Business Gateway supports Circle Foundation to find Leicestershire’s next Disabled Entrepreneur
Leicester and Leicestershire Business Gateway is joining forces with local charity The Circle Foundation to help find and support a disabled entrepreneur with a winning business idea.
The Business Gateway will provide a member of its Board to join the panel of judges as well as hours of support from its Business Adviser team and paid consultancy from an expert in the winning sector.
Local disabled entrepreneur, Mark Esho MBE, launched his new charity venture, ‘The Circle Foundation’, in February this year. The Circle Foundation will provide up to £50,000 worth of business support and mentoring from Mark for whichever disabled entrepreneur is judged to have a viable business idea. The search is currently on to find entrants to this unique competition.
When the Business Gateway read the story, they were keen to get involved and picked up the phone to Mark. In addition to the prizes from the Circle Foundation, the Business Gateway will provide up to five hours of support from their Business Advisers. If the successful entrepreneur needs sector specific support, the Business Gateway will fund six hours of consultant time. Finally, a member of the Business Gateway Board will sit on the judging panel when the time comes to choose a winner.
Mark Esho said: “We’re really delighted to have the Business Gateway working alongside us on this project. We are hoping that this additional support will ensure that the winning business idea really takes off and secures a sustainable future.”
Rachel York, manager of the Business Gateway, added: “It’s important that ALL businesspeople know that we are here to support them, irrespective of their abilities, gender, ethnicity or sexuality. Getting involved with the Circle Foundation competition is one way of clearly demonstrating this and we are very happy to be involved.”
Skills scheme rolls out to communities
Tailored support with skills, training and employment is now available at special pop-up events in communities, thanks to a popular Leicestershire County Council scheme.
Work & Skills has already helped over 300 people since its launch last June and is now expanding and holding sessions in Measham and Anstey.
The scheme is open to anyone who is seeking employment or training – from those who have never been employed, to those who have lost their jobs due to the pandemic, or who are at risk of redundancy.
Councillor Peter Bedford, cabinet member for post-Covid recovery said: “Work & Skills Leicestershire has already helped many people seeking a new direction in their working lives and we are delighted to be able to roll it out into communities with our pop-up hubs.
“I would urge anyone who would like to find out more about what Work & Skills Leicestershire can offer, to get in touch and find out more.”
Weekly pop-up sessions are being held from 10am until 12pm at:
Measham’s community-managed library – on 3 and 10 March
Anstey’s community-managed library – on 31 March, and 7, 14 and 21 April
Work & Skills Leicestershire also runs at four main centres – at Loughborough Library on Tuesdays 10am until 12 noon, in partnership with Moneywise Plus and on Fridays at Hinckley Library between 10am and 12 noon, in partnership with the WiLL project. There are also sessions at Wigston Library from 10am until 12 noon every Wednesday and at Coalville Library, in partnership with the WiLL project, between 2pm and 4pm on Wednesdays.
Everyone who signs up to Work & Skills Leicestershire is offered one to one support and the opportunity to have a tailored work plan drawn up for them. Help is given with CV and letter writing skills, job searches, interview techniques and much more.
Work & Skills also plays a part in other projects – recently delivering an online hub specifically aimed at care sector recruitment in partnership with Leicester Employment Hub and Inspire to Care. It has also supported the Kickstart scheme by providing training and is working with the Kickstart employees who are finishing their placements, to prevent them from becoming unemployed.
Later this month, the service will be working with Blaby District Council to support a hospitality, tourism and retail careers event. Just 8 weeks to go: The Property & Business Investment Lincolnshire Expo
With just 8 weeks to go until The Property & Business Investment Lincolnshire Expo, register for the free to attend event, for which Business Link is a proud partner, now!
After the pandemic pushed pause on such events, the highly anticipated expo will finally return on Wednesday 27 April 2022 at The Bentley Hotel, Lincoln.
Providing everything you require for a great day of networking and business generation, The Property & Business Investment Lincolnshire Expo is a well targeted event aimed at the Construction, Property, Business, Investment, Finance, Professional Services and related B2B markets.
Tina King, of Business Shows Group, said: “It’s been a long time in the making thanks to the pandemic, but we are finally nearly there, The Property & Business Investment Lincolnshire Expo is gearing up to be one of the best to date!”
The event, which will open at 9am, will also host a seminar and as the exhibition closes it will roll directly into an informal, open buffet style network lunch – tickets are just £25 plus vat and can be ordered and paid for directly online.
