Derby firm shows community commitment with support for DIY SOS home makeovers

Derby-based project managers, construction cost consultants, and building surveyors Armsons Barlow have reaffirmed a commitment to corporate social responsibility through their recent pro-bono work supporting DIY SOS on their projects. Armsons Barlow have been providing quantity surveying services, including materials take offs, assisting with specifications and construction advice on numerous projects that are currently being shown on BBC One including the forthcoming Children in Need Episode. This saw the DIY SOS team transform children’s cancer support charity, The Joshua Tree. Based in Chester, the charity was founded by Lynda and Dai Hill after their son Joshua was diagnosed with Leukaemia when he was five years old. Happily, Joshua went on to make a full recovery and even helps out at the Centre. The first project Armsons Barlow supported earlier this year was a special project in Aylestone, Leicester, for seven-year-old Isla, who lives with Mandibuloacral Dysplasia – a rare genetic condition that causes brittle bones, premature aging, and limited mobility. Isla is believed to be the only person in the UK with this specific form of the condition. To help Isla live more comfortably and independently, the DIY SOS team, with support from Armsons Barlow, redesigned the family home to include specialist adaptations. These included enhanced accessibility features, dedicated therapy spaces, and a nurturing environment to help Isla thrive despite the challenges she faces every day. Since its launch in 1999, DIY SOS has completed hundreds of life-changing projects across the UK – made possible through the collective effort of local tradespeople, suppliers, and volunteers. Sally Walters, director at Armsons Barlow, said: “We’re incredibly proud to support DIY SOS and to help deliver projects that have a meaningful and lasting impact on people’s lives. The programme has become known for bringing communities together to support families in crisis – and Armsons Barlow is proud to play our part. “These builds are about more than bricks and mortar, they’re about offering hope and making daily life more manageable for families facing unimaginable challenges. “Alongside our partnership with Derby County Community Trust, this is part of our on-going commitment to using our expertise to strengthen and support the communities we work in.”

Starling and Small Business Britain to expand support for female founders

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Starling Bank has partnered with Small Business Britain to launch a nationwide programme to help women start and scale their businesses. The initiative, called Female Founder Fundamentals, will begin in early 2026 and offer free online training focused on business growth, finance, and digital skills.

The partnership was announced during a networking event at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium, where more than 150 female entrepreneurs gathered to celebrate women’s achievements in business and sport. “There’s such incredible energy when women come together to celebrate success and support one another, whether in business or on the pitch,” said Michelle Ovens CBE, CEO and Founder of Small Business Britain. “This event with Starling at Arsenal Emirates Stadium was the perfect way to kick off our new partnership and to spotlight the confidence, community and ambition that drive female founders forward. Together, we’re building on that momentum with a new training programme to help even more women start and grow brilliant businesses.”

The new programme will feature masterclasses led by established entrepreneurs and industry experts, covering topics such as accessing investment and using AI to improve efficiency. It will also address challenges identified in earlier research by the two organisations, including the pressure many women experience in balancing business demands with wellbeing.

The collaboration builds on both organisations’ shared goal of strengthening female entrepreneurship across the UK’s small business landscape. Women currently lead 14% of SME employers and around 30% of sole trader businesses, according to government data. Analysts estimate that achieving parity with male-led business creation could contribute up to £250 billion to the UK economy.

The initiative aligns with Small Business Britain’s objective to increase the number of women leading small and medium-sized enterprises to 30% by the end of the decade, positioning female entrepreneurship as a key driver of future economic growth.

Nottinghamshire veterans housing project secures funding and new start date

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Plans to develop accommodation in Eastwood for ex-service personnel facing homelessness are progressing after Broxtowe Borough Council finalised the purchase of land off Cross Street in Hill Top.

The £1.5 million project will see the construction of eight council-owned apartments tailored to support veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The development will also include a shared standard room to facilitate on-site support services.

Initial completion was targeted for 2025, but building work is now expected to begin in spring 2026 following a review of the design specifications to increase unit sizes and improve communal facilities. Site clearance is set to start in the coming weeks, with the scheme due to be submitted to the council’s planning committee early next year.

Funding for the project comes primarily from Broxtowe Borough Council, supplemented by contributions from Homes England. The East Midlands Combined County Authority has not provided financial backing.

