The Library Learning Facility project is one of six regeneration projects being funded through the £21.1m Stapleford Towns Fund.
The existing town library, owned by the County Council, and run by Inspire will be remodelled, creating more space for new entry level skills education and training, allowing residents with little or no formal qualifications to take their first step, within their local community, on their lifelong learning journey.
Inspire, which delivers culture, learning and libraries on behalf of Nottinghamshire County Council, aims to support up to 1,000 local people with new skills over the next three years as well as providing community and family learning opportunities.
The reconfiguration will be delivered by Inspire with the Arc Partnership, a joint venture between Nottinghamshire County Council and SCAPE formed in 2016 to support and develop their property portfolio.
Phase one will begin in mid-March to create three new training rooms opening in June 2023. The library layout will be updated to make way for the learning facilities but will still accommodate the same amount of book stock as well as computers, floor space for children and exhibitions.
Ian Jowett, chair of the Stapleford Towns Board, said: “It’s great news that our plans have been approved to improve the education and learning provision in our town and help our people fulfil their learning and earning potential. The library’s a great local resource and this project will give it a new lease of life, making sure it remains at the heart of our great community.”
Peter Gaw, Inspire CEO, said: “We are excited to have this opportunity to improve education and learning for local residents to fulfil their learning and earning potential. We are delighted that we can provide three new learning spaces without compromising the library offer. We hope the new facilities will attract users new and old to use the space whether it be for learning, borrowing, events or community use.”
Councillor John Cottee, Cabinet Member for Communities at Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “The development of new learning spaces and our expanded learning offer at Stapleford library is a great opportunity for local residents to improve their skills and wellbeing on their doorstep. With a focus on entry level skills, we hope to see lots of learners start their learning journey with Inspire improving their employment prospects.”
New £741k Library Learning Facility set for Stapleford
A project to create a new £741k educational facility for people in Stapleford will begin next month.
Architect appointed to revamp auctioneers’ flagship site
Matthew Montague Architects has been appointed to revamp and extend the flagship site of Hanson Auctioneers.
The firm has been called in to design the upgraded premises at Etwall, providing it with an overall facelift and increasing space.
After a space-planning exercise, Matthew Montague Architects has finalised designs to re-organise the building, relocate the offices, improve the customer experience and maximise available space.
Paul Myers, the architect leading the project, said: “We have designed a two-story extension to be used as offices to replace the portacabin offices currently occupied by staff.
“We have also included meeting rooms, reconfigured the layout to maximize space, and designed a grand new entrance.”
Planning permission will now be sought from South Derbyshire District Council.
Hanson Auctioneers was founded in 2015 by antiques expert Charles Hanson, who is also a regular on television shows such as Flog It, Antiques Road Trip, and Bargain Hunt.
Matthew Montague said: “This is a great client for the practice; 2023 will mark our 25th year in business, we are well-known for our sports, education and residential projects, but in parallel we are equally pleased to be continuing to reinforce our portfolio of commercial work all across the Midlands.
“We are thrilled to be collaborating with Hansons.”
Charles said: “Matthew designed an elegant extension to my home; the addition to our period property was exactly what we wanted, and the new build blended seamlessly with the existing, suiting the house perfectly.
“Following that, I gave Matthew Montague Architects the approval to remodel the Etwall showroom. We are very excited for our business as we move into this new stage.”
Chesterfield open for business as Council approves new growth strategy
An ambitious plan which sets out a long-term vision for economic growth – including a focus on quality jobs for local people, access to higher level skills, and environmental sustainability – has been approved by Chesterfield Borough Council.
The new four-year Growth strategy (2023 – 2027) represents a long-term commitment from the council to make Chesterfield a thriving borough by strengthening local skills provision, supporting local businesses and further cementing Chesterfield’s role as a visitor destination.
It builds on the success of the last decade which has seen the creation of more than 2000 new jobs and more than 500 new businesses operating in the area, along with significant regeneration and investment across the borough.
The strategy – which was approved at a meeting of the full council on Wednesday 22 February – also has environmental sustainability at its heart, supporting the target of becoming a carbon neutral borough by 2050.
Councillor Tricia Gilby, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “This strategy is vital to ensuring our borough remains a thriving place to live and work, where everyone has the opportunity to boost their skills, and has access to quality jobs.
