Plans to secure £20m for Ollerton and Clipstone submitted

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Plans to secure £20m for Ollerton and Clipstone submitted
Newark and Sherwood District Council has submitted its plans to government in an effort to secure nearly £20million in funding for Ollerton and Clipstone.
If successful the District Council will develop the disused site at Clipstone Holdings into high quality space for businesses, make huge improvements to Ollerton Town Centre, create new sports facilities in Clipstone and improve transport links to the area. The District Council has applied for a grant through round two of the UK government’s Levelling Up Fund (LUF). If the bid is successful, proposals include up to 60 new homes, the creation of new retail, food and beverage shops, new office workspaces and the relocation of the Library in Ollerton Town Centre. The proposal would bring key public services, for example the Town Council and the Library, together in a single, modern and accessible facility, all under one roof. The funding would also be used to create space for businesses to use as well as sports and leisure facilities on Mansfield Road, Clipstone. The investment here would create a site offering training to develop new skills while also creating employment opportunities as well as a modern health and wellbeing provision in the heart of the community. The project would see the demolition of existing derelict light industrial units on the Clipstone Holdings site and the redevelopment of 30 brand new units. In addition, new modern mixed-use sports facilities would also be developed, including a 3G pitch, one grass pitch, one stadium pitch, a cricket pitch and multi-use courts. These would be accompanied by two pavilions, a main sports hall and 505 parking spaces. A new road layout and cycling connections would also be developed. This could then act as a catalyst for the development of the coal mining headstock. Councillor David Lloyd, leader of Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “This is a really exciting opportunity for Ollerton and Clipstone and I’m delighted to see our proposals submitted to Government. These proposals will help to improve employment opportunities in Ollerton and Clipstone and will address some of our key challenges that are set out in our Local Plan and have also been identified through resident feedback.” Before preparing its proposals, the District Council undertook a survey with residents and other key local people, including local businesses. The survey showed strong support for town centre regeneration, employment creation, better shops, improved retail and leisure offering, upskilling of the workforce, and measures to enhance wellbeing. Ollerton and Clipstone were identified by respondents as places that are most in need of investment in the district. Councillor Lloyd continued: “I would like to thank everyone that contributed to the consultation and had their say on what matters most to them for future development of their local community; I am confident that our proposals to government reflect your aspirations. “New office and workshop spaces in Ollerton and Clipstone will provide modern facilities for local businesses and attract businesses looking for high-quality and energy efficient space, which is great news for those who live and work in the district. “It is also our priority to create high quality employment opportunities, offer opportunities to increase skills and improve health and wellbeing by providing the right public services and support at the right place. I hope that our bid, like the one for Newark, is successful and I look forward to hopefully sharing positive news with you in the future.” In July 2021 Newark and Sherwood District Council successfully submitted a bid for Newark during the first round of the Levelling Up Fund for the Southern Link Road. This built on the District Council’s positive partnership with the Newark Town Board, securing £25million in March 2021 to begin work on transformative projects to regenerate Newark town centre, boost business and improve infrastructure through the Newark Town Fund. The Levelling Up Fund is designed to invest in infrastructure that improves everyday life across the UK. The £4.8 billion fund will support town centre and high street regeneration, local transport projects, and cultural and heritage assets.

