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Despite reports of the UK economy remaining sluggish compared with pre-Covid growth, Yorkshire and the Humber appears to be continuing to put in a stalwart performance with the number of start-ups in the region once again rising and insolvency-related activity falling last month. The latest research from R3 , the UK’s insolvency and restructuring trade body, which is based on an analysis of data provided by CreditSafe, shows that the year started strongly in Yorkshire and the Humber with start-ups in January 2023 increasing by 34% since the previous month. The numbers continued to grow in February reaching a high of 5,315 in March. After decreasing in April, they rose to 4,782 in May, a month-on-month increase of 11.5%. Last month, there was also a drop in levels of businesses in the region experiencing insolvency-related activity (which includes liquidator and administrator appointments and creditors’ meetings). Having increased month-on-month for three consecutive months from January to March 2023, it fell in April and then again in May. From the 2023 high of 283, it decreased last month to 227 (a fall of nearly 20%). Looking across the UK, in May all 12 regions and nations saw the number of start-ups increase compared with the previous month. The largest increases were seen in Northern Ireland which rose by 24.8%; West Midlands (up by 23.7%); and East Anglia (up by 19.4%). Another sign of economic confidence or distress, the level of insolvency-related activity, showed a more mixed picture. While eight of the regions and nations saw double-digit falls, there were increases in East Anglia (up by 15.2%), East Midlands (5.3%), Greater London (2.7%) and the North West (0.3%). Eleanor Temple, chair of R3 in Yorkshire and a barrister at Kings Chambers in Leeds, said: “The ONS figures for the first quarter of the year showed that the UK had seen growth of 0.1%, although this was smaller than the economy pre-pandemic and puts the UK at the bottom of the G7 league. However, the growing number of new businesses launching in recent months, both here and across the UK, is certainly welcome news showing that many entrepreneurs see opportunities in the current environment." “While it’s also encouraging that levels of insolvency-related activity also fell last month in much of the UK, with inflation remaining stubbornly high and households facing the challenge of increased mortgage costs, prospects for consumer-facing sectors, such as retail and hospitality, are still precarious given the squeeze on discretionary spending. There’s no doubt that many businesses are continuing to reel from the impact of Covid with bounce back loans now due for repayment and, in this challenging landscape, it is vital that directors seek professional advice as soon as financial difficulties become evident.”

Afternoon tea is a British tradition and where better to discover and enjoy the best afternoon tea than the place that invented it – Leicestershire. Leicester and Leicestershire have a wide range of high quality tearooms, cafes, restaurants and hotels offering traditional, alternative and luxury afternoon teas to make the perfect treat for you or a loved one this Mother’s Day on Sunday 19 March 2023. Visit Leicester has compiled a list of some of the top places in the city and county to help you in your search for the best afternoon tea… Did you know afternoon tea was invented at Belvoir Castle ? Anna Russell, Duchess of Bedford was visiting the 5th Duke of Rutland at Belvoir Castle in the mid-1840s when she decided the wait until supper was simply too long! What better place to enjoy afternoon tea than at its official birthplace? Relax in the recently refurbished Regency-style tearoom, The Aviary, and indulge in delicious sandwiches, scones and cakes. Inspired by the City and surrounding countryside, afternoon tea at the Knight and Garter brings a little bit of Leicester and Leicestershire to this traditional dining experience. Using local produce, and with a selection of over 10 large leaf traditional and creative teas, alcoholic and non-alcoholic sparkling tea, diners will enjoy a selection of sweets and savouries with an original twist. The unique offerings include Red Leicester sausage rolls, beetroot and mascarpone profiteroles and passionfruit cheesecake lollies. For those looking for a vegan alternative, Leicester’s premier vegan café, Prana Café , offers 100% vegan and gluten-free afternoon teas. Housed in a stunning Grade II listed building, diners can indulge in vegan scones, sandwiches and sweets made using local and organic produce. The City Rooms in the centre of Leicester offers something a little different with an Indian Afternoon Tea, a twist on a classic British tradition. Hosted in the ballroom of one of the city’s landmark buildings, dating back to 1792, diners are treated to a selection of authentic sweet and savoury treats from the sub-continent. Indian afternoon tea is a