Skateboarding space to form part of Broad Marsh redevelopment
Plans have been unveiled to create a skateboarding area as part of the huge changes under way to reimagine the Broad Marsh area.
The project, announced in the week of International Go Skateboarding Day (Tuesday 21), is a collaboration between Nottingham City Council, Skate Nottingham and Skateboard GB.
It is planned for Sussex Street and will be an all-weather, well-lit space surrounded by a perimeter ledge between the skate area and the pedestrian footpath.
This ‘blank canvas’ will then be filled with several modular pieces of skateable street furniture, designed and built with Betongpark, a specialist firm responsible for recent skateboarding installations at Somerset House and The Strand, in London.
Work has started and is hoped to be completed by the autumn.
The City Council and Skate Nottingham have been working with a wide range of local and international experts to develop plans for the space as part of the wider Sussex Street development in front of the new Nottingham College building.
This has undergone a complete makeover through Transforming Cities-funded improvements to streets around the new Broad Marsh car park, bus station and Central Library building.
It has been turned from a piece of scrubland beneath the tram viaduct and an unwelcoming pedestrian route into a pleasant space with plenty of plants and grass, paved areas, large tables and seating and amphitheatre steps.
These will lead up to Collin Street which will become a new public space alongside the former shopping centre site with its exciting vision for redevelopment.
More than 100 local young people participated in a design project for the new skateboarding area which culminated in a film for the 2021 Nottingham Festival of Science and Curiosity.
They were mentored by engineer Bedir Bekar, from Pryce & Meyers and University College London, and designer Rich Holland, whose ‘HomeCourt’ skate landscape for Nike’s European headquarters was shortlisted for the prestigious ArchDaily Building of the Year Award 2022.
The area will be noticeably different from a traditional ‘skatepark’ because items of skateable street furniture will be mobile as the Broad Marsh plan develops. This fits into the wider feel of Sussex Street with a flexible events area, basketball hoops and outdoor public seating.
Skate Nottingham has been awarded a National Lottery Awards For All grant of almost £10,000 to fund an ambitious programme of activities from the site, including free weekly beginners and women and girls-only skateboard sessions. It will also launch a Crowdfunder UK campaign to finance the installation of the street furniture.
Partners will also work to maximise the careers, personal development and employability benefits for Nottingham young people involved in the project, including work experience and further study. Local sports retailer Supereight will partner with DC Shoes to support an opening event.
Councillor David Mellen, leader of Nottingham City Council and portfolio holder for strategic regeneration and development, said: “This is a really forward-thinking project for our young people to get involved with and, when completed, will help to further enhance this key part of the Broad Marsh area.
“Sussex Street is taking shape quickly and has been totally transformed. Walking up into town from Canal Street now is a pleasant experience and we know what a difference it makes for students working out of the new college campus.
“Introducing a skateboard space fits in perfectly with the wider, more contemporary feel of the area and we look forward to seeing how it develops over the coming months.”
James Hope-Gill, CEO of Skateboard GB, said: “This is incredibly exciting, one year on from Team GB’s Olympic skateboarding medal.
“Cities like Nottingham taking the initiative to design skateboarding into a wider development that encourages socialising, urban sports and active play is really innovative, and helps us imagine how town centres can recover and re-invent themselves in exciting and inclusive ways while enabling more children and adults to Skate More, Skate Better.”
Property consultancies merge to create £60m turnover business
Two independent property consultancies have announced a merger to create one of the largest providers of multi-disciplinary property services in the UK, with a turnover approaching £60 million and 29 offices.
Fisher German – which has its head office in Ashby – and Matthews & Goodman have joined forces, combining their 750 employees into a single firm which will retain the Fisher German name.
The announcement comes after negotiations between the two firms reached their final stages following months of positive discussions.
Matthews & Goodman, established almost 160 years ago, is a multi-disciplinary commercial property consultancy specialising in acquisition and disposal of property assets, building consultancy, business rates, investment, lease consultancy, property management and valuation.
It employs around 80 people in Birmingham, Liverpool, Leeds, London and Manchester with a turnover of almost £9 million.
Fisher German’s property management, consultancy and advisory services cover the full property spectrum including commercial, rural, development, residential, sustainable energy, and infrastructure.
The firm advises on and manages a wide range of client portfolios on behalf of blue-chip companies, pension funds, private landowners, utility companies, national charities, local authorities and government agencies.
