Join us at the Thomas Paine Hotel for a murder mystery night and 3-course meal on Saturday 15th April. Tickets are £40 per person. Advanced booking is required to secure your table. Get in touch today to book! T: 01842 750372 | E: enquiries@thethomaspainehotel.co.uk
JOHN PETRUCCI BREAKS HIS WORLD TOUR TO POP INTO FAWCETT HQ World renowned Grammy Award winning rock star, John Petrucci, made time to jump on the train to King’s Lynn, Norfolk before his sold-out Dream Theater show at the Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith. In April 2022, Richie Finney, founder of Norfolk based Gentleman’s Grooming company Captain Fawcett Ltd, was invited to London, along with members of the Fawcett crew, as John Petrucci’s VIP guests. This year they were absolutely thrilled to return his hospitality at Captain Fawcett’s Norfolk HQ. Richie Finney said ‘It’s an absolute delight and extraordinary honour to welcome John Petrucci to Fawcett HQ. Not only is he veritable Rock Royalty, he is surely one of the world’s most charming gentlemen to boot. And his beard is truly a wonder to behold – simply magnificent. All Hail the Hirsute!’ In 2021 Captain Fawcett worked in close collaboration with John Petrucci to create a majestic Signature Series Gentleman’s Grooming Gentleman’s Grooming range. Called ‘Nebula’, the range launched with a Beard Balm, Beard Oil and Moustache Wax, distinguished by a delectable smoky fragrance and sumptuous purple and silver branding. Each 50ml ‘Nebula’ Beard Oil currently includes a Limited Edition ‘Nebula’ Guitar Flow Pick, designed and created by John Petrucci in collaboration with Jim Dunlop USA. John Petrucci, who won the Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance with ‘The Alien’, is in the UK with the millions-selling progressive music titans Dream Theater. On 21st February 2023 they’ll play the Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith on the second London leg of their ‘Top of the World’ tour, before heading back to the US, then on to Japan in April. John Petrucci said ‘I have a giant beard so my wife, Rena, bought me a Captain Fawcett Gift Set. I was so impressed by how well the products worked and how they smelt, but also the great storytelling, the lore and voice of the mysterious Captain Fawcett. I thought this company is awesome. I love everything about it, to the extent of partnering with the Captain to release a Beard Balm, Beard Oil and Moustache Wax…so far! It’s called the ‘Nebula’ range so I guess you could say this partnership was written in the stars. Captain Fawcett is so in my wheelhouse. The packaging, the beautiful artwork, the incredible writing, and the fact you’re transported into this world just with Beard Oil! It’s crazy, it completely intrigued me. There are parallels with the way Dream Theater develops an album, through music, lyrics and artwork, we try to create a new world. It’s a sensibility Captain Fawcett has in common, orchestrating elements to make a beautifully crafted whole. We work with the great artist Hugh Syme. He’s amazing at creating visual, whimsical worlds we carry into our live performances. We try to keep everything consistent and tied into that vision, the stage set, the video, so when you walk into the venue you’re walking into this world. And that’s exactly like Captain Fawcett HQ. Richie has created a complete world. The place is absolutely unbelievable. Get to King’s Lynn and visit. And if you can’t take the online tour!’ For further information and images please contact jenna@captainfawcett.com ???? Photo credit…Ian Ward or Bryony Grainger
Samaritans’ new campaign film. Credit: Samaritans Greater Anglia has joined Samaritans to remind the public that we all have the potential to be lifesavers by simply striking up a conversation, as part of the charity’s latest Small Talk Saves Lives campaign. Samaritans are relaunching their Small Talk Saves Lives campaign today to empower the public to trust their instincts and start a conversation if they think someone needs help on the railways or in other public settings. Today and in the coming few weeks, Samaritans volunteers be out and about at stations across the Greater Anglia network including:
The new campaign comes after the latest research from Samaritans revealed that only 50% of UK adults said they would feel confident approaching and speaking to someone they don’t know if they were concerned about them in public. The survey also suggested that we’re more comfortable behind a screen as a nation, as people would much prefer chatting to someone they don’t know on the phone (33%) or by email (18%), compared to face-to-face (9%). Of those who said they wouldn’t feel confident approaching someone they don’t know, the top reasons holding them back were ‘worrying the person wouldn’t welcome their approach’ (44%) and ‘worrying they’d make things worse’ (29%), whilst a quarter said ‘not knowing what to say’ was also a concern. As part of the launch, a new film across digital and social media reassures the public that a little small talk like ‘where can I get a coffee?’ can be all it takes to interrupt someone’s suicidal thoughts and help set them on a path to recovery. In a campaign first, Samaritans volunteers across the country will also be heading to their local stations to host outreach events. They will be speaking to passengers about the campaign, highlighting the power of talking and providing myth busting leaflets to help ease any concerns they may have. Julie Bentley, Samaritans CEO said: “It’s normal to feel anxious about starting a conversation with someone you don’t know in person, but at Samaritans we know first-hand how life-changing that conversation could be. “Suicidal thoughts are often temporary and there’s no evidence to suggest that you will make the situation worse – it’s about trusting your instincts, starting a conversation, and showing you care. “We know it’s been a really challenging time for people’s mental health over the last few years, so we hope the Small Talk Saves Lives campaign builds that confidence and remind the public of the difference they can make. Let’s continue to look out for one another – it could save a life.” Matt Wakefield, Greater Anglia’s Head of Safety, Security and Sustainability said: “We’re very proud to be working in partnership with the Samaritans again on this important campaign to help raise awareness of the power of small talk. “We’ve worked with Samaritans since 2012 to encourage life-saving conversations with the public, with over 700 of our staff now trained to do so. It’s so important we continue look out for one another, as we all have the simple skills which could save a life.” Launched in 2017, Small Talk Saves Lives was developed after research showed the positive part the public could play in suicide prevention. The campaign is backed by suicide prevention expert Dr Lisa Marzano from Middlesex University. She said: “In our latest research we spoke to those who had made and received interventions themselves and they really echoed the main Small Talk Saves Lives message. We heard how powerful it can be to use small talk or to ask simple questions, in a calm manner. We also found reassuring results around teamwork and the fact that you don’t have to manage this alone – you could speak to a member of staff or call 999 in an emergency too.” For more information and tips, visit Samaritans.org/smalltalksaveslives or join the conversation on social media using #SmallTalkSavesLives
A bereaved mum whose baby daughter died after just 89 days is returning to fundraising to help mark what would have been her daughter’s tenth birthday. Leigh Smith became a tireless supporter of charities including East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) following the death of little Beatrice, or Bea, in February 2014. She had been diagnosed with the rare heart condition restrictive cardiomyopathy, which affects just one in a million children. Leigh and then husband Toby went on to raise more than £60,000 for London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital, in addition to vital funds for EACH and the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH). Highlights included a bike ride from the NNUH to Quidenham (EACH’s former Norfolk hospice) in the summer of 2014 and Leigh spoke at the launch of The Nook Appeal, where she met EACH’s Royal Patron, The Princess of Wales (then The Duchess of Cambridge). She subsequently received correspondence from Her Royal Highness and met her again at the opening of The Nook, in November 2019. “Bea would be ten on 28th November and a decade of her life feels a very significant milestone,” said Leigh, who is taking on EACH’s Pier 2 Pier walk, on 10th June. “This year, after a break in any fundraising due to life events, Covid, divorce and having my youngest daughter, I knew I wanted to challenge myself to do something to mark her significant birthday, so signed up for the Pier 2 Pier walk. “I love walking as it’s often when I think about Bea. “It’s further than I’ve ever walked in one go and I know it will be hard, although it needs to be because my daughter fought hard and continues to inspire me.” Leigh says she will forever be grateful to EACH for the care and support it offered during a “truly horrific time”. “EACH has been incredible,” she said. “It was first mentioned to us while Bea was still at Great Ormond Street, although it was becoming clear she was dying. “We were initially reluctant to hear the words palliative care, because we knew what that meant. However, we couldn’t have been more wrong. “After Bea passed away, EACH ensured all the arrangements were made for her to be brought back home to Norfolk and she stayed at Quidenham. “She stayed in her own room, with her name on the door, looking