Lidl increases pay for 28,000 UK workers ahead of minimum wage hike

April Lara
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Lidl increases pay for 28,000 UK workers ahead of minimum wage hike

Lidl will raise wages for 28,000 UK employees next month as part of a £15 million investment in staff pay. The new rates, which take effect in March, will exceed the upcoming National Living Wage (NLW) by more than 50p per hour.

Entry-level staff outside London will see hourly wages increase from £12.40 to £12.75, with the potential to rise to £13.65 over time. In London, starting pay will rise to £14 an hour, increasing to £14.35 with tenure. The changes apply to Lidl’s 970 stores and 14 distribution centers across the UK, including locations in Nottinghamshire and the wider East Midlands.

These pay adjustments come ahead of the NLW increase on April 1, which will raise the minimum hourly rate for workers aged 21 and over from £11.44 to £12.21. The move also follows concerns from retailers about rising operational costs, including increased national insurance contributions for employers set to take effect alongside the wage hike.

Barron McCann’s brand new Innovation Hub demonstrates the technology of tomorrow

April Lara
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Barron McCann’s brand new Innovation Hub demonstrates the technology of tomorrow

A LEADING tech business has created a state-of-the-art innovation hub showcasing the most advanced technologies transforming the retail, stadium and hospitality sectors.

Barron McCann, which lists Pets at Home, Papa Johns and Iceland among its clients, has created the cutting-edge facility in its Derby headquarters where customers and partners can experience firsthand the technologies shaping the industry.

From loss prevention and smart checkouts to hospitality point-of-sale solutions, colleague safety measures and sustainable initiatives like EV chargers, the Hub highlights innovative solutions.

They are all designed to enhance customer experiences, boost operational efficiency and drive sustainability.

The Hub also strengthens Barron McCann’s partnership with schools and universities by creating opportunities for students to learn and use the very latest technologies.

Companies being showcased in the Hub include VoCoVo, leaders in wireless headset communication and specialists in WiFi solutions InCaptiv.

SML, which annually provides three billion radio frequency identification (RFID) tags to the retail sector, has a stand in the centre alongside Bizerba, innovators in hardware and software for the retail and logistics industries.

The Hub also features a working bar which is designed to showcase the technology delivered by Kappture, a pioneering software provider specialising in cloud-based Electronic Point of Sale (EPOS) and mobile payment systems.

From the smart retail solutions such as automated checkouts to the networking and infrastructure cabling, the state of the art space was built by the company’s in-house specialists.

It also demonstrates the firm’s commitment to sustainability by incorporating the latest green technologies and promoting life cycle management and hardware recycling solutions.

The Innovation Hub was officially opened by Barron McCann’s Executive Chairman and Owner Alan Watson in front of representatives from many of the firm’s key partners and stakeholders, as well as key community associates – including the University of Derby and Derby County Community Trust.

Nottinghamshire industrial unit sold in quick turnaround

April Lara
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Nottinghamshire industrial unit sold in quick turnaround

A 6,601 sq. ft. industrial unit on Moorbridge Road Industrial Estate in Bingham, Nottinghamshire, has been sold in a deal completed by FHP. The buyer has not been disclosed.

The detached property includes two-story office space, a front car park, and a secure rear yard. Previously held on a 999-year lease from 1989, the unit had undergone maintenance, including a roof replacement. It is located near the A46, providing access to Nottingham, Newark, Grantham, and Leicester.

The unit was listed for sale on October 18, 2024, and attracted multiple bids. A cash buyer was secured above the asking price, with the transaction finalised on December 19, 2024.

Major housing development in Rutland moves closer to approval

April Lara
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Major housing development in Rutland moves closer to approval

A 75-home development in Ketton, Rutland, is expected to gain final approval next week. The project, led by Vistry Group, is the largest housing scheme proposed for the village and follows an outline planning approval granted in November 2022 after an appeal.

The site, located on agricultural land off Park Road, will feature a mix of one- to four-bedroom homes, with 30% designated as affordable housing. Rutland County Council’s planning committee will review the revised plans on February 18.

A council report states that the development layout, scale, and landscaping have been adjusted to address feedback from planning officers and stakeholders. If approved, the scheme will add to ongoing housing growth across the East Midlands, including nearby Nottinghamshire, where demand for residential development remains high.