specialty in Leicester, which is no surprise considering our affinity for world foods! Bobby’s restaurant has been a city favourite since the 1970’s and now offers afternoon tea as an authentic, pure vegetarian Gujarati dining experience. Staying in the city, Mrs Bridges Tearoom on Loseby Lane has been serving the people of Leicester for a century. At £9.50 it’s the perfect option for a very reasonably priced afternoon tea. The tearoom is open for breakfast, lunch and of course afternoon tea. Right in the heart of Leicester’s Clarendon Park, the Skylark Bakery offers freshly baked treats from its quaint bakery. So sit back and sip loose leaf tea from vintage china teacups and select delicious treats including fresh, fluffy scones, daintily cut sandwiches and delicious cakes and treats. A takeaway option is also available. Away from the city, why not take tea on the farm? Cattow’s Farm offers stunning views of the Leicestershire countryside to accompany your afternoon tea. It hosts events throughout the year, from the summer corn maze to pumpkin picking in the autumn and the farm shop is famed across the county for its home grown and local products. For the ultimate treat, Kilworth House offers a few hours of luxury in the magnificent Kilworth Orangery. Afternoon Tea has been served in the Orangery for more than 100 years! The classic afternoon tea includes delicate pastries and sandwiches, and mouthwatering sweet treats. Stapleford Park country house restaurant and bar serves up exceptional afternoon tea in luxury surroundings. Enjoy dainty French pastries and finger sandwiches, accompanied by an award-winning tea selection or champagne, under the glistening chandeliers of its sumptuous drawing room. For an award-winning experience, look to the Black Iron restaurant at Winstanley House that offers some of the best loose tea in the country to accompany its indulgent range of afternoon teas. From traditional to gluten free and vegan, the teas here were awarded Leicestershire’s Best Afternoon Tea by the Leicestershire Tourism Awards. Miss B’s Tea Rooms is Leicestershire’s only Tea Guild Award of Excellence Member. Located in the ‘Rural Capital of Food’, Melton Mowbray, Miss B’s offers a selection of specialty afternoon teas that include locally sourced treats, including Melton’s famous pork pie and stilton cheese, alongside freshly homemade sandwiches, scones and cakes. For something a little different, head to Charnwood Forest Alpacas for an unforgettable alpaca and afternoon tea experience. Learn about, meet and then walk one of the farms friendly alpacas, followed by afternoon tea which features a selection of freshly prepared sandwiches, a scrumptious selection of sweet treats and delicious savoury delights.

Two-thirds of millennials don’t know which countries emerged victorious from World War II, according to research. A poll of 2,000 adults found 41 per cent of 18-34-year-olds are oblivious to the fact the UK fought on the side of the Allies. The research found Brits know remarkably little about the key events and people from World War II – despite 61 per cent believing they have good knowledge about the most significant event in history. With this week commemorating the 83rd anniversary of Dunkirk, 40 per cent are unaware of the mission which successfully evacuated more than 338,000 Allied soldiers from northern France. Meanwhile, one in 10 (11 per cent) millennials believe the ‘Miracle of Dunkirk’ refers to the day the Nazis surrendered in 1945. The study, commissioned to mark the launch of Company of Heroes™ 3: Console Edition on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, found 41 per cent are clueless D-day was the bringing together of land, sea and air forces to the beaches of Normandy. And one in 20 of the millennials polled even believe D-day happened in Germany. Millennials Unsure About WWII History As Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer is set to hit the big screen next month, 74 per cent of adults don’t know the Manhattan Project was a research and development undertaking that produced the first nuclear weapons. While 31 per cent admit they have never heard of J. Robert Oppenheimer, and 24 per cent are unaware the first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, Japan. Remarkably, four per cent of millennials believe the first nuclear weapon was used on Berlin and three per cent think it was dropped on Chernobyl, Ukraine. There is also a lack of knowledge even in relation to events on British soil. Barely half (53 per cent) know the UK didn’t have the same Prime Minister throughout the duration of World War II. Nearly four in 10 (37 per cent) are unaware it was Neville Chamberlain in office at the start of the conflict – and 22 per cent are clueless it was Winston Churchill in power at the end. Half (49 per cent) of those polled, via OnePoll, believe it is important to have a good knowledge of World War II, however, this drops to just over a third (36 per cent) for 