Work on the superstructure of Airfield Business Park has begun – with a steel signing ceremony to mark the milestone.
First opened in 2019, Airfield Business Park in Market Harborough is owned by Leicestershire County Council and has been fully let at every stage, with every unit currently occupied and 11 tenants trading from the site.
The newest phase is being constructed by Britcon and the expansion will see ten new units and a Costa Coffee drive-thru unit built. It will also be capable of hosting a second drive-thru unit.
To mark the milestone of steelworks beginning on site Councillor Lee Breckon, cabinet member for resources, joined Britcon in signing steel beams and got to see first hand the progress being made.
Councillor Lee Breckon, cabinet member for resources, said: “As a Council, we are proud to be able to support local businesses to expand where we’re able to.
“We’re really excited to extend this popular business park and today was a great chance to mark the progress Britcon have made in just three months.
“Once completed the expansion of Airfield Business Park will boost the local economy and help to keep businesses in the county.”
Nick Shepherd, Britcon managing director, said: “Thank you to the project team and all stakeholders for the progress made to date. This is another significant investment for the region and our delivery strategy has focused on job creation and local supplier use to support economic growth.
“We have created two new full-time jobs to date and placed over £4m of orders with regional subcontractors to deliver high impact social value outcomes.”
A wide range of businesses currently on Airfield range from a publisher, pre-loved clothing reseller and campervan conversions company.
Tenants on the expansion will include fine foods manufacturer and distributor Bramble Foods, who already employ more than 150 people in Market Harborough. Bramble are expanding to a larger unit to expand their growing business when work is completed, which will keep the business in Leicestershire.
Businesses support YMCA Derbyshire in another successful Sleep Easy event
YMCA Derbyshire has successfully hosted its fifteenth annual Sleep Easy event at Derbyshire County Cricket Ground. To date the event has raised just under £30,000, with donations still being received.
Over 80 brave participants, from all walks of life, took up the challenge and spent the night in makeshift shelters, cardboard boxes and sleeping bags. Businesses and individuals generously donated food, drinks and other essential supplies throughout the night.
Grace Harrison, Development Director at YMCA Derbyshire, expressed her gratitude for the overwhelming support and said: “We are deeply moved by the outpouring of support for our Sleep Easy event, and extremely grateful that year after year people are willing to spend the night outside for our cause.
“The money raised will go towards counselling, diversionary activities including sports, arts and crafts, providing a range of horticulture opportunities at our Community Gardens, wellbeing support, volunteer opportunities and work placement programmes. All with the aim of supporting those we serve to move along their positive pathways, enabling them to belong, contribute and thrive.”
YMCA Derbyshire thanked everyone that took part, including the many business partners and organisations that once again stepped up to the plate to sleep out, so that others won’t have to, including Lubrizol, Griffiths Food, X-Press Legal Services, Vaillant, Yellow Rail, McAndrew Industries, SPL Powerlines, Icons Talent Agency, Hardy Signs, Derby Cathedral, The Alternative Board and Repton School.
Lucy Armstrong from Lubrizol said:” Such a fantastic night last night, and a big reminder of how fortunate I am to have somewhere safe, secure, and comfortable to live. The work YMCA Derbyshire does in the community makes such an impact, and I’m really looking forward to working with them on more projects in the future.”
Lucy’s comments were echoed by Alice Woolley from Vaillant who added: “Credit to all those at the YMCA organisation and fundraising for such an important and worthy cause. We will certainly support the Sleep Easy in the future, such a unique event creating strong relationships both within our teams and with other local supporters.”
Ben Wheeler from X-Press Legal Services said it was a “helluva night” and added: “It was only one night, but a significant eye opener. Once again, many thanks to those who supported me. Much appreciated. And a huge thanks to YMCA Derbyshire for all that they did to make the event a success.”
Fold Hill Foods acquires Brambles Pet and Wildlife
Fold Hill Foods, a Lincolnshire-based pet food manufacturer, has acquired Macclesfield-based Brambles Pet and Wildlife from founders David and Gail Tracey.
Brambles will join Fold Hill’s existing portfolio, which includes Ruffingtons, Pointer Pet Foods, Laughing Dog Food, and Superior. The two companies have previously worked together, with Fold Hill producing some of Brambles’ range.
Managing director Ben Mankertz stated that Brambles’ strong market position and expertise in wildlife nutrition made it a strategic fit. David Tracey will continue supporting the brand following the acquisition.
Midlands Engine to close as government funding ends
The Midlands Engine, an initiative established in 2015 to promote investment and economic growth across the region, will be wound down as its government funding ends in March.
The organisation, which worked with local government, business leaders, and universities, stated that its focus in the coming months will be on concluding key programmes and ensuring a smooth transition. Elected mayors in the East and West Midlands have already taken over many of its functions.
The Midlands Engine highlighted its achievements in attracting investment and strengthening regional collaboration but confirmed that its operations will cease due to the funding cut.
GE Aerospace invests $32m in Rutland for advanced manufacturing upgrades
GE Aerospace is allocating nearly $32 million to upgrade its Rutland, Vermont facility as part of a $1 billion investment in U.S. manufacturing and suppliers in 2025. The Rutland funding will be used for new machines, upgrades to existing equipment, precision tools, and infrastructure improvements to support the production of components for commercial and military aircraft engines.
The investment aims to enhance manufacturing capabilities for narrowbody and widebody aircraft, military helicopters, and fighter jets. Additionally, part of the funding will go towards utility upgrades in the main building.
