Member News

UK leading refrigeration expert Foster Refrigerator is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year and is calling on customers to get involved by sharing stories of their experiences with Foster product over the last half century. The King’s Lynn-based company wants to hear from its many loyal customers and is on the hunt for the UK’s longest-standing Foster product in a commercial kitchen. Foster Refrigerator products are designed to be high quality, reliable pieces of equipment that can stand the test of time in any high pressure commercial kitchen, and have been doing so since the company started in 1968. The customer who has the longest-serving Foster product in their kitchen will be able to join in the celebrations with a brand new EcoPro G2 EP700H worth a list price of £2,500 or an equivalent product of the same value. Nick Bamber, European Head of Marketing at Foster Refrigerator says: “We say that our fridges last a lifetime with regular care and maintenance and so to mark 50 years of manufacturing we decided to put this to the test. “We’re regularly with customers in their kitchens, and it never ceases to amaze us how many Foster fridges are still fully operational and going strong after many years – we know there is a fridge out there that’s 26-years-old and going strong! Our products have a reputation for being reliable, so we know there will be products that are older still.” Dealers who are aware of longstanding Foster products can encourage owners to enter the competition. If the winning owner includes the dealer name in their entry, the dealer will receive £250 off their next order. The competition closes on 1st October 2018. To learn more about the competition and to enter visit www.fosterrefrigerator.com/competition

There’s surely no better way to mark World Chocolate Day (Saturday 7th July) than launching two new exciting, premium chocolate bars? So that’s exactly what the clever people at artisan chocolate producer Gnaw Chocolate have done to celebrate any chocolate lovers’ favourite day of the year.

The new range of 72% cocoa dark chocolate bars are available now in two delicious flavours – Gnaw Toasted Coconut; a tropically inspired 72% dark bar with coconutty nibbles and Gnaw Raspberry Crisp; smooth-talking raspberry and chocolatey deliciousness. The premium bars retail at £2.99 RRP and will be a permanent addition to the company’s fun and quirky range.

Lovingly crafted by the Norfolk chocolate manufacturer, these indulgent bars not only taste incredible they are also suitable for an increasing number of consumers who have food intolerances or are making lifestyle choices around the type of food they eat.  The new bars are both suitable for vegetarians and are also dairy-free. The Toasted Coconut bar is also great news for those who have gluten-sensitivity or have coeliac disease as it is gluten-free.

Matt Legon, Gnaw’s Founder says: “By keeping a close eye on the market, we developed the high cocoa, 72% range in response to a clear demand. We are pleased to be able to respond with two exciting new luxurious chocolate bars which not only taste incredible but are suitable for the growing numbers of people living with food intolerances. Our amazing new product development team couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate World Chocolate Day this Saturday than launching our latest creations for chocolate fans to enjoy, both here in the U.K. and around the world”.

Every single one of Gnaw’s artisan chocolates is carefully handcrafted in their Norwich kitchens with locally-sourced ingredients, natural flavours, and no added nasties; the very best of ingredients are all hand-mixed together with a big warm hug of Gnaw playful fun!

The team at Gnaw are a dedicated bunch, intently focussed on their next distinctive flavour-combination, breaking from conventional thinking to bring big smiles to the faces of their customers; their aim? To spread chocolatey joy to everyone.

To get your hands on the new 72% dark chocolate range, please visit www.gnawchocolate.co.uk

Keep up to date with all Gnaw’s chocolatey news by following them on social media: Facebook – Gnaw Chocolate Twitter – @gnawchocolate Instagram – @gnawchocolate  

Attleborough-based heat pump installer Finn Geotherm, has been highly commended in the national BusinessGreen Leaders Awards 2018.

Europe’s most prestigious and high profile green business awards, BusinessGreen Leaders brings together the best and brightest from across the green community to celebrate the projects, individuals, teams and organisations that are redefining what it means to be a successful business. The awards recognise the immense progress the UK’s green business community has made in recent years, as sustainable business models and clean technologies have continued to force their way into the mainstream.

At the BusinessGreen Leaders Awards event in London, Finn Geotherm was highly commended within the Energy Efficiency Project of the Year category for the landmark district heating installation it has completed for housing association Flagship Group at 30 flats in South Norfolk.

The first domestic heating scheme for communal use in the East of England, it will cut Flagship customers’ heating bills by two thirds, creating annual savings of hundreds of pounds. In addition, it enables Flagship to dramatically reduce its maintenance costs and CO2 emissions. The project is expected to be the first of many for the housing association, with Flagship hoping to roll out other ground source heat pump systems to other customers as part of its plan to create more affordable and environmentally friendly homes.

