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Monthlyanalysis of the Norwich economy

Leathes Prior is pleased to announce the launch of its Internet Defamation and Online Reputation Management Service.

The advent of social media including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and blogs, as well as the more traditional online forums, has brought with it the opportunity for exercising freedom of speech which 10 or 15 years ago could not have been imagined. Whilst much of this is legitimate expression of opinion, there have been many well publicised examples of individuals falling foul of the law and employers taking action against staff as a result of their conduct online.

Mike Barlow, Head of Dispute Resolution, comments that “it is becoming increasingly common for clients to seek our help where they find themselves the innocent victim of online bullies or trolls, often hiding behind a cloak of anonymity.”

Leathes Prior has developed two types of service for organisations, businesses and high profile individuals, designed to protect and manage your online reputation:

•An Annual Monitoring Service, providing regular alerts and ongoing support •A Fixed Fee Service for one-off cases of online defamation To find out more about this innovative new service, please visit: https://internet-defamation.property118.com/ or contact us for further information.

LOGANAIR INTRODUCE EXTRA FLIGHTS AS DEMAND FOR NEW NORWICH/ISLE OF MAN SERVICE SOARS

Loganair, Scotland’s Airline, has added extra flights to its new Norwich/Isle of Man route following strong advance ticket sales ahead of the launch of the service next/this month.

The new route – East Anglia’s first ever direct link to the Isle of Man – will take to the skies on Saturday, May 26.

Flybe franchise partner Loganair, which celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2012, plans to run seasonal flights every Saturday from May 26 through to September 8.

However, a surge in ticket uptake for the service from leisure and business passengers has led the airline to add an extra two flights for the successive Saturdays up to September 22.

The new non-stop service will operate on Saturdays, leaving Norwich at 3:10pm and with return flights leaving the Isle of Man at 4:50pm. Fares start from £59.99 one-way including all taxes.

There are also other convenient connections between Norwich and the Isle of Man available via Manchester throughout the week.

Commenting on the move, Loganair’s chief operating officer Jonathan Hinkles, said: “We announced the new Norwich-Isle of Man service only three months ago, but demand for the new flights has far exceeded our expectations.

“With flights on several dates throughout the summer nearly fully booked and more people still wanting to travel, we’ve responded to this demand by adding extra flights through September.”

Services from Norwich to Manchester and the Isle of Man are operated by Loganair’s subsidiary Suckling Airways, using a 31-seat Dornier 328 fast turboprop under a franchise agreement with Flybe, Europe’s largest regional airline.

Andrew Bell, Chief Executive of Norwich International Airport, said “We are delighted that Loganair has reacted to the high demand for the flights to the Isle of Man from Norwich International.

“We hope that the local travellers will continue to take advantage of this opportunity to visit this wonderful destination.”

For all bookings and flight times between Norwich and the Isle of Man visit www.Flybe.com, or call 0871 700 2000.

The EAT (HHJ McMullen QC) has Quashie v Stringfellows Restaurants Limited reversed an employment tribunal’s decision dismissing an Unfair Dismissal claim on the grounds that the lap dancer Claimant was not an employee.

Miss Quashie worked under a standard industry contract where the dancer is considered to be self employed. Patrons of the club would put ‘heavenly money’ (club vouchers with a monetary value) into dancers’ garters. These vouchers were handed in by the dancers at the end of the night, and the Respondent paid the dancers the value of their vouchers subject to agreed deductions. Miss Quashie worked to a rota imposed by the Respondent and was entitled to work when on the rota.

In a fact-specific Judgment, the EAT held that on a proper construction of the employment tribunal’s findings, the Claimant was an employee. The contract gave the Respondent had the right to control the Claimant’s activities when she was at work. The ‘umbrella contract’ covering each separate engagement, under which Miss Quashie operated, gave rise to an expectation of continued engagement, hence there was sufficient mutuality of obligation for employment status.

The EAT remitted the case to consider the Unfair Dismissal complaint and permitted a tax-related illegality defence raised by the Respondent to be considered.

The case is set to have massive implications for the lap dancing industry. Dancers would on the face of it be entitled to full employment status (which would include the right to be paid national minimum wage, not to suffer unauthorised deduction from wages and protection from unfair dismissal) and HMRC may well seek to recover the tax owed for those previously engaged as self employed individuals. Owners of clubs should take urgent legal advice as to whether they need to restructure their operating methods.

Leathes Prior’s Employment Team trainee solicitor Mark McWilliams has been helping Miss Quashie on a pro bono basis since the failure of her first hearing at the employment tribunal.

For advice on any issues of employment law, contact the Employment team

Norwich BID promises to create a voice for the entire business community, irrespective of size or sector. The BID will help us to increase visitor numbers, create an even greener, cleaner city andwill meet the aspirations of our ambitious business community. A ‘yes’ vote for the BID gives thebusinesses – control over 100% of the BID budget which could be as much as £3million over the next five years. Please read the attached brochure for information on all the proposed projects and initiatives that Norwich BID will deliver to put Norwich first.

