Auctioneer secures wilko plant and machinery sales

Tess Egginton
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Auctioneer secures wilko plant and machinery sales

Nottingham-headquartered national auction house John Pye & Sons has been appointed by the joint administrators of wilko Ltd to manage the sale of plant and machinery following its closure.

National budget homeware retailer Wilko Ltd was founded in 1930 in Leicester and comprised 400 stores across the UK. In August 2023, the retailer appointed Jane Steer, Zelf Hussain and Edward Williams of PwC as joint administrators to oversee the sale of its assets after it went into administration.

The administrators have since appointed John Pye Auctions to manage the sale of plant and machinery from wilko’s two distribution centres in Worksop – Nottinghamshire and Newport – Wales covering 1.2m sq ft and 880,000 sq ft, respectively. Comprising of pallet racking, recycling and handling equipment, all items will be sold via online auction from Newport, Wales as well as across various John Pye sites.

Everything from Godswill baling presses, waste compactors and conveyor systems to tractors, roll cages, access equipment, IT and photographic studios will be included in the lots.

Offers are also being invited for the Mecalux Pallet racking from both distribution centres, with the auctioneer already experiencing interest from high street retailers and logistics companies.

Charles Loake, associate director, joint head of John Pye Business & Property, said: “The wilko staff we have been fortunate to work with have been a true credit to the firm to the very end, supporting us with all stages of the asset removal and sale processes.

“We are always very sorry to see a long-established business facing this situation. Wilko has earned a strong reputation as a much-loved high-street retailer over the years, and we will do our best to secure the best outcomes for these assets under these challenging circumstances.

“We are also very proud that the administrators recognise us as a leading auctioneer with an extensive sales network. We have the systems and expertise to manage these assets with the highest level of efficiency through our online network. Our UK-wide footprint of over 1,000,000 sq ft of sale space and a nationwide workforce of over 700 staff ensures we can handle the largest of insolvency cases.”

The appointment is the latest in a series of high-profile retail administrations that John Pye has been brought in to manage, including MADE.com and Moore Large earlier this year.

Another deal sealed at Fairham Business Park as works commence on site

Tess Egginton
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Another deal sealed at Fairham Business Park as works commence on site
Works have begun at Plot A4, Fairham Business Park as FHP secure a deal for the 100,000 sq ft plot. The unit will be neatly located next to the stand-alone units totalling 260,000 sq ft purchased by international property investment and asset management company, Hines and a custom built 56,000 sq ft facility for Scientific Laboratory Supplies. The brand-new purpose-built premises will be comprised of a 95,379 sq ft warehouse with 12,292 sq ft office and welfare space over 3 storeys, situated at the front of the building. There will be 84 car parking spaces at the front of property with 10 electric vehicle (EV) charging bays. There will also be a large service yard to rear with 10 dock levellers and 4 level access to meet the needs of the occupier. Clowes will be providing a fully photovoltaic (PV) ready frame. The unit is expected to be ready for occupation by the summer of 2024. Tim Gilbertson, director at FHP Property Consultants, commented on the deal: “It’s fabulous to see the ongoing development of Fairham Business Park continue at pace following completion of the latest deal for a 100,000 sq ft standalone building. “This deal quickly follows on the heels of the letting and completed building for Scientific Laboratory Supplies and will be the fifth building on Fairham Business Park with completion due and handover of keys set for mid-2024. “The continuity of development on site is startling as TanRo will now be building out their fifth building on the site without ‘downing tools’ and we hope, with ongoing discussions with a number of parties for further buildings on the site, that they can continue building well into mid-2024 and beyond without a break. “This says something about the fantastic transport links of Fairham Business Park and its positioning outside of Nottingham’s workplace parking levy and I am confident that we will bring forward new occupiers and news of further details in the near future.” Ben Hall, director at IMA Architects, added: “It’s fantastic to see the next phase being brought forwards at Fairham to deliver this unit for a bespoke occupier, and having seen the changes on site over the past 18 months the next phase will continue the fantastic progress the business park is making. “IMA Architects are delighted to continue the relationship with Clowes Developments with regards to this next phase and look forward to seeing work progress.”

