Nottingham Venues celebrates relaunch with eye on the future
Nottingham Venues, the new name bringing meetings, events, hotel stays and a collection of venues across the University of Nottingham’s campuses under one brand, has celebrated its relaunch with a summer party to showcase their new offering.
The management and catering teams were joined by over 150 local business guests, including clients, suppliers and university stakeholders on Friday (8th July) evening.
Gathering in the East Midlands Conference Centre’s grounds, they heard from general manager Tom Waldron-Lynch about their plans for a future driven by sustainability and the £2m refurbishment project completed just prior to the pandemic.
That rebrand brings the Orchard Hotel, the Jubilee Hotel & Conferences, Hugh Stewart Manor House, Campus Venues (formally known as Nottingham Conferences) and East Midlands Conference Centre under one roof – employing nearly 200 people.
“It has been a remarkable journey for Nottingham Venues and we’re now able to proudly and officially talk about ‘One Destination with Endless Possibilities’,” explained Tom Waldron-Lynch.
“We’re standing on our own, proud to be who we are, where we are. The name says it all. We’re very proud of our history and heritage and also our ownership in terms of Nottingham University and their fantastic support.
“Ten years ago, The Orchard Hotel changed the dynamic of what Nottingham could offer in terms of conferencing and events. That change allowed us to attract a lot of people from outside the city, the region and the UK here to our venues and to Nottingham. The more recent addition of the Jubilee Hotel & Conferences has added even greater depth to that offering.
“We have a fantastic heritage but also a hugely exciting future ahead of us, driven by sustainable practices and with a focus on creating local jobs, local partnerships and driving the economy in the city, the county and across the region.
“None of this would have been possible without the fantastic support of the superb team we have here, especially the staff who worked right throughout the pandemic and the team behind what we call ‘Project Fusion’ who led the transition to where we are today as Nottingham Venues. We look forward to welcoming you all back here to join us very soon.”
Digital Manufacturing Centre and Satellite Applications Catapult announce UK space sector collaboration
The Digital Manufacturing Centre (DMC), located at Silverstone Park, and the Satellite Applications Catapult have announced a new collaboration that they say marks an important development in establishing a national space supply chain for advanced manufacturing.
As part of the partnership, the DMC could soon be designing parts for additive manufacturing in space – a sector that the UK government aims to capture 10% of by 2030.
DMC CEO Kieron Salter said: “The UK space sector is expected to undergo significant growth over the next decade. Integral to these ambitions is a highly-capable supply chain that understands the unique challenges of the industry – particularly when it comes to commercial applications – and is able to service those requirements.
“Additive manufacturing and the skilled engineering to exploit its limitless production capabilities will play an important role in the future of the space sector.
“Whether we are making parts on earth or creating designs to be printed in orbit, this new partnership signals the Digital Manufacturing Centre’s intention to be a production leader within the commercial UK space sector.
“In addition to supporting manufacturing for the space industry on earth, our joint ambition is to have a DMC-led additive manufacturing capability in space – either in orbit, on the moon or another planet entirely.”
The Digital Manufacturing Centre is a state-of-the-art, sector-agnostic digital manufacturing production and engineering facility, located in 20,000 sq ft industrial premises at Silverstone Park.
The Catapult is a technology and innovation company that supports early-stage businesses with technical and commercial advice, and access to unique facilities and equipment. It brings together multi-disciplinary teams to solve some of the space industry’s greatest challenges, such as manufacturing in space.
The DMC-Catapult partnership will work with organisations developing orbital capabilities and address one of the key challenges for ‘In-Orbit Servicing & Manufacturing’ (assembly without conventional fasteners).
Mike Curtis-Rouse, the Satellite Applications Catapult’s head of Access to Space, added: “Our mission is to help grow the UK space industry on the world stage. Within the UK, we have the engineering skills and manufacturing capability to become an international leader in space technology and applications.
“Working closely with the Digital Manufacturing Centre provides us with ready access to highly sought-after skills, expertise, experience and technologies.
“This new partnership is a statement of intent and a promising signal for the future of the UK space industry and its emerging supply chain.
“It follows closely from the announcement of our partnership with the Manufacturing Technology Centre earlier this year and will further strengthen the development of the next generation of technology for the space sector.”
No-shows at business awards – stop bricking it! By Greg Simpson, founder of Press for Attention PR
Greg Simpson, founder of Press for Attention PR, discusses awards events and no-shows and their impact on a business’s reputation.
The East Midlands Bricks Awards are on the horizon. If you have entered, you might want to read on…
I was at a business breakfast recently in Nottingham, with the great and good of this fair city before they all headed off to Trent Bridge and THAT game! Not me sadly, I was on five deadlines!
