James Taylor, director of Nottingham recruitment firm Macildowie

What were trading conditions like for your business & your industry a year ago?

2012 was a good year for Macildowie, actually the best EBIT year in the company's history – filling more of our clients' vacancies that ever before. That's not to say it's all been a bed of roses. We've been under price pressure since the beginning of 2009. What we've done is adapted as a business to create a better-value proposition to maintain price at a time when competitors have only had price to compete/differentiate themselves.

What factors have had the biggest impact on trading conditions?

Consumer confidence and C-class executives realising that after a period of three years of driving EBIT through cost-cutting and right-sizing, that the time has come to look at driving sales growth through either hiring, or strategic marketing campaigns.

What have trading conditions been like so far this year?

Good, we've got a market-leading customer value proposition, have utilised the recession as an opportunity to invest in our people and, as a result, we're in a great position to take market share

Do you think the economy is improving/the same/deteriorating?

Marginal improvement on 12 months ago. Businesses are hiring more, we've had a material increase in the number of vacancies registered with our business and the recruitment industry is one of the best barometers for the economy – when confidence is low, businesses stop hiring. We're looking at taking on 15 new staff this year ourselves, so that must tell its own story

Are you more or less likely to invest in expansion/take on new staff than you were a year ago?

Yes – we've just concluded our five-year strategy plan – year one of the five (this year) is budgeted to take on 15 new heads. We're reacting early to the increase in demand from customers, we've always said that a marginal increase in demand will lead to a material increase in sales – so we're close to the market and are acting accordingly

In your view, what would help the economy recover most?

I've always felt that the centrepiece to the recovery would be the construction sector – let's get building houses and roads!

AS rush hour approached yesterday, only a trickle of taxis and a couple of cars ventured down Station Street.

But it will be a very different scene next week when up to 35 rail replacement buses will start to use the road as a £100 million project to upgrade Nottingham Station gets under way.

In order to ease the flow of buses, cars have been prevented from turning on to Station Street from London Road.

Restrictions were put into place in late June but were enforced from yesterday. Motorists caught flouting the ban could be handed a £60 fine.

The number of people caught on June 24 – the first day of the restrictions – was 355, with the figure dropping to just 61 two weeks later.

But although cars can access Station Street from Trent Street, a Post reporter saw two cars turning on to the street and running the risk of a fine.

Upon finding out that he could be facing a fine, the driver of a Toyota Aygo said: "I don't believe it. How long has it been like that? I didn't see the signs anywhere."

The "bus gate" aims to encourage drivers going to the railway station to use the designated drop-off and pick-up point in Queen's Road, rather than Station Street or the railway station front in Carrington Street.

Wheelchair-accessible taxis and bicycles are the only vehicles allowed to access Station Street from London Road.

During the re-signalling works, this will be restricted further to allow access for buses and cycles only. Additional changes as part of the works include the introduction of a bus lane on Sheriffs Way which will allow buses coming from East Midlands Parkway direct access to a new drop-off point on Queen's Road.

City councillor Jane Urquhart, portfolio holder for planning and transport, said: "We are working very closely with Network Rail, East Midlands Trains and other partners to help minimise any disruption to the travelling public as a result of the signal improvement works over the summer.

"We are pleased that the introduction of the bus gate to improve access around the station is already having a positive impact by reducing the number of vehicles accessing Station Street from London Road.

"We're also ensuring that clear, up-to-date information is available to help people make the appropriate journey choices. I would encourage anyone who normally travels to Nottingham by train to think now about the alternatives that might be available to them."

A STUDENT who almost died during a seven-year battle with anorexia has bounced back and graduated from university.

Rowena Buxton-Henderson, 26, of The Meadows, spent her teenage years in and out of hospital because of the eating disorder.

At her worst, 6ft tall Rowena weighed just five-and-a-half stone and had to be resuscitated in hospital.

She was so ill that her mother, Carolann Henderson, even visited funeral parlours because she was convinced that her daughter would not survive.

But after a long road to recovery – which has seen her weight reach a healthy nine-and-a-half stone – Rowena has now earned a 2:1 masters degree in medicinal chemistry following five years of hard work.

She said: "I lost my most precious years with my family and friends – a time I should have been enjoying.

"I regret the time I've lost but I wouldn't be the person I am if I had not been through what I have."

She now has her sights set on using her skills for the good of others.

"I'm hoping to go into forensics or drug design. As long as I can help people in some way, that would be nice," she said.

Rowena also urged other people who might be suffering with eating disorders to seek help.

She said: "Everyone has their ups and downs. I think it's never going to completely leave me but there are different ways of managing it so I can have a life."

Her mother, 57, of East Leake, said: "We used to get phone calls at 11pm saying she was not going to make it through the night.

"I never thought we would be here with Rowena having a masters."

Rowena's twin sister, Kirsty, added: "To see her walking across that stage at her graduation was so emotional for all the right reasons."

