Rutland Rural Enterprise Grant launched to boost local business
Rutland County Council has launched the Rutland Rural Enterprise Grant, a new initiative funded by the Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF).
This grant scheme is designed to support small and medium businesses in rural areas of Rutland, with the aim of driving economic growth, business diversification and innovation, and promoting sustainable practices.
This grant scheme has received £200,000 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, of which the REPF is an extension.
Businesses can apply for grants between £5,000 and £20,000 for their projects. The grant will fund up to 50% of the total project costs and the projects applied for must be capital.
Councillor Paul Browne, Cabinet Member for Planning, Property and Economic Development, said: “We are delighted to offer grant funding to our local businesses, fostering projects that will spur business and economic growth.
“This initiative is a key initial component of Rutland’s new Economic Strategy, reflecting our commitment to sustainable development.
“Rutland County Council is committed to supporting local enterprises and ensuring the prosperity of the rural economy. This grant scheme is a significant step towards achieving these goals and enhancing the overall quality of life in our rural communities.”
Chesterfield firm acquires manufacturer of motorhome and caravan covers
Chesterfield-based Specialised Canvas Group has acquired Protec Covers, the manufacturer and retailer of motorhome and caravan covers.
This latest acquisition further strengthens Specialised Canvas’ growth within the UK leisure market and aligns with its campervan and motorhome windscreen cover brand Custom Camping.
Founded in 1997, Protec Covers has earned a reputation within the UK leisure vehicle market for providing durable, custom-fit covers specifically designed for the transportation and storage of caravans, campervans, and motorhomes.
Paul Noble, Managing Director of Specialised Canvas, said: “We are delighted to welcome Protec Covers to the growing Specialised Canvas family.
“With our extensive fabric and sewing capacity and expertise, along with our years of experience within the leisure vehicle industry, we are perfectly positioned to build on Protec’s success and continue providing customers with market-leading products and services.
“Our team has been hard at work to ensure a seamless transition in production and resolve any fabric supply challenges. We are pleased to announce that we are currently fulfilling past orders and accepting new ones for caravan towing jackets and caravan covers.
“Looking ahead, we expect to restart production of motorhome and campervan covers by late 2024, once we have addressed our current backlog.”
Nottingham City Council to appoint new Chief Executive
Sajeeda Rose is set to become Nottingham City Council’s new Chief Executive.
The appointment has been recommended for formal approval at a meeting of Full Council on Monday 5 August.
Sajeeda has served as the Council’s Corporate Director for Growth and City Development since September 2021, successfully leading on planning, transport, economic development, property, major regeneration and housing for the council. She was also a key part of the team that helped establish the East Midlands Combined County Authority.
City Council Leader, Cllr Neghat Khan, said: “Sajeeda has a wealth of experience in leading change and transformation at the council as well as in other organisations in the East Midlands. She led the transition of the housing management services back into the council and has led on the redevelopment of Broad Marsh which is a major opportunity for the City.
“As the Chief Executive of the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership, she was influential in successfully securing and delivering investment to support the regional economy and has a strong track record of performance and delivery.
“Our council faces significant challenges, but I am confident that Sajeeda’s knowledge, expertise and experience will help us to continue to move forward on our improvement journey.”
Speaking ahead of formal confirmation of her new role, Sajeeda Rose said: “Nottingham is a great city which I know well from my previous roles so I’m honoured to be selected as the Council’s new Chief Executive.
“Our city has significant opportunities ahead. It is essential for the Council to seize this potential and set out a new direction towards the improvements we are ambitious to achieve.
“I am focussed on ensuring the Council provides the best services within our available resources for our residents and works together in partnership with Nottingham’s communities and partners on the long term vision for Nottingham.
“I do not underestimate the complexity of the challenge or the importance of the Chief Executive in driving forward the rapid and dramatic improvements needed within our organisation, but I am confident in our ability to work collaboratively to deliver the improvements the people of Nottingham so rightly deserve.”
Office property sold in Derby’s Cathedral Quarter
BB&J Commercial has sold Lisbon House, a three-storey office property located at 5-7 St. Mary’s Gate in Derby’s Cathedral Quarter.