Guy Ransom, commercial director at Finn Geotherm, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have been highly commended in these awards which recognise the country’s most significant green projects. This is both a testament to the forward-thinking strategic approach of Flagship and the hard work and skill of the team at Finn Geotherm in delivering the best possible solution for the organisation and its tenants.”

For more details on the Flagship installation, see https://finn-geotherm.co.uk/case_study/first-district-heating-scheme-flagship/. For information on ground and air source heat pumps and Finn Geotherm, visit www.finn-geotherm.co.uk.

The borough council is working to bring back into use the Grade II*-listed landmark, which has dominated the famous Golden Mile since 1904 and is of national significance as the UK’s last surviving Victorian seaside cast iron and glass winter gardens.

The council submitted a bid to the HLF’s major batch grant pool in December and has continued discussions with the body, which has indicated that the project does qualify for support but would first need to see a commercial investor-operator on board before any new bid could be made.

The council is now actively seeking to identify and discuss the possibilities with organisations which might be interested in helping to bring the iconic seafront building back into use as a temperate plant house or other suitable use.

The political group leaders, Cllr Graham Plant and Cllr Trevor Wainwright, said: “The council is liaising closely with the HLF, which in addition to praising our positive leadership and commitment, has recognised the Winter Gardens as an iconic building at risk and indicated that funds for repair would be available with a suitable future operator on board.

“This is really welcome news, and reflects confidence in the proactive and valuable work undertaken by this council towards achieving our ambition – and the wider community’s ambition – of bringing this national heritage gem back into use as a viable and unique year-round tourist attraction that supports our economy and cultural status.

“The Winter Gardens represents an exciting and rare opportunity to get involved in breathing new life into a rare-surviving historic icon of the British seaside, and we would love to hear from representatives of any organisations interested in visiting and investing in the building and discussing the possibilities.”

Organisations interested in visiting are asked to contact Stacy Cosham on 01493 846153 or email Stacy Cosham

The farmland market in England is getting tougher, despite average values rising over the first half of 2018, according to land and property specialists Strutt & Parker. “Average prices have been relatively stable over the past couple of years, but it’s important to acknowledge they only reflect the land which has sold and you also need to be looking at what isn’t selling, to give a true reflection of the market,” says Michael Fiddes, head of estate and farm agency. “Our figures show that over a third of the farms marketed in 2017 either remain available or have been withdrawn and these farms are obviously not factored into average prices. “There are still farms selling incredibly well, but overall it is getting tougher. The market remains incredibly polarised with location and farm type, rather than quality, remaining the key drivers of the price achieved. “Land is still achieving excellent prices in areas where there are tight supplies and where buyers are funding a purchase with money from outside of farming. However, in areas where farmer buyers dominate, prices can be lower.” The price paid for arable land in England over the past six months ranges from £6,800 to £15,000/acre. The proportion of farms being bought by buyers using capital made outside of farming is rising. These investors fall into three main categories: lifestyle buyers, individuals with rollover funds from the sale of development land or those looking for an asset with long-term capital growth. To most of these investors, location is key. Demand appears to be strongest for cereal farms, but over 40% of the dairy, mixed, residential farms and estates marketed last year remain available. Farm size also has an effect – only 15% of the larger farms (over 1,000 acres) marketed during 2017 are still available or have been withdrawn, compared with over 40% of 500-1,000 acre farms. Mr Fiddes says: “That we are in this position is not unexpected, and it is one that is likely to continue until there is greater certainty about the impact of policy changes on the agricultural sector. Until then, we will be dealing with a market which is much like the weather – full of extremes.” The Strutt & Parker Farmland Database shows supplies of land coming to the market remain tight, which will be helping to support prices.  Less land was publicly marketed during the first half of 2018 than the equivalent period in 2016 and 2017. However, the trend for farms to be sold off market or privately continues. Strutt & Parker estimates that private sales currently account for 20-25% of the market. Regional outlook: “An interesting phenomenon in the East Anglian region is that large farms and estates are outperforming the rest of the market. It is the sale of the larger blocks of land and estates where we are seeing the fastest sales and at higher £/acre than smaller parcels. This is due to a combination of a limited supply and strong demand from both commercial farmers and buyers with rollover funds from development land sales or profits from company sales to invest. The price of smaller parcels of commercial farmland can be lower as they are attracting buyers solely focused on the levels of return achievable from farming that land.” Giles Allen, East of England region “The market for farms in the North of England has never been so polarised. Arable land is currently ranging from around £6,250/acre to £12,000/acre, with grassland farms selling for £4,000-8,000/acre. The very best properties are making record prices, but farms that require investment, or with no potential to generate additional income streams, are not. There continues to be a stock of properties on the market from 2017 which are yet to go under offer. However, we are starting to notice stronger interest from new non-farming investors and lifestyle buyers, who might be planning to diversify their property portfolios and include land and farms within them.” Will Parry, North region “We are seeing strong demand for land in north Warwickshire and west Leicestershire where there is significant interest from buyers who have funds as a result of the sale of development land and progressive farmers looking to expand their operations. Arable land is typically ranging from around £6,750/acre to £10,000/acre, although areas with an historic lack of supply can achieve premiums above that level.” Sam Holt, East Midlands region “We anticipate quite a bit of land coming to the market in the next few weeks, which is welcome as there is a real lack of supply in the south east. There are still good buyers out there, and ‘best in class’ farms are selling well. However, sales seem to be taking a long time to exchange. Whilst there are a variety of reasons for this, one common theme that we are seeing is onerous overage and clawback provisions being inserted into contracts which can slow progress.” Matthew Gibson, South East region                                        “The sunshine appears to helping the market with both buyers and sellers becoming more active again. In the West Midlands, the market is being driven by farmers and landowners with significant windfalls from selling development land and as a result prices have generally picked up again in the past few months. Although there has been no significant change on the supply of land coming forward, we are starting to be invited to see people who are thinking of selling in the next year or two.” Matthew Sudlow, Central region “Buyers continue to be very discerning, so the best farms and estates are finding strong demand and achieving prices of £12,000/acre or possibly more. There is a shortage of large commercial arable farms available  – only two have been marketed in the region so far this year – and good demand for small sporting estates. The farms that are more difficult to sell include smaller livestock units – and there are a lot available – many of them privately.” Charlie Evans, South West region Read the full Q2 Strutt & Market English estates and farmland review

