Council completes move to cost saving, energy efficient new home
Oadby & Wigston Borough Council (OWBC) has completed its cost saving move to downsized office space at Brocks Hill Country Park.
Its staff have now started working from the greener, energy-efficient and cost-effective renovated building at Brocks Hill, leaving behind their aging premises at Bushloe House in Wigston.
The council estimates the new efficiencies will save around £2 million over the next ten years while also substantially reducing the council’s carbon footprint. The move also commits the council to an agile working model that proved hugely successful during the Covid-19 pandemic, giving its staff more flexibility in where they work.
Crucially, the proceeds of the sale of the council’s current home Bushloe House – which is currently under offer – has covered the majority of the cost of renovation work done at Brocks Hill.
The council has also revealed that popular local firm Jenno’s will operate the public café at Brocks Hill. Jenno’s Coffee House already has a premises in Leicester Road, Blaby and at Everards Meadows in Leicester.
Cllr Samia Haq, Leader of OWBC, said: “Making this move was a huge decision for this council, but we could clearly see the long term benefits that this brings to both residents of the borough and employees of the council.
“We’re setting a clear example that we are willing to be innovative and creative to save taxpayer money while at the same time providing a better working experience for our staff. Equally important is the environmental benefits of us cutting our carbon footprint and working out of this modern, energy efficient building.
“For our customers too, we now have face-to-face appointments available in all three of our town centres, as well as a reception point for basic tasks at Brocks Hill itself.
“We’re absolutely thrilled to have struck a deal with Jenno’s for them to run the café here. They are a big local name with an excellent reputation and we are sure their coffee house will bring new visitors to this wonderful country park.”
Paul Jenno, of Jenno’s Coffee House, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have been chosen by OWBC for the hospitality opportunity at Brocks Hill Country Park.
“We aspire to repay their faith in us by creating a high quality, friendly and clean coffee house capable of satisfying the needs of park visitors and local visitors that fancy a stroll and a coffee.”
Major step forward for £60m stadium redevelopment
Plans for a £60m redevelopment of Leicestershire’s Uptonsteel County Ground have taken a major step forward with the formation of a new working party.
The group has been formed to drive forward the transformation of Leicestershire County Cricket Club’s home stadium and will include one of the leading figures behind Leicester City’s move to King Power Stadium.
Steve Kind, currently a non-executive director at Leicestershire CCC, oversaw Leicester City’s departure from Filbert Street and will now bring his wealth of experience to the working party, which also comprises representatives from Leicester City Council and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).
Namita Patel, community and EDI Director, will play an important role in liaising with residents and wider groups to continue the club’s commitment to giving everyone a voice during the period of consultation. A series of community focus groups have already taken place to inform neighbouring residents about the proposals.
The working party met for the first time on Wednesday, 31 May.
Sean Jarvis, CEO of Leicestershire County Cricket Club, said: “The formation of the group is an exciting step forward as we work together to bring this hugely ambitious project to life.
“Many of the individuals involved have been there and done it when it comes to leisure developments of this size, so I am confident that the vast range of expertise sitting round the table can move things along at a pace.”
The redevelopment proposals were first revealed earlier this year and extensive talks have been ongoing with a view to beginning the first phase of development in the winter of 2023. Among the options being explored are the development of residential homes, healthcare and retail outlets.
The launch of an Academy of Cricket campus, that could host a wide range of academic activities including the world’s first MBA in cricket management, also forms part of the long-term vision for the project.
Other members of the working party include Bruce Cruse; Director of Facilities at the ECB, Tom Lo’Monte; Head of Capital at Leicester City Council, Ian Kendall; Director of Leisure Projects at LCCC, Chairman; John Thorpe and Stadium Manager; Dan Archer.
Steve Kind said: “The redevelopment of Leicestershire’s home of cricket is long overdue and I am positive that this project will be the envy of the cricketing world when complete
“For a project of this scale, it needs many minds coming together round the table who each bring different expertise. I am pleased to see that everyone on this working party is committed to the same goal which is to make the £60m transformation a reality.”
Bruce Cruse added: “The ECB welcomes Leicestershire looking at all options to create a sustainable long-term future for the Club.”
North Nottinghamshire firm wins contract for historic bridge refurbishment
North Nottinghamshire-based Universal Coatings UK is to carry out refurbishment work on Saxilby footbridge near Lincoln.
The company has a range of experience in bridge refurbishment working for the rail network and for the canal and rivers trust and we are pleased to have secured their services on this project.
MD Philip Bingham said: “Even though we’ve been involved in some truly iconic projects in the past, nothing beats working locally and being able to say “we did that” every time you pass.”
Also working in partnership with the Council is John Peberdy Partnership, Quantity Surveying; Emprocom, Health and Safety Consultants; and Peter Cole Consultants, Structural Engineers.
