Member News

New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership(LEP) has awarded Norfolk-based national charity the Hawk and Owl Trust £100,000 towards its Sculthorpe Fen Appeal.

The money, approved on Friday, will be used towards developing the new, much enlarged reserve, its facilities and developing the community engagement elements of the project.

Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve is known nationally for its wildlife, sympathetic and effective management techniques and accessibility to all.

The Hawk and Owl Trust, with its national headquarters based at Sculthorpe, is currently in the process of raising £850,00 as part of a £1.7m Sculthorpe Fen Appeal to purchase additional land on either side of the existing reserve and to be able to extend its wildlife management into this area, and make it fully accessible to all.

As the reserve expands more volunteers will be needed to help build the new infrastructure, manage and develop the land in a way that will benefit wildlife and meet and greet an increased number of visitors and an increased workforce will also be required to both manage the reserve, but also to offer more educational, conservation and community engagement activities.

The grant has been awarded through New Anglia LEP’s Growing Places Fund, which provides loan funding to help kick start and support development projects across Suffolk and Norfolk.

It will help cover core costs, funding several new full-time posts as well as six work placements over the next two years.

Our amazing volunteer ‘army’ is also crucial to the running of the reserve and we will be hoping/aiming to attract a further 50 volunteers from the local community to help with the day-to-day running, offering opportunities for exercise and making new friendships all in the glorious surroundings of this lovely nature reserve.

Nigel Middleton, Reserve Warden, said “This grant makes a truly significant contribution to the Sculthorpe Fen Appeal. Our vision for the future of this amazing reserve drives us onwards, and to see the finishing line in sight, with the help of this award is a fantastic thing! We can’t wait to be able to start developing the reserve, for wildlife and for people.”

Doug Field, chair of New Anglia LEP, said “North Norfolk already makes a significant contribution to our Visitor Economy. This project will strengthen that offer, helping create an outstanding facility that will benefit our economy and enrich the lives of people locally.”

We are delighted to announce the finalists for the Innovation and Impact Awards 2019. The response this year was fantastic and all of the entries were very strong, highlighting some of the best and most groundbreaking UEA projects. Therefore, we would like to offer our enthusiastic congratulations to all who applied and to this year’s finalists in particular.

The judging panel has selected three finalists from each of the seven awards categories, who will be invited to the second annual awards ceremony and three-course meal at the Sainsbury Centre on Thursday 31 January.

All of the finalists will receive a trophy and feature in the Innovation and Impact Awards 2019 brochure. The overall winner of each award, which will be announced on the night, will also receive a budget to produce a professional video or other marketing venture, with the support of RIN.

A full list of finalists and their projects, as well as more information on the judging panel, can be found here. 

Abate Pest Management are delighted to announce their continued Alcumus SafeContractor accreditation for achieving excellence in health and safety in the workplace.

Alcumus SafeContractor is a leading third-party accreditation scheme which recognises extremely rigorous standards in health and safety management amongst contractors. It is used by thousands of organisations in the UK including SMEs and FTSE 100 companies.

Jon Blake, Managing Director said “SafeContractor plays a vital role in supporting our clients in meeting their compliance needs. Each year we go through a rigorous audit by Alcumus, which examines our health and safety procedures and our safe practices, and we were very pleased to hear that we met the high standards required to be awarded the accreditation.”

Jon continued, “Organisations cannot take the risk of employing a contractor that is unable to demonstrate a high standard of working, so this scheme helps to reassure our new and existing customers that we understand the importance and value of adopting good risk management strategy.”

Abate Pest Management provides pest management services including bird control projects throughout the Eastern region. Its currently expanding its operations in the UK through franchising. The business is about to commence its 20th year in operation from its base in Morley St Botolph near Wymondham.

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Guests enjoyed a a special dinner party at the Maids Head Hotel in Tombland, Norwich, hosted by ‘John Paston’ on Thursday, November 22, to mark the first mention of the the hotel’s name in a Paston letter dated November 22, 1472.

Rob Knee of the Paston Footprints Project and Paston Heritage Society, who was master of ceremonies for the evening, as John Paston, presented a facsimile of the Paston letter mentioning the Maids Head to the hotel. In the letter John Paston II advised: “if he tery at Norwyche ther whyls, it were best to sette hys horse at the Maydes Hedde.” Rob Knee also cut a special cake marking the hotel’s ‘birthday’.

Christine Malcolm, General Manager, the Maids Head Hotel said: “We are very pleased to be working with the Paston Footprints Project and would like to thank Rob Knee and his colleagues for their kind gift of the facsimile of our ‘birthday’ letter, which we will put on permanent display in the hotel.”

