Following Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s speech today outlining the government’s plans for a significant investment in the UK’s infrastructure, Lloyd Felton, CEO of Essex based rural broadband provider County Broadband which is building new networks in Norfolk, commented:

“We welcome today’s announcement of a multi-billion pound investment in the UK’s infrastructure to turbo charge economic growth, but note that there was no firm commitment to re-fuelling the pledge towards providing full-fibre connectivity to the whole of the UK by 2025.

“The COVID-19 lockdown has transformed almost every aspect of modern life and, creating an unexpected mass trial of working from home, video calling family and friends, virtual education for our children, online consultations and the move away from traditional TV to online streaming…

“The golden thread running through this is broadband and whilst the UK’s digital infrastructure has, by in large, been holding steady, the creaking at the seams is becoming noticeably louder. For too long we have relied on outdated copper cables to deliver this essential utility and the UK continues to lag behind our European neighbours.

“We must turbocharge the rollout of future-ready full-fibre broadband so businesses have the digital capacity for growth and households can keep connected to the ever-growing number of devices and services in the home. Nowhere is this more important than in rural parts of the country which have historically been left behind.

“We are continuing to drive forward the rollout of our Hyperfast full-fibre service to ‘often-forgotten’ rural communities across Essex, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire following a multi-million private investment. A collaborative approach of private and public investment will mean the UK can stand tall in the digital sphere and compete on an international scale. Any failure to do so will ripple through generations to come. We must not delay.”

E G Grounds Care Ltd is pleased to announce our appointment by Dencora and SJK Properties Ltd as the commercial grounds maintenance provider at Broadland Business Park in Norwich.

This appointment builds on a long-standing relationship — Matthew and our team has worked closely with the directors of Dencora and SJK Properties Ltd for over 17 years. We are proud to continue supporting them in delivering high-quality landscaping and grounds maintenance services that reflect the professionalism and appeal of their sites.

Broadland Business Park is one of Norwich’s premier business locations, offering a superb environment for occupiers and visitors with its beautifully landscaped grounds, scenic lake, walking and cycle routes. It hosts the Waterside Café, and a mix of prominent businesses who all benefit from the beautiful landscaped setting.

We look forward to continuing our work in ensuring the park remains a safe, attractive, and welcoming space for everyone who visits.

🔗 Find out more about our commercial grounds maintenance services at www.eg-groundscare.co.uk

The Place, on New Conduit Street opposite Wilko, was launched last month by Discover King’s Lynn,
the town’s Business Improvement District (BID), with funding from the Government’s Community
Renewal Fund.

The pop-up project aims to attract more people into the town centre, and give local
small and micro businesses, budding entrepreneurs and creatives the chance to see what it could be like having a physical presence in the town centre without incurring prohibitive costs.

During the week, The Place will function as a business hub which local businesses can use to join in
on training and networking sessions, take advantage of comfortable hot-desking or meeting spaces,
and access free, professional advice. At evenings and weekends, the venue will become a rentable
pop-up space that can be booked by local business owners and creatives to host their experiences,
workshops and exhibitions, as well showcase any retail offerings. The Place is intended to give
online, new and existing businesses the opportunity to try out a physical space.

The Place’s opening weekend included a range of Easter activities for families and a Pizza School
hosted by The Pizza Slice Guy, with over 400 people coming through the doors.
Vicky Etheridge, BID manager, says:
“The possibilities for The Place are endless and we are so keen to see what ideas the local west
Norfolk businesses can come up with. Events could include cocktail workshops, make-up lessons,
styling fashion shows, cookery sessions – anything you can think of!
“If you run an online shop and want to try having a physical space in the town centre then now is
your chance. We’ve covered rent, rates and utilities and all you’ll have to do is show up and show off
your products!”
If you’d like to find about more about rental fees and what The Place can offer you and your
business, get in touch with Discover King’s Lynn at [email protected]

Ashtons Legal is delighted to announce the appointment of its new CEO, James Tarling from 1 April 2022.

