Surfacing company invests to improve Leicester’s roads

A Leicester-based company is leading the way in safer road surfacing following a year of business investments. The company is raising awareness of the importance of safe road surfaces this Road Safety Awareness Week (17-23 November).

HMS Decorative Surfacing has invested heavily in its resurfacing services over the past year, including doubling its team of workers, to cater for the growing demand for road repairs across the country.

This comes as the so-called ‘pothole plague’ was addressed in parliament last month during the Chancellor’s Budget speech, with £500m pledged towards improving Britain’s roads.

The AA recorded over 600,000 pothole related call outs last year and the RAC reported a 53% increase in road surface related breakdowns in the first quarter of 2024 compared to 2023. According to Cycling UK, 255 cyclists have been killed or seriously injured due to unsafe road surfaces since 2017 and 70 motorcyclists will die or suffer injuries every single year.

HMS has appointed new Surfacing Operatives, an Administration Assistant and invested in two new surfacing trucks. It has also worked towards upholding its BBA (British Board of Agrémen) accreditation, to keep up with the increasing number of reported potholes across Leicester and beyond, and ensure all repairs meet rigorous standards for quality, durability and safety.

Laura Wilson, Director at HMS Decorative Surfacing commented on the business’ growth. She said: “The need for effective and long-lasting road repairs has become increasingly evident over the past couple of years, as we’ve seen the number of pothole related accidents and breakdowns skyrocket. This Road Safety Week, we want to highlight the need for safer road surfacing in the UK to keep people safe and save lives.

“As a business we’ve seen this demand and so anticipated the labour government’s pledge to make improvements within the Autumn Budget. We’ve made many strategic decisions to support this; from doubling our numbers working on the ground, to growing our admin team and investing in new vehicles so we can extend our services.

“I’m really proud of how far we’ve come this year, and with this extra government funding, we now look to the future of HMS – aiming to grow our business and offer even more resurfacing services across the East Midlands and the rest of the UK.”

Worksop company acquires importer of Italian foods

Worksop-based food and ingredient suppliers Kiril Mischeff has acquired Annessa Imports Limited, which imports supplies for the Italian retail and food service trade. Kiril Mischeff Group MD Dimiter Mirchev said: “I would like to welcome the company and its valued staff, customers, and suppliers to the Kiril Mischeff Group family. We look forward to exploring the possibilities and exploiting the synergies that will be created in the combined Group for the benefit of all.” Domenico Annessa, one of the founding directors of Annessa Imports Limited, says, “Along with all the Annessa Imports staff, I am looking forward to working with all the fellow members of the Kiril Mischeff Group. They are an established and well-respected business and I am looking forward to increasing and enhancing even further the product offering we bring to their customers, old and new and contributing to the future success of the Group.” Saby Sambhi, who led the transaction for solicitors Schofield Sweeney, said “Our ability to call on specialist support from both our real estate and employment colleagues allowed us to provide a holistic and seamless service, ensuring the transaction was completed in a condensed timescale and before the Autumn Statement, which was crucial to both parties. “We look forward to assisting Kiril Mischeff with the integration of Annessa Imports Limited into their current group structure and the implementation of their exciting growth plans.”

Hydrogen innovation earns Luxfer Gas Cylinders gold at regional manufacturing awards

A commitment to pioneering the use of hydrogen technology has seen Luxfer Gas Cylinders recognised for its innovation at the regional Make UK Manufacturing Awards – paving the way for the company to compete in the national finals in January 2025.

Luxfer Gas Cylinders – the world’s largest manufacturer of high-pressure composite and aluminium cylinders – was presented with the Make UK Midlands Innovation Award earlier this month.

Organised by Make UK, the body that represents manufacturing industry across the UK, the awards were held to mark the achievements of companies from across the Midlands.

