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A £500,000 refurbishment of The Royal Albion Hotel in the Kentish seaside town of Broadstairs has been completed by Shepherd Neame. The seafront hotel remained open while the 10 week project took place. It involved a major renovation of the restaurant area on the ground floor, including restoring the wooden floors and redecorating throughout with a contemporary coastal feel. The fixed booth seating has been removed and stylish tables and chairs introduced to create a more spacious feel and maximise the stunning sea views. Five of the hotel’s 21 en-suite bedrooms have also undergone a complete transformation. The rooms – one Luxury, three Superior Doubles, and one Standard Double – all have brand new furniture and décor, and new luxury bathrooms including drench showers. The Royal Albion dates back to 1776, and care has been taken with the design to ensure that each room retains its own unique style and character, while introducing a contemporary feel. The five rooms all boast balconies offering sea views, and these spaces have also been refurbished, with new wicker furniture introduced. A comfortable stay is guaranteed, with a luxury 2000 pocket-sprung Ambassador mattress, Dyson fan, Roberts digital radio and Nespresso coffee machine in each room, along with a flat screen Smart TV and complimentary WiFi. General Manager Marc Duvauchelle said: “We are absolutely delighted with the finished results of this project, and have already received great feedback from customers. Our refurbished rooms really offer a premium experience for guests, and the investment in the restaurant has ensured that we make the most of our hotel’s fantastic seafront location.” The Royal Albion Hotel is open every day, and customers can choose from a selection of award-winning craft ales and lagers, along with a wide range of premium wines and spirits. Food is served from 9am to 9pm, with a delicious menu of breakfast, light bites and main meals on offer. Booking is advised for the hotel’s popular Sunday Roast with all the trimmings, and young diners can also enjoy the delicious new Menu for Minis.

An antelope whose species was declared Extinct in the Wild has today (Monday 11 December 2023) been downlisted to Endangered – the direct result of a globally coordinated effort supported by international conservation charity ZSL. The scimitar horned oryx, (Oryx dammah), also called the Sahara oryx, was once widespread across North Africa, but in the 1980’s the population began to plummet - largely due to the antelopes being hunted for their horns and meat. In 2000, the species was declared Extinct in the Wild by the IUCN Red List. Today, thanks to a conservation partnership coordinated by the Environment Agency of Abu Dhabi (EAD) supported by ZSL, its fate has been reversed – the first species from ZSL’s Extinct in the Wild global initiative to be downlisted. The EAD coordinated global conservation organisations to reintroduce the scimitar horned oryx, which since the launch has seen 510 scimitar-horned oryx calves born in the wild in Chad. The IUCN Red List downlisting recognises the successful establishment of the self-sustaining population which now thrives within Chad’s Ouadi Rimé, at the Ouadi Achim Faunal Reserve – with animals from leading conservation zoos - including ZSL’s Whipsnade Zoo - contributing to the founding herd. In February 2023, ZSL scientists published a study showing that conservation zoos have the powerful potential to reverse extinction. Published in the Journal Science - the world’s leading outlet for cutting edge science - the research was the first to comprehensively evaluate the 95 extinct in the wild animals and plants that since 1950 have only survived in human care. The scimitar horned oryx is the first species evaluated in the study to subsequently have its status downlisted to Endangered. Dr Andrew Terry, Director of Conservation and Policy at ZSL and co-author of the study said: “At a time when biodiversity is being lost at unprecedented rates, the return of the scimitar horned oryx can give us hope for other species whose fate is – quite literally – in our hands." “The Extinct in the Wild global initiative recognises the vast collaborative efforts of zoos, aquariums and botanic gardens – working alongside governments and partners responsible for wild habitats – to prevent the extinction of species such as these. To have the fate of the flagship species for the initiative dramatically reversed proves the potential for the other species surviving only in zoos and reinforces the need for urgent support from funders and policy makers.” Recognising the plummeting wild population, an ambitious recovery project was started in 1985 where ZSL worked alongside organisations including the Sahara Conservation Fund (SCF) to carry out early feasibility studies to ensure any reintroduction stood the best chance of success. One of several global partners providing key support, ZSL has continued to provide scientific and conservation support to the reintroduction programme since. Acknowledging that the scimitar horned oryx’ comeback was not an overnight success story accordingto ZSL’s senior conservation biologist Tim Wacher. Tim, who has supported the post-release monitoring of the oryx population, said: “The return of the scimitar horned oryx is the result of a long-term conservation effort for the species – following in-depth, careful preparation, and championed and supported by the Environment Agency of Abu Dhabi." “All Saharan antelope species are severely threatened, but this project is proof that with the right