Nottingham engineering consultancy signals growth ambitions with environmental groundwork acquisition
Nottingham-based engineering consultancy, Dice, has acquired fellow Nottingham firm Unity Environmental.
Unity Environmental founder Jake Bayne and team have formed Dice Environmental – a new sub-division of the overall Dice company, offering expert geo-environmental and geotechnical engineering specialisms.
Wayne Oakes, director at Dice, said: “We are delighted to be expanding our offering with geo-environmental and geo-technical services through Dice Environmental to clients we currently work with for civil and structural services, and as a stand-alone service for projects large and small.
“We are almost four years old and as we develop from a start-up company to an SME it is important we evaluate what we are able to offer in order to ensure our growth is sustainable and measured, so our core values are never lost in the process. Keeping our customer service at 100% is the most important thing to us.”
Speaking on the formation of Dice Environmental, Jake Bayne said: “I’m excited to be growing my business by joining the Dice family, as their values around sustainability and wellbeing really align with my own.
“The experience I’m bringing to the table from working in both the public and private sector throughout the UK will enhance the service we’re able to offer clients, as well as to allow us to tap into a totally new client base. It’ll be great to see what we achieve together on this new venture.”
City of Lincoln Council delivers successful Christmas Market enabling wider economic spend in Lincoln
City of Lincoln Council delivered a successful 2021 Lincoln Christmas Market despite the pressures of an exceptional year due to Covid-19, allowing for an increase in visitors for the local economy.
In 2021, the city welcomed a covid-safe Lincoln Christmas Market between 2 and 5 December, drawing in a near-record 276,000 visitors over the four days.
In doing so, City of Lincoln Council committed to a loss in income to allow for Covid-19 safety procedures to take precedence and ensure the 2021 event went ahead.
According to economic assessments and visitor surveys previously conducted by the University of Lincoln, visitor spend from the annual market is estimated in the region of £12 million, with approximately £2.65 million going directly into the economic value of the city.
Ahead of the 2021 market, and reflecting the impact the pandemic had on some regular stallholders, many had ceased to trade or found other forms of business or employment, while others felt nervous about committing to any events due to potential cancellation due to government restrictions.
To maintain the quality of stalls, and to keep the reputation of the market, the city council made the decision to reduce the number of stalls at the 2021 market.
Reducing number of stalls, from 185, to 150, allowed for more space for visitors during the pandemic, and was just one of a number of procedures in place to give confidence in a covid-safe event. This also included hand sanitisation stations, the use of face coverings in indoor settings and crowded areas, and increased covid messaging both prior to and during the market.
However, stallholder fees are the main source of income for the Christmas Market and therefore a reduction in stalls had a serious impact on the budget.
This, combined with a shortfall in associated income from parking fees, resulted in an estimated income loss of £45,748 – a figure anticipated by the city council.
Cllr Neil Murray, Portfolio Holder for Inclusive Economic Growth at City of Lincoln Council said:
“In 2021 we fully committed to putting on the Lincoln Christmas Market as we are aware of the wider benefits the market brings to the local economy.
“The market is one of the biggest in the country and attracts visitors from far and wide, really putting Lincoln on the map, and is an important calendar event for many local businesses in the area, with over a third of the market’s stallholders from Lincolnshire.
“The 2021 market was a great success, welcoming 276,000 visitors, many of which are likely to visit our beautiful city again throughout the year, further benefitting the local economy.
“We continue to be proud to host this festive event, which keeps the spirit of Christmas alive in the city – something Lincoln greatly needed last year.”
The Derbyshire Festival of Business showcases business capabilities in the local area
The Derbyshire Festival of Business consists of various activities and networking opportunities to boost post-covid recovery.
Multiple workshops, masterclasses, networking activities and exhibitions aim to showcase the extensive business capabilities in Derby and the surrounding areas.
As part of the Derbyshire Festival of Business, the D2N2 Growth Hub will be delivering two free conferences to businesses. They will be covering marketing trends and information around the support the growth hub offers.
The first of these free events will take place on Wednesday 9 March between 7.45am and 3.15pm at the Palace Hotel in Buxton. The conference will cover digital marketing, and various experts in the digital consultancy industry will discuss key trends developing for 2022. Similarly, there will be an engaging keynote speaker providing food for thought around the digital marketing sector. This conference is now fully booked.
The exhibitions element of the Derbyshire Festival of Business will be delivered in partnership with East Midlands Chamber and the University of Derby. The exhibition opportunity allows you to showcase your business to other local businesses based in Derbyshire or Nottinghamshire, as well as the wider business community. As part of the exhibition package, businesses will also receive entrance to the Digital Conference and a buffet lunch.
