Majority share snapped up in Alfreton communications firm
Alfreton-based Yappl has secured a strategic investment from Hugh Symons Holdings, an entity with over 50 years of experience in IT and telecoms.
This investment grants Hugh Symons Holdings a majority share in Yappl and sets the stage for accelerated growth and innovation.
By joining forces with Hugh Symons Holdings, Yappl is poised to expand its reach. It aims to enrich its service offerings and continue driving innovation in the B2B communications sector.
Yappl’s Managing Director, James Bannister, said: “I’m delighted that Yappl has Hugh Symons Holdings on board as a new investor. They share our entrepreneurial vision for Yappl and recognise that developments in the telecoms industry represent a fantastic opportunity for an enterprise focused on delivering better connectivity to businesses across the UK.
“We have worked hard to ensure that Yappl has solid foundations in customer approach, technology and, critically, customer experience. We look forward to working with our new partners on the next phase of our business growth.”
Hugh Roper, CEO of Hugh Symons Holdings, said: “This investment marks a welcome return to the telecoms sector where we have enjoyed a significant presence in the past. Yappl is a great, dynamic business focused on delivering excellent customer experience across a broad range of sectors. I was impressed with the team; their enthusiasm is infectious. I look forward to developing the business and realising its full potential.”
Secretary of State grants development consent for Cottam Solar Project
The Cottam Solar Project application has been granted development consent by the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero.
The project is a proposed new solar and energy storage project that would cross the county border between Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire, and is being developed by Island Green Power. It’s the 85th such scheme of 142 applications submitted so far.
The Cottam Solar Project is named after its grid connection point at the existing National Grid substation at Cottam Power Station. The proposals involve a series of four site areas, known as Cottam 1, 2, 3a and 3b, which will host solar arrays, grid connection infrastructure and energy storage facilities.
The proposals also involve cable route corridors, accesses and environmental mitigation and enhancement measures. The development stretches from north of Blyton, through Corringham to an area bordered by Willingham, Fillingham, and Sturton, before turning west to cross the Trent near Marton en route to Cottam.
Island Green Power has delivered 26 solar projects worldwide totalling more than 1GW of capacity. This includes 14 solar projects in the UK and Republic of Ireland.
Lincolnshire IT firm joins Kings Lynn business
Lincolnshire IT firm Jalapeno Business Services has joined Kings Lynn-based UptechLtd, signalling a change in name for the Bassingham-based company.
Mark Brown, owner and director of Jalapeno Business Services, said: “This partnership allows us to provide our clients with even more comprehensive and robust IT solutions, backed by Uptech’s decades of experience and success.
“Our clients will benefit greatly from the additional resources and expertise now available to them.”
James Fowler, Business Development Manager at Uptech Ltd, said: “This merger marks a significant milestone, promising enriched service offerings and greater innovation.
“Jalapeno’s clients will benefit from Uptech’s extensive knowledge base, cutting-edge technology solutions and industry-leading expertise.”
Despite the change in branding, all Jalapeno’s current employees will stay on board, continuing to operate from the same office locations. This continuity will ensure that the company’s clients will receive consistent and familiar support while gaining access to the expanded capabilities that Uptech brings to the table.
Council loses planning appeal for new Enderby logistics hub
Blaby District Council has lost a planning appeal for a new logistics hub at St Johns, Enderby.
Drummond Estate and Inverock Ltd launched an appeal earlier this year after the Council’s Planning Committee refused the outline application in October 2023.
The site is identified for employment use in the Blaby District Local Plan, adopted in 2019.
The Planning Inspector reviewed the Council’s decision to refuse the application at a public hearing in July, granting permission for the scheme.
The application, from the Drummond Estate and Inverock Trust, includes plans for four warehouses, offices, gatehouses and, potentially, a training and education centre.
The hub is proposed for use as a storage and distribution centre with new access off Leicester Lane.
A similar scheme, known as Hub 2, was granted outline permission on the same site in June this year.
The Council has also been ordered to pay the applicant’s costs, which are currently unknown.
Further detailed applications will now follow, including the layout and appearance of the site.
Jonathan Hodge, Blaby District Council’s Group Manager for Planning and Strategic Growth, said: “We acknowledge the Inspector’s decision on this appeal and will work with the landowner and developers as more detailed plans for the site are received.”