The Maids Head Hotel’s site has a long history; initially the location of the first palace of Bishop Herbert de Losinga in the late 11th century, it became home to an inn called the Murtel Fish or Molde Fish Tavern, whose origins are lost in the mists of time. The first mention of the inn in Norwich records was in 1287, when the landlord, John de Ingham accused Robert the fowler of stealing goods. The Murtel Fish was an important inn, hosting Edward the Black Prince in the mid 14th century, after he had taken part in a jousting competition in Norwich.

The Paston letter of 1472 confirms that the name of the inn had changed to the Maids Head. The core of that 15th century inn stills exists. The hotel’s restaurant is located in the inn’s courtyard, and the Yard Bar and Best Beauty are in rooms which date from the period. Bedrooms above the old courtyard also date from the 15th century. www.maidsheadhotel.co.uk

Paston Footprints is a collaborative project between numerous local partner organisations, including the Paston Heritage Society, the University of East Anglia and the Norfolk Record Office. The Heritage Lottery funded three-year project is highlighting the remarkable story of the Paston family and the times they lived through. www.paston600.co.uk.

Attleborough based renewable heating expert Finn Geotherm, has been shortlisted in two top national award schemes. The company has been chosen as a finalist in both the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) Building Performance Awards and National ACR & Heat Pump Awards for two heat pump projects completed in Norfolk.

The CIBSE Building Performance Awards recognise the people, products and projects that demonstrate engineering excellence in the built environment. Finn Geotherm has been shortlisted within Residential Project of the Year category for its installation for Flagship Group housing association. The ground source heat pump system is delivering domestic heating and hot water for 30 flats at Orchard Close in Watton. The first domestic heating scheme for communal use in the East of England, it has cut Flagship customers’ heating bills by two thirds, creating annual savings of hundreds of pounds. In addition, it has enabled Flagship to dramatically reduce its maintenance costs and CO2 emissions.

The ‘Oscars’ of the heat pump industry, the National ACR & Heat Pump Awards celebrate excellence in innovation, projects, installations and environmental successes in the air conditioning and refrigeration and heat pump industries. Finn Geotherm has been selected as a finalist within two categories in these awards – Installer of the Year and Domestic Ground Source Project. The project category is for an installation completed at a period property built in 1700s/1800s in rural South Norfolk. Finn Geotherm’s ground source heat pump installation has enabled the homeowner to replace an expensive and inefficient oil-fired boiler with a heat pump to create a warm home with cheaper energy bills.

Guy Ransom, commercial director at Finn Geotherm, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have been shortlisted in these two prestigious awards schemes, which recognise significant energy efficiency and heat pump projects across the country. To have two separate projects chosen, both completed here in Norfolk, is a great achievement and a testament to the forward-thinking approaches of our customers in choosing renewable technology and the hard work and skill of the Finn Geotherm team in delivering the best possible solution for these properties.”

Winners of both the CIBSE Building Performance Awards and National ACR & Heat Pump Awards will be announced in early 2019.

For information on ground and air source heat pumps and Finn Geotherm, visit www.finn-geotherm.co.uk.

Leading regional law firm, Howes Percival has launched a new business survey aimed at determining what’s keeping business owners, directors and CEOs ‘awake at night’ by identifying the primary concerns of businesses around the UK and the external factors that may be likely to have a negative impact on businesses according to region and sector.

The firm invites all business owners, directors, decision makers and their professional advisers to take the survey, which can be accessed here: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/T5TV66F

Howes Percival will publish the survey’s findings in early 2019. To receive a copy of the survey and the chance to win an Amazon Echo Dot, participants can enter their details where indicated at the end of the survey.

For more information about the survey, please visit Howes Percival’s website.

Event Details: Free webinar – Thursday 6th December 2018, 12:00-12:30

Link to register https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8186819932895993089 Don’t be caught cold this winter – listen to our free, interactive webinar for expert advice on preparing for the icy blasts to come. Whatever type of business you are involved with, our in-house risk management team will outline the legal responsibilities and obligations around dealing with the worst of winter.

The webinar will offer you advice and guidance on how to better protect your:

• Property

• People

• Profit

Norwich-based independent insurance broker Alan Boswell Group has been crowned Best Landlord Insurance Provider at the 2018 National Landlord Investment Show Awards.

The event celebrates excellence in the private rented sector – the inaugural ceremony was hosted by comedian Rob Beckett, and the awards themselves were judged by a panel of industry experts.

Alan Boswell Group beat stiff competition to take home the award. It’s the reward of their continued and long-standing commitment to providing market-leading products and exceptional customer service to landlords. With their client retention rate sitting at 85.5%, the Group are reaping the benefits of investing in in-house underwriting and claims teams to provide their award-winning service. Through continual innovation within the sector, the Group has secured partnerships with PropertyTribes, Bought By Many and, most recently, Avios.

