St Austell Brewery and North London craft brewer Jiddler's Tipple have secured a nationwide listing in more than 400 Sainsbury's stores for Proper Tipple, a limited-edition collaboration IPA inspired by St Austell Brewery's flagship Proper Job. The launch brings together the scale and heritage of one of the South West's leading independent brewers with the creativity and modern brewing approach of a fast-growing craft beer brand. The collaboration was conceived during discussions between St Austell Brewery, Jiddler's Tipple and the Sainsbury's buying team at Brew London, where the idea of reimagining Proper Job first emerged. Brewed to 5.5% ABV on a backbone of heritage malts, Proper Tipple balances brewing tradition with contemporary innovation. Galaxy, Citra and Nelson Sauvin hops deliver vibrant citrus, grapefruit and gooseberry notes, while a new yeast strain creates a crisp, clean and highly drinkable finish. While the canned variant was developed for national retail, the partnership extended beyond the supermarket launch. Jacob Liddle travelled to Cornwall to brew a small-batch cask and keg edition of Proper Tipple at St Austell Brewery, which made its debut at London Craft Beer Festival ahead of the national retail rollout. Georgina Young, Brewing Director at St Austell Brewery, said: "Proper Job is a beer our brewers know inside out, so handing it over to Jacob and seeing what he'd do with it was genuinely exciting. He's brought a completely different perspective - bolder hop character and a real sense of playfulness - while creating a beer that still feels unmistakably Proper Job at its core." Jacob added: "I've been an avid Proper Job drinker for many years, so I was incredibly excited when the opportunity for a collaboration came along. The idea was born over a beer at Brew London while chatting with the Sainsbury's buying team and St Austell Brewery." "It's been great to bring together the heritage and classic recipe of Proper Job while adding a modern twist through new-fangled yeast and hop varieties. Nelson Sauvin, Citra and Galaxy have amplified the beer's fruit-forward character, delivering notes of melon, grape, citrus and tropical fruit. It's a Proper Tipple!" True to Jiddler's Tipple's distinctive brand identity, the cans feature the brewery's signature eclectic design, inspired by Jacob's equally eclectic shirt collection and created to stand out in a crowded craft beer fixture. Proper Tipple is available now in more than 400 Sainsbury's stores nationwide as part of a 12-week limited-edition listing.

Award-winning East Midlands funeral directors A.W. Lymn The Family Funeral Service has announced its biggest acquisition in more than 20 years, officially making it the largest independent funeral business in the UK as it takes ownership of Gillotts Funeral Directors. The family business, which has operated across Nottinghamshire for almost 120 years, will bring Gillotts' five funeral homes in Eastwood, Kimberley, Stapleford, Heanor and Selston into the A.W. Lymn group, while maintaining Gillotts’ strong independent presence, brand and identity in the communities it serves. It comes as owners Barry and Elaine Hutsby prepare for retirement. The acquisition follows a strategic period of growth for A.W. Lymn, which recently announced the acquisition and rebrand of G.D. Hall Funeral Directors in north Nottinghamshire, which came swiftly after it acquired Serene Funeral Planning in early 2025, Staffordshire’s Hammerwich Cemetery and Crematorium in 2024 and Radcliffe-on-Trent’s M.A. Mills in 2023. This latest purchase is the largest in the company’s history, with the exception of when it acquired Ilkeston Co-Op Funeral Service in 2003. Matthew Lymn Rose, fifth generation and Managing Director of A.W. Lymn, said: “This is a really proud day for our two family businesses, both synonymous with exceptional care for and dedication to the bereaved across our counties of Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. Gillotts is, like my family business, steeped in generational history and known for operating with a high standard and quality of care for each and every family its team serves." “Our family has always enjoyed a strong relationship with Gillotts, formed on mutual respect and admiration. My father, A.W. Lymn Company Chairman, Nigel Lymn Rose and Partner at Gillotts’ Barry Hutsby have both served as Presidents of the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD), and as two East Midlands family businesses in the funeral industry, we have seen how our values, ethos and approach seamlessly and enduringly align." “We are honoured to have been entrusted with the next chapter of their business. This new partnership will enable us to share our resources to give our communities the highest level of service and access to a wider range of funeral offerings than ever before.” Gillotts has operated in the East Midlands for more than 150 years as a family business, and under the leadership of Barry and Elaine, has provided a complete funeral service since 1973. With their expertise, the business has continued to grow, all while maintaining the same core values and family-centric approach instilled by its founders in the 1800s. Since 2001, Joanne Hutsby, Barry and Elaine’s oldest daughter, together with Anthony Topley who joined his father-in-law Jack Gillott at the business in 1986, have managed the day-to-day operations of the business, and will continue to play a key role in the business going