Ashmere relocates headquarters to new Swanwick offices

Tess Egginton
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Ashmere relocates headquarters to new Swanwick offices
Ashmere, a regional care operator in the East Midlands, is relocating its headquarters to a new, centrally located office. Currently based in Heanor, Ashmere will move to two purpose-built offices at Turnpike Business Park in Swanwick. The company plans an extensive refurbishment and fit-out to create state-of-the-art office accommodation and dedicated training facilities for its employees. William Speed of Salloway Property Consultants, who negotiated the sale to Ashmere on behalf of a private client, said: “We are seeing fewer freehold properties coming onto the market at the moment, so it’s no surprise that opportunities like this attract high levels of interest. “It’s particularly rewarding to complete a deal with such a well-known and respected care operator as Ashmere, who will now make these offices their new headquarters and training centre.” The two buildings provide approximately 10,000 sq ft of space, offering Ashmere the opportunity to design and deliver bespoke office and training environments tailored to their needs. David Poxton, director of Ashmere, added: “We are really excited to make Contract House and Project House our new homes. Having both our head office and training centres in one location will help streamline operations and support our future growth. “The modern facilities give us the perfect opportunity to create a state-of-the-art work environment and training hub for our team.”

Rolls-Royce Submarines and Siemens sign strategic agreement

Tess Egginton
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Rolls-Royce Submarines and Siemens sign strategic agreement
Rolls-Royce Submarines and technology company, Siemens, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to collaborate on digital optimisation and boost efficiency across engineering. The MOU encourages shared and mutual collaboration, with the ultimate aim to minimise time to production for new Rolls-Royce technology, while reducing cost and risk within an increasingly complex engineering, manufacturing and operational environment. Rolls-Royce Submarines currently employs more than 5,000 people and designs, manufactures and provides in-service support to the pressurised water reactors that power every boat in the Royal Navy’s submarine fleet. Siemens’ software and hardware from the Siemens Xcelerator open business innovation platform helps companies transform processes – accelerating innovation, improving productivity and enhancing efficiency. This collaboration with Siemens will support Rolls-Royce Submarines in delivering UK sovereign defence requirements more effectively, enabling a more knowledgeable, productive, secure and agile operation.
The collaboration will benefit from the sharing of best practice across the digital landscape, with the ultimate aim being to enhance skills across engineering, manufacturing, research & development, training and reactor operation and maintenance, using digital technology as an enabler. Lee Warren, Rolls-Royce Submarines Engineering & Technology Director, said: “Harnessing the power of digital, and collaborating with global experts such as Siemens, will make us more efficient and ultimately provide an enhanced service to the Royal Navy by getting submarines in the sea quicker and accelerating the maintenance of those already in service.”
Rolls-Royce is currently supporting the existing Astute and Dreadnought boat build programmes through the delivery of reactor plant and associated components. It also provides frontline support across the world for reactor plant equipment from its Operations Centre in Derby and supports the submarines when in the Barrow-in-Furness shipyard and the naval bases at Devonport and Faslane.

Construction and property professionals raise £10,500 for Motor Neurone Disease Association at golf day

