Burton debt recovery business secures £100k growth funding
A Burton-On-Trent-based debt recovery business is preparing to grow its workforce with five new job roles after securing a £100,000 funding package.
Maxima Creditor Resolutions, based in Blakenhall Park Bar Lane, Barton Under Needwood, secured funding from the Midlands Engine Investment Fund (MEIF) and Staffordshire & Stoke on Trent Business Loan Fund managed by BCRS Business Loans.
Funding will allow Maxima Creditor Resolutions to strengthen and expand its services as a startup business. The funding will create five additional jobs and support three existing roles which will enable Maxima to employ specialist legal support and take advantage of new market opportunities.
Established in October 2021 Maxima Creditor Resolutions are insolvency experts, specialising in the recovery of outstanding debts for creditors.
Mark Andrews, co-founder of Maxima Creditor Resolutions, said: “After securing funding from BCRS we will be able to use the fund to recruit an additional five people and secure the futures of three existing members of staff.
“The investment fund will allow us to recruit legal professionals together with administerial roles to support the infrastructure.
“The loan application process with BCRS was painless. Andrew from BCRS took the time to understand the business and what we were trying to achieve. It felt more like a partnership rather than just completing a single application form.”
Andrew Hustwit, head of business development at BCRS Business Loans, said: “We are so pleased to have delivered the funding that Maxima Creditor Resolutions need via the MEIF WM Small Business Loan Fund and Staffordshire & Stoke on Trent Loan Fund in order to achieve their growth plans.
“As a lender that delivers funding for intentional social and economic impact, it is great news that five new jobs will be created by Maxima Creditor Resolutions.”
Lack of IT support negatively impacting manufacturing workers’ attitude to technology
A lack of support from their company’s IT department is having a detrimental impact on manufacturing field workers’ attitudes towards – and confidence with – technology, while also endangering the success of digital transformation initiatives, new research has found.
With the nature of their work meaning that they are rarely at the office, digital solutions can be an effective way of improving field workers’ communication with the rest of the business, as well as improving efficiency and productivity.
However, the data, published in WorkMobile’s The Forgotten Workforce report, revealed that although 63% of manufacturing professionals use some form of digital technologies while out in the field, many remain unconvinced of their usefulness.
When asked to describe their feelings towards the roll out of new technologies many seemed apprehensive, with more than a third (46%) saying that they are generally reluctant to embrace them, and 22% believing that they can cause problems if they’re not implemented carefully.
Some of this may be linked to a lack of support from the business during the roll out, with 27% of those surveyed saying that they don’t feel they are given enough help and support when they are expected to start using a new piece of technology or digital solution.
Not only is the lack of attention having an impact on employee morale, but it also means that the technologies used are not necessarily having the desired impact on business operations, rendering any attempts at digital transformation within field service less effective than they should be.
Very few manufacturing field workers (14%) said that technology enhances their day-to-day life, and 18% even said that it prevents them from doing their job to the best of their ability. Just over half (55%) said that they improve efficiency and productivity – two of the key benefits of carefully chosen and implemented digital solutions – and under one in 10 (9%) think that it positively impacts customer relationships.
However, the good news is that only 5% of manufacturing field workers think that the traditional way of operating is more effective, while 41% of respondents said that they appreciate the benefits of new technologies, suggesting that the situation could be improved, provided the right tools are implemented with a good level of support and guidance from elsewhere in the business.
Colin Yates, chief support officer at WorkMobile, said: “It’s important to remember that while digital transformation should make companies more profitable, enhance the customer experience and enable them to keep up with competitors, it should also always improve the employee experience.
“If a new technology will not ultimately make the daily responsibilities of manufacturing employees simpler or more efficient (following the appropriate training), then it is not the right technology for that business and will likely not be a success in the long run.”
First phase of work transforming Derby’s historic Market Hall into attractive retail and leisure destination completes
The first phase of work to transform Derby’s historic Market Hall into an attractive retail and leisure destination fit for the future is now complete. Work is set to start soon on the second phase, which will focus on refurbishing the interior and developing the exterior public space at Osnabruck Square – a key entrance to the Grade II listed building.
Wates Construction has been leading an expert project team of local architects and engineers on the flagship project, comprising Latham Architects, Rogers Leask, and Clancy Consultants.
The vision is to create a building that celebrates its heritage and market tradition, while offering attractive and flexible spaces that can be adapted to meet modern needs and evolving consumer demand.
When it reopens, the Market Hall will include both traditional and theme markets, events, one-off or pop-up uses, make and trade spaces, and small performances – with a greater emphasis on food and drink to attract a wide range of businesses and visitors. Located at the heart of the city centre, linking Derbion and St Peter’s Quarter to the Cathedral Quarter and Becketwell, it will also play a key role in widening the diversity of the city centre economy.
A vibrant city centre is a key part of the strategy developed to ensure Derby’s economy remains resilient after the pandemic. A task force, made up of representatives from both public and private sectors, is driving activity to maintain business and investor confidence, diversify the local economy and decarbonise the city.
Councillor Mick Barker, cabinet member for governance and deputy leader of Derby City Council, said: “Derby Market Hall is one of the city’s most beautiful and prominent buildings, which connects key areas of our city centre.
“As a Grade II listed building, it deserves tasteful and sympathetic attention to detail to its renovation. Quality takes time and we’re delighted to see that this striking copper roof has now been finished, which paves the way for the rest of the Market Hall’s transformation.
“Soon we can move onto the internal renovation and give Derby a fantastic market, which is full of life and which will help draw people back into the heart of our city.”