The apartments will add to the council’s existing portfolio of ex-forces housing, which includes six occupied homes in Stapleford. The Eastwood site is to be named in honour of the late Sir Dennis Pettitt, a D-Day veteran and former Nottinghamshire County Council leader.

Pulse appoints new board directors to drive growth

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Construction consultancy Pulse Consult has strengthened its leadership team with the promotion of Jonathan Aldworth and Tom Howells to its board. The appointments place Jonathan and Tom directly into ownership positions within the business. The company says the moves are aimed at retaining skilled professionals, recognising established talent, and providing clear pathways into ownership and senior leadership, roles often difficult to reach in the construction sector. Ian Carey, managing director at Pulse Consult, said: “It’s an exciting time of growth at Pulse, and it’s a real privilege to see longstanding people like Jonathan and Tom develop and thrive within our team. Their loyalty, dedication, and leadership have been central to our continued success, helping us achieve a major milestone this year as we surpassed £10m in turnover. “Pulse has always been a business built on its people, and their progression into ownership positions is a clear reflection of our culture – one that recognises talent, nurtures development, and rewards commitment with real opportunity. I started Pulse to create a place that had no barriers to ownership and to reward talent with board positions.” Jonathan Aldworth, who has progressed through the business since 2017, and Tom Howells, a healthcare project specialist, will take on strategic responsibilities at a time when demand for complex construction projects is growing across the UK. Progressing from a project manager role, Jonathan Aldworth has overseen high-value projects across a variety of sectors, including heritage schemes, higher education, and housing. In his new role, Jonathan will lead Pulse’s expanding East of England hub, which includes Nottingham, Leicester, King’s Lynn and Lincoln. Jonathan will continue to build on the strengthening of local partnerships, drive operational excellence, and accelerate regional development. Jonathan said: “Joining the board is an exciting opportunity to shape how Pulse delivers on its ambitious plans. “At the core of our aims is to strike the right balance between strengthening our presence in the East Midlands and expanding further across the East of England. By combining scalable resources with strong local expertise, we can create a truly comprehensive regional offering. “Our growing presence in key locations and developing capabilities in areas such as King’s Lynn and Lincoln are important steps in delivering this vision. This approach ensures we can meet client needs effectively while building sustainable growth. Ultimately, it’s about creating a cohesive, East of England-wide service that adds lasting value for clients and the communities we serve.” Tom Howells brings over seven years of experience at Pulse and extensive expertise in managing complex healthcare projects. In his new role, Tom will lead Pulse’s healthcare sector strategy, continue to grow sector experience nationally, drive innovation in client solutions, and help the company meet the growing national demand for healthcare infrastructure. Tom said: “I am excited to have joined the board, particularly at a time of transition for the healthcare sector. There is more demand than ever for healthcare infrastructure, and Pulse has the experience to deliver solutions that drive innovation and deliver scalable, sustainable outcomes for clients across the nation. “In my role, I want to ensure we approach each project with both strategic foresight and practical insight, helping hospital trusts and healthcare providers overcome complex challenges while maximising efficiency, value, and long-term impact. “We have always positioned ourselves as trusted advisors to our clients, and our sector expertise allows us to continue driving real change within healthcare.”

Derbyshire recycler fined for waste permit breach

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A Derbyshire recycling company has been ordered to pay nearly £90,000 after breaching environmental regulations. Johnsons Aggregates and Recycling Ltd, based in Ilkeston, was fined £40,000 and told to cover costs of £49,886.75 following a prosecution by the Environment Agency.

The case centred on a breach of the company’s environmental permit, which required all waste to be contained within its site boundary. An investigation began in March 2021 after complaints about dust, odour, and noise at Hallam Fields Industrial Estate. Inspectors found that large quantities of ash (commonly used in construction) had been deposited on neighbouring land without the appropriate authorisation.

Although the company initially claimed the material was placed with the neighbouring landowner’s permission, it later admitted that its actions fell outside the permit’s conditions. The Environment Agency issued a compliance notice instructing the firm to remove the waste and operate within permitted limits.

By January 2022, inspectors found that waste still covered around five acres despite partial removal. The court found that the company had failed to meet its obligations to clean up the site within the set timeframe, resulting in the fine and costs imposed by Nottingham Magistrates’ Court.