Rugby stars acquire Northampton premises as they carve out new career

Tess Egginton
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Rugby stars acquire Northampton premises as they carve out new career
Two former rugby union stars have bought their first business premises. Bromwich Hardy has helped Waller & Wood Woodworks acquire its first commercial premises for the manufacture and sale of their unique wooden furniture. Tom Wood and Alex Waller, who both previously played for Northampton Saints, set up Waller & Wood Woodworks while they were both still playing. Back row specialist Tom Wood won 50 caps for England and played for Worcester Warriors and Northampton Saints, retiring in June 2022. His colleague Alex Waller, a prop, retired in March 2024, having made a club record of 370 appearances across 15 years and also captaining the side. Tom Wood, who is also a qualified tree surgeon, explained: “What started out as hobby to complement our day jobs in professional sport and fulfil a desire to work with our hands, has grown into a business that is thriving.” Now the company has paid £383,500 for the 3,820 sq ft freehold unit at 97 St James Mill Road, Northampton, in order to cater for the continuing growth of the company. Waller & Wood Woodworks produces a variety of designer furniture, from bespoke large scale pieces and smaller accessories to commissions from customers seeking something unique. Tom Bromwich, managing partner of Bromwich Hardy, said: “One of the issues faced by all professional sport people is what they do when they call it a day in their chosen sport. “Some will gravitate towards coaching but in this case Tom and Alex have literally carved out a new career. “The pieces they produce are stunning and exclusive. I have no doubt that this is a business that can only continue to grow, and it was a privilege to be able to help them acquire their first commercial premises for Waller & Wood Woodworks.” Hadland Chartered Surveyors acted for the vendor who was advised by Helen Carville at law firm Max Engel & Co, with James Williams at Moore & Tibbits Solicitors in Warwick acting for Waller & Wood Woodworks.

Full steam ahead for Newark’s Yorke Drive redevelopment after plans approved

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Full steam ahead for Newark’s Yorke Drive redevelopment after plans approved
Newark and Sherwood District Council’s Planning Committee has approved regeneration plans for the Yorke Drive estate, with work set to begin this summer after years of planning.
Redevelopment of the site will build new homes for Yorke Drive residents, improve the safety of the area, and deliver significant improvements to sports and recreational facilities. Councillor Lee Brazier, Portfolio Holder for Housing at Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “I want to firstly thank the residents of Yorke Drive for their patience and cooperation during the planning of this scheme. As a Council, we recognise this has not been an easy process for them. “This is such an important development and the impact it will have on their lives is huge which is why it’s vital we get it right. This has been a key priority for this administration, ensuring that the scheme was ready to get over the line. Everyone is keen to get spades in the ground and this summer we will see the start of this exciting project. “Throughout the creation of this scheme we have continued to engage with residents and partner organisations ensuring the project meets the needs of those living on Yorke Drive. “The past few years have seen challenges ranging from re-designs, delays, the cost-of-living-crisis and even a worldwide pandemic, but our commitment to residents has remained steadfast and the approval of planning is a major step in creating a brighter future for all who live on the estate.” Due to the scale of this project, it will be delivered over several phases, with improvements to the playing fields, delivery of a new sports pavilion and building the new homes required for existing residents all taking place first. In total 207 homes will be built and these will be a mix of private and social homes, in different sizes, which are suitable for a range of households. Other improvements include creating an attractive entrance off Lincoln Road, improving linkages between Yorke Drive and the surrounding area, improving the energy efficiency of homes, increasing car parking allowance across Yorke Drive and including electric vehicle charge points, and providing a pavilion and green space central to the design, that gives residents access to Football Association standard playing pitches and facilities. Councillor Lee Brazier concludes: “We’ll be working closely with residents on the estate regularly over the next few months and years discussing how we will bring the plans for the building work to life, understanding how it will affect them and listening to residents about how we can support them through the different stages of regeneration including helping to keep the estate in good order whilst we progress. “The Council is here to support all residents, and anyone with concerns can contact us or raise them at the next drop-in. “This project is a massive achievement for the Council and once complete, will be a huge benefit to the community. Thank you to Council colleagues who have worked hard on this project for many years and I’m excited to see this project taking shape.” Development works on the estate are due to commence this summer.

Duo of lettings at Nottinghamshire industrial park

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Duo of lettings at Nottinghamshire industrial park
FHP has let two significant units at Teal Park Industrial Park, Netherfield, Nottingham. Acting on behalf of Northwood Urban Logistics, these lettings totalling 38,500 sq ft bring the industrial element of the scheme to full occupancy and mark another milestone in the development’s success. Unit 5 has been let to Europcar Group UK Limited, a vehicle rental services business, and Unit 6 has been leased to Harlow Bros. Limited, a family-owned business specialising in timber products and bespoke construction solutions. The Teal Park scheme offers 160,000 sq ft of premium industrial and trade units fronting the Colwick Loop Road to the East of Nottingham. These latest lettings complement occupiers on the estate including Screwfix, Howdens, Toolstation, Karcher, ETB, Paint Well, ROL Fredbergs UK, and Octopus Energy Eco.

