Nottingham group bookings firm acquires Canadian ticketing provider

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Nottingham group bookings firm acquires Canadian ticketing provider

Groubook, the Nottingham-based platform dedicated to group bookings, has acquired StudentSphere, the student ticketing provider in Canada, for an undisclosed sum.

The acquisition is a strategic move for Groubook as they continue to expand into new regions with a high priority on their student business. The acquisition is teased to see Groubook move into the UK ticketing market whilst expanding the reputation that StudentSphere have in Canada.

Groubook CEO Bradley Gough said: “StudentSphere have culminated a great reputation in the Canadian market for being a no-fuss, cost effective and easy to use platform for event organisers.

“Groubook similarly has a reputation amongst organisers and the acquisition not only allows us to move into the Canadian market which has over 1.5m students, but affords us the technology of potentially offering our partners ticketed events for promoters and clubs in the UK as well as bolstering our own platform. “I’d like to place my sincere thanks on record to Andrew, Allan & Sebastien for the opportunity for Groubook to acquire StudentSphere.”

Andrew Lockhead, co-founder of StudentSphere, said: “The company was created by students for students, we couldn’t be happier to ‘pass the torch’ to a group of people who share the same passion and vision for the students market. StudentSphere will be in great hands and be able to accomplish so much more with the help of the Groubook team.”

Macmillan advised Groubook on the deal.

The Recruitment Group expands into Yorkshire with eighth acquisition

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The Recruitment Group expands into Yorkshire with eighth acquisition
Derbyshire-headquartered The Recruitment Group has completed its eighth acquisition – of MYNT Recruitment, expanding its footprint into Yorkshire. Established in 2004, MYNT has offices in York, Hull and Rotherham and specialise in recruiting for the Commercial, Industrial, Professional and Technical sectors. The Recruitment Group’s group Managing Director, Paul Hipkiss, said: “This is a great milestone for us, as it signifies the next stage of our growth and another great business joining our family. Mynt and The Recruitment Group have a lot in common. Both companies share the same values and are dedicated to providing industry-leading service. Our combined expertise will bring loads of new job opportunities to Yorkshire.” Martin Shaw, Managing Director of MYNT, added: “When we were looking for a buyer for our business, we needed to find a company that shared our values, focus on customer service and who had the vision matched with the expertise to take MYNT Recruitment to the next stage of our development. I can’t wait to see how our business and employees develop in the future. It’s certainly exciting times and my team and I can’t wait to see where this journey takes us.” MYNT founder, John Stanton, is now leaving the business to retire. He said: “As I enter retirement, I am really pleased that Martin and I found a buyer who shares those exact same values and the ethos on which I formed this business back 2004 and I know that whilst we have had great success, that The Recruitment Group will take our team to that next level.”​

The deal is set to take The Recruitment Group’s headcount to nearly 150 and increase its footprint to 15 locations nationwide.

Next in discussions with Joules over equity investment

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Next in discussions with Joules over equity investment
Joules, the Market Harborough-based lifestyle group, has confirmed that it is in talks with Next about a potential equity investment. Raising proceeds for Joules of £15 million, Next would become a strategic minority shareholder. Joules has also revealed that it is in discussions with Next over adopting its Total Platform services to support its long term growth plans. In a statement Joules said: “Joules confirms it is in discussions with Next about a potential equity investment raising proceeds for Joules of c.£15 million at no less than Joules’ current market price, which would result in Next becoming a strategic minority shareholder in the Group. The equity investment would be subject to approval by Joules’ shareholders. “There can be no certainty these discussions will lead to any agreement. A further announcement will be made if and when appropriate.”

Only 11 days remain until nominations close for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022

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Only 11 days remain until nominations close for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022
With nominations set to close on Friday 19 August for the prestigious East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022, time is running out to make your submissions. Celebrating the outstanding work of those shaping the landscape of our region, the Bricks provide a prime opportunity to put property and construction businesses, professionals and projects in the spotlight while networking with local decision makers over canapés and complimentary drinks. To make an entry for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022, please click on a category link below or visit this page.
The Overall Winner of the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022 will also be awarded a year of marketing/publicity worth £20,000.
This year’s must-attend awards ceremony, revealing winners, will take place on Thursday 15 September at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, and will hear from John Forkin MBE DL, Managing Director at award-winning investment promotion agency Marketing Derby – the evening’s keynote speaker.
Find out who last year’s winners were here.

