Midlands Connect’s flagship scheme, a transformational rail improvement which will benefit 7 million people across the region, has been given the green light.
Midlands Rail Hub is a blueprint for faster, better and more frequent connections across the Midlands.
Two new ‘chords’ and 10+ engineering interventions throughout the region will allow more than 20 million extra seats for passengers and up to 300 extra trains every day.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves highlighted the scheme in her Comprehensive Spending Review in June. Today’s announcement goes beyond this, providing the capital investment needed to make it a reality.
Maria Machancoses, chief executive of Midlands Connect, said: “This is a breakthrough moment for our region, one which will led to a fundamental shift in opportunities and investment, and we will see growth in jobs, housing and in our economy as a direct result.
“We are beyond thrilled to welcome this Government commitment, and it is a testament to the determination of our mayors, leaders, MPs and partners across the region who have championed this scheme.
“Midlands Rail Hub is a once in a generation chance to change our collective future for the better.”
The scale of this announcement is a huge step forward in delivering the overall ambition of Midlands Rail Hub – to boost frequency and capacity to as many places as possible across the region.
It is a vote of confidence in a project which is expected to create nearly 13,000 construction jobs and serve up to 50 stations and destinations across the Midlands and beyond.
Thanks to the work of the co-sponsor partners involved – Midlands Connect, the Department for Transport, Network Rail and West Midlands Rail Executive, it will progress to Full Business Case completion in 2028, with parts of the scheme entering into service in the early 2030s.
Harris Lamb’s Commercial Agency team has hailed the East Midlands industrial market one of the most resilient and dynamic in the UK, with demand for stock within the region consistently outstripping supply.
Competition for space in Nottingham is particularly fierce, according to Scott Osborne, director, who said that the team was entering Q3 of 2025 with a significant need for new stock to meet the unrelenting demand from occupiers.
“The East Midlands – and Nottingham in particular – continues to show real strength, with enquiry levels remaining robust and healthy. Across the board, we are experiencing a steady flow of requirements from both local and national occupiers, with demand particularly strong for modern, well-specified units in strategic locations,” said Scott.
“Despite broader economic uncertainties, the appetite for industrial and logistics space across the region has remained remarkably resilient, and we are consistently working with occupiers seeking space from sub-5,000 sq ft units right up to large-scale distribution facilities, with location, connectivity, and specification being key drivers of decision-making.
“The biggest challenge we face is the volume of stock needed to fulfil the high enquiry levels we’re receiving, and we are actively seeking new instructions throughout the East Midlands to meet occupier demand.
“My colleagues within the West Midlands are seeing an increase in speculative high-specification logistics facilities to satisfy the need in the region, and we need more of that here – from developers looking to speculatively build, to landlords with upcoming voids or refurbishment projects, we are keen to hear from anyone with industrial space coming to market.”
Scott said that the forecast for the second half of 2025 was extremely positive.
“In the nine months since I joined Harris Lamb, I’ve had the opportunity to immerse myself in what I acknowledge as one of the UK’s most dynamic and resilient commercial property sectors, and have contributed to a number of exciting instructions and supported a wide range of clients with their industrial property needs across the region.
“It’s an exciting time to be part of this sector, and I’m looking forward to further strengthening our presence across Nottingham and the wider East Midlands, helping clients navigate a fast-moving market with confidence and clarity.”
A partnership between local businesses, community organisations, and civic leaders in Derby is transforming the city centre into a safer, more vibrant hub, particularly after dark. This collaborative effort has led to the city earning the esteemed Purple Flag accreditation, recognising high standards in managing the night-time economy.
The initiative involves a variety of stakeholders, including Marketing Derby, Derby’s Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), the University of Derby, Derbion, Derbyshire Police, Vaillant, and Derby Museums. Their combined work focuses on improving safety, accessibility, and cultural appeal in the evenings. The University of Derby has spearheaded student safety efforts, while Derbion has provided late-night shopping and events. The BIDs have ensured visible policing and coordinated city centre management.
