Niche Magazine Issue 42 by Cross Productions

#FindYourNiche

March/April 2021

GOLDEN MEDIA

TAKING YOU TO NEW HEIGHTS

Help our hospitality

Covid-19’s impact

Read all about it

Must-reads from local authors

International Women’s day

#ChooseToChallenge

HAVE YOU GOT THE RIGHT EXECUTIVE TEAM SITTING AROUND YOUR BOARD TABLE?

DEFINE

NAVIGATE

ACQUIRE

the role by truly understanding the business

selection by screening potential candidates

the right talent by using our network and experience

Let us find the Executive that matches your DNA t: 0116 254 9710 @errecruitment1 hello@eileenrichards.co.uk www.eileenrichards.co.uk

LEANNE LATHAM

JENNY CROSS

SALLY SMITH

CEO

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR

MARKETING DIRECTOR

jenny@crossproductions.co.uk

leanne@crossproductions.co.uk

sally@crossproductions.co.uk

KERRY SMITH

SUSAN HOLMES

EMILY MILLER

HEAD OF DESIGN STUDIO

EDITOR

SENIOR JOURNALIST

susan.holmes@crossproductions.co.uk

Kerry@crossproductions.co.uk

emily.miller@crossproductions.co.uk

BECCI HOULSTON

SIAN COOLEY

AMY MARSHALL

HEAD OF DIGITAL

DIGITAL ACCOUNT MANAGER

becci@crossproductions.co.uk

sian@crossproductions.co.uk

amy@crossproductions.co.uk

JAKE ELLIOTT

STACEY WRAGG

LUCY CONNELLY

LEAD GENERATION CONSULTANT

stacey@crossproductions.co.uk

jake@crossproductions.co.uk

Lucy@crossproductions.co.uk

0116 271 2573 nichemagazine.co.uk info@crossproductions.co.uk

#FindYourNiche

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NICHE

@magazineniche

A WORD FROM THE EDITOR

Photography & Video courtesy of: Hitz Rao Photography 0116 246 0475 Catherine Baker catherine@indigobluemedia.co.uk 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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Published by Cross Productions Ltd 17 Mandervell Road, Oadby, Leicester LE2 5LR info@crossproductions.co.uk

he announcement we’ve all been waiting for has been made. Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s four-step plan could see social distancing rules lifted by June 21 – dependent on data. It’s great news for all but none more so than those working in the hospitality industry. The Help Our Hospitality feature highlights the mental and financial suffering that business owners and employees in the sector have faced. To see us through to the hopeful end of lockdown days, we’ve put together a list of self-help books, business strategy handbooks, fiction novels, and more. Your purchase of any works from our recommendations will not only provide you with knowledge and entertainment but will also give you that good-deed feeling of helping the local economy because all the titles we’ve listed are written by local authors. There’s also plenty of local successes to read all about as this issue celebrates International Women’s Day recognised annually on March 8. This year’s theme is #ChooseToChallenge with the aim of helping forge a gender-equal world. We hear from local women in law, property, coaching, beauty, and finance on their struggles and achievements within their industries. Winners of the #NicheBizAwards 2020 are also recapped from the virtual ceremony held back in January after coronavirus restrictions meant postponing the event last September. You can now nominate companies, individuals and business owners for the Niche Business Awards 2021. Nominations will close at 11.59pm on April 30. Make your nominations at nichemagazine.co.uk/nominate-now. As this March/April edition was put together before Mr Johnson’s announcement, we hope it will act as a mirror to the past, to reflect on the hardest of times, and remember what we have all been through together while we progress through the more optimistic months of spring and summer. Here’s to the “seasons of hope,” as the Prime Minister called them.

Contents MARCH / APRIL 2021

08 SPECIAL FEATURES

ON THE COVER

82 Help Our Hospitality

53 International Women’s Day

08 TAKING YOU TO NEW HEIGHTS Golden Media

The wedding industry

Italy bottled

The hub of a community

New look for Dewdrop Inn

Foodcourt

Will there be a VC Day?

At-home grazing the new outdoor catering?

Driving leicester’s economic recovery

Spirit and values

Gender and the property industry

Wellbeing and finance

Why you should ‘go for it’

Becoming yourself

Earning a new lifestyle

68 Read All About It 68 The entrepreneur escape plan

Cover Image Golden Media photographed at Orton’s Brasserie Photographed by Hitz Rao at Hitz Rao Photography 0116 246 0475

Expert advice throughout the pandemic

How to be light minded

Discovering rats in the capital

The most powerful way to lead

Businesswoman of the Year

Businessman of the Year

Home information

Best Family Business

Bodies as sites of war

Best Customer Service

Reviewed: local authors

Professional Services and Employer of the Year

42 Niche Business Award Winners 2020

44 BUSINESS NEWS

BUSINESS

HEALTH & BEAUTY

10 New owner for Syston’s Gate Hangs Well

Breaking the spell that’s holding you back

76 An in-depth look at knee health

Mental health in lockdown

Chasing the HR dream

Post-Brexit support for Leicester businesses

11 Lockdown anniversary fundraiser 12

Regenerating the old town

FINANCE 22

Energy grants for business

38 Groundbreaking wellbeing service 39

The insurance broker breaking the mould

41 Fighting back at self-limiting beliefs

GIFT GUIDE Perfect Mother’s Day gifts

MOTOR 80

Why electric is the future

81 Motoring on through lockdown

24 Avoiding scammers in a pandemic

67 The importance of grassroots sport

WHAT’S ON

25 Property disposal and Capital Gains Tax

MARKETING

92 Things to do at Everards Meadows

Jobs vacancies at Everards

The Stand Up Challenge

Money Talks: in conversation with Jenny Cross

LEGAL 30

Nelsons and Glynis Wright join forces

Legal advice from the experts

Surviving the Covid storm

34 Harinder Sahota joins Pattersons

Why you need a CRM solution

64 Marketing tips from the experts 65

Keeping creativity alive

How you can get free advertising for life

91 The Colour Purple Made at Curve

CHARITY 94

Hope in 2021

Running for Maya

HOME

Appeal to help the homeless

74 Property news from the experts

Care home residents receive Covid jabs

Marketing your way to

new heights

The multiplatform agency that wants to take you with them to the top of the marketing game WORDS BY KERRY SMITH

ike many other businesses, Golden Media had to think on its feet and find a new direction to move in during the testing times of Covid-19. In doing so, they had to bid farewell to The Golden Directory, the local print magazine which was once the foundation of the business. New ideas, discussions and plans were formed to take the multiplatform agency to new heights. “We had to make some drastic changes and unfortunately one of those changes was to sadly say goodbye to the product that started Golden Media, which was our Golden Directory magazine,” Mitesh Kotecha, one of the two founding members of the company, told us. “We had 08 | NICHE

to release a bit of pressure in something that wasn’t working at the time and for now put our efforts into something that we knew was going to be the future of the business. Whilst it was hard for us to depart with the magazine, it was also exciting as we were introducing a whole new level of digital marketing.” The company took a digital direction with the onboarding of a third director. “Everyone’s realised the importance of digital marketing particularly through Covid-19,” said Kieran Standen, the digital media expert who has taken the directorship of the company from dynamic duo to tactical trio. “Shops have shut and businesses have closed

NICHE COVER STORY

Businesses no longer want to deal with multiple companies for different solutions. Businesses prefer to work with a single company that can do everything under one umbrella down because they’re converting to online. And of course, everyone is at home on their phones more than ever so it’s really important to get your business’s message and personality through the screen and out to the consumer.” As the coronavirus hit, the company’s customers were also put in a challenging position; it was truly a time to understand one another and work together. It was a conversation with a business coach that kickstarted the fight against the effects of the pandemic. Mitesh said: “One thing that really stuck out in what our business coach said to us was that businesses are going to get back on track and operate again as normal – but when they do, we as a media agency need to be one step ahead of them.” Mitesh and Jastin Patel set up the business five years ago this year, and with the onboarding of Kieran, a small team of staff, and a new range of in-house services, the three partners feel lucky to have found each other. Kieran commented: “I’ve been with the company for nine months now and we still say pretty much every week how strange it was that we came together and how well it works, and our clients can see that as well as it brings out the best in our results.” On why the newly formed trio works so well, Kieran continued: “Our business approach and personalities are quite different. We have the sensible head, the maverick who’s great at building longstanding relations, and someone in-between which is me who takes those crazy ideas and runs with them with the added sensible element to bring us all down to earth.” As the company heads towards its fifth anniversary this year, Jastin, who over the years has built up a reputable clientele, admits he wasn’t sure if the business would work. He said: “When we set this business up we didn’t know if we’d be here in six months’ time with the amount of businesses you see coming and going.” Their success could be down to their attitude towards client relationships. Jastin explained: “We always put our customers, who we now call partners, at the heart of what we do, making them feel the value they bring to us. When we build that relationship they see the benefits of us being

involved in their business. Our main goal is to understand their key drivers, what is it they really want to get out to the marketplace, and how those people are going to be relating to their messages.” Both Mitesh and Jastin come from a media and marketing background. While Mitesh specialises in print management, Jastin’s expertise in outdoor advertising – such as billboards, train stations, and supermarkets – gives Golden Media a national advantage. Together with Kieran, the three of them and their team deliver on four quadrants of the business: leaflet distribution, outdoor media, print management, and digital media. “Outdoor advertising is something everybody has always seen but felt it was for the more established brands like Coca-Cola, KFC, Sky or BT as though it’s a different league to the SME market,” Jastin told us. “One of the key facts that sits with me is that the UK population spends more than 70% of their time away from their homes. If you think of when someone tries to sell you something, the first thing you do is put your guard up. Whereas outdoor media is fantastic as it’s there 24 hours a day advertising subliminally. “When setting up Golden Media, one of our key priorities was to bring outdoor advertising to SMEs. From then on, every SME business that has tried it has not turned back. It makes them feel good which is always excellent, and seeing the return on investment off the back of it has been fantastic as that’s where we prove our campaigns work and can deliver on a national scale.” They tied the four core services together after noticing a trend that came into its own over the course of 2020. Mitesh explained: “Businesses no longer want to deal with multiple companies for different solutions. Businesses prefer to work with a single company that can do everything under one umbrella.” As a multiplatform agency, Golden Media can be a part of their clients’ growth at every stage. And since they’ve diversified, when businesses do recuperate, the team will be one step ahead to help take them to new heights.

Marketing at altitude The peak of outdoor media

% of people are still leaving their homes every day during the pandemic seeing Golden Media adverts on their travels

70k 2m

online transactions were made on Golden Media clients’ websites*

organic and paid clicks achieved across ecommerce platforms for Golden Media clients*

*Figures represent Golden Media’s client performance between August 2020 and December 2020

NICHE | 09

BUSINESS NEWS LEICESTERSHIRE

Chief Constable and Lord Lieutenant back lockdown anniversary charity fundraiser Leicestershire Lord Lieutenant Mike Kapur OBE and Chief Constable Simon Cole have expressed support for a national charity campaign to mark the first anniversary of the UK pandemic lockdown. Pukaar Group has launched its national Always In Our Thoughts campaign ahead of the 12-month anniversary of March 23, 2020 of Prime Minister Boris Johnson telling the country that people must stay at home. Always In Our Thoughts invites residents to wear one of its flowers in order to publicly display support and solidarity with anyone who has been directly or indirectly affected by Covid-19. The wearable and sustainable flower can be purchased online. Once lockdown is lifted it will also be made available through retail outlets across Leicester. The C-19 Flowers will be available for a £1 donation. All money received will be donated to the Leicester Children’s Hospital Appeal and Care of Police Survivors (COPS). Always In Our Thoughts is a show of support for front-line NHS workers, 10 | NICHE

police staff and anyone that has suffered as a result of the pandemic. It has been supported by Leicestershire Police Chief Constable Simon Cole QPM, a trustee of Care of Police Survivors (COPS), who said: “Those who have been impacted by COVID are always in our thoughts. This national campaign is a way of putting something back as we remember those that we have lost, those who have suffered and those who have served. My police colleagues have been at the forefront throughout.” Lord Lieutenant Mike Kapur OBE, patron of Leicester Children’s Hospital Appeal said: “As Patron of Leicester Children’s Hospital Appeal, I am thrilled that the Always in Our Thoughts campaign has chosen to support us. “Despite the appalling impact Covid-19 has had, and will continue to have on many peoples’ lives, the development of the East Midlands first ever dedicated children’s hospital, here in Leicester, is such an optimistic project to get behind. The NHS has never been more at the forefront of

all our minds and I look forward to wearing my flower with pride.” Romail Gulzar, founder of Pukaar Group and Always In Our Thoughts, said: “Covid-19 has affected millions of people worldwide. The UK experienced a huge impact which has been met with an incredible effort by our key workers. “This has put people under huge stress. Many have lost their lives, many are suffering from the long-term effects of the virus, and many have been left alone after their loved ones were taken from them. “People have lost jobs or a portion of their income after being furloughed. Yet they have often staunchly continued to work to help others despite the risks to their own health and wellbeing. “I wanted to find some way to encourage all of us to repay the kindness of these workers. The Always In Our Thoughts campaign will provide donations to charities that support those in need during this crucial period.” Purchase a flower at alwaysinourthoughts.com.

New suite of post-Brexit support for Leicestershire businesses with EU connections A new suite of specialist support for SMEs in Leicestershire that have connections in Europe is now available via the Leicestershire Business Gateway Growth Hub. At a time when business survival is the number one priority for SMEs, keeping abreast of the many changes in legislation that are being drafted in with immediate effect can leave business owners bewildered and unsure of how to find, interpret and activate this new information for their own operations – and that runs the risk of devastating or costly consequences.

Jon Egley, Growth Hub Manager, said: “Although Brexit has been in the headlines for a number of years, the delays regarding the final deal and numerous legislation changes left many business owners in the dark about next steps. Couple this with the Covid-19 pandemic and you have a perfect storm where SMEs across Leicestershire are exposed from an information and support perspective. Any business that has a connection with Europe, be it via employing EU nationals, holding EU data, supply chains or trading goods, is encouraged

to contact the Business Gateway Growth Hub where they can arrange to discuss their concerns with an expert adviser. To expedite the flow of critical information to the region’s SMEs, the Business Gateway Growth Hub has launched a suite of specialist support, including online events that are free to access. The Growth Hub is keen to be recognised as the ‘go-to’ resource for accurate and up to date guidance and business support on the EU Transition. Specialist support and expertise with dedicated advisers is also available via 1-2-1 telephone and virtual sessions, to help business owners diagnose challenges and signpost them to sources of support, grant funding, webinars and expert content. All are fully funded so free of charge to access. Visit the website at bizgateway. org.uk to submit an enquiry form to arrange for a business adviser to give you a call. Or call the EU support helpline on 0116 482 1111.

New owner announced for The Gate Hangs Well, Syston The previous owner of The Exchange, Queen Victoria Arts Club, and Entropy has been announced as new business owner at Everards pub The Gate Hangs Well in Syston. The new owner, Cassie Davison, said: “When Everards put out the call for a new operator at The Gate Hangs Well, I did not hesitate to put my name forward. I am Leicester born and bred but have lived in Syston with my family, including four children, for the past seven years. We love it here and ‘The Gate’ was our local. I had no doubt that the whole family would be up for this new adventure.” With 30 years’ spent in the industry, 22 years as an owneroperator, Cassie is passionate about hospitality and pubs. “I know that pubs are not places that simply serve food and drink. They are places where we go to be ourselves, where we are not tied to any ‘role’. We are on a equal footing with everyone else. We use pubs as places to build relationships and bond. “A great pub is somewhere where you instantly feel relaxed, trusting the products, the atmosphere, the service, the value and simply having time to make friends and feel part of a community. The Gate Hangs Well is situated in a riverside location

with extensive garden, cosy indoors with real fires, and a riverside function room. It will serve locally sourced, homemade, hearty, honest pub food. There will also be a great selection of vegan, gluten-free and low cal options to make a visit to The Gate Hangs Well an ‘everyday treat’. Cassie added: “When I describe this as a new adventure for the family, it is just that with the whole family moving in and everyone getting involved. I will be getting back to the day-to-day hands on management; something I have missed in recent years. I can’t wait to be welcoming all our guests through our doors once restrictions are lifted.” Cassie and her family will soon be moving and beginning the process of making the site Covid-safe. NICHE | 11

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The Greyfriars Townscape Heritage Initiative, a public-private collaboration led by Leicester City Council, has transformed this historic character area in the city centre. Sarah Harrison, City Centre Director, tells us about its success

eicester's heritage reached a global audience with the discovery of the remains of King Richard III in 2012 and since then, the award-winning KRIII Visitor Centre in St Martins has been helping tell that remarkable story to visitors from around the world. The Greyfriars Townscape Heritage Initiative is a scheme funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Leicester City Council that has helped transform the ‘Old Town’. Based on an effective public-private collaboration, the impact has been transformative, with around 50 buildings renovated and the streets themselves upgraded with features like new paving, trees and signage. The Greyfriars Conservation Area is one of the richest concentrations of historic and architectural interest in the county, showcasing some of the best Georgian properties in Leicester and buildings as diverse as the mediaeval Guildhall and a 19th century Turkish Baths complex. 12 | NICHE

The project involved the council working with property owners on developing plans for restoring historic features and bringing vacant floorspace back to life. New businesses have moved into the area, with a range of characterful places to get a drink on Millstone Lane and facilities as diverse as a new boutique hotel, serviced office space, and a monastic community for young adults. Alongside the area’s traditional base of legal and accountancy firms, the latest business to move into the area will be Sonrisa – a new Argentinian restaurant and bar at 4 St Martins. The Townscape Heritage Initiative project involved a wide range of local building firms doing works to the properties and a training programme in traditional building skills to ensure a longer legacy. Events in the

IMAGES: LEICESTER CITY COUNCIL. MILLSTONE LANE IMAGE: IAN DAVIS

Regenerating The Old Town

BUSINESS NEWS

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THE GREYFRIARS TOWNSCAPE HERITAGE INITIATIVE 2015-2020 The scheme delivered multiple projects including historic building restoration, bringing vacant space back into use, street improvements, community events and training courses. Here’s what it achieved ◆ £1.6m funding from National Lottery Heritage Fund and Leicester City Council, which resulted in over £10m investment in the area across the project ◆ Leicester City Council invested £4.5m in the public realm ◆ 30 buildings restored with grant funding support ◆ Further 20 buildings renovated with private investment ◆ 5,000 square metres of public realm enhanced ◆ Over 3000 people engaged in events, training and tours

area helped celebrate the heritage whilst driving footfall towards the attractions based there. A sign of the success of the project is improved perceptions of the area, marked by survey results but also expressed in one case by a leading clothing manufacturer in the city filming their new commercial in the Greyfriars area. Seeing Pantherella use the streets of the Old Town as the backdrop to the launch of a new product line was a real celebration of local heritage, enterprise and placemaking. There is a range of resources available on the legacy website including a walking tour and evaluation report. Be sure to have a wander around the area when you are next in the city centre. Find more information on the Greyfriars Townscape Heritage Initiative, the restoration and the history of the area or learning resources at greyfriarsheritage.org.uk.

OPEN DAYS EVENT

NICHE | 13

Driving economic recovery Industry experts share their knowledge to help the businesses of Leicestershire pull through the effects of the pandemic Our Columnists

Managing Director, PPL PRS Ltd

ANDREA GRAY

Revealing the latest views, opinions and insider information, professionals and experts in their fields cover the current subjects on the minds of local businesses and consumers during and post-pandemic. A second lockdown meant Leicester fell behind in the recuperation of its economy. But our county found a king in a car park and our city beat 5,000/1 odds to win the Premier League, so our columnists are confident that communities can join forces to drive Leicester’s economic recovery. They provide thought-provoking, informative and inspiring commentary in a bid to support business leaders, assist the restart of companies across the county, and provide encouragement to those struggling to find their way.

Every Penny Counts

s we make our way through the first quarter of 2021, who really thought last March that we would still be in the midst of another national lockdown with businesses all over the country having to close for long periods of time once again? According to statistics from gov.uk, the first two weeks of January 2021 saw a drop in businesses trading from 84% to 71%, which is lower than a two-week period during July 2020 (72%), with the main sectors of hospitality, the arts, and non-essential retail and services being the hardest hit. With vaccinations increasing, and the prospect of lockdown easing, businesses will not only be looking at ways to kick-start their financial recovery with increased sales and income, they will also be looking at expenditure to ensure they are operating to the most effective income/outgoings ratio. For small businesses this is a vital exercise during this time, ensuring all outgoings are necessary to the running of the business, and its success. 14 | NICHE

Have something on your mind? Write in to us to request a topic of discussion via kerry@crossproductions.co.uk.

Obviously vital outgoings such as rent and utilities have had to be paid during the various national and regional lockdowns, whilst expenditure on supplies and maintenance will have reduced, or been suspended completely. One of these outgoings, for many customers, will have been paying for TheMusicLicence, which enables businesses to legally play music to their staff and customers via radio, TV, and other devices. In March 2020, PPL PRS committed to their customers that, should they have to close due to the Covid-19 situation, then they would not be charged for TheMusicLicence for any periods they were unable to open or play music. We understood that the financial pressures that would face so many of our customers were potentially catastrophic and we didn’t want to add to that burden. Since lockdown restrictions were originally brought into place, the business has credited nearly 62,000 companies for their music licence. The company believes that whilst this is just one less thing for business owners and managers to worry about at this time, it will also help towards ensuring businesses are in a position to re-open when the time is right, and it is safe to do so. PPL PRS continue to commit to supporting their customers during this latest lockdown, not only by not charging for TheMusicLicence where businesses have had to close, but also making it easier to pay for a licence should they remain open by offering more flexible payment options, and suspending the late payment surcharge. As one customer commented on Twitter: “Thank you [PPL PRS] for adjusting invoices for when we are open only. Every penny counts!”

Partner, Begbies Traynor

CAROLYNN BEST

What the future holds for businesses in a post-Covid world

hen the Covid-19 pandemic reached our shores last year, the government took swift action and announced an impressive – and unprecedented – raft of measures with the aim of stabilising businesses across the country and preventing an avalanche of redundancies.

Director, 2XL Commercial Finance

DARREN WILLOUGHBY

Government support measures Companies were able to furlough staff for whom there was inadequate work by using the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS), as well as accessing government-backed unsecured loans and deferring upcoming VAT payments. While much-needed at the time, these were only ever intended to be temporary measures designed to support businesses while the country weathered the worst of the pandemic. We are now approaching the first anniversary of Covid-19 restrictions coming into effect and it is becoming increasingly clear that these support schemes are reaching their end as the government looks to kick-start the economy.

Is it safe to stand still?

f you are standing still at present, are you actually moving forwards? Now bear with me on this one. As crazy as this sounds, there is method in this madness. As American author Bill Konigsberg once said: “The world needs people who are more comfortable standing still. We keep the earth on it axis when everybody else is bouncing around.” As a business owner and business advocate, the mantra should always be to grow and evolve your business as best you can. But are we in extraordinary times at the moment where standing still or small marginal gains could actually be deemed as progress? There are many businesses being lost and many more in the future at the time of writing (January 21). Begbies Traynor claimed that 630,000 businesses were ‘showing serious signs of distress’ and it is pretty clear that without the financial aid and support measures the Government has put in place during the pandemic, insolvency levels are much higher. The sad truth is that, for many, this support will provide little more than a stay of execution for many businesses and

The CJRS has been extended multiple times since its introduction during the first national lockdown in March last year; however, it is scheduled to be withdrawn in its current form at the end of April. This comes just a month after the March 2021 deadline for companies to begin making VAT payments deferred from last spring. Costs are set to rise Bounce back loans (BBLS) came with an impressive list of features, including the 80% security offered by the government, a fixed rate of interest, and, crucially, they did not require repayments to be made for the first year. However, with the anniversary of the scheme approaching in March, many companies – in particular those who took out a loan when they were first launched – will soon need to find the money to start repaying this borrowing from what may already be squeezed capital reserves. Many companies are still experiencing disrupted trade as a result of the extended lockdown, as well as struggling with the uncertainty over how much longer these restrictions are likely to be in place. These concerns are set to continue even as the vital lifelines provided by the government are being removed, which has the potential to create a perfect storm for limited companies across the country. Businesses are in a race against time for a return to meaningful trade before these support measures are consigned to history. In conclusion, businesses should now be reviewing the impact of the withdrawal of these support schemes and planning how to meet their requirement to make VAT payments and repay bounce back loans. will sorrowfully lead to higher unemployment levels. On this basis, if you are actually in a position where you have consolidated in your business, streamlined it for increased efficiency and productivity – given the extraordinary times we are in – that has got to be seen as progress in itself has it not? I would highlight some of the large corporations that are desperately trying to stay afloat such as Virgin Atlantic and Ryanair. The name of the game for them is staying in existence until times improve and I am sure this is the same for many small and large business owners. The mantra I have reiterated to many business owners (unless you sell PPE, hand sanitiser, or are a private consultant to the government. I do jest) and you are meeting your financial commitments then you are actually progressing as many people are not in that position and are falling behind. It’s like running third in a race; you maintain a steady pace and then those ahead fall past you enabling you to win. Or it can be likened to being plunged into the ocean and you are paddling like mad to stay alive when all others are drowning! American actress Lauren Bacall once said: “Standing still is the fastest way of moving backward in a rapidly changing world.” I am sure this may well ring true in most cases, but the world is changing beyond all recognition and in reality, is beyond our control for the vast majority of us. But I would state don’t be afraid of standing still, because standing still is progress in today’s world, for today, when racing against others. It’s applicable in the here and now. It might not be in a year’s time, or even more than two years’ time, but for now, it may just work. So my challenge to you would be: can you grow and evolve and yet still stand still or maintain an equilibrium within your business? I think the answer may well be yes and, in this environment, deemed as progress. NICHE | 15

Partner, The Miller Partnership

PETE MILLER

Succession planning during a pandemic: There’s no time like the present

ore family business owners appear to be rethinking their succession planning directly because of coronavirus. Rather than wait until sometime in the distant future before implementing an exit strategy, many company directors are now giving immediate thought to who should take over the reins and when. In fact, several transactions I’ve worked on recently were partly driven by shareholders becoming much more aware of their own mortality due to the virus. Before you take the major step of selling your trading company, you’ll first need to look at how the sale is structured for tax. 16 | NICHE

Partner at Nelsons Solicitors

ew year’s resolutions are not exclusively for consideration in January and with the new tax year starting on April 6, now is a good time to consider some basic thoughts and plans, which we can all incorporate to improve our financial outlook. The new tax year is a good time to reconsider your financial goals – what would you like to achieve over the short, medium, and long-term? However, distinguishing between these can be tricky, and it can be difficult to know if you are allocating your money towards these in the best way. A consultation with a chartered financial planner can help you to build a comprehensive plan, and provide objective, clear advice on whatever is going on in your life, in the investment markets, and in the wider economy. Last year showed us that investment markets can be turbulent, but the old investment adage remains: it’s about time in the market – not timing the market. That means leaving your money invested for at least five years, and ideally, far longer. The longer you invest, the greater your potential for making a profit. So, it doesn’t typically pay to hold off on an investment decision if you’ve got time on your side. After all, it’s impossible to know when the bottom of the market will be reached. There are plenty of factors that will impact this, and there may be further short-term pain. Yet trying to time the market or cashing in risks missing out on some of the market’s best days. Have you made a will? This is one of the most important things you can do. It ensures that your assets go to who you want after your death and that your wishes are carried out. If you have already made a will, consider whether it needs updating, for example, if your personal circumstances have changed.