as beautiful and peaceful as we could have hoped. “We stayed overnight and were able to do a number of memory activities, hold her, allow friends and family to visit and say their goodbyes and know she was looked after in the days leading up to her funeral. It was a gift beyond words. “That time to make memories in a positive and special way has aided my grieving process and, as strange as it sounds strange, I remember that time with warmth and love. “Without EACH and its wonderful, compassionate staff, things could have been so different.” Leigh lives with son Elliott, 12, daughter Ottilie, five, and dog Betsy in Norwich. “Life can only be described as before Bea and after Bea,” she said. “That period of time was a nightmare and took a long while to feel real. To be truthful, it still doesn’t, nine years on. “What happened was the kind of thing you read about but not something that could happen to us – except it did. “A lot of it feels like a blur, although I remember some moments with real clarity and they will stay with me forever. “Life since Bea died has been equally tough. “Her death and the difference in the way her dad and I grieved ultimately put a lot of strain on our marriage. “Toby and myself grew apart and, despite going on to have Ottilie, in 2017, we separated and divorced in 2020. “Despite the heartache, I still wouldn’t change things. “Bea taught me so much and made me appreciate life more intensely. “She inspired me and so many others and we’ve done so much in her name. “She continues to have an impact, not least in terms of raising awareness of congenital heart disease and all the charities that played such an important part in her short but impactful life.” To read Bea’s story, click here. The annual Cromer to Great Yarmouth Pier 2 Pier walk is scheduled for 10th June. This fundraiser takes participants on a 32-mile walk along the beautiful Norfolk Coastal Path. To sign up or find out more, click here. To sponsor Leigh, click here. Pictures: Rob Dodsworth and EACH
At Plain Speaking PR, we’re supporting one of our clients – Sue Lambert Trust – to gather responses for its 2023 Sexual Consent survey. The survey is being circulated during Sexual Abuse & Sexual Violence Awareness Week. A heavy topic but one that undoubtedly needs addressing Sue Lambert Trust wants to collect views and responses from people in Norfolk, to help explore the depth of understanding locally, about the issue of sexual consent. Do we really understand what it means? Do we understand the law around consent? What opinions and attitudes do people hold around the issue of consent, and are these changing? The survey is completely anonymous. Sue Lambert Trust is the main specialist charity in Norfolk offering free, professional, therapeutic counselling to people who have ever been raped, sexually abused or sexually assaulted, and has been supporting people in Norfolk for more than 40 years. The charity hopes this survey will encourage more informed, open, and direct conversations about consent. More information about it on their website. And you can open the survey here. (It will only take a few minutes)
Norfolk County Council can confirm today that EB Charging has won the contract to install on street charging points for electric vehicles (EVs) in Norwich. The contract is to install, supply and operate 46 new charge points on 40 streets across Norwich and is a huge step in achieving what has been set out in the council’s Electric Vehicle and Local Transport Plan 4 strategies. Charge points (EVCPs) will be available to all members of the public, helping everyone access the charging infrastructure, which is crucial to the transition to electric vehicles, particularly for residents who do not have access to off-street parking – where they could otherwise charge their vehicles. Councillor Graham Plant, cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transport, said; “Norfolk County Council is committed to a greener and cleaner future and we have a leading role to play in reducing our carbon footprint through cutting the dependence on motor transport that runs on fossil fuels. “We know from research that a lack of charging points is one of the top barriers to people making the transition to electric vehicle, and we hope that this programme will support more people in the Norwich area to make the change to electric. “This is a fantastic collaborative project which will allow us to make a huge improvement to infrastructure for our residents a minimal cost to the taxpayer thanks to EB Charging who will fully fund the installation and ongoing maintenance of the charge points, and UK Power Networks who have supported us from the start of this project to identify locations and ensured the electricity grid can support these new charge points.” Alex Calnan, Managing Director of EB Charging, commented; “We’re really excited to be working