There is new hope for the future of the historic Allestree Hall following renewed market interest.
The Grade II listed country house, which sits at the heart of Allestree Park, is owned by Derby City Council. A previous sale fell through in 2022 as a result of the Covid pandemic, but recently property agents Salloways have been marketing the hall on the Council’s behalf.
Cabinet Members will be updated on the latest position at their next meeting on Wednesday 4 December, where they will be asked to give the go-ahead for Council officers to identify a preferred bidder.
As the Council doesn’t have the resources to bring the building back into use, disposal of the building by a long lease would set the scene for its renovation, safeguarding its future and preventing it from falling into further disrepair.
A number of outbuildings are included in the sale. The preferred bidder would be expected to take immediate action to prevent further deterioration of the hall, and to maintain access to public toilets at Allestree Park.
They would also need to confirm that they will work collaboratively with the Council and Derbyshire Wildlife Trust to ensure future use of the hall aligns with the ongoing community rewilding project at Allestree Park.
Councillor Kathy Kozlowski, Cabinet Member for Governance and Finance, said: “We have searched for a buyer for a number of years for Allestree Hall, and it’s exciting to see the renewed interest in this historic building, which could lend itself to a variety of uses. With sympathetic restoration, this country house could once again become a jewel.
“Disposing of long leasehold interest means the Council can make the best use of this property by handing it over to a developer who can bring it back into use. It will also generate some much-needed income at a critical time for local government finances.”
Council considers sale of Derby’s register office
Derby’s register office could move to new premises, if proposals to sell the city centre building are approved.
Cabinet members will be asked to allow plans to dispose of Royal Oak House and adjacent buildings at 30 and 31a Market Place when they meet in December.
The city’s births, marriages and deaths are currently registered at Royal Oak House on the corner of the Market Place. The building, which dates back to 1890, needs significant investment if it is to remain suitable as a location for the Council’s registration services.
If plans to sell the building are approved, registration services could relocate to an empty suite of rooms on the ground floor of Riverside Chambers. Riverside Chambers is currently home to the Council’s Local Studies Library and managed office space, operated under the Council’s Connect brand.
Some refurbishments would be required to the space to create two ceremony rooms and waiting areas. Relocation to Riverside Chambers will allow the launch of a new wedding offer by the Council with an improved setting for wedding ceremonies and photo opportunities by the River Derwent.
Recent Transforming Cities roadworks on the corner of Full Street and Derwent Street, have created a pull in space for wedding cars immediately outside the building, as well as improvements in the local streetscape area.
Councillor Kathy Kozlowski, Cabinet Member for Governance and Finance, said: “Registration services play a crucial role in marking significant life events for citizens. It’s important that we continue to provide high-quality services that allow residents to register deaths in a dignified and respectful environment and to celebrate births and marriages in buildings that are accessible to everyone.
“In a challenging financial environment, we need also to explore the most effective and cost-efficient methods to deliver services and make the best use of our buildings.”
The buildings at 30/31a Market Place have been empty for a number of years and the Council has no plans for them. They will be separated from the adjoining Guildhall during its refurbishment to allow for their eventual disposal.
Councillor Nadine Peatfield, Leader of Derby City Council and Cabinet Member for City Centre, Regeneration, Strategy and Policy, added: “The sale of Royal Oak House and 30/31a Market Place could provide a great opportunity for buyers to bring them back into use as hospitality venues, complementing the restoration of the historic Guildhall Theatre and the wider Market Place regeneration work.”
Family business finds new home in Melton Mowbray Commercial Park
A Leicestershire family business has taken up 13,000 sq ft of warehouse space in Melton Mowbray Commercial Park.
The space is comprised of two warehouses, Unit C and D of Melton Mowbray Commercial Park, which combine to a total 13,371 sq ft (10,929 sq ft and 2,442 sq ft respectively). The units have stood vacant since May 2024 due to the previous tenant’s liquidation.
In a quick turnaround of just five months, Innes England has managed to secure a local family-owned business, Digital Deadline, as new tenants of behalf of the landlord, Almcor.
