The team at Leading UK have today unveiled a unique offer to provide a free business advice session as part of this years’ Norfolk B2B exhibition. Jamie Playford, Director, confirmed that business owners who wish to start, grow, change or improve their business can benefit from a confidential session with one of our Business Advisors. The session is designed to provide objective advice and practical solutions to deal with any business critical issues that you may be facing as well as help you plan for the future.
The Norfolk B2B exhibition takes place at Norwich City Football Club on 15th October between 10am and 5pm. You can register to attend the event by visiting the Norfolk Chamber Website: https://norfolkchamber.co.uk/
Interested parties can sign up for their free advisory session either on the day by visiting our stand in the Advice and Finance zone. Alternatively, please call us on 0800 246 1845 or visit our website: www.leading.uk.com
Following lockdown, local cancer charity, Big C, has announced the partial reopening of their retail operation and donation days at their other stores.
The Big C shop on Magdalen Street in Norwich and the Furniture and Craft Emporium on the outskirts of Wymondham will be open from 10am to 4pm Monday to Saturday. Payment will be by card/contactless only.
New Covid-19 shop safe measures include new directional signage, hand sanitiser stations, preferred contactless payment, face masks and disposable gloves.
Dr Chris Bushby, Chief Executive at Big C, said, “Having been closed for nearly four months, it is a great feeling to welcome back staff and customers to two of our larger shops and we’ve had a steady stream of customers in the last few days. We must of course tread cautiously and we have worked hard to ensure government and NHS advice is strictly adhered to. The safety of all is paramount. We thank our staff who have been busy preparing for the shops to reopen.”
Every Wednesday all 14 Big C shops across Norfolk and Waveney will be open for public donations only between 10am and 1pm. These shops are as follows: Attleborough, Beccles, Cromer, Dereham, Diss, Fakenham, Great Yarmouth, King’s Lynn, Norwich Timber Hill, Sheringham, Swaffham and Wymondham Town Centre. Donations can also be accepted at the Wymondham Furniture and Craft Emporium during trading hours. It is also possible to arrange collection of some larger items. All donations will go into quarantine for 72 hours from receipt.
Dr Bushby continues, “We know that many people have used their time at home decluttering and spring cleaning and we would be delighted to receive quality donations to help support those in our community affected by cancer.”
Anyone with questions about donation collection can contact the Big C Distribution Centre on 01953 603320 (Monday to Saturday, 10am-4pm).
To learn more about the work Big C does to improve the lives of those affected by cancer in Norfolk and Waveney, please visit www.big-c.co.uk
Today I had a review with Ermine Amies. Naked Element have been training the Sandler way with Ermine for some time now and reviews are an incredibly useful part of the process. We discussed a lot of aspects of Naked Element’s business in detail and Ermine offered great help and advice. As is often the case we got to talking about calling prospects (or potential clients). I don’t like calling it cold calling, because that is something which Naked Element doesn’t usually do. In most cases a prospect will be ‘warmed up’ with a LinkedIn connection and message, a brochure in the post or through meeting at a networking event.
Nobody really likes calling to speak to a prospect for the first time. Ok, so someone is going to put their hand up and say “I do! I just love talking to people.” and that’s fine, of course. Today, speaking to Ermine made me think how calling a prospect is like riding my bike to work. I don’t like doing it. The anticipation of getting on my bike can be crippling. It’s so much easier to get in the car or on the bus, but when I do do it and even more so when I do it every day for a week, I feel very good about it. I feel a sense of achievement and I’m pleased with myself.
Calling a prospect is much the same. I put it off and put it off and find almost anything else to do, but when I pluck up the courage to do it, it’s usually fine. Gatekeepers for the most part are friendly, even if they don’t put you through to who you want to speak to. There are those few calls every so often where you find yourself chatting away to a prospect like you’ve known them for years and a bond develops which may lead to work in the future.
The point I’m making? Calling prospects for the first time is like riding a bike, the more you do it, the stronger your muscles become and the easier it gets.