with Norfolk County Council on this ambitious project to dramatically increase the availability of EV charging options across Norwich. Working with UK Power Networks, they’ve ensured sufficient power supply for current and future charging needs, making switching to EVs a realistic option for residents, businesses and visitors. This will provide a real boost to the council’s programmes to improve air quality across Norwich and the wider region.” Ian Cameron, Director of Customer Service and Innovation at UK Power Networks said; “We’re making it easier for people to make the switch to an electric vehicle by helping Local Authorities to facilitate more public chargepoints that are accessible to all. We want people to have confidence they’ll be able to charge their vehicle, regardless of whether or not they have access to off-street parking and private charging.” Following feasibility studies carried out by UK Power Networks, 40 streets in Norwich have been identified as the preferred locations for the first chargers to be rolled out. Due to the nature of these streets some on-street parking restrictions next to the charge points will need to be reviewed, so electric vehicles can access them. These will be decided at design stage and any changes to parking restrictions will be subject to statutory consultation with residents. The chargers that are currently being proposed for the sites include floor-mounted 22kW fast chargers) – Alfen Twins and 50-100kW rapid chargers Delta Slimlines. These are both best suited to residential, on-street sites and can be seen in the attached pictures. Norfolk County Council will be working closely with EB Charging through the detailed design stage of the project and will engage with residents ensure the impact is minimal to those who live on the streets identified. In addition to statutory consultation a survey will go live shortly for residents to feedback on the identified locations as well as the opportunity for people to suggest other locations that they would like to see charge points installed across the county in the future.
Chick out Chantry Place Norwich this Easter, from Saturday 1st April to Sunday 16th April 2023, for its free family Easter trail around the Centre and meet the RSPB team on select days throughout the school holidays when they give out free sunflower packs and let little ones get hands on with nature.
Families can pick up a free trail map for the Chantry Place Easter Eggstravaganza trail from Langleys and then follow the posters to collect letters which will spell out an Easter themed word. A competition prize is on offer too for one lucky winner worth around £150, including Easter eggs, Jellycat toys and an H&M voucher, with some bird houses too up for grabs for runners up. Everyone who completes the trail can also pick up a sticker too from Langleys at the end.
Chantry Place will also be welcoming the RSPB to Chantry Place on Tuesday 4th, Friday 7th, Saturday 8th, Sunday 9th and Thursday 13th April for more free family fun. Visitors will be able to pick up some free sunflower seed packs for a fun competition, meet the RSPB team and visit its nature display table featuring owl pellets, snake skins and bones and more. They can be found on the lower ground floor near Langleys.
Paul McCarthy, general manager at Chantry Place, said: “This year we are planning free events in the school holidays for families to enjoy and this self-led chick trail will be enjoyed by little ones as they search for all the letters, then get some help to unscramble them into an Easter-themed word. We are looking forward to being visited by the RSPB too so that visitors can have fun learning and discovering more about nature and the work the charity does in protecting habitats and saving species.”
Freya Stuart, Membership Venues Officer at the RSPB, commented: “The RSPB is thrilled to be visiting Chantry Place on selected dates over Easter when we will be sharing an exciting, family-friendly grow challenge. Drop by to pick up your free Sunflower Race Pack (subject to availability) and take part in your very own Sunflower Race at home! April is the perfect time to plant sunflowers! Whose sunflower will be the tallest? Who will have the biggest flower? And who will produce the most sunflower seeds to feed hungry garden birds? Visit our ‘nature pod’ next to Langleys toy shop on the lower ground floor opposite Boots to pick up your pack, learn some amazing nature facts and discover more about the RSPB. Nature is in crisis. Together we can save it!”
At Chantry Place, visitors can discover a range of Easter gifts and treats, including delicious Easter eggs from Hotel Chocolat and décor from Flying Tiger. The shopping centre is also home to numerous restaurants including Wagamamas, The Real Greek, YO! Sushi and Ask Italian, making them a perfect place to grab a bite to eat before or after the Easter fun.
For more information on events happening around the centre, please visit www.chantryplace.co.uk/events
To find out more about Chantry Place, visit chantryplace.co.uk
People living in Swanton Morley and Dereham are the latest to benefit from enhanced bus services thanks to money received from the Department for Transport (DfT) to improve bus services across the County. The Fab 4 service operated by Konectbus will begin a brand-new Sunday service on Sunday 19 February with the first bus leaving Swanton Morley at 7:40am. The service runs every two hours until 15:40 and stops at Dereham, East Tuddenham, Longwater, Cringleford and Norwich. The last bus back from Norwich is at 16:14 to Swanton Morley and at 17:25 to Dereham. There are also two extra journeys which operate from Swanton Morley to Dereham at 8:40am and 17:35pm. For the rest of the week (Monday to Saturday) the Fab 4 service will benefit from the following extra evening journeys:
Cllr Graham Plant, Cabinet Member for Highways, Infrastructure and Transport, said: “Providing later services is something many residents asked for when we developed our bus service improvement plan – so being able to deliver these services to those who wanted them is exactly what the money secured from the DfT is for. Having buses run into the evenings and on a Sunday means more people can make the choice to leave the car at home and use their local bus service – which is key to us achieving our net-zero ambitions.” A single trip on the services will cost just £2 between January and March as Konectbus are one of the local operators taking part in the fare cap promotion funded by HM Government as part of their Help for Households campaign . Gavin Smith, Managing Director of Go East Anglia/Konectbus said; “ Konectbus are delighted to have been involved with the BSIP funding project, from initial public consultation to drawing up proposals for bus service enhancements, new services, and improved connections with other transport services across our region. This enhancement is great for people living in Dereham and Swanton Morley and with stops at many key areas of employment such as Longwater retail park and the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital it means more people can choose the bus to get to work.” This is just one of a number of service enhancements which are being funded by the £49.55 million funding which Norfolk County Council was successful in securing from the Department for Transport (DfT) to use on improving bus services across the County over the next three years. Approximately £12 million of the funding has been allocated to provide new or expanded bus routes and increase service frequencies on key routes, including more evening and weekend services. Roads Minister Richard Holden said; “People up and down the country deserve a clean, reliable, and affordable public transport system. That is why we have provided Norfolk County Council with almost £50 million to boost its bus services. “Supporting Konectbus with providing more frequent services is great for local residents, who will now benefit and be able to make the most of the fantastic work, business and leisure opportunities Norfolk has to offer.” Full details of the new enhanced service can be found at: https://www.konectbus.co.uk/fab4
One of the country’s leading housebuilders, Barratt and David Wilson Homes, has opened its regional headquarters for a brand new division at Norwich’s Broadland Business Park. Barratt and David Wilson Homes Anglia has taken a 7,220 sq ft Grade A suite in the Lakeside 300 office building on a 10-year term. The office currently accommodates 40 employees as part of the homebuilder’s new division, with an additional 45 staff members based onsite. The Lakeside 300 building has just undergone a complete modernisation and refurbishment to incorporate a range of new facilities including electric vehicle charging points and exceptional energy efficiency, with an EPC A rating achieved throughout the building. Barratt and David Wilson Homes is one of the most active housebuilders in East Anglia and currently has sites under construction in locations including Sprowston, Cringleford, Horsford and Watton. Simon Wood, Managing Director at Barratt and David Wilson Homes Anglia, said: “We’re thrilled to have opened the doors to our new divisional office at Broadland Business Park. The location provides us with excellent access to our developments across Norfolk and the new set-up will help us grow and thrive as a brand new division.” A number of the region’s major companies are located on Broadland Business Park, including fellow housebuilders Lovell Partnerships and Persimmon Homes, along with businesses such as Lovewell Blake, Gardners Books, Start-rite Shoes, TaxAssist Accountants, Delta Fire, GAP Group, Marsh, Broadland District Council and South Norfolk Council. James Allen, partner at agents Roche Chartered Surveyors, said: “We are delighted that Barratt and David Wilson Homes Anglia has selected Broadland Business Park for its location. Lakeside 300 provides ideal accommodation for a business of the size and standing. “Lakeside 300 has received a very healthy amount of interest since the completion of its major refurbishment this year. It is very good news that Barratt and David Wilson Homes has now moved in; we have several other live enquiries for many of the remaining suites in the three-storey building. “Despite two years of a challenging market, it is encouraging to see such buoyant interest in high quality Grade A office accommodation in Norwich and we are looking forward to securing more lettings during the early part of 2023.” Broadland Business Park, which is located at the junction or the A47 and A1270 Broadland Northway, offers both Grade A offices and prime development land for industrial and logistics uses. Broadland Business Park’s sole agents are James Allen and Graham Jones at Roche Chartered Surveyors, 01603 619876, jamesa@rochecs.co.uk and grahamj@rochecs.co.uk. More details and a video of the Park are at www.broadlandbusinesspark.co.uk.
