Planning permission sought for Staveley waterside development

Tess Egginton
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Planning permission sought for Staveley waterside development
Derbyshire County Council has submitted proposals for the first phase of a new waterside development in Staveley for planning approval. Plans for the Staveley Waterside Development at Staveley Basin have been drawn-up as part of the Staveley Town Deal – a £25 million government-funded regeneration programme for the area. Planning permission is being sought from Chesterfield Borough Council to construct a 2-storey building, offering flexible space for new and existing small businesses, some retail use, and a food and beverage opportunity, with indoor and outdoor dining space, along with an access road, and mooring space. £2.664 million has been earmarked from the Staveley Town Deal fund, subject to planning approval, for the first phase of the development on the Staveley Basin site, off Eckington Road, which forms part of the Markham Vale estate – the county council’s flagship regeneration site off M1 junction 29a. Councillor Tony King, Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Clean Growth and Regeneration, said: “We’ve put together proposals for an exciting new development which will help to bring jobs to the area and boost the visitor economy. “Derbyshire County Council has been working alongside partners over a number of years to improve the Staveley Basin area and the Staveley Town Deal has given us a great opportunity to turn our ideas into reality, using our expertise from Markham Vale to create high-quality business accommodation as well as a visitor destination that people from near and far can enjoy.”   Ivan Fomin, chair of the Staveley Town Deal Board, said: “Staveley Waterside represents a fantastic opportunity to breathe new life into the area around the canal basin by creating facilities for businesses, residents and visitors. “Enhancing the visitor experience around the canal will make it even more attractive to walkers and cyclists. The regeneration of this area will leave a lasting legacy for future generations and ensure that Staveley is a place where people can start, stay and grow.”  

CNC machine tool specialist finds Affinity with new funding partnership

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CNC machine tool specialist finds Affinity with new funding partnership

Nottinghamshire-based Affinity Asset Finance has agreed a major strategic partnership with one of the UK’s leading suppliers of CNC machine tools.

The deal will allow Sheffield-based T W Ward CNC Machinery (Ward CNC) to offer its customers a range of flexible machinery financing options, with Affinity acting as their own FCA authorised finance provider.

Neil Kimberley, director at Affinity Asset Finance, said: “We are delighted to announce our preferred finance partner status with T W Ward CNC Machinery Ltd, who are one of the UK’s leading suppliers of high-quality CNC machine tools across multiple engineering services.

“It has been over a year since we began working together and our partnership has continued to flourish as we have worked closely with Ward’s extensive customer base on a variety of finance solutions.

“We see Ward CNC as a valued partner to our business and we’re sure our relationship will continue to strengthen over the coming years.”

With over 140 years of heritage, Ward CNC currently employs over 30 people across its 5,500 square metre facility at Albion Works, Sheffield, and its dedicated sales showroom at Redditch.

It is the sole UK distributor for a number of the world’s leading machine tool manufacturers including Hyundai-Wia, Hartford, Soraluce, Takisawa and Hankook.

Simon Whitworth, Managing Director at Ward CNC, says: “Our new partnership with the team at Affinity is going to be hugely valuable to our customer base. Many of them will have already worked with Affinity to finance purchases from us since we began working together back in early 2022.

“This new partnership will help us to further develop our service offering and mean that we are not tied to any one lender or bank. Therefore, customers are assured that they can access the broadest range of funding/finance packages and deals available on the market, and we can offer extremely flexible terms and attractive finance arrangements for them. It is fantastic news for our customers and of course, for us here at Ward CNC too.”

Packaging company starts work on £8m factory

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Packaging company starts work on £8m factory
Terinex Flexibles, which has recently rebranded from QC Flexible Packaging, has started building its new £8m state of the art facility at a 3-acre new site on the Dove Valley Park, near Derby. This investment from parent company, the OGM Holdings Group, will allow for future ambitious growth and support innovation. The new factory will initially be 46,000 sq ft and will significantly increase capacity of the factory and warehouse and accommodate the expanding team at Terinex Flexibles. The company is expecting to increase its staff numbers in the first year, with hires across production and engineering. The R&D department will also move from its current location at OGM in Oxford. Paul Wightman, group Managing Director of the OGM Group, says: “This investment will more than double the size of the Terinex Flexibles factory enabling for new equipment, offices and warehouse space. “We have already invested in a new Comexi F2 MB flexographic printing press, which will be delivered and commissioned later this year, and we are planning to add another press. In addition to offering greater production volumes, our food, petfood and medical packaging customers will benefit from increased R&D capabilities to support their packaging innovations.” The new facility will have advanced sustainable energy systems such as a regenerative thermal oxidiser (RTO) that efficiently recovers heat to the printing process for reuse and the roof will be fitted with solar PV panels for generating power to operate the factory. In addition, heat will be reclaimed from the compressors to send warm air to the curing room for the lamination process and the staff and visitor car park will have electric charging points. Marc Freeman, director at Clowes Developments (UK) Ltd, says: “Clowes Developments is delighted to welcome Terinex Flexibles to Dove Valley Park. DVP continues to attract investment from significant household names including JCB, TopHat and GXO. We look forward to working with Terinex in constructing its custom designed environmentally conscientious building.” Paul adds: “The new factory will optimise all of our processes. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for us to build a factory with the best environmental footprint that will allow industry leading productivity and quality. We hope to be ready to move in by the end of the year.”

