Northamptonshire gains Local Visitor Economy Partnership accreditation

Tess Egginton
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Northamptonshire gains Local Visitor Economy Partnership accreditation
A joint bid for a Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP) for Northamptonshire has been approved by VisitEngland, paving the way for a more co-ordinated and strategic approach to promoting the tourism sector. Local Visitor Economy Partnerships have been introduced as part of the government’s response to an independent review of how the nation’s visitor economy is co-ordinated and promoted and will have the potential to draw in additional support and funding from Westminster. This new national portfolio of LVEPs will work in collaboration locally, regionally and nationally on shared priorities and targets to support and grow the visitor economy. As well as achieving a nationally recognised official status, LVEPs will provide strong leadership and management of their destinations. Working collaboratively with the public and private sector, they will help to shape and deliver national strategy and activities to promote sustainable growth. The new partnership for Northamptonshire, which has been approved by a panel involving VisitEngland and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, will ensure that the greatest benefits are achieved for Northamptonshire’s visitor economy. As an LVEP, the Discover Northamptonshire partnership will have access to resources and guidance from VisitEngland on product distribution, business support and the opportunity to bid for funding and marketing. As part of the LVEP’s marketing, local activity is already being aligned with Visit Britain’s national ‘Starring GREAT Britain’ campaign alongside the opportunity to tap into wider campaigns across the country in the future. An important strand of support will be highlighting available government funding streams as well as developing and providing a ‘toolkit’ to help the LVEP with bids to those streams. Cllr Helen Howell, North Northamptonshire Council’s Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Sport, Leisure, Culture and Tourism, said: “We are so excited to have achieved our LVEP accreditation – this is a massive milestone and opens up so many doors to boosting tourism in Northamptonshire. “The co-ordinated approach over the past 3 years, involving both councils and partners from across the tourism sector in Northamptonshire, will help us to realise the full potential of the visitor economy. “Our amazing range of independent and small businesses within the tourism and hospitality sector provide unique experiences for visitors, along with a huge range of flexible and interesting careers for people working in the industry. “Now its time to harness the unique nature of Northamptonshire and as the accountable body, we’ll be working closely with West Northamptonshire Council and the LVEP Board to develop a Growth Plan for the area to help deliver our ambitious plans. “We are in a really strong position given the recent adoption of the Northamptonshire Tourism Strategy, we have a team in place and are already hitting the ground running with our partners, we are also excited to be showcasing Northamptonshire as a must see destination for group travel, just one of the target markets, at the British Tourism and Travel Show on 19 and 20 March. We are also developing a business support package, with events and activities planned for English Tourism Week again in March. “I am delighted that the collaboration between North and West Northamptonshire Councils along with our sector partners has achieved this accreditation, huge thanks to both sets of officers for their support and hard work, we have a long way to go but with everyone pushing in the same direction we can put Northamptonshire firmly on the map.” Cllr Daniel Lister, Cabinet Member for Local Economy, Culture, and Leisure at West Northamptonshire Council, said: “Securing the LVEP accreditation is a game-changer for Northamptonshire’s tourism sector. This recognition will not only enhance our strategic approach to promoting the area but also unlock new opportunities for funding and support from the government. “With tourism contributing over £1 billion annually and supporting more than 30,000 jobs, this partnership allows us to harness the full potential of our vibrant visitor economy and put Northamptonshire on the map as a must visit destination. “We look forward to collaborating with local businesses and stakeholders to showcase Northamptonshire’s unique attractions and drive sustainable growth in the sector.” Richard Clinton, Chair of Discover Northamptonshire Local Visitor Economy Partnership, said: “Northamptonshire has a unique opportunity to elevate its visitor economy, attracting new investment, creating jobs, and showcasing the rich experiences our county has to offer. “There is no better year to achieve this status than the year in which the Northamptonshire hosts the Women’s Rugby World Cup, celebrates 75 years of Formula 1 all alongside a cultural programme remembering the anniversary of the Great Fire of Northampton. “Securing LVEP accreditation is a significant achievement, made possible by the dedication and collaboration of North Northamptonshire Council, West Northamptonshire Council and all our partners across the public and private sectors. “While challenges remain, this partnership brings a coordinated, strategic approach that will unlock new funding and support, allowing us to compete on a national stage. By working together, we can ensure Northamptonshire is firmly on the map as a must-visit destination.”

