Water company gives charity £9,000 to support families after the loss of a child
Severn Trent’s Community Fund has awarded a £9,000 grant to Nottingham-based charity Zephyr’s to provide nature-based play and well-being sessions for families dealing with the loss of a baby or child.
The grant has enabled Zephyr’s to work in partnership with Boots & Brambles Forest School to run monthly sessions throughout 2023 for people of all ages. So far the sessions have welcomed almost 20 different families, with more attending on each occasion.
The ‘Into the Woods’ sessions see children, parents and grandparents gather outside and take part in gentle activities to remember their children who have died. The sessions have also seen children and adults who have been through similar experiences, enabling them to make friends and build a network of support that can also grow away from the monthly activities that Zephyr’s provide.
Alongside the outdoor sessions, Zephyr’s offers bereavement counselling, peer support and creative activities. the organisation’s founder and MD Carly Williams said: “Just as parents might struggle to navigate a life after the loss of a precious child, children can also find it tough. A child learning to cope with the loss of a brother or sister might feel very lonely and confused. Our sessions in the woods are really relaxed, playful and fun, and everyone knows that they’re taking part in activities with a circle of people who understand what they’re going through.
“Not all therapeutic support takes the form of talking therapies so we’re extremely grateful to Severn Trent for this funding that has already opened up our services to many people who hadn’t seen what we do before.”
Severn Trent Community Fund Officer Sue Heyes said: “Making a positive difference to the local community is at the heart of everything we do at Severn Trent so we’re delighted to be able to help fund what will be life-changing sessions provided by Zephyr’s and Boots & Brambles Forest School.
“It is evident what need there is in the local community for these sessions – everyone knows how devastating the loss of a family member can be, and it is wonderful that children and families in the area now have access to these vital activities.”
University appoints alumni to lead business start-up programme
Loughborough University’s business incubator LUinc has recruited two entrepreneurial Loughborough graduates to lead on its business start-up programme.
Alex Taylor and Andres Urena will lead a project to encourage and support aspiring entrepreneurs from across the region to explore business start-up, recruiting cohorts of new business founders and working with them directly to help develop and progress their businesses. As business start-up leads they will connect with key stakeholders and regional partners, including with colleagues in the Loughborough Enterprise Network, Charnwood Borough Council, Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership, and Charnwood Campus, to promote the start-up support available through LUinc facilities based at Loughborough University Science and Enterprise Park and in Loughborough Town Centre. A crucial part of their work will be to equip entrepreneurs with skills, knowledge, resources and networks to rapidly test, validate, setup and grow new businesses. In turn, this will support the rejuvenation of the local economy by helping start-ups to generate new jobs, value and innovations. Alex said: “Loughborough played a key role in helping start my own entrepreneurial journey, so the opportunity to support future founders was one I could not turn down. Turning an idea into reality can be tough, but is incredibly rewarding, and with the support available from myself, Andres and LUinc. there has never been a better time to get started.” Incubator manager Pete Hitchings said: “As founders in their own right, we’re really pleased that Andres and Alex have joined our team to be able to inspire and support new business owners originating from the University and the wider region. We’re always seeking new entrepreneurs to join our community so please do get in touch if you think we could help.” Alex and Andres will each spend three days a week working as part of LUinc, with their remaining time devoted to their respective businesses. Alex, who studied International Business at Loughborough University, is the founder of Endeavours Adventures, an adventure, tour and charity challenge provider that curates bucket-list experiences for students, corporates and individuals. Since launching the business in 2019, Alex has organised treks, runs and climbs in the UK and abroad for over 50 different groups, and helped to raise over £500,000 for charity. Andres, a Loughborough University London graduate, is a serial entrepreneur with expertise in digital advertising, information design and internet of things (IoT). Andres’ latest venture, Everywhere Tech, aims to improve internet connectivity by developing next-generation technology that integrates Wi-Fi in every room of new houses. Andres chose to relocate from his home country of Peru to Loughborough to take his business to the next level.SMEs get free advice on lots of topics at Business Gateway Growth Hub event
Energy audits, apprenticeship advice, and wellbeing at work strategies were just some of the topics covered at a free conference to help SMEs navigate the current cost of doing business.