The sale of Lisbon House was marked by an intense best and final bids process. Located in the heart of Derby’s historic district, this property attracted significant attention due to its redevelopment potential, including options for mixed-use or residential conversion, subject to planning permissions.
Cameron Godfrey, Agency Surveyor at BB&J Commercial, said: “This sale reaffirms the strong demand for residential conversion opportunities within Derby City Centre. Lisbon House’s prime location and redevelopment potential make it a highly attractive prospect for investors looking to make the most of Derby’s growth.
“We are proud to have facilitated this transaction and look forward to seeing the transformation by the new owners.”
Lisbon House offers 3,856 sq ft of space across three floors.
The new owners, Miller Knight Ltd, represented by Matt Revill of Lester & Bingley, have exciting plans for Lisbon House. The property’s central location and potential for residential conversion align with Derby’s ongoing urban regeneration efforts, promising a bright future for this historic building.
Fresh step forward for Castle Donington business park
Clowes Developments’ 20-acre Stud Brook Business Park in Castle Donington has taken another major step forward after being granted unconditional planning consent for a Sainsbury’s convenience store and a Starbucks drive through.
The mixed-use scheme will include employment, amenity, office and industrial units for sale or let ranging in size from 1,500 to 45,000 sq ft. Phase one development has already begun on units 2-7. Lead contractor TanRo are expecting to deliver the units to their new occupiers by Q1 2025.
Gaining consent for the business park’s roadside convenience stores is a significant success for the development, with a 4,300 sq ft facility for Sainsbury’s and a 2,000 sq ft Starbucks drive through store.
The new Sainsbury’s Local will create 18 new jobs in-store, and the retailer will help support good causes in the community, for example by redistributing surplus food from the store locally to those who need it most via its partnership with Neighbourly.
James Richards, development director at Clowes Developments, said: “After a period of extensive assessments with East Midlands Airport and a thorough planning application process with North West Leicestershire District Council, it is great to finally start constructing Stud Brook Business Park.
“Sainsbury’s is a nationally recognised convenience store which will be an asset to the development. Since Sainsbury’s agreed the lease, the unit has been sold to a private pension fund.”
Clowes have committed to constructing the c-stores with a minimum BREEAM standard of ‘very good’ and an EPC rating of ‘A’ in line with the group’s environment, social and governance strategy for new buildings.
Clowes have commissioned Roe Developments as the lead construction contractor for this part of the business park. It is expected that the building will be handed over to Sainsburys by Spring 2025 when they will start their fit-out process.
Tim Gilbertson of FHP said: “I’m delighted to have acted for Clowes here and secure Starbucks as a new occupier on the site. This amenity will help us dispose of the planned industrial and distribution units, which are already going ahead at great pace, and we have any number under offer even though we are still some months from practical completion.
“Having such facilities on site together with the planned Sainsbury’s unit can only assist us in providing facilities for staff and occupiers alike encouraging yet more interest in Stud Brook Business Park.”
Tom Cullen of Colliers, acting on behalf of Sainsburys, said: “It was a pleasure to work with FHP and Clowes on this exciting convenience store opportunity. This is one of a number of high-profile Sainsburys deals we have coming forward in the East Midlands area and we continue to seek great shops in great location.”
Richard Sutton of NG Chartered Surveyors added: “My congratulations go to Tim for bringing Starbucks to Stud Brook; the deal is a real coup for the development and I’m sure will be the catalyst for more good things to follow.”
Boyer welcomes new senior planner to Loughborough office
Ellie Dukes has joined Boyer’s Midlands team as a senior planner.
Ellie has over 6 years’ experience working in the public and private sector. Prior to joining Boyer, Ellie worked as a planner for Leicester-based architectural practice rg+p Ltd and for Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council.
Ellie’s work involves strategic site promotion, planning applications, site appraisals, appeals and project management for residential, commercial and mixed-use developments.
At Boyer her work will focus on supporting the delivery of planning projects for a number of volume housebuilders, strategic land promoters and landowners.