forward as Business Managers and Funeral Directors. Gillotts has two Jaguar hearses and three Jaguar XJ limousines along with ambulances and conducts more than 500 funerals through the combined branches each year. All Gillotts staff will remain part of the business, continuing to work in the same way for families which have known and trusted the funeral directors for more than a century. On behalf of Gillott’s Funeral Directors, Anthony Topley said: “This new chapter in the history of Gillotts gives us an opportunity to bring together generations of family history and service to families from both businesses. We are looking forward to working together to provide an even better service to local families, and also to meet some of the challenges which now face traditional funeral firms, such as the growing influence of national firms advertising direct cremation." "We want to spread the message that your local family funeral home should be the starting point for discussing your needs and options no matter what kind of send-off you want for you or your loved one." “Our two businesses have always respected each other and have much in common, and Joanne and I are excited to work closely with Matthew and his team to make sure that the service we provide remains second to none. We expect very little to change for our clients and staff except where we can work together to do things better and more efficiently, allowing the Gillotts team more time to dedicate to caring for the needs of our client families.” Established in 1907 in Nottingham when Arthur William Lymn conducted his first funeral, today the business is known as A.W. Lymn The Family Funeral Service, now operating 36 funeral homes across the Midlands in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and one in Leicestershire, as well as Hammerwich Crematorium

Twelve teenagers from a Surrey school received first-hand insight on manufacturing activities and industrial design when they toured a process filter firm’s production centre. Senior representatives from Amazon Filters welcomed the party from Tomlinscote School in Camberley to the facility, located just two miles from the state secondary. The visit was organised as part of Amazon Filters’ long-standing support for the Community Matters Partnership (CMP) through the charity’s RAISE initiative. Standing for ‘Raise Aspirations Inspire Support Encourage’ and now in its third year, the initiative is designed to boost awareness of vocational opportunities among young learners and encourage confidence and motivation about entering the world of work. The Year 9 party, a mix of 13- and 14-year-olds, were welcomed by Neil Pizzey, Managing Director, and Ruth Pappadakis, Head of People and Culture, and given hi-viz jackets and other personal protective clothing to wear as they went around. Hosts included Pauline Guittap, Learning, Development & People Administrator, Karl Pizzey, Operations Director, Chris Foster, Senior Learning Content Developer, and Simon Hughes, Sales Director. The visitors toured the Cartridge Production, Housing Fabrication, Housing Production, Housing Component Manufacturing and Despatch departments. As well as the shopfloor, they went to the centre’s offices to learn how filtration products and related engineering processes are designed. For orientation and to serve as a conversation prompt, the party completed a quiz about Amazon Filters before they arrived. It required research to namecheck the 41-year-old firm’s core markets, which include municipal water, pharmaceuticals and energy, and list product names, the company’s five ‘behaviours’ and employee headcount, currently 270. Joining the pupils on the visit were Simon Jarvis, CMP’s Chief Executive, and Adam Jackson, Tomlinscote School’s co-ordinator for RAISE. As well as Amazon Filters, pupils on this year’s RAISE programme have visited Farnborough Airport, UK Connect, The Village Hotel and BMW Group. In a presentation on RAISE ‘graduation day’ at The Village Hotel, pupils spoke about their visit to Amazon Filters, with one saying: “We were able to speak to people who have the opportunity to work in many different departments across the company.” Ruth Pappadakis said: “It was a pleasure and privilege to support RAISE by welcoming young people into our production centre. Once again, we gave pre-GCSE students a little taste of the world of work and how modern industrial filtration processes create the essential products we all rely on. We discussed safety, sustainability and efficiency, all key aspects of what we do.” RAISE is one of several ways that Amazon Filters partners with CMP. The pair also arrange company volunteering days for Amazon Filters team members to help charities and other good causes. In 2025, the firm’s volunteers clocked up 94 ‘CMP days’. So far this year, 105 days have either been completed or are in plan for CMP. Organisations to benefit from Amazon Filters’ input include children’s charity Just4Kids, hospice care charity Phyllis Tuckwell, Yateley Industries for Disabled, Brookwood Cemetery and Reg’s Community Garden. Amazon Filters team members will also take part in CMP’s annual Twilight Runway Challenge, a family-friend run at Blackbushe Airport in September, in aid of a range of charities. Amazon Filters became a CMPP business partner in November 2021. Photo: Karl Pizzey, Amazon Filters’ Operations Director, with pupils from Tomlinscote School on their visit to the filter manufacturer’s Camberley production centre.

