Member Blog

Figures by Betway have shown that pizza was the most-searched food in 55 of the 81 countries for which data was available. It has proven particularly popular in eastern Europe, with Belarus carrying out the most searches for ‘pizza delivery’ per capita according to Google Trends.Russia and Ukraine, meanwhile, were fourth and fifth respectively. Interestingly, vegan food was the most-searched term in Russia – the only time it appeared in the top two searches for any country in the world. That could have something to do with the fact that it’s common practice for followers of the Russian Orthodox church – who make up 71 per cent of the Russian population according to a 2017 survey – to eat a plant-based diet during Lent, which ran from 26 February – 9 April this year. Chinese was the next-most popular takeaway after pizza, topping the charts in 11 countries, including the USA, Canada, United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland and, unsurprisingly, China. In fact, when looking at the cities that searched for the term the most, all of the top eight were in English-speaking countries.

Per capita, it was the that UK searched for ‘Chinese cuisine’ more than any other country. Sushi was the third-most popular of the three leading takeaways worldwide. The dish is synonymous with Japan, so it seems strange that, per capita, it was only third on the list of countries that searched for it the most. Instead, it was Denmark that scoffed the most sushi per person. Considering that raw, pickled and smoked fish have been staples of the Danish diet since the Viking era, perhaps its popularity is understandable. With nearby Norway being the largest salmon-producing nation in the world, there is also plenty to go around.

Which takeout brands are people searching for most?

Given its ubiquity across the world, it’s unsurprising that McDonald’s dominated searches for branded fast food companies. The burger-flipping giant is the world’s largest restaurant chain in terms of revenue and, as of 2018, had 37,855 outlets in 100 different countries. Forty-one of 81 countries for which data was available searched for McDonald’s more than any other restaurant or branded food takeout. The highest concentration of those searches came from Europe, with 26 of the 30 European nations hankering for a Big Mac. KFC was the second-most popular fast food joint, topping the charts in 23 countries, including the United Kingdom, Australia and South Africa.

But the country that most craved the Colonel’s secret blend of herbs and spices was Malaysia, amassing an average of 301,000 searches per month – more than any other country. It is estimated that KFC serves 25m customers every month in Malaysia – only 6.5m fewer than its entire population. The menu offers various localised items like rice congee – a type of porridge – and teh tarik – a milky tea that is popular in southeast Asia. The most popular company in one specific place was Pizza Hut in the USA, which averaged 1.83m searches per month between March and May.

Which countries around the world are ordering the most takeout food?

According to data from Google Keyword Planner, there were 26.6m searches for ‘delivery’, ‘food delivery’, ‘takeaway’ and ‘takeout’ between March and May, with the USA accounting for 10.5m (39%) of them alone. But per capita, the USA only ranked second among the countries with the highest volume of searches, with one for every 31 members of the population during the three-month period. Topping the charts was Belgium, with one search for every 10 people. Next on the list were Australia and the United Kingdom, with one in 40 and one in 44 respectively. Despite recording the fifth-most searches for takeout food among the top 10 countries, India had the fewest per capita with one for every 1,457 people.

The benefits of eating organic are numerous and well-evidenced. As no toxic chemicals are used, organic food is healthier for our bodies. Farmers aren’t exposed to harmful substances and don’t have to go into debt to finance petrochemicals and industrial machinery.

Also, it’s good for the soil, insects and for animals. Organic food is food as nature intended.

We at Goodery believe organic agriculture is the only viable way to sustain human life on earth long term. That’s why we want to make it easier for people across Norfolk to get their weekly organic shop. We’re working hard to lower our prices and improve our products every single day.

Good for you

Researchers at Newcastle University found that organic crops are up to 60% higher in a number of key antioxidants.

That’s roughly equivalent to eating an extra 1-2 portions of fruit and vegetables a day. Antioxidants are believed to play a role in preventing the development of such chronic diseases ascancer,heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s and more.

A Cambridge University study also found significant differences in the composition of organic and non-organic foods. Compounds found in increased amounts in the organic produce have been linked to a reduced risk of chronic diseases, including certain cancers.

Eating organic reduces your exposure to pesticides, as well. The frequency of pesticide residue was found to be four times higher in non-organic crops, which also contained higher concentrations of a toxic metal called cadmium.

Organic vs. Traditional: Round I

So compared to organic, traditional agriculture produces food with less nutrients, more pesticides and toxic metals?

Yeah.

No thanks. I’m not putting that stuff in my body either.

Can organic feed the world?

An argument that often arises with organic food is that yields are unable to meet the demand of a growing planet.

Introduction of genetically modified crops came from the strain of a rapidly rising population. By chemically altering the crops, farmers could theoretically produce higher yields, more quickly. In turn, putting more food on our shelves, more quickly.

However, this type of farming is fundamentally unsustainable. Not only is it detrimental to human health, but it also destroys topsoil-the key resource that plants needs to grow.

Alongside the irrevocable damage it is doing to our soil, this type of agriculture contributes 11-13% of greenhouse gas emissions which leads to a cascading series of effects: rising temperatures, rising seas, forest fires, novel viruses, droughts, famines, and wars.

This ‘traditional’ paradigm of growing food using petrochemicals is threatening human life on earth. Yet governments plow massive subsidies to make petrochemical agriculture more affordable. How is this possible? Ask your elected officials. Ask your local supermarket. Seems like something needs to change…

It is absolutely essential we pivot to using organic methods of farming if we’re to preserve the long-term viability of human life on Earth.

