Housebuilder to make redundancies across Central region
Housebuilder Avant Homes is looking to make redundancies across its Central region.
Consultations are underway, according to reports from Construction Enquirer, at the regional office covering Derbyshire, North Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, and South Yorkshire.
A spokesperson from the company said that through targeted reorganisation, it has identified “clear regional overlap” which can be reduced while making sure Avant’s “multi-tenure growth strategy can be better supported by a more efficient operational infrastructure.”
The reorganisation, however, means some office-based jobs in the firm’s Central region will no longer be needed, pushing Avant to begin a redundancy consultation. The spokesperson added that the business was “committed to the redeployment of people, where possible, and a number of new roles are being proposed.”
Avant Homes Central currently has live developments ranging from Merlin’s Point at Witham St Hughes to Bennerley View in Awsworth, and is part of the Avant Homes Group, which operates across the Midlands, north of England and Scotland from eight regional operating businesses.
At present, Avant Homes Group employs more than 600 people.
2025 Business Predictions: Dave Atkinson, regional director for the East Midlands at Lloyds
It’s that time of year, when Business Link Magazine invites the region’s business leaders to offer up their predictions for the year ahead.
It has become something of a tradition, given that we’ve been doing this now for over 30 years.
Here we speak to Dave Atkinson, regional director for the East Midlands at Lloyds.
East Midlands businesses face a dynamic 2025, shaped by shifting global trends and regional strengths. Opportunities in reshoring and government defence spending are revitalising industries like advanced manufacturing and engineering, with firms increasingly focusing on supply chain security to reduce vulnerabilities and enhance resilience. These shifts also align with the region’s push toward adopting clean energy, offering a chance for businesses to lead into green innovation while meeting growing sustainability demands.
However, unlocking these opportunities requires addressing critical challenges. Productivity remains a cornerstone of business success, but achieving gains will demand investment in advanced technologies, such as AI and automation. For manufacturers, these tools will not only streamline operations but also enable smarter, circular designs that reduce waste and lower emissions.
Cybersecurity also looms as a significant focus, with businesses, particularly SMEs who may not have the resources or knowledge to protect themselves facing increasing threats. A robust approach to cyber defence is no longer optional but essential to safeguard operations and protect customer trust. And, as businesses across industries compete for expertise in AI, data analytics, and emerging technologies, greater success will hinge on cultivating and retaining skilled teams capable of driving innovation and adaptation.
In 2025, businesses in the East Midlands that embrace sustainability, leverage technology, and develop their workforce can thrive in an evolving economic landscape.
More than 100 affordable homes to be built by Derby housebuilder in Langley Mill
Derby-based developer Wheeldon Brothers is set to deliver more than 100 new affordable homes in Langley Mill following a deal with Places for People.
Wheeldon, which has been operating in the East Midlands since 1867, has partnered with the UK’s largest social enterprise to deliver 109 new homes at the site located off Bridge Street.
Under the partnership, the eight-acre brownfield site will be transformed into a combination of two- and three-bedroomed houses and two-bedroomed bungalows across a mixture of tenures.
Theo Till, land manager at Wheeldon Brothers, said: “This is a site that has sat vacant for a number of years in the heart of Langley Mill, which is now set to be transformed into much-needed new homes for the area.
“The development will include 109 new homes and a mix of tenures including affordable rent and shared ownership, which will cater to a variety of local housing needs.
“We are very pleased to be working in partnership with Places for People to deliver this fully affordable scheme; our great emphasis on delivering quality new homes combined with their outstanding reputation will ensure that local people will benefit from high quality yet affordable homes.”
Copping Joyce and Ward Hadaway LLP advised Places for People while Wheeldon was advised by CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang LLP during the deal.
Construction is set to start in Spring 2025 with homes expected to be available via Places for People from Summer 2026.
