Niche magazine issue 25 by Cross Productions

March/April 2018

#FindYourNiche

EDWARD COOPER YOUNG THE GAME-CHANGING FIRM DELIVERING AWARD-WINNING SERVICES

Succession Planning

Identify growing talent in your business

Enterprising Technology

Opening doors for SMEs to enter global economy

Forecasting Cashflow

How to weather the endless storm

2018 EXHIBITORS ALREADY BOOKED...

DESIGN + PRINT

Soar Valley Press

16th May 2018

GUEST SPEAKERS Pete Frost Digital Marketing: Keeping an Open Mind and an Open Wallet

In a marketplace that is becoming evermore reliant on digital and one that is as volatile and fast moving as it is, it’s now more critical than ever for your business to show absolute flexibility in its allocation of marketing budget. Pete will be talking about how to ensure that you match your distribution of marketing budget to appease your marketplace and how to monitor ROI through each channel.

11.00am

Leanne Bonner-Cooke MBE

1.00pm

Rachel Hargrave

2.00pm

Maintaining Vision to Reach Your Goals

The path to success can be a difficult road to navigate; you may take a wrong turn, a short-cut, or even end up down a dead-end. Leanne will discuss the highs and lows of getting where you want to be and how to maintain focus and vision along the way.

Getting the Right Folk to Talk About You! One of the easiest ways to get folk talking about you is to win pertinent and reputable business awards. Simple, however, doesn’t mean easy! This 20 minute masterclass delivered by Rachel Hargrave of The Awards People and RDZ PR will show you how to do it and what to avoid!

One day of powerful business CONNECT

●

INSPIRE

●

PROMOTE

Cover:

JENNY CROSS

THE TEAM

MANAGING DIRECTOR 07815 899 574 jenny@crossproductions.co.uk

The front cover features Edward Cooper Young Chartered Surveyors, photographed by Joe Whitmore Photo

Contributors The Miller Partnership, Glynis Wright, Torr Waterfield, Leicester Racecourse, Beau Aesthetica, Leicester Riders, St Martins House, Soar Valley Press, MNE Accounting, Abbots Oak, Barrie Stephen Hair,

LEANNE BAKER

SALLY SMITH SALES DIRECTOR 07931 220 116

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR

sally@crossproductions.co.uk

leanne@crossproductions.co.uk

Georgie Steeples, RDZ PR.

Photography courtesy of: Joe Whitmore 07887 812 321 jwhitmorephoto.co.uk Sarah Salotti 07505 114 372 sarahsalotti.co.uk

KERRY SMITH

SUSAN HOLMES DESIGN EDITOR

SENIOR JOURNALIST

susan.holmes@crossproductions.co.uk

kerry@crossproductions.co.uk

JESS HEWITT

EMILY KIRTON JOURNALIST

DIGITAL MARKETING MANAGER

emily.kirton@crossproductions.co.uk

jess.hewett@crossproductions.co.uk

0116 271 2573

Official Media Sponsors of the Leicester Riders

Also Sponsoring Robbie’s Rugby Festival Leicester Law Society Awards Hope Against Cancer Rainbows Dorothy Goodman Academy

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.

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A WORD FROM JENNY

s the financial year comes to a close, we see the local economy on the up as we have embraced growth and development across the city. With so much happening in Leicester business circles over the past couple of months, the Nichettes thoroughly enjoyed this year’s Leicester Comedy Festival, which took place from 7th to 25th February and featured over 830 shows across 69 different venues. Welcoming more than 120,000 guests, we were over the moon to walk away from the Alternative Business Awards being crowned the Team with the L Factor! The spring months will see the Niche Business Award nominees sent to the independent judging panel ready for shortlisting. If you haven’t already nominated a business based in Leicester, do pop on to nichemagazine.co.uk and put them forward right now. The awards have been crafted to support the local economy and showcase the talent right here in our city. Plans are well underway for the 2018 Leicester Business Festival, which will run a week later than usual this year to accommodate for school holidays. Nearly 80 people flew in from outside the UK specifically for the festival last year

nichemagazineuk

@magazineniche

– and from a local point of view, nearly 70 per cent of those who gave feedback have confirmed the various events they attended benefited their businesses directly, with a staggering 94.8 per cent of those stating they would be keen to get involved in the festival for 2018. The final reach of LBF was 74 million. The festival organisers Associate Events have pulled out all the stops – as a Leicester-based business, they have also grown dramatically over the past 12 months and have begun to book the first of the events for this year. Next on our agenda is the Cross Connections Business Expo, which is being headlined for the second year by Torr Waterfield and will be held at The Kube, Leicester Race Course on 16th May. It is one jam-packed day of business networking and seminars to support and educate local businesses of all sizes. The event will run from 9am to 4pm and is free to attend. I look forward to seeing you there!

#FindYourNiche

CONTENTS

MARCH / APRIL 2018

BUSINESS FOCUS

NICHE FEATURES

08 BUSINESS NEWS

EILEEN RICHARDS RECRUITMENT

ST MARTINS LODGE

CDS GLOBAL SOLUTIONS

SUCCESSION PLANNING

23 THE FINANCE LAB

20 SMALL BUSINESS CASH FLOW

36 SOAR VALLEY PRESS

24 SMALL BUSINESS AND TECHNOLOGY

40 GLITTERS

32 BUSINESS SURVEY

43 CHRYSALIS INTERIORS

38 BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

46 FOTHERGILL WYATT 51

EDWARD COOPER YOUNG

54 WATERFRONT REGENERATION 56 JAMES LATHAM 60 BENTLEYS GARDEN BUILDINGS

REGULARS

BAKERS WASTE

67 OAKDALE DENTAL

28 BUSINESS FORUM - LEGAL

69 MEDISKIN CARE

30 BUSINESS FORUM - LEGAL

70 BEAU AESTHETICA

34 BUSINESS FORUM - MARKETING

73 INNER BEAUTY

58 PROPERTY FORUM - GARDENS

76 WEDDING

62 HEALTH FORUM - BEAUTY

83 DIVINE BOUTIQUE

68 HEALTH FORUM - HEALTH

84 LEICESTER RACECOURSE

74 FASHION WITH GEORGIE STEEPLES

88 MIDLAND MOOSEHEADS

87 SPORTS ROUNDUP

91 RIDERS

92 FOOD COURT

94 ABBOTS OAK

106 CHARITY

98 CURVE

112 SOCIAL EVENTS

100 MARTIN DALBY

115 CLASSIFIEDS

104 MIRACLE IN PROGRESS

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51 COVER STORY

Edward Cooper Young

56 James Latham

104 Miracle in Progress

Niche Wedding NICHE | 07

BUSINESS NEWS LEICESTERSHIRE

New firm vows to transform dispute resolution process The re-opening of a Leicester theatre Leicester’s Haymarket Theatre has reopened after being closed since 2007. The iconic Leicester theatre has been well missed in the community over the years but after a huge £3.6m refurbishment, locals, and an increase in tourists since its closing, can once again enjoy the wonders of the theatre. The revamped building, backed by the council, opened 2nd March treating the public to a sneak peek of the building and its potential. The first ever show in the new building took place the same day. Hollywood Wiz presented its audience with the story of a young woman attempting to ‘make it’ in showbiz. The new-look theatre rebels from the traditional reds and golds with a modern black and purple colour scheme. It is being run by a group of people within the arts and business world in Leicester and will be used to showcase events in the comedy, dance, drama and music sectors as well as to hold functions and exhibitions.

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Leicestershire based Tom Watkinson, with chartered accountants PKF Little John, has become a disruptor in the commercial litigation market. Spotting a niche in this area for SMEs, the company created a specialised firm to manage commercial disputes specifically designed to benefit the SME market. Its method saw it win the Innovation of the Year award at the prestigious British Accountancy Awards last autumn. The new company, Escalate Dispute Resolution, has flipped the market on its head with its 2017 trial year unlocking £12m in cash for businesses via a method that, in theory, works backwards. Escalate noticed that traditionally, lawyers will look at a disputed case and take them on only to then assess the financial outcome at a much later stage; a system that Escalate’s Tom Watkinson describes as potentially uneconomical and disastrous for the SME. Tom, who has recently joined from Knights Solicitors in Derby and equipped with 25 years’ dispute experience, said: “For smaller businesses with bigger disputes they often find themselves in a complex and confusing situation because, as an SME, they may not have good connections, can have trouble locating the right person with the right qualifications, and end up in the wrong place. From thinking they have a just and right claim they end up frustrated and seriously out of pocket impacting on cash flow. “Lawyers may want paying £5,000 up front and another £10,000 to

Leicester Business Festival is back for 2018 Leicester Business Festival is running from 29th October until 9th November 2018. It will be a fortnight of events that range across the key sectors in the region, most of which are free to attend. Events can take many different forms from small workshops and seminars to large exhibitions and national conferences. Applications to host events at Leicester Business Festival 2018 are now open, with events already coming in. It is quick and easy to apply to host an event, there is a simple application form that can be found on www.

leicesterbsuinessfestival.com/ apply. Last year the Festival saw 154 events take place, which attracted over 10,000 attendees. A staggering 26.8% of attendees were from outside the region, with 78 of those being international coming from as far as China, Russia and Ecuador. Leicester Castle Business School is the Festival’s headline partner for the next two years. East Midlands Chamber, the LLEP Business Gateway and East Midlands Airport are also signed up for a further two years. The Festival was founded

Sponsored by rdz-pr.co.uk #creatingabuzz

proceed. If the SME has a dispute of £100,000 owed to them, the opponent knows what situation they are in, how stressful it is, and take advantage and play the game. They will wait, then make an offer of £30,000 to settle the case and the SME’s lawyer will then tell the ‘truth’ that they might not win if they go any further. The SME walks away with less than a third of what they’re owed and a big legal bill. That’s the typical picture. It’s a ruthless, unpleasant game and often the SME is the loser.” Escalate claims to have reversed the process by prioritising the financial outcome of each case with expert accountants assessing the unique situation the SME has found itself in. It was created to drive down the cost to SMEs and save any disturbance and loss of time. The business owner simply hands over the invoice and avoids having to deal with the worry and stress that the traditional process causes. They won’t pay a penny until recovery is successful. There are no lawyer’s bills or court fees and they are fully insured from day one against losing the case. “The message to the opponent is ‘we are tooled up and this claim is not going away so pay up quickly or face a serious battle.’ What lawyers won’t tell you is that it’s much cheaper to insure against risk of losing a case when you join Escalate as

it funds everything. The SME never pays a penny unless the cash is recovered, they then pay a third.” The firm was set up in Leicester to reach the Midlands market. It uses two specialist law firms in Liverpool and Plymouth that benefit from working with the new model as settlements begin to drop in recovering amounts that have previously been impossible to gain due to the traditional ‘broken’ practice. Tom added: “I moved to Escalate because it’s an interesting product. It offers SMEs limitless resources and they’re assured that we’ll do the best we can for them because for us to survive, we need our clients to recover the cash. Our interests are now aligned.”

in 2015 with the goal to drive inward investment into Leicester and Leicestershire to encourage growth across the region. It has allowed Leicester and Leicestershire to promote itself from a united platform to the local, national and international business community. The Festival showcases what a fantastic place Leicester and Leicestershire is to live, work and do business. For more information, please visit our website or email us on hello@associate-events.com. leicesterbusinessfestival.com NICHE | 09

ST MARTINS LODGE Leicester’s regeneration is set to continue with the creation of this new luxury overnight accommodation facility, close to St Martins House conference centre and the site where Richard III’s remains were found

n elegant £1.8m development to be called ‘St Martins Lodge’ is being created on Peacock Lane opposite Leicester Cathedral. Once completed in October 2018, the Lodge will be a unique addition to the variety of places to stay in the heart of Leicester, providing luxury accommodation for the tourism and conference market within the city. The Georgian building, formerly used as offices, will offer premium overnight accommodation with 28 luxuriously appointed bedrooms, including a top floor suite, 10 | NICHE

two accessible rooms, car parking and breakfast provision overlooking Cathedral Gardens. The Lodge will be the latest development in the exciting regeneration of the area which has already seen the creation of the peaceful and attractive Cathedral Gardens as a public space for city residents and visitors to enjoy. This part of Leicester is also currently being boosted by City Council investment to develop the surrounding streets and buildings,

enhancing the local heritage, and is home to the famous protected car park where the remains of King Richard III were discovered. St Martins Lodge will blend seamlessly with its surroundings in this historic quarter of the city. Its proximity to the Cathedral, the Guildhall and to St Martins House conference centre will also mean that it will be ideal for people wishing to stay in accommodation close to their meeting, event or wedding venue, as well as anyone visiting other parts of the city.

A HAVEN OF PEACE IN THE CITY Having been empty and unused for some time, the building was acquired by the Diocese of Leicester’s Glebe Committee, which generates income from investments in land and property to help pay salaries and pensions for the clergy in Leicestershire. St Martins House is a renowned conference and events centre run by the Diocese of Leicester and its staff are very pleased at the opportunity that the Lodge presents to extend their business. Nick Quinn, Director of St Martins House, is delighted. “We will now be able to offer a 24-hour conference rate including overnight accommodation alongside our existing function room hire and catering facilities. Suitable accommodation nearby is frequently requested by our conference guests and wedding hosts, so it’s fantastic that the Lodge will be

adding to the room capacity of the city. We are thrilled at this new addition to the now thriving, historical sector of the city.” The Chair of the Glebe Committee, David Beeson, believes this is a welcome extension of the amenities and ambience of the Cathedral quarter and will help bring more people to businesses in this part of Leicester. He said: “We have been hoping to add local, high-class accommodation to the Glebe portfolio for some time now, and the ideal opportunity in this beautiful building has been presented. There are significant synergies which tie cultural, business and spiritual operations together in this part of the city and we can support both Richard lll tourism and other users of the Cathedral and surrounding venues and businesses.” Market Harborough company,

Corporate Architecture, has designed an interior layout for the Lodge, and interior design specialists, Fabers, will create individual rooms in sympathy with the character of the original Georgian building. Stepnell Ltd, part of the Stepnell Group, is the appointed builder with extensive experience in a wide variety of sectors. The project is set to be completed by October 2018, with bookings for the autumn expected to open via a new website to be launched in April in partnership with St Martins House conference centre. St Martins House is a high class conferencing and events venue which has the capacity for a wide range of event sizes and styles. Contact them to discuss your requirements via the website stmartinshouse.com or by calling 0116 261 5200 or email info@stmartinslodge.co.uk.

NICHE | 11

BUSINESS FOCUS

The benefits of succession planning With skills shortages being an area of concern in the wake of Brexit, succession planning is an area that should be given more time, consideration and investment when looking to recruit. What are businesses currently doing to hire candidates with succession planning in mind – and what are the difficulties involved?

SUCCESSION PLANNING FOCUSES ON IDENTIFYING AND GROWING TALENT TO FILL BUSINESS-CRITICAL POSITIONS IN THE FUTURE. IN THE FACE OF SKILLS SHORTAGES AND A LACK OF CONFIDENCE IN LEADERSHIP POTENTIAL, SUCCESSION PLANNING HAS GAINED POPULARITY, AND IS NOW CARRIED OUT IN BOTH LARGE AND SMALLER ORGANISATIONS – CIPD

EILEEN RICHARDS Director of Eileen Richards Recruitment

usinesses frequently refer to succession planning and often realise that this is an activity that should be driven throughout their business. How many of us, in today’s busy business world, really practice what the model preaches? Succession planning focuses on identifying and growing talent within your business in order to fill your critical positions in the future. Now who wouldn’t do this in today’s world in which skills are short and talent is becoming increasingly difficult to retain? Don’t be ashamed if you haven’t managed to achieve this yet – many employers haven’t. But technically, even small businesses should be looking at succession planning at every level. Here are the reasons why: ◆ The loss of your key talent is extremely costly

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to replace; having prepared employees to step into these roles can limit your losses and ensure business continuity ◆ Equally, having staff ready to promote into roles to support your business growth also ensures that skills are retained within your business One of the keys to having an effective succession planning model is to get your recruitment right in the first place – having the correct level of talent entering your organisation is always going to make any level of succession planning a breeze! Eileen Richards Recruitment offers a free consultation for succession planning. For more information, get in touch.

Recruitment

IAN BORLEY

GEORGE HOUSTON Senior Technical and Development Manager at Mattioli Woods plc

t is a well-known saying that failing to plan is as good as planning to fail. And it is never more relevant than in the area of succession planning. A cornerstone of our business success has been our ‘grow your own’ strategy – investing in talent today to reap the rewards as those individuals learn the knowledge and skills to become the leaders of tomorrow. Testament to this is the presence of two of our early graduate trainees on our PLC board. Succession planning can often be seen as tomorrow’s job. We are all busy delivering for clients today – at the heart of any business – but taking some time to identify those with the

capacity to grow, and investing in their development, ensures continuity of culture and creates an identifiable DNA that clients recognise and will trust in years to come. For the business owner, it offers reassurance that trusted hands are there to carry the baton in the future, and for the team members who are identified for future leadership roles, such a vote of confidence can be a boon to performance and engender loyalty for years to come. The earlier the process of succession planning can commence, the better. And probably even more importantly, this is a constant process to ensure that talent, at whatever career stage, can be constantly nurtured.

NINA CONDRON Director at Horus Music

orus Music uses succession planning and regularly takes on interns. Throughout this time, we ensure that they gain experience in numerous roles so that they are adaptable and can assist in all areas. It also means that when looking to recruit we have, more often than not, taken on those interns that we have spent time with and worked alongside, as we already know their strengths. Being a part of apprenticeship schemes has also helped, as they assist in the application process by coming to you with some of the best applications which you can shortlist further. Finally, we operate an internal CMS, which means that all emails, phone communication, tasks and jobs are tracked on the system – so if anyone leaves the company, all of this data is retained and can be picked up by someone else.

East Midlands Senior Partner Head of KPMG Enterprise in the Midlands

any privately-owned businesses share a common risk – a lack of succession planning. It is easy for founders or chief executive officers to get so focused on day-to-day operations that they fail to consider future leadership. KPMG Partner Ian Borley is adamant that a succession plan is vital for a sustainable business model: “Succession planning is about developing a pool of capable leaders… get people wrong and you put the business’s ability to perform at risk,” he said. In its simplest form, strategic planning involves setting a clear plan and then aligning the organisation to execute that plan. That is, it requires a plan and capability. It is also important to understand and align where the owners, the board and management believe the business is in its life cycle, and the leadership style required. Only then can it have a meaningful conversation in relation to strategic planning and developing and/ or acquiring the capabilities (succession planning) required to execute the plan at the board and/or management levels. Borley described succession as the orderly transfer of management (the CEO), control (the board) and equity (ownership) to the next generation, but recognises that “it can take a bit of humility to step aside and let another CEO take over the business.” However, getting succession on track can actually help a founder grow their business without fear of losing control and suffering burn out. He said signs that a business is off-track to succession include a lack of awareness of issues and challenges, a lack of goal alignment and trust, and inability to separate from a focus on operations to future management. In family businesses, another poor sign is blurring the best interests of the business with the interests of the owners or family. Signs that a business is on-track include awareness of the issues and challenges, having inside and outside perspectives, and strong alignment on the key issues and context. Clear plans for the transfer of management, control and ownership are essential, along with the trust and commitment to follow the plan. Succession in family business can be unique due to the competing expectations of the founders and subsequent generations. “People often say it’s the third generation that lets a family business down, but I think the first generation sometimes hangs on too long,” he said. NICHE | 13

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Born to the purple The recruitment firm made up of only specific individuals that meet the purple standards; dedicated to helping companies find the right staff, job seekers find the right job, and charities find the right funds

ileen Richards Recruitment, a specialist consultancy based in Leicester city centre, has kicked off the New Year with a thriving start. Approaching their fifth anniversary, the dependable ER team are commonly recognised within the business world for their enthusiasm and participation within the city, alongside their commitment to the organisation’s corporate social responsibility. With ambitions to ascend further, the small yet incredibly experienced team is continuing to recruit talented individuals

THE SMALL YET INCREDIBLY EXPERIENCED TEAM IS CONTINUING TO RECRUIT TALENTED INDIVIDUALS TO JOIN THEM

to join them throughout their exciting journey. In addition to their existing specialist divisions, the business is branching out into additional sectors including construction, non-executive and senior executive appointments. Other services include Thomas Psychometric Testing, interview techniques and succession planning for businesses. Supporting local charities, including Wooden Spoon and Hope Against Cancer, is a core value for the business, so much so that the talented musicians

of the ER team will be hitting the stage and painting the town purple to raise £1,500 for the Hope Through Business members club – it’s one not to be missed. If you’re looking for trusted, innovative advice on recruiting staff or a new career, get in touch – the team would love to hear from you.

0116 254 9710

eileenrichardsrecruitment.co.uk info@eileenrichards.co.uk NICHE | 15

Why SMEs are facing

BANKRUPTCY Almost half of SMEs in the UK say they have to regularly wait beyond agreed terms for payments, Bacs reported – Ashley Barratt of Corporate Debt Solutions reviews

he payment schemes provider also reported the even scarier statistic that almost one in five (19 per cent) affected by overdue settlement admit that being owed between £20k and £50k would be enough to drive them into bankruptcy. This terrifying data is recognised by the government, with the minister for small business, Margot James, putting her weight behind the ‘prompt payment code’ in September 2016, and a commitment to the appointment of a Small Business Commissioner to provide help and advice to business, including how to achieve prompt payment. On 6th April 2017 the ‘Statutory

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Duty to Report’ for large businesses came into force. In simple terms this means that large businesses (80 per cent of the FTSE 100 are signed up to the prompt payment code) should pay all invoices within 30 days in order to boost cash flow and allow smaller business owners to invest in future growth. The sad reality is that whilst some effort has gone into improving the terms for SMEs, the playing field is still far from level. This year has started with two high profile cases of businesses requiring restructuring, namely Carillion and Jamie’s Italian. Whilst both of these instances have been documented heavily in recent

months, the cash flow stresses of the smaller suppliers receive fewer headlines. The question now stands; is the plight of the smaller suppliers improved due to the implementation of the above code? The reality is that very little has changed in terms of receiving prompt payment, and whilst no one would suggest larger companies are deliberately holding onto small supplier payments, they seem to be low on the priority list.

0116 2961 438 ashley.barratt@cds.org.uk

NICHE FEATURE

HOW TO PROTECT YOUR BUSINESS So, what does this mean in the real world? Fundamentally there are two key effects of slow invoice payment: internal cash flow is strained; and growth is stifled. What can businesses do to protect themselves?

