DSP (Interiors) Ltd complete fit-out for Surescreen Diagnostics’ new production facility
Design, refurbishment, and fit-out specialists DSP (Interiors) Ltd have completed the first and second phase fit-out at Sherwood Business Park for SureScreen Diagnostics’ new lateral flow test production facility.
Over the past 18 months, the company, which is based on the Parker Industrial Estate on Mansfield Road in Derby, has partnered with SureScreen Diagnostics to support their expansion with the completion of a range of fit-out projects across Derby and Nottingham.
SureScreen remains at the forefront of the fight against Covid-19, producing antibody and antigen tests, which have been exported to 53 countries across the world. With more than 25 years’ experience in rapid diagnostic test products, SureScreen was the sole UK manufacturer to be validated by Public Health England during the pandemic.
This growing demand and product development, which includes the recently approved dual Covid and Flu test, has perpetuated the need to expand facilities over the past 18 plus months.
In 2021, SureScreen announced its expansion to a new production facility at Lucinda House at Sherwood Business Park in Annesley, Nottinghamshire following an order for tens of millions of antigen Covid-19 tests from the Government, which created 1,000 local jobs.
DSP (Interiors) Ltd Derby was appointed principal designer and contractor to fulfil a staged completion of extensive turnkey works at the facility, which is the largest of its kind in Europe.
Work undertaken as part of phases one and two has involved transforming the original warehouse which housed a small office, amenity block, mezzanine level and a large logistics space into a state-of-the-art production and packing facility.
The existing amenity block was completely gutted and fitted out to accommodate new staff including underground drainage, toilets, and showers.
Work has also involved the installation of a new circa 31,500 sq ft mezzanine floor to extend the production and packing space.
DSP (Interiors) Ltd undertook all associated works including partitions, ceilings, flooring, and bespoke joinery, along with mechanical, electrical, fire protection measures and plumbing works including specialist dehumidification ducting for the machinery and upgrades to the mains electrical systems.
Further works on the project have included the fit-out of the new warehouse including adjustable pallet racking and the full refurbishment of the existing offices, toilets, and kitchens.
Work also just completed on Phase 3, which included a large agile office and amenity, details of which will be released in the coming weeks. Work on Phase 4, a large Laboratory area, is also due to start in the first quarter of next year.
Speaking about their partnership with SureScreen Diagnostics, Andy Priestley, director of DSP (Interiors) Ltd Derby, said: “We are delighted to have completed phases one and two at Lucinda House at Sherwood 80 for SureScreen Diagnostics on schedule and on budget.
“SureScreen Diagnostics do incredible work, and we are happy to have delivered a state-of-the-art facility where they can continue manufacturing and producing their Covid-19 antigen tests.
“As principal designer, DSP (Interiors) Ltd have been heavily involved in designing the spaces to accommodate the ever-changing needs of the production and packing workflow. SureScreen has invested heavily in the latest technology and as such the design of the bespoke facility has been fluid and continues to be adapted to accommodate these developments.
“We are excited to be working on phases three and four of the project and look forward to continuing the strong partnership with SureScreen Diagnostics.”
Alastair Campbell, director of SureScreen Diagnostics, added: “DSP Interiors Derby have done a fantastic job on the first two phases of this project. It is obvious that they have a huge amount of experience in design, installation and fit-out projects and are always able to find the right balance of design flair and practicality for the space given.
“Andy and his team remain valuable partners in this exciting project, enabling us to keep up with the demand for test kit production, the development of new products, and realise our desire and responsibility to supply these important diagnostic products.
“Being agile around design changes and applying out of the box thinking on a large, changing project like Lucinda House has been invaluable. On a personal note, the fact that Andy, the top man, has often been on-site is great, as you can work through the ongoing project decisions together, leading to better efficiency and slicker decision making.”
Food retail space and restaurant pods planned for Riverside Retail Park
Plans for food retail space and restaurant pods at Riverside Retail Park, Nottingham, have been submitted to the city council.
Proposals, prepared by Firstplan on behalf of The Trustees of the Blackrock UK Property Fund, are seeking permission for a ‘floating consent’ to use up to 2,000 sq m across Units A to D at the site for food retail use.
Full planning permission meanwhile is sought for two restaurant pods with drive-thru facilities within the car parking area of Riverside Retail Park.
These will be operated by Starbucks and Popeyes and could provide 60 jobs.
Riverside Retail Park has traded as part of Nottingham’s retail offer for approximately 30 years. The development is anchored by a large B&Q Warehouse store, with other retailers currently trading at the site including Boots, Next, Poundland, Food Warehouse and Home Bargains.
New promotions at Paragon Law
Niche Nottingham immigration law firm, Paragon Law has promoted two senior colleagues to directors.
James Firman has been promoted to operations director. Firman joined the organisation over 15 years ago, initially joining as a general administration apprentice and since then has worked in finance, general operations, IT and HR. In 2021, he was named as Nottinghamshire Law Society’s Practice Manager of the Year.
Senior solicitor Emma Okenyi has been promoted to a legal director. In September, Okenyi celebrated her tenth year with Paragon Law and in the same month she also became head of the firm’s Personal and Family immigration team.
James Firman said: “Having joined Paragon Law after my A Levels I have grown around the business for all my working life. I have gone from helping stamp envelopes to managing Paragon Law through difficult periods such as covid and major IT projects giving us the capability to work remotely for our clients. I enjoy the challenges that my work presents and the entrepreneurial environment.”
Emma Okenyi said: “I initially came to the UK as an international student from Kenya to study law at the University of Hull and I subsequently qualified as a solicitor at Paragon Law. I have enjoyed the opportunities that have been presented to me and now particularly enjoy training and developing new lawyers that join my team.”
