Fast Followers funding brings net zero boost to Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire
Councils in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire (D2N2) have been awarded over £277,000 of funding to accelerate progress on the regions’ net zero ambitions. Fast Followers is part of Innovate UK’s Net Zero Living Programme, designed to help places and businesses across the UK to accelerate the delivery of the transition to Net Zero.
The bid was led by Nottingham City Council in partnership with Nottinghamshire County Council, Derby City Council, Derbyshire County Council, Broxtowe Borough Council, Gedling Borough Council and Rushcliffe Borough Council.
Achieving net zero goals in the region requires partners to work together, and the Fast Followers funding will build on the positive collaboration between Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire to date.
Councillor Corall Jenkins, Portfolio Holder for Energy, Environment, and Waste Services and Parks at Nottingham City Council, said: “It’s fantastic news that we’ve secured this funding to progress our net zero ambitions through partnership working. Local authorities have been ambitious in their plans to tackle the climate crisis and are well-placed to lead this agenda.
“Research shows that around a third of the UK’s emissions can be influenced by local authorities, but opportunities are often missed due to plans being developed and delivered separately. Our collaborative approach across D2N2 through the Fast Followers scheme will allow us to overcome these challenges to scale up our efforts to reach Nottingham’s ambition to be carbon neutral by 2028.”
The project will be run through the Midlands Net Zero Hub (which is accountable to Nottingham City Council) and will be used to create a consistent and coordinated approach across the D2N2 region to supporting residents, businesses and communities to understand how their actions contribute to climate change. The aim is to embed long-term positive behaviour changes to reduce carbon emissions. Not only does taking climate action reduce carbon emissions, but can also bring benefits including reduced bills, cleaner air quality and improved health outcomes.
A Stakeholder Engagement Plan will be created which will build on successes that have already been achieved in partnership across the region. For example, the Nottinghamshire Green Rewards platform incentivises users to make sustainable choices to move up the leader board and be in with the chance to win monthly prizes. More than 6,000 people across the region have signed up and avoided the equivalent of 426 tonnes of carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere.
“A lack of consistent messaging to citizens and businesses about sustainable choices available is an issue for local authorities reaching climate goals. For example, misinformation about low carbon technologies such as heat pumps is limiting take up in households. Engaging with citizens and organisations is vital to mitigating the worst impacts of the climate crisis. Through schemes such as Notts Green Rewards, we can see the successes that we can achieve by working in partnership. I’m looking forward to seeing what more can be achieved through the Fast Followers programme,” Wayne Bexton, Director of Environment and Sustainability at Nottingham City Council said.
In addition to work to engage with citizens and organisations in the region, the funding will also be used to support the development of a co-county Energy Plan. This planning will support climate ambitions across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire and has the potential identify the most effective pathway to decarbonising each district across D2N2.
Michael Gallagher, Head of Midlands Net Zero Hub, said: “A recent report into the socio-economic benefits of Energy Planning for the region outlined that the total net benefit is considered to be £11bn from an investment of £7.6bn. By investing in this sector, we can create more than 4,500 jobs which demonstrates how we can use the green revolution to grow the economy. By understanding how we can transform our local energy system using the Fast Followers funding, we are presented with an opportunity to unlock significantly larger than expected benefits for the region.”
Councillor Carmel Swan, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Transport and Sustainability at Derby City Council, commented: “We’re delighted to have received this funding that will allow us and our key partners in the region to move forward with key projects to decarbonise Derby and neighbouring areas.
“While we have an ambitious Climate Change Action Plan for the Council, we know that we also need to work closely with our communities and partners to empower everyone to join us on our journey to Net Zero. Local authorities are key players in supporting the wider area and providing leadership on decarbonisation ambitions.”
Mike Biddle, Executive Director, Net Zero, Innovate UK, said: “Innovate UK’s Net Zero Living Programme aims to transform our towns, cities, and communities through removing the barriers to adoption and creating demand for new Net Zero technologies. This cohort of Fast Followers winners demonstrate innovative ideas that are designed at grass roots level specifically to overcome their particular barriers and sometimes unique challenges. Seeing the range of projects is inspiring and, as well as running their individual initiatives, the Local Authorities will share best-practice allowing others to capitalise on proven solutions.”
Lincolnshire plant supplier acquired by international Agronomy-Services group
Origin Enterprises, the international Agronomy-Services group, providing specialist advice, inputs and digital solutions to promote sustainable land use, has acquired British Hardwood Tree Nursery Limited (BHT).
