Connect with the property industry this Thursday at the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023!

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Connect with the property industry this Thursday at the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023!
Taking place on Thursday 28 September, the highly anticipated East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023 is just days away. Set to celebrate the region’s property and construction industry, the event is also an ideal networking opportunity, presenting a chance to form new connections with business leaders from across the East Midlands, as well as hear from guest speaker Matt Wallace, Director of Estates and Building Services at Leicester City Council. Attend the glittering awards ceremony to see who takes home the title of Contractor of the Year, Developer of the Year, Commercial Development of the Year, Residential Development of the Year, Sustainable Development of the Year, Deal of the Year, Most Active Agents of the Year, Architects of the Year, Excellence in Design, Responsible Business and of course Overall Winner. A highlight in the business calendar, book your place at the awards now to avoid disappointment! The event will begin at 4:30pm and continue until 7:30pm. Complementary drinks and canapés will be served on arrival, kindly sponsored by Nicholas Associates Group. Dress code is standard business dress. After winning deal of the year at last year’s event, Richard Foxon, Managing Director at Newton LDP, said: “My colleague Sam Jones and I thoroughly enjoyed the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022. The event was well attended, with some prestigious awards up for grabs. The evening offered a great opportunity to network with like-minded property folk, whilst enjoying the backdrop of Trent Bridge Cricket Ground. Many thanks to all the organisers and sponsors.”

Shortlist for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023

Most Active Estate Agent – sponsored by OMS

BB&J Commercial

Mather Jamie

FHP   Commercial Development of the Year – sponsored by MKM

HBD – Power Park, Nottingham

Henry Brothers Construction – SportPark Pavilion 4, Loughborough

Bolsterstone Group Plc, Chesterfield Borough Council – One Waterside Place, Chesterfield   Responsible Business of the Year – sponsored by Press for Attention PR Cawarden G F Tomlinson Aspbury Planning Limited   Residential Development of the Year – sponsored by Sterling Commercial Finance

Phoenix Brickwork UK Ltd – St Marks student accommodation, Lincoln

Elms Developments – Elms Phase Two Ltd

St James Securities, Grainger – The Condor, Derby

  Deal of the Year – sponsored by Mather Jamie

Rushton Hickman Limited – Branston Locks deal

Bassi Group Nottingham Ltd – Job saving Pizza Hut takeover

Rigby & Co – Aida Factory deal

  Developer of the Year – sponsored by Ward

Chevin Homes

Clowes Developments

Brackley Property Developments

  Architects of the Year – sponsored by Blueprint Interiors

IMA Architects

Matthew Montague Architects

Influence Landscape Planning and Design

  Excellence in Design – sponsored by Cawarden

Chevin Homes – Amber Farm

Marchini Curran Associates – Phoenix cinema and art centre

Trident Construction Services – Lark Hill Retirement Village refurbishment

  Sustainable Development of the Year – sponsored by Viridis Building Services Ltd

HBD – Power Park, Nottingham

Henry Brothers Construction – SportPark Pavilion 4, Loughborough

Elms Developments – Elms Phase Two ltd

  Contractor of the Year – sponsored by RammSanderson Cawarden

EE Smith Contracts

Bowmer + Kirkland

  The Overall Winner, sponsored by Streets Chartered Accountants, will also be announced at the ceremony, who will be awarded a year of marketing/publicity worth £20,000.
East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023 When: Thursday 28 September 2023, 4:30pm – 7:30pm Where: The Derek Randall Suite, Trent Bridge Cricket Ground Keynote speaker: Matt Wallace, Director of Estates and Building Services at Leicester City Council Dress code: Standard business attire Tickets: Available here Parking: Due to the Notts V Middlesex 4 day County Championship fixture, parking will likely be limited at Trent Bridge on the day, therefore parking has been made available for Bricks guests at the Notts Sports Club, Holme Road, NG2 5AA (by Nottingham Rugby Football Club), quoting “Bricks Awards” to any parking and gate stewards. Thanks to our sponsors:                                                             To be held at:
 

Manufacturing output falls further, with volumes tipped to be flat through to the year’s end

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Manufacturing output falls further, with volumes tipped to be flat through to the year’s end

Manufacturers reported that output volumes declined more quickly than expected in the three months to September, according to the CBI’s latest Industrial Trends Survey. Output volumes are expected to stagnate over the next three months.

