35-acre Strategic Rail Freight Interchange completes at Northampton logistics park

Tess Egginton
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35-acre Strategic Rail Freight Interchange completes at Northampton logistics park

SEGRO has completed a 35-acre Strategic Rail Freight Interchange at its multimodal development SEGRO Logistics Park Northampton, enabling freight trains to access the site ahead of the launch of regular services later in the year. Maritime Transport agreed terms to operate the terminal in June 2022.

The completion follows a 54-hour rail possession over the Easter period, during which SEGRO and its contractor Winvic, along with Network Rail delivered all critical elements of the scheme, including the commissioning of the main line and intermodal signalling. The rail terminal connects to the West Coast Mainline via the Northampton Loop Line and is expected to play a pivotal role in shifting freight movement from road to rail, reducing emissions and congestion. Kate Bedson, senior director, national markets at SEGRO, said: “We’re excited to see real momentum at SEGRO Logistics Park Northampton, with the completion of the rail freight terminal infrastructure and strong progress on Yusen Logistics’ new facility – the first warehouse on the park to be constructed. “Each freight train can remove up to 76 HGVs from the road with a consequential reduction in carbon emissions, making this a crucial step towards more sustainable logistics. With rail freight contributing £1.7 billion to the economy, this milestone is not only a shot in the arm for growth, also it supports a greener, more efficient supply chain.”

The rail terminal is part of SEGRO’s wider £200 million investment in local infrastructure around Northampton, delivered in partnership with National Highways, Network Rail and local authorities.

The development has consent for 5 million sq ft of logistics and warehousing space and can accommodate units starting from 100,000 sq ft.

The development is expected to create around 7,500 new jobs.

East Midlands business confidence falls in April

Tess Egginton
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East Midlands business confidence falls in April
Business confidence in the East Midlands fell seven points during April to 36%, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds. Companies in the East Midlands reported lower confidence in their own business prospects month-on-month, down 12 points at 38%. When taken alongside their optimism in the economy, which held steady month-on-month at 35%, this gives a headline confidence reading of 36% (vs. 43% in March). Looking ahead to the next six months, East Midlands’ businesses identified their top target areas for growth as evolving their offering, for example by introducing new products or services (44%), investing in their team, for instance through training (39%) and introducing new technology (35%). The Business Barometer, which surveys 1,200 businesses monthly and which has been running since 2002, provides early signals about UK economic trends both regionally and nationwide. National picture Overall, UK business confidence fell ten points in April to 39%. Firms’ optimism in their own trading prospects dropped seven points to 50%, while their confidence in the wider economy fell 13 points to 28%. The North East was the most confident UK nation or region in April (59%), followed by the West Midlands (53%) and the North West (52%). Sector insights Confidence fell across the four broad sectors. Manufacturing confidence remained broadly unchanged from last month, falling by one point to 38%, while the construction sector saw the largest decrease in business confidence this month, declining 22 points to 26%. Retail confidence also fell by 13 points down to 45% and the service industry fell seven points to 40%, both now at three-month lows. Dave Atkinson, regional director for the East Midlands at Lloyds, said: “While business confidence in the East Midlands has dipped this month, it’s encouraging to see firms remain focused on the future, with many targeting innovation, skills development, and technology to drive growth. “At Lloyds, we’ll continue to support firms in the region as they pursue these ambitions, helping them invest in their people and capabilities so they can fully capitalise on new opportunities ahead.”

Corporate insolvencies rise as East Midlands economy shaped and buffeted by national and global politics

Tess Egginton
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Corporate insolvencies rise as East Midlands economy shaped and buffeted by national and global politics
Political issues at both national and global level have impacted heavily on local businesses as the prospect of higher employment costs and the threat of trade tariffs across England and Wales pushed up corporate insolvencies by almost a tenth in March. This is according to the Midlands branch of the UK’s insolvency and restructuring trade body R3 and comes on the back of latest figures from the Insolvency Service which show that corporate insolvencies increased by 9.1% last month [March] to a total of 1,992 compared to March 2024’s figure of 1,826. R3 Midlands chair Stephen Rome, a partner at local law firm Penningtons Manches Cooper, said: “Longstanding challenging trading conditions and the increased willingness of public and private sector creditors to turn to winding-up orders to pursue monies owed have impacted heavily on business distress, both locally and nationally. “However, it is the announcement of the US tariffs and the rises in National Minimum Wage and Employers National Insurance which have caused directors most concern over the last few weeks. “While it is too early to understand the extent the tariffs will impact on businesses, we know they will influence purchase and sale prices as well as margins and profits and, potentially, a firm’s ability to service debt and source rescue funding. “At the same time, March was the last month before the NI and Minimum Wage increases came in, and this has affected business confidence locally, as well as recruitment and investment. If firms have not made the most of the time between its announcement and introduction, we could see an increase in corporate insolvency numbers in the region over the next quarter. “R3’s message to anyone worried about their finances is to seek professional advice as soon as concerns arise. It can be an incredibly hard conversation to have, but timely discussions with a qualified advisor may provide more options than waiting until a problem becomes more severe. “Most R3 members will give prospective clients a free consultation so they can learn more about the issues they face and outline the potential options to resolve them.”