Independent family brewer and pub company Shepherd Neame has invested more than £200,000 in a major refurbishment of The George Hotel in Cranbrook, giving the centuries-old coaching inn a stylish new look while carefully preserving its unique character. The Grade II Listed hotel, which dates back to around 1300, reopened on Friday (July 10) following the completion of the project. At the heart of the transformation is a vibrant new garden terrace, created from a previously underused section of the hotel's car park. The attractive outdoor space provides Cranbrook with a high-quality alfresco dining and drinking destination, increasing capacity while offering a relaxed and welcoming setting. Designed to complement the character of the building, the terrace features large evergreen planters and a bespoke mural by local artist James Titchner who has created a vibrant visual ode to local landmarks and iconic Kentish features, including a few nods to Shepherd Neame’s brewing heritage. An external bar has also been introduced to support seasonal trading and create a flexible space for events and community gatherings. Inside, the dining room and reception areas have been extensively refreshed, following decoration of the bar area before Christmas. New furniture, carefully selected artwork and enhanced lighting have created a warm, contemporary feel while remaining sympathetic to the hotel's period features. The revitalised dining room is equally suited to relaxed everyday dining and special occasions. As Cranbrook's only remaining pub, The George Hotel occupies a unique place at the heart of the community. The investment further strengthens its position as the town's leading hospitality venue, serving local residents, visitors and overnight guests alike. General Manager Duncan Moore, who took on the role last year and has more than 30 years' experience in the hospitality industry, said: "From the moment I arrived, my ambition has been to make The George a place where everyone feels welcome. "These improvements have transformed the experience for our guests while respecting the incredible history of this beautiful building. The new terrace gives us a fantastic outdoor space that Cranbrook has been crying out for, while the refurbished dining room provides a warm, stylish setting that reflects the character of the hotel." "We're incredibly proud of the result and look forward to welcoming even more people through our doors. My team and I remain committed to making The George a real hub for the community and a destination that both local residents and visitors can enjoy throughout the year." With a history spanning more than 700 years, The George Hotel has welcomed distinguished guests including King Edward I and Queen Elizabeth I. Today, it combines historic charm with modern comfort, offering 12 individually designed en-suite bedrooms alongside a popular restaurant and bar serving seasonal dishes made using locally sourced ingredients wherever possible. These are complemented by Shepherd Neame's award-winning beers and ales, as well as an extensive selection of premium wines and spirits. The hotel also provides an ideal base for exploring the Weald of Kent, with popular destinations including Sissinghurst Castle, Royal Tunbridge Wells and Tenterden all within easy reach. Shepherd Neame Retail Operations Director Shane Godwin said: "This investment is the latest in an ongoing programme to enhance our pub and hotel estate, ensuring our historic properties continue to meet the expectations of today's customers while preserving the character that makes them such important landmarks within their communities." "The response from customers has already been extremely positive, and we are confident The George will continue to go from strength to strength.” For more information about The George Hotel, visit here.

