Gravity Digital signs up to support DCCT
Digital marketing agency Gravity Digital have teamed up with Derby County Community Trust (DCCT) to help break down barriers facing young people keen to further their education and training.
Derby-based Gravity have joined DCCT’s Partners Programme and chose to specifically align the organisation’s Education Hardship Fund as part of their commitment to support young people into the workplace.
DCCT established the Education Hardship Fund to support young people who may have a financial barrier to accessing the charity’s wide range of educational courses and supports their travel, kit costs and living expenses.
In the coming academic year, more than 700 young people will be part of the education programme which ranges from football and education to sport-related degrees.
Gravity Digital director Sharon Stevens-Cash explained: “We have long been in awe of the incredible work that DCCT does across Derbyshire and the positive impact that this has on the lives of so many people in our local communities.
“Their work closely aligns with our ethos of putting something back into the communities where we all live, work and enjoy.
“Education and employability skills are particularly relevant to our fast-moving digital marketing sector which relies on the enthusiasm, positive attitude and flexibility of young people who are the future of this industry.
“We were therefore keen to specifically support DCCT’s commitment to ensuring a level playing field and I hope that our support for the Hardship Fund will make a real difference to young people’s lives.”
DCCT Business Development Manager Pete Collins added: “We are delighted that Gravity Digital has joined our Trust Partners Programme alongside so many other notable local businesses.
“The Education Hardship Fund is crucial to support young people who might otherwise struggle to continue their education and training due to financial constraints.
“We have had many notable successes over the years including Gemma Barrowcliff who is now an administrator in the education and employability department having graduated from our Kickstart Employability scheme.
“She is a shining example of the power of education, and, with the support of Gravity Digital and other Derby businesses, many more young people will be able to achieve their potential and get the first step on the career ladder.”
Duo of Derbyshire businesses to open at Peak Village
Two Derbyshire-based independent businesses are set to open new stores at Peak Village, developing the mix of local retailers at the shopping centre, as the Devonshire Group continues its long-term investment in the site.
Henmores, an Ashbourne-based premium lifestyle and country clothing and footwear retailer, has taken a 2,300 sq ft unit at Peak Village, which will open in October.
The business is part of Young Ideas Group, a Derbyshire portfolio of four retail businesses that was established in 1968.
The fit-out of Henmores’ new location is being led by Sheffield-based company Whitehead Commercial Interiors, who previously worked alongside Chatsworth to create the bespoke interior at Peak Village’s new destination restaurant, Chatsworth Kitchen. Designed to blend heritage artefacts with a modern and fresh feel, the store will feature an integrated catwalk to support Henmores’ calendar of fashion events and showcases.
Local independent business Baxter & Co is set to open its first permanent store at Peak Village this September. Business owner Abigail List currently operates a home and garden shop at Tansley Barn Garden Centre at weekends and bank holidays, and she believes that Peak Village is the ideal location to open a full-time shop.
Abigail has nearly two decades of experience as a creative director at a national interiors and furniture firm, as well as providing support to small businesses, advising and helping with store design and merchandising.
Katayune Jacquin, centre manager at Peak Village, said: “With its outstanding links to the Peak District and local attractions, and exciting calendar of pop-up events and art exhibitions, Peak Village is a true beacon for local independent businesses to flourish and grow their teams, alongside our mix of innovative national brands and leisure offerings.
“We’re proud to welcome Henmores and Baxter & Co, two entrepreneurial businesses driven by creativity and quality, to our community at Peak Village. As the centre continues to evolve, we continue to look for opportunities to engage with other independent businesses looking to take their next step and expand their offering.”
Anne Wright, owner at Young Ideas Group, said: “Peak Village is in a perfect location on the doorstep of the great outdoors, and its links to heritage make it a unique retail proposition for our customers.
“The centre is also home to an exceptional network of independent businesses, retailers and the local community that are focussed on collaborating to elevate one another and boost the Derbyshire economy.
“It’s an exciting time for Peak Village and we look forward to working in partnership with the Devonshire Group to cultivate a fantastic retail, hospitality and lifestyle destination.”
Abigail List, owner at Baxter & Co, said: “Seeing the energy and community that the team has created here at Peak Village, as well as hearing about the ambitious plans for the future, I can’t wait to be a part of it!
“I knew this was the perfect place for my business to grow, and I’m so excited to get the store open and create a space where everyone feels welcome and can be inspired.”
Rolls-Royce opens supplier portal for manufacturing journey to nuclear energy future
Rolls-Royce has today launched a supply chain portal to identify the best UK companies to partner with in delivering a fleet of ‘factory-built’ Small Modular Reactor power plants.
The portal suppliers.rolls-royce-smr.com will help companies become part of the supply chain for this nationally important project, led by Rolls-Royce SMR from its base in Moor Lan, Derby, that will significantly improve energy security and help reach net zero targets.
