Frame Fast opens new Derby aluminium site
Derby-based Frame Fast, a window, door, roof, and glass fabricator, is investing in the East Midlands and continuing its growth with the launch of a new 10,000 sq ft aluminium site.
The new aluminium site in Derby will serve as a hub for Frame Fast’s production, distribution, and innovation of aluminium windows and doors. The state-of-the-art facility is equipped with cutting-edge technology, enabling the company to meet growing demand.
“For over 25 years, Frame Fast has been tuned in to understanding and innovating for our customers, bringing them everything under two roofs as well as a dedicated aluminium showroom to use as their own,” says Nigel Leivers, Managing Director at Frame Fast.
“We want our trade partners to know that we’re here to support them on everything, from fantastic trade discounts to the use of our showroom. Really getting stuck into showing customers exactly what they’re getting from our products and their knowledge.
“We’re looking forward to seeing what this will bring to the local area, creating jobs and helping to strengthen Derby’s already powerful base of manufacturers, stimulating trade, and hopefully attracting even more investment from big companies into the area.
“This city has always been kind to us in our nearly three-decade time here and we really want to give back. Alongside job creation, we really want to get stuck into the local community, sponsoring events and offering apprenticeships to young workers looking to join the industry. As well as looking to help keep our facilities sustainable and working towards the future of business in the East Midlands.”
Innovate UK fuels business matchmaking with funds for the hookup
The hookup, an online dating platform for small and micro businesses, has secured funding from Innovate UK.
This strategic partnership with Innovate UK, the government innovation agency, will empower the hookup to revolutionize the way small and micro businesses connect, collaborate, and expand their networks.
Designed by two local Derby businesses, think3 and Ask the Chameleon – the force behind the Swap Shop business platform during the pandemic – the hookup is based on the simple principle of connecting like-minded small and micro businesses together to collaborate.
A dynamic online hub, the hookup will offer a mobile platform for entrepreneurs to initially meet online with those that share similar aspirations, establish valuable partnerships, and unlock new opportunities. By encouraging meaningful connections, the hookup tackles barriers to collaboration, enabling small and micro businesses to scale their operations with confidence.
In recognition of its innovative approach to business networking, the hookup has been selected as a recipient of the prestigious Innovate UK funding – one of only 14 in the East Midlands totalling £400,000 of investment and one of only 4 businesses in Derbyshire to secure the highly competitive award.
The fund supports pioneering ventures driving technological advancements and economic development. This award signifies a significant milestone for the startup venture and reaffirms its commitment to spearheading digital transformation in the small and micro business landscape.
The investment from Innovate UK will fuel the hookup’s ongoing development and expansion, allowing the online platform to enhance its user experience, introduce cutting-edge matchmaking algorithms, and leverage advanced data analytics. With these advancements, the hookup will provide its members with personalized recommendations, facilitate tailored introductions, and deliver actionable insights to foster mutually beneficial business relationships.
Founding partner and owner of think3, Lee Marples said: “Our partnership with Innovate UK marks a pivotal moment for the hookup and the small business community as a whole, demonstrating their confidence is us to create a vibrant place for businesses to find their perfect match, unlocking endless possibilities for growth.”
Joint founder and owner of Ask the Chameleon, Rachel Hayward said: “We are delighted to receive this funding, which will help us to accelerate our goal to change the way small and micro businesses connect, collaborate, and thrive. Business is tough, and we aim to give our members the knowledge, tools and meaningful connections necessary to grow their businesses.”
Rachel added: “Based on our experience of running the Swap Shop during the pandemic, we know through this new platform, small businesses can find partners, suppliers, investors, and collaborators, fuelling our futures.”
Shepshed residential development sold
National property business Godwin Developments has completed the sale of its residential development of up to 50 family homes in Shepshed, Leicestershire, to social enterprise Places for People.
The scheme, which benefits from an outline planning permission secured by Godwin last year, is situated at a gateway location along the main arterial route into Shepshed.
When fully built, residents will have easy access to a range of amenities, including primary and secondary schools, shops, recreational facilities, a wide range of other services, and local employment. The site of the residential development also lies just over half a mile from junction 23 of the M1 motorway and is approximately three miles from Loughborough, the principal settlement in the Borough of Charnwood.