Precision FM appoints new business development manager

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Precision FM appoints new business development manager

Leicester-based facilities management company, Precision FM has appointed Peter Hutchinson as its new business development manager.

With over a decade of experience in customer service and business development, Peter will help Precision FM expand its reach into new business sectors while continuing to support the business to deliver FM services to existing clients.

Peter will be responsible for expanding the company’s relationships with existing clients, seeking new contracts and work opportunities, and driving growth across the business. His extensive business development and customer service background will enable him to build strong relationships with clients and stakeholders.

“I am excited to be joining the talented team at Precision FM,” said Peter Hutchinson. “The company has a strong reputation for excellence in facilities management, and I am eager to help drive business growth working with both Precision FM’s current customer base and identify new opportunities and deliver solutions that exceed their expectations.”

Established in 2012, Precision FM offers a total facilities management (FM) service spanning the entire building and property management environment.

Commenting on Peter’s appointment, Brij Thankey, CEO at Precision FM, said: “We are pleased to welcome Peter to the Precision FM team. Peter’s extensive experience in delivering value for customers will be instrumental in helping to deliver the high service standards for which Precision FM is known.

“His appointment will allow us to drive focus into securing new customers within the sectors where we can readily demonstrate our extensive experience, while also enable us to expand into other industry sectors to offer our innovative, value driven FM services.”

Purchaser sought as administrators appointed to Lincoln wood pellet business

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Purchaser sought as administrators appointed to Lincoln wood pellet business
3F Pellets, based in Saxilby, Lincoln, has entered administration. Established in 2015, the manufacturer and supplier of wood-based pellet products such as cat litter, horse bedding and biomass heating pellets, recently invested heavily in machinery and equipment with a view to further expanding into the Biomass industry, but had unfortunately struggled to break into the market leading to financial difficulties. Restructuring and recovery specialists Andy Pear and Milan Vuceljic of Moorfields Advisory were appointed joint administrators of the business on 22 February 2023. Moorfields are now marketing the business and its assets for sale. Andy Pear, partner at Moorfields, said: “3F Pellets has a good customer base and the right location and equipment but similar to many companies has struggled with new market entry. We hope to find a suitable purchaser for the business and assets who will be able to expand the business as intended.”

Leicester retail display business enters administration

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Leicester retail display business enters administration
Leicester-based business Thomson Hayes Retail Display Ltd has entered administration. The company designed and manufactured retail display sets, predominantly for cosmetics brands, for use in department stores and shops. Clients included L’Oreal, Dior and Lancome. The firm was established in 1989 by directors Chris Thomson and Frank Hayes and employed 26 people. The pandemic was instrumental in the downturn in bricks and mortar retail sales as consumers were forced to switch to online shopping. This, along with rising costs, impacted on the business which has been unable to recover. Prior to the appointment of administrators, the company had taken the difficult decision to wind down its business and to ultimately cease to trade. The directors of the business endeavoured to honour outstanding contracts and to fulfil outstanding orders for some customers to maximise returns for creditors and stakeholders. However, the directors’ endeavours to do so became increasingly problematic, resulting in the appointment of Tyrone Courtman and Deviesh Raikundalia of RSM UK Restructuring Advisory LLP as joint administrators on 22 February 2023, who are now exploring the feasibility of doing so. The administrators will also be seeking any expressions of interest in the sale of the company’s remaining business and assets as a going concern, if at all practicable. Unfortunately, 15 employees have been made redundant and the company will, in all probability cease to trade, during the week ending 10 March following completion of all outstanding works after which all of the company’s remaining employees will be made redundant. The joint administrators are liaising with the company’s employees to provide relevant redundancy support. The administrators at RSM said they are working to secure the best outcome for creditors and all the company’s stakeholders.

Construction company fined £185,000 after Brook started “running red with silt pollution” at East Midlands site

