| Move Marketing is pleased to announce its relocation to new offices in Manchester as a result of a number of global client wins and team expansions.
The specialist B2B marketing agency, which recently celebrated its fifth birthday, has taken up residence in state-of-the-art offices on King Street, Manchester, to support its continued growth over recent months. The new office space is situated within the Pinnacle building on King Street, centrally located for excellent transport links and access to everything Manchester has to offer. With floor-to-ceiling windows offering impressive views over the city centre, Move Marketing is proud to fill its new office space with its growing team and ever-expanding portfolio of global clients. Move Marketing is quickly growing into the space with a series of new hires at all levels. Five professionals have joined the team in 2022 across all departments, adding to the company’s vast B2B marketing experience and range of expertise. Alex Cairns, Managing Director of Move Marketing, attributes the company’s ongoing success to its unique and award-winning ‘8 moves of B2B’ approach. This world-class planning framework has been specifically engineered to optimise the B2B marketing journey and presents a truly strategic, integrated and innovative marketing solution, every time. He said: “The 8 moves of B2B are at the centre of what we do, and we’re excited to see this directly result in more global client wins and help to attract the best talent to our growing team. Our new offices have space for us to grow further, and our future here is already looking bright.” For more information, visit www.movemarketing.co.uk. |
Move Marketing unveils new Manchester office after sustained growth period
How to Increase Shop Footfall in the age of E-Commerce
The high street isn’t what it was. Many shops have been forced to close their doors recently with a net total of 12 UK stores per day shutting down in 2022 in the first half of the year. This has left city centres looking somewhat empty, meaning fewer customers visiting physical stores. The main cause? The rise of e-commerce.
E-commerce was already growing rapidly, but the global pandemic propelled online shopping into everyone’s lives and changed the face of the retail industry foreseeably forever. It is estimated that there will be 60 million e-commerce users in the UK by the end of 2022, leaving the future of physical stores in doubt.
However, it seems that there is still space for a bricks and mortar store to have success. Even leading e-commerce brands such as Nike remain invested in accelerating footfall to their physical stores. If you run a high street shop or are thinking about opening one, then you’ll want to do all you can to keep living, breathing customers coming back for more. Explore the various ways in which you can increase shop footfall in the age of e-commerce.
Quality over quantity
To create a positive shopping experience for customers, make it as easy as possible for them to browse. Focus on illustrating the value of products by only having one version of each on display. This is a great way to showcase the benefits of each without overwhelming customers. It also mirrors the convenience of browsing online which is what e-commerce customers love and which may persuade them to keep stepping into your store.
Create immersive experiences
Depending on what you sell, offering a try-before-you-buy service may appeal to customers. These types of experience are impossible in the world of online shopping but are considered invaluable by consumers. Beauty stores may let customers spritz on scent, food and beverage stores can offer buffet-size samples, and sports stores may let customers shoot a few hoops or use the latest gear.
Bear in mind that changing your store into an interactive space exposes you to more risks so you may find peace of mind in shop insurance cover which can prove to be beneficial in the event of accidents or damage occurring in your store.
Get technical
The main pull of e-commerce is the search capabilities that are available due to digital technologies. You can search for products, check stock levels, and compare prices online, so we recommend offering this in-store.
This can be done by having a range of in-store tablets that allow customers to search for products. If your store stocks it, then your employees can bring the item to the customer. This will make the process quicker and more convenient which customers will appreciate. Forget next-day delivery, you can offer next-minute satisfaction!
In-store offers
Every customer loves an offer. When you make these offers ‘only available in your store’ then you’re more likely to increase footfall. This will then lead to more new customers, higher sales, and improved customer loyalty. Plus, you’ll add an air of excitement and exclusivity to your customers’ shopping experience.
It’s time to get your store back on track and get sales booming again. Make these changes and see customers return to your store time-after-time.
Anstey Horne expands its Manchester presence with the Addition of Gray Scanlan Hill’s team of Specialist Chartered Building Surveyors
Building on its 200 year history of providing professional expertise as the UK’s leading rights to light, party wall, EWS1* advisor Anstey Horne has expanded its Manchester presence by joining forces with Gray Scanlan Hill.
