Plans unveiled for 270,000 sq ft light industrial scheme in Derby
Hortons has submitted a planning application for the redevelopment of Sinfin Commercial Park, Derby, which will deliver 270,000 sq ft of new light industrial and logistics space.
The masterplan proposes 17 new units, ranging in size from 5,000 – 70,000 sq ft, on a 23-acre site near the Rolls-Royce Sinfin campus, with connectivity to the A50 and M1 motorway.
The scheme will target EPC A+ and includes electric vehicle charging points, photovoltaic panels and the creation of green amenity spaces to enhance the estate’s environmental credentials.
Hortons recently commenced demolition works on a redundant 207,000 sq ft warehouse unit at the park, paving the way for the proposed new development. The company acquired the vacant unit last year, following its earlier acquisition of 21 fully occupied warehouse units on the adjoining estate. Hortons owns an additional eight acres of open storage and development land, contiguous with the holding.
James Slater, head of development at Hortons, said: “Sinfin Commercial Park presents a rare opportunity to transform a strategically located site into a modern, sustainable industrial/logistics hub.
“Our investment reflects Hortons’ confidence in the logistics market and our commitment to delivering best-in-class facilities that meet occupier demands. This project is part of a wider strategic development programme of larger multi-let shed schemes across the Midlands area.”
MEC prioritises workplace wellbeing as it achieves new ISO certification
Multi-disciplinary technical consultancy, MEC Consulting Group has achieved ISO certification for Psychological Health & Safety at Work.
The firm, which has offices in Leicester, Birmingham and Brighton, has passed ISO45003, which focuses on managing psychological health and safety in the workplace.
Recognised as the first global standard for guiding employers on mental health and wellbeing, ISO45003 provides a framework for identifying workplace conditions and demands with the potential to create psychosocial risks, and how to address these to ensure a supportive environment for employees.
“ISO45003 is a ‘bolt on’ to our existing 45001 accreditation for Occupational Health and Safety,” explains MEC’s managing director, Alex Bennett. “The team’s wellbeing and safety is our highest priority and we wanted to be proactive about monitoring this. ISO45003 ensures we not only have the correct procedures in place but are also being guided by a recognised process.
“I was particularly pleased to discover that many of the criteria needed to pass this accreditation were already inherent in our working practices, meaning we have a robust process that prioritises wellbeing and ensures any workplace risks are managed effectively,” adds Alex.
MEC’s new ISO certification follows on from the firm’s associate environmental consultant, Nathan Allen becoming an accredited counsellor and mental health first aider. Nathan said: “Sometimes people spend more time with work colleagues than family members so it’s important to know what support is available.
“As a trained workplace first aider, I provide stress and mental health awareness training to all line managers, helping them to identify potential triggers and warning signs, and also promote our Employee Assistance programme, which offers individual help and guidance.”
Alex continues: “It’s reassuring to know that our ‘wellbeing first’ approach pairs with ISO guidance and that we have the right people and policies in place to properly support our team. It’s also especially pertinent to have secured this certification during Stress Awareness Month, which runs throughout April and is an initiative we support annually.
“To mark this, Nathan is hosting specific training sessions on the causes and effects of stress, along with sharing a range of effective stress management tips, how to spot signs of those experiencing poor mental health, and where to find appropriate help.
“Following this year’s ‘Lead With Love’ theme, we are encouraging all staff to share hints and tips about what works best for them in terms of good mental health practice but also extending their kindness and gratitude for each other through email tokens of appreciation, that are being shared companywide.
“Throughout the year, we will then continue this alongside monthly coffee mornings to inspire conversation, lunchtime walks, wellbeing meals, and walking meetings wherever possible,” concludes Alex.
East Midlands digital agency unveils new leadership team and ownership structure
East Midlands digital agency Quiet Storm Solutions has unveiled a new leadership team and ownership structure.
The Coalville-based firm, established in 1987, designs and creates ecommerce platforms, websites, business management tools and digital engagement activities across all business sectors.
Over the years, the business has worked with clients including Breedon Group, Aggregate Industries, Culina Logistics, the International Paralympic Committee, LG Electronics, the Rail Delivery Group and the NHS.
Quiet Storm founder Steve Megson will continue to oversee the planning, strategy and growth of the business as CEO. He’ll hand over its day-to-day running to new managing director Lewis Combey, who joined Quiet Storm as an apprentice, aged 17, in 2015.