New CEO at The Generator Arts & Culture Centre, Loughborough
The Generator – an ambitious restoration project in Loughborough that’s bringing a new arts and culture centre to the town – has taken another significant step forward by appointing its CEO. Loughborough native Jess Vollar Bell is taking on the role, the first person to hold the post.
Jess will join the team of volunteers at The Generator CIC who have been working hard for several years to restore this sizeable 1930s building, now divided into the fully restored OAC (with the coffee shop Public and Plants) by its joint venture partner Our Neighbourhood and the partly-restored Generator Hall.
This building is well known in the town, with a reputation already established for innovation and creativity through its past incarnations, first as a technical college and then as an art college within Loughborough University.
The Generator is scheduled to open in Autumn 2025, creating a multi-purpose arts and cultural centre. The venue will host visual art exhibitions, music performances, workshops, and community events in its versatile spaces, including a main hall for up to 250 people and smaller studio areas.
While the focus remains on artistic activities, the venue will also cater to private hires, offering a space for weddings, conferences, and other events.
Jess attended Rawlins Academy in Quorn (Leicestershire) before pursuing training in acting at the Guildford School of Acting. After an early career as a professional actor, Jess discovered a passion for facilitating arts opportunities for others, leading her to build an impressive resume in venue management within the arts sector. Jess’s experience spans both local and metropolitan arts whilst being based in London for the past decade.
Jess spoke about her plans for the new cultural centre: “I am driven by a deep commitment to fostering vibrant cultural experiences that are accessible and available to all. With a strong foundation in the industry’s creative and operational sides, I intend to bring a unique blend of artistic vision and practical expertise to The Generator.
“With my Midlands background, I cannot wait to deliver a wealth of arts and culture experiences to this community; my community.”
Volunteer director at The Generator CIC, David Pagett-Wright, spoke on behalf of the existing team in welcoming Jess onboard: “Jess’s leadership will be instrumental in shaping The Generator’s future, and we are excited to see the meaningful impact she will make in the Loughborough arts and cultural community as well as the wider Midlands’ scene. Welcome home, Jess!”
Audiovisual artist and volunteer director at the Generator, Andy Harper, added: “Our vision is to create a vibrant destination where artists, organisations, and communities come together to experience, share, and learn through performances, exhibitions, talks, and workshops.
“We’ll collaborate with local and regional partners to enrich this area’s cultural landscape. Our focus is on delivering high-quality, accessible cultural experiences while championing sustainability and nurturing creative connections across our community.”
Derby firm Cubo overtakes national rivals to become UK’s fastest growing flex office provider
Flex workspace provider, Cubo, has been identified as the fastest-growing operator in the UK flex office market by CoStar, leaders in commercial real estate information.
Over the past two years Cubo has accounted for 33% of all flexible workspace leasing activity across the Big Six regional cities of Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, and Manchester.
This figure is way in excess of the activity of more established operators, such as global workspace giant IWG and Orega, who have achieved 13% each.
According to CoStar’s analysis, flexible workspace continues to grow in popularity across regional markets. While leasing activity by more established operators has slowed, newer entrants like Cubo have seen their market share increase.
This compares to the previous five years when IWG, which owns the Regus and Spaces brands, accounted for just over 40% of leasing activity. However, in the last two years, this figure has dropped to 13%, leaving room for dynamic operators like Cubo to thrive.
This recognition highlight’s Cubo’s rapid expansion and commitment to redefining the workplace experience.
Following a year of sustained growth, during which Cubo opened three sites, the company has announced plans to expand its footprint by 30% year-on-year and venture into European markets, a growth strategy backed by investment firm Literacy Capital, who took a significant minority stake in the business in 2023.
In less than five years, husband and wife team Marc and Becky Brough have acquired 350,000 sq ft of office space over 13 sites.
Recent milestones include establishing a presence in Manchester with two floors at The Lincoln, followed by the acquisition of the former Manchester office of WeWork at Spinningfields and securing space in the Aurora, Glasgow, one of Scotland’s most sustainable office developments.
