New skills service to support growth for Chesterfield businesses

Tess Egginton
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New skills service to support growth for Chesterfield businesses
Businesses in Chesterfield can access a new skills service which aims to help them to grow their business and boost productivity. The Chesterfield Skills Brokerage Service provides businesses with free impartial advice that will help them to identify skills gaps in their business, access training programmes, including the University of Derby’s Executive and Professional Education courses and navigate wider funding opportunities available for training. Together this will enable businesses to access the tools that they need to grow. Delivered by the University of Derby on behalf of Chesterfield Borough Council, the free service is funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. A series of workshops and events have been planned to provide further support for businesses and create networking opportunities where participants can collaborate to enhance skills provision in their organisations. Councillor Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “The Skills Brokerage Service is a fantastic initiative which can help deliver higher level skills and education to people and employers in Chesterfield. “This helps businesses to develop the skills they need to grow and can help our residents to access higher paying jobs which in turn will help strengthen our local economy. “I’m proud that we are working in partnership with the University of Derby to deliver this service which has the potential to make a real difference in our borough.” The Skills Brokerage Service complements and provides access to the Executive and Professional Education offering from the University’s St Helena Campus in Chesterfield. Businesses can access a wide range of courses including CPD and short courses focused on leadership and management, management apprenticeships spanning business, marketing and human resource management, logistics and accounting. Matt Bromley, Academic Manager of Professional Executive Education, said: “The University has direct links to a wide range of organisations working across a variety of sectors, and our Executive Education programmes have been built on our knowledge and interactions with partners and stakeholders. “The holistic offer is designed for public and private organisations through to major organisations and SMEs. “There are several benefits to both the employer and employee. For the employer, it demonstrates a commitment to investing in people and ensures that they acquire the exact knowledge, skills and behaviours they need. “The employee, meanwhile, will develop important capabilities that all employers demand from their leaders and the ability to engage employees, forge collaborative relationships and develop people.”

East Midlands law firm adds partner following ‘significant growth’

Tess Egginton
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East Midlands law firm adds partner following ‘significant growth’
East Midlands law firm Howes Percival has recruited contentious trusts and probate partner Lewis Addison following a period of significant growth for the team. Lewis specialises in resolving property, trusts and probate disputes calmly and quickly, through negotiation or court action. Lewis’ recent work includes challenges to wills, and other lifetime transactions; Inheritance Act claims for financial provision from estates; disputes in the administration of estates and trusts and claims in relation to the beneficial ownership of property. Lewis is a member of The Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists (ACTAPS), and regularly gives seminars to other local lawyers on contentious trusts and probate. Howes Percival’s Contentious Trusts and Probate team represent beneficiaries of Estates, Executors and Trustees and those who wish to make claims against Estates or challenge Wills. The team also provide pro-active support to Howes Percival’s Private Client Team. Howes Percival Partner, Jennifer Laskey, said: “Lewis is a fantastic addition to the team and is well respected across Leicestershire and beyond. He brings a wealth of experience in contentious trusts and probate and adds yet another ACTAPS qualified lawyer to our already strong team. “Contentious Probate dispute continue to be a growing area of law with data showing increasing numbers of claims issued in the High Court each year. We have a specialist team who can advise clients in these disputes whilst many other firms rely on their existing litigation offering. “As a result, over the past couple of years, the team has seen significant growth in the number and quality of instructions received. Expanding the team is a natural step and part of our commitment to delivering excellent client service.”

Leicester plumbing supplier collapses, 27 jobs lost

April Lara
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Leicester plumbing supplier collapses, 27 jobs lost

HAC Pipeline Supplies, a Leicester-based plumbing and pipefitting supplier, has ceased trading after 40 years, resulting in 27 job losses.

Administrators Christopher Lewis and Tyrone Courtman of RSM UK Restructuring Advisory were appointed on February 21 after the company faced trading and cash flow difficulties and increasing creditor pressure. A small number of employees remain to assist with the closure process.

The administrators are working to sell the company’s remaining stock through John Pye & Sons to maximize returns for creditors. Support is being provided to affected employees to help them claim entitlements.

