Year in Review: East Midlands’ top 10 most loved stories

From major acquisitions to exciting restaurant openings and the sale of beloved coffee brands, the East Midlands has experienced a year of challenges and triumphs.

In this roundup, we revisit the region’s top ten most-read stories of the year.

Thank you for your support and we hope you have a fantastic Christmas break!

10. Private equity-backed accountancy firm makes eighth acquisition 

In June this year, Dains Group, backed by private equity, acquired London-based NHS VAT specialists CRS VAT.

It boosted Dains’ reach, now employing over 650 staff nationwide.

Founder Chris Silk called the partnership a milestone for expanding services and connecting clients to Dains’ extensive advisor network.

9.200 degrees sold to Caffe Nero Group 

Nottingham-based coffee roaster 200 Degrees was sold to the Caffè Nero Group in October this year.

Founded in 2012, the brand operated 21 sites across the North and Midlands and now joins Nero’s portfolio, alongside Coffee#1 and Harris+Hoole.

Caffè Nero plans to support 200 Degrees’ growth while keeping it a standalone brand.

8. £1m-plus restaurant set to open in Derby 

The Pepperpot restaurant in Derby opened at the start of the year in February, creating 25 jobs within Wavensmere Homes’ £175m Nightingale Quarter.

Set in a restored Victorian “pepper pot” building, the venue serves classic British, Mediterranean, and American dishes, alongside a cocktail bar and café.

It marks The Fulton Partnership’s sixth Midlands venture.

7. Derbyshire Brewery’s glass half empty as administrators alerted 

A popular story among our readers covered the uncertain future of Buxton Brewery, a Derbyshire craft beer producer.

In April, the brewery filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators. However, by May, a pre-pack deal had been secured, selling the business for £120,000.

The buyer was local entrepreneur Jeremy Middleton.

Established in 2009, Buxton Brewery operates from a 7,000 sq ft facility in the Peak District, producing over 30 beers. The company also runs two pubs: the Tap House and Cellar in Buxton and the Treacle Tap in Macclesfield.

6. GXO gatecrashes Wincanton deal with huge offer 

In February logistics giant GXO disrupted CEVA Logistics’ £605m bid for Wincanton by offering £762m.

The Wincanton board dropped support for CEVA’s lower offer and backed GXO’s higher bid, praising the company’s vision and value.

GXO’s CEO highlighted the benefits of combining their global reach with Wincanton’s UK expertise

5. Games Workshop CFO sells two-thirds of her stake

Games Workshop’s outgoing CFO, Rachel Tongue, sold over £700,000 worth of shares and reduced her stake by two-thirds in April this year.