Cotton World are a leading manufacturer of textile products, with over three decades of industry experience, and they are working hard to offer support and help during the Corona crisis.
Managing Director of Cotton World Gary Holley has had a new shipment of navy Polycotton 195 gsm, and he is pleased to be able to offer Scrubs locally manufactured at a production volume of 120 per week.
Price for full set £24.00.
Our Fabrics
Our leading fabric suppliers hold BCI, GOTS and OE, and GRS 2.1 certifications. We are proud to manufacture textile products using the following fabrics:
– Cotton and Cotton blends, including Poly-Cottons – Organic Cotton and Organic Cotton blends, including 100% Organic with GOTS and OE certification – Recycled Cotton and Recycled blends, our fabric partner is a GRS certified company holding its own unit for fabric opening and blending – BCI Cotton, including 100% BCI with traceability – Fair Trade, our fabric partner is an FLO certified supplier
Please refer to Our Facilities for details about our manufacturing capabilities in the UK and India.
Whilst some homeworking arrangements may have been in place several weeks ago, due to COVID-19 we are now seeing more and more employees working remotely. So what does H M Revenue & Customs (HMRC) consider to be a homeworking arrangement, and what additional expenses can employees claim since they are now using their own home?
What is a homeworking arrangement?
A homeworking arrangement exists where there are arrangements between the employer and employee requiring the employee to regularly work from home. Current HMRC guidance indicates that where an employee is working from home due to COVID-19, either because the workplace has been closed, or they are following advice to self-isolate, a homeworking arrangement will exist for this period.
It is however still advisable that these arrangements are put in writing and our HR team can assist with this.
Can employers pay employees for extra costs incurred from working from home?
Employers may make a tax-free contribution towards an employee’s home expenses in respect of additional costs that an employee incurs due to working from home, assuming a homeworking arrangement exists.
These payments are typically made to cover the additional costs of heating and lighting the work area, additional home contents insurance or business calls. The allowance however excludes fixed costs which would be payable whether or not the employee works from home, for example mortgage payments or Council Tax.
The employer may choose to reimburse the full amount of the employee’s extra costs, however evidence must be produced to substantiate the reimbursement so detailed records should be kept.
Alternatively, the employer may use HMRC’s approved scale rates of £6 per week from 6 April 2020 (£4 per week up to 5 April 2020) which can be paid or reimbursed tax-free to an employee required to work from home.
Can employees claim tax relief on additional household expenses that are not reimbursed?
Employees may be able to make a claim for tax relief on the difference between the cost of additional expenses and the tax-free amounts received by the employer.
To make a claim for tax relief, the expense must have been incurred ‘wholly, exclusively and necessarily’ in the performance of duties, and there are only certain circumstances where HMRC accept that these conditions are met, including that employees are ‘required’ to work from home. Just being under a homeworking arrangement is not necessarily enough.
HMRC will only recognise the conditions are met for these purposes where no facilities are available for the employee to work at the employers’ premises, and there was no choice available to the employee other than to work from home.
HMRC have not yet confirmed that they will accept COVID-19 as being a situation where employees are ‘required’ to work from home – we therefore await their confirmation that employees can claim tax relief on additional non-reimbursed expenses. The approved scale rate of £6 per week, or reimbursed actual additional expenditure mentioned above have however been confirmed to be available under to COVID-19.
Please get in touch should you have any further queries regarding homeworking arrangements or employee expenses.
We are looking for a bright and committed developer to join our Norwich team. Due to Covid-19 this will initially be home-based, with office working to resume when the situation improves.
This is a fantastic opportunity to join a fast growing company with a role that offers real flexibility and potential. Many of our existing clients work with frameworks and CMS systems such as WordPress and Shopify, but we are keen to move towards more modern solutions such as JAMstack and headless CMS. This will be a core part of this position.
The successful applicant will have most or all of the following:
Proven working experience with frameworks and systems such as React/Gatsby/Netlify In-depth knowledge of modern HTML/CSS Strong familiarity with PHP and Javascript Experience building responsive HTML emails from provided designs Experience with hosting companies and server management Knowledge of SEO principles Problem-solving skills, debugging and cross-browser testing In addition, they will be hard working, curious, have a positive attitude, and be keen to help other members of the team.