Allied Pharmacies acquires 60 Jhoots sites after collapse

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Allied Pharmacies has finalised a deal to acquire 60 former Jhoots Pharmacy locations across the UK following the collapse of more than 20 companies linked to the Jhoots group entering administration.

Most of the affected branches remain closed, though Allied plans to restore operations and resume essential community pharmacy services. The acquisition underscores ongoing pressures within the pharmacy sector, where years of reduced funding have led to the closure or consolidation of many operators.

Jhoots Healthcare Ltd and Pasab Ltd, which continue to run 21 pharmacies under the Jhoots name, remain unaffected by the administration. Both companies operate independently from the entities that entered insolvency and continue to trade normally.

The deal marks one of the latest consolidations in the UK’s pharmacy landscape, reflecting the growing financial strain on community pharmacies and the need for strategic intervention to maintain local healthcare access.

Strong first half sees Motorpoint “outperform” wider used car market

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Motorpoint Group PLC, the Derby-based independent omnichannel vehicle retailer, has “significantly outperformed the wider used car market” in the first half of its financial year. According to unaudited interim results for the six months ended 30 September 2025, revenue increased 15% on the same period of the year prior to £647.7m, outperforming the wider used car market and benefitting from an increase in average vehicle selling price. Based on SMMT data, overall used car sales were up 2.8% in July to September on the previous year; Motorpoint’s were up 7.4%. Profit before tax, meanwhile, increased 80% to £3.6m, and EBITDA by 22.5% to £13.6m. Motorpoint noted that further technology investment to develop its website and digital brand awareness, along with benefitting from the advantages of adopting AI, has resulted in significantly increased customer activity, and “excellent” sales in the first half. Mark Carpenter, CEO of Motorpoint Group PLC, said: “I am pleased to report another strong performance in the first half of the year, in which we increased our retail volumes by 8.9% and gross profit by 10.7%. “We significantly outperformed the wider used car market during the period, demonstrating that our proposition to make car buying easy continues to resonate strongly with customers. “Our strategic investment in technology and the use of data and AI, combined with the exceptional service provided by our highly engaged team, has enabled us to sell more vehicles at market leading pricing and provide our customers with a seamless car buying experience. “With technology, data and AI integral to our growth strategy going forward, we are also excited by several other strategic initiatives including new store openings, investment in existing stores and the expansion of our supply channels. “While we are mindful of the imminent Autumn Budget, and the subsequent effect on the consumer environment, trading since the period end confirms that demand for Motorpoint cars remains strong. “We therefore remain confident in our competitive offering and believe we are well positioned to continue to grow our position in the market while delivering sustainable shareholder value.”

Autumn Budget 2025 predictions – what SMEs need to prepare for: by Michael Ball, tax partner at Streets