Around 150 people attended Leicester’s Morningside Arena on Tuesday for the one-off conference organised by the Business Gateway Growth Hub.
It was hosted by Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership Board Members Sonia Baigent and Glynis Wright, and saw attendees depart he venue with practical tips and advice from more than a dozen expert speakers.
Attendees were also able to meet representatives of 17 local organisations offering free business advice and support on a selection of stalls set up for the event.
Sonia, Chair of the LLEP’s business board and herself a business owner, said: “My own work in business consultancy makes me very aware of the challenges currently being faced by SMEs. Therefore, it was really encouraging to see colleagues from across the business community come together to share practical tips, advice and contacts with other small businesses.
“Hopefully, by applying some of what they picked up at the conference, our local business owners will go on to strengthen their position.”
Glynis said: “There was a really positive mood among the business owners who came along to the event and confidence that things are not as bleak as we are sometimes told. “We had some really interesting and insightful questions from the floor as our guests took advantage of the expertise that was made available. “All of our speakers offered practical suggestions on reducing costs, tackling various challenges, and encouraging growth. Sonia and I are very grateful to each of them for giving up their time – without charge – to enable fellow local businesses to benefit from their expertise.”SME owners received numerous top tips from the speakers, as well as networking breaks to meet other businesses and discuss the free support on offer from a host of local service providers.
More than 98% of Leicester and Leicestershire businesses employ fewer than 50 people, so talks were tailored to offer targeted advice.
- Get hints and tips from 11 of the presentations on the Growth Hub website now.
Marchini Curran Associates delivers landmark design works for £6.7m expansion of Leicester cinema and arts venue
The award-winning architects and interior designers at Marchini Curran Associates, have led on design services for the expansion of the independent Phoenix cinema and art centre in Leicester.
The pivotal scheme, funded by Arts Council England, Leicester City Council and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), alongside independent funding organisations, has transformed the city centre venue with an extension of the Midland Street site, which has been the cinema’s purpose-built home since its relocation to Leicester’s Cultural Quarter in 2009.
The project, which started in September 2021 under the Scape National Construction Framework has involved adding two new cinema screens, a large digital art gallery, extended café bar, a multi-purpose events space and rooftop terrace bar, to accommodate more visitors and expand the programme of this much-loved independent cinema and arts venue which has been part of Leicester’s cultural scene for 60 years.
The client design brief was a fully inclusive environment catering for the diverse spectrum of user groups, staff, and visitors – to create a multi-functional space that changes its personality from the day into the evenings.
The integration of spaces was key and the concept of the building was designed to counterbalance the enhanced box office within the existing building with a new café bar space, forming a bookend within the new extension, to create a seamless harmonisation between old and new.
To achieve this Marchini Curran introduced a new two storey spine wall that runs from the two existing cinema screens through the building to link the gallery, café bars and new screens together. A feature staircase runs up the side of the spine wall giving visual access to the upper floor roof terrace, allowing natural light to penetrate the centre of the ground floor dining area.
Andrew Bull, director at Marchini Curran Associates, said: “Phoenix is an integral part of the city, offering invaluable space for the independent film and arts scene to thrive and we’ve treasured delivering architectural and interior design works for such a renowned cultural arts space in the city of Leicester.”
John Rance, Phoenix Chief Executive, said: “People love the new spaces. The reactions of our diverse customer groups and stakeholders has been very positive.”
Andrew Bull, director at Marchini Curran Associates, said: “Phoenix is an integral part of the city, offering invaluable space for the independent film and arts scene to thrive and we’ve treasured delivering architectural and interior design works for such a renowned cultural arts space in the city of Leicester.”
