£10m regeneration scheme to breathe new life into Derby’s St James Street
A £10 million regeneration project has been unveiled, breathing new life into the heart of Derby city centre.
Developer St James Street (Derby) Ltd, working in partnership with Derby City Council, has launched ambitious plans to restore, regenerate and revitalise more than a dozen properties on St James Street, one of the city’s most historically significant but underused areas.
The developer acquired the properties from Clowes Developments in summer 2024, supported by Derby City Council and the Government’s Future High Streets Fund (FHSF).
The properties comprise a mix of long-term vacant ground floor shops and extensive redundant upper floor spaces.
Marc and Rebecca Brough, owners of the development company, recently acquired Allestree Hall from Derby City Council and are also founders of Cubo, the flex office company.
St James Street has long been considered an ‘at risk’ street, with vacancy rates consistently exceeding 50%. However, with the opening of the city’s brand-new live entertainment venue, Vaillant Live, and the restored Derby Market Hall, the street is set to gain enhanced visibility and footfall.
Beginning with the transformation of The Tramshed, a disused historic warehouse space, into Grade A office space, the scheme aims to completely overhaul ground-floor retail units and repurpose extensive, unused upper floors.
A planning application is now ready to be submitted to create 29 apartments on the upper floors of the properties, stretching from The Strand to the end of St James Street, as well as new shopfronts on the vacant ground floor units.
Future phases include plans to rejuvenate St James’s Yard and reinstate the pedestrian link from Sadler Gate through to St James Street.
Rigby & Co acted on behalf of St James Street (Derby) Ltd to acquire the site from Clowes Developments.
Marc Brough said: “We opened the first Cubo flexible office space at the corner of St James Street in 2020 and it has saddened me to see how this once-thriving street has become so run down and neglected since then.
“As a company we are committed to breathing new life into these buildings – bringing long term vacant buildings back into economic use, driving higher footfall and vibrancy and creating a vibrant environment that will benefit businesses, residents and visitors.
“We could not have embarked on this journey without the unwavering support from Derby City Council and their extended team and partners who have played a key role in helping bring our vision to life through the Future High Streets Fund.”
Councillor Nadine Peatfield, leader of Derby City Council and cabinet member for city centre, regeneration, strategy and policy, said: “We were thrilled to partner with St James Street (Derby) Ltd on this project to revitalise this key area of our city centre. The team have made rapid progress and we’re looking forward to seeing the first phase of the scheme come to life.
“Working closely with our partners, we’ve been able to make great progress in revitalising areas of our city centre. St James Street is a prime example of how, by collaborating with private sector partners, we can bring our vision for a vibrant city centre to life.”
Commercial property and regeneration specialists Rigby & Co acted for St James Street (Derby) Ltd in acquiring the properties from Clowes Developments.
Russell Rigby, managing director of Rigby & Co, said: “This is a massive shot in the arm for Derby city centre – the scheme needs vision, pace, experience and a ‘can-do’ attitude to overcome a number of barriers which have previously held this street back from releasing its full potential.”
A grant of £2m has been made to the scheme by Derby City Council with funding from the Government’s Future High Streets Fund (FHSF).
Building materials sector mobilises to support UK housing targets
The building materials industry, with a focus on regions like Northampton, is advancing a national recruitment campaign to tackle skills shortages and support the UK Government’s housing ambitions.
The Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) is spearheading the Building Materials Careers initiative (bmcareers.com), which seeks to attract new talent, including career changers and military veterans, into a sector valued at £51 billion. The campaign, launched earlier this year, is part of a broader workforce development strategy tied to the government’s goal of delivering 1.5 million new homes.
The programme builds on the success of the BMF’s Apprenticeship Pledge, which met its target of 15,000 apprenticeships five years ahead of the original 2030 deadline. It now shifts focus to increasing awareness of career opportunities across manufacturing, supply, and merchant operations, areas critical to construction site productivity and innovation.
The online platform features job listings and personal accounts from professionals already in the sector. Participating businesses, including major suppliers and distributors like STARK Building Materials UK Ltd, have aligned their hiring efforts with the campaign to future-proof their workforces.
This industry-led effort is viewed as vital to the infrastructure needed to scale up materials production and distribution, essential for meeting rising demand from housebuilding projects across the UK. The initiative also complements broader government and private sector moves to build a more resilient and inclusive construction supply chain.
Plans for two new housing estates under review in Fleckney
Harborough District Council is reviewing proposals for two large-scale residential developments on the northern edge of Fleckney, which could bring 340 new homes to the village.
