An event at the First Bus depot in Leicester has launched a new partnership between the company and Centrica under which Centrica will get access to First Bus’ rapid electric vehicle charging infrastructure at bus depots nationwide.
This new deal sees Centrica join the ranks of Openreach, DPD and Police Scotland, plugging into this shared infrastructure initiative from First Bus. The initial phase of the partnership will enable Centrica to charge a selection of its EV fleet at First Bus’ Leicester depot while buses are out on the road in service. This allows Centrica engineers to cover more ground, reduce their environmental impact, and dedicate more time to the needs of their customers. The partnership then has the potential to extend to further depots across the bus operator’s UK infrastructure in the future. Centrica currently has more than 3,000 electric vehicles in its fleet but its aiming to convert all its diesel vehicles to zero-emissions by 2030. Rob Simister, Director of Fleet Operations at Centrica, said: “As we continue to electrify our fleet, we’re always looking for innovative ways to0 addresssoem of the operational challenges that come with such a large transition. This partnership with First Bus will mean were more effective at getting to our customers, while speeding up the rollout of our electric vehicles.”Ceremony marks opening of new Construction Skills Centre at Nottingham College
The new £5.4m Construction Skills Centre (CSC) at Nottingham College is now complete and open for students, as marked with an official handover last week.
The CSC is a new build specialist centre offering flexible teaching and learning facilities that will support the curriculum and estate objectives of the college, meeting the growing need to provide training for construction skilled trades in the local area. Delivered by midlands contractor, G F Tomlinson, the CSC will act as a critical educational facility meeting the rising demand for post-16 sector education. The scheme was procured through Pagabo’s Medium Works framework managed by Pagabo on behalf of contracting authority The Education Alliance. The building is designed to align with the Department for Education’s (DfE) output specification and support the sustainability ambitions of Nottingham College, working towards becoming carbon zero by 2030. The 1,500m² building comprises a large double height construction trades workshop, as well as additional classrooms, a smaller modern construction workshop and associated staff and support facilities. The handover was a great opportunity to highlight the modern facilities the CSC has to offer, helping to support Nottingham College’s commitment to improving vocational education and training for its students. The scheme is the first of two major new additions to the college portfolio that G F Tomlinson has worked on this year, the contractor is also close to completing a new centre for Students with Learning Difficulties and/or Disabilities (The Gateway) – a new two-storey building comprising 13 classrooms, a teaching kitchen, dining area and ancillary spaces, as well as associated external works which is due for completion in December this year. As part of G F Tomlinson’s commitment to delivering social value, a total of £1.8 million social value-added was provided on the scheme, calculated using specialist social value tool, Loop. Activities included including organised site visits, regular newsletters and career talks with students from nearby schools. 1,669 apprentice hours, 44.5 apprentice weeks and 779 student engagements were also provided by G F Tomlinson’s construction ambassadors. The company also partnered with Nottingham College earlier in the year and hosted a two-day workshop for their construction students. Using materials kindly donated by Vision Joinery, the students learned valuable carpentry skills by designing and building bird boxes. The workshop not only enhanced the students’ practical abilities but also aligned with joint sustainability goals by supporting local wildlife. 79% of local labour was sourced within a 20-mile radius and 81% local spend within 20 miles of the site. Other sustainability initiatives on the project involved the installation of 60 PV panels, three air source heat pumps and the achievement of 100% waste recycled and diverted from landfill, contributing positively to the local environment and national carbon net-zero agenda. Adrian Grocock, Managing Director of G F Tomlinson, said: “We are delighted to be involved in the development of this major scheme for Nottingham College, building on our extensive education experience through the Pagabo framework. This project is crucial in addressing the growing demand for skilled trades training in the local area and the centre will not only support the college’s curriculum but also play a pivotal role in upskilling the local workforce to meet the needs of the construction sector within the region.” Carl Ara, Assistant Principal at Nottingham College Basford Campus, said: “A project of this scale was ambitious, making it incredibly satisfying to see it come to life. Watching our students learn and grow in this new space is truly rewarding, and these facilities will elevate our training programmes, empowering young people and adults across the city to excel in full-time study programmes and apprenticeships. “G F Tomlinson has done an exceptional job – completing a project of this magnitude on a busy campus was no small feat. The builders also provided invaluable experiences for our construction students, from site tours and industry talks to hands-on work placements. “As demand for skilled construction workers rises, especially in housing, transport, and renewable energy, our new CSC enables us to equip the next generation with the skills they need for the future.” Adam Brumfitt, Midlands regional delivery manager at Pagabo, commented on the collaboration: “The Construction Skills Centre is poised to significantly enhance the educational experience for students and staff alike, and we are proud to have contributed to its development by ensuring the compliant appointment of GF Tomlinson as main contractor. With the use of social value tool Loop, it’s fantastic to see the bigger impact that this project has had on its local community too.”Steel frames in place to extend business premises at Calverton
A development of four new industrial units in Calverton, to the north east of Nottingham, has reached a major milestone, with the steel frames now in place.
