of local people and communities, and we’re looking forward to receiving applications from a range of charities and organisations.
“With so many worthwhile causes out there, it is going to be difficult to decide which ones to support. However, knowing the money pledged will have the biggest positive impact it can is very important to us, so that will be high on the list of priorities when it comes to making a decision.”
The idea is the brainchild of Elaine Kendall, Kori’s Head of Sustainability and Communications, who was featured in the NFB’s 2023 list of Top 100 Most Influential Women in Construction.
As well as pledging £10,000 to Corby-based charities and community groups, Kori Construction is also making £2,500 available to community groups around each of its developments.
Elaine said: “At Kori, we believe that construction doesn’t stop with creating a new building. Buildings, after all, are all about people – the people who will live in them, work in them, and live around them. They have a huge impact on people’s lives.
“Our philosophy is to always maximise the positive impact of our developments as far as we possibly can. By launching these funds, we’re trying to create real and tangible differences for local communities.”
The £2,500 funding, which will be part of each individual scheme Kori is appointed to, will provide support for community-based activities or projects aligned to Kori’s sustainability strategy, to promote inclusion and positive change, strengthen communities or safeguard the world.
The Luxury Food Collective launches exclusive corporate gift hampers in time for Christmas
Specialist online retailer The Luxury Food Collective has unveiled a new range of exquisite corporate hampers and gifts, perfect for sending a very special thank you to clients this festive season.
Bringing something different to the corporate gifting market, The Luxury Food Collective launched in summer 2023 by entrepreneur Peter Ahye. Peter devoted almost two years to sourcing the finest food and drink offerings from producers, growers and artisans across Europe. By nurturing relationships with the people who hold these traditional and time-honoured methods of production, he has been able to bring a unique portfolio of products to the UK for the very first time to create something truly special.
Starting from £38 and ranging to £240, each hamper has been expertly crafted by the team at The Luxury Food Collective for every taste. With products from artisans such as Fauchon, the French delicatessen, H Forman and Son’s delectable smoked salmon range, and champagnes and wines from the very best vineyards in Europe, the gifting range is the perfect solution for businesses searching for gifts with a personal touch for clients and colleagues.
Around 90% of the products available from The Luxury Food Collective are exclusive within the UK, meaning that a hamper or gift box is a totally unique way to spread joy this festive season. Each delivery from The Luxury Food Collective comes with a personalised information card detailing the products and their provenance. The card includes a scannable QR code for recipients to learn more about their gift.
Highlights from this year’s Christmas range include the Non-Alcoholic Wines, Juices & Tea (£95.00), a selection of six delicate beverages designed to toast to the party season without the alcohol content. Featuring French Bloom’s iconic Le Rosé Organic Bubbly as well as Alain Milliat Jus Raisin Rouge, a luxury Merlot grape juice.
Also available is the Hand Selected Crisps & Snacks Gift Box (£42.50) – the perfect selection of nine luxury snacks including artisan popcorn from Popcorn Shed, Fauchon’s Mini Crepes with Cheddar and Brusa’s Grissini Piemontesi breadsticks from Italy. For the season that’s peppered with guests popping by, it always pays to have some delicious snacks to tempt.
For a classic option, the Champagne, London Cure Smoked Salmon & Caviar Gift Box (£150.00) offers a timeless combination to ring in the festive season. This set comes with a mother-of-pearl serving spoon for that perfect final touch.
Founder of The Luxury Food Collective, Peter Ahye says: “Businesses are built on relationships, and we believe that there is no relationship more important than our connection with food.
“It’s that time of the year when many of us are searching for ways to show appreciation for clients and professional contacts across our networks, and we wanted to offer something that is truly special. A hamper or gift box from The Luxury Food Collective is unique and meaningful, as our range is meticulously curated to offer delicacies that you simply can’t find anywhere else.”
Thanks to The Luxury Food Collective’s close relationships nurtured with the producers directly, it is committed to championing ethical and sustainable products. The full range is responsibly farmed, prioritises animal welfare and minimises environmental impact. Additionally, there is a range of year-round gifts, prices from £60.
The Luxury Food Collective delivers throughout the UK. For more information and to purchase, please visit www.theluxuryfoodcollective.com/collections/corporate-gifting.
Finch Consulting makes new appointment
Leicestershire-based health and safety risk management experts; Finch Consulting, have appointed mechanical and electrical Chartered Engineer Tom Leach.
With over 20 years’ of practical experience starting with an NVQ in welding, more recently in various roles including surveying, project management, consultancy, and as an associate director, Tom will be joining Finch as a senior consultant.
In his new role, Tom will be fluid in his skillset working in both Finch’s Consultancy and Expert services able to win and deliver work.
Tom said: “I am thrilled to be joining such an agile and multi-disciplined team where I feel I can make my mark and add value to the business. I will also be furthering my professional development through Finch taking on several courses.”
Dom Barraclough, Managing Director, said: “Tom compliments our resources and competencies, mainly in Asset Management but also Health and Safety Management capabilities, by bringing additional infrastructure M&E experience and contacts to boost our plan.
“Our plan sets out to build work in manufacturing while diversifying with infrastructure, energy and defence, and build our reputation as the people to come to for highly qualified, highly experienced real-world experts in criminal and large complex technical cases (UK and International arbitrations).
“Tom is our first recruit through our new in house recruitment process designed and led by Jade which is a real testament to the growth of the company.”
