Major framework win for Aggregate Industries
Aggregate Industries has been selected as part of a multi-million framework to construct, repair and maintain Edinburgh’s roads.
The construction materials supplier, which has its headquarters at Coalville in Leicestershire, was successful in tendering on the City of Edinburgh Council’s Roads and Transport Infrastructure Construction Framework 2022-26.
The framework, which is valued at £101.76 million, is to provide major carriageway and footway maintenance and renewal to the city.
Aggregate Industries was successful on two lots for schemes where the estimated value of works which will be delivered across both lots is £6.6m per annum or £26.4m.
The services within this contract will include planing, road surfacing, minor civils, street lighting, pedestrian crossings, road markings and traffic management.
Aggregate Industries is one of a number of contractors to be appointed to the framework.
John Mackenzie, Scotland regional director for Aggregate Industries, said: “We’re really excited to be appointed to this framework covering Edinburgh’s roads and pavements.
“It demonstrates Aggregate Industries is a key player in this market both in terms of quality and customer service.
“We have a strong established capability in Scotland and a history of delivering on major projects across the country.”
Bolsover councillors vote against Combined County Authority proposals
At a recent Bolsover District Council meeting, councillors overwhelmingly agreed to write to the local MP and the ‘Levelling Up’ Minister voicing their opposition to the proposed East Midlands Combined County Authority.
The proposal would see an election take place for an Elected Mayor in May 2024 and they would represent more than two million people across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, with the new authority having strategic powers in areas such as transport and economic policy. Something which the Council has voted against four times now.
Councillor Duncan McGregor raised the issue and asked for the Council Leader to express the Council’s views on the proposal, which is of huge local significance.
Council Leader, Councillor Steve Fritchley said: “This is the fourth time we have debated this issue and every time we have voted against it. There is a lot of objection to the proposal, not only here in Bolsover District, but across Derbyshire as well, as it will have a real, significant effect on democracy in Great Britain.
“I have been asked to write to our local MP and urge him to vote against the Bill that is going through Parliament – which is what I will now do as councillors have voted and agreed to it.”
Councillor McGregor moved the proposal and Councillor Ray Heffer seconded it.
Nottingham secures £10m of Government prosperity funding
Nottingham City Council has secured over £10m from the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund which aims to support local residents, businesses, and communities.
The £10,454,325 allocation announced for Nottingham by the Government will be used to fund activity that builds pride in place, supports high quality skills training, supports pay, employment and productivity growth and increases life chances in Nottingham.
This funding is available until 2024/25 with an element being used this financial year, delivering local benefits straight away.
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UK SPF) is the successor programme to the previous European Structural Investment Fund driving economic prosperity across regions. In Nottingham it will be used to deliver support across four investment priorities:
- Communities and Place
- Supporting Local Business
- People & Skills
- Multiply Adult Numeracy.
Burton Company Undertakes national environmental awareness survey as enquiries for its solar panels soar
A survey released today by Burton-based solar panel retailer and installer, Project Solar UK, shows the real impact of the COP 27 summit on Brits behaviour.
Following the coming together of nations to progress climate change initiatives, Brits were asked for their opinions and understanding of what happened at the recent get together in Sharm El-Sheikh
While 62% of those surveyed correctly said that it was a climate conference, 4% thought COP 27 was a TikTok channel, 5% thought it was a car model, 4% thought it was a famous landmark, 5% said it was a TV model and most worryingly, 20% admitted to not knowing what it was.
In the aftermath of the highly publicised environmental event, the survey revealed some encouraging statistics:
68% stated that their household now takes steps to reduce waste
56% stated that their household now takes steps to reduce emissions
69% stated that their household now takes steps to reduce electricity usage
Trying to reduce how much expensive electricity we power through each day is clearly high on the agenda for two thirds of Brits. Project Solar UK, the country’s leading installer of solar panels, which convert the natural resource of the sun into energy, has seen enquiries rise by over 180% in the past 6 months from those who are keen to find alternative ways to heat and light homes and run domestic appliances. The company, with a base in Lancaster Business Park in Burton on Trent, is the leading retailer and installer of solar panels, and is managing installations across the country.
Simon Peat, CEO of Project Solar UK, says, “Our survey shows that COP27 has piqued the interest of many people who are looking at real alternatives to burning fossil fuels for their energy. People are taking practical steps to reduce their energy usage, emissions and waste and COP 27 has had a massive part to play in keeping these issues at the forefront of peoples thinking. Installing solar power in the home is a way we can each address climate issues in a practical sense and we are here to offer free information and advice to anyone considering making the change.”
