European pet food company swoops for Leicestershire firm
Freeths expands employment team
World class sports, leisure, and film production hub moves step closer in Derby
Vistry Group secures 28.5-acre residential development site in Sileby
Castleforge secures £26.6m refinancing loan for property portfolio
Castleforge has secured a £26.6 million refinancing loan to support its portfolio of nine apartment blocks in the Midlands and northern England. Secure Trust Bank (STB) Real Estate Finance provided the loan, which spans five years. This marks the fourth collaboration between the two firms since 2019.
The portfolio, spread across Leeds, Derby, Preston, Walsall, Cannock, and Leek, has substantially upgraded recently. Renovations have increased the number of lettable rooms from 302 to 543. The assets include diverse properties such as a former mill, converted office buildings, and a Grade II listed former school building.
STB’s involvement in the refinancing deal highlights its deep knowledge of property finance. It supports Castleforge in navigating the complexities of managing multiple properties. This partnership follows a previous deal in which STB provided a £3.9 million loan for the refurbishment of Spring Court in Ipswich.
Small businesses in Derbyshire losing millions to cyber-attacks each year
According to new findings from Vodafone Business, small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) across Derbyshire are collectively losing £84 million annually to cyber-attacks. The surge in cybercrime has left many local businesses exposed, with nearly one in three (29%) reporting they were targeted at least once in 2024 alone.
The study showed that more than 10% of businesses in the region were hit with between one and five cyber-attacks, while 5% faced multiple attacks, with some experiencing more than ten. This translates to a loss of £1,559 per business each year.
A key issue is the lack of robust security measures. Many local businesses struggle with limited budgets and insufficient expertise, leaving them vulnerable to data breaches, system failures, and reputational damage. These challenges are part of a broader national problem, with UK small businesses collectively losing £3.4 billion annually to cyber-attacks.
The research highlighted several concerning trends. Over half of SMB employees (52%) have not received cybersecurity training, and nearly a third (32%) of businesses operate without adequate protection against digital threats. Furthermore, despite the growing risks, 38% of businesses invest less than £100 annually in cybersecurity. With remote working becoming more common—64% of companies have staff working off-site regularly—cybersecurity vulnerabilities are exacerbated by using personal devices for work, with 60% of companies allowing this practice.
The most common attacks reported include phishing, which affects 70% of businesses, ransomware (23%), and Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks (20%). In light of these findings, some businesses are opting to restrict remote working for employees to mitigate the risks associated with cybercrime.
To address the escalating threat, Vodafone Business is emphasising the importance of SMEs investing in scalable, cost-effective cybersecurity solutions. The company also offers a complimentary one-month trial of CybSafe, a platform that leverages AI and behavioural science to improve cybersecurity awareness and practices within organisations.
East Midlands Airport collaborates with Uniper on safe demolition of Ratcliffe-on-Soar cooling towers
East Midlands Airport is working closely with Uniper, the company overseeing the decommissioning of the Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station, to ensure that flights are not disrupted when the station’s cooling towers are demolished. The airport is involved in planning to ensure the demolition occurs at a time that will not affect air traffic safety.
The Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station, which closed its final unit on 30th September 2024 after 57 years of operation, is in decommissioning, a task expected to take around two years. During this time, the power station’s eight cooling towers, each 114 metres high with reinforced draught concrete walls, will be demolished as part of the site’s transition to redevelopment.
Approximately 120 staff members are still working on-site to manage the shutdown, which is divided into three major zones. Decommissioning will make the facility “cold and dark” before repurposing it for future use.
The airport’s management is in ongoing discussions with Uniper to ensure the demolition does not interfere with flight operations. While it is still too early to confirm exact dates, the goal is to carry out the demolition without disrupting air traffic, ensuring that aircraft can operate safely. The collaboration aims to balance the safety of air travel with the efficient completion of the power station’s decommissioning.
This project follows the demolition of cooling towers at the former High Marnham power station in Retford in 2012, the last such demolition in the region.
