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Trio of lettings agreed at Bedfordshire industrial site after occupier exit

A Bedfordshire industrial site has secured three new lettings following the departure of its former occupier, an agricultural machinery dealer. Commercial property consultancy Kirkby Diamond completed the deals after the exit of George Browns, which left the Grovebury Road premises in Leighton Buzzard as part of a “major restructure” of the long standing family business.

The main building, measuring 20,851 sq ft, has been let to Global Parts UK. The company operates as an automotive store and supplier of original used car parts for a range of vehicle brands. A rear warehouse unit of 18,399 sq ft has been taken by On The Level, a UK manufacturer and supplier of wet room solutions. A further 8,662 sq ft unit was secured before reaching the open market by Klas Steel, a specialist in bespoke steel fabrication and structural steelwork.

All three lettings were completed within three months of George Browns’ departure. Eamon Kennedy, senior partner and head of industrial and logistics at Kirkby Diamond, said: “This was an excellent result for all parties. Following George Browns’ departure, there was a clear appetite from local and regional occupiers to secure space of this calibre. The speed at which the deals were concluded demonstrates the quality of the accommodation, the depth of demand in Leighton Buzzard’s industrial market and our team’s in-depth knowledge of the region.”

Braintree introduces fines for unauthorised fly-flagging from lampposts

Braintree in Essex has passed a new bylaw that moves hanging a flag from a lamp post or other similar installation without permission as punishable by fines of up to £3,000.

The crime is being described as “fly-flagging”.

A statement from the Facebook page of the Mayor of Braintree said “Fly-flagging is now treated similarly to fly-tipping, as the flags – often of poor quality and made overseas – rapidly disintegrate, tangle around branches or posts, and generally look untidy.

“We are having to maintain or remove old flags at great expense to the taxpayer, so this new law will hopefully deter would-be fly-flaggers.”

In the morning of December 8th, the first people to be punished under this rule were apprehended.

The Mayor’s post explained “In the early hours, officers caught two men in the act of scaling a lamppost.

“They were dressed all in black and in possession of 23 flags, cable ties, and a crudely drawn diagram of how to safely attach a flag to a telegraph pole.

“After their property was seized as evidence, they were issued with on-the-spot fines of £76 each.”

The hope is that this move will result in an atmosphere of deterrence against future violations.

The Mayor said “I hope this sends a clear message to any other overly enthusiastic fly-flaggers. We must ensure our roads are safe and well-maintained, and we will not hesitate to take further action.”

Many commenters on the page welcomed the decision. Such sentiments included the following.

“Good. It’s vandalism and in breach of the Highway Code, period. Fly flags on your own houses people.”

“Well done Braintree council at last some one is using a bit of common sense”

“Having cheap flags zip tied to lampposts is not only an eyesore and a potential hazard but also an affront to our actual flag and what it stands for. It’s disrespectful to our flag to fly it in that manner.”

Zorqk: The Second-Hand Car Seller Turning Buyers into Long-Term Partners

For all its charms, the second-hand car market has never been able to shake its reputation. Opaque pricing, patchy histories and the occasional ‘mint condition’ listing that looks suspiciously like it’s barely survived a minor war. It’s an industry that demands a heroic amount of trust from buyers – and offered little in return.

The arrival of Zorqk, a new online used-car platform, seems timely. The company positions itself as the antidote to all that baggage, promising not just a purchase but a long-term relationship with buyers – an ambition that has already landed with tangible credibility.

A seller that treats the handover as the beginning, not the end

Zorqk’s approach is built around five deceptively simple principles:

  1. Trust & Transparency
  2. Long-Term Reliability
  3. Expert Guidance
  4. Customer-First Commitment
  5. Future-Focused Support

Plenty of companies list values. Zorqk behaves as though it intends to use them.

Pricing is clear. Histories are complete. Advice is ongoing rather than grudgingly offered. The tone is strikingly un-car-dealership-like: direct, calm, and refreshingly free of the traditional theatre.

Instead of vanishing after the handover, Zorqk assigns each driver a personalised account manager – an actual human, not a chatbot with a tyre emoji – who is available for questions and concerns far into the life of the car.

Zorqk also keeps in touch with updates about the driver’s specific model and wider changes in the industry – anything from emerging EV regulations to software quirks worth knowing about.

The idea is almost radical in its ordinariness: sell good cars, explain them properly, and don’t vanish once the ink is dry. In a market notorious for its one-and-done mentality, Zorqk’s insistence on a continuing relationship feels unusually reliable and supportive.

