LATEST ARTICLES

Stapleford to get new £236k skatepark

April Lara
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Stapleford to get new £236k skatepark

Stapleford is set to receive a £236,000 skatepark at Pasture Road Recreation Ground, following two years of consultation, community engagement and fundraising. The project has secured a £100,000 grant from the FCC Communities Foundation and is supported by the Government’s £21.1 million Stapleford Towns Fund. Additional funding came from a Crowdfunder UK campaign, match-funded by Sport England, which received donations from 202 local residents.

The skatepark has been designed with input from young people, local skateboard organisations and specialist designers to accommodate BMX and skateboarding of all skill levels. The layout incorporates street obstacles, ramps, ledges and rails, with features informed by research into female participation and accessible design. Facilities will be inclusive of differently-abled and neuro-diverse users, with dedicated programmes and equipment provided through Broxtowe Borough Council.

Broxtowe Borough Council plans to run free coached sessions, women-only sessions, arts workshops, and life-skills programmes linked to skateboarding culture. The skatepark replaces the previous Hickings Lane facility, which was removed in 2022. Construction is expected to begin following final approvals, with the facility designed for long-term use and community engagement.

The project reflects a combination of local initiative, grant funding, and strategic investment from multiple public and charitable sources to enhance recreational infrastructure in Stapleford.

East Midlands electronics firm saved through pre-pack acquisition

April Lara
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East Midlands electronics firm saved through pre-pack acquisition

An East Midlands electronics manufacturer and distributor, specialising in television antennas for the caravan, motorhome and marine sectors, has been acquired following administration. Grade (UK) Limited, trading as Vision Plus, entered administration in August 2025 after several years of declining sales and challenging market conditions in the recreational vehicle sector.

The company recorded a 25 per cent drop in sales in 2024, followed by a further 25 per cent decline in the first quarter of 2025. Increasing competition and changing consumer preferences compounded the business’s difficulties, despite investment in Wi-Fi-enabled antenna technology.

Joint administrators secured a pre-pack sale of Vision Plus to an unrelated buyer, aiming to maintain business continuity, preserve jobs, and maximise returns for creditors.

Financial filings for the year ending December 31 2023, show Grade (UK) Limited held fixed assets of £1.1 million and current assets of around £1.2 million, resulting in net assets just under £2.1 million.

Pre-pack acquisitions remain a common mechanism for rescuing companies, though regulatory scrutiny has tightened, particularly for sales involving connected parties.

Peak District National Park faces funding shortfall and potential staffing changes

April Lara
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Peak District National Park faces funding shortfall and potential staffing changes

The Peak District National Park Authority is preparing for reduced government funding by gauging staff interest in voluntary redundancy and shorter working hours. The authority receives £6.67 million annually from Defra, with the current three-year funding arrangement ending this financial year.

The organisation employs roughly 280 people, including rangers, ecologists, and archaeologists. Over the last decade, government support has fallen by half in real terms while operational costs have risen. Pressures include wildfire management, visitor safety, and parking enforcement.

Plans are under review to increase revenue, including proposals for visitor charges. No staffing decisions will be made until future government funding is confirmed.

Defra has committed an additional £15 million to national parks alongside up to £400 million annually for nature restoration. The department is collaborating with authorities to secure additional funding and promote innovative operational models.

The authority is undergoing a broader organisational restructure to align costs with anticipated budgets.

V Formation expands digital marketing capability

April Lara
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V Formation expands digital marketing capability

V Formation has strengthened its digital marketing team with the appointment of Gabriel Crow. Crow, a Durham University graduate, brings over four years of in-house marketing experience covering SEO, paid social campaigns, analytics, conversion rate optimisation, and UX testing.

He is skilled in tools, including Semrush and Google Analytics, alongside PPC management, web development, design, and data presentation. Crow will work across client projects while contributing to internal process improvements.

The Nottingham-based agency continues to broaden its digital offering to support a diverse client portfolio across multiple sectors.

East Midlands businesses face pressure as GDP stalls

April Lara
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East Midlands businesses face pressure as GDP stalls

The UK economy recorded zero growth in July, according to the Office for National Statistics, prompting concern among East Midlands businesses. The region’s firms continue to navigate rising costs, with higher employer National Insurance contributions, an increased national living wage, and inflation reaching 3.8% last month.