Spirited schoolchildren looked the part when hosting a colourful fun run for charity. Pupils at Poringland Primary School sported crazy hairstyles and odd socks and raised more than £1,000 for East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH). Their school is less than a mile from The Nook – the EACH hospice opened by The Princess of Wales in 2019 – and 450 children took part, from Nursery to Year Six. “As a school, we’ve supported The Nook since plans were first drawn up to build a hospice in our community,” said teacher and Fundraising Lead Carrie Hayes. “However, we haven’t been able to do any whole school fundraising until now, because of Covid. “That’s why it was so lovely to be able to host this fun run, which was organised by our Year Five and Six councillors Olivia Gough, Beth Hoadley, Tom Kirk and Sam Rudd. “At the end of January, they went to The Nook and met EACH Community Fundraiser Ellie Miller. “After a digital tour of the building, they learned what goes on there and why fundraising is so important.” Inspired by their visit, Olivia, Beth, Tom and Sam led assemblies to explain to the school why they wanted to have a fun run to raise money for The Nook. They decided everyone could either have crazy hair or wear odd socks. “On the day, they were in charge of leading classes to their starting position,” added Carrie. “They were absolutely brilliant and supported all the children by giving them high fives or running alongside them. “They enjoyed being part of the organising team and were a credit to our school, as were all those who took part.” The school raised £175.88 in cash, as well as £707 online. With Gift Aid, it took their total to more than £1,000. “We’re so grateful to our young friends at Poringland Primary School, as well as their parents and carers and all the staff,” said Ellie. “They worked so hard to organise the fun run, got in the spirit on the day and gave so generously. “It was a pleasure to meet the children earlier this year and I’m so pleased their event was such fun and so successful.” Image credits EACH
Business optimism stagnated in January as output significantly declined and firms cut back on hiring staff, according to the latest Business Trends report from accountancy and business advisory firm BDO. For the third time in just six months, all four of the Indices tracked by the report – Output, Optimism, Employment and Inflation – fell simultaneously. BDO’s Output Index which tracks economic growth, experienced a sharp decline for the fourth consecutive month, as a 3.45-point fall brought it down to 89.15, remaining well below the crucial 95-point threshold between expansion and contraction for the second consecutive month. This overall decline in output was driven largely by the Services Output Sub-Index which registered a 3.85-point dip in January as the cost-of-living crisis weakened consumer spending and demand across the services sector. This marks its lowest level since March 2021 when the economy was about to reopen following the third national lockdown of the COVID-19 pandemic. Dips in services productivity were also reflected in optimism across the sector. The Services Optimism Sub-Index fell by 0.23 points in response to inflationary pressures expected to heighten economic pressures facing businesses in the coming months. In contrast, January saw the Manufacturing Optimism Sub-index end nine consecutive months of decline, increasing by 0.25 points. Diminishing input price inflation slowed declines across manufacturing output for the first time in four months – bolstering business confidence across this sector. However, this turning point wasn’t enough to outweigh the net-pessimism across the services sector which led to an overall dip of 0.01-points in BDO’s Optimism Index to stand at a 91.88, remaining in negative territory for the fourth consecutive month. Responding to the net declines across Optimism and Output, BDO’s Employment Index fell to its lowest reading since December 2021. Weakened hiring intentions led to a drop of 1.02-points as firms expect to cut back on plans for recruitment in the months ahead. BDO’s Inflation Index witnessed a significant 3.75-point drop as it fell to 114.16, its lowest point since March 2022. The gradual easing of price pressures has marked a shift across the Input Inflation and Consumer Inflation indices driven by recent falls in wholesale energy prices. Despite this fall, inflationary pressures remain historically elevated. Peter Harrup, partner and head of BDO in East Anglia, said: “A net decline across the Optimism, Output and Employment Indices, coupled with historically high levels of inflation, suggests the outlook still remains bleak for businesses, with hiring intentions at their lowest levels in over a year and ever-increasing economic headwinds driving threats of a recession. “With a new Department for Business and Trade in place and a Spring Budget on the horizon, there is space in Government to consider how best to offer firms a helping hand. Businesses need the right support in place to ensure they can weather the challenges ahead and focus on continuing to drive the growth of the UK’s economy.” Image provided by BDO
Revealing Warren’s new brand identity and website, Will Bridgman, Managing Director, says: “After 33 years growing the business, we wanted our corporate identity to convey Warren’s evolution into a modern, full-service. advanced manufacturing partner with a focus on engineered innovation. Warren’s purpose is to help our clients succeed by bringing their projects, such as high-value architectural engineering and electro-mechanical machines, to market, with speed and precision.” The logo is bold and distinctive, in composition and colours, reflecting Warren’s creative strength and dynamism, including its employees’ energy and enthusiasm. The new website is also clean and easy to navigate, reflecting Warren’s commitment to strong design thinking. The new brand recognises that clients now simply call the firm ‘Warren’ (although the legal entity remains Warren Services Limited). New brand designed, developed and deployed by creative agencies in Norfolk and Suffolk Will Bridgman says: “Our old brand identity served us well but no longer conveyed the strength of our brand reputation, technical promise and progressive personality. We wanted a new brand identity that our employees could take pride in and that our clients would recognise as distinctively Warren. We are delighted to have worked with creative agencies from Norfolk and Suffolk on this branding project.” Over the last 33 years, Warren has become an integral part of the regional business community. Clients, suppliers and partners see it as a local employer of choice and a passionate champion for apprenticeships, skills and East Anglia’s economy. Will Bridgman says: “We are ambitious to continue offering local people interesting and fulfilling careers, working with amazing, innovative clients from across the UK and overseas.” Warren was pleased to work with three local creative agencies on this project: brand design by Starfish Ltd, Norwich; copywriting by Business Writers Ltd, Norfolk; website build by Bellüber Ltd, Suffolk. Will Bridgman says: “Thank you to Nick, Huw and Steph for all their work bringing our ideas to life.” Notes to editors: Developing skills for the future Richard and Sharon Bridgman founded Warren in 1990 and initially employed three people in part of the old school in Feltwell. Within 15 years, Warren had moved into the first of its two factories on the Fison Way industrial estate in Thetford. It now has 80,000sq ft of advanced manufacturing and engineering facilities and employs 80 people, including apprentices. In 2018, Richard Bridgman received an OBE for ‘Services to Training Young People’ in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list. In 2021, Warren won Make UK’s Midlands & East of England Developing Future Talent Award for its response to the lockdown education crisis and longstanding commitment to apprenticeships. Will Bridgman, Managing Director, says: “Warren is committed to building an engineering and manufacturing workforce of the future. We work with education providers across East Anglia to inspire people to pursue careers in the industry. We have apprenticed more than 60 people and up-skilled many others through in-work programmes, many now hold key positions in Warren, and 50% of our directors started as apprentices with Warren or elsewhere.” Sustainability in business Warren is also committed to helping the UK reach Net Zero by 2050. To that end, it has installed 827kW of solar generating capacity on its factory roofs and converted its entire fleet, including forklift trucks, to electric vehicles. This has put it on target to be Carbon Neutral by the end of 2023. For further information, please contact: Will Bridgman, Managing Director, will@warrenservices.co.uk Mobile 07798 666281 Richard Bridgman, Founder Owner, richard@rawner.co.uk Mobile 07798 666280 Images provided by Warren Services Ltd