Milestone transaction achieved at Pride Park
Regional commercial property consultants Rigby & Co have completed one of the largest office-based transactions in Derby in recent years on Pride Park in the city.
Acting on behalf of Derby College Group, Rigby & Co have successfully negotiated a sub-letting of an area of 40,000 sq ft within the college’s Johnson Building to the University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust.
The letting has enabled Derby College Group to relocate part of its curriculum and estate into the nearby Roundhouse complex. Work is currently underway to deliver a new automotive centre at the Stephenson Building following the securing of a £3.5m Government grant.
A new Institute of Technology (IoT) centre is being built at the same location, which will provide world class training in engineering, manufacturing, and digital skills.
The Hospital Trust had spent two years looking for a consolidated base that would fulfil a range of functions including records storage and office/training and administration purposes.
Commenting on the letting, Heather Kelly, deputy chief executive of Derby College Group, said: “We are delighted to welcome The University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust into the Johnson Building.
“We have instructed Rigby & Co to market the rest of the building, which will be available for occupation from Summer 2024.”
Russell Rigby, managing director of Rigby & Co, added: “This deal is a great outcome for both Derby College and the Trust – two of Derby’s leading employers, both of whom are going through challenging times in reorganising their real estate.
“We are now actively looking for an occupier for the balance of the building which extends to around 45,000 sq ft of high-quality offices, storage and space.”
Geldards LLP represented Derby College Group, and Browne Jacobson represented the University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust.
Corporate insolvencies hit twenty-year high
A perfect storm of economic issues has led to the highest Q3 corporate insolvency figures in more than two decades, with a combination of rising costs, director fatigue and increased creditor pressure meaning more firms are now turning to a corporate insolvency process to resolve their financial issues.
This is according to the Midlands branch of insolvency and restructuring body R3 and follows latest statistics published by the Insolvency Service which show that there were 6,208 seasonally adjusted corporate insolvencies in the third quarter of 2023, which is a 10.2% increase on the 5,635 in Q3 2022 and 54.8% higher than the 4,010 in Q3 2021. The Q3 2023 figure is also 41.3% higher than the Q3 2019 pre-pandemic figure of 4,393.
R3 Midlands chair Stephen Rome said: “The key driver behind the numbers is the rise in Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidations, which have reached their second highest figure on record and the highest number ever recorded in Q3.
“After years of battling through the pandemic, supply chain issues, increasing costs, rising inflation and requests for higher wages, many directors have simply had enough and are calling it a day while that choice is still theirs.
“Compulsory liquidation numbers have reached a four year high – partly because of legislation preventing them and then making the winding-up petition threshold higher in the aftermath of the pandemic, but also because these firms are now under their own pressures and are calling in debts in the hope of balancing their own books.
“Trading conditions are particularly tough right now, with the upcoming Christmas period a crucial time for a large number of firms. This year could be make or break for many local businesses, especially those in retail and hospitality.
“Our message to anyone who is worried about their personal or business finances is to seek advice as soon possible. We know that it can be a hard conversation to have, but speaking to a qualified advisor when worries are in their early stages can provide more potential options for resolving them than waiting for the problem to worsen.
“Most R3 members will give a free initial consultation to prospective clients so they can learn more about their situation and outline the potential options for resolving it.”
Electrical contractor relocates after 33 years in Nottingham HQ
A fast-growing electrical contractor is relocating after 33 years in its Nottingham headquarters.Peel Electrical is one of the first tenants at the second phase of the Stanton Forge light industrial scheme in Stanton-by-Dale, Ilkeston, Derbyshire.The company has moved into the 1,400 sq ft Unit 5 at Stanton Forge, in a move which will see it grow and expand as a business.Russell Peel, operations director at Peel Electrical, said: “While it is sad to say goodbye to our Nottingham base for so many years, the new HQ at Stanton Forge helps us present ourselves to existing and potential clients as positively as possible.“The clean, fresh and vibrant look of the second Stanton Forge is fantastic. The new unit is a blank canvas which allows us complete freedom of design.“What’s more, the new address is more local to many of our staff, affording them shorter travel times and less spent on fuel.”Russ said that Peel Electrical will build a mezzanine floor area in Unit 5 for office staff, while downstairs the company will continue the growth of its panel shop within the BMS side of the business. There is also the potential to create more jobs due to the increased floor space, which enables Peel to increase the orders it can take.NG Chartered Surveyors Managing Director, Richard Sutton, brokered the deal on behalf of the developers and landlords D M Hartshorn Investments.Richard said: “I’d like to welcome Peel Electrical to the second phase of Stanton Forge. Russ and his team are incredibly forward-thinking and they saw right away the benefits of moving to this fantastic scheme would have for the staff and wider business.“We look forward to announcing more new tenants at Stanton Forge over coming weeks.”