One application, submitted by David Wilson Homes, outlines a plan to build 170 residential units on a 7.5-hectare site currently used as farmland. The land lies off Long Grey and Garner Way. According to the submitted documentation, 40% of the homes would be designated affordable housing. The proposal also includes green space and allotments.
A separate application has been lodged for 170 homes on an adjacent field off Leicester Road. Planning officers are currently considering both developments, and decisions are expected later in the year.
Leicestershire aerial survey firm, Bluesky International snapped up
Woolpert has acquired Leicestershire-based Bluesky International, the aerial survey firm.
Bluesky is headquartered in Ashby-de-la-Zouch and has over 130 staff across the UK, Ireland, the United States, and India. The private, multidisciplinary geospatial solutions firm specialises in aerial imaging, lidar, 3D modeling, vegetation, and renewables mapping.
Woolpert is a global provider of geospatial services, collecting and processing imagery and lidar data from mountaintops to the seafloor. With the addition of Bluesky’s fleet of aircraft and sensors, capabilities, and innovative data products, Woolpert further expands its position across North America, Europe, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific.
“Bluesky was an obvious choice to join the Woolpert family of companies, not just for its dedication to geospatial excellence, but also for its commitment to client satisfaction and workplace culture,” Woolpert president and CEO Neil Churman said.
“With the addition of Bluesky to Woolpert’s trans-Atlantic team, together, we’ll be able to offer clients across Europe and North America a truly comprehensive set of geospatial services and products. We are beyond thrilled to embark upon the new opportunities that Bluesky and Woolpert will bring to each other and to our clients.”
Bluesky CEO Rachel Tidmarsh said: “We’re looking forward to being part of a firm that shares our passion and excitement about geospatial data and analysis, and creating an impact for our clients and communities.
“Woolpert’s extensive expertise in all things geospatial, as well as the addition of their architecture and engineering services, opens up a new realm of possibilities for our clients. We couldn’t be more excited about the ability to service our clients as a truly one-stop shop with this world-leading geospatial team.”
Howes Percival advised Bluesky International and its shareholders on all aspects of the deal. Corporate partner Gareth John said: “This was a fantastic transaction to be involved with. It highlights the quality of the businesses we have in this region and demonstrates our growing credentials on complex deals. We wish everyone at Bluesky the very best for the future.”
Duo of Nottingham brownfield sites sold for residential development
Godwin Developments has sold two brownfield sites in North Nottingham to Nottingham Community Housing Association (NCHA), working in conjunction with Owl Partnerships as contractor.
The deal allows for the imminent start of construction on 102 affordable homes in the city.
Set in the Bulwell area, the combined five-acre sites have been vacant for 15 years and hold detailed residential planning consent secured by Godwin. The developments will deliver two- and three-bedroom homes, including shared ownership and social rent affordable tenures, across the two adjacent locations.
The Maple Fields scheme, on the grounds of the former Henry Mellish School on Kersall Drive, will provide 45 new homes, while the Crescent, on the former Piccadilly Playing Field, will deliver 57 homes.
Godwin’s director of partnerships, Tim Hart said: “We are pleased to have completed the sale of these well-located sites to NCHA and would like to thank them for their commitment and professionalism throughout the process.
“This development will deliver 102 high-quality affordable homes at a time of acute housing need in Nottingham and across the UK. We look forward to seeing these much-needed properties built and occupied.”
Fran Cropper, new business and development manager at NCHA, said: “We’re really pleased to be working with Nottingham City Council again on this important scheme with social value. This development reflects our commitment to building homes that are both affordable and environmentally friendly, in line with our sustainability targets.
“With rising energy costs, these homes will provide residents with lower living expenses and a reduced carbon footprint. We’re proud to bring this new housing scheme to Nottingham, addressing local housing needs while paving the way for a sustainable future.”
Warren Bolton, managing director at Owl Partnerships, said: “It’s been a fantastic experience to work alongside Godwin and NCHA to bring these developments to life.
“Partnerships are built off the back of hard work, dedication and collaboration and that’s exactly what this venture needed and that’s exactly what it got. Development can be made difficult but with good people and a partners mentality, we can do anything. Congratulations and well done to the whole team involved.”
Advisors on the transaction included solicitors Field Fisher and Browne Jacobson and affordable housing specialists Redbrick Housing Consultancy.
Cronofy secures £15m investment to supercharge growth
Cronofy, a Nottingham-based provider of embedded scheduling infrastructure, has secured a £15 million investment from BGF, one of the UK and Ireland’s most active growth capital investors.
The funding will support Cronofy’s ongoing expansion and product development as it continues to streamline complex scheduling processes for businesses globally.