New £81.5m fund targets growth for SMEs in Midlands and North

April Lara
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New £81.5m fund targets growth for SMEs in Midlands and North

Frontier Development Capital (FDC) has launched a £81.5 million fund to support established small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Midlands and North of England with tailored debt financing.

The Evolution Fund will offer flexible loan packages ranging from £1 million to £8 million to SMEs across all sectors. The fund is structured to support business growth, sustainability improvements, and various corporate transactions such as management buyouts, acquisitions, shareholder changes, and debt refinancing.

Backed equally by the West Midlands Pension Fund and the British Business Bank, with £40 million each, the fund is positioned to address a longstanding gap in the market for sub-£10 million business loans. Its eight-year structure features ‘bullet repayment’ terms, enabling companies to defer most capital repayment to the end of the loan period, thus easing short-term cash flow pressures.

FDC, headquartered in Birmingham with offices throughout the UK, has previously invested more than £200 million since its 2016 inception. The Evolution Fund marks its second collaboration with the British Business Bank and its third with the West Midlands Pension Fund.

CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang LLP provided legal support for the fundraising and structuring.

The initiative is expected to strengthen regional investment flows and offer a scalable template for further institutional backing in underserved SME markets.

Bakkavor exits China in £50m sale to streamline operations

April Lara
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Bakkavor exits China in £50m sale to streamline operations

Bakkavor has sold its Chinese division for £50 million as it refocuses on core markets and works to strengthen its balance sheet. The buyer, Lihe Xing (Qingdao) Food Technology Co., part of China’s Lihoo Food Industry group, will take over Bakkavor China’s seven manufacturing sites and around 2,300 staff.

The unit generated £105 million in revenue in the 2024 financial year. Bakkavor expects to make a £15 million profit from the sale, which is subject to regulatory clearance and is expected to be completed in the second half of 2025. Proceeds from the deal will be used to reduce group debt and support its target of reaching a 6% profit margin.

The move comes as Bakkavor weighs a possible tie-up with rival Greencore, whose £1.2 billion bid could be extended, potentially leading to the creation of a combined group with £4 billion in annual revenue.

This strategic exit signals Bakkavor’s intent to simplify its structure and improve margins as consolidation in the prepared food sector accelerates.

Central Technology acquires yoko:10 to expand Microsoft consultancy offerings

April Lara
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Central Technology acquires yoko:10 to expand Microsoft consultancy offerings

Central Technology, based in Chesterfield, has strengthened its portfolio with the acquisition of yoko:10, a UK-based consultancy specialising in Microsoft solutions. This move marks a key milestone in the company’s growth and enhances its position as a provider of consultative technological and business services.

For the past eight years, yoko:10 has established a strong presence in Microsoft consultancy, offering expertise across several technologies including SharePoint, Microsoft Teams, Purview Data Governance & Security, Copilot, Intranets, Viva Engage, and Power Platform. The company’s focus has been on helping businesses optimise their digital workplace through planning, deployment, governance, and adoption of Microsoft cloud technologies.

With the acquisition, yoko:10 will operate from Central Technology’s offices and take on the role of the group’s dedicated Microsoft Consultancy provider. This integration follows legal guidance from BRM, based in Chesterfield, ensuring a smooth transition and operational continuity.

The acquisition also aligns with Central Technology’s vision for continued growth and innovation within the sector, as it further strengthens its ability to meet the evolving demands of businesses in a rapidly changing digital landscape.

Rural crime proposal aims to tackle theft of farming equipment

April Lara
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Rural crime proposal aims to tackle theft of farming equipment

A proposal aimed at reducing rural crime has been introduced, calling for courts to consider the theft of high-value farm equipment as an aggravating factor during sentencing. The amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill, co-signed by MP Alicia Kearns, is designed to address the growing impact of rural crime on farming communities.

Farmers in Rutland, as well as the National Farmers’ Union (NFU), have expressed support for measures to combat theft and other rural crimes, highlighting the financial and emotional toll these offences take on farmers. With incidents of theft, arson, fly-tipping, vandalism, and hare coursing commonly affecting farming businesses, the NFU stresses the need for stronger law enforcement in rural areas.