Anstey Horne has been instrumental in the development of the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, updating and authoring specialist publications, and more recently a detailed digital model that allows it to visualise new developments in real time. The decision bring Gray Scanlan Hill into the practice, which has been established in Manchester for 17 years, means that the office has grown to a dozen staff in the region. This provides the company with a substantial increase in its building surveying expertise with dilapidation advice, project management, technical due diligence and a broad range of specialist independent technical advice. In addition to Manchester, Anstey Horne has five further UK offices including London, Birmingham, Bristol, Plymouth, and Norwich employing a total of 87 staff.
The team brings together a wealth of market-leading experience, a focus on quality service, and professional expertise. Gray Scanlan Hill’s Manchester team brings Anstey Horne’s total project and building consultancy headcount to 40 in the UK. This is in addition to the existing team of 45 surveyors specialising in rights to light and party wall.
Senior Director Simon Hill moved to Manchester in 1994 to help grow the Malcolm Hollis regional offices before forming Gray Scanlan Hill in 2005. Simon has a depth of knowledge and experience with a loyal client base that keeps him very busy. He is a dilapidations and survey specialist recognised by clients for providing clear informed technical advice and going that extra mile.
Commenting on the move, Simon Hill said;
“We are really pleased to be joining Anstey Horne. Our businesses share a commitment to providing the highest level of service to clients to help them resolve a range of complex technical and commercial challenges across all sectors and types of building asset.
“The building surveying services we provide will now be complimented and further supplemented by the Anstey Horne team, who have an enviable reputation in the delivery of rights to light, and daylight & sunlight, party wall, building and fire consultancy services, and specialist technical advice.”
Simon is joined by fellow Director Darren Hughes who brings invaluable experience having joined the practice in 2017 after 14 years working for Lambeth Smith Hampton. He has acted for numerous blue-chip clients over the years advising funds, investors, asset managers and corporate occupiers.
Simon and Darren are joining Anstey Horne as directors with their team of seven surveyors and staff.
Alex Parry-Jones, Head of Building Consultancy at Anstey Horne said;
‘It’s great to welcome Simon, Darren and the team to Anstey Horne at a time when we are diversifying and growing our specialist teams across the UK to meet client demand and meet their expectations of the high level of service we seek to provide. Alongside our general building consultancy services we now offer a full range of fire consultancy advice to support our clients’ assets from pre-planning fire strategies to specialist FRAEW** surveys of existing stock’.
*EWS1: The EWS1 process was designed by RICS to support the valuation process for high-rise residential buildings with cladding. It is not a government or regulatory requirement.
**FRAEW: British Standards (BSI) code of practice (PAS9980) for the Fire Risk Appraisal of External Walls (FRAEW) Surveys applies from the 31st January 2022
Manchester social strategy business setting new global standards for the commercial community
ANTZ, a leading social impact organisation in Manchester, is launching the first ever social impact learning accreditation, helping business leaders understand and respond to the importance of social values at work. Setting a new standard for businesses to leave a legacy within the commercial sector, the training will help companies build long lasting foundation that drives employee engagement.
The Scheme
The training to get the qualification requires individuals to follow an innovative internal journey, helping them gain a clear understanding of social impact and what it means. The task builds on understanding how to evaluate and report on work processes and their impact. Leading to the final step of building a social strategy aligned with the company’s business plan. Importantly, the accreditation will also help businesses bring clarity to what social impact is, keeping it simple and provide a straightforward methodology. Commenting on the new accreditation, Jen Pemberton, CEO at ANTZ, says: “Since 2008 ANTZ has been encouraging a business led and community driven platform that changes lives in and out of work. During this time, we have learnt that businesses cannot create a positive shift change within communities unless we give them an accredited standard and platform to embed social impact internally, and this can be achieved through our business led social impact accredited training which is delivered via Teams.”
