£15m in regeneration funding to be spent across Bolsover District
Bolsover District Council is to spend £15m across the district as councillors agreed at a recent Executive meeting where the Regeneration Fund money would be allocated.
The majority of the money, some £5m, will be spent on public realm improvements in Bolsover town, as well as across key town centres. It will include landscaping and vehicle routes within pedestrian areas; street furniture and signage including high impact visual wayfinding and interpretation; improved welcome entry points; and improvements to open market squares so they become multi-use areas.
£1m has been agreed to improve facades and shop frontages that will help enhance the visual aspect of shops and attract visitors, increasing footfall. The scheme will directly benefit retail or commercial properties and will be delivered in the market towns of Bolsover, Clowne and South Normanton, and be extended to the larger villages of Creswell, Whitwell, Pinxton and Tibshelf.
£4.3m has been allocated to the purchase of and reconfiguration of prominent buildings in Bolsover Town including the former Co-op, former White Swan Public House and 36 and 36a Market Place that will provide creative, business and community facilities in the town.
Pinxton will receive around £700k to refurbish the former Church Hall providing a local community meeting house for community groups, a multi-purpose hall, community café as well as outdoor seating areas and a play area for young children and toddlers.
£4m will be spent in Shirebrook on constructing a Green Skills and Retrofit Skills Centre that will help facilitate training and knowledge transfer of the retrofit green skills and a new Market Place pavilion designed to enhance the visitor experience and encourage further footfall and increasing the amount of time people spend in the market square.
Chief Executive, Karen Hanson said: “When we received notification that this money was place-based, it was agreed to spread it across the district and benefit multiple areas. Places like Whitwell, Tibshelf, Pinxton and Creswell will now see this benefit alongside our major market towns as the projects we have identified and agreed will have a real impact in these areas.
“But it’s not just about enhancing the appearance of the area, it is about providing tangible benefits for businesses and opportunities for our residents where they gain new skills and improve their career prospects which is a key ambition of the Council’s.”
New contractor appointed for stalled Gedling housing development
Jigsaw Homes Midlands has appointed a new contractor to complete the development of 131 affordable homes at Rolleston Drive in Arnold.
Midlands-based Morro Partnerships was appointed following a procurement process and will start work on the scheme from July.
Morro will complete the homes, originally manufactured off site by ilke Homes before the company went into administration, and build the four remaining homes on site.
The Homes England-backed scheme, known as Birch Fields, will have 45 two-bedroom homes, 73 three-bedroom homes and 13 four-bedroom homes and will be available for either shared ownership or affordable rent.
Garnet Fazackerley, Operations Director of Development at Jigsaw Homes Group, said: “This has been an incredibly challenging time following the collapse of ilke Homes in June 2023.
“However, we remained committed and confident that we could find a suitable partner who could complete the scheme and provide much-needed affordable homes and we are delighted to be working with Morro Partnerships to complete this development.
“The homes will have NHBC warranty following stringent quality and compliance checks and will be finished to a high standard as they have been kept watertight and secure since the development stalled.
“We appreciate the patience from Gedling Borough Council, Homes England and local residents as we know this has been a frustrating time for all concerned, but we are now on the right track to deliver new homes for those most in need.”
Giovanni Corbo, Head of Technical and Design at Morro Partnerships, said: “Morro are delighted to have been selected on this project and to be working in partnership with Jigsaw Homes and Gedling Borough Council.
“As a sustainable partnerships’ developer, we are keen to showcase our delivery of affordable homes on this project and complete the homes on this much needed affordable housing scheme, though a modern and sustainable form of build system.
“Morro specialise in the delivery of affordable high efficiency homes developments in the Midlands for Registered Providers and Local Authorities, and our current pipeline of over 2,500 plots will help meet the growing demand for affordable housing across the region.
“We are exciting to be embarking on our first scheme with Jigsaw Homes and are looking forward to working with them on other developments to jointly deliver significant numbers of mixed tenure, highly efficient homes across the region.
“Works will commence on these high-performance modular homes in July 24 with phased handover of plots allowing new residents to occupy the homes within the first few months of our 12-month programme.
“We hope to engage with local subcontractors where possible as part of our sustainability policy.”
Chief Executive of Gedling Borough Council, Mike Hill said: “We’re very pleased to hear that the homes will be completed and we can get families, who have been waiting for such a long time, into these much needed affordable homes.
“This has been a very stressful time for families, and it has also impacted housing waiting lists in the borough, so we look forward to being able to reduce that list and get people out of temporary accommodation.
“We know that this has been an incredibly difficult time for Jigsaw Homes to resolve this exceptionally unfortunate situation and we welcome this news that Morro Partnerships will be delivering these homes for local people.”