Most recently Cubo expanded into the London market with the launch of its new workspace at Soho Estates’ Ilona Rose House, W1.
The acquiring agents are Derby-based commercial property specialists Rigby & Co.
Commenting on CoStar’s recent analysis, Marc Brough, CEO of Cubo, said: “This is a brilliant achievement, but we’ve only scratched the surface. Cubo just keeps growing faster and faster.
“A combination of controlling the best in class, Grade A locations in the UK’s top performing cities, together with an unbelievable sales and operations team, is now delivering the level of results which I’m confident will continue to outperform all other operators on a like-for-like basis.
“Cubo is about creating high-end, innovative workspaces where businesses and their teams can thrive. As we continue to expand, we remain committed to delivering exceptional experiences that support productivity, wellness, and growth.
“We’re excited to continue driving growth and supporting occupiers across the UK.”
Upperton completes build of new £7m sterile manufacturing facility in Nottingham
Upperton Pharma Solutions, the contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO), has completed the build of its new sterile manufacturing facility in Nottingham.
The new 7,000 sq ft facility is in addition to its existing 50,000 sq ft facility, Trent Gateway.
The expansion is a natural progression for Upperton which already develops and manufactures small molecule and biological, non-sterile, oral, nasal and pulmonary dosage forms from early development to late-stage clinical manufacture for global biotech and pharmaceutical companies.
Nikki Whitfield, Chief Executive Officer at Upperton, said: “We are delighted to complete the build of our sterile facility.
“The combined experience of our leadership team in sterile facility builds and subsequent operations ensures that we are ideally placed as a CDMO partner of choice for small to mid-sized biotech and pharma looking to get into the clinic quickly with fast access to sterile manufacturing services.”
Jon Austwick, Director of Quality and Compliance at Upperton, said: “This expansion illustrates our continued investment in our capabilities to support drug developers to scale and accelerate the path to delivering safe and effective medicines to patients.
“The facility has been built with the highest level of quality and is a testament to our internal teams and build vendor who have worked tirelessly over the past 12 months to bring our vision to life.”
Work starts on charity’s new city centre safe space
Work has started on transforming a former restaurant in Derby’s Cathedral Quarter into new headquarters and a community hub for young people and their families affected by child exploitation.
Derbyshire’s specialist child exploitation charity, Safe and Sound, has appointed family-owned Davlyn Construction, based in Shaftsbury Street, to complete the refurbishment of the former Thai Dusit restaurant in Bold Lane.
The construction project, which is due to be completed around Easter, will include a ground floor community hub where young people and families can engage with an expanded range of support services and activities to help them re-build their lives.
The other two floors will include space for 1-2-1 and group support, meetings and workshops as well as office accommodation for Safe and Sound’s team and volunteers who are based there. There will also be provision for other local charities to use space to deliver their services.
The project has been made possible by £250,000 funding from the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities’ Community Ownership Fund.
There have been further donations from businesses and organisations as well as several services provided pro bono including Cawarden, a specialist contractor based in Ockbrook, who helped clear the building to make way for the start of construction work.
The charity is also busy raising funds under its on-going Butterfly Appeal to buy equipment for youth and family therapy activities as well as special features to make the building welcoming for all.
CEO Tracy Harrison explained: “The Bold Lane premises will be an amazing centrally-located community asset and safe space for children and young people who are at risk of exploitation as well as their families.
“Since the confirmation of funding last year, we have been busy scoping out the work that needs to be done and choosing a contractor through a competitive tender process.
“Davlyn Construction really understand our vision for creating a flexible, safe and welcoming space for our young people and families as well as staff and volunteers.
“There is a lot of work to be done but we are excited to see the refurbishment work develop and to start planning our official opening this Spring.”
Davlyn Construction site manager Ellis Boyall added: “We are delighted to be working with Safe and Sound on this project which will bring an empty property back to life and contribute to the overall regeneration of this important part of the city centre.
