East Midlands business confidence slumps to lowest in UK
Business confidence in the East Midlands fell six points during April to 16%, the lowest of any UK region or nation, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking.
Companies in the region reported lower confidence in their own business prospects month-on-month, down 11 points at 19%. When taken alongside their optimism in the economy, down one point to 13%, this gives a headline confidence reading of 16%.
Despite the fall in confidence, East Midlands businesses flagged a range of growth opportunities for the next six months, including evolving their offering with new products or services (38%), investing in their teams (32%) and making the most of new technology (23%).
The Business Barometer, which questions 1,200 businesses monthly, provides early signals about UK economic trends both regionally and nationwide.
A net balance of 19% of businesses in the region expect to increase staff levels over the next year, up six points on last month.
Overall UK business confidence remained unchanged during April, at 33%. Firms’ outlook on their future trading prospects rose five points to 39%, but their optimism in the economy dipped slightly on March (down from 32% to 26%). The net balance of businesses planning to create new jobs also decreased by six points to 26%.
Every UK region and nation reported positive confidence readings in April. Wales (up 25 points to 20%), the South East (up 19 points to 30%) and the West Midlands (up 10 points to 42%) reported the largest increases month-on-month, with the West Midlands now the most optimistic region overall.
Dave Atkinson, regional director for the East Midlands at Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said: “While it is disappointing to see this fall in confidence, it certainly isn’t all doom and gloom. There is still a positive reading overall, with many firms seeing opportunities to grow or expand their teams this year.
“There are exciting plans afoot in the region too, including a new ‘Gigafactory’ in Leicester that will potentially kick off next year, which will no doubt bring a boost to businesses across the supply chain. We’ll be sure to play our part in helping firms to navigate the current challenges they are facing so they can continue to target growth in future.”
From a sector perspective, manufacturing confidence increased by eight points to 43%, erasing part of the 19-point decline in March, helped by somewhat stronger trading prospects.
Retail and services confidence, however, were little changed on the month and is weaker than at the start of the year, with businesses increasingly concerned about the outlook for the wider economy. Retail confidence edged up one point to 29%, while services confidence was unchanged at 32%. Construction confidence fell for a second month to 33%, but is still on a par with the all-sector average.
Hann-Ju Ho, senior economist, Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said: “April’s data is mixed and follows the significant decline in business confidence in March after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Although firms reported a partial recovery in their trading prospects, optimism for the wider economy declined for a second successive month.
“Positives remain as overall confidence is above the long-term average, but it is still expected that growth will moderate over the coming months and many businesses will remain cautious as they face into these headwinds.”
RammSanderson in conservation success at Friar Gate, Derby
RammSanderson, working alongside Clowes Developments Ltd, have led a successful translocation of the rare plant Common Broomrape (Orobanche minor) from the former Friar Gate station and rail yard in the centre of Derby, as the first step towards the regeneration of this area of the City Centre.
The plant has very specific habitat requirements and is only found in a handful of locations across Derbyshire. It lacks chlorophyll, which gives many plants their green leaf colour and also provides them the means of turning sunlight, plus water and nutrients from the soil, into energy to fuel them to grow. Instead, this plant is parasitic and feeds off the roots of its ‘host’ plants to survive.
Clowes Developments Ltd, owner of the Friar Gate site consulted RammSanderson with regards to ecology early on when proposals began to take shape to assess and make safe the fire-damaged Friar Gate site. In doing so, the site was identified as containing the rare Broomrape plant.
The work to inspect the buildings, by the design team (Architects: Maber, Engineers: Jackson Purdue & Lever) is being carried out by Derby firm Cawarden and to complete this safely, large, specialist access cranes will be brought onto site. For that to happen a haul road needed to be built on-site and the rare plants were exactly where the haul road needed to be installed.
For that reason, RammSanderson acted quickly to find new homes for the plants and move them before work on site commenced.
Spearheaded by director Oliver Ramm, the company engaged with a cross-party stakeholder group including Clowes Developments Ltd, Derbyshire Wildlife Trust and Severn Trent Water to secure receptor sites for over 30 of these plants: “Through early engagement with the whole project team, to understand the needs of our client and through stakeholder liaison we’ve been able to identify the issue and use our initiative to provide the opportunity for the long-term survival and spread of these plants at several locations across Derby and Derbyshire, which is a fantastic achievement.”