Last year, the GE Aerospace Foundation contributed $200,000 to Stafford Technical Center in Rutland to purchase advanced manufacturing equipment for student training. The company has also announced plans to hire approximately 5,000 workers nationwide in manufacturing and engineering roles this year.
GE Aerospace CEO H. Lawrence Culp, Jr. emphasised the importance of investing in manufacturing to modernise aircraft fleets and maintain U.S. leadership in aerospace innovation.
Alford Windmill restoration plans move forward
Lincolnshire County Council, East Lindsey District Council, and the Alford Windmill Trust have reaffirmed their commitment to restoring and reopening the historic Alford Windmill as a visitor attraction.
Lincolnshire County Council owns the site and has set aside £450,000 for repairs, including restoring the windmill’s cap and sails. The council is also considering transferring ownership to the local community through the Alford Windmill Trust.
East Lindsey District Council had previously reallocated government funding to Alford Manor House but remains engaged in discussions on how best to support the windmill’s conservation.
The Alford Windmill Trust emphasised the importance of community involvement in the restoration process and future business opportunities linked to the site. Talks between stakeholders will continue as they work towards a viable long-term plan for the windmill.
New Humber energy-from-waste plant gets government approval
The UK government has approved the development of the North Lincolnshire Green Energy Park, an energy-from-waste facility planned for Flixborough Industrial Estate near Scunthorpe. The site will include an Energy Recovery Facility (ERF) capable of converting up to 650,000 tonnes of Refuse Derived Fuel annually into electricity.
Developer Solar 21 says the facility could generate enough low-carbon power for 221,000 homes per year and create up to 257 permanent jobs, with an additional 600 jobs during construction. The project aims to reduce landfill use by up to 760,000 tonnes and prevent 150,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions.
The site will also feature a plastic recycling facility capable of processing 20,000 tonnes of plastic annually. Ash from the energy recovery process will be repurposed into concrete blocks for construction.
Solar 21 highlights the Humber region’s high industrial carbon emissions and landfill waste as key project drivers, positioning the facility as part of the UK’s strategy to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Key milestone for £35m scheme at Nottingham hospital
A £35 million scheme which aims to increase capacity and deliver high quality outcomes for patients undergoing elective surgery has reached a key milestone.
Ground works have started and a 35.5 metre tower crane has been installed at the Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) City Hospital site to progress the creation of a new elective hub. Works include extending an existing building alongside the creation of a three-storey building.
Funds for the scheme have come from the national Targeted Investment Fund (TIF) to support the reduction of patient waiting lists and cancelled operations following the Covid-19 pandemic, and in the wake of mounting operational pressures.
Once completed, the elective hub will include three operating theatres, an additional 24 elective in-patient beds and 18 day-case beds to support elective day-case surgery.
Phase One of the elective hub, the additional 24 in-patient beds, is already in place and operational. Over the last year works have progressed to prepare the City Hospital site for Phase Two, which has included the demolition of a Victorian building containing two old theatres.
In its place the new facilities will include the three state-of-the-art operating theatres and 18 day-case beds, as well as a patient Reception Waiting Room. Staff will also benefit from brand new office and seminar spaces, rest areas and new changing rooms.
Duncan Hanslow, NUH Programme Director for Reconfiguration, said: “The new hub will give us the opportunity to continue to reduce the backlog of people in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire waiting for planned operations, as well as minimising the risk of cancellations.
“It will also provide a new, more efficient way of working for our elective theatres, as they will be located together within a purpose-built setting.
“We have worked extensively with stakeholders and colleagues across NUH to help design the new facilities. In addition to supporting the delivery of high quality, safe, efficient and effective care for patients, the hub will also provide an excellent working space for staff.”
The elective hub is expected to be completed in 2026.
Precision medicine company falls into administration
Oncimmune, a precision medicine company spun out from the University of Nottingham, has fallen into administration.
It follows attempts by the business to sell its German trading subsidiary and a failure to raise additional capital required to meet the company’s short term funding needs. Oncimmune has concluded that there are no further options available to extend its cash runway and that the firm should therefore be placed into administration.In a statement Oncimmune said: “Despite a comprehensive sale process and positive interest in the business it has unfortunately not been possible to secure a buyer for the Company’s trading subsidiary, Oncimmune Germany GmbH. It has also not been possible to raise the additional capital required to meet the Company’s short term funding needs.
“In light of this, and after extensive consideration of the Company’s current financial situation as well as the resulting creditor position, the Board has regrettably concluded that there are no further options available to the Company to extend its cash runway and that the Group should therefore be placed into administration in order to preserve the value of the business for creditors.
“Accordingly, a notice will be filed with the Court today notifying the directors’ intention to appoint Managing Directors from Alvarez & Marsal Europe LLP as administrators of the Company as soon as reasonably practicable.
“Consequently, the Company has requested a suspension in the trading of its ordinary shares on AIM, which will become effective from 7.30am on 17 March 2025.”
Bakkavor rejects £1.1bn offer from Greencore
Bakkavor, the manufacturer of fresh prepared food, has turned down a takeover bid from convenience foods manufacturer Greencore, stating that the offer “significantly undervalued the Company and its future prospects.”
Greencore, which has its UK head office in Worksop, has made two proposals to Bakkavor, with the first made on 25 February and rejected on 27 February.
Greencore made a second approach to the board of Bakkavor on 7 March 2025, with the revised proposal now rejected.
The £1.1bn offer would have seen Greencore shareholders own approximately 59.8% and Bakkavor shareholders own approximately 40.2% of the enlarged group.The group would create a leading UK convenience food business with a combined revenue of £4bn.
