< Previous East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk FINANCE NEWS Lincoln press release distribution service acquired by US firm 3BL Media, the environmental, social and governance (ESG) content distribution and analytics platform for purpose-driven companies, has acquired RealWire Limited, expanding audience and reach in the United Kingdom and Europe. The acquisition is the eighth for 3BL Media since 2009. Terms were not disclosed. “Companies worldwide are committing themselves to ESG performance and transparency, and the combination of RealWire with 3BL Media will provide greater reach to stakeholders including online news outlets, journalists and investors,” said Dave Armon, CEO of 3BL Media, adding that previous UK acquisitions included Ethical Performance and ReportAlert. Based in Lincoln, since launching in 2000, RealWire specializes in increasing the online impact of press releases while cultivating positive relationships with business and trade journalists. RealWire’s editorial and client services team, led by Managing Director Emily Gosling, will enhance 3BL Media’s distribution network by providing concierge service to the growing journalist corps covering climate and sustainability topics. New £25m taskforce to crack down on those who took advantage of vital Covid support schemes The Chancellor has announced that a new fraud squad, recruited from data analytics experts and leading economic crime investigators, will crack down on criminal gangs who rip off the taxpayer. Operational in July and based in the Cabinet Office, the new £25 million “Public Sector Fraud Authority” will double funding for the Government’s central counter fraud capacity. The new body will be made up of leading data analytics experts and economic crime investigators to recover money stolen from Covid support schemes and spot suspicious companies and people seeking Government contracts. Counter fraud experts will also mount mandatory inspections on Whitehall programmes to uncover vulnerabilities. South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership to receive £9.3m Government funding to level up The South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership are to receive £9.3 million from the Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to help level up the community by building pride in place and increase life chances across the UK. Following Brexit, the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) invests in local communities by helping to regenerate communities, tackle economic decline, and reverse geographical inequalities – with areas in greater need receiving more support. It is designed to match previous long-term European Union structural funding while handing decision-making powers on how the money is spent to councils instead of regional agencies. The new funding covers the next three years. This aligns with Levelling Up White Paper missions, one being “By 2030, pride in place, such as people’s satisfaction with the place they live and engagement in local culture and community, will have risen in every area of the UK, with the gap between the top performing and other areas closing.” © stock.adobe.com/ASDF © stock.adobe.com/david.asch 06-15.qxp_Layout 1 04/05/2022 09:22 Page 5Melton fulfilment firm records £6m turnover as it marks milestone birthday Melton-based fulfilment specialist Hallmark Consumer Services has reported a year-on-year increase in annual turnover of over 10 percent to £6m, in the wake of increased demand from online retailers for its flexible fulfilment services. Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, the family-owned fulfilment company employs 70 people and provides a range of outsourced services including bespoke fulfilment, contract packing, direct mail, and logistics solutions. Hallmark purchased its 40,000 sq ft headquarters in Melton in 2013 and has since invested in further extending its premises and capacity, most recently by adding an enhanced storage and shipping facility and further locations for carton picks to enable the company to expand the range and size of goods it handles for clients. To facilitate the demand for its services, the company has also taken on a second site in Grantham, set to officially open this summer. Commenting on the growth, Hallmark Managing Director, Philip Hall, says: “We’ve overcome many challenges in the last two years as a result of the pandemic and Brexit, but have managed to come out of the other side successfully and having secured several new clients. “With the pandemic forcing retail companies to sell more of their products online, we saw demand for our services rocket. Fortunately, our business model and IT infrastructure are such that we can quickly scale our fulfilment services up or down in response to customer demand. It is this flexibility that our clients appreciate.” FINANCE NEWS www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link Monthly business insolvencies rise by a third The number of monthly corporate insolvencies