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Michael Ball, tax partner at Streets, helps businesses prepare for this month’s Autumn Budget. As the UK government prepares to unveil the Autumn Budget 2025, SMEs are watching closely, with trading conditions still challenging due to:
  • Rising wage costs
  • Persistent inflation
  • Ongoing tax pressures
Many are hoping the Chancellor will offer targeted relief to the backbone of the UK economy: its smallest employers. Recent reports suggest business confidence has dipped again, particularly among small firms feeling squeezed by mounting overheads and unclear policy direction. With that backdrop in mind, here are our four key predictions for the Autumn Budget and why they could affect you directly if you’re operating your business.   Budget prediction 1: Expect small increases across the main taxes  Despite government pledges to the contrary, growing fiscal pressure makes modest rises in income tax, National Insurance, VAT, or corporation tax more likely. These four taxes account for nearly three-quarters of total tax revenue, and spreading small increases across them could raise funds without causing the economic disruption that targeted hikes can trigger. How this could impact you  Even slight increases in these core taxes could reduce take-home pay, increase business costs, or raise prices for consumers. If you’re an employee, business owner, or consumer, these changes could affect your bottom line—directly or indirectly. Budget prediction 2: Business rates freeze or extended relief for small premises  Business rates remain one of the most frustrating fixed costs for small high-street and office-based businesses. While a full reform is unlikely this year, the Chancellor is under pressure to ease the burden on small premises. One likely move is a freeze in business rates or an extension to the Small Business Rates Relief (SBRR) threshold—possibly raising the eligibility ceiling for premises with slightly higher rateable values. How this could impact you  If you rent or own a small shop, salon, studio, or workspace, this could directly affect your monthly outgoings. An extension of SBRR or a freeze on revaluations would help protect cashflow, particularly if you’re on the edge of qualifying for relief. On the other hand, if no changes are made, you may face higher bills in 2026, requiring advance planning to manage costs. It’s especially relevant to small businesses in sectors like retail, hospitality, creative industries, and services. Budget prediction 3: Possible incentives or reliefs around energy costs and equipment investment  With ongoing concerns over energy bills and productivity among smaller businesses, the government may look to either extend or reshape existing support. This could include energy efficiency grants, targeted subsidies for energy-intensive businesses, or continued access to full expensing (100% capital allowances) for qualifying investments. How this could impact you  Planning to buy equipment, upgrade your space, or cut energy use? Incentives like full expensing can lower your tax bill, making investment cheaper—while their removal could raise costs. Grants and subsidies can also ease upfront expenses, especially as energy prices stay unpredictable. Budget prediction 4: The government softens the proposed inheritance tax changes for OMBs and farming businesses   There is growing concern about the impact of the reforms announced last November, especially on the farming community. The House of Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee warned in its 2024–25 report (HC 906) that the changes could harm vulnerable farmers, particularly older individuals or those on less profitable or tenanted land. We believe the Government may consider raising thresholds to lessen the impact on smaller owner-managed businesses and modest farming interests. How this could impact you  If you are currently considering undertaking planning steps to mitigate the changes announced last October and have not made any gifts of business or farming assets or undertaken any planning steps yet. If the proposed steps are not softened, you will need to bring to the fore any steps that need to be completed prior to 6 April 2025.   What else is influencing the Budget?  A few wider trends could shape how supportive this Budget is toward small and medium sized businesses: Election timing: With regional elections coming in the next 6 months, the government may want to win favour with small business voters by offering support, although fiscal constraints may limit how generous any measures are. Falling confidence: Recent analysis from the ICAEW suggests that small business confidence has fallen again this quarter, with concerns about rising tax burden and stagnant growth front and centre. This could push the government to include modest relief measures targeted at small employers. Wage and NI pressures: Increases in the minimum wage and employer National Insurance contributions have hit small teams particularly hard. While a full reversal is unlikely, the Chancellor may acknowledge these pressures in policy tweaks or deferrals.   Supporting you and your business after the Autumn Budget  Join our webinar where we’ll provide a ‘first reaction’ to the Budget announcement and the implications it will have on businesses. Register here   See this column in the November issue of East Midlands Business Link Magazine here.

Champneys acquires Buxton Crescent Hotel following loan repayment

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The Grade I-listed Buxton Crescent Hotel and Spa has been sold to wellness group Champneys after its previous operator, Ensana, defaulted on a £11.4 million loan from Derbyshire County Council. The transaction, completed in partnership with investment firm Cheyne Capital, included full repayment of the outstanding debt.

The property, owned by High Peak Borough Council and Derbyshire County Council, remains under public freehold ownership. Champneys will now operate the hotel business, securing the future of one of Derbyshire’s most prominent heritage tourism assets.

The Crescent, initially constructed in the 1780s as part of the Duke of Devonshire’s spa vision, underwent a £70 million restoration before reopening in 2020. The refurbishment was partly financed through a county council loan to Buxton Crescent Limited, a joint venture between CP Holdings and the Trevor Osborne Property Group.

Following financial difficulties and a default on the council’s loan, Ensana placed the hotel on the market in 2024. The sale to Champneys is expected to sustain local employment and maintain Buxton’s profile as a leading spa destination within the regional visitor economy.

AMC Private Equity expands recruitment portfolio with Linsco acquisition

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AMC Private Equity has acquired Nottingham-based construction and civil engineering recruiter Linsco in a deal supported by £6.75 million in funding.

The London-based investment firm secured backing through an invoice discounting facility and loan from Bibby Financial Services to finalise the purchase. The acquisition is expected to strengthen AMC’s position in the construction recruitment market and accelerate its national expansion plans.

Linsco, which has a long-standing presence in the UK’s construction and civil engineering sectors, will continue to operate under its existing brand while benefiting from AMC’s financial and strategic support.

The transaction forms part of AMC’s wider growth strategy aimed at consolidating recruitment businesses within the construction industry to create a stronger national network.