TaxAssist Accountantsare helping OPEN Youth Trust (OPEN) on Bank Plain, Norwich, to explain the world of tax to its young people as part of the charity’s Life Hack workshops.
Robin Johnson who runs TaxAssist Accountants, based on Aylsham Road, Norwich, provides a wide range of accountancy services including tax returns, annual accounts, payroll and bookkeeping and is part of the largest network of accountants offering a wide range of experience and expertise to over 59,000 small businesses right across the UK.
Ally Flatman, OPEN’s Youth Project Officer, explained that the Life Hack sessions prepare young people to find their own way in life – doing the shopping, washing and tidying, budgeting and understanding banking or insurance. “Explaining the basics of tax to a group of teenagers could be exceedingly dull, but TaxAssist make the sessions interactive and interesting, so much so that we tend to lose track of time.”
The sessions include an explanation of PAYE, tax codes, NI, pay slips, payroll, self-assessment, sick pay, maternity and paternity pay, pensions and the difference between PAYE and self-employment.
Robin Johnson, Director of TaxAssist in Norwich said: “Working with these young people keeps me on my toes as they ask far more questions than any of my clients. None of them had any idea about tax so it’s great that OPEN gives them opportunities like this to learn about something that will impact on their working lives so much in the future.”
John Gordon-Saker, CEO of OPEN, is very grateful for TaxAssist’s support and generosity of time: “By bringing in professionals our programmes are given added credibility. Not only have TaxAssist supported our ambition to get every young person who comes through our doors into work, but they have also sponsored our own first apprentice youth worker and I hope they are the first of many Norfolk businesses who will want to help us make a difference to young lives through enlightened social responsibility.”
Here’s the latest update from Greater Anglia, including news about changed guidance on travel on public transport, performance, new trains and further station improvement projects.
As you may have heard, late last week, the government lifted the guidance on only using public transport if necessary. That means anyone can take the train and other public transport for any purpose – commuting, business and leisure – from now on, which is good news. We’re fully focused on providing a convenient and safe service, as we start to see more passengers travelling with us again.
We are a running a full service on most routes, with almost 93% of the normal service now operating again, including more Norwich to London intercity services. Only the Stansted Express (currently operating with a half hourly frequency) and the Norwich to London intercity services are not yet back to a full service, reflecting current travel patterns. We’ll continue to monitor demand on a daily basis and plan for the phased re-introduction of the remaining intercity and Stansted Express services when appropriate.
As a reminder, it is mandatory for customers to wear a face covering when using public transport, to help reduce the spread of coronavirus. Children under the age of 11 and people with a disability or medical condition which means they cannot wear a face covering are exempt from wearing them.
It’s also still important to observe social distancing. We’ve introduced a wide range of measures to make it easier for customers to do so at stations and on trains – including floor markings, one-way systems, new signs and queuing systems. We have also now installed hand gel dispensers at 20 of our busiest stations.
Norwich Business Improvement District (BID) wants to help businesses re-purpose their waste to create new resources. Norwich is one of 2 locations in the UK working on the European ‘Interreg 2 Seas’ project: an EU funded initiative which aims to ‘upcycle’ 20% of all the waste produced by businesses in the 6 participating locations.
On June 24th Norwich BID launched this ambitious project, aiming to establish a working circular economy for the city. The ‘Upcycle your Waste’ programme will run over 3 years, and aims to support Norwich’s SMEs in reducing their running costs, by handling and transforming their waste into new resources for the community. The project is entirely free for businesses to participate in, and is a truly ground-breaking piece of work when it comes to creating a more sustainable future for Norwich.
Stefan Gurney, Executive Director of Norwich BID said: “Norwich BID is excited to be launching this project in Norwich, and to be one of only 2 locations in the UK involved in the Interreg 2 Seas programme. We’re pleased to be able to offer SMEs in the city ways to save money and time when it comes to handling their waste, but – more than that – we’re exceptionally proud to move the city further towards a more sustainable future. This project is the first of its kind here in Norwich, and has ambitious targets for the future. Over the next 3 years, we want to help our businesses create new systems for waste management that will keep resources working within the community for years to come.”