Spaces for the lunch are limited, so order as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
To attend the event, register for free here.
To generate opportunities by exhibiting at the event, click here.
Purchase tickets to the networking lunch here.
Meet more potential clients in one amazing cost effective day, than it would take months out on the road. First Future Homes project gets underway in Derbyshire village
The first Future Homes project as part of Bolsover District Council’s Bolsover Homes scheme has got underway.
Following the governmental gas and oil boiler ban as the UK commit to reducing CO2 emissions, the Future Homes development will create 19 entirely electric houses at the Woodlands in Whaley Thorns, which will meet the new government sustainability standards which are due to be implemented in 2025, today.
The site forms part of Bolsover District Council’s four-year partnership with Robert Woodhead Ltd which will see the Future Homes programme aim to produce houses with a faster completion, using a fabric first approach providing lower energy bills for tenants. The construction will involve timber frame materials, SIP panels and air source heat pumps for heating.
Cabinet Member for Housing, Councillor Sandra Peake, said: “I’m really pleased to see work progressing and hopefully within the next year the bungalows and housing will be available and ready for people to move in to. The properties will be a great asset to Whaley Thorns and we will be monitoring the progress and build very closely to see if this modern method of construction is the way forward.
“There are not many Council’s doing what we are doing in terms of house building and we have already seen the benefits new council homes can bring to local communities so we will continue with our Bolsover Homes scheme and provide good quality properties in areas of need.”
The construction of the Future Homes will be up to 20% quicker than traditional house buildings due to the use of timber frames. This housing development on the Woodlands will be designed to achieve 80% less carbon emissions than current building regulations allow.
David Pearson, Bolsover Framework Manager, said: “It’s exciting to finally be launching the Future Homes initiative. As a company, we’re very proud to already be meeting future building regulations and to be contributing towards a more sustainable future in construction.”
Online event to discover more about becoming a bus driver
The latest in the Derby Jobs Live series of recruitment events will help people find out more about life as a bus driver.
Derby City Council’s Economic Growth Service has teamed up with trentbarton, one of Derbyshire’s largest transport companies, to showcase 38 vacancies at the company’s Derby depot and over 150 across the East Midlands.
Applicants don’t need a passenger-carrying vehicle licence as full training will be provided, but they must have a full car licence and at least 12 months’ driving experience.
Those who successfully complete roughly eight to 10 weeks of training can expect a starting salary of around £22,000, rising to an average of £26,500 after 12 months.
During the one-hour session on Wednesday 16 March, potential new recruits can ask any questions they have about the jobs and find out more about what the training involves, to see if it’s the career for them.
They will also hear about a three-day Customer Service and Employability course delivered by the Derby Adult Learning Service (DALS) that ends with a guaranteed interview and how it helped a current trentbarton bus driver secure work.
Derby Jobs Live is a series of recruitment events introduced to address changes in the labour market affecting many sectors as the country emerges from the pandemic.
Councillor Evonne Williams, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Skills at Derby City Council, said: “We’re pleased to work with trentbarton to recruit more drivers and create a diverse, skilled workforce reflecting the needs of our city. Buses are a vital form of transport and many people rely on them to stay connected with family and friends, access essential services and travel to work or school.
“It’s important that we have drivers trained and in place so that as we emerge from the pandemic and demand rises, operators can get our services back to where they were.”
Jeff Counsell, Managing Director at trentbarton, said: “We’re looking for people who are new to the bus industry and enjoy working with people. We’ll provide all the training you will need, not only to get your bus licence, but also how to deliver excellent customer service.
“You’ll become part of a close-knit team providing a vital public service and working for an industry leader that pays well. We also offer great employee benefits, such as gym and retail discounts, and provide ongoing training and career development opportunities.”
Green light for Staveley Town Deal project building skills for the future
A project that ensures Staveley residents can develop the skills they need to have great careers and bright futures has been given the green light.
The Construction Skills Hub will provide a practical platform for construction training, careers activity and work experience on a live construction site in Mastin Moor. Over ten years, it aims to provide training, careers insights, and work experience for over 5,000 learners.
The Skills Hub is one of the eleven projects that will be funded by the £25.2m Staveley Town Deal. Following formal Government sign-off, work to secure a training provider and develop the site can begin.
Councillor Tricia Gilby, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “This is a fantastic project for Staveley as it will help residents to access the training they need to secure good quality jobs.