“It’s also crucial that we build environmental considerations into our long-term plans, as part of our ongoing commitment to create a sustainable borough for future generations and ensuring we do all we can to reduce carbon emissions.
“The plan builds on our successes over the last ten years including the creation of more than 2000 jobs, and with over 500 new businesses operating in the area.”
The strategy includes five key objectives, which are:
- Help businesses to grow and secure new business investment in the borough.
- Build a competitive place infrastructure that accelerates employment and housing growth.
- Strengthen the distinctive character and vibrancy of our town centres
- Develop Chesterfield’s role as a visitor destination and as a base for exploring the surrounding area.
- Ensure local people have the right skills to support progression in the labour market and benefit from future employment opportunities.
93,000 sq ft distribution facility completes in Burton
To meet continued demand for well-connected distribution space close to consumers, Goodman has completed a 93,000 sq ft high-specification facility at Centrum Logistics Park, Burton-upon-Trent.
This latest development builds on Goodman’s long-term investment at Centrum Logistics Park, having previously delivered the largest drive-through distribution centre in Europe for Palletforce.
Centrum 93 is built to a Grade A specification, with 1MVA of power capable of running investments in technology and automation, a 10m clear internal height, and office space, offering customers flexibility and supporting operational efficiency.
The sustainable property will help businesses to achieve energy efficiencies and have a lower carbon footprint, contributing to ongoing cost savings. Achieving an A-rated energy performance certification (EPC), the property features a solar PV system of 100kWp to generate clean energy, LED lighting to improve efficiency, and electric vehicle (EV) charging points and EV infrastructure to enable the next generation of vehicle fleets.
Nigel Dolan, development director at Goodman, said: “Strategically located distribution and logistics space provides essential infrastructure for businesses seeking to improve supply chain efficiency, reduce costs and lead times. A sustainable property in a Grade A location means that Centrum 93 provides customers with space to support their own long term sustainability and growth ambitions.”
Northampton transformation partner secures £5m investment
BGF has invested £5 million in Socitm Advisory, an independent transformation partner working with UK public sector organisations to improve the services they deliver through people change, data, technology, and innovation.
With over 100 consultants across the UK, Socitm Advisory provides a range of professional services to maximise organisational effectiveness and enhance customer and employee experiences on projects ranging from multi-million, multi-year enterprise resource planning (ERP) system transformations to broader digital and organisational change programmes.
Founded in 2015, the business is headquartered in Northampton and is the sister company of Socitm – the membership network for more than 250 public services organisations engaged in technology-enabled modernisation.
BGF’s investment will provide the foundations for the business to further expand its range of services and client base across local and central government and the wider public sector.
Tony Summers, Chief Executive Officer of Socitm Advisory, said: “We are delighted to welcome BGF as an investment partner to support our vision of bringing inspiration to UK public services. For many of our client organisations, technology-enabled modernisation is a necessity. This investment will support our aspiration to be their trusted advisor for delivering sustainable change, shaping future policy, and improving the lives of local citizens, communities, and the environment.
“Over the past seven years, we have re-invested £1.1 million in public services through our sister organisation, Socitm. Our future growth will unlock further investment in digital skills and leadership within the sector.”
The deal was led by Mark Nunny and Elena Kovalikhina, investors in BGF’s Central & East growth team. Mark will join the Socitm Advisory executive board as part of the deal.
BGF’s Mark Nunny, said: “Socitm Advisory is a well-established transformation consultancy, having built market-leading expertise and specialist services to support public sector clients facing the challenges of increased citizen demand for front-line services and expectations of a more digital and responsive organisation.
“We were attracted to the business by its focus on improving public services, the calibre of its people and the ROI it is delivering to its clients. It has strong ambitions to grow its services and influence in a large, addressable market and we’re excited to be partnering with Tony and the team on the next stage of their journey.”
As part of the deal, Socitm Advisory has also appointed Paul Heywood as non-executive chair. He brings significant experience of operating, growing and scaling businesses within the data and technology sectors, having previously served as chairman of BGF-backed IT consultancy and Cloud service provider DevOpsGroup, which was successfully acquired by Amdocs (DOX) in November 2021. Paul’s appointment follows an introduction from BGF’s Talent Network.