The first homes are expected to be completed in October with the whole scheme aiming to complete by September 2025.
Light Science Technologies sees significant progress with “strong revenue growth” and “healthy committed order book”
Derbyshire-based Light Science Technologies Holdings (LSTH), comprising three divisions: controlled environment agriculture (CEA); contract electronics manufacturing (CEM) and passive fire protection (PFP), has hailed “significant progress” in a trading update for the six months ended 31 May 2024.
Revenue for the period is anticipated to be £5.2m, up by approximately 19.3% year-on-year, with consistent growth through all divisions of the business.
Meanwhile, trading is expected to be reported as EBITDA positive (H1 2023: £494,000 EBITDA loss), with comparative group net losses for the period more than halved to £334,000 (H1 2023: loss of £809,000), resulting from an increasingly strong-margin sales mix. During the period, the business focused on continuing solid momentum achieved during FY 2023, with new orders secured across all three divisions and the firm’s commercial development and pipeline progressing strongly. The group’s total quoted sales pipeline currently amounts to over £47m, with a committed orderbook currently worth nearly £5m.Simon Deacon, Chief Executive Officer at LSTH, said: “LSTH entered the period with a strong platform for growth and a realigned cost base having successfully navigated considerable global pressures.
“I am delighted to say that from that base we have seen significant progress – with strong revenue growth and a healthy committed order book, which is expected to increase in the coming months, currently worth nearly £5m, underpinning our goal of becoming an operationally self-funded, cash backed, group.
“As such, we are delighted to see a further reduction in losses, with the Company expected to report a positive EBITDA during the Period, for the first time in its history.
“The addition of Dr Graham Cooley and Richard Mills to our Board has given us an enormous pool of experience from which we can draw and has already had an impact on both our sales pipeline and corporate activity.
“In conjunction, we’ve seen improving performances across our divisions. PFP is now adding meaningful revenues, CEM has expanded into new markets, and CEA is strengthening through international partnerships and Tomtech revenues, more of which will also be recognised in H2.
“We aim to continue this trend and build on the strong start we’ve seen to the second half of our financial year. The Board expects to see continued momentum in PFP and CEM, and further international expansion of the CEA division.”
Panthers partner with Nottingham Trent University
A new partnership between the Nottingham Panthers and Nottingham Trent University will see Panthers players attend Nottingham Business School (NBS) to study a postgraduate degree.
NBS holds three globally recognised hallmarks of excellence and quality for business education, from EQUIS, AACSB and AMBA, putting it in the top one per cent of business schools in the world.
Panthers CEO, Omar Pacha, said: “We are very proud to be linking-up with Nottingham Trent University. It is a top-class university and Nottingham Business School is known throughout the world.
“We’re very lucky to have them in Nottingham and they put our city on the map. At the Panthers, we understand the value of being ambassadors in the city and it was important to team-up with someone who shares the same values and has a base in Nottingham.
“Having this deal with the University is a great tool in attracting high-calibre players to the Panthers. It’s great to have Hugo (Roy) and Matt (Spencer) as the first two players on courses at the Nottingham Business School.
“I have been lucky enough to visit the University and the facilities are simply outstanding. It’s clear that it’s a great environment for students to study in. I’d like to thank Baback and the team at Nottingham Business School for making this possible and we look forward to working with them very closely.”
Executive Dean of Nottingham Business School, Professor Baback Yazdani, said: “We are looking forward to welcoming Panthers’ representatives to NBS where they will each receive a personalised learning experience tailored to their ambition.
“Our triple crown accreditation means that they will enter the next stage of their career with a qualification which is internationally recognised as excellent and they will be acknowledged by employers as top talent in business as well as ice hockey.”
Loughborough University partners with MIT’s Center for Transportation and Logistics in UK first
Loughborough University has partnered with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Center for Transportation and Logistics (MIT CTL) to be the first UK member of its Global Supply Chain and Logistics Excellence (SCALE) Network.
The union will offer an exclusive Master’s degree program for hundreds of students each year, with time divided between both Loughborough and Massachusetts, in the United States.
The centre itself will focus on research and working with industry and will join the established SCALE Network which is already operating around the world in countries such as Spain, Luxembourg, China and Colombia.
Professor Jan Godsell, Dean of Loughborough Business School, said: “The UK is a small island so we have to think very carefully about how we ensure everybody in our country has access to the things that they need, when they need them, at a price that they can afford.
“The centre will be the go-to place to develop the next generation of supply chain talent.