Don’t be a silly SEO and so with PR: by Greg Simpson, founder of Press For Attention PR

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Don’t be a silly SEO and so with PR: by Greg Simpson, founder of Press For Attention PR
How can you improve your relationships with journalists? Greg Simpson, founder of Press For Attention PR, shares his advice – and an example of what not to do.

Roses are red, Backlinks are blue, If you persist with this tactic, The joke is on you.

Journalists don’t care For your SEO plight, They’re busy with deadlines— Not your digital fight.

Keep hounding for credit, You’ll win this reward: A swift email block And your calls, soon ignored.

So play the smart game, Be sharp, think long-term Don’t demand things of journos Then their love you will earn. 

“Greg, it’s Valentine’s Day, how do I get a journalist to LOVE me? “Why won’t they talk to me? Why won’t they listen? “They never return my calls!” Spoiler alert, they will NEVER return your calls or VERY rarely. They much prefer emails. Unless they are on a deadline, and you are already working on a story together. I thought, given a Valentine’s theme, that instead of writing about what it is you SHOULD do to woo, I should instead point out their biggest turn-offs. That’s because at the tail end of 2024, I was privy to an online chat about the most short-sighted approach to media relations (the chatting to the press bit of PR) I’ve ever seen. Along with 1,743 other LinkedIn users making over 700 comments and having reposted it 80+ times. That’s because this was a post by Jane Hamilton, who runs The Sun’s employment section (and works on The Times too), who shared the following: “This week I wrote a piece on a relatively unknown company, it’s in print and online on The Sun, so decent exposure for them. However their agency has sent me this today. “As journos we don’t decide who gets backlinks – that’s down to the online production team. If they don’t link, that’s their prerogative and it’s often because of the impact on our own site’s SEO. “The upshot? I’ve now asked to be removed from the agency’s entire mailing list as I can’t guarantee a link and certainly don’t have time to be diving into Ts and Cs buried on a link at the bottom of their press releases. Result? No more coverage for any of their clients in any form from me. “I absolutely understand that there is pressure from clients for links, but wider exposure and brand building matter too. “Relationships between PRs and Journos matter also – and this is not how you build them. “PR friends, is demanding links with legal undertones a thing now?” WOW! Here’s what the agency sent Jane. “Just an FYI. All our emails, including press releases and comments, are covered under a Creative Commons license. As per the terms of the license, appropriate credit requires not only the mention of a name but also a direct link to the source. You can find further details on the requirement here. “The below features are great but the online article doesn’t link to our client. We require that the comment in question be amended to include an appropriate credit or that the article be removed.” I read this open-mouthed!! The sheer short-sightedness of this! ASK for a link by all means but don’t EXPECT it, don’t require it or don’t expect it NOT to ruin your entire campaign and media relations if you persist. 3 other things to stop by way of a bonus, for which I asked two tame journo buddies of mine for a new year’s resolution for PRs:
  • Large file attachments of images – clogs up emails, see phones below.
  • PDFs – a faff when on the phone as journalists more often than not are.
  • Stock images that offer zero value to the reader – lazy.
  A former business journalist, Greg Simpson is the author of The Small Business Guide to PR and has been recognised as one of the UK’s top 5 PR consultants, having set up Press For Attention PR in 2008. He has worked for FTSE 100 firms, charities and start-ups and conducted press conferences with Sir Richard Branson and James Caan. His background ensures a deep understanding of every facet of a successful PR campaign – from a journalist’s, client’s, and consultant’s perspective. See this column in the February issue of East Midlands Business Link Magazine here.