Judges handed a gold to Luxfer Gas Cylinders in recognition of its extensive and relentless efforts to develop new systems and infrastructure to transport hydrogen safely. This has involved significant seven figure investment in R&D across teams in the UK and North America in order take advantage of what is expected to be a substantial uptake in the use of hydrogen for clean energy in the future.

Lucy Morris, Marketing Manager, Luxfer Gas Cylinders Europe, said: “We’re so proud to be recognised by Make UK, and particularly in this category, because innovation is something that is fundamental to our organisation, and specifically to our highly skilled alternative fuel experts. They are bringing to bear our decades of experience in gas containment to develop clean, green, solutions that will encourage adoption of hydrogen technology.

“It’s an exciting time for this sector, and we’re pleased to be acknowledged as a pioneer, breaking new ground and helping reformulate what’s possible in hydrogen mobility and storage.”

Chris Corkan, Region Director for Make UK in the Midlands, added: “These awards are a testament to the dynamic companies and individuals working within engineering and manufacturing. The sector remains at the heart of creating wealth in the Midlands and as we grow our economy there will be a bright future for companies and individuals that make the most of their talent.”

East Midlands businesses and property owners urged to assess risks of living walls

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An insurance expert is calling on East Midlands architects, property owners and hotel or leisure venues to assess the risks associated with living walls, which may not be fully covered by standard insurance policies.

Vince Kelly of specialist insurance broker Lycetts has issued the warning as the demand for sustainable ‘vertical gardens’ grows.

“With the increasing integration of green roofs and living walls in modern architectural designs, there is a pressing need to address the fire risks linked to the materials used in these on-trend systems,” Kelly said.

“While we wholeheartedly support the move towards sustainable buildings that contribute to net zero targets, it’s crucial that safety is not compromised in the process.”

Highlighting the potential dangers, he pointed out that all cladding systems feature a backing wall with insulation and that even when cavity barriers are installed correctly, some components might still be combustible, posing a risk of fires spreading.

“To mitigate this, it’s essential that the backing wall, insulation and supporting structures – including potting, irrigation and drainage systems – are constructed from non-combustible materials wherever possible,” he said.

“The impact of severe weather events and potential water leaks can significantly affect the safety and insurability of the building, as well as adjacent structures, if the living wall is not meticulously designed, installed and maintained.”

Kelly also pointed out the unique challenges posed by green roofs.

“Unlike conventional roofs, green roofs are considerably heavier due to the additional weight of the support structure, the requisite irrigation systems as well as the plants themselves,” he explained. “Plus, the extra water retention capacity during heavy rainfall must also be factored into architectural considerations.”

To ensure the longevity and safety of these sustainable features, Kelly recommends that installers conduct extreme water tests immediately after installation to check for leaks and consider installing electronic leak detectors. Annual inspections are also advised to remove problematic plants and those developing strong, deep roots to reduce the risk of leak damage.

Furthermore, he recommends that architects and property owners engage a qualified structural engineer during the design phase to assess load-bearing capacity and ensure the building is fit to support these installations. Fall protection measures and access for ongoing maintenance should also be planned into the design to ensure safe upkeep.

“Living walls and green roofs offer numerous environmental, aesthetic and health benefits but the ongoing maintenance and repair can be a challenging and costly process,” Kelly added.

“I would urge anyone involved in a new sustainability project or retrofit that incorporates a living wall to consult their insurer during the planning stages to mitigate the risks and ensure the creation of buildings that are not only stunning and sustainable but also safe.”

Major Boost for a joined up visitor economy strategy for the East Midlands

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In a first of its kind, at its meeting on Monday 4 November, the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) Board agreed to develop a regional approach to delivering a thriving visitor economy for the East Midlands. The Board agreed funding of up to £60k to support the joint work of the region’s two Local Visitor Economy Partnerships (LVEPs) to develop a Destination Management Plan for the EMCCA region to add value, strengthen collaboration and avoid duplication.

