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145-home development near Leicester Forest East likely to proceed

April Lara
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145-home development near Leicester Forest East likely to proceed

A proposed housing development by Bloor Homes, involving 145 properties on the southern edge of Leicester Forest East, is expected to secure planning approval from Blaby District Council.

The 27-acre site, located south of the A47, is partly made up of a former golf course and farmland. The plan includes demolishing a 19th-century farmhouse to make way for the scheme. The land is already designated for housing under the council’s local plan.

Local parish councils have raised objections, primarily over the impact of an access road onto the busy A47, as well as concerns about strain on local infrastructure such as schools and healthcare services.

Blaby District Council officers have recommended approving the project, citing the site’s sustainable location and good public transport access. They also confirmed that Bloor Homes would be required to make financial contributions to help offset the development’s impact on local services.

The final decision is set to be made at the council meeting on 8 May.

Private school closure signals business pressure from new VAT rules

April Lara
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Private school closure signals business pressure from new VAT rules

St George’s Preparatory School in Boston, Lincolnshire, will shut down at the end of the academic year, citing financial strain following the introduction of VAT on private school fees.

The school, rated “outstanding” by Ofsted, is among the first in the independent sector to announce closure directly linked to the government’s new tax policy, which took effect in January. The VAT measure is part of a broader initiative expected to generate £1.8 billion annually by 2029/30, supporting public services, including state education.

In addition to the VAT burden, the school’s operating costs have risen due to increases in employer National Insurance contributions and the National Minimum Wage. The combined financial pressure has led to daily losses that the school describes as unsustainable.

Falling enrollment has also contributed, as fewer families opt for fee-paying education due to the higher cost base.

The decision highlights growing concern within the independent education sector over the impact of fiscal policy changes on private institutions’ viability. Support measures are being arranged for students transitioning to new schools and for staff facing redundancy.

The policy is currently under legal challenge, with critics arguing it may breach human rights and be discriminatory. The government maintains that the primary aim is revenue generation for public investment.

Travis Perkins sells staircase manufacturer

Tess Egginton
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Travis Perkins sells staircase manufacturer
Travis Perkins, the Northampton-headquartered distributor of building materials, has sold its specialist floor kit, i-joist and staircase manufacturer Staircraft. Gait Consulting, which is majority owned by the founder of Coventry-based Staircraft, has snapped up the firm for cash consideration of £24m. Chief financial officer Duncan Cooper said: “The sale of Staircraft is another step towards simplifying the Group’s operating model with a clear focus on being the UK’s leading distributor of building materials. “The proceeds will be used to strengthen the Group’s balance sheet and will support our disciplined approach to reinvesting in our core assets. “I would like to thank all colleagues in Staircraft for their contribution as part of the Group and wish them all the best for the future as an independent business.”

Network Rail selects Henry Boot Construction for low-carbon facility upgrade in North Lincolnshire

April Lara
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Network Rail selects Henry Boot Construction for low-carbon facility upgrade in North Lincolnshire

Network Rail has appointed Henry Boot Construction to deliver a new low-carbon Maintenance Delivery Unit (MDU) next to Barnetby Station in North Lincolnshire, as part of its push to modernise and decarbonise operational infrastructure.

The scheme includes a two-storey, 9,500 sq ft facility with integrated welfare areas, offices, storage, and support infrastructure such as a service yard, car parking, and road reconfiguration. The design features a timber-framed structure, designed to reduce embodied carbon while offering improved thermal performance and daylight efficiency.

Key sustainability features include rooftop solar panels, triple-glazed windows, air-source heat pumps, and electric vehicle (EV) charging points. These upgrades are funded via Network Rail’s Green Bank and are intended to set a new environmental standard for future MDU developments nationwide.

Henry Boot Construction leads the project as principal contractor, while Ridge provides structural and architectural consultancy. The project is being delivered through the Crown Commercial Service’s CWAS framework and is scheduled for completion by early 2026.

Totally to conduct strategic review as financial performance expectations reduced

Tess Egginton
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Totally to conduct strategic review as financial performance expectations reduced

A formal review will be conducted at Totally, the provider of healthcare and wellbeing services, of the strategic options available to the group to strengthen its balance sheet as financial performance expectations are reduced at the Derby firm.

The Totally board will consider strategic options including selling one or more of the company’s subsidiaries, receiving strategic investment, or undertaking some other form of comparable corporate action.

The company has appointed Ernst & Young (EY) as its adviser to assist with the strategic review.

The news follows a statement this morning (1 May) on trading, the stepping down of Laurence Goldberg, Chief Financial Officer, from the board of directors, and an historic negligence claim from January 2018 that is expected to be more expensive than anticipated.

