WHERE BUSINESSES MEET THE COMMUNITY
WHERE BUSINESSES MEET THE COMMUNITY Issue 7 - Oct/Nov/Dec 2019
Christmas time at the Mercure Noke - Kelly and the team tell us what’s on offer!
Let’s get to know the people behind the businesses - what’s available locally in the amazing city that is St Albans!
Meet Ingrid Get this Christmas all wrapped up
Meet Sophie No more airbeds and bedroom floors this Christmas
INSIDE THIS ISSUE THE
Meet Jeremy Local photographer with great gifts on offer
Businesses COMMUNITY
ADL Electricals Arbonne bubbleHUB Business GameChanger Counselling Foundation Dance2gether Emmy’s Brigadeiro Events EYES On St Albans Forever Living Gymboree Play & Music St Albans HANNAH SESSIONS DESIGN Headcase Barbers Jeremy Banks Photography Join TBC Kick Pistol LifeWorks Mercure Noke Oaklands College Popdance Regali Gift Wrapping Soroptomists St Albans Postboxes for Christmas STANTA Straight Talk Social Media Temple Spa TBC Members The Art of TBC The BID The Brandit The Cobbled Kitchen The Signing Company Three Counties Expo Torrington Hall Virburnum 02
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THE
Businesses COMMUNITY
WHERE ANYTHING’S POSSIBLE
2019
Let’s get FESTIVE! Yep, it’s that time of year again and every year I tell myself to enjoy the whole build up to the big day. To take the time to enjoy the festivities, the weather, the Christmas movies, the old classic pop tunes and to spend time with family and friends. It’s not just about the big day itself, enjoy the whole run up to it. In this festive issue, check out stocking filler ideas from fantastic local businesses, take a look at the wonderful events over the next 3 months, and what’s more, meet the people behind the driven and passionate local businesses. #ShoppingLocal has never been easier And, with BizCom being totally interactive - it’s never been easier to contact the businesses in St Albans - to find out more about their products and services and to buy directly from them! Don’t forget that you really make their day when you #ShopLocal So, sit back, put an extra log on the fire, pour yourself a mulled wine and have a good ole read about what’s going on in this fantastic city Merry Christmas and here’s to an amazing 2020 Enjoy! Sue and the TBC St Albans Team
Don’t forget to subscribe to ensure you receive a copy of BizCom St Albans quarterly magazine straight into your inbox here 03 5
Things are looking Soroptimistic We love finding out more about the amazing charities in St Albans - Soroptimist International St Albans and District is part of an amazing global women’s organisation with a history going back to 1921 when (some) women had just got the vote.
Jane Slatter, Communications officer explains With Soroptimist Clubs all over the world, Members feel part of a massive family of sisters. The Soroptimist mission is a big one - it is to inspire action and create opportunities to transform the lives of women and girls. The local Club has a lively and diverse Membership of about 30 women from St Albans and the surrounding areas. The work of the Club is local, national and global and includes fundraising and campaigning activities. Our events are on our website www.sigbi.org/st-albans/club-programme and our next big one is 25 Nov evening “Raising Resilient Girls: A How To Guide” book your place now! Soroptimists tackle difficult issues like mental health, giving birth in prison and domestic abuse. It is not a single issue organisation and Members are involved in Sustainable St Albans, Toilet Twinning, collecting gently worn bras for “Smalls for All” and more!
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We are a great example of “if you want something doing ask a busy woman!” As well as being passionate volunteers with shared goals, the Members enjoy one another’s company at the many social events we have during the year. Women are welcome to join or support the Club and help to make a difference to the lives of women and girls worldwide.
To find out more please check out our website www.sigbi.org/st-albans and follow us on Facebook and Twitter @SIStAlbans
Fed up with working at home? Outgrown your study or dining room? Looking to take on your first office without a long- term commitment to a lease? Offices available: One or two desks available in a shared office: £186.67 (plus VAT) 3-4 person office: 212 sq feet: £830 (plus VAT) Benefits: • The all-inclusive monthly licence makes budgeting easy • Business rates included • On-site parking (included in monthly fee) • Friendly, on-site management • We take care of building maintenance and insurance • Meeting rooms available to use free of charge • Telecoms & broadband available to connect to • Business advice and training available for all tenants www.stanta.co.uk I Tel: 01727 837760 I advice@stanta.co.uk
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We visited Headcase Barbers on Holywell Hill to see how the run up to Christmas affects their business
Do you offer a loyalty scheme? We certainly do...we offer a loyalty card which when fully stamped up the client will get to choose either a “free product” or “money off” the next haircut. Ooh, do you offer gift vouchers? What a fab stocking filler gift idea that is! We do have gift vouchers available to buy directly from the shop
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Hi Paul is it best for people to book appointments in the run up to Christmas? We run a walk in service at the shop...we feel it’s the most fair way for our clients to avoid any disappointment so no need to book!
What do you think makes Headcase different from other Barbers in St Albans? The million dollar question! We like to think firstly we offer a great haircut but what I think really sets us apart is the style of our shop and our relaxed atmosphere. Some barbershops can be a daunting place to enter either too masculine or too “cool for school” we believe our shop makes our clients feel welcome whether you’re 6 or 60! Also our Spotify playlist is pretty special!!