Award-winning Scottish hospitality operator Buzzworks has announced the acquisition of The South Beach Hotel in Troon, marking the next chapter in its expansion into accommodation. Located near Troon’s beachfront and less than a mile from Royal Troon Golf Club, The South Beach Hotel has been part of the town’s hospitality scene for more than a century, welcoming generations of residents, visitors and golfers to Ayrshire. For more than 45 years, the hotel was owned and operated by the Watt family, becoming a well-established part of the local community. The hotel will continue operating under its current ownership until October before temporarily closing for refurbishment. Following a major seven figure redevelopment, The South Beach Hotel will join Buzzworks' growing House Collection – bringing together timeless, stylish and comfortable bedrooms with a welcoming pub and restaurant at its heart. The redevelopment will create a destination where guests can eat, drink and stay, while building on the hotel’s long-standing reputation in the town. The move builds on Buzzworks' well-established presence in Troon, where Scotts, Lido and The Fox have become firm favourites with locals and visitors alike. The South Beach Hotel adds a new dimension - bringing accommodation into the mix for the first time and giving guests the chance to eat, drink and stay with Buzzworks in the town, all under one roof. Designed for staycations, golf breaks, family getaways and business travel, guests can expect exceptional hospitality, proper pints, premium steaks, comforting classics, contemporary bedrooms, all delivered with a warm, relaxed service. The refurbishment will include a complete reimagining of the pub, restaurant and guest spaces - creating something vibrant and contemporary while holding onto everything that has made The South Beach Hotel so special to the town. Led by acclaimed designer Jim Hamilton, the refurbishment will draw on the building's rich history and coastal setting, introducing Buzzworks' signature approach to hospitality with a focus on timeless design, quality craftsmanship and creating warm, welcoming spaces that feel genuinely rooted in Troon. When Buzzworks officially takes over The South Beach Hotel in October, the existing team will become part of the Buzzworks family. The BCorp certified company, which has been recognised as one of the UK's Best Companies to Work For for ten consecutive years, will offer team members roles across its nearby venues in Troon during the refurbishment - with full access to the training, development and career progression that Buzzworks is known for - before having the opportunity to return to The South Beach when it reopens. Kenny Blair, CEO at Buzzworks, said: “We're delighted to be welcoming The South Beach Hotel into the Buzzworks family. Troon is a very special place for us - we're already proud to be part of the community here, and we're excited to continue investing in the town and welcoming The South Beach into the House Collection." “The South Beach has everything we look for - a brilliant location, a strong local following and real character. We're keen to build on its proud history and create something truly memorable - a great pub, great food and a stylish, comfortable stay, all under one roof." “Our family has known the Watt family for decades, and having been regular visitors to the hotel ourselves, it means a great deal to be entrusted with its future. Our aim is to honour what they've built, preserve what people love about it and ensure The South Beach remains a place this town can be proud of for many years to come.” Stewart Watt, of South Beach Hotel, also commented: “For more than 45 years, our family has developed and improved The South Beach Hotel with our customers always in mind. Now it's time for a new chapter, and we're proud to be passing the hotel into the hands of Buzzworks - another Scottish, family-founded business - to take it forward and invest in its future." "We'd like to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has supported us over the years - our loyal customers, many of whom have become lifelong friends, and our wonderful team, past and present, who have shared the hard work, the laughter and the memories along the way." "We feel incredibly proud of what we've built and are genuinely excited for what's ahead. We wish Buzzworks every success as they take The South Beach Hotel into its next chapter, and look forward to seeing it continue to thrive for years to come." The group currently operates 24 award-winning venues across Scotland and was named Best Managed Pub Company (under 51 sites) at the 2025 Publican Awards. For more information on Buzzworks please visit here.