Rolls-Royce SMR COO David White said: “Rolls-Royce SMR has set out its clear intention to maximise UK content and help build a supply chain that will support the Government’s plans to develop 24GW of new nuclear power by 2050.
“Through the portal, we want to build new relationships with organisations that have products and services to offer, and we’ll help them understand the requirements for becoming a Rolls-Royce SMR supplier… We’re looking at a wide range of industries outside nuclear and potentially further increasing the number of UK suppliers.”
The information collected from the portal will underpin Rolls-Royce SMR’s supply chain and social value work to establish a strong and resilient supply chain that can sustain high quality long-term jobs and support growth.
Stephen Phipson, Chief Executive of Make UK, said: “This is a project of strategic national importance that will not only serve to speed up the drive towards net zero, but create a supply chain of high value, sustainable manufacturing jobs that can serve the global nuclear industry and increase our energy security. It is vital that Government moves without delay to approve this programme which is one piece in the jigsaw of an industrial strategy.”
As the UK’s sovereign nuclear technology, Rolls-Royce SMR is making good progress through the independent regulatory Generic Design Assessment (GDA) process to secure consent for their technology to operate in the UK. As part of the GDA, Rolls-Royce SMR welcomes comments and questions about the Rolls-Royce SMR design.
HMV owner’s wilko rescue deal collapses
Doug Putman’s wilko rescue deal, which could have saved thousands of jobs, has collapsed.
According to Sky News, the HMV owner has ended talks with administrators, PwC, for a deal to acquire around 100 stores. The smaller deal followed initial plans to take on around 300 shops.
Reports suggest the central costs associated with taking on wilko’s infrastructure is behind the collapse of the deal.
It is now thought that administrators will look to secure a transaction with the owner of Poundland for around 100 stores. Whether the employees from these shops will be part of the transaction is unclear.
The news comes after 52 wilko store closures were confirmed last week, leading to the redundancies of 1,016 staff. Meanwhile a further 299 redundancies were announced at two distribution centres in Worksop and Newport.
It was also revealed last week that B&M would be acquiring 51 wilko properties.
Wilko collapsed into administration last month (August), putting 12,000 jobs on the line.
The retailer opened its first store in Leicester 93 years ago, and has hosted its HQ in Nottinghamshire for the past half a century.
Journeo secures £2.25m passenger information systems purchase orders
Journeo plc, an Ashby-de-la-Zouch-headquartered provider of information systems and technical services to transport operators and local authorities, has secured purchase orders totalling £2.25m from Hertfordshire County Council (HCC).
The purchase orders are for the provision of Journeo’s advanced real time passenger information systems and software in bus shelters and on-street at key locations throughout Hertfordshire county. Planning, design and manufacturing has already commenced and it is anticipated that the majority of the revenue will be generated by March 2024.
With a population of 1.2 million and over 4,200 bus stops, HCC supported the development of the Bus Back Better strategy and one of their main objectives is to significantly improve public transport services. Journeo’s information systems and software will play a key role in supporting HCC’s commitments set out in their Bus Service Improvement Plans (BSIPs).
Russ Singleton, Chief Executive of Journeo plc, said: “We have been working with HCC for many years and are delighted they have chosen our latest display systems and software as we work closely with them to deliver their BSIPs.
“The UK Government set out clear objectives with local authorities to deliver BSIPs of which providing the accurate and up-to-date information is key to encouraging a modal shift towards the use of public transport.”
Move to new premises offers space for company’s expansion
Relocation to business premises on The Point Business Park in Lincoln will give UK data measurement systems & electronics firm, HGL Dynamics Ltd, a new base from which to expand its operating division and recruit to accommodate business growth.
HGL’s move to its new Lincoln base at The Point Business Park follows the firm’s purchase of the freehold of Unit F – a 503 sq m (5,415 sq ft) detached, two storey, self-contained office building, with parking – through Eddisons incorporating Banks Long & Co, who acted as the sole agent on behalf of the vendor.
HGL – whose client base varies from household names in the aerospace & industrial gas turbine sectors to classic car restorers & drone manufacturers – has been based at Lincoln’s Lindum Business Park for more than ten years, but the firm has outgrown that space.
Julian Howden, Principal Mechanical Design and Production Engineer, said: “In logistical terms, we had reached full capacity at our original Lincoln site. The move to Unit F at The Point gives the team scope to design a floorplan and layout for improved flexibility, efficiency and ergonomics.
“Our Lincoln operation currently has a headcount of 16, but we have plans to recruit to meet business growth and our acquisition of Unit F gives us the space to do that.”
William Wall, who led Eddisons’ agency negotiations with HGL, said: “It’s a testament to the vibrancy of Lincoln’s business scene that companies like HGL are keen to reinforce their presence here by investing in property and recruitment.”