Keeping it simple: low maintenance office interior design

Tess Egginton
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Keeping it simple: low maintenance office interior design
With workers no longer chained to their desks and workplaces adapting to a more flexible work environment, specialists in commercial interior design and refurbishment, APSS look at simple, low maintenance ways to improve your office environment. The last few years have made the office more of a variable space. With the current workplace revolution, how do you keep things low maintenance and simple? There’s a lot to be said for minimalist design and keeping things simple. The straightforward clean approach to office interiors is one that’s been followed since the 1990s. The plain, clinical whites of that decade have gone but the idea around keeping things tidy still prevails. As hybrid working and hotdesking becomes more popular, there has been more of an emphasis on shared workspaces. This of course means workstations need to be kept clean, functional and in good working order. The clutter that comes with the traditional desk setup is therefore gone. Personal items tend to be stowed in drawers and as a result, offices can feel less busy and cluttered which can improve productivity. Keeping it clean Cleanliness is a hugely important aspect of office maintenance and due to COVID this is even more of a concern. Germs and bacteria live on surfaces and office furniture for longer than you imagine so keeping surfaces clean is the best way to combat this. Generally, desks, kitchens and bathrooms have safer surfaces. When considering initial concepts and surfaces in particular, it’s best to pick sealed surfaces, avoiding material that might hold onto moisture or absorb potentially harmful bacteria or germs. Avoid wood with open grains for example or rough, uneven stone surfaces, even if they look superior. Consider automation You may already be using some degree of automation at home. Your robot vacuum or self-cleaning oven saves you time and money, so why not introduce some degree of automation in the office? Pairing tech with design choices can also work wonders when it comes to tackling office interior solutions. There are a few solutions available if you need to keep floors tidy at all times and experience heavy footfall. Setting off vacuums and choosing a low-maintenance carpet or floor surface can make a huge difference. Selecting carpet that doesn’t require much upkeep can often mean a sacrifice in aesthetics. However, you can seek out options that offer both style and ease of cleaning. Ventilation and heating can also be something you can automate and manage flawlessly. Automatic vents and heating sensors can ensure a comfortable temperature is achieved depending on the season, the outside temperature and how many people are in the building. Automatic windows and heating vents can also make things easier and can save incredible amounts of money. Lighting is something that can be automated easily, every area of an office can be on movement detection and for areas where people will be working for extended periods, this can also be overwritten. This saves on both lighting bills and light pollution, which is becoming more of an issue in densely populated cities and towns. A simple detection system can be installed at the point of refurbishment or retrofitted to provide a perfect way to keep an office’s lighting running efficiently. Bring nature inside Having office plants doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice time and valuable resources on keeping them in order. There’s a whole host of options when it comes to low-maintenance plants and having them in the office can create a calm, serene environment. It can also promote a more creative office. Biophilic design is something that is having a profound influence on many interiors, bringing the calming parts of nature inside. Remember, there are many health benefits to having plants in an office, including as humidity boosters, air purifiers and stress reducers in general. Look into plants that need minimal care such as cacti, succulents and other plants that thrive on low water levels and can survive both direct and indirect light with ease. Options can include bushy ferns, spider plants, larger leafy varieties and much more. Avoiding plants that need pruning, daily watering or flowering varieties can mean you can take advantage of their best properties without worrying about looking after them too much. Facilities with no fuss As well as environmentally friendly options there’s a whole lot more you can do with hygiene and convenience facilities in a bespoke office design. For example, rainwater harvesting to flush toilets, water-saving taps, and even waterless urinals can all feature in an office design to ensure there’s no waste and cleaning is much more of a simple task. Automatic flushes also mean cleanliness and hygiene are also promoted effortlessly. In kitchens, instant boiling water taps and smarter surface choices can all make a difference too. There are many options available here for what are high-traffic areas. Feeling inspired to look into low-maintenance office design? APSS offer a full design and build services and can help talk you through what potential your office has for your business. Visit the website for more details.

Acres awarded Gold by Ministry of Defence

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Acres awarded Gold by Ministry of Defence
Derby-based Acres Engineering has received the highest accolade from the Ministry of Defence to recognise their support for the Armed Forces Community. The family business, which is located on Castle Lane Industrial Estate, Melbourne has received Gold Award as part of the Armed Forces Covenant. This acknowledges employers who provided exceptional support to the armed forces community and Defence by going above and beyond their Armed Forces Covenant pledges. Earlier this year, Bruce Spencer, MOD’s engagement director, visited the Acres Engineering workshop to review their progress on their application for Gold status in April. Yesterday  Major Steve Goodwin, visited site to officially recognise them, when Acres Engineering publicly re-signed the Armed Forces Covenant. Luke Parker, Managing Director at Acres Engineering, said: “Acres Engineering proudly supports the Armed Forces Covenant and pledges to support the Defence community  within the business, ensuring those who have served in the armed forces are treated fairly. “We always wanted to exceed the agreement and progress our engagement to the Gold Award and we are proud that our work here has been recognised by the MOD. We enthusiastically endorse the hiring of reservists and veterans at Acres Engineering and we stand by those who have served our nation.” Major Goodwin said: “Acres Engineering Ltd is a great example of how employers are putting the Armed Forces Covenant into action to support the wider Armed Forces community. As Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Gold award holders, they have raised the bar for Derbyshire employer support and are well placed to share best practice and inspire other employers to follow their lead and experience the benefits of Partnering with Defence.”