Harborough district to benefit from Government funding
Harborough District is set to benefit from over two million pounds (£2,172,095) after the Government formally approved Harborough District Council’s investment plan for its allocation of funding.
The money from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), which is part of the UK Government’s Levelling Up agenda, will be spent over the next two and a half years on activities to improve communities and places, support local business, and invest in people and skills.
A large portion of the funding – one million pounds – will be put towards the delivery of the Lutterworth and Market Harborough town centre masterplans, which will include improvements to cycling and walking infrastructure, as well as minor improvements to the centres of the four larger villages: Broughton Astley, Kibworth, Fleckney and Great Glen.
Nearly half a million pounds (£468,000) will be used to support the local business sector, including town centre retail businesses and tourism, as well as funding business advice, including grants for small businesses.
The final section of funding – just over £140,000 – will help to support people to access employment and develop their skills through training courses.
Cllr Phil King, leader of Harborough District Council, said: “This Government funding is tremendous news for the district’s market towns and surrounding areas. Not only will it help us to help deliver the town centre masterplans in Lutterworth and Market Harborough; it will also enable us to further support local businesses and the development of employment skills in the wider area with additional initiatives and activities.”
Neil O’Brien, MP for Harborough, Oadby and Wigston, said: “I am delighted that UKSPF funding from Government has been approved which will make a real difference to communities in my constituency.
“I am particularly looking forward to seeing the ambitious masterplan for Market Harborough rolled out over the next few years which will help to regenerate the town centre by planting new trees, creating welcoming entry routes, and improving facilities for pedestrians and cyclists.
“It is also welcome news that Fleckney, Great Glen and Kibworth will see improvements to their village centres. The funding will also help to encourage local enterprise and boost employment skills. I’d like to thank Harborough District Council for putting together these exciting plans, which can now begin to be delivered.”
The main aim of the UKSPF is to build pride in place and increase life chances across the UK.
North Notts BID welcomed to new office space in Worksop
Bassetlaw District Council has welcomed North Notts BID to its new office space at Middletons Yard in Worksop.
The North Notts BID team is the first of many businesses that will be based at Middletons Yard, a brand new managed office space that has sympathetically regenerated three historic buildings with a blend of old and new architecture.
Following an initial five-year term based at West Retford Hall in Retford, the North Notts BID team has relocated to the offices 22 and 23 at Middletons Yard. And, following a successful YES vote to secure a second term at ballot in June, the BID has made the decision to move to a different area of the district.
Sally Gillborn, Chief Executive of North Notts BID, said: “We have had a brilliant five years in our former offices in Retford but felt it was time to relocate to a different town within the district.
“Having reviewed various options, the new Middletons Yard offices will work perfectly for us. As a business-managed venture, we have found the right sized office for our small team. It is town centre based, fully serviced and enables us to reduce our operating costs, allowing us to commit to more spending that delivers the initiatives that matter to businesses.”
Cllr Jo White, cabinet member for regeneration at Bassetlaw District Council, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Sally and the rest of the North Notts BID team to Middletons Yard and hope they will be very happy in their new home.
“The Council and the BID share the same objectives, to support business growth and success in our district that will improve the local economy, and to create exciting events and initiatives that bring more people into our town centres and surrounding areas. I believe this is the perfect new location for North Notts BID and I look forward to welcoming even more occupants to Middletons Yard in the near future.”
Middletons Yard is operated and managed by Bassetlaw District Council and offers 30 modern office spaces for start-ups, small businesses and growing companies with wrap-around business support. It also provides virtual tenancies, in addition to conferencing facilities and meeting rooms that come equipped with digital conferencing for hybrid meetings, plus an onsite cafe.
Sally added: “The move out of Retford will have no impact on the services that we deliver here or district-wide but will enable us the opportunity to support the economy in Worksop while still keeping us connected to businesses across the whole district.
“We’ll be continuing to support our BID businesses across Bassetlaw through our projects and services while organising our flagship community events from this different location.”
ITP Aero UK donates over 350 toys and gifts for children across Nottinghamshire this Christmas
The team at ITP Aero in Hucknall has donated more than 350 gifts for children of all ages to this year’s Great Nottinghamshire Toy Appeal.
Dozens of toys were donated by employees, and a collection across the business raised over £1,200 to buy even more gifts for children across the county, who might not otherwise receive a gift this Christmas.
Celebrating its 50th year, the Great Nottinghamshire Toy Appeal takes donations of thousands of toys every year for children across the city and county, from babies to teenagers. Run completely by volunteers, the appeal will this year have helped more than 3,500 children. They work with a number of local agencies, refuges and housing organisations, to ensure that Santa can definitely find the vulnerable children in their care.
