Friday, March 14, 2025

Tesco opens security hub to combat retail crime

April Lara
-
0
Tesco opens security hub to combat retail crime

Tesco has launched a new security hub in Daventry, Northamptonshire, as part of a multimillion-pound investment to address rising retail crime. The facility will operate 24/7, monitoring CCTV footage and sharing intelligence with police to tackle shoplifting and staff assaults.

Retail crime costs UK businesses an estimated £1.8 billion annually. The new hub is designed to strengthen security measures and improve collaboration with law enforcement. Tesco has not disclosed the total investment but emphasised its commitment to staff and customer safety.

Rockingham Cars expands EV lineup with Leapmotor partnership

April Lara
-
0
Rockingham Cars expands EV lineup with Leapmotor partnership

Rockingham Cars has become an official dealer for Leapmotor in Corby, joining the Chinese electric vehicle (EV) brand’s push to establish 80 UK dealerships by the end of the year.

Leapmotor’s UK lineup includes the C10, a mid-sized SUV with a 261-mile range priced at £36,000, and the compact T03 city car, which offers a 165-mile range. The partnership stems from a joint venture between Leapmotor and Stellantis, which owns Abarth and Fiat.

Rockingham Cars, in operation since 1978, has a long-standing relationship with Stellantis brands and is recognized for strong customer service. It ranked second in JudgeService’s 2023 list of the UK’s top 20 dealerships, achieving a 99.53% customer satisfaction score.

Nottingham charity seeks business support to complete new facility

April Lara
-
0
Nottingham charity seeks business support to complete new facility

Footprints, a Nottingham-based charity supporting children with mobility and communication challenges, is relocating to a larger facility in Clifton to expand its services. The new site on Farnborough Road, formerly the Highbank Community Centre, will increase the charity’s capacity from assisting 60-75 families annually to supporting 300 families with tailored programs.

The facility will feature session rooms, a sensory room, a family space, a community café, outdoor sensory areas, and accessibility-focused amenities. Renovations are underway, but additional support is needed to complete the transformation. Footprints is seeking contributions from businesses, including construction materials, volunteer labor, and professional services, particularly electricians and plumbers.

With its previous site in Sneinton sold, the charity is working to minimise service disruptions. Businesses interested in supporting the project can contribute through donations, volunteering, or in-kind assistance.

Council drafts long-term plan to revamp Northampton town centre

April Lara
-
0
Council drafts long-term plan to revamp Northampton town centre

West Northamptonshire Council is developing a 15-year masterplan covering more than 400 hectares to regenerate Northampton’s town centre. The initiative aims to boost the local economy, improve public spaces, and promote sustainable transport.

A team of regeneration specialists has been appointed to shape the project, focusing on enhancing the town’s cultural and sporting heritage while creating new employment opportunities. A public consultation, set to launch in early summer, will allow residents and businesses to provide input.

Land deal brings new school a step closer

Tess Egginton
-
0
Land deal brings new school a step closer
Nottinghamshire County Council-owned land has been officially signed over to The White Hills Park Trust as part of an agreement which will see a planned new school built on the existing Bramcote College site. In a move to help invest in the community, the council has sold two plots of land for the nominal fee of one pound, so the Trust can sell the land on to a housing developer. This money will be used to fund the rebuild. The new school building will provide a total of 950 places (750 secondary school places and 200 places for sixth form). There will be the potential to increase capacity in the future. The new school will be purpose-built and have modern facilities for all subject areas and will meet the Department for Education’s sustainability targets, built to low-carbon standards. Commenting on the official contract agreement with the Trust to sign over land, which combined is more than 17 hectares or equivalent to 43.5 acres, Councillor Keith Girling, the county council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Asset Management, said: “As a county council, it is our duty to invest in education to benefit future generations. “This is great use of our land assets as this agreement with the Trust will help them to fund a purpose-built school which will provide the best environment for learning and help bring more school places to Nottinghamshire.” Paul Heery, CEO of White Hills Park Trust, said he was delighted to be working with the county council on this project. He said: “This project will deliver a wonderful new home for Bramcote College, fit for education in the 21st century. “Generations of students, as well as the wider community in Bramcote and Stapleford, will benefit from this partnership. We now look forward to building commencing this summer.” The school is due to be delivered by Morgan Sindall Construction with Arc Partnership, a joint venture between Nottinghamshire County Council and SCAPE, providing the architectural design.

CEO steps down at Totally plc

Tess Egginton
-
0
CEO steps down at Totally plc

Wendy Lawrence, the CEO of Totally plc, a Derby-based provider of frontline healthcare services, corporate fitness and wellbeing services, has agreed with the Board to step down from her role and leave the Board with immediate effect.