Grants to help North Northamptonshire businesses lower carbon emissions
North Northamptonshire Council has launched two grant schemes to help businesses increase energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.
The NNDecarb business grant scheme is offering grants of up to £5,000 to support businesses and funds are to cover up to 50% of project costs for the installation of low carbon and energy efficient measures.
Also available are capital grants of between £5,000 and £50,000 to help businesses become more resilient and support growth, under the NN2NZ Green Transition Grant scheme.
A particular target for this scheme is decarbonisation or green research and development initiatives that contribute to reducing carbon emissions or advancing sustainable practices.
Anyone wishing to apply for these grants can email ukspf@northnorthants.gov.uk for an application form. Applicants can also get support from Electric Places with their proposal and application.
Cllr David Brackenbury, the council’s Executive Member for Growth and Regeneration, said: “With more and more businesses looking for ways to be greener and reduce their carbon emissions it is important that we support their plans in any way we can. Often this helps their bottom-line and business growth. With this in mind, I am delighted that we are able to offer these two grant schemes which will continue to help many more plans become a reality.”
Cllr Harriet Pentland, the council’s Executive Member for Climate and the Green Environment, said: “Both grants are there to help businesses install a wide range of carbon reducing measures including social panels, energy-efficient equipment upgrades and heat pumps. Each of these small changes can help make a big difference in the long run to help North Northants become carbon neutral.”
Jason Smithers, Leader of North Northamptonshire Council, said: “Grant schemes like these are always extremely popular and the teams receive a lot of high-quality applications. We are looking for projects that can be up and running quickly, so I would encourage businesses to take a look online and apply before the deadlines.”
The deadline for applications for the NNDecarb business grant scheme is 5pm on Friday 16 August 2024.
The deadline for applications for the NN2NZ Green Transition Grant is 8am on Monday 2 September 2024.
“The East Midlands Bricks Awards give us that opportunity to take our hat off to the people that draw up the blueprints, that lay those bricks and build our towns and cities”
With Business Link’s East Midlands Bricks Awards 2024 drawing ever-nearer, East Midlands Chamber has highlighted the opportunity it provides to “take our hat off to the people that draw up the blueprints, that lay those bricks and build our towns and cities.”
Tickets can now be booked for the 2024 awards event, click here to secure yours.
Taking place in the Derek Randall Suite at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground on Thursday 3rd October, from 4:30pm – 7:30pm, connect with local decision makers over nibbles and complimentary drinks while applauding the outstanding companies and projects in our region.
Attendees will also hear from keynote speaker Paul Southby, partner at Geldards LLP, chair of the Advisory Board to Nottingham Business School, chair of Broadway independent cinema, trustee of Clean Rivers Trust, chair of Nottingham Partners, board member of Marketing Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, and former High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire.
Dress code is standard business attire.
Thanks to our sponsors:
East Midlands Chamber Director of Policy and Insight Richard Blackmore said: “The work of the property and construction sector is something we can all be proud of as the East Midlands develops and our towns and cities modernise to meet changing needs.
“You only have to look at some of the regeneration we’ve seen in Leicester city centre or Chesterfield’s Waterside, Derby’s Becketwell or Nottingham’s Island Quarter, where once neglected areas now buzz with activity. Building work has brought benefits from modern living accommodation to open public spaces where people can get together.
“The East Midlands Bricks Awards give us that opportunity to take our hat off to the people that draw up the blueprints, that lay those bricks and build our towns and cities. Despite what have been tough economic times our property and construction sector has shown resilience and that’s worthy of recognition.”
A key event in the business calendar, showcasing the exceptional work of the region’s property and construction industry, the East Midlands Bricks Awards will take place on Thursday 3rd October, at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground. Revealing the winners in a glittering awards ceremony, the evening also offers time to establish new connections with property and construction professionals from across the region and hear from keynote speaker Paul Southby. Nominations for the prestigious event are open, and now is the ideal time to make your submissions, ahead of the deadline – Thursday 5th September. To nominate your (or another) business/development for one of our awards, please click on a category link below or visit this page.
