Earthworks and ground improvement contractor expands with South Normanton office
ZTL Contracting, a UK earthworks and ground improvement contractor, has opened a new office in South Normanton, Alfreton, marking a significant milestone in its growth strategy.
This strategic expansion positions the company to better serve its growing portfolio of projects across the Midlands region and creates 35 new jobs.
The decision to establish a presence in Alfreton aligns with ZTL’s vision of expanding its footprint and capitalising on burgeoning opportunities in one of the UK’s most vibrant construction markets. In 2023, ZTL achieved £28 million turnover.
The expansion is part of the company’s broader growth strategy, designed to leverage opportunities within the logistics and infrastructure sectors.
Wayne Morris, Managing Director of ZTL Contracting, said: “The Midlands region represents a vibrant landscape of new opportunities and growth for our industry. By establishing our new office in Alfreton, we’re not just expanding our geographical footprint; we’re aligning with the heart of where development is most dynamic.
“This is an exciting time for ZTL as we delve into projects that not only challenge us but also enable us to contribute significantly to the region’s economic and infrastructural development. We’re here to build a better tomorrow, and the Midlands is a key part of that vision.”
Manufacturing output falls in the three months to September
Manufacturing output volumes fell sharply in the three months to September, according to the CBI’s latest Industrial Trends Survey (ITS). Manufacturers expect output to decline again in the three months to December, the first-time expectations have been negative since November 2023.
Both total and export order books deteriorated in September, relative to August, and were reported as well below their long-run averages. Expectations for selling price inflation eased in September, with prices expected to rise at a rate close to the long-run average. Meanwhile, stock adequacy (for finished goods) fell slightly, but remains close to the long-run average.
The survey, based on the responses of 275 manufacturers, found:
- Output volumes fell sharply in the three months to September, following a more modest decline in the quarter to August (weighted balance of -20% from -9% in the three months to August). Looking ahead, output is expected to fall in the three months to December (-7%), the first-time expectations have been negative since November 2023.
- Output decreased in 14 out of 17 sub-sectors in the three months to September, with the fall driven by the motor vehicles & transport, metal products and paper, printing & media sub-sectors.
- Total order books were reported as below “normal” in September and deteriorated relative to last month (-35% from -22%). The level of order books remained significantly below the long run average (-13%).
- Export order books were also seen as below “normal” and deteriorated considerably relative to last month (-44% from -22%). This was also far below the long-run average (-18%) and left export order books at their weakest since December 2020.
- Expectations for average selling price inflation softened in September (+8% from +15% in August), with the balance standing close to the long-run average (+7%).
- Stocks of finished goods were seen as more than “adequate” in September (+11% from +15% in August), broadly similar to the long-run average (+12%).
Nottingham coffee roaster secures University of Birmingham contract
200 Degrees, the speciality coffee roaster based in Nottingham, has secured a significant wholesale client in the University of Birmingham.
The contract sees 200 Degrees supplying all coffee and ancillary drinks products such as syrups and hot chocolate to the 15 food and beverage outlets across the campus.
The wholesale team has already been working extensively across campus to ensure that coffee machines are calibrated, and that food and beverage teams’ barista skills are at the top of their game, ready for the academic year starting in earnest later this month.
Being a born and bred Brummie, 200 Degrees’ head of sales Ben Riley is especially proud of this win: “With thousands of students and academic staff requiring regular caffeine breaks, we’re expecting to help University of Birmingham satisfy this demand with tonnes of great tasting coffee and a boat load of hot chocolate!
“This is a huge achievement for a roaster of our size, and we are over the moon to be working with the University for the years ahead. We’re really excited for what’s to come and how we develop this partnership.”
Commercial director Will Kenney added: “Public sector tenders are incredibly competitive and complex, and 200 Degrees has shown the strength of our wholesale offering by winning this client.
“We’ve already proven the crowd-pleasing nature of our coffee with the success of our 21 shops, but this process allowed us to really showcase our client management skills and our commitment to delivering a bespoke, personal touch. We’re looking forward to helping University of Birmingham provide better coffee over the coming years.”