It has continued to grow both organically and through acquisitions, most recently with the merger of Vine Property Management which was completed in April 2021.
The firm has around 650 colleagues working across 25 UK-based offices from Glasgow to Exeter, with a head office in Ashby-de-la-Zouch.
Andrew Bridge, managing partner at Fisher German, said there were clear similarities between the firms which attracted both parties to working together.
He said: “What we share with Matthews & Goodman is a long history dating back to the mid-nineteenth century, a collaborative approach to working with our colleagues and clients, and a proven track record of winning and retaining some of the UK’s biggest property portfolios.
“Matthews & Goodman not only shares our vision and values, but also brings with it a highly-motivated team of commercial property experts to match our own.
“Together, we can offer unrivalled property advice across urban and rural settings and maximise the return on investment to our clients through the benefit of our multi-disciplinary services.”
James Routledge, head of investment at Matthews & Goodman, said: “This merger is much more than a marriage of cultures, capabilities, client management philosophes and ambitions.
“Together, we will have a far greater client offer – access to more experts, more professional services, in more markets. In addition, the prospects for existing talent in both firms and those who have yet to join us, is enormous.
“Our clients’ access to a creative entrepreneurial culture, underpinned by the breadth of skills, experience and expertise has now been increased quite significantly, and our collective offer is grounded by both companies’ proven heritage.”
Specialist investor purchases second phase of Nottingham £30m mixed-use development
A specialist investor in UK logistics sites has purchased the second phase of a £30 million mixed-use development in Nottingham.
Northwood Urban Logistics acquired the first phase of trade units last November at Teal Park, off the Colwick Loop Road in Netherfield, which has been jointly developed by Warwickshire-based AC Lloyd Commercial (ACL) and Nottingham-based Henry Davidson Developments (HDD), and is now fully occupied.
Toolstation, Screwfix, Howdens, Trent Valley Windows, Trent Vehicle Charging, Karcher UK and Paintwell occupy phase 1 of the 35,270 sq ft trade park.
The second phase, which consists of six trade units ranging from 2,357 sq ft to 4,359 sq ft, has been acquired by Northwood Urban Logistics from AC Lloyd Commercial and HDD.
This phase, totalling 21,241 sq ft, is located directly opposite the first phase with car-parking and an access road separating the two banks of trade units.
The third and final phase consists of six larger employment units which range from 9,590 sq ft up to 31,470 sq ft and is set for completion during early Q4 this year.
Mark Edwards, Managing Director at AC Lloyd Commercial, said demand was strong because there remained a lack of high-quality trade units in Nottingham.
“Teal Park has been a real success story for AC Lloyd Commercial and this latest announcement underlines our commitment to delivering a premium mixed-use site for businesses and the local community,” he said.
“Work is now underway on the third and final phase of creating Teal Park which we hope to complete this autumn.”
Iain Taylor, director at Northwood Urban Logistics, said: “Enquiries remain strong at Teal Park since the market for trade units of this size remains on the up particularly when you add in Nottingham’s excellent transport links with the rest of the UK.”
Bridge Help strengthens team with another appointment
Tracey Vaughan is the latest appointment to Bridge Help’s business development team.
Following her appointment, Chesterfield-based bridging loan provider, Bridge Help now boasts an all-female business development team, bucking the trend in the male-dominated financial services industry.
Tracey, who hails from the company’s base in Chesterfield, brings more than 20 years of sales experience to the role. Within the role, she will be offering guidance and support to help manage broker and lender relationships across England and Wales.
The company has continued to grow since its inception in 2017, filling a gap in the market for bespoke bridging loan products for complex deals. Her appointment follows a successful first half of 2022 and comes hot on the heels of the appointment of Tina Panayi in April.
Tracey commented on her new role: “I just knew this is what I was looking for. It’s an inviting, helpful and professional team providing a bespoke service. There’s a strong focus on relationships and a really good team spirit – I wanted to be a part of it and grow with them.
“The whole team is lovely and I’m excited to see what the future holds and just can’t wait to get going, I think we’re going to be a great fit.”
Tracey joins from phs Group where she was a field account manager. She brings extensive experience in relationship development to her new role at Bridge Help.
