UK private sector growth hits one-year high

April Lara
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UK private sector growth hits one-year high

UK private sector activity reached its strongest level in a year in August, led by growth in the services sector, according to preliminary S&P Global data. The flash UK composite purchasing managers’ index (PMI) rose to 53.0, up from 51.5 in July, signalling expansion across the economy.

Services, which cover finance, real estate, hospitality, and entertainment, saw the largest increase in new work. Firms reported stronger domestic demand and rising overseas sales following a subdued spring. Manufacturing output, by contrast, continued to contract, with the rate of new orders falling sharply.

Employment across the private sector has declined for 11 consecutive months, as companies manage rising operating costs. Input cost inflation reached its highest level since May, driven by increases in food, transport, international shipping, and national insurance contributions. Businesses, particularly in services, have passed on higher costs to customers through increased pricing.

Despite the growth, analysts note that the overall demand environment remains uneven, with ongoing geopolitical uncertainty affecting business confidence. The rebound in services is moderating previous weakness, but challenges in manufacturing and cost pressures continue to shape the broader UK economy.

Profits jump at Chesterfield packaging manufacturer

Tess Egginton
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Profits jump at Chesterfield packaging manufacturer

Robinson plc, the Chesterfield-based packaging manufacturer, has seen profit and revenue rise.

In its interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2025, the business shared how pre-tax profits have jumped to £1.8m, from £700,000 in the same period last year.

Meanwhile, revenue saw a 2% increase to £27.6m, from £27.1m, with sales volumes in line with the first half of 2024.

Alan Raleigh, chairman, said: “The results for the first half of 2025 continue to build on the excellent progress made in 2024.

“Whilst market conditions remain challenging and we continue to experience softness and volatility in demand from some existing customers, we also continue to see new opportunities in our sales pipeline which we expect to see the benefit of in future periods.

“We are delivering on our surplus property disposal agenda, which will reduce indebtedness and create a simpler more streamlined business. We continue to refresh our strategy to identify opportunities and the necessary capabilities for further growth in revenue and profits.

“The Company expects underlying operating profit for the 2025 financial year to be ahead of 2024 and in line with current market expectations. We remain committed in the medium-term to delivering above-market profitable growth and our target of 6-8% underlying operating margin.”

Robinson was formerly a family business with its origins dating back to 1839, and currently employs nearly 400 people.

Fresh Italian acquisition for Nottingham’s Phenna Group

Tess Egginton
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Fresh Italian acquisition for Nottingham’s Phenna Group
Phenna Group has made its second strategic investment in continental Europe with the acquisition of IPI Srl, an Italian inspection and certification body. Authorised by the Italian Ministry of Labour, IPI provides a range of regulatory inspection services for lifting equipment, pressure systems, electrical systems, and elevators. In addition to these services, IPI includes a specialised certification division known as Certing, which acts as a Notified Body (2624) recognised by the European Commission. This division delivers certifications under the Machinery, Lift, and PED Directives, third-party validation in manufacturing environments, and product compliance assessments for international markets. The addition of IPI strengthens Phenna Group’s overall technical portfolio and deepens its presence in Southern Europe as it builds a network of Testing, Inspection, Certification, and Compliance (TICC) businesses. Giovanni Iocca, CEO of IPI, said: “Joining Phenna Group allows us to scale with strength while maintaining our specialist focus. With the support of the wider Group, we look forward to delivering even greater value and resilience for our clients.” Phil Marshall, CEO of Phenna Group, added: “This second acquisition in Italy enhances our technical portfolio and continues our European momentum. IPI brings deep expertise and regulatory trust to our Group, a perfect complement to our expanding TICC platform.”

New National Highways hub set to boost Derbyshire road operations

April Lara
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New National Highways hub set to boost Derbyshire road operations

South Derbyshire District Council has approved a National Highways facility near the A38/A50 Toyota Roundabout. The compound will centralise winter road treatments, vehicle maintenance, and emergency response operations, employing 50 staff and housing six gritters.

Designed for 24/7 operations, the site will feature offices, a garage, fuel and wash stations, and a large salt storage container. National Highways expects the facility to improve response times for snow clearance, gritting, and other severe weather interventions, ensuring critical routes remain operational within required service windows.