Chris Mellins, Director of Food, Beverage & Retail for University of Birmingham, said: “We are excited to have 200 Degrees as our official coffee partner.
“At the University, sustainability is one of our key strategic pillars, and it’s crucial for our Food, Beverage and Retail department to embed sustainable practices into all aspects of our operations, including our partnerships. 200 Degrees shares our commitment to these values and aligns with our ambitions in this area – and their coffee is excellent too!”
In addition, 200 Degrees is about to sign on the dotted line the deal for its 22nd coffee shop, which is due to open before the end of the year.
Splendour Festival set to stimulate Nottingham’s economy with 2025 return
Splendour Festival is set to return to Wollaton Park in the summer of 2025, with more than 30,000 music fans set to join the party on 19th and 20th July.
The festival has welcomed acts including Noel Gallagher, Anne-Marie, Confidence Man, Sugababes, Craig David, Sam Ryder, The Vaccines, Becky Hill, Antony Szmierek, Madness and Rudimental to Wollaton.
Each year, the live music industry contributes billions of pounds to the UK economy, and the return of Nottingham’s largest outdoor event to the East Midlands is set to be a significant contributor in stimulating the economy in the area, with local hospitality, tourism and transport sectors all set to feel the benefit from the tens of thousands of travelling visitors and merry-makers from closer to home, as well as the direct investment in local services involved in the event, from crafts people, trades people and event specialists to cleaners and first aiders.
Claire Ward, Mayor of the East Midlands, highlighted the impact it is likely to have on the local economy, saying: “I can’t wait to see the city come alive again next summer! As one of the region’s most cherished summer events, Splendour not only brings incredible live music and entertainment to the beautiful grounds of Wollaton Hall & Deer Park, but also showcases the creativity and vibrancy of our community.
“Beyond the joy it brings to residents and visitors alike, Splendour plays a vital role in supporting our local economy—boosting our hospitality sector, providing a platform for local businesses, and contributing to Nottingham’s reputation as a destination for world-class events.”
Splendour is also known for supporting the region’s music scene each year, with emerging and established artists from across Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire getting opportunities to perform in front of a festival audience.
Splendour’s relationship with local music charity, Nusic, has produced many of these “career highlight” experiences through the Future Sound of Nottingham competition, which gives even the very newest artists the opportunity to open the festival’s main stage.
Mark Del of Nusic said: “Every year Splendour gives Nottingham artists the chance to play the biggest stage of their career to date. No spin. No debate. That simple. From that start-of-career artist who opens the main stage via The Future Sound of Nottingham, to the ten to fifteen local artists Splendour embeds across the whole Festival line-up.”
Since 2008, more than 150 East Midlands artists have been given significant breaks by appearing at Splendour, including a notable headline appearance by Nottingham’s Jake Bugg, only two years after opening the acoustic Courtyard Stage.
The event has helped to shine a spotlight on regional talent coming out of the area, supporting the growth of individual artists while contributing to the growth of a healthy and flourishing local music scene, and encouraging the emergence of more acts. This in turn benefits local cultural and music businesses and helps to brand the city as a musical & creative place, further cementing the East Midlands as a key cultural hub and Nottingham a leading music city.
Megan Powell Vreeswijk, CEO of Marketing Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, said: “We’re thrilled to see Splendour Festival returning in 2025, now bigger and better as a two-day event.
“Splendour has become a cornerstone of Nottingham’s cultural identity, showcasing not only world-class acts but also shining a spotlight on our vibrant local music scene. Thanks to DHP Family’s incredible work, the festival brings major artists to our city, putting Nottingham firmly on the map as a hub for music lovers.
“What’s just as important is the platform it gives to local talent, offering opportunities for Nottingham-based artists to perform on larger stages, in front of bigger crowds, helping them build their careers.
“This festival is also a fantastic economic driver for the region, filling our hotels, restaurants, and supporting local traders. It’s a brilliant weekend for visitors and locals alike, with something for everyone, from major acts to family-friendly entertainment.
“Splendour truly embodies the spirit of Nottingham which is dynamic, diverse, and community-focused.”
