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Creative Warwickshire programme enables Emma to complete rags to riches story
The Little Soap Company is a real small business success story. Driven by the passion, creativity and hard work of founder Emma Heathcote-James, it is now listed among the fastest growing companies nationally in the toiletries sector.
Like most success stories, it has been far from all plain sailing. Life and business tend to hurl obstacles in your way - and how you deal with those is often the difference between success and failure.
Emma rose to those challenges and made her dream - to run a thriving business making pure, natural soap accessible to all - come true. The Little Soap Company's success is down to her own skills, strength and resilience - but she also pinpoints crucial support from Creative Warwickshire, a dedicated business support programme for creative and digital businesses, along the way.
Emma, How did you hear about the Creative Warwickshire programme?
One of our suppliers, a designer, had been on the initial programme and I wanted something local, short and doable that looked inspiring and different from the usual.
What did it entail and what did you take from it which helped your business to grow?
The programme entailed intensive training days, interactive workshops, networking events and one-to-one sessions - and it delivered just what I needed at exactly the right time.
My aim from the start was to bring back the humble bar soap and make it natural and cool. When I started in 2008 the soap category was in decline in every single retailer, attracting only an older and reducing demographic. It was dull and staid. It frustrated me that I couldn’t buy natural, let alone organic, bar soap in the supermarket so my simple vision was to make pure, natural soap accessible to all. There is genuine provenance from hand-making on my kitchen table in a small village, selling at local farmers markets, to getting it to the supermarket shelf, at an affordable price.
Little Soap Company really has been a rags to riches tale. We brought the first organic soap to the supermarket a decade ago and have remained there ever since. With various ranges for differing audiences, we entered the sector, brightened the shelves and brought an entirely new audience to purchase bar soap.
So all was good….the company was flying and, on the outside, all was fantastic - but then an unexpected relationship breakdown pulled the rug from under me. I ended up quite poorly as a result. For the first time, the fire in my belly had gone out and it was really frightening.
I had a really successful business but no oomph for it. I really needed to get that back and, thanks to the Creative Warwickshire programme, get it back I did!
Simply taking time out, being inspired by others in the room and the leaders, was just the ticket. Galvanised and inspired all over again, I created an entire new Grapefruit Range of products, and an organic haircare range for our 10th Anniversary in 2018 (for Waitrose and Ocado) - and boom, I have not looked back since.
So the programme has had lasting benefits in terms of the way it shaped your approach to the business?
Yes, absolutely! I am a creative and it reinstated that fact and also that it’s okay to be one. It’s easy for that creativity to be dampened by the necessities of running a business but it reminded me to do what I am good at and enlist others far better than me to do the bits I can’t!
It also reminded me that I need to create space, where possible to grow – personally, professionally and business-wise. To work on the business more than in it. Thinking, rather than hands-on doing.
The Little Soap Company is clearly thriving? Any plans for future growth?
We are now deemed one of the fastest growing companies in the toiletries sector, having spent 2019 building the team and putting new systems in place ready to take us to the next level to accommodate the year-on-year growth. It was terrific to make this years LDC Top 50 Most Ambitious Business Leaders List and make the final five Amazon Small Business Shortlist, a nod that we are back on track for sure!
We’ve just launched our new brand Eco Warrior range into Sainsburys and it’s about to launch into Ocado and Boots and other outlets over the coming months. This range takes this step further to entice another audience to the shelves, one that is looking to eradicate unnecessary plastic bottles, tubs and tubes from their bathrooms and washbags. Giving bar soaps such individual functions – as a shampoo, a shaving bar, an exfoliator and so forth – offering specific performances. We now have this opportunity for bars to shift up a gear. They are absolutely no longer just for washing our face and bodies.
As we continue to lead the way, others are thankfully now following, creating even more choice for consumers. I never wanted us to be the lone organic or natural bar on the supermarket shelf. The opposite! I passionately believe the next step is for pure, natural soap to become the norm – not the niche.
The progress we have made has been very satisfying heartwarming - and the Creative Warwickshire programme played a huge part in that.
Growth Programme reopens for rural businesses
· £35million funding available nationally for rural businesses
· Coventry and Warwickshire companies urged to attend two free workshops to gain help with their application
· Funding will create jobs, boost tourism and unlock growth in rural areas
“Warwickshire County Council is committed to supporting the rural economy and we are delighted that this round of funding has become available."
Rural businesses across Coventry and Warwickshire are urged to attend two free workshops to gain help in applying for a share of £35 million of nationwide funding.
The RDPE Growth Programme provides grants for rural start-ups and businesses to purchase equipment and machinery to create jobs, boost tourism and unlock growth in rural areas.
The scheme has already given £99 million to 546 local businesses across England, creating 3,771 new jobs in rural areas.