Following eight consecutive months in which expectations for selling price inflation have eased, manufacturers reported that growth in selling prices would pick up again in the three months to December. However, barring last month’s survey, selling price expectations remain at their weakest since early 2021.

The survey, based on the responses of 292 manufacturers, found:

  • Output volumes fell in the three months to September (weighted balance of -10%, from -19% in the three months to August). Output is expected to be unchanged in the three months to December (0%).
  • Output fell in 9 out of 17 sub-sectors in the three months to September, with the decline driven by the motor vehicles & transport equipment, chemicals and paper, printing & media sub-sectors.
  • Total order books were reported as below “normal” in September to a broadly similar extent to August (-18% from -15%). This left the level of total order books below the long-run average (-13%). Export order books were also seen as below “normal,” having also deteriorated from last month (-23%, from -18%). This brought them below the long-run average (-18%).
  • Expectations for average selling price inflation rose marginally in the three months to September (+14%, from +8% in the three months to August), ending a streak of eight consecutive months in which expectations had eased. Selling price expectations were comfortably below the multi-decade high seen in 2022 (+80% in March 2022), but moved back above the long-run average (+7%).
  • Stocks of finished goods were seen as more than “adequate” in September (+10% from +7% in August – long-run average +12%).

Anna Leach, CBI deputy chief economist, said: “Output in the manufacturing sector weakened over the past quarter and is expected to flatline at best through the rest of this year. With order books having been below their long-run average for 8 out of the last 9 months, manufacturers see little prospect of a recovery in the final months of the year.

“Materials and financing costs are high and squeezing manufacturers and their customers alike. The Autumn Statement provides an important opportunity for the Government to lay the foundations for a sustainable recovery through a broad focus on tax incentives for investment, support with upskilling workers and help for firms to make the most of green growth opportunities.”

Mayor opens Chesterfield’s new centre for talking therapies

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Mayor opens Chesterfield’s new centre for talking therapies
A new mental health centre to increase the support available in the community has been officially opened by the Mayor of Chesterfield.Councillor Mick Brady and Mayoress Suzie Perkins met Derwent Rural Counselling Service (DRCS) leaders, trustees and staff and toured the new DRCS base for talking therapies in the town, formerly the Register Office on New Beetwell Street.The centre, which has been totally refurbished by the charity which is one of the largest third sector provider of counselling services in the region, will offer resources, care and treatment for people who have experienced mental health challenges. People can access the centre via their GP, healthcare practitioner, or a self-introduction.Mayor Brady said: “What a fantastic facility. Not only has it brought one of Chesterfield’s most distinctive buildings back into use, but it provides an opportunity for people, in and around the town, to access the mental health support they need at a high street facility, which is so crucial for many people in these difficult times.”The three storey centre includes office space, numerous treatment and consulting rooms, meeting rooms and relaxation space to help cope with the increased demand for DRCS services in the area.Janette Smeeton, CEO at DRCS, said the new hub would allow the charity to offer greater access to mental health services and ensure patients receive the care and treatment required.“As well as a series of consultation rooms where people can be seen by mental healthcare professionals on a one-to-one basis, we also have areas for group sessions, which can be of real benefit to some people.”DRCS’ experienced therapists are now operating from the building, which also offers options for businesses to rent rooms and floorspace, with disabled access via new state of the art lift.Mark Serby, chair of DRCS Trustees, added: “One of DRCS’ key drivers for this new building was that DRCS didn’t want it to be seen as a typical medical-type facility, such as a hospital or health centre, as they didn’t want any stigmas attached to it.“This new centre offers a variety of services and hopefully a brighter future for its users.”The Beetwell Street hub is part of ambitious plans for DRCS which operates a large team of freelance and employed staff based at seven centres across the county covering the Amber Valley, Erewash, Chesterfield, Buxton, Matlock, Ashbourne, Derby, Swadlincote and the Peak District. Over the last 30 years, DRCS has offered talking therapies for common mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, stress and long term conditions through pathways including counselling, CBT and guided self-help. In the last eight years, DRCS has been in partnership with Derbyshire Healthcare Foundation Trust to deliver the NHS talking therapies for anxiety and depression service, throughout Derbyshire.