will and resources, we can secure a future for them all.” Professor John Ewen, researcher at ZSL’s Institute of Zoology and senior author of ZSL’s Extinct in the Wild study, said: “The success of the globally coordinated conservation effort to restore the Scimitar horned oryx to Chad demonstrates the power of collaboration, but each Extinct in the Wild species is unique in how secure it is from extinction and what is needed for reestablishment of wild populations, so saving them requires specific actions tailored to each species." “Projects like the Scimitar horned oryx show that reversing the fate of these species is possible - we just need to be able to give the same resource and commitment to the other Extinct in the Wild species that survive only under human care.” The remarkable comeback of the scimitar horned oryx represents the restoration of not just a species, but a whole ecosystem through the role they play in it. Maintaining grasslands in their native Chad through grazing and preventing the spread of desertification – their reintroduction is a nature-based solution helping to tackle the local impacts of climate change. Dr Terry concluded: “At ZSL, we know that if we are to truly tackle the issues facing our planet then we must stop treating biodiversity loss and climate change as two separate threats – you cannot solve one without the other. As globally important discussions conclude at COP28 this week, we must take a moment to celebrate this huge conservation success and use it to galvanise world leaders to drive future change and success.”

In an industry first and following a successful trial, easyJet is equipping all cira. 14,000 of its crew (pilots and cabin crew) with reusable cups and cutlery in a mission to cut down on disposable single use items. In total, the initiative is expected to prevent more than 10 million single use items from being used per year – equivalent to 71 tonnes per year and forms part of easyJet’s ongoing commitment to lower the impact of its operations. The new reusable cups and cutlery are made from durable materials so they are built to last to ensure easyJet’s crew can reuse time and time again. All crew will receive their new cups and cutlery sets over the coming weeks, with the roll out to be completed by January 2024. All new pilots and cabin crew will receive a cup and cutlery set as part of their new entrant uniform allocation. Angela Mullen, Head of Inflight Retail Operations at easyJet, comments: “As always, our brilliant crew took this trial under their wings and through their passion and dedication to reduce unnecessary waste, we are now able to roll out this fantastic initiative network-wide." “This is just one of the many ways we’re working to lower the impact of our operations and we’ll continue to trial new initiatives and make continuous improvements to help accomplish this goal.” In 2022, easyJet launched its net zero roadmap, setting out its vision to reduce its carbon emissions per passenger, per kilometre by 78% by 2050 (vs 2019). Alongside the transition to zero carbon emission technology, the roadmap features a combination of fleet renewal, operational efficiencies, airspace modernisation, Sustainable Aviation Fuel and carbon removal technology. Since 2000, easyJet has reduced its carbon emissions per passenger, per kilometre by one-third and continues to make operational improvements such as cutting unnecessary waste to achieve its net zero ambitions by 2050.

Recruitment for technology professionals is set to increase in the coming year, but firms will face rising salary costs as skills shortages continue despite previous layoffs. That’s according to new research by specialist recruitment firm, Robert Half. The company’s 2024 Salary Guide - which analyses and reports on market salaries, hiring trends, and skills requirements across the UK – revealed that half (50%) of tech hiring managers plan to increase headcount for permanent roles in 2024 following a year of turbulence in the tech sector. According to the data, despite the initial layoffs noted in larger tech businesses at the beginning of the year, demand for technology experts has remained buoyant, particularly in the SME space. This is largely being driven by strong tech talent hiring demands within the Financial Services, E-commerce and FinTech industries. A more detailed analysis of the data shows that mid-level Applications Support experts in Software Development and Testing have reported the largest pay increase of 24% so far this year. Demand for junior Product Managers has also driven up wages for these professionals by 14.3%. Kris Harris - Regional Director, UK Technology Solutions at Robert Half, commented: “It’s been a turbulent year for technology professionals, but despite the significant layoffs we saw at the beginning of 2023, demand has remained buoyant for tech expertise across industries and particularly with SMEs." "As we look to the New Year, the pay rises that many professionals have commanded aren’t showing significant signs of shifting. While pay inflation isn’t sustainable on the current levels we’re seeing, employers will face increased competition throughout 2024 and will need to look at creating a broader benefits package that appeals to these individuals instead. That includes offering perks such as healthcare or dental insurance, which are currently of particular demand, mainly driven by the NHS crisis." "Other benefits tech professionals have ranked high on their list as per our 2024 Salary Guide are financial allowance for working from home, paid sabbaticals, flexible benefits programmes and fuel allowance.”

