Proposals brought forward for next phase of redevelopment at Lincoln’s Cornhill Quarter

Tess Egginton
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Proposals brought forward for next phase of redevelopment at Lincoln’s Cornhill Quarter
As part of the continued regeneration of The Cornhill Quarter in Lincoln, Lincolnshire Co-op are bringing forward proposals for the next phase of its development. Having established a vibrant leisure and retail environment in this area of the city, they are now seeking to bring further investment through the addition of both residential and hotel accommodation at the site. McCarthy Stone, the developer and manager of independent retirement living communities, is bringing forward proposals for a flagship development at the City Square Centre site on Sincil Street and Waterside South, combining specialist retirement accommodation with leisure facilities available to both its residents and the wider community. Adjacent to the McCarthy Stone development, on Melville Street, Lincolnshire Co-op is proposing to develop the site for a hotel with around 150 bedrooms, supporting and enhancing the city’s role as a key destination for tourism.
As identified by the Consultation Draft Local Plan (2021), Lincoln continues to attract increasing numbers of visitors, and hotels in the city are already frequently full and forced to turn business away.
Both McCarthy Stone and Lincolnshire Co-op have commenced a pre-application consultation programme. Because of the ongoing impacts of Covid-19, the consultation programme is being undertaken in digital and postal format.

Plans in for 34,000 sq ft car dealership in Leicester

Tess Egginton
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Plans in for 34,000 sq ft car dealership in Leicester
Property developer HBD has submitted planning for a new 34,000 sq ft car dealership at its Melton Road site in a jobs and investment boost for Leicester. HBD is progressing the plans after agreeing terms with TMS Motor Group – a circa £10million deal that represents the largest investment made by TMS to date and will see the creation of 20 new jobs. TMS Motor Group is family owned and run, operating from five centres across Coventry, Hinckley and Leicester. This latest addition will be its sixth centre, further expanding its reach across the Midlands. The new proposed dealership will offer both Volvo and Kia vehicles, alongside a service centre. Josh Spicer, development surveyor at HBD, said: “We’re pleased to be working with TMS to deliver a new dealership for Leicester – it’s positive to see investment being ploughed into the city, driving up confidence and creating new jobs. Melton Road is very well-located, providing straightforward access for both TMS and its customers, and I’ve no doubt it will prove a successful addition to the Group.” Len Hallows, Managing Director of TMS Motor Group, said: “This development represents the largest investment made by TMS to date – it will combine both Volvo and Kia on one site and provide customers with a modern retail facility with plenty of car parking, along with electric charging points. “The proposed new site will also provide opportunities for new employment across our business, including apprenticeships. It’s a fantastic location close to the outer ring road, coupled with new facilities that will create a relaxed, comfortable environment for customers, with flexible waiting, working and assessment areas that will be designed and built sustainably.”

Major pub company acquired

Tess Egginton
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Major pub company acquired
Fortress Investment Group has acquired Vine Acquisitions Limited (Punch Pubs & Co.) from Patron Capital Partners. The transaction is entirely funded by equity provided by funds managed by Fortress affiliates, with no additional debt finance, with existing management maintaining its equity ownership. Punch Pubs & Co., led by Chief Executive Officer Clive Chesser, is one of the UK’s leading pub companies with 1,300 pubs across the UK. Its strategy focuses on running the best community pubs, led by passionate and independent publicans via a specialist multi-model platform to deliver the optimum return. Punch’s resilient business model and a suburban and rural estate has enabled it to weather the ongoing challenges of the pandemic, culminating in the acquisition of 56 pubs from Young’s Ram Pub Company in July. Cyril Courbage, Managing Director, Fortress Investment Group, said: “We are excited to team with Clive and the Punch management, which has done an exceptional job of navigating the challenges of the Covid crisis while positioning the business for long-term growth and value creation. “We believe in providing strong management teams with the flexibility and support to execute their long-term strategic plans. The UK is an extremely attractive investment environment, and we will continue to explore other opportunities in this sector and across the UK, Ireland and Europe.” Clive Chesser, Punch Pubs & Co. CEO, said: “This is very positive news for everyone connected with Punch, and we are extremely excited about the opportunity that lies ahead with Fortress Investment Group. Fortress is a hugely experienced investor who understands the strengths of our business and fully buys into our strategic positioning and business plan. “We welcome their ambition and commitment to work alongside the existing management team to invest in the business with innovation and capital to ensure our long-term success in what is a highly competitive market. “I would like to take this opportunity to thank the teams at both Patron Capital and May Capital for the outstanding backing that they have provided during their ownership of the business. Their support has been invaluable over the last four years, none more so of course than during the pandemic.” Stephen Green, Senior Partner, Patron Capital, said: “Punch is a fantastic business and has been an extremely successful investment for our investors, thanks to the talent and hard work of the management team and our partner on the investment, May Capital. We wish Clive and the team well for the future with Fortress.”