High-End, Low-Mileage Luxury: The Quietly Sensible Heart of the Model

Zorqk focuses on high-end luxury cars – the kind typically owned by one or two meticulous drivers who are sacred about servicing schedules. The mileage is low, and the histories are not only immaculate but fully transparent.

All vehicles, thanks to their ex-business lease history, are VAT-qualifying – a small detail but a valuable one for anyone able to reclaim the tax.

Opting for a pre-owned luxury car brings a lighter environmental footprint, along with a pleasantly reduced financial one. You get cutting-edge tech, serious comfort and flagship performance without the eye-watering depreciation hit that comes with driving a brand-new model out of the showroom.

It’s a corner of the market long appreciated by insiders; Zorqk’s role is making that logic obvious – and genuinely accessible – to everyday drivers who want premium quality without premium waste.

A Market Ripe for Reinvention

Zorqk’s mission is simple: to offer high-quality used cars and personalised guidance that continues well beyond the handover.

Its reads like a gentle critique of the industry it’s entering. And perhaps that’s the point.

There’s no shortage of used-car sellers. There is a shortage of ones that treat buyers like people capable of understanding their own needs, and worthy of straightforward information.

Zorqk isn’t reinventing the wheel. It is offering a version of the second-hand buying experience that feels aligned with how people shop, think and drive in 2025: informed, tech-aware, and unwilling to tolerate unnecessary opacity.

As an early attempt to bring a bit of sanity, clarity and accountability to the second-hand market, Zorqk is already off to a convincing start.

And for drivers long accustomed to the old routine? It’s difficult not to welcome the change.

More information about Zorqk here 

Baits Bite Lock on River Cam to reopen before Christmas after safety repairs

Baits Bite Lock on the River Cam at Milton, north of Cambridge, is expected to reopen before Christmas after being closed since May 2024.

The closure followed a survey that revealed structural issues with the lock. A temporary repair, costing an estimated £1.3m to £1.5m, has been supported by an additional £500,000 secured by Conservative MP Paul Bristow, the mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. The work is scheduled for completion by 19 December, according to the combined authority.

David Goode, chair of the Conservators of the River Cam, which manages the stretch, described the funding as “a lifeline for us, offsetting almost one third of the cost”. He added that all available funds had been used to stabilise Baits Bite Lock and reopen the navigation.

Both Baits Bite Lock and Jesus Green Lock in Cambridge city centre were closed after being judged unsafe and “in imminent danger of collapse”. Full replacement of the locks could cost around £25m.

The temporary work at Milton involved reinforcing the lock island by filling large voids, installing tie rods to stabilise bowing walls, and repairing major cracks and damaged brickwork. The authority confirmed that these essential measures will restore safe operation for navigation and protect the lock’s structural integrity.

Sheringham town council votes to save 1950s bus shelter after protests

Campaigners have successfully halted plans to demolish a 1950s bus shelter in Sheringham after the town council voted to preserve the structure.

The shelter, located on Station Approach near the heritage North Norfolk Railway, had been scheduled for removal as part of a new transport hub. Norfolk County Council argued it did not meet modern accessibility standards and was unsafe.

At an emergency meeting on Tuesday, Sheringham Town Council voted six to five against demolition. The decision followed nine days of protests, during which residents camped out in the shelter to prevent its removal. The county council expressed disappointment but confirmed it would “stop all work and withdraw from the site as soon as possible”.

Protesters contested an eviction notice, arguing that only the town council, as landowner, had authority to remove them. Prior to the vote, County Hall officials warned the town council it could be liable for part of a £500,000 bill for the transport hub project if the shelter remained.

Campaigner Rob Emery said demonstrators were “absolutely ecstatic” but would not leave until receiving legal assurances from the county council. He added: “What we’ve shown is local democracy still matters.”

Sheringham Mayor Sue Brisbane acknowledged the difficult position, stating: “I understand some people are unhappy and I regret that but why did they not say anything months ago? I do not appreciate being pressured into decisions or having my integrity questioned by people… who do not understand due process.”

Liberal Democrat councillor Liz Withington highlighted the shelter’s significance, noting that only four to six similar bus shelters remain in the UK. She said: “It is important from a national perspective that we preserve buildings of this era.”

Following the vote, a county council spokesperson said it understood the reasons for the decision in the context of “intense media and local scrutiny” and would respect the council’s decision. Certain safety and footpath improvements associated with the transport hub scheme will now need review.

MP Steff Aquarone praised campaigners for their persistence, acknowledging their role in protecting the historic structure.