While residents raised concerns over traffic, noise, and round-the-clock activity, planners determined that economic and operational benefits outweigh the impact on nearby properties. The compound is also expected to generate indirect support for local businesses through staff expenditure.

The development reflects a wider trend of strategic investment in road infrastructure, emphasising operational readiness and community support while meeting regulatory and service obligations on key transport networks.

Manufacturing output volumes see sharp fall in three months to August

Tess Egginton
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Manufacturing output volumes see sharp fall in three months to August
Manufacturing output volumes fell at a sharp pace in the quarter to August, after being broadly flat in July, according to the CBI’s latest Industrial Trends Survey (ITS). Manufacturers expect output to fall again over three months to November. Total and export order books were both reported as below “normal” and were below their long-run averages. Stocks of finished goods were more than adequate in August, but that adequacy stands below the long-run average. Meanwhile, expectations for selling price inflation eased noticeably in August, with the expected pace of growth in selling prices over the coming quarter the weakest since October and around its long-run average. Ben Jones, CBI lead economist, said: “Manufacturers report that rising costs are squeezing margins and leaving customers more cautious, which in turn is hitting orders and weighing on output. With weak demand compounded by trade frictions and policy uncertainty, the outlook for UK manufacturers remains challenging. “As firms continue to cite, they are contending with a range of cost pressures from high energy costs to the additional burden from last year’s Autumn Budget increase in employer NICs. “Against this backdrop, the upcoming Autumn Budget is a pivotal moment to shore up business sentiment. The government must provide business tax certainty and further Growth and Skills Levy flexibility, accelerate industrial and infrastructure strategy implementation, and broaden support to tackle uncompetitive energy prices. “The CBI stands ready to partner with the government to co-design the policies that will build a truly competitive, innovative, and prosperous UK economy.”

Developer submits plans for 80 affordable homes in Derbyshire

April Lara
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Developer submits plans for 80 affordable homes in Derbyshire

Wheeldon Brothers Limited has lodged an outline planning application with Amber Valley Borough Council for a residential development west of Crosshill, situated between Codnor and Heanor. The proposal covers 80 homes designed to provide a mix of one- to four-bedroom properties.

Planning documents indicate the scheme is intended to address the local shortfall in affordable housing. The developer frames the project as a response to both regional housing pressures and national policy objectives aimed at increasing the supply of new homes. The submission includes details on the layout and housing mix but remains at the outline stage, meaning final designs, infrastructure plans, and timelines are subject to further approval.

If approved, the development would add to the area’s stock of lower-cost homes, potentially supporting local workforce retention and meeting growing demand from households priced out of the wider market. The council’s planning team will assess the proposal for compliance with local planning policy, infrastructure capacity, and environmental considerations before any permission is granted.

The application signals continued interest from developers in delivering housing projects that align with affordability targets while contributing to regional growth strategies.

Nottingham set to host UK’s first fusion energy prototype

April Lara
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Nottingham set to host UK’s first fusion energy prototype

Invest in Nottingham and Marketing Nottingham toured the West Burton site, preparing to become the UK’s first prototype fusion energy plant under STEP Fusion. The project aims to deliver operational fusion energy by 2040.

STEP Fusion is converting the former power station into a hub for advanced clean energy research and development. The programme forms part of the Trent Clean Energy Supercluster and is projected to generate high-skilled employment across construction, engineering, and research sectors.

Local partnerships are central to the project, with organisations working to connect regional businesses to opportunities arising from the fusion programme. STEP Fusion anticipates contributing to Nottinghamshire’s economy through job creation, skills development, and investment attraction, while supporting the UK’s broader clean energy targets.

The West Burton site will play a key role in demonstrating safe, scalable, and sustainable fusion energy. The project is positioned to advance national energy innovation and strengthen the UK’s position in next-generation power technologies.

