Midlands rail link could drive £400m boost and 3,000 jobs

April Lara
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Midlands rail link could drive £400m boost and 3,000 jobs

Business and political leaders are backing calls to reinstate direct train services between Nottingham, Leicester, and Coventry, arguing it could generate £400 million for the region and create 3,000 jobs.

Midlands Connect, the transport body leading the initiative, hosted a conference on 28 February at Coventry Transport Museum to present the business case. The proposal highlights how restoring the service, which was removed in the early 2000s, could benefit regional businesses by improving connectivity, talent attraction, and supply chains.

The East Midlands Chamber has prioritised the project in its Manifesto for Growth, emphasising that poor rail links between the three cities hinder economic potential. Midlands Connect submitted a Strategic Outline Business Case to the Department for Transport in 2021 and continues pushing for government support.

Nottingham council faces £1m cost to keep Howitt Building open

April Lara
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Nottingham council faces £1m cost to keep Howitt Building open

Nottingham City Council must find over £1 million to address fire safety and maintenance issues at the Howitt Building, home to around 80 businesses and community organisations. The Grade II-listed site, part of the Lenton Business Centre, was ordered to close after fire risk assessments identified serious safety concerns.

The required works include £316,134 for fire safety upgrades—such as £174,000 for fire doors—alongside £341,700 for heating repairs, £350,000 for roofing, and £30,000 for energy efficiency improvements. Council documents warn of potential corporate manslaughter liability if safety failures lead to fatalities.

Businesses and community groups were given notice to vacate by early March, prompting backlash and a petition with over 11,000 signatures calling for urgent action to protect the Marcus Garvey Centre, a key cultural hub within the building.

The council has spent £520,000 on site maintenance since 2016 and implemented a new property management model last year, which identified long-standing structural issues. Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service will conduct further assessments, and the council is reviewing all options for the building’s future while assisting affected tenants with relocation support.

Manufacturing M&A rebounds

Tess Egginton
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Manufacturing M&A rebounds
UK manufacturing M&A activity grew by 11% in 2024, rebounding to levels last recorded in 2022, despite the continued pressure of rising costs, labour shortages and geopolitical tensions, according to accountancy and business advisory firm BDO. BDO’s Manufacturing Deals Review reveals that 782 UK manufacturing deals were completed in 2024, up from 707 deals reported in 2023. Despite this buoyancy, the sector is not without its challenges as businesses look to implement the rises to employer’s NI costs and minimum wage levels and prepare for the proposed employment law changes. Analysis shows that deal activity slowed somewhat in the first half of 2024 but gained momentum following the Autumn Budget with 475 deals completed in the latter six months. Additionally the findings show an urgency for deal completions in view of anticipated changes to Capital Gains Tax and Business Asset Disposal Relief. Furthermore there was an increasing interest from entrepreneurs considering exit both of their ownership and the UK. Businesses in the engineering services subsector were the most prolific deal doers seeing a 26% increase in activity and representing almost a third (32%) of all completed transactions for the year. This was followed by businesses in the packaging & materials sector which saw deal volumes increased by almost a fifth (18%), and accounting for 11% of all completed transactions. Separate research from BDO and Make UK reveals that over a quarter (26%) of UK manufacturing business are considering a sale of all or part of their business within the next two years. This increases to over a third (35%) across the next three to five years, suggesting a positive shift in M&A sentiment as many business leaders look to implement their strategies. Roger Buckley, UK Industrials M&A Partner at BDO, said: “Last year proved to be a busy year for manufacturing deals but upcoming policy changes are now weighing heavily on business confidence, recruitment plans and growth intentions. Many businesses will be hoping for a boost in sentiment when the Industrial Strategy is announced later this year. “Looking ahead we expect to see a solid year of M&A activity. Valuations are holding firm and there remains a large cohort of cash-rich investors who believe in the long-term prospects and broad opportunities for growth within the sector. These businesses now need government to offer incentives that will support their investment in new technologies and onshoring or reshoring operations.”

Ukraine and Lincolnshire partner on agricultural collaboration

April Lara
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Ukraine and Lincolnshire partner on agricultural collaboration

Lincolnshire has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Ukraine’s Kherson Oblast to explore agricultural cooperation. The agreement aims to support the war-affected region through knowledge-sharing and potential future business partnerships.

Oleksandr Prokudin, governor of Kherson Oblast, visited Lincoln on Thursday to formalise the partnership with Councillor Colin Davie of Lincolnshire County Council. Prokudin emphasised the agreement’s symbolic importance and highlighted the challenges facing Kherson, which remains largely under Russian occupation.

