member

“Our award is for Best Residential & Commercial Window Film Company 2024 East Anglia.

Awarded by SME News

To celebrate our award we would like to offer all current members of Norfolk Chamber of Commerce a 10% discount.

SSAF Window Films Ltd., we offer an extensive selection of window films tailored to enhance the appearance and performance of glass surfaces. Our product range includes:

• Solar Control Films: Reduce heat and glare while maintaining natural light and clear views.

• Privacy Films: Provide privacy without sacrificing daylight or aesthetics, ideal for office partitions and bathroom windows.

• Energy Saving Films: Improve energy efficiency by reducing heating and cooling costs.

• Safety and Security Films: Strengthen glass to protect against breakage and deter potential intruders.

• Decorative Films: Enhance interior design with custom patterns, textures, and colours.

• Bespoke films: Speak to our inhouse design team about having your brand printed onto window film.”

The BUILD Wednesday Club is for adults with disabilities and meets on South Park Avenue in Norwich. Due to expansion of our programmes to meet demand we are looking to boost the team of volunteers who support art and craft activities. You’ll need to be available between 7pm and 9pm on a Wednesday evening (not all, but at least once a fortnight) and be prepared to go through some induction, safeguarding and disability awareness training to keep you safe, and our members safe, but also to help you share your skills and interests. If you are interested find out more through https://www.getinvolvednorfolk.org.uk/o/The-BUILD-Charity/opportunities/Art-programme-support-volunteer-Weds-evenings/63919.

It’s that time of year again to book your stand at the Chamber’s B2B at the Royal Norfolk Showground. An excellent opportunity to engage with other businesses and make new connections.

We all know what a great platform it is to showcase your business to others and potential customers but how do you stand out in a sea of exhibition stands?

What can you offer in addition to sweets and pens, but which does not cost the earth? Something that doesn’t involve lugging boxes of goodies or arranging delivery of items to your stand with all the associated costs.

Why not capture their attention by offering a complimentary massage?

People walk past so quickly. By offering something just a little different to everyone else in the room, the chance to take the weight of your feet for 5-10 minutes, relax, close your eyes and enjoy a back neck and shoulder massage just may make them slow down.

It always sparks curiosity and once one person is in the chair it’s not long before you have a queue of people waiting their turn. What better opportunity to talk to your captive audience about what you do, find out more about them and see if there is a way you can work together.

It’s so easy, we just turn up, place the massage chair in one corner of your stand and within 5 minutes we are ready to go!

We can even wear T-shirts with your company branding.

Have us there all day or just for a few hours in the busy part of the day.  Setting up and taking down the massage chair is easy and with little disruption – it’s done in minutes.

Contact Kathy Scott on 07989 367669 or at [email protected] for more information.

(Oh, by the way, we are not averse to stands offering sweets, cakes, pens etc – just saying!)

Howes Percival has recruited Partner Piet van Gelder as the firm’s first ever Head of Construction, to meet the growing demand for construction law services.

Piet’s appointment follows a period of sustained growth for Howes Percival’s wider real estate and development team, which is nationally recognised and has advised on some of the largest development projects both regionally and beyond.

Piet is a specialist construction and engineering lawyer who advises clients in the construction, engineering and renewable energy sectors and in respect of compliance with the new regime under the Building Safety Act. Piet has experience over the whole lifecycle of projects from compliance with building regulations, procurement and resolving commercial issues and project accounts.

Piet has been involved with many engineering projects outside the renewables sector including nuclear waste plants, process engineering plants, sequence batch reactors and waste to energy plants.

He has been involved in substantial disputes in the Technology & Construction Court and in international & domestic arbitration, as well as an experienced practitioner in adjudication and a keen proponent of mediation.

Lucy Lord, Partner and Head of Property at Howes Percival, commented, “We are delighted to welcome Piet to Howes Percival to head up and grow our construction offering.  Piet has a wealth of experience and a strong client following.  He is a great recruit for us and brings the calibre and credibility we need to align with the strength of our development team and take our proposition to the next level. The local and national market in development terms remains very strong and we are seeing our development instructions increase quarter on quarter.  As a result, we need to expand our construction offering which is a critical specialism for our development clients.”

For more information visit: https://www.howespercival.com/sectors/development-and-construction/ 

Chantry Place Norwich, home to brands including Flannels, Frasers, Urban Outfitters and Zara, is welcoming some new pop-ups to the Centre.

Thistle Gem has returned until 31st January 2025 selling a variety of baseball caps, flat caps, pompom beanies, scarves and gloves. Each item boasts a unique design and style, making them ideal gifts.

The Calendar Club is back selling a large range of calendars, diaries, planners and books. From football themed calendars to music stars and TV themes, there is something to suit every taste and interest. Find them on the lower ground floor from 23rd September 2024 until 5th January 2025.