has increased by over a third, and doubled since the same time last year, highlighting the enormous challenges faced by Midlands businesses as they struggle to overcome spiraling inflation and energy costs as well as the shockwaves of the pandemic. Latest Government insolvency statistics for England and Wales show that corporate insolvencies increased by 39.4% in March 2022 to a total of 2,114 compared to the previous month’s figure of 1,517, and rose by 111.6% compared to March 2021’s figure of 999. According to the Midlands branch of insolvency and restructuring trade body R3, the sharp increase in corporate insolvencies suggests that many directors have seen the current economic prospects as an obstacle they will not be able to overcome and have closed their companies ahead of time. R3 Midlands chair Eddie Williams, a partner at PwC in the East Midlands, said: “The increase in corporate insolvencies in March was driven by a rise in Creditor Voluntary Liquidations, a procedure initiated by directors of insolvent firms to close their company. The numbers were almost 40% higher than the previous month. “These figures reflect the tough business climate in the region. Directors have gone from trying to trade through a global pandemic to trading while the costs of fuel and energy rise significantly. At the same time, employees are concerned about whether their earnings can cover the increased costs of living. Both firms and individuals have barely had time to draw breath. “As a result, business and consumer confidence is low – a situation which looks unlikely to change in the near future. R3 therefore urges any directors worried about their company’s finances to seek advice as soon as possible.” © stock.adobe.com/ Jeanette Teare 06-15.qxp_Layout 1 04/05/2022 09:22 Page 6Manufacturers dissatisfied with the progress of the Government’s Levelling Up agenda Almost a third of manufacturers are dissatisfied with the progress of the Government’s Levelling Up agenda, according to a new report Levelling up: Bridging the gap between policy and progress, published by Make UK. The report reveals that manufacturers want to see mayors and local councillors given more responsibility for driving the levelling up agenda and better support for skills training and creation of job opportunities prioritised by Government. The report goes on to say: “This suggests that existing programmes such as IoTs or the National Skills Fund is not adequately plugging this problem. However, this is may not necessarily be due to the programmes’ designs, but awareness of the various support programmes available to manufacturers – for example, only 10% of manufacturers had heard of IoTs and were engaging with them.” A lack of awareness is not a new issue, particularly amongst SMEs: previous Make UK research shows an average of 60% of businesses were unaware of available business support schemes or programmes. East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk MANUFACTURING NEWS Business Lincolnshire announces return of Lincolnshire Manufacturing Conference Business Lincolnshire are proud to announce the Greater Lincolnshire Manufacturing Conference 2022: De-risking for a Sustainable Future. The fully funded conference, which is being organised in partnership with NatWest, exclusively serves the manufacturing sector within Greater Lincolnshire. The conference takes place at Kenwick Park Hotel, Louth, on Friday 20th May 2022. The annual event celebrates its fifth conference, in a welcome return following a three-year hiatus caused by the pandemic. Greater Lincolnshire Engineering and Manufacturing (GLEAM) network are sponsoring the networking breakfast, which coincides with registration and an industry exhibition. This year’s theme focuses on ‘de-risking for a sustainable future’. Cllr Colin Davie, executive councillor for economy at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “This conference plays a vital role in supporting the county’s manufacturing community. It provides opportunities to network, share ideas and seek out solutions to common challenges, and of course to hear about new developments from industry leaders. This is always an event to look forward to as we help this important sector thrive.” 35 jobs saved at Nottingham sportswear manufacturer A division of a Nottingham-based sportswear manufacturer has been sold after the company entered administration, saving 35 jobs. Philip Stephenson and Jon Roden, both of Grant Thornton UK LLP, were appointed joint administrators to Dreamsport Limited on 30 March 2022. The company experienced a decline in trading following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and its directors elected to place the business into an insolvency process. A spokesperson for the joint administrators at Grant Thornton UK LLP said: “Following their appointment, the administrators secured the sale of the company’s Teamwear division to an unconnected third party (Dreamsport 2022 Limited, part of the The Stevenson Group), which secured the employment of 35 people. “However, there was no interest in acquiring the remainder of the business and unfortunately this has resulted in the redundancy of the remaining five employees.