Chamber secures £8.9m funding to deliver new generation of business support
Businesses in the region are to receive a significant boost to their operations with a helping hand from East Midlands Chamber’s new generation of business support.
The chamber of commerce for Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire has secured £8.9m of public funding until March 2025 to deliver its Accelerator project, which aims to provide one seamless point of entry for relevant business support.
It comprises key activities under the strands of net zero, innovation, digital and finance, with the aim of helping companies at all stages of their development to start, sustain, grow and innovate.
The East Midlands Chamber Accelerator project brings together a number of publicly-funded contracts including the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), a key part of the Government’s levelling up agenda to enhance communities, businesses and skills; Innovate UK EDGE, which helps innovative SMEs to grow and achieve scale; and Made Smarter East Midlands, which assists manufacturers in switching to advanced and automated technologies.
Diane Beresford, deputy chief executive of East Midlands Chamber, said: “The East Midlands Chamber Accelerator programme has been carefully designed to provide businesses across the district with the right support, at the right time.
“At the heart of the project is a team of locally-based advisers and specialists, employed by the Chamber, who will offer high-intensity support to businesses seeking to grow, create new jobs or exploit technology to improve performance.
“Working with an adviser or specialist will be a key ingredient for businesses interested in taking advantage of Accelerator support and a diagnostics report will show them where best to point their energies.”
Council eyes acquisition of large brownfield site in Northampton
West Northamptonshire Council is taking steps to purchase the former St James Bus Depot and ensure the large brownfield vacant site benefits from regeneration.
The brownfield site has stood vacant to the west of Northampton Town Centre for more than a decade. As part of the wider extensive regeneration of Northampton, this area has been identified as one which could significantly benefit from redevelopment.
Since West Northamptonshire Council was made aware of Church’s Shoes’ intention to sell the site, the Council has been working closely with them. As one of the last remaining brownfield sites in Northampton, on a key route into the town centre, it is important for local businesses and the local community to make sure that the best regeneration and economic potential of the area is realised.
WNC has engaged with Church’s to agree on the purchase of the building and is now looking at the future viability of the site through a feasibility study to ensure that any future development meets the needs of residents while maintaining the historic character of this landmark.
Cllr Dan Lister, Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Town Centre Regeneration and Growth at WNC, said: “The former St James Bus Depot boasts a prominent large brownfield site, central to Northampton Town Centre. This historic landmark has been vacant for some time, during which Church’s has added land to the site and carried out some remediation work.
“We have engaged with Church’s on the sale of this site in order to be able to bring forward a viable scheme which will benefit our residents. We are committed to retaining the historical and iconic frontage of this site and will be working with key partners to ensure that the area is empathetically regenerated.
“As part of the delivery of this scheme, we will seek to provide much-needed high-quality homes to accommodate the needs of our growing communities. The views of our residents are essential to ensure that this site meets the needs of our local community, and we will be looking at opportunities to hear their views on the coming months.”
Rutland hotel operator ordered to pay over £195,000 after serious employee accident
A hotel operator in Rutland has pleaded guilty to a breach of health and safety law and been ordered to pay more than £195,000 after a serious accident at work which left a man with life-changing injuries.
The prosecution arose from a serious accident at Barnsdale Hall Hotel on 24 May 2021 (trading as Barnsdale Hall Hotel (Resorts) Ltd). On that day, two employees of the Hotel, including a Mr Andrew Veasey, were tasked with removing a loose tree branch. This was done by raising Mr Veasey up with a non-integrated working platform.
The platform was attached to a JCB vehicle parked across a slope. As a result, when the platform was raised, the vehicle toppled over and crushed the roof of a car before plummeting into a bank, causing Mr Veasey serious injuries. Mr Veasey had to be resuscitated at the scene and sustained life-changing injuries which mean he is no longer able to care for himself.
With the full support of Mr Veasey and his family, an investigation into the incident was undertaken by Peterborough City Council, on behalf of Rutland County Council. This investigation revealed significant deficiencies in the Defendant’s risk assessments, level of training and instruction, safe use of machinery and system of work when carrying out non-routine tasks such as the one in question.
