CTS Training & Consultancy Ltd is pleased to announce a
new investment in its operations with the acquisition of a state-of-the-art
forklift. This strategic addition supports our ongoing commitment to
safety, efficiency, and candidate development.
The new equipment will enhance our training programs, allowing candidates to gain hands-on experience with
modern machinery and further develop their operational skills. This investment
marks another important step in CTS Training & Consultancy’s efforts to strengthen its
capabilities and prepare for future growth.
Craig, our Director, said: “We’re continually looking for ways to invest in and improve our operations. This new forklift is more than just equipment, it’s a tool that will help our team build skills, improve safety, and stay ahead in a competitive industry.”
Working with our health and wellbeing
training partners, Hands On At Work now offers an even broader portfolio of
wellbeing services.
From workplace massage, yoga, and reflexology to mental
health training, wellbeing webinars, and tailored consultancy, we’re combining
our expertise to support your organisation in creating healthier and more
productive workplaces.
Our Services
· Massage, Yoga & Reflexology – for better physical
and emotional health
· Mental Health First Aid – for essential mental
health support skills
· Menopause in the Workplace – for a supportive
environment
· Neurodiversity in the Workplace – promoting inclusion,
understanding diverse needs
· Health and Wellbeing webinars – expert-led virtual
sessions
· Suicide First Aid – life-savings skills and resources
· Financial Wellbeing support – with practical
financial advice
·
Employee Assistance Programmes – ongoing mental
health support
Why work with us?
· Expertise across multiple sectors
· Tailored wellbeing activities
· Evidence-based approach
· Holistic support for teams
· Proven results
· Flexible delivery options
· Strategy alignment with CSR and ESG goals
· Empowering growth through learning and
development
Get in touch to put in place your health and wellbeing plans
for 2025.
TV DRAGON and Ryman boss Theo Paphitis has launched a new website for his Twitter-boosting Small Business Sunday.
The retail entrepreneur selects six small businesses each week to mention on the social media site. After analysing their pitches, he decides who to re-tweet to his 230,000 followers.
Hundreds of businesses have benefited from the Theo touch since the service was launched in October 2010.
Now to support the scheme, where Theo rewards small businesses that tweet to @TheoPaphitis and describe their business in one 140-character message, he has launched a new website – Theopaphitissbs.com – designed & developed by one of his weekly winners.
Mr Paphitis explained that Small Business Sunday – hashtag #SBS – has captured the imagination of entrepreneurs throughout Britain. “It has created a tremendous buzz among entrepreneurs and the small business community and is fast developing as an exciting new networking initiative,” he said.
When Mr. Paphitis decided to launch a website for the service he turned to social media professional Chris Wheeler who runs Marketing Agency and web design company Metalfrog Studios Limited, from offices in Norwich.
The 43-year-old website designer, developer and search engine marketing professional had almost given up on his Small Business Sunday tweet after failing to get recognised by the business guru, who is chairman of the Ryman stationery group and owner of the lingerie company Boux Avenue. He also jointly owns Red Letter Days with fellow TV Dragon Peter Jones and has interests in a variety of other businesses in which he has invested through the hit television series.
Mr Wheeler, who employs eight staff staff including his wife, Julie, who is the company’s finance director, said: “In July last year I decided to have one more attempt at grabbing Theo’s attention. I resubmitted my tweet which explained how we offer a legal contract which guarantees success on search engines for UK businesses.
“The next morning I went in to work and realised that Metalfrog Studios had been one of Theo’s chosen businesses and we had had 20,000 visitors to our website. It was my Eureka moment. Absolutely incredible. It has given the business a phenomenal boost.”
Earlier this year, Mr Paphitis invited developers to pitch for the work of designing a website for Small Business Sunday and Metalfrog was awarded the contract.
Mr Wheeler added: “It has been an incredible journey since we won the pitch and I first met Theo and his team who run Ryman. I am very proud of the website we have produced and I am sure it will offer a focal point for these businesses.”
Mr Paphitis said: “I admire people who have passion and energy. If you cannot bore your friends to death about your own small business then something is seriously wrong. I was struck by the number of business owners on Twitter who wanted to tell me about their new products and services.
“Small Business Sunday was born so that people have a specific time slot and can pitch their ‘sell’ directly to me.
