New partnership for Van Elle sees heavy haulage operations offloaded

Tess Egginton
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New partnership for Van Elle sees heavy haulage operations offloaded

Van Elle, the Nottinghamshire-headquartered ground engineering contractor, has revealed a five-year partnership with WS Specialist Logistics, which will see WS Specialist Logistics take on the group’s heavy haulage operations.

This will include the disposal of Van Elle’s in-house HGV fleet and transfer of its transport management team and directly employed drivers, into a new division of WS Specialist Logistics dedicated to heavy plant haulage, which will manage and operate the entire fleet.

This partnership will allow Van Elle to reallocate the current capital employed plus the further planned investment required in the HGV fleet into growth initiatives driving greater returns for shareholders, whilst improving the utilisation of the ongoing transport operations and reducing associated corporate administrative costs by partnering with a specialist with capacity and neighbouring facilities to the group’s headquarters in Nottinghamshire.

WS Specialist Logistics have paid £2.9m for the assets being transferred.

Van Elle Chief Executive Mark Cutler said: “This new partnership with WS Specialist Logistics is a logical initiative for the Group; releasing capital to invest in areas of greater return as we enter a long-awaited period of anticipated growth in our core markets.

“WS Specialist Logistics have been an excellent partner to the business for several years and we look forward to drawing on their expertise to further improve our transport operations whilst keeping the support of our fantastic, loyal in-house transport team and drivers that perform so well for us 24/7.”

Better than anticipated first quarter sees Next upgrade profit expectations

Tess Egginton
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Better than anticipated first quarter sees Next upgrade profit expectations
Enderby retailer Next has seen a better first quarter than anticipated, with full price sales up 11.4% versus last year in the thirteen weeks to 26 April. This was £55m ahead of the business’s forecast for the period, which was to be up 6.5%. Next attributed much of the over-performance to warmer weather, which has benefited the sale of summer-weight clothing. The firm added: “It is likely that some of these sales have been pulled forward from Q2. So, despite the strength of Q1, we are not increasing our sales guidance for Q2, or the rest of the year.” The company has, however, increased its profit guidance, accounting for the £55m of additional sales in Q1, with profit before tax expectations for the full year bumped up by £14m to £1.08bn.

Next’s performance in both the UK and overseas was better than anticipated, as was sales in retail shops.

DHU Healthcare operations manager goes the distance for Derby charity

Tess Egginton
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DHU Healthcare operations manager goes the distance for Derby charity
Debbie Kemp, operations manager at DHU Healthcare, has completed the Brighton Marathon in support of Safe and Sound, a Derby-based charity committed to safeguarding children. Debbie raised over £1,000 to help the charity continue its vital work in protecting vulnerable children and providing them with the support they need. Debbie’s decision to run the marathon stems from a deep personal commitment to children’s welfare and a desire to make a tangible difference in their lives. “I was over the moon to have completed the Brighton Marathon in 5hr 59 mins. It was tough due to the heat but I didn’t let that stop me completing it for Safe and Sound. “The work they do really touched my heart and the issues they are having to deal with are only getting worse. I have four grandchildren and worry constantly about them,” said Debbie. “Every child deserves to feel safe and protected, and I wanted to do my part to support an organisation that works so hard to make that a reality.” Safe and Sound’s focus is to transform the lives of children and young people in Derbyshire who are affected by child exploitation. The funds raised by Debbie’s marathon effort will go directly towards supporting children, young people and families whose lives have been affected by child exploitation including online grooming, sexual exploitation, County Lines, trafficking, modern slavery and radicalisation. The CEO of Safe and Sound, Tracy Harrison said: “We are incredibly grateful to Debbie for her amazing efforts in running the Brighton Marathon. Her commitment and support will make a real difference to the lives of vulnerable children. “Every pound raised helps us to reach more children in need and provide them with the protection and support they deserve. We rely on the support of people like Debbie to continue our vital work, and we are truly inspired by their willingness to go the extra mile – literally! Thank you.” Debbie decided to she need to get fit ten years ago. She gave up smoking, lost weight and joined a local club AAJ (All About Jeffing). Since then, has taken part in many charity events and last year she was the first person to be presented with The Civic Hero Award by Derby University, in recognition of her fundraising achievements and contributions to the local community. Having balanced her work at DHU Healthcare with an intensive training schedule, Debbie said she would never run again! However, she has just been accepted to run in the Manchester Marathon on 19th April 2026, which will be the day after her 59th birthday, and has promised to donate all the money she raises to Safe and Sound.