NOTTINGHAM Forest are close to completing a deal to sign Hull defender Jack Hobbs on loan for the season - with a view to a permanent move in the future.

The 24-year-old is understood to have agreed to the move, which is expected to be confirmed within the next 24 hours, barring any late issues.

Hobbs will initially sign on loan, with a two-year-deal understood to be on the table beyond that. Hobbs was part of the Tigers side that won promotion to the Premier League last season.

But, now they have made it into the top flight, Hull boss Steve Bruce is willing to allow the player to go out on loan, as he looks to strengthen.

Hobbs has plenty of experience at Championship level, having started more than 100 league games for Leicester City, following his free transfer move from Liverpool in July 2009, which followed an earlier loan spell with the Foxes.

Hull paid £850,000 to sign the centre-half from Leicester in the summer of 2011, again following a successful loan spell with the club.

He has made 69 league starts and six sub appearances for the Tigers.

Forest's defence had been short of numbers following the departure of last season's loan signings Elliott Ward and Daniel Ayala at the end of the campaign.

But boss Billy Davies hopes the addition of Hobbs could be the answer.

Forest are also poised to join Stuttgart and Nice in the race to sign Egyptian wonder kid Mahmoud Hassan 'Trezeguet'.

The attacking midfielder is highly sought after following his starring role in the under-20 World Cup, with Dutch giants Ajax also monitoring his position.

Trezeguet – given his nickname due to his resemblance to French star David Trezeguet – netted an outstanding solo goal against England as a 2-0 defeat by Egypt ensured Peter Taylor's side did not progress beyond the group stages of the tournament in Turkey.

The 18-year-old is contracted to Egyptian side Al-Ahly and has played in both the World Cup Championship and the CAF Champions League for the club.

But, with the Egyptian Premier League currently suspended with the country in political turmoil, Trezeguet has been made available for transfer.

And it is understood that his advisers believe English football would be ideal for his development.

While they could face significant opposition for his signature, Forest have been given the first opportunity to bring Trezeguet to Nottingham for a trial. The Reds are close to agreeing a move that will see him spend two weeks in the city prior to the start of the new season.

Forest have also been linked with FC Utrecht striker Jacob Mulenga.

The 29-year-old is valued at £1m by the Dutch club.

TWO walkers tried in vain to warn a cyclist moments before he rode in front of a train on a level crossing, an inquest heard.

Father-of-three Phil Dawn was struck by a train travelling from Nottingham to Mansfield Woodhouse while he cycled across the Kings Mill level crossing, near Mansfield.

An inquest into his death heard he may have been wearing headphones and listening to music at the time of the incident.

Giving evidence at Nottingham Coroner's Court yesterday, witness Thomas Butler said he and friend Grant Pinhold heard the train twice sound its horn moments after seeing Mr Dawn go on to the tracks.

Mr Butler said: "I ran out onto the track shouting at him 'there's a train, there's a train'. I've gone to grab him when Grant grabbed me and pulled me back. That's when the train went past us.

"We stood there for ten seconds. I froze and asked Grant if that had just happened. That's when Grant noticed the bike further down the track."

Mr Dawn, 34, of Lindleys Lane, Kirkby-in-Ashfield, was struck by the train at around 4.30pm on May 2 last year.

He was found lying by the side of the track around 100 metres from the crossing.

A postmortem test concluded he died as a result of multiple injuries.

The court heard Mr Butler and Mr Pinhold had been walking on a bridle path near King's Mill Reservoir approaching the crossing when Mr Dawn went past on his bike.

Mr Butler said they had heard music and seen headphones coming out the top of Mr Dawn's sweatshirt.

He said: "When he rode past us he put his hood down, said 'cheers' and gave me a thumbs-up, and then put his hood back up and carried on. I could hear music as he rode past."

When asked by Notts Assistant Deputy Coroner Jane Gillespie if Mr Dawn had been wearing the headphones, Mr Butler said he wasn't sure due to his hood being up.

He added: "All of a sudden he stopped at the gate.

"I asked Grant what was up ahead and he said a rail crossing. As he pulled the gate open I realised I could hear the train coming. We started running and Phil was already cycling out onto the crossing.

"He didn't look; he just had his head straight, looking towards the path."

Mr Butler said the pair ran down the track to Mr Dawn and called 999. He also attempted to give Mr Dawn CPR.

"I did everything I possibly could," he said.

The inquest also heard police evidence which stated that witnesses said Mr Dawn had "seemed oblivious" to the train's presence.

Rail experts are set to give evidence at the inquest, which is due to continue today.

YOUTHS who threw something from a bridge at a passing lorry only narrowly avoided seriously injuring its driver, police said.

The lorry was travelling southbound on the A1, close to Balderton and Fernwood, when an object hit the windscreen.

Police said the glass did not smash, the driver escaped injury and no other vehicles were involved.

But a Notts police spokeswoman said the force was taking the incident "very seriously" and appealed for witnesses. It is not clear exactly what it was that was thrown, they said.

The incident happened around 4.20pm on Saturday, July 6.

The lorry driver saw three youths, all without tops on, who looked to be aged between 12 and 14 years, looking over the bridge just before the incident. One of the youths is said to have fair hair.

A Notts Police spokeswoman said: "It is a miracle no-one was hurt by this silly prank, not only could the lorry driver have been seriously injured but this could also have led to the lorry colliding with other vehicles on the A1."

She added: "Police are taking this incident very seriously as the act of throwing objects on to any highway, but particularly the busy A1, could have led to disastrous and tragic consequences."

Anyone with any information about those responsible is asked to contact Notts Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

CHILDHOOD friends Liam Hopkins and Steven Boyle have taken the plunge and set up a locksmiths business together.

As well as being the start of an exciting project for the 26-year-olds, it also means that Derby Road has ticked another unit off its list of vacant shops.

This time last year there were 16 vacant units in Derby Road and now there are 12, showing that some progress is being made.

One of the units has been taken up by Nottingham locksmiths. They have moved into a former legal services practice which had been empty for two years.

Steven's family run another locksmiths, 1st Access in Mapperley, and they wanted to expand.

Steven said: "We've had a shop in Mapperley for more than 20 years and we thought the only real option to expand was to open a shop in a slightly different area.

"The reason we picked Derby Road was that it's somewhere that's within walking distance to the city centre but it does have parking, although it's shame you have to pay for it."

In order to entice customers in, they offer to pay for their parking if they spend £20 or more in the shop.

They've rented the premises from the city council who did some work on the unit before the pair moved in.

"They replaced a smashed window, replaced some rotten steps, painted the shop and put an indoor toilet in. Things like that helped 100 per cent.

"Every penny that the council saved us was a huge help," said Steven.

For Liam, co-owning the shop means a change from working as a supervisor at Capital One, but he's enjoying learning the tricks of the trade from his best mate.

He said: "It's a complete change in career for me but a very positive one."

Derby Road was chosen as the pilot scheme to help areas of the city with a lot of vacant shops.

It was given £10,000 from the £100,000 high street innovation fund given to Nottingham City Council by the Government after retail guru Mary Portas did a study into Britain's ailing town centres.

The council also added £130,000 of their own budget to take the fund up to £230,000.

Geoff Williams, who owns Framework gallery on Derby Road and Tokenhouse in Bridlesmith Gate, is chair of the Derby Road steering group which has tried to spent their money wisely.

He said: "We've commissioned architects to draw out what it could look like in order to encourage the council to go for heritage funding. The buildings are beautiful but you just can't tell.

"The biggest landlord is the city council so we are trying to engage with them."

With more than 40 years' experience of owning his own retail business, Geoff believes that attracting new, interesting shops to the area is the key to making it prosper.

Mr Williams said he also agrees with the idea of letting shops on a short-term or 'pop-up' basis.

"I think the council are offering flexible term to anyone's who's got a good idea and wants to get it on the go without too much commitment," he said.

On Derby Road, a unit-by-unit approach was taken to provide an action plan for each vacant premises, whether that be making contact with an absentee landlord or making improvements to neglected properties.

Of the 12 vacant units today, one is under offer, two are being sold off by the city council, they are in discussions to lease an additional three, another two are being marketed and another is due to be let on a short-term basis. They are in discussions with the landlords to lease the remaining three.

The long-term plan is to tackle the 10 problem areas as well as the city centre as a whole, as councillor Nick McDonald explained: "With Derby Road, what we've done is give the money to the traders and have said 'you form your own committee and decide how you want that money to be spent'.

"We've allocated all of the money to different parts of the city.

"We're working street by street to focus on areas of greatest need."

AROUND what's now Canning Circus end, during the later middle ages, there was a leper colony, with the unfortunate sufferers living there in caves.

Later, in the 18th century, there was a burial ground there for suicides and murderers, who couldn't be buried on consecrated land.

In1740 there's a record of tenements being demolished and the road levelled between Chapel Bar and the top of the Derby Road hill.

By the end of the 18th century, Derby Road had become a haunt of highwaymen.

Derby Road Baptist Church was a well-known landmark. Opened in 1850 it was destroyed by fire on New Year's Day 1893, but was rebuilt in 1894. It closed in 1965.

In 1914 the Derby Road electric tram service started, taking the total of trams working in Nottingham to 135. Just two years later there was Nottingham's worst-ever tram accident when a man and woman were killed as a tram ran away down Derby Road hill.

Another familiar sight no longer there is the Victorian four-storey Albert Hotel. It was demolished in 1970 to make way for the planned Nottingham inner ring road, the site later became the Strathdon Hotel.

It was at this time another well-known Nottingham hostelry, the Three Horseshoes further down Derby Road, was pulled down, along with other properties including the Dolls' Hospital, Little John restaurant and the Sign of Four theatrical shop.