- Regeneration of vacant town centre retail units to create a new ‘Cultural Hub’ that includes an independent small cinema, theatre and live performance space, gallery, museum and exhibition space, food and drinks court and Artisan and producers centre. Adapting the derelict Oxcroft House building to support the town’s business base, offering a hub for training, co-working and in particular encouraging new business start-ups in cultural and arts sectors.
- A shop front improvement scheme that will improve the appearance of the town and enhance the retail offer to residents and visitors. Improvements will also be made to the public realm (pavements, signage, street furniture, etc) that will encourage visitors to spend more time in the town and connect the town to Bolsover Castle.
- Investing in 5G network and installing fibre in the town centre to help improve connectivity and provide much needed Wi-Fi. This will provide real time bus information and digital information totems in key locations. Digital technology such as ‘Park Here Now’ and new augmented reality experiences will help enhance the visitor experience and increase footfall in the town.
Bolsover District Council submits £14.2m bid to ‘Levelling Up’ fund
Bolsover District Council have submitted a £14.2 million bid to the Government’s ‘Levelling Up’ fund to help regenerate and breathe new life into Bolsover Town Centre.
If successful, the bid will support a range of town centre regeneration, public realm improvements, cultural and heritage projects within the town. The bid is being supported by £1.24 million in match funding from both Bolsover District Council and Old Bolsover Town Council, bringing the total value of the potential investment in the area to £15.48 million.
Council leader, councillor Steve Fritchley, said: “We are an ambitious council and this is an ambitious bid to help stimulate growth and providing town centre regeneration as well as cultural opportunities in the town.”
Working with partners, the bid is split into three distinct projects with environmental sustainability embedded across all the strands driving forward the Council’s ambition for carbon reduction.
The strands are as follows:
Three new occupiers for Teal Trade Park, Nottingham
On behalf of Northwood Urban Logistics, joint agents FHP Property Consultants and Phillips Sutton have secured three new occupiers for Teal Trade Park, Nottingham.
Occupiers including the Wooden Floor Store, Exhausts, Tyres and Batteries (ETB), and Klarheit Aluminium Windows & Doors, have taken new leases on Phase 2 of Teal Trade Park.
These further lettings complement the existing occupier line-up of Howdens, Screwfix, Toolstation, Karcher, Trent Valley Windows, Trent Vehicle Charging and PaintWell.
This leaves just three remaining units of Units 8, 9 and 10, ranging from 322m² (3,483ft²) up to 370m² (4,013ft²) with the ability to combine units.
Iain Taylor, director at Northwood Urban Logistics, said: “Enquiries remain strong at Teal Park since the market for trade units of this size remains on the up, particularly when you add in Nottingham’s excellent transport links with the rest of the UK.”
Chris Proctor of FHP Property Consultants said: “Teal Trade Park is becoming Nottingham’s premier trading estate with a complementary range of national and local occupiers now secured on the estate. We are down to the last three units and we see a real opportunity in particular for businesses from an electrical, plumbing and tiling background, which would further strengthen the line-up of trading occupiers on the estate.”
Brodie Faint of Phillips Sutton said: “It is fantastic to see the recent additions to the trade park, further improving the tenant line-up onsite and enhancing the offering to the surrounding customer base. Moving forward, the estate will only benefit further from the substantial residential developments being undertaken in the surrounding area.”
Don’t listen to Alice Cooper: By Greg Simpson, founder of Press for Attention PR
Greg Simpson, founder of Press for Attention PR, highlights the importance of timing when it comes to PR campaigns.
Ok, that is a sweeping generalisation, listen to what you like but please consider the following advice if you are planning any PR campaigns.
At the risk of sounding like an aging rocker, school’s out for summer. Some might go so far as to say there are no more pencils and no more books (go on, admit it, you just sang the next line).
However, if you can please just curb your inner Cooper a little before you abandon ship entirely, especially when it comes to anything involving the media, that would be really wise. Here’s a final pre-holiday lesson to explain why.
It can be very tempting to rush things, clearing the decks of various little tasks, your finger itching to trigger the ‘Out of Office’ alert on your emails.
There’s a lot to be said and pondered about with regards to how we manage to get so much done when we really need to but please, please, PLEASE don’t include the media in that. Now is not the time to release anything to the media if it can be avoided.
