< Previous10 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk FINANCE NEWS NHS supplier lands finance facility to meet increased demand Leicester manufacturer and supplier of healthcare, hospitality and school sportswear clothing and uniforms, Grahame Gardner, has secured a finance facility from HSBC UK. The funding will support the company as it meets increased demand from its customers and responds to changing customer requirements as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. With its cash flow impacted by the surge in demand for healthcare uniforms as a result of the pandemic, the funding from HSBC UK through the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS), has allowed the company to increase its stock capacity whilst maintaining supplier payments. Alongside an increase in demand for healthcare uniforms, Grahame Gardner has also seen a shift in buying patterns from retailers for school sportswear. James Greenlees, CEO of Grahame Gardner Ltd, said: “We’ve been extremely busy over the last six months, with demand for our healthcare uniforms increasing significantly. We have been banking with HSBC UK since our company was first founded over a hundred years ago and its support, particularly during this heightened period, ensured we were able to continue to operate. “We’ve been extremely fortunate to see our sales increase by 150% during the pandemic. While we’ve seen a significant increase in the quantities of products required by our customers in a relatively short period of time, we also anticipate that this increase in provision of uniform to the health sector will continue in the future. “Based on our ability to meet increased levels of demand, we have also been approached by new customers looking to source large volumes of products with fast lead times.” David Tomlinson, HSBC UK East Midlands Area Director, added: “We were pleased to be able to support the team at Grahame Gardner to ensure the continued delivery of vital supplies to workers on the frontline during the pandemic. “The additional facility has not only supported the company in the short-term, but also helped the team to begin to plan for the future and the shift in buying patterns longer-term.” Machinery and vehicle dealer secures funding deal for expansion programme Oakham-based machinery and vehicle dealer, C&M Retail Group, is embarking on a major expansion programme which will create up to 20 new jobs after agreeing a funding deal to enable the development of a purpose-built industrial and business hub, as well as the launch of a new vehicle sales company. The deal arranged by One Stop Business Finance provides the green light for C&M’s building phase at Hawksmead Business Park in Barleythorpe which is expected to be completed in around six months. The company acquired the site opposite the Rutland Showground earlier this year having outgrown its current town centre site, and it is now able to bring its plans to fruition alongside joint-developer Moores Estate Agents. Best known as C&M Tractors, the company has been based on Station Approach in the heart of the town for 49 years. This part of the business will now be able to expand to meet customer demand for its range of horticultural and agricultural machinery, with additional space and facilities planned to add capacity. In addition, the Barleythorpe development will be the base for its new business, C&M VSS. This will be a vehicle sales and servicing business specialising in cars and trucks between six months and five years old, which are not readily available locally at the moment. Tim Allen and Saxon Marlow, Directors at C&M Tractors, said: “Creating a purpose-built hub that is designed to suit our requirements and allows us to grow has been a long-held ambition, so it is fantastic that we can now embark on a very exciting new era for our business.” London group swoops for Leicester’s Brokerbility Clear Group (CLEAR) has swooped for Leicester-based Brokerbility Holdings Ltd. The deal sees CLEAR acquire Brokerbility Holdings, the parent company of BHIB Insurance Brokers Ltd and Churchill Insurance Consultants Ltd; the Brokerbility Network, Brokertech and Brokerbility Information Gateway (BIG), the software solutions provider and IT platform, which distribute wholesale products across the Brokerbility network. CLEAR comprises Clear Insurance Management Ltd, Morrison Insurance Solutions and MPW Insurance Brokers. This latest deal represents the 27th broker acquisition made by CLEAR since it was established in 2001 and now means the group handles over £200M in premiums and employs over 400 people across 10 offices. The combined business has strengths in Property and Construction, SME, Schemes, Healthcare, Professional & Financial Lines and mid-market corporate business. Clear Insurance Management is also a Lloyds’ Broker. Brokerbility Group will be led by Ian Stutz, CEO and Ashwin Mistry will continue to champion the role of the independent broker as Chairman of the 27 member strong Brokerbility Network. CLEAR will lead the integration of the businesses with Ashwin Mistry and Ian Stutz joining the CLEAR Board and CLEAR directors joining the boards of the Brokerbility companies. Howard Lickens, CEO of CLEAR said: “This is a brilliant deal for CLEAR and everyone involved with Brokerbility, BHIB and Churchill. Both Ashwin and Ian have done such a fantastic job and I’m delighted that my friends will continue to lead Brokerbility in the next phase of its exciting journey.” © Shutterstock /Rei Imagine 06-15.qxp_Layout 1 07/10/2020 10:35 Page 5FINANCE NEWS Cyber security firm to open operations centre after £500k investment Lincolnshire-based cyber security firm KryptoKloud is pursuing new growth following a £500,000 investment from Foresight Group using finance from the Midlands Engine Investment Fund (MEIF). The funding boost will allow co-founders Allison and Paul Burrows to open a new Security Operations Centre (SOC) in Lincoln and support the creation of new jobs, with the Company working alongside the University of Lincoln to develop and recruit cyber analysts and a SOC manager. With Foresight’s support, the Company has also appointed Paul Hughes as Chairman, who brings with him a wealth of knowledge related to scaling early stage technology companies, having founded and exited a number of businesses, the most recent of which, ParentMail Limited, was acquired by Iris Software Group in 2017. Allison Burrows, Managing Director of KryptoKloud said: “After the successful launch of our business in 2016, we required acceleration to the next level and felt that Foresight, with its unique market position, would provide us with that. “Foresight has delivered on that expectation and we are excited that our cyber business will be able to go from strength to strength in the years to come.” Jordan Lavender, Investment Manager at Foresight, added: “We are delighted to be working with KryptoKloud and this investment demonstrates our commitment to finding and supporting early stage, high growth companies within Lincolnshire. “KryptoKloud has a superb reputation, nationally and internationally for delivering high quality services. The business has performed resiliently throughout COVID-19 and has continued to grow during this turbulent economic environment. We look forward to supporting management to achieve its goals.” Ken Cooper, Managing Director at the British Business Bank, said: “It’s good to see MEIF funding being used to support the creation of new skilled jobs in Lincolnshire. “The MEIF exists to support SME growth across the Midlands and investments like this illustrate that the fund remains active. I would encourage other firms that have an ambition to grow to consider it as a source of finance.” www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 11 © Shutterstock /Elle Aon Chartered surveyors acquire Nottingham counterpart Chartered Surveyors, property, and facilities management group Barnsdales has acquired Nottingham-based Martyn Stubbs Chartered Surveyors (Martyn Stubbs) for an undisclosed sum. The purchase is another significant move for the South Yorkshire based business in its stated ambition to grow its property management business. Based in Doncaster with offices throughout the UK, including, Cirencester, Lincoln, London, Manchester, Nottingham, and Sheffield, Barnsdales is predominately a property and facilities management business. Barnsdales acquisition of Martyn Stubbs includes 139 commercial tenancies and three large block management instructions. “Barnsdales set out in 2018 to grow its property management business through organic growth and by corporate acquisitions, the business acquired two property management business in 2018 located in Cirencester and Rotherham and two last year in Sheffield and Aylesbury which has added over 1,600 units to our management portfolio and one in Nottingham in February of this year which added a further 100 commercial properties and 21 blocks to manage,” Barnsdales Managing Director Jason Barnsdale said. “The acquisition of Martyn Stubbs business is an important acquisition for us and helps strengthen our regional coverage especially in Nottingham as well as adding to our core commercial management portfolio. By the end of 2020 we are on track to have over 700 properties under management comprising over 3,000 tenancies as well as over 50 blocks of flats and 850 ground rents.” Martyn Stubbs FRICS said: “Barnsdales professionalism and long-standing reputation gave us significant comfort that we are handing on our business to a safe pair of hands and we are comfortable they will look after our clients very well. “The acquisition