Places for People intend to deliver the scheme of two-, three- and four-bedroom properties through thoughtful design and to high energy efficiency standards. The enterprise has a long-term growth programme that aims to deliver over 18,000 homes in the next five years across the UK.
It is expected that the properties will be available sometime in 2024, both as affordable rent as well as with options to purchase through the Government-backed Shared Ownership scheme.
Commenting on the completion of the transaction, Godwin Development’s founder and board director Stuart Pratt said: “We are really thrilled that Places for People will now be the custodian of this scheme, taking it forward through to the delivery and operation of new affordable and environmentally efficient homes for local people.
“Godwin has deep expertise in identifying the right sites and getting them through planning and Shepshed is a great example of this skill in action. The transaction will enable us to focus our efforts on other development projects across the country where we continue to seek residential, commercial, and industrial opportunities that match our strategy.”
Stirling Prize winning architects selected for Peak District resort
International architects, Stanton Williams have been appointed to design The Gateway at PEAK, consented on 300 acres of reclaimed land located on the eastern boundary of the Peak District National Park, near Chesterfield.
The Gateway is intended to play an important role in cementing Chesterfield as a destination town as part of the Peak District experience and providing visitors and the local community with low impact ways to explore the National Park thanks to a zero-carbon travel hub.
Alongside Stanton Williams, a multi-skilled project team has been assembled, led by Milligan, a specialist destination and mixed-use real estate developer, who are working closely with regional strategic partners, including Chesterfield Borough Council, The University of Derby and the Peak District National Park Authority.
Peak Gateway Properties has briefed the team to define and design the Gateway build and operations around the principles of a ‘regenerative enterprise’, promoting the restoration and regeneration of natural resources and social systems.
The founders of Birchall Properties, the landowner, have already invested over 35 years in nature recovery and passive rewilding on the 300-acre Birchall Estate which had been the subject of extensive open-cast activities. By way of the Environment Act 2021 any development on the property must achieve a biodiversity Net Gain of at least 10% on its pre-development status.
The Gateway at PEAK will be an international standard tourist destination providing a basecamp and a gateway into the 550 square mile Peak District National Park.
Like a ski resort the PEAK Resort will be built around a carless mobility service, not in this case to mountains and skiing, but into the Peaks for biking and hiking, for nature, heritage, sport and culture. The commercial village will comprise of experiential retail, locally sourced dining and unique spaces for events, artisan craft and learning experiences.
John Milligan, CEO of Peak Gateway Properties and chairman of Milligan, said: “It used to be that an iconic building was one that stood out from its surroundings. The Gateway will be iconic, but we’re setting a new standard for what that means. Here buildings will integrate with their surroundings and work to enhance biodiversity beyond what will be mandated.
“We want to attract a discerning visitor, who cares about the protection of the UK’s original National Park and wants to enjoy the wellbeing benefits that nature and being in the outdoors, for either leisure or sport, can provide. A wide range of experiential retail brands with a unique proposition centred on nature and the outdoors will help create the destination.
“The travel hub is central to the Gateway’s proposition, allowing visitors to transition into electric or hydrogen vehicles for onward exploration of the Park, its stunning landscapes and thousands of activities and attractions. This is a way to expand access to the park and support more destinations in a low impact way.
“Currently 85% of visitors travel into the Park by car which is not sustainable. Last year we ran the first trial for the travel hub alongside Toyota and other local partners. The technology operated on a 40% regenerative energy basis which is fantastic.
“The trial stakeholders and users endorsed the urgent requirement for this sort of service – when it’s up and running we hope it will be an exemplar for other hubs around the Park and for other National Parks in the UK to follow.”
Gavin Henderson, Principal Director at Stanton Williams, said: “We are delighted to be working with PEAK Gateway Properties to realise their ambitious vision for this exceptional site. The Gateway will be a unique destination designed as a cohesive group of buildings integrated into the landscape.
“The scheme embraces the principles of the circular economy and uses highly sustainable, durable materials including local stone and timber. As well as regenerating a former open-cast mine, it supports natural ecosystems through habitat protection and enhancement, while connecting people with nature and encouraging active and low-carbon travel to and within the Peak District.”
