Former fire station sold to charity
A former fire station in the north Nottinghamshire town of Worksop has been sold to a charity.The 8,700 sq ft fire station, located directly opposite the Whitworth Brothers Albion Mill, has been bought by Autism East Midlands – the organisation which provides a wide range of high-quality care, support and educational services to meet the needs of autistic individuals and their families and carers.Richard Sutton, Managing Director of NG Chartered Surveyors, said: “We had huge levels of interest in this site, and the sale was concluded to Autism East Midlands after a very strong tender process.“It’s fantastic that a charity such as Autism East Midlands, which does such vital work throughout the region, now has the chance to transform this building into another much-needed facility. Our landlord client is also delighted with the outcome, especially as the sale was unconditional.”Jonathan Bishop, director at Bishop Property Consultants, added: “This deal was a great example of teamwork between ourselves and Richard at NG. Together, our market knowledge paid off for our landlord client and also ensured that Autism East Midlands can expand their wonderful care and support for those living with autism – and those closest to them.”
University of Leicester to lead Midlands space cluster development
Experts in Leicestershire have secured a share of £6.5 million of funding from the UK Space Agency to drive forward the country’s space industry.
The cash boost will support high impact, locally led schemes and space cluster development managers to help the space sector grow across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Among those to benefit will be the University of Leicester, which helps lead the award-winning Space Park Leicester – the world’s first science and innovation park specifically designed for space-related companies and researchers.
It will receive £284,000 to fund a Cluster Development Manager who will work with local government, businesses and academia, over three years, to coordinate space activity and encourage collaboration and inward investment in the Midlands.
A further £500,000 will go to the Midland Aerospace Alliance’s Pivot into Space R&D programme.
Space Park Leicester Director of Strategic Partnerships, Professor Martin Barstow, said: “We are pleased that the UKSA recognises the importance of the Midlands to the space economy and the contribution from Space Park Leicester.
“In collaboration with the Midlands Aerospace Alliance, the funding will allow us to coordinate the growing cluster activities in the East and West Midlands and bring them together under a single umbrella.”
The experienced astrophysicist and space scientist added: “Space Park Leicester has already established a strong cluster in the East of the region, and we know there is growing activity in the West. Bringing these activities together will increase the strength of the space economy in the region as a whole.
“The cluster manager funding will be complemented by the MAA’s Pivot into Space R&D programme, which provides direct support to space businesses across the region.”
Dr Paul Bate, Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency, said: “Establishing a network of space clusters and high impact projects will accelerate the development of the thriving space ecosystem the UK needs to realise the full economic potential of space across the UK.
“We’ve been working with the regions to understand their strengths and the needs of their local space economies so that we can back these clusters of excellence to collaborate, grow and thrive.”
The projects are focused on piloting local activity that could be scaled up and rolled out nationally and are being supported by the UK Space Agency’s delivery partner, the Satellite Applications Catapult.
Stuart Martin, Chief Executive Officer at the Satellite Applications Catapult, said: “We have a long-standing commitment to driving the growth of the UK space sector at a regional level and are delighted to continue our support for the delivery of this investment, with our focus on building a coherent space community.
“This additional funding will help cement relationships across the UK’s space community while forging new collaborations with those not yet utilising and benefiting from space data and technology.
“We look forward to ensuring that the sector as a whole takes advantage of the opportunities presented through these locally led initiatives and supporting a connected and thriving ecosystem.”
Other key partners involved in the project include the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), the University of Birmingham and the University of Nottingham, both of which are the universities working in the Midlands Innovation Space Group.
Derby-based serviced apartment provider grows its portfolio with new Nottinghamshire site
Derby-based serviced apartment provider, The Stay Company, has added another site to its property portfolio.
The business, which has its HQ in Friar Gate, has secured the lease on a new, purpose-built block in Nottinghamshire.