Rural business in Warwickshire have so far been allocated £2.6 million from the two previous rounds of the scheme as Warwickshire County Council and its partners ensured that the full allocation of available funding was taken up.
Businesses to have benefited include Southam-based micro-business Silson Ltd who added 260 sqm of usable space to their building at Insight Park which enabled the high-tech manufacturing firm to employ more staff and generate more orders across the globe.
Hill Farm Leisure near Henley-in-Arden created a new visitor attraction at a marina on the Stratford Canal. ‘The View’ farm diversification project offers walkers and cyclists as well as boaters a place to eat, drink and enjoy the countryside and provides space for conferences, functions and meetings.
ICM, a shop-fitting company in Stratford, was able to install much-needed automation into their manufacturing cell and Cotswold Distillery was able to build a new Visitor Centre.
The new round of funding also gives business in the food processing sector the opportunity to apply for grants. The RDPE Growth programme is aimed at businesses in rural areas but, depending on the activity, some food companies in urban areas may also be eligible to apply. The criteria for business development and rural tourism projects remain the same.
Two free workshops have been organised to help businesses with their applications and provide the opportunity to discuss possible projects with the Rural Payments Agency’s Rural Development Team as well as receive information about other business support programmes in the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership area.
The workshops will be held at the Wellesbourne Campus of the University of Warwick in Wellesbourne between 10am and 12.30pm on Friday, December 6 (to book a place, visit here) and at Lea Marston Hotel in Lea Marston, Sutton Coldfield, from 2pm to 4.30pm on Monday, December 9 (to book a place visit here).
Sean Farnell, chair of the CWLEP SME business group and CWLEP board director, said: “This is a great opportunity for businesses in the rural sector which is facing many challenges because of the uncertainty of Brexit to apply for a grant to diversify or expand.
“The CWLEP is one of the best performing areas in terms of the amount of RDPE Growth funding that has been allocated and I would urge businesses to attend the workshops to receive free help in completing their application forms.”
Warwickshire County Council strategic director for communities Mark Ryder said: “Warwickshire County Council is committed to supporting the rural economy and we are delighted that this round of funding has become available. This scheme is targeted very much at the businesses which are the bedrock of the rural community.
“I encourage all businesses to get in touch to see if they can benefit from this funding.”
The Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) Growth programme is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development which is part of the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF).
* For information on the grants and how to apply, visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/rdpe-growth-programme
* For information about the range of business support available including help with applying for the RDPE Growth grants, contact Coventry and Warwickshire LEP Growth Hub on 0300 060 3747. The deadline for expressions of interest is Sunday, February 16.
Levy Transfer funding programme expands after great start
"We are proud to be the first company to receive Levy Transfer funding from Warwickshire County Council and would strongly recommend that others in the sector explore whether the transfer funding could work for them."
“What a difference a year makes,” says Fay Winterburn, Business Skills Lead for Warwickshire County Council. “When news emerged that we could share Apprenticeship Levy funds outside our own organisation, we established early on that this was a great opportunity to help businesses who would benefit from such skills support.
“Unique Senior Care, the first of those businesses, has been a fantastic organisation to work with and is a great example of how embracing funding support, and various other strands of the county council's support, can be effective in business growth. The Levy Transfer had led to the creation of two new roles and enabled the enhancement of other staff training as part of the company's growth journey”
Unique Senior Care, which delivers high-quality care to vulnerable people living at home, received the £50,000 transfer last spring and has deployed it towards two priorities; upskilling existing staff, with a view to retaining them long-term, and attracting new employees.
Based at Hatton Rock, near Stratford-upon-Avon, Unique Senior Care employs more than 200 staff caring for 350 clients across Warwickshire and Coventry.
Its annual recruitment churn is significantly below the national average in the care industry of 40 per cent, highlighted as a major concern by a recent national Care Quality Commission report. But recruitment remains an issue for all in the sector so the company is doing all it can to further reduce that churn.
The funding, which was the first transfer from the county council's Apprenticeship Levy, has been immensely helpful, according to Unique Senior Care director Philip Maundrill. With further transfer funding soon to become available to Warwickshire businesses in the health sector, he "strongly recommends" that they consider applying.
"The funding has significantly helped us to expand and improve training towards our objective of providing the best possible care
for our clients in their own homes," said Mr Maundrill. "The Levy Transfer is all about enabling constant advances in training and skills and that chimes exactly with the ethos of our company which, from the top down, is: Have we been better today than we were yesterday? And can we be better again tomorrow?
"The Transfer enabled us to double the number of registered managers who manage the staff who deliver the care to client. Two are now studying for their NVQ Level 5 in Management and Leadership in Health and Social Care. This means they will not only become better-qualified but also more fulfilled so hopefully will remain with us long-term.
"We are proud to be the first company to receive Levy Transfer funding from Warwickshire County Council and would strongly recommend that others in the sector explore whether the transfer funding could work for them."
