New tools to map the location of non-compliant businesses have been created following a report which found that hand car washes, nail bars, and other informal economy sectors are more likely to be found within specific types of neighbourhoods. The Work, Informalisation and Place Research Centre (WIP) at Nottingham Trent University (NTU), has developed a database, maps, Informal Economy Index and Covid Economic Impact Index to predict and identify the location of business in the UK which breach regulations such as labour, environmental, health and safety, and insurance. Created as part of research funded by the Modern Slavery Policy and Evidence Centre, it is hoped that the indices can provide a powerful and valuable tool to support place-based approaches for both national and local education, engagement, and enforcement. Using the Ordnance Survey’s Points of Interest database and Google Street View, the team has already mapped the location of 38% of hand car washes in the UK, including core cities, and is completing the same exercise for nail bars in the East Midlands, Greater Manchester, and Birmingham. The mapping has identified neighbourhoods where non-compliant employment sites are more likely to be located. This had led to the development of neighbourhood-level maps which predict the location of these business based on risk and protective factors in the area. Using official data sources and fieldwork, the team has also constructed a database covering all neighbourhoods across England that include socio-demographic, economic and built environment factors which could indicate the location of hand car washes and nail bars. For example, in relation to hand car washes they identified risk factors linked to the presence of other forms of economic activity, including vehicle repairs, second-hand car sales and petrol stations alongside A or B roads passing through neighbourhoods. Neighbourhoods less likely to feature hand car washes included those with greater educational qualifications among the population, more affluent residential areas containing detached and semi-detached properties, and greater student households. The mapping also revealed that nail bars are more likely to be found in neighbourhoods with higher numbers of hair and beauty salons, charity shops, restaurants, shoe stores, chemists or pharmacies, petrol stations, and more cohabiting households with children. In contrast, the presence of terraced and social housing, higher median house prices and households with three or more cars is more likely to reduce the presence of nail bars. Expanding on the car wash and nail bar mapping, the new Informal Economy Index (IEI) predicts the presence of employment within all sectors of the informal economy across neighbourhoods in England. The IEI concentrates on the over-representation of population groups identified as typical participants in a range of informal economy sectors within specific neighbourhoods, leading to the identification of neighbourhoods across the country which have higher or lower predicted rates of non-compliant informal engagement. It uses 14 indicators taken from official sources, for example average net income after housing costs, households living in temporary accommodation, children living in deprivation and resettled asylum seekers. An example from the Greater Manchester area predicts higher levels of informal economy employment in the former industrial, manufacturing and textile areas but much lower levels within the more affluent neighbourhoods. A Covid Economic Impact Index (CEII) has also been created to monitor the likely impact of the pandemic on the non-compliant economy and location of modern slavery practices.  The CEII uses existing evidence on the economic sectors that have experienced the biggest economic impact from the pandemic, such as tourism, hospitality, automotive, and beauty. Findings showed that the impact of the pandemic was mixed in relation to non-compliant businesses and sites of modern slavery. Many non-compliant businesses were found to be located within neighbourhoods which are unlikely to benefit from local and national Covid-19 recovery initiatives, leading to concerns that measures still need to be taken to prevent further non-compliance and modern slavery from becoming more embedded in these neighbourhoods. This is needed to prevent workplaces from continuing to operate beyond re-generation measures where the drivers of non-compliance and modern slavery may continue within any new disaster or emergency incidents. Dr James Hunter, research lead and principal lecturer in Public Policy at NTU’s School of Social Sciences, said: “There is a need for local authorities and regulators to take a neighbourhood approach to tackling illicit activity relating to the informal economy. Improved mapping means that resources and effort can be focused on identified high risk areas. “These indices move away from a purely intelligence-based approach to one focused on geographic concentration and multi-agency activity. This is important as the presence of non-compliant workplaces, including those that exhibit modern slavery, may go unnoticed as they are often hidden or assumed to be legitimate legal enterprises. “Based on this work we have already delivered a data product to all UK Police Forces through the National Crime Agency which supported targeted engagement with over 600 hand car washes to challenge potential illicit activity. This highlights the value of a targeted approach which challenges business owners to comply with a set of clear legal standards that protect workers, consumers and the local environment. “We hope that these indices can now be used for additional training on spotting signs of market non-compliance across all enforcement agencies.”

Alongside its work with the National Crime Agency, WIP – which includes researchers from NTU’s School of Social Sciences and Nottingham Business School – has also worked with the Gangmaster and Labour Abuse Authority, Office of the Director of Labour Exploitation, and the Responsible Car Wash Scheme to inform their work to improve standards and challenge illegal activity.