Headquartered in Lincolnshire, BHT is one of the UK’s leading specialist wholesale suppliers of bare root trees, shrubs, hedgerow plants and planting accessories to the forestry, farming, estate management, corporate and landscaping sectors.
Sean Coyle, Chief Executive Officer, Origin Enterprises plc, said: “The addition of British Hardwood Tree Nursery complements recent acquisitions and further strengthens the Group’s amenity, environmental and ecological portfolio.
“Tree planting will continue to play an important role to help tackle climate change and restore biodiversity. We welcome British Hardwood Tree Nursery to the Group and look forward to working with the team, utilising their expertise in offering planting advice, horticulture and the supply of quality plants.”
Gateley “pleased” with performance as revenue grows
Legal and professional services group Gateley says it is “pleased” with the group’s performance for the year ended 30 April 2023.
A new trading update highlights a year of further revenue growth, which the business says demonstrates “the resilience of the group’s diversified business model.”
Revenue for the year is expected to be not less than £161m, a 17% increase on the prior year (£137.2m), with underlying adjusted profit before tax expected to be in line with market expectations.
Rod Waldie, Chief Executive Officer of Gateley, said: “I am pleased with the performance of the group, in what has been a challenging year politically and economically. I would like to thank our ever-expanding client base for their trust and support and our people who continue to work tirelessly to constantly deliver for our clients.
“Whilst the macro challenges facing the economy remain, we look forward to continuing to grow and diversify the business further, both organically and via acquisition. We remain committed to our purpose of delivering results that delight our clients, inspire our people and support our communities, and deliver strong returns for all of our stakeholders.”
12 benefits of video for businesses
One of the most effective ways to engage with customers and promote your brand is through video. In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of video for businesses and why it should be a crucial part of your marketing, as well as a few tips for how to incorporate video advertising into your strategy.
1. Increases Engagement and Reach
One of the primary benefits of video for businesses is that it can significantly increase engagement. Videos are more interactive and engaging than text-based content. They capture attention and can effectively communicate your brand message. Video content is more likely to be shared on social media, which means it has the potential to reach a wider audience.
2. Improves SEO Ranking
Google’s algorithm favours websites that have relevant and engaging content. By incorporating video content into your website, you can increase the time visitors spend on your site. This sends a positive signal to search engines that your website is providing value to users and, in turn, boosts your SEO ranking and starts creating a snowball effect that leads to more and more website traffic. Furthermore, video content can increase backlinks, which can improve your website’s domain authority.
3. Builds Trust, Credibility and Brand Authority
By showcasing your products or services in action, you can demonstrate their effectiveness and reliability, which helps to build trust and credibility with your audience. Videos also provide an opportunity to showcase your brand’s personality and values, which can help build an emotional connection with your audience. Creating high quality video content can even establish your business as industry leaders and build brand authority, particularly if your content is informative and educational.
4. Increases Conversions
Video content has been shown to increase conversions. By providing potential customers with an in-depth look at your products or services, you can convince them to take action. Videos can also provide a clear call-to-action, which leads to higher conversion rates.
5. Return on Investment
Creating video content does not have to be expensive. So long as you hire a professional videographer, instead of making brand-damaging low quality videos on a phone, you are likely to see very good ROI on video production. Our recommended local video production company, Glowfrog, can be hired from as little as £600 depending on the video content you would like.
6. Appeals to Mobile Users
By creating mobile-friendly video content, you can more effectively target mobile users and increase engagement with your brand. You can make your videos more mobile-friendly by creating multiple versions of your video, e.g. in 1:1 (square) and 9:16 (portrait) which take up more ‘real estate’ on a phone screen.
7. Demonstrates Products and Services
Video content allows businesses to showcase their products or services in action. This can help potential customers better understand how the products or services work and what value they offer. By providing a visual demonstration, you can increase the chances of customers making a purchase.
8. Provides an Emotional Connection
Video content can evoke emotions and create a sense of connection with viewers. By telling a compelling story or showcasing your brand’s values, you can create an emotional bond with your audience. This can increase brand loyalty and lead to repeat business.
9. Stand Out From The Competition
Video content provides a unique way to help increase brand awareness by showcasing your brand’s personality, values, and products. By creating memorable and engaging videos, you can increase brand recognition and stand out from your competitors.
10. Provides Analytics
Video content provides valuable analytics that can help you to track the effectiveness of your marketing campaigns. With tools such as YouTube Analytics and Google Analytics, businesses can track the number of views, engagement rate, and other key metrics. This data can help you to optimise your video content and improve your overall marketing strategy.
