“A fantastic event celebrating the achievements of the construction industry” – enter the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025 now!

Tess Egginton
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“A fantastic event celebrating the achievements of the construction industry” – enter the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025 now!
With nominations now being welcomed for Business Link Magazine’s East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025, last year’s ‘Contractor of the Year’ winner has reflected on the prestigious event. Michael Sims, Managing Director of Clegg Construction, said: “We were thrilled to have won Contractor of the Year at last year’s Bricks Awards — a fantastic event celebrating the achievements of the construction industry within the East Midlands. “Huge thanks to Business Link for putting together such a memorable night, and to our amazing team and clients for their continued support!” The East Midlands Bricks Awards celebrates the successes of property and construction companies in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, and Northamptonshire. This year’s eagerly anticipated awards ceremony, marking 10 years of the event, will take place on Thursday 2nd October at Nottingham’s famous Trent Bridge Cricket Ground. Recognising those behind the changing landscape of the East Midlands, the occasion highlights development projects, businesses, and people in commercial and public building across the region – from office, industrial and residential schemes, through to community projects such as leisure schemes and schools. It also toasts the work of architects, agencies, and those behind large schemes. Welcoming almost 150 professionals, nominating a company or project for the awards is a great way to showcase your successes, recognise your team’s efforts, and reach our audience of over 60,000 business readers, while also offering a chance to connect with respected professionals. And better yet, it’s completely free to enter! Making the top three finalists in your category also wins you free tickets to the event, where you’ll be in the running for one of our coveted awards.

To make a nomination for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025, please click here.

Supporting imagery, video, documents, or links to these, can be sent to bricks@blmgroup.co.uk. Video nomination pitches are also welcome as an alternative or companion to written entries. Categories include: All finalists will have the chance to take home the Overall Winner award, which this year comes with a grand prize of a year of marketing/publicity worth £20,000, with the opportunity to split or gift the marketing to a charity of your choice.

Nominations will close on Friday 15th August.

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New for this year, all entrants will also have the opportunity to be featured on our dedicated nominee showcase on the East Midlands Business Link website, providing space for marketing your achievements. Upon submitting a nomination, we will get in touch for any information, imagery, and video nominees would like to be featured on their showcase page.

The East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025

What: The East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025 When: Thursday 2nd October (4.30pm – 7.30pm) Where: Derek Randall Suite, Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, Nottingham Keynote speaker: Councillor Nadine Peatfield – Leader of Derby City Council, Cabinet Member for City Centre, Regeneration, Strategy and Policy, and Deputy Mayor of the East Midlands Tickets: Available here Dress code: Standard business attire Thanks to our sponsors:                                                      

To be held at:

With a limited number of sponsorship opportunities remaining, please contact Angie Cooper at a.cooper@blmgroup.co.uk to learn more if you are interested in becoming an East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025 sponsor.

East Midlands Airport targets cargo growth with airfield development

April Lara
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East Midlands Airport targets cargo growth with airfield development

East Midlands Airport has announced plans to develop 123.5 acres of airfield land to support expanding its cargo operations, aiming to attract logistics and warehousing partners. The site, located near the runway in Castle Donington, includes four plots—three of which will have direct runway access via proposed new taxiways and stands for up to 18 additional aircraft.

The scheme outlines 122,000 square metres of warehousing and 51,000 square metres of landside yard space. Developers are currently being sought to advance the project.

A commissioned economic study projects the airport could increase its freight handling capacity by 54% to 583,000 tonnes annually by 2043. The forecast suggests this growth could generate up to £3.9 billion in economic value and create more than 21,000 jobs across the region.

The expansion aligns with the airport’s strategic push to strengthen its leading UK cargo hub position. The development will increase connectivity and investment opportunities for the surrounding East Midlands logistics and manufacturing sectors.

Formal consultations with local stakeholders are expected as the plans progress.

Shoe Zone posts £2.3m loss as weak demand hits earnings

April Lara
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Shoe Zone posts £2.3m loss as weak demand hits earnings

Footwear retailer Shoe Zone reported a pre-tax loss of £2.3 million for the six months ending 29 March 2025, reversing a £2.6 million profit from last year. Revenue declined by 6.5% year-on-year to £71.5 million. The company also confirmed it will not issue a dividend.

The drop in earnings prompted a sharp market reaction, with shares falling over 17% in early trading.

Shoe Zone attributed the downturn to soft consumer demand, unseasonal weather, and rising costs linked to the UK government’s Autumn Budget. The company cited increased outgoings related to National Insurance and National Living Wage changes, impacting the second half of the financial year.

