England star brings jobs

UP to 50 new jobs could be created at an expanding factory which manufactures the Gary Lineker range of football boots, named after the England star who made his name at Leicester City.

Ladkin Bros of New Street, Earl Shilton, applied to build a 6,000sq ft extension to cope with demand.

Councillors on the Borough Planning Committee were told the factory originally wanted to use 7,000sq ft but reduced the size to allow for a workers’ car park.

Worried neighbours in the area objected to the plan because they feared problems with street parking, noise, dust, rubbish and litter on the road and devaluation of their properties.

Eight wrote to the council and 31 signed a petition of protest.

Councillor John Bown (Lab, Earl Shilton) asked for fellow councillors to visit the site before giving approval.

He was supported by Councillor Dave Everitt (Lab, Trinity) who said the people should be listened to: “if they have taken the trouble to bring this to our attention we should go and have a look at it’.

But the idea was not generally supported and Councillor Tom Lucas (Cons, Barwell) said the factory was providing enough off-street parking -25 spaces – besides which many people would walk to work.

The committee approved the application. Later in the meeting they also backed traffic regulations for New Street which have recently been advertised and publicised.

Record half-year profits plus an increase in both dividend and earnings per share are announced by directors of Burgess, the Hinckley-based electronics group.

In the six months to January 31 pre-tax profits rose 115% to £1.77m compared with the £825.000 earned in the corresponding period a year ago.

Turnover on continuing activities at £15.6m compared with £13.5m previously.

Earnings per share more than doubled at 8.0p against 3.9p. Interim dividend is raised to 0.75p net per share (0.5p).

Chairman Mr Bob Morton says that the figures reflect the acquisition of Coin Industries and its s u b s e q u e nt reorganisation which has had a significant impact on the half-year figures. The acquisition of Saia and the associated Rights Issue has substantially increased the capital base of the company. Directors intend to fully exploit the growth potential of Saia and these benefits will progressively flow through the group. The group’s level of activity remains good with a strong order book and prospects for the second half year are excellent.