The new units are being built by Lindum Group for Gedling Borough Council to meet growing demand for commercial space at Hill Crest Business Park.
Lindum Construction Manager Simon Hope said: “It’s great to be working with Gedling Borough Council on another project.
“These new facilities will enable local businesses to thrive by giving them a base of operation in an already popular estate. It also offers opportunities to local people by creating new jobs in Calverton.”
The existing car park will be extended to 41 spaces to accommodate space for tenants of the new units and existing businesses. There will be four disabled access bays and two EV chargers.
Facilities will include a total 194m2 of photovoltaic (PV) panels for renewable electricity generation, and a new bio-diverse planting scheme, in alignment with Gedling Borough Council’s net-zero carbon ambitions.
Councillor Jenny Hollingsworth, Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Growth and Economy at Gedling Borough Council, said: “We’re pleased to be working with Lindum on the construction of four additional industrial units at the popular Hill Crest Business Park.
“The delivery costs for the extension of this project are supported by D2N2 LEP with grant funding alongside the UK Government Shared Prosperity fund (UKSPF) and further capital funding by Gedling Borough Council.
“These eco-friendly developments provide valuable opportunities for small and medium-sized businesses to thrive and offer employment to the local community.”
Businesses in the park’s eight existing units include a machinery manufacturer, directory publisher, shopfitting contractors and a facilities management company.
Quantum Development Finance provide £15m loan funding for Wavensmere’s Milford Mills in North Derbyshire
Quantum Development Finance has agreed to provide Wavensmere Homes with a £15m loan to enable the £22m redevelopment of Milford Mills, which overlooks the River Derwent, located between Belper and Duffield in north Derbyshire.
The development will comprise 69 new homes to be delivered on the historic brownfield site, which is within the Derwent Valley Mills UNESCO World Heritage Site. Accessed off Derby Road (A6) in the centre of Milford village, the redevelopment of former commercial premises will feature 42 two- and three-bedroom houses and 27 one- and two-bedroom apartments, within a four-storey building overlooking the River and Mill Lade.
With development finance in place, Wavensmere’s team is continuing to work alongside officers from the Borough Council to enable construction to commence in January.
This marks the second time Quantum Development Finance and Wavensmere Homes have teamed up to deliver brownfield regeneration within Derbyshire. Earlier this year, the London-based specialist property lender provided a £15m loan for the construction of the final phase of the £175m Nightingale Quarter scheme in Derby city centre. The ‘E6’ block incorporates 79 one-bedroom and 24 two-bedroom apartments, with a raft of green energy features.
Sam Hudson, Head of Portfolio Management at Quantum Development Finance, said: “Following the success of our initial loan at Nightingale Quarter we are delighted to continue this partnership on Milford Mills. At Quantum Development Finance we pride ourselves on building long-standing relationships, especially with one of the leading regeneration specialists in the UK.