Chris Sellars, Chief Executive of Bridge Help, commented on Tracey’s arrival: “We’re thrilled to welcome Tracey to the team – she’s local and really understands the importance of building relationships, which is what we’re all about at Bridge Help. With her strong sales background and extensive range of experience, I’m sure it’s going to be a great fit for all involved.”
East Midlands entrepreneurs exercise caution as R3 research reveals region has one of lowest number of start-ups in UK
Latest research from the Midlands branch of national insolvency and restructuring body R3 reveals a cautious month for new businesses in the East Midlands with a total of 2,341 start-ups registered in May, one of the lowest numbers for any region in the UK.
According to R3’s report, which is based on an analysis of data from business intelligence provider Creditsafe, only Wales, the North East and Northern Ireland had fewer start-up businesses last month at 1,798, 1,509 and 798 respectively.
R3 Midlands vice-chair Stephen Rome said: “These statistics highlight the effect that continuing economic challenges and uncertainty are having on entrepreneurs in the East Midlands, as they seek to minimise their exposure.
“Business opportunities are being threatened because companies face trading amidst rising inflation, contracting economies, spiralling fuel, energy and wage costs, and consumer confidence at a near historic low.
“With such economic uncertainty, our advice to any director worried about the viability of their business, start-up or otherwise, is to seek professional help and to do it as soon as possible. The sooner support is sought, the more opportunities there may be to assure a company’s survival and future success.”
Works starts on over 120 new council homes in Nottingham
The diggers are on site and work has kicked off in Bestwood to build 129 new council homes.
The homes, which are being built on land off Beckhampton Road, will consist of one, two and three bed properties, including homes, flats and wheelchair accessible bungalows. All of which are in high demand from local families in the Bestwood area.
They are being built on behalf of Nottingham City Council by Nottingham City Homes and construction partners Lovell Homes and they will go to Nottingham households on the local council house waiting list at affordable rents.
These will be energy efficient and low cost to run and they are the latest homes being built as part of the Building a Better Nottingham project, which has already seen over 680 new council houses built to date.
The site used to be a playing field for the former Padstow School, which closed more than a decade ago, but after consulting with Sports England, the field was no longer required for its former use and has been released for housing. However, nearly half of the site will be kept and improved for publicly accessible green open space.
The homes will be built over a two-year phase, with Pelham Architects designing the site.
Cllr Toby Neal, portfolio holder for housing and human resources at Nottingham City Council, said: “Nottingham needs a mix of all different types of housing and we believe these homes, flats and wheelchair accessible bungalows will help to meet some of this demand in Bestwood.
“Building, warm, safe, and energy efficient new homes, not only regenerates sites which are no longer fit for purpose, but also encourages investment, creates jobs and helps to support local supply chain businesses.
“We’re really proud to see the start of works to build much needed council homes for affordable rent and it is just as important that we create green and open space, which the whole community can enjoy.”
Nick Murphy, Chief Executive at Nottingham City Homes, said: “It’s always an exciting time when we start on site at a new development, plus this is one of our biggest and most important new builds to date so there is a real buzz about it.
“We have listened to our residents and looked at the council house waiting list and these type of properties are the ones most in demand in Bestwood. So, by working with partners, we are hoping to meet some of that need by creating these 129 safe, warm and modern homes. We look forward to seeing these fantastic homes take shape and to see the newly created larger green spaces being used by all the community.”
Employment park plans to proceed after Government review
Plans for a new employment park north-west of the A43 at Towcester will go ahead, after the Government decided not to examine them in more detail.
The application for land to the east of Tiffield Road to the north west of the A43 Towcester (also known as AL3) was formally put on hold by the Secretary of State for further review in March this year.
The move came after West Northamptonshire Council’s Strategic Planning Committee was minded to approve outstanding access and highways matters for the application, which had already been agreed in principle by planners at the former South Northants Council before the new unitary council was formed.
On Thursday 16 June, following a wait of more than three months, the Council was finally notified by the Government that it had decided not to “call in” the application for further review and examination, meaning that the decision to approve the scheme should now proceed and the council is obliged to issue the formal approval.
In the letter to the Council, officials from the Government’s Planning Casework Unit said the Secretary of State had decided not to call in this application and “is content that it should be determined by the local planning authority.”
Councillor Jonathan Nunn, leader of West Northamptonshire Council, said: “Having taken over three months to come to a decision it is clear the government have been thorough in their consideration of the application.
