COVER STORY: SHOP LOCAL, HOW TO HELP YOUR HIGH STREET

FIRTH PARK IL FORNO

Il Forno Bakery provides the best quality baked goods, handcrafted sandwiches, delicious desserts and the finest rotisserie chicken in the city.

Working from a beautiful shop displaying and serving their baked goods and delicious takeaway meals, Il Forno is located near Firth Park in Sheffield.

Open 8am to 5pm Monday to Saturday, Il Forno bake bread daily in-house via traditional clay ovens to ensure the freshest, most delicious taste.

We spoke to Hussain Asem from Il Forno about his business and his thoughts on shopping locally.

He said: “We provide homemade, fresher, and healthier options for people, especially compared to many other takeaways in our area. Our chefs pride themselves on using only the best ingredients - you won’t find bread this good anywhere else in Sheffield!”

Il Forno is unique in that they update their menu every day – customers can always be sure that the products they are buying are homemade daily.

Hussain said: “Shopping locally is essential. It allows you to travel less, and if you’re on a tight schedule nearby, people don’t have to skip a meal during the day; they can pop in and quickly order something for their lunch, making sure that they look after themselves.

“Plus, our products are fresher and healthier than what larger stores can provide, and having local stores helps there be more options in communities and makes communities more welcoming and friendly as a whole.”

“We believe that the council’s Shop Local campaign will help draw more customers allowing people to see what we actually do.

Once people find us, they have the amazing opportunity to try a range of fresh homemade foods that are quick to buy, healthy to eat and can be bought at affordable prices.

Find out more: Instagram: @ilforno_bakery Website: www.ilfornobakery.co.uk

Our chefs pride themselves on using only the best ingredients - you won’t find bread this good anywhere else in Sheffield!”

HILLSBORO’ ANNIE JUDES

Hillsborough’s Annie Jude’s is a gift shop with a real backstory – and a very moving one at that.

34-year-old Faith Nicholson started the business, which sells a whole range of gifts, crafts and handmade items, after her mother sadly passed away last year.

From candles to confectionary, jewellery to skincare, there’s something for everyone – and it was only made possible by the money Faith received from her mum.

She said: “This business is a real tribute to my mum and it’s her lasting legacy.

“Her name was Judith Ann, so the shop is named after her – and my little girl’s middle name is Jude too.

“My mum was so community minded and that inspires me every day, it’s what I want to bring to this shop.”

Annie Jude’s has only been open since December 2021, when Faith was so determined to open before Christmas that she had to rely on just a backup generator and candles because her electricity wasn’t up and running in time.

While she might be warmer now, her determination to succeed is as strong as ever.

That’s why she’s so excited about Sheffield City Council’s ‘Shop Local’ scheme – and the message behind it.

“Seeing the council supporting small businesses is so important and shows how much they matter to the people of Sheffield,” Faith said. “It means a lot to have that backing and to have someone fighting our corner. Any promotion really helps.”

Faith believes that continuing to shop locally and supporting smaller businesses is imperative to the survival of the high street.

And her passion for her own high street in Hillsborough is evident, as she raves about the array of options and local amenities available.

She said: “We’re so lucky to have so many excellent choices right on our doorstep.

“We have everything you could ever need – from greasy spoons to posh delis and every type of shop you can think of. I never want to lose that.

“I think that’s why the council’s message is so great, because we need to be shouting about all these lovely independents that are all so close, but maybe not as well-known.”

And it’s not just the businesses that make the high street so special for Faith – it’s the people.

She said: “While shopping online is nice, what you don’t get is the interaction and personalised experience of shopping in store. If the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that we need to be interacting with other people as much as possible.

“I have been so lucky to get so much support from our community and meet so many lovely people. For me, that’s why shopping locally is vital – long may it continue!”

Find out more: Facebook: @AnnieJude’s Instagram: @ anniejudesshopsheffield Website: www.anniejudes. co.uk

SHEFFIELD SKINCARE CO

CROOKES

Sheffield Skincare Company is an independent Sheffield business based in Crookes. They make 100 per cent natural skincare products in small batches to ensure that everything is as fresh as possible.

Their ingredients are ethically sourced and they are passionate about plastic-free packaging.

Megan Beardsmore, from Sheffield Skincare, said: “It’s important to shop local as you’ll be putting money back into the community. I end up spending the money I earn through my business back in the area.

“It means you’re not funding a second or third home or someone’s fourth car, you’re helping local people who are putting the money back into their businesses and their local economy.

“Boosting the independent shops in Sheffield is vital as it makes them easily accessible for everyone. The council’s campaign is a great idea. For those who have survived the pandemic, we could do with the support.

