£7.5m proposals outlined for Leicester Market
A scheme that would ensure that Leicester’s famous outdoor market remains the beating heart of the city’s Old Town for a new generation has been proposed by the City Mayor.
Sir Peter Soulsby has outlined proposals for more than £7.5m of improvements that would preserve the character of Leicester’s traditional market, while updating it for the benefit of both traders and shoppers and creating a market fit for the 21st century.
Ideas for improvements – shown in a series of artist’s impressions – include upgrades for stalls, better lighting, smart new paving, and a shuttered perimeter that would keep the site secure at night.
All the old wooden stalls – now in poor condition – would be removed, and around 70 smart new stalls would be installed in their place, creating an attractive environment for the fruit, veg and other traders. The new stalls would be set out in an improved layout to create better pedestrian routes through the market.
As part of the proposals, sections of the market roof on either side of the historic Corn Exchange would be removed, opening up views of the Grade II* listed building and creating space for new trading opportunities.
Attractive, flexible and lockable units – featuring green roofs and solar panels – would be installed in front of the indoor food hall to attract a new generation of traders and a wider range of quality goods.
On the opposite side, the space could be used for temporary specialist markets or special events, while an expanded café would be relocated to a site adjacent to Dolphin Square, where it would offer its customers more outdoor seating and a much more attractive view of the market area.
By moving the café, the market area would become more visible from Gallowtree Gate, helping to better connect the market with the busy pedestrian route.
City Mayor Peter Soulsby said: “We want to make sure that Leicester Market has a bright future – and that means helping it to adapt to reflect the way that people shop today.
“By reconfiguring the space to reflect current demand for traditional market stalls, we can create new opportunities for new businesses that will complement the existing offer and attract new activity, and new life, to the market area.
“There’s been a busy working market at the heart of our city for centuries, and these proposals will help ensure that that continues.
“This investment will make sure that our historic market continues to serve its loyal customers, while attracting a new generation of shoppers to a market that’s fit for the 21st century.”
Subject to planning permission, work on the market refurbishment could get under way in spring next year and would take around 15 months to complete.
While refurbishment works are under way, the outdoor market and its traders would relocate to Green Dragon Square, where around 50 covered stalls and up to 20 lockable units, illustrated below, would provide a temporary home for the historic market.
The proposed investment would complement other significant improvements carried out by the city council in the area over the last decade.
This includes the demolition of the 1970s indoor market hall, the creation of an attractive new food hall, the opening of Green Dragon Square, the upgrading of all the roads and footways around the perimeter of the market area, and the creation of a high-quality new pedestrian route from Town Hall Square.
These latest proposals would also aim to showcase the architectural quality of the buildings around the market place, including the former Odeon cinema with its recently-restored 1920s façade.
A formal decision on the proposed investment in Leicester Market will be made later this month.
Network with the region’s property and construction leaders at the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022
Taking place on Thursday 15 September, there’s not long left to secure your seat at the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022.
Recognising and celebrating those behind the changing landscape of our region – the very best companies, teams, individuals and projects – the event showcases the exceptional work carried out across the East Midlands over the past 12 months.
The awards also present a perfect networking opportunity, with the leaders of property and construction businesses from across the East Midlands in attendance.
Attend the glittering awards ceremony at Trent Bridge Cricket Ground to see who takes home the title of Contractor of the Year, Developer of the Year, Commercial Development of the Year, Residential Development of the Year, Sustainable Development of the Year, Deal of the Year, Most Active Agent of the Year, Architects of the Year, Excellence in Design, Responsible Business and of course Overall Winner.
Thanks to our sponsors:
Tickets can be booked here.