“ © stock.adobe.com/ Daco © stock.adobe.com/ Mongkolchon 06-15.qxp_Layout 1 04/05/2022 09:22 Page 7East 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.” www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link MANUFACTURING NEWS Rising cost of living may impact car sales, say experts Manufacturers are having a difficult time of it of late and figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show that the automotive industry is not immune to the problem. Despite March normally being a bumper year due to new car registrations, the industry saw the weakest sales since March 1998, with new car sales slumping to 243,479 units, a drop of 14.3%. Manufacturers had reported robust order books during the first quarter, but ongoing supply chain shortages continued to squeeze supply during what is normally the industry’s busiest month as buyers demand the latest numberplate. This is, therefore, the weakest March since 1998, which was prior to the introduction of the two-plate system. Given around 20% of total annual registrations are usually recorded in March, the result is massively disappointing for the sector and underscores the long- term impact the pandemic is wreaking on the industry. In spite of the rollback of pandemic restrictions, which limited the industry to ‘click and collect’ in the first part of 2021, overall Q1 registrations for 2022 were down -1.9%. Richard Peberdy, UK Head of Automotive, for KPMG comments: “It was widely anticipated that the automotive sector would take most of 2022 to sufficiently increase component capacity and put an end to the supply shortages that have limited car production during the pandemic. “But the implications of war in Ukraine and heightened restrictions in China add further complexity and exacerbate this challenge. “Whilst supply shortages persist, production volumes will remain lower than pre-pandemic, and car makers will continue to focus on higher margin models, as well as the electric vehicles market. “Up until now, this has kept forecourt sales relatively healthy, and also driven up prices of used cars. But the rising cost of living poses significant questions about whether consumers will delay, or even curtail, larger investments, such as on a car. The coming months will tell.” © stock.adobe.com/ ipopba © stock.adobe.com/ Golf_MHNK 06-15.qxp_Layout 1 04/05/2022 09:22 Page 8PROPERTY NEWS Market Harborough land sold for £1.4m Land owned by Harborough District Council at Naseby Square in Market Harborough has now been sold for £1.4m to Platform Housing Group to amalgamate with their adjoining land and build 38 affordable homes. The new development will consist of 1-3 bed homes which will be a mix of rented and shared ownership. The scheme will include 8 bungalows for rent which may be attractive to older people or those with a physical disability. Delivering affordable housing is a key priority for the Council and 2021/22 was another record year with over 200 new affordable homes built. However, demand is also rising fast with over 450 applications to join the Council’s housing register in the last three months, with over 600 applications in total. After considering options for the land the Council agreed not to pursue the proposed housing project itself as it has had to refocus its priorities in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The capital raised from the sale will be used to support the Council’s various capital projects across the Harborough district. Platform Housing Group worked with customers of Naseby Square who would be affected by the proposed redevelopment and has relocated all those customers to other Platform Housing accommodation of their choosing. Cllr James Hallam, Harborough District Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet lead on strategic asset management, said: “With the significant impact of the COVID pandemic, a decision was taken to sell this land on behalf of the taxpayer. We will carefully evaluate how we can utilise this capital receipt to benefit the Harborough district.” Window open for £17m building framework across Nottinghamshire SME contractors across Nottinghamshire are being invited to secure their role in £17 million- worth of construction and retrofitting projects being procured by Arc Partnership Limited for Nottinghamshire County Council. Arc Partnership, a joint venture between Nottinghamshire County Council and public sector procurement specialist SCAPE, has outlined the timetable for its General Building framework, with SME contractors across the county now able to respond to a Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) to submit their interest to tender. Running for a period of four years from 2023 to 2027, up to 33 contractors including SMEs will secure a place on the framework, delivering construction and maintenance services across