Leicestershire law firms merge
Leicestershire-based law firm Websters Solicitors has merged with Lawson West Solicitors Limited.
The merger builds on Lawson West’s previous growth acquisition of Brown and Company Solicitors, with whom it merged in Market Harborough in 2018.
The former Managing Director of Websters, Barry Webster, is known by many people in Leicestershire and over the past 22 years he has grown and developed his practice to be a highly regarded law firm operating from Quorn.
Barry Webster and his wife Tracey will now work alongside Lawson West’s established six-strong commercial property team, headed by experienced solicitor Rebecca Beswick, providing specific expertise to property clients across the region, widening the firm’s commercial property offering and further strengthening its commercial client base.
David Heys, Managing Director of Lawson West, said of the merger: “I have known Websters for several years and I’m thrilled to welcome Barry and Tracey to work with Lawson West. They are both great assets in our combined business and they bring with them fantastic experience and proven commercial and private client skills.
“Websters is a niche legal practice with an incredible local reputation for quality legal advice including outstanding commercial property expertise. I admire Barry’s superb levels of client service and in this regard our two firms are aligned. The culture at Lawson West is caring, helpful, supportive and respectful of clients and the integration of Websters and Lawson West joins together our mutual ambition to provide excellent client service.”
Barry Webster said: “I have been lucky enough to build my legal practice from its early origins as a new sole practitioner business, to be one of the best-known local providers of legal services in North Leicestershire.
“I’m very proud of the success of Websters Solicitors and not only of the team here and our legacy of advising clients on their specific legal needs, but also of how we have been able to nurture and help our clients to grow and expand in the region and further afield. Helping our clients to prosper is what it’s all about and it’s very rewarding for me personally to see their progress and to have been an important part in their development.
“Now that Websters has transferred our business interests to Lawson West Solicitors, I’m confident that our former clients are in safe hands and will benefit from the extended resource of legal services that Lawson West offers and access to a wider network of legal experience and talent. I’m sure the clients who transfer to Lawson West will be pleased to see our joint commitment to quality, great client service and efficiency. It’s a really good fit with Lawson West.”
Masterplan lays out the future of transport network in the Midlands to boost economic growth
Regional Transport body Midlands Connect has launched its Strategic Transport Plan for the Midlands entitled ‘Greener, Fairer, Stronger’.
The plan lays out the key challenges facing transport in the Midlands, including how a lack of mobility is holding back economic growth and productivity, how levelling up and social exclusion can be addressed with better accessibility, and the need to slash carbon emissions. The plan sets out where the region can come together and work as one to tackle some of these challenges.
The plan identifies requirements for major investment needed, from both the public and private sectors, in programmes for:
- Electric vehicle charging infrastructure;
- Alternative fuels, including natural gas and hydrogen for HGVs;
- Boosting mobility in rural areas;
- Creating more space for passengers and freight on our rail network;
- A ‘tap and cap’ smart ticketing solution for passengers using buses, trams, bike hire and the rail network across the Midlands (similar to the system used in London)
- Birmingham-Derby-Nottingham rail journey time improvement
- M1 junction 28 improvements
- A50/A500 Corridor Central Section (around Uttoxeter)
- Nottingham-Lincoln rail journey time improvements
- A1/A52 junction upgrade at Grantham
- Coventry-Leicester-Nottingham new direct rail services and journey time improvements
- A46 improvements at Syston
- M1 improvements including Leicester Western Access and North Leicestershire extra capacity
- A5/A426 Gibbet Hill Junction
- A46 improvements between Stratford and Warwick
- A46 improvements in Evesham area
- Kings Norton area rail capacity improvements
- Reinstatement of Snow Hill Station platform number 4 in Birmingham
- Birmingham Motorway Box – safety and reliability improvements
- A5 improvements between Hinckley and Tamworth
- Birmingham-Black Country-Shrewsbury rail journey time improvement
- M6 J15 improvements
- Birmingham – Leicester rail journey time improvements
Inflationary pressures reach uncharted territory
The British Chambers of Commerce’s Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) for Q1 2022 – the independent survey of business sentiment and a leading indicator of UK GDP growth – shows inflationary pressures on firms reaching levels never previously recorded in its 33-year history.
The survey of over 5,600 firms also revealed a continuing stagnation in the proportion of firms reporting increased domestic sales and investment, while cashflow weakened slightly in Q1.
42% of respondents overall reported increased domestic sales in Q1, down from 45% in Q4. 18% reported a decrease, up from 16% the previous quarter.
62% of firms expect their prices to rise in the next three months, which is another record high figure for this metric and an increase from 58% in Q4. Only 1% overall expect a decrease in their prices.