The approach agreed by the Board focuses on three core elements to boost the visitor economy:

  • By promoting our place and products to deliver enhanced profile, greater reach and more visitors.
  • By developing the offer, working with our stakeholders to improve and increase, for example, hotel accommodation and live venue, conference facilities etc
  • By realising the value of the sector, showing the wider benefits to our region over and above the contribution to our economy.

Promoting our place and products

Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, has begun a series of engagement events in order to hear directly from key organisations across the sector. This has included a Derby and Derbyshire-focused meeting hosted by the Devonshire Group at Chatsworth House, an Arts Council-led event in Chesterfield, bringing together representatives from across the culture and heritage sectors, and a Nottingham and Nottinghamshire-focused event hosted at the National Civil War Centre in Newark. These events provided valuable feedback regarding the challenges and opportunities for organisations in the sector.

Developing the offer

There are now two Local Visitor Economy Partnerships (LVEPs) that cover the whole of the EMCCA area, Visit Nottinghamshire and Visit Peak District, Derbyshire and Derby and they are both formally accredited by Visit England. They will work with us to develop a strategic vision for the region, highlighting all the fundamentals of making our destinations thrive, while supporting local businesses.

Realising the value of the sector

The tourism/visitor economy makes a significant contribution to our economy, worth around £5.25bn in 2023 and supporting around 52,000 jobs. The aim is to take up numerous opportunities to grow the value of the sector, both in terms of direct economic impact and wider benefits that support EMCCA’s inclusive growth objectives.

Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, said: “The Visitor Economy is one of my key priorities because it matters everywhere: to our cities, our market towns, and our rural areas alike.

This is a vital agenda for the whole region and I’m delighted to lead and strengthen collaboration with our regional partners. Our joined up Destination Management Plan means that we can have more impact, and improve our offer for visitors, residents and grow our economy.”

Megan Powell Vreeswijk, CEO of Marketing Nottingham & Nottinghamshire including Visit Nottinghamshire, said: “Collaboration across the East Midlands is key to driving a vibrant and sustainable visitor economy, and we are delighted to work in partnership with East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) and Visit Peak District Derbyshire and Derby to make this vision a reality. EMCCA’s commitment to the Destination Management Plans marks a major milestone in building a unified approach that enhances the unique offer of our regions, while providing a strategic framework for growth.

Together as the two LVEPs with our regional partners, we will elevate the profile of the East Midlands, to attract more visitors, and create new opportunities for local businesses, visitors, and residents.”

Apertus Group apprentice wins prestigious award

An apprentice at the local procurement company Apertus Group has won the prestigious Apprentice of the Year Award at the Northamptonshire Business Excellence Awards, hosted by comedian Alex Horne. Maddie Humphrey, who is undertaking her Level 3 Apprenticeship in Business Administration with Apertus Group, won the award for being ‘highly dedicated, very knowledgeable and having a huge impact on not only the business but within [her] industry’ according to the judging panel, which included former Apprentice star Nick Hewer. Maddie said of her win: “The award win has given me a huge confidence boost! It can be hard to realise when you’re doing well at something, especially when you’re caught up in the day-today, and I don’t always give myself enough credit, so it has given me an opportunity to celebrate my achievements. All Things Business did an amazing job producing the event and I had a wonderful time, winning was a bonus!” Maddie also hosts a YouTube series produced by Apertus Group, ‘In the Driver’s Seat with Maddie’, which sees her in conversation with businesspeople about cars and driving. Another part of her apprenticeship has seen her working on a long-term project for Apertus Group. She has been developing a new way for the business to manage damage on vehicles it has leased, which has already reduced liability for Apertus Group by 45%. Apertus Group Managing Director Grant McKenna said: “Seeing someone who you saw huge potential in be recognised by others is a beautiful thing. Maddie, enjoy every message, moment and memory, you deserve every single one of them!” Maddie joined Apertus Group in September 2023 after completing her A-Levels at Wootton Park School, studying Business, Psychology and Geography. The NBEAs were attended by over 500 people, who came together to celebrate the county’s business community and their achievements.