Determine your breakeven point

Know when your business will become profitable for a ready-made target for projecting cash flow. Negative cash flow and negative profits make for a grim combination.

Focus on cash flow management, not profits

This may sound contradictory to #1, but it’s not. Use your breakeven point as a benchmark. Once your business is profitable, you still need to manage your cash flow, of course.

Maintain some cash reserves

You will have cash shortfalls. Your business’ survival may depend on how you manoeuvre through those shortfalls. If you start with some cash in your bank, it will be easier to focus on cash flow.

Collect receivables ASAP

Keep 30 and 60 terms in contracts to a minimum. If necessary, delegate the task of keeping an eye on receivables and contacting customers to a trustworthy, persistent member of your team.

The sad reality is that whilst some effort has gone into improving the terms for SMEs, the playing field is still far from level

ABOUT CDS Corporate Debt Solutions Global provide credit management and recoveries services for companies across the UK and Europe managing circa £20m of receivables utilising stateof-the-art intuitive collections software and an award-winning client engagement programme. If you have questions or would like a free ledger review, contact Ashley Barratt, CEO and Founder of CDSG.

NICHE | 17

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BUSINESS FOCUS

How do you forecast cash flow and how do you manage it? Ironically, the cash flow statement can be the most telling of the three financial statements; in fact, it’s the only financial statement that matters to many investors

THE STARK REALITY IS THAT EVERY BUSINESS OWNER TRUE TO THEMSELVES WILL ADMIT TO THAT ONE OCCASION WHERE THEY HAVE LANDED A HUGE CONTRACT AND TOOK THEIR FOOT OFF THE GAS, ONLY TO BE BITTEN AGAIN BY SLOW PAYMENTS

ASHLEY BARRATT CEO and Founder at CDS Global

he collapse of the Carillon group has made national headlines, with politicians and ‘business experts’ quick to dissect its corpse, similar to a scene from Silent Witness. Something which has caused less of a stir are the smaller companies caught in the crossfire whose cash flow was reliant on being paid promptly by ‘one of the big boys’. The stark reality is that every business owner true to themselves will admit to that one occasion where they have landed a huge contract and took their foot off the gas, only to be bitten again by slow payments from said contract. We all do the same pitch, beg, borrow and ‘liberate’ in order to land the business changing deal. We staff up to meet the contractual demand with the hope of future revenues, only to find that a fly in the ointment, a lost invoice or a contractual delay has held up payment and the small business owner is left feeling the pain and bearing the cost. The lucky and frugal ones hopefully have enough capital in the bank to ride this mini-storm but many, mainly new start-ups, simply cannot

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afford the delay and have to make difficult decisions regarding staff wages, rent, business essential consumables and paying themselves. There will never be a silver bullet solution to resolving this issue, but by diversifying revenue streams, actively managing the P and L, keeping a little by for rainy days or hard hitting fines by a government regulated body yet to exist, most businesses should weather the storm. When I started my first business a good friend of mine dished out the advice that ‘cash is always king’. Now I’m not sure this is true, but I am certain that cash flow certainly is. Ashley Barratt is CEO and Founder of Corporate Debt Solutions Global, an analytics and technologydriven commercial recoveries agency based in the heart of the Midlands. Ashley has 19 years’ experience working in this industry for FTSE 100 businesses and has for many years championed for a change in the commercial recoveries market.

Cash Flow

SONIA STATHAM Director and Licensed Insolvency Practitioner Assist Business Consulting Ltd t’s true. Cash (or lack of it!) kills businesses if not managed properly. However, to most small business owners, a cash flow forecast is a scary concept and is often neglected in favour of other tasks when the business has no difficulties. When a cash problem arises, directors are forced into making, often costly, reactive decisions that involve inappropriate short-term solutions. This will impact on other areas of the business and whilst fire-fighting the cash flow crisis, other items get overlooked. Often it is not performing poorly that results in cash flow problems – quite the opposite.

A growing business, or one with a large upturn in sales, can start ‘overtrading’ and tie up cash very quickly. ◆ A forecast is a must for every business – preparing one and maintaining it. And not in the future, or when the business grows but now! There are simple models that can be prepared and maintained without expert assistance. Being prepared and knowing in advance about pressure points is key to dealing with them effectively. ◆ Ensure the plan is regularly reviewed and revised accordingly. ◆ Identify reasons for any dips and deal with them head on. For example, if late payments are causing an issue, review credit control procedures or look to renegotiate terms. ◆ Where external finance is required to deal with the ‘blips’ there are a number of nontraditional routes available and there are likely far more options available when sought in advance. ◆ Seek good advice at the earliest opportunity from professionals. It doesn’t have to be costly, and even where costs are involved, it is a crucial investment for any serious and successful business.

TOM WATKINSON Managing Director at MNE Accounting

here are three certainties in life: 1. You pay tax 2. You die 3. Without cash, your business will fail When planning a business, the number one question is: when in the process do you get paid? Online businesses that get paid before they lift a finger are wonderful cash generators. Professional firms that do long periods of work before submitting an invoice and await payment are dreadful. Looking at these issues purely from a cash point of view and not at what a

business does is key to survival. Do we ensure we are paid on time and also manage our expenditure? These, however mundane, are the factors that when they are mastered, enable survival and then growth. If ignored, it’s just a matter of time before the lack of cash becomes the dominant discussion distracting from the true purpose of the business. Planning your business around cash: how and when am I going to get paid? ◆ Establish good credit control. ◆ Do not work for people who are slow payers. ◆ Be very careful of overexposing yourself to one customer. ◆ Set a credit limit and do not exceed it. ◆ Have some reserve cash and never use it – leave this for emergencies only... ◆ …Don’t have emergencies. ◆ Limit your exceptional cash-hungry problems to a maximum of one and solve them quickly; two and it’s critical, three and it’s probably fatal.

CASH FLOW CRIPPLES 82% OF SMALL BUSINESSES

TIM EMMONY Managing Director at MNE Accounting

any businesses fall into certain traps when it comes to forecasting cash flow. A natural assumption to make is if you set your payment terms at 30 days’ notice, then you forecast your cash flow based on people working to these 30 day terms. Sure, the best customers will pay you in 30 days, maybe a few days before if they’re really keen. However, there will always be a proportion of your customers who will be late. Sometimes, they’ll just pay when they’re ready. The best tip for forecasting cash flow is to work on day-today movements. If your wages are paid on the 6th of every month and your main client pays you on the 7th, you’re likely to have an issue if cash is tight. A monthly cash flow forecast wouldn’t suggest there is a problem at all, whereas forecasting cash flow day-to-day would highlight this potential issue. Another common mistake businesses make is they don’t take the opportunity to use creditors’ terms. Businesses may pay a creditor immediately, because they want it off their desk or they simply want to be nice. Use your full credit terms – very few businesses care if you pay early. NICHE | 21

0116 255 2422 hello@mneaccounting.co.uk mneaccounting.co.uk

NICHE FEATURE

What does

Financial Freedom look like? “Most business owners are in business for more freedom, but many

have no idea what this looks like!” says Rajesh Modha of Finance Lab

magine using your wealth to create a lifestyle that allows you the ‘freedom’ to choose what you want to do, and when you want to do it. That cruise. That car. That house. That university for your children. Everyone has that thing they aspire to achieve. And it’s all achievable, according to Rajesh Modha. With the right attitude and strategy, he says everyone (especially business owners) are able to create a roadmap to get them where they want to be. Rajesh is a new breed of Chartered Financial Planner who helps people to achieve their lifestyle goals – their freedom. As well as advising on the full spectrum of financial products, he also becomes a financial coach to his clients, by helping them aspire to a lifestyle by design. He helps them understand their money story, so that they can make informed decisions on their finances. Using financial roadmap software, combined with curiosity for people and his go-getting attitude, he shows you the possibilities of your future. And if the current outcome is not one you’re too keen on, he’ll help you

EVERYONE HAS AN IMAGE OF THEIR PERFECT FUTURE. MOST PEOPLE ARE JUST TOO SCARED TO CONFRONT IT.

develop financial strategies that will make your future attainable. “Everyone has an image of their perfect future. Most people are just too scared to confront it. Achieving any goal or aspiration is about breaking down the ultimate aim into small, manageable tasks, arranging those tasks so that you undertake the most important first and being committed enough to follow through,” he explains. “It’s very systematic, but there is some fabulous guidance from the excellent David Hyman; I intend to bring him to Leicester for a seminar over the coming months. He has created a system to attain your most massive goals and has proven the system works through his work and the work of others.” To live your ideal life, Rajesh says you need to start with the end in mind. Write down how you want your life to look in the next 5, 10 or 20 years. Put a cost to this lifestyle and then work out the cash flow you require via earnings by investments. Rajesh often helps clients achieve the freedom to retire five or 10 years earlier than they had previously anticipated. Some entrepreneurs believe

they do not require guidance, and they will create a life of abundance as they have the mindset and determination. Rajesh believes they still need to talk to someone, even if it’s just to confirm that the decisions they’re making suit their plans for the future. “You see, financial planning should be about maximising the use of your time with the wealth that you have. Not the other way around.” Rajesh’s job is to become someone who you are accountable to in making your dream-life a reality. The financial roadmap system provides a graphical representation that takes into account salary, dividends, profits, pensions, ISAs, property, all expected expenditure and all other variables, deciphering where the cash flow will have to come from. “The premise of what we do is providing the client the comfort and security that their desired future is attainable. Life is not a rehearsal,” he asserts.

0116 262 1414 financelab.co.uk

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO LIVE A GOOD LIFE? FINANCIAL PLANNING

ESTATE PLANNING

PROPERTY PLANNING

BESPOKE FINANCIAL SERVICES FOR UNIQUE INDIVIDUALS

0116 262 1414 info@financelab.co.uk NICHE | 23

BUSINESS FOCUS

4 trends SMEs are using to enter the global market As we journey further into 2018 wide-eyed and even bushier-tailed with the assured capacity of making great things happen for our small businesses, owners and leaders are eager to implement and feel the impact of new technological advances. Automation, AI, analytics, and employee experience are said to be big deals for the year ahead WHILE AI HAS ITS BENEFITS – AS LEANNE BONNER-COOKE OF EVOLVE IT AGREES – TECHNOLOGY STARTS WITH PEOPLE. A LACK OF A HUMAN EMPATHY MAY MEAN TECHNOLOGICAL EVOLUTION COULD TAKE BUSINESSES ONE STEP FORWARD AND TWO STEPS BACK FOR RELATIONSHIPS WITH FELLOW LEADERS, EMPLOYEES AND CONSUMERS.

SCOTT KNOWLES

RATHER THAN JUST EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT, LEADERS ARE REALISING THAT EMPLOYEE EXPERIENCE, CULTURE AND PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT ARE KEY TO CREATING A GREAT PLACE TO WORK AS THE NEXT GENERATION OF EMPLOYEES HAVE HIGH EXPECTATIONS IN THIS WAY. TECHNOLOGY AND DIGITAL TOOLS ARE SAID TO BOOST THEIR POSITIVE EXPERIENCE. 24 | NICHE

Chief Executive at East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire)

an has learned to live and work alongside machines; there is no turning the clock back. With the rising cost of employing people, driven by inflation-busting rises in minimum wages in recent years, auto-enrolment pensions and a raft of legislation all adding to the employer’s cost of doing business, it comes as little surprise that firms will automate where they can and where it’s costeffective to do so. Automation is not new to business but intelligent automation is the dawn of a new era. The technology exists for trains to drive themselves, planes to fly themselves and we are seeing development of self-driving cars and lorries that can travel in convoy with a driver in only the lead cab. This is very much the tip of iceberg. As the technology improves, and it is an accelerating feast with each development feeding the next idea, so the ways in which it can be used will change and increase. To ensure we keep people in work

across the region, we need to make sure we remain at the forefront of that development with a workforce that can recognise and take the lead as each opportunity arises. We need strong leadership in business, but leadership that can empathise with workers as they are forced to develop new skills to evolve as the workplace evolves. And there is an even bigger challenge for academia; to develop a workforce for tomorrow with the skills to fill jobs that don’t exist yet, just as app development, for example, didn’t exist as a career path when I was at school. Scott Knowles is 46 years old and has been with the Chamber of Commerce since 1999, joining as an IT Adviser to support Businesses Preparations 2000 and the threat of the millennium bug. He was appointed Chief Executive of East Midlands Chamber in 2015.

Technology

PETE FROST Managing Director at Unity Media

rtificial intelligence has advanced significantly in the past few years through the launch of self-driving cars, flying drones and Siri. Today, businesses are keen to leverage AI technology for another purpose: customer services. Integrating AI with customer service can be a game-changing plan. An intelligent chat bot service or a ‘customer service agent’ will be available at all times to intelligently resolve customer requests quickly so that businesses can focus on other tasks. Plus, as we see an upsurge in use of digital marketing platforms, it would be a sin not to influence social media channels with AI. A study by Gartner reveals that an ‘estimated 90% of businesses will use social media for customer service by 2020.’ And with 2020 just around the

corner, AI is a great opportunity for businesses to implement the technology to allow customers to be transferred across various social media channels. The agents would have access to all the latest information and conversations without the need for customers to start over, thus promising a seamless transition process and a convenient experience for the consumer.

But why stop there

With smart home applications paving their way for futuristic homes, businesses are developing AI chat agents that will enable the option to communicate directly with smart home devices. This ultimately opens up a whole new level of customer service experience, allowing business to be more accessible through various channels. Of course, we do have a long way to go before AI devices will outperform humans in many activities, but as businesses are transitioning into the AI focused ecosystem, it is inevitable that selfservice technologies and advanced bots will form the backbone of customer care. AI is no longer the way of the future, it’s the way of today!

JANE GADSBY Bloor Homes

loor Homes is one of the largest privatelyowned housebuilders in the UK. We build futures and value each employee. As a growing business operating for nearly 50 years, we understand the importance of having the right people and giving them the support they need to grow and excel. We have seven regional offices and construction teams on our 60 developments building Bloor Homes across the county. We have an induction

portal that everyone can access. They’re able to learn about our culture, values, and what we offer – rewards, benefits, training and development options. With teams in a wide variety of locations across the UK, we ensure everyone remains connected and supported by the most suitable technology that allows them to do their jobs. From our site managers working with tablets to our site sales teams using live CRM networks, we know that working together is a key factor in our success. We have a long-running apprenticeship scheme in place that enables us to invest in future talent across the housebuilding sector. Many of our managers and directors began their careers with us as apprentices and trainees before working their way up. We annually mark the 25th anniversary for staff members who join the ‘Silver Club’. Mutual pursuit of perfection is at the core of what we do and know our employees share our commitment to quality.

JOEL MULLOY Managing Director at Abel

ver the past few years the home automation market has grown in the UK and we’re finding more businesses require some kind of automation within their workplace. It’s a way of making things run more smoothly, come together more easily and be more organised. From fully automated boardroom solutions to building lighting, security and HVAC controls, businesses across the UK are implementing smart automation controls into their workplace. Businesses can cut their bills and carbon footprint by easily managing their heating with the ability to regulate the temperature setting, and control lighting throughout buildings. Boardrooms can be managed by booking in on a specialised system that can also manage the equipment in each room. By simply pressing one button, or by saying the words ‘boardroom on,’ the projector, speakers and lights can be turned on, and the temperature can be monitored and adjusted. Devices can be wirelessly connected to many systems. Voice assistant technologies are rapidly making their way into the commercial market. Just by saying someone’s name you can add them to a call or video conference. Instead of walking into a boardroom confused by which remote does what, just one press of the ‘boardroom on’ button will close the blinds, dim the lights and turn the TV or projector to the correct input allowing professionals to focus on their expertise stress-free. We are seeing companies across the UK installing automation into their business, not just to help them control their devices but to connect with other companies across the country easily and quickly. NICHE | 25

AT I

X TA

HIP

THE

E R PA RT N

L IL

A SPECI

“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

Demergers: Breaking up’s a little harder to do

(Although with sound tax advice it’s not impossible) We are often asked to help our clients with a ‘demerger,’ which is essentially the process of splitting up a business. Let’s imagine that John and Jane, who each own 50% of a company, want to carry on their businesses separately. We can effectively divide up the company so that John and Jane each have separate companies carrying on ‘their’ part of the business. When it comes to demerging your business I’ve always believed that, with the right corporate tax advice, breaking up shouldn’t be that hard to do. Over the past few years we have developed a number of mechanisms for demergers, which all start with getting a formal approval from HMRC. This allows us to ensure that the demerger is free of pretty much all tax consequences – income tax, capital gains tax, corporation tax, stamp duty and stamp duty land tax. However, thanks to anti-avoidance measures introduced by HMRC in 2016, gaining exemption from stamp duty is more difficult in many cases. Stamp duty may only be 0.5% but that’s £5,000 for every £1 million that your business is worth, so the costs can quickly mount up! Thanks to the stamp duty traps sprung by the rule changes, John and Jane might now need to liquidate their holding company. While this gets around the stamp duty problem, having to liquidate will make John and Jane’s demerger more complex and expensive as well as riskier, as the extra stages mean there’s more to potentially go wrong. We have developed other, more straightforward and less risky mechanisms to achieve the demergers without triggering the new stamp duty charge. We are still able to obtain advance clearance from HMRC for the income tax, capital gains tax and corporation tax elements, so you’ll have the same degree of certainty of the tax treatment as before. These new rules have made demergers much more complicated, so it’s essential that you get sound tax advice when parting company. To learn how we can help you break up your business more easily and tax efficiently, please contact us.

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. Our specialities 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 New Walk House, 108 New Walk, Leicester LE1 6UF

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

THE DIVORCE TEAM ITâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S ALL WE DO!

NICHE BUSINESS

Forum

REDUCING INHERITANCE TAX GLYNIS WRIGHT

LIE AT YOUR PERIL! Honesty in divorce proceedings has never been more important. Any spouse caught trying to hide assets will be in big trouble with the court. The cases of Sharland v Sharland and Gohil v Gohil were heard in the Supreme Court in 2015. Both involved women trying to set aside their divorce settlements to get more on the grounds that their husbands had lied about their wealth in the court proceedings. The court made it clear in both cases that dishonesty will not be tolerated and that anyone proven to have misrepresented their assets will be punished with costs and a more generous settlement being made to the ex-spouse. The most important lesson to learn from these cases is that if you want finality in your divorce settlement, do not lie. If you try to outwit your spouse or the court, you can never be sure that your ex-spouse will not bring the case back before the court at some point in the future, arguing for more if they discover the deceit. There is no time limit imposed on these applications, so you can never rest easy. Since Sharland and Gohil, there have been numerous applications to court by exspouses seeking to get previous orders set aside on the grounds of misrepresentation. If you think that your settlement was based on dishonesty and that new information is available to prove this, you should take legal advice from specialist divorce lawyers.

0116 238 5680 glyniswright.co.uk 28 | NICHE

Reducing Inheritance Tax is one of the most frequent questions we get asked, along with protecting against care home fees and guaranteeing children’s inheritance. Currently the nil-rate band is set at £325,000 per person, however that will increase to £1m by 2020/21 for married couples and civil partners. Anything left to a spouse or civil partner will be exempt. You can, in fact, lose the additional residence nil-rate band should you use certain trusts within your will, ie Discretionary or Flexible Life Interest Trust. Gifting assets can seem to be the easiest and cheapest way to reducing IHT, however you have to seek professional tax advice as this could cause gift with reservation issues and capital gains tax. Anyone owner of a property portfolio was always tasked with a difficult job in reducing IHT without

SATWINDER SIDHU triggering any other tax implication such as CGT, but this has all changed thanks to our specialist tax planning where we can protect your assets from IHT immediately. Incorporating property portfolios is suitable for people who own property portfolios either in their own name or in conjunction with other family members; it enables you to transfer the property in a tax-efficient manner without triggering capital gains tax or stamp duty. With careful planning you can avoid Inheritance Tax immediately, no matter the size of your portfolio, and crystallise capital gains.

0800 999 7750 paradigm-wills.com

WHY WOULD A WILL BE CHALLENGED? GREG HOLLINGSWORTH Wills are challenged quite often by relatives and many of the contested ones are where a relative either doesn’t believe that adequate financial provision has been made for them or that they are concerned with the process in which the Will was made. The basis for challenging a Will could include: ◆ The Will is somehow not valid because the contester believes it has not been drawn up and executed properly ◆ The testator lacked mental capacity (they need to understand what they are doing and the extent of their property) ◆ There has been undue influence by a third party ◆ The Will is a fraud If a relative is immediately concerned about the Will, they can

temporarily prevent a Grant of Probate by registering a caveat at the Probate Registry. A caveat essentially creates time and space for the ‘caveator’, which is the person challenging the grant, to investigate whether they have the grounds to contest the Will; perhaps with the need to seek relevant legal advice or to gather medical evidence about the capacity of the testator at the time they made their Will. However, the caveat can be warned off by the Executors and can lead to litigation in some circumstances. A caveat can be obtained through the Probate Registry.

0116 204 7260 hlegal.co.uk

WILLS TRUSTS

Professional help for making a will

PROBATE LASTING POWER OF ATTORNEY FUNERAL PLANS

With the help of a properly formatted will, you can allocate your money, property and other possessions to your legal inheritors correctly. It will also help your inheritors to benefit from detailed arrangements. With our prior advice, inheritance tax can also be reduced.

Call us for a free no obligation quote on our legal services

0800 999 7750

NICHE BUSINESS

VICKKI RIDGWAY

ENQUIRIES RISE AFTER NHS CRISIS At the beginning of the year, we saw appalling headlines across the media that described ‘patients dying in hospital corridors’. In light of these recent reports we have received an increase in enquiries relating to personal injury and clinical negligence. People are quick to judge due to the stigma attached to these kinds of claims, labelling lawyers as unethical, greedy and ambulance chasers. But it is only when these incidents happen to themselves or a loved one that they realise the lasting damaging effects these incidents can have physically and mentally on a person, sometimes for the rest of their lives. For the majority of people, making a mistake in their job is not life threatening. We understand that mistakes can happen for health professionals too, but sometimes these are shockingly simple oversights that occur as a result of insufficient and overworked staff and inadequate resources. It does not help that you call your doctor’s surgery at 8.02am to find all the appointments have been filled. There is a genuine danger of GPs unnecessarily referring people because they do not have time to see patients, or for fear of being sued if it arises that they missed something. This only leads to further demands on the NHS and a repeat of the situation we appear to find ourselves in on an annual basis. These claims can sometimes take years to resolve, so it is important to research and choose a lawyer you feel comfortable with.

