Four new starters at Fluid Ideas as expansion continues
Four new starters have strengthened the ranks of creative agency Fluid Ideas as its expansion continues.
Fluid, which is based at Darley Abbey Mills, near Derby, has recruited across four of its six teams in line with further growth in demand for its range of services.
The new arrivals are Nicole Davies, Tom King, Will Davis and Matt Thompson.
Nicole, who has a master’s degree in marketing management, has joined Fluid’s websites and systems team as a project manager. Her role is to ensure digital projects are delivered efficiently, on time and to budget while also helping to support and optimise clients’ websites.
Tom has joined the brand and creative team as a multi-disciplinary designer, working on client campaigns and pitches. He has more than 10 years’ commercial experience of working with national and international brands and he adds to the team’s animation and CGI capabilities. Tom also holds a leadership and management qualification from the Institute of Leadership and Management.
Will, a digital marketing graduate from the University of Derby, has gained experience in the sport and leisure sector and has joined Fluid’s search and social team. His main focus will be search engine optimisation, content writing and social media management.
Matt has joined the design and artwork team and brings with him more than 20 years’ experience of working in local agencies. In joining Fluid, he follows in the footsteps of his brother Ben, who was the agency’s first employee and has helped drive the growth of its brand and creative team for almost two decades.
Ed Bowler, joint managing director of Fluid Ideas, said: “As always, our focus has been on growing with good people. Nicole, Matt, Will and Tom all bring new and exciting talents to the team but, most importantly, they care about the quality of work we produce and they will undoubtedly add to the spirit and culture that has helped make Fluid such a healthy and enjoyable place to be, for our clients and our colleagues.”
Work underway on Grade A office building in Leicester
Granite House at Watermead Business Park is due to undergo a substantial transformation following its recent acquisition by Boundary Real Estate Partners (BREP).
The new owners of the 50,000 sq ft office building, set on a large car park, have started work to reposition the building within the marketplace to provide a ‘best in class opportunity’ to meet occupier demand.
The plans include a substantial refurbishment of the reception to create a new full height entrance area with feature staircase, full refurbishment of the welfare facilities and the installation of showers. The landscaping will be improved to create a leisure area incorporating bike storage, outdoor seating and break out areas.
New owners, BREP, are particularly focused on the ESG credentials of the building and, through the refurbishment works, are targeting EPC B rating, over and above minimum standards for 2025 and beyond. The asset will also be future proofed for electric car charging with the installation of EV charging points.
Working alongside Leicester County Council’s Sustainable Travel Coordinator, the owners are seeking to secure Modeshift accreditation and are now trialling the use of e-bikes, encouraging occupiers of the scheme to get the most out of the amenities provided by Thurmaston Retail Park and the use of Watermead Country Park.
Agents, FHP and CBRE have commenced marketing of the first floor office space within the building, which provides some 24,863 sq ft of Grade A space on a single floorplate.
Mark Tomlinson, director at FHP, said: “We have seen a drive towards quality among occupiers with a particular focus on lifestyle and wellbeing alongside continued focus on energy efficiency and it is important that the regional office market delivers office buildings to cater for these requirements. These are exciting plans for the building, many of which are unrivalled within the Leicester market.”
Michelle Mills, director at CBRE, said: “The Leicester office market remains undersupplied with Grade A options for corporate occupiers looking to change the way in which they work going forwards. Granite House will deliver one of the premium options within the City.”
Property professionals will gather tonight for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022!
It is finally the day to attend the eagerly anticipated East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022!
It is an evening for Business Link and professionals alike to recognise, celebrate, and network with the property and construction industry – those behind the changing landscape of our region.
Winners will be announced today (Thursday 15 September) in the Derek Randall Suite at Trent Bridge Cricket Ground. The event will start at 4:30pm and conclude at 7:30pm, with complimentary drinks and canapés served on arrival.
The event will also feature John Forkin MBE DL, Managing Director at award-winning investment promotion agency Marketing Derby, as keynote speaker, as well as award-winning mind reader, magician, and professional mentalist Looch, who will bewilder and astonish guests during the evening’s networking.
Thanks to our sponsors:
Shortlist for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022
Most Active Agent – sponsored by Blueprint Interiors Mather Jamie OMEETO BB&J Commercial Commercial Development of the Year – sponsored by Frank Key Broad Marsh Bus Station and Car Park – Galliford Try Construction Etiquette Park – Clowes Developments Nottinghamshire Police and Nottinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service joint HQ – Henry Brothers Responsible Business of the Year – sponsored by Press for Attention PR Cawarden Arc Partnership Phoenix Brickwork Residential Development of the Year – sponsored by Sterling Commercial Finance The Rise, Southwell – Stagfield Group Glenvale Park – Glenvale Park LLP Hindle House – KMRE Group Deal of the Year – sponsored by Blythin & Brown Insurance Brokers St James Securities – Phase Two of the Becketwell regeneration scheme in Derby – 3,500 capacity Becketwell performance venue with ASM Global Wells McFarlane, APB and Newton LDP – sale of 460 acres of land in North Leicestershire, making way for a new garden village Morgan Industrial Properties Limited – acquisition of the former Ewart Chain site in Shaftesbury Street, Derby Developer of the Year – sponsored by Ward Hockley Developments St James Securities HBD Architects of the Year – sponsored by OMS Swain Architecture Rayner Davies Architects CPMG Architects Excellence in Design – sponsored by Cawarden St. Peter’s Gate renovation – CPMG Architects Health and Allied Professions Centre at Nottingham Trent University – Pick Everard Brookside Farm – Chevin Homes Sustainable Development of the Year – sponsored by Viridis Building Services Refurbished HQ for LKAB Minerals – Scenariio Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre – Chesterfield Borough Council, Whittam Cox Architects, Robert Woodhead Group Broad Marsh Bus Station and Car Park – Galliford Try Construction Contractor of the Year – sponsored by RammSanderson Galliford Try Construction Cawarden Enrok Construction The Overall Winner, sponsored by Streets Chartered Accountants, will also be announced at the ceremony, who will be awarded a year of marketing/publicity worth £20,000.