Leicester construction event to build relationships

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Leicester construction event to build relationships
Team Leicester and Met Events will launch their first property and construction lunch on Friday, October 6 at The City Rooms, Leicester. The lunch will feature a keynote address from Richard Sword, Strategic Director at Leicester City Council, and Andrew Smith, Director of Planning Development and Transportation. Present at the event will be other leading figures from local authorities within the county as well the wider property and construction industry. The speakers will discuss the latest development progress in the city, the challenges faced, and the future masterplan for the City Centre. “We are delighted to be working with Met Events to deliver this important event,” said Rob McGuinn, Director of Team Leicester. “This is a great opportunity for businesses to connect with key decision-makers in the city and learn about the latest developments in the property and construction sector. We are expecting nearly a hundred people to be in attendance to hear about the future opportunities and growth of our region.” Julie Merryweather, Director at Met Events, said: “The Property and Construction events are a great way to learn about the latest developments in the sector, and network with other professionals. We have been overwhelmed by the positive response so far with attendee numbers surpassing our initial expectations.” The lunch is open to all businesses involved in the property and construction industry and is sponsored by multi-disciplinary consultancy Pick Everard. Tickets are available online at Leicester Property and Construction Lunch (met-events.co.uk)

Derbyshire County Council approves cost control measures

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Derbyshire County Council approves cost control measures
Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet has approved a report that details the pressures on its finances in the current financial year. A range of cost control measures will now be implemented in order to reduce a forecast overspend of £46m. Council Leader Councillor Barry Lewis said: “We are taking immediate action to control our spending. “This is not a bankruptcy situation for this council, far from it. However, to be completely clear with our residents, employees and partners, this is a difficult situation and we must rise to the challenge. “We have always been a well-managed, efficient and financially stable council which has balanced our books, maintained a robust level of reserves and been able to support vital, high quality, value-for-money services for our residents across Derbyshire. “However, the reality is that the financial pressures we are facing, along with other councils and households, are now greater than ever experienced before, with most of these pressures being simply outside our control. “The decision taken today by Cabinet is the first step on our journey to get our finances back on the right track. “Our employees are now tasked with looking at every penny they spend, to make sure it is essential and value for money.”   The cost-cutting measures announced include:
  • a recruitment freeze – although some jobs will continue to be recruited to where they are essential, such as social care front line positions
  • reducing agency staff
  • reducing overtime and additional hours worked by employees
  • reviewing all agency staff
  • no non-essential conferences, travel or training
  • only health and safety repairs on properties
  • reducing spend on print, IT equipment and stationery
  • delaying any contracts not yet signed
  • postponing any projects that are still in the planning stage
External forces affecting the council’s budgets include higher than anticipated inflation which impacts all areas of expenditure including fuel, energy and materials costs. High inflation has also impacted on the demand for services. This is particularly the case in adult social care and children’s services where the council has seen continued increased demand for these vital services. In addition, the expected 2023 to 2024 pay award for staff, which is agreed at a national level is a significant financial pressure for the council and must be met from local council budgets. Across the country, many councils are experiencing similar issues, many of which are much more severe than at Derbyshire. The council’s proposed approach is to take early action, show prudent financial management and to contain these external pressures and avoid more serious future consequences.

Chief Executive of Futures Housing Group to step down

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Chief Executive of Futures Housing Group to step down
Futures Housing Group will be seeking a new Chief Executive, following the decision by Lindsey Williams to step down after 20 years in post. Lindsey, who has run the organisation since 2003 when Amber Valley Housing was formed through a large-scale voluntary stock transfer, will continue in her role into 2024 to support the effective handover to the organisation’s new leader. Under Lindsey’s stable tenure, the organisation has grown to provide 10,337 homes having developed new properties since its very first year, consistently achieved top regulatory ratings, seen it launch a commercial development company, a co-owned training company and brought Daventry and District Housing into the fold to create Futures Housing Group. Mike Stevenson, Board Chair of Futures Housing Group, said: “I wish Lindsey the very best and I’d like to thank her for her commitment to Futures and its colleagues and customers over so many years. She has created a lasting legacy with a culture that fosters innovation, holds true to our social purpose and brings out the best in people, whilst ensuring effective leadership and financial stability. “Only last month we retained the top ratings for governance and viability from the Regulator of Social Housing after our latest In-Depth Assessment, and with a new modern office move complete, Investor in People Platinum status and new ambitious corporate plan in process, Futures’ next Chief Executive has a fantastic platform to build from. “To keep our connections rooted in the community, Lindsey has always ably balanced her Chief Executive hat alongside many other social purpose roles including board roles as Vice Chair of a local hospice and most recently as President of East Midlands Chamber. I am sure with Lindsey’s passion and ambition the opportunity to further explore this social purpose drive once the handover is complete, is a new chapter she will relish and equally succeed at.” Recruitment for the role will begin shortly, with Lindsey remaining in post across 2024.

