Work starts on battery storage plant at former Lincolnshire gas power station

Tess Egginton
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Work starts on battery storage plant at former Lincolnshire gas power station

Centrica Business Solutions has revealed plans to convert a decommissioned Lincolnshire gas-fired power station into a battery storage facility capable of supplying the equivalent of a full day’s energy consumption for 11,000 households.

Working in partnership with GE, the company has started construction on a 50MW /100MWh battery storage project at Brigg, which will provide energy storage for the 43 onshore wind farms across Lincolnshire, maximising the potential of every megawatt of green electricity and providing vital resilience for the grid. Storing renewable energy in this way makes it possible to better control the peaks and troughs associated with renewable energy generation – charging the batteries when electricity demand is low and discharging when demand peaks. The battery installed at Brigg represents the largest investment in storage capacity Centrica has made to date. It will have the capacity to store 100MWh of electric energy, equivalent to a full day’s energy consumption for around 15 per cent of the homes in North Lincolnshire.

The battery storage system, supplied by GE, will provide grid support and energy services that will not only provide stability to the grid when there are power disruptions but also ensure renewable energy is utilised optimally, which should free capacity to allow more new renewable generation on the network.

Greg McKenna, Managing Director of Centrica Business Solutions, said: “Investing in low-carbon energy assets that boost the UK’s ability to store more renewable energy is key to getting to Net Zero. Lincolnshire has 242MW of onshore wind power capacity, but when supply outstrips demand some of those green electrons will go to waste if not stored. Working with GE we’ll store green energy produced locally and use it as efficiently as possible.

“As the UK’s power generation capacity becomes more distributed and the share of renewables increases, generation flexibility becomes critical to keep the lights on securely, sustainably, and affordably. Brigg battery storage investment will ensure we can maximise the use of the green energy generated by nearby wind farms – storing when the wind blows and discharging when it doesn’t.”

Prakash Chandra, renewable hybrids Chief Executive Officer at GE, said: “The UK has been one of the earliest and largest players in the battery energy storage space and the installed capacity keeps growing. However, there is a need for more if the country wants to achieve its Net Zero emission target for the power sector by 2035. We are glad to bring another project to life together with Centrica.”

Brigg battery storage is set to be fully operational in late 2023 with plans to run the site for 25 years. The solution implemented will be a 2-hour duration system with GE’s flexible duration architecture that will allow Centrica to modify the duration of the system in response to future grid needs and market opportunities.

Revenue and profit leap at Yü Group

Tess Egginton
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Revenue and profit leap at Yü Group
The CEO of Yü Group, the independent supplier of gas, electricity and water to the UK corporate sector, and smart meter installation services, has hailed “excellent” unaudited half year results for the six months to 30 June 2022. Revenue has soared to £129.2m from £65.8m in the same period of 2021, while profits jumped to £4.4m from £0.9m. The Nottingham-based firm expects the strong H1 performance to continue for the remainder of the financial year and beyond.

Bobby Kalar, Chief Executive Officer, said: “We continue to reiterate our promise to keep delivering profitable growth and are confident this is set to continue.

“I’m very pleased to report another set of excellent results reflecting a strong and reliable performance. Remembering this is our fourth consecutive and consistent set of results I’m proud to confirm our key financial KPI’s are performing well and have exceeded our forecasts following two recent upgrades.

“Revenue is up by 96%, cash in hand has increased 37%, average monthly booking have increased by 49% and EBITDA has jumped over 400% compared to H1 2021. Our strategy is working well and our strengthened and highly disciplined business driven by our joined up processes, people and platforms continues to deliver a seamless customer experience.

“Our digital transformation program is on course and several digital projects are now live and embedded into the business. We will see additional benefits of reduced operating costs, better efficiencies and greater predictability as we scale these digital channels.

“While I’m pleased with the recent government Energy Bills Relief Scheme announcement, pledging support for business customers with their increased energy costs, I fear businesses will feel the ongoing pressure of volatile wholesale commodity prices for some time. We will continue to work hard to help our customers manage these difficult market conditions.