As part of his visit, Prokudin toured the University of Lincoln’s Riseholme campus, home to the Lincoln Institute for Agri-Food Technology (LIAT), and the Siemens factory. Davie expressed hopes that Lincolnshire’s farming and food industries could contribute expertise in research, technology, and innovation to aid Kherson’s agricultural sector. He also suggested future trade opportunities may emerge from the collaboration.

The announcement coincides with UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s visit to Washington for discussions with US President Donald Trump on Ukraine and defence. Prokudin urged European leaders to remain vigilant, warning that Russian aggression could extend beyond Ukraine.

Midlands embarks on study to assess potential sites for nuclear new build and boost regional growth

Michael Fisher
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Midlands embarks on study to assess potential sites for nuclear new build and boost regional growth
Equilibrion, a strategic and technical consultancy, has been appointed by the Midlands Net Zero Hub and Midlands Nuclear to identify the potential of nuclear energy production in the Midlands region. Equilibrion will lead a comprehensive siting study to consider locations and sites that have the potential to be developed in the nearer term.
On the 6th February, The UK Government announced reforms on planning rules to facilitate new nuclear build projects in the UK, including a new Nuclear National Policy Statement, EN-7, for the development of nuclear power projects beyond 2025. This new approach eases some of the restrictions on the choice of nuclear sites for deployment, which had been embedded in the previous EN-6 statement. This more flexible approach is expected to attract new nuclear developments in a wider range of locations and create thousands of new highly skilled jobs while delivering clean, secure and more affordable energy for working people.
The Midlands Nuclear Siting Project, due to report in Spring/Summer 2025, will provide a deeper understanding of the opportunities nuclear provides, including the production of electricity, hydrogen, sustainable fuel and direct heat. With this greater understanding of some potential sites that could be considered by developers, the region will be able to drive inward investment and enhance regional low carbon energy supply for homes and industry. The output will also complement other activities, including academia and skills, as part of a joined-up approach to addressing new opportunities in nuclear.
With a specific focus on Small and Advanced Modular Reactors (SMRs and AMRs respectively), the study seeks to maximise the opportunity that the forthcoming EN-7 provides to regions. This includes generating significant social and economic benefits and helping position the Midlands as a leader in the development of future nuclear sites under the new National Policy Statement.
The project will engage relevant bodies, evaluate supply chain opportunities, and provide insights into the regulatory landscape considering the social, economic and environmental benefits that nuclear can bring to the region.
By proactively addressing skills and site readiness, the Midlands positions itself as a leading region ready to contribute significantly to the nation’s Net Zero targets, enhancing energy security and driving prosperity through enabling the growth of new and traditional industries. Dr. Philip Rogers, Project Director at Equilibrion, said “The Midlands has historically been a major centre of energy generation for the country but the closure of multiple coal-fired assets in the region has eroded its national contribution. This project is another step on the journey to considering how the Midlands could return to being a major energy producing region using nuclear energy.”
“We are delighted to have been awarded this groundbreaking and timely project that aligns with the most up-to-date indications of the Government’s drive for new nuclear.”
“At Equilibrion, we are committed to applying our expertise to support the UK in taking tangible steps to realising a sustainable low-carbon future including in regions new to nuclear energy and to supporting the growth of industry through the stable supply of electricity, hydrogen, heat and sustainable fuels.”
Jack Hayhoe, Head of Net Zero Programmes at Midlands Net Zero Hub, said: “We are delighted to support Midlands Nuclear with the skills and siting studies. Understanding the landscape is vital to make meaningful and strategic progress projects in the Midlands. There is a huge potential in nuclear energy generation in the Midlands and a large appetite from local specialist companies. With long development times for projects, we need to get started on these projects now to meet the Government’s ambition to quadruple nuclear delivery by 2050. We will be using the findings from the study to inform the approach to nuclear projects in the Midlands, as well as demonstrating the regional need to our funders at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.”
Lord Ravensdale, Chair of Midlands Nuclear, said: “Midlands Nuclear are delighted to see the potential for new nuclear in the Midlands being further explored by the project to assessing potentially suitable deployment sites. The project aligns with emergent Government thinking on new nuclear siting, making this an ideal time to build on previous work and grow understanding in this important area. The output will support a deeper understanding of how nuclear can play an important role in supporting the growth of jobs, social benefit and economic output in the region. We look forward to working with Midlands Net Zero Hub and Equilibrion through the project.”