An East Staffordshire sports club has been bowled over by a donation to help with vital repairs to its clubhouse. Ellastone and District Bowls Club received £350 from nearby neighbour JCB towards pavilion renovations which members hope will secure the future of the community hub. The club was in danger of folding during Covid lockdowns but members have worked tirelessly to breathe new life into the picturesque lawn and pavilion in heart of the village at Church Lane, as membership now goes from strength to strength. Club Chairperson Lou Parlett said: “The club was established in 1988 and membership dropped to just three during Covid. The Green was in a terrible state but our member John Wood worked tirelessly on it and last year the club put on two successful open days to attract new members." “We now have about 20 members and play friendly matches against local clubs with practice sessions on Wednesday and Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons in the summer and indoor bowls in the parish hall on Thursday evenings in the winter." “There was also plenty of work to be done on the bowls pavilion which, of course, all comes at an expense and we are very grateful to JCB for their donation which has gone towards new cladding for the pavilion.” Anyone interested in joining Ellastone and District Bowls Club is welcome to attend winter indoor sessions at Ellastone Village Hall, Church Lane, on Thursday evenings from 7-9pm. For further details visit their website here

72% of consumers have revealed that they have reconsidered their Christmas budget this year due to ongoing concerns over the Cost-of-Living crisis, according to new research by leading self storage provider, Ready Steady Store .    The research, which questioned consumers on their plans for the festive period, also revealed that 43% are planning to buy for less people this Christmas, with nearly one third [29%] confirming they have agreed a spend cap with friends and family to keep costs under control.    In addition, one fifth of consumers advised they have limited to present exchange to just younger members of the family so that children still receive gifts.    Other key take outs from the research include: 43% of people are even concerned about giving money this Christmas, with 20% worried about the cost of Christmas in general. 22% of consumers have confirmed they regularly ask for money instead of gifts as they deem unnecessary presents wasteful and a further 19% of consumers advised they opt for money instead of a gift as the simply don’t have the space to house more items. This is despite a quarter [25%] of consumers having a pre and post-Christmas declutter, with 21% confirming they donate or throw out unwanted goods pre-Christmas to create more space. Nearly half [48%] are planning on donating second hand items to those in need this Christmas, particularly toys and clothes. Mehran Charania, Director of Ready Steady Store, confirmed: “Christmas can be a challenging time for many individuals and families, with the majority clearly feeling the pinch this year amidst the current cost of living crisis." "However, it’s clear that despite this concern, half of consumers are still planning to donate second hand items to those in need, while also creating more space in their homes as part of their pre or post-Christmas declutter. The latter is something we at Ready Steady Store pride ourselves in helping customers with on a regular basis as both families and individuals opt to create more space without having to throw away much loved or sentimental items.” Established in 2005, Ready Steady Store is a fast-growing self storage provider with cost effective storage units located in the Midlands, and South, North and East of England.

