CELEBRATING FREEDOM

BUSINESS as USUAL?

What does freedom mean? What will life be like in a post-Covid era and will it be business as usual for local companies? Let’s try to find out...

We’re all going on a (Great British) holiday!

Stamford’s Adam Brookes has discovered a better way to get away this Autumn...

“I worked in hospitality,” says Adam Brookes. “I supplied pubs and bars with gas to dispense beer, and whilst on furlough, I worked on a friend’s farm in Wiltshire living in a motorhome I’d converted. It was awesome!” “I had the idea of purchasing motorhomes to hire out for people enjoying staycations and now have a fleet of five vehicles.” “It was the right time to start the business and they’ve proved really successful, especially in a year when people are choosing to explore the UK instead of going abroad. This country has so much to offer and it’s great that more people than ever this year will recognise that!” n 01780 769576, www.spiritoffreedom.co.uk.

During lockdown, Rutland County Council joined Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership, which will provide access to services and resources in a post-Covid economy. “This will be a strong union that will help us to support our and the region’s businesses and economy to re-establish and thrive following lockdown,” says Oliver Hemsley, Leader of Rutland County Council. “Rutland boasts a resilient and passionate business community that brings a wealth of knowledge and talent to further enhance the LEP’s skills and expertise.” Rutland’s membership of the Greater Lincolnshire LEP means that businesses in the county can now tap into the services and resources offered by the LEP. These include opportunities for project delivery, strategic planning, green energy investment and business support for sectors like agriculture, tourism and food & drink. n

“I believe this will be a strong union that will help us to support our and the region’s businesses and economy to re-establish and thrive following lockdown...”

Oliver Hemsley, Leader of Rutland County Council.

Raise a glass to support hotels, pubs and restaurants

Optimism for Barnsdale Lodge and Hambleton Hall with a return to dining out...

There’s a perception that it’s all over. But that’s not quite the case, yet. It’s true that restaurants and hotels have been able to open their doors to customers once more but as soon as one obstacle has been removed, another appears in its place. Open the doors may be, but a lack of staff across the industry is still causing problems for the UK’s restaurants and hotels.

“Just before the first lockdown we invested in a brand-new kitchen for the hotel. It’s state-of-the-art, with induction cooking ranges and air conditioning to create a safe and comfortable environment to work in, so there’s that, at least,” says Aaron Patterson of Hambleton Hall.

But Aaron and Ed Burrows of Barnsdale Lodge are still effected not necessarily by the availability of staff locally, but by a UK-wide supply chain recruitment crisis. “Brexit and Covid both occurred simultaneously so it’s difficult to separate the effect of either one individually. There’s a perception that the industry is OK now it’s able to open again, but a UK-wide shortage of hauliers is having an impact on the availability of ingredients or laundry.” “Staff have vacated hospitality jobs or team members – thankfully not at Barnsdale – have been pinged, meaning that hospitality and all of the associated industries or supply chains are struggling to meet demand or raising prices as a result.” April to July were the big months for restaurants and hotels, so in autumn they’re hoping for support and a good season. n

Building businesses during Covid...

Some new businesses are emerging from Covid whilst others have taken the opportunity to grow

n Barnsdale Lodge’s Ed Burrows and business partner Charles Randall have used lockdown to help set up another hotel in Derbyshire; Callow Hall. The main house has 15 bedrooms whilst the site’s 11 woodland ‘Hives’ and its treehouses provide stunning accommodation in Ashbourne with the same warm welcome, excellent hospitality and great management that has been a hallmark of Barnsdale Lodge. n Simply Stamford is featured in this edition, and was created by Hannah Forcellati & Kate Needham in December 2020 after they both left the travel industry they’d worked in for 25 years. The new boutique on St Mary’s Street provides hand-picked home furnishings... see their homely luxe style for yourself later in this edition! n Oundle Mill is also featured later in this edition and has seen a three year restoration of the Grade II listed watermill in order to provide a home to a new business providing stunning handcrafted kitchens. Tessa and John Hunter have created the business which, after a very patient wait, can finally welcome in visitors! n Refill Revolution now has branches in Market Harborough, Peterborough and Oundle. During lockdown the company also began to deliver its products to Stamford, and aims to provide zero-refill, plasticfree dry food, household liquids and other products. See www.refillrevolution.co.uk.

We’ve all enjoyed our homes and gardens!

Home (and in the garden) has been where the heart is during the pandemic

Fewer people are travelling abroad for their usual summer getaway this year. And so, many have some extra cash to hand. Many are choosing to invest in their homes and gardens to get all of those projects they’ve been putting off underway. Homes and gardens experts have seen a significant upturn in business as the population – spending more time at home and noticing the areas of their property that need an update – invest in their homes. In particular, garden centres have also seen interest in quality garden furniture, barbecues and so on. If we’re being asked to socialise outdoors, why not do so in comfort, after all? Other businesses seeing increased interest include soft furnishings retailers, kitchen and bathroom specialists. n “It’s been a tricky year, but we’ve made it work,” says David Fensom, marketing and theatre manager at Stamford Shakespeare Company and Tolethorpe Hall. “Covid has meant so much disruption, with small rehearsal bubbles, sanitising props and making sure everything’s safe at the front of house.” “We also had to reduce the number of people in our auditorium from 600 to 250 to accommodate social distancing, so ticket sales have necessarily been reduced. It hasn’t been ideal financially, but just to be open again is great. From the reaction we’ve had our audiences have been really happy that we’ve been able to put on some productions, and the sight of people enjoying our plays and a picnic in the grounds has been lovely.” Elsewhere, in this edition we’ve an interview with Nikolai Foster, Creative Director of Leicester’s Curve; “It’s essential for the UK’s cultural industries, beyond the enjoyment that our audiences can take from a visit to see one of our productions. It’s so important to the industry that we can get back into our theatres and recommence our programme of shows and productions.” www.stamfordartscentre.com www.curveonline.co.uk

This year’s Stamford Shakespeare Company production of the Importance of Being Earnest... in which a heart handshake in the script was changed to a Covid-safe elbow bump!

Live events are back in Stamford & Rutland...

To the delight of the performing arts sector, theatres are able to open their doors once again!

Looking Ahead to 2022

The Property Market is booming...

Changes in lifestyle and a demand for property is ensuring robust prices

“It been a very busy year!”says Caroline Leonard of estate agency James Sellicks. “The relaxation of stamp duty has driven that to some degree but more importantly there’s an ongoing lack of housing stock, at a time when many more people are seeking to move into Rutland and Stamford.

“Because as a country we’ve discovered that we can work from home, there’s fresh demand for property, and greater interest in property even in villages located a bit further from train stations, as the ‘daily’ commute by rail might only be a day or two a week of commuting now. People are also keen to have properties with one or even two studies or space in the garden for a pod they can turn into a home office.” “The effect is that it’s a seller’s market, with robust prices. We think that Rutland and Stamford’s property prices – and interest in the area – will remain strong for a while.” www.jamessellicks.com

Having been a casualty of Covid in 2021, The Rutland Show will take place on Sunday 5th June 2022.

The Burghley Horse Trials will take place from Thursday 1st to Sunday 4th Sept 2022. Henry Burgess and Caroline Leonard Henry Burgess and Caroline Leonard of James Sellicks, based in Oakham, of James Sellicks, based in Oakham, Market Harborough and Leicester. Market Harborough and Leicester.

“We all have a part to play in keeping our county and ourselves safe. The restrictions we have become accustomed to may have been lifted, but we are not heading back to life as we knew it. We will need to continue to work together to carry on saving lives and protecting our communities...”

Mike Sandys, Director of Public Health for Rutland.

“We’ve taken the next step on the roadmap out of lockdown in England, with most legal restrictions in place to control Covid now removed,” says Mike Sandys, Director of Public Health for Rutland.

“Cases are still rising, at the time of writing though, and we all have a part to play in making this next step work and keeping our communities safe. I urge everyone to keep on taking care and to remain cautious even as restrictions and legal limits on social contact have been lifted.”

“Communities across Rutland and Stamford have shown incredible determination and resolve throughout the pandemic, to support one another through previous waves, and we have every confidence in all our residents, organisations and businesses to continue to work together and do the right thing.” “Although 19th July was described as ‘Freedom Day,’ we still need to remember that we still need to continue to be cautious. However, people should continue to act to reduce the risk of transmission and follow the recommended safety measures.” “Face coverings will still help to protect you and those around you even though they’re no longer legally required. Wear a face covering wherever you come into contact with people you don’t normally meet and meet in well-ventilated areas where possible, such as outdoors or indoors with windows open.”

Right: Mike Sandys, Director of Public Health for Rutland. “Allowing fresh air to circulate indoors while spending time with others, and limiting the number of people you come into contact with, will continue to be effective ways of helping to reduce transmission of the virus.”

“There is still the risk that people who have not been vaccinated become ill and it remains essential that everybody comes forward for both doses of a vaccine. So if you haven’t already, please make sure you get both doses.” “And remember, even if you are vaccinated, though, there’s still a chance you can pass Covid on, so you should keep testing regularly.” “It will be vital that we continue to carry out these safeguards in a responsible way, with regard for ourselves and others, and to limit the increase in infections we can expect to see in the coming weeks and months.” “The restrictions we have become accustomed to may have been lifted, but we are not heading back to life as we knew it.”

“We will need to continue to work together to carry on saving lives and protecting our communities.” n