Book your tickets now

Tickets can now be booked for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022 – click here to secure yours. The special awards event will be held on 15 September 2022 in the Derek Randall Suite at the Trent Bridge County Cricket Club from 4:30pm – 7:30pm. The occasion will also welcome award-winning mind reader, magician, and professional mentalist Looch, who will bewilder and astonish guests during the evening’s networking. Dress code is standard business attire.
Thanks to our sponsors:                                      

To be held at:

Revenue up while pre-tax losses widen at Light Science Technologies

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Revenue up while pre-tax losses widen at Light Science Technologies
Revenue has risen while pre-tax losses have widened at Derbyshire-based Light Science Technologies, the controlled environment agriculture (CEA) technology and contract electronics manufacturing (CEM) group. According to results for the six months ended 31 May 2022, revenue grew by 4.2% to £3.6m from £3.4m in the same period of last year. Meanwhile the company posted a loss before tax of £1.3m, compared to a £0.9m loss last year, which Light Science Technologies says is due primarily to the CEA division’s continued investment in both product research and development and marketing of the company’s products and services. Simon Deacon, Chief Executive Officer of Light Science Technologies, said: “With group revenue increasing by 4.2% for the six months to 31 May 2022, alongside our forward order book and contracts worth £18 million, we have seen an increase in our pipeline of quoted business due to a demand for reshoring manufacturing to the UK, as customers look to increase product security and reduce risk. “As much as the macro trends are challenging in the short term, we are confident that the medium and long-term outlook for the group is promising, as the market continues to grow. With our experienced team, our technologies and energy saving products feeding into the growing pipeline, we are in a strong position to take advantage of the opportunities and achieve our objectives. We remain confident in our ability to achieve our revised forecasts as announced on 10 June 2022.”

Midlands’ permanent placement growth slows to 17-month low in July

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Midlands’ permanent placement growth slows to 17-month low in July
The latest KPMG and REC, UK Report on Jobs: Midlands survey highlighted a further expansion in permanent placements and temporary billings in July. That said, the rates of increase slowed to the softest in the respective 17 and 25-month sequences of growth. The rise in permanent salaries eased for the second month running to the slowest since June 2021, while inflation of hourly pay rates for temporary staff also eased. Finally, skilled staff shortages contributed to a further marked reduction in permanent candidate availability, albeit one that was the least marked since May 2021. The KPMG and REC, UK Report on Jobs: Midlands is compiled by S&P Global from responses to questionnaires sent to around 100 recruitment and employment consultancies in the Midlands. Softest rise in permanent placements in 17 months The rate of growth in permanent placements across the Midlands slowed at the start of the third quarter. The increase was solid overall but the softest seen in the current 17-month sequence of growth. Recruitment consultancies indicated that while demand for staff remained high, there were several reports that job offers were turned downed in favour of other opportunities amid candidate shortages. The increase in the Midlands was the fastest of the four monitored English regions. July data pointed to a continued increase in temporary billings in the Midlands. That said, the rate of expansion was much slower than seen earlier in the year and was only marginal. Respondents suggested that clients were increasingly making existing temporary staff permanent or not renewing temporary contracts. Growth in temp billings in the Midlands was the weakest of the monitored regions and well below the national level. Permanent vacancies increased at a marked pace in the Midlands during July. The rate of increase softened for the second successive month and led to the slowest rise in permanent vacancies for 17 months. The rise in the Midlands was also the slowest of the four monitored English regions. Demand for temporary staff also rose steeply in the latest survey period. The pace of expansion eased from June to the softest since February 2021 and was weaker than the national average. Softer decline in permanent candidate numbers The Midlands saw a further reduction in the supply of permanent candidates during July. The rate of decrease remained marked, yet eased considerably to the slowest since May 2021. Anecdotal evidence suggested that people were reluctant to move at present due to economic headwinds and the cost of living crisis. At the national level, the reduction in the availability of permanent staff was quicker than that seen in the Midlands. Recruitment consultancies indicated that temporary candidate numbers decreased at a robust pace in July. That said, the pace of reduction slowed from June to reach the softest for 16 months. A number of respondents indicated that skills shortages had contributed to the lack of available staff for temp roles. The reduction in temp staff availability in the Midlands was the second-slowest of the four monitored regions, behind the South of England. Permanent salary growth eases to 13-month low Salaries for permanent new joiners in the Midlands increased for the seventeenth month in a row in July. While historically elevated, the rate of inflation eased to the softest since June 2021. Recruiters noted a lack of suitable candidates and pressure to increase salaries to entice staff were behind the rise in permanent salaries. The increase in permanent salaries in the Midlands was the slowest of the four English regions covered, however. Hourly pay rates for temporary staff rose markedly during July. The rate of inflation eased from that seen in June and was the second-softest recorded in the past 14 months. Recruitment consultancies indicated that candidate supply shortages had been a leading factor behind higher pay rates. On a regional basis, the increase in the Midlands was the slowest of the four monitored regions. Commenting on the latest survey results, Kate Holt, people consulting partner at KPMG UK, said: “The trend of uncertainty in the UK jobs market of the last few months continues, as overall hiring activity saw another slowdown in July. Given the challenging economic outlook, employers are rightly hesitant about their hiring plans. But to compound this, a lack of suitable candidates and an overall skills shortage in most sectors are keeping starting salaries high. “As the cost-of-living crisis continues to bite – alongside rising inflation – some workers may well choose to stay where they are rather than risk job security by moving now. However, it’s important to note that it is still very much a candidate’s market – and so, businesses should not only be offering competitive salaries, but additional opportunities for development and upskilling to ensure that they are attracting the talent they need.” Kate Shoesmith, deputy CEO of the REC, said: “The jobs market remains solid. Demand for staff continues to rise, as it has done since early 2021, rising in every sector. Starting salaries are still growing too, making this a good time for jobseekers to be looking for their next role. “However, growth in permanent hiring has softened in recent months. We’ve seen that rising fuel and energy prices, inflation and labour shortages are impacting employer confidence. Labour and skills shortages are also restricting opportunities for both the private and public sector to meet consumer demand. Our latest report shows that these constraints could cost the UK economy up to £39 billion a year if we don’t work to fix these issues now. “So it’s vital that both government and businesses start putting their people and their staffing strategies first. We know what needs to be done: there should be improved provision of skills training, increased employment from under-represented groups, and we need good transport, childcare and immigration systems.”