Vaillant’s involvement in community initiatives highlights the importance of a united approach to civic responsibility. The collaborative work not only strengthens Derby’s night-time economy but also fosters a more inclusive and engaged city.
These efforts reflect a commitment to building a city where both residents and visitors feel welcome and secure, with the aim of further enhancing the evening experience for all.
Funding for a significant upgrade of the A46 Newark bypass will ‘end the daily grind’ for local businesses and the economy.
The stretch of A46 between the Farndon Junction, to the west of Newark-on-Trent, and the A1 to the east of Newark-on-Trent, is the last remaining stretch of single carriageway between the M1 and A1 and consequently queuing traffic is a regular occurrence, often impacting journey time reliability.
Midlands Connect’s research has previously found traffic speeds are frequently below 20 mph around Newark resulting in unreliable journey planning, rising export transport costs and business unproductivity.
Government’s announcement to upgrade this section will reduce journey times and ease congestion on this important route.
Commenting on the announcement of funding for Newark bypass, the CEO of Midlands Connect Maria Machancoses, said: “Midlands Connect has long called Newark bypass the last piece of the puzzle – supporting housing, local jobs and vital connectivity to the Grimsby and Humber ports.
“We are over the moon that funding has been allocated for the scheme and it’s something we have continually advocated for as a critical project for Midlands.
“This announcement is the beginning of the end of the daily grind for commuters and residents who have endured sitting in tailbacks, making their lives a nightmare. We look forward to working with partners to deliver this regionally significant project.”
The scheme will:
Improve traffic signals at Farndon roundabout to achieve smoother traffic flows in peak hours.
Provide a new dual-carriageway bridge over the A1.
Enlarge and partially signal Winthorpe roundabout to reduce congestion and improve journey reliability.
Create a new grade separated junction at the Cattle Market roundabout.
The main issue affecting the route is traffic congestion. The A46 Newark bypass is a heavily trafficked route, with an average of 15,440 and 16,290 vehicle passing through the corridor northbound and southbound respectively, per day.
Dunelm Group, the Leicester-based homewares retailer, has appointed of Clodagh (Clo) Moriarty as CEO, with effect from 1 October 2025.
Clo will succeed Nick Wilkinson, who intends to retire from Dunelm and full-time executive life following seven years in the role. Nick will continue in his role until Clo’s appointment and will step down from the Board at the end of September, before leaving the business in early October.
Clo is an established retail leader and is currently the chief retail and technology officer at Sainsbury’s. As a member of the operating board, she holds responsibility for all stores and their operations, alongside Sainsbury’s digital offer and strategy, customer experience and end to end technology platforms.
She has been with the business for 15 years, holding a variety of leadership roles, having previously worked for nine years at Bain & Company.
Alison Brittain, chair of Dunelm, said: “We are thrilled to be appointing Clo as our new CEO. She is a proven industry leader and brings an impressive range of skills and experience from one of the UK’s largest retailers, where she has played a prominent role in developing the Sainsbury’s offer to drive market share gains over a number of years.
“Clo was the standout candidate from a strong field, and we are delighted that we have been able to attract such a talented and high calibre executive. As Nick hands on the baton, we are confident that her blend of retail, digital and strategic expertise will be a significant asset as we move into our next phase of growth as The Home of Homes.”
Clodagh Moriarty added: “Dunelm is a fantastic business which I have followed and admired for many years, so to be joining as CEO is a real privilege. Our homes play a central part in our lives and Dunelm has a very special role in helping customers to create a space which is truly their own.
“Even from the outside, its values, purpose and culture are plain to see, which is credit to the thousands of committed colleagues across the business. Nick and the team have done an incredible job growing the business, its channels and its capabilities over recent years in service of Dunelm’s customers. We have an amazing platform to build from, and I can’t wait to get started.”
A dispute has arisen over the Business Improvement District (BID) levy in Spalding, with a group of business owners refusing to pay the charge. The BID, which was created following a local vote in July 2024, aims to fund town centre improvements and increase foot traffic. However, some businesses argue the vote was flawed due to missing ballots and have vowed not to pay the levy.
