ADAO works with local Rugby business Bluecode to redevelop their website

ADAO recently created an ecommerce website for Bluecode, a local Rugby company that makes custom labels for various industries and sectors.

Bluecode has over 20 years of experience in the label manufacturing business and offers high-quality products and services to their clients. They produce a range of labels, such as PAT test labels, calibration labels, warning labels, security labels, tamper-proof labels, general labels, and asset labels. They also provide bespoke barcode and asset labels that can be tailored to the client's specifications.

ADAO had previously developed the client's website 10 years ago on a platform called OpenCart: an ecommerce management system which, at the time, was a very powerful platform. However, support has since faded, and it was time to move to a more modern technology! ADAO redeveloped the website from OpenCart to WordPress with WooCommerce for ease of use.

WordPress is the world's most popular content management system, which receives constant and regular updates to keep the platform secure. WooCommerce is the world's most popular open-source eCommerce platform that works seamlessly with WordPress. It enables us to create a stunning, user-friendly, and powerful online store that meets the needs and expectations of our client and their customers. WooCommerce also offers many features and extensions that enhance the functionality and performance of the website.

The Wigley Group announced as returning headline sponsor of Warwick Half Marathon 2024

A family-run property, development and construction company based in Warwickshire has renewed its support for the popular Warwick Half Marathon. Southam-based The Wigley Group has announced its headline sponsorship of the 2024 event as it returns on Sunday, February 4.

Organised for the second year by RunThrough, the UK’s largest and Europe’s fastest-growing running events company, the 13.1-mile route begins and ends at the iconic Warwick Racecourse and takes runners through beautiful Warwickshire countryside on fully-closed roads with marshals on hand throughout the course. In addition to the half marathon, there will also be a 1k junior race allowing for the whole family to take part.

The tremendous success of the 2023 event saw more than 2,000 people enter to take part in the half marathon and organisers expect entry numbers to grow next year as the event’s reputation continues to spread.

The event has raised an incredible £80,000 for charity.

For 2024, The Wigley Group Warwick Half Marathon has officially partnered with SWFT Charity, the official charity of South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust, as the event’s charity of the year, with runners able to choose to raise money to support their work.

James Davies, Chief Executive Officer at The Wigley Group, said: “We’ve supported the Half Marathon since 2019 and a number of our staff –including myself – have run it before, so we know what a fantastic event it is for the region.

Some of the benefits of using WooCommerce for Bluecode are:

Customisation of the website to match the brand identity and industry of Bluecode, choosing from thousands of themes and plugins that suit their style and preferences.

ADAO can also modify the product pages, checkout process, shipping options, payment methods, and more.

ADAO can easily add new products, categories, attributes, and variations to the website as the business grows. They can also manage the inventory, orders, taxes, coupons, and reports from the WooCommerce dashboard. WooCommerce can handle high-volume stores and traffic without compromising on speed or security.

ADAO can optimize the website or search engines by using WordPress' SEO advantage. They can use keywords, meta tags, permalinks, breadcrumbs, sitemaps, and more to improve the visibility and ranking of the website. They can also integrate with Google Analytics, Google Ads, Mailchimp, and other marketing tools to boost the online presence and reach of Bluecode.

ADAO are very pleased with the outcome of this project, and they hope that Bluecode will enjoy their new WordPress WooCommerce website. This project is a testament to how they work with local companies and help them grow their online business.

If you are interested in ADAO’s services or want to see more of their work, you can visit their website: www.adao.co.uk

“Promoting health and wellbeing is really important to us as a company and this is a brilliant course for runners of all abilities to keep fit and healthy. Not only that, but it’s a great opportunity to raise money for charitable causes too.”

Rob Sullivan, RunThrough and The Wigley Group Warwick Half Marathon Race Director, added: “We are delighted to be partnering with The Wigley Group as headline sponsor of the Warwick Half Marathon for 2024.

“It is extremely important to us to align ourselves with local businesses within the community that can see and positively enhance the work we are doing to inspire an active nation through running.

“We look forward to what is set to be a fantastic day on 4th February next year and can’t wait to see and support all of the fantastic runners who will be taking part.”

The half marathon begins at 9am, a wheelchair half marathon starts five minutes earlier, while the 1k kids race commences at 11.30am.

The event costs £32 to enter or £160 for a group of six; the 1km children’s race costs £5.

For more details and to secure your entry, visit www.warwickhalf.com

Big decisions needed as Coventry reaches critical point

A key business figure in Coventry says the city is at a ‘critical point’ in delivering economic growth for future generations.

Corin Crane, the chief executive of Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, was speaking to a gathering of businesses at the Chamber’s Coventry Branch meeting at the Albany Theatre.

After hearing from Rob Back, Coventry City Council’s Strategic Planning Lead, on the city’s Local Plan, and David Hope, part of Coventry City Council’s Economic Development Service, on the future of business support, Corin said there was huge potential for growth.

He said: “Coventry is at a critical point that will help to define its future so its vitally important that we get the planning right.

“There are big decisions to be made around new housing and new employment land and how all of that fits together with other infrastructure and services.

“We have a group of expert Chamber members who have come together and produced a report on the need for more employment land, which is crucial in growing our economy.

“And, it’s important to remember, that growth isn’t about making businesses richer, it is to create jobs, opportunities and investment into the communities of the city.

“I know for a fact that there is massive interest in Coventry from companies that want to invest here. We’re in a very strong position from that point of view and we need to do everything we can to get them here in the coming months and years.”

Rob told the branch that Coventry City Council was consulting on the latest iteration of its Local Plan which will set the basis for planning decisions from mid-2025 onwards.

He said that the City Council was particularly keen to hear from landowners and agents on potential development sites for either homes or employment. He also gave a brief update on the latest plans for the city centre.

David explained how the landscape of business support was changing post-Brexit but that firms in the region can still access help.

Tim Squires, chair of the Chamber’s Coventry branch, said: “It was fascinating to hear from both Rob and David on areas of planning and business support – something our members are very keen to know more about.

“My advice to companies across the city is to get in touch with the team at the Chamber if you need any help or if you want us to help to amplify your voice to decision makers.”