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Full Mix Marketing Chosen to Help Chamber Gold Patron Grow

B2B marketing experts and Chamber members Full Mix Marketing have been chosen by Norfolk Chamber Gold Patrons MIGSOLV to help them gain more customers in the East of England.

Full Mix Marketing were asked to pitch against four other agencies to secure the long-term relationship marketing Norfolk and Suffolk’s only purpose built data centre.

“We’re delighted to have the opportunity to help MIGSOLV grow” says Sarah West, Managing Director of Full Mix Marketing. “With the increased threat of terrorism, extreme weather and data theft, business continuity is a hot topic”

The Gatehouse in Norwich secures computer servers and data for national and international companies. Now Full Mix Marketing are delivering a comprehensive marketing strategy to help owners MIGSOLV target local businesses who need to increase their business resilience, save space and reduce costs.

“It’s been a fantastic and diverse start to 2107” continues Sarah. “We’ve begun relationships with businesses in manufacturing, energy, recruitment, IT and engineering. What they all have in common is the desire to identify and deliver the right marketing for the best results.”

As Chartered Marketers, Full Mix Marketing provide all the marketing businesses need to grow, including marketing plans & strategies, branding, full digital & social media marketing, as well as directing marketing campaigns, advertising & PR.

“Sarah and her team simply gave us the confidence they could deliver the results we need” says David Manning, Managing Director of MIGSOLV. “They showed that more than just having a new website or advertising, it’s about understanding our potential customers and finding the best ways to reach them”.

Gold Patrons of Norfolk Chamber of Commerce since 2016, MIGSOLV discovered Full Mix Marketing through the Chamber Directory. “Being members of Norfolk Chamber has been very positive for us” says Sarah. “It regularly generates opportunities and is often a strong part of the marketing mix we recommend our B2B clients”.

Exciting Masterplan to transform Great Yarmouth town centre is approved by borough council

Great Yarmouth Borough Council has approved an exciting commercially-realistic vision to enhance the historic town centre for the 21st century as a destination where more people choose to live, work, invest and spend their leisure time and money. 

The Town Centre Masterplan illustrates how, through close partnership work, Great Yarmouth’s unique central spaces, and the links between them, can transform over the coming decade to strengthen the town centre as a commercial and cultural hub, meeting the needs and aspirations of communities and the challenges all town centres face.

Shaped through two public consultations, positive discussions with a wide range of partners and careful commercial testing, the core aim of the Masterplan is to build confidence, highlight assets and opportunities, and secure investment, by setting out a clear, coherent, compelling vision, which is led by the borough council and backed by the community and key partners.

While the borough council will continue to take the lead, close partnership working is needed to bring the Masterplan to life, and the borough council is now set to bring together key players on a Partnership Board to guide the regeneration activities and monitor plans and progress.

The Masterplan is the longer term element of the borough council’s Town Centre Initiative to boost the town centre, a key public priority, which has already delivered enhanced town centre events, better marketing, visual and environmental improvements, plus a shopfront improvement grant scheme.

The six key Masterplan projects are:

  • Strengthening the Heart of the Town Centre By 2025, the heart of the town centre – around the junction of King Street and Regent Road – has regained its vitality with a range of new occupiers and operators including a leisure-based anchor (for example a cinema), cafes, bars and restaurants.  
  • Improving the market and Market Place By 2025, trade and custom in the 6- & 2-day markets is greatly improved, supported by new stalls and service facilities and by the newly-paved Market Place. Together with the improved frontages this has created a beautiful setting for an expanded programme of events.  
  • Transforming the Conge By 2025, The Conge is transformed, with new mixed-use development lining both sides of the lower half of the street, and the next phase ready for delivery connecting it to the renewed Market Place.  
  • Creating a sense of arrival at the town centre By 2025, the setting of Fullers Hill, Acle New Road, the roundabout, train station and quayside creates a new sense of arrival at this key junction of road, rail and water, linked to the new development on The Conge.  
  • Unlocking the potential of Hall Plain By 2025, the council has adopted guidance to ensure existing buildings are conserved and developed appropriately. With the 3rd river crossing near completion, there is significant commercial interest in refurbishment and new development.  
  • Linking it all together By 2025, wayfinding is improved across the town through investemnt in key parts of the network of Rows and streets, with footfall significantly increased and commercial vacancies significantly reduced.