For production & manufacturing firms, this rises to 75% and stands at 75% for retailers and wholesalers, 70% for construction firms, and 72% for transport and distribution firms. These are also the highest on record.
When firms were asked what pressures they were facing to raise prices, from a list of factors, 92% of manufacturers cited raw materials, 56% cited other overheads (the majority of respondents comments related to energy costs and transport costs), 34% cited pay settlements, and 19% cited finance costs.
When asked what was more of a concern to their business than three months ago, 77% of firms cited inflation which was the highest on record and a rise from 66% in Q4.
The percentage citing interest rates as a concern also rose in the quarter. Nearly 1 in 3 (32%) reported interest rates as a concern, up from 27% in Q4.
Indicators for both cash flow and investment have shown no sign of recovery since the start of the COVID-19 shutdown.
For firms overall, 28% reported an increase to cash flow, a drop from 31% in Q4. 26% reported a decrease, up from 23% in Q4.
Investment in plant, machinery, or equipment continued to stagnate, with 27% overall reporting an increase, while 58% reported no change, and 15% a decline. This metric remains largely unchanged since Q2 2021.
Responding to the findings, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, Shevaun Haviland, said: “Our latest survey lays bare the huge financial stress that firms across the country are under.
“The level of inflationary pressures has soared to record levels and we are now truly in uncharted territory. Firms cite cost increases coming at them from all angles, ranging from energy bills to raw material prices and the imminent rise in National Insurance.
“We need to be absolutely clear: this cost of doing business crisis is squeezing firms’ finances, driving further increases in prices and directly fuelling the cost-of-living crisis.
“The Spring Statement was a missed opportunity to ensure business have greater resilience to weather the uncertain and volatile times ahead.
“The Government must provide urgent financial support, through the expansion of the energy bills rebate scheme, to include small firms and energy intensive businesses, and he must introduce an SME energy price cap to protect smaller firms from some of the price increases.
“We also urge the Treasury to rethink and postpone the damaging National Insurance increase. A failure to act now will leave businesses with no option but to continue to raise prices – leading to more difficult months to come for both firms and households.”
Suren Thiru, Head of Economics at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: “Our latest survey points to a solid first quarter for the UK economy, as the release of pent-up demand following the end of Plan B restrictions and reduced consumer concerns over Omicron helped support activity in the quarter. However, our figures also highlight the significant headwinds facing the UK economy.
“Historically high price pressures suggests that the current inflationary surge will escalate significantly in the coming months. The reversal of the hospitality VAT cut, the higher energy price cap and soaring energy and commodity prices amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, should lift inflation well above 8% in the near term.
“The continued sluggishness in cash flow is a key concern as it leaves firms more vulnerable to economic shocks, including the damaging impact of soaring energy bills, higher inflation, and tax increases.
“The first quarter may be the high point for the UK economy with activity likely to stall in subsequent quarters as surging inflation, rising energy bills and higher taxes increasingly drags on activity.
“Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has raised the risk of a renewed economic downturn by aggravating the financial squeeze on businesses and households and disrupting the supply of commodities to key sectors of the UK economy.”
Rutland County Council refuses rabbit farm planning application
Rutland County Council has refused a planning application for a temporary workers’ dwelling and separate agricultural building on land near Hambleton, submitted by T&S Rabbits.
The design for the proposed agricultural building was deemed by Planning Officers to be inconsistent with existing buildings or landscape features in the local area and would appear particularly prominent – causing significant harm to what is a sensitive and largely undeveloped landscape.
Without the agricultural building there would be no way of operating a commercial enterprise at the site and therefore no need for a workers’ dwelling, as was also proposed.
The Council says proposals for this development were also directly at odds with current local planning policy relating to the Rutland Water Area (Policy CS24). This states that any new development which is near to Rutland Water but falls outside of five clearly defined ‘Recreational Areas’ must be small-scale development for recreation, sport and tourism facilities. Such development would also have to be considered critical for nature conservation, fishing or the essential operation of existing facilities.
Shop front fund to help revamp South Wigston high street
Businesses in South Wigston are being offered the chance to receive matched funding to help revamp their shop frontages.
High quality shop fronts are proven to attract customers to individual businesses and the high street as a whole and Oadby & Wigston Borough Council’s Shop Front Improvement Fund is designed to encourage just that.
This scheme was previously launched in 2019 and helped a number of businesses to make improvements to and smarten up their shop front. This ranged from new windows to improved signage and in some cases a simple lick of paint. By re-launching the scheme, the council is hoping more businesses will now come forward to further enhance the look and feel of the area.