New commercial unit in Kegworth set to create 250 jobs

April Lara
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New commercial unit in Kegworth set to create 250 jobs

Plans have been submitted for a 170,000 sq ft commercial development on the former Royal Bank of Scotland data centre site in Kegworth. Developer Hobden Estates has filed the proposal with North West Leicestershire District Council, projecting the creation of approximately 250 jobs.

The existing building, decommissioned since 2021, will be demolished in two phases, with council approval for demolition granted in December 2024. The new facility will include warehouse space, offices, and 160 parking spaces, focusing on accessibility to primary transport links, including East Midlands Airport.

The development also aims to invest in workforce skills and education. A newsletter outlining the plans and requesting feedback has been sent to local residents.

Nottingham firm enters liquidation, 65 jobs lost

April Lara
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Nottingham firm enters liquidation, 65 jobs lost

Innovation Laser Limited, a Nottingham-based architectural fabrication and laser-cutting company, has entered liquidation, resulting in 65 redundancies. Joint liquidators James O. Everist and Andrew J. Cordon of CFS Restructuring were appointed on February 10, 2025.

The company, founded in 2016, owes £3.6 million to 142 creditors. Employees are owed £39,557 in unpaid wages and holiday pay, but only £11,000 has been raised through asset sales for preferential creditors.

Fairfield School of Business secures major Leicester office space

April Lara
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Fairfield School of Business secures major Leicester office space

Fairfield School of Business (FSB) has signed a 15-year lease for the entire top floor of Peat House in Leicester city centre. The deal, brokered by Real Estate Investors (REI) and Commercial Property Partners, adds 10,750 sq ft to FSB’s existing presence in the city.

FSB offers higher education courses in Leicester, Birmingham, Croydon, Luton, and Sheffield. Peat House, acquired by REI in 2011, is now fully let, with existing tenants including Innes England, Bellrock FM, and the Association of School and College Leaders.

Commercial Property Partners advised FSB, while REI was represented by law firm Shakespeare Martineau.

Lincolnshire district to receive £7.8m for tourism and woodland restoration

April Lara
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Lincolnshire district to receive £7.8m for tourism and woodland restoration

East Lindsey District Council has allocated £7.8 million to improve tourism and local infrastructure. The funding of the East Lindsey Investment Fund includes £1.8 million for tourism-related projects, such as road upgrades, car parks, markets, signage, and visitor facilities.

A significant portion of the funding will go to The Woodland Trust to purchase and restore the 483-acre Harrison Woodlands near Louth. The site, currently damaged and closed to the public, will undergo tree removal and regeneration before reopening.

The initiative aims to boost the local economy and strengthen East Lindsey’s position as a key tourist destination, further developing the Lincolnshire Wolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

East Midlands Airport adds new Jet2 and TUI routes for summer 2025

April Lara
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East Midlands Airport adds new Jet2 and TUI routes for summer 2025

East Midlands Airport will introduce two new flight routes in May 2025. Jet2 will launch direct flights to Leros, Greece, starting May 2, with departures available every Tuesday and Friday until the end of October. TUI will begin flights to Boa Vista, Cape Verde, on May 3, operating on Wednesdays and Saturdays through October.

The expansion adds to the airport’s growing list of summer destinations, providing more options for travelers seeking warmer climates. Leros, a lesser-known Greek island, is popular for its secluded beaches and historic sites, while Boa Vista offers year-round sunshine and is known for its white-sand beaches and watersports.

The new routes are part of Jet2 and TUI’s broader strategy to expand offerings at regional airports, catering to increasing demand for holiday travel from the Midlands.