Record-breaking Q1 for Derby flex office space provider

Tess Egginton
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Record-breaking Q1 for Derby flex office space provider
Cubo, the Derby-headquartered provider of flex office space, has enjoyed a record-breaking first quarter of the year, achieving its highest ever desk sales in a three-month period. From January to March 2025, Cubo recorded the sale of more than 700 desks across its expanding UK portfolio. With 10,000 plus desks across the UK’s leading core city centres, the disposal of 700 desks represents an additional 7% of total capacity. Cubo made a bold entry into the capital in early 2025, launching its London flagship at the prestigious Ilona Rose House, W1. Spanning 28,884 sq ft of flexible Grade A office space across two floors, Cubo Soho caters for a diverse range of occupiers, from tech startups and SMEs to larger corporate teams. Marc Brough, CEO at Cubo, said: “Our record-breaking Q1 results are a powerful reflection of Cubo’s continued growth and the clear and growing demand for high-quality, flexible office space. “Achieving 50% occupancy at Manchester Spinningfields within three months is a testament to the strength of our offer. We have hit the ground running with Cubo Soho and are welcoming more and more exciting businesses every week. “As we continue to scale throughout 2025, we remain committed to redefining the future of work and delivering vibrant, community-led workspaces that empower businesses to thrive.” Cubo was recently identified as the fastest-growing operator in the UK flex office market by CoStar. Over the past two years Cubo has accounted for 33% of all flexible workspace leasing activity across the Big Six regional cities of Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, and Manchester. This figure exceeds the activity of more established operators, such as global workspace giant IWG and Orega, who have achieved 13% each.

Harvey Hadden adds major solar upgrade to cut energy costs and emissions

April Lara
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Harvey Hadden adds major solar upgrade to cut energy costs and emissions

Harvey Hadden Sports Village in Nottingham has completed the third phase of a long-term solar power rollout, bringing its total installed capacity to 571.5 kWp. The latest upgrade includes a 307.58 kWp rooftop photovoltaic system comprising 676 bifacial solar panels covering more than 1,300 square metres.

The project, supported by over £449,000 in funding from Salix Finance, is part of Nottingham City Council’s wider carbon reduction strategy. With all three solar phases combined, the site now generates over 500,000 kWh of electricity annually.

Launched in 2015, the initiative began with the UK’s largest solar carport, followed by a 200 kWp rooftop system in 2018. The new installation is projected to deliver around 257,752 kWh annually, cutting carbon emissions by approximately 60 tonnes annually. Over 30 years, the centre expects to save £3.66 million in electricity costs and reduce gas expenses by more than £315,000.

The project was led by Nottingham City Council’s Environment and Sustainability team, with technical oversight from senior project officers and support from the council’s carbon reduction services team. The system meets rigorous industry standards, including ENA G99 and MCS certification.

This development positions Harvey Hadden as one of the largest solar-powered leisure centres in the UK. It highlights the role of clean energy in driving down costs across public infrastructure.

UK business confidence softens but remains above average

April Lara
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UK business confidence softens but remains above average

According to Lloyds Bank’s latest survey, UK business confidence declined in April, falling 10 points to 39%. While this marks a slowdown after a strong first quarter, sentiment remains higher than at the start of the year and above the 20-year average of 29%.

The shift was driven by a drop in economic optimism, which fell to 28%, the lowest level this year. Fewer businesses expect improvements in the broader economy, reflecting ongoing concerns over global trade dynamics and market volatility.

Trading outlooks remain relatively strong despite a seven-point dip to 50%. Confidence around hiring also edged slightly, but remains among the highest post-pandemic levels. Pay expectations eased modestly, though projections for larger wage increases are broadly unchanged from last year.

More firms plan to raise prices, with price expectations climbing seven points to 68%. The share of businesses expecting to cut prices held steady at 2%.

Sector performance was mixed. Construction saw the steepest confidence decline, down 22 points. Retail and services also slipped, while manufacturing held steady. Regionally, most areas saw flat or declining sentiment, though the North East and East of England bucked the trend with notable gains.

