Bakery designed by Nottingham architect Cox Freeman rises to the top

A bakery designed by specialist food and drink sector architect Cox Freeman has been named as one of the top 50 buildings built in the East Midlands in the last 50 years.

Pork Farms’ Riverside Bakery was the only building from the 1980s in Nottinghamshire and one of only four from the decade in the region as a whole to make it onto the list compiled by the Royal Institute of British Architects.

Built on a brownfield site on the north bank of the River Trent two miles from Nottingham city centre, the building was commissioned by Northern Foods as a factory for producing pork pies and pastries.

When it was opened in 1982 it was regarded as one of the most modern in Europe in design, construction and its ability to comply with stringent EEC regulations for food processing.

“At Cox Freeman, we’re absolutely thrilled that Pork Farms’ Riverside Bakery designed by the company almost 30 years ago has been hailed as one of the top 50 buildings built in the East Midlands over the past 50 years, “ said Chris Boffin, managing director of Cox Freeman, based in Stoney Street in The Lace Market, Nottingham.

“It’s a tremendous accolade to be named on the list, and especially to be one of only a handful of buildings from the 1980s to be chosen. The building was inventive because of its clear span production floor and plant room located within the roof structure. This improved its flexibility and enabled routine maintenance to take place with minimal disruption to the production process.

“The innovation was made possible by the use of modular CUBIC Space Frame roof supported on twelve braced columns around the perimeter with only three internal columns. “

The ‘fifty buildings, 50 years’ project celebrated great modern architecture in the East Midlands over the past five decades, and marked the 50th anniversary of RIBA in the region.

The chosen buildings form the subject of a major exhibition from RIBA that showcases innovative and enduring architecture from the ‘swinging sixties’ onwards. It reveals how architectural creativity is shaped by context, place, culture, social and political trends of the time and, in turn, shapes the identity of the region’s places and spaces. It is being exhibited across the East Midlands over coming months. For details of venues visit the regions’ section of www.architecture.com

Choosing 50 exemplary buildings from 50 years was ‘an incredibly challenging project’ said Nottinghamshire architect Hannah Minton, who chaired the steering group which carried out the intensive short-listing process.

Cox Freeman is a leading specialist in the food and associated process industries, where hygiene and healthcare are essential. The firm has worked for almost every key player in the food sector.

http://www.coxfreeman.co.uk/

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Civil and structural engineer BSP Consulting opens a new office in Sheffield

BSP Consulting director Clive Roddick and regional manager Russell Thompson

Civil and structural engineering firm BSP Consulting has expanded to open a fourth office.


The company, which is based in Nottingham and has offices in Derby and Leicester, has opened its first office outside of the East Midlands with a branch in Sheffield.

The company has forged strong links with Sheffield over the past few years, working on a number of high-profile projects in the city and its vicinity, including the large SWaN regeneration scheme of the Scowerdons, Weakland and Newstead estates which is on-going.

“We have now decided that the time is right to have a permanent presence in Sheffield and open our fourth office in the city,” said BSP Consulting managing director David Sumner.

“Our aim has been to continue the gradual expansion of BSP Consulting, which we have achieved since launching the company in Nottingham in 1999 by opening offices in Derby and then in Leicester.

“Although these are still challenging times in the construction industry, we are taking an optimistic view and see this as a very positive move towards boosting our future and developing new markets.”

The new office will be run by BSP’s regional manager Russell Thompson, with technical and business support from BSP founding directors Clive Roddick and David Sumner, and associate director Jef Todd.

Based at Vincent House, Solly Street, Sheffield, the new office opened in early September.

BSP’s past projects in Sheffield include the £12 million Leopold Square mixed use development featuring a hotel, music venue, commercial outlets and apartments. The company was also involved in the first phase of the £51 million Kelham Island scheme to regenerate a former industrial area to create 146 apartments, 800 bed student accommodation and 3,000 sqm of commercial and retail space.

The firm is also supporting the next generation in Sheffield to learn about construction and recently delivered a session on sustainable drainage systems (SUDS) to year 10 students taking a diploma in construction. The students are taught at the Construction Design Centre, Sheffield, which is sponsored by Frank Haslam Milan as part of the commitment to the Sheffield Homes project, which BSP is involved in.

BSP Consulting, which has offices at Pride Park, Derby, Oxford Street, Nottingham, and De Montfort Street, Leicester, was founded in 1999 by directors David Sumner, Martin Breakwell, Mark Rayers and Clive Roddick. It now employs around 40 staff, working across all civil and structural engineering disciplines.