F.Hinds has raised over £15,000 for Dementia UK following a two-month fundraising campaign involving colleagues and customers across its UK stores and Head Office. Running throughout May and June, the initiative formed part of the jeweller's ongoing commitment to charitable giving and community engagement, bringing together teams across the business to support Dementia UK, the specialist dementia nursing charity. The campaign raised both vital funds and awareness to help support families affected by dementia. A standout moment within the campaign was F.Hinds' participation in National Ear Piercing Day, delivered in partnership with leading ear-piercing specialist Studex. To mark the occasion, F.Hinds donated £1 to Dementia UK for every ear piercing carried out in store, linking one of its most popular customer services with a fundraising initiative that resonated strongly with customers and colleagues alike. The National Ear Piercing Day activity highlighted the strength of the long-standing relationship between F.Hinds and Studex, while demonstrating how retail partnerships can be used to generate meaningful support for charitable causes. Although the campaign has officially concluded, F.Hinds will continue to accept donations in stores until 30 September 2026, providing customers with further opportunities to contribute to the charity. Andrew Hinds, Chairman of F.Hinds, said: "We are incredibly proud to have raised over £15,000 for Dementia UK and would like to thank our customers and colleagues for their fantastic support. Our National Ear Piercing Day initiative with Studex was a wonderful example of how we can combine a popular customer experience with charitable fundraising, and the response exceeded our expectations. Dementia UK provides invaluable support to families across the country, and we're delighted to contribute to their important work." Joanna Sullivan, Deputy Director of Fundraising at Dementia UK, said: "We're grateful to F.Hinds and Studex for raising an impressive sum for Dementia UK. By bringing together colleagues and customers with this initiative they will help us reach people affected by dementia through our dementia specialist Admiral Nurses. The whole team at F.Hinds has impressed us throughout the partnership, and we thank them for helping us reach more people with practical and emotional support for dementia, at any stage of the condition." The success of the campaign reflects F.Hinds' wider commitment to supporting charitable causes and engaging customers through initiatives that create a positive impact beyond the jewellery sector. Looking ahead, F.Hinds will continue its fundraising efforts later this year with the return of its annual campaign in support of BBC Children in Need, launching in October.

Aldi Scotland’s Supermarket Sweep has returned to Edinburgh, where one lucky local shopper has raised £437.40 for Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS) while also taking home the same value in Aldi favourites. Inspired by the iconic game show, the popular challenge arrived in Dalkeith on 27 June, where competition winner Rowanne Moir was selected to take part in a five-minute trolley dash in support of CHAS. In addition to taking home a trolley full of goodies, Aldi Scotland matched the total value of Rowanne’s haul, donating all proceeds to CHAS to help support over 500 babies, children and young people across Scotland with life-shortening conditions and their families. In 2026 every penny raised through the initiative will go directly to CHAS, with £10,000 pledged in support. Aldi Supermarket Sweep winner, Rowanne Moir, said: “The Aldi Supermarket Sweep was not only a great and fun experience, it was also amazing to be involved in raising money for such a wonderful charity." “All the staff were amazing and made the experience fun with such fantastic support and encouragement. Thank you to the Aldi team for creating such a memorable experience.” Rachel Hamilton, Staff Nurse at CHAS said: “Every week in Scotland, three children die from an incurable condition. CHAS supports families through this devastating reality, providing expert care at home, in our two hospices and through CHAS/NHS teams in children’s hospitals across Scotland." "In the Edinburgh and Lothians area, CHAS supports 131 families with a range of care tailored to their needs, including palliative care, respite, family support, and bereavement and spiritual care, helping families make the most of every precious moment together.” Tom Brearey, Regional Managing Director, Aldi Scotland said: “Our Supermarket Sweep continues to be a highlight in the Aldi calendar, and we’re proud to partner with CHAS once again to support the incredible work they do. Congratulations to Rowanne for raising an incredible £437 for CHAS while enjoying a well-earned trolley full of Aldi favourites." “CHAS is a charity very close to our hearts which does invaluable work for families in Scotland. Through initiatives like Supermarket Sweep, we are pleased to help raise both funds and awareness so they can continue delivering care and support where it is needed most.” This April, CHAS launched its ‘More Than A Hospice’ appeal, seeking to raise £20 million to transform children’s palliative care across Scotland and ensure no family faces their child’s illness or end of life without the right care and support. The appeal aims to fund the crucial rebuilding and refreshing of CHAS’s hospices, as well as the expansion of care in homes, communities and hospitals, giving families real choice over where and how they are supported when they need it most. For more information about CHAS and how to support its work, visit here.

