Morley Hayes backs air ambulance charity
Hotel, restaurant and golf complex Morley Hayes has raised cash for a local air ambulance charity from a series of fundraising events.
The complex, in Main Road, Morley, adopted the Derbyshire, Leicestershire, and Rutland Air Ambulance Service as its official charity for 2021.
The pandemic meant it was unable to host as many fundraising events as normal.
However, over the past 12 months, Morley Hayes has since raised £1,500 for the charity from three separate fundraisers.
Andrew Allsop, managing director of Morley Hayes, said: “Because of the pandemic, fundraising over the last 12 months has been a challenge, but we’re pleased some of our events were able to go ahead and we have been able to raise £1,500 for this vital local charity.
“The Air Ambulance Service provides life-saving support to people in need of urgent medical care and it’s important they continue to receive donations like this, so they can continue the vital work they do.”
Midlands businesses hit with late payments high
Latest monthly research from the local branch of national insolvency and restructuring trade body R3 reveals that the Midlands is the UK region with the highest number of companies with late payments outside Greater London.
R3’s figures for September, which are based on an analysis of data from business intelligence provider Creditsafe, show that 78,601 Midlands companies had invoices on their books last month which were overdue for payment.
The R3 research also indicates that local entrepreneurs are becoming more cautious, with the number of East Midlands start-up companies falling to 2030 in September from 2279 in August. In the West Midlands, the number of start-ups in September decreased to 5032 from August’s figure of 5726.
R3 Midlands Chair Eddie Williams, a partner at PwC in the East Midlands, said: “This research indicates the negative impact of the current economic climate on local businesses.
“Trading conditions are proving to be extremely challenging, not least because we are heading into the winter with rising supply and energy costs on top of a market which is still recovering from the effects of the pandemic.
“For those business owners with significant concerns about their situation, the sooner professional advice is sought, the more opportunities may be available for finding the best possible outcome. Many R3 members offer a free initial consultation to those who are looking for such help and want to explore their options.”
University to reopen winter shelter for Nottingham’s homeless community
The University of Nottingham will offer support to Nottingham’s homeless community again this winter by reopening its shelter on University Park.
Partnering with Nottingham-based homelessness charity Emmanuel House Support Centre, the charity will offer short-term emergency accommodation for up to 27 people per night, from Monday 17th October until April 2023.
24-hour support will also be provided in an unused university building, ensuring there are fewer people sleeping on the streets of Nottingham.
Denis Tully, CEO at Emmanuel House, said: “As we enter our second season working with the university, we are delighted to be benefitting from their generous offer of accommodation at a cost-neutral rate.
Denis Tully, CEO at Emmanuel House said:”The Winter Shelter will provide what we anticipate as much-needed respite accommodation for people who would otherwise rough sleep during the coldest and wettest months of the year.
“Staff along with volunteers have been working hard to get everything in place in the venue on the University of Nottingham campus. The Winter Shelter is not an end in itself, but a means of supporting people into more permanent accommodation solutions.”
Ashley Roberts, Head of Campus Services at the University of Nottingham, is leading the project. He said: “It’s fantastic to be able to work with Emmanuel House again this year and put an otherwise empty property to good use.
“Last winter it was great to see the university community coming together to support the charity, with lots of donations and volunteers offering their time to help in the shelter. I’m sure our staff and students will get behind Emmanuel House once again this winter and make it a successful partnership.”
The university is able to offer accommodation to Emmanuel House at a cost-neutral rate and will be working with the charity to support people in searching for jobs, finding permanent accommodation and accessing other services.
University of Nottingham Students’ Union Community Officer Daisy Forster said: “It’s amazing to see the university helping the community in such an active way, especially when it is such an important time to give back.
Daisy Forster University of Nottingham Students union said: “Students are a remarkable asset to the city, and I really hope to get many of them involved with volunteering at the shelter.”
Last year’s Winter Shelter, which was open between November 2021 and March 2022, provided 2067 nights’ protection for 72 people. 37 of these people were supported into longer-term secure accommodation, equaling an average of 3.5 people a week.
East Mids law firm sponsors next gen of sporting super stars
Law firm Nelsons has sponsored the shirts for a successful childrens’ multi-sports club based in Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire, where children are encouraged to join in, try something new, and potentially become the region’s next sporting super star.
Run by Sam Clements, Clements Multisports is an after school and holiday club provision for children of all ages. It includes popular sports such as football, tennis, and gymnastics as well as activities they may not have the chance to play otherwise, such as volleyball, dodgeball, and archery, potentially sparking an interest that they will carry with them for life.