CTS to step-up growth after multi-million pound refinancing

Tess Egginton
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CTS to step-up growth after multi-million pound refinancing
Construction Testing Solutions (CTS), the Palatine-backed provider of construction and infrastructure testing and consulting services, has completed a multi-million pound refinancing with European credit specialist Kartesia. The new funding will support the Leicester-headquartered company to continue a growth strategy that has already seen it acquire five businesses since it secured investment from Palatine’s Buyout Fund in 2018. CTS offers a range of construction testing services including materials testing, structure and pavement surveys and geotechnical and geo-environmental investigations. With support from Palatine, the UK mid-market private equity investor, it has grown to become a national network of 19 laboratories and offices, employing more than 600 skilled engineers and technicians. In the last 12 months CTS’ revenues have passed £40m for the first time, while the business has also recently moved to a new head office, following its separation from sister company CET Group. Chief Executive Phil Coles said: “The new funding from Kartesia will be key to delivering our strategic growth plan, giving us the firepower to make further acquisitions in the short and medium term, while also allowing us to invest in our people and technical capabilities.” Nick Holman, director at Kartesia, said: “We are delighted to complete our second transaction with Palatine and support CTS; a resilient and critical service provider with an excellent track record in the UK market. Our capital will help the company continue its impressive growth story and fulfil its buy-and-build ambitions.” Tom Hustler, investment manager at Palatine Private Equity, said: “This refinancing deal is an important step forward for CTS and will allow it to continue to add depth and scale to its capabilities in line with its strategic vision of becoming an industry-leading nationwide construction testing business. “We are pleased to be supporting Phil and the management team and look forward to making continued progress in 2022.” Since becoming part of Palatine’s portfolio CTS has acquired: Esseltest, Enverity (2019), Card Geotechnics Ltd (CGL) (2020), Nicholls Colton, (2021) and most recently Silkstone Environmental in August. Palatine was advised by a team from Clearwater International.

2022 Business Predictions: Amanda Dorel, regional director for the East Midlands at Lloyds Bank

Tess Egginton
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2022 Business Predictions: Amanda Dorel, regional director for the East Midlands at Lloyds Bank
It’s that time of year, when Business Link Magazine invites the region’s business leaders to offer up their predictions for the year ahead.  It has become something of a tradition, given that we’ve been doing this now for over 30 years. Here we speak to Amanda Dorel, regional director for the East Midlands at Lloyds Bank. Businesses in the East Midlands have shown tremendous resilience throughout 2021. Our Business Barometer has indicated that confidence among local firms has grown steadily throughout the year, rising significantly from a negative reading at the start of the year to an impressive 42% in November. However, the events of the past few weeks have demonstrated that we cannot predict what is around the corner. Firms have had to react quickly to ongoing supply chain disruption, and continue to face uncertainty over the impact of the Omicron variant. Despite this, businesses will still be tentatively looking towards new opportunities in the new year; both at home, aided by more regional investment, and abroad, where new trade deals could open up wider prospects for East Midlands firms. We expect sustainability to be one of the key factors dictating the business agenda in 2022. Eco-friendly credentials are no longer a ‘nice to have’, consumers expect firms to be making the right call on their environmental impact, and last month’s COP26 conference has increased this scrutiny even further. We will be working with businesses to help them become greener through schemes such as our Clean Growth Finance Initiative (CGFI), which provides discounted funding to help businesses transition to a lower carbon, more sustainable future. While there will be challenges in the months ahead, there will also be opportunities. Businesses must ensure they are ready to take advantage of these.