Find out more about Paul and the team, their loyalty schemes, gift vouchers and products here
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All wrapped up for Christmas Regali offers corporate and personal clients a gift wrapping service that ensures your presentations to businesses, friends and family are wrapped to perfection. We’ve all been there: an event is coming around, it’s in the diary, you know you’ve got to get that gift, wrap it and make believe you’d been thoughtfully planning it forEVER. THEN, it’s the night before, you have nothing, panic sets in and you’ve sent an e-voucher “with love”. Contact Regali! We can help make gifting a rewarding experience. We can do as little or as much as you need from sourcing gifts, wrapping and delivering or, quite simply, just wrapping. I say “simply” but we will work with you to create a signature style that’ll make your gifts leave a lasting impression. No job is too small or too big. We are offering a 10% discount to all TBC members up to 31 Dec 2019.
Oaklands has so much to offer! Our award winning St Albans campus offers facilities set within acres of wide-open countryside with meeting rooms, a sports hall, restaurant facilities, college land and an Equestrian Centre available for hire.
Natural Gift Ideas this Christmas Arbonne has fantastic gift ideas for everyone this Christmas. From stocking fillers to larger gifts for family, friends and work colleagues. Our products don’t contain any nasty ingredients, we are vegan, gluten free, kosher and endorsed by PETA. Contact me for 20% off whilst stocks last. Contact sarahoglethorpe@hotmail.co.uk or mobile 07734 604866 website www.sarahoglethorpe.arbonne.com
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Get “Strictly” this festive season Hi Sam, so it’s not just adults that you teach in the world of Ballroom and Latin is it? No, I’ve also started to teach the next generation of ‘Strictly’ stars! We start at 5yrs and upwards, it’s truly amazing how some of our little ones learn so quickly, and it’s so rewarding watching how they develop physically, emotionally and socially. So do you cater for all levels of dancer? From your 2 left feet to your pro? Yes! It’s great to have such variation, and very rewarding at both ends of ability! And we noticed that you also offer wedding dances - do you get a lot of requests for those? Wedding dances have become more popular over the years, from learning just to move together, to more extravagant dance routines!
And do you offer private tuition? As we know that lots of people do want to improve their dancing, simply for things like weddings and special occasion events. Absolutely! Private tuition offers a more tailormade approach, and classes are more sociable. It depends what suits each person / couple. How can people get in touch with you to find out more or to book some sessions or classes with you? Most people get a little idea about what we can offer on our website www.dance2gether.co.uk, and then email me on info@dance2gether.co.uk or call on 07974 173020. Either way, response time is quick, and we try to help in whatever way we can.
Need help with your electrics this Christmas? We caught up with local electrician, Anton, to find out a bit more about the kind of jobs he gets asked to do in St Albans Hi Anton, we know you are a fantastic electrician with a 100% customer satisfaction record (which is amazing) and a little bird also told us that have recently been doing a lot of “ring” doorbell installations, is that right? Yes I have recently been doing a lot of ring systems, from doorbells to light cctv, they are great for improving security in homes especially at this time of year. And we understand that you are on hand to help with small projects such as lights that don’t work, to installing a complete house rewire? Yes that is correct, I’m always here to help and believe there is no job too big or small.
Do you work with a lot of builders too, or does it tend to be directly with domestic customers? I do both, but I tend to do more domestic work. How do people get in touch with you, Anton, to find out more or get a quote from you for the electrical jobs they need doing? People can contact me via my mobile on 07810771020, email: antonleto22@ outlook.com. Facebook page: ADL electrical St Albans. I’m also a member of Checkatrade where all my contact details can be found and customer reviews.
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We met up with Hannah Sessions of Hannah Sessions Design on the market in Central St Albans. Hi Hannah, Some people will already recognise your work from seeing you in Raindrops on Roses, the St Albans Museum and Art Gallery and also having your own market stall in St Albans on Saturdays, but for those that don’t yet know you, can you tell us a bit about what you do? I have developed and sell a range of unique gifts featuring things we love including our city and pets. I have designed and made items from artwork to mugs and tea towels.
So really, you are the perfect person to know for amazing gifts this Christmas! Pubs, dogs, St Albans buildings and creator of unique bespoke gifts too! How can people contact you or buy your products and services, Hannah? You can see me at St. Albans market most Saturday’s where I will have my full range. Please just email me at Hannah@hannahsessionsdesign.com about commissions or multiple orders. I’d love to hear from you.
You also undertake commissions don’t you? Yes! I also do commissions of houses, buildings or favourite places, I hand draw it then add colours of your choice. Printed and framed makes a really special gift.
Signing up for a better understanding We got chatting with Clare Banham of The Signing Company to find out what the benefits of Signing for children are. Signing enables all children to communicate their needs before they can speak, alleviating frustration. I love seeing a child sign they want milk, a bath or food. What age range do you have in your classes, Clare? There are 3 programmes; SigningBabies start from 5 months old, SigningToddlers is for 18 months plus and SigningTalkers 2 years plus.
