Contractor appointed to build new £15m health services hub for Belper
Contractor Henry Brothers Construction has been appointed to build a new £15m centre for community health services in Belper, Derbyshire.
The modern facilities – designed to have high environmental credentials to ensure long-term sustainability – will be built on the site of the former Belper Clinic, as part of the Babington Hospital site on Derby Road, Belper.
Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust has commissioned Midlands-based contractor Henry Brothers to deliver the new building.
It will include environmentally sustainable features such as photo-voltaic panels on the roof to harness the power of the sun, with pledges to use local and recycled material from demolished buildings in the build where possible, along with timber from certified sources.
The health hub will feature 15 consulting rooms, six treatment rooms, a health education group room and other facilities, and will provide a range of services including community nursing, midwifery clinics, podiatry services, speech and language therapy, physiotherapy, continence advisory service, wound care and phlebotomy.
Designed by architects Race Cottam Associates, it will accommodate all existing outpatient and clinical services provided at Babington Hospital.
Ian Taylor, managing director of Henry Brothers Construction, said: “We are proud to have been appointed by Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust to build this important new community health facility for the people of Belper.
“Henry Brothers has wide experience of delivering community facilities in Derbyshire and beyond, such as schools and health care services, and we look forward to starting on site.
“Once completed, the Belper health hub will play an important role in the local community, providing key facilities to residents, and we are pleased to be involved in delivering this development for Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust.”
Planning permission for the new community health services hub was granted by Amber Valley Borough Council in September last year, paving the way for the process of inviting tenders and appointing a contractor, procured through the Pagabo Framework.
Jim Austin, executive director at Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are delighted to announce the award of the contract for this project in anticipation of the start of work on site.
“Once completed, this new building will deliver healthcare facilities fit for the 21st century for people in Belper and surrounding area. It has been a long time in the planning and we’re excited to see site preparations for building work to start soon.”
Enabling work at the site is now getting under way, with a planned construction phase of 66 weeks. It is being built to BREEAM excellent standards to ensure long-term sustainability.
Other members of the construction team alongside Henry Brothers and Race Cottam Associates include project manager Capita, civil and structural engineer Eastwood Consulting Engineers, and mechanical and electrical engineers EP Consulting.
Stellar Asset Management buys Newark Golf Club
Twenty jobs and a golf club that dates back more than a century have been saved by the sale of the assets of Newark Golf Club to Stellar Asset Management, which owns a number of golf clubs and leisure resorts.
The deal has not only secured the future of the historic golf club and saved jobs, but will also deliver a significant dividend to its 400-plus members.
Earlier this year directors of the club, founded in 1901, recognised that its funds were not
sufficient to undertake the substantial improvements needed to update the 18-hole course and club house, threatening its ability to continue to operate without becoming insolvent.
With the support of the membership, the directors worked with Begbies Traynor to market the club while managing its cash flow and reserves, enabling it to continue to trade during the sale process. The sale was supported by the club’s lender Clydesdale Bank.
Yü Group records “set of strong results”
Yü Group, the independent supplier of gas and electricity, meter asset owner, and installer of smart meters to the UK corporate sector, has recorded a “set of strong results” in a trading update for the six months ended 30 June 2024.
The business saw first half revenue reach £310m, up 60% on the same period last year (£195m), despite mild Spring temperatures reducing consumption. Monthly average bookings, meanwhile, were down at £46.9m (H1 23: £51.3m and FY23: £55.5m), reflecting reduced commodity market prices. This was offset by the Group delivering a 35% increase in supplied meter points in H1 24, and 82% from June 2023, to close at 72,300 (H1 23: 39,700; FY23: 53,400).Yü Group noted it is on track to deliver EBITDA and EBIT margins and therefore profitability for FY24 in-line with current market expectations.
Bobby Kalar, Chief Executive Officer, said: “I’m proud to report a continued set of strong results; with revenue, meter points supplied energy, and meters installed increasing by c.60%, 82% and 125% respectively on the same period in 2023.
“We continue to focus on delivery of our strategy, increasing market share through our unique Digital by Default offering and supported by our new agreement with Shell, and to deliver sustainable margins as we scale.
“Cash generation is very strong and provides a good basis to support our progressive dividend policy and to invest in strategic initiatives.
“I remain excited by the future and am fully committed to delivering shareholder value. I would like to thank my fantastic team for continuing to deliver our growth trajectory and enabling the Group to benefit from its position as a key challenger brand in a £50 billion market.”
Green light for 1.5 million sq ft industrial & logistics development in Derbyshire
Harworth Group has secured a resolution to grant outline planning consent from Amber Valley Borough Council for the development of 1.5 million sq ft of Grade A Industrial & Logistics space and up to 300 new homes at its Cinderhill development in Derbyshire.