Banks Infrastructure wins major earthworks contract at Nottinghamshire gypsum mine

Eleonora Gallina
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Banks Infrastructure wins major earthworks contract at Nottinghamshire gypsum mine
The new infrastructure division of County Durham-headquartered renewable energy and property firm The Banks Group has won its first major contract. Banks Infrastructure has taken over as principal contractor at Bantycock Quarry near Newark after winning a competitive tender from operators Saint-Gobain Formula.
Bantycock Quarry Manager, Kevin Glasper, from Saint-Gobain Formula explains why they chose Banks Infrastructure for the new contract: “We are always looking for ways to continuously improve our operations in terms of efficiency, environmental performance and restoration, and Banks’ reputation in all these areas is first class. “As a company with over 40 years’ experience as a surface mining business, they are ideally suited to our gypsum quarrying operation at Bantycock. They offer larger, more high-tech mobile plant with state-of-the-art ‘telematics’ monitoring equipment which will enable them to deliver the best fuel and performance efficiency. “As well as the day-to-day extraction, moving and crushing of gypsum, we are also looking forward to working with them on the restoration of quarried areas as we finish working them. They have experience of restoring 114 mines around the country so also bring particular expertise in this area from which we – and the local area – will benefit.”
Gavin Styles, executive director at The Banks Group, adds: “Our ability to quickly adapt and refocus our business has long been a strength. Following a difficult 2020, we set out to repurpose our mining division and I am delighted that our new Banks Infrastructure division has won its first major contract.
“It is an exciting time with a significant challenge of transitioning to net zero. Responsible businesses are essential to this being a success. Our ambition is to build long-term working relationships with businesses who share our values and approach and together help drive down the financial, social and environmental costs of the transition. “We are delighted to be working with Saint-Gobain Formula who share our values as we fully support their commitment to making the world a better home.”

D2N2 Hydrogen Taskforce to accelerate hydrogen collaboration across the region

Tess Egginton
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D2N2 Hydrogen Taskforce to accelerate hydrogen collaboration across the region
D2N2’s Hydrogen Taskforce could be a key building block for the Midlands Engine as part of a new strategy for hydrogen technologies announced this week. Last year Derby set out its aim to become the UK’s centre of excellence for future fuel technologies, using the city’s advanced manufacturing expertise to revolutionise the way low-carbon energy is used to power businesses, transport and homes. In a bid to realise its goal, Derby City Council commissioned Arup – a global, employee-owned, built environment consultancy – to study the potential of hydrogen as an energy source for the region, and to set out a roadmap of how that could become a reality. Hydrogen is increasingly recognised as a viable and low carbon future fuel that can help the UK meet its net zero commitments by 2050. The work by Derby City Council, Arup and D2N2 reflects the case for the scaling up of hydrogen made in the government’s recently released UK Hydrogen Strategy report, which pledges support for creating a market and developing home-grown supply chains, leveraging local research and innovation strengths, and attracting investment to create high quality jobs, industry and export opportunities. As the UK transitions to a low carbon economy there are significant opportunities from the changes to technology, methods of production and forms of consumption. The D2N2 hydrogen taskforce has been set up to lead by example and foster collaboration to create pace and greater co-ordination, as well as a strong single voice to investors and Government. The new taskforce brings together business, entrepreneurs, academia and public sector partners to champion a range of projects aimed at delivering opportunities for investment, business growth and jobs across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire (D2N2). The taskforce will focus on five main areas:
  • Production, distribution, and storage
  • Heating
  • Transport
  • Industry
  • Jobs, skills and research.
David Williams, deputy chair of the D2N2 LEP, said: “Derby and the wider D2N2 region is well placed to be national front-runner for establishing a hydrogen economy, the taskforce aims to bring people and assets together to make hydrogen not only a practical low carbon energy source but also a driver for new jobs and skills for the region.”

Dozens of council buildings set to benefit from £24m carbon cutting programme

Eleonora Gallina
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Dozens of council buildings set to benefit from £24m carbon cutting programme
AN ambitious programme to cut the carbon cost of dozens of council buildings in Leicester has reached a milestone. Earlier this year, Leicester City Council was successful in its bid for over £24million of Government funding through the Salix Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme. The new funding – provided by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) – will support an ambitious programme of works to improve the energy efficiency and cut the carbon footprint of over 90 city council-owned buildings, including 55 schools. After a busy summer installing new energy saving LED lighting in over 50 buildings, work has now been completed on the first installations of new solar photo-voltaic panels on school buildings. Wyvern Primary School, in Rushey Mead, is one of the first schools to benefit. Work is now complete on the installation of a 45-panel photo voltaic array on its main roof. The school has also seen all 880 of its light fittings upgraded to energy efficient LEDs. These two measures will help the school cut its own carbon footprint by almost 20 tonnes per year, and make an estimated annual energy saving of around £12,500. Solar panels are due to be fitted on 60 buildings as part of the city council’s Salix funded programme, with work now complete at three schools. It is estimated that the overall programme will see around 2,800 new solar panels installed in total – enough to cover 18 championship courts at Wimbledon. Over 50 buildings are already benefitting from new LED lighting, and twenty more will see their lighting upgraded in the coming months. In addition, the programme will see over 12,000 square meters of replacement double glazed window installed across 40 buildings, and 35 sites are set to benefit from new air source heat pumps to replace gas boilers. Along with works to 55 schools, improvements will also be made to council-run leisure centres, libraries, community centres and offices. In total, 37 non-school buildings will benefit from the programme, including De Montfort Hall which will see its stage and auditorium lighting replaced with energy efficient LEDs. It’s estimated the combined energy efficiency improvements being funded through the programme will result in an overall carbon saving of around 3,000tCO2e – equivalent to the average emissions produced by over 900 standard homes. Deputy City Mayor Cllr Adam Clarke, who leads on environment and transportation, said: “The need to retrofit older buildings to make them energy efficient is among the many challenges presented by the climate emergency. “This new funding was a huge boost to our low carbon ambitions as a council, and it is great to see the progress being made to help cut the carbon cost of our schools, libraries, leisure centres and other buildings. “It is an ambitious programme of investment that will help us dramatically cut carbon emissions from our buildings and save hundreds of thousands of pounds in energy costs – something that is very welcome in these challenging times. “It also just one part of a major, multi-million programme of investment in the city that will help us make an important step forward in our citywide response to the climate emergency. “Now, more than ever, it is vital that we work with local partners to maintain this momentum and continue to urge central Government to support Leicester’s vision to be carbon neutral by 2030.” Cutting the carbon footprint of the city’s buildings is a key action resulting from the first Leicester Climate Emergency Strategy. The strategy sets out an ambitious vision for how the city needs to change to move towards becoming carbon-neutral and adapting to the effects of global heating by 2030, or sooner. To find out more visit www.leicester.gov.uk/ClimateEmergency

Senior plant scientist joins growing AgTech firm

Tess Egginton
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Senior plant scientist joins growing AgTech firm
AgTech firm Light Science Technologies (LST) has made a new addition to its rapidly expanding team of scientists, as the business experiences an accelerated period of growth and the sector sees increasing global interest in indoor farming. Chuan Ching Foo, known as CC, joins the team as senior plant scientist, where she will take on full responsibility for the running and management of LST’s onsite lab facilities where new crop testing is carried out, while also supporting the company’s ongoing efforts to improve the quality, flavour, and freshness of produce for indoor growers and farmers in polytunnel, glasshouse and vertical farming. With a background in Bioscience, CC studied in her native country of Brunei where she has a BSc in Biotechnology from Monash University, Malaysia. In 2013, she came to the UK to study for her MSc in Crop Improvement, before completing her PhD in Photosynthesis and Photoprotection in Crops at the University of Nottingham, where she also served as a lab technician overseeing lab and growth room facilities. She has previously taught in student workshops and also worked as a research technician with Verdesian Life Sciences and Azotic Technologies, as well as working on numerous collaborative projects with global institutes including CIMMYT in Mexico; Lancaster University, CSIRO based in Australia and NIAB in the UK. LST, located on Derby’s Hilton Business Park, creates lighting and sensor technology for commercial indoor farming such as vertical farming, polytunnels and greenhouses. Currently employing 17 staff, it has its eyes on global expansion as part of the company’s longer-term growth plans. In October, the firm announced its flotation on the stock exchange after raising over £5 million in funds. Commenting on the new appointment, Simon Deacon, CEO of LST, says: “I am delighted to welcome CC who has the talent, experience and drive we need to take us to the next stage of LST’s strategic objectives in indoor farming and help build on the ongoing momentum we are currently experiencing. We’re excited to utilise her expertise alongside further developing our award-winning technology to revolutionise agriculture and indoor growing.” “I am thrilled to join LST at a time of such ambitious growth,” says CC. “COP26 has highlighted the urgent need for us all to switch to a way of sourcing food that is sustainable and reliable, and through the use of AgriTech, has reinforced the benefits and potential it will bring over the next few years. To be able to harness my knowledge in crop science to create a more sustainable world is incredibly motivating and LST sets up the perfect opportunity.”

RBC Group expands remanufacturing facility at fully let Old Dalby Business Park

Tess Egginton
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RBC Group expands remanufacturing facility at fully let Old Dalby Business Park
A Leicestershire business park owned by independent property company Hortons’ Estate Limited is fully let after an existing tenant’s expansion secured the final available industrial/warehouse unit on the site. Engineering and technology firm, RBC Group has signed a 10-year lease with landlord, Hortons’ Estate Ltd on 51,000 sq ft of additional space at Old Dalby Business Park, near Melton Mowbray. The deal extends RBC Group’s commitment at the business park to almost 200,000 sq ft of industrial accommodation, which includes its current headquarters at Unit 3, one of Europe’s largest remanufacturing facilities. The firm operates five additional depots at strategic locations across the UK, supporting its delivery of automated retail, manufacturing, technology, asset management, payment solutions and integrated logistics. Old Dalby Business Park is a 39-acre industrial complex located between Leicester, Nottingham and Loughborough, approximately 1.2 miles from the A606. The site offers a range of warehousing and manufacturing accommodation from 2,000 sq ft to 135,000 sq ft, and is home to established occupiers including Toyota Material Handling UK Limited, Funbikes and East Midlands Pharmaceutical. Jeremy Boothroyd of Hortons’ said: “We are very pleased that RBC Group has chosen to commit to Old Dalby as the location for the continued expansion of its industry leading services. “Like many of our occupiers on the business park, we have developed a positive working relationship with the team at RBC Group and look forward to supporting their growth and development in the years ahead as the business continues to evolve and expand. “Old Dalby is a popular and established industrial location and now the existing accommodation is fully let, we are exploring further development opportunities on the site.” Colin Lowe of RBC Group said: “We are delighted to have acquired additional space at Old Dalby Business Park. Old Dalby has been our home for many years, and as we execute our plans to grow the business and invest for the future, our signing of a long-term lease demonstrates our continued commitment to the local community and UK innovation. “Moreover, as RBC Group expands, we will be creating jobs in cutting-edge fields from manufacturing to artificial intelligence, developing the future of automated retail and, in all our work, building toward a greener and more equitable future.”
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