Member News

Please click onto the document to read this week’s market summary. 

In this weeks podcast, James and Mark reflect on the choice many business owners and employees are now facing as to whether to return to the office and the knock on impact this will have on the surrounding economies. Building on comments from Dame Carolyn Fairbairn of the CBI, and referencing Richard Jackson MBE of The Winning Edge, the Rolling Stones and The Wurzels, they come up with 3 top tips on how to make the right choice for you and your business.   The mentioned article from Dame Carolyn Fairbairn can be found here.   You can now subscribe to Impromptu Business Chat on Apple Podcasts here, or listen to this weeks episode here.

Big C is calling for all keen cyclists to sign up for the rescheduled Norwich 100 bike ride, which has a new date of 20th September 2020. The event, which has been approved by the Norwich Safety Advisory Group, will comprise a beautiful autumn 100-mile cycle ride across Norfolk. Starting from The Forum in Norwich, it will take in the edge of the Broads, Horsey Mill, the coast (and even some hills!) all the way to Cley and back past Blickling Hall, before riders can enjoy some well-earned food, drink and receive their medal, at the foot of Norwich Cathedral. There is also a 30-mile and 60-mile options which both return through Coltishall to the finish. Carole Slaughter, Head of Fundraising at Big C, said, “Big C is delighted to be the beneficiary charity for this year’s Norwich 100. It is our first outdoor fundraising event since the outbreak of coronavirus and it will be raising all important funds for the charity, especially given that we have missed out on so many opportunities this summer where vital funds would have been raised to help those in our community affected by cancer. “Many people have rekindled or found a new love for cycling during lockdown and we’d urge all keen cyclists old and new to come and enjoy a wonderful bike ride whilst raising money for a very good cause!” COVID-19 Norwich Safety Advisory Group and British Cycling have approved the event and social distancing and other measures will be in place – details can be seen here and all riders will be expected to follow the Behaviour Code shown here To sign up for the Norwich 100 Bike Ride and raise funds for Big C, please visit fundraise.big-c.co.uk/

TOOLS WANTED

Due to changes imposed by social distancing requirements Saint Edmunds Society are urgently seeking tools to supplement present levels.

If you or anyone has any knowledge of hand tools, ie saws, chisels etc that they would be prepared to donate we would be extremely grateful.

We are also seeking old motor bikes and petrol lawn mowers, working or not for mechanic students Please call 01603 623035 and we will arrange collection.

East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) is delighted to announce Phil Gormley has joined as its new Chief Executive.

Phil started his tenure at EACH on Monday 3 August, joining from Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) where he was responsible for inspecting and reporting on the efficiency and effectiveness of police forces and fire services in the north of England. During the COVID-19 pandemic Phil has also provided advice and support to the Norfolk Resilience Forum.

He has worked at board level for the last 17 years and is best known to people in East Anglia for being Norfolk Constabulary’s Chief Constable between 2010 and 2013. During this time he helped develop one of the most advanced programmes of collaboration with Suffolk Constabulary.

Phil started his career at Thames Valley Police in 1985, moving to the Metropolitan Police Service in 2003, where he notably designed and implemented the blueprint for counter-terrorism policing, and West Midlands Police in 2007, where he was Deputy Chief Constable.

Shortly before the end of his time at Norfolk Constabulary Phil was awarded the Queen’s Police Medal. He then became the first Deputy Director General of the National Crime Agency and in 2014 led Operation Notarise, the largest ever UK law enforcement operation targeting online abuse of children, resulting in over 700 arrests. After this, he was appointed as Chief Constable of Police Scotland in 2015 before moving to HMICFRS in October 2018.

John Pickering, EACH Chair of Trustees, said: “Now more than ever, we need strong, strategic leadership to take the organisation forward. We undertook a rigorous selection process to ensure we appointed the right person and I’m delighted Phil has joined us.

“Phil offers huge character, high energy and strong leadership. He has extensive strategic experience and has operated at board level in a range of challenging and complex environments. He’s well-known and highly regarded throughout Norfolk, having left an excellent legacy in the county’s police force, and we believe has all the attributes to have a fantastic impact on our work.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Tracy Rennie, who has done a superb job as Acting Chief Executive in exceptional circumstances, as we respond to the challenges that have arisen as a result of COVID-19. Tracy will return to her much-loved role as Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Care.”

Phil replaces Graham Butland, who retired on 31 October last year after 16-and-a-half years at the helm. His first task is to get to know the organisation, along with its staff, volunteers, supporters and key partners, whilst working hard to meet the significant challenges ahead, driving and developing EACH through the pandemic and beyond.

As part of getting to know the organisation, Phil spent Wednesday (19 August) shadowing a care shift at The Nook, EACH’s hospice in Norfolk, having already visited its hospice in Milton, Cambridgeshire, and The Treehouse, in Suffolk. He said: “I’m delighted to have been appointed as CEO for EACH. It’s an organisation I’ve admired for many years and I feel privileged to be joining such a brilliant team of people, and to be given the opportunity to help make a contribution to their vital work.

“Being part of a care shift at The Nook was a very interesting and memorable day for me, and it really reemphasised how important our work is. The kindness and humanity I witnessed during my day there was so impressive and very moving.

“I’ve visited various other sites to meet colleagues and I’ve never had such a warm welcome. It’s clear to me that it’s the people, including our volunteers and supporters, who make EACH so special. There is a clear sense of a shared mission, with every role playing a vital part in the system to deliver outstanding care.”

Mortgage Advice Bureau (MAB) Norfolk is relocating part of its operation currently in Palace Street, Norwich to the iconic Samson and Hercules House in Tombland.

A planning application has been submitted to Norwich City Council on behalf of MAB Norfolk, to make some minor alterations turning the building into an office.

The firm has taken over ownership of the entire building, including the vacant ground and lower ground floors as well as the freehold of 19 flats which also form part of the property.

The main head office of MAB Norfolk is in Great Yarmouth and will still be fully operational, with the additional premises in the iconic Samson and Hercules House allowing room for further business expansion.

In total, MAB Norfolk employs almost 30 people locally and they are now on the hunt for several new mortgage and protection advisers to join the growing team.

Stephen Alger, Business Principal of Mortgage Advice Bureau Norfolk, said: “The building is in a great location, it’s a beautiful property which is very well known locally so we won’t have to tell people how to find us. We weighed up moving out of Norwich to a cheaper unit on the outskirts of the city, but we decided the right place for us was in the centre of Norwich, in an iconic building that will be the hub of our business in the city.

“Our business has mainly grown thanks to our wonderful and loyal customers and introducers. We work with a number of brilliant local and national estate agents, accountants and solicitors to help their customers find the most suitable mortgage deals while also making things as easy and hassle free as possible.

“The last few months have seen a massive change for everyone and completely transformed the way we work worth our customers. Previously we’ve seen most people in our offices, but we’ve adapted to providing advice over the phone or via zoom. In some cases, this has benefitted customers allowing our team to fit their mortgage advice more flexibly around their daily lives. However, despite the current pandemic, we still see having a central office as a very important part of our future. We realise that COVID-19 has changed some processes, but our aim is to give customers the option to come and see us, when it is safe to do so, in a post lockdown environment.” 

Despite the lockdown and challenges brought about by the global pandemic, MAB Norfolk have still recruited four new mortgage and protection advisers with a further two set to join in September.   

In 12 years, the team has grown from two to almost 30 and MAB Norfolk is now on the hunt for more enthusiastic and motivated people, as Stephen explains: “We pride ourselves on looking after our customers for life and having their best interests at heart both now and in the future. That’s exactly why we’ve been able to grow our team despite the lockdown and still continue recruiting because we have such a loyal customer base who know and trust us.

“So, if you’re determined, willing to learn and looking to build a successful career, we’d like to hear from you. You don’t necessarily need any industry experience as we have an award-winning training academy and have also invested in apprenticeship schemes to help grow a new generation of financial services professionals. A couple of the entry level roles up for grabs include a mortgage adviser apprentice, a digital marketing apprentice and two customer care apprentices.”

If you are interested in a career with Mortgage Advice Bureau Norfolk please get in touch with Stephen Alger, Business Principal – stephen.alger@mab.org.uk

The course is held online in webinar form – with weekly 1-2-1 support – in a safe and supportive environment. Our aim is show you how to boost your immune system, and includes guiding you through the ‘ketogenic’ lifestyle – an increasingly popular eating plan that you may have read about recently. 

The course also embraces a holistic approach to the way we lead our lives, especially in these difficult times, and each week we look at ways we can simply address matters such as stress, sleep, exercise and mental clarity.

Although this is a different approach to that of our standard ‘low fat’ diets, it produces surprisingly positive results in weight loss, improved health, energy and increased cognitive function.  We explain why you’ll have no hunger or cravings and why it works!

BOOST YOU! 

• Boost your immune system
• Increase energy and vitality
• Improve sleep
• Achieve and maintain a happy healthy weight

START YOUR JOURNEY TO OPTIMUM HEALTH AND WEIGHT LOSS WITH OUR ONLINE 6 WEEK COURSE

• Weekly interactive webinars
• Weekly 1-2-1 consultations
• Explaining the science behind the Ketogenic eating plan and why it works
• Achieveable goals

£30 a week

Starting 17th October 2020 – LIMITED PLACES – Book your place here

Great Yarmouth Borough Council has expanded its grants scheme helping small foodservice and hospitality businesses in the local tourism sector with the costs of adapting to Covid-safe operations.

In order to give businesses more time to complete applications, the council has extended the applications deadline by three weeks to September 14. In addition, more businesses can apply as those with a greater rateable value, of up to £150,000, are now eligible.

Furthermore, the cut-off end date for eligible spend, originally set as July 31, has been removed, so businesses can now claim any eligible expenditure from May 1, 2020 up to the point they make their application.   

Click here for the link to the online application form, eligibility criteria and further business advice. Applications close at midnight on Monday, September 14 and grants will be allocated on a first come, first served basis, with only one claim accepted per business.

Applications to the £100,000 adaption grants programme are invited from hotels, guest houses and B&Bs, cafés, restaurants, pubs, and takeaway food outlets within the borough. Hospitality accommodation providers must demonstrate that they are part of the tourism sector.

Examples of items that businesses could claim for include posters, signage, sneeze screens, floor stickers and markings, barriers and other controls to ensure social distancing, sanitiser stands and dispensers. Consumable PPE such as gloves, masks and hand sanitiser can also be claimed.

Businesses can claim 50 per cent of their eligible expenditure up to a maximum of £2,500, providing this exceeds £500 and they can prove it relates to equipment and supplies purchased to trade safely in line with the Government guidelines.

The adaption grants programme is part of Norfolk’s tourism sector support package from the Norfolk Strategic Fund. The project, led by Norfolk County Council in partnership with all seven district councils and Visit East of England, is being put in place to help the tourism sector to recover from the impact of Covid-19.

After the success of their Insight Day marketing webinars held during April, May and June, Archant are back with a new five-part series of live webinars which you can dial into from your own home or office. 

Covering five important digital marketing topics, each webinar will offer insight and information on how you can get started with various different forms of online advertising and ensuring that your website or digital presence is set up for success.  

With individual sessions planned on social media, creative advertising, email marketing, website development and SEO basics, each webinar will cover a given subject from scratch to ensure that businesses can get started and make the most of the tools available to them. They will also discuss how businesses can measure their success in these areas. 

Vicki Blake, from Archant, who is organising the Insight Day webinars, said “We received excellent feedback on our first Insight Day series that ran during lockdown, and we’re really excited for this next series. It’s a shame we still can’t bring this to a live event environment but we have adapted to the new normal, and it’s more important we have the virtual environment to be able to deliver this valuable content to businesses who are also operating in different ways” 

The first webinars on Thursday 10 September will focus on Social Media Marketing, with morning and afternoon sessions available to register for.  

The dates and subjects for the next Insight Day webinar series are: 

Build your brand with Social Media Marketing  

Thursday 10th September: 9:30am and 2:30pm  

Using Creative Advertising to grow your business  

Thursday 1st October: 9:30am and 2:30pm  

How to engage with customers using Email Marketing  

Thursday 15th October: 9:30am and 2:30pm  

Website Development: your questions answered  

Thursday 5th November: 9:30am and 2:30pm  

Increase your business visibility with SEO  

Thursday 19th November: 9:30am and 2:30pm 

To register, please go to: https://www.archanthub.co.uk/insightday 

For over 170 years, Archant has worked with small businesses and has helped them to achieve their aims and reach their desired audiences. This webinar series is just one of the ways in which Archant are helping local small businesses. Please see their website www.archanthub.co.uk for more information and their range of free step-by-step guides to help you get the most out of your marketing. 

West Norfolk consumers are keen to support local businesses as shops and services in the district feel the impact of Covid-19.

That’s one of the findings from the Invest West Norfolk consultation which took place earlier this summer to understand consumer and business confidence in light of Covid-19.

In the consumer survey – which was carried out on behalf of the borough council and which saw over 150 people give their views – 96 per cent of respondents stated that it is important for them to use local businesses in west Norfolk. Of those, 60 per cent said it was extremely important.

However, whilst there is an appetite for using independent businesses, online shopping is becoming increasingly important for consumers in the area. 95 per cent of those taking part in the consultation stated that they do some form of shopping online – and overall, almost 20 per cent of people said they intend to do more online shopping in future.

The survey also revealed that around half of the participants intend to eat or drink out in the next three months, and people felt that protective measures in line with government guidelines would make it easier to return to pubs and restaurants.

The study also found that there has been a marked decrease in west Norfolk consumers shopping for pleasure with 54 per cent stating they are doing less non-essential shopping. But, over half – 55 per cent –  stated that they were confident about returning to the shops as lockdown eases.

Councillor Graham Middleton, Cabinet Member for Business Development said: “We know that the last few months have been difficult for everyone and through this consultation, we wanted to understand how consumers feel about accessing services as lockdown eases.

“It is really encouraging to learn that so many people are keen to use local businesses here in west Norfolk, and consumer support is so important, now more than ever. We will shortly be launching a campaign which will showcase the many great local businesses in west Norfolk so this feedback is pertinent and timely.

“We have already implemented a number of measures to make it easier for consumers to use businesses in west Norfolk. This feedback will help us to shape our support further so that people feel confident and safe to access the many brilliant local shops and services we have here.”

As well as the consumer survey, the consultation also sought feedback from businesses across the district with 114 giving their views.

The Invest West Norfolk business survey revealed that there has been a clear impact from Covid-19 with 88 per cent of respondents stating that the coronavirus has impacted on their business over the last three months. Of those, 63 per cent declared that the impact has been significant.

There is a great deal of uncertainty amongst businesses in the future, including around employing staff and long-term confidence.  Businesses feel that attracting and retaining customers and financial concerns are the biggest challenges they face in the next 3-6 months.

And, the areas where businesses feel they need help most is around financial support and marketing to bring in footfall and custom. In particular, a number of businesses said that they need training and assistance to adapt their services online in the next six months.

The business survey also revealed low levels of apprenticeship take-up. Businesses are being incentivised to take on apprentices – more information can be found here: https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/education-and-learning/adult-learning/apprenticeships/employers

In spite of the difficult circumstances, 39 per cent of businesses participating said that they are confident for their prospects in the next 6-12 months.

Councillor Graham Middleton commented: “The feedback from businesses underlines what we already knew – Covid-19 has had an impact on so many companies and organisations in west Norfolk.

“I have been so impressed by the efforts of local businesses who have worked hard to adapt and develop over the last few months, bringing in Covid-19 safety measures to continue to operate.

“We understand their concerns and we are keen to support, where we can. I am pleased to confirm that we have recently launched two new grants schemes to help tourism, leisure, cultural and hospitality businesses to extend their season.

“The insight from this consultation will help us as we develop our actions and investment as part of our recovery and renewal from Covid-19.”

The consultation also asked respondents – including parish councils – to prioritise interventions that they would like to see with hand sanitiser stations in high streets/neighbourhood shopping areas and Covid safe posters and signage emerging as the top priorities. The hand sanitiser stations are set to be installed shortly.

The feedback will be used to guide the development of west Norfolk’s ‘Reopening the High Street plan’ after the borough council received European Union Funding to support the safe reopening of the high street. It will also help to inform how tourism funding is invested in the area. And, the council is working on a public realm strategy which will bring improvements to the appearance of streets and buildings.

The findings come as the borough council announces new funding for tourism, leisure, cultural and hospitality businesses in west Norfolk which will help them to trade safely and extend their normal operating season. There are two schemes available, the tourism adaptation business fund and the autumn and winter adaptation business fund. Each have a £45K funding pot and eligible businesses can apply for a maximum of £3k from each fund.

Further to this and other recent consultation, King’s Lynn town centre businesses are being invited to take part in a virtual business workshop from 5.30pm – 7pm on Wednesday, 9 September. Businesses wil be asked to share their ideas on topics such as making use of empty units, and enhancing the town centre offer. The feedback will help to shape the Town Investment Plan and any King’s Lynn town centre businesses wanting to join the workshop can register their interest via michelle@engaging-people.co.uk

*The winners of the Invest West Norfolk prize draw were James Taylor, Helen Cross, and David Young.

Global logistics provider, LV Shipping, have recently invested in a substantial storage and warehouse facility at Rotterdam-Maasvlakte and are pleased to promote this facility to Mersey Maritime’s wide membership base.

The Dutch-owned logistics company (Lensveld Global HQ in Vlaardingen, Rotterdam) was founded in 1921 and will celebrate its centenary year in 2021. With Brexit still very much on the horizon and increasingly back in the news, this new facility is a very timely enterprise which may well be in a position to assist a range of partners with their logistics and warehousing requirements.

LV Shipping & Transport’s Rotterdam-Maasvlakte facility, mixed with their own fleet of vehicles, is the perfect partner for storage and onward deliveries across Europe and further afield.

Do you have storage or logistics requirements in the Rotterdam area?

If the answer is yes, contact LV Shipping today!

Specification details are as follows:

• 122,000 sq ft of warehousing

• 1.6 – 3 Tonne Forklifts onsite

• 10-25 Tonne Forklift & Mobile crane hire available

• E-Commerce/Fulfilment centre

• Project storage

• General storage

• Pallet racking

• Cross docking facilities

• Customs support

• Container trucking

• UK & Mainland European FTL & LTL Trailer services

• Global shipping department by air, road, sea, rail or courier

For more details contact: Kevin Walsh – U.K. Sales Director

Tel: +44 (0) 151 6498880 Fax: +44 (0) 151 6498881 Mob: 07771 656057 Email: kevin.walsh@lvshipping.com

Please click onto the document to read this weeks Market Summary.