Final phase completes at Indurent Park Burton

Tess Egginton
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Final phase completes at Indurent Park Burton
Indurent, a developer, owner and operator of industrial and logistics space across the UK, has competed the speculative development of the fifth and final phase at Indurent Park Burton, delivering over 392,000 sq ft across five warehouse units. Following the completion of this final phase, a total of 1m sq ft of industrial workspace has been delivered at the Park since 2017. The new units, which range from 38,000 sq ft to 173,000 sq ft and could support up to 500 jobs, have been developed according to the ‘Indurent Code’ of sustainable construction, achieving BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and EPC ‘A’ standards, as well as providing EV charging infrastructure. The buildings offer up to 15m clear internal height and Grade A office space making them adaptable for a range of uses. Indurent Park Burton is a major employment hub, supporting 1,500 jobs with employers including Hellman Worldwide Logistics, Supply Technologies, Keylite Roof Windows, London City Bond, LIT Logistics Solutions and Gousto. It forms part of a wider 175-acre regeneration scheme that will deliver up to 660 new homes set within new woodland and landscaped parkland, being brought forward by St Modwen. Ben Silcock, Senior Development Manager at Indurent, said: “The completion of the latest phase at Burton underlines our confidence that businesses will continue to be attracted to Burton as a fast-growing hub for manufacturing and logistics. “It’s exceptional connectivity, large labour pool and the delivery of housing and other community infrastructure will continue to underpin economic growth and demand for industrial workspace.”

Staffline sells PeoplePlus to focus on recruitment activities

Tess Egginton
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0
Staffline sells PeoplePlus to focus on recruitment activities
Staffline, the Nottingham-based recruitment and training group, has disposed of its wholly owned subsidiary, PeoplePlus to Talent International (UK) Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Swipejobs, for cash consideration of £12m. PeoplePlus is a workplace training and employability business whose purpose is to help people transform their lives, get jobs and keep jobs, and develop their careers. The division works with employers to develop inclusive workforces and with central, local and devolved governments to support their economic and social policy ambitions. Creating social value in this way, PeoplePlus aims to ensure that every person of working age can participate in paid work, including vulnerable and disadvantaged people, as part of a more dynamic economy with greater levels of social inclusion in which no one is left behind. For FY 2024, PeoplePlus contributed approximately £65m of revenues to the group and generated profit before tax of approximately £1.3m, with gross assets of £16m, at 31 December 2024. Albert Ellis, Chief Executive Officer of Staffline, said: “PeoplePlus has played an important part in developing Staffline’s service offering over a number of years but with our strategic ambitions centred on our fast growing recruitment activities as opposed to training and education, now feels like the opportune moment to implement this change. “I would like to thank all the staff at PeoplePlus and wish them a prosperous future under their new owners. “Moving forward, we can have greater focus and cash resource for our market leading recruitment activities, which delivered outstanding results across 2024. We see significant opportunities for organic growth in our remaining recruitment divisions and will accelerate value creation for Staffline shareholders going forward.”

Midlands Connect to update business case for Coventry-Leicester rail link

April Lara
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Midlands Connect to update business case for Coventry-Leicester rail link

Midlands Connect is revising its strategic outline business case (SOBC) for reinstating a direct rail service between Coventry and Leicester. Currently, passengers must transfer at Nuneaton, adding time and complexity to the journey.

The updated business case will be presented at an event on February 28 at the Coventry Transport Museum, where political representatives and business leaders will discuss the economic and connectivity benefits of restoring the link. Speakers include Coventry East MP Mary Creagh, Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber CEO Corin Crane, and East Midlands Chamber policy director Richard Blackmore.

UK business creation falls to lowest level in eight years

April Lara
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UK business creation falls to lowest level in eight years

According to Cynergy Bank’s analysis of ONS data, the number of new businesses in the UK fell to 306,995 in 2024, marking the lowest level since 2017. At the same time, the average turnover of failing businesses has reached a record high, indicating that even well-established firms are struggling in the current economic climate.

Job creation through new businesses remains weak, with a net gain of only 13,754 jobs in 2024, a sharp decline from the 348,845 jobs added in 2017. The latest data also highlights a growing divide across industries. Agriculture has been the hardest hit, with only half of closing businesses being replaced. Manufacturing, production, wholesale trade, and transportation are also facing significant challenges, struggling to keep up with business closures.