Freeths bolsters Private Client Services presence across East Midlands

National law firm Freeths has expanded its Trusts, Estates and Tax (TeT) talent in the East Midlands by a third over the past 12 months as it continues to bolster its offering for clients. In welcoming five new starters over the last year amongst a number of senior promotions, the team has strengthened services in the region as the firm continues to invest in private client work across the UK. As part of the growth, Director Rahul Kotecha was appointed to lead the East Midlands service line with Marie Cooper being promoted to Director. It comes amongst a year of success for Freeths having been named Law Firm of the Year at the prestigious Legal Business Awards 2024 after achieving significant strategic growth. Rahul Kotecha said: “As we reflect on our expansion over the last 12 months, it creates a real sense of excitement as we plan ahead – not only have we broadened our performance across the region, but we have also been very much a part of the noise of a new economy. We are looking forward to continuing to expand our offering as we settle into the changes of a new Government.” Freeths TeT team comprises of experts who are available to assist with advice on business and succession planning, Inheritance Tax planning, wills, setting up and administering trusts and handling estate administration.

Nottingham student development sees industry-first safety standard

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Developer Cassidy Group Ltd has announced it has successfully achieved an industry –first safety standard under the Building Safety Act (BSA) for its latest new-build student PBSA project. In October 2024, the company gained the vital Gateway 2 approval for its development The Square, a 419-studio building in Beeston, Nottinghamshire. It will be delivered for the 2026/27 academic year, serving University of Nottingham students, after planning permission was granted in May 2023. Gateway 2 is part of a series of critical gateways introduced under the 2022 Building Safety Act to enhance safety standards for higher-risk buildings, introduced in the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower tragedy. It involves rigorous inspections during construction to verify the work adheres to approved plans. Peter Cavendish at Cassidy Group Ltd, said: “This achievement is a unique milestone for Cassidy and reaffirms our commitment to delivering safe, sustainable, and high-quality developments. As we move forward, we remain focused on setting the highest industry standards. “Our team has worked tirelessly to ensure we meet every requirement, and this approval from the Building Safety Regulator is a testament to their dedication and expertise.” The Beeston development adds to Cassidy’s purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) portfolio in Arkwright Street and London Road in Nottingham, creating a total of 1,084 student beds and 319 private rented sector (PRS) apartments. With a gross development value of circa £200 million, the projects are to be delivered over the next two years. Peter Cavendish added: “The Square, along with our other PBSA schemes, provides a welcome relief to some of the 19,000-student bed shortage in Nottingham, and the 2,000-student bed shortage in the micro-location of Beeston, according to StuRents data.” Cassidy Group Ltd is actively looking for investment partners for current and future developments, including 3,000 student beds and 1,000 PRS apartments across England over the next two to three years. With nearly four decades of experience, Cassidy Group Ltd specialises in the UK student accommodation and multi-family build to rent (BTR) and PRS sectors, delivering thousands of beds for clients such as Edmond de Rothschild, Franklin Templeton, and Student Roost/Brookfield, providing secure income-generating investments.

NG craft a move for Debbie Bryan

A celebrated gallery and tea room has relocated in Nottingham city centre in a deal crafted by NG Chartered Surveyors, the Property People. Debbie Bryan, which has been crowned TripAdvisors number one shopping destination for six years running, has moved to 4-6 St Peter’s Gate, in the heart of Nottingham’s retail quarter. Debbie Bryan has grown to become a destination where creativity meets individuality. Its galleries, both in Nottingham city centre and in Ruddington, showcase hand-crafted collections, while its tea rooms serve up lovingly-prepared, own-recipe menus. The gallery also hosts crafting sessions for makers of all ages. Debbie said: “St Peters was recommended to us by Alicia, initially feeling the space was maybe too large for us. Alicia was a fantastic sounding board to help us explore how we could utilise this new larger space, always available as we navigated our relocation.” Alicia Lewis, Surveyor at NG Chartered Surveyors, said: “Debbie Bryan is one of Nottingham’s true homegrown success stories and I’m sure this move to larger premises on St Peter’s Gate will only drive Debbie and her team on to greater successes. “Debbie has used all her talent to transform this first floor space; she’s turned what was a blank canvas into a colourful crafting wonderland – and the tearoom is just as impressive! “We’re delighted to have played a part in Debbie’s expansion and look forward to watching her company grow even further.”