Like all large employers in England, Warwickshire County Council pays 0.5% of its annual employee pay bill into the government's Apprenticeship Levy. These funds are designated principally to support apprenticeship training within selected businesses, but up to 10% can be diverted to other employers to help fund their apprenticeship training costs.
Warwickshire County Council sees the levy-sharing facility as an ideal opportunity to support local businesses. Since the initial transfer of funds to Unique Senior Care, the council has launched an already award-winning programme The Apprenticeship Levy Small Business Support Programme, led by Dan Nash (county council Apprenticeship Levy manager) and Fay Winterburn.
"After the initial successful pilot of supporting Unique Senior Care with transferred apprenticeship levy funds, we are really keen to expand our offer to other Warwickshire businesses who could make use of the funds," said Dan Nash. "The County Council has long been a champion of apprenticeships and we recorded 136 apprenticeship starts between April 2018 and March 2019 - more than any previous year. But we would also love to enable fellow employers in Warwickshire to benefit from the new skills apprentices bring to their employers, so I am delighted that we can offer financial support for that now through the Apprenticeship Levy Small Business Support Programme.
"Applications from businesses who would like to invest in an apprentice are very welcome.”
* If you are interested in aplying for Levy Transfer funding please call Faywinterburn@warwickshire.gov.uk or call 01926 412216.
Forward-thinking businesses get involved with Purple Tuesday
Businesses across Warwickshire showed their commitment to the Purple Tuesday campaign, designed to heighten awareness of the value and needs of disabled customers and make the customer experience accessible.
A key goal at Warwickshire County Council is to support towns in becoming as accessible as possible by encouraging businesses and organisations to consider how they cater for customers with either visible or invisible impairments.
It is the right thing to do - but also makes simple business sense. Across the UK, the Purple Pound (the consumer spending power of disabled people and their families) is worth an estimated £249 billion and is rising by an average 14% per annum. Worldwide, the Purple Pound equates to a staggering £2.25 trillion, yet less than 10% of businesses have a targeted plan to access this market.
Purple Tuesday was on November 12 this year and businesses in Warwickshire to get involved included Sarah Horne Botanicals in Leamington Spa, Joco Interiors in Nuneaton and Hoorays British Gelato Kitchen in Stratford upon Avon.
They all specifically registered a commitment to the awareness campaign by committing to conduct an on-site accessibility audit of their physical spaces and make plans for improvements. As local independent business-owners, they have realised that sustainable changes in business practice could result in the opening up of products and services to the disability market.
Warwickshire County Council's project Manager for town centres and tourism Aaron Corsi said: "Business owners may not be aware of some impairments, some of which could easily be catered for to open up a whole world of new opportunities for both customers and businesses.
"Purple Tuesday is dedicated to helping these businesses learn about what they can do to help support and attract these valuable customers through a range of steps.
"We are delighted that these business got involved this year. We congratulate them and would encourage as many businesses across Warwickshire to make a commitment to a sustainable change which ensures they have the ability to access new customers and continue great customer relations with residents and visitors with accessibility requirements."
Simple ways in which this could be done include:
- Conducting a web accessibility audit of the business's website and make plans for improvements
- Conducting an on-site accessibility audit of physical space and making plans for improvements
- Providing disability training opportunities for front-line staff
- Gathering feedback from our disabled customers through customer surveys or a mystery shopping programme and make plans to act on the results
* To read We Are Purple chief executive Mike Adams's exclusive Guest Column for Warwickshire Means Business, please click here.
* For more information on the Purple Tuesday campaign please visit https://purpletuesday.org.uk/
Council support levers AG Instruments' expansion into new base
"Throughout the process we have received excellent and timely support from Steph and we have greatly appreciated her advice and expertise in a number of areas."
A groundbreaking tech company has expanded into bigger premises in Leamington Spa thanks to support from Warwickshire County Council's inward investment team.
AG Instruments Ltd has secured a base at Trident Park after choosing the location amongst other specialists in its sector.
The move represents the latest phase of growth of a business which began in 2009 in a side-room of founder’s Dr Hany Agaiby's house. From there it moved twice before locating to a larger office at Stoneleigh Park where it employed five people - and now the business is set to expand again, to the Trident Park premises where it expects to add another five staff over the next three years.
It is a story of steady and sustained growth, of which the most recent phase has been made possible by a £50,000 grant from the Coventry & Warwickshire Investment Programme, backed by the European Regional Development Fund and accessed through county council inward investment officer Steph Williams.
"Moving to new, larger premises is a crucial element to our growth plan," said Dr Agaiby. "In this respect the grant from the business support programme has been invaluable as it has enabled us to find the space and prestigious location needed to expand our facilities and staff and to access a global market.