“There are many challenges in this project but, as a long-established family-owned business with more than 50 years’ experience, we have the expertise and track record to bring this to fruition on time and within budget.”
Safe and Sound works with children as young as seven, young people and their families across Derbyshire whose lives have been affected by child exploitation including online grooming, sexual exploitation, County Lines, trafficking, modern slavery and radicalisation.
The charity is currently based in rented offices in Darley Abbey, a community hub in Allenton, and rents further space for further activity and therapy work.
Last year, Safe and Sound supported a record 343 children and young people who have been victims of or at risk of child exploitation. The charity largely works with 7-18 year olds but includes up to 25 if there are special educational needs and or disability (SEND) issues or children leaving care.
Safe and Sound offers a range of innovative, hands-on programmes to help young people understand what has happened to them, rebuild their confidence and move onto a place of emotional safety, protected from further harm.
Safe and Sound chair Mark Richardson, who is a director of BBJ Commercial, has been working with fellow trustees, CEO Tracy Harrison and key partners in the city to bring the vision to reality.
He concluded: “The start of work on the Bold Lane property is a significant milestone for the charity, the wider voluntary sector and for the vibrancy of the city centre.
“I am delighted that we have found the premises that will be the long-term home for everyone who works at and is supported by Safe and Sound as well as providing much needed accessible space for other organisations supporting some of the most vulnerable people in our local communities.”
Streets gains greater footprint with further merger
Streets Chartered Accountants, a Lincolnshire-based top 40 UK professional service firm, has established Streets Hackett Griffey LLP.
It follows the merger of the well-established Haverhill practice of Hackett Griffey Chartered Certified Accountants with Streets Chartered Accountants.
This latest merger sees Streets establish a greater footprint in the East of England.
When asked about the merger, Jon Griffey, Partner at Streets Hackett Griffey, said: “The firm was founded in 1984 by Philip Hackett but our roots can be traced back to the 1950s, making us by far the longest established firm in Haverhill and the surrounding area.
“As such when myself and fellow partners Simon Iron and Nicky Harris were looking at a merger with a larger firm, it was important that we considered and were able to retain a local presence and personal service that our staff enjoy and clients expect.
“We chose to merge with Streets as they are a very well respected and established firm and we are delighted to say they share the same client focussed ethos as we do which makes them somewhat unique amongst larger firms.
“Streets are not private equity backed and have no interest in being so, which offers long term security for our staff and clients.
“The need to look at a merger was driven by the fact that to remain competitive; to service the needs of clients and to look after our staff now and in the future, we need to be part of something bigger.
“Being part of Streets offers economies of scale and a wide range of expertise and other services, the benefits of which we can pass onto our clients. They also offer sector specialisms such as agriculture, technology, legal and entertainment which will enable us to attract clients that require a more specialist service.
“They also have a strong presence and so were the perfect fit for us.
“The merger will offer much greater career prospects for our staff as Streets are keen to promote rising stars and offer opportunities to do more specialised work if they so want.”
Looking at what the merger means to Streets, the firm’s Managing Partner, Paul Tutin, said: “We are delighted to have partners Jon Griffey, Simon Iron, Nicky Harris and their colleagues join the practice. It is especially pleasing to see and experience the mutual benefits and synergy to be had through firms like ours coming together.
“It certainly is important to us and those firms we come together with to share the same ethos and values and to have a real sense of community in terms of that in which we live, work and for the clients we look after.
“Following on from the merger of the Colchester and Essex practice of Whittles, now Streets Whittles, as well as Mitch Consulting, the specialist tech start up and scale up accountancy practice in the East of England, we have been keen to increase our presence locally.
“With Hackett Griffey joining the practice we are truly becoming a significant player in the region. With our regional approach forming part of our overall strategy to be a substantial UK practice.
“We continue to find that firms we talk to and that merge with us like our approach, which is very different to the private equity led deals, as we seek to build on the success of the existing practice and empower individuals to drive and lead on their future growth and success.”