of the Martyn Stubbs business by Barnsdales enables them to extend their offering in Nottingham and the region and we are thrilled for the future of the Martyn Stubbs clients who will benefit from this more sophisticated business with greater resources.” © Shutterstock /Rawpixel.com 06-15.qxp_Layout 1 07/10/2020 10:35 Page 6Roquette reveals plans to shut down Corby production plant Roquette, a provider of plant-based ingredients for food and other industrial sectors in the UK, has announced proposals to cease all manufacturing activities and shut down its production plant in Corby by the end of 2020. Despite efforts to maintain a profitable operation and improve the efficiency of the plant, the Roquette Group considers that the financial results in recent years have not made the operation in Corby financially viable. “It is with deep regret that we must announce the launch of this consultation. This has not been undertaken lightly and we understand how unsettling today’s announcement will be,” said Phillip Wells, the plant manager in Corby. “We also understand the impact that this proposal would have on our employees, wider supplier base and the local community. We are committed to working closely with all stakeholders to meet our obligations and to treat our colleagues, counterparts and business partners fairly and respectfully throughout this difficult time.” It is proposed that the Corby plant would cease manufacturing activities by the end of 2020. Until then the supply of products and services to UK customers would remain the same. Further to that, it is envisaged that supply and technical support to the UK market would be provided through imports from other plants of the Group to ensure continuation of supply based on revised agreements. The closure would affect the vast majority of Roquette’s workforce of 135 employees. 12 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk MANUFACTURING NEWS £6m programme extension to help small manufacturers in the Midlands The SME Group at WMG, University of Warwick, has secured a £6m extension to their programme to help small manufacturing companies in the East and West Midlands. Funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the High Value Manufacturing Catapult at WMG, the programme will work collaboratively with a further 250 manufacturing companies across the Midlands to solve manufacturing challenges, to improve productivity and boost competitiveness. Support is provided from a dedicated and highly industry experienced team with expertise in materials and manufacturing, sustainability, digital manufacturing and business transformation. The success of the programme, has seen the team awarded the further £6m to take them through to March 2023, meaning the team has gone from a 2 year £5m programme, to an £11m 5 ? year programme. This extension will enable the team to operate from Wolverhampton, Worcestershire, Loughborough and Luton. Over the next 2 ? years they will help more than 350 SMEs benefit from the latest in digital manufacturing technologies and thinking, helping them become more productive, competitive and sustainable. Fully funded support from 2 to 15 days is available for eligible small manufacturers. Dr Mark Swift, head small business programmes at WMG, University of Warwick said: “We are thrilled to have the manufacturing competitiveness programme extended, and look forward to being able to help hundreds of small businesses across the Midlands to transform their business and become more sustainable. “The support we offer will be especially helpful in light of Covid-19, as after months of lockdown businesses can be helped to get back on their feet and thrive.” Derby engineering firm begins collaboration with Portsmouth counterpart Derby-based Acres Engineering has begun a collaboration with global specialist engineering services business tpgroup plc as it continues to invest in its Manufacturing Facility in Portsmouth. tpgroup is a leader in consulting, digital solutions and engineering services across the full lifecycle of defence, space and energy programmes, employing approximately 450 people in six countries, with customers across the globe. It works with governments, institutions and leading commercial businesses and recently acquired Osprey Consulting Services Ltd. The two engineering firms met at a ‘Make UK’ National Manufacturing Conference in London and began dialogue over how they could work together to help drive the culture of innovation at the Portsmouth site. Acres has already created bespoke step ladders to improve health and safety in their stores area, on the Lean Manufacturing shop floor, a bespoke pipe rack to improve efficiency and safe storage and bespoke stillages for safe and efficient transportation of products. The latest project will see Acres create and install a 