During the public consultation in January on the draft Masterplan, the council received more than 150 individual responses, with about 100 people attending workshops. Improvements made as a result of feedback include bringing forward the timetable of works for Hall Plain, expanding the station gateway project to include all gateways into the town centre and expanding the Masterplan area to include Great Yarmouth Minster.

In a joint statement, the council’s political group leaders, Cllr Graham Plant, Cllr Kay Grey, Cllr Trevor Wainwright and Cllr Adrian Myers, said: “Our vision for Great Yarmouth town centre is that, by 2025, new investment and employment in the town centre is generating renewed pride in Great Yarmouth and building confidence for the future.

“The public tell us that boosting the town centre is a top priority and we are responding. The Masterplan represents a powerful statement of intent from the borough council and community to make a positive change, to work together and make a compelling case for investment, setting out commercially-realistic yet flexible ambitions, and highlighting the unique features that make our town centre so unique and valuable.

“This exciting high-level vision has been shaped collaboratively, involving a wide range of individuals and organisations, and this approach and commitment will need to continue as we now focus on progressing the Masterplan together. These are big, challenging projects requiring significant investment and joint working, but we know they are deliverable and we urge everyone to remain positive and patient while work continues ‘behind the scenes’.”

The Masterplan can be read in full here

EYE FILM wins Best Promotional Programme at Royal Television Society East Awards

Last night Eye Film won Best Promotional Programme at The Royal Television Society East Awards 2017 for their school film Leighton Park.  This is the first time the awards have been held since 2003, when Eye Film won Best Onscreen Personality for John Peel’s episode of the TV series ‘Going Home’.  With the whole Eye team present on the night, MD Charlie Gauvain accepted the award together with Max Knaapen who shot and edited the film.  “We’ve had a busy year with our company rebrand, launching a new website, producing two new TV projects for the BBC and working on a series of new films for schools, so we’re thrilled that we won.  I don’t think there’s another school film quite like it and it was wonderful that Leighton Park allowed us creative free reign on the project, so thank you to them!”.  On hearing the news, Headmaster of Leighton Park, Nigel Williams added “I was eager to work with Eye Film, as the family team had a very clear vision about what they could offer us and a willingness to explore and understand the unique set of values that make Leighton Park School so special. I am delighted with the film and very excited about the thoroughly deserved award.”

Eye Film was also nominated for Best Factual Programme for Alderney: The Evacuation, which they produced with the help of a Crowdfunder campaign. A third film in the series, Alderney: The War Years is currently in production and will be ready for release later in the year. 

Example Marketing launches new website for Buy Local Norfolk

Local marketing agency Example Marketing and Web Design had the pleasure of revamping the website of social enterprise Buy Local Norfolk.

Buy Local Norfolk’s purpose is to highlight the importance of supporting businesses that are proudly local to Norfolk. Having seen huge growth in recent years, now with over 200 members and new business joining every month, they felt it was time to give their website an update. Example Marketing has been a member of Buy Local for over 3 years and jumped at the chance. Emma Raines, owner at Example, explains more:

“We love Buy Local Norfolk. We wholeheartedly agree with what it stands for, and the Directors and members are a thoroughly positive bunch of people. We were keen to help develop a new, vibrant website that works for members and other interested parties alike.”

Every member of Buy Local has a business profile on the website. One of the main challenges for the new site was making it as easy as possible for visitors to find businesses they’re interested in. Emma explains:

“We spent a lot of time categorising members and then putting measures in place that enable people to search through the directory in several different ways. As well as improving user experience, we also wanted to simplify the back end of the site so the team of voluntary Directors could make updates more easily. We think we’ve achieved that.”