It was an event to herald the “Top 200” businesses in the area and had been trailed across social media for the past few weeks by the local press and by one of the sponsors who happens to be a client of mine.
With the top 180 already revealed, the stage was set to unveil the top 20, complete with trophies and a platform to speak on in front of the assembled guests, media makers, movers and shakers. I’ll let you decide which of them I am.
Wherever you place in that top 20, this is a great PR opportunity if you leverage it. Or…if you even bother to show up! If you don’t…well…let’s just say you’ll have a tough innings ahead of you.
The winner showed up. Yep, the BIGGEST name in the city (not you Robin), the most iconic global brand – Boots. Their spokesperson was fantastic when he was interviewed, proud, humble, a local lad who had gone to university in Nottingham, was excited to be a part of the event and full of praise for all of the Top 200.
However, the fastest climber and the highest new entry both failed to show. How did that make them look? To the assembled guests, some of whom might be potential customers, suppliers or partners? To the media who are keen to learn of bright young things making their mark? Not great!
Now I know we all get busy and life gets in the way. I know that to some businesses local recognition isn’t that crucial because they don’t sell to consumers or they are more national in outlook. Sure, but your staff are local aren’t they? Wouldn’t they be proud? Wouldn’t more people want to join you if they can see how awesome you are and in what high regard the press holds you?
If a multinational GIANT such as Boots can see the value in it, maybe there’s something in this! The chap from Boots even found an opportunity to hint at a new range coming out. I could see the reporters scribbling away. All that took was an hour of his time before the working day even began. He got a lovely cooked breakfast as part of it too! Win/Win.
So, with the Bricks looming large on the horizon, consider how you might show up at your next opportunity even if you “KNOW WE WON’T WIN.”
Howzat for an idea?
A former business journalist, Greg Simpson is the author of The Small Business Guide to PR and has been recognised as one of the UK’s top 5 PR consultants, having set up Press for Attention PR in 2008.
He has worked for FTSE 100 firms, charities and start-ups and conducted press conferences with Sir Richard Branson and James Caan. His background ensures a deep understanding of every facet of a successful PR campaign – from a journalist’s, client’s, and consultant’s perspective.
Nomination deadline looms for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022
As the nomination deadline (19 August) draws nearer for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022, it’s time to ensure you have made your submissions for the annual celebration of the property and construction industry.
Scheduled to take place on Thursday 15 September, the Bricks shine a light on the outstanding work of those shaping the landscape of our region, recognising development projects and people in commercial and public building across the East Midlands – from offices, industrial and residential, through to community projects such as leisure schemes and schools. We also highlight the work of architects, agencies and those behind large schemes.
The glittering awards ceremony revealing winners, at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, will also offer the perfect chance to forge new contacts with property and construction professionals from across the region.
Nominations for the awards are open until Friday 19 August. To submit a business or development for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022, please click on a category link below or visit this page.
Thanks to our sponsors:
- Most active estate agent
- Commercial development of the year
- Responsible business of the year
- Residential development of the year
- Developer of the year
- Deal of the year
- Architects of the year
- Excellence in design
- Sustainable development of the year
- Contractor of the year
- Overall winner (this award cannot be entered, the winner will be selected from those nominated)
Book your tickets now
Tickets can now be booked for the awards event – click here to secure yours. The special awards evening and networking event will be held on 15 September 2022 in the Derek Randall Suite at the Trent Bridge County Cricket Club from 4:30pm – 7:30pm. Connect with local decision makers over canapés and complimentary drinks while applauding the outstanding companies and projects in our region. The event will also welcome John Forkin MBE DL, Managing Director at award-winning investment promotion agency Marketing Derby, as keynote speaker, as well as award-winning mind reader, magician, and professional mentalist Looch, who will bewilder and astonish guests during the evening’s networking. Dress code is standard business attire.
To be held at:
Lace Market office building sold
FHP Property Consultants, acting on behalf of clients, have completed on the sale of 52A High Pavement in Nottingham’s historic Lace Market – also known as ‘The Creative Quarter’.
The former lace works has been snapped up by Waste Studio, an expanding creative design agency – who were already based in the area.
The building provides circa 2,800 sq ft of office accommodation over three floors. Built in 1897 the property has only had two previous owners, both of which have retained many period features including original goods lift hoist, sash windows, wooden flooring, staircase and heating system – all of which provide a building with great character and history.
Thomas Szymkiw of FHP’s Office Agency Team said: “Buildings such as this in The Lace Market rarely come on the market, therefore I am delighted for Norman and the rest of the team at Waste Studio who have secured a fantastic base for their operations moving forward.