Law firm sees 13% growth following another year of strong revenues
Law firm Freeths, which has offices in Derby, Leicester and Nottingham, continues its consistent revenue growth as it publishes its financial results for 2023/24, delivering another year of double-digit growth with turnover up by 13% to £145.5m.
The latest published accounts reveal a continuous upward trajectory for the firm with average annual turnover growth of more than 10% over the last five years and an increase of £16.7m over the last 12 months.
Freeths attributes much of its financial success to its 1,200+ people, including 14 lateral partner hires in the last year alone, and the support of its clients.
The business has also seen significant expansion across all main practice areas including high-end M&A, disputes, restructuring and insolvency, real estate and environmental and energy mandates.
Over the last year its dispute resolution team has grown by 29%. The team, led by Partner James Hartley, has continued to fight for justice for the sub-postmasters involved in the original Post Office scandal, and is now advising postmasters and other people who are among the hundreds whose criminal convictions are being overturned as a result of the flawed Horizon IT system.
Commenting on the results Karl Jansen, Freeths National Managing Partner said: “As we report on another year of strong performance, our success has enabled us to invest strategically in the future of the business.
“This includes our investment in the latest market leading technologies such as AI, helping to enhance our performance across the firm, and yielding significant benefits for our clients.”
East Midlands businesswomen receive top awards for outstanding achievement
Women with exceptional entrepreneurial skill, stand out apprentices and emerging leaders are among the recipients of the 2024 Enterprising Women Awards.
Organised by East Midlands Chamber’s Enterprising Women network, the prestigious event took place at Leicestershire’s Winstanley House on 20th September. ITV presenter Emma Jesson, who has hosted the event every year since its launch over a decade ago, announced the winners, spanning ten categories, as well as two special recognition awards.
The Businesswoman of the Year Award went to Andrea Gray, Managing Director of Leicester-based music licencing company PPL PRS.
Andrea said: “What a huge honour to win this award – I’m absolutely blown away. There was some phenomenal competition in this category. I want to say a huge thank you to Enterprising Women and East Midlands Chamber who put on these awards, as well as Michael Smith Switchgear for sponsoring this category.”
The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Lindsey Williams, formerly Chief Executive of Futures Housing Group and a former President of East Midlands Chamber.
Judges described Lindsey as “an exceptional leader who has made a major contribution to the East Midlands business community for over 20 years. Lindsey has shared her expertise and experience to champion women in business, and who truly embodies the values of Enterprising Women.”
Enterprising Women Co-Chair Eileen Perry said: “All I can say is – ‘wow!’ There are those moments in life where you have to take a moment, a few seconds to reflect and you feel so incredibly proud of the East Midlands and its businesswomen.
“What we’ve seen right here this evening, evidenced as each and every one of our region’s winning women stepped up onto the stage, is that Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire are blessed with women that aren’t just keeping a business ticking over; they’re leading. They’re leading change, they’re leading ideas and giving people inspiration. We’ve seen sheer hard work and determination shine.
“We hold the Enterprising Women Awards each year to celebrate the very best of female business talent in the East Midlands and I extend my thanks to all of the sponsors who made this glitzy evening so memorable. I only wish there was an award for every one of the finalists as the standard was exceptional.”
Enterprising Women co-chair Jean Mountain said: “Being able to stand next to these women that have done so much for women in business in the East Midlands is something that cannot be underestimated. We can all look up to, all learn from, and all aspire to be like the businesswomen that have been recognised at this ceremony.
“While the network is ‘Enterprising Women’, winning an award is really elevating the role of women in business. It’s not just achievement; it’s attitude. The winners of these awards are women who don’t stand back – they’re generating new ideas and they’re influencing the people around them to achieve too.
“The quality bar has been broken tonight as, once again, we’ve seen exceptional entries and I’ve no doubt the judges will have pulled their hair out during selection. In my mind everyone that entered is a winner, because by doing so you’re doing East Midlands women proud. I’d like to give my deepest thanks to the sponsors that helped make this a spectacular evening.”
ITV presenter Emma Jesson, after the hosting the ceremony, said: “There’s so much innovation and resilience and it’s fantastic to see women in business across a wide range of sectors and backgrounds recognised, as well as ladies at different parts of their career journey, whether starting out in apprenticeship roles or already highly successful business leaders.”
