East Midlands accountancy firm Cooper Parry has further strengthened its suite of digital businesses with the acquisition of Marketing Cloud Intelligence (formerly Datorama) specialists Front Foot.
It follows the recent acquisitions of Cloud Orca and MacroFin, as Cooper Parry looks to create the UK’s next gen professional services group.
This is the firm’s twelfth deal within the last 22 months.
Since 2017, Front Foot has delivered AI powered marketing intelligence to a full spectrum of clients, from global marketing agencies to multi-national enterprises, ecommerce, publishers, government, retailers, SMBs and independent digital agencies across many verticals.
Founders Christian Osborne and Sam Eaton both join Cooper Parry as Data & Intelligence Directors.
Ed Rowland, Head of CP Digital, said: “Bringing Front Foot into the CP Digital family is a brilliant fit – strategically and culturally. Christian and Sam have built an outstanding reputation. Their data and marketing intelligence specialism perfectly complements our existing Cloud Orca (Salesforce) and MacroFin (NetSuite) businesses.”
Work starts to create enhanced community facilities at Barrow Hill Memorial Hall
Work to refurbish Barrow Hill Memorial Hall and create enhanced community and healthcare facilities has begun on site.
Barrow Hill Community Trust is refurbishing its historic home to create a social space for the community and add new facilities that will enable local residents to access healthcare services.
With funding provided through the Staveley Town Deal and the Heritage Lottery Fund, the first phase of the project should be completed by March 2026.
Simon Redding at Barrow Hill Community Trust said: “It is fantastic to get started on site and start to see our plans come together.
“This is a community building and will make a real difference in Barrow Hill, helping people to access the services they need at every stage of life but also ensuring that as a community we have a space that we can call our own and celebrate our achievements.”
Plans for the memorial hall include classroom space, healthcare facilities and a new social space for the community to come together. The work will be carried out in phases, with some elements dependent on further external funding.
Ivan Fomin, Chair of the Staveley Town Deal, said: “The Trust have worked incredibly hard to bring this project to life and I want to thank them for all their hard work.
“This project has the ability to transform lives and support our aim of ensuring that Staveley is a place where everyone can have the best start to their lives, stay, grow and ultimately achieve their potential.”
Barrow Hill Memorial Hall is owned and managed by the Trustees of Barrow Hill Community Trust on behalf of the community.
The Trust has owned the Hall since 1924 when Charles Paxton Markham gave the Workmen’s Hall at Barrow Hill to the community as a war memorial.
East Midlands confidence dips in February
Business confidence in the East Midlands fell two points during February to 37%, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds.
While companies in the East Midlands reported greater optimism in the economy, up five points to 30%, their confidence in their own business prospects fell 10 points month-on-month to 43%. Taken together, this gives a headline confidence reading of 37% (vs. 39% in January).
Looking ahead to the next six months, East Midlands businesses identified their top target areas for growth as investing in their team, for example through training and development (43%), evolving their offering, for example by introducing new products and services (34%), and investing in sustainability (32%).
A net balance of 35% of businesses in the region also expect to increase staff levels over the next year, up five points on last month.
The Business Barometer, which surveys 1,200 businesses monthly and which has been running since 2002, provides early signals about UK economic trends both regionally and nationwide.
National picture
Overall, UK business confidence rose 12 points in February to 49% — its highest level since August 2024.
Firms’ optimism in their own trading prospects increased six points to 57%, while their confidence in the wider economy rose 18 points to 42%.
The North East was the most confident UK nation or region in February (69%), followed by the North West and East of England, both at 61%.
Sector insights
All four sectors surveyed saw double-digit increases in confidence. The largest improvements were seen in manufacturing, which rose by 13 points to 51%, and construction, which increased by 14 points to 50%. Retail also experienced a significant gain, up 11 points to 51%, and services rose by 10 points to 48%.
Within the services sector, hospitality firms posted a particularly strong rebound in sentiment. Confidence across these sectors reached their highest levels in several months, ranging from four months in services to seven months in manufacturing.
Dave Atkinson, regional director for the East Midlands at Lloyds, said: “Despite a slight dip in business confidence, it’s positive to see the region’s firms still setting out clear plans for growth, with investment in their people, service and product innovation, and sustainability at the fore.
“We’ll continue to provide our tailored, on-the-ground support to help local firms on their growth journeys.”
Finedale Foods acquires historic George Adams 1910 brand
Finedale Foods has acquired the intellectual property of the George Adams 1910 meat products brand, following its collapse in January and the closure of its Lincolnshire manufacturing site. Production will resume at Finedale’s facility in Norfolk in the coming weeks.
The acquisition includes the brand’s trademark, recipes, and other non-physical assets. George Adams 1910, known for its pies, sausage rolls, and Scotch eggs, supplied the retail and food service sectors across the UK.