“A £300m Mark to Market trading position gives me comfort our hedge book is very strong, in accordance with our hedging policy, and provides significant confidence in forward gross margin.

“The successful launch of Yü Smart is a game changer in terms of value chain ownership. As well as supplying energy to our business customers we have gained certification from the Retail Energy Code (REC) and approval from Elexon and Xoserve to operate as a Meter Equipment Manager (MEM) and Meter Installer (MI) for both gas and electricity customers, creating the opportunity to install and maintain SMETS2 meters. In addition, owning the asset, creating an annuity income, provides an exciting new value pool for the Group to benefit from. I look forward to updating the market as we rapidly scale this capability.

“We performed well in the pandemic; even better in 2021, despite challenges in the market; and we expect even better performance in the remainder of 2022 and beyond. I’m reassured our business continues to prosper and will use its strength and experience as an anchor for any further turbulence. As we continue to enjoy the fruits of our hard work, I look forward to delivering significant shareholder value in the near future.

“Finally, I would like to thank my wonderful team who continue to support the Board’s target to achieve £500m revenue at over 4% EBITDA as soon as possible.“

Travel company rescued following administration deal

Tess Egginton
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Travel company rescued following administration deal
Leger Shearings Group (LSG) has sealed an administration deal, which will see the Rotherham-based escorted tours company acquire the Arena Travel brand and assets. Arena Travel went into administration on Friday 23 September with a simultaneous transition to the new ownership. The agreement will see LSG acquire the special interest and touring travel company’s database, web domains and social media pages, covering all divisions and sub-brands of Arena Travel. As part of the agreement all fifty permanent employees will retain their jobs under the TUPE protection of employees’ rights regulations. All bookings were financially protected and LSG are enabling customers to continue with their holidays as planned, so customers won’t lose out. The three Arena Travel offices in Market Harborough, Buckingham and Nacton, Suffolk will be taken over by LSG. Arena Travel, which has been in business for over 45 years, is well known for its river cruise holiday and specialist niche escorted holidays, including rail and bridge holidays. Craft holidays are operated under the Stitchtopia brand and cultural and garden tours under the Boxwood and Art Pursuits brands. The company also has a music and events division with Elvis, Memphis and Germany Tours and operates unique events in partnership with the band Queen’s fan club. Leger Shearings Group CEO Liam Race said: “I am very pleased that the Leger Shearings Group was able to acquire the Arena assets and importantly, protect jobs during these challenging times. We are offering all customers the ability to take the same holiday that they had booked with Arena Travel. “The companies share some similar products, including an excellent UK tours selection and river cruise holidays, but Arena’s very specialist holidays will add a new high-end dimension to our current portfolio.” Arena Travel’s Managing Director Steve Goodenough will remain in position and he said: “Arena Travel is long established and prior to the pandemic was very successful, but it came out of covid battered and bruised. Our plan was to have a year of recovery, however, travel disruption hit every aspect of industry, from port delays, to flight and baggage disruption, to low water in Europe’s rivers and it took its toll and the business became untenable. “I am delighted to be working with the Leger Shearing Group to rebuild the business, with the backing and security of a much larger company, which shares Arena Travel’s value of good quality service. I am especially pleased that the holidays our customers have booked will still take place, without interruption or financial penalty.” In June 2020 Leger Holidays acquired the assets of former competitor Shearings after parent company Specialist Leisure Group went into administration. The Leger Shearings Group was established in January 2021.

New fully-funded programme launched for manufacturers in the Leicester and Leicestershire region, to support post-pandemic growth

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New fully-funded programme launched for manufacturers in the Leicester and Leicestershire region, to support post-pandemic growth
Advanced manufacturers in Leicester/Leicestershire are encouraged to book spaces on the fully-funded Ambition to Grow programme. The programme has been designed to nurture entrepreneurialism in the region by improving the growth success of advanced manufacturing businesses. The programme will consist of one-to-one tailored business support from an industry expert, peer networking and a series of six masterclasses which have been designed to address the challenges faced by local manufacturing business leaders. The programme is partly funded by the European Regional Development Fund, organised by Leicester Business Gateway and delivered by Oxford Innovation Advice. To apply for the Ambition to Grow programme go to: https://bit.ly/3RaBR7o

