Trent Bridge Care Home scoops Best Architectural Design at Healthcare Design Awards

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Trent Bridge Care Home scoops Best Architectural Design at Healthcare Design Awards
The team behind Trent Bridge Care Home are celebrating after winning Best Architectural Design at the Healthcare Design Awards. The home, developed and operated by Tanglewood, was up against strong opposition across the country, including a £35m, 40 bedroom Learning Disability scheme in Liverpool, Dyson Cancer Centre in Bath, Edenbridge Memorial Health Centre in Kent, Melwood Grange care home in Ryston, and Whitstable House in Whitstable. Designed by C Squared Architects, Trent Bridge Care Home is a luxury new facility offering residential, dementia, and respite care located in West Bridgford. The interiors, designed by Care Home Interiors, focuses on the location near sports facilities, to make Trent Bridge Care Home one of a kind. The design was developed with the residents who would be living there in mind, resulting in a home which is community focused, making it a welcoming place with plenty of room for community groups, meetings, and events. Offering 72 bedrooms arranged over five storeys with a rooftop terrace on the sixth floor, it is set on a comparatively small and irregular-shaped site. Four residents’ communities are created, one per floor, above ground floor level. Each community has a maximum of 18 residents and these are supported by their own open-plan lounge/dining room and separate quiet lounge. In addition, each floor has an assisted bathroom, assisted WC, and ancillary rooms. The home also has communal facilities on the ground floor including a bistro café, activity room, garden lounge, hair and beauty salon, and a cinema/multi-purpose room. Each community has access to the outdoors with a range of spaces, whether that be from a secure large balcony off the lounge/dining room, the ground-floor communal gardens, or the communal rooftop terrace which has views across the Nottingham skyline and directly into Trent Bridge Cricket Ground. The residents’ lounge and dining rooms have been located in a central location where the two 8/10-bedroom wings meet for ease of wayfinding. The interior has been thoughtfully designed with dementia in mind, with short corridors, lots of natural light, and destination points, as well as utilising colour, light, texture, and materiality to support the care needs of the residents. The judges said: “This blew us away. It was very brave to choose such a city centre location next to very, very busy roads, but we have rarely been to a care home so warm and welcoming from the moment you walk in. “The residents we spoke to loved it there. There are so many great breakout areas and the verticality shortens travel times for residents who may have issues with mobility. The whole building feels light and airy and it has been extremely cleverly designed. “We have this mental image of a care home as being typically suburban, low level, and often sprawling, and this is really showing a different way of doing things and could lead to a paradigm change. This cannot have been an easy brief, but it has been done very, very well.”

Loughborough event firm snapped up following fall into administration

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Loughborough event firm snapped up following fall into administration
veSpace, the Swindon-based venue, event and production company, has expanded its portfolio of businesses with Noble Events. veSpace has acquired the trade and assets of the Loughborough-based event firm, which also has an office in Dubai, following its fall into administration. FRP Advisory were recently appointed administrators of the business, which has been delivering events since 2008, holding long-term partnerships with major global brands such as Bentley Motors and Honda. veSpace said: “We are delighted to announce that veSpace International Limited has acquired the trade and assets of Noble Events Limited; an award-winning agency who works with some of the worlds’ leading brands. This addition extends our incredible portfolio of companies. “Their culture, ethos and team spirit absolutely echo our own brand values. Under the veSpace umbrella, Noble Events will have continuity of service for their clients and security for the talented team members.”

Speculative development starts on final phase at Derby manufacturing hub

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Speculative development starts on final phase at Derby manufacturing hub
Indurent, a developer, owner and operator of industrial and logistics space across the UK, has started the speculative development of the final phase at Indurent Park Derby, the 50-acre estate for high-tech manufacturing, R&D and logistics. The new unit, which will incorporate 43,000 sq ft of Grade A office space, will be delivered to the Indurent Code for sustainable development and target BREEAM ‘Excellent’ for sustainability and EPC ‘A’ for energy efficiency. Originally conceived as a seven-year, six-phase scheme, Indurent Park Derby will be completed in just four years in response to high demand in the region for modern industrial workspace with strong ESG credentials. The Park is currently home to Rolls Royce, which occupies a 148,000 sq ft facility completed in 2024, as well as heat pump manufacturer Vaillant, Swedish medical technology company Getinge, and a national training centre for Kia. Winvic Construction Ltd is the principal contractor for the final phase, having successfully delivered the previous three phases at the Park. Rob Richardson, Development Director at Indurent, said: “The start of the final phase at Derby is a significant milestone and the accelerated development programme underlines our conviction for the location as one of the UK’s fastest-growing manufacturing hubs. “The Park is home to a wide range of businesses and supports hundreds of high-skilled jobs, reflecting the adaptability of modern industrial buildings. We anticipate strong interest in the final unit as demand for modern, high-spec space in the region continues to outweigh supply.” Danny Nelson, Managing Director – Industrial, Distribution & Logistics at Winvic, said: “We’re proud to continue our partnership with Indurent, delivering the final phase of Indurent Park Derby – a testament to our commitment to supporting our clients in meeting the demand for high-quality, sustainable, manufacturing, R&D, and logistics space. “As with the earlier phases we’ve successfully completed, our expertise and strong collaboration will support us in meeting the fast-track programme and we look forward to handing over the project in December 2025.” Knight Frank and Savills are instructed as agents on the final unit.