After undergoing extensive roof and structural restoration assisted by a scaffolding structure weighing more than eight blue whales, the Grade II listed Victorian market hall, which has been trading since 1866, is well on its way to being transformed into a contemporary and vibrant cultural and retail destination.
The work completed includes masonry repairs to the building envelope, internal cleaning of the roof structure, and lead paint removal before the challenging and extensive heritage glazed roof replacement works. This included increasing ridge height to accommodate natural ventilation for the building, copper roof replacement, gutter and rainwater works, access equipment, localised electric works, lightening protection, and decoration.
John Carlin, regional director at Wates Construction, said: “It has been a privilege to work on the restoration and transformation of such an iconic and unique building, maintaining its historic charm but also bringing it into the council’s overall modern vision for the revitalisation of the wider city centre.
“Before this work on the roof was carried out, the Market Hall often had to close to customers for safety reasons if there was possibility of strong winds, snow, or heavy rain in case the glass windows came out of their frames. Along with the extensive restoration of the roof structure, all of these windows have now been replaced, meaning that closing the market and disrupting trade just for weather will no longer be necessary.
“Making sure that trading could continue while initial surveys and work on the roof took place was particularly important. To do this, we installed a scaffolding structure to give access to the roof without disrupting ground level activity. It was an impressive feat of engineering all by itself, which would have spanned more than 62 miles if placed end-to-end and weighed almost 900 tonnes, but it really was the key to making sure trade could continue despite our ongoing work, supporting the city’s traders post-pandemic.”
The team is now looking forward to commencing the second phase of the programme to transform the interior and exterior spaces, which will start later this year. Raised concrete floor plinths that currently house individual market stalls will be removed to create a more airy, open and accessible space, with the ground level intended to provide space for up to 32 market stalls, which will be portable for flexibility.
Meanwhile, the interior balcony area will provide an opportunity to accommodate a small business incubator, and to provide space for special themed markets, such as antiques or crafts. The entrances to the Market Hall are also set to be improved in the upcoming phase of work, allowing market activity to flow seamlessly into the surrounding streets and creating an attractive and flexible space in the adjacent Osnabruck Square.
Wates Construction was appointed via SCAPE’s Major Works framework. The second phase of development is set to commence on site in Q4 2022, with an aim to complete in 2024.
Tightening labour market is a “ticking timebomb” for East Midlands businesses
The East Midlands’ unemployment rate remains the lowest in the UK at 2.4% – having halved in just over a year.
The latest figure, reported by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) for the period between April and June 2022, is below the 3.8% national average.
In March to May 2021, it was 4.9% but has fallen almost every month since then. The region’s economic inactivity rate – which measures the number of working-age people who have dropped out of the labour market for reasons such as retirement, caring duties, long-term ill health or studying – has grown by six-tenths of a percentage point to 21.9% during the same period.
East Midlands Chamber Chief Executive Scott Knowles said: “These latest statistics show that our region’s businesses are creating plenty of jobs and people are filling them. We said throughout the pandemic that firms in sectors most directly affected by restrictions remained viable once they were allowed to trade freely and the data proves this is the case.
“However, the labour market remains incredibly tight, with the number of job vacancies in the UK economy around the highest on record. Competition for skills and labour continues to drive up wage costs, which is adding to the growing list of concerns facing organisations – which are being hit left, right and centre by the cost of doing business crisis, driven by the highest inflation in almost 40 years.
“Two-thirds of East Midlands businesses told us in our Quarterly Economic Survey they attempted to recruit between April and June, but 82% of this cohort struggled to fill roles. With four in 10 businesses now at capacity, the lack of access to people is becoming a ticking timebomb.
“The lack of human resource means they are struggling to meet customer demand and are often forced to turn away new business. This is restricting growth – as reflected by the latest figure showing GDP fell by 0.1% in the second quarter of 2022 – and dampening confidence among businesses to make the investments that will drive the economy forward again.”
Scott said it was “time for the Government to listen to businesses” as he outlined some key policies that would help firms to fill vacancies and bring people back to the labour market.
“The Government can help ease the growing pressure in the labour market at no extra cost to the Exchequer,” he added. “We need an immediate review and reform of the Shortage Occupations List to include more jobs at all skill levels, giving firms breathing space to train and upskill their workforce.
“We also need to encourage economically inactive people back into the labour market through access to publicly-funded rapid retraining opportunities. Businesses must be part of the solution too by creating the right workplace conditions, for example by providing flexible working practices, training opportunities and a focus on workplace healthcare and support.
“There are also innovative schemes for firms to tap into and access funding, including the UK Community Renewal Fund-backed Kickstart Accelerator, in which the Chamber has helped organisations in our region create more than 160 jobs for young people.”
The what, the how and the why: by Fiona Duncan-Steer, founder of RSViP Business Networking Agency
Fiona Duncan-Steer, founder of RSViP Business Networking Agency, explores the ‘what’, the ‘how’ and the ‘why’ in business.
Many of you may be familiar with inspirational speaker and coach Simon Sinek, who has created not only a business, but a movement around the word ‘why’ – why do we do what we do? Encouraging us to dig deep and resurface our reasons for making the decisions that we make, ultimately leading to why we do the things that we do, whether it be within our careers or our personal lives. Since Simon’s famous Ted Talk, ‘How great leaders inspire action’, went viral on YouTube in 2009, many coaches and consultants, myself included, have used his teachings within our own practises – in particular his framework, he calls ‘The Golden Circle’, which essentially explores the idea that most people know and explain ‘what’ they do, most people know and relay ‘how they do it’, but rarely do people share ‘why’ they do what they do – hence the what, the how and the why.