Harworth owns or controls the majority of the site through a combination of freehold ownership and under a Planning Promotion and Marketing Agreement (PPMA). Harworth is the first developer to unlock this complex site since taking control of it in 2018. Located in Derbyshire, adjacent to the A38, the Cinderhill site has a long history of industrial uses including an iron foundry and opencast coal extraction. The Group’s proposal includes land remediation, site servicing and installation of high-quality infrastructure to facilitate the construction of Grade A commercial units. The regeneration of this site once complete is expected to create over 1,000 new jobs and the whole scheme has been carefully designed to incorporate infrastructure capable of supporting sustainable living and provides connectivity via cycle paths, footways and bus routes. Lynda Shillaw, Chief Executive, Harworth Group, said: “The receipt of planning at Cinderhill is a significant milestone as this complex site has involved careful masterplanning over the years alongside collaboration with a number of different stakeholders. “This achievement highlights our specialist skillset and track record of securing planning and regenerating former industrial land. “We look forward to playing a part in the delivery of a high-quality sustainable scheme in a region which has a strong manufacturing and logistics presence and where Harworth continues to see strong demand for our serviced land products.”Obsequio Group secures financing solution to fuel buy-and-build strategy
Obsequio Group, a provider of fire detection, safety, security and water hygiene solutions, has secured a new senior finance package from Kartesia, a European specialist provider of financing solutions for small and mid-sized companies.
This partnership is set to fuel Leicester-headquartered Obsequio Group’s buy-and-build strategy. The financing provided by Kartesia will support strategic growth initiatives, enabling further expansion through targeted acquisitions of established compliance services and technology businesses. The Obsequio Group buy-and-build strategy focuses on broadening geographical coverage, enhancing service capabilities, and expanding market presence. Obsequio Group currently serves over three thousand public and private sector customers operating across a wide range of sectors including education, industrials and student accommodation. Additionally, Obsequio Group has a growing technology offering through its Drax Technology division, offering a range of monitoring and detection technologies. Following initial investment from Beechbrook Capital in 2021, Obsequio Group has successfully acquired and integrated eight companies including Complete Detection Systems, Genex, Drax360, APS, Brunel and Bryland. Simon Cashmore, Obsequio Group Chairman, said: “From our very early discussions with Kartesia it was evident that there was strong alignment between our teams, complete buy-in to our strategy and a genuine interest and desire to build a detailed understanding of our business, all of which contributed to us selecting Kartesia as our preferred partner for the next stage of our journey. “During the last 3 years we have successfully acquired and integrated a number of businesses into the group and we are delighted to be able to confidently progress our strategy with the financial support of Kartesia, and indeed our partnership with Beech Tree Private Equity.” Daire Creighan, at Kartesia, said: “We are excited to partner with Obsequio Group and Beech Tree Private Equity to support the next chapter of their impressive growth story. “As one of the UK’s fastest-growing founder-led companies, Obsequio Group has significantly expanded its service offerings and geographical presence, demonstrating a commitment to constant innovation and service quality in the fire safety and adjacent compliance sectors. “Their impressive M&A and integration strategy has established Obsequio Group as a market leader across the UK in fire safety and compliance, and we look forward to supporting their ongoing growth and success in partnership with Beech Tree Private Equity.” Ben Cartwright, at Beech Tree Private Equity, said: “We’re delighted to have secured this financing package with Kartesia. This deal will not only enable Obsequio to accelerate its organic growth plans, but will also provide significant additional firepower to pursue other high quality compliance services and complementary technology acquisition targets. “We have a clear plan to build Obsequio into the leading technology-enabled compliance services provider in the UK and I firmly believe that Kartesia’s support over the coming years will help us to achieve this.” Paul Whitehouse, at Beechbrook Capital, added: “It has been a pleasure to work with the Obsequio team over the last three years and support the early stages of their buy and build journey. We look forward to seeing where the next stage takes them and wish them all the best in their future partnership with Kartesia.”Colleges propose merger
Loughborough College and SMB College Group are proposing a merger, following the latter’s financial trouble.
The two colleges are currently in a consultation period, whereby they are working closely with key stakeholders to ensure the new offering meets the needs of the region and shapes professional futures through the development of skills.
Corrie Harris, Principal and CEO at Loughborough College, said: “This partnership represents a highly exciting proposition, promising significant benefits and opportunities for students, staff, and employers throughout Leicestershire.
“We hope that it will be transformational, by delivering greater economic prosperity and by offering a larger number of students from across our region an outstanding experience.”
