Bagnalls is the latest family business signing up to the Sustainable Charter and pledging their commitment to making a different to the planet. Family businesses intrinsically do, or want to do the right thing, acting as agents of change and taking responsibility for their actions. They care and with a shared purpose take long-term decisions and act as stewards for next generations. They want to do the right thing, creating sustainable businesses and recognise the urgency associated with the need to care for the world in which they live too. As Paul Andrews, Founder of Sustainabler and global champion of family businesses explains: “We are delighted to welcome Bagnalls to Sustainabler. As a responsible family business they are taking plenty of steps on their sustainability journey and we are delighted that they have signed up to our sustainability pledge.” “Sustainabler has been created with a simple purpose in mind, to provide a comprehensive resource centre that will enable family businesses of all sizes to source information, knowledge and practical examples of sustainability in practice and to help everyone make sustainability manageable, measurable and meaningful and we really do welcome the support and commitment that Bagnalls have made in this regard.” Each family business that signs up to the charter agrees to further their sustainability journey by committing: To continuing on their journey to become a net zero business To reduce their energy consumption To minimise waste within their organisation To encourage the reduction of consumption of materials and reuse and recycling of as many resources as possible To reduce water consumption To consider the use of renewable energy resources To measure and reduce their overall impact on the environment To encourage and support their people to become better ‘citizens of the planet’ To support the broader communities in which they operate To be active participants in the sustainabler community as agents of change To share and report back on their endeavours and the impact that these have on their business To continue to build an approach to sustainability to look at their underlying purpose in terms of profit, people and planet The Sustainabler Charter sets to encourage more family businesses to proactively communicate and share their activities and their impact with the wider community, amplifying the impact of family firms as agents of change and sharing resources and ideas that will help other family businesses too. As Paul continues, “We created Sustainabler in response to being asked for resources and insights to help family businesses on their journey and have been delighted with the response to date. The community continues to build and it is great to see the family business mark of sustainability being embraced by great family businesses across the UK.” “Bagnalls is a long standing, multi-generational family business that have been delivering expert commercial and industrial painting and decorating projects across the UK since 1875 and are a responsible business, putting people and the planet at the heart of what they do and we are delighted to welcome them to our Sustainabler community.” Ben Featherstone, Sustainability Co-Ordinator at Bagnalls adds: "We're really excited to be a part of Sustainabler. Bagnalls is committed to using green and sustainable practices wherever possible and we are always looking for new, innovative ways to ensure we're protecting our planet." "Our painters and decorators are already using environmentally friendly Graphenstone paint across various projects, which works to absorb CO2 from the atmosphere as it dries." "We are also proud members of The Painting and Decorating Association's Paint Green scheme, which helps us recycle and cut down on waste." "We can't wait to further our green efforts with Sustainabler and help us protect our planet for the next generation of family businesses." Family businesses signing up to Sustainabler become part of a community that has sustainability matters at the core, are able to make full use of the badge on collateral and gain invitations to events that are shaped around the ongoing sustainability agenda. Find out more about Sustainabler at www.sustainabler.uk

A multipurpose watersports centre on the shores of Windermere is celebrating the launch of its 40th summer season. The Watersports Centre at Low Wood Bay Resort & Spa is marking its ‘ruby’ anniversary this year. Having started life back in 1984 as a small service from the jetty offering boat hire for scenic trips on Windermere, it has become a modern hive of outdoor sports activity. When officially opened by the minister for sport in the mid-1980s, Only You by The Flying Pickets was No.1 in the pop charts and Steve Jobs was about to launch the Macintosh personal computer in the US. Recent years have seen the addition of popular water-based pastimes such as paddle boarding, wake surfing and knee boarding. But visitors can still enjoy a step back in time by hiring a traditional rowing boat or fulfilling their Swallows and Amazons ambitions in a sailing dinghy. General manager of Low Wood Bay Resort & Spa Mark Needham: “The longevity, growth and popularity of our watersports facilities here are testament to the team’s commitment to providing our guests with a great deal of fun and laughter." “We’re very lucky in that not many Lake District venues benefit from their own private jetty and watersports facilities for guests to enjoy on the shoreline. Set against the backdrop of the Lakeland fells, it’s just a wonderful location for getting out on the water.” Sports activities on the water have always been an integral part of family life at English Lakes Hotels Resorts & Venues. In the 1950s, Norman Buckley, the great, great uncle of current managing director Ben Berry, broke four world water speed records on Windermere in his own designed and built boats. The Watersports Centre at Low Wood Bay offers a broad range of watersports, boat and equipment hire and an experienced team of instructors for all ages and abilities. Whilst canoes and kayaks give guests a feeling of freedom to explore, it’s stand-up paddle boarding which has become one of the most popular modern activities in recent years. The Watersports Centre is also a recognised training centre with the Royal Yachting Association. For further information, visit he re.