Work nears completion on cutting-edge planetarium

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Enhancing science education, work on the UK’s newest planetarium for more than a decade is progressing rapidly at its Nottinghamshire site, with the £6.8 million project set to complete by the end of November.

Funded by the UK Government, the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Garfield Weston Foundation, Wolfson Foundation, the Foyle Foundation and numerous other donors, the new planetarium forms part of the Sherwood Observatory, which is being transformed into a leading regional education and exhibition space off Coxmoor Road in Sutton-in-Ashfield.

The internal fit-out is now well underway, with equipment including a ten-metre diameter hemispherical screen and projectors being installed that will show tours of the solar system and beyond. The planetarium will feature 59 seats and will be disability accessible.

Multi-disciplinary consultancy Pick Everard is behind the scheme, delivering project and cost management services.

Nick Hanson, associate cost manager at Pick Everard, said: “This is an exciting project that is contributing positively to the local area with a world leading science and education facility.

“The Sherwood Observatory is of huge historical significance and draws on our expertise of delivering high quality visitor attractions, with protected elements sensitively treated and managed through robust stakeholder management plans.

“Our team is fully invested in helping deliver this unique undertaking, which will have a transformative impact on regional tourism and economy drives.”

Midlands contractor G F Tomlinson delivered the construction works for the multi-million pound planetarium – completing pre-construction design and planning through SCAPE’s Beyond the Public Sector Framework.

Jason Ainsworth, framework construction manager at G F Tomlinson, said: “We feel very privileged to be part of such an exciting and unique project in the region, and once finished, the state-of-the-art centre promises to be a pivotal tourism and educational hub.

“Alongside attracting thousands of visitors to the region and raising awareness of the local area and history of the site, it also provides opportunities for STEM careers for future generations to come. This was made possible due to our early involvement and collaborative working with the client team and consultants, facilitated through the SCAPE Beyond the Public sector Framework”.

The new planetarium design incorporates the existing Victorian subterranean reservoir, which will see its original features, such as the intricate brick arches, kept to preserve the history of the building.

The ambitious plans for the site aim to create a unique, world-class facility that will rival those elsewhere in the UK.

Councillor Matthew Relf, executive lead member for regeneration, growth and local planning at Ashfield District Council, said: “It is wonderful to see construction of the new planetarium and science centre nearing completion. It has been a monumental effort by all involved.

“It will be a fantastic place for schools and youth groups as well as individuals and families to come and see shows about space and science. We know this will light the fire and passion for future scientists and engineers in the area.

“It has been a privilege to be part of the journey of seeing this move from an initial pitched idea while walking around the dark Victoria water tank, to securing the funding and now seeing the space transformed into a modern and exciting facility. I could not be more excited to see my first show in the finished planetarium.

“This really will be an incredible asset for the district and broader region and will inspire so many people with the wonders of space and inspire many onto new and exciting careers.”

Steve Wallace, planetarium project manager and chairman at Sherwood Observatory, said: “This is going to be a cutting-edge facility and it has been fascinating to work on. We are now moving to the next stage where a specialist planetarium creator is on site transforming the dome.

“It is a very unique bit of software that offers theatrical shows and give visitors an immersive tour of the solar system where they can go from planet to planet and then out into the wider Milky Way and Universe.”

The planetarium at Sherwood Observatory is the latest development Pick Everard has worked on in the region, following the recent opening of a new ‘Green Heart’ space as part of the £2 billion Broad Marsh regeneration project in Nottingham city centre.