New tenant tumbles into Derbyshire business park
UK goods exports to US fall sharply
UK goods exports to the United States fell by 13.5% over the past year, a decline of approximately £2 billion, according to the Office for National Statistics for Q2 2025. Exports to European Union countries also decreased, dropping 2.1% in June compared with the same month in 2024.
The East Midlands Chamber highlighted that the reduction in US-bound exports coincides with the introduction of fluctuating tariffs on UK goods. While direct causation cannot be confirmed, the tariffs are likely to have affected trading patterns and added complexity for exporters.
Exporters report ongoing challenges in moving goods to EU markets, citing extensive paperwork requirements that increase operational costs and processing time.
The UK government’s Trade Strategy includes measures intended to support businesses, including SME-focused initiatives and investment in UK Export Finance. Details on implementation remain limited, leaving firms seeking clarity on how these measures will function in practice.
The Chamber’s International Trade Department continues to provide guidance to businesses pursuing overseas markets, aiming to reduce administrative burdens and streamline export processes.
Economic growth slows, raising pressures on East Midlands businesses
The UK economy grew by an estimated 0.3% between April and June, down from 0.7% in the previous quarter, according to the Office for National Statistics. The slowdown highlights ongoing pressures for firms across the East Midlands.
Recent survey data indicates nearly one in three businesses in the region expect profits to decline over the next 12 months. Rising costs, including National Insurance contributions and higher minimum wages, continue to strain operations. Inflation remains above the government’s 2% target, with corporate taxation among the top concerns for companies.
Businesses report that challenging trading conditions are limiting their ability to invest and expand. Policymakers are under pressure to consider supportive measures to reduce operational burdens, including reviewing proposed employment legislation and ensuring upcoming budgets do not further increase taxation.
The combination of slower economic growth, persistent cost pressures, and regulatory changes underscores the need for targeted interventions to help businesses navigate a difficult trading environment and maintain competitiveness.
Scope Construction
Scope aspires to be the construction partner of choice for construction projects in the East Midlands, helping people, businesses and communities to thrive and grow in the built environment. Its dedicated teams work in collaboration with clients to gain a robust understanding of their vision and goals and deliver excellence through ownership, management and execution.
Caring for the local community, supporting charity and enabling an inclusive and diverse workplace are fundamental to Scope, ensuring that its projects and wider business activities deliver meaningful benefits. As part of this, Scope acts with care and responsibility in its day-to-day decision making and actively engages its supply chain in social value initiatives, encouraging a shared commitment to long-term, positive change.
Scope’s efforts have included raising over £22,000 for local charities such as Wishes for Kids and Hope Against Cancer, supporting careers fairs, sponsoring a local U7s football team, and providing work placements and site visits for students from De Montfort University, Nottingham Trent University and local colleges. Most recently they have formed a partnership with Leicester and Leicestershire Careers Hub to deliver an Unbox Your Future Programme to schools and colleges, as well as initiating a programme with Leicester City Council to give opportunity to care leavers.
In addition, Scope has a focus on making environmentally sustainable decisions and as part of the Nottingham Trent University Small Contractors Framework, they committed to adopting a Net Zero Tool and Carbon Reduction plan with particular emphasis on energy, transport and waste. Scope also sources materials locally, uses local suppliers and already 95+% of waste is diverted from landfill.
From children’s homes to affordable homes, offices to leisure venues, schools and colleges to charity projects, Scope’s impact can be felt across the region.
To find out more, please visit https://www.scope-group.co.uk/ Losses cut at Light Science Technologies
Light Science Technologies Holdings (LSTH), the technology and manufacturing business targeting global food security and fire safety, has reduced its losses in “another period of positive progress.”
According to unaudited interim results for the six months ended 31 May 2025, loss before tax reduced by 51.2% to £0.16m, compared to a £0.33m loss in the same period last year.
Revenue, meanwhile, slid slightly to £5.1m from £5.2m.
By division, an 18.8% revenue contribution came from Passive Fire Protection (PFP) – up from 5.7% last year; 10.9% from AgTech (AGT) – up from 7.3% last year; and 70.3% from Contract Electronics Manufacturing (CEM) – down from 87% last year, reflecting a changing sales mix and focus on higher margin opportunities.
Simon Deacon, CEO of LSTH, said: “This was another period of positive progress as we continued to target high margin opportunities across our divisions, underpinning strong gross margin growth. Combined with a growing Group quoted sales pipeline and continued overhead cost control, we are increasingly well positioned for the future.
“Further scaling of the PFP and AGT divisions, in particular, is expected and the Board remains confident that the Group is well-placed to achieve its short-term objectives of delivering sustained net profitability. We look forward to providing additional updates that will further underpin the Board’s full year expectations.”
Work starts on industrial & logistics employment space at Bennerley
Harworth Group and Broxtowe Borough Council have started construction on 13,680 sq ft of industrial & logistics (I&L) employment space designed for start-ups and SMEs.
