EV charging infrastructure specialist moves into Chesterfield office development
An EV charging infrastructure specialist has moved into a grade A office development in Chesterfield, as it strives to become the UK’s largest EV charging service provider.
ChargedEV works with a range of market-leading key partners in the lease, fleet, and property sectors to support them with the rollout of charging infrastructure.
The firm has installed over 35,000 domestic and 2,000 commercial EV charge points nationwide and continues to win new flagship partnerships that drive the business forward.
Mark Pymm, founder and Managing Director at ChargedEV, said: “We have been trading in Chesterfield for 9 years but have seen significant growth over the last 18 months and the new office space at The HQ will give us a solid foundation to continue our growth, recruit and develop local people, and ultimately take our business to the next level allowing us the space to create over 100 positions across a range of roles over the next two years.
“Chesterfield has been a great location for ChargedEV as a central hub for our Nationwide operations, with great connectivity and transport links.
“I personally look forward to becoming more integrated into Chesterfield’s business community which appears to be thriving and lend my support and experience to ensure Chesterfield can be a pioneering town in the electric revolution.”
Last year, The HQ underwent a £1.25m refurbishment to modernise the office space and create an inspiring place for local businesses to thrive.
Rowland Hill House, formerly the Royal Mail offices on Boythorpe Road, is now a vibrant, efficient and high-quality facility used and enjoyed by a number of businesses. FI Real Estate Management upgraded the existing building to Grade A office space, with the option to split the space to accommodate tenants’ requirements and the demand for new ways of working.
The HQ has been specifically designed as a solution to modern ways of working, offering flexible spaces from 400 sq ft up to 60,331 sq ft across four floors.
A spokesperson for FI Real Estate Management said: “We’re looking forward to welcoming ChargedEV and introducing them to the diverse range of businesses working at The HQ.
“We provide bespoke packages so local and regional businesses can benefit from first-class office environments tailored to meet their specific needs and requirements, without compromising on efficiency.
“Offering tenants the opportunity to network with other businesses in the building creates a sense of community that we are extremely proud of and this is only growing with further demand for The HQ.
“Chesterfield is an up-and-coming Northern business hub with many fantastic local businesses thriving in the area. It is a privilege to sit amongst other investments such as Waterside, Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre and the Glass Yard, bringing a new standard of living and working to the town.
“We enjoy working and doing business in Chesterfield as we can appreciate first-hand the benefit it provides to the local community.”
Three women trailblazers from East Midlands win national award and £50,000 each
From VR training tools for drivers to reduce road traffic deaths to children’s prosthetic limbs that grow with them, Innovate UK’s Women in Innovation Awards will empower three pioneering women from the East Midlands to scale their innovative businesses.
These three women entrepreneurs are amongst this year’s 50 winners of Innovate UK’s Women in Innovation Awards who are developing novel solutions to major social, environmental and economic challenges. Each winner will benefit from a £50,000 grant, one-to-one business coaching, and a suite of networking, role modelling, and training opportunities.
Coinciding with International Women’s Day (Wednesday 8 March), the Awards reflect the government’s ambition to give more support to women innovators and business leaders.
The range of innovations from across the UK are vast, from health tech to education and from protecting lives to new ways to play music. The entrepreneurs from East Midlands are recognised today on International Women’s Day which is encouraging people to “embrace equity.” They are:
- Dr Victoria Kroll from Nottingham, who is determined to decrease road traffic deaths in the UK each year, has founded Esitu Solutions, designing driver assessment and VR training tools. The idea, based on a decade of scientific research, is to identify drivers who are more at risk of collision through a driver profiling system and provide tools to improve their skills and reduce these chances.
- Kate Allan from Loughborough, founder of ExpHand Prosthetics, who was inspired after meeting a young girl who needed a prosthesis to design a lightweight, adjustable, affordable and colourful prosthetic that grows with the user, encouraging children to use prostheses and with confidence.
- Miriam Silver, from Matlock, who founded BERRI, a digital toolset for parents who are concerned about their child’s mental health and are unable to access the support they need. BERRI can identify, track, and support the psychological needs of children (aged between 4 – 21 years), and provides individualised reports to advise their carers.
East Midlands named one of the most improved regions in PwC’s latest Women in Work Index
The East Midlands has seen improvements in its share of employed women in full time roles, increasing from 59% to 61% in 2021, according to this year’s Women in Work Index.
Subsequently, the region has seen a significant narrowing of its gender pay gap from 19% to 16%. The annual PwC report analyses female economic empowerment across 33 OECD countries and was first launched in 2010.