"Throughout the process we have received excellent and timely support from Steph and we have greatly appreciated her advice and expertise in a number of areas."
AG Instruments' work is based on a patented technology that allows the rapid development of highly customised gas analysis equipment. Having successfully sold its first product in the energy sector to over 35 countries worldwide under a distributor’s brand, the company is now embarking on further growth plans, starting with a medical application where their newly-developed gas analyser will be measuring piped medical gas.
The company's highly specialist work has also been supported by a Proof of Concept Grant from Coventry University Enterprises (CUE). With further expansion ahead, it is also receiving advice and support on Digital Marketing from CUE's Focus Digital programme.
* The advice for the company was delivered as part of the Coventry and Warwickshire Business Support Programme, which is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund and Warwickshire County Council.
To find out more about the range of support available to grow your business, please contact the Growth Hub on 0300 060 3747.
Louisa brings broad range of experience to Economy & Skills team
"It's really enjoyable to be part of a great team helping businesses to grow," - that's the way Louisa Smith sums up her work in the Economy & Skills office at Warwickshire County Council.
Louisa has joined the team at Barrack Street as contract & project manager - a pivotal role in helping small and medium-sized business access support from the county council.
Primarily, it entails guiding applicants through the claim process of obtaining the small capital grants which have given so many SMEs across Warwickshire such important impetus in recent years.
Louisa's broad experience across many sectors, most recently four years as a Finance Manager/PMO with Vivarail in Long Marston, means she is perfectly-qualified to do that - but she is also eager to ensure that small businesses acquire every drop of the other business support which is available from the council and its partner organisations.
"A big part of my job is to help business through the process of claiming their grants," she said. "But I see it as very important also to flag up to small businesses other elements of support that is offered by Warwickshire County Council and our partners.
"There are so many strands to the support available and sometimes businesses just don't know what is available to them. In this role I talk to them all the time so am in a great position to let them know. I like to be busy and I like to be proactive so, with Small Capital Grant claimants, I always try to direct them to other support that the Economy & Skills team offers."
Louisa has brought a brought a wealth of experience and expertise to that team and also knows the local area inside-out having moved to Warwickshire from her native Kent in 1996 - and been out of work for only two weeks since!
"I had visited Stratford-on-Avon and really liked the area so plumped for Warwickshire to try to carve out my future and I am really glad I did," she said. "It is a lovely county with loads of fantastic places to visit but also so much going on business-wise.
"I have worked in project-related jobs in various sectors - events, exhibitions, engineering, rail - and that broad experience is very helpful. It helps me to really understand the needs and concerns of small businesses.
"The Economy & Skills team have made me so welcome and it's really enjoyable to be part of a great team helping businesses to grow. They really know their stuff and it is a privilege working among such professional people."
* To learn more about how Louisa and the rest of the Economy & Skills team could help your business, please visit here.
Lyra gears up for growth
An engineering business focusing on creating power solutions for zero emission vehicles is gearing up for a major period of growth after securing a key role in a major project.
Lyra Electronics, which is based at the University of Warwick’s HRI site in Wellesbourne, will work as part of a consortium to facilitate the creation of an End-to-end Supply Chain for Automotive Power Electronics in a £33 million Government funded project called ESCAPE.
ESCAPE aims to advance the UK’s transition to zero emissions transport, with Lyra assisting in creating a hyper charger capable of rapidly increasing the time it takes to fully charge electric vehicles.
Led by McLaren Applied Technologies, ESCAPE is one of five projects awarded funding, ranging from the development of high-performance battery packs and electrified construction equipment to hydrogen-powered engines.
After recently doubling the size of its base, the company is pressing ahead with ambitious growth plans to double staff size on the back of securing a role in the project, with assistance from the University of Warwick’s Business Ready programme.
Peter James, co-founder of Lyra Electronics, said: “Working on ESCAPE is a major project for us and we are delighted to be working as part of such an esteemed consortium.
“We are aiming to roughly double our staff total over the coming months and continue to expand our site in early 2020.
“I think that we were trusted to help on ESCAPE because of our unique talent pool, there isn’t another company in the UK who does what we do to the level we do it.”
The firm, which currently employs 14 people, focuses on designing and producing power electronics components, charging technology and battery management systems for automotive, off-highway and green power markets.
Its growth over the years has been aided by the relationship with the University of Warwick Science Park’s Business Ready programme.
Business advisor Dirk Schafer, who works with Lyra through the Business Ready programme, said: “Lyra Electronics are about to enter a period of substantial growth and are part of a major project which they can really make a lasting impact with. It also means that Lyra can now even more capitalise on their innovative developments.
“We will be working alongside them throughout this journey to help facilitate this exciting transition.”
Cllr Izzi Seccombe, Leader of Warwickshire County Council, added: “Warwickshire County Council is absolutely committed to doing everything in its power to reduce the county’s carbon footprint. The manufacture of zero emission vehicles is a key component in any strategy to do this.