Director of Personal Lines, Heath Alexander-Bew, said:

“Being recognised in the industry can only help to improve our visibility, strength and trust in the market, attracting even more businesses and customers to buy products from us. For all those involved they should feel a personal satisfaction and pride in what they do.“

If you’d like an award-winning local and independent insurance broker working for you or your business, give Alan Boswell Group a call on 01603 218000.

THE most prestigious annual celebration of business excellence in the Great Yarmouth borough, the Spirit of Enterprise Awards, will culminate this Friday (November 23) in a glittering trophy presentation ceremony, at the Town Hall.

Organised by enterpriseGY, Great Yarmouth Borough Council’s business support service, the popular awards aim to recognise and raise the profile of the borough’s top-performing companies, while boosting confidence in the strength of the local economy. 

After weeks of anticipation, businesses shortlisted for the various awards (please see below) will find out who the winners are during a grand awards ceremony and gala dinner to be held for 200 guests in the Assembly Room.

The awards scheme has nine categories. Each award is sponsored by a local organisation, with most sponsors choosing their category winners themselves. Overall award sponsor Noritake Itron has selected the 2018 Business of the Year from the winners of the other categories.

The media partners are the Great Yarmouth Mercury and The Beach radio station, whose morning show presenter Rob Chandler will compere the awards evening. Desmond MacCarthy, of Wiveton Hall, who is best known from TV documentary Normal for Norfolk, will be the keynote speaker, giving a talk on the theme of enterprising business and entrepreneurial spirit.

Cllr Graham Plant, the council leader, who will deliver a speech at the ceremony, said: “The Spirit of Enterprise Awards, now in its 11th year, is another way that the council is supporting the local economy, boosting investor confidence by highlighting the many and varied successful businesses of all sizes and sectors from across the borough.

“The awards evening is always much anticipated, a brilliant showcase of business excellence. This year, we’ve seen another batch of strong entries, with some businesses entering several categories, so huge congratulations to the shortlisted finalists.

“I look forward to congratulating all the category finalists and winners, as well as the overall 2018 Business of the Year. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the sponsors, including overall award sponsor Noritake Itron, as well as our media partners and the council staff who make this event possible.”  

The categories and sponsors are:

• Great Manufacturing/Engineering – sponsored by P&S Personnel
• Great New Business – supported by the Go Trade Project and judged by the Great Yarmouth Mercury
• Great Business Growth – sponsored by Bateman Groundworks
• Great Business Idea – sponsored by Aston Shaw
• Great Customer Services – sponsored by the Greater Yarmouth Tourism and Business Improvement Area Ltd (GYTABIA) and judged by The Beach
• Great Family Owned Business – sponsored by Birketts
• Great International Growth – sponsored by Pasta Foods
• Great Investment in People – sponsored by Norse Group
• Great Community Contribution – sponsored by Potters Friends Foundation

Overall award sponsor:

• 2018 Business of the Year – sponsored by Noritake Itron

The shortlisted entrants are:

Andover House Hotel and Restaurant

Finalist in Great Customer Service.

API Microelectronic Limited

Finalists in Great Manufacturing/Engineering Business, Great Business Idea and Great Business Growth.

Aston Shaw

Finalists in Great Investment in People, Great Customer Service, Great Community Contribution and Great Business Growth

Barkers Media

Finalist in Great Customer Service

Bellyboos

Finalists in Great Business Growth, Great Family Owned Business and Great Business Idea.

Birdie Breaks

Finalist in Great New Business

Clark Furnishing Ltd

Finalists in Great Manufacturing/Engineering Business and Great Family Owned Business.

CSSCloud Ltd

Finalists in Great Customer Service and Great Business Growth.

Fusion Hair and Beauty Consultants Ltd

Finalists in Great Investment in People, Great Business Idea, Great Customer Service and Great Community Contribution.

Gorleston CCTV.Ltd

Finalist in Great Community Contribution.

Hammond Cars

Finalists in Great Customer Services and Great Family Owned Business.

Home-Start Norfolk.

Finalist in Great Community Contribution.

The House of Pallets

Finalists in Great Business Idea, Great Customer Service and Great Family Owned Business.

The Kings Arms Fleggburgh

Finalist in Great Business Growth

Nexus Engineering Training Centre

Finalist in Great Community Contribution.

Norfolk Garden Rooms

Finalists in Great Business Idea and Great New Business.

P&S Personnel

Finalist in Great Investment in People, Great Customer Service, Great International Growth, Great Family Owned Business and Great Business Growth

Premier Agents Ltd

Finalists in Great Community Contribution

R Todd Insurance Services

Finalists in Great Customer Service and Great Family Owned Business

Sam Race Venue Decoration

Finalists in Great New Business and Great Customer Service.

