New Castle Donington HQ for recruitment agency
FHP Property Consultants, on behalf of clients, have agreed the letting of Unit 2, Redwing Court in Castle Donington to The Recruitment Group for their new head office.
The property provides the company with just under 2,000ft² of modern, self-contained office accommodation over two floors with a good designated car parking provision.
Redwing Court itself is a purpose built office development on Willow Farm Business Park.
Thomas Szymkiw, of FHP’s Office Agency Department, said: “I am delighted to have secured The Recruitment Group as tenants for Unit 2 Redwing Court. The property was previously under offer to another party – however as soon as it came back to the market, I knew it would be perfect for their requirements and after a brief viewing we agreed a swift deal with my client. Paul and the team were a pleasure to deal with throughout the process and I wish them all the best of luck for the future.”
Paul Hipkiss of The Recruitment Group said: “I would like to thank Thomas and his team at FHP for their hard work getting us into our new head office which we are absolutely delighted with. This new office will give us the platform to continue our growth plans as we look to build on a very successful last 2 years.”
Ideagen’s football fundraising efforts score more than £1,000
The corporate football team of software firm and Nottingham Forest Football Club (NFFC) partner, Ideagen Plc, raised more than £1,000 for charity after reaching the national finals of a corporate football tournament.
Ideagen’s team – made up of employees based at its Ruddington HQ – reached the final 16 in the knockout stages out of 404 total teams in the Business Fives National Final in Manchester, after winning the Nottingham tournament last November.
Since last year, the team has been fundraising as part of its sporting success and following the final, raised a total of £1,105 for Ideagen’s chosen charity, the Alzheimer’s Society.
The tournament is hosted by corporate sports provider, Business Fives Group, which encourages firms across the country to participate in sports events to raise money for a charitable cause of their choice.
Last year, it held regional events all across the country, with the best teams from each qualifying for the final, taking place at Manchester Central Powerleague.
In July last year, Ideagen joined NFFC’s partner programme as a sponsor of the Academy and girls’ development teams and last November launched its Think Big education initiative alongside the Nottingham Forest Community Trust.
For the final, the team proudly donned its own Ideagen branded kits for the tournament, kindly supplied by the NFFC Academy team.
Callum Davidson, talent development manager at Ideagen and captain of the business’s football team, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to have raised more than £1,000 for the Alzheimer’s Society – a charity particularly close to our hearts. The team played brilliantly and we’re so proud to have reached the National Finals, raising a substantial sum of money for charity in the process.
“A big thank you goes to our partners at Nottingham Forest for supplying our kits. Although we didn’t win the tournament, our goal was more than just success on the pitch; we are delighted with our performance off the pitch, raising a substantial amount of money for a cause which will really benefit.
“We’ll be entering into next season’s Nottingham tournament again which is due to take place later this year.”
Ideagen’s team is made of staff from its Marketing, Sales and People departments:
GK – Stanley Paton-Rawthorne
DEF – Tom Shanks
DEF – Joe Giles
MID – Martin Weightman
MID – Joe Palmer
MID – Tim Harruna
ATT – Callum Davidson (C)
ATT – Jacob Hunt
Derbyshire-headquartered Forest Holidays merges with Sykes Holiday Cottages
Mid-market private equity firm LDC has realised the investment from its 10-year partnership with Derbyshire-headquartered Forest Holidays through a merger with Sykes Holiday Cottages.
Forest Holidays is the owner and operator of environmentally sensitive cabins set across Britain’s forests. Since the mid-1970s, the company has sensitively created cabins under the guiding principles of sustainable woodland use and the preservation of the countryside and biodiversity.
To date, Forest Holidays has invested over £100 million into Britain’s forests, increasing recreational use, improving facilities, and creating and maintaining trails. Forest Holidays has 12 forest locations with many in National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, including the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park in Scotland and opening later this year in the Brecon Beacons National Park in Wales.
LDC first invested in Forest Holidays in 2012 and has supported the management team to deliver its plan, while continuing to support its sustainability strategy. During LDC’s partnership with the business, the management team has opened five new locations across the UK.
Sykes shares Forest Holidays’ approach to sustainable tourism which strives to have a positive impact on the planet and local communities whilst providing memorable shared experiences for its customers. The combined business will be united by a common purpose to bring further benefits to nature, people and local communities.