“The former 18th Century cotton mill housed some of the world’s first mechanised industrial spinning factories. This highly unique project will incorporate retention of historic features, including the Mill Lade that now feeds a hydroelectric power plant downstream, along with the repair of all original stone boundary walls. We look forward to witnessing the transformation of this brownfield site into attainable family homes, and it is testament to Wavensmere Homes that both sites also have strong sustainability credentials.”
Surfacing company invests to improve Leicester’s roads
A Leicester-based company is leading the way in safer road surfacing following a year of business investments. The company is raising awareness of the importance of safe road surfaces this Road Safety Awareness Week (17-23 November).
HMS Decorative Surfacing has invested heavily in its resurfacing services over the past year, including doubling its team of workers, to cater for the growing demand for road repairs across the country.
This comes as the so-called ‘pothole plague’ was addressed in parliament last month during the Chancellor’s Budget speech, with £500m pledged towards improving Britain’s roads.
The AA recorded over 600,000 pothole related call outs last year and the RAC reported a 53% increase in road surface related breakdowns in the first quarter of 2024 compared to 2023. According to Cycling UK, 255 cyclists have been killed or seriously injured due to unsafe road surfaces since 2017 and 70 motorcyclists will die or suffer injuries every single year.
HMS has appointed new Surfacing Operatives, an Administration Assistant and invested in two new surfacing trucks. It has also worked towards upholding its BBA (British Board of Agrémen) accreditation, to keep up with the increasing number of reported potholes across Leicester and beyond, and ensure all repairs meet rigorous standards for quality, durability and safety.
Laura Wilson, Director at HMS Decorative Surfacing commented on the business’ growth. She said: “The need for effective and long-lasting road repairs has become increasingly evident over the past couple of years, as we’ve seen the number of pothole related accidents and breakdowns skyrocket. This Road Safety Week, we want to highlight the need for safer road surfacing in the UK to keep people safe and save lives.
“As a business we’ve seen this demand and so anticipated the labour government’s pledge to make improvements within the Autumn Budget. We’ve made many strategic decisions to support this; from doubling our numbers working on the ground, to growing our admin team and investing in new vehicles so we can extend our services.
“I’m really proud of how far we’ve come this year, and with this extra government funding, we now look to the future of HMS – aiming to grow our business and offer even more resurfacing services across the East Midlands and the rest of the UK.”
Worksop company acquires importer of Italian foods
Worksop-based food and ingredient suppliers Kiril Mischeff has acquired Annessa Imports Limited, which imports supplies for the Italian retail and food service trade.
Kiril Mischeff Group MD Dimiter Mirchev said: “I would like to welcome the company and its valued staff, customers, and suppliers to the Kiril Mischeff Group family. We look forward to exploring the possibilities and exploiting the synergies that will be created in the combined Group for the benefit of all.”
Domenico Annessa, one of the founding directors of Annessa Imports Limited, says, “Along with all the Annessa Imports staff, I am looking forward to working with all the fellow members of the Kiril Mischeff Group. They are an established and well-respected business and I am looking forward to increasing and enhancing even further the product offering we bring to their customers, old and new and contributing to the future success of the Group.”
Saby Sambhi, who led the transaction for solicitors Schofield Sweeney, said “Our ability to call on specialist support from both our real estate and employment colleagues allowed us to provide a holistic and seamless service, ensuring the transaction was completed in a condensed timescale and before the Autumn Statement, which was crucial to both parties.
“We look forward to assisting Kiril Mischeff with the integration of Annessa Imports Limited into their current group structure and the implementation of their exciting growth plans.”
Hydrogen innovation earns Luxfer Gas Cylinders gold at regional manufacturing awards
A commitment to pioneering the use of hydrogen technology has seen Luxfer Gas Cylinders recognised for its innovation at the regional Make UK Manufacturing Awards – paving the way for the company to compete in the national finals in January 2025.
Luxfer Gas Cylinders – the world’s largest manufacturer of high-pressure composite and aluminium cylinders – was presented with the Make UK Midlands Innovation Award earlier this month.
Organised by Make UK, the body that represents manufacturing industry across the UK, the awards were held to mark the achievements of companies from across the Midlands.