The case was heard at Leicester Magistrates Court on 19 September 2023, where the defendant pleaded guilty to a Section 2 offence under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, whereby it is the duty of every employer to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all their employees.
Barnsdale Hall Hotel was ordered to pay a fine of £146,700, together with £50,000 awarded for costs and a £190 Surcharge.
Councillor Christine Wise, Cabinet Member for Public Protection and Community Safety, said: “This is an extremely serious case where failure to put appropriate health and safety measures in place has caused life-changing injuries to an individual, as well as irreparable damage to a family that will never be the same again.
“The sentence imposed on the Defendant following their guilty plea should serve as a clear warning that employers have a duty of care towards their staff and action will be taken in response to breaches of health and safety law.
“The employers in question have taken all of the required regulatory action required in response to the findings of our investigation. However, nothing can return Mr Veasey to full health and so it is important those responsible are held accountable to the full extent of the law.”
Gold for Alstom, Gleeds and Toyota at Ministry of Defence Awards
Fourteen of the East Midlands’ greatest champions for our Armed Forces have been celebrated at a glitzy award ceremony held in the Officers’ Mess at Prince William of Gloucester Barracks.
Winners of the Ministry of Defence’s prestigious ‘Gold Award’ for 2023 include Alstom, Gleeds and Toyota Manufacturing UK.
Campbell Cain Wealth Management, Everyone Health, Fred Sherwood Group and Rail Operations Group have also been awarded the highest accolade in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme for recognising the value of Defence personnel in their business.
Completing the list are Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Northamptonshire Police, Nottinghamshire Police, SRC UK, United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust, Wescom Group and West Northamptonshire Council.
Partnerships between Defence and civilian employers are a fundamental foundation of the UK’s Reserve Forces.
Thousands of such partnerships exist to support and advocate not just the Reserves but former and serving Armed Forces personnel and their families and Cadets across the East Midlands.
Some of these are informal, whereas others are formally recognised by entry into the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.
Each year the most extraordinary champions are awarded the Ministry of Defence’s highest accolade for employers – the Gold Award – which this year took place in Grantham on 19th October for the East Midlands.
This honour recognises organisations which proactively demonstrate their Forces-friendly credentials as part of their recruiting and selection processes. They also, amongst other policies, provide Reserves within their workforce with at least 10 days of additional paid leave for training.
In return, employers benefit from members of staff who return with new qualifications and skills.
For 2023, each recipient was handed their award by Lieutenant General Tom Copinger-Symes CBE, Deputy Commander of UK Strategic Command.
They were joined by special guests His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenants of Lincolnshire, Derbyshire and Northamptonshire and the Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Leicestershire.
The Officers’ Mess unique charm provided a backdrop to what was a special occasion.
A display of light field guns courtesy of 103 Regiment Royal Artillery, a visit from The Mercian Regiment’s mascot Lance Corporal Derby, support from military musicians and also the Prince William of Gloucester Detachment Army Cadets added to the ceremony’s distinct atmosphere.
Fred Hopkins, Head of Engagement at East Midlands Reserve Forces and Cadets Association, said: “Achieving the Gold Award is a remarkable accomplishment and I would like to congratulate our 2023 winners.
“We are very proud of the support and advocacy our Gold holders provide to Defence, especially for Reserves and Cadets.
“I very much look forward to building on these mutually-beneficial partnerships and establishing even more through the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme in the years ahead.”
Kirstie Lawrence, Regional Employer Engagement Director at East Midlands Reserve Forces and Cadets Association, added: “Award holders in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme celebrate the excellence of Defence people in the workplace routinely, having seen it for themselves and now gaining Gold for promoting it to others who have since shared that success. So it was a wonderful experience to thank them.”
Vestatec appoints new quality manager
Nottingham-based metal forming and PVD coating specialist, Vestatec, has appointed Claire Lloyd to the role of quality manager.
With most of its products being delivered into the heavily regulated automotive sector, this is a key role in the organisation, taking the lead to ensure that the company stays compliant with the ever-changing standards and expectations set by its global customer base.
Bringing a wealth of experience following an extensive career in the manufacturing industry, Claire joins the team from Guildford Performance Textiles, where she spent some 30 years taking on the role of quality systems engineer before moving into a product testing role.