Lovey Dovey is at Chantry Place from 30th September until 19th January 2025 on the lower ground floor, selling its popular range of charms, bracelets, anklets and necklaces.

Sense Aroma will be on the lower ground floor from 7th October until 12th January 2024 selling a luxury range of diffusers and fragrance oils, including ultrasonic aroma diffusers and beautiful Himalayan salt lamps.

Pollyfields will be outside on Chantry Square from 11th November until 24th December in a seasonal wooden hut, selling naturally-inspired luxury, handcrafted garlands, wreaths and decorations – perfect for Christmas decorations and presents.

Paul McCarthy, general manager at Chantry Place, said: “This year has been a fantastic year at Chantry Place – we’ve had some amazing retailers and restaurants join us this year, including Flannels and Rosa’s Thai, and now we have even more to offer visitors when they visit with our seasonal pop-ups. From jewellery to Christmas gifts and decorations, our seasonal pop-ups offer even more choice and variety when shopping. We know how popular Lovey Dovey has been when it has been a pop-up inside our Urban Outfitters store, so it is fantastic that they are joining us this year.”

All pop-ups will be open during the main Chantry Place opening hours.

For more information on Chantry Place, visit www.chantryplace.co.uk/news

Norfolk-based RQ Capital is celebrating its tenth year of lending – in the last ten years, the firm has completed over 200 loans with a total value of £151m. This has funded the development of 750 homes and assisted in planning permission for a further 1,000 homes.

RQ Capital lends money to developers across England and Wales from its headquarters in East Anglia, helping smaller property developers to secure the funding they need to build and complete projects.

Founded by Robert Gurney in 2012, the firm has created an excellent niche of providing bespoke property finance for smaller property developers. Robert commented: “RQ Capital is a property lending business that has the feel of the old traditional bank – in the sense that we aim to provide a personal and efficient service.

“With the uncertain economic times we are all facing, our clients are grateful to have that personal touch and be able to discuss their options with a friendly, expert team they can trust.”

George Craig, Director at RQ Capital, said: “As a small team we are immensely proud of the milestones we have achieved together over the past decade, and we are very positive about the future of the business.

“We work incredibly hard to provide exceptional customer service and this has helped us to grow and keep growing. To achieve further success, we plan to raise awareness of our services by increasing our digital presence and marketing activity.

“We are proud to be headquartered in Norfolk and to offer our services as a national provider. Locally we have access to a great network of property developers. We are also members of the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce, partners of the NFCI and Constructing Excellence in Norfolk.”

To celebrate the company’s ten-year anniversary, the business has launched a new website. Find out more here: https://www.rqcapital.co.uk/

Image provided by RQ Capital – The RQ Capital team pictured (left to right) Stephen Kenworthy Head of Finance, Paula Milligan Office Manager, Robert Gurney Managing Director, and George Craig Director.

We’re thrilled to
announce a significant step in the growth of Leading Business Services as we further
expand our presence into the Midlands, with the addition of three highly
experienced professionals to our team, based in Nottingham.

Having joined us in
April 2025, Michael Roome brings nearly 30 years of experience in the Business
Recovery and Insolvency industry. A qualified Insolvency Practitioner, Michael
has a wealth of knowledge in supporting both individuals and businesses through
financial difficulty. He also works closely with lenders to develop strategies
that mitigate risk and maximise recoveries.

Also joining Michael
are Ross Welham and Kimberley Wapplington — both bringing vast experience and
proven capability in the insolvency and restructuring space. Their combined
expertise further strengthens our growing team and enhances our capacity to
support more clients through challenging times.

This expansion is an exciting milestone for
Leading and reflects our continued growth, both in reach and reputation. We’re
delighted to welcome Michael, Ross and Kimberley on board.

Your Partner in
Planning for a Stronger Tomorrow

At Leading Business
Services, we believe that no business should wait until a crisis hits.

Whether you’re
experiencing financial strain or simply want a health check to strengthen your
foundations, our business advisory team is here to help.

You can contact our friendly and experienced
team on 01603 552028 or email us at [email protected].

In this week’s Business Insights Chat, Ian Fitch speaks to Mark Ferguson, managing director of Castle Colour Packaging, a specialist packaging manufacturer in Norwich. They produce packaging for well-known brands including Pritt Stick and Eat Natural, among many others. The business has a focus on being the best it can be, while leading in sustainability and recyclable products.

Mark’s insights into lockdown offer a unique perspective in this series, as they were identified as an essential business at the start of the first lockdown. They were able to continue trading, albeit with new safety measures in place for staff, while also having to adapt to new and changing demands for their products. He describes how it was all about feeling safe at work and staying efficient.