Approval granted on widespread improvements for Staveley Town Centre

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Approval granted on widespread improvements for Staveley Town Centre
Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet has given its approval to a new long-term vision for Staveley town centre and an initial £5m package of improvements, to be delivered over the next four years. A public consultation which took place late last year showed strong support for the draft Staveley Town Centre Vision Master Plan, with 70% of respondents stating that they would be more likely to visit Staveley town centre if the Master Plan’s proposals were implemented. The immediate improvements planned for Staveley town centre also received a high level of support from the public. These improvements include the regeneration of the Market Square, a shop front improvement scheme, a new and improved link to the canal, a new landmark pavilion building, an enhanced public realm and better signposting of facilities and attractions. The initial package of improvements will be funded and delivered through the Staveley Town Deal and have been selected on the basis of their ability to improve the current town centre offer, uplift footfall, and prepare the ground for future investment. They are also deliverable within the set timeframe for the Town Deal. Councillor Kate Sarvent, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said: “We want Staveley to be a thriving town centre, that attracts both residents and visitors, encourages new business start-ups and supports existing retailers and businesses to flourish. “We received lots of support for the ideas and proposals that we set out within the draft Vision Master Plan but we cannot deliver everything at once. Our aim is to make best use of the Staveley Town Deal funding to deliver an initial package of improvements that will help ensure Staveley has a bright future as a place to start, to stay and to grow. “We will continue to work closely with Staveley’s retailers, businesses and residents to ensure we deliver the planned improvements to time and budget.” The planned improvements, many of which are conditional on receiving planning consent, include the regeneration of the Market Square, which was supported by 77% of respondents to the public consultation. Elsewhere in the Market Square, the disused toilet block will be demolished and a landmark pavilion building with new commercial space created. The Market Square will also benefit from new paving, lighting, planting, and benches, as well as improvements to Barnfield Close to encourage members of the public to shop and socialise. Ninety percent of respondents to the public consultation indicated that they would be more likely to visit the town centre if there was more space for festivals and events, which the planned improvements are designed to achieve. The High Street will benefit from a rejuvenation of the public ream, and a shop front improvement grant scheme will encourage retailers to make changes to their store frontages. There will also be a focus on increased connectivity both to the canal and wider Staveley area with improved signage, paths and cycling hubs. These improvements were supported by 74% of respondents to the public consultation. There will also be enhanced digital connectivity through the creation of a town centre wi-fi network. As part of the process of developing the draft Vision Master Plan an independent review was undertaken by IntoPlaces Ltd., a team of three High Street Task Force experts. IntoPlaces Ltd. commented that the Vision Master Plan has the capacity to transform Staveley town centre into a vibrant hub by creating new and diverse spaces and enhancing the current offer. The planned improvements have also been supported by Derbyshire County Council. The next step is for the Council to appoint a dedicated design team to finalise the planned improvements and seek planning consent, where applicable. Councillor Kate Sarvent added: “It will take time for us to finalise our plans and gain planning consent but we are committed to working with the community throughout the delivery process in order to ensure that we achieve the best possible outcome for Staveley town centre, its residents and businesses.”

Local businesses club together for CAPs charity golf day

Tess Egginton
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Local businesses club together for CAPs charity golf day

Members of the East Midlands business community are coming together for the annual CAPs (construction and property) charity golf day, which is taking place on Thursday 29 September at Springwater Golf Club in Calverton, in support of Our Dementia Choir.

Our Dementia Choir was formed by actress Vicky McClure in 2019, as part of a BBC documentary, as she set out on a journey to discover the true extent of music’s power of combatting dementia – following the death of her grandmother in 2015, who suffered with the condition.

Vicky formed the choir, which is made up of those living with dementia, in her hometown of Nottingham and supports them through singing and musical activities to provide a calm, engaging and friendly space for the community.

She was also previously a patron for CAPs’ chosen charity in 2021, Switch Up, which is run by British boxing coach, Marcellus Baz BEM, and provides mentoring and physical training to engage young people in positive activity. Four of Switch Up’s young people will be volunteering at the charity golf day this year.

