Welcome to the Norfolk Chambers podcast, in today’s episode Haze Carver is chatting with Neil Foley, Founder of the Business Growth Club.
Neil helps small business owners in Norfolk to stop competing on price, increase sales and grow.
“I’ve run my own business for over twenty-six years, so completely understand the trials and tribulations we small business owners go through.
My first business started from scratch and I have never forgotten how hard it was to gain traction. So many different hats to wear, all at the same time!”
Small Businesses have been under intense pressure over the past two years, and with energy costs rising – growth of the small business is going to be challenged even further.
In August 2025, Grade
(UK) Limited, trading as Vision Plus, entered administration following several
years of challenging trading conditions. Vision Plus is a well-established
manufacturer and distributor of television antennas and related products for the
caravan, motorhome, and marine markets.
Despite investment in
innovative new Wi-Fi-enabled antenna technology, the company struggled with:
·A 25% drop in sales in
2024, followed by a further 25% decline in the first quarter of 2025
·Shifting consumer
demand and increasing competitive pressures
·Long-term declining
market conditions in the recreational vehicle sector since 2018
With the business
unable to achieve the turnaround required, Leading Business Services were
appointed as joint administrators.
The Solution: A
Pre-Pack Sale
Our team secured a
pre-packaged sale of the business and its assets to an unconnected buyer. This
approach allowed us to:
·Preserve the ongoing
value of the business
·Secure employment where
possible
·Maximise returns for
creditors
What is a Pre-Pack
Administration?
A pre-pack
administration is a restructuring process where a sale of the company’s
business and assets is arranged before administrators are formally appointed.
Once appointed, the administrators complete the sale immediately.
This strategy offers
several advantages:
·Continuity of
operations, reducing disruption to customers and suppliers
·Safeguarding jobs
wherever possible
·Achieving better
returns for creditors than if the business were broken up and sold piece by
piece
Why This Matters for
Local Businesses
This case highlights
how rapidly market conditions can change, particularly in niche industries. For
directors, taking early advice when challenges arise can create space for
solutions that protect jobs and maintain value.
At Leading Business Services, we work closely
with directors, stakeholders, and professional partners to explore all
available restructuring and insolvency options. In cases like Vision Plus, a
pre-pack deal can provide the best possible outcome for both
employees and creditors, while allowing the business to continue under new
ownership.
If your business is facing financial pressures,
early professional advice can make all the difference.
Welcome to the Norfolk Chambers podcast, in today’s episode Haze Carver is chatting with Lauren Farley, Business Development & Events Coordinator at Norwich Theatre Royal.
Lauren discusses her jam-packed year at the Theatre – with some of the most incredible performances from Carlos Acosta to Waitress and Les Miserables as well as Jack and the Beanstalk our 2022 pantomime!
“We have re-launched our corporate scheme, enhancing the offering for businesses and employees alike, offering more benefits as well as unique opportunities through the corporate scheme. Our Creative Engagement team are about to launch an unbelievable Autumn programme of events, which kicks off with our Open Day and Family Festival in July, where we are opening our doors once again and giving people an opportunity to see behind the magic and stand on our very own stage.”
Continue the festivities with our Midweek Party Nights Two course dinner | Resident DJ Wednesday 4th and Thursday 5th December 2019 – from £24.95 per person Wednesday 11th, Thursday 12th and Wednesday 18th December 2019 – from £29.95 per person Arrival 7pm | Dinner 8pm | Carriages midnight
COVID has created a new battlefield and a mental health crisis that particularly impacts on ex-military and their families who are in urgent need of mental health care.
Walking With The Wounded needs your action today to back our work with the NHS to support the hardest to reach.
This is one event you can still do. Serve those who served us and create some good news by doing a walk – walking home, or somewhere important to you, wherever you are, to raise funds. Anytime 10-20 Dec. The challenge is yours.
HOW YOU CAN HELP THIS CHRISTMAS
Help us overcome the new battlefield of the coronavirus and serve those who served us and are in need of urgent mental health care by walking home or somewhere important to you to raise vital funds. The more creative the better, anytime 10-20 December.