Amy Heath, who joined as project manager in 2018, takes on the role of company secretary. Several team members have also taken up share options, meaning the business is now 100% employee-owned.
Steve Megson said: “These changes mark the next exciting chapter in the Quiet Storm story and will secure the future of the business as we continue to develop and grow.
“The transition to 100% employee ownership was five years in the making. It creates a genuine stake for our team in the company’s future success, which will directly benefit our clients through enhanced creativity, customer service and dedication.
“We’ve always been big investors in people. Our vision was to build a business that could run without me and my co-directors – my wife, Kathy and my brother, Phil. We’ve spent years bringing in the right people and developing their talents, and we’re now in a position to hand over the reins to a new generation to inject some fresh energy, thinking and innovation.
“Our clients will still receive the same high levels of service, care and support they’ve come to expect from Quiet Storm as we continue to adapt to emerging technologies and deliver clever solutions that solve real-world business, sales and marketing problems.”
Lewis Combey added: “I’m delighted to be taking on this new challenge and steering Quiet Storm through the next exciting phase of our journey.
“We’ve built an exceptional team of talented individuals who share our commitment to innovation and excellence.”
The Ivy to expand with Nottingham restaurant
The Ivy Collection is set to open a new location in Nottingham, taking over the former Hugo Boss store on Bridlesmith Gate in the heart of the city. This marks a strategic move for the iconic brand, which has already established a strong presence across the UK, with 15 restaurants in London and 27 others nationwide.
The new Nottingham venue will become the second in the Midlands, joining the existing restaurant in Birmingham. Troia (UK) Restaurants, the parent company of The Ivy Collection, has applied for a licence for the Bridlesmith Gate site, with proposed operating hours running from 8am to 12.30am daily. The opening strengthens The Ivy’s expansion strategy, continuing its growth beyond major metropolitan areas.
Alpha Construction appoints architects to create landmark headquarters
Matthew Montague Architects has been appointed by Alpha Construction to lead the redevelopment of Alpha House, the construction company’s current head office.
Alpha Construction plans to create a modern office development on the site, with the intention of renting out their existing building once they have relocated.
The project will transform the site into a sustainable, state-of-the-art headquarters. The redevelopment of Alpha House will involve the demolition of the existing single-storey office and garage, making way for a two-storey office building.
The new headquarters will feature a raised ground floor to address flood risks and will be strategically positioned at the rear of the plot to optimise the site layout and ensure ease of maintenance.
The project is set to be delivered in a phased approach. Phase 1 will create a dynamic workspace, including offices, open-plan workspaces for the current workforce and further space for growth, meeting rooms, canteen & breakout spaces, and additional facilities such as a shower room and archiving space.
Phase 2 will focus on flexibility, providing space for future expansion or the potential development of standalone premises for leasing.
In addition to the office building, the plans include the construction of a new garage and maintenance store for groundskeeping equipment, as well as a reconfiguration of parking at the company’s current office in Chatsworth Court to improve usability.
Sustainability is a key focus for the project, with Alpha Construction aiming to meet the Lloyds Clean Growth Financing Initiative’s requirements. Sustainable features will include; solar panels, EV charging points, rainwater harvesting systems and LED lighting and enhanced roof insulation.
“We are thrilled to work with Alpha Construction on this transformative redevelopment of Alpha House,” said Daniel Evans, director at Matthew Montague Architects.
“This project represents an exciting opportunity to design a headquarters that not only meets the operational needs of the business but also showcases their forward-thinking approach and commitment to sustainability. We look forward to delivering a workspace that Alpha Construction can be proud of for years to come.”
Managing Director Anthony Bamford said: “We established a 10-point checklist to define project success, Matthew Montague Architects’ proposals aligned seamlessly to our requirements and expectations. It was also clear that Daniel and his team shared our vision for our new Alpha House. We look forward to working with them to successfully deliver our project.”
Planning for the project is already underway, with positive preliminary discussions held with South Derbyshire District Council.
Alpha Construction aims to submit the planning application as soon as possible, with the goal of moving back into the redeveloped Alpha House within the next two years.