The development in Gedling, called Phoenix Court, will offer nine serviced apartments, with both one and two bedroom options all provided with private off-street parking.
This new acquisition by The Stay Company takes the total number of apartments it has over the 100 mark, located across several sites in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.
Dan Wilkinson, director of The Stay Company, said: “It is clear there is a growing demand for affordable, extended stay accommodation in and around the East Midlands.
“This latest addition in Nottinghamshire reflects this strong growth and expansion of businesses across the East Midlands. We believe the site in Gedling complements our other offerings perfectly, adding to Whitefriars House in Nottingham city centre and Devonshire Court in West Bridgford.
“It is so rewarding to be able to grow the number of serviced apartments that we can offer our clients. Extending our portfolio across the East Midlands has been our plan for some time.
“Phoenix Court presented us with the perfect opportunity to expand beyond our Derby and Nottingham city centre presences and grow our quality brand. Busy times are certainly ahead for The Stay Company.”
In October 2022, The Stay Company launched Whitefriars in Nottingham city centre – a £2m development providing serviced apartments for corporate and leisure guests just off Nottingham’s Old Market Square.
It transformed three levels of the four-storey building into 17 open plan studios, and one and two bedroomed apartments. It also added an additional floor with an architect-designed, state-of-the-art mansard roof extension.
Manjas Lidder, owner of The Stay Company, said: “The standard of this new development at Phoenix has remained extremely high, as with all our properties, and we are delighted to add this site to our growing portfolio.
“These apartments offer spacious and flexible accommodation for clients looking for extended and short-term stays.”
Derby train-maker opens new training academy
Train-maker Alstom has officially opened a new national training academy at its Derby site, which will help produce future generations of rail engineers.
During a ceremony at its UK train manufacturing site in Litchurch Lane, Derby South MP Dame Margaret Beckett opened the firm’s Apprentice Training Academy, accompanied by Nick Crossfield, Alstom’s Managing Director for the UK and Ireland. The academy, which will welcome 120 new apprentices and graduates this year, has been created following an investment of £250,000 over the last two years. The opening coincided with National Apprenticeship Week, which took place last week. Mr Crossfield said: “National Apprenticeship Week was the perfect time for us to open our academy as we wanted to express our confidence in the future of the UK apprenticeships and the UK rail industry.” Dame Margaret said: “I’m delighted to see Alstom continuing to invest in Derby’s young people, and in the Litchurch Lane facility, the only factory in Britain with the capability to design, build and test new trains for the UK and for export.” Alstom’s Derby site has been at the heart of UK railway manufacturing for 175 years since it was originally established, with generations of train-makers trained on site to manufacture the most technological advanced trains for Britain’s rail passengers. The new Training Academy, featuring 17 permanent teaching staff, offers 1,600 sq m of learning space, comprising four classrooms, a canteen, coffee area, and break out study areas where new trainees are inducted. It also features a training hall, containing a carriage and cab from the AVENTRA programme – the UK’s largest train manufacturing programme in a generation currently on the lines at Derby – where apprentices can gain practical experience working on carriages before joining a live manufacturing team. All levels of apprentices and graduates will now enter their new traineeship with Alstom through the Training Academy, no matter which of the 30 Alstom locations around the UK they will eventually work at. This year’s intake of 120 apprentices and graduates will be the first to formally benefit from the academy scheme. All courses are structured to complement each apprentice’s college or university course, which they will also attend throughout their apprenticeship. Alstom has said it will be working closely with local universities and colleges, including Derby College Group and the University of Derby. Mr Crossfield said: “Alstom has always believed in developing talent through formalised training, as we see apprentices are the future of our industry both here in Britain and around the world.”Staff made redundant at gin business as administrators continue to liaise with potential purchaser
Staff have been made redundant at Burleighs Gin, after the Leicestershire-based firm entered administration in December.
A sale had been eyed for the business by Christmas, with hopes that it would start the new year under new ownership.