Clinic expansion spurs duo’s career climb

Tess Egginton
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Clinic expansion spurs duo’s career climb
A growing Nottinghamshire podiatry clinic is celebrating the internal career leaps of two team members who’ve retrained from completely different industries — one from a chip shop, the other from facilities management — into fully qualified clinical roles. We Fix Feet, which operates in Beeston and Ilkeston, will open its new seven-room clinic and rehabilitation centre in central Beeston later this year. As part of its growth, the business has doubled down on its commitment to developing local talent — and two standout stories are already drawing attention. Jess Bradshaw, who joined the business in 2023 from a local fish and chip shop, began as a client experience officer at the front desk. Just 12 months later, she has completed her Level 4 qualification in Foot Health Practice and now works in the clinical team. In September 2025, Jess will begin a BSc (Hons) Podiatry Apprenticeship Degree at the University of Plymouth — with full backing and placement support from We Fix Feet. “I never expected to be doing anything clinical,” said Jess. “But Steve and the team believed in me before I believed in myself. It’s completely changed my future.” Meanwhile, Darren Bloore, a former facilities manager, has just graduated with First-Class Honours in Podiatry from the University of Huddersfield — and is now a fully HCPC-registered podiatrist and director at We Fix Feet. “I’d always wanted to do something more people-focused,” Darren said. “Going back to university in my 50s wasn’t easy, but the team here made it possible. I’m proud to now give back through clinical care — and help others grow too.” “Jess and Darren are proof that with the right attitude and the right support, people can do extraordinary things,” said Steve Carter, director at We Fix Feet. “As we expand, we’re not just building new facilities — we’re building careers.” The new Beeston facility will feature seven treatment rooms, a rehabilitation gym, and advanced technologies. The business has also introduced a Male Health Clinic.

Demolition work begins to make way for new transport hub

Tess Egginton
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Demolition work begins to make way for new transport hub
Demolition has begun on the site of a planned new transport hub in Grimsby, with phase one works underway at the Osborne Street units. The old units in Grimsby Town Centre are being taken down piece by piece, in a similar way to the work at Freshney Place. The plan is ultimately to use this 1.6 acre site to deliver a transport hub which connects with the railway station, encouraging public transport use and supporting the wider Grimsby Town Centre regeneration ambitions.
The businesses on Osborne Street will all be open as usual during the works, which  involves full recycling of all demolished materials including green waste, wood and metal. After demolition and phase one, the project will then move into the design stage, which will include consultation with stakeholders and the wider public with an ambition to seek funding for further development. Cllr Stewart Swinburn, portfolio holder for housing, infrastructure and transport, said: “It’s great to see this project start on the ground, and the view around here will really be opened up once these buildings go.” Council leader, cllr Philip Jackson, added: “As we see the progress now being made on the transformation of our town centre, for example our Freshney Place Leisure Scheme, the new Alexandra Dock housing and the OnSide Horizon Youth Zone, it is important that we make peoples’ travel to and from here easy and safe. “Having bus stops dispersed around the town centre, as they have been for many years now, does not work well and makes life more difficult for public transport users – proving a barrier for people visiting our town centre. From the comments I hear, there is no doubt that local people want a proper bus station in Grimsby Town Centre. “About three years ago, we were far-sighted and purchased this site which is ideally located for a new transport hub. Now we have some funding to make a start on the project, we are able to demolish the ugly, empty retail premised on Osbourne Street and kick off this exciting development.”

New Leicester workspace secures first tenants

Tess Egginton
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New Leicester workspace secures first tenants
The first tenants to secure workspaces in the new Spaces Guildhall Leicester building in the city centre have been revealed as workforce solutions firm Adecco, cybersecurity solutions provider Heimdal, financial protection and security provider Lincoln Financial Group, and Newclip Technics, a producer of osteosynthesis instruments and implants. Manny Singh, managing director of Celvista Limited, which manages the workspace, under a franchise agreement with International Workplace Group (IWG), said: “We’re delighted to be able to welcome the first tenants moving into the new Spaces Guildhall Lane building after the recent opening, with several more to follow shortly. “Adecco and Heimdal are highly professional companies and we’re so proud to have them on board as tenants in the new workspaces. “Spaces Guildhall Lane is a high quality workspace and is also a catalyst for productivity. This whole building has been curated to bring the very best out of people, so if you are an ambitious business focused on growth, this is the place for your workspace.” Spaces Guildhall Lane covers 9,028 square feet across five floors with a modern fit-out that regenerates the historic properties of the building, whilst preserving its original factory character. It offers accessible co-working spaces, private offices, meeting rooms and creative areas for start up and established businesses.
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