Rupert Carr, a founder shareholder in Birchall Properties, the landowner, and a director of PEAK Gateway Properties, said: “The planning consents for PEAK Gateway Resort were implemented and safeguarded in 2016. We are very pleased to be moving forward again after surviving the challenges of Brexit and COVID.
“The realisation of Gateway fulfils our long-held ambition to showcase regenerative enterprise through land reclamation, a low carbon build and significant local employment creation.
“It is particularly pleasing to be a first mover in respect of offering tourists a zero carbon, carless mobility service to the attractions and landscapes of the UK’s first national park and to the medieval market town of Chesterfield.”
The Gateway’s zero carbon mobility service and its related infrastructure are critical to the delivery of this £300m investment programme into the visitor economy. The intention is to emulate the success of an international ski resort by providing hospitality and mobility from the outside of a national park. The Gateway, phase one of the PEAK Gateway Resort, represents a £150m capital investment and over 1,000 jobs, secured through a ‘green economy’ skills academy.
Section 73 and Reserved Matters Applications relating to the consented planning approvals will be submitted to Chesterfield Borough Council early Autumn.
Revenue and profits decline at Ibstock
Ibstock has seen a decline in revenue and profits during the first half of its new financial year, with the manufacturer of building products noting that sales volumes were “down significantly.”
According to results for the six months ended 30 June 2023, revenue decreased 14% to £223 million, in comparison to £259 million in the same period of 2022. The company said this reflected reduced activity levels in its residential markets.
Profit before tax of £30 million, meanwhile, dipped from £51 million in 2022, reflecting an exceptional cost of around £11 million arising from potential clay site closures.Joe Hudson, Chief Executive Officer, said: “Our first half performance demonstrates our resilience in a subdued market environment, with lower customer demand across both new build and RMI segments. Our focus on customer service and commercial execution, coupled with disciplined management of capacity and costs, has enabled us to deliver a result marginally ahead of our expectations, despite more challenging trading conditions.
“We have continued to make strong progress with our strategic investment plans that will underpin Ibstock’s future growth and enhance our industry leadership position. By focusing on expansion, diversification and innovation we are building new capabilities in faster and sustainability-led growth segments of the UK construction market.
“Although overall sales volumes were down significantly in the first half, demand showed improvement across the period. Whilst recent macroeconomic developments have created increased uncertainty in the outlook, having performed marginally ahead of our expectations during the first half we remain confident in our ability to respond to market conditions in the balance of the year and the Board’s expectations for the full year are unchanged.“
Celebrate the achievements of the region’s property and construction industry at the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023
Providing a key opportunity to showcase and celebrate your business’s achievements, enter the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023 NOW – ahead of nominations closing on Thursday 31 August.
The prestigious event, organised by East Midlands Business Link Magazine, is an independent awards and publicity programme recognising development projects and people in commercial and public building across the region – from office, industrial and residential schemes, through to community projects such as leisure schemes and schools.
The annual awards attract leaders from throughout the East Midlands and are the perfect way for businesses to promote themselves and those they work with. Indeed winning one of these awards will add considerably to a company’s or individual’s brand and enhance their commercial reach significantly.
Award categories include: most active estate agent, commercial development of the year, responsible business of the year, residential development of the year, developer of the year, deal of the year, architects of the year, excellence in design, sustainable development of the year, contractor of the year, and overall winner.
Winners will be revealed at a glittering awards ceremony on Thursday 28 September, at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground – an evening that will also provide plenty of time to forge new contacts with property and construction professionals from across the region.
To be held at:
After winning the most active agent award at last year’s event, Amy Bidell, director at Mather Jamie, said: “Apparently this category had so many entries that whittling it down to the three finalists was really hard to do, but we were told that we were chosen as the outright winner because of the our impressive track record of supporting clients to maximise the value of their property assets for the longest timeframe.
“Judges were also impressed by our commitment to the community, particularly our fundraising efforts during our 30th anniversary year when over £55,000 was raised for local charities.”
She added: “It would not be right to accept this award without giving credit to everyone in our commercial, development and agricultural teams who have worked so hard to make this award win possible by providing a high level of strategic land development advice as well as rural and commercial agency and property management services.”