18-34-year-olds. As a result, less than a quarter (23 per cent) of millennials feel they lack knowledge about the event that shaped the world they live in today. Game To Be Seen As 'Educational' This is despite 59 per cent admitting they don’t know that WWII is an abbreviation for the conflict which ultimately led to an estimated 35 to 60 million casualties globally. Indeed, millennials are more interested in who is top of the music charts (22 per cent), the names of celebrity babies (20 per cent), and how many followers they have on social media (20 per cent) than what happened during World War II. To celebrate the launch of Company of Heroes 3: Console Edition, SEGA and Relic Entertainment teamed up with SAS: Who Dares Wins star and former member of the Parachute Regiment, Jay Morton, to deliver the first physical copy of the game via skydive. Jumping from 15,000 feet and free falling at a speed of 120mph, Jay delivered the game’s premium edition to Stewart Clark, based near Oxford, ahead of the game’s launch to ensure the franchise’s biggest fan received the console release of the third instalment before anyone else. Jay Morton said: “As someone with 14 years of military service, including a decade within the UK Special Forces and four within the Parachute Regiment, I was delighted to help SEGA launch Company of Heroes 3 on console." “I have completed many skydives during my career, but it was a new experience to deliver the game to fans, paying homage to our predecessors by wearing an authentic World War II British paratrooper’s uniform." “It’s important we remain knowledgeable about World War II and that we don’t forget the harsh lessons that were learned.”

Latest research shows that across the UK companies are failing to hire diverse leaders despite pledges made after George Floyd’s murder and the fact that staff say diverse management makes organisations better places to work. British companies have failed to significantly hire and promote more Black senior leaders in the wake of George Floyd’s murder, according to a new study. In a poll of 2,000 professional office workers, 70% said that work to address racism in the workplace since the 2020 killing, which sparked a global wave of anti-racism protests, had begun in their organisations. But despite the outpouring of corporate activism, with many companies posting black squares in solidarity, nearly 70% of those quizzed said their firms had not increased the number of Black, Asian or ethnic minority leaders. According to research commissioned by leading recruitment company, Zyna Search , nearly 65% or respondents felt their companies would benefit from having a more racially diverse leadership team. Staff also felt they had benefited from diversity training with 65% of participants saying such schemes worked and would like to see more. The research, carried out by insights agency, Perspectus Global, also found that over two thirds of Black respondents said the racial diversity of a company would impact whether they applied to work there. In the study, which also looked at the experiences of Black, Asian and ethnic minorities in the workplace, it emerged that: 57% of Black staff felt they had been passed over for promotion compared to 34% white 59% of Black staff felt the decision was based on the colour of their skin 55% of Black staff said they had applied for a promotion that went to a white colleague 60% of Black staff felt they had to 'code switch' ie adjust their language or change aspects of their appearance at work 75% of Black staff said that they are generally underrepresented in the workforce 46% of Black staff had to anglicise their names to make it easier for colleagues to pronounce In addition 56.6% of Black respondents said they were satisfied with their current role compared to 79.5% of the general respondents. Diversity training also received the thumbs up from respondents with two thirds of general respondents and 74% of Black respondents saying that it works. Marcus Whyte, Founder of Zyna Search said: “It’s a positive sign that work to address racism in the workplace had begun in offices across the country but the report shows more work still needs to happen especially in terms of senior leaders and those with influence and power in the workplace. " "So many companies pledged to do better on diversity after George Floyd’s killing. But if we look at the FTSE 100 today, there are no Black CEOs or chairpersons. What I would like to see is meaningful and measurable progress with Black, Asian and ethnically diverse employees represented at all levels of businesses." “It is also significant that it is important to Black employees to see representation. We know diverse organisations make sound business sense as it drives competitive advantage and ultimately performance and revenue. In a labour market that is fighting for top talent there is a huge opportunity for diverse organisations to steal a march and appeal to different and broader talent pools.”