“We are also committed to supporting high tech businesses and bringing them to the county and keeping them here. I am absolutely thrilled that Lyra Electronics have been able to expand. This maintains Warwickshire’s profile as a hotbed of innovation.”
Business Ready, which is run by University of Warwick Science Park and is funded by the European Regional Development Fund and Warwickshire County Council as part of the CW Business: Start, Grow & Scale Programme, is helping tech-based SME firms across the area which have ambitions to grow and scale. For more information on Business Ready and the help available go to http://www.business-ready.co.uk/
Sarah eager to harness collective business power
“I intend to use the mid-Warwickshire branch to encourage more businesses to step forward and work with us and, to showcase to those businesses not in Coventry and Warwickshire yet, what collective power we have when we come together."
Businesses across mid-Warwickshire have a new voice to represent their views to key decision makers.
Sarah Windrum is the new chair of the mid-Warwickshire branch of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, replacing David Myskow in leading the branch which represents firms in Leamington, Warwick, Kenilworth and the surrounding area.
Sarah is the co-founder of regional technology company The Emerald Group and also a board director of the Coventry & Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP), leading on economic growth of the digital creative sector.
As well as that, Sarah is a member of the West Midlands Combined Authority Digital Board supporting digital transformation across the region and securing investment in new infrastructure including fibre and 5G.
She said that she would use the role as branch chair to encourage more companies across the area to play a more active part in strengthening the voice of the business community and raising the region’s profile.
Sarah said: “I want to use this opportunity to continue to understand the current concerns of our business community and to shape what the collaborative network of the Chamber, CWLEP, and the rest of the region can do together.
“I have attended many branch meetings as a member and always appreciated the engagement the Chamber has built with our Members of Parliament and also our local authorities.
“Whatever happens in December, this engagement will continue to be crucial as we build beyond Brexit and use this opportunity to create the future we want for Coventry and Warwickshire.
“I am looking forward to cross-branch collaboration between the five areas that make up the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce because I believe this will give us an event stronger platform.
“I intend to use the mid-Warwickshire branch to encourage more businesses to step forward and work with us and, to showcase to those businesses not in Coventry and Warwickshire yet, what collective power we have when we come together.
“With UK City of Culture, Commonwealth Games, and the game-changing technology of 5G gathering pace; now is the time to be here and to make your contribution count.”
Louise Bennett, chief executive of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “Firstly, we must thank David Myskow for his service as branch chair over several years and for his contribution to the Chamber and the wider business community.
“We are delighted that Sarah is stepping into the role and will be a great voice for companies across mid-Warwickshire and beyond.”
Creative quarter takes step forward
“This is an important moment for the regeneration of Leamington and growth of our creative economy."
A home for creative businesses and pop-up and community events in Spencer Yard will be one of the first redevelopment sites going ahead as part of a phased delivery of Leamington’s Creative Quarter.
Warwick District Council’s Executive has given the go-ahead for regeneration experts Complex Development Projects (CDP) to start the work ahead of the town hosting the lawn bowls and Para bowls during the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
This follows two years of extensive discussions and public consultations with 400 individuals, stakeholders and businesses to agree ‘The Big Picture’ for the Creative Quarter.
Spencer Yard, already home to some of Leamington’s most highly-regarded creative businesses, will provide a range of spaces to cater for a variety of operators.
The existing buildings, including the Grade II Listed United Reform Church that is in disrepair following years of being empty, will be revamped to provide flexible workspace for creative industries as well as to facilitate and encourage the industry’s engagement with the local community.
Katie Harrabin, Senior Development Executive at CDP, said: “Since we signed the Collaboration Agreement in November 2017, the area of, and buildings identified within the Creative Quarter, have been changed to reflect the feedback we have received at numerous consultation events.
“We have recommended that landmark heritage buildings such as the Royal Pump Rooms and the Town Hall stay in the ownership of WDC or are transferred into a charitable trust to ensure that community access is maintained. WDC will be carrying out further consultation and working with the existing occupiers to progress plans for these buildings.
“We will also work with WDC to determine potential developments and look forward to continuing to partner with WDC on the other sites in the future.
“Meanwhile, there is a strong desire from the council and stakeholders to deliver improvements in the Creative Quarter ahead of the 2022 Commonwealth Games, and Spencer Yard is an exciting opportunity to showcase the beginnings of what the Creative Quarter has to offer by mid-2021.”
Bill Hunt, Deputy Chief Executive, Warwick District Council, added: “This is an important moment for the regeneration of Leamington and growth of our creative economy. The Council’s support for the Creative Quarter and the ideas presented by CDP enables us to move to the next stage of the Creative Quarter programme. We will continue to work closely with CDP to make these ideas a reality.”