Finedale Foods, which also owns the Frank Dale Foodservice and Deli Santé brands, sees the acquisition as a strategic fit that expands its production capabilities. The company specialises in ready-to-eat pastry and meat products, serving private labels and its brands.
The George Adams 1910 range will now be produced at Finedale’s BRC-accredited site in Norfolk. The company aims to build on the brand’s 113-year heritage.
AstraZeneca opens Lincolnshire biogas plant to power UK operations
AstraZeneca and renewable energy firm Future Biogas have launched a biogas plant in Gonerby Moor, Lincolnshire, to supply renewable energy for the pharmaceutical company’s UK operations.
The Moor Bioenergy plant will generate 100 gigawatt hours of biomethane annually, meeting the heating needs of more than 8,000 homes. By the end of 2024, AstraZeneca aims to power all its UK research and manufacturing facilities with clean energy, reducing its reliance on fossil fuels. The company expects the plant to offset 18,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions per year, equivalent to 20% of its total global gas consumption.
Unlike some renewable energy projects, the plant was developed without government subsidies. AstraZeneca says the investment aligns with its broader goal of achieving 100% renewable energy across all global operations by the end of this year and reaching net-zero emissions by 2045.
AstraZeneca shares rose 0.24% to 11,910p on Thursday, reflecting a 15% increase over the past year.
UK firms maintain diversity goals despite US policy shift
According to Employment Rights Minister Justin Madders, UK businesses are expected to continue supporting diversity and inclusion initiatives despite US companies scaling back similar efforts.
Madders stated that British firms have their “own approach” to equality and are unlikely to follow the US trend, where companies like Google, Meta, Amazon, and McDonald’s have rolled back diversity programmes. The shift in the US came after Donald Trump’s election victory and executive orders that eliminated federal diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies.
In contrast, UK firms such as Deloitte and Barclays reaffirmed their commitment to diversity. Apple shareholders also rejected a proposal that aligned with Trump’s stance on workplace DEI initiatives.
Meanwhile, the UK government has introduced an Employment Rights Bill to enhance worker protections, including for pregnant employees and new mothers, while making flexible work the default. However, new hires will face a nine-month probation before gaining unfair dismissal protections, addressing business concerns over “day 1” employment rights.
Boston stores shut down over criminal activity
Three retail businesses in Boston—Sky Store (34 High Street), Bode (92 High Street), and Boston Food Store (10 Red Lion Street)—have been issued Closure Orders following evidence of criminal activity. The orders, granted by Boston Magistrates’ Court on February 25, fall under Section 80 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 and will remain in effect for three months.
During this period, access to the premises is restricted to utility workers, postal services, and emergency personnel. Authorities have warned that any unauthorized entry could result in fines or imprisonment.
Lincolnshire Police and Trading Standards gathered intelligence through community reports and proactive enforcement efforts. Further extensions may be sought if criminal activity is expected to continue. Officials are also working with landlords to establish long-term solutions, with potential investigations into those receiving rent from illicit operations.
Authorities urge the public to report any breaches of the Closure Orders, which are in place until May 24, 2025.
Chesterfield businesses face higher costs as council raises taxes and fees
Chesterfield Borough Council has approved a 2.99% council tax hike and new fees that will impact local businesses.
The tax increase, along with a 2.7% rise in rents, follows a £4 million budget shortfall. Businesses will see higher costs through increased charges for town centre parking, waste collection, and venue rentals. The council is also cutting support for public advice services and closing the Visitor Information Centre.
Officials warn of continued financial challenges, with potential further hikes in 2026-27 if government funding remains uncertain. Businesses reliant on council services should prepare for rising expenses.
Peak District campsite to build events barn after fire
Hartington Hills, a Peak District campsite, has received planning approval to construct a new events barn following a fire in June 2024 that destroyed key infrastructure and a holiday cottage.
The approved plans allow the new barn to host events and workshops, a long-term goal for the business. Construction has begun on critical infrastructure, including heating and water systems, with the complete build set for completion by spring 2026. The first workshops and events are expected to occur in the summer.
Hartington Hills, established in 2011 and located near Buxton, plans to collaborate with local artisans, educators, and businesses to develop event programming.
EU revises green rules to ease business burden
The European Union is adjusting its environmental regulations to reduce business compliance costs while maintaining its commitment to decarbonisation. The move follows pressure from industry leaders and major economies like France and Germany, which have raised concerns over high energy costs and regulatory burdens.
The European Commission introduced a “Clean Industrial Deal” to cut red tape, lower electricity taxes, and refine corporate sustainability reporting requirements. Under the proposed changes, large companies would report on supply chain impacts every five years instead of annually, and the reporting threshold would increase from firms with 250 employees to those with over 1,000.
Despite the adjustments, the EU reaffirmed its goal of carbon neutrality by 2050 and its target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030. However, the revisions face opposition from environmental groups and some lawmakers, who argue that scaling back regulations could undermine sustainability efforts. The proposals require approval from EU member states and the European Parliament.
