Midlands contractor, G F Tomlinson, has extended its reach internationally by linking up with an Austrian training programme, known as ‘The Dual Academy’, to welcome international student Konstantin Pata for a four week internship, to learn about UK construction methods compared to those back home in Austria.

G F Tomlinson were approached via a mutual contact in the UK to see if they could help Konstantin fulfil the requirements of his training programme in the UK.

Konstantin is a 21-year-old student who works for Austrian construction company, Filzmaier Dach Fassade GMBH, who are sponsoring and supporting his apprenticeship, alongside The Dual Academy.

This unique partnership between construction companies from different countries will provide an insight and transferable knowledge for both parties, giving Konstantin first-hand experience of the UK construction process, whilst also enabling the G F Tomlinson team to learn more about Austrian construction methods.

G F Tomlinson developed an enriching placement plan which enabled Konstantin to be both office-based and in an on-site environment, working closely alongside senior contracts manager, Paul Thornewill, and the G F Tomlinson team at Foston Park in Derbyshire – where work has recently started to deliver a 127,000 sq ft warehouse for logistics company Ascott Transport Limited (ATL).

On his placement, Konstantin said: “I’m excited to not only be working abroad but also to be working alongside a well-respected regional contractor such as G F Tomlinson, with over 130 years of experience to call upon. This hands-on experience in the UK within the construction sector will be valuable learning to help me to successfully complete my apprenticeship.”

Andy Sewards, chairman and Managing Director of G F Tomlinson, said: “We were only too pleased to step in and assist Konstantin with his quest for vital construction experience in the UK, following a call from a mutual contact.

“It is a very unique partnership that both parties can benefit from, and it is fantastic to get to know Konstantin and work closely with The Dual Academy enabling us to mutually educate our skilled teams in international construction best practices.

“We’ve provided apprenticeships and work experience placements for years for our own local young people, and we are due to receive five new starters this September. We are incredibly proud that our remit is now extending across international borders, providing opportunities for oversees students and our own teams to collaborate jointly to improve construction methods in the future.”

70 new homes are set to be built off Whiteleas Avenue in North Wingfield, following a deal between Rykneld Homes and Countryside Partnerships. On land owned by North East Derbyshire District Council, and formerly consisting of post-war non-traditional housing, Countryside Partnerships will deliver a mix of two- and three-bedroom homes, as well as four-bedroom homes to address the need for larger homes in the area. The new development will include homes for affordable rent along with homes for sale. All 70 homes will be built for North East Derbyshire District Council and managed by Rykneld Homes. The agreement with Countryside Partnerships was facilitated by Efficiency North’s EN:Procure Framework, a not-for-profit consortium serving the construction procurement needs of the social housing landlord community. Using this route enabled Rykneld Homes to work directly with Countryside Partnerships to develop the proposals in collaboration. As well as delivering new homes for the local community, Countryside Partnerships will also provide six apprenticeship places over the course of the build. The development will also deliver a number of improvements to the local area, including upgraded play facilities at Alice’s View and Blacks Lane play areas, £165,000 to fund improved education facilities at North Wingfield Primary and Nursery School and Tupton Hall School, and over £28,000 for the NHS Chesterfield Royal Hospital. Greg Wood, Land and Development Director at Countryside Partnerships South East Midlands, said: “Working in partnership to unlock brownfield sites and create high-quality homes of a mix of tenures where communities can thrive is what we’re all about. “So it’s great to be working with North East Derbyshire District Council and Rykneld Homes on this regeneration project that will provide much-needed new homes for local people, while also contributing to local services.” Cllr Nigel Barker, Leader of the Council with responsibility for Housing, said: “We are looking forward to working with Countryside to further regenerate the area of Whiteleas Avenue, North Wingfield, bringing forward much needed homes for our local communities. “We have listened to our communities who have told us that they want quality affordable homes in the district and this scheme, which includes 48 homes for affordable rent, demonstrates our commitment to do so.”