We were delighted to return to the event that has become the hub for the UK insurance sector, affectionately termed ‘BIBA Fever’, by our client and principle sponsor of BIBA 2018, Aviva.

BIBA 2018 sought to innovate, evolve and thrive, with this immersive event building upon the core conference and exhibition aspects toward a much wider offering. The Fringe extended knowledge, the innovation zone allowed access to emerging technologies and insider expertise within the insurance sector and Young Broker Day was dedicated to supporting the career development of insurance brokers of the future. With such an immersive and varied event, our build for Aviva needed to stand out as well as offer a flexible environment for meetings, networking and presentations.

Progressing from our build at BIBA 2017, the refined simplicity, economical practices and innovative approach resulted in a smooth installation process. The clean lines of the modern 5 x 4 metre tower were complimented by blue LED lighting and the iconic Aviva branding, displayed prominently on the double sided tower. A high-level fabric graphic system flown above the stand added further impact, drawing the eye from across the bustling venue. The custom-made lightboxes offered angular feature shapes with the tensioned fabric system making the installation of fresh new graphics economical and easy. Forming meeting areas within the expansive stand-space, these lightboxes also served as dividers, supporting the greater intimacy required in the meeting areas. The open-plan networking area utilised the expansive footprint of the stand and it was fantastic to see this space used so effectively by the Aviva team, becoming a conversational hub of the event, complete with barista service and an interactive ‘scrabble’-style graphic wall. The adaptability of this space was also a key feature on day two, with a mid-way furniture switch creating an intimate soft seating zone, perfect for the smaller events Aviva hosted. With the Aviva team sharing that BIBA 2018 was ‘the best one yet’, our aim was to support them as they continued to innovate, evolve and thrive…and we are proud to say we did!

Have you caught events fever? To see how we could help support you, get in touch today

https://www.image-display.co.uk/contact-us/

Have you ever wanted the thrill and excitement of standing in an eccentric costume in front of thousands of people? Have you ever wanted to dance, sing and show off your “circus skills” to that audience? Well, this year Buy Local Norfolk are giving you the chance to do just that… in the name of business of course!

This year the Lord Mayors Procession is expected to be bigger than ever. The floats are expected to be filled with acrobats, animals and other family favourites with Norwich taking over the Circus theme to show off our history as a Circus town.

Why Get Involved? : The Procession is a great way to get your business recognised especially if you operate as a B2C, hand out stickers and sweets and let the community see you as the business that takes goes the extra mile!

What Do We Need? : You would be needed for two evenings, Friday the 6th to help construct the float and Saturday the 7th to dance for the masses!

If you would like to get involved please email me on jake.marchant@tactile-solutions.co.uk or call me on 07411 946518.

For more information about the Lord Mayors Procession click here. 

EVOLVE launches on 1st July and will be available to people living in rural communities and those currently unable to work due to long term unemployment or barrier such as disability, parenting, criminal record, or a general lack of work or life skills.

Run by Independence Matters through our Norwich-based disability employer, Norfolk Industries, which manufactures pet bedding from recycled materials at our factory in Oak Street. We have a long history of employing people with disabilities and supporting people into the workplace and operate this as a successful business – our products are sold across the UK and abroad under the banner “Think Workability, Not Disability”.

Funding for EVOLVE has been secured through the Local Investment in Future Talent (LIFT) programme, a skills and employability grant scheme for rural Norfolk and North Suffolk available to voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE). LIFT is funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) and administered by Norfolk County Council. The Norfolk and North Suffolk Local Action Groups award the grants – local people funding local projects – and we are delighted to have been selected!

EVOLVE has been developed with the aim of supporting motivated individuals who are actively seeking work to become more employable. It offers a programme of work experience, development and training to help bring people closer to employment over a period of 8 to 12 weeks. It is being supported by Jobcentre Plus, who will be making customers aware of the scheme through their Work Coaches, and promoting the voluntary work experience element where it is a suitable match for them and their circumstances.

EVOLVE has been designed to support individuals by offering the following:

• a work placement in a factory setting, carrying out lightweight packaging work for at least 8 hours per week • option to complete a range of development opportunities and training courses based on existing skills and abilities • travel training and development of life skills and/or work skills through the Gateway Assured Programme passport system • build confidence and develop soft skills such as accepting instructions, team working and timekeeping • provide structure and give a feel for working in a commercial environment • a portfolio of achievements including training certificates to take away

We are working collaboratively with other organisations including Shaw Trust, MINT Norwich and Norfolk County Council (the programme includes access to their TITAN transport training) and will be actively supporting individuals in finding employment on completion of the programme.

We were visited earlier this year by Chloe Smith, MP for Norwich North, who met workers on the production line and was very supportive, describing us as ‘blazing trails of how employers can be confident in welcoming people with disabilities into their workforce’ and saying we ‘bring a refreshing approach to disability and health in the workplace’.  

Start-Rite Shoes has appointed Jonathan Hudson as Head of Marketing. Jonathan will have responsibility for the planning and implementation of the brand’s marketing strategies.

Jonathan brings a wealth of experience in the family market and a deep specialism in digital marketing within consumer goods environments.  Prior to working for Start-Rite, Jonathan was Head of Marketing at Hoseasons, where he was responsible for planning and implementing the digital and traditional marketing mix for the brand.  Jonathan also boasts marketing experience at established brands such as Homebase, Shop Direct (Littlewoods and Very) and Time Group.

Jonathan Hudson, Head of Marketing, Start-Rite Shoes, said: “It’s a great time to be joining such an iconic brand – a new identity, new creative campaigns and an amazing product portfolio. I’m excited to show consumers what the brand really has to offer and help grow our marketing presence across digital and retail.”

Commenting on his appointment, Ian Watson, CEO, Start-Rite Shoes, said: “It’s great to have Jonathan on board.  He brings with him extensive experience and will be instrumental in driving our brand forward and in executing our key consumer messages in line with our strategic direction.”

Jonathan joined Start-Rite Shoes on 11 June 2018 and will report into Chief Executive Ian Watson.

In exciting times for offshore wind in the east of England, communications company TMS Media is making sure its opportunities and capabilities are showcased to the industry’s leading players.

An updated brochure bringing together the latest statistics, case studies of business success and maps pinpointing existing and future offshore wind farms was launched at Global Offshore Wind, the largest conference and exhibition of its kind.

The RenewableUK event was held at Manchester’s Central Convention Complex, with more than 2,500 professionals from across the UK and Europe in attendance and exhibitors promoting all sectors of the offshore wind industry. 

The 12-page brochure, produced by TMS Media, was launched at the East of England Energy Zone (EEEZ) stand and features case studies on 3sun Group, James Fisher Marine Services, Stowen CleanEnergy, Sembmarine SLP and Pipeshield International.

As part of partnership efforts to drive investment and business in offshore wind across the region, Norfolk County Council, Great Yarmouth Borough Council and Waveney District Council have produced a stand to highlight the diverse and experienced supply chain in the area.

Locally-based businesses on the stand include Peel Ports Great Yarmouth, Stowen, SSCS, Proserv, Rhenus Offshore Logistics, OrbisEnergy, and EEEGR (East of England Energy Group).

Cllr Graham Plant, Leader of Great Yarmouth Borough Council and Deputy Leader for Norfolk County Council said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the region’s significant supply chain and capabilities. We are working with offshore wind farm developers to present upcoming market opportunities – businesses need to be here to benefit from this work”

TMS Media – now in its 30th year of operating on the east coast – was commissioned by EEEZ in 2017 to collate data and write a brochure to promote the offshore wind capabilities of the Norfolk and Suffolk area. 

The brochure has been refreshed and expanded from eight to 12 pages for this event.

Steve Scott, managing director of TMS Media, said: “We have worked with the offshore wind supply chain since its early days here and it has been fascinating watching our region become a global-leader in such a fast-paced industry. It is changing the landscape on our coast, economically and literally, with a long pipeline of investment ahead.

“To be able to showcase our capability and opportunities – and the growth and success of companies in our region – was a chance we had to seize.”

EEEZ is unrivalled in the UK for its unique mix of wind power, gas and nuclear energy production. It has a supply chain with more than 50 years’ experience in the energy sector and its status as England’s leader in Southern North Sea offshore energy operations has been recognised with Enterprise Zone status for prime land and as a Centre for Offshore Renewable Engineering (CORE).

Picture caption: The East of England Energy Zone (EEEZ) offshore wind brochure, produced by Great Yarmouth-based TMS Media, was launched at Global Offshore Wind in Manchester on the EEEZ stand. From left to right: Michael Cousens and Roberta Willner, both inward investment officers for Norfolk County Council, and Cheryl Stockwell, economic development officer for Waveney District Council.

Commenting ahead of the European Council meeting, where Prime Minister Theresa May is due to address other EU leaders tonight (Thursday), Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

“While businesses won’t get the clarity and certainty they had sought from this European Council meeting, a new sense of momentum and drive is needed from both sides so that a breakthrough can be reached in the coming weeks.

“Uncertainty is knocking business confidence and preventing many businesses from developing future plans. Far too many investments have quietly been delayed or side-lined, by both SMEs and major corporates alike.

“Businesses of all sizes expect the UK government to stop the public bickering and business-bashing, and demonstrate unity and purpose as it negotiates with the EU27. European leaders, in turn, should give their negotiators more leeway to make a pragmatic deal with the UK that’s in the interests of all parties.

“Businesses want an end to uncertainty and a deal that supports trade between the UK and the EU27 – and it’s time for the government to deliver.”

Cyber Security Today

Typically, larger businesses nowadays have their own Security specialists (separate from IT), but medium sized businesses don’t, and that’s where we typically help by creating and guiding security strategy, and working with IT and other teams to secure the business and reduce risk.

We’ve also been trying to find a way that to help smaller businesses on a limited budget improve their Cyber Security.

Cyber Security for Smaller Businesses

Think your business is too small to be a target?

42% of micro/small businesses identified at least one breach or attack in the last 12 months (Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2018, DCMS)

CyberScale are excited be launching The CyberScale Academy and our Cyber Security Foundation programme – a 6-month programme designed to help small businesses improve their Cyber Security and reduce risks through a combination of structured regular workshops, step-by-step plans, along with support and guidance from our Cyber Security specialists.  Key benefits include:

• Cyber Security explained in plain English
• 12 hours of workshops over the course of the programme
• Individual action plan to make your business more secure
• Effectively balance Security & Productivity
• Understand and comply with standards & regulations e.g. GDPR
• Dedicated time to work on your Cyber Security
• Cost effective approach for smaller businesses
• Preparation for Cyber Essentials

Early Access for Norfolk Chamber Members

From 8am Thursday 28th June until 8am Monday, 2nd July ONLY, members of the Norfolk Business Network group can find full details and sign up at www.cyberscale.co.uk/academy-csf before places go on general release, using the following referral code:

0002-NFKCHB

Places on programme are limited to a maximum of 12 on each of the two alternative schedules we’ll be running from August 2018 – January 2019.  To take advantage of the pre-release places, you’ll need to sign up before Monday with the referral code above.