7.5 tonnes powder-coated gantry crane at the facility to help boost site capability whilst maintaining the highest standards of health and safety. Luke Parker, Managing Director at Acres Engineering, says: “We are very proud to be working so closely with a globally recognised engineering specialist as they continuously improve this incredible facility. “They have an incredible focus on ensuring that everything is carried out in the safest and most efficient manner possible and are leading by example in the industry. It is great to be a part of this journey.” Andy Dou is Head of Operations at TP Group – Portsmouth, he adds: “When I met Luke I could see that he and Acres intuitively understood the culture that we are striving for and wanted to work with us on our improvement projects at our site.” © Shutterstock /Lightspring 06-15.qxp_Layout 1 07/10/2020 10:35 Page 7www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 13 MANUFACTURING NEWS East Midlands manufacturers cut back on investment as COVID bites East Midlands manufacturers are continuing to cut back on investment in response to the impact of the pandemic, according to a major survey published today by Make UK and business advisory firm BDO. According to the Make UK/BDO Manufacturing Outlook Q3 survey, the balance on investment intentions was reported at -23% in the last quarter. Whilst the level was not quite as bad as that for the last quarter and better than the UK average, the continued severe impact on future investment is likely to hamper the efforts of companies to take advantage of any recovery. Furthermore, Make UK warned that given the uncertainty surrounding the Brexit negotiations and the very real possibility of ‘no deal’, the combination of that outcome with the continued impact of the pandemic could cause further damage to investment prospects in the latter part of the year. The impact of COVID-19 also took a heavy toll on company order books and output in the East Midlands with the balances for orders and output falling to -35% and -32% respectively. Output levels in particular are reflecting the continued severe difficulties being experienced by the automotive and aerospace sectors and their supply chains. In response to the difficult trading environment, the prospects for recruitment have also been dealt a heavy blow with the proportion of companies intending to recruit falling sharply. Looking forward, given the impact on the sector Make UK is now forecasting that manufacturing output will fall by almost 11% this year while it has downgraded its forecast for recovery in 2021 by more than a full percentage point from 6.2% to 5.1%. GDP is forecast to fall by -8.5% this year before recovering by +10.1% in 2021. Charlotte Horobin, Region Director for Make UK in the Midlands said: “Manufacturing has begun to climb away from the abyss that it stared into earlier in the year. But, make no mistake it is going to be a long haul back towards normal trading conditions, with talk of a V shaped recovery nothing more than fanciful.” Experts offer support to Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire food manufacturers Experts at the Food Innovation Centre are reaching out to food and drink manufacturers in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire with the offer of free technical support as they head into Autumn and prepare for Christmas. The Food Innovation Centre, based at the University of Nottingham, can help food and drink producers with many aspects of scientific development. Available to food and drink manufacturing small and medium-sized enterprises in Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire (D2N2), the support can take many different forms from help with product development and packaging, measures to adopt a more sustainable approach to production, ways to switch to online sales or making the most of a new consumer trend, such as nutritious food. Experts at the Food Innovation Centre who are on hand to offer free advice include three food technologists, with experience across soft drinks, the dairy sector and confectionery in large and SME businesses, but with knowledge spanning across the whole industry, plus brewing experts and two research associates focussing on sustainable production and healthy eating to bring the most up-to- date and accurate global knowledge to food and drink SME businesses in the D2N2 area. The support is available under the Driving Research and Innovation project – a three-year project that runs until the end of December 2022. Richard Worrall, who heads the Food Innovation Centre, said: “The Coronavirus pandemic has brought about some big changes in how the food and drink sector operates, both from the consumer and producer perspectives and our role is to offer support to manufacturers working in the industry