Could you be the FSB Small Business of the Year 2020?
The search is on for the most outstanding small businesses in Warwickshire and the West Midlands.
Entries are now open for the FSB Celebrating Small Business Awards 2020.
The awards showcase the best small businesses from the length and breadth of the UK, offering national recognition to companies which shine in every locality.
Expert small business judges will select category winners in 12 areas across the UK and winners from the West Midlands will be entered into the grand final taking place in London on 21 May 2020.
There is every incentive for bsinesses to enter the Awards. Winning an FSB Celebrating Small Business Award is a great way to showcase achievements and celebrate a business's hard work, brilliance and innovation within their own geographical area as well as having the opportunity to win a national award.
For a chance to be recognised as the best small business in West Midlands as well as in the whole UK, small businesses can enter one or more of 12 award categories. The categories include
· International Business of the Year
· Environmental Business Award
· Business and Product Innovation Award
· Micro Business of the Year
· Start-up Business of the Year
· Family Business of the Year
· High Growth Business of the Year
· Young Entrepreneur of the Year
· Workplace Wellbeing award
· Self-employed / sole trader of the year.
· Digital / E-Commerce Business of the Year
· Community Business of the Year (Regional level only)
The West Midlands winners will be announced at an award ceremony on Friday 6 March 2020 at the Forest of Arden Marriott hotel in Solihull.
It's free to enter and open to both FSB members and non-members. To find out more and apply, please visit www.fsbawards.co.uk. The closing date for entries is 17 January.
Sumo throwing its full weight behind Leamington Spa
One of the UK’s leading and award-winning independent video game developers has re-located one of its studios to bigger premises in Leamington Spa.
Sumo Digital, which also has studios in Sheffield, Nottingham, Brighton, Newcastle, Leeds, Warrington and Pune, India, has moved from its initial office space in Leamington to Bishops House in Homer Close at Tachbrook Park which is owned by property development and investment company AC Lloyd.
The 4,102 sq. ft premises are the expanding company’s first studio dedicated to mobile games development, an extension to the wide range of creative and technical services that Sumo Digital offers its high-profile, global publisher and development partners.
Under the leadership of experienced duo Chris Southall, Studio Director, and Harinder Sangha, Operations Director, Sumo Leamington has grown significantly since opening in early 2019.
The state-of-the-art service office was secured by Warwickshire-based commercial property agents Bromwich Hardy.
Chris said: “This move offers a great studio space for our teams. We’re very excited about our upcoming projects for mobile devices and to cementing our position within the fantastic Leamington Spa game development cluster.”
Tony Hargreave, Property Asset Manager at AC Lloyd, said Leamington Spa has a national and international reputation for being the home of world-leading games companies within a small radius.
“Sumo Digital has a clear focus on the direction of their business and their move to Tachbrook Park has met all their needs for their new studio,” he said.
“We handed the keys over on a Monday morning and they were able to start work straight away so there was no disruption for their staff.
“It is a really busy site with a mix of businesses and on Tachbrook Park, we have potentially other space available in our portfolio as well as commercial land we can build on should other businesses wish to further expand or move here.”
In the Towns
Warwickshire Means Business - In The Towns...
Welcome from Rachel Baconnet, Warwickshire County Council town centres and tourism leader
"Make people laugh and smile - make them curious and get them through the door."
Hello and welcome to Warwickshire Means Business – In the Towns.
We are so glad that you are taking the time to read this because it means you are interested in what is happening in our Warwickshire towns and how this translates to you.
Warwickshire Means Business – In the Towns is designed to let you know about some of the brilliant work happening to support Warwickshire’s 17 or so town centres. I’m deliberately vague about the number as there are contrasting definitions as to what constitutes a town and what is a large village. Population size is not always reflected in the size or quality of the offer in the town or village centre. Henley-in-Arden in south Warwickshire, for example, is technically a village with just over 2,000 residents, yet its thriving high street is the envy of many a larger town.
All our town centres face multiple challenges, not least the closure of some well-known high street retail stores in recent years, but our town and high street centres are very much alive and kicking. As with any other sector of the economy, retail continues to evolve and adapt to the changing shopping habits of consumers. Alongside this, the high street presents new opportunities for the growth of leisure and entertainment and for budding entrepreneurs to bring a new lease of life and something unique to the town centre visitor experience.
At this festive time of year, there are plenty of opportunities to liven up window frontages with some creative displays. In consumer terms, Halloween is one the fastest growing seasonal events in the UK, with consumer spend growing to £467 million in 2018, with with further 0.6% growth prediected this year (data from Retail Insight Network). The run-up to Christmas can be a tough time for retail, with fierce competition and the lure of internet and out of town shopping. However, it’s also an opportunity for creativity in terms of merchandising, visual impact and boosting the in-store and in-town experience.