Second contractor working on Jewry Wall Museum project collapses
The opening of Leicester’s Jewry Wall Museum and Visitor Centre – currently under-going a multi-million pound transformation – has been delayed following the collapse of a second contractor working on the project.
Elmwood Projects, which was commissioned by the city council to design and manufacture the exhibition and displays for the centre, announced it was going into liquidation earlier this month.
Located in Scotland, the company was providing the design, build and installation of exhibition cases, large mosaic displays, object mounts and some of the audio-visual elements for the centre.
The news follows the unexpected liquidation of NMCN – one of the biggest construction companies in the Midlands – which was originally brought in to carry out the external works needed to the existing museum building and heritage site.
The council managed to appoint Olivetti and Jeakins Weir last year to continue with the construction work, and good progress was being made on the ambitious refurbishment. This new blow to the project is likely to result in some further delay to the opening, although the council hopes this will not be significant.
Richard Sword, the council’s strategic director for city developments and neighbourhoods, said: “It is very rare for two such well-established companies working on the same project to be hit in this way, but these are very difficult times for the construction industry, with three of the four companies that originally bid for this work now in administration. We sympathise with everyone affected by these company closures.
“We are grateful that Elmwood had already completed most of the work we had commissioned.
“Leicester already benefits significantly from tourists interested in our 2000 years of history and the discovery of King Richard lll. The new-look museum and visitor centre has the potential to bring in many more thousands of visitors and huge economic benefits to Leicester.
“At this point it is difficult to say exactly how this will affect the opening date and our costs, but I am hopeful we can resolve this without too much of an impact.”
Following the loss of the first contractor, the council had been working towards an opening date of January 2025. It’s now more likely this will be around summer 2025, although this is yet to be confirmed.
The council is planning a celebration of Roman Leicester to tie in with the opening of the museum, details of which will be announced later this year.
Derby flex office provider secures first London base
Cubo, the Derby-headquartered provider of flex office space, has expanded into the London market with the acquisition of a prime office space at Soho Estates’ Ilona Rose House, W1.
The company, which was founded by Marc and Rebecca Brough, began its search for a London site in July to meet increasing demand from existing members keen to deal with a single office provider across multiple cities.
It has now secured the entire 18,819 sq ft second floor of Ilona Rose House, the site of the former Foyles Bookshop on Charing Cross Road.
Ilona Rose House is regarded as one of the most iconic and attractive office buildings in central London and is strategically located just 100m from Tottenham Court Road Station.
The 300,000 sq ft scheme, which is Soho Estates’ largest mixed-use development to date, was completed in May 2021 and features 150,000 sq ft of office space, including a public courtyard with 15,000 sq ft dedicated to restaurants and bar space and planted external terraces for each office occupier.
The building is already home to Warner Bros De Lane Lea’s post-production facility, Dawn Capital, Skyscanner, and Planet Payment, as well as Soho Estates.
Cubo was advised by Russell Rigby of Rigby & Co, with Gerald Eve acting as the letting agent for Ilona Rose House.
Commenting on Cubo’s latest acquisition, Marc Brough, CEO at Cubo, said: “During the time we have been expanding our UK locations, we have continually been pressed to clarify when we will be opening one of our award-winning sites in London.
“We have been waiting for the perfect building in the perfect location, and we are 100% satisfied and excited to have identified Ilona Rose House, just off Soho Square.
“This is a superb building with brilliant amenities that existing and new members will view as very much the best in class.
“A huge thank you to Phil Thompson and his amazing team at Soho Estates who have worked hard and fast and in a very collaborative way with our team to deliver a quick transaction during the month of August.”
Philip Thompson, Director of Soho Estates, added: “We are delighted to welcome Cubo to Ilona Rose House and hope this deal is the start of a long and fruitful partnership between landlord and tenant as we continue to strive to provide the highest-quality space for creative businesses across all sectors in our part of Soho.”
This recent acquisition of Ilona Rose House forms part of the company’s strategic growth plans, bringing the total number of sites across the UK to 13.
Get your tickets for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2024 – an evening of celebration and networking
With nominations now CLOSED for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2024, secure your tickets for the prestigious event!
Taking place on Thursday 3rd October (4:30pm – 7:30pm) in the Derek Randall Suite at the famous Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, the highly anticipated East Midlands Bricks Awards 2024 will celebrate the region’s property and construction industry while providing a prime opportunity to connect with local decision makers over nibbles and complimentary drinks.