GLYNIS WRIGHT MBE

Financial Planner, Brewin Dolphin

SCOTT CHARLISH

New tax year, new financial goals

How divorce can affect a family business

family business can often be a very difficult asset to deal with in a divorce settlement. Unlike businesses where all directors and shareholders are unrelated individuals, in a family business you have to consider how a transfer or sale of shares within a divorce settlement may impact the wider family dynamic. There can also be different ways of calculating share values in a family business. Where usually a shareholding value will be discounted in a company if the shareholder has a minority shareholding, some argue that family businesses are “quasi-partnerships,” which means that discounting should not apply and that even a minority shareholding may carry a higher value. This can be extremely worrying for a spouse who owns shares in a family business who may feel that the shares are at risk of being over, or indeed under, valued. How do the courts decide who gets what? Many think that a court does not have the power to make orders in relation to businesses, but that is incorrect. The court has a very wide discretion over all matrimonial assets including businesses, and can order a transfer of shares from one spouse to the other, or a sale of the shares, or even a sale of the whole business (although this would be extremely rare). Where the value of the business is a matter of dispute between

First, do you qualify for Business Asset Disposal Relief? If you do, you’ll pay Capital Gains Tax at just 10% on the first £1 million of your capital gains. You may structure your transaction differently if it’s to a third party, to a management team, or to your children, or even to a mixture of any two or three of these. If your buyer can pay you cash on day one, then the tax position is usually straightforward. But often purchasers don’t have the money to do that, particularly in the case of a management buy-out or a sale to your children or other family members, so you might need some kind of structured disposal. Typically, in such instances, a BidCo holding company is formed, allowing the trading company to be bought for a mixture of cash, loan notes, and sometimes shares. The cash part may come from the new shareholders or from dividends paid by the trading company to BidCo. Generally, the CGT liability on the loan note element, or shares, only arises when the loan notes are redeemed or the shares are sold. However, you must ensure that redemption of the loan notes or sale of the shares in BidCo also qualify for the 10% CGT rate. And things can get even more complicated if there are conditional payments, earn-outs and other commercial adjustments to the selling price! There are several options – and it can be complex – so whatever you decide to do, make sure you talk to your tax adviser first.

How is the family business valued? Although the starting point will be the company accountant, it is frequently the case that one of the parties will want an independent accountant to value the company. The valuation will be prepared by a “single joint expert” in most cases who will be an independent forensic accountant experienced in reporting to the family court. The accountant valuing the business will require full financial disclosure and will specify the depth of company information that is needed for him or her to fulfil their duty to the Court to report fairly. When the family business involves land and buildings, a surveyor may also be instructed to provide further valuations.

Partner, Charnwood Accountants

ANNA BROCKLEHURST

Why Legal Advice Can Help If you are a shareholder in a family business, the best way to navigate the waters of a divorce settlement is to find a divorce lawyer with significant experience in settling cases where there are family businesses. It is a highly complex area and not one that all divorce lawyers are able to assist with, therefore choose your lawyer carefully and ask the right questions before choosing your lawyer. The second golden nugget of wisdom is to get legal advice as early as possible. Valuations of businesses can be time-consuming and can cause delays in the divorce being settled, therefore the sooner you can start preparing your case with your lawyer and gathering the necessary information, the sooner your case can be resolved. The faster you understand the process you are going through, the more likely it is that an out of court settlement that is fair to all is achievable!

Director at Eileen Richards Recruitment

EILEEN RICHARDS MBE

a husband and wife, the court ultimately decides what value to accept regarding the shares in the business.

A new season for women in business

he welcoming of spring not only delivers lighter evenings, budding flowers and chocolate eggs, it also brings with it a calendar of events to celebrate. One particular highlight of the spring calendar is International Women’s Day, a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. In the East Midlands, we are extremely fortunate to possess an array of women who make a huge impact on our society working within a variety of roles. In history itself, the list of remarkable women is vast and continuing to grow year on year, something as leaders we can be proud of. Organisations are leading the way with new ways to integrate women into senior roles with 33% of all FTSE 100 board members now women, a rise from just 12.5% less than a decade ago. However, unfortunately, women are still under-represented at board level. There are a variety of reasons as to why this might be, but one of the most significant factors is women not applying for positions at this level due to feeling they may not be the best person for the position – an idea that, as a society and through many support networks, we are aiming to challenge. The last year has been a facilitator in this change, with many women in senior roles having to step up and step out of comfort zones. A notable factor for all from the last few months has been the collaboration and alliances formed – whether it be in business, in the community, or as an ear to lend when required. Without the support of other men and women in business, the last year would have been significantly more difficult for many. With a brighter future on the horizon (literally), we look forward to the months that lie ahead where we can get together physically to celebrate events and share ideas.

Capital gains on property – have you told HMRC what you need to?

rom April 6, 2020, capital gains on residential property must be reported using HMRC’s online, realtime service within 30 days of completion of the sale. An estimate of the tax due on the disposal will also have to be paid within this 30-day period. The new reporting requirement is not required if there’s no gain chargeable to Capital Gains Tax (ie, a capital loss arises, or the property is covered by the main home exemption for the entire period of ownership). The new rules will largely affect landlords selling property lets and the sale of second homes. If a gain qualifies as a main home but has not done for the entire period of ownership – or part of the

home is used entirely for business purposes – then a gain may need to be reported using the real-time service. Where a real-time Return is required, this could be quite a straightforward calculation, but it is not always the case. It may be necessary to obtain the following: ◆ Valuations – such as where the property is gifted on disposal or when acquired. ◆ Historical information – on dates it qualified as a main home. ◆ Changes in ownership – if there’s more than one owner. ◆ Capital improvements to the property. ◆ Details of the original acquisition. An understanding of the level of a person’s taxable income for the tax year of disposal will also be required to establish what rate of tax to apply to the capital gain. In some situations, it could be difficult to obtain sufficient information to make a reasonable estimate within the 30 days after completion. The sooner this information is obtained on a potential sale the better. HMRC will charge penalties for late submission of the Return, which start at £100. However, if the Return is a year late, this could escalate to £700 and higher penalties could also be accrued based on a percentage of the tax due. It is worth mentioning that for non-UK residents, capital gains on all property transactions (including commercial property) already must be reported. Payment on account must be made using the 30-day real-time service. NICHE | 17

Director, Pattersons Commercial Law

RIK PANCHOLI

What’s your growth strategy for 2021?

t’s fair to say 2020 was disruptive and it’s probably fairer to say 2021 will be no different! This doesn’t, however, stop businesses from growing, developing and pushing themselves harder and further. People who intend to grow their business often ask me about growth strategies. As a corporate lawyer, growing through acquisition immediately comes to mind, but this may not always be the right move and certainly isn’t the only option. You have to remember that growing a business doesn’t happen overnight and should be thought about as a long term strategy. 18 | NICHE

HR Director, Affinity HRM

he conclusion of the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (Cooperation Agreement) has ensured UK firms continue their access to the EU market. The Cooperation Agreement sets out clear expectations of the treatment and level of access to each party’s domestic market. One consequence of this is that UK businesses trading with the EU will need to carry out some changes to their existing contracts. The changes differ depending on the sector and EU member state concerned. However, when reviewing UK-EU cross-border contracts, businesses should consider the following salient points: ◆ Data transfers: The free flow of personal data from the European Economic Area (EEA) – which consists of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein – to the UK can only continue until April 30, 2021, by which time (hopefully) the EU would have made an adequacy decision in respect of the UK allowing the continued free flow of personal data (the process for which has already started). However, this process may go well beyond the end of April, so any business receiving personal data from the EU should put in place alternative transfer safeguards before the end of April to allow the uninterrupted flow of EU personal data into the UK. Remember, these businesses still need to fully comply with EU GDPR. ◆ References: If business contracts have not already been updated, references to the EU, EEA, EU legislation and EU regulators should be reviewed and updated to reflect the UK’s exit from the EU. ◆ Customs and VAT: Rules for sales to, and purchases from, the EU have changed. Businesses must quickly become familiar with the new position, and update their terms of business, e-commerce websites and business communications as necessary.

ALEENA AHMAD

Corporate and banking partner at Nelsons

CHRIS REES

Reviewing your UK-EU contracts

Resolving workplace conflict through mediation

nnoying co-worker? Can’t stand your boss? Personality clash at work? Feeling harassed? Tension with family members at work? Any of these sound familiar!? Healthy conflict exists in most dynamic workplaces, where employees debate and learn from each other. But other types of conflict between colleagues can be damaging and, if ignored, can damage morale, reduce productivity and may lead to increased costs and legal issues for the business. Relationships are particularly strained at the moment because people are trying to manage various challenges, so emotions are high in the workplace. Conflicts that are left unresolved or poorly resolved have a negative effect on productivity and morale, so they need to be dealt with. So what can help with managing this conflict at work? Mediation is popular with a wide range of HR professionals as it reduces stress, resolves conflict and restores working relationships, all in substantially less time than it takes to conduct a formal grievance. What is mediation? Mediation is a way of managing conflict with the help of an impartial person such as an HR consultant to help team members to resolve their disagreements. The intention is to ease workplace tensions before they

With this in mind, and noting that a growth strategy generally involves taking steps to achieve new market share, higher earnings or increased profitability, I’ll take a look at some wellknown strategies. ◆ Growing your business through developing new products and innovation is a great way of gaining new business and building a reputation for pushing boundaries. Executed correctly, it can allow you to cross-sell your entire range of products (or services). ◆ Growing through acquiring new clients or customers is sometimes easier said than done. This may involve a great marketing campaign to attract new clients and again, executed correctly, it can do wonders for your brand awareness and positioning. Alternatively, you could acquire a business which already serves those clients and bring them into your business. ◆ Growing your business by entering a new market altogether is a great way of adding to your portfolio and opens your current business up to a diversified offering. Your clients may appreciate the added value and the range of services. There may, however, be a large start-up investment needed and it may be worth bringing investors onboard to help fund the growth and add value with their knowledge and guidance. We specialise in advising our clients on growing through acquisition and taking investment from investors. So… what’s your growth strategy for 2021?

Does mediation work? Research has shown that most people prefer mediation to bringing a formal grievance, and there is evidence to suggest that people who use it tend to be more satisfied with the outcome. From experience, in about 80% of cases, mediation has helped; it’s stopped people leaving the business as we have worked out a way to resolve the issue and move forward. In a few cases, where the relationship breakdown is beyond repair, individuals have left the company and that has been the right thing for everyone. Common examples of situations where workplace mediation can help are: ◆ Personality clashes ◆ Communication breakdowns ◆ Relationship breakdown within a team ◆ In some instances of bullying and harassment Mediation skills aren’t limited to the workplace – you can apply them to your personal life, too. Next time you notice tensions rising between friends, partners or family, consider using active listening, open questioning, reflecting, and paraphrasing techniques to get to the root of the problem and work out a way forward. Sometimes all you need to do is talk it through and have someone impartial listen to you to help you move your relationship in the right direction! If you need help to have a happier workplace, please get in touch and we can support with mediation.

Chief Executive, VAL

KEVIN LILES

escalate into something more damaging. It differs from disciplinary and grievance procedures by offering a more informal and flexible approach. Over the last few months, I’ve been mediating in a number of businesses as they have had a variety of issues facing them recently. Tensions are at an all-time high between staff, and between staff and business owners, so often they contact me for help when they can’t see a way forward themselves. They find it helpful to have someone who is experienced in this area and impartial.

Recruiting NHS volunteers

he vaccine was the breakthrough that the world was waiting for and the movement across the UK to vaccinate the most vulnerable members of the community as quickly as possible became the highest priority through the first quarter of 2021. Across Leicester and Leicestershire the NHS set up several vaccination centres, and Voluntary Action LeicesterShire (VAL) was once again called on to coordinate the recruitment of volunteers to ensure the smooth running of operations at the vaccination sites. Within a few days VAL recruited 300 volunteers, with a further 1,000 volunteers signing up within a week, and this number has continued to increase on a daily basis as more and more people have volunteered their time to support the safe rollout of the vaccine. Volunteers have played an essential role in ensuring NHS staff were supported and that members of the public were following social distancing measures. VAL worked day and night to ensure the recruitment of these volunteers and to brief them so they were properly prepared for next-day shifts. In addition to this, VAL was instrumental in supporting the voluntary sector to educate the public on the wider benefits of the vaccination movement, contributing to the safety of local communities against the evolving Covid-19 virus. The incredible efforts of our staff and hundreds of selfless volunteers means that the rollout of the vaccine has progressed, reducing pressures on the NHS and other statutory services as well as the national government. As a trusted and accredited Volunteer Centre, VAL has an incredible connection with local community volunteers, as well as a fantastic track record of supporting the statutory and voluntary sectors with added capacity, which is why, once again, our involvement has been invaluable.

CEO, e-bate Limited

LEANNE BONNER-COOKE MBE

importance and is a critical component of the business process, not just a source of cost-saving/efficiencies. The crisis has forced companies into a massive experiment of how to be more nimble, flexible, and fast. One of the biggest transformations is how customers shop. Store closures pushed millions of consumers online, many for the first time. Adapting to this shift quickly and seamlessly became the order of the day for so many retailers the world over. This shift has seen them survive and continue to be successful. For those that did not adapt or have an online presence, unfortunately, this has been a very different journey. At e-bate we held a webinar on ‘How Rebate Management Can Help Achieve Visibility for CFOs and Auditors’. We explained that in our business, our biggest competitor is the Excel Spreadsheet; many companies still see this as a workable ovid-19 has speeded up the adoption of digital solution. We discussed why Excel may not the best solution and technologies by several years; many of these changes that by transforming this into a digital process could reap the could be here for the long haul. Companies have stood benefits. Listen to the recording via this link: bit.ly/361lKV0. up at least temporary technical solutions to meet new demands Some of the major breakthroughs have been in innovation on them, and much more quickly than they had thought possible and experimenting. Look at how quickly we have had the before the crisis. Many have seen real long-lasting benefits, and are already making investments that will ensure they stick. Funding Covid-19 vaccines approved – it just shows that when we want to achieve something, we can, and that technology often for digital initiatives has increased more than anything else. plays a big part. What can you do to make your business more Remaining competitive in this new business and economic nimble, flexible, and efficient? environment requires new strategies. Technology has strategic

How Covid-19 pushed companies to use technology

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Owner of The Turnaround CEO

AMANDA DALY

Because you’re worth it

Senior Lecturer in Enterprise Development, DMU

PERCY EMMETT FCMI

e all know the L’Oréal advert and the words “you’re worth it.” But when it comes to seeing yourself and having trust in your own self-worth, how many of us really deeply believe this? This last year there has been a growing sense of guilt amongst business owners charging your worth. We are carrying a concern; people right now cannot afford it. We carry that internal voice in our heads, saying: “I cannot do this right now, no one will buy my services.” For some, there may be an added concern that clients may be lost if our charges are too high. In this Driving Economic Recovery column, I am raising awareness of personal value and self-worth. Numbers and finances are hugely important in any business. It is vital we know what our figures are telling us about cash flow, strategy, profit and loss, and margins. However, let’s not forget that numbers are often only made through sales. Knowing your own value and worth, with the ability to sell, is just as important as knowing your financials. When it comes to sales, this is often the area in a business we shy away from or the area of business many of us do not want to

Resilience: is it a tool we all need?

go into. I believe it is directly related to knowing your value and self-worth. Sales often become difficult when we make sales about ourselves. All of us have our doubts, our blocks, fears, and concerns over our credibility. So how do we make sales about our clients and not about ourselves and get the client to see value? There are so many issues wrapped around undercharging. If our charges are too low, this very act could cause doubt in buyers’ minds on how credible we are. It is possible to sell ourselves too cheap! There is also the matter of resentment. Resentment that we have given ourselves away. If we undersell our services, how does that make us show up in front of our clients? When we sell at our full worth, we show up more. The quality of delivery will reach a higher level. If you charge a premium you will want to deliver your service at a premium. Let’s just flip this. Selling at a premium will benefit the client far more than selling below your true value. If we charge under our value, the client may have had a good price, but actually, have they got the best of you? We will never put ourselves fully into a deal that we have not received our value for. There are so many advantages of selling at your own personal value. This is a win-win equation for the client and yourself. When we undersell, it is a lose-lose situation. The client may think they have got a good price, but actually, they get and receive less of you. Remember, sales is the area we are the most authentic. The greatest issue is when we allow it to feed our discomfort. When we allow guilt, fear, or imposter syndrome to show up, we can often identify with what we think. What we think, we put into action. And what we put into action, we become. Just remember L’Oréal’s “you’re worth it” – maintain that in what you do and truly hold your own value.

Things don’t always work out the way we what them to Failure is a state of mind. We can sit and think about what has happened and let it stop us from moving forward or we can learn from it, pick ourselves up, shake off the dust and get on with the next task. When things go wrong, there is a tendency to sit there and worry about it – this isn’t going to help you. Understand what went wrong, so you don’t make the same mistakes again. Learning that not everything is within our power also helps build confidence and resilience.

he definition of resilience: “the ability to successfully cope with a crisis and to return to pre-crisis status quickly” (Wikipedia). It’s a real skill and takes some amount of nerves to be able to enter a crisis and come through the other side, dust oneself off and carry on. So how can we build resilience to help us cope with an everchanging landscape and unstable financial crisis? Here are a few tips.

Get out there and tell your story In any situation, no matter what is, customers like to be engaged and one clear way to do that is to “tell your story”. We all lose our way in times of crises and we look to find someone/thing we can relate to, to help us through the uncertain times. Telling your story to your customers helps them feel part of your journey and helps them feel they are not alone. This, in turn, helps you understand that your customers haven’t abandoned you and gone to the competition. Talk to them through social media or a newsletter, no matter how you do it, talk to them. You will be surprised at the results.

Ask for and accept support When things aren’t going well, we tend to bury our heads in the sand and hope it will go away by the time we come up for air. Often telling someone that things are not good at present seems like we are telling them we have failed. This is far from the truth – people like to help where they can, offer their support to help get you over the seemingly impossible hard times. Let them!

I will leave you with one last thought: Edmund Hillary, one of the first people to successfully climb to the peak of Mount Everest, at first failed. It is rumoured he failed three times. It’s said that on his fourth summit attempt, he succeeded. After an earlier failed attempt to reach the summit of Everest, he was seen shaking his fist at a photograph of the mountain in the Royal Geographical Society in London, saying: “You’re not getting bigger, but I’m still growing.”

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Commercial Mortgages Property Portfolio Funding Buy To Let Mortgages

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Business Loans and Peer-to-Peer Lending Development Funding Finance for Pension Funds

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Asset Finance Commercial, Business, Personal Insurance Invoice Discounting and Factoring Bridging Loans CBILS Loans

07736 359 413 2xlcommercial.com info@2xlcommercial.com

Established

15 years

ab l i a v nts a

k 7 to

s t n a r G r n u e o e Y r G Grows Are you to sines an SME u B that wants Gra

£1k

to reduce your energy costs?

Green BELLE is offering grants of £1,000 to £7,000 for energy efficient technologies including: heating, lighting plus controls, insulation, renewable energy and other energy efficient measures e.g. replacement air compressor. Visit:

greenbelle.org.uk energygrant@leicester.gov.uk 0116 454 2700 @leicesterenergy Green BELLE is run by Leicester City Council, with support from Leicestershire County Council, and is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

NICHE FEATURE

Green BELLE grants

to help businesses save energy

The energy grants that could help save the planet as well as business outgoings

nergy costs are now more important to local businesses than ever, and green credentials are an increasingly important factor in securing new business and contracts. At the same time, the UK is committed to reducing carbon emissions to help the fight against climate change. In order to help local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) become more energy efficient and less carbon intensive, Leicester City Council and Leicestershire County Council are providing grant funding through their successful Green BELLE project.

What is Green BELLE?

Green BELLE offers grants of £1,000 to £7,000 to eligible businesses to install energyefficient low carbon measures. The grants are available to support measures such as efficient heating, lighting, and controls, insulation, renewable energy – for example solar panels or heat pumps – and other energy efficiency equipment such as replacement

air compressors. Green BELLE offers a capital grant of 50% of the cost of these measures, up to the grant maximum of £7,000. The scheme is run by Leicester City Council, with support from Leicestershire County Council, and is partfunded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Why is improving energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions important?

Improving the energy efficiency of your business will lower its costs, as well as increasing resilience to future energy price rises. It is also recognised that carbon emissions from industry contribute to climate change, which threatens lives and livelihoods worldwide. Increased energy efficiency will also reduce your carbon emissions, helping you to play your part in the fight against climate change. Improving your green credentials can also be an important factor in securing new business and contracts,

INCREASED ENERGY EFFICIENCY WILL ALSO REDUCE YOUR CARBON EMISSIONS, HELPING YOU TO PLAY YOUR PART IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE

and consumers are increasingly choosing low-carbon products and services.

Who can apply?

To apply for a Green BELLE grant, your business will need to be a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) located in Leicester or Leicestershire. Please also refer to the eligibility criteria given on the Green BELLE website at greenbelle.org.uk.

How do I apply?

For more information and to make an enquiry, visit greenbelle.org.uk, where you can fill in the online expression of interest form, by clicking the ‘Apply Now’ button. If you have any questions you can’t find the answer to, you can also give the Green BELLE team a call on 0116 454 2700 or email energygrant@leicester.gov.uk.

NICHE | 23

R PA RT N

E HIP

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PETE MILLER

X TA

AT I

SPECI

Partner of The Miller Partnership

Avoiding the scammers:

Protecting your business in a pandemic ‘Stay safe, stay alert’ is a mantra you’ll have become only too familiar with during the pandemic – and it’s sound advice that also applies to your corporate tax affairs

hile professional advisers are busy doing all they can to assist, guide and support their clients during these difficult days, there are, sadly, people who are happy to exploit the situation for their own ends. Scammers are keen to cash in on the various packages of financial aid made available by the UK government during the crisis, so it’s vital to be on your guard before responding to emails, texts or phone calls – even if they seem genuine at first. These criminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated and often use wording, logos and templates in fake emails which could trick the unsuspecting. They also know that most businesses are feeling vulnerable due to Covid-19, and that many will have received government cash injections in the form of business grants, loans or income support. Scam emails or texts purporting to be from HMRC might look convincing at first glance, but if you’re not sure don’t open them and don’t click on any links taking you to external

websites or give away your ID and bank details. In 2020, criminals sent out around half a million fraudulent ‘tax rebate’ messages to try and lure unwary recipients into parting with their sensitive data. And be cautious, too, if you’re asked to give personal information to HMRC over the phone. HMRC will only ever call you to ask about a claim or payment on a debt that you already know about; they will never leave a voicemail threatening legal action and they’ll never give the reason for a call by voicemail. There’s has a wealth of advice at gov.uk on spotting fake messages and phone calls – and how to report any suspicious activity and fraudulent emails to HMRC, on their website. For corporate tax guidance and advice you can always rely on, talk to The Miller Partnership. Call us today on 0116 208 1020 or email pete.miller@themillerpartnership.com.

Cashflow and Late Payment Legislation When a client doesn’t pay up on time, what should you do? Greg Hollingsworth of Hollingsworths Solicitors explains

he financial pressures on business have, in some cases, never been greater. The importance of cashflow to any business cannot be understated. Late payment is a big problem for businesses and is one of the key factors as to why some companies fail. So whilst a business has an entitlement to be paid for work completed or services provided, it is essential that a business sets out its terms of payment before starting its work so it is clear to the customer what is expected. In some trades and professions, this can

24 | NICHE

sometimes involve the payment of a deposit or money on account, which can help with cashflow. Late Payment Legislation can help with B2B debts. There is a right to compensation for late payment, ranging from £40 up to £100 for each overdue invoice, with an entitlement to interest at 8% above the base rate. In addition, businesses can recover their reasonable debt recovery charges for B2B debts, so the legal expenses that a business incurs are paid by the debtor and not by the business that has already had to wait for its money.

Tips for good credit control Make sure that: ◆ Payment terms are clear and agreed in advice. ◆ Invoices are sent promptly and followed up just before they fall due. ◆ There is a credit control process which is followed, using calls and written reminders. ◆ Use the Late Payment Legislation to encourage customers to pay, and to help recover the costs when they don’t.

NICHE FEATURE

Disposing of property?

New Capital Gains Tax rules apply

New rules are now in place for when an individual or trust sells a residential property. Torr Waterfield accountant Mike Waterfield explains

nder the new Capital Gains Tax (CGT) rules, when an individual or trust sells a residential property, they will be required to report the gain and pay any Capital Gains Tax owed within 30 days of the completion date of the sale. The report is called a “Residential Property Return” and has to be submitted online to HMRC. Where properties are held in joint names, each individual owner must submit a report. If you don’t tell HMRC about any Capital Gains Tax within 30 days of completion, you may be sent a penalty as well as having to pay interest on what you owe.