Paralympic gold medallist Natasha Baker made a winning return to the dressage arena after a 20-month absence from competition, following the birth of her baby boy Joshua in 2023. Riding Keystone Dawn Chorus, Natasha picked up a double of para-dressage victories at the I.C.E. Horseboxes All England Dressage Festival. On Tuesday, she headed the Agria CPEDI 3* Grand Prix A Grade III test with 74.833%, and repeated her win today in the Grand Prix B with 73.333%. Natasha said: “It’s really good to be back in competition, and ‘Lottie’ was amazing - she really looked after me. Today she was feeling absolutely pumped and ready, and that did lead to a couple of small mistakes, but I'm so happy for my first competition back in such a long time." Natasha has had the ride on Lottie since 2019, and they were part of the gold medal winning team in Tokyo. The pair also won individual silver and bronze at last year’s World Championships in Herning. “She is the kindest, sweetest, cuddliest horse,” said Natasha. “She's just the absolute dream to look after, she's so well behaved but also really brave and confident.” Though her return to competition resulted in a double of wins, their path back into the arena hasn't always run smoothly. “I had a really bad start to the year, unfortunately my Nan was really poorly so I didn't manage to ride a lot in January, and that's just pushed things back a little bit with our preparations. But the last few weeks have gone really well, and Lottie has been feeling amazing. Now I need to get better and stronger, to be able to cope with all of Lottie’s movement.” Becoming a mum has also brought its own challenges. “I'm not going to lie, I thought parenting would be easier to balance than it actually is! I really want to make sure I balance it well, and to make sure I don't miss anything with my son. I want to be there for all of his ‘firsts’, but I also want to be back out performing and being the best that I can be. So it's a juggle, but I'm sure every parent will understand that. Becoming a mum has been a real adventure – I love challenges and this is probably the biggest challenge that I've ever had. But coming into that arena yesterday was just awesome.” Natasha’s son Joshua recently celebrated his first birthday, and he now has an important role of being the number one supporter for his mum. “Yesterday I came out of the arena feeling really happy with my test, then I saw him and just bawled my eyes out,” said Natasha. “It’s amazing being back doing my day job but with him on the sidelines. His dad has also taken time off work so he can be here looking after Joshua while I compete.” A strong showing today will no doubt be a boost to her hopes of selection for this summer's Paralympic Games in Paris. If Natasha gets selected, it will be her fourth Games, and another chance to help Great Britain retain their record of team gold medals. “I had no expectations, I didn't know how Lottie was going come back or what the judges were going to think of us after such a long time out of the arena. But luckily, they seem to still love her. We've got another couple of internationals this year and then we have to see if the team still wants me!” Natasha will be back in action in Thursday’s Freestyle, when she will be revealing brand new music. “It's like nothing I've ever had before, really pop and upbeat. If you're not singing it for the rest of the day, I'll be disappointed!” she added. The I.C.E. Horseboxes All England Dressage Festival takes place at Hickstead (7-12 May) with free admission and parking for spectators. Watch the livestream on Horse & Country TV. Photo credit Spidge Photography

Small business confidence made a welcome return to positive territory for the first time in two years, the first evidence that the small business community has now come out of the late 2023 recession, according to FSB’s Small Business Index (SBI) for Q1 2024. Key Findings Rise in small business confidence could signal end of recession, new report finds. The headline confidence reading jumped up over 20 points, to reach +5.5 points in the first three months of 2024. Manufacturing was the most positive sector at +19.2 points. This is a good indicator that the shallow recession recorded at the end of 2023 is firmly in the past. However, challenges remain for the hospitality and food sectors, which recorded -11.8 points. The headline confidence reading jumped up over 20 points to reach +5.5 points in