“It serves as a great example of what we hope to achieve through the Staveley Town Deal – the creation of new opportunities, open to all. We can now start to work towards delivering this project and encouraging people to register their interest.”
Initially the Skills Hub will provide training in site and bench joinery, brickwork, ground works and electrical installation but in time the offer will expand to include training in retrofit and green technologies. It will be open to school leavers and other residents seeking to train or retrain.
There will also be a careers insight programme, which will be developed in collaboration with local schools, and opportunities for work experience to help young people make informed decisions about their futures.
The project has received support from local construction companies.
Ivan Fomin, chair of the Staveley Town Deal Board, said: “Establishing the right connections between construction companies, training providers and local people from the outset will be key to the success of this project. It is critical that the training provided meets the needs of the sector. We want Staveley to be a place where everyone has the opportunity to succeed – to start, to stay and to grow.”
A site has already been identified for the Construction Skills Hub in collaboration with the Devonshire Group who will be bringing forward a new housing development in Mastin Moor from the Autumn. This will allow trainees to develop their skills on a live housing site whilst in time there will also be opportunities to gain experience on other Staveley Town Deal construction projects.
A training provider will shortly be appointed to deliver the skills packages and operate the Hub. The provider will help influence how the Hub is developed to ensure that the space and facilities are optimised to meet the needs of learners and the sector.
The first cohort of learners will be engaged from September 2022 with the training compound expected to be fully operational from September 2023.
Staveley is set to benefit from £25.2 million of investment through the Town Deal. This investment will support eleven different projects across the town and provide a once in a lifetime opportunity to help shape the future by improving transport links, creating new housing, providing skills for local people, enhancing community facilities, and regenerating the town centre.
EMR team up with school pupils and local artist for Lincoln-inspired artwork
East Midlands Railway (EMR) has supported a project to produce artwork that promotes the history and heritage of Lincoln.
The six pieces of artwork, which are now on display next to platform five at the city’s station, were designed in collaboration with local artist Mel Langton and pupils from Hospital School, the National Citizen Service and Lincoln City Foundation.
The striking artwork includes designs featuring Lincoln Castle, the cathedral, Newport Arch and Lincoln City Football Club, while one piece of art depicts the railway network, and another reflects the history of Lincoln being the birthplace of the tank.
They were devised over several months in a bid to brighten up a section of the station and give customers an insight into the culture and history of Lincoln.
The artwork was sponsored by EMR, Community Rail Network and North Notts & Lincs Community Partnership, as well as Lincoln City Foundation and The Rotary Club of Lincoln Colonia.
Tamsin, who is in year 11 at Lincoln Christ Hospital School, said: “Taking part in this community project was a wonderful experience, seeing it all come together was a dream.”
While her classmate Caitlin said: “I’ve enjoyed every moment of this amazing project. I am grateful that I was given the chance to work alongside a real artist, to create something that all of us, as a community, can enjoy for years to come.”
Elaine Porter, Art Teacher at Lincoln Christ Hospital School, said: “Working with EMR and Mel has had a significant impact on the Year 11 Creative Arts Enrichment Group. It provided them with the opportunity to develop their skills in digital art, taking their artwork out of the classroom and into the community.”
Artist Mel Langton said she was delighted to have been chosen to create the artwork and work alongside the pupils. She said: “It is great to be able to help bring some fun and colourful imagery to Lincoln Railway station.
“We wanted to produce some vibrant designs that would brighten the station and welcome visitors into Lincoln, whilst sharing a little of our counties history and great places to visit.
“Along with designing my own pieces for the project, it was a pleasure working with the schools involved and the LCFC National Citizen Service to create the further three vibrant and diverse designs that are now on display.
“I really hope that the artwork will be enjoyed for many years to come.“
Donna Adams, Community Engagement Manager at East Midlands Railway, said: “Everyone involved in this project should feel very proud and we would like to thank all the volunteers for their help and time.
“The artwork is a lovely addition to the station, it not only brightens up the area, but also manages to highlight the rich history, heritage and wonderful landmarks that the city has to offer.”
The Rotary Club of Lincoln Colonia adopted Lincoln station five years ago and has been busy transforming the disused platform, clearing weeds and picking up litter.
Peter Harrold, from the The Rotary Club of Lincoln Colonia, said: “We spoke with the station manger and formed an adoption group to see what could be done. The platform has been transformed and the artwork is the icing on the cake.