11. Enhances Customer Support
Video content can also be used to enhance customer support. By creating instructional videos and tutorials, businesses can help customers troubleshoot common issues and answer frequently asked questions. This can improve the customer experience and reduce support costs.
12. Diversifies Marketing Strategy
Video content can be used for various purposes, including product demos, customer testimonials, and brand storytelling. By experimenting with different types of video content, you are inherently diversifying your marketing strategy, plus you can identify what works best for your target audience.
In summary, video content offers a range of benefits for businesses, from improving SEO ranking and increasing conversions to enhancing customer support and building brand authority. If you’re interested in hiring our local recommended video production company, please visit www.glowfrogvideo.com.
Metal roofing fabricator expands with new factory investment
Metal roofing fabricator Corrivo, has invested more than £2 million into a new 10,000 sq ft manufacturing facility, including a range of new machinery.
Based in Burton, Corrivo has opened another manufacturing facility in addition to its existing factory, which will expand its capacity for flashings, gutters and other metal fabrications.
Paul Foster, Managing Director, says: “After experiencing consistent growth for the last few years, we wanted to increase the output of our production to keep up with demand. This investment in a new factory will allow us to continue delivering our exceptional service levels to customers, while increasing the level of products we can offer.
“The new 10,000 sq ft facility will help us manufacture even more products without taking away our core business principles of getting products to customers quickly.”
Having already moved into the new premises, Corrivo has already taken delivery of a range of new machinery, including an Amada punch machine.
“We’re a fast-moving company, and we’ve already invested in a range of new machinery for the new location, some of which has already arrived. We don’t want to waste a minute and have already started manufacturing in the new premises.
“Our new punch machine will also allow us to expand the range of products we can offer. Working to any CAD design, we can now manufacture a wide range of perforated and punched fabrications for a range of projects.”
Architects get the go-ahead to transform Derbyshire’s “secret” mansion into a luxury family home
A Derbyshire house which hit the headlines when planners discovered it had been built in secret and disguised as a humble cow shed is set to be transformed into a luxury family home.
Ashbourne-based Matthew Montague Architects has been granted planning permission to re-model and renovate Shedley Manor, a six-bedroom home complete with sweeping drive and countryside view on the edge of Yeaveley.
The work, which is expected to start later this year, will create a new entrance, porch and a double storey bay window at the front, with remodelling inside, new windows and bi-folding doors.
But it will also see the removal of the property’s most famous feature – the green metal cladding which ensured it looked like a cow shed, fooling council planners for years before its secret was discovered in 2016.
Shedley Manor was the tongue-in-cheek name given to the property by its owner, fraudulent businessman Alan Yeomans, who built it at the end of his mother’s garden, away from the prying eyes of neighbours and Derbyshire Dales District Council planners in 2002.
It was only when his illicit business dealings came to light – culminating in him being jailed for six years for drugs and money laundering offences 14 years in 2016 – that Shedley Manor was discovered, with the story hitting the national headlines.
The home, along with thousands of pounds of artwork, was seized and sold at auction and Matthew Montague Architects secured planning permission for the property to be knocked down and replaced.
However, although the building was renamed Carr Wood House, the plans were never realised.
Instead, it was sold to new owners last year who have decided to embrace its past and change the name back to Shedley Manor while instructing the firm to draw up plans to convert it into a more liveable and attractive property.
Matthew Montague, principal architect at Matthew Montague Architects, said: “Shedley Manor has one of the most colourful and unique histories of any home in Derbyshire and we’re delighted to be able to give it a new lease of life with the full approval of the council, of course.
“The fact that it had to double as a farm shed means that it has a few unusual features, including a hidden entrance and lack of windows down one wall, which our plans will rectify to give it the appearance of a house at long last.
“If every building tells a story, then Shedley Manor is a whole book-full of stories, and we’re looking forward to opening a new chapter. We’re very proud of our plans for this most unusual of properties and we have no doubt that it will become a much-loved family home.”
Jobs saved as buyer found for Mansfield packaging firm
A buyer has been secured for iTEC Packaging (Mansfield) Limited – securing 78 jobs.
Martyn Rickels, Simon Farr and Allan Kelly of specialist business advisory firm FRP were appointed as joint administrators to iTEC Packaging (Mansfield) Limited on 5 April 2023 and have now secured a sale of the business and its assets to Alpla UK Limited, a global leader in innovative packaging solutions.
iTEC Packaging was a plastic packaging designer and manufacturer that provided compression moulding and injection moulding of closures for the dairy industry, as well as the food and beverage sectors. The company faced financial pressures following difficult trading conditions and was placed into administration.