University receives £1.4m grant to develop fintech hub for the East Midlands

Tess Egginton
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University receives £1.4m grant to develop fintech hub for the East Midlands
The University of Nottingham’s Inclusive Financial Technology Hub (INFINITY) has been awarded a new £1.4 million grant from Research England to develop a fintech hub at the heart of the city.
The Hub will contribute to developing the next generation of financial technology start-ups and firms by creating a pathway for university-inspired research to give rise to early-stage commercialisation ventures in financial services. Provided by Research England’s Connecting Capability fund, the grant is designed to support levelling up and contribute to the UK’s tech sector. The Hub aims to become a focal point for Nottingham’s thriving financial services sector. The award will fund the creation of an agile pathway for commercialisation of financial technology research, taking early-stage research-inspired commercial propositions on a journey to being realised as live commercial prospects. Concurrently, it will provide training and support for academics at an early stage in the commercialisation journey, overcoming the barriers to engagement. The Hub brings together an existing ecosystem of three leading Midlands-based universities with financial technology expertise (Nottingham, Birmingham and Warwick). Situated on the University’s new Castle Meadow Campus, the hub will co-locate alongside Nottingham University Business School and local businesses, including KPMG, who are relocating their Nottingham office to the new campus. Castle Meadow Campus will create a unique environment in which students and businesses creatively engage and innovate together. Professor John Gathergood, the co-director of INFINITY, said: “We are delighted to receive this support from Research England, which will allow us to work with businesses to develop a unique environment in which university-inspired research can be translated into next generation financial services.” “It is brilliant news to hear about this new grant from Research England. We hope this grant will allow the INFINITY hub to expand on its work and strengthen the university’s ties with businesses and offer great opportunities for our students in Nottingham,” said professor Jane Norman, provost and deputy vice chancellor at the University of Nottingham.

Businesses come together to empower Nottingham’s future with support for Epic Partners

Tess Egginton
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Businesses come together to empower Nottingham’s future with support for Epic Partners
Countryside Partnerships, the mixed tenure developer, has joined forces with partner Gatehouse Investment Management and groundwork contractors C3 Construction and ATD to provide £4,500 of support to Epic Partners, a dedicated charity focused on enriching the lives of disadvantaged children in the Nottingham Area. Epic Partners is an influential charity in the Nottingham community, acting as a vital conduit between local neighbourhoods, families, and educational institutions. Operating under the shared vision of fostering a brighter tomorrow, Epic Partners offers physical activity packages to schools addressing both physical and emotional well-being. It also holds regular community events and projects, both during school terms and holidays, bringing people together and breathing life into Nottingham neighbourhoods.
Pete Bewley, Chief Executive Officer at Epic Partners, said: “Investing in the well-being of our children and youth is an investment in the future. Thanks to the incredible support from Countryside Partnerships, Gatehouse Investment Management, C3 Construction, and ATD, we are empowering the next generation in Nottingham. “Their generous donation of £4,500 to Epic Partners not only enriches the lives of disadvantaged children but also nurtures a brighter future for our community. Together, we are building a foundation of hope, happiness, and opportunity through youth activities that will echo positively for generations to come.”
Lee Parry, Managing Director, North East Midlands, Countryside Partnerships, said: “We are thrilled to join forces with our partners and contractors to offer this support to Epic Partners. “The charity’s commitment to inclusivity dovetails with Countryside’s partnership model, providing high quality mixed-tenure developments that deliver positive social impact for the neighbourhoods in which we work. We share both vision and commitment to working with and supporting local communities in the Nottingham area.”
Paul Stockwell, Managing Director of Gatehouse Investment Management, said: “A major focus at all of our locations is the creation of thriving communities, where everyone is welcome and able to take advantage of the local amenities. “Epic Partners is a fantastic organisation, helping to extend these benefits to as wide a range of people as possible, and as such it is a huge pleasure to be supporting its work in Nottingham.” Sam Adams, technical director, C3 Construction, said: “C3 Construction are proud to work together with Countryside Partnerships to support Epic Partners. The services and activities that Epic Partners provide are now more important than ever and we wish them continued success into making a real difference in the community of Nottingham.”

