Derbyshire invests £1.8m in new education facility for excluded students

April Lara
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Derbyshire invests £1.8m in new education facility for excluded students

Derbyshire County Council has approved £1.8 million in funding for Esteem Multi-Academy Trust to convert the former Hunloke Adult Education Centre in Birdholme, Chesterfield, into a specialist education facility.

The centre will create up to 100 new places for students who have been excluded from mainstream education, with a focus on supporting those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The facility is expected to open by September 2026.

The council has already provided £400,000 for a feasibility study, matched by an equal contribution from Esteem Multi-Academy Trust. The redevelopment forms part of Derbyshire’s wider effort to expand SEND provision across the county, in response to increasing demand for specialist support.

The new site aims to help students reintegrate into education following exclusion and provide tailored learning environments that meet complex needs. The project aligns with the council’s broader strategy to work with local schools and trusts to improve access to appropriate education across Derbyshire.

Primerdesign expands UK academic reach through SLS partnership

April Lara
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Primerdesign expands UK academic reach through SLS partnership

Primerdesign, part of the Novacyt Group, has signed a distribution agreement with Scientific Laboratory Supplies (SLS) to broaden access to its real-time PCR assays and reagents across UK academic institutions.

The partnership enables SLS to distribute Primerdesign’s range of quantitative PCR (qPCR) kits and reagents for pathogen detection across sectors, including human health, veterinary science, food safety, water testing, and agriculture. The move is expected to strengthen Primerdesign’s footprint in academic research by improving access to its catalogue of more than 1,200 PCR assays.

Through SLS’s established supply network, universities and research facilities will be able to obtain Primerdesign products more efficiently. The collaboration supports the growing demand for local technical support and faster delivery of molecular testing tools across UK laboratories.

Lyn Rees, CEO of Novacyt, said: “Primerdesign’s reputation for high-quality reagents continues to grow amongst the academic community. Expanding our distribution channels through one of the UK’s most trusted suppliers will enable us to meet this increase in demand. We are confident that SLS’ dedicated local service will deliver improved access and help to increase adoption of our reliable portfolio of qPCR reagents and kits.”

SLS, one of the UK’s largest independent suppliers of laboratory consumables and equipment, will add Primerdesign’s portfolio to its offering as part of efforts to enhance research efficiency and product availability. Amy Duff, General Manager—Life Sciences, Scientific Laboratory Supplies, said: “With over 30 years’ experience, SLS understands the needs of the UK market and is well equipped to support universities and academic institutions. We are unique in our approach to sourcing and supplying the highest quality products and are delighted to be able to offer Primerdesign’s range to scientists across the country, to help expedite their research workflows.”

The agreement reflects an ongoing expansion within the life sciences sector, where suppliers are focusing on building stronger distribution networks to meet the needs of academic and applied research customers.

£27.7m secured for Northamptonshire industrial scheme

Tess Egginton
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£27.7m secured for Northamptonshire industrial scheme
Investec has provided Hillwood with a £27.7m senior loan for the development of a 248,000 sq ft Grade A industrial scheme in Northamptonshire. The ‘Quattro Raunds’ scheme will speculatively deliver four industrial units ranging from 10,600 to 117,000 sq ft. Designed to meet the evolving needs of industrial and logistics occupiers, the development incorporates a range of sustainability-focused initiatives and specifications including EV charging points and PV panels, targeting BREEAM ‘Excellent’. Kezia Varkel, Investec Real Estate, said: “We are delighted to establish a new relationship with Hillwood as they expand in the UK industrial and logistics market. This transaction reflects Investec’s commitment to backing high-quality sponsors with deep expertise in delivering best-in-class industrial assets. “Industrial and logistics remains a high conviction sector for Investec, and this transaction demonstrates our ability to deliver flexible financing solutions for speculative development in the space.” Armin Senoner, Director Debt Capital Markets, Hillwood, added: “We are pleased to partner with Investec on the financing of Quattro Raunds, marking Hillwood’s continued expansion in the UK logistics market. “The facility underlines the strength of our platform and Investec’s confidence in our ability to deliver high-quality, sustainable industrial schemes that meet occupier demand in key UK locations.”

Shawbrook’s £1.9 billion IPO marks major boost for London listings

April Lara
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Shawbrook’s £1.9 billion IPO marks major boost for London listings

Shawbrook Group has launched conditional trading on the London Stock Exchange, valuing the specialist lender at around £1.92 billion. The move marks the UK’s largest flotation of the year and a significant moment for the capital’s IPO market after a period of subdued activity.

The Essex-based bank has set its offer price at 370 pence per share, raising £50 million by selling 13.5 million new shares. A further 80.5 million shares are being sold by its current owner, Marlin Bidco, which BC Partners and Pollen Street Capital back. Around £25 million of the proceeds will come from retail investors through a public offer.

Unconditional trading on the main market is scheduled to begin next week. Founded in 2011, Shawbrook focuses on specialist lending across property finance, motor finance, and SME lending.