Following the units being vacated, Almcor has made a series of refurbishments and renovations to the spaces including new kitchenettes and facilities, recarpeting, and repainting. The smaller 2,442 sq ft unit also comprises of three separated shuttered storage spaces with its own office space.
Nell Balfour-Farnon, surveyor at Innes England who managed the transaction, said: “This was a great deal to be involved in with all parties coming away satisfied. We were able to minimise our clients’ time between tenants, and have found a new home for a local family business to continue to grow and expand in a great new location.
“The quick turnaround of this deal shows the vibrancy of Leicestershire’s market at the moment, with plenty of opportunities and interest.”
Moving into the space is Digital Deadline, a family-owned Leicestershire-based business specialising in premier signage, displays and wall wraps. Digital Deadline has agreed to a five-year lease in which time it will be utilising the space for building signage as well as storage.
Mark Brooks, director at Digital Deadline, said: “This is a great new space that will help us continue to expand our operations.”
BGF invests £6m into Northampton-based playground design and installation business
BGF has made a £6 million investment into Miracle Design & Play, a Northampton-based business specialising in the design and installation of children’s playgrounds, basketball and tennis courts, fitness trails, and skateparks for the housebuilding sector.
The investment marks a pivotal step in Miracle’s growth strategy, enabling the business to enhance its market presence and further expand across the UK.
Founded in 2000, by husband-and-wife team Richard and Julie Howard, Miracle has established a strong market position by focusing on the unique needs of UK housebuilders, providing bespoke playground solutions that comply with planning regulations.
Richard Howard, Non-Executive Founder of Miracle Design & Play, said: “Over the past 20 years, Miracle has grown into a market-leading design and installation business with embedded and strategic relationships with our customers. Building on this, partnering with BGF was an important decision, driven by their proven track record in helping companies grow and flourish.”
Miracle has completed more than 3,000 projects since inception, and has experienced strong growth, with sales almost tripling between 2021 to 2023.
The investment from BGF will enable Miracle to further capitalise on the demand for high-quality, regulatory-compliant playgrounds in new housing developments.
The funding will support a range of strategic initiatives, including the expansion of the business development team, enhancements to operational capabilities, and the implementation of advanced digital solutions (such as project management software and CRM systems) to streamline processes and improve efficiency.
BGF’s Central and East team, which included Mark Nunny, Nathan Heath, Elena Kovalikhina and Tom Gilchrist, led the deal.
Mark Nunny, Investor at BGF, said: “Miracle’s commitment to quality and innovation aligns perfectly with our investment philosophy. We are confident that this partnership will enable Miracle to reach new heights and continue to lead the market in designing safe and engaging play environments for children across the UK.”
This investment will bring significant growth opportunities for Miracle, allowing the company to leverage BGF’s extensive network and expertise in scaling businesses. The partnership is also poised to create more jobs and contribute positively to the UK’s housebuilding industry.
Following an introduction from BGF’s Talent Network, Haydn Mursell has joined the company’s board as Non-Executive Chair. Mursell has extensive experience in the construction and housebuilding markets, having been CFO and CEO of Kier Group from 2010 to 2019, and will play a key role in driving Miracle’s growth.
Post-investment, Daniel Buckley will also assume the role of Managing Director, with Richard Howard moving to Non-Executive Founder. Daniel has been with Miracle since 2007, initially starting as a designer before moving into roles including Design Manager, Project Manager, Commercial and Operations Manager, and most recently, Operations Director.
Daniel Buckley, MD of Miracle Design & Play, said: “We are excited about the future and the opportunities this partnership will bring to our business. This investment will not only enable us to enhance our operations and expand our reach, but also strengthen our ability to innovate and deliver exceptional value to our clients.”
Amanda Hall, Partner at Quercus Corporate Finance, who advised Miracle throughout the process, added: “Miracle is a high-quality business, and the Quercus team is delighted to have helped Richard and Julie to forge a partnership with BGF to drive the next phase of growth.”