John Rance, Phoenix Chief Executive, said: “People love the new spaces. The reactions of our diverse customer groups and stakeholders has been very positive.” Leicester law firm helps local businessman successfully secure huge £60 million deal
DWS Legal has successfully helped secure one of the largest international business deals in the East Midlands, after co-ordinating the £60 million acquisition of REVIEWS.io.
The sale saw AppHub, an e-commerce-enabled platform and major player in US software, acquire the Leicester-based reviews website from owners Callum McKeefery and Nicole Albano late last year.
Overseeing the completion of the sale was fellow Leicester-based business DWS Legal, the legal firm that supported REVIEWS.io since it launched more than 10 years ago.
DWS Legal CEO Sameer Karim said: “When I took over DWS, Callum was my first ever client. I feel like we’ve been on a journey with him, we’ve watched REVIEWS.io grow and so it only seemed right that we coordinated the deal that would shape not only the future of the business but of Callum and Nicole’s too.”
Founded by husband and wife duo Callum and Nicole, from the comfort of their kitchen table in 2012, REVIEWS.io now has more than 70 staff worldwide, with teams based in Leicester, Irvine, Sydney and Berlin.
REVIEWS.io was designed to be a platform that builds trust between brands and customers, giving consumers the opportunity to publish genuine reviews of a service or product, which in turn drives sales.
Having developed more than 8,000 customers, including some of the most well-known brands in the e-commerce industry, REVIEWS.io echoes the mission of AppHub to build software that enables e-commerce success.
As part of the deal, Callum has become a board member and key shareholder in AppHub.
“When Callum approached me about the deal, DWS Legal quickly became an extension of REVIEWS.io. I immediately parachuted all of the relevant support around him and in essence, we basically became his virtual in-house legal department,” Sameer explained.
“As the deal progressed, Callum practically lived here – we were making international calls around the clock.
“DWS Legal became I suppose, in some way, a safety net for the business because he knew it was in good hands.”
Recalling the moment that saw the deal close, Sameer said it was a “very emotional time.”
He said: “I remember so vividly when Callum signed those final documents. He turned to me and said ‘I’ve just sold’, and we gave each other a hug. I almost felt like it was my deal too – we’d all worked tirelessly to make sure everything was managed efficiently.
“We’re not your usual legal firm at DWS. We provide a personal approach and we really care about all of our clients. Our ethos, our drive and our passion for successfully getting the best results for people just like Callum, is what gets me up in the morning.
“For us as a legal firm, the deal has been poignant in helping to mark what has been our most successful financial year to date. This deal demonstrates our capability and commitment here at DWS Legal, and we look forward to supporting more businesses, as we continue into 2023.”
The deal means that Callum and Nicole, who have recently become parents to new-born River, will have more time to care for seven-year-old Hudson, their first son together, who has a rare mitochondrial condition.
“Selling REVIEWS.io was one of the toughest decisions I have ever made, however, having the freedom and finances to do whatever we can to help our son will always be our priority,” said Callum.
“Sameer was an integral part of the deal, and without him by our side throughout the process, it would not have been as seamless and quick – I’m absolutely sure of that.
“We had lawyers and professionals working within both America and the UK, and Sameer basically pulled everyone together and managed the sale from our end.
“His knowledge, his attention to detail and his dedication to his clients are second-to-none, I can’t fault him. It was clear – and we have always felt this when working with Sameer and the DWS team – that their priority is always the client, rather than simply pushing a deal through.”
Callum said Sameer has been his “trusted soundboard,” an “advisor” and “a helping hand” from the moment Reviews.io was first launched.
“Back in 2012, Sameer was the one setting up our first ever terms and conditions, and most recently, he has helped us complete a £60 million sale. He really has been on this journey with us.”
Partners identify marketing Leicester and Leicestershire as strategic priority
Leicester City Council and Leicestershire County Council met with private sector businesses including Queensbury Real Estate, GMI, Mulberry Developments, Morgan Sindall, and Hickman and Smith in the second collaborative Invest in Leicester round table event.