0116 255 1811 josiahhincks.co.uk 30 | NICHE

Forum

DOES YOUR WILL MEET YOUR REQUIREMENTS?

BHAVIN GANDHI

PEOPLE WE SEE SAY NO It’s always a good idea to think ahead, updating a Will and getting your affairs in order. Most of us want our estate to pass onto our children after both parents have passed. However, we see so many people who have not taken many things into consideration which cause concern such as cost of care or bankruptcy, what happens if children inherit and go through a divorce or bankruptcy, probate fees or you have concerns about children inheriting at the wrong time in life or if they unfortunately have certain habits that you would not want the inheritance to foster such as gambling, alcoholism and drug abuse. We work hard to provide a bright future for our children and we also want to ensure our estate and our children’s inheritance is protected from all of the above. However, we see many people who have made a

basic Foundation Will and have been provided no advice at all. We understand our clients and ask them what it is they want to achieve by making a Will and what concerns they have. We understand the beneficiaries and family members around them before we ask a few simple questions on whether they want to protect from certain scenarios mentioned in the first paragraph. Only then can we provide a solution or product. We see clients week in, week out who say they were never offered any advice about any of the above scenarios when they made their Will and after speaking to us they realise how exposed they and their beneficiaries are.

0800 999 7750 paradigm-wills.com

THE BREXIT EFFECT With the UK poll returning a 51.9 per cent majority to leave the EU, the result is leaving many companies uncertain. With the UK accounting for 10 per cent of the global legal market, and more than 10,000 law firms practicing in England, Brexit has very real effects for the legal services market. Investors are not as eager to part with their money as they have been in the past, especially as much of this investment is coming from overseas and therefore more likely to be affected by Brexit. Despite this, there will be a soaring demand for transactional and international lawyers, as national and international clients struggle to understand the impact of Brexit for their businesses. Some

large firms have even appointed ‘Heads of Brexit’ and even 24-hour helplines to deal with the demand for solutions. In addition, due to the crossborder benefits that come with being able to practice law in the European Union, it’s likely some large firms will start reducing the size of their London offering in favour of opening in Europe instead. Brexit will bring with it a host of recruitment opportunities for Legal professionals, whether it’s the chance to work at the cutting edge of legal reform by helping shape the laws that will impact Britain in the future, or trying out new locations in European offices that are set to be part of the legal services future.

The Litigation and Commercial Law Firm We help businesses, big and small, new and old. We help individuals, at home and at work. Talk to us today to find out how we can help you.

19, New Walk, Leicester LE1 6TE

0116 204 7260 www.hlegal.co.uk mail@hlegal.co.uk

â&#x20AC;&#x153;We solve problems, from recovering a small debt to drafting complex contracts, a business break up to a restrictive covenant problem.â&#x20AC;? Greg Hollingsworth Director

LEICESTER AND BUSINESS SURVEY 2017 The Leicester and Leicestershire Business Survey 2017 is a robust piece of research that involved 1,021 telephone interviews with employers across the Leicester and Leicestershire (LLEP) area between August and October 2017

52%

of respondents had increased their sales turnover

69%

expect their sales turnover to increase in the next 12 months

Seventy five per cent of importing businesses buy goods and services from suppliers within the EU. China is the next most significant at 38% and over a quarter (28%) import from North America.

In the next 12 months, the majority of businesses in the LLEP area are aiming for growth. 57% are aiming for steady growth, whilst 8% are aiming for rapid and aggressive growth.

In 2017, 52% of businesses had recruited staff in the last 12 months (compared to 50% in 2014). Forty two per cent of businesses plan to recruit in the next 12 months. The larger the business, the more likely they are to recruit. In the construction sector, 42% of businesses plan to recruit llep.org.uk/businesssurvey 32 | NICHE

in the next 12 months. In 2014, the figure was 31%.

LEICESTERSHIRE Ten per cent of businesses in the LLEP area are looking to relocate due to expansion and need larger premises or are just finding their current premises too small. The majority are planning to stay within the LLEP area, with nearly half hoping to stay within their current district. Most do not think it will be easy to find alternative premises in the locations in which they are looking and this proportion

Fifty seven per cent of businesses are planning to train or upskill staff within the next 12 months.

70%

has increased, suggesting it is now

of the workforce uses a motor

perceived as harder since 2014.

vehicle to travel to work, with a further 6% using a work-owned

FACTORS OF MOST CONCERN REGULATION AND RED TAPE ENERGY COSTS BROADBAND SPEEDS SKILLS SHORTAGES PETROL AND DIESEL COSTS WEAK POUND

van or car to travel from their home to an off-site location. Only 7% of the workforce uses public transport, which drops to just 1% in rural locations. Two per cent cycle to and from work and 15% travel by foot.

POLITICAL UNCERTAINTY

Nearly a quarter (23%) of businesses reported having skills shortage vacancies. Small and medium sized businesses are more likely to have experienced recruitment vacancies due to skills shortages. This is also the case for manufacturing (34%) and construction (27%) businesses. The survey was produced in partnership with Leicester City Council, Leicestershire County Council and East Midlands Chamber

NICHE | 33

BUSINESS FOCUS

JENNY CROSS

MARKETING:

PLAN AND STRATEGY Do your marketing ideas work? Are your strategies actioned? Is your team focused and taking the small steps that lead to big results? A marketing strategy is a crucial part of a successful business plan that outlines your overall game plan and showcases how you’ll find, attract and engage with clients and potential customers. It’s important not to confuse a marketing strategy with a marketing plan. Your strategy focuses on what you want to achieve, whereas your plan will detail how this can be achieved. A good strategy incorporates what you know about how your business fits within the marketplace, taking into consideration: product, price, placement, promotion and people. It should aim to develop techniques that will achieve your marketing objectives. The ideal time to look at a marketing strategy is when you first set up the business. It doesn’t need to cost you a lot of money and you don’t necessarily need to spend budget on it, but you do need to know your USP, your market and how you might be able to engage on the right levels. Have a think about your competition, how you’ll compete, and what you need to achieve (ie sales numbers) to reach your goals. From this, take what you’ve learned to create your marketing plan. A marketing strategy will need to be open to change as the business grows and the market place develops.

0116 271 2573 crossproductions.co.uk 34 | NICHE

Forum

PLASTIC PLANS STARTING TO TAKE SHAPE? It’s easy to get down about the issue of plastics within our environment. I’m a bit obsessed with reading articles on the subject, but today I read a piece that, I believe for the first time, allowed me to think that real solutions (rather than empty policies) may at last be on the horizon. I discovered China has banned the import of certain grades of waste and this has necessitated a huge rethink on recycling in the UK. Before this very important step was taken, there was often little or no incentive for us to sort it out for ourselves. Cue more initiatives to ensure the recycling we diligently put in our green bins actually gets recycled. Cue more companies that can invest in new processes to reuse plastics, negating the need for precious resources and massively reducing the carbon footprint of plastic production.

CHRIS GOODMAN

MARKETING POST-GDPR When the new General Data Protection Regulation takes effect in the UK this May, all kinds of organisations are going to have to request clear, straightforward consent in order for companies to contact them digitally. When the new regulations come into force, companies will not be able to send marketing emails to addresses without having the necessary expressed consent. This means many companies will be far more restricted in their digital marketing activity. Many companies rely heavily on this kind of marketing,

RACHEL HARGRAVE I’d gone from being horrified (why should it be acceptable to send our waste off to become someone else’s problem?) to truly hopeful that meaningful change would emerge. The positivity came only when I had fully read the story and looked at the facts in context – it even made a case for landfill over incineration to ‘store’ waste to be recycled! To me, this is a great illustration of how good presentation of information can impress a reader and encourage genuine positivity. If plastics can get good press with the help of great storytellers, so can your business. Now who do we know who can present a great story?

01509 813 913 rdz-pr.co.uk and if you’re one of them, you’ve likely experienced some anxiety around how you will keep your business ahead of the competition. Well, direct mail is still possible. You can send postal campaigns without the expressed consent, as long as the contact has purchased from you in the past or has expressed some sort of interest in your services. Therefore, direct mail becomes a much more viable option to keep in touch with your customers and prospects where email marketing may not be possible. The Royal Mail found that 92 per cent of people who received direct mail were driven to online activity, 87 per cent were influenced to make online purchases, and 54 per cent engaged on social media after receiving a mail campaign. So, we expect to see an increase in our print sales for flyers and leaflets after May. Should you need us, we can help ensure your direct mail campaigns comply with the Government’s rulebook.

0116 259 9955 soarvalleypress.co.uk

How expos and trade shows will work for you Spring and summer are packed full of events, including festivals, business expos, roadshows, wedding fayres and education open evenings – it makes for the perfect time to splash your brand around

epending on your line of business, you could be involved in one or all of the kinds of events listed above. If so, you’re likely exhibiting in order to raise awareness of your brand. But, according to print company Soar Valley Press, it’s unfortunate how many businesses miss the boat at these exhibitions. When it comes to maximising their exposure, many businesses aren’t reaching their full potential. Here Soar Valley Press outlines the benefits of just a selection of products* that will increase your profile by the time summer’s over. Ultimately, this is the journey a potential client takes that transforms them from a ‘maybe’ to a ‘definitely’. 36 | NICHE

BRANDING AND LOGO DESIGN

Before getting any print material produced, make sure you’re happy with your logo. If you’ve had your logo for many years, it may be time to update it. It needs to stay modern and fresh to remain relevant in your industry and keep up with competition. It may just be a simple tweak needed, but designers like Soar Valley Press will be able to offer their knowledge and guidance on how to stay relevant and can design it for you themselves if you wish.

FLYERS AND LEAFLETS

If you’re spending your hard-earned money on exhibiting at a show, expo, open evening or other function,

don’t just rely on the event to do the shouting for you. The event organisers can only do so much to promote you within their event. If you’re going to be there, tell everyone! A good way to do this is to have a leaflet or flyer printed, branded in your colours, telling people what you do but also inviting them to come and visit you in a different environment. Soar Valley Press can also advise on how to distribute these so it reaches your target audience. Soar Valley Press provide services for conferences and events such as awards dinners and hospitality at rugby internationals. These types of events have a range of literature that prove sometimes you should think

NICHE FEATURE

outside the box: pre-event brochures, itineraries, menus, competition forms, passes and lanyards, place cards, table numbers and centres, table plans, brochures for each guest, stage backdrops, tickets, invites, and even special packs to send them out in.

EXHIBITION DISPLAYS

These include pop-up stands and pull-up banners. Only sort these if you have your branding and logo finalised. A good printing company can design these for you and ensure they match your brand and company profile. You may want these to be generalised so you can re-use them at other events in the long term, or you might want them to be more temporary and promote a specific service or deliver time-relevant information to stand out to a more targeted audience.

always remember you most if you gave out a quirky, unique takeaway – if you’ve ever seen Soar Valley Press at an expo, you’ll know that this is one of their many fortes!

BROCHURES AND CATALOGUES

SIGNAGE

Depending on what your business offers, it might not always be relevant to you to have these. But if you offer many products or services, it’s always a very good idea to have these to offer out to potential customers at any event you attend/exhibit at. This is another avenue where thinking outside the box may come in handy. Soar Valley Press have taken on book projects including self-published books, individuals’ life stories, and annual publications – in particular a hardback book for a dog breed which is sold at Crufts and runs to over 500 pages.

PROMOTIONAL ITEMS

ROOPAL

miss the boat at these exhibitions

Every company needs clear signage. It’s usually the first impression-maker. But since your new customers will have seen you at your event adorned in the most cleverly-branded, professional and possibly quirkily-printed material they could possibly imagine, you’re going to need to follow this through. They will turn up at your offices expecting to find the same professionally-printed material they first encountered. There are several different types: rigid signs like boards and signposts, soft signage such as flags and banners and vinyl signage for windows and vehicles.

STATIONERY

Anything from pens to clothing to deckchairs. A good print company will be able to print on pretty much anything you can think of. These will all get you noticed. Customers will

WILL

it’s unfortunate how many businesses

from your stationery. Every piece of information received by your client should express your brand accordingly. This includes presentation folders, letterheads, envelopes, labels, invoices, business cards and everything in between. Soar Valley Press also take care of mailings. They recently produced a Tigers mailing with the Tigers Times newspaper along with a personalised letter for season ticket renewal and a circular window sticker for season ticket holders. So you’ve reassured your new customer that you are the company for them, and their journey with you doesn’t end with the stationery – that’s just the beginning.

0116 259 9955 soarvalleypress.co.uk

This is the next stage of following through to uphold your reputation. After a terrifically designed sign strategically placed for maximum exposure, your new clients will expect nothing less

DAVE

ALFIE

ALI

ANNA

*All products featured available from Soar Valley Press, further details can be found on their website.

DESIGN + PRINT

Soar Valley Press

CHRIS

BEN

HANNAH

NICHE | 37

#BUSINESS

SPOTLIGHT

The Fastest Growing Companies in Leicestershire DANIELLE GARRITY Business Development Manager at Smallman & Son Ltd

anielle originally aspired to become a head teacher and worked as a primary school teacher for three years before joining her family business. She is still able to continue supporting children through the Smallman & Son Foundation. The foundation was set up by Danielle’s father, who has always been passionate about helping young people in the local community. The foundation helps charities such as Soft Touch Arts, Steps and the Bodie Hodges Foundation. Smallman & Son is a commercial building contractors that works throughout the UK on residential, commercial and public sector projects. As a Business Development Manager, Danielle’s main responsibilities include marketing, PR, social media and sponsorships, and she is currently working on updating the website. She has previously organised fun activities for the Smallman team including a

Halloween Pizza and Prosecco night and a Clay Pigeon Shooting afternoon. The History and Politics graduate says her father has always been a source of inspiration to her as the most entrepreneurial, hard-working and determined person she knows. She is grateful for all of his support, including giving her the confidence to achieve her dream of getting into the University of Warwick. Having come from a family that has had a long history in the building trade, Danielle feels honoured to work alongside her father, brother and sister to continue her late grandfather’s legacy. Danielle has always been inspired by Steve Jobs’ quotation: ‘The only way to do great work is to love what you do’. Danielle loves working for her family business and says that perhaps one day she would like to project-manage a site to follow in the footsteps of her father.

SONAL GADHIA

VICKKI RIDGWAY

Conveyancing Manager and Solicitor at My Home Move: Premier Property Lawyers

Senior Chartered Legal Executive at Josiah Hincks

onal has been managing a team of conveyancers who work from home throughout England and Wales for two years and she has prized being able to see them progress in the company, having personally contributed to their development. The Leicester-born Kill Bill fan didn’t always want to go into this line of work, though. Sonal was mesmerised by the Hollywood representation of criminal lawyers – she says LA Law has a lot to answer for! She fell into property law in 2001 and when she spotted My Home Move had, as if overnight, made a big impact on the market, Sonal made it her mission to be part of their success story. Sonal has made her mark in the workplace, having managed one of the first teams of home-based conveyancers for the company’s ‘National Network’, which opened up opportunities for conveyancers throughout England and Wales. The network had no guaranteed

38 | NICHE

success, but Sonal played an integral part in its achievement. It now has in excess of 60 home-based conveyancers. In her career, Leicester solicitor Douglas Wemyss supported her by giving her a training contract, and her family played a crucial role. Her family, especially her husband, mother, brother and late father, taught her to follow her dreams and make them a reality. Leicester born and bred, Sonal says the city isn’t as impersonal as larger cities, and she feels it allowed her to have the balance of being cosmopolitan without losing that sense of personal touch. Outside of work, she loves writing poetry, kickboxing, and as a sufferer of coeliac disease, she loves to create gluten-free copycat recipes.

ing like no one is listening, love like you’ve never been hurt, dance like nobody’s watching, live like it’s heaven on earth, and always make sure you have adorable stationery! This is the way Vickki chooses to live her life. In between representing individuals who have sustained injuries in accidents or as a result of medical negligence, she enjoys walking her Cockapoo and is currently busy putting her craft skills to good use planning her wedding for later this year. The Glenfield-born lawyer finds helping people extremely rewarding. To be able to secure funding for someone to enable them to live as normal a life as possible, despite the catastrophic situation they have found themselves in, is extremely gratifying for Vickki. Depending on the complexity of the case, she is often in contact with clients, sometimes for years, and considers them friends. Having an emotional understanding

Sponsored by

ehlcommercial.co.uk

STUART SOUTHALL Director & Head of EHL Commercial Law

he Birmingham-born Cadbury Creme Egg lover comes from a family of lawyers. His family’s practice and reputation is still around in the West Midlands despite the practice ceasing 17 years ago. He aspires to achieve this level of recognition and longevity. Stuart gained a degree in Legal Studies and an LLM in Intellectual Property. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives, an Allied Member of the Chartered Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys and a qualified Mediator. He is also in the process of taking his Higher Rights qualification. Stuart has been fortunate enough to have experienced the hustle and bustle of legal life in Washington DC and New York City where he worked for boutique litigation practices. He has worked at a number of leading practices in the West Midlands. The variety of

litigation experience achieved at those firms has shaped the practitioner he is today. Stuart has immense admiration for lawyers working for entities such as the UN to try and bring justice to people, having had a close friend who worked as an advocate in war crime trials trying to bring people to justice for mass genocides that soldiers were committing in war ravaged areas of Africa. Stuart has imposed challenges at EHL Commercial Law that he expects him and his team to meet and exceed, and he has ensured that each of them knows their worth as they have worked long and hard to get to where they are. In his spare time, which he admits he has little of due to having two young children, he enjoys powerlifting, travel, and has a top 10 list of favourite films which includes Pulp Fiction and The Godfather trilogy.

MAXINE EVERSFIELD of the person’s situation only makes her work harder. Since she joined Josiah Hincks six months ago, the firm has been able to offer a specialist service providing legal advice to those who are most seriously injured due to no fault of their own. Vickki took on her new role after spending 20 years at her previous workplace, where she initially worked part-time after having children. She soon believed that she could do the job of the lawyers around her and decided to study GCSE law followed by an A Level before the firm sponsored her to take her legal studies. Her two daughters and late parents had given invaluable support throughout her development, and her fiancé encourages her to fulfil her aspirations for the future. Her next goal is to become the first Chartered Legal Executive Partner at Josiah Hincks.

Recruitment Business Manager at Eileen Richards Recruitment Ltd

nitially trained as a Midwife, Maxine’s intrinsic inquisitive nature and passion for helping people made her a natural choice for the recruitment industry. Ten years ago, when Maxine was considering various career options, she met with Eileen Richards who introduced and trained her within the world of recruitment and she hasn’t looked back since. Now, fresh back from maternity, it was important for her to work with a company in which she could still have a career and feel that she is continually developed and supported. Being a mother of two and a successful businesswoman are both important to her, so it was crucial that her employer valued her skills, supported her and gave her the tools to continue to build a career, allowing her to prosper in both aspects of her life. The Leicester-born business manager takes responsibility for running the recruitment process for her own client network, along with ensuring her team of 10 also offer the best service to all clients. What she loves most about her role is engaging with candidates and clients; understanding the needs of both sides, and effectively helping each towards a successful future. Maxine’s favourite film is The Little Mermaid. She says she loves Ariel’s energy and enthusiasm for life, and that whilst she doesn’t have a tail herself, she shares similar traits to the mermaid in terms of being adventurous and curious about the world of humans. NICHE | 39

All that A luxury-look Instagram trend has been made available in Leicester, and it’s set to put a twinkle in the eye of all who behold it

n entrepreneur from Aldridge in Birmingham who set up Glitters Ltd, which provides lavish glitter wallpaper, has sold out of a years’ worth of stock in 14 weeks. The idea came to former model Isabella Rowles (21) after seeing a small swatch of ‘puke green’ glitter fabric. Glitter wall fabric had been around for some time before her new venture but after doing some research, Isabella took her time sourcing the highest quality available. There are three existing grades with grade three being the highest, which is offered by Glitters. Glitters was formed in February 2017 and opened a showroom in Birmingham in September of the same year. “Although [glitter wallpaper] was already around, I only have three competitors that are all based online.

40 | NICHE

I’m the first with a UK showroom,” the Lichfield-born businesswoman explained. “I originally brought a years’ worth of stock with the intentions of selling every last bit. I just had a feeling that it was going to work and with how much I’m pushing it in every possible direction, it was never going to fail. I did see it as a risk, of course, but businesses are all about taking risks. That’s what will get you to where you need to be. “I think it has been so popular purely from the way we’ve branded it, it’s a luxury product at affordable prices, which fits into any market. It’s so versatile, and I think people love that.” A mature, grownup interior design spin has been applied to childhood favourites of ice cream colours,

metallics, unicorns and pineapples and have made ‘top trends’ lists in recent years and won’t be disappearing from popular culture any time soon. The new glitter trend was only naturally going to take off as it has, and predictably more so now that Isabella has firmly grasped a part of the market. Leicester Racecourse was the first Glitters customer in the shire, having a bar wrapped in Glitter and proving how versatile the product really is. Isabella said: “I decided Leicester was a fantastic location just before Christmas, I really feel there is a buzz to the area and there’s a huge gap in the market that I know I can fill.” Glitters have also wrapped blinds, windowsills and furniture in an array of coloured glitters, as well as 7ft wall cut-outs for company buildings and

NICHE FEATURE

I think it has been so popular purely from the way we’ve branded it, it’s a luxury product at affordable prices, which fits into any market

residential homes alike. “My customers have used the wall fabric for the most weird and wonderful things. We also offer a wide range of bespoke, handmade products such as cushions, blinds and shoe boxes, never-before-done products such as glitter dancefloors, 6x2ft glitter LED letters and numbers, and a 10x8ft heart archway, which our customers seem to love. We’ll also be covering the Aces events in Marbella this summer.” Social media influencer Talitha Minnis is also a fan of the glamorous product. Isabella approached the 2014 Ex on the Beach star and welcomed her on board. Talitha will be bringing out her own collection made up of four limited edition colours. On her perseverance and success so far, Isabella added: “I always

knew I was going to own my own business. I’m very strong minded and determined to make a success of something, so I really think this was the path that was always planned for me. My main hobby is my business. I eat, sleep and breathe work. I think when you’re so passionate about what you do it becomes less of a job and more of a way of life. “I originally started my modelling as a hobby at 14, but then it turned into something much bigger. Although I had agents, I was always selfemployed, so I treated that like my own little business as well. “When running your own business you’re faced with hurdles daily, it’s just part and parcel of the role. One of the biggest hurdles I’ve faced is learning to trust people to control

parts of my business. It took me a long time to trust somebody to look after my showroom when I was needed in meetings elsewhere. “I have huge plans for the future. I’m currently venturing into the event prop hire business having bespoke letters and numbers made, covering them in glitter and LED lighting for weddings, birthday parties and baby showers. I’m also starting to push the new giant shoe boxes. They’re handmade with the highest quality materials and hold on average 16 pairs of shoes. I have lots of exciting contracts and jobs in the pipeline involving celebrities and iconic events.”

01922 453 813 glittersltd.co.uk

NICHE | 41

NICHE FEATURE

Explore the SAM MANSELL

Dark Side

I am currently totally obsessed with everything black, dark and moody – in interiors of course!

lack kitchens are top of my list of favourite things right now and I am planning to do my own domestic culinary makeover. But more seriously, black doesn’t have to be boring, or serious for that matter. Black, deep inky navy blues, dark charcoal greys, even pitchy black-browns can all be used to create elegant, sophisticated, sensual, alluring, cosy, warm or homely interior schemes – it just depends on how you use them. Black and white, the original monochrome, is a true classic and really you can’t go far wrong, however, it can look quite stark and cold. You can soften the look by using charcoal instead of black, or off-white instead of white. If you are truly brave you can go all in with an alldark scheme where the walls, perhaps the ceiling too, flooring and furniture are all velvety dark. While the darkness can be dramatic and very beautiful, always make sure it is right for the room, and it’s imperative you get the lighting right. If a room is dark naturally, then it might be a good idea to embrace the darkness, as you can’t easily make a dark room feel truly light, but it can look amazing if you go with the darkness. So take a walk over to the dark side and see if you can be tempted.

Samantha

Eichholtz Stag’s Head Set of Two £259

90mm Engineered Woodland Brown Oak Parquet Block Flooring F7004 £43.10m sq

I love parquet flooring and this one is hard wearing and can be used with underfloor heating. Great smoky dark colour too. ambiencehardwoodflooring.co.uk

Get the country house vibe with this elegant pair. Would complement modern and more traditional tastes. A definite talking point! houseology.com

Opal Table Lamp £175 Beautiful and simple. A ceramic base with a luminous globe. Both light and dark simultaneously. abigailahern.com

Industrial Tractor Seat Style Bar Stool £69.99 Mother of Pearl & Black Horn Door Knobs £3.95 each Upgrading your door furniture is a great way to change the look of your home with little expense. These beauties are gorgeous. grahamandgreen.co.uk

This bar stool is just über-cool and looks amazing. Would suit all kinds of kitchen styles. I want this for my own! la-maison-chic.co.uk chrysalisinteriordesign.com/hotpicks

Tel: 0121 647 6709 f: Facebook.com/ChrysalisInteriorDesign t: @ChrysalisID www.chrysalisinteriordesign.com NICHE | 43

Kitchens – Bathrooms – Bedrooms

What to expect from

the property market in 2018

At this time, everyone has their thoughts on what will happen to the housing market over the coming year. We ask Sam McDonald, Chartered Surveyor and Valuer at Fothergill Wyatt, to share his expert opinion

ast year was a good year for the local market. We experienced a very busy spring and summer, with viewing numbers, offers and completions all up on previous years. It slowed down considerably in the autumn, with the press focusing on the news that the Bank of England planned to put interest rates up, which they subsequently did in November, and the fact that the London property market was in decline. This led to less people placing their properties on the market in the autumn, which resulted in lower than usual stock levels through the traditionally quiet winter period. Looking at the stats for 2017, national

house prices rose by 5.1 per cent, making the current national average £226,071 according to HM Land Registry and The Office for National Statistics (ONS). In the East Midlands we saw an increase of 4.2 per cent and an average house price of £213,551, but in Leicester the results were much stronger with an increase of 7.5 per cent – the third highest rise of any UK city and above Birmingham, Nottingham and Manchester. The average house price in Leicester at the end of 2017 was £167,400. So, overall, 2017 was a good year and we’ve seen a lot of activity on the market appraisal front so far for 2018

as people gear up for the spring, but what do the experts predict for the year to come? The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has predicted that house price growth for 2018 will grind to a halt nationally, although there will be regional growth which will off-set the predicted decline in London and the South East. The Halifax has predicted national growth of between 0 and 3 per cent. Property consultants JLL agree, predicting a national rise of only 1 per cent, with London falling. It also predicts the following years will remain low due to lack of affordability and increased

Featured Properties FOR SALE: Gartree Road, Oadby £1,400,000 The four bedroomed property, with additional one bedroom annexe (adjoined), sits centrally within the south facing plot and offers views over Leicestershire Golf Course. It is well located with access to renowned private schooling of all ages, the city centre, train links to London and all transport links. EPC rating: F An opportunity to acquire one of Leicester’s most sought-after addresses; this detached five bedroom family home offers a large circular driveway and sits centrally on a southfacing plot measuring 0.6 acres set behind timber gates The property offers the opportunity to develop and/or extend to create one of Gartree Road’s premier homes. 46 | NICHE

Four bedroom detached property Additional one bedroom annexe Plot in excess of 0.6 acres South-facing rear gardens Large frontage with circular driveway Prominent position on Gartree Road Opportunity to develop or extend Close to renowned schooling Excellent access to city centre

NICHE FEATURE Fothergill Wyatt Estate Agents and Chartered Surveyors

HOUSE PRICE GROWTH mortgage regulations. The website Rightmove offers a more positive view; it is showing increased numbers of viewers and asking prices on like-for-like properties from this time last year. Rents are expected to rise due to a reduction in the number of landlords joining the market and changes to interest tax relief. Between November 2016 and November 2017, national rents rose by 0.7 per cent. However, the East Midlands rose by 4.4 per cent according to lettings data experts Homelet. This is good news for investors, especially portfolio and professional investors. We have seen a notable increase in this market over the past 12 months and expect this to continue. At Fothergill Wyatt we assist landlords in letting their property across the Midlands and beyond. Our reach and capability is broad because we run efficient systems supported by the latest technology to ensure we deliver the latest legislation updates, source tenants quickly, and manage your property diligently. My personal view on this is that the market will remain fairly flat in 2018 in terms of value, but I do expect to see an increase in the level of activity

FOR 2018 WILL GRIND TO A HALT NATIONALLY ROYAL INSTITUTE OF CHARTERED SURVEYORS

in the larger family home market. This is fuelled by basic supply and demand – and currently, demand for the larger family home outstrips supply considerably, which naturally results in higher values. We shouldn’t be concerned about the price rise slowing; the market is, and always has been, cyclical when viewed over a period of 10-15 years. Steady growth with periods of decline is normal. I don’t envisage prices dropping in the near future, but I do expect some plateauing fuelled by government factors such as Brexit and general affordability constraints. As a potential vendor, purchaser or investor, it is worth remembering that valuation is not an exact science. Remember opinions of ‘value’ may differ between purchaser, valuer, agent and surveyor. However, it is dependent upon a number of factors such as the time of year and buyer activity; spring being traditionally the strongest market in current market conditions. Earlier

in the year The Telegraph suggested that so far, demand is high and supply is low, thus maximising property value. Personal circumstances are also key; if you want to sell quickly to secure a purchase of your own, you may be happy to value your property at a level that guarantees interest or if you have time to wait, you might secure a more ambitious price. The best way to judge a realistic price for property is to do a little research on similar properties and focus on ‘sold’ prices rather than speculative asking prices. My advice to clients is always the same. If you are realistic with your asking price and present your property in the best light with an agent who is determined to achieve the optimum price for you, it will generate maximum interest and sell for the asking price or better. At Fothergill Wyatt, our focus is on making your property our priority, working with you and using our expertise in the market to achieve the best possible outcome.

0116 270 5900 fothergillwyatt.co.uk

FOR LET: Stamford Road, Kirby Muxloe £1,800 pcm and use of an indoor swimming pool by negotiation with the landlord. Early viewing recommended. Council Tax: Band G EPC rating: to be confirmed

This stunning seven-bedroom property is presented to the market in the highest of standards and situated on a highly desirable, tree-lined road in Kirby Muxloe. This privately-located family home with excellent access to the city centre and motorway network via the A46 bypass has ample parking with the added bonus of a games room/gym

Seven-bedroom detached property Three bathrooms, including ensuite to the master bedroom Large lounge with open fire Formal dining room Spacious office Breakfast kitchen with separate utility and pantry/wine store Games room/gym Use of swimming pool by negotiation with landlord Four-car garage with lighting and power Long private driveway with automated gates NICHE | 47

A brief history of Michael John Flooring 1946 - 2018 1946 - Michael John starts out as a family

1988 - Michael John expands its premises,

business with Michael J Molloy Jnr, at age

purchasing 190 Narborough Road as their

11, helping his father sell a range of items,

hardwood flooring showroom and Mark

including shoes, clothing, watches.

Lucas joins the team. The 1990s - David Preston joins in 1993.

1959 - Michael John leaves their original

Michael John is recognised as one of the

store and moves to a new showroom and

UK’s leading flooring retailers, winning

head office at 188 Narborough Road and

master store awards.

focuses on selling carpets and rugs.

1978 - Michael Molloy Jnr takes over the business after the death of his parents. He appoints Tony Clare and Graham Morris to the Board of Directors. 1985 - Simon Manley joins as a ‘Saturday lad’ and helps out in the showroom

1946

as the company continues to grow. Simon goes on to study retail business management for the next three years.

Your leading independent flooring retailer for over 70 years...

Established in 1946, Michael John Flooring has gone from strength to strength and is now established as Leicestershire’s premier ﬂooring retailer. Our expert team are always on available to offer a guiding hand on any queries you may have, and with their extensive industry experience we can provide accurate and timely solutions to your flooring requirements. Our ﬁtters are some of the most highly trained in the industry, with a particular emphasis on customer care and service.

2012 - Michael John Flooring expands again, to open new Maison Interiors store in Oadby.

2018

2013 - Mark Lucas celebrates 25 years at Michael John Flooring. 2014 - Revolutionary Amtico Design Centre studio installed at Narborough Road showroom.

2000 - Michael Molloy Jnr retires, but remains as chairman. Simon Manley is made managing director and appointed to the board. Mark Lucas and David Preston are promoted as managers. 2005 - 2010 - Expansion continues with the opening of a warehouse in Enderby with a clearance outlet centre. Tony Clare and Graham Morris retire as Company Directors. Simon Manley celebrates 25 years at Michael John Flooring.

2015 - A new store opens in Broughton Astley, named ‘Broughton Astley Interiors’. New Michael John Flooring website is launched and Mark Lucas and David Preston are made partners. 2016 - Following the retirement of the original owners, Michael John acquire the long-established Hardy and Draper store in Earl Shilton in order to maintain the supply of high-quality flooring to the local area.

Stockists of the highest quality carpet, wood, vinyl and rugs...

PROPERTY FOCUS

Forum

GOODLORD! AN APP FOR LANDLORDS NICOL NIGHTINGALE In the words of Bob Dylan, ‘The Times They Are a Changin’, and many agents – both lettings and sales – are now using technology (known as PropTech) to automate parts of their operations, to save time, improve service levels and simplify processes. Here at Fothergill Wyatt we use the cloud based lettings administration platform ‘Goodlord’. It’s essentially a web based application and referencing system that simplifies the sign-up process for tenants, speeds up the progression of the let and establishes proof of service for required documents (critical for preserving the landlords right to serve a section 21 to regain possession of their property!). Almost everything is now done online so all a tenant has to travel to the office to

complete is their ‘right-to-rent check’, (which has to be done face to face) and to collect their keys on move in day. We build up a detailed knowledge of the landlord’s property by keeping inventories, inspections and checkouts in-house on our app. It enables us to directly share documents and log all activity for our audit trails. Simply open the original inventory when you check out the property and note any differences in condition, and include photos of rooms, damage, meter readings, keys and even log the presence (or absence) of instruction manuals! If you’re managing your own properties, contact us for help to make your life easier.

0116 270 5900 fothergillwyatt.co.uk

Broughtons

Traditional Lighting & Architectural Ironmongery

MARK LUCAS

THE PERFECT KITCHEN FLOORING Kitchen flooring has to put up with a lot of punishment – heavy footfall, spilt food, changing temperature, constantly moving furniture, the list goes on. It needs to be durable and practical, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be beautiful too. We have a wide range of functional, attractive kitchen flooring options. Vinyl Flooring - Widely regarded as the best option, vinyl floor tiles are diverse and versatile, from wood effect to tile style; they can be used to create original and unique patterns. There is such a wide variety of vinyl tiles that it can be hard to know where to start, but our state of the art Amtico Vinyl Design Centre can help. Wood Flooring - If vinyl tiles don’t quite cut it for you, we also have a wide range of genuine hard wood flooring. With the ability to look simultaneously vintage and modern, wooden flooring has a timeless quality. Rugs - Kitchen rugs can be especially effective when combined with wood flooring. They perfectly marry aesthetics and utilitarianism – providing warmth and colour to the heart of the home, but also maintaining the practical features of wooden flooring. We cater to all tastes, from the bright and bold to sleek and subtle.

Headlamp Tripod Floor Lamp Polished Nickel and Natural Wood LIFF6602

Showroom Open: Monday - Saturday 9am - 5pm The Old Cinema Cropston Road Anstey Leicestershire LE7 7BP

0116 232 3175

www.broughtons.com 50 | NICHE

sales@broughtons.com

If you have any queries or questions don’t hesitate to visit us at one of our showrooms, where our friendly and knowledgeable staff will be more than happy to help.

0116 254 1853 michael-john.co.uk

Home sweet

care home Family-run care home Chetwynd House, designed under the watchful eye of Leicester chartered surveyors Edward Cooper Young (ECY), has been shortlisted in the 2018 national Pinders Healthcare Design Awards

dept Care Homes, which owns this thoughtfully designed and innovative shortlisted assisted-living facility, is renowned for its company ethos and commitment to quality, comfort and safety. ECY was given the task of fulfilling Adept’s brief, which mixed traditional elegance with community spirit and advanced technology. The 75-bedroom scheme commenced on its Nottingham site in June 2016 and was completed on time

and £100k under budget – something ECY is reputed for – at a cost value of £4.4m on 1st December 2017. Those involved in the project have been celebrating Chetwynd House’s nomination in the Best New Care Home category of the Pinders Awards. Dave Lock, Adept Care Homes Managing Director, said: “We are thrilled to have Chetwynd House nominated for a prestigious Pinders Award. Being shortlisted for such an NICHE | 51

A lot of skilled individuals have worked together to ensure Chetwynd House meets our aim of being a superb place to live and work award is once again testament to our commitment to providing excellent care in a superior environment. “A lot of skilled individuals have worked together to ensure Chetwynd House meets our aim of being a superb place to live and work.” ECY’s mission was to act as the lead consultant, bringing other experts together to assist in the completion of the build. Successfully providing Chetwynd House staff with the facilities needed to offer improved efficiency and comfort, they were to maximise the use of sloping land whilst building on it a care home that was supportive and sympathetic to the individual needs of the elderly and dementia residents. Another significant factor in the brief was for the building to complement the surrounding environment whilst providing a unique caring space for the elderly without the stereotypical care home atmosphere. Ashley Cooper, ECY Senior Partner said: “We are delighted to have played our part in successfully delivering our third project for Adept Care Homes, with a fourth scheme on the horizon in March 2018. It is fantastic to work with a client who embraces collaborative working, which has resulted in many 52 | NICHE

design and operational improvements from each project to the next.” ECY selected Wynbrook Ltd as the main contractor to transform the former Methodist Church, which was relocated to meet the demands of the community. The company provided a full fit-out package that included everything needed to open and operate a modern, cost-effective and environmentally efficient care home. AP Architecture led the design phase, adhering to Adept’s company philosophy along with structural engineers Howard Ward Associates LLP. The resulting exterior was a combination of brick and render (a coating protecting brick or blockwork), chosen to blend with neighbouring properties, and tiles were used in a way that reflects the professional image of sophistication that Adept have become known for. Award-winning interior designer Samantha Lord created a timeless layout that is reminiscent of the traditional grandparents’ home you might have visited when you were young, but with added modern stylish twists. Communal rooms include a ’70s-themed hairdressers and ’40s-style cinema featuring modern appliances and charming furniture surrounded by

NICHE FEATURE

ABOUT ECY The independent firm has been a leading provider of tailored services on over 750 projects managing, reporting and certifying over £2.5 billion of development expenditure including £2 billion of construction cost. This year it celebrates 10 years in practice and is receiving recognition for its level of service. ECY provides construction consultancy services in all sectors including project management, employer’s agent, quantity surveying, development monitoring, land sourcing, construction management, development consultancy and fire reinstatement valuations. With offices in Leicestershire, London and Bristol, and soon to be in Sheffield, the firm has the ability to work for clients throughout the UK.

contemporary colours and wallpapers. The blend of traditional and modern styles exudes comfort for both residents and visitors alike. ECY has brought together a team that has surpassed the project’s expectations. Five care suites with 15 resident rooms feature elegant décor, WiFi, connections for Sky TV, day spaces, garden spaces, outdoor terraces, a gazebo, an aviary, planting beds for residents to take up gardening and more. Each care suite has a large domestic kitchen which is designed to be supervised by staff, while bathrooms have iPod facilities and assisted bathing equipment. A real sense of community was achieved with a hairdressing salon, ‘village pub’, cinema and a ‘corner shop’, breaking social barriers and creating a community feel that appeals to many generations, ensuring residents and guests feel relaxed. ECY was mindful of Adept’s need to fulfil all residents’ safety, health and comfort. The build accommodates the latest technology such as airconditioning and ventilation systems, night-time acoustic monitoring, electronic care planning and medication systems. Chetwynd House is just three points off an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of A, achieving a B rating – an excellent rating for a home of its size. The awards will be announced in March.

01509 416 519 ecycs.co.uk NICHE | 53

The Waterside

REGENERATION Breathing life back into this neglected area of the city has been a longtime priority for Leicester City Council. Over the last few years their plans have started to produce results – and the future is looking even brighter

short walk from the city centre is Leicester’s Waterside – an area that was once vibrant, employing many people in the textiles and manufacturing industries until the early 1980s. Following the decline of these industries over the past 30 years, the factories were vacated and the area became derelict. For over 15 years the area has been identified by Leicester City Council as a regeneration priority. The aspirations of the private sector to develop this area prior to 2008 were thwarted by the property market crash at that time. Since 2012 the city council has taken a proactive role to enable the development of the first phase of a mixed-use scheme to regenerate of the area. The Waterside phase one scheme includes an area from Bath Lane to Frog Island bounded by the river and canal side to

54 | NICHE

the west and the A50 to the east. Using funding secured through the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP), the council has assembled an 18-acre site through acquisition and relocations and ultimately, its use of compulsory purchase powers. A development partner, Keepmoat, has been appointed and over 300 new homes will be built including a mix of family houses and apartments. In addition, 60,000 sq ft of office development will be realised on the Northgate A50 frontage. New public realm and spaces will create an accessible and attractive waterside environment. Many will remember the fire that damaged the 18th Century Friars Mill in 2012; the council rebuilt and converted the mill and adjoining properties in 2016. This £7m scheme, part

funded from the European Regional Development Fund, created 30,000 sq ft of managed workspace, which is now fully occupied. The restoration and development of Friars Mill has been a catalyst for further development and investment from the private sector, and a transformation of this area is now underway. Developments with planning consent and funding include 400 new private rented sector apartments on Bath Lane, adjoining the riverside and Friars Mill. A further 300 private rented sector apartments on All Saints Road, adjoining Merlin Heights student accommodation, were also completed in 2016. The Waterside area is separated from the city centre by Vaughan Way, the city’s inner ring road. Two major sites adjoining Vaughan Way are now

OVERALL VIEW FROM VAUGHAN WAY

VIEW FROM SQUARE TOWARDS THE CINEMA under development on either side of the Highcross Street junction. A 297 private rented sector apartment scheme adjoining the Highcross car park will be completed in late 2018 and the former Stibbe site bounded by Highcross Street and Great Central Street is to be developed by owners Charles Street Buildings â&#x20AC;&#x201C; it will deliver two new hotels (250 rooms in total), 35,000 sq ft of office space, the renovation and conversion of the former Great Central Station to a new commercial use, new public realm, and the pedestrianisation of part of Great Central Street. Leicester City Council has worked closely with the developer to ensure that connectivity is created from the city centre to the wider Waterside area; this includes the delivery of a new super crossing at Vaughan Way

to link up this scheme and create new pedestrian and cycle connectivity through to the Waterside area. This new confidence in the area will result in transformational change over the next two to three years, with over ÂŁ200m of private sector investment in new developments either already underway or about to start. As well as the highway and public realm infrastructure, which is integral to the wider regeneration of the area, the council is also delivering a new primary school at Fosse Road North, which will serve both the existing community and the new Waterside community. For more information on the transformation of the Waterside, please visit the Leicester City Council website.

Leicester City Council has worked closely with the developer to ensure that connectivity is created from the city centre to the wider Waterside area

Sarah Harrison City Centre Director NICHE | 55

NICHE FEATURE

If tree falls a

in the forest…

…James Latham will hear it – the responsible timber company has moved from its Wigston location in Chartwell Drive as it puts its expansion plans into action. Niche finds out more about its 261-year history

uch like rediscovering old photos when boxing up to move home, the relocation of James Latham to its new site prompted a trip down memory lane for Managing Director Chris Sutton. As the timber company opened for business at its new £7m development site at Optimus Point in Glenfield on 29th January this year, the sawdust settled in its old Wigston warehouse, which had been occupied by Lathams for 42 years. The company had outgrown its premises and has taken its lorries away from the residential area to the more suitable industrial estate. “We were constrained in Wigston, but our roots are firmly established in Leicester and it’s all the local people and businesses that have enabled us to do this,” says Chris, hinting at a future as exciting as for Lathams’ past. The company recently sponsored the Victoria and Albert Museum’s plywood exhibition. The display told the story of how this ‘often-overlooked material made the modern world’ from WWII, for which Lathams supplied the material for Britain’s aircraft, to mirror dinghy boats and furniture. Chris reflects on the firm’s history: “To put it into perspective, Lathams

56 | NICHE

started out in 1757, when Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was around. It was a family business that started in Liverpool, importing tropical hardwoods from South Africa.” Big changes came about for the timber firm in the 1970s, when it expanded its depot network from a single site in London to additional sites in Yorkshire, Bristol and Leicester. Moving into the early 21st Century, depots moved to an updated modus operandi – a more efficient storing system using the high-ranking, narrowaisle system seen in many warehouses now, along with new machinery designed specifically for picking from the new storage arrangement. In 2001 a rebranding took place, transforming the company’s appeal and outreach using a PR company to tell their story – one of integrity, devotion and community spirit.