The importance of social values in the workplace
Importantly, leaders of the social values scheme believe the accreditation will also help businesses bring clarity to what social impact is. Showing their support of the new accreditation training after completing it, Faruk Patel from Saraco Industries, a UK based manufacturer of disposable wet wipe products, added: “ANTZ’ social value training demonstrated how we as a business can align our social strategy with our commercial strategy to maximise impact both in our potential partner communities, but also commercially. The social value training is very clear and it was great to engage with a variety of different organisations at varying stages of their social value journey.”
Who are ANTZ?
Established in 2008, ANTZ work with SMEs, local authorities and government departments, regional construction frameworks, and brands help to grow an understanding of what social value is, how it is best delivered, and importantly, how it is measured. ANTZ, has been recognised for its ability to support business bring about positive change in the communities in which they operate, via a national award win with its partner Atos – the Institute of Collaborative Working’s Award for Social Impact Working with the Third Sector.
MCDONALD’S AND CHILDREN IN NEED MARK SECOND YEAR OF PARTNERSHIP WITH PIONEERING PROJECT IN PRESTON, PUTTING YOUNG PEOPLE AT THE HEART OF THE COMMUNITY
- McDonald’s celebrates second consecutive year of partnership with Children in Need, putting a spotlight on the Foxton Centre in Preston that has used funds to help combat anti-social behaviour
- The project has significantly reduced anti-social behaviour in the local community and is providing employment opportunities to care leavers
- More than 60 youth projects and 11,500 young people have benefitted from the 1.2M funds raised since 2021 by McDonald’s for Children in Need
- This Christmas, McDonald’s hopes to raise a further £1M, providing customers with more opportunities than ever before to get together, support and donate what they can to Children in Need
Over the last year, McDonald’s partnership with Children in Need has raised £1.2 million, helping fund vital youth projects and forging relationships with youth workers up and down the country.
As it reflects on the first year of a five-year partnership, McDonald’s is celebrating the pioneering Foxton Centre in Preston, a project which stands out as a shining success story of where fundraising and a commitment to serving the local community have played a significant part in brightening the prospects for disadvantaged young people in Preston.
Focused on reducing anti-social behaviour in the area, Children in Need brought together McDonald’s and the Foxton’s Centre to tackle issues at the root. The centre has acted as a haven for many, providing a safe and welcoming space for young people to get the support they need from local youth workers. With a dedicated partnership now in place with McDonald’s, youth workers have helped young people facing challenges find rewarding employment at their local McDonald’s, providing them with a sense of safety, security and purpose – an opportunity that is often life changing.
As a result of this pioneering partnership, three care leavers have been given roles at the restaurant, whilst anti-social behaviour in the local area has dropped dramatically, with police reports of ASB down from 40 incidents per month to none, and security no longer required at the local McDonald’s.
Local franchisee, Nigel Dunnington, who owns and operates 17 McDonald’s restaurants in West Lancashire, comments; ‘It’s vital that we support local initiatives such as the Foxton Centre. All our crew and customers are local. We want to create safe spaces where our young people can develop and grow whilst providing warm and welcoming environments for our customers to enjoy. It feels great to give back to the communities we serve via projects such as this.’
Working directly with communities is at the heart of McDonald’s and partnership with Children in Need has connected over 50 local projects with local restaurants across the UK in the last 12 months.
Earlier in the year, McDonald’s also partnered with BBC’s Children in Need to ensure the popular Fun Football programme targets families and communities most likely to miss out on sports provisions.
With Children in Need’s support, McDonald’s will ensure the programme is available for free in deprived communities without access to football coaching and facilities and will specifically target sessions to support children with additional and complex needs.
Louise Page, Head of Consumer Communications & Partnerships for McDonald’s UK & Ireland said: “Having worked closely with Children in Need over the past 12 months, it’s incredibly rewarding to see success stories such as the Foxton Centre in Preston, where vital fund raised by colleagues, crew and customers have gone directly to helping young people who need it the most. We believe in stepping up for the communities we serve and are excited to see what we can achieve with Children in Need to help young people thrive.’