The business revealed that is has reduced its financial performance expectations, after announcing on 14 February that it expected to report £85m revenue and £3.5m EBITDA for FY25.

This follows the impact of factors including a slower than expected ramp up of a recent contract win and reduced operating margins as higher margin contracts have unwound, principally NHS111. The company had indicated that it may have been possible to redeploy people/costs associated with this contract within the business, however, this has not been possible.

As the board continues to review the group’s financial performance for FY25, current estimates indicate an EBITDA range of between £0m and £2.0m. In addition, exceptional costs during the period are estimated to amount to £3.8m and there have been other cash costs capitalised on the balance sheet of a further £0.8m. The exceptional costs primarily relate to the closing of the 111 contract with the NHS.

Northampton brewery products provider snapped up

Tess Egginton
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0
Northampton brewery products provider snapped up
Rawlings Group, a Bristol-based specialist in the packaging and drink processing equipment industry, has acquired Northampton brewery products and services provider Niche Solutions. The Rawlings Group is a multi-brand enterprise consisting of Rawlings, Vigo, Paperbagco, Glass Jars and Bottles, Aqua, and Rawlings Retail. Through the acquisition of Niche Solutions, which specialises in fermentation aids, cleaning chemicals, kegs, and laboratory testing, Rawlings Group will be able to expand its offerings and provide a one-stop-shop for breweries. Tom Wood, CEO of Rawlings Group, said: “We’re pleased to welcome Niche Solutions into the Rawlings Group. The acquisition represents an exciting step forward for our business, allowing us to strengthen our services and further support the needs of breweries across the UK. “Niche Solutions shares our passion for quality and innovation, and we’re excited to deliver an unmatched end-to-end service to drinks producers.” GS Verde Group supported Rawlings Group with the acquisition.

Mansfield marketing academy secures funding for growth

Tess Egginton
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Mansfield marketing academy secures funding for growth
Growth is on the horizon for a Mansfield marketing academy for entrepreneurs after securing funding from the Community Investment Enterprise Fund (CIEF) delivered by BCRS Business Loans. Touchpoints Marketing has received £30,000 to expand the business, including moving staff from part time to full time roles and securing key trademarks to protect the company’s intellectual property. Registered as a limited company in 2021 by experienced marketer Vic Taylor, Touchpoints Marketing will use the funds as it builds a new portfolio of training programmes, including enabling two part time employees to go full time. The finance has also been used to promote the company at business fairs, purchase laptops for staff, invest in the launch of the company’s first book, maintain cashflow while they await payment from institutional clients and to secure trademark registrations for key offerings. Vic Taylor, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing who draws upon 25 years of experience, said: “Securing the finance from BCRS Business Loans has enabled us to put in place the changes we need to grow as a company, delivering marketing training which will enable the next generation of entrepreneurs to build businesses which have a positive impact on their communities. “There is large demand from people who want to start and grow their own business and need to understand how they market their offering, which is where Touchpoints Marketing can teach them the tools they need to grow. “BCRS have a very personal approach to lending. I had a main point of contact throughout the process, and they took the time to find out what we were doing with the finance.” Mark Savill, Business Development Manager at Wolverhampton-based BCRS Business Loans, said: “BCRS is a story-based lender, and we support businesses to make a positive social and economic impact. We look forward to seeing Vic and her team progress to the next level in their growth plans while enabling new entrepreneurs to create employment opportunities not only for themselves but for others, benefitting the wider economy.”

Rolls-Royce hails “strong start to the year,” with all divisions performing well

Tess Egginton
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0
Rolls-Royce hails “strong start to the year,” with all divisions performing well
Rolls-Royce has hailed “a strong start to the year,” with all divisions performing well.

In a new trading update the Derby firm highlighted that despite uncertainties associated with tariffs and continued supply chain challenges, 2025 guidance of £2.7bn-£2.9bn of underlying operating profit and £2.7bn-£2.9bn of free cash flow remains unchanged.

The company noted that demand for its products and services remains strong across the group.

