Plans approved for £1m Mansfield padel complex

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Plans approved for £1m Mansfield padel complex
One of the world’s fastest growing sports is set to continue its growth in England, with unanimous approval of plans for a new £1 million padel complex in Mansfield. UAE-based World Padel Academy (WPA) is set to develop and operate its first fully-owned UK facility located at Mansfield Town Football Club’s One Call Stadium as part of a £10m investment to promote the game in the UK. To reach this latest development milestone, WPA has been assisted by Nottingham-based architectural practice CPMG on the facility’s design and by planning consultant Grace Machin on the approval required from Mansfield District Council. The project team, which also includes BSP Consulting for highways, drainage and flood risk consultancy, has helped WPA move to the next stage in its plan to transform an unused site into a bespoke complex including four indoor padel courts on a synthetic turf playing surface. The courts will be protected by a steel portal frame structure and floodlit by the use of integrated posts as part of the surrounding fence enclosure. Also included in the complex will be a reception area, food and drink outlet, sitting areas and a retail store, some of which will be housed in converted shipping containers. Richard Flisher, managing director at CPMG, said: “Interest and participation in padel is increasing at a rapid pace across the world, so we’re very pleased to be working alongside World Padel Academy again to continue to grow the inclusive game in England. “The unused site in Mansfield is a well-chosen location for this development and we’re satisfied that our collaboration with the project team has helped navigate the complex planning process. Categorised as a major project by the planning committee, it will no doubt live up to its label by offering social and economic benefits to the local community.” CPMG also designed Nottingham Padel Centre located next to Notts County’s Meadow Lane football ground, which opened in 2023 and is backed by WPA as the official technical partner. The important relationship between the two is helping to make padel more accessible in the Midlands and offer high-quality, purpose-built facilities. James Bowring, chief operations officer at World Padel Academy UK, said: “We were very pleased to receive planning approval, however the planning process has been a real challenge to overcome and there has been a significant amount of resource invested to get to this point. “This milestone could not have been reached without the support of the project team we’ve assembled. Knowing we’re closer to opening up this amazing sport to more people is incredibly exciting for everyone involved.” The facility is hoping to open during the summer, subject to the successful navigation of planning conditions.

Derbyshire golf club and country hotel sold

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Derbyshire golf club and country hotel sold
Horsley Lodge Golf Club, one of Derbyshire’s best known golf courses, country hotels and wedding venues, has been sold after 34 years in private family ownership. The club opened in 1990 and the 160-acre site has earned a reputation as one of the region’s leading golf courses. Richard and Malcolm Salt, who created the 18-hole course and restored the range of character buildings that now comprise the club house and a wedding and hospitality venue, made the decision to sell in September 2023. The sale was brokered by HMH Golf, who acted for the Salt family, with Russell Rigby of Rigby & Co representing a local private investor – Staton Young, who have bought the site. Richard Salt said: “My brother and I have really poured the last 34 years of our life into Horsley Lodge, and when we made the decision to sell, we were particularly keen to explore whether it could remain in local ownership. “We are delighted we have been able to sell this to a local family investor, who have deep roots in the immediate area.” Russell Rigby added: “Having previously worked with Richard and Malcolm we were able to strike a deal very quickly to acquire what I think is a tremendous course, within a stunning setting, which in some areas remains a bit of an untapped gem. “The purchasers are really excited about owning this much-loved course and club, and this opportunity fits perfectly with Staton Young’s forward looking investment plans.” Browne Jacobson and Cortus acted for the purchasers, with Geldards LLP representing the Vendor.

NHS supplier grows in Castle Donington

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NHS supplier grows in Castle Donington
An independent manufacturer of hospital beds is expanding after taking additional space in Castle Donington.Medstrom, which has its headquarters on Pegasus Business Park in the Leicestershire town, has bought extra space at Unit 2 on Hawthorn Road in a deal brokered on behalf of a private landlord by Alicia Lewis, surveyor at NG Chartered Surveyors.Medstrom is the second largest provider of “Total bed management” services to the NHS, with over 25% of the UK’s acute care beds and mattresses fleet under its management.Becky Dolan, Managing Director of Medstrom, said: “Acquiring this additional facility on Hawthorn Road highlights Medstrom’s continued growth and development into 2024 and beyond.“In addition to recently becoming an EOT (Employee Ownership Trust) and investing further in UK manufacturing, this acquisition is a commitment to local infrastructure and supporting local employment, with the overall aim to maintain our reactive and high-quality customer service.”Alicia added: “It’s been a pleasure working with Medstrom to help them grow and continue to provide their vital service to the NHS.“This is a great deal for all concerned, Medstrom have space to grow and our landlord client has a high quality tenant. A true win-win situation.”Will Torr of HEB advised Medstrom on the deal.

