Member Blog

Since the UK are still yet to have a deal with the EU, it is uncertain which scenario will take place and how leaving the EU could affect the UK’s broadcasting industry. We are exploring the positive and negative impacts that leaving the EU could have on the broadcasting industry.

POSITIVES

Hopefully the UK will remain to be an attractive place for artists to come and work whilst still sharing a common European culture. London is a major hub for creatives featuring over 850 art galleries and many communal creative work spaces whilst it’s creative sector contributes £47bn to the UK’s economy every year. It is important that London continues to provide creative work spaces, developing the talent of the future, jobs and shaping the local communities in order to maintain its name of global capital of culture.

Leaving the EU would mean that the UK are free to make their own immigration rules. This would mean they could make them flexible enough for workers within the broadcasting industry to visit the UK with little hassle.  The UK will also be able to negotiate new free trade deals with other countries once they are out of the EU. This means that, the UK can create deals that has its own self-interest as its main negotiating focus.

Additionally, as the pound is weaker, foreign studios and producers are getting better value for money when they spend in the UK which could lead to an increase in UK productions, more jobs, higher wages and growing the size of the UK film economy.

NEGATIVES

On the other hand, leaving the EU could mean the loss of freedom of movement which could hit the visual effects and post-production sector quite hard as they require freelancers who have specific skills, whereas before hiring EU nationals was on the same basis as hiring UK workers. It is estimated that between 10 to 20% of the UK’s audio visual workforce is made of EU nationals, and in London the percentage is much greater. Depending on the deal that is accepted, a main concern is if the large percentage of EU nationals, who currently live and work in the UK in the broadcasting sector, will be able to stay. It may also reduce the ability of EU producers to film freely within the UK as well as cutting down the demand for UK based training courses which could all lead to a lower demand for employment and services in the UK.

Over 650 channels that are broadcast EU wide have a UK broadcasting license. Leaving the EU would mean that broadcasters will have to seek a license in another EU member state by moving their workforce and operation in order to retain their license to broadcast their shows freely across the EU.

Finally, leaving the EU could result in the loss of the Digital Single Market which has been of high importance for the UK as Europe is the UK’s largest export market for digital services and the DSM allows access to this. There is a risk that UK broadcasters may lose their EU access to their markets as companies will need an EU base.

To conclude, the outcomes of Brexit are still uncertain and only predictions can be made, about how leaving the EU could affect the broadcasting industry, until the final deal has been agreed. The film industry is booming in the UK and hopefully it will remain after Brexit.  Whatever the outcome.

For more information about what’s on at Epic Studios please visit our Events page.

Listening to music can be a different experience for everyone, but we can all agree that music has its own power, whether it makes you feel nostalgic, helps you focus or boosts your mood. It is something that enables people to connect with others as well as having a positive effect on your mind, body and soul. However, working in the music industry as an artist could also be damaging to a person’s mental health if they do not seek the support that they need.

POSITIVE EFFECTS ON YOUR HEALTH

Listening to music releases dopamine which is responsible for the feeling of pleasure. When experiencing tension and then resolution in music, for example a drop in a dance track, it is universally satisfying because different brain circuits are involved in both the anticipatory and achievement process. Dopamine also helps with motivation and studies have shown that listening to music whilst working can increase efficiency. However, this depends on whether you had a choice in the music that you are listening to because if the music is out of your control it can cause stress and the positive effects will not occur because dopamine is released only when music is pleasurable in relation to your mood or personal taste.

Music is also known to increase helpful antibodies such as Immunoglobulin A which aids cells to attack bacteria or germs which are invading the body, meaning that listening to music can increase a person’s immune system. Additionally, it has been proven that listening to music strengthens your heart and lowers blood pressure depending on the type of music that you are listening to. Pop, Rap, Country and Reggae have the same effect on the body as they all get the blood pumping which makes you less calm and happier. Metal is believed to help cope with feelings of depression and stress. Classical music releases stress hormones and causes a dopamine rush.

MUSIC AND MENTAL HEALTH

Music therapy has been proven by Levy (2017) to ‘reduce anxiety and physical effects of stress, improve healing, helps to manage Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, reduces depression and other symptoms in the elderly, decreased symptoms of psychological disorders including schizophrenia and finally it improves self-expression and communication.’ Music therapy is thought to help manage mental health problems in the ways listed above as well as help minimise the trauma and disruption associated with hospitalisation.

However, 73% of artists in the music industry suffer with mental illnesses according to Record Union. Although listening to music can relieve issues relating to stress, anxiety and depression, it has been said that working in the music industry as an artist can actually increase these negative emotions in relation to their creation of music. This can be caused by fear of failure, financial issues and also being lonely. Help Musicians UK have launched a 24/7 mental health support service for anyone in the music industry that may need some support or advice. Companies like these are here to support musicians at any time and are working on ways to prevent mental illnesses from becoming so common amongst young independent musicians.

MUSIC AND DEMENTIA

The national Music For Dementia 2020 campaign has recently been announced which will help to encourage patients to find the right services. Its aim is to make music available to everyone who is living with dementia. Music helps to unlock memories and improve the quality of life for a patient. It allows them to communicate beyond words and bond with others which is something music can do for anyone. As previously mentioned, music can make anyone feel nostalgic and dementia patients respond best to songs that they grew up listening to as it can trigger emotions and personal memories which can help ease the behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia.

For more information about what’s on at Epic Studios please visit our Events page.

Video editing is the process of rearranging and manipulating video shots to create a new project. Editing is a key component of the post production process including tasks such as titling, colour correction, sound mixing etc. There are three main different types of editing software for video editing professionals which are Final Cut Pro, Adobe Premiere Pro and Avid Media Composer.

FINAL CUT PRO

Final Cut Pro is a professional video editing software designed for Mac users which allows users to edit, process and output a range of video formats. These formats include DV, HDV, DVCProHD, XDCAM, 2K, 4K and 5K. The program has a vast range of tools which therefore enable editors to create impeccable videos, smoothly and speedily.

PROS

• Fast and Smooth
• Appealing to the eye
• Seamless video editing
• VR Handling
• Organised assets
• 2D and 3D Titles
• Impeccable sound
• Autosave
• Open more than one project at a time
• Mid-range pricing
• High quality rendering
• Up to 400 shortcuts to increase speed of edit

CONS

• Only runs on Macs
• Limited export settings
• Audio mixing is a little more difficult due to there being no tracks
• Colour correction has no curves
• Interface can look intimidating
• May not work with all work flows in a collaborative post-production process
• Some upgrades may be a hinderance rather than a help as the latest version does not support old file formats

ADOBE PREMIERE PRO

Adobe Premiere Pro is a video editing software suitable for professionals and enthusiasts that has been around since 2003. It allows users to turn raw footage into stunning cinematic videos. It has access to tools allowing editors to adjust colour, fine-tune audio and much more. It is a common misconception that Premiere is more-suited to domestic use, and certain major productions have used this package such as Netflix programmes ‘Mindhunter’ and ‘Making a Murderer’ and major films ‘Avatar’ and ‘Deadpool 2’ as well as various location ‘off-set’ shoots.

PROS

• The Creative Cloud – Integration with outstanding image software such as Photoshop and After Effects
• Ability to import and export between software without rendering or losing layers
• Good colour correction and audio tools
• Mac and PC compatibility
• Support multiple file formats
• VR Support
• Responsive Interface as you can adjust the brightness of the user interface for contracts with actual footage
• Support for RED, Arri and Canon cinematography cameras
• SpeedGrade now part of the production bundle
• Extensive & efficient online support for customers
• Reasonably-priced for both consumer and professional use

CONS

• You can only rent this product meaning you can never own it
• Expensive but it does include 29 other services
• Clunky and Buggy
• It does not run on 32-bit operating systems as it is a 64-bit application
• GPU acceleration still mostly limited to professional graphic cards
• Lacking 360 degree stitching tools

AVID MEDIA COMPOSER

Avid Media Composer is a film and video editing software suitable to professionals who create TV shows and movies. It was the first non-linear editing system available to professionals and has matured through updates and system add-ons. As a result it now sets the standard for other system distributors. The program is used in major Hollywood productions and hence comes with a steep price tag. Avid is a software designed with unlimited capabilities to tackle any media project with incredibly powerful tools. Avid is very much still considered the industry benchmark for large budget film productions, and is commonly-used by major film production companies.

PROS

• Best for feature films and episodic tv
• Customise your workspace
• Separate source browser to find assets more quickly
• Supports 4k, 8k and 360 degree video editing
• Lots of built in effects
• Suitable for both Mac and PC
• Can generate a negative cut list for matching back to original negative material
• Can be installed on many computers
• Pro Tools-like interface for audio mixing
• No compliance issues when editing for major network distribution  

CONS

• Hard for beginners to learn as it is said to be the least intuitive of the major editing programs
• Only 24 tracks of video can be stored, which limits the number of angles available for multicam editing
• Can only sync video and audio for single takes
• Very expensive
• The operating machine must has at least 250GB spare on the HDD for it to run to its full potential
• Only supports standard broadcast resolutions and frame rates

At Epic Studios we use a combination of all three different types of editing software throughout our post-production phase depending on application in line with the distinct benefits between the different packages. For more information of what’s on at Epic Studios, please visit our Events page. 

Simply, location filming means that you are shooting in the actual setting the story takes places rather than in a studio. A soundstage is a soundproof building or room used for the production of film and television content. It is sound proofed so that sound can be recorded along with the images. Adversely, location shooting is the shooting of a film or television production in a real world setting instead of using a soundstage. The location could be interior or exterior and some filming may be based in the location the story is set, or it may stand in for a different locale.

CONTROL

A benefit of shooting in a studio space is that the environment can be completely controlled, which is a key difference between studio and location filming. The environment of the studio can be set for the type of production that is being filmed. Weather can be created in a studio space as well as it being a normal temperature and this enables filming in regular working hours. This is a factor that can be a challenge when filming on location because – as we know – weather can be unpredictable. Therefore trying to film outside can be affected by this, in that it will often be required to await the correct weather conditions for your production or filming cannot continue. Additionally, shooting on location could be interfered by unwanted surrounding noise, dependent on location.

COST

A perk of filming on location is that it can be cost-effective as there will be minimal set design and construction overheads. However, this will also depend on where the production is being filmed because if the chosen location is in a remote area it could cause other hindrances to the project. It can be expensive to take a whole crew to a remote location and this may also incur additional costs with regards to accommodation and hospitality for all crew to last as long as filming takes. This could potentially use a large sum of the production budget. Filming in a studio could be expensive due the studio being a blank canvas, meaning it would cost a lot to construct sets as required for each scene depending on the production.

AVAILABILITY

Carrying out a production in a studio space can be a benefit due to uncertainty surrounding the duration of filming. Studio managers are used to this, which means that they can offer some leeway time for the production to be completed. However, availability can be a problem for shooting on location. This is because the space is only available at the owner’s convenience. This can put pressure on a project to be finished if they are running out of time, or else they would then have to find a different location which could delay filming.

ACCESS

With regards to access, shooting in a studio can be easier as there is usually a specific area for loading equipment in and out efficiently. On the other hand, accessibility for location shooting will depend on the chosen location and how remote it may be.

REGULATIONS/OWNERS

Finding a location to film can be difficult depending on the owner and government regulations related to the chosen area. For example: the owner may need to be convinced that hosting a production would be beneficial before they sign off and give permission for the filming to take place. Another point to consider is that the chosen location of filming must not interfere with any government regulations. If it does then discussions would need to take place in advance to ensure that guidelines are agreed so filming can begin in line with the necessary timescale. None of these issues would be a problem for filming on a soundstage as regulations are already set in place with the venue upon opening.

For more information on our filming projects at Epic, please see our broadcast Facebook page… https://www.facebook.com/epictvbroadcast/

For more information on the Events coming up at Epic, please see our events page… https://www.epic-tv.com/events/

If you are local to the East Anglian region you’ve undoubtedly heard of the inaugural Wild Paths festival happening this coming October on the weekend of the 18th-20th. On the off chance you’ve resided on the moon these past few months, Wild Paths is a brand-new multi-venue festival – inspired by Brighton’s The Great Escape – bringing a dauntingly wide roster of exciting bands and live acts to the streets of Norwich.

Boasting over 200 acts playing across 18+ venues within the city, the shenanigans kick off at Bermuda Bobs and Norwich Arts Centre on the 17th of October with pre-party shows. Over the course of the weekend festival-revellers will be treated to an eclectic cocktail of local, national and international artists of every creed and genre delighting audiences with a myriad of fantastic live music at the city’s biggest, best and coolest venues.

For a taster of what’s in store, read below for an outline of the weekend’s happenings including what’s on at Epic, a specially curated selection of our favourite acts performing at fellow venues, ticketing info and the low down on hospitality on offer including: food & beverages, arts, speakers & more.

We hope you enjoy reading and look forward to catching you all on the dance floor!

Much Love,

The Epic Team

TICKETING INFO

Every punter can create their own unique festival experience as Wild Paths gives the option to purchase show, day and weekend passes. Weekend passes are available with three options: Fringe, Standard and VIP Pass; allowing customers the convenient choice of dipping their toes with the odd show or launching a chaotic attack on everything the weekend has to offer! See below for details surrounding the different ticket types:

FRINGE WEEKEND PASS

Access to smaller venues and a number of main festival and fringe events. EXCLUDING: Open Banking Hall, Waterfront Main Room, Epic Studios, Norwich Arts Centre, The Wallow, Secret Satellite Venues. LIMITED access to: Anteros Rooms, Space Studios. £35 + BF.

WEEKEND PASS

Access to all main festival events EXCLUDING: The Wallow and Secret Satellite Venues and LIMITED access to: Norwich Arts Centre, Anteros Rooms, Space Studios. £65 + BF.

VIP WEEKEND PASS

Allows fast-track entry to all venues. Access to VIP/artist backstage bars, drinks events and parties thrown by partners and sponsors. Free drinks and select merchandise will be provided at these events. Official Wild Paths tote bags including gifts and samples from sponsors are also provided. £95 + BF.

WILD PATHS AT EPIC STUDIOS CASWELL

Caswell will once again be gracing the Epic Studios stage on the Saturday of Wild Paths. Having recently won the final of the Hoax live music competition at Epic to support Ed Sheeran at his Chantry Park shows in Ipswich, and a storming set at this year’s Reading festival, Caswell is certainly one to keep an eye out for making a huge splash in the industry!

Her music is a bassy amalgamation of neo-soul, electronica and synth-fused pop resulting in a bespoke sound that comes alive during her captivating performances.

MAYA LAW

Maya Law, another Epic Studios alumni who honed her craft at neighbouring Access Creative College, is back to perform on the Friday evening. Maya is a local upcoming singer-songwriter whose music is an autobiographical blend of acoustic, neo soul and hip-hop citing influences such as Amy Winehouse & Ms. Lauryn Hill.

No stranger to the Norwich music scene having recorded many live sessions at BBC Introducing Norfolk and aggressively gigging the local circuit for some time, her live performances have been described as having a warm and touching stage presence and bond with the crowd.

PILLOWTALK (LIVE)

PillowTalk is more than a whispered chat before bed but rather that groovy, soulful electronic music band who have been gifting you songs from the heart since 2011. Their music fuses the sounds of classic R&B, boogie and disco with underground house and indie dance.

They will be coming over from San Francisco to play two sets at Wild Paths Festival. They bring their iconic live set to Epic Studios on the Saturday evening, and will also be heading to Space Studios later in the night for a DJ set with ‘No Regular Play’.

ETTA BOND

London based contemporary soul star Etta Bond, first became known back in 2011 when she featured on Wretch 32’s album ‘Black and White’. Since then she has worked with the likes of Labrinth, Tom Misch and Kojey Radical, to name but a few. It has been said that she is ‘best known for her soulful British vocal and straight-talking attitude.’

Etta cites influences such as Jill Scott and Billie Holiday but bestows a very much unique style with her late-night R&B and club-friendly pop anthems.

FRANC MOODY

Franc Moody comprises London duo Ned Franc and Jon Moody, who embrace disco-funk in glittering dance-pop productions, emboldened by Daft Punk’s studio forays into the recreation of classic disco on Random Access Memories. The duo combine elements of electronica, funk, disco and soul specialising in the use of DIY sounds in their productions that exhibit their signature style of captivating and buoyant music.

Wild Paths marks the pairs first outing to Norwich, so expect something very special for Franc Moody’s headline set on Saturday evening at Epic, as we welcome their ‘infectious stage presence’ to the Studios.

CRAZY P (DJ)

Joint headliner and Saturday’s set closer is the great Crazy P (DJ). Fusing slinky underground disco, deep electronic throbs and shimmering pop moments; this is dance music with a voice, heart and soul. Boasting seven studios albums and a career spanning over 20 years, Crazy P remains stronger and more relevant than ever. Funny how the tides of time turn, and how the sounds of a typically British type of house and disco are now more du jour than ever before. Way before the rise in prominence of disco, house and soulful pop Crazy P has spearheaded the revival (and perpetuation) of these sounds since 1997.

SIMIAN MOBILE DISCO

Friday set closer and co-headliner act Simian Mobile Disco are an English electronic music duo and production team, formed in 2003 by James Ford and Jas Shaw of the band Simian. Musically, they are best known for their analogue productions. Ford is also known for his production work. When Simian split they continued DJing and recording as Simian Mobile Disco, and their acclaimed 2007 debut album “Attack Decay Sustain Release” earned them their first hit with “Hustler“.

Their most recent album ‘Murmurations’ features the Hackney Deep Throat Choir throughout a selection of their songs to create atmospheric layers of vocals which adds to their euphoric sound. Their seminal live set is not one to miss as they assault Epic’s dance floors with their trademark toe-tapping electro-boogie. 

WHAT ELSE IS GOING ON AT WILD PATHS FESITVAL? SPINN

Liverpudlian quarter Spinn formed back in 2015 and describe themselves as a ‘jangly dreampop band’. Their debut album launched May this year and since then they have been playing gigs all across the UK with another burst of shows scheduled this Autumn, including supporting The Slow Readers Club at the O2 Ritz in Manchester this December.

Their refreshing take on the true essence of indie guitar-pop is certainly a show to consider, it’s going down early evening Saturday downstairs at The Shoe Factory.

THE MAGIC GANG

The Magic Gang are a traditional indie guitar outfit hailing from the Britain’s liveliest seaside town: Brighton. Focusing on bright, starry harmonies and adolescent love songs pioneered by the Britpop bands of past, the Magic Gang offer a refreshing yet nostalgically comfortable sound for gig-goers. Huge hooky choruses, lightly fuzzed guitar segments and relatable boy-meets-girl songwriting all point to these chaps being your favourite band you haven’t heard yet.

From their first release back in 2015, Magic Gang have gone onto release their first studio album as well as play several sold out shows across the UK and gain an army of fans. Catch them downstairs at The Shoe Factory Saturday night.

JOSE GONZALEZ

Well-known indie-folk singer/songwriter Jose Gonzalez needs little introduction. A household name widely-acclaimed for his ethereal whispery vocals and smooth, intricate guitar pieces – it’s expected his show at Open on Sunday evening will be a popular crowd draw to round off the weekend’s festivities.

ANNA MEREDITH

Anna Meredith is a composer and producer who creates music of spanning a vast multitude of genres & styles, including (but very much not limited to): electronica, experimental rock, classical and pop. She has been awarded and MBE for her contribution to music and is accredited with winning both the Paul Hamlyn Foundation Award for Composers and the 2016 Scottish Album of the Year Award.

Her music will bring a diverse twist to Wild Paths lineup and is certainly a show worth checking out. She takes to the stage at the Art Centre Friday evening.

PIN UPS

‘Wonky-grunge Indie’ band Pin Ups are formed of three lead vocalists from Norwich/London with a sound soaked in fun-fuelled energy. Pin Ups have played at most of the best-loved music venues of Norwich such as Epic Studios, Open, Bermuda Bob’s Rum Shack and Norwich Arts Centre. We simply can’t wait to witness their triumphant return for Wild Paths at The Last Pub Standing on the Saturday evening.

VC PINES

VC Pines real-name Jack Mercer is best known as the frontman to previous project ‘The Carnabys’. He has recently taken a U-turn in his career with his new alternative-soul solo project: VC Pines. A rare mix of soul, spoken word and punk; VC Pines is a force that has to be heard to be believed.

He’ll be taking the stage at the Shoe Factory on the Saturday of Wild Paths to showcase his captivating vocals for the first time in Norwich.

EXCLUSIVE TO WILD PATHS

Wild Paths Festival will also feature themed after-parties, networking events, art installations, local food pop-ups and exclusive beer and coffee by local independent retailers.

ART

Across the weekend there will be live graffiti presentations which will be taking place at The Shoe Factory as well as a collaborative festival exhibition at Studio 20 run by Site Collective.

PANELS

On the Saturday of Wild Paths, there will be panel discussions from 10am – 4pm at Norwich Arts Centre, speakers include Phil Taggart, Peter Bradbury and a number of Wild Paths performers. Additionally, there will be a full conference programme held at Access Creative College on the Friday, 10am – 6pm.

FOOD

Wild Paths is all about bringing the Norwich community together and showcasing the wonderful perks our little city has to offer, such as local independent food companies including: Moco Kitchen, The Cabin, Churros & Chorizo & many more. Some of these pop-ups will be located in the garden of Norwich Arts Centre, at The Shoe Factory as well as other select parts of the festival.

DRINK

Exclusive to the festival is local master-brewers Redwell’s very own Wild Paths IPA, a special recipe created especially for the weekend and brewed right here in Norwich. Additionally, Strangers Coffee offer a signature a Wild Paths Roast to get you going in the mornings. Other drinks vendors dotted around the festival include Norfolk Gin and Franklin & Sons – keep an eye out over the weekend for their own exclusive remedies stocked at various bars across the venues.  

THERE YOU HAVE IT…..

We hope you enjoyed this exclusive overview of our handpicked fave bits from Wild Paths Festival. If you would like any further information or a full run down of the artists &activities involved in the behemoth of a weekend please visit the official website:

Wild Paths website: https://www.wildpaths.co.uk/

If you are already sold based on the staggering list of phenomenal acts above you can dive straight in for a ticket on our website here:

Tickets: https://www.epic-tv.com/events/wild-paths-festival/

Lastly, if you simply can’t wait that long – check our listings for upcoming gigs in the meantime!

Epic Studios listings: https://www.epic-tv.com/events/

We look forward to seeing you all there!

If you have just arrived in London or you are thinking of relocating, the first thing you need to do is look for a job. As this is your primary objective, you need to consider some tips and steps that will help you get into the job market.

London has prospered in all industries because of its appeal to expats. Small and medium-sized businesses will draw more of their workforce from outside the UK. The different people living and working in London have created a multicultural, exciting and vibrant place to live and work. The only issue you need to worry about is finding a job that gets you there, although you should also check out the London price map for areas to live in!

Competition for jobs is high in London and there are hundreds of applicants for each position listed in the city. This is why you have to take advantage of all the resources you have. The conventions employers use may seem rigid with specific CV formats required, applications and cover letters. However, when you have been hired, you will find the positions are stable and well paid.

Advice From Recruitment Experts

When you apply for a job, you should highlight the international exposure you have and the languages you can speak. You need to state how fluent you are in the languages and demonstrate that you are willing to learn. Employers are more likely to consider applicants who have some exposure to UK systems which means you need to point out that you know systems such as Sage or Excel.

It is also recommended that you get some advice from a recruitment consultant regarding business dress in the country. What you wear for an interview in your home country may not be considered acceptable in the UK. How you dress can affect whether or not you get the job.

Know Your Visas

If you want to live and work in the UK, many foreigners need to have a work visa. To get the visa, you will be assessed based on certain criteria. The categories for these visas are broken down into 6 ground including skilled workers, high-value workers, and temporary workers.

For more information about the visa you need and what is required, you should check the UK home office website. They will provide guidance on the different visa types and the entry requirements. You can also find information about the application process.

Networking

A lot of companies in London will choose someone who has been recommended by an employee instead of an applicant. This is particularly true when applying for roles that are not very well known in the UK. To make the most of this, you should contact any friends and family you have in the UK for recommendations and advice. You should also look for industry events in the city.

Social media is a great option when it comes to networking and there are a lot of Facebook groups for expats in London. You should also look at joining a LinkedIn group that is related to your industry. Once you have, you should interact with people who are working in London. If you are not sure about how to network, you should get some advice from a professional.

Working With Recruiters

When a job is advertised, there are hundreds of applications who ate fighting for the job. While your CV may be great, it can be hard to stand out from the rest of the applicants. Job boards will give you a good idea about the jobs out there, but you should not rely on them alone.

If you are looking to stand out of the crowd, you should work with a recruiter. They will provide you with something that makes the hiring manager notice you.

It has been recently announced the loans comparison site Badger Loans will now begin collaborating with our SEO team at Tudor Lodge Consultants. The business is looking to help improve their online presence through developing their SEO practices and came to us having found out about the number of clients in various sectors we have helped using our SEO expertise.

Who are Badger Loans?

Badger Loans uses award-winning technology in order to provide the most suitable lenders to applicants, enabling them to find the very best deals available for not only good credit loans but bad ones too. The fundamental aim of the company is to provide ease of use for those looking to find a suitable loan, without having to compromise on the reputation of the lender.

How we are helping Badger Loans

Landing pages: Creating new landing pages for the Badger Loans website is one way to help the company build upon its reputation online. Our team has made sure that these new landing pages have been properly structured to help with SEO rankings: this includes using relevant topic titles, H2 headings as well as internal links on articles to help boost its ranking online.

Creating links: We know that it is vital for a firm’s Google ranking to have strong links, and our SEO team has made sure that Badger Loans will only from now on have strong links from other reputable websites. This has two benefits for the loan comparison site: not only will it now be easier to crawl for Google, but it also aides their SEO ranking.

Site redesign: another thing that the team at Tudor Lodge Consultants is working on is re-designing and updating the website, as this will also help improve its online presence and keep it in line with its other competitors online. For example, we will be introducing calculators onto the website, to help improve online engagement – as this will impact SEO ranking.

Tudor Lodge Consultants are currently working with Nineteen5 to help boost their visibility in the online world. Nineteen5 are a company that offer dynamic marketing and design services for businesses; this includes branding in addition to digital, print and presentation design. We help to boost their online visibility through our team of trained professionals, implementing various different SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) strategies to help bump up their rankings with Google. Tudor Lodge Consultants have achieved this through various different SEO tactics, including the following: 

Getting new links – one of the many ways in which we have been helping to promote Nineteen5 online via Google is by acquiring links from reputable, trustworthy websites. In getting these new links for Nineteen5’s website, we have helped to build up a trustful reputation of the site, thereby making it easier to crawl and improve the position of the site on the search engine’s rankings. 

Keyword research – we also took the time to understand and develop a list of our client’s prioritised keywords, and made sure that these keywords were included and fully optimised on the site through such methods as meta-titles and descriptions, including internal links, writing up image alt-text as well as creating dedicated landing pages.

Creating new landing pages – another great way to help in building up a distinctive and reputable online presence is through landing pages. This not only helps to show that the business has a wealth of knowledge within their chosen area, but also helps in optimising a site. We optimise the landing pages by structuring them to be relevant topics that also include H titles (e.g. h2s) and internal links. Including these features into the structure of a landing page can help to get it picked up by Google’s algorithms, improving the site’s rankings on the search engine.

What we are doing for Alex James London

Tudor Lodge Consultants are working with Alex James London, a photography business specialising in Fashion Editorial, Fashion Commercial, Portraits and also Moving Image. With our team of SEO professionals, Tudor Lodge Consultants have been helping to promote the online visibility of Alex James London by improving their site’s rankings on Google.

Improving Google’s ranking of a site can be done through a range of different SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) tactics. We have implemented a range of these different tactics to improve Alex James London’s position on the search engine’s rankings, including the following:

Fixing up the site

One of the many ways in which we help to optimise a site is to conduct a site clean-up, also known as fixing up the site. In this process, our team ensure that all meta-titles and meta-descriptions have been fully optimised with the correct keywords for the site. The keywords for the site were discussed with the clients, and have been fully integrated throughout to ensure effective optimisation.

Keywords are integrated into a site for optimisation through, as previously discussed, meta-titles and descriptions, as well as via the internal links between pages in the site. In addition to this, we ensure that pages include internal links, and that all of these internal links are working and load as smoothly as possible through fixing response codes.

We have also ensured that the image-alt text for all media in the Alex James London website is fully optimised. By conducting a site clean-up, Tudor Lodge Consultants has helped to make this client’s site easier for Google to crawl, thereby helping to bump up its position in the search engine’s rankings.

Maintaining the Alex James London design

Whilst conducting this optimisation, we have also had to ensure that the images and overall design of the site maintains its stunning artistic feel.

Authority

To strengthen the Alex James domain, we have looked for link opportunities across other business, arts, photography and news site. Every link back to the site is like a recommendation in Google eyes and we use a combination of links to the homepage (hyperlinking the brand name) and exact words like ‘fashion photographer’ to create a good balance and maximise the site’s authority for Google search results.

While the UK economy continues to fluctuate, with political uncertainty adding to the difficulties created by social change and international competition, Norfolk continues to show above-average levels of growth and productivity.

Norfolk is home to some of Britain’s most prominent businesses. We think of the insurance giant Aviva (the former Norwich Union) and the sports car manufacturer Lotus. Smaller businesses have always been important too, particularly in farming, fisheries and food production. But while the local economy remains relatively healthy, there is still much that needs to be done to ensure continued growth and prosperity into the future.

Employment remains steady

According to the most recent Norfolk Economic Intelligence Report, based on data up to June 2019, employment levels across Norfolk remain at a healthy 75.4%. This is slightly higher than the national average of 75.1%, but significantly below the regional level of 78%. Unemployment is at 4%, which again is somewhat better than the national average (4.2%) but not quite up to regional levels (3.5%).

Although the figures show a slightly upward movement in employment levels year on year, in more general terms, employment has remained fairly steady over the past couple of years. After hitting a high at the end of 2016 the numbers declined slightly before levelling out at the start of last year. However, the current level of employment is still higher than it was at any point from 2009-2016.

Higher than average

In terms of comparisons, employment in Norfolk has been higher than the national average throughout the decade, if lower than the regional level. In the last year or so the gap between the national level and Norfolk has shrunk so that now we can only show a marginally higher level of employment than the average for the UK as a whole.

The same pattern can be seen in house prices across the county. The average house price in Norfolk has risen by 31% since April 2015, but only 6% since 2018. Nationally, house prices have risen by 27% since 2015. Regionally the figure is 42%, with the report noting that this reflects the high price of properties in Cambridge, though more recent figures suggest that house prices in the city are now falling.   

Business growth

In April 2018 it was reported that the local economy was treading water; in many ways that continues to be true. Like the rest of the country, Norfolk is affected by the uncertainty surrounding Britain’s exit from the European Union, with the result that international companies are reluctant to make firm commitments within the county. In many cases, local employers that do a large amount of business overseas are also waiting to see which way the economic winds will blow.

There are some causes for optimism though. Norfolk has many businesses in sectors that are to some degree “Brexit-proof”. Tourism and the visitor economy are increasingly important to the county, and greater investment in the hospitality sector will prompt further growth.

It is to be hoped that Norfolk’s important agribusinesses will also weather the storms ahead and that national demand will make up for any loss in international trade.

Future investment

Hopefully, the efforts of Lady Barbara Judge as the UK business ambassador on behalf of UK Trade and Investment will help to secure the trade deals and investments that Norfolk and the rest of the UK will need when we are no longer part of the EU. As one of the country’s most prominent business figures with strong ties to the US, Lady Barbara is well placed to argue the case for Britain’s continued global economic importance.  

Locally the Invest East project continues to support local businesses. In particular, the Investment Readiness Scheme has helped many new start-ups begin the process of attracting outside investors in order to grow and prosper. In the energy sector, the East of England Offshore Wind Skills Centre (OWSC) has been providing vital training and support since it was established in April 2018. Community grants have also been made available for small VCSEs to provide training and support in terms of getting closer to the workplace or into formal learning.

Infrastructure

Also important is ensuring that Norfolk has a modern and up-to-date infrastructure to enable business growth and to provide reliable, high-speed connections to the rest of the UK, and the world. A positive step in this direction was the establishment of the new 90-minute train service between Norwich and London Liverpool Street in May 2019, following a long campaign by the ‘Norfolk in 90’ pressure group.

Norfolk represents 1.5% of England’s economic output, and 1.25% of the economy of the UK overall. Although currently there is restrained growth in the county, the fact that Norfolk is holding steady remains a cause for optimism. Careful nurturing and investment are needed to stimulate future growth, to ensure jobs for the next generation and tomorrow’s businesses.

The UK property market is one of the most popular investments in the world, with all nature of properties being available in one way or another. Buying a property of any sort, particularly in towns and cities across the UK can prove very lucrative and this is why despite changeable markets and a volatile investment environment, global investors are generally flocking to invest in UK property, in comparison to many other countries.

What many property owners and developers find though, is that investing cleverly into their property or portfolio of properties has the potential to increase the value by potentially vast amounts (source: HWDW). Popular improvements include loft conversions, upgraded plumbing and electrics and double glazing, all of which serve to benefit the occupants as well as the property’s value.

Loft Conversions

Increasingly, more property and homeowners than ever are undertaking loft-related improvements to their properties and for good reason. Loft conversions in the UK can add as much as 25%, sometimes more to the value of a property. by increasing the amount of liveable space and number of rooms in the property in question, there is more to the property which makes it that bit more desirable to any potential buyers.

How much a loft conversion actually increases the property’s value however, will be determined by various factors including:

• The type of conversion (terraced, dormer, mansard)
• The are and location of the property
• The planning permission laws in the neighbourhood
• How much space and how many rooms the conversion adds to the property
• The value of houses and properties in the area

Plumbing and Electrics

The plumbing and electrics in a properly are fundamental to the running, safety and everyday costs of the house or flat in question. A very desirable feature, newly upgraded plumbing and electrical systems mean that future occupants need not worry about having to replace these systems which may otherwise prove very expensive.

Also, by having upgraded electrics in particular, the property will be much more energy efficient which is both better for the environment and the occupants who will see their energy and heating bills come down, yet another desirable feature of any property.

When it comes to the plumbing, by upgrading and improving the necessary components including the boiler, radiators and central heating, sinks, taps and more, the property may well find itself being more water efficient. Improved water and plumbing systems also often mean the property is less at risk of things like boiler breakdowns and flooding, not related to the weather.

The Displacers mini-series comprises of video interviews with inspiring thought leaders and company directors. These leaders are pioneering revolutions in their industries and are evolving the way in which we all do business.

The focus of this project is people that move industry forwards. People that push boundaries and help us all perform better as a result. They are running companies that exist beyond county lines. Based here, but operating nationally and internationally. These frank, and often personal discussions, strip back the company and reveal the individual.

Episode 1 features Loui Blake, Director of Erpingham House, Kalifornia Kitchen and Future Football Elite.

Loui is a pioneering entrepreneur. He is sparking a revolution in vegan and plant-based food, undertaking exceptional feats of physical endurance for fun and developing his own personal brand as a thought leader in sustainable living.

His belief is inspiring, his motivation drives him and his passion guides him. Watch the video to find out precisely why he does what he does.

View additional episodes at www.nativeorigin.co.uk/displacers