Charity leaders met in Southampton for a roundtable discussion on challenges and opportunities facing third sector organisations. On the agenda at the annual breakfast time ‘think tank’, co-hosted by HWB Chartered Accountants and banking group Handelsbanken, were the latest revisions to national codes of practice on both fundraising and governance issued during the past year. Michaela Johns, HWB Director, said: “Our roundtable was an ideal opportunity for charity representatives to discuss the revised codes and guidance and compare notes on how their compliance and due diligence is going so far. It was really valuable to share ideas and suggestions on how best to navigate the changes to the codes alongside many other issues and opportunities impacting the sector.” Represented at the event, held at the Harbour Hotel in Ocean Village, were charities involved in areas such as housing, wildlife protection, homelessness and dementia support. Attendees included charity chief executives and chief financial officers. Guest speaker Kirsteen Hook, Partner and specialist charities solicitor at law firm Trethowans, explained that the revised fundraising framework places increased emphasis on trustees demonstrating active oversight of fundraising and ensuring appropriate governance, risk management and decision-making processes are in place. Kirsteen said: “Trustees are expected to keep abreast of changes to relevant fundraising and governance guidance and to consider what, if any, changes are required to their charity’s policies, procedures and practices.” Kim Christopher, Corporate Account Manager at Handelsbanken, who co-chaired the event, said: “As a relationship bank we believe there is no substitute for getting together at events like this and working together – not just discussing how to navigate the latest guidance and requirements, but also sharing best practice and learning from each other. We are delighted to continue to support our partners in this area.” Sally Randall, founder of Abby’s Heroes, a Southampton-based charity that provides practical measures and programmes to help families presented with a childhood cancer diagnosis, said: “Very rarely do you get a collection of charities together in one place at the same time. It was a safe space and a positive learning experience. Listening to what other charities were saying was enlightening. I really enjoyed the morning. It raised some interesting and relevant points, especially around our trustees’ responsibilities and obligations which have been fed back to them.” The other attendees were: Laura Read, Marwell Wildlife; Josh Towers, YMCA Fairthorne; Kirsty Dennett and Steve Swift, Rose Road Association; Helen Hamblen, Dementia Support Hampshire and Isle of Wight; Tim Bissett, St John’s Winchester; Mark Ind, Heartbeat; Charlotte Fairall, Sophie’s Legacy; and Sam Fulling, Saints Foundation. The 93-page fundraising code, which came into operation in November 2025 having been published earlier by the sector’s Fundraising Regulator, features a more ‘principles-based’ approach which places greater emphasis on trustee oversight, judgement, governance and documenting fundraising decisions. A further 20-page update on trustee duties in relation to fundraising was issued in February 2026 with the regulator and the Charity Commission then going on to provide a ten-page document, ‘Raising money for charity: public guidance’, in June 2026. The 47-page Charity Governance Code 2025, produced by a cross-sector voluntary steering group, is designed as a practical tool for trustees rather than a regulatory requirement. It covers essential aspects of governance such as roles, responsibilities, legal duties, expectations, ethics, standards, behaviours and processes. Chartered accountants HWB, based at Chandler’s Ford, near Southampton, provides business and tax advice. Photo: Charity Support - Presenters at the charity roundtable held at the Harbour Hotel in Ocean Village, Southampton, from left: Michaela Johns, HWB Chartered Accountants; Kirsteen Hook, Trethowans; and Kim Christopher, Handelsbanken.

Edinburgh-based football apparel brand Universal Language has credited Business Gateway support with reshaping its commercial foundations as it prepares for its busiest period of trading since launching in December 2024. Founded by school friends Chris Aitchison and Pete Burt, the brand produces high-quality, fan-focused clothing inspired by Scottish football culture. Chris brings commercial and marketing expertise built across years running his own agency, while Pete spent more than eight years as a designer in professional football, working for Hibernian and Tottenham Hotspur before returning to Edinburgh to build something made with a clear focus on the fans. The idea first came to Chris while looking for a Hearts gift for his father. Searching online for football memorabilia, he couldn't find anything of suitable quality or true sense of the club and its culture. Seeing the gap, Chris brought it to Pete, and the pair set out to build a brand around what they felt was missing: products that celebrated a club's identity properly, rather than just its badge. All products are designed in Edinburgh and printed or embroidered in the UK using sustainably produced garments. The range balances a permanent core collection with limited edition drops, allowing the brand to mark specific moments, clubs and cultural references while keeping its best-loved designs in circulation. Current collections focus on Hearts, Hibernian and an expanding Scotland national team range, with plans to grow into