“The first few months of the year have been quiet, for us and across Sheffield. That support, even if it’s just something little, boosts the economy and keeps all those independent shops that do special things that you can’t find in big supermarkets.

“There’s more love behind a product when it comes from an independent shop. You can visit and have a chat. We can help people, adjust things slightly, create bespoke wedding favours, all the things that bigger companies can’t do.”

Many of Sheffield Skincare’s product names come from local Sheffield sayings or are named after places in Sheffield. Their passion for the place they live in is another excellent quality of being an independent store in the city and Crookes has a large community of independently owned stores.

Megan said: “We all talk together and share any problems we’re having. We’re quite linked together, so, for example, I can communicate with Sorrels Bakery or the Unwrapped store about anything my store is going through.

“There’s a lot of support on that front and a lot of help from the community. For things like Christmas and Mother’s Day, people around here are good at shopping local.

“We also get people visiting from outside the area, which is brilliant; Crookes attracts people. It’s got charming cafes and generally draws quite a few people in. There’s a good atmosphere around here, and it’s great to be involved in it.”

Find out more: Instagram: @sheffskinco Facebook: @sheffieldskincare Website: https:// sheffieldskincare.co.uk/

ECCLESALL ROAD SNUGG KIDS

Based in a leafy suburb of Sheffield, Snugg Kids on Ecclesall Road strives to bring the best quality Scandinavian products on the market for children aged 0-8 years.

With a wide selection of clothes, books, accessories and lifestyle items, Snugg aims to help you and your children live your best Scandi-style life.

The team takes every effort to use companies that source natural materials for responsibly and ethically made products, and everything is handpicked to ensure the highest quality.

Amy Cuttill, from Snugg, said: “It’s a concept store, more of an experience than your typical shop, and it’s filled with all-handpicked pieces of clothing. It’s all Scandinavian themed, so there are a lot of unique products that you won’t see anywhere else.

“It’s important to shop local because the world would be boring without lots of different small shops. Not to forget it’s critical for the UK economy.

“We hope that the Shop Local campaign provides more exposure to what we do and overwrites misconceptions that there may be. For example, people think our products will be over budget, but we have a mixture of options, so there is a price point for everyone.”

Snugg is located near the Botanical Gardens and Endcliffe Park and resides next door to Nonnas, a classic Italian restaurant.

Amy said: “I like the fact we have the parks and Nonnas so close. There are so many great independent shops on the same street, or around the corner from us, and it means that we can always lean on each other. It’s a nice community.”

Find out more: Facebook: @snuggkids Website: https://snuggkids.co.uk/

Our services include:

• Accountancy • Audit & Assurance • Business start-up support • Bookkeeping & Management Accounts • Cloud Accounting • Company Secretarial & Legal • Corporate Finance • Financial Planning • Forensic Accounting • Payroll • Private Client • Restructuring & Recovery • R&D Tax Relief & Patent Box • Self Assessment • Taxation • VAT Returns

For more information, visit: raffina.co.uk hello@raffina.co.uk | 0114 252 7777

A RENDERING OF THE COACH HOUSE IN HILLSBROUGH PARK

GATHERING GROUND LAUNCHED IN HILLSBOROUGH PARK

Sheffield community organisations team up to open creative new space in popular city park.

A new range of community facilities has been unveiled in Hillsborough Park, bringing together creative, artistic, educational, and leisure activities on a single site.

Gathering Ground is an innovative and collaborative project comprising of Bradbury Makers’ Shed, which backs onto the park’s Walled Garden; the existing Pavilion; and the Depot Bakery café, which recently opened in the Coach House. Age UK Sheffield has brought the facilities together in a £1 million, Lottery-funded project, and is working in partnership with Sheffieldbased community arts organisation RivelinCo to develop an intergenerational creative activity and event programme.

It will include woodwork, printmaking, theatre, music and dance, arts and crafts, gardening, creative writing, a choir, a cinema club and a repair shop. Age UK Sheffield chief executive, Steve Chu, said: “Gathering Ground will be for everyone, with groups and activities to appeal to the entire family. Older people are our priority - the core activity programme will appeal to over50s and be dementia-friendly and accessible to all - but we want this programme to bring people of all ages together in an intergenerational approach, making the most of our refurbished facilities and the park’s natural environment.” RivelinCo’s drector Linda Bloomfield, said: “We’re delighted to be partnering with Age UK Sheffield to

deliver the creative programme at Gathering Ground, a one-of-a-kind new activity and wellbeing centre for our community in Hillsborough and beyond. We’ve been busy building the opening programme with our team of brilliant artists and facilitators, after several months’ community consultation to find out what local people wanted to see happen in their neighbourhood. Activities and events will be affordable, accessible, led by artists and for all ages - we can’t wait to share them with you.” Taster sessions will take place in April and May, ahead of a full programme from June onwards. For more details, e-mail info@gatheringground. uk

To volunteer at Gathering Ground, e-mail: enquiries@ ageuksheffield.org.uk For more information about Age UK Sheffield, visit www. ageuk.org.uk/sheffield/ To find out more about RivelinCo, visit www.rivelinco. org

UTILITY SOURCE – PROVIDING RESILIENCE AND SOLUTIONS….

Dean Pattison at Utility Source explains what it was like working on the unique new Gathering Ground project in Hillsborough Park.

Property development and challenges with utility installations tend to go hand in hand and our business is focussed on identifying positive solutions.

We were recommended to Steve Chu at Age UK and were subsequently appointed to become part of the project team at the regeneration of the Coach House and Potting Shed in Hillsborough Park.

As utilities consultants, we worked alongside the project team to create a suitable installation proposal. This led to us appointing a local accredited contractor, D&G Utilities to install a new gas main and service into the building. Logistically there were inevitable challenges, especially when excavating through a public park but careful planning and preparation enabled a safe and successful installation.

Given that the building was in the process of being transformed into a community café, the gas supply was essential to enable food preparation.

Fast forward several months and The Depot Bakery were appointed to operate the café. Shortly afterwards it was identified that the gas supply installed was not suitably sized to feed their specialist kitchen equipment, an issue which was unforeseen in the early stages of the development.

We attended the site to find that the external resin surface was already in place and that any excavations would impact on the surface guarantees. Rather than excavating through the resin we looked for alternative solutions and identified that with the correct capacity checks and approvals in place it was possible to upsize some of the equipment installed without disrupting the surface.

Following several lengthy debates with the energy supplier, interaction with the gas network operator and a site visit or two, we had a solution on the table.

We value our local contractor partners, and the next step was to engage one which was qualified to make alterations to the equipment. Mane Metering did just that, ensuring that the equipment was upsized to enable the increased capacity. The outcome was operational kitchen equipment and a pristine resin surface!

Whilst we have only been a small part of the remarkable transformation of the Coach House, we believe that we have been a valuable source of support for the customer. Resilience is an essential quality when operating in our market and we are proud to demonstrate that we have it in abundance.

The next step is a cuppa and a piece of cake whilst we admire our collective achievements in the grounds of this fantastic building.

Steve Chu, chief executive at Age UK Sheffield, said: “Utility Source Limited provided a great service for us, and went above the call of duty to help us resolve some tricky issues. Their knowledge and contacts unlocked the solutions to some problems we would have struggled to resolve on our own. I would have no hesitation in recommending them and working with them again.”

UP NORTH CABINET MAKERS

Up North Cabinet Makers is based in the heart of the industrial region of Sheffield and makes furniture from wardrobes to bookshelves, as well as kitchens.

Tell us about your business – sell yourselves!

Up North Cabinet Makers was founded by Luke Wawrzyniak only three years ago but thanks to continued growth we’re now a team of six. With the great workshop space we have, our plan is to gradually double the staff size to ensure we are designing, making and installing every day without ever compromising on precision or craftmanship.

We love good furniture. We’re not so keen on bad furniture or wasted space. That’s why our focus is on quality, meaning everything we make is made to last for decades.

We make kitchens and fitted furniture. Our work is bespoke and designed to fit perfectly in its new home. Wardrobes, bookshelves, home offices – we’ve made it all and yet each one is totally unique. People have come to us with awkward nooks and crannies of unused space because the solution it really needs is not available off-the-shelf. Our job is to solve these problems with exclusive, well-designed and well-crafted furniture.

We offer a free design and visualisation service to all customers. Whether our customer wants to lead with a clear vision or have us put forward ideas, design is always a core part of the process.

Sustainability is at the forefront of everything we do as a business. Our raw material is ethically and environmentally sourced. This means locally sourced to a minimum. Sustainability and quality truly go hand in hand.

timber and other materials made from recycled and repurposed wood. We apply spray finishes in house without using any nasty chemicals and keep our waste

Who are your customers and how are you targeting them?

We speak to people in and around Sheffield who are looking for a solution they just can’t find anywhere else. A lot of our customers are conscious of the impact of poor design and inadequate materials, so we work with them to build furniture that will last for generations.

We have helped people from first time buyers to those looking to perfect their forever home. Having spent more time at home over the last couple of years it seems people are looking to invest more to improve their own habitat, and rightly so!

How can people get in touch with you?