the first three months of 2024, up from -15.0 points in the final quarter of last year. Outside of COVID waves, this is the first confidence reading above zero since 2018, which makes it significant and important that it be sustained. The gap in confidence readings among major sectors was notably narrower compared to the previous quarter, showing a gentle rising tide across the whole economy. The most positive sector is manufacturing (+19.2 points), getting over a tough last quarter, with the least positive being accommodation and food services (-11.8 points) – a 31-point difference. Sectors showing significant improvement from Q4 2023 to Q1 2024 include retail and wholesale (-29.8 points to +2.1 points), manufacturing (-26.2 points to +19.2 points), and professional, technical and scientific firms (-4.7 points to +14.3 points). Accommodation and food services made the largest recovery, going from -73.0 points in Q4 to -11.8 points in Q1. The only major sector to see a decline in its confidence score between quarters, meanwhile, was information and communication, which saw a fall from +24.4 points in Q4 to +7.1 points in Q1, down by 17.3 points. Crucially, this still remains in positive territory. Tina McKenzie, FSB’s Policy Chair, said: “Having small business confidence back in positive territory in the opening months of 2024 is a relief, after two years of it being underwater, and following on from a particularly difficult end to last year." “The rebound in confidence levels in most sectors is a good indicator that the shallow recession recorded at the end of 2023 is firmly in the past, and small businesses are keen to look ahead to expansion and better trading conditions." “Challenges do of course remain, especially for hospitality firms, whose outlook – though it made a strong recovery when compared with the end of last year – is still some way behind the other major sectors.” Revenues and growth Revenues reported over the first quarter declined slightly when compared with the final quarter of last year, perhaps unsurprisingly as we exited the so-called ‘golden quarter’. But the same businesses report accelerating ambitions for revenue/growth for the next quarter. Over three in ten small businesses (32.0%) said their revenues increased in Q1 2024, while two in five (40.5%) reported a fall in their sales volumes. This marks the eighth consecutive quarter with a negative net balance of firms reporting revenue growth, and underlines that many small firms are dealing with uncertain finances following the shallow recession experienced at the end of last year. Revenue expectations for the coming quarter were, however, notably brighter – nearly half (45.7%) of small businesses expect their revenues to be higher in Q2, with just under a quarter (23.6%) bracing for a drop in revenues, giving a net balance of 22.1%. By contrast, the Q4 survey found that almost exactly the same proportion of small businesses were expecting revenues to grow (31.6%) as contract (32.0%). Growth expectations also rose, with 52.4% of small businesses predicting they would expand in the next 12 months, up from 48.2% in Q4, and the highest reading on this measure since Q4 2021. The share of small firms predicting that they would contract fell from over one in seven (15.0%) in Q4 to one in eight (12.6%) in Q1. The domestic economy retained its place as the most-commonly cited barrier to growth in the first quarter of 2024, mentioned by nearly two in three small firms (64.6%), up from 61.8% in Q4. Consumer demand kept its second-place spot, cited by over one in three firms (35.6%), up from three in ten (30.7%) in Q4. Access to appropriately skilled staff increased notably, from a fifth (20.7%) in Q4 to a quarter (24.8%) in Q1. Cost pressures Inflation continued to take a toll on small businesses, with over four in five (83.7%) saying the cost of running their business was higher overall in Q1 2024 than in the same period in 2023, a slight increase on the 82.5% of small firms who said the same thing in Q4. There was a welcome drop in the proportion of small businesses who said their costs had significantly increased, going from a quarter (24.7%) in Q4 to 22.8% in Q1, continuing the decline on this measure recorded since it hit a height of 38.3% in Q4 2022. Utility costs kept their spot as the most commonly-cited factor driving cost changes in Q1, mentioned by over half (55.2%) of small firms – a distinct fall from the 62.5% who