Saxilby footbridge, which crosses the Fossdyke will be removed from its location in the picturesque village to undergo much-needed refurbishment.
West Lindsey District Council has notified residents and businesses in the village that the refurbishment works it has commissioned will take place Tuesday 25 July 2023.
The steel footbridge, given to the village by British Rail in 1986, will need to be lifted by crane and taken to a workshop for the work to be carried out. The refurbishment work includes shot blasting; rust treatment; steel repairs and bolt replacement; and re-painting with a railway grade paint system to ensure a long life and minimise the length of time between maintenance.
Watches of Switzerland hails record year
Leicester’s Watches of Switzerland Group has achieved another record year, with a jump in revenue and profit.
According to results for the 52 weeks to 30 April 2023, group revenue hit £1.54bn, up from £1.23bn in the year prior. Meanwhile the company’s operating profit grew to £179m from £142m.
Watches of Switzerland Group noted that although the second half of the year saw a more challenging trading environment, luxury watch demand remained strong and continues to exceed supply.
Brian Duffy, Chief Executive Officer, said: “Our record performance is testament to our unique combination of longstanding luxury brand partnerships, dedicated colleagues focused on delivering exceptional client service, and our well-invested network of showrooms, which are supported by leading multi-channel capabilities.
“Luxury watch demand remains strong and continues to outpace supply, with our client registration lists extending and average selling prices growing.
“We have been busy expanding our international network of showrooms, adding a total of 28 across the UK, US and Europe, whilst also upgrading a further 13 showrooms, including the rollout of our Goldsmiths Luxury format.
“Our Xenia Client Experience Programme, which we have now introduced across our business, elevates our client service proposition even further, taking inspiration from the world of luxury hospitality.
“We take great pride in doing what we can to care for our people, our communities and our planet, and are pleased to have achieved an MSCI ESG Rating of AAA in recognition of our ESG credentials.
“We start the new financial year with some great projects, with the opening of our Watches of Switzerland showroom at American Dream in New Jersey, upgrading and relocating our Mayors showroom in Dadeland Florida, the first opening of our new Mappin & Webb contemporary showroom design, and five mono-brand boutiques in the UK and Europe including our first showroom in Germany.
“We reiterate our guidance for FY24 which reflects our continued confidence in the strength of our organic growth strategy, whilst we continue to actively pursue additional inorganic growth opportunities to enhance that growth.
“We enter FY24 significantly ahead of where we expected to be when we presented our Long Range Plan in 2021, and we look forward to presenting our Long Range Plan update, which will outline our growth ambitions beyond FY26 to FY28, in Autumn this year.”
Vistry reopens East Midlands timber frame factory
Vistry Group, the homebuilder, has re-opened the timber frame manufacturing plant it acquired as part of its combination with Countryside Partnerships. The relaunch of the mega facility sees it branded as Vistry Works East Midlands.
The 356,000 sq ft facility has the capacity to deliver in excess of 6,000 homes per year. This, combined with Vistry’s existing two factories in Warrington and Leicester with a delivery capacity of 5,000 homes for full year 2024, creates a strong strategic asset for the group to deliver MMC at scale.
Underpinned by the scale of the expanded Vistry Group business, the new factory is expected to deliver over 2,000 homes in its first year of operation, with approximately 40% of these for new sites.
In addition to supplying new homes with open panel frames for the group’s mixed-tenure Countryside Partnerships business and Housebuilding business, including the provision of Housing Association and PRS units, the new MMC facility will facilitate the delivery of homes to meet the Future Homes Standard which comes into operation in 2025.
Speaking of the relaunch, Scott Stothard, the group’s manufacturing & special projects director, says: “Vistry’s investment in the relaunched East Midlands timber frame facility creates the capability for us to capitalise, at scale, on the benefits of factory manufactured construction, delivering high quality sustainable homes faster and more economically than traditional methods of construction and in a more environmentally friendly way.
“As well as the opportunities this brings to help address the housing shortage, the relaunch of this new facility will be a boost to local job creation, creating a positive socio-economic impact in a region which is important to us.”
Earl Sibley, Chief Operating Officer, Vistry Group, says: “The investment we’ve made illustrates our confidence in timber frame.
“The demand for new homes in this country shows no sign of abating now or in the long-term and by aligning our investment plans with the housing needs and consistent order book of our well-established partners, we can deliver more homes across a broad mix of housing tenures using the production capacity our combined MMC facilities provide.”
Long Eaton furniture maker goes into administration
Long Eaton-based Acclaim Upholstery Company Limited has entered administration after a difficult trading period. Inflationary pressure saw the bespoke furniture manufacturer struggle with rising costs and the impact of finance repayments, alongside a drop in sales.