Job-creating fleet management centre planned for Toyota Material Handling UK in Leicestershire

Tess Egginton
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Job-creating fleet management centre planned for Toyota Material Handling UK in Leicestershire
Property company Hortons has submitted a planning application for a new fleet management centre that will secure the long-term future of Toyota Material Handling UK (TMHUK) in Leicestershire. Plans have been brought forward for a 175,000 sq ft purpose-built facility at Old Dalby Business Park, where the forklift and warehouse equipment manufacturer, TMHUK, has been based for over 20 years. The new facility will be constructed on the site of a former industrial building that was previously located on the ex-Ministry of Defence estate. It will include production and workshop areas, sustainable office space, indoor and outdoor storage, and a secure yard. Designed to achieve an EPC A+ rating, the building will be operational by Q1 2027, subject to planning approval. TMHUK currently re-manufactures, repairs and prepares more than 12,000 trucks per year at its existing Old Dalby site. Stuart Reilly, TMHUK’s director – rental & used, said that the new unit will support around 150 jobs and represents a major investment in the firm’s continued growth. He said: “TMHUK are delighted to remain on site at Old Dalby and further develop our Fleet Management Centre. This is the biggest investment project of the year and will ensure we continue to be able to provide sustainable customer success to secure, create and grow new employment in the area.” Jeremy Boothroyd of Hortons said: “We’re proud to be working with TMHUK on this strategically important development. “The new centre will deliver modern, sustainable industrial space that will enhance TMHUK’s operational efficiency and support its growth plans. It’s one of several projects which are significantly improving the quality of accommodation across Old Dalby Business Park.” Hortons has also submitted a planning application for a second unit of 25,000 sq ft on an adjacent plot as part of its ongoing investment in Old Dalby Business Park. It has recently refurbished a 67,000 sq ft unit, now available for occupation.

Reddington invests £2m to relaunch two Nottingham hospitality venues

April Lara
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Reddington invests £2m to relaunch two Nottingham hospitality venues

Reddington Pub Company has completed a £2 million investment to redevelop and reopen two hospitality venues in Gunthorpe, Nottinghamshire. The company aims to expand its footprint in the Midlands’ premium dining and events market.

The project includes the revival of The Anchor, a family-focused pub, café, and events space, and the transformation of Tom Browns into a high-end dining and entertainment venue. Both sites are located alongside the River Trent and have been longstanding fixtures in the local hospitality scene.

The investment has created 100 new jobs and positions the company to cater to leisure and corporate clients. The Anchor now offers dining, luxury accommodation, and an events courtyard suitable for private functions and business gatherings. It also features unique attractions like a model train for families and a café providing takeaway options for visitors.

Tom Browns has been repositioned as an adults-only dining destination focusing on premium steak and seafood. The venue will host live performances and events throughout the year, supporting Reddington’s strategy of integrating entertainment with upscale food offerings.

The relaunch aligns with the company’s growth strategy in the Midlands. It complements its existing venues, including The Old Vol and The Reindeer, and reinforces its presence in the region’s competitive food and beverage sector.

Kingsmill and Hovis merger talks signal major shake-up in UK bread sector

April Lara
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Kingsmill and Hovis merger talks signal major shake-up in UK bread sector

Associated British Foods (ABF), owner of Kingsmill, is in advanced discussions with private equity firm Endless LLP, which owns Hovis, over a potential merger that would unite two of the UK’s largest bread producers.

The move is part of ABF’s strategic review of Allied Bakeries, its struggling bakery division. Allied Bakeries has faced mounting pressure from inflation, changing consumer behaviour, and increasing competition. The division also includes the Allinson’s and Sunblest brands and operates a nationwide network of bakeries and depots.

Hovis, which has traded under private equity ownership since 2020, would represent a major addition to ABF’s bakery portfolio. The merger would position the combined business as a formidable competitor to Warburtons, the current UK market leader.

Given its potential impact on market concentration, any deal is likely to face scrutiny from the Competition and Markets Authority. The government has been reviewing the CMA itself, which recently removed its chairman to refocus the regulator on growth-oriented oversight.

Volkswagen shuts down Heycar after heavy losses

April Lara
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Volkswagen shuts down Heycar after heavy losses

Volkswagen Financial Services is closing down its used car platform Heycar after years of mounting losses and weak revenue.

Launched in the UK in 2019 to rival Auto Trader and Motors, Heycar never gained market traction. It reported a £30 million loss in 2022 and £22.4 million in 2023, with revenue falling to just £7.4 million.

The platform, which listed nearly 100,000 vehicles, will shut down operations in Germany by mid-May, with the UK business expected to follow. Around 126 staff, mostly in the UK, are at risk of redundancy.

VWFS plans to reuse Heycar’s technology in a new venture focused on digital tools for the automotive sector. Dealerships using Heycar must move listings to other platforms or their own sites.

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