pointed to utility costs in Q4. Labour costs climbed upward as a driver of costs, going from 45.7% to 48.1%, with inputs in third place at 36.5%, down from 41.6% in Q4. Rent reached a new record as a driver of cost changes, cited by 26.4% of small firms, the highest reading in the SBI’s history, beating the previous record of 25.3% from the same quarter last year. Access to finance Despite the lack of movement in the base rate, the situation has improved slightly for small firms seeking finance, with around one in six (16.5%) describing the availability and affordability of new finance as good, up from one in seven (14.5%) in Q4; likewise, the proportion of small firms rating it as poor fell from 52.0% in Q4 to 46.0% in Q1. The rates on offer to successful finance applicants also decreased, with twice as many small firms offered a rate of up to 4% compared with the previous quarter (8.3% in Q1 against 4.2% in Q4), while the percentage being offered a rate of 11% or more fell from its record high of one in three (33.4%) in Q4 to around a quarter (26.1%) in the most recent survey. Tina McKenzie added: “While revenues over the first quarter suffered in comparison with revenues recorded during the previous three months, thanks to festive spending levels, the outlook for the next quarter is far sunnier, which is encouraging." “Small firms may finally feel able to leave the survival mode they entered in order to cope with the successive blows of the pandemic, the cost of doing business crisis, and soaring energy bills." “The domestic economy remains a big challenge as far as expansion plans are concerned, but if it performs better than expected, that could give small businesses the opportunity they have been waiting for to grow and flourish." “The small business community took a big hit to its numbers in the wake of covid, with a loss of around half a million businesses. While there has been some recovery in the numbers since then, there’s still some way to go to make up lost ground." “Politicians of all parties need to think about how they can give a real impetus to growth and investment, from start-ups to scale-ups. We’d also like to see banks and other financial institutions thinking about how they can treat small firms in a way that is fair and supportive, to help them achieve their ambitions – to everyone’s benefit.”

John Good Group’s DAN Shipping & Chartering Ltd, has acquired Arthur Smith (Grimsby) Ltd, a prominent shipping services provider in the ports of Grimsby and Immingham since 1936. Sixth-generation John Good Group, with three centuries of trading to its name, has deep roots in the maritime industry since its inception in 1833. The acquisition of the fifth-generation family business, Arthur Smith, serves to strengthen both the heritage of the company and the operations of the Maritime Division as a whole. The acquisition of Arthur Smith is a pivotal expansion for the Maritime Division of John Good Group and a strategic move into the offshore sector. Arthur Smith, under the leadership of David Smith & James Smith, will be integrated into the operations of the Maritime Division, alongside DAN Shipping & Bay Shipping. David Smith, comments on the integration, "Joining with DAN Shipping opens a new chapter for us. It's an opportunity to blend our expertise in offshore and renewables work with Dan Shipping’s longstanding reputation for service and John Good’s significant backing and areas of expertise in marketing, finance and HR." Adam Walsh, CEO of John Good Group, shares his perspective, "This acquisition brings expansion in our Maritime Division both in the quality of people and business, but also a strategic move to enter the offshore and renewables markets." "Welcoming five new team members from Arthur Smith, we're not just growing in numbers but also in our capabilities and reach. I’m really pleased for Steve Pullen, Paul Haste, Mark Mullins, Kevin Parker who worked on the deal, and the wider team at DAN Shipping, for getting this one over the line." “It’s also a bonus for the group, because we know how special family businesses are, and the completion of this process sees us welcome a fifth-generation business, into our sixth-generation family business. Family businesses, with all the heritage and values that go with them, are things to be cherished and I’m delighted to be welcoming the Smiths into our business and look forward to working with them to build a business for the future.”