in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire to help them overcome challenges and to grab the new, unique opportunities. “We have a skilled team that can advise and support on many different aspects of business development or offer signposts to others with expertise in the food and drink manufacturing sector. “We can access the latest scientific knowledge and thinking around food and nutrition, including food structure and flavour, sensory science, brewing science, alternative proteins, healthy eating and sustainable production and apply it to SME businesses development. “We can also tap into the expertise of our colleagues in Digital Manufacturing, Energy Technologies or at the Business School and work with the Food & Drink Forum, Nottingham Trent University and the D2N2 Growth Hub to coordinate these support services.” © Shutterstock /kung_tom © Shutterstock /Dmitry Kalinovsky 06-15.qxp_Layout 1 07/10/2020 10:36 Page 8PROPERTY NEWS £425,000 allocation to revitalise Ilkeston building for offices D2N2 has allocated £425,000 from its Local Growth Fund allocation towards the refurbishment of Toll Bar House in Ilkeston. The funding will allow Erewash Borough Council the opportunity to upgrade, redevelop, and revitalise the art-deco styled building, leading to the creation of over 90 jobs and up to 22 separate office units. Originally built in the 1930s, the crescent-shaped Toll Bar House was built for the Nottingham Electric Power Company but has been in public sector usage for much of its life. The redevelopment of the building will see futureproofing with a programme of upgrades and redevelopment designed to make the site more energy and water-efficient. These improvements will include upgrading the heating and lighting systems, as well as fitting more energy-efficient windows, insulation, and water systems. The refurbishment will also create space for small and growing companies in a town where office space is at a premium. Once renovations are completed in March 2021, the building will house 22 managed offices with the possibility of combining multiple office spaces into a larger unit. The old garages that service the building will also be repurposed and turned into a workshop when work begins in October 2020. D2N2 Interim Chair David Williams said: “D2N2 is delighted to invest in the renovations of Toll Bar House to help meet the growing need for high-quality office space in Ilkeston.” Housebuilder to create first garden village in Nottinghamshire Redrow Homes East Midlands has acquired a 58-acre brown-field site for the construction of a brand-new garden village in Newton in Nottinghamshire. Transforming the former RAF Newton site into 528 two, three, four and five-bedroom homes, Redrow’s new development is to feature lots of open space, traditional village greens and allotments, offering wildlife-rich spaces that are easily accessible to residents. The housebuilder will also be supporting the creation of a primary school, community hall and local centre. There will also be football and cricket pitches to encourage local sports groups to enjoy the open surroundings. New residents will be able to move into Newton Garden Village from July 2021. Martyn Pask, Managing Director for Redrow Homes East Midlands, said: “We are thrilled to be launching our second development in Nottinghamshire and creating our very first garden village in the East Midlands. “Life in lockdown has reinforced what homebuyers want and need from a new home, and Newton Garden Village really does have it all. With vast amounts of green, open space, the development will offer excellent transport links across the country, while also offering a wonderful community right on your doorstep.” 14 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk ‘Mock hospital’ facility to be built at NTU’s Clifton Campus A new facility which will see healthcare students develop their skills in realistic settings such as mock hospital wards is to be built at Nottingham Trent University’s (NTU) Clifton Campus. The 34,000 sq ft building will serve as the base for the university’s Institute of Health & Allied Professions, which offers a range of specialist courses such as Adult and Mental Health Nursing, Paramedic Science and Public Health. One entire floor will be dedicated to simulated healthcare environments including hospital wards, consultation and counselling rooms, and even a flat for home and emergency care scenarios. The settings will also feature lifelike patient manikins to give students the experience of working with men, women and children with a variety of injuries. Two additional floors will provide office and flexible teaching spaces, including removable seating in lecture theatres to allow for creative learning approaches such as role play. The centre will allow NTU to equip future healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills needed for modern healthcare. Dr Anne Felton, head of the Institute of Health & Allied Professions, said: “Contemporary registered healthcare professionals are required to be dynamic and flexible. As well as providing compassionate care, they need to be able to think critically, make complex decisions and lead.” 06-15.qxp_Layout 1 07/10/2020 10:36 Page 9PROPERTY NEWS Work to begin on £650m Nottingham development as planning approved Nottingham’s biggest regeneration scheme for decades will begin following the granting of planning approval for the first phase of The Island Quarter. The plans for Canal Turn received planning consent from Nottingham City Council, with work scheduled to start on site in November. The approved phase will include a three-storey 2,000 sq m pavilion on the waterfront, featuring two restaurants, circa 500 sq m of events space with panoramic views and a large rooftop terrace, forming the opening phase of development on the 40-acre site. The plans also feature provision for a bandstand and a substantial area of new public realm – all of which will open up the canal basin area, enhancing one of Nottingham’s most under-utilised assets. The first phase will also include extensive improvement works to the canal at the London Road end of the site, which will help form a focal point for The Island Quarter. Christopher Ware, property director of Conygar, the developer behind the scheme, said: “We are delighted that planning for Canal Turn has been granted. We’ve worked closely with Nottingham City Council to progress the application and ensure that we can get started promptly on what is a landmark site not just for the city, but the region as a whole. “Canal Turn marks the first stage of a development that will create a unique, year-round destination for the city, as well as a thriving and vibrant new community for Nottingham.” Derby city centre regeneration scheme takes next step forward Multi-million-pound plans to regenerate one of Derby city centre’s most important sites have taken another step forward. Developer St James Securities has submitted a reserved matters application for detailed planning consent for 259 apartments at Becketwell and, subject to approval, hopes to make a start on building work in the spring. The Leeds-based company has a history of delivering major regeneration schemes and received a committee approval at the start of 2020, with outline permission for its Derby proposals formally granted a week ago, as well as detailed planning approval to develop the centrepiece of the scheme, a new public square. It also intends to create offices and commercial space as part of an investment of more than £200m and has partnered with Derby City Council to deliver a new 3,500-capacity performance and conference arena on part of the site. More than 2,000 jobs are expected to be created by the development. Demolition of the former Derby Debenhams store which occupied part of the site was completed earlier this year and now the reserved matters application for the apartments that, together with the public square, will form phase one of the scheme, has been lodged. Construction to start on office building at Chesterfield Waterside Construction of the seven-storey office building in the Basin Square neighbourhood of the £340million Chesterfield Waterside scheme is due to start in October. Chesterfield Borough Council has secured a forward funding agreement with the developer, Chesterfield Waterside Ltd, as a key strategic investment opportunity for the town. Funding for the delivery of the office building, which already has planning consent in place, was approved as part of Chesterfield Borough Council’s growth strategy. The investment is designed to kick-start the town’s economic recovery from Covid-19 and will spearhead major developments around the train station as part of the council’s HS2 Station Masterplan. Tenants have already been secured for some of the Grade A office accommodation, enabling the developers to bring forward construction of the circa 35,000ft? building, which is being overseen by project delivery partner, Bolsterstone Group Plc. www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 15 © Jestico+Whiles 06-15.qxp_Layout 1 07/10/2020 10:36 Page 1016 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk COMMERCIAL PROPERTY The industrial and logistics sector has shown true resilience in the East Midlands in 2020. The first half of 2020 saw take up for industrial and logistics space across the East Midlands increase strongly. Indeed, seven per cent more activity was recorded than the same period of 2019 and the region sat third nationally for the period, with over 4.25 million square foot transacted, according to data collated by EGI Radius Data Exchange. The resilience of