Founder and director Thal Vasishta said: “These promotions reflect the hard work, dedication, and talent shown by these individuals. Both James Firman and Emma Okenyi have been at Paragon Law for over 10 years and have since established themselves as amongst the best at what they do.
“Paragon Law continues to demonstrate our commitment to diversity and inclusion. Emma is an example to all international graduates in the UK that you can reach the top of your field of work. 67% of our senior leadership are women and 67% are from a BAME background.”
TikTok against the clock for Hagley West
This Sunday, 13 November 2022, Tim Hayden, CEO of Hagley West Watches, will be attempting to set his new record for the most watch sales in a day on social media, during a six-hour livestream on TikTok.
The challenge comes as part of the build-up to Hagley West’s Black Friday extravaganza which will include the launch of a new limited edition purple collection. Based in Hertfordshire, with UK distribution handled in Northamptonshire, the company is growing rapidly thanks to TikTok.
Taking place from 6:45pm GMT on Sunday, the latest Tik Tok livestream will see Hayden and Hagley West attempt to reach 1,000 watch sales in a single day. Viewers will be able to tune in and see Hayden attempt to double his record daily sales, just using TikTok.
Hagley West’s Black Friday promotion will offer customers 20-50% off a variety of watch ranges, with a further 10% discount available for those who join the stream. The offers will run for the remainder of November and will see a series of other live streams planned from different places in the world, with Hayden also offering free products to those who participate in his famous ‘Find Tim’ challenges.
When discussing this weekend’s event, Tim Hayden explained: “We’re really excited about this Black Friday challenge. Over the last few years, we have watched Hagley West grow and we’ve made sure that we challenge ourselves by setting goals to keep us motivated. Last year we were able to sell more than 500 watches in a single day, and this year we want to double that.
“We’re going to have a lot of fun on the livestream and it’s going to be a great opportunity to interact with our followers. The new collection really is something special and we can’t wait to see them on the wrists of people across the world.
“Social media has allowed us to turn the business into something we could never have dreamed of. This has been because of the support from our followers and customers and now we want to give something back to them with this exclusive sale we’re running till the end of the month.”
For more information on Hagley West, visit www.hagleywest.com. Alternatively, follow founder, Tim Hayden on TikTok @timhayden6 to see how he gets on with his Black Friday challenge.
The office vs. the commute: what influences where people work?
Over the past year, we have heard about the success of working from home during and after the pandemic. A survey conducted by Hubble HQ to find out if people should ditch the office found that an overwhelming majority of people had a positive experience doing so. An even bigger percentage said they would like to continue working from home even if it is just one day a week. While these are compelling results, one cannot help but wonder if there is more to uncover. In this article, we look at what between the office and the commute drives people to prefer working from home.
The Lack of Commute
According to the survey mentioned, 79% of respondents say not having to commute has had an impact on their preference to work from home. Additionally, there is a relationship between how long a commute was in the past and how much a person enjoys working from home. People with longer commutes had a higher preference for working from home. Just over half of those surveyed and who had a 15–30-minute commute had a strong positive preference for working from home, while the proportion jumped to about nine in ten for those who lived more than two hours from their workstations. On the opposite end of the spectrum, a higher percentage of those with short commutes said they had a negative experience from home compared to those with longer commutes — 15.4% compared to 0.6%. With all this in mind, we see a direct relationship with negative and positive feelings about working from home based on how long a commute is.How the Office Factors In
Understanding that a commute has an impact on work-from-home preferences, we need to examine whether the office has an impact too. People with shorter commutes are preferred and even necessary for their business to have an office. This is because they are more likely to need to come to the office. We see interesting results from those with longer commutes. This group prefers to use the office a lot less, obviously, but a significant majority say they don’t see the need for their business to have an office. The reasoning is that, if everyone works from home, the business can operate remotely, with virtual meetings and everything else assisted by technology.Personal Office Preferences
Those who prefer to work from home, including those with long commutes, also say the ability to create an office space that serves them best is a significant reason for them to continue working from home. Instead of commuting a few hours to work, sitting in a cubicle for about eight hours and then commuting back, they see gains in time, money, flexibility and productivity as reason enough to establish offices at home. Creating a personalized office space that allows for full immersion into work serves them best. This can include getting the desks and chairs they have always wanted, decorating their offices however they like and having the ability to control things like the amount of light and temperature. Additional options like all pitched roof windows are also preferred as they allow light and air to enter the office and create a conducive working environment. Those converting a space to an office and who want more light and air can visit Roof Window Outlet’s website to see what all pitched roof windows are available.Reclaiming Lost Time
The sentiment of reclaiming lost time is strongest in those who have the longest commutes. Many people started working from home due to the risks associated with commuting and being in the office and, with these risks gone, they still see the benefits of working from home. Not having to commute every day means people have more time to spend doing something they love outside work, to spend time with their families or to do something that benefits their lives differently. These people are not looking to flood back to the office and have this time and flexibility taken away from them. With office occupancy rates remaining below 50% for most of the week, we see people are not returning to the office if they can help it even in cases where executives are asking them to.Financial Savings
It is also worth noting that many people are working from home to save money. 55% of respondents in the Hubble HQ survey above said they work from home for this reason. Total Jobs found that the average Londoner could save up to £14,000 in commuting costs over their careers if they worked from home. Other savings could stem from not having to purchase expensive meals or paying a nanny to take care of the kids in the evenings as they would do while commuting. While commuting time has a significant effect on where people work, the office environment also plays a role too. Saving time and money and having freedom and flexibility all factor into these decisions, whether people want to work from home because they do not want to commute or because they love their home offices more.Synectics sells non-core business
Synectics, a Sheffield-based leader in the design, integration and support of advanced security and surveillance systems, has revealed the conditional sale of the business of SSS Management Services Limited, which is a trading entity of its Nottingham-based Synectics Security division, for cash consideration of up to £0.2 million to Parfas Limited.