The listing comes amid renewed interest in London’s capital markets as several companies look to test investor appetite. Shawbrook’s return to public ownership follows eight years under private equity control, positioning the group for the next phase of its growth strategy.

Accessibility app impresses Dragons with powerful pitch

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Accessibility app impresses Dragons with powerful pitch
Simon Sansome, the creator of Snowball, a mobile app that describes itself as ‘the Trip Advisor for the disabled community’, has secured backing from all five moguls on Dragons’ Den. The show that aired last night (30th October) showed wheelchair user, Simon, impress the full panel of multimillionaire investors with his mobile app. Snowball allows people with a full range of disabilities, including hidden disabilities, to discover accessible services and locations throughout the UK – from parking and petrol stations, to health and hospitality. Leicestershire-based Simon, who experienced a life-changing injury in 2014, leaving him paralysed from the waist down, came up with the idea for the mobile app, which features user-generated content and reviews, after a Facebook page he created to raise awareness of accessible spots reached an audience of over 30m people. He went on to create the Snowball app for IoS and Android users. Peter Jones proposed the £80k investment was split equally among the five Dragons, who all rushed to secure a stake in Simon’s business, each offering £16k for a 5% share. Simon said: “When I received a clean sweep of all five Dragons, I was in shock. After eight years of hard work, it’s fair to say this was a very emotional moment for me. “The atmosphere in the studio was electric. As I shared my story and the journey behind Snowball, I could see the panel becoming more and more engaged. When Peter made an offer and said he was also willing to share with the other Dragons, I knew something special was happening. “To have all five of them eager to be part of the business was surreal – it’s every entrepreneur’s dream, and I’ll never forget that moment.” Third-party investment has been key in bringing Simon’s app to market, so when the opportunity to appear on the hit show came up, he jumped at the chance to secure both financial and strategic input from the A-list entrepreneurs.

East Midlands business confidence rises

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East Midlands business confidence rises
Business confidence in the East Midlands rose 14 points during October to 48%, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds. Companies in the East Midlands reported higher confidence in their own business prospects month-on-month, up 27 points at 69%. When taken alongside their optimism in the economy, up one point to 27%, this gives a headline confidence reading of 48% (vs. 34% in September). A net balance of 46% of businesses in the region also expect to increase staff levels over the next year, up six points on last month. Looking ahead to the next six months, East Midlands businesses identified their top target areas for growth as introducing new technology, such as AI or automation (53%), investing in their team, for example through training and development programmes (50%), and evolving their offering, for example by introducing new products or services (44%). The Business Barometer, which surveys 1,200 businesses monthly and which has been running since 2002, provides early signals about UK economic trends both regionally and nationwide. National picture  Overall, UK business confidence climbed eight points in October to 50%. Firms’ optimism in their own trading prospects rose 11 points to 62%, while their confidence in the wider economy climbed six points to 39%. The North East and West Midlands were the joint-most confident of any UK nation or region in October (both 62%), followed by London (60%). Sector insights  October saw the manufacturing sector’s confidence increase by 31 points to 62%, indicating stronger momentum in the sector. Retail firms also reported a rise in confidence, with the figure increasing by 13 points to 53%. Construction saw a confidence gain for the first time in five months, increasing 23 points to 58%. However, the service sector saw a decline for a third consecutive month, falling three points to 44%. Dave Atkinson, regional director for the East Midlands, said: “It’s encouraging to see not only a rise in confidence, but stronger optimism from businesses in their own trading prospects. “This reflects the work that local firms have done to boost their resilience and seek new opportunities – and it’s clear they’re not stopping here, with plans for technology, team and product investments on the horizon. We’ll continue to be ready with our support to help firms take these next steps for growth.”

Businesses urged to secure outdoor seating licences

April Lara
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Businesses urged to secure outdoor seating licences

Derbyshire Dales District Council has reminded hospitality businesses to apply for the correct licence before placing outdoor tables and chairs on pavements or other public land.

The reminder follows government legislation introduced in April 2024, which requires any business wishing to provide outdoor seating on the public highway to obtain a pavement licence from the council. The updated licensing framework replaced the temporary Covid-era system and was first publicised by the council in September 2024.

The licence permits businesses to place removable furniture outside their premises to sell or serve food and drink, or to allow customers to consume what they’ve purchased. Alcohol sales still require a separate licence. Businesses that previously held a valid pavement licence were reminded to renew by 30 September 2024, and all have since received updated approvals.

The council noted that some cafés, pubs, and restaurants may still be unaware of the requirement. Fees for a two-year licence range from £200 to £500 and apply to businesses such as bars, coffee shops, snack bars, and ice cream parlours, including those operating within supermarkets or entertainment venues.

Councillor Steve Wain, Chair of the Licensing and Appeals Committee at the District Council, said: “There are legal requirements for cafes with pavement seating, and we are encouraging businesses across the district to look at our website for more information and to get in touch so we can help them through the application process.