The levy is calculated based on a business’s rateable value, meaning larger businesses contribute more. Despite the backlash, South Holland District Council has defended the process, asserting the vote was legally conducted and in line with national guidelines.
Small business owners, including photographer Julian Wheeler and beautician Macie Harman, are among those opposing the BID. While Wheeler has expressed his intent to challenge the legality of the vote, Harman has opted to pay the levy to avoid further costs, but still plans to fight the BID’s validity.
The council has maintained that the ballot and levy collection process were fair and properly managed, with strict oversight from an electoral services provider and the returning officer. Recovery actions have been handled in accordance with national regulations, with the council standing firm on the legitimacy of the levy.
Vistry Group, the provider of mixed-tenure homes, has signed contracts with Sigma Capital Group, a provider of Build To Rent Housing (BTR), for the development of 153 homes at Linby Meadows, Nottinghamshire.
The homes form part of Vistry’s 763-home development, 2km north of Hucknall town centre at Top Wighay, which has been hailed as Nottinghamshire County Council’s (NCC) flagship mixed-use scheme.
It will feature two-, three-, and four-bedroom homes, maisonettes and apartments, of which 269 will be available for the affordable market, 153 BTR homes through Sigma and the remaining 341 homes available on the open market through Vistry’s Linden, Bovis and Countryside Homes brands.
Rory Keys, acquisitions and investment director, Sigma, said: “We’re delighted to be part of this flagship development site with our partners, Vistry. Once built, these homes will be available via Sigma’s BTR brand, Simple Life, offering the local community high quality, professionally managed, pet friendly homes to rent.
“Sigma has a strong history in regeneration and place making and we are looking forward to being part of what is set to be a thriving, new community at Linby Meadows.”
Andy Reynolds, managing director of Vistry Group’s partnerships division in the South East Midlands, said: “We are delighted to be working with Sigma to provide these much-needed new family rental homes at Linby Meadows, Hucknall.
“Over the past year, we have consulted with the community to finalise the details of the scheme and ensure it meets local people’s needs and now we are on site, ready to create a new community of high-quality, mixed-tenure properties for people in the area to call home.”
The land was acquired from the Council in March 2025 triggering the start of a £6m investment to bolster local services. This includes £4.75m for education, £800,000 for highways and bus improvements, and £436,000 towards healthcare. The scheme also includes new parks, sports facilities, wildlife corridors, pedestrian and cycle routes, and a new primary school.
This development will also house an on-site Skills Academy in partnership with Chameleon School of Construction.
A proposal for 150 new homes on the outskirts of Derby is facing significant opposition, primarily due to concerns over its potential impact on Chaddesden Wood, a designated ancient woodland. The land, spanning 20.3 acres, is currently under review by Derby City Council after being submitted by JGP Properties Ltd. The developer claims the scheme has been designed with environmental considerations in mind, aiming for a seamless integration with the surrounding landscape.
However, the proposal has garnered nearly 1,500 objections, including from prominent groups such as CPRE Derbyshire, the Woodland Trust, and the Friends of Chaddesden Wood. These groups express concerns about the loss of habitats, potential harm to wildlife, and the erosion of green wedge land north of the city. Chaddesden Wood is recognised as both a nature reserve and ancient woodland, home to veteran trees that are irreplaceable.
A council report highlights the already significant human activity within the woodland and warns that new housing would exacerbate pressure on the area. Additionally, the development would fragment the remaining Oakwood green wedge, isolating the woodland from the surrounding open countryside.
Despite the developer’s assertion that the project represents a respectful transition between urban and rural areas, the proposed development faces strong pushback. Planning officials are expected to recommend refusal when the application is discussed later this week.
Law firm Howes Percival’s turnover increased 22% in 2025, according to its latest annual results.
The firm, which has offices in Leicester and Northampton, posted turnover of £41.7m for the year ending 31 March 2025.
The result is the third double-digit turnover rise in three years and represents an increase of over 77% in the last four years.