How to make the Residential Property Return:

You must register yourselves with HMRC online services and both submit and pay through the CGT UK Property Services Portal. As agents, we can make a report on your behalf, however, we still need you to register for a HMRC online account and send an authorisation link to us.

Exceptions to the new rules:

There are some exceptions, so a report will not need to be made when: ◆ The property is covered by Principle Private Residence (PPR relief) throughout the period of ownership

AS AGENTS, WE CAN MAKE A REPORT ON YOUR BEHALF, HOWEVER, WE STILL NEED YOU TO REGISTER

◆ If you sold the property for a loss ◆ If the gain is within your annual exemption ◆ The property is outside of the UK ◆ The sale was made to a spouse or civil partner

For more information on disposing of property and to discuss any of this further, contact Mike at mike.waterfield@torrwaterfield.co.uk.

NICHE | 25

Money Talks Rajesh Modha of Tilton Conway Financial Planning, a leading female-focused holistic, financial planning firm, interviews our very own Jenny Cross, the founder of Cross Productions, about her relationship with money in childhood, adulthood and a plan for the future

In conversation with: JENNY CROSS Jenny, how do you feel about your relationship with money?

Growing up we didn’t want for anything, but we certainly weren’t spoiled. I am one of four so there wasn’t such a thing as spare cash, but I do remember my parents had a big thing about not having anything on credit – they would only ever buy something if they had the money. In total contrast, I’d happily buy things on credit and then just find a way of slicing and dicing my income to make it work – and I recognise that it isn’t how I want to be with money moving forward.

What about when you have money in your pocket?

Oh, it’s always burnt a hole in it as they say! If I’ve got £5 in my pocket and I see someone homeless on the street I’ll give them my £5. I don’t really know where that came from or why, but it’s always been the case. When I turned an age where I could earn my own, I would use my money to have fun with it, going out and spending time with friends. It wasn’t that I needed nice things, though – money for me was and is a way to feel like I am able to do things with my life rather than have things as such. I don’t feel that money makes me happy; for me, being rich isn’t about how much money I’ve got in the bank, being rich is about who’s in my life and what I am doing with it. 26 | NICHE

I want to be able to

progress to a point where I have more savings and the peace of mind that comes with that Did you feel you wanted for anything?

I have always worked hard for my money; I’ve never felt anything different than that. At 16 I had three different jobs, so I had my own money and limited outgoings, but I knew where it came from. It wasn’t handed to me, if you like I want to instil this in my children, too, and I am trying to. As a single mother of three, there is never going to be lots of spare cash, much like my own childhood, but I want to continue building more security for us all with my income.

So, what happened at 18 when you hit adulthood with your attitude to money?

I got a bank loan straight away and in all honesty I couldn’t even tell you what I spent it on. I think I went clothes shopping and went out and just had a great time with my mates, but it’s interesting that it is the opposite of how my parents were with money – perhaps the change in times or it could even be me rebelling against it in some way. Now that I am a little older and a little wiser, my

NICHE FEATURE

An evolution:

A rebrand “We want to create a feeling of a lovely velvet soft blanket around those that seek our services; and so, our branding needed to be softer, to be more tender, to truly reflect what we do,” Rajesh Modha on the launch of the new brand within The FinanceLab’s offering

F relationship with money is changing. I am conscious that I need to put more things in motion to get a better balance. I want to be able to progress to a point where I have more savings and the peace of mind that comes with that. I understand that having savings and investments puts me in a position of freedom – whether that’s to book a holiday when I want to, spend more quality time with my friends and family, or look towards the future with more confidence. One area of importance to me is to be in a position to be able to help my children go to university if they want to.

The million dollar question is… how do we get you there?

With me, it’s accountability, and having someone I can trust to work beside me. I need someone to come back to me with regularity to help me achieve my version of freedom. I know I need to let things sit with me for a little while, and then I need to come up with a plan – I do like a plan! Please do, Rajesh, make me accountable. Come back to me in six weeks’ time and ask me how I am going to plan for these savings. I know myself, and unless you check back on me I will keep placing things as ‘other priorities’ in front of it. If you are uncertain about your own financial future or want to improve your own relationship with money, please reach out to Rajesh on 07816 819 272 or 0116 262 1414 or email rajesh@tiltonconway.com.

or Rajesh, it isn’t about changing the brand logo and its colours and nothing else, it’s about evolving their product, their services and creating the right branding in its image. “Through brand storytelling we realised that what we were providing, what our clients were telling us we did for them, just wasn’t coming across in our FinanceLab branding. It’s been a couple of years in the planning, but I am delighted at the results.” Supporting women who are responsible for their own financial security, planning and wellbeing, the newly named Tilton Conway Financial Planning continues with their tender approach to supporting women and their financial lives so that they can enjoy their lives with a greater sense of freedom and empowerment. There is often a great deal of fear around money for women. A worry about it running out, investing it badly, spending incorrectly, saving incorrectly. “We change this fear into empowerment, by creating a safe space for clients to discuss and explore future possibilities without judgement nor prejudice. The aim is to work together in partnership to create an authentic life based around their financial circumstances.” Financial planning isn’t often about relationships like this; usually, the numbers seem to reign supreme. Rajesh elaborates on why the money is different for his company, “It’s never just about the numbers. It’s about how a person wants to experience ‘life’. I then fill the role of financial coach, financial planner, financial adviser and trusted friend. I believe empathy to be my superpower and being able to approach our clients with this mindset we can provide the support that’s often vitally needed.” As well as being a Chartered Financial Planner, Rajesh is a Registered Financial Life Planner and Financial Coach. Tilton Conway Financial Planning will be officially launched at the beginning of April 2021. NICHE | 27

The afterlife

you design

Stephen Hawking told his daughter that the afterlife is the ‘continuation of the work you did in your lifetime.’

can insist you write a will over and over again explaining all the reasons why this is essential in leaving a legacy that means something to your loved ones, but it may only hit home with you hearing it from someone else.

Whatever you believe about the afterlife, make sure you leave behind a life your loved ones can continue to love. For more information visit paradigm-wills.com or call 0116 464 7055.

We had been postponing this for some time and now we can have peace of mind that we have done our duty. Zinthiya Ganeshpanchan, Zinthiya Trust.

Although we thought we had straight-forward needs, Bhavin asked us a range of questions to ensure our will reflected our requirements. We recommend Paradigm to anyone who needs to protect their assets for future generations. Chris Goodman, Soar Valley Press.

I did not realise the skill needed to produce a will fit for purpose. My circumstances showed that I needed an expert to produce the will needed for me. Jonny Nassau, Snap-on

Bhavin went to see my mum and dad and was patient with them, listened to their concerns, and advised accordingly. Asit Jansari, Hollingsworths.

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The Litigation and Commercial Law Firm

Celebrating

10 years

in business Supporting our clients to make their lives and businesses better. Talk to us today to find out how we can help you. 19 New Walk, Leicester LE1 6TE

0116 204 2500 | www.hlegal.co.uk | mail@hlegal.co.uk

NICHE FEATURE

Stronger together A

t the turn of the millennium, seventeen years after Nelsons opened its first office above a Nottingham shop in 1983, the law firm set its sights on Leicester. It was around the same time when Glynis Wright, after more than a decade working in local government, decided to retrain as a lawyer – resulting in a fast-track procession into a law firm partnership and eventually setting up her own practice. Fast forward to December 2020 and Glynis Wright & Co was acquired by Nelsons – with Glynis, the former Leicestershire Law Society president, joining a vision to become the region’s strongest and biggest family law department. Glynis, who now heads up the Nelsons family law team in Leicester, which is ranked in tier one by The Legal 500, said: “In a short space of time and as a result of blood, sweat and tears, Glynis Wright & Co grew from a sole practitioner firm to the region’s largest highly-specialised family law and mediation practice. “What started as a £10,000 30 | NICHE

loan from my dad back in March 2011 turned into a £1.2million turnover firm, and I am extremely proud of what my phenomenal team has achieved alongside me on this exciting journey. “I’ve always wanted to build on that regionally and beyond. After discussions with Nelsons and realising our ambitions and cultures perfectly aligned, we knew that together, we could create the most sought-after family law provision in the East Midlands.” Nelsons has been providing legal and investment support and advice to businesses, individuals and families in Leicester since 2000. The acquisition of Glynis Wright & Co – the first and only Leicester firm to win Law Firm of the Year in the national Law Society Excellence Awards – forms part of Nelsons’ ambitious strategy for growth in Leicester and the wider East Midlands region. Chief executive Stewart Vandermark said: “I first met Glynis in 2019 and was immediately struck by her

In the midst of a global pandemic, two trusted, multi-award-winning and well-established Leicester law firms joined forces to create something even greater THIS ACQUISITION OF SUCH A WELLREGARDED FIRM HAS TRULY BOLSTERED OUR EXPERTISE AND WE’RE LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING WHAT’S NEXT

passion, vision, energy and the leadership she has shown to build her practice from a start-up to a leading family law firm in such a short period of time. “The compelling strategic fit between the companies, our shared ambition, and the strong performance of both firms during the coronavirus pandemic meant we knew that together, our trusted teams would be able to offer something even greater to the people and businesses of Leicester, Leicestershire and beyond. “It is our aim to attract and retain the very best people in the region to work for us, creating one engaged team that delivers our vision and purpose of standing alongside our clients and steering them through the complex legal issues they face. “This acquisition of such a well-regarded firm has truly bolstered our expertise and we’re looking forward to seeing what’s next as we continue to empower our clients – give them a voice, fight for them, and help them seek justice.” For more information on Nelsons, visit nelsonslaw.co.uk.

nelsonslaw.co.uk

Two of Leicester’s most respected firms have joined forces to offer the complete family law service. Glynis Wright & Co are delighted to have joined the Nelsons team. Expertise in all aspects of family law – now with the backing of a leading regional firm. Divorce & separation can be complicated and emotional. Our experienced team deliver the right blend of support and practical advice – empowering you, giving you a voice and helping you come through stronger.

Provincial House 37 New Walk Leicester LE1 6TU 0116 222 6666

NICHE BUSINESS

ASIT JANSARI Director at Pattersons Commercial Law

GOOD NEWS FOR LANDLORDS The law in relation to Landlord & Tenant housing actions really was turned on its head when the judgement in the case of Caridon Property Ltd v Monty Shooltz was handed down. From October 1, 2018, any Assured Shorthold Tenancy agreement required the landlord to seek a Gas Safety Report and for this to be issued and given to the tenant (renewed annually). What this meant for landlords was that following the Caridon case in 2018, any landlord who had not given the Gas Safety Certificate to the tenant within the 28 day time limit, or had failed to do so altogether, could not use Section 21 to evict a tenant from the property at all. This could have then left them with a tenant occupying their house who they simply could not evict. Fast forward to the year of Covid-19, in June 2020, the Court of Appeal decided a case called Trecarrell House Ltd v Rouncefield. This case concluded that a landlord’s failure to provide a tenant with a valid Gas Safety Certificate prior to their occupation of a property did not prevent a landlord from serving a section 21 notice – much needed respite! Whilst this is good news for landlords, it does still mean that the Gas Safety check must have been completed in the first place, and that if service could not be proved then the court are willing to overlook this as long as they are sent to the tenant. It does seem though to be a case of ‘better late than never’. For all landlord and tenant law enquiries and eviction assistance, please contact Asit Jansari of Pattersons Commercial Law on 0116 319 1110 for quick, efficient and expert assistance. 32 | NICHE

Legal Forum

PREPAID FUNERAL PLANNING The idea might seem a little morbid at first – but planning your own funeral can have many benefits in the long run. Doing so will save your loved ones the heartache and the financial weight of organising it themselves – and you will be able to arrange the proceedings exactly as you want them. You can put plans in place that include locations, services, and even flowers and songs if you want to. All giving you peace of mind, knowing that your funeral costs and arrangements have already been planned. One of the key benefits of having a funeral plan in place is to future proof the price against inflation so you pay today’s prices and not to pass on debt to your loved ones. If chosen wisely, a prepaid plan can protect you from rising costs. Funeral costs can be met with protected funds according to your plans. A reputable provider will carry out a legal consultation on asset

BHAVIN GANDHI Co-Director at Paradigm Wills and Legal Services management and suggest flexible funeral packages. It’s important to buy a funeral plan from a recognised provider or you could run the risk of suffering if funeral directors or other companies go bust. To ensure you receive compassionate support and care, find a company that is registered with the Funeral Planning Authority, and make sure your money is put into a trust that will be checked regularly to ensure it is protected – this will mean it is overseen by the FPA. As funeral costs are increasing year on year, it’s well worth considering a pre-paid funeral plan. Just make sure you plan it correctly with a trusted provider – we can help with that.

LAUNCH OF NEW HOMES QUALITY BOARD BHUMIKA PARMAR Director of BP Legal Solicitors The New Homes Quality Board will be launched this week and will oversee the consultation on and introduction of a code of practice for the new build sector. The New Homes Quality Board has been introduced to place more responsibility on developers to deliver quality homes for buyers and provide homeowners with greater consumer protection. Its permanently-appointed board members will include representatives from consumer bodies, house builders, warranty providers, the finance sector and independents. The Government is hopeful that the new arrangements will deliver consistently high-quality homes and considerably stronger consumer protections.

The new code of practice is to be called the New Homes Code. It will require developers to have effective complaints procedures in place, with specified timelines within which they have to address issues that arise with a new home to the consumer’s satisfaction or be potentially subject to a referral to the New Homes Ombudsmen Service (NHOS). The New Homes Quality Board is working closely with the Ombudsman Association, the independent body that validates ombudsman schemes, on the process to appoint an Ombudsman. Once established, there will be a transition period during which developers will be required to sign up to the new arrangement and so be subject to the requirements of the New Homes Code and the jurisdiction of the NHOS.

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Surviving the storm

How has coronavirus affected your business? A common answer is: “We’re, surviving,” but some have not fared so well. Asit Jansari of Pattersons Commercial Law guides us through surving the storm

have had clients advise that they are suffering due to the pandemic, and others who have been owed significant sums of money by customers that they produced work on behalf of and in accordance with contracts, but now, they are not being paid. During times of financial hardship, it is harder to be paid. It’s an all-too-common outcome when things go wrong in the economy. It was the same when Lehman Brothers collapsed in 2008 and the bursting of the dot. com bubble in 2000. So, what steps have you taken to protect your business? Here are a few to consider. I would also suggest that you adapt with changes introduced by the Government during their weekly briefings, in order to give more focus to some over others. 1. Consider the areas of risk in your own business. You know your business and the manner in which you are running it, so you are going to be the best person to see areas of risk that may in the past have caused you tension or troubles.

2. Know your customers. It is all well and good winning the work and doing it. However, if you do not know who you are dealing with, it is going to make chasing them for payment a difficult task. Be clear on who the customer is, whether it is an individual (if so, get their full name) or business (again, seek the full name of any limited company). 3. Computerise your record management and keep details of payments received and invoices raised. Try to monitor this regularly in order to keep on top of it. The sooner you are able to see problems, the quicker you can take action to reduce the losses being caused to your business. 4. If you notice a problem, contact Pattersons Commercial Law urgently. The quicker we can look at problems, the sooner we can determine a course of action to recover the money owed to you. For business-to-business debts, you may also be able to recover late payment compensation for all invoices that are not paid to you in time (even

FOR BUSINESSTO-BUSINESS DEBTS, YOU MAY ALSO BE ABLE TO RECOVER LATE PAYMENT COMPENSATION FOR ALL INVOICES THAT ARE NOT PAID TO YOU IN TIME

for invoices that were eventually paid, but were paid late). Late payment compensation is recoverable as set out below: ◆ For invoices up to £999.99, you can claim £40 per invoice ◆ For invoices from £1,000 £9,999.99, you can claim £70 per invoice ◆ For invoices over £10,000, you can claim £100.00 per invoice You are also entitled to an increased level of interest on the unpaid sum (8% above Bank of England base rate, currently 0.1%). Whilst this may not sound like much, it is better than keeping your money in your bank! Best of all, you are entitled to recover your reasonable recovery charges from the debtor and so instructing us may not even cost you a penny from your own pocket! For all debt-related or contractual problems, contact Asit Jansari on 0116 319 1110 or 07761 325968 for quick, efficient and expert assistance.

NICHE | 33

NICHE FEATURE

Practice made perfect Harinder Sahota adds her experience to the growing team at Pattersons Commercial Law

attersons Commercial Law has announced the appointment of Harinder Sahota as Practice Manager as the firm continues to grow following last year’s merger with Ashteds Solicitors. Harinder joins the Ratbybased firm from Glynis Wright & Co, which was recently acquired by Nelsons, and will be working closely with Pattersons Commercial Law’s owner and director Rik Pancholi as they rollout their structured growth plans for the business. It has been a busy 12 months for Pattersons Commercial Law, with civil and commercial litigation specialist Asit Jansari joining the business in September, following the merger with Ashteds Solicitors. That merger added Ashteds Solicitors’ reputation for excellence in dispute resolution and insolvency law to Pattersons

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Commercial Law’s skills and experience in corporate, commercial property and employment law. Meanwhile, 2021 has started brightly in terms of deal flow, with Pattersons Commercial Law winning in the Business Growth category at the Niche Business Awards. Speaking about Harinder’s appointment, Rik Pancholi said: “I am absolutely delighted to welcome someone of Harinder’s calibre, experience and skillset to the team. Last year was a year of major transition for us with the merger and we have been seeking someone to help manage the new offering as we bring our teams and integration together. “We were delighted to have been recognised with our award win for business growth at the Niche Business Awards and for Pattersons Commercial Law,

IT IS A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY TO WORK AS PART OF A DYNAMIC, FORWARD THINKING AND HIGHLY DRIVEN BUSINESS, WHOSE VALUES FALL IN LINE PERFECTLY WITH MY OWN

2021 is all about maintaining that momentum and continuing to grow at a sustainable and measured rate. Harinder will play a key role in our next phase of growth.” Commenting on her move, Harinder adds: “I am very excited and proud to be joining Pattersons Commercial Law during this crucial phase of growth. It is a wonderful opportunity to work as part of a dynamic, forward thinking and highly driven business, whose values fall in line perfectly with my own. The focus is on providing exceptional quality service and advice throughout the business community and I am delighted to be a part of this.”

Breaking the spell

that’s holding you back Interviewing the Turnaround CEO was like a coaching session in itself. Amanda Daly talks about defeating the villain and being the hero WORDS BY KERRY SMITH

manda Daly, aka the Turnaround CEO, says it’s enchanting work to be able to coach people in business. Recently she read a book that’s helped her put a new spin on how she explains her process. Building a Storybrand by Donald Miller puts the client, their story, and their experience at the heart of everything a business does. Amanda links her coaching to Building a Storybrand as it relates to heroes and villains. Every customer has a problem that needs to be solved, and often a business owner needs a guide to help create a clear plan to success and a call to action. Here’s an example of how movies use this story-telling structure. “You’ll notice so many business owners use this structure and it’s because it truly works. It’s not very often someone achieves success all by themselves,” Amanda told us. She applies this principle to your business. While Miller places your customer as the hero, Amanda places you as the hero. You are the character in this story, so we already know you’re the hero. Your problem is that you’re struggling to see how to

take your business to the next level. As a coach, Amanda acts as the guide. And your villain might be the fear of leaving your comfort zone, or it could be lack of belief, confidence, or even the stability and structure of your business that is making you want to avoid rocking the boat. Your guide, Amanda, is there to lift the curse of fear, lack of confidence, direction and strategy, and other “little villains” as Miller describes them. She gives you a plan, holds you accountable, and leads you to success. Amanda explained: “The hero – or the business owner or leader here – needs a guide, someone else to give them fresh ideas with a new pair of eyes in a commercial sense to look inward

THE OUTSIDE OF SOMEONE’S COMFORT ZONE IS THE BIGGEST AREA OF GROWTH. WORKING OUT WHAT’S OUTSIDE OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE IS A KEY FIRST STEP

on the company. They need someone to spark some magic in the business. “But then comes the dreaded spell of self-doubt and uncertainty. As a guide, I help the hero conjure up faith and selfbelief. The outside of someone’s comfort zone is the biggest area of growth. Working on what’s outside of your comfort zone is a key first step. I give you the information you need to move forward and you learn about yourself. “We defeat the witch. Break the spell. Lift the curse. We get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Whatever villain you’re up against, Amanda wants to help. Visit theturnaroundceo.co.uk for more.

The Wizard of Oz (1939)

Dorothy is our hero. She needs to get home (the problem). She meets Glinda the Good Witch of the North (the guide) who tells her about the great and wonderful Wizard of Oz and sets her off on her journey to find him by following the yellow brick road (the plan). But the Wicked Witch of the West (the villain) prevents Dorothy from achieving her desire, which Miller explains for a customer is to survive and thrive – translating to Dorothy making it back to Kansas and appreciating her family. Along the way, Glinda helps her avoid failure by giving her information. At the end, Glinda tells Dorothy she always had the power to go home but that she needed to learn and believe it for herself. This of course leads to success when Dorothy awakens at home. NICHE | 35

Mental Health

during Lockdown

Is the latest lockdown taking its toll? What can you do to improve the mental wellbeing of those around you? PPL PRS Ltd PR and communications manager Alexandra Carr has some suggestions...

he Government currently advises that if you can work from home, you should. Last year during the initial lockdown, 46.6% of people worked from home and of those, 86% were working from home due to the Covid-19 pandemic (ONS). Whilst some businesses have now made their premises Covid-safe, many continue to encourage home working where possible. Home working may or may not suit you; some people adapt quickly to the new environment and routine, others may not have had the provision to work from home so easily. Perhaps they had to work from their bedroom, or children being off school made it hard to concentrate and focus on tasks. As various lockdowns have been implemented, many people have started to feel isolated and lonely. Research has shown that many people who feel lonely use the radio to combat those feelings. The familiar voice of the presenters, the music, and the daily routine can help to fill

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the day when experiencing isolation whilst working at home. Here at PPL PRS, our employee engagement team worked hard throughout this time to ensure everyone remained connected. A multitude of events and initiatives were held, including weekly quiz nights, a book club, exercise classes, care packages, check-ins, comedy nights, and open mic nights. As sponsors of LAMP, a mental health charity that helps people in need to feel valued, listened to, and able to cope, and having had our managing director Andrea Gray win Businesswoman of the Year at the Niche Business Awards 2020 largely thanks to her success in migrating the PPL PRS team from office to home whilst ensuring their mental health was cared for, we hope these top tips help keep your own team’s mental health in check at this time. If you, or someone you know, is struggling to cope with their mental health, here are some suggestions that could perhaps help.

The PPL PRS Working from home playlist can be found at:

NICHE FEATURE

CHECK IN ON YOUR COLLEAGUES

Mental health can be a difficult conversation to have with a colleague. Perhaps you have noticed a slight change in their behaviour, they are becoming less engaged, or avoiding social contact. It is very easy to ask someone: “Are you OK?” and then accept their first answer of: “Yes, I’m fine.”

ASK AGAIN

That second time might just be the nudge someone needs to open up about how they are feeling.

FIX YOU

When someone takes that step to talk about something that is getting them down, don’t always try to fix it. A listening ear could be all they need, a chance to air their worries and concerns to someone who won’t judge or try to find a resolution.

TALK

EXERCISE

You don’t have to join a gym or leisure centre to exercise. Perhaps you could start the Couch to 5K plan, walk 10,000 steps per day, or set a goal to swim 20 lengths of your local pool. All exercise focuses the mind on the task and eases anxiety and stress. Of course, please always stick to the Government guidelines with regard to exercise and leaving your home.

LEARN A NEW SKILL

A sense of self-achievement can help to build mental strength – perhaps learn a new language or a skill you can transfer to your work life.

VOLUNTEER

Helping people who are in need could assist with your mental health and build confidence, whilst also helping to give something back to people who may not be able to provide for themselves.

Talk to a trusted friend/relative, or a mental health first aider.

TAKE A BREAK

MOST OF ALL, REMEMBER IT IS OK TO NOT BE OK

It doesn’t have to be a holiday, it could just be an hour where you walk away from the problem. Go to a local park and watch the world go by. If it’s raining, put your brolly up and go and splash in some puddles – having childish fun can be very therapeutic.

AVOID ALCOHOL/DRUGS

Alcohol and drugs may block out the problem and help you forget for a short time, but the hangover/ come down will be worse.

LISTEN TO MUSIC

Research has shown that music releases dopamine into our brain – the happy chemical. Close the curtains, turn the volume up and pick a playlist to lift your spirits (check out PPL PRS’s working from home playlist handpicked by our employees) or even better, put your headphones in and go for a long walk, get some fresh air and exercise with your favourite band for company.

ASK FOR HELP

We all need help from time to time and we should never be ashamed to ask for it.

Research has shown that many people who feel lonely use the radio to combat those feelings open.spotify.com/playlist/1rqlxT3UYV3Gucwy3VjqxV?si=eg_FwSn1T_uSZRsQTvTGiw NICHE | 36

Meet Aleena of Affinity HRM

Founder and Director of Affinity HRM, Aleena Ahmad, has overcome challenges, built priceless experience and developed her own goals and aspirations to help others

t was never a dream of mine to go into HR,” Aleena tells me. “Believe it or not, I started out in retail selling men’s shoes!” From shoes to the people walking in them, Aleena discovered a love for HR almost by accident, working in a role that allowed for some admin work on the HR side of things. After discovering through feedback she was pretty good at it, she embarked on a career working in top roles for large brands and FTSE 100 companies, learning the skills that would be invaluable to her business later on. Gaining the vital CIPD qualification through a three year course and a two year Masters course, Aleena balanced her working life with her learning one and picked up all the

skills she needed to go it alone. “I decided to just go for it, to start my own HR consultancy firm and take the leap; I had the wonderful support of my family and friends and thought: ‘Why not?!’ Sometimes our goals can seem too big and self-doubt can kick in; I am so glad now I went for it and ignored any reservations I had. “I don’t only focus on one aspect of HR for a company, I have experience in all aspects; so through my consultancy I have been able to help companies with all areas of their HR taking on an advisory role and becoming part of many different teams in various sectors.” Since the firm has gone from strength to strength having recently celebrated her third year, Aleena is

proud of how far she’s come and says: “It hasn’t been without its challenges; I have had to be out of my comfort zone a lot, but the personal rewards just keep coming and I’m so excited to see where I can take my firm in the future!” Contact Aleena to see how she can support you and your HR needs. Email aleena@affinityhrm.co.uk or call 0116 478 0025.