It was named Consultant of the Year 2009 at the East Midlands Property Dinner. The firm provides a comprehensive range of consultancy services to all sectors of the construction community, from architects, project managers and contractors to developers and estate agents.

BSP director Clive Roddick said: “We are very pleased to have opened our fourth office and to now have a permanent presence in the city of Sheffield. It means we now have branches in four major cities, and will help us to raise our profile in the Yorkshire area.”

For more information visit http://www.bsp-consulting.co.uk/

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Anila’s Authentic Sauces on the road in the run up to Christmas

Anila’s Authentic Sauces will be staging stalls at a range of popular events over the coming weeks…giving customers the chance to stock up on products or buy Christmas gifts for their loved ones.

The premium curry sauce and accompaniments producer will be at the Grand Designs Live show at the NEC, Birmingham, from October 8th to 10th and at the Taste of Autumn Show at Wisley Gardens, Surrey, from October 21st to 24th.

Anila’s will also be at the Spirit of Christmas Show from November 3rd to 7th at Olympia, London, and at the Country Living Christmas Fair at the Design Centre, Islington, from November 10th to 14th.

The award-winning producer will round off November with five days at the BBC Good Food Show at the NEC, Birmingham, from November 24th to 28th.

“It’s the perfect opportunity for customers to come along and buy from us directly, or to make a start on their Christmas shopping by buying our delicious curry sauces and accompaniments as gifts for any curry lovers they know,” says Anila Vaghela, who founded the family-run business of Anila’s Authentic Sauces in 1997.

Anila’s has a range of eight curry sauces, based on traditional Indian recipes. They have won 11 Great Taste Awards, and last year Anila’s Spicy Korma Curry Sauce scooped a Free From Food Award.

Suitable for vegetarians and vegans, as well as being sugar-free, gluten-free and dairy-free, they also don’t contain onions or garlic, so are perfect for those with intolerances or allergies.

The firm’s distinctive and delicious range of 16 different mouth-watering ‘handmade’ chutneys, pickles and dips are made with single fruits and vegetables, and team up perfectly with a variety of dishes, snacks, meats and cheeses.

Based in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, Anila’s also has a unit in West London.

Anila’s products are available from www.anilassauces.com or at the 28 farmers’ markets across the south listed on the website, as well as in John Lewis Oxford Street and John Lewis Bluewater. They are also sold in top quality gourmet stores, such as Harrods, plus hundreds of other outlets, including Wholefoods, Planet Organic, delis, health food stores, garden centres and gift shops.

For more information visit http://www.anilassauces.com/

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Olympic standards at Derby gym, Bottom Line Fitness

Clients at Derby personal training studio Bottom Line Fitness are getting Olympic standard training after a member of the Great Britain bobsleigh team joined the staff.

Olympic hopeful Dave Smith, 28, has become a personal trainer at the studio at Kedleston House, Prime Business Centre, Aspen Drive.

Dave is trained to work with elite athletes, but will now be offering his services to Derbyshire residents keen to improve their fitness, strength and conditioning.

This will allow him to pursue a career as well as his personal goal of competing in the bobsleigh at the next Winter Olympics in 2014 in Russia.

“I am pleased to be joining what I believe is the most exciting personal training service in Derby,” said Dave, who lives in the city centre. “Bottom Line Fitness is leading the way in terms of personal training and I recognise its methods as being the future of the health and fitness industry. The studio offers a unique focused environment that will help my clients develop and meet their fitness goals. ”

Dave, who was picked to join the GB bobsleigh team in August 2009, has recently completed an MSc in Sport & Exercise Science at Sheffield Hallam University, making him one of the highest qualified personal trainers in the area.

Bottom Line Fitness founder Neil Stanley said: “It is exciting and rewarding that Bottom Line Fitness is attracting personal trainers of Dave’s calibre. It has always been our intention to provide the highest possible standards of training to our clients and with Dave now a part of the team it only strengthens our offering to our clients.”

The studio was launched in 2009 by Neil, 30, as a private personal training venue. Clients receive one-to-one personal training, lifestyle and nutritional advice as part of their holistic approach to fitness.

Dave’s appointment brings the number of personal trainers at Bottom Line Fitness to six, with a maximum of four using the studio at any one time.

With his aim set on the next winter Olympics, Dave’s initial target is a place in the bobsleigh team for the World Championships in Germany in February 2011.

“The season starts in November,” said Dave, who has lived locally for several years after moving to the area from Hertfordshire to study at the University of Derby. “We will begin training soon, and I am really pleased that my position as a personal trainer at Bottom Line Fitness will allow me the flexibility to combine both a career in my chosen field and my personal goal of competing for Great Britain in the bobsleigh.”

Dave was persuaded to trial for the bobsleigh team by former Olympic bobsleigh athlete Phil Harries, who competed in the Winter Games in 2002, and who comes from Derby. The pair met at Derby Athletics Club.

He is hoping for the position of breakman for the GB1 team at the next Winter Olympics.

Dave is offering an initial free consultation at Bottom Line Fitness to anyone looking to address their fitness and lifestyle regime.

“This is proving very popular at the moment with the ever-increasing number of people who want to find the motivation to achieve their fitness goals,” he said.

As well as providing one-to-one personal training, Bottom Line Fitness also offers sports massage, Swedish massage, Indian head massage, reflexology and reiki.

For more information visit http://www.bottomlinefitness.co.uk/

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Food and Drink iNet event aims to capture childhood creativity

Chris Arnold

Food and drink firms in the East Midlands are being encouraged to re-ignite the creativity of children as a way of developing their businesses.

The Food and Drink Innovation Network (iNet) is staging an iThrive event designed to turn the spotlight on ways of exploiting creative potential within companies and their workforces.

Guest speaker is former creative director of one of the UK’s top advertising agencies Saatchi & Saatchi, Chris Arnold, who is an expert in creativity and its application to business. He will be encouraging delegates to re-ignite the imagination and ingenuity they experienced as children.

The iThrive event also marks the launch of a new programme of intensive business support being offered by the Food and Drink iNet to the region’s food and drink businesses.

A number of food and drink firms who attend the event will be chosen to receive the support, which features four one-day workshops guiding businesses through the new product development process - from the generation of an idea to product launch.

The iThrive new product development event and the programme of NPD support that it launches have been formulated by the Food and Drink iNet to ensure that innovation, in the form of new product development, thrives within the East Midlands food and drink sector.

“The iThrive event is an excellent opportunity for food and drink firms from across the region to focus on the importance of sparking and harnessing creativity,” said Food and Drink iNet director Andrew Butterwick. “We are delighted that Chris Arnold, who is an acknowledged expert in this subject, will be our guest speaker.

“The event also marks the start of our exclusive new programme to offer new product development support to up to ten food and drink businesses in the East Midlands. This is the perfect opportunity for companies in the sector who are interested in NPD to find out more.”

The New Product Development – Converting Creativity into Cash event is free to attend and takes place at the Pride Park Stadium, Derby, on October 12th from 8.30am to 12.30pm.

Food and drink firms from Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Northamptonshire and Rutland are eligible to attend this free event but booking is essential to guarantee a place. Email enquiries@foodanddrinkforum.co.uk or call 0115 9758810 for more information.

Funded by East Midlands Development Agency (emda) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the Food and Drink iNet co-ordinates innovation support for businesses, universities and individuals working in the food and drink sector in the East Midlands. One of four regional iNets, it has developed an effective network to link academic and private sector expertise and knowledge with local food and drink business innovation needs.

The Food and Drink iNet also aims to build on the tradition of innovation in the food and drink industry in the region by helping to create opportunities to develop knowledge and skills, and to help research, develop and implement new products, markets, services and processes. It is managed by a consortium, led by the Food & Drink Forum and including Food Processing Faraday, Nottingham Trent University, the University of Lincoln, and the University of Nottingham. It is based at Southglade Food Park, Nottingham, with advisors covering the East Midlands region.

For more information visit www.eminnovation.org.uk/food

Categories unveiled in Food and Drink iNet Innovation Awards 2010

Categories for this year’s Food and Drink iNet Innovation Awards have been unveiled, with entries now being invited by organisers.

Designed to recognise and reward the most exciting developments in the East Midlands food and drink sector, the 2010 Food and Drink innovation Network (iNet) Innovation Awards have five categories, plus the chance for winners to go on to become crowned the regional Food and Drink Innovation Champion 2010.

Entries are being invited for the following awards:

• University of Lincoln National Centre for Food Manufacturing Award for Most Innovative Small to Medium Size Food and Drink Manufacturer, which will recognise small to medium food and drink manufacturers within the East Midlands that have championed innovation projects to improve their business.

• Campden BRI Award for Most Innovative Business Across the Food and Drink Supply Chain, which will recognise businesses working in the food and drink supply chain in the East Midlands that have undertaken an innovation project that has benefited the food and drink manufacturing sector.

• CenFRA Award for Most Innovative Research Project, which will reward the most successful research projects undertaken by universities within the East Midlands that have made a significant beneficial impact on the food and drink sector.

• Food Processing Faraday Award for Most Innovative Large Food and Drink Manufacturer, which will go to a large food and drink manufacturer in the East Midlands that has championed innovation projects to improve their business.

• Nottingham Trent University Award for Most Innovative Business in the Wider Food Sector, which will recognise innovation in a food or drink firm that is not a manufacturer. This could include primary producers, restaurants, caterers, delis and local food retailers.

The winner of the Food and Drink Forum Innovation Champion Award 2010 will be picked from the winners of the five categories.

The awards, which are being held for the third year, will turn the spotlight on outstanding inventions or products, exceptional creativity, and innovative working practices in the industry in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire and Rutland. Winners will be announced at a glittering ceremony and gala dinner sponsored by Derby College in November.

Food and Drink iNet director Andrew Butterwick said: “Last year’s entries for The Food and Drink iNet Innovation Awards were impressive and we are looking forward to receiving this year’s nominations which I am sure will reflect the exciting innovation going on in the food industry and associated areas within the region.”

Application forms are available to download from the Food and Drink iNet website www.eminnovation.org.uk/food now with the closing date for entries October 15th 2010.

Mike Carr, East Midlands Development Agency’s (emda’s) Executive Director of Business Services, said: “I hope that many of the food and drink companies from across the East Midlands enter these awards. It is not only an opportunity for them to be recognised for their achievements, but it is also a chance for them to showcase their innovations in a way that may help them gain an all important competitive edge in their markets.”

Funded by emda and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the Food and Drink iNet co-ordinates innovation support for businesses, universities and individuals working in the food and drink sector in the East Midlands. One of four regional iNets, it has developed an effective network to link academic and private sector expertise and knowledge with local food and drink business innovation needs.

The Food and Drink iNet also aims to build on the tradition of innovation in the food and drink industry in the region by helping to create opportunities to develop knowledge and skills, and to help research, develop and implement new products, markets, services and processes. It is managed by a consortium, led by the Food & Drink Forum and including Food Processing Faraday, Nottingham Trent University, the University of Lincoln, and the University of Nottingham. It is based at Southglade Food Park, Nottingham, with advisors covering the East Midlands region.

For more information visit www.eminnovation.org.uk/food

Grant-funded graduate recruitment for the East Midlands food and drink sector evolves

East Midlands food and drink firms with hard-to-fill vacancies are being advised to explore a new technical recruitment opportunity.

Business support organisation The Food and Drink Forum has teamed up with graduate recruitment experts HotProspects on a two-year project to offer small and medium-sized food and drink companies grants towards the cost of recruiting a graduate, either for specific projects or for permanent placements.

Now HotProspects has launched a new technical recruitment arm to address the needs of those in the sector with a more technically demanding focus.

With some of the most important technical abilities being learned after university, HotProspects² specialises in finding those graduates with specific skills and up to five years industry experience. At the same time, HotProspects continues to focus on the retention of fresh graduates, providing grant funded graduate recruitment through till 2011.

HotProspects² project manager Elizabeth Andrzejewski-Wilson said: “Since the launch of HotProspects back in 2006, the brand and the team has evolved, and it soon became clear that our strength lay in our ability to source those technically focused graduates with niche skill sets.

“Specific or rare skills sets can be very hard to find, especially in the food and drink sector where skills shortages have long held back business growth. Hence, HotProspects² was born.”

The new service allows businesses to pick and choose the elements they require, from a targeted marketing campaign through to full service graduate recruitment.

“We have taken what we believe are some of the strongest elements of the original service and developed them for a targeted market, allowing us to ensure we are best placed to meet their needs. Our fees are still fixed and agreed at the start, based on time expended, not a percentage of salary,” said Elizabeth.

“The HotProspects service continues to provide small business in the food and drink sector with grant-funded graduate recruitment within the East Midlands, meaning the standard recruitment process can be accessed at no cost to the business. Whilst HotProspects² allows those with more complex requirements to access the support they need.”

Grant funding of £1,000 per business is available for a limited period, thanks to funding that has been made available in partnership from East Midlands Development Agency (emda) and from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

This can be put towards the cost of the HotProspects² service, as well as being used for HotProspects’ graduate recruitment.

For more information, contact Gemma Baguley at The Food and Drink Forum on 0115 9758810.