Northampton-based office hub Vulcan Works has lowered the cost of its coworking and desk hire packages in response to market pressures affecting small businesses and entrepreneurs.

Aimed at supporting flexibility for startups and freelancers, the dedicated desk package now costs £200 per month. It offers 24/7 access, superfast WiFi, networking opportunities, discounted meeting rooms, and tailored business support.

The Coworking Unlimited option, which includes weekday access from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., has also been reduced to £150.

Located in Northampton’s Cultural Quarter, Vulcan Works provides serviced office space and access to grant opportunities, masterclasses, and a collaborative business community—making it a strategic choice for cost-conscious SMEs seeking more than just a desk.

The UK Government has approved the £200 million Viking onshore pipeline, enabling the development of carbon capture and storage (CCS) infrastructure on the Lincolnshire coast.

The project will see a 55-kilometre underground pipeline built from Immingham to the Theddlethorpe Gas Terminal. Captured CO₂ will then be transferred offshore to the Viking gas fields in the North Sea for long-term storage.

Led by Harbour Energy and supported by BP, the Viking CCS Pipeline is part of a broader decarbonisation strategy projected to attract up to £7 billion in investment across the Humber region by 2035. The initiative is expected to support 10,000 construction jobs and deliver £4 billion in economic value by 2030.

The pipeline’s design includes operational infrastructure such as valves, inspection and venting systems, handling facilities, and temporary construction sites.

After a six-month review by the Planning Inspectorate, which involved input from stakeholders and local authorities, the project received final consent from the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero.

The Viking fields have the potential to store up to 300 million tonnes of CO₂, with infrastructure designed to handle up to 10 million tonnes annually by the end of the decade.

New research from leading business and financial adviser Grant Thornton UK finds that the vast majority of businesses in the East Midlands believe that adopting a hybrid working approach has boosted their people’s productivity and wellbeing, yet many are still keen for their people to spend more time in the office than they do currently.

The firm’s latest Business Outlook Tracker*, which surveyed mid-sized businesses across the East Midlands region, finds that 68% of companies are currently adopting a hybrid working approach. Of these, the majority believe that the approach is adding significant value to their business and their people, including:

• 78% believe that it has boosted their people’s productivity
• 81% believe that it has positively impacted their people’s wellbeing
• 81% believe that their people prefer a hybrid working approach
• 70% believe that hybrid working is beneficial for their business

Despite these benefits, the majority (78%) of these respondents are still keen that their people spend more time in the office than they are currently. This may be due to a recognition that in-person interactions can often be more beneficial for specific activities – in fact, 74% of the businesses who are currently adopting a hybrid approach say that it is impacting their ability to provide adequate support and development for younger or trainee employees. Matt Buckingham, Practice Leader for Grant Thornton UK in the Midlands said:  “Across the East Midlands, we’re seeing businesses embrace hybrid working while still valuing crucial in-person connections. This flexible approach boosts wellbeing and productivity, yet many organisations recognise that activities like mentoring younger talent thrive with face-to-face interaction. Finding the right balance is essential for businesses. “At Grant Thornton, we believe in empowering our people to make sensible decisions about where and when they work. A trust-based approach with clear guiding principles allows employees to deliver high-quality work while enjoying a better work-life balance. Implementing a supportive framework helps ensure everyone’s needs are met – from businesses and clients to employees balancing family commitments or seeking enhanced wellbeing.”

The UK’s food and drink manufacturing industry is crucial to the national economy, contributing £37bn and employing nearly 500,000 people. According to the latest Food and Drink Federation (FDF) report, the sector has seen significant growth over the past decade, expanding by 17.9%. It now makes up 24.2% of the UK’s total manufacturing turnover, with widespread impact across regions, from Scotland to Northern Ireland.

While the sector’s contribution to regional economies is clear—accounting for nearly a third of manufacturing in Scotland, and a fifth in both the East Midlands and Northern Ireland—some challenges could hinder future growth. The FDF highlights a slowdown in food and drink exports, particularly to the EU, where trade has dropped more than 30% since Brexit, rising inflation and increased costs due to new packaging regulations. These factors have led to a decline in business confidence within the sector.

Despite these challenges, the FDF sees substantial growth potential, particularly with advances in automation, robotics, and product innovation. The sector is also poised to tap into a £14bn productivity opportunity by embracing digital technology and AI. However, the FDF warns that maintaining this momentum depends on overcoming barriers, including limited investment in innovation, a shortage of skilled workers, and bureaucratic hurdles.