Book now to feature your business or event in the next issue of BizCom - New Year issue covering Jan/Feb/ March Find out more here or contact us here
Click here www.clare.thesigningcompany. co.uk to find out more or get in touch with Clare - meanwhile, learn how to simply sign “Merry Christmas” here
TBC SHOUT OUT HE
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Businesses
Why not take control of your mental health today? Due to changes in attitudes through positive media coverage, more of us than ever before are discussing and sharing our mental wellbeing. There are times in our life when we may become overwhelmed by anxiety or worries that can find it difficult to explain or understand. It may be difficult to share these thoughts and feelings with friends, family or colleagues we are close to. Counselling aims to help you find better ways to understand yourself. It can help you gain a different perspective to help you manage the way you think or behave to improve emotional resilience. We would all benefit from investing time to improve our mental health. With the direct link to our physical wellbeing it should be viewed as equally as important. Seeking counselling support is not just for
when you are in crisis. It is an empowering step which can help you gain a deeper insight into understanding the ‘why’ whether you are struggling with anxiety, depression, loss or coming to terms with life changing events. Suicide statistics across the UK continue to rise, we hope to encourage more people to access counselling as early intervention could prevent unnecessary loss.
The Counselling Foundation offer a ‘Direct’ confidential counselling service which is BACP accredited. You will be offered up to 20 sessions where you see the same counsellor each week for 50 minutes.
If you are a local business in St Albans and are interested in offering counselling support to your employees, please contact us on: 01727 868585 foundation@counsellingfoundation.org
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What’s happening at The Noke? We caught up with Sales Manager, Kelly Ballard of the Mercuré St Albans Noke Hotel to find out what’s been happening at the hotel so far this year: We hear you have made significant changes & improvements within the hotel, can you tell us more? The team at the Noke are really passionate about working within the community. We have recently started collaborations with many local businesses. We have launched a brand new menu including many vegetarian and vegan options along with a delicious pizza menu from barrel and stone, who doesn’t love a good pizza? Our new terrace area is perfect to enjoy a bit of al fresco dining, surrounded by our award winning gardens. You have a fantastic gym, at the hotel which we don’t think that many people know about – tell us more Our leisure club is a great addition to our hotel and benefits from a fully equipped gymnasium, pool, Jacuzzi and sauna,
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children are very welcome to use the pool when accompanied by an adult If you want to treat yourself to a wonderful Spa packages these can all be booked via the team at the health and leisure club. And you’ve got lots going on in the run up to Christmas, can you tell us a bit more about that? Where do I start!? We have our amazing Christmas Gala party nights! These kick off in style in November and you are guaranteed a night to remember, depending on how much champagne you consume! We have everything looked after so you can relax and enjoy a wonderful festive celebration. Our Gala nights include a three course festive dinner, ½ a bottle of wine per person and entertainment which will keep you dancing the night away! We can offer fantastic rates on our bedrooms meaning a great night’s sleep, and no need for the late night taxi panic! In addition to this we are offering delicious festive lunches starting from only £18.00
per person (under 3’s eat free!) Our festive afternoon teas are the perfect opportunity to bring friends and family together, you can even book one of our beautiful private rooms, enjoy our homemade scones with orange and cinnamon clotted cream and winterberry jam, and why not add some festive fizz! For the Main event, Christmas day we have a sumptuous six course carvery lunch, it’s so good that even Father Christmas himself is joining us! And if you’re struggling to decide how to celebrate New Year’s Eve, why not join us for our Marquee party to welcome 2020 in style. And that’s not all - you have how many bedrooms? Lots of people need to put family and friends up over the festivities, so it’s a great alternative to sleeping on a blow up bed on the floor of the kids room! We have 110 bedrooms, our beautiful suite can be booked via our reservation team for a special occasion and can easily accommodate 4 people. All our bedrooms are spacious, well equipped with all the amenities you would expect at a 4 star hotel. You and your family can start the day right with great coffee, fresh juices, a delicious selection of breakfast choices including our popular pancake machine. After breakfast you could enjoy a leisurely swim in the pool or relax in the Jacuzzi, certain to prepare you for the day ahead.
Not many people know about your workshop and event space either - you have the gorgeous marquee, but you also have meeting rooms for hire, is that right? We have facilities to cater for 5 – 250 guests, with a perfect location. We offer packages with delegate rates, funeral reception, gala parties or even small function and meeting room requests. Our events team can offer the perfect solution whatever you enquiry and are on hand to help with the final arrangements. And people are welcome to pop in for coffee, afternoon teas, cocktails etc at any time? Everyone is welcome! Our lounges provide the perfect place for an informal meeting, glass of wine with friends or a catch up over one of our cocktails. We are very easy for you and friends to find and parking is free! - find out more or get in touch with Kelly and the team here
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Kevin Lynch, rock star, builder and radio DJ!
So, Kevee, it’s been quite a year for you so far hasn’t it? It has been extremely busy. Some would say burning the candle at both ends! We’ve been flat out working, I’ve had the radio show, rehearsing and gigging with Sko-Mads and Terminal Twist. Recording with TT and a new project! New band, new music, new solo stuff? Yes, after three years with Sko-Mads it was time for a change. We had recorded the album and picked up some good gigs but wasn’t sure the way to go on the second album. I had been recording some stuff solo and was enjoying playing different styles. Lyrics are my passion and a couple of friends had been really struggling with depression. One almost succeeding in taking his own life. I wrote Better Than The Rest for them but as a way to tell them how I felt about them. I find it easier sometimes to communicate through music.