There has been positive feedback from members so far who are particularly pleased that visitors to the site can now rate and review members’ businesses. This feature, along with other updates to business profile pages, aims to make the site a really powerful resource for anyone who is interested in supporting local businesses.

Martin Lake, one of Buy Local Norfolk’s Directors, summarises:

“It was crucial for us to work with a website company that completely ‘gets’ our enthusiasm and pride for Norfolk, a company with the technical skills to deliver the functionality and accountability we need, and a company with the design skills to make our site look stunning, engaging and easy to use. In Example Marketing we got all this and so much more. Delivered on time and on budget, we are absolutely delighted with our new website.”

Visit the new website at www.buylocalnorfolk.org.uk

Eye Film Nominated For RTS East Centre Award

Eye Film are very excited to have been nominated in two categories at the Royal Television Society East Centre Awards, being held in Norwich on May 25th. We have our Leighton Park School film entered in the Best Promotional Programme category and our documentary Alderney: The Evacuation, nominated in the Best Factual Programme category. Do visit our website at www.eyefilm.co.uk to see more about the projects and good luck to all those who have been nominated.

Alan Boswell Group Partners With Avios To Offer Customers Rewards

This May, leading independent insurance broker Alan Boswell Group unveiled a new incentive scheme, rewarding customers with up to 10,000 Avios for taking out an insurance policy.

The company will award Avios to new customers that buy a home, landlord (buy-to-let) or business insurance policy as part of the Avios Travel Rewards Programme. Avios can be used on a wide variety of rewards, including towards flights, hotel stays, holidays and airline upgrades, as well as a wide range of days outs and experiences. 10,000 Avios, for example, can be redeemed towards a return flight with British Airways, Aer Lingus or Flybe to destinations across Europe[1] such as Amsterdam, Paris and Milan.

The announcement follows the Group’s recent acquisition of Sutcliffe Insurance Brokers in Lincolnshire – and as it extends its range of strategic partnerships. The relationship with Avios Group (AGL) Limited, which rewards customers for everyday spending, is a natural fit to both parties.

Personal Lines Director, Heath Alexander-Bew says: “One of Avios’ core values is, ‘how does this help the customer?’ which reflects how we do business; we’re dedicated to providing friendly, expert advice every time, putting the customer at the heart of what we do. This partnership allows us to give something back to our customers, so they can make the most of their time out.”

Oliver Currell, Head of Partnerships at Avios, adds: “We’re thrilled to announce the start of this relationship with Alan Boswell Group, adding to the variety of ways that customers can collect Avios to enjoy the travel rewards we offer.  Thanks to the strong collection rate on offer, one transaction alone could give homeowners and landlords sufficient Avios to be used towards return flights to a wide choice of popular destinations.”

To find out more visit www.alanboswell.com/avios

[1] Excluding taxes, fees and charges which must be paid in cash. Subject to availability, terms apply

Help to shape our new strategy for Norfolk

What will your business look like in five years’ time and what support will you need to get it there?

Come and share your views to help form the new Economic Strategy for Norfolk and Suffolk. Led by New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership with Norfolk and Suffolk Chambers of Commerce and local authorities, the strategy will look at how we can build on our strengths and make the most of the opportunities in our region. Now we need your input, so join us to share your ideas. You’ll be able to hear about some of the evidence which has been gathered so far as well as taking part in lively discussions on a range of topics, from global trade to skills and productivity. Check the events page here on the Chamber website for details of our business roundtables in Norwich, Great Yarmouth and King’s Lynn. You can read more about our strategy here: https://www.newanglia.co.uk/developing-new-economic-strategy/

Local Blind Company Introduces New Packages In Response To Growing Number Of New Homes

With improving rail and road links in Norfolk, plus the many proposed developments, such as the proposed expansion of the University and Norwich Research Park, there are likely to be a lot of new people moving to the area. 