The approach taken involved reviewing a number of possible receptor locations across Derbyshire, then selecting the most appropriate sites. The plants were then translocated and the nominated receptor sites are on land owned and operated by Severn Trent Water, for whom RammSanderson are a framework consultant, and so have an excellent working relationship. The plants will be monitored and managed by RammSanderson’s Habitat management team with liaison via Severn Trent and funds secured from Clowes Developments Ltd to ensure their continued success.
Oliver added: “Because the inspection and stabilisation work to the Bonded Warehouse and Engine Shed only needed Listed Building Consent, the City Council didn’t need to consult on ecological matters as with a normal planning application. The client was under no legal or planning obligation to do the translocation, but being a responsible developer, Clowes gave us the freedom to act on their behalf and ensure these rare plants were removed from harms way.
“My thanks go to Clowes and their Design Team; everyone involved at Severn Trent Water who’ve been fantastic in letting us move these plants onto their land; to Derbyshire Wildlife Trust for their involvement and collaboration; and to my team who’ve worked very hard to make sure this all happened before the work on-site commenced. We’ll now be monitoring the plants in their new homes for the next five years to make sure the plan has worked.”
Window open for £17m building framework across Nottinghamshire
SME contractors across Nottinghamshire are being invited to secure their role in £17 million-worth of construction and retrofitting projects being procured by Arc Partnership Limited for Nottinghamshire County Council.
Arc Partnership, a joint venture between Nottinghamshire County Council and public sector procurement specialist SCAPE, has outlined the timetable for its General Building framework, with SME contractors across the county now able to respond to a Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) to submit their interest to tender.
Running for a period of four years from 2023 to 2027, up to 33 contractors including SMEs will secure a place on the framework, delivering construction and maintenance services across Nottinghamshire County Council properties including County Hall.
Following an initial period of market engagement, Arc Partnership has lowered some barriers to entry by reducing the turnover-based requirements on a range of lots across the framework. Firms will have until midday 17th June to answer the PQQ.
The second-generation framework marks a £7million expansion on the cumulative value of projects being procured through Arc Partnership’s existing framework. The expansion will further aid the growth of local businesses while delivering extensive social value in local communities, including through skills development.
SME contractors across Nottinghamshire will sit at the heart of the new framework, with the successful firms well positioned to contribute to the county’s ongoing regeneration. So far Arc Partnership projects have generated more than £210 million in local investment, with almost £190 million in contracts for Nottinghamshire businesses.
Councillor Reg Adair, Vice-Chairman of the Economic Development and Asset Management Committee at Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “Enhancing the local economy and promoting a prosperous community for our residents is our number one priority. We remain committed to creating the right environment for businesses to succeed. Local contractors are a vital part of this and are the cornerstone of the new framework.
“The second-generation framework embodies all of our ambitions for a brighter future for Nottinghamshire, as we strive to deliver more sustainable and cost-effective infrastructure, to make the best use of taxpayer’s money and achieve our long-term net zero ambitions.”
Daniel Maher, Managing Director of Arc Partnership, said: “Delivery underpinned by value for money, quality of output, and customer excellence across our built environment programmes, on behalf of Nottinghamshire County Council, remains top of our agenda to support the county’s ongoing economic recovery.
“In recent years, our framework has supported local contractors and provided them with a healthy pipeline of work to help them succeed and, in turn, create more employment opportunities by investing in the future of the region’s workforce. The expansion of our framework reaffirms our commitment to provide greater opportunities for local SMEs to deliver transformative programmes of work with a clear focus on community value.”
The chosen contractors will also benefit from access to SCAPE’s network of delivery partners, allowing them to forge relationships with firms who are responsible for as much as £18bn in public sector investment – both in Nottinghamshire and across the UK.
Arc Partnership, which was formed in 2016, currently supports more than 50 local businesses across its network of supply chain providers, delivering major projects, planned works, responsive repairs and servicing for the County Council.
Lincoln press release distribution service acquired by US firm
3BL Media, the environmental, social and governance (ESG) content distribution and analytics platform for purpose-driven companies, has acquired RealWire Limited, expanding audience and reach in the United Kingdom and Europe.
The acquisition is the eighth for 3BL Media since 2009. Terms were not disclosed.
