Bucher Municipal secures 30,000 sq ft facility at Stud Brook Business Park
£650k surfacing contract set to transform former Derbyshire railway
Manufacturing output contracts in the quarter to March
- Output volumes fell in the three months to March at a steeper pace than last month (weighted balance of -18%, from -12% in the quarter to February). Manufacturers expect output volumes will be broadly unchanged in the three months to June (-2%).
- Output decreased in 14 out of 17 sub-sectors in the three months to March, with the decline driven by the glass & ceramics, building materials and electrical goods sub-sectors.
- Total order books were reported as below “normal” in March (-29% from -28%). The level of order books remained far below the long-run average (-13%).
- Export order books were reported as below “normal” but improved relative to last month (-29% from -36%). This was still below the long-run average (-18%).
- Expectations for average selling price inflation were broadly unchanged in March (+22% from +19% in February). Expectations remain above the long-run average (+7%)
- Stocks of finished goods were reported as more than “adequate” in March (+16% from +4% in February), with stock adequacy now standing above the long-run average (+12%).
Conygar secures extended loan terms for Nottingham development
Property investment firm Conygar has restructured its development loan with Barclays Bank, extending the repayment deadline from March to December 2025. The revised agreement lowers the loan facility from £47.5 million to £46.6 million and reduces the interest margin from 3.25% to 2%, offset by a £500,000 exit fee.
The extension aims to support further lettings and stabilisation of Winfield Court, the student accommodation project within Nottingham’s Island Quarter development, which serves as security for the loan. As of December, Winfield Court was 54% occupied, generating £1.5 million in net income before financing costs.
The restructuring provides Conygar additional time to improve occupancy levels ahead of the 2025-2026 academic year.
Nottinghamshire secures £50m in external funding for infrastructure projects
Nottinghamshire County Council has secured over £50 million in external funding for transport, flood resilience, electric vehicle charging, and active travel initiatives as part of its 2025/26 capital programme. The funding forms part of a wider £149 million capital and revenue investment for the year.
The East Midlands Combined County Authority is contributing £7.5 million towards the A614/A6097 Major Road Network Scheme, subject to final approval from the Department for Transport. The council has resubmitted its business case with updated costs and a revised timeline to secure the remaining funding.
Active travel improvements will receive £5.6 million, with projects including pedestrian crossing schemes. The county’s bus network will also benefit, with £9.3 million from the Bus Service Improvement Plan funding new bus priority measures, a park-and-ride site, and better access to bus stops. A further £5.7 million from the same programme will support 60 local bus routes, including Nottsbus on Demand zones.
Flood mitigation efforts will be reinforced with £500,000 allocated to the Potwell Dyke flooding scheme in Southwell, which is part of a larger £4.4 million project designed to protect 240 homes from flooding.
The rollout of electric vehicle charging infrastructure will continue with £5.5 million from the Department for Transport’s Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure project, with installations expected to begin in spring 2026. An additional £500,000 will support a pilot programme integrating charging infrastructure into footways through electric vehicle cable channels.
Other projects benefiting from external funding include tree planting under the Local Authority Treescape Fund, road safety education through the Bikeability scheme, sustainable transport initiatives funded by Nottingham City Council’s Transforming Cities Fund, and the expansion of zero-emission buses under the Zero Emission Bus Regional Area programme.
The council says the investment will enhance connectivity, improve sustainability, and support businesses and communities across the county.
Nottingham firm among UK recipients of smart airport tech funding
The UK government has allocated £450,000 to six British technology firms, including one in Nottingham, to develop advanced airport screening equipment aimed at improving security and reducing delays. The funding, announced by the Department for Transport (DfT), supports innovations designed to enhance threat detection, reduce false alarms, and speed up passenger screening.
Companies based in Tewkesbury and Cambridge are also among the recipients. In addition to funding, businesses will receive tailored guidance on technical development, regulation, and corporate finance through workshops led by the Connected Places Catapult.
Airlines UK and AirportsUK have welcomed the investment, highlighting its potential to improve airport operations and support the aviation sector’s goal of achieving net zero. Industry leaders are also calling for reforms to the UK’s airspace design process to reduce delays further and enhance resilience.