Mark reflects on their government COVID spot check, and how the resilience and commitment of his team played a huge part in their successes during the last year. He also explains the measures that the company put in place to aid the wellbeing of the team.

He discusses the opportunities they identified for Research and Development through their work on sustainability; what his personal weaknesses are, and how he strives to make everyone around him better than him; the benefits of having a non-executive director on your board; how promoting from within is good for business; how running a business is like playing a game of rugby; and how experience outside family businesses is key, citing his time as a young man spent working for McDonald’s as a fantastic opportunity to learn about processes and discipline.

Mark’s personal journey, as a man at the top of a key part of the ‘pandemic economy,’ and the success he has had building Castle Colour, make for a fascinating listen.

You can listen to Business Insights Chat on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever else you get your podcasts. This is the last in this series of Business Insights Chat, so make sure you subscribe to our channel so you don’t miss out on the release of series 2 later on this year. 

Listen here!

Join us for an evening of luxury and elegance!

We are delighted to invite you to the exclusive Saxon Air X Jo Malone London event—a night where aviation meets elegance. This one-of-a-kind experience will captivate your senses and provide a sophisticated setting to connect, unwind, and be entertained.

What’s in store:

Prepare to be mesmerised by a blend of sophisticated entertainment:

• Full casino: Try your luck and enjoy the thrill of classic casino games.
• Private jet tour: Explore luxury aviation firsthand and unlock exclusive charter discounts.
• Live string quartet and singer: Enjoy enchanting music to set the perfect ambiance.
• Burlesque performances: Experience the allure and glamour of live burlesque.
• DJ and dance floor: Keep the night alive with music from our vibrant DJ.
• Charity auction: Participate in our auction with all proceeds going to support The Feed, making your night even more meaningful.

To watch the event trailer: There Is Something In The Air | Saxon Air Event Trailer – YouTube

Exclusive corporate package for Norfolk businesses:

 As a valued Norfolk business, we are pleased to offer a special corporate package—10 tickets at a 20% discount. This is a fantastic opportunity to reward your team, entertain clients, or simply enjoy an elegant evening with colleagues. Immerse your team in an unforgettable experience of sophistication, entertainment, and networking.

Why attend?

• Reward your team: A unique way to celebrate and recognise your team’s hard work.
• Network in style: Connect with other Norfolk businesses in a luxurious setting.
• Support a great cause: Your participation helps us raise funds for The Feed, supporting those in need in our community.

Secure your corporate package today!

Don’t miss this exclusive opportunity to indulge in a night of luxury and elegance.

To take advantage of this exclusive offer, simply order a corporate package following this link Saxon Air Event scented by Jo Malone London Tickets, Sat, Sep 28, 2024 at 7:00 PM | Eventbrite

If you prefer, you also have the option to purchase individual tickets—simply select this option in your basket. 

You can also elevate your experience with a Wolterton weekend stay—email us at [email protected] for details.

Due to the limited availability of tickets, we encourage you to secure your spot promptly. 

We look forward to welcoming you and your team to an evening that promises to be nothing short of extraordinary.

Out of over 350 nominees, we’ve made it through to the finals! That means the judges have recognised how we embrace the Quirky Weddings values of Uniqueness, Inclusivity, Accessibility, Sustainability and excellent Customer Service! Every couple who books us can trust we will put our hearts and souls into making sure their catering is perfect for them, no one gets left out and everyone is fed well!

This recognition is a testament to our dedication to making every event memorable and one of a kind with our unique hog roasts. A huge thank you to all our clients for your support and trust. We can’t wait to continue bringing delicious, distinctive flavors to your celebrations!

Alpha 7 Motorsport proudly supplied Caterham race cars for the first-ever “Sim-to-Track” event at Brands Hatch, in partnership with SIM Motorsport. This saw five novice drivers transition from simulator training to experiencing real circuit driving on the track. Despite challenging weather conditions, ranging from heavy rain to a drying circuit, the participants showcased remarkable skill and enthusiasm.

Throughout the day, drivers received expert coaching, familiarizing themselves with the cars and mastering racing lines. The event generated a buzz of excitement, with feedback like, “This is the best thing I’ve EVER done!” and “I’ve caught the racing bug and will be booking my ARDS!”

For those inspired by our drivers’ achievements, Alpha 7 offers personalised driver development programmes to help you take the next step in your motorsport journey. Contact us to learn how we can help you hit the track and achieve your racing goals.

SIM Motorsport is the UK’s leading race car simulation centre, offering high-spec racing experiences. Equipped with the FIA-licensed D Box Haptic suspension system, their simulators are designed to replicate the feel of real race cars.

For more information, visit their website: www.simmotorsport.co.uk