This money will be spent, according to local priorities to make improvements relevant to Norwich and that are important to the ongoing success of your business. In these challenging economic times, the Norwich BID will give us additional capital to invest in communications to promote and market our welcoming, safe city across the UK and abroad. These will be additional services and do not subsidise or replace funding for services provided by the local authorities. The resources will enable us to attract new inward commercial investment and drive footfall to our vibrant retail destinations.

Cozens-Hardy is delighted to announce that the firm will be supporting the East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) this year.

As part of the firm’s sponsorship of the 2012 Norwich Triathlon, the Tri-Anglia Triathlon Club (the event organisers) has also nominated the EAAA as its official charity for the event which takes place on Sunday 1st July, at Whitlingham Country Park.

Said Philippa Rudd, Marketing Partner, Cozens-Hardy:

“Our staff voted overwhelmingly in favour of supporting the East Anglian Air Ambulance this year and we are delighted that Tri-Anglia has pledged its support for the Norwich Triathlon as well. One of our employees was very ill as a baby and an air ambulance played a critical part in her treatment – and I think everyone here at Castle Chambers appreciates what an incredible service the charity offers.”

Added Mark Philo, Race Director, Norwich Triathlon:

“The East Anglian Air Ambulance is a terrific local charity and it’s one that I’ve personally raised money for in the past. I’m really pleased that we’ve been able to nominate them as our official charity for the 2012 Norwich Triathlon. I hope that many of our competitors will take this opportunity to badger friends and family to sponsor them to complete the Triathlon – and we’ve uploaded a sponsorship form on our website to facilitate this.”

Jess Down, Area Fundraising Manager for the East Anglian Air Ambulance said:

“I am delighted that the staff at Cozens-Hardy have kindly chosen to support us, it’s wonderful news. We really look forward to working with them on some exciting initiative and events, including the Norwich Triathlon. The support of local people and businesses is invaluable to us and we are really grateful to have the support of such a prominent legal services provider.”

Anyone wishing to donate money to the EAAA, by supporting the Cozens-Hardy teams participating in the Business Challenge division of the Norwich Triathlon, can donate money by visiting the firm’s justgiving site: www.justgiving.com/cozenshardyllp.

– Ends –

Editors’ Notes

Despite receiving no direct government funding, the East Anglian Air Ambulance operates two air ambulances, 365 days per year, across Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk and needs to raise £4.2million a year to maintain the service. It has worked in partnership with the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) in developing the service, which operates from Norwich and Cambridge Airports.

For more information about the East Anglian Air Ambulance, contact the charity on 0845 066 9999 or visit its website at www.eaaa.org.uk

For further information please contact Clare Haylett: phone: 07764 270570 and email: [email protected]

Sumo Salad (www.sumosalad.com), an Australian fresh and healthy salad bar chain, has recently launched its first franchise in the UK. The outlet was opened in Norwich by Mike Dodd (centre). Advised by Ed Savory (right), an Associate in Leathes Prior’s Franchising team, and Mark Noakes (left), Managing Director of Morgan Woods, Sumo Salad has been trading for a few weeks and, assisted by the beautiful weather we are enjoying (!), seems to be going from strength to strength.

Ed Savory: “Advising franchisees is a key part of Leathes Prior’s offering of a full legal service in the franchising industry. Working with Mike was a pleasure due to his considerable commercial experience and rational approach to the obstacles that we had to overcome. It is always hard when advising the first franchisee but then again there does tend to be more room for negotiation with the franchisor. Advising alongside Mark was a joy. Mark is highly communicative and provides sensible commerical accountancy advice showing a willingness to think outside the box. It is one of the perks of the job to then be able to visit the outlet, see a new business and, in this case, enjoy a delicious salad. I wish Mike every success.”

Mark Noakes: “Fresh food and fresh ideas I think best describes Mike’s business and way of thinking. From day one of this project I have had no doubt that Mike would make a success of Sumo Salad. His sound judgement, enthusiasm for his product and ability to get things done has made it a pleasure advising him alongside Ed. Sumo Salad is a welcome addition of healthy food to my working lunches. I expect that many customers will enjoy the experience of having another leading franchise brand in our city. I look forward to working with Mike and Ed in the future and long may Sumo Salad be on the menu!”

Mike Dodd: “Without the specialist and professional advice I received from both Mark and Ed I would not have been able to get my Sumo Salad franchise off the ground. I owe enormous gratitude to them – not only in respect of their initial advice but also in respect of their ongoing support and, importantly, their continuing interest in my business. It is refreshing to work with advisers who are modern in their approach and take genuine care.”

Entries are welcomed for this years awards- details can be found at www.2012FoodandDrinkAwards.co.uk

There are many categories- and we are sponsoring the Exceptional Food Safety Management Award

Entries are required by 1st June; either online or from the entry forms in the EDP or EDP magazine

Land owners and farm estates have a lot to gain from impartial and independent advice and Clean Energy is pleased to join the CLA to provide services to its members. Impartiality and careful thought is the key to ensuring renewables are integrated into the countryside and that the financial and carbon saving benefits are realistic. With comprehensive experience in this area, Clean Energy looks forward to working with CLA members to ensure their renewable energy needs are met.

Contact us if you are a farm or estate and we will be pleased to help you.