Data from the East Midlands Chamber’s Quarterly Economic Survey shows fragile confidence, with only three in ten businesses expecting higher profits over the next year. Inflation and corporate taxation remain the primary concerns, reflecting the challenging trading environment.

The Chamber has highlighted the potential impact of upcoming legislation, urging changes to the Employment Rights Bill to reduce administrative burdens and associated costs for companies. Firms are seeking clarity and support ahead of the Autumn Budget on 26 November, stressing the importance of avoiding additional tax pressures.

Businesses in the region are contending with sustained operational and financial strain, and the latest GDP figures underscore the need for policy measures that prioritise firm resilience and cost management.

East Midlands manufacturers see weak start to second half of the year

Tess Egginton
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East Midlands manufacturers see weak start to second half of the year
East Midlands manufacturers have seen a weak start to the second half of the year with output and orders turning negative, while recruitment intentions continue to suffer from the increase in National Insurance Contributions. According to the Make UK/BDO Q3 Manufacturing Outlook survey, output and orders in the third quarter came in at a balance of -6% and -17% while the balance on recruitment intentions was similarly negative at -6%. The one bright spot for the region was an increase in investment intentions, albeit quite weak, to a balance of +6%. The survey also showed the United States has recovered its position as the second most favoured market for growth prospects, having dropped out of the top three global blocs in Q2 for the first time in the history of the survey in response to tariff uncertainty earlier in the year. However, the survey also shows that almost three quarters of companies (70%) expect  further increases in business tax in the forthcoming Budget at a time when a similar number (68%) have said their costs have already increased more than expected in the last six months. As a result, more than half of companies (58%) have already raised prices this year, while a similar number (53%) intend to do so in the next six months highlighting that inflationary pressures for manufacturers remain in the pipeline. Looking forward, growth forecasts for the sector remain weak with output still forecast to fall by -0.1% this year and -0.6% in 2026. Chris Corkan, region director of Make UK in the Midlands, said: “Conditions remain challenging in the face of considerable uncertainty in global markets and this is translating into continued weak trading for East Midlands manufacturers. “Unfortunately, with UK and European markets in particular remaining anaemic it wouldn’t take much to knock prospects for further growth. It’s therefore essential that Government unlocks every policy in its armoury to try and boost the domestic economy at the very least.” Chris Cole, head of manufacturing at BDO in the East Midlands, added: “In what has been a relentless year these latest findings are a further concern for the manufacturing sector in the East Midlands. “The government identified the East Midlands as a region with significant manufacturing growth potential in its Industrial Strategy; as the Budget looms it’s vital the government seizes this opportunity to prove their commitment to the sector and to the promises made for regional growth.”

Studio sound without leaving the office: LikeMind Media launches Podcast Studio To You

Tess Egginton
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Studio sound without leaving the office: LikeMind Media launches Podcast Studio To You
Businesses looking to start a podcast can now avoid the cost and hassle of hiring a studio thanks to a new on-site service from Loughborough-based content marketing consultancy LikeMind Media. The consultancy’s new ‘Podcast Studio To You’ service provides everything needed to record a professional-quality podcast — right at the client’s workplace. The package includes Shure microphones, headphones, a RODEcaster Pro II mixing desk, all cables and equipment, and a dedicated podcast producer to coach participants and ensure a smooth session. By setting up and packing away the kit on site, LikeMind Media eliminates the need for travel, minimises disruption, and allows clients to return quickly to their working day. Audio is professionally edited afterwards, and detailed show notes are taken live during the recording. “Podcasts are one of the most powerful ways for businesses to showcase their expertise and build a real human connection with their audience,” said Paul Ince, founder of LikeMind Media. “But for many, the barriers of cost, time and equipment can feel overwhelming. With Podcast Studio To You, we remove all of that — we bring the studio to you, so you just focus on sharing your story.” The service has already been put into action with Timms Solicitors in Derby, who use Podcast Studio To You to record their own show, The Legal Rabbit Hole. Each season of the podcast explores a different area of law, aiming to demystify legal issues and make them approachable for people seeking advice. Sharon Jeffrey, senior associate & marketing manager at Timms, said: “Recording on our own premises made the whole process effortless and helped our team feel comfortable in familiar surroundings. LikeMind Media made it easy to focus on our content while they handled the rest. By being at our premises, our team was able to minimise disruption to our working day, which in turn has huge benefits for our clients.” LikeMind Media has already helped dozens of brands create podcasts and audiobooks, but this new portable approach is designed to make podcasting more accessible for businesses of all sizes. Ince added: “We wanted to take away every possible excuse not to start. If you’ve got something worth saying — and we think you do — we’ll make sure the world hears it.” The Podcast To You service is available now. For more details or to book a session, visit www.likemind.media/podcast-and-audiobook.