At the first session, held at Space Park Leicester, partners identified marketing the place as a key priority to support investment and sustainable growth across the city and county.
The second round table took place at Leicester Racecourse and focused on how the public and private sector work together to market Leicester and Leicestershire, and how to reflect on successes and constructively challenge issues, leading to positive outcomes for businesses and residents in the city and county.
Richard Sword, Strategic Director for City Development at Leicester City Council, said: “It’s critical that communication lines are open between the council and our partners in the property industry. The city has seen significant regeneration over recent years with more large-scale regeneration planned in the future.
“We can only realise the city’s ambitions with the help and support of our partners. It was an insightful round table session, identifying ways to better market Leicester and Leicestershire, alongside some meaningful industry insights around the challenges faced in our region.”
Tom Purnell, Assistant Chief Executive at Leicestershire County Council, said: “We have ambitious growth plans, and we know that partners are key in shaping and delivering our vision.
“Thanks to the hard work and collaborative relationships between our public and private sectors, Leicester and Leicestershire offers an attractive business and investment location. The round tables offer a fantastic opportunity to understand how we further raise the profile of the city and county.”
The next round table will focus on planning to support growth with further round tables due to be held in the coming 12 months in the city and county’s drive to continue their partnership working with the private sector.
Go-ahead given to plans for new hotel in Lincoln
Plans for a new hotel in Lincoln, at the corner of Sincil Street and Waterside South, have been approved.
Lincolnshire Co-operative Ltd are behind the outline planning application for the currently vacant site, which is part of the wider Cornhill Quarter redevelopment scheme and close to the recent developments of the new Central Car Park and the City Bus Station.
Formerly a Co-op shopping centre, all existing structures on the site will be demolished. The application also therefore proposes the demolition of the pedestrian footbridge across Melville Street.
The six-storey proposed hotel would host up to 150 beds, with front of house and restaurant facilities provided at ground floor level.
A council document says: “It is considered that the proposed hotel will help meet the need for visitor accommodation in the city centre, and provide wider public benefits through improvements to public realm and increased activity to Melville Street, investment within the city and contributing to the vitality and viability of the city centre.”
Approval for 130 new Nottingham homes
Plans for a new residential development in Nottingham have been approved.
Strata is behind the scheme, which would provide 130 new homes adjacent to Westbury Academy in Bilborough. 20% of the planned houses would be affordable.
The open market houses would comprise 76 three bed houses, 11 four bed houses and 17 five bed houses. The affordable units would comprise 20 two bed houses and 6 three bed houses.
The development would be made up of a mixture of terrace, semi-detached and detached properties with parking provided to the front and side of the properties.
The site is currently in the city council’s ownership, pending sale to the applicant.
£14m hub for creative businesses officially launches in Northampton
Innovators came together this week to celebrate the opening of a brand-new creative hub for businesses.
Vulcan Works, which was created through transforming a Grade II listed former ironworks factory in the town, is the result of a £14 million project funded by West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) and South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership (SEMLEP), who facilitated a Local Growth Fund contribution of £6.3 million, together with £3.06 million from the European Regional Development Fund.
The brand new, purpose built hub is managed by Oxford Innovation Space and provides lettable office space, workshops, meeting rooms and coworking spaces for start-up businesses in creative and digital industries. The space mixes the old with the new by retaining some quirky original features and naming its rooms in honour of its shoe-making history.
Following the completion of the extensive redevelopment, the centre opened its books and doors to interested businesses in February, generating a lot of interest from start-up and growing businesses in the creative and digital sector, with 12 businesses taking up office space and others taking advantage of the hot desking and co-working options. The team has also received 180 enquiries for further information.
Now, as businesses are starting to move in and a team has been appointed to run the centre, Vulcan Works hosted a launch event which saw special guests network, take tours of the building and hear speeches from key partners involved in the construction of the centre. Some of the new tenants also held stands at the event as part of a Customer Business Showcase.