Trade Knowsley based JJ Smith has proudly earned a King’s Award for Enterprise for International Trade. As one of only 252 organisations nationally, and one of only four organisations in Merseyside, to receive the award, JJ Smith has been acknowledged as a beacon of excellence in business. Founded in 1923 and deeply rooted in family values, JJ Smith boasts a legacy spanning four generations and has built up a wealth of experience surrounding international trade within the woodworking industry. With a dedicated team of skilled professionals, the company has established itself as a leader in providing new and used woodworking machining solutions in the UK and overseas by having a close working relationship with suppliers from across the world, enabling them to innovate and develop cutting edge technology. The company supplies machinery to a wide variety of businesses including offsite construction, shed and garden building manufacturers, door, staircase and window specialists, prisons and local colleges. Through their knowledge of the woodworking industry, JJ smith is able to provide customers with a personal service, offering the most technically suitable and cost-effective machining solutions to meet production requirements and maximise productivity. Rachael Baker, Managing Director at JJ Smith said: “What an incredible honour for JJ Smith and our community in Knowsley, Merseyside. As one of only four organisations in Merseyside to receive the King’s Award for Enterprise, we believe it is a testament to the hard work and dedication of every member of our team." "It’s a recognition of our commitment to excellence and innovation in the woodworking machinery industry, as well as the work we have done over the past few years with the local community to provide more opportunities to young people. As a proud Knowsley business, we believe passionately in the role we play within the community and are keen to help other businesses within the Liverpool City Region to engage with their communities." The King’s Award for Enterprise, formerly known as the Queen’s Award for Enterprise, is the most prestigious business award in the country, recognising and celebrating business excellence across the UK. It serves as a testament to JJ Smith’s relentless pursuit of business excellence and innovation over the last century. As a recipient of this esteemed accolade, JJ Smith gains the privilege of proudly displaying the King’s Award Emblem for the next five years. This remarkable achievement underscores JJ Smith’s unwavering commitment to delivering quality and service and remaining at the forefront of innovation in the woodworking industry for many years to come.

Global engineering steel specialist, William Hare Group, has won a contract to deliver the design, fabrication and installation of an innovative sustainable steel solution for the latest iconic development at Broadgate in London. 2 Finsbury Avenue will comprise a 21-storey West Tower and a 36-storey East Tower, linked by a 12-storey podium. A solid and glazed sawtooth-shaped façade, characterised by triangular patterns, will be facilitated by a bespoke steelwork support system. The new building will be the largest on the Broadgate campus, providing 750,000 sq ft of new offices, as well as green, leisure and publicly accessible spaces. The building will create a new benchmark for highly sustainable workspace in central London with BREEAM Outstanding, WELL Platinum, EPC A and NABERS 5-star ratings. It will be all-electric, and a smart-enabled development ensuring leading carbon and energy efficiency in operation. William Hare Group has designed its steel solution to align with the project’s overall sustainability goals, including using LEAN design principles with the supply chain. Having successfully delivered nearby 100 Liverpool Street and 1 Broadgate, William Hare’s partnership on 2 Finsbury Avenue – working with Sir Robert McAlpine – will further extend its longstanding association with the Broadgate joint venture, between British Land and GIC. Matthew Nesbit, Group Board Director at William Hare Group, comments: “We are delighted to have been appointed at 2 Finsbury Avenue, as an extension of the work we have already delivered on the Broadgate development." “Being able to bring our design, fabrication and delivery capability to life on schemes like this is testament to our market-leading position as a global steel specialist.” Completion is expected in 2027, with global hedge fund firm, Citadel, and Citadel Securities pre-letting over a third of the development’s office space. William Hare Group is expected to have completed its works by summer 2025. William Hare Group was established in 1945 and provides value-engineered steel solutions to some of the world’s most innovative and sustainable construction projects. A family-owned and run business, it has a turnover of c£300 million and employs 2,000 people worldwide.