Tess Egginton
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Construction and property professionals raise £10,500 for Motor Neurone Disease Association at golf day
Members of the Midlands construction and property business community teed off for charity on Thursday 18th September at the annual CAPS charity golf day, organised by Blueprint Interiors and Gleeds. £10,500 was raised at the event for Motor Neurone Disease Association, a charity which provides support to people living with and affected by Motor Neurone Disease (MND) in Britain. The CAPS (Construction and Property Sector) golf day was held at Radcliffe on Trent Golf Club in Nottinghamshire and saw 22 teams playing in a Texas Scramble format. Taking the winning spot was Nottingham-based engineering consultants HEXA, with other teams winning accolades around the course during play. Funds were raised from team entries, an auction, a raffle, sponsorships, and pledges of support from players who contributed to the charity’s ‘wish list’ of donations. Since CAPS began in 2017 it has raised over £100,000 for Midlands-based charities through its annual golf days and other fund-raising events. John Tansur, commercial director at Blueprint Interiors, said: “The support we receive each year from the business community continues to astound us. We see such generosity and it’s fantastic to see so many come together each year to make a marked difference to incredibly important causes. Thank you to everyone who played, supported and donated, and to Radcliffe Golf Club for hosting us.” Dave Ford, director at Gleeds, said: “We were blessed with the weather again this year and with people’s support. MND is a particularly cruel disease, and by bringing members of the region’s construction and property sector together to have fun and raise money to fund research and support, has been extremely rewarding.” Simon Fotheringham, vice-chair of the Notts Branch of MNDA, said: “We can’t thank John from Blueprint Interiors and Dave from Gleeds enough for all of their hard work in putting the day on, and for choosing the Notts Branch of the MND Association as their charity for this year’s CAPS golf day. “The amount raised from the amazing generosity of everyone involved on the day, as well as all of the sponsors will make a significant difference to local people living with MND, as well as their families and carers. Thank you everyone for your support.” Sponsors on the day included Pygott & Crone, Hexa, Blueprint Interiors, Wilmott Dixon, Influence Landscape Planning & Design, Watermans, BSP Consulting, Urban Edge, YMD Boon, Car Crowd, Core Architects and 200 Degrees Coffee.

UK completes first live hydrogen blending trial at Brigg power station

April Lara
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UK completes first live hydrogen blending trial at Brigg power station

Energy companies Centrica and National Gas have completed the UK’s first live hydrogen blending trial, marking a milestone in the country’s push to decarbonise its energy system. A 2% blend of green hydrogen was injected into the national gas grid and supplied to the Brigg power station in North Lincolnshire, where it was used to generate electricity for the power network.

Previous hydrogen blending tests in the UK had been limited to decommissioned gas network sections, making this the first instance of hydrogen being used in an operational setting. The trial demonstrated that existing infrastructure can accommodate low-level hydrogen blends without compromising grid reliability or safety.

The initiative supports wider efforts to integrate hydrogen into the national energy mix, reducing emissions from power generation and hard-to-abate industrial sectors. Green hydrogen, produced from renewable electricity through electrolysis, is viewed as a key pathway to achieving net-zero targets.

Centrica and National Gas are now advocating for regulatory approval to allow up to 5% hydrogen blends in the national transmission system. The companies said the move would encourage private investment, strengthen energy security, and create new opportunities for the UK’s industrial regions.

Chaiiwala appoints chief operating officer

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Chaiiwala appoints chief operating officer
Chaiiwala, the Leicester-founded Indian street food and café brand operating more than 130 stores globally, has appointed Ben Clayton as its chief operating officer. Clayton brings a wealth of experience to the brand. He joins from Splendid Restaurants – part of Splendid Hospitality Group – where he served as managing director. On a franchised basis, Splendid Restaurants operates 38 KFC restaurants across the north and northeast of England. Prior to this, Clayton spent nearly a decade at TGI Fridays, working across several senior, operational roles, including senior director, restaurant excellence, where he led people, operations, training and project management across 60 countries. He has also held senior roles at Papa John’s UK and Papa John’s International. With significant experience leading teams on both sides of the franchising dynamic, Clayton will bring a unique set of skills to the role. At Chaiiwala, he will be responsible for inspiring franchisees and their teams to deliver operational best practices, maintaining strong and positive relationships with franchisees, and helping franchisees unlock opportunities to deliver profitable growth. Clayton also joins at an exciting time for the brand. Building on its strong momentum, which saw the Group increase system sales by 35% to nearly £90m in FY24, Chaiiwala is aiming to scale up to at least 500 locations globally through franchising over the next decade. Clayton will play a key role in supporting this ambition, ensuring that the Group continues to have a strong and supported franchisee network as it scales. Ben Clayton, chief operating officer at Chaiiwala, said: “I am super excited to be joining Chaiiwala as COO. Muhummed, Sohail, Mustafa and Abdul have built a fantastic business that champions the delicious and authentic flavours of Indian street food and karak chaii and – in just 10 years – have scaled it to more than 130 locations globally. “As more consumers look at the world beyond coffee, pizza and burgers, I see a huge opportunity to continue building this brand and delivering strong results for our franchised partners. I can’t wait to get going!” Muhummed Ibrahim, co-founder and chief executive officer of Chaiiwala, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Ben Clayton to Chaiiwala. In this role, we have someone who brings unrivalled experience on both sides of franchising that can help us continue evolving our internal practices and – ultimately – realise the global potential of our brand. “We genuinely believe that Chaiiwala can become the global leader in Indian street food. We have a fantastic brand and customer proposition that is making traditional Indian flavours more accessible at all dayparts, a proven operating model, and growing and equally ambitious franchise network. “Ben will help us continue driving forward with even more momentum, ensuring that we continue winning with our customers and franchisees as we scale. I look forward to working with him for years to come.”