Traditional crime, including organised shoplifting, drained more than £1,000 from over half of small business victims across England and Wales in the last two years, with one-in-ten losing in excess of £10,000 according to new research by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). FSB’s Cracking the Case report, published today, shows how small businesses are facing a double whammy of virtual and physical crimes, with an overwhelming 81% - or 4.1 million – of them in the two nations affected by at least one crime between January 2021 and January 2023. That’s a jump from 49% in the same period between 2017 and 2019. The flagship report also revealed a growing number of reports of organised shoplifting and threatening behaviour towards shop owners and their staff. More than a third (35%) have been impacted by at least one traditional crime in the last two years. These crimes are related to vandalism/damage to premises and anti-social behaviour (34%), followed by burglary or robbery (30%) and theft by a third/external party (29%). As a result, over half (56%) of the victims lost more than £1,000, while a third (33%) faced losses of £1,000 or less. One in ten (11%) lost more than £10,000. Fraud & Cybercrime Pose Challenges Too Close to two-fifths (37%) of small businesses have come across fraud, costing 44% of the victims up to £1,000. Some 39% lost more than £1,000 and 8% say it cost more than £10,000. Invoice fraud (31%) is identified as the most common type of fraud. Card/cheque fraud (29%) comes in second and a quarter (26%) goes to unauthorised payments from bank cards/accounts. A majority (72%) of small businesses have encountered cybercriminals with phishing (92%) dominating the scene. One in ten have faced malware attacks, while a similar proportion (9%) had their social media accounts hacked. As with the fraud, 44% of those falling victim to cybercrime lost up to £1,000. A third lost more than £1,000 and 6% say it cost more than £10,000. The surge in the number of crimes against small businesses is despite six in ten (65%) taking at least one measure to protect themselves against traditional crimes, such as installing or updating security, initiating a training programme, and improved insurance cover. An overwhelming majority (92%) gear up against cybercriminals and fraudsters, ranging from installing anti-virus software to updating software on IT systems regularly. More than six in ten (66%) small businesses say they have reported their most impactful crime to the police (30%), their bank (20%) and their IT provider/service (18%). The rest chose not to report for a wide range of reasons, such as thinking the crime wasn’t serious enough to report, a lack of confidence in the police/Action Fraud, and no plans to make an insurance claim. Among a third of small business victims that have reported the crime to the police, six in ten (59%) say officers did not attend the scene. Close to a half (48%) believe the police did not investigate after the initial response. Merely 3% say the police investigated, identified and arrested the perpetrators. Amid increased reports of organised shoplifting, some businesses say they feel it is wrongly seen as an “acceptable business cost” and are under the impression that there is a threshold of £200 to trigger police investigations. “There’re massive repeat offenders who are tolerated. It might be fine for the perpetrators but it’s not fine for you if you’re a small operator,” one FSB member based in South East England said. In light of the findings, FSB has put forward a list of recommendations for traditional crime, including: Police and Crime Commissioners should include business crime as a priority in their Police and Crime Plans and in manifestos for all those standing for election in May 2024 demonstrating commitments to business crime from the beginning to the end of their term. Home Office should: Introduce a separate offence for violence against retail workers. Clarify that there is no £200 threshold for investigating organised shoplifting offences. There is currently an impression that shoplifters will not be arrested if they steal under £200 worth of goods. Correcting this impression would send a clear message that lower value organised shoplifting offences will not be tolerated. For cybercrime and fraud the UK Government and National Cyber Security Centre should: Review the pricing of Cyber Essentials certification as well as costs associated with annual renewal in relation to the smallest businesses and explore whether lower tier pricing or a special reduced rate could be introduced. Home Office should: Include the impact of fraud on small businesses in the next fraud strategy and consider a specific targeted approach with clear objectives to tackling it. Introduce a mandatory recording process for business crime and add a ‘business crime’ section to the crime outcomes in England and Wales statistics so progress can be tracked, and targets set. Aim to increase the average number of police officers in England and Wales up to 335 per 100,000 population to help dedicate appropriate resources for crime against businesses including cybercrime and fraud. FSB Policy Chair Tina McKenzie said: “Small businesses are a huge and increasing target for criminals – the new Home Secretary and the Police must act to provide the safety and security on which day-to-day economic life depends." “We’ve been hearing countless reports of organised shoplifting over the past year, and our study further shows how serious and unprecedented the problem is. This is certainly not what we need at a time when we look to grow our economy and the start-up landscape." “Witnessing our small high-street shops and independent businesses losing their hard-earned money because these crimes are overlooked by authorities is disheartening, not to mention the mental toll on small business owners and their staff." “What’s more alarming is the explosive rise in cybercrime and fraud from the persistence of phishing emails to sophisticated invoice fraud. As more and more small businesses extend their operations to the virtual world, online services providers that hold personal and financial information must enhance their security measures." “Small businesses are actively taking measures to protect themselves. But the extent of crime and the severity of damage to our economy are far beyond what they can control." “The small business and self-employed community can’t be left to fend for themselves against organised crime. We need to see not only firmer and swifter action from the police and the Government, but also politicians standing for the next General Election to make business crime a priority in their manifesto and show that they place these 5.5 million voters at heart.”