Winners of the Enterprising Women Awards 2024:
Social Commitment Award (sponsored by Tomato Energy)
WINNER: Emma Sharpe – Menphys
Female Apprentice of the Year (sponsored by Futures Housing Group)
WINNER: Sarah Illsley – Pentaxia
Female Employee of the Year (sponsored by Nelsons)
WINNER: Charlotte Barker – The Maynard
Emerging Leader Award (sponsored by Sarah Higgins Corporate Coaching)
WINNER: Alice Houghton – The George Hathersage
She Who Innovates in STEM (sponsored by Pick Everard)
WINNER: Elena Richards – Rolls Royce PLC
Female Entrepreneur of the Year (sponsored by Fraser Stretton Property Group)
WINNER: Michelle Williams – Meesh Consulting
Small Business of the Year Award (sponsored by Unique Window Systems)
WINNER: Design Studio Architects
Team of the Year (sponsored by Breedon Consulting)
WINNER: Bodie Hodges Foundation
Businesswoman of the Year (sponsored by Michael Smith Switchgear)
WINNER: Andrea Gray – PPL PRS
Lifetime Achievement Award (sponsored by Paradigm Wills & Legal Services)
WINNER: Lindsey Williams
Enterprising Women Co-Chair Special Recognition Awards
WINNER: Lai-Yee Cheung – Sanjay Foods
WINNER: Laura Holland – EcoTech Engineers
Back-to-back fall in monthly insolvency figures, but conditions remain tough for Midlands businesses
A back-to-back fall in the number of monthly company insolvencies in England and Wales is far more likely to be due to a seasonal lull than a significant improvement in trading conditions.
This is according to the Midlands branch of insolvency and restructuring body R3 and follows latest monthly statistics published by the Insolvency Service which show that corporate insolvencies decreased by 8.9% in August to a total of 1,953 compared to July’s total of 2,144.
Corporate insolvencies also fell in July – by 7.3% – but the drop followed a rise in June, when numbers increased by 15.7% compared to the previous month, and a 17.1% rise against June 2023.
R3 Midlands Chair Stephen Rome, a partner at Penningtons Manches Cooper in the region, said: “The fall in corporate insolvency figures is likely to be a result of the traditional slowdown in appointments we see during the late summer and shouldn’t distract from the fact that businesses are still struggling and trying to manage high levels of debt at a time when trading remains difficult.
“While the overall economic picture is gradually starting to improve, the market remains a challenging one, and managing costs is still very much a key concern for many directors.
“From a sectoral perspective, retail sales increased over the summer, and construction output increased in July, but it remains to be seen whether this is enough to compensate for months of challenging trading conditions and whether the critical pre-Christmas trading period can provide the boost businesses badly need.
“We therefore urge consumers and directors to remain vigilant about their finances and seek advice as soon as they spot any signs of distress. Most R3 members will give prospective clients a free consultation to learn more about their circumstances – and taking up that option when worries are at an early stage will provide more potential solutions than waiting until the problems become more severe.”
British Gas’ regional headquarters in Leicester put on the market
British Gas’ regional headquarters in Leicester has been put on the market.
Global real estate advisory firm, CBRE, has been instructed to sell the 89,230 sq ft office building on behalf of an institutional investor for offers in excess of £14,635,000.
British Gas has occupied the building, called Spinneyside, since it was built in 2004. The company has just signed a new 10-year lease on the entire property until September 2034.
Located on Grove Park, the business park for office and logistics occupiers, Spinneyside comprises modern, flexible office space, over three floors. The building has recently undergone improvement and refurbishment works, to provide the specification and amenity provision associated with modern occupier demands.
Oliver Forster, senior director in CBRE’s investment properties team in the Midlands, said: “Spinneyside offers an opportunity to secure an investment let to an excellent covenant on one of the most prime out-of-town locations in the Midlands, at a time when offices are offering historically good value.
“It’s also one of those rare buildings which offers several long-term asset management and development opportunities, due to its excellent connectivity, access to labour and the prominence of the site.”