Double-digit revenue and profit growth for Lutterworth cybersecurity software company
Double-digit revenue growth, with an expanding and geo-diversified pipeline, has put Intercede, the cybersecurity software company, on track to meet market expectations for the year.
The Lutterworth business is “pleased” with its interim results for the six months ended 30 September 2024, in which revenue grew to £8.54m, up from £7m in the same period of the year prior.
Profit before tax, meanwhile, ticked up to £1.7m from £1.1m.Royston Hoggarth, Chairman, said: “I am pleased to state that the Group is achieving its key objectives of delivering double digit growth both in revenue (adjusting for the exceptional licence order in December 23) and profit before tax.
“Furthermore, today we announce our new standalone product MyID SecureVault which already has significant client and prospect interest, emphasising not only the capabilities of the Group but also its ability to seek and nurture new market opportunities.
“With strategic investment in products and colleagues being maintained, I am also pleased at the level of commitment and talent our colleagues give in helping to deliver and achieve the Group’s growth ambitions.
“The momentum we had in FY24 has, on a like for like basis, further grown in FY25 and our results illustrate that. As the pipeline diversifies and expands, we are in a strong position to achieve our financial performance goals for FY25.
“Following on from the UK Budget and conclusion of the American elections, we hope there is now more stability in the macro-economic environment in the coming years.”
Revenue and profit on the rise at Gateley
Revenue and profit are on the rise at Gateley, the professional services group, according to a trading update ahead of half year results for the six months ended 31 October 2024.
The firm says its “increasingly diverse business lines combined to deliver a strong performance in the Period,” in which group revenue grew by 5% and is expected to be not less than £86m.
Underlying profit before tax, meanwhile, is expected to be not less than £10.5m, representing growth of 5%.
Rod Waldie, Chief Executive Officer of Gateley, said: “I am pleased with the Group’s performance in H1 25 and the ongoing improvement in activity levels as the financial year progresses, which means that we have good momentum into H2.
“The Group continues to benefit from the resilience created by our strategy of investing in a diverse and complementary range of professional services.
“We are pleased that our more recent organic investments are beginning to generate positive returns alongside the strong performance from our recently acquired businesses. Our balance sheet provides a strong foundation from which to take a long-term view of potential opportunities to further invest in both legal and consultancy services.
“Finally, as always, I would like to thank our clients for their support and our dedicated people for their ongoing hard work, commitment and can-do attitude.”
83-acre strategic logistics hub to be sold
A prime parcel of land, located on one of the UK’s major logistics corridors, is now on the market for sale with outline planning permission for a new logistics and industrial park.
The 83-acre Enderby Logistics Hub is positioned within the UK’s logistics ‘Golden Triangle.’
Blaby District Council has granted outline planning permission for over 1.1 million square feet of commercial development consisting of warehousing with ancillary offices and gatehouses (B8) and general Industrial buildings (B2).
Currently owned by two landowners, the Drummond Trust and Inverock, the land is being marketed by land development and property consultancy Mather Jamie, in conjunction with Cushman & Wakefield, Northampton office.
Martin Ward, Director at Mather Jamie, said: “This is a unique opportunity to acquire a significant landholding on the edge of Leicestershire. The Enderby Logistics Hub is projected to generate £200 million for the local economy, creating approximately 2,000 permanent jobs.”
James Harrison from Cushman & Wakefield added: “The logistics sector contributes £232 billion annually to the UK economy and directly employs 2.7 million people. Developments like the Enderby Hub play a crucial role in driving economic growth across the UK.”
East Midlands businesses expect a decrease in employment, profitability and investment following Autumn Budget
Half of East Midlands businesses plan to revise their recruitment intentions, 6 out of 10 anticipate a drop in profit and just under half are likely to lower investment plans – these are key findings from a snap survey carried out by East Midlands Chamber into the impact of measures announced in the Chancellor’s Autumn Budget on 30th October.
Most respondents – 8 out 10 – expressed a negative overall impression of the Autumn Budget, citing significant concerns over increased costs and a lack of targeted support for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
239 businesses across Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire participated in the research, which sought to discover sentiment, growth projections and overall confidence level among firms across the East Midlands following the Budget.