Northamptonshire businesses urged to Go Green to help raise vital funds for hospice care

Tess Egginton
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Northamptonshire businesses urged to Go Green to help raise vital funds for hospice care
Big-hearted businesses across Northamptonshire are being urged to Go Green to help raise vital funds for hospice care and supporting services in the county. Cransley Hospice Trust’s Go Green campaign aims to raise thousands of pounds with the help of county charity champions who are invited to pledge their support staging fun-filled fundraising events. The charity’s target is to raise £15,000 this October to help fund a better end of life experience for people with life-limiting illness in the community. Caring companies can all help make a difference by going green during Hospice Care Week between the 6th and 12th October 2025. Whether wearing green, eating green or using pedal power to go green and cycle to work, there are multiple ways everyone can play their part in helping to boost funds for this year’s initiative. Jenine Rees, head of fundraising and marketing, said: “We are encouraging as many businesses as possible, schools and individuals to all get involved, to go green in whichever shape or form that’s relevant to them. “Whether it’s dressing green, dying their hair green, eating green or holding cake sales, whatever they choose will help raise funds to support end of life care for patients and support their families in North Northamptonshire. “The work that the hospice team do is phenomenal, and as a charity we want to be able to support more people and their families when they need it most.” A free fundraising pack can be found here.

Nottingham £150m student housing plans face refusal

April Lara
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Nottingham £150m student housing plans face refusal

Nottingham City Council is set to recommend refusal of the £150m Victoria Works development, which would have delivered the city’s tallest buildings in half a century. The scheme, led by Code Students, had been revised from an initial 40-storey proposal to 19 and 27 floors following public consultation in 2023.

If approved, Victoria Works would have provided approximately 1,260 student units, created around 2,000 construction jobs, and included indoor and outdoor communal areas alongside 5,400 sq ft of ground-level commercial space for community use. The site is located on Glasshouse Street, adjacent to the Victoria Shopping Centre.

Council planning officers have highlighted a lack of evidence to demonstrate demand for purpose-built student accommodation of this type and scale. The report states the project does not align with the local context, fails to contribute positively to the public realm, and would not create an attractive environment.

Code Students has indicated it will challenge the council’s decision if the plans are rejected. An appeal could result in significant costs for the local authority. The planning committee will formally consider the application on 17 September.

British Steel welcomes 56 new apprentices across UK sites

April Lara
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British Steel welcomes 56 new apprentices across UK sites

British Steel has onboarded 56 new apprentices this month, marking the first intake in three years for the UK’s only primary steelmaker.

Thirty of the apprentices have joined the company’s Scunthorpe headquarters in electrical, mechanical, and fabrication and welding roles. Fourteen others will train at British Steel’s operations in Teesside and Skinningrove, with an additional 12 Technical and Functional apprentices set to start soon.

Training at Scunthorpe is delivered through a partnership with CATCH, combining on-site instruction with sessions at CATCH’s Stallingborough facility. Apprentices in Teesside and Skinningrove will study at Middlesbrough College while gaining practical experience at the company’s northern mills.

All apprentices will work towards a National Apprenticeship qualification while receiving a competitive salary. The intake reflects British Steel’s ongoing commitment to developing skilled engineers, technical specialists, and functional experts to support its operations and future growth.

The new programme aims to strengthen talent pipelines and ensure continuity in key operational roles across British Steel’s sites.

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