Blind shop saved from closure sees turnover grow by more than 70%

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Blind shop saved from closure sees turnover grow by more than 70%
Just two years after being saved from closure, a Derby shop is thriving – with turnover up by more than 70%. Castle Blinds, based in Chaddesden, has seen its order book more than double since being bought out by former employee Myles Hayhurst in 2023. Myles, who is a trained carpenter, stepped in when the previous owners decided to sell the business after 26 years. Since then, Castle Blinds has expanded its team with three new employees, extended its premises and added two new vans to its fleet. The company provides homeowners across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire with blinds, curtains and shutters and the firm has also landed a string of commercial contracts across the Midlands. The company now counts Derbyshire County Cricket Club, HUUB, Hannells, JCB, and Derby County Football Club among its commercial clients. Other notable names include Wathall’s, MasterMover, Derby City Council, and Queen’s Hospital, in Burton. Myles said: “While we still provide plenty of residential customers with curtains and blinds, the commercial side of the business has grown enormously over the last two years. We’ve taken on some really significant projects and built relationships with organisations we’re proud to work with. “Securing contracts with names like Derby County and JCB has been a huge boost, not just financially but for the team’s confidence too. It shows we’re moving in the right direction.” Looking ahead, Myles plans to secure a new building to house a dedicated manufacturing facility.

Leicester College partners with East Midlands Chamber to influence skills policy

April Lara
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Leicester College partners with East Midlands Chamber to influence skills policy

Leicester College has formed a strategic partnership with East Midlands Chamber to strengthen engagement between education providers, local businesses, and policymakers. The collaboration aims to support the development of skills policy in Leicester and Leicestershire and respond to the growing demand for qualified workers in the region.

The college will continue its involvement with Generation Next, the Chamber’s network for aspiring leaders and entrepreneurs aged 18-35. Leicester College operates across three campuses in Leicester, offering courses from entry level to level 6, T levels, and higher technical qualifications, supported by industry-standard facilities.

The partnership will allow the Chamber and the college to share business insights, inform local skills strategies, and contribute to initiatives such as the Local Skills Improvement Plan. Employers in the region have highlighted the challenge of recruiting skilled candidates, emphasising the importance of aligning education and training with workforce needs.

The collaboration builds on a longstanding relationship between Leicester College and East Midlands Chamber, with both organisations seeking to support regional economic growth and ensure students acquire skills relevant to current and future workplace demands.

Largest post-Covid office letting in Nottingham city centre completed

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Largest post-Covid office letting in Nottingham city centre completed
In a landmark deal for the Nottingham office market, NG Chartered Surveyors and Blackstar Advisory have completed the city’s largest post-Covid office letting, securing a major new tenant for the Castle Meadow Campus. Acting on behalf of The University of Nottingham, NG’s head of agency, Thomas Szymkiw, working with joint agent Blackstar Advisory’s Tim Garratt, has successfully let the 31,172 sq ft Building D at Castle Meadow to Arden University, which delivers a combination of distance and blended learning courses to students across the UK and internationally. This letting marks a significant step forward in the evolution of Castle Meadow, a key asset in The University of Nottingham’s growing city centre presence. The site was acquired by the University in late 2021, with a vision to establish a vibrant new hub for business, innovation, and academic collaboration. Originally designed by acclaimed architects Hopkins and completed in 1994, Building D is part of the wider Castle Meadow Campus – a series of Grade II listed office buildings formerly occupied by HM Revenue and Customs. Thomas Szymkiw said: “We’re proud to have concluded Nottingham’s largest office letting since the pandemic and to support The University of Nottingham in realising its ambitious plans for Castle Meadow. Arden University is a progressive institution with a strong track record in digital learning, and their relocation to this iconic building signals real confidence in the city centre as a hub for education and innovation.” Tim Garratt added: “Having been involved in the original purchase of the campus for the University it was great to work with NG in securing this new letting – which is another step in building this new city centre campus into a world class learning environment.” Mark Kleinman of James Andrew International acted for Arden on the deal. He said: “I’m delighted to have acquired this unique building which will be a great asset within the Arden University Property Portfolio.”

Boyle Sports expands UK presence with Mansfield outlet

April Lara
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Boyle Sports expands UK presence with Mansfield outlet

BOYLE Sports has opened a new shop in Mansfield town centre, marking the latest step in its UK growth strategy. The Irish bookmaker operates over 390 retail outlets across Ireland and the UK alongside a significant online business.

The Mansfield location created six permanent positions and employed 26 additional staff during construction. The expansion forms part of BOYLE Sports’ wider UK investment programme exceeding £100 million, which includes a multi-year partnership with Premier League club West Ham United as front-of-shirt sponsor for the 2025/26 season.