Streets Law, the firm’s dedicated corporate and commercial law offering led by Managing Director and Solicitor, Adam Aisthorpe, undertook the legal work on behalf of Streets for the merger, including drafting the sale and purchase agreement and dealing with the due diligence process in collaboration with internal colleagues in the tax and audit teams at Streets.
Outline consent secured for 450 new homes in Rushden
Bellway Strategic Land’s Central region has secured outline planning permission for up to 450 new homes on the edge of Rushden, which will bring more than £4 million of investment in local services and infrastructure.
Outline planning permission for the 58-acre site off Bedford Road, at the south-eastern end of the town, was granted by North Northamptonshire Council. Bellway’s Northern Home Counties division is now preparing reserved matters applications, which it aims to submit in spring 2025.
Bellway Strategic Land first entered into an agreement with the landowner to promote the site in summer 2020, with a draft allocation secured within the emerging Local Plan Part 2 for East Northamptonshire early the following year.
The submission of an outline planning application quickly followed with members resolving to grant planning permission at a planning committee in autumn 2023, ahead of the formal adoption of the Local Plan in December that year.
Matt Smith, Senior Strategic Land and Planning Manager (Central) for Bellway, said: “We are pleased to have secured outline planning permission to create a brand-new neighbourhood on the south-eastern edge of Rushden.
“This consent is the result of extensive discussions with North Northamptonshire Council, and other stakeholders, to bring forward a high-quality scheme which will provide much-needed new private and affordable homes and a range of other benefits to the local area.
“To secure an adopted housing allocation and subsequent permission so quickly is swift progress for Bellway and our landowner in an increasingly challenging planning environment. It is a real demonstration of our team’s ability to manoeuvre quickly and successfully through the planning process.”
As part of the S106 agreement attached to the outline planning permission, Bellway has committed to investing more than £4 million towards local services including schools, sports provision, libraries and bus services, as well as providing 30 per cent of the homes as affordable housing for local people.
The development will include two new play areas, new cycleways, footpaths and a community building, which could accommodate a shop, community hall or health facility. More than 40 per cent of the site will be retained as public open space with provision also made on site for Biodiversity Net Gain.
Nearly £200m transport funding set for Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire
Nearly £200 million is set to come to the East Midlands for transport across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham, and Nottinghamshire.
This significant funding – comprised of several different sources – has been given to East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) from the Department for Transport and is for the year 2025/26.
It includes a new pot of money specifically for Mayoral Combined Authorities: an extra £66 million, on top of last year’s commitments, which pushes the transport budget for next year to nearly £200 million.
This will allow EMCCA to invest in creating better connections between cities, towns and rural areas, making it easier and cheaper to travel around the whole region. It will help give people more choice on how they travel and will make networks safer and improve public spaces.
It will further support major network improvement schemes and improve the reliability of bus services, making them more accessible for everyone and providing better facilities and information for passengers. It will also help to move to fully zero emission bus fleets and support the development of and connectivity to the region’s growth zones.
More money will also go towards highway surface improvements – a local authority responsibility – so they can fill potholes and improve roads.
Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward said: “I am delighted we have been given this additional funding to invest in our roads and local transport programmes across the region.
“This is more than filling potholes and getting people from A to B, it’s about transforming lives and communities, and it will give us a fantastic opportunity to connect people across the region and make it easier to access jobs, skills training, health appointments, and our incredible tourist attractions.
“We will work closely with key partners and councils to make sure every penny of this funding makes a difference. The ambition is to create the best possible transport system for the East Midlands and this funding will help us towards achieving this.
“We want to transform transport opportunities for all those who live, work and do business in our region, as well as those who come to visit our amazing places – creating a region where everyone has the chance to succeed.”
The funding is both capital and revenue and is derived from the following sources: Highways Maintenance, Integrated Transport, Active Travel 5, Bus Service Improvement Plans (BSIP), City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements 2 – early release.