Leicester manufacturing firm adopts four-day week with no loss of pay for all staff

Michael Fisher
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Leicester manufacturing firm adopts four-day week with no loss of pay for all staff
A leading manufacturing firm based in Leicester has announced that they have permanently moved to a four day-working week, without any reduction in pay for staff. At Camloc Motion Control, the companies’ 35 employees have all had their working hours reduced to a four-day, 35 hour working week with no reduction in pay, proving that being a ‘traditional’ manufacturer isn’t a barrier when it comes to implementation. The company has been accredited as a Silver Standard four-day week employer under the 4 Day Week Foundation’s Employer Accreditation Scheme that officially recognises permanent four-day week employers in the UK. Camloc Motion Control is a UK-based designer and manufacturer of gas springs, struts, and dampers. They have been manufacturing motion control solutions for over 35 years. Since the Covid pandemic, the four-day week has become more and more popular and is now being trialled and implemented across the world. Numerous studies have shown that moving to a four-day week boosts productivity and workers’ wellbeing. When Microsoft trialled a four-day week with no loss of pay in their Japan office, productivity went up by 40%. In January, the 4 Day Week Foundation announced that over 220 companies in the UK, which includes over 5,000 workers, have permanently adopted a reduced hours four-day week with no loss of pay for employees, with the vast majority reducing working hours to 32 hours a week or less. Digital challenger bank, Atom Bank, are one of the biggest four-day week employers in the UK with over 500 staff. Matt Warne, Managing Director of Camloc Motion Control, said: “As a manufacturing company committed to customer service, quality and continuous improvement, we believe the transition to a four-day working week will benefit both the well-being of our team and the long-term performance of our business. “By allowing our team more time to rest and recharge, we’re creating a working environment that promotes focus, creativity and job satisfaction – all the elements essential in delivering the high standards of customer service we strive for. “Studies demonstrate that a well-rested workforce is more productive, engaged and innovative, aligning perfectly with our ethos and core values. “This move reflects our commitment to optimising our operations and the lives of those who make our success possible, whilst ensuring we continue to deliver the high levels of product quality and customer service we demand of ourselves.”

Davenham Switchgear chooses Nottingham for new global manufacturing site

Tess Egginton
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Davenham Switchgear chooses Nottingham for new global manufacturing site
Davenham Switchgear, a brand of Legrand and a supplier of low-voltage (LV) switchgear to the hyperscale data centre market, has chosen Nottingham as the home of its new global manufacturing site. With over 40 years of expertise built at its Dublin headquarters, where around 350 staff are based, Davenham has established itself as a major player in powering hyperscale data centres worldwide. The company’s expansion into the UK marks a significant step in supporting the growing demands of global tech giants. The new 100,000ft² facility at Fairham Business Park, secured in a deal facilitated by FHP Property Consultants, on behalf of global real estate investment manager, Hines, will manufacture cutting-edge LV switchgear for the world’s largest data centre operators. This technology plays a crucial role in supporting AI and cloud computing ambitions. Nottingham was chosen for its excellent transport links, strong local labour market, and the availability of a high-quality facility, making it the ideal location for Davenham’s next phase of growth. The move will also create over 100 jobs, further strengthening the region’s advanced manufacturing sector. Chief Executive Officer at Davenham Switchgear, Tom Nicholson, said: “We’re excited to bring Davenham Switchgear to Nottingham, with our new site opening later this year. Nottingham’s strong transport links, academic talent, and innovative business community make it the ideal location for us to expand our manufacturing capabilities. “With our established reputation in Ireland for delivering cutting-edge solutions, we’re looking forward to joining the thriving business scene in Nottingham and the wider Midlands region. “If you’d like to be a part of the team, and play an essential role in driving forward a modern, digital economy of the future, we’d love to hear from you.” Securing the deal, Tim Gilbertson, equity director of FHP Property Consultants, added: “The letting of over 100,000ft² in Nottingham’s foremost business location, Fairham Business Park, is a real boost for Nottingham and, indeed, the wider region. “I am delighted that we managed to secure Davenham Switchgear as an occupier, on behalf of our clients, Hines, as it will bring jobs and investment to the region and complement the strong occupier line-up already at the business park. “For all parties, this is a great deal and with other space under offer at Fairham Business Park, I look forward to bringing news of further transactions soon.” Mickey Scott, director at Hines, added: “I am thrilled to have completed the deal with Davenham Switchgear, adding another notable occupier to our line up at Fairham Business Park. Having two of our three units at Fairham now let, and the other under offer, is testament to the quality of the buildings and location. “We look forward to seeing more activity in 2025 at our remaining available sites in the East Midlands, Dove Valley Park and East Midlands Distribution Centre.” Talking about the impact on the city, Megan Powell-Vreeswijk, Chief Executive Officer at Marketing Nottingham & Nottinghamshire, said: “It’s fantastic that our Invest in Nottingham team have been able to support Davenham Switchgear’s expansion into the area, bringing new jobs and investment to the region. “Seeing a global company, which is a specialist in its field, choose Nottingham as a base demonstrates once again the strong offer we have here.”