I would urge all businesses who have the asset of a window frontage to use it to its fullest potential and shout about how great your business is. Make people laugh and smile. Make them curious and get them through the door. If they don’t buy anything on that occasion, make sure they come back by offering an incentive.
Most importantly, make them remember you by being attentive and passionate about your products. And don’t forget to share what’s going on via social media!
Please take advantage of our established social media handles and share your pictures and promotions on @WarksTN. We share and like as much relevant local content as we can to help increase business visibility. We also offer some fantastic free training on digital marketing and social media for town centre-based businesses, so read on if you are yet to adopt and benefit from the digital high street.. it’s here to stay so make sure you’re on the bandwagon.
Finally, we’re looking forward to some wonderful Christmas Lights switch-on events that take place in our town centres and to soaking up the atmosphere on our high streets over the festive period. You can’t get that out of town or via the internet - so embrace, enthral and enjoy!
Rachel Baconnet
Hot off the press! - WTN Digital Skills continue in 2020
FREE places on the next training courses for retailers and high street businesses are about to open.
The courses are being delivered by Stories Marketing in partnership with Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce and will be a blend of workshop and one-to-one support. They will take place in Nuneaton, Rugby, Leamington and Stratford Upon Avon but are open to town centre businesses across the county.
The sessions will start in late Jan 2020 - what a great way to kick off your New Year business planning!
You can book your free place now by contacting the team at towns@warwickshire.gov.uk.
Accessible High Streets – Purple Tuesday
Businesses across Warwickshire showed their commitment to the Purple Tuesday campaign, designed to heighten awareness of the value and needs of disabled customers and make the customer experience accessible.
A key goal at Warwickshire County Council is to support towns in becoming as accessible as possible by encouraging businesses and organisations to consider how they cater for customers with either visible or invisible impairments.
It is the right thing to do - but also makes simple business sense. Across the UK, the Purple Pound (the consumer spending power of disabled people and their families) is worth an estimated £249 billion and is rising by an average 14% per annum. Worldwide, the Purple Pound equates to a staggering £2.25 trillion, yet less than 10% of businesses have a targeted plan to access this market.
Purple Tuesday was on November 12 this year and businesses in Warwickshire to get involved included Sarah Horne Botanicals in Leamington Spa, Joco Interiors in Nuneaton and Hoorays British Gelato Kitchen in Stratford upon Avon.
They all specifically registered a commitment to the awareness campaign by committing to conduct an on-site accessibility audit of their physical spaces and make plans for improvements. As local independent business-owners, they have realised that sustainable changes in business practice could result in the opening up of products and services to the disability market.
Warwickshire County Council's project manager for town centres and tourism Aaron Corsi said: "Business owners may not be aware of some impairments, some of which could easily be catered for to open up a whole world of new opportunities for both customers and businesses.
"Purple Tuesday is dedicated to helping these businesses learn about what they can do to help support and attract these valuable customers through a range of steps.
"We are delighted that these businesses got involved this year. We congratulate them and would encourage as many businesses across Warwickshire to make a commitment to a sustainable change which ensures they have the ability to access new customers. Such change will also mean great customer relations with residents and visitors with accessibility requirements."
Simple ways in which this could be done include:
- Conducting a web accessibility audit of the business's website and make plans for improvements
- Conducting an on-site accessibility audit of physical space and making plans for improvements
- Providing disability training opportunities for front-line staff
- Gathering feedback from our disabled customers through customer surveys or a mystery shopping programme and make plans to act on the results
* For more information on the Purple Tuesday campaign please visit https://purpletuesday.org.uk/
The Warwickshire Placemaking Fund - Last call for Placemaking Fund Projects:
Is the space around your business crying out for a pop-up play area, planter or seating?
Do you look at the shop frontages in your street and see that a spruce-up is in order?
Have you got an amazing idea that you think will have people piling into your town?
If any of these is true, then why not get together with some of your fellow businesses and create a Spacehive Crowdfunding Campaign?
We are looking to back ideas that will give a little boost to your area and help attract customers. If you are willing to get together with fellow businesses and the community to turn the idea into a crowdfunding campaign then you could be eligible for the Placemaking Fund* which has pots up to £20k to pledge towards ideas which meet the criteria.
The Placemaking Fund is delivered via the Spacehive Crowdfunding Platform which is designed especially for Spaces and Places. The Fund comes to an end this year, so projects looking to attract pledges from this pot of money will need to be up and running in the next couple of months. There are other funds which sit on this platform, however, so don’t let that timescale put you off starting a campaign to get your project funded. For more information go to Spacehive here
Any size of project goes when it comes to Spacehive and we have already seen some fantastic ideas become reality in Warwickshire's towns. Smith Street Traders in Warwick crowdfunded over £9k for the ‘Smith Street Cycle Hub’ and the businesses and community in Bidford raised £900 for their ‘Bidford Banners’ project whilst the ‘St Andrews Gardens a Space for Everyone’ project in the heart of Rugby attracted over £46k.
