Learning to direct

This is today's story on the front of the Leicester Mercury's The Business supplement. (Click on link)

http://bit.ly/avWxT8

For those who are regular readers of the Leicester Mercury and its business coverage you will see the way I have written it is a little unusual.

I have had to put "it is understood" up to 100 jobs are being created by Government agency Learn Direct at Colton Square in Leicester because the organisation said it was unable to say how many jobs it was bringing to the site.

Although this seems strange, it is because most of the jobs being created in Leicester are being transferred from elsewhere in the country and the employees effected will be subject to statutory consultation.

This is why Prospect Leicestershire chairman Nick Carter was unable to give any details on job numbers. However, I was able to give an idea after speaking to other sources.

People may ask why I've thought it necessary to do this and why I just didn't wait until Learn Direct was able to give the figure itself.

Firstly, it is major vote of confidence in the city to see a Government agency transferring staff here and bodes well for when Whitehall starts to move civil servants from the South East. Therefore it is a story which needs to be told as soon as possible.

Secondly, Colton Square stands opposite the Mercury headquarters. Indeed, as I write I can see workmen fitting out the offices.

It's obvious dozens of people are going to work there, and with the relocation of staff from other Learn Direct offices in Leicestershire it is likely to be a lot more than 100 people who will eventually be based there.

You just can't ignore a story like that when it's literally on your doorstep.