Luxury bedmaker Harrison Spinks has teamed up with designer and BBC’s The Great British Sewing Bee  judge Patrick Grant to champion quality British craftmanship and highlight the company’s innovative manufacturing processes.    Patrick has visited the 300-acre Harrison Spinks farm in Yorkshire where it grows its own natural fillings, and the nearby factory where award-winning recyclable spring systems and FR chemical-free mattress fabrics are made in-house.    It marks a return to Leeds for the owner of Savile Row tailors, Norton & Sons, who studied at the University of Leeds. Patrick is also the founder of Community Clothing  which champions affordable, quality clothes made in the UK from the finest materials.    Fifth-generation family-owned business Harrison Spinks is one of the UK’s largest growers of hemp and the only bedmaker in the UK to weave its own mattress ticking and upholstery fabrics, which, due to their high wool content are naturally fire-retardant. It also currently grows flax, which is a more sustainable alternative to cotton.  Patrick said: “Harrison Spinks and I share many core values, from working with natural, quality, British materials to championing sustainability and innovation, making it a perfect fit."  “I’m so pleased to be working with this 180-year-old British company, as not only are the beds amazing, but its dedication to doing things the right way for customers, staff, and the planet, is a fantastic example to other businesses."    “Harrison Spinks is an industry leader, and I am particularly impressed with their in-house weaving and artisan bedmaking, keeping traditional manufacturing techniques alive."    “Their approach to sustainable innovation and using homegrown materials and fabrics is inspiring, as is their unique approach to luxury bedmaking.”    Nick Booth, Managing Director at Harrison Spinks, said: “Patrick shares our passion for celebrating the very best of great British craftmanship and creating exceptional quality products made with locally sourced, natural materials, handcrafted here in the UK using traditional techniques."  “He is a true champion of British manufacturing and British textiles – something close to our heart – and will be helping us to spread the word on how we’re cut from a different cloth. Our shared ethos is a key driving force behind this partnership."     “Patrick has spearheaded initiatives to revive flax growing and linen textile production across the UK – and we grow some of the finest natural fibres, including hemp and flax, right here in Yorkshire to create luxurious filling pads that are layered into our mattresses."    “We’re looking forward to welcoming Patrick back to the farm and factory so he can see the incredible process for himself, and explore how we can support each other and work together further in the future.”    For more information about Harrison Spinks, visit here.

A team of JCB cyclists crossed the finish line of an epic charity fundraising effort to ride around the world in 80 days - four days early.   The 42-strong group began the 42,000-kilometre challenge last month to raise money for Hannah’s Hope charity, a fundraiser set up by JCB welding apprentice Hannah Roberts, 20, who was diagnosed with brain cancer just months after joining the company.   The aim was to complete the ride on Tuesday, April 30th - Hannah’s 21st birthday - but the team put so much pedal power into the initiative, that they finished four days early, completing the last 500 kilometres today at JCB’s World HQ in Rocester. So far, the challenge has raised around £34,000 for Hannah’s Hope charity.   And there to join them in a sprint to the finish was 1500 metre Olympic Gold Medallist Lord Coe, who congratulated the team on their efforts. Lord Coe said: “This has been a tremendous effort by everyone involved and for such a wonderful cause. It just shows what can be achieved through teamwork.” Hannah was given just 15 months to live in September 2022 when she was diagnosed with glioblastoma. Although she has undergone surgery to remove the cancer, followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy, a trait of the condition means it keeps re-growing. With the support of JCB, her family has already reached a £250,000 fundraising target for treatment in the USA when she needs it.   Now, Hannah is aiming to raise £200,000 to buy and equip a luxury holiday lodge just five minutes from her home at Mercia Marina, in Willington, Derbyshire. The lodge will be offered free of charge to families of teenagers and young adults who are under the care of the Teenage Cancer Trust to spend valuable time together.   Hannah and mum Gail Iredale visited the JCB World Headquarters at Rocester on Friday to watch the conclusion of the JCB Around the World in 80 Days cycle challenge. Gail said: “We are so overwhelmed by what the JCB cyclists have done for Hannah’s Hope and their efforts have given the appeal a tremendous shot in the arm. We really are truly grateful.”  JCB Principal Engineer Aaron Turner, event organiser and a founding member of the JCB Cycling Club, said: “It’s been a tough challenge and we are delighted to have completed it earlier than anticipated and give Hannah an earlier than expected 21st birthday. I’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has supported us along the way, and most importantly, to everyone who has donated money to the appeal. It really will make a big difference to the lives of children and young people with cancer.” Over the ten-week challenge the cyclists clocked up the miles with individual road rides and group outings, including a route to Mercia Marina, where Hannah’s lodge will be sited. The total was also topped during spinning classes at the JCB World Headquarters each Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.

