Proposals to be considered for conversion of council offices into new hotel

Tess Egginton
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Proposals to be considered for conversion of council offices into new hotel
Following the recent success in securing a £14 million investment through the Levelling Up Fund, Melton Borough Council’s Cabinet is due to consider another sizeable investment opportunity which will support the town’s economy. At their meeting on Wednesday 8 February, the Council’s Cabinet is due to consider a report setting out the opportunity to convert part of their Parkside offices into a new 65 bed hotel. If the Cabinet confirm their support to the principle of the proposed redevelopment, work would then begin to formally and fully test the implications and to prepare a detailed business case over the next 12 months. Cllr Joe Orson, leader of the Council, said: “The recent success of Levelling Up funding and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund allocations will see millions of pounds of investment into the town centre over the next couple of years. Combining this with an increased hotel capacity in the heart of Melton Mowbray, we can attract over 28,000 additional visitors to the area each year, increasing footfall in the town and spending at local businesses and visitor attractions.” Since the pandemic, the adoption of the Council’s hybrid working model, and the vacation of space previously occupied by Leicestershire County Council, less office space is required at the site. Therefore, the provision of a hotel on part of the site has the potential to reduce costs to the council and provide a further significant boost to local tourism and the night-time economy, whilst the Council maintains a strong and visible presence in the town. The proposed redevelopment would see the Eastern side of the building, which includes the current reception area, civic rooms and registrars remain in its current configuration. Office space would remain available for the employees and partners on the upper floors and the ground floor would continue to be accessible to customers to visit the council and access services. Under the initial proposals the Western side of the building would be converted into a 65 bed hotel. The council would maintain ownership of the building, leasing the space to a company who would run and manage the hotel for thousands of visitors to stay each year. Cllr Rob Bindloss, portfolio holder for growth and regeneration, stated: “The Council is committed to investing in the town centre and boosting tourism to attract more people to spend time and money in Melton. During the consultation for the Town Centre Vision last year, residents and partners raised the issue of lack of available hotel rooms in the town to allow event organisers and coach operators to find suitable accommodation in the town centre without having to stop in Nottingham or Leicester. “The Council is very keen to maximize the benefits this could bring to the town’s economy and so is not proposing to include café or restaurant provision with the hotel to encourage visitors to use the facilities in the town, which could see an additional £2 million each year being spent in night-time economy.” Following the Cabinet decision, if approved, the council would undertake all the necessary financial and legal assessments, as well as a  procurement exercise to identify a suitable hotel operator and develop a detailed business case. Once concluded, the Council’s Scrutiny, Cabinet and Full Council would review the detailed proposals put forward, considering the financial implications, risks and benefits involved, before making a final decision whether to go ahead with the proposals.