UK Government introduces measures to support the automotive sector amidst global challenges
The UK Government has unveiled a set of measures aimed at securing the future of the domestic car industry, which has been under increasing pressure due to global factors, including US tariffs and the ongoing shift to electric vehicles (EVs).
The automotive sector has faced significant difficulties recently, including a 25% tariff on exports to the US, which has raised concerns over potential job losses and economic impact. The Government’s new initiatives are designed to mitigate these challenges and support the transition to electric mobility, a critical component of the industry’s long-term strategy.
One of the key changes is a revision to the zero-emission vehicle mandate, which will provide greater flexibility to manufacturers in meeting the 2030 target for phasing out petrol and diesel cars. This includes extending allowances for hybrid vehicles and offering exemptions for smaller manufacturers, such as McLaren and Aston Martin. In addition, the financial penalties for manufacturers failing to meet EV targets have been reduced from £15,000 to £12,000 per non-compliant vehicle.
Nissan, which has significant operations in the UK, will benefit from these adjustments. The company, which focuses on exporting vehicles primarily to Europe, is on track to expand production at its Sunderland plant. The launch of new electric models, including the next-generation Leaf, Juke, and Micra, is expected to strengthen its market position, with 2024 projections showing a rise in production and revenues.
While the measures are a step in the right direction, some industry leaders have voiced concerns that they do not go far enough to address the broader challenges manufacturers face. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has welcomed the flexibility provided to car makers, but cautioned that a more comprehensive approach is needed to stimulate demand for EVs, beyond the current focus on quotas and penalties.
The Government’s efforts aim to balance the need for environmental progress with the economic realities of a rapidly changing global market, offering a mix of regulatory adjustments and targeted support to help the UK automotive sector remain competitive on the world stage. However, as manufacturers continue to face mounting pressure, many are calling for further action, particularly on the demand-side incentives necessary to accelerate EV adoption among consumers.
Urban noise complaints highlight growing concern over hearing health
Manchester, Hull, and Portsmouth are among the UK cities with the highest number of noise complaints since 2020, with Derby also emerging as one of the noisiest urban areas, according to a recent study.
Specsavers commissioned the survey of over 2,000 urban residents and backed it with data from Freedom of Information requests to local councils. The aim was to spotlight rising levels of noise pollution in UK cities and its connection to hearing health.
Manchester topped the list with more than 31,000 noise complaints, while Hull and Portsmouth followed closely at around 14,000 each. Other cities with high complaint volumes include Leicester (13,900), Bradford, Liverpool, and Newcastle (all over 11,000), and Leeds (10,000).
London boroughs collectively reported more than 440,000 complaints. Islington and Kensington & Chelsea each recorded over 60,000.
Regarding public perception, 54% of urban residents believe their environment has become louder over the last five years. Traffic, construction, emergency sirens, and noisy neighbours were the most disruptive sources. Over half of those surveyed said urban noise affects their concentration and sleep, and more than 60% believe it has worsened their hearing.
Despite growing concerns, nearly half of respondents have never had a hearing check, even though many report issues with hearing clarity and social engagement.
Government injects £38m to accelerate zero-emission bus rollout and green jobs
The UK government has announced a £38 million investment to support the deployment of 319 zero-emission buses by 2027, reinforcing its commitment to decarbonising public transport and stimulating growth in green industries.
The funding, part of the Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) programme, is directed at local authorities to expand their electric bus fleets, reduce emissions, and create jobs in manufacturing, construction, and engineering.
Key allocations include nearly £20 million to the West of England Combined Authority for 160 electric buses, £3.9 million to Hull City Council for 42 buses, and £2.3 million to Nottinghamshire County Council, also for 42 vehicles. Additional funding will support similar initiatives in other regions.
The investment contributes to the UK’s broader plan to phase out diesel and petrol buses, with the goal of reaching a fully zero-emission bus fleet. It also aligns with the Bus Services Bill, which is designed to give local authorities more control over service delivery and modernisation.
Private operators are expected to co-invest, accelerating the transition to cleaner fleets and reinforcing public-private collaboration in building a sustainable transport infrastructure.
