Compleat Food Group acquires The Real Yorkshire Pudding Co amid job cuts

April Lara
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Compleat Food Group acquires The Real Yorkshire Pudding Co amid job cuts

The Compleat Food Group has acquired The Real Yorkshire Pudding Co for an undisclosed amount, shortly after announcing plans to cut nearly 200 jobs across its Nottingham and Crewe sites.

The Yorkshire-based Real Yorkshire Pudding Co, which generates £33 million in revenue, supplies both own-label and branded chilled Yorkshire puddings.

This acquisition follows Compleat’s 2024 purchases of SK Foods and Zorba Foods, which specialise in private-label party foods, dips, and deli fillings, and Harvey & Brockless, a specialty food producer and distributor.

Backed by private equity firm PAI Partners, The Compleat Food Group was formed in 2021 and employs over 5,000 staff across 15 locations. Its portfolio includes brands such as Pork Farms, Wall’s Pastry, unearthed, Vadasz, Squeaky Bean, Wrights, and Palace Culture.

ATS Euromaster closes Kettering branch as part of UK-wide restructuring

April Lara
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ATS Euromaster closes Kettering branch as part of UK-wide restructuring

ATS Euromaster has permanently closed its Kettering service centre, one of 86 locations shutting down as parent company Michelin shifts to a mobile servicing model. The nearest remaining branch is in Northampton, with 235 centres operating across the UK.

Employees affected by the Kettering closure have been offered interviews at Halfords, which has also committed to prioritising MOT and service bookings originally made with ATS to minimise customer disruptions.

An ATS Euromaster spokesperson previously cited overcapacity, rising costs, and sluggish market growth as reasons for the restructuring. The closures are expected to impact up to 400 employees across the UK.

Humber businesses urge mayoral candidates to unify for regional growth

April Lara
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Humber businesses urge mayoral candidates to unify for regional growth

Business leaders across the Humber call on mayoral candidates in Hull, East Yorkshire, and Greater Lincolnshire to adopt a coordinated economic strategy to maximise the region’s potential. A joint letter, signed by major companies including ABP, Drax, Reckitt, Arcadis, Able, and Smith-Nephew, as well as organisations like the Humber Energy Board and Hull University, highlights challenges and opportunities for the area.

Concerns include the uncertainty surrounding the Scunthorpe steel plant and the Humber’s absence from the Chancellor’s recent growth speech. Business leaders argue that a unified approach is essential to securing investment and maintaining the region’s economic competitiveness.

The letter emphasises the Humber’s strengths in renewable energy and advanced manufacturing, citing the potential for 28GW of offshore wind energy and £15 billion in private investment for carbon capture and hydrogen projects. It calls for a Humber Estuary Growth Zone to align Freeport development with other key infrastructure projects, ensuring a streamlined approach to attracting investors.

Mather Jamie welcomes graduate commercial surveyor

Tess Egginton
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Mather Jamie welcomes graduate commercial surveyor
Mather Jamie has appointed Matthew Egglenton as its new graduate commercial surveyor. Matthew joins the East Midlands property consultancy after completing a BSc (Hons) in Real Estate at Nottingham Trent University. He will now be working towards his Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) while supporting Mather Jamie’s senior surveyors across a range of commercial property transactions. In his role, Matthew will be gaining valuable hands-on experience including property viewings, advising clients on leasehold and freehold sales & lettings, valuation, carrying out marketing inspections, researching market comparables and assisting with negotiations. Speaking about his decision to join Mather Jamie, Matthew said: “The company has a proven track record of successfully guiding graduates through the APC process, and I was keen to be part of a respected firm with a strong reputation in the East Midlands. I’m looking forward to developing my skills and progressing my career in commercial property.” Alex Reid, commercial director at Mather Jamie, added: “We are very pleased to welcome Matthew to our commercial team. His enthusiasm and commitment to developing his expertise in the property sector align perfectly with our values. We look forward to supporting him through his APC and helping him build a successful career with us.”