Council buys Buxton shopping centre

Tess Egginton
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Council buys Buxton shopping centre
High Peak Borough Council has bought The Springs shopping centre in Buxton – the catalyst that will kick-start the redevelopment of the town centre and a key milestone in the Future High Streets project. The purchase means the Council has control of the building and the associated land and can get on with delivering the much-anticipated enhancements to the area in partnership with the local community and businesses. The Council’s successful bid to the Future High Streets fund (FHS) saw the proposals awarded £6.6m – 69% of its original bid. As a result, the Council is topping up the total by investing a further £4.2m from its budgets to deliver improvements to the main commercial part of the town to complement and enhance the heritage and cultural offer which draws people to Buxton. Council leader, Councillor Anthony Mckeown, said: “Town centres across the country face huge challenges and Buxton is no exception. To reverse that trend we’re all agreed that Buxton town centre needs investment and improvement to create modern, fit for the future places for living, working and enjoying leisure time. “That’s what townspeople and businesses have told us they want and it’s why we made our successful bid to the Future High Streets fund. “The hard truth is that The Springs as it stands now is not working for our town and the community. Buying the shopping centre puts the Council and the local community in control so we can work together to drive this regeneration forward. “Now that this acquisition is complete, we’ll be coming back to our residents, businesses and partners to further shape our shared vision for a rejuvenated town centre.” Following the funding announcement at the end of 2019, over 800 people took part in public consultation events to help shape the proposals included in the vision masterplan. Stakeholders, including civic groups, partners and the voluntary sector, have also been involved in discussions since the early stages. Schemes to be delivered as part of the FHS project include: ·       New homes ·       New office space ·       Converting the upper floors of buildings ·       Public realm enhancements including wayfinding and street furniture ·       Pedestrian and cyclist accessibility improvements ·       Gigabyte infrastructure Councillor Damien Greenhalgh, deputy leader and executive councillor for regeneration, tourism and leisure, said: “We want our town centres and high streets across the High Peak to thrive and this significant investment in Buxton will breathe much-needed new life into the Spring Gardens area. “It’s such an exciting project to be involved in and we’ve reached a major milestone by buying The Springs – it’s the catalyst for turning our vision into reality. “These plans have already been shaped by public consultation to reach this stage and we will be doing plenty more consultation as the details emerge so everyone can feel involved in a once-in-generation opportunity to transform their town.” The Council was supported in the process of purchasing the shopping centre by the law firm Browne Jacobson LLP. Partner Thomas Howard said: “We are proud to have worked with the Council to acquire this key site in their regeneration ambitions for Buxton. Having been involved since heads of terms were being negotiated I’m delighted the Council has reached this important milestone.”

Firms offered free post-Brexit regulation advice by Trading Standards experts

Stuart Pearcey
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Firms offered free post-Brexit regulation advice by Trading Standards experts
Nottinghamshire businesses have until the end of March next year to get free bespoke support and advice from Trading Standards experts to help them negotiate complex legal requirements in a post-Brexit economy. As experts in compliance and legislation, Nottinghamshire’s Trading Standards officers have the specialist knowledge to help businesses keep up to date with their latest regulatory requirements, including areas such as product safety, product labelling, food safety and staff training. They can provide bespoke support to local firms to ensure they don’t get caught up in compliance red tape. Councillor John Cottee, Chairman of the Communities Committee said “Our Trading Standards officers are here to support local businesses. We want to help Nottinghamshire firms thrive and succeed, which is why we are offering this free specialist support. By taking advantage of the package available, Nottinghamshire businesses can ensure they get things right, so they can be confident they are marketing their products and services correctly. “It also means that firms will avoid potentially costly corrective action that might be needed as a result of non-compliance with post-Brexit legislation. By helping firms meet their regulatory requirements we will also create a safer community, so consumers can be assured that the products and services they buy are safe.” Businesses can find out more and apply for the free support by completing a ‘Business Advice Request Form’ on the Nottinghamshire Trading Standards website: Free Trading Standards Business Advice | Nottinghamshire County Council. After filling out this simple form, the business will be contacted by Nottinghamshire Trading Standards within one working day.

Major plans for Grimsby leisure development approved

Tess Egginton
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Major plans for Grimsby leisure development approved
The planning application for a new market hall, a cinema and other leisure facilities at the Western end of Freshney Place in Grimsby has been approved in today’s Planning Committee. Cllr Philip Jackson, leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, said: “This is good news, and we can now press on with our major plans to improve the town centre, to make them more attractive for people to live and work in. “We have been working in the background with professional advisers to look at the stores within both Freshney Place and the market that are likely to be affected, and have been having discussions with them individually about potential relocation within the centre while the works are ongoing. “We are also looking at how we can use any empty space within Freshney Place in different ways – potentially bringing more of a community focus to the centre to help balance out the changes to retail habits.” The leisure development will house a new cinema, with local and regional operator Parkway Entertainment Group coming in as an anchor tenant and pledging to provide a great venue to complement its offer in Cleethorpes. The plans also feature a remodelled entrance to the centre, which will be lined with units for leisure and eateries, and an entrance to a new and transformed Market Hall. Work to deliver the scheme is likely to begin in the summer, initially stripping out vacant units before demolishing the former BHS building in early 2024 to make way for the new market hall. The market will continue to operate from its current base until the new market has been built.