“By deciding not to call in the application for examination, an option that was open to them, the Government has made it clear that we must now continue to proceed with the remaining stages of the planning approval process, with no other options now available.
“We know there is much strong feeling surrounding this planning application and that many people have been waiting for the past three months whilst the Secretary of State considered it to find out the outcome.
“Having inherited an application that the previous local authority had effectively granted permission on, a decision based on existing policies in the South Northants local plan, we continue to work with developers and residents to ensure we get appropriate development in the right places in the future, providing clarity and guidance that will assist all parties.”
Gainsborough emissions solution company opens first joint venture in India
Eminox, a Gainsborough based designer and manufacturer of global emissions solutions and technologies, has opened the doors to its first Indian based business in collaboration with IP Rings (IPR), part of Amalgamations Group, India. IPR Eminox Technologies, will be based at IP Rings Limited (IPRL) HQ in Chennai. The joint venture will help contribute to India’s future for increased sustainability and self-reliance, as local engineers design products for the local market.
Oliver Ballhatchet MBE, UK Deputy High Commissioner in Chennai officially opened the IPR Eminox Technology Centre, along with representatives from both partners including Mark Runciman, Managing Director, Eminox, Dr Dave Philips, Engineering Director, Eminox and Ram Venkataraman, Managing Director IPR.
“This is a very exciting collaboration, which will allow the development of after treatment systems to suit off- and on-highway emissions regulations which are becoming more stringent across many transportation sectors in India,” said Mark Runciman, Managing Director, Eminox. “IPR has a huge presence in India, and together we will be able to draw on each other strengths to expedite the delivery of solutions to meet current and future legislation.”
The venture was established to explore ways to cost effectively meet the Indian BS/TREM V off-highway3 and BS VI Stage 24 niche on-highway emissions standards. Initially, the venture will develop the products for Indian certification and approval. Beginning in April 2024, TREM V will set emissions standards equivalent to the European Stage V regulation and cover applications including agricultural machinery, construction equipment and power generators.
IPR Eminox Technologies combines Eminox’s excellence in engineering solutions to make a significant impact on the global strategy for reducing emissions along with IPRL’s extensive manufacturing capabilities, vast powertrain market knowledge and large, established Indian customer base. Eminox’s UK-based technical engineering team will collaborate closely with the local team, initially targeting the diesel engine market by developing emissions reduction systems.
“We have considerable experience in developing technologies to meet varying emissions regulations and are planning ahead for when TREM V legislation comes into force in 2024,” said Mark. “By joining forces with a well-established company that understands manufacturing of vehicle components, we can combine our strengths, bringing together our proven engineering expertise, pioneering focus and technology leadership to design and manufacture the complex new emissions reduction systems required by the new regulations.”
The Amalgamation Group is still family-owned-and-operated and mirrors the ethos of Eminox and its parent company, Hexadex Group. “Our shared company values are very well aligned, enabling this unique opportunity to combine the engine development expertise of IP Rings and the exhaust systems integration capability within Eminox,” said Dave Phillips, Engineering Director, Eminox. “We are in a great position to meet the challenging Indian emissions regulations.”
Derbyshire company joins forces with another British manufacturer
A Derbyshire company known for manufacturing self-watering planters and street furniture has joined forces with another UK company as part of an acquisition completed this month (June).
Family run business Amberol work with a range of organisations including local authorities, community gardening groups, businesses and education establishments. They have now combined with plastics manufacturer Leafield Environmental to take the business forwards.
Set up in 1969 by two friends Phil Atkinson and Jack Williamson, Amberol developed the Aquafeed™ matting system which is used in their range of self-watering planters, in the 1970s. The planters need topping up just once or twice a week, saving on water and maintenance.
Amberol also make a range of recycling and non-recycling litter bins, as well as benches and picnic tables. An environmentally responsible manufacturer, all products are made from recycled or recyclable polyethylene.
As one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of rotationally moulded litter bins, Leafield Environmental’s products perfectly complement Amberol’s range and ethos. Formerly known as Linpac Environmental, the acquisition brings together two businesses with eight decades’ worth of experience in manufacturing sustainable plastic products.
For Amberol customers it will be business as usual according to Patience Atkinson-Gregory, the company’s managing director. She commented: “As a family business, we have built strong and enduring relationships with our customers. The Amberol ethos of providing personal service, value for money and high quality products will remain. However, the support and investment from Leafield Environmental can only help enhance customer service, as well as strengthening the Amberol brand. With over 30 years of experience in manufacturing premium plastic products, using similar innovative design and manufacturing expertise, Leafield are a great fit for our business.”