Head coach Nathan Smith has made four personnel changes to Loughborough Lightning’s starting line-up to face Sale Sharks this weekend. The Allianz Premiership Women’s Rugby Round 5 clash at Heywood Road kicks off at 3pm on Saturday 16 December as Lightning bid to bounce back from a home loss to Bristol Bears last time out. Winger Bo Westcombe-Evans – who has scored five tries in her last four games including a brace against Leicester Tigers – returns after missing out against Bristol due to injury. Fly-half Helen Nelson, who was selected to start last week but was forced to withdraw the morning of the match, has also recovered to wear the number ten shirt. “Losing them both under unfortunate circumstances prior to the game was frustrating but we’re lucky and glad to have them both back in the squad," said Smith. “We hope they recreate their form of the first two games of the PWR season. I’ve been really impressed with both of them.” Catherine O’Donnell, who also missed out in Round 4 with a knock, returns to the second row with Lili Ives Campion rotating to the replacements and Daisy Hibbert-Jones is promoted from the bench to the starting line-up. There’s also three positional changes for the visitors on Saturday as Bulou Mataitoga comes in from the wing to outside centre, Emma Wassell switches from the back row to lock with Abby Duguid moving to the bench and captain Rachel Malcolm goes from number eight to blindside flanker. Lightning have gone with a six-two split on the bench with former Worcester Warriors prop Catherine Wells set to make her Lightning debut when she is called into action. Both Lightning and Sale have five league points so far this season, with Loughborough losing to Saracens and Bristol Bears either side of a victory at Leicester Tigers. Meanwhile, Sale got their 2023/24 league campaign off to a tough start at Bristol Bears losing 48-5 before bouncing back with a 35-31 win over Harlequins ¬– but haven’t played for a fortnight due to a bye week and a match postponement. Smith added: “We had a slow start and against a good team you cannot do that. We have spoken about that and how we can be energised from minute one. I don’t think the players are not trying, I don’t think it’s a lack of effort, we just need to go into Sale with a confidence that we can perform and put more of a performance together than we did against Bristol." “Sale had a tough game against Bristol, quite similar to us, and then they had a really positive performance against Harlequins. We know it is going to be a tough place to go, Heywood Road, we know it is going to be a physical challenge. We as a squad are really excited about that." "I can imagine they are chomping at the bit to play the game after having the two weeks they have had, they’re going to fly out the traps and we have to match and exceed their energy.” SALE SHARKS v LOUGHBOROUGH LIGHTNING Allianz Premiership Women’s Rugby, Round 5 Saturday 16 December 2023 Heywood Road Kick-off: 3pm 15 Chloe Rollie 14 Georgina Tasker (vc) 13 Bulou Mataitoga 12 Carmela Morrall 11 Bo Westcombe-Evans 10 Helen Nelson 9 Megan Davey 1 Katie Trevarthen 2 Kathryn Treder 3 Christine Belisle 4 Emma Wassell 5 Catherine O’Donnell 6 Rachel Malcolm (c) 7 Sadia Kabeya 8 Daisy Hibbert-Jones Replacements: 16 Maja Meuller 17 Isla Curphey 18 Catherine Wells 19 Lili Ives Campion 20 Abby Duguid 21 Hallie Taufoou 22 Jess Weaver 23 Carys Williams-Morris For the first time, all of Loughborough’s home league matches will be played at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens this season – Season Tickets covering all eight games are available now and start from just £40 adult / £22 junior (under-18s).