Sam Clements said: “I’d like to say a massive thank you to Nelsons for sponsoring the shirts. It means the children can enjoy their activities in a great uniform that represents them as a team which not only means a lot to them, but to me also.
“In the year since I started running the club, I’ve seen the kids try new things, grow in confidence, and most importantly have fun. The goal is to give more youngsters an outlet to potentially find a new passion, and it helps them get outside too.”
Sam gained experience in running a multisport club by working for a similar organisation before starting his own business. He now has clubs at eight different schools as well as holding regular holiday camps, exercise classes at local care homes, and foundation classes at nurseries. He is also accredited by The Princes’ Trust.
Alice Rees, partner in the corporate team at Nelsons, said: “The club was looking for a local sponsor to help fund the shirts, which help foster a sense of pride and teamwork among the children who take part.
Supporting our local communities is an important part of Nelsons’ culture and clubs such as Sam’s do so much for the next generation. It is great to be able to support them and the kids look brilliant in the tops.”
University link-up will give skills and jobs boost to students
A new partnership between Redrow and Nottingham Trent University will put students in the front row for industry placements and future employment.
It will also create opportunities for special lectures, site visits and financial support.
In a three-year deal with the university’s School of Architecture, Design and Built Environment, we have committed to a range of opportunities including:
· Special bursaries to support disadvantaged students taking on unpaid work experience and to help with cost of the job interview process.
· Site visits and access to materials and resources
· Provision of guest lecturers and inspirational speakers on subjects including construction, master planning and health & safety.
· The chance for students to gain first-hand exposure and valuable experience on live projects.
· In-curriculum projects within the university’s BSc (Hons) construction management degree, including access to our materials and real-world challenges.
· Two graduate internships with the homebuilder guaranteed per annum.
· Priority access to our graduate vacancies and industrial sandwich placement opportunities for third year students.
· Various Redrow-sponsored awards to be presented during the annual award ceremonies
Announcing the partnership, our director of human resources Karen Jones said:“Both Redrow and Nottingham Trent university share a culture of excellence coupled with a strong commitment to supporting social mobility, so finalising this agreement has been a real pleasure.
“Our group chief executive Matthew Pratt studied at Nottingham Trent University, so the partnership also cements a long-standing relationship. It will bring very real and long-lasting benefits to students, enriching their education and providing excellent opportunities for social and economic progression within their early careers.”
We have been creating high quality homes and thriving communities across England and Wales for almost 50 years and we are particularly proud of our reputation for inspiring the next generation to build. Around 15% of our current workforce are trainees, including those on various graduate training programmes, undergraduate placements, apprenticeships and other vocational training courses.
Adding Nottingham Trent University to our list of illustrious academic partners is a natural progression for us. With 3,000 students within the School of Architecture, Design and Built Environment, the Nottingham-based university has a worldwide reputation for excellence and is a provider of industry-accredited learning. Research shows that 90% of NTU architecture, building and planning graduates who enter employment are in a high-skilled role within 15 months of completing their studies.
Indeed, quite a few of those former students are already employed by us, including George Brown, a technical coordinator in London. George completed a degree in construction management at NTU, including a sandwich year spent in our technical department. He joined us after graduating in July 2021 and is still with us three years on.
“I’ve been very lucky to experience both of these organisations. Nottingham Trent is a great university, it offers practical courses which suited my skills, we were supported from start to finish and we had the opportunity to get vast amounts of industry experience alongside our studies.
“The placement year with Redrow London gave me valuable real-world experience, which assisted me in completing my degree and a wealth of contacts, which ended up helping me complete my dissertation. Now in my full-time Redrow role I work on a wide range of different projects, have seen all aspects of construction and am still learning new things every day.
“I’m really excited to hear about the new partnership. It will give NTU students a head-start in a very tough and competitive environment.”
Another Nottingham Trent construction management graduate is Obi Ebizie, now an assistant site manager within our Lancashire division after successfully completing our graduate training programme in 2021.
Obi welcomed the news, saying: “This partnership will be great for both sides. The support from Redrow for all of its employees, graduates and placements is unmatched, so students will be exposed to a wide range of skills, knowledge, experience and support. At the same time, the university’s reputation for quality teaching and a technical bias means that Redrow will get first pick of some exceptional talent.”
Andrew Knight, Executive Dean of Architecture and the Built Environment at Nottingham Trent University, said: “Working with industry is critical to the health of our courses and the graduate opportunities available. I’m delighted that Redrow will be partnering with us to create a talent pipeline for its forward-thinking organisation.”