The East Midlands had one of the most improved performances in 2021, moving from 7th place to 4th. The participation rate gap between men and women also narrowed from 9% in 2020 to 6% in 2021. However, the female labour force participation rate did not change over this time, suggesting that the gap narrowed as a result of men’s participation rate falling as opposed to progress in female participation.
Alex Hudson, market senior partner for PwC East Midlands, said: “It is pleasing to see an increase in the employment of women in full time roles and the narrowing of the gender pay gap in the East Midlands.
“Having gender diversity in the workplace provides real business benefits and the East Midlands has improved across every indicator this year. That said, we still have work to do, locally and nationally, to address some of the core barriers for women in work, including childcare provisions and the cost-of-living crisis.
“It’s key that investment into skills continues as an important way to address inequality, creating inclusive workplaces and equal opportunities for women from all social backgrounds. For example, PwC in the Midlands supports the Tech She Can programme, developed to encourage and empower more women into technology careers.
“As the Government continues to push the levelling up agenda and the Treasury considers expanding free childcare hours in England, businesses and local governments must work together to create more opportunities for women in the workplace.”
UK plans revision of European GDPR rules to cut down ‘pointless paperwork’
New data laws to cut down pointless paperwork for businesses and reduce annoying cookie pops-up are being introduced by the government today in Parliament with a new common-sense-led UK version of the EU’s GDPR.
It’s claimed the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill will reduce costs and burdens for British businesses and charities, remove barriers to international trade and cut the number of repetitive data collection pop-ups online.
Its said the revised bill will:
- Introduce a simple, clear and business-friendly framework that will not be difficult or costly to implement – taking the best elements of GDPR and providing businesses with more flexibility about how they comply with the new data laws
- Ensure the new regime maintains data adequacy with the EU, and wider international confidence in the UK’s comprehensive data protection standards
- Further reduce the amount of paperwork organisations need to complete to demonstrate compliance
- Support even more international trade without creating extra costs for businesses if they’re already compliant with current data regulation
- Provide organisations with greater confidence about when they can process personal data without consent
- Increase public and business confidence in AI technologies by clarifying the circumstances when robust safeguards apply to automated decision-making
‘Generous’ new scheme aims to support businesses in Staveley town centre
A new scheme to help businesses in Staveley Town Centre to get up to 80% of the funds to help improve their premises has been launched by Chesterfield Borough Council.
The Staveley 21 Shop Front Improvement Grant scheme can provide funding for business owners or landlords who want to make improvements such as new signage, window replacements, repairs to brickwork, improving lighting or the addition of new security measures.
It is one element of the nearly £5 million investment that will be made in Staveley town centre over the next three years. This package of works also includes the refurbishment of the Market Place, rejuvenation of the High Street and improving connections across the town centre including with the historic Chesterfield Canal.
Councillor Kate Sarvent, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said: “This grant scheme is a key element of our plans to improve Staveley town centre and make it a more inviting place to visit, to shop and to socialise. We want to work with local businesses to provide the support they need to increase footfall and make their businesses thrive.
“We’ve made sure this scheme is one of the most generous in the country, and I’d encourage any business owner or landlord in Staveley to speak with our team to find out how this initiative could help them.”
A small business or charity can claim 80% of the costs of improvements made through the scheme. The grants will be provided on a first come first served basis and applications must be made before April 2025.
The appropriate works will be unique for each eligible business and prior to any application the project team are able to discuss your needs and eligibility but also advise on works that would be covered under the grant scheme and any permissions (e.g. planning consent) that are required.
A set of principles to guide improvements and support the design process have also been developed.
Councillor Tricia Gilby, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council and vice chair of the Staveley Town Deal Board, said: “This scheme is just one element of the improvements planned for Staveley town centre using Town Deal funding. Together these ambitious proposals will help provide a boost for local businesses and create a more attractive place to visit which will help ensure Staveley is the place to start, stay and grow.”
Staveley 21 includes the renovation of Market Square with new paving, seating, lighting and planting. There is also an ambition to create a new landmark building for use by either businesses or public sector services where the currently disused toilet block stands.
Rejuvenation of the High Street will enhance improvements made through the Shop Front Improvement Grant scheme and complement the heritage conservation area.
Improving connections and wayfinding signage across the town centre will help visitors to explore the canal and other local points of interest. A new lighting strategy will help ensure visibility across the area is improved whilst also supporting the night time economy by making the centre a more attractive place to visit at all hours.