The event will begin at 4:30pm and continue until 7:30pm. It will also feature John Forkin MBE DL, Managing Director at award-winning investment promotion agency Marketing Derby, as keynote speaker, as well as award-winning mind reader, magician, and professional mentalist Looch, who will bewilder and astonish guests during the evening’s networking. Complementary drinks and canapés will be served on arrival. Dress code is standard business dress.Shortlist for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022
Most Active Agent – sponsored by Blueprint Interiors Mather Jamie OMEETO BB&J Commercial Commercial Development of the Year – sponsored by Frank Key Broad Marsh Bus Station and Car Park – Galliford Try Construction Etiquette Park – Clowes Developments Nottinghamshire Police and Nottinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service joint HQ – Henry Brothers Responsible Business of the Year – sponsored by Press for Attention PR Cawarden Arc Partnership Phoenix Brickwork Residential Development of the Year – sponsored by Sterling Commercial Finance The Rise, Southwell – Stagfield Group Glenvale Park – Glenvale Park LLP Hindle House – KMRE Group Deal of the Year – sponsored by Blythin & Brown Insurance Brokers St James Securities – Phase Two of the Becketwell regeneration scheme in Derby – 3,500 capacity Becketwell performance venue with ASM Global Wells McFarlane, APB and Newton LDP – sale of 460 acres of land in North Leicestershire, making way for a new garden village Morgan Industrial Properties Limited – acquisition of the former Ewart Chain site in Shaftesbury Street, Derby Developer of the Year – sponsored by Ward Hockley Developments St James Securities HBD Architects of the Year – sponsored by OMS Swain Architecture Rayner Davies Architects CPMG Architects Excellence in Design – sponsored by Cawarden St. Peter’s Gate renovation – CPMG Architects Health and Allied Professions Centre at Nottingham Trent University – Pick Everard Brookside Farm – Chevin Homes Sustainable Development of the Year – sponsored by Viridis Building Services Refurbished HQ for LKAB Minerals – Scenariio Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre – Chesterfield Borough Council, Whittam Cox Architects, Robert Woodhead Group Broad Marsh Bus Station and Car Park – Galliford Try Construction Contractor of the Year – sponsored by RammSanderson Galliford Try Construction Cawarden Enrok Construction The Overall Winner, sponsored by Streets Chartered Accountants, will also be announced at the ceremony, who will be awarded a year of marketing/publicity worth £20,000.
To be held at:
Transformation of Derby’s Eastern Gateway set to take a step forward
Plans to improve the eastern side of Derby city centre could take a significant step forward this month. Derby City Council’s Cabinet is expected to approve final funding and delivery arrangements so work can start on improving a key gateway to the city centre.
The Eastern Gateway project, to be delivered by the city’s shopping and leisure destination, Derbion, and part-funded by the Government’s Future High Streets Fund, will add extra shops and leisure outlets and create a new public boulevard to transform the area opposite the bus station and the eastern entrance to Derbion.
In December 2020, Derby City Council was awarded £15m by the Government following its successful Future High Streets Fund bid to support the recovery of the city centre. Around £5m of this funding has been allocated to transforming the Eastern Gateway scheme, which is being driven by Derbion.
A share of the funding has also been invested in refurbishing the city’s Grade II-listed Market Hall into an attractive, flexible retail and leisure destination fit for the 2020s and beyond, which will be completed in 2024.
Councillor Steve Hassall, cabinet member for Regeneration, Decarbonisation, Strategic Planning and Transport, said: “Future High Streets Funding has been pivotal for the changes we want to make in this area of Derby, to create a more vibrant and attractive space.
“We’re really excited to see the improvements planned around East Street, which will create a new gateway into the heart of our city centre, joining up our main shopping locations with the refurbished Market Hall. Changes like these are vital to improve the vibrancy of our city and to really showcase what Derby has to offer.
“The funding provides a substantial financial boost for the heart of the city centre and will help to shape the future of how Derby residents and visitors use this space.
“The Eastern Gateway scheme forms part of an exciting future vision for Derbion, contributing further to the vibrancy and attractiveness of the city centre.”
A spokesperson for Derbion added: “We continue to explore opportunities across the whole of our estate to bring new brands and experiences to Derbion, and to create a vibrant and attractive destination that brings even more visitors to Derby City Centre.
“The Government’s Future High Streets Fund aims to transform and regenerate high streets across England, making them fit for the future. It will help revitalise local high streets and boost economic buoyancy in town centres where people live, shop, use services, and spend their leisure time.
“Derbion anticipates submitting a formal planning application for the Eastern Gateway scheme later this year, with completion of the scheme expected in late 2024.
“Derby City Council’s business case for the Eastern Gateway estimates that the regeneration will create new jobs, drive additional footfall and support the ongoing recovery of the city centre.”
Markham Vale hails record job figures as it supports region’s post-Covid recovery
470 jobs were created at Markham Vale last year in one of the largest ever annual totals recorded at Derbyshire County Council’s flagship industrial and logistics scheme near Chesterfield.
Markham Vale is a 200-acre joint venture development between property developer HBD and Derbyshire County Council. It is one of the region’s landmark schemes, attracting new businesses and creating thousands of new jobs.
2,702 new jobs have been created at the development to date, with the latest figures demonstrating its impact in driving investment and supporting the region’s post-Covid recovery.