To nominate your (or another) business/development for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023, please click on a category link below or visit this page:- Most active estate agent
- Commercial development of the year
- Responsible business of the year
- Residential development of the year
- Developer of the year
- Deal of the year
- Architects of the year
- Excellence in design
- Sustainable development of the year
- Contractor of the year
- Overall winner (this award cannot be entered, the winner will be selected from those nominated)
Find out who last year’s winners were here.
Book your tickets now
Tickets can now be booked for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023 – click here to secure yours. The special awards evening and networking event will be held on Thursday 28 September 2023 in the Derek Randall Suite at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground from 4:30pm – 7:30pm. Connect with local decision makers over canapés and complimentary drinks while applauding the outstanding companies and projects in our region, and hear from Mike Denby, Director of Inward Investment and Place Marketing at Leicester City Council, our keynote speaker. Dress code is standard business attire. Thanks to our sponsors:
To be held at:
Peak District National Park Authority approves restructure proposals
A series of organisational restructure proposals aimed at ensuring the Peak District National Park Authority can be financially resilient in the face of continued real terms cuts to its central government grant have been approved by Members of the Authority.
Previously put to Members at the end of April, the proposals had formerly included an option for the potential closure of national park visitor centres – an aspect of the plans which has now been set-aside following an offer of support to the Peak District National Park Foundation from a philanthropic donor.
In light of this unexpected donor support, redundancies from the recently approved proposals are now expected to be just 10% of those originally under consideration earlier in the year, affecting just six or seven posts.
Other aspects of the plans which have received the go-ahead include a reduction of more than 50% in the most senior ‘head of service’ roles to just four posts, and a boost in capacity of around a quarter to the Authority’s planning service.
A consultation process with Unison and the Authority’s own internal staff representation body will now also take place on a proposed ‘pay strategy’, which seeks to re-balance posts across the organisation where many salaries are currently below the regional public sector median.
The Authority believes this is crucial to recruit and retain staff in several key areas of work; and is considered to be behind recent challenges in filling posts in skilled and technical services such as planning and enforcement.
Further changes include bringing some smaller departments under new or alternative service heads, the streamlining of administrative services through improved technology and potential outsourcing for some specialist areas of work. Investment in enhancing the National Park’s online and digital offer has also been earmarked, following a boost in new audiences as a result of the pandemic.
The proposals are expected to be implemented through cost reductions to the organisation and via a one-off Defra grant of £440,000 made available earlier this year, along with the Authority’s savings in reserve.
The Authority also confirmed that all responses received during the consultation period have been made available to both staff and Members.
Chief Executive of the Peak District National Park Authority, Phil Mulligan, said: “Few Chief Executives step into a role wanting to oversee changes where individuals or services are directly affected by a restructure process, but the stark reality of the 40% real-terms cut in our core grant over the last ten years means these have been necessary proposals.
“I would again like to express my sincere thanks to the donor who has kindly stepped forward to offer around three years of support to enable our visitor centres to continue operating, which has significantly reduced the level of previous potential redundancies by around 90%. Of course, we may still be losing a small number of colleagues and will provide the utmost care and support to those affected.”
Newly appointed chair of the Authority Ken Smith added: “Although, to some, it may appear that our higher grade roles are most positively impacted by the pay strategy proposals, the reality is that our lower paid positions are already meeting or exceeding the thresholds of where we want to be, according to the independent pay analysis we have commissioned.
“By tackling these difficult issues now, I’m confident that we’ll create a National Park Authority that is resilient, responsive and enabling – for the benefit of those we serve locally and in our unrivalled offer to the wider nation and beyond.”
The Authority confirmed that the donation offer received in support of visitor centres via the Peak District National Park Foundation will be subject to a number of due diligence and legal processes and is expected to be formally approved in the coming weeks.
Ashfield business grant schemes launch
Ashfield District Council is launching two new grant schemes to support local businesses.
The two schemes, the Enterprise development grant and the Hucknall High Street shop front improvement grant, are now open for applications. The schemes are one of the initiatives to support local businesses being financed by the Council’s £3.2 million UK Shared Prosperity Fund, which was secured from the government in December 2022.