Hallam Land completes sale of over 300 residential plots in Suffolk

Hallam Land, the land promotion and planning division of listed property group Henry Boot, has completed the sale of over 300 residential plots across North Yorkshire and Suffolk.

The first sale involved a site in Hambleton, North Yorkshire, with planning permission for 156 homes, sold to housebuilder Barratt Redrow. Hallam Land began promoting the site in January 2022 and submitted an outline planning application. North Yorkshire Council did not make a decision on the application, prompting Hallam Land to successfully appeal on grounds of non-determination.

Separately, the company sold 173 residential plots in Haverhill, Suffolk, to Bloor Homes. Hallam Land originally agreed a promotion deal for this site in 2014 and submitted an outline planning application in 2015. Planning consent was granted in 2018 for a total of 2,500 homes, of which 1,250 are Hallam Land’s share, with 30 per cent designated as affordable. The consent also includes two primary schools, two local centres, an extra care facility, open space, and a Country Park.

This marks the second sale at the Suffolk site, following a disposal of 450 plots to Redrow in 2018. Hallam Land retains 627 plots at Haverhill for future sales.

Tim Roberts, chief executive at Henry Boot, said: “Hallam Land’s strength lies in its ability to create value by securing planning consent for complex sites that might otherwise be difficult to unlock for new homes.

“These transactions take the total plot sales for the year to 3,591, and demonstrates that housebuilders remain keen to acquire well located, consented land. It gives us reason for optimism as we look ahead to 2026.”

Beechcroft secures £30m finance for Wilton Park later living scheme in Buckinghamshire

A flagship later living development in Buckinghamshire is set to progress following the agreement of a £30m finance facility from Paragon Bank.

The funding will support SME developer Beechcroft in the construction of 95 assisted living apartments for residents over 55 at Wilton Park in Beaconsfield. This marks the second collaboration between Beechcroft and Paragon Bank for development finance, enabling construction to begin imminently.

The first apartments are scheduled for sale in winter 2026, with full completion expected by 2028. The scheme forms part of a broader Wilton Park masterplan, which will also feature a 75-bed nursing home, open market housing, a nursery, a café, and sports pitches for local use.

Set on Gorell Road, Wilton Park spans over 75 acres of landscaped parkland, roughly a mile from Beaconsfield town centre, with convenient access to shops, restaurants, and other amenities.

Oliver Powlesland, senior relationship director at Paragon Bank, said: “Wilton Park is a landmark later living development for the Beaconsfield community, and we’re thrilled to be supporting the Beechcroft team for the second time, after backing their previous scheme in Ascot.

“Later living schemes like Wilton Park provide tangible social and health benefits and a real sense of community for residents, and with an ageing population, we imagine demand for homes like these will only continue to grow. Our continued relationship with the Beechcroft team gives us confidence in their vision and delivery, and we look forward to seeing this community take shape.”

Chris Thompson, managing director at Beechcroft, added: “This scheme will set a new benchmark for quality in the later living sector in Beaconsfield and we are incredibly proud to be helping provide a solution to the region’s housing shortage, with support from the Paragon team. Paragon’s flexible approach and understanding of the later living sector have been invaluable throughout the planning process.”

Côte Brasserie Launches Showstopping New Year’s Eve Menus for 2024 – Available Nationwide In-Restaurant or Delivered to Your Door

Côte Brasserie has officially launched its highly anticipated New Year’s Eve menus, offering diners across the UK a choice between an indulgent four-course celebration in-restaurant or a luxurious, chef-designed feast delivered straight to their door through the popular Côte at Home service.

Crafted by Michelin-starred chef Steve Allen, formerly Executive Chef for Gordon Ramsay, this year’s New Year’s Eve offering promises generous portions, French-inspired dishes and stress-free celebrations for every kind of gathering.

A Four-Course New Year’s Eve Celebration in Côte Brasseries Nationwide

Guests dining at their local Côte can enjoy a four-course New Year’s Eve Celebration Menu (from £53.95 per person) designed to bring French indulgence to the high street at exceptional value.

The experience begins with a complimentary glass of Crémant or Kisumé non-alcoholic sparkling rosé, setting the tone for an elegant evening.