St Austell Brewery has signed a three-year deal with the prestigious Rick Stein Restaurant Group to supply its beer in its venues. The two Cornish-born businesses have had close working relationships for many years, with the Stein family having run The Cornish Arms in St Merryn for 15 years, which is a St Austell Brewery owned pub. korev, St Austell Brewery’s flagship lager, is now on draught at eight of the 11 Stein’s sites across the UK, including in Padstow, London and Winchester. Bottled Tribute will also be available as well as Harbour Brewing beers, Arctic Sky and Daymer Bay - both to be supplied on draught in six of the Stein’s sites. St Austell Brewery took a minority share in Harbour in 2022, to help grow the company’s South West beer distribution. Lee Tinn-Stephens, St Austell Brewery’s Sales Development and Export Manager, said: “It’s fantastic to have solidified this Cornish-born partnership that extends beyond the South West." “It’s a hugely rewarding partnership that the whole team and I have been looking forward to. That’s because of what the Steins represent in Cornwall and beyond, in terms of quality food and establishments." “It’s great to be associated with Stein’s and have our beers, as well as Harbour beers, in their sites.” Jack Stein, Chef Director for The Rick Stein Group, added: “It's great to be working and forming closer ties with another longstanding Cornish business. I'm looking forward to an ice-cold pint of korev or two in our restaurants this summer.”

​In an environment many businesses are describing as ‘challenging’ Leicestershire-based Quality Life UK has enjoyed a catalogue of successes. Amelia Benskin, Director and Registered Manager at Quality Life UK, commented saying: “We are care at home specialists offering live-in care, night care and block hours day care. The last six months have been incredibly busy for us and has seen us open a second office, this time in Kegworth." "We were incredibly moved to receive such a warm welcome from the village and have welcomed several new clients from the village too. We also held our first community event – the Quality Life Bake Off in nearby Normanton on Soar." "On the back of this successful community event we have been working with the Local Authority and Social Prescribers to launch a touring Dementia Café which will visit four local villages – one each week of the month - providing opportunities for socialising, engagement and support for those affected by Dementia as well as their families and carers. In addition we have increased our team to 85 members of staff which includes seven Care Managers." "All this whilst continuing to receive excellent feedback and reviews from our clients and their families. We’ve also started to look at cutting-edge fall prevention technology as well as GPS enabled wearables. We’ll be trialling these products with the aim of being the first homecare provider offering tech-assisted care in our area in 2024." “Our continued growth coupled with outstanding, high quality, person-centred service and support has also been recognised via several awards including our Founder and Registered Manager, Amelia, becoming a finalist in the Women’s Awards and Quality Life UK being shortlisted in the national, prestigious Family Business Awards as well as nominated in the Midlands Family Business Awards. We were also absolutely delighted to have recently won the Homecare Award ‘Infection Control Expertise’ which particularly mentioned our latest Care Quality Commission inspection rating of ‘Good’. In that same report we were recognised as ‘Outstanding’ in the category of ‘Responsiveness – something that’s extremely rare for a company of our size.” Asked what he puts the company’s success down to Anthony replied, “We’re a family business with a strong set of family values and a clear guiding principle; we’re ‘A family to support your family’. Our clients very much understand and appreciate our values and our guiding principle which they see as our USP and which clearly differentiates us from others working in this space”. Quality Life UK is an award-winning local, friendly, family-run home care agency specialising in offering high quality, bespoke, person-centred, 1:1 care supporting families in Loughborough and the surrounding villages. We provide live-in care, night care and block hours day care. We’re a professional, regulated (we achieved ‘Good’ at our latest CQC inspection) and fully insured provider of home care services. In a nutshell we make it possible for clients to continue living in their own home, in the area they know and with people they love most rather than move into a care home. We do this by supplying warm, compassionate, professionally trained carers who are supported by our strong Management Team. We are steadfastly committed to doing all we can to help our clients achieve the very best quality of life, whatever their circumstances. We’re also a family business who have put traditional family values at the heart of our company.