Work starts on affordable housing development in Market Harborough

Tess Egginton
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Work starts on affordable housing development in Market Harborough
Platform has begun work in Market Harborough to offer more affordable housing opportunities. Construction company Lindum are building 38 homes on the site at Naseby Square following planning permission being granted by Harborough District Council. The development will have a mixture of homes available for rent and shared ownership. Representatives from the three groups attended the site recently to mark the start of the work and see how the plans will be brought to life. Platform’s Chief Operations Officer Marion Duffy was in attendance and told the group: “It’s fantastic to see work starting on this site and we are grateful to both Harborough District Council and Lindum Group for their work in getting us to this important stage. “The plans represent the opportunity to deliver affordable housing for the area that will go long way to helping people get the foundations that come from having a place to call home.” The homes are due to be ready in the Spring of 2025.

Historic under-funding puts councils at financial risk, says Derby

Tess Egginton
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Historic under-funding puts councils at financial risk, says Derby
The full impact on Derby of 13 years of Government austerity and under-funding of councils across the country has been set out in Derby City Council’s latest financial update. Since 2010/11, Derby City Council has made more than £225 million in cuts as funding from central Government has declined. Further shortfalls in funding will erode services even more. While the Council has raised revenue via Council Tax and business rates, these increases haven’t kept pace with increasing levels of demand and more recently, the shock of high interest rates and inflation. In 2010/11, 66% of the Council’s income came from Government grants, with Council Tax providing a further 34%. Today that position has flipped with 37% of income coming from Government grants, and 63% from Council Tax and Business Rates. A report going to Cabinet in October outlines current progress on the Medium Term Financial Strategy, which is how the Council plans how much income it expects to receive and the amount of expenditure it expects to incur. Emerging pressures on the budget include the annual pay award to staff, which is set nationally, increasing levels of homelessness fuelled by the cost of living, and more demand for both adult and children’s social care. Derby City Council is not alone. These issues are affecting the entire local government sector. Birmingham City Council, the largest local authority in Europe, recently joined councils in Thurrock, Slough, Croydon and Woking in issuing a Section 114 notice, meaning it can no longer deliver a balanced budget and requires Government intervention in managing its finances. Local government officials say at least 26 councils across Britain could be at risk of doing the same in the next two years. Councillor Baggy Shanker, Leader of Derby City Council, said: “It is beyond question that due to years of cash starvation by successive Conservative Governments, local government has reached crisis point. For years we have been dependent on one-year funding settlements, plus ring-fenced funding for projects, making it impossible to plan for the longer term. “The Government’s solution is for councils to be responsible for raising more of their own income. But this approach doesn’t work in a city like Derby where most of our households are Band A-C properties and will never raise enough money to be able to adequately fund public services. “I have written a letter to Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, asking the Government to recognise the situation affecting local government and intervene. I’ve outlined how Derby is playing its part towards the Government’s levelling up agenda, but this could be at risk due to economic challenges and increasing demand. “The Government must change the way it funds local government services for our citizens, who need and deserve to have a clean, safe and welcoming city to live in, and have tasked us with delivering that. If Derby City Council can no longer provide the services, people won’t stop needing them. Who picks up the pieces then?” The Cabinet report states that due to the increasing pressures on the budget, Derby’s forecasted £8.5 million budget gap for 2024/25 is now actually around £14.5 million without any additional Government funding to mitigate this. In addition, at the end of the first quarter of the financial year, the Council was forecasting an overspend of £6 million by the end of 2023/2024. While this is better than at Quarter 1 in 2022, the Council needs to take measures to avoid drawing further on its Budget Risk Reserve, which would then be reduced to zero by April 2024. In the face of these challenges the Council continues to take measures to reduce its in-year spend, including strict spending controls in place for over a year and a freeze on all but essential recruitment. It is also taking steps to reform services to make them more cost effective, including leasing out areas of the Council House to other public sector organisations to improve partnership working, and introducing Artificial Intelligence to assist in meeting service demands. Councillor Shanker added: “No one underestimates the challenge we are facing. Our diminishing useable reserves, which the previous administration relied upon to plug the gap for far too long, are of particular concern and our future plans include building them back up. “We are focused on doing the best for the people of Derby with whatever means we have. We are a strong Council, taking every step to keep us on a stable financial footing, and remain ambitious for our city.” You can watch the Cabinet meeting live on the Derby City Council YouTube channel from 4pm on Wednesday 11 October.