the sector, bolstered by e-commerce growth, continues in the East Midlands as we sit in the second half of the year, with announcements in the last month (September) alone showing new developments on the horizon, completions, leases, and investors descend on the region hosting the famous golden triangle. First up, a new £4 million industrial development is one step closer in Mansfield now that a 2.7-acre plot of land off the A6191 Southwell Road West has been secured by Priority Space and HG Sites. The joint venture is investing in 36,250 square foot of prime industrial space, which will be made up of twenty- one speculative units ranging from 1,250 square foot to 2,250 square foot. Planning approval for the business park has been gained from Mansfield District Council and Britcon has been appointed to build the development. Work is due to commence in February 2021 and complete in the autumn. Last month also saw the practical completion of a £10 million speculative development of a 73,257 square foot warehouse unit, Barberry 72, at the site of a former DIY store in Daventry. The development, in the established Drayton Fields industrial estate, is expected to generate around 90 jobs and attract investment to the area, Barberry Development Director Jon Robinson said. He added: “This speculative development clearly demonstrates our confidence in the Daventry market, our product, the location and the appetite within the industrial and logistics sector for warehouse units of this size within the region.” September also witnessed the announcement of significant new lettings. George H Kime & Co Ltd for example signed up for a 54,793 square foot industrial and logistics unit on a 15-year lease at St. Modwen Park Lincoln. The now fully let second phase of development at the 70-acre industrial and logistics scheme will be ready for occupation in October 2020. The haulage, storage, and distribution firm Resilience in the region 16-19.qxp_Layout 1 07/10/2020 10:40 Page 1www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 17 COMMERCIAL PROPERTY 19 Á has joined DHL Parcel (UK) Limited in securing a pre-let at the development. It agreed to expand its operations at St. Modwen Park Lincoln in March 2020 and will occupy an additional 25,000 square foot unit on a 10-year lease when complete. Further positive news for the region can be seen as the scheme continues to grow, with St. Modwen recently announcing the construction of four units ranging from 16,000 square foot to 52,000 square foot as part of phase three at the site. Gemma Butler, Development & Leasing Manager at St. Modwen Industrial & Logistics, said: “St. Modwen Park Lincoln has proved successful because we had the courage to build speculatively to capitalise upon the lack of supply in the market. To have fully let the scheme well in advance of our projected completion date is a great achievement – and shows the robust strength of the logistics market amidst the backdrop of a global pandemic. We’re pleased to have now secured lettings to two leading businesses and appreciate the long-term commitment both have shown to St. Modwen.” UK Commercial Property REIT Limited meanwhile has fully let its 377,070 square foot XDOCK377 logistics unit Barberry 72 Your property problems answered Daniel Hawkins, Managing Director of CPA and Associates, a commercial estate agency serving Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, talks about the history of his company and what they can do for you. I set up CPA and Associates in 2016 after moving into the area and receiving an offer from a local agent to take on their instructions. I have been in the commercial property sector for over fifteen years both in commercial agency and property management. In 2007, I was looking after a property portfolio worth in excess of £100 million largely in the City of London. During this time, I was involved in a number of disputes, lease renewals, tenancy problems, maintenance issues to name a few and having a vast and expansive knowledge in mechanical and engineering as well as electrical installations, this is useful for property management problems. Over the time, they say you can’t have seen it all and you’ll be surprised. I still think even today there are some surprising and sometimes shocking situations surrounding property problems and tenant as well as landlord issues. East Midlands Business Link has invited me to answer your property problems and pass on some of my experience to any of you whom may need help with either lease issues, rent reviews, property maintenance, property management solutions, purchasing a commercial property and vacant property, planning, asset sweating, business rates and tenants arrears. We will certainly try and help and publish a different problem over the next few weeks and months. For information, we cannot and will not provide legal advice, although we can guide you to trusted experts whom we have worked with that we know would be able to help. So get in touch today by visiting www.cpa-a.co.uk, emailing info@cpa-a.co.uk, or calling 0115 697 8888. 