Nottingham Venues celebrate hat-trick of award wins
There has been cause for celebration at Nottingham Venues following the news that three of its team members were named winners at the Nottingham Hospitality Association (NHA) Awards 2023.
Marketing executive Kayleigh Storer scooped the Back of House Award and finance assistant Ann Jackson walked away with the Green Hero Award in recognition of her commitment to sustainability and the instrumental role she played in Nottingham Venues being awarded the Greengage EcoSmart Accreditation.
There was double success in the Rising Star Category, as food and beverage assistant Elliott Browne won the overall award and his colleague Rigelt Kollcinaku, bars manager, was named Runner Up.
The Food and Beverage Team at Nottingham Venues’ Jubilee Hotel and Conference Centre, located on Nottingham University’s Jubilee Campus, also came in second place in the Team of the Year Category.
In addition to the flurry of first and second places, three members of staff were shortlisted in their respective categories. Amy Butler, learning and development manager, was shortlisted in the Unsung Hero Category whilst foods and beverage assistant Harkeerat Singh and Elle Taylor were shortlisted in the Front of House and Back of House categories respectively.
Hosted at Nottingham’s Crown Plaza Hotel on Thursday 2 March 2023, the 2023 NHA Awards celebrate the brightest and best in Nottingham’s exceptional hospitality industry. The event is organised by the Nottingham Hospitality Association, a membership-led, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting its members’ businesses whilst raising the profile of Nottingham to attract business and leisure tourism.
Tom Waldron-Lynch, general manager at Nottingham Venues, says: “It was a fantastic evening with fellow NHA members and sponsors, and I am delighted that we were so successful on the night.
“Team members across the business have worked so hard since our re-brand and re-launch last summer to ensure all our locations are the best hotel, events and conferencing venues in Nottingham and I am pleased to see this recognised by the NHA.
“Whether they are back of house or customer facing, everyone is working hard to deliver a first class experience and I am proud of our team.
“Like the NHA, we want to continue to raise the profile of Nottingham and its excellent hospitality industry to attract tourists and business customers. We are focussed on ensuring our venues are the best in the UK so that we can attract more organisations to Nottingham for their conferences.
“The business events, accommodation and meetings sector is worth £31.2 billion to the UK economy, so raising awareness of our UK leading venues here in Nottingham will have positive knock on effects for the wider Nottinghamshire economy.”
Nottingham Venues is a collection of independent venues specialising in meeting and events, set in the ground of the University of Nottingham campus. All venues, including the East Midlands Conference Centre, the Jubilee Hotel and Conferences venue, Campus Venues and the 4* Orchard Eco Hotel were brought together under one brand in July 2022 with the aim of providing an unrivalled guest experience.
Preparing your business for international expansion: a guide
Expansion can signify success. It can indicate that a company is moving in the right direction. The hard work and dedication of the team behind the company have allowed the business to grow and bring new opportunities. One opportunity many businesses aim to accomplish is expanding internationally.
Almost half of small businesses across the UK are planning to expand their company internationally. Expanding could be a major turning point for a small business. It could help them grow their audience reach and generate new leads. Both factors are influential in helping the company to stay in operation.
If you are preparing your business for international expansion, here’s a guide on what steps to consider to help you with the process.
Know Reasons For Expansion
Growing a business could help a company to gain more exposure for their company. The wider audience could generate new leads, which later become sales. However, there should be more reasons for the expansion than just generating new leads. Spend time identifying the core reasons for expanding the business internationally.
Ensure the expansion plans align with the company’s core beliefs and goals. In previous years, companies have been unsuccessful as they have taken opportunities for expansion that have not aligned with the beliefs and goals their company was founded upon. Staying true to the core nature of the business could work to the company’s advantage.
Ensure Finances Are In Order
For a successful expansion, a company’s finances are a crucial factor to consider. There are several costs involved in the expansion of a company. There are start-up costs involved in expanding a company internationally. Before expanding the company, spend time planning out the finances for the business and if the company can afford to move forward.
Check to see if the company can afford to expand the company internationally. Ensure that the company will still be able to progress should it experience slower months with little revenue. Checking that the finances are in order will help a company decide if expanding is possible.
Identify Opportunities In The Market
When planning to expand, look for opportunities in the market. These could help the company in its plans to expand internationally. It could allow the company to move into new sectors and reach a wider range of potential clients. These potential clients would later become clients as the business builds strong working relationships.
Understandably, more opportunities will likely be available in international markets compared to national ones. It can be easy to want to chase all opportunities. Instead, there might be opportunities that are not suited for the company. Spend time deciding which opportunities in the market could help the company move forward in its plans to grow.