Founded in 2011, Blink is a digital agency based in Norwich, Norfolk. We are a small but extremely ambitious team that has delivered extremely successful projects across a wide range of sectors. We work extremely hard to provide a positive and supportive environment, and there are numerous benefits to working with us, including:
4 day working week (Monday – Thursday, 9am-6pm) Flexible working opportunities Profit share (available after six months) City centre location Breakout space with table tennis, standing desks etc Office showers Selection of office dogs Careful attention to career growth and development For some of our employee reviews, see https://www.glassdoor.co.uk/Overview/Working-at-Blink-SEO-EI_IE3314924.11,20.htm
Benefits:
Work from home opportunities Bonus scheme Profit sharing/share options Flexible working hours Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
The OPEN Youth Trust (OPEN) on Bank Plain is pleased to announce thatMark Jeffries has become its fourth patron, joining The Rt. Rev Graham James, Bishop of Norwich, Richard Jewson, Lord-Lieutenant of Norfolk and Chief Constable Simon Bailey. Mark was the Senior Partner of national law firm Mills & Reeve until last year but remains a consultant whilst also holding non-executive board roles at the Department of Education, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals, R G Carter and NW Brown.
Talking of his appointment as patron Mark Jeffries said: “OPEN plays a vital role in providing facilities and delivering services for young people in Norfolk. I am delighted to be able to support the energetic team there who are working so hard to deliver the benefits of education, industry and commerce working together. There is enormous potential for the future.”
John Gordon-Saker, Chief Executive of OPEN said: “Every penny of profit generated through conference and event hire goes directly to the benefit of vulnerable and disadvantaged young people. Mark is widely respected in the business, education and health sectors and can help tell our compelling story to organisations that might be looking for socially responsible opportunities in the local community. I am thrilled that he so readily agreed to be a patron.”
SMS, a subsidiary of Alderley plc, are excited to announce that they have relocated to larger premises at the prestigious Beacon Park business park in Great Yarmouth at the end of 2015.
SMS have proudly named their new £3 million headquarters, Starling House, after a major contract win which marked the beginning of SMS’s ongoing success in the manufacture of topside equipment, such as hydraulic, pneumatic and electrical control systems for major subsea EPCs and North Sea oil and gas operators.
The new building occupies a prominent 100,000sq/ft. plot allowing SMS the capacity continue servicing the needs of its expanding client portfolio globally as well as the introduction of new product lines.
The larger purpose built facility comprises spacious bespoke offices and meeting rooms and a workshop designed for operational testing complete with modern observation zones for improved safety and a built-in overhead lifting crane.
SMS is an ISO 14001 accredited company and we are committed to reducing the impact we have on the environment and we are proud that the facility has an EPC rating of B.
Dave Howlett, Managing Director of SMS comments. “The new facilities have been purpose built for our needs to allow us to continue to work efficiently and deliver technical excellence to our clients. These new facilities along with the strong and talented people here at SMS will ensure we meet the rising global demand for our products and services.”
SMS’s new address is:
Starling House Lancelot Road Beacon Park Gorleston-on-Sea Norfolk NR31 7BF United Kingdom
Surprise your employees with a Kindness Corporate Box delivered through their letterbox as a little something to make them smile for £10 including delivery using the code KIND. Choose 3 handcrafted chocolate bars and add a postcard with a personalised message. Get in touch with Matt Legon or via https://lnkd.in/gaP5H6w
Charity information campaign voiced by Stephen Fry and Martin Shaw
Two of Norfolk’s most famous residents; actor, comedian and writer, Stephen Fry and actor, Martin Shaw, have joined forces to help Norfolk and Waveney cancer charity, Big C, create a new television and radio campaign to ensure those affected by cancer during the Coronavirus pandemic are aware of, and can access, vital support.
The pair, who have generously donated their time to the campaign, have provided voiceovers to provide information and signposting to Big C services. The advertisements will be aired on ITV, The Beach, North Norfolk Radio and Radio Norwich 99.9fm from May 12th.
Stephen Fry voices the radio advertisement. He said, “So pleased to be able to support a local charity doing so much good. It’s vital of course to do what we can to lessen the impact of the Coronavirus, but that doesn’t mean we should forget others who are stricken with other illnesses and in need of our support too.”
Martin Shaw voices the television advertisement said, “Thanks to Big C people living with cancer, can still access the support they need during this time of crisis. It’s a valuable service worth supporting – and they couldn’t do this without donations from the public, which is why I was delighted to help.”