At some point during the year, one Briton in four is likely to experience a mental health issue, and there is no hiding that work conditions and environment can actively contribute to that figure. Research carried out by Mind UK found that more than one worker in five (21%) has, at least once, called in sick to avoid stressful work situations. Not only that, but it also showed that 42% of UK employees have considered resigning because of their workplace’s negative influence on their mental health. As a business owner, it’s crucial to make sure that your people are as happy and healthy as can be and that mental illness isn’t treated as a taboo subject. Sometimes, you may not have immediate control over what is causing your employees feelings of stress or anxiety, as they could be triggered by personal, family, or external factors. But on a whole, offering mental health support in the workplace can both enhance people’s morale and save UK businesses up to £8 billion annually. Here, with Vicky Walker, Director of People at Westfield Health , we outline a few mental health myths that should be debunked in order to promote workplace wellbeing and create an open, supportive work environment. Myth #1 – Mental Health Conditions Are A Sign Of Weakness First things first, it’s important to address the fact that people suffering from poor mental health are not weak. Mental illnesses are diagnosed medical conditions, rather than a sign of a fragile character. There are several reasons why employees may be struggling with mental health problems, from work-related stress to day-to-day life troubles. What’s more, some individuals may be more prone to developing these issues, as mental illnesses could be part of their family medical history, favoured by genes and biological factors. If a worker confides to you that they are dealing with sentiments of stress, anxiety, or depression, you should recognise this as an act of personal strength. Sharing one’s feelings, especially if they are not positive, requires determination and courage. So, as the employer, make sure to take action to reduce stigma associated with mental health. This way, you can foster an empathetic environment to help all your people flourish in their roles. Myth #2 – People With Mental Health Issues Can’t Do Their Jobs Another misconception about people living with mental health conditions is that they are not able to carry out their job adequately. But the truth is that mental health issues may, in some scenarios, have little or no impact on an employee’s performance. This generally depends on the individual in question and the nature of the illness. People experiencing sentiments of stress and anxiety may still be able to plough through, maintaining good productivity levels and attendance records. Working hard – or more than is expected – could even act, for someone, as an unhealthy coping mechanism, adopted to brush aside their condition. However, this doesn’t cure their struggles, and masking their issues could worsen their mental wellbeing in the long run. It’s not always easy to spot whether one of your employees is battling with their mental health. Therefore, you may want to provide managers with useful guidance and training, which may help them detect any warning signs within their team. By doing so, you’ll give your team the necessary tools to nip a problem in the bud, intervening before it can escalate. Myth #3 – Pressure Always Improves Productivity And Performance Some believe that pressure can drive employee performance, productivity, and efficiency. It can keep people on their toes, preserve their motivation levels, and help them achieve specific targets. However, balance is vital. Excessive pressure can have the opposite effect, leading to a collapse in confidence and concentration. Also, people have different levels of tolerance for stress, meaning they respond differently to work pressure. If the pressure becomes too much to handle, it can rapidly turn into a risk factor both for the employee and your business. One of the most frequent consequences is ‘presenteeism’, which refers to a loss in productivity when employees disengage because they are unwell without taking a leave of absence. As a business owner, you can prevent this by ensuring your people are feeling enough pressure to motivate them to excel without overwhelming them. As well as benefitting your employees’ personal wellbeing, you’ll also nurture the efficiency of your company. Myth #4 – Managers Can’t Assist With Mental Health Issues Of course, managers are unlikely to have the medical expertise to guide people living with mental health through the recovery process. However, they can certainly make a difference when it comes to maximising their team’s wellbeing in the workplace. In fact, there are several ways in which, as a manager or company owner, you can instil a positive work culture which accounts for mental health. For example, you can create open forums that allow employees to voice their concerns and feelings, such as stress, anxiety, and depression. Embedding mental health into your organisation will encourage workers to talk freely about their personal and professional problems. This means that any worry can be addressed from the outset, so timely support can be offered while avoiding unwanted consequences. What’s more, it will help create a work environment where people are aware, sensitive, and respectful of the pressures faced by their colleagues. There are many myths surrounding mental health in the workplace. Some employers may view mental illnesses as a ‘weakness’, whereas others may believe that those living with mental health conditions aren’t able to fulfil their job roles. But more often than not, this is simply not true. This is why it’s crucial for owners and managers to embrace a work culture that fights mental health stigma and focuses on their people’s wellbeing. Ultimately, by creating a supportive, empathetic environment, you’re bound to always get the best out of your team.