Nottinghamshire County Council properties including County Hall. Following an initial period of market engagement, Arc Partnership has lowered some barriers to entry by reducing the turnover-based requirements on a range of lots across the framework. Firms will have until midday 17th June to answer the PQQ. East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk Kirk Langley land sold for housing development Specialist land development and property consultancy Mather Jamie has completed the sale of land in Kirk Langley, near Ashbourne in Derbyshire. The 5.87 acre site is located in the village of Kirk Langley and has planning permission for 35 new build dwellings which will comprise a mix of 2, 3 and 4 bedroom houses. Mather Jamie has been advising the land owner and worked alongside Ross Jackson from land promoter Clarendon Land Development to secure the sale of the land to Cameron Homes. Mather Jamie senior associate director Gary Kirk said: “We are delighted with the swift turnaround on this site for our client. “Mather Jamie were appointed in 2020 to secure a development partner and credit must go to Clarendon Land who have delivered a planning approval for our client in a short period of time which allowed us to capitalise on strong market conditions and secure a sale to well renowned housebuilder Cameron Homes.” © stock.adobe.com/ Hoda Bogdan 06-15.qxp_Layout 1 04/05/2022 09:22 Page 9PROPERTY NEWS Leicestershire-based property portfolio handed to Newton LDP Newton LDP has been appointed by an established Leicestershire-based high net worth individual to manage a significant mixed property portfolio including approximately 3,000 acres. The new instruction comprises the owner’s private residence and grounds, agricultural land and farms, commercial forestry, let residential and commercial properties, stretching as far as Kent in the southeast to Scotland in the north. Management will fall under the scope of Newton’s LDP’s rural property team led by experienced director Will Young, who joined the company in February, with over 20 years’ experience in the industry. Newton LDP operates nationally and will be overseeing the landowner’s responsibilities and working with the owner to deliver a strategy which maximises the value of the portfolio. Will, who has a strong agricultural background as the son of a farmer, said: “This is a really exciting opportunity for us, and we are delighted to be able to add value and realise the potential of our client’s diverse estate. Newton LDP continues to add to its existing and diverse range of experience and expertise to facilitate its ambitious growth strategy.” Major UK developer will switch on commercial strategy for transformational East Midlands scheme The team behind the redevelopment of high-profile regeneration projects including Gunwharf Quays in Portsmouth and London’s Battersea Power Station has become commercial partner for the biggest development opportunity in the Midlands. Areli Developments, founded by Rob Tincknell, will develop the commercial strategy for three massive sites being promoted by the East Midlands Development Company, a public-private partnership backed by a consortium of local authorities and government. Areli has brought together a professional team to support a long-term programme which centres on the development of hundreds of hectares of land around East Midlands Airport, Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station and the Toton-Chetwynd corridor. Each site is the size of London’s Olympic Park, and it’s hoped that they will collectively generate 84,000 jobs and add more than £4 billion to the output of the East Midlands economy in the decades ahead. Hat-trick of deals at Morris Court Commercial property specialists NG Chartered Surveyors have completed a hat-trick of deals at Morris Court on the ever-popular Colwick Industrial Estate in Nottingham. Acting on behalf of a private landlord, Charlotte Steggles at NG has let Unit 2 to electrical wholesale distributor Eyre & Elliston, Unit 5 to industrial bakery equipment supplier Maven; and negotiated a lease renewal on Unit 4 to Impact Electrical – an electrical wholesale business. Together, the deals mean that over 11,000 sq ft of space has been successfully let by NG. Charlotte said: “Morris Court is an incredibly popular location for growing businesses and I was incredibly pleased to get these deals completed on behalf of our landlord client. They now have three successful businesses as tenants, all of who recognised the value of a proactive landlord who invests in their property portfolio. “NG used our market knowledge to match up the two new tenants with these prime units and secured a satisfying outcome for our client on the lease renewal. I wish all three businesses all the best for their future at Morris Court and look forward to working with them again in the future.” www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link © stock.adobe.com/ Vittaya_25 06-15.qxp_Layout 1 04/05/2022 09:22 Page 101 Years Subscription £33.60 2 Years Subscription £63.00 3 Years Subscription £81.90 EAST MIDLANDS LE EADING BUSINESS MAGA AZINE APRIL 2021 £3. .50 Engineering the fut ning to Retur etur The Gol ficef o the of ANDSBUSINE riangler lden T ESSLINKCOU w UK www.blmgroup.co.uk & Call now to subscribe on 01472 310301 8 or order online ORDER FORM First name: Last Name: Address: Town: County: Post Code: Tel: Mobile: Email: Payment by DEBIT/CREDIT card Name as it appears on card: Type of card: Mastercard Visa Visa Debit Other Card Number: Card Verification number (3 digits on signature strip) : Expiry Date: Amount Authorised: Cheque enclosed YES / NO Please post this form back to: Subscriptions, East Midlands Business Link Magazine, Armstrong House, Armstrong Street, Grimsby. 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Lincolnshire DN31 2QE Make cheque payable to Business Link Magazine Group 1 Year: £33.60 2 Years £63.00 3 Years £81.90 or scan QR code Secu lifelinlifli FINAN C E CORP ORATE uring a iei a FINAN C E CORP ORATE lifelin L ine L 42 tmidlandsb eas.www tmidlandsbusine eas.ww w .uko cslink. busines t Midland s B usines Eas .uk ocslink. es © S h u tte r sto ck /As cann io 5 2 s Lin k SECURITY C c Combati i crimc yber b ting imei SECURITY e and servic security serio ork bec ith wW y c pandemic, runni have faced malic confidential mat e cyber secensur COVID-19 outbr work f data a oelectr s com A taff a s and its s e a busines es that ensurecautio , implementing the right pr, ously easingly digital, it is vital th oming incrc crimc yber .ely ating secur e operar oducts ons and using pr e cyber ses tak hat busines ime budgets and less security egular activities esume res can r esponse plan in However with a r o likely to experience higher luctant to invest in cyber security e a victim of a security incident, e new customers. 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Businesses will have todeal , bank, eat to pr ce a thr oductivity fectivef , er security , with a lack of ef e is a lot at stake when owners ther ge to £13,400 for medium and lar attack on a business is £8,460. ss of data or assets, the average each has e a bre. Wher us softwar e per cent of businesses have up- e facing - andf arf and attacks staf © Shutterstock /Thitichaya s Link t Midla nds Busines Eas 44 costs and poten e, m and softwar paralyse a netwo with disruption, accounts and da tmidlandsbu eas.www meanwhile ther oy key files, harork, destr as an attack on systems may ata. Businesses will have to deal www .eastmidlandsbusinesslink AUT OLINK East Midland s Business Link AUTO LINK ia have really stepped up of late with designs that make the brand stand out. The Kia K8 combines cutting-edge innovation, dynamic performance and contemporary design to establish new benchmarks for premium quality in the saloon class. The exterior runs with a bold new design that embodies the mium qualities of the K8 and according to precise specifications from the BMW Group and integrated into model-specific high-voltage batteries. This gives the xDrive40 a range stated at over 249 miles. The most exacting environmental compatibility requirements have been put in & pla ce throughout the value chain and for the full life cycle of the BMW iX. The car is currently in the final phase of its series development. Market launch will get underway at the end of 2021. level worthy of the iconic Mach 1 moniker with enhanced aerodynamics, a specially-calibrated 5.0-litre V8 &engine and uprated cooling for improved track capability. The Mach 1 is also the first production Mustang in Europe available with a high- performance TREMEC six-speed manual transmission, featuring rev-matching technology for seamless dow n-shifts and an upgraded oil-cooler system for high- demand performance driving. &You won’t be rocking up to the office in this, but you may certainly enjoy blazin g down country roads with it outside of work. Mercedes-Benz EQS The EQS is the first all-electric luxury 56 Á BMW iX xDrive40 Kia K8 Flash and new takes inspiration from high-end luxury yachts. A progressive but graceful front-end featuring the frameless Tiger Nose Grille is complemented by a muscular ‘fastback’ rear with strong, dropping shoulders. The front-wheel-based AW D K8 will be available with the 3.5 GDI Smartstream powertrain that helps to deliver tailored power and performance driving characteristics while achieving improved fuel economy and reduced em ission, perfect for those who want style and elegance but who are also conscious of the environment. BMW iX xDrive40 The BMW iX heralds a new age in mobility. It combines trailblazing design and modern luxury with the latest innovations in automated driving, operation, connectivity and digital services. In the BMW drive system – which features one electric motor on the front axle and R ecently, I was drawn towards a quotation by the founder of Amazon, Jeff Bezos, which I would like to share with you: “If you don’t understand the details of your business, you are going to fail.” My initial response to reading this was something along the lines of: “Bit harsh there Jeff!” But coming from one of the most successful entrepreneurs out there, who is now allegedly the richest person in the WORLD, with an estimated net worth of 197 billion US dollars (as of April 2021), we can’t not listen to his advice when it comes to business. I particularly like this quotation of his because in my experience ‘detail’ is often so overlooked in business. I’ve lost count of the times over the years where the attention to detail has been completely disregarded, and detail in my opinion is the MOST important part of business. Our businesses are made up of a million and one different aspects - these are the details that when encompassed in your unique identity, form a unique brand and together are the difference between a successful business and an unsuccessful one. Whether you are aware of it or not, those looking from the outside into your business will certainly notice them (or lack of them), even if you don’t. Yes we should know our numbers. Yes we should know our audience. Yes we should know our core values. Yes we should know our products/services. Yes we should understand our operations. Yes we should have a marketing strategy. Yes we should know our ‘why’. NETW O RKING Taken one step further, do you know the bare bones - the ‘details’ of your business? It may seem daunting to embark on the process of analysing every little thing you do, identifying what works and what doesn’t, continually experimenting with new ideas and highlighting aspects of your business you have never really paid attention to before, but looking at the bigger picture, if you see it as your contribution towards creating a more successful business for yourself and therefore life for yourself, it won’t seem like such a burden and you may even start to enjoy it and in turn make it a part of your day to day routine. Pay attention, monitor and highlight every aspect, however small WITHIN the above larger elements that make up your business and that is where the sweet spots are, that is where you will discover your golden USPs, that is where innovation derives from, that is where inspiration lives, waiting to be discovered. The detail is what sets your business apart from the rest - pay attention to it. It’s all in the detail Delivered straight to your door 16.qxp_Layout 1 04/05/2022 09:24 Page 114 "No Fault" divorce is here – The blame game is finally over On 6th of April, 2022 new laws came into effect regarding “no fault” divorces in England and Wales. This article explains what has changed. How old is the current Divorce Law? The current divorce law was made nearly 50 years ago in 1973 under the Matrimonial Causes Act. What in Divorce Law is going to change? The element of blame is being completely removed. Previously you could get a divorce only if your marriage had “irretrievably broken down”. In addition, that “break down” had to be supported by at least one of the following “5 facts”: • adultery • ‘unreasonable’ behaviour • two-years separation with consent of the spouse • ÀYH\HDUVVHSDUDWLRQZLWKRXWWKHFRQVHQWRI the spouse • desertion by one party Until now, you either had to wait 2+ years, or one spouse had to blame the other spouse for ‘unreasonable’ behaviour, or adultery. So, is this adding a 6th box to tick or removing the “5 facts” all- together? The new Procedure removes the ‘5 Facts’; it only requires, one spouse (or both spouses MRLQWO\ WRFRQÀUPWKDWWKHLUPDUULDJHKDV “irretrievably broken down”. There is no need to supply any reasons or evidence of the other’s bad behaviour. Can my spouse still contest a Divorce Application? No, but they can allege that: • there was no valid Marriage in the 1st place • that the couple is already Divorced • that another Country (i.e. not the Courts of England & Wales), should deal with their Divorce Will this reduce arguments during a Divorce? It should. The old process encouraged a wife or husband to blame the other if they wanted to Divorce within 2 years without the other’s consent. This often negatively affected ongoing negotiations throughout the divorce SURFHVVLQFOXGLQJQHJRWLDWLRQVDERXWÀQDQFLDO provision and (most importantly) Child Arrangements. Does this mean I can get a “quickie” Divorce? Contrary to what the press said, ‘quickie Divorces’ weren’t really ‘a thing’ under the old ODZ$QGGHÀQLQJWKHZRUGTXLFNLVOLNHDVNLQJ how long is a piece of string. The waiting times now are: you will have to wait 20 weeks before your divorce can be approved by the court and you receive your Conditional Order. You then have to wait another at least 6 weeks more, before you can receive your Final Order. So roughly 26 weeks in total. So, there will no longer be a Decree Nisi and Decree Absolute? Correct. Divorce Petition becomes Divorce Application Decree Nisi becomes Conditional Order and Decree Absolute becomes Final Order. Will this mean a divorce will be cheaper? Not necessarily. The Court fee remains at £593. But, as couples should be less likely to argue, legal and mediation costs should be lower in the long run.. Are there any changes to Children Arrangement Orders or Financial Orders? Not at this time. Remember that when you divorce, there are 3 separate legal processes: • Divorce Applications , which legally dissolves the marriage. This can now be handled online avoiding time consuming postal delays, Hopkins Solicitors charges D À[HGIHHIRUSURFHVVWKHHQWLUH application for you. • Financial Remedy Orders, which legally distribute the couple’s assets (and end the right to claim ever again). Financial Remedy cases can quickly become complicated, especially if you have property, pensions, shares, stocks or businesses. It’s worth the peace of mind to have a solicitor involved to ensure that the outcome is both binding, and as fair as your circumstances allow. • Child Arrangements Order, to set out where children will live, how much time they spend with each parent, etc. There are often multiple aspects to a child’s life that need to be discussed and (hopefully) agreed. Involving a solicitor, can help to reduce arguments between parents, and to provide certainty. If there are fewer arguments, and greater certainty, your children can be just that-children, who want to be loved by both parents. Keeping YOUR best interests at heart Hopkins Solicitors have a long-standing reputation in Nottinghamshire as a local, IULHQGO\DQGKLJKO\H[SHULHQFHGODZÀUP2XU family law team offers aÀ[HGIHHGLYRUFH consultation for only £180 (inc VAT) where you will receive bespoke advice about your personal situation including all of your legal options, costs and timelines. We are here to help. Contact our Family Law Team on 0115 910 8962 or info @hopkins-solicitors.co.uk 17.qxp_Layout 1 04/05/2022 09:24 Page 1 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk COMMERCIAL PROPERTY T he commercial property sector remains as busy as it’s ever been, and this month has seen a slew of new developments being put into effect along with a healthy number of sales and rental agreements. In the south of Lincolnshire, the South Lincolnshire Food Enterprise Zone (FEZ) has secured its first business development, with AJS having purchased a plot covering just over 0.6 acres to build a two-storey office, research and development facility and workshop premises over 12,905 square feet. Cllr Colin Davie, executive councillor for economy at the county council, said: “This is the first of many businesses that will benefit from locating at this amazing, collaborative site. The South Lincolnshire FEZ offers so much for local, national and multi-national firms at the forefront of the agri-food and technology sector. We’re providing the infrastructure, collaboration opportunities and research capabilities that businesses need, but we’re also making it quicker and easier for them to locate here.” Meanwhile in Nottinghamshire, Arc Partnership, a joint venture between Nottinghamshire County Council and public sector procurement specialist SCAPE, has outlined the timetable for its General Building framework, and invited SME contractors to secure their role in £17 million-worth of construction and retrofitting projects. Running for a period of four years from 2023 to 2027, up to 33 contractors including SMEs will secure a place on the framework, delivering construction and maintenance services across Nottinghamshire County Council properties including County Hall. Councillor Reg Adair, Vice-Chairman of the Economic Development and Asset Management Committee at Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “Enhancing the local economy and promoting a prosperous community for our residents is our number one priority. We remain committed to creating the A busy month for commercial property The East Midlands commercial property sector remains strong, but there may be challenges in the future when it comes to recruiting skilled workers. 18-20.qxp_Layout 1 04/05/2022 09:26 Page 1www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link COMMERCIAL PROPERTY right environment for businesses to succeed. Local contractors are a vital part of this and are the cornerstone of the new framework. The second-generation framework embodies all our ambitions for a brighter future for Nottinghamshire, as we strive to deliver more sustainable and cost-effective infrastructure, to make the best use of taxpayer’s money and achieve our long-term net zero ambitions.” In Leicestershire, LondonMetric has acquired an urban logistics property as part of a duo of deals worth £28.8 million. The REIT has snapped up a 125,000 sq ft urban logistics forward fund development at Crosslink 646 in Leicester which consists of two units and is expected to complete at the start of 2023. Meanwhile, a final round of comments have been invited on ambitious regeneration plans for Leicester’s Stocking Farm. Emerging plans could see around 50 new low carbon council homes and new community facilities and shops, on the 3.34-acre site in the Stocking Farm area 20 Á 18-20.qxp_Layout 1 04/05/2022 09:26 Page 2Next >