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Lucky for me my friends Rob Le Plar and Andy Mariner wanted to be involved, we found Jeri Frisco the drummer and from Kevee Lynch solo artist to Kevee Lynch and The B**tard Sons of What’s Her Name. And congratulations on your 4 year period as a radio presenter on Radio Verulam, how on earth did you manage to get up for “Wake Up With Kevee” every Saturday morning with everything else you have going on? Lucky for me I’m a morning person. It really was a great slot for me. It stopped me from working Saturdays and from going out much on a Friday night. Will we see a return to Radio V in the near future, or cover presenting at all, as we know you are sorely missed by colleagues as well as listeners? Thanks Sue. Who knows, I miss it already. I love music and I love talking. Radio Verulam took a bit of a chance
letting me play what I wanted from 7-9am. A lot of RV presenters would be tuned in messaging me. I met new people most weeks. Groups like TBC St Albans, charities, sports clubs, I really enjoyed it. I had great support on social media from friends who really pushed the show and I will be forever grateful to them.
And amongst all of this, you run a family building business, Viburnum, with your son, Casey? We never really hear much about that. I do need to push the business a bit more. You have been great promoting us, better than us. So for the record we are a local family run Landscaping and building company. I went to building college in the town many years ago and have done it all my life. We like to think we offer a great reliable service for a fair price. We have worked with Chelsea Gold Medalist designers to create some beautiful gardens over the years. Checkout Viburnum Limited on Facebook where you will find a fair few photos of projects. We also do work for other building companies from time to time, which is testament I think that we take great pride in what we do.
ee Kev
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Ooh and before we let you go, we understand you are also an author!! Christmas is coming up, where can people find your books? I am getting started on my third book at the moment. The first book, ‘Route 66 Cycle Challenge’ was a biographical tale of me and my mates cycling across America on Route 66. Hey, some of us were not really cyclists but we had good times, hard times and pretty scary times with dogs and Coyote’s at 2am in the morning. Still it was a charity trip and we raised a few quid so we had to complete it. It’s a warts and all story. Gender Bender and Other Underdog Stories is a short story fictional book. Gender Bender (politically incorrect title but not the story) is about three mates all from a building background. One wears dresses, one doesn’t care but the other is still living in the 1980’s with his views. The second story is about a youth football team. The attitudes of the players, the coaches thinking they are coaching Manchester United! Win at all costs on one side, enjoy it for what it is on the other side, a game. The third story, ‘Ruby Soho’ about a punk girl not really fitting in at school. Getting bullied but every dog has its day. Books are available on line, amazon etc. Terminal Twist album 25 Years Go BY (I play drums) and Sko_mads album (I sing and write songs) available everywhere electronically. My Solo Ep out now Kevee Lynch Better Than the Rest /Burn If you want a quote from Viburnum Limited do get in touch we turn up everyday and we are nice people! Thanks, Kevee, keep us posted for 2020!
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Stocking filler ideas The Gift of Cooking Book your Cobbled Kitchen Gift Vouchers before 1st December 2019, quoting “Cobbledxmas19” for a 10% discount on all services Voucher valid for 6 months from ...........................................................
the art of instinctive cooking
TEMPLESPA For stocking fillers and great gift ideas contact Leigh Taylor on 07970 917317 Quote BizSpa for a 10% discount on all gifts. www.templespa.com/leightaylor
Brigadeiros are fabulous stocking fillers, unforgettable ‘Thank you’ and Corporate gifts
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THE
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Businesses COMMUNITY
Get Friday 7th February in your diaries - you are not going to want to miss this absolutely HUGE event that is going to be the GameChanger for your business! Book your early bird tickets NOW! Find out more at stalbans.thebusinessescommunity.com/BusinessGameChanger
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EYEWEAR & EYECARE OF EXCELLENCE EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO #enjoystalbans
63 The Quadrant, St Albans, AL4 9RD 01727 838003 | look@eyesonstalbans.com | eyesonstalbans.com @eyesonstalbans
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THE ART
OF TBC
OMG! We were truly blown away with the response to this project! 47 local businesses and members of the public bought a canvas from us, took it away, got creative and returned their canvases where we exhibited them both online and also at Rothamsted Conference Centre. Bids flooded in online and at the fantastic evening at Rothamsted with visitors, families, guests and children in attendance - with plenty of fizz and deeelicious canapĂŠs for the grown ups, and marshmallows and chocolate dipping sauce for the kids! We were thrilled to have Claire Flawn of Rothamsted who spoke about MND Association and the incredible help they were to her and her family and how much
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research is needed for this currently incurable disease. We had Jason Wills, of Powder Eight, who spoke about how Type 1 Diabetes affects his daughter and the whole family and how JDRF Diabetes need urgent funding. And we also heard from Suzy Moody from Home Start Herts as to how donations help hundreds of families in Hertfordshire and how they are working hard to be able to help families still on their waiting list. At time of release this event has raised ÂŁ1,366.91 Woo Hoo! A BIG THANK YOU to everyone involved.