UK Top 10 accountancy firm Azets has advised on the sale of EXPD International to Southampton Freight Services (SFS) for an undisclosed amount. EXPD International is an international freight forwarding and logistics company currently operating across Hampshire, Dorset and West Sussex. It has 20 years of experience and a strategic global network that stretches across more than 200 brokerage and freight forwarding agencies, helping its customers meet complex logistical challenges. EXPD International employs eight people from its site in Hedge End, near Southampton. Following its acquisition, former shareholder and Managing Director Steve James will provide consultancy services for a transition period, with the support of the existing dedicated and experienced team. SFS has been based in Totton, near Southampton, since it was established 25 years ago and remains family owned and run, employing more than 50 people. The addition of EXPD International to the group of companies brings a wider range of courier services expertise and is a natural fit, said Ross Negus, SFS’ Managing Director. He added: “This acquisition is wonderful news for all our customers and employees. We’re delighted to welcome the EXPD team to our work family. It means we’re adding yet more expertise to our portfolio of global logistics services, with an even wider range of courier products, expanding the choice for customers of both businesses. It’s a perfect cultural fit.” Steve said: “I’m pleased and excited to say that we have now become part of a bigger group of Hampshire-based companies with an enviable reputation in global freight forwarding and logistics. It’s an excellent commercial and cultural fit for both organisations. We share the same ethos and commitment to high quality service and looking after our customers, employees and supplier partners is an integral part of the way we work.” Jon Huggins, Associate Director in the Corporate Finance team at Azets, said: “Despite a decline in deal volumes when compared to 2022, the M&A market remains buoyant and this transaction underlines that there continues to be an appetite for high quality assets, particularly those operating in defensible markets with recurring or contracted revenues, a strong management team and a diverse customer base." “We are delighted to have assisted the shareholders with this sale and are sure that the business will go from strength to strength.” Commenting on their advisers, Steve said: “Having been a client for many years and knowing Azets has an experienced Corporate Finance team, it made perfect sense to discuss the marketing of EXPD International Limited with them directly. We were soon introduced to Jon Huggins who meticulously detailed the process and, whilst challenging at times, the support given by both Jon and Azets was outstanding. Thank you to the Azets team and in particular Jon, who proved invaluable throughout the process which led to a successful sale.”

Sudbury manufacturer of external shading solutions, Caribbean Blinds, has brought a whole new meaning to “outdoor living” this festive season after celebrating the soft launch of its visionary Dream Gardens show site yesterday. Over the past 12 months, the Caribbean Blinds team has dedicated unwavering effort to crafting the immersive show site, spanning an impressive 2,500 sq/ft, at its recently extended factory in Woodhall Business Park. Designed to exhibit the epitome of opulent outdoor living, the Dream Gardens site comprises of five different models of Caribbean Blinds’ popular luxury pergola – branded the Outdoor Living Pod™ – and fitted out with additional accessories including decking, outdoor kitchens and furniture. More than just a showroom, the Dream Gardens have been designed as a transformative shopping experience, curated through collaborations with several premium outdoor living brands including Bridgman, Easigrass, in-lite®, Charlie Oven, DeliVita, Primo Grill and Millboard, empowering visitors to visualise the full potential of their outdoor spaces. Both local and trade press, as well as a number of home and garden influencers attended the soft launch event, held on Thursday 14th December, where they enjoyed an Alfresco Festive Feast served by the skilled team at Charlie Oven, who utilised their groundbreaking outdoor oven under Caribbean Blinds’ top of the line Prestige Pod. The menu featured succulent turkey with all the trimmings, homemade mince pies and English sparkling wine from Ridgeview Wine Estate, an award-wining winery in the South Downs. Amidst the festivities, Caribbean Blinds and guests also contributed to Family Business United’s Festive Parcel campaign, donating food parcels to support those in need across the UK. Stuart Dantzic, Managing Director at Caribbean Blinds, commented: “The soft launch of our Dream Gardens has been a great success and of monumental importance to the team at Caribbean Blinds. It was heartening to witness visitors explore our five show-stopping gardens which we have worked so hard to develop over the past 12 months. It was great to share this with friends, family, partners and the local community – what a wonderful way to celebrate the end of 2023." “Our Dream Gardens represent a collaborative effort, and I would like to extend my gratitude to the innovative and luxury outdoor living brands with whom we've had the pleasure of partnering with." “This launch is just the beginning, as we plan to host regular outdoor events in 2024. We eagerly anticipate welcoming more guests to showcase the epitome of outdoor dining and living at its finest.” For over 35 years, Caribbean Blinds has been a leading provider of innovative outdoor shading solutions – designing, manufacturing and installing its range of luxury pergolas, awnings and external blinds to both residential and commercial properties – transforming outdoor spaces into year-round living areas. To witness the superior features and benefits of Caribbean Blinds’ award-winning products first-hand, plan your visit to the Dream Gardens show site here: https://www.cbsolarshading.co.uk/showsites/