Leicester City chairman relieves Club of outstanding debts to parent company

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Leicester City chairman relieves Club of outstanding debts to parent company
Leicester City chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha has relieved the Club of its outstanding debts to its parent company, King Power International.
Over £194m in loans and related interest has been capitalised into equity issued to King Power International Co Limited (KPI), which is wholly owned by the Srivaddhanaprabha family. These loans have been provided by KPI to the Club over the last four years to fund the construction of the Club’s world-class new training ground at Seagrave and to continue to support the Club’s investments into its squad and Women’s football during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their conversion into equity serves to strengthen the Club’s balance sheet, reduce its interest costs, and provide further evidence of King Power International’s commitment to supporting the Club’s long-term sustainability. It is the second time such a process has been undertaken since the family took ownership of Leicester City in 2010, having completed a £103m debt-to-equity transfer in 2013. In both cases it has ensured that all existing shareholder investment in the Club will not be carried forward as debt. Leicester City chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha said: “Maintaining long-term stability is vital for sustainable growth and a fundamental principle that has always guided our investments in the Club’s future. We want to make sure we continue on that path from the strongest, most secure financial footing. “I believe with all my heart in Leicester City and what the Club can achieve for our fans, our people and our communities – in Leicester, Thailand and around the world. The faith they continue to place in us to run their Club responsibly with ambition and integrity guides our decision making and remains vital to us building on one of the most successful eras in the Club’s history.” Leicester City was acquired by the Srivaddhanaprabha family in 2010 and quickly made part of its King Power Group, which supported the Club’s rise from the Championship to the Premier League. As well as overseeing success on the pitch – including winning the Premier League in 2016, winning the FA Cup and Community Shield in 2021 and embarking on three memorable European campaigns – the Srivaddhanaprabha family have transformed the Club off it. A state-of-the-art new training facility in Seagrave, north Leicestershire was opened in December 2020, providing a world-class facility both for the Men’s First Team and for future generations of young players on the development pathway through the Club’s Academy. LCFC Women was launched earlier in the same year, with the team winning promotion to the top flight of the women’s game in their first professional season.

Sills & Betteridge boosts Commercial Litigation & Dispute Resolution Team

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Sills & Betteridge boosts Commercial Litigation & Dispute Resolution Team

Sills & Betteridge’s Commercial Litigation & Dispute Resolution Team has recently been boosted with the appointment of solicitor Rachael O’Sullivan. Rachael deals with all aspects of litigation, including landlord and tenant disputes, land and boundary disputes, disputes between cohabitees under the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996, injunctions, committal applications, breach of contract and debt claims. Prior to joining the firm, Lincoln-born Rachael attended university in Nottingham and then took a year out to travel around South-East Asia, and to teach English in Thailand. She returned to Lincoln and spent 6 years working in house for an insurance company in the private residential sector, dealing with landlord possession claims. She gained extensive advocacy experience representing clients at trials in the County Court. Rachael then decided to resume her studies, starting her Legal Practice course in 2019 for which she obtained a distinction, fully qualifying as a solicitor last year. A keen advocate, Rachael will be undertaking a Higher Rights of Audience course in March 2023. Senior partner, and head of Commercial Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Karen Bower-Brown said: “We are delighted that Rachael has joined our busy team. She complements the existing arrangements extremely well with her broad litigation knowledge and experience in representing both claimants and defendants. She has settled in well and I am looking forward to seeing her legal career progress with Sills & Betteridge.” Rachael said: “I have known Karen and her colleagues in the litigation department professionally for some time, and always admired the pragmatic approach they take to achieve the best outcomes for their clients. I am very fortunate to work in a team which deals with such a wide range of commercial and civil dispute matters and know I will benefit greatly from their support and mentorship.” Rachael will be based at Lincoln but will handle cases across the wider Lincolnshire area, Yorkshire and the East Midlands.