The transaction is subject to certain closing conditions and is expected to be completed on or before the company’s financial year end on 30 November 2022.
SSS provides monitoring and managed services, principally to multi-site retailers in the UK. These activities are considered by the Board to be non-core and are not part of the company’s growth plan. The sale of the business will allow the company to focus on the growth of its core business and allow SSS to prosper under private ownership.
The consideration comprises an initial cash payment on completion of £0.1 million with the balance, conditional on the profitability of SSS post-sale, payable following the first anniversary of completion. The proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes.
In the company’s last financial year ended 30 November 2021, the SSS business generated audited revenues of approximately £7 million and an operating profit of less than £0.1 million and, as at 30 November 2021, had audited net liabilities of approximately £1.6 million.
Paul Webb, CEO of Synectics plc, said: “SSS Management Services is a unique business with a very strong management team that will thrive under private ownership.”
Stacey Anderson, Managing Director of SSS, added: “While our long-established business has been part of Synectics for some time, we believe that we can serve our customers better as an independent privately owned business remaining true to our core values of providing the very best levels of service, independent of service providers.”
Freshney Place development planning application submitted
The planning application for a new market hall, a cinema and other leisure facilities at the Western end of Freshney Place have now been submitted into the planning system.
This is another opportunity for people to have their say on the scheme before it is considered by the Planning Committee in the months ahead, and is the time when statutory authorities can also submit their detailed comments.
As previously reported, the council has won significant grant monies for the transformation of the western end of Freshney Place, which it bought during the summer. The proposed 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 will 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.
Prior to submission, public drop in sessions were held by the project team to inform residents and businesses what the scheme might look like if approved, as well as talking through the timescales for the various phases of the development.
During the consultation, the main issues highlighted by visitors included the leisure use of the area, parking once the improvements have been made, and the design, look and feel of the planned new buildings.
Alongside the plans for the Freshney Place development, North East Lincolnshire Council has launched a new project aiming to improve the town centre street scene. Focused on the Victoria Street West pedestrian precinct and surrounding streets, officers are encouraging owners of a relatively small number of street-facing properties to make improvements. They are writing to the owners of properties and advising them on the works needed to bring their buildings to an acceptable standard.
Work is also progressing on the Riverhead scheme, with the plans being put forward for approval by the Council’s Cabinet at the meeting next month. These plans do not require planning permission as it is permitted development on public land. If approved, work is expected to start in the early new year.
Cllr Philip Jackson, leader of the Council, said: “We have said all along that we are working to improve our town centres, to make them more attractive for people to live and work in. We have already seen the improvements to Garth Lane and St James’ Square completed, and now we’re working hard to deliver other elements of the Grimsby masterplan, as well examining opportunities to use empty spaces differently.”
Fall in GDP sets country on course for quickest return to recession in almost half a century
The UK economy shrank by 0.2 per cent in the third quarter of 2022, setting Britain on course for the quickest return to recession since 1975 and offering sobering backdrop to the Autumn Statement next week, the Resolution Foundation said today (Friday).
While a smaller fall than markets expected, the latest contraction was widespread, with consumer spending shrinking amidst an acute cost-of-living.
Should the UK slide into recession next quarter it would be the quickest return to recession since 1975, with the UK only coming out of its last recession eight quarters ago (in Q2 2020).
The UK’s performance was weaker than all other G7 economies (though data for Japan has not yet been published).
James Smith, research director at the Resolution Foundation, said: “Falling consumer spending has caused the economy to shrink in the third quarter of 2022. This has set Britain on course for the quickest return to recession in nearly half a century.
“These latest figures provide a sobering backdrop to the Autumn Statement next week. The Chancellor will need to strike a balance between putting the public finances on a sustainable footing, without making the cost-of-living crisis even worse, or hitting already stretched public services.”
Award win puts Leicester logistics firm in pole position
A Leicester logistics specialist is celebrating after winning an award for innovation from a leading industry body.
Translink Express Logistics Ltd won the coveted Contribution to Innovation award at the Institute of Supply Chain Management’s (IoSCM) annual Supply Chain Awards.
The Narborough-based firm was celebrated for overcoming major industry challenges with innovative initiatives and thinking outside the box to introduce business improvements.
As key workers during the pandemic, its team helped deliver essential goods to local supermarkets, after transforming its warehouse into a fully functional distribution centre in under two weeks.
Translink, which is a family-owned business and a member of the Pallet-Track network, also worked closely with Blaby District Council on its ‘Blaby District Let’s Talk Logistics’ scheme.
The initiative was launched during the 2021 HGV driver shortage to boost recruitment across the supply chain and raise the profile of careers in logistics.
Commercial and finance directors, Chris and Debbie Hobbis, collected the award during a ceremony at The Copthorne Hotel in Newcastle.
The IoSCM provides globally-recognised qualifications and training to raise the standards of supply chain networks worldwide.
The firm’s quality and compliance manager, Heidi Edwards, entered the firm for the award.
She said: “It’s the first quality award for our business and valuable recognition from a respected, professional body.
“The projects were very much a team effort but Chris, in particular, deserves the recognition as it was his leadership and contribution which secured the project that kept us busy throughout that time.
“He spearheaded change in the business, as he was determined to keep it fully operational and to keep the team feeling confident and motivated through the obstacles of the pandemic and the HGV driver shortage.
“It was Chris’s determination and vision that helped the business to thrive by putting new cost-saving systems in place and kitting out what was a basic storage warehouse into a pick and pack facility, which has also created new jobs and increased our team to over 90 members of staff in total.