Northamptonshire manufacturer set to be snapped up

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Northamptonshire manufacturer set to be snapped up
EV Technology Group has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Northamptonshire-headquartered manufacturer, Fablink Group in transaction valued at up to £38.8m. Since it was founded over 14 years ago, Fablink has built up a market-leading position as a Tier 1 supplier to the automotive, transport and off-highway sectors, counting leading global OEMs in its customer base. The acquisition includes all seven Fablink manufacturing sites across the UK, and Streamline Automotive, a new division of Fablink Group that provides specialist low and medium volume electric vehicle manufacturers with turnkey clean build vehicle assembly capabilities. Richard Westley, CEO and founder of Fablink Group, will remain in his current position and will also join the EV Technology Group executive team as chief operating officer upon completion of the acquisition. Fablink will also retain its current leadership team, facilities and over 750 employees. Richard Westley, CEO and founder Fablink Group, said: “There’s no doubt that EV Technology Group’s acquisition of Fablink is a fantastic fit. This acquisition not only presents a superb blend of resource and capabilities, aligned to underpin EV Technology Group’s significant growth plans, but also gives Fablink Group a platform for significant future investment in our people, facilities & technology. “The acquisition allows us to accelerate the delivery of our strategies in support of our existing global OEM customers, as we continue on our mission of achieving operational excellence across our manufacturing sites, and also provides a platform to further develop the business as we look to support EV Technology Group’s own brands. This is a tremendously exciting step for Fablink and we are looking forward to an even brighter future as part of a larger group.” Wouter Witvoet, CEO of EV Technology Group, stated: “This acquisition is of huge strategic importance to the EV Technology Group. Having access to Fablink’s 750 world-class electric vehicle manufacturing and engineering experts in-house makes us more competitive, efficient, and agile for Fablink’s existing customers and our own future projects. “On a personal note, I am also looking forward to working closely with Fablink’s founder and CEO Richard Westley who has built a remarkable world-leading business and will also be joining me at EV Technology Group to help steer the future success and growth of the entire group.”

Ibstock acquires facades business

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Ibstock acquires facades business
Leicestershire-based Ibstock has extended its modular construction technology portfolio through the acquisition of a 75% stake in Generix Facades Limited (Generix), a UK supplier of non-combustible façade systems. The acquisition represents a further strategic step in broadening the range of façade systems offered by Ibstock Futures, as the construction market seeks lower carbon, non-combustible forms of cladding for use in the mid-high rise and modular market segments. Generix, which was formed in 2013 in Bloxwich in the West Midlands, produces three types of façade systems: Generix-Lite (natural stone panels), Infinity (ceramic panels), and Genbrix (mechanically fixed brick-slip cladding). Co-founder and Managing Director, John Nolan, will remain in his role and retain the minority shareholding in Generix. Jeremie Rombaut, Managing Director of Ibstock Futures, said: “Generix represents an important strategic step for Ibstock Futures, with a new systems offering into the fast-growing sectors of the UK facades market. “Through this acquisition, we have a great opportunity to expand our customer offering in new market segments. I welcome John and his team to Ibstock and look forward to scaling the business together in the years to come.”

Burton bus operator acquired

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Burton bus operator acquired
Rotala, the bus operator, has acquired Midland Classic Limited, the principal bus operator in Burton-upon-Trent. Midland operates 60 vehicles from its freehold depot in Burton-upon-Trent and employs approximately 110 staff, who will join the Rotala Group as part of the acquisition. This latest move represents an extension of the group’s business to a new territory in the East Midlands from which further growth will be targeted. Midland Classic will be renamed Diamond Bus (East Midlands) Limited and will become part of Rotala’s Midlands division which is controlled from the group’s headquarters at Tividale, Oldbury. Simon Dunn, Chief Executive of Rotala, said: “Midland Classic is a sizeable well-established business in an attractive bus territory. It represents the entry by Rotala into the East Midlands which is a new market for the group. “However, at the same time, geographically it is adjacent to our existing operations in the West Midlands and so easily managed from there. The business also has its own freehold depot from which we will look to further expand Rotala’s services as the recovery in passenger numbers post-COVID continues.” James Boddice, Managing Director and majority shareholder of Midland Classic, said: “After 17 years of successful independent bus operation during which time the company has grown, including taking over the Arriva local garage in 2016, to become the primary operator in and around Burton upon Trent, after much consideration we have decided to accept an offer from Rotala PLC to take over the business. “I’d like to thank everyone who has contributed to the success of the company, especially our employees, and wish everyone well for the future.”

Revenue up for Rolls-Royce

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Revenue up for Rolls-Royce
Rolls-Royce says it has “progressed well in the first half of the year,” as it reports results. The company posted an underlying revenue of £5.3bn, up from £5.2bn in the first half of 2021. Meanwhile underlying operating profit dipped to £125m from £307m. Rolls-Royce noted that demand for its products and services is growing with another period of record order intake in Power Systems, continued recovery in Civil Aerospace engine flying hours and high visibility of future revenues in Defence with a strong order book. Warren East, Chief Executive, said: “We have progressed well in the first half of the year, with more than a £1bn improvement in free cash flow, strong order intake in Power Systems, increased engine flying hours and commercial discipline in Civil Aerospace, and targeted investment to support longer-term growth in Defence and New Markets. “We are actively managing the impacts of a number of challenges, including rising inflation and ongoing supply chain disruption, with a sharper focus on pricing, productivity and costs. As a result of the actions we have taken over the last few years, our Civil Aerospace business is becoming leaner and more agile, and we are executing on the levers of value creation we shared at our investor event in May. “This is setting us up to deliver on our commitments this year and in the future. We are making choices to manage the current challenges, deliver better returns, reduce debt, and generate long-term sustainable value.”

