Work starts to transform former Wilko store into campus for college students

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Work starts to transform former Wilko store into campus for college students

Work has begun to transform Sutton’s former Wilko store into the Portland Square campus for college students.

Ashfield District Council purchased the building earlier this year using money from their £62.6m Towns Deal and have leased it to West Nottinghamshire College.

The former Wilko building is now in the process of being fully refurbished, creating a campus for students aged 16-18, adults and apprentices to gain trade skills and qualifications in plumbing and electrical installation.

The move will bring a range of benefits to Sutton. As well as bringing a major vacant unit back into use, students spending more time in town before and after college, the town centre will see more footfall, a bigger spend in local businesses, and a livelier town during the day.

Cllr Matthew Relf, Ashfield District Council’s executive lead for growth, regeneration and local planning, said: “Wilkos has stood empty for a couple of years now and we are so pleased to be able to bring it back into use. It’s a fantastic space, and will make a great new addition to West Nottinghamshire College’s offering.

“This new facility’s town centre location makes it easily accessible by public transport and brings more young people into our town centre. Breathing life into the former Wilkos complements the wider work we are doing to regenerate Sutton town centre, including the new and improved Portland Square, and the newly renovated Cornerstone Theatre, all of which are bringing new opportunities and vibrancy into Sutton.”

Portland Square campus will also be a centre for ‘green skills’ courses including ground source and air source heat pump, photovoltaics, and the wiring of electric vehicle charging points for homes.

Andrew Cropley MBE, principal and chief executive at West Nottinghamshire College, said: “I’m thrilled that work has begun to create another fantastic training facility for local people and local businesses.

“The construction sector is of huge strategic significance, both locally and nationally, and I hope this forward-looking centre will inspire even more young people to seek careers in plumbing and electrical installation, and help adults who wish to advance their careers in these valuable trades.

“This opportunity has already enabled us to complete the UK’s first Gene Haas Centre for Advanced Manufacturing on the outskirts of Sutton and will allow us to modernise and further increase our capacity in other construction trades, as well as motor vehicle maintenance. I can’t wait to see the new campus come to life.”

The conversion, carried out by Vaughandale Construction Ltd, will involve a major programme of internal works to create classrooms, workshop space, offices and student social space across three floors within 29,428 sq ft, plus renovation and redesign of the building’s façade.

Darren Atkins, contracts director at Vaughandale Construction, said: “As one of the leading construction companies in the East Midlands, we are delighted and proud to be working with West Nottinghamshire College to deliver this prestigious project, transforming the former Wilko building in Sutton into a new construction training campus.

“We are particularly pleased to be involved in the development of the new training centre. Along with our apprenticeship partnership with the college, this facility will provide tremendous benefits to our local community, inspiring the next generation of young people entering the construction industry, which closely aligns with our company values and ethos.”

Homes England supports SME developer with £7m loan to deliver Derbyshire scheme

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Homes England supports SME developer with £7m loan to deliver Derbyshire scheme

Homes England is supporting SME developer, Forge New Homes with a £7m loan to deliver 58 new properties at Welbeck Gardens in Bolsover.

The Derbyshire development will provide a mix of three- and four-bedroom homes, including a proportion of affordable homes. Forge New Homes has secured the loan through Homes England’s Home Building Fund, which provides development finance to small and medium-sized housebuilders that may face barriers accessing traditional funding. Simon Century, chief investment officer at Homes England, said: “Small and medium-sized housebuilders are essential to building the diverse and resilient housing sector the country needs.

“Welbeck Gardens is a prime example of how we are working with partners like Forge New Homes to support the SME housebuilders that are crucial to building a diverse and resilient housing sector.”

Andy Beattie, managing director of Forge New Homes, said: “Our aim has always been to deliver new homes that are both attainable and affordable for local people.

“This partnership with Homes England is a significant step forward, and we’re grateful for their support in helping us make these much-needed homes a reality.”