More information about these exhibition stands, including pricing, can be found on the East Midlands Chamber website.
The second free event will take place on Wednesday 6 April between 8.30am and 1.15pm at the Museum of Making in Derby. This event will showcase the support that the D2N2 Growth Hub has provided to local businesses, who are Growth Hub clients, as well as the impact this has had overall. Similarly, an inspiring keynote speaker will share their story and experiences, as well as a discussion about the future of the D2N2 Growth Hub and how to access the support that they provide to businesses.
To book your place at the event, or to find out more information, visit the D2N2 Growth Hub website.
Dr Peter Dewhurst, Commercial Director at the University of Derby said: “This festival is an opportunity to showcase what our county has to offer, to identify current and future talent, and to create opportunities for collaboration between businesses, the University, policy makers and advisory organisations, which will help us build a strong, resilient and inclusive economy as we recover from the impact and challenges of the pandemic. The conferences that are being delivered in Derby, Buxton and Chesterfield on the 9, 16 and 23 of March are three of the festival’s signature events, which will serve as showcases for the outstanding business talent across the county.”
Councillor Steve Hassall, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Decarbonisation, Strategic Planning and Transportation, said: “The Derbyshire Festival of Business is a great opportunity for SME businesses in the local area to find new ways to promote their business. The D2N2 Growth Hub is a vital asset that local business continues to rely on for expansion and it’s great to see they are striving to help even more organisations. We’re excited to see what their plans are for the future.”
Pop-up hub to help breathe new creative life into Leicester’s historic Church Gate
PEOPLE are being invited to discover a new pop-up creative hub located in the heart of Leicester’s historic Church Gate.
Called BETA X, the project has brought together a diverse community of artists, makers, designers, researchers, thinkers and innovators to deliver a programme of events and workshops in a recently renovated property on the historic shopping street.
The project is led by Leicester City Council and supported by Historic England as part of the High Street Heritage Action Zone programme.
Over two months, BETA X will make the pop-up art space at 72 Church Gate a hub for creative activities with over 30 free to attend events taking place in the previously vacant property.
The programme has been developed by LCB Depot and De Montfort University and includes activities for all ages including from junk modelling with led lights, blacksmithing workshops, upcycling unwanted clothes into cuddly soft toy companions, cartooning workshops and talks on wartime fashion and the secret life of hats.
City Mayor Peter Soulsby said: “We’ve got some really creative things happening in Leicester and some really creative people doing them. We’ve also got a real wealth of undiscovered architectural treasures in the city.
“To bring all that together in this exciting pop-up creative hub – where people can meet and be creative together in a beautifully restored historic building – is a wonderful showcase for Churchgate and a great reason to rediscover this historic shopping street.”
BETA X is part of the Leicester High Street Heritage Action Zone, a £2.2million heritage-led regeneration scheme backed by Historic England. The national scheme aims to breathe new life into high streets across England, fuelling economic, social and cultural recovery and give them a new lease of life for future generations to enjoy.
In Leicester, the four-year programme will focus on projects in the Church Gate and Granby Street conservation areas.
The scheme offers grants to repair and restore historic buildings along with funding street improvements, work to develop options for particularly difficult sites, and a programme of cultural and community engagement.
Examples of work already underway include the pedestrianisation of Church Gate and major improvements to the street scene to create a more attractive for shoppers and visitors; the award of £750,000 to restore the roof of the former HSBC bank of Granby Street; plans to restore the Grand Hotel shopfronts to their original design; and the development of proposals to restore the historic timber warehouse which can be seen to the rear of the courtyard of BETA x’s temporary home at 72 Church Gate.
BETA X is an example of how the High Street Heritage Action Zone programme is supporting local creative industries to help reanimate the high street and encourage people to rediscover the rich architectural heritage of their city centres.
Frasers Group acquires digital retailer, saving 1,500 jobs
Shirebrook-based Frasers Group has acquired digital retailer, Studio Retail Limited and certain other assets of Studio Retail Group (in administration).
The consideration for the transaction comprised cash and the release of Studio Retail Group from its liabilities to the lending banks under its revolving credit facilities resulting in a cash payment by Frasers Group to the lenders in the amount of £26.8 million.
The company also agreed to act as guarantor in respect of certain payments in respect of the Studio Retail Group group pension scheme.