Derbyshire County Council recently had its efforts recognised by Local Government Chronicle, being shortlisted in the Economic Support category in the upcoming 2022 LGC Awards.
Richard Hinds, development surveyor at HBD, said: “Markham Vale is a hugely successful scheme and plays an important role in supporting the region’s economy, which is more important than ever as the region recovers from the pandemic and the many challenges that brought.
“2021 was another strong year for Markham Vale – we completed two zero-carbon buildings totalling more than 300,000 sq ft, Daher Aerospace moved into a new 55,000 sq ft unit, and a landmark deal was secured with Gridserve to create Derbyshire’s first EV charging station.
“We’re very proud of what our joint venture has achieved at Markham Vale to date and we look forward to welcoming more innovative, forward-thinking businesses to Derbyshire.”
Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for clean growth and regeneration, Councillor Tony King said: “These figures are very reassuring and a strong sign that businesses are starting to recover from the pandemic.
“Markham Vale plays a key role in helping to deliver on our commitment to building a strong, diverse, and green economy by creating jobs for local people and attracting local, national, and international businesses.
“As well as welcoming several new businesses to the site last year including Gallery Direct and Daher Aerospace Limited, we saw sustainable packaging firm Smurfit Kappa expand to another unit and we’re looking forward to seeing Markham continue to grow and welcoming even more businesses to the site in the future.”
130,000 sq ft logistics building set for Symmetry Park
Tritax Symmetry, the dedicated logistics development company for Tritax Big Box REIT plc, has committed to speculatively build a 132,750 sq ft logistics building on the last remaining plot at Symmetry Park near Worksop.
The news follows a major deal with B&Q which is taking a 430,240 sq ft warehouse and distribution facility that is already well under construction. It also responds to the rapidly growing on-demand logistics market due to digitalisation and consumer delivery expectations.
Located at Junction 34 of the A1 (M) on the North Nottinghamshire/South Yorkshire border, Symmetry Park is a £70 million industrial and distribution scheme being delivered by Tritax Symmetry. The logistics developer has committed to deliver up to 721,000 sq ft of logistics space on the regionally significant site.
In 2020, Tritax Symmetry agreed a deal to let its first speculative 151,388 sq ft logistics building on the site to Dogmates Ltd trading as Butternut Box. The fast-growing brand has made a significant investment into the fit out and created hundreds of new jobs for the area. Roadside retail property business Euro-Garages also expanded its options with the purchase of a 1.2-acre plot standing alongside its existing Starbucks and KFC outlets at Symmetry Park.
Simon Dixon, development director at Tritax Symmetry, said: “We are pleased to commit to the speculative delivery of the last remaining plot at Symmetry Park. We have identified strong ongoing occupier interest in the region and our deals with B&Q, Butternut Box and Euro Garages are testament to the site location right off the A1 (M) and directly opposite Blyth Services, with high visibility and great accessibility from both sides.
“Having a site with infrastructure already enabled and detailed planning consent in place allows us to react quickly to market demand with a premium, bespoke and highly sustainable new premises in this prime logistics location.”
The Leeds offices of Savills, Dove Haigh Phillips and Colliers International are representing the development.
Simon Dove, partner at Dove Haigh Phillips, said: “This commitment from Tritax Symmetry to speculatively deliver the third and final unit, offering over 132,000 sq ft is testament to a very strong occupier market. In particular for this location which has become a hot bed for industrial and distribution businesses, not least because of its direct access to the motorway.
“The new unit will have over 250 metres direct frontage to the A1(M), giving major brand prominence for any occupier, with a market leading specification and full infrastructure already in place.”
Global company acquires Nottingham mobile scanning solutions provider
Global company FARO Technologies, the 4D digital reality solutions firm, has acquired Nottingham-based GeoSLAM, a provider of mobile scanning solutions.
Founded in 2012, the addition of GeoSLAM is expected to significantly expand and accelerate FARO’s market growth opportunity in the mobile scanning space.
“We are thrilled to add GeoSLAM’s handheld 3D scanning technology to our portfolio of cutting-edge data capture solutions,” said Michael Burger, FARO president and CEO.
“FARO now offers the industry’s broadest set of 4D data capture solutions, including 360° camera-based images, mobile scanning and stationary high-accuracy laser scanning, allowing customers to balance the need for accuracy, speed and detail depending on their requirements. These capture technologies provide the foundation for our 4D digital reality-based SaaS offering that will allow customers to access multiple 4D data sources for visualization and analysis through a single user experience. We welcome the GeoSLAM team to our FARO family.”