Architects secure unprecedented hat-trick of planning approvals

Michael Fisher
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Architects secure unprecedented hat-trick of planning approvals
An East Midlands architect firm has celebrated a notable hat-trick after it received an “unprecedented” three planning approvals in the same week. Ashbourne-based Matthew Montague is now preparing for work to start at a trio of projects across the region having secured permission for an industrial development in Mansfield, two new dwellings in North-West Leicestershire and a meditation centre in Etwall. In Mansfield, an old dilapidated building will be demolished and replaced with three modern, efficient, sustainable buildings. Relocating one business and creating employment opportunities in the additional buildings. Two agricultural Dutch barns in the picturesque village of Breedon-on-the-Hill will be replaced with two ultra-modern family homes. Architect Daniel Evans said: “It’s taken two years to get planning permission, the location is stunning, construction starts on site early 2024, they going to be beautiful new homes.” Finally, South Derbyshire District Council has granted planning approval for a new meditation hall at the Grade II-listed Ashe Hall in Etwall on behalf of the Tara International Kadampa Retreat Centre. Matthew Montague, who established the firm in 2008, said “All three projects are wonderful examples of the work across the East Midlands that we are privileged to be commissioned to undertake and to get planning permission for three schemes of this nature in the same week is unprecedented. “All three are unique and we are looking forward to seeing work getting underway, especially on the meditation hall at the Tara International Kadampa Retreat Centre. “It’s not every day you get asked to design a building like this, it’s the only facility of its kind in the UK and it’s been a fantastic project for the practice.”

Finance broker makes Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre move

Tess Egginton
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Finance broker makes Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre move
A Chesterfield finance broker has moved into the Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre, one of the town’s flagship office developments. Sorbus Finance was founded in September 2021, and has developed relationships which allows the firm to access a panel of over 70 lenders. The company’s aim is to support local firms in gaining extra capital and profits to re-invest in their businesses, employees and local communities. Speaking on the move to the Enterprise Centre, director Arran Turner said: “Having grown up in Chesterfield I have always seen the potential in the town and the commitment that the business community in Chesterfield puts in to continually pushing for a better future. “We have one of the best locations to conduct business with great links to the rest of the country, and the developments we can see around the town at the moment are a great visual advert for what we can look forward to in the years to come.” Following the success of Sorbus Finance’s first 12 months of business, the firm wanted to find suitable premises which was not only cost-effective and convenient, but also provided a home for the future. Arran said: “From the first time I viewed the Enterprise Centre, it was clear that this was right for my business. The modern and spacious offices, the great team that runs the centre and the other businesses located in the building all take great pride in the space, and want to see each other succeed. “Alongside this, the location is perfect for us, close to the railway station, coach station, town centre amenities and road links. “Chesterfield is thriving and stakeholders investing in Chesterfield have a clear vision for its future. Chesterfield is home to a diverse range of business and industries ranging from Manufacturing, Professional Services, Hospitality, Agriculture and so much more! “The decision to stay in Chesterfield as opposed to moving towards Sheffield or Nottingham was an easy choice for me, I want to be part of the future of this town and everything it is looking to achieve.” Over the next 12 months, Sorbus Finance aims to grow its team at different skill levels and is now engaging with local education providers. On top of this, the company is committing to Chesterfield in part of its ‘giving back’ programme, and will shortly be looking to find charitable partners it can work alongside, in addition to supporting one-off events.

Significant milestone reached at new Chesterfield and Derby mental health facilities