The groundbreaking

wellbeing service Life and mindset coach, mentor, NLP Practitioner and hypnotherapist Dhara Shah designs and heads up a health and wellbeing trial across six GP practices in Leicester

he demand for mental health services post-pandemic is set to be huge, with many of us finding the consequences of isolation, job losses, financial concerns and relationship strains causing a rise in anxiety levels. However, with Dhara Shah’s Rippletouch coaching service, there are ways to not only manage anxiety levels, but to create healthier coping mechanisms, taking control of our lives in a positive way. Dhara has been able to not only help others who call on her coaching services through her business Rippletouch, but also via offering a ground-breaking coaching programme throughout GP practices locally – potentially reaching a wide circle of

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individuals all needing support. “Designing the programme has been a real highlight since setting up the business and I intend to work closely with further practices to do what I can to get the support out there in the wider community,” Dhara tells us. Since the pandemic began, her work is more important than she could have predicted, with the need to manage change, anxiety and personal resilience crucial to tap into the skills which help us to manage our inner world better, in order to cope with the outer world better. “I have experienced what I find so many of my clients are experiencing now. But, by understanding my behaviour, my triggers and creating habitual change I

got myself back. More than anything, I want to help others do the same.” Through neuro-linguistic programming (NLP), coaching and mindfulness, Dhara has a programme of solutions which equip clients with the tools to unlock ways of positive and habitual change to tap into themselves. Go to rippletouch.co.uk to book a place on her online Emotional Resilience Workshop and learn valuable skills for emotional growth this coming March. Dhara’s ready and waiting to do all she can to support people when they need it most.

NICHE FEATURE

She’s not your typical insurance broker Not everyone in finance wears a suit. One company going against the grain challenges the business of the stereotypical insurance broker WORDS BY KERRY SMITH

right haired and friendly faced, Rachael Shipman says: “No one leaves school thinking they want to be an insurance broker, you fall into it because you need a ‘proper’ job. But there is a human side to this business. I find it so interesting helping people find the right cover or supporting them through a difficult time like a claim. “Just this week a client had an incident he thought would leave him with a massive bill, but we sorted it. Most people don’t realise they often can claim for accidents, even if they think it’s their fault.” Reaching out to grassroots companies and startups, Rachael’s company Morgan Betts & Co aims to share knowledge and build peoples’ trust in the insurance industry again. She said: “The way I am in my personal life is how I am in business. I’m not aiming for a huge shiny office, I want to work with likeminded local people and organisations.” Running a business is a personal thing, forming sole livelihoods for many. In running

her own, Rachael hopes to show her daughter that with the right people around you, you can be a mum and a business owner. Named after hers and her sisterin-law’s maiden names, Morgan Betts & Co promotes women in business. Rachael says: “We want to set that example and let people see that our husbands support our vision and goals too.” Positivity radiates from her, especially when speaking of Leicester. She spent just one year away from her hometown; at 16, after attending the Dupont Dance Stage School in Leicester from the age of four, she went on to further her training in London. One year however was all it took to make her realise how much she cared about the Midlands city. “Leicester is still growing and developing and I love everything about it,” Rachael told me. “I grew up in the city centre and have so many memories of walking through Castle Gardens and past the Jewry Wall museum. Passing the ‘Leicester Children’s Holidays’ billboard, I would ask my parents what it was. That

INSURANCE IS INSURANCE. IT’S WHO YOU’RE DEALING WITH THAT MAKES THE DIFFERENCE

signage is still there today and when I started running my own business and found out the charity was still going I knew I wanted to support them.” What’s different about Morgan Betts & Co is not just its owners’ attitude to business, but the support they give to local charities and communities, as well as their eco-conscious habits. Morgan Betts’ co-founder and Rachael’s brother, Joseph Betts, now lives in Cornwall servicing the south of the country, but is still keen to ensure their company is supporting Leicester. This non-stuffy, vibrant firm helps charities local to Leicester, Cornwall, and those that support the siblings’ Filipino roots. Also aiming to refrain from putting too many miles on the road, Rachael has always embraced virtual business calls as well as face to face meetings. As Rachael says: “Insurance is insurance. It’s who you’re dealing with that makes the difference.” Meet the team and learn more at morganbettsinsurance.com. NICHE | 39

Be better at

business development

It can be hard to step away from the workload that is piling high on your desk and emails constantly appearing in your inbox. Here’s why pausing can help you be better at business development WORDS BY SALLY SMITH

ere are some of our top tips that are worth pausing for. With time well spent working on the business, you can implement some really effective processes.

putting out and on what mediums. Use the platforms at your fingertips to help influence your buyers’ decisions. Remember that your facts will tell and your stories will sell.

1 Engage with your customers

3 Online reviews

A surprising fact is that repeat customers spend the high figure of 67% more than new customers, according to a study by Manta. When did you last pause and just call to say hello to your repeat customers?

2 Consider your message

You can tell me once and you can tell me twice but often the customer will believe best what they tell themselves. This about what message you are

In 2015, BrightLocal ran a survey that showed a huge 92% of customers turn to read online reviews before making a buying decision. Where can we read reviews about your business? Are you maximising this opportunity and do you utilise reviews and testimonials as part of your sales process or company marketing?

4 Ask for the business

Many people worry about closing

business and simply need to just ask. By asking the question, you will fast become aware of any objections that may need handling but it also allows you to be real with your figures to know if your forecasting is correct. Once you have the customer’s answer, you have the energy to focus on the relationship or on the next potential customer.

5 Seek professional help

One of the most common sentences you hear once someone has hired a business coach is, “I wish I did this years ago.” Coaches come in all shapes and sizes. You use books or an app or choose a real-life coach to help you break through your glass ceiling.

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NICHE FEATURE

Self-limiting beliefs

holding you back?

Going through trials and tribulations resulted in Gemma Crofts making a life-changing decision and becoming a coach and people development specialist WORDS BY KERRY SMITH

mpacted by a personal and professional crisis, Gemma Crofts was stuck. Her husband had unexpectedly walked out of their marriage just 10 months in, and – while it’s a nicer problem to have – her career had progressed further than anticipated, and she was unsure what to do with her life. Self-limiting beliefs was something Gemma had battled with for many years. She’d left school at 17 with three GCSEs and had her son at 18. Deciding not to let circumstances dictate her future, she enhanced her education and fell into a career in HR. While she was continuously progressing at work and regularly promoted, imposter syndrome would often kick in and she’d tell herself she didn’t know what she was doing and would question her ability. “From the outside anyone would have thought I was ambitious, capable and resilient, a high achiever,” Gemma told me. “But for many years I saw myself as having failed; being a young single parent with no education, I carried that around for a long time. I always felt that I’d just fallen into things. When I was promoted to HR director, imposter syndrome weighed heavily on me for about six months – I’d never imagined progressing this far and I worried

daily that people would ‘find me out’. A classic symptom of imposter syndrome.” When she attended a Chartered Institute of Personnel Development (CIPD) event by chance, she approached the coach leading it and underwent a year of 1-2-1 coaching. The impact was profound, eliminating self-limiting beliefs and imposter syndrome, and leading to her gaining a coaching qualification herself. She eventually came across neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) and heard that people had had life-changing experiences from it. When she took her NLP Certification, it did just that. “There is so much going on in our unconscious mind we’re unaware of. Taking that course led to me quitting a well-established career after 18 years to become a coach. It wasn’t a conscious decision, it was my unconscious mind that led me to it.” Despite being a HR director, head of talent, and having a team of business partners across Europe, she decided to leave her career to pursue what she was passionate about: helping others to unleash their full potential. Talenta, Gemma’s coaching and consultancy business, came to life in 2019; it now delivers

I’D NEVER IMAGINED PROGRESSING THIS FAR AND GENUINELY WORRIED DAILY THAT PEOPLE WOULD ‘FIND ME OUT’. A CLASSIC SYMPTOM OF IMPOSTER SYNDROME

life and business coaching, plus NLP breakthrough days where Gemma spends a day with a client going through their life history, unearthing prime concerns, removing negative emotions and self-limiting beliefs, Time Line Therapy, and a goals coaching session. She uses a blend of NLP, hypnosis and coaching techniques including Time to Think, growth mindset, appreciative inquiry and clean language. She is a member of the Association for Coaching, a co-coaching facilitator and a reflective partner for two coaching programmes, as well as a Virgin StartUp mentor. During her own startup journey, she wasn’t always as confident as she appeared on paper. A collaboration that fell through brought back self-limiting beliefs for a spell, but she says: “I don’t get stuck in a fixed mindset. Having a growth mindset means you know this is only temporary and there are always options. That coaching mentality has helped me.” And she wants to help others too. If you’re struggling to cope with self-limiting beliefs, or want more information on building your mental toughness and confidence, find Gemma’s free online resources at talenta.me.uk/resources. NICHE | 41

the winners HEADLINE SPONSOR

ith nothing usual about this year and last, the occasion took on a brand new digital Zoom format as its organiser Cross Productions made arrangements to take the event online for the first time since its inception in 2014. The virtual event with a 1920s theme, was brimming with golden glitz and glamour, roaring twenties themed jazz music, and old film style countdowns. In a touching and spine-tingling opening speech, Jenny Cross, CEO of Cross Productions, said: “Tonight we celebrate the diverse and beautiful community we live in.” Concluding with: “We will rise from this global pandemic and build, reconcile, and recover.” The live event was carried out with utmost professionalism by Cross Productions and Hybrid AV at the Hybrid AV studio. Stand-out twenties themed animations were produced by Lead Balloon, and video production company Indigo Blue assisted in the making of a special memorial video. Despite host Ian Stringer teasing that the event was pre-recorded to ease a blooper caused by a technical issue at one point, the ceremony was completely live after a pre-recorded message from headline sponsor energy consultancy Assured Energy aired. Guests purchased tickets to join the Zoom broadcast with all ticket sale money donated to the Charity of the Year winner, Bamboozle, a theatre company that provides performances for disabled children. Here we list our winners of 2020, and get to know the stories of some of those who became award-winning for the first time, and of those who added a Niche Business Award to their collection of accolades. 44 | NICHE

The much-anticipated Niche Business Awards 2020 ceremony, was able to take place on Friday, January 21, 2021 revealing the winners of the toughest year in business in recent times giving guests and nominees a much needed opportunity to dress up and celebrate BEST NEW BUSINESS

Sponsored by Pattersons Commercial Law

Simon Winfield: Red Monkey Play

BUSINESSWOMAN OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by Paradigm Wills And Legal Services

Andrea Gray: PPL PRS LTD

THE LETTINGS & SALES BUSINESS

Nominations now open

Nominations are now open for the Niche Business Awards 2021, planned to take place in person at Athena on September 24. Nominate now at nichebusinessawards.co.uk NICHE | 45

Andrea Gray

is our Businesswoman of the Year Managing Director of Leicester-based business PPL PRS Ltd, Andrea Gray opens up about her career path, and what the next few months look like for the music licensing organisation

ndrea Gray left school at 17, unsure of her next steps and without a clear path or goal for her career. Choosing vocation over education has certainly paid off for her, however she is the first to admit that it isn’t the ideal route for everyone. “Education is a real gift,” Andrea, Managing Director of PPL PRS said. “For many it is the way to enter their chosen field, to improve and build their knowledge, learning from industry experts and teachers. Taking a temporary job at American Express whilst in her early 20s, Andrea quickly worked her way up within the business. Within eight years she had progressed to become Head of Service Performance, and had found her passion in people leadership, and contact centres. Over the years that followed, Andrea moved around the country working for the likes of NTL, BNP Paribas subsidiary FTS Ltd and Nuffield Health. In 2015 the role of Operations Director for Hastings Direct was offered to her, which meant a move to Leicester, and the responsibility of setting up their contact centre in the city. With an initial plan to build the workforce up to 250 people within 18 months, such was the success of the site, that soon increased to an eventual headcount of over 1,000 colleagues. Andrea also looked after the other operational sites for the insurer, as well as their outsource partners, based in London and South Africa. Fast forward to 2019, and Andrea was ready for change and a new challenge. Luckily, just across the road at Mercury Place, PPL PRS were recruiting for a Managing Director, which would give her the opportunity to not only run the operational side of things, but the whole of the 44 | NICHE

Celebrating the success of women in business remains hugely important to me, so I am grateful to have been chosen business. And the rest, as they say, is history. Being a naturally modest person, Andrea was not prepared for her nomination as Businesswoman of the Year, never mind actually winning. Her career, business acumen and leadership skills are just a few of the attributes which make her a fantastic role model for women who are starting out on their career path, having worked her way up in an industry which historically was ‘male heavy’. On winning the award Andrea said: “It is an honour to be awarded Businesswoman of the Year at such an important event for the region. I would also like to say congratulations to the other finalists Tajnder Banwait and Zinthiya Ganeshpanchan, who are both incredibly talented and hardworking. “Celebrating the success of women in business remains hugely important to me so I am grateful to have been chosen, particularly considering the skills and successes of my fellow nominees. I never cease to be amazed at the innovation and talent within this city. “Congratulations to all those who were nominated and thank you to Niche and Cross Productions for hosting such a fantastic online event.”

NICHE BUSINESS AWARDS 2020

the Winners

* Research performed by YouGov on behalf of PPL PRS in relation to TheMusicLicence December 2018

Revive and Restore

As the Government announce their roadmap to bring the country out of lockdown, and businesses can start to reopen, PPL PRS is looking to the future and at how they can support their customers as they navigate the next few months of eased restrictions. PPL PRS issue TheMusicLicence to businesses who play music to their customers and employees, through radio, TV, digital services or live performances, in accordance with The Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1998. The money collected via TheMusicLicence, after operating costs, is then distributed back to the members of PPL and PRS for Music. This ensures that those involved in creating the music which is played in public are fairly rewarded for their work. Many musicians have been badly affected by the Covid-19 situation and many lost a large amount of their income due to the cancellation of live events, so royalties from music played by businesses which have remained operating have been a vital income stream for them at this time. For those businesses which have been closed, PPL PRS has not charged them for TheMusicLicence since the Government announced the original lockdown on March 23, 2020, and any subsequent regional and national lockdowns since then. Moving into 2021, the business is continuing to support its customers as they work towards reopening, highlighting how music can help to ease anxious employees back into the workplace, and also help to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere for customers

returning to the high street, perhaps for the first time in nearly 12 months. With a large number of the company’s customers in the hospitality sector, which has been particularly hard hit, a YouGov survey found that the majority of people surveyed preferred to visit bars, restaurants, and coffee shops where music is playing when they are out for social events*. As these types of venues start to welcome their customers back, music could help to ease that transition, and create that relaxed and positive environment that many people will be looking for as they

NICHE | 45

Together, we want to work with our customers to restore the rhythm to not just their businesses, but to the country as a whole. It’s time to revive, and make 2021 a year to remember

service advisers to live music account managers, to legal executives, all with the core objective at their heart to value music and ensure its creators are fairly rewarded for their work. With a strong career development pathway being implemented this year, along with excellent training and leadership management opportunities, the business believes that 2021 will be the year it becomes widely recognised as an employer of choice in the East Midlands. Andrea said: “Together, we want to work with our customers to restore the rhythm to not just their businesses, but to the country as a whole. It’s time to revive, and make 2021 a year to remember for all the right reasons.”

venture out again. And it’s not just their customers the business has been supporting. PPL PRS has also been working with local business networks to support the city during this time including their work as a Strategic Partner with East Midlands Chamber of Commerce; Business Partner of Curve Theatre; Active member of BID Leicester. The company has also raised much-needed funds for Help the Homeless Leicester; and supported local sports teams such as Leicester Tigers and Leicester Riders; and local business events such as Leicestershire Live Education Awards and Niche Business Awards. Additionally, the business transitioned its whole operation to home working as soon as the first lockdown was announced, with minimal effect to the customers they were supporting at that time. As businesses start to recover from the last 12 months, and customers return to hospitality and the high street, PPL PRS also hope to build upon the solid foundations it currently has within the city. Plans for recruitment obviously had to be stalled a little last year, but the business believes that with the easing of restrictions will come the need for a larger workforce. PPL PRS has a varied range of roles, from customer

Working from home

46 | NICHE

Keeping it interesting As PPL PRS employees continued to work from home, the company also worked hard to ensure they were supported, cared for and remain connected. A multitude of events and initiatives were held for the team – here are some of their ideas for your colleagues, friends and family members to engage in for the remainder of lockdown restrictions... Weekly quiz nights Book club Exercise classes Care packages Check-ins Comedy nights Open mic nights

We struck a chord! The Niche Business Awards celebrated the fantastic individuals and businesses that represent the true spirit of what Leicester has to offer.

Niche Businesswoman of the Year 2020!

Congratulations to our Managing Director, Andrea Gray, for winning Businesswoman of the Year at the Niche Business Awards 2020!

A Pitch Perfect Evening

Restore The Rhythm

In a year filled with uncertainty, the Niche Business Awards highlighted the positives that can be taken from 2020. By acknowledging the skilled and accomplished businesses we have in Leicestershire, it has emphasised the talented individuals that make this county so great.

TheMusicLicence from PPL PRS allows you to legally play and perform music in your business, whether through the radio, TV, other devices and/or live performances.

The fantastic awards event was capped off by a celebratory win as our Managing Director, Andrea Gray, received the award for Businesswoman of the Year 2020. Congratulations to the other two incredibly hard-working and talented finalists Tajinder Banwait, Urban Apothecary and Zinthiya Ganeshpanchan, She Inspires.

Hopefully your business is back up and running, but understandably it may not be back to normal just yet. You should reopen your business when it is safe and you feel ready to do so. Thankfully, when you do reopen, even the smallest of changes could make a big difference to the atmosphere and go a long way towards ensuring your customer’s visit remains safe and enjoyable. So while you are making all of the arrangements to get your business back to its best, now is the perfect time to turn the music back on and ensure you that you are appropriately licensed, and set up TheMusicLicence for your business. Let’s move in to 2021 on a high note!

Find out more about PPL PRS, TheMusicLicence and the benefits music can bring to your business.

pplprs.co.uk

Simon Winfield

is our Businessman of the Year This year’s Businessman of the Year is ‘open to new opportunities,’ saying the award win has spurred him on to take part in further charity and community work WORDS BY KERRY SMITH

oming from a banking background, Managing Director of Red Monkey Play, Simon Winfield, says he isn’t “used to receiving awards” and was visibly taken aback when the live feed cut to him upon host Ian Stringer announcing the winner of the category at the live virtual event. Simon was recognised for his success in developing Red Monkey Play, a specialist playground equipment provider, into one of the UK’s leading suppliers of educational resources and for his contribution to the local community through his work with local charities and organisations. “I really didn’t expect to win and I think my reaction on video showed that,” he laughed. “I’m not used to being involved in awards, having been in banking for 30 years.” But since deciding to become a business owner, and making a significant mark in the local community, winning awards might be something he’ll have to become accustomed to.

Acquiring Red Monkey Play

Prior to establishing Red Monkey Play Ltd in 2012, Simon had a career with the NatWest RBS Group before establishing his own business consultancy company, during which time he has gained considerable experience and knowledge of running a successful business. Through connections at accountancy firm Torr Waterfield, Simon was introduced to several opportunities and after an involvement and some soul searching and planning, Simon 48 | NICHE

decided to invest into one of the businesses and drive it forward, bringing Red Monkey Play into the limelight. Several of the team have remained and have worked in building Red Monkey Play into what it is today. “It’s a jigsaw; I can’t make anything out of wood, but with a mix of skills and experience it works.” One of the key changes Simon implemented from the beginning was to partner with a number of educational organisations and resources. As well as play equipment for schools, they also added outdoor play installations for the residential market, bringing fun nature villages, sculpture parks, and interactive sensory mini-worlds to parents’ gardens.

Seeing things differently

“As you get older you see things differently and after winning the award, I’ve decided I want to get involved in more charity and community work,” Simon told us. “I realise now that I want to have more time to commit to those things that keep me active and passionate. I want to continue developing that impact.” Simon officially declared he is “open to new opportunities” with charities and local projects after his award win. Simon and Red Monkey Play support several local charities and organisations and believe this is a key aspect of being a local business. Since becoming a team sponsor of Leicester Riders and getting to know Basketball League and Morningside Arena director Kevin Routledge, Simon was asked to help deal with the launch

NICHE BUSINESS AWARDS 2020

the Winners

There are many people who support all aspects of the Leicester and Leicestershire community and to be recognised as one of them is very special

of the newly built Riders’ home stadium, Morningside Arena. After this, he was personally asked to become Chairman of the Leicester Riders Foundation. “The Leicester Riders Foundation does some great work in the community with schools and children, and youth projects for the Police and Crime Commissioner for Leicestershire. That’s why we chose to get involved.” As if being a company director and chairman of a foundation wasn’t enough, Simon then took on becoming a trustee of the Furnley House Foundation – again, after being asked personally. When it’s safe to do so, Simon is keen to get back out there helping the homeless, preparing food bags for Leicester Hospital patients, and taking part in other initiatives led by the foundation.

Working in the community and further afield

Additionally, Red Monkey Play has supported the Leicester Comedy Festival & Kids Comedy Festival and Simon was a key member of the organising team for the Alternative Business Awards held at Curve theatre. Having lived in Leicester since 1989, he has played an active role in the community and is a regular visitor to Curve as well as a keen supporter of Leicester City, Leicester Riders & Leicestershire County Cricket Club. Another project Simon cares deeply about is one he is currently working on for the Ronald McDonald Foundation. The company is creating outdoor play equipment out of recycled McDonalds’ toys for parents and children who have to attend hospitals across the country regularly. Simon said: “It’s quite an exciting project. Recycling is very much at the forefront of everything we’re talking about recently and I think we’re all responsible for grasping more opportunities to recycle.” Thinking back to his award win, he said: “I am delighted to be awarded the Businessman of the Year at these highly respected Niche Magazine Awards. There was fierce competition and to be honoured in this way is very humbling. There are many people who support all aspects of the Leicester and Leicestershire community and to be recognised as one of them is very special.” NICHE | 49

Charles Bentley

winner of the Best Family Business Award Sixth generation Loughborough manufacturer declared ‘Best Family Business’ in Leicestershire business awards

oughborough-based homeware manufacturer Charles Bentley & Son picked up the Best Family Business accolade, a sixth generation British manufacturer, committed to customer and staff satisfaction. Launching as a manufacturer of brushes for chimney sweeping in 1860, Charles Bentley & Son has successfully re-invented itself over the years to become a multi-million pound global supplier of contemporary, high quality yet cost-effective brushware and homeware goods. Now an employer of 151 people, the firm produces in excess of two million brushes annually from its factory on Monarch Way and has operated a successful home and garden ecommerce website since 2005. Charles Bentley, Managing Director, said: “To be named a winner at the Niche Business Awards is a huge honour. Scooping this prestigious award is a great way to start the year, marking just how hard the team has worked. “We’re in the business of manufacturing and this year

50 | NICHE

we’ll continue to advance, invent and improve, leading the way in homeware goods and following our passion to help make a house a home.” Judges praised the firm’s job swap programme, a commitment by the management team to understand all aspects of the business. Senior managers are required to work in all departments of the business in order to gain an insight into what can be done to improve the working environment for every single person. Having firmly established the Charles Bentley & Son name as trusted manufacturer of a wide range of household and garden products, the firm is also mindful of its roots as a brushmaker of the highest quality. Made with the finest materials and finished by hand, the new Charnwood range delivers unrivalled comfort, strength and elegance, complete with a distinctive burnt branded logo, inspired by the iconic Leicestershire fox. Steve Law, Sales Director said: “Like all of the firm’s wooden brushware, Charnwood is manufactured in the Borough

SCOOPING THIS PRESTIGIOUS AWARD IS A GREAT WAY TO START THE YEAR, MARKING JUST HOW HARD THE TEAM HAS WORKED

of Charnwood, located in the heart of Leicestershire, the home of Charles Bentley & Son since 1860, and will offer the consumer the highest quality in brushware product that the market can offer”. Steve added: “None of this would be possible without the outstanding commitment by the people who work in the business. At our 2019 annual meeting, 20 employees were awarded with longstanding awards, clocking up 360 years between them.” Despite the coronavirus pandemic, 2020 was a fruitful year for Charles Bentley & Son, with their ecommerce site experiencing a 700 per cent rise in sales of decorating supplies during the first lockdown. The firm also strongly believes in supporting the local community. In September, the firm successfully raised and donated £10,000 to the Leicester Children’s Hospital Appeal. Plans for 2021 include 1,000 new product listings with key retail partners, across home, garden, and active categories along with a new trade customer account management App that will be available in both Apple and Android App stores.