The sale of the company will see all 78 employees transferring to the new owner, Alpla UK Limited.
Commenting on the acquisition, Jens Seifried of Alpla UK said: “With the acquisition of the iTEC Packaging (Mansfield) business, the global packaging and recycling specialist ALPLA is expanding its expertise as a packaging system provider in the UK market.
“The plant in Mansfield manufactures closures for dairy bottles which are made from HDPE using compression moulding and injection moulding processes. With our global know-how, with this acquisition we can increasingly offer the UK dairy industry sustainable, efficient and innovative packaging solutions.”
Martyn Rickels, joint administrator of iTEC Packaging (Mansfield), said: “iTEC Packaging was a long-established business and player in the dairy supply chain so we’re delighted to have secured a new buyer.
“Alongside the transaction to sell the sister business in Chester-Le-Street, this has helped save nearly 200 jobs in a short space of time, as well as protecting the customer base with ongoing production.
“We wish Alpla UK and its team every success as they take the business forward.”
James Cameron, Samantha Latham, Samantha Poulton and Faith James of Pinsent Masons provided legal advice to FRP Advisory.
Visuals of Wavensmere Homes’ proposed Friar Gate Goods Yard redevelopment revealed
Wavensmere Homes has released computer generated images of how the 11.5-acre historic Friar Gate Goods Yard in central Derby could look if the green light is given for the derelict site to be redeveloped. A public consultation process has been launched welcoming local opinions on the plans.
The landmark site could be transformed into 274 houses and apartments, alongside the restoration of the Grade II listed Bonded Warehouse and Engine House to create potential health and fitness space, a restaurant/café, a flexible office space, and other amenities.
The plans also include new areas of Public Open Space, including play spaces and pocket parks. A new multi-purpose public realm and community space is also proposed for the area adjacent to Friar Gate Bridge, with retention of some of the original railway arch facades.
New vehicular, pedestrian and cycle access would be created at various points around the site, from Uttoxeter New Road, Great Northern Way, and Friar Gate, with the Mick Mack cycling route also extended.
Friar Gate Goods Yard has been in the ownership of the Clowes family for 40 years, with a number of options for redevelopment proposed but not progressed, due to heritage constraints and commercial viability. Following the public consultation period, Wavensmere Homes and Clowes Developments will be in a position to submit a commercially viable planning application to Derby City Council this summer.
James Dickens, Managing Director of Wavensmere Homes, said: “We are very pleased with how quickly our design team has worked to create the inspiring visuals for how Friar Gate Goods Yard could be reanimated. Our plans are commercially viable, while maximising the amount of new Public Open Space, and investing millions into saving the two badly fire-damaged 150-year-old listed buildings.
“In addition to our masterplan visuals, cross-section plans of the houses can be viewed on the Friar Gate website, to illustrate the innovative designs and energy saving technologies that we are seeking to implement. We hope that the people of Derby will engage with the consultation process and welcome the collaborative efforts being made to create something truly special here.”
Glancy Nicholls Architects is designing the mixed-use scheme, with a huge emphasis being placed on the significant opportunity for exemplary placemaking. The latest green energy features will be incorporated into the design for the new homes and commercial space, to enable the highest EPC rating of A to be targeted. The proposed development would also be well in excess of the new Part L 2021 building regulations.
The site sits just outside the Friar Gate Conservation Area, which features notable Georgian townhouses with high-quality brickwork and fine architectural detailing. The Friar Gate Goods Yard was intended as the main goods depot for the Great Northern Railway line, to handle coal, livestock, timber, and metals. Designed in 1870, and entering operation in 1878, the Bonded Warehouse building contained extensive warehouse space and offices. It was used as a store for the American Army in WWII to house ammunition and other supplies.
The Engine House was also built for the Railway by Kirk & Randall of Sleaford. It is Italianate in style and built from Welsh slate roofs. The Engine House supplied power to the hydraulic lifts and capstans at the Bonded Warehouse. The site first became derelict in 1967, and overtime became overgrown and fell into a poor state of repair. An arson attack took place at the Goods Yard in 2020, which exposed the whole inner steel structure of the two historic buildings.