Amberol will continue to manufacture the full range of products at their Alfreton factory. The self-watering planter range includes stone effect troughs, wood effect barrels, hanging baskets, tiered planters and large floorstanding planters.
The company’s litter bins can be found on some of Britain’s busiest streets in Westminster, and as far afield as Australia.
Philip Maddox, Managing Director at Leafield Environmental said: “We have been working closely with Patience to ensure that we maintain the Amberol ethos to ensure continuity of experience for their customers. We are excited to welcome Amberol’s employees to our business and are looking forward to working in collaboration with them. The business will continue to operate as Amberol and will serve their loyal customers as normal.”
Having celebrated their 50th anniversary in 2019, Amberol has a large contingent of long standing customers. Patience commented: “We would like to thank our customers for their invaluable support, especially during the challenges of the pandemic. I am confident that Amberol will carry on helping them improve their environment and the world around them as Leafield Environmental strengthen the Amberol brand and continue to pioneer our innovative products.”
Cancer survivor to cycle 100-mile bike ride for charity
Two years after he was told he would die within the month, cancer survivor Vitor Pinto is cycling 100-miles, raising money for St Barnabas Hospice.
In April, just after COVID struck the world, Vitor went to the doctors after experiencing extreme pain that stopped him from sleeping: “I decided to go to the hospital and when I got there I just passed out. I spent the weekend there whilst they performed some tests.”
When the results came back, it was confirmed he had stage four Hodgkin Lymphoma.
“That’s the highest stage for that sort of cancer,” Vit continued. “I was told by my consultant that if I didn’t receive treatment immediately, I could be dead within a month! I was thinking, ‘That’s it, I’m going to die’.”
Vit was offered one of the most aggressive forms of treatment to try and tackle the disease. “I had to stay in the hospital for a week so they could do the first cycle of treatment. The programme was supposed to be 12 months but I asked them to double the dose and by Christmas 2020 I was told I was finally in remission.
“The pandemic was a hard year for everyone, but to be told I had this cancer and had to go through this as well was extremely hard. The NHS staff were under so much pressure, but I can’t praise them enough. They were so good from the nurses to the consultants.”
On June 30th Vitor is taking part in the C2C2C – a charity 100-mile bike ride along with 16 co-workers and customers from commercial interior design and fit out company APSS, one of the event sponsors. They will join more than 500 riders to cycle from Lincoln, out to the coast and back again in a day, raising money for St Barnabas Hospice, EDAN Lincs, Headway Lincolnshire and Just Lincolnshire.
“Hodgkin Lymphoma is a form of cancer which is unfortunately not curable. It is something I will have to live with for the rest of my life, like many others,” Vit said. “Some, however, are not as fortunate as myself, and for those people, and their families, the work St Barnabas Hospice do is crucial. That’s just one of the reasons I will be raising money for the charity by completing the 100-mile bike ride.”
Now in it’s 11th year, the Castle to Coast to Castle (C2C2C) bike ride first started with 79 riders in a bid to get local business people out the office and onto their bikes.
Stuart Marsland, sales director for APSS, said: “Vitor is such a crucial member of staff and he has such an inspirational story of how, even when life seems at its darkest, it can be overcome. As a company, we are so proud of him for joining us in taking on the challenge of the C2C2C and will be doing everything we can to support him along the way.”
Caroline Swindin, fundraising development manager for St Barnabas Hospice, said: “Vitor is truly amazing taking on this challenge after what must have been an incredibly difficult few years. On behalf of everyone at St Barnabas Hospice, I would like to say a huge thank you to Vitor for choosing to undertake the C2C2C challenge in support of our Hospice. Your support and the money you raise through your fundraising will make a huge difference to the lives of over 10,500 patients and their families our Hospice support each year across Lincolnshire.”
To support Vitor, please donate via his Just Giving Page.
St Barnabas still have designated spaces for supporters to be able to get on the bikes and join the ride in celebration of its 40th anniversary. To sign up and also receive a St Barnabas Hospice branded shirt to race in, just visit https://www.riderhq.com/events/p/i8hzlwvs/enter?v=STB40C2C2C
To register for the hospice’s team, sign in with the code stb40c2c2c