“We’re bringing our expertise, particularly around the circular economy and also digitisation – and at its core is a flagship MSc program in supply chain, which involves time in Boston at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and an MIT certificate as well as a Loughborough degree.”
Loughborough’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Nick Jennings added: “Our partnership with MIT CTL really helps put us on a global stage – it’s a great partnership with a world-class university.”
The endeavour marks a significant expansion of the network, an international alliance of leading research and education centres dedicated to driving supply chain and logistics innovation through global collaboration.
With the inclusion of Loughborough University, the MIT Global SCALE Network now comprises six Centres of Excellence across four continents. These centres pool their expertise and collaborate on research projects that address real-world supply chain and logistics challenges, helping companies worldwide navigate an increasingly complex business environment.
“Loughborough University’s exceptional research capabilities and commitment to supply chain innovation make it a valuable addition to the MIT Global SCALE Network,” said Professor Yossi Sheffi, Director of MIT CTL. “Their expertise will enhance our collective ability to create cutting-edge solutions and educate the next generation of supply chain leaders.”
Loughborough University will join the network alongside existing centres: MIT CTL, the Zaragoza Logistics Center (ZLC, Spain), the Center for Latin-American Logistics Innovation (CLI, Colombia), the Luxembourg Centre for Logistics and Supply Chain Management (LCL), and the Ningbo China Institute for Supply Chain Innovation (NISCI).
The four university centres (MIT, ZLC, LCL, and NISCI) offer their own master’s programs, while CLI offers a Graduate Certificate in Logistics and Supply Chain Management (GCLOG). Together, these centres offer a comprehensive curriculum in supply chain management, fostering a global community of bold thinkers from both industry and academia.
“Joining the MIT Global SCALE Network is a tremendous opportunity for Loughborough University,” said Professor Ken Lee, Director of Postgraduate studies at Loughborough Business School. “I am particularly excited at the opportunity for our students to experience the unique MIT culture and interact with inspiring faculty and research during their time in Boston.”
The MIT Global SCALE Network was established in 2003 with the inauguration of the Zaragoza Logistics Center in Spain. Since then, it has expanded to include centres in Colombia, Luxembourg, China, and now the United Kingdom. The network supports over a dozen educational programs, engages more than 80 researchers and faculty, partners with 150 corporations, and boasts an alumni network of over 1,200 professionals worldwide.
Organisations partnering with the MIT Global SCALE Network gain access to expertise, innovative research, and a unique forum for knowledge exchange, while the network’s centres and students benefit from rich industry engagement and collaborative opportunities.
Entrepreneurs win place on innovative accelerator programme
Eleven potential new East Midlands businesses are a step closer to becoming reality after being chosen to join the first VentureVersity Commercial Accelerator.
VentureVersity is an initiative aimed at accelerating pathways for the development of university-generated intellectual property (IP) and ideas across the University of Leicester, Loughborough University, and De Montfort University. The programme has been funded by Research England’s Connecting Capability Fund, with a £330k grant.
The eleven VentureVersity finalists will have access to seed investment and will benefit from a five-month intensive accelerator programme led by entrepreneur and coach Denis Oakley and Leicester Start-Ups to help them develop their business idea.
The first successful VentureVersity Accelerator projects span;
Education
1. Building Resilience in Children (BRIC): an online and in classroom resource equipping parents, educators, & caregivers with the necessary tools, knowledge and strategies to help children build resilience
2. An online assessment tool to audit educators’ awareness of dyscalculia
3. Automating Individual Assessment Feedback (INDAF)
Health technology
4. EnHANCE: a nonconventional system that eliminates pathogens to deliver clean indoor residential and industrial environments sustainably
5. LUCID: Concussion Identification App
6. Healthcare Team Observations for Patient Safety (HTOPS)
Agriculture, forestry & fishing
7. LiquidGold: Next generation environmentally friendly, non-toxic and biodegradable carp health care product for angling and ornamental markets
Research
8. ValidateLabs: Validation data Processor
Water Utilities
9. e-Favor: an AI powered water leakage detection and localisation platform solution
10. EcoSENSE: Real-time monitoring of water systems
Manufacturing
11. Laser guided disc punch innovation advancing battery manufacturing
William Wells, Deputy Director of the Research & Enterprise Division at the University of Leicester, said: “The VentureVersity programme has already surpassed our expectations, training 26 dynamic teams and selecting 11 promising projects to advance to the next stage. We are immensely grateful to all participants, whose innovative spirit and dedication have laid a strong foundation for future success.
“As we move forward, these projects will benefit from targeted mentorship, hands-on workshops, exposure to investors and, potentially, seed capital, driving their transformation into impactful real-world solutions. This next phase promises to invigorate our regional innovation ecosystem, fostering new products, services, and businesses that will contribute to the prosperity of Leicester and Leicestershire.”