The Enterprise development grant is aimed at new and existing businesses, in the District’s town centres and shopping centres, that have a viable plan to grow their business that will lead to the creation of new jobs. Businesses that are eligible can apply for grants of up to £6,000.
The Hucknall High Street shop front improvement grant is specifically for small businesses located on the southern end of the High Street (between the junctions of Watnall Road and Station Street/Duke Street).
This scheme will enhance the character, value, and appeal of the businesses whilst improving the appearance of that end of Hucknall High Street. Grants for eligible properties will pay for up to 80% of the project cost (up to maximum grant payment of £9,600).
Applications will close on 31 October 2024.
Cllr Matthew Relf, Executive Lead for Regeneration and Planning, said: “We are so excited to be able to launch these two new schemes to support our local businesses in Ashfield. We want to help our town centres become buzzing again and to allow local business to flourish.
“Hucknall is filled with unique and independent businesses and this grant will allow them to transform their premises to properly reflect the heart of their businesses. These are just one of the many initiatives and projects that we will be launching soon from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.”
Cllr Lee Waters, Ward Councillor for Hucknall Central, said: “We have fought for money to be available to improve Hucknall’s High Street. These grants will ensure that the thriving town centre continues to grow. Whilst we are incredibly ambitious for Hucknall’s town centre, it’s critical we support as many of the traders as possible now.”
Historic mill site destroyed by fire to be sold
heb, acting on behalf of private clients, have been instructed to find a buyer for the former Hermitage Mill site at Hermitage Lane, Mansfield.
The historic Grade II Listed Hermitage Mill building was tragically destroyed by fire last year, at which time a consent had been granted for its conversion and refurbishment into a 70 bed care home along with 31 new homes within the curtilage.
Following the near total destruction of the former water mill building, Historic England have removed the site’s Listed status and it is now available to purchase in its entirety and suitable for a wide variety of development styles.
The whole site extends to almost 5 acres including a section of the River Maun with weir and a large fishing lake / nature reserve to the rear.
Robert Maxey of sole selling agents heb Chartered Surveyors said: “The phrase ‘unique opportunity’ is perhaps over-used in the property market, however in this instance it is absolutely applicable.
“The site offers potential for a purchaser to design and construct a unique and bespoke lake-side development. Although located within the built-up Mansfield area, the large site is surrounded by tall mature trees which in conjunction with the lake nature reserve to the rear, provides a very secluded and peaceful setting.
“We believe it remains ideally suited to bespoke residential development, possibly with a new care facility replacing the previously consented scheme. We are really excited to play a part in a regeneration of this super opportunity, which has been vacant for too long and has potential to become a real Mansfield landmark once again.”
Sentiment stable and output falls while SME manufacturers’ investment plans scaled back
Sentiment among SME manufacturers was stable for a second successive quarter in July, though this represents a relative improvement compared with the sharp declines seen 2022 and in early 2023, according to the CBI’s latest SME Trends survey.
Output declined for a fourth successive quarter in the three months to July. Total new orders also fell moderately, though the volume of total orders books was stable at a level deemed “below normal.” Both output and new orders are expected to grow moderately in the three months to October.
Supply-side constraints to output continue to diminish, though the share of firms citing labour shortages as a limit on output over the next three months remained historically high, as did the share citing the availability of materials or components. A rising share of SMEs (almost two-thirds) cited orders or sales as a constraint on output.
SMEs have scaled back investment plans. Capital expenditure on buildings and on plant & machinery is expected to fall in the year ahead, with rising shares citing the availability of internal finance and the cost of finance as factors likely to limit capex. Spending on product and process innovation is also expected to decline, while training expenditure will be held steady.
Ben Jones, CBI lead economist, said: “Sentiment among SME manufacturers remains subdued, with output and new orders falling over the last quarter. Worryingly, investment intentions for the year ahead have weakened across the board in the face of uncertain demand, persistent labour shortages and, increasingly, higher finance costs as interest rates rise.
“In a challenging environment for manufacturing investment, confidence-building measures have a big role to play, whether that’s scaling up Made Smarter into a national programme or providing clearer signals of intent over the UK’s response to the US Inflation Reduction Act and the EU’s Green Industrial Plan.”