Light Science Technologies awarded grant funding in potato project

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Light Science Technologies awarded grant funding in potato project
Light Science Technologies Holdings (LSTH) plc, the controlled environment agriculture (CEA) technology and contract electronics manufacturing (CEM) group, is set to receive a grant of £209,506 as part of a 36-month £1.74m collaboration, funded by The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Transforming Food Production Challenge. The project, Transformative Reduced Input Potatoes (TRIP), consortium includes a range of commercial potato growers across England – from Lincolnshire to Cornwall – and includes farms owned and managed by Dyson Farming Ltd. It will test out a range of regenerative cultivation methods that could reduce the environmental damage caused by producing potatoes. As part of the collaboration the Derbyshire company will add Nitrous Oxide sensing capabilities to its existing SensorGROW product and supply sensors to various growing sites, phased to be delivered in Q2 2024. Over the 36-month period TRIP will investigate new breeds of disease resistant potato, new nutrient treatments for use on leaves instead of soil, reduced tillage methods including use of mulches as a growing medium and new methods to monitor greenhouse gas emissions from farmers’ fields. Dyson Farming, The James Hutton Institute, Emerald Research, The Sarvari Research Trust and scientists from Bangor University’s School of Environmental and Natural Science and Biocomposites Centre will all collaborate with LSTH on the project. Dr Christine Jones, Dyson Farming, said: “Many farmers are seeking ways of producing their crops more sustainably but the particular requirements for growing a potato crop can make it a challenge to incorporate potatoes into a sustainable rotation. “Outcomes from the TRIP project can be expected to offer growers a range of methods to reduce inputs to, and impact from, potato crops. Collaboration between the TRIP partners provides an exciting opportunity to bring together different areas of development and to turn science into practice for potato growers.” Simon Deacon, Chief Executive Officer of LSTH, said: “We are delighted to be involved in such a strong consortium and grateful for the support of UKRI and Defra. This will be an exciting opportunity to take SensorGROW from indoor to outdoor growing, while enabling the company to forge new relationships within the research, policy, and commercial growing pools.”

Silverstone Leasing running duo join The Amazing Northampton Run

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Silverstone Leasing running duo join The Amazing Northampton Run

Community champions Silverstone Leasing put their best foot forward on Sunday to support The Amazing Northampton Run – Northampton’s newest half marathon.

The vehicle leasing company’s Managing Director Scott Norville and account manager Tom Bailey took part in the inaugural event, raising charity cash for Silverstone Leasing’s deserving chosen charity, Cynthia Spencer Hospice.

Operations manager Ryan Bishop was unable to run due to an injury, however donated his time to hand out cold drinks to those in the race.

More than 1,900 runners participated in the inaugural event, which was sponsored by Silverstone Leasing and saw entrants take a grand tour of everything great in Northampton in three different races – the half marathon, the half marathon relay or a three miler.

Scott said: “We are proud to be based in Northampton and contribute to the local economy and wider community and it is important to us to support local events such as this one.

“The Amazing Northampton Run was brilliantly organised and showcased the best of Northampton. I was delighted to see such a great turnout for the first event and we look forward to taking part again next year!”