Howden expands aviation insurance with Forbes and Hill acquisitions

April Lara
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Howden expands aviation insurance with Forbes and Hill acquisitions

Howden has acquired Forbes Insurance Limited and the book of business from Hill Aviation Insurance Services Limited, strengthening its aviation insurance capabilities in the UK. Both companies will be rebranded under Howden and integrated into a new retail aviation division within Howden UK&I.

Forbes Insurance, based in Leicestershire, specializes in aviation coverage for airfield operators, maintenance firms, product suppliers, and aircraft owners. CEO Terry Moyes will lead Howden’s aviation division and oversee a new Leicester office. Hill Aviation, founded in 1991 in North Yorkshire, will transfer its book of business to Howden, with founder Steve Hill retiring from the industry.

The expansion adds to Howden’s network of over 200 UK and Ireland locations and aligns with its strategy to enhance specialist expertise.

Rising inflation puts pressure on East Midlands businesses

April Lara
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Rising inflation puts pressure on East Midlands businesses

Inflation climbed to 3% in January, up from 2.5% in December, marking a 10-month high, according to the Office for National Statistics. The increase surpasses the Bank of England’s 2% target and could force businesses to raise prices.

East Midlands Chamber reports that inflation remains a significant concern for local businesses, with 60% expecting to increase prices, according to its Quarterly Economic Survey. Rising costs, including the upcoming National Insurance hike in April, add further strain.

The Bank of England’s response is now in focus, as the inflation spike may delay expected interest rate cuts in March. Economists still anticipate rates to fall later this year. Business leaders urge the government to provide economic stability and targeted support in its upcoming spending review.

London calling (again) for Nottingham’s OTB Legal

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London calling (again) for Nottingham’s OTB Legal
The Nottingham-headquartered UK immigration law firm, OTB Legal, has moved swiftly to further boost the expertise of its personal immigration team, with Laura Ralph joining the firm as Associate Solicitor at its London office. Laura joins the team in the capital hot on the heels of her new colleague Natasha Mitter, who arrived last week. Graduating from the University of Essex in 2010 with a First-Class Honours degree in Law and completing the LPC with distinction at the College of Law in 2013, Laura is an experienced and knowledgeable immigration solicitor. Laura qualified as a solicitor in 2015, practicing exclusively in immigration law for the last decade and has held Senior Caseworker membership under the Law Society’s Immigration and Asylum Accreditation Scheme. The continued growth of the team at OTB Legal’s London office builds on the momentum of the location being opened last summer, which itself was preceded by the opening of their new Manchester office earlier in 2024. Commenting on Laura’s appointment, Director Mark Lilley-Tams said: “OTB Legal is in a planned phase of consistent growth and we are delighted to be able to add someone with such focused expertise as Laura to our personal immigration team so soon after welcoming Natasha Mitter. They are both excellent solicitors and will be fantastic assets for us as a firm and for our clients.” Offering expert legal advice and support from sponsor licences and skilled worker Visas to spouse Visas and citizenship, OTB Legal has grown consistently from its Chase Park headquarters just outside Nottingham. Commenting on her new role, Laura said: “It is immediately clear on arriving here at OTB Legal that this is a firm that is modern, ambitious and is not afraid to look at things from a fresh perspective. I particularly look forward to bringing my specialist knowledge of family-based applications under Appendix FM to OTB Legal and representing clients with appeals to the immigration tribunal where appropriate.”