St Austell Brewery and Cape Cornwall Pilot Gig Club have joined forces to co-fund a new defibrillator at the Fisherman’s Arms in Newlyn. This is the latest in a series of defibrillators which have been installed since St Austell Brewery launched its Heart of the Community campaign last year. The company identified 56 pubs in its estate which do not currently have access to a lifesaving device and is raising money - through its Charitable Trust - to install one at each site. The company is match funding every pound raised towards their mission. St Austell Brewery has installed 21 new defibrillators in locations across the South West to date, which have already been used to save two lives at the Rashleigh Arms (Charlestown) and Harbour Inn (Porthleven). The latest defibrillator to be installed is at the Fisherman’s Arms in Newlyn. The Cape Cornwall Pilot Gig Club played a big part in securing this particular defibrillator, having part-funded the equipment following a cardiac arrest of one of their rowing team in 2022. David Sheppard suffered a heart attack at sea whilst rowing near St Michael’s Mount. Thankfully, his fellow rowers, assisted by retired GP Dr Simon Dean, gave David CPR on the gig at sea before getting him on dry land, when a defibrillator was used by the ambulance service. After the incident, the club began crowdfunding for a defibrillator. There are already two in Newlyn, but the top of the village, by the Fisherman’s Inn and near the main Brixham fishing port, hasn’t been covered by the 200 meter radius required for the ambulance service to direct people to their nearest defibrillator. Working with the Ronnie Richards Memorial Charity (RRMC) – which fundraises for defibrillators to be installed in schools and public places all over the Duchy and train young people how to use the devices - they identified the Fisherman’s Arms as the best place to mount the defibrillator, with the additional funding coming from St Austell Brewery’s Charitable Trust. Thankfully, David made a full recovery and is back to rowing. He said: “I’ve been rowing since about 2018. It’s such a wonderful experience, I was smitten with it as soon as I started. After my incident, I couldn’t wait to get back on the water." “We’re so pleased to have funded the defibrillator. People have a much better chance of survival with access to defibrillators. It gives people a higher chance of staying alive until the emergency services arrive.” Piers Thompson, St Austell Brewery’s External Relations Director, said: “Our partnership with the RRMC has been going from strength to strength with defibrillator installations ongoing throughout our pub estate. The equipment has already been used to save two lives, showing just how vital it is to have such this resource in places not currently covered." “The efforts that the Cape Cornwall Gig Club went to, to keep David alive on the water, and their subsequent fundraising to fund part of this defibrillator shows how strong our communities are in working together to ensure everyone in the South West - whether living here or visiting - has the best chance of surviving a cardiac arrest should the worst happen.” The pub is also the first in the South West to have been provided with a bleed kit from the RRMC, which will be located inside the defibrillator case at the pub. The Heart of the Community campaign raises money through St Austell Brewery’s Charitable Trust to buy and install defibrillators. Pub customers can help save lives by purchasing a portion of fish & chips (25p per portion will go towards the defibrillator campaign) or by scanning a QR code on posters. St Austell Brewery will match fund every £1 donated by the public. In the UK as many as 100,000 hospital admissions each year are due to heart attacks - that's 260 admissions each day or one every five minutes. It’s estimated that around 1.4 million people alive in the UK today have survived a heart attack - around one million men and 380,000 women. The business has partnered with the Ronnie Richards Memorial Charity to buy the vital equipment. Co-founders Paul and Liz Williams set up the charity in memory of Liz’s brother Ronnie who sadly died from sudden cardiac arrest whilst playing his beloved game of football at Penzance Leisure Centre.