Derby’s Market Hall to reopen in May following £35.1m refurb

Tess Egginton
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Derby’s Market Hall to reopen in May following £35.1m refurb
The doors to Derby’s historic Market Hall will open again to the public on Saturday 24 May – almost 159 years to the day since its original grand opening. Visitors will see first hand the results of a multi-million-pound restoration, aimed at preserving the rich heritage of the Grade II-listed building while also introducing modern enhancements. The Market Hall was officially declared open on 29 May 1866, by Mayor Frederick Longdon, where the occasion was marked with an appropriate inaugural ceremony, including a performance of Handel’s Messiah. The transformed Market Hall will bring together independent shopping, eating, drinking and entertainment and will offer a variety of new features and experiences for visitors including:
  • A carefully curated mix of traditional and themed stalls, including quality fresh produce
  • Make and trade stalls and creative spaces
  • A cosmopolitan food court and bars
  • Events and pop-up activity.
Wates Construction led an expert team of local architects and engineers – including Latham Architects, Rogers Leask, and Clancy Consultants – on the flagship project. Derby City Council also appointed design consultancy Hemingway Design to help bring alive an ambition to create a building that will be a hub for creatives, makers and traders, building on the city’s heritage of innovation and industry. The £35.1m transformation, partly funded with £9.43m from the Government’s Future High Streets Fund (FHSF), began with the Market Hall’s iconic cast iron, copper, and glass roof. Designed by Melbourne engineer Rowland Mason Ordish, whose later work included the roof of London’s St Pancras railway station, this distinctive element needed significant repair. Previously, the Market Hall often had to close to customers if there was a chance of strong winds, snow, or heavy rain in case the glass windows came out of their frames. These windows have now been replaced, and the extensive structural restoration of the roof was finished in August 2022. The revitalised Market Hall has also been redesigned with accessibility and inclusion at its heart, making it an accessible building for all visitors. Councillor Nadine Peatfield, Leader of Derby City Council and Cabinet Member for City Centre, Regeneration, Strategy and Policy, said: “I’m thrilled to announce that the historic Derby Market Hall will be reopening its doors on Saturday 24 May 2025. “The building is a treasure for Derby and its reopening has been highly anticipated by many. This is a historic moment for everyone in the city to be celebrated by all. “Derby Market Hall will be a flagship, vibrant destination that will attract visitors from across the region and beyond. I am truly excited for the opening event, and I know that visitors will enjoy everything that the revitalised Market Hall has to offer.” Located at the heart of the city centre, linking Derbion and St Peter’s Quarter with the Cathedral Quarter and Becketwell, the redeveloped Market Hall will play a key role in widening the diversity of the city centre and is expected to generate £3.64m for the local economy every year. Plans are now underway for an official event to mark the reopening of the Derby Market Hall.

Work to start on new council homes at former school site in Leicester

Tess Egginton
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0
Work to start on new council homes at former school site in Leicester
Work is set to start on the construction of more than 50 new affordable council homes at a former school site in the south of Leicester. Leicester City Council plans to redevelop the derelict site of the former Newry and Southfield schools, in Eyres Monsell, for new housing. The school buildings, which had stood empty for over a decade, were demolished in late 2022. This was supported by £360,000 of government funding from the One Public Estate (OPE) programme. Now the council is ready to begin work to build 53 new council homes on the site. This will comprise of 44 houses and nine flats. The new homes will be built to high eco-performance standards and feature a range of energy efficiency measures to cut their carbon cost and help future tenants save on energy bills. After a competitive tendering process, the council has appointed GEDA, a construction, civil engineering, and development company, to oversee the construction of the new homes. Cllr Elly Cutkelvin, assistant city mayor for housing, said: “The redevelopment of the vacant and disused Newry and Southfield school sites for new housing represents an important step in our wider strategy to address the housing crisis in the city. “I’m pleased that construction work is now able to get under way on this complex and exciting project. “It will provide dozens of new and much-needed council homes and help bring a vacant site back into use in a way that will bring real benefits to the local neighbourhood. “We’ve set out an ambitious programme of creating new housing to try to meet the city’s urgent housing needs. Building new council houses to replace those lost to the Right to Buy scheme over the last few decades is an essential part of that.” Colm McVeigh, Build GB Director at GEDA Construction, said: “We are delighted to be working with Leicester City Council and their design team to deliver 53 housing units at Southfield and Newry. This is an exemplar project, and the new homes will be built to high-performance standards. “We’re also proud to working on a project that will have a huge and positive impact on the community, providing much-needed high-quality and affordable new homes for local residents.” Contractors will move onto the site in the coming days, with construction work expected to take around 16 months to complete.
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