Bruce McKendrick, CEO of Forest Holidays, said: “Forest Holidays has always sought to balance social, environmental and economic benefit. The benefits we bring to physical and mental well-being are more important than ever and in Sykes we have found a partner who shares this ethos.
“They also recognise the importance of our long-term partnership with the Forestry Commission and our shared objective to offer holidays that are good for people, good for nature and good for the environment. I’m grateful for LDC’s long-term support and for backing our plans to continue to invest in our locations throughout the pandemic.”
David Bains, partner and head of East Midlands and East of England at LDC, added: “Forest Holidays is a real East Midlands success story. From their head offices in Derbyshire, Bruce and his team have sensitively developed the UK’s leading provider of cabin holiday experiences at some of the nation’s most astounding locations of natural beauty. We’re proud to have played a part supporting their expansion over the last 10 years.”
Three-month high in permanent placement growth for the Midlands
The latest KPMG and REC, UK Report on Jobs: Midlands survey highlighted a further steep expansion in permanent placements in March, and one that was the sharpest since the end of 2021.
Meanwhile, temporary billings rose for the twenty-first month in a row. The rise in permanent salaries eased for the second month running to the softest since last September, though inflation of hourly pay rates for temporary staff accelerated to a four-month high. Finally, skilled staff shortages contributed to the sharpest reduction in permanent candidate availability since last October.
The KPMG and REC, UK Report on Jobs: Midlands is compiled by S&P Global from responses to questionnaires sent to around 100 recruitment and employment consultancies in the Midlands.
Further rapid rise in permanent placements
The rate of growth in permanent placements across the Midlands quickened at the end of the first quarter. The increase was rapid overall and the sharpest seen since last December. Recruitment consultancies indicated that placements had risen following stronger demand for permanent staff from clients amid sustained shortages.
The increase in the Midlands was the fastest of the four monitored English regions.
March data pointed to a continued increase in temporary billings in the Midlands. The rate of expansion quickened from February and extended the current sequence to 21 months. Respondents suggested that clients were becoming increasingly confident to fill vacancies with temporary staff, while there was some evidence that more temporary workers were available.
Growth in temp billings in the Midlands was the second-fastest of the monitored regions, behind London.
Permanent vacancies increased at a marked pace in the Midlands during March. The rate of increase quickened for the second month running and led to the sharpest rise in permanent vacancies for four months, yet was the slowest of the four monitored English regions.
Demand for temporary staff also rose steeply in the latest survey period. The pace of expansion accelerated from February to the quickest since last August.
Sharper decline in permanent candidate numbers
The Midlands saw a further reduction in the supply of permanent candidates during March. The rate of the decrease quickened to the fastest since last October. Anecdotal evidence suggested that people in work were reluctant to move at present, while some recruiters cited shortages of suitably experienced staff for permanent roles. At the national level, the reduction in the availability of permanent staff was quicker than that seen in the Midlands.
Recruitment consultancies indicated that temporary candidate numbers decreased at a marked pace in March. That said, the pace of reduction slowed from February to reach the softest for ten months. A number of respondents indicated that skills shortages had contributed to the lack of available staff for temp roles.
Permanent salary growth eases for second month running
Permanent salaries for new joiners in the Midlands increased for the thirteenth month in a row in March. While historically elevated, the rate of inflation eased to the softest since last September. A combination of a lack of suitable candidates and pressure on recruiters due to higher costs of living were behind the increase in permanent salaries. The rise in permanent salaries in the Midlands was the slowest of the four English regions covered, however.
Pay rates for temporary staff rose sharply during March. The rate of inflation accelerated for the first time in four months and was the quickest since November 2021. Recruitment consultancies indicated that candidate supply shortages had been a leading factor behind higher pay rates.
Moreover, the increase in the Midlands was the second-quickest of the four monitored English regions, behind the North of England.
Commenting on the latest survey results, Kate Holt, people consulting partner at KPMG UK, said: “The Midlands saw a rapid rise in job vacancies during March, albeit at a slower rate than the North, South and London regions.
“The dwindling supply of candidates is frustrating employers, not just those that are looking to grow, but also those simply trying to replace staff who might have left through the pandemic. This presents more worry for businesses, many of which are already tackling a myriad of challenges, not least the incredible rise in operating costs as inflation rises.