How the project will work
In the first stage of the ‘Upcycle your Waste’ project, Norwich BID is engaging with businesses in the Norwich area to interview them about what would make it easier for them to participate in the project, and what challenges they might face when it comes to re-purposing their waste. Before the end of summer, Norwich BID aims to interview 100 businesses of all types.
The second phase of the project will take place in the Autumn, until early 2021. During this time, the goal is to analyse the various types of waste that 300 businesses are producing.
Throughout 2021, Norwich BID will be building a business case for the city’s upcycling, and provide support and capacity for every business involved to re-purpose their waste.
At the end of the project in 2022/23, we want to have put in place methods and means for businesses to put their waste to better use. Norwich BID is aiming to create something positive for the environment and the economy, by ensuring that resources can be re-purposed and the city’s contribution to landfill is significantly reduced.
Project benefits
The project is completely free for SMEs to participate in, and ultimately should save businesses money by identifying new sources of income from their existing rubbish!
Resources from SMEs will be upcycled and put straight back into the economy. Things that are normally thrown away will be put to good use to benefit people and businesses.
This project is a huge leap for the city in creating a more sustainable future for Norwich. A ‘circular economy’ means that resources are constantly in use and waste is kept out of landfill, which is vital in ensuring society’s impact on the environment is minimal.
‘Upcycle your Waste’ also aims to improve the efficiency of waste-handling, especially when it comes to production and manufacturing. Businesses will benefit from easy-to-access means for upcycling, as well as professional advice on their waste throughout the project term.
Norwich BID wants to create a collaborative community when it comes to creating a circular economy for the city. Partners will be part of a pioneering new movement for their city, which should have lasting impact for years to come.
The project is currently in its first phase, and Norwich BID is asking businesses in greater Norwich to get in touch for a 20 minute conversation about what will make the project work for them.
Norwich BID projects officer Victoria Nieto Felipe said: “Over the past 4 months we’ve seen some powerful examples of how our community can pull together in the face of big challenges. As Norwich – along with lots of towns and cities – plans for the future, we want to do everything we can to make sure the way we use our city is sustainable. I’m excited to be working on such a meaningful initiative and encouraged that other cities across the world have seen really positive results from projects like this one.”
Norwich is working with six other partners in four countries across Europe (Economisch Huis Oostend, Kent County Council, Katholieke Hogeschool Vives Zuid, OD IJmond, City of Roubaix, Technische Universiteit Delft) with the aim of getting 20% of our collective pre-existing waste stream upcycled.
Norwich BID is still in the process of interviewing 100 businesses across the Greater Norwich area. Any business who would like to be involved in the Upcycle Your Waste project can do so by sending an email to projects@norwichbid.co.uk.
Tiger Eye Consulting Ltd, experts in Document, Email and Knowledge Management, are delighted to announce that they have been awarded with the silver ‘We invest in people accreditation, an accreditation awarded to only 20% of organisations assessed by Investors in People.
The award recognises that principles of wellbeing, workplace support and work life balance are in place, but also that those within the organisation are making active efforts to ensure that everyone in the organisation feels the benefits of Tiger Eye’s investment in people.
The team of 23 at Tiger Eye are delighted to receive recognition for their wellbeing and employee support scheme ‘PAWS’ which they have worked hard to design over the past few years. The award recognises the work Tiger Eye have carried out to achieve the second of Tiger Eye’s three company objectives, which is ‘to provide a work environment that actively seeks to mentor and grow local talent, giving them the chance to learn and develop their skills’.
Paul Devoy, CEO of Investors in People, commented: “We’d like to congratulate Tiger Eye. Silver accreditation on ‘We invest in people’ is a remarkable effort for any organisation, and places Tiger Eye in fine company with a host of organisations that understand the value of people.”