“Joining with FARO represents the next step in the growth of GeoSLAM and the establishment of mobile mapping as a driver for growth in the way businesses map and understand their spaces,” added Andy Parr, GeoSLAM CEO. “Both companies share a vision of the importance of mobile scanning in the burgeoning digital reality capture market.”
GeoSLAM reported £14.5 million in revenue with 18% EBITDA in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2022.
Under terms of the agreement, GeoSLAM shareholders received a cash payment of £22.0 million and 495,562 shares of FARO stock that is subject to customary lock-up provisions.
Kettering-based sustainable building products, systems and solutions group hails strong year
Alumasc, the Kettering-based sustainable building products, systems and solutions group, has hailed a strong performance across all divisions in results for the year ended 30 June 2022.
Revenues grew by 15% from £77.8 million in the prior year to £89.4 million, while underlying pre-tax profits grew from £10 million to £12.7 million.
Paul Hooper, Chief Executive, said: “These results mark a pivotal moment for Alumasc. I am delighted to report this excellent set of results across our core businesses, with the strong sustainability-linked and export sales demonstrating our growth potential.
“With the disposal of Levolux on 26 August, we now have a simplified business model and can focus our energies on growing our core businesses, with their respected brands and significant market opportunities.
“Despite the current macroeconomic uncertainty, FY23 trading to date has remained robust and order books are strong, and we remain confident in the group’s future performance.”
Nottingham-based Pioneer Group invests in Transdermal Diagnostics
Transdermal Diagnostics (TD), a MedTech spin-out company, has raised £1.1 million to develop the world’s first 100% needle-free blood sugar monitor. The investment will enable the establishment of a state-of-the-art laboratory facility and help accelerate the technical and commercial development of TD’s proprietary technology.
The pre-seed round was financed by an £800K equity investment, which was led by QUBIS, an innovation fund focused on spin-out companies, and includes the venture capital arm of Nottingham-based Pioneer Group, the UK’s largest developer and operator of lab space. Immetric, a fund specialising in growing IP-based, high potential life science ventures also took part, alongside Angel networks Bristol Private Equity Club and Science Angel Syndicate.
Additional to the round was funding of almost £300K from Innovate UK award. Together, this award combined with the venture funding round, represents a solid endorsement of the science underpinning TD’s technology and its potential for commercial success.
TD has developed a wearable smart-patch for non-invasive and real-time monitoring of health biomarkers. The technology uses an array of miniaturised biosensors to sample, via preferential pathways, the fluid bathing the living cells of the skin and quantitatively measure vital health biomarkers, including sugar, at levels which are very similar to those in the blood. This means the technology can be used to measure blood sugar without puncturing the skin.
Dr Luca Lipani, CEO and founder of Transdermal Diagnostics, views the University of Bath spin-out as a leader in the wearable devices revolution. Luca commented: “We are excited to have on board investors with a deep understanding of the transformative potential of Transdermal Diagnostics’ technology platform. Those funds will get us closer to our mission to revolutionize the prevention, diagnosis and management of chronic conditions, starting with diabetes.”
Dr Adelina Ilie, chief scientific officer of the company, says: “The technology required a truly interdisciplinary approach, and was only made possible by the latest advances across multiple fields, such as advanced nanomaterials, nano- and bio-technology, and machine learning-driven data analysis. Scalable methods able to deliver a device like ours on a flexible platform were also essential.”
Dr Glenn Crocker MBE, executive director at Pioneer Group, says: “We got to know TD through participation on our LAUNCH programme, backed by Innovate UK, and were impressed by both the team and the technology, which has the potential to be transformative. In the UK alone, 15 million people suffer from long-term, chronic diseases meaning Transdermal Diagnostic’s technology has huge real-world applications and commercialisation potential. Looking ahead, Pioneer Group will work closely with the company to help scale and commercialise the technology on offer by plugging the company into an ecosystem has supported over 200 entrepreneurs and backed 38 start-ups.”
Transdermal Diagnostics is a member of Spin Up Science Ventures accelerator program. Transdermal Diagnostics’ growth, and its regulatory and commercial plans, have been further catalysed by taking part in the Pioneer LAUNCH programme and SETsquared Scale-up programme, the award of the Health Technology Regulatory and Innovation Programme and the Innovation to Commercialisation of University Research (ICURe) programme, and support from the Academic Health Science Networks (AHSN).