Professor Mike Kagioglou, Pro Vice-Chancellor Research, Business and Innovation at De Montfort University said: “VentureVersity has provided an opportunity for all three of Leicestershire’s universities to work together to support the commercialisation of research that will benefit the economy and society. DMU’s projects range from an innovative real-time monitoring of water leaks that could save companies millions to improving lithium battery manufacturing and building resilience in young people.
“We were hugely impressed with the quality of applications from across the three universities to be part of the programme, and wish all 11 final project teams the very best of success. We look forward to following their business journeys over the next six months.”
Professor Dan Parsons, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation at Loughborough University, said: “Our initiative, VentureVersity provides a unique opportunity to contribute to regional growth and cultivate entrepreneurial success.
“From developing advanced multi-sensing technologies to combat climate change and pollution to creating an innovative portable smartphone app for measuring concussions, these projects are driving innovation that will lead to meaningful advances, enrich people’s lives and create better futures.
“I would like to personally congratulate the 11 finalists and look forward to seeing these innovations develop over the coming months.”
VentureVersity was launched in November 2023 as part of the Leicester Business Festival. It kicked off with three mixer sessions, one held at each university, to enable academics/researchers to come together with businesses and students to pitch their IP/ideas. More than 200 people came along to the events, and a total of 38 proposals were pitched by researchers and academics.
From the 38 proposals, 26 teams completed a pre-accelerator training programme of workshops, mentoring and 1-2-1 support run over eight weeks. The pre accelerator culminated with all pitching for a place on the accelerator and seed investment. Of the 26 ideas, the judges chose the final 11 winning ideas.
VentureVersity harnesses the resources and support from each university and in addition provides resources, including seed capital, to catalyse the IP commercialisation process, including activities such as market research, business planning, technology and market development.
The implementation and achievements of the model will be evaluated and recorded to create a scalable framework that can be deployed nationwide.
Property developer makes raft of acquisitions
Midlands-based property developer and asset manager, Rotherhill Developments, has made a number of acquisitions in the first half of 2024.
Sites purchased include industrial premises across Nottinghamshire, Rugby, King’s Lynn, Barnsley and Leicestershire; the acquisitions have been opportunistic, and have broadened the geographical reach of the business.
Of the six sites, five are income producing with short to mid-term lease events and present Rotherhill with asset management opportunities.
The premises in Rugby are currently vacant. Rotherhill have now placed a build contract in excess of £1m to future-proof the premises.
Commenting on the first six months of the year, owner, Paul Bagshaw said: “It’s been a busy period for us having recruited Stuart Waite from Commercial Property Partners, promoting Ed Jeffrey to Director in recognition of all his hard work over the last five years, and in addition, managing to acquire six assets totalling some £15m with our long-standing partners and funders.
“The assets purchased have widened our geographical spread from King’s Lynn to Yorkshire and the lot sizes have been in our traditional ‘sweet spot’ of £1m to £5m.”
Lincolnshire radiator firm acquired in seven-figure deal
Brand K Group, one of the largest suppliers of radiators and bathroom equipment to independent merchants and showrooms, has acquired Lincolnshire-based Paladin Radiators in a seven-figure deal.
The acquisition is the seventh in the past five years for Brand K Group and marks a further step towards its ambition to become a UK leader in the HVAC and bathroom sector. Paladin will continue to operate under its existing brand, while shareholders Dean Chughtai and Gareth Charles will remain with the business and continue to lead its growth.
Paladin is an independent producer of traditional cast iron radiators, supplying direct to retailers and installers. All its products are assembled and finished in Britain and it has its own dedicated foundry. Based in the hamlet of New York, the company was founded 30 years ago and now employs 26 people.
Brand K Group, which is based in Bedford with operations in Wigan, Leeds, Willenhall, Hull and Tewkesbury, was established in 2008 by Alex Norford. It now employs more than 750 people and turns over in excess of £163m.
Kartell UK was the first company in the group and remains the largest distributing radiators and bathroom fixtures and fittings under the K-RAD and K-VIT brands, however since 2019 the group has acquired a series of UK-based manufacturers including Just Trays, Vogue UK, Summerbridge and MX Group.
Alex Norford, CEO of Brand K Group, said: “I am delighted to welcome Dean, Gareth and their team to the group. We’re excited to have acquired another of the most respected brands in the UK radiator market and to expand further our offering to the heritage and design-led home improvement sectors.
“Paladin is a business that combines the best of traditional design and innovation in a single product range; we’re looking forward to helping them continue their growth story.”