Consultation launched on plan for future of student living in Nottingham
A new plan has been created by Nottingham City Council to increase the choice and quality of student housing, maximise the benefits of a large student population and better tackle any associated challenges for communities.
Both of Nottingham’s universities add a combined £3.8 billion to the UK economy every year and support around 14% of the local economy, plus 25,000 jobs across the area.
The Student Living Strategy marks the first time that Nottingham City Council, the University of Nottingham, and Nottingham Trent University have made a formal commitment to work proactively together on shared priorities for housing and local services, as well as maximising the benefits that students bring to Nottingham.
Together they have launched a four-week consultation so people in the city can have their say on the proposals.
The Student Living Strategy sets out three main priorities:
- Improving the quality, safety, affordability and location of student accommodation, and encouraging a better balance of student housing choice across the city
- Encouraging neighbourliness, where students contribute to creating a clean, attractive and sustainable environment, and tackling the impact of waste and noise
- Increasing community cohesion, ensuring students are valued members of their communities and improving graduate retention in the city
£2.6m teaching block complete at Nottinghamshire school
South Nottinghamshire Academy in Cropwell Road, Radcliffe on Trent, celebrated the official opening of its new teaching block named The Maple Building this month.
Midlands-based main contractor G F Tomlinson lead on the construction and design of the £2.6 million two-storey teaching block facility, which comprises new classrooms, a seminar room, independent study space, IT facilities, staff offices and welfare facilities. The building has been designed to provide enhanced learning areas for an additional 150 pupils.
The opening ceremony was attended by Dan Philpotts, executive headteacher at South Nottinghamshire Academy, and Andrew Burns, Chief Executive of Redhill Academy Trust. School staff, governors, G F Tomlinson colleagues, local dignitaries and other partner and community organisations were also in attendance.
The scheme has been completed on behalf of South Nottinghamshire Academy, which was rated ‘Good’ in its most recent Ofsted report, and currently offers 600 places for children aged 11-16 plus sixth form students, with plans to accommodate the increasing need for school places in the area.
Since 2016, following relocation into a brand-new school building, the academy has been an integral part of Redhill Academy Trust which has a proven track record of enhancing school improvement. South Nottinghamshire Academy has continued to invest in its facilities, to meet the educational needs of current and future students, including a 3G floodlit pitch.
As part of efforts to boost the environmental credentials on the project, heat recovery units were installed which enabled 100% of all warm air in the building to be reused, increasing energy efficiency. The site management team also created a “Zen Zone” which involved fencing off a dedicated area for growing vegetables with a small green house, raised bed and benches made from recycled site materials to support their mental health and wellbeing.
During construction, G F Tomlinson partnered with the academy generating social value through the provision of site tours, a careers fair and a mock interview day to enhance students’ understanding and awareness of the careers in construction.
Chris Flint, Managing Director of G F Tomlinson, said: “We’re pleased to see work has completed at South Nottinghamshire Academy. The expansion of the school means further school places can be provided for children within the area, which are currently in demand across the region.
“The new teaching block will help to enhance student’s learning and educational experience, and we look forward to seeing them make use of their new space.”
Dan Philpotts, executive headteacher at South Nottinghamshire Academy, said: “The new Maple building accommodation will provide our school community with a long-lasting, modern-day facility that will undoubtedly enhance students’ educational experience. We are so proud of our first-class facilities, and we look forward to a very exciting future.”
Andrew Burns, Chief Executive of Redhill Academy Trust, said: “We are all pleased to see the continued popularity and demand for places at the South Nottinghamshire Academy. These great new facilities will help our students achieve their very best.”
Freeths pays tribute to much-loved colleague and partner, Mukesh Patel
National law firm Freeths has paid tribute to a much-loved colleague and partner, Mukesh Patel, who died unexpectedly on Saturday, February 18th. Mukesh was the Managing Partner of the Leicester office.
A very popular member of both Freeths and the local community, Mukesh had been with the firm since 2009 and quickly established himself as a highly respected member of the business. He always regarded his colleagues at Freeths as his second family having led the dispute resolution team in Leicester and subsequently becoming Managing Partner of the Leicester office in 2014.