To be held at:
Cawarden and Derbyshire FA announce County Cups sponsorship
Cawarden is sponsoring the Derbyshire FA County Cups, which are returning for the 2022/23 season after a three-year hiatus.
Cawarden, a Derbyshire-based specialist contractor with over 35 years’ experience in project delivery, and Derbyshire FA, the governing body for grassroots football in the county, announced a new sponsorship deal that will see each of the nine County Cups named after the new sponsors for the 2022/23 season.
William Crooks, Managing Director of Cawarden, said: “We’re excited to renew our links with the Derbyshire FA, particularly after the closure of the league due to the pandemic. It’s wonderful to support an organisation that aligns with Cawarden’s ethos to support local communities and give back.
“Football is an important part of the community and touches all levels, so we’re really proud to be sponsoring the Derbyshire FA County Cups and continuing to back Derbyshire football. We look forward to an exciting season ahead!”
Cawarden is a family-owned and operated business with a rich history of delivering demolition, land remediation and earthworks projects across the UK. Their history is imprinted in Derbyshire football through the delivery of several iconic demolition projects in the county, including the Baseball Ground in 2003, the former home of Derby County FC, and the Saltergate Stadium, the former ground of Chesterfield FC.
Derbyshire FA are responsible for leading and supporting grassroots football across Derbyshire. The Derbyshire FA County Cups are a series of knock-out cup competitions that take place throughout the season. They play a big role in the rich history of football in the county, with the Senior Challenge Cup dating back to 1883/84.
Due to the outbreak of COVID-19, the County Cups have not run for the last three seasons, the last being 2018/19. The chance to bring the County Cups back this season is exciting for everybody involved in football, and Cawarden is proud to be part of its return.
The first round draws are due to be announced later this week.
Multi-let industrial estate sold in Ilkeston
The Ropewalk Industrial Estate in Ilkeston, Derbyshire, has been sold.
Acting on behalf of private clients, FHP secured the sale of the multi-let industrial estate, comprising 40 individually let warehouse and workshop units.
The property provides a mixture of units for fledgling and growth business in the area which have proven popular over the years with consistently high occupancy rates.
The property was sold following a “highly competitive process with local, regional and national investors bidding competitively for the property.”
Mark Tomlinson, director at FHP, said: “We are delighted to have secured the sale of The Ropewalk Industrial Estate which we have managed on behalf of our clients for nearly ten years.
“The property was almost fully let at the time of sale and offers the new owners the ability to improve the rental income profile through asset management and an ongoing programme of refurbishments which will provide value improvement and a strong investment return.”
Plans to convert Nottingham’s British Waterways Building into flats tipped for approval
Plans to transform the British Waterways Building in Nottingham into a residential scheme have been recommended for approval.
H2O Urban, a joint partnership between The Canal and River Trust (current owners of the building) and specialist developer bloc Ltd, are behind the proposals.
The grade 2 listed building would be converted to provide 95 residential units (12 studios, 42 one bedroom apartments and 41 two bedroom apartments) including construction of a rooftop extension providing 8 apartments.
The building, constructed in 1919 as a canal transit warehouse for the Trent Navigation Company, is currently partially occupied by a comedy club (Glee), however the lease for the space is coming to an end and will not be renewed. The other areas of lower floors were previously occupied by a pub and the upper floors by a gym but are all currently empty.
A design statement says: “The proposal to convert the listed British Waterways building into a residential apartment scheme will provide a viable repurposing of this prominent landmark to protect its long-term future.”
Equity investment talks between Next and Joules called off
Following Joules, the Market Harborough-based lifestyle group, confirming earlier in the year that it was in talks with Next about a potential equity investment, the discussions have now ended.
Raising proceeds for Joules of £15 million, Next would have become a strategic minority shareholder.
In a new business update however, Joules said “discussions about Next plc acquiring an equity stake in the group have ceased,” however talks regarding Joules potentially adopting the Next Total Platform in the future remain ongoing.
Joules added: “The company has an ongoing positive relationship with Next, successfully selling Joules products through Next’s Label channel which will continue.”