The growth has been across all practice areas, with the Corporate and Banking team and newly formed Commercial, Technology and Intellectual Property (CTIP) team seeing growth between 27% and 29%, Commercial Property 26% and Private Client 17%.
The firm has created over 100 new roles in the last four years and increased the number of partners to 72, alongside investments in IT and office infrastructure including opening an office in Oxford, the refurbishment of the Leicester office and new offices for the Cambridge team, as part of its ongoing investment and growth plan.
Howes Percival’s chairperson, Geraint Davies, said: “This is a fantastic result and testament to the hard work our whole team has put in over the last 12 months. Growth was a key goal.
“It enables us to keep investing in developing our service to clients and in making Howes Percival a place where talented people want to work and enjoy working. All our teams have developed three-year growth plans based on the target of £50m turnover by 2028. Currently we are ahead of those plans.
“We will continue to invest in improving every aspect of the service we provide to clients. Developments in tech and AI will transform the way that legal services are delivered over the next few years, and we are investing significantly in these areas.
“But we remain a relationship driven business and our focus will always be on helping our lawyers build stronger relationships with clients, ensuring they engage with them empathetically, discussing what they need from us and responding to those requests.”
Shining a light on the region’s property and construction industry, nominations will close on Friday 15th August for the 10th annual East Midlands Bricks Awards.
With 10 categories available to enter, the independent awards and publicity programme recognises development projects, businesses and people in commercial and public building across the region – from office, industrial and residential schemes, through to community projects such as leisure schemes and schools. We also showcase the work of architects, agencies and those behind large schemes.
Amongst this year’s categories is Excellence in Design, which can be entered here. The winner of this category will have shown true originality in design excellence across a scheme or schemes over the last 12 months, whether this be aesthetically, functionally or in any other manner.
It’s completely free to submit a nomination and making the top three finalists in your category also wins you free tickets to the awards ceremony.
Last year the award was won by Distinctive Developments, for Woodwell and Meadow Barn, with G F Tomlinson (for The Air and Space Institute, Newark) and Design Haus (for Musters Road) runners up.
Upon winning, Richard Evans of Distinctive Developments said: “Winning the Bricks award for our Woodwell and Meadow Barn project is a huge honour for the Distinctive Developments team. This project truly reflects our passion for blending traditional design with sustainability. Turning a steel barn into two beautiful farmstead homes, we’ve used local materials and eco-friendly features to create homes that fit perfectly into the Rutland countryside, while still offering modern luxury. We’re so grateful to the judges for recognizing our hard work and commitment to quality design and craftsmanship. What a super event as well for networking and business connections, thankyou Business Link.”
Submit your nominations for Excellence in Designhere before entries close on Friday 15th August.Property and construction professionals gather for the East Midlands Bricks Awards
Winners will be revealed at a glittering awards ceremony on Thursday 2nd October,at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground (4:30pm – 7:30pm) – an evening also offering an opportunity to establish new connections with property and construction professionals from across the region, and hear from keynote speaker Councillor Nadine Peatfield – Leader of Derby City Council, Cabinet Member for City Centre, Regeneration, Strategy and Policy, and Deputy Mayor of the East Midlands.
Other award categories open for entry include: Responsible Business of the Year, Developer of the Year, Sustainable Development of the Year, Commercial Development of the Year, Contractor of the Year, Deal of the Year, Architects of the Year, Most Active Agent, and Residential Development of the Year. All entry forms can be accessed here.
The Overall Winner award will also be presented at the event. This award cannot be entered, with the winner selected from those nominated for the event’s other awards. The Overall Winner of the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025 will also receive agrand prize of a year of marketing/publicity worth £20,000, with the opportunity to split or gift the marketing to a charity of your choice.
The East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025
What: The East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025
When: Thursday 2nd October (4.30pm – 7.30pm)
Where: Derek Randall Suite,Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, Nottingham
Keynote speaker: Councillor Nadine Peatfield – Leader of Derby City Council, Cabinet Member for City Centre, Regeneration, Strategy and Policy, and Deputy Mayor of the East Midlands
Tickets: Available hereDress code: Standard business attire
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