NICHE BUSINESS AWARDS 2020

the Winners

Soar Valley Press

winner of the Best Customer Service Award Over 20 years’ worth of printing, designing, excellent customer service, and an abundance of Freddo Frogs – and still going strong! WORDS BY GEMMA KNIGHT

his January, Soar Valley Press was presented with the Best Customer Service award in the Niche Business Awards 2020. It’s been a long time coming. With their marketing apprentice Pippa Culverwell winning the East Midlands Chamber 2020 Apprentice of the Year award, and the company itself winning our Niche Business Award Eco Business title in 2016, it is easy to see that Soar Valley is a place where innovation, talent and productivity thrive. Although they started out as a small traditional printing company, they have now thoroughly evolved to take on design duties as well. With this has come a growth in their capacity to offer a huge range of products, from their Production Zone to signage, workwear, and branded merchandise. They have a longstanding, friendly relationship with Leicester Tigers who they have printed and designed for week in week out. Commenting on their customer service,

Leicester Tigers gave them an Excellent rating, “thoroughly recommending” Soar Valley to others. They are not the only delighted client either, with Steamin’ Billy and Hope Against Cancer also leaving enthusiastic responses. “We strongly believe that looking after our clients is crucial to the success of our business,” says Chris Goodman, Managing Director at Soar Valley Press. “We aim to make design and print stress-free and straightforward for our clients.” On the topic of why their company won the award, he added, “and giving our clients Freddos on a regular basis really helps!” This blend of down-to-earth warmth and professionalism is a characteristic unique to the team behind Soar Valley. It has helped them navigate the unpredictability of the printing industry, the market for which has changed drastically over the past few decades, and the even more worrying uncertainty of the pandemic. “We have had to adapt and respond to our

WE STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT LOOKING AFTER OUR CLIENTS IS CRUCIAL TO THE SUCCESS OF OUR BUSINESS

clients’ needs,” says Chris, “with incredibly quick turnaround.” But the hard work is all made worth it when recognition is given. “It’s a great boost to all of us. We are absolutely delighted. It has been a tough year and it is brilliant to be recognised in this way. What better way to start 2021 than with winning an award for something that is core to our business?” What better way, indeed! And the future is looking positive too. Soar Valley look forward to furthering their investment in technology to bring “more exciting products” within their clients’ reach at costeffective prices. They are also adding to the crew, recruiting two new client growth consultants. While it might be true that many hands make light work, there’s no way that Chris and his team will let things go slack. They are, in Chris’s words, “constantly” looking for ways to improve their service. We hope the ‘Best Customer Service’ award will be one in a long line of well-earned awards for Soar Valley Press. NICHE | 51

NICHE BUSINESS AWARDS 2020

the Winners

Furnley House takes home two awards

NEIL HALEY, STEFAN FURA AND JOHN WOOLHOUSE

Our Professional Services and Employer of the Year winner tells us how it feels to win two awards after one of the toughest years in business in recent times WORDS BY KERRY SMITH

hen Furnley House was born, its owners had two simple ambitions: to build Leicester’s leading financial advisory and mortgage business, and to be a company that people would aspire to work for. It wasn’t just about making money – there’s enough of that in financial services. It was about people; improving their lives, building community, delivering on promises and creating something of which everyone could be proud – clients, colleagues, family and the city in which the team was all born and raised. Eight years later and nothing has changed. These are still the two ambitions that drive them, but now they have a growing team that buys into that vision, supports it and works every day to achieve it. “We still have a long way to go,” said Stefan Fura, co-founder of Furnley House. “There are things we’ve done well and there are things we could do better, but winning our two Niche Business Awards in January 2021 was a huge surprise and a wonderful thing for everyone

52 | NICHE

associated with Furnley House. We’re enormously proud. It’s a marker on our journey that shows we’re on the right track; that we should keep going, remain focused on what we set out to do and that as long as we continue to work as we have, staying true to ourselves and our values, we will achieve our aims. “Being named Professional Services winner was a huge honour. As finalists, we were happy to have been named in such good company, but to win was something else. We’ve always sought to ‘go beyond’ in terms of delivering to expectations and always putting clients first. This recognition is hugely valued by our team. But we’ll continue to work to improve our service and our offering, always looking for ways in which we can do better and deliver more. “Winning Employer of the Year gave us enormous pleasure. Our people are what makes us special and we’ve always tried to ensure that they were treated well, that they felt valued, that they were growing

WE’VE ALWAYS SOUGHT TO ‘GO BEYOND’ IN TERMS OF DELIVERING TO EXPECTATIONS AND ALWAYS PUTTING CLIENTS FIRST. THIS RECOGNITION IS HUGELY VALUED BY OUR TEAM

and that they felt part of a family. We wanted to set new standards. We still do. We believe it’s the secret to success and again, irrespective of the challenges that we currently face and the unknown challenges of the future, we’ll always look to place our people at the heart of what we do. The team’s Niche Business Awards successes have given their confidence a real boost. It’s just what they needed, especially after the year we’ve all experienced. Upon receiving the awards, they said thank you to everyone who’s supported them over the years and helped them along their path. “They’re part of our story and we never forget,” Stefan added. “We have big ambitions for the years ahead. We intend to grow, not only in terms of size but also in influence and impact. There is much we want to achieve – as individuals, as a team, as a business and as part of the brilliant Leicestershire community. “Thank you, Niche Magazine. It was amazing to be part of your 2020 awards.”

She believed she could

So she did

...and she conquered and she excelled. The stories of local women WORDS BY BLESSING TAIWO

vertime, women in Leicester, and all over the UK, have come into their own and are now influencing sectors that once were not attainable to them. Women are captivating scenes within the beauty industry, law, and setting up their own businesses from scratch, leading change and making a difference. International Women’s Day stands for diversity and creating a world where no one feels excluded amongst their community. Creating a society where women #ChooseToChallenge the odds against them; it’s theme for this year. With it being marked on March 8, 2021, it will be celebrated globally with the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women being showcased. International Women’s Day is the heart of female unity, a movement that captivates the struggles of women and what they have done to break out of the stigmas and norms society evokes on them. Leicester’s women in business is a fundament we’d like to celebrate and is a testament to women stripping away notions. The day is not just for one country, one city, or one set of government nor institution, or academic group. International Women’s Day is for collectibles situated everywhere in the world.

Whether I am meant to or not, I challenge assumptions about women. I do make some people uncomfortable, which I’m well aware of, but that’s just part of coming to grips with what I believe is still one of the most important pieces of unfinished business in human history—empowering women to be able to stand up for themselves

Hillary Clinton NICHE | 53

There’s something so special about a woman who dominates in a man’s world. It takes a certain grace, strength, intelligence, fearlessness, and the nerve to never take no for an answer

Rihanna

We need women at all levels, including the top, to change the dynamic, reshape the conversation, to make sure women’s voices are heard and heeded, not overlooked and ignored

Sheryl Sandberg

The new era of women – given rise to globally after movements such as #MeToo and Time’s Up, and some more recent defining moments in the form of the election of the first woman vice president Kamala Harris, and period products being made free in Scotland – has led to pioneers in sectors such as engineering, motoring, and mortgage brokers, to name a few. Within this section, these are the women of Leicester we will be discussing. With so many women in Leicester receiving awards for their businesses and hard work, it’s amazing to see a significant spike over the coming years and is a journey to be amplified. Many women have had a significant role in being nominees and winners of these awards, especially with several awards shows giving them a platform. Many women have shed light on the reality of entering into a male-dominated industry and the struggles it had upon them. Examples in the past, and also present times demonstrate where women feel the need to prove themselves above the average to be taken seriously. Some others have spoken about topics such as violence and abuse that has occurred in specific cultures, and lastly, the difficulty whilst running a business and working full-time whilst bringing up children, especially in the climate we are in with Covid-19. It was over 100 years ago that International Women’s Day was first proclaimed – the women of today who we interview in this feature are courageous, ambitious, and go-getters. The movement is still evolving and changing the way society perceives women. Though IWD is acknowledged for 24 hours, we aim for it to be an ongoing celebration in which women’s accomplishments will be recognised, respected and celebrated everyday henceforth. 54 | NICHE

Women belong in all places where decisions are being made… It shouldn’t be that women are the exception Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Feminism isn’t about making women stronger. Women are already strong, it’s about changing the way the world perceives that strength G.D. Anderson

NICHE SPECIAL

She believed she could...

There is no

Of course, I am not

limit to what we,

worried about intimidating

as women, can

men. The type of man who

accomplish

will be intimidated by me

Michelle Obama

is exactly the type of man I have no interest in Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

I found that ultimately if you truly pour your heart into what you believe in — even if it makes you vulnerable — amazing things can and will happen Emma Watson

IWD 2021 campaign theme: #ChooseToChallenge A woman with a voice is, by definition, a strong woman Melinda Gates

We need to reshape our own perception of how we view ourselves. We have to step up as women and take the lead Beyoncé

A challenged world is an alert world. Individually, we’re all responsible for our own thoughts and actions – all day, every day. We can all choose to challenge and call out gender bias and inequality. We can all choose to seek out and celebrate women’s achievements. Collectively, we can all help create an inclusive world. From challenge comes change, so let’s all choose to challenge. Show your support and solidarity. Raise your hand high to show you’re in and that you commit to choose to challenge and call out inequality. Strike the Choose To Challenge pose and share on social media using #ChooseToChallenge #IWD2021 to encourage further people to commit to helping forge an inclusive world.

internationalwomensday.com/theme NICHE | 55

Aligning spirit and values for success Bev Sankey always strived for success, but not just any success – a success that was self-created, one she could have complete autonomy over WORDS BY EMILY MILLER

o what you are passionate about and you will never work a day in your life.” This is entrepreneur Bev Sankey’s philosophy and one that has served her well. Having achieved a BA Honours Degree in 3-Dimensional Design majoring in Jewellery and Silversmithing at Loughborough University, Bev went on to work in the jewellery and accessories industry, starting her own Business in 1984 with a £2,000 loan from The Prince’s Trust. Receiving several awards, Bev created a well known and trademarked brand name that supplied major high street retailers at both ends of the market. “There were challenges as a woman in business in the ’80s and ’90s especially in an industry dominated by traditional male-owned businesses; we overcame huge obstacles and we enjoyed the journey,” Bev reflects. After 25 years in the jewellery business, Bev decided a change of direction was needed. “In 2012 I started an online business in health and wellness vegan non-toxic products with Arbonne International as an Independent Consultant,” Bev says. Peta approved, Arbonne abide by a stringent

ingredient policy that prohibits over 2,000 harmful ingredients. “Having been diagnosed and suffering with ME through many of the more stressful business years, I wanted to focus on my health and the health of others as well as spending more quality time with my family and to achieve life balance, because I have learnt that health is wealth and mindset is everything. What’s proved really important is to be a part of a positive like-minded community,” Bev explained. Arbonne enables her to help people to get on track with good habits that can support long term sustainable wellness and improved lifestyle, aligning with her entrepreneurial spirit, her desire to serve others and with her wellness values. Advising those who are thinking about making a leap into realising their entrepreneurial potential, Bev adds: “Go for it. Remember that it will take time and huge effort. Rome wasn’t built in a day, but having control over your own life and actively creating what that looks like is more than worth it.” Contact Bev on 07812 156540 or book a free 15-minute consultation via the booking link bevsankey.as.me.

GENDER

and the property industry Hemi Tanna has battled to be taken seriously in property management WORDS BY KERRY SMITH

‘

hat will happen to the management of my property when you get pregnant?’ asked one landlord client of Hemi Tanna. The founder of Bitex Home has dealt with the struggle to be taken seriously in the property sector as a female leader since 2014. But Hemi’s steadfast confidence has never wavered. She sincerely values her business’s ability to manage her clients’ properties. One aspect of her property portfolio she has high standards for is maintenance. She says sometimes it makes more economical sense to replace rather than repair and she’s extended this ethos to her landlords – a way of working that has had multiple pay-offs. Tenants are loyal and satisfied, and relationships are fortified. 56 | NICHE

“My biggest success came from these values last year,” she commented. “I’ve worked hard to support tenants and landlords and build relationships. I was therefore well placed to guide them through 2020 and all were able to work openly with me to make payment plans to suit both parties. It was important to me that tenants were reassured that their homes were safe and for them to focus on taking care of themselves in this tough time. Due to this, 98% of my properties have no arrears whatsoever, which is less stress for all.” But despite a consistent ethos and proven results throughout the life of Bitex Home, Hemi has dealt with numerous gender-related comeuppances. She explained: “I work

in a male-dominated industry. I find that suppliers tend not to approach me. I can walk through a property exhibition of 100 stands and less than five will approach me, yet I see them stopping every male in front and behind.” Hemi developed her own way of doing business and now approaches suppliers herself rather than waiting for them to come to her. “Eventually, they always realise I’m the person they want to be speaking to.” See Hemi on Homes Under the Hammer at bitexhome.co.uk.

NICHE SPECIAL

She believed she could...

Harmonious finances Sam Cattell’s vision to align her personal and working values resulted in Mindful Mortgages. She revealed her secret to success – even through the challenges of 2020 WORDS BY EMILY MILLER

indful Mortgages’ house buying financial service provides independent advice and support in obtaining mortgages, re-mortgages and insurances, and is proof that wellbeing and finances can work in harmony and in practice. What’s more, with the right viewpoint they can work to create a more balanced and low stress outcome to moving house which suits all. With her wellbeing values at the heart of the company Sam Cattell knew she wanted to apply a warm and holistic approach to the house moves that so many of us find so complicated – and in doing so, provide a more considered method to applications. “Moving home is a personal experience, it’s a huge lifestyle decision and therefore I view the process of helping clients to get a mortgage as one which needs to take their lifestyle and personality into account – it’s much more than numbers,” Sam explains. “We mainly help

families moving to their forever home; we understand what life is like for our clients and we do everything we can to make the process enjoyable for them. Believing balance is key, Sam’s busy family life isn’t compromised by her work on the business, and it’s the same in reverse. “I work flexibly around my family. My husband works alongside me in the business and between us and our team we manage to create the right flow of energies to both the business and our personal life. It’s a team effort. For me, when you do what you love and do what aligns with your outlook on life, it never feels like work.” Her experience in the sector, combined with a desire to build a business with soul, means that Sam is always looking to create further expansive ideas for the business which don’t compromise but support her ethos. “My personality means that I am pretty calm and collected in my approach to my

OUR HOMES ARE SO MUCH MORE THAN A PLACE TO LIVE, THEY ARE AND SHOULD BE OUR SANCTUARY

working life – but I do have a visionary attitude to things too and thrive from being creative with my business and having clear goals,” Sam shares. This is why I launched Mindful Homes (mindfulhomes.co.uk), which sells a moving home planner and housewarming gifts last year and Mindful Will Writing, in Feb 2021, which will work perfectly alongside Mindful Mortgages. The Mindful Mortgages website itself is a hub for wellness and the home, with Sam keen to share her passions and love for creating a home that’s more than bricks and mortar. Readers can find a wealth of information, tips and support on how to create a harmonious and happy home. Sam’s life philosophy extends to the home: “Our homes are so much more than a place to live, they are and should be our sanctuary.” For financial wellbeing (and informative reads) visit mindfulmortgages.co.uk or call 0116 243 6912. NICHE | 57

Never a dull

moment

“Go for it!” is this consultant’s advice to any woman considering starting their own business WORDS BY EMILY MILLER

ay Webb began Jay Webb Consultancy Services Ltd back in 2008. Having spent many years on the ground in a variety of senior HR roles, Jay felt inspired to strike out on her own. Such roles included managing large HR teams and providing services for up to 22,500 staff. A subsequent highlight saw her appointed Head of HR for Social Services at Leicester City Council. “Consultants had urged me to set up my own business for many years, but I was wary,” Jay told us. “But when I had a stroke in 2007, it was the catalyst that helped me decide I had nothing to be afraid of. I had experience at senior levels. And my reputation was good because I knew my craft. I thought why not use those skills and knowledge to set up my own business?” So, she did. Jay Webb Consultancy Services specialises as a HR and IT consultancy. They help businesses improve by supplying the right knowledge, systems, and support.

Jay might have started “without much of a clue about being an entrepreneur.” However, she’s since become a highly respected member of the business community. She cites her supportive network in Leicestershire as key to her success. “That has been crucial,” she says. “Along with working hard, and always maintaining a desire to learn and develop new skills. “Of course, there have been challenges. When I started in 2008, there was a recession. But I refused to let that beat me and even expanded in 2009 to provide IT services. And then of course the pandemic struck last year. “There hasn’t been time to stand still,” Jay concludes. “Literally, never a dull moment. But these challenges all shape us, don’t they? And build us to be more resilient and capable people.” They certainly do, Jay. Visit jaywebbconsultancy.co.uk or call 01509 216395 for expert advice.

Trusting your

instinct

When Julie Jordan-Spence joined the family garage business, her father told her she was “embarking on a 25-year apprenticeship.” At the time, she laughed it off – only to realise he wasn’t joking WORDS BY EMILY MILLER

ulie Jordan-Spence is a trained nurse – but she went from nursing to mechanics overnight after her father Jim suggested she join the family business. She knew it would be the start of a learning process that would never end, but admits it was her ‘love for the garage and family loyalty’ that led her to do it. “Being the second generation running such a well-established and respected firm has been quite something. I’ve never stopped learning and even through challenges I have found myself putting it down

58 | NICHE

to experience and an opportunity to grow. I’m always determined to look for the good, even in a bad situation,” Julie told us. The company, Jordan Motors and Practical Car and Van Rental, may well have once been considered a ‘man’s world’ but with the experiences Julie had growing up around the business and a genuine love for the garage, she has continued to grow the warm and welcoming, professional garage that was her father’s legacy. Citing her supportive colleagues as being influential to her success, she said:

“I have always been lucky in working with very inspiring and hardworking people. I’ve never felt on my own with the running of the business, and that goes a long way.” This, in combination with a cando attitude has driven the business from strength to strength. “I would always say go with your instinct when considering any big career move for anyone. I went from nursing to running a garage and it’s one of the best decisions I have ever made!” Visit jordanmotors-leicester.co.uk to find out more about their services.

NICHE SPECIAL

She believed she could...

Becoming ourselves With so much uncertainty around, many of us feel less control in our life and as we face numerous, frequently changing challenges and expectations, we are presented with a decision that will be more important than ever before. A choice - to evolve or stay stuck WORDS BY EMILY MILLER

here are times when you know it is time for change. You’ve achieved a certain level of success, yet you might feel you’ve reached a plateau and lost your mojo; there might be huge shifts in your working life, your home life or both. Perhaps you find yourself stressed, stuck, unfulfilled, disconnected, and frustrated? You might even be on the verge of emotional bankruptcy and want something more from your life. This is a familiar story for Debbie Moore, the High Achievers Coach. Fifteen years ago, to the outside world, Debbie looked successful and happy. Great job, leadership position in HR, a beautiful home, financially secure. Yet it all wasn’t as rosy on the inside. “I was exhausted, overworking, feeling undervalued, with an underlying feeling that I was likely to ‘get found out’, and that I wasn’t ‘good enough’. Yet, instinctively I sensed there must be something more,” Debbie shared. A sense that she was living out of sync increased for Debbie. It was something she was no longer willing to ignore and led her to reconsider what really mattered. Wellbeing, feeling congruent, connected to being ‘on-purpose,’ and a desire to be able to make happy and healthy choices in her life took centre stage. Through post-grad training Debbie embarked on a journey to improve her wellbeing

and began noticing how shifting her perception, her beliefs and curiously her physiology, opened up many different choices and increased her creativity too. What culminated was lifeenhancing – learning about highly pressurised organisations and their investment in their leaders and teams, utilising what’s known as ‘somatic intelligence’ at work and in people’s lives. ‘Somatics’ work with the body as well as the intellect. Debbie trained with many internationally renowned experts including Marianne Williamson, Richard StrozziHeckler, Wendy Palmer and Dr Claire Zammit PhD. Through connecting with like-minded inspiring teachers and fellow participants, listening to and following her instincts, amazing opportunities began presenting themselves. These included co-authoring an international bestselling book offering hope and inspiration to women during times of challenge and being awarded Feminine Power Coach of the Year for exceptional Transformational Coaching. As the positive impact of her discoveries began to ripple across her professional and personal life, Debbie decided to pull together what she’d learned and applied in her own life, with her corporate leadership experience in service to others. She created a platform to support leaders to align their own beliefs

I WAS EXHAUSTED, OVERWORKING, FEELING UNDERVALUED, WITH AN UNDERLYING FEELING THAT I WAS LIKELY TO ‘GET FOUND OUT’

and values both personally and professionally through Transformational Leadership Embodiment Coaching. “I was able to cultivate more resourceful leadership skills such as presence, active listening, cultivating curiosity without getting defensive, and generatively contribute to challenging interactions and meetings; when I was under pressure,” she shares. Now with her own successful business, Debbie continues to share her knowledge and deep understanding through transformational coaching and mentoring programmes, alongside transformational workshops in both corporate and personal settings in the UK and internationally. Debbie’s purpose is to empower individuals who want to shake things up to get to the next level in their work, relationships, and life in general. She also aims to support visionary leaders, who want to access transformational shifts, resulting in more fulfilled, successful and happier lives for themselves and their teams. A new life chapter can be opened with a simple inquiry into “why am I doing what I do?” and “what happens when I feel tense and shift my posture, breathe, and finally and fully let go?” Curious? If you would like to begin to experience and explore further call Debbie for an exploratory chat on 07808 783 483 or visit debbiemoorecoaching.com. NICHE | 59

SHE INSPIRES

Speakers:

BRINGS YOU A SPECIAL

Zinthiya Ganeshpanchan

Bhumika Parmar

Jenny Cross

Eileen Richards

INSPIRATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY NETWORKING

2-4

On Zoom 8 March th

We will also be announcing

something special!

Tickets available at eventbrite: eventbrite.co.uk

NICHE SPECIAL

She believed she could...

Earning a new

lifestyle After so many doors were shut for this now successful solicitor, she began opening the door for others WORDS BY KERRY SMITH

humika Parmar’s father went from riches to rags after growing up in luxury in Kenya. His family were left with almost nothing when they had to leave Africa and flee to India – but his daughter swore to reach the stars and achieve the best in life. As a British National, Bhumika’s father found his way to England and eventually married her mother. Bhumika, who now runs her own law practice, BP Legal, remembers as a child her parents working 16-hour days, seven days a week and dividing their paycheques between her and her brother to provide them with the best education. It was their dream to send their children to university. “We used to moan about not going on holiday, so my parents would fund the money for us to go on holidays with relatives whilst they worked tirelessly,” Bhumika said. She still sounds in shock as she tells me her parents’ story and can’t quite seem to believe that she’s where she is now, having come from a workingclass background. She’s built a life she’s proud of with her

husband and now they can provide a comfortable lifestyle for their children. But she’s taught them why they are in that fortunate position. “I say to them that just because they go to a nice school today, doesn’t mean it’ll be that way tomorrow, that nothing is forever, and that everything we have now came from dedication and hard work.” Bhumika and her brother were the first in the family to attend university, “It wasn’t handed to me on a plate; I worked extra hard because I was competing against people with top-class education. I sent a vast number of letters to law firms asking for experience, even just to make the teas.” By age 24 she was already a manager at a law firm and highly regarded in her field. “I became quite a catch! People were headhunting me!” But in 2008, she took the unexpected decision to take voluntary redundancy at eight months pregnant and went into consulting. When the recession hit and other firms were closing, she decided it was the perfect time to set up BP Legal. The lessons she learnt

IT WASN’T HANDED TO ME ON A PLATE, I WORKED EXTRA HARD BECAUSE I WAS COMPETING AGAINST PEOPLE WITH TOP-CLASS EDUCATION

growing up and whilst developing her career she passes on not only to her children but to other solicitor hopefuls. “So many doors were shut on me and this is why I am very open to having work experience students because I know what it was like – and I don’t make them make tea. “We have had so many trainees I’ve taken on that were then able to progress in their career. I do not look for the best grade students, I look for integrity, dedication, hard work and honesty, and that goes a long way in any field. So far, five trainees have qualified to become solicitors with me, I invest in their future and encourage their learning.” Bhumika has earnt the life her parents desired for her and she’s given back every step of the way. For opportunities, call Bhumika on 0116 2536856.

NICHE | 61

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NICHE FEATURE

Why your business needs CRM solutions Don’t persevere with CRM… flourish with it You’ve probably heard the initials CRM, but if you’re like I was before learning from an expert, you might not fully understand what it means WORDS BY KERRY SMITH

customer relationship management (CRM) system is used to achieve goals such as safely storing customer data or analysing trends in an organisation. As Remy Clarke, of Cymer Marketing Solutions, put it: “In the past, a CRM has been something for bigger corporations dealing with thousands of people a day. But even if you’re dealing with 100 people a year, you should still be using a CRM.” Instead of thinking of it as a system, Remy says it’s more of a tool or process. He helps small and medium sized businesses find the most suited provider for their line of business and trains them how to get the most out of it, but can also build an entirely new CRM from scratch if needed. Remy has worked in many industries from insurance to beauty, and even on databases for Compare the Market with a CRM database of over 30 million customers that he built targeted campaigns and customer journeys from. We asked him some commonly asked questions about CRMs.

Why do I need a CRM system?

Writing a phone number down on a beer mat is still a CRM process! There’s not really an excuse now for not having a CRM system to work from, but there does need to be a strategy to back it up. Most people will have a web presence on social media, for instance, but they don’t have those pages linked up to monitor activity in order to react to opportunity, capture that interest and follow up on it. If you’re not collecting data, you can’t report or act on it. Data should be your best friend in these times.

How much should I spend?

There are a lot of free tools now such as Monday, Zoho and HubSpot, so even if you’re a small start-up, you can get involved. They don’t cost as much to run as people think, and the return you get from it in your marketing and operations are paid back within the year in terms of business efficiency in most cases.

IF YOU ARE NOT COLLECTING DATA, YOU CAN’T REPORT OR ACT ON IT. DATA SHOULD BE YOUR BEST FRIEND IN THESE TIMES

Which CRM system should I choose?

There are hundreds of off-theshelf CRM tools on the market now. But bear in mind, providers don’t necessarily have your best interest at heart. It’s best to have someone review your organisation and how it operates in order to find the platform that works best for the functions you specifically need, rather than going with the one that comes out on top of the search engine.

Do I need someone to manage it full-time?