Superyacht stalwarts join Savage Lighting

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Superyacht stalwarts join Savage Lighting
Savage Lighting, a specialist in the design and manufacture of custom high-end lighting solutions for luxury yachts across the world, has appointed two stalwarts of the superyacht industry to its growing team: Nigel Sherlock and Tom Campion. Having banked well over two decades’ experience within the superyacht industry between them to date, the announcement takes place just ahead of the 2023 Monaco Yacht Show and represents an exciting opportunity for the Leicestershire-based company to make sure its presence is felt at this internationally significant event.   Tom Campion will be taking on the position of head of marine projects, overseeing the burgeoning marine element of the lighting business, and Nigel Sherlock will have the role of business development manager, harnessing his impressive wealth of experience and contacts to generate new business for Savage Lighting.   Originally trained in Product Design Engineering, Tom Campion brings seven years of technical expertise in superyacht lighting to his new role and is particularly looking forward to working for a company which boasts strong in-house manufacturing capabilities alongside its research and development department. “In our industry, being able to customise your projects is very important, so if you are able to do this in house, you can turn things around very quickly. In-house capability, design and manufacturing are absolutely key to successfully meeting the needs of our clients, and Savage Lighting has this in spades,” says Tom. Nigel Sherlock has worked within superyacht lighting for almost a decade and knew Savage Lighting for its solid and reliable reputation. Nigel says: “As MYS 2023 rapidly approaches, this is the perfect time for me to use my connections to help the company further develop its sales within the new build sector and enhance its already strong position in the refit sector. Tom and I have also worked together previously for seven years and are excited to bring our respective, and very different, strengths to Savage Lighting.”  Julie Clark, Managing Director and sales director at Savage Lighting, adds: “We are delighted to announce these two extremely valuable appointments to our team ready for this year’s Monaco Yacht Show. “As a company, we have invested significantly in our in-house manufacturing capabilities in recent years and have plenty more investments in the pipeline. We are looking forward to showing the industry what Savage Lighting is all about at the incomparable Monaco Show.”

Works starts for new Glenvale Park local centre

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Works starts for new Glenvale Park local centre
Construction is in progress for the new local centre at Glenvale Park, which will provide Wellingborough residents with a brand new Co-op store, as well as a new Drive Thru for local independent coffee chain, Bewiched. The building works – delivered by local firm PGR Construction – will continue until 2024, in time for the expected opening of the local centre later in the year. A development of 3,000 homes, Glenvale Park is a new neighbourhood in Wellingborough. The retail offering will complement the existing amenities already available at the development, which include a new family play park that opened earlier in the summer. Mark Best, director of Midtown Capital Ltd, managing partner of Glenvale Park LLP, said: “With construction of the local centre now well underway, Glenvale Park is full steam ahead with delivering a range of fantastic local amenities for residents, along with new homes for local businesses. “At Glenvale Park, the goal is to create a close-knit community hub where residents have everything they need onsite, also helping to integrate the development within the local Wellingborough community.” The new food store is being opened by the Heart of England Co-operative Society which owns the eight-unit local centre on the site. Chief Executive Ali Kurji said the Society is looking forward to providing a first class, modern shopping experience at the heart of a vibrant new community. “The spacious 4,862 sq ft sales floor will enable us to offer many exciting features, along with high quality produce. On top of an excellent range of meat, groceries, dairy products, wines and spirits, there will be an in-store bakery, a chilled food-to-go range, as well as a parcel locker. Local residents will also be able to buy hot drinks, children’s toys and fresh flowers. “We are investing a total of £6.1m in creating a feature packed, new store plus seven rental units, one of which will house a Bewiched drive-thru coffee shop. It’s a major milestone for us. “The building itself will increase the Park’s sustainability with air conditioning and refrigeration systems using around 40 per cent less energy than older equipment. There will also be electric vehicle charging points in the car park.” Mr Kurji added: “This wll be our 39th food store. We are delighted to be embarking on this exciting and significant new chapter in our history.” Bewiched was founded by Matt Fountain, expanding to 15 Midlands stores in just over ten years, starting from his first shop in Wellingborough in 2010. Founder and Managing Director of Bewiched Coffee, Matt Fountain, said: “As a brand that was born just a mile from Glenvale Park, we are very proud to be opening another Drive Thru unit in Northamptonshire, the store will also have fifty-five internal covers. “As it stands this will be only the second purpose built independent drive thru coffee offer in the UK and Europe – the first being our Moulton Park store. “We have only been able to achieve these milestones through the exceptional service and products our teams create everyday across all of our stores. “Our aim over the next twelve months is to give over 5,000 individual recognition moments to our team, we are currently smashing that target and could even get to over 10,000. “We want to deliver an elevated service experience to our amazing loyal customer base. We currently serve over 40,000 customers a week and genuinely want to create great moments for every single one of them, as well as our teams. Glenvale Park will be another important and exciting step on that journey.”
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