First details revealed for new £5m battery pack production facility in Northamptonshire

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First details revealed for new £5m battery pack production facility in Northamptonshire
Software-accelerated battery pack developer, IONETIC, has revealed the first details of an all-new £5 million smart battery production pilot facility in the UK. Called Arc Fab Pilot, the phase one battery pack manufacturing plant in Brackley is set to be brought online in 2025 and has been designed to significantly slash the time-to-market and development costs for electric vehicles – reducing risk for automakers needing custom battery packs and providing a local approach to battery-pack manufacture in light of ongoing uncertainty affecting the EV sector. The 5,000 sq ft facility will also serve as IONETIC’s global HQ and industrialisation centre, creating 30 high-skill jobs in its first phase. The £5 million Arc Fab Pilot facility will be fully-operational by Q3 2025, having opened in Q4 2024, marking a key step in IONETIC’s mission to provide specialist OEMs – such as those producing trucks, buses, off-highway and commercial vehicles – with a rapid, cost-effective route to high-quality, customised EV battery packs. James Eaton, CEO and Co-Founder of IONETIC, said: “With EV adoption accelerating, OEMs need effective, flexible battery solutions. By embedding agility into the core of our production model, we’re removing the most significant barriers to custom EV battery production; cost, time, risk and scalability. “Arc Fab Pilot will be the first step towards unleashing the potential of our Arc technology stack, allowing us to produce custom battery packs at a speed and price point that the current market simply doesn’t allow for, from right here in the UK.” The Arc Fab Pilot Facility will use automation hardware and integrated control systems from Rockwell Automation, as well as software such as Emulate3D platform to build comprehensive digital twins of IONETIC’s production facilities.

Mansfield School secures £2.5M refurbishment contract

April Lara
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Mansfield School secures £2.5M refurbishment contract

High Oakham Primary School in Mansfield has been awarded a £2.5 million refurbishment contract as part of Nottinghamshire County Council’s School Building Improvement Programme. Scheduled to begin later this year, the project will involve critical upgrades, including a new roof, lighting, ceilings, and fire alarm systems. These improvements ensure the school meets modern safety standards and supports a productive learning environment.

Arc Partnership, a joint venture between Nottinghamshire County Council and SCAPE, will manage the project’s design and delivery. They will use their expertise in public sector construction to oversee cost management and project execution. This partnership highlights the growing trend of public-private collaborations in large-scale infrastructure projects.

The project is expected to create significant opportunities for local subcontractors in the construction, design, and materials sectors, potentially boosting the local economy. The refurbishment aligns with the council’s ongoing efforts to invest in public sector buildings, demonstrating a commitment to improving facilities while offering businesses the chance to engage in high-value public contracts.

Rutland and Kings Veterinary Centres strengthen services with Linnaeus partnership

April Lara
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Rutland and Kings Veterinary Centres strengthen services with Linnaeus partnership

Rutland and Kings Veterinary Centres, a prominent veterinary group in the East Midlands, has joined the Linnaeus network, enhancing their services and facilities. The group includes four Rutland sites and two Kings branches, with the Syston location recently undergoing significant expansion, adding more theatres, consult rooms, and additional facilities.

The merger also facilitates the relocation of Kings’ Melton Mowbray practice to a larger, purpose-built facility that includes specialised rooms for dental procedures, two theatres, and modern imaging capabilities.

The integration with Linnaeus will offer staff expanded training and development opportunities while ensuring the continuation of the high-quality care Rutland and Kings are known for. The practices remain committed to supporting new graduate veterinary surgeons and student nurses, with staff holding advanced qualifications in multiple specializations.

Linnaeus is poised to support the teams in delivering 24/7 emergency care and compassionate service to the local community.

Nottingham Council property auction raises over £10 Million

April Lara
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Nottingham Council property auction raises over £10 Million

Nottingham City Council has raised over £10 million through an auction of its properties, with some assets fetching up to 30% above their expected sale prices. The auction, hosted by Acuitus, attracted significant interest from local and national investors, with 79 registered bidders.

Among the sold assets was Mortimer House, a Grade II listed property located opposite Nottingham Castle. This building, which houses the Castle pub and the Fothergills restaurant, along with offices and residential flats, was sold for £1.55 million. Despite the sale, business continues as usual for the operators, who hold a secure lease. The identity of the new owner has not been disclosed.

A car park at a Morrisons supermarket in Clifton also saw intense bidding, ultimately selling for over £1 million—more than double its guide price. Other notable sales included three freehold investments on Salisbury Square Industrial Estate, which raised between £1.4 million and £1.7 million, and an industrial site with eight units at Gauntley Court, which sold for £1.8 million.

The sales come as Nottingham City Council seeks to address financial challenges following its declaration of bankruptcy in November 2023. The council has increasingly turned to asset sales to fund operational costs, with the liquidation of Robin Hood Energy, a venture set up by the council, leaving significant unpaid debts. The final liquidation report revealed claims totaling £67.1 million, with only £13.7 million of those debts paid out.

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