Learn How To Maximise Opportunities
Expanding a company can bring with it multiple opportunities. When these opportunities come about, companies should aim to make the most out of them as they could be influential in the success of the expansion. There will likely be events and changes internationally that affect how companies operate. The past few years have proved that.
When these events occur, there are often opportunities that become available. It can be worthwhile to learn how to maximise these opportunities. Spend time taking a business and international relations course to learn more about maximising opportunities. The tools and skills learned from taking a course could help make decisions on how to progress the business forward and utilise them to the company’s advantage.
Conduct In-Depth Market Research
Before moving forward with any expansion plans, ensure that a thorough market research plan has been conducted first. It will help to offer greater insight into the market the company is planning to move into. They can see if there is a need or a demand for the product or service they are offering. Knowing this will help companies to refrain from expanding internationally to a country that does not require or need their services. This could lead to complications further down the line.
Additionally, companies can learn more about any competition in the market for the countries they are expanding into. Knowing who the competition is will be helpful when planning the expansion. They can use it to help them market the company as the preferred choice.
Be Aware Of Legal Regulations
Each country is different. Many noticeable differences set each country apart, from the languages they speak or how companies operate. One difference companies planning to expand internationally must be aware of is legal regulations. The legal regulations in place are designed to keep businesses and consumers safe. Any new businesses looking to set up in the country must be aware of these regulations.
When choosing where to expand the company, ensure that time has been spent carefully looking through the legal regulations of the countries the business is interested in expanding to. This will help avoid unpleasant surprises and ensure the business follows the rules. It helps avoid costly issues of rectifying the mistakes made.
Preparing To Grow
Expanding a company can be an exciting time for a business. It marks the next chapter in a company’s story, one they will likely reflect on with fond memories – if all goes well. Keep some of the tips mentioned above in mind when preparing your business for international expansion. It could reduce the risk of issues occurring. Instead, you could enjoy the advantages that come with expanding a business internationally.
Cawarden shows support for the next generation of Civil Engineers from the University of Derby
Specialist Contractor Cawarden showcased its work currently being undertaken on Agard Street in Derby by hosting a site visit for 30 final-year Civil Engineering students and apprentices from the University of Derby.
The students were hosted by Principal Contractor Cawarden – who is delivering the proof digging and earthworks on the Agard Street site on behalf of its client.
Cawarden completed the demolition of the former student flats on the site last year and has been awarded a follow-on scheme to prepare the site for future redevelopment.
As part of their final year studies, the students have been tasked to propose and design a theoretical residential and commercial tower block for the site, so the visit provided the opportunity to look at site constraints, obstructions, access, utilities and ground conditions – all useful things to consider as part of feasibility studies.
The students were able to see the full extent of the site with a guided tour led by the Cawarden team. They were shown a number of areas which are under construction and were able to stop and observe key points including a large area which is still to be backfilled and levelled.
From the questions raised by the students and staff during the visit, it is evident that the University of Derby is continuing to generate competent next-generation engineers.
Mitch Townsend, Civils & Groundworks Manager at Cawarden, said: “We welcomed the opportunity to host the students to our project on Agard Street in Derby city centre. As a student, it’s invaluable to see first-hand work being undertaken on a site like this. We are all for encouraging new people into the industry and wish the students all the best with the project. We look forward to seeing their proposals!”
Simon Wood, Senior Lecturer in Civil Engineering at the University of Derby, said: “The opportunity to be shown around the site by industrial professionals was invaluable for our final-year Civil Engineering students completing their structural design project.
“The experience for the students to work on a live project allows them to develop and enhance skills vital for entering the graduate market, as well as highlighting roles they could soon be entering. The students’ final presentation to industrial experts will encompass all their knowledge and empower them to interact within an environment they wish to engage with in the future.”
SME housebuilder secures £4.7m loan for maiden residential scheme
OakNorth Bank has provided a £4.7m loan to newly launched SME housebuilder, honey, to support its maiden residential scheme.
Founded in October 2022 by former Avant Homes CEO, Mark Mitchell, honey has initially agreed to acquire two new developments in South Yorkshire and Derbyshire, set to deliver over 141 homes across both sites.
Subject to planning, the capital from OakNorth Bank will be used to support honey’s Derbyshire development, consisting of 50 two, three and four-bedroomed homes. Located in the rural village of South Normanton, the site will also include five affordable units and will feature fourteen separate house types for buyers to choose from.
Mark Mitchell, founder & CEO of honey, said: “By launching honey, I can now start realising my vision for building new homes that will deliver a combination of style, substance and sustainability that will be unmatched at its price point.