Businesses such as Morgan Sindall, Wilmott Dixon and John Pye will be in attendance, with Blueprint Interiors, Jennie Holland PR, Influence Landscape Planning & Design, 200 Degrees Coffee, Pygott and Crone, GT3 Architects, and Hexa Consulting sponsoring the event.

Coastal Distillery, a Lincolnshire-based and family-run business that makes a range of artisan spirits including gins, vodkas and liqueurs, has donated the refreshments at the halfway house. All monies raised from drinks sales will go to the charity.

Following the end of play on the course, Our Dementia Choir will be performing to the players, before the prize presentations. 

CAPs, which was founded in 2017 by John Tansur, client services director at Knights, and David Ford, director at Gleeds, has so far raised a total of £30,000 through a number of fundraising events, with further plans to host a black-tie dinner “with a twist” in February and a sports and Ladies Day in June next year.

John Tansur said: “We are really looking forward to the return of another CAPs golf day – this will be our sixth year. When David and I first set up CAPs, we wanted to create an event for the construction and property sector that would be fun and more importantly raise much-needed funds for charities.

“We are confident this year’s event will raise in excess of £7,000 for Our Dementia Choir, which is fantastic. We felt that people are unclear about how they can support those affected by dementia and by raising much needed funds and awareness of the charity via the golf day, this will help to get the message out there.”

David Ford added: “CAPs couldn’t go ahead without everyone getting involved to make it happen and we are incredibly grateful for their generosity. The choir is such a deserving and worthwhile cause, and we are so looking forward to their performance on the day. It will be great to see so many from the construction and property sector socialising and networking!”

Karen Bonser, charity manager of Our Dementia Choir, said: “We are simply over the moon that Our Dementia Choir has been chosen as CAPs’ charity this year. In whatever way, we want to raise the profile of dementia across all communities and show that music can really make a massive difference.

“The funding raised from this event will enable the choir to reach out to many more people living with dementia and their families, as well as ensuring current members get access to this wonderful resource. We need about £40,000 per year to run effectively and professionally with the correct, professional support choir members and their families need, so this funding will go a long way; it will ensure the choir’s sustainability and ability to reach out to more people living with dementia in the Nottingham area.

“We are really looking forward to the day and can guarantee that everyone at CAPs will be touched by the choir’s performance.”

200 Degrees set to open in Derby

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200 Degrees set to open in Derby

East Midlands-based coffee roaster 200 Degrees is opening a coffee shop in Derby within Derbion shopping centre on London Road.

The coffee shop, which will seat over 60 customers, will be located on the ground floor of the centre next to Boots, and will feature 200 Degrees’ classic fireplace with antique armchairs as well as a cosy ‘secret’ seating area.

The new Derby coffee shop is the roaster’s 18th across England and Wales and is the 7th in the East Midlands; with shops in Lincoln, Leicester, Nottingham and at McArthur Glen East Midlands Designer Outlet.

200 Degrees will be serving its handcrafted coffee and food, such as deli-style sandwiches, baguettes, salads, soups, cakes and pastries – including vegan and gluten-free options – which are available to eat in or takeaway.

The coffee shop will bring around 12 new full-time and part-jobs to Derby and the barista team will be serving freshly roasted coffee, from the 200 Degrees roast house in Nottingham, as well as iced tea, smoothies and milkshakes.

Rob Darby, CEO at 200 Degrees, said: “Being East Midlands-based, we have had our sights set on opening a coffee shop in Derby for some time – and it’s fantastic that we have now found the perfect location at Derbion.

“As a prime retail destination in the city, we are looking forward to serving our freshly roasted coffee blends and food to our new customers and being an active member of the centre and wider Derby community.”

Coffee lovers can also purchase freshly roasted beans, coffee machines and home brew equipment in store.

Rob and his business partner, Tom Vincent, founded the company in 2012 in Nottingham, and have expanded the 200 Degrees footprint across England and Wales, now boasting shops in major cities including Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, York, Birmingham and Cardiff.