Following the appointment of David Elliott and Bai Cham, of Begbies Traynor, as joint administrators on 5 December 2022, a preferred bidder was selected.
However the joint administrators are reportedly still liaising with the purchaser to complete the sale following delays, with Burleighs Gin Distillers Limited now identified as the frontrunner.
Darren Gould, a former director of Burleighs’ holding company, resigning in 2021, is director of the new company hoped to rescue the business.
Previous documents from the administrators indicated that creditors could miss out on over £1.5m owed to them.
Microsoft goes under the microscope as free resources are offered to SMEs
Thousands of businesses will gain access to free resources that will help them get the most of Microsoft technologies as a new pilot scheme is rolled out in Leicester and Leicestershire.
The Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership is working with Microsoft’s Business Support division to pilot an initiative to help SMEs to get more from digital products which can help to grow their businesses.
The pilot will ensure SMEs from all sectors have access to a variety of productivity tools as well as technical skills support.
Dozens of local businesses have already logged on to business support platforms since the
programme went live in January.
LLEP Co-Chair Andy Reed said: “Increased productivity is a pillar of our regional economic growth plan and we are using our Innovation Strategy and other activities to find new ways of helping small businesses find simple ways of working better.
“By collaborating with partners such as Microsoft, we are able to offer support to small businesses which form the vast majority of the region’s economy.”
Many small businesses will already have the required tools available but will not be aware of ways to utilise them to their full potential.
Advice will range from ways to maximise the tools offered in everyday platforms, such as Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Dynamics 365 CRM systems, through to more specialist complex transformation projects.
It will also include access to free Microsoft training and skilling.
SMEs can learn more about the free resources available through the:
Stewart Smith, Head of Skills and Employment at the LLEP, said: “The LLEP is delighted to make additional resources available to SMEs via our Business Gateway Growth Hub.
“With this suite of business support resources, local businesses have the opportunity to upskill in digital technologies, increase productivity and make better use of the tools at their fingertips.”
Amit Sinha, SMB and Scale CTO for Microsoft UK, said: “We have curated a business support
programme which we are excited to be piloting in Leicester and Leicestershire.
“Businesses will be able to access online courses, free one-to-one business consultations, and free access to a range of resources and expertise.”
Proposals revealed to re-purpose historic Derby building
The former Bennetts department store building could be brought back to life as Manston Investments Ltd has submitted a Listed Building Application to Derby City Council.
Still remembered locally as “Bennetts” (which occupied the site since the 19th century), the property on 8-9 Irongate in the Cathedral Quarter of the City, has been empty since Bennetts went into administration in mid 2019, and then COVID hit.
Manston has been working with local architects JSA Design, local cost consultants Armsons Barlow, and Nottingham-based conservation architects Urban Fabric, to work up a scheme which will re-purpose the 29,000 sq ft part Listed building – previously occupied by a single user – to provide a range of different uses targeted more towards what is required in today’s City Centre.
Tom Boardman-Weston of Manston Investments said: “The scheme to bring this property back to life, has not been without its difficulties, both in respect of the structure itself, the Listed status of parts of the building and also the problems of deferring site meetings during COVID lockdowns: and we still have a long way to go, but we are heartened by the very positive feedback we have been getting to our proposals.”
The submitted proposals involve the partial demolition of some of the rear – more modern – parts of the building to create a whole new entrance to the upper floors and a servicing area for two smaller retail / leisure / food & beverage uses fronting Irongate. The remaining unit at the rear and the first floor will be converted to high end office accommodation. The plans also show the top floors being converted to provide 8 residential units.
Mr. Boardman-Weston added: “Having originally bought the property as an investment in better times, we have ‘skin in the game’ to work towards improving this part of the City with our scheme, and thereby hopefully encouraging the re-use of other buildings in the Cathedral Quarter.