HGL is due to move in to Unit F at The Point Business Park later this year following a comprehensive fit-out programme.
Construction starts at Beauchamp Business Park
Following the completion of groundworks, construction is now underway at Beauchamp Business Park, a new commercial development in Kibworth, Leicestershire.
Clowes Developments and its team including IMA Architects, TanRo, Millward Consulting Engineers, Gateley’s Legal and Postins Project Services are now bringing forward the scheme that, when complete, will feature a series of freehold and leasehold industrial units ranging from 1,270 sq ft to 10,085 sq ft.
Beauchamp Business Park is situated on an 11-acre site located on the outskirts of Kibworth between Leicester and Market Harborough on the A6. Groundworks began at the site in September 2022 following planning permission being granted by Harborough District Council and construction is now underway, with completion expected in the summer of 2024.
Clowes have instructed main contractor TanRo to develop the site along with IMA Architects who are providing all architectural services and acting as Principal Designer on the scheme.
Agents Phillips Sutton and TDBRE have been working closely with interested parties during the planning process which has seen Beauchamp Business Park receive “unprecedented interest” from day one.
James Richards, director at Clowes Developments, says: “The demand for these units has been exceptional which shows the importance of putting the infrastructure in place to support growing local businesses.
“The majority of interested parties are all local businesses which is fantastic to see, and we are sure that Beauchamp Business Park will develop into a thriving commercial hub, creating employment opportunities for Kibworth and the surrounding areas.”
Ben Hall, director at IMA Architects, says: “It is great to see works re-commence on site and to see our plans come into reality. We are proud to again be working with Clowes Developments to deliver a scheme that will benefit the local economy and I am sure that the units will facilitate the further growth of those companies that will call them their home.”
Number of properties to be sold by University of Leicester
The University of Leicester is set to invest millions of pounds to enhance its estate in Oadby.
Proposed changes in the estate form part of the University’s 10-year masterplan which looks at a rolling programme of maintenance and improvements.
As part of the plan, a number of properties will be sold to enable longer-term investment in the University’s property portfolio in the town.
This includes work with Oadby & Wigston Borough Council and other key stakeholders to enhance the Botanic Garden, a real oasis in the neighbourhood, as well as regeneration and maintenance work on buildings within the portfolio.
Kirsty Woodward, Director of Estates and Campus Services at the University of Leicester, said: “We are committed to Oadby and have no plans to leave but we are looking ahead to our investment and enhancement of our Oadby estate over the next 10 years.
“While all of our properties are compliant with safety regulations, some are now in need of greater long-term investment. The focus of our plans is to invest in quality, with disposal of a small number of properties, in order to reinvest in our remaining 1,600 bed space accommodation in Oadby, the Botanic Garden and our estate as a whole.
“We are excited about the improvements that this will bring to the estate to ensure quality and longevity for the future as expected by our staff and students.”
The properties earmarked for sale during 2023/24 are located in Stoughton Drive South:
- Hastings House – (not the Botanic Garden)
- Digby House and Meadowcourt Blocks
- Inglewood
- Highgrove
Over 50 jobs secured as Derbyshire bakery rescued from administration in prepack deal
Jacksons the Bakers Ltd, a family-run bakery based in Derbyshire, has successfully emerged from administration through a prepack deal, ensuring the preservation of over 50 jobs within the company.
The business had faced challenging trading conditions which led to administrators being appointed in September.
Established in 1944 by Cyril Jackson, who sold war-rationed bread, the award-winning bakery has been part of the local community for over seven decades.
Ryan Holdsworth and Danielle Shore from Leonard Curtis were appointed as the joint administrators, overseeing the transition and the subsequent prepack deal.
In a joint statement, Ryan Holdsworth and Danielle Shore stated: “We are pleased to have completed this transaction which will enable the continuing operation of the company’s bakery business and, importantly, safeguards over 50 jobs.”
The administrators were supported by Tom Paton, Curtis Blackham and Rachel Piper of Irwin Mitchell’s Restructuring and Insolvency Team.
Local authorities win £39m from Government for EV charging networks
A baker’s dozen of Midlands local authorities have joined forces to win more than £39m from Government to create two electric vehicle charging networks.
The Midlands has come together to create two partnerships across the region alongside Sub-national Transport Body Midlands Connect.
- Second Midlands EV infrastructure Consortium – Lead by Nottinghamshire County Council, in partnership with Derby City Council, Derbyshire County Council, Nottingham City Council, Staffordshire County Council
- Third Midlands EV infrastructure Consortium – Lead by Lincolnshire County Council, in partnership with Herefordshire County Council, Leicestershire County Council, Rutland County Council, Shropshire Council, Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Telford and Wrekin Council, Warwickshire County Council