For organic farms to succeed they need to cultivate diverse ecosystems that work together in harmony: plants, animals and insects somehow getting along with the end result of delicious, nutritious food.

Organic crops have been proven to have yields of 40% more than their genetically-modified counterparts in times of drought. As our climate becomes increasingly unpredictable, organic agriculture is clearly the only viable way essential to maintain a stable food supply of food. 

What makes food organic?

In Europe, all food that’s sold as organic has to meet strict standards. Farmers are subject to rigorous inspection every year in order to certify their produce so it can be sold with the ‘organic’ label. Everything we sell at Goodery is certified organic. That means no nasty chemicals. That’s good for you, good for farmers, and good for the planet.

Sourcing organic not only reaps delicious produce but comes with side benefits:

• responsible use of energy and natural resources
• maintenance of biodiversity
• preservation of regional ecological balances
• enhancement of soil fertility
• maintenance of water quality

Good for the planet

Enhancing soil fertility specifically is of huge importance. The current declining health of our soil, the body of our Earth, is a major issue we face. It’s estimated that we have just 60 years’ of topsoil left, and one of the biggest contributors to this is chemical-heavy farming techniques.

Read that again. We’ve got 60 years of topsoil left. Without topsoil we can’t grow food. Remember the Dust Bowl of The Great Depression? That’s what happens when there’s no topsoil…

Using organic farming methods protects and nurtures the soil. In the process of creating healthy soil, high levels of carbon is taken out of the atmosphere and stored in the earth.

Research has shown that if organic farming was common practice in the UK, we could offset at least 23% of agriculture’s current greenhouse emissions.

Organic vs. Traditional: Round I

Q: So you’re telling me that organic protects soil, sinks carbon into the earth and protects the crucial ecosystems that we all depend on?

A: Yup.

Q: And traditional agriculture destroys soil, emits up to 13% of greenhouse gases worldwide and destroys ecosystems?

A: Yes again…

Q: So why doesn’t everyone buy organic food?

A: Cost and convenience.

Join us in our mission

We’re on a mission to design a new way of living that cares for people and the planet. We see a path to this future made by creating a new generation of groceries that are 100% organic, zero waste and zero emissions.

We want to make it easier for people across Norfolk to buy organic food. If it’s more affordable and easier to do than going to the supermarket, surely more people will do it, right?

Two simple actions you can do right now:

1. Subscribe to our newsletter to get updates on our journey below.
2. Check out our local shop featuring fruit, veg, bread, coffee and more: Shop Norfolk & Norwich

When you open a business store, security should be one of the most prioritized things on the plan. From the get-go, every aspect of your business from the doors and windows must be aimed at maximum security. When you build weak doors and windows, burglars may break through quickly and get to your assets. The floor plan must also be strategic on the blind spots that will help you know where to install cameras or sensors. That being one of the strategies, let us take a look at four more.

Consult with a security company

The same way you cannot build without a permit is the same way you cannot install specific security features on your premises, and that is where security companies come in. Some of these protection devices individuals are not allowed to own, but prominent security firms have licenses to own, install, and manage. For sure, they will be on your property, but you do not own them.

Have a separate security plan

Similar to a floor plan for where the windows are, the stands and other whatnots, have a similar floor plan but for all the security installments you wish to have. Have the cameras well labeled, the sensors, security doors, and everything else. These plans should, however, remain confidential to only a few involved. Never make them public.

Get professionals to handle all your security matters

Most security devices need around the clock running network that is separate from all the other systems you use to run your business. With that said, get professionals who are specialized in offering security to provide you these connectivity services. You do not want to be in a situation where the power went out, and all hardware security installments in your premises are rendered useless as they cannot function.

On the cyber front of things for sensitive business data, set up a VPN to encrypt your top-secret data. VPN ensures that all sensitive information such as business records and personal client information is safely transmitted. For this, also buy a VPN to set yours up.

Work With Security Solutions from the inside out

One big mistake many business owners make is only to protect their business from the outside world, forgetting that sometimes threats are also on the inside. Your members of staff may be the people to bring you down. So much so, make sure that the internal systems are segregated such that people have access to only what concerns them.

Use separate office compartments for the managers, and have passwords on shared resources such as office computers. With these tools in place, people stick to only where they are needed. Biometrics technology is yet another smart solution to internal security.

Conclusion

Any business owner knows the hurdles they had to jump to get to where they are. And if you ask around the most successful businesses, one will never miss mentioning security. The above four strategies will, for sure, steer you towards better business security- a secure business that you will run without the constant fear of being invaded.

Investing in and running a franchise business is a great way to make money for anybody who is interested in having their own business and a career as an entrepreneur. Unlike starting your own business from scratch, buying a franchise has many benefits to enjoy, including the fact that you will be working with a business that is already established, has a customer base who are familiar with the brand and products, and clear guidelines to follow that have been proven to work time and time again. If you want to make a living from running your own business, but don’t want all of the risks involved, a franchise could present you with the best alternative. But how do you choose the right option for you? There are thousands of different franchise opportunities available and something for everyone, so do your research, look into business ideas that you may not have heard of already, and find the best option for your career and lifestyle.

Think About What You Love:

First of all, consider the things that you already like and enjoy doing. There’s no point in investing money into a franchise business simply because it is a well-established brand that does well if you have no real interest in what they do. Since franchising means that you need to follow brand guidelines to