Over £1.3bn generated for East Midlands’ economy through research, innovation and creation of new businesses

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Over £1.3bn generated for East Midlands’ economy through research, innovation and creation of new businesses
A new report by London Economics, assessing the economic impact of Russell Group universities, which includes the University of Nottingham, found the impact of their research and commercialisation activities equated to more than £1.3 billion (£1.326 billion) in the East Midlands in 2021/2022 and £37.6 billion overall across the UK for all 24 universities combined. Analysis showed that the research and commercialisation activities, such as the creation of new spin-out companies, wider knowledge exchange and Intellectual Property licensing, helped to support over 12,000 (12,185) jobs in the region. Across the UK, more than a quarter of a million (254,000) jobs, twice as many as in the chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturing industries combined, were supported by all 24 Russell Group universities. The report shows how the universities contributed to economies in every single region and nation of the country, delivering research and innovation in sectors ranging from medicine to sustainable energy and the creative industries. This is in addition to the economic impact generated by wider productivity spill overs, teaching and education-related activities, and the fees and spending from international students. Professor Shearer West, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nottingham, said: “We welcome this new report which highlights the intrinsic value that universities bring to our local economy, through our research, our partnerships with local businesses, as a significant employer and by attracting thousands of the brightest and most talented students to our city, many of whom choose to make Nottingham their home after graduation. “Through our research, education and knowledge exchange, we contribute over a billion pounds per annum to the UK economy. “We are proud that as the birthplace of discoveries including MRI and ibuprofen, our long history of driving innovation has not only transformed the lives of millions of people around the globe, but fosters the prosperity of the East Midlands region.”
Now, the Russell Group is urging the Government to maximise the economic potential of the UK’s research-intensive universities by ensuring at least 3% of GDP is invested into R&D by 2030. The Group, which represents 24 leading research universities, notes that such a commitment by current and future Governments would not only bring the UK in line with other top research nations but also deliver further benefits to the UK economy in years to come. In a letter to the Chancellor ahead of the Spring Budget, the Group asked the Government to use the Budget to deliver on its existing commitment to invest £20bn in R&D by 2024/25. Dr Tim Bradshaw, Chief Executive of the Russell Group, said: “These findings demonstrate the immense value our universities add in every single corner of the UK. The data clearly shows that investing in R&D and innovation at Russell Group universities reaps huge benefits for local economies and communities, with hundreds of thousands of jobs created and new enterprise supported, thanks to high quality research across a range of disciplines. “Russell Group breakthroughs are helping accelerate efforts to reach Net Zero responsibly, transforming the way UK companies do business and providing the NHS with new ways to save lives and cut waiting lists. Good choices and sustained investment from government has been crucial to this success. “Now is the time to build on this success with robust funding to future-proof the skills and talent pipeline that is so vital to the growth of our economy – and to ensure that the research and innovation that originates within universities will continue to make a tangible, positive impact on people’s lives.”

Mindfulness protects against stress and burnout in the digital workplace

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Mindfulness protects against stress and burnout in the digital workplace
A new study has revealed that employees who are more mindful in the digital workplace are better protected against stress, anxiety and overload.
Researchers from the University of Nottingham’s Schools of Psychology and Medicine analysed survey data from 142 employees. The results have been published in PLOS ONE. Elizabeth Marsh, PhD researcher from the School of Psychology, led the mixed methods study. She said: “As work is increasingly mediated by digital technology we wanted to find out the impact this is having on people’s health and whether there are ways to mitigate this. We found that being mindfully and confidently digital should be considered important elements of living a healthy digital working life in the 21st century.” The participants in the study were surveyed about their experiences of the dark side effects of the digital workplace which were identified as; stress, overload, anxiety, fear of missing out and addiction and how these affected their health. The results showed that more digitally confident workers were less likely to experience digital workplace anxiety, while those with higher mindfulness were better protected against all of the dark side effects. Data from 14 interviews also indicated ways that digital mindfulness can help protect well-being. Dr Alexa Spence, Associate Professor of Psychology, said: “Digital workplace technologies like e-mail, instant messaging and mobile devices have been shown to contribute to perceptions of stress by employees and employees may experience stress when having to adapt to a constantly evolving digital workplace which can lead to burnout and poorer health.” Mindfulness is defined as a state of consciousness that involves paying attention in the present moment intentionally and non-judgementally. The study showed that employees who were more mindful were less exposed to adverse impacts of the dark side of the digital workplace. Elvira Perez Vallejos, Professor of Digital Technology for Mental Health, said: “The research shows that organisations need to consider how to manage digital workplace hazards alongside other psychosocial and physical risks in the workplace. Helping employees foster mindful awareness when working digitally could really help overall well-being.”

