Harold Potter acquires 14,136 sq ft industrial property in Mansfield Woodhouse for HQ
Unique Window Systems acquires counterpart’s assets
Council takes back control as private contract ends
North East Lincolnshire Council has taken the step of managing key services in-house after ending its long-standing contract with private delivery partner, Equans. This marks the first time in 15 years that services such as highways, transport, building control, security, facilities management, and planning will fall under the direct responsibility of the council.
In 2008, the council chose to partner with a private sector organisation to handle these services, with a formal contract signed in 2010 with Balfour Beatty Workplace, now known as Equans Services Limited. The contract was extended in 2020, but recent decisions confirmed that it would not be renewed when it expires in 2025.
The council’s leadership sees this shift as an opportunity to realign services for greater efficiency and effectiveness, bringing all operations under one team. The 270 Equans employees transitioning back into the council will increase the total workforce to nearly 2,000, with the majority being local to the area.
This transition is part of the council’s strategy to ensure long-term sustainability in service delivery while maintaining high standards in key public services. The council is now focusing on integrating these functions smoothly into its operations over the coming months.
Strong trading momentum continues at Topps Tiles
In a third quarter trading update for the 39-week period ended 28 June 2025, the business revealed that group adjusted sales were up 10.1%, an acceleration on 4.1% growth in the first half. On a year-to-date basis, group adjusted sales were 6.1% higher year-on-year.
The sales trajectory has improved across all divisions in the group, with Topps Tiles, Parkside and Online Pure Play (Pro Tiler Tools and Tile Warehouse) all delivering higher growth rates in the most recent quarter than in the first half.
The update comes amidst a challenging cost environment, with Topps Tiles seeing £4m of further cost increases on an annualised basis from April 2025 as a result of the recent changes to National Insurance rates and thresholds, together with the increase in National Living Wage.
Meanwhile, progress has been made in CTD since the conclusion of the CMA investigation into the acquisition, with the group confident that CTD will be at least breakeven by the fourth quarter.
Epic charity fundraiser sees architectural technologist complete John O’Groats to Land’s End run
Derbyshire lanyard manufacturer acquired by global labels supplier
Industrial unit extension complete for packaging machinery manufacturer
The region’s Residential Development of the Year to be revealed at the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025

The East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025
What: The East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025 When: Thursday 2nd October (4.30pm – 7.30pm) Where: Derek Randall Suite, Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, Nottingham Keynote speaker: Councillor Nadine Peatfield – Leader of Derby City Council, Cabinet Member for City Centre, Regeneration, Strategy and Policy, and Deputy Mayor of the East Midlands Tickets: Available here Dress code: Standard business attire Thanks to our sponsors:








To be held at:
