BATHWORKS Local businesses making great headlines

It’s the city’s business

BATHWORKS

THIS ISSUE >>KINGSMEAD SQUARE PARKLET OPENS (62) >>NEW BIZ SOAP AT NO.9 (63) >>SUPPORT THE ART COHORT (64)

Bath’s indies need your support more than ever

Bath online

The second lockdown has been a blow to businesses across Bath. In what should be their busiest weeks of the year leading up to Christmas, lights are off and the streets quiet. As far as online and takeaway are concerned, though, it’s another story.

Bath BID has produced a resource in record time that makes it easy for locals to find and support the retailers that remain open as usual, as well as those continuing to offer takeaways, click and collect, and online shopping.

“The Welcome to Bath website was originally planned to be a what’s on guide, providing up-todate information about large and small events and special offers across the city, but has been rapidly reconfigured to become a guide to local businesses that are continuing to trade during lockdown. There are already over 300 businesses listed, including big names and independent favourites,” Allison Herbert, CEO of Bath BID explains. “I hope that our contribution to supporting businesses via the Welcome to Bath website will be welcomed by the community and businesses as a helpful guide, and that everyone will make the most of the click and collect, delivery and takeaway options that businesses are offering.”

The website is just one of the ways that the Bath BID levy payers, who pay an annual contribution to fund the BID, benefit over the lockdown period. The BID’s Ranger service is also operating as normal, with the Rangers making the most of the city being a little quieter by conducting thorough deep cleans around the city centre. The Rangers are also doing a daily security check, and will contact businesses if they find a problem with their premises.

“We are sending out regular e-newsletters to our levy payers, featuring the latest business support information, which we are also sharing on our website and social media channels. As always, we are

The Bath BID rangers are taking advantage of the quiet streets to get some major cleaning done

available by phone seven days a week, so businesses can get in touch whenever they need our support.” For more: www.welcometobath.co.uk

SMALL BUT MIGHTY

Have you spotted Kingsmead Square’s new parklet? This adorably named addition has been installed as part of ongoing works to improve the evening economy and create a cleaner, greener public space.

“The new parklets look great and fi t well into the vibrant square where a European-style, socially distanced, café culture is now blossoming in the traffi c-free environment,” says councillor Joanna Wright, joint cabinet member for transport. “So far the feedback we’ve received has been really positive and we’ll be consulting on a permanent vehicle access restriction for Kingsmead Square in the coming months.”

Milsom Street is set to get its own parklet soon. For more: www.bathnes.gov.uk

Rear L-R Councillor Joanna Wright, Councillor Sue Craig, Jane CampbellHoward and Wendy Maden; front L-R Lindsay Holdaway and Councillor Andy Furse celebrate the new parklets

PARTY PLANS

We can’t wait for the return of the Bath Life Awards in 2021. There are still a few category sponsorships available to local companies keen to reap the benefi ts of involvement in the Awards – an annual highlight of the Bath business calendar. We are, as ever, expecting another sell out celebration on 27 May. Sponsors benefi t from Another opportunity to get your hands on one of those coveted awards... © SOUL MEDIA months of promotion prior to the event, and an exclusive Spaces, Stone King, Truespeed and invite to the prosecco-soaked Finalists’ Bath Life itself are among the prestigious and Sponsors’ Reception and the glitzy category sponsors. “From sponsoring a Champagne reception on Awards night category to benefi ting from our shoulder proper. As well as sponsoring awards events, sponsorship of the Awards not only categories, there are opportunities for means involvement with a remarkable sponsorship of supporting features like event, but also reaps the benefi ts of the beloved-by-Instagram ‘Live Cover’ months of high-profi le marketing, peaking photo booth. in May,” says Annie. “We’re thrilled

The coveted headline sponsorship has to have once again had such a positive been snapped up by longstanding partner response from so many companies, The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa, who will months ahead of the big night.” lead an exciting line-up of sponsors for Only a few category sponsorships remain 2021. MediaClash’s brand manager Annie and they are fl ying fast. For sponsorship Miekus says, “We are thrilled to have such enquiries and info, please contact a perfect headline sponsor and one that is annie.kelly@mediaclash.co.uk deeply rooted in Bath.” Apex City of Bath For more: www.bathlifeawards.co.uk Hotel, Marsh Commercial, Novia, Savills, @bathlifeawards

Nuray Morris’s love of nature is evident in the brand

FEELING CHILDISH

Bath has a beautiful new children’s boutique. Tilian Kids on Walcot Street is an ethical, eco-friendly store fi lled with sustainable clothing and high-quality gifts for babies and small children. Tilian’s founder, Nuray Morris, began her career as an early years practitioner Tilian is fi lled with beautiful hand made and that experience, as pieces like well as her love of nature, these woven is infused in the brand. rainbows

“As a small business, trying to become established in the current climate has been challenging but I am determined to make a success of it,” says Nuray. “Everyone has made me feel so very welcome and I feel extremely lucky to have this exciting opportunity. Bath’s Artisan Quarter, Walcot Street is packed with fun, interesting, independent shops and I already feel quite at home here.”

Tilian is drawn from the old English word ‘tillian’, which means to strive and cultivate; it refl ects Nuray’s belief that from small beginnings, big things are possible and it’s an ethos plain to see in her imaginative and optimistic collection. Most of her products have Global Organic Textile Standards (GOTS) certifi cates too, which means they are 100 per cent organic and free from harsh chemicals – exactly what you want for the little people in your life.

Tilian Kids is currently closed until the end of lockdown, but keep an eye on their social media for updates on how to shop in the meantime. For more: @tilian.kids on Instagram

Meet the new faces on the Bath business scene

Jonny Harbottle and Hannah Lamputt's business started as a way to get to know their neighbours

Hannah Lamputt and Jonny Harbottle started Soap at No.9 to keep themselves entertained during the first lockdown. Now, heading into the second, it’s a fullyfledged business with a range of six different soaps as well as gift boxes, launched just in time for Christmas.

How did Soap at No.9 come to life? We started Soap at No.9 in the first lockdown. Leading busy lives, we never spoke to our neighbours, but when lockdown happened, we found that we wanted a way to connect with them and let them know that if they needed anything then we were there to help.

We’d already been dabbling in soap making as a hobby and with such a huge emphasis on hand washing all of a sudden, we thought that a handmade soap and a small note was the perfect way to offer a helping hand. We never could have anticipated that it would turn into a business! Now we’ve just finished building our website ready for the Christmas gifting season. We can’t quite believe it. What’s special about your soap? We are self-confessed soap snobs. It’s important to us that our soaps are the best they can be – for us and the environment. All of our soaps are made with organic oils and butters and scented with essential oils, which makes them perfect for those prone to acne or sensitive or dry skin. Not to mention they are also vegan friendly, palm oil-free and there’s no plastic packaging in sight.

What have you found most challenging about starting a business? Trying to be a master of all trades – other small businesses will be able to relate to this one. It’s been a steep learning curve, but one we are trying to relish in. For more: www.soapatno9.co.uk

MOVERS AND SHAKERS ETC

TOP OF THEIR GAME Four Mogers Drewett lawyers have made it into the new Chambers 2021 Guide for their standout contribution in their respective practices. Tom Webb, Rebecca Silcock, Victoria Cobham and Jonathan Cheal all received a mention for their work with the local firm.

“We pride ourselves on the quality of our people at Mogers Drewett and are delighted to be recognised by Chambers,” says Sean McDonough, employment partner with the firm. www.mogersdrewett.com

THE DIGITAL DILEMMA Professor Adam Joinson of the University of Bath is set to lead a new £3.5 million research collaboration into the social science of digital security. Known as the DiScriBe Hub+, the project aims to bridge the gap between security engineering challenges and the people who will implement them.

“Addressing the cybersecurity challenges we face now – as well as anticipating those we might face in the future – is a major undertaking that needs deep engagement and collaboration between social scientists and technical experts,” says Professor Joinson. “This is a ground-breaking initiative.” www.bath.ac.uk/research

THE FINAL COUNTDOWN Nominations for the Bath Property Awards close on 26 November. Agents, developers, architects, designers, propertyfocused financial and legal services – any company in the industry – are invited to get involved. “It’s been wonderful to see how enthusiastically Last year’s celebrations of Bath’s dynamic the city has embraced property market the Bath Property Awards yet again with so many involved in what has been a difficult year,” says Annie Miekus, brand manager at the event’s organiser, MediaClash. “We’re looking forward to revealing the full line-up of impressive finalists for the Awards. Best of luck to all and make sure to get your nominations in quick!”

The Bath Property Awards and Property Symposium will be held on 13 March 2021 as an afternoon event, and will celebrate all aspects of the dynamic property market.

Finalists will be announced on 2 December on Twitter (@BathPropertyAwd) and via the Awards website. www.bathpropertyawards.co.uk

BUSINESS CLUB

Virtual one hour sessions, all free to attend

Search Bath Life on LinkedIn for upcoming dates and registration

If you would like to get involved, please email events@mediaclash.co.uk