“We are keen to play our part in the resurgence of Derby City Centre, and projects such as Becketwell, the refurbished Market Hall, Derbion’s proposals for the Eagle Centre and Bradshaw Way Retail Park, and the redevelopment of The Assembly Rooms are all helping to move the City Centre in the right direction.”
How will you match up when it comes to getting a media date this Valentine’s Day? By Greg Simpson, founder of Press for Attention PR
Roses are red
Violets are green
Trust me on this
If you haven’t seen
The effect of ammonia
On this lovely flower
But note how my plot twist
Delivers the power
To grab your attention
And read more not less
Now apply that same rule
When you’re pitching the press
You’ve got to remember
They get hundreds a week
So do make the effort
Or hire a word geek.
GS.
Greg Simpson, founder of Press for Attention PR, helps you find your media match. Isn’t it funny, or perhaps even tragic, that the way we tend to communicate in our marketing is so, deadly dull!? We play very, VERY safe, lest we upset the delicate balance of “will they like me/loathe me.” The problem is we actually end up saying very little at all and doing NOTHING to separate ourselves from the hundreds of other emails and missives flying around. Now, you don’t have to be HILARIOUS and off-the-wall, indeed for many businesses, it would be in pretty poor taste to suddenly lift out the dusty old ‘Bantersaurus’ from the library shelves or to attempt to resurrect the ghost of Spike Milligan in your next tender submission. However, there is always room for improvement and for differentiation. Especially when it comes to pitching the media. As you probably know by now, I used to be a business journalist so you’d expect I have the inside track and I can speak ‘journalese’. Well, yes but the main thing is, I know how NOT to sound like I’m making a pitch when I’m BLATANTLY making a pitch. You need to remember, PR is public RELATIONS and the bit when you have to communicate with a dreaded journo is Media RELATIONS. So, what you need to start to build (and then maintain) is a RELATIONSHIP. That means give and take. It means being helpful, being useful, being thoughtful. It also involves being attractive BUT that doesn’t mean we need to be sending carefully airbrushed selfies. It means finding what works for them, what floats their boats. Imagine it like internet dating. You need to start by knowing who you are trying to attract (do they influence your market). What are they interested in (what do they write about)? Does that match with you (honestly! If you’re NOT what you claim to be in real life, don’t fib)? How might a ‘date’ with you (useful content) actually help them? This is the research side of the media dating landscape. I’d highly recommend Twitter for this. Let’s pretend that you’ve found your perfect match or indeed, matches. Hey, nobody said anything about exclusives yet right?! How will you pitch them? You need to stand out and you need to consider what they are looking for. Let’s go old skool here and back to the Lonely Hearts Club ads of yesteryear. We need to be adding VALUE so we need to be responding to their needs, not making our marketing moves on them! Here’s what some might be thinking: Finance reporter with freelance roles across several national titles seeks reliable expert to explain what the rise in house prices means for mortgage holders. Must be prompt, not pitchy and able to respond within 48 hours’ notice to request for a ‘date’, typically after the Halifax pipes up with latest results. Or… Lifestyle reporter on daily tabloid seeks top tips to help you get into shape for summer. Brevity preferred. Gifts and trials of equipment and training programmes most welcome. Or… Interiors feature writer on national broadsheet supplement seeks inspiring case studies and trends tips for 2023. Must have visual appeal, no grainy phone snaps taken years ago that no longer look like you say they do. Do you see how they think? All you have to do now is to perfect your pitch to them based on what THEY want. Imagine having the power that Mel Gibson snaffles in ‘What Women Want’. He is speaking the language that resonates, but most importantly of all he is LISTENING. The good news is you don’t need a bolt of lightning, you just need to do some groundwork. I suggest your dating site of choice to start attracting your dream journo is Twitter. A former business journalist, Greg Simpson is the author of The Small Business Guide to PR and has been recognised as one of the UK’s top 5 PR consultants, having set up Press for Attention PR in 2008. He has worked for FTSE 100 firms, charities and start-ups and conducted press conferences with Sir Richard Branson and James Caan. His background ensures a deep understanding of every facet of a successful PR campaign – from a journalist’s, client’s, and consultant’s perspective. See this column in the February edition of East Midlands Business Link Magazine here.Lincolnshire employers offered grants to aid numeracy training
Employers in Lincolnshire can apply for a £1,000 grant to support numeracy development and become a Lincolnshire Multiply Champion.