Paladin’s turnover has doubled since Dean Chughtai and Gareth Charles acquired the business from the original founders in 2017. Dean Chughtai said: “When Gareth and I first began leading the Paladin business, we saw an opportunity to grow an innovative business delivering quality products direct to consumers, whilst also being well-respected by the professional market.
“Thanks to the team at Paladin, we’ve achieved all of that and are very pleased to see the business well-positioned to continue on its path of success moving forwards.”
Gareth Charles added: “In Brand K Group, we’ve found the perfect home for Paladin. Alex and his team have a deep understanding of the UK radiator market and offer the business a great opportunity to expand and develop even further.
“Dean and I are grateful to the team at Paladin for their hard work in more than doubling the turnover of the company during our tenure and we are personally very pleased to see this investment supporting the continued growth of this customer-focused business.”
Harry Walker and Fahim Kassam from the Midlands office of Dow Schofield Watts (DSW) provided corporate finance advice to Brand K Group. Harry Walker, partner, has also advised Brand K on six previous acquisitions.
Harry said: “Under Alex’s leadership, Brand K has gone from being a start-up to one of the largest suppliers in the UK, and its acquisition strategy has been a key part of its growth story.
“Paladin is another excellent addition to its existing stable of high-quality British manufacturing brands. We look forward to working with Alex and the team in the future to help them pursue their ambitious growth strategy.”
A team from Fladgate led by Cem Usten and Ravi Goonesena provided legal advice to Brand K, with financial due diligence provided by a team led by Paul Kithoray of Cortus Advisory. The shareholders of Paladin were supported by a legal team from Hegarty Solicitors led by Andrew Heeler and received finance support from Mark Bradshaw of Streets Accountants.
Shawbrook Bank provided Kartell with increased facilities to finance the acquisition of Paladin and were advised by a team from Shoosmiths LLP, led by Jon Bew.
New CEO and senior staff promotions for Nottingham Venues
Nottingham Venues has made a series of promotions within its senior team, including the creation of a new CEO role.
Tom Waldron-Lynch has been appointed to the new position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Nottingham Venues. He joined the business as General Manager in 2017, when it was part of DeVere group and has been pivotal in navigating the team through its successful transition over the last five years.
More recently, Tom has also taken on increased responsibilities outside of Nottingham Venues. He is a board member for the place marketing organisation for Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, Marketing Nottingham, and is focussed on raising the county’s profile as one of the UK’s leading business and leisure destinations.
The new position of CEO is reflective of Tom’s work to date and the future role he will play in ensuring the future success of Nottingham Venues and in continually raising the profile of the company across the city.
In addition to the new CEO, current Operations Manager, Kerry Pritchett has been promoted to Hotel Manager at the Jubilee Hotel and Conferences, and Orchard Hotel Manager, Peter Bartlett, has become General Manager Orchard Hotel and East Midlands Conference Centre (EMCC).
The new titles demonstrate their respective roles and responsibilities following the recent enhancement of the facilities within both the Jubilee Campus offering and the East Midlands Conference Centre.
Tom Waldron-Lynch, CEO of Nottingham Venues, says: “I am pleased that the hard work of my colleagues Peter and Kerry has been recognised and I am sure they will both be instrumental in the future development of Nottingham Venues. I am excited about the future of Nottingham Venues and look forward to the company playing an important role in supporting the growth of the visitor economy in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.”
Logistics real estate developer acquires 65-acre site on Nottinghamshire/Yorkshire border
Panattoni, the logistics real estate developer, has acquired a 65-acre site on the Nottinghamshire/Yorkshire border with planning consent for over 1.2 million sq ft.
The two phase development, called Panattoni Central A1(M), by junction 34 of the A1(M), has been acquired from Mulberry Developments in an off-market deal. Panattoni will commence construction of what it says will be the largest-ever speculative logistics unit in the North of England, a building of 770,000 sq ft, in the autumn. Practical completion is expected in September 2025.
Panattoni is targeting net zero carbon development, an EPC rating of ‘A’ and BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ sustainability rating. The cross-docked unit will benefit from 18m eaves, 55m service yards, EV van and car charging and 15% rooflights. Winvic Construction has been appointed as the contractor.
The remaining 27-acre plot, which already benefits from reserved matters planning consent for a 461,000 sq ft building, will initially be marketed on a build-to-suit basis.
Dan Burn, Head of Development North West & Yorkshire at Panattoni, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for us to acquire a prime logistics site in an established location by the A1(M). The development provides us with the opportunity to capitalise on the dearth of supply of XXL units across the country.”
Panattoni was advised by Cushman & Wakefield and Mulberry Developments was advised by M1 Agency.