further clubs and collaborations. The brand has also recently taken its products on the road with the opening of a special of pop-up shop, timed to coincide with the World Cup. Since launching, Universal Language has reached more than 3,000 customers, sold 5,000 products and generated 1.5 million monthly social media views. The brand has also raised more than £2,500 for MND Scotland, its charity partner, through sales of an official Marius Zaliukas tribute t-shirt. The Edinburgh Business Gateway team has worked closely with Chris and Pete to assess and restructure the business, reviewing its brand communication strategy and aligning every element behind a single commercial goal. The Business Gateway team extended that support to include specialist IP guidance, with an arranged session involving the Intellectual Property Office helping clarify trademark and copyright processes. Universal Language has since moved to trademark its brand and copyright its designs, protecting its assets as it looks ahead to the next stages of growth. Pitch preparation sessions followed, opening connections with the potential to create new opportunities for the business, while Chris has also attended several Business Gateway workshops to expand the team’s knowledge in a range of key areas. Julie Batten, Business Gateway adviser, said: “Universal Language is a strong example of what happens when a genuine idea is backed by sound business thinking. Chris and Pete came to us with real momentum and connection to their audience. Our role was to help them build the right structure around it, from strategy to brand protection, so the business can grow on solid ground.” Chris Aitchison, co-founder of Universal Language said: “The support from Business Gateway came at exactly the right time. Sitting down and properly reviewing the strategy gave us a solid foundation and the confidence to continue growing the business, knowing we are headed in the right direction." “The IP guidance has been equally important. As the brand grows, protecting what we've created matters more and more. We're genuinely grateful for the help getting that right.”

St Austell Brewery has raised £10,000 following a successful charity golf day attended by customers, suppliers and partners from across the South West. The funds will support Children's Hospice South West, which has been selected by the St Austell Brewery Charitable Trust as its Charity of the Year. The charity provides care for children with life-limiting conditions and support for their families across the region. Held at the historic Royal North Devon Golf Club, the event brought together guests for a day on the course followed by a barbecue, auction and raffle. Prizes included tickets to see Ariana Grande, helping to boost the final fundraising total. Dan Crabb, Sales Director at St Austell Brewery, said: "We're incredibly proud to have raised £10,000 for Children's Hospice South West through this fantastic golf event." "Bringing together our customers, suppliers and colleagues was a brilliant way to support an incredible charity that makes a real difference in the South West. We'd like to thank everyone who took part and showed such generous support throughout the day.” Across its three hospices in Cornwall, Devon and North Somerset, Children's Hospice South West offers far more than medical and nursing care. Every stay is designed to enrich lives, create precious memories, ease emotional and practical pressures and help families make the very most of their time together. One of St Austell Brewery's key fundraising initiatives this year is donating 25p from every portion of fish and chips sold across its 45 managed pubs. Teams across the company's head offices, breweries, pubs and depots are also taking part in activities throughout the year, to help raise vital funds.

A three-year, business-led ‘road map’ has been launched to narrow skills gaps in the workplace, spotlight training opportunities including for NEETs and boost Hampshire’s regional economy. Commissioned by Hampshire Chamber of Commerce in partnership with firms, education providers, policymakers, charities and the public sector, the Hampshire and The Solent Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) 2026-29 builds on detailed research to identify four top priorities for action. These are summarised as: a more responsive and inclusive ‘skills ecosystem’; more support for workforce ‘progression and transitions’; stronger awareness and access for employers and residents alike; and deeper employer participation. Ross McNally, Hampshire Chamber Chief Executive, said: “The LSIP is deliberately employer-focused to ensure that skills training works better for businesses of all sizes and sectors. In the research stage, employers - especially SMEs - consistently told us they want a skills system that is easy to access, flexible and has the capacity to enable genuine employer participation opportunities rather than simple engagement.” NEETs, the widely recognised acronym for young people typically aged 16 to 24 who are not in education, employment or training, face particular barriers to acquiring skills and participating in work, the LSIP research report found. Issues cited include youth disengagement driven by lower confidence, higher anxiety, limited networks and reduced access to early work experience. In Hampshire, 35.2% of young people are at risk of becoming NEET, well above the national average of 28.2%, highlighting the scale of vulnerability across the region. Under the government’s rollout of LSIPs nationally, Hampshire Chamber is the