The development, at Bennerley in Nottinghamshire, is funded by Kimberley Means Business, a funding facility from the UK Government.
Harworth will deliver five I&L units across two buildings, on behalf of Broxtowe Borough Council, under a forward funding agreement. The appointed design and build contractor is Britcon. The project received planning permission in February 2025, and the buildings are due to complete in 2026, with BREEAM ‘Very Good’ accreditation and will meet the Council’s Biodiversity Net Gain requirements. Additional amenities will include the creation of a new access road, serving both the employment scheme and Friends of Bennerley Viaduct Visitor Centre, alongside landscaping to improve connectivity for vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists from Shilo Way into the site. The employment units form part of the wider transformation of the former Bennerley Coal Disposal Point and surrounding land, with the potential to deliver up to 1.8 million sq ft of employment space, when complete, creating around 1,000 full-time equivalent jobs once fully operational. Stuart Ashton, head of strategic planning at Harworth Group, said: “The creation of these five units will provide much needed employment space for start-ups and SMEs, supporting early-stage business growth in the area. “This marks an important milestone in the transformation of Bennerley, with our vision for the wider site focused around creating space that supports local employment opportunities and economic growth, whilst also benefiting the local environment. We look forward to continuing to develop our plans for the site in the months ahead.” Councillor Milan Radulovic MBE, portfolio holder for economic development and asset management, added: “I’m delighted to be able to get construction underway for these new business units as part of the Kimberley Means Business project. “Providing spaces for local start-ups to establish themselves, and existing SMEs to grow and develop, the units will help to drive economic growth in the area. Together with the new Bennerley Viaduct Visitor Centre, due to be completed in September, these new developments will create a new economic hub in the north of the Borough.” Matt Searston, commercial director at Britcon, added: “We are excited to have been awarded this contract and to be starting construction of this project at the Bennerley development, continuing our successful collaborative relationship with Harworth Group. “This important strategic site presents a fantastic opportunity to deliver high-quality, sustainable employment space that will support long-term local employment and economic growth. Our focus is always on maximising opportunities for local employment and regional suppliers. We look forward to working closely with all stakeholders to bring this important development to life.”Nominations close TOMORROW for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025
To make a nomination for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025, please click here, or on the category headings below.
Categories include:- Contractor of the Year
- Developer of the Year
- Architects of the Year
- Most Active Agent
- Deal of the Year
- Residential Development of the Year
- Sustainable Development of the Year
- Commercial Development of the Year
- Excellence in Design
- Responsible Business of the Year
- Overall Winner
Nominations will close on Friday 15th August.
Tom Sewell, regional director at Stepnell, winner of Responsible Business of the Year at last year’s event, said: “Winning the Responsible Business award at the 2024 East Midlands Bricks Awards was an incredibly proud moment for the Nottingham team at Stepnell, recognising our dedication to responsible practices and commitment to sustainable development in the region. The awards are a fantastic opportunity to connect with others in the industry and celebrate regional excellence. I would wholeheartedly encourage businesses from across the East Midlands property and construction landscape to get involved.”The East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025
What: The East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025 When: Thursday 2nd October (4.30pm – 7.30pm) Where: Derek Randall Suite, Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, Nottingham Keynote speaker: Councillor Nadine Peatfield – Leader of Derby City Council, Cabinet Member for City Centre, Regeneration, Strategy and Policy, and Deputy Mayor of the East Midlands Tickets: Available here Dress code: Standard business attire Thanks to our sponsors:
To be held at:
East Midlands professional services experts raise nearly £1,500 for PWSA on the padel court
Nottingham among UK’s highest corporate fines
Analysis by risk management software provider Protecht has ranked UK cities by corporate offence rates, reviewing over 36,000 fines from 2020 to 2024 via the Good Jobs First Violation Tracker and adjusting for local business populations.
Nottingham emerged as a notable hotspot, with 5.80 fines per 1,000 businesses. The city recorded 61 total offences over five years, costing local companies £6.3 million, placing it second for offence rate and seventh for total fines nationally. Belfast recorded the highest rate at 7.29 fines per 1,000 businesses, with Southampton, Lincoln, Glasgow, Preston, Oxford, Newport, Manchester, and Newcastle also in the top ten.
At the opposite end, Winchester had the lowest rate at 0.35 fines per 1,000 businesses, with just three offences totalling £61,000. Chichester, Wrexham, Salford, St Albans, Stirling, Brighton and Hove, Southend-on-Sea, Sunderland, and Lichfield also ranked among the best-performing cities.
The study underscores the uneven regulatory landscape across the UK. Nottingham’s high penalties highlight governance and compliance pressures in mid-sized business hubs, emphasising the financial and reputational risks of corporate mismanagement.
UK economy sees modest growth