Eco-friendly web design agency achieves B Corp status

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Eco-friendly web design agency achieves B Corp status
A Northamptonshire-based web design agency that specialises in creating low carbon WordPress websites has achieved B Corp status. Poppy Eco Hub, founded by Marie Baker and Daniel Lister last year, specialises in creating sustainable and accessible websites that reduce carbon, meet WCAG 2.2 AA standards and comply with the European Accessibility Act (EAA). Verified by B Lab, the not-for-profit behind the B Corp movement, the new certification sees Poppy Eco Hub join a growing number of companies that are reinventing business for the benefit of all people and our shared planet. There are currently around 9,700 certified B Corporations – or B Corps as they are better known – in the UK. Each one of these companies has had to undergo a stringent assessment process that shows it meets high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability. The whole process took Marie and Daniel around nine months to complete and they were proud to not only achieve the certification, but to attain an overall score of 98.1 – well above the pass mark of 80. Marie Baker, director of Poppy Eco Hub, said: “We are over the moon to announce that Poppy Eco Hub is now officially a B Corp after just over a year of trading. “We knew when we set up the business that we wanted to be a B Corp organisation as it just aligns so well with our mission and purpose – to create sustainable, accessible and visually stunning websites that reduce environmental impact while empowering organisations to thrive in the digital world. “We are committed to combining innovation with responsibility, championing eco-friendly practices, and promoting inclusivity to build a greener, more connected future.” Chris Turner, executive director of B Lab UK, said: “We are delighted to welcome Poppy Eco Hub to the B Corp community. This is a movement of companies that are committed to changing how business operates and believe business really can be a force for good. “We know that Poppy Eco Hub is going to be a fantastic addition to the community and will continue driving the conversation forward.”

Timely deal as home care provider takes third floor at The Clock Tower

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Timely deal as home care provider takes third floor at The Clock Tower
The third floor at The Clock Tower, Nottingham city centre has been let to home care provider Q Care Assist, with the deal agreed and completed within a four-week timeframe. The third floor comprises 2,773 sq ft of office accommodation, prominently positioned on the corner of Talbot Street. The space has recently undergone a comprehensive refurbishment, including the installation of new mechanical and electrical systems, a modern kitchenette, and full redecoration to create an open-plan layout with natural light throughout. Enhancements to the lobby and entrance area further elevate the building’s appeal. Jamie Simms, from Bildurn, said: “It is fantastic to have a quality tenant secured for the recently refurbished third floor space on Talbot Street in Nottingham city centre. Following this letting, we’ll be refurbishing the second floor and look forward to working with Amy again to secure another strong tenant and bring the building back to 100% occupancy.” Amy Howard, surveyor at FHP Property Consultants, said: “We’re thrilled to have achieved such a swift and successful letting for our client and the tenant. The location and quality of the space make it a suitable choice for occupiers and I am excited to continue working with Bildurn to secure a new tenant for the second floor. “It’s also been a pleasure assisting Q Care Assist in finding their new office home. After viewing several options together, it’s rewarding to see them settle into a space that suits their needs perfectly. We wish them every success in this exciting next chapter.”

Student accommodation developer sees 95% occupancy across key cities

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Student accommodation developer sees 95% occupancy across key cities
Study Inn, the privately owned operator, developer, and manager of student accommodation, has reported a 95% occupancy across its seven properties in six university cities — Leeds, Leicester, Exeter, Bristol, Nottingham, and Loughborough — for the 2025/26 academic year. Matt Shakespeare, managing director of operations at Study Inn, said: “Achieving 95% occupancy across our portfolio reflects the strength of our model and our ability to meet the diverse needs of both international and domestic students nationwide. “Our flexible, high-quality offering continues to attract residents seeking a premium life experience supported by service, comfort, and community at a price point that represents exceptional value for money.” Recent data from UCAS and HEPI points to ongoing strength in the UK higher education market, with total UCAS applicants rising to 665,070 in the 2025 cycle — up 1.3% year-on-year — and UK 18-year-old applicants reaching a record 328,390, an increase of 2.2%. UCAS also projects that growth in the UK’s 18-year-old population will continue to drive additional applicants over the coming years, supporting robust future demand for student accommodation. Study Inn says its success is underpinned by its vertically integrated business model, which provides full control over acquisition, design, development, and operations. The company’s all-inclusive offering includes utilities, internet, kitchens, towels, bedding, housekeeping, shared lounges, social spaces, and landscaped outdoor areas. Study Inn has achieved strong annual growth over all of its assets since inception of the brand. Current average achieved weekly rent is £226, and is forecasted to increase in 2026/27. “These are exciting times for Study Inn,” added Shakespeare. “With our experience, adaptability, and continued investment in quality, we’re perfectly positioned to capitalise on the macro favourable market conditions whilst remaining very responsive to the micro market conditions in each city and deliver strong occupancy and sustained growth across our portfolios.”