Following the recent announcement by Nottingham Castle Trust (‘the Trust’) that it was taking steps to place the Trust into liquidation, Tim Bateson and Chris Pole from Interpath Advisory were formally appointed as joint liquidators to the Trust on 29 November 2022. The Trust is an independent not-for-profit charitable trust which managed and operated Nottingham Castle on behalf of Nottingham City Council. The popular tourist attraction in the heart of Nottingham city centre comprised historic caves, museum and exhibition galleries, welcoming over 100,000 visitors through its doors in the period since Summer 2021. The Castle had recently undergone a programme of significant renovation and refurbishment works, and while visitor numbers were rebounding steadily following reopening in the summer of 2021, volumes were still below forecasts, which placed pressure on cashflow. While the Trust was in active discussions with stakeholders to secure additional funding, these discussions were ultimately unsuccessful. After considering their options, the Trustees took the decision to seek the appointment of the joint liquidators. The Castle closed its gates to the public on 20 November 2022. In addition, on 28 November 2022, Tim Bateson and Chris Pole were appointed joint liquidators to Nottingham Castle Services Limited, the 100% subsidiary of the Trust which undertook all non-charitable activities including retail and catering operations. As a separate legal entity which solely operated in the grounds of the Castle, the Directors of Nottingham Castle Services Limited concluded that following the closure of the Castle to visitors, there was no viable alternative to liquidation and made an equally difficult decision to take the necessary steps to appoint joint liquidators. The majority of the employees of the Trust were made redundant in advance of the appointment of the liquidators, and all remaining staff have been made redundant with effect from today. Tim Bateson, director at Interpath Advisory and joint liquidator, said: “Dating back to the time of William the Conqueror, Nottingham Castle has been at the heart of the city for centuries, bearing witness to civil wars, royal coups, fires and floods. As a modern-day museum, it has helped to preserve the cultural heritage of Nottingham, hosting tours, exhibitions and supporting local schools and community projects. “Immediately following our appointment over the Trust, we disclaimed the various leases and operating agreements back to Nottingham City Council. Whilst the Castle is now back under the control of the Council, we will be working proactively with them over the coming weeks to ensure that there is a smooth handover to give them the best possible chance of being able to reopen the Castle at the appropriate time. “We will also be providing support and assistance to the employees to enable them to claim any outstanding statutory entitlements which they are due, as well as working to realise the remaining assets.” No refunds are able to be made in relation to advance tickets, annual passes or booked events, but individuals in this position should notify the liquidators of any amounts that they are owed by writing to nottinghamcastletrust@interpathadvisory.com.

Chesterfield College and the University of Derby have been appointed as the training provider for the new Construction Skills Hub in Mastin Moor, which is set to provide specialist training for thousands of learners as part of the Staveley Town Deal. The innovative Construction Skills Hub will provide a practical platform for construction training, careers activity and work experience on a live construction site in Mastin Moor. Over ten years, the hub aims to provide training, careers insights, and work experience for over 5,000 learners. Councillor Amanda Serjeant, Deputy Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “It’s fantastic to be able to announce that the college and university will be working together to support this project. As well as providing support for trade skills, this partnership provides the opportunity to progress to a university level and develop the skills needed for roles like quantity surveyor or estimator, ensuring that everyone in Staveley can start, stay, and grow in the town. “I look forward to working with them and our partners the Devonshire Group to progress the development of the Hub and start welcoming learners in Autumn 2023.” A site has already been identified for the Construction Skills Hub in collaboration with the Devonshire Group, which will be bringing forward a new housing development in Mastin Moor. This will allow trainees to develop their skills on a live housing site, and in time there will also be opportunities to gain experience on other Staveley Town Deal construction projects. Andrew Byrne, Property Development Director for Devonshire Group, said: “When I first saw the concept of a Construction Skills Hub and was asked if we could help deliver one for Chesterfield, my resounding response was yes, and I know just where. “Devonshire Group are deeply committed to offering opportunities for learning and skills development, and to making a real difference to the lives and employment prospects of those in our communities, so we are delighted to be able to assist the Council in providing a home for the Skills Hub. Supporting the next generation of people who will help create our built environment is something to be truly proud of.” Initially the Skills Hub will provide training in site and bench joinery, brickwork, ground works and electrical installation but in time the offer will expand to include training in retrofit and green technologies. It will be open to school leavers and other residents seeking to train or retrain. Gavin Varley, Director of Advanced Engineering, Building Technologies and Construction at The Chesterfield College Group, explains: “We make a commitment to our students to not only provide them with the skills and qualifications they need, they are just the start, but with the work experience and industry knowledge that gives them the clarity of how and where to progress their career for years to come. We’re delighted to be a partner of this project as it comprehensively addresses this wider student experience, we commit to providing for all.” Professor Chris Bussell, Pro Vice-Chancellor Dean of the College of Science and Engineering at the University of Derby, said: “We are delighted to have been appointed the training provider, alongside Chesterfield College, for the new Construction Skills Hub, which will provide real-world learning opportunities to thousands of people looking to embark on a career in the construction industry or develop their skills so they can progress onto new roles. “The Hub will enhance the existing construction training offer by providing the opportunity for local learners to develop their skills in a live on-site centre. Our ambition is for this to be ground-breaking, delivering a model that builds on the innovative approach of other such centres, and we are looking forward to developing our relationship with Chesterfield College as well as working with prominent private sector companies on this exciting project. “As a Civic University, we are committed to supporting the city and county’s long-term economic growth and prosperity, improving the life chances of people, developing a pipeline of talent that choose to live and work in the area, and addressing the skills gap through our involvement in initiatives such as the Construction Skills Hub.” Working on a live construction site will not only allow learners to develop the skills they need, but it will also provide practical experience and help provide a link to construction companies where they could find permanent roles. Staveley is set to benefit from £25.2 million of investment through the Town Deal with the aim to create a town where everyone can start, stay and grow. This investment will support eleven different projects across the town and provide a once in a lifetime opportunity to help shape the future by improving transport links, creating new housing, providing skills for local people, enhancing community facilities, and regenerating the town centre.