The new Derby coffee shop will be open 7.30am – 7.30pm Monday to Friday, 7.30am – 8pm Saturday, and 9.30am – 5.30pm Sunday.

Apprentice awards vital for promoting industry

Michael Fisher
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Apprentice awards vital for promoting industry
The best of the next generation of agricultural engineers will be celebrated at this year’s Midlands Machinery Show, with awards that are vital for promoting careers within the industry. Like many career avenues, agricultural machinery firms are struggling to recruit – and someone who has been helping apprentices recognise their talent for years is Andrew Silvester, academy manager at machinery dealer Chandlers. “I taught agricultural engineering apprentices for seven years at Riseholme College – the highest number was 21 at any one time. During that time we had lots of successful candidates enter apprentice awards at the Midlands Machinery Show,” says Mr Silvester. Having joined Chandlers last year to run its apprenticeship programme, he is passionate about educating the next generation of engineers. “There’s a vast shortage of engineers in the country and across the world,” he says. But why should young people consider apprenticeships in the first place? “Students tend to learn better in the workplace because they’re mentored constantly, it’s education 24/7 really. It’s not just learning about being an engineer, it’s learning about life at the same time as learning about the machinery, repairs and safety. “It’s a win-win for me because if a student is committed to it, there’s no better way to learn and get paid. Most companies pay for everything they need.” But with all these benefits, why is the industry struggling to recruit apprentices? “As an industry, we’re notoriously bad at promoting ourselves, and we recognise that, so we are trying to improve it. A lot of manufacturers are getting together now and offering more training” says Mr Silvester. “For me, I wanted to create a career path for apprentices – not just the three years of college, but what comes after. We have skilled, advanced and master – so it’s an eight-year career path.” And this clear career path can be good for retention. “I think once they’ve reached the end of those eight years they’re more likely to stay in the industry.” Mr Silvester supports apprentices in applying for the apprentice awards at the Midlands Machinery Show each year. “It’s another method of promoting apprenticeships and agricultural engineering – it’s a great show and the awards are brilliant,” he explains. “I encourage the apprentices to apply, it’s for their own benefit and there’s a great financial bursary because tools are expensive and that’s what they can use their reward for.” Last year’s awards saw six students accept a cheque for £250 each – the first in a two-year instalment totalling £500. One of them was Stella Hubbard, who works at Farol as a John Deere apprentice. “At the age of five I would come into Farol with my dad and assist with picking parts for jobs/ customers,” she says. “During school I developed an interest in metal work and design and took a particular interest in removing and installing components.” Having worked at John Deere in both Australia and the UK, she is now enjoying being given the independence to carry out jobs by herself. “I would like to inspire more women to take on this career. I would also love to own my own farm and develop a career in farming.” And Chandlers boasted two apprentice winners last year; Kieran Snowden at the Grantham depot and Zac Elsdon at Holbeach. “It makes me very proud that the work I do helps farmers to carry on working and put food on our tables,” says Mr Snowden. “It was a great honour to have been selected for this award and will help me progress in my career as well as giving me confidence that the industry is behind me.” Entries for the apprentice awards are open until 14 October 2022 for any agricultural apprentice aged 17-25 who is living and working in the Midlands region, says Elizabeth Halsall, show organiser. “Supporting aspiring agricultural engineers is vital for the future of the industry and our awards recognise up and coming talent within the sector.”