Infrastructure works begin at new business park

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Infrastructure works begin at new business park
Clowes Developments has instructed groundwork contractor, J.C Balls & Sons to commence the earthworks and implementation of first phase infrastructure ahead of the construction of a primarily industrial use scheme at Stud Brook Business Park, Castle Donington. The brand-new business park located off the Castle Donington bypass, which connects Clowes developed and managed East Midlands Distribution Centre (EMDC) to East Midlands Airport, is now under construction. The reserved matters planning application for the infrastructure works was granted consent on 26 May 2022 and works commenced on site shortly after. Groundwork specialists, J.C Balls & Sons, have started work on levelling the ground, creating plateaus and delivering essential infrastructure such as roads and services which will facilitate the construction of the commercial units over the next two years. Dane Potts, operations manager, J.C Balls & Sons, said: “Over the last couple of years, we have been working closely with Clowes and their planning team to give the most efficient engineering solution for the earthworks and infrastructure. Providing Clowes with a solution that gives them the development areas they need. “It has been a pleasure working with team at the planning stage and being given the opportunity to self-deliver the enabling works in advance of the building contractors is a privilege.” The mixed-use scheme will house bespoke build to suit employment, amenity, office, and industrial facilities ranging in size from 1,500 to 45,000 sq ft. The site will offer a mixture of detached and semi-detached commercial units with onsite car parking and adequate yard provisions. Clowes have instructed a landscape architect to devise a comprehensive plan which will gently blend the commercial units at Stud Brook with the neighbouring residential development. J.C Balls & Sons scope is to deliver a site that is prepped and ready to build straight away across 7 development plots. Involving earthworks, drainage, stabilisation, road construction and the delivery of the services to the plots, once their works are completed, contractors will be on site to start the construction of the buildings. Interest from occupiers for the Stud Brook development has been high with several design and build offers on the table.