“The Midlands has long been known for its resilience and job seekers in the region should take hear that the market is creating attractive opportunities for candidates. Unfortunately, many businesses may struggle to offer competitive enough salaries that can meet expectations.”
Neil Carberry, Chief Executive of the REC, said: “We can clearly see that labour and skills shortages are driving inflation in these latest figures. Starting salaries for permanent staff are continuing to grow rapidly, partially due to demand for staff accelerating and partially as firms increase pay for all staff in the face of rising prices.
“Record COVID infection levels are also pushing up demand for temporary workers, particularly in blue collar and hospitality sectors, underpinning the ability of temps to seek higher rates.
“However, the overall number of permanent placements being made has stabilised in recent months. This is no surprise after a period of historically high growth, and in the face of more economic uncertainty.
“Even so, the jobs market is very tight. Businesses will need to broaden their searches and be creative in making their offer to candidates more attractive, in consultation with recruitment experts. But government can help by incentivising investment in skills and people during the inflation crisis.”
New partnership brings cowork spaces to Belper
A new partnership has been formed between start-up business Reunion and Hub Space; a brand new initiative at The Old School House in Belper, the Home of Creative Holistic Space and Chevin Fleet Solutions. Reunion @ Hub Space will bring flexible cowork spaces to Belper – a first for the town.
When Tracey Sowerby realised that Reunion were looking for a space for their coworking plans, she contacted founder Jo Black. Tracey and Ashley renovated the former school house in 2012 and it has been the home of their two businesses, Creative Holistic Space and Chevin Fleet Solutions ever since. The sensitively restored historic building can accommodate around 60 people.
However, since working from home became the norm an opportunity presented itself to rethink the use of the Chevin office space. Tracey said: “We have a modern, top spec office environment that currently is not being fully utilised and thought it would be a great fit to work with Reunion who can make great use of the space and open it up to people that need it.”
Jo Black, founder and director of Reunion, had been searching for an appropriate location for her community deli and cowork business since the summer, but had several setbacks in finding a site that would be suitable.
Reunion have recently acquired 23 Strutt Street, the site of former deli Fresh Basil, but knew that the space would not be appropriate for cowork members. Jo said: “We love the site on Strutt Street, but realised that it may not be the best environment for our cowork members, as we want to welcome all members of the community, including families, and the space may get a bit noisy if you’re trying to host a zoom call!
“We are delighted to be working with Tracey and Ashley at The Old School House, it is truly a wonderful heritage building that’s a real asset to Belper, combined with all the facilities that you’d expect in a modern office.”
Belper and the wider Amber Valley has many micro and small businesses in the area, and Reunion hopes to bring business owners and remote workers alike together and establish a much-needed business community that centres in the town.
The cowork space will be partly shared with Chevin Fleet Solutions, and will have high speed internet, modern desks and chairs, bookable meeting rooms, parking, bike storage and kitchen facilities. Reunion @ Hub Space will be open to booking new members in the coming weeks and expect to open in May. Members will also receive discounts on food at Reunion Deli and gain access to networking events.
Steady consumer spending sustains retail sales growth in March
The retail sector has continued its strong start to 2022 by recording its thirteenth consecutive month of like-for-like sales, new figures by accountancy and business advisory firm BDO LLP reveal.
According to BDO’s High Street Sales Tracker, total like-for-like sales, combined in-store and online, increased by +60.9% in March from a base of +42.5% for the equivalent month in 2021.
Total non-store like-for-like sales fell by -10.8%, marking three months of decline for non-store like-for-like sales. This is in stark contrast to March 2021, when non-store like-for-like sales reached +157.2% during the third national lockdown.
Both fashion and lifestyle categories saw substantial increases in their total like-for-like sales, however, homewares saw its first fall since April 2020. The first week of the month saw growth of +48.31% from a base of +4.53% for the same week the previous year, and the second and third weeks of the month saw increases of +60.87% and +94.31% respectively. In the final week of March, total like-for-like sales rose by +76.13%, from a +131.54% base for the same week in 2021, when the government’s ‘Stay at Home’ order officially ended.
