- A carefully curated mix of traditional and themed stalls, including quality fresh produce
- Make and trade stalls and creative spaces
- A cosmopolitan food court and bars
- Events and pop-up activity.
Derby’s Market Hall to reopen in May following £35.1m refurb
The doors to Derby’s historic Market Hall will open again to the public on Saturday 24 May – almost 159 years to the day since its original grand opening.
Visitors will see first hand the results of a multi-million-pound restoration, aimed at preserving the rich heritage of the Grade II-listed building while also introducing modern enhancements.
The Market Hall was officially declared open on 29 May 1866, by Mayor Frederick Longdon, where the occasion was marked with an appropriate inaugural ceremony, including a performance of Handel’s Messiah.
The transformed Market Hall will bring together independent shopping, eating, drinking and entertainment and will offer a variety of new features and experiences for visitors including:
Work to start on new council homes at former school site in Leicester
Work is set to start on the construction of more than 50 new affordable council homes at a former school site in the south of Leicester.
Leicester City Council plans to redevelop the derelict site of the former Newry and Southfield schools, in Eyres Monsell, for new housing.
The school buildings, which had stood empty for over a decade, were demolished in late 2022. This was supported by £360,000 of government funding from the One Public Estate (OPE) programme.
Now the council is ready to begin work to build 53 new council homes on the site. This will comprise of 44 houses and nine flats.
The new homes will be built to high eco-performance standards and feature a range of energy efficiency measures to cut their carbon cost and help future tenants save on energy bills.
After a competitive tendering process, the council has appointed GEDA, a construction, civil engineering, and development company, to oversee the construction of the new homes.
Cllr Elly Cutkelvin, assistant city mayor for housing, said: “The redevelopment of the vacant and disused Newry and Southfield school sites for new housing represents an important step in our wider strategy to address the housing crisis in the city.
“I’m pleased that construction work is now able to get under way on this complex and exciting project.
“It will provide dozens of new and much-needed council homes and help bring a vacant site back into use in a way that will bring real benefits to the local neighbourhood.
“We’ve set out an ambitious programme of creating new housing to try to meet the city’s urgent housing needs. Building new council houses to replace those lost to the Right to Buy scheme over the last few decades is an essential part of that.”
Colm McVeigh, Build GB Director at GEDA Construction, said: “We are delighted to be working with Leicester City Council and their design team to deliver 53 housing units at Southfield and Newry. This is an exemplar project, and the new homes will be built to high-performance standards.
“We’re also proud to working on a project that will have a huge and positive impact on the community, providing much-needed high-quality and affordable new homes for local residents.”
Contractors will move onto the site in the coming days, with construction work expected to take around 16 months to complete.
Proposals to see former Nottinghamshire school site transformed with housing and community hub
Proposals to transform a former village school site near Newark could be approved by Nottinghamshire County Council later this year.
The county council-owned land at the former Manners Sutton Primary School at Averham comprises of 1.2 acres and has been vacant since the school closed in 2021.
Now the county council has set out draft plans to bring the land back into use by demolishing the former school buildings and marketing part of the site for residential development – while a portion of it will be retained for community use.
It has instructed Arc Partnership, which is a joint venture between the county council and public sector procurement specialist SCAPE, to draft a masterplan of the site while work continues to move the scheme forward.
The ASK Hive group, which covers Averham and neighbouring Staythorpe and Kelham, is expected to acquire part of the land – once surveys and the masterplan have been concluded – to seek planning permission to build a new community hub.
County council leader, Councillor Sam Smith, said it was important that the small community had space to meet and host events and added that he was looking forward to working with ASK Hive to bring the proposals to fruition.
He said: “The proposals are at a very early stage, but we have been in discussions with ASK Hive about utilising an area of the site for the benefit of Averham and its neighbouring rural communities.
“I am delighted that we are at a stage where a masterplan will be drafted ahead of any planning applications for the site. I’m sure this news will be welcomed by the community who, for so long, have had nowhere to meet or stage village events.