Walking Home For Christmas is Walking With The Wounded’s annual, nationwide walking challenge to support our work with the NHS – empowering ex-military and their families who are in a downward spiral due to poor mental health to thrive once more.
Over the past six years, thousands of people have done their own, memorable, solo and team walks – to say thank you. They’ve walked home, to a war memorial, to their old barracks, carried a Christmas tree to a friend. All manner of walks, getting out and showing support.
This year we’ve been locked down, but we can get up again, get out, embrace the spirit of Christmas and serve those who served us.
WHY?
The coronavirus crisis has created huge challenges for us as a charity to be able to continue supporting ex-military and their families in need of urgent mental health support. But this event can be COVID-compliant. It will be rewarding, memorable, exhilarating and impactful.
The gritty reality is that your participation will help save jobs, homes and lives.
“I just can’t thank WWTW enough – you’ve changed my life and my family’s life. My role as a partner and father is now far better than I could ever have imagined. I felt a huge weight had been lifted. The nightmares and the sound of children screaming stopped.”Shaun, ex Grenadier Guard & WWTW beneficiary who served in Afghanistan.
That’s worth stepping out of your comfort zone for.
IDEAS
Walk 12 miles of Christmas on 12th December.
Be inspired by our Walk of Oman team and cover 400km.
Do a good deed with your walk by delivering a parcel or a series of presents.
Walk from an NHS site, war memorial or barracks to your home or a pub.
Create your own Strava Art message to map out your support.
Map out a walk that raises an eyebrow and complies with local restrictions.
Do something different that will prompt your friends and colleagues to donate.
Give hope to ex-military in need of mental health care who can thrive once.
Serve those who served us and sign up today for your Santa hat and facemask.
Your Impact
“In the Army you believe you’re invincible and that nothing is going to hurt you. But when you come out you realise you’re not Superman and that what can hurt you may well not be physical but might be something inside. It took a long time getting to the point where I admitted I needed to speak to somebody.” Duncan, ex Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, now back in work and able to buy his son presents.
They have walked in far more dangerous places for us so it is time for us to put in some serious social distance for them.
#WalkingHomeForChristmas.
DO IT.
Map out a walk that raises an eyebrow and complies with local restrictions.
Do something different that will prompt your friends and colleagues to donate.
Give hope to ex-military in need of mental health care who can thrive once.
Serve those who served us and sign up today for your Santa hat and facemask.
International Men’s Day is approaching, and we spoke to Jason Carlton, Director of Uptech on the importance of raising awareness of mental health in organisations.
“International Men’s Day is a good talking point to embrace the people around us and take the opportunity to check in with loved ones, family members, friends and work colleagues on how there are….is anything troubling them that they may be willing to share and open up with.
A high percentage of men are very good at masking their true thoughts and feelings and not sharing with others with their real problems. We have the tendency to allow our thoughts to build up challenges and problems that confront us which in turn can trigger our vulnerabilities that leads to an unclear state of mind into what we think is the way out.
Our mental state and wellbeing is clearly not just down to gender or age its a massive problem across for board and is wrapped around different layers in what is perceived to fit in culturally and accepted in our environments and communities which can isolate us and single us out and have a huge impact on our mental wellbeing feeling alone.
If there is a takeaway in awareness of mental health issues – I would encourage business owners – leaders to roll out mental health champion training within their organisations.
For family members and friends to get involved in your local organisations within your community in learning skills be part of how you can help.
It’s so important with many of us losing someone because we couldn’t see the symptoms …. So to be able to try and recognise when someone is screaming for help but no one hears them!
From personal experience first-hand what I know now has helped me understand more about having the tools and the ability to help others and point them to seek the right help before it’s too late.
Being a mental health champion is not about being the fixer or giving professional advice, for me it’s being the beacon and being able to act when there are obvious signs, when talking to someone who may well be suffering on the inside but doesn’t know how or won’t cry for help!”
Welcome to the Norfolk Chambers podcast, in this episode Haze Carver is chatting to Lorraine Bliss, MBE and CEO of St Edmunds Society.
Lorraine is heading up a dedicated, passionate team at St Edmunds Society. St Ed’s are the Leading provider of employability skills for young people, providing support for young people living in poverty and struggling with mainstream school.
Lorraine talks about the difficulties, challenges, and wonderful successes that every student at St Ed’s faces and goes through. From the challenges of funding, and donated kitchens for the students to fit, to their recent awards ceremony earlier this year at The Halls in Norwich, Loraine’s determination and passion for her resilient students shines – she remembers every student and each and every story.
Since recording the podcast we are thrilled that St Ed’s won at the recent CSJ Awards! Enormous Co.ngratulations to Lorraine and everyone at the St Ed’s family!
You can listen to the full podcast below
Short on time? Listen to the bitesize Co.next version here
St Edmunds Society are a Norwich-based charity, offering vocational training and employability skills training to young people aged 16-18 (or up to 25 if you have an EHCP). We work with tutors and in partnership with industry experts, to give young people the skills and experience to build their future.
In this free one-hour facilitated networking event you’ll be given a brief overview of the Reset Restart business support programme, be introduced to some of the MENTA business advisors and have the opportunity to interact with other participants.
For further information about any of our events, please contact us at bipcnorfolk@norfolk.gov.uk or telephone 01603 774708.
Jordan talks to Haze about Curlyworm’s beginnings in 2019, keeping it going through covid when she lost all her income overnight, up to building her agency from a 5 figure turnover in 2 years to the point where she is bringing in someone else to join the team.
If you missed Jordan’s workshop at our recent flagship B2B event, then listen in to this brilliant podcast to find out more about female empowerment, job titles with a twist, and working your socks off as a family-run business.
We’re proud anti-hustlers
You won’t find us bragging about being part of the “5am club” in fact, we love a good lie-in. Curlyworm Creative was founded to give us the freedom to live life on our terms. And that’s exactly what we do for our clients. Hell, we’ve even helped people give up their 9-5s, all through our awesome content.
David Fung presents an all-new show of magic and mystery.
Associate of the Inner Magic Circle, David’s creative magic will intrigue and astonish you in this intimate setting. David shares meaningful, magical experiences unlike any you’ve seen before.
Also introducing The Saint in Scarlet debuting his remarkable act “Killing Scott” in which he proves that everything is connected and sometimes our actions are not our own.
The hour long performance will be followed by close-up magic in the bar.
Welcome to the Norfolk Chambers podcast, in this episode Haze Carver is talking to Thomas Panton, CEO & sustainability expert at Canopey.com (formerly Greenr).
“Your home for better buying. Quantified impact data, ethical brands, better impact products. Fight back against the big-boy polluters, it’s time to Bin B*zos and Buy Better.”
Thomas is CEO and resident sustainability veteran at Canopey, having worked in the industry for a decade with organisations like Greenpeace UK and Surfers Against Sewage. As a previous startup founder, Climate Change MSc student, and LinkedIn Top Green Voice, Thomas is Canopey’s lucky volunteer when it comes to speaking at events, and talks to Haze on all things sustainable – from crowdfunding, angel investors, hot summers to how perfectionism often hinders the progress we need to make in the climate change movement.
Thomas Panton is an experienced speaker for the London Speaker Bureau in the environment sector, spending his time educating, inspiring, and engaging different audiences to begin their journey to become more sustainable. He also talks about mental health in high pressure roles, and advises other founders on wellbeing and making tough decisions.
We’re proud to have Thomas as a Business Climate Leader for Norfolk Chambers of Commerce, Thomas is Co-creator of The Topic, with Nadiah Arif. A podcast that talks about everything from climate change to human rights, raising awareness on these important issues and educating people on how to get more involved in challenging the status quo.
He is also Founder of Festovers, upcycling leftover consumer waste. One of IQ Mag’s Green Guardians. BBC Oxford’s expert on festival tent waste and sustainability.
We’re not just building a shopping platform, we’re building a community of people and brands that want to create a greener future.
We want to make it easier for everyone to shop more ethically and become a platform that educates people on sustainability issues so they can learn how to create the change they want to see. Our vision is to make sustainable living, living.
Good value, better values
We’re not just about making shopping more ethical: better values are at the core of everything we do. From creating a diverse and talented team, to ensuring our marketing is accessible.