Sector Results
The fashion sector saw the biggest growth, with total like-for-like sales increasing by +87.0% for the month, from a base of +57.5% for the same time last year. Fashion was the only category to record positive non-store results in March, which contributed to positive total LFLs for fashion for the thirteenth consecutive month. Total like-for-like sales in the lifestyle sector increased by +71.4% in March, from a base of +14.7% for the equivalent month last year. However, the sector saw a significant fall in non-store like-for-like sales, falling from the highs recorded in lockdown last year. Homewares total like-for-like sales fell by -9.6% in March, from a base of +112.6% in the same month last year. This is the first time that the category has recorded a drop in sales since April 2020, recording negative LFLs in every week of March. Sophie Michael, Head of Retail and Wholesale at BDO LLP, said: “Our results in March have highlighted that consumer spending remains high despite impending increases to the cost-of-living this month. However, there are also concerning signs that some of this spending is being supported by record levels of household borrowing, which has increased lately even as consumer confidence plummets. There may be good reason to expect some pull-back in discretionary spending over coming months, though the impact will inevitably vary across different areas of retail. “Rising energy, operational and supply costs also pose a serious challenge for retailers, many of whom may look into raising prices and/or re-examining their supply chains, as they seek to mitigate these issues and make cutbacks where possible. While the cost-of-living crisis was largely still on the horizon in March, retailers have been planning ahead and have made allowances for higher levels of inflation. However, the forecasts only appear to be increasing so the question is whether costs will rise faster than initially anticipated and cause further disruption. “This myriad of issues will no doubt require retailers to reconsider their plans as the consumer purse comes under increasing pressure.”UK’s Energy Strategy a step in the right direction but businesses need support now, says East Midlands Chamber
Commenting on the Government’s Energy Strategy, published yesterday (7 April), East Midlands Chamber director of policy and external affairs Chris Hobson said: “The Government’s Energy Strategy is a welcome step in the right direction that will help meet our net zero targets, while reducing firms’ and households’ exposure to volatile global energy markets in the long term.
“A commitment to including small modular reactors as a key part of the nuclear project pipeline is a boost for the East Midlands given this is one of the key innovations Rolls-Royce is currently working on and, with public backing, could lead to a thriving local supply chain being developed.
“There are clear limitations, however. The first step in any energy security strategy must be to reduce demand, yet this plan fails to bring forward support for energy efficiency measures.
“More emphasis is required to support and incentivise consumers on cutting energy usage, while we must also be mindful of sending out the wrong message to businesses about the direction of travel towards net zero by developing more oil and gas reserves in the North Sea. The climate challenge is real and we need the private sector fully on board to create the innovations that will overcome it.
“We would also have hoped for more action in the short and medium terms. Although the transition to the cheaper, cleaner energy sources of tomorrow is vital, prices are soaring today and businesses need support now.
“A combination of global and local issues, headlined by the war in Ukraine, has led to significant rising costs for overheads such as energy, as well as raw materials and people. As a result, 80% of East Midlands businesses expect they will be forced to increase prices over the next three months, according to our Quarterly Economic Survey for Q1 2022.
“This strategy is a missed opportunity to provide this, which is why we are urging Government to introduce a temporary SME price cap, expansion of the energy bills rebate scheme to include SMEs, and a six-month extension to the Recovery Loan Scheme.”
East Midlands furniture manufacturer fits out new £14m primary school in Scotland
Mansfield-based Deanestor, one of the UK’s leading fitout specialists, has provided bespoke furniture and fitout services for a new £14m primary school in West Lothian.
The new Calderwood Primary was built by Morrison Construction Building Central and delivered by hub South East for West Lothian Council. It provides non-denominational primary education for up to 462 pupils and 128 nursery places – and was handed over ahead of the revised programme despite the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Deanestor manufactured and installed around 1,250 items of bespoke fitted furniture for this project, including learning walls, storage cabinets, adjustable shelving units, tilting craft tables, shoebox storage, and worktops.
Around 3,000 items of loose seating, furniture and equipment were also procured and fitted by Deanestor for this project – from sports equipment and dining benches to lockers, white goods, pinboards, soft seating, banquettes, and bespoke wooden huts to provide seating and storage in different areas around the school.
Greig Jamieson, Commercial Director at Hub South East Scotland, said, “Deanestor contributed greatly to the fantastic project that is Calderwood Primary School which was handed over early to West Lothian Council. This was a particularly impressive feat given the challenging market conditions.”