Sometimes, it can’t but this is rare. Public Relations should be planned and sustained wherever possible and that includes timing any announcements that you have coming up, good or bad. Especially BAD!
For now, let’s focus on the positive. Imagine you’ve just spent the best part of a month planning to announce some news. It could be a new product, a new hire or a company milestone. You’ve drafted and approved the press release and hopefully invested in some photography to really bring the story to life. Now, let’s hope you have either called your key press targets or, if you have a PR agency or consultant on board, they have done it for you.
All being well, with a strong story and good images, you should be getting one of three results:
- Press love it and publish it ASAP. If so, thank them and start leveraging the valuable content. Tweet it, blog about it. Send an e-shot to your database.
- Press like it but will put it on the back-burner for a day/week due to deadlines or another feature that will be boosted by your news hook.
- Press love it but need some extra info. Perhaps another quote from the MD in light of other breaking news in your sector which chimes nicely with your story. They might want to take their own picture – this does happen.
Regeneration of Leicester’s Stocking Farm estate moves a step closer
Regeneration plans for Leicester’s Stocking Farm estate have moved on a step with the submission of a planning application to the city council.
If approved, the plans will see around 50 new energy-efficient council homes built on the 3.34-acre site in the north-west of Leicester. The homes will have high levels of insulation to reduce fuel costs and will be heated through air source heat pumps.
A number of accessible flats for wheelchair users will also be created and the Stocking Farm farmhouse will be converted to provide supported living accommodation, enabling people to live independently.
A new public open space is planned, which will include a children’s play area and attractive landscaping for people to enjoy and where wildlife can flourish.
Improvements to local shops and the existing public footpath along Marwood Road and Packwood Road are also planned, along with the creation of a new pedestrian crossing on Marwood Road.
The city council has already worked with social enterprise Community Shop to bring a new branch to the former youth centre on Marwood Road. The building offers affordable groceries in its supermarket, a community kitchen and training for members, and a café available to non-members where children can eat for free.
The Community Shop also houses a new indoor community space which is available for hire.
Cllr Elly Cutkelvin, asst city mayor for housing, said: “There has been extensive consultation with local people on the development of these ambitious plans over the last two years, and their input has been vital in shaping the proposals.
“Now that a planning application has been submitted, people have yet another chance to let us know what they think and to help to revitalise this important neighbourhood and provide much-needed homes.”
Derby City Council to run second application window for COVID-19 Additional Relief Fund
Derby City Council will be running a second application window for the COVID-19 Additional Relief Fund (CARF), which may provide additional assistance to businesses that are still struggling as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The CARF scheme aims to provide support for businesses for the 2021/22 financial year which have been affected by the pandemic but were ineligible to apply for existing business rates support.
As the scheme will soon be coming to an end, the council is writing directly to all businesses that it believes may be entitled to support from the CARF scheme and inviting them to make an application.
The application window will run from 15 August until midnight on 4 September. After this time the application window will close, and the council will not accept further applications. As funding is limited any potential awards will not be considered or distributed until after the application period closes on 4 September 2022.
The fund is available for businesses that occupy premises that have a rateable value and where they have a business rates account and were liable for business rates during some or all of the 2021/22 financial year. They must also have a business rates debt for the 2021/22 financial year at the time they make their application.
Cllr Jonathan Smale, cabinet member for finance, digital and culture, said: “I would encourage eligible businesses to submit their applications before the deadline so that they do not miss out on vital assistance. To be clear, this assistance is not a grant given to businesses, but rather a temporary reduction in their 2021/22 business rates.”
East Midlands manufacturer awarded £1m mental health hospital contract
Mansfield-based Deanestor has been awarded a £1m contract by Integrated Health Projects to provide bespoke fitted furniture and fitout services for a £60m mental health facility on the Maudsley Hospital campus in London.
Due to open in 2023 and designed by IBI Group, the purpose-built New Douglas Bennett House will house acute adult inpatient services in eight wards, including four specialist wards and a psychiatric intensive care unit.
According to Deanestor Managing Director, William Tonkinson: “We are seeing an increase in enquiries for mental health projects and have considerable experience in this specialist area, particularly in compliance, specification detailing for these types of facilities, and in developing robust technical solutions whilst creating a welcoming and comfortable patient environment.
“We are pleased to be working with Vinci and Sir Robert McAlpine again and are looking forward to contributing to this project which is helping to modernise mental healthcare in London.”