Right Legal Group chooses Jennie Holland PR as Midlands PR partner

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Right Legal Group chooses Jennie Holland PR as Midlands PR partner
Digital PR firm Jennie Holland PR has been appointed by wills and probate specialist Right Legal Group. Based in Nottingham, Jennie Holland PR provides digital marketing services, with a focus on media relations, social media management, content creation, influencer marketing and crisis communications. Right Legal Group, which has its HQ in Derby, is a wills, probate and estate planning law firm with 10 locations across England and Wales. The firm, which is regulated by the solicitor’s regulation authority, has appointed Jennie Holland PR to publicise and build online profile of its bespoke services and help share its mission of ensuring memories and legacy are part of the wills process for future generations – enabling families to stay connected. Managing Director, Jennie Holland, said: “Right Legal is a business with a clear purpose and mission which is an excellent platform for a successful digital PR campaign. “The team’s passion and commitment to their clients and their loved ones is admirable and we are proud to be working with them. “As an agency, we are seeing a significant period of growth as the demand for digital PR and marketing services increases year on year, despite the pandemic. As a boutique and agile firm, all our work is director led and is one of the reasons we are chosen as a marketing partner by our clients.” Right Legal Group had secured a number of accolades over the last 12 months, including being coined ‘one to watch’ on the ‘Best Companies’ list in 2021*, whilst being highly commended at the Wills and Probates Awards in 2021 for the category ‘Solicitor Firm of the Year’. Carrie Caladine, Managing Director at Right Legal, said: “We are delighted to be working alongside Jennie Holland PR and look forward to seeing how their expertise can enhance our digital presence, whilst generating relevant conversations regarding our services. “At Right Legal, we believe that making a will is a lot more than just an allocation of physical assets. It’s your chance to leave behind memories and legacies for future generations, ensuring your wishes are respected and that your loved ones are taken care of emotionally as well as financially. “As family is at the heart of everything we do, we want to get people thinking about how they would like to be remembered once they pass, rather than just dictating who will receive their financial assets. With the help of Jennie Holland PR, we believe we can further this message, whilst pushing our services to a wider audience.” Jennie Holland PR has won a raft of new business over the last six months including Midland’s travel company The Perfect Break, residential property development firm, Sherwood Oak Homes and chartered quantity surveyor and project management company, Addison Hunt.

Council bids to Level Up Glossop

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Council bids to Level Up Glossop
New leisure and wellbeing and enhanced cultural facilities for Glossop are the focus of a £20m bid to the Levelling Up Fund being made by High Peak Borough Council. The Fund is aimed at investing in infrastructure that improves everyday life across the UK and will support town centre and high street regeneration projects and cultural and heritage assets. The Council’s bid package is focused on two schemes within the town – proposals for a new leisure centre and wellbeing hub and to boost and speed up plans to fully re-open Victoria Hall as a live performance venue. It was submitted this week and an announcement on the outcome is expected in the Autumn. Leader of the Council, Councillor Anthony Mckeown, said: “The Council has worked with a wide range of stakeholders to develop ambitious proposals for significant investment in leisure, cultural and community facilities in Glossop which have now been submitted. “The leisure and wellbeing hub element of our £20m bid to the Levelling Up Fund will enable us to deliver the much-demanded up-to-date facilities for the town with the Victoria Hall element fast tracking the excellent work started by the Friends of Victoria Hall to return this much valued community asset to full use. “The Council is committed to delivering projects which enhance the lives of everyone who lives and works in the High Peak. Our vision for regenerating Glossop is already underway, with the £7m renovation of the historic Town Hall complex, and securing the funds we are asking for from Levelling Up will enable us to press ahead with our plans for new leisure and wellbeing amenities and a cultural hub at Victoria Hall more quickly. “The complicated bidding process has required a considerable amount of officer, member and stakeholder support to develop a detailed, and supported, bid that meets all the Government requirements to bid to Round 2 of the Fund and we look forward to the announcement in the Autumn of the successful schemes which we, of course, hope Glossop will be amongst.” The regeneration project to bring the Town Hall, Market Hall and Municipal Buildings up to modern standards will create jobs and new spaces for community use, entrepreneurs and micro-businesses alongside the introduction of energy saving technologies and fibre broadband. It’s being funded by the Council and includes a £2m grant contribution from the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership via their Getting Building Fund. Councillor Damien Greenhalgh, deputy leader and executive councillor for regeneration, tourism and leisure, said: “The projects already underway are turning our shared vision for Glossop’s future into reality and a successful Levelling Up bid will only speed up the process and further enhance the leisure and cultural offer in the town, secure our heritage buildings and provide for our community’s future. “Regenerating our town centres and creating thriving high streets is at the heart of what we want to achieve for the High Peak. We know people share our ambition for High Peak and our towns like Glossop – ambition that is completely compatible with the objectives of the Levelling Up agenda – so it’s great that our bid is in and we look forward to hearing the decision later this year.”