In an industry that relies on natural resources, how do you commit to caring for the environment?

Our products must be obtained legally and sustainably, we have very strict policies on that. Our environmental

manager goes out to check permits and looks at the logging process, ensuring it meets government and international laws. Over ninety per cent of our products are FSC and PEFC certified and we are committed to supplier plans to replenish and ensure re-forestation occurs. We have the widest range of timber from over 30 countries. I’ve recently been out to Indonesia to audit a supplier nursery there. The EU Timber Regulation came into play in 2013; it says companies must prove the product was legally felled. We supported the new regulation, but have always had a very strict environmental policy in place. We’re also very proud of our association with The National Forest. On Lathams 250th anniversary in 2007 we planted 250 trees and now sponsor the National Forest, helping with forest maintenance, funding and the promotion of events. In addition, every depot has an environmental target to reduce their carbon footprint. We have in-depth practices, from LED lighting to where we wash our vehicles, as doing this onsite can cause problems with drainage systems.

You’ve become known as industry leaders, but what achievement are you most proud of?

I’d say our biggest achievement is just how we’ve changed how we’re perceived; if a supplier wants to bring a new product to market, they come to Lathams. It’s our morals and beliefs that make people want to trade with us. We’ve become innovators due to all the research that goes into every new product. So in 1979, when MDF came to the market, we were one of the first to take it on. No one thought it would sell. We gave out samples and marketed it, showing how it was made and how it could be used, which developed its popularity. We’re proud of our architect and design facility in London which displays new design concepts and products to inspire those within the industry. We also take pride in travelling around the world looking for new partners. Our next trip will be to the Dubai WoodShow. We already do work out there, but the Middle East is a big market for potential exports for the UK. Lathams has won Timber Trade Journal’s Timber Trader of the Year award for seven out of eight years – and the year we didn’t win was the year we sponsored! It is an honour to be voted for by competitors and suppliers alike and is quite an accolade.

Taking a walk around this new site, everyone’s so friendly and keen to help – how have you created this kind of culture?

Across the group there are 393 members of staff. Everyone is of equal importance here. We have a culture that nurtures the best trained in the industry and we need to look after them to stand out in such a competitive sector. Health and safety is on every agenda at every meeting. We have a

health and safety director who’s involved in personal issues of employees. Personality is everything and I can tell you there are some fantastic people in the timber industry! We’re big on career development and have training programmes and a personal mentoring scheme for those we feel have potential to be promoted. We also plan to send 12 people each year to countries to see the entire journey that our hardwoods take; from plantation to port to our depots.

Why has Leicester proven to be good for business and how do you give back to the community?

The East Midlands is one of the fastest growing regions in the UK outside of London and the South East, according to PwC. There are good manufacturing skills in Leicester and an excellent road network. We take part in industry discussions and presentations and believe we learn from these. It is important to understand what is happening in the Leicestershire business world. At Optimus Point we have 38 staff. Each Lathams depot aims to take on one trainee a year, and they’re not always young – we support people who want a career change too. We need to invest in the traditional trades because of skills shortages, so we work with colleges to make students aware of these kinds of careers. Today’s students are tomorrow’s designers and tradesmen, so we send samples to people in education and help them in that way. We’re also sponsors of Leicestershire Cricket Club and Leicester Ladies Hockey Club, both of which we watch play regularly. 0116 288 9161 panels.leicester@lathams.co.uk lathamtimber.co.uk

CHRIS SUTTON, MANAGING DIRECTOR NICHE | 57

PROPERTY FOCUS FALL IN LOVE WITH YOUR GARDEN Getting into shape

Often, the main focus of a garden is its lawn; it draws the eye and helps you feel connected to nature. But it doesn’t have to be a perfect rectangle – it is nature, after all. You could shape your lawn into an oval, circle, square or give it an asymmetrical outline.

Framing the lawn

Give yourself a good depth all the way round your lawn to make space for lots of flowers and plant life. A nice way to arrange them is smallest at the front and taller towards the back. Lots of deep green, long leaves will give a forest or even tropical-like feeling.

Every garden needs a path

A path can create a modern, sleek look to your garden, or it can emphasise the look of a truly natural landscape. You can go for black, white or silver paving slabs that are cut into geometric shapes for a contemporary look. Or, go for brown or grey, unevenly shaped stone for a country home look.

GREENHOUSE WARM UP Now is the time to get growing your favourite flowers and veg in the greenhouse. It’s the perfect time of year to start. Here’s some advice on what kind of greenhouse is best for you and how to get started. Elite is the main range we sell here at Bentleys and we offer a bespoke design service to suit any need. Semi-bricked, metal and wood are no problem, with plenty of colours to choose from. We can also extend an existing garden building that you may have, so that the greenhouse is attached. Elite greenhouses have a 10year guarantee and this is a sure sign you can be confident in any brand, so look out for this. It’s a good idea to go for a product that comes with toughened glass. If

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IAIN BENTLEY you remember the dramatic hailstorm we had four years ago, we lost none of our greenhouses exposed to the weather due to the resistance of the glass. It’s also a good idea to go for full sheet glass panels if you can, as these are easier to clean, which avoids hindering the growth of the plant life. The roof of a greenhouse retains a surprising amount of rainwater, so to save on your bills, harvest this with some guttering leading to a water butt. This kind of plumbing is an add-on to our greenhouses. You can also add shelving units and even automatic roof openers.

0116 267 5117 bentleysgardenbuildings.co.uk

PONDS BY MICHAEL WHEAT

– A REBRANDING STORY

Garden party-ready

When choosing your tables and chairs, have the surrounding space in mind. Make sure guests will have enough room to sit comfortably, pull out their chairs and walk around the table hasslefree. An oval garden could have paving in the middle for seating so you’re surrounded by nature. Or an unevenly shaped space could have seating in a far corner for that secret-garden, tucked-away feel.

Features and ornaments

Be tactful with where you place them. If they are plonked in the centre of the lawn they’ll look odd. An idea is to place mediumsized ornaments within your flower beds so they are just seen through the leaves. For water features, how it sounds out of sight is as important to how it look; listen before you buy. 58 | NICHE

MICHAEL WHEAT Operations are a million miles away from where they were in 2010; no longer is ‘Michael Wheat’ the oneman-band it was – today Ponds by Michael Wheat is a team of dedicated personnel, with its head offices in the heart of Leicester. The organisation is now poised to tackle work across the country, recently opening further offices in Birmingham and London. I have always revelled in the opportunity of forging my own business and controlling my destiny – and the biggest change to occur is in the company’s history is a rebrand and ‘soft’ relaunch. In 2010, I founded the company under the name ‘Michael Wheat Pond and Garden Design’, and as the company grew, it took the name

‘Michael Wheat Landscaping, Pond and Garden Design’ (to incorporate landscaping work). As operations grew and revenue doubled, the largest rebrand in the company’s seven-anda-half-year history happened – Michael Wheat Pond and Garden Design became ‘Ponds by Michael Wheat’. The change of logo and name we felt made the organisation feel more contemporary, cutting-edge and slick. In 2017, over 90 per cent of our enquires were pond-related and a rebrand needed to reflect that. It was also important to make the company less about ‘me’. The rebrand allows clients to understand there’s a dedicated team of technicians on hand to assist week-in, week-out – a team that makes everything we do possible.

0116 240 3735 pondsbymichaelwheat.co.uk

We create breathtaking, bespoke ponds. We will transform your ordinary garden into a stunning, beautiful one!

www.pondsbymichaelwheat.co.uk Call: 0116 240 3735

NICHE FEATURE

Home Offices

just add your desk How working from home is beneficial to your company and your health

he work-from-home lifestyle is envied by many office commuters. A study by Connect Solutions found that 77 per cent of remote workers reported greater productivity and that 23 per cent were willing to work more hours than normal. It also found that 44 per cent have a more positive attitude and 53 per cent report reduced stress. This is great news for the self-employed and business owners as well as employers who have employees working from home. Figures from the Office for National Statistics show that the number of people who work from home increased from 800,000 in 2005 to over four million in 2015. Local home office suppliers Bentley’s Garden Buildings have seen a steady increase in demand for home offices and people wanting a turnkey solution to working at home. Bentley’s have cleverly designed a new range with every feature you could want; all you need to do is just add your desk. Besides a positive attitude, increased productivity and reduced 60 | NICHE

THERE’S NO RENT TO PAY, NO TRAVEL EXPENSES, NO STRESSFUL DAILY COMMUTE AND YOU’LL NEVER BE LATE

stress, Iain Bentley of Bentley’s Garden Buildings says there are more benefits to working from a home in office in your garden. “There’s no rent to pay, no travel expenses, no stressful daily commute and you’ll never be late. With this in mind, your home office could be paying you back in no time,” Iain explained. “By working in a separate building within the grounds of your home, your house remains your home and your home office becomes your place of work away from the distractions of home life, providing a great working environment.” Iain went on to explain that they offer ‘the full package’ and that all home offices boast an incredible list of standard features, including maintenance, free composite cladding (with choice of colours), full electrical installation with at least six double sockets, interior and exterior lighting, double glazing and insulation (wall, roof and floor), laminate flooring, plastering and internal painting. A large range of doors and windows can be chosen from personalising your space to your

own needs, meaning no two buildings Bentley’s have built have ever been the same. Most of these buildings have no need for planning permission, as the flat roof with EPDM rubber roofing system allows the building to stay under 2.5m in height. Bentley’s have produced and installed for many across the county and say that other popular uses for their buildings are home gyms, kids’ play rooms, sensory rooms, garden rooms, art studios, home salons, study rooms and even as an extra bedroom. If working from home in a beautifully designed, warm, secure office just a few steps from your door suits you, it’s worth paying a visit to Bentleys Garden Building’s. There are around 100 buildings on display for you to browse with helpful and friendly staff available to assist you in designing the perfect building. Free, no obligation site visits on request. Finance options available.

0116 267 5117

bentleysgardenbuildings.co.uk

Boost your kerb appeal Could improving the exterior of your home make a significant difference in the interest in your property? In a word… Yes!

ccording to extensive research by Dulux Weathershield, 93 per cent of the nation is more likely to attend a viewing of a property if the house’s exterior is well maintained. Add to this the concept that home owners can expect to add up to £55,000 on the sale price tag of an average £220,904 home, it isn’t just a quicker sale but a more lucrative one too. There are a few things to consider in order to achieve greater kerbside appeal including a light, bright, professional paint job, clean windows, a clear garden and, of course, no household debris. Hire a painter to freshen up the paint, call in the window cleaner and most important of all – get rid of every single scrap of junk. Bakers Waste Ltd know the importance of cleaning up and clearing out, and with an array of options in refuse collection, junk clearing – which

is perhaps the most important aspect of kerb appeal – can be ticked off without you even having to leave your front door. Perfect. Bakers Waste Ltd, an award-wining nationwide family-run business which has a range of waste management solutions, including skip hire and a host of recycling services, has a specific, tailored approach to clearing your junk. Their SAS Clearance Service operates with a man-van waste removal service

skip hire

which includes rubbish clearance, junk removal and bulky waste collections, clearing your household and garden junk efficiently and quickly. So clean out, clear up, speed up your house sale and reap the profits of investing in improving your property’s kerbside appeal.

0307 350 6350 bakerswaste.co.uk

competitive prices unbeatable service prices based on 7 day hire 2, 3, 4, 6, 8 and 12 yard skips available 1 cubic yard = 10 bin bags or 2 wheelie bins

70 Boston Road, Leicester LE4 1AW

0307 350 6350

bakerswaste.co.uk NICHE | 61

HEALTH & BEAUTY FOCUS

Don’t skip the #skintest: it could save your life Barrie Stephen Hair have seen evidence that people are developing new allergies in recent years

ven if you have been dying your hair for years you could still be affected. While some minor reactions just cause irritation, more severe allergic responses can lead to swelling, inflammation and anaphylaxis. In some extreme cases, people have even lost their lives as a result. The Barrie Stephen Hair Group is committed to putting the safety of our clients first. The danger from hair dye can be completely eliminated by first trialling the product on the skin 48 hours before the treatment takes place. This is why the company has a #ColourResponsible

policy and will not perform a colour service if we have any doubts about the result of your skin test. Barrie Stephen said: “We want to challenge the whole industry to take the Colour Responsible Pledge. Every salon in the country should put the peace of mind of their clients first. While the risk of an allergic reaction is small, we want to completely eradicate the threat. “We have started a petition on change.org to help raise awareness of the importance of skin tests. This is not a difficult or expensive change to implement, but it will show that stylists across the country put the welfare of their clients first.”

LIFE - INFUSING - REVIVE

For your well-being SH Scent offers you a first choice range of frangrance for office and home

07748 014 456 62 | NICHE

Paeonia A delicious ambiance of forest fruits. One of many scents to choose from.

enquiries@shscent.co.uk

shscent.co.uk

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HEADSHOT READY GEMMA WHEAT You may need to make a few adjustments ready for your new business headshot. It’s important not to make yourself up to look different from your everyday look; you want people to be able to recognise you. Moisturise and prime as usual. A foundation with low SPF works best as high SPFs can cause flash back. Apply foundation with a stippling or kabuki brush to press the foundation into the skin for a flawless finish, and finish off with a damp beauty blender to remove any excess that can create that cakey look. It’s important not to look too matte though. You want a natural glow; use a light translucent

powder if you appear shiny. Cream contours will work better than powders, harsher contouring is great on a night out but for your photo blend, blend, blend. You also want to avoid highlighter as the flash will not like this. Be sure to blend anything used on the face right down to the collarbone. Lip gloss is far nicer in photos than lipstick as it gives a more plumped look and glosses over any creases in the lips. For eyes, the darker the makeup the more they sink in. Use a light shimmer in the centre of the eye lid and a highlighter just below the eyebrow – this really opens up and shapes the eye. And, whether it’s L’Oréal or Mac, the right mascara can make a massive difference.

07973 636 847 gemmawheatmakeup.co.uk

SPRING COLOUR TRENDS We love the transition between seasons here at Barrie Stephen Hair! It’s great to see clients inspired to choose a different hairstyle, or best of all take the plunge and go for a new hair colour. Our fashion-forward stylists are always ahead of the trends and the go-to hairdressers in Leicestershire if you are looking for advice on what shades and tones are in vogue for the new season. Top of our list for spring is ultraviolet. Along with being 2018’s Pantone Colour of the Year, ultra-violet is exciting, daring and is certainly going to make waves in the world of hair trends this year. We’re not necessarily talking about an all-over ultra-violet colour; if you prefer a subtler look, we love it just as much blended underneath and throughout rich browns and buttery blondes. Not everyone is a fan of bright, brave shades. For an injection of colour without committing to anything too bold, we have just the thing. Schwarzkopf Professional have recently introduced a brand-new

BARRIE STEPHEN shade to their IGORA Royal colour range – Dusted Rouge. Evolved from last year’s huge rose gold trend, dusted rouge is a sophisticated, classy hint of red with a vintage vibe. It’s the perfect answer to that luxurious shade of red whilst keeping things muted and natural. So, have fun and experiment with your colour in spring 2018, whether you opt for an ultra-violet look or a classic, gentle red. Our experts in your nearest Barrie Stephen Salon are always on hand to help, advise and deliver on all your colour questions and queries, so give us a call today.

0116 402 6222 barriestephenhair.co.uk

SPRING HAIR CARE AURA BOTANIC SHAMPOO Samoan Coconut Oil and Moroccan Argan Oils nourish the hair fiber. Natural micelles cling to dirt and impurities, removing them efficiently to deliver a shiny finish and nude touch. SOIN FONDAMENTAL CONDITIONER This multipurpose oil, packs a boost of nourishment. Renewable avocado oil, rich in omegas 6 and 9, and jojoba oil add softness and shine to hair, while the rosemary extract helps preserve the oils. Fragranced with sweet orange essential oil. GOODBYE YELLOW Schwarzkopf Professional’s first highly-pigmented, anti-yellow wash. This wash provides a gentle cleansing action. The unique pigment combination neutralises unwanted yellow undertones, whilst gently cleansing the hair. With a pH level of 4.5 for effective and long-lasting results. BLONDEME INSTANT BLUSH STRAWBERRY Lasting up to 3 washes, the BlondMe Instant Blush Blonde Beautifiers will change up your look in an instant. The easy-to-use toners will give blonde tones a pop of colour. Ideal for use after lightening, the washout toners will tighten the cuticles and keep hair strong, shiny and healthy. Leave in or rinse out. Gloves included. NICHE | 63

Your Eyesight Really Matters. Two million people in the UK are living with sight loss that is severe enough to have a significant impact on their daily lives. Nuffield Health Leicester Hospital is investing in their eye-care services to expand choice and access for local people. Your vision really matters. Sight is the sense people fear losing the most, yet many of us don’t know how to look after our eyes. Two million people in the UK are living with sight loss that is severe enough to have a significant impact on their daily lives but half of this sight loss is avoidable.* Unfortunately with the rising levels of obesity and diabetes and the continued levels of people who smoke the statistics relating to eye health in the UK are a cause for concern. The guiding principle for good eye health is to eat well, don’t smoke, and wear eye protection in bright sunlight, however in the event that you have concerns regarding your eyes Nuffield Health Leicester Hospital and its team of eye specialists are here to help. Nuffield Health’s Leicester Hospital is one of the leading private healthcare providers in the East Midlands offering an extensive range of eye treatments for a wide variety of conditions including squints, cataract’s, macular degeneration and glaucoma.

Investing for the future…. Tim Shewbridge, Hospital Director said: “We are delighted to welcome Consultant Ophthalmologist Professor Irene Gottlob to join our team of Ophthalmology and Paediatric Consultants. Professor Gottlob brings a wealth of knowledge from her national and inter-national work and will help us build on the existing range of treatments and 2017’s recog-nition from the CQC (Care Quality Commission) of the Hospital’s outstanding care for children and young people.” Professor Gottlob leads the University of Leicester’s Ophthalmology Group and her main areas of research are in the field of eye movement disorders, including lazy eye, squints and uncontrollable eye movements. In 2017 Professor Gottlob was awarded the Roger Trimble Medal for her outstanding contribution to the field of Paediatric Ophthalmology.

Treatments available at Nuffield Health:  Squints  Cataracts  Glaucoma  Detached retinas  Diabetes related vision problems  Macular Degeneration

Join us at one of our FREE open events. Do you suffer with an eye problem? Talk to our experts. Friday 13th April or Friday 8th June, 2018 from 17:00 - Consultant Ophthalmologist This event is for anyone who suffers from an eye condition and would like to explore their options for treatments. Spaces are limited so please book as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Call today 0116 274 3755.

NUF0218982718-1

t. 0116 402 6222 e. salon@barriestephenhair.co.uk w. 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

NICHE FEATURE

INTERVIEW

DENTIST WITH THE

Around 27 million people in the UK have one or more missing teeth according to Implantium Network. We get tips on preventing tooth loss from Dr Alif Moosajee

study by Public Health England (PHE) released in 2016 found that the number of five-year-olds with tooth decay had dropped to its lowest level since 2008. It revealed that less than 25 per cent of the children in the study suffered from tooth decay, which was a 20 per cent drop according to figures eight years previously. These are the kind of statistics that make the work of the doctors at Oakdale Dental feel so worthwhile. The practice, run by Dr Alif Moosajee, aims to help lower the percentage of children suffering with tooth decay. Oakdale hopes to see fewer gaps in teeth as this next generation grows into confident adults. As this issue of Niche coincides with Easter, when there’ll be lots of cavity-causing treats about, we quizzed Dr Moosajee on missing teeth and how to prevent losing any more.

BRUSHING ONLY ONCE A DAY MEANS YOU’RE 33 PER CENT MORE LIKELY TO DEVELOP TOOTH DECAY

What can be done about missing teeth? If it’s not causing you a problem functionally or emotionally, we advise to do nothing and leave the gap. Otherwise, you can have a denture, a bridge or a dental implant. Be aware that when a tooth is removed, adjacent teeth can grow into the gap and cause food trapping or difficulties biting. Because of this, restoring teeth in a timely fashion is best. How do you know which type of replacement is right for you? A denture is a false tooth that rests on the gum or other teeth. They’re less expensive and can be used to restore many teeth at once. But, they don’t have any fixed anchor points, so they don’t function as normal teeth or feel as secure. Plastic dentures can feel bulky, whereas metal dentures are stronger and thinner – but both

types need removing to clean. A bridge is a fixed tooth replacement used for gaps of all sizes and is retained by a crown (cap) or a metal wing glued onto surrounding teeth. An implant most effectively mimics a natural tooth. It’s a self-supporting, fixed false tooth securely held directly in the jaw bone as a real tooth is. It functions like a real tooth and doesn’t involve treatment to neighbouring teeth. It is a long-lasting restoration, but does involve surgery and can be costly. What kind of people are most at risk of losing teeth? Those with poor hygiene, those who don’t go for regular check-ups, and those with bad dietary habits. How can we prevent tooth loss? Brushing only once a day means you’re 33 per cent more likely to develop tooth decay (National Smile Month). It might be difficult at this time of year, but try to stick to enjoying chocolate after meals instead of in between throughout the day. Choose sugarfree chewing gum, buy a new toothbrush every three months, floss daily... and smile! 0116 262 7150 oakdaledental.co.uk NICHE | 67

HEALTH FOCUS

PRITI COLES

MANAGING UNEXPECTED STRESS We know that stress can have devastating effects and is often referred to as the silent killer. However, some stress is caused by our own expectations of experiences. When your experience falls short of what you expected it to be, the tension you feel is stress! We create expectations on a daily basis without being aware of it – the taste of food, a loved ones behaviour, or a successful meeting – forgetting that we can’t control every single thing that occurs around us. You can manage this mismatch between experience and expectation and the stress that you feel by firstly learning to lower your expectations. But don’t attempt to push your feelings of disappointment away. When you push against the tension it just gets stronger; what you resist not only persists, it grows! Instead, allow yourself to connect to your thoughts and feelings, practice self-compassion. Learn to notice early in the situation that your expectations may not be met. Step back and observe what is happening, ignore the mindless chatter. When you create the gap in your thoughts you offer a space for a different unfolding. If you face the reality of your experience and expectation in this way, you have the power, clarity and focus to choose how you want to move forward. We all need to worry less and enjoy life more!

