Mansfield’s £30m specialist school nears completion for 2026 opening

April Lara
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Mansfield’s £30m specialist school nears completion for 2026 opening

Horizons Academy, a new £30 million special education school, is on track to open in Mansfield in January 2026. Built on the former Ravensdale School site, the facility will serve 160 students aged 7 to 19 with autism, social, emotional, and mental health needs.

Construction is advancing, with the main structure and roof completed. The project is expected to be fully built by November 2025, aligning with Nottinghamshire County Council’s broader initiative to expand SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) school capacity. To address rising demand, the council aims to add 375 specialist school places by 2026.

The new school is expected to reduce students’ reliance on long-distance transportation, easing the council’s financial pressures. Funding comes from the Special Schools capital programme, central government, and local council contributions.

Northampton crematorium proposal draws strong public response

April Lara
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Northampton crematorium proposal draws strong public response

West Northamptonshire Council has submitted a planning application for a new crematorium, Wantage Park, on the edge of Northampton. The proposed site is next to the 1,200-place Northampton School and near a new housing development in Moulton.

The council said the facility is needed to reduce waiting times for cremation services and will include electric cremators, solar panels, and green roofs. The surrounding area is planned to feature green spaces and walking paths.

A public consultation on the project received over 800 responses, reflecting significant local interest. Some residents have raised concerns about potential traffic congestion and funeral disruptions due to the school’s proximity.

The council said it worked with transport specialists to address traffic concerns and remains committed to engaging with residents, funeral directors, and community groups as the project progresses.

Local charity boosted by Rothera Bray fundraising event

Tess Egginton
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Local charity boosted by Rothera Bray fundraising event
Rothera Bray has donated £2,224 to Nottingham’s (St Mary’s) Relief In Need, a local charity dedicated to supporting families in financial hardship. The money was raised during a recent celebration held to mark Rothera Bray’s 200th anniversary. The event saw all donations from the evening directed to this worthy cause, including the sale of charity cocktails and a raffle. St Mary’s Relief In Need, based in the Lace Market area of Nottingham, offers vital support to individuals and families. The charity provides practical assistance such as the purchase of essential household items like cookers, cots, fridges, washing machines, beds, and carpets—based on means-tested applications via local organisations such as charities, social and support workers. The firm’s CEO Christina Yardley said: “We’ve had a longstanding relationship with St Mary’s and truly believe in supporting this charity’s vital work in the community. “To host such an event in their home, which our head office overlooks, was a wonderful opportunity for us. We’re incredibly proud of the enthusiasm our team and our partners showed to raise this money for charity.” Mark Chowdhury, Trustee for Nottingham (St Mary’s) Relief in Need, added: “We are grateful for this fantastic effort from Rothera Bray. This money will go a long way to providing the support needed by some of Nottingham’s vulnerable families and individuals.”

Allscreens Nationwide appoints new insurance director

Tess Egginton
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Allscreens Nationwide appoints new insurance director
Allscreens Nationwide, the Leicester-headquartered windscreen repair and replacement company, has appointed Lisa Pugh as its new insurance director. Lisa brings a wealth of experience to the role having worked for 12 years in the automotive glazing industry. She has also held business development and account management roles in insurance and forensic and automotive glazing. Lisa will play a key role in further developing the business. She said: “I am delighted to have joined Allscreens Nationwide and to be able to contribute to its plans for continued growth. The team has extensive experience and expertise in this industry, and I’m thrilled to be part of the next, exciting chapter with this well-established business. “Allscreens is well placed to support its customers through any challenges that may be posed by the increase in technology and supply, and I am really looking forward to meeting them as I settle into my new role.” Daniel Sole, Director at Allscreens Nationwide Ltd, said: “It’s a pleasure to welcome Lisa to the business. Exciting times are ahead, as we continue to strengthen our team by bringing in people with a vast array of experience. Lisa has a real enthusiasm for the role, is a team player and will be a great asset to the company.”

Metro Bank reports profit as restructuring efforts pay off

April Lara
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Metro Bank reports profit as restructuring efforts pay off

Metro Bank has returned to profitability after aggressive cost-cutting measures, including a 30% workforce reduction and the sale of mortgage assets.

The UK lender, which secured a £925 million bailout in 2023, reported an underlying pre-tax profit of £12.8 million for the second half of the year, recovering from a £26.8 million loss in the same period the year before. However, its statutory pre-tax loss for 2024 stood at £212 million.

The bank exceeded its initial cost-cutting target, eliminating over 1,400 jobs and achieving £80 million in annualised savings. It also offloaded £2.5 billion in residential mortgages to NatWest and recently agreed to sell £584 million in personal loans to an undisclosed buyer.

Despite restructuring gains, Metro Bank faces ongoing challenges. Loan arrears rose to 5.6%, up from 2.8% the previous year, due to economic pressures such as declining property values and higher borrowing costs. The bank is now focusing on higher-margin lending in corporate, commercial, and SME sectors and specialist mortgages.

Grosvenor Leasing rebrands to align with fleet industry shifts

April Lara
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Grosvenor Leasing rebrands to align with fleet industry shifts

Grosvenor Leasing has rebranded and adjusted its strategy to address evolving business fleet needs, focusing on sustainability, flexibility, and technology-driven solutions. The company’s research highlights a growing demand for digital fleet management tools and a preference for maintaining personal customer service alongside automation.

Key industry trends include increased fleet management outsourcing as dedicated fleet roles decline, rising complexity due to ESG and compliance requirements, and changing work patterns influencing travel habits. Younger, tech-savvy drivers prioritise zero-emission transport and expect app-based mobility solutions.