Some businesses will pay hundreds of thousands of pounds and still use their CRM tool like a spreadsheet, missing out on all the reasons why they should have it in the first place. You can have staff trained up on how to use them properly so everyone can use it. Or you can have someone come in to oversee and check up on it every month. There are lots of avenues, you don’t need a fulltime person in. For more information on CRM solutions visit cymermarketing.co.uk. NICHE | 63

NICHE BUSINESS

Marketing Forum

EFFECTIVE OUTDOOR SIGNAGE JASTIN PATEL Co-Founder & Commercial Director at Golden Media

OUT-OF-HOME ADVERTISING IS BOOMING Despite the numerous lockdowns, out-of-home advertising is still vital as it provides 24/7 exposure. People are still driving and walking past strategically placed advertisements in and around the city. Using outdoor advertising is arguably the most effective form of exposure for any brand, product or service. There is no avoiding it meaning it always has an audience. Even if passers-by don’t realise it, they have noticed your branding – it’s a subconscious touchpoint that raises awareness of your company and its messaging. Being seen on billboards, buses, and other locations such as train stations and supermarkets, provides your business with a relatable, trustworthy image, so much so that it almost rivals television advertising. Did you know that… ◆ People spend more than 70% of their time out of their homes ◆ 40% of consumers admit to specifically visiting a store or restaurant after seeing an outdoor billboard advert ◆ Outdoor advertising usually delivers a better ROI than other platforms ◆ 69% of consumers make purchasing decisions when out of their home We are adept at creating opportunities in new found places which were not previously considered, helping both existing and potential new clients explore original creative possibilities. The Golden Media Group are experienced In putting ideas Into action ensuring a lasting and memorable impact on your target audiences. 64 | NICHE

With such a huge emphasis placed on digital advertising, it can be hard to get your brand noticed. Outdoor advertising gets your brand out there and catches the attention of your prospects. Here are our top tips for creating effective outdoor signage: Location, location, location. You may have a brilliantly designed sign that perfectly represents your company; however, what’s the use if it can’t be seen? Ensure it’s visible and unlikely to be obstructed by nature so that it demands attention. Use bold colours. Choosing bold, contrasting colours is pivotal to the success of your outdoor advertising campaign. This can improve advertising recall by 38%. Placing a darker colour on a light background will grab your prospect’s attention. Pick a suitable material. The key to an effective business sign is picking a great material to print it on. Aluminium Dibond signage is a fantastic option for

CHRIS GOODMAN Managing Director at Soar Valley Press long-term signage, whereas Foamex signs are great for short-medium term outdoor promotions. State the benefit to your customer. What problems do your products/ services solve? Do your products help your clients save money or time? Let them know! Appealing directly to your customers’ problems will ensure they understand your product and how you can help them. Think outside the box. As with any advertising campaign, thinking outside the box will get your advert seen. Brainstorm ideas you think your target audience will find valuable, appealing or amusing and use these in your signage campaigns.

DATA IS YOUR BEST FRIEND REMY CLARKE Director at Cymer Marketing Solutions Data Management is not always top of mind for all businesses, but it’s such an essential part of an organisation to operate effectively, especially when it comes to customer relationship management (CRM). Maybe it’s seen as an IT requirement, or deemed a technical aspects of certain systems – either way, data surrounds us and it’s too precious to ignore or hope for the best. Something as simple as the formatting of addresses can lose you potential business opportunities. For example, having address data as a single field can lead to the following issues difficulty segmenting them, or if you want to target specific towns, cities or postcodes, or problems if each user inputs addresses differently leading to additional work to cleanse, especially if dealing with thousands

of records. That’s just a sample on a single field, the problem multiplies with every field of data captured. Good data management is the foundation of great CRM. Data is the Achilles Heel of most CRM strategies, exposing flaws in operational workflows, impacting on marketing campaign effectiveness, and driving customer dissatisfaction with poor data management practices. Whether you’re running a startup with 50 records or an established business with 50,000 records, working with poor data will cause issues with communications, restrict visibility of potential opportunities, and produce inefficiencies in business processes. Three questions can provide the framework to having better data management: 1 Where does your data comes from? 2 How is the data collected used? 3 Which operations use the data? Remember, data is a business leader’s best friend – what is yours trying to tell you?

NICHE FEATURE

Keeping creativity

alive

After three lockdowns, for most of us our creativity may have waned – but for one Leicester creative design agency, creativity has flowed and their clients have felt the rewards

esign agency One Creative stayed true to their company name in their 10th year of business by maintaining a high level of support for their existing clients and the creativity to support new ones too. “I produced an e-zine for the local business community,” says Creative Director, Stephen Walker. “It was a way that we could showcase the work that we do whilst providing ways to help and support businesses with their marketing ideas and even to spark them creatively through difficult times. “With many cutting their marketing budgets back in March of last year, we wanted to come up with ways to help

them market their business through the tougher times. We adapted and learnt new design software to help our clients moving forward, such as interactive PDFs and ‘moving’ design literature.” Stephen and his locally sourced team have worked together to overcome and grow from the challenges that the pandemic has presented. He cites “a hard-working and flexible approach to change” in addition to their nine years of experience as a company, as factors which have made them more resourceful than ever. One Creative are akin to an in-house design team

and remain highly committed to that whilst aligning values with those that they work with – “especially after such a tough year for everyone”, Stephen adds. In addition to supporting businesses, One Creative have supplied their skills for no charge to Leicestershire Action for Mental Health Project (LAMP) at a time when the charity’s work is particularly vital. Take a look at their web, design and print services at onecreative.me.uk.

10,000 businesses to receive

free advertising for life Spotted App creator offers free adverting in celebration of one-year anniversary

potted App was a hit through the unprecedented year of 2020, and what better way to celebrate its first anniversary with free advertising for life for 10,000 businesses? Usually, the app costs just 99p per month, but every penny understandably counts for businesses that might be struggling to survive the pandemic. Midlands-based entrepreneur, John Whitbread, launched The Spotted App back in January 2020 to allow businesses to connect with consumers without having to rely on social media alone or the interference of predictive algorithms. Now, he wants to give back to UK businesses by offering free, life-long membership to 10,000 businesses when they sign up. John told us: “Of course, when you hear of free advertising, it sounds too good to be true. But there is no catch to this, no commission, no cost – a real opportunity not to be missed. We want to help local communities and local businesses through what has been a really hard year. The Spotted App is a fair directory, treating all businesses the same and giving them all equal opportunities – to not

only survive, but thrive too.” John spotted a huge need to support local businesses and to focus on what was important – fairness, affordability and bringing back a sense of community. The app was designed to overcome the frustrations which can arise when searching for a product or service online; frustrations caused by the fact that the technology behind the scenes is trying to second-guess exactly what the user is seeking. Spotted App is free to download from the App Store or Google Play.

JOIN FOR FREE

Book a mastermind session: www.volta.blue

NICHE FEATURE

ABOVE: DAVID JOHNSON-RAYNER WITH WES MORGAN AND GIFTON NOEL-WILLIAMS. RIGHT: DEAN WESTON

The importance of

Grassroots sport Grassroots sports will have a more important role than ever in the post-lockdown world, asserts Dean Western, founder of Mini Warriors

x-British Army soldier, personal trainer, and bootcamp master, Dean Weston’s belief is that grassroots sports will be vital in the recovery of both the physical and mental health effects of lockdown. Dean said: “I see the importance of completing tasks and achieving goals in relation to fitness within the bootcamp sessions alongside the many positive results that has on players’ mental health. “Pre-pandemic I could see how good it makes people feel to push themselves and achieve. Post-Pandemic this will be more important than ever.” You can hear in his voice the passion for grassroots sports. Dean is an ambassador for mental and physical health – amongst children, young people and adults. He’s the founder of Mini Warriors, a fitness bootcamp working with children, adults, schools and alternative education schemes. Visiting schools for sessions and running regular boot camps, Mini Warriors creates the ideal platform for all to have fun whilst increasing fitness levels and pushing each individual to what

they believe is their limit – and then pushing them some more. In January this year, Dean was approached by Koi Sports founder David Johnson-Rayner to become an Elite Champion for the community interest company. The appointment was made in recognition of Dean’s shared mindset with the type of work that Koi Sports CIC does after they saw first-hand the direct impact Mini Warriors has within the local community. “I was thrilled to have been invited to join Koi Sports as an Elite Champion. The organisation’s initiative to provide funding, support and advice to the community and its grassroots is second to none. I couldn’t be prouder to be part of a growing network of inspirational businesses and individuals like this,” says Dean. “Good, well managed physical exercise promotes discipline, respect, dedication, determination, pride, and resilience whilst getting you out into the fresh air. Having been restricted for so long due to the pandemic, it’s even more important than ever that we look

GOOD, WELL MANAGED PHYSICAL EXERCISE PROMOTES DISCIPLINE, RESPECT, DEDICATION, PRIDE AND RESILIENCE WHILST GETTING KIDS OUT INTO THE FRESH AIR

after our wellbeing.” Koi Sports was founded on November 1, 2018 by David with a view to drive commercial investment into grassroots sports in order to impact positive social change. Their mission has always been to bring the sports and private sectors closer together to benefit both. David told us: “The impact is all about improving physical and mental health within communities, engaging with different people and ensuring the grassroots sector becomes a much safer and more affordable place to play – not just in the UK but across the globe.” Through corporate threetiered membership at Koi Sports CIC, businesses and individuals can support the unique and increasingly vital work they do in the local community. This nurtured the UK’s grassroots sports to create healthier communities and tomorrow’s champions. And right now, your membership will be more valuable than ever. Visit koisports.co.uk to see how you and your business can get involved by becoming Koi Sports CIC members. NICHE | 67

Read All About It The must-read works of local authors and novelists WORDS BY KERRY SMITH

n the same way that supporting local shops, markets and businesses aid the local economy, so does backing local artists. Specifically, we’re talking to writers from Leicester this issue. We’ve got to know the locally-living authors behind titles in science fiction, self-help, business, and other genres. And, as good as it is helping out those local writers and independent book stores, reading their works is also great for your own mental stimulation, stress reduction, knowledge intake, memory improvement, and entertainment, as well as your own writing skills whether for a creative or working capacity. Plus, reading the works of local authors can help you to feel connected to your

community. Their work may captivate you even more if you recognise references to a local street name, company, or local event or occurrence. You could learn more about local history, even if it’s not a book on the subject. It’s also more likely that you’ll meet a local author who has the time to talk to you and discuss the book that you valued so much. Leicester is lucky to have many literary figures and local names printed on the covers of many books, from Sue Townsend, author of the famous Adrian Mole books, to Graham Chapman, comedian, author and Monty Python member, and all the lesser known artists in between. We’re giving them the spotlight in this section. Read all about them here.

The Entrepreneur Escape Plan The most recently released publication in our local authors guide is Jas Darar’s The Entrepreneur Escape Plan

ublished in January of this year, The Entrepreneur Escape Plan: How To Own The Business And Not The Other Way Around is Jas Darar’s first book and he says holding a printed copy in his hands has “given me the writing bug”. The Derby-born author, who now lives in Long Whatton in north west Leicestershire, has been a business coach since 2007 and loves developing people in ways that enable them to reach their full potential. So it’s entirely apt that he named his business REACH Business Coaching. His first published book combines his experiences as a business coach with the model he has developed over the years: The Cycle of Business Success, which includes ‘Mastery, Growth, Leverage, and Team’. “It’s aimed at small to medium68 | NICHE

sized business owners, managers, and anyone thinking of starting a business. This collection of people are the backbone of our country and should get the best opportunities, but more often than not, they get the worst end of the deal. I am here to support them,” Jas told us. “I have taken everything I would go through with a small to mediumsized business owner and put it into a step by step, easy-to-understand process. In addition, I have also made available all of the templates I believe that business owners should be using in the various aspects of running their businesses.” Equipped with all his coaching wisdom and professional encounters, it took Jas just over a year to write The Entrepreneur Escape Plan – and he told us the writing part of having

a book published was the easiest bit. Whilst he says it feels “surreal” to be a published author, he told us: “Even if my book helps just one person, it will have been worth it.” On what inspired Jas to write the book, he said: “My limitation was the time I had available to help people. The book means anyone, anywhere in the world, at any time, can get help.” The Entrepreneur Escape Plan is available to buy from Amazon.

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Be better have fun

Three questions. That’s all it takes to shed light on your dark mindset. But it takes reading Update by Chet Patel to truly understand it and come to terms with it at your own pace WORDS BY KERRY SMITH

f you could seek to upgrade your mind, what three questions would you ask right now? Because if you’re lucky enough to speak to ‘be better’ coach Chet Patel, you’re going to have the opportunity to reel them off to him. On the spot, I blurted out questions about the most important relationships in my life and Chet made it apparent that each one revolved around my past, which has created anxieties that have darkened my mindset. “Anxiety is the unknown,” he told me. “Anxiety is created by our imagination generating lots of alternative ‘what ifs’. Reducing anxiety is making the unknown known. The lockdown has created a lot of opportunities to reflect and this is the best time to unlock the mind, decode the problems and find solutions that will create a better tomorrow.” In Chet’s first published book Update, he uses dark and light – personified by characters Adrian and Dawn – to explain the difference between fixed and growth mindsets. Beware, readers, it’s harsh. Get ready for

a serious reality check, because while at first you might fight back at being compared to the dark mindset that is Adrian, you’ll learn to accept that he – if only one part of him – lives within you. And that’s OK. As long as you’re always updating like Dawn, Chet tells us that it’s OK to have a dark mindset from time to time. It’s part of the process. The extremely up-to-date book is aimed at minds that are aware of their emotions and focuses on modern-day problems, unhappiness and social media anxiety. To relate, the concept art was even designed by his 14-year-old daughter Leila. “All my clients are business owners, but really it’s when you’re between 21 and 30 years old that you need a coach. That’s when the mind starts to buffer and overthink.” He says he’s written the book purely to create hope for people to take control of their future today. You only have one mind, he says, but with many versions to update differently a happier and more fulfilling life

ANXIETY IS CREATED BY OUR IMAGINATION GENERATING LOTS OF ALTERNATIVE ‘WHAT IFS’. REDUCING ANXIETY IS MAKING THE UNKNOWN KNOWN

can be created. “People need to stop chasing, stop consuming, and start creating their own unique version of happiness.” Chet added: “It’s for those people who are mindful and want to start the journey of selfdiscovery and become more light minded. It’s full of tools and strategies that help minds focus on solutions that allow people to achieve happier outcomes and strengthen their mental wellbeing.” It’s a book that actually made me want to put it down more than read, to get up and do the things I love doing. I even started painting again after years of talking myself out of it. I like to think I’m starting to be more like Dawn each day; unlocking, updating, and ultimately, upgrading to be better. Get your three questions ready for if you ever come across Chet Patel, he wants to hear them. Update can be purchased online on Amazon and by direct message on Instagram @Chet_ud. NICHE | 69

Discovering rats in the capital

An ex-environmental officer used the incredible sights he witnessed on the job to write his latest novel WORDS BY KERRY SMITH

sudden neurological illness meant Oliver Lea-Wilson could no longer sit or stand. It took hold of him in 2013 and saw him lose his job as an environmental officer. He spent the next four years typing into his phone. He had always been a writer. But when he experienced a miraculous recovery in 2017, he felt inspired to become a copywriter and write his latest novel. “When I had the illness, I didn’t know if I would ever be able to sit up and write again,” Oliver told me. “When I got better, against all the odds, I knew I wanted to make writing the main part of my life. Not just do it after work.” Before his illness, Oliver – who writes his fiction works under the pen

name of Will Mason – composed short stories and novels in his spare time. “I’ve always been interested in writing and telling stories. I think I was six when I decided I wanted to write a book.” After his recovery, Oliver gained a Diploma in Copywriting and set up his own business, Copywriter One. At the same time, he continued to write fiction. In total, he’s written four novels. And his short fiction has been published in the US by Interstellar and Under the Bed magazines. While he’s not had any of his earlier novels published, the latest is being submitted to literary agents across the UK. Rats in the Capital is set in London and tells the story of an environmental enforcement officer. Tackling rogue

landlords by day, he fights his own demons at night. But hordes of murderous rats are rising from the sewers to take the streets. While working as an environmental officer in London, Oliver saw a huge disparity between the lives of the rich and poor. “Fiction is a great way of telling the truth about a particular subject. And it’s great escapism,” he said. Oliver used his experiences as inspiration to write the manuscript, which we hope to see published soon. In the meantime, for more information about Oliver’s copywriting services, visit copywriterone.com.

‘The most powerful way to lead’ The unique emotional intelligence model, which was originally created for coaching leaders, that unintentionally became a way of life WORDS BY KERRY SMITH

ormer HR director, Sarah Higgins is a CIPD Fellow, and professionally qualified executive and leadership team coach. She started her own business, Sarah Higgins Corporate Coaching Ltd, in 2011 and created Power of Love Leadership® to give leaders clarity about barriers they were facing and meaningful actions to practice and implement. With clients including finance workers, universities and construction, she said: “Clients found the model really helpful to understand how the challenges they were facing were affected by fear and applying the seven love-based strategies to

70 | NICHE

overcome them. “Love in this context is about mitigating day to day fears at work. Things like worry, doubt, guilt, frustration, and resentment can be overcome with humility, hope, gratitude, forgiveness, and learning. Leaders have found the benefits include greater resilience, motivation, creativity, emotional intelligence, trust, and employee engagement.” After creating the model for leadership clients, Sarah began using it herself after experiencing three consecutive miscarriages. She commented: “I decided that to be authentic in my service, I should use the methodology for myself. It

can help us to be more effective in leading ourselves as well as others.” In fact, Sarah has used the model for nine years – with leaders, but also in her own life and with her daughter. She also used the strategies, to keep finding courage whenever she felt self-doubt in her book-writing. “It is challenging to create something new and put it out into the world, but Power of Love Leadership® is about understanding fear and finding more efficient emotions and helpful strategies.” Power of Love Leadership® is available from all good bookstores and Amazon. Find out more at powerofloveleadership.com.

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For the forgotten

women

A charity founder has written several books to give a voice to women who have fled violence WORDS BY AMY MARSHALL

have a strong desire to improve the lives of women and girls,” says Zinthiya Ganeshpanchan, founder of charity Zinthiya Trust which works to alleviate poverty and abuse. She incorporates the experiences of women fleeing violence and the challenges of running a women’s organisation to write her books. Zinthiya grew up in a small village close to the world famous city of Kandy in Sri Lanka. Growing up with a passion for reading, she would read any newspaper or book that she could get her hands on. Even the walk to and from the train stationto get to school

didn’t stop her and she maintains the habit now when she uses any form of public transport. This is what has driven Zinthiya to embark on a writing journey, who has published two books and is working on a third. It gives Zinthiya a huge sense of achievement having been published twice already, with each book having taken an average of three to four years to write. Her second book, named Women and Conflict: Looking at Women’s Experiences During the Times of Conflict (a case study of Sri Lanka) published in 2016, highlights the issues that have come to define modern conflict. She says: “Both my published books are about the real-life experiences of

disadvantaged or forgotten women who often have no voice. “While I am in no way qualified to talk for them, what I can do is talk with them and raise awareness about their lives with their permission, and that is why I believe my books are important. They document social histories that are easy to forget but should be remembered.” Zinthiya’s books aim to raise awareness of some of the hard issues that many avoid speaking of, or that we can turn a blind eye to. Her desire is to challenge the “emotional laziness” that many of us have but may not admit to, and to be a voice for the voiceless women who are often disadvantaged and forgotten.

Home Information

Help! Where do I turn it off? Dr Arthur Lyons has a postgraduate diploma from De Montfort University – but this is a straightforward, practical guide to the services in your home WORDS BY EMILY MILLER

n author of books on buildings and architecture within the UK, Dr Arthur Lyons’ published titles include Materials for Architects and Builders which is now a standard student textbook on construction materials and The Architecture of the Universities of Leicester currently in its fourth edition. He has contributed to other significant building texts including The Metric Handbook, The Construction Materials Reference Book and The Manual of Construction Materials. And now, in 2019, he has written a handbook for every homeowner entitled Home Information. The book is a concise and handy document which is an essential for every homeowner, tenant, or landlord. Written with no fluff and extra bits, the booklet helps

you record the locations of critical service points within your home. By filling in the booklet with your home’s information, when any difficulty or emergency comes up it can easily be resolved. By then leaving the booklet at an easily accessible place, anyone working within your home, such as carers, electricians or plumbers can get to the information fast. Diagrams and brief descriptions of each of these points in the home can be found, as well as ample space for the information unique to your home to be recorded. A fellow of the Higher Education Academy and an honorary life member of the Leicestershire and Rutland Society of Architects, Arthur maintains his links to housing and building

construction through De Montfort University, where he is an honorary research fellow, and by liaison with local, national and international building materials manufacturers. Get your copy of this essential home guide at homeinfobooklet.co.uk or email Arthur on lowbarn@hotmail.com. UK Price £4.99 + 70p p&p. For discounted bulk purchases, email Arthur. NICHE | 71

Reviewed:

Leicester authors A selection of works by local writers reviewed and recommended WORDS BY BECCI HOULSTON

fter a year stuck indoors, many business owners, creatives and budding authors took to the pages of their own stories. A survey by Nielsen Book revealed that people in the UK have almost doubled the amount of time they spend reading books since lockdown began. So, with new readers and new writers among us, it was only right for us to celebrate some local novelists across Leicestershire in this issue. Writing a book provides authors with an opportunity to publish something on a subject that’s important to them. It’s a way of expressing creativity whilst sharing a message with others. In Leicester, we have had the pleasure of being a place to call home for some famous writers, from broadcaster and natural historian David Attenborough through to playwright Joe Orton. Some of our other favourite local authors include: Do The Next Thing Next: Takes Your Landscaping Business to the Next Level Even if You’re Working 15 Hours Every Day by Barry Randall The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 ¾ by Sue Townsend The Basil Who Built Bridges by Tom Willday Jemima Small Versus The Universe by Tasmin Winter Finally Leicester by David Smith Happiness and How it Happens: Finding Contentment Through Mindfulness by Suryacitta Malcom Smith A Month To Improve Your Sales by Rob Spence 72 | NICHE

Chinese Takeaway Cookbook: From Chop Suey to Sweet ‘n’ Sour, Over 70 Recipes to Re-create Your Favourites by Kwoklyn Wan Bodies as Sites of War: Women and Conflict a Case of Sri Lanka by Zinthiya Ganeshpanchan I Can. I Will.: My Story of Overcoming Abuse, Disability and Racism by Mark Esho The Entrepreneur Escape: How to Own the Business and Not the Other Way Around Plan by Jas Darar Power of Love Leadership: 7 Proven Strategies to Drive Success, Maximise Results and Inspire Compassion and Trust by Sarah Higgins Update 2020: Unlock Your Happiness, Update Differently and Upgrade to a Light Mind by Chet Patel The short stories and novels of Will Mason The Architecture of the Universities of Leicester by Arthur Lyons The Decisive Element: Unleashing Praise and Positivity in Schools by Gary Toward We are prone to picking up a good book here at Niche Magazine, whether that’s for entertainment or educational purposes. Our Editor, Kerry Smith and Lead Generation Consultants Sally Smith, Jake Elliot, and Stacey Wragg have put their reading caps on to take a look at a few local Leicestershire authors that have published their works, helping help you to choose your next read while supporting local arts and authors at the same time.

NICHE FEATURE

These bite-size reviews will help you choose your next read Update by Chet Patel Ever noticed you’ve wasted so much time in your day scrolling through endless social media posts? If you’re wanting to change your negative habits and are ready to open your mind and see the light, then this easy-to-read selfhelp book is for you. It’s aimed at those in their teens or twenties but resonates with anyone of any age who suffers from a ‘dark mindset’. It’s current, it’s relatable, it’s one you’ll want to stop reading to go and start living.

The Entrepreneur Escape Plan by Jas Darar Ever wish you had a self-development book that will enhance your skillset as an entrepreneur and see the results as you read on? This book helps you get into the mindset of being a successful entrepreneur while having a sustainable and profitable business but least not forgetting that healthy work-life balance, taking you on a journey of your beliefs, mindset, organisation, prioritisation and discipline. If the book wasn’t helpful enough this well thought out journey includes downloadable activities throughout to help you hold yourself accountable and implement what you learn.

Home Information by Arthur Lyons This is a must-have if you are moving into a new home. You will realise how unfamiliar you are with the everyday items in your home environment. If something goes wrong, the first thing we do costs us money – from emergency plumbers to electricians – but this home bible for moving will

ensure you know everything you need to, ultimately, saving you money in the long run. This is an informative read with great images throughout so you are not needing to run off to search on the internet for help. Everything you need to know is at your fingertips. This is an essential buy for anyone starting out on the property ladder.

Power of Love Leadership by Sarah Higgins Knowing I have more potential but having no clue where to start, this book gave a real insight into practical ideas that I could visualise actually doing and working! Sarah’s years of working and living by the strategies in this book show and give you a real sense of drive. You will find yourself taking pause to reset and looking at your self-development to be able to lead from the front. The seven love strategies business model teach you to be an authentic leader who can express and share with your team to create an empowering environment to all thrive together. It is one book that you will want to have your highlighters at the ready for and read time and time again as you change and evolve throughout your journey implementing the process.

Bodies at Sites of Wars by Zinthiya Ganeshpanchan Real life experiences of women are recollected in this hard-hitting look at women and conflict, specifically in Sri Lanka. While the author admits she is nowhere near qualified to speak for them, with their permission, she gives them a voice. This is a document of social histories that are easy to forget but should be remembered. It speaks about society’s backward step from once embracing women’s equality and the conflicts women face in the modern day. This will challenge the “emotional laziness” many of us are guilty of and open up a dialogue for women of today. NICHE | 73

NICHE PROPERTY

Forum

NARINDER NIJJAR Co-Director at The Lettings & Sales Business

PROPERTY MARKET OVERVIEW

Breathing space

for tenants in debt We spoke to ‘The Property Professionals’ Jaz Kaur and Narinder Nijjar of The Lettings & Sales Business to find out more about the new ‘breathing space’ law affecting landlords

ew regulations designed to help people in debt will come into play this year. It means that landlords will need to be up to date with how the regulations affect their business. The Debt Respite Scheme, or “breathing space” law, will come into play on May 4, 2021. It will allow those in debt some breathing space and legal protection for a number of days. This will include tenants in rent arrears.

What will that mean for you as a landlord?

There will be two versions of the breathing space: the “standard” breathing space and the “mental health crisis” breathing space.

The standard breathing space

This will give tenants legal protection for up to 60 days. Such legal protection covers “pausing most enforcement action and contact from creditors and freezing most interest and charges on their debts,” as stated on the Government website.