If you would still like to donate please do so here
A big, huge THANK YOU to everyone who supported this event - from the artists themselves, to colleagues, friends and family who helped us to spread the word, to the Herts Ad for fabulous coverage and to all those who have bid, donated and shared the links - it’s a #TeamThang
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Popdance offer Christmas workshops! If your brownies, cubs, guides, scouts, school, activity group would like to learn fun dance routines to Christmas pop music such as Elton John’s “Step Into Christmas”, Mariah Carey’s “All I want for Christmas” classics, to current pop - give us a shout. For all ages and abilities - from 3 to 103 Popdance is great fun for parties, workshops, classes, after school clubs, hen parties - think dance routines to pop music, think Popdance! Find out more and book a workshop here
Looking for gift ideas? Take a look at local St Albans photographer, Jeremy Banks for prints from St Albans and around the globe - or why not commission Jeremy to photograph your favourite places or people - making it a truly perfect gift this Festive season To order, please visit:www.jeremybanksphotography.com/art-prints
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Visit Santa’s Post Office this festive season From 14 November to 23 December, Santa’s Post Office will be open in Christopher Place in St Albans city centre. There’s no need to book and entry is free. With Santa being so busy at this time of year, it’s very important to make sure your child’s letter gets to the North Pole in time! At Santa’s Post Office, children can enter a magical world and write their letters to the big man before posting them into a special letter box. Once posted, they will be able to watch their letter on an enchanted journey to Lapland. As the children watch the journey, Santa’s elves will hand parents a reply with their address on it, stamped by Santa, for you to give to your child when you wish. Santa’s Post Office will be open in Christopher Place at specific times from 14 November until 22 December. Please see publicity nearer the time for more details. Playgroups, businesses and SEN groups can approach BID for additional opening times on a bespoke basis at events@stalbansbid.com There will also be a treasure trail around St Albans that can be collected from Santa’s Post Office and participating outlets to be in with a chance to win a St Albans Gift Card! Entry to the trail and Santa’s Post Office is free. stalbansbid.com
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TBC TEAM SHEET A- Just in time service Ltd ABA White Rooms Accentuate beauty Accord HR Consulting Ltd ACE Digital Marketing Consultancy AddVance ADL Electricals ADS Digital Aims Alban Care Alison Diana Coaching Allegro Blinds (St Albans) Alterra Business Consulting Ltd Amber Mountain Marketing Anna Wilk Consulting Ltd Annie Griggs Photography AP Brand Communications Arbonne Atlas Translations Avin Accountants AVS Smart Solutions Beautiful Bea & Tropic With Eileen Beejal Coulson Best Theatre Arts Ltd BH Compliance Ltd Birth Into Being Blissfully Organised Home Organisation and Decluttering
BLS Computer Solutions Ltd Body Balance Clinic Ltd Body Therapy, Hyperbaric Oxygen & Drug-Free Healing Ltd bubbleHUB Buckets and Bubbles Buff and Bare Business Video Hub Captain Tortue Catherine Batour Make Up Beauty Style Centre4Excellence Cerimonia
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Chameleon HR Ltd. Cheryl Louise’s Hairdressing ChipsAway St Albans Chris Hobson Weddings Christopher Place Shopping Centre Corker Cars Ltd Corporate Alchemy Limited Cositas Counselling Foundation Create Communications Crisp Accountancy Ltd
Curiosity & Clarity Dance2gether Daniels Estate Agents DCS Voice and Vision Deirdre Swede Nutrition Digital Jen Digital StAlbans Distinct Physiotheraphy Dizzy Bee Kitchen Dogtastic Dream Team Movers Limited Earthworks EIC Insurance Services Ltd Ember Designs Emma Hayes Massage Emma Kosh Interiors Emmy’s brigadeiro Enhanced Optical Services Eve and Adam Evolution Pest Control Excalibur Auctions Ltd Excel Beauty Cosmetics Ltd EYES on St Albans Faces by George Farr Brew Ltd Fircroft Associates Ltd Firestarter Creative Ltd Floral City Flourish With Social Media Flowers by Catherine
Forever Living Functional Therapies Fusion Training GHPS Ltd Gladrags Gold Nugget Designs Good Beyond Ltd Great in 8, A Gradual Better You Gymboree Play & Music St Albans Hadham Health Ltd Haiders Hannah Sessions Design Hays Travel Headcase Barbers Heartwood Executive Cars Ltd Helen Frusher Forever Living Helen Louvieris Hypnotherapy Herts Garden Rooms Herts Health and Wellbeing - Vital Wellness Clinic Hindlip Design Ltd HK Accountancy Services Ltd Holiday Inn Express St Albans