Nottingham Trent University was the first higher education establishment to sign the social mobility pledge and has recently been awarded winner of ‘Outstanding Support for Students’ at the Times Higher Education Awards.
The new partnership between us and Nottingham Trent University will commence at the start of the 2022/23 academic year.
Exhibition lifts lid of multi-million-pound Market Hall revamp
A public exhibition giving an insight into the multi-million-pound restoration of Derby’s historic Market Hall is now open.
The Grade II-listed building is currently being turned into an attractive retail and leisure destination, which will host a wide range of community and commercial activities once it reopens in 2024.
In August, Derby City Council announced that the first phase of work to transform the Victorian building, which first opened in 1866, was complete.
Work has now since started on the second phase, which focuses on refurbishing the interior and developing the exterior public space at Osnabruck Square – a key entrance to the building.
People can now see what has been done so far when they visit Derby City Lab, in St James Street, which is hosting an exhibition by Lathams and Wates Construction offering a sneak peak of the project.
John Forkin, managing director of Marketing Derby, said: “The Market Hall is a beautiful 19th century building, lovingly restored, and we really welcome visitors to the City Lab to get a sneak preview of the work being done.
“When it reopens, it should be one of the city’s main attractions and content will need to reflect the needs of the 21st century customer.”
Lathams, which is leading on the design of the new-look building, and building contractor Wates, which has vast experience of heritage restoration projects, are both working with the city council to deliver the scheme.
Up until Friday 4 November, representatives from both companies will be at the City Lab to give visitors an insight into the work being carried out and discuss all aspects of the project.
In a statement, Lathams said: “This is a rare opportunity to learn about the recent programme of conservation repairs to safeguard the building, and the work being done to transform it into an attractive and flexible market hall and events space.
“Everyone is welcome to come and find out what’s happening, and to see the drawings, visuals and videos on display.”
The City Lab is open Tuesdays and Fridays 10am to 2pm, Wednesdays 12noon to 4pm and Thursdays 2pm to 6pm.
Lathams and Wates are also inviting Bondholders to a special drinks reception, which will take place at the City Lab on Thursday 3 November, from 5pm, where they will be able to learn more about the project.
To confirm attendance please e-mail a.cullen@lathams.uk.com.
Lincolnshire power station chosen for UK first by adding hydrogen to gas supply
Centrica Business Solutions is to start injecting hydrogen into its gas peaking plant in North Lincolnshire as part of a UK first trial with HiiROC aimed at better understanding the role of hydrogen in power production.
The 12-month trial will be part funded by a grant from the Net Zero Technology Centre, which has given 20 projects a total of £8m through its Open Innovation Programme. Each is aimed at developing technology which could reduce emissions offshore, accelerate clean energy production and enable the delivery of the UK’s net zero ambitions.
The 49MW gas fired plant at Brigg is designed to meet demand during peak times or when generation from renewables is low, typically operating for less than three hours a day.
It’s anticipated that during the trial, getting under way later next year, no more than three per cent of the gas mix could be hydrogen, increasing to 20% incrementally after the project. Longer term, the vision is to move towards 100% hydrogen and to deploy similar technology across all gas-fired peaking plant.
HiiROC’s proprietary technology converts biomethane, flare gas or natural gas into clean hydrogen and carbon black, through an innovative Thermal Plasma Electrolysis process. This results in a low carbon, or potentially negative carbon, ‘emerald hydrogen’.
Because the byproduct comes in the form of a valuable, solid, pure carbon it can be easily captured and used in applications ranging from tyres, rubbers and toners, and in new use cases like building materials and even as a soil enhancer.
Greg McKenna, MD of Centrica Business Solutions, said: “Gas still plays a huge role in maintaining a secure, stable supply of power in the UK, with around 40 per cent of our power coming from natural gas. So, it’s vital that we find ways to reduce the carbon intensity of gas plants like that at Brigg.”
Alexander Stafford MP, Chair of the Hydrogen All Party Parliamentary Group, said: “This is the first time hydrogen will be used within a grid connected gas fired power plant in the UK, making this trial an important step forward towards realising the role hydrogen can play in decarbonising our energy system. It is an exciting milestone that will help accelerate the transition to a hydrogen economy and its role in achieving Net Zero. The All Party Parliamentary Group on Hydrogen will be following the progress of this trial keenly.”
Tim Davies, HiiROC’s CEO, said: “This exciting project with Centrica and the NZTC at the Brigg facility will be a first step on the journey to enable the decarbonisation of gas peaking plants. With the continued and crucial rollout of renewable energy generation, intermittency of power supply is a key issue, and the programme we are developing with Centrica will explore routes to address intermittency without generating CO2 emissions.”