University and Chamber strengthen regional business insight

April Lara
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University and Chamber strengthen regional business insight

The University of Leicester and East Midlands Chamber have renewed their partnership to enhance economic research and knowledge sharing across the region’s business community.

The collaboration continues the university’s role as exclusive research partner for the Chamber’s Quarterly Economic Survey. The study gathers detailed data from local firms, analysing trends in sales, exports, recruitment, investment, and the impact of economic pressures such as inflation and taxation. The findings help inform regional policy discussions and national economic reports.

Through the partnership, the university will support evidence-based decision-making and strengthen links between academia and industry. It will also contribute to the development of Knowledge Transfer Partnerships and executive education programmes designed to boost innovation, productivity, and workforce skills in the East Midlands.

University of Leicester School of Business Associate Dean of Enterprise Prof Mohamed Shaban said: “We are delighted to continue the University of Leicester’s Strategic Partnership with East Midlands Chamber. This enduring partnership underscores our shared commitment to bridging the gap between education and the business community. Together, we look forward to driving positive impact through executive education, knowledge exchange, research, and student enterprise.”

Both institutions aim to use the alliance to provide clearer insights into business performance and ensure local enterprises are better equipped to respond to economic challenges and growth opportunities.

Food and drink gift company “thriving” following Dragons’ Den rejection

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Food and drink gift company “thriving” following Dragons’ Den rejection
The founder of food and drink gift company IMP & MAKER says her business is thriving despite failing to secure investment on Dragons’ Den. Millions of viewers watched Sarah Louise Fairburn (on 16th October) leave the Den empty-handed after seeking £100k for a 10 per cent stake in her business. However, far from being despondent, the entrepreneur has gone on to raise £500k from an angel investor in a deal that valued IMP & MAKER at £2m, expand the company’s partnership with retail giant Costco, and is on track to report its first profit this year. Fairburn, a single mum-of-four, said: “Appearing on Dragons’ Den was both the toughest and most rewarding experience of my life. You can’t put a price on the advice I received from some of the biggest names in UK business and it’s helped transform the company. “I founded IMP & MAKER in 2020 to become the UK’s go-to business for food and drink gifting and now millions more people have heard of the brand. While the episode was being screened more than 10,000 people logged on to our website!” Fairburn had less than a month’s notice to prepare for her appearance in the Den after being “phoned out of the blue” by Dragons’ Den. “I thought it was a hoax call at first before I realised it was genuine,” she said. “I knew IMP & MAKER was far from the finished article at the time but I’ve always thought you regret the things you don’t do – so I said ‘yes’. “I’ve grown up watching Dragons’ Den and I wasn’t going to turn down the opportunity to pitch to Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden, Steve Bartlett, Touker Suleyman and Sara Davies.” Fairburn said she’ll never forget the moment she walked into the Den when the episode was filmed in June, 2024. “My heart was beating out of my chest but I took a deep breath and went for it,” she said. The regular panel was joined by guest Dragon Emma Grede and Fairburn described her 90-minute interrogation as “brutal, relentless and exhilarating – all rolled into one.” She said: “I was very open about the financials. At the time IMP & MAKER was losing £800k a year; spending £90 per customer acquisition; and margins were as low as 4%. “This year we’re on track to make a profit; the cost of customer acquisition is down to £24; and margins are up to 35%. We’ve also gone on to raise £500k from an angel investor in a deal that valued IMP & MAKER at £2m.” Despite not investing, Dragon Steven Bartlett praised her resilience and determination. Fairburn said: “I took the advice from the Dragons onboard and IMP & MAKER is now five years old and in the best shape it’s ever been as we approach the busy Christmas and New Year period. “We’re a much leaner business than when I appeared on Dragons’ Den. We’ve got the right infrastructure and team in place to take IMP & MAKER to the next level.”

Marginal GDP rise fails to ease strain on East Midlands firms

April Lara
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Marginal GDP rise fails to ease strain on East Midlands firms

UK GDP grew by just 0.1% in August, following a revised 0.1% decline in July, according to the Office for National Statistics. Over the three months to August, the economy expanded by 0.3%.