Industrial unit let on Park Lane Business Park

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Industrial unit let on Park Lane Business Park
Acting on behalf of long term private clients, Ketlin Maeorg of FHP has completed the letting of a Kirkby in Ashfield industrial unit to an undisclosed “excellent tenant.” Comprising a 2,527ft² warehouse with fitted office space, the unit is on Park Lane Business Park, a well-established industrial estate. Ketlin Maeorg of FHP said: “I am really pleased with the recent completion of Unit 3 Park Court and to have secured this deal for our client. “It is great to have such a swift turnaround and excellent tenant in the unit so quickly. The property is in a great condition and benefits from the fitted office space with shower facilities. “This was a fantastic deal to complete and I believe a great result for all parties. It is always great to witness the continuous high demand for excellent quality industrial units.”

NTU launches programme to support female entrepreneurs

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NTU launches programme to support female entrepreneurs

Nottingham Trent University (NTU) has launched ‘Female Founders Club’ (FFC) – a fully funded programme to support female business founders across Nottinghamshire and the Midlands.

Run by NTU Enterprise, the FFC is free to join, thanks to Funding from a NatWest Regional Partner Grant, which will fund the programme for a year to include monthly events and workshops to help female founders evolve their existing businesses or help them launch new ones.FFC members will meet in NTU’s Dryden Enterprise Centre (DEC), giving them the opportunity to network with the DEC’s business community alongside creating a peer mentoring group of their own.

Alexandra Perry, owner of Nottingham-based brand H.E.R Bodywear, which creates self-esteem boosting lingerie for women who have been affected by breast cancer, said: “I joined the Female Founder Club to feel supported and inspired by a group of like-minded entrepreneurs. I wanted to grow my network, find new opportunities, and feel part of an empowering business community.”NTU Enterprise can connect female founders with other programmes of funded business support available from NTU including innovation grants, investment readiness support and programmes tailored to creative and digital businesses and social enterprises.

The FFC has members from a range of different businesses including interior design, marketing, website design, sustainable goods, clothing, therapy services and creative agencies.Hannah Edwards, owner of Nottingham-based digital marketing agency HeyYou! Digital, said: “My business has recently moved to the Dryden Enterprise Centre and I previously was part of its Breakthrough programme which is the best business training I’ve had to date.

“I joined the Female Founders Club because I work on my own and wanted that sense of community. A place where I can bounce ideas off other members, as well as a dedicated space to think about my business and hear about how other members approach their own.”The FFC at NTU has already attracted 45 signed up members since launching earlier this month.

Diana Pasek-Atkinson, Enterprise Adviser Manager at NTU’s Dryden Enterprise Centre, said:“Supporting women in business is very close to my heart, when I graduated from NTU and set up my own creative business in 1990, there was no specific support to help me navigate my way through what felt like an alien and very male business world. “We set up the Female Founders Club to offer women the skills, knowledge, and network they need to be seen and heard as their authentic selves in business. We want to enable female founders to create a successful business on their terms, whether they are just starting out with a fresh idea or looking to elevate their existing business.”

The Rose Review of Female Entrepreneurship – published in 2019, explored the barriers faced by female entrepreneurs. The research highlighted that women are less likely than men to know other entrepreneurs or to have access to sponsors, mentors or professional support networks.

Any interested existing or aspiring entrepreneurs can find out more at the next event on 27 March, which features guest speaker Barbara Armstrong OBE, as well as a networking lunch and a workshop with the award winning My Business My Way toolkit team.

Views to be sought on future of County Hall in West Bridgford

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Views to be sought on future of County Hall in West Bridgford
Residents, businesses, stakeholders and market experts will soon be able to share their views about what the future should look like for County Hall in West Bridgford, which could help regenerate and transform the area. This follows the County Council’s decision last summer that it was no longer practical to keep the building as its main base in the long-term. It has been the council’s headquarters since 1946. Research showed it is too expensive to operate, maintain and bring the building up to modern environmental standards. Views will be gathered in the following ways: • An online survey aimed at residents, local business and staff will go live from Wednesday 6 March until Sunday 31 March 2024. It will be available on the council’s engagement hub pages. • Stakeholder such as heritage organisations and other councils will be contacted directly. Residents who live directly next to the site will also receive a letter. • Developers will be approached for their initial views as part of what is known as ‘soft marketing testing’. Using all this feedback, the council will then consider the best options for the site throughout this spring. Further public/stakeholder engagement may be required to help take these options to the next stage. Nottinghamshire County Council Leader Ben Bradley, MP said: “County Hall is an iconic Nottinghamshire landmark, particularly its famous green roof, so it’s vital we seek the views of residents, businesses, heritage experts and developers before a full business case is put in place. “We want to make sure this building and site gets the new lease of life it deserves, with its heritage respected. “With its riverside location along the Trent, being close to local amenities as well as world-famous sporting venues, we know what an attractive site this is for potential purchasers, developers and partners. “The potential sale of County Hall and the savings we’ll make by not running and maintaining it, will mean more money is available to spend on services.” Nottinghamshire County Councillor Keith Girling, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Asset Management, added: “The potential sale of this building is one of the most complex commercial projects this council has ever been involved in and an important moment in our history, so it has to be done right. “The future of this building will have an impact for a lot of people, businesses and organisations – so we will take stock of what they have to say. “Alongside the feedback we get, there will many practical considerations for us to make which include respecting the heritage of the building, what makes best financial sense and making sure whatever decision is made, we aren’t taking any unnecessary risks. “This is why we will be seeking legal, financial and technical advice as necessary, including using the expertise of Arc Partnership, the council’s property, design and consultancy partner.” It is planned that the council will move out of County Hall in 2025.