Precision engineering design and manufacturing company strengthens Nottingham roots

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Precision engineering design and manufacturing company strengthens Nottingham roots
Precision engineering design and manufacturing company, Fathomtree, is the latest business to commit to Fairham Business Park, Nottingham. Founded in Nottingham, Fathomtree has spent over 50 years building its reputation for delivering innovative, high-precision engineering solutions across multiple sectors including aerospace, automotive, and industrial design. The company has evolved from a local start-up into a nationally recognised name with a growing portfolio of complex, high-impact projects. The move to Fairham Business Park represents a strategic relocation for the business, providing access to modern, purpose-built facilities. This new base will support Fathomtree’s next phase of growth, giving the company the space and infrastructure it needs to expand its capabilities, workforce, and client services. David Smith, director at Fathomtree, said: “Nottingham has always been our home, and this move to Fairham Business Park allows us to stay true to our roots while giving us the flexibility and space to evolve. The new facilities will enable us to grow our team, invest in new technologies, and better serve our clients across the UK and beyond.” James Richards, director at Clowes Developments, said: “We’re thrilled to announce Fathomtree at Fairham. Their journey of innovation and growth reflects the very ethos of what we’re building here. Fairham Business Park was created to give ambitious companies the tools they need to thrive, Fathomtree is a perfect fit.” Fairham Business Park is part of the wider Fairham development, one of the largest mixed-use projects in the UK, which will deliver thousands of new homes, employment opportunities, green infrastructure, and improved transport links across Nottinghamshire. Fathomtree’s new 30,000 sq ft facility is currently under construction and is expected to reach practical completion within the coming months. Meanwhile, a 100,000 sq ft unit for CLEAN is also nearing completion. Once finished, both units will undergo extensive fit-out programmes as the occupiers prepare to launch their new operations.

Redevelopment begins at Kirkby industrial site

April Lara
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Redevelopment begins at Kirkby industrial site

Demolition is set to begin at a disused factory shop on Ellis Street in Kirkby-in-Ashfield, with fencing now in place around the site. The clearance work will pave the way for 18 new apartments and commercial units.

The scheme forms part of the £14 million North Kirkby Gateway regeneration project, designed to revitalise the Pond Hole area with a mix of housing, retail, and business space. The development sits within a broader programme of 21 projects supported by the £70 million Towns Fund and Future High Streets Fund.

The wider plan also includes the creation of 55 retirement and care units on nearby derelict land. Together, the projects aim to modernise Kirkby’s town centre infrastructure, improve the local housing supply, and attract new business investment through upgraded commercial facilities and increased footfall.

Chafer Machinery files notice of intention to appoint administrators

April Lara
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Chafer Machinery files notice of intention to appoint administrators

Agricultural equipment manufacturer Chafer Machinery has filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators, placing the North Lincolnshire-based firm’s future in doubt.