Regarded as a man of impeccable manners, courtesy and respect, Mukesh committed himself to doing everything he could to create a happy and inclusive team within the firm.
Mukesh leaves behind his wife and two sons.
In a statement, Julian Middleton, Chairman of Freeths, said: “This desperately sad, shocking, and heart-breaking news has come as a real blow to us all at Freeths. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with his wife and their two boys.
“Mukesh was a trusted and valuable member of the Firm’s management team. He was an exemplary team player and would always place his personal interests second to those around him for the common good. Mukesh was very well known in the Leicester business community and was tireless in his efforts to raise the profile and reputation of the Firm and his office.
“We have lost a real force for good in the Freeths community, but we will ensure that his legacy lives on through our commitment to those shared principles that were so dear to him.”
Sanctuary for endangered animals set for Nottinghamshire following land deal
Licensed zoo keeper Reece Oliver is forging ahead with plans to build a world class sanctuary for endangered animals after securing a 23 acre plot of land in Broxtowe in a deal agreed by commercial property consultants OMEETO.
Plans have been submitted to Broxtowe Borough Council for the £10 million development on land near Station House in Trowell and, if approved, Mr Oliver is hoping to start the two-year construction project this spring.
Mr Oliver is best known for keeping rescued lions, a Canadian puma and 24 squirrel monkeys in specially-built enclosures in his back garden in Strelley. The African lions, Rock and Rora, were rescued from a circus in Eastern Europe and were joined by their cubs two years ago.
His plans for the sanctuary, named the Broxtowe Retreat, include reserves for rescued endangered animals as well as a tropical-themed spa complete with Rainforest inhabitants and an African water-hole themed restaurant and function venue. Visitors will be able to stay in 27 guest lodges, each with unique views into the expansive animal habitats.
An on-site education centre with qualified teachers would provide ‘out of the classroom’ practical experiences for school children, college and university students, and apprentices. The planned facilities, which have been described as state-of-the-art, would make use of solar panels, heat-pumps, and rainwater capture and recycling, making it one of the first sustainable and carbon neutral visitor facilities in the UK according to its developer.
New ponds, water features, and a tree and hedgerow planting program are also planned. The development would be expected to create more than 60 jobs in hospitality, education, catering, customer service, site maintenance, and animal care, with local skills and suppliers prioritised.
The retreat would be operated by an experienced team of experts to the highest animal welfare standards according to Mr Oliver.
He continued: “With the purchase of the land complete, we have now submitted plans for consideration by the borough council which I am confident will be approved.
“Rescuing animals is something that is very close to my heart, and we intend to create a world class sanctuary for animals and a uniquely special experience for visitors to enjoy.
“From environmentalism and ecology to education and employment, we think this development will really put Broxtowe on the map, and I’m delighted to bring such exciting plans to the local area.”
Chris Wright, director of OMEETO, completed the deal on behalf of the landowners, William May Holdings.
He said: “Mr Oliver is an extremely driven and motivated individual with a very admirable cause, we wish him every success with his plans. This is a very exciting project which could be a major asset for the region.”
Payroll fraudster who stole more than £120,000 sentenced
A payroll administrator who stole more than £120,000 from her employer has been sentenced.
Sandra Komunska, aged 29, worked for a specialist payroll management company when she made dozens of payments to her own accounts by creating false emails, invoices and payee details.
Between June 2016 and January 2020 she embezzled around £123,000.
Komunska was exposed during an internal investigation into a missing client payment.
She later admitted that the money had been paid directly into a bank account controlled by her and was sacked by her employer.
Further investigations revealed multiple payments to two other accounts controlled by Komunska.
Komunska, of Lovesey Avenue, Hucknall, claimed the money had been stolen to support her children during a period of financial hardship.
She later pleaded guilty to fraud by abuse of position and appeared at Nottingham Crown Court on Friday.
She was given a two year jail sentence suspended for 18 months, ordered to complete 20 rehabilitation days and complete 150 hours of unpaid work.
Detective Constable Christopher Underwood, a specialist fraud investigator at Nottinghamshire Police, said: “Komunska repeatedly stole a very large sum of money over a three-and-a-half-year period.
“She could have stopped this offending at any time but chose instead to keep stealing more and more from the employers who had put so much time and effort into training her. This was an appalling abuse of trust.”