This has led to a large number of new homes being built. Norwich Sunblinds noticed that people often plan all their finance around buying their new home but forget to budget for essentials, such as window dressings. “We decided to create packages so that customers could have fitted blinds in their new home at a set price,” says Fiona Garwood, a director of Norwich Sunblinds. The packages are available for various sizes of flats and houses, based on the number of windows and type of property. There are also executive packages available which include real-wood shutters and roman blinds. Of course, the house doesn’t have to be new-build. The packages are available to anyone who is moving home and needs new blinds, curtains or shutters for all their windows. “There is so much to think about when moving home,” says Fiona “we can at least take away the stress of fitting blinds to all the windows. We visit, measure, make and fit the blinds for our customers. After all, you want privacy as soon as you move in.” If you are excited about the colour scheme for your room, you will love the range of fabrics to choose from. Norwich Sunblinds is an independent family business, so is not tied to any one fabric supplier.  However, if the thought of looking through fabric leaves you cold, Norwich Sunblinds can help you choose colours and styles to suit your home.  It is this personal service, quality products and their 5-year guarantee, that gives rise to their 99% satisfaction rating on the Norfolk County Council Trusted Trader website. “Norwich Sunblinds have just installed vertical and roller blinds in my home and I am so pleased with the service provided by them, the quality of the blinds is outstanding and the installer was so polite and very neat and tidy; I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending Norwich Sunblinds to anyone!” Norwich Sunblinds can be contacted on 01603 334047 or book an appointment online for your free home visit. Click here for details of package prices. 

Week of Wellbeing for Freebridge Community Housing staff

Freebridge Community Housing employees enjoyed their sixth annual Week of Wellbeing last week. The week aims to support the wellbeing of staff across the whole company and involved an array of activities.

Reflexology, creative writing, dance classes and meditation comprised just a small part of the list of events on offer. The week, which took place from 8 – 12 May, is designed to promote and support the six strands of wellbeing – Career, Physical, Mental, Social, Economic and Community Wellbeing – for its employee team of over 200 people.

While many of the week’s events were run by Freebridge employees a host of local organisations and businesses, including The Wellbeing People, Alive Leisure, The Engaging People Company, Paul Tibbs Photography, the Natural Therapy Centre and The Maltings Q Club were amongst those who provided expertise and facilities.

Local businesses generously donated prizes for a charity fundraising raffle. Proceeds will be going to East Anglian Air Ambulance, King’s Lynn Foodbank and West Norfolk RSPCA, who are all Freebridge chosen charities for 2017.

Tony Hall, Chief Executive of Freebridge, said: “Once again we have had a fantastic Week of Wellbeing at Freebridge. This week gives our employees the opportunity to gain news experiences that can have a positive impact on both their work and personal lives.

“Our tenants remain at the heart of everything we do at Freebridge, and we believe that by having a workforce that is both physically and mentally healthy we will be able to continue to provide the best service possible.

“We couldn’t have made the week such a great success without support from local businesses; we would like to express our thanks for all their efforts and generosity.”

Pure to host second Women’s Leadership Alumni event

Pure will be hosting its second Women’s Leadership Alumni event, bringing together past and present delegates, and their employer sponsors, for a morning of continued development and inspiring guest speakers.

Held at The Jockey Rooms in Newmarket on Wednesday 24 May the event has been organised for previous participants of the Women’s Leadership Programme and anyone interested in finding out more about inclusive leadership.

The Women’s Leadership Programme was first developed in 2014 by professional recruitment specialists Pure, in conjunction with strategic HR consultancy People & Performance. It has already helped more than 65 aspiring female leaders in the Eastern region to strengthen their leadership skills, develop their confidence and to work with their employers to remove any barriers to progression. The second alumni event will be an opportunity for all those involved to come together and to continue discussions on progressing gender equality in businesses of all shapes and sizes.