“We are continuing to strengthen our balance sheet,” Rolls-Royce added, “enabled by a more resilient and growing cash delivery…. We are making good progress with our £1bn share buyback, having completed £138m by the end of March.” The news follows Rolls-Royce submitting its final tender to Great British Nuclear in April.
The business is holding its Annual General Meeting today (1 May). In his address to shareholders, Chief Executive Tufan Erginbilgic will say: “Our transformation of Rolls-Royce is progressing strongly and we continue to expand the earnings and cash potential of the business. “We are creating a more resilient and agile Rolls-Royce that is better equipped to respond to changes in the external environment. As a result, we have had a strong start to the year.
“The recently announced global tariff increases have created a degree of uncertainty for the industry. We expect to offset the impact of announced tariffs on our business through the mitigating actions we are taking. We are closely monitoring the potential indirect impact on economic growth and inflation, and will continue to take the necessary actions. “Good progress on our transformation and the actions we are taking give us confidence in our guidance for 2025 of £2.7bn-£2.9bn of underlying operating profit and £2.7bn-£2.9bn of free cash flow.”

Nottingham car dealership site sold in off-market deal

Tess Egginton
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0
Nottingham car dealership site sold in off-market deal
A dual-franchise car dealership site on Hucknall Road, Bobbers Mill, Nottingham, has changed hands in a discreet off-market transaction. The high-profile property, home to Hyundai and Citroën dealerships operated by Vertu Motors, has been owned by private investors for several years. The sale was handled by Salloway Property Consultants on behalf of the sellers. Director Stephen Salloway said: “Our clients are prudent family investors who regularly review their portfolio. While there was no immediate plan to sell, the timing of this approach aligned with other opportunities, and they were willing to consider a serious offer.” The buyer was represented by Will Torr of heb: “We were actively seeking long term income for private investor clients and we identified this site as a suitable addition to their portfolio. We opened a discussion with Steve Salloway and quickly reached terms that satisfied both parties.” Salloway added: “The transaction progressed smoothly, thanks in large part to the professional efforts of Kerry Elliott of Actons, who acted for the seller, and Carla Dawn and Heather Jellyman at RJS Solicitors, who represented the buyer. Their work was instrumental in bringing the deal to a successful close.” The Hyundai and Citroën dealerships are unaffected by the transaction.

Winvic announces ‘Beds for Beds’ charity partnership for UKREiiF

Tess Egginton
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0
Winvic announces ‘Beds for Beds’ charity partnership for UKREiiF
Northampton-headquartered Winvic Construction has announced its pavilion programme at UKREiiF next month and has a new partnership with Leeds-based charity Zarach. Partners joining Winvic in the pavilion include Ridge, UMC Architects and Maber, who alongside industry and government representatives, will bring expertise together to drive conversation and action on key topics such as Net Zero, ESG and social value, the housing crisis, the Building Safety Act, and the growth of data centres. As part of its UKREiiF attendance, Winvic will be supporting Zarach, a Leeds-based charity helping children living in poverty by providing beds to those without a safe, comfortable place to sleep. The ‘Beds for Beds’ programme will see the contractor fundraising in the run up to and throughout the event, by inviting its clients, supply chain and partners to join them in making a meaningful impact. With a target of 24 bed bundles – a bed, mattress, bedding and pyjamas – which symbolises the contractors 24 storeys at its Lisbon Street multi-room scheme in Leeds, Winvic will match-fund the number of bed bundles pledged during the event via a QR Code in the pavilion. Winvic is also working with Leeds-based social enterprise Shine for its catering. Heidi Salmons, director of marketing, business development and social responsibility at Winvic, said: “We’re thrilled to be a pavilion partner at UKREiiF 2025. Collaboration sits at the heart of everything we do, from industry-wide knowledge sharing to supporting grassroots initiatives that make a real difference. Our sessions will explore key topics and insights into the latest industry trends and challenges, shaping the future of construction and the built environment. “Guided by our ’Doing It Right’ ethos and The Winvic Way values, our partnership with Zarach reflects our commitment to balancing commercial endeavour with positive community impact during UKREiiF and beyond. “It means a great deal to us to be supporting such a dynamic and effective charity, which puts the wellbeing and educational needs of children in Leeds at its heart. We hope our partners and wider network embrace the opportunity to make a difference and support our ‘Beds for Beds’ fundraising campaign.” Ellie McGrath, fundraising and supporter engagement manager at Zarach, said: “Zarach is delighted to partner with Winvic and we are grateful that their contribution to our mission will enable us to lift many more children out of bed poverty. We believe that every child deserves a good night’s sleep and a bed to call their own, and partnerships like this have an impact that lasts a childhood.” Nathan Spencer, managing director at UKREiiF, said: “We are thrilled to have Winvic on board as a pavilion partner for our 2025 event. Their expertise and reputation in the construction industry make them a perfect fit for UKREiiF, where we aim to showcase the best of the UK’s real estate, infrastructure, and investment sectors. “Winvic’s participation underscores the importance of innovation and sustainability in the built environment, and we look forward to the insights and contributions they will bring to the forum.”
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