The mental health crisis breathing space

This will cover the time a tenant is in treatment for their mental health, plus an additional 30 days from when the treatment ends, no matter the duration of their treatment. All of the above means landlords won’t be able to take any legal action against tenants in rent arrears, nor will they be able to contact them to ask for payment during the breathing space. As a landlord, there are so many things to consider when it comes to managing your properties; whether you have one property or 50. At The Lettings and Sales Business, we’re up to date on all industry updates, regulations, and schemes and we are here to help you and guide you through the process. 74 | NICHE

When the stamp duty land tax initiative (SDLT) ends in March, and the furlough scheme in April, I believe there will be a natural slowdown in sales completions. There will come a ‘levelling out’ of the property market due to an artificially high-value market driven by factors such as SDLT. Despite this, my personal forecast is that we’ll see a 1% average increase in property prices in the first two quarters of 2021. The type of property sought by home-hunters has altered. Commuters are relocating from larger cities like London to more family-friendly areas such as Southampton or Leicester. As well, consideration of outdoor and home office spaces has made its way to the forefront of people’s minds. This may see prices remain high for a time, which could go hand in hand with a decline in London prices. For first-time buyers (FTB), lenders may now be finding smaller deposits risky as we are seeing them removing some products once aimed at these buyers. In some circumstances, FTBs may now need a deposit as high as 40%. The rental market is robust, more so than the sales scene. After the financial crisis in 2009, house prices fell by 18% while rental fell by just 2% – will history repeat itself in this way in 2021? The only landlords who might suffer are those with student properties and tenancies dependant on the education sector and potential lockdown restrictions hampering campus based learning. In terms of advice, I always think buying in a downward moving market is best. This is always a good time to negotiate a deal as sellers are more open to offers; a ‘better strike while the iron’s hot’ mindset is usually adopted in these times as sellers don’t know when the market will actually hit rock bottom and are more receptive to a ‘deal’. Now on to Brexit…

THE LETTINGS & SALES BUSINESS

WE’VE MOVED With much more space available to us in our new offices, we’re fully equipped to be able to welcome you at a socially safe distance

We can help you with: Mortgage advice Finding a solicitor Conveyancing Buildings insurance Rent guarantee insurance Landlords’ insurances Landlords’ end of year accounts

Not just another agent Come and see us at our new address: 15 Allandale Road, Leicester, LE2 2DA

Local: 0116 296 9699 National: 0300 124 5656

info@letsandsalesuk.com

Total knee replacement. At Nuffield Health Leicester hospital. Total Knee Replacement (TKR) is a significant operation but one of the most common orthopaedic procedures, with over 84,653 operations performed during 2011 alone and this number is rising each year. Many people require this type of surgery and thankfully it has a very high rate of success. The most common cause of damage to your knee is arthritis. One in particular – osteoarthritis (known as wear and tear arthritis) can set in over time and cause pain and stiffness.

What is Osteoarthritis? There are two common types of cartilage in the knee surgeons refer to: The first type is the MENISCUS – 2 cartilage cushions or ‘menisci’ between the thigh bone (femur) and the shin bone (tibia). The menisci help the knee to function properly by bearing load and weight, absorbing shock, stabilising the joint and providing lubrication. The second type is ARTICULAR CARTILAGE which covers the surface bone ends of the femur, tibia and patella (knee cap) to reduce friction and cushion the joint to aid load distribution. Osteoarthritis, or degenerative joint disease, is the most common type of arthritis often due to ‘wear and tear’ or damage of this smooth articular cartilage surface which becomes irregular, fissured and may fall off revealing the underlying bone. If this happens, the underlying bones can rub together, producing the pain typical of arthritis. It causes pain in the joints and surrounding soft tissues and limits the range of movement and function of a joint. There are several factors which contribute to the development of osteoarthritis, including age, being overweight, heavy manual jobs, genetic factors, and joint damage from a previous injury. Severe arthritis can interfere with activities of daily living and limits lifestyle. The severe pain of osteoarthritis can be very disabling.

Healthy knee joint

Osteoarthritus

What are the treatment options? There is no cure for arthritis, so beware of ‘miracle cures’. The first step is to preserve the knee and avoid surgery if possible. Initial treatment of osteoarthritis focuses on decreasing pain and improving joint movement with a balance of rest and exercise, avoiding vigorous weight-bearing activities. Patients are given individualised treatment plans which may consist of:

• Education and understanding.

• Physiotherapy and/or heat or cold treatments.

• Exercises to keep joints flexible and improve muscle strength.

• Weight control to prevent extra stress on weight bearing joints.

• Joint protection, to prevent stress or strain on painful joints e.g. knee supports or braces, cushioned insoles, and orthotics.

• Injections of Hyaluronic acid or Steroids into the joint. Steroids improve symptoms by reducing the inflammation within the arthritic joint. Hyaluronic acid preparations are available which can be injected into joints affected by osteoarthritis to relieve pain, restore lubrication and cushioning, improving joint function.

• Medicines: eg: anti-inflammatory gels, the use of non- steroidal anti-inflammatory tablets (eg: Neurofen or Naprosyn), non-narcotic analgesics such as paracetamol. Alternative medicines such as Glucosamine and Chondroitin and cod liver oil.

What about Surgery? Simple arthroscopic or key-hole surgery may be appropriate if there are mechanical problems within your knee joint such as catching, locking, swelling or giving way. Correcting the mechanical damage may prevent further deterioration of your knee. In some cases, surgery will not be able to reverse the damage which has already occurred. In severe cases, surgery may be suggested, such as knee replacement which can give good results. The type of surgery will depend on your age and severity of the disease. The knee joint is made up of three compartments, the patellofemoral (kneecap) and medial (inside) and lateral (outside) compartments between the femur and tibia (ie: the long bones of the leg). Often only one of these compartments wears out, usually the medial one. If you have symptoms and X-ray findings suggestive of this then you may be suitable for a Unicompartmental or Partial Knee Replacement procedure where only the damaged part of the knee joint is replaced through a smaller incision (minimally invasive surgery) than would normally be used for a Total Knee Replacement. The aim is to keep the patient mobile and active with more rapid rehabilitation and greater activity at an earlier stage following an operation. A Total Knee Replacement (TKR) is an operation where the arthritic knee joint is resurfaced with artificial metal surfaces (cobalt chrome or titanium) secured with bone cement and a plastic insert cushion between these metal surfaces. Sometimes the surface of the Patella (kneecap) is worn and if it is badly damaged this is resurfaced (with plastic) as well. The surgery starts with an incision over

If you require further information please, call 0116 2982612 email Leicester.enquiry@nuffieldhealth.com or visit nuffieldhealth.com/hospitals/leicester

the knee which exposes the joint. Special guides and precision instruments are used to remove the damaged surfaces and create the fit for the implants. The implant is then secured to the bone(s). It may be necessary to re-align the surrounding knee ligaments to achieve the best knee function. Once the components are fixed in place and the knee is balanced and stable, the incision will be closed. You are likely to benefit from TKR if your pain is severe and interferes with day-to-day activities. This includes severe knee pain and stiffness that limits mobility and function or severe pain that disturbs your sleep. 80-90% of individuals who undergo Total Knee Replacement experience a dramatic reduction of knee pain and a significant improvement in movement and the ability to perform the common activities of everyday life. Many patients get back to exercise (swimming and dancing) and sports such as golf, cycling and social tennis. Your range of movement, muscle strength and pain should continue to improve during the first year after surgery.

Anterior view of the right knee. Femur Articular cartilage

Lateral collateral ligament Lateral meniscus

Anterior cruciate ligament Medial meniscus Medial collateral ligament

Fibula

Tibia

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SHO Original 2.0 From £19.99

Keep your drink cold all day. Personalise with a name or message. shoreusable.com

Gift Guide

Mother’s Day

The Leicester Gift Card £5-£500

Redeemable at top high street brands, independant retailers, restaurants and venues. theleicestergiftcard.com

Dr.PAWPAW Lip Mask £8.95

Vegan and cruelty-free, the gel-like texture melts into the lips for smoother and more defined lips. drpawpaw.com

BLOOM Collagen £38.40

Delivers the glow-giving benefits of 10,000 mg of Peptan® liquid marine collagen. youngliving.com/en_GB 78 | NICHE

Young Living Citrus Fresh® Energising Shower Steamers £25.07

Farhi Bonbonnieres £15

Dewdrop Diffuser £80.96

Young Living Stress Away Roll-On £37.41

Let the peppy scent float through your shower steam. Vegan friendly. youngliving.com/en_GB

Up to 10 hours of continuous diffusion, filling the air with the alluring scent of essential oils. youngliving.com/en_GB

Hand painted bonbonnieres, filled with a choice of chocolates and nuts. farhi.co.uk, Selfridges and Harrods

Vanilla, lime, and ocotea with copaiba essential oil. youngliving.com/en_GB

Jane Scrivner Reed Diffusers From £39 Choose from Revive, Peace and Cleanse. janescrivner.com

Cranes Gin £32

Smooth and fruity, yet delightfully sharp cranberry gin. Amazon, Ocado and drinkcranes.shop

The Secret Garden gift box£29.95

The Apothecary Rose and the Pink Elderflower and Jasmine sugar free gin. Available at theoldcuriosity.co.uk

MAC. By Brookie’s £36

A versatile little nutter made from roasted macadamia nuts and toasted Australian wattleseed. majestic.co.uk

Arran Candle from £9 arran.com

Sea Change Prosecco Rosé £12.99

Elegant rose with summer berry fruits. seachangewine.com

Paco Rabanne Lady Million Eau de Parfum Spray 80ml £67.99

The After the Rain 100ml Eau De Toilette £40 arran.com

Notes of limoncello and peony with caramel, benzoin, honey and musk. perfumedirect.com

Body Care Gift Sets £28 Coconut-Lime Replenishing Body Butter £31.05 Mango and cupuacu butters to give your skin a luxurious, smooth feel. youngliving.com/en_GB

300ml bath and shower gel and 200ml body lotion. arran.com

Gift Box Builder From £60

Hand-pick the bath, body and home fragrance items of your choice, add your personalised message.arran.com

Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea for Two £35.00

Send a gift to celebrate your mother remotely with our wonderful new afternoon tea. With light fluffy scones, new limited edition loaf cakes, decadent savoury pastries, and mini chocolate bars. pigletspantry.co.uk NICHE | 79

MOTORING

Electrifying Electric vehicles (EVs) are the future, say Glenfield Electrical. They explain why here

ou’ve probably heard by now that in 2030 – the sale of combustion engine vehicles is going to be banned. So now is the perfect time to invest in an electric car. Here’s a few reasons why you should pull the trigger and make the investment: 1 Electric vehicles are 72% cheaper per mile than conventional combustion engine cars according to motoring website Nimble Fins. What could cutting your fuel costs by almost three quarters do for your finances? Not to mention, saving the time it takes to go and fill your car up at a petrol station.

2 They’re quiet. The efficiency and reduced drag of electric vehicles means driving one is virtually silent. A future without road noise isn’t far away. 3 The charging technology needed to support electric cars is constantly advancing, with rapid chargers now able to help you get onto the road faster. 4 You can drastically reduce the price of EV charger installation by getting a government backed OZEV (Office for Zero Emission Vehicles) grant for your home or workplace.

For more information give us a call today on 0116 287 3226

80 | NICHE

NICHE FEATURE

Motoring on through lockdown

A car leasing company has swapped lively shared offices for the peace and quiet of a rural setting mid-pandemic

etting up your own business in the motoring industry after working for the likes of Mercedes-Benz and Ferrari was a dream come true for Paul Stephenson of Vehicle Consulting Leicester. Smashing it at business networking group BNI each week has come naturally to him. And upping sticks in the middle of a global crisis? No problem. Feeling grateful, he said: “The last 12 months have been our best in seven years. All businesses were in the same storm in 2020, just different boats. Fortunately for us, we thrived. We’ve put this down to maintaining customer contact and social media, and quite simply, doing what we say we will do.” The local company, run by Paul and his wife Jayne, moved Vehicle Consulting Leicester from the city where they were sharing offices with 30 other businesses to Grange Farm Business Park in Newtown Unthank.

“Many would think moving offices in the middle of a pandemic was crazy but to be honest, it was a breeze. We completed the move in under 48 hours,” Jayne said. “We decided that for our own and customers’ wellbeing, we needed our own office rather than working from home after the shared offices closed. The farm is a fabulous place to work and will be great to welcome customers back to when restrictions are lifted as we have ample parking and are easily able to socially distance.” With the new premises won’t come new staff though as the couple want to maintain their personal approach to how they do business. Paul commented: “Plus, neither my wife nor I are spring chickens so we are content to drive the business forward on our own for the next few years. Not everyone is looking to build an empire.” As well as having graciously navigated 2020, they look set to motor on through 2021 too.

HIRE ELECTRIC

Leicester

Business Contract Hire New Model Electric Mini Cooper S 3 Door Auto Metallic Paint Initial Rental £1,641.78 35 x £273.63

Kia e Niro 2 5 Door Auto Metallic Paint Initial Rental £1,799.34 35 x £299.89

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Help our hospitality sector Restaurants, pubs, hotels, events companies, and all those businesses in which customer experience and memories made are top priority – here’s what they’ve been through since March 2020 WORDS BY ATUL LAKHANI

t’s no secret that those working in the hospitality industry have suffered a great deal over the past year. In 2019 the hospitality sector contributed £59.3bn in Gross Value Added to the UK economy (House of Commons Library), meaning the closure of food, events and accommodation businesses will have an unavoidable effect on the UK and the people who own those businesses. We take a look at those with first-hand experiences of the industry during the pandemic. To start things off, UK Weddings Taskforce Council Representative and Large Scale Weddings lead Atul Lakhani, who has been working closely with the #WhatAboutWeddings campaign, tells us about the effects of Covid-19 on the wedding industry. Atul has suffered substantial losses as CEO of Sanjay Foods IXL Events Centre. He said: “I’m exhausted but determined to make a difference.” He talks us through the ‘problem’, and the ‘ask’ from the hospitality sector.

The Problem

The UK wedding industry has been decimated by Covid-19. It has resulted in a perfect storm with all weddings cancelled, 95% reduction in revenue, zero consumer confidence, and a mountain of borrowing debt. The Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) guidance to couples has set an unrealistic expectation of outcomes seeking full refunds. Wedding businesses have continued to carry substantial ongoing costs, effectively been prohibited from trading due to arbitrary numbers of 15 and 30, not allowing weddings to be commercially viable for businesses. The businesses in this sector have not received the benefits (grants and initiatives) many assume they have had in terms of Government support. Although these businesses believed they were well covered from an insurance stand point to offset risks, they have not been indemnified for any losses from the business interruption. The Furlough Scheme, whilst being invaluable in retaining employment, has also put a massive burden upon business owners who have had to provide ongoing support to couples as we navigate through this pandemic. From a societal, cultural and religious perspective, the industry is in an unsustainable position, having not traded 82 | NICHE

The businesses in this sector have not received the benefits (grants and initiatives) many assume they have had in terms of Government support for almost a year. The recent Government announcement on February 22 provided a light at the end of the tunnel but the sector urgently needs financial support to act as a bridge to return to any degree of normality. The reality is that the wedding sector is on the brink of collapse. There are now serious mental health issues for those working within businesses facing threats of legal enforcement and the imminent loss of their livelihoods.

The Ask

Weddings are about to hit peak season again. April to September will be even more of a challenge this year for those who had to paused trading in 2020. Livelihoods are being destroyed for hospitality workers. #WhatAboutWeddings say the inclusion in the reduced VAT rate and business rates relief is now absolutely critical and that a government-backed wedding insurance scheme is also vital. If the industry fails, the Government will lose the £3.8bn with 400,000 jobs at risk. We are calling on the Government to immediately reconsider its position. Find out more at ukweddings.org.

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Italy... bottled What makes a good wine? According to Nick Robinson of independent wine merchant Kilo Wines, it’s all in the grapes

ick Robinson’s desire for success, and love for Italy, coupled with his wife Rebecca’s experience of living and working in the vineyards of Italy, led Nick to establish Kilo Wines back in 2016. Working closely with over 20 family-run vineyards, Kilo Wines bring the taste of Italy you experienced when on holiday to our doors in the UK, through wines carefully selected for their quality. Nick continues to emphasise, “Family-owned wineries, low-level production, hand-picked grapes, coupled with generations of family experience both in the vineyard growing the grapes, and with finally making the wine, results in the superior product we look for. “There are approximately 2000 native varieties of grape in Italy, with around 350 being used for commercial production, unfortunately, many of which you will struggle to buy in the UK,” Nick says. Going some way to rectifying this, Kilo Wines has over

50 different Italian grape varieties within its range, many as a single variety, but others blended to produce some of Italy’s famous wines like Amarone della Valpolicella. With over 90 wines on the list and a growing demand for high-quality wines here in the UK, Kilo Wines are building a reputation for wine which, put simply, tastes better. Short of visiting a local restaurant in Italy and ordering a bottle of locally produced wine; there is no better way to sample that true taste of Italy at home. Offering next day delivery to trade customers, with minimum orders of just 12 bottles, and retail customers who can purchase by the bottle or case via the website, Kilo Wines pride themselves both on the quality of the wine and their service. They also offer corporate gifting and event wine options. Bring the authentic taste of Italy to your home, bar, or restaurant, visit kilowines.co.uk, call 0781 448 5216 or email nick@kilowines.co.uk

The hub of a

community Beardsley’s Tearoom is a 300-year-old converted property that reflects the close-knit feeling in the village of Rearsby

he home from home feel of Beardsley’s Tearoom, has always been a draw for customers with owner Hollie Stone and her team placing real emphasis on a service which makes customers feel welcome. “Like they are in their very own living rooms,” as she puts it. Providing a much-needed takeaway service throughout the last year, Hollie told us: “When the initial lockdown forced so many business to close their doors, it felt important to remain open as a resource for the local area.” So that their regular and new customers alike could enjoy the delights of the tearoom without actually dining in, the tearoom started

offering their afternoon teas as take always. It’s the perfect indulgence to help add a sense of celebration to those special occasions – whether it be birthdays or anniversaries, VE Day, through to Christmas and Valentine’s, Easter or Mother’s Day. Then there is a special mention needed for the cake – as well as their take away breakfast and lunch menu there are now the Beardsley Cake selection boxes which vary from week to week and simply put, have helped many a Rearsby resident get through! In addition to takeaway beverages and cakes, Beardsley have a small shop within the tearoom where they sell cards, gift items and basic food staples to such as eggs, bread, milk, butter,

jams, chutneys, flour, etc. all of which became hugely in demand during lockdown and over the past year. “We have massively appreciated those supporting our business and wanted to help them avoid having to go to large supermarkets where possible. We took requests and added to our selection where possible and hugely increased our ordering for other essentials to meet growing demand including the much loved bread from Bloomsbury Bakery”. Hollie has also been supporting those in her community who can’t get to the store, delivering to those in the village that have needed to isolate. Discover this welcoming tearoom for yourself at beardsleystearoom.co.uk. NICHE | 83

Dewdrop Inn, Hathern Refurbed, refreshed, re-loved

Welcoming you to the new-look Dewdrop Inn in Hathern are GPS Hospitality as they breathe life into the sadly neglected, once much-loved building

o open a hospitality business just before a yearlong pandemic is unlucky, but to undergo two refurbishments and open a new property could be classed as insane some might say. However, that doesn’t seem to deter the guys at GPS Hospitality. Noted for the iconic venue, Orton’s Brasserie in Leicester’s Cultural Quarter, GPS has a partnership with Carington Arms, a beautiful traditional country pub in the pretty village of Ashby Folville, near Syston and Melton. The Carington had a full refurb over the summer lockdown and has had its kitchen extended and also refurbished its event space during the current lockdown. Adding to this, GPS took over the traditional pub in Hathern, the Dewdrop Inn, a rare find – it’s still a traditional British pub with a great reputation for its ale. But it had sadly been left to deteriorate and hadn’t seen any investment in a few decades. Mike Grossner, who now manages the Dewdrop with his wife Karen who is a chef for the pub, visited the Dewdrop – or ‘Double D’ as it’s more affectionately known – from Kansas. He said: “We fell in love with the Double D. If you had to imagine a traditional British pub, this was it.” Mike is also known as Coach G, as he is also the Head

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What we have tried to do is upgrade the Double D without losing the feel of a traditional pub Coach of the Leicester Falcons American Football Team. Mike and Karen have been joined by Suz Clarke who was integral to the opening of Orton’s and has been a tremendous support to the Grossners. The building is owned by the Hawthorn Pub group and, with GPS onboard, they felt confident it was in good hands and have invested a great deal of money along with GPS to improve and upgrade the pub. The upgrades have included a complete redecoration; reupholstering of the seating; a new catering kitchen; decking to the front of the building; development of the rear beer garden; opening up ‘the snug’; a new cellar refit; and new signage and lighting. “What we have tried to do is upgrade the Dewdrop without losing the feel of a traditional pub, as well as opening up more spaces to be able to welcome more of Hathern and the surrounding community. In Covid times, outdoor space is critical. With the refurb, we have created 42 new seats, and with the snug garden room, there is an additional 12, making for a lot more space.” Karen will be launching her new ‘light bite’ menu, with basket meal burgers and snacks. The options will also include some of her own secret Midwestern creations. The place is perfect for a bite to enjoy with a pint or watch the game on the two new Sky Sports screens. The Dewdrop has also sponsored the Hathern FC football team and they will be celebrating the team’s victories with the players. Although the Dewdrop has had a facelift, it will remain the heart of the Hathern community. Find out more online at facebook.com/jimdewdrop where you can direct message for more information. NICHE | 36

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

The best eating establishments in Leicestershire DEAN WESTON

GROUNDED KITCHEN groundedkitchen.com 0116 319 4654 50 QUEENS RD, CLARENDON PARK, LE2 1TU

Owner of Mini Warriors

The Grounded Kitchen website says: “Life doesn’t have to be complicated, if you enjoy the simple things and appreciate everything in moderation it all comes together. Grounded Kitchen prepares delicious Korean inspired nutrient-rich nourish bowls, organic Japanese teas, freshly prepared quenchers and smoothie bowls.” It champions independent thinking, and balance between the mind, body and its fuel (food!). This sits nicely with my ethos in life and in business, which drew me to choose them for a healthy lockdown takeaway. They also do a breakfast takeaway of Korean Egg Toast with cheese, omelette, avocado, jeju and gochujam.

REMY CLARKE

POSITIVE BAKES postivebakes.com 0116 340 6599 UNIT 42, HIGH VIEW CLOSE, LEICESTER LE4 9LJ

Director at Cymer Marketing Solutions

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I love the cakes and brownies from Positive Bakes – the flavours, the texture and don’t get me started on the beautiful presentation… Through lockdown this company has developed a large range of baked products, that can be delivered next day nationwide (for last minute birthday gifts!) or even internationally. They have paired with great brands to produce amazing gift boxes for any occasion or just to say thank you. They have even developed Baking Kits for their best sellers, with easy step-by-step instructions so that you can get the kids involved. Sustainability is at the

A variety of unique beverages, known as ‘quenchers’ will have you hankering for a health boost, choose a ‘Skin Elixir’ or ‘Brain Power’ smoothie to get you started for the day. It’s certainly true that Grounded Kitchen ‘cooks meals so tasty that you’ll forget that our basic focus is on healthy balance,’ as it says on their website. Their meals have nothing to do with food fads or dietary exclusions, and everything to do with mindful eating, delicious dishes and supporting you in your ambition to be healthy. From nourish bowls to Goku Cashew sides, Grounded Kitchen has created a gourmet convenience bursting with colour that we can all enjoy locally.

heart of Positive Bakes with the packaging and wrap all being 100% compostable, only using plant-based ingredients and developing a modern production facility with efficient production equipment lowering their environmental impact. ◆ Tastes great ◆ Looks divine ◆ Sustainable ethics ◆ Free from gluten, soya, dairy, refined sugars, palm oil and GMOs My personal favourites are the Lemon Cake, White Choc Chunk Brownie and Raspberry & White Chocolate Blondie. Now with Positive Rewards for every purchase, it’s hard not to order more!

RICHARD SMITH Director at Bash Skip Hire

MARIE ELLIS Director at Elite Accounting

YASIN EL ASHRAFI Managing Director at HQ Recording Studio

THE BULL AT BROUGHTON ASTLEY bullbroughtonastley.com 01455 282 343 2 MAIN STREET, LEICESTER LE9 6RD Positioned in the centre of a busy village, The Bull at Broughton Astley caters for everyone’s taste. A large welcoming car park leads you to an undercover seating area outside, which is lit up in the evening, setting the scene for a romantic meal for two with the sound of the brook flowing under your feet, or for a meal with family and friends. There is plenty of room, even on the busiest nights, for everyone to enjoy their evening. The food is outstanding, freshly cooked, locally sourced seasoned food at its finest. Whatever the time of day, whether it’s a weekday or weekend the menu is full of options for all tastes.

From classic roasts on a Sunday to lunchtime sandwiches to three course evening meals. It’s cosy in the winter and great outdoors in the summer. They have it all covered. We have been regular visitors since it was renovated in 2002, it’s so relaxing, whether it’s just with my wife or with the children we even had our Christmas dinner there with the extended family. The service and food has been fantastic every time, set in very modern surroundings with tasteful decor and wonderful staff this traditional pub/restaurant has maintained its very high standards from the start.

GREY LADY the-grey-lady.co.uk 01530 243 558 SHARPLEY HILL, NEWTOWN LINFORD, LEICESTER, LE6 0AH The Grey Lady in Newtown Linford is a lovely restaurant. It’s set in the picturesque Leicestershire countryside, close to Bradgate Park. With lots of windows, the restaurant is very open, nice and airy, with beautiful rural views. I’ve frequented The Grey Lady for special occasions, such as birthdays, anniversaries and family celebrations as it’s a venue that family and friends love to go to. We find it great for these sorts of occasions, as the food is gloriously luxurious. The restaurant is laid out spaciously, affording each party the benefit of their own space to enjoy their evening. You’re always assured of a warm welcome on arrival by the friendly front

of house staff, and a great drinks menu. The waiting staff are also helpful and accommodating, and nothing is too much trouble. The food menu offers great choice as well – and for all dietary requirements. I’m a great lover of trying something different every time I go, and every dish I’ve had has been marvellous; exquisitely presented and delicious. The last time I went I enjoyed a steak, which was cooked just to perfection. I can’t go to such a lovely restaurant without sampling the desserts, and The Grey Lady’s are always exceptional. They’re a great indulgent treat, and there are plenty of options to suit all tastes.

THE LIGHTHOUSE

lighthousekibworth.co.uk 0116 279 6260 9 STATION ST, KIBWORTH BEAUCHAMP, LEICESTER, LE8 0LN Being a native Leicesterfarian, I’ve always been spoilt for choice in terms of great places to eat so have really struggled to pick one particular restaurant as I have so many favourites! My go-to places for lunch are Grounded Kitchen, Aroma, Norah’s Cafe and Chickanos, but for a special meal or date night, my current preference is The Lighthouse in Kibworth. As I now live in Kibworth it’s great having such a fantastic little restaurant on our doorstep. The interior is welcoming, interesting and filled with amazing aromas as soon as you walk in. The staff are friendly, accommodating and the service is always 10/10. I have struggled to actually pick

out a single favourite dish as well to be honest as everything I’ve ever ordered has been amazing. They specialise in fish and seafood dishes, however, their meat dishes definitely don’t disappoint. The quality of their ingredients is top notch across the board. I always get a side of chicken wings with whatever I go for and, if I’m really hungry, the seafood chowder too. They have a great takeaway menu which we’ve been having as a treat throughout lockdown. They also do a deal called ‘The Captain’s Table at the Lighthouse’ which is a special menu, where they serve what they think are the best dishes for you. You give them the guidelines, your likes and dislikes and they do the rest! NICHE | 87

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‘Victory

over coronavirus’ We’re not there yet but Chutney Ivy restaurant owner Shaf Islam is hoping for a Victory over Coronavirus Day in the near future – he tells his story WORDS BY KERRY SMITH

icture a busy restaurant filled with theatre lovers buzzing over a delicious curry, anticipating the first act of a roaring musical across the street. Then picture an announcement playing live on air from the Prime Minister announcing a full lockdown, diners observing Curve theatre staff pull down their shutters within minutes, and others fleeing the restaurant. That’s what Shaf Islam, owner of Chutney Ivy, witnessed in his restaurant during a regular pre-theatre dining session in March 2020, shortly followed by hundreds of reservation and event cancellations. Speaking to him in February this year, he had just lost several close family members and friends to the coronavirus. “How much of an impact those words from Boris Johnson had on that day,” Shaf recollected with sadness “but it was the right thing to do,” he says. “Leicester’s biggest asset is our closeness of community and our multiculturalism, but that came to bite us on the ass. Different communities and circles overlap and I’ve had running arguments with Covid deniers

and people bending the rules.” His business has also suffered. At the beginning of the first lockdown last year, Shaf quickly adapted Chutney Ivy into a takeaway business. But when the Prime Minister fell ill with Covid-19, the team retreated and the restaurant had to close completely, reopening in May. It was down to a contract with a multi-billion pound company recruiting Shaf to cater for its 260-plus employees and their families each week from May to September that Chutney Ivy survived. Continuously on the side of the Government, Shaf also felt lucky to have enjoyed the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme. “It was a phenomenal success financially but also mentally. I was worried no one would want to sit in a restaurant with other people around, given that an innocent cough had people staring, but people came and my mind was put at rest. I think the thousands of pounds we spent on table screens, hand sanitiser stands and socially distancing table arrangements

DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES AND CIRCLES OVERLAP AND I’VE HAD RUNNING ARGUMENTS WITH COVID DENIERS AND PEOPLE BENDING THE RULES

helped to achieve this.” When Covid cases began to rise in numbers again, Shaf’s sympathies for the Government faded. He said: “With the second wave, I felt we’d been misled by the Government. I was angry because this is a centennial event. Every 100 years or so the world goes through something like this, such as the Spanish flu. We need to learn from history how quickly these things spread, but the Government hadn’t.” Shaf is hopeful with the rollout of the vaccine, but remains dubious of a positive year, “Even with the vaccines, second shots will be delivered around July and then we will still have to wait months to monitor infection rates. I believe hospitality will be bottom of the list to reopen. I think if lockdown continues, so should Government help. If it doesn’t, the last 10 months will have been a waste of time.” Going forward, Shaf is planning a new menu and will be launching a new brand of gin. He added: “I’m just looking forward to VC Day: Victory over Coronavirus Day!”

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the green grazer Outdoor catering to

at-home grazing From small sandwich shop beginnings to outdoor catering company, Greens Catering is no stranger to evolution and transformation WORDS BY KERRY SMITH

hen Covid hit, and all 27 weddings and over 100 corporate events were postponed or cancelled for outdoor hospitality company Greens Catering, it was Danielle Fraser’s resourcefulness and imagination that preserved the life of her Midlands business. “The majority of our postponed events have now been postponed again, meaning a two-year window with no regular work,” she said. “We are extremely lucky having owned all of our premises and equipment, because it means we are in a good position to see this through. However, we know of lots of catering companies who have not been so lucky. “The hospitality industry has been highly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Sadly, because of its impact, there have been casualties to our business in the form of staffing. It’s also not helped that for the past year we have not qualified for any of the hospitality grants.” The unfortunate situation Danielle found herself in could

have been a recipe for disaster. Instead, she found a new way to bring home the bacon by creating a sister business called The Green Grazer, delivering homemade delicious grazing boxes to customers’ doors. The first grazing box was put together in May 2020. Cooking up a storm, the boxes were a huge hit and have enabled Danielle to donate £2 from every box sold to Menphys. “When I started The Green Grazer, little did I think that eight months later I would have sold just short of 900 boxes and had to turn away 30 orders for Valentine’s Day,” she told us. The Green Grazer has secured its first ‘grazing table’ wedding booking, and is now able to provide for corporate gifting, small business events and lunches offering a welcome change to the standard business buffet. Danielle is now working on new grazing ideas for the future. To place an order, call Danielle on 07712 157 296 or email greengrazer@yahoo.com.

STAYING IN is the new

going out Awarding-winning Sanjay Foods brings

virtual dining experiences in the comfort of your own home Create memorable experiences with friends, family and colleagues Cook a range of different cuisines with Sanjay Foods’ online cookery packages Whether you’re looking to gain new culinary skills or just love cooking, our chefs present in a light-hearted, fun and informative manner and offer useful hacks and tips

COMING SOON

IDEAL FOR CORPORATE TEAM BUILDING, PARTIES AND SPECIAL OCCASIONS

Stay tuned to book your session at sanjayfoods.com 90 | NICHE

PHOTOGRAPHY: PAMELA RAITH

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Production images released for

The Color Purple – at home The Curve production of The Color Purple is available at home. Here’s how it looks...

ow streaming in association with Birmingham Hippodrome, The Color Purple will be available to watch until Sunday, March 7 as part of Curve at Home. Building on the success of Curve’s first major stream, Sunset Boulevard – at Home, Curve and Birmingham Hippodrome’s WhatsOnStage awardwinning 2019 production of The Color Purple has been especially reimagined for audiences to enjoy at home. Marsha Norman’s poetic and powerful script along with the magnificent songs by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray celebrate life, love and the strength to stand up for who you are and what you believe in. This unforgettable story set in racially divided Southern America is staged by the team behind the 2019 production – Director Tinuke Craig, Musical Director Alex Parker and Choreographer Mark Smith. T’Shan Williams returns to lead the magnificent original company as the courageous heroine Celie, with Danielle Fiamanya (Winner – The Stage Debut Awards 2019) reprising her role as Celie’s Sister, Nettie. Carly Mercedes Dyer joins the cast as the

vivacious Shug Avery, following her acclaimed performance as Anita in the 2019 Made at Curve production of West Side Story. Drawing inspiration from jazz, ragtime, gospel and blues, a band of incredible musicians will combine with the company’s soulful vocals in bringing the score to life, including Push Da Button, Too Beautiful for Words and I’m Here. Recorded in Curve’s transformed auditorium and fully lit using the theatre’s state-of-the-art lighting rig, The Color Purple – at Home will offer audiences the chance to see Alice Walker’s seminal novel as they’ve never seen it before. The show is supported by Leicester-based music licensing company PPL PRS and De Montfort University whose sponsorship will enable Curve to offer free tickets to specific local community groups and young people. Birmingham Hippodrome is able to offer tickets to similar groups in Birmingham through the support they received through the Culture Recovery Fund. Curve and Birmingham Hippodrome will offer 2,000 free

tickets for NHS workers to enjoy the production at home, with tickets distributed through local NHS providers. They will also offer a range of accessible performances throughout the run of the show, including captioned and audio described. Looking further ahead, this Christmas at Curve, audiences can enjoy the regional premiere production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Wizard of Oz. Based on the classic 1939 MGM film, The Wizard of Oz includes the iconic songs Somewhere Over The Rainbow, If I Only Had A Brain and Follow The Yellow Brick Road, as well as new music and songs from Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. Running November 27 2021 – January 15 2022, the magical family musical will be directed by Curve’s Artistic Director, Nikolai Foster, whose previous productions include Sunset Boulevard – at Home, West Side Story and White Christmas – which ran at Curve and in London’s West End. Tickets for The Color Purple – At Home are on sale now, priced at £20 per household, at curveonline.co.uk. NICHE | 91

Rutland Cycling supporting Mind Rutland Cycling have pledged to support four local Mind charities across central England to help raise awareness

utland Cycling’s Leicester store, located at Everards Meadows, will be working closely with Nottinghamshire Mind. With local cycle routes on the doorstep and hire bikes available, the team at the Leicester store look forward to being able to hold and host fundraising events later in the year. Karen Archer, Rutland Cycling CEO, says: “As a familyowned business with over 40 years under our belts, it is still important to us to retain our family business ethos, with our teams, customers and the local communities at the heart of the business. “At the beginning of December last year we donated 50% of the company’s cycle hire revenue to FareShare East Midlands based in Leicester. The donation of £6,000 provided 24,000 meals to the local community across the East Midlands, helping to make a real difference to so many people in the lead up to Christmas.

“We are delighted to be supporting four local Mind charities in our store areas during 2021 and look forward to working closely with them to support events, fundraising and to help raise awareness of the services and support they offer within the community and the benefits of cycling for mental health, especially during these challenging times we continue to face.” Jo Sanders, Partnership & Promotions Manager at Nottinghamshire Mind commented: “We are very excited to be working with Rutland Cycling and the opportunities this will bring, in supporting our already established services and developing new provision across the region.” Rutland Cycling has had a successful start to 2021, winning not one but three awards for retail excellence and contributions to the community. Rutland Cycling Leicester is open seven days a week. For more information visit: www.rutlandcycling.com or telephone 0116 344 0200.

Coffee house comfort

The treat of enjoying real, quality coffee from expert baristas in a cool coffee house has become something no coffee lover will ever take for granted again

uring the restrictions placed on the hospitality sector, family-owned independent Jenno’s Coffee House have continuously adapted and delivered cups of comfort to us throughout. The second coffee house under the Jenno’s name, the hugely popular Everards Meadows addition in 2019 has continued to make their customers a priority. They’ve provided services to those seeking a piece of normality with a walk around the close by Aylestone Meadows with a cup of coffee accompanied by a spot of lunch or perhaps a slice of cake – the chocolate cake requires its own magazine space. Company Director Paul Jenno, told us: “We have had to think on our feet and adapt to the ever-changing rules and regulations, ensuring the comfort and safety of our staff and customers throughout. It makes us happy to think that we may in some small way have bought some relief to our customers in these difficult times and we will continue to stand by our cleanliness, quality and service values as we

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emerge from lockdown.” The location is perfect for a walk and a cup of something delicious, and the coffee house itself provides respite from a busy day with relaxing music, atmospheric décor and extensive seating outside overlooking the meadows. Take out cups are bio-degradable, menu options suit a wide variety of dietary requirements, the coffee is perfection and the cakes… well, we have mentioned those already so try for yourselves and see. After retaining an impressive 95% of their friendly staff, Jenno’s are looking to the future with expansions and further locations all in the pipeline. “We are hopeful of a return to a more typical coffee house dynamic for the rest of 2021 and want to thank our loyal customers for their support during these tough times,” Paul adds. Visit jennos.co.uk and rediscover that deliciously comforting taste of coffee house life – plus cake... we did mention cake didn’t we?

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First glimpse of Everards at

Everards

Meadows A peek inside Everards’ new home at Everards Meadows which will create over 40 new jobs

amily business Everards has revealed visuals showing the inside of its new home – which is set to open this spring – showcasing the exciting hospitality space it brings to Leicestershire together with new job opportunities. The team opened their Everards Meadows site in summer 2019 and will now be joining Jenno’s Coffee House and Rutland Cycling at this food, drink and leisure destination just off junction 21 of the M1, opposite Fosse Park. Set in 70 acres of green space, customers will be able to eat, drink, shop, and take a tour of the new brewery, with more brewing experiences coming later this year – including the opportunity to brew your own beer. “This really is an exciting time for us and the beginning of a brand-new chapter in our 170-year history,” shares Richard Everard OBE DL, Chairman of Everards Brewery. “We are still an independent family business with strong roots in Leicestershire and we are about to move into the sixth generation of the family leading the business as we commence this exciting next chapter. We look forward to

welcoming customers to our new home, where they will be able to enjoy fantastic hospitality while overlooking both the wonderful meadows and our state-of-theart brewery. We will be brewing a great range of beers and of course bringing our famous ‘Tiger’ back to Leicestershire!” Inside the bright and contemporary food and drink space, you can’t miss the long bar lined up with all your Everards favourites brewed right there. Large windows behind the bar enable customers to take in all the brewery action whilst sipping on their favourite tipple. Customers can enjoy an extensive drinks selection including local spirits and an exclusive blend of locally sourced coffee. The open kitchen will serve a delicious menu of home-cooked food from full meals to tasty snacks. The space provides a great location for people to meet, eat and drink, whilst taking in all the action of the brewery and views of the meadows. The state-ofthe-art brewery will be kept busy as brewers will be creating many innovative new beers alongside favourites which have

THIS REALLY IS AN EXCITING TIME FOR US AND THE BEGINNING OF A BRAND-NEW CHAPTER IN OUR 170-YEAR HISTORY

been enjoyed over the years. As well as enjoying the food and drink onsite, customers will be able to visit the shop and take home a selection of beers so they can enjoy their favourites or limited-edition brews at home. A wide range of merchandise and gift ideas will also be available.

BE PART OF IT!

EVERARDS IS RECRUITING Everards has partnered exclusively with ER Recruitment Ltd to recruit over 40 people to work at their new state-of-the-art brewery, beer hall and shop. Stephen Gould, Managing Director of Everards, said: “We will be looking for over 40 people who are passionate about delivering excellent customer service, to join us in a variety of roles.” Eileen Richards MBE, Managing Director of ER Recruitment said: “Everards recruit amazing people and are certainly recognised as an Employer of Choice that people want to work with. This is great news for Leicestershire and this industry.” View all vacancies at eileenrichards.co.uk, or email everards@eileenrichards.co.uk for more information.

Big Difference Company presents

Stand Up Challenge A lawyer, an MP, a banker, a historian, a mentoring officer, and a racecourse manager walk onto a stage…

lmost every year since 2015, a bunch of people from the business community in Leicester and Leicestershire have taken to the stage, aiming to raise a smile to an audience of almost 1,000 people and raise much-needed money for a local charity. The Stand Up Challenge is a pretty unique project, produced by the wonderful team at Big Difference, the charity behind the annual Leicester Comedy Festival and The UK Kids’ Comedy Festival. Most years, the team challenge business people to try their hand at performing stand-up comedy for the very first time – and together, the 29 contestants have raised in excess of £30,000 to support the community programme run by the charity. Each contestant is mentored by professional comedian Anthony King, and is given time to develop their ideas before 94 | NICHE

sitting down and writing a fiveminute routine which they will then perform, for the very first time, in front of a live audience. Friends, clients, family members and colleagues are encouraged to support each contestant with sponsorship money which all goes to the charity. Laura Arends, CEO of Big Difference, said: “We are thrilled that six participants have already signed up to take part in the 2021 Stand Up Challenge, but there is space for more! We’re encouraging people to get in touch if they want to find out more. “The challenge is a unique way for local business people to support our work and have a huge amount of fun at the same time. We know the project can help people with their confidence at public speaking, as well as improving presentations they might have to make at work. We also find that companies

THE CHALLENGE IS A UNIQUE WAY FOR LOCAL BUSINESS PEOPLE TO SUPPORT OUR WORK AND HAVE A HUGE AMOUNT OF FUN AT THE SAME TIME

benefit from the publicity which comes from having a team member taking part. “We know from previous years that all the participants get a huge amount of support from each other as well as the audience on the night.” Confirmed participants are Gary Pitt (Howes Percival), Sarah Thomson (De Montfort University), Laura Hailstone (De Montfort University), Matt Holt (MGL Media), Mike Dalzell (Leicester City Council) and Jon Ashworth (Leicester South MP). The Stand Up Challenge 2021, supported by The Miller Partnership, De Montfort University and CrossCut Media, will take place on Thursday, June 17 at The Y. Further information on taking part can be found at standupchallenge.co.uk. Send your queries, or reserve tickets by emailing katherine@ bigdifferencecompany.co.uk.

NICHE FEATURE

in 2021 Last year was one of the most challenging years for charities. Hope Against Cancer were still able to provide support and continued to raise vital funds WORDS BY EMILY MILLER

fter raising close to £1.5m, Hope Against Cancer have transformed and expanded the now suitably renamed Hope Cancer Trials Centre at the Leicester Royal Infirmary, which has allowed the staff and specialists there to double their previous treatment capacity. As a result, more cancer trials can take place in Leicester and even more patients can benefit from access to potential treatments not currently available on the NHS. With more clinical space, including beds for overnight stays, the centre can offer more patients the opportunity

to participate in trials as a treatment option, increase their portfolio of trials, and provide a more streamlined service for both patients and staff. Speaking about the determination and positive attitude which got them to this significant achievement, Hope Against Cancer’s CEO, Nigel Rose, said: “Throughout 2020 the pandemic presented us with some huge fundraising challenges, but we were determined not to stop funding our research. The entire team ploughed on with confidence and never lost sight of our ambitions and goals. Our supporters and volunteers have

been outstanding, and I’m proud and honoured to be part of this community. Charities like Hope need support more than ever before, so it’s vital that we don’t stop our efforts now.” Whilst Hope can reflect proudly on their achievements of 2020, there’s no stopping now, not when their research and attention to the cause is more needed than ever. Visit hopeagainstcancer.org.uk for more information on the Hope Cancer Trials Centre or any of the upcoming events which Hope Against Cancer have planned in 2021 and how you can help.

RACE FOR

adlin

e Spon

sor

Media Sponsor

Thursday 17th June 2021

Artwork Sponsor

Old School Sports Day Corporate Style! Egg & spoon race, 3 legged race, sack race, wheelbarrow race, plus much more!

Covid safe

Join the fun and become a race day sponsor for just £100 To book, simply drop Tracey a line: tracey@hopeagainstcancer.org.uk All money raised goes to Hope Against Cancer to fund cancer research in Leicestershire and Rutland. Charity number 1091480

£150 PER TEAM £250

MINIMUM

SPONSORSHIP NICHE | 95

We need Volunteers We need stewards, chaperones and greeters to help with the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccination Volunteer across Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland

To find out more or register: www.valonline.org.uk | 0116 257 5050

and help us to make a difference!

 helpline@valonline.org.uk  @valonline

Maya’s

1,000km run A nine-year-old girl with severe epilepsy needs treatment that costs her parents £2,000 a month WORDS BY KERRY SMITH

rare genetic condition has meant that nine-year-old Maya Simons suffers from “constant seizure activity.” Her parents have found the most suitable treatment for their daughter is a cannabis oil. Bedrocan, which is a medical marijuana, can be prescribed by the NHS but Maya has been unable to access it in this way. It’s meant that her parents have had to buy the medicinal oil privately costing them the hefty sum of £2,000 every four weeks. Meanwhile, treatments available for her on the NHS require long periods of time spent in the hospital that mean she has to be sedated, and may gradually grow resistance to them. Maya’s mum Sam Fairlie said: “Maya has a rare type of epilepsy that 96 | NICHE

is taking her life away from her. Over the past year, Maya’s cognition has deteriorated massively. Due to the constant seizure activity she lives in a fog. We are looking to go and find a private doctor that may be able to help Maya further.” With the need to persistently fundraise, Maya’s stepdad Ian Hickling has most recently taken on the challenge to run 1,000km throughout March with nine of his friends including snooker player Tom Ford. Ian and his friends will each run 100k. One runner, Adam Jenkins, said: “Having been friends with Ian for five years or so now after meeting through football, we had a catch up on Zoom as a group with a beer and we all jumped at the chance to help, however

crazy this idea is. We know it how much this means to Sam, Ian and the family. Hopefully this will help Maya and make things a little easier for the family.” You can donate via Sam’s GoFundMe page by searching “Maya’s 1000km Run”.

NICHE FEATURE

Charity appeal to help the vulnerable and homeless SoundCafe needs your help to support vulnerable and homeless adults in Leicester

n a climate that is challenging for even the most wellfunded business venture, charities are in danger of being left behind as a lack of resource impacts on their ability to adapt to changing government guidance on how they can continue to deliver their services during the pandemic. Not so with centrally located SoundCafe, Leicester, who have demonstrated time and again their fleetness of foot when it comes to providing safe creative spaces for homeless and vulnerable adults in the city. Since November they have not only adapted their popular SoundCafe to Take Away to a contactless service but since that project has drawn to a close they have cleverly reinstated their creative workshops by posting resources out to their guests. Throughout January and February, workshops on offer include glass painting, charcoal sketching, and creative writing. These sessions are designed to foster creativity and confidence whilst also helping to support individuals’

mental health. “We really have our hands tied when it comes to delivering our model in the usual way,” Director Rachel Griffiths said. “So we have redesigned our service model and we are trying something new. Now we are looking to work with businesses who also value creativity and adaptability to keep the SoundCafe at the top of its game in 2021.” Businesses wishing to explore the opportunity for creative collaborations and sponsorship of SoundCafe Leicester should visit soundcafe.org.uk or call Alan Fletcher, Co-Chair of Trustees on 07780 607 063.

www.theamwellcare.com

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NICHE FEATURE

Residents at Amwell care home receive Covid Jabs A care home in Melton Mowbray became one of the first in the town to have had every resident receive the Covid-19 vaccination in January

orty-one residents from The Amwell, which provides specialist residential, dementia and respite care home in Asfordby Road, had the Pfizer jab which was the first vaccine in the world to be approved against Covid-19. The vaccine, approved in the UK in December 2020, is 95 per cent effective at preventing people from suffering serious illness from the virus. A team from Latham House Medical Practice visited The Amwell in January to administer the inoculations, with each one taking less than 10 minutes. Staff arranged balloons around the exit to the door of the room where the vaccine took place next to a sign saying ‘I’ve had my Covid-19 vaccine!’.

Residents had a short rest in The Amwell’s home cinema area for a period to ensure none suffered any side effects. They will need to have a second dose of the Pfizer vaccine in the next three to 12 weeks. More than 75 per cent of staff at The Amwell have also received the Pfizer jab so far. The Amwell will continue with strict infection control guidelines at the home including use of PPE by all staff. When visits from family members are allowed in the home’s ‘Covid-proof’ pod, all visitors are required to wear full PPE, and have their temperature checked along with a complete risk assessment. Receptionist Freya Taylor, who had the jab mid-January, said: “It

was painless – and just like a normal injection. Some people had sore arms but overall, everybody was absolutely fine. Everybody at the home is delighted that all the residents have had their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine and it also means now three out of every four staff members are also protected so far as well. We look forward to everybody receiving the second dose in the next few weeks.” For more information about The Amwell contact 01664 882525, email info@theamwellcare.com, or visit theamwellcare.com.

Upgrade your support through either a donation or fundraising activities Provides a vulnerable young person with weekly one-to-one mentoring support Feature in our monthly e-bullition | Bronze FOB logo | Support for your fundraising events | Video Thank you message on FOCUS Charity social media posts | Enhanced recognition on the FOCUS wall of supporters and influencers

Standard package includes: Use of our FOCUS On Business logo on your website | A membership certificate | Annual statement for tax relief benefits | Monthly e-bulletin updating you on the impact your support is having | Printed version of our inFOCUS Newsletter | Copy of our annual impact report | Access to all FOCUS On Business events | Exclusive Early Bird Tickets to our Annual Black Tie Dinner | Recognition on the FOCUS wall of supporters and influencers | Members networking events | Thank you message on FOCUS Charity social media posts on becoming a member

Contact: Emily Taylor for more information emily.taylor@focus-charity.co.uk

98 | NICHE

Provides a young person with a place on a community action project Video Thank you message on FOCUS Charity social media posts | Updates on what impact your support has on the charity six+ mentions during the year | Additional promotion/promotional opportunities, including having materials at FOCUS events, and a FOB pull up banner for your reception/office | Opportunity to host and a be the Keynote Speaker at one of our FOB events | Recognition as a silver member on the FOCUS wall of supporters and influencers | Feature in our regular e-newsletter Provides a place for a young person on a ‘life-changing’ year-long personal development programme Video Thank you message on FOCUS Charity social media posts and twelve+ mentions during the year | Recognition as a Gold member on the FOCUS wall of supporters and influencers | Facilitated half day team building session for your staff | Exclusive Staff Volunteer days for your company

R PA RT N E

AT I

X TA

HIP

THE

SPECI

THE MILLER PARTNERSHIP PRESENTS

THE

I L L BIG CHI

for the 6th year supporting Soft Touch Arts Organised in partnership with the Leicester Comedy Festival

Tuesday 15th June 6.30 – 10.30pm

COULD YOU BE OUR HEADLINE ACT SPONSOR OR EVENT LOGISTICS SPONSOR FOR THIS YEAR’S EVENT? Help us raise more funds for Soft Touch Arts whilst raising the profile of your business. Contact Jenny Cross: jenny@crossproductions.co.uk for further information

VIP LIVE EVENT TICKETS ON SALE NOW – to book search Eventbrite for Big Chilli 2021 www.eventbrite.com/e/big-chilli-2021-tickets-139662976723

Niche Magazine Issue 42

Articles inside

Mental Health