Chamber calls on government to prioritise East Midlands planning asks as public consultation ends
As an open consultation on national planning draws to a close, East Midlands Chamber is urging the government to act on the asks in its Manifesto for Growth, which include speeding up planning permission and bringing in the private sector to support local authorities.
The government has already set out its own proposals, such as building 1.5 million new homes in the UK and widening the definition of brownfield land. Views can be expressed on an online portal until 24th September.
East Midlands Chamber Chief Executive Scott Knowles said: “For the East Midlands to thrive, we can’t have businesses waiting on painfully slow decisions, delays and having to face high costs. As we approach the Autumn Statement, the government needs to ensure planning gets the total overhaul it needs.
“The Chamber’s Manifesto for Growth outlines the need for joined-up thinking between planning departments to get things done, for private sector involvement which would mitigate against shortages of council staff and for easier access to the National Grid for renewable energy production.
“The Autumn Statement must not let these things slip; reforming the broken planning system is critical to pave the way for job creation, investment and growth in the East Midlands.”
Multi-million-pound satellite and information firm joins Space Park Leicester
A multi-million-pound satellite and information firm committed to solving problems on Earth has joined Space Park Leicester.
With more than 12 satellites delivered and even more in its backlog, Open Cosmos is deploying a constellation of sensors to monitor the Earth, taking advantage of the latest technologies. The firm has launched two Earth Observation satellites this year: Hammer, in March, and Phisat-2, in August.
Hammer, through a combination of Artificial Intelligence and Inter-satellite links, is able to retrieve near-real time information for coastal and high sea areas and other applications such as natural disasters. Phisat-2 is an ESA-Led 6U CubeSat designed to showcase the latest in-orbit AI that could further be used for Earth observation applications.
Last year, Open Cosmos secured a $50m round to accelerate the development of DataCosmos, a collaborative data platform to task satellites, store, process and derive insights from satellite imagery. One of its unique features is its collaborative interface allowing scientists and analysts to develop their own algorithms using satellite imagery and other sources.
At the end of last year, Open Cosmos was also awarded a £5m project from the Government’s Space Clusters Infrastructure Fund (SCIF) to expand its manufacturing and research and development capability for microsatellite and constellation markets, while extending data exploitation reach and expertise with organisations such as Space Park Leicester.
As part of its efforts to strengthen links with the scientific community and collaborative approach for data exploitation, Open Cosmos has now joined the Space Park Leicester – the University of Leicester’s £100 million science and innovation park. Open Cosmos will be supporting the University with the development of the Elfen project as well as the exploration of new algorithms to exploit satellite imagery.
Together with fellow Space Park Leicester resident business Meridian Space Command, Open Cosmos will be supporting the University with the development of the Elfen mission. The Elfen mission aims to measure the composition of the solar wind and plasma sheet in near Earth space. Open Cosmos is helping to quickly accelerate the mission design process, aiding Space Park Leicester scientists and engineers in building a testable CubeSat model.
Adrian Martindale, Head of Space Projects and Instrumentation at Space Park Leicester, said: “It speaks volumes about Open Cosmos that it was awarded the SCIF funding last year – it is one of only a few businesses in the world that delivers end-to-end telecommunications, Earth Observation, navigation and scientific missions.
“Satellite data from Open Cosmos is enabling organisations across the globe to address a range of challenges such as monitoring agriculture and logistics and tracking deforestation and biodiversity.
“They design, build, launch and operate advanced satellites; enable organisations to access and share data and offer AI-powered data analysis from a growing range of satellite sources and analytic partners via its data platform DataCosmos.
“We’re very proud that they have joined us at Space Park Leicester and we’re looking forward to working with Open Cosmos as they play their part in helping to make the UK’s satellite market more accessible and further establishing the UK as a global space leader.”
Rafel Jorda Siquier, CEO and founder at Open Cosmos, added: “Our commitment to solving Earth’s challenges through advanced satellite technology aligns perfectly with the innovative spirit of Leicester’s space community.
“By complementing our capabilities in Earth Observation mission and data analysis, we aim to support additional scientific missions and insights derived from satellite data. We’re excited to collaborate with Space Park Leicester to advance the UK’s position in the global space industry.”