Advisers revealed behind The Fleet Auction Group transaction

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Advisers revealed behind The Fleet Auction Group transaction
Tax specialists from Leicester-based WestBridge Group have advised on the sale of a 22-acre facility on Stephenson Industrial Estate in Coalville to one of the UK’s largest wholesale used vehicle suppliers. The site was previously owned by The Fleet Auction Group and has been acquired by Motability Operations who are set to develop the space into a state-of-the-art vehicle conditioning centre, doubling its existing capacity to assess and refurbish vehicles. The site will be operated by IT Fleet, one of Motability’s vehicle refurbishment partners and up to 25,000 vehicles will be refurbished on the site each year and sold through the business’s remarketing arm, mfldirect. Motability expect that their investment in the site will be a long term commitment and going forward will generate jobs for the local area. Tax advice on the transaction was provided by Tom Moore and Lucas Harding-Cox from WestBridge Tax, part of The WestBridge Group, which also includes WestBridge SSAS. Tom Moore said: “We are delighted to have supported this transaction which was significant for both parties and will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the local economy going forward.” Fleet Auction Group chairman Martin Betts said: “Bringing Motability Operations to Coalville, to create a state-of-the-art vehicle conditioning centre, will leave a lasting legacy and be a positive contribution to the regeneration of the local area.”

Loughborough University and Caterpillar reinforce strategic collaboration to accelerate innovative technologies for a reduced carbon future

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Loughborough University and Caterpillar reinforce strategic collaboration to accelerate innovative technologies for a reduced carbon future
Loughborough University and Caterpillar have formally agreed to continue a strategic collaboration launched more than 25 years ago to accelerate innovative technologies within the off-highway powertrain sector.
The collaboration began in the late 90s and led to the establishment on the University campus of the Innovation and Research Centre (IRC) with world-class facilities and expertise in the field of engines, engine sub-systems and hybrid powertrain systems development. The IRC was the first long term collaboration between Caterpillar and a university in Europe. It delivers research that addresses fundamental questions, discovering and developing new engineering processes and components applied worldwide by Caterpillar and its global supply chain. Over the years the IRC’s many projects spanning control, thermal management, aftertreatment and more recently hybridisation, materials, data analytics and digitisation have earned international academic respect, delivering commercial value as well as far-reaching economic and societal impact. A notable example is a £26m project delivered in conjunction with the UK’s Advanced Propulsion Centre to facilitate Advanced Systems for Carbon Emission reduction through New Technology (ASCENT). The project enabled a major upgrade of the Cat® C4.4 and C7.1 heavy-duty diesel engines to align with Stage 5 emission standards, ultimately providing an annual production saving of over 270k tonnes of C02, the creation of 250 jobs and almost £300m wider economic benefits in the UK. ASCENT also enabled the University to further enhance its leading reputation in the field of optical diagnostics, advancement measurement and component design, train six new researchers and deliver 27 influential research publications. Caterpillar’s collaboration with Loughborough is having a profound impact on the provision of industrial skills, providing invaluable professional development to all levels of engineers in the company through bespoke courses, as well as recruiting more UK-based graduates from Loughborough than any other university. Adrian Spencer, professor in Thermo-fluid Mechanics at Loughborough University and director of the Innovation and Research Centre, says: “Loughborough and Caterpillar are committed to accelerating solutions for a more sustainable future and enabling an inclusive and diverse workforce. Through the IRC, we look forward to another five years of pushing the boundaries in research and innovation to keep pace with the rapidly changing heavy-duty vehicles sector.” David Goldspink, Caterpillar vice president and general manager, added: “It is rare that we are able to step back and appreciate the excellent work that the Loughborough and Caterpillar teams have achieved. We look forward to working together to ensure the synergy between great technical research and future talent continues long into the future.”

The East Midlands Expo returns on Monday 14 November!

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The East Midlands Expo returns on Monday 14 November!
Taking place on Monday 14 November 2022, make new contacts at the East Midlands Expo, an established event of over 20 years! The free to attend expo, for which Business Link is a proud partner, is well targeted and aimed at the construction, property, business, investment, finance, professional services and related B2B markets. Held at the East Midlands Conference Centre, Nottingham, the day will begin with exhibitor breakfast networking, with the exhibition opening to attendees at 9am, and a seminar taking place between 10:45am and noon. A special networking lunch (for which tickets can be purchased here) will then take place between 12:15pm and 2:15pm, and the exhibition will close at 3:30pm.

For more information on exhibiting at the event click here.

To register to attend the event for free click here.

To secure tickets for the networking lunch click here.

From property agents to developers, architects, contractors, investors, PR firms, and more, see the list of current exhibitors here.
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