This is the second year that ITP Aero UK has taken part in the appeal, but the team in Hucknall have been involved for the past few years, and it has become a cause very close to their hearts.
Ian Williamson, Managing Director for ITP Aero UK, said: “I am so proud of our teams for collecting and delivering such a huge amount of toys and gifts for vulnerable children and young people.
“In this economic climate, it’s outstanding that we have raised more than double the amount we raised last year. It’s a testament to the charitable nature of everyone that works in Hucknall, and the real teamwork that goes into organising our collections and the volunteering support.
“I hope we have managed to raise a few smiles on Christmas morning for those children that might not have otherwise had a present under the tree. Merry Christmas from all at ITP Aero UK.”
The Toy Appeal has been run by a number of different groups over the years, but has continued to support the children of Nottingham and Nottinghamshire across five decades.
Nick Clark, who heads up the Great Nottinghamshire Toy Appeal, said: “This appeal was started by the wonderful Joyce Whitt in 1972, who identified a need in the local area, and started to work with her church and community to donate gifts and ensure that every child had something to open on Christmas morning.
“The agencies we are working with have said that the number of families they are supporting this year is on a scale they haven’t seen in many years.
“ITP Aero’s involvement with the appeal has been vital for us here at Great Notts to both maintain and expand the work we are doing in the local area. We welcome and acknowledge their huge and generous commitment to the improvement of the lives of those in our community.”
Joyce Whitt, who is now in her eighties, still works with the Toy Appeal every year. She added: “I can’t begin to imagine how many children we have been able to support over the 50 years that we have been running this appeal. For me, it wouldn’t be Christmas without it; it keeps me going!”
Challenging market conditions and uncertain economic outlook see Hedin Group abandon £400m Pendragon deal
Hedin Group has abandoned its £400m takeover bid for Pendragon, the Nottingham car retailer.
The largest shareholder of Pendragon revealed proposals for a possible cash offer back in September, at 29 pence per share in cash, which was followed by multiple deadline extensions to make a firm offer for the business.
Now, however, it has been confirmed that Hedin does not intend to make an offer for Pendragon due to challenging market conditions and the uncertain economic outlook.
In response to the news, Pendragon has said: “The Board remains confident about the long-term prospects of Pendragon. This process has highlighted the value of Pendragon and the Board will continue to explore opportunities to maximise value for its shareholders.
“The economic backdrop remains challenging, however the Board continues to expect to deliver group underlying profit before tax in line with expectations for the current financial year.”
The Hedin Group, which has over 200 car dealerships, is a family-owned company with operations mainly in the sale and service of vehicles, wholesale of spare parts and tires for vehicles and rental car operations.
Further 400 homes approved at Boots campus
Plans for nearly 400 homes on the Boots campus in Beeston, as part of the wider site redevelopment, have been approved by Broxtowe Borough Council.
397 homes are to be built on the development site, which forms part of the Boots Enterprise Zone, now that the reserved matters application has been given the green light, following granting of outline planning permission.
The dwellings would consist of 71 two bedroom, 246 three bedroom and 74 four bedroom two and three storey dwellings, 1 one bed apartment and 5 two bed apartments.
All of the homes would either be Affordable Rent, Shared Ownership or Private Rented Sector properties.
The submission relates to a 17.6 hectare site which crosses the boundary between Nottingham City and Broxtowe Borough, and comes after the go-ahead was given to a parallel reserved matters application submitted to Nottingham City Council for 207 homes, equating to 604 dwellings over the whole site.
The homes are to be delivered by way of modular, off-site construction, by Ilke Homes.
Frasers Group to invest £600m in new distribution centre and offices
Frasers Group is looking to invest £600m in a new distribution centre and offices in Coventry over the next ten years, the retailer has revealed.
Subject to planning, the proposals are said to be in support of Frasers’ continued growth and ambition.
The Shirebrook-based company, which owns household names such as Sports Direct, House of Fraser, and Game, has recently purchased the site for this development, which follows its acquisition of Coventry Building Society Arena.
It comes after Frasers earlier this year announced major investment plans for a Global Headquarters Campus at Ansty in Rugby, Warwickshire, raising questions over the future of the firm’s current Shirebrook base.
Yesterday the businesses reported a “robust set of first half results,” with group revenue of £2.6bn, up from £2.3bn in same period last year, while reported profit before tax hit £284.6m, up 53% from £186m.