“Titled ‘Romans to Railways, the artworks feature Lincoln’s Roman and Industrial past, including references to the first tank which was built here in Lincoln and the importance of railways to the city. Lincoln’s famous football club, the Imps, is not forgotten either.”
£17m refurb approved for Stephenson Memorial Hall
Ambitious plans to refurbish Chesterfield’s historic Stephenson Memorial Hall, which houses the museum and the Pomegranate Theatre, have been approved by Chesterfield Borough Council’s planning committee.
This approval means that Chesterfield Museum is now closed to begin the complex process of moving the historic collection into safe storage.
The refurbishment of Stephenson Memorial Hall is projected to cost around £17 million with £11 million of funding being secured via the Government’s Levelling Up Fund. Chesterfield Borough Council has received almost £20 million through this Government fund, the other £8 million will be used to support and enhance the Revitalising the Heart of Chesterfield Project.
Together this funding will help ensure that Chesterfield is a vibrant market town by improving connections across the town centre and enhancing the visitor economy.
Under the plans the refurbished Stephenson Memorial Hall will bring together an extended Pomegranate Theatre, a reconfigured and modern museum, alongside new gallery space, a café bar, education and community facilities.
The work will also protect the Grade II listed building and ensure that it remains part of the borough’s heritage for many more generations to come.
Creating a more accessible experience is another key aim of the proposals. The plans include three new lifts which will significantly improve the accessibility of the building for visitors, artists, and employees.
Also included in the plans are improvements to lighting, heating, and ventilation.
Consortium drops out of race to buy Boots
A duo of major investment firms that came together to form a multibillion pound takeover bid for Boots have ditched their plans, according to Sky News.
It was revealed that Bain Capital and CVC Capital Partners had set their sights on the Nottingham-based retail giant in January after it was reported that Boots’ parent company was considering a sale of the business, which would see it valued at over £5bn.
Sky News has now learnt that the consortium, one of the frontrunners, decided against submitting an offer for Boots last week, primarily driven by the price expectations of the chain’s owner, Walgreens Boots Alliance.
This leaves just a few remaining bidders for Boots. Asda, Apollo Global Management, and Sycamore Capital are said to be among these.
A pharmacy-led health and beauty chain, Boots has over 2,000 stores and a team of over 50,000 colleagues.
Workplace challenge to boost active travel
Workplaces in Leicester & Leicestershire are being pitted against each other for a fun challenge to see who can get the most staff to leave their cars at home.
The Let’s Go – Betterpoints Workplace Challenge is inviting anyone who travels to work to walk, run, wheel, ride or use public transport to help their team climb the leaderboard.
And there’s the chance to get rewarded for your efforts, with participants going into a prize draw to win prizes including an electric bike from Rutland Cycling, a FitBit, and £400 worth of outdoor gear.
The challenge takes place throughout March and is easy to join. Simply download the free Betterpoints app, register and join the Choose How You Move and Let’s Go challenges. You can then track your activities – such as walking or cycling to work – and earn points and rewards.
Workplaces based in Leicester or Leicestershire can register to take part at any time throughout the challenge and workplaces of all sizes can take part, from self-employed individuals to those with hundreds or thousands of staff on site. Email customercare@betterpoints.uk to get started.
Throughout the challenge, there will be daily opportunities to win points, plus weekly prizes such as shopping vouchers and family experiences on offer. There will also be the chance to win free monthly passes for Santander Cycles Leicester, the city’s e-bike share scheme, or to win credit for your Santander Cycles Leicester account.
A £500 charity donation will also be given as a reward and split across the five workplaces in each size category which get the most employees taking part.
All public transport, walking, cycling and running activities recorded within Leicestershire, of at least half a mile, will count towards the challenge. If you are working from home, all walking, cycling and running completed will also count.
Deputy city mayor for environment and transport Cllr Adam Clarke said: “This is a great challenge with some really good prizes on offer. We know how popular last year’s Beat The Street game was with schools and families, where you could collect points for walking and cycling – so this is a chance for workplaces to get involved in something similar.
“We’re facing a climate emergency and it’s never been more important to think carefully about how we travel and whether car journeys are the best option for the environment, our health and the air quality in our city. This is a chance for people to try out different ways of getting around, discover the benefits of active travel, and get rewarded for doing so.”
The workplace challenge is being supported by a project called Choose How You Move Leicester and Leicestershire. This is a Department for Transport-funded programme to promote walking and cycling, supporting active travel across the city and county.