“From our market research, we understand there is strong demand for high quality and high specification new homes in South Normanton, so, subject to planning, we will be very pleased to be able to provide exactly that for the Bolsover local community.
“Working closely with Damien and the team at OakNorth, we instantly realised their passion and ability to support the SME housebuilding community and they were highly transparent and communicative throughout the entire lending process.”
Damien Hughes, senior director of property finance at OakNorth Bank, added: “Since honey’s launch only five months ago, Mark has already overseen the opening of its new Sheffield HQ, whilst also bringing together highly experienced industry talent that looks set to create a refreshing approach to housebuilding.
“Located a short drive away from the popular towns and cities of Chesterfield, Derby, and Nottingham, the South Normanton scheme is perfectly placed as a commuter location, making it ideal for young and growing families. SME housebuilders continue to play a vital role in local communities and economies, which is why we’re so thrilled to be able to support honey’s first-ever residential scheme.”
New glamping plans unveiled for Nottinghamshire tourist destination
A Nottinghamshire tourist destination is to set to boost its visitor offer with 10 new glamping pods as part of a major £500,000 investment by the county council.
The self-contained luxury cabins will be installed in the grounds of Holme Pierrepont Country Park, home of the National Water Sports Centre, and operational in time for spring 2024.
They will each be capable of sleeping up to six people as well as boasting their own toilet and shower facilities.
Holme Pierrepont – operated by Serco Leisure Operating Limited, under a long-term contract to the county council – hosts events at the water sports centre which attract spectators and competitors from far and wide who stay overnight onsite or elsewhere locally.
The tourist-boosting scheme will cost £684,240 in total and includes a one-off £500,000 investment by the county council to cover the costs of the units themselves.
The remainder of the project costs will be funded by the county council’s operating partner, Serco Leisure. In return for the county council’s investment, there will be a reduction in the annual revenue fee paid to Serco to manage the country park.
It is anticipated the S-Pod Glamping Modules will encourage more people to stay longer at Holme Pierrepont and use it as a base to explore further afield in Robin Hood Country – ultimately supporting the recently refreshed Nottinghamshire Visitor Economy Strategy.
Councillor John Cottee, the county council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, said: “Holme Pierrepont Country Park is a real jewel in the crown and draws thousands of visitors each year, as well as spectators and competitors who attend the many events which take place at the National Water Sport Centre.
“By making this significant investment, we are once again reaffirming our commitment to supporting this much-loved attraction and delivering on our pledge to make our wonderful county an even better place for people to visit.
“High quality accommodation like this will help visitors to enjoy even longer stays in the county and allows them to explore what Nottinghamshire has to offer as a tourist destination.
“I cannot wait to see the pods in use and hearing about visitors enjoying their overnight stays in this beautiful part of the world.”
Accommodation at the country park, near Radcliffe-on-Trent, currently comprises of a campsite, a selection of hotel-style rooms in the Lakeside Building and a self-contained suite which sleeps up to 11 people at the Elms Cottage.
The campsite, which offers tent and caravan pitches alongside several ‘camping arch’ cabins with shared toilet and shower facilities, has benefitted from the growing ‘staycation’ market following the Covid-19 pandemic and it is hoped the introduction of the pods will build on its popularity.
Councillor Keith Girling, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Asset Management, said: “This significant investment solidifies the county council’s vision to attract more visitors to our county, especially at a time when the sector continues to recover from the devasting impact wreaked by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“More visitors coming to Nottinghamshire helps to attract more investment, stimulates growth, and provides more employment opportunities for local people.
“We’re committed to boosting our visitor economy, breathing new life into it and moving on from the challenges it faced during the bleak days of the pandemic.
“Therefore, investment schemes like this at Holme Pierrepont are vital in helping us to meet our pledge as part of our 10-year Nottinghamshire plan to strengthen businesses, create better-quality jobs and make our county somewhere people love to live, work and visit.”
Jack Garner, contract manager at Serco, added: “When launched, our new accommodation S-Pods will provide campers with a luxury holidaying experience. As well as self-contained toilet and shower facilities, the pods also boast their own hot tubs.
“We’re introducing these pods as there is a demand from our customers for a higher end camping option. They’re going to be perfect for long weekends, mini breaks and family holidays.
“When we launch the pods in spring 2024, we’re expecting demand to be high from people looking for an outdoor holiday but with indoor luxuries. We’re delighted to be supporting Nottinghamshire County Council with their ambitions to attract more visitors to this beautiful part of Nottinghamshire.”