Garrick Hurter, centre manager, said: “We have been so busy getting Vulcan Works up and running and facilitating show arounds to prospective customers over the last few weeks and months, so it is wonderful to see all that hard work come to fruition and officially launch this fantastic space to the public. We want to build a real community here and a space that is supportive and nurturing to young and growing businesses in creative industries and today is the start of that.”
Jo Stevens, Managing Director of Oxford Innovation Space, said: “The Vulcan Works project has been an absolute pleasure to work on and to see the centre officially launch gives all of us at Oxford Innovation Space an enormous sense of pride and achievement.
“This centre is more than just flexible office and workshop space. It is a place with both a rich heritage and brand-new facilities that have been purposely and thoughtfully constructed to provide young companies with a place to grow and feel supported and part of a community.
“Now that the centre has officially launched, our newly appointed team can get to work offering business support services and holding events that will help our tenants to grow, learn, make new connections and thrive.”
Cllr Daniel Lister, Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Town Centre Regeneration and Growth at WNC, said: “Vulcan Works provides a unique offer for West Northants creative and digital industries. The rejuvenated historical hub combines flexible office space, with first-class support to help businesses flourish.
“With a wealth of knowledge, the team provide on-hand advice, training, and workshops to help businesses expand. It was great to have the opportunity to speak to many businesses who are already calling this space home and meet those who are due to move in over the forthcoming weeks.”
It is estimated that Vulcan Works will support around 150 start-up businesses in its first 10 years, creating around 500 jobs in the area. The centre has also pledged to work with local contractors and agencies, ploughing more money back into the local economy.
“We continue to be impressed with both the quality of award submissions, but also the event” – Blueprint Interiors takes sponsor spot at the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023
Blueprint Interiors has joined the sponsor line up for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023, backing the Architects of the Year category.
Speaking with Business Link, Ben Dawson, Business Development Manager at Blueprint Interiors, said: “We have been involved in the awards since 2019 either as an award nominee or a sponsor.
“We continue to be impressed with both the quality of award submissions, but also the event, which attracts the elite of our region’s construction and property professionals. It is therefore the ideal platform to promote our own expertise as workplace consultants and commercial office fit-out specialists.”
The awards, which will take place on Thursday 28 September at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, celebrate the outstanding work of those shaping the landscape of our region, recognising development projects and people in commercial and public building across the East Midlands – from offices, industrial and residential, through to community projects such as leisure schemes and schools.
Nominations are now OPEN for East Midlands Business Link’s annual Bricks Awards.
To nominate your (or another) business/development for one of our awards, please click on a category link below or visit this page.
To be held at:
“We continue to be impressed with both the quality of award submissions, but also the event, which attracts the elite of our region’s construction and property professionals. It is therefore the ideal platform to promote our own expertise as workplace consultants and commercial office fit-out specialists.”
The awards, which will take place on Thursday 28 September at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, celebrate the outstanding work of those shaping the landscape of our region, recognising development projects and people in commercial and public building across the East Midlands – from offices, industrial and residential, through to community projects such as leisure schemes and schools.
Nominations are now OPEN for East Midlands Business Link’s annual Bricks Awards.
To nominate your (or another) business/development for one of our awards, please click on a category link below or visit this page.
Award categories include:
- Most active estate agent
- Commercial development of the year
- Responsible business of the year
- Residential development of the year
- Developer of the year
- Deal of the year
- Architects of the year
- Excellence in design
- Sustainable development of the year
- Contractor of the year
- Overall winner
Book your tickets now
Tickets can now be booked for the awards event – click here to secure yours. The special awards evening and networking event will be held on Thursday 28 September 2023 in the Derek Randall Suite at the Trent Bridge County Cricket Club from 4:30pm – 7:30pm. Connect with local decision makers over canapés and complimentary drinks while applauding the outstanding companies and projects in our region, and hear from Mike Denby, Director of Inward Investment and Place Marketing at Leicester City Council, our keynote speaker. Dress code is standard business attire. Thanks to our sponsors:
To be held at:
