In this week’s Impromptu Business Chat, Mark and James reflect on the importance of trust between leaders and their teams. Using the co-founder of Netflix, Feargal Sharkey, and Mark’s fashion sense, they come up with 3 great ideas to help build greater trust.
You can listen here, and catch up on all episodes in the series here.
You can also listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts!
South Norfolk Council still has government grant funding available to help qualifying local businesses who have been hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. The grants are available to businesses that have not previously received COVID related grant funding, and the Council is keen to hear from you if support would help at this critical time. The scheme presents a number of support opportunities to help many of the businesses that are important to the local economy in South Norfolk. South Norfolk Council Cabinet member Lisa Neal said: “Supporting the local economy is a priority for the Council and it’s important that people get the help that they need. If you’re running a business in South Norfolk please go onto our website to see if you meet the criteria. Your business may be eligible for a grant.” Some of the businesses that may receive funding are:
Applicants for the grant will need to check their eligibility against the criteria set out on the Council’s website. Businesses will be required to provide evidence to support their application and demonstrate a reduction in income due to the impact of Coronavirus.
Visit www.south-norfolk.gov.uk email businesssupport@s-norfolk.gov.uk or call 0300 790 6290
Global share markets were mixed last week, with China outperforming the rest of the world as its economic recovery continues. US indices were flat or marginally up thanks to some extraordinary results from the US tech giants, but equities in the UK and Europe have fallen on poor economic data, rising coronavirus cases and a “wall of worry” about theeconomic outlook later this year.
Bond yields broadly fell again with yields on US Treasuries hitting record lows, while gold and silver prices rose as investors looked for safe havens. Meanwhile, the US dollar suffered its worst month in 10 years against a basket of currencies.
Great Yarmouth Borough Council is making a final call to any eligible local businesses which haven’t yet claimed their Covid-19 Government Business Rates Grant, as the scheme is due to close on Friday, August 28.
Since March 2020, the council has encouraged eligible businesses to complete the simple online form as swiftly as possible in order to get their grants, with just over £30m so far paid out to assist 2,722 businesses in the borough.
With the Government closing its scheme on Friday, August 28, the council is making a final call for completed forms from businesses which might be eligible for either:
For the link to the online form, information and support about the grants, eligibility criteria and further business advice:
Under the Government’s rules, the claim must come from the ratepayer, and they must have been trading on March 11, 2020 to be eligible.
A business may be eligible if they are in receipt of small business rates relief, or have a rateable value under £51,000 and their business is within the retail, hospitality or leisure trade. Even if a company’s liability is already covered through small business rate relief, they may still be eligible for a grant.
Hatch Brenner Solicitors is supporting Norwich Theatre as they prepare to launch INTERLUDE – their six-week programme of live performances in Chapelfield Gardens in association with Lost in Translation Circus.
Between 10 August and 20 September 2020, a big top will descend upon Norwich, and present live performance including comedians Jimmy Car, Arabella Weir and Karl Minns, plus circus performances from Lost in Translation Circus, and music from Joe Ringer Band.
Dawn Parkes, Hatch Brenner Managing Partner commented: “We would like to applaud Norwich Theatre on their launch of this fantastic initiative. The arts sector has been severely impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, and the loss of live performance whilst the city’s venues remain closed continues to be a huge blow to the entire county.
“The innovation and collaboration demonstrated by the launch of INTERLUDE is just fantastic and proves there are options allowing businesses to continue within the new normal, Covid-secure guidelines. Chapelfield Gardens is set to come alive during the six weeks of INTERLUDE, and we cannot wait to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the performances. Having worked closely with our neighbours at the Theatre for many years, we are very proud and pleased to continue to support their important work.”
Stephen Crocker, Chief Executive of Norwich Theatre said: “We are enormously grateful to our neighbours and long-standing supporters Hatch Brenner Solicitors for coming on board to support INTERLUDE and standing by us whilst our doors sadly remain closed. If the past few months have taught us one thing then it is the importance of community spirit and civic pride. This is what INTERLUDE encapsulates and what has always underpinned the long and successful partnership between Norwich Theatre and Hatch Brenner Solicitors.”
All tickets will be available online at norwichtheatre.org or via Norwich Theatre Box Office on 01603 630 000.
More people in East Anglia say losing their broadband for a day is more frustrating than their fridge, boiler or car breaking down, new research by Essex-based County Broadband shows.
When asked which of a list of incidents would be most inconvenient, some 9% of those surveyed in the East of England said their broadband going down would be the most inconvenient over a 24-hour period, compared to 8% for the fridge not working, 5% for the loss of central heating, and 3% for the car failing to start, according to the survey*.
The loss of electricity (76%) was the most common inconvenience for those surveyed in the East of England.
It comes after the coronavirus lockdown highlighted the importance of fast, reliable broadband with the region attempting to work from home, carry out school remotely, or simply keep in touch with loved ones during the pandemic.
Lloyd Felton, CEO of County Broadband, based in Aldham near Colchester, said: “The fact that fridges, central heating and cars – food, warmth and travel – have been overtaken by simply staying online suggests how our primeval instincts might be rapidly changing in the 21st century, and no doubt exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“From Zoom conferences and virtual work events, to 4K streaming and video gaming at home, we are not surprised by these findings which reveal just how vital fast and reliable broadband have become in our daily lives.
“These changing modern habits are set against the lockdown exposing East Anglia’s rural poor digital infrastructure and urgent need for new Hyperfast full-fibre networks.
“We’re playing our role in making our region a true flagbearer for world-class digital infrastructure by rolling out Hyperfast full-fibre broadband. We’ve catapulted thousands of residents and businesses overnight into the UK’s top 10% for digital connectivity and look forward to welcoming many thousands more to our growing network this year.”
Meanwhile, the study revealed 59% of those surveyed in East Anglia are often left frustrated by poor internet. Some 28% said they need better broadband now, with the figure rising to 67% predicting it will need to be better by 2023.
County Broadband’s Hyperfast full-fibre network is being built in over 50 rural and remote villages in Essex, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire, with plans to connect 20,000 premises by Christmas 2020 following a £46 million private investment from Aviva Investors.
Speeds up to 1,000 Mbps are available – 18 times faster than the UK average and 10 times faster than copper-based superfast broadband that dates back to the Victorian period.
Residents and businesses can visit www.countybroadband.co.uk and enter their postcode to see if the network is available in their area.
Marcin ‘Magic’ Pomierny, Head Chef at the Maids Head Hotel in Tombland Norwich and Chef of the Year in the EDP Norfolk Food and Drink Awards 2016, is a semi-finalist in the 2020 Craft Guild of Chefs National Chef of the Year competition for the third year running.
Forty chefs are competing in the semi-finals for a place in the final 10. This year, because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the live semi-final cook offs will not take place. Instead Magic has been tasked with submitting a short video presenting a signature dish which sums up his personality and tells his story ‘in a couple of bites’.
Magic, who was a finalist in the 2008 Craft Guild of Chefs Young Chef of the Year competition explains: “My video features an amuse bouche, ‘Summer of the Sourdough Crisp’, inspired by the summers when I was growing up in Poland. My family went to work on my Grandparents’ farm. The work was hard, but my Grandmother produced fabulous meals and I particularly remember the wonderful tomatoes that she grew and we picked from the garden and the sourdough bread that she baked every day. My Sourdough Crisp features avocado and elderflower tatare, Heritage Norfolk tomatoes ,soft white cheese and smoked onion powder.”
“I am very excited to have reached the semi-final of the National Chef of the Year competition for the third year running. I have learned a lot in my two semi-final appearances and will do my very best to secure a place in the final for the Maids Head and Norwich. It is very good to be back in the kitchen following lockdown. I hope that many guests will take the opportunity of the Eat Out to Help Out discount to sample my summer a la carte menu.”
To reach the semi-final, Magic had to submit a menu featuring tapas style starters with Gilt head bream as the key ingredient, a lamb main course, with sourcing and provenance being important and showstopping dessert focusing on strawberries and cream. Magic’s Norfolk Lamb Saddle was sourced from Green Farm Lamb, Little Barningham. His dessert was texture of Norfolk strawberry with elderflower parfait, pistachio and English sparkling wine. As part of the semi-final process, Magic also has to answer a series of questions on his menu choices and the impact of Covid-19 on his kitchen.
The 10 finalists will be announced on 17 August and the final cook off will take place at Le Cordon Bleu in London on 7 September, with the winner being announced on 30 September.
Christine Malcolm, General Manager, Maids Head Hotel said: “Magic has worked very hard over the last eight years to raise the profile of the hotel as a fine dining destination. We achieved a second AA Rosette in 2016 and Magic’s ambition is to raise the bar further and achieve a third AA Rosette. We wish Magic all the best for the National Chef of the Year competition.”
The Maids Head is taking part in the Eat Out to Help Out scheme. Enjoy Magic’s summer seasonal a la carte menu and get £10 discount per person from August 3 to 31.
Marcin ‘Magic’ Pomierny comes from near Krakow in Poland. He trained as a chef in Poland and studied catering for diabetics as an additional subject. Magic moved to Norwich in June 2005; his brother and sister were already in the city.
He spoke little English at the time and his family helped secure him a job as a kitchen porter at Tatlers, where he did washing up and food preparation for one year. Then Magic worked for Pulse and The Library for 18 months, followed by McIntoshes Kitchen for another 18 months.
His next job in 2009 was Sous Chef at Rare Steak House and he moved on to The Mad Moose where he was Sous Chef for two years and Head Chef for one year. Magic arrived at the Maids Head Hotel as Sous Chef in May 2013 and was promoted to Head Chef in September 2013.
For more information about the Maids Head Hotel see www.maidsheadhotel.co.uk. To reserve a table for lunch or dinner in the WinePress Restaurant, the Maids Head Hotel, Norwich, t. 01603 272010.
For more information about the National Chef of the Year competition see www.nationalchefoftheyear.co.uk
The region’s largest annual celebration of crime writing will continue as planned this year – in an online format with a host of free events for everyone to enjoy! Organised by the National Centre for Writing and the University of East Anglia, Noirwich Crime Writing Festival usually takes place in September across some of Norwich’s most treasured venues: the National Centre for Writing at Dragon Hall, Jarrold and the University of East Anglia. This year it moves online between 10 – 13 September with a programme of live Q&As, interactive creative writing workshops, a virtual book group and discussion panels. All events (excluding writing workshops) will be free to watch or join. Henry Sutton, Professor of Creative Writing and Crime Fiction at the University of East Anglia said: ‘Crime writing has always been of the moment – as we adapt to a new virtual world our programme has an added urgency, pertinence and crucially accessibility. These are important voices for a complicated time. We hope Noirwich 2020 will engage new audiences and create the widest possible community of readers and writers.’ One hotly anticipated event will be the Noirwich Lecture, presented by acclaimed US writer and screenwriter Attica Locke. Locke’s writing explores race, prejudice and the anxieties of Trump’s America, and her hard-hitting commission is expected to tackle structural inequalities at an individual and global level; drawing on examples from her own writing including Blackwater Rising, which investigates the enormous power of oil companies. Previous Noirwich Lectures have been delivered by Val McDermid on gender and violence, George Alagiah on environmental destruction and Arne Dahl on crime and class. Peggy Hughes, Programme Director at the National Centre for Writing said: ‘Crime fiction has never felt so important – for diverting and thrilling readers in huge numbers during these complicated days, but also for exploring the fractures in a society made more divided by this pandemic. We’re really thrilled that Attica Locke will deliver this year’s lecture, and that her words and ideas, and those of many other brilliant participants, will reach an international listenership as we move online. We hope you’ll join us!’ The 2020 line-up also includes: • An event with Oyinkan Braithwaite, the author behind the sensational My Sister the Serial Killer (shortlisted for the 2019 Women’s Prize) • The opportunity to have a go at writing your own page-turner with two informal, fun creative writing workshops led by true crime expert Duncan Campbell and acclaimed historical fiction writer Elizabeth Haynes • A special celebration of 50 years of creative writing at UEA featuring alumni students Jill Dawson (The Crime Writer) and Trevor Wood (The Man on the Street) • An event with Olivier Norek, a serving police officer and writer on the hit French TV series Spiral • A Virtual Book Club focusing on Attica Locke’s celebrated novel Bluebird, Bluebird The programme will also include a showcase of the freshest new voices in crime writing from UEA’s MA programme and a special podcast with New York Times best-selling writer Sophie Hannah. Noirwich Crime Writing Festival will take place on 10 – 13th September 2020. All events (excluding the writing workshops) are free, however booking is essential. For the full programme and ticket information, see noirwich.co.uk and follow @NOIRwichFest on Twitter.
Norwich-based printing firm BDH Tullford has launched a brand new range of transparent pull-up banners, ideal for use as portable hygiene screens.
Suitable for use in a wide range of environments, including offices, salons and waiting rooms, the company’s online store has both fixed-height and adjustable options available.
Not only are they lightweight and easy to use, BDH Tullford can also print onto the clear screens, allowing you to add branding, messages and directions to the banner, so you can deliver valuable messaging while keeping staff and customers safe.
Please click onto the document to read this week’s market summary
Norfolk based, boutique management consultant firm Akcela today welcomed Matt Lawley, who will be joining Akcela as a management consultant. Matt will be the lead consultant for all Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) consultancy projects.
Matt has held many senior positions within the FMCG sector, as well as working with companies from start-up, right through to multinationals on a consultancy basis. Matt has an undergraduate degree from the University of Lincoln in Marketing, as well as an MBA and postgraduate in professional consulting from the UEA.
Akcela director James Adams has worked alongside Matt on previous consultancy engagements, including their work with Tesco CZ. James has expressed his delight in Matt working alongside the business. “Having worked with Matt previously, I am delighted he took us up on the offer to work closer together going forward. Matt embodies what Akcela stands for in the market. He has an excellent history of working at senior management levels, has delivered consultancy projects across a spectrum of businesses and Matt delivers the results. Having Matt work with us doesn’t just help the new clients we will be working with, it also strengthens our offering to existing ones. Matt has a great ability to break complex problems down into their constituent parts, iron out the issues, and put them back together in a way that drives value.”
Speaking of his working relationship with Akcela, Matt outlined his focus and areas he feels he can support clients. “In a post COVID-19 world, now more than ever businesses are looking for external support to ratify their decisions, or define their next moves. Akcela have a great client base of offering support in areas such as segmentation and process redesign. When James and I spoke, and he highlighted the way that Akcela was growing, it was clear that we could build these fundamentals further into the FMCG and food manufacturing arena. It was a great fit.”
You can contact Matt directly via email, using matt@akcela.co.uk.
The Sainsbury Centre is delighted to announce a new East End gallery display of two alabaster stone sculptures by Anish Kapoor: Involute, 2017 (pictured) and Untitled, 2010. This is presented as part of a major exhibition on show across the grounds and historic interiors of Houghton Hall and would not be possible without the support of the Houghton Arts Foundation.
Anish Kapoor is considered one of the most important sculptors working today. Born in 1954, Kapoor started exhibiting his seminal pigment works in the early 80s and rose to prominence as part of the New British Sculpture movement. This generation of sculptors found a renewed interest in traditional materials long associated with sculpture and techniques such as carving in stone.
Kapoor has gone on to work in a diverse range of materials, from wax, PVC and silicone to fibreglass, steel and cement, to create unique and often breath-taking sculptural languages. He has exhibited around the globe and has become internationally recognised for his often large scale works that traverse the boundaries of sculpture and architecture. Works such as Marsyas (2002) exhibited in Tate’s Turbine Hall and Cloud Gate (2004) in Millennium Park Chicago, one of the most iconic pieces of public art created in recent times, iterate Kapoor’s enduring concern with the states of absence and presence, form and non-form.
The two alabaster works that Kapoor has selected to show at the Sainsbury Centre have been created through the carving process of negative space into positive form; they demonstrate Kapoor’s interest in the void, of deep dark space and the interior state of the object.
The sculptures also resonate with works in the Sainsbury Centre Collection, such as vessel forms from the ancient world of Egyptian and Cycladic or the modernist abstractions and biomorphic forms of Eduardo Chillida, Jean Arp and Henry Moore. They will be displayed in the central bay of the East End gallery until 1 November.
Lord Cholmondeley of Houghton Hall says: “We are delighted to be able to support the installation of these beautiful works by Anish Kapoor, continuing the link between the Sainsbury Centre and the Houghton Arts Foundation. We hope that visitors to the Centre including UEA students – may wish to come on to Houghton to see the largest exhibition of Kapoor’s outdoor works ever mounted in the UK.”
Calvin Winner, Head of Collections at the Sainsbury Centre, says: “Kapoor is a world-renowned sculptor and it is a great privilege to present his work at the Sainsbury Centre for the first time. We hope visitors will enjoy seeing these sculptures alongside the accompanying exhibition at Houghton Hall.”
The works are free to view at the Sainsbury Centre. Visit sainsburycentre.ac.uk, email scva@uea.ac.uk or call 01603 593199 Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm for visitor enquiries.
Anish Kapoor at Houghton Hall runs from 12 July to 1 November 2020.