“Companies worldwide are committing themselves to ESG performance and transparency, and the combination of RealWire with 3BL Media will provide greater reach to stakeholders including online news outlets, journalists and investors,” said Dave Armon, CEO of 3BL Media, adding that previous UK acquisitions included Ethical Performance and ReportAlert.
Based in Lincoln, since launching in 2000, RealWire specializes in increasing the online impact of press releases while cultivating positive relationships with business and trade journalists. RealWire’s editorial and client services team, led by Managing Director Emily Gosling, will enhance 3BL Media’s distribution network by providing concierge service to the growing journalist corps covering climate and sustainability topics.
“Historically, RealWire has been an important B2B communications platform for technology, telecoms and healthcare businesses,” said Gosling. “We have seen ESG rise on our clients’ agenda, so joining 3BL Media will enable us to reach new audiences immediately on a global scale while we apply our unique model for micro-targeting to beat reporters who opt into our distribution network.”
Of the more than 8,000 reports and stories on ESG topics that 3BL Media distributed last year, environmental topics generated the most volume and audience interest, said Armon. Diversity, equity and inclusion was the top content category in the first quarter of 2022.
First business development at the South Lincolnshire Food Enterprise Zone
The first sale of land at the FEZ is complete with Holbeach-based business AJS Control & Automation now able to start work on their new development.
AJS have purchased a plot covering just over 0.6 acres to build a two-storey office, research and development facility and workshop premises over 12,905 square feet.
Cllr Colin Davie, executive councillor for economy at the county council, said: “This is the first of many businesses that will benefit from locating at this amazing, collaborative site. The South Lincolnshire FEZ offers so much for local, national and multi-national firms at the forefront of the agri-food and technology sector.
“We’re providing the infrastructure, collaboration opportunities and research capabilities that businesses need, but we’re also making it quicker and easier for them to locate here.”
James Taylor, Managing Director at AJS Control & Automation said “We have been looking for a new property to house our three rapidly growing businesses for some time now. I was on the launch call for SLFEZ during lockdown and knew this was the place for AJS straight away! I believe this will form a community of likeminded businesses looking to work together to aid food production sustainability. Myself and all of our team cannot wait to get to our new site.”
Other occupiers of the South Lincolnshire FEZ include the University of Lincoln’s National Centre for Food Manufacturing’s Agri-Food Centre of Excellence and Institute of Technology, as well as Lincolnshire County Council’s purpose-built, high quality business space, The Hub.
Jasper Caudwell, at Pygott & Crone, the appointed marketing agent, said “AJS have been working alongside us from the very early stages and it gives us all great pleasure in seeing them take ownership of Plot 9. They will form an integral part in the future growth of the site and we are looking forward to seeing their development materialise.
The completion of Plot 9 is a timely one, with the launch of the HUB building being just around the corner.”
Sarah Louise Fairburn, Deputy Chair of the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership and Chair of the Greater Lincolnshire Food Board, said “It’s fitting that the first commercial tenant to move onto our ground-breaking South Lincolnshire FEZ is a business focusing on one of the three themes our food industry has agreed for the UK Food Valley: supporting the automation and digital transition of the food chain.
“The food industry is investing rapidly in automation, and with the University of Lincoln now the leading innovation centre for this technology in Europe, AJS can be assured that its growth will be well supported. In my own business I am developing new automated solutions for warehouse pick and pack and it’s vital that we facilitate the growth of a thriving automation cluster in Lincolnshire.”
Councillor Nick Worth, South Holland District Council deputy leader and portfolio holder for people, places, economy, said: “It is great to see a local business take this exciting first step to join the FEZ, which will give a variety of innovative food businesses a unique location to support each other and develop together.
“I look forward to seeing more new arrivals in the coming months, and the employment opportunities and boost to the economy these will bring for Holbeach, South Holland, and the wider area.”
Hat-trick of deals at Morris Court
Commercial property specialists NG Chartered Surveyors have completed a hat-trick of deals at Morris Court on the ever-popular Colwick Industrial Estate in Nottingham.
Acting on behalf of a private landlord, Charlotte Steggles at NG has let Unit 2 to electrical wholesale distributor Eyre & Elliston, Unit 5 to industrial bakery equipment supplier Maven; and negotiated a lease renewal on Unit 4 to Impact Electrical – an electrical wholesale business.