The proposal also underscores the importance of well-funded rural crime teams, with farmers calling for an increase in the number of rural crime officers to ensure timely support. The impact of farm equipment theft can be severe, especially at critical times like harvest, affecting both production and financial stability. Beyond the financial losses, farmers often face emotional stress, as their farms serve as both homes and businesses.

The amendment seeks to ensure that those convicted of stealing high-value farming equipment face stronger penalties, aiming to deter crime and provide greater protection for farmers.

CorrBoard invests in electric fleet to boost operational sustainability

April Lara
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CorrBoard UK, a privately-owned sheet-feeding specialist based in Scunthorpe, has invested in a fleet of electric clamp trucks and forklifts, alongside a significant expansion of its on-site electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

The business, founded in 2014, manufactures corrugated cardboard and aims to reduce emissions and improve efficiency across its operations. As part of its latest sustainability drive, CorrBoard is replacing its existing forklift fleet with electric models and increasing its number of EV charging points from two to eight.

The company’s investment is intended to support long-term operational cost savings, reduce its carbon footprint, and maintain its position as a leader in sustainable manufacturing in the packaging sector.

CorrBoard operates from a purpose-built facility in North Lincolnshire and supplies corrugated sheet board to packaging manufacturers across the UK.

Nottingham provider of managed cloud hosting and data centre services secures funding to expand

Tess Egginton
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Nottingham provider of managed cloud hosting and data centre services secures funding to expand

Nottingham-based provider of managed cloud hosting and data centre services, CompuWeb Communications Services (CWCS), has secured funding from the Maven-managed Midlands Engine Investment Fund II (MEIF II) to support the company’s expansion plans. CWCS has secured a £500,000 debt finance package.

Founded in 1999 by Karl Mendez, CWCS provides IT hosting services via its own physical dedicated servers, private and public cloud solutions, and server colocation. The company operates from its own data centre in Nottingham and leases space in facilities across Manchester and London, as well as maintaining a presence in North America. The business is also committed to sustainability, with its Nottingham data centre designed for energy efficiency, featuring advanced cooling systems and a Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) rating of 1.15. All hosting solutions are powered entirely by 100% renewable energy. CWCS serves a diverse client base, including SMEs, large corporates such as Hillary’s Blinds and Jonas Sports, part of Constellation Software group of companies, and public sector organisations including the NHS and Cornwall Council. The funding will enable CWCS to expand its colocation hosting services, offering businesses dedicated space in a data centre to house its IT infrastructure while benefiting from professional management and security. The company recently acquired a new property in Nottingham to expand its data centre footprint, supporting its strategy to meet growing demand from SMEs and larger clients alike.

Karl Mendez, CEO of CompuWeb Communications Services, said: “We are seeing increasing demand for colocation hosting, driven by businesses seeking flexible, cost-efficient, and energy-conscious solutions for their IT infrastructure.

“This funding from Maven and the Midlands Engine Investment Fund II allows us to accelerate our growth in this space, enhancing our capabilities while maintaining our commitment to outstanding customer service.”

Jonathan Lowe, partner – regional debt funds at Maven, said: “CWCS has built a strong reputation for high-quality hosting services, underpinned by a commitment to security, reliability, and customer focus. “With colocation hosting representing a significant growth opportunity, this funding will support the company’s strategic expansion while enabling more businesses to benefit from its expertise. “We are pleased to support Karl and his team as they scale up their operations. We would also like to thank Maria Smith at The CFO Centre, whose introduction facilitated this partnership.”

Meridian Solar Farm proposals expand as consultation opens

April Lara
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Meridian Solar Farm proposals expand as consultation opens

Plans for the Meridian Solar Farm near Spalding have expanded by around 200 hectares, bringing the total project size to approximately 1,100 hectares. Developer Downing Renewable Developments (DRD) is preparing to submit a planning application later this year and has launched a second public consultation, running until June 8.

Despite the expanded footprint, DRD states that only about 600 hectares would host solar panels, with the remaining land allocated for infrastructure such as cables and battery storage. The solar farm is expected to generate enough electricity to power over 200,000 homes and operate for up to 40 years, if approved. Operations could begin by 2029.

The project’s primary development areas are near Spalding and Crowland, with an additional site east of Sutton St Edmund. DRD is holding three public meetings in May to gather local feedback before finalising its designs. Meanwhile, the Meridian Action Group is opposing the development, arguing that it should be built on brownfield sites to protect agricultural land and food security.

Public consultation events are scheduled at Sutton St Edmund Village Hall (10 May), Crowland Snowden Pavilion (21 May), and Weston Village Hall (22 May).

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