Founded in Nottingham, Cronofy enables real-time, secure scheduling through its integrated platform, which is used by over 180,000 organisations worldwide. The company’s technology is embedded into business workflows and applications, powering scheduling functionality across sectors including recruitment, healthcare, and professional services.
The platform was created by experienced engineers, Adam Bird and Garry Shutler, who recognised that a new architectural approach was needed to unlock embedded scheduling at scale whilst natively respecting security and privacy.
Cronofy’s technology has been adopted by major brands such as Indeed, Houzz and Docplanner. Among its global customer base, fintech business Wise has reduced its interview scheduling time from six days to 90 minutes using Cronofy’s platform integrations.
The fast growth business will use the funding to enhance its core product offering, expand into new use cases, and accelerate its growth in international markets, particularly in the US where it currently generates over 60% of its revenue.
The investment also provides a partial exit for Cronofy’s seed-stage investors, who have supported the company since its inception in 2016.
Adam Bird, CEO and co-founder of Cronofy, said: “We were seeking a partner to support the next stage of our growth journey, and BGF offers the experience, flexibility and scale to help us achieve our goals.
“Scheduling is a critical but often overlooked business function, and our mission is to simplify it in a secure and privacy-first way for organisations worldwide. We’ve spent the last decade building a platform that integrates seamlessly into the systems our customers already use, saving them time and improving efficiency.
“With this investment, we’re poised to accelerate our impact across even more industries and geographies.”
Seb Saywood, partner at BGF, added: “Cronofy is a stand-out tech success story that has achieved global recognition in its vertical for having the most reliable embedded scheduling infrastructure.
“Its ROI for a range of different customer types and size, including enterprise, is compelling. It has a customer centric, product first growth strategy that has already generated 60% of its sales from the more mature US market.
“We look forward to partnering with this impressive management team who have a proven track record in solving problems for customers and scaling tech businesses.”
Advisers to Cronofy on the transaction included Shakespeare Martineau (Duncan James, Renee Freeman, Roger Harcourt) and RSM (Martin Brown).
Advisers to BGF on the transaction included Browne Jacobson (Mark Hughes, Matt Bolton, Ka Man Shing), Cooper Parry (Sara Thompson, Jack Mcfarlane, Lauren Nutty), Alvarez & Marsal (Ian Birch, Joe Stevenson), RP Advisory (Suzy Smith, Aries Shomalistos) and Scalewise (Tom Glason, Munya Hoto).
Nottingham CEO gets ready to raise £10,000 for Duchenne Dash 2025
The CEO at Nottingham-headquartered Blinds 2go is cycling 300km in 24-hours in a bid to raise an impressive £10,000 for charity.
Nick Thomas will be among 160 riders participating in Duchenne UK’s challenging annual cycling event, the Duchenne Dash, covering the 300km distance from London to Paris in under 24-hours to raise a collective £1 million.
Duchenne UK is at the forefront of funding world-class research and care for those affected by Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a progressive condition primarily affecting young boys which causes progressive muscle degeneration and weakness.
Nick said: “DMD is a devastating condition which around 100 boys are born with each year. There is currently no cure, but the research Duchenne UK invest in is dramatically helping to advance treatments for those living with the disease – there are currently more than 500 boys participating in clinical trials which simply didn’t exist a decade ago.”
This is Nick’s seventh time competing in the Duchenne Dash, and his colleagues at Blinds 2go are supporting Nick to achieve his fundraising target by 17th May through completing an in-house cycling challenge, in which Blinds 2go will donate £1 for each kilometre the team complete, donating £500 if they achieve the full 300km. Blinds 2go are also a lead sponsor for the event.
Nick continued: “I’m honoured to be taking part in such a meaningful event. Last year was a challenge, starting with a 100km ride down to the south coast, then an uncomfortable overnight ferry crossing to the final 200km to Paris, but it was also an incredibly rewarding day and an emotional experience to ride alongside the loved ones of those coping with the challenges of DMD on a daily basis.
“This is my 7th Duchenne Dash, so I can talk from some experience – and I’m doing it because, in my view, Duchenne UK is a hugely deserving charity. The money we help raise will make such a difference and I’m grateful to everyone for their support!”
To support Nick, visit www.justgiving.com/team/nick-and-barts-duchenne-dash-2025
Nissan to slash 11,000 more jobs and shut seven plants amid global reset
Nissan has announced plans to cut 11,000 more jobs and close seven factories worldwide, intensifying a cost-cutting programme driven by falling global demand, rising competition, and weak performance in key markets, including China and the US. The move brings total layoffs over the past year to around 20,000, roughly 15% of the company’s workforce.