Martin Buttriss and Carolynn Best at Begbies Traynor in Leicester have been appointed as administrators, and all 128 employees of the business have been made redundant.
Martin Buttriss said: “This is a long-established business that has been beset by a number of issues, which have conspired to create an extremely difficult operating environment. A reduction in orders due to the cost-of-living crisis created problems with cashflow, which were exacerbated by inflationary pressure.”
The administrators have actively marketed the business for sale for which there has been a healthy level of interest in purchasing the assets
£7m Bellamy redevelopment reaches significant milestone with contractor appointment
An extensive redevelopment programme in the heart of a Mansfield estate is moving to the next phase with the successful appointment of contractors.
Mansfield District Council has appointed Mercer Building Solutions following a competitive tender process to undertake numerous works in the Bellamy Road estate.
The £7m upgrade has been conducted in phases and has already seen the opening of a new play park and learn-to-ride cycle track in 2022. The next stage, led by Mercer, will see 22 high-quality, eco-friendly, affordable family council homes built around the newly installed village green area.
The scheme’s next phase will also see the demolition of existing shops and five flats in Egmanton Road and the building of a new single-storey parade of retail outlets with a convenience store, cafe and takeaway.
There will also be a community orchard planted and a new traffic-calmed through road connecting Thorpe Road and Egmanton Road, which will allow for improved bus connections through this part of the estate.
Overall project works are expected to start on site from September 2023.
Councillor Stuart Richardson, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Growth, said: “We are really pleased that the regeneration of the Bellamy Road estate is moving at pace with the appointment of contractors.
“This £7m scheme has already delivered the project’s first phase with the new play park and cycle track, which has already made a substantial difference to the area.
“I also want to say thank you to all Mansfield District Council staff involved in this project, they have worked long and hard to bring this development to fruition.
“I am looking forward to seeing a spade in the ground to start construction of the high-quality social housing in the autumn.”
The council’s in-house architects have designed the new homes to align with government carbon reduction targets and the Future Homes Standard, which is expected to be adopted nationally by 2025.
The standard requires new homes to have low-carbon heating and high energy efficiency. An average semi-detached house produces much less carbon dioxide emissions than one built to current Building Regulations.
The houses, comprising three four-bedroom semi-detached houses, eight three-bedroom semi-detached houses, nine two-bedroom semi-detached houses and two two-bedroom detached houses, will be offered at affordable rents and will be owned and managed by Mansfield District Council.
Katy Mercer, director of Mercer Building Solutions, added: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Mansfield District Council to regenerate the Bellamy Road estate.
“The scheme will bring much-needed affordable family housing, green spaces, and retail units to the area. It is also an exciting prospect for us to support new employment and supply chain opportunities for local people and businesses.”
Enter outstanding schemes for Commercial Development of the Year at the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023
Shining a light on the region’s property and construction industry, nominations will close on Thursday 31 August for East Midlands Business Link’s annual Bricks Awards.
With 10 categories available to enter, the independent awards and publicity programme recognises development projects and people in commercial and public building across the region – from office, industrial and residential schemes, through to community projects such as leisure schemes and schools.
Amongst this year’s categories is Commercial Development of the Year, which can be entered here.
The commercial development that has gone above and beyond in fulfilling the criteria of the build, in terms of design and construction will be the winner of this category. This can include special requirements, features or elements that make the commercial development stand out from the crowd.
Last year the award was won by Galliford Try Construction for Broad Marsh Bus Station and Car Park. Judges said of the development: “What an amazing building to have in Nottingham. This development has helped Nottingham step into the 21st century with a new modern car parking management system, 720 roof mounted solar panels making it the greenest car park in the country. It really is a worthy winner for the Commercial Development of the Year award.”
Jon Marston, Managing Director of Building East Midlands, Galliford Try Construction, who took home three awards at the 2022 event, said: “We are immensely proud of the work that has taken place at Broad Marsh car park, and the recognition it has received at the East Midlands Bricks Awards is just reward for the efforts of the team. I congratulate all those involved for their achievement in winning these three awards.”
Clowes Developments, for Etiquette Park, and Henry Brothers, for the Nottinghamshire Police and Nottinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service joint HQ, were named runners up for the category.
This year’s Commercial Development of the Year award will be sponsored by MKM. Speaking with Business Link, Gavin Moody, Branch Director at MKM Nottingham, said: “MKM are proud to be sponsoring the Commercial Development of the Year category at the annual East Midlands Bricks Awards. It is important to us that we celebrate the construction industry’s achievements and highlight local business development in this way. East Midlands Business Link do a great job with these awards, shining a light on the area and bringing businesses together.”