07795 361 288 priticoles.co.uk 68 | NICHE

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SUMMER SKIN PREP For skin that is less creased, better hydrated, brighter and has the elasticity it once had, the Teosyal® Redensity 1 treatment is ideal to get your skin in good condition before the summer months. From just one 20 minute session the skin appears more youthful and supple. During the session microinjections are given across the facial skin using a very fine needle where a small of amount of the Redensity 1 is applied. Redensity 1 is packed full of antioxidants that help with hydration and nutrition as well as zinc and copper for the glow that patients experience afterward. Hyaluronic acid is able to penetrate into the deeper levels of the skin for a more effective outcome. Hyaluronic acid is used in many beauty products because as we

DR ALIF MOOSAJEE

FILLING THE GAPS Tooth removal can cause damage to self-esteem, especially if it creates a visible gap at the front of the mouth. While the dentist is happy to take out teeth when there’s a problem, are they going to be there to help you with the after effects? How will they help you to regain your confidence after you’ve undergone a potentially life-altering treatment? We, as dentists, understand that tooth removal can be a traumatic experience for some people, but the loss of a tooth can also be

DR GUNJAN BEDI start to age, the naturally occurring hyaluronic acid that is present in our skin begins to decrease in production. It effectively plumps out wrinkles because of its unique ability to hold vast amounts of water in the skin. With antioxidants, hyaluronic acid, minerals and vitamins combined, skin becomes firmer and appears full of life with its radiant glow. The treatment can be used alongside PRP Therapy (see page opposite). Like PRP Therapy, the amount of treatments needed will depend on age, sun damage and general health. Between one and three treatments three weeks apart are usually needed for best results.

mediskincare.co.uk 07952 888 456/07952 754 121

psychologically damaging, often associated with the stigma of getting older. Seeing over 400 implant patients at our practice every year, it still surprises me how many people assume there is little, or even nothing, they can do about missing teeth. The truth is it is really quite easy to replace teeth with very convincing and affordable substitutes. There are a number of solutions available. You’ll be able to get a good idea of which solution is right from you from my interview on page 67, but each person will need to have an individual assessment as every mouth is different. Your options will include dentures, bridges and implants, all of which have their own advantages and disadvantages, depending on the situation of your oral health as well as price plans available. Fill the gaps, boost your confidence, eat that steak!

0116 262 7150 oakdaledental.co.uk

NICHE FEATURE

The A-lister

Facelift There’s been a lot of hype around a certain

‘vampire facial’ that’s made headlines after Kim Kardashian and other celebs have posted smiley selfies immediately after having the treatment

t’s become quite a craze in the non-surgical beauty scene but it’s also sparked a lot of curiosity about what is actually involved in the technique nicknamed ‘vampire facial’. And, as we were more than a little bit inquisitive ourselves, we asked local GPs, skin experts and providers of the facial in question to break it down for us. Doctors Gunjan Bedi and Sumit Virmani of MediSkin Care in Markfield explain. Its real name, Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy, involves exactly what’s in its name. Here’s what happens step by step. A vial of blood is taken from the patient. It’s then put into a centrifuge machine, which spins the vial to separate the blood. It takes around 10 minutes for the machine to separate the red and white blood cells from the fluid part of the blood; what is left is PRP – platelet rich plasma. Platelets are blood cells that occur naturally in the body. They are vital to the repairing of tissue and cell regeneration after

IT’S ALSO SPARKED A LOT OF CURIOSITY ABOUT WHAT IS ACTUALLY INVOLVED IN THIS NICKNAMED ‘VAMPIRE FACIAL’

injuries. They are also the body’s natural clotting agent. If you’ve ever had a scab after grazing a knee, it was your platelets that stopped the bleeding. The process is also used by elite athletes to aid optimum recovery after sports injuries as well as those who suffer with arthritis. It can even be used for hair restoration as it encourages more hair to grow. How it works is the PRP is injected back into the body and concentrated into the area of concern. Those seeking a fresher appearance and radiant glow have experienced the effects of the therapy almost immediately, although in most cases it’s three to four weeks after. Depending on many variables including age, sun damage and general health, the patient can need between one and three treatments three weeks apart. The price is also dependent on these variables as every one of us is different. It’s hard to say how long the

The Results After treatment course is complete, facial patients have experienced: ◆ Reduction in acne scars and general scar tissue ◆ Tightened pores ◆ Improved appearance of stretch marks ◆ Plumped skin eliminating fine lines and even deep wrinkles ◆ Brighter, smoothed skin around the eyes ◆ Thicker and more hair growth

effects of PRP Therapy will last, because it lasts for no certain duration. It remains effective for as long as your personal ageing process takes. 07952 888 456 07952 754 121 mediskincare.co.uk NICHE | 69

with Beau Aesthetica’s beauty must haves The cold weather can leave skin looking a little dull. A non-surgical microdermabrasion treatment will visibly resurface the skin, stimulating new collagen growth and removing dead skin cells, which can often cause dull, lacklustre skin.

A spring and summer essential, waxing frees up so much time in the summer months when you are likely to be showing more skin. Lasting up to six weeks, professional waxing for legs, arms, face and underarms will leave you smooth and fuzz-free for summer.

G FU LL LE IN I A N D B IK

CACI JOWL

As we grow older 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. After a course of CACI facial toning treatments, the contours of the face will look lifted and toned. A monthly top-up treatment is recommended to maintain results.

£65

IO N PE R SE SS

PE R SE SS IO N

WAXING

£40

FR O M

£35 FR O M

MICRO-DERMABRASION

COLONIC HYDROTHERAPY

With an estimated 6.5 million people in the UK lamenting at bowel problems (and those are just the people reporting it to the NHS) it would seem something isn’t going right, literally. Cleansing and detoxifying the colon and intestines, colonic hydrotherapy improves the digestive system’s functionality and efficiency as well as boosting overall health.

£250 FR O M

PE R SE SS IO N

BOTTOM FIX

£50 FR O M

IO N PE R SE SS

HONEY I SHRUNK WRAP

If you are heading to the beach this summer, losing a few inches before you slip into that bikini is usually pretty helpful. The Honey I Shrunk Wrap is a fast way to lose inches with clients reporting losing a whole dress size! Painless and quick, the procedure is non-surgical and the treatment can fit into your lunch break. PE R

£35

MICROBLADING

FR O M

SE SS IO N

According to FBC Research it is estimated that around 50 per cent of us fill in our brows with makeup everyday compared to. 28 per cent in 2015. Microblading is taking the world by storm, one set of brows at a time. The procedure, which deposits small hair-like strokes of semi-permanent tattoo onto the brow, lasts up to 18 months and saves time, stress and money.

A session of Accent Radio Frequency treatment will heat up the skin and help to dissolve fat cells followed by a sculpting and lifting treatment – ideal ahead of the swimsuit days of summer weather!

£100 FR O M

PE R SE SS IO N

INTRACEL

Eighty-one per cent of patients rate INTRAcel as exceeding their expectations. The skin tightening and resurfacing treatment reduces the signs of ageing through tightening and improving skin texture as well as minimising fine lines and wrinkles.

£35 FR O M

IO N PE R SE SS

£400 FR O M

PE R SE SS IO N

ENZYME FACIAL

Many of us reach for a lighter makeup base in the warmer months, meaning we are seeking out a brighter skin tone without the layers of makeup. An enzyme facial improves the complexion’s clarity and condition by using fruit enzymes which gives brighter, clearer and smoother skin. Perfect for a pre-summer complexion pick-me-up.

NAILS

M A N IC U RE FR O M

£25

There is nothing like perfectly manicured and pedicured nails in spring and summer shades or a Classic French Manicure to freshen your outfit and really complete your look. Choose Shellac or gel nails for longer lasting result.

0116 270 9141

17 Allandale Road, Stoneygate, Leicester LE2 2DA beauaesthetica.com

NICHE FEATURE

The 75 minute

facial

he beautiful, zen-inspired Inner Beauty salon is located in a residential area behind the home of Jacquie, an expert in just about everything beauty related you can think of. More specifically, Jacquie admitted she’s a ‘bit of a geek’ for Dermalogica products. She’s trained as a Skin Expert, meaning she can advise for any skin type, which puts her ahead of the competition as other salons around the area cannot offer the skilled, experienced guidance that she can. We tried the 75-minute bespoke facial and we have to say the experience is the best we’ve encountered yet. The spa-like atmosphere Jacquie has created is unrivalled, the knowledge she has

If it’s a spa-like treatment you’re looking for, Inner Beauty will provide – and it’s conveniently located in Glenfield

gathered on every one of her products is inspiring, and the time and care she takes getting to know your skin inside out is priceless. Before the treatment starts, clients are asked to fill in a very in-depth questionnaire that covers everything from date of birth to which makeup brands you use. She then uses the Dermalogica-conceived art of skin mapping – treating the skin in individual sections rather than as a whole, which was beneficial to our reviewer who has combination skin. Jacquie used a blend of retail and professional-grade products that aren’t available to purchase. Eleven products were used that were specially designed for the reviewer’s

skin type. And as she uses mainly Dermalogica products, of which there is an abundance of choice for each skin type, Inner Beauty’s facials are truly bespoke.

0116 224 7560 innerbeautyleicester.co.uk

Ladies only salon

MIND - BODY - WELLBEING

Massage Therapy

Facials & Skincare FACIALS

BESPOKE MASSAGE

Includes steamer and extraction

Try more than one form of massage in one treatment SWEDISH - INDONESIAN - HOT STONES WARM BAMBOO - INDIAN HEAD MASSAGE

21 TREDINGTON ROAD, GLENFIELD LE3 8EP

IONACTIVE- MICROZONESM TREATMENT CLEAR STAR - FACE MAPPING

0116 224 7560

INNERBEAUTYLEICESTER.CO.UK NICHE | 73

Buy less,

choose well

New season picks from Personal Stylist Georgie Steeples

15 Investment menswear picks Invest in a few timeless, classic pieces that will serve you well. This season’s top picks from personal stylist Georgie Steeples will help you to look effortlessly stylish and ready for business.

Keep the look clean with a simple, yet elegant burgundy tie. Bigi Cravatte £100

If the spring days are still chilly, then a classic V-neck sweater works well over a shirt. Reiss £95

Opt for a navy suit as a stylish alternative to black and grey. The jacket can be used as a blazer too. Hugo Boss £525

Finish off the look with tan accessories like these classic brogues. Jones The Bootmaker £99

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Carry your laptop and paperwork in a classic leather bag which will only improve with age. Mulberry £895

A timeless coat will serve you well for years. Opt for a lightweight coat that will see you through spring. Barbour £199

Dark rinse jeans are a wardrobe staple. Diesel £105

A good quality white shirt is a must-have. Thomas Pink £90

A collared polo top makes the perfect choice for a casual business meeting. Ralph Lauren £75

Finish off a double cuff with simple, elegant cufflinks. Mulberry £135 Perfect for smart casual days with chinos or smart jeans. Crew Clothing £57

You don’t have to spend a fortune to buy an elegant watch. Daniel Wellington £159 A smart casual dress code screams for versatility, so chinos are a great choice. Ted Baker £89

A tan belt works perfectly with a navy suit. John Lewis £35

The perfect casual belt. Ted Baker £39

Follow Georgie on Instagram: @georgiesteeples

NICHE | 75

Bridal Beauty 2018 How to look your very best on your big day with Donovan Goode

alon Directors Tina and Beth will get any bride looking stunning for her big day with the latest bridal hair and makeup trends.

Hair with Tina

Bold up-do’s, top knots, long plaits, and even slicked back and sleek pony tails were spotted on bridal catwalks for the seasons ahead and, thankfully, so too were low chignons and soft waves which were spotted on the Jenny Packham catwalk brides. We say thankfully as these looks are always popular with brides and offer a more timeless yet on-trend look without going too far down the trend route.

Makeup with Beth

Defined eyes where bold lips once reigned supreme were huge on the New York bridal week catwalks and we love it! Despite it being bold, a defined or smoked eye is easier to carry off than a bold lip and looks great on pretty much everyone. Fresh and glowing complexions are still strong;

after all, who doesn’t want to look glowing on their wedding day?! Red lips were still found and seen on the catwalks of Di Santo and Berta, paired with a gold eye for a more wearable look. Cheeks were fresh and with a pink flush and rose gold highlights on the apples. Discovering and communicating with our client is one of the most important aspects of our jobs and this is never more important than when trying out bridal looks. We always work closely with a bride to create a finished look perfectly suited to them. When it comes to big-day beauty, the most important thing is that a bride feels like herself – comfortable, confident and simply more polished. Stunning results are created so she can truly radiate, relax and enjoy her special day. The salon offers a full range of hair and beauty treatments for all occasions. donovangoode.co.uk 0116 277 6666

Telling your love story Specialist wedding and event design company Eve Lily is passionate about everything concerning weddings, embracing trends and classic romance

he key to wedding planning is the detail, according to eternal romantic and Eve Lily creative Nicola, “When it comes to wedding trends we all naturally keep up with them, but ultimately it’s all about creating a day which is personal to each couple. “By bringing together elements in a couple’s life and relationship which reflect who they are and what their love story so far has been is all part of the

design and planning process,” she says. All of this is created as a result of careful consultation and planning and by incorporating the right setting for the big day through décor and styling. From the save-the-date cards right through to the last song played out at the party Eve Lily offers creative and inspiring solutions to help achieve a wedding day beyond any couple’s wildest dreams. With a love for all things romance

since an early age, Nicola started the business to tailor-make weddings like no other. Nicola told Niche of the trends she is looking forward to adopting in 2018 and 2019: “Of course vintage and rustic weddings will still be big news, but there are also some exciting new industrial and pared-back trends that we love too! Metallics, candles and natural flower arrangements are strong and really workable trends as well.” Eve Lily work with a couple to create every detail for a big day or simply to provide touches with the hire of beautiful wedding day décor items. Supplying clients in Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and beyond, Eve Lily is a unique company with a passion to help create a day which reflects the story of you as a couple. evelily.co.uk 07808 736 281

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Photographer: Sarah Salotti 07505 114 372 sarahsalotti.co.uk Styling and Flowers: Eve Lily 07808 736 281 evelily.co.uk Wedding Dress: Elizabeth Rose Bridal 0116 276449 elizabethrosebridal.co.uk Suit: Christopher Scotney 0116 254 3957 christopherscotney.co.uk Bridesmaid Dresses: Divine Boutique 0116 251 6924 divineladieswear.co.uk Hair and Makeup: Donovan Goode 0116 277 6666 donovangoode.co.uk Venue: Abbots Oak 01530 833 952 abbotsoak.co.uk Bar: R A Events 07921 833 344 r-a-events.co.uk Dancefloor: RJL Events 0333 772 0341 rjlevents.com Groom: Luke Jackson from Kreative Group 07792 354009 / 07817 308432 kreative-group.co.uk Models: Megan Colford, Georgia Wilson and Annie Napier

Finding ‘the one’

‘W

hen you know, you know.’ This is one of the most popular lines of advice for any bride-to-be when seeking out the wedding dress of her dreams, and with good reason – it’s absolutely correct! Many a bride-to-be has turned up to our boutique armed with ideas, Pinterest boards and pictures of dresses that they love, only to try on and love something completely different. At our boutique we are passionate about a wife-to-be’s search for her dream gown, and with a wide range of aspirational collections of stunning gowns sourced from award-winning globally renowned designers, brides-to-be will love the full process. As a small, family-run boutique located in lovely South Leicestershire countryside, we

have tailored everything, down to the smallest detail, towards giving women a magical, fun experience as they choose their gowns. We strive to get to know each and every bride by considering body shapes, personalities and even the location for their upcoming nuptials; we love to help find a dress that’s a match made in heaven. The trick is to try lots on, even those you may have dismissed early on, in a relaxed and welcoming environment – you just don’t know whether it might be ‘the one’! Look out for one of our current favourite gowns in the Niche wedding shoot this issue. KELLY BURNHAM

elizabethrosebridal.co.uk 0116 279 6449

Christopher Scotney Wedding Wear Specialists 132 London Road, Leicester. Telephone 0800 525836 to request a brochure or for further information. Free Car Park • Air Conditioning

www.weddinghireleicester-scotney.co.uk

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NICHE FEATURE

Always the

DIVINE

bridesmaid Take a closer look at the emerging trends for the upcoming year with Rosie Holmes and Zoe Billington of Divine Boutique

hankfully, bridesmaid dresses have become a lot more sophisticated in recent years, with trends emerging for gowns suited to an individual and their style and figure rather than a one-for-all approach. This often made dress hunting tricky, to say the least, when there was more than one bridesmaid in the group. But that dilemma is now a thing of the past. Our boutique offers the opportunity for bridal parties to try on a vast selection of carefully chosen pieces in a relaxed and fun environment to ensure that each and every maid is happy! There are three strong trends coming through in collections:

Each one unique

The trend for each person to wear a distinctive style of dress in the same colour is huge. This trend allows for each maid to find a dress which suits their body shape and personal style – we love it as it is a fantastic way to ensure

THE TREND FOR EACH PERSON TO WEAR A DISTINCTIVE STYLE OF DRESS IN THE SAME COLOUR IS HUGE

each person gets to wear a dress they truly love. We adopted this look for our involvement in this issue’s wedding photoshoot with two black full-length Watters Wtoo gowns. Both gowns looked amazing and with different neck lines, low backs and alternative fabric styles the gowns suited individual body shapes and complimented each other at the same time.

Tonal dresses

With different shades or tones of complimenting coloured dresses this look is a strong trend for the next year ahead and is a great way to allow for each bridesmaid to have accenting looks which work with individual skin tones. This also can look great in accordance with the time of year that your wedding takes place; for example, deep plum tones look great in autumn and winter whilst pastels and lighter hues look lovely for spring and summer.

Embellished

A strong standout look, particularly over the warmer months and near the festive season, is the sparkly one. A great way to inject a bit of shimmer into the occasion, the embellishment dresses look particularly great on the summer boho bridesmaid and are perfect for a beach wedding. You don’t need to go for full on embellished, just a little sparkle goes a long way. The two-storey boutique located on Silver Street in the city centre has several fitting rooms and a host of carefully selected gowns from the likes of Kelsey Rose, as well as Watters Wtoo and many more. Their expert staff and skilled tailors enable every bridesmaid to leave feeling confident that they have found their perfect gown. divineladieswear.co.uk 01162 516 924 NICHE | 83

Something

for everyone A look at the two biggest events to take place at Leicester Racecourse this year

eople travel from far and wide to experience the quality horse racing, catering and entertainment that Leicester Racecourse brings together. Rob Bracken is the general manager of the family-run business that is an integral element of Leicester’s culture – and takes it upon himself to put on the best race meets of the year, giving other racecourses a run for their money and attracting the bestdressed punters in Leicester in the process. Horse racing as a professional sport in the UK can be traced back to the 12th Century after the English knights returned from the Crusades with Arab horses, Equine World reports. It is generally accepted

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that the final day of the Royal Ascot became known as Ladies Day since the 18th Century when Queen Anne founded the races. In more recent years, Ladies Day has picked up quite a following in other areas of the UK, having become a famous event in British culture that the rest of the country has been eager to get involved in. Ladies Day in Leicester has particularly taken off – Google ‘Ladies Day’ and Leicester Racecourse’s website will likely appear in the top search among Cheltenham and Ascot pages. Last year Leicester Racecourse’s Ladies Day (now named Ladies Day Festival) saw a record 13,001 people attend with 3000 guests who enjoyed

the racecourse’s signature sit down meal. There were 15 food vendors serving everything from pizza to paella, 25 bars, and there were 3000 bottles of Prosecco and 40,000 pints of Fosters consumed. But with all the attention placed firmly on the ladies, Rob decided it was time for a twist on current events and so introduced the first ever Gentlemen’s Day last April. Gifting men with the opportunity to step from the shadows cast by the ladies, Rob said: “I thought it was about time the gents had a day to dazzle – they’ve been a bit left out everywhere.” Based on the same principle as Ladies Day, Gentlemen’s Day will

NICHE FEATURE

Gentlemen’s Day Saturday 28th April

et to be bigger and better than last year! #GD18 Live entertainment and bars will be in a huge indoor arena which is situated close to the racing. There will be a large screen nearby with plenty of seating, so no need to worry about the weather! Be sure to come as your most dashing self for a chance to win the ‘Best Dressed’ title and be invited on stage to collect your prize.

feature top class entertainment, food and indoor games. Rob will only allow the best entertainment to accompany what is known as the King Richard III Stakes racing day (the type of race you have at Ascot). He has chosen this special date to combine the course’s only Grade I listed race with Gentlemen’s Day to create an event to match Ladies Day. You can buy your tickets for both race meets on the website

0116 271 6515 leicester-racecourse.co.uk

Facebook: Leicester Racecourse Twitter: @LeicesterRaces

Entertainment Best Dressed Man competition ’80s Ska band Bad Manners led by Fat Boy Slam Buster Bloodvessel Indoor fairground games King Richard III Stakes Grade I horse racing

Ladies Day Festival Saturday 7th July 2018

he biggest race day of the year! Make sure that you’re prepared for plenty of dancing and bring your best hat. Get friends and family to tag along – you can even adorn yourself in glitter if you want! Find the best picnic spot to view the stage and horse racing and dress to the nines for a chance to win this year’s ‘Best Dressed’ title and brilliant prizes. Food stalls and retailers will be set up so you can buy things like chairs or even a pair of flip-flops if those shoes are too much for you!

Host BBC football commentator Ian Stringer Entertainment ’70s themed host Lionel Vinyl Soul Singer Lemar Singer/songwriter Fleur East Electro group N-Trance Musical artist Nikki Belle Club classics with DJ Dave Pearce Firework display NICHE | 85

RECREATIONAL CLASSES FOR CHILDREN ADULT GYMNASTICS SESSIONS, FOR BEGINNERS, IMPROVERS AND EXPERTS! SQUAD SESSIONS FOR THOSE WISHING TO TRAIN HARDER AND ASPIRING TO COMPETE PARENTS & TOTS SESSIONS

FUN - FITNESS - FRIENDSHIP

L A I R E

S K L I S

CLASSES

6 WEEKS £60 CHRISTMAS SPECIAL OFFER FOR ADULTS AND 16+ 6 WEEKS FOR JUST £60 THURSDAYS 20:00-21:00 NOVEMBER 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th & DECEMBER 7th, 14th Pay as you go sessions are available but spaces are limited. Please wear tight fitting clothes (cotton is ideal, avoid lycra) and bring layers. No zips, buttons, jewellery or long nails as these may damage the silks.