Armsons Barlow celebrates a year of social impact

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Armsons Barlow celebrates a year of social impact
Derby-based project managers, construction cost consultants, and building surveyors Armsons Barlow are celebrating a milestone year of community engagement and charitable giving and have unveiled Derby County Community Trust as their Charity of the Year for 2025. At the start of 2024, the firm reaffirmed its commitment to corporate social responsibility through a variety of initiatives, including raising £2,700 for its 2024 charity partner Derby Food 4 Thought Alliance at its annual Charity Golf Day. As well as organising this event, the team took part in other charity golf days hosted by Clowes Developments, Rodgers Leask, and the RICS, and also sponsored a hole at the YMCA Golf Day. The firm’s efforts have extended beyond sporting events, and they have supported charities like Safe & Sound by providing Pro Bono services to further their mission of safeguarding vulnerable individuals. The team also took part in the Derbyshire Brain Game and support the Friends of Derby 500 Club, an initiative which helps local people and community projects. Community engagement has extended into creative endeavours through the SHINE Virtual Balloon Race, an eco-friendly initiative raising funds and awareness for those affected by spina bifida and hydrocephalus. Three team members volunteered with Over the Wall, a charity providing transformative experiences for children and young people with health challenges and disabilities. The firm also teamed up with engineering consultancy Jackson Purdue Lever to organise a Harvest Festival Food Drive in support of the Derby Food 4 Thought Alliance and have just supported the national Christmas Jumper Day campaign, raising funds for Save the Children UK. Armsons Barlow has now announced Derby County Community Trust (DCCT) as its Charity of the Year. The charitable arm of Derby County Football Club, the Trust is dedicated to improving lives and communities through sport, physical activity, health, and education. Later this month Armsons Barlow will be partnering with the Trust and Clowes Developments to host the inaugural Construction & Property Padel Cup and Networking Event at We Are Padel on Pride Park. The event will see 32 companies compete with the aim of being crowned inaugural champions. All profits raised from the event will be donated to DCCT, which will kick start a strong year of charitable initiatives, with a variety of events planned throughout the year. Commenting on the firm’s CSR efforts, Josh Toon, director at Armsons Barlow, said: “At Armsons Barlow, we believe that success is not just measured by what we achieve professionally, but by the positive impact we have on our community. “Last year, our team went above and beyond to support meaningful causes, and we’re excited to carry this momentum forward into 2025 with Derby County Community Trust as our Charity of the Year. “We look forward to co-hosting the Construction & Property Padel Cup competition in February whilst working closely with DCCT to make a real difference.”

More than a quarter of Midlands businesses look to salary sacrifice schemes as a means of mitigating Budget tax changes

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More than a quarter of Midlands businesses look to salary sacrifice schemes as a means of mitigating Budget tax changes
More than a quarter (29%) of Midlands mid-market businesses are looking at salary sacrifice schemes as a means of mitigating the impact of Budget tax changes coming into force from April, a new survey has found. BDO’s Economic Engine survey of 500 mid-market businesses found that while the use of salary sacrifice schemes was one of the most popular choices among employers seeking to mitigate the rise in employers’ National insurance Contributions (NIC), 40% said they would look to outsource or offshore work. Nearly a quarter (24%) reported that they would look to reduce or scrap planned pay increases or bonuses, while 29% said they would hire more part-time or contract workers. Overall, nearly three quarters (74%) of respondents to BDO’s survey said they were planning to take at least one action in response to the imminent rise in employers’ NIC announced at the Budget. Commenting on the survey findings, Steve Talbot, Head of Employment Tax at BDO in the Midlands, said: “The increases to employers’ National Insurance Contributions announced at the Budget and the accompanying drop in the threshold at which NIC applies to employee earnings came as a shock to many Midlands businesses. Unsurprisingly, the vast majority have been urgently exploring ways to mitigate this imminent jump in their costs. “There is no silver bullet, but clearly salary sacrifice schemes for things like pensions, Electric Vehicles or cycle to work schemes – which offer NIC savings to both employers and employees – are top of mind for employers. “For those businesses not yet offering a pension salary sacrifice scheme, now would be a good time to start. Those already operating such a scheme may seek to encourage employees, many of whom reduced their pension contributions during the pandemic, to consider the longer-term benefits of raising their contribution levels.” Derek Bowler, Director, Employment Tax at BDO in the Midlands, said: “There is also an education piece here for employers – particularly when it comes to helping employees earning close to the key earnings thresholds. “For example, employers could help parents earning just above the £60K and £100K thresholds to understand that using salary sacrifice schemes could help them bring down their net adjusted income and retain entitlements to child benefit or free childcare. “Employers are also increasing the use of salary sacrifice schemes for Electric Vehicles. The Benefit in Kind charge and NIC savings will depend on the model and its list price. However, with a low Benefit in Kind charge – 2% of the list price of the vehicle this year or 3% in 2025/26 – these schemes offer both employees and employers attractive savings.” Talbot concluded: “Our survey also found that the Budget changes are also likely to result in some businesses looking at cutting fixed costs by outsourcing or offshoring work, switching to a part-time workers model and suppressing pay increases. “However, Midlands businesses must resist the temptation of cutting corners. Any salary sacrifice schemes introduced must be watertight to avoid any risk of HMRC censure. “Regional employers also need to pay particular attention to ensure that salary sacrifice arrangements don’t reduce an employee’s cash earnings below the National Minimum Wage as this could result in them being fined, named and shamed.”
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