Nottingham Trent University to launch London campus
Nottingham Trent University (NTU) will expand into London in 2023 with the creation of a new campus dedicated to delivering pioneering creative education aligned to the entertainment industries.
This development enhances considerably NTU’s capacity to support social mobility as a growing generation of young people in London and South-East look to enter vocational education to launch them into their careers.
The campus will be based around an expansion of NTU’s Confetti Institute of Creative Technologies, located in Whitechapel, London’s centre for the creative industries.
Students looking to forge a future in the entertainment industries will be able to study hands-on courses in performance, production and business for the music industries, event management, and emerging technologies such as esports, virtual production, and content creation. Courses will be open to both UK and international students, with undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications available.
Confetti has delivered leading edge creative industry education since 1994, whilst creating a unique suite of commercial businesses that supports the student learning experience. These include Metronome, a music and events venue, and Confetti X, a complex dedicated to esports production which recently hosted the Commonwealth Esports Championships qualifiers. NTU’s London campus will replicate that model, creating a multipurpose live events venue for students to learn and work in.
Reflecting the course offer in Nottingham, the student experience will be underpinned by a proven curriculum, world-class learning opportunities, and extensive industry connections. This will allow students from campuses in Nottingham and London to collaborate on live projects, access work experience across the UK, and spend parts of their study across both campuses. It will offer new progression routes for Confetti college-level students from Nottinghamshire to study in one of the world’s leading commercial, financial, and cultural centres.
This ambitious plan will be strengthened by the relocation of Access Creative College’s London centre onto the same campus. The UK’s largest independent training provider, specialising in creative education, will provide its students with the opportunity to continue their studies in London through NTU.
Work on the 35,000 sq ft campus is now underway, with the first intake of students scheduled for September 2023.
Professor Edward Peck, CBE, NTU vice-chancellor, said: “Confetti London supports NTU’s vision of generating new innovations in teaching and new partnerships for practice that build on our sector leading, industry-based approach. It will offer easy access for students in London and the South-East to the opportunities to transform their futures that have been available to those in the East Midlands for twenty five years.
“We look forward to working with local communities and businesses in preparing for our new students in 2023.”
Craig Chettle MBE, founder and Chief Executive of Confetti, said: “Since its creation, Confetti’s vision has been to shape the future creative industries by cultivating dynamic, entrepreneurial and imaginative graduates. Thanks to the support from NTU, creating a campus in London demonstrates our ambitions and ongoing commitment to that vision.
“I see the campuses in Nottingham and London working in tandem, creating exciting links and opportunities across the entertainment industries for all our students in both cities. Nottingham will always be our first home, but I’m excited to see the new opportunities that a London base will provide for the University, Nottinghamshire and the East Midlands.”
Castle Gym confirms closure
What is believed to be the oldest gym in Nottingham is set to close.
Established in 1981, Castle Gym on Castle Boulevard has looked after the health and wellbeing of its members for over 40 years.
Now, following a running battle over the future of the site, owner Luke Willmott has confirmed that the doors of the iconic facility will open for the last time in December.
“It is a really sad day. I’ve fought tooth and nail for this gym and we’ve even had membership enquiries increasing during this battle which makes this even more painful but sometimes, you do have to accept that you can’t win them all.
“I have tried every conceivable angle to keep us here and fought for the other tenants during this fiasco but there is only so much you can do and frankly, only so much I can take from a financial, emotional and stress point of view.
“The bit that pains me the most though is that whilst I can feel the impact on my own mental health, I know that a lot of our members and day-users train with us because the gym is hugely beneficial in that respect.
“People see gyms, especially the more ‘raw’ experiences like ours, as a place to build muscle but they are also massive in terms of mental health benefits and their sense of community. That will be missed when we close in December and does worry me. It’s a home from home and a place to grow and improve for so many.”
During the pandemic, Luke attracted controversy and praise in equal measure, at first vowing not to shut the gym as it was so central to the wellbeing and mental health of its members (before closing after reviewing the situation carefully) and then working with local charities to provide thousands of bottles of hand sanitiser to those most in need.
“Look, we’re a lot more than a room full of iron. We’re a community. One of our team, Ray, has been working here ever since the gym opened! He knows everyone here and everything about getting and keeping healthy. It is the end of an era here for him and for our members.
“I am now reluctantly focusing on how best to close the gym down as there is a heck of a lot of kit in here but there’s even more stories. That’s what we will all miss the most I think, the people not the plates. I can only apologise that I’ve not been able to save it for them.”