If you would like to start a project of your own, then get in touch with us at info@ upnorthcabinetmakers.com or on 07786 295313 to discuss any project you have in mind. Or take a look at our website for more information. www.

upnorthcabinetmakers.com

Also follow us on Facebook, Instagram (@ upnorthcabinetmakers) or Twitter (@upnorthmakers) to check out some of the different projects we have completed.

HELPING YOU BACK TO THE WORKPLACE

TravelMaster, a multi-operator ticketing company specialising in products that allow travel on any bus, tram or train in South Yorkshire, has appointed a new general manager, John Henshall. John explains how TravelMaster is helping people get back to the workplace.

Exiting the pandemic, it is our responsibility to adapt to the needs of our customers as they get acclimatised to their own ‘new normal’. To this end, we are constantly looking at innovative ways in which we can retail and fulfil ticket orders.

One of the ways in which we are helping customers is the launch of the Flexi5. It is a collection of five one-day tickets that can be used in any 30-day period. Due to the flexible nature of this product, customers are no longer obligated to buy tickets valid for seven consecutive days or longer to cover only working a handful of days in the office. Further improvements to the Flexi product are currently being developed for customers in the coming months.

Our customer offer does not end there. We are committed to offering varied points-of-sale, across numerous platforms. In addition to retailing products online, we also sell tickets through ticket vending machines at transport interchanges and via Payzone outlets in the county.

In recent years we also partnered with a couple of our operators – First South Yorkshire and Stagecoach Yorkshire – to enable our products to be made available via their own ticketing apps. This allows customers the ease to select the most appropriate ticket as quickly and painlessly as possible whilst en route.

Of course, the sales platforms are only useful if there are products to sell. Prior to the pandemic, we had streamlined our selection for adults and young people alike.

We have the CityBus and CityWide (which includes both bus and tram) in Sheffield, as well as the BConnect, DConnect and RConnect tickets for the districts of Barnsley, Doncaster and Rotherham. For those travelling cross county, adults can either choose the SYConnect (all buses and trams) or SYConnect+ (with the addition of trains). 18–22-year-olds can receive a 15 per cent discount off any tickets in the above adult range with our 18-22 Discount Card, which can be ordered free-of-charge from our website. We also offer discounts to organisations who wish to buy tickets in bulk for employees or visitors.

For more information, or to buy your tickets today, please visit: sytravelmaster.com/ unLTD or contact sales@ sytravelmaster.com for information on business discounts.

S O U TH YORKSHIRE lIbrarIes NATIONAL NETWORK

THE unLTD PODCAST

This month on the unLTD Podcast, James Marriott is taking you behind-the-scenes of the magazine.

It’s all because we have a new member of the unLTD team! Features writer Brogan Maguire joins us to tell us about her background and what she’s looking forward to getting stuck into in the role.

And Brogan guides us through an average month at unLTD HQ - from the early stages of planning out the mag right through to sending it off to the printers and it hitting the streets of South Yorkshire. There are also some useful tips on how to tell us about your news... maybe you could be splashed across these pages soon!

Coming soon!

I’m working on a new podcast which will be launching soon, and I have an invitation for you. This show will give owners of businesses - big, small, and anywhere in between - an JAMES SPOKE TO UNLTD’S BROGAN MAGUIRE

opportunity to pitch what they do and tell their story. It doesn’t matter what industry you’re in, where you’re based, how many employees you have or anything else. Everyone is welcome! It’s a little while away yet but if you’re reading this and want to put your name down to be one of the first to come on, just drop me an email to james@wearesoundmedia. com and I’ll make sure you›re top of the list.

Top Tip

It’s been a while since I’ve included a podcasting tip, so here’s one which went down really well on social media. This is a way of incorporating video into how you publicise your podcast without causing yourself a ton of work. After you’ve recorded your episode, either you or your guest does a quick 20-30 second selfie video just introducing themselves and teasing a couple of the highlights from the episode. You can then use it on your social platforms without the need to spend hours editing or sifting through the recordings.

What a result

As we get to the business end of the football season, here’s a quick shoutout for three local football podcasts which are worth a listen (depending on your allegiance of course!). BladesPod is the original Sheffield United podcast hosted by Ben - what a journey the club has been on since it started in late 2017! With the Blades in the hunt for an immediate return to the top flight, there’ll be some cracking episodes to come. Across town, the blue and white side of the city has a plethora of podcasts, but one of my favourites is Owls Americast. Wednesday have a large following in the US and this podcast is half Americans, half expats, and always top quality. If you’re a Barnsley fan, check out Red All Over. It started out as a radio show before focusing on a podcast format and has grown into a really strong brand with video content as well. Can the Reds pull off the great escape? Joe and the gang will be there every step of the way.