Honorary Fellowship for University of Nottingham spin out champion

Tess Egginton
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Honorary Fellowship for University of Nottingham spin out champion
Business executive David Whelan has been made an Honorary Fellow of the University of Nottingham for his outstanding contribution to the institution. David, who has led, developed and grown many businesses during a career that spans four decades, has been honoured for the expert guidance and support he has provided to the university and its spin-out companies, during the past 15 years. The company chairman has in the past been a sounding board to Nottingham Technology Ventures, which facilitates the formation and management of, and investment in, university spin outs. The entrepreneur is the non-executive chairman of cutting-edge Nottingham venture, Medical Photonics, which is developing new medical devices based on its optical fibre sensing technology. He has also guided The Thinking Pod innovations, which is creating power electronics for electric vehicles, aerospace and industry, through the early stages of their fundraising and commercialisation. “I am extremely honoured to be made an Honorary Fellow of the University of Nottingham for my contribution over a number of years,” said David. “As someone who spent many years at third level education when I was young, it appears that in the autumn of my career I have returned to my university roots.” “I would like to thank all those who supported my appointment especially all at Medical Photonics and Nottingham Technology Ventures,” added David. “And I look forward to being able to help and assist many other Nottingham University spin outs in the not-to-distant future. I will continue to be an ambassador for The University of Nottingham in promoting all its educational and commercial programmes.” Honorary Fellowships are “senior and eminent appointments” made to people with an industrial/entrepreneurial background, who provide support and bring significant benefit to the university. The appointments may involve giving seminars or lectures and collaboration in research. David’s skill is to work closely with academics to set up effective companies that can manage the successful commercialisation of ground-breaking technology. His involvement allows the experts to focus on developing the technology, while ensuring governance and administration is maintained to the highest standards. His expertise includes raising funds through Angel Investors, Venture Capitalists and Private Equity to facilitate business growth; leading and inspiring company board members by encouraging their active participation and involvement, and increasing company turnover, profitability and successfully facilitating exit strategies. David became the chairman at Medical Photonics in early 2024 and is supporting the commercialisation of the company’s pioneering technology in medical sensors. “I am delighted that David has been appointed as an Honorary Fellow at the University of Nottingham,” said Stephen Morgan, a director of Medical Photonics and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Nottingham. “David has a wealth of business experience and has made a valuable contribution to setting up our new spin out. I am sure that this experience will contribute to the University’s ambitions to achieve impact from its world-leading research.” David’s career has included the successful development and sale of companies engaged in logistics and courier services, as well as leisure, travel and hospitality, prior to his work with the University of Nottingham.

Charity receives £36,000 grant for Wellbeing Cafe

Tess Egginton
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Charity receives £36,000 grant for Wellbeing Cafe
End-of-life charity Treetops Hospice is celebrating a grant of over £36,000 from SC Johnson Foundation, which will allow them to complete a renovation of the Wellbeing Cafe at the hospice in Risley. With SC Johnson Professional’s European headquarters in Denby, the company is helping to support Treetops’ efforts to provide a high-quality experience for patients and their loved ones. Since 2019, Treetops has been offering a Model of Care, designed to meet the changing needs of people living with life-limiting illnesses. At the heart of the care model is the Café, a large, open-plan space with a glass front that opens onto a veranda and overlooks the hospice grounds. The charitable grant will help transform this space, including a café counter to serve food and beverages from and much-needed improvements to the veranda, such as the installation of heating, and new outdoor furniture. Adela Appleby, Head of Community Relationships at Treetops Hospice, said: “Treetops aims to reach hundreds of local people each year. Creating the right environment is such an important part of making it easier for them to turn to us for support while they are living with a life-limiting illness or recovering from a bereavement. “Now, we can make vital improvements to ensure the space is more comfortable and functional for our patients and their families. “We’re also excited to enhance access to our beautiful grounds. With the addition of heating, we’ll be able to keep the veranda open for longer, enabling even more people to enjoy it.” Work on the Wellbeing Space is due to begin shortly with renovations to be complete later in 2025.

Spilsby Market relaunch aims to boost local economy

April Lara
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Spilsby Market relaunch aims to boost local economy

Spilsby Market will relaunch on Monday, 4 March, following efforts by East Lindsey District Council and Spilsby Town Council to revitalise the weekly event. The market aims to attract more traders and visitors, supporting local businesses and providing residents with fresh, locally sourced products.

As part of the initiative, the council has introduced a 50% reduction in market fees, with pitches now starting at £7.50—among the lowest in the region. The market will operate every Monday throughout the year.

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