“My vision is that everyone who has ever won an #SBS retweet from me becomes part of a friendly club. Like-minded individuals can share successes and learn.
“The website will give a valuable profile to the winners chosen to date and should help those who have not yet won but want some tips on how to do so. You will find news about the latest winners plus events and activities of interest.
“I know I have been lucky in business and I am keen now to spread goodwill to others, of course not forgetting that very often, you make your own luck by making use of every opportunity.”
To take part in Small Business Sunday describe your business in a tweet of 140 characters or less and direct it to @TheoPaphitis not forgetting the hashtag #SBS on a Sunday between 5pm and 7.30pm.
To contact Mr Wheeler at his office in Norwich please either view his website: https://www.metalfrog.co.uk or call 01603 861830
Many businesses in the region will have the option of paying tax based on cash profits, rather than full accounts, under new proposals that could come into effect next year.
But they will need to consider a number of factors in making that decision, according to PKF Accountants & business advisers.
Michael Muskett, Norfolk-based senior partner for PKF, said that some smaller businesses could benefit but others might lose out and it was vital to weigh up the pros and cons.
His advice follow HMRC’s consultation document on ‘Simpler income tax for the simplest small businesses’. It provides more detail on George Osborne’s proposal to allow businesses with a turnover less than £77,000 to pay tax based on cash profits rather than full accounts.
“As things stand, entrepreneurs need to weigh up some of the following points in reaching a decision,” said Mr Muskett.
Pros – Simpler paperwork and less detailed record keeping – In the first year, converting businesses can write-off of 100% of the remaining capital allowance pools -Using an established standard mileage allowance will be simpler – Ongoing asset purchases (apart from vehicles) can be written off as an expense; seemingly with no size limit – Fixed rate expenses for use of home offices will reduce arguments with HMRC over expenses.
Cons – Insisting on the use of 5 April as the year-end date means some people will end up advancing tax payments for the year before they join and they may, therefore, struggle with overlap relief claims – No relief for interest on loans used to support the working capital of the business is allowed. – LLPs and companies are excluded so those using the new basis cannot limit their personal liability – No ‘sideways’ loss relief will be allowed – Businesses will be locked in to claiming standard mileage allowances on cars (rather than CAs) even after they opt out of the scheme.
“Overall, the proposals will probably benefit businesses without large capital assets, such as smaller retailers, consultants, freelancers, domestic service providers etc, and short term roles – for example, those forced to work as a self-employed consultant between jobs,” said Mr Muskett.
Norfolk Chambers has responded to today’s announcement that mayoral elections in Norfolk and Suffolk will be delayed from May 2026 to May 2028.
The government confirmed that elections for newly-created mayors will be delayed in four areas of England, with the BBC reporting that more time is needed to reorganise local government in these regions.
New mayors were expected to be elected in Greater Essex, Norfolk & Suffolk, Hampshire & the Solent, and Sussex & Brighton in May next year, but will now have to wait until May 2028.
Jack Weaver, Chief Operating Officer at Norfolk Chambers of Commerce, said, “Norfolk and Suffolk have expended a huge amount of energy across business, education, third sector, local councils and beyond to prepare for a new political landscape from May 2026. So, to have the timelines moved again is immensely frustrating. Not least because this is Norfolk’s third opportunity in recent years for a form of devolution that brings more decision-making and funding to local people.
“The business community have ridden the waves of uncertainty for too long now, be it COVID-19, the inflationary shock of the Ukraine War, the 2022 ‘mini-budget’ and last year’s first Labour budget which was a sledgehammer to businesses.
“Data from our Chambers of Commerce members in July shows that business confidence remains subdued with only 40% of businesses in the East expecting turnover to increase in the next 12 months, and 30% expect it to drop. Meanwhile 32% have had cut back on their investment plans.
“We need certainty more than ever, and whilst we appreciate the predicted complexity of local government reorganisation, it just adds more instability for an already hesitant business community. A community that nevertheless remains steadfast in its resilience and passion for Norfolk.”
This marks the third time in recent years that Norfolk has faced delays or setbacks in efforts to secure devolution arrangements that would bring greater decision-making powers and funding to the local area.
Yesterday we welcomed twenty nine Environmental Science students from the University of East Anglia to RenEnergy HQ in Norfolk. We are visited by the students each year as part of a week’s field course for the Low Carbon Energy module.
The students came to hear presentations from Neal Shave Head of PV and Pierre Delhougne Head of Thermal Technologies. Neal gave a presentation about the life cycle of a PV project and Pierre talked about the various Thermal Technologies that RenEnergy offer and also gave a summary of the Renewable Heat Incentive.
Our Immigration Team scored two notable victories this month for clients facing imminent removal from the UK. In the first case decided by the First Tier Tribunal of the Immigration and Asylum Chamber on March 16th an Indian national was allowed to stay in the United Kingdom to be with her partner and daughter. In the second case decided by the Upper Tribunal on March 28th the team were able to reverse a previous decision of the First Tier Tribunal refusing permission to remain for US partner of a British Citizen living in the United Kingdom. In both cases the client previously represented themselves or used other advisers. The team successfully relied on Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights and were able to persuade the court that our clients removal would be a disproportionate interference with their right to a family and private life in the UK.
Did you know that wolves don’t actually howl at the moon? Despite countless images and stories linking their howling to the lunar cycle, this enduring myth has no scientific basis.
Wolves howl to communicate – assembling the pack, signaling territory, locating members, or coordinating hunts – and they do this during both day and night, regardlesss of the moon’s phase.
Leathes Prior is pleased to announce the launch of its Internet Defamation and Online Reputation Management Service.
The advent of social media including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and blogs, as well as the more traditional online forums, has brought with it the opportunity for exercising freedom of speech which 10 or 15 years ago could not have been imagined. Whilst much of this is legitimate expression of opinion, there have been many well publicised examples of individuals falling foul of the law and employers taking action against staff as a result of their conduct online.
Mike Barlow, Head of Dispute Resolution, comments that “it is becoming increasingly common for clients to seek our help where they find themselves the innocent victim of online bullies or trolls, often hiding behind a cloak of anonymity.”
Leathes Prior has developed two types of service for organisations, businesses and high profile individuals, designed to protect and manage your online reputation:
•An Annual Monitoring Service, providing regular alerts and ongoing support •A Fixed Fee Service for one-off cases of online defamation To find out more about this innovative new service, please visit: https://internet-defamation.property118.com/ or contact us for further information.
LOGANAIR INTRODUCE EXTRA FLIGHTS AS DEMAND FOR NEW NORWICH/ISLE OF MAN SERVICE SOARS
Loganair, Scotland’s Airline, has added extra flights to its new Norwich/Isle of Man route following strong advance ticket sales ahead of the launch of the service next/this month.
The new route – East Anglia’s first ever direct link to the Isle of Man – will take to the skies on Saturday, May 26.
Flybe franchise partner Loganair, which celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2012, plans to run seasonal flights every Saturday from May 26 through to September 8.
However, a surge in ticket uptake for the service from leisure and business passengers has led the airline to add an extra two flights for the successive Saturdays up to September 22.
The new non-stop service will operate on Saturdays, leaving Norwich at 3:10pm and with return flights leaving the Isle of Man at 4:50pm. Fares start from £59.99 one-way including all taxes.
There are also other convenient connections between Norwich and the Isle of Man available via Manchester throughout the week.
Commenting on the move, Loganair’s chief operating officer Jonathan Hinkles, said: “We announced the new Norwich-Isle of Man service only three months ago, but demand for the new flights has far exceeded our expectations.
“With flights on several dates throughout the summer nearly fully booked and more people still wanting to travel, we’ve responded to this demand by adding extra flights through September.”
Services from Norwich to Manchester and the Isle of Man are operated by Loganair’s subsidiary Suckling Airways, using a 31-seat Dornier 328 fast turboprop under a franchise agreement with Flybe, Europe’s largest regional airline.
Andrew Bell, Chief Executive of Norwich International Airport, said “We are delighted that Loganair has reacted to the high demand for the flights to the Isle of Man from Norwich International.
“We hope that the local travellers will continue to take advantage of this opportunity to visit this wonderful destination.”
For all bookings and flight times between Norwich and the Isle of Man visit www.Flybe.com, or call 0871 700 2000.