Sectors that participated in the survey included manufacturing, construction, retail, hospitality, transport & logistics, professional services, and the public sector through health and education.
The findings have been presented to political leaders at both regional and national level.
Summary of findings from the Chamber’s snap survey on the impact of the Autumn Budget in the East Midlands:
- 8 out of 10 have a negative impression of the Budget
- Half plan to reduce recruitment
- 4 out of 10 expect to reduce their staff number
- 6 out of 10 expect profitability to decrease
- 44% plan to reduce investment plans over the next 12 months
- 4 out of 10 expect sales to increase. 2 out of 10 expect sales to fall
Local hero Mo Walker brings Mo-mentum to Leicester schools
Leicester’s very own basketball legend, Mo Walker, has been inspiring the next generation through the Mo-mentum initiative, a program proudly supported by local firm WBR Group.
As a former star of the Leicester Riders, Mo has made an impact by visiting local schools to share his journey from the courts to the community, and motivating students to chase their dreams and engage in positive behaviours.
The Mo-mentum program was more than just a series of talks; it was an interactive experience where Mo Walker used his personal story of perseverance and success to connect with students on a deeper level.
Through dynamic presentations and engaging activities, Mo aimed to ignite a spark in young minds, showing them that with hard work and determination, anything is possible.
He was at South Wigston High School one day a week for 5 weeks, spending an hour with the pupils.
Mo Walker, Ambassador and Community Liaison at WBR Group, said: “Living and playing in Leicester for the past 5 seasons, I know the challenges these kids face. I want to give them the momentum to push forward, make positive choices, and realise their full potential.”
Hussein Khan, the Partnership Development Manager at Learning South Leicestershire Schools Sports Partnership, said: “Mo delivered sessions that engage children who struggle to make the right choices in school. His messages and the journey he shared were inspiring to both staff and pupils.
“Mo is a brilliant role model and his programme has had a meaningful impact on the young people who participate in South Leicestershire. We would like to say a huge thank you to Mo and the WBR Group for their support. We look forward to working with Mo to inspire more young people to make positive lifestyle choices.”
WBR Group was thrilled to support Mo in this endeavour, believing that the Mo-mentum program can make a lasting impact on the community. Plans are underway to expand the initiative to more schools across Leicester, with hopes of involving other local athletes and community leaders.
This initiative follows Mo’s appointment as WBR Group’s Ambassador and Community Liaison earlier this year, where he actively engages with the Leicester community and collaborates with charitable organisations.
Derby vehicle retailer returns to profitability
Motorpoint Group, the independent omnichannel vehicle retailer, has hailed a return to profitability in unaudited interim results for the six months ended 30 September 2024 (H1 FY25).
The Derby-based business saw pre-tax profit rise to £2m in comparison to a £3.7m loss in the same period of the year prior, which the firm says was driven by strong growth in retail volumes in the period of 17.4% with 30.3k retail vehicles sold (up from 25.8k). Revenue, however, decreased to £563.1m from £607.2m, reflecting a more affordable vehicle mix and price deflation.Mark Carpenter, Chief Executive Officer of Motorpoint Group PLC, said: “I am pleased with our solid performance in the first half of FY25, which was marked by a return to profitability following several years of considerable headwinds that have impacted our industry.
“Brilliant Basics, our right sizing and margin improvement programme, delivered what it needed to in FY24, ensuring foundations for future growth. As well as strong year on year volume growth and market outperformance, margins strengthened, and stock turn improved to an industry-leading 41 days in stock.
“Following the challenges faced in recent times, we remain cautious as supply slowly improves and macroeconomic pressures continue to ease, while demonstrating our return to profitability, as we plan courses of action to accelerate this growth.
“In response to higher demand for Motorpoint cars, we have bolstered our team and have the firepower to restart investment in our estate, including the opening of new stores. I am very excited by our plans to unlock further profitable growth, and we are in a strong position to continue increasing our share of the used car market.”