While this uptick signals a slight recovery, it does little to relieve pressure on businesses across the East Midlands. Many firms continue to face high operating costs and limited consumer demand as they anticipate the Autumn Budget on 26 November, which could introduce further tax rises.

East Midlands Chamber Director of Policy and Insight Richard Blackmore said: “With the Autumn Budget just weeks away and increasing speculation of tax rises of some kind, businesses will be anxious. A slight rise of 0.1% in monthly GDP will be of little comfort to firms that had higher costs imposed on them from the last Budget and don’t want more headaches.”

The region’s business community remains concerned about inflation and corporate taxation, issues that continue to weigh on margins and investment decisions. Previous policy measures, including higher National Insurance contributions and increases to the national living wage, have already tightened cash flow for employers.

Industry leaders are urging the government to prioritise business-friendly reforms in the upcoming Budget, particularly those related to Business Rates and investment incentives. With growth sluggish and confidence fragile, firms are seeking fiscal measures that support expansion rather than impose new financial burdens.

Major milestone reached at £20m ARK scheme

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Major milestone reached at £20m ARK scheme
Origin has reached practical completion on the first phase of its £20m ARK development, providing 107,000 sq ft of industrial and logistics space at Markham Vale. Origin is a joint venture partnership between HBD, part of Henry Boot, and Feldberg Capital. It owns and develops next-generation, ESG-compliant industrial & logistics assets in the mid box market. Capital Angling recently secured the first unit at ARK, taking 17,050 sq ft at the M1 industrial & logistics destination. Phase one comprises four units; all BREEAM Excellent with EPC A rating, ensuring occupiers are meeting increasingly stringent ESG expectations. HBD recently submitted a planning application for the second phase of ARK, which comprises a final 53,000 sq ft unit. Vivienne Clements, executive director at HBD, said: “ARK was one of the first Origin schemes on site so it’s great to see phase one complete. Markham Vale is a proven I&L location, providing occupiers with excellent transport links and sustainable infrastructure plus a strong local labour supply. “While supply has increased within the region, there remains a shortage of good quality stock in prime locations; particularly for best-in-class, ESG compliant space.” Jamie Acheson, managing director of Feldberg Capital, said: “The completion of the first phase of ARK marks an important milestone in Origin’s long-term strategy to build a high-quality, scalable portfolio in the mid box I&L sector. “This segment continues to show strong occupational demand and resilience and we see significant opportunity to create value through well-located, sustainable developments. The scheme sets a strong precedent for what we aim to achieve and it’s fantastic to see phase one completed to budget and ahead of schedule.”

Plans revealed to transform Nottingham’s Hanson House site into student accommodation

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Plans revealed to transform Nottingham’s Hanson House site into student accommodation
Plans to sensitively regenerate Hanson House and the adjoining Big City Tyres site in Nottingham city centre have been unveiled, setting out proposals to bring the derelict side back into use as purpose-built student accommodation. Brought forward by developers Peveril Securities and Sladen Estates, the scheme has been designed to respond sensitively to its prominent location close to the Broadmarsh regeneration area. The existing buildings are in poor structural condition, with independent assessments confirming that retention is not viable. The proposals would deliver around 329 new student bedrooms, predominantly self-contained studios. Residents will also benefit from shared amenities, including study and quiet rooms, social lounges, exercise space, cinema rooms and an enclosed roof terrace. Rachel Wood, managing director at Sladen Estates, said: “This project gives us the opportunity to reimagine Hanson House and bring new life to a prominent city centre site. The existing building is in poor structural condition and these proposals represent a chance to deliver a development that contributes positively to Nottingham’s future by helping to kickstart regeneration across the wider Broadmarsh area. “Our ambition is to deliver a well-designed, well-connected scheme that goes above and beyond to provide everything a modern-day student needs – combining high-quality living spaces with dedicated study areas and social amenities that support wellbeing and community life. Working closely with stakeholders, we’ve shaped proposals that reflect the site’s context while supporting the city’s wider ambition for growth and renewal.” A public consultation will take place on Wednesday 22nd October, from 4.00pm to 7.00pm at Nottingham Central Library, where feedback can be provided ahead of the submission of a planning application to Nottingham City Council.
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