James joined Ashtons in 2015 as a Corporate and Commercial partner and most recently has taken responsibility for the development of the firm’s future strategy. James takes on the CEO position from Ed O’Rourke who is remaining with the firm, initially in a new role to further develop the business client group within Ashtons.

James says: “I am proud to be taking on the role of CEO of Ashtons Legal at an exciting time for our business. The firm has seen significant growth recently including through strategic acquisitions of a franchise consultancy, an HR consultancy, a specialist French legal firm, an insolvency team and most recently the full-service business of Steeles Law at the end of 2021. A key part of this growth has been the result of the work that Ed has done to establish an open and progressive culture within Ashtons Legal”.

James adds: “We have ambitious plans for further growth of the Ashtons business over the next three years. We are looking to recruit further talented and ambitious individuals and teams who share our vision to be an exceptional professional service provider putting our clients at the centre of everything we do”.

He adds: “I am lucky to be taking on the role in a flexible, inclusive and progressive business with the support of a fantastic team of individuals who are all focussed on working together to deliver excellent outcomes for our clients”.

Ed O’Rourke adds: “I have enjoyed my time at the helm but it is time for new blood and fresh ideas and James is the best possible person to drive Ashtons forward”.

Hatch Brenner Solicitors on Norwich’s Theatre Street has elected a new Managing Partner. The firm’s partnership has selected the Head of Dispute Resolution and leading brain injury solicitor, Colin Cook, for the role as the firm approaches its 130^th anniversary. The current Managing Partner, Dawn Parkes, stands down following eight years in the position.

Dispute Resolution Partner and Personal Injury specialist, Colin Cook joined Hatch Brenner Solicitors in 2005 upon moving to Norwich and was appointed to the partnership in 2012. With over 25 years’ experience in personal injury litigation, Colin has handled landmark cases, including the recent nationally reported mild traumatic brain injury case – Long vs Elegant Resorts, securing over half a million pounds in compensation for the client following a fiercely contested trial.

Qualifying in practice in Lancashire, Colin was a Partner at a London firm prior to joining Hatch Brenner Solicitors. Throughout his career Colin has helped hundreds of clients to receive the compensation they are entitled to. His cases range from several thousand to over a million pounds with many high-profile settlements. As an active member of the Norwich community, Colin sits on the board of trustees for brain injury charity Headway Norfolk and Waveney.

“It is a truly exciting time to be taking the firm forward in the post COVID era. With formidable teams across all areas of the business, there is a world of opportunity to look forward to. I am honoured to be taking over this role from Dawn whose contribution and leadership over the last 8 years has been invaluable. We will continue to advise our clients, providing the highest levels of excellence and service,” comments Colin.

“I’m really looking forward to leading Hatch Brenner Solicitors into its next phase and on behalf of the firm, I would like to thank Dawn Parkes for her years of service as Managing Partner”.

Commenting on Colin’s election to the role, Dawn said: “I would like to congratulate Colin. I’ve witnessed his dedication to the firm and our clients over the past 17 years. I know that he brings the right qualities, skills, and experience to lead the partnership and Hatch Brenner Solicitors to continued success. The firm is in good hands.”

Retail managers from across the region gathered to celebrate a record-breaking 12 months for East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH).

The event was held at Culford School, near Bury St Edmunds, and attended by staff from Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Essex.

EACH supports families and cares for children and young people with life-threatening conditions and relies heavily on profits generated from its 44 shops.

It also has a fast-growing ecommerce operation.

Retail income for the last financial year was just over £6.5 million, with like-for-like sales up 17.4% compared to the pre-pandemic year of 2019/20.

EACH Director of Retail Ian Nicolson said: “We came together to celebrate and say thank you for the incredible hard work and dedication of our shop staff.

“The team have dealt with such adversity in a year of constant change and we recognised their amazing efforts by handing out awards, including eBay, Amazon and Gift Aid Shop of the Year.

“We also wanted to recognise and celebrate those who have done amazing work in their community and supporting their volunteer teams.

“It was a great day and lovely for managers to meet up with colleagues and counterparts from different shops and counties.”

Among those to speak during the team-building day was EACH Chief Executive Phil Gormley.