The FDF urges the government to take action by prioritising food and drink manufacturing in national policy. Key recommendations include increasing R&D funding for the sector, simplifying tax credit systems for innovation, and addressing trade barriers, particularly with the EU. The FDF also calls for a more strategic approach to workforce development and the streamlining of regulations, particularly for the 12,000 small and medium-sized businesses that form the industry’s backbone.

The digital marketing landscape continues to evolve rapidly – to the extent that marketing strategy advice provided even as little as five years ago may now be obsolete, or at least far less effective. Just in recent times, we have for example seen the introduction of Google’s AI Overview in search results, which has brought into play the need for Zero-Click SEO. Accordingly, it is now proving more and more essential that you understand how to connect with your audience in authentic, creative and highly strategic ways. With this in mind, here are some of the most effective marketing strategies and tips available to businesses in 2025.

1. Story-Driven Content Marketing

Consumers are overwhelmed with generic content. In 2025, the brands that are winning are those that tell compelling stories. This goes beyond blog posts or social media captions – it’s about using storytelling to humanise your brand, highlight your values, and build a deeper emotional connection with your audience. Story-driven content increases engagement, builds trust, and makes your message stick.

2. Using Professional-Quality Marketing Videos

There’s no room for “just okay” video content in 2025. The first few seconds of a video often determine whether your audience stays or scrolls – and poor visuals, bad audio, or amateur editing can instantly damage your credibility. This is where high-quality, professionally produced video content becomes a game-changer. Whether it’s a branded explainer, a product demo, or a client case study, the difference between DIY and professionally produced videos is night and day. Low-budget videos create a subconscious impression that your business cuts corners – whereas polished, intentional video communicates professionalism, trustworthiness, and attention to detail. We’ve seen how investing in professional video boosts engagement, improves conversion rates, and helps businesses stand out in saturated markets. Glowfrog Video, based in the East Midlands, provide businesses with high quality video production and award-winning service, from as little as £599. (www.glowfrogvideo.com)

3. Micro-Influencers for Niche Audiences

Micro-influencers with loyal, niche followings are proving more valuable in 2025. These influencers offer higher engagement rates and a stronger connection with their audiences, so partnering with one can be incredibly effective and much cheaper for your business, as compared with more broad-reach influencer campaigns.

4. Zero-Click Search Optimization

More people are finding what they need directly on search engine results pages, without clicking through to websites – primarily due to Google’s introduction of their ‘AI Overview’ in search results. Optimising your website content for zero-click searches—like featured snippets, answer boxes, and Google’s “People also ask” section – is critical to remain visible in 2025. This means structuring your content to directly answer questions and provide value upfront.

5. Hyper-Personalized Email Campaigns

Email isn’t dead, it has simply evolved. Generic newsletters are out, and hyper-personalized, behaviour-triggered campaigns are in. Using customer data to tailor content, offers, and timing has become a crucial strategy in maintaining engagement and increasing lifetime customer value.

6. Interactive Content That Encourages Engagement

From interactive quizzes and polls to choose-your-own-adventure videos, interactive content is a major trend in 2025. It’s no longer enough to just broadcast your message—you need to pull users in. This approach increases time-on-site, boosts sharing, and provides valuable insights into your audience’s preferences and behaviors.

7. Sustainability Messaging with Substance

Today’s consumers care about what your brand stands for – and it’s no good pretending either. Sustainability and ethical messaging must be backed by real action. Brands that can communicate genuine, transparent efforts toward sustainability are seeing increased loyalty and trust from values-driven consumers. While trends come and go, the underlying principles remain the same: marketing must be thoughtful, intentional, and built around providing value to your audience. The strategies above reflect some of the most effective ways businesses are doing just that in 2025. Considering Using Professional Quality Marketing Videos? If you’re ready to take your marketing to the next level, a high-quality video is one of the most effective tools you can invest in. Glowfrog’s showreel below highlights the kind of impact they help businesses achieve. Like what you see? Get in touch: > Email: hello@glowfrogvideo.com > Tel: 01332 492 465

Lindum Group, a construction contractor based in Lincoln, has recorded a turnover of £198.8 million for the year ending November 2024, reflecting an increase of £12.6 million from the previous year. Pre-tax profits rose significantly, reaching £10.3 million, up from £8.1 million.

The company attributes its success to a culture of close teamwork and a decentralised management approach, which continues to drive performance. Lindum employs 633 staff, 507 of whom hold shares in the company.

The results follow the leadership transition after David Chambers’ retirement as chairman, with Freddie and Edward Chambers now at the helm. The company is committed to long-term growth, prioritising employee involvement and a client-focused, value-driven service.