16-19.qxp_Layout 1 07/10/2020 10:40 Page 2Armstrong house Offering a prime position in Grimsby, Armstrong House on Armstrong Street is ideally located. Close to the ports of Grimsby and Immingham, motorway links and the town centre, off-street parking is also available for all staff and visitors, meaning it’s convenient too. Our spacious, welcoming offices are located on the ground floor and are both secure and CCTV-monitored, giving you the ultimate peace of mind. At Armstrong House, the flexible in/out terms of contract mean confidence when it comes to affordability and with a range of office sizes there are opportunities for all types of business. If you require virtual office services, prices start from just £15 per month. For more information, or to discuss your office requirements, give Scotts Property a call today on 01472 267000 and ask about Armstrong House. Last remaining office suites Prime location in Grimsby Superb Location - - Close to the ports of Grimsby & Immingham - Great motorway links - Close to the town centre Secure off street parking High speed internet availability Easy in/out terms A range of affordable office sizes 3 3 3 3 3 Armstrong House, Armstrong Street, Grimsby DN31 2QE Tel: (01472) 310301 • Email: s.fisher@blmgroup.co.uk www .shutter stoc k.com/ter ekho v igor www .shutter stoc k.com/Y entafer n 16-19.qxp_Layout 1 07/10/2020 10:40 Page 3www .shutter stoc k.com/Y entafer n at Magna Park in Lutterworth, with Armstrong Logistics, which delivers around one-third of the ambient goods on ALDI’s store shelves and works with over 100 of ALDI’s key suppliers across the world, signing a 15.5-year lease. The firm already operates from another unit at Magna Park, with the new fully refurbished Grade A cross-dock distribution warehouse key as ALDI’s UK business grows. Confidence in the region’s logistics prowess was also seen last month as Arrow Capital Partners, the investor and operator of real estate in Europe and Asia-Pacific, acquired Corby 248, a 248,000 square foot logistics unit at Midlands Logistics Park, a joint venture between Mulberry Developments and Frogmore. This represents the fourth logistics asset to be sold and developed on the park with the other three let to Bosh (946,000 square foot), Stobart (844,000 square foot), and Europa (525,000 square foot). The site has been acquired by Arrow for its €3 billion Strategic Industrial Real Estate (SIRE) platform and the Mulberry team has been retained to develop it into a high-quality logistics unit available for occupancy in April 2021. The building is to be constructed to grade ‘A’ standards with 15 metre clear internal height, 22 dock level access doors, and a 50-metre yard. Katherine Parker, Head of Investment Management Europe at Arrow, said: “This continues SIRE’s investment in industrial and logistics assets which are benefiting from the acceleration in online retail. Corby 248 is superbly located and we look forward to developing the site with Mulberry to deliver a best in class asset in a supply constrained market.” Moreover, strong investment demand for logistics assets in the region was seen as Tritax Big Box, the real estate investment company, sold a 500,000 square foot warehouse let to Amazon in Chesterfield for £57.3 million to Warehouse REIT, an investment company with a portfolio and investment strategy focused on urban warehouses. Amazon has thirteen years left on the lease. The deal preceded Tritax Big Box selling three warehouses to two separate purchasers, two of which were in the East Midlands, for £77 million. A 255,680 square foot asset let to DHL at Langley Mill, Nottingham, and a 473,263 square foot asset let to Whirlpool at Warth Park, Raunds, Northamptonshire, were sold. The news comes a month after Tritax Symmetry, the dedicated logistics development company of Tritax Big Box, agreed a major deal to let its speculatively built 151,388 square foot industrial unit at Symmetry Park on the North Nottinghamshire/South Yorkshire to Dogmates Ltd, trading as Butternut Box. The Symmetry Park distribution and industrial scheme has planning consent to deliver up to 721,000 square foot of logistics space on the 54-acre site. This selection of developments from just the last month paints a clear picture of the demand for industrial and logistics space in our region, which is simultaneously crying out for more high quality industrial and warehouse units of all sizes. www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 19 COMMERCIAL PROPERTY © Shutterstock / Juice Flair 16-19.qxp_Layout 1 07/10/2020 10:40 Page 4Next >