Desination Whitnash and The Historic Spine in Stratford are currently live with their fundraising so please take a look and pledge your support if you can. Pledges can start from £2.
Deals done and connections made at vibrant Warwickshire Food & Drink Showcase.
Warwickshire’s small and emerging food and drink producers delighted members of the public and industry suppliers with their array of produce at the Warwickshire Food and Drink Showcase.
Despite torrential rain, the successful event hosted by Warwickshire County Council at Warwick racecourse not only saw mouth-watering products sampled, but more importantly deals done and valuable connections made.
One local food producer, Auntie’s Sauces, secured its first trade deal at the event.
Shireen Dhaliwal, co-founder of Auntie’s Sauces says: “Events like the Warwickshire Food & Drink Showcase really help businesses like ours in a myriad of ways.
"Firstly, it puts us out in front of trades people who we wouldn’t normally come across and local business people who are looking for slightly different food and drink, that they can’t get from a regular wholesaler. Secondly, it’s an excellent networking opportunity and provides great potential for collaboration with other local businesses.”
Warwickshire-based Michelin-starred chef Adam Bennett of The Cross, Kenilworth, was one of the stars of the show and entertained the audience with cookery demos, useful tips and anecdotes.
Adam said: “’It was a pleasure to attend the showcase and great to be able to connect with local suppliers and buyers in a relaxed atmosphere. There are so many great food and drink businesses in Warwickshire, but many of them don’t have the opportunity to link up and share ideas as well potentially do business.
"The showcase is a great way to kick-start this kind of peer to peer support and I hope will be the start of something unique and positive for Warwickshire.”
During a lively Q and A, Tara Mei, co-founder of Bread & Jam, an organisation which supports emerging businesses in the food industry, spoke passionately about the importance of embracing consumers’ appetite for local produce. She stressed the need to focus on specific target markets rather than trying to appeal to everyone while Adam Bennett emphasised the competitive edge that using local producers can give a business as it creates a story to share with customers.
There are plans to rollout out more showcases and events in the new year to help connect and grow the local network of supplier and buyers in the County. Keep an eye out on the website at https://www.warwick-food-drink.co.uk/ or contact the Town Centres & Tourism Team.
Small Business Saturday 2019 and Free Online Digital Training
Small Business Saturday UK is a grassroots, non-commercial campaign, which highlights small business success and encourages consumers to 'shop local' and support small businesses in their communities. The day itself takes place on the first Saturday in December each year, but the campaign aims to have a lasting impact on small businesses. The principle of supporting your local small businesses and independent retailers should be key to our thought process throughout the year.
On Small Business Saturday, customers across the UK go out and support all types of small businesses, online, in offices and in stores. Many small businesses take part in the day by hosting events and offering discounts. Why not send off for your free support pack and piggyback on the increased awareness and publicity this campaign can provide?
Why not take advantage of some free online training?
Small Business Saturday has partnered with iDEA, The Inspiring Digital Enterprise Award to deliver free, expert online training to small businesses across the UK. It would be great to see Warwckshire's small businesses enrol on this FREE training, where the business, staff and ultimately the customers of Warwickshire can all benefit.
The Inspiring Digital Enterprise Award (iDEA) is an international programme aiming to help address the digital skills gap. The programme provides free digital skills education in the form of engaging online modules (badges). The iDEA curriculum has been curated to help inspire people all over the world to become Digital Citizens, Workers, Makers, Entrepreneurs and Gamers to enhance their employability; and to help them become economically active.
To find out more details on Small Business Saturday visit their website https://smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com/ and also see the page https://smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com/iDEA for more information on free online training for staff and your business.
Date for the diary: March 24th 2019, annual Warwickshire Towns Conference
The next Annual Warwickshire Towns Conference is due to take place on Tuesday 24th March, 2020 at Warwick Racecourse.
The highlight of the Warwickshire Towns Network calendar, the conference brings together businesses and place practitioners to learn, debate and showcase town centres' initiatives and issues.
As a 'must-attend' event for place-makers, Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), councils and town centre businesses throughout the county this event always has great feedback and this year is set to be no exception as we will be launching the new Warwickshire Towns Awards. More details on these will follow in the next edition of Warwickshire Means Business - In The Towns.
What is the Warwickshire Towns Network?
The Warwickshire Towns Network (WTN) is a collaboration between practitioners and businesses who have a vested interest in the health of Warwickshire Town Centres.
Who do we work with?
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Practitioners – these people and organisations are mainly focused on the town as a whole, helping to develop, enhance and attract people to the town.
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Businesses – a mix of retail, professional service and leisure within town centres.
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Community – are playing an increasingly important role in how their places are shaped.
Contact Details