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Construction company fined £185,000 after Brook started “running red with silt pollution” at East Midlands site
The Environment Agency has prosecuted a construction company for polluting a local brook whilst engaged as contractors at the East Midlands Gateway development site. At Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on 1 March 2023, Winvic Construction Limited, of Tenter Road, Moulton Park, Northampton, admitted causing pollution and was fined £160,000 and ordered to pay prosecution costs of £25,577.79. The court was told that the company were contractors at the site near Kegworth when Hemington Brook became highly turbid and discoloured with clay solids. A biological survey revealed that the discharge of contaminated run off from the site had caused “gross and chronic” pollution adversely affecting invertebrates. A member of the public alerted the Environment Agency when the brook started “running red with silt pollution” on or before 27 September 2019. The source was traced to an outfall near the development site which was the responsibility of the company. Staff told officers from the Environment Agency that a drain blocker had failed. This had allowed the contaminated contents of two ponds to drain and discharge into the brook via a flood attenuation basin. Officers from the Environment Agency attended the site again on September 30 2019, and found that the discharge had not been stopped. Analysis was carried out revealing that the level of suspended solids in Hemington Brook had measured between 1200 – 1400 mg/l downstream. By comparison, historical sampling data from 2019/20 indicated an average level of 50 mg/l suspended solids with a maximum of 240 mg/l. High levels of suspended solids in water inhibit plant photosynthesis and lower oxygen levels. Solids can clog and irritate fish gills, further increasing stress. They can also smother fish spawning areas and invertebrate habitat. The Court accepted that the offence was due in part to unprecedented rainfall in the local area. Ian Firkins, senior environment manager for the Environment Agency’s East Midlands Area, said: “We welcome this sentence which should act as a deterrent to other companies who breach environmental legislation. “As a regulator, the Environment Agency will not hesitate to pursue companies that fail to meet its obligations to the environment. The conditions of an environmental permit are designed to protect people and the environment. “Failure to comply with these legal requirements is a serious offence that can damage the environment and harm human health. If anyone has environmental concerns they should call our 24/7 hotline on 0800 80 70 60 or Crimestoppers anonymously and in confidence on 0800 555 111.”

Post pandemic retail recovery sees lowest number of East Midlands store closures since 2017

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Post pandemic retail recovery sees lowest number of East Midlands store closures since 2017
PwC has launched the latest figures for stores opening and closing across Great Britain (GB). Created in association with the Local Data company, the twice-yearly research tracks over 200,000 outlets in over 3,500 locations to gain a picture of the changing landscape of high streets, retail parks, shopping centres and stand alone outlets. Throughout 2022, 493 shops opened across the East Midlands, compared to 702 closures, creating a net decline of 209 (-1.4%), the lowest since 2017. This highlights a great improvement since 2021, where the East Midlands saw 528 store openings and 1,146 closures, a net change of 618. The East Midlands performed third best out of the regions across GB, following the South East and Scotland in first and second. The West Midlands was the worst performing region overall, with a net closure rate of -2.3%, below the national average of -1.4%. Speaking about the East Midlands report, Sarah Phillips, PwC partner and consumer markets leader for the Midlands, says: “It’s pleasing to see the East Midlands retail and hospitality sectors experiencing slower rates of closure and the difference between openings and closures narrowing. “We’re seeing recovery through a bounce back in a variety of sectors, most notably takeaways, convenience stores, DIY and pet stores, helped by pandemic trends. Retail parks and shopping centres are holding strong, and the East Midlands benefits from multiple strong locations. “High Streets are also recovering well and we’re seeing more innovative store openings, embracing technology and creating experiences for younger consumers. There is a trend of combining multiple offerings and better utilising space, mixing fashion with lifestyle, beauty and hospitality. “There are challenges ahead with a potential recession and the cost of living crisis continuing, however we have seen how quickly the tide can change and there is positive growth for retail across GB, as more people return to work and offices, boosting the high street.”

Derbyshire Dales businesses sign open letter to Chancellor Jeremy Hunt urging him to prioritise funding for small regional firms

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Derbyshire Dales businesses sign open letter to Chancellor Jeremy Hunt urging him to prioritise funding for small regional firms
Small businesses across the Derbyshire Dales are braced for the triple whammy of UK recession, the ongoing energy crisis, and the end of June deadline when much needed European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) business support ends. The ERDF programme backs projects that create jobs and local growth including the ENSCITE programme, jointly offered by the University of Derby and Aston University, helping firms in the automotive, aerospace and rail sectors. Entrepreneurs and business leaders across the region have now added their names to an open letter from University Alliance to Chancellor Jeremy Hunt urging him to prioritise funding for small regional firms who are currently benefitting from the university-led scheme which offers workshops in strategy, leadership, and productivity. Local business woman Deborah O’Donovan, CEO of Chater Smart, a startup executive recruitment firm in London and Derby, said: “Female entrepreneurs are much less likely to be backed by external investors so programmes like ENSCITE make a huge difference. Funding regional business support programmes is an essential part of the promised levelling up agenda.” The open letter was sent to Jeremy Hunt last week from the University Alliance and backed by 300 business leaders across the Derbyshire Dales and rest of the UK who are hoping the government will agree to provide replacement funding before June to ensure regional businesses continue to grow, create jobs and thrive despite the looming recession.

Wellgosh to close after 35 years

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Wellgosh to close after 35 years
Leicester clothing retailer Wellgosh, which has stores in Birmingham, Leicester and Nottingham, and a major online presence, is set to close. On Twitter, the company announced: “It is with a heavy heart that we must announce the closing down of Wellgosh. “For over 35 years, Leicester has been the beating heart of our brand and we are grateful to our store teams and the dedicated community that we have created. “Our website and stores will close shortly.” Wellgosh was established in 1988 in Silver Arcade, Leicester, originally specialising in sourcing vintage and original clothing and evolving to become a major destination store for elevated street, skate and sneaker brands. It was bought by JD Sports in 2021.
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