“We never expected to win because compared to the competition we’re a small depot in the Midlands, but I’m so proud of us for winning.”
Translink’s first award win comes at the end of its 35th year in business.
Chris said: “Like everyone in the industry, it has been a really challenging period for us, with lots of ups and downs, but we have had a great 35th year; our entire team has worked so hard to ensure that we continue to deliver excellence within our sector for both our customers and our partner members in Pallet-Track.
“This is truly an award-winning year, made possible because of our entire team spirit, no one person is ever responsible for a company’s success and we would like to say a great big thank you to our entire team for all the effort and support they continue to show.
“Just to be nominated as finalists in the IoSCM Supply Chain Awards was absolutely amazing, so it is a very proud moment for the entire team to share.”
Caroline Green, chief executive of Pallet-Track, said: “As a network, we are thrilled for the team at Translink Express as they have worked incredibly hard under difficult circumstances to pivot their services and overcome the challenges of recent years.
“We are all so pleased to see the team receive the recognition that they deserve.”
Lead the way by communicating better: By Fiona Duncan-Steer, founder of RSViP Business Networking Agency
Fiona Duncan-Steer, founder of RSViP Business Networking Agency, discusses the importance and the many different forms of communication.
I was recently asked to deliver both a keynote and a workshop around communication for a large organisation and one of the main topics of discussion fell around how we currently communicate with our audiences.
I asked the question: “How do you currently communicate with your audience?” From there a discussion evolved surrounding the various forms of communication used within various sectors and job roles, leading to the differentiation of those said forms of communications and platforms, finalising with what people’s preferences were and why.
Many spoke about email being the main way they communicate, whereby messaging can often be misconstrued or mistranslated compared to being in the room with someone, having a face-to-face conversation, or even by telephone.
This then led to the interesting notion and realisation in some cases that communication isn’t just about the words that we speak, but a whole host of other things such as body language, including mannerisms, handshakes, body positioning, eye contact, facial expression, and hand gestures amongst others. Email also removes the detail that we get from verbal expression, such as linguistics and speech patterns, not to mention story content, and if we really delve in deep, we can look at other forms such as self-comforting gestures, how to spot a liar and the power behind a smile.
Knowing how to read people in this way certainly helps you to be able to diagnose issues that are apparent with perhaps a client or staff member who is struggling but not being honest, or to identify a team member who is facing a challenge or to assist when in negotiations in business.
Being equipped with the tools you need to not only help you to communicate better, but to read other people when they are communicating is a fast track to getting ahead in not only business but in life and could save you a lot of stress and heart ache in the long run in many scenarios.
Now I’m not against communication by email or text, in fact I use it daily and it has its place – it’s quick, convenient, and easy. However, for something like for example, a coaching session, one to one with a staff/team member, or business discussion, I would always advise taking it offline and giving yourself and the other person the opportunity to use communication in all its forms. This could not only save time in the long-run, but also help to prevent any ‘mis-communication’, and you never know, this could lead to a discussion or confession that you least expected, but that in turn helps you to move the situation forward in a positive way.
My two hour interactive workshops cover three key areas of communication including: ‘Communication in all its forms’, as discussed in this article, ‘Language’, which will see us discuss the relevance of understanding both verbal and body language within your career, which will give you the transferable skills to help overcome and manage stressful and challenging situations. The final segment delves into ‘The art of conversation’, and through a simple visualisation tool we will look at how you can become the perfect conversationalist, touching on the relevance of small talk, creative questioning, and more.
Investing time in bettering your communication will result in nothing but positive outcomes for you and those you encounter in life and business, just think how many world problems could have been solved by now with better communication, but it’s not too late – it all starts with ourselves.
Fiona Duncan-Steer, RSViP
www.rsvipnetwork.co.uk www.fionaduncansteer.com
See this article in the November edition of East Midlands Business Link Magazine here.
Construction milestone at new Derby centre for low-carbon research
Initial construction has completed on a new industrial research facility to help manufacturers across the Midlands win work in growing low-carbon markets and develop new sustainable technologies.
Senior figures from the Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (Nuclear AMRC) and partners visited the site at Infinity Park Derby to mark the topping out of the £20 million building.
The new Nuclear AMRC Midlands facility will provide a permanent base in Derby for the University of Sheffield’s Nuclear AMRC, part of the UK’s High Value Manufacturing Catapult, and a new home for the University of Derby’s Institute for Innovation in Sustainable Engineering (IISE).
Andrew Storer, CEO of the Nuclear AMRC, said: “It’s fantastic to see the progress that’s been made on our new facility, especially when the UN climate change conference in Egypt is again highlighting the urgency of reducing emissions from all parts of the global economy. As a nation, we need to build a new generation of low-carbon power plant, and we need to move industry to more sustainable manufacturing and engineering practices.
“The research that will be carried out in this facility will help tackle both of those challenges, and support manufacturers in Derby and beyond to seize the opportunities of the energy transition. I look forward to working with local industry, academic and government partners to deliver sustainable growth in the Midlands for generations to come.”
The pilot Nuclear AMRC Midlands opened in 2019 in the iHub on Infinity Park (now the home of the Nuclear Skills Academy led by Rolls-Royce and the University of Derby).
“Our pilot centre at iHub was a great success, and has helped start the snowball effect of creating a real community for industry and innovation at Infinity Park,” Storer added. “Along with our role in securing the Nuclear Skills Academy on the park, I am really proud of the role the Nuclear AMRC is playing to develop long-lasting support for the supply chain in the Midlands.”
The new 4,300m2 facility will build on its work by expanding the centre’s capabilities in technology areas to help UK manufacturers win work in the nuclear supply chain.
While the Nuclear AMRC’s original facility in South Yorkshire focuses on mechanical manufacturing processes for power plant components, Nuclear AMRC Midlands specialises in emerging technology areas including digital engineering, control and instrumentation systems, and additive manufacturing.
The new building, designed by Stephen George + Partners and built by Stepnell, is based around a large open-plan workshop which will host a flexible range of state-of-the-art manufacturing and research equipment, with ten metre ceilings and 50 tonne cranes to allow work on large fabrications and assemblies.
Nuclear AMRC laboratory facilities will include dedicated space for 3D printing and rapid prototyping, virtual reality and visualisation, and equipment qualification. The building will also include dedicated space for engaging with local schools and colleges, to help encourage young people to consider careers in science and engineering.
The University of Derby’s IISE will occupy around a quarter of the building. IISE specialises in developing sustainable life-cycle design and manufacturing processes for products, serving a range of sectors from transport to healthcare to help reduce their environmental impact. IISE offers collaborative innovation and research using a range of equipment for design, manufacture and testing, supported by specialist expertise to include advanced manufacturing, computational modelling of materials and structures, life cycle management and data science.
Professor Warren Manning, Provost for Innovation and Research at the University of Derby, said: “The development of the Nuclear AMRC Midlands facility at Infinity Park builds on Derby’s longstanding heritage linked to the nuclear industry and cements further its reputation as a city at the cutting edge of industrial innovation.
“We are delighted that the University’s Institute for Innovation in Sustainable Engineering will be co-located with the Nuclear AMRC, offering huge collaboration potential for organisations to work together to develop the skills and capability required to support government objectives linked to net zero and manufacturing growth, and strengthening the wider D2N2 region’s position as a key advanced manufacturing and innovation hub for the UK and beyond.”
As befits a building dedicated to low-carbon technology development, the Nuclear AMRC Midlands has been designed to high standards of environmental sustainability and is targeting a BREAAM rating of Very Good and EPC B rating.
The facility features 590m² of roof-mounted solar panels, generating around 83MWh of low-carbon energy a year – with estimated emissions savings of more than 19 tons of CO2 compared with the average grid supply. The building includes sustainable materials throughout including cladding, insulation and glazing, with site landscaping to increase biodiversity and green cover.
Tom Sewell, regional director at Stepnell, said: “The Nuclear AMRC facility in Derby is a fantastic project that we are proud to be working on. Stepnell is committed to investing in the local community and is on track to deliver over £3m of social return on investment. Key activities have included employing a local supply chain, working with people facing significant barriers to employment through Derby City Council led initiatives, and collaborating with local education providers including Derby College, University of Derby, City of Derby Academy and Landau Forte College.”
Chris Webster, studio director for Stephen George + Partners and lead architect for the project, said: “It was exciting to design a building that had to deliver on both the requirements of Nuclear AMRC and be a statement gateway to the development. We were able to use our extensive experience in the sector to create this quality design, reflecting the high technology aspirations for Infinity Park Derby.”
Infinity Park Derby is a unique collaboration between Derby City Council, The Harpur Crewe Estate, Rolls-Royce, the D2N2 local enterprise partnership, and developers IPD LLP which comprises Wilson Bowden and Peveril Securities.
Nick Richardson, Managing Director of Wilson Bowden, said: “The topping out of the Nuclear AMRC facility is another significant milestone in the delivery of this exciting advanced manufacturing and logistics project and further cements Derby’s unrivalled reputation for world-class manufacturing.
“The Park is already benefiting from a superb location with excellent access to the major routes such as the M1 and A38, this will be further improved with the opening of the proposed new junction off the A50 offering even more direct access to the national motorway network, reinforcing Infinity Park’s position as the premier location for logistics and manufacturing businesses in the region.”
Spanning 100 acres, Infinity Park offers design and build opportunities of up to 50,000m2 for logistics and manufacturing facilities. It is located next to Rolls-Royce and within 20 minutes drive of global manufacturers including Toyota, Alstom and JCB.
With an initial cost of around £20 million, the Nuclear AMRC Midlands building is supported by Derby City Council, and part-funded by £9 million from D2N2.
Councillor Steve Hassall, cabinet member for regeneration, decarbonisation, strategic planning & transport at Derby City Council, said: “It’s great that we’ve been able to visit the site of the new Nuclear AMRC to mark this key milestone. This state-of-the-art facility is a great example of partnership working in action and will offer a huge boost to our local economy and reaffirm our place as a national leader for innovation, manufacturing, and world-class research and development.”
Frank Horsley, head of business & innovation at D2N2, said: “The Nuclear AMRC is a significant opportunity to establish and develop a sustainable net-zero supply chain in our region.”
Nuclear AMRC Midlands will support at least 35 collaborative research and development projects within its first five years, drawing on public and private investment to tackle industry challenges in locally-important sectors such as aerospace, automotive and rail as well as low-carbon energy technologies.
The team will also work with at least 50 smaller companies in the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire area, to help them develop their capabilities for new market opportunities through supplier development programmes such as the flagship Fit For Nuclear service.
Around 30 researchers, engineers and support staff will work at the new facility when it opens in spring 2023, growing to at least 70 within five years.
Work starts on Ashfield District Council’s largest housing development to date
Work has started on Ashfield District Council’s largest housing development to date on Warwick Close in Kirkby, which will see 34 new affordable family homes being built.
In total 18 two bedroom and 16 three-bedroom family homes will be built, with work scheduled to be completed by the winter of 2023. The homes, that will be let to applicants on the Council’s Housing Register, will include the latest energy efficiency measures.
There are plans to include a three-bedroom house with a ground floor bedroom and bathroom, making it suitable for a family where one of the occupants is a wheelchair user. The Council has often struggled to meet the needs of such households because of the limitations of the existing stock.
Since starting an ambitious affordable house building programme, the Council has completed homes on six brownfield sites and has started work on a further five sites.
Director of Housing & Assets, Paul Parkinson said: “The new development will mark a milestone on the road to providing one hundred new affordable homes in Ashfield, which forms part of the Council’s strategic housing goal.
“The new homes will include the latest green technology that will contribute towards carbon reduction targets and will help ensure the cost of running a home are kept to a minimum.”
Global staffing solutions company to bring more jobs to Leicester
Recruitment firm Venquis, is growing its Leicester office as it plans to grow its workforce to 100-strong, in the city, by March 2023.
The company which supports clients recruiting business change and transformation specialists, is expanding in Leicester as they move to a larger office. Leicester’s digital and business drive fits with Venquis’ vision. The location and the diverse talent added to Leicester’s appeal.
The move also means the company can accommodate more staff with additional room for breakout areas and meeting space. The latest move forms part of their ambitious growth plans.
New Talent Delivery Director Paul Rafferty joined Venquis in September and heads up the Talent Delivery Consultant team, says: ” Venquis is exceptionally well positioned. With fantastic, easily accessible offices, a current core of established staff, and an appetite to embrace technology, this puts our business at the cutting edge. We can provide the highest quality and speed of staffing solutions for our European-wide partners. We look forward to training people from all walks of life and helping them build a long and established career within our business. Our growth plans will provide countless opportunities for progression and learning.”
New associate director at Armsons Barlow
Derby-based project managers, construction cost consultants and building surveyors Armsons Barlow have appointed Paul Hanson as associate director.
Paul joined Barlow & Associates in 1991 as a trainee quantity surveyor and went on to gain a degree in Quantity Surveying from Nottingham Trent University.
During his time with the firm, Paul has delivered a variety of schemes for a range of clients and worked in a number of different roles including quantity surveyor, employer’s agent, bank monitoring surveyor, project manager and party wall surveyor.
He has also broadened his skills and experience with secondments to contractors in both retail and civil engineering.
In his new role as associate director, Paul will assume several new responsibilities, including managing a small team of surveyors and leading the companies’ services on a portfolio of schemes for one of their key clients.
Commenting on his new role, Paul said: “The merger of Armsons and Barlow & Associates is proving to be an exciting time, and I am enjoying being part of a larger team and sharing experiences.
“The varying roles and mix of clients I have worked on over the past 30 years has helped keep the work fresh and exciting. This, together with great colleagues, is the reason I have been here for this amount of time.
“My promotion within the new structure at Armsons Barlow has opened up a new chapter to enable me to further my career and I look forward to many more years learning and sharing with my new colleagues.”
Josh Toon, director of Armsons Barlow, added: “We’re delighted to appoint Paul as an associate director at Armsons Barlow. This appointment reflects the significant contribution he has made to the firm over the past three decades.
“Over the past 30 years, Paul has gained an unrivalled level of experience, working on a diverse range of major projects for both private and public sector clients and he is set to take on more responsibility in his new role as a senior member of the team.”
Study shows 70% of East Midlands motor trade businesses expect to make employee redundancies by the end of 2022
The cost of living crisis is an unwanted reality that the entire population is facing, and the motor trade industry is no exception in the East Midlands. 27% of motor trade employers in the East Midlands have already let staff go, with a further 43% considering making cuts to their staff before the end of the year.
In Nottingham, 57% of motor trade businesses have or will experience redundancies before the end of the year. Showing a bleak picture for motor trade professionals in the region. There are many factors which could be impacting this, both directly in the form of supply costs increasing to indirectly through the cost of living’s impact on the population. A recent RAC report stated that young people are increasingly putting off car checks and repays due to their own squeezed finances.
In order to establish the facts and learn about the severity of inflation-based challenges affecting the nation, a specialist motor trade insurance provider, ChoiceQuote, commissioned an independent survey of 303 motor trade professionals in the UK. The picture it paints is a pessimistic one.
A huge 63% of the professionals surveyed in the East Midlands said that their business is facing serious or very serious issues linked to inflation.
How is this affecting the industry’s business decisions? Over a third expect their company to struggle (40%), and a sixth (17%) expect trading to remain stagnant. One in six may even close!
27% of motor trade employers have already let staff go as a consequence of rising costs, with 43% planning to lay workers off before the end of this year. Similarly, 67% of motor trade professionals in the East Midlands are expected to have reduced working hours within their business before the start of 2023.
A massive 43% of East Midland motor trade businesses have already increased customer prices this year, and 47% will be looking to increase prices before the year is out. Meaning that 90% will have increased their prices within the year.
Decision makers are making the tough decision as to whether they persevere through these difficult times or switch to a different kind of work due to the strain that the inflation crisis has had on their professional and personal life. Almost 2 in 3 (60%) motor trade professionals feel more stressed due to the impact of inflation on their personal finances (63% in Nottingham alone).
Derek Henry, Managing Director of ChoiceQuote comments: “It’s definitely a worrying outlook. In recent months, rising new and used cars, as well as fuel prices have meant that many businesses and traders have had to rethink their strategy or make some incredibly tough decisions on their future.”
East Midlands manufacturer delivers £1.6m furniture contract in Scotland
Mansfield-based Deanestor, one of the UK’s leading education furniture and fitout specialists, has delivered a £1.6m contract for one of the highest performing secondary schools in Scotland.
Built by McLaughlin & Harvey for East Dunbartonshire Council, the new £40.9m Boclair Academy in Bearsden near Glasgow has created a state-of-the-art learning environment for 1,000 pupils.
This was Deanestor’s fourth project for McLaughlin & Harvey and it follows earlier fitout projects at Hopefield Primary School in Midlothian and two primary schools for Scottish Borders Council.
Deanestor fitted out 228 rooms across the new Boclair campus, which reflects the latest thinking for curriculum delivery.
According to Neil Kemp, Senior Project Manager at McLaughlin & Harvey, “Despite the challenges of Brexit and the covid pandemic, the project and the fit out went very well and we were able to hand the new campus over early. The quality of the furniture manufactured by Deanestor met our expectations and requirements. The finished school looks fantastic, particularly the open plan spaces, and staff and students at the Academy are absolutely delighted with their new facility.”
Charles Riach, Architect at Ryder Architecture, said, “The finished school is outstanding. The design both internally and externally references the quality, textures and colours of the surrounding architecture and landscape. Deanestor has once again delivered the brief and the design for the furniture and fitout, and their team worked well with us at each stage.”
Deanestor provided a wide range of contemporary fitted and loose furniture, soft furnishings, teaching aids, lockers, and equipment for sports, crafts, design and technology, science laboratories, and food technology – from mirrors and ballet barres to a kiln and laboratory fume cupboards.
Its team manufactured bespoke items of furniture, including the solid oak reception desk, storage cabinets, booth seating, benching, lockers, and teaching aids. Specially designed tiered seating in a beech finish was provided by Deanestor which doubles up as informal break-out spaces to encourage social interaction.
Nearly 3,000 items of loose furniture were also supplied as part of Deanestor’s FF&E contract, such as tables and chairs, dining tables, modular soft seating, mobile storage, and over 300 sofas.
The interior design strategy reflects the school’s corporate identity and uses two shades of blue to help unify different spaces across the campus. Natural colours and tones feature extensively to complement the surrounding,
Deanestor manufactures and installs robust and flexible loose and fixed furniture solutions for early years, primary, SEN, and secondary education, fitting out areas such as classrooms, science laboratories, ICT, design and technology, atria, social dining spaces, break-out areas, sports facilities and changing rooms. Its experienced designers and project managers work with architects, contractors and directly with schools and local authorities, advising on specification of furniture and equipment to help deliver inspirational learning environments.
Innovative Lincolnshire climate business vying for top national award
Up-and-coming climate tech company, Seaweed Culture, is one of the final 100 businesses from across Great Britain aiming to take home a top award at the Santander X UK Awards.
The Lincolnshire-based business seeks to tackle climate change by reducing methane emissions in livestock through the use of seaweed and is one of 60 business vying to win the Launch category at the Santander X UK Awards, where the national winner will take home a top prize of £15,000.
Seaweed Culture’s Founder and CEO, Luke Smith, developed his passion for supporting the environment whilst studying at the University of Lincoln, UK, and identified seaweed as a way to help the livestock industry meet net zero targets and create climate conscious products.
Luke, who received advice and funding from the University’s Student Enterprise Services to support his start-up journey, has developed a novel land-based cultivation system to grow a seaweed species not native to the UK.
When incorporating less than 0.2% into their daily diets, this seaweed species can reduced methane emissions from cows by up to 95% with no effects on the quality of meat or milk while also increasing productivity and reducing cost.
Having been selected from a field of 500 applications, Luke is now taking part in a tailored, intensive business training programme ahead of pitching heats at the Oval in London on 28th November where the Awards finalists will be selected.
Six businesses from the Launch category will be chosen to take part in the final the following day at London’s One Marylebone where the judging panel will be headed up by Santander UK CEO Mike Regnier.
Speaking about his progress in the Awards, Luke said: “Being part of the Santander X Cohort has really helped the business refine its approach moving forward. It has been a great opportunity to learn and strengthen our own understanding alongside supporting the business.”
Should Seaweed Culture bring home the award, it would add to the growing list of accolades which both Luke and the business have already secured. The company won both the Environmental/Sustainable Business of the Year and the Andrew Stevenson Award – which recognises businesses with significant global potential – at the Lincolnshire Business Excellence Awards 2022, whilst Luke has previously been recognised as one of Lincolnshire’s 30 Under 30.
Midlands sees fall in permanent placements for first time since February 2021
The latest KPMG and REC, UK Report on Jobs: Midlands survey saw permanent placements decline for the first time since February 2021 and a second consecutive reduction in temporary billings during October. Pay inflation, meanwhile, remained elevated amid reports of both high demand for labour alongside shortages in candidate availability.
The KPMG and REC, UK Report on Jobs: Midlands is compiled by S&P Global from responses to questionnaires sent to around 100 recruitment and employment consultancies in the Midlands.
Renewed decline in permanent placements
The number of permanent placements across the Midlands fell for the first time since February 2021 in October. Moreover, the rate of decline was marked. Recruitment consultancies indicated that the renewed decline in permanent placements stemmed from the weak levels of demand that firms across the UK are currently facing.
The decrease in permanent placements in the Midlands was the second sharpest of the four monitored English regions, behind only London which registered the fastest decline since July 2020. All of the monitored English regions recorded lower levels of permanent placements and three of the four downturns followed increases in the previous month.
Temp billings fall at the fastest rate since June 2020
Temporary billings fell for a second consecutive month at the start of the final quarter. Moreover, the rate of decline accelerated from September and was the quickest since June 2020. Anecdotal evidence suggested that the downturn was linked to the worsening economic landscape in the UK. Other firms mentioned that a shortage of candidates also contributed to the decline.
The fall in temp billings in the Midlands was the fastest of the four monitored regions. Conversely, the South of England registered a marked upturn which underpinned the uptick at the UK level.
Demand for staff across the Midlands continued to increase in October, although rates of expansion remained below the respective historical averages. Permanent vacancies rose at a robust rate but at one which was comfortably below the survey peak recorded in July 2021.
Meanwhile, October data completed two consecutive years whereby demand for temporary staff has increased on a monthly basis. The rate of growth, however, was the slowest since January 2021.
Downturn in permanent staff availability sharpens
Recruiters across the Midlands registered a drop in the supply of permanent staff in October which was the nineteenth in as many months. The reduction was sharp and quicker than in September but remained much softer than seen across much of the past year-and-a-half. Candidates were reportedly reluctant to move positions amid widespread economic and market uncertainty. The Midlands posted the softest fall in permanent candidate numbers of the four monitored English regions whilst the North of England reported the sharpest decline.
Temporary staff availability falls at a softer rate
The availability of candidates for temporary roles in the Midlands fell in October, thereby stretching the current negative sequence to 20 months. Anecdotal evidence suggested that people were currently seeking extra stability and had a preference for permanent positions. Other recruitment consultancies also mentioned that high levels of employment across the UK meant that there was a general lack of candidates. That said, the rate of decline in temporary staff availability was the softest since March 2021. Bucking the wider trend, London registered the first uptick in temp staff availability in a year-and-a-half.
Permanent salary growth eases to 18-month low
October data signalled that salaries for permanent new joiners in the Midlands increased for the twentieth month in a row. Though remaining elevated, the rate of increase was much slower than in September and the softest in a year-and-a-half. The rise in permanent salaries was reportedly reflective of a talent shortage, with firms subsequently forced to increase salaries to entice candidates. On a national level, the increase in permanent starting salaries was led by London, though all four monitored English regions registered marked inflation.
Rate of temp wage inflation the softest since May 2021
Hourly pay rates for temporary staff increased further in October, stretching the current sequence of inflation to just short of two years. Anecdotal evidence suggested that a combination of high demand for staff and a shortage in available labour drove the increase in temp wages. That said, the rate of inflation was the softest since May 2021. The rise in the Midlands was also the weakest of the four monitored English regions. London recorded the steepest increase in temporary pay, followed by the South of England.
Commenting on the latest survey results, Kate Holt, people consulting partner at KPMG UK, said: “The looming recession is clearly impacting the UK jobs market. Candidates’ reluctance to move as a result of the challenging economic landscape has resulted in higher demand for staff across the Midlands but fewer actual placements. Employers are also improving their benefit and development offerings, which has also made a significant impact in the number of available candidates. “The talent war is ongoing in the Midlands and now more than ever, it’s essential that we focus on upskilling the workforce to support and boost economic recovery when it comes. The jobs market will bounce back, particularly if we invest in the skills of the workforce across all sectors of the economy.” Neil Carberry, Chief Executive of the REC, said: “The economic and political uncertainty of September and October has caused employers to become more cautious in their approach to hiring than during the frenzy of earlier in the year. “We’ve witnessed permanent placements decline in the Midlands for the first time since February 2021 and a second consecutive reduction in temporary billings in October. Activity overall, is still well in advance of pre-pandemic levels, however. We will need to watch how this story develops over months to come, but so far this data suggests heightened employer caution, not a retreat from the market. “It remains the case that firms in many sectors are struggling to hire, as hours worked remain below their pre-pandemic level despite record-low unemployment. We’re looking to the Autumn Statement later this month to help with removing the brakes on growth by reforming the apprenticeship levy to build a more effective skills system, improving support to help people move from inactivity to work, and align other policy areas – like work permits – with a growth strategy.”Nottingham retail warehouse sold for £7m
Independent out-of-town agent XPROP, on behalf of Bradda Capital, has completed the sale of Mansfield Retail Park, Nottingham for in excess of £7m.
GPLI acted on behalf of an active private client as they further diversified their portfolio.
Comprising 37,955 sq ft of retail warehouse occupied by Go Outdoors, Carpetright and Topps Tiles this investment offers over 12 years of income security, a large proportion of which is guaranteed by JD Sports Fashion PLC.
The property has a dominant trading position fronting Mansfield Road (A60) in a thriving roadside, retail and commercial area to the North of Nottingham City Centre.
David Griffiths, director, GPLI, says: “We are delighted to have secured this investment on behalf of a private client. In a period of permacrisis, the long term stability and consistency of income offered by this investment demonstrates one of the core advantages of commercial property.
“As our client continues to diversify their portfolio we look forward to securing more opportunities across sector and across the UK.”
David Phillips, Managing Director of Bradda Capital, said: “We are very pleased to have closed the sale of this property bought for income 12 years ago and generated a gross IRR of 17.5%. This is a fantastic result and a testament to the quality of the assets that we target – and the execution capability of our team.”
Alpkit scales new heights with latest Crowdfunding campaign
Nottingham outdoor retailer, Alpkit, has far exceeded its £750,000 crowdfunding target, raising a total of over £2.3m to date, through Crowdcube.
The company, which has multiple sites in key locations across the UK, has also seen demand increase from international markets across Europe and the US.
Alpkit are a performance outdoor & bike brand, targeting mountain enthusiasts, who run, hike, climb, camp, swim and bike. Having increased sales to £14m in just eight years, they have opened 5 new stores and become a B Corp since their 2020 raise.
In 2020 the company raised £1.5m from 1350 customers in less than an hour. It was one of Crowdcubes fastest ever and Alpkit’s premoney valuation has increased by 44% since then.
Alpkit is now looking to grow its UK & international web sales and have ambitious plans to open 2 stores a year and set up a European hub.
David Hanney, CEO and co-founder says, “Having customers as shareholders helps us stay aligned to our purpose. And when we do that, our business flourishes – we know we’ll still be making great product and doing good things not just in 5 years but in 25 years.”
The crowdfunding campaign remains open for a further 4 days