Home County Rentals Home Property Finders Hour Hands House of Colour - St Albans Hummingbird Office Solutions Ltd Hypnos Wellbeing Ian Silverstein - Creative Thinker IGM Inspire Music School Invoke Finance Jasmine Jewellery Jaxstar Solutions Jeremy Banks Photography Jonathan Emmerson - Cushions, Fabrics and Homewares Judy Britten Reflexology Kijiko Lacon Designs
Lady A Photography Lawyer In The Making Leafi St Albans Museum and Gallery Leah Webster Explainer Videos Leightons Opticians Lets Talk Travel lifeadmin LifeWorks Little Big Ego Louise’s Antenatal Classes Lower Red Lion Lush Mush Lydia Berman Creative MacPro Design and Print Ltd MacRat Madison HR Maria Isaeva Financial Advisor Marshalwick Magazine Mary Bloom - Fitness & Performance
Mettle Milers milknfizz Mindful Pathway MJP Financial Consultants Motion Designer Moveology Mums Unlimited My Local DJ My Mustard Network and Security Limited Newborn Love Photography by Sara and Lee NoLimit Camps Nordikka Interiors LTD Norwex Noshpod Oaklands College October Design Olwen Jennings One Home Interiors Peer 2 Peer Perfect Match Presenters (PMP) Perfect Moment Florists Planit Purple Popdance Ltd Positive Reflex Therapy Powder Eight PQA PR with Perkes Principal Chauffeurs
Print Shop St Albans PTA Social Rachel Varndall Travel Counsellor Raring2Go Redbourn Autos Redway HR Regali Gift Wrapping Ltd Retromum Catering Rinceoiri le Cheile School of Irish dancing RK Interior Architectural Design Rocket Girl Coaching Rolling Snowball Marketing Rothamsted Enterprises RPG Crouch Chapman Sajona’s Small World SASA School of Performing Arts Schye Construction Ltd Sigrid’s Language Training Sinead Howland Career Coaching SJ Locks Smart Tech Social Elements Media Socially Mindful Sorted SPG Sphere Data Protection Sphere HR St Albans Decor St Albans Enterprise Agency STANTA St.Villa restaurant and cocktail bar Stagearts Catherine Stephanie Belton Photography StEPs C.I.C Stitch and Sparkle Straight Talk Social Media Striking Places Photography Superstar Communicator Sweet Charity Tarbys
Temple Spa The Barefoot Accountant Ltd The Best of St Albans The Brandit The Business Network South Herts The Carpet Store The Cat Butler The Chocolate Wrapper The Cobbled Kitchen
The Endless Bookcase The Flying Physios The Hospice of St Francis The Insurance Store The Marketing Hive The Mercuré Noke Hotel The Music Dept The Nutritional Medicine Clinic The Physio Specialist The Pilates Workshop The Refill Pantry The Signing Company The Virtual Marketeer Tickled Pink Interiors Timber Club Torrington Hall Total Care Personal Training Total Legacy Care Tracey Baum Coaching Trestle Arts Base Trio Telecom UK Business Buddy Utility Warehouse
Valuing Minds Varangian Vayu Limited Verulam Clinic Verulam Tile Warehouse VFB Marketing Viburnum Ltd Vin En Van Visionary Accountants Voispeed Wagada Watersplash Swim School West Hertfordshire Swim School Puddle Ducks Westminster Lodge WUKA ltd XPG Events Limited Yellow Lizard Yoga with Stacey Landau
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Now we’re talking! In this video, we hooked up with Lisa Nichols of Straight Talk Social Media to find out the evolution of social media in 2019, where it’s likely to be heading for 2020, and how that will impact our businesses. Hi Lisa, as you know only too well, social media changes rapidly - no sooner does one get used to the platforms, then they go and change them again - how on earth do you keep up? I subscribe to tech industry news through a Messenger chat bot, and put thought leaders in my industry on “See First” in my Fb newsfeed. I also follow helpful social media Instagram accounts to watch their Stories. There are a ton of ways to stay up to date on your industry when you choose what you see on social media. How do you feel social media is heading for 2020 - do you think that some platforms will “fall away” and some will charge ahead? We understand that Instagram stories is soaring at the moment?
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Yes it is. As I mention in the video, viewers are looking for more “dynamic” content that they can interact with. This means livestreams and stories have surpassed newsfeed posts for engagement now. So what’s your advice for businesses who are trying to keep up with it all? Focus on one platform, learn all you can and be consistent. I like Instagram (Stories in particular) as people follow more brands and thought leaders than friends and family over there. Warning: They follow them because they are being authentic and showing behind the scenes, not because every post is selling a product. Remember: It’s a Brand Story - not a sales catalogue! Any tips for what to look out for in 2020 in the world of digital media? The rising star of new social channels is TikTok. It’s currently still a youth platform but it’s rise has been meteoric over the last year, so it’s one to watch. Thanks, Lisa - wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a fabulous 2020 - if you would like to find out more, or have a chat with Lisa, get in touch with this fountain of knowledge here and follow on Instagram.