FREE LEGAL ADVICE AVAILABLE TO SHEFFIELD BUSINESSES AT DROP-IN CLINICS

Sheffield businesses are able to access free legal advice at clinics hosted by leading law firm Shakespeare Martineau.

The regular one-to-one sessions take place at multiple sites across the city – with the next walk-in clinic taking place with intellectual property law legal director Kerry Russell between 1pm and 4pm on 6 April at the Business and Intellectual Property Centre, located in Sheffield’s Central Library, in Surrey Street.

Kerry will also be on-hand at the next bi-monthly drop-in clinic in Sheffield Technology Parks, in Arundel Street, between 10am and 1pm on 28 April to advise businesses on intellectual property issues and queries.

Commercial partner Carys Thompson will host her next monthly virtual session in partnership with Business Sheffield on the same day – designed to help both start-up and established businesses to thrive and grow. To book a virtual appointment on 28 April, or at another future clinic, please call the Business Sheffield Gateway Team on 0114 224 5000.

Carys said: “We love speaking with and finding out about the amazing businesses in Sheffield and supporting them with the legal queries they may have. We find that the clinics are a great way to dispel the apprehension many people feel before obtaining legal advice.

“We are fortunate that, while Shakespeare Martineau is fairly new to the Sheffield market, we have the support of the wider team and full service offering behind us across the firm nationally. We have particular expertise in advising start-ups, entrepreneurs and fast-growth business owners, supporting them in taking the next step in their growth journey.”

THE LOWDOWN ON IMMIGRATION LAW

Kathleen O’Donnell, senior manager at immigration firm Fragomen, talks about the options available for recruiting skilled workers into your business.

The predicted ramp up of activity in the Sheffield City Region will, as ever, lead to the need to source more skilled workers.

Employers have found that some personnel from the EU that they used to recruit without restriction before Brexit, have not applied for EU settled status, which allows them to work here for any employer and leads to settlement.

The scheme is now closed, although the Home Office does accept late applications in exceptional circumstances. This means knowledge of other routes to work is even more relevant for recruiters, so they can guide people who may not be eligible to make a late EU Settled Status application.

Here is a summary of the options available – these have further broadened with the addition of the new Global Business Mobility Routes.

UK Sponsor Licence - Once you have applied for this one-off application, you can then sponsor migrants in the Inter-company transfer (becoming Global Mobility Routes in early April) and Skilled Worker categories.

Global Business Mobility

routes - this route will open on April 11 and there will be five sub-categories - It is for businesses seeking to establish a presence here or transfer staff on temporary assignments so it will not lead to settlement. As individuals will be on assignment in the UK, you should also consider the Social Security implications of the move. Skilled worker visa - suitable for many types of hire - leads to settlement after 5 years; must have passed an approved English test or via a university degree unless they are a national of a majority English speaking country. Frontier Worker visa – the ideal commuter visa; employee must be from the EU, living outside the UK and have started working in the UK by 31 December 2020. Visitors - only allowed to undertake certain activities in limited circumstances. This route may work for you for short visits and certain provisions may allow a field engineer to come and install or maintain a piece of equipment for you, for example. Otherwise, the Global Business Mobility routes may be more suitable.

Permission to work in their

own right – employees may qualify in their own right, for example by being married to a British citizen or someone who already holds permission to work.

We provide tailored immigration support, including assisting with visa applications for employees and their families, specialist compliance advice and regular client briefings, alerts and events.

While finding the right staff has always been an issue for companies, it’s important to remember talented personnel from further afield can be sourced – provided you comply with the rules by having the right professional support and advice.

To find out more, visit www.fragomen.com

If you are a property investor it is likely that you have already encountered a negative experience when dealing with a utility provider. Poor communication, navigating a complicated and regulated process, volatile costs or unexpected lengthy lead times are common complaints which cause delay. A delay can of course disturb your lending conditions.

At Utility Source we believe in sharing information with our customers to provide ongoing education and understanding.

HERE ARE THREE TIPS WHICH MAY SUPPORT YOUR UTILITIES JOURNEY:

Carry out a utilities review before you buy a piece of land or a building. The results may identify potential cost and inconvenience and in some cases can support the land price negotiation.

No two jobs are ever the same. Try not to shoehorn data from your last project into your new project as it can lead to nasty surprises. Site specific data will influence an accurate budget and help mitigate any costly delays.

Understand timescales! It is normal to allow four weeks to collate utility quotations and 6-8 weeks to have the work completed. There are many unavoidable factors which can slow these anticipated lead times and you need to know what they are.

RAFFINA BY REECE ELLIOTT

unLTD’s Brogan Maguire visited Sheffield’s hottest new restaurant, Raffina by Reece Elliott and shared her experience.

Found in one of the most iconic buildings on Ecclesall Road, Raffina by Reece Elliott’s exterior boasts full-length glass windows where you can get a quick glimpse of the delights that are awaiting you inside.

I was met by Raffina’s general manager Josh and was quickly shown to my table. The front of house staff were attentive, knowledgeable, and friendly – nothing was too much trouble, and our service was impeccable.

Raffina’s décor is beautiful. My eyes were taken to the two beautiful light fixtures, the large marble-topped corner bar, and the large velvet green raised seating area.

Reece’s menu is outstanding, and it was hard to know what to choose as I could have easily picked every dish! There are six starters, six mains and six dessert options – which I always feel reflects a Chef who is confident with flavour combinations and delivery of his dishes.

To start, I went for the wild mushroom and truffle arancini; for my main, I opted for the crab and lobster tortelloni and the salted caramel, and custard tart served with cappuccino ice cream for dessert – all of the three courses were divine. The restaurant boasts a comprehensive drinks menu and I had an appleberry spritz, which was refreshing and complimented the freshness and delicacy of the dishes.

What topped off the experience for me was Reece walking the restaurant floor and talking to his diners. The personal touches make a difference and elevated the whole dining experience.

In summary, Raffina by Reece Elliot offers stunning food, fantastic service in a beautiful setting, I would highly recommend it.

You can visit Raffina by Reece Elliott Wednesday – Saturday for lunch and dinner.

To book your table and view the menus, scan the QR code

ELECTRIC VEHICLES

AND THE KEY RISKS SURROUNDING BATTERIES

Adrian Robinson managing director of PIB Risk Management, talks about the growth in the electric vehicle (EVs) market, with over 365,000 pure-electric cars on UK roads at the end of November 2021, and more than 705,000 plug-in models including plug-in hybrids (PHEVs).

Whilst the impact on the environment can only be positive, what are the implications for retailers in terms of risk to their businesses?

Charging

Insurers have raised concerns over the charging of vehicles within dealerships outside business hours. This is due to the potential fire risk and the emission of gases during the charging process.

To reduce risk, we recommend you consider the nature of controls required as described in the RISC Authority RC59 document, ‘RC59 Fire safety when charging electric vehicles’. This suggests, for example, establishing dedicated fireprotected areas, such as separate charging buildings.

Should full compliance not be achievable, our risk management team may be able to negotiate with insurers to agree on practical ways in which you can demonstrate good compliance with RC59.

Storage

Specific legislation surrounds the storing of batteries and includes measures such as sustainability, safety, labelling, and end of life management.

The guiding principle of the UK legislation is that all waste batteries must be processed by an Approved Battery Treatment Operator (ABTO) or an Approved Battery Exporter (ABE). Specifically, producers of automotive batteries must collect waste automotive batteries free of charge from their final holders, such as garages and scrapyards.

Our risk management experts can help guide on in ensuring your business is meeting the requirements and offer advice on best practice.

Servicing

EVs require regular service checks, just as conventional cars, to help maintain optimal battery performance and the EV longevity. There are risks associated with servicing and repairing EVs since they contain and store energy which could cause serious harm if not managed correctly.

It is vital that a thorough risk assessment is carried out to ensure there is a process in place to identify the safety status of all EVs, the appropriate PPE has been provided and checked before work begins, and technicians assigned to work on the vehicles have received the correct training.

In addition, post-repair processes will need to be reviewed to ensure the correct charging of the vehicle battery before the car is returned to the customer, and the safe disposal of any hazardous components.

What next?

Since the risks surrounding EVs are relatively new, and insurers are naturally cautious, our expert risk managers can assist you with reducing and managing the risk, and therefore provide your insurer with the confidence they need to continue to support you with supplying, servicing and repairing EVs in a safe and protected manner.

For more information about the specific legislation on battery manufacture and waste in the UK, please visit: www.gov.uk/ guidance/regulations-batteriesand-waste-batteries

Emma Chidlaw from embroidery company Revco opens up to unLTD feature writer Brogan Maguire about the challenges of being a woman in business – and how she juggles running a workwear, embroidery and print company with being a mum-of-four.

Emma Chidlaw, who co-owns Sheffield-based embroidery company Revco with her husband John, isn’t 100 per cent sure.

But what she is sure about is that being a mother, a wife, a business owner and a member of staff – as well as trying to have a life of your own - is not easy for anyone.

Running a company is a busy job no matter what, but Emma doesn’t just co-own the business - she also works hands-on in the warehouse, getting involved in the printing, embroidering and packaging of all the products.