Aviation Minister Mike Kane stated that the funding aligns with the government’s broader strategy to strengthen security, boost international competitiveness, and drive economic growth in the aviation sector.
Foreign visitor spending in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire up 25% since pandemic
Spending by international tourists in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire reached £437 million in 2022, a 25% increase from £350 million in 2019, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics. A decade earlier, the figure stood at £264 million.
Nationally, foreign tourism spending hit a record £50 billion in 2022, up 7% from 2019 and 63% higher than in 2012. In Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, £142 million was spent on hotels and restaurants, while £21 million went towards recreation and cultural activities.
Despite the rise in spending, industry leaders warn of ongoing challenges. The Tourism Alliance cautioned that many businesses in the sector continue to struggle and said recent changes to National Insurance contributions could further impact hospitality and tourism.
Kate Nicholls, CEO of UKHospitality, urged the Government to reduce VAT for the sector, arguing that the UK’s 20% rate is among the highest in Europe and hinders competitiveness. She also called for a review of planned business rate reforms and a delay to National Insurance changes, warning that rising costs are becoming unsustainable for many hospitality businesses.
The Government has targeted 50 million inbound visitors by 2030 and plans to release a tourism growth strategy later this year.
Free support programme returns to help UK microbusinesses grow
Small Business Britain has reopened applications for its Small and Mighty Enterprise Programme, a free six-week initiative designed to help microbusinesses and sole traders scale up. The April 2025 intake will offer over 500 places, providing expert-led guidance, mentorship, and peer support.
Research by Small Business Britain found that more than two-thirds of UK microbusinesses expect to grow by 50% over the next five years, despite economic challenges. The programme, delivered online in partnership with Xero and ARU Peterborough, aims to equip participants with business strategy, marketing, finance, and resilience training.
Since launching in 2022, the programme has trained over 3,500 small businesses. Participants receive two hours of free mentoring and access to a network of entrepreneurs. Experts from ARU Peterborough and Xero will lead sessions, offering flexible learning to fit around work commitments.
Industry leaders emphasise the need for tailored support, with Xero’s UK Managing Director, Alex von Schirmeister, calling for greater differentiation between small and microbusinesses. ARU Peterborough’s Professor Tom Williamson highlighted the programme’s success in helping businesses think strategically and grow with confidence.
Tradestech Recruitment secures £1.5m funding to drive expansion
Staffordshire-based Tradestech Recruitment plans to double its workforce and turnover within a year after securing £1.5 million in funding from Lloyds Bank.
Founded in early 2023, Tradestech specialises in recruitment for the construction sector, working with tier-one firms and SMEs. It focuses on key industries, including rail, HS2, renewables, vegetation management, residential housing, and mechanical & electrical (M&E).
The funding package will provide working capital to expand the team, invest in accreditations, and strengthen compliance, quality, and safety standards. Based in Lichfield, the company aims to grow its workforce from seven to 12 employees, adding senior and junior recruiters.
As part of its expansion, Tradestech has appointed Bobby Sproston as operations director, bringing nearly 20 years of experience in construction recruitment. The firm achieved a turnover of over £5 million in its first full year and projects revenues to exceed £10 million in the next financial year.
Lloyds Bank described Tradestech as an ambitious SME with strong growth potential, citing the company’s rapid success and industry demand for its specialised recruitment services.
Derbyshire to convert disused railway into £2.7m active travel route
Derbyshire County Council has secured £2.7 million from Active Travel England to convert the former Little Eaton branch railway line into a multi-use pathway for walking, cycling, wheeling, and horse riding.
The 3.5-mile (5.6km) route will connect Little Eaton and Rawson Green, improving access to local employment and providing an active travel option for parents and children heading to Little Eaton Primary School.
The railway line, originally built in 1855 as part of the Midland Railway, saw its last train run in 1999, with tracks removed in 2011. The council acquired the disused line from Network Rail in 2014.
The project is expected to be completed by spring 2026. Officials say the new pathway will support local connectivity while reducing transport emissions.