Judges handed a gold to Luxfer Gas Cylinders in recognition of its extensive and relentless efforts to develop new systems and infrastructure to transport hydrogen safely. This has involved significant seven figure investment in R&D across teams in the UK and North America in order take advantage of what is expected to be a substantial uptake in the use of hydrogen for clean energy in the future.
Lucy Morris, Marketing Manager, Luxfer Gas Cylinders Europe, said: “We’re so proud to be recognised by Make UK, and particularly in this category, because innovation is something that is fundamental to our organisation, and specifically to our highly skilled alternative fuel experts. They are bringing to bear our decades of experience in gas containment to develop clean, green, solutions that will encourage adoption of hydrogen technology.
“It’s an exciting time for this sector, and we’re pleased to be acknowledged as a pioneer, breaking new ground and helping reformulate what’s possible in hydrogen mobility and storage.”
Chris Corkan, Region Director for Make UK in the Midlands, added: “These awards are a testament to the dynamic companies and individuals working within engineering and manufacturing. The sector remains at the heart of creating wealth in the Midlands and as we grow our economy there will be a bright future for companies and individuals that make the most of their talent.”
East Midlands businesses and property owners urged to assess risks of living walls
An insurance expert is calling on East Midlands architects, property owners and hotel or leisure venues to assess the risks associated with living walls, which may not be fully covered by standard insurance policies.
Vince Kelly of specialist insurance broker Lycetts has issued the warning as the demand for sustainable ‘vertical gardens’ grows.
“With the increasing integration of green roofs and living walls in modern architectural designs, there is a pressing need to address the fire risks linked to the materials used in these on-trend systems,” Kelly said.
“While we wholeheartedly support the move towards sustainable buildings that contribute to net zero targets, it’s crucial that safety is not compromised in the process.”
Highlighting the potential dangers, he pointed out that all cladding systems feature a backing wall with insulation and that even when cavity barriers are installed correctly, some components might still be combustible, posing a risk of fires spreading.
“To mitigate this, it’s essential that the backing wall, insulation and supporting structures – including potting, irrigation and drainage systems – are constructed from non-combustible materials wherever possible,” he said.
“The impact of severe weather events and potential water leaks can significantly affect the safety and insurability of the building, as well as adjacent structures, if the living wall is not meticulously designed, installed and maintained.”
Kelly also pointed out the unique challenges posed by green roofs.
“Unlike conventional roofs, green roofs are considerably heavier due to the additional weight of the support structure, the requisite irrigation systems as well as the plants themselves,” he explained. “Plus, the extra water retention capacity during heavy rainfall must also be factored into architectural considerations.”
To ensure the longevity and safety of these sustainable features, Kelly recommends that installers conduct extreme water tests immediately after installation to check for leaks and consider installing electronic leak detectors. Annual inspections are also advised to remove problematic plants and those developing strong, deep roots to reduce the risk of leak damage.
Furthermore, he recommends that architects and property owners engage a qualified structural engineer during the design phase to assess load-bearing capacity and ensure the building is fit to support these installations. Fall protection measures and access for ongoing maintenance should also be planned into the design to ensure safe upkeep.
“Living walls and green roofs offer numerous environmental, aesthetic and health benefits but the ongoing maintenance and repair can be a challenging and costly process,” Kelly added.
“I would urge anyone involved in a new sustainability project or retrofit that incorporates a living wall to consult their insurer during the planning stages to mitigate the risks and ensure the creation of buildings that are not only stunning and sustainable but also safe.”
Major Boost for a joined up visitor economy strategy for the East Midlands
In a first of its kind, at its meeting on Monday 4 November, the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) Board agreed to develop a regional approach to delivering a thriving visitor economy for the East Midlands. The Board agreed funding of up to £60k to support the joint work of the region’s two Local Visitor Economy Partnerships (LVEPs) to develop a Destination Management Plan for the EMCCA region to add value, strengthen collaboration and avoid duplication.