official ‘employer representative body’ (ERB) for Hampshire and The Solent. The new plan strengthens the delivery of priorities and foundations set out in two previous LSIPs, one covering the Solent, the other focused on the ‘Enterprise M3’ area across north Hampshire and Surrey. Following publication of a white paper on post-16 education and with guidance from government agency Skills England, all 39 ERBs were required to develop a second round of three-year LSIPs this summer. Based on the research report produced for Hampshire Chamber by consultants and analysts Lichfields, the new LSIP for Hampshire and The Solent is designed to be a unifying strategy in response to changing economic conditions and labour market pressures. Lichfields found that the region now supports almost one million jobs, having added 31,300 jobs since 2023, with strongest growth in Portsmouth and Southampton. At the same time however, labour market participation has actually weakened over the past three years relative to the whole population. Employment has fallen by 8,100 people, unemployment has risen to 3.2% and economic inactivity has increased significantly. Barriers include caring responsibilities, youth disengagement, early retirement among skilled workers, a weaker jobs market and greater exposure to external economic shocks. Factors directly influencing skills gaps in all sectors include shortages of digital capability, leadership, essential employability skills and green skills. “The new three-year plan is a road map for the next phase of LSIP delivery,” Ross McNally explained. “The strategy highlights the major sector opportunities and challenges we face including in our core clusters of maritime, defence, aerospace, advanced manufacturing, creative industries and health and social care." “The creative industries, for example, contribute over £900 million in GVA, while marine and maritime support 20,000 jobs and £1.7 billion in economic output. Logistics employs 27,000 people, with the Solent Freeport expected to create 15,000 additional jobs." “Across all sectors, improving workforce participation, business capability and access to flexible skills provision will be critical to achieving and sustaining regional growth." “Trends analysed in the report underline the need for a skills ecosystem that drives productivity while also widening participation. An expansion of the employment base must be matched by efforts to unlock local talent, reduce barriers to work and support employers to recruit, retain and grow their workforces." "That means building and maintaining strong skills development pathways between education providers and employers. We must also recognise and address demand-side barriers which influence businesses confidence, capability and flexibility to recruit." “Our LSIP report makes clear that we need to strengthen capability across the workforce. Financial literacy, leadership and entrepreneurial confidence are among the essential foundations for improving resilience and productivity especially among our SMEs and micro-businesses. This is particularly important in a region such as ours where 88% of businesses employ fewer than ten people." To read and download the Hampshire and The Solent LSIP report, visit Hampshire LSIP Skills Channel | HCOC LSIP

The brand-new Brewers Decorator Academy in Guildford is now open, offering hands-on painting and decorating training in a purpose-built learning environment designed to help decorators build confidence, master new techniques and grow their careers. Train in a purpose-built academy The indoor training space is sectioned into open-plan practical training rooms with space for 10 decorators to master professional decorating techniques on walls, doors, windows and trims. You'll also find specialist features, including spindles, cills and fireplaces, giving you the opportunity to perfect your spray-painting techniques in a realistic setting. There is a training classroom too to help you build a solid understanding of the theory behind the job and expand your product expertise before you get hands-on. Learn from our expert trainers Sessions are led by dedicated and experienced trainers who will help you sharpen your skills and grow your confidence so you can provide exceptional results for your customers. The Academy team can also deliver bespoke training sessions. Get in touch to find out how courses can be designed to suit your individual company needs. Use products from industry-leading brands Brewers provide all the tools you’ll need to take part in the training courses. You’ll get hands-on practice with top-of-the-range products from our suppliers including Graco and Mirka. Since the Academy is located right above the Brewers Guildford store, you’ll also have access to an extensive range of products so you can be confident recommending the best products for the job. Choose from a wide range of courses Brewers Decorator Academy offers a range of painting and decorating courses including: Introduction To Spray Airless Spray Paint Systems Preparation Skills …with even more dates and courses launching soon! Find out more about our courses. Lunch and refreshments included The Decorators Academy has an on-site kitchen where lunch and refreshments are provided as part of your course. Sign up for a Brewers Decorator Academy course Whether you’re starting out, looking to expand your skillset or keen to perfect a new technique, Brewers Decorator Academy is the ideal place to take your skills to the next level. Why not come down and experience it for yourself? Sign up for a course today.