Meanwhile Jonathon Brown, the group’s new CEO, has announced that Tom Joule, the company’s founder and a non-executive director, will lead, in an executive capacity, the company’s renewed product development process for the forthcoming seasons.
Dunelm hails “another year of excellent performance”
The CEO of homewares retailer Dunelm Group, has hailed “another year of excellent performance.”
According to preliminary results for the year to 2 July 2022, total sales at the business hit £1.55bn, up from £1.33bn in 2021.
Meanwhile profit before tax grew to £209m from £157.8m.
The Leicestershire firm noted that sales have remained robust in the first ten weeks of its new financial year.
Nick Wilkinson, Chief Executive Officer, said: “Our colleagues and our committed supplier partners are at the heart of our success. In another year of excellent performance, I am extremely grateful for their skill, commitment and adaptability in the face of new external challenges and during another busy period of progress across the business.
“We feel confident and well prepared to weather the current economic pressures – we emerged from an unprecedented global pandemic as a bigger, better business and we believe we have the tools in place to do that again. That said, the operating and economic environment is extremely challenging.
“In this environment, we have to make every pound count, both for ourselves through our tight operational grip and cost discipline, and for our customers, through our offer of outstanding value at all price points.
“Dunelm, at its heart, offers customers great choice and value. Now is not the time for us to shy away from that, but for us to fully embrace it; whether it’s our Winter Warm collection or our Student Essentials range, we think Dunelm’s unique and market-leading offer is more relevant than ever before.”
How ignoring your dream list of clients is a nightmare for marketers: by Greg Simpson, founder of Press for Attention PR
Greg Simpson, founder of Press for Attention PR, reflects on a recent experience to offer wise words on establishing and maintaining dream clients.
Normally on the last Wednesday of the month (as I write this column) I am getting ready to give a talk to local entrepreneurs about how to grow their business through marketing, or basically “getting and keeping customers.”
In the end, when you strip off all the bells and whistles, that’s what marketing is.
However, two things have changed this time:
- I had to bring the meeting forward because next week is my wedding anniversary.
- The venue has just pulled the rug from under me and cancelled the event!
Last chance to secure tickets for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022
With the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022 taking place TOMORROW (Thursday 15 September) there are limited seats left at the event.
Property and construction professionals will be gathering in the Derek Randall Suite at the famous Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, where Business Link will be recognising and celebrating those behind the changing landscape of our region.
The event starts at 4.30pm and concludes at 7.30pm and tickets are available here.
Make use of this opportunity to network with leaders of property and construction businesses from across the East Midlands.
Complimentary drinks and canapés will be served on arrival. Dress code is standard business attire. The event will also feature John Forkin MBE DL, Managing Director at award-winning investment promotion agency Marketing Derby, as keynote speaker, as well as award-winning mind reader, magician, and professional mentalist Looch, who will bewilder and astonish guests during the evening’s networking.
Attend the glittering awards ceremony to see who takes home the title of Contractor of the Year, Developer of the Year, Commercial Development of the Year, Residential Development of the Year, Sustainable Development of the Year, Deal of the Year, Most Active Agents of the Year, Architects of the Year, Excellence in Design, Responsible Business and of course Overall Winner.
Thanks to our sponsors:
Shortlist for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022
Most Active Agent – sponsored by Blueprint Interiors Mather Jamie OMEETO BB&J Commercial Commercial Development of the Year – sponsored by Frank Key Broad Marsh Bus Station and Car Park – Galliford Try Construction Etiquette Park – Clowes Developments Nottinghamshire Police and Nottinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service joint HQ – Henry Brothers Responsible Business of the Year – sponsored by Press for Attention PR Cawarden Arc Partnership Phoenix Brickwork Residential Development of the Year – sponsored by Sterling Commercial Finance The Rise, Southwell – Stagfield Group Glenvale Park – Glenvale Park LLP Hindle House – KMRE Group Deal of the Year – sponsored by Blythin & Brown Insurance Brokers St James Securities – Phase Two of the Becketwell regeneration scheme in Derby – 3,500 capacity Becketwell performance venue with ASM Global Wells McFarlane, APB and Newton LDP – sale of 460 acres of land in North Leicestershire, making way for a new garden village Morgan Industrial Properties Limited – acquisition of the former Ewart Chain site in Shaftesbury Street, Derby Developer of the Year – sponsored by Ward Hockley Developments St James Securities HBD Architects of the Year – sponsored by OMS Swain Architecture Rayner Davies Architects CPMG Architects Excellence in Design – sponsored by Cawarden St. Peter’s Gate renovation – CPMG Architects Health and Allied Professions Centre at Nottingham Trent University – Pick Everard Brookside Farm – Chevin Homes Sustainable Development of the Year – sponsored by Viridis Building Services Refurbished HQ for LKAB Minerals – Scenariio Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre – Chesterfield Borough Council, Whittam Cox Architects, Robert Woodhead Group Broad Marsh Bus Station and Car Park – Galliford Try Construction Contractor of the Year – sponsored by RammSanderson Galliford Try Construction Cawarden Enrok Construction The Overall Winner, sponsored by Streets Chartered Accountants, will also be announced at the ceremony, who will be awarded a year of marketing/publicity worth £20,000.
To be held at:
