< Previous East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk FINANCE NEWS Drinks business awarded £100,000 grant to drive sustainability at distribution centre Global Brands Ltd has been awarded a £100,000 grant from the Clay Cross Town Deal’s Low Carbon Challenge Fund, set to support its sustainability strategy. The funding will be used to introduce state-of-the-art energy-efficient technologies at Global Brands’ Clay Cross distribution centre, accelerating its efforts to reduce its carbon footprint and achieve coveted net zero status by 2050. The grant will facilitate three crucial elements: the installation of energy-efficient lighting, deployment of battery storage solutions to harness solar energy, and the creation of an onsite Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) fuelling station. These measures are expected to substantially reduce emissions from Global Brands’ distribution operations, with the drinks business already aiming for a 40% cut per £M turnover by 2030, as well as a 92% reduction per £M turnover by 2050. Shaun Bacon, Group Managing and Financial Director at Global Brands, said: “This investment marks another pivotal moment in our sustainability journey. As part of a single-use industry, it is crucial to lead by example and adopt meaningful changes that reduce our environmental impact.” Leicester-based science party businesses sold after entering administration A pre-pack administration sale has been completed for a Leicester-based trio of science themed businesses – Sublime Science Ltd, Science Boffins Ltd and Hatton Science Communication Ltd, trading as Letterbox Labs. Quantuma’s Richard Easterby and Michael Kiely were appointed as Joint Administrators and have completed the business and asset sale to Launchpad Publishing. Alongside its children’s science magazine Whizz Pop Bang, this new acquisition will solidify Launchpad Publishing’s position as a leading provider of engaging, hands-on science experiences for children. Founded in 2008, Sublime Science Ltd, Science Boffins Ltd and Hatton Science Communication Ltd specialised in bringing fun science to children via parties, hands-on school workshops and a postal science kit subscription service. The business generated annual turnover of over £1m, but recently fell into difficulty, due to its debt-burden, despite a strong underlying business. The companies employed a total of eight staff – seven of whom have been transferred to the purchaser under TUPE regulations. The Access Group snaps up hospitality digital order and pay specialist Loughborough-based business management software provider, The Access Group, has acquired QikServe, the digital commerce platform, content management system (CMS), kiosk and mobile order & pay provider to the hospitality sector. QikServe will become part of the group’s Hospitality division, which provides IT solutions for all aspects of the hospitality business, from guest booking, EPoS, table management and marketing to procurement, facilities management, training and hotel PMS. QikServe, founded in 2011 by entrepreneurs Daniel Rodgers and Ronnie Forbes, developed a patented business-to-business cloud platform for the hospitality sector. The platform allows customers to order and pay for items from a smartphone, tablet or self- service terminal. Digital ordering has seen an explosion in growth as hospitality operators realise the benefits of digital on both operations and on sales. Self Service Kiosks deliver 32% higher transaction values while freeing up staff to focus on delivery and customer satisfaction. QikServe’s technology is deployed in over 8,000 outlets in over 40 countries and processes hundreds of millions of transactions, delivering over £3bn digital sales for hospitality operators. © stock.adobe.com/stockphoto-graf © stock.adobe.com/DenisProduction.comFINANCE NEWS www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link Flint Bishop strengthens national presence with strategic acquisition of Walker Morris’ Banking & Finance Recoveries division Law firm Flint Bishop has made a significant move in the legal sector by acquiring the entire Volume Banking & Finance Recoveries division from the wider Banking & Finance team of Walker Morris LLP, welcoming 34 new staff to the business. The strategic acquisition also marks Flint Bishop’s entry into the Leeds market and substantially enhances the firm’s capabilities in broader litigation and recoveries work, along with establishing a firm footprint to develop its full legal services offering across the UK. The Walker Morris team, known for its national reputation and inclusion on several bank panels, was carefully selected by Flint Bishop for this strategic move into the financial services sector. The acquisition propels Flint Bishop into the bank recovery and litigation arena, positioning the firm as one of the top legal providers to major banks and financial institutions. Flint Bishop has revealed plans for significant investments in staff, systems, and technology to further expand its national presence in this sector. East Midlands school