A specialist care provider for people with an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) has opened its third residential home thanks to seven-figure funding from Unity Trust Bank. Lucy Fallon and Paul Constable, who established Ariya Neuro in 2015 to address a national shortage in suitable ABI support, used the £1.6m funding to buy half an acre of land in Chesterfield, Derbyshire to build a bespoke eight-bed property plus two adjoining bungalows. The development, called Elizabeth House, offers living accommodation, a gym and therapy rooms as well as therapeutic outdoor space including accessible gardens, wildlife pond and some chickens. Lucy said: “People with ABI were leading normal lives before they suffered a significant injury, such as an accident or a stroke, and quite often they’re sent home from hospital without support or put into care homes which don’t suit their needs. We offer high quality care and effective rehabilitation to help people get their life back. “It’s important that people are in a nice place while they recover, rather than feeling like they’re in an institution. The combination of an exceptionally kind and therapeutic atmosphere, highly skilled therapists and a conducive environment, ensure people can thrive.” Lucy added: “We approached Unity for funding because they support the healthcare sector and there was a synergy in our value-base. We spoke to Mike Wicks, who is now our relationship manager. He was personable and genuinely interested in what we do and we knew we could work with him.” Michael Wicks, relationship manager at Unity Trust Bank, said: “We support organisations that share our values and Ariya Neuro is a perfect example of this. “The fact that Lucy and Paul have been awarded the highest CQC rating in terms of the care they provide, and the highest IIP rating in terms of how they support their staff, speaks volumes about the passion they have for making a positive difference to people’s lives. “Elizabeth House is an impressive addition to their portfolio and we were delighted to support the project.”

An East Midlands-based provider of innovative fitness classes and complimentary holistic practices has expanded into West Bridgford in a deal brokered by Landa Associates & Savills. 

The Reformer Studio, a self-styled “inner-city holistic retreat for mind, body, and soul” owned and operated by entrepreneur and fitness guru Holly Essuman, specialises in Pilates classes at its studios in Nottingham’s Lace Market, Derby and Loughborough. 

Now, after mining Landa Associates director Sunny Landa’s forensic knowledge of the local market, the company has taken the lease of 10a Gordon Road in the affluent Nottingham suburb of West Bridgford. 

Landa, well-known for completing a string of high-calibre deals in the area, was retained by the client to advise on lease terms and acquisition strategy. 

Luke Epps of Savills in Nottingham acted for the landlord.  

Sunny Landa said: “Working with Luke on this deal was a pleasure and I am delighted for Holly at The Reformer Studio. There are few things in life more important than wellbeing, so it’s great that even more people will be able to benefit from Holly’s expertise now! The business is a true East Midlands success story and I wish the team all the very best.” 

Holly Essuman, founder and owner of The Reformer Studio, said: “Sunny was the first name that came up when we decided the time was right to expand again. We’re over the moon with the location. Locals have been signing up in droves and I’m excited to welcome even more of the good people of West Bridgford to the studio over the coming months.” 

Luke Epps, of Savills, added: “I’d like to extend my congratulations to Holly and thank Sunny for his work in getting this deal across the line swiftly and smoothly with me. My landlord client was delighted with the professionalism shown by all parties. They’re thrilled to welcome The Reformer Studio to Gordon Road and looking forward to watching the company go from strength to strength in its new home.” 

Delin Property has signed a long-term lease for third-party logistics provider Lloyd Fraser to occupy its 163,000 square-foot crossdock warehouse at an East Midlands logistics and distribution hub. The property, XDock 163, is in Lutterworth’s Magna Park. Duncan Jarvis, head of portfolio management at Delin Property, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Lloyd Fraser as a new customer. This is a great outcome for our UK portfolio and underscores the quality and location of this property. “We signed at an attractive rent with Lloyd Fraser utilising the existing racking and fit-out as a plug and play solution, limiting how long the property stood empty after the previous occupier vacated it in the first quarter of this year.” XDock 163 features 22 dock doors and three level access doors. Inside, the property has a 12.5m clear height, with the storage potential for 17,000 pallets, 360-degree circulation for heavy good vehicles and a low 40% site cover. Lambert Smith Hampton and Carter Jonas advised Delin Property.