Melton Building Society appoints Non Executive Director

Tess Egginton
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Melton Building Society appoints Non Executive Director
Melton Building Society has welcomed Ashraf Piranie to its Board of Directors. Ashraf will in addition sit on the Society’s Audit Committee and assume the role of Chair of subsidiary Nexa Finance Ltd. The Society will benefit from the vast knowledge and guidance that comes with Ashraf’s long and successful career in financial services. Ashraf brings valuable experience from his sixteen years within the Building Society sector, having held the position of Group Finance and Operations Director at West Bromwich Building Society and Deputy Chief Executive and Finance Director at Nottingham Building Society. In addition, Ashraf has held senior positions as Chief Financial Officer at Redwood Bank, Finance Director and Joint Managing Director at Al Rayan (formerly Islamic Bank of Britain) and Director of Finance at Santander (formerly Alliance & Leicester). Ashraf also brings valuable experience in strategy (including acquisition and mergers), change management, finance and treasury. An experienced Non Executive Director, Ashraf is currently Chair of the Risk Committee at both Monument and GB Bank and sits on their main Boards. Commenting on his appointment Ashraf said: “I’m thrilled to be joining Sue and the rest of the Board, in what is a landmark 150th year for the Society. “With my experience I’m keen to guide and support the business as they enter the next phase of their digital transformation. I look forward to representing the views of our membership as we progress with our aims of making a Society fit to serve our members for the next 150 years.” Sue Douthwaite, Chair of the Board, said: “We are delighted to welcome Ashraf as he joins us on the Board of directors at Melton Building Society. “His expertise and experience in financial services, particularly his years spent within the Building Society sector will be incredibly valuable as we shape our aspirations for our Society and continue to strive to fulfil the needs of our members now and into the future.”

Work starts on next phases of sustainable Nottingham housing development

Tess Egginton
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Work starts on next phases of sustainable Nottingham housing development
The Fruit Market housing development in Nottingham’s Sneinton Market has entered phases 2 and 3 of construction. Delivered by igloo Regeneration, phases 2 and 3 will see the construction of 26 new homes clustered around two large communal gardens. The milestone follows the completion of phase 1 which saw a sustainable, garden neighbourhood of 13 design led homes. Phases 2 and 3 will continue the scheme’s sustainable ethos. The development is completely gas-free, utilising air source heat pumps, underfloor heating and high levels of thermal insulation to make the scheme one of the most energy-efficient and future proofed in the city. Sam Veal, Director at igloo Regeneration, said: “This milestone marks a key moment for the Fruit Market development and its positive impact on the wider Nottingham city centre, as we move forward with the delivery of much needed, high-quality homes for the community. “With Phases 2 and 3, we remain dedicated to providing sustainable, community-focused homes that are thoughtfully designed to meet the needs of residents, creating spaces where people can truly feel at home. “The continued growth of the Fruit Market community will ensure that these new homes will make a lasting positive impact on this vibrant area and the wider city centre, and we look forward to seeing the full development come to life.” Construction is underway on the scheme, with completion scheduled for summer 2026.

East Midlands Combined County Authority approves £175m in funding to improve roads and public transport

Tess Egginton
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East Midlands Combined County Authority approves £175m in funding to improve roads and public transport
The East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) Board has approved nearly £175 million in funding for transport in the region in the next year (2025/26) – with a further £19m also being consider down the line. The money will be used for urgent road repairs, better transport connections, and projects that help people travel by foot or bike and will be divided between EMCCA and four local councils – Derby City Council, Derbyshire County Council, Nottingham City Council and Nottinghamshire County Council. EMCCA will manage funding for large regional projects, such as junction improvement works which are a key planning condition for enabling the new A50 junction (South Derby Growth Zone). Plus, EMCCA funding will support the works on the A614/A6097 scheme (Nottinghamshire). A commissioned study will start the work to review the potential for expanding the Nottingham Express Transit system to support housing and job growth.  Notable projects include:
  • Derby City Council will receive funding for several key projects, including the A52/A52T Spondon Interchange to allow better traffic flow and support active travel initiatives, making it easier and safer for pedestrians and cyclists. 
  • Nottingham City Council will focus on improving major roads for walking and cycling, as well as upgrading real-time parking information systems. 
  • Derbyshire County Council will invest in repairing roads and works to help prevent landslips, particularly on key routes. 
  • Nottinghamshire County Council will focus on maintaining and upgrading its roads, along with planning for future transport projects.  
Funding allocations include: 
  • £66 million for City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements 2 (CRSTS2): This funding will support road repairs, improvements to highways, and projects to make walking, cycling, and public transport easier. 
  • £21 million for Bus Service Improvement Plans (BSIP): This funding will be used to make bus services more reliable, affordable, and accessible across the East Midlands. 
  • £75 million for Highways Maintenance Block: EMCCA will receive this funding, £22m of which is extra money the region is getting because it has a Mayoral Combined Authority. This will go on road repairs in 2025/26.  
  • £12.86 million for Integrated Transport Block Funding: EMCCA is expecting this funding to deliver activities across the local transport network. 
  • £7.27 million for Active Travel Fund: The region has been awarded this funding to improve walking, wheeling and cycling and infrastructure. 
Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, said: “By working closely with our local councils and partners, we will ensure every pound is spent wisely to improve transport links, reduce congestion, and support greener, more sustainable ways to travel. This is about more than just infrastructure – it’s about connecting people to opportunities, whether that’s jobs, skills training, education, or our fantastic local attractions. “Our ambition is clear: to create a transport system that not only meets the needs of today but also lays the foundations for a stronger, more prosperous East Midlands in the future. We want this region to be a place where people and businesses can thrive, and this funding, when approved, will be a major step toward achieving that vision.”