Commenting on her appointment, Claire said: “I’m delighted to have joined such a fantastic team here at Vestatec. In what has only been a short time at the company so far, I can see the care and dedication of each and every person in the business which is clearly shown through the end product.”
The recent appointment comes as the company’s current quality manager, David Marriott looks to step down from his role as he approaches retirement.
Claire added: “I’m looking forward to utilising my industry experience to support the company in its quality management programme continuing the great work that David and the team have implemented to date, and ensuring that only the highest quality products leave our facility on their way to our loyal customers.”
On the approach to his retirement, David said: “Having begun my career in manufacturing back in 1974, I’m delighted to have had the opportunity to spend the final years of my career with the team here at Vestatec.
“The family ethos of the organisation is truly unique. Everyone is an individual from the team making the parts, booking in the material, loading the trucks, or those in management – everyone knows one another and is treated as a family.”
Plans submitted to turn Derby office building into apartments
Plans to transform a Derby office building into apartments have been submitted to the city council.
If approved the property on Curzon Street would be converted into 14 one-bedroom flats.
It comes as the applicant has struggled to find businesses to take on the lease of the building post-pandemic.
A planning statement submitted by Wilson Architects says: “The application seeks to change the use of an existing commercial office space into residential accommodation. This decision was aided by the fact the applicant is struggling to find companies to take on the lease of the building.
“To preserve the building’s continued use and maintenance as well as ensuring a continuous return on investment the applicant has taken the decision to convert the building into affordable accommodation.
“After analysing the site’s context, it is clear the building is perfectly situated for residential use, as it benefits from easy access to a multitude of amenities, employment prospects and transport links.
“The idea is to attract young working professionals, operating within the city or further afield. Therefore, we established that residential use would be suitable for the site.”
Derby brewery places pub arm into administration
Derby Brewing Company’s pub arm, Real Brewing Pub Company, has been placed into administration amidst a challenging trading environment and “unreasonable behaviour of the HMRC.”
The brewery will not be affected and will continue to operate with two sites the Hole in the Wall, Mickleover & NOTSA, Aston on Trent continuing to be operated by Derby Brewing under a new pub company.
Three sites will close with immediate effect, The Clubhouse, Derby, The Pig Lichfield & The Pointing Dogs, Matlock.
A statement from Derby Brewing Company says: “It is with huge sadness and regret that we have to announce that Real Brewing Pub Company, the pub company arm of Derby Brewing Company has today entered administration. The brewery will not be affected and continue operate going forward with two of our sites the Hole in the Wall, Mickleover & NOTSA, Aston on Trent continuing to be operated by Derby Brewing under a new pub company.
“It has been an extremely challenging trading environment over the last couple of years, including the pandemic, increased loan burdens on the back of this, ongoing recruitment challenges, soaring interest rates, supplier cost increases, cost of living crisis resulting in reduced trade and huge increases in the cost base with uncapped energy contracts.
“In spite of these challenges we had a plan in place to continue to steer through this however the business has HMRC arrears predominantly from the pandemic, like many in the industry, the HMRC had been working with us however this recently changed and the debt was demanded to be paid back within a short period, which meant the we could no longer continue to trade.
“Sadly our two freehold sites The Greyhound, Friar Gate & Derby Brewing Tap House, Derwent Street will be sold to clear the arrears to meet their timeframe. Both will remain open and be sold as going concern safe guarding jobs and are now being marketed by the administrator.
“Three of our sites will unfortunately close with immediate effect, The Clubhouse, Derby, The Pig Lichfield & The Pointing Dogs, Matlock.
“As detailed the Hole in the Wall & NOTSA will continue to be operated by us, again safe guarding the team.
“Thankfully in all cases staff will be paid and there will be an opportunity to continue Derby Brewing’s story all be it in a different and smaller guise.”
Paul Harris, MD, Derby Brewing, added: “It is with huge regret that we have been unable to steer the business through this extremely challenging period. We have unfortunately joined a growing list of operators to close previously successful businesses.
“The final nail in the coffin was a combination of the government allowing energy contracts five-fold previous levels to remain in place once their 50% support was removed and the in our view unreasonable behaviour of the HMRC.
“We are extremely sad for the team members who have lost their jobs and the dismantling of a business we as a family have been built over nearly 20 years.”
Trevor Harris, director of brewing, said: “This is an extremely upsetting situation for the team and family, we are pleased however that we have been able to continue the name of Derby Brewing, returning the business into a smaller family operation where we hope to build from.”