The Board intends to initiate a formal search process to identify a new Chief Executive Officer as soon as possible. Until such time as a new Chief Executive Officer is appointed, Professor Prasad Godbole, Totally’s current Chief Operating Officer has been appointed interim Chief Executive Officer of the company.

Professor Prasad Godbole will report directly to Simon Stilwell, Chairman of the company, but will not be appointed to the board at the present time.

Simon Stilwell, Chair of Totally, said: “I would like to thank Wendy for her contribution to Totally plc over the last 12 years. In that time the business has grown considerably both organically and by acquisition and successfully expanded its offering to be one of the leading independent healthcare providers today.”

Wendy Lawrence said: “I’d like to thank those whom have supported me during my tenure as CEO at Totally, we have certainly made some major progress over the years. I wish Totally well and am already looking forward to the next chapter in my career.”

Decision to not grant planning permission for lorry park on former nightclub site upheld by Planning Inspectorate

Tess Egginton
-
0
Decision to not grant planning permission for lorry park on former nightclub site upheld by Planning Inspectorate
North West Leicestershire District Council (NWLDC) has won an appeal against its decision not to grant planning permission for a lorry park on the site of the former Stardust nightclub on Beveridge Lane, Coalville. Two appeals were brought about by Mr Brett Parker, Director of Bardon Truck Park Ltd, in January. Appeal A related to an enforcement notice issued by NWLDC last March after a breach of planning permission which allowed for temporary parking of heavy goods vehicles on the site, with the land to then be vacated and returned to its former condition after 36 months. Use of the land for lorry parking did not stop on 9 June 2023 and the site was not returned to its former condition in accordance with the conditions of the permission, leaving the council with no option but to issue the enforcement notice. Appeal B related to the council’s refusal to grant further planning permission to Mr Parker for the parking of heavy goods vehicles on the site. The decision by the Planning Inspectorate to dismiss both appeals following a public inquiry means that all use of the site for HGV parking must stop within four weeks. Councillor Tony Saffell, portfolio holder for planning at NWLDC, said: “I’m very pleased that the Planning Inspectorate has upheld the council’s position. The fact is that the truck park, accessed by HGVs via the same narrow entrance as the Charnwood Arms car park, was a danger to pedestrians and to traffic crossing the nearby junction. “We also know that there have been many occasions where HGV drivers leaving the site have made illegal right turns on to Beveridge Lane, dangerously crossing the eastbound carriageways. As the Planning Inspectorate concluded, it was only a matter of time before this led to a potentially fatal incident. “I’m glad that the risk caused by HGV parking at the site will no longer be an issue. I’d like to thank everyone involved for their hard work throughout this process.”

Team of regeneration and placemaking experts appointed to create new Northampton Town Centre masterplan

Tess Egginton
-
0
Team of regeneration and placemaking experts appointed to create new Northampton Town Centre masterplan
West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) has appointed a team of regeneration and placemaking experts to create a bold new masterplan for Northampton Town Centre—a long-term vision to revitalise the area, attract investment, and improve everyday life for residents and businesses. The masterplan will set out exciting opportunities for the town centre over the next 15 years, helping to shape a thriving, vibrant, and welcoming place for the future. The plan will work alongside the emerging West Northamptonshire Local Plan which identifies new places for schools and health facilities. This plan will:
  • Enhance connectivity and accessibility: Improve pedestrian routes, making it easier to navigate, while enhancing the gateways into the town.
  • Culture and leisure opportunities: Enhance cultural and leisure spaces and providing more recreational activities.
  • Community facilities and public spaces: Create inviting and accessible public spaces, promoting a sense of community and improving the quality of life for residents.
  • Diverse and inclusive housing: Provide new locations for inclusive neighbourhoods with a mix of residential spaces, benefiting from sustainable transport options and increasing footfall within the centre.
  • Celebrate and enhance the town’s rich heritage: Maximise the town’s unique assets and strengthen connections with these to increase community pride.
  • Boost economic growth: Identify new opportunities for businesses and investments, creating job opportunities and supporting existing businesses.
Since 2019, WNC has secured over £50 million in investment to transform Northampton, with future developments bringing forward a further £500m in private sector investment in years to come, including major projects:
  • The Market Square and Abington Street regeneration – creating flexible spaces that allow the town centre to hold more events and adapt to the changing retail patterns.
  • 24 Guildhall Road – An expanded contemporary art gallery, artist studio space and business spaces in the heart of the town.
  • Market Walk/Stack – Large food hall and leisure/entertainment offer opening in the town centre in 2026.
  • Four Waterside development – bringing new business and leisure opportunities.
  • Greyfriars redevelopment – unlocking Northampton’s biggest regeneration sites.
This new masterplan will build on these existing projects and identify the next big opportunities to deliver improved spaces for local residents and businesses. WNC has committed to working with the local community to develop the masterplan and public consultation will begin in early summer 2025. Residents, businesses, and stakeholders will have the chance to share their ideas and priorities for the town centre’s future. Cllr Dan Lister, Cabinet Member for Local Economy, Culture and Leisure at WNC, said: “Northampton is undergoing a period of transformational change, and this masterplan will set out the next phase of regeneration projects. Combining new investment with our existing schemes, the town is benefitting from improved public spaces and leisure facilities. “As part of the public engagement, we want to hear from the people who know Northampton best—its residents and businesses—to ensure the projects meet the needs of the local community.”  The masterplan will be developed by a team of regeneration experts including:
  • Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios as lead masterplanners, a multi-award-winning architectural and urban design practice.
  • Planit-IE as landscape and public realm designers.
  • Civic Engineers as transport and movement specialists.
  • Cushman & Wakefield providing commercial and market information.
  • Deetu leading on consultation and engagement.
Alex Whitbread, Partner, Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, added: “Northampton is a town with a rich heritage, a vibrant community, and a unique identity. This transformative masterplan will authentically capture its essence, fostering civic pride and creating a distinctive, progressive future. “We are delighted to be appointed as lead architects for the Northampton Town Centre Framework and look forward to unlocking its full potential, attracting visitors, businesses, and new residents to be part of its exciting evolution.”