The retailer had initially forecast full-year pre-tax profits of £10 million, but revised that down to £5 million due to challenging trading conditions in Q1. While Q2 showed some signs of recovery and currency and freight costs have eased slightly, the business expects the operating environment to remain difficult amid low consumer confidence.

Shoe Zone previously closed several stores in response to rising overheads, and its net cash position has also weakened. The company is yet to provide updated full-year guidance beyond the £5 million estimate.

Lincolnshire construction firm celebrates milestone first year with 4,000 sq ft Saxilby office build

Tess Egginton
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Lincolnshire construction firm celebrates milestone first year with 4,000 sq ft Saxilby office build
Lincolnshire-based construction firm Build Manager is marking the end of its first year in business with a major achievement, securing and delivering its first major commercial contract, a bespoke 4,000 sq ft two-storey office development for IFI Group Ltd in Saxilby. The project, which spans a 25-week contract duration, represents a significant milestone for the young company and demonstrates its capacity to deliver fast-paced, high-quality commercial builds. Since being appointed at the end of 2024, Build Manager has wasted no time. In just over four months, the team has finalised designs, delivered the groundworks ‘in-house’, erected the steel frame and tarmacked the new entrance road. The new office is being developed for IFI Group Ltd, a specialist fire safety, risk management consultancy and training provider, and will support their continued growth within the region. The project has brought together a number of Lincolnshire-based collaborators, including architects LK2, structural engineers William Saunders, aggregate supplier UDCS Ltd, concrete supplier AMS Build Group Ltd, roofing and cladding contractor B C Roofing and architectural windows and door specialist Kole Architectural. Build Manager was launched just over a year ago with a focus on upfront commercial viability advice and streamlined, transparent project delivery. Winning the IFI Group contract marked the company’s first large-scale commercial development and a strong close to year one. “To end our first year in business by securing and delivering a significant commercial contract is something we’re incredibly proud of,” said Matthew Jones, director at Build Manager. “This project showcases what we’re all about, efficient delivery, clear communication, and a collaborative approach. It’s been a fantastic way to build momentum heading into year two.” Build Manager was set up by Lincolnshire-based construction professionals Matthew Jones and Ben Taylor. The pair, who have worked in management for a number of local main-contractors, set up on their own after spotting a gap in market for their services. Matthew, from Scotton, and Ben, from Sturton-by-Stow, Lincoln have been involved in many notable projects in and around the county, including £2.2m new build commercial units (60,000 sq ft) at Discovery Park on Whisby Road – North Hykeham, £3m renovation of Lawress Hall for the University of Lincoln and the new £4.5m Community Ward at John Coupland hospital in Gainsborough, to name a few. IFI Group Ltd shared their satisfaction with the process so far, praising Build Manager’s professionalism, reactiveness, and on-site efficiency.
How the finished project for IFI Group Ltd will look
“From the very beginning, the team has been incredibly reactive, professional, and easy to work with,” said Ben Freeman, director of IFI Group Ltd. “Communication has been clear and consistent throughout, and progress on site has been impressively efficient. It’s been a smooth experience so far, and we’re genuinely excited to see our new office coming to life.” As the office build continues at pace, Build Manager is inviting other local businesses considering new developments or construction work to reach out for some free upfront advice and viability studies. “Whether you’re planning a new office, warehouse, or commercial space, we’d love to hear from you. Our goal is to make the process smooth, stress-free, and successful,” added Matthew. Local businesses can contact Build Manager at info@build-manager.co.uk or find out more at www.build-manager.co.uk.

Central Airlines enters UK market with East Midlands cargo route

April Lara
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Central Airlines enters UK market with East Midlands cargo route

China’s Central Airlines has launched a new year-round cargo service to East Midlands Airport, marking its first UK operation. The service is operated on behalf of logistics firm YunExpress and runs twice weekly between Xiamen and Nottingham via Tianjin, with the return leg non-stop to Xiamen.

The route is served by a B777-200F aircraft, with flight data showing that the aircraft has been operating into Nottingham every three days since its initial arrival on 5 May. The official inaugural flight was conducted on 13 May.

YunExpress is also expanding its physical footprint at the airport with the development of a dedicated warehouse facility, signalling a longer-term commitment to the region’s logistics infrastructure.

East Midlands Airport has recently seen a rise in international cargo activity, with new freight services from Ethiopian Airlines and Atlas Air also commencing in May.

Central Airlines operates a mixed fleet that includes two B737-300Fs, four B737-800BCFs, and four B777-200Fs. The airline is focusing on growing its widebody operations while scaling back its narrowbody fleet.