“We have not pursued businesses until now, because we know economic conditions in the hospitality industry have been tough. But pavement licensing was brought in by the Government for a reason, and we need to ensure pavements work for all users not just adjoining businesses. In particular, safe access for pedestrians, wheelchair users and people with buggies is always a priority.”

The council plans to write again to businesses early in 2026 to remind them to apply for a pavement licence if they intend to continue or begin offering outdoor seating. Businesses providing tables and chairs in public squares or market spaces will instead need a separate “sitting-out” licence covering the use of council-owned land.

Derby site services provider sold to investment firm

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Derby site services provider sold to investment firm
Millenium Site Services, a site services provider headquartered in Derby, has been sold to Maple House Capital. Founded in 2000 by Lee Quince, Millenium Site Services has grown into a nationally recognised one-stop-shop for spray painting, repair, and engineering services, predominantly serving the rail repair and refurbishment sector. The acquisition marks a significant milestone for Millenium, positioning the business for continued expansion across the UK’s transport infrastructure sector. Maple House Capital is a UK-based investment firm focused on thoughtful business succession and long-term value creation. Founded and led by Innocent Udia, Maple House seeks to acquire and actively manage a single established business with strong fundamentals and growth potential. The transaction involved the sale of Millenium Site Services (UK) Limited and Millenium Properties Limited, with shareholders Lee and Debra Quince and Danielle Clarke, who were advised throughout by PKF Smith Cooper’s corporate finance team. The transaction team at PKF Smith Cooper was led by corporate finance director David Crump, supported by assistant corporate finance manager Callum Leslie. Gary Devonshire, tax advisory partner, provided specialist tax advice to the sellers. Legal advice to the sellers was provided by Flint Bishop. The team comprised Martyn Brierley, partner and head of corporate, Mark Wilcock, corporate and finance partner, George Ottewell and Robert Devine, corporate and finance solicitors, and Janet Rhodes, partner and head of the commercial property team. David Crump said: “Millenium Site Services is a fantastic example of a family-run business that has grown through a commitment to quality, flexibility, and deep sector expertise. It was a privilege to support Lee, Debra, and Danielle in finding the right buyer to lead the next phase of the company’s journey. “We were particularly impressed by Innocent’s clarity of vision and commitment to long-term stewardship, which aligns well with the values and legacy of the Millenium team. We wish the team and Maple House Capital every success moving forward.” Martyn Brierley said: “It was a pleasure to work alongside the shareholders and the wider advisory team on this transaction. Millenium is a standout business with a strong reputation in its sector, and this deal represents a great outcome for all involved. We wish Innocent and the team every success as they take the business forward.” Lee Quince, founder of Millenium Site Services, added: “Selling the business was a huge decision for our family, and we’re incredibly grateful to PKF Smith Cooper for guiding us through every step with professionalism and care. Their advice was invaluable throughout. We also appreciated the support from the team at Flint Bishop, who ensured the legal process ran smoothly and efficiently.” Maple House Capital was advised on the acquisition by Buzzacotts and Marriott Harrison. Browne Jacobson advised HSBC who provided debt funding for the transaction.

Blue Lion expands with new Derby media training hub

April Lara
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Blue Lion expands with new Derby media training hub

Derby-based apprenticeship provider Blue Lion Training Academy has launched a new Marketing and Media Training Centre at the Derwent Business Centre to support employer-led upskilling in creative industries.

The academy, rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted, has broadened its apprenticeship offer with new facilities, including professional-standard podcasting, music production, and live-streaming studios, alongside a dedicated classroom. The expansion strengthens its focus on practical digital media and marketing training for both recruits and existing employees.

The new centre is part of Blue Lion’s wider commitment to bridging skills gaps across sectors such as marketing, PR, management, and business improvement. Employers can use government-backed apprenticeship schemes through Skills England to train staff in emerging media and communication roles, addressing increasing demand for in-house content creation and digital engagement.

The initiative aligns with recent government efforts to reform apprenticeship programmes and increase participation, supporting workforce development as a driver of economic growth. With the media centre’s addition, Blue Lion is positioning itself as a key regional partner for businesses looking to develop creative and technical skills within their teams.

Trio of lettings completed at Sutton in Ashfield business park

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Trio of lettings completed at Sutton in Ashfield business park
A trio of industrial lettings have been completed across warehouse units at Albert Martin Business Park in Sutton in Ashfield. Secur-IT, who specialise in security, fire safety and access control, has snapped up Unit 5, measuring 27,138ft², modular home maker Hus Modular has swooped for Unit 6, measuring 25,052ft², and UK Metering, who provide heating and cooling meters, has let Unit 10, measuring 22,715ft². The lettings follow significant landlord works to all the units. Anthony Barrowcliffe of FHP Property Consultants said: “After a substantial landlord refurbishment, I am pleased to have completed on three lettings at the Albert Martin Business Park for our client Ivygrove Developments Limited. “Three great tenants and a very hands-on landlord who alongside the full refurbishment undertook additional works to cater for each tenant’s requirements and tailored each letting to their individual needs.”
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