Operating from Upton near Gainsborough, the company designs and manufactures crop sprayers, applicators, and de-icers, supported by a UK-based supply chain. Established in 1901, Chafer Machinery has long been part of the region’s agricultural manufacturing sector.

Its latest financial accounts, up to 30 September 2024, showed a workforce of 43 employees. The move to appoint administrators signals mounting financial pressures within the business, reflecting wider challenges in the agricultural machinery market, where cost increases and fluctuating demand have tested manufacturers’ resilience.

Further details on the company’s next steps are expected following the administrative proceedings.

Affordable housing development reaches key milestone in Edwalton

Tess Egginton
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Affordable housing development reaches key milestone in Edwalton
Not-for-profit later-living provider, Anchor, has celebrated a key milestone – the topping out and the laying of the last tile on the roof of its newest affordable housing development on Melton Road in Edwalton. The event was attended by senior Anchor personnel, Homes England, and Rushcliffe Borough Council. The development will provide 80 homes for rent, of which there will be 31 one-bedroom and 49 two-bedroom apartments available. Once open, the scheme will also provide future residents with various modern communal spaces, including landscaped gardens and a seated patio area. Anchor’s executive director of development, Oli Boundy, said: “The topping out ceremony at Edwalton marks an important milestone for both Anchor and the development. It will deliver much needed, high-quality, affordable accommodation to support older people in the local community. “We would like to thank Vistry, Homes England, and Rushcliffe Borough Council for their support and co-operation in helping us reach this stage.” James Warrington, executive chair (North, South Midlands and East Division) at Vistry Group, added: “Reaching this milestone with our partners Anchor, Homes England, and Rushcliffe Borough Council is a proud moment for everyone involved. “These new apartments in Edwalton represent our commitment to delivering high-quality, affordable homes which are tailored to the needs of those entering their later years. “By working together, we’re not only addressing the urgent need for later living accommodation, but also helping to build a vibrant, inclusive community where residents can truly thrive.” Lewis Young, senior manager – affordable housing delivery at Homes England, said: “As the Government’s housing and regeneration agency, increasing the supply of quality affordable homes remains one of our key objectives and we are committed to supporting ambitious housebuilders of all sizes to build those homes and communities. “This investment through the Affordable Homes Programme does just that, enabling Anchor to build 80 much needed new homes the people of Rushcliffe can be proud of.” Councillor Roger Upton, portfolio holder for planning & housing at Rushcliffe Borough Council, said: “Anchor has worked closely with the local community throughout the building of this development, which is a testament of its commitment to providing homes for later living that suit the demand and changing needs of the older population in our area. “I look forward to seeing the developing relationship between Anchor and their residents and witnessing the growth of a thriving older community.”

Derbyshire council votes to oppose solar projects on farmland

April Lara
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Derbyshire council votes to oppose solar projects on farmland

Derbyshire County Council has voted to oppose the development of solar farms and battery storage projects on agricultural land. The motion, brought forward by the council’s Reform UK leadership, extends across the entire county following an amendment from Conservative councillors.

The decision is largely symbolic, as the county council does not have direct authority over most planning applications for such schemes, which are typically handled by district and borough councils. However, the vote signals growing political resistance to large-scale renewable developments in rural areas.

The motion was prompted by several proposed solar projects in South Derbyshire. Supporters of the measure argued that farmland should remain productive and that rural landscapes should be protected from industrialisation.

The move comes as national leaders continue to promote solar energy as a key part of the UK’s net zero strategy, citing its role in reducing energy costs and boosting independence from imported fuels.

According to HMRC data, two-thirds of the UK’s imported solar panels in 2024 came from China. Recent research by Lancaster University indicated that solar farms can reduce plant growth and soil quality, although measures such as adjusting panel height or spacing could mitigate these effects.

The National Farmers Union has previously said that using lower-grade farmland for solar installations can provide farmers with valuable diversification opportunities.

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