Eurocell appoints new director to spearhead people first strategy

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Eurocell appoints new director to spearhead people first strategy

The home improvement specialist, Eurocell, has appointed Cat Hambleton-Gray as its People Director to drive forward the company’s People First strategy.

Cat joins Eurocell with 27 years of experience in people and HR roles across several businesses, including retail, hospitality & the veterinary industry. She has led a number of long-term strategic cultural changes, employee engagement, talent management and wellbeing projects.

She joins Eurocell as it embarks on a new vision for its people strategy, with four pillars at its core. These are talent development, employee value proposition, engagement and health and safety.

Headquartered in Alfreton, Derbyshire, Eurocell has more than 200 trade branches and employs more than 2,000 people in the UK.

Cat Hambleton-Gray, People Director at Eurocell, said: “Employee engagement is critical to Eurocell and embedding our new purpose and values will be key this year. We will review our engagement cycle and be considering how we can enhance this and especially how we can be ‘always listening’ to our colleagues’ views and ideas.

“Another key focus area will be wellbeing. We already offer a number of brilliant wellbeing benefits and our intention is to create a full wellbeing strategy which is relevant for our colleagues and will increase awareness and understanding of all elements of wellbeing. This in turn will support our colleagues to build resilience and be a support network for each other.”

Darren Waters, CEO at Eurocell, added: “Cat’s wealth of experience in learning & development and HR roles makes her a great strategic leader for Eurocell. People First is a key part of our future Eurocell strategy and Cat’s approach perfectly complements our vision of a workplace where employees thrive and contribute meaningfully.”

The Furniture Makers’ Company welcomes Nottinghamshire upholstery manufacturer as corporate member

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The Furniture Makers’ Company welcomes Nottinghamshire upholstery manufacturer as corporate member

Long-established upholstery manufacturer Whitemeadow Furniture is the latest business to join the ranks of The Furniture Makers’ Company, the City of London livery company and charity for the furnishing industry, as a corporate member.

With its origins dating back to the 1980s, Whitemeadow is one of the UK’s largest independent upholstery manufacturers, using the latest technology and skilled craftspeople to stay at the forefront of the sector.

Headquartered in Sutton in Ashfield, it has four sites in Nottinghamshire, providing 350,000 sq ft of manufacturing space. With a 560-strong team, the company supplies the majority of high street names and independent retailers with its 100% British designed and made upholstery.

Over the last few years, Whitemeadow has continued to support The Furniture Makers’ Company’s charitable activities and industry events despite having let its corporate membership lapse in the midst of the Covid disruption. It is now keen to once again play an active role in the future of the industry.

Chief finance officer of Whitemeadow Furniture, Michael Clarridge, said: “The Furniture Makers’ Company is at the heart of the industry, and we believe that it is vital to be part of it. As well as feeling that it is right to be represented, we are committed to contributing to the sector’s continued success.

“There are also sound business reasons for corporate membership, such as raising awareness of Whitemeadow and shoring up our own CSR activities. From an HR perspective, it gives us the opportunity to be at the forefront of industry initiatives to support young talent and, as a major employer, we have also seen first-hand the positive impact the organisation has had on the lives of some of our team.”

Whitemeadow Furniture will be formally welcomed as a corporate member at an admission ceremony in June at Furniture Makers’ Hall, London. Andrew Kitchen, chief executive officer, Michael Clarridge, chief finance officer, and Sarah-Jane Hutchinson, head of group human resources, will be admitted as corporate liverymen and personally welcomed by the Master of The Furniture Makers’ Company.

Amanda Waring, Master of The Furniture Makers’ Company, said: “Whitemeadow is one of our long-time supporters and we are pleased to welcome them back. After a few tough years for the furniture industry, along with many others, it’s pleasing to see firms once again keen to re-establish themselves and play a proactive part in the sector’s continued success.”

Corporate membership provides opportunities for businesses from the trade to support the Company’s charitable activities, get involved with civic events and network with other members.

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