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Find out how TBC can help YOUR business HERE
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The HUB of St Albans Adventures in space with Ben and Harry
bubbleHUB is a shared workspace in the heart of St Albans. It has been opened by Benn Latham and Harry Dougall who wanted to create a home from home for creative, driven people looking for somewhere to work productively and benefit from the little bits of magic that bubbleHUB offers its members. Harry says about founding bubbleHUB: “We wanted to create a space that we’d be proud to call our work home and provide something that we felt was missing in St Albans. Also a place that would attract like-minded people but at the same time allow everyone to be unique in what they do.” Benn agrees: “I don’t think people want, or need, to go to London to be ‘Inspired’. Harry on what is special about bubbleHUB: “I think a combination of the environment and the members we already have on board make bubbleHUB a very special place to work.” On the question of who is bubbleHUB for, Benn responds: “bubbleHUB is for anyone
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running their own business or starting on the journey to setting up by themselves. It for people who understand and value a rich environment working alongside interesting local folk.” Benn and Harry are firm believers in achieving and maintaining a healthy work life balance. Benn: “There’s a wonderful metaphor of a wheel being your life and the spokes in it being the important parts – family, work, health etc... If time is spent disproportionately on one area, then the others suffer and the wheel (your life) will be less smooth! Therefore you need to spend time on all aspects to ensure the best journey! We hope that bubbleHUB can help smooth out the journey for the business folk of St Albans.” You can have a look around bubbleHUB’s hot desking ground floor and fixed desk first floor as well as arranging to trial the space for half day, any time you like* by getting in touch with the team. Click here to send them a message. *subject to capacity
Gain more contacts for your business at one event!
The 3 Counties Expo is a day full of opportunities. You can exhibit your business or come along as a visitor. We offer free entry for visitors and free workshops delivered by business experts. Plus breakfast and lunch networking events. We bring businesses together from Herts, Beds and Bucks creating new connections which often lead to sales and joint ventures. There are 3 annual events Our dates coming up are 5th November 2019 Bedford 24th March 2020 Luton 25th June 2020 Watford Details here www.3countiesexpo.co.uk Debbie Gilbert tel 07795 683598
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Hey Robert, Nate and Ernie, Wow - how have you found 2019 for you all? Absolutely amazing! We’ve done so much! From expanding our gig network, to signing with Nub Music, to passing our GCSEs, to playing to crowds of 3,000 plus, to gigging at festivals, to travelling to Israel, to sixth form and college - it’s been quite incredible really! So, looking forward to 2020? Very much so. We’ve got more gigs lined up, plus we are in the middle of writing new material, which we will be recording in the New Year. We’ve also got more exciting news which we will share with you in the New Year. What are you guys up to for Christmas? Working, gigging, spending time with family and friends - having a bit of time off perhaps - but we absolutely love what we do, so bring it on!
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Might we be able to find Kick Pistol under our Christmas Trees this year? Of course, you can grab Kick Pistol T-shirts from our website’s shop (great stocking filler), and you can also download our singles or EP from spotify, deezer etc. And what would you like for Christmas? We’d love to increase our social media following, so please do follow us on instagram and twitter here - it means a lot to us. And we’d also like to travel with the band, we are open to gigs in New York City for sure!
Find out more about Kick Pistol, download their music, check them out on social media and find their upcoming gigs at www.kickpistol.com
Christmas Communications - are you ready? We all know it gets pretty frantic in the run up to Christmas: • • • •
Christmas cards to be done, or emails as many people are switching to. Thank you gifts for clients and staff. Festive closing date emails to be sent. Christmas sales to be done.
So how do you “cut through the noise” to ensure you communicate with the right people? We love all things Christmas, and we love all things communication. We create simple, clear, concise messages with our designs and concepts that you can be sure they will deliver even faster that Santa himself for your business. And, we work with businesses of all sizes - get in touch with us at info@thebrandit.co.uk to arrange a chat as to what you want to achieve for your business this Christmas.
are proud to present
at The Sandpit Theat s The Ridgeway, St Alban
Hosted by
David Jenkins
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for
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Cerys ‘Norma’ Lea
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Joanna Hughes
Live performance from
BEAR PL
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Join us on Thursday
14th Dec at 7-9pm re,
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B A N S 20
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Graham Newell
ith, End stars Lewis Asqu Performances from West Joanna Hughes Graham Newell and Albans Local Talent St from ces rman As well as amazing perfo
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HT NIG LY ON
Adults £10, Children
£5 - all profits go to Home it Theatre Box Office
Book now via the Sandp
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799565 o.uk or phone 01727 www.sandpittheatre.c music and dance. festive evening of fun, Join us for a fantastic
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NIG ON HT LY
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Oct-Dec
Find out more about all these fantastic events at stalbans.thebusinessescommunity.com/events Contact the organisers as subject to change
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11th Oct
Autumn 2019: Day 8 Week Mindfulness Courses in St Albans - Communication and Message-Building
15th Oct
Making an Impactful Video
16th Oct
Mailchimp – Advanced Workshop
17th Oct
TBC Jelly A Little Bit Of Google workshop
18th Oct
Getting Started with Email Marketing
19th Oct
Rothamsted Murder Mystery
22nd Oct
Apex 25 Business Networking Open Day – Grow your Brand Faster
23rd Oct
Search Engine Optimisation Workshop
24th Oct
Business Planning Seminar
30th Oct
The Business Network South Herts
1st Nov
22nd Dec - Creative Living Pop up Shop Christopher Place
1st Nov
TBC Jelly Baby