She says: “I run the warehouse side of things, so I manage all the staff in there, as well as doing my own embroidery… oh, and all the quality checks! When I say it like that, it does sound like a lot, doesn’t it?”

The good news is that Emma loves the work she does and feels very passionate about it, even if it can be exhausting.

She adds: “We’ve got a few other businesses and I’ve always done our uniforms and

WIN!

A Xbox series X

TO BE IN WITH A CHANCE OF WINNING FOLLOW OUR SOCIAL CHANNELS AND:

LIKE 1 ENTRY SHARE 2 ENTRY RECOMMEND 3 ENTRIES PURCHASE 5 ENTRIES

sorted our logos so it’s really exciting that now I get to do that for other people.

“What really helps is that I love being busy, and I really do love this business with all my heart.”

It’s a good job she enjoys being busy, as the business has gone from strength to strength over the last year and the team often have large numbers of orders to get out to their customers on a tight deadline.

But another thing that helps Emma and her staff with their stress levels is making sure they never get too bogged down in the heavy workload to have a laugh and enjoy their time at work.

“All the girls in my team, including my sister, tell me they love coming to work, which is lovely to hear,” she says.

“Of course, we do have times when we have a big order to get out and we just have to get our heads down, but there’s no reason why you can’t have fun while you do it.

“There have been people within the business who have specifically requested to be part of my team and I think that’s a testament to what I’m doing. It’s so important to have a good work culture and make people feel valued.”

It’s clear this is a company that champions women – with a fully-female team working in the warehouse – and one that understands the challenges they face.

With four children of her own, Emma is all too familiar with the difficulties that come with balancing motherhood and full-time work.

Whether it’s picking up a poorly child from school unexpectedly, having to shoot off early to get to parents evening or a mad dash to drop off a forgotten PE kit at the school gates, being a working mum comes with plenty of problems to solve.

It’s for that reason that she and John are flexible with their staff and always encourage them to speak up if they are struggling.

Emma says: “I think it’s really important to be all ears with your staff and let them know that you’ve got their back.

“We’re not scary, we’re humans who have been through all the same issues and want to help as much as we can.

“All we ask is that people talk to us and let us know what they need. We’re always really flexible about shifts and try our best to work around them.

“As long as everything gets done and all the orders go out that’s all that counts, so there’s no reason we can’t work around our staff.”

Although her children are a little bit older now, Emma still remembers how challenging it has been over the years to juggle being a mum and running a business.

From school runs to dentist appointments to business meetings halfway across the country, balancing all of her daily tasks has not always been an easy job.

In fact, there’s one particular memory that stands out for her when summarising what life as a working mum is like.

“I remember when Bella was about six months old, I had to get up at 4am and go to Manchester to check on some of our warehouses,” she recalls.

“I was exhausted as I was always up in the night feeding her but there wasn’t another way for me to do it, so I just got on with it. It’s amazing what you can do when you put your mind to it.

“Having said that, it has definitely been a struggle and there have definitely been times when I haven’t known how I was going to get it all done. It really is so much harder when they’re younger.

“Luckily it is a little bit easier now the kids are older as they are a bit more independent and it gives me a bit more freedom. There was a period where they got a bit too used to having me at home all the time so we have had to have some conversations about everyone doing their bit around the house more, but we’re in a good place with that now, thankfully!”

And she couldn’t have done it all without John by her side, her partner in more ways than one.

“I know we don’t always see eye to eye on everything but somehow we just work,” she adds. “Having a husband is a full-time job within itself but I really couldn’t imagine life any other way. We’re such a good team.” Despite the challenges and the often hectic days, Emma says following her business dreams has always been worth it, and that she’d always encourage anyone else to do the same.

Her advice to other women and mothers who are in a similar position is simple: if you want it, you can have it.

She says: “People say life is too short, so I say go and do it, even if your kids are still young. If there’s something you want to achieve then don’t let anything stop you, because even though it can be difficult it’s so rewarding.

“When they grow up and fly the nest you don’t want to be left wondering ‘what now?’ and having to start from scratch.

“I know it’s easier said than done and that I’ve been in quite a lucky position but make the most of your support networks and just be honest with people about what you need, because nine times out of ten they’ll understand.”

But whether you have children or not, go out to work or not, have a husband or not, there is one thing every woman has in common in Emma’s eyes – they’re all heroes.

She adds: “I take my hat off to every woman out there, no matter what position she’s in, because it’s so hard trying to juggle everything and fit everything in.

“Women do the most amazing job and I am so proud of every single one of them. It’s an honour to have so many wonderful ones in my team.”