In contrast, health and social care businesses are expanding rapidly, likely due to increased private sector involvement in areas where the NHS is under strain. The education sector, including all schooling and vocational training levels, is also growing, while real estate businesses continue to show resilience.

Regionally, London remains the strongest performer, with more new businesses opening than closing. However, the East Midlands and Wales are experiencing the steepest decline in business health, with closure rates outpacing new formations.

Horncastle industrial estate expansion moves forward with £1.9m investment

April Lara
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Horncastle industrial estate expansion moves forward with £1.9m investment

Construction has begun on the expansion of business land at Spratt Close in Horncastle, backed by a £1.5 million investment from Lincolnshire County Council and £400,000 from East Lindsey District Council. The project, known as Hornbeam Business Park, will create three serviced development plots across four acres and aim to generate over 65 jobs.

The initiative is part of a broader £20 million county-wide investment in business infrastructure over the next four years, targeting key sectors such as manufacturing, defence, and agri-food. Additional industrial estate expansions are planned in West Lindsey, East Lindsey, and Boston, to create 3,000 jobs.

Lindum Construction is managing the site development, which was procured via the Scape regional construction framework. The expansion includes new road infrastructure designed to improve access and attract further business investment.

Experienced CEO appointed chair of Promethean Particles

Tess Egginton
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Experienced CEO appointed chair of Promethean Particles
Nottingham-based Promethean Particles, a manufacturer of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), has appointed Paul Capell as its new Board chair. Paul, an accomplished CEO, non-executive director and strategic advisor, brings with him vast experience of launching and scaling up businesses across a range of industries, including oil and gas, water, renewables, and construction. His appointment follows the successful completion of Promethean Particles’ £8 million Series A financing round last year, which saw it attract investment led by Mercia Ventures and Aramco Ventures. The investment is now being used to help fund Promethean Particles’ pioneering work into the large-scale manufacture of MOFs, which are tiny crystal structures with extremely large internal surface areas. James Stephenson, chief executive officer of Promethean Particles, said: “I am delighted to announce Paul’s appointment. He brings a wealth of experience at a key time for Promethean Particles as we work to scale up the production of MOFs and seek new commercial partners. “His enthusiasm, knowledge, and connections in the application spaces we’re targeting for our MOFs are huge assets and we are delighted that he has chosen to join us at the start of a critically important chapter in our history.” MOFs can be used for a variety of purposes, including storing gas and liquids, dehumidification and water harvesting, and trapping the carbon dioxide (CO2) created by the burning of industrial fuels – properties which mean they have increasingly been identified as a promising advanced material to help in the fight against climate change. Traditional methods of manufacturing MOFs have presented challenges that have limited their growth in industrial applications. However, Promethean Particles has developed proprietary continuous-flow reactors that it says not only improve throughput and cost of MOF production, but also maintain their key performance properties whilst increasing process reliability and consistency. The company is now collaborating with a growing number of commercial partners to demonstrate the performance of MOFs in real-world applications. Paul’s appointment will help accelerate this work, thanks to his experience of having previously worked with international businesses and a number of private equity funds and family offices. He currently serves as a non-executive chairman for Evolution Aqua Group Ltd, Johnsons Aggregates and Recycling Ltd., and Myriad CEG Group Ltd. He also holds an advisory role with A1 Water & Power Group (Abu Dhabi) and was previously a main board director at United Utilities Plc. He also held senior executive roles at Weir Group PLC and Veolia Water. He said: “I feel very honoured to be joining Promethean Particles at such a vital time in its development. “It has already shown outstanding levels of innovation, excellence and commitment to overcoming the hurdles that stand in the way of us being able to harness these incredible materials to help tackle climate change. “The work that is taking place here is cutting-edge and it will be extremely exciting to be a part of Promethean Particles’ ambitions to ensuring MOFs fulfil the potential that they have been showing for many years now.”