Together, the deals mean that over 11,000 sq ft of space has been successfully let by NG.
Charlotte said: “Morris Court is an incredibly popular location for growing businesses and I was incredibly pleased to get these deals completed on behalf of our landlord client. They now have three successful businesses as tenants, all of who recognised the value of a proactive landlord who invests in their property portfolio.
“NG used our market knowledge to match up the two new tenants with these prime units and secured a satisfying outcome for our client on the lease renewal. I wish all three businesses all the best for their future at Morris Court and look forward to working with them again in the future.”
Gavin Williams, Managing Director at Maven, said: “Maven are a growing business and this space will support us now and going forward. The move will mean a huge amount to us as it gives us the opportunity to grow and develop in the future. Charlotte and the whole NG team were great and kept us up to date on how things were going every step of the way.”
New electric vehicle charging forecourt on the cards for Markham Vale
A greener future may be on the cards at Markham Vale as Derbyshire County Council and HBD’s flagship regeneration site could become home to the county’s first all-electric vehicle charging forecourt – providing charge points for up to 36 vehicles at any one time just off the M1.
Sustainable energy business GRIDSERVE wants to build the forecourt opposite the existing Enterprise Way service area with charge points for electric cars, HGVs and buses.
If planning permission is granted, it would also create up to 25+ full time equivalent employment opportunities through the design, engineering, construction and operation phases.
GRIDSERVE CEO, Toddington Harper, said: “We are committed to delivering EV charging infrastructure that both enables the transition to net zero carbon transport, and excites drivers to make the transition to electric vehicles. The geographical distribution of EV charging across the UK is essential to usher in the mass market era of electric vehicles.
“This development would benefit the local community, and the wider UK as it reduces its reliance on fossil fuels. We are proud to have chosen the area of Markham Vale for this project and we hope the people across the region share our passion for delivering a cleaner, more sustainable future in the earliest possible timeframes.”
Derbyshire County Council Cabinet Member for Clean Growth and Regeneration, Councillor Tony King, said: “We welcome GRIDSERVE’s interest in Markham Vale and if their proposal is granted planning permission, the new EV forecourt will help to give motorists the confidence to make the switch to an electric vehicle and move us closer to our target of helping to get 1,000 public facing electric vehicle charge points in place throughout the county by 2025.
“Decarbonising transport is one of our top priorities as part of our climate change strategy which aims to reduce emissions generated by the county council to net-zero by 2032 or sooner and help the rest of Derbyshire reduce carbon emissions generated within the county to net zero by 2050 or sooner.”
Markham Vale is one of 100+ electric charging forecourts currently in development by GRIDSERVE and if planning permission is granted for the Derbyshire site it would be powered by renewable sources, with solar panels and on-site battery storage to capture and store electricity.
Richard Hinds, development surveyor at HBD, said: “Markham Vale is one of the largest industrial and logistics schemes in the North, so it’s important that we look to the future to ensure that the right infrastructure is in place to provide motorists with clean energy.
“We’re very pleased to welcome GRIDSERVE and look forward to working with the team as they bring their plans forward.”
The planning application has been submitted to Chesterfield Borough Council.
Leicestershire-based property portfolio handed to Newton LDP
Newton LDP has been appointed by an established Leicestershire-based high net worth individual to manage a significant mixed property portfolio including approximately 3,000 acres.
The new instruction comprises the owner’s private residence and grounds, agricultural land and farms, commercial forestry, let residential and commercial properties, stretching as far as Kent in the southeast to Scotland in the north.
Management will fall under the scope of Newton’s LDP’s rural property team led by experienced Director Will Young, who joined the company in February, with over 20 years’ experience in the industry.
Newton LDP operates nationally, and will be overseeing the landowner’s responsibilities and working with the owner to deliver a strategy which maximises the value of the portfolio.
Will, who has a strong agricultural background as the son of a farmer, said: “This is a really exciting opportunity for us, and we are delighted to be able to add value and realise the potential of our client’s diverse estate.
“Newton LDP continues to add to its existing and diverse range of experience and expertise to facilitate its ambitious growth strategy.
“It is therefore pleasing to secure the management of this exciting new property portfolio just a couple months after launching our new rural property team which expands our offering to farmers, land and property owners.”