“Feedback has been incredibly positive, and it is encouraging to see how excited pupils and staff are to begin their learning journey in their new school. We look forward to building on this success with Deanestor on further projects including the new Winchburgh Schools.”
Leader of West Lothian Council, Lawrence Fitzpatrick said, “The stunning new Calderwood Primary is a flagship addition to our school estate, which is already one of the best in the country. It has been designed and built with the learning experience at its heart and will help to create a focus for the new Calderwood community. There have been many challenges to deliver such a fine school against the backdrop of a global pandemic, so huge thanks to the project team and all the other contractors for their efforts to complete it on budget and ahead of the revised schedule.”
The fitout contract at Calderwood Primary follows Deanestor’s successful delivery of a £1m project for Morrison Construction for the manufacture and installation of fixed furniture for Barony Campus in East Ayrshire – a £68m, 2,500-pupil school. Deanestor has since been awarded the £1.8m furniture and fitout contract for a new £60m multi-school campus in West Lothian – its 12th contract for Morrison.
Deanestor manufactures and installs bespoke, robust, and flexible loose and fixed furniture solutions for early years, primary, SEN, and secondary education, fitting out areas such as classrooms, science laboratories, ICT, design and technology, atria, social dining spaces, break-out areas, sports facilities and changing rooms. Its experienced designers and project managers work with architects, contractors and directly with schools and local authorities, advising on specification of furniture and equipment to help deliver inspirational learning environments.
New support scheme available for Leicester businesses affected by the pandemic
Businesses across Leicester that were not previously eligible for COVID-19 business rates relief may now be eligible for new support if they were adversely affected by the pandemic.
Leicester City Council has received £8.7m from the Government to administer the COVID-19 Additional Relief Fund. This funding will be used to support a percentage reduction on 2021/22 business rate bills, with higher reductions for the worst affected businesses.
Businesses that are eligible are those that:
- have not had their 2021/22 rates bills reduced due to the Extended Retail Discount (covering retail, hospitality and leisure sectors) or the Nursery Discount;
- are the direct ratepayer and have occupied the property for business rates purposes, and having an amount to pay during the 2021/22 financial year; and
- have been adversely affected by the pandemic and have been unable to adequately adapt to the impact.
Shoosmiths names new Nottingham head of office
Law firm Shoosmiths has revealed the new head of its Nottingham office.
Michael Briggs, a partner and employment law specialist, takes on the role from Deborah Gordon-Brown who has held the post since 2015.
Michael, who joined Shoosmiths as an associate in 2013, will lead 77 staff at the firm’s Waterfront House office on Station Street and is set to oversee plans to continue growing its presence in the city and wider region.
Shoosmiths has operated in Nottingham since 1984 and has expanded into a full-service office covering real estate, corporate, business and personal advisory. It supports major brands including Travelodge, The Open University and Mountain Warehouse.
Michael’s strategic priorities include refurbishing and re-fitting the office, with the project due to take place this summer, alongside accelerating recruitment – adding to the three new staff that have already joined the firm in Nottingham in recent months.
As well as his role as partner, Michael chairs Shoosmiths’ LGBT+ Staff Network, PROUD.
Michael Briggs, partner and head of Shoosmiths’ Nottingham office, said: “2022 is a year of opportunity for Shoosmiths in Nottingham. There’s a lot to be excited about, including the office refurbishment – transforming it into a landmark social and business destination for our colleagues and clients.
“Our success in Nottingham is testament to the work of the entire team under Deborah’s leadership. I’m committed to continuing this legacy as the new head of office. As well as expanding our team and client base, my focus will be on cultivating the existing talent in the office, which I believe is home to the next generation of Shoosmiths’ leaders.”
Deborah is set to support Michael closely in his role as head of office, while also helping to oversee the delivery of the Nottingham office refurbishment project. Deborah will also continue her role on the board of the Shoosmiths Foundation and the regional boards of Business in the Community and Confederation of British Industry.
Deborah Gordon-Brown, Shoosmiths partner and outgoing office head, said: “Shoosmiths’ Nottingham office is a real legal powerhouse. The team are representing and advising some of the biggest companies and brands in the UK across multiple industries.
“We’ve achieved significant growth and I’m confident that under Michael’s stewardship the office will continue to thrive. I’m looking forward to supporting the team as we look to deliver on the ambitious plans put in place for the firm over the next few years.”
