Niche Magazine Issue 17

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November/December 2016

Secret INSIGHTS INTO WOMEN’S HEALTH Plus

THE

Silk Powder

REFLECTION

Next Fashion

Our journalist Kerry gets close to

JOHN LYDON

#FindYourNiche FASHION | BUSINESS | HEALTH | FOOD | SPORTS

t. e. w.

0116 402 6222 salon@barriestephenhair.co.uk barriestephenhair.co.uk

SALONS ANSTEY The Nook LE7 7AZ

ASHBY-DE-LA-ZOUCH Castlegate House LE65 2FH

LEICESTER King Street LE1 6RJ

NARBOROUGH Carlton Park LE19 0LF

t. e. w.

0116 402 6222 salon@b-styled.co.uk b-styled.co.uk

SALON LEICESTER 6B Hotel Street LE1 5AW

Part of the

Group

Fine dining & private parties North Bar and Kitchen pride themselves in their intimate surroundings and personal service, as well as the open kitchen, it really is quite an exclusive feeling.

Seating up to 40 covers for a sit down private hire Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner.

Or up to 100 for Canapés and Grazing bowls, the venue lends itself perfectly to private or corporate events.

Be it a Business meeting, Wedding, Birthday or just an ‘excuse’ make North your first choice.

Intimate, sophisticated, personal and above all a place to be looked after and spoilt.

42 Hinckley Road, Leicester, LE3 0RB info@northbarandkitchen.co.uk 0116 225 5961

Cover:

The front cover features hair, makeup and styling by Silk Powder, Francis Street, Leicester. The dress was made by Kelly and Julia at Silk Powder. Shot on location at Sturgess Jaguar, Narborough Road, Leicester. Diamonds are from the Ivy Range at Lumbers Jewellers, High Street, Leicester. Model is Charlotte Kotecha, courtesy of Kreative Group (formerly ModelZed). Photography by Joe Whitmore Photography.

The Team

The cover shot was created as a tribute to Bal of Silk Powder’s late husband.

Photography courtesy of:

Joe Whitmore 07887 812 321 Jwhitmorephoto.co.uk Andy Ward 07540 722 628 Brill-creative.com Scott Choucino 07843 091 419 Scottchoucino.com Official Media Sponsors of the Leicester Riders

Managing Director Jenny Cross 07815 899 574 jenny@crossproductions.co.uk

Editor Lee Parkin 07711 043 901 lee@crossproductions.co.uk

Also Sponsoring Robbie’s Rugby Festival Leicester Law Society Awards Menphys Rainbows Dorothy Goodman Academy

Published by Cross Productions Ltd Nichemagazine.co.uk info@crossproductions.co.uk Tel: 0116 271 2573

Disclaimer – Niche Magazine and Cross Productions Ltd are fully protected by copyright; no part of this magazine may be reproduced or reprinted without the complete and expressed permission of the publisher.

The greatest care has been taken to ensure accuracy, however there can be no liability accepted by the publisher for errors and omissions. We can under no circumstance be held responsible for any materials, matter or photographical copy submitted for publication or not within the website or magazine. We cannot be held responsible or liable for any breaches of copyright from adverts, materials or photography or any other such material supplied by a third party. The views and opinions expressed within our publications are not necessarily those of the publisher or indeed Niche Magazine or any featured parties.

Distribution Media Matters Direct Mediamattersdirect.co.uk Self Select Distribution Selfselectdistribution.co.uk Niche App Download for free!

Social facebook.com/nichemagazineuk Twitter: @magazineniche

Operations Director Leanne Baker 0116 271 2573

Sales Director Sally Smith 07931 220 116

leanne@crossproductions.co.uk

sally@crossproductions.co.uk

Design Editor Susan Holmes

Senior Journalist Kerry Smith

susan.holmes@crossproductions.co.uk

kerry@crossproductions.co.uk

Sales Executive Sharon Hodges 0116 271 2573

Sales Executive Zara Tyers 0116 271 2573

Contributors The Miller Partnership, Glynis Wright, City Communications, ER Recruitment, Torr Waterfield, Leicester Racecourse, Beau Aesthetica, Curve, Leicester Riders, St Martins House, Dimblebee Catering Company, Griffin Fit, Soar Valley Press, MME, Swipe & Tap, RDZ PR, Maiyango, Steamin’ Billy, Abel, Qdos, Hamilton Builders, MNE Accounting, Bray & Bray, Barrie Stephen Hair

NICHE | 03

Lumbers Jewellers 62 - 66 High Street, Leicester LE1 5YP Telephohe 0116 255 1233 www.lumbers.co.uk

Editor’s Letter

A Word from the Editor So, we find ourselves in the season that many of us cherish. The run up to yule is always a busy and most spectacular time. This is also a time when we can reflect on the occurrences of the year that, is, was 2016. At Cross Productions we’ve witnessed greatness in our region, sporting success, amazing business growth, huge development projects come to fruition and also personal achievements.

The Niche Business Awards blew the socks off of those who attended. The exuberant event crowned some of the very best in the county – recognising and rewarding those who absolutely are the best of show. The 2017 event is booked, save the date 8th September. Huge and most sincere gratitude from us to all who sponsored, nominated, ambassadored, participated and made the night one to remember – maximum love.

As I write this we are steam-rollering in to the #LeicesterBusinessFestival and #LFW, Leicester Fashion Week, two huge and very welcomed additions to the already booming and busy Leicestershire social scene. We’re hosting a networking event at the most luxurious emporium in town as part of the festival, we hope to see many faces at Lumbers new sparkly address on High Street. And we’ll be front row for the runway shows, watching local designers sending gorgeous girls and boys down the catwalks for the first big fashion event in the city.

Next, I’ll talk about Next. It was a knee-bending moment when Leicestershire corporate giant asked us to highlight their wares, we do hope you enjoy our fashion shoot in this issue. We teamed with all the very best in the region to present an extravagant collection of images, think real life glamour, workwear and passion. We thank Barrie Stephen Hair, Next, Joe Whitmore Photography and Libertii Beau for making this happen. Eeeek, so happy with this.

So happy too are we with our cover shot, hosted at Sturgess Jaguar, we set the stage for local and totally awesome make-up artist Silk Powder to present her very best. The F-TYPE is dulled in to the background of our cover-girl, courtesy of Kreative Group, she dazzles too with the Lumbers diamonds as worn by Mrs Vardy on her wedding day.

Addressing the trends of our county, we also had the obtuse honour of interviewing global star, John Lydon, the front man of iconic punk frontiers – Sex Pistols and now Public Image Ltd. As nervous as we were, the guy was a delight to talk to. Since, we’ve been earfuls of anarchy and safety pins. Love him.

There’s art, beauty, luxury, cars, business, leisure, food, fashion, culture and sport to enthuse over in this edition. Enjoy at your will, hopefully as we much enjoyed bringing this to you.

Let’s do winter – with style!

Best,

NICHE | 05

Contents November / December

09

Fashion

22

Health & Beauty

42

Wedding

09 Next Fashion

22 Beau Aesthetica

42 The Dimblebee Catering Co

21 Salon spotlight at Indy Hair

30 The Beauty Columns

50 Barton Hall

32 Optimum Fitness 41 Hair Q&A

58

Food & Drink

70

Property

92

Business

58 Hotel Maiyango

70 Eas Windows

92 Easy Internet 100 Q View

60 Kwoklyn Wan 62 Gut Health

81 The Good Life

108 Encourage innovation

65 Steamin’ Billy

86 Introducing Whitegates

115 Leicester Business Festival

132 Sport

132 Leicester Sports Round-up 06 | NICHE

139 Motoring

139 M&E Accident Repair

144

Out & About

150 The Rhythm of Life

16 COVER STORY The Silk Powder Reflection

128

The Business Awards Winners

134

Getting ready for Ladies Day

144

Interview with John Lydon

146

Leicester’s Secret Gigs NICHE | 07

JOE WHITMORE / PHOTOGRAPHER T. 07887 812 321 E. joe@jwhitmorephoto.co.uk

NEXT

Previous page: Mimi wears Black Embroidered Maxi Dress £85 Black Velvet Clutch Bag £25 Black Velvet Shoe Boots £40 Gold Tone Multi Chain Bracelet £14 Gold Tone Multi Chain Hoop Earrings £12 Stephen wears White Textured Premium Shirt £40 Black Knitted Bow Tie £8 Black Wool Blend Tuxedo Suit Jacket £85 Black Wool Blend Tuxedo Suit Trousers £45 Black High Shine Suede Mix Wing Cap £50 Black Leather Belt £15

This page: Stephen wears Navy Bomber Jacket £50, Khaki Crew Neck T Shirt £6, Blue Pleated Chino £35, Grey Hiker Boots £38

Mimi wears Pink Slash Neck Dress £32 Ecru Faux Shearling Jacket £90 Chocolate Plated Long Tassel Necklace £12.50 Signature Suede Long Boots £100 Grey Bucket Bag £38

Opposite page Stephen wears Wool Blend Overcoat £100 Long Sleeve Stretch Grandad Shirt £28 Grey Nep Chinos £32 Brown Signature Leather Briefcase £95 Tan Brogue Boots £65 Mimi wears Green Leather Biker Jacket £160 Navy Check Dress £50 Green Croc Effect Bag £35 Green Animal Print Leather Chelsea Boots £70 This page Stephen wears Black Leather Biker Jacket £150 White Shirt, Tie and Tie Clip Set £24 Black Styled Trousers £30 Black Tassel Loafers £50 Black Leather Belt £15

Stephen Wears Black Leather Biker Jacket £150 White Shirt, Tie and Tie Clip Set £24 Black Styled Trousers £30 Black Tassel Loafers £50 Black Leather Belt £15 Mimi Wears Pink Sleeveless Tie Neck Top £28 Silver Tone Crystal Effect Necklace £20 Silver Tone Sparkle Expander Bracelet £14 Green Sequin Trousers £45 Colourblock Platform Sandals £35 Mink Foldover Clutch £15

Niche Magazine credits and gives special thanks to: Photography by Joe Whitmore T 07843 091 419 W Jwhitmorephoto.co.uk

All clothing supplied by Next Plc W Next.co.uk

Models: Stephen Ledster and Mimi Griffin Courtesy of Kreative Group (formerly ModelZed) W Kreative-group.co.uk

Hair by Neil Smith, Barrie Stephen Hair 35 The Nook, Anstey, Leicester LE7 7AZ T 0116 402 6222 W Barriestephenhair.co.uk

Images are owned and copyrighted by Cross Productions Ltd

Make up by Trixie, Libertii Beau W Libertibeau.com T 07792 728 398 Lee Parkin & Leanne Baker Niche Magazine T 07711 043 901 W Nichemagazine.co.uk

ethic. The event helped to raise a wonderful amount for our chosen charity and we were delighted to have attracted such an esteemed panel of judges.”

PHOTOGRPHY MIKE SEWELL

Speaking to this year’s winner, Ursula announced: “I feel incredibly honoured to be given this opportunity to be an ambassador for the Miss Great Britain brand and to be representing Great Britain in the Miss Tourism World Final in December.”

Miss Great Britain

CROWNED

in Live Glittering Final Leicester’s Athena welcomed 50 of the country’s most glamorous ladies as they took part in Miss Great Britain on Friday, 23rd September Judges for the event had an incredibly hard job on their hands whittling down the 50 finalists.

The lineup of judges included X-Factor & I’m a Celebrity star Jake Quickenden, fashion designer and founder of House of CB Conna Walker, Love Island Finalist 2015 and founder of shoe line ‘Cally Jane’ Cally Beech, Miss Great Britain 2015 Deone Robertson, author of the top selling beauty pageant book ‘Misdemeanours’ Sally-Ann Fawcett, Wimbledon former footballer and celeb event manager Kevin Cooper, and Photographer Tom Wren The spectacular show was organised

by Leicester based Kreative Group, formerly known as ModelZed, for the fourth year running since owner Kate Solomons became the National

Director in 2012, and was held at the gorgeous Athena in the heart of Leicester city.

Over 400 guests made up of family, friends, media and sponsors were in attendance to see 26 year old Ursula Carlton crowned Miss Great Britain 2016. Ursula from Nairn Inverness won the title of Miss Aberdeen to qualify for the National Final.

National Director Kate Solomons said: “The standard was extremely high this year and the judges found it very difficult. However, they all agreed that Ursula, who is clearly a very beautiful girl, also possessed all of the characteristics we would look for in a Miss Great Britain such as a warm personality, a genuinely kind nature and a hard working

Ursula has worked as a professional Princess at Disney Land Paris for many years, and speaks fluent French. “I aim to inspire young girls to chase their dreams, regardless of where they come from, their appearances or social background, to encourage them that anything is possible if you believe in yourself.”

Ursula will enjoy a year of amazing opportunities being Miss Great Britain as well as some great prizes totalling more than £7,000!

The competition supports Global Make Some Noise, the Miss Great Britain competition and finalists have been fundraising in the run up to the event and raised over £34,000! Kreative Group, who organises the event, has to date raised in excess of £86,000 for various charities.

Ladies can apply for Miss Great Britain 2017 now by visiting missgreatbritain.co.uk/enter-missgreat-britain Ursula is exclusively signed with the Miss Great Britain organisation and will be managed by Kreative Management.

info@missgreatbritain.co.uk 07817 308 432 / 07792 354 009

After years of heartbreak, inspirational makeup artist Bal Gill is ready to tell her story for the first time – Niche journalist Kerry Smith reveals the EXCLUSIVE behind our front cover At the age of 20, Bal Gill moved to Canada with her husband Ranvir.

Bal and Ranvir had a great bond throughout their marriage and from this came three lovely daughters.

Difficulty came about with Ranvir’s illness – he suffered from Schizophrenia.

Bal’s full time job was working in her in-law’s takeaway shop and she worked very hard hours. Traditionally women didn’t have ‘careers’ so this appeared to be her future.

In Bal’s words “Schizophrenia is an unpredictable illness that doesn’t bring out the love in someone. A sufferer is controlled by something and in their view – someone”. It was difficult for Bal to tell her in-laws the implications of Schizophrenia as it is more of a ‘see it to believe it’ condition. Bal had some amazing memories with Ranvir and the girls as well as some difficult ones.

The difficult ones were when he heard ‘the voices’ but the amazing memories were taking the kids on adventures around Canada.

In around 1995/1996 Bal and Ranvir moved to a beautiful home next door to Michael Bublé’s grandfather, Frank, who would often have the whole family round. As neighbours they’d all watch the stars together, enjoy Italian food and listen to Michael on the radio and look at the newspaper cuttings. Frank always used to say “he’s gonna be famous one day Bal!” Shortly after Bal’s youngest was born, circumstances meant that Bal 16 | NICHE

and Ranvir had to separate. As Bal did not have a strong educational background she was unable to find a job that would pay well enough to support her three kids and work around their times. She said: “I sold my things to survive but I’m an earth sign, grounded, gentle and tolerant, and I kept my calm.”

The spiritual positive young mother decided it was time to live her dream and qualified as a makeup artist with an honours award. Feeling completely alone in the world, she moved back to England with her girls but seven months later Ranvir suffered a cardiac arrest and passed away.

Times were hard but with a positive attitude, Bal continued. She began a mobile make-up business from home which soared. Her brother-in-law provided her with premises so she could ‘hit the ground running’. He even chose the name Silk Powder which later incorporated her sister’s business, Kelly Couture. Bal and Kelly made a great team and often travelled around the country doing photoshoots with Kelly doing the couture pieces and Bal doing the make-up, hair and dressing.

Bal also wanted to help people so volunteered as a Skin Camouflagist for the Red Cross. She did this for six years and was invited to the Royal Garden Party to join other volunteers, where Charles and Camilla were present.

Bal had felt a void in her life until she fell in love again at first sight with

Ranbir. It was strange because not only did Ranbir share a very similar name to Bal’s former husband, but he also had three kids. Both felt they’d met before and known each other their whole lives and he was a great father. They shared the same passions and became best friends.

“Dinner was always home cooked, and he would always make special treats, especially following my diagnosis of coeliac disease (gluten intolerance)”.

Ranbir decorated the Silk Powder shop on Francis Street, a home from home; something Bal valued so as not to separate business from family.

He was a keen photographer and would take pictures of Bal’s work, which still hangs from the walls of Silk Powder today. During the recession they wanted to lift spirits and put on a non-profit James Bond themed bridal event at Sturgess Jaguar to raise money for charity.

Their next project was to set up a Vocational Training Charitable Trust (VTCT) Centre for accredited courses that was designed to be held to fit around ‘mums’ hours’ but this had to be put on hold.

Ranbir had developed cancer, a rare type known as a pancoast tumour around the lungs. After being told by the Doctor, Bal saw him across the street from the shop with tears in his eyes and he fell into her arms.

Bal thought “why is God taking my happiness away from me? I’ve only known him eight years!” He spent a lot of time in the hospital so that is where the family spent Birthdays and Diwali. He was desperate to do his

traditional Christmas roast but did not make it.

Bal became Ranbir’s carer and regularly nursed and cleaned him alongside the days she could put into the business. His cancer spread into the spine and his brain. He was essentially paralysed but could send text messages.

With tears in her eyes she relived the day he passed: “In his bed in LOROS he asked for a kiss and I didn’t know it would be our last but he knew he was going even before the doctors.

He started telling me all these things to do after he’d gone but I ran out to the nurse to demand to know if my husband was dying. I went back and he was already gone but his heart was still beating and I held his hand and began screaming.”

Bal had nervous breakdowns and didn’t work for eight months.

“But I had to feel him. I had to feel his passion. So I took on his photography.” She achieved their dream and opened the VTCT School and finished off his DIY work.

“My husband taught me love. It’s the strongest bond that goes with you and I’m still in love with him. I look at life as balloons, each has a certain amount of breaths in them and if you could see yours getting smaller, what would you do with your day? Your soul is your strength”.

Her aim is to make everyone feel good about themselves, “some people feel like they are no good, so let’s make them worthy.” She invested in a dry heat sauna pod for her customers to use when they feel stressed, when they come out, they’re full of life, relaxed, gain new ideas and have even been known to have epiphanies in there!

Bal has worked for catwalk, film, magazines, and many more thanks to the support of her husband. And so we bring you our front cover.

Bal’s creative work shot at Sturgess Jaguar in loving memory of her husband who passed away 11th December 2014.

In memory of Ranbir Gill ‘Gilly’ – Who called Bal ‘his flower’.

0116 270 7692 Silkpowder.co.uk

47 Francis Street, Leicester LE2 2BE

The new Dry Air Sauna Pod

y r u x u l r u yeomporium

Those in the Fashion have their say

The most glamorous time of the year Party season is soon upon us and it’s the most glamorous time of the year. So what are our winter glam essentials?

A fabulous evening coat is well worth tracking down, buy in velvet, silk, or satin a classic fabric which oozes glamour. Lace skirts are turning into a huge fashion trend and they are an all-time classic. Skirts are another very chic buy this time of the year in pillar box red, spice orange, which we have seen a lot of this season and of course black. Team with a lovely round neck cashmere jumper and some ‘to die for’ fabulous costume jewellery, which is always going to be a winning combination.

Every woman should own a beautiful silk shirt with a huge, flattering, stand-up collar. Again, team this with a taffeta skirt or a great fitting pair of trousers for grand events with jewels. For a really sexy evening look if you have the figure why not try a Tuxedo suit? Put this with a lace top or a cami underneath.

Gold, the colour of the season.

Sometimes the thought of shiny gold attire calls to mind glitzy grandmas or Las Vegas party girls.

However, thanks to an especially strong showing on autum winter ‘16 runways, metallic - especially gold, are poised to be a seasonal standout look. Gold fashion, gold shoes, gold jewellery, and if you’re not a fan of gold, try pewter a metallic tone that goes with everything!

Have fun B x.

Betty Brown Boutique info@betty-brown.com 20 | NICHE

Avoiding Del Boy

Festive glamour

Rodney took his place at the top of the street as look out whilst Del set up his market stall. His jacket linings were like showroom displays of prestigious looking watches.

Brands like Rolex, Hublot and Breitling were amassed. As Del Boy opened his suitcase he yelled ‘Luxury Watch Sourcing stall. Any watch found. Huge discounts.’

Love it or hate it- Christmas is coming! It’s a time for giving gifts, eating mince pies and of course, making your hair as glamorous as possible for all those festivities. But with so many styles to choose from, what’s going to be the go-to look this season?

Part of the valuation service we offer is the authentication of genuine prestige watches and the usual subsequent disappointment to the purchaser. Just recently, in Leicester, we have advised clients that their investment in a Hublot of £6,000 is actually a fake. That the diamonds surrounding their Rolex were not originally set by Rolex, making it impossible to ever return to Rolex for servicing, and that the Breitling they recently purchased originated from Argentina and VAT has not been paid and is still due. Extremely upsetting news to each but should we really be sympathetic?

It is not surprising that these clients purchased from either non-authorised watch sourcing boutiques or internet sites and believed a false discount was an over-riding reason to risk a purchase. Of course, they also put in jeopardy future customer service for any issues for their expensive purchase from the authorised network.

Don’t join in Fools and Horses, be assured of your special purchase and buy from authorized dealers.

Next year you might be a millionaire.

Sarah Wilkins 0116 255 1233 Lumbers.co.uk

Accessories always come back around at this time of year because everyone suits a little sparkle in their look this season. Dress your hair up to the max with embellished headbands and scarves to really make a statement, or opt for a subtle option with a jewelled clip or delicate little hair rings. Whatever style you feel most confident in, there’s a decorated hair accessory out there that’s perfect for you.

It’s no secret that big bouncy curls are the epitome of glamour, but what about super sleek styles? That slicked back look has been huge on the red carpet every year when awards season rolls around and it’s simple to recreate. It looks great with a ponytail and a deep side parting, and equally so with your hair down. This look is especially perfect for all you brunettes!

If you’re a lover of retro pin-up styles, finger waves are the ideal way to channel your inner 1920s flapper girl! It’s such a unique style and you’ll feel like a vintage bombshell. It takes a little more time and consideration but you’ll make an impact the moment you step through the door at any party.

If you need any help or advice on creating your perfect party look, pop into your nearest Barrie Stephen salon and chat to any of our talented stylists! Barrie Stephen 0116 402 6222 Barriestephenhair.co.uk

Fashion

We welcomed our BFG, Andrea, 14 years ago to the Indy family.

Since working for us Andrea has had a massively positive influence on the salon mindset. Her creativity with technical work is outstanding coupled with the ability to listen to exactly what a client wants and achieve the desired outcome. Her attention to detail and unswerving dedication is another star quality of Andrea’s. Whether starting hours earlier, finishing hours later, or both in the same day she will make sure she can do everything possible to deliver the services that are needed of her.

Andrea is a warm, friendly, bubbly, happy person... when she has eaten. So one point to think of when booking in, bring cake!

Whilst satisfying a full band of happy clients with a retention rate higher than most she still manages to keep on top of all our stock levels and product orders.

www.justsloggi.co.uk Tel: 01332 811732

Now, I understand that if you have in fact read this far, you may be starting to think that this ‘Andrea lady’ is a fictional super hero. But in God’s honest truth, she lives and she’s very real!

0116 251 7170 Indyhair.co.uk

@justsloggi

NICHE | 21

Health & Beauty

For a party-ready you The festive season presents a host of perfect opportunities to get dressed up, dust off the dancing shoes and party. Beau Aesthetica, located in the leafy Stoneygate area of Leicester, boast state of the art technologies, the latest techniques and luxury products to help you give your body and face a little lift to look tip top and ready for the most wonderful time of the year.

The experienced team at Beau offer their advice for body care in the winter months Our skin is the largest organ in the body so it’s important to look after it, however, with party season comes colder weather which can cause skin strife from the ups and downs in temperature as we come out from the cold and into the warm. Plus, comfort food is rife and the desire to get out there with the best of them at the gym might not be top of the agenda. So, what can you do to fix up for the festive season?

little harder when there is so much bubbly around. A good way to create balance is to try and drink at least two litres of water every day.

Lack of water in the body can not only dehydrate the skin but it can also make for one sluggish digestive system, so a Colonic treatment is a great way to get your system running more efficiently as well as alleviating lots of symptoms in the process.

A nourishing facial every couple of weeks can work wonders against the elements with Caci, Endermolift, Glycolic and Enzyme facials amongst some of the highly effective treatments that enable you to achieve a fresh faced look, often hard to achieve in the colder months.

Make sure you continue with the SPF moisturiser, just because the sun isn’t blazingly obvious, it doesn’t mean sun damage can’t be done.

If the sun has already left its mark in the form of sun spots a Glycolic treatment will help even out skin tone and renew.

Ensuring you get your quota of that skin essential water can be a

To shift those stubborn inches in time for Christmas, New Year and that little black dress, why not opt

for the celebrity pre-party favourite - the body wrap? ‘Honey I Shrunk!’ is a wrap system that uses the revolutionary Lipolysis which breaks down fatty cells in those unwanted areas. This no pain, no mess method of cutting those inches works its magic through heat generation where you get to lay back and relax for an hour whilst ‘Honey I Shrunk!’ works away.

As a leading cosmetic procedure clinic we specialise in Liposuction and other cosmetic surgeries to help you trim down; chat to us to discover a personalised procedure plan.

Sometimes the smaller treatments give you that little pep you need.

HD Eyebrows, the mani-pedi and waxing all help us feel that bit better so let us look after you and get you in tip top condition for the parties ahead.

0116 270 9141 Beauaesthetica.com

Women’s vaginal health is slowly but surely coming to the forefront of anti-aging medicine in the cosmetic world and with it producing life-changing treatments Before the latest advancements in age reversal vaginal treatments, women simply had to live with consequences as a result of either childbirth, the menopause or age related muscle relaxing or laxity downstairs, often sexual dysfunction being one. Now, Dr Natasha Ranga GP has developed a unique treatment called VenusVT and can provide the long-term solution right here in Leicestershire using a revolutionary fractional CO2 Laser. Women everywhere can now wave goodbye to vaginal ageing and say hello to trouble free rejuvenation. The pioneering, pain free, highly effective VenusVT treatment instantly tightens and contracts the vaginal tissue inside and out to give you relief from laxity related problems. This exciting treatment takes just 10 minutes to restore you to to a more youthful time in your life. Intrigued?

We thought you might be.

So, how does it work?

Time for the technical bit.

The non-surgical procedure is pain free, allows you to get back to your usual daily activities immediately 24 | NICHE

and takes just 10 minutes. An initial meeting with Natasha allows you to discuss your needs and the treatment, with the option to do so over email if you’d prefer. The procedure, which takes place at the clinic by Natasha, is in a relaxing environment and you will be talked through each and every stage of the short treatment as it happens.

Natasha is friendly, approachable and so easy to talk to making you feel relaxed and secure in your decision from the start to finish. This pioneering treatment is accessible for so many now with its locality here in Leicester and its cost. Making this empowering decision to take back control of your life, from which you will experience instant results, will leave your only regret being that you hadn’t discovered it sooner.

Natasha works with Femi Latif at Femi Health and Beauty Clinic.

Start your short journey to restoring your vaginal health.

0116 253 2393

With Venus-VT Say hello to ◆ Moisture restoration ◆ A tight, youthful vagina ◆ Enhanced sexual satisfaction ◆ Restored confidence ◆ Solution to urinary bladder incontinence issues ◆ A non-surgical option to labiaplasty and say goodbye to ◆ Pain or discomfort during intercourse caused by dryness ◆ Laxity and looseness ◆ Urinary stress incontinence and those hefty pads

“I had the treatment after having given birth to two quite large babies! The treatment was so quick and definitely far less uncomfortable than a smear test.

I felt really at ease with the whole thing and was honestly surprised at the whole pain-free experience.

After four days I had ‘special time’ with my partner and he is typically quite skeptical about things but he said he definitely noticed more tightening. I wasn’t so aware myself this first time, but the next time, some three days later, I could really tell the difference and the experience was so much more intense. I can’t recommend it enough!”

Annonymous

As seen on Mail online

A NEW YOU

…starting now!

That’s right, the first New Year New You article and it’s not even 2017 yet! Lizzie Griffin of Griffin Fit talks about the new leaf you’re going to turn over in January but she knows you’ll be sick of hearing it by February so she thought she’d get in there early – and so should you!

Tweet me your progress! fore-andI want to see your be selfies, new after photos, mirror vements, pro gym clothes, ab im al quotes on ati pir foodie pics, ins that’s fitness and anything you do related! @griffin_fit

Lizzie x

Making your New Year resolution

“Get a head start and beat the rush,” Lizzie says because you’ll appreciate it in the New Year. You can start thinking about making a New Year’s resolution now by all means but if you know it’s going to have something to do with losing weight or toning up then the Griffin Fit expert says it’s time to start now.

You will benefit in many ways from starting on a new lifestyle journey now. Why waste time? Why sit back and a face a whole extra two months of looking in the mirror and not liking what you see? The trick is to get going now – once the New Year is here, you will be striding into it looking and feeling ready to take it on instead of sauntering through with no motivation or enthusiasm.

As Lizzie has spoken of in previous issues, exercise has a whole load of paybacks from the time you put into it. Your working life and social life will improve, you’ll become more productive, you’ll feel better on the inside, you’ll put yourself at less risk of injury and illness and you’ll look great in your LBD’s and Christmas jumpers.

One obvious benefit for choosing to start your New Year early is that you’ll miss the hordes of late comers desperately trying to accomplish their resolution at the beginning of the January – how silly of them! At the private fully kitted-out Griffin Fit gym there will be no waiting for equipment and no intimidation from the judging eyes of a guy over on the cross machine thinking to himself you’re

doing your crunches all wrong.

Because Griffin Fit is a private gym and you’ll have Lizzie directing you on the exact way to perform each exercise for maximum muscle usage and results and to minimise any aches and pains the next day.

The festive period can also get stressful so as Lizzie’s mentioned before, exercise is the best reliever of all those built up anxieties and tensions. You really do feel better after a workout because of all the endorphins you release, you’ll be prancing through the day feeling like a better you. Plus, all the new working-out you’re doing will mean you can that extra mince pie over Christmas without feeling too bad about it.

On the topic of food, Griffin Fit will also prepare you a full bespoke nutritious diet plan. Of course, no one wants to be told what they can’t eat over Christmas but with Lizzie’s advice you’ll know exactly what you can eat to make sure you’re getting everything you need from your food. And once you see her diet plans you won’t be thinking of it as a diet at all. Many of her clients still eat exactly what they want but with the right advice they see huge results, and that includes our Director Jenny Cross who is often found munching on a feast of delicious delights.

Let Christmas come early this year by signing up to private or group sessions at Griffin Fit and receive offers including tailored meal plans, free aftercare, a spa day, retail discounts and many more.

A whole year is quite a big commitment so maybe set a goal for something in the near future that you’ll have nailed, like the next party you go to, your birthday, a wedding or holiday etc. Keep your monthly resolutions up all through the year.

Be as specific as possible.

For example: ◆ Lose 5lbs by my sister’s hen-do ◆ Cook from scratch four times a week ◆ Attend four fitness classes this month ◆ Have a toned tummy before my spa day ◆ Bike to work once a week until my holiday ◆ Have three days a week completely alcohol free Track your progress and reward yourself. Whether a reward to you comes in the form of your favourite dinner, a night out, a day trip or a takeaway, make sure you are still loving life and proud of your hard work.

07817 915 485 Griffinfit.co.uk info@griffinfit.co.uk

Sensei

Beauty, Holistic & Training

Professional friendly service with over thirty years experience

Sensei offer a wide range of Beauty Therapy and Holistic treatments Specialising in intimate waxing, gel nails, deep tissue massage and relaxing anti-ageing facials, plus many more relaxing and pampering treatments.

Pamper Parties and Gentlemen’s packages also available.

0116 277 8451 The Parade, Needham Avenue, Glen Parva, Leicester LE2 9JW

Beauty

Kirsty Robertson 07468 566352 O.p.i Gel Nails

Semi permanent Lashes Phd Waxing electrical facials Massage Environ Facial & skin care coming soon...

OFFER 20% off for Niche readers 28 | NICHE

Forever Living extracts aloe using a patented process, which then cold presses the good stuff to maintain its active ingredients.

What’s more, they offer a 60 day money back guarantee on every single product in their varied ranges!

Dean Higgin 07825 291 779

teaminfinitylifestyle@gmail.com facebook.com/dean.higgin

HEALTH & BEAUTY

WINNER OF THE NICHE BUSINESS AWARDS HAIR & BEAUTY CATEGORY Emma Brown Hair and Beauty, based in the heart of Leicester offers a premium service at affordable prices (including NUS student discount). We have award-winning stylists trained in the latest trends, cutting techniques and colouring skills in order to help you create a new image or simply give you a refresh.

We’ve proud to have recently won The Niche Business Awards Hair & Beauty category through our work with social services and local charities.

We now offer an Aesthetics service with a great range of treatments available - lip fillers, fine line filler and skin peels. As a special introductory offer to Niche readers we are giving a 20% discount off your first treatment* - see below for details.

EMMA BROWN HAIR

MAKE A RESERVATION TODAY 0116 270 4374 salon@emmabrownhair.co.uk @emmabrownhair Book online at emmabrownhair.co.uk EMMA BROWN HAIR 140 Clarendon Park Road Leicester LE2 3AE (Opposite the library)

20% OFF AESTHETICS LIP FILLER - FINE LINE FILLER - SKIN PEEL *Cut out this flyer for your first treatment at Emma Brown Hair + Beauty, then give us a call to arrange an appointment.

Offer ends December 2016. Terms and conditions apply.

Those in Health & Beauty have their say

A fresher face with CACI

Meesha’s winter wonders

As the weather takes its toll on our skin it’s time to approach the party season and New Year with a fresh face. One of the most beneficial skin treatments you can have without surgery is the CACI facial toning. Loved by celebrities the world over, CACI is one of the most publicised beauty treatments in the industry’s history and with good reason.

Results from CACI are visible after the very first treatment but a course of twelve treatments is generally recommended to achieve the very best result. After a course of CACI facial toning treatments facial contours will look lifted and toned. A monthly top up treatment is recommended to maintain results.

Am Vadhesha

Face Oil for Glowing Radiance by ila Ila’s ‘little miracle’ face oil is packed with essential fatty acids and wrinkle-fighting antioxidants, it revitalises, nourishes and supports at the deepest level, perfect for ‘pepping up’ winter skin.

Citrine & Bergamot Body Lotion

by Prismologie This silky lotion infused with botanical oils, citrine micro-crystals and the refreshing scent of bergamot really hydrates and awakens the skin. Leaves winter dry skin rejuvenated and smelling gorgeous!

Island Fig, Cassis and Peach Candle by Cocolux Homely and welcoming, this purposeful, enticing fragrance will tantalise the senses. With deep fruits and strong spice at its heart, it’s just perfect for the colder months to add warmth and cosiness to your home.

Protective Hair Perfume by Sachajuan A multi-tasking hair reviver that not only instantly freshens, but also treats the hair by moisturising, reducing static, imparting shine and adding UV-Protection. It’s a wonderful mutli-tasker.

Hand Cream by Oskia This luxury hand cream is packed with the very best natural actives and nutrients to soften, soothe and nourish, while combating dryness and the appearance of age spots.

I use it during the day and overnight as a lovely, rich treatment. Ideal as a rejuvenating overnight treatment.

Come and sample my luxury winter skin savers and more at Amelia Nour, 59 Francis Street, Leicester. Meesha Kanadia

0116 270 9141 Beauaesthetica.com

0116 431 5395 Facebook: @AmeliaNour.Leicester

The non-surgical face lift uses unique combination of specific waveforms and ultra low frequencies that work with the body’s own bio-electrical field, transmits tiny electrical impulses and signals that have been documented to stimulate muscle tone and enhance skin tissue.

A CACI session can work wonders to ward off the signs of ageing that occur as we grow older and our facial muscles naturally start to lose tone and elasticity.

Genetics, lifestyles, weight fluctuation and environmental factors can all influence the rate and degree to which our muscles will lose their tone, but it needn’t be something you simply have to put up with!

30 | NICHE

Look how you feel Through my GP work I see many women with vaginal concerns.

Globally, approximately 15% of the pre-menopausal population has vulval-vaginal concern. I have developed an exclusive treatment called Venus-VT which uses a CO2 lasers. Vaginal rejuvenation is becoming more popular, there is evidence of its benefits, many of which the general public and medical world are unaware of.

Venus-VT is a complete vaginal rejuvenation treatment which resolves mild bladder incontinence so women can be free of pads, and free to lead an active life. It helps postmenopausal changes, sexual dysfunction, pain, dryness, and general irritation. It’s a non-surgical alternative to labiaplasty and produces a ‘vaginal lift’.

My desire to assist women in looking as good as they feel lead me to provide skin protocols for CO2 fractional resurfacing of the skin. This clinically proven method gives a more even skin tone, works to remove moles and minimises stretch marks.

I am driven by my enthusiasm for women’s health and through my passion for anti-ageing medicine I believe I help empower women to take control of their health. Antiaging medicine is ever evolving and exciting developments are coming all the time, with that in mind I only use revolutionary technology and treatments with clinical evidence to support it.

I am working with Femi Health and Beauty Clinic. Dr Natasha Ranga 0116 253 2393 Femaesthetics.uk

Health & Beauty

Natural, luxurious pampering products

VEGAN & VEGETARIAN 59 Francis Street, Stoneygate Leicester LE2 2BE 0116 431 5395 meesha@amelianour.co.uk amelianour.co.uk

Natural Beauty Natural Beauty is an ELEMIS exclusive beauty salon based in the heart of Blaby village, Leicester. We offer a wide range of beauty treatments to help you look and feel fantastic. Set in a two storey cottage style property which hosts two relaxing treatment rooms, a whirlpool spa chair in our secluded pedicure room and two nail stations in our welcoming reception area.

Using beauty award winning products including ELEMIS, Shellac and Sienna X we can offer a calming professional experience in our relaxing surroundings.

0116 277 7788

9 Cross Street Blaby LE8 4FD naturalbeautyblaby.co.uk facebook: naturalbeautyblaby NICHE | 31

Keeping fit what you didn’t know Getting into shape isn’t all about treadmills and cutting calories – that’s according to Personal Trainer Shaun Chiswell who, with a degree in Chemistry, teaches his clients how to accomplish their goals without the use of gym equipment Getting into shape isn’t about jogging and dropping calories – that’s according to Personal Trainer Shaun Chiswell who, with a degree in Chemistry, teaches his clients how to accomplish their goals without the use of standard gym equipment.

backed by science to help his clients understand why they need to do (or stop doing) exercises in a certain way, and without standard gym machines to hold them back, Shaun is delivering results they previously could only dream of.

After working as a Head Chemist, Shaun put his intelligence to something he felt more passionate about. He wanted to directly help and support people with mobility issues whether they be from sports injury or due to obesity or old age. He believes in using methods

“You can only push a machine through the range of motions it’s designed for. I don’t agree with PT’s sitting people on a machine, anyone can do that. To get the best results, you have to be taught properly and know what you’re doing,” says the ex-Chemist.

For some, mobility issues are simply a consequence of an ill-performed squat. Some don’t even realise that they have problems with their mobility: “People can be walking around with a glaring problem and I can see it straight off. Sometimes it’s just all in the posture but I can just look at them and know there’ll be tight in a certain place that they haven’t even realised.”

But for others, age or injury has made a simple everyday task like walking a real struggle, dramatically reducing their quality of life.

BEFORE

AFTER

Shaun Chiswell

Marvels and Miracles “A client of mine, Neil, suffered from worn cartilage and was due for a hip replacement because of it. He struggled to walk very far at all. Pete has been coming to see me once a week over the past eight months.

We concentrate on stretches and massage and he has a roller at home to do the exercises I’ve planned for him. It hasn’t been easy but he is a soldier and has pushed himself. The results have been incredible, Neil says it’s the best he’s walked in years and he’s put off a big operation just by coming to me once a week.”

“Ashley is a Plasterer who uses his right arm every day to carry heavy plaster boards around. It’s because of this that it has become too painful to put any weight on his wrist so doing a press up was physically impossible. We used Voodoo Floss to wrap tightly around his wrists, which protects and compresses the muscles allowing Ashley to push his wrist through a greater range of motions – the next press up he did, he felt nothing! His ligaments had become tight but with the Voodoo Floss and an exercise plan, he’s experiencing long term benefits.”

Dieting “It can be hard to follow a strict diet and people are busy and it’s expensive. That’s why I’m doing ‘flexible dieting’ so that I still get all my clean food but if I really want something like fried chicken,

chocolate or a Nandos, as long as I can fit it into my calorie allowance and my macros etc. then I won’t fall off the wagon. Every time someone falls of the wagon it is proportional to fat gain. So, eating what you want every day while considering your calories wont leave you with huge cravings. ‘I’m after slow sustainable fat loss at the minute and losing a constant pound per week using this approach.”

Why you should be eating more “Your body is the smartest machine around! Slashing your calories in half won’t help you lose weight! Your body doesn’t know that you’re in the 21 st century and you can walk down the shop. Instead it thinks ‘food is scarce now so anything I eat I’m

Your body is the smartest machine around!

going to store for fat.’ Eating less will also drop your the amount of calories needed to keep you alive in a rested state. This is why people who go for a run every night wonder why they’re not losing weight as their body has just adjusted to take this activity into account. The best form of cardio is high intensity interval training that will shock your body and boost your metabolic rate.”

Having a Chemistry degree and an A-Level in Biology, Shaun is able to adapt workouts and diets literally tailored to the individual. He trains for a minimum of five times a week and has been doing so for 13 years.

He said: “I really enjoy PTing because it can help on all levels helping them reach a goal weight and making them feel better at the same time, but for someone who can’t do something because of a health issue, if you can help them, that’s giving back quality of life. For someone who can only walk for a couple of minutes, if we can increase that to 10 then they can do so much more and that’s the best feeling you can have.”

If you’re looking to sort out that knee pain once and for all, or you want to get the most of your time in the gym, call Shaun to arrange a personal training session.

07969 664 272 Optimumfitnessleicester.com

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AYURVEDA

The Science of Life & the Art of Healthy Living

The College of Ayurveda offers you the opportunity to learn more about Ayurveda and receive hands on practical knowledge and skills from experienced Ayurveda physicians, practitioners and therapists. We have put together a range of seminars and workshops which can be held throughout the year at various venues in the UK.

REAL PEOPLE I REAL SUPPORT I REAL RESULTS

Our seminars and workshops are conducted by qualified Ayurveda physicians and practitioners. If you are interested in attending any of our seminars or workshops, or if you would like us to conduct a seminar or workshop specifically in conjunction with your organisation, please email us using our contact form with your request.

Eileen Larder 07784 333 851 I 0116 288 9449

01908 664518

facebook.com.larder.eileen I Twitter @Eileen Larder I Instagram

www.ayurvedacollege.co.uk

20 Annes Grove, Great Linford Milton Keynes MK14 5DR

www.stu-niquefitness.co.uk

07828 818 261 Advanced Kettlebell Trainer and Leading functional Strength & Conditioning specialist

8 Slater Street Industrial Estate Leicester LE3 5AS

BRIDAL I RUNWAY I PRINT 07972 354 545

Sophietaylormua.co.uk NICHE | 35

Health & Beauty

Make a positive decision to change your life for the better

ELEMIS gift set £52 Wandering Star for Her: everything your skin needs for that time away.

The Ritual of Ayurveda Balancing Gift Box £29.50 Let your loved ones feel how special they are with products that illuminate body, mind and soul. rituals.com

Blank Canvas Cosmetics F20 Flat Buffer £14.99 Handmade from extra soft synthetic fibres. scosmetics.com Blank Canvas Master Series, Palette One 11 velvety matte shades £30 blankcanvascosmetics. com

Winter Village Soy Wax Candle £9.95 Handmade candle with 35 hour hurn time. theenglishsoapcompany.com Winter Village Large Gift Bar £5.99 A rich shea butter body bar. theenglishsoapcompany.com

Oud Massage Candle £60 A natural soy and beeswax candle with aromatic oud which melts into a warm, relaxing massage oil combining with wild mango and coconut oil to soften your skin.

Cleansing Milk for Natural Beauty £47 Ideal for all skin types, this luxurious cleansing milk moisturises as it cleanses, revealing a new softness and a gentle radiance.

Christmas Gifts FOR HER

Bronnley vintage Style Christmas Bauble £6.50 A collectible soap tin with triple milled soap enriched with shea butter and almond oil. Bronnley.co.uk 36 | NICHE

Olverum Bath Oil 125ml £23.50 200ml £36.95 Concentrated, therapeutic bath oil which contains 10 pure essential oils helps relieve stress and ease sore muscles. olverum.com

Available from Amelianour.co.uk

Tia Maria £15 - £17 Tia Maria, an exotic infusion of natural vanilla and the finest fresh Arabica coffee beans.

Available nationwide.

Pinkster 70cl: £35 A smooth gin infused with British raspberries, with a sweet taste and pink hue.

Available from Oddbins, Ocado and NotOnTheHighStreet

REVEAL A

SCULPTURED BODY Get the Body You Want with VASER Lipo

People come in all different shapes and sizes. Every body type has areas that are predisposed to fat storage and, even with rigorous diet and exercise, those unwanted bulges often persist. Patented VASER® Technology and the advanced LipoSelection® techniques now offer a safe alternative for ridding yourself of those stubborn fat deposits to provide you a smooth new shape with fast recovery.

Already, VASER Lipo has been the choice for thousands of men and women. It’s a successful way to remove unwanted fat on just about any part of your body.

0116 270 9141

I

www.beauaesthetica.com

I

17 Allandale Road, Stoneygate, Leicester LE2 2DA

ENHANCE - DEFINE - TRANSFORM All cosmetic Surgical and Non Surgical Treatments performed at a Private Leicester Hospital

✦ Breast Enlargement and Uplift ✦ Body Contouring and Lift ✦ Tummy Tuck ✦ Liposuction ✦ Nose and Ear Reshaping ✦ Eye Bag Removal

Mr T K Sankar

MBBS, BTEC (Laser), FRCS (Eng), FRCS (Plast)

✦ Skin Lumps, Moles and Skin Tag removal ✦ Anti Wrinkle Treatments ✦ Laser Treatments Fraxel Skin Tightening, CO2RE Resurfacing, Scars, Moles, Thread Veins and Birth Marks

38 | NICHE

Secretary: Anne Bailey 0116 274 3718 anne.bailey@nuffieldhealth.com www.cosmeticsurgeon.org.uk

Health & Beauty

Together We Care Leading Asian Healthcare Professionals have formed a new medical Society dedicated to caring for the community using their network of innovative minds Leicester Asian Doctors Society (LADS) was set up this year by its founding Members Dr. D R Jawahar (GP), Mr. T K Sankar (Plastic Surgeon), Dr. A Moorthy (Rheumatologist), Dr. Muthusamy (Anesthetist), and Mr. P Kumar (Ophthalmologist).

Along with fellow associates, they united to put together a Society that would act as a platform for Asian doctors and their families to network, learn, teach, support, and celebrate their contributions to healthcare and the wider society through face to face meetings, a dedicated website, lectures, e-newsletters and social media platforms.

Any doctor with a General Medical Council (GMC) registration living in or around Leicestershire is encouraged to join the enlightening group of 200 current members who range from hospital doctors, specialists and GP’s.

Fittingly, ‘Together We Care’ is their slogan as LADS aims to

contribute and support, not only directly to its members, but to the community. Organisations and the general public will benefit from better healthcare delivery and charitable work carried out by the Society. LADS will promote health awareness and prevention of diseases within the community by actively engaging the public via their participation, mediums online, and at various events and talks.

Its members will be able to update their knowledge and skills by taking active participation in the Continuing Medical Education (CME) programmes organised by the Society that will take place twice a year, enabling its members to deliver high quality care to their patients. Membership to the Society also grants access to bursaries for healthcare research work undertaken locally and internationally.

Doctors’ families will benefit from the LADS web portal where they can find various professional and

domestic partnership organisations like estate agents, solicitors, domestic and utility services, and also household day to day needs.

In October, LADS put on their first event. The ‘Grand Inauguration of the Society’ celebrates the launch of the website, CME, the felicitation of three senior doctors, followed by dinner and dancing.

Please get in touch for tickets to their next event coming up in Spring 2017, as members continue their fulfilling approach to medical education.

Leicesterasiandoctors.co.uk leicesterdoctors@gmail.com NICHE | 39

Meet our cosmetic surgery experts.

Refine the features you always wished were different and live life with more confidence.

If you are thinking about cosmetic surgery and would like to take the first step, talk to Nuffield Health Leicester Hospital about our expert Consultant Plastic Surgeons and cosmetic procedures.

When you are ready for the new you, get in touch to book an appointment or register for one of our free open events.

Call 0116 298 3241 Email leicester.enquiries@nuffieldhealth.com Or visit nuffieldhealth.com/hospitals/leicester

Nuffield Health Leicester Hospital Scraptoft Lane, Leicester LE5 1HY

Hair extensions Q & A Niche asked hairdresser Graeme Donnelly of Lox Hair Design how to get the best look with hair extensions

Q

There are so many different hair extension methods on the market today, what makes your service different?

Discretion and preserving the natural hair is key. My extensions are applied with no glue or heat and no sewing or stitching. I use the smallest copper bead available on the market, and they’re perfectly colour matched to suit each client’s root for ultimate discretion.

A

Q A

How long will each set of hair extensions last?

Most clients actually say other than taking slightly longer to style in the morning, they are actually easier to maintain than their natural hair! Once fitted, each application lasts around three months. After

this time the hair can be removed and repositioned up to three times.

Because of the superior brand of hair that I use (Beauty Works) the hair can last up to 12 months.

Q A

Which extensions are best for fine hair and thick hair?

Micro bead extensions are suitable for every hair type.

The number of strands fitted is determined by how thick the natural hair is and it’s ultimately down to the stylist to make the decision as to how many grams of hair are needed to achieve the most natural look with the extra added hair.

Q A

Would you recommend clip-in hair extensions?

They’re great for the party season, with Christmas just

around the corner they can be used to create longer, thicker luscious locks in just minutes! They are totally damage free to the natural hair if worn correctly, they can just be clipped in and out which some clients find a more manageable approach to extensions.

Q A

How do I care for my extensions?

Caring for your extensions is easier than you may think. I would always recommend Beauty Works shampoo and conditioner for daily care but as a little extra treat for your tresses, their pearl infused treatment pot is to die for!

0116 261 0755 Loxhairdesign.co.uk

Wedding

Niche says Happy Birthday to local VIP caterers The Dimblebee Catering Company and takes a look at their achievements They’re the go-to Leicester caterers for high quality handmade delights and have been called upon to work their magic at weddings, corporate events, high profile occasions and charity happenings across the country.

The Dimblebee Catering Company have been the talk of the town since launching in late 2011. Their amazing reputation and quality speaks for itself and this year they have experienced a massive 89 per cent growth in net sales and with such impressive figures Dimblebee are firmly heading to the forefront of quality wedding and event catering.

Plans to expand further next year include the appointment of additional key staff, further premises and continuing to promote the very best in local Leicestershire suppliers.

42 | NICHE

This sought after family run business was formed in 2011 when owner Robert Dudley and head chef Samantha Dimblebee established a team of talented chefs, hospitality experts and operational staff thus founding the well-loved Dimblebee brand which has now become considered a trendsetter within the industry.

Service styles and menus have continuously evolved and Head Chef Samantha insists on creating bespoke dishes to be in keeping with an event’s theme or personality of the Clients.

Dimblebee’s created ‘love story menus’, pork pie and cheese wedding cakes, their trademarked rustic slider canapés™, their wonderful banqueting and table sharing menus, their deconstructed Eton Messy™ plus a variety of gourmet takes on British favourites like the classic bangers and mash.

It is extraordinary to think that the Leicestershire based company have catered for over 50,000 people in just under five years and from this they have achieved numerous awards and recognition. Sourced and approved by the region’s most prestigious wedding venues and businesses, they are also specialist outside caterers for marquees, tipis, corporate venues and client’s own homes, from 20 to 1,000 people.

Featured in British Vogue this year Dimblebee’s have been invited to cater large events in Mayfair and Oxford and have catered for the likes of Pamela Anderson, Orlando Bloom, Alain Prost and Guy Martin to name but a few. Happy Birthday Dimblebee Catering!

Recently featured in 0116 283 3327 Dimblebeecatering.co.uk

Wedding

five years of outstanding catering

Quality Outside Catering & Wedding Caterers in Leicestershire & the Midlands.

0116 283 3327

info@dimblebeecatering.co.uk www.dimblebeecatering.co.uk

NICHE | 43

Winter Expert wedding planners at popular venue St Martins House reveal their tips for creating the wow factor at your winter wedding Snowflakes and pinecones and fir trees and holly – whether you’re a fan of winter or not, around this time of year there’s no doubt you’ll be inspired more and more by all the simple natural beauty that winter brings. You might even be inspired so much that you’re planning to hold your wedding around the season.

Winter weddings are very popular for all their magical qualities and St Martins House are holding more than their fair share of them. That’s because the diocese building is a sparklingly pure canvas to lay out a wonderful wintery themed wedding.

But planning a wedding can be stressful at the best of times, and planning a wedding for the winter season can be even further out of one’s comfort zone. That’s why St Martin’s House have dedicated wedding planners to turn what could be a nightmare into a dream. They know just how important your big day is. From the smallest details to those all-important colour schemes and flower choices, they know how busy, stressful and time consuming all of the planning can be.

This is exactly why they are here to help you plan your day from start to finish, giving you the flexibility to be as extravagant or as delightfully 44 | NICHE

Weddings at St Martins House

simple as you like while avoiding restrictions and limited options. The dedicated wedding planners have years of experience and know their venue and suppliers inside out so they are able to secure the best prices and the prettiest of themes.

Here’s some of their advice for you to consider once you book the venue in the coming years.

The Menu

Our catering is award-winning thanks to our inventive menus and we pride ourselves on designing your dishes in a seasonal fashion.

Mince pies may seem predictable but the classics always go down a treat. Sunday roasts are very heart-warming and a firm favourite of guests, and they can be dressed in a festive arrangement fitting for the season. Eggnog, spiced wines and ‘makeover’ hot chocolates make for a welcome change to DIY summer cocktails. Winter weddings aren’t limited to plain white iced cakes. Fashionable ‘naked’ cakes can be sprinkled in icing sugar and decorated in berries and winter botanicals.

The Décor

Whether you’re going for warming reds or crystal blues, the windows of our Grand Hall allow the crisp light of a winter’s day to glisten through and spotlight your favourite features of the room. Allowing for up to 200 guests, the Grand Hall never feels over crowded with its high vaulted ceilings and 19th century features, but instead makes for a perfected intimacy between guests with plenty of space for props and decoration. Fairy lights look romantic at any time of year now so use them to your advantage to create a truly magical scene. And for the evening, floating candles as centre pieces will add that wow factor. Evergreens always have their place at winter weddings and can be dressed up or down depending on the details of the theme.

The Extras

Consider favours that will instantly remind your guests of the time they spent at your wedding. This could be in the form of a snow globe, an evergreen tree sapling, a Christmas tree decoration, a rustic styled hot chocolate kit, a pair of gloves

or a blanket. A true wintery theme will have a dramatic focal point such as an ice sculpture, a display of evergreens or a winter flower display. You could also treat your guests as they come in from the cold with warming alcoholic drinks or hot chocolates.

With your experienced wedding planner, who will be as excited as you are to start organising your winter wedding by the way, the possibilities are almost endless and sharing the load with a professional means you can enjoy the experience of planning without the stress.

The wedding planners at St Martins House say there is no detail too small and no challenge too big and you are guaranteed a bespoke wedding experience, tailored to surpass your highest expectations.

0116 261 5200 Stmartinshouse.com NICHE | 45

Wedding experts have their say

Choosing the right caterer

Outdoor karting

Create a musical wedding

Do they have the right experience? Our team at The Dimblebee Catering Company have catered for over 1,000 events and 50,000 guests since 2011 and are approved by a huge range of venues from grade I listed heritage sites, marquees, tipis and village halls right across the midlands. Your caterer should have proven experience in a wide variety of set-ups, service and menu suitability and be able to deliver a seamless service.

Stretton Circuit, on the outskirts of Leicester is one of the counties hidden gems when it comes to alternative entertainment. This floodlit 900m outdoor karting venue is considered one of the fastest circuits in the country and has played host to a wide range of events over the past 25 years.

Famed for its relaxed atmosphere in the clubhouse and licensed bar things on track take a different turn once seated in their 55mph twin-engine senior hire karts.

The fast sweeping bends provide a challenge for even the most accomplished of drivers who take part in a range of Grand Prix and Endurance racing formats available to the general public.

Do they have the right equipment? Is their hire owned and serviced in-house, or cheaply hired in for the day? As well as investing in new warehousing and the latest mobile banqueting equipment, our continual investment in stylish high end crockery, cutlery and glassware means we have full control of our quality and are ready to impress.

But the focus isn’t always on speed.

Junior drivers between 10 and 15 years old can race on a special fleet of single engine karts available for party bookings throughout the year. These party packages have proven to be incredibly popular for birthday, team outings or end of term celebrations with all events backed by National Karting Association safety standards.

Are menus flexible? In order to suit tastes, themes and diets, Dimblebee’s menus are all flexible and can be tailored, or created to suit – we do not see this as a premium service, rather a friendly, involved approach.

Finally, if investing in an event in the future, you will need to know the caterer will still be trading. Try DueDil or a credit check website to give peace of mind.

Robert Dudley

Not part of a crowd? Stretton Circuit is open 7 days a week throughout the year for Arrive ‘n Drive sessions which allow a few friends to compete in time trail events. These sessions are available often at short notice but receive the same exacting pre-race briefings as the larger events. These sessions often whet the appetite of budding racers who go on to buy their own kart or mini bike, join the thriving members club and take those first steps to racing glory.

Take your time There are important musical moments in any couple’s big day, as you walk back up the aisle after signing on the dotted line, your first dance and the final song of the night. Take your time over your choices as it is likely your wedding will be remembered forever.

Bryan and Ian McIntosh

0116 283 3327 Dimblebeecatering.co.uk

0116 259 2900 Strettoncircuit.co.uk

07929 452 287/07875 290 818 Midlandsprodj.com

Choosing the best caterers for your wedding day or any event can seem daunting as the food and service will play a major part.

46 | NICHE

For many brides-to-be the choice of music to accompany the day and evening reception is very important. As event DJ’s for some time now, we have picked up a few tips for how to make sure your wedding is an occasion to remember for everyone.

Communicate Most couples want the music at their reception to be of their choosing, particularly if a shared love of music featured in their courtship. Speak to your entertainment provider before the big day to ensure you are on the same page. Tell them the style you like with suggested artists and ‘must haves’ for your playlist.

Get the party started Further to your own tastes you need to ensure the music choices are universal enough to get the whole party going.

This doesn’t mean you have to go mainstream pop though, there are certain songs and styles which seem to appeal to everyone yet still have a cool edge, think chart rock, motown and feel good classics.

Wedding

Award winning boutique Designers of mini luxe childrenswear for every special occasion.

Weddings I Christenings I Birthdays

Clothes to treasure that children love to wear!

Bespoke Florals Delivered in Leicestershire and Rutland www.littlebevan.co.uk

020 7821 9499

info@littlebevan.co.uk

www.juliasflowers.co.uk julia@juliasflowers.co.uk 0775 400 7122

Who doesn’t love The cake is an essential part of any wedding and when the newlyweds feed each other the first slice, it’s a fun tradition that gets the party started - so with all eyes on cake it has to be stunning and delicious However, sadly for some people, food intolerances often limit the choices available.

V:GD cakes embrace paleo diets, coeliac sufferers, vegans and vegetarians. The creamy cashew based desserts sweetened subtly with dates and coloured with fruits have stolen the hearts of many as they contain no artificial colourants and are made with wholefoods that ensure you can feel amazing even after indulging in a delicious treat!

V:GD is an inspiring new business that has been born from one woman’s struggle with food intolerances. The cakes are free from gluten, wheat, dairy, soy and surprisingly also free from refined sugars. Owner Tasneem is keen

to drive her business forward and has already secured selected retail outlets in the Midlands and hopes to offer a service to the wedding industry with her creations.

These delicious cakes offer a gourmet experience to those who try them. The ingredients consist of the finest super foods found in organic grocers, such as raw cacao, cacao butter, cashews, coconut (oil, butter, nectar, flesh), spirulina, buckwheat, dates and more dates.

Order your wedding cake from V:GD and you will leave your guests speechless. The cakes are hand made and loaded with nutritional benefits.

Tasneem@v-gd.co.uk NICHE | 47

French brand reveals

exclusive collection Contemporary, elegant and exclusive to you, Caracole jewellery is a celebration of equine memories and emotions – the young French brand seals the bond between you and your loved ones with a sentiment unlike any other Made in France using exceptional raw materials to produce precious jewellery, Caracole offers more than just usual jewels. Each and every piece created is unique incorporating the hair of horses provided ethically by equine owners and lovers.

Caracole use natural materials, which are transformed by French skilled artisans to make the perfect keep-sake gift for horsey types.

The horsehair is woven into various patterns and worked into bracelets, rings, necklaces, cufflinks and more.

Co-Founder of Caracole, Laurence Kalinowski said: “Each piece is handmade from foundry to weave and assembled for premium quality.

Our creations are sentimental pieces that cement the bond between human and animal.”

Making a perfect gift to celebrate weddings, anniversaries, graduations and commemorative events, the jewellery is a stunning and very unique gift. Laurence added: “Our customers know how wonderful it is to offer or to receive such a gift! It can be very emotional, and customers are moved to tears most of the time.”

Horses have an enchanting ability to form companionships with humans. Studies have indicated that the ‘healing’ bond between horse and human could be due to the size of the horse heart and may actually directly influence the rhythm of our own. Their coherent heartbeat may explain why we ‘feel better’ around them. Research has shown that people experience lowered blood pressure and heart rate, increased endorphin levels, relieved feelings of anxiety, and feelings of empowerment and trust (Habitatforhorses.org).

“We love horses for their strength, elegance and nobility. Horses send directly back, like a mirror, the emotions of the rider.”

Laurence founded Caracole in 2008 having been inspired by the relationship her daughter Alexiane had with her pony PopRoc. Nothing made her daughter happier than to spend all her free time looking after her. As Alexiane grew older, she became too big to ride her pony, which was difficult to accept. This stirred Laurence to create jewellery to continue the love between Alexiane and Pop-Roc. Alexiane is now never separated from the first ever Caracole piece; a woven bracelet with black and chestnut hair from Pop-Roc. The process is simple. Visit the website or call Caracole, select a weave, a metal and engraving, or share your own idea, send your horses hair and your exclusive item is made and delivered to your address.

Caracole.fr

Bringing Caracole to the UK I know how British people love their landscapes and horses; I realised that when I attended the Burghley Horse Trials last year. Having a partner in the UK will allow people to feel the materials, give measurements and of course, hand over their horse’s hair in real trustful hands.

If you’re interested in this extraordinary opportunity, get in touch on +33 9 72 40 21 43 or email contact@caracole.fr

CARACOLE Horsehair jewellery

Still feel the ride www.caracole.fr

Romantic getaway in a historic setting

A modern

Barton Hall in Kettering is the perfect venue for any occasion and with a romanticised historical background, we decided to spend our anniversary there Our four-poster-bed room was beautifully designed in muted greens and dark woods. The freestanding bath gave an instant wow factor and really emphasised that romantic getaway feel. With a separate shower room, open fire and separate dressing area we had extravagance at our fingertips during our whole stay. The detailed decor placed around the simplistic modern room combined the Grade II listed building’s history with its contemporary present, making for a really effortlessly luxurious look.

In the restaurant we shared cured meats, breads and pickles to start, sirloin steaks for our mains and cheese and biscuits with celery and grapes for desert. The menu had a simple feel to it but each dish arrived in style and dressed as though it would be served to royalty. Again, this added to the historical romance of Barton Hall and the theme 50 | NICHE

continued through it’s corridors and exceptional grounds.

Delightful waiting staff fully embraced the Barton Hall ethos completely. Their traditional yet friendly serving manner made us feel right at home yet a million miles away. Every staff member we came across was helpful, polite and hardworking; resulting in fantastic service throughout.

The fuse of the historical and the modern creates a sensational venue that would be perfect for weddings and we truly felt sad to leave.

Zara & Anthony x

01536 515 505 Bartonhall.com

Wedding

WE ARE MOVING! Visit our new two storey boutique at 44 SILVER STREET, CITY CENTRE, LEICESTER LE1 5ET

www.divineladieswear.co.uk

VINTAGE

WEDDING STYLING with a difference

Contact Jayne 07739 074 654

www.littlerobinscottage.co.uk littlerobinscottage@outlook.com Facebook/littlerobinscottage Instagram - @littlerobinscottage NICHE | 51

GET THE PARTY STARTED We offer the very best in entertainment services ranging from DJ’s to musicians, interacting with you and your guests ensuring your event is enjoyable, memorable and talked about.

STRETTON CIRCUIT

Hen & Stag Party KARTING Stretton Circuit has a long tradition of being the staging post for many a successful Hen and Stag party.

Our unique approach provides the perfect environment for the activity element of your day to take place in a friendly and relaxed manner whilst making the most of our 900m outdoor circuit and our 55mph twin engined karts.

With packages to suit a full throttle race day or options for a more relaxed Arrive ‘n’ Drive session we have a host of events starting from just £25.00pp. We also have several catering options and a Licensed Bar for those post-race discussions and trophy presentation.

0116 259 2900

NATIONAL KARTING ASSOCIATION

Stretton Circuit

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PART OF THE UK PRO DJ GROUP

Party Nights Dance the night away with popular party tracks from our resident DJ or rock into the night with some classic hits from one of our live entertainment nights.

Plus 3 course festive meal from

02476 312 989

ÂŁ25.95 per person.

Weston Lane, Bulkington, CV12 9RU

events@westonhallhotel.co.uk www.bw-westonhallhotel.co.uk

Please see our festive brochure on our website or contact our events team for availability

NICHE | 53

Wedding

Christmas Festivities

Christmas

Festive Picks

Here we list a selection of seasonal shopping dates for your diary, to experience that welcomed wintery feeling hunting for gifts make sure you visit some of these outdoor extravaganzas.

Christmas Lights switch on 17th November - City Centre November 17th - 20th Nov - City Wide Christmas related events November 17th - Jan - Big Wheel in Jubilee Square November 20th - Leicester Christmas Market November 26th -27th Christmas Market, Leicester Woodside RSPCA, Scudamore Road December 1st - Farmers Market - Leicester Market (first Thursday of every month) December 4th - Queens Road Christmas Fair 54 | NICHE

Wandering Star for Him £40 Keep these travel sized essentials close for cleansed and hydrated skin wherever life takes you.

Including deep cleanse facial wash, skin soothe shave gel, daily moisture boost, revitalize-me shower gel and instant refreshing gel.

The Macallan Gold Limited Edition Gift Tin £35 Stunning photography and exceptional single malt whisky create this truly extraordinary gift. Available from Tesco and Waitrose.

Gentleman’s Pride After Shave by Forever Living £12.73 An alcohol-free aftershave balm that helps to soothe and condition sensitive skin after shaving. The silky, smooth lotion can also double up as a moisturiser to revitalise the skin and calm irritation caused by razors or exposure to the sun.

Foreverliving.com

Christmas Gifts FOR HIM

The Charcoal Burner Company Prakti Stove Range £64.99 Easy to light and portable, the charcoal stove takes just fifteen minutes

Wooden Tablet and Remote Control Store £19 A fresh and stylish take on the usual plastic tablet stands that are now available everywhere. aplaceforeverything.co.uk

Braun Beard Trimmer £39.99 The Braun Beard Trimmer has lifetime lasting sharp blades and 25 length settings for 4 x more precision styling.

Available from Amazon

X-Pop Bluetooth Speaker £25.99 A compact and water-resistant Bluetooth speaker with a built-in passive woofer and 360 degree sound. Available in five designs. wowzr.co.uk

VerveRider & VerveRider+ £59.99 / £79.99 HD quality sound, 12 hours of battery life, plus 150 feet of Bluetooth range, full control of Siri and Google Now and a one-touch button. And the VerveRider+ is fully waterproof and sweat proof.

Available from Amazon. verve.life/uk NICHE | 55

Christmas at The Kube just got extra special as Island Events invite us to celebrate with them throughout December in style

Meeting the Directors We grew up in Leicester together as brothers from different mothers. As two young musicians who were in bands from early ages, we dreamt of being in a successful band one day playing on Top Of The Pops, although we did come close, it came to an end and today we still play as a bit of fun and a way to unwind. It has always managed to keep us out of trouble.

We then pursued the vision of creating an events company.

The job of organising an event and more specifically, The Christmas Club, can be very stressful in various ways, but the biggest satisfaction is on the evening itself when all the guests are enjoying themselves and telling you what a great time they have had, it makes it all worth it.

Daniel Cassidy & Gilroy Guedes

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Island Events is run by two young guys Daniel Cassidy and Gilroy Guedes who have been best of friends since their early teens. The besties set about hand-picking local companies who they believed delivered the ideal ingredients to their perfect-party-recipe. Together, they are Island Events & Company and have been celebrating many themed occasions with the people of Leicester since 2014.

The two party planners recognised that Christmas is a whole different ‘bauble game’ when it comes to parties and guest expectations, so they created The Christmas Club; a unique Christmas-crazy event service.

Winter wonderland is The Christmas Club’s chosen theme and the festivities will be held at Leicester Racecourse’s The Kube venue.

They’ve gone for all-out sparkling extravagance – after all, Christmas comes but once a year!

Daniel and Gilroy believe the two elements that make a joyous gathering, aside from a venue that is dressed to impress is the food and the entertainment. The proof

was in the Christmas pudding last year when the guests couldn’t compliment the luxury three course meal enough. Last year’s catering was provided by the Steamin’ Billy Brewing Company who will be offering four choices for each course this year too!

Eventbrite found that 43 per cent of Christmas party-goers said a live band was their top pick for entertainment. Well, The Christmas Club has ticked that box with Johnny and the Goodtime Boys coming all the way from Puerto Rico on their Winter Tour 2016.

Last year’s parties were held in a fabulous marquee at Steamin’ Billy’s The Cow and Plough. Most were impressed with Daniel and Gilroy for putting together such a professional and thoughtful occasion, and this year, with a bigger budget and an extraordinary space to work with, the duo are very excited to reveal the latest version of their Winter Wonderland scene perfect for family and corporate bookings.

0116 319 0939 Islandevents.co.uk

PRESENTS

WINTER

Wonderland

THE CHRISTMAS CLUB

3course meal by

Leicester

at

RACECOURSE LE2 4AL

+ COMPLIMENTARY DRINK ON ARRIVAL

8

th

DEC till

23

rd

DEC

Live Band + DJ TILL LATE

£49.99 PER PERSON

GROUP BOOKINGS WELCOME

BOOK NOW!0116 319 0939 info@islandevents.co.uk

www.islandevents.co.uk

THE CHRISTMAS CLUB

NICHE | 57

Food & Drink

The place to be this party season

Maiyango is our city’s finest boutique Hotel, restaurant and bar. It offers the perfect location for respite, celebration and socialising

Food & Drink

The award-winning Hotel Maiyango accommodates parties of up to 80 guests for both lunch and dinner festivities and have been doing so for over 10 years.

flair and panache. Maiyango offers an impressive environment for Christmas parties, catering for parties up to 60 guests for lunch and dinner.

“Maiyango offers a unique setting for celebrations, meetings and weddings. Our hardworking and passionate team is committed to delivering exceptional service, warm hospitality and above all creating memorable experiences.”

“We are passionate about food and drink it’s at the heart of everything we do. Head Chef Salvatore Tassari has designed an exclusive seasonal menu for December, showcasing the kitchen’s culinary talents. Take a look and see whether we can tempt you!”

Ideally located in the heart of historical Leicester, a two minute stroll from King Richard III discovered remains and Visitor Centre, and close to both Leicester Cathedral and Guildhall, Hotel Maiyango is the perfect place to stay when visiting Leicester.

The hotel offers the added bonus of award winning, chic accommodation so your party guests, especially if travelling from outside of the city, can stay overnight and truly relax and have fun. Any one of the 14 luxurious bedrooms provides a stunning and comfortable place to lay your hat for a comfortable stay and includes a host of complimentary amenities to ensure a restful night can be had after the celebrations galore.

The AA rosette restaurant has a renowned reputation for creating exceptional food with plenty of

For something a bit different this Christmas, why not consider the brilliant VIP Tasting room where your private party is set to the backdrop of stylish ambiance.

Maiyango have put together the perfect package for smaller groups of up to 20 guests for just £250 ‘The Christmas Grotto’ which includes a bellini bar, beers, santa’s punch, festive party shots, mince pies, along with your very own Santa and exclusive room to party in.

The skilled bar mixologists have an array of cocktails at their fingertips to make your festive tipple something wonderfully unique this year. “Our original cocktail masterclass has been running for over seven years and we’ve got it down to a tee! So maybe now is the time to try it. Whether there are

two or fifty-two of you we promise an experience you’ll remember.”

And to top it off, you receive £50 off your Tasting room booking when you dine in Maiyango restaurant.

Head down to Hotel Maiyango for fine and fabulous food, a dazzling setting perfect for your Instagram pics, DIY cocktails and chic rooms to spend the night in.

0116 251 8898 Maiyango.com NICHE | 59

RECIPE

Crispy Tempura Prawns with Wasabi Mayo Ingredients 24 Raw king prawns (deveined) 100g Corn flour 150g Plain flour 10g Baking powder

Kwoklyn Wan Martial Arts Expert | Chef Entrepreneur | Food Blogger Award Winning Businessman This month I wanted to explore a group of islands on the Pacific Ocean who are well known for their customs and traditions. Japan, also known as ‘the land of the rising sun’ has a long history of the martial arts dating back to at least 23BC, these include Sumo, Aikido, Karate, Ninjutsu and Kendo but the most recognised is Judo due to its inclusion in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.

700ml of Groundnut oil Enough iced Perrier or soda water to make a batter (should coat your finger).

Wasabi Mayo Ingredients 2tsp Wasabi powder 6tbsp Mayonnaise 2 pinches Caster sugar

Ingredients 2 Boneless chicken breasts (skin-on) Salt and pepper 1 tbsp Unsalted butter

Kwoklynwan.com Twitter.com/kwoklyn_wan Facebook.com/BigWan888 Instagram.com/KwoklynWan

1 oz Dried shitake mushrooms

2 tsp Sesame or vegetable oil 2 tsp Fresh ginger, minced 3 tsp Fresh garlic, minced 3 tbsp Soy sauce 2 tbsp Mirin 4 cups Rich chicken stock 1/2 cup Spring onions, sliced 2 packs Dried ramen noodles 2 Eggs

Ingredients 100g Sushi rice Log on to Kwoklynwan.com for recipe

1 sheet Nori seaweed 2 tbsp Sushi vinegar Soy sauce Wasabi Sushi ginger 60 | NICHE

In a bowl mix all flours together, gently add the iced liquid, stir briefly.

Heat the oil in a deep saucepan until a piece of bread browns in it after about 15 secs. Line a tray with kitchen paper. Dip prawns into batter one at a time and gently lower into the hot oil, you can add a few at a time, cook until the batter is golden and the prawns are pink.

Drain onto kitchen paper, then sprinkle with salt. Serve hot.

Ramen (Soup noodles served with chicken)

So what does Japan have to offer for us Foodies? There’s: Sushie, Ramen, Miso, Udon, Tempura, Soba, Onigiri, Mochi and Gyoza the list goes on and on and on, so where does this China boy start? Well let’s start with one of my all-time favourite Japanese dishes. For further information log on to Easternheroeskitchen.com

Maki Sushi Rolls

Method To make the mayo, mix the wasabi powder with 1 tbsp water to form a paste. Stir in the mayonnaise and sugar, then cover and chill.

Method Chicken. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Season the chicken generously with salt and pepper.

Melt the butter in a large oven-safe frying pan over medium heat. Add the chicken, skin-side down, and cook until the skin is golden brown, about 5-7 minutes. Flip the chicken over and cook for another 4-5

minutes, until golden. Transfer the frying pan to the oven and roast for 15-20 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through. Cover with foil until ready to serve.

Ramen broth: Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat, add the garlic and ginger and soften. Add the soy sauce and mirin and stir. Cook for another minute. Add the stock, cover, and bring to boil. Remove the lid and allow to simmer uncovered for 5 minutes, then add the dried mushrooms. Simmer gently for another 10 minutes and season.

Assemble the ramen bowls: Boil a pan of water and add the ramen noodles, cook for 2-3 minutes until soft, divide into two large bowls.

Slice the chicken into thin pieces and add to the noodles with the ramen broth. Top with fresh spring onions and half a soft boiled egg.

Method Begin by laying out a preparation area with your Sushi rolling mat.

Place a sheet of nori on the mat and cover two thirds of one side with your sushi rice about 1cm high.

the ingredients away from you while keeping the roll tight. The moisture from the rice will help it stick together. Cut your roll into 6-8 pieces and serve with some soy sauce, wasabi, sushi and pickled ginger.

Add your chosen ingredients in a line on top of the rice in the centre.

Using the wooden rolling mat roll up

Possible fillings salmon – sashimi grade - raw, avocado, cucumber, crab sticks, canned tuna mixed with mayo, prawns.

Food & Drink

ENJOY YOUR CHRISTMAS DAY HERE AT MARCO’S NEW YORK ITALIAN LEICESTER Add a touch of glamour to your Christmas with a festive meal at Marco’s, you’re guaranteed to experience a White Christmas. Enjoy a four course Christmas Meal for £59.95 per person served between 12pm – 4pm on Christmas Day.

To book, call 0116 2575533 or email info.marcosleicester@jupiterhotels.co.uk 73 Granby Street, Leicester, LE1 6ES @marcosleicester Marco’s New York Italian Leicester

Premium Butchers located in Clarendon Park Free-Range Packington Cockerels Local Bronze Free-Range Turkeys Game such as Venison, Pheasants, 3 Bird Roasts Local Beef, Free Range Lamb and Packington Pork Check out our online store Also available: Pork Butchery courses

FEARLESS

A wine created in honour of Leicester City winning the premier league. A soft, citrus flavour, with a pear base and hints of gooseberry, honey, fennel and elderflower.

Available from specialist shops, delicatessens and from the vineyard

BOUTIQUE VINEYARD & WINERY IN CHARNWOOD FOREST Visits by appointment only

www.rothleywine.com

www.warcherbutchers.co.uk Twitter-@WArcherAndSon Facebook-WArcherButchers NICHE | 61

Poor gut health is one of the key things that is impacting the health of millions of people in the world today Bloating, wind and indigestion are seen by most as being normal aren’t they? Everyone suffers from at least one of these don’t they? So it must be normal. We see adverts on the television all the time for indigestion. So what’s the big deal?

The truth is they are all signs that something is not right in your gut.

So why is that so important? Well, your gut is 70 per cent of your immune system, so that’s a big deal. At the core of good health is a healthy gut microbiome. The problem is today that due to a number of factors, people will have a gut microbiome that is not in the healthy place it should be. This leads to weight issues and also health issues.

There are several factors that have caused this situation: ◆ Toxins – environmental from pollution, pesticides sprayed on foods, chemicals used in the home ◆ High sugar, high refined carbohydrate and high protein diet leading to a body that is acidic

◆ Sedentary lifestyle ◆ Antibiotics and contraceptive pill ◆ Consumption of processed foods and ready meals ◆ High levels of stress Our successful programmes provide life changing health transformations

10

Signs of Poor Gut Health

Problems focusing and concentrating, brain fog, memory problems Digestive problems/bloating/wind Athletes foot/fungal nail infections Cravings for sugar and carbohydrates Irritability, mood swings, anxiety or deprerssion Feeling tired all the time/suffering from chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia Auto immune diseases such as hashimoto’s, rheumatoid arthritid, ms, me, vitiligo

for our clients.

“Before Sue came into my life, I was feeling low, exhausted, suffering with constipation, bloating, and wind. My skin was terrible, dry and itchy all over and I had an underactive thyroid. I was very negative and I was just not in control of my mind or my body.

Having completed Sue’s 90 day programme I feel like a new woman.

I have so much energy, my skin has cleared up and I now have a positive outlook in life. My family and friends have seen a huge difference in me” Natalie – Edinburgh If you would like to chat about your own situation in private and confidence please email.

Please include in your email the specific health issues you are currently facing and what is critical for you to resolve right now as well as the best phone number to call you on.

Sue-ritchie.com sue@sue-ritchie.com

Skin problems such as eczema, hives, rashes Vaginal infections, thrush, recurrent cystitis, rectal or vaginal itching Seasonal allergies such as hay fever or itchy eyes

Award winning author of Love your Gut: The Practical Guide to Sustainable Weight Loss from the Inside Out.

Food & Drink

TRY OUR NEW MENU TO BOOK, CALL 0116 2575533 OR EMAIL INFO.MARCOSLEICESTER@JUPITERHOTELS.CO.UK MARCO’S NEW YORK ITALIAN LEICESTER, 73 GRANBY STREET, LEICESTER, LE1 6ES @MARCOSLEICESTER | MARCO’S NEW YORK ITALIAN LEICESTER | WWW.MPWRESTAURANTS.COM

TRY OUR RANGE OF OVER 150 GINS!

GIN - COCKTAILS - CRAFT ALES WATCH ALL THE LIVE SPORTS ON OUR BIG SCREENS!

hogarths, 5-9 hotel street, leicester le1 5aw

NICHE | 63

The

Marco Pierre Standard

We visited the Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill in Hinckley last month, and here’s what we thought.

A little less than two minutes from the M69 exiting at junction three, we didn’t expect to find one of the famed Marco’s restaurants in such a peaceful and idyllic location.

Perfectly prettied in typical Pierre splendor, like many of his restaurants, its interiors tricked us into thinking we were exploring a pristine furniture showroom as is usual with the celebrity chef’s designer decor.

The service was outstanding and up to a standard we have come to expect at Marco’s venues, and whilst there were a group of 40

just over our shoulder who arrived at the same time, the bar remained high.

On to the all important food: I was pleased to see baked camembert, which is normally a sharer starter, was available in a smaller portion, perfect for one. The drizzle of balsamic vinegar added something marvellous to the taste. Now to literally take the bull by the horns and sample the main event, bring on the steak. Delivered to the table was a fillet cooked exactly to my liking almost blue, in a peppercorn

sauce with the fluffiest homemade pomme frites and salad.

A chocolate brownie with milk ice cream finished me off and I found myself sad to leave what felt like my new lavishly styled lounge. Overall, a steakhouse that’s worth a road-trip!

01455 630 692 Mpwrestaurants.co.uk

Food & Drink

The popular brewers have teamed up with local businesses to put on spectacular Christmas extravaganzas welcoming foodies, music enthusiasts and lovers of themed events The Steamin’ Billy Brewing Company won an award in September for Small Business of the Year at the East Midlands Chamber of Commerce Business Awards held at King Power Stadium against four other finalists from across Leicestershire.

Undoubtedly, this had something to do with their 12 premium pubs, four original Billy beers, mouth-watering seasonal menus and good honest food cooked by talented chefs.

The legendary Steamin’ Billy food and thirst-quenchers will be served at Leicester Racecourse’s The Kube this Christmas for the first time ever.

The sparkling Winter Wonderland themed Christmas parties arranged by event organisers Island Events & Co. are suitable for families, friends and corporate parties with live entertainment from Johnny and the Good Time Boys! Steamin’ Billy has worked with Island Events previously providing a luxury four-choice three course menu for their Christmas parties last year held at Steamin’ Billy pub The Cow and Plough.

With roots placed firmly in Leicestershire, the pub company are keen to build relationships with businesses in the local community.

Steamin’ Billy value quality ingredients that customers will love and remember them for and so take pride in catering for all dietary requirements including gluten free and vegan options. Call in advance to let them know your requests.

Book your night at The Kube with Island Events on 0116 319 0939 or email info@islandevents.co.uk ANDY COKER - HEAD CHEF

They believe these relationships are important as working together develops and delivers the best quality and service as well as a healthy dose of innovation. Already working closely with Leicester Racecourse having micro pub The Winning Post based within its walls, Steamin’ Billy are excited to offer their famous fare at The Kube this Christmas.

This year, the four-choice three course menu will be freshly made on the day using locally sourced seasonal produce (where possible) and The Cow and Plough’s Head Chef Andy Coker and his team will work their delicious magic to bring party guests a varied and tasty menu.

Steamin-billy.co.uk

Charity of the Year As well as connecting with the public and local companies, Steamin’ Billy support local charities and aim to raise £20,000 for their charity of the year. So far the team have took on trials in order to raise funds for The Matt Hampson Foundation.They’ve completed a 350km bike ride through Holland, proved their worth on the golf course, embarked on the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge and even sacrificed themselves to a gruelling bike ride tour around the Steamin’ Billy pubs.

NICHE | 65

Champagne dinner menu 18th November 7pm for 7:30pm sit down Roasted fig salad with goat’s cheese and chive mousse, apple vinaigrette Laurent-Perrier Brut Millesime vintage 2006 Pan seared scallops on a bed of Vietnamese vegetables or (V) Selection of homemade citrus sorbet Laurent-Perrier Brut NV The Star of the show Classic Beef Wellington served with mustard mash, baby carrots and a red wine jus or (V) Wild mushroom and ricotta wellington with pine nut and truffle pesto Chateau Barrail du Blanc Grand Cru St-Emilion 2012 Chocolate torte with homemade raspberry sorbet Laurent-Perrier Demi-Sec NV Coffee and homemade Chocolates £69.95 per person

We are pleased to say that we have partnered with Laurent Perrier for this evening as will be presenting few of their best Champagnes.

The biggest thing is definitely the Michelin star Chef famous dish Beef Wellington.

An independent restaurant serving modern British cuisine with a strong emphasis on provenance, guided by Head Chef Craig Sansome You’ll find beef and lamb from the south Leicestershire countryside and seafood from Cornish day boats. A wide choice of food for vegetarians, with a number of fish dishes, alongside some very popular modern meat choices.

Desserts are a house speciality, with soufflés a big customer favourite.

Christmas menu available from 1st – 23rd December 0116 262 2555 thebootroomeaterie.co.uk Millstone Lane Leicester LE1 5JN Walking distance from King Richard III centre

Giving the boot to restaurant chains The Boot Room have a number of midweek offers to tempt customers to eat with them outside of the usual Friday or a Saturday night in Leicester’s city centre.

Their popular CBA (Can’t Be A***d!)

Tuesday - 3 courses including a glass of wine for £16.95, is perfect for those of us who don’t fancy slaving over a hot stove and Wednesday’s offer is ‘Posh Fish and Chips’ with gluten free availability, or tempura halloumi as the vegetarian choice for £9.95, and a luxury lobster and chips option for £19.95. As a big fan of the often pricey crustacean, it was too good a chance to miss!

Having started with the halloumi, to sample the vegetarian offer, my one tiny gripe would be that the croquettes offer a slightly heavy cheese to breadcrumb ratio and that I’d have preferred thinner slices breadcrumbed a little like that 70’s classic ‘scampi in a basket’.

Manish welcomed the Niche party of four to the restaurant and the staff on that evening were uniformly lovely, helpful and attentive and we were shown the wine list which is compact but offers a good variety from £15.50 per bottle.

This truly was a night for a few of my favourite things, finishing up with a gorgeous strawberry soufflé with vanilla ice cream, an all-time classic combination which some may call unadventurous, but which is always a winner. Now I can never

The lobster, simply done in garlic butter, was super. The chips were crisp on the outside & fluffy in the middle - perfect.

resist a soufflé - sweet, savoury, starter, main dessert, always a must have for me and the Boot Room always, happily, have one on their menu.

This is a venue with offers which will keep this reviewer going back for more. Find them on Millstone Lane.

0116 262 2555 Thebootroomeaterie.co.uk

RECIPE

Beef Stifado from the Hairy Bikers Ingredients 1kg Chuck steak, cut into large chunks (at least 8cm) 2 tbsp Olive oil 500g Pickling onions, peeled and left whole 1 tbsp Tomato purée 4 Ripe tomatoes, peeled and chopped, or 400g can chopped 1 tsp Honey Fresh oregano or parsley leaves (optional), to serve Flaked sea salt Freshly ground black pepper Marinade 4 Garlic cloves, finely chopped 3 Bay leaves 3cm Cinnamon stick 1 tsp Allspice berries ½ tsp Coriander seeds 4 Cloves 1 Strip of thinly pared orange peel 300ml Red wine 50ml Red wine vinegar

A traditional Greek meat stew, stifado can be made with pork or rabbit as well as beef. It always contains loads of little onions, cooked whole, and can be served with some short macaronistyle pasta if you fancy.

Method Put the beef in a glass, ceramic or plastic bowl – metal can react with the marinade – and season with salt and pepper. Add all the marinade ingredients, then cover and marinate for several hours or overnight.

When you’re ready to start cooking, heat the olive oil in a large flameproof casserole dish. Add the onions and cook them over a medium heat, shaking regularly, until they have taken on some colour on all sides.

Remove them from the casserole.

Strain the beef, reserving the marinade, and pat it dry. Add a splash more olive oil to the casserole if necessary and sear the beef until well

browned. You may have to do this in a couple of batches. Return the meat and the onions to the pan.

Add the reserved marinade to the casserole. Mix the tomato purée with a little water, and add this to the casserole, together with the tomatoes and honey. Season with salt and pepper.

Bring to the boil, then turn down the heat to a low simmer. Cover the casserole with a lid and cook the stifado for 1–1½ hours until the meat and onions are tender. Stir at intervals, turning over the meat each time. Sprinkle with fresh oregano or parsley leaves if you like.

SERVES 6

RECIPE FROM THE HAIRY BIKERS’ MEAT FEASTS BY SI KING & DAVE MYERS. PUBLISHED BY WEIDENFELD & NICOLSON IN HARDBACK AT £22, EBOOK: £12.99

NICHE | 67

English Drinks Company – Cucumber Gin (70cl) £34.95 This aromatic premium gin is the essence of an English summer. englishdrinkscompany. co.uk

Delicious Alchemy Christmas Fruit Cake Mix £5 Suitable for vegetarians and can be made dairyfree. No hidden nasties! deliciousalchemy.com

Cockburn’s Special Reserve Port (75cl) £12 One of the most iconic Ports of all time! Matured in oak casks, for a full bodied dry finish.

TeaWare 2 Cup teapot set with two loose teas – the ultimate gift for any serious tea lover, £39.95 o-teas.com

Christmas Letterbox Gift Set £26.95 A selection of luxury British gifts to send to someone special this Christmas, beautifully presented and designed to fit through the letterbox. For 10% off use code: ‘NICHE10’. letterboxgiftshop.com

Mr Stanley’s Peppermint Fondants £3.75 Rich, dark chocolate filled with natural peppermint cream. Mrstanleys.co.uk 68 | NICHE

Yumbles World of Zing Cocktail Travel Pack £14.95 They’re an all-natural food marketplace for conscious eaters who don’t want to compromise on flavour.

Yumbles.com

Christmas Gifts

Milky Mischief Cocoa Dusted Truffles French luxury truffles £4 Finished with a generous dusting of exquisite bitter-sweet cocoa. montybojangles.com

Thomas J Fudge’s Twice As Nice – Crackers and Crispbreads £2.45 Perfect for topping and dipping. thomasjfudges.co.uk Available at Waitrose

The Biscuit Bag £4.50 Hook the cute little handle over the rim of any cup, mug or glass (it fits all!) and it stores your break-time biscuits or snack. aplaceforeverything.co.uk

Food & Drink

Conker Spirit Gin £35.95 Dry Gin from Dorset’s first gin distillery! Distilled using British wheat spirit, Gorse Flowers, Samphire and Elderberries. Available from Masterofmalt.com

Boozy Berries £6 The very same raspberries that give Pinkster gin it’s pretty pink hue, ideal for a garnish or as a boozy treat.

From pinkstergin.com

Highland Park 12 Year Old £35 This single malt is a rich and well-balanced whisky boasting a honey sweetness, followed by fruity notes.

Available at multiple retailers.

Qcumber Ginger Water 750ml £2.39 Bringing you a blend of refreshing cucumber paired with fiery ginger.

Available at quality food stores. Q-cumber.co.uk

HARIBO Starmixmas This limited edition bag offers the same iconic pieces found in Starmix in new Christmas flavours including Cherry Trifle Heart, Eggnog Eggs, Apple Strudel Bottles, and many more.

Jensen’s Bermondsey Dry Gin £25.95 Smooth and rounded, with delicate floral and citrus notes. bermondseygin.com

Ribena Winter Spice £2 Blackcurrant flavour combined with rich and warming winter spices. A non-alcoholic alternative to mulled wine. Available from Asda, Morrisons and Ocado.

Choco Leibniz Gifting Tin £5 The ultimate chocolate biscuit in milk, white and dark chocolate, Enjoy this selection of delectable biscuits and keep-sake tin.

Available at most independent retailers. Bahlsen.co.uk

Drambuie 15 £29.95 Aromatic citrus spice, fragrant grass and butterscotch notes. drambuie.com

Robert Welch Signature Knife Block Set with Sharpener £280 The all-purpose cook’s knives also have a curved blade that enables a rocking action for optimum chopping and dicing. robertwelch.com/signature

Thorntons Continental Chocolate Gift Collection (284g) £10 A carefully crafted box filled with the finest chocolates.

Thorntons.co.uk NICHE | 69

Property

There is something unexpectedly reassuring about a visit to the EAS Windows Showrooms. For a start, it just looks good, even from the outside There are no tacky deal signs in sight, you can tell that they have a keen eye for good design in life. There is a carefully chosen selection of high quality examples of windows, doors, conservatories and orangeries which speak for themselves rather than overwhelm.

It’s all about quality and design – and good design at that.

At over 35 years old EAS’ heritage makes it amongst the most respected market leaders in the region, standing out for their passion, integrity and honesty as well as innovative products. The company’s second generation owners, Adam and Emma Spradbury, are highly regarded in their field and as discerning buyers themselves, know only too well what a client is looking for when making any purchase.

Having manufactured his first window at 19, Adam’s knowledge and passion for the field is innate and somewhat infectious. EAS’ 70 | NICHE

approach to your home or business property installation is treated on an entirely individual basis.

their domain, their expertise; and they thrive on finding the perfect fit for you and your property.

Refreshingly, the whole process from start to finish is built on a relationship centred around communication; on discovering exactly what it is you want in an open and honest way, solid foundations are laid.

The design consultants simply want your property to look its very best.

They take into account everything from the property’s age and aesthetic to your personal lifestyle to ensure any choice you make is one which you will be happy with for many years to come, and which compliments and upholds the integrity of the build.

From very first contact, through to surveying and installation, to handing over the keys for your newly installed, high quality EAS products, it’s a boutique experience in a world which can all too often feel like a bargain basement.

EAS has great relationships with quality manufacturing companies whose product ranges are extensive. As with many decisions in life, making the right choice for you personally is essential - so it is reassuring to know you can feel relaxed in the guiding hands of a team passionate about design. It is

EAS has always paved the way for a different approach in the industry.

Making windows and doors more than an essential purchase, it’s made a purchase which is a joy from start to finish – and that makes EAS a pretty rare find indeed.

0116 271 0120 Easwindows.co.uk

HR Niche (A4 full) 07-16.qxp_Layout 1 21/07/2016 11:50 Page 1

You’re never too old... or young...to start saving for the future...

Whether you’re looking for easy access, notice, fixed rate, an ISA or something for younger savers, we have a savings account to suit you – why not start saving with us today?

Tel: 0800 434 6343 Web: hrbs.co.uk Visit our branches and agencies across Leicestershire and Warwickshire The Society is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority. The Society's registration number is 206043

Property

Interior style Among the beautiful ornate cabinets, sparkling mirrors, captivating wallpapers and novel designer sofas placed around the Maison Interiors showroom in Oadby, Interior Designer Zoe Hubbard can be found working on her latest design concepts featuring contemporary and traditional textures and patterns Zoe uses her stylish design skills to put together a visual proposal based on her client’s style and needs, and unveils her schemes beautifully presented in a black box tied with ribbon making the customer experience a truly captivating service.

Up and coming talent Growing up in a house filled with creative flair and seeing her Mum never tire of upcycling old furniture into trend setting pieces, Zoe knew she would become and Interior Designer since age 11. She gained a

diploma & foundation degree and set up her business “Zoe Hubbard Interior Design” She approached the Princes Trust for advice and built even further on her enchanting portfolio.

Where is she now Partners Michael John Flooring and Maison Interiors were looking for an Interior Designer and headhunted Zoe to join their team. With such a varied portfolio and in-depth knowledge of design history from every period, they might not have expected someone so young. After 5

years in the industry Zoe now 24 has an astonishing understanding of the Interiors business. She’s perfected her knowledge of the ins and outs of everything from product knowledge to special planning. She is inspired

by Kelly Hoppen, Abigail Ahern & Jonathan Adler. She loves travelling and visiting leading interior design exhibitions.

What the future holds Zoe sees herself always having links with Michael John Flooring & Maison Interiors but hopes to travel the world in search of inspiration and developing her brand.

Get Zoe on board with your exciting project and find her at Maison Interiors for a free consultation.

INTERIOR DESIGN

Zoehubbard.com Maison-interiors.com

NICHE | 73

Those in Property have their say

Could you save money by remortgaging Remortgaging can be great way to save money and is something you should consider regularly to make sure you’re on the best mortgage deal.

When to remortgage? It will all depend on your individual circumstances and the reasons why you are thinking of looking for a better deal so there is no set time when you should remortgage. But it is especially worth thinking about when you are getting near the end of a fixed rate deal or now if you are on your lender’s standard variable rate (SVR).

Why remortgage? You may look into doing so to save money, move onto a fixed rate deal so you can be certain of what your repayments will be, to release equity in your home if it has gone up in value, or to move onto a mortgage that better suits you current circumstances.

But for it to be worthwhile the cost and the features of the new mortgage need to be right for you.

How much to remortgage? By calling MME we can quickly work out how much switching will cost you. There may be exit penalties that may apply to your current deal and any arrangement fees to set-up the new mortgage.

We will factor all of this in when helping you decide if it’s the right time to remortgage.

Stefan Wardle

0800 999 2205 Mortgagesbymme.co.uk 74 | NICHE

Weather proof conservatories

Natural aesthetics for bathrooms 2017

The addition of a conservatory can add a great deal of value to your home, both in living and pricing terms. Moving house due to lack of space is a costly affair and by creating extra space through a conservatory will be getting what you need through a far more budget friendly option.

The bathroom is a place of refuge and relaxation at the end of a busy day and rejuvenation at the start. Gone are the days where the bathroom was merely a functional space, with modern innovations the bathroom is now a stylish, comfortable and contemporary hub of the home.

However, many people have reservations about opting for a conservatory these days and the main concern is that the space will be too hot and stifling in the summer and too cold in the winter. Whilst this may have been true of the older style of polycarbonate roofs, materials have moved on considerably since then.

Through innovations in design, there’s more choice than ever before - and even greater potential to achieve a style all of your own.

Here are some standout trends emerging for next year.

Organic Materials

You might ask why they are different and don’t suffer with the temperature extremity these days, and my answer would be because of a variety of reasons but specifically that the glass materials are much more advanced at coping and adapting to the different temperatures.

There is a real emergence of bringing the outside in to your bathroom, organic materials such as wood, unfussy lines and simple, practical arrangements so that your space looks designed but not fussed over. Mixing modern details with an organic, natural look is beautifully atmospheric and functional too. Greenery is a wonderful way of bringing life to your bathroom, adding colour, nature and a stylish slant for minimal cost.

There are options though, if a customer still isn’t convinced of the new glass. They could go for the lightweight ‘solid roof option’ or I personally think that the hybrid roof called the LIVINroof® from Ultraframe, which can have intermittent solid and glass panels is a better choice, providing the best of both worlds. Adam Spradbury

Moody Colours Only a short while ago we were all white washing our homes, now colour is making a comeback. In particular dark, moody shades of grey for wall colour, accessories or with natural slate it’s a great statement and a tranquil stylish choice. If this is too bold for you, marble is still huge and accessorised against brass, the most fashionable of metals for the bathroom, makes a opulent and calming contrast. Francis James

0116 271 0120/0808 115 5359 Easwindows.co.uk

0116 262 4440 Pluginteriors.com

Property

High Street Style I am always on the lookout for new finds and fashionable bits and bobs to share with you in my column and as I’m sure everyone does, I have my favourite haunts to trawl through Next Home Oversized Geo Bed Set £35-£65 I love this bed set. So stylish and reminiscent of a boutique hotel. And its reversible!

This time though, I thought I’d see what our trusty old High Street stores have to offer, after all, they’re ultra ac-cessible, affordable and big on style.

As an interior designer and home stager I’m used to mixing and matching high end pieces with the more reasonably priced high street items, it’s a great way to get an eclectic look which looks polished without completely breaking the bank.

A big trend currently is to emulate the boutique hotel look at home, especially in the bedroom. So I thought if I could find some worthy high street pieces which would help to create this look with-out an eye watering price tag, the more the better. The key is to pick items from different places, don’t try to recreate a page from a catalogue!

My favourites are the bedlinen sets from Next Home, super gorgeous, and the rug by design god Marcel Wanders for M&S Home. These two items alone would lift any bedroom scheme from lack-lustre to lustworthy. Add in some super chic lighting from BHS, a cushion from Matalan and Tom Dixon’s gold bowl sets from Heal’s for a bit of bling and hey presto, you’re on your way to a bou-tique boudoir.

So get out there and rediscover your local high street, it’s a treasure trove of stylish swag.

Happy Shopping!

Samantha

x

BHS - Phoenix Easy Fit Shade £55 This is such a luxe-forless light fitting. Very chic and utterly beautiful.

Heal’s - Form Bowl Large Set £100 Can’t beat a bit of bling! And it doesn’t come much more stylish than this. These bowls are simply perfect for any living space.

Matalan - Jacquard Abstract Cushion £8 Cheap but such a great little find!

Perfect colours and textures to lift your design scheme.

Marks & Spencer - Marcel Wanders Optical Rug £149-£219 Grey is still very popular and it’s so versatile and goes with everything. This textured rug is divine. www.chrysalisinteriordesign.com/hotpicks

Tel: 0121 647 6709 f: Facebook.com/ChrysalisInteriorDesign t: @ChrysalisID www.chrysalisinteriordesign.com

NICHE | 75

Those in Property have their say

A cosier home this winter

The problem with patios

The art of rugs

Experts in their field and finalists in this year’s Niche Awards, Wayne Lord Plumbing and Heating’s reputation is one of reliability, honesty and efficiency.

They tell us how to get your home ready for winter:

So in the last issue I said I’d be looking at how feeding your fish could be making your pond maintenance harder. Let me explain, when we look at getting perfect balance in a pond and achieving clear water there are many factors that come into play. For example, green water is created by too much sunlight and can be counteracted with a good UV system. Pond water also tends to get dirty, this can be created by lots of different factors, for example falling debris in the pond. The most common way the water becomes unclean is by its inhabitants, the fish. Fish like any animal have a digestive system but when they ‘do their business’ it remains in their habitat.

If you have a log burner or open fire we understand your eagerness to welcome the winter. Getting the fire going again is a feeling like no other and with a beautiful rug in front of it, that toasty feeling is magnified.

Having provided plumbing services to the people of the region for over 20 years now we have picked up a thing or two about how you can prevent plumbing trouble for the colder months ahead. ♦ Insulate your pipes As the temperature drops your pipework runs the risk of freezing up. Prevent this potentially costly damage winter’s snap can bring with a simple foam insulation. ♦ Look after your boiler If your boiler is out-dated it could only be converting 60 per cent of your expensive gas into essential heat. Getting your boiler serviced before the cold weather arrives is the best way to see it is running as efficiently as it ought. ♦ Check your loft Get the ladders out and check your loft insulation is in good condition, this helps to make sure you aren’t losing too much of your costly heat through the roof. Whilst we speak of heating, it’s also a good plan to keep your heating on low even when you aren’t in to keep things from perishing.

Wayne Lord 0116 210 0718 Waynelordplumbing.co.uk 78 | NICHE

The excretions then start a cycle of decay caused by bacteria in the pond, which turns the poo from Ammonia (poisonous to fish) to Nitrite (not as poisonous) and then to Nitrate which is absorbed by plants in the pond. So how we feed the fish effects directly this.

One of the most common things I hear is, “my fish love this food” my answer is always “but I love fast food! doesn’t mean its good for me!” So I recommend you stay away from pond sticks as usually its a poor quality food, and go for pellets. Personally we recommend Hikari Staple or Saki Hakari. Once a day from roughly (depending on temperature of water needs to be above 8c) April to November. Any more than that you are feeding too much and yes fish also get fat!

In January I will be discussing which fish types are good for your individual pond. Michael Wheat 0116 240 3735/07590 535 623 Michaelwheat.co.uk info@michaelwheat.co.uk

A rug can be used to fill a space or an investment into a piece of art. Whatever your needs, the Michael John Flooring range is unlimited and we provide the facilities for you to create a truly bespoke rug in varying qualities from machine-made Wilton’s to hand-knotted Persians.

Our range of 30 designs will start you off on your rug designing journey. Or, if you’ve seen a design elsewhere such as a wallpaper or dress print, bring it in and we’ll have it replicated.

Trending currently are the plainer silk-look rugs in all shades of grey with splashes of colour.

We use professional Iranian, Turkish and Indian weavers among others, and our instore range is sourced by UK based experts who travel the world in search of matchless beautiful rugs. They are found in faraway villages, industrial size hand weaving companies and everywhere in between.

Use our Try At Home service that allows you to purchase any rug(s) to sample their sizes and colours and return them to us if they don’t fit in with your home décor. Mark Lucas 0116 254 1853 Michael-john.co.uk

Property

• • • • •

Specialist pond builder Pond cleaning Pond maintenance Wildlife ponds New builds

• Landscaping and Decking Service • Planting Service • Free design and quote • Expert in shady borders • Low maintenance plans • Gardens that look good in all four seasons

Broughtons

Traditional Lighting & Hardware Since 1888

Control4 For a smarter home

Control4 offers the ultimate home automation solution by making the products and systems you already have and use everyday, work together.

Pagoda Lantern - LIEH0025

Showroom & Coffee Lounge Mon-Sat 9am - 5pm Sundays 10am - 4pm The Old Cinema Cropston Road Anstey Leicestershire LE7 7BP

0116 232 3175

www.broughtons.com sales@broughtons.com

By integrating everything from lighting control, music, home theater, climate control, security—even iPads, iPhones and Android smartphones and tablets—a smart house by Control4 creates personalized experiences that enhance your life and provide added comfort, savings, convenience, and peace of mind.

Start small by automating just your family room or home theater. Or go big with whole-home automation. Control4 is built to grow as you go. No matter what the application, the experience is unforgettable and you’ll wonder how you ever lived without home automation. Available from Abel NICHE | 79

Smarter

Future In 50 years of Abel history, the intelligent technology company have always been one step ahead. With their latest systems they invite you into the Smart world making the future a thing of the present.

Each specifically designed and tailored security system protects and secures businesses nationwide giving company owner’s paramount peace of mind.

Businesses benefit from security systems with the highest standard and as a National Security Inspectorate (NSI), Gold approved company, Abel provide the highest level of protection for your employees, students, staff and visitors.

Personalised intruder systems, fire alarms, fog bandits, automation systems enable you to save costs and energy and view all CCTV remotely.

Abel can combine your devices to make them Smart and take advantage of their full potential leaving you free to focus on running your business the way it should and allowing you to experience the technology of the future today.

www.abelalarm.co.uk 08448 00 22 77

Property

The Good Life

at Manor Farm in Tugby With over 3,000 sq ft of luxury family accommodation and the rare opportunity of pony paddocks, Manor Farm in Tugby is proving incredibly popular with those swapping city life for a move to the country After a five year property search Claire and Will Reid moved their family from London into their brand new home at Manor Farm. Claire, who worked in publishing and now looks after their young children said: “We have wanted to move to Leicestershire for quite some time in order to be closer to family and for our children to enjoy a countryside upbringing. We had already bought into Mulberry Developments luxury new homes having viewed their previous schemes, however with over 3,000 sq ft of living space and paddock land, Manor Farm in Tugby really fitted the bill. We were struck with the well connected village location, providing excellent commuting links for my husband and good schooling options for our children at both Tugby Primary School and Uppingham Community College. Having lived in London for well over a decade, where space is a real premium, the addition of

paddock land is a real coup. We see our paddock providing us with an extension to the house and garden and a useful commodity for us all to enjoy.”

Manor Farm has seen huge interest since it launched with just a few plots remaining. Set within idyllic surroundings and a double paddock offering over three quarters of an acre Plot 9 showcases the perfect blend of dream home ingredients. At the heart of the home the spacious and expansive kitchen/dining/family sitting room provides the perfect space for entertaining and everyday family dining, with light pouring in from windows and bi-folding doors leading to the rear garden and patio.

Past the separate dining room sits the formal living room with its grand stone fi replace and wood burner creating a warm and relaxing atmosphere with a second set of

“We had already bought into Mulberry Developments luxury new homes, however with over 3,000 sq ft of living space and paddock land, Manor Farm in Tugby really fitted the bill.”

Dluxe Magazine - Tugby Advertorial September.indd 2

French doors leading to the garden backing onto picturesque farmland.

Upstairs, the triple aspect master bedroom has the added extra of a large fully fi tted dressing room and spa-like ensuite. The four additional bedrooms are also served by multiple contemporary en-suites and a generous study provides a haven for taking care of business.

Tugby is a charming village just off the A47 between Uppingham and Leicester, offering a range of facilities including a village school, public house, butchers, village hall and a church. As well as good commuter links, Tugby is in the catchment area of outstanding Specialist Technology Academy, Uppingham Community College.

The five bedroom family homes are priced from £775,000 and available to visit strictly by appointment by calling 01582 797 562

“We see our paddock providing us with an extension to the house and garden and a useful commodity for us all to enjoy.”

16/09/2016 14:08

An expensive time of year is Christmas so remortgaging your home is probably the last thing on your mind, but this is actually a great time to consider it, says Mortgage Advisor Pete Simpson

Why should you remortgage?

Mainly, it’s to save you money.

If your current mortgage deal is about to come to end, it’s important to start shopping around for a new offer before you get transferred onto your lender’s standard variable rate (SVR), which could end up being a lot higher than your current rate.

Reasons to Remortgage

◆ You want a more flexible mortgage ◆ You want to switch mortgage types ◆ The value of your home has risen ◆ You want a better rate ◆ You want to pay more There is no set time to say when you should remortgage because it will greatly depend upon your own individual circumstances and reasons.

What it can do for you?

◆ Save you money ◆ Move you onto a fixed rate deal so you can be certain of what your repayments will be ◆ Release equity in your home if it has gone up in value ◆ Fund home improvements ◆ Move you onto a mortgage that better suits your current circumstances

0800 999 2205 Mortgagesbymme.co.uk 82 | NICHE

As the purse strings tighten when the holidays come to an end you’ll be thinking of ways to cut down on your spending. But have you thought about how your mortgage can help save you money?

Remortgaging should be something that is on your mind just as your car insurance is. You wouldn’t let your current car insurer just renew your deal when you know you can get a better deal elsewhere if you ask around.

Well, it’s the same with your mortgage. According to Money saving Expert, Around a third of all home loans made in the UK are actually remortgages. For those of you unsure what a remortgage is, it’s when you take out a new mortgage to replace your existing one on the property you already own. People do this for a variety of reasons as it can have big benefits.

To ensure you are getting the best mortgage deal, you should think of remortgaging regularly. Most mortgage deals last two to five years. Despite what you might think, remortgaging need not be a hassle.

At the family-run company offices of Mortgages Made Easy (MME) the team are continuously trained and examined to ensure they are up to date with changes to legislation and can hunt down the best deal for you and your situation. Each are qualified advisors and experts in their field and have access to the whole market so are able to arrange and secure better deals and more options that aren’t available on the high street.

In 14 years they’ve helped over 40,000 people find the best deals

possible. Their clients dedicated advisor will visit at their home or wherever suits them for a free initial consultation and as a family business, they value building relationships with their clients and keep in touch with them throughout their deal, making remortgaging as hassle free as possible.

Pete says that the most common questions he hears are ‘how much can I borrow?’ and ‘how much does it cost?’ MME work out precisely how much switching will cost you by comparing what your current mortgage costs and what a new deal would cost you. Exit penalties may apply to your current deal and arrangement fees will be factored in

by MME when helping you decide if it’s the right time for you to remortgage.

The MME team will also help you decide which type of mortgage is best for you whether it be a fixed rate mortgage or an offset mortgage, the experts will advise which is best considering if what you’re looking for is flexibility or payment holidays, portable mortgage if you’re looking to move, or longer or shorter repayment terms.

Remember, receiving advice from MME as we are fully qualified means that you have peace of mind as you will be protected by the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) if your mortgage turns out to be unsuitable, whereas making the decisions yourself will leave you with less security.

Book your free home-based consultation for remortgaging advice.

To ensure you are getting the best mortgage deal, you should think of remortgaging regularly.

Those in Property have their say

Get Abel

Eco Clean carpet care

The upsides of offsets

Mobile phone apps are fast becoming the way to control your home security. Until this development, you’d have to set your alarm and "hope for the best’.

Now with your phone, you can arm and disarm your system, watch live security camera footage, and more while you’re away. Advancements in home automation have made it possible for you to remotely control a whole range of home devices from anywhere:-

One of the UK’s most acclaimed floor care companies achieved Finalist position for the Eco title at The Niche Business Awards 2016

They’ve been described as one of the best kept secrets in the financial world, so don’t be surprised if you have not heard of offset mortgages.

They’re the way to save thousands and shave months or even years off repaying your home loan.

◆ Control lighting and small appliances ◆ Program and preset your thermostat ◆ Lock and unlock doors ◆ View live video of your home ◆ Arm/disarm your security system ◆ Monitor/set custom notifications/alerts ◆ Review your home security alert history ◆ Add or remove users

Providing 100% green carpet and floor cleaning services using all natural products without the use of chemicals or water, Eco Clean have been transforming the way residential and commercial properties have achieved impeccably clean, restored carpets and floors both indoors and out for over ten years on a national level.

Their ground-breaking cleaning products are free from chemicals and the process leaves them ready for use immediately whilst making it a very safe and efficient service with minimal impact on the home or business.

Convenience - You can use our Home Security app from anywhere to keep your home under control.

Ease of use - Very user friendly, you can learn how to use these pretty quickly. You can implement settings that will auto set your system when your door is locked, lock doors at a certain time, unlock doors when a fire alarm goes off, and much more.

There is zero risk of shrinkage or colour run so customers have peace of mind knowing their carpets are having the best cleaning system available to them without worrying about any damage. The gentle cleaning process improves air quality by eliminating spores and allergens deep within the carpet pile and their floor restoration methods get floors and paved areas back to how they should be in no time and in a gentle way.

Abel have over 50 years experience and are certificated by NSI Gold for Security, CCTV, and Access control, BAFE SP203-1 for Fire and for the monitoring of Intruder and Fire Alarms and BS8418 Detector activated CCTV systems.

Joel Mulloy

Happy nationwide clients include Aurum holdings, Goldsmiths, Mappin & Webb and Watches of Switzerland who all stock high end jewellery and watches. They all comment on the efficient and excellent results Eco Clean achieve without trade interruption.

08448 00 22 77 Abelalarm.co.uk

0116 355 2680 Ecocleanfloorcare.co.uk

84 | NICHE

Offsetting works for mortgage borrowers who have savings.

Thanks to the Bank of England’s base rate cut during the summer the already low savings rates available dipped again. Instant access savings rates are struggling to get above 1.1 per cent.

The vast majority of mortgages will be charging more interest than that, in many cases it’s significantly more. Offsetting uses your savings to reduce the balance of the mortgage – that’s what attracts the interest charge each month.

A smaller balance means a lower interest charge. A lower interest charge means a quicker repayment.

According to a recent article on the This is Money website, a borrower with a £100,000 mortgage and £30,000 in savings would be £4,977 better off if they had an offset mortgage, compared to putting the cash in an average instant access savings account Plus, they would pay off the mortgage six months earlier. And they would retain the flexibility of being able to access their savings when needed.

Needless to say, Hinckley & Rugby has been offering offset mortgages for more than a decade and hundreds of our borrowers are benefitting as a result.

Andy Gilgrist 01536 772 256/07989 562 517 Hrbs.co.uk/savings

As seen on TV!

From little additions,

to big changes.

We’re here to get you there.

We’ll sell your home in 6 weeks.

Or we’ll cut our fee by

£500

Landlords!

*

Choose a fully managed service from Hunters and we will take

50% off our set-up fees*

We train our staff to the highest standards, ensuring they have expert knowledge of the industry and your local area.

WIGSTON@HUNTERS.COM / 0116 366 0660 SALES / LETTINGS / MANAGEMENT / HUNTERS .COM

HERE TO GET

you

THERE

* Offer expires 31st January 2017. Offers are subject to availability; cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Full terms and conditions will apply, contact Wigston branch for details.

If you are under contract with another agent you may still be liable also to pay their fee.

An Introduction To Whitegates A bespoke, premium service at a competitive price comes as standard when you are on the move with Whitegates.

A brand new estate and lettings agent on the city scene, Whitegates opened its doors only a month ago, but is already seeing broad success, with a buoyant property market 7% up on last year and sales rushing through to meet the new stamp duty deadline, easing the pain of buying.

Located in the former Santander bank premises, at 3 Halford Street, the lavishly refurbished new office and showroom delivers both in style and substance.

"People expect us to be dealing with only high end property, but we cover homes across the board throughout Leicestershire, from large rural detached properties to city centre apartments:' said Mitul Gadhia, Managing Director.

The Whitegates team is headed up by Managing Director Mitul Gadhia, who has a passion for property. Mitul has his own property portfolio and successfully runs three franchises under the Martin & Co/Whitegates brands to provide a distinctly different service from other agents. Recent accolades include Leicester Mercury Young Achiever Awards and 'Silver-Rising Star of The Year Award' at The Negotiator Awards 2015.

Mitul is joined by an equally committed team comprising Senior Branch Manager Andrew Gaunt, with more than five years' experience selling and letting property throughout the midlands.James Powdrill, Senior Property Consultant, who has an extensive experience with large corporate firms and independents.

Zachary Oldershaw, Property consultant, who works and lives locally and also has experience with both corporate and independent agencies.

Nick Jones SeniorValuer, with 25 years experience, undertaking local valuations over the past 1 O years.

Maneet Dhillon and Kornelija Anwar, Portfolio Managers, together having over 7 years' estate agency experience of successfully selling houses.

STATION ROAD, KIRBY MUXLOE - £575,000

Whitegates are excited to bring to the market this unique ve bedroom semi-detached characterful family home. Built in 1881 this property is full of original features. Located in the prestigious village of Kirby Muxloe. The village has plenty of local amenities to list a few, local convenience store, post office, delicatessen, beauty salon, hair stylists and two local pubs with excellent restaurants. Do not miss out on this rare opportunity!

SUMMERFIELD DRIVE, ANSTEY - £380,000

This beautiful and spacious ve bedroom family home is positioned in the highly sought after location of Anstey. To the ground oor, there is a beautiful kitchen/diner, a large and full length lounge and there is also a separate dining room. The rst oor comprises of three double bedrooms, one with dressing area and en-suite and the three piece family bathroom. To the second oor, there are two double bedrooms and a separate three piece shower room. sh

HASTINGS MEADOW CLOSE, KIRBY MUXLOE - £360,000

OLD STATION ROAD, SYSTON - (Offers Over) £110,000

Whitegates are delighted to bring to the market this charming family home. With plenty of accommodation and at great value, this property is priced to sell. In Brief comprises of, Entrance hallway, downstairs W/C, Study, Utility, Open plan kitchen Diner, Through Lounge & Playroom.

Upstairs is equally generous with what is has to offer, Master bedroom with modern en suite, two double bedrooms & two single bedrooms, one family Bathroom, shower room with W/C & sink.

Whitegates are proud to offer you this stunning two bedroom apartment, nished to a very high standard and situated in a highly sought after location, we advise early viewing to avoid disappointment!

This apartment would prove an ideal rst purchase or investment and is available to view immediately. This immaculate apartment offers two well proportioned bedrooms, one with en-suite, a modern three peice bathroom suite and a large living/ kkitchen with juliet balcony.

WELFORD ROAD, LEICESTER - POA

This gorgeous Victorian four bedroom house has been loved as a family home for the past twenty ve years!

Having been tastefully enlarged and decorated to create a truly deceptive and unique home which is almost guaranteed to wow every visitor. The accommodation is ideal for young professionals / families and especially for those who work or run a business from home. An internal viewing is truly a must to appreciate the sheer size and quality of nish.

PLAIN GATE, ROTHLEY - £875,000 Executive Five Bedroom Detached Family Home situated in one of Leicestershire's nest locations. The property boasts four reception rooms, a third of an acre plot and is nished to the highest standard. An internal viewing is highly recommended.

GRACE ROAD, SAPCOTE - £600,000 This brand new ve bedroom detached home boasts a stunning internal speciication which includes; a large dining kitchen, ve double bedrooms, downstairs study and double garage. Externally the property enjoys an enclosed rear garden and ample off road parking.

SOAR ROAD, QUORN - £500,000

MAIN STREET, HUNCOTE - £140,000 This wonderful home in the highly sought after village of Huncote is not to be missed! Beneetting from beautiful feature replces and rustic beams! This cottage also boasts a modern tted bathroom and two spacious bedrooms! Call to arrange your viewing today!

This spacious ve bedroom home in the highly sought after area location of Quorn is not to be missed! It is in need of a complete renovation but could be a dream home! Internal viewing is available immediately, please call to arrange your appointment!

137 mm x 190 mm

A NEW boiler from * just £1,620(inc. VAT) or £7 per week Includes fitting, up to 10 years warranty, plus a price match guarantee.

Call today for a FREE survey & fixed price quote 0116 287 8000 | www.ukgasservices.co.uk *See website for terms & conditions.

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90 | NICHE

Leicestershire’s local installer of boilers & central heating for over 20 years.

YOUR TRUSTED HOME SERVICE PARTNER

26/09/2016 10:15

New local collaboration for home design excellence Michael John Flooring have teamed with some of the biggest names in home design and pleased to have forged a relationship with national home builder Davidsons of late.

Here we feature one of their latest collaborations in Banbury, with more planned for Leicestershire in the coming months.

Davidsons Homes chose Michael John Flooring to provide top end quality floor covering advice, products and service for this high spec development due to their huge and unrivaled range, through commercial and residential development projects completed.

For more information and details of the developments planned visit the website.

Michael-john.co.uk Davidsonsgroup.co.uk

Business

Your business

& the internet

Think of the year 2000 and it doesn’t seem that long ago does it? But do you remember what the internet was like back then?

Business owners Mark and Diana Esho of Easy Internet do…

The owners of internet service hub Easy Internet remember just what the internet was like at the beginning of the millennium, recognised that it wasn’t just a passing fad, saw that it was a potential powerful tool for businesses, and began their journey on the ‘information superhighway’.

Mark set up his own business, Easy Internet Solutions. Today, under the Easy Internet hub, businesses can access services for search engine optimisation (SEO), photography, videography, copywriting, blogging, 92 | NICHE

social media marketing, web design and web hosting through tailored packages and as a budget company, their average customer pays around just £200pm.

This November the company celebrates its 16th anniversary.

Having hosted over 100,000 websites and driven forward the business of over 5,000 companies in terms of performance SEO and website design Easy Internet ensure their clients reach the correct audience.

It began in the year 2000 when Mark was working for a large charity but suffering with his disability caused by polio meant his job was becoming difficult so he set off to create his own path.

The internet called out to Mark.

It gave him the flexibility to work from home. He taught himself web design and had a university student help him. Mark came up with website ‘Houses Online,’ similar to Right Move but his idea was shunned at the time.

Business

“Mark and I strive to make sure dealing with us is a simple and straightforward process, it’s put into laymen’s terms and jargon free so clients completely understand what we are doing.”

Mark said: “Right Move is massive now but I think the site I set up was way before its time so I used up all my savings and looked at other ways to market it and that’s when I came across SEO. I taught myself SEO and that way I managed to get more people to listen to my idea but it was still relatively new, the internet hadn’t really taken off so I thought ok, what am I going to do now? I thought that SEO would take me further into the future.”

Originally named Rank4U, which would later become Easy Internet, Mark’s business plan was to offer his now expert SEO services for free to major well-known corporates all from his back bedroom in exchange for a testimonial. This kick-started his success and in 2002 his wife Diana joined him temporarily while out of work. Fourteen years later, Diana is now Director and has proved herself to be instrumental in the company’s success. An unlikely story you might think as having a background as a textile designer with little computer experience.

“My background was in fashion but Mark was so passionate about everything and he couldn’t get the right support [for his disability]. I wanted to explore this opportunity; it was exciting and he has always been very entrepreneurial. I helped set up better systems and learned about the whole industry. I was in control of optimising sites, doing all the linkage work, bookkeeping, and payment chasing! The pair of us from day one always liked to learn and self-develop – we didn’t realise way back then as to how much!” Dianna told us.

Easy Internet Solutions was then formed in 2004; a hub that would provide everything internet-based that a company would need from social media marketing to website hosting.

But the business had grew expotentially and in 2005, 80 per cent of their income came from large demanding companies. It was Diana’s idea to create a concentrated service for small to medium businesses. The new service was named 123 Ranking and eventually they favoured to work with smaller firms and clients.

Focusing on SME’s meant that Easy could really help the businesses who needed them. They aimed to drive their clients business forward and ensure they made a return on their investment.

“Mark and I strive to make sure dealing with us is a simple and straightforward process, it’s put into laymen’s terms and jargon free so clients completely understand what we are doing. We never overcharge because we know how hard it is to set up in business because we had to do it ourselves,” Diana said. Mark Added: “I think that’s why our clients like us and we’re still offering a high quality service at an affordable price.”

Diana explained why it is so important that their clients have trust in them: “When we started people didn’t need to see you and were happy to do business online but people trusted the influx of companies abroad offering to be cheaper et cetera but they then got caught up in the Google Algorithm’s

updates, which meant their sites got banned or penalised so it’s now gone full circle and people want to see who they’re dealing with again.”

As they continued to gain clients, the couple realised many of them had been ‘ripped off’ by thousands of pounds in the past. From this they decided to host web domains for any hobbyist or established firm for just a fraction of what they paid previously.

Now, anyone is able to register a domain name with Easy Internet from just £5.50pa and receive unlimited web hosting from £1.25pm.

They host charity’s websites for free and have designed whole sites for smaller local charities to give their cause prominence and also provide low costs for students. “It’s important to us to support the community. I’m passionate about helping people and especially helping disabled people get into work,” Mark said.

He is a Disability Confident representative, and Easy Internet are a Department of Work and Pensions employer, and Patrons of the Leicestershire Law Society. Mark was awarded the Entrepreneur of Excellence Award for Race at The National Diversity Awards 2012 as well as Highly Commended at the Institute of Directors East Midlands Awards 2016, and Diana was a finalist in the Women in Business Awards.

The couple invite you to get in touch for advice on driving your business or hobby forward.

Easy-internet.co.uk

NICHE | 93

#BUSINESS

SPOTLIGHT

The Fastest Growing Companies in Leicestershire

Zoe Hubbard

Business Owner at Zoe Hubbard Interior Design Based within Maison Interiors in Oadby, it’s Zoe’s job to evaluate and design functional and appealing interiors for commercial and residential clients.

Being a partner of an interiors firm she is able to offer a complete turnkey service from window treatment and wall coverings to flooring. It’s her role to advise customers how to coordinate these items and gently push them out of their comfort zones to create something a little extra special.

Her love for interior design came from her mum who would always have some kind of interior design TV show on or a paint brush in her hand. From this, Zoe dabbled in the design of her friends and family’s homes, gained a foundation degree in the subject, became a ‘Saturday girl’ at Snaiths of Leicester which cemented her interior design 94 | NICHE

dream, and went on to set up her business with support from The Prince’s Trust.

Things weren’t always so easy though, interior design courses weren’t available close to home so Zoe had to take on distance learning and sell her cleaning

business Hubbard’s Cleaning Cupboard at age 18 in order to eventually become Zoe Hubbard Interior Design.

INTERIOR DESIGN

Ann Stanley

Managing Director at Anicca Digital For nine years Ann Stanley has overseen the strategy for driving her company, Anicca Digital, and business strategy forward.

As a digital marketing consultant she trains clients to develop their business by using Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) and PPC. She loves the constant change of the digital landscape and the intellectual challenge that comes with keeping ahead of its evolution and keeping up to date in business.

“Train people well enough so they can leave, treat them well enough so they don’t,” Anicca Digital lives by this Richard Branson quote and consequently, they’ve grown from just three employs to a workforce of 24 and a client base starting with five to now over 50 including household names like Experian, Deichmann and Silverstone.

She says that for every pound a company pays Anicca Digital, they will make their client around five pounds back.

Inspired by David Attenborough and fascinated by forensic science, Ann feels lucky to have a career involving similar analytical processes as her company specialises in the science of search.

A degree in biological science laid the foundations for the business as it focused on analysing data and statistics; skills she still uses today, which keep Annica Digital ahead of the game. Studying at Leicester and De Montfort Universities, she finds Leicester hugely inspiring thanks to its diversity and multiculturalism.

Self-confessed workaholic though she admits she is, she’s also passionate about Formula One, rock music and spending as much time time as she can with her granddaughter.

helping yourself, the other for helping others.” Gursharon applies this notion to everyday life in and out of the office.

Gursharon Sangha

Solicitor and Head of Conveyancing at Lawson West Solicitors Audrey Hepburn once said: “As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for

In just seven months, Gursharon has had a great impact on client care and the conveyancing team with her enthusiastic support and attention. She enjoys the interaction between the clients and the satisfaction when a matter completes and sees that she has made a positive impact on a person’s life.

It was her sister who inspired her to become a solicitor after seeing her become one herself. Set on achieving her childhood dream, she worked for an LLB Hons Degree in Law and a Master’s Degree in HR as

well as gaining further qualifications and work experience. Lawson and West drew her to her current role with its great reputation for client and employee care. Gursharon describes her role as a challenging one and that she took it on after deciding it was time to take a leap.

Her family has always inspired her but lately, LCFC have shown her that perseverance and dedication can help her achieve anything.

Growing up in the multi-cultural city of Leicester, Gursharon believes that having interactions with people from all walks of life and the experiences she has had here have shaped the person she is today.

NICHE | 95

Those in Business have their say

Tax returns - what is due when?

It is that time of year again when people start to think about their tax return.

The deadline for submitting this year’s return online is 31 January 2017. However, did you know that you may be able to pay your tax liability through PAYE? If this is your preference (and if you are eligible), the tax return must be submitted by the earlier date of 30 December 2016. Remember, the 31 December is too late!

If the tax is not being collected through PAYE, the balancing payment is due 31 January 2017.

Please note that if your tax bill is over £1,000 then you may also need to pay two payments on account for the next tax year, one of which is also due on 31 January 2017!

For taxpayers in their first year of payments on account, this can be quite a nasty surprise if you do not find out about it until shortly before the payment deadline is actually due.

What if you are not already registered to submit a tax return?

Strictly speaking, the deadline to register is 5 October 2016.

However, HMRC will not charge a penalty as long as you pay your tax bill in full by the deadline. It usually takes around four weeks to register, so don’t delay - talk to us today. You can call or email us for support and advice for your financial queries.

Peter Morris 0116 242 3400 Torrwaterfield.co.uk 96 | NICHE

You are not alone Domestic abuse affects 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men in their lifetime.

It can be loosely defined as a situation where one person in a relationship tries to control or dominate the other through psychological, emotional or physical abuse.

Domestic abuse in any form is not something that you should have to deal with alone or in silence.

We appreciate that leaving a partner, whether they are abusive or not can be a difficult thing to do, especially if you are worried about the children of the family or if you feel that you will not have access to the family finances.

We, at Glynis Wright & Co understand the sensitivity of this difficult situation and we pride ourselves on confidentially helping you to protect yourself and your children from danger or threats, to allow you to rebuild your life in a safe and secure environment.

We understand that it is imperative to deal with domestic abuse issues swiftly but we also are aware of the importance of taking the time to understand your specific situation.

Our solicitors are sympathetic and supportive and are here to help you break free from an unfair situation.

Individually talented vs effective team Getting to grips with a group of individuals who don’t understand the behaviours required to be part of a high performing team is one of the great business challenges.

The demands and pressures that come with taking responsibility of running a business can lead to working copious amounts of hours.

Resulting in less family time, and a lot of headaches for what can sometimes feel like a thankless task, particularly when you watch your team fail to achieve their full potential. Let’s get back to basics: Teamwork - most employees will agree that this is vital, but each person will have a different picture of what effective teamwork looks like. Determine what type of team you really need to drive success. If you have a team that is truly reliant on each other working together, then you need a football team, not a relay team!

Clarity - regardless of the circumstances, your team are looking to you for direction, coaching, mentoring and feedback.

Communicate clearly and often.

Acceptance - be willing to let people go. Sometimes, an individual is just that. Accept that although talented, they may never be able to integrate as part of your team and behave in the way you want your culture to develop.

If you would like to talk about your personal situation and seek legal advice, get in touch.

Glynis Wright

If you need assistance and support with driving performance through working with teams, talk to one of the experts at Qdos Consulting.

Toni Robinson

0116 238 5680 Glyniswright.co.uk

01455 852 028 Qdoshr.com

It’s all in the detail...

When considering bricks and mortar, let us make sure you are building on strong financial foundations. Whether you need help with tax returns, rental or company accounts, then please call us for a FREE no obligation meeting.

0116 242 3400 www.torrwaterfield.co.uk

NICHE | 101

ISJ

W E A L T H MANAGEMENT

Retirement Planning, Trustee & Estate Planning, Protection Planning

LENA PATEL DipPFS Director Financial Planner

The value of pensions and investments can fall as well as rise. You may get back less than you invested.

21 New Walk Leicester LE1 6TE I 0116 296 0090 I isjwm.co.uk

Brexit’s effect – investing in Leicester

Leicester City Council have appointed a new Ambassador to their Inward Investment Committee – our Director Jenny Cross – she brings us the news from the latest meeting

The October meet discussed inward investment post-Brexit. Findings stated that the committee’s ‘Investor Signals’ tracking service has shown a significant increase in companies looking at Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in June-September 2016 compared to the same period in 2015. Because of this, motives for FDI in 2015 have shifted from a focus on opening new markets for products and services, gaining market share, and seeking foreign markets to a focus on projects concerning domestic market growth potential and proximity to markets or customers.

98 | NICHE

In 2015, the UK attracted more FDI jobs than France, Netherlands, Ireland, Italy and Belgium combined, and more than double the number of Germany. The WAVTEQ study on the impact of Brexit on FDI into the UK and implications for investment promotion indicated that short term impact affects businesses in terms of uncertainty. Long term implications depend on access to the single market and immigration policies.

Interestingly, it was reported that the fastest growing sectors in projects and jobs were renewable energy and tourism, whereas the

industries expected to grow in 2016 are construction and light industries.

Oil and gas extraction is expected to contract by 50 per cent plus and solar investment is stable with wind declining.

Among the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP) aims, is a target to seek to attract £2bn private sector investment, create 45,000 jobs, and work with partners to deliver traineeships and support apprenticeships.

Investinleicester.co.uk

WE HELP WITH: DIVORCE SEPARATION FINANCES DISPUTES OVER CHILDREN COHABITATION BREAKUPS

Award Winning Legal Firm of the Year 2015 CALL:

0116 238 5680 OR VISIT:

glyniswright.co.uk

Q View Christmas Parties: Drugs and Alcohol Meet the panel

Toni Robinson Director

David Barratt Head of Operations

Hema Mistry HR & Training Business Partner

Issues relating to drugs, substance misuse and alcohol in the workplace are a potential source of concern for all employers.

This concern is particularly pertinent during the Christmas holiday period. This month our panel of experts discuss the issue of drugs and alcohol, more specifically at work events.

Barbour, the leading IOSH, BIFM and USHA approved UK provider of health, safety and environmental information, has found that: •

One in four young people were reported as using drugs in the last 12 months.

•

One in ten workers has been found to use drugs.

•

There is an estimated £20 billion cost per year for employers in relation to drugs.

•

Between 3 - 5 % of absences in the workplace are related to alcohol. This amounts to around 14 million days per year.

Ruth Frank HS & Training Business Partner

Mark Stubbs HS & Training Business Partner

Manthan Ajit Junior HR Advisor

Why is it important for employers to have a proactive approach when tackling the issue of drugs, substance misuse and alcohol in the workplace?

Ruth: Generally because they have a duty of care to their employees. The context of the issue relates to drug or alcohol usage on an intermittent or continual basis which interferes with an employee’s conduct or work performance in areas of efficiency, productivity, safety or attendance at work.

Manthan: Vicarious liability is also extremely important in this situation.

Mark: Employers have a general duty under the Health & Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 to ensure, so far as reasonably practicable, that the health and welfare of their employees is considered. If an employer knowingly allows an employee under the influence of drugs or alcohol to continue working, and this places the employee and / or others at risk, then they could be prosecuted.

What can I do if there is a drugs or alcohol related issue with an employee at a Christmas function?

Manthan: Depending on the severity of the situation; you should address the situation there and then by perhaps sending any employees involved home.

As with any event, depending on the severity of the situation, the employer

employees where they feel it has an impact on the work and explain the impact on work is unacceptable.

Hema: The policy should be communicated prior to any Christmas party (even if it serves as a reminder to employees) so the employees are aware of the expected behaviour throughout work place events.

David: Perhaps taking aside any previous offences and have a quiet word prior to the event.

What should employers consider when reviewing their policy?

should meet with the employee and discuss the matter at the earliest opportunity.

Hema: Once you have established the facts, unless a more supportive view is deemed appropriate, you would then follow your normal disciplinary process.

Toni: What is key here, is employers need to remember at company events, that they have ongoing responsibilities for their employee’s actions. Even if the event is outside normal working time. This is known as vicarious liability.

What’s the best precaution for an employer to take?

Mark: Policies and awareness are the best approach, or if an employer is prepared to go to this length, they may be able to carry out checks on any individual in question. But if you’re going to implement a policy or start doing checks, the biggest issue is people perceiving this as an invasion of their privacy. Their point is often, “I come to work and what I do outside of work is nothing to do with you.”

Toni: To an extent, what employees do in their own time is up to them, but when it impacts on work it’s very much an employer’s business too. Employers need to be confident enough to approach

Toni: Make sure that your expected behaviour is written down and just as importantly, what won’t be tolerated and any potential consequences of breaches of the policies.

For instance, the removal from future events or that certain situations could warrant a potential dismissal.

Ruth: A lot of employers unfortunately have a policy that they haven’t even read.

I’ve seen a case where they wanted to dismiss someone, but when the policy was looked at, it turned out they couldn’t because their policy - like most - stated the certain stages that should be taken first. One of the main messages here is to ensure that employers are completely familiar with their own policy.

Make sure that your expected behaviour is written down and just as importantly, what won’t be tolerated and any potential consequences of breaches of the policies.

Hema: You can give them some guidance and point them in the right direction, but at what point do you stop being mum and start being an employer? You ultimately have to look after your business.

T: 01455 852028 W: www.qdoshr.com E: sales@qdosconsulting.com

Vicarious liability is also extremely important in this situation.

What should employers do if they suspect an employee to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol at work?

Toni: If you reserve the right to test, and have the testing kit, I’d definitely test. I’d suspend if I had adequate grounds to do so.

Hema: Suspension allows you time to gather your thoughts and evidence.

You’d still need to follow the disciplinary procedure as appropriate. The key is to get that initial evidence whilst it’s still in an individual’s system.

Manthan: If an employee went to a corporate event, and the next morning caused a road accident, it may actually be the company that was liable. Something employers need to be mindful of too.

With Christmas on the horizon what advice would you give to employers?

1.

If at the Christmas party you are supplying alcohol, consider the volumes;

2.

Think about encouraging accommodation / taxis for those drinking;

3.

Managers should not get carried away with work based conversations; such as salary and promotions, particularly if they might not remember them in the morning;

4.

You may want to omit the mistletoe; unwanted sexual harassment is not a recipe for a happy new year;

5.

Have a great night and celebrate team successes but if there are complaints, investigate quickly and follow a fair and proper process.

Those in Business have their say

Do your employees have a contract?

Peace of mind in turbulent times

Clinical negligence making a claim

As part of the Employment Rights Act 1996 an employee should be issued with a contract of employment or written statement of particulars within the first two months of employment.

Auto-enrolment can be regarded as a positive step in providing pensions for many workers. But doubts have been raised as to whether the level of savings being made will be enough to secure a comfortable retirement. In essence, while more people are saving, it’s likely they’re still not saving enough

When a healthcare professional fails to provide care of a reasonable standard and harm is caused to the patient as a result, it is classed as clinical or medical negligence.

This should contain; ◆ The organisation’s name. ◆ The employee’s name, job title and start date. ◆ How much and how often the employee will get paid. ◆ The hours of work. ◆ Details of holiday entitlement. ◆ Where an employee will be working and whether they might have to re-locate. ◆ The address of the company and if an employee works in different places where these will be.

It is also important to contain further information. A good contract of employment would contain robust restrictive covenants in order to protect the interests of the business.

It is advisable to have a comprehensive employee handbook that includes policies including disciplinary, grievance and equal opportunities amongst others. An employee handbook will minimise risk if an organisation is in receipt of a claim via an employment tribunal or court.

One insurer estimates the average pension size for those aged 30-40 is £14,000 but that a 35 year old today needs to save £660,000 into their pension in retirement to maintain the same standard of living as a pensioner today.

The Pensions Policy Institute (PPI) 2015 suggests pensioners will have insufficient funds for their retirement. This was based on a person aged 35-44 earning an average wage of £27,000pa, saving the required 8%. In order to have a comfortable retirement income, the worker would need to save enough to generate a retirement income of £18,000 a year in retirement.

Don’t be caught out, and make sure you are legally compliant.

While auto-enrolment has its merits, the evidence is compelling that consideration should be given to supplementing these savings as the gap between pension savings and a comfortable retirement widens. With other savings and investment opportunities available, it makes sense to speak with to ISJWM and consider additional ways to build funds and save.

For further advice you can contact us at Atom HR for peace of mind.

We can guide you throughout the journey. Ivan Spibey

Value of pensions and investments and the income they produce can fall and rise. You may get back less than you invested. Lena Patel

0116 212 1153/07712 115 663 info@atomhr.co.uk Atomhr.co.uk

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These cases are distressing and making a recompense claim can be harrowing. When you receive poor treatment, it can leave you feeling isolated or vulnerable but at Lawson West our expert lawyers know how to handle such cases with dignity and reassurance with a genuine no win no fee guarantee.

Our aim is to help you put your life back on track and make your claim as easy as possible.

A member of our dedicated team will assess all details of your case. By providing our full attention and support, and agreeing a way forward, we endeavour to secure maximum compensation on your behalf.

We do our best to avoid court hearings which can be a traumatic experience for clients but pursued, we fully prepare you for the process. Your appointed lawyer will ensure your comfort by meeting on mutual ground or discussing your case over the phone. Some cases can take years to settle so our lawyers keep in touch every month regardless, to keep you up to date on your case. Call me for a free consultation.

Vickki Ridgway

0116 212 1000 Lawson-west.co.uk

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Your finance team

NICHE | 103

Solicitors for you and your business Based in the heart of Leicester, Hollingsworths is a specialist litigation, dispute resolution and commercial law practice offering clear, cost-effective and practical legal advice to help you achieve results and solve your problems.

Our friendly and experienced team provides services for businesses and individuals across the country, from large national organisations to local, owner-managed businesses in Leicester.

Hollingsworths Solicitors 19, New Walk, Leicester LE1 6TE

Tel: 0116 204 7260

I see our role as solving problems, from recovering a small debt to drafting complex contracts, a business break up to a restrictive covenant problem.

Our goal is to help and support our clients to make their lives and businesses better.

Email: mail@hlegal.co.uk

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LITIGATION | COMMERCIAL | DEBT RECOVERY | CORPORATE RECOVERY & INSOLVENCY

Solutions in Human Resources & Employment Law

Atom HR are Human Resources and Employment Law consultants based in Leicestershire, with coverage throughout the UK

We believe that understanding and complying with HR & Employment Law shouldn’t be like splitting the atom

104 | NICHE

0116 212 1153 0771 211 5663 www.atomhr.co.uk info@atomhr.co.uk We offer solutions to suit organisations of all sizes, but typically provide a comprehensive service to small and medium sized business. We can provide full Human Resources and Employment Law advice, but also act as a partner with larger organisations who already have a HR specialist in place.

Atom HR will simplify the world of human resources and employment law, and this will enable you, the employer, to make the correct commercial business decisions.

Our approach is flexible and we can provide a full or ad-hoc service.

To fully understand how we can help you, contact us for a free no obligation consultation

Q & A with Nat and Adam There’s an awful lot that people want to know about video. We get asked a variety of questions, some predictable and some surprising.

We’ve compiled a list of our favourites so you can get some insight into our work.

Q A

How important is the brief from clients?

Adam: Hugely important, you need to understand the clients vision and make sure everybody is on the same page heading in to a shoot.

Q A

What is the best location to film in?

Nat: A controlled environment is always best for filming; there is nothing worse than diverse weather conditions or poor lighting. A quiet room is best for filming, but it shouldn’t be empty as it creates echoes. It’s always best to have a visually pleasing background in a shot.

Q A

Do you have a preferred interviewing style?

Nat: Personally I prefer open question interviews where the interviewer is off camera and is not audible. I think videos with people telling their own story without interference from another source work best.

A

Adam: I like to make the interviewee as comfortable as possible to keep them focused and confident. It’s easy to slip up in front of a camera but if you keep on top of it then you can guide even the most shy of speakers.

Q A

How long does it take to edit a film?

Adan: A lot longer than people think.

The smallest of change to an edit can completely unbalance everything.

Depending on the output of course.

Colour correction is all about how much time you put in also. There are no presets or quick fixes with colour balance.

Q

What is your favourite camera to use?

A Nat: Every camera works different in different situations, so far I prefer using a Canon 6D as it’s reliable on shoot.

A

Adam: My favourite camera is the DJI Osmo, it was a real game changer. To be able to get cinematic shots in full 4k on such a small and agile device is fantastic. It lets me be as creative as possible too. It’s not as effective in low light but it’s about choosing when and how to use it.

Q A

What has been your favourite Kinetal video to date?

Nat: As a new editor at Kinetal I can’t point out a ‘favourite’ project but so far each one has been new and exciting to work on.

A

Adam: The overseas tech conferences we recently filmed in Toronto & Atlanta were experiences that I’ll never forget and the videos are perhaps the finest examples of our work. But it’s hard to choose a favourite! It’s almost feels like choosing your favourite child!

Q A

Name your favourite dream project.

Nat: Filming a documentary style video would be the ultimate dream.

I would love to be able to investigate and then put together a story that is real and touches hearts.

A

Adam: I’d love to create another music video. Something super creative and fast paced. They’re really the ultimate challenge for a video producer.

Viral Videos of 2016 HOT Chewbacca Mom – melting hearts all across the land!

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NOT Dr Jean’s Banana Dace – because we all want to make a song and dance about avocados Hotline Bling parodies – Drake did it better (and worse).

Pen Pineapple Apple Pen – just … what?!

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“We contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle” Sir Winston Churchill

Adviser tax avoidance penalties: Accountants and financial advisers urged to seek advice themselves In a bid to clamp down on tax avoidance, new HMRC proposals have recently been put forward which are aimed at stopping accountants, financial advisers and any other intermediaries involved in selling tax avoidance schemes to their clients, from bending the tax rules.

And, although as a UK tax adviser I applaud the principle, I do worry about the reality.

Without rigorous safeguards I fear that accountants and other advisers who have simply assisted clients to be more tax-efficient, rather than introducing them to tax savings schemes, could also face tough penalties.

Under the new proposals, advisers who help clients to gain tax advantages that HMRC thinks were never intended by Parliament could be fined up to 100 per cent of the tax bill that had been avoided.

Until now, tax avoidance penalties have only been targeted at the taxpayers themselves – not the people who advise them on their tax affairs.

Clear lines need to be drawn so that accountants and other advisers know what actually constitutes tax planning in this context – and the penalties need to be fair and proportionate, and definitely not retrospective. If, as an accountant or tax adviser, you didn’t make introductions, didn’t advise on the scheme, etc., then it is vital that you cannot penalised.

Another worry for advisers is how to respond if a client asks you for your opinion on a tax saving scheme they’ve been told about it.

Are we allowed to advise our clients on the technical issues and anti-avoidance provisions or will we be laying ourselves open to penalties if we give them any advice at all, except to ignore the scheme?

The new proposals are indeed complex so I would highly recommended that those accountants and other advisers giving tax advice first seek advice themselves to ensure that they remain on the right side of the regulations.

For more information and advice on corporation tax, please contact Pete Miller on 0116 208 1020

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UK Tax legislation is the most complex in the world and, when you’re looking at the Taxation Of Company Reorganisations, Pete, literally, wrote the book The Miller Partnership are experts in all aspects of corporation tax, specialties include: Taxation of corporate transactions, mergers, acquisitions, disposals, demergers, reorganisations & reconstructions HMRC clearances Transactions in securities anti-avoidance legislation Taxation of corporate intangible assets & goodwill Disguised remuneration Taxation of partnerships Patent Box

T: 0116 208 1020 M: 07802 197 269 The Miller Partnership 5 Museum Square, Leicester LE1 6UF

www.themillerpartnership.com pete.miller@themillerpartnership.com

NICHE | 107

How to in your business Business leader Leanne Bonner-Cooke tells Niche how she encourages

businesses to master the art of innovation using

the tools they have right in front of them We can all innovate in some capacity, not least when we have to. Sometimes, when you have limited access to things you have to be creative with the things you do have around you, (I’m sure I’m not the only one to have fashioned an emergency dog lead either from a belt or some binder twine at some point?), it just takes the goalposts to move slightly and you are pushed to think outside the box, and I believe that’s good for us.

◆ Crucial to the continuing success of any organisation

I define innovation as: ◆ The application of better solutions that meet a new method, idea, service, product, process, technology or business models

Don’t feel like it’s solely your job as a business owner to innovate within your business. The best ideas for change come from the ground up; from the people doing the job on the front line who are immersed in it and see inefficiencies and experience the frustrations that causes first hand. So, it’s important

◆ Something original and more effective, which as a consequence is different in some way

We all might define innovation differently, but in business, I’ve found it to be key in moving forward and staying ahead of the competition. Easier said than done you might think, and you’re right.

But, hopefully this article will help you to identify innovation in your business and to benefit from it in a continual process.

you harness that to be able to drive it. Keep communication open and honest and encourage feedback sessions from your workforce. You should find workers identifying innovative ideas when offered the platform that encourages the discussion.

There is a very simple strategy in identifying, guiding and developing innovative ideas in your business that you may find useful. ‘Log It, Fix It, Lose It’, is an approach proven to prioritise good ideas and aids you to manage decisions in moving them forward to fruition.

This approach is how we encourage and manage innovation at Evolve and is part of the reason behind our continued success.

How does it work?

Each suggestion and idea put forward is graded in terms of ‘ease’ and ‘benefit’ in a spreadsheet log designed especially for the innovation process.

The Log It, Fix It, Lose It approach encourages the following actions: LOG IT When an issue or innovation opportunity is identified the team record it in the log

Together the team decides whether the issue can be removed or the innovation implemented by a quick fix, or whether it requires further analysis etc LOSE IT When we have implemented agreed solutions, we track performance against cost Within the log, ‘benefits’ will include grading for cost reduction, time saved, transferability and revenue improvements, and ‘ease’ will be graded around support, project duration, measurability and data availability (we can show you how, just get in touch using the details at the end of this article).

Categorise your ideas/change An innovative idea or improvement doesn’t always mean big changes in the way things are done. They may be quick and easy to change and often bite size chunks are easier to handle and you see the benefits quicker. Changes can be categorised as follows: Do this week – Remedial actions Fixing things that have broken – quick hits, little improvements

FIX IT If the identifier can ‘fix it’ they do so and record the actions taken on the log

Do this month – Improvements Making existing systems and routines better, eliminating unnecessary activity, reducing errors, eliminating significant waste and non-value-adding activities

If the identifier cannot ‘fix it’, an improvement team help evaluate the issue or innovation against the prioritisation tool

Longer term changes – New processes or systems Step change improvement in operational performance, new

An innovative idea or improvement doesn’t always mean big changes in the way things are done systems, different approaches, etc leading to innovation You will naturally identify where your idea or innovation fits when you grade the ease and benefits of it.

Changes can be made around process, people or technology or a combination, and much of the innovation you identify will have a direct cost attached to it but will generate a significant return on your investment.

If you are interested in innovating your business and finding out more about how to apply the Log it, Fix it, Lose it strategy, get in touch with Evolve.

0116 298 7460 Evolve-consultants.co.uk NICHE | 109

Those in Business have their say

Will writing - the ins and outs Our client Sally Smith reviews her experience with K4 Law. I thought I knew most aspects about what I would write into my will already but sought advice from K4 Law Owner Nick Foreman. We started with the basics – I’m a homeowner in my 20s living with my partner with no children. I learnt that I’m able to plan in a Will. By this I mean I could have my Will written to my current situation but add in future wishes for when I’m married or do have children.

The initial ideas I had were to leave everything to one person and entrust they would share this appropriately. As Nick pointed out though, this cannot be guaranteed and if I have certain wishes, the best way is to implement them precisely in my Will.

When discussing having an executor, naturally I would choose my father but Nick brought to my attention that by the time my Will is read, my father may not be here to secure my wishes, so would there be anyone closer to my own to suit this position.

Working with Hope All businesses, organisations and not for profit groups have the need to communicate effectively and efficiently when responding to their current and prospective clients.

Due to the diverse customer base we have at Dalys, our experience in working with so many business sectors gives us a vast knowledge of the solutions that could make an enormous difference in the way they work. And, when working with charities and not for profit bodies, a cost effective telephony solution is paramount.

Dalys is very pleased to have been able to help with a variety of charities, in particular The Hope Foundation for Cancer Research, this fabulous Leicestershire and Rutland charity raise funds for vital research work. As an example, Hope is in partnership with the University of Leicester and University Hospitals of Leicester to offer local people with cancer the opportunity to take part in clinical trials, one of only a few such facilities outside London.

Look out for the next installment...

Nick Foreman

Dalys has worked with Hope since our 10th Anniversary in 2006 when we chose them as our ‘Charity of the Year’! Now in our 20th year, we have since worked with Hope to upgrade their system, which means keeping in contact with supporters, fundraisers and volunteers, a far better experience. We’ve also assisted them to make considerable savings on their line rental and call costs, which is vital for charities. Peter Daly

0116 216 0510 K4law.com

0116 242 6996 Dalys.co.uk

I left with a few aspects to consider that before meeting, had not crossed my mind. I have made decisions that I am happy with and am looking forward to our next meeting.

110 | NICHE

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INVITES YOU TO LEICESTERSHIRE LAW SOCIETY‘S

CHRISTMAS NETWORKING EVENT FOR LOROS ON THE 1ST DECEMBER FROM 4 - 8.30PM

Making Christmas Breakfast & Lunch Way Perfect In Every Mulled wine and nibbles | Wine & Gin Tasting

Event Catering | Visit Santa Event Catering Afternoon Tea | Cake Decorating Opportunity to shop from a variety of the Wistow Shops Evening Visit Santa LOROS scratch cards and Lottery |Events Lovely get together evening Carols by Choir Spectaculars | Selfie with Santa Canapés by Wistow Café Bistro

Tickets are £15 each to book go to

Afternoon Tea

www.leicestershirelawsociety.org.uk/events All proceeds go to

Cake Decorating Evening Events Telephone: 0116 259 3756 Email: wistow@uwclub.net | www.wistowcafebistro.co.uk Kibworth Road, Wistow, Leicestershire LE8 0QF

Santa’s Grotto opens 26th November to book go to www.wistowgrotto.co.uk

LEICESTERSHIRE

Leicester’s Economic action plan It’s been four years since Leicester City Mayor Peter Soulsby launched his first Economic Action Plan back in 2012 during difficult economic circumstances.

Mr Soulsby said: “We could not have envisaged back then just how much success the city would achieve. The discovery and reinterment of Richard III’s remains and Leicester City securing the Premier League title, against all the odds, have propelled the city onto the global stage.”

The Consultation Draft of the 2017 Economic Action Plan state that unemployment has fallen dramatically by 60 per cent and youth unemployment by 70 per cent, assisted by the Leicester to Work programme creating over 1200 apprenticeships and work placements.

Feats of the 2012-2016 Economic Action Plan • 5160 Jobs Created (900 ahead of target) • 889 Apprenticeships created (780 ahead of target) • 369 Work placements created (144 ahead of target) • 137 Graduate placements (62 ahead of target) • 1,920 businesses supported (1,020 ahead of target) • 214,000 sq ft new business space at Makers Yard, Dock, Food Park,

Photo Credit: Keith Cooper of North Light Images

Friars Mill, Ashton Green (64,000sq ft ahead of target) • 237,561 sq. ft new/refurbished Grade A office space (27,500sq ft down on target) • £70m investment delivered (£40m ahead of target) • £30m inward investment attracted • 5327 homes built • Delivered major regeneration projects: o Connecting Leicester o Market Food Hall o Belgrave Flyover o Haymarket Bus Station o Jubilee Square o Cathedral Gardens • 10 million leisure and visitor days to the city in 2015 • Tourism sector value £570m in 2015 The Mayor has explained: “The [2017] plan concentrates on actions and initiatives that will be led by the city council or where the council plays a key role. It doesn’t try to capture all the work that will be done or that needs to be led by other partners, for example in the area of business support. That is deliberate so that we can be

properly accountable for the things we have promised to do.”

Leicester’s Ambitions by 2020 • Promote and keep Leicester on the international map • Unlock growth by delivering infrastructure for development at Waterside, Ashton Green and Pioneer Park/Space Park • Transform the landscape of the city centre through regeneration projects at the Market, former New Walk Centre, Cultural Quarter, Old Town • Secure Investment of £100m for jobs and growth • Modernise our key visitor attractions • Attract and retain the best talent and develop the skills of our workforce • Lever £50m of new inward investment • Build 6800 homes • Support 1500 Businesses • Create 3000 Jobs • Create 1000 Apprenticeships • Deliver Superfast Broadband to more than 99% of Leicester households • Enable 6,500 more people to use public transport / cycle / walk

Devoted to raising money for LOROS and with an impressive event management portfolio, Imogen Cox of Cartwright King is at it again putting together some seriously frivolous occasions to help raise money for a worthy cause she has put on over the past six years and wanted to continue her support by serving up festive mulled wine and fresh canapés for this merry event.

Christmas Drinks at Wistow

Wistow Rural Centre will be holding a Christmas Drinks event hosted by President of the Leicestershire Law Society and Director of Cartwright King Solicitors, Imogen Cox that will take place from 4pm – 8pm on 1 December. st

As an ambassador and continued supporter of LOROS, who care for over 2,500 people across Leicestershire and Rutland, Imogen wanted to create an event that would combine charity fundraising with business networking.

The occasion provides a fantastic opportunity for networking in a fashion unlike any normal business event. Business leaders from all over Leicester will get together at Wistow for the cheerful festivities joined by Leicester choir The Spectaculars, wine and gin tasting experiences, quirky stalls from around the centre, and nibbles provided by the Wistow Café Bistro run by Jane Clifford.

Jane has supported Imogen’s fundraising fashion shows that

Imogen sits on the criminal board subcommittee, is a ‘Recommended Lawyer’ in the Legal 500, and was voted Leicestershire Law Society Solicitor of the year 2015. Every year, she helps to raise thousands for LOROS and looks forward to her Christmas Drinks event; the first of its kind.

Imogen and Jane will deck the halls at Wistow this December and hope to see you there.

Book your tickets for each event by emailing office@ leicestershirelawsociety.org.uk or calling 07929 150 597.

Richard III: A King on Trial

What role did King Richard III play in the disappearance and subsequent death of his two nephews, the Princes in the Tower?

King Richard himself will be in court to stand trial and you, the jury, will decide upon his innocence or guilt.

Held 3rd November, 3pm at Council Chamber in the Town Hall, the trial will be prosecuted by Queen’s Counsel from 36 Bedford Row and Imogen will be Junior and the defence team will be Helen Johnson of Emery Johnson Astills.

The prosecution will call Dominic Mancini and Sir Thomas More.

The defence will call the Bishop of Lincoln and Margaret of York, Duchess of Burgundy and HHJ Simon Hammond the presiding Judge will sum up.

The trial will look at the 15 century evidence and how modern forensic techniques would help today. You’ll hear from narrators, Christl Hughes, who will outline the evidence, and David Lee who will outline current law and forensic methods. th

Whilst mulling over the evidence enjoy networking over drinks and nibbles before hearing the verdict.

This event is not intended to be an accurate historical representation but is staged for your enjoyment only.

Business

Leicestershire Law Society’s fundraising and networking events

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THE LEICESTER BUSINESS FESTIVAL

WHERE BUSINESSES CONNECT From 24 October to 4 November there will be a unique gathering of business leaders, industry experts and academic authorities at De Montfort University (DMU), where the 2016 Leicester Business Festival will be held It’s the largest business event in the East Midlands and is sponsored by DMU’s Leicester Castle Business School. Highcross Leicester, Smooth Radio and many more high profile names are sponsors and affiliate partners of LBF. It will feature nearly 120 events covering topics such as autonomous vehicle testing, company productivity, digital marketing, Brexit, web design, workplace health, yoga and much more.

Organisations running events include Big Sound Marketing, LOROS Hospice, South Leicestershire College, Newby Castleman Financial Services, Leicester City Council, Newenglish Design, Incrementa, Rock Kitchen Harris, and Brewin Dolphin.

Niche Magazine will run an event on 3 November in the Lumbers hospitality suite focusing on Leicestershire vintner Rothley Wine and how the economy benefits from a market globally biased towards traditional European vineyards.

Divided into nine key business sectors, LBF will reflect the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership’s (LLEP) recognition of areas that hold the greatest level of economic opportunity for growth in the region. These are logistics, food and drink production, tourism and hospitality, textiles manufacturing, low carbon, creative industries, professional and financial services, sport and health and engineering and advanced manufacturing.

LBF board member Alister de Ternant said: “Interest in the region’s industries could never be stronger and businesses truly recognise the benefits of engagement with the festival. The board is especially delighted that around a third of events at the Leicester Business Festival are being hosted in the wider districts. This truly demonstrates the breadth and importance of the collaboration between the city and the county.”

Contact the festival’s strategic partner, Champions (UK) plc for more information 08453 313 031

Leicesterbusinessfestival.com NICHE | 115

Business

Beyond office supplies s e b c i p ff o

Meetings with a difference

Smart, contemporary, chic and fitted to the highest specification, St Martins House conference rooms offer a unique space and conference coordinator

If you walk just a short stretch away from the clock tower in our city centre, you’ll find yourself stumbling across the cobbled alleyways that lead to a modern courtyard surrounded by buildings steeped in history and no doubt a myriad of secrets hidden within their walls.

The Historic Quarter that is Leicester’s little hidden gem is home to St Martins House. You may be visiting the conference centre this December for the Christmas Party that you’ve organised for

your employees, or you may have attended a boardroom meeting with a difference arranged by one of your sophisticated business partners. Whatever the reason for your visit, you’ll have been a part of one of St Martins remarkable corporate experiences just as Estée Lauder did when they held their senior team meeting at the centre for 70 guests in the Grand Hall. The beauty brand chose a cabaret style meeting and used St Martin’s state of the art in-house AV facilities to run their presentations.

St Martins will put together an intimate small gathering event in the 19th century styled Bishops room for up to 12 people accompanied by buffet-style nibbles and soft drinks, or they will put on a fabulous display in the magnificent Grand Hall with glorious high vaulted ceilings and historical features accommodating up to 200 people with luxury three course gala dinners, cocktails and entertainment.

And with a dedicated event planner who will take into consideration

Originally built in 1877, St Martins House is a stunning Grade II listed former Grammar School that opened as a Conference Centre in January 2011.

your needs, taste and theme, your event, conference or corporate party will run smoothly leaving you to sit back and enjoy it as though you are a guest there yourself.

Just a few noteworthy events to be hosted by the expert planners this year are the BNI Hydra weekly breakfast meeting, the RIBA Awards evening with their colleagues in the cathedral, a warm welcome to Marks & Spencer and their regional section managers and in April they celebrated their award from Leicester College for the Apprentice Employer Award.

Originally built in 1877, St Martins House is a stunning Grade II listed former Grammar School that opened as a Conference Centre in January 2011. An elegant mixing of period features with contemporary styling has ensured that St Martins House has not only won awards for the quality of its refurbishment,

but also stands out from the crowd giving you, the event organiser, something truly unique.

What will possibly stand out most to your clients, colleagues or partners though will be the food.

High-quality, aesthetically pleasing dishes will keep your guests happy and give them a deserving break and talking point besides business. The famed and award winning catering at St Martins House offers a full tasting option and flexibility towards all dietary requirements. The Lord’s Taverners chose St Martins House for their launch dinner for the East Midlands Regional Leicestershire Branch. The dinner focused on the theme of giving young people, particularly those with special needs, a sporting chance. It was attended by Paul Nixon, ex-Leicestershire and England wicket-keeper, who was the evening’s key speaker and the face of our last issue’s front cover

photographed inside the centre.

They enjoyed a drinks reception, slow roasted plum tomato, red onion and buffalo mozzarella tart, free range chicken breast with chorizo mashed potato, seasonal vegetables, lentil and smoked pancetta jus and a dark chocolate and raspberry tart with vanilla pod ice cream and fruit coulis. After dinner a sixties tribute band got everyone dancing and The Lord’s Taverners were extremely happy with their evening and are now planning to hold further events at St Martins House.

If you’d like to find out how St Martins could coordinate your corporate events and meetings, get in touch with a member of the team.

Stmartinshouse.com 0116 261 5200 bookings@stmartinshouse.com

making getting from A to B that much easier Established, trusted Leicester taxi firm launch innovative driver service and make getting around much more of a sophisticated service for users and drivers alike

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Reliable, long-standing taxi AM firm ADT taxis of9:41Leicester and surrounding areas have been the go to firm for many of us over the years and now with the launch of their new riide app the whole process just got even better for rider and driver. The convenient, easy to use app is free to download and is set to make waves in the way we travel in and around the city and across the UK. So, aside from how easy the app is to get, how will it make things better for you, the rider?

Competitively priced fares

Highly competitive in the market place with set fares meaning you know your journey is charged at no more than the going rate.

Convenience from the word go

No need to call an office, wait in a line, or wave from a curb. Tap ‘request’ on your phone from the comfort of indoors and wait for a smart phone notification that your driver is ‘arriving now’. You can even track their progress on its way to you. Gone are the days of waiting in the cold or dark.

Convenience at your destination

No panic for finding cash, your payment is charged to the card riide taxi leaflets 2.indd 3 attached to the app with a receipt sent to you by email.

Improved Service

As each driver is rated by users you can be sure of great service as drivers have incentive to maintain a clean car and provide good service.

What about if you are a driver, why is riide good for you?

Ultimate flexibility

You can work as much or as little as you want. The phone/application can be turned on at any time to work and turned off just as easily, perfect for you to have your own schedule and a great way to fix around you and your life.

Earn as little or as much as you like

Because you choose when you work and the hours you work if you are in need of some more fund that month simply work more hours of your own choosing.

Independent working

Although there is support from the riide team you have the freedom to do as you please when it comes to hours and methods of working, of course you are a representative of the company and would adhere to their ethos, but no one is over your shoulder.

Guidance

With the riide app you can get route guidance and full tracking, meaning you can be 100% confident when driving clients.

No fuss working payments

you get charged a flat commission rate So, basically, riide is great for both parties, rider and driver get excellent results from the riide app which is set to change the way we riide and drive in the city and beyond. Travel the right way, travel 18/08/2016 17:14 the riide way.

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For help with

EVENT MANAGEMENT / ADVERTISING / MARKETING MANAGEMENT / SOCIAL MEDIA CONTRACT PUBLISHING / PHOTOGRAPHY / CREATIVE DIRECTION / BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

#GetCross

0116 271 2573 Crossproductions.co.uk

䐀爀椀瘀椀渀最 嘀愀氀甀攀Ⰰ 䐀爀椀瘀椀渀最 䈀甀猀椀渀攀猀猀 䌀椀琀礀 䌀漀洀洀甀渀椀挀愀琀椀漀渀猀 猀瀀攀挀椀愀氀椀猀攀 椀渀 䌀椀琀礀 䌀漀洀洀甀渀椀挀愀琀椀漀渀猀 猀瀀攀挀椀愀氀椀猀攀 椀渀 昀漀挀甀猀攀搀 挀愀洀瀀愀椀最渀猀 琀栀愀琀 眀椀氀氀 猀瀀爀攀愀搀 琀栀攀 爀攀愀挀栀 愀渀搀 瘀椀猀椀戀椀氀椀琀礀 漀昀 礀漀甀爀 戀甀猀椀渀攀猀猀 甀猀椀渀最 䐀椀最椀琀愀氀 䴀愀爀欀攀琀椀渀最⸀唀猀椀渀最 琀栀攀 椀渀琀攀爀渀攀琀 琀漀 搀攀氀椀瘀攀爀 瀀爀漀ⴀ 洀漀琀椀漀渀愀氀 洀愀爀欀攀琀椀渀最 洀攀猀猀愀最攀猀 琀漀 挀漀渀猀甀洀攀爀猀 椀猀 漀渀攀 漀昀 琀栀攀 洀漀猀琀 瀀漀眀攀爀昀甀氀 琀漀漀氀猀 甀猀攀搀 戀礀 戀甀猀椀渀攀猀猀攀猀 琀漀搀愀礀⸀ 䜀爀漀眀椀渀最 愀渀 漀渀氀椀渀攀 瀀爀攀猀攀渀挀攀 昀漀爀 礀漀甀爀 戀甀猀椀渀攀猀猀 栀愀猀 渀攀瘀攀爀 戀攀攀渀 愀猀 椀洀瀀漀爀琀愀渀琀⸀ 圀栀攀琀栀攀爀 椀琀 琀愀欀攀猀 琀栀攀 昀漀爀洀 漀昀 攀洀愀椀氀 洀愀爀欀攀琀椀渀最Ⰰ 猀攀愀爀挀栀 攀渀最椀渀攀 洀愀爀欀攀琀椀渀最Ⰰ 猀漀挀椀愀氀 洀攀搀椀愀 洀愀爀欀攀琀椀渀最 漀爀 搀椀猀ⴀ 猀攀愀 瀀氀愀礀 愀搀瘀攀爀琀椀猀椀渀最⸀ 圀栀攀渀 甀琀椀氀椀猀攀搀 挀漀爀爀攀挀琀氀礀Ⰰ 漀渀氀椀渀攀 洀愀爀欀攀琀椀渀最 挀愀渀 栀愀瘀攀 洀愀渀礀 戀攀渀攀昀椀琀猀⸀ 吀栀攀 挀漀猀琀 漀昀 洀愀爀欀攀琀椀渀最 礀漀甀爀 戀甀猀椀渀攀猀猀 漀渀氀椀渀攀 椀猀 洀甀挀栀 氀漀眀攀爀 琀栀愀渀 甀猀椀渀最 漀琀栀攀爀 洀愀爀欀攀琀椀渀最 琀漀漀氀猀⸀ 䤀琀 椀猀 愀 洀漀爀攀 猀甀挀挀攀猀猀昀甀氀 眀愀礀 漀昀 眀愀琀挀栀椀渀最 礀漀甀爀 戀甀搀最攀琀 愀渀搀 攀瘀攀渀 漀甀爀 猀洀愀氀氀攀爀 瀀愀挀欀愀最攀猀 挀愀渀 戀攀 栀椀最栀氀礀 猀甀挀挀攀猀猀昀甀氀⸀ 一漀琀 漀渀氀礀 搀漀攀猀 椀琀 挀漀猀琀 氀攀猀猀Ⰰ 戀甀琀 愀氀猀漀 琀栀攀 洀攀愀猀甀爀愀戀椀氀椀琀礀 漀昀 琀栀攀 挀愀洀瀀愀椀最渀밂猀 猀甀挀挀攀猀猀 椀猀 洀甀挀栀 攀愀猀椀攀爀⸀ 匀漀挀椀愀氀 䴀攀搀椀愀 椀猀 愀 昀愀猀琀 最爀漀眀椀渀最 椀渀琀攀爀愀挀琀椀漀渀 愀洀漀渀最 瀀攀漀瀀氀攀 眀椀琀栀椀渀 眀栀椀挀栀 礀漀甀 挀愀渀 挀爀攀愀琀攀Ⰰ 猀栀愀爀攀 愀渀搀 攀砀挀栀愀渀最攀 椀渀昀漀爀洀愀琀椀漀渀 愀渀搀 椀搀攀愀猀 椀渀 瘀椀爀琀甀愀氀 挀漀洀洀甀渀椀琀椀攀猀 愀渀搀 渀攀琀眀漀爀欀猀⸀ 匀漀挀椀愀氀 洀攀搀椀愀 洀愀渀愀最攀洀攀渀琀 挀愀渀 栀攀氀瀀 礀漀甀 琀漀 甀渀搀攀爀猀琀愀渀搀 礀漀甀爀 戀爀愀渀搀Ⰰ 瀀爀漀搀甀挀琀猀Ⰰ 挀漀洀瀀攀琀椀琀漀爀猀 愀渀搀 礀漀甀爀 洀愀爀欀攀琀瀀氀愀挀攀⸀

匀漀挀椀愀氀 䴀攀搀椀愀 椀猀 愀 昀愀猀琀 最爀漀眀椀渀最 椀渀琀攀爀愀挀琀椀漀渀 愀洀漀渀最 瀀攀漀瀀氀攀 眀椀琀栀椀渀 眀栀椀挀栀 礀漀甀 挀愀渀 挀爀攀愀琀攀Ⰰ 猀栀愀爀攀 愀渀搀 攀砀挀栀愀渀最攀 椀渀昀漀爀洀愀琀椀漀渀 愀渀搀 椀搀攀愀猀 椀渀 瘀椀爀琀甀愀氀 挀漀洀洀甀渀椀琀椀攀猀 愀渀搀 渀攀琀眀漀爀欀猀⸀ 椀渀 匀漀挀椀愀氀 洀攀搀椀愀 洀愀渀愀最攀洀攀渀琀 挀愀渀 栀攀氀瀀 礀漀甀 琀漀 甀渀搀攀爀猀琀愀渀搀 礀漀甀爀 戀爀愀渀搀Ⰰ 瀀爀漀搀甀挀琀猀Ⰰ 挀漀洀瀀攀琀椀琀漀爀猀 愀渀搀 礀漀甀爀 洀愀爀欀攀琀瀀氀愀挀攀⸀ 䈀礀 戀攀挀漀洀椀渀最 愀眀愀爀攀 漀昀 礀漀甀爀 猀漀挀椀愀氀 氀愀渀搀猀挀愀瀀攀 礀漀甀 挀愀渀 戀攀最椀渀 琀漀 氀椀猀琀攀渀Ⰰ 甀渀搀攀爀猀琀愀渀搀 愀渀搀 攀渀最愀最攀 琀漀 戀甀椀氀搀 愀 最愀琀攀ⴀ 眀愀礀 眀椀琀栀 礀漀甀爀 挀氀椀攀渀琀⸀ 圀攀 甀渀搀攀爀猀琀愀渀搀 琀栀愀琀 攀瘀攀爀礀 戀甀猀椀渀攀猀猀 椀猀 甀渀椀焀甀攀 愀渀搀 琀栀愀琀 搀椀昀昀攀爀攀渀琀 猀漀挀椀愀氀 洀攀搀椀愀 洀愀渀愀最攀洀攀渀琀 瀀氀愀琀昀漀爀洀猀 洀愀礀 戀攀 漀昀 最爀攀愀琀攀爀 戀攀渀攀昀椀琀 琀漀 礀漀甀爀 戀甀猀椀渀攀猀猀 琀栀愀渀 漀琀栀攀爀猀⸀ 圀攀 挀愀渀 漀昀昀攀爀 挀漀洀瀀氀攀琀攀 挀愀洀瀀愀椀最渀 挀爀攀愀琀椀漀渀 漀爀 挀愀渀 琀愀欀攀 漀瘀攀爀 愀渀礀 攀砀椀猀琀椀渀最 猀漀挀椀愀氀 洀攀搀椀愀 洀愀渀愀最攀洀攀渀琀 猀琀爀甀挀琀甀爀攀 琀栀愀琀 礀漀甀 挀甀爀爀攀渀琀氀礀 栀愀瘀攀 椀渀 瀀氀愀挀攀⸀ 圀攀 漀昀昀攀爀 挀愀洀瀀愀椀最渀 洀愀渀愀最攀洀攀渀琀Ⰰ 挀甀 洀漀渀椀琀漀爀椀渀最 愀渀搀 挀漀渀琀攀渀琀 挀爀攀愀琀椀漀渀 昀漀爀 䘀愀挀攀戀漀漀欀Ⰰ 吀眀椀琀琀攀爀Ⰰ 夀漀甀吀甀戀攀Ⰰ 䜀漀漀最氀攀⬀Ⰰ 䰀椀渀欀攀搀䤀渀Ⰰ 䤀渀猀琀愀最爀愀洀Ⰰ 䘀氀椀挀欀爀Ⰰ 圀漀爀搀倀爀攀猀猀 䈀氀漀最猀 愀渀搀 倀漀搀挀愀猀琀猀⸀ 圀攀 栀愀瘀攀 愀 眀攀愀氀琀栀 漀昀 攀砀瀀攀爀椀攀渀挀攀 椀渀 爀甀渀渀椀渀最 猀甀挀挀攀猀猀昀甀氀 漀渀氀椀渀攀 挀愀洀瀀愀椀最渀猀 昀漀爀 戀甀猀椀渀攀猀猀攀猀 漀昀 洀愀渀礀 琀礀瀀攀猀 愀渀搀 猀椀稀攀猀Ⰰ 猀漀 瀀氀攀愀猀攀 最攀琀 椀渀 琀漀甀挀栀 眀椀琀栀 漀甀爀 昀爀椀攀渀搀氀礀 琀攀愀洀 琀漀 搀椀猀挀甀猀猀 礀漀甀爀 爀攀焀甀椀爀攀洀攀渀琀猀⸀

Those in Business have their say

Marketing for the New Year A desk calendar is a great way to utilise yor marketing efforts in 2017.

You can get your message out about your products and services in an effective way that lasts all year round. Every month has its own page where you have an opportunity to promote a new offer or product/service. You can even highlight important dates such as open days, fundraising events, exhibitions you’re attending and Christmas closing dates. They are an incredibly cost-effective way of getting your company/brand in front of people when compared to traditional paid for advertising in magazines and newspapers.

Your company logo and slogan will be constantly seen and will filter into the recipient’s subconscious which will enhance your brand’s awareness.

They are easy to distribute and can be given to anyone; current clients, prospective clients, suppliers and employees. Desk calendars are viewed as a useful practical gift rather than another throwaway promotional item. At Soar Valley Press we offer a selection of styles and formats and we can work with you to create a fantastic design for your company.

If you are interested in a desk top calendar or other options for promotional products then give us a call.

Chris Goodman 0116 259 9955 Chris@soarvalleypress.co.uk 124 | NICHE

Boost your business Ask for top quality referrals Ok, everyone knows the importance of referrals. However, the reality is in our experience, only one out of five businesses has a system for gathering referrals.

As all successful businesses know, asking for qualified referrals is an important part of an overall marketing strategy. It’s a process that should dramatically increase your turnover. Like any other process, you should do it often, and then eventually it will become easier as you do it more naturally.

Boost margins by asking for more business This strategy might seem simple but it’s easily forgotten. Many people lose thousands of pounds in sales every year because they have nothing more to offer after the initial transaction. Look for other products or services to add to your offering. Also, develop a system to determine when your clients will require more of your own product or service.

Remember that business grinds to a halt when you stop asking.

When you consistently ask for more business, you rapidly gain momentum.

Time to review, reassess and plan forward Is there really a better time in the year to assess your success than November/December? The end of the year gives us that unique opportunity to review, reassess and plan forward.

What worked for you/your business and what didn’t?

Are you/your business really where you want to be/planned to be?

What are you most proud of and why?

What are you least proud of and why?

What new innovations did you bring online in the year?

What new markets did you go into? and where do you/your business want to go next in 2017?

What has this got to do with PR? Everything! You need to be reviewing what’s working and what’s not in your PR campaign anyway, but more than that are the opportunities this type of review and assessment will give to you/ your business for new campaigns and new stories.

Renegotiate Regular business activities include negotiation and the opportunity to renegotiate. Many people get stuck because they aren’t very good at this, but it’s another form of asking that can save you a lot of time and money. Nothing is ever cast in stone. If your situation requires change, ask for a review.

Jenny Cross

If you struggle to see the stories and opportunities that your 2016 has given you then bring in someone like us to help you. An outside pair of eyes can often give you the clarity and perspective that you may struggle with being hands on with your business and no, it doesn’t cost a fortune.

Rachel Hargrave

0116 271 2573 Crossproductions.co.uk

07976 806 578 Rachel.hargrave@rdz-pr.co.uk

DESIGN + PRINT

Soar Valley Press

Award Winning Design & Print We work with leading local businesses, providing amazing designs and stunning print.

We are delighted to receive recognition from our peers.

Talk to our friendly team about how we can help make you and your business get noticed!

WILL

ROSIE

DAVE

ANNA

CHRIS

KATIE

0116 259 9955 www.soarvalleypress.co.uk | inspire@soarvalleypress.co.uk

UPCOMING EVENTS A CELEBRATION OF PRINCE - PURPLE RAIN FRI 25/11/16 @ JUKEBOX

KENNY THOMAS FRI 27/01/17 @ JUKEBOX

SHAM 69 SUN 29/01/17 @ JUKEBOX

JUKEBOX RELOADED SAT 25/03/17 @ THE MAHER CENTRE

ASWAD AND THE MODERATORS SAT 03/06/17 @ THE MAHER CENTRE

It was all happening at Athena in Leicester’s Cultural Quarter on 9th September when we brought our Niche Business Awards to the venue for the second year running supported by our sponsor Leicester Racecourse.

Winners were announced in style after our Director Jenny Cross impressed the audience with an inspiring speech about the journey of our publishing house Cross Productions and the importance of working together with local businesses. Kreative Group Director Kate Solomons hosted the Art Deco Las Vegas themed night and provided stunning showgirls to welcome the 450 guests.

The Athena’s architecture tied in smoothly with our chosen theme and the fantastic event planning team were second to none so it was only natural to work with them again. Also welcoming guests was Black Hat Saxophonist Chris Dunkley who provided classy live entertainment backed by smooth Latino house music. Throughout the night local Magician John Constantine wowed each and every one of us with personally performed magic tricks at each table.

Service was as smooth as ever as the luxury three course dinner was laid before us. VIP tables with front row seats enjoyed chilled champagne and exclusive table 128 | NICHE

Headline Sponsor

service as the awards progressed.

Winners had professional photos taken by Scott Choucino and Lea Edwards. Guests, sponsors and winners alike were amazed with a surprise fashion show brought to us by two local fashionista powerhouses, Barrie Stephen Hair and Betty Brown Boutique.

The awards wouldn’t have been complete without a Las Vegas themed casino set up. This year’s casino winner was Mitul Gadhia from Whitegate Estate Agents winning a match day experience in a VIP suite at Leicester City Football Club courtesy of Torr Waterfield Accountants. Everything Branded provided a prize of £1000 of promotional goods, which was

won by ISJ Wealth Management.

And £1,300 was raised on the casino and since donated to this years winner of our Charity of the Year award Bodie Hodges Foundation.

As the dancing began, singer Melissa Weekes performed some phenomenal classics and Midlands Pro DJ took over the show seeing the last of us still standing at 1am.

Next year’s awards have already been booked at the Athena and the theme has been chosen, but that’s a secret for now! The majority of the 2017 award sponsorship packages have been snapped up and we are hugely looking forward to another six months of organising such a standout event that raises awareness of the fantastic local businesses in Leicester.

We’d like to thank our sponsors and ambassadors for having such a huge presence in the run up to the event and the night itself and we’d especially like to thank Leicester Racecourse for backing our every move and believing in the Niche Business Awards.

Urban Apothecary London wins Businesswoman of the Year title

The Winners Above & Beyond

“This is a wonderful award to receive, and to think it all started with some ideas at my kitchen table!”

Charity

Charlotte Thompson

Bodie Hodges Foundation

BusinessMan of the Year

Shaping Tomorrow’s Leaders

Barrie Stephen

BusinesWoman of the Year

Soft Touch Arts

Health & Beauty

Tajinder Banwait

Emma Brown Hair

Young Entrepreneur

Best Restaurant

Professional Services

Independent Retail

Tayla Blue

College Court

Best New Business

North Bar & Kitchen

Sports

Sapori

Lumbers

Motor

Total Motion

Trade & Construction

Leicester City Football Club

Leicester Garden Design

Eco

Wedding Services

Soar Valley Press

Fashion

Neil Smith

Betty Brown

The chic lifestyle brand was born from Company Tajinder Banwait’s 10 year experience in the beauty industry and the now international name started out at her very own kitchen table. Wanting to bring a sense of luxury and indulgence to the everyday, she designed logos, sourced packaging and received hundreds of scent submissions to discover the perfect matches in both scent and style. Today the range of beautiful, luxurious yet affordable natural wax candles and home diffuser fragrances are stocked in John Lewis and Next as well as a wide range of lovely boutiques here in the UK and has also hit the shelves in New York.

From the beautiful packaging to the gorgeous scents, it is easy to see why the brand has made such an impact in the market place. Tajinder told us, “The home fragrances are just the start of where I want Urban Apothecary to go. I really enjoy the fact that so many people out there love the products as much as I do.

Nothing delights me more than to know that our fragrances are filling people’s homes and creating some luxury in their everyday lives.”

Tajinder Banwait 0844 244 8818 Urbanapothecarylondon.com

NICHE | 129

130 | NICHE

NICHE | 131

Sport

Leicester Sports Round-up I don’t buy half and half scarves, I think they’re reserved for football tourists at Old Trafford who have paid hundreds of pounds on flights, hotels and tickets on their recently acquired passion of football and have jumped on the success bandwagon (clearly my example of The Red Devils is a foolish one, not too much to cheer about up there recently, you get my point) – I broke this rule in late September.

My colleague and I were smiling like we’d just won the national lottery

as we stepped out of our car on Tuesday 27th of September. Our feet left the vehicle and touched the tarmac of the car park on Filbert Street. All those memories, the old members’ stand would have stood no more than 50 yards to our left but over in the distance there was a 14 year old stadium which hadn’t witnessed anywhere near the history of the club’s old home although tonight was a historic night that the beautiful old girl could have only dreamt of. There was a Champions League

hue over the stadium and a spring in our step as we headed the 300 or so yards towards The King Power Stadium. It was ‘that’ night. We’d all been waiting for it, dreaming about it and wondering what it’d feel like but to actually be here was very exciting. Contrary to popular belief, I rarely get excited about games of football, I try and take them in my stride and treat them as any other game; it helps offer a measured view of what’s going on to our audience.

This was different, I was like child on Christmas Eve. So our regular fast food truck was in it’s normal place – we didn’t visit – but there was a pop up sales counter nearby which was offering Leicester City vs Brugge scarves, official Champions League ones no less, for £10. Thank you very much, done, and on my son Owen’s bed in time for him to see it in the morning.

Expert Advice l In store Practise Wall to try Rackets out in store

The largest selection of Rackets in the UK On your doorstep FOR MORE INFORMATION

CALL:

0116 262 2113

EMAIL: sales@withersonline.com 6 Carts Lane, Leicester LE1 5FL Just off of the High Street, two doors away from Pilot Menswear

Christmas is coming and all I’d like for Santa to bring me would be an enormous framed montage of press passes, pictures, team sheets etc from last season (I’m sure there’s such a company in this magazine who may be able to help me actually, FYI Santa pal) – we cannot over estimate exactly what Champions League football feels like and the achievement of winning the Premier League, so, get your Christmas lists ready and make sure The Foxes feature heavily.

If that’s too much trouble, a copy of the new ‘Of Fossils and Foxes’ book is always a great gift.

Up the City.

Ian Stringer

132 | NICHE

Sportsmanship in the workplace

Golf’s Changing of the Guard

Sharpening the Tigers claws

Every successful team I have ever been involved in over my 23 year career spanning four decades, there has been one common theme and one common denominator; comments that take you towards your goal, and comments that take you away from your goal.

On the eve of this year’s bi annual Ryder Cup match between America & Europe we learnt of the passing of golfing legend Arnold Palmer aged 87.

The Leicester Tigers have had a solid but quite an underwhelming start to the season so far, taking 19 points from six games. The Aviva Premiership has seen them suffer two losses to Sale Sharks, who secured their third successive win against Tigers, and Wasps, which have slightly dampened a stuttering start to the season. However, a convincing 34-13 victory over Worcester, where Graham Kitchener won man-of- the-match against his former club after winning a total of 12 lineouts, was needed to lift spirits heading into the European tie against Glasgow.

We often talk about the importance of teamwork in sport and how individuals in the team can affect in a negative fashion.

However, teamwork comes from a collective individualism. In other words, it comes from every person doing the right thing, individually, for the team.

The same philosophy passes through the work environment, beginning with the management and leaders. These standards must be world class and the trust has a ripple effect that continues through the organisation.

In business, if we can help each other out and go one step further for our colleagues, then the positivity will spread.

The organisation will grow and the team ethic will increase making life a bit easier and more enjoyable for all.

In football, a pass is given because the other player can do more with the ball; you take responsibility for the pass. It’s the same in business in that positive self-talk and helping the person next to you is infectious and makes for more secure surroundings.

Paul Nixon Zingperformance.com/zfns

As one of the greatest golfers to ever live he’s been credited with almost single handedly elevating the game of golf to its current status. Back in the 70’s and 80’s his swashbuckling style and all American charm proved a winning combination as golf was broadcast to the masses on television for the first time.

Golf has entered and left several eras since Arnold Palmer hung up his clubs. The titanic battles of Englishman Nick Faldo and Australian Greg Norman in the 80’s and 90’s made way for the world domination of Tiger Woods who burst onto the worlds stage in 1997. Although Tiger Woods is due to return to completive golf later this year following a long absence due to injury it is doubtful that he’ll ever reach the dizzy heights he achieved in his youth.

The void left by Tiger Woods has been filled by a handful of young golfers from across the globe with Northern Irishman Rory Mcllroy being the highest ranked European.

Let’s hope this talented group of golfer’s give as much back to our game as Arnold Palmer did and continue to promote and grow golf around the globe.

Tim Stevens.

0116 249 8792

Tigers are famously recognised for utilising a strong yet mobile pack to create a basis for a pacey backline. In recent seasons the Tigers have begun to adapt to play a game plan more recognisable to Southern Hemisphere Rugby than typically seen at Welford Road. This could be the influence of Coach Aaron Mauger coming into play.

One thing that will come as a positive to Tigers fans is the news that Matt Toomua will make his long awaited debut for the Tigers in the European Cup clash against Glasgow. Toomua, an Australian international has been capped 33 times for his country and is renowned for his creative abilities at either Centre or Fly-half.

A strong performance in Europe may be what is needed to sharpen the Tigers’ claws and make some ground up in the domestic league. Louis Deacon Matthampsonfoundation.org NICHE | 133

Sport

Those in Sport have their say

Ladies Day in Leicester

Dating as far back as 1807, Ladies Day was once described by Edward VI as ‘a garden party with racing tacked on’, and for most, this may still be relevant today. But the same cannot be said as simply for our very own Leicester Racecourse Owner Rob Bracken has historically encouraged ladies to bring along the gentlemen in their lives and makes it as much about the horses, entertainment and family fun as it is about hats and fizz. Recognising that in recent years Ladies Day has become much more accessible to the general public, Rob has promoted the event throughout the local retail industry in Leicester to support their trades by encouraging shoppers to buy their outfits locally.

Also, the racecourse has always upheld strong relationships with local vendors and will only showcase the very best

of Leicester’s food and drink specialists at the racecourse.

This year, a crowd of over 11,000 race-goers attended Ladies Day at Leicester Racecourse, making it the most successful turnout for more than 60 years. Catering for these phenomenal figures, the racecourse had 14 local food vendors serving exotic and traditional options from pizza to paella.

Guzzled throughout the day were 1,500 bottles of Prosecco, 1,000 jugs of Pimms, and 40,000 pints of lager, which are staggering figures compared to previous Ladies

Days. Local brewing company Steamin’ Billy served real ales and Rob also secured a cocktail bar and an octagonal champagne bar to reduce queuing times and accommodate for all tastes.

In the two weeks running up to the event, orders were exceeding 100 tickets per day. Hospitality sales went through the roof with 1,800 attendees reserving their spaces, causing an early sell-out

by May. So this year, it’s safe to say you’d better book your tickets in advance as each year Leicester Racecourse has consistently broken their own records year after year

Save the Date

Saturday 8th July 2017 LADIES DAY Leicester Racecourse Tickets on sale from November

and are planning Ladies Day 2017 to be even bigger and better than ever before!

entertainment, get involved in competition, and watch beautiful horses compete for winning titles.

Hospitality packages will be available again for 2017 and Rob has expanded their facilities to accommodate 3,000 guests. And as always, entertainment is a wellkept secret building the excitement in the run up to the big event.

Keen to build lasting relationships with local companies, Rob urges you to get in touch if you own a business within Leicestershire and would like a sponsorship opportunity for next year’s Ladies Day.

Organised for the peak of the British summer, it’s the perfect opportunity for ladies and gents to show off their very best attire and quirky statement pieces but also try new foods, enjoy live

0116 271 6515 Leicester-racecourse.co.uk Facebook: Leicester Racecourse Twitter: @LeicesterRaces

Ladies Day Gift Boxes Watch this space for the Leicester Racecourse team coming to a town near you at major shopping centres exclusively selling Ladies Day Gift Boxes. They will be perfect for Christmas presents and will include two tickets to the event at Leicester Racecourse on Saturday 8th July plus a VIP treatment.

Those in Sport have their say

Keeping up with the community

Of Fossils & Foxes Champions’ edition

Taking gymnastics to new heights

Having been in boxing for 20 years, I know that dedication and commitment isn’t always the easiest, however, it’s a lesson I try to set by example to the young people I teach. By working hard and trying to use my profile, I can give back to the community that helped me.

The fourth edition of the official Leicester City history, Of Fossils & Foxes, covering the period from 1884 to the end of the Premier League winning season of 2015/16, is now available.

We are officially open! And we’d like to say a huge thank you to all the parents and children who have had the car park full every day so far.

As a community lad, I always try to keep myself ticking over and help give back. Last month I ran the Olympic Park 10km run raising money for the Bodie Hodges Foundation, a fantastic local charity that are raising money to buy a holiday home for families who have lost a child.

The run was challenging but rewarding and I ran in at 50.23 minutes. Not bad considering I haven’t run since last September!

There is also a White Collar Boxing Event coming up in November that I’m involved in, which is in aid of Edgar’s Gift who work to help provide a positive experience for young adults suffering with Cancer.

I’m currently training twice a day in preparation for my next body building competition, which is coming up in November. It’s hard work and I’m getting up at 5am every morning; something a lot of people think I’m mad for.

Maybe I am! But like I say, once you are driven, then you’re driven.

Rendall Munroe

Nationalwhitecollarboxing.co.uk

136 | NICHE

Once again compiled by dedicated Foxes’ duo Dave Smith and Paul Taylor, volume 4 is bigger, better and more comprehensive than anything that has gone before.

Printed in full colour throughout with over 600 large-size pages, this edition is officially more than double the size of the original publication with over 1800 photographs, compared to just 450 back in 1989.

Volume 4 incorporates a special feature on the 5000-1 outsiders that became title-winning Foxes. Also included are a fully updated and extended who’s who of the near-1,100 players to have made at least one first-class appearance for the club; comprehensive seasonby-season statistics featuring every league and cup line-up and goalscorer ever; and a fully revised and updated set of miscellaneous facts and figures.

In fact, the best club history around just got even better and it is exclusively available from the Leicester City fanstore in the build up to Christmas. It is definitely the publication that every self-respecting Foxes’ fan needs to find in their stocking on Christmas morning, so get on down to King Power Stadium without delay to ensure you get hold of a copy before it sells out.

You won’t regret it!

Dave Smith

The Oadby and Leicester Gymnastics Club was set up to be an innovative centre designed to develop the talents of its pupils and see them achieve great things. We’d outgrown our previous venue and saw this as an opportunity to take a leap and move to a wonderful new venue, with everything our gymnasts need; a competition-sized sprung floor, tumble and air tracks, vault, beam, bars, rings, pommel, trampettes, and excitingly, we’re the only gymnastics club in Leicester with a foam pit!

We’ve been providing gymnastics training for young people for over 30 years and have always been about fun, fitness, and friendship.

Gymnastics has fantastic benefits including social confidence and self-esteem, and it’s also great for young children’s motor skills and emotional intelligence as they learn to share, take turns and encourage each other. As Head Coach, I ensure all our team is dedicated to seeing that the talents of our young gymnasts take them to new heights and beyond.

Our structured parents and tots sessions are run during the day time and are a fun way to introduce your little ones to gymnastics. They run Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 10-11am and 1-2pm.

Jon Mutch Olgc-gymnastics.co.uk info@oadbygymnastics.co.uk

FUN FITNESS FRIENDSHIP RECREATIONAL CLASSES FOR CHILDREN ADULT GYMNASTICS SESSIONS, FOR BEGINNERS, IMPROVERS AND EXPERTS! PARKOUR, TRICKING, FREESTYLE GYMNASTICS, CHEERLEADING, AND FITNESS CLASSES. PARENTS & TOTS SESSIONS

JON MUTCH 07813 205852 OLGC-GYMNASTICS.CO.UK INFO@OADBYGYMNASTICS.CO.UK 17 MANDERVELL ROAD, OADBY INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, LEICESTER LE2 5LR

All of our gymnasts and coaches are members of British Gymnastics (BG).

RidersFixtures 2016 Home games 12/11

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advanced tickets (on door) Adults from £12-15 (£15-18) Concession from £9-12 (£12-15) Children from £7-10 (£10-13) Family ticket options available

ticket office

www.leicesterriders.co.uk +44(0)116 255 8635

Motoring

Specialist Accident Repair with Care at M & E

M&E Accident Repair make the difficult car accident aftermath that little bit easier with specialist repair services right here in the Midlands None of us really want to think about being in a car accident, but of course they do happen and not only is the accident itself distressing but quite often the confusion and distress continues after in the form of vehicle repairs.

M&E Accident Repair provide state of the art facilities, the very latest in accident repair technology, insurance and fleet approvals as well as fully trained technicians all from their site here in Leicester. M&E customers are in the safest of hands with the company going above and beyond at every opportunity.

Not only do the insurance approved company repair your vehicle so it’s once again suitable and safe to drive but they also supply insurance customers with a free courtesy car and handle all the approved estimates in order to deal with the complete claim on their client’s behalf. However, if their client

happens to be with an insurer other than the main three they are affiliated with, they can still carry out the works and speak with your provider to resolve.

With quality assured processes and British Standard guidelines in place, repair authorisation gained, parts ordered and on-site, M&E release the vehicle into the repair production system working in-line with vehicle manufacturer repair methods and in a fast, efficient turnaround.

M&E is proud to have gained manufacturer approval for Peugeot vehicles after passing a demanding audit set by the manufacturer, making it an official Peugeot Accident Repair Centre.

The professional, friendly and skilled team have created a warm and welcoming atmosphere at the repair centre with an open and honest environment when it comes

to getting the job done right. Your vehicle will be handed over to you looking as good as new – they offer a complete high quality service.

The team’s commitment to customer care and satisfaction combined with their attention to detail ensures each and every customer leaves with total peace of mind at a time which could have potentially been very stressful.

Handled with care, M&E get you and your car safely back on the road again in no time.

Approved Repairer

108 Cannock Street, Thurmaston, Leicester LE4 9HR 0116 276 6619 Meaccidentrepaircentre.co.uk repairs@meaccidentrepaircentre.co.uk

NICHE | 139

Those in Motoring have their say

Prepare your car for winter

The major facelift S-Cross

Diamondbrite give the very best results

Falling temperatures and poor weather mean the number of breakdowns double throughout the winter. So before the worst of the weather takes hold, here are our top tips to see you through to spring.

The S-Cross first went on sale in October 2013 as Suzuki’s first ‘C’ segment crossover model and now, three years later, the major face lifted model offers a stronger, bolder road presence with upright front end styling. Ground clearance is slightly higher at 180mm and new design headlamps provide higher efficiency and a sharper look. At the rear, new LED rear combination lamps provide a cleaner contemporary style.

Diamondbrite is a highly regarded car paint protector and is the only one that we trust completely to protect the cars we restore. It uses highly researched technology to produce an advanced protective layer to any vehicle’s paintwork.

It protects the paint from the damage that can be caused by the elements including sunlight, acid rain, emissions and it even gives initial protection against bird lime (poo) – the nemesis of any car’s paintwork.

Get your car serviced - If your car is due a service, get it done before the winter. Over half of breakdowns could be prevented with regular maintenance. If you don’t service your vehicle then at least have a winter car check carried out.

Check the battery - During the winter your battery suffers from a double whammy of freezing temperatures and an increase in the use of the lights, and heater, which place it under additional strain.

Batteries have a life of around five years, if your car is struggling to start, get your battery checked or replaced before it lets you down.

Top up engine coolant with antifreeze - Engine coolant should be a 50/50 mix of water and antifreeze. During the course of the year people often top up with water and in turn dilute the antifreeze allowing it freeze during cold spells. This can lead to the engine over-heating and a very large repair bill.

Check your tyres - A car’s tyres are key to both steering and braking, it is essential they are in good condition. For winter a minimum tread depth of 3mm is recommended for adequate grip. It is also important to check your tyre pressures. Michael Porter 0800 859 5283 Themobilegaragepeople.co.uk

140 | NICHE

The distinctive new interior design utilises an updated soft-touch dashboard pad, framing highlights for the centre panel and newly designed seat fabric for SZ4 and SZ-T models. S-Cross offers ample room for five occupants with luggage and the double sliding panoramic glass sunroof fitted as standard on the SZ5 model has one of the largest opening areas in its category (560mm).

Boosterjet engines are now available demonstrating Suzuki once again as a true expert in the field of fun to drive crossover and four wheel drive cars.

The Boosterjet petrol engine technology was first utilised in Vitara as a 1.4-litre unit earlier in 2016 and the 1.0-litre version followed later in Baleno. After the debut of the three cylinder Boosterjet 1.0-litre unit this engine technology now continues for the Facelift S-Cross. Offering the same level of power and torque of a much larger capacity normally aspirated engine (1.8-litre), it delivers an effortless drive and genuine driving pleasure.

Suzuki.co.uk

We are a Diamondbrite approved company and have been restoring cars for over 40 years. We have earnt a highly valuable reputation within the area and beyond for restoring and creating paintwork that is second to none. A complete mobile service, we come out to clients to fix any scrapes, and provide a full body respray should the vehicle require it. Valeting, bumper repair, alloy wheel repair and paint correction are just some of the specialist services that our highly professional team offer.

Each job we carry out comes complete with a 3 year paint finish guarantee, and along with Diamondbrite our team use Meyer paints and 3M polishing.

Entrusting a car into our hands means it will receive the very best in care with the kind of attention to detail which only comes from a skilled team who are passionate about cars.

Colin Tidman 07967 752 623 Paintwagon.uk

Motoring

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0800 859 5283 www.themobilegaragepeople.co.uk NICHE | 141

YOU’VE GOT THE CAR

! k o o l e h t t e g w no Two brand powerhouses of Leicester, Barrie Stephen and Sytner Leicester have combined with an exciting new collaboration The Barrie Stephen brand is synonymous with strong bonds in the community and, with this Barrie’s 20th year in business, he is delighted that his 20th local collaboration is this brand link with Sytner BMW and BMW Mini.

From September 5th, everyone purchasing a new BMW or BMW Mini will receive a FREE cut and finish at Barrie Stephen salon or B Styled, Barrie’s newest sassy salon on Hotel Street! This marks Barrie Stephen’s amazing milestone of 20 years in business with other associations including the Highcross, The Curve, RSPCA Woodside, The White Peacock, Pride, Summer Sundae, Sir Thomas White, Women’s Aid, Action Homeless, Falcon Centre, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Glenfield Hospital, The Rotary Club, The Richard III Society, Chamber of Commerce, LOROS, Rainbows Hospice, DMU, 142 | NICHE

Studio 79 and their 20th local collaboration is Sytner Leicester.

“We highly value the strong bonds that we have forged across Leicestershire and I could not be more delighted to announce the latest link which places us in pole position in hairdressing terms. In the salon we focus on strong bonds between our team and customers, we call this our Private Jet Service, we offer this daily to every one of our several thousand Leicestershire customers and we are delighted to extend our Barrie Stephen service to our BMW friends now too!” says Barrie.

Rebecca Mancini, Marketing CoOrdinator for Sytner Leicester says: “At Sytner we pride ourselves on giving our valued customers as much back as we can, and we’re incredibly excited about our latest partnership

with Barrie Stephen Hair. The local community is hugely important to us, so to create a bespoke offer with another highly respected Leicestershire business seemed the perfect fit!”

Barrie Stephen Barrie Stephen salons celebrate 20 years in business. Since Barrie opened his first salon in Anstey in 1996. The Barrie Stephen brand is synonymous with red carpet gorgeous hairdressing and has been a leading light for hairdressing businesses across the UK. The Barrie Stephen salons have won accolades, awards and acknowledgements winning 22 business and creative awards over the past decade.

rebel rebel

The 1966 wild one is back with a vengeance.

Completely reinvented for 2016 and beyond, the perfectly proportioned Italian classic mixes design with devilish agility, while a 1.4 MultiAir Turbo 140 hp engine delivers the power. Nimble and turbocharged‌ Freedom has never felt so good.

In showrooms from 10th September.

NEW FREEDOM SINCE 1966 STURGESS LEICESTER, AYLESTONE ROAD, LEICESTER, LEICESTERSHIRE LE2 7QN. T E L : 0 1 1 6 2 5 4 1 7 1 7 W W W. S T U R G E S S F I AT. C O . U K Fuel consumption figures for the new Fiat 124 Spider in mpg (l/100km): Urban 33.2 (8.5); Extra Urban 55.4 (5.1); Combined 44.1 (6.4). CO2 emissions 148 g/km. Fuel consumption and CO figures based on standard EU tests for comparative purposes and may not reflect real driving results.

2

Out & About

John Lydon (formerly Johnny Rotten) talks Taylor Swift, Donald Trump and his avoidance of pop stardom upon the re-release of Public Image Ltd albums Metal Box (1979) and Album (1986) featuring rare unheard material Words by Kerry Smith “I come as I am, you can like it or basically you can go fluff [sic] yourself, I don’t care hahaha!” is John’s reply when I phone him at his L.A home by the beach and ask what he thinks of the people who have accused him of selling out while he enjoys fancy food and lavish houses. “Yes I do love good food! My complaint is when I’m forced to eat bad food, how about helping me out there Mr and Mrs

Journalist! The things people have to point fingers at you for, what a modern world we live in aye.”

But he really is very pleasant. John says he’s here to make records and that nothing else should matter since he left his ‘first band’ (Sex Pistols).

“The jealousy! Eurgh! I tried to get away from that kind of world when I left my first band. I didn’t want it to

be the Johnny Rotten freak show so I steered clear of all the trappings of pop stardom. The record label wanted to build everything around me like I was some kind of Mick Jagger figure. Well I wouldn’t ‘ave it!”

After leaving Sex Pistols, John ditched the Rotten and went his own way about making music. Finding all unknown band members to share the credits and royalties with equally

MAY THE ROADS RISE AND YOUR ENEMIES ALWAYS BE BEHIND

Re imaged

and formed Public Image Limited (PiL) in 1978.

“It created great music and we’re now looked upon and respected by ma-ny! And that couldn’t have happened if I’d fallen into the slaveish trappings of what some of these journalists tend to think I am. Me and Nora have a Volvo! I like it nice and simple, the way I like everything in life – if you could call PiL music nice and simple.”

PiL will be playing in Leicester 19th November. John recalls a time the band were thrilled to play in Leicester at a church fete where they loved seeing mothers with strollers enjoying PiL’s music. On the subject of Leicester, the avid Arsenal fan congratulates our win of the Premier League and he goes on to when he met former PiL drummer Martin Atkins from just down the road in Coventry.

“He had on a pair of Rupert Bear pants and he looked a little bit like Rupert Bear too,” he laughs.

“Martin’s a character and I like working with characters and people who are true to themselves. For whatever reasons we parted our ways but there’s no enemy in us.”

It was clear that if John wanted to get just one thing across in this interview it was this: he values hard work, friendship, and being an honest human being.

“It’s a serious hard-core working environment Public Image and there’s no laziness in it and that’s what keeps it so thriving. All of us really love what we’re doing and no one is in the band to be a pop star.

“I’ve worked the longest with Bruce Smith and Lu Edmonds. Scott, the bass player, is the most excellent addition and the four of us get on like a house on fire and that’s the thing I’ve fought for all my life is to be able to call your fellow band members your best friends. And as we got off the major record labels everything just fell into place. Very risky of course. We absolutely

On their return to Leicester, PiL will be performing tracks from ‘Metal Box’ and ‘Album’ and super-deluxe box set editions of the albums are now available to buy. A Sex Pistols box set with old live recordings will also be released.

See PiL at

Leicester O2 Academy Saturday 19th November 2016

depend on our live performances – that’s the income. There’s no great sponsorship, there’s no one throwing money at us. Never has been. It’s hard work.”

He describes the freedom from major record labels as PiL’s own Brexit, needless to say this triggered the pistol that is his political brain. He’s unsure if hate is a strong enough word for ‘people who try to manipulate us for their own ends’ and that he doesn’t see the likes of Donald Trump as an alternative.

“Never trust a businessman just as much as you would a politician.

As always in every election, it’s the lesser of two evils. Weigh up the odds and don’t waste a vote on the Green Party! They’ll have us in sensible sweaters and bicycles before you know it!” Of course there’s nothing wrong with sensible sweaters and riding bicycles he admits, just not when he’s forced into it, obviously.

Steering the punk icon back to my questions that have made me feel rigid in comparison to his energetic mind, I ask how he feels about the term ‘icon’.

“I view myself as one of the people talking to my fellow human beings.

Anything that looks like it’s turning me back into a pop star I’ll stop it because I don’t do this to make myself feel better than anybody else. I’m a human being and I have all of the same problems as everybody, only I’m in the lucky position of being able to describe what those problems are. I call that music.”

The unique sounds of PiL are achieved through the exploration

of the bands emotions and they believe that requires discovering new sounds and capabilities and are constantly on the lookout for new instruments and ways of looking at their problems. He laughs: “We certainly sound different but that’s because we’re either talentless or we’re not interested in sounding like anybody else. And probably a bit of both if I’m being really honest!”

Too busy working on his own music, he has little time to spend listening to mainstream artists, or so he claims. “I tend not to because you don’t want a little pop ditty creeping into your psyche ‘cause it can come out in really ugly ways. A few years back I found myself mumbling a Taylor Swift song in the middle of a live show! I thought it was Albatross and it just crept out! She stands up and defends songwriter’s rights and she’s done some good things that girl. She’s not dumb so therefore I see something impressive in that.”

He pauses: “But I recommend boys if you see her coming run ‘cause you won’t like the song she’s gonna put to ya! Haha!”

Flitting to and from meaningful statements to light-hearted wit, it’s clear he doesn’t take life too seriously, but his sentiment is sincere when he advises me to tell our readers that you should never stylise yourselves on the workings of other human beings because the second you do that you are being untruthful to yourself and everyone else.

He relives the moment he found his true self during his audition for Sex Pistols: “I went to rehearse, which was my singing along to a jukebox - very karaoke of me. I found myself instantly as soon as I could match my voice to Mr Jones’ (Steve Jones) guitar. I could fully express all the tensions and fears and phobias and joys that were going on in my skull and I could share them at last with other people. I knew that I was probably made for this and that’s the way I felt ever since. This is what I’m purpose built for.”

Thanks John.

YOU. MAY THEY SCATTER, BATTER, FLATTER AND SHATTER.

Shh!

Hear that Leicester?

It’s the sounds from a Shh! gig and you’re invited

Independent, original and authentic Shh! curate exciting secret gig nights in Leicester and invite you to be part of the thriving new scene Have you seen the guitar picks in and around various cool spots in Leicester recently? Maybe picked up a few from the bar at your favourite watering hole? We have and had to find out what this Shh! is that everyone seems to be talking about. We can’t tell you too much mind, ergo ruining the whole mystery thing, but we will let you in on what we know, naturally. The story begins with Jimmy and Luke, two music fans from Blaby and Whetstone, Leicester who want to resurrect our indie music and gig scene. So passionate about discovering music and bringing them to audiences across the country in intimate settings and unique venues, they set about creating a concept which is beautifully authentic. Their enthusiasm for our music scene in the city is truly infectious and after just a few minutes chatting with them this journalist (and indie music devotee) is as excited for our city and this new musical gig concept as you will be.

A whole new thriving music scene is to be created around Shh! with the discerning music duo buzzing to bring the Leicester audience

a selection of carefully selected and secret bands from across the globe. Their first secret gig, held on the 15th October, saw three established acts take to the stage.

Bellevue Days had already had a lot of exposure following their collaboration with Jagermeister which led to them having their own cocktail named after them.

Saltwater Sun, had been featured on Flying Vinyl and had also sold out a headline slot in London the very same week, were the other support act on the bill. The night was brought to a close by indie folk act Folly & The Hunter.

Hailing from Montreal, the band’s performance was their final show on their UK tour to promote their third studio album ‘Awake’. Many more dates are already booked and dreams of a summer festival in the pipeline, Shh! are a name you will hear plenty from over the coming months. The first gig saw two bands from London and one from overseas take to the secret stage and with the bar for quality acts already set high, gig goers will not be disappointed. The thrill of not knowing what is coming next at a Shh! gig is not only unique, but

it adds such a great social buzz to your night out too as you join fellow Shh! gig goers in waiting for the artists to pick up their instruments and entertain the crowd. Shh! told us, “We started Shh! here on our home turf to breathe some new life into the scene and add something a little bit special. There are hordes of music fans here with great diversity in their music taste in Leicester and we want to bring them great acts that they would have usually had to travel out of the city for, we want to give audiences the chance to maybe discover something new, to have a good time as part of an exciting scene in the city. We only ever book artists who are either up and coming and who are each causing the right kind of stir on the indie scene.”

Look out for more secret gigs coming up, spread the word, make our indie music scene known far and wide and put it back on the map as a touring location for bands the world over.

Facebook: Shh music Instagram: Shh!_music Twitter: Shh_musicgigs

An interactive festive extravaganza in Pembrokeshire that you and your family won’t want to end experience the latest Kingdom of the Elves story and can’t wait to see the excitement on the faces of all the children who take part.

Families who love all things festive will soon be able to get into the Christmas spirit in a stunning corner of Wales, at Bluestone National Park Resort in Pembrokeshire.

Christmas at Bluestone is a magical experience. Guests can enjoy all of the festive traditions across the park, which is nestled within 500 acres of national park, while relaxing in a cosy luxury lodge. The 5* luxury resort, near Narberth, has something very special taking place this festive season, Kingdom of the Elves: with a Rescue Rudolph theme. This engaging and interactive family adventure is full of festive fun and laughter and will return to Bluestone for its seventh successive year.

The innovative experience is a key part of Bluestone’s wider ‘Christmasland’ suite of festive activities and is an hour-long adventure, designed to challenge, entertain and delight families and children who want to immerse themselves in the spirit of Christmas.

The mission, should guests choose to accept, is to help Rescue Rudolph, the missing reindeer. Visitors will be invited to use their expertise to help the Chief Scout Elf track down

Rudolph in time to save Christmas.

Along their interactive journey, guests will meet cheeky elves who will take them on an adventure around a series of magical rooms, including the Barn Blizzard and Musical Mountain.

Yvonne Buckingham, Head of Marketing at Bluestone National Park Resort said: “This is the seventh successive year that we’ve run Kingdom of the Elves and it is growing in popularity year on year.

We’re anticipating another sell-out Christmas season. The festivities start here on October 31st, so there is even more time to enjoy the fun.

“At Bluestone we really enjoy getting into the Christmas spirit and, for us, the launch of Kingdom of the Elves officially marks the beginning of the festive season. We are looking forward to our guests being able to

“We feel that Kingdom of the Elves really captures the spirit of Christmas and brings it to life through a magical and enchanting adventure. All of our visitors - even adults - succumb to the festivities after visiting during this time and it truly brings out the child in everyone!”

A ‘Christmasland’ break at Bluestone is the perfect present for the whole family. Due to the success of Cinderella in 2015, Aladdin will be joining the activities for 2016 for a hour-long pantomime filled with fun and magic. In the evening, guests can visit the centre of the village to see a stunning lightshow too, and Father Christmas will be on hand in our brand new event, Santa’s Lodge.

Kingdom of the Elves begins on October 31st 2016 and runs until January 1st 2017. Book your Kingdom of the Elves break online.

Bluestonewales.com

ADAPTOR DAVID WOOD DIRECTOR MAX WEBSTER

Arts & Culture

From Faiza Butt to Grease Lightning, Winter’s looking good The University of Leicester’s Attenborough Arts Centre, in partnership with New Art Exchange, Nottingham, is proud to present a major touring exhibition of Faiza Butt’s work, ‘Paracosm’, which will occupy all three of the new galleries until December 18th.

practice is rooted in the traditional craft of Indian miniature painting and the social-political context of Pakistan where she was born and educated. The exhibition examines a range of subjects including identity and gender, global politics and consumer culture.

The title of the exhibition ‘Paracosm’ refers to the noun meaning: a detailed imaginary world created inside one’s mind.

Visitors are invited to journey through this vision, to question what is fantastical and what is real, and to consider the potent power of the image in influencing popular opinion.

The Little Theatre is welcoming Ed Barker, Leicester boy and sax soloist for George Michael, back to the shire from LA for Christmas!

After his sell-out performance in 2014, the theatre is delighted to announce that he will be performing for us once again – this time, to release his long awaited second album, ‘Christmas With Ed’.

‘Paracosm’ explores artist Faiza Butt’s practice over two decades and comprises of a rich collection of work ranging from drawings to digital prints, light works and sculptural installation. Butt’s

He is bringing with him an A-list band, as usual, with the vocal star of BBC Strictly Come Dancing, Lance Ellington, set to make a guest appearance. No doubt they’ll be performing the US No.1 hit they

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recorded together in 2014, ‘When You Smile’.

Ed is excited to be returning to his hometown, make sure you book early as his shows sell out fast!

We are looking forward to Curve at Christmas too, with of our favourites.

Directed by Max Webster, Curve’s mischievous new co-production with Rose Theatre Kingston promises to be just as disgusting and repulsive as earth worms disguised as spaghetti – the perfect festive treat for all the family.

Grease is the word this Christmas as Nikolai Foster directs Curve’s brand new production of the electrifying, smash hit musical.

“Why, this car is auto-matic. It’s systematic. It’s hyyyyydromatic.

Why, its greased lightning!”

Visitleicester.info

31 High Street | Lutterworth Leicestershire | LE17 4AY 01455 556 951 | art@antidoteart.com

Leicestershires most exciting Independent Art Gallery Fabian Perez | JJ Adams | Doug Hyde | Jack Vettriano | Akiyama Todd White | Paul Kenton | John Myatt | Katie Jade Dobson Gabe Leonard | Paul James | Marie Lousie Wrightson

Scottish born composer Martin Dalby has led a successful career working for the likes of the BBC inspiring our future generations, we take a look at his accomplishments throughout the years A young boy, destined to become one of Britain’s most prolific composers with an organist as a father and educated at Aberdeen Grammar School, he was surrounded by music.

Martin told us: “The first music I ever heard was in the womb whilst my father played clarinet. I obviously can’t remember what I heard but there is no question about it, it affected me! Without a doubt, the baby, not understanding what he’s hearing, is taking it in.”

The debate is on-going; playing classical music to babies, including those in the womb, has been found by some researchers to be a source of calm, a head start in education and a past time that strengthens the bond between parent and child.

This sealed the deal, with his already musical family, and Martin scaled a natural path towards a melodious life. At age 18, the musician studied Composition in 1960 after winning a Foundation Scholarship at The Royal College of Music in London alongside English composer, Herbert Howells and violist, Frederick Riddle.

Martin then went on to spend two years in Italy where he played the viola in an Italian Chamber Orchestra that toured Europe and North Africa.

His time in Italy was thanks to the

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Otavia Prize and a Sir James Caird Travelling Scholarship; a stage in his life that was wonderfully educating.

The key to success The start of a long and successful career began at the age of 23. His experience harmonised with the BBC as they searched for music producers and appointed him one of the BBC’s Music Programme music producers in 1965; a channel that would later be known as Radio 3.

He eventually became Head of Music at the BBC and won a Sony Gold Award for producing BBC Scotland’s radio as well as having written music for orchestras, the Church, radio, television, many songs and chamber music!

After leaving in 1971 to become a Cramb Research Fellow in Composition at the University of Glasgow, it wasn’t long before Martin found another project with the BBC that he couldn’t resist.

In 1972, as Head of Music for Scotland, he put into development the public profile of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra in Great Britain and abroad. His Sony Gold Award was won through his hugely influential and creative role producing radio channel ‘Scotland’s Music’.

The largest international Polish festival of contemporary music, the Warsaw Autumn and the Henry Wood Prom in London (aka The Proms), for which he wrote The Mary Bean, have seen performed Martin’s work: success on a whole other pitch!

After this, going back to his roots, he composed The White Maa to celebrate 200 years of Union Street in Aberdeen.

All this and so much more in just over 30 years! The inexhaustible maestro said: “I consider myself very privileged to have been given the opportunity to have most of my work commissioned from many festivals including Edinburgh, Cheltenham, Cardiff, Orkney and Peterborough to name a few! I really enjoy being supportive of fellow musicians too and have composed many pieces specifically for orchestras and ensembles.”

Inspiring mini maestros As a child who grew up appreciating the beauty of music, Martin encourages children to learn to play an instrument. He is passionate that children and young people should become more involved in the making of music.

Martin has written vocal music for children to play and enjoy. A set of songs produced for voice and piano are written in loving memory of

The Rhythm of Life

one of his Labradors named ‘A Little Song Book for Tessa’ and ‘Sunbeam for Sheba’ for Tessa’s late mother.

He described the importance of these compositions: “Writing this work was a natural way for me to honour the animals that have meant so much to me in my life. It’s a real expression of myself in that way.”

Keeping the tempo Retiring in 1993 didn’t mean Martin had any plans to slow down. Two

years later he became the Chairman of the Composer’s Guild of Great Britain and a founding director of both the British Academy of Composers and Songwriters and the British Music Rights.

Martin was also the Warden of the Incorporated Society of Musicians and Performers and Composers Section in 2001 and carries on supporting and promoting musicians and composers. Keeping up with the rhythm of life he has also

managed a good balance between work and play. Whilst dedicating much of his time to his passions in music he still has time for his hobbies.

Bird watching, hill walking, reading and flying the skies with his pilot’s license are things that he loves to do in his free time as well as keeping his music fresh and inspired.

Impulse-music.co.uk/dalby

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Arts & Culture

Martin Dalby

Martin Dalby A Closer Look

So, let us find out a little more about the man who made music his life. We take you through his impressive career, bring you the highlights, and much more.

An Education As a graduate of Aberdeen Grammar School Martin is in good company, fellow Alumni are Lord Byron, the Romantic poet and writer, Scottish international footballer Russell Anderson, mathematician Hector Munro Macdonald and Nobel Prize winner John James Rickard Macleod. As one of the oldest Grammar schools in the country, it has over 750 years of history under its belt. The place where his music all began lead him to, in 1960, win a Foundation Scholarship to the Royal College of Music in London.

Packing up his life and making the move to London to embark on the next stage of his education was no easy feat, but it was one that excited him greatly.

The Royal College of Music is one of the world’s greatest training facilities, training gifted musicians from all over the world for international careers as performers, conductors and composers. Founded in 1882 by the then Prince of Wales (later Edward VII), the RCM has trained some of the most important figures in British and international music life, including composers such as Holst, Vaughan Williams, Turnage and Britten; conductors such as Leopold Stokowski, Sir Colin Davis and Sir Roger Norrington; singers such as

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Dame Joan Sutherland, Sir Thomas Allen and Alfie Boe; instrumentalists such as James Galway, John Lill and Natalie Clein. It was during this time that he studied composition with Herbert Howells and viola with Frederick Riddle.

Next up, Dalby went international!

In 1963 he gained the Octavia Prize and a Sir James Caird Travelling Scholarship in Italy where he composed a great deal of work. Here he also played Viola with an Italian Chamber Orchestra, with whom he saw the world travelling widely in Europe and North Africa.

Making Air Waves When appointed as a music producer to the BBC’s newly formed Music Programme - which was to become Radio 3. Here, he produced some fantastic programmes which brought classical music to a wide audience.

Never one to rest on his laurels, Dalby then moved in 1971 to become Cramb Research Fellow in Composition at the University of Glasgow. He then returned to the BBC once again as Head of Music in Scotland. It was from here that he began his important work developing the public profile of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra on a national and international level.

He was to remain in this role for some twenty years and this time really increased his impact on the classical music scene for a wider audience.

Relinquishing his Head of Music post in 1991 allowed him to adopt a more creative role at the BBC and he became a huge figure in the history of BBC Music in Scotland during which he won a Sony Gold Award. He retired from the BBC in 1993 but, his music didn’t stop there. His passion for it didn’t retire.

The Music Orchestras, performing, producing and pioneering aren’t the only work that Dalby has achieved. His body of written music is vast and over the years he has created music for orchestra, for chorus, for brass and wind bands. This writing has been for the Church, for film, radio and television. A great deal of this work has been commissioned and includes works for many festivals including Edinburgh, Cheltenham, Cardiff, Orkney and Peterborough to name a few.

These works went on to be performed to huge audiences and once again brought his music to the forefront of the classical music scene.

Just some of the notable festivals include the Warsaw Autumn and the Henry Wood Proms in London where he wrote The Mary Bean

Arts & Culture

for the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. However, this wasn’t his first performance at the Proms; this performance was in fact his fourth.

In his retiring years, his work got evermore closer to home with a collaboration called The White Maa for the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. Then there was the music to celebrate 200 years of the major shopping way Union Street in Aberdeen and in more recent years a string quartet to celebrate 500 years of his home town’s Aberdeen University.

In 1998 he composed his third Piano Sonata for Peter Seivewright and a year later, a short piece for the National Youth String Orchestra of Scotland called ‘The First Thursday in May’ to welcome the return of a Government in Scotland. This was a time when Dalby was renewing his interest in the music of the great Scots fiddler and composer, J. Scott Skinner. As a result he invested a huge amount of time creating his own five movement orchestral suite entitled ‘A Wheen in Doric’ from it.

Martin has always been clear about these works in that by rebuilding them he is doing just that and in no way destructing them, it is from a place of admiration and not destruction from which he works.

However, Martin’s body of work isn’t restricted to classical music and in recent times he has turned his attentions to writing vocal music both for children and adults and enjoys drawing on a host of influences to complete these works.

His songs ‘A Little Songbook for

Tessa’ for voice and piano was in memory of one of his Labrador and ‘Sunbeam for Sheba’ (2002) in tribute to Tessa’s mother. He also completed a substantial work for eight double basses and ‘Lang Johnnie More: An Essay with Trumpet Mutes’.

For the Love of Scotland Dalby’s love for the country is un-wavered. He has travelled the world and yet nowhere other than Scotland feels like a true home. It has and still does influence his work hugely. Along with long term friend John Purser, he made a hugely successful series for BBC Radio Scotland named Scotland s Music.

His career so far has been littered with awards, as well as critical acclaim and his work for BBC Radio Scotland won a Sony Award, this wasn’t to be the last award though as he also won a Gramophone award for the production of the CD James MacMillan’s ‘The Confession of Isobel Gowdie’. His compositional peers awarded him a ‘Gold Badge’ in 1999 which he accepted with a speech about sheep, as is typical of his sense of humour! In recent years Martin had been fundamental to the formation and running of several chamber groups in Scotland.

As Chairman of the Composers’ Guild of Great Britain from 1995 to 1998 he made a real impact and he went on to become a founding director of both the British Academy of Composers and Songwriters and British Music Rights. He was also Warden of the Incorporated Society of Musicians’ Performers and Composers Section in 2001 and

2002. He retains his interest in the ISM as Governor of its South-West Scotland Centre and continues to be involved as much as possible in this organisation.

Outside the Music Music has of course been a huge part of Martin’s life for much of his life so far, his career, passion, impact on the classic music scene and in bringing his music for so many people to enjoy has been his highlight.

In his retirement there are a great deal of things that Martin loves to do including hill walking, indulging in his love for great literature, bird watching and railways and, when he gets a spare moment or two, he takes to the skies using his private pilot’s license!

Martin currently resides in Glasgow listening to his much loved BBC Radio 3 and Radio 4 with his wife.

As he reflects on his time with the BBC he says: “My job was to support other artists. I ran a symphony orchestra with a producer to help me. I hope I inspired it. Part of the policy, which to an extent I inherited, was to give young people you’d never heard of a chance and get their career on the road. I think I achieved that. I made sure that we went for it but we didn’t take risks, we knew in our blood that this kid was going to be good and we were more or less right. And a lot of them are still going now.”

Impulse-music.co.uk/dalby

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Discography Ad Flumina Babyloniae (1975) - 5 Minutes Chorus: SATB Aleph (1975) - 17 Minutes Orchestration: 2000/1110/cym/2db Almost a Madrigal (1977) - 20 Minutes Orchestration: 1000/1211/2perc Antoinette Alone Orchestration: voice Beauty a Cause (1977) - 18 Minutes Chorus: SATB Orchestration: perc/hpd/ str(1.1.1.1.1[=3.3.2.2.1]) Cancionero para una Mariposa (1971) - 17 Minutes Orchestration: 1002/0220/2vc Cantica (1969) - 10 Minutes Soloist: Soprano [=Tenor] Orchestration: cl/pf/va Cantigas Del Cancionero (1972) - 15 Minutes Orchestration: 2 tenors, 2 baritones, 1 bass Celebration in Psalms (1985) - 15 Minutes Chorus: SATB Orchestration: 4tpt.3tbn.tba/2perc/ org Chamber Symphony (O Bella e Vaga Aurora) (1982) - 22 Minutes Orchestration: 1(pic)02(2bcl)0/1100/ perc/hp/str(1.0.1.1.1) Coll for the Hazel Tree (1979) - 25 Minutes Chorus: SATB Commedia (1969) - 13 Minutes Orchestration: cl/pf/vn.vc Concerto Martin Pescatore (1971) - 13 Minutes Orchestration: str(min 3.3.2.2.1) Cradle Song (1985) - 4 Minutes Orchestration: 2222/4331/timp.perc/ hp/str

El Remanso del Pitido (1974) - 15 Minutes Chorus: 12 solo voices (SATB) + amplification El Ruisenor (1979) - 12 Minutes Orchestration: 3(2pic).2+ca.2+bcl.3(cbn)/4331/timp.3perc/hp/str Et Resurrexit (1990) - 7 Minutes Chorus: SATB Orchestration: organ Fantasia After P Rosseter (1964) - 7 Minutes Orchestration: organ

Nec Tamen Consumebatr (1989) - 6 Minutes Chorus: SATB Orchestration: org Nozze di Primavera (1984) - 13 Minutes Orchestration: 2222/2200/timp/str O Jesu Parvule (1969) - 2 Minutes Chorus: SATB

Five Sonnets from Scotland (1985) - 12 Minutes Orchestration: Soprano, tenor/piano

Orpheus (1972) - 17 Minutes Soloist: narrator (optional) Chorus: mixed chorus (min. 16) Orchestration: 0200/2000/perc/hpd/ str(1.1.1.1.1)

Flight Dreaming (1990) - 12 Minutes Orchestration: wind band

Paginas (1973) - 10 Minutes Orchestration: rec/hpd

The Keeper of the Pass (1971) - 17 Minutes Soloist: soprano Orchestration: 3cl(tenor/Ebclt/bcl). sax/perc/pf

Piano Sonata (1985) - 22 Minutes Orchestration: piano

Laudate Dominum (1964) - 10 Minutes Soloist: Tenor [=Soprano] Chorus: SATB Orchestration: 2222[1111]/4231[2100]/ timp.perc/pf/str

Piano Trio (1967) - 21 Minutes Orchestration: vn.vc/pf

Lively Man (1988) - 6 Minutes Orchestration: brass band

Plain Man’s Hammer (1984) - 13 Minutes Orchestration: wind band

Magnifict & Nunc Dimittis (Paisley) (1980) - 8 Minutes Chorus: SATB Orchestration: org Man Walking: Serenade for Octet (1981) - 18 Minutes Orchestration: 0101/1000/str(1.1.1.1.1) The Mary Bean (1991) - 16 Minutes Orchestration: 3(pic)3(ca)3(bcl)3(cbn)/4331/timp.3perc/hp/str Mater Salutaris (1981) - 5 Minutes Chorus: SATB Orchestration: org

Dancer Eduardova (1978) Orchestration: fl(pic.afl).cl(bcl)/perc/ pf(cel)/vn.vc

Missa Fi-Fi - 21 Minutes Soloist: 2 sopranos, alto, 2 tenors, 2 basses Chorus: SATB Orchestration: 2flg(cnt:tpt).2bar(2hn:tbn:euph).btba

De Patre Ex Filio (1988) - 12 Minutes Orchestration: 0011/1000/str(1.1.1.1.1)

My Heart Aflame (1983) - 4 Minutes Chorus: SATB

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My Song is in Sighing (1964) - 2 Minutes Chorus: unison Orchestration: org

Piano Sonata No 2 (1989) - 12 Minutes Orchestration: piano

Pindar is Dead (1968) - 6 Minutes Orchestration: clarinet/pf

Requiem for P Sparrow (1967) - 10 Minutes Chorus: SATBOrchestration: 3ob(ca)/ str Rose of Gazing (1987) - 7 Minutes Orchestration: rec/hpd Sarabande for St. Kevin Orchestration: organ Scotch Rhapsody (1983) - 9 Minutes Orchestration: viola/pf Shorter Benedicte (1964) - 5 Minutes Chorus: SATB Orchestration: organ Sonatina (1969) - 5 Minutes Orchestration: oboe/pf Songs my Mother Taught Me (1986) - 20 Minutes Orchestration: fl(picc) ob clt bclt hn bsn

The Sower (1988) - 6 Minutes Chorus: SATB String Quintet 1972 (1972) - 16 Minutes Orchestration: str 5t Symphony No.1 (1970) - 13 Minutes Orchestration: 3(afl/picc)232(cbn)/ 4431/timp.3perc/hp.pf[cel]/str Tarryoo (1964) Chorus: unison Orchestration: pf The Fiddler (1967) - 10 Minutes Orchestration: Soprano or tenor/violin There Was A King Chorus: UNISON

Tower of Victory (1973) - 13 Minutes Orchestration: 1(pic)2(2ca)4(bcl)3(cbn)/43(3cnt)32/timp.perc/hp/ str(0.0.1.1.1) Two Liturgical Canticles (1962) - 3 Minutes Chorus: SATB Orchestration: org Unicorn (1975) - 8 Minutes Orchestration: violin/pf Viola Concerto (1974) - 17 Minutes Soloist: viola Orchestration: 3(2pic)1(ca)3(2bcl)1(cbn)/31(cnt)22/2perc/hp/str

Waltz Overture (1965) - 8 Minutes Orchestration: 2(pic)121/1110/perc/hp/ str When I Consider Heavens (1967) - 3 Minutes Chorus: SATB Orchestration: org Whisper Music (1971) - 17 Minutes Orchestration: 1(picc)1clt(bclt)/tpt/ perc/hp/vc Yet Still She is the Moon (1973) - 6 Minutes Orchestration: 3tpt.3tbn.tba

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Arts & Culture in Leicester

Leicester on the big screen Loughborough’s Great Central Railway; a perfectly working steam train station is featured in BAFTA winning and OSCAR nominated Shadowlands, World War II drama Enigma, Independent Film Award winning Ian Curtis biopic Control, and comedy Cemetery Junction.

Belvoir Castle stands in for Castel Gandolfo, the pope’s summer residence in the Da Vinci Code, and for Buckingham Palace in The Young Victoria and King Ralph.

Jadoo is totally set in Leicester about two brothers, rival curry restaurateurs estranged over a family recipe. Raja (Harish Patel Run, Fatboy, Run) and Jagi (Kulvinder Ghir Goodness Gracious Me) are sibling chefs who fell out and set up restaurants on Leicester’s famous Curry Mile after tearing their mother’s legendary recipe book in two. One brother can make the perfect starter and the other can make the perfect main, but neither can cook the perfect Indian meal.

After 20 years of a frosty stalemate, things heat up when Raja’s soonto-be-wed daughter (Amara Karan, The Darjeeling Limited) wants the bitter rivals to collaborate on her wedding banquet.

For anyone who’s ever felt that Leicester is only seen onscreen when an unloved character leaves Eastenders in a taxi, it’s great to see local landscapes and recognisable sites televised. Leicester’s indie film companies are producing and directing documentary shorts, feature length film dramas and community based projects at Phoenix cinema. Tracey Miller traceyannmiller@hotmail.com

Chocks Away

by Warrant Officer: KS Collins

Why do you want to buy art

Kenneth Collins re-lives his memories of being a young boy dreaming of being a pilot in 1939.

He takes us through his life as a brylcreem boy and his adventures and military escapades from his time served with the RAF in WW2.

I had some great feedback on my debut in the last edition, it seems a lot of people identified with my comparison to music, a very humble and sincere ‘thank you’ to everyone who took the time to contact me.

His friends and family urged him to create a more permanent record for a family keep sake for the generations to come. So with the help of his granddaughter, Janine Lever-Parkin, this is what he did.

So, why do you want to buy art?

Sometimes you simply fall in love with a piece and just have to own it regardless of anywhere to put it or affordability. Art makes you happy so why not do more of what makes you happy? You deserve it, after all its why we work hard. All art collectors have a story about the one that got away, we make sure it doesn’t happen again though!

‘Chocks Away’ captures a time in history from 1941 to 1946. Warrant Officer Collins joins the RAF at the tender age of 17, the book tells us of his journey in becoming a pilot and his adventures in Southern Rhodesia. He recaptures breathtaking feats up in the skies of Europe in control of a Spitfire battling the allied forces. He shares stories of squadron life and the many missions he was assigned to.

The emotions, the highs, the lows and how he became hardened to life in the RAF. This biography enables the reader to share the constant fear and tensions that were felt and the mental and physical fatigue that spread over the pilots. Feelings of being homesick and away from his loved ones and life back in civvy street.

The book chronicles the memories that he held, with his flying logbooks and personal diaries W/O K. Collins paints an accurate picture of life in World War II, he took his fight to the raw edge and survived.

Sadly after the book was published and this column written, Kenneth passed away, but his memory now lives on in print.

Available from Amazon.co.uk

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You may have redecorated, moved or have a space to fill and want something more interior design lead. We can help with ideas and loan you art to try in your home to make sure it works.

With the pound and interest rates at an all time low, there has never been a better time to invest in art.

Art investment doesn’t mean you have to buy a Picasso or spend thousands. We have seen huge increases in commercial art and sculptures that we have sold with a retail price in the £300£400 region, exchanging hands for £1,000-£4,000 in a matter of months. A magnificent return.

There aren’t many things you can have in your home that you can enjoy AND make a profit on while enjoying them.

Sara Lovatt 01455 556 951 Antidote Art Ltd

The impact of the

LGBT Foundation Over 18,000 lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people have been supported by the LGBT Foundation since 2014

Graeme Donnelly of Lox Hair Design is just one, here he shares how the charity helped him through tough times After going through a difficult time in my personal life over the last year, I reached out to the LGBT centre for support.

I had obviously heard of the LGBT but I never knew exactly what the charity was about and the services they provided to the LGBT community.

Soon after contacting the charity I started counselling and an advocacy program with a support worker Adrian.

After around six months of working with Adrian at the centre I now feel

that it is my time to give back to the charity that has helped so much.

Adrian has helped me see my hard times in a different light and now I feel stronger and more positive than ever!

I have recently been volunteering at the LGBT Centre, which has given me a great amount of satisfaction in knowing I am helping a charity that is assisting other people who are in the same position I was in a year ago.

I am the kind of person who likes to give back and help raise awareness of services and support networks

that have helped me through tough times, and hopefully by doing so, it will help others just like me become aware of the LGBT Foundation and its services and get the support they need.

The LGBT charity are always looking for donations and volunteers. In the past I have donated thousands to local charities and I wanted to support the LGBT by volunteering at the centre and personally by donating £500 which will help pay for an LGBT person to receive the help and support they need using the advocacy and counselling program for six months!

Find out how you can help online at

Lgbt.foundation

0116 270 0101

www.hopeagainstcancer.org.uk

HOPE FASHION SHOW

Featuring Abiti Flo & Sang Aura Boutique Christopher Scotney and John Lewis

Thursday 10th November 2016 7.00 pm – 10.00 pm Champagne Reception and Canapes It’s a fantastic evening to get together with friends and raise money for Hope Against Cancer What to expect on the night: Malcolm Murphy hair display Magic Selfie Mirror Glass of Fizz Shopping Get your tickets now at hopeagainstcancer.org.uk Bentley Leicester, Watermead Business Park, Rayns Way, Syston, Leicester LE7 1PF

Local charity call on you to help them in the race to reach £1 million Finalists in the Niche Awards 2016 and winners at The Leicester Mercury Awards 2016, it has been a particularly eventful last few months at local charity Alex’s Wish Founded by Emma and Andy Hallam after their now 10 year old son Alex was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy back in 2012, they have an aim to raise £1m plus for research into treatments and a cure. At present, Duchenne is 100 per cent fatal and most children will not live beyond their twenties.

They are halfway to their million and with a host of events and opportunities coming up you can help smash through their target. Become a sponsor, donate or fundraise and help change lives.

Feb 2017 Swimathon

Swim your way to fun fundraising.

14.05.2017 Charnwood Forest Cycle Ride

Algarve

A super cycling event open to everyone (aged 14+) 10, 20 or 50 mile rides around Charnwood Forest.

30.06.2017 London to Paris Cycle Ride

Connect two of the world’s most chic capitals as you embark on trip of a lifetime in aid of Alex’s Wish!

30.07.2017 Prudential London Cycle Ride

The Olympic inspired 100 mile ride is a challenge not to miss.

22.09.2017 Golf Day

Fun with the clubs all for a good cause.

22.11.2017 Our Annual Charity Ball

Expect a glamorous evening with fabulous food, wine and music

Individual Villa for 4 at the front of the Aldeamento

2 minutes walk to the beach.

Free use of tennis courts, pool at Vale Do Lobo Tennis Centre.

Good discount on twilight golf.

Large private balcony with seaviews and awning suitable for extra people, June-Sept.

Supervised childrens playground nearby.

Tel: 01935 891 241 I peakevenetia@rocketmail.com I www.1valedolobo.co.uk

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Alexswish.co.uk Emma Hallam 07903 349 475

Get in touch to sponsor an event, book tickets or to book a place at any of the upcoming events.

Amelia Nour We found a range of carefully selected cult beauty and wellbeing discoveries at Amelia Nour and only found in places like Harrods and Space N.K. The apothecary carries top performing products ranging from skincare, body care, hair care, aromatherapy, nutrition, wellbeing and health foods.

Owner Meesha Kanadia grew up conscious about how her beauty products were derived. So she created Amelia Nour this year for people to find cruelty-free, vegetarian, vegan and organic products that are luxurious.

The Grand Opening Party took place 6 - 9 October. Champagne and refreshments were served and Meesha brought a series of Masterclasses and Expert Events throughout the launch demonstrating essential tips and techniques for adapting new trends to your own style. This included an in-store seated Masterclass by Chris James Mind Body, a Skincare Expert Event by Elemental Herbology, Hand and Arm Massages by Prismologie and Seasonal Glamour Makeovers by Zuri Make Up Artists.

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North Bar & Kitchen The awarding winning restaurant openly welcomed an exclusive guest list to an evening of gastronomy at their Hinckley Road, Leicester premises.

The guests were greeted with smiles and a Burleigh’s Gin and watermelon cocktail as they took their seats in the restaurant. A brief introduction was made by co-owner Sally Davis to explain the ethos of the venue and what diners could expect from the night ahead, as well as an explanation of why each beverage had been chosen to accompany each course.

The six course menu started with a field mushroom veloute with pickled shimejis paired with a South African Chenin Blanc. Our managing director’s particular standout dish was a risotto of sweetcorn with sorrel. Then followed mackerel served with pickled vegetable, a loin of venison with parsnips, a refreshing palette cleansing sorbet and a luscious lemon drizzle cake to finish with a Muscat dessert wine. The word outstanding echoed through the room, and was a fitting description of the beautiful banquet.

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Condotti The luxury new boutique on the salubrious Francis Street in Leicester’s leafy suburb of Stoneygate threw open it’s doors with a very glamorous bang. The shop stocks some very unique and exclusive designer tags.

There’s Paul & Joe, Butler & Wilson Jewellery, Nicole Fahri, Pinko and Parosh hanging tidily on the swish rails, as well as the Condotti ready to wear and tailored offering.

Pam said: “I wanted to open the shop with a different type of event, I wanted people to remember the night for the fashion and the performance.” She teamed with Trixi Luabelle of Libertii Beau to prepare a stunning runway performance with beautiful hair and make-up. The event was held in spacious Trident Galleries and had many looks all themed with the beautiful garments on beautiful models. The show ended with ski-wear or rather fur coats and underwear and the models dancing to the applause of the crowd. I think Pam achieved her objective.

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Niche Networking &

INDY HAIR & BEAUTY

GEORGE’S HAIRDRESSING

Big Hair Do buzz

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Not only was the Creative Head’s ‘Big Hair Do 2016’ a huge success, everyone was talking about it on the night! Floods of tweets from happy guests and even happier salon staff saw official hashtag #BigHairDo trending nationwide on Twitter, and #BHDselfies and in-salon snaps sprung up in their thousands on Instagram.

Two top end Leicester salons took part in the event. There were corks popping and new styling techniques on show at George’s Hairdressing and Indy Hair and Beauty on the night.

Guests were able to try something new and get shown ‘how to’ for many style tips and product applications. Special guest Loreal Creative Colour Specialist Sophie Virk did a talk on the latest fashion and how we can match our hair to the current trends. The salons both supported breast cancer charities.

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At Oberon Gallery we are passionate about fine art that is both collectable and affordable

‘The Lanes’ 27 Loseby Lane, Leicester LE1 5DR 0116 253 8484 oberongallery.com info@oberongallery.com

Pioneering since 1906.

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Crafted for the modern traveller, the Montblanc 4810 Chronograph Automatic embodies the precision and artisanal reďŹ nement of ďŹ ne Swiss watchmaking and the inspiration of early modern sea travel.

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Crafted for New Heights.