Tess Egginton
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Significant milestone reached at new Chesterfield and Derby mental health facilities
Integrated Health Projects (IHP), the joint venture between VINCI Building and Sir Robert McAlpine, celebrated the topping out of the Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust’s new mental health facilities in Chesterfield and Derby last week. Mark Powell, Chief Executive of Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Simon Corben, Director and Head of Profession for NHS Estates and Facilities at NHS England, and Geoff Neild, Programme Director for the Making Room for Dignity Programme attended the event held at Derby Kingsway Hospital alongside members of the project team. In a traditional ceremony dating back to the Roman era, a bagpiper led the guests to the rooftop where IHP Works Manager, Mick Murphy, nailed an evergreen bough to the structure, did a symbolic concrete pour and presented a tankard to Geoff Neild for a ‘job well done’. The pioneering new mental health facilities are delivered as part of the Trust’s ambitious £150 million Making Room for Dignity Programme – a project using a blend of central, regional and Trust funding to completely revamp the county’s mental health inpatient (hospital) facilities. The works include the Derwent Unit, a 54-bed mental health facility for Adult Acute Care at the Chesterfield Royal Hospital, and the Carsington Unit, another 54-bed mental health facility for Adult Acute Care as well as a 14-bed Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit at Kingsway Hospital in Derby. Every room across both Adult Acute Care facilities will be en-suite and temperature controlled, with the facilities also including a shared therapy suite, kitchen, indoor fitness room, online library resource room, arts room and access to a secured roof terrace and garden for wards on the first floor. James Beardmore, Project Manager at IHP, said: “We are proud to celebrate this significant milestone for these important projects and the exemplary collaboration demonstrated by the project team. We look forward to delivering these adult acute care facilities for the Trust’s ambitious Making Room for Dignity Programme. Once completed, they will greatly improve mental healthcare services across the region.” Geoff Neild, at Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The Derwent Unit at Chesterfield and Carsington Unit at Derby form the backbone of our dormitory eradication programme giving each service user their own en-suite bedroom. “For those service users from Derbyshire requiring intensive psychiatric care there is currently no provision within the county and our service users are currently placed in out of area facilities. This has a huge impact on the ability of family and loved ones to provide support at a time when it is often most needed. “Kingfisher House will provide a 14 bedded unit meeting the needs of male service users in Derbyshire. Along with the newly refurbished Audrey House the Trust can meet the majority of the needs of both male and female service users requiring high acuity facilities. “I am delighted that these new facilities will give staff, service users, family and friends fantastic settings in which to deliver or receive therapeutic care and support.”

Nottinghamshire companies tackle the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge in aid of local young person’s charity

Tess Egginton
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Nottinghamshire companies tackle the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge in aid of local young person’s charity

On Saturday 30 September, a team of Clegg Construction employees and partners laced up their walking boots to participate in Yorkshire’s Three Peaks Challenge to raise money for Nottinghamshire young person’s charity, Base 51.

The 24-mile round trip route, which included an eye-watering 5200ft of ascent, saw the team take on the peaks of Pen-y-Ghent (694 metres), Whernside (736 metres) and Ingleborough (723 metres) – three hills which form part of the Pennine range, and encircle the head of the valley of the River Ribble in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

The Clegg challengers were joined by a team of employees from Atkins Search – a Nottingham-based recruitment company specialising in the Construction, Consultancy and Residential sectors, whose partner charity of the year is Base 51.

The Clegg team was made up of both site and office-based employees, including site managers, project managers, quantity surveyors, and four members of the company’s pre-construction department.

Completion times for the challenge ranged between 9.5 and 11 hours – below the 12-hour average.

Darren Chapman, operations director at Clegg Construction, is no stranger to the Three Peaks Challenge, having already completed it twice! He was instrumental in helping other Clegg Challengers prepare for the event, including arranging a 12-mile training walk which took place in the Derbyshire Dales a few weeks prior.

Darren said: “This was a very physically and mentally demanding challenge – not helped by the weather conditions – but overall, it was a successful and rewarding day completed in aid of a very worthy cause. We all look forward to the next challenge!”

Chris Rolling, associate director at Atkins Search, said: “The Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge certainly took its toll, but the experience, memories and sense of achievement will stick with us for many years to come. The support and teamwork throughout the challenge were incredible and vital to its successful completion. Thank you to all at Clegg and Atkins Search for taking part!”

Founded in 1993, Base 51 is dedicated to supporting 11 to 25-year-olds in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire through the provision of counselling, trauma support, skills workshops, and more. Between March and December 2022, the charity served 3,370 hot meals, provided 1:1 support to over 500 individuals, and welcomed over 4,088 people to its youth club.

A GoFundMe page has also been set up to collect donations and has so far exceeded the initial £1,000 donation target by over 100% – with the total donations currently standing at a fantastic £2,180. The page will remain up and running until the end of the week (Friday 6 October) for any last-minute sponsorship pledges.

Verity Mitchell, head of fundraising and events at Base 51, said: “We are so grateful to the amazing teams from Clegg Construction and Atkins Search for taking on this challenge to raise vital funds for Base 51.

“The money raised will help us provide support to 11–25-year-olds in need in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, the money raised will cover the cost of 44 crisis support sessions with counselling, food parcels, showers and laundry for young people who are struggling. Thank you to everyone who took part!”

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