The approach agreed by the Board focuses on three core elements to boost the visitor economy:
- By promoting our place and products to deliver enhanced profile, greater reach and more visitors.
- By developing the offer, working with our stakeholders to improve and increase, for example, hotel accommodation and live venue, conference facilities etc
- By realising the value of the sector, showing the wider benefits to our region over and above the contribution to our economy.
Promoting our place and products
Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, has begun a series of engagement events in order to hear directly from key organisations across the sector. This has included a Derby and Derbyshire-focused meeting hosted by the Devonshire Group at Chatsworth House, an Arts Council-led event in Chesterfield, bringing together representatives from across the culture and heritage sectors, and a Nottingham and Nottinghamshire-focused event hosted at the National Civil War Centre in Newark. These events provided valuable feedback regarding the challenges and opportunities for organisations in the sector.
Developing the offer
There are now two Local Visitor Economy Partnerships (LVEPs) that cover the whole of the EMCCA area, Visit Nottinghamshire and Visit Peak District, Derbyshire and Derby and they are both formally accredited by Visit England. They will work with us to develop a strategic vision for the region, highlighting all the fundamentals of making our destinations thrive, while supporting local businesses.
Realising the value of the sector
The tourism/visitor economy makes a significant contribution to our economy, worth around £5.25bn in 2023 and supporting around 52,000 jobs. The aim is to take up numerous opportunities to grow the value of the sector, both in terms of direct economic impact and wider benefits that support EMCCA’s inclusive growth objectives.
Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, said: “The Visitor Economy is one of my key priorities because it matters everywhere: to our cities, our market towns, and our rural areas alike.
This is a vital agenda for the whole region and I’m delighted to lead and strengthen collaboration with our regional partners. Our joined up Destination Management Plan means that we can have more impact, and improve our offer for visitors, residents and grow our economy.”
Megan Powell Vreeswijk, CEO of Marketing Nottingham & Nottinghamshire including Visit Nottinghamshire, said: “Collaboration across the East Midlands is key to driving a vibrant and sustainable visitor economy, and we are delighted to work in partnership with East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) and Visit Peak District Derbyshire and Derby to make this vision a reality. EMCCA’s commitment to the Destination Management Plans marks a major milestone in building a unified approach that enhances the unique offer of our regions, while providing a strategic framework for growth.
Together as the two LVEPs with our regional partners, we will elevate the profile of the East Midlands, to attract more visitors, and create new opportunities for local businesses, visitors, and residents.”
Apertus Group apprentice wins prestigious award
An apprentice at the local procurement company Apertus Group has won the prestigious Apprentice of the Year Award at the Northamptonshire Business Excellence Awards, hosted by comedian Alex Horne.
Maddie Humphrey, who is undertaking her Level 3 Apprenticeship in Business Administration with Apertus Group, won the award for being ‘highly dedicated, very knowledgeable and having a huge impact on not only the business but within [her] industry’ according to the judging panel, which included former Apprentice star Nick Hewer.
Maddie said of her win: “The award win has given me a huge confidence boost! It can be hard to realise when you’re doing well at something, especially when you’re caught up in the day-today, and I don’t always give myself enough credit, so it has given me an opportunity to celebrate my achievements. All Things Business did an amazing job producing the event and I had a wonderful time, winning was a bonus!”
Maddie also hosts a YouTube series produced by Apertus Group, ‘In the Driver’s Seat with Maddie’, which sees her in conversation with businesspeople about cars and driving. Another part of her apprenticeship has seen her working on a long-term project for Apertus Group. She has been developing a new way for the business to manage damage on vehicles it has leased, which has already reduced liability for Apertus Group by 45%.
Apertus Group Managing Director Grant McKenna said: “Seeing someone who you saw huge potential in be recognised by others is a beautiful thing. Maddie, enjoy every message, moment and memory, you deserve every single one of them!”
Maddie joined Apertus Group in September 2023 after completing her A-Levels at Wootton Park School, studying Business, Psychology and Geography. The NBEAs were attended by over 500 people, who came together to celebrate the county’s business community and their achievements.