Sam Shipman, also Branch Director at MKM Nottingham, added: “Each MKM branch takes great pride in supporting its local construction community, helping to ensure these commercial developments are brought to life with the highest standards. The Awards are a fantastic boost for businesses and so easy to enter. It is a great opportunity for companies in the area to celebrate the amazing work that they have been doing and share their successes with the wider industry.”
Winners will be revealed at a glittering awards ceremony on Thursday 28 September, at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground – an evening also offering an opportunity to establish new connections with property and construction professionals from across the region.
Other award categories open for entry include: Most Active Estate Agent, Contractor 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, and Sustainable Development of the Year. All entry forms can be accessed here.
The Overall Winner award will also be presented at the event. This award cannot be entered, with the winner selected from those nominated. The Overall Winner of the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023 will also receive a year of marketing/publicity worth £20,000.
To be held at:
Submit your nominations for Commercial Development of the Year here before entries close on Thursday 31 August.
Winners will be revealed at a glittering awards ceremony on Thursday 28 September, at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground – an evening also offering an opportunity to establish new connections with property and construction professionals from across the region.
Other award categories open for entry include: Most Active Estate Agent, Contractor 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, and Sustainable Development of the Year. All entry forms can be accessed here.
The Overall Winner award will also be presented at the event. This award cannot be entered, with the winner selected from those nominated. The Overall Winner of the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023 will also receive a year of marketing/publicity worth £20,000.
Book your tickets now
Tickets can now be booked for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023 – click here to secure yours. The special awards evening and networking event will be held on Thursday 28 September 2023 in the Derek Randall Suite at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground from 4:30pm – 7:30pm. Connect with local decision makers over canapés and complimentary drinks while applauding the outstanding companies and projects in our region, and hear from Mike Denby, Director of Inward Investment and Place Marketing at Leicester City Council, our keynote speaker. Dress code is standard business attire. Thanks to our sponsors:
To be held at:
Kirkby chosen for banking hub
Kirkby in Ashfield has been chosen as a location for one of 68 new banking hubs across the UK.
The banking hubs are shared spaces on the high street that allow customers of multiple banks to deposit and withdraw money, get face-to-face help, and carry out regular banking transactions. They also have a private room available for one-to-one discussions.
Ashfield District Council submitted the bid to LINK, who set up the banking hubs, in February 2023 after three banks closed their doors in Kirkby town centre. To allow greater access to cash in Kirkby, the Council has applied for planning permission to put a cash machine in Moor Market. The new banking hub will complement this service, allowing more residents and business access to their money, without having to travel out of Kirkby.
Cllr Matthew Relf, Executive Lead for Regeneration and Planning, said: “We are over the moon to have been successful in our bid for a banking hub for Kirkby. We know that so many residents have struggled with the lack of face-to-face banking in Kirkby since the banks closed, and the banking hub will make a huge difference to people’s lives.
“It’s not just residents who will benefit from this hub, our small businesses will also be able to utilise it. When we get more information we will share it with residents but for now just watch this space.”
Urgent need for safety checks following rise in East Midlands farming fatalities
A risk management expert is urging the region’s farmers to improve their health and safety standards after official figures revealed the East Midlands has the highest number of work-related fatal injuries across England’s agricultural industry.
Latest figures from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reveal that four people in the region’s agricultural sector were killed in 2022/23.
Alex Cormack, of Lycetts Risk Management Services, said: “It’s tragic that the number of deaths in the region has increased. Some fatalities can be attributed to freak accidents, but others could be avoided by adopting a more rigorous approach to safety.”
Across Britain, there were 21 fatalities in agriculture – two fewer than last year.
Cormack said: “The drop in the number of fatalities is encouraging, but I would urge those who work in the industry to remain vigilant, and to avoid becoming complacent. Agriculture is still a dangerous industry to work in, coming second only to construction in the number of annual fatalities.”
A third of all fatal injuries in agriculture were caused by people coming into contact with cattle. This was followed by being struck by an object/falling from height, contact with machinery/contact with a stationary or fixed object, and contact with a moving vehicle/being trapped by something collapsing.
Fatalities in the East Midlands included a 45-year-old employee struck by an object at a farm in Worksop, an 82-year-old Matlock farm worker falling from height, and a 60-year-old farmer in the Hope Valley killed after coming into contact with a fixed/stationary object.
Cormack said: “Over the last five years, 64 per cent of all fatalities in the sector involved the self-employed. This suggests that although employers may be conscientious about health and safety measures and training for their staff, they are not giving their own personal safety enough attention.
“The ‘cost-of-business’ crisis is putting a lot of pressure on the agricultural industry, and there could be a danger that in order to make savings, or to save time, some people may be tempted to take risks. This could leave families devastated, and businesses ruined.
“To help prevent such tragedies occurring, risk assessments should be thorough, all appropriate training should be undertaken, and safety policies should be implemented.”