Unit sold on Nottingham industrial estate

Tess Egginton
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Unit sold on Nottingham industrial estate
FHP has sold the former JK Design & Manufacture Limited premises on Private Road No.1, Colwick Industrial Estate, Nottingham. The 18,701ft² property on a 1.2 acre plot comprises a two storey office block, production/warehouse space, a car park, and a self contained rear yard. The buyer has decided to retain FHP as their letting agents whilst they undertake a substantial refurbishment. The unit has already been stripped out and brand new cladding has been ordered. Works scheduled include full refurbishment of the office block, new roller shutter doors, new cladding on all elevations, redecoration throughout, new lighting, replacement/repair of roof lights, external landscaping, new fencing and car park re-lining. The property’s EPC will also be significantly improved. Anthony Barrowcliffe of FHP said: “We are delighted that we managed to sell this building and to do so off market, this method suited the vendor as well as the purchaser. The purchaser has already commenced the full refurbishment and we are delighted that we have been retained to find them a new tenant. “I have worked alongside the purchaser previously and am very excited to see the high level of refurbishment that they will undertake and to see the end product once the refurbishment has completed which is expected for April 2025. “We are always hungry for new freehold instructions and have a fantastic database of live requirements and clients who are eager to buy alongside a really good database of tenants looking to let, especially within Nottingham.”

East Lindsey District Council approves £7.83M investment for economic growth

April Lara
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East Lindsey District Council approves £7.83M investment for economic growth

East Lindsey District Council has allocated £7.83 million from its £10 million East Lindsey Investment Fund to support community development, tourism, business growth, and infrastructure improvements. The funding includes £1 million for the new ‘Pride in Place’ grant scheme, which will finance community-led projects to improve safety, transport, local amenities, and environmental initiatives.

A total of £1.8 million will go toward tourism-related projects, with a significant portion allocated to The Woodland Trust for the restoration of Harrison Woodlands near Louth. The 483-acre site, currently in poor condition and closed to the public, will be rehabilitated and reopened. Another £1.25 million will be used for place and asset improvements, including shopfront renovations, upgraded signage, and car park enhancements in key areas like Sutton on Sea. Cultural events and arts engagement will receive £650,000, while £250,000 will support heritage projects, including market revitalization and infrastructure to promote the Lincolnshire Wolds as a tourist destination.

Business support funding will be directed toward hosting networking events, increasing access to skills and jobs through local education and training providers, and providing sector-specific grants for green technology investments. The fund will also support the development of new employment sites in the district. The council expects these investments to strengthen the local economy, attract visitors, and enhance residents’ overall quality of life. Details on the ‘Pride in Place’ grant scheme will be released when applications open.

Trio of tenants secured at Market Harborough business park

Tess Egginton
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Trio of tenants secured at Market Harborough business park
Three businesses have secured premises at a Market Harborough business park after specialist commercial property consultancy, Wells McFarlane negotiated new lettings. New tenants at Lawrence House, part of Bowden Business Village on the town’s northern edge, include The Reformer Studio Ltd in Unit 5 (1,325 sq ft) and Berry Wealth Management in Unit 4 (1,325 sq ft). Completing the trio of lettings is a renewal of Unit 1 Bowden Inn Farm (298 sq ft) to an existing tenant, a private company. Wells McFarlane’s director, Jason Hercock manages Bowden Business Village and has negotiated all three transactions. Jason said: “With its converted barn buildings and easily accessible location just off the A6, Bowden Business Village has been a sought-after destination for many years. “Following its sale in 2022, we have worked closely with the new landlord to make incremental improvements across the park without losing the essence that makes it such an attractive workplace. “To have secured this series of lettings in rapid succession confirms Bowden Business Village as one of Market Harborough’s most popular business parks. We wish all three businesses every success in their new premises.” For one of the new tenants, The Reformer Studio Ltd, Lawrence House represents its eighth premises. The firm’s executive director, Holly Essuman said: “We’d seen incredible demand for our classes in our Stoneygate studio and knew we wanted to expand further into Leicestershire. Lawrence House fitted our model perfectly. It’s easily accessible with plenty of parking yet is surrounded by peaceful countryside. “We’re thankful that Wells McFarlane and the landlord understood our vision and were extremely supportive as we transformed a conventional office space into our signature Reformer Studio blueprint. “Jason and the team were an absolute dream to work with. From signing the lease to having our doors open, the entire process took just six weeks, so it was the fastest studio launch we’ve ever had! Their professionalism and efficiency played a major role in making this expansion a reality.”
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