TEPS, a Hull and Yorkshire-based family-run Haulage, Storage, and Distribution company, is excited to announce the construction of a new warehouse and office. As part of the sixth generation John Good Group, TEPS is reinforcing its commitment to adapt and grow in response to market needs, which is being a strategic supply chain & logistics partner in the Hull and Yorkshire region. The new development will feature a state-of-the-art 25,000 sq. ft warehouse, capable of housing 5,000 pallets, alongside a 1,900 sq. ft office block. This expansion will not only increase TEPS's capacity to nearly 200,000 sq. ft but also enhance its operational efficiency. The new warehouse will create new roles and opportunities within the local area to be recruited for in 2024. In line with TEPS’s dedication to sustainability, the construction of their new warehouse and offices will repurpose materials from other locations within the group, helping to minimise the build’s environmental impact. This eco-conscious approach, reflecting the company's commitment to the planet, complements the recent achievement of operational carbon neutrality by TEPS and John Good Group. This integration of sustainable practices, including the implementation of solar energy, highlights the company's balanced approach to growth and environmental responsibility. Managing Director of TEPS, Paul Fordon, comments, “This expansion is a significant milestone for TEPS. By constructing this new warehouse and office space, we are not just scaling our operations but also reaffirming our dedication to our clients and the environment. The integration of the new offices within the warehouse facility is a testament to our commitment to operational excellence.” Adam Walsh, CEO of John Good Group, adds, “I’m delighted we were able to give the green light for TEPS on this multi-million-pound investment into the site. It’s a real vote of confidence in Paul and the team, who consistently deliver a service that makes them a standout operator in the region. I’m also pleased we were able to include a new office block in the development." "Our people make the difference in our business, and to give them a new home with far superior facilities will help us retain and attract talent for years to come.” Scheduled for completion in Spring 2024, this new facility is set to be a major milestone in TEPS’s growth strategy, solidifying its position as a leader in the warehousing, storage, and distribution sector. This development is not just a response to growing demand but also a proactive step towards a more efficient, sustainable future in logistics.

In spite of the cost-of-living crisis affecting families and businesses, the tenacity of entrepreneurs across the UK in 2023 has proved that there still very much has an appetite for new enterprises. From home-grown ventures to side hustle start-ups, mumpreneurs to Dragon’s Den, there’s no doubt that we’re a nation of entrepreneurism - and this trend looks set to continue. New data collected by business finance specialists BusinessFinancing.co.uk has found that several UK locations have seen a boom in new businesses over the past 12 months. Almost half a million new businesses launched around the UK during 2023 - despite the aftermath of the pandemic and ongoing concerns around the cost of living. The new data shows that some towns, cities and regions in particular are benefiting from a sharp rise in entrepreneurial activity. Gloucester, Manchester and Cambridge have seen the most new businesses launch per capita this year, with both cities even outperforming new businesses in London as hubs of entrepreneurism. All three locations are experiencing a significant increase of new business activity compared with 2022. Gloucester has seen the launch of new businesses increase by 27.48% to 5,682 in 2023 compared to the previous year, Manchester has seen a year-on-year increase in new businesses of 33.82% to 21,099, while Cambridge has seen new businesses rise by a staggering 45.9% year-on-year to 3,999. Experts looked at records posted on Companies House for newly-registered businesses since January 1, then analysed location data and local population size to determine their findings. Commenting on the research, Ian Wright, finance expert at Business Financing said: “The research clearly shows that UK towns and cities have an appetite for enterprise, even amid the ongoing cost-of-living crisis." “Entrepreneurs up and down the country are showing their willingness to invest their time and energy in bringing their business visions to life.”