“The office market in the area really is going from strength to strength and with several disposals already completed this year, The Lace Market continues to be in high demand for occupiers.”
Norman Hayes, creative director of Waste Studio, said: “We’re super excited and proud to have now completed purchasing our first property as Waste Studio.
“Nottingham has been the home to our business for the last 12 years and we feel proud to finally invest and further lay foundations within Nottingham, especially in the beautiful Lace Market area.
“Our new building is full of original character and the space it provides is perfect. We plan to create an epicentre for creativity, providing flexible spaces that will work not only as our studio environment but also allow for events, talks and collaborations to happen.
“Over the coming months, we will develop the building bringing it up to date whilst preserving all of the original features.”
FHP makes director promotion
FHP Property Consultants have promoted Darran Severn to director.
Severn joined FHP in 2014 and has played a significant role in the development of FHP’s Derby office where he now leads the agency team.
Darran is a key member of the office and industrial team and focusses on sales, lettings, acquisitions and development work along the A38/A50 corridors and works with a number of major clients across the wider East Midlands.
Darran Severn said: “I am delighted on this achievement and take great pride in having been promoted to director level at FHP. I’ve been at FHP for an enjoyable eight years and it is great that all my hard work has been recognised.
“Over recent years a lot of my time and effort has gone into strengthening and promoting our Derby office where we have doubled the size of our team and I’m pleased to say we are one of the most recognised agents across the region.
“There has always been great flexibility at FHP and I have been able to work in all sectors of the market which has enabled me to broaden my knowledge and experience.
“I now focus on the office and industrial/logistics sector throughout Derbyshire and the East Midlands but also extending our reach across the A50 to Stoke on Trent and down the A38 to Lichfield bridging the gap to our Birmingham office.”
Equity director Tim Gilbertson said: “As Darran quite rightly says, he has played a major part in the expansion of our Derby office over the last few years, very much leading the way in terms of adding to the portfolio of instructions but also, just as crucially, encouraging and mentoring younger surveyors and helping them to find their place in the industry as well.
“I am absolutely delighted to reward Darran with this deserved promotion and I can only see Darran’s career going from strength to strength, he is a pleasure to work with and his approachable and friendly demeanour always sees both clients and colleagues alike impressed by everything he says and does.
“I have no doubt that he will continue to nurture and develop the Derby office and see our geographical spread from that base grow even further than it has done in the last few years linking in with our Birmingham and Nottingham offices.”
IoT firm acquires Nottinghamshire mobile data specialist
Wireless Logic, the global IoT connectivity platform provider, has acquired Jola, the mobile data specialist, for an undisclosed sum.
This agreement marks the latest step in Wireless Logic’s business expansion following a series of acquisitions for the UK company.
Headquartered in Nottinghamshire, Jola is a channel-only supplier of business communications, specialising in mobile data SIMs. Jola provides IoT and mobile data solutions to managed service providers, internet service providers, IT support companies and telecom resellers, who provision, manage, and support thousands of SIMs through Jola’s own Mobile Manager self-serve platform.
The Jola team will continue to manage Jola partners.
Andrew Dickinson, CEO of Jola, said: “Wireless Logic is one of the standout successes of the ICT sector and we have long been admirers of Oliver Tucker and his team. Jola will remain an independently-run company within the Wireless Logic Group, focussing as always on the UK channel, but with a global reach.
“The 1000+ Jola partners will see no change in the short term and over time they will benefit from product innovations across the group and more extensive supplier relationships. I would like to thank our customers, suppliers, and most of all the amazing team at Jola who have worked so hard to achieve this milestone.”
Oliver Tucker, CEO of Wireless Logic, said: “There is a natural fit between Wireless Logic and Jola, which makes this an exciting acquisition for all involved. Jola will strengthen and focus the group’s routes to market in the UK and beyond, paving the way for further business growth in the years ahead.
“We look forward to working closely with the talented team at Jola to ensure that they are able to continue their own growth, whilst leveraging the advantages of being part of the Wireless Logic Group.”
Next phase of £36m ‘Bolsover Homes’ scheme gets underway
Bolsover District Council has started work on a new development to build up to 28 bungalows in Shirebrook to help meet local need.
The development is the latest phase of the council’s £36m ‘Bolsover Homes’ scheme and will see the bungalows built on three different locations.
The main part of the development will see 24 modern one-storey properties constructed on land adjacent to Market Close/Portland Street. The bungalows will help provide much-needed homes for the elderly on a location that is near to the town centre and all its amenities.