Dawn Whitemore, Principal and Chief Executive of SMB College Group, said: “This strategic partnership marks an exciting step forward for both our colleges as we combine our strengths to enhance educational opportunities for our students and community.
“We are pleased to be working with a partner with the same values and passion as SMB College Group.”
Following the consultation period, both organisations will create a joint merger steering group of governors to oversee the proposal and perform due diligence, with an anticipated merger date of 1st August 2025. Final approval also needs to be secured from the Education and Skills Funding Agency and Department for Education.
This proposed merger will strengthen the current growth plans for both colleges. These include more than £35m investment in significant projects such as the East Midlands Institute of Technology (EMIoT) and the Digital Skills Hub at Loughborough College in addition to £20m investment in the brand-new Land-based and Agri-tech centre at SMB College Group’s Brooksby campus.
The East Midlands Bricks Awards 2024: recognising the exceptional work of property and construction businesses
With nominations OPEN for Business Link’s annual East Midlands Bricks Awards, don’t miss this opportunity to showcase your business, team and projects by submitting an entry for the prestigious event.
Attracting leaders from across the region, the celebration of the property and construction industry is the perfect way for firms to raise their profile and promote the work they are completing, as well as boost morale.
Take this chance to highlight exceptional new commercial and residential developments, those demonstrating a leading position in sustainability and design excellence; gain recognition as outstanding developers, architects, contractors, and agents, as well as for significant deals; and ensure efforts in corporate social responsibility are rewarded, from eco initiatives to charity work, to social value schemes.
Winners will be revealed at a glittering awards ceremony on Thursday 3rd October, at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground – an evening also offering time to establish new connections with property and construction professionals from across the East Midlands.
After winning the Commercial Development of the Year award at last year’s event, Clare Swaine, business development manager at Henry Brothers, said: “I was delighted to collect this award on behalf of Henry Brothers, it was a fantastic team effort to deliver this impressive Passivhaus building which is supportive of Loughborough University’s path to net-zero and is a tremendous asset to the University and wider Leicestershire economy. The event was also a great networking opportunity and it was interesting to hear more about the various developments happening in the region.”
To nominate your (or another) business/development for one of our awards, please click on a category link below or visit this page.
Award categories include:
Tickets can now be booked for the 2024 awards event, click here to secure yours.
Taking place in the Derek Randall Suite at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground on Thursday 3rd October, from 4:30pm – 7:30pm, connect with local decision makers over nibbles and complimentary drinks while applauding the outstanding companies and projects in our region.
Attendees will also hear from keynote speaker Paul Southby, partner at Geldards LLP, chair of the Advisory Board to Nottingham Business School, chair of Broadway independent cinema, trustee of Clean Rivers Trust, chair of Nottingham Partners, board member of Marketing Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, and former High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire.
Dress code is standard business attire.
Thanks to our sponsors:
- Most active agent
- Commercial development of the year
- Responsible business of the year
- Residential development of the year
- Developer of the year
- Deal of the year
- Architects of the year
- Excellence in design
- Sustainable development of the year
- Contractor of the year
- Overall winner (this award cannot be entered, with the winner, and recipient of a year of marketing/publicity worth £20,000, selected from those nominated for the event’s other awards)
Nominations end Thursday 5th September
Tickets can now be booked for the 2024 awards event, click here to secure yours.
Taking place in the Derek Randall Suite at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground on Thursday 3rd October, from 4:30pm – 7:30pm, connect with local decision makers over nibbles and complimentary drinks while applauding the outstanding companies and projects in our region.
Attendees will also hear from keynote speaker Paul Southby, partner at Geldards LLP, chair of the Advisory Board to Nottingham Business School, chair of Broadway independent cinema, trustee of Clean Rivers Trust, chair of Nottingham Partners, board member of Marketing Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, and former High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire.
Dress code is standard business attire.
Thanks to our sponsors:
To be held at:
Local businesses boosted with launch of Early Stage Angel Investment Fund
‘Early stage’ businesses based in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire can now pitch to access new funding to support growth.
The Early Stage Angel Investment Fund (ESAIF) was developed by the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership (D2N2 LEP) ahead of it becoming part of the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) earlier this year.
The Fund, which has been launched at events in Derby and Nottingham, aims to stimulate investment and growth in ‘early stage’ companies – those that have been trading between six and 24 months.
D2N2 LEP/EMCCA are contributing £4 million to the fund, match-funded by ESAIF fund manager, Haatch. Over the longer term these funds will be re-invested in the programme, to catalyse investment and growth for more early-stage companies.