Grosvenor is expanding its services beyond traditional vehicle leasing to include mobility solutions such as car sharing, e-bikes, scooters, and last-mile delivery options. The company also enhances its digital systems to improve automation and service integration while maintaining direct customer engagement.

Wright Vigar names Associate Director for Mansfield office

Stuart Pearcey
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Wright Vigar names Associate Director for Mansfield office
Wright Vigar has appointed Lee Henshaw as Associate Director to work in its Mansfield office. Lee brings has more than two decades of accountancy expertise, including significant experience serving businesses across Nottinghamshire. His appointment strengthens the firm’s capability to support local businesses, from sole traders to companies with multi-million-pound turnovers. Matthew Chadwick, Director at Wright Vigar, said: “His extensive experience and local knowledge will be invaluable as we continue to expand our services in the area. This appointment reflects our commitment to supporting businesses in and around Mansfield.” Lee spent 12 years at Elkingtons, building a large portfolio of clients, supporting them in various areas including business restructuring, valuations, and tax planning. His comprehensive understanding of both personal and corporate accounting needs aligns perfectly with Wright Vigar’s client-focused approach. He said, “I’ve had a warm welcome from the team in Mansfield, and the new office is excellent. I’m looking forward to getting to know more local professionals and businesses in the area, and talking to them about the difference Wright Vigar can make through our proactive advice, personal service and technical expertise.”

North Lincolnshire Council to review HMO regulation amid rising concerns

April Lara
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North Lincolnshire Council to review HMO regulation amid rising concerns

North Lincolnshire Council will hold an extraordinary meeting to address concerns over the rapid expansion of houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) and their living standards. The meeting, initiated by opposition Labour councillors, follows reports of increasing HMOs in Scunthorpe and resident complaints about housing conditions.

A council review identified 110 suspected HMOs in just two wards—Crosby and Park, and Town and Frodingham—raising questions about regulatory oversight. Only 25 HMOs in North Lincolnshire hold mandatory licences, which are required for properties with five or more tenants sharing kitchen or bathroom facilities.

Labour councillors argue that local authorities elsewhere have imposed stricter controls and are calling for similar action. A motion on the issue will be discussed, and the meeting must take place by late April.

The council is already working on implementing selective licensing for landlords, a measure supported across party lines. In September, the ruling Conservative group approved selective licensing in parts of Scunthorpe.

Great British Nuclear enters final stage of SMR selection process

Stuart Pearcey
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Great British Nuclear enters final stage of SMR selection process
Great British Nuclear has entered the final stage of the UK’s Small Modular Reactor selection process, and is on track to make final decisions in the spring. An Invitation to Submit Final Tender has been issued to the four remaining vendors, GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy International LLC, Holtec Britain Ltd, Rolls-Royce SMR Ltd, and Westinghouse Electric Company UK Ltd. Earlier in February, the Prime Minister pledged to put Britain back in the global race for nuclear energy, and to reform planning rules to make it easier to build fleets of SMRs in England and Wales. SMRs are smaller than traditional nuclear power plants and their modular construction could provide a way of delivering nuclear more quickly and cost-effectively. They could also be built in a greater variety of locations, and be co-located with energy-intensive industrial sites such as AI data centres. GBN Chair Simon Bowen said: “This is an exciting moment for Great British Nuclear and the UK as we reach the final stage of the technology selection process for the Small Modular Reactor programme. “Nuclear energy is vital for economic growth and delivering secure, reliable, home-generated power that is capable of meeting future demand, enabling Net Zero, and reducing the UK’s dependence on importing fossil fuels. “Since GBN was launched in 2023, the team has made huge strides in delivering a fair, robust, and transparent process for technology selection.” Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero Ed Miliband, said: “Small modular reactors will support our mission to become a clean energy superpower. That’s why we are backing new nuclear technology to help secure our energy independence and grow the economy.”

Frasers Group plans for expansion in the Gulf and Egypt

Tess Egginton
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0
Frasers Group plans for expansion in the Gulf and Egypt

Shirebrook-based Frasers Group has formed a strategic retail partnership with GMG, a global retailer, distributor and manufacturer of international and home-grown brands across sport, lifestyle, health and beauty and more, as it continues its international growth plans.

GMG has a strong presence in the Gulf, North Africa and Southeast Asia, where it’s a key distributor and operator of Nike stores as well as its home-grown multi-brand sports retailer, Sun & Sand Sports, among others.

The new partnership will facilitate Frasers Group’s expansion in the Gulf and Egypt, with its retail expansion plan, targeting 50 new Sports Direct store openings across the Gulf and Egypt over the next five years. The first year of the partnership will see the introduction of five new stores in the region.

Michael Murray, CEO of Frasers Group, said: “GMG is an unrivalled retailer in the region, operating and distributing an incredible portfolio of global brands in markets where we see real growth potential, particularly in sports and lifestyle.

“By leveraging GMG’s scale, deep retail expertise and market knowledge, our partnership will support the growth of our Sports Direct brand in the Gulf and in Egypt.”

Mohammad A. Baker, Deputy Chairman and CEO of GMG, said: “Our collaboration with Frasers Group represents not just a key milestone but a strategic expansion that underscores our commitment to redefine the sports arena across all markets in which we operate in.

“By introducing Sports Direct, a flagship brand in the industry, we are further positioning ourselves as a dominant force within the retail sports industry. At GMG, with over four decades of experience, we are committed to use our expertise in providing the best choices for quality products.

“We are uniquely positioned to integrate and scale Sports Direct’s presence successfully, bringing it closer to our consumers and crafting unparalleled sports retail experiences”

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