uniform company sold to Australian business Law firm Howes Percival has advised the shareholders of school uniform company Schoolblazer Limited on the sale of the company to Australia’s Hancock & Gore Limited. Founded in Oundle, in 2004, Schoolblazer grew rapidly to become the dominant retailer to UK independent schools. The deal will support the firm’s continued growth in the UK, as well as enable it to develop a unique offering for the Australian market. Howes Percival was instructed by the two founders, Tim James and Robin Horsell, and the other shareholders, to sell the entire issued share capital to Hancock & Gore Limited, owner of the Mountcastle and LW Reid brands in Australia and Argyle in New Zealand, to begin the creation of a global uniform group. Tim James will remain as the chairperson and a director of Schoolblazer from completion and will join the Hancock & Gore board as a director upon completion. Robin Horsell will be stepping down from the board of directors of Schoolblazer but will remain as a consultant, actively supporting the launch of the Schoolblazer business in Australia. Howes Percival’s Corporate partner James Stephen led the team on the transaction, supported by Ollie Flowers (Director) and Josie Rogers (Associate), with input from a wide range of teams including Commercial, Banking, Commercial Property, IP, Employment, Regulatory and Tax. © stock.adobe.com/Marco Northampton mechanical handling solutions provider secures £440k to fuel growth Stantone Mechanical Handling Ltd, a provider in the hire, sale and maintenance of forklifts and access platforms, has secured £440,000 loan funding from NatWest to facilitate the purchase of additional premises. This strategic expansion will support the Northampton- based firm’s growth and create new jobs. Established in 1961, Stantone was bought over by Director Nigel Martin and his co-Director, wife Lisa, who had been working in the business prior to the acquisition. Under their leadership, Stantone has experienced continuous, sustainable growth, consistently meeting rising demand by expanding their team and diversifying their offerings, including the introduction of utility vehicles to their product range. The new premises, funded by NatWest, will include electric vehicle charging stations, reflecting Stantone’s commitment to sustainability and modernising their infrastructure. This expansion aligns with Nigel’s vision for sustainable growth and enhances the company’s capability to meet and exceed its customers’ needs more effectively. Photo courtesy of Schoolblazer Flint Bishop Chief Executive, Qamer GhafoorSpecialist metals manufacturer acquired, saving over 500 jobs Specialist metals manufacturer Fablink Group has been acquired by Ensco 1 Limited, which will be known as Wharfside Industrials, and its subsidiaries, in a deal that secures more than 500 jobs. The deal brings together seven pre-pack transactions following the appointment of Chris Pole and Ryan Grant from Interpath Advisory as Joint Administrators. Fablink Group is a Northampton-based manufacturer specialising in the production of metal pressings, operator cab assemblies, fuel and hydraulic tanks and complex structures, as well as ‘clean build’ of vehicle assemblies. Together, the group trades across six sites in Wolverhampton, Evenwood, Luton, Durham, Brixworth and Northampton. Over the last two years, the group has suffered from a number of adverse events which have cumulatively caused challenges to liquidity. This included delays in the receipt of grant funding to support its relocation to a new site in Wolverhampton and the insolvency of one of its customers. The directors sought to explore the options available to the group, including its sale, investment, refinance and restructuring options. All the group’s 521 employees have transferred to the purchaser as part of the transactions. East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk MANUFACTURING NEWS New Chesterfield programme to boost careers in manufacturing and engineering sector A new programme aims to help businesses in the manufacturing and engineering sector upskill their staff and bring new people into the sector. Manufacturing Futures is a new STEM skills programme that will help increase capacity to support more work-based learning programmes including T-levels, apprenticeships, work experience and internships to ensure there is a future pipeline of talent to work in the sector. Funded by Chesterfield Borough Council through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund the programme will lead to the creation of new classroom facilities at local business United Cast Bar and will provide mentoring to around 30 people already employed in the sector. Chesterfield College has been appointed to deliver the training elements included within the programme. The programme has been introduced following discussions with the Chesterfield Manufacturing Forum, which is co-ordinated by Destination Chesterfield, and as well as technical training it will include practical sessions with local employers. East Midlands manufacturers yet to see lift off as growth prospects remain anaemic East Midlands manufacturers have yet to see an immediate boost from a change of Government, but are forecasting an improvement to overall economic prospects from a period of greater political stability. The findings come in the Q3 Manufacturing Outlook survey published by Make UK and business advisory firm BDO. It shows that while growth in manufacturing continues to be anaemic at best, almost six in ten companies (58%) believe that the recent change in Government will lead to better economic growth overall in the next 12 months. In contrast just 6% of companies expect GDP to decline this year as a result of the new Government. According to the survey, the balance on output in the East Midlands was -21% but is forecast to jump to +32% in the next quarter. Total orders are following a similar pattern, increasing from -11% to +11% in the next three months. However, the mixed picture for the East Midlands is highlighted by a dip in recruitment intentions (-16%), although investment intentions are stable at +0%. © stock.adobe.com/Monkey Business © stock.adobe.com/Pavel LosevskyLabel manufacturer acquired out of administration Schades, a supplier of POS rolls and labels, and subsidiary of Harbour Investment GmbH in Germany, has acquired Hamilton Adhesive Labels (HAL) out of administration. HAL, a Leicestershire-based private label manufacturer, has been working with brands across the UK and Europe for over 32 years, including some of the largest household brands. Schades will acquire all assets, including inventory, intellectual property and customer contracts. Schades intends to make the necessary investments to further strengthen HAL’s competitiveness and expand its sales and manufacturing capabilities. Jack Hugill, Managing Director of Schades Ltd, said: “We are delighted to welcome Hamilton Adhesive Labels to the Schades family. This acquisition is a significant opportunity to strengthen our position in the label manufacturing market and deliver greater value to our customers.” Jun Park, CEO of Schades Group, said: “We are very pleased because the Group is implementing a long-term transformation strategy to drive sustainable growth and the acquisition of HAL is a strategic fit, delivering significant synergies with our existing UK operations and strengthening the Group’s label business capabilities.” www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link MANUFACTURING NEWS Strong levels of M&A activity expected in UK manufacturing Strong levels of M&A activity are expected across UK manufacturing for the remainder of 2024, as dealmakers see a rise in business confidence. According to accountancy and business advisory firm BDO LLP, M&A activity looks set to gain momentum in the final quarter of the year, as long as the political and tax backdrop remains conducive to dealmaking. BDO’s latest Manufacturing Deals Review shows that in the first half of 2024, 307 deals were completed in the sector, across the likes of engineering services, food & drink, building products and packaging and materials. 18% were buy-outs, with cross-border deals representing a third of transactions. Roger Buckley, Deal Advisory partner, Industrials and Manufacturing, at BDO, said: “While overall deal volumes remained relatively steady compared to 2023 figures, we expect to see strong levels of M&A activity over the coming months, with the market keeping a watchful eye on the Chancellor’s first Budget announcement. “Manufacturing remains one of the most resilient sectors, with a wide range of market drivers motivating M&A activity. This includes ESG, with the circular economy becoming a growing feature in manufacturing deals.” Indian company specialising in advanced metallurgy and materials engineering joins Space Park Leicester AEGION, an Indian company specialising in advanced metallurgy and materials engineering, has joined the Space Park Leicester community at its £100 million state-of-the-art facility. This strategic collaboration aligns with Space Park Leicester’s research initiatives and the University of Leicester’s School of Engineering, promising exciting advancements in materials science, engineering, and sustainable technologies. AEGION’s expertise in casting and manufacturing special-grade metals for aerospace, nuclear, and space systems will significantly bolster Space Park Leicester’s research capabilities. Its advanced work in metallurgy, fatigue analysis, durability, and new material chemistries aligns seamlessly with Space Park Leicester’s focus on material performance and failure analysis under extreme conditions. Moreover, AEGION’s cutting-edge additive manufacturing and rapid prototyping capabilities will further enhance the University of Leicester’s ongoing research projects in 3D scanning, rapid prototyping, and advanced manufacturing processes. Vinay Patel, Head of Commercial and Innovation at Space Park Leicester, said: “We are delighted to welcome AEGION to our community. Their expertise and commitment to cutting-edge technology and sustainability align perfectly with our mission to foster world-leading research and innovation in advanced materials and aerospace engineering.” © stock.adobe.com/Olena Poberezhna © stock.adobe.com/ID1974 © stock.adobe.com/NVB Stocker © stock.adobe.com/jesonPROPERTY NEWS Phase two commences at Horizon 29 in Derbyshire Construction works to deliver Phase 2 of industrial and distribution hub, Horizon 29, in Bolsover, Derbyshire, have commenced. Horizon 29 is a new landmark distribution development located one mile from Junction 29A of the M1. Once fully complete, it will span 1,150,256 sq ft and have a total of eight warehouses, delivered over three phases by McLaren Construction (Midlands and North), on behalf of clients BGO Wire PropCo Ltd and Equation Properties. Phase 2 is the construction of two single-storey base build distribution warehouses. Units 7 and 8 will be 249,995 sq ft and 249,866 sq ft respectively, and each will include a two-storey office, with associated mechanical and electrical installations, 23 loading docks and a transport office. The contractor will deliver earthworks, CMC and VSC piling, concrete foundations, steel framing and cladding, lift shaft and stair installations. All external works are also being undertaken by McLaren (Midlands and North) and include general hard standings, car-parking, landscaping, mains services and drainage. There will be cycle racks for 60 cycles per warehouse and a gate house. £17m loan secured to fund new care home in Thurnby, Leicester Puma Property Finance has facilitated a £17m loan to Cinnamon Luxury Care to deliver a new 73-bed care home in Thurnby, Leicester. This marks the first loan Puma has provided to Cinnamon Luxury Care and will help support the significant shortfall in quality care homes in the local area. The £17m loan will convert an existing brownfield site to deliver the new 73-bed home which includes ten care suites. These suites will provide a bedroom with ensuite-wetrooms and their own separate living room and kitchenette area. The new home will target an EPC A rating and will comprise a traditional build with pre- cast concrete planked floors, alongside a brick and cladding façade. With ensuite-wetrooms as standard, it will include amenities such as dining and sitting rooms, a cinema, private dining, a hair salon and café. Construction is set to begin in December 2024 and the care home is expected to reach practical completion in August 2026. East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk Leicester College breaks ground on new Aeronautical and Space Engineering Technology Centre Leicester College has officially broken ground on the construction of its new, state- of-the-art Aeronautical and Space Engineering Technology Centre at the Abbey Park Campus. The new facility, which is scheduled for completion by May 2025, will deliver Level 4 and 5 technical skills, and will provide crucial support for the aeronautical and aerospace industries. The new 800-square-metre building will be home to workshops, propulsion, aerodynamic, avionic and instrumentations laboratories, and collaborative working spaces. It is designed to support the growing need for skilled professionals in the aerospace industry, which is projected to require over 10,000 additional aerospace engineers in England by 2033. Leicester College is working with main contractor, Wilten Construction, on the new facility. Shabir Ismail, Deputy Principal at Leicester College, said: “We are so excited to break ground on our new facility, set to enhance technical skills in the aeronautical and aerospace industries. This facility is not just a building; it’s a demonstration of our commitment to supporting our regional network of employers and stakeholders and building a skilled workforce for the future.” PROPERTY NEWS Logistics group leases Northampton distribution centre ID Logistics, an international contract logistics group, has leased the state- of-the-art DC7 facility at Prologis Grange Park in Northampton. ID Logistics is already a key partner to logistics property investor, owner and developer Prologis, with close to 3 million sq ft leased in Europe (UK, France, Spain, Belgium and the Netherlands) and South America (Brazil). DC7, a second generation 342,622 sq ft distribution centre including an additional 389,319 sq ft mezzanine develops a total of 731,941 sq ft for ID Logistics’ operations. Leased by ID Logistics for 10 years, DC7 is equipped with the latest technology and sustainable features designed to optimize logistics efficiency and environmental performance. The facility’s strategic location, in the heart of the Midlands’ “Golden Triangle” for logistics operators, provides excellent connectivity to major transport networks, ensuring efficient distribution across the UK. “We are thrilled to welcome ID Logistics to the Prologis family and support their expansion in the UK market,” said Paul Weston, Regional Head of Prologis UK. “DC7 at Grange Park in Northampton offers an ideal location and infrastructure to meet the evolving needs of modern logistics operations. We are delighted to partner with ID Logistics as they expand in the UK market and contribute to the dynamic logistics landscape here.” Nottingham College’s Stoney Street campus gets £1.3m makeover Multi-discipline principal contractor Miller Knight has completed a £1.3 million refurbishment project at Nottingham College’s historic Stoney Street campus, marking a new chapter in a long-standing partnership. Located in the historic Lace Market district, Nottingham College’s School of Art is home to over 2,500 students enrolled in art and design courses. Mansfield-headquartered Miller Knight was appointed over a span of 23 weeks for a renovation projected to rejuvenate one of the city’s most significant Grade II listed buildings, reinforcing the college’s status as a centre of excellence in education. The project involved a comprehensive transformation of four floors at 25 Stoney Street, enhancing both the building’s functionality and its historic character. Key upgrades included the installation of energy-efficient solar photovoltaic (PV) panels and LED lighting, alongside extensive refurbishments of teaching spaces, windows, and WC facilities. The work was carried out while the campus remained fully operational. This required meticulous planning and close coordination with the college’s senior management to minimise disruption to teaching and exams. Housebuilder Honey will build 114 new three-, four- and five-bedroom homes in Edwinstowe after being granted planning permission for a £42m development. Called Homes by honey at Thoresby Vale, the development is located off Ollerton Road and is part of the wider Thoresby Vale masterplan. Located on the former Thoresby Colliery, Thoresby Vale is a redevelopment masterplan to create a new sustainable community. Once complete, it will comprise 800 new homes, a new primary school, a local centre and up to 250,000 sq ft of commercial space. Honey anticipates that the first residents will move into their new homes in June 2025. Honey Chief Executive Officer, Mark Mitchell, said: “Homes by honey at Thoresby Vale will help satisfy the demand from those living in, or wanting to move to, Edwinstowe for high quality, high specification new homes. “With planning now being granted, we look forward to starting works at the site and launching the first homes for sale which combine style, substance and sustainability for the benefit of our buyers.” www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link Planning granted for £42m residential development in Edwinstowe East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk COMMERCIAL PROPERTY The East Midlands has welcomed a plethora of significant regeneration schemes over the past few years, and the revitalisation of the region is only continuing, with Derby in particular in the spotlight. R egeneration is rife across the East Midlands. Major developments are underway and the pace of change is only speeding up, with more ready to begin, and Derby has become a key focal point. 2025 has been labelled as the city’s ‘Olympic’ year, with substantial projects completing. At Becketwell, the new 3,500 capacity, £45m performance venue is set to be handed over, with future planned phases for the wider scheme including offices and commercial space, a hotel, a multi-storey car park and student residential. Meanwhile, a new Business School for the University of Derby is slated to open next year, as part of its city campus, which will be home to 6,000 students by 2030. Moreover, having undergone a £35m revamp, the Victorian Market Hall is to reopen as a retail and leisure destination. The regeneration of Derby doesn’t end there, however, with work getting Regeneration revs up www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link COMMERCIAL PROPERTY underway on further projects that are drawing attention to the city. Business Link reflects on recent milestones since our last issue. Construction work has officially commenced on the fourth phase of the major Castleward development in the city centre, where 112 new homes will be delivered. Regeneration specialist Compendium Living, Derby City Council, housing developer Lovell Partnerships and Homes England have broken ground on the brownfield site, which is part of a £100m development and one of the city’s largest housing projects, situated between Derbion shopping centre and Derby Midland Station. In total, the scheme will provide around 700 new homes, as well as green space and nearly 35,000 square feet of commercial retail space. The fourth phase of Castleward will be close to Liversage Square and split across two sites, one located on Canal Street providing 62 homes and one on John Street with 50 homes. The development will consist of a range of two and three- bedroom houses and one and two- bedroom apartments. The properties will be a mix of 78 open market sale homes and 34 affordable homes. Work on phase four is expected to be completed in early 2027. Bruce Lister, Managing Director at 18 Á The Eastern Gateway East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk COMMERCIAL PROPERTY Compendium Living, said: “Castleward is a hugely significant development, both for us at Compendium Living and for the people of Derby, and we couldn’t be happier to have commenced work on our fourth phase. Phase one of Castleward commenced over a decade ago and I am so proud of the bustling, vibrant community that has grown here in that time. To now be breaking ground on phase four is an incredible milestone, and we are looking forward to adding to our previous success and welcoming more residents into their new homes. We are committed to delivering this next phase to the same high standards, as we continue to breathe a new lease of life into this brownfield site.” Nearby, shopping and leisure destination Derbion has confirmed that work to transform a new gateway to Derby city centre will begin, after final funding arrangements for the project were approved by the City Council. The Eastern Gateway, delivered by Derbion and part-funded by the Government’s Future High Streets Fund, will create a new façade and urban garden, transforming the area opposite the bus station and the eastern entrance to Derbion. Work is due for completion during the first half of 2025. Councillor Nadine Peatfield, leader of the Council and cabinet member for city centre, regeneration, strategy and policy at Derby City Council, said: “I’m thrilled that this project is moving ahead, marking another significant step in the revitalisation of Derby’s city centre. By transforming this area, we’re not just enhancing the look and feel of the city, but also creating a space everyone can enjoy. This development will be key to better connecting different parts of the city centre, making it more accessible www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link COMMERCIAL PROPERTY and welcoming. It reflects our commitment to ensuring Derby’s future is bright, inclusive, and full of opportunities. We look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have.” Additionally securing funding is Wavensmere Homes’ £75m redevelopment of the historic Friar Gate Goods Yard in Derby city centre, which Octopus Real Estate has now helped facilitate through a £24m loan. The mixed-use scheme will reanimate two landmark Grade II listed buildings into over 110,000 sq ft of commercial space, alongside 276 new build homes. It is the second time Octopus Real Estate and Wavensmere Homes have joined up to deliver brownfield regeneration in Derby, with the lender providing a £22m loan to facilitate the redevelopment of the former Derbyshire Royal Infirmary into the £175m Nightingale Quarter, which is now in the final phase of construction. Work will soon start on site to restore the 19th Century Bonded Warehouse and Engine House. The two fine terracotta buildings will present a total of 111,275 sq ft of flexible offices, health and fitness space, a restaurant/café, together with a regional sales centre for Wavensmere Homes. Extensive new areas of open space – including play areas and pocket parks – will also be created, in addition to the retention of a TPO tree buffer, to enhance the biodiversity of the site. The elevated area adjacent to Friar Gate Bridge will become a new multi-purpose public realm and community space, with retention of some of the original railway arch facades. Wavensmere Homes has worked with Glancy Nicholls Architects and Pegasus Group to produce detailed plans to reinvigorate the historic asset, which has lain derelict since 1972. With funding from Octopus in place, the site will be brought back into public use, transforming Derby’s landscape and supplying city centre housing. The designs for the 227 two- and three- bedroom townhouses that will surround the two listed buildings are bespoke. Curved and terraced street scenes will honour the beauty of the Bonded Warehouse, while incorporating a range of energy saving technologies and strategies. A four-storey apartment building containing 49 apartments will also reinstate the lost streetscape of the Stafford Street frontage. Matt Brighton, commercial director of Wavensmere Homes, said: “We are proud of how Nightingale Quarter has been received by the residents who live there, the wider local community, politicians, and regional and national commentators. Located a mile away across the city centre, Friar Gate Goods Yard is another unique and emotive restoration project that we are fortunate to have the expertise and resources to undertake. Securing a £24m loan facility to draw down from during construction will enable us to commence work without delay and deliver an uninterrupted development programme. Derby has become a hotbed of regeneration activity, with compelling socio-economic metrics that support our level of commitment and investment. Octopus Real Estate is a proven and trusted partner of Wavensmere, and we’re pleased to be working together on such a significant mixed-use scheme.” These represent only a few of the regeneration projects in Derby, with a wealth of exciting plans for the city, including for its ‘Cultural Heart’. Friar Gate Goods Yard Bonded Warehouse. CGI designed by Glancy Nicholls Architects Next >