The Japanese carmaker has faced sustained pressure from sliding sales in China, where local electric vehicle brands like BYD have surged, and from margin-eroding discounting in the US. Last year’s failed merger talks with Honda and Mitsubishi, which aimed to create a $60 billion global automotive player, further stalled recovery efforts.
Roughly two-thirds of the new redundancies will affect manufacturing roles, with the rest spread across admin, sales, R&D, and contracted staff. Details on which locations will be impacted, including Nissan’s Sunderland facility, which is home to around 6,000 jobs, have not yet been disclosed.
These cuts follow a previous round of 9,000 layoffs announced in November as part of a broader initiative to reduce production capacity by 20% globally. Nissan has also cancelled plans to build a new EV and battery plant in Japan, signalling a pullback on capital investment.
Nissan’s annual financials revealed a loss of ¥ $670 billion ($4.5 billion), with the company citing ongoing uncertainty around US tariffs and rising operational costs. No income forecast was issued for the current year. Despite a slight increase in US retail sales, global demand remains soft. Sales dropped 12% in China and declined across Japan and Europe.
Growth for Wells McFarlane as new asset manager appointed
The commercial property team at consultancy, Wells McFarlane has grown following the appointment of a new asset manager.
Bobby Brown joins the Lutterworth-based firm, bringing almost five years’ commercial agency experience, particularly in retail and leisure properties. As asset manager, Bobby’s responsibilities include agency, rent reviews, lease renewals, dilapidations, property & estate management.
“I’m excited to take this next step in my career and learn from the team at Wells McFarlane,” explains Bobby. “The firm has a diverse property portfolio, including a strong reputation in the office and industrial markets. I was keen to develop my knowledge in these sectors so when the role became available, it seemed the right opportunity to explore.
“My initial meeting with the Directors was really positive and confirmed my decision that this would be the right role for me. I’m pleased they agreed!”
Bobby joins Wells McFarlane on a Degree Apprenticeship, following the completion of his Certificate of Higher Education in Construction Technology from the University College of Estate Management (UCEM). Bobby is now studying for a Real Estate Management degree so part of his role includes day release training at UCEM, with his ultimate aim to achieve MRICS status in 2027.
Wells McFarlane’s director, Jason Hercock is mentoring Bobby. Jason said: “Bobby has good knowledge of the Leicestershire commercial property sector but was looking to broaden this to support his studies and ongoing professional development. With the right balance of experience and enthusiasm, he was certainly the standout candidate and has really blended in well with the team.
“Bobby’s appointment follows a sustained period of growth for our commercial property division, including new instructions in Solihull, Shrewsbury and Market Harborough, as well adding to our management portfolio with business parks in Walsall and Blaby. We’re confident we now have the right team in place to ensure future success.”
A Leicestershire local, Bobby’s interests outside of work include sports, films, playing guitar and travelling. Prior to beginning his role as asset manager, Bobby spent a year visiting South East Asia, New Zealand and South America.
Arc Partnership expands with new professional services and expanded team
Arc Partnership has expanded its professional services portfolio, by introducing estates service and development service provision, and appointing a new director to lead the new teams.
The strategic move means Arc Partnership, a joint venture between Nottinghamshire County Council and SCAPE, can now provide the council with end-to-end property lifecycle management, covering everything from pre-construction and design to maintenance, estate management, valuations, development consultancy services and risk management.
As part of the expansion, six new team members have joined Arc Partnership, including two new senior development managers, two principal surveyors and two estate surveyors.
They will be led by Andrea Hopkins who has also been newly appointed as director of the estates practice. Andrea brings a wealth of experience from Leicestershire County Council, where she led key construction projects and managed the council’s disposal programme as well as overseeing the valuation function.
In her new role, Andrea will oversee and develop both service areas.
Commenting on her appointment, Andrea said: “It is a fantastic time to be joining Arc Partnership as they continue to bolster their expertise and offering across the board.
“This is an exciting opportunity to lead and develop three key services – Estates Practice, Risk Management Services and Development and Disposals through Arc Partnership on behalf of Nottinghamshire County Council.
“The Estates Practice and Development Services Teams have responsibility for management of Nottinghamshire County Council’s property portfolio, advising on and implementing good estate management practices, risk compliance and adding real value by identifying and implementing development and disposal projects.
“Through close collaboration with the council and internal teams, we will drive efficiencies, ensure standards are maintained and identify cost-saving opportunities for Nottinghamshire County Council.”
Dan Maher, managing director at Arc Partnership, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Andrea and our two new teams to Arc Partnership.
“This expansion allows us to offer a full suite of services across the entire property lifecycle, enhancing the expert support we provide on behalf of Nottinghamshire County Council, delivering value for money, quality of output and customer excellence, and this latest development further strengthens our ability to do so.”