Lynn Walters, founder and director at Pure, said: “As well as supporting the continued development of aspiring female leaders in our region, this event also provides a great opportunity for them to further develop their professional networks. Our aim is to inspire organisations across the region to create inclusive work environments, where any barriers to progression are removed and everyone can work in a way that makes them feel productive and engaged. We will be joined by guest speakers from the region’s leading organisations who will facilitate discussion and workshops around leadership, culture and strategy.”

The event’s speakers include Dr Andy Wood, Chief Executive at Adnams, David Britain, a strategic HR Consultant who will be leading a workshop on aligning culture and Lynn Morgan, CEO at Arthur Rank Hospice Charity (ARHC) and Donna Talbot, Fundraising Director at the charity.  Donna is a previous programme participant and, with Lynn, will share the story of ARHC raising £10m to build the spectacular new hospice which opened in Cambridge last year.

Limited spaces are still available for employers and aspiring leaders who are interested in finding out more about the programme and who would like to hear from those who have already taken part. All ticket sales will include a donation to the Arthur Rank Hospice and a special discounted ticket is available for not-for-profit and charities.

The next Women’s Leadership Programme will begin in June and a part-funded place is available for an aspiring female leader working at a not-for-profit or smaller enterprise in the region. Sponsored by the Blossom Charity, which supports women in the East of England to be the best they can be, applications for the sponsored place are open to female managers and directors working within social enterprises, not-for-profit organisations, early stage start-ups and SMEs across Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire.

For more information about the Women’s Leadership Programme, attending the alumni event or the sponsored place on the next course, contact Lucy Plumb: lucy.plumb@prs.uk.com

We’ve relocated!

As of Tuesday 9th May, Naked Element are now based at New Patricks Yard, 2 Recorder Road, Norwich, NR1 1NR.   As you may know we’ve recently grown our team, employing a Commercial Director and three new full time developers. As we’ve grown, we’ve needed more equipment and much more space, which was inevitably going to call for our own office.   At New Patricks Yard we have the advantages of our own office, air conditioning, a shower, whiteboard walls and a some funky remote controlled windows. We’re also being looked after by the lovely Sally of Liquid11 (the guys that founded New Patricks Yard).   We’ll still be returning to Whitespace every Thursday morning for our Sandler Sales training in the boardroom, and I’m sure for future events.   Thank you Whitespace for being the base from which Naked Element grew, and to Sarah and Neil for the fab accommodation and help over the years.   The NE Team would love to welcome our clients, suppliers and connections to come and see us at our new office! Please feel free to drop Rain a line at rain@nakedelement.co.uk to arrange a visit.

Monthind Clean Appoints New Sales Director

East-Anglian contract and specialist cleaning services provider, Monthind Clean LLP has appointed Richard Redding as its new Sales Director.

Richard will lead the group’s sales team in generating new business, strengthening relationships with its existing client base across its East Anglia and exploring new markets in Kent and London. He will oversee all sales and marketing activities across the growing business, which includes Monthind Clean, and Cambridge-based Atkins Gregory.

Having spent almost 20 years in the facilities management industry, with the last eleven of those as Commercial Director at Facilicom, Richard brings a wealth of valuable experience to the Monthind group and its client base.

Although this is a new role for Richard, his relationship with Monthind stretches back some years, as he explains. “Monthind’s operations director, Simon Biggs and I worked together for some years at Mowlem’s cleaning division in London. When the opportunity to join Monthind came along and I saw the work culture, and the plans for growth, I decided I wanted to be part of it. The people-first ethos of the company, and the level of loyalty Monthind has from customers and staff says everything about Monthind. I’m delighted to have joined the organisation at such an exciting time.”

Now in its 41st year, Monthind has earned an excellent reputation, and the business has grown organically to exceed a £10 million turnover, with significant growth planned in the next five years. Simon Biggs says, “We’re delighted that Richard has joined us at this stage of our journey. To have him on board with the valuable experience he has, fits well with us, and our plans at this time. Richard’s experience of bidding for various types and sizes of contract and his proven ability in supporting a sales team, I know, will add to Monthind’s reputation of delivering a first class service across the region.”

For more information visit www.monthindclean.co.uk