JON MUTCH 07813 205 852

OLGC-GYMNASTICS.CO.UK INFO@OADBYGYMNASTICS.CO.UK

17 MANDERVELL ROAD OADBY INDUSTRIAL ESTATE LEICESTER LE2 5LR

SPORT FOCUS

JON MUTCH

GYMNASTICS FOR ALL Contrary to popular assumption, gymnastics is for everyone – that’s right, everyone. Young or old, flexible or not. Generally speaking, people assume it is simply for the very young or the very experienced, but a regular gymnastics session can do wonders for your physical and mental health, whatever your age or experience. Here are just a few of the ways gymnastics can improve your quality of life: Flexibility: Increasing flexibility can be an effective aid to the reduction of injury, allowing us to gain greater control over our bodies in everyday movements. Disease prevention: Being involved in gymnastics helps encourage a healthy lifestyle, including regular physical activity and eating a well-balanced diet. Increased self-esteem: A physical activity taken regularly, like gymnastics, is proven time and time again to increase selfesteem and boost mental health. Strength development: Gymnastics uses almost exclusively body weight exercises to build upper body, lower body, and core strength. Whether you are an experienced gymnast, dabbled whilst you were a youngster or are an absolute beginner, you will gain a great deal from a regular session – don’t be put off by thinking it’s not for you. It is – it’s for everyone. Come and join us on Weds & Thurs 8-9.30pm for £5 a session.

07813 205 852 olgc-gymnastics.co.uk

Forum

THE BUSINESS END APPROACHES FOR LEICESTER’S SPORTING TEAMS

DAVE SMITH

t the time of writing, with a lateFebruary cold snap about to take hold, Leicester City, Tigers and Riders are all approaching the business end of their respective seasons, but with mixed fortunes. The Foxes look to be safe from relegation and to have their eyes firmly fixed on the battle for seventh place in the Premier League, which might well be enough to secure qualification to next season’s Europa League competition. The January transfer window has come and gone with Riyad Mahrez still in the squad, but several others away on loan deals. Fousseni Diabate looks to be an exciting prospect who was added in January, so things are looking good on Filbert Way. The team have also progressed to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup – another potential route into Europe – where they will host Chelsea, the Foxes’ first home sixth round tie since 2001. Down on Welford Road, the Tigers are facing an equally tough battle to qualify for European competition, though both the Champions Cup and the Challenge Cup are still in reach. Injuries and international call-ups

continue to plague the squad and any real form of consistency is proving hard to come by. An encouraging win over Harlequins, with Matt Toomua pulling the strings at stand-off, has kept the Tigers on the heels of the top six. Can they string some late results together to salvage some pride… or even make a late charge for a play-off berth? By the time you read this, you might just know the answer to that. At the Leicester Arena, Riders continue to look the class act of the BBL. Rob Paternostro’s men still sit proudly on top of the league and also have another BBL Trophy final – this time against Sheffield Sharks – to look forward to. Again, by the time you are reading this, the trophy cabinet will have required a further extension. Both the cricket and speedway teams are rebuilding in preparation for an important summer campaign. It would be good to be talking about some early success in future editions.

dave@crossproductions.co.uk NICHE | 87

BIPHA

U16 NATIONALS 2017

Midland Mooseheads, a Leicestershire under-16s roller hockey team, mean business this year – they’re preparing to head out to Barcelona to show what they’re made of in the Sparta Cup Inline Hockey International Tournament

We’re on a roll to N

iche Magazine is proud sponsor of our local Leicestershire roller hockey team, the U16s Midland Mooseheads. Roller hockey is a fast and tenacious sport requiring not only skating skill but also excellent hand-eye coordination. Games can ebb and flow at the pace of a rally at a Wimbledon final and the result is often decided in the final seconds, keeping you on the edge of your seat until the very end. A major appeal to their fans is the adrenaline-fuelled speed of the Mooseheads’ gameplay, with pucks flying around as fast as 70mph and players skating at up to 30mph. The Mooseheads came second to hardcore Spanish team Unbrokens at last year’s Sparta Cup. Moosehead Coach Neil Jepson said: “We need to compete against the best and the

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Sparta Cup provides the playground to learn different styles of hockey. “We lost last year to a very good Spanish side – they play very different systems and we have to learn to adapt quickly to the European style of play.” The sport is played professionally and taken most seriously in North America, the Czech Rebublic, Italy (the current world champions), France and Spain. However, leagues can be found as far afield as Hong Kong and Australia according to Neil, who is keen to grow a larger following for roller hockey in the United Kingdom. “There is an appeal every four years to get roller hockey into the Olympics and we’re keen to promote the sport in any which way we can, which will only benefit the game, the players and the fans. We’re lucky to have the Midlands

Roller Arena in Lutterworth as their training facilities,” Neil added. Coach Geoff Baker said: “Roller hockey has historically been seen as ice hockey’s younger brother. However, over the last decade it has come into its own and stands alone as a recognised sport with governing bodies both domestically and internationally.” On home ground the team is undefeated, winning consistently this season and having five league titles and four UK National Championships under their belt. Some of the team have also achieved phenomenal feats at a very young age, with players having recently travelled to China for last year’s FIRS World Roller Games in Nanjing; the next is hosted in Barcelona 2019. Three players have been accepted into the GB senior squad three years early

NICHE FEATURE

THE SPARTA CUP IS ONE OF THE TOP TOURNAMENTS IN THE ROLLER HOCKEY CALENDAR SPONSORED BY

PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVE CLARE

BARCELONA – and with all but their youngest player, the team are playing and competing well in BIPHA and GBHI Senior leagues. This generation of British players are ahead of the learning curve – the 16-year-olds don’t just play in senior leagues, but also out-perform players much older than them, many of whom have competed internationally. Moosehead Manager Mike Winters explained: “The Sparta Cup is one of the top tournaments in the roller hockey calendar, so to do well in it would help improve our presence in both the domestic and continental [hockey] scene. Making the final last year has helped the kids to grow more in selfconfidence and realise the value of teamwork. A real case of ‘believe and you can achieve’, you could say. “Domestically, we are one of the

top teams, some even say that we are the team to beat, but I think we’re just that bit more consistent in what we do. Comparing us to the continental competition is a difficult one. We certainly don’t have as many fast skaters as our rivals, but we do work well as a team and as long as we can control the game, there is no reason why we shouldn’t succeed.” Mike, Neil and Geoff are keen to instil in the Moosehead U16s that attitude and teamwork are the drivers for success, whilst also teaching them leadership and life skills, to maintain the development of the team. Geoff added: “They are great players, but what separates them from other players and other teams is their attitude both on and off the rink – and that is what makes them so special”.

On the subject of the team’s proudest moments, Mike noted: “Among the contenders are: last season’s national final, where the guys kept their composure and managed to come from behind in the last few minutes – and win convincingly. And also the semi-final at Sparta when the guys listened and followed the plan so well that the opposing team hardly touched the puck.” The team aims to win worldwide, proving that a British team can be taken seriously among the big players. Openings to join the team, results and future game dates along with sponsorship opportunities can be found on their Facebook page. Special thanks to the team’s cosponsors, Casas Espania, Hockey Factory Shop and Rink Rat Wheels. NICHE | 89

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NICHE FEATURE

DOUSE IN THE

HOUSE Riders guard Kiefer Douse is looking forward to the business end of the season, having enjoyed a successful first professional year so far

he 6ft 4in guard Kiefer Douse joined Leicester after a strong final season with Canisius College in Buffalo, New York state. The Brampton-born star has roots in Derby, so making the switch to the East Midlands has been ideal. “My time in England has been nothing short of wonderful. Since being in England I’ve met 70 per

cent of a large family and been able to build relationships with family members which I would never have had the opportunity to, if I hadn’t come across the ocean,” reflected Douse. “Also, the Riders family has been accepting with open arms, and has made the transition of playing here a delightful one, from

MY TIME IN ENGLAND HAS BEEN NOTHING SHORT OF WONDERFUL

my teammates, coaching staff, sponsors, and mentors it has been a journey I don’t want to end.” Riders currently sit top of the BBL table an achievement that Kiefer puts down to his coach Rob Paternostro. “Coach Rob has been a great coach. The amount of confidence he has in me has rubbed off on me and allowed me to stay positive and continue to grow and learn. He’s a coach that demands the best out of you and expects you to play with passion and grit, night in, night out, and that’s why he has been such a successful coach in his career. “He knows how to motivate his players to get the best out of us.” Douse also gives huge credit to the Riders fans who have really been rocking the Leicester Arena this season. “The fans have been fantastic and a sixth man on the court for us. They create an amazing environment to play in and we hope that we can reward them with some success when the season reaches its climax.” NICHE | 91

FOOD COURT In this issue, local businessmen and women choose their favourite places to eat in Leicestershire

The best eating establishments in Leicestershire LEE CHRISTOPHER

DINE INDIA

0116 277 8777 dine-india.co.uk 62 MAIN ST, COUNTESTHORPE, LEICESTER LE8 5QX

When Niche Magazine asked me to write about my favourite place to eat, I had no hesitation in my choice – Dine India. I have enjoyed food at Dine India for over 15 years and believe it is a true gem of a restaurant. It’s situated in the village of Countesthorpe with its own parking facilities and offers a relaxing and modern environment in which to enjoy their contemporary Indian cuisine. The staff always offer a warm welcome to diners, along with the option of a seating area to enjoy a drink prior to taking a seat at your table. The décor is a mixture of warm, bright tones among dark colours and combines Eastern and Western styles. The dining area is spacious, bright

ALEX KOWALCZUK

THE GREY LADY KITCHEN & DELI

01530 245 801 thegreyladydeli.co.uk 544 BRADGATE RD, NEWTOWN LINFORD LE6 0HB Somewhere I love to go, whether it’s to meet clients, friends, family or just alone to have some ‘me time’ is the fabulous Grey Lady Kitchen & Deli in Newtown Linford. The food is great, customer service is fab, the atmosphere relaxed, and it’s such good value for money. Whether it’s breakfast, brunch, lunch or afternoon tea, there is something on the menu for everyone. In addition to their regular menus, there is also a lunchtime special with two or three courses – and on Sundays they do a fantastic roast dinner! One of my favourite lunchtime dishes is the Perry Poached Pear Salad with Goats Cheese and Parma Ham, and for breakfast

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and filled with the aroma of a festival of scents that immediately provoke your appetite. Dine India’s menu caters for all tastes, and offers authentic Indian dishes. The food is always fresh, hot, served in generous portions and delicious. One of my favourite dishes would be Lamb Joypur – a Dine India speciality, its mix of lamb, spring onions, chilli and coriander are smothered in a spicy sauce and presented on a hot sizzler. And, of course, no curry would be complete without rice and a garlic naan bread. The staff are always polite and ensure your dining experience is relaxed whilst enjoying some of the tastiest Indian cuisine available.

I always go for their homemade guacamole on sour dough toasted bread with two poached eggs. Its location, opposite Bradgate Park, makes it ideal too, especially when you can eat alfresco. As it’s open every day from 9-5, it’s great to go for a walk through the park, and then drop in for a bite to eat before heading home. Friday night is the only evening that they are open, when they do a special fish and fizz supper! Beware, The Grey Lady Kitchen and Deli is very popular and always busy, so I’d definitely recommend that you book a table. However, the table for two in the window will already be taken – it’s booked in the name of Alex!

ASHLEY COOPER

SPICE CUBE

0116 230 2395 spicecube-le12.co.uk 17 LOUGHBOROUGH RD, MOUNTSORREL, LOUGHBOROUGH LE12 7AP There are many restaurants and eateries in Leicestershire that I enjoy visiting. However, the firm family favourite in the Cooper household is Spice Cube in Mountsorrel – you won’t get a better curry or a warmer welcome in the shire! The quality of food, depth of menu, along with level of service from its staff makes it an allround winner. They always go the extra mile compared to any other restaurant I’ve been to, and their friendly welcome never fails to make you feel a little bit extra special when you go there for a meal. They serve a variety of the usual curries you come to expect to find, as well as many house specials ranging

EILEEN RICHARDS

YUM SING 0116 271 6331 yumsing.co.uk 11 LEICESTER RD, OADBY, LEICESTER LE2 5BD When deliberating where to eat in Leicester, Yum Sing immediately springs to mind. As a fixed favourite of mine, I would instantaneously recommend the distinctive and welcoming restaurant to anybody looking for gourmet, oriental food with a mouth-watering twist. Tucked away in Oadby, Yum Sing’s relaxed yet experiential environment provides an array of social settings outside of the city centre, offering a vibrant place to unwind and enjoy delicious food, whatever the occasion! Yum Sing’s extensive menu caters to each customer uniquely. The food on offer features Cantonese dishes prepared for meat lovers, vegetarians and an assortment of gluten-free

ALISTER DE TERNANT

from sweet to mild to hot – I’ve only managed to work halfway through the list of dishes. In fact, I think might be frequenting the place a little too much, as the owners are on first name terms with me – a little sign that I may eat there too frequently! It’s great for social business meetings as well as birthday meals out. On a side note, a very good place for a late night kebab is the mobile hut just off Blackbird Road in the city – they fry the onions and mix it with the kebab, which is just lovely – naughty, but lovely. Especially after watching Leicester City on a midweeknight match!

specialities; there is something for everyone to take pleasure in! With attentive, well-informed staff delivering exceptional customer service and chefs that provide exquisite dishes, I feel entirely confident returning with both personal and business connections for an appetising meal. If you are somebody who appreciates great quality Cantonese-style food and are looking for a place that offers a real oriental experience away from a takeaway on the sofa, make a reservation at Yum Sing – it will not disappoint. Alan, the restaurant owner, and his team will certainly look after you. My Sauvingon Blanc is always waiting on ice ready for me.

HAMBLETON HALL

01572 756 991 hambletonhall.com OAKHAM LE15 8TH

On the peninsula at the heart of ‘the water’ is the eatery to end all eateries! Hambleton Hall is one of those special gems. One of the region’s only Michelinstarred restaurants, it’s full of old-school charm, service and quality at every turn. Although traditional in form, it has a modern twist and you won’t ever be disappointed by the blend of service, unimaginable food styles and the view across the water, which is like no other. My wife and I tend to go on special occasions – it’s just that sort of place – and we were fortunate enough to have our wedding there too, so it holds a special memory for us in particular. When we go, we generally push the boat out and go for Hambleton’s signature tasting

menu which varies regularly, but not in quality or satisfaction. If we’re not driving, we’ll also pick up the tasting wine menu, which is a true treat - but I’d suggest a four week teetotal session beforehand. Their sommelier, Dominic, is one of the most passionate and knowledgeable people I have ever met – he’s sure to satisfy the tastebuds and find the best way to complement the extraordinary menu with unmistakable wines that you’ll be searching for on Google as soon as you can see straight again. The venue is small, feels exclusive and is one to be savoured and treasured. So don’t tell too many people about it, or I’ll never be able to get in when I forget our anniversary! NICHE | 93

Corporate events

with style and substance

NICHE FEATURE

This multi award-winning Grade II listed 17th Century location is ideal for unique corporate events with style, making the right impact every time

oes the location for a corporate event, no matter its size or purpose, actually matter? In a word, yes. Countless reports and studies show that the environment in which us humans work and learn has proven to have an impact of the effectiveness of what is being delivered or being created – and this could not be more relevant than in the corporate sector. In a report featured on Eventbrite. co.uk, Andrew Needham, CEO of Headbox, said of looking to unique venues for corporate events: “We believe there is a need to be smarter about how we use space – in turn bringing unusual and inspiring spaces to life.” This movement towards more interesting and unique venues as spaces for team building days, product launches and meetings means that smaller venues and small businesses are boosted. The success rate of the meetings are also improved, with delegates shown to respond better when the environment in which they are held are refreshingly unique. This idea is shared by Alexander Amosu, founder of Lux Afrique, who told Eventbrite: “People are looking for more than just events, they are looking for experiences. I see a shift where event organisers are looking more at the details, rather than just hiring any venue, and giving a talk. Organisers are looking at every aspect of the experience, from the speakers to the venue and location, and even down to things such as goody bags, lighting, and scents.”

Venues don’t come much more unique than Abbots Oak. Surrounded by mature trees and formal gardens within four acres next to the enchanting Charnwood Forest, it’s a perfectly impactful setting for any corporate occasion delivered in luxury and style. The building itself is steeped in history, retaining much of its rustic charm and many of its historic works of art. The property has been lovingly and sensitively restored, retaining much of the character and original features that are now carefully preserved for everyone to enjoy, including a grand staircase, wood-panelled walls and dining room carvings of Queen Elizabeth I and Sir Walter Raleigh. Owners and passionate renovators Anthony and Sarah Kurr, who won a prestigious ProCon award in 2017 for the renovations reveal: “We fell in love with the impressive building and saw so much potential. Throughout the renovation and restoration process we knew we wanted to involve local businesses and suppliers who would want the building to be restored to its former glory and to become a place where the public could enjoy the splendour of the house. Whether for a wedding or business event, the attention to detail is the same high quality.” Abbots Oak provides a great central meeting place for candidates, employees and delegates from across the UK, offering something that bit extra special. Sarah told us: “No two businesses are the same and therefore

no two business events are either. We know the importance of getting the branding right for any company and this extends to how they want to present themselves to their employees and potential clients. Whether a guest is looking for a small team-building event or looking to host a networking or presentation event, we have a variety of options to suit.” The manor’s accommodation comprises eight bedrooms, ideal for delegates that have perhaps travelled from further afield. For breaks and down-time moments, the house provides many communal areas in which to relax and restore, with the formal gardens providing a refreshing way to catch some fresh air in nature. Dining is covered by sought-after local chef Samantha Dimblebee. Using locally-sourced produce where possible, she provides Champagne brunches, lunches, homemade cakes, traditional afternoon teas, evening meals and Sunday lunches. Renowned chef Paul Leary also continues to cook up a storm for the stately home’s Gourmet Evenings and fine dining events. With venues like Abbots on the map in our excellent Midlands location, there is absolutely no excuse for boring, uninspiring gatherings when it comes to planning the next corporate event in 2018 and beyond. abbotsoak.co.uk 01530 833 952

Dining is covered by sought-after local chef Samantha Dimblebee. Using locally-sourced produce where possible, she provides Champagne brunches, lunches, homemade cakes, traditional afternoon teas... NICHE | 95

ff u R e th n I ANNUAL CHARITY GOLF DAY THURSDAY 19th APRIL AT THE LEICESTERSHIRE GOLF CLUB

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Gift Guide

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Whitby Candle £24 Scented Candles made with a unique blend of waxes and a pure cotton wick with a burn time of up to 50 hours. Available from thefragrancecounter.com. NICHE | 97

NICHE FEATURE

Business Associate

Membership

Leicester’s Curve is one of the UK’s leading producing theatres

urve’s Made at Curve productions have achieved audience and critical acclaim alike, attracting visitors from across the UK and beyond. With over 1,000,000 people seeing a Curve production either in Leicester or on tour both nationally and internationally, Curve’s reach and reputation is ever-growing. The theatre’s Business Associate Membership gives companies the opportunity to forge strong relationships with this creative and engaging theatre, sharing in its success. Over the last year, 350,000 people walked through Curve’s 98 | NICHE

doors and its season brochure is circulated to over 90,000 people. Curve’s website attracts over 21,000 visitors each week and Business Associate Members will benefit from increased visibility with a logo in the brochure and a direct link placed on the website. The membership includes invitations to Curve’s fabulous hosted show-opening evenings and exciting Season Launches throughout the year, priority booking, tickets for Made at Curve productions and invitations to inspiring and informative B2B events hosted at the theatre. The next B2B event is on

MEMBERSHIP INCLUDES INVITATIONS TO CURVE’S FABULOUS SHOWOPENING EVENINGS AND SEASON LAUNCHES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR

Wednesday 25th April and will feature a taster session of enACT, Curve and University of Leicester’s unique corporate training programme that builds confidence and improves communication and interpersonal skills. The Business Associate Membership has a yearly fee of £1,250. To find out more and take advantage of this opportunity, contact Curve’s dedicated Business Development team at: development@curvetheatre.co.uk.

curveonline.co.uk

NICHE CULTURE

First Among Equals

t 2018’s 75th Golden Globes Oprah Winfrey accepted the Cecil B de Mille Award with a powerhouse speech about equality, discrimination, truth, justice, secrets and lies, tyranny and abuse, which coruscated as she became the first black woman in cinema history to receive the Globes’ most prestigious award – some 35 years after Sidney Poitier had become the first black man to receive this honour. Oprah’s rousing assertion that a new day is dawning is filled with hope for a future, not just in the entertainment industry, but in all industries where openness and

transparency lifts us out of the darkness of fear and repression, giving us the chance to effect real change, with the power and strength to ‘tell our stories’ and to ‘hear our truth’. Whilst some have stated that equal

TRACEY MILLER pay for those already receiving, per performance, more than most of us will receive in a lifetime is the cry of the over privileged, liberal elite, I feel strongly that there are women who can, and do, carry a movie and that equality shouldn’t just be in name only but in cold, hard cash. True equality will put an end to the abuses of power recently laid bare in Hollywood, and full transparency in any workplace needs, genuinely, only be feared by those with something to hide. #OprahForPresident

traceyannmiller@hotmail.com

NICHE CARE

Activities duo aim to bring ‘fun times’ to care home A Melton Mowbray care home has welcomed two new activity co-ordinators to the team with over 60 years’ combined experience in the care sector

‘D

ynamic duo’ Laraine Lewis and Tina MacPhee have joined The Amwell, a residential, nursing, dementia and respite care home, and they aim to bring fun to the residents at Asfordby Road. Laraine has been active in the care sector for a remarkable 40 years. Committed to working with the elderly in a number of roles, she is determined to help all residents become more active and develop their social lives by taking part in group activities in the home itself as well as events and activities out in the local community. Tina has worked in the care sector for more than 20 years, working with both the young and the elderly. She has a vast breadth and depth of experience and is personally looking to enhance the person-centred approach, as well as the quality of provisions and activities for the residents at The Amwell. Laraine said: “I am passionate that The Amwell deliver the best possible

care to residents. Quality of life, dignity and enjoyment are key to my approach. When ‘life tasks’ no longer fill the day, it’s essential to fill the time with something else productive. “Tina and I certainly seem to be a bit of a dynamic duo. With 60 years’ combined experience, we have many, many ideas which we can’t wait to share with the residents and we also look forward to hearing what motivates them and what they find most fun.” Tina added: “We take the topic of social health very seriously at The Amwell and recreational and leisure activities are key to its success within the home. “As activity co-ordinators, we play a central role in delivering purposeful and meaningful activities which stimulate residents and improve their wellbeing. This type of activity is very effective at supporting our residents, particularly those living with dementia.”

01664 882 525 info@theamwellcare.com theamwellcare.com NICHE | 99

Composing A look at some musical greats, all with a common connection throughout their lives

Herbert Howells

Sir William Walton

Born in Gloucestershire, he was the youngest of eight and son of a father who owned a building and decorating business and played the organ. By the time Howells started school, he was eager to leave school to write music and was already known locally as a gifted musician. He went on to learn keyboard, accompaniment, harmony, counterpoint, and composition. In 1912 Howells won an open scholarship to the Royal College of Music. Charles Stanford and Charles Wood were among his teachers. It was here that Howells wrote ‘Mass in the Dorian Mode’; his first to receive a public performance at Westminster Cathedral under Richard Terry. He was asked to teach at the Royal College of Music where he stayed for almost 60 years. He was also an examiner and adjudicator. In 1931 Howells became the first ever to receive the John Collard Fellowship. In 1935 he suffered the loss of his nineyear-old son Michael, after which he stopped composing. After some time, he combined music from ‘Requiem’, which he wrote in 1932 and completed in 1938 in memory of Michael. Howells composed into his eighties. Key works include the ‘Concerto for String Orchestra’ (1938), ‘Missa Sabrinensis’ (1954), ‘An English Mass’ (1955) and the ‘Stabat Mater’ of 1963. He was appointed CBE in 1953 and a Companion of Honour in 1972. Herbert Howells died in London on the 23rd February 1983.

William Walton was born in Lancashire and was the son of a father who was a choir member and a mother who was a singer. He studied violin and piano, taught himself composition, and sang in his childhood. After graduating from Christ Church, Oxford University, the Sitwell siblings – a trio of artistic individuals who, in many ways adopted the young musician – gave him a home and education, and he spent almost a decade travelling with them. His most notable early work includes a collaboration with Edith Sitwell, Façade (1923), which became a popular ballet score after branding Walton as a modernist. It was a chamber ensemble that accompanied Sitwell’s poetry. Walton composed scores for films, too, including Henry V (1944) and Richard III (1954), and some of his vocal music includes the operas Troilus and Cressida (1954) and The Bear (1967). Later in life, he left the UK to live in Ischia with his wife Susana, by which time his modernist reputation had faded to the extent that some of his compositions had even been criticised for being old fashioned. It was in his last years that his work became more widely regarded as fashionable and his earlier work, which was dismissed by critics, then resurfaced and was reappraised. He received a knighthood in 1951. His early work made him one of England’s most important composers.

SOURCE: HOWELLSTRUST.ORG.UK

SOURCE: BBC AND ENCYCLOPAEDIA BRITANNICA

1892 – 1983

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1902 – 1983

History

NICHE FEATURE

Hans Keller

Martin Dalby

Hans Keller was born in Vienna in 1919, but left soon after the infamous Kristallnacht, the violent anti-Jewish pogroms in 1938. He undertook an internship between 1940 to 1941 on the Isle of Man and went on to study violin at the Royal Academy of Music, later to become known as a respected music critic. He resided in London and married artist Milein Cosman, famous for her drawings of dancers and musicians. He spent most of his early career freelancing in a number of professions: a string player, writer, music critic and psychologist. He used his knowledge of psychology to write about music in general. It was in the 1950s that he dedicated his time to writing music for a variety of different mediums including film and TV. He became known as the leading critical voice of his day in the UK. In the late 1950s he invented the method of wordless functional analysis in which a musical composition is analysed in musical sound alone. Keller worked at the BBC between 1959 and 1979 and even became a part-time football columnist. He had built a reputation for himself due to his unmoveable views and opinions and his quirky outlook on life.

Scottish-born Martin Dalby has spent a lifetime inspiring musicians and offering his musical genius to the world, and along with that, his witty outlook on life. He grew up in a house filled with music. His father was an organist who would play the clarinet to him as a child, and he believes this undoubtedly had a major effect on his interests and personality. His early curiosity in music pitched a natural path towards a melodious life. It followed him into his teens, leading him to move down to London to study Composition at The Royal College of Music. He lived in Italy and attended L’Accademia di Napoli; the orchestra of a university-level art school in Naples. He spent two years playing the viola, touring around Europe and North Africa with the 80-strong orchestra who became family to him. His time in Italy was thanks to his winning of the Otavia Prize in 1963 and a Sir James Caird Travelling Scholarship; a stage in his life that he revealed was wonderfully educating. Martin worked for many years at the BBC, where he transformed and motivated the people around him. Throughout his career he worked with and met musical greats such as Hans Keller, John Drummond, Herbert Howells and John Ogden. He’s also enjoyed composing and performing for documentaries, films and orchestras, church, radio, television, and chamber music.

1919 – 1985

SOURCE: KING’S COLLEGE LONDON AND ROYAL COLLEGE OF MUSIC LONDON

1942 – Present

SOURCE: MARTIN-DALBY.CO.UK

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Learning from the greats

ogether, the musicians share a connection that spans from the 19th Century right through to the 21st. Their connection being Martin Dalby; the man who dedicated his career to the BBC and helping young musicians establish their place in the classical scene. Taking a closer look into Martin’s life story, the connection between the four becomes clear. It was as a child, or even as a baby, that Dalby developed his intrigue in classical music, when his father would play the clarinet to soothe him – this, he feels, must have affected him on some positive level. Dalby told us: “I 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.” As an 18-year-old musician, he 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. A great companion of Dalby’s, Howells taught him a great deal in music and in life. “Herbert Howells gave me everything he had and I adored him for his encouragement and faith in me. But there came an uneasy time for me in my final year at the college. Like most young men, I had had several girlfriends over the years but there was one young lady who my encounter with would cause problems. “I took her out for dinner and she was lovely but a bit

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scatty and missed her last train home, so she stayed at mine in the spare room. Her father found out and tried to have me kicked out of the school. I was very worried, so explained it all to Howells. And you know what he did? He laughed. He told me: ‘If you’re going out and seeing girls, well, you’re writing great songs, so you carry on!’ And my place at the school was safe because of him.” And so Dalby 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 Otavia Prize and a Sir James Caird Travelling Scholarship; a stage in his life that was wonderfully educating. It was in 1965 that the Scottish composer’s career began with the BBC after being interviewed by a highpowered line-up that included Peter Gould, William Gloch and Hans Keller. Dalby was appointed as a music producer to the BBC’s newly-formed Music Programme, which was later to become known as Radio 3, for which he produced fantastic programmes that brought classical music to a wider audience. He explained: “When it came to the interview there were lots of important men in suits and the great Hans Keller was one of them. When I got the job, on my first day I saw him in his office and it was piled high with papers and scores and I said: ‘You’re busy, I’ll come back later,’ and he said: ‘No let’s have a beer,’ which shows just how relaxed he was. He gave me advice and guidance

NICHE FEATURE

and for that I will always be thankful.” And so comes the final connection: “I was the producer and my responsibility was to host Composer Portraits; 30-minute programmes on the radio, interviewing artists. My first victim was Sir William Walton.” Dalby visited Walton at his home in charming Ischia, Italy. He said: “It was a charming meet and I asked him: ‘People back in Britain are saying you were writing a new opera, is this true?’ And he said: ‘It’s not true – but if they’re saying it, then I suppose I am.’ He then produced an opera called The Bear.” Dalby has had doubts if Walton was being jovial with him and was already writing The Bear, but perhaps it really was all because of Dalby’s words that spurred him on to create a new opera that would become one of his most notable works. His encounters throughout his life have brought Howells, Keller and Walton unknowingly into connection with each other. Each have played an influential role in the music and life of Martin Dalby, who still writes today. Contacted regularly to produce commissioned pieces for various platforms, Dalby most recently was asked to write a piece as a gift to celebrate the life of old friend and BBC colleague Dave Ellis on his 80th birthday.

martin-dalby.co.uk

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NICHE FEATURE

Every step of the way Midwife Joanna Proud and her professional team of dedicated sonographers and midwives have been providing supportive women-led services since 2010 from their welcoming multi-award-winning clinic Miracle in Progress, right here in Leicestershire

“I

initially set up the clinic to meet the needs of women after NHS cutbacks,” says Joanna Proud. “I had trained in sonography and set up Miracle alongside my NHS midwifery and soon realised I wanted to find a way to dedicate more time and support that I could give through Miracle. I made the decision to commit to the company completely and left the NHS. “Now, alongside my world class team, I help to create magical moments through scans and provide support for individual women throughout their pregnancy.” With over 35 years of combined experience between them, the team’s expertise is extensive, and their knowledge for every given aspect of pregnancy, birth and beyond makes this an elite service which stands heads and shoulders above the rest. It involves more high-quality one-onone contact, more scans, more time spent with each individual woman, and plenty of advice and assistance at any given moment of need.

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This support is more than a buzz word at Miracle and starts from the very beginning of a woman’s journey into motherhood. Uniquely, the team can help women even before they are pregnant, offering ovulation advice and follicle tracking, and then throughout pregnancy with blood tests, early 3D/4D scans and on to antenatal classes. This unique service can continue birth side with a doula service and then beyond with breastfeeding guidance, mother and baby drop-in groups and essentially a friendly, expert ear every step of the way as the woman navigates her way through motherhood. “The emphasis is on providing knowledgeable information in a relaxed, yet professional environment and we are always at the end of the phone should our clients need any information,” adds Joanna. The Miracle in Progress team know the importance of scans and testing to reassure all expectant mothers and this reassurance is never more

I had trained in sonography and set up Miracle alongside my NHS midwifery and soon realised I wanted to find a way to dedicate more time and support relevant for those where there may have been complications in previous pregnancies, or indeed current ones. “Pregnancy is one of the most enjoyable experiences in any woman’s life. She should have the chance to be able to enjoy every single moment of it whatever an expectant mother’s needs may be. For those who may have extra worries, we can help with regular scanning and other testing.” A mother’s journey goes beyond pregnancy, of course, and Miracle can arrange a tailored package to suit, with assistance at birth as well as after care support. Specialist antenatal classes conducted by the highly-trained staff and regular drop-in coffee mornings for mum and baby allow for this continued support. “The importance of knowledgeable women sharing their expertise and experiences with each other is, we believe, vital to a woman’s health and journey. So much emphasis is placed on baby and yet our service is about so much more. “By providing the opportunity for a mother to gain insight into her pregnancy, to gain a sense of control and ease about the process, she can simply enjoy it. Those nine months go so fast and we like to think we create the prospect to be fully present in the experience and to really get the chance to immerse themselves in all the joy it can bring every step of the way.”

01509 434 028 miracleinprogress.co.uk

From birth to beyond FIRST CONTACT – An initial meeting can be arranged to discuss your needs. Perhaps you are looking for conception advice, want an early scan or simply feel you want to start your journey off on the right foot with a helpful, welcoming support network. DURING – You can have 3D/4D early gender scans as well as growth scans performed by medically trained sonographers with exclusive images, growth charting and reports. Membrane sweeps, blood tests and simply providing an experienced ear are also part of the Miracle in Progress service. ANTENATAL CLASSES – Get the lowdown on what you need to know ahead of birth, delivered by experienced and trusted midwives. SUPPORT BEYOND – Even after you have your bundle of joy earth side, the team are there with advice, baby weighing, breastfeeding guidance and social meet-ups to allow you to experience the community and support of others as you continue your journey into motherhood. NICHE | 105

The

nursery

Curious minds in caring hands

today I chaired a board meeting

Every day we encourage curious minds to explore and engage with their surroundings, enabling children to grow into confident and happy young people. We pride ourselves on delivering the highest quality professional care for children aged from 6 weeks to 4 years old. We are conveniently located in central Loughborough with staff that are well trained and highly knowledgeable. Fees are fully inclusive and eligible parents can utilise the 30 hours funding for 3 to 4 year olds.

Drop in to our open morning on Saturday 21 April 9.30am â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 1.30pm

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Call Carla Brindley, Nursery Manager, for more information.

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Garton Road, Loughborough

Local businesses needed to help create a magical experience for those in need at Curve this Christmas

Just

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On Saturday 15th December the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Curve theatre will be opening its doors to its two Christmas productions, exclusively for local people in hardship and crisis, supported by local charity, Charity Link.

to h create maelp gic Christma this s

Join Curve and Charity Link to help put on a truly magical experience for the most vulnerable local individuals and families this Christmas. Sponsorship for each guest includes a seat for a Christmas production, hot meal, show programme, interval drinks and an ice cream. To sponsor a seat, a row or entire block or more, or to find out more about additional opportunities, please visit www.charity-link.org/magical-christmas or contact Susan McEniff, Director of Charity Link. Email: susan.mceniff@charity-link.org or call 0116 222 2212. Corporate Motion

Event also supported by

Film & Photography

Charity Link, 20a Millstone Lane, Leicester LE1 5JN Tel: 0116 222 2200

Fax: 0116 222 2201

email: info@charity-link.org

Web: www.charity-link.org

Follow us on twitter @charitylink or on facebook.com/charitylink Leicster Charity Organisation Society is a registered charity, no. 1078271 and a company limited by guarantee, no. 03761954

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A Christmas at Curve for those in crisis

Leicester’s Charity Link has joined forces with Curve theatre to put on a magical experience for those in need this Christmas – calling all local businesses for support

upported by Charity Link and its network of agencies, Curve will exclusively open to local people in hardship for its two Christmas productions on Saturday 15th December 2018. Charity Link has been supporting local people in vulnerable situations for over 140 years and underpinning Curve’s mission is an approach to ensure great theatre is made accessible for all. The idea for the event came from Rachel Hargrave, director of Leicestershire agency RDZ PR. Rachel, a long-term donor to Charity Link and a business sponsor of Curve, approached both charities last year. With over 1,200 seats being reserved, Charity Link is now looking for local businesses to fund the places for those most in need in the local community. Each guest will receive a hot meal, show programme, interval drinks and an ice cream.

Susan McEniff, Charity Link Director, said: “We believe that everyone should be able to fulfil their potential in life, no matter what they may be facing. Essential to this is the opportunity to dream and be inspired, particularly for children and young people. We are thrilled that the team at Curve are so supportive of this venture and we hope that local businesses will be moved to get involved too. This event has the potential to positively impact on the lives of those attending for the long-term.”

Chris Stafford, Curve’s Chief Executive, commented: “When we were approached with this fantastic idea we were instantly inspired as Curve is dedicated to ensuring that everyone who lives, works and learns in our city has access to great art. This year also sees Curve celebrate its 10th birthday and on the day itself, charity volunteers and the Curve team will give 1,200 people a Christmas to remember. “To make this happen, we also need the support of the business community to ensure this special day leaves a lasting legacy.” Businesses can sponsor a single seat, row, block or more. Sponsorship for each guest is £45. For more information contact Susan McEniff on 0116 222 2212 or email susan.mceniff@charity-link.org. charity-link.org NICHE | 109

WANT TO CYCLE THE PYRENEES? ONLY 25 PLACES LEFT!

Contact Bamboozle to BOOK YOUR PLACE

THE CHALLENGE:

18th —23rd September 2018

Your chance to take part in a unique cycling challenge through the Pyrenees from Pau to Barcelona, including the iconic

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COST:

£1750, with £1000 going directly to Bamboozle to support their work with disabled children.

GET IN TOUCH:

Raising money for

Call: 0116 255 2065 Email: info@bamboozletheatre.co.uk

www.bamboozletheatre.co.uk/70seventy

Twitter: @BamboozleUK

Charity number: 1136157

Facebook: @BamboozleTheatre

40 celebrations

for 40 years A couple from Leicester have spent the past year celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary by challenging themselves to complete forty new activities

n 12th March 2017, their ruby anniversary, David Goadby (67) suggested the idea to his wife Ann (65). Both active social butterflies in the Leicester business community, the pair are heavily involved in networking and social events and wanted to combine the two with something that would make a real difference. Becoming ambassadors of Hope Against Cancer was a priority on their ‘40 Things’ list. David and Ann get involved in the organisation of Hope’s events.

David, a Utility Warehouse Distributor and maths tutor, said: “We wanted to be involved in the essential, cutting edge research that Hope fund that we are so lucky to have going on here in Leicester, which wouldn’t be possible without the local people. And when I hear the staff talking they say we had some of the worst statistics for cancer in Leicester but because of their work it has improved significantly.” Their ‘40 Things’ list included a garden party, a visit to Glastonbury (not the festival), a day as a tourist around Leicester, and a trip to the Arctic Circle. Ann, who is now retired, also became an ambassador for Menphys. To ensure their 40th year together went out in

style, the couple went on a trip around South America. David added: “We wanted to do things we’d never done before and with things like being a tourist for a day we got to see parts of Leicester we never knew about before. The reason I’ve been able to do all this is because of the flexibility I have with Utility Warehouse, working and earning more in between trips. I encourage anyone to give it a go.”

07736 146 400 davidgoadby@uwclub.co.uk save-earnmoney.co.uk

Hope against Cancer

Survival Challenge Leicestershire charity Hope Against Cancer is calling for outdoor

0116 270 0101

www.hopeagainstcancer.org.uk activity enthusiasts to pledge their support in an action-packed

networking and fundraising event this coming summer

un in partnership with Challenge the Wild, it will take place in Coniston village in the picturesque settings of the Lake District on 28th June and finishes the following day. Networkers will take part in a range of activities including waterfall jumping, rock scrambling, climbing, and abseiling. Par-ticipants will also camp overnight in the open, learn how to cook meals using basic ingredients, and partake in a bush tucker trial-style bug eating competition. As exciting as this all sounds, a challenge like this requires teamwork, and is a great way to bond with colleagues and friends. Participants in the Challenge the Wild event all pledge to raise at least £275, and Hope Against Cancer is also

looking to get businesses involved in the event either through taking part in teams or through its many sponsorship options. Not only is this a great opportunity for businesses to show their support to Hope Against Cancer’s work in cancer research, but the charity also hopes it will boost staff morale and fitness. Safety will be of the highest priority for Hope Against Cancer during the event. A team of trained outdoor instructors will supervise the participants at every stage, and all necessary equipment will also be provided. Hope Against Cancer will also be providing travel to and from the Lake District, at an additional cost. The closing date for entrants is

31st March. To register or to learn more about the event, please visit our website.

hopeagainstcancer.org.uk/event/ challenge-the-wild NICHE | 111

NICHE SOCIAL

The Moulin Rouge Ball Hope Against Cancer delivered a stunning ceremony to rival the Oscars this month. The charity, which works tirelessly to fund vital research into cancer, hosted a Moulin Rougethemed ball at Winstanley House near the centre of Leicester, which raised an impressive £15,000. The sold-out event hosted its own casino, Chica Bonita dancers, and live music, complete with a three-course buffet meal. Attendees also donated through purchasing raffle tickets and by taking part in a charity auction. The £15,000 raised will enable Hope Against Cancer to continue its work into researching cancer from its Leicestershire research centre, with early detection, treatment and prevention of cancer being the charity’s main priorities. Hope Against Cancer is incredibly grateful to businesses from across the region which were keen to show their support through sponsorships and donations. Companies such as Next, Marsh & Co Insurers, PRP Consulting Engineers & Surveyors, NFU Mutual, Sandicliffe, Kazzoo IT, Griffin Fit, Glynis Wright & Co., Niche Magazine, Newby Castleman, Leicestershire Garden Design Co., Eileen Richards Recruitment, Narborough Hall and Premier Events have all sponsored or supported the Moulin Rouge ball. This year marks Hope’s 15th anniversary and a number of events are currently being put together to celebrate the charity’s work over the years and they are keen to showcase the achievements they’ve had during that time in making a positive difference to local cancer patients.

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B-STYLED.CO.UK PART OF THE BARRIE STEPHEN GROUP

Too Hot To Handle! A sizzling evening of culinary comedy and curry at the multi-award winning local charity Soft Touch Arts building in New Walk was run and organised by Tracey and Pete Miller of The Miller Partnership with Glynis Wright of Glynis Wright & Co Solicitors and Mediators. The organisers put on an epicurean extravaganza with Leicester Curry Awards Restaurant of the Year Chutney Ivy as part of the Leicester Comedy Festival (LCF). Christina Wigmore, Business Development Director at Soft Touch said: “I would like to thank our sponsors, our performers: Hardeep, Stand Up Challenge alumni Pete Miller, Chris Rees and Carl Mifflin, Shaf Islam of Chutney Ivy and everyone who came along to this tremendous celebration of community collaboration.” Hardeep Singh Kohli, British broadcaster and writer, headlined at the returning LCF event raising money for the youth charity. Chris Rees, who heads the Corporate Commercial Howes Percival team in Leicester, was the compere for the evening. Extra funds were raised for the Soft Touch Arts young persons’ mentoring program with the ‘Everyone’s A Winner Red Hot Chilli Prize Draw’. Its top prize was courtesy of Naresh Parmar at Winstanley House. The Chutney Ivy Curry Cook-Off pitched Pete Miller and Carl Mifflin against each other as rival chefs cooking up comedy under the watchful eye of Shaf Islam, whilst Hardeep, Harinder Sahota of Glynis Wright & Co, and Ian Guyler of Pedigree Filbert Ltd critiqued the results with rib-tickling taste about their interpretations

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The liveliest meeting place in town! Celebrating 150 years standing proud in the heart of our city, Everards marked this special clock tower’s birthday with a commemorative beer and a proper birthday bash on 4th January down the pub! Everards love celebrating all that is Leicestershire and the Clock Tower which has stood in the heart of the city centre is a huge part of the story of this great city and worth celebrating in the best way Everards can – with a beer! The tower has been an iconic landmark and lively meeting place in the city since 1868, that’s 150 years – imagine the stories it could tell. “‘Meet you at the Clock Tower’ I remember being the key phrase of my youth, from shopping to first dates and night’s out! It’s such an iconic Leicester landmark,” a local resident Charlotte Goulding reflects. The Clock Tower celebrates the steely determination of four local benefactors Simon De Montfort, William Wyggeston, Sir Thomas White Alderman and Gabriel Newton who stand on the four corners of the monument. In celebration of these hard-working men and their contributions to the city, Everards have brought back their limited edition beer ‘Clock Tower’ available only throughout January. A deep golden ale brewed with four types of hops which praises the men’s determined character.

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