Social Robots Purchased by Lincoln School of Health and Social Care

Michael Fisher
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Social Robots Purchased by Lincoln School of Health and Social Care
Significant investment has been made into social robots to enhance critical discussions into the role of emerging technology in care settings.   The University of Lincoln, UK has purchased two robots for their School of Health and Social Care: one is a PARO harp seal initially designed to fulfil the psychological requirements of enrichment and joy for senior dementia patients; the second is NAO, a more advanced programmable robot that might come to be seen as a ‘personal assistant’.   Michael Rowe, Associate Professor (Digital Innovation in Health & Social Care), said: “The 2019 Topol Report urged the NHS to develop a workforce that will be able and willing to transform it into a world leader in healthcare AI and robotics, so it seems plausible that we will soon see efforts to recruit healthcare professionals with the interdisciplinary skillsets and expertise to lead clinical teams that include non-human actors that are likely to include robots.”   PARO was first made in 2004 by Japanese engineer Dr Takanori Shibata. Pet therapy has long been considered beneficial for certain conditions, hence, the PARO robots aim to simulate this engagement without the hygiene and other impracticalities of live animals.   The manufacturers advertise the seals as suitable for treating emotional and behavioural distress, cognitive disorders, developmental disorders, PTSD and social isolation in addition to their original function as support for dementia patients.   NAO has been purchased with the aim of exploring more advanced features of social robots in the context of health and social care. In contrast to the PARO seal, NAO has the ability to walk, articulate and recognise objects, allowing it to, for instance, fetch a phone for its user via voice command.   The superior range of NAO equips the robot with the potential to act as a non-human team member following further development and understanding. Through introducing students to robotic models as part of the simulation programme in their undergraduate training, they will gain familiarity and a useful critical perspective to navigate their possible uses of social robots in the future.   An analytical approach will be taken to the presence of robotics in health and social care by encouraging students to discuss concerns surrounding privacy and ethics. Questions may be posed regarding the psychological impact of having personal conversations with a robot or the risks should robots collect a patient’s data.   Michael Rowe explains: “In addition to preparing our students to work in the NHS of the future, we also need to prepare critical evaluators of the technology, so that our graduates are able to ask the kinds of questions that ensure patient needs and therapeutic relationships are always our primary considerations.”   The limited understanding of how well the robots really work provides plentiful opportunities for new lines of research inquiry. Colleagues or students in Computer Science, Psychology and Engineering may be able to collaborate with Lincoln’s School of Health and Social Care on unique interdisciplinary studies concerning social robotics.

Ted Baker headlines trio of new lettings for Derbion

Michael Fisher
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Ted Baker headlines trio of new lettings for Derbion
Ted Baker, Søstrene Grene and 200 Degrees have been announced as the latest brands to sign up at Derbion, the East Midlands’ leading retail and leisure destination, following a string of recent lettings including Jack Wills, River Studios, Frasers and Boux Avenue. Iconic fashion brand, Ted Baker, has signed a lease on a 2,960 sq. ft store, which will feature a range of collections from across womenswear, menswear, footwear and accessories. The new Ted Baker store at Derbion will add to the much-loved lifestyle brand’s strong international portfolio which spans across the UK, USA, Europe, Middle East and Asia. The brand is the latest fashion retailer to secure a lease at Derbion, following a raft of lettings including Tommy Hilfiger, Mango, FLANNELS, Jack Wills and the first concept store for River Studios. Frasers will open its 127,000 sq multi-brand flagship store at Derbion in November, spanning three floors, and luxury lingerie brand, Boux Avenue, will open before Christmas. Occupying over 6,000 sq ft of floorspace, Søstrene Grene will offer a wide range of stylish and affordable furniture items and home accessories, as it continues its UK expansion at Derbion. Set to open later this autumn, the Scandinavian brand will join the centre’s growing portfolio of home and interior retailers, including H&M Home which will arrive later this year as the retailer doubles its footprint at Derbion to 25,000 sq ft. Independently owned coffee roasters, 200 Degrees, have signed a lease for a 1,585 sq ft coffee shop, which will serve handcrafted coffee by a team of highly skilled baristas. Supporting the continued growth of its food and beverage offer, Derbion has announced a £2 million investment into the refurbishment of its food court. Seating capacity will be increased to meet growing demand and the centre will welcome a number of new brands, including famed American fried chicken restaurant, Popeyes® Louisiana Kitchen. Michael Boundy, senior asset manager at Derbion, commented: “Our leasing momentum has continued to gather pace this year with a string of major lettings alongside some significant upsizes and store refurbishments. “We’re proud to be announcing the arrival of Ted Baker, Søstrene Grene and 200 Degrees as we broaden our offer across retail, home and food and beverage, and we continue to drive forward our investment across the centre to ensure it remains the most attractive proposition for leading brands and our customers.”
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