Rotherhill embarks on an active 2025 with new acquisitions
Midlands-based property developer and asset manager, Rotherhill, has marked the start of 2025 with impressive sales, acquisitions, and refurbishments across the region in Q1.
Alongside long-term funding partners, DCS 452 Limited and Nowell Spring Group Limited, Rotherhill acquired a 10,000 sq ft property on the Drayton Fields Industrial Estate in Daventry. A comprehensive refurbishment is underway, aiming to attract a long-term tenant or buyer.
The upgrades include a full strip-out, new mechanical and engineering lighting, an electric heating system, roof and cladding re-coating, gutter re-lining, and a complete redecoration of the office, welfare, and warehouse spaces. These enhancements are set to elevate the EPC rating to a B by July 2025.
Separately, in collaboration with a private office joint venture partner, Rotherhill secured a 13,767 sq ft industrial investment at North Portway Close in Northampton. The current tenant occupies the property under a lease expiring in October 2026, with a rent review in June 2025.
Ed Jeffrey, director of Rotherhill Developments, highlights the potential: “Supply of similarly sized existing properties, particularly where self-contained and with large service yards, is limited.
“This is a theme that is region-wide and we think is unlikely to change in the medium term. Paired with restricted new supply as a result of development viability pressures, we are confident that both investor and occupier demand will remain strong.
“The current passing rent is low by reference to comparable evidence, providing scope to secure an increased rent in line with the market at reversion, positioning this asset as a good addition to our expanding portfolio.”
Rotherhill also completed a major refurbishment of a 52,566 sq ft industrial property at Cosford Lane, Rugby, acquired from AW Precision in 2024. The £1.065m refurbishment includes comprehensive improvements across key areas, significantly raising the property’s specification and environmental performance. The property has been future-proofed for the long term, ensuring it is both sustainable and resilient.
Finally, phase 2 of the refurbishment at Radar Road has been completed, providing Next Plc with 30,000 sq ft of office space. This secure site is shared with Babcock International Group. The relocation of Next Plc, facilitated by Rotherhill and DCS 452 Limited, strengthens Next’s ties to the county, with their head office just five miles away in Enderby.
Paul Bagshaw, owner and founder of Rotherhill Developments, emphasises their strategy: “We target buildings with strong fundamentals, where we can add value through refurbishment, creating high-quality products at a discount to new builds.”
Sentiment deteriorates across manufacturing sector as cost pressures strengthen and global outlook weakens
Manufacturing output volumes were broadly unchanged in the quarter to April, according to the CBI’s latest quarterly Industrial Trends Survey.
While a broad range of sub-sectors reported lower volumes in April, this was offset by higher output in the motor vehicles & transport equipment sector. Manufacturers expect output to fall marginally in the three months to July.
Domestic orders fell through the quarter, as did the volume of new export orders, albeit marginally. Looking ahead, manufacturers expect the total volume of new orders to decline in the three months to July as both domestic and export orders are anticipated to fall. Half of respondents cited political or economic conditions abroad as a factor likely to limit their export orders in the quarter to July, the highest proportion since April 2021.
Manufacturers reported increased cost pressures. Growth in average costs accelerated in the quarter to April, compared with January, while expectations for costs growth in the three months ahead remain firm. Domestic prices are expected to rise at an accelerated pace in the quarter to July, whereas export prices are expected to be unchanged.
Sentiment across the manufacturing sector deteriorated in April and investment intentions for the year ahead are weak. Manufacturers expect to reduce spending on buildings, plant & machinery, product & process innovation, and on training and retraining, which saw the weakest balance since 2020. Manufacturers cited uncertainty about demand, inadequate net returns and labour shortages as key factors constraining capital expenditure.
The outlook for employment remains poor. Manufacturing headcount fell in the quarter to April, at the fastest pace since October 2020, and manufacturers expect numbers to fall again in the quarter to July.
Ben Jones, lead economist, CBI, said: “The recent downturn in manufacturing output appears to have eased, but manufacturers still seem gloomy about their prospects amid rising costs, an expected decline in new orders and heighted uncertainty around global economic conditions.
“The combination of financial pressures, market instability and falling confidence is leading manufacturers to cut back employment and investment, with plans for spending on buildings, equipment, innovation and training all taking a hit.
“The wider geopolitical environment is becoming increasingly challenging for exporters, with export optimism falling sharply for a second successive quarter and export order volumes now hovering around post-pandemic lows.
“The government is right to make the case for global free trade, with the Chancellor in Washington this week at the IMF spring meeting reaffirming that commitment. The uncertainty around global economic conditions only increases the importance of getting it right in domestic economic policy.
“Firms are already feeling the cumulative burden of rises in NICs and the National Living Wage – and tariffs represent another headwind for the business sector. The government needs to view every decision through the lens of kickstarting growth and incentivising investment.”
Pall-Ex strengthens senior team with operations director
Pall-Ex Group, a Leicestershire-based palletised freight distribution network, has appointed Kevin McDonagh as operations director following a strategic restructure amongst the business’s top talent.
Kevin joins the company with over 30 years of experience in the logistics sector across warehousing, distribution and pallet network services. Joining from Bow Distribution, Kevin boasts an extensive portfolio of qualifications and a proven track record in increasing operational performance.
Key responsibilities in his new role involve enhancing the efficiency of Pall-Ex’s UK hub operations, strengthening collaboration with Pall-Ex’s shareholder members and driving continuous improvement to service levels across the network.
Kevin said: “What initially attracted me to join Pall-Ex Group was the company’s culture and its openness to embracing change. Pall-Ex Group has a strong reputation within the industry for innovation and adaptability and I was inspired by the opportunity to contribute to a business that is committed to evolving and improving.”
Focus areas that Kevin will be prioritising in upcoming months include addressing the growing volume across the UK hubs and refining the current banding structure to streamline efficiencies. Increasing overall service levels across the network is another priority that Kevin will focus on as he heads up the operations team.
Kevin adds: “Through continuous improvement across our operations and by fostering a culture of teamwork and innovation, I am confident that we can navigate any challenges successfully to achieve sustainable, continued growth.
“I am looking forward to working closely with our shareholder members to drive operational improvements throughout the network wherever possible, with the goal to deliver high standards of service to every customer.”
The addition of Kevin as operations director follows a number of recent promotions across Pall-Ex Group, with former Pall-Ex UK managing director, Barry Byers, being promoted to chief operating officer (COO), Michelle Naylor moving from commercial director to managing director – UK networks and former operations director, Paul Pegg, becoming managing director – Pall-Ex Logistics.
E-commerce prep and logistics company moves into new Ilkeston HQ
Craner & Kirkman, the growing e-commerce prep and logistics company, has moved into a new headquarters at Soloman Park, Ilkeston.
The move marks a major milestone for the business, which has grown to over £500,000 in turnover in less than three years under the leadership of founder Tom Singleton.
Singleton, a former account director at Inspired Thinking Group (ITG) in Birmingham, left agency life after a decade to launch Craner & Kirkman. Originally started as a side hustle, the business now supports sellers across Amazon, Etsy, TikTok Shop, eBay, and Shopify.
The new facility at Soloman Park more than doubles the company’s operational space and allows Craner & Kirkman to meet growing demand from UK and EU-based sellers.
“We’ve built this business from the ground up — no outside funding, just good service and word of mouth,” said Singleton. “Moving into our new HQ gives us room to grow, but it also lets us keep raising the bar for e-commerce logistics.”
Limited NHS dental access persists in Leicestershire
Access to NHS dental services in Leicestershire remains a significant issue, with almost 75% of local practices still not taking on new adult NHS patients. Updated data from the NHS’s “Find a dentist” website shows that out of 120 dental practices in the region, 89 are not accepting new adults, mirroring the situation from six months ago.
The situation extends beyond adults, as 59% of practices are not accepting children under the age of 18. For those who are registered, many face long waiting times, with some practices only offering appointments “when availability allows”, which often doesn’t materialise. Rural and coastal areas, in particular, are severely impacted by the shortage, leaving many patients with no choice but to turn to private dental care, which can be expensive.
Efforts to address the problem include ongoing national initiatives to incentivise dentists to take on more NHS patients. Locally, the NHS Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland Integrated Care Board (LLR ICB) is making changes to service commissioning to improve access, with a focus on areas of greatest need, including Leicester city, rural regions, and less affluent communities.
However, the issue of limited NHS dental care is not unique to Leicestershire. Nationally, 73% of NHS dentists still do not accept new adult patients, with some practices reporting waiting lists of up to 10 years.