A key event in the business calendar since 2015, the glittering awards ceremony will additionally feature Paul Southby as keynote speaker.
Paul is a partner at Geldards LLP, chair of the Advisory Board to Nottingham Business School, chair of Broadway independent cinema in Nottingham’s Lace Market, and a longstanding trustee of environmental charity Clean Rivers Trust. He is chair of Nottingham Partners, a group of businesses that supports the work of the local inward investment agency, Invest in Nottingham, and a board member and past chair of Marketing Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Limited. Paul is also a former High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire (2022/23).
Paul said: “The East Midlands development and property community faces an exciting time ahead with a new government in place and the advent of a new East Midlands Combined County Authority under the leadership of the first Mayor of the East Midlands. As we step into this new political and economic phase, the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2024 is a great opportunity to look back on our past successes, to reflect on where we are as a region, to consider what needs fixing, and – looking forward – to emphasise our region’s strengths as a strong investment location.”
East Midlands Bricks Awards 2024
When: Thursday 3rd October 2024, 4:30pm – 7:30pm
Where: The Derek Randall Suite, Trent Bridge Cricket Ground
Keynote speaker: Paul Southby, chair of Nottingham Partners, board member of Marketing Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, partner at Geldards LLP, chair of the Advisory Board to Nottingham Business School, chair of Broadway independent cinema, trustee of Clean Rivers Trust, and former High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire
Dress code: Standard business attire
Tickets: Available at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/east-midlands-bricks-awards-2024-tickets-902294566337?aff=oddtdtcreator
Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with property and construction professionals while applauding the exceptional companies and projects in the region.
Thanks to our sponsors:
Tickets can now be booked for the event – click here to secure yours.
Attend to forge new contacts and see who takes home most active estate agent, commercial development 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, sustainable development of the year, contractor of the year, and overall winner. The overall winner of the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2024, sponsored by Blueprint Interiors, will also be awarded a grand prize – a year of marketing/publicity with Business Link worth £20,000. Chloe Sproston, Creative Director at Blueprint Interiors, shared: “We’ve been involved in the awards since 2019 either as an award nominee or a sponsor. We continue to be impressed with both the quality of award submissions, but also the event, which attracts the elite of our region’s construction and property professionals. This year, we’re particularly excited to sponsor the overall winner category, further demonstrating our commitment to showcasing the very best talent in the region’s property and construction industry.”
To be held at:
Business owner moves from pharmacies to fries
A 30-year-old entrepreneur has become England’s youngest McDonald’s franchisee thanks to a six-figure funding package from HSBC UK.
Chirag Pandya, who owns CJP Group Operations, will operate the McDonald’s restaurant on Castle Bridge Road, Nottingham having completed McDonald’s franchise training program earlier this year.
He has used the six-figure funding package from HSBC UK to purchase the 450 sqm site, which serves an average of 1,600 customers per day. Across its two floors, it has a seated capacity of 150, features a ‘drive thru’ and a 40-space car park.
As the business grows, the new owner plans to take on up to 50 new staff members, alongside the 120 he has currently, as well as expanding its apprenticeship programme to support young people in the local community. In the coming years, the business also intends to fund a refurbishment to modernise the space.
It is somewhat of a career change for Chirag, who professionally trained as a pharmacist before he left for the city of London as a strategy consultant for PwC. He was then headhunted to become a director at the NHS in the UK, at the age of 27. Chirag then moved from London to Birmingham and then to Nottingham within 12 months to see the culmination of his hard work, with his very own business.
Chirag Pandya, Owner of CJP Group Operations, said: “While I trained as a pharmacist, I knew I always wanted to own my own business. I spoke about my ambitions with HSBC UK Franchise Director Marc Talbot almost two years ago now, and now this deal has made my dream a reality.
“After completing the challenging, but rewarding, McDonalds franchise programme, I can finally say I’ve taken the leap from pharmacy to finance, to fries, and I’m loving it!
“I look forward to improving the restaurant and working with the local community to create more work experience opportunities for young people in the area.”
Judy Jenner, Relationship Manager at HSBC UK, added: “It is wonderful to support CJP Group Operations to acquire this site. CJP’s plan to increase apprenticeships and create more jobs in the area presents a brilliant opportunity for both the business and the community it now serves.”
Rolls-Royce employee raises more than £10,000 for much-loved Derbyshire charity
A Rolls-Royce employee has raised more than £10,000 for much-loved memory-making charity me&dee through running the London Marathon.