Cabinet member for housing, councillor Sandra Peake, said: “It’s great to see work starting on the site as it’s important we keep up our momentum in building council properties for people in areas that need them. We identified a need for this type of property in Shirebrook and we are meeting that need head on with these new bungalows.
“It’s important that we look after our elderly and provide them with good quality homes, so once these properties are built and together with the expansion of Ashbourne Court, they will be well catered for in the town.”
A further three bungalows will be built on Portland Road where the garages will be demolished to make way for the new properties. Similarly, the garage court on Market Close will be demolished allowing for one further bungalow to be built.
The homes are built to allow them to be easily adapted in the future to meet any changing needs of those living there. And each property will have off-road parking, gardens and environmentally friendly features.
The ‘Bolsover Homes’ scheme is a partnership between the council and Robert Woodhead Limited and not only aims to provide new council homes, but support local businesses and trades as well as providing social outcomes like work placements and school educational visits.
Tom Woodhead, business services director at Robert Woodhead Ltd, said: “I am really excited for our team to be delivering a new project for Bolsover District Council. Once again maintaining a fundamental relationship with the client to improve the local area, whilst simultaneously implementing our climate action framework and working to reduce carbon on and off site.
“All this is further complimented by ensuring the project is giving back to the area, through local spend with our suppliers and by measuring our social, economic and environmental impact through our social value calculator.”
Not long left to make your nominations for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022!
With only a short time remaining until nominations close on Friday 19 August for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022, submit your entries NOW!
Reward the hard work of your team, and showcase your successes.
The annual East Midlands Bricks Awards celebrate the region’s property and construction industry, its people, and outstanding developments. Award categories include: most active estate agent, commercial development of the year, responsible business of the year, residential development of the year, developer of the year, deal of the year, architects of the year, excellence in design, sustainable development of the year, contractor of the year, and overall winner.
Winners will be revealed at a glittering awards ceremony on Thursday 15 September, at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground – an evening that will also provide plenty of opportunities to forge new contacts with property and construction professionals from across the region.
Thanks to our sponsors:
William Crooks, Managing Director of Cawarden, reflected on winning an award at the 2021 event: “After being named Contractor of the Year at the British Demolition Awards at the start of September, we were absolutely thrilled to win the same accolade from the East Midlands Bricks Awards a few weeks later.
“The event is a real showcase for the regional property and construction sector and we are proud to be recognised for our project and service delivery expertise as a leading specialist contractor. It was a great night and provided an opportunity to catch up with some familiar faces as well as meeting new with the wonderful Trent Bridge Cricket Ground as a backdrop.
“Well done to the Cawarden team for continuously going above and beyond and maintaining high standards for our valued clients. Congratulations must also go to all the other awards finalists and award winners on the night.”
To submit a business or development for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022, please click on a category link below or visit this page.- Most active estate agent
- Commercial development of the year
- Responsible business of the year
- Residential development of the year
- Developer of the year
- Deal of the year
- Architects of the year
- Excellence in design
- Sustainable development of the year
- Contractor of the year
- Overall winner (this award cannot be entered, the winner will be selected from those nominated)
Book your tickets now
Tickets can now be booked for the awards event – click here to secure yours. The special awards evening and networking event will be held on 15 September 2022 in the Derek Randall Suite at the Trent Bridge County Cricket Club from 4:30pm – 7:30pm. Connect with local decision makers over canapés and complimentary drinks while applauding the outstanding companies and projects in our region. The event will also welcome John Forkin MBE DL, Managing Director at award-winning investment promotion agency Marketing Derby, as keynote speaker, as well as award-winning mind reader, magician, and professional mentalist Looch, who will bewilder and astonish guests during the evening’s networking. Dress code is standard business attire.
To be held at:
Forge new partnerships at the East Midlands Expo
On Monday 14 November 2022 the East Midlands Expo will return, providing the perfect opportunity to forge new contacts.
An established event of over 20 years, for which Business Link is a proud partner, the free to attend expo is well targeted and aimed at the construction, property, business, investment, finance, professional services and related B2B markets.
Taking place at the East Midlands Conference Centre, Nottingham, the day will begin with exhibitor breakfast networking, with the exhibition opening to attendees at 9am, and a seminar taking place between 10:45am and noon.
A special networking lunch (for which tickets can be purchased here) will then take place between 12:15pm and 2:15pm, and the exhibition will close at 3:30pm.
For more information on exhibiting at the event click here.
To register to attend the event for free click here.
To secure tickets for the networking lunch click here.
From property agents to developers, architects, contractors, investors, PR firms, and more, see the list of current exhibitors here.