Residents across Leicestershire who need support with rising food and energy costs can apply for a slice of a new £7.2m pot. Leicestershire County Council was been awarded the money by the Department of Work and Pensions and is urging people who are struggling to pay their bills to apply. Eligible households can receive an average of £200 in vouchers. This means that the council has now made £22m of wide-ranging support available to help ease cost of living pressures. Over half-term, 14,000 children across Leicestershire could also benefit from £15 school food vouchers. Councillor Louise Richardson, cabinet member for health and wellbeing remarked that "Prices remain sky high so it’s important we’re helping households with essential costs. As well as offering school food vouchers during the holidays, making sure no child goes hungry, we’re supporting local charities, including helping local foodbanks to purchase food." “Global economics are beyond our control but we’re committed to supporting our residents and I’d encourage people to apply," she added. This week, the council was the only local authority invited to speak at the Work and Pensions Committee at Westminster. On Wednesday (7 June), Richard Hunt, the council’s head of catering, hospitality and country parks, talked to the committee of MPs and set out the wide-ranging cost of living support provided. The council’s support includes: Energy efficiency grants and advice - through the council’s Warm Homes scheme Community fridges – run by volunteers, the projects in Wigston, Coalville, Loughborough, and Hinckley, are continuing to support their local communities by providing donated food for free to anyone who needs it Applications need to be made through a professional or support worker – or through one of the following organisations: Registered charities and voluntary organisations Schools/education settings Food banks Care organisations Children’s Services Adult Social Care Housing Revenues and Customer Support Public Health Care and NHS professionals including nurses and GPs District and borough councils Citizens’ Advice The money is from the Government's Household Support Fund. Find out more on the council's Cost of Living webpage here

A brand new programme to help businesses and organisations in Leicestershire become heathier places to work has been launched. The Healthy Workplaces Leicestershire programme from Leicestershire County Council’s Public Health team has been designed to help places of work and local organisations achieve the ‘Healthy Workplaces Leicestershire Accreditation,’ with Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service becoming one of the first organisations to benefit from the programme. Businesses and organisations who sign up can benefit from the Workplace Health Needs Assessment, Health MOT’s for staff, training for managers and other support that is available. The programme ensures a fully bespoke and tailored programme for each workforce. Launched during Mental Health Awareness Week, and with mental wellbeing often under discussed in the workplace, the scheme also offers both Mental Health First Aid training and Healthy Conversation Skills training. As one of the first to take advantage of Healthy Workplaces Leicestershire Programme, Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service’s 700-strong workforce, including 580 firefighters, have committed to undergoing a Workplace Health Needs Assessment for their staff, and hosted a special launch event at Birstall Fire and Rescue Station. Councillor Louise Richardson, lead member for health and wellbeing at Leicestershire County Council, said: “I am so pleased to see our new Healthy Workplaces Leicestershire programme launch, especially during Mental Health Awareness week.” “We spend so much of our adult life at work that it is important that we make steps to ensure both our physical and mental health is looked after in the workplace. Our new initiative will enable local businesses across the county to do just that. I am especially thrilled to see Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service get involved and I wish them all the best in their healthy workplace journey.” “We are excited to see this new initiative bring a positive impact to the health and wellbeing of our residents and workforce.” Karl Bowden, Area Manager for People and Organisational Development at Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “We are extremely pleased to welcome the support from the Healthy Workplaces Leicestershire Programme.” “This will further enhance our ongoing commitment to support the health and wellbeing of our employees and ensure our wellbeing strategy remains focussed where there is identified need.”