Earlier in the month Studio Retail Group, which is backed by Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group, revealed it was set to bring in administrators after attempts to secure a £25m loan failed. Studio had a surplus stockholding requiring additional working capital funding whilst it was sold through to customers. While Studio Retail Limited itself was not in administration, it had temporarily ceased taking orders and the transaction will allow trading operations to resume, ensuring continuity for suppliers, the group’s over 1,500 employees, pension holders and customers. Frasers Group said in a statement to London Stock Exchange: “As Frasers Group seeks to elevate its customer journey including a flexible repayment proposition, the acquisition of Studio Retail Limited will provide Frasers Group with expertise and synergies that will accelerate this ambition. Frasers Group is also pleased to have rescued another business out of administration and saved approximately 1,500 jobs.”Bungalows for the elderly planned for Shirebrook
Plans to build 24 new single storey council properties on land off Market Close in Shirebrook have been approved by Bolsover District Council’s Planning Committee.
The development is on 1.2ha of land which will see 24 bungalows be constructed to meet quality standards such as the Code for Sustainable Homes Level 3, Lifetimes Homes, Building for Healthy Life 12 and Secured by Design – all at affordable rents.
Council Leader, Councillor Steve Fritchley, said: “Where land is available and not being used to its full potential, we need to be thinking how it can benefit the local community. This site is close to the town centre and all the amenities, so it is the perfect place to build new homes for our elderly residents so they do not have to move out of the town.”
This latest development is the next phase of houses to be built under the Bolsover Homes banner, a £36million scheme to build up to 400 new council properties.
Peveril Securities chosen as development partners for £200m Becketwell Derby scheme
St James Securities, developers behind the £200m regeneration of the Becketwell area of Derby, have announced Peveril Securities as development partners for future phases of the scheme.
The company, which is the development arm of the Bowmer & Kirkland Group, has brought significant financial weight to phase two of the scheme, which includes the delivery of a new 3,500 capacity performance arena for the city.
Plans are currently being drawn up for future phases of the scheme, which is set to include a range of other complementary uses of the site including new grade A offices and commercial space, a hotel, and a multi-storey car park.
Leeds-based St James Securities have been working on the Becketwell regeneration scheme since 2017 and have received multiple awards for investing in a site that had failed on numerous occasions.
Their work has provided a platform to encourage significant investment to Becketwell and the wider city centre.
This includes Grainger, the UK’s largest listed provider of private rental homes, which is fully funding, acquiring and operating the £37.375m Build to Rent (BTR) scheme; Derby City Council which has assisted with land assembly for the development and will be acquiring the performance venue; ASM Global, the world’s leading venue management and services company, which will be operating the venue on a 30-year lease, and now Peveril Securities, which specialises in investment and development both in a sole capacity and in joint ventures.
This latest announcement is expected to provide confidence for further new investment in surrounding areas of the city centre.
Work on phase one of the Becketwell scheme is currently underway, with the construction of 259 one and two-bedroom apartments on the site of the former Debenhams store on Victoria Street.
This will be complemented by a new public square on the site of the former Central United Reformed Church, with completion scheduled for Spring 2023.
In October 2021, Derby City Council granted planning permission for the new 3,500 capacity performance venue on the site of the former Pennine Hotel, Pink Coconut nightclub and Laurie House offices.
Demolition work will commence in March 2022, with construction work set to commence in January 2023, with completion and handover to the operator in late 2024.
Commenting on the addition of Peveril Securities to the development team, Paul Morris, development director at St James Securities, said: “This is another significant financial commitment from a very well respected and locally based company, which is one of the biggest players in the region.
“Their financial strength secures the future of the site and will enable us to forge ahead with multiple projects at the same time.
“Over the past five years, we have been real trailblazers, prepared to take on a site that had failed multiple times and putting together a scheme which will change the face of the city.
“We are delighted that Peveril Securities share our ambition for Derby city centre and look forward to working together to encourage additional investment to the city.”
Ralph Jones, Managing Director of Peveril Securities and main board director of Bowmer & Kirkland, added: “We have been following the progress of the Becketwell area of Derby with interest over the past couple of years and are delighted to be involved in such a transformational scheme which is local to Peveril Securities.
“St James Securities have a track record of delivering high quality regeneration schemes in other cities and we look forward to bringing our financial strength, development and construction expertise to this exciting project.”
Six East Midlands businesses tee off on £100,000 golf challenge
Six East Midlands businesses have tee’d off again on a charity golf challenge aimed at raising £100,000 for the charity Big C Little C which was founded to support local initiatives in aid of Cancer Research and NSPCC.