The Goods Yard redevelopment proposals promote sustainable development through the use of low carbon materials, modern methods of construction, and renewable energy generation. The environmental impact of the project is being carefully considered, with the vast proposed green spaces designed to create a new green oasis within Derby city centre, with significant opportunities for biodiversity enhancements and retention of the majority of the mature trees on the site.
Northamptonshire mechanical and electrical design company sold
Northamptonshire-based mechanical and electrical design company AVUS Consulting Ltd has been sold to Wintech Group Ltd, with KBS Corporate advising on the deal.
AVUS, located in Corby, specialises in the delivery of design solutions, offering a complete service package from feasibility studies through to the production of detailed drawings.
The business was founded in 2003, has developed its practical-driven ethos over the course of two decades and is now undertaking projects valued up to £60 million in the commercial, industrial and residential sectors.
Martin Fern, Managing Director of AVUS, made the decision to sell the business to facilitate his retirement plans while allowing design engineer Sarah Southgate to absorb his responsibilities.
Adam Nelson, KBS Corporate deal executive who oversaw the transaction, said: “My initial impression of AVUS was very positive. It was an attractive opportunity within a growing market and I was eager to present it to the right people.”
KBS Corporate document writer Daniel Calderbank worked with Adam during the marketing process to highlight the scope of the opportunity.
“AVUS’ expertise and diverse range of services have put it at the forefront of its industry,” said Daniel. “We made sure this was easily recognised across the marketing materials for potential buyers.”
Wintech was the successful acquirer and is currently expanding its group to diversify its service portfolio and extend its client reach.
With over 40 years of experience, Wintech is recognised as a Centre of Excellence for façade engineering.
Adam Nelson added: “This was Wintech’s first acquisition through KBS. I introduced them to our process and we were able to collaborate very well together.”
Moving forwards, Adam is confident a deal has been achieved that will benefit both AVUS and Wintech while optimising growth potential.
“I am very satisfied with the outcome of the sale,” said Adam. “We achieved a good valuation for AVUS, as well as a suitable target working capital and surplus cash figure for both parties through effective communication. I wish them the very best in the future.”
Both Martin Fern and Paul Savidge, Managing Directors of AVUS and Wintech respectively, commended KBS’ approach throughout the transaction and Adam Nelson’s invaluable role during the process.
Paul Savidge said: “Martin and I are both really pleased with the outcome and excited to see what we can now make of the future. I think Adam has done a fantastic job in keeping things moving and getting us over the line. Many thanks again to KBS — it’s very much appreciated.”
Lincoln shopping centre snapped up
Lincolnshire Co-op and Wykeland Group have acquired Waterside Shopping Centre in Lincoln.
The two organisations have come together in a 50/50 partnership to secure the prime retail and leisure destination in the heart of Lincoln city centre.
The 130,000 sq ft Waterside scheme is 95% let with an impressive line-up of leading retailers including H&M, Next, New Look, Superdrug, O2, Office and Skechers.
Following the success of the Cornhill Quarter development, the purchase extends Lincolnshire Co-op’s role in the regeneration of Lincoln and also brings Wykeland’s property asset management experience and expertise to the city.
The partners will work together to operate Waterside Shopping Centre as a primarily retail scheme, while also aiming to develop the centre’s leisure offering.
Lincolnshire Co-op head of property Kevin Kendall said: “Working together with other local organisations, we’re proud of the schemes we’ve developed which boost the economy of the city and county, improve the local environment and provide a range of valued services.
“We’re always looking for opportunities where we could further support the retail and leisure offer within Lincoln and this partnership with Wykeland, focusing on a key site, is a perfect fit.”
Dominic Gibbons, Managing Director of Hull-based Wykeland, said: “We have been looking for opportunities such as this in high-quality locations and we’re delighted to have come together with Lincolnshire Co-op to acquire the Waterside Shopping Centre.
“We see this as a highly attractive asset in a vibrant city centre location benefiting from significant and ongoing investment, particularly the neighbouring Cornhill Quarter scheme where Lincolnshire Co-op have undertaken a fantastic regeneration scheme.
“This is great news for Waterside, as the centre is now in the hands of organisations with outstanding track records of commercial property asset management and development in Lincolnshire and the wider region.
“We share the same values, as investors with a long-term view and a deep commitment to supporting local communities. We look forward to working together to ensure Waterside makes the fullest possible contribution to Lincoln’s exciting future.”
Waterside draws from Lincoln’s 104,000 population and benefits from the city’s strong visitor economy and significant student presence. The centre has an estimated overall customer base of 376,000 people in its wider catchment area.