Manufacturers report fall in output, but remain optimistic for coming quarter
UK manufacturers reported a further fall in output in the three months to October, but expect production to pick up in the coming quarter, according to the CBI’s latest quarterly Industrial Trends Survey.
However, with costs growth remaining exceptionally strong and the share of firms citing worries about access to skilled labour reaching a 49-year high, business sentiment fell for a fourth consecutive quarter, and at the fastest rate since the early days of the covid pandemic.
CBI Lead Economist Alpesh Paleja said:“It’s a tough time for manufacturers. Price pressures remain acute, availability of materials is still a big issue – and it is 49 years since manufacturing firms were this worried about being able to find workers with the skills they need. It’s really no surprise that sentiment has deteriorated further.
“Action to address the skills challenge is critical for the sector’s future prospects. Urgent reform to add flexibility to the Apprenticeship Levy would be an important first step for the new Prime Minister, which can rebuild confidence for manufacturers and restore momentum to their investment and growth ambitions.”
Ongo raises much needed funds for charity
Ongo, the Lincolnshire based housing provider, held a Wear it Pink day recently to help raise much needed cash for Breast Cancer Now.
In 2019 Breast Cancer Now and Breast Cancer Care merged together. It is now the UK’s largest comprehensive charity supporting this condition. Their aim is that by 2050, everyone who develops the disease will live and receive the support they need to live well.
Ongo always likes to be involved with various charities from sharing information to raising money for them. Most recently 13 Ongo colleagues took part in the 10-mile Glow walk, which helped raise money for Lindsey Lodge.
Wendy Wolfe, Customer Experience Manager said “I thought it was important to do this event to give support for those people living with breast cancer.
“It’s something very close to my heart after going through this personally, along with other colleagues from Ongo and it really is life changing, not only for the individual affected but also their families/friends.
“I’d like to thank everyone whose helped with promotion, donated prizes, baked cakes or just taken part in some way.
“It’s so important to continue supporting these kinds of events and we couldn’t have done it without everyone’s involvement.
“We are fortunate to work for an organisation who are fully supportive with various charities, and we see colleagues regularly taking part in different events throughout the year to help raise funds”
To find out more about the charity, go to: https://breastcancernow.org/information-support
Local Authorities in limbo following investment zones uncertainty, says experts
Local authorities are hoping the rush to pursue investment zone status has not been a wasted effort following the changes at number 10, according to Commercial property experts, LSH.
With the future of Liz Truss’ much feted investment zones (IZs) now hanging in the balance following the Prime Minister’s resignation, local authorities have been left wondering whether a boost to their development ambitions will ever arrive.
Upon their announcement last month, IZs were met with considerable enthusiasm by local authorities. According to research from property consultancy, Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH), some 41 authorities in England have, to date, formally confirmed an expression of interest to host IZs, with many more expected to follow suit.
The expressions of interest for IZ status to date cover over 220 development sites, regeneration areas and growth corridors, alongside vital new infrastructure including ports, green energy production, innovation parks, industrial and commercial space.
To date just two authorities have rejected the notion of IZs outright, with Oxfordshire County Council and Shropshire Council deciding not to pursue opportunities further.
Dr Steve Norris, head of Planning, Regeneration + Infrastructure (PR+I) at LSH, said: “Though the notion of tax incentives to encourage development is nothing new, the decentralised, locally-led nature of IZs could help “turbo-charge” investment. This view appears to be shared by authorities, many of which have been quick to throw their hat in the ring in a bid to accelerate regeneration initiatives.
“Opportunities for local government to secure greater fiscal autonomy and prioritised access to funding are few and far between and not to be passed up lightly. But in a bid to attract new funding, authorities must be mindful of displacing investment from more complex sites, especially in town centres. The Thatcher government’s Enterprise Zones (EZs) in the 1980’s remain a stark illustration of the laws of unintended consequences, as they helped fuel the growth of regional shopping centres, displacing investment and economic activity from many UK towns and cities, and some are still struggling with the consequences 30 years on”.
Though no limit to the number, scope and duration of IZs has been announced to date, given the volume of proposals, it is likely that those that are more ready to deliver and have demonstrated the greatest economic impact, will be given priority and taken through to detailed delivery planning stage. The precise number of zones will depend on these factors, as well as their overall geographical spread and the costs of the programme, in the context of the government’s fluctuating fiscal plan.