“As a council, we are also bound by law to get best value for money for the land – so that’s why we have earmarked part of it for residential development to meet those criteria.”
Councillor Sue Saddington, divisional member for Farndon and Trent which covers Averham, has been working with the community to move the proposed project forward.
She said: “Averham and the surrounding rural communities haven’t had anywhere where they can meet or stage events.
“When it was King Charles’ coronation, they struggled to find a place to mark the historic occasion and they experienced similar issues for other landmark occasions such as VE Day and the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
“In fact, when they wanted to plant a tree for the coronation, they had to use the land at Staythorpe Power Station while this site has stood empty.
“I believe it makes perfect sense for ASK Hive to have part of this site for community use and that is why I got the ball rolling by asking Cllr Smith to see if it could be done.
“I’m delighted we’ve been able to reach this stage, and I’d like to thank Cllr Smith for his support.”
Councillor Keith Girling, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Asset Management, said the plans highlighted the county council’s commitment to supporting grassroots communities in Nottinghamshire.
He said: “Here at Nottinghamshire County Council we are committed to helping to improve the lives of residents, whether that’s by investing millions of pounds in new schools and libraries or by making the best use of county council assets for the benefit of communities.
“A lot of work has already gone into this project, and I look forward to working with our partners to help achieve the best possible outcome for all parties.”
Bob McGhee, secretary of ASK Hive, said his group’s vision was to create a facility ‘fit for purpose’ to be enjoyed by future generations.
He said: “We’ve had an extremely productive meeting with Nottinghamshire county councillors, who have been driving this forward led by Cllr Sue Saddington.
“During the meeting, we briefly explained to them about the site, its potential to the community and the value it will generate over many years. This is the first huge milestone of three.
“The other two are creating a building and grounds fit for purpose and building confidence and usage over generations.”
Nottingham fabrication firm sold with laser-like precision
Laser Expertise, a fabrication specialist established for over 40 years, has been sold to Parklands Capital – who will aim to build on the company’s “fantastic legacy.”
Based in Nottingham and operating nationally, Laser Expertise has continued to expand since moving to its current facility in 2002. With over 30,000 sq ft of workshop space and employing over 80 people, the company has become one of the UK’s leading laser cutters.
Anton Schwarz and Dr John Powell founded Laser Expertise in 1984. In a deal led by Matthew Sibley, KBS Corporate Associate Director, the company was sold to Parklands Capital, a private fund which invests in established UK SMEs with ambitious management teams and strong growth prospects.
“Laser Expertise’s commitment to providing all our clients with the highest quality products, focusing on the design and manufacturing processes to ensure repeatable quality, is identical to Parklands Capital’s commitment to making acquisitions seamless,” said Anton Schwarz.
In a message of reassurance to clients, Anton added: “We would like to reinforce that the team responsible for the exceptional quality and service you have become accustomed to will continue to be directed by Amanda, Lee, Matt and Richard, supported by John and myself.
“The contacts you currently deal with for all facets of the business will remain the same, along with the company name and contact details.
“Together, they look forward to strengthening our range of quality products and services and continuing to listen to you, our customers. We thank you for your business over all these years.”
Tony Rudden, co-founder and CEO of Parklands Capital, said: “This is a very exciting opportunity for the entire team at Laser Expertise.
“With the support and infrastructure of the Parklands Capital group, Laser Expertise will be able to continue to innovate and invest in the latest technologies, delivering even greater levels of quality, service and metalwork to all our clients.”
Matthew Sibley of KBS Corporate said: “Anton and John of Laser Expertise have created a growing company that, in facilitating their retirement, is being transitioned into a group of similar companies to continue to prosper.
“Parklands were good to work with too, being amiable, explaining their intentions and goals to the vendors and I throughout, and generally open to commercially focused compromise.
“I’d also like to thank Adam Gilbert of AG Corporate Law for representing the vendors in the transaction, ensuring they were fully aware and understanding of all the legal elements throughout, whilst providing any and all support needed.”
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
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
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
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
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
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.