Deanestor will be manufacturing bespoke furniture for 132 patient bedrooms, including wardrobes, desks, shelves, and bedside cabinets. This furniture is designed to be robust and heavy duty, and is machined and pre-assembled in Deanestor’s Mansfield factory for a strong finish.
Around 3,000 items of furniture and fittings will be installed by Deanestor, such as curtain tracks, window blinds, and stainless-steel dispensers and soap dishes in the ensuite bathrooms.
Deanestor is also manufacturing and installing 10 stainless steel kitchens, and furniture for utilities and ancillary facilities for staff such as offices and lounge spaces.
As part of the design development process and Deanestor’s early engagement in the project, two sample rooms were developed and fitted out for the assessment of the furniture specification and patient environment by the Trust.
Spread over 10,000m², the New Douglas Bennett House will allow South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust to centralise its mental health services in one location.
Henry Brothers hands over new school extension in Derbyshire
Contractor Henry Brothers has handed over a new extension at Glossopdale School to Derbyshire County Council.
The £4 million extension is the second phase of the Council’s plan to increase capacity at the school, which can now take up to 1,440 pupils. The new space will provide an additional nine teaching spaces comprising eight standard classrooms and a demonstration science lab. It will also provide flexible options for dining and social spaces and extra staff workrooms.
Ian Taylor, Managing Director of Henry Brothers Midlands, said: “Having built the main Glossopdale School, which has proved so popular, Henry Brothers is delighted to have now delivered an extension to create additional space for a further 200 students.
“We have partnered with Derbyshire County Council on several school projects over recent years, helping to enhance facilities, and it’s great to see the completion of this latest scheme.
“Working alongside employers agent Concertus, DLA Architecture, civil and structural engineer Curtins and Couch Perry Wilkes for M & E services, Henry Brothers has helped to deliver a superb scheme, which will allow additional pupils to attend this popular school.”
The addition, which was funded by the Council, is set into the hillside and also includes a new multi-use outdoor games area for play and PE.
Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for education, councillor Alex Dale, said: “It’s great to see the handover of the new phase of the planned Glossopdale expansion, and we’re really pleased that it’s been delivered ahead of the original strategy to help us meet local demand.
“We’re committed to ensuring young people in Derbyshire have the best possible start in life and access to a high-quality education is at the heart of that. I’m really pleased that the school will be welcoming pupils back into this new space from September.”
Jess Etienne, key account manager at Concertus Design & Property Consultants, said: “Considering the economic climate during the construction period, we are pleased to have been able to play our part in delivering these high-quality educational facilities and we are so thrilled with the outcome.
“The close and positive working relationship between Concertus, Derbyshire County Council, and Henry Brothers has played an instrumental part in the success of this project, and we are excited to see the students continue their journey in their new setting.”
Enrok Construction secures £4.6m Brixton construction project
Derbyshire-headquartered Enrok Construction has commenced work with Node to deliver 63 one-and-two-bed luxury apartments in Brixton, London.
The construction specialist has worked on the project since March 2022 and is now able to announce the formal contract. In a short time Enrok has played a pivotal role, completing roof works, installing windows and commencing the cladding and internal fit out, and is now committed to the successful completion of the scheme.
In its entirety, the project will see the conversion of a four-story building on Shakespeare Road with work to include the development of a fifth additional floor containing 6 additional luxury apartments. The penthouses will boast premium views across the capital city with a number of iconic buildings in sight, including The Shard, The City, Canary Wharf, Big Ben and the Palace of Westminster.
Speaking on the project, Simon Bennett MCIOB, Enrok’s operations director, said: “We have been working closely with the team at Node for four months now, and it’s great to be able to shout about what will become our flagship project.
“Building outwards is not always feasible in high-density areas, so developing upwards is an effective solution – and something that is becoming increasingly popular across London and other densely populated cities where space is at a premium.
“Working in London does come with its own challenges, but our project planning and existing presence in London has enabled us to hit the ground running on the scheme and we are looking forward to delivering it successfully.
“We hope that this marks the start of a strong working relationship with Node and very much look forward to the prospect of future collaborations.”