5th Nov
An Introduction to Google Ads
8th Nov
Blogging for Beginners
14th Nov
TBC Jelly – At Rothamsted Conference Centre
20th Nov
The Business Network South Herts
5th Dec
How to Expand Your Network and Generate Valuable Leads Through LinkedIn
6th Dec
TBC Jelly Baby
11th Dec
The Business Network South Herts
12th Dec
TBC Festive Jelly and then Christmas Do in the evening
1st Jan
POLAR BEAR PLUNGE ST ALBANS 2020
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Let’s find out more about Torrington Hall ceilings and original fireplaces with big comfortable beds and mood lighting. The In this issue we find outHall about Hertfordshire boutique bedrooms are all individually …you’ve been at Torrington for Home-Start a named and tailored to different guests while now, how are things going? Things are going really well, I am completely needs. We have freestanding baths for those couples looking for a relaxing stay, and even in love with the building, and feel so children’s books for bedtime stories in the privileged that I to get to call it my place of family room. work, it’s a real home from home. We have lovely supportive guests, and Are you guests generally people visiting event bookers, and are seeing increases St Albans for pleasure, or do you have in our revenue every month. With a fantastic and dedicated team, we aim to many business people, or family and friends of local residents that use it? make everyone’s stay at Torrington Hall Our typical Monday to Friday guests are memorable. people visiting the area locally for business, but our weekends are filled with families, We’ve had the pleasure of seeing the stunning boutique bedrooms and en suites wedding guests, couples, tourists, and people visiting St Albans or have family in - how many bedrooms do you have at the area. No two days are ever the same at Torrington? Torrington Hall, and it’s really great that we We have 12 bedrooms which are all very can look after so many different types of different in terms of decoration and style. guests, the majority who return again and The furniture is an eclectic mix of vintage and modern, and the rooms feature high again. Hi Sophie…
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We understand that you have two large function rooms available as well - is that for things such as weddings, Christenings, parties, anniversaries, business networking meetings, conferences - that kind of thing? Ooh and Christmas parties? We have the Hulbert and Belmont rooms, and these can be hired for parties, christenings, dinners and conferences, you can even hire the whole hotel to have a big party or wedding and have your guests stay at the venue. We work with a prestigious caterer and his gourmet food is out of this world. He has now catered for so many events at the hotel that he has become part of the Torrington Hall family. Christmas is a particularly special time at Torrington Hall. The hotel is decorated traditionally and the huge ornate fireplaces make the perfect place to hang your stockings from. We host Christmas functions, parties and events throughout the festive period,
and we still have some availability during December if anyone is looking for a venue. Please visit our social media pages for updates and special events at Torrington Hall, or even take a virtual tour on our website. If you would like to get in touch with Sophie to find out more, visit Torrington Hall or book a stay www.torringtonhall.com
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Find the Festive Postboxes Find all the Polar Bear Plunge post boxes in December. Over 50 in total, around St Albans with a couple in Redbourn, London Colney, Wheathampstead and Harpenden. TheyInmake everyone and photos this issue we fismile, nd out about Home-Start can Hertfordshire be shared on social media using #stalbanspostbox, tagging in local business sponsors. Can you find the one sponsored by The Business Community (TBC)? In December 2018, we raised over ÂŁ4500 just from donations thanks to the post boxes alone and in 2019 we want to raise even more money for the three charities supported - Earthworks, Small Acts of Kindness and Age Concern St Albans. This year, there will be more christmassy magic and more wonderful business sponsors - and that means MORE POST BOXES! The fabulous yarning team of volunteers have been working hard since January 2019, coordinated by the incredible Candy Stuart. We are so grateful to this team for all their work - their time, and their materials, all freely and generously given. Candy comments: “Our first ever St Albans postbox yarn bomb was a massive success and helped reach a new level in funds raised for charity by the long standing Polar Bear Plunge. It was hugely popular so, of course, I was excited (and slightly daunted!) to do another even bigger one this year with a new target of 50 post boxes. Cue crocheting Christmas characters from March onwards in every spare moment (even in July on the beach!), marshalling support from anyone I can find to wield knitting needles, a crochet hook or a sewing needle, measuring postboxes in locations in and around St Albans, colour coded spreadsheets recording helpers, postboxes, stock and lists of requirements.
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It has been huge effort by all concerned and there is still lots to do even though we’re well on our way to our target and may even exceed it! But when they are all out and about, the photos start popping up on social media and the total raised for local charities ticks up and up, it will all be worth every stitch.�
Charity information: Earthworks St Albans Registered charity 1067139 ; http://www. earthworksstalbans.co.uk/ Earthworks St. Albans is a registered charity that offers trainees, often with learning disabilities or mental health issues, work experience and training in horticultural and land-based skills. Small Acts of Kindness Registered with the Charity Commission as a CIO, registered number 1178546 http://www.smallactsofkindness.co.uk/ SAoK source and distribute practical gifts that reduce the negative impact of loneliness and isolation on the physical and mental wellbeing of older people particularly those who are cold in their homes. They engage local people to create opportunities for these gifts to be the catalyst for building new social connections within communities thus
reducing the leading factor that leads to feelings of loneliness and isolation. Age Concern St Albans Their purpose is to promote the welfare of elderly people in and around the City and District of St Albans. They provide a number of services to the residents of the District including transport, lunch clubs, social activities and outings. http:// acstalbans.moonfruit.com/ ALL money received for the topper sponsorship is paid direct to the charities, admin and planning is provided by Atlas Translations and the fabulous volunteers on the yarnbombing team.