Business can apply for up to £2,000 and must match the funding with their own investment into the shop frontage. The funding for the scheme comes through Section 106 contributions from other developments close by and is therefore restricted to businesses in the centre of South Wigston.
Cllr John Boyce, Leader of Oadby and Wigston Borough Council, said: “Shop fronts are important in attracting in shoppers but also in improving the look and feel of our towns. We are fortunate to have secured this funding through developer contributions and we want to see the maximum benefit for businesses in South Wigston.
“We are keen to ensure that none of the funds go back to the developer and therefore encourage eligible businesses to come forward.”
Businesses are encouraged to read the guidance on the Council website and submit applications to the Economic Regeneration team. The use of the funds is limited and business will need to match the funding, up to a maximum grant of £2,000.
The fund will remain continuously open until further notice.
Erewash Borough Council to keep rates reduced for small and medium-sized businesses
Erewash Borough Council looks set to keep rates reduced for small and medium-sized businesses in the borough for the upcoming financial year.
Council Executive will meet on 6 April when it is recommended that it approves use of the council’s discretionary powers to award Transitional Relief and Small Business Rate Relief to qualifying businesses to reduce their National Non-Domestic Rate liability for the 2022/23 financial year.
The two schemes were introduced to protect small and medium-sized businesses from large increases in their National Non-Domestic Rates, which are based on the rateable value of the business premises. The rates are normally reset by the government every five years but this has been delayed until 1 April 2023. The government has therefore asked councils to use their discretionary powers to provide the relief.
Councillor Wayne Major, Erewash Borough Council’s Deputy Leader and Lead Member for Resources, says: “We aim to provide continued support to small and medium sized businesses in Erewash. Approving these schemes for another year will provide continued support to local businesses without any direct cost to the council or other local ratepayers.”
Phoenix Brickwork to build state-of-the-art training academy in Derbyshire
Brickwork, scaffolding and drywall business, Phoenix Brickwork, has revealed its intention to create a state-of-the-art training academy for apprentices in Derbyshire.
Chairman of Phoenix Brickwork, Christian Watson, said the Phoenix Brickwork Training Academy, which is in the early stages of planning and development, will invest in young people who have a passion to work in scaffolding, drylining and bricklaying. He believes the new facility will boost the number of Derbyshire-based teenagers taking up apprenticeships and wanting to launch their careers in the industry.
Christian said: “It is my ambition to see more youngsters learn real, practical skills in scaffolding, drylining and bricklaying. Some people find academic study a struggle, but they often thrive when they learn on the job.
“Establishing a Phoenix Brickwork Training Academy means we can invest in our industry and provide young people with genuine trade skills, and not just a certificate.”
Apprenticeships are now a popular career option for young people and for Dylan Tewson, Oliver Thomas and Jordan Crofts, starting at Phoenix Brickwork has changed their lives – and their outlook on employment – for the better.
The trio make up a cohort of 20 apprentices at Pinxton-based Phoenix Brickwork.
Dylan Tewson, 21, is a trainee quantity surveyor at Phoenix and loves learning on the job. He says he is most excited about getting a degree and becoming a fully qualified quantity surveyor with ambitions to advance into a commercial manager role.
“Working for Phoenix has been good for me,” said Dylan. “I joined Phoenix to gain more knowledge and practical experience in the job, and I fitted in straight away. I really enjoy being an apprentice. This opportunity provides me with hands-on experience and I’m earning money.”
A positive attitude and a genuine desire to work is why Oliver Thomas, 21, is another success story at Phoenix. He says he is excited about gaining recognised practical qualifications, furthering his knowledge, and starting his career.
“What I love most about Phoenix is learning a variety of different skills and working alongside experienced tradesmen who are willing to pass on their knowledge to me.”
Jordan Crofts, 22, joined the team of apprentices in November 2021, and is determined to progress at Phoenix Brickwork.
He said: “I really love working on site and getting involved in different tasks. Having support from the team and gaining knowledge from site managers and bricklayers is so beneficial.”
Christian Watson said: “It is so encouraging to read what our current apprentices have to say – after all, with the disturbing decline in experienced tradespeople in our industry, mainly due to retirement, they are our future, and my mission is to ensure the trade has a strong pool of tried-and-tested talent.”
Bus firm in Alzheimer’s fundraising drive
Staff at bus firm trentbarton have chosen Alzheimer’s Research UK as their charity of the year for both 2022 and 2023.
Alzheimer’s Research UK is the UK’s leading dementia research charity, dedicated to causes, diagnosis, prevention, treatment and cure.
Trentbarton staff will now spend the next two years organising a wide variety of fundraising events and initiatives, including its Namesake programme where people can donate to have a bus named after a loved one.
Alzheimer’s Research UK topped the poll of trentbarton staff who chose from a shortlist of good causes drawn from nominations by colleagues and customers.
Caroline Bacon-Webster, one of trentbarton’s staff charity champions who organises fundraising, said: “We are all looking forward very much to fundraising for such an important charity.
“Most of us know people affected by dementia, and in particular Alzheimer’s, so I am sure our colleagues and customers will be both enthusiastic and generous in their support, so we can raise as much as possible for the charity’s vital work.”
Social Change UK certifies as a B Corporation
Social Change UK has been certified by B Lab, the not-for-profit behind the B Corp movement, as having met rigorous social and environmental standards which represent its commitment to goals outside of shareholder profit.
The B Corp certification addresses the entirety of a business’s operations and covers five key impact areas of Governance, Workers, Community, Environment and Customers. The certification process is rigorous, with applicants required to reach a benchmark score of over 80 while providing evidence of socially and environmentally responsible practices relating to energy supplies, waste and water use, worker compensation, diversity, and corporate transparency.
Social Change UK scored 109. Most businesses score between 40 and 100, with 80 points required to become certified. A score of over 100 is considered outstanding. The Lincoln-based agency is now part of a community of 4,600 businesses globally that have certified as B Corps.
The B Corp community in the UK, representing a broad cross section of industries and sizes, comprises over 600 companies and include well-known brands such as The Guardian, innocent, Patagonia, The Body Shop, and organic food pioneers Abel & Cole. Social Change UK is only the SECOND business in Lincolnshire to certify as a B Corp and one of only 14 businesses in the East Midlands certified.
Chris Turner, executive director of B Lab UK, said: “We are delighted to welcome Social Change UK to the B Corp community. This is a movement of companies who are committed to changing how business operates and believe business really can be a force for good. We know that Social Change UK are going to be a fantastic addition to the community and will continue driving the conversation forward.”
He continued: “We are pleased to have B Corps of all shapes and sizes as part of our community – from start-ups to multinationals and across many different industries. Welcoming Social Change UK is an exciting moment because they have an opportunity to lead the way within the marketing and research industry.
“We and the rest of the B Corp community are really pleased to support Social Change UK in paving the way for a new way of doing things. Their commitment to doing business differently will be an inspiration to others and will really help spread the idea that we can redefine success in business to be as much about people and the planet as it is about profit.”
Kelly Evans, Chief Executive of Social Change UK, said: “We are thrilled to certify as a B Corp and join a community of businesses who we greatly admire and respect for pursuing purpose and putting people and the planet ahead of profit. The values and ethos of B Corp have always been at the core of our business since it was founded back in 2010. In our heart we have always been a B Corp – but I wanted to officially certify to prove that we are true to our word and we will always pursue purpose before profit.”
Social Change UK is behind several successful social purpose driven campaigns in recent years. The agency scooped a prestigious Drum Social Purpose Award for their “Jiggle, Wiggle” sexual health campaign beating Dove, WWF, Mastercard, and the British Red Cross to the accolade back in 2019. Only a year later they were shortlisted for another Drum Social Purpose award for a breastfeeding campaign. The company has gone from strength to strength over the last three years becoming a leading behaviour change agency in the UK.
Growth prompts six-figure investment at conference centre
The Derby Conference Centre has made a six-figure investment in its facilities as business continues to boom post-pandemic.
The centre saw a 108% increase in business in the first quarter of the year after restrictions lifted.
This has allowed it to invest £120,000 in the building to support meetings, conferences, and events in the coming year.
The Derby Conference Centre, which is a Grade II listed building, houses an array of conference rooms and meeting rooms, as well as 50 en-suite hotel bedrooms and self-catering accommodation at its India House Hotel.
The refurbishment of all meeting rooms, conference rooms and bedrooms are planned to be complete by the summer.
The renovation includes a significant upgrade to the meeting room technology, with new high spec projectors, screens, speakers, and video conferencing equipment.
Alongside this, new coffee machines and a vending machine, have been installed so that guests are able to enjoy a selection of hot drinks and snacks in the newly redecorated meeting rooms.
Air conditioning is also planned to be installed across all meeting rooms and the sunken lounge before the summer heat arrives to ensure that the customer experience is comfortable.
Matthew Hutchings, managing director at the Derby Conference Centre, said: “If there was ever a positive from the pandemic, it is that it has allowed me to assess where we are as a business, and what we can do to enhance the customer experience.
“It is great news that we are able to undertake this large refurbishment, and with upcoming days at the DCC having sold all 12 of our meetings rooms, I am looking forward to seeing the conference centre busy and vibrant again.”