The Mansfield shop launch coincides with BOYLE Sports sponsoring Mansfield Town’s home fixture against Leyton Orient, reinforcing its engagement in the local market.

Free-to-attend showcase returns to celebrate Lincolnshire’s business community

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Free-to-attend showcase returns to celebrate Lincolnshire’s business community
Members of the Lincolnshire business community are being invited to discover, celebrate and champion local enterprise at this year’s Lincolnshire Business Showcase. Returning for the second time, the free event will take place on Wednesday 15 October in the EPIC Centre at the Lincolnshire Showground, offering the opportunity to explore local businesses and network with industry professionals. Attendees will be able to meet a wide range of exhibitors, hear from expert speakers and discover the latest trends and tools shaping the Lincolnshire business environment. The event is organised by the Lincolnshire Showground, which is owned by the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society – a registered charity dedicated to championing the importance of food, farming and the countryside. Sophia Phillips, sales and events manager at the Lincolnshire Showground, said: “We’re delighted to welcome the business community back to the Lincolnshire Business Showcase this October. “As the second largest county in the UK, Lincolnshire is home to over 28,000 companies and we’re very proud to be bringing people together to celebrate its rich heritage as we represent the county with pride. “The Showcase is about so much more than just exhibition stands – it’s about celebrating the entrepreneurial spirit that defines our county. Whether you’re looking to make new connections, learn about ways to grow your business or simply be inspired, it’s a day not to be missed. “There will be the chance to get insights from our impressive line-up of speakers throughout the day, who will be sharing their expertise and knowledge, and we’ll soon be announcing who these speakers are – so watch this space!” Tickets to attend the Lincolnshire Business Showcase are free, but donations on the day will support the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society in its work to teach over 20,000 young people in Lincolnshire about food, farming and the countryside. Registration is essential and tickets are available now by visiting www.lincolnshireshowground.co.uk/event-details/lincolnshire-business-showcase.

Inflation continues to rise

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Inflation continues to rise
Inflation continued to rise in July, according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Measured by the Consumer Prices Index (CPI), inflation was stronger than expected at 3.8% in the 12 months to July, up from the 3.6% reported in June. On a monthly basis, CPI rose by 0.1% in July 2025, compared with a fall of 0.2% in July 2024. Transport, particularly air fares, made the largest upward contribution to the monthly change. Core inflation, meanwhile, which takes out volatile factors like energy, food, alcohol and tobacco to give a clear picture of underlying trends, came in at 3.8% in the 12 months to July, up from the 3.7% in June. Martin Sartorius, principal economist, CBI, said: “Inflation ticked up slightly in July, broadly in line with the Bank of England’s expectations. Higher energy and regulated prices continue to put upward pressure on inflation, and the increase in labour costs following last year’s Autumn Budget are also feeding through. “Today’s inflation data will reinforce the Monetary Policy Committee’s cautious approach to cutting interest rates going forward. While inflation is projected to ease next year, the risk of second-round effects means that the MPC will not race to loosen policy in the near term. We expect that the MPC will keep rates unchanged in September, as it waits to see how inflation and labour market data develop going into the autumn.”

Kinchbus to support Epilepsy Action as charity of the year

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Kinchbus to support Epilepsy Action as charity of the year
Colleagues from Kinchbus have chosen Epilepsy Action as their charity of the year for 2025 and beyond. The Loughborough-based bus operator’s staff will be organising fundraising events large and small over the next 24 months in aid of the national charity supporting people with epilepsy. Charlotte Stern, corporate partnerships manager at Epilepsy Action UK, visited the Kinchbus depot in Loughborough to help launch the partnership. Charlotte said: “We are delighted that Epilepsy Action is the Kinchbus chosen charity for the next two years. Their support will help fund our key services and raise awareness of a condition that is incredibly misunderstood. “Over the next two years, we look forward to collaborating with the team to fundraise and working together to help create a world without limits for people with epilepsy.” Tom Morgan, managing director of Kinchbus, said: “We’re thrilled to be partnering with Epilepsy Action. Their work is incredibly important, and we’re looking forward to supporting their mission through a range of activities that will involve our team, our passengers and the wider community.” Among the many services which Kinchbus staff fundraising will be supporting, Epilepsy Action provides a helpline, one-to-one support through befriending and local support groups. In the Kinchbus area Epilepsy Action has support groups that meet monthly in Leicester and Nottingham.