First time marathon runner Zorran Carnell, of Derby, had been trying to be chosen in the ballot for the famous event for 14 years before finally being given a slot this year.
A long-time supporter of the Derbyshire charity which helps families facing short and uncertain futures make memories together, Zorran has managed to raise the huge amount through sponsorship from many Derby organisations along with support from family and friends.
He held a special celebration event at OMOMO Korean Street Food + Bubble Tea in Derby where he thanked supporters and handed over a cheque for £10,606.64 to me&dee founder Maria Hanson MBE.
He was helped present the money by the charity’s junior ambassador Taylor Lewis, a 10-year-old quadruple amputee, whose family has been supported by the charity for many years.
Zorran said: “I’m not really a runner – I’ve only really done a 10k before – but I’ve been putting my name in the London Marathon ballot for 14 years! I was lucky to get a spot. Not many people get in.”
Zorran has managed to raise thousands of pounds over the years with a friend through running a ‘skinnyman’ tuck shop.
He said the marathon had been a tough challenge but he was delighted to have completed it.
“I’m very proud because of how far the money I’ve raised will go,” he said. “It’s a local charity. I have seen all the people it helps. Because it’s local you can see exactly where the money goes.”
Charity founder Maria Hanson MBE, along with partner and charity head of operations Mark Harrison, travelled to London specially to wave Zorran off on his marathon.
She said: “I’m just over the moon that we can keep supporting the many, many families who are coming to us now. We now have opportunities to do more with these families thanks to the money Zorran has raised. Thank you so much to him.”
Representatives from the many organisations which supported Zorran’s marathon were at OMOMO to help celebrate his achievement, including Essential Print Services, PKF Smith Cooper, Subway, Codemakers, Sky Recruitment Solutions, Wathall’s funeral directors, Raymond James Spinningfields, PROCured Solutions, Gulliver’s Theme Park Resorts, RAM, Glenrose Financial Planners, Bright & Beautiful, So Good Kombucha, RREC, RFF, WARD RECYCLING and skinnymans.
Celebrating its 18th anniversary this year, me&dee has helped more than 9,000 families with unique and personal days out and experiences. Its wide-ranging support includes comfort packs in hospital, days out – including when families may only have days left together – and swimming sessions at Moorways in Derby exclusively for children who might struggle to access mainstream pool time due to their disabilities.
Phenna Group acquires Australian land surveying consultancy
Nottingham-headquartered Phenna Group, which invests in and partners with selected niche, independent Testing, Inspection, Certification and Compliance (TICC) companies, has acquired Oracle Surveys.
It marks Phenna Group’s fifth deal in the APAC Region this year, and as its eleventh business in Australia, augments the firm’s existing building certification service offering across many jurisdictions.
Oracle Surveys is a land surveying consultancy that has serviced the Western Australian market since its inception in 2000, having been project surveyors for many of Perth’s most iconic buildings in addition to creating over 3500 lots and completing 1300 residential surveys.
Oracle provides land surveying and spatial capture solutions for developments in the construction, infrastructure, commercial and residential sectors having performed works with a diverse range of clients across major construction companies, property developers, engineering firms and government authorities.
Glenn Galvin, Managing Director of Oracle Surveys, said: “Selecting the right partner to support our growth ambitions was a major decision for Jason, Daniel and me. From our first interaction with the Phenna Group, we knew that we had found the perfect fit. We’re excited to collaborate with Brett and his team as we embark in our next phase of continued growth.”
Brett Coleman, Divisional MD of APAC at Phenna Group, said: “I am delighted to welcome Glenn, Jason, Daniel and the Oracle Surveys team to Phenna Group. Oracle are a market leader in Western Australia as demonstrated through their impressive history servicing top-tier clients. Their experience and capability perfectly complements our existing operations. I look forward to working with the Oracle team to deliver on their exciting growth plans.”
Phil Marshall, CEO of Phenna Group, added: “It is very exciting to welcome Oracle Surveys to Phenna Group. Oracle’s experienced team and vast technical capability extend our service offering to the built environment and beyond. This acquisition increases our fast-growing Australian presence. I look forward to seeing Glenn, Jason, Daniel and their team excel within Phenna.”
Phenna Group were advised by RSM Melbourne and Macpherson Kelley.
Oracle Surveys were advised by RSM Perth and Mills Oakley.