Every year more than 8,000 people in Norfolk will be told they have cancer and many more will be living with the effects every day.
Dr Chris Bushby, Chief Executive at Big C, said, “The key message of our new broadcast campaign is that “We are still here to support you” and having Stephen and Martin on board helps enormously to instil that message. Many thanks to them for their generosity.
“At Big C, we have been supporting local people affected by cancer for 40 years and our team cares passionately about those who use our services. They are working tirelessly to provide valuable support and information for those at home coping with cancer and the additional challenges of the Coronavirus situation. This is a very difficult set of circumstances to deal with, but having the appropriate support makes an important difference. We want people to know they can rely on us throughout lockdown and beyond.”
Big C has a range of services designed to support those affected by cancer during the Coronavirus pandemic which include:
Free telephone support line operated by cancer specialist nurses and qualified, experienced cancer information officers. Telephone 0800 092 7640, Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
Live chat facility Monday to Friday 11am to 3pm
Telephone counselling
Telephone advice in partnership with Citizens Advice Bureau
Big C Virtual Centre – support.big-c.co.uk offering ‘Ask the Nurse’ support and video links to Big C team members. Physical activity and mental wellbeing videos
Delivery of Big C welfare support packs, including hand sanitisers made by UEA scientists for the charity
Emergency delivery service for those most in need
Weekly wellbeing blogs from Big C nursing and information support staff
Anyone affected by cancer in Norfolk and Waveney can access the following support by calling Big C free on 0800 092 7640
View Big C’s Coronavirus support advertisement here https://youtu.be/T077fQQRpfQ
Like many other charities, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Big C has experienced a significant drop in income, with shops closed and spring and summer fundraising events postponed.
If you can support Big C, donations are gratefully welcomed at fundraise.big-c.co.uk
Discover King’s Lynn, The King’s Lynn BID is this week launching a number of actions to help Town Centre businesses get ready to re-open their premises in the forthcoming months. Free signage for premises and webinars on risk assessment and becoming COVID-19 Safe are amongst the support being offered.
“To say that most town centre businesses are having a hard time at the moment would be an understatement,” says BID Manager Vicky Etheridge. “One of the roles of the BID is to support business, the Board and I are clear that we will do what we can to assist businesses with the process of re-opening. These are some of the short-term practical things that we can offer.”
The help being provided will be funded by a grant that the BID expects to receive from central Government in the coming weeks. The Minister for High Streets, Simon Clarke, announced a £6.1m resilience fund for BIDs in England on 1st May. The fund has been set up to assist BIDs with running costs and enable them to carry on their important role at this critical time. “We were really heartened to read the Minister’s words of support for BIDs, “says BID Chair, Sharon Edwards of Mapus-Smith & Lemmon. “As he said in his statement, BIDs have a unique role to play in championing town centres, supporting local business and leading the renewal of our high streets. We anticipate receiving around £10,000 from this fund and will be putting it all back into activities that support our levy payers.”
The BID is funded by an annual levy on businesses within a defined area of King’s Lynn town centre. This year’s levy bills for the period April 2020/21 are yet to be sent out in recognition of the difficulties that many businesses are facing. “We are working with the Borough Council to set a date to issue the bills and offer monthly payment plans. We recognise that many will not be able to pay this year and we have budgeted for that, without a BID there is no organisation or single voice that has the business community as its primary focus. The BID will be even more important to champion business needs and importance of a vibrant town centre as part of the recovery process. The Board and Vicky are really keen to hear business ideas about what recovery might look like and how the BID can best support them. We will be contacting levy payers about this shortly, in the meantime, do get in touch with Vicky.”
To find out more about the webinars, signage and other support available please contact Vicky Etheridge, BID Manager on 07387 752 226 or email; info@discoverkingslynn.com
We hope you have all been keeping safe and I’m sure you are eager to dust off the clubs and hit the fairways again, following several weeks of lockdown and especially with warmer weather forecasted on the horizon.
We have completed a thorough review of the government guidelines and industry recommendations for dealing with “best practise” when golf courses can re-open; and are pleased to outline how we will adapt our golf club accordingly to allow you to return and reopen on Friday 15th May from 9am. Our main priority is ensuring safety measures can be maintained to ensure members and staff can return to Barnham Broom.
We have a number of things to consider and update you about, which are outlined below. We remind members and their guests to adhere to the Government’s guidelines and in particular follow social distancing and hand sanitisation.
Access & new temporary / short term measures
Our golf operations will be re-located temporarily to our Barford Suite, where we have car parking in close proximity, gated access directly to the courses, an abundance of outdoor areas and most importantly spacious surroundings. In this area we can offer the best social distancing layout to ensure you can check in safely, have a clear route to follow and still offer many of the usual items for sale you would find in the professional shop. Access will only be through the Barford Suite area as the other parts of Barnham Broom remain closed.
Additional safety measures adopted are listed below:
• Pre booking of tee times preferably using the online BRS system, you will not be able to just turn up to play. No shows may incur a green fee. • 10 days advance booking for members, 5 days for non-members • Respectfully requesting 2 tee times per week maximum booked, to allow availability for all • 2 ball play only and whilst always maintaining social distancing • Members should not arrive more than 20 minutes (Valley) and 30 minutes (Hill) prior to their tee time unless using the range. Numbers will be restricted using the practise areas, so you may have to wait in turn. • Footwear to be changed in the car park • Academy course will only be available for academy members and coaching • Increased sanitiser availability around check in touch points • Hire items will be pre-sanitised prior to use • Course furniture removed where appropriate, requests to not touch flagsticks, hole cups, hand rails and bells • We strongly recommend you bring your own personal sanitiser or anti-bacterial wipes
Social distancing & self-isolating when high risk
At all times we will be encouraging social distancing measures to be followed, on and off the golf courses, we strongly urge all members and their guests to follow this practise. Should you be in a high risk category and have been asked by the NHS to self-isolate, we will suspend membership on the production of an applicable letter.
Membership subscriptions
For those on annual memberships, credits, by way of gift vouchers will be given to use against guest green fees, rentals or range – for the loss of play in April, by way of a goodwill gesture. For expired annual members, this credit will only be offered once membership is renewed.
Direct debits re-commence from mid-May in line with the course re-opening, new season tariffs will be applied from Mid-June.
Should your membership have expired since shut down, prompt payment will ensure access to the courses can be provided. You will receive your renewal notification this week via Club V1 e mail. Please make your payment via online banking, using your full name as the reference or by credit or debit card on your next return to play.
As you are aware we have had no revenue during this period of shutdown, so we would be very grateful for your membership payments to be made promptly.
Booking tee times and next steps
Finally, we will re-open the BRS tee sheets for both courses on Wednesday 13th May at 3pm to ensure fairness and availability to all members. Please note pre bookings have been removed and all competitions cancelled for the time being. For now you can book up to 10 days in advance and should book no more than 2 tee times per week as a reminder, until the demand levels out. Please call as usual if you do not have access to the online system, after 3pm tomorrow. Due to the expected demand, please do try and use the online booking system, as our phones may get very busy. 24 hours later at 3pm on Thursday 14th May we will open any visitor availability, but this will be limited for 5 day advance booking only.
When you return, you will notice signage and direction to ensure we adhere to the new measures and most of all please observe the social distancing rules and ensure hand sanitisation is also followed.
We look forward to seeing you very soon and welcoming you back to Barnham Broom Golf Club and as a reminder, please park on the Barford Suite side to access the golf course.
Norfolk and Waveney cancer charity, Big C, has announced the launch of virtual support group meetings for men, women and young people, to further bolster the package of support on offer to those affected by cancer in our community during the pandemic.
The Men’s Support Group, which usually meets at Big C Norwich Centre, met virtually for the first-time recently. The meeting was facilitated by Big C Cancer Information Clinical Nurse, Julian Pollard. He said “Everyone was very positive towards the experience. Many of the men in the group have been in isolation and shielding for several weeks, so being able to see people, especially those from their peer support group was really beneficial for them.”
Tim O’Shanohun, a service user who regularly attends the group, said: “By having this, it goes to show you that support is there for those who need it. Having this group meeting and the support packs that have been sent to me has been a bit of a lifeline at the moment.”
The Women’s Support Group, who also usually meet at the Norwich Big C Centre, hosted their first virtual meeting on the 15th May, organised by Cancer Information Clinical Nurse Specialist, Jenny Daly and Support and Information Nurse, Julie Taafe.
Jenny said: “The ladies who joined myself and Julie enjoyed having the catch up with everyone and sharing how they have been coping with the lockdown. The ladies were really pleased to be able to have the opportunity to use Zoom to stay in contact.”
Ladies group member, Yvonne, said, “As I have very much missed my regular visits to the Big C centre for support, relaxation and the ladies group, I found the session yesterday very helpful as it was really good to actually see people for a discussion rather than by telephone and to know the support is there too. With my only outings where I have conversations face to face with people (other than my husband) confined to visits to the supermarket, Zoom is an excellent way of keeping in touch, like having friends round which is as close as we can at the moment.”
The Free2Be support group for young people aged 13 to 25, who have or have had a cancer diagnosis, also held a virtual support group this week.
Big C area manager, Tonia King, said: “The young people that attended really enjoyed reconnecting again and have developed great supportive friendships. We had one member join us from their hospital bed, with the group offering a much-needed distraction for the long days with no visitors. During the meeting we had some members donning fancy dress and wigs to much amusement, plus some showing off how they have been keeping active at home. My personal favourite highlight was the group singalong and dancing to Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5.”
Bianca Rudd who attends the Free2Be group said “Being at the Free2Be meeting is like been with my second family however, they aren’t family; they are people which have been through a similar situation as you have, with professionals who are there listen to you, help you if you need it and they are there to support you, not judge you and without them I wouldn’t be where I am now.”
Another group member added: “The meeting was just what I needed. To see my cancer family was a perfect way to put a smile on my face in a troubling time. It was great to see how much Big C are still there for the people that need them.”
Big C Director of Operations, Dr Melanie Pascale said, “The Big C support team has done a tremendous job to set up the virtual group meetings which, from the feedback we have already received, we know are of great value and comfort to those affected by cancer in our community. The circumstances are currently very tough for those with cancer, but with the right support and friendship people are often able to find enormous strength and resilience.”
For more information about Big C Support Groups, please call 0800 092 7640 (free to call, Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm).
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
Get your coffee, get comfortable and join us next Thursday 28th May to hear from Andrea Hardiman of ‘All About The Message’ at our Coastal Connect morning. Book your place here
Adjusting to any crisis is tough – it’s a bit like being on a rollercoaster!
We all react differently and sometimes it’s difficult to know what to do for the best. I’ll be sharing some of my ‘mindset top tips’ that have helped me adapt during the lockdown.
I’ll also reveal the ‘marketing checklist’ I’ve been using for both for my marketing and my clients. From a ‘Start-Stop-Continue’ process to adopting a softer tone to marketing communications and connecting with existing customers, these are small steps to help you be ‘marketing ready’ for the future.
Andrea’s passion for marketing and her love of storytelling naturally led to a career in communication and where people are at the heart of her work.
Her mission is simple – to enable success and engage others through inspiring, creative marketing which successfully connects companies to their customers.
As an award-winning marketer and founder of Norwich Marketing company ‘All About The Message,’ she knows how to help companies effectively tell their story and create marketing that influences and engages with their customers.
Marketing strategy is what really makes her heart sing. She listens to a company, understands their market position, recognises their competitors and finally creates for them a unique marketing strategy, so their voice is heard.
There is no ‘marketing scattergun’ approach here. Through her 25 years marketing experience, with some global brands, Andrea understands how to fashion stand-out stories and construct realistic, fresh and straight-forward marketing strategies aimed at both new and existing customers.
A far reaching transport group is launching a scheme to provide apprentices in Norfolk with an affordable way to travel to and from work
Next month (March 2016) Kickstart – a Dereham based charity which hire’s mopeds to help people attend work, education or training – will offer the new scheme to young apprentices aged between 16 and 18.
The new project will specifically tackle the problem many young apprentices face trying to afford travel expenses to get to work and back. Now, Kickstart will be offering young apprentices free motorcycle clothing and a one day compulsory basic training (CBT) course to enable them to legally ride a moped or scooter. The charity will then offer the apprentices’ subsidised hire of a 50cc moped for only £2.86 per day.
Barry Lynes, rider coordinator for Kickstart, said: “We are extremely happy to be launching this scheme, which we hope will help many young apprentices across Norfolk. Many of these young people do struggle financially whilst learning their trades due to a combination of low wages and lack of available benefits. For many of these aspiring young people affording transport to and from their place of work can be a significant problem, which we hope this scheme will help them to overcome. Once the apprentices have completed the CBT and been handed the clothing they are able to hire a fully insured, taxed and maintained moped for under £3 per day for the remainder of their apprenticeship.”