EACH relies on voluntary donations for the majority of its income and this year alone, in terms of shop income, needs to raise £6.5 million.

Ian added: “We also want to say thanks to all the donors who continue to support us with their amazing donations of clothes and hard goods.

“They really are making the difference to the lives of children and families.

“We’re hitting great numbers to start the year but now the celebrations are over and we step into the new financial year, so it’s a case of here we go again. We’re excited by the challenge ahead.”

Article Content:

Cyber training is a powerful tool available to all organisations. When building cyber security defences it’s important to ensure that one of your greatest protective assets, your people, are invested in and able to do everything possible to protect valuable data, information and systems from the wide range of threats posed by cyber criminals.  Unfortunately no organisation is safe from these threats, no matter what size your operation is, or the industry you are in, cyber criminals will be seeking ways to get in to your systems and cause damage.  We see so often that this route in is via staff.

We’ve put this video together to explain the range of things that can happen in any organisation, all of which can lead to the need for cyber training. Staff at all levels will benefit, and we see first-hand just how much of an impact training has.  We don’t want to spoil it for you…so why not take a couple of minutes out to have a watch, and if you like it make sure you share it with your colleagues and contacts!

Don’t just take our word for it though…there are lots of stats out there about how organisations need to invest more in staff training, the latest Cyber Security Breaches Survey highlights how little training is taking place – if you want to better protect your organisation talk to us today.

Caring Together is a charity helping unpaid carers across Norfolk. Local children as young as 5-years-old are helping look after a family member. The charity is raising funds this Christmas to give these children a break, days out and time to simply have fun! You can make a donation at https://caringtogether.enthuse.com/Christmas-Appeal#!/

Help us support children who look after someone, giving them time off to have fun and simply be a child.

View Sarah’s story below

https://www.caringtogether.org/help-us-help-others/christmas-appeal-2022/

Do you live in or within a few miles of Happisburgh or Reepham? Join the dialogue to shape the Community Benefit Fund – this week!

Reepham, Cawston, Great Witchingham, Oulton & Ingworth

Happisburgh, Witton & Ridlington, East Ruston, Lessingham, Walcott & Honing

Don’t miss this chance to help shape the £15 million Norfolk Zone Community Benefit Fund at an early stage, and discuss the ways in which it might work best for your community.

This week we’ll be focusing on the communities in and around Reepham on Wednesday 11th May and Happisburgh on Thursday 12th May. Attendees are welcome to participate in person or via online meeting links. Full details and registration links can be found below.

If you aren’t based in or near these areas, please don’t worry, you’ll get your chance to contribute to the discussion in the coming months. These are just two of a series of localised meetings and we’ll be arranging more of them in due course. If you’d like to get involved in helping us with that, please feel free to drop us a note. We’d love to hear from you.

If you have any questions about the events please contact us directly using the email address: [email protected]

Welcome to the first episode this new podcast series! This week, James & Mark examine our own perceptions of why things happen in our lives, whether we think we can control them, and how it informs our behaviour. With a focus on the well-known psychological theory ‘Locus of Control’

Content:

Welcome to the first episode this new podcast series, sponsored by Larking Gowen. There will be three different episode styles in this new series, expert guest interviews, special bitesize gems, and these deep dive episodes. James and Mark will be ‘deep diving’ into a specific topic each week. If you were a listener of Impromptu Business Chat, you’ll be familiar with their casual, fun and informative discussions. Now they’ll be focusing on how listeners can further put the advice and themes they explore into action.

This week, they examine our own perceptions of why things happen in our lives, whether we think we can control them, and how it informs our behaviour. With a focus on the well-known psychological theory ‘Locus of Control’ they discuss the importance of learning to focus on what we can influence, and not what we can’t, like the weather! They look at our power of embracing failure, monitoring our own language and how to spot our own personal triggers ahead of time. Are you a victim, or do you take responsibility? Developing our own locus of control can help build stronger relationships, be that with our families, customers or our teams. How you cope in times of stress can have a huge impact on your overall wellbeing, so let’s see how you can find the power to take control and create positive change…

To listen to the podcast, see the show notes and contact us, please click on the Listen here link below.

Listen here!