Simon Antrobus, Chief Executive, BBC Children in Need said:
“At BBC Children in Need we are acutely aware of the vast and ever-growing range of issues that are affecting the UK’s children and young people and as a charity we exist to ensure that every single one of them has the opportunity to thrive and be the best they can be. As we reflect on our first year in partnership with McDonald’s we are hugely grateful for all of the extremely generous support they have given BBC Children in Need. We know that youth work is transformational and that together we have already begun to change thousands of young lives to make a real and lasting difference across communities.”
28 Years of Being Married to the Job
A husband and wife duo have completed 28 years in the job keeping customers happy at local logistics firm Europa Worldwide Group, which has a base in Media Village, Manchester.
Brian and Sandra Ryder are part of the Customer Service Team at Europa’s Manchester branch. Having been married for 45 years, they might just hold the secret to what it takes to have a long and fruitful marriage and an even better working relationship.
Based at Magnetic House, Media Village, Brian and Sandra are part of a team of 26 that provides road freight distribution to and from Europe at Europa Road, the specialist road freight division of Europa Worldwide Group.
The couple, who have worked in the logistics sector for most of their working lives, first started at Europa Road in 1994. Sandra, now 65, originally joined as a Clerk in the accounts department where she oversaw the export trunking between Manchester and Birmingham.
Brian, now 66, joined Europa later in the same year when he was first employed as an Import Clerk. After nearly 10 years in the role, he was promoted to Import supervisor and then International Services Manager, operationally dealing with two of the firm’s largest customers in the automotive and fashion industry.
The celebration comes at a time when trade bodies the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) and Logistics UK, with the Department for Transport, have launched “Generation Logistics” – a campaign that aims to shine a spotlight on the amazing career opportunities in the industry.
Commenting on their anniversary, Sandra said: “Since I first started, I can honestly say my time with the company has been fantastic. As cliché as it is to say, no two days are the same but what remains constant is the solid, strong team around us.
Europa Road really values its people and cares about its employees and for me that’s special and why I have stayed here for so long.
“I have seen lots of changes over the years, but with each new decade more and more great achievements have been made and I am proud to be part of that.”
Brian added: “To say the last 28 years have been memorable would be an understatement. Logistics is an industry I am passionate about. So many other sectors rely on us, and it’s a brilliant feeling to know that your job has purpose and meaning to not just our customers but their customers too.
“I feel settled and happy in the work that I do and for me, that is a privilege. You hear about people leaving jobs because they don’t feel supported, but I can genuinely say that is not the case here. When you can come to work, you want to look back at the end of the day knowing you have done your best and the team around you appreciates you.”
Stuart McKie, Regional Manager at Europa Road commented on the anniversary: “We are delighted to be celebrating this achievement with Brian and Sandra. They are a real credit to Europa Road not only within the Manchester region but to the business as a whole.
“Creating teams which value character and personality is at the heart of what we do and long-term success only comes to teams that work together, with both Brian and Sandra being testament to this.”
Europa Worldwide Group is an ambitious independent logistics operator with three divisions, Europa Road, Europa Air & Sea, and Europa Warehouse, and has featured in The Sunday Times Top Track 250 for the third time. The Group employs over 1,300 people across the UK, Belgium, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Dubai and South Africa, and recently announced a record turnover of £316m for its last year up to the end of August 2022.
Small businesses in the North West offered free office space to battle soaring winter costs
Would you be interested in attending Meta’s Good Ideas Studios on 24-25 November at 1830 Warehouse, Manchester, M3 4FP? In attendance and available for interview will be:
- Grace Beverley, 25, one of the UK’s leading young entrepreneurs and CEO of Tala and Shreddy, who can discuss why she is working with Meta in Manchester and the importance SMEs play in the UK economy
- The founders of The Little Sri Lankan, local Manchester based small business who can talk to the challenges their business is currently facing
In line with the Good Ideas Studios launch, small businesses in the North West are being offered free winter office space in a bid to reduce costs and maximise their chances of survival. Meta’s “Space for Good Ideas,” initiative will see local small businesses of fewer than 50 employees are able to apply for space at fb.me/goodideasstudios by 25 November, and through doing so, removing one of their biggest costs at a time when energy bills continue to rise.