The Derby launch event, held at Derby Arena, featured a video keynote address by Claire Ward, Mayor of the East Midlands, and presentations by D2N2 LEP Deputy Chair and EMCCA’s business representative David Williams MBE DL, Lewis Stringer of British Business Bank, Samantha Deakin of the University of Derby and Fred Soneya of ESAIF fund manager Haatch.
The Nottingham event, held at BioCity, featured a video keynote address by Claire Ward, Mayor of the East Midlands, and presentations by D2N2 LEP board member Glenn Crocker, Lewis Stringer of British Business Bank, Sarah King of Obu and Fred Soneya of ESAIF fund manager Haatch.
The events were MC’d by EMCCA’s Nicola Swaney and attended by more than 100 delegates over the two days.
Claire Ward, Mayor of the East Midlands, said: “Supporting our local economy is one of my priorities as Mayor of the East Midlands and I’m delighted we’ve been able to launch the Early Stage Angel Investment Fund.
“I look forward to hearing all about the impact of this fund, how it supports our local businesses, and how it will help our regional economy thrive. I’m keen to see what we can achieve together through this significant investment and strong collaborative partnership.”
The Early Stage Angel Investment Fund was announced by D2N2 LEP Chair Elizabeth Fagan at the UK’s Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) in Leeds earlier this year.
Plans submitted for major Northampton industrial development
Trebor Developments and Hillwood have submitted a detailed planning application for a major industrial development in Northampton. The application has been submitted for a single B8 industrial unit of 330,000 sq ft to be developed to BREEAM Excellent and EPC “A” rating.
The site is situated 5 miles east of Northampton Town Centre adjacent to the A45 Expressway, which provides dual carriageway access to Junction 15 of the M1 Motorway in a 7-minute drive.
Subject to planning the building could be available for occupation in 2026 on a build to suit or speculative basis and is available on both a leasehold and rare freehold basis.
James Drew, Trebor’s Development Director, said: “We are delighted to have reached the next key stage of delivery for this major, golden triangle, development. The building is expected to deliver over 350 direct full-time jobs, an ecological net gain of over 10% and generate a total economic benefit of £890m over the life of the scheme.”
Drake & Partners and Knight Frank have been appointed agents.
New Chair for Boston Town Board
Joanna Brigham has been announced as the new Chair of Boston Town Board.
Joanna, a highly experienced senior leader who has held Chief Executive and Director roles within a broad range of organisations, assumes the role after former Chair Neil Kempster decided to step down.
Joanna’s appointment comes as the Boston Town Board begins a new phase in its existence having been repurposed to oversee the delivery of £20m Long Term Plan for Towns funding awarded to Boston.
This additional funding complements the £21.9m Town Deal funding which is being invested in Boston through a number of transformational projects, including the new Mayflower learning centre at Boston College and improvements to the Geoff Moulder Centre.
Joanna, who was also most recently Chief Executive of UK Shared Business Services Ltd and previously CEO for the Scottish Police Services Authority, and Director of Strategy and Marketing for the Royal Parks said: “I am so pleased to have been appointed to lead Boston Town Board through its next chapter, when we will build on the successful and significant progress to date and look to the future by creating and overseeing the implementation of a long term plan for Boston.
“I would like to thank my predecessor Neil who has held the position of chair almost from the very beginning. I look forward to continuing to work with him and all the board members as we bring together our shared skills, commitment, and ambition for Boston to make a difference for the town.”
Neil, who is Land and Development Director of Chestnut Homes was an inaugural member of the Board and has been Chair of the Boston Town Board since June 2020. During his four years at the helm, the Board’s role expanded after further funding including Levelling Up and more recently Long Term Plan for Towns investment was awarded to Boston.
Neil said: “It has been a privilege to serve as Chair for the Boston Town Board, and to be involved in shaping the town investment plan and projects ever since the announcement of the funding.
“Following the establishment of the Boston Town Board in 2020, which enabled the Boston Town Deal investment of £21.9 million, we have supported significant further funding and investment into Boston.
“This has included Levelling Up and Levelling Up Partnership, match funding for the Town Deal, UK Shared Prosperity Funding, High Street Task Force support and most recently the Long Term Plan for Towns funding.
“Now, with the changes in the board’s role, it feels like the right time for me to step down. I am looking forward to remaining as a board member, and continuing to work with Jo and the other board members. I wish Jo all the very best in her role as Chair.”
Councillor Anne Dorrian, Leader of Boston Borough Council, said: “I think I speak for all the partner organisations who are represented on the Town Board when I say that Neil’s chairmanship over the last four years has given a steady and stable influence, giving oversight to the important major projects of the Town Deal.
“I am delighted that he has chosen to stay on as a board member and is willing to offer his vast wealth of experience as we move forward with the Long Term Plan for Towns.”