Nottingham bids for £57m from Levelling Up Fund to unlock potential

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Nottingham bids for £57m from Levelling Up Fund to unlock potential
Nottingham City Council is submitting bids totalling £57m to the Government’s Levelling Up Fund to unlock Nottingham’s potential by bringing about massive changes to the city’s Broad Marsh area, Bulwell town centre and the Island Quarter. The 20-acre Broad Marsh site is one of the most significant City Centre development sites in the UK, with neighbouring streets and buildings already undergoing a transformation and strengthened connections to improved tram, train, bus and cycle networks. Following the collapse of intu, owners of the former shopping centre, the City Council established the independent Greater Broad Marsh Advisory Group to oversee a bold new vision for the site, informed by an extensive public engagement through the Big Conversation and brought to life by world renowned urban designer Thomas Heatherwick. If successful, the £20m Broad Marsh bid would prepare the centerpiece of the vision, the Frame of the derelict shopping centre, to be retained and reimagined into a unique space to bring people together in the city for play, performance and food, providing the necessary catalyst and confidence for private sector partners to invest. This would unlock other key elements of the vision including:
  • The creation of 6,000 jobs, 750 homes and over 400,000 sq ft of commercial and business space
  • A ‘Green Heart’ providing a wildlife rich green space in the heart of the city centre
  • The rejuvenation of Nottingham’s unique cave network to boost tourism and World Heritage status
  • A potential cultural anchor tenant.
Bulwell town centre sits in the tenth most deprived constituency in England and is in need of investment which will boost pride in the area, improve key amenities and links to transport services. Nottingham’s £20m bid for Bulwell would see:
  • The creation of a new Bulwell Promenade through substantial enhancements of green space and public realm alongside the River Leen
  • Improvements to the market place and urban greening
  • The restoration of heritage buildings
  • Easier access for all and better connectivity between Bulwell Bogs, tram stop, bus station, market place and high streets.
The 36-acre Island Quarter site is 500m from Nottingham Station yet had been derelict and blighted for over three decades before work started on the first phase of a major redevelopment. The £17m Levelling Up Fund Island Quarter bid, being submitted on behalf of developers Conygar, focuses on renovating three heritage warehouse buildings at the heart of the site, bringing them back into productive use providing a community open theatre and much needed creative and digital studio space, and connecting them into the city and local neighbourhoods. Access would be improved for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicle users with an upgraded junction connecting the site to the Sneinton community. City Council leader, Cllr David Mellen, said: “We believe that Broad Marsh is perhaps the most significant development site in the country right now and that our ambitious proposals offer a chance for Nottingham to re-imagine the future of city centres and uplift not just the Broad Marsh, but support jobs and growth for the wider city and region, unlocking benefits for us all and future generations. “A successful bid for the Frame would help unlock the wider vison for a new ‘green heart’ for the city, rejuvenating the caves and creating new homes, jobs and business opportunities. We would also look to increase footfall, visitor numbers and cultural participation ahead of development getting underway, through a programme of events and activities which continue the Big Conversation and engage people in shaping the future of their city centre. “Bulwell town centre has great potential which deserves to be realised and our bid will enhance some of the key elements that make the town special. The market and the riverside area will be given the love and attention they need, along with the sort of shopfront rejuvenation which has made such a difference in parts of the city centre and thoughtful public realm improvements including a Bulwell Promenade. “The Island Quarter is a key site next to the city centre for which ambitious plans are already underway but support from the Levelling Up Fund would help enhance further creating opportunities and improving access for local communities. “These bids are the absolute essence of what Levelling Up should be all about, so we are hopeful of success.” Lilian Greenwood, MP for Nottingham South, said: “Regeneration of Broad Marsh has been long overdue and the project is a top priority for our city. “Access to Levelling Up Funding would ensure the completion of the project and would provide a unique opportunity for local residents and businesses to secure and create jobs and generate major investment. “As supported by many Nottingham residents, the funding would also allow for new green space to be created as part of the redevelopment, supporting the city’s ambition to be carbon neutral by 2028.” Greg Nugent, chair of the Greater Broad Marsh Advisory Group, said: “This is amazing progress on Broad Marsh, rooted in the vision we love but practical next steps needed to start the big build. This is an unmissable opportunity for Government and the whole idea of levelling up to unlock our potential as a city.” Alex Norris, MP for Nottingham North, said: “Bulwell is a fantastic community with a thriving market, but the growth of online shopping combined with the current cost of living crisis has hit the town centre hard. This ambitious bid gives us the opportunity to really boost the area and I’m proud to give it my support.” Robert Ware, Chief Executive of the Conygar Investment Company, said: “While Conygar already has investment in place to support the regeneration of The Island Quarter and its various phases that make up the site, the Levelling Up Fund will allow us to accelerate our work so that Nottingham can make the most of the economic benefits of The Island Quarter as quickly as possible. “With monies from the fund, Conygar will be able to proceed immediately with the refurbishment works to the two incredible heritage warehouses on the site to bring them back to life.” Nick Ebbs, chair of Nottingham’s Growth Board, said: “The city’s bids can deliver what Levelling Up aims to achieve – investment in infrastructure that can make a real difference to local communities; creating jobs and opportunities for people and businesses in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire and the wider East Midlands region.”
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