Award categories include:
- Most active agent
- Commercial development of the year
- Responsible business of the year
- Residential development of the year
- Developer of the year
- Deal of the year
- Architects of the year
- Excellence in design
- Sustainable development of the year
- Contractor of the year
- Overall winner (this award cannot be entered, with the winner, and recipient of a year of marketing/publicity worth £20,000, selected from those nominated for the event’s other awards)
Nominations end Thursday 5th September
Tickets can now be booked for the 2024 awards event, click here to secure yours.
Taking place in the Derek Randall Suite at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground on Thursday 3rd October, from 4:30pm – 7:30pm, connect with local decision makers over nibbles and complimentary drinks while applauding the outstanding companies and projects in our region.
Attendees will also hear from keynote speaker Paul Southby, partner at Geldards LLP, chair of the Advisory Board to Nottingham Business School, chair of Broadway independent cinema, trustee of Clean Rivers Trust, chair of Nottingham Partners, board member of Marketing Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, and former High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire.
Dress code is standard business attire.
To be held at:
20-acre Northamptonshire site acquired in off market transaction
Trebor Developments and Hillwood have acquired a 20-acre site in Raunds from Aequitas Estates in an off-market transaction.
The site benefits from detailed planning consent for a four-unit mid-box scheme in sizes ranging from 10,650 to 117,050 sq ft that will be marketed at ‘Quattro, Raunds’. All four units will be built on a speculative basis starting on site in August 2024, targeting Practical Completion in Q4 2025.
Greg Dalton, Development Director for Trebor, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to have completed this deal on a site we have long held an interest in acquiring.
“It sits well within our strategy to expand along the A14/A45 and, with the benefit of detailed planning consent, allows us to deliver the scheme within 2025 to satisfy occupier demands. Thank you to Aequitas and also our team for getting this over the line.”
Trebor and Hillwood were represented by Bidwells for the acquisition, whilst M1 Agency acted on behalf of Aequitas. Both have been retained as joint letting agents.
Careers Hub awarded £450k to grow successful SEND project
Leicester and Leicestershire Careers Hub has been awarded £450,000 to scale a successful project working with teenagers with special educational needs or disabilities.
Three years ago, Leicester and Leicestershire was one of 10 areas nationally to be selected for investment through a £2 million fund offering targeted support for disadvantaged young people during key points of career transition.
Leicester and Leicestershire invested its £250,000 on developing a We Discover pilot project designed to meet the needs of 14 to 17-year-olds with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND) as they move from school into further education or work.
The success of the pilot has seen Leicester and Leicestershire now become one of only five areas to be awarded further investment. It is the only Midlands-based careers hub to win the Phase 2 funding, which is provided by JP Morgan through the Careers and Enterprise Company.
Phoebe Dawson, Director of Leicester and Leicestershire Business & Skills Partnership, welcomed the opportunity to build on We Discover through the extension, which runs to 2027.
“It’s fantastic that our Careers Hub has the evidence base to demonstrate that investing in effective, progressive, and long-term targeted careers interventions for disadvantaged young people makes measurable changes to sustained destinations,” she said.
Phase 1 of the local project focussed on 90 young people as they prepared for the transition to ‘post-16 destinations’ such as college, apprenticeships, or work-based learning. Phase 2 will work with 300 young people.
Research had shown that several barriers were preventing local young people with SEND from progressing into such destinations. These included hard-to-access information about options, lack of time to explore the options, and employers’ misconceptions about young people with SEND accessing Education, Employment, and Training (EET).
We Discover reported success outcomes across a host of measures over two years. It tested new approaches including 1-2-1 sessions between pupils and career advisers, and pupil-focussed work experience placements ranging from fully fledged placements to one-day visits.
By the end of Phase 1 of the We Discover project:
- 85% of pupils had ideas about jobs that matched their interests and skills – an increase of more than a quarter;
- More than three-quarters of pupils felt it was easy for them to do what was required to carry on in education or training after school – up 45%;
- About half of pupils reported having found employers and organisations relevant to their career interests – up by 44%.