Multiply is a government-funded programme to help adults over 19 years old to improve maths skills, which are critical to personal wellbeing and business growth.
Free, flexible courses, personal tutoring and digital training are available, with countywide tutors ready and willing to support learners.
The grants are awarded on a first come, first served basis, and could be spent by employers on piloting innovative approaches to learning maths in the workplace, or dedicating staff time to encouraging numeracy progression. Community groups may come up with ways to support their wider community in taking up Multiply courses.
Executive councillor for adult learning at the county council, Cllr Patricia Bradwell, said: “A Lincolnshire Multiply Champion is an organisation or group that recognises the importance of Maths, and its application at work, and in everyday life. We can’t wait to see what innovative approaches our county organisations come up with to encourage and support people to achieve better numeracy skills through Multiply.”
Eligible applications that meet the minimum criteria will be awarded grant on a ‘first-come, first-served’ basis.
For further information including how to apply, please go to: https://2aspire.org.uk/home/multiply/lincolnshiremultiplychampions/
Skills boost on the horizon for East Midlands SMES in 2023
A new poll of SMEs across the East Midlands reveals – while 2023 may be a challenging year – they still expect on average a 21% growth in revenue.
The Skills Horizon barometer, launched by the Skills for Life campaign, asked 1,250 SMEs in England about their challenges and opportunities when it comes to skills and recruitment in the year ahead, and has found many are exploring the best ways to strengthen their workforce to achieve this growth.
In the East Midlands specifically, it reveals 69% are planning to invest in upskilling their workforce, bolstering their capabilities for the year ahead.
The Skills for Life campaign aims to help SMEs understand all the training and employment schemes available to them, including Apprenticeships, T Levels, Skills Bootcamps, HTQs and Multiply numeracy courses. Businesses who are considering hiring employees can access a range of government programmes offering work experience or upskilling existing staff, some of which offer financial incentives.
This moment in the campaign follows last week’s National Apprenticeship Week, dedicated to celebrating apprenticeships and the newer introduction of T Levels to highlight their positive impact on communities, businesses, and the wider economy.
Nearly half (45%) of SMEs in the East Midlands rank staffing challenges – such as recruitment and skills – amongst their top three concerns for 2023. However, over a quarter (27%) plan to invest in building digital skills within their company and nearly a third (31%) will encourage staff to engage in current or free training resources – such as Skills for Life Bootcamps.
Many SMEs in the East Midlands are hoping this will help them tackle the challenges they face with recruitment and staffing in 2023, as they cite their top recruitment and staffing concern as retaining staff (50%). Over a quarter (27%) are seeking to hire from broad education routes such as apprentices and T Levels students.
Minister for Skills, Apprenticeships and Higher Education Robert Halfon said: “Boosting skills in key sectors like digital, manufacturing and healthcare is essential to building a skills nation and the government is investing in resources and skills qualifications – spending over £3.8bn this Parliament.
“This investment is being recognised by SMEs who are planning to invest in upskilling their workforce this year, and I would encourage businesses of all sizes follow suit.
“Whether it’s through apprenticeships, T Levels or courses in essential numeracy and literacy skills, there are free and flexible ways for employers to tap into the highly skilled workforce they need to thrive.”
Daniel Lewin of Lewin Electrical Services in Leicester, East Midlands says: “We have found working with T Level Students or entry level employees gives you a chance to work closely with them – teaching them the trade as well as the business as they are the future of the industry and trade.”