Corporate insolvencies reach record levels, but more companies have potential to be rescued

Tess Egginton
-
0
Corporate insolvencies reach record levels, but more companies have potential to be rescued
Years of challenging trading conditions and the threat of April’s rise in the National Minimum Wage and Employers’ National Insurance Contributions have driven up monthly corporate insolvency figures to the highest seen in January for more than five years. This is according to the Midlands branch of the UK’s insolvency and restructuring trade body R3, and comes on the back of figures published this week [18/2/25] by the Insolvency Service which show that corporate insolvencies increased by 6.4% last month to a total of 1,971 compared to December 2024’s total of 1,852. The January 2025 figures are also 10.7% higher than the January 2024 total of 1,780 and they are 13.1% above the 1,743 registered in January 2023. R3 Midlands Chair Stephen Rome, a partner at law firm Penningtons Manches Cooper in the region, said: “The monthly rise in corporate insolvencies is due to an increase in the number of Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidations and Administrations. Creditor pressures, ongoing cost issues and consumers’ reluctance to spend is continuing to take a toll on businesses. “Creditors have now largely abandoned the benign attitude they had in the aftermath of the pandemic as they attempt to manage their own debts. We’ve also seen HMRC return to its pre-pandemic approach of pursuing money it’s owed – this is after years of taking a more supportive stance during and after the COVID era. “There is, however, some positive news in all of this in the form of the rise in Administration numbers. They are higher than both this time last month and this time last year, indicating that there are more companies which have the potential to be rescued through a sale out of Administration, helping to maximise creditor returns and safeguard jobs. “Against this backdrop, I would expect to see an increase in demand for restructuring advice and support across the region, as firms consider their options ahead of the end of the financial year, particularly as cost and creditor pressures are unlikely to ease in the short-term. “R3’s message, therefore, is for anyone who is worried about finances to seek advice as soon as possible. We’ve seen countless examples of businesses reaching out too late and which could have achieved a more positive outcome if they had acted sooner. “Most R3 members will give prospective clients a free initial consultation to learn more about their situation and outline the potential options open to them to improve it.”

Lincoln financial firm adopts four-day workweek to attract top talent

April Lara
-
0
Lincoln financial firm adopts four-day workweek to attract top talent

Almond Financial, a Lincoln-based financial advisory firm, has transitioned to a four-day workweek, aiming to attract skilled professionals in a competitive industry. Employees will work Monday to Thursday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with no reduction in pay.

Founder Sam Robinson said the decision followed a successful trial of a four-and-a-half-day week over three years. The firm adjusted internal processes and set client expectations to ensure a smooth transition. Robinson emphasised the benefits of improved employee satisfaction and productivity.

The 4 Day Week Foundation reports that over 200 UK companies have adopted the model, arguing it enhances efficiency and reduces absenteeism. Labour MP Peter Dowd has advocated for a 32-hour workweek, though the UK government has no plans to mandate the change.

1...232425...952Page 24 of 952

ABOUT US

We offer an exciting opportunity in the East Midlands for companies to plan innovative advertising campaigns alongside consistently excellent reporting. Our newsletters are sent directly chief executives, chairmen, managing directors and senior managers across the East Midlands. We also reflect on the importance of SMEs, with numerous companies from all sectors – from manufacturing to technology – benefiting from our mix of news and features. If you’re in business, East Midlands Business Link is for you.

Contact us: sales@blmgroup.co.uk

FOLLOW US

© Copyright 2024 - East Midlands Business Link

By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. more information

The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this.

Close