To find out more about Revco and their products, call 0330 333 0707 or email hello@ revcouk.com

I was inspired to start my

business by…. I have worked for large corporate companies for over 35 years helping and supporting local businesses. I saw a gap in the market when my friend bought their electric car and realised how difficult it was to find both a product and installer locally. I have two great business partners who are wanting to help local people and their businesses in the community. Running an environmentally friendly business and helping other business be more environmental can set your business apart from your competitors.

My favourite thing about

running my business is……I love meeting new clients, building a relationship and understanding their needs, finding a solution that is right for them and taking pride in providing a quality service.

The three words that best

describe my business are……… integrity, service, quality

MICHELLE SLATER

Business Development Manager Charge Ur Vehicle

Sheffield City Region is a great place to start a

business because……Sheffield brings a unique mix of city life, the great outdoors and is diverse and friendly. The City provides an entrepreneurial culture with a strong pipeline of talent which is great for any start up business.

Sheffield City Region is a great place to grow a

business because…Sheffield is home to creative and inventive businesses. It has a growing population and low costs compared to other larger cities. There are opportunities for funding and you can now also see a series of the City Development projects. Exciting times ahead after what has been a difficult couple of years.

The best advice I ever got

was….Don’t ever stop learning and growing as a person. Always take time to celebrate your successes and reflect on what has gone well and more importantly what didn’t go so well so you can learn from your mistakes.

The worst advice I ever got was…

This is a really hard question… ..I was once told that mentors are a waste of time, however I have had a number of mentors and people within my life whether that be family, work colleagues, and friends that I have always listened to. Those people have had a real impact on my career, all of whom are inspiring people, which has had an enormous influence on me and my life and career.

The organisations that have supported me and my

business include….In my new business I had support from my business partners Jackie and Joe who are both committed to our new challenge. Our accountant Shirley Hart who has set everything up for us, our bank at Metro Bank Sheffield for opening our account along with our website designers Northern Media with a special shout out to Jess Venson in particular who has been amazing.

The main challenges facing my industry/sector are…..

Some electric vehicles have limited driving range so make sure you pick the right vehicle for you. For longer journeys make sure you have a “pit stop” planned on your route. If you have an up to date app such as “Zap-Map” this will really help.

In five years’ time I expect my

business…I would expect that there will be a wider range of electrical vehicles, prices maybe falling and models diversifying. Around 30 per cent of new car sales will likely be electric and therefore the impact of more users will mean the need for more installations in the home and at the workplace. I would like to predict that my business will have grown, building a great brand and reputation in the local community.

ADVERTORIAL CC33 –THE SHIFTING SANDS OF CUSTOMER CONTACT

IN A POST- PANDEMIC WORLD

CC33’s IT Director, Adam Robinson, spoke to unLTD about how the shift in people’s working habits has pushed technology advancements forward and changed their customers’ contact habits forever.

Led by Adam, CC33 has ensured a smooth transition from face to face communication to virtual platforms for clients and their customers. This has been implemented by CC33’s team of tech experts and their ability to simplify technology through programming.

Adam said: “We used to nip round for a cup of tea or go for a nice walk with our family and friends but that was all pushed to a virtual world for most of us during lockdown. Whilst we’re happy we can see our friends and family again in person, a lot of what changed has now become part of our every day interactions. We’ve found that our customers are now much happier using video technology, webchat and chatbots to communicate.

“Since our customers’ contact preferences have changed, it’s an exciting time to be in the contact centre industry. The response to the pandemic accelerated how our team works and how our clients’ customers get in touch with us by a good few years."

CC33’s technological advancements have led the tech team to focus on a more multi-channel approach to their client offering.

The team now build a range of communication through alternative platforms, including WhatsApp and video conferencing. CC33’s team members now seamlessly swap between calls, email channels, and answer webchat queries.

CC33 has also introduced ‘speech analytics’. Adam said: “Speech analytics offers our clients a huge insight into how and why their customers interact with their brand, which ultimately reduces costs and improves service."

The tech team prides itself in having a technology platform that is easy to use for the CC33 team,and their clients, Adam added: “We confidently offer our clients an ‘open door’ into our (or their) world, which means they can listen in to any calls or chats for their customers, at any time, from anywhere. This unprecedented access to all of our communication platforms for our clients, really separates us from our competition too. And really does cement the quality of our service. “ We make technology simple by design to maximise our service and performance for clients.

“The growth of social media and its integration of chatbots and WhatsApp is opening new opportunities for our industry to make an impact for sure. It’s an exciting time! As data security and transparency are always advancing, our team needs to continue to be at the cutting edge.”

For more information on how working with CC33 can benefit your business, contact: adam.robinson@ cc33.co.uk