Latest corporate insolvency figures indicate tentative signs of economic recovery

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Latest corporate insolvency figures indicate tentative signs of economic recovery
A levelling out of the monthly number of corporate insolvencies in England and Wales is adding weight to signs that the broader economy is showing tentative indications of recovery. This is according to the Midlands branch of the UK’s restructuring, turnaround and insolvency trade body R3 and comes on the back of figures published yesterday (19 August) by the Insolvency Service which show that corporate insolvencies increased only marginally by 1.4% in July to a total of 2,081 compared to June’s total of 2,053, and rose by only 0.1% against July 2024’s figure of 2,078. R3 Midlands chair Stephen Rome, a partner at law firm Penningtons Manches Cooper in the region, said: “Corporate insolvencies remained broadly stable last month, with the trends showing a rise in Compulsory Liquidations and a slight uptick in Administrations, while Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidations and Company Voluntary Arrangements fell. “This pattern may suggest that fewer directors are choosing to close their companies voluntarily, whether because they are seeing improvements in trading conditions or they are caught in a holding pattern, waiting to see where the economy may next head. “The broader economic picture is showing tentative signs of recovery, following a weak April and May, when some spending may have been brought forward in anticipation of higher prices. Economic activity picked up in June, helping Q2 GDP to grow by 0.3%. “While this represents only modest growth, it is encouraging to see the economy moving forward rather than stalling. Coupled with the recent cut to interest rates, the outlook for businesses appears slightly more positive, though it is too soon to gauge the full effect, and above target inflation remains a concern. “R3’s message to local businesses is to remain cautious. Challenges exist for both retail and hospitality, where higher costs, changing consumer habits, and uneven demand continue to make trading conditions difficult. “Within retail, the difficulties appear concentrated among individual retailers rather than the sector as a whole, with some larger high-street brands being outpriced and outperformed by cheaper online, alternatives as shoppers seek the best value. “Construction remains one of the sectors most affected by insolvencies. While it is encouraging to see output rising, many businesses are still facing challenges. Supply chain pressures, skills shortages, and changes in the housing market mean the environment for construction firms continues to be complex and unpredictable, even as overall activity shows some improvement. “Ultimately, any business owners worried about their company’s finances should seek professional advice as soon as possible. Most R3 members will give prospective clients a free initial consultation to learn more about their situation and outline the potential options open to them to improve it.”

Phenna Group makes strategic acquisition in Europe

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Phenna Group makes strategic acquisition in Europe
Phenna Group has made its first major strategic acquisition in continental Europe for 2025, snapping up Sfera Srl, an Italian advisory firm. It is the Nottingham-based group’s 13th acquisition of 2025 and marks the beginning of an ambitious expansion into the region.

SFERA – Engineering Solutions is a nationwide engineering firm founded in 2013 to support companies in managing regulatory compliance as well as designing and managing production operations.

Sfera specialises in regulatory consultancy, offering services such as regulatory gap analysis, risk assessments, CE marking of machinery, system design and engineering, and Pressure Equipment Directive (PED) compliance.

Daniele Giustiniani, CEO of Sfera Srl, said: “Joining Phenna Group marks a new chapter for Sfera. We will continue to serve our clients with the same focus and expertise, now enhanced by international collaboration and the backing of a dynamic and forward-thinking group.”

Phil Marshall, CEO of Phenna Group, added: “This acquisition is a cornerstone of our European growth strategy. Sfera adds new capabilities to our Group, particularly in advisory and operational excellence, and strengthens our presence in a key market. We are excited to welcome the team and look forward to working together to deliver high-value outcomes for our clients.”

The acquisition of Sfera aligns with Phenna Group’s broader strategy to build a diverse network of Testing, Inspection, Certification, and Compliance (TICC) businesses, augmented by specialist advisory and support services.

British Business Bank boosts SME lending with Close Brothers

April Lara
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British Business Bank boosts SME lending with Close Brothers

The British Business Bank has secured a transaction of up to £300 million with Close Brothers under the ENABLE Guarantees programme. The deal expands lending capacity for Close Brothers Asset Finance, covering hire purchase, sale and leaseback, and leasing products.

The expanded facility targets smaller businesses seeking finance for essential capital assets, including vehicles, machinery, and equipment. Funding may also support investment in green and sustainable assets. In 2024, asset finance accounted for around a third of UK investment in these areas, according to the Finance & Leasing Association.

The ENABLE Guarantees programme provides a government-backed guarantee to encourage additional lending to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It applies to UK banks, branches of foreign banks, and asset-based finance providers lending to viable SMEs. Participating lenders receive support for defined portfolios of debt finance in return for a fee.

Close Brothers Commercial, which delivers almost £5 billion in lending annually to UK businesses, will use the additional capacity to extend finance to a broader range of firms. Loan amounts range from £5,000 to £100 million. The programme aims to improve access to finance for SMEs, particularly during periods of economic uncertainty.

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