Notts accountancy startup bets on automation, secures new funding

April Lara
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Notts accountancy startup bets on automation, secures new funding

Bright Beany Accounting, a Nottinghamshire firm offering tech-enabled accountancy services, has landed £25,000 in funding via First Enterprise and the British Business Bank’s Start Up Loans scheme.

Launched by co-founders Max Polkey and Katy Dales, the business targets SMEs with a model built around automation, digital workflows, and scalable support. The funding is being used to strengthen back-office functions and build out marketing to reach a broader client base.

The firm’s proposition targets a growing market of businesses looking to reduce manual accounting processes, improve real-time financial visibility, and reduce compliance admin.

First Enterprise, a not-for-profit lender, backs early-stage ventures that struggle to secure mainstream finance. Its loan values range up to £150,000. Its focus remains supporting innovation and job creation across the Midlands and beyond.

Saint-Gobain to bring 250 jobs to Leicestershire with new factory

Tess Egginton
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Saint-Gobain to bring 250 jobs to Leicestershire with new factory

Saint-Gobain has unveiled plans for a new low-carbon stone wool insulation plant in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, expected to begin production in 2027.

The factory will be built on the site of the former Holwell Foundry Works and when operating at full capacity has the potential to deliver 250 new jobs for local people.

Construction of the factory will create approximately 100 construction jobs, during the first phase.

The facility will initially produce 50,000 tonnes per year of high-performance stone wool insulation for the UK market with the potential to double its output to 100,000 tonnes per year.

The new manufacturing facility will feature cutting-edge technology, including a fully electric furnace, powered by renewable electricity. This investment will help customers reduce the embodied carbon of construction projects by lowering the CO2 (scope 1 and 2) footprint of stone wool insulation.

April sees leap in inflation

Tess Egginton
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April sees leap in inflation
Inflation increased in April, according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The higher than expected uptick, measured by the Consumer Prices Index (CPI), saw inflation come in at 3.5% in April, up from 2.6% in March. The largest upward contributions to the change came from housing and household services, transport, and recreation and culture, while the largest, partially offsetting, downward contribution came from clothing and footwear. Core inflation, meanwhile, which takes out volatile factors like energy, food, alcohol and tobacco to give a clear picture of underlying trends, came in at 3.8% in the 12 months to April, up from 3.4% in March and above forecasts. Martin Sartorius, principal economist, CBI, said: “April’s rise in inflation was widely expected, driven by a perfect storm of price pressures such as higher employer National Insurance contributions, the National Living Wage increase, and a hike in the Ofgem price cap. “Looking ahead, the Bank of England expects that inflation will stay above 3% this year, as these pressures continue to impact households’ cost of living. This suggests that the Monetary Policy Committee is likely to hold rates in its next meeting, especially after May’s finely balanced decision to cut. “Beyond then, the MPC will reduce borrowing costs at a gradual pace, as it assesses how price pressures are developing in the economy.”

Strategic university-business alliance to boost skills and innovation

April Lara
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Strategic university-business alliance to boost skills and innovation

The University of Bedfordshire has formally partnered with the Northamptonshire, Milton Keynes, and Bedfordshire Chambers of Commerce, aiming to deepen collaboration between academia and industry across the region.

Under the new agreement, businesses will gain access to the University’s research capabilities, academic consultancy, and talent development programmes. The partnership will offer professional development opportunities, including Masters by Research pathways for employees of member businesses.

For the University, the alliance is designed to enhance student employability by embedding real-world experience into the curriculum. This includes internships, guest lectures, industry-informed teaching, and input into course development through industry panels.

The initiative is aligned with the University’s Career Powered Education model and reflects a broader goal of fostering inclusive economic growth through research, innovation, and skills development. Businesses will also benefit from bespoke research, strategic support, and joint initiatives tailored to local economic priorities.

The Chambers represent a significant portion of the business community across Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire, and Milton Keynes, with a combined membership spanning thousands of companies across sectors.

Council seeks new contractor after delays in Grimsby bridge project

April Lara
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Council seeks new contractor after delays in Grimsby bridge project

North East Lincolnshire Council is terminating its contract with Spencer Group to refurbish Grimsby’s Corporation Road Bridge, citing unacceptable delays in the £5 million project. The council is seeking a new contractor to complete the remaining work, including restoring the Grade II-listed bridge’s lifting mechanism.

The project began in 2023 and had involved wrapping the structure in protective sheeting during restoration. While much of the bridge has recently been unveiled, the final stages have been hindered by unforeseen rust and deterioration that required additional surveys and extended the timeline.

Spencer Group expressed disappointment at the termination and attributed delays to unforeseen conditions that increased workload and costs. The council, however, has signalled a need to expedite completion and is prioritising the appointment of a new specialist firm to reopen the bridge as soon as possible.

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