Seabed Scour Control Systems

Finalists in Great Manufacturing/Engineering Business, Great Business Idea and Great International Growth.

Smart Radio

Finalists in Great New Business and Great Community Contribution.

Strictly Theatre Co.

Finalists in Great Business Growth

What Is Hip

Finalists in Great New Business.

Local accountant Charlie Walker will be celebrating the opening of his new business, TaxAssist Accountants in Bedford, with a special event on Thursday, 29th November 4-7pm.

The shop at 73 Tavistock Street offers tailored tax and accountancy services for small businesses across Bedford, Clapham, Goldington and Brickhill.

In addition, Charlie has established the Bedford Business Hub within his shop, which offers serviced office facilities, including Wi-Fi, hot desks, individual offices, freshly ground coffee and use of a conference room.

Charlie and his team have been offering accountancy services to businesses in the local business community since August. They are looking forward to meeting with existing and new clients and contacts at an official launch party, which will be held at the shop at 73 Tavistock Street at 6pm on the 29th November, with Speaker of Bedford Borough Council, Doug McMurdo, cutting the ribbon.

“I am thrilled with the fit out and look of the shop, which provides the ideal environment to meet with clients to discuss their tax and accountancy requirements,” said Charlie.

“We don’t consider ourselves to be your typical accountants. It’s our aim to provide small businesses with a quality service that meets their individual requirements and we want our clients to be able to access our services at their convenience. I would encourage anyone interested in our services to pop in to arrange a free initial consultation.

“Likewise, anyone who is interested in the Bedford Business Hub facilities, please do get in touch.”

TaxAssist Accountants Bedford specialises in providing accountancy services, company tax returns, self-assessment returns, payroll, bookkeeping, tax savings and tax advice to small businesses. In addition, TaxAssist also offers QuickBooks Online and Receipt Bank which help business owners manage their finances, scan receipts and stay in control of their business.

For more information, please contact Carenza Lyden-Brown on 01234 331777 or email hellobedford@taxassist.co.uk

Great Yarmouth businesses have until Friday 14th December to apply for up to £5,000 which they can use to support employees to walk or cycle to work, or to otherwise reduce journeys to the workplace.

Applicants can be innovative with funding ideas, based on what will help support their business’s specific requirements and help support a move away from single occupancy car journeys.

Any organisation based in Great Yarmouth, including schools, can apply for this capital grants scheme. The funding can be used to implement or improve the physical fabric of the workplace, such as installing cycle storage, showers, or changing room facilities, to help overcome the practical barriers that employees can face when active commuting.

Other improvements such as installation of ICT and videoconferencing equipment that can help employees to work from home are also eligible.

Katie Tierney, Active Workplaces Project Officer at Active Norfolk, said “These workplace travel grants are designed to help local businesses capitalise on the benefits that active commuting can bring to employees like improved productivity, health and wellbeing. They can also support a reduction in pressure on local parking and reducing business travel costs. We’re encouraging businesses to get creative with the grant applications and think about what practical solutions would help more of their employees take up active commuting.”

For more information regarding the grants, or to apply, visit https://www.activenorfolk.org/workplace-travel-grant.

Applications must be received by Friday 14th December, and successful applicants will be announced by Wednesday 9th January 2019.

This Sustainable Travel Grant Scheme is provided by Active Workplaces, Active Norfolk’s workplace physical activity programme, and Pushing Ahead, a Department for Transport funded project that promotes walking and cycling in Norwich and Great Yarmouth.

It’s five years since Dereham-based Example Marketing and Web Design first opened its doors to local businesses. In that time, the firm has helped over 200 companies improve their print and digital marketing efforts. Emma Raines, who owns the business with husband Gavin Raines, is delighted to have reached this milestone:

“When we first started the business, we had a fairly cautious mindset. We knew we could do a great job for our customers, but with so many stories about the state of the economy, we knew success wasn’t a given. I’m really proud of how far we’ve come. We’ve been flat out from day one!”

In June this year, Example moved its headquarters from Bawdeswell to a new office in Dereham. The past six months have seen the business go from strength to strength, with an expanding team and new customers from across the UK. Despite a growing client base, the company’s ethos remains the same. Emma continues:

“When we started Example, it was with the intention of helping local businesses grow and thrive. We love the ideal of supporting the local economy. Lots of our customers are start-ups and sole traders who need a helping hand. We keep things simple and our prices keen, so those people can access a professional service that can really make a difference to their business. We’re a company with a big heart!”

To help mark their anniversary, Example Marketing is also running several print offers over the next month with discounts on luxury business cards, appointment cards, postcards and fabric exhibition stands. Call 01362 708500 to find out more.