Newton LDP also offers development consultancy and development land agency advice to a range of clients. Richard Foxon and Piers Beeton are experienced and respected operators within the development land sector and can demonstrate a proven track record, strong reputation, unrivalled contact base, complimented by exceptional market knowledge.
Rolls-Royce SMR to create 400 jobs
Rolls-Royce SMR has revealed it is creating 400 jobs and has appointed nuclear recruitment specialists, RPOne – part of the Morson Group – to support its recruitment campaign.
Rolls-Royce SMR’s small modular reactor (SMR) programme is the first of its kind in the UK, with the opportunity to develop a factory-built nuclear power plant that is deliverable and scalable at a global level.
Rolls-Royce SMR is the UK domestic energy champion and will play a key role in achieving the Government’s British Energy Security Strategy, which pledges to accelerate the expansion of nuclear by delivering the equivalent of one nuclear reactor per year instead of one per decade.
Having begun the design assessment process with the UK regulators, the organisation is at a point where it needs to significantly increase its workforce.
Roles will be open to experienced nuclear professionals, young talent and graduates alike.
Adam Ellis, talent & HR director at Rolls-Royce SMR, said: “This is a perfect opportunity for talented individuals to join our team and bring new ideas and concepts to the table that will create a legacy for generations to come.
“We want to build a diverse team of people with a background in science, a passion for nuclear, or from a sector with transferable skills, with a diverse mix of skills and experiences. This is the most exciting nuclear programme in the UK right now, and anyone joining the team has the chance to develop their role and carve a career for life.”
Adam added: “RPOne and Morson share these exact ambitions for our future, and their proven nuclear credentials will play an important role in enabling us to source and retain the best talent.”
Ged Mason OBE, CEO at Morson Group, said: “Rolls-Royce SMR has the potential to be truly pivotal in the way the UK – and the rest of the world – sources and uses power. The company is setting new standards in recruitment by opening its doors to anyone who has a passion to change norms in science. While there are several niche roles available, which require specific skillsets, others are open to those who want to help define our futures.
“Equality, diversity & inclusion is vital to Rolls-Royce SMR, so part of our collaborative focus will be bringing multiple perceptions to the table. It’s a disruptor to the market, and we want candidates of all backgrounds, with all interests, to join the team to offer greater insight and creativity, so that Rolls-Royce SMR can deliver a solution that is representative of society today and in the future.
“At its peak, the programme has the potential to create some 40,000 jobs and generate £52bn in economic benefit.”
OMS returns to sponsor the East Midlands Bricks Awards for another year
OMS has joined the sponsor line up for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022, backing the Architect of the Year award for another year.
Speaking with Business Link, Clive Ormerod, founder and Managing Director of OMS and chair of East Midlands Working Well Together, said: “OMS sponsored the East Midlands Bricks Awards for the Architect of the Year Award in 2021 and found the event excellent and it provided a good opportunity to meet people face-to-face and recognise the merits of the construction industry in the region.
“It provides OMS with an exciting opportunity to recognise the work that has gone into developing innovative building designs that integrate with their surroundings whilst meeting the needs of the people that use them. Architecture is where a new structure is conceived and with OMS being involved with delivering a range of training and consultancy to the construction sector this award comfortably fits with our business model.”
The awards, which will take place on Thursday 15 September at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, celebrate the outstanding work of those shaping the landscape of our region, recognising development projects and people in commercial and public building across the East Midlands – from offices, industrial and residential, through to community projects such as leisure schemes and schools. Nominations are now OPEN for East Midlands Business Link’s annual Bricks Awards. To submit a business or development, please click on a category link below or visit this page.
Award categories include:
- Most active estate 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
Find out who last year’s winners were here.
Thanks to our sponsors:
Book your tickets now
Tickets can now be booked for the awards event – click here to secure yours. The special awards evening and networking event will be held on 15 September 2022 in the Derek Randall Suite at the Trent Bridge County Cricket Club from 4:30pm – 7:30pm. Connect with local decision makers over canapés and complimentary drinks while applauding the outstanding companies and projects in our region. The event will also welcome John Forkin MBE DL, Managing Director at award-winning investment promotion agency Marketing Derby, as keynote speaker. Dress code is standard business attire.
To be held at:
