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Top story
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Grantham factory jobs under threat
Up to 720 jobs could go at Northern Foods Grantham operation after managers announced plans to mothball the site. The decision came after Marks & Spencer said it was withdrawing production of its Italian ready meal range from the factory. The shutdown could come as early as August with bosses now locked into a 90-day consultation period. Stefan Barden, chief executive, said: We believe chilled foods is an attractive growth market and that our ready meals are the best in the industry. We have recently invested more than £20m to acquire the Ethnic Cuisine ready meal business and the Grimsby soup plant, together with a £9m investment to expand our salads business. The Fenland facility will remain mothballed while we explore opportunities to secure profitable new business with other customers for the site. We have plans to invest in the site so it can continue to be a leader in its market. Our immediate task is to support our loyal employees through the consultation period.
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Lincoln financial adviser charged
A Lincoln-based private client financial adviser, whose
business collapsed with debts of over £2m, has been
charged with offences in connection with his business MFC
Finance. Alan Richardson appeared before Grantham
Magistrates yesterday charged with offences of fraudulent trading, false accounting, evasion of a liability and perverting the course of justice. The alleged offences took place between 1999 and 2006. Richardson, a former independent financial adviser, ran MFC Finance, a credit finance company, from his combined home and business address in Wellingore, Lincoln. 
Barratt looks toward Wilson Bowden sale
Barratt Developments has dropped its strongest hint yet that it may sell its commercial arm, Ibstock-based Wilson Bowden Developments. In a statement to the stock exchange it said that it had received a number of offers for the business. The company said: "We continue to focus Wilson Bowden Developments on realising cash from its portfolio and are exploring all opportunities to maximise value. We are making progress in selling existing stock units, and have also received a number of expressions of interest in the remainder of the business, although these are at a very early stage."
There may be trouble ahead
The East Midlands economy faces a tough time, according to latest research from The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS). April's data from the East Midlands PMI Report indicated a sixth consecutive month of falling new order books, reflecting a broader UK trend consistent with slowing economic activity. Weakness was generally reported to have been led by the manufacturing sector, with companies indicating that high output prices and depressed confidence were leading customers to pare back their ordering activity.
Business services makes history at Berryman
The business services team at law firm Berryman has seen a record 33 per cent increase in turnover for the latest financial year (2007/08). The firms overall turnover figures were up to an all-time high of £7m. Partner Duncan James said: Each of our teams within business services has shown impressive growth over the last financial year. It is testament to the people we employ and to the exceptional work they undertake.
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Wisbech accountancy firms merge
Two long-established Wisbech accountancy practices have merged with Stephenson Smart & Co joining the practice of Moore Thompson. Existing staff at Stephenson Smart & Co have all moved across to Moore Thompsons Wisbech offices at Monica House, St Augustines Road, Wisbech, giving continuity to clients who will also benefit from enhanced support from Moore Thompsons team as and when required. Moore Thompson is an eight-partner practice with offices in Spalding, Wisbech and Market Deeping, established more than 80 years ago with origins from a Stephenson Smart & Co practice. Chris Wright, the proprietor of Stephenson Smart & Co, has become a Moore Thompson partner.
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Urbo makes Chesterfield debut
Urbo Regeneration, a joint venture between AGD Regeneration, Bolsterstone Group and Arnold Laver Group has been launched, announcing that its first scheme will be the £300m mixed-use regeneration project Chesterfield Waterside. Chesterfield Waterside is a joint venture partnership between Urbo and Chesterfield Borough Council to deliver a £300m urban village on a 16-acre former industrial site adjacent to the A61 in the River Rother corridor. The project also involves restoration of the local canal network to create a fully navigable route including a new canal basin and canal arm. The scheme will create a mixed-use waterside neighbourhood of about 1,200 homes together with a retail and business quarter, a landmark public square, eco park and public open spaces. Urbo Regeneration will work in partnership with local authorities across the Midlands, North East, Yorkshire and the North West.
Cedar House makes Headway in Corby
Cedar House Investments has launched Headway Business Park, its new office scheme in Corby. The 27,000 sq ft scheme, on Saxon Way West at the southern gateway to the town, comprises three buildings containing nine units, ranging from 1,885 sq to 8,085 sq ft. Sixty per cent of the scheme is now under offer or sold with occupiers including Moore Stephens Chartered Accountants and Lamb & Holmes Solicitors.
Name unveiled for Blueprint's new build
Blueprints new development in Derbys Cathedral Quarter has been revealed as Sadler Square following a public competition to find a name. Sadler Square is a £16m mixed-use development designed by London-based architects Ash Sakula. Following the announcement of the name, a new logo will now be revealed and a dedicated website will show the details of the site including the building progress.
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Grace poised for new role at Interfleet
Derby-based rail consultancy Interfleet Technology has appointed Michael Grace to the newly created role of business development manager in its UK subsidiary.
Graces role is to deliver growth by building on Interfleets rolling stock pre-eminence. He joined Interfleet in 1994 as a principal account manager and has held a number of posts including regional director of Interfleets Australian subsidiary and business integration manager.
Westleigh welcomes new managers
Westleigh Developments has appointed two new site managers to work on projects across its partnership and new homes divisions in Loughborough. Mark Hickling joins Whetstone-based Westleigh as site manager and Phil Smith has been appointed as assistant site manager. Chris Beighton, managing director at Westleigh said: In line with continued growth we have found it necessary to increase the size of our teams at head office and each of our developments.
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