Aamir Siddiqui, development director at Node, said: “We are delighted to be working with Enrok Construction to deliver this exciting scheme in Brixton. In addition to the collection of 1 and 2 bedroom apartments, Node’s newest residence will also boast a co-working space, residents lounge and an outdoor amenity. It will be in close proximity to a range of co-working facilities, Brixton Village, Pop Brixton, underground, overground transport links and other neighbourhood amenities.
“We are pleased to have Enrok onboard and look forward to welcoming new residents in early 2023.”
Funding approved for new multi-million sports hub at Loughborough College
A new state-of-the-art sports hub is set to enhance elite-level training facilities offered at Loughborough College.
The College has secured £9.91 million from the Department for Education (DfE) to create a new three-storey, 3,000sqm facility as part of a wide range of multi-million pound improvements on its Radmoor Road campus.
The new building will house a modern sports hall with viewing terrace and outstanding changing facilities. It will also feature contemporary classrooms, flexible learning spaces, breakout areas and a small staff base.
As part of the project, the College will demolish an outdated building and boiler room to make way for new and improved admin and teaching facilities.
Jo Maher, principal & Chief Executive at Loughborough College, said: “We’re delighted that our bid for the Department for Education funding was successful. It will help us deliver our bold and ambitious estates strategy which aims to further enhance the experience for students and staff on campus, especially our brilliant sports team and world class athletes.
“It is such an exciting time to be part of the College community as we are investing millions in improvements such as our new T Level Centre, Institute of Technology building and new Digital Skills Hub.
“It really feels like we’re at the start of our journey to revamp our fantastic campus and make it the best possible place to learn and to work.”
The College was one of only 62 colleges nationwide to be successful in bids for grant funding from the DfE’s Further Education Capital Transformation Fund (FECTF).
Stuart Lindeman, chair of governors at Loughborough College, said: “This latest funding announcement is fantastic news for the College, but most importantly for our learners. The investment in the new facility means we can boost our elite sport provision as well as modernise other parts of the campus.”
England’s Handball squad uses the College’s facilities for training and will benefit from the new sports hall along with the scores of elite athletes who are based at the College.
Loughborough College has earmarked more than £30 million of investment in the campus, resources and other facilities over the last 12 months in one of the most exciting improvement plans in the College’s history.
As well as the new sports hall, investments include:
- State-of-the-art T Level Centre
- An Institute of Technology facility
- A Digital Skills Hub
- The Loughborough Careers and Enterprise Hub
- An Esports suite
- An airliner cabin simulator
Pet food manufacturer takes 24,000ft² at Blenheim Park
Hot on the heels of the letting of 81,000ft² to Cotton On Group at Blenheim Park just off Junction 26 of the M1 by FHP and joint agents M1 Agency on behalf of Urban Logistics REIT comes a further deal with the disposal of prime new build space of 24,000ft² to an undisclosed, pet food manufacturer.
Blenheim 24 was one of four speculatively planned and constructed prime manufacturing/distribution units on Blenheim Park, which sits just off Junction 26 of the M1 on the edge of Nottingham. This is the third deal on the site following on from the lettings of speculative units of 18,000ft² and 81,000ft², leaving merely the final building available of 43,000ft² which has just completed and is ready for immediate occupation.
The letting of Blenheim 24 was completed by Chris Proctor and Tim Gilbertson of FHP Property Consultants on behalf of Urban Logistics. Chris said: “It was a pleasure to deal with our new occupier here and their investment in the building will no doubt create success and new jobs for the region. This is the third letting we have now completed on the site and we only have one unit left available of just over 43,000ft² which is immediately available on a new lease.”
John Barker, head of development at Urban Logistics REIT, added: “We have been pleased with the interest shown in the ten unit scheme where we partnered with Wilson Bowden. The six units in the East Midlands have generated strong interest and the four unit scheme at Kingsway in Rochdale, due for practical completion at the beginning of October, which is encouraging.”
Olivia Salisbury, asset manager at Urban Logistics REIT, said: “We are delighted to have let the third unit in the scheme so quickly after practical completion. This is testament to the quality of the units built by Wilson Bowden and their contractors, Glencar and the location of the scheme, so close to Junction 26 of the M1 and Nottingham City Centre.”
Toby Wilson at M1 Agency added: “We are down to the last unit on Blenheim Park, which is a credit to the quality and location of these units. The remaining unit of 43,000ft² is the only immediately available Grade A warehouse within Nottingham of its size range currently, so we would urge occupiers to come forward before it is too late.”