A Feast Worth Celebrating

The menu features generous “for the table” dishes including:

  • Comté Madeleines with hot honey dip

  • Olives and garlic-herb peppers

Starters span refined French classics and modern indulgence, such as:

  • Chicken Liver Parfait with macerated figs

  • Camembert Brûlée

  • King Prawns in Café de Paris butter

  • Beetroot-Cured Smoked Salmon

For mains, diners can enjoy elevated comfort dishes perfect for a winter celebration:

  • Confit Duck à l’Orange

  • Cornish Roasted Hake with velvety lobster sauce

  • Steak Frites Deluxe from Côte’s in-house butchery (+£8 supplement)

  • Chestnut & Sage Tartiflette with baked Camembert

  • Vegan Roasted Miso Parsnip

A trio of festive sides (£15) includes:

  • Sprouts à la Française

  • Hot-honey Pigs in Blankets

  • Crispy confit potatoes with gravy mayo

To finish, guests can choose from indulgent desserts or a curated French cheese plate. Highlights include:

  • Warm Chocolate Fondant

  • Pain Perdu

  • La Bûche Rouge – a striking winter berry mousse log

Menus will be served in all brasseries until midnight on New Year’s Eve.

Côte at Home: Luxurious NYE Feasts Delivered Nationwide

For those celebrating at home, Côte’s sell-out New Year’s Eve Feast Boxes return:

  • NYE Feast for Six – £169.95

  • NYE Feast for Two – £84.95

Each feast includes:

  • Beetroot-cured salmon with horseradish cream

  • British & Irish Côte de Boeuf with gratin dauphinois and black garlic jus

  • Dark chocolate financier with cherry compote

Delivered chilled and ready to heat or serve, the boxes offer a stress-free way to host a restaurant-quality celebration at home.

A Party in a Box: The Buffet Box

For more relaxed celebrations, the Buffet Box (£76.95, serves 2–4) features:

  • French cheeses

  • Truffle saucisson

  • Cured ham

  • Smoked salmon

  • Pâté

  • Confits and more

Perfectly paired with Côte’s festive drinks range, it’s designed to be “a party in a box.”

The first 150 orders will also receive a complimentary Big Potato Games party game.

Festive Extras from Côte at Home

Also available this season:

  • Festive Breakfast Box (£67.95) — pastries, sausages, eggs, granola and Crémant

  • Festive Drinks Package (£79.95) — from Buck’s Fizz to Port

Côte at Home has become a celebrated festive staple, even enjoyed annually by Dame Judi Dench.

Nationwide delivery runs 18–23 December, with early booking strongly encouraged.

A Celebration Crafted by Michelin-Starred Expertise

Executive Chef Steve Allen, whose culinary background includes Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, Pétrus and Claridge’s, said:

“Creating this year’s New Year’s Eve menus has been a real joy. Whether guests are joining us in the Brasserie or celebrating at home with our feast boxes, the focus is the same — generous, joyful dishes full of flavour, crafted to make the occasion feel truly special.”

Order Your Côte at Home New Year’s Eve Feast

Secure your New Year’s Eve feast

Peterborough council seeks approval to sell former TK Maxx building

Peterborough City Council is set to seek cabinet approval for the sale of the former TK Maxx building at 62–68 Bridge Street in the city centre. The decision will be considered at a meeting on Tuesday 16 December.

Cabinet members will be updated on the results of a marketing exercise, which recommends the sale of the property to Bridge Street (March) Limited. Approval is also being sought to recycle the net proceeds from the sale back into the Towns Fund. The council originally purchased the building in 2020 for £4,164,346, including fees, of which £4 million was funded through the Towns Fund grant.

The building had initially been earmarked to house The Vine project, but in 2023 it was confirmed that refurbishing the site for the project was no longer economically viable. The Vine is now planned to be delivered across three alternative locations: Central Library, Peterscourt, and the Goods Shed building in Fletton Quays.

The Towns Fund is a government-funded programme, which allocated £22.9 million to Peterborough for projects designed to support local economic growth.

Councillor Mohammed Farooq, Cabinet Member for Growth and Regeneration, said: “Subject to cabinet’s approval, the sale of the former TK Maxx building will be a significant moment for the council. We’re confident the developer will be able to breathe new life into such a vital city centre site, as a mixed-use residential led-scheme.

“The marketing exercise has been positive reflecting the market’s continued interest in the city and resulted in six bids for evaluation, all of which align with our need as a local authority to achieve best value, however the value of the sale is less than the price originally paid in 2020. This reflects significant market changes, particularly post covid impacts on town centres, broader economic and local factors such as interest rate increases making borrowing more expensive, which in turn, reduces property values.”

The cabinet meeting will take place at 4pm in the Engine Shed at Sand Martin House. The public can attend in person or watch via the council’s YouTube livestream.

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