KPMG set to invest in the Midlands following strong financial year

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KPMG set to invest in the Midlands following strong financial year
Professional services firm KPMG is set to invest in its Midlands operations following a strong financial year. Last year, KPMG promoted 140 colleagues, including six partners, in the Midlands where it has offices in Nottingham and Birmingham. As well as this investment into colleagues, the firm outlined plans to provide new workspaces for its staff in the East Midlands by securing a new office at the University of Nottingham’s Castle Meadows Campus. The growth was driven by a demand in KPMG’s core services – audit, tax & legal, deal advisory and consulting. Deals completed by the KPMG UK Midlands corporate finance team include: the sale of a construction management software and services company to The Access Group; the acquisition of National Tyres by Halfords; and LDC’s investment into Stonbury, the water and environmental sustainability firm. Andy Bostock, KPMG UK Midlands regional chair, said: “The past year was an extraordinary year for businesses in the Midlands – Birmingham hosted the 2022 Commonwealth Games, which saw a record number of tourists visiting the region and a continuous flow of inward investment which has ensured that crucial infrastructure projects will be realised. “In 2022, we invested in our staff by enhancing our benefits package and provided an in-year salary rise to recognise the hard work of our colleagues across the UK. This investment will also be continuing in the Midlands as we set to relocate our office as part of our partnership with the University of Nottingham. “Being a responsible business is at the centre of what we do and as part of that we’ve encouraged our people to use their skills and expertise to help tackle social issues that impact our communities. “In 2022, our Midlands based colleagues dedicated over 6000 hours on volunteering and fundraising activities. This included delivering employability programmes for students in the Black Country, raising money for Cure Leukaemia and Marie Curie, and assisting women from the Birmingham Crisis Centre to re-enter the workplace. “This year, many of our clients will be focusing on how best to optimise the costs of their business operations while ensuring that they can still make impactful investments in digital transformation, improving ESG credentials and upskilling their workforce; and our expert teams will be on hand to support them. “As we look to the year ahead, I’m excited to see the work that our colleagues will be doing for our clients and the social impact that we can have in the local community.” Publishing its annual results for the financial year ended 30 September 2022, KPMG UK delivered double digit growth for the second consecutive year, recording a 16% rise in revenue from £2.35bn to £2.72bn, with profit before tax increasing from £436m to £449m. The firm recorded double-digit sales growth in each of its major business units.

Bridge Help makes senior promotion

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Bridge Help makes senior promotion

Chesterfield-based commercial finance specialist, Bridge Help has promoted Katie Snodden to the newly created role of head of sales.

The promotion recognises the significant contribution Katie has made to the business since she joined as a business development manager in 2021.

In 2022 alone Katie secured more than £8m worth of loans for brokers throughout England and Wales. In her newly created role, she will now lead Bridge Help’s team of business development managers in growing the company’s loan book which it aims to double in 2023.

Chris Sellars, CEO and general counsel of Bridge Help, said: “Katie has built some amazing relationships across the industry, all whilst taking on additional responsibilities within the company. Her appointment is integral to our growth plans for next year and she is absolutely the right person for this role.” Katie added: “I am thrilled to take on this exciting role. One of the many reasons I joined Bridge Help was the opportunity to grow my career and skillset within the business.”

Katie joined the bridging finance sector from the transport and logistics sector having previously worked within financial services for a large, chartered accountancy firm in London. Her appointment at Bridge Help signalled her return to the financial services sector, which she describes as her ‘first love’.

Enrok Construction appoints new quantity surveyor

Tess Egginton
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Enrok Construction appoints new quantity surveyor

Derbyshire-headquartered Enrok Construction has appointed a new quantity surveyor as part of its ongoing growth strategy.

Stuart Wedge, who has almost a decade of experience gained across the construction sector, joins Enrok to work across the company’s ongoing projects in the Midlands. These include the restoration of a former mill on Crocus Street, Nottingham, into 27 apartments and a new affordable housing scheme in Handsworth, West Midlands.

Stuart joins Enrok as the company continues to bolster its team as part of its growth plans for the New Year, following a successful 2022. Enrok’s ambitious growth plans were among the reasons Stuart joined the team.

Commenting on his appointment, Stuart Wedge says: “Enrok has a strong team in place already and I am looking forward to adding my experience to the company. The company’s growth ambitions and the potential for me to develop my role on numerous ongoing projects really appealed to me.

“Our work within the affordable housing sector is also something that aligns with my values. I wanted to be part of a company that is committed to working with housing associations to deliver more affordable homes for people across the UK.”

Simon Bennett MCIOB, operations director at Enrok, adds: “Stuart has direct experience that will quickly benefit our client’s projects across the Midlands. His ambition to be part of a growing business impressed us and we are all delighted that he has joined the Enrok team.

“As we focus more on working with Housing Associations in the Social Housing sector, it is essential that we have the right people in the right places across the business. We feel we have achieved this with Stuart, and I am looking forward to working with him.”

Hospital Services Limited launches East Midlands headquarters

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Hospital Services Limited launches East Midlands headquarters
After over 60 years working in partnership with healthcare suppliers on the Island of Ireland, Hospital Services Limited (HSL) is growing the company’s footprint in the UK with an investment of over £1.7m to establish a headquarters in the East Midlands. A specialist distributor of medical and surgical equipment, consumable products, and healthcare IT solutions, HSL is one of the largest privately-owned distributors supplying the health sector in the UK and Ireland. In addition to supplying technologies and solutions to its customers, HSL’s team provides on-going technical and clinical support to the end-user of its products. With financial backing from the Foresight Group, an independent infrastructure and private equity investment manager with over £6.5 billion of assets under management, HSL continues to grow its offering. Following continued growth and success in GB where HSL have established a reputation for supplying innovative, efficiency-growing and high-quality radiology and healthtech, HSL have established a Britain-based team of 25 across their new Draycott headquarters, an office in Bath, and positioned remotely across the regions of the UK including Wales. The company also has ambitious plans to grow the team by at least 60% in the coming years through planned acquisitions and ongoing recruitment campaigns, and has recently appointed Steve Leatherland as regional director of operations in GB. Commenting on his role in helping strategic growth for HSL Steve Leatherland said: “These are exciting times for HSL with a growing portfolio, an expanding team, and a working environment focused on creating a culture of customer centricity. With over 20 years’ experience in the healthcare service sector, I am looking forward to working with some of the best people and products in the marketplace.” Graham Stewart, commercial & finance director, HSL, added: “Established 60 years ago this year on the Island of Ireland, HSL has enjoyed close partnerships with NHS trusts and private healthcare providers for decades. “We are proud to be applying that track record of supplying high-quality and innovative technologies to departments and teams in a wide range of disciplines by doubling-down on plans for growth in the UK with the establishment of our East Midlands office and have further growth in the pipeline for HSL in Great Britain. “We represent a high calibre of global brands here in England, Scotland and Wales, and our ability to bring a multitude of technologies to clients gives us a unique advantage as we work in partnership with them to build bespoke solutions to meet their needs.” HSL’s Chief Executive Dominic Walsh said: “Working alongside public and private hospitals, teaching hospitals and colleges, HSL are delighted to share our attitude of service and support with clients across the UK. “Expanding beyond the idea of selling individual products, our team invests themselves in the success of our clients and we excel at developing a deep understanding of their requirements, ways of working, and desired outcomes and aim to partner long term with the clients to provide ongoing aftercare and support as well as training and continued improvement of solutions offered.”
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