Loughborough University to drive business innovation at Leicester Innovation Festival

April Lara
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Loughborough University to drive business innovation at Leicester Innovation Festival

Loughborough University will play a key role in the 2025 Leicester Innovation Festival (LIF), hosting events to strengthen local business growth through innovation, research, and collaboration. The festival, organised by the Business Gateway Growth Hub, runs from 31 March to 4 April and brings together public, private, and academic partners to support businesses in Leicester and Leicestershire.

One of the university’s key events, held online on 2 April, will focus on adopting digital technology in manufacturing. Led by Dr Kate Broadhurst from Loughborough Business School, the session will present findings from the £4.4 million InterAct programme, which explored the human impact of new technologies in the sector. The event will offer practical strategies for businesses integrating digital solutions into their operations.

On the same day, the university will co-host a business engagement event at Harborough Innovation Centre, showcasing opportunities for companies to collaborate with local universities. The session will cover industry placements, graduate recruitment, consultancy, and Innovate UK-funded Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, which help businesses access academic expertise to drive innovation.

A Clean Tech networking event will occur on 4 April at Loughborough University Science and Enterprise Park. Organised by the LUinc. team, the event will connect Clean Tech entrepreneurs with investors, mentors, and industry professionals through networking sessions, tech talks, and startup introductions.

Other organisations involved in LIF 2025 include De Montfort University, the University of Leicester, Innovate UK, the British Business Bank, and Charnwood Campus. All events are free to attend.

Sale of Nottingham’s Broad Marsh development site to be discussed, with purchaser ready to take on council’s vision

Tess Egginton
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Sale of Nottingham’s Broad Marsh development site to be discussed, with purchaser ready to take on council’s vision
The Broad Marsh development site in Nottingham could be sold, generating significant capital for the city council. The council’s executive board will meet next week (18 March) to discuss the sale of one of the largest and most important city centre development sites in the UK, to an unnamed developer. Until June 2020 the Broadmarsh Shopping Centre was leased to intu with refurbishment of the centre being well underway. This had seen large parts of the eastern end of the site partly demolished to make way for a new cinema/bowling/food & beverage offering and several pre-lets had been agreed with retailers and operators. With the demise of intu the site was handed back to the Council, and over the remainder of 2020 it was vacated and mothballed. Nottingham City Council, as landowner and Local Authority, has since actively promoted the redevelopment of the Broad Marsh area and has delivered significant progress, including extensive partial demolition of the site, the construction of the Green Heart public realm area, construction of adjacent supporting uses such as the new library, bus station and retail units, working with Nottingham University Hospitals Trust to develop the Community Diagnostics Facility, and development of the Collin Street public realm. A vision and master plan for the reimagining and regeneration of Broad Marsh has also been developed, with this work set to continue with the purchaser to ensure the successfully delivery of the redevelopment project. The master plan proposes more than 1,000 new homes built alongside 20,000 sqm of office, commercial and leisure space, and outlines a strategic intent to transform the area, create opportunities to live and work and bring significant investment and employment, with 2,500 jobs expected. The purchaser is expected to begin active works on the project in the short term and aims to begin construction in 2029/30.

Forterra reports “resilient” 2024 performance

Tess Egginton
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Forterra reports “resilient” 2024 performance

Forterra, the manufacturer of clay and concrete building products, has reported a “resilient performance” in 2024, as challenging market conditions continued.

According to full year results, revenue was flat year-on-year, with a double digit increase in the second half relative to both the prior year and first half of 2024. Statutory pre-tax profit, meanwhile, grew to £24.8m from £17.1m. Forterra noted that 2024 UK brick industry despatches were up 2% compared with 2023, with fourth quarter despatches 20% ahead of the corresponding period. Total UK brick consumption, however, remains 30% behind 2022 levels.

Neil Ash, Chief Executive Officer, said: “2024 saw the continuation of the challenging market conditions we have witnessed over the last two years, though the second half saw an improving position.

“Our focus has been on the areas we can control and delivered a resilient performance by successfully aligning our production to demand and returning the Group to a position of strong cash generation.

“We also continued to make good progress with our £140m strategic capital investment programme at Desford, Wilnecote and Accrington, which is now nearing completion.

“Trading in the first two months of 2025 has continued the positive trends seen in the final quarter of 2024, with our brick despatches 17% ahead of the prior year. We are currently concluding our customer pricing discussions and expect to deliver necessary price increases to offset cost inflation.

“We continue to take encouragement from the Government’s ambition to materially increase housebuilding but remain wary of the challenges in delivering this. During 2025, we anticipate some recovery in our markets, whilst remaining mindful of the wider macroeconomic conditions.

“Following our significant strategic investment in increased manufacturing capacity, the Group remains well placed as its key markets recover.”

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