The ‘Three Bunkers Challenge’ is styled like the infamous three peaks mountain climbs, but involves 24 golfers playing three golf courses in each of the East Midlands counties of Nottingham, Derby and Leicester in one day. The event was established by Bev Cook of Simple Marketing Consultancy which is based in Radcliffe on Trent, who having raised £13,000 last year, has pledged to repeat the event until £100,000 has been raised.
The charity Big C Little C was founded by business entrepreneurs, Andrew Springhall from Breedon Electrical Services and Colin Shaw, former chairman of PKF Cooper Parry, who joined forces in January 2019 to create the new charity in order to encourage businesses to organise events to raise money to support The Jenny Farr NSPCC Diamond Appeal and Cancer Research.
The six companies that are participating include: business advisory firm Mazars (Bob Johnson), Anthony James Insurance Brokers (Steve Boorman), Breeze Corporate Finance (Paul Bevan), MKM Building Supplies (Kate Tinsley), Colin Shaw, and Bev and Elliot Cook from Simple Marketing Consultancy.
The winners when the challenge was held in 2021 was team Mazars who won by adding the best two players scores from each hole and then subtracting the number of bunkers all players landed in to reach their overall team score – hence why the event is called the three bunkers challenge.
This year the event will start at 6.30am at Morley Hayes Golf Club, then players will travel to Charnwood Forest Golf Club and conclude at The Nottinghamshire Golf & Country Club. The organisers welcome support via online donations or gifting raffle prizes which can be auctioned during the prize presentation.
The fundraising link is: https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/unite/big-c-little-c-three-bunkers-challenge
Long established Derby Chartered surveying firms merge
Two of Derby’s long established Chartered quantity surveyors, project managers and building surveyors have joined forces.
Founded in the 1960s and 1970s, the merger of Armsons and Barlow & Associates under the banner of ‘Armsons Barlow’ will create a regional market leader for the property and construction industry.
Operating throughout the UK, the Armsons Barlow project management and quantity surveying team aims to protect their client’s position in the costing, procurement and delivery of construction and refurbishment projects. This is supported by its building surveyors, providing pre-acquisition surveys and advice for purchasers, landlords and tenants, schedules of condition, dilapidation claims and investigation of defects.
The company’s experience includes projects in the industrial, commercial, infrastructure, residential, healthcare, sports and leisure, retail, education and heritage sectors.
Commenting on the merger, Stephen Fernie, director of Armsons, said: “Over the past five decades Armsons has established a reputation as one of the region’s leading firms of project managers, construction cost consultants and building surveyors. We share the same values as Barlow & Associates in our commitment to provide our public and private sector clients with a first-class personalised professional service.
“Both businesses have been involved in significant regeneration projects and developments across the Midlands. Joining forces will enable us to build on the success and reputations of both firms and expand our presence across the Midlands and beyond.”
Chris Mills, director of Barlow & Associates, added: “The merger brings together the considerable experience and expertise of two long-established firms. The combined experience and additional resources will enable the new company to continue to provide first class services in what is an increasingly demanding industry.”
Armsons Barlow are located at 7 Vernon Street, Derby, with Armsons having relocated from their base at St Matthew’s House in Darley Abbey.
New primary school for a growing area of Derby
An exciting project is under way to build a new primary school to serve the expanding population of Boulton Moor.
Construction work on the new primary school, which will cater for more than 350 children, is set to start this Summer ready for a September 2023 opening. Derby City Council is now inviting proposals from Academy Trusts who can deliver high quality education and establish the primary school ready for opening.
New housing developments at Fellow Lands Way, Chellaston and Snelsmoor Grange, Boulton Moor are creating a total of 990 new homes, leading to more demand for primary school places in the area.
As a result of the new housing, a planning application for a new primary school has also been approved. The school will be located on a new site within the Snelsmoor Grange housing development and have 315 school places and 39 nursery places. The catchment area for the school will align with both the Snelsmoor Grange and Fellow Lands Way developments.
The new school will build pupil numbers incrementally, increasing by one year group each year. So, when it opens in September 2023, it will admit children into the Reception year group only. In September 2024, it will admit children into Reception and Year 1, and so on, until all year groups are open. If additional places are needed in other year groups before this date, the Council will work closely with the school to open up additional capacity as required.
Cllr Evonne Williams, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Skills at Derby City Council said: “The new primary school and nursery development are a welcome addition to our existing education resource in Derby. The incremental growth of the school will allow for a high-quality level of teaching for the children while allowing them to settle into school life. We look forward to seeing the school take its place at the heart of a new community.”
More information about the primary school development can be found on the website, along with the specifications for potential Academy sponsors.