Commenting on the award, Tiger Eye’s Managing Director Dave Wilson said: “With their pride, passion and positivity, it’s our team that sets us apart from other businesses. We believe that the success of our organisation is down to those who work within it, so we’re really invested in supporting our staff in every way we can. We’re thrilled that we’ve been Investors in People have recognised our achievements and we look forward to continuing to develop and improve our approach.”
About Investors in People Most of us will spend around 80,000 hours at work in our lifetimes. For something that takes up that much of our time, we think people deserve to get more out of it than just a regular pay cheque. That’s why we’ve already helped more than 11 million people across 75 countries to make work better. And you know what, we’re just getting started…
The Rhino Building team have recently looked after a self build client who was really happy with our service. If you’re considering a self build, please do read their interview with Jamie and Claire Hesketh to find out more about their journey in building an incredible home.
We know you have just completed a self build, what sort of build was it?
A 5000sq ft House with Garage Timber frame
How long did it take? The main house took 13 months but all outside including the driveway and landscaping took another 11 months.
What Challenges did you find along the way that you had to overcome? Raising finances and waiting for the banks. We had some money to start but didn’t have a specific self build mortgage they then wanted to check everything and this slowed everything down.
Tell us about your favourite things from the experience, what elements are you most pleased with from your build? Really pleased with the finish completely particularly the kitchen but generally all finished to a high standard.
Was it difficult to find quality tradesmen? No I found them through friends we found recommendation works well. Monk Services were brilliant and did what they said they would do for the drive and a bit more, really cracked on in his time here.
95% of your materials were purchased from Rhino Building & DIY Supplies from Acle, what made you choose them? They were very local to me and were recommended to me by a friend. I had used Craig before a while ago on a previous project.
How was your experience of Rhino and what made them exceptional? Craig from Rhino really helped us from the beginning even before we started the build with the planning of it. Craig was always on the phone to give advice and always got us what we needed, if they didn’t have it then he sourced it for us he puts himself out and is easy to talk to, knowledgeable and helpful and we have been really grateful for that.
Would you recommend Rhino to others doing a self build project? 100% yes to anyone they are a great merchant, local small business that really cares about their customers.
Finally what advice would you give to others considering a self build? I would advise anyone else considering to self build to get all their finances arranged prior, know what they want to use too for example bricks and tiles. Planning ahead is half the battle. We drove around looking at new builds and knocked on doors to find out what they used for things we liked.
More people in East Anglia say losing their broadband for a day is more frustrating than their fridge, boiler or car breaking down, new research by Essex-based County Broadband shows.
When asked which of a list of incidents would be most inconvenient, some 9% of those surveyed in the East of England said their broadband going down would be the most inconvenient over a 24-hour period, compared to 8% for the fridge not working, 5% for the loss of central heating, and 3% for the car failing to start, according to the survey*.
The loss of electricity (76%) was the most common inconvenience for those surveyed in the East of England.
It comes after the coronavirus lockdown highlighted the importance of fast, reliable broadband with the region attempting to work from home, carry out school remotely, or simply keep in touch with loved ones during the pandemic.
Lloyd Felton, CEO of County Broadband, based in Aldham near Colchester, said: “The fact that fridges, central heating and cars – food, warmth and travel – have been overtaken by simply staying online suggests how our primeval instincts might be rapidly changing in the 21st century, and no doubt exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“From Zoom conferences and virtual work events, to 4K streaming and video gaming at home, we are not surprised by these findings which reveal just how vital fast and reliable broadband have become in our daily lives.
“These changing modern habits are set against the lockdown exposing East Anglia’s rural poor digital infrastructure and urgent need for new Hyperfast full-fibre networks.
“We’re playing our role in making our region a true flagbearer for world-class digital infrastructure by rolling out Hyperfast full-fibre broadband. We’ve catapulted thousands of residents and businesses overnight into the UK’s top 10% for digital connectivity and look forward to welcoming many thousands more to our growing network this year.”
Meanwhile, the study revealed 59% of those surveyed in East Anglia are often left frustrated by poor internet. Some 28% said they need better broadband now, with the figure rising to 67% predicting it will need to be better by 2023.
County Broadband’s Hyperfast full-fibre network is being built in over 50 rural and remote villages in Essex, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire, with plans to connect 20,000 premises by Christmas 2020 following a £46 million private investment from Aviva Investors.
Speeds up to 1,000 Mbps are available – 18 times faster than the UK average and 10 times faster than copper-based superfast broadband that dates back to the Victorian period.
Residents and businesses can visit www.countybroadband.co.uk and enter their postcode to see if the network is available in their area.
Norwich Research Partners LLP has appointed Paul Reed as its new financial controller.
Home to over 40 science and technology based businesses and covering 230 hectares, Norwich Research Park is dedicated to developing a thriving science and innovation park by supporting start-up businesses and attracting a range of organisations involved in science and technology.
Mr Reed, who joins the team from the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association brings with him an outstanding wealth of accountancy experience, gained working for a diverse range of major East Anglia-based businesses.
Paul said: “It is wonderful to be at the centre of such a forwarding-thinking organisation that is dedicated to supporting innovative developments. Having previously worked for start-up and corporate organisations, I can very much identify with challenges both new and established businesses face.
“I am absolutely delighted to join the team and finding out more about life here at Norwich Research Park.”
Norwich Research Park chief executive officer Dr Sally Ann Forsyth said: “Financial controller is a pivotal role and we are really pleased to welcome such an experienced financial manager as Paul to our senior team. I am very much looking forward to working with him.”
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As part of our mission to care for people and the planet, we are committed to delivering every product with net zero emissions. This is done in one of two ways:
Using 100% clean energy and electric vehicles (or bicycles)
Using fossil fuels and offsetting the emissions by planting trees and investing in clean energy
As we haven’t yet acquired our electric fleet (but are working on it), we’re reaching net zero by calculating emissions of each delivery and offsetting them.
We have partnered with Carbon Footprint, the leading organisation in carbon calculation and offsetting. Every week, after our deliveries, we use a carbon calculator to work out the amount of carbon produced. The calculator produces our footprint for that week in tons CO2e. This is a measure of green house gas equivalents in carbon dioxide.
Carbon Footprint then advises how much it costs to offset that carbon, and offers a number of environmental projects we can direct that cost towards.
We have chosen to offset our carbon footprint by planting trees, close to home in the East of England. Our chosen project also operates in a “buddy” system: partnering up with a scheme abroad, specifically a Reduced Degradation and Deforestation project (REDD+), which protects the Amazon Rainforest. Each contribution therefore matches planting a native tree on home soil AND offsetting 1 tonnes of CO2 through the REDD+ scheme.
Investing into the future at home, and protecting the future of the planet’s largest ecosystem. A win-win, in our eyes!
The trees we fund will be planted in the coming tree planting season (after summer). As native species trees, they will not only offset carbon emissions, but also support biodiversity in the UK.
Carbon Footprint often work to plant trees directly with schools which will also reap invaluable educational benefits on the environment.
The project runs hand-on days experience days which teach the children to plant the trees and learn about how they support wildlife and improve the air quality.
Once schools reopen again we hope our trees will help inform the next generation on why native species trees are essential to the health and happiness of our environment.
We can keep track of trees planted by Carbon Footprint via their Tree Planting Map which showcases all locations where they have planted trees since 2017.
As we plant more trees in our journey, we look forward to seeing the map grow.
Every time you receive a product from Goodery, you’re helping plant trees in your community and taking carbon out of the air. Good for you, good for others, good for the planet.
By subscribing to our weekly fruit and vegetable boxes, you’ll not only be supporting the environment, but also your local growers.