Building work has started on Thurcroft’s new, long-awaited library and neighbourhood hub after the first sod was cut earlier this week. Cabinet Member for Social Inclusion, Councillor David Sheppard said the construction works are an ‘exciting step’ towards what will be a fantastic new facility for the residents of Thurcroft. The library, which is currently located on the grounds of Thurcroft Junior Academy, will be relocated to a new building adjoining the Gordon Bennett Memorial Hall. The new location will improve accessibility and provide more opportunities for people to benefit from the library and its services whilst also providing a new flexible space for activities and events. The development is part of the Council’s Libraries Capital Improvement Programme, which has already funded improvements to all its libraries across the borough. A financial contribution to the works has also been made by Thurcroft Parish Council. Councillor Sheppard added: “Libraries are so important to our communities and it’s vital they change and adapt to meet the needs of the residents. It’s great to see the site at Thurcroft being developed into what promises to be a wonderful new facility.” Ahead of the works for the new library and neighbourhood hub beginning, engagement sessions were held with residents in Thurcroft, giving local people the opportunity to view proposed concepts for the building and to share their views. Thurcroft Parish Council Clerk Tom Collingham said: “It was really important local people were given the chance to have their say on the plans. After all, this is a facility at the heart of the community, for families and community groups to come together in a safe, modern environment." “There’s a real buzz about the new hub and there are many people, I included, who are very much looking forward to making use of the new space.”

A garden border designed by Jo Manfredi-Hamer Garden Design for the recent Harrogate Flower Show will find a new home as it is to be donated to the charity Leeds Mind. The plants will be moved to the Leeds Mind Garden at Clarence House in Horsforth. Plants used in the urban boost border will be donated by Yorkshire commercial nursery Johnsons of Whixley and are worth over £1,500 with plant varieties including Taxus, Prunus lusitanica, Malus Evereste, Viburnum tinus, Hebe ‘Green Globe’, Heathers, Choisya ‘Sundance’, Heuchera, Tiarella and more. Jo’s 3.6m x 1.2m design features Johnsons plants, a red willow-weaved fox and a wired hedgehog by renowned sculptor Emma Stothard. The garden design highlights that we can all do our bit to reduce pollution and feed insects in urban areas along with the mental health benefits a garden can have. Leeds Mind promotes positive mental health and well-being and provides help and support to anyone who needs it in and around Leeds. Services they offer include counselling, employment support, suicide bereavement, mental health training and more. Gemma Community Fundraiser at Leeds Mind said: “We are so grateful for the donation of plants to give some TLC to our office garden. It makes such a difference to be able to offer clients and partners a welcoming space, as the connection between green spaces and well-being is well-evidenced. A huge thank you from us to Jo and Johnsons of Whixley.” Jo Manfredi-Hamer said: “It’s been a tough few years for the garden at Leeds Mind because the pandemic meant the staff and volunteers couldn’t get in to give it the attention it needed. So, it’s great to be donating the gorgeous plants from Johnsons to them. I know they are delighted with the donation. To be able to highlight ways in which plants can help environmental issues at the same time is the icing on the cake.” Eleanor Richardson, Marketing Manager at Johnsons of Whixley said: “We are pleased to have sponsored Jo’s latest design at the Harrogate Flower Show and that we are able to donate the plants after the show to Leeds Mind.” “Johnsons have recently invested time in mental health training for all staff and now has two mental health first aiders. As a local company, we are acutely aware of the work done by the charity Mind, and the network of local Minds, so it’s great to offer our support to Leeds Mind via a plant donation which will have a positive impact on the office grounds for staff and visitors to enjoy.”

In his role as the Prime Minister’s trade envoy to Australia, iconic former cricketer Lord Botham OBE visited Sound Leisure in Leeds. The manufacturer of classic jukeboxes, which has exported to Australia for over 20 years, has sold 15 of its jukeboxes to Australia in the last 12 months. Employing more than 40 people at its Leeds head office and manufacturing centre, the £5m revenue family-owned Sound Leisure has again been named as an Export Champion for 2023 and sells 80% of its products overseas to customers in over 40 countries worldwide, including Australia, the US and Japan. Celebrities, royalty and famous athletes are among the buyers of its retro-design state of the art vinyl and digital jukeboxes. “Sound Leisure is a mainly export business, and anytime we can move forward our knowledge of overseas markets, and share our experiences and insights with other exporters and businesses, we grab the opportunity,” said Sound Leisure director Mike Black. Mr Black escorted Lord Botham on a tour of the firm’s state-of-the-art, 80,000 sq ft manufacturing facility, where he was shown how Sound Leisure classic jukeboxes are meticulously hand built by a team of skilled craftsmen. Mike Black said: “It was great to welcome Lord Botham to our factory today and he was really impressed to see the levels of skill and craftsmanship that go into building these intricate and innovative machines which we have been producing here in Leeds for 45 years.” “We’re a family-run British manufacturing business and exports, including to Australia, make up a huge amount of our business. We’re proud to have been named an Export Champion for the Northern Powerhouse once again this year by the Department of Business and Trade.” Lord Botham’s role as trade envoy is an unpaid and voluntary one, aimed at boosting British business in Australia. The factory tour was followed by an Export Champions round table, organised by the Department of Business and Trade and held at the Sound Leisure manufacturing facility.

A new survey of 250 senior decision-makers within UK hospitality businesses has found that: 44% of businesses are operating at a loss, with 53% impacted by rising cost of goods and 50% by higher energy bills 70% feel they will have to increase prices to survive, while a third (34%) do not think their business will survive the next 12 months Over two fifths of the UK’s hospitality businesses are operating at a loss, with the vast majority eyeing price increases during the next year, new research by Peckwater Brands has found. Europe’s largest virtual food brand operator commissioned an independent survey of 250 decision-makers in senior management positions within UK hospitality businesses (restaurants, takeaways, cafés and bars). It found that 44% are currently operating at a loss. A third (34%) of hospitality leaders do not think their business will survive the next 12 months, while 70% expect they will have to increase prices within that timeframe. The study found that more than half of hospitality firms have been negatively impacted by the rising cost of goods (53%), with a similar number affected by record energy bills (50%). A third (34%) are struggling with higher interest rates, while 29% struggle with increased commercial rents. Most (55%) are struggling to find enough staff to operate effectively. Inflation is not just ramping up hospitality businesses’ costs – the majority (70%) say customers are spending significantly less than they were 12 months ago. Sam Martin, CEO of Peckwater Brands, said: “Conditions for hospitality businesses are undoubtedly tough, with record food inflation, skyrocketing energy bills and falling consumer spending all having a notable impact. Our research shows lays bare the stark reality; so many establishments are loss-making and many fear for their survival.” “Unfortunately, the challenges facing the hospitality sector will not disappear any time soon. Raising prices might be the only option available to many businesses, but with consumers wrestling with a cost-of-living crisis and seeking out lower prices wherever possible, this action could damage their customer bases.” “Just as during the pandemic, hospitality businesses must rely on ingenuity, efficiency and innovation to survive, let alone thrive – they must seek out all opportunities available to them, whether that is to lower costs or find ways of boosting revenue and order volumes, such as improved marketing or operating secondary virtual food brands out of their kitchens. One can only hope that in the coming months, inflation falls sharply and overheads drop, ensuring hospitality firms are not forced to close their doors. If they were, local high streets would be greatly diminished, as would the UK economy.”

The team at Yorkshire’s first single malt whisky distillery is celebrating after winning two regional food and drink business awards. Spirit of Yorkshire Distillery’s Filey Bay Port Finish Batch #1 won the Best New Drink Product category in the Azets Food and Drink Business Awards and was announced as the Overall Business of the Year at the end of the awards event that was held in York last week. Spirit of Yorkshire’s MD, David Thompson, said: “Not only was it a huge honour for Port Finish Batch #1 to win the best new drink award, but it was incredible to then be crowned overall business of the year at an event that recognised and rewarded Yorkshire’s finest food and drink businesses.” Hunmanby based Spirit of Yorkshire’s fellow finalists were Goat/Myth drinks, Fairfax Distillery, Dutch Barn Orchard Vodka, Amare Vodka and Nutrein Drinks. Spirit of Yorkshire is a collaboration between farmer and brewer Tom Mellor and business partner David Thompson. It is a true field-to-bottle distillery and one of only a few distilleries that use 100% homegrown barley to produce its single malt whisky. Filey Bay single malt whisky is now available throughout the UK and in a growing number of export markets.