The news comes as new YouGov data commissioned by Meta reveals over a quarter (26%) of small business decision makers in the North West fear their business may close, while over half (55%) say a major business priority in the next six months is survival.
Almost a third (29%) of those polled worry their business won’t be able to keep up with their outgoings during the year ahead while over a quarter (26%) admit to using less energy to save on bills. Two in five (42%) say reducing costs would be crucial to their firm’s future success.
Steve Hatch, VP Northern Europe, Meta, said, “Small businesses are the lifeblood of the UK economy and right now they face the challenge of a lifetime just to keep the lights on. We know there’s no one fix to the challenges faced, however we believe through helping both online and offline we can provide support to local businesses in need. This is why we’re offering small businesses in Edinburgh the opportunity to apply for free office space in a bid to ease costs.”
Acas offers top tips to North West employers to help prepare for the World Cup
Workplace expert Acas has this week published advice on how businesses in the North West can reach agreements with staff wishing to watch the World Cup to help avoid any potential issues.
The World Cup is a big sporting event for many employees who may want to follow their favourite football team and enjoy the event. Some North West staff may want to book time off to go to the World Cup or attend special group events in the UK. Others will want to use the internet or their phones to stay updated on the match results.
Acas advises employers and small businesses based in the North West to plan ahead and have agreements in place that cover requests for time off, sickness absence, website use during working hours or watching TV during this period.
Acas North West Area Director Terry Duffy said:
“The World Cup is an exciting event for many football fans, but staff should avoid getting a red card for unreasonable demands or behaviour in the workplace during this period.
“Many businesses need to maintain a certain staffing level in order to survive. North West employers should have a set of simple workplace agreements in place before kick-off to help ensure their businesses remain productive whilst keeping staff on side too.
“Our top tips can help managers get the best from their team players, arrange appropriate substitutions if necessary and avoid unnecessary penalties or unplanned sendings-off.”
The 2022 World Cup will take place in Qatar between Sunday 20 November and Sunday 18 December. Due to the time difference, football match kick-off times in the UK will vary between 10am and 7pm.
Acas offers some top tips for North West employers to consider for the World Cup:
Time off – employers may wish to look at being a little more flexible when allowing employees time off during this period and employees should remember that it may not always be possible to book a holiday. The key is for both parties to try and come to an agreement. All requests for leave should be considered fairly. A consistent approach should be applied for holiday requests for other major sporting events too as not everyone likes football!
Sickness absence – employers may want to remind staff that their sickness and attendance policies will still apply during the World Cup. Any unauthorised absence, patterns of absence or late attendance are likely be investigated and could result in formal proceedings.
Flexibility – one possible option is to have a more flexible working day. Employees could come in a little later or finish sooner and then agree when this time can be made up.
Allowing staff to listen to the radio or watch the TV may be another possible option. Employers could also allow staff to take a break during match times. Another option is to look at allowing staff to swap shifts with their manager’s permission.
It is important to be fair and consistent with all staff if you allow additional benefits during the World Cup. Any change in hours or flexibility in working hours should be approved before the event.
Use of social media and websites – there may be an increase in the use of social media or websites covering the 2022 World Cup.
Employers may wish to remind staff of any policies regarding the use of social networking and websites during working hours. The policies should be clear on what is and isn’t acceptable web use.
PILOT GROUP PARTNERS WITH DENT COUNCIL TO SUPPLY ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGEPOINTS
Manchester-based sustainability expert, Pilot Group, has teamed up with Dent with Cowgill Parish Council to install Electric Vehicle (EV) charge points.
The organisation, which offers innovative technology solutions to help businesses reach net zero, has worked with the council to supply and install six EV charge points for use at a public car park in Laning, in the village of Dent, Cumbria.
Pilot Group was awarded a three-year contract, which includes ongoing support and maintenance, following a competitive tender process.
After conducting a site visit and survey to understand the Council’s requirements, Pilot Group proposed the installation of three double classic units which include post mount, signage, and bollard protection.
The charge points are accompanied by three photocell-operated bollard lights, also supplied by Pilot Group, to illuminate the surrounding area to improve accessibility and safety. They also feature a contactless payment solution enhancing useability for members of the public.
Additionally, the chargers display advertising, providing both a revenue opportunity and a chance for business customers to view promotional materials provided by local businesses.
As part of the deal, the council also has access to back-office software allows it to review the status of the charging points, usage and income statistics.
Dent with Cowgill Parish Council covers the village of Dent along with the hamlets of Cowgill and Gawthrop in South Lakeland.
Scott Thornley, Clerk and RFO at Dent with Cowgill Parish Council, said: “We have been hugely impressed by the support we’ve received from the Pilot Group team. From conducting a site survey and consulting us on the most suitable solution, the process has been seamless.
“The convenience of contactless payment solutions and well-lit charge points mean we are offering a unique service for our community, and one that is crucial as more and more people turn to driving electric vehicles. We’re excited to have brought something new to Laning and will hopefully continue our relationship with Pilot Group into the future.”
Leon Wong, EV Business Development Manager at Pilot Group, said: “At Pilot Group, we’re working hard to promote and encourage the implementation of electrical charging infrastructure across the country to enable the adaptation to a cleaner, electric vehicle future.
“It’s brilliant to have been able to support Dent with Cowgill Parish Council to realise their goal of providing EV charging solutions within their community and offering a new option for local residents moving forward. We look forward to seeing our relationship progress over the length of the contract.”
GARSTANG LOCALS ENCOURAGED TO GET INVOLVED IN A PART OF HISTORY – WHAT WOULD YOU INCLUDE IN A TIME CAPSULE?
Garstang locals are being invited to submit their ideas of items to be included in a time capsule by McCarthy Stone the leading manager and developer of retirement communities, behind the Retirement Living development, Stanley Place on Kepple Lane.
Three submissions will be chosen by homeowners and the McCarthy Stone team at Stanley Place who will then have their items included in a time capsule set to be buried in the development’s garden early next year.
Fiona Brookes, Divisional Sales Director at McCarthy Stone, said: “We are super excited to be burying a time capsule at our new Stanley Place Retirement Living development – to commemorate the start of our new community, but also recognise the wonderful generations that have gone before. at the time capsule offers the perfect way to create a lasting memory of the local area for years to come.
“We encourage people in Garstang to enter the competition by thinking about what is important to them, and what they’d like someone to uncover in 100 years – it could be a map, a newspaper article, a photo or even a diary entry – the choice is up to them.”
Each entrant is permitted to submit a maximum of three ideas. These should be emailed to mccarthyandstone@mccann.com by the closing date of Friday 30th December with ‘Garstang Time Capsule Contest’ in the subject. In your email, you should include your full name and reasons why you think your ideas should be included.
McCarthy Stone’s Stanley Place Retirement Living development is situated in close proximity to the Stanley Gardens Retirement Living development, which is now fully sold out.
Bordering the beautiful River Wyre, Stanley Place and Stanley Gardens are surrounded by countryside whilst being located in the popular market town of Garstang. A stylish communal lounge perfect for socialising with friends and neighbours and a hotel style guest suite which offers a home for family and friends, Stanley Place provides an ideal downsizing option for retirees.
Stanley Place offers a choice of one- and two-bedroom apartments tailor-made for those looking to downsize to a community of like-minded people where they can enjoy embracing the life they want to live.
At Stanley Place, a one-bedroom apartment is currently priced from £201,999 and a two-bedroom starts at £302,999.
More than nine out of 10 customers would recommend McCarthy Stone to a friend, ensuring it has received the full Five Star award for customer satisfaction from the Home Builders Federation. McCarthy Stone is the only UK housebuilder of any size or type to achieve this rating every year we have taken part in the survey.
For more information about Stanley Place, please call 0800 002 1829 visit: www.mccarthystone.co.uk/stanley-place.