Storytelling in business has become the clever marketer’s super-power. Gone are the days when people tolerated being ‘sold’ to. People want to buy from people they like, admire and relate to and this is where sharing your story – your why – comes into play. Simply by having a conversation, showing up as your true self and allowing someone a window into your world – even just a nugget, is enough to create intrigue and release all of those endorphins (the happy hormones that help to connect us as humans).
So, what we if took a step back for a moment and focused on the ‘how’?
We know ‘what’ we do and ‘why’ we do it, but do we truly know ‘how’ to do what we do as well as we could?
This is where self-awareness comes in and your ego is left at the door. It’s easy to become complacent in business when we have been doing what we do for a while. When the feedback we receive from our audience is consistent and there are no real challenges to overcome. Why would we change anything? This is when we should be using that wave of time to develop both ourselves, our processes and our offerings.
Asking ourselves important questions, such as; is what I still offer relevant? Can I diversify my offerings? Is now the time to expand and scale my business model? Am I happy with my current audience?
Monitoring progress and having regular reviews shows great leadership – even if you are a freelancer with no staff or team, this still applies to you. Being aware of your capabilities, your strengths, your weaknesses, for example, will help you to make all important decisions on where you best spend your time within the business and which areas of work you delegate to others.
Perhaps you’ve reached a time where you are ready to take it to the next level, to scale up, to take on new staff members, to move to a bigger office or to diversify your current business to offer other services.
Wherever you are at right now, I encourage you to focus on the ‘how’ for a while. To take some time to analyse and review what you know and figure out what you don’t – then go learn and apply it.
How do you do what you do?
Fiona Duncan-Steer www.fionaduncansteer.com www.rsvipnetwork.co.uk
Apprenticeship Ambassador numbers increase tenfold in local schools – but more still required
Work is ongoing to double the number of Apprenticeship Ambassadors working with local schools in time for the start of the new academic year.
Ten Apprenticeship Ambassadors (AAs) have now been recruited and are completing their training with the East Midlands Apprenticeship Ambassador Network (AAN) and the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP) Careers Hub.
It came after a recruitment campaign led by the Careers Hub in February after it had emerged that there was just a single AA available to spread the word about apprenticeships across 91 schools and colleges in Leicester and Leicestershire.
Work has continued over the summer to extend the network further as the LLEP looks to start the autumn term with 20 AAs available to visit classrooms to help other young people better understand the local labour market and available career options.
By introducing AAs as relatable peer group members within communities, schools and employers are helping to change perceptions about apprenticeships in the region.
Students who subsequently express an interest in vocational training are introduced to the local Apprenticeship Skills and Knowledge Team (ASK) and the Careers Hub network.
The LLEP is now looking for local employers to join the AAN as Employer Ambassadors. In doing so they will develop the skills of their own apprentices, create a pipeline of future talent, and give back to schools in their communities.
The project will also increase the number of local AAs being recruited, trained and made available for classroom engagement.
AAs will be from a range of sectors and social backgrounds.
They will be supported by Employer Ambassadors who have a desire to support their communities and develop pipelines of new talent.
Andy Reed OBE, interim chair of the LLEP board, said: “Gains already made through this project, in terms of increasing the size of the network, will help towards our objective of increasing regional productivity by ensuring that we have people with the skills needed by our employers.
“Equally importantly, we are focusing on areas where apprenticeships are not typically being taken up.
“This is important because young people are particularly impacted by changes in the labour market which reduce entry level positions – and these are typically catered for by apprenticeships.”
The LLEP now has Apprentice Ambassadors representing local employers including EON, Jaguar Land Rover, and CE Civil Engineering.
East Midlands firms have claimed up to 68% less Govt innovation funding than some parts of the UK
Businesses in the East Midlands haven’t been claiming their share of government innovation funding — settling for 68% less than some parts of the UK, a study by innovation funding specialist Catax shows.
Businesses across the UK have enjoyed £12.3bn of grant awards from government innovation agency, Innovate UK, since 2003.
However, in that time, companies in the East Midlands have received less grant cash than all but four other regions, when adjusted for business population.
Companies in the East Midlands have netted the equivalent of £2,084 per business, which is 68% less than those in the North East (£6,504), the best performing region. Total grant funding nationally has equalled £2,563 per business — meaning the East Midlands is 18.7% behind the UK average.
Applicants in the East Midlands have been awarded £661 million in total.
Some of the largest grants in the region over the last five years went to Rolls Royce, in Derby, for a number of projects, funded by Innovate UK grants worth a total of £57.4m.
Five highest grant awards in the East Midlands in the past five years
Other regions trailing the national average are North West (£1,039), Northern Ireland (£1,465), Wales (£1,623), the East of England (£1,922) and Yorkshire & the Humber (£2,204).
The national disparity has improved only slightly in the past five years and is still cause for concern. The North East was still the biggest recipient (£2,586 per business) between 2017 and 2022, while the North West continued to benefit the least (£473 per business).
Over that period, the East Midlands has received £884 per business, while the North East remains ahead with £2,586. It means the gap has marginally narrowed, with the East Midlands receiving 65.8% less per company compared to the top-performing region. Grant funding nationally equalled £1,093 per business over the past five years.
The results of the study serve as a wake-up call to businesses across the UK to ensure they are taking advantage of funding opportunities on offer, as a lack of awareness continues to hold back applications.
Karen Taylor, group head of grants at innovation funding specialist Catax, says: “There is great variation in the level of innovation funding being claimed around the UK and the East Midlands is lagging behind.
“Grants can be a game-changing source of finance for businesses, giving many the resources they need to invest in new research and innovations.
“It might be that there is still a prevailing lack of awareness of these grants in the region, and this needs to be addressed. These findings should serve as a call to action for businesses in the East Midlands to take a look at what grants are on offer which could help them get their project off the ground.”
|
Grant recipient |
Location |
Award offered |
Description |
|
Rolls Royce Plc |
Derby |
£16,758,325 |
Fan testing of a gas-turbine engine. Rolls Royce will lead that testing and analysis to ensure the structural integrity of the engine. |
|
Rolls Royce Plc |
Derby |
£14,346,650 |
For LUCIA (Large UltraFan Composite Integrated Aerostructures), a key enabler for the delivery of the UltraFan powerplant. |
|
Rolls Royce Plc |
Derby |
£13,630,743 |
FANDANGO (FAN Design And iNtegrity, GO) will deliver the flight worthy UltraFan fan system for demonstration in the most arduous test conditions met by gas turbines. |
|
Rolls Royce Plc |
Derby |
£12,685,447 |
Environmental proving testing. |
|
Horiba Mira Ltd |
Hinckley and Bosworth |
£11,220,000 |
For the Trusted Intelligent CAV facility, to accelerate development of Connected and Autonomous Vehicles. |
Nominations close in 3 days for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022!
Presenting a perfect opportunity to showcase your business, there are only 3 days left to enter the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022!
The annual event, organised by East Midlands Business Link Magazine, is an independent awards and publicity programme recognising development projects and people in commercial and public building across the region – from office, industrial and residential schemes, through to community projects such as leisure schemes and schools.
The prestigious awards attract leaders from across the East Midlands and are the ideal way for businesses to promote themselves and those they work with. Indeed winning one of these awards will add considerably to a company’s or individual’s brand and enhance their commercial reach significantly.
Award categories include: most active estate agent, commercial development of the year, responsible business of the year, residential development of the year, developer of the year, deal of the year, architects of the year, excellence in design, sustainable development of the year, contractor of the year, and overall winner.
Winners will be revealed at a glittering awards ceremony on Thursday 15 September, at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground – an evening that will also provide plenty of time to forge new contacts with property and construction professionals from across the region.
To submit a business or development for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022 before nominations close on Friday 19 August, please click on a category link below or visit this page.
Thanks to our sponsors:
- Most active estate agent
- Commercial development of the year
- Responsible business of the year
- Residential development of the year
- Developer of the year
- Deal of the year
- Architects of the year
- Excellence in design
- Sustainable development of the year
- Contractor of the year
- Overall winner (this award cannot be entered, the winner will be selected from those nominated)
Book your tickets now
Tickets can now be booked for the awards event – click here to secure yours. The special awards evening and networking event will be held on 15 September 2022 in the Derek Randall Suite at the Trent Bridge County Cricket Club from 4:30pm – 7:30pm. Connect with local decision makers over canapés and complimentary drinks while applauding the outstanding companies and projects in our region. The event will also welcome John Forkin MBE DL, Managing Director at award-winning investment promotion agency Marketing Derby, as keynote speaker, as well as award-winning mind reader, magician, and professional mentalist Looch, who will bewilder and astonish guests during the evening’s networking. Dress code is standard business attire.
To be held at:
Leicestershire architects instructed on £6m project in Saudi Arabia
IMA Architects has been instructed by FABEC, a Saudi Arabian architectural design company, on a project that will see the creation of a new luxury holiday park in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The new project is IMA’s first scheme in Saudi Arabia. It will see the development of 30 luxury chalets – each complete with a private swimming pool – alongside first-class public amenities, from dining and entertainment establishments to gym and office facilities. The scheme is expected to be completed in 2024.
Working in partnership with Saudi Arabian architectural company FABEC and structural, mechanical and electrical engineers PHI from Jordan, IMA was assigned to the design development phase of the project. FABEC designed the concept stage.
Tasked to prepare a construction package and coordinate the design with other appointed consultants, the IMA team have quickly familiarised themselves with local building code and compliance requirements to deliver high quality architectural plans on time and to spec.
Dr Asem Bunni, architectural project lead at IMA, says: “We are enjoying collaborating with international colleagues and broadening our knowledge in terms of working to a different building code. The expertise of UK architectural practices is highly valued within Saudi Arabia and we have been able to provide our client with cutting edge design techniques with integrated Building Information Models which ensures full coordination across the design team involved and a smooth delivery on site.”
Anthony Day, director at IMA, added: “We are delighted to have won the contract for this project, and to extend our presence and expertise into the Middle East. It has been a real pleasure to work alongside our international partners, sharing different design and construction ideas, and we hope that this signifies the start of our business profile in the region.”
Only 4 days left for property and construction firms to enter the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022!
Offering an ideal opportunity to shout about your business’s achievements, there are only 4 days left to enter the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022!
The annual event, organised by East Midlands Business Link Magazine, is an independent awards and publicity programme recognising development projects and people in commercial and public building across the region – from office, industrial and residential schemes, through to community projects such as leisure schemes and schools.
The prestigious awards attract leaders from across the region and are the perfect way for businesses to promote themselves and those they work with. Indeed winning one of these awards will add considerably to a company’s or individual’s brand and enhance their commercial reach significantly.
Award categories include: most active estate agent, commercial development of the year, responsible business of the year, residential development of the year, developer of the year, deal of the year, architects of the year, excellence in design, sustainable development of the year, contractor of the year, and overall winner.
Winners will be revealed at a glittering awards ceremony on Thursday 15 September, at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground – an evening that will also provide plenty of time to forge new contacts with property and construction professionals from across the region.
To submit a business or development for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022 before nominations close on Friday 19 August, please click on a category link below or visit this page.
Thanks to our sponsors:
- Most active estate agent
- Commercial development of the year
- Responsible business of the year
- Residential development of the year
- Developer of the year
- Deal of the year
- Architects of the year
- Excellence in design
- Sustainable development of the year
- Contractor of the year
- Overall winner (this award cannot be entered, the winner will be selected from those nominated)
Book your tickets now
Tickets can now be booked for the awards event – click here to secure yours. The special awards evening and networking event will be held on 15 September 2022 in the Derek Randall Suite at the Trent Bridge County Cricket Club from 4:30pm – 7:30pm. Connect with local decision makers over canapés and complimentary drinks while applauding the outstanding companies and projects in our region. The event will also welcome John Forkin MBE DL, Managing Director at award-winning investment promotion agency Marketing Derby, as keynote speaker, as well as award-winning mind reader, magician, and professional mentalist Looch, who will bewilder and astonish guests during the evening’s networking. Dress code is standard business attire.
To be held at:
Northampton packaging firm snapped up
FFP Packaging Solutions have signed a deal with Constantia Flexibles who have acquired 100% of the share capital in FFP.
This milestone event in the history of FFP will provide Constantia Flexibles with their first consumer packaging plant in the UK, forming an important part of the wider business portfolio.
Constantia Flexibles is the world’s third-largest producer of flexible packaging. Some 8,660 employees manufacture tailor-made packaging solutions at 38 sites in 16 countries.
Founded in 1967, FFP Packaging Solutions has over 55 years of excellence and is a long-term trusted partner for major food brands & UK retailers. With over 100 employees, FFP operates from its headquarters in Northampton, which boasts a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility.
Robin Chudley, chairman of FFP Packaging Solutions, says: “I am extremely proud of FFP’s position in the UK flexible packaging market and the respect that FFP has developed across the industry. This legacy is something that was started by my father back in 1962 and has been continuously built upon through my own leadership of the business and more recently since the appointment of the management team in place today.
“Having led FFP as a family-owned business for many years, we recognized the importance of succession planning to secure FFP’s long-term future. This is the reason that we appointed David Cooper as Managing Director & CEO in 2017 and since then David and his team have done a phenomenal job in making sure that FFP’s know-how, core competencies and values remain aligned with the needs of our customers and, in doing so, keeping FFP at the forefront of flexible packaging development.
“The sale of FFP to Constantia Flexibles is another important step on the firm’s journey and I am delighted that David and his team will remain with the business to ensure a successful integration and continue to build on FFP’s success long into the future.”
David Cooper, Managing Director & CEO of FFP Packaging Solutions, says: “On behalf of the directors and the whole team at FFP, we thank Robin and the wider Chudley family for their trust and support whilst we have been building FFP’s strategy to drive the revolution of sustainable, flexible packaging in the UK.
“We are extremely excited to be joining the Constantia Flexibles family, and we are all looking forward to combining our resources and wider business capabilities to accelerate the development of sustainable, flexible packaging and, in doing so, continuing to provide significant value for our customers.”
Pim Vervaat, CEO of Constantia Flexibles, says: “The acquisition aligns well with our Vision 2025 growth strategy of investing in competitive businesses with potential for future growth. FFP Packaging Solutions joining the Constantia Flexibles Group will expand our overall market position.
“Its significant experience and credibility allow for strong relationships across the UK food industry. We will be working with the existing management team to continue driving the revolution of sustainable flexible packaging in the UK and beyond.”
He continues: “Sustainable packaging solutions are no longer a trend. They are a must-have. FFP Packaging Solutions figures already show it. And together, we are committed to a circular economy, driving the transformation with more sustainable packaging.”
Plant machinery supplier moves into new 5,000 sq ft HQ
Plant machinery supplier, Stirlin Plant, has moved into a new headquarters near Lincoln.
The new HQ occupies a prominent position on Riverside Enterprise Park in Saxilby (a commercial development by Stirlin and Castle Group), adjacent the A57 trunk road, with proximity to Lincoln City Centre and easy access to the Lincoln Bypass.
The 5,000 sq ft office and warehouse was designed by Johnathan Roberts Architects and built by established property developer and construction company, Stirlin.
Sales manager of Stirlin Plant, Ady Brodrick, says: “We are thrilled to have now moved into our new HQ in Saxilby. The purpose-built facility provides us with the space to expand our team, our services and our product portfolio, as well as allowing us to provide a more streamline experience for our customer base.
“The spacious new premises gives us treble the workshop space, with contemporary meeting rooms to host client meetings and a larger display area to showcase our extensive product range.
“We are extremely grateful for our loyal and supportive customers and our supply partners, who have contributed to our exciting growth. We’re looking forward to the new opportunities the new HQ will bring and to inviting our customers over for an official open day when we’re settled in. Thank you to the team at Stirlin for all their hard-work.”
Tony Lawton, Managing Director of Stirlin, says: “We are delighted to have brought this project to a successful fruition and hand Stirlin Plant the keys to their new HQ. It’s been a pleasure to work with them throughout the design and construction process and bring their ideas to life, providing the space for their business to grow.”
Saving the Last Major Bellfoundry in Britain Project: plans revealed for new museum as work goes to tender
The Saving the Last Major Bellfoundry in Britain Project continues at pace as it invites a specialist museum and heritage fit-out contractor to develop and deliver the interpretation of Loughborough Bellfoundry’s refreshed museum. The museum is located in the still-operational Grade II* Listed bellfoundry buildings in the heart of Loughborough, Leicestershire.
Designs for the new-look museum have been drawn up by museum design consultancy Redman Design which will create interactive and engaging exhibition spaces for all ages to enjoy. All part of the wider project funded by a number of generous donors and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The design for the refreshed museum aims to create an authentic visitor experience that is rich in the history of the site and the people who lived and worked here, including design, engineering and crafting tools from across the ages, and of course lots of bells to touch and ting! There will be plenty of other objects and information for people of all ages to discover and investigate.
There will be two primary spaces for visitors to explore within the museum – a ground floor timeline detailing the history of both the bellfoundry and the art of bellfounding and the Patternmaker’s Gallery, which will display a series of objects that have been recovered from existing foundry spaces, located in the original pattern making workshop.
Throughout the museum, visitors will be encouraged to handle and investigate objects, making it an immersive and intriguing experience for families, schools, bell enthusiasts and history lovers alike.
Dr Chrissie Van Mierlo, museum director at Loughborough Bellfoundry Trust, said: “We are delighted to be progressing with our plans to repair and refurbish the historic Loughborough Bellfoundry – and the redevelopment of the museum is the latest part of those plans as we look for a contractor to carry out the work.
“More than 25,000 bells, which can be heard in more than 100 countries, have been cast here since the present bellfoundry was built in 1859 – and when you walk into the museum, you will be able to feel and appreciate all of that history as you look around. We really want to capture that authentic experience for everyone to enjoy.”
Stephen Marsh, associate and senior 3D designer at Redman Design, said: “It is a pleasure to be working on this project for the Loughborough Bellfoundry Trust. Our approach to the museum design has been to capture the character of Taylor’s Bellfoundry with a wide range of objects and stories on display for an in-depth experience.
“We’re very pleased with the designs for the new museum as it will transform the space into an interactive place to visit where all ages can discover the history of this unique bellfoundry and the fascinating art of bell making.”
The Loughborough Bellfoundry is also known as John Taylor’s Bellfoundry, and is the last major bellfoundry in the UK and Commonwealth.
Rutland and Melton bid for £23m investment through Levelling Up Fund
Rutland County Council and Melton Borough Council have joined hands to submit a joint bid for the second round of the Government’s Levelling Up Fund, which if successful could see a £23m injection to help boost the economy of the local towns and improve connectivity between them and more rural areas.
Oakham and Melton Mowbray are rural, historic market towns with huge potential for growth. The submission focusses on realising the economic potential of both areas through leveraging distinctive local assets and delivering 5 key projects which will focus on economic innovation, cultural destination and mobility.
At the heart of Rutland’s vision is the proposal to maximise the potential of the health sector and improve the area’s mobility by the development of a new digital innovation facility and Mobi-Hub at the Rutland Memorial Hospital site, as well as supporting the economic regeneration of the area by the introduction of a mobile, digital visitor experience at Rutland County Museum.
The Rutland Memorial Hospital site proposals accommodate a £3.5m, 1000m2 facility, providing lab and light assembly space for the development of medi-tech level clinical trials, a Continuous Professional Development centre for clinicians working in the area and a training base for students involved in relevant disciplines at the local universities, including medical schools and schools of nursing. This investment would build on the well-established understanding at Health Education England (now a core part of NHSE&I), that the antidote to the skills shortages, at the heart of rural health inequalities, lies in the development and training of people in rural settings themselves.
The facility would also be a community health related hub, including a café and housing health trainers and potentially care workers developing their business on a self-employed basis.
Further proposals to the Rutland Memorial Hospital site could also see the implementation of a £6.5m, 500m2 travel anchor mobi-hub. The Mobi-Hub will be supported by a Demand Responsive Transport system based on the Bus Service Investment Plan approach developed by Rutland Council and extended to cover the Melton Borough area linking the overall package of Levelling Up investments. It would focus on two routes, which have been developed through evidence led analysis, with further refinement to be completed. This service would enable people to access work, learning and services more fully across the two market towns
Rutland’s proposals also include a £2m investment to Rutland County Museum, which would see the creation of a mobile, digital visitor experience to view two of the area’s unique heritage treasures – the largest Ichthyosaur fossil in Europe and the remains of a stunning 4th Century Roman Villa with an exceptional mosaic. Neither of these assets can currently be displayed easily to the public directly, however these proposals aim to create the virtual models, storage and touring facilities to enable the finds to be showcased in Oakham and across the region. It will also form the basis for co-funding with the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) delivery new gallery spaces and visitor facilities on the existing Museum site, transforming the visitor offer.
Also, if successful in the bid, Melton Borough Council propose to develop over 2500sqm of flexible food and drink production units within the Stockyard, creating a food and drink innovation showcase alongside a multifunctional event space which could host exciting events and activities throughout the year. The site will include a support service to help small or upcoming local producers develop and grow in the Rural Capital of Food.
In addition, the funding would be used to deliver a multifunctional event space at the stockyard which could host exciting events and activities throughout the year, bringing additional footfall and attracting repeat visitors to the area.
The bid will also look to improve the SMB College Group’s Melton campus theatre. These upgrades will make the space more accessible, ensuring it is able to secure and attract larger scale commercial events more often to provide a regular calendar of activity that will, alongside the stockyard, support the town centre and its burgeoning evening economy.
Councillor Lucy Stephenson, leader of Rutland County Council, said: “We are pleased to be working alongside Melton Borough Council on the Levelling Up bid. This bid focusses on key priorities for us in Rutland. If successful we will see real benefits to our residents, businesses and visitors by reducing health inequalities, increasing highly skilled job opportunities, improving mobility throughout the area, increasing access to cultural offers and much more.”
Councillor Joe Orson, leader of Melton Borough Council, said: “Through building closer links between the two regions and developing the proposals on offer we can help make these two rural regions on the East Midlands, vibrant hubs for tourism and innovation.”
Alicia Kearns, MP for Melton and Rutland Constituency, has been supportive and involved throughout the bid process and said: “This fantastic bid sees Rutland and Melton make the case that we can be rural powerhouses. The proposals would deliver on the aspirations and priorities of our local communities around health, transport, job opportunities and celebrating our unique heritage and culture and help level up our rural way of life.”
Expanding tech company brings jobs and investment to Lincoln
A rapidly expanding company has moved into a unique building in Lincoln to accommodate its growth and high-spec tech requirements.
Since 2019, research and development business SRC UK has grown from 1 employee to 30 and the company is looking to double in size again by the end of the year. Its core business is with the Ministry of Defence, providing analytical software, big data analytics, consultancy and training.
SRC UK was initially based in the Boole Technology Centre at Lincoln Science & Innovation Park but this month moved into the Gravity R&D building part of the Park’s second phase of expansion. This specially designed facility, part funded by the Greater Lincolnshire LEP and the Midlands Engine, was developed for firms like SRC UK.
“The Gravity Building gives us enough space to grow into,” says Steve Davies, SRC UK’s managing director. “And its sophisticated design is ideal to our needs.” This means that SRC UK can run its own software and produce its own data within the building on a unique cloud-based system as well as provide innovative space for other local companies to use.
Steve, worked in the RAF as a Weapons Systems Officer for 36 years and was retiring just as the opportunity to set up the UK division of US-based research and development company SRC Inc came up. “I was in the right place at the right time with the core skill set that they needed,” says Steve. “Since then, everybody who has joined has played a vital role to get us to where we are today so quickly.”
“Our ethos is centred around collaboration; whether that be creating a new way of working with other companies, the unique way we build the company around graduates or building new products based on our people’s ideas.”
The company has broken the mould with how the government works with graduates in the sensitive area of big data analytics. “Initially, the government would only work with people with decades of experience in this niche area. We take STEM graduates with a sound educational background and layer on targeted training so they have specific experience and skills and they evolve into the job that suits that individual the most.” This blended approach has led to SRC UK being the first company in the UK to have early career graduates supporting MOD data production.
SRC UK is a not-for-profit company committed to making a positive impact on the city and county. It aims to employ locally, including graduates from the University of Lincoln, collaborate with local businesses and to use local resources. SRC UK, which is a disability confident employer, has signed up to the Lincoln Social Responsibility Charter and supports charities such as the Give an Hour scheme where staff volunteer in local schools, the C2C2C charity bike ride around Lincolnshire and Lincoln food banks.
“We see ourselves as a responsible company which is very keen on generating revenue and jobs for Lincoln and being part of the Science Park’s community and its continuing expansion,” says Steve.
“The Gravity Building gives us enough space to grow into,” says Steve Davies, SRC UK’s managing director. “And its sophisticated design is ideal to our needs.” This means that SRC UK can run its own software and produce its own data within the building on a unique cloud-based system as well as provide innovative space for other local companies to use.
Steve, worked in the RAF as a Weapons Systems Officer for 36 years and was retiring just as the opportunity to set up the UK division of US-based research and development company SRC Inc came up. “I was in the right place at the right time with the core skill set that they needed,” says Steve. “Since then, everybody who has joined has played a vital role to get us to where we are today so quickly.”
“Our ethos is centred around collaboration; whether that be creating a new way of working with other companies, the unique way we build the company around graduates or building new products based on our people’s ideas.”
The company has broken the mould with how the government works with graduates in the sensitive area of big data analytics. “Initially, the government would only work with people with decades of experience in this niche area. We take STEM graduates with a sound educational background and layer on targeted training so they have specific experience and skills and they evolve into the job that suits that individual the most.” This blended approach has led to SRC UK being the first company in the UK to have early career graduates supporting MOD data production.
SRC UK is a not-for-profit company committed to making a positive impact on the city and county. It aims to employ locally, including graduates from the University of Lincoln, collaborate with local businesses and to use local resources. SRC UK, which is a disability confident employer, has signed up to the Lincoln Social Responsibility Charter and supports charities such as the Give an Hour scheme where staff volunteer in local schools, the C2C2C charity bike ride around Lincolnshire and Lincoln food banks.
“We see ourselves as a responsible company which is very keen on generating revenue and jobs for Lincoln and being part of the Science Park’s community and its continuing expansion,” says Steve. Detailed planning application submitted for Mansfield industrial scheme
CEG and Henry Boot Developments have submitted a detailed planning application to develop a five unit industrial / logistics scheme on their 30 acre site in Mansfield.
As designed the development will provide a five unit scheme totalling 430,500ft². Units will range from 30,000ft² to 150,000ft² in size.
FHP are working with M1 Agency and CPP on the scheme and anticipate that units will be delivered Q1 2024.
The site is accessed directly from the A617 Mansfield and Ashfield Regeneration Route (MARR) and is well positioned to provide access to both Junction 28 and Junction 29 of the M1.
Bolsover District Council submits £14.2m bid to ‘Levelling Up’ fund
Bolsover District Council have submitted a £14.2 million bid to the Government’s ‘Levelling Up’ fund to help regenerate and breathe new life into Bolsover Town Centre.
If successful, the bid will support a range of town centre regeneration, public realm improvements, cultural and heritage projects within the town. The bid is being supported by £1.24 million in match funding from both Bolsover District Council and Old Bolsover Town Council, bringing the total value of the potential investment in the area to £15.48 million.
Council leader, councillor Steve Fritchley, said: “We are an ambitious council and this is an ambitious bid to help stimulate growth and providing town centre regeneration as well as cultural opportunities in the town.”
Working with partners, the bid is split into three distinct projects with environmental sustainability embedded across all the strands driving forward the Council’s ambition for carbon reduction.
The strands are as follows:
- Regeneration of vacant town centre retail units to create a new ‘Cultural Hub’ that includes an independent small cinema, theatre and live performance space, gallery, museum and exhibition space, food and drinks court and Artisan and producers centre. Adapting the derelict Oxcroft House building to support the town’s business base, offering a hub for training, co-working and in particular encouraging new business start-ups in cultural and arts sectors.
- A shop front improvement scheme that will improve the appearance of the town and enhance the retail offer to residents and visitors. Improvements will also be made to the public realm (pavements, signage, street furniture, etc) that will encourage visitors to spend more time in the town and connect the town to Bolsover Castle.
- Investing in 5G network and installing fibre in the town centre to help improve connectivity and provide much needed Wi-Fi. This will provide real time bus information and digital information totems in key locations. Digital technology such as ‘Park Here Now’ and new augmented reality experiences will help enhance the visitor experience and increase footfall in the town.
Three new occupiers for Teal Trade Park, Nottingham
On behalf of Northwood Urban Logistics, joint agents FHP Property Consultants and Phillips Sutton have secured three new occupiers for Teal Trade Park, Nottingham.
Occupiers including the Wooden Floor Store, Exhausts, Tyres and Batteries (ETB), and Klarheit Aluminium Windows & Doors, have taken new leases on Phase 2 of Teal Trade Park.
These further lettings complement the existing occupier line-up of Howdens, Screwfix, Toolstation, Karcher, Trent Valley Windows, Trent Vehicle Charging and PaintWell.
This leaves just three remaining units of Units 8, 9 and 10, ranging from 322m² (3,483ft²) up to 370m² (4,013ft²) with the ability to combine units.
Iain Taylor, director at Northwood Urban Logistics, said: “Enquiries remain strong at Teal Park since the market for trade units of this size remains on the up, particularly when you add in Nottingham’s excellent transport links with the rest of the UK.”
Chris Proctor of FHP Property Consultants said: “Teal Trade Park is becoming Nottingham’s premier trading estate with a complementary range of national and local occupiers now secured on the estate. We are down to the last three units and we see a real opportunity in particular for businesses from an electrical, plumbing and tiling background, which would further strengthen the line-up of trading occupiers on the estate.”
Brodie Faint of Phillips Sutton said: “It is fantastic to see the recent additions to the trade park, further improving the tenant line-up onsite and enhancing the offering to the surrounding customer base. Moving forward, the estate will only benefit further from the substantial residential developments being undertaken in the surrounding area.”
Don’t listen to Alice Cooper: By Greg Simpson, founder of Press for Attention PR
Greg Simpson, founder of Press for Attention PR, highlights the importance of timing when it comes to PR campaigns.
Ok, that is a sweeping generalisation, listen to what you like but please consider the following advice if you are planning any PR campaigns.
At the risk of sounding like an aging rocker, school’s out for summer. Some might go so far as to say there are no more pencils and no more books (go on, admit it, you just sang the next line).
However, if you can please just curb your inner Cooper a little before you abandon ship entirely, especially when it comes to anything involving the media, that would be really wise. Here’s a final pre-holiday lesson to explain why.
It can be very tempting to rush things, clearing the decks of various little tasks, your finger itching to trigger the ‘Out of Office’ alert on your emails.
There’s a lot to be said and pondered about with regards to how we manage to get so much done when we really need to but please, please, PLEASE don’t include the media in that. Now is not the time to release anything to the media if it can be avoided.
Sometimes, it can’t but this is rare. Public Relations should be planned and sustained wherever possible and that includes timing any announcements that you have coming up, good or bad. Especially BAD!
For now, let’s focus on the positive. Imagine you’ve just spent the best part of a month planning to announce some news. It could be a new product, a new hire or a company milestone. You’ve drafted and approved the press release and hopefully invested in some photography to really bring the story to life. Now, let’s hope you have either called your key press targets or, if you have a PR agency or consultant on board, they have done it for you.
All being well, with a strong story and good images, you should be getting one of three results:
- Press love it and publish it ASAP. If so, thank them and start leveraging the valuable content. Tweet it, blog about it. Send an e-shot to your database.
- Press like it but will put it on the back-burner for a day/week due to deadlines or another feature that will be boosted by your news hook.
- Press love it but need some extra info. Perhaps another quote from the MD in light of other breaking news in your sector which chimes nicely with your story. They might want to take their own picture – this does happen.
Regeneration of Leicester’s Stocking Farm estate moves a step closer
Regeneration plans for Leicester’s Stocking Farm estate have moved on a step with the submission of a planning application to the city council.
If approved, the plans will see around 50 new energy-efficient council homes built on the 3.34-acre site in the north-west of Leicester. The homes will have high levels of insulation to reduce fuel costs and will be heated through air source heat pumps.
A number of accessible flats for wheelchair users will also be created and the Stocking Farm farmhouse will be converted to provide supported living accommodation, enabling people to live independently.
A new public open space is planned, which will include a children’s play area and attractive landscaping for people to enjoy and where wildlife can flourish.
Improvements to local shops and the existing public footpath along Marwood Road and Packwood Road are also planned, along with the creation of a new pedestrian crossing on Marwood Road.
The city council has already worked with social enterprise Community Shop to bring a new branch to the former youth centre on Marwood Road. The building offers affordable groceries in its supermarket, a community kitchen and training for members, and a café available to non-members where children can eat for free.
The Community Shop also houses a new indoor community space which is available for hire.
Cllr Elly Cutkelvin, asst city mayor for housing, said: “There has been extensive consultation with local people on the development of these ambitious plans over the last two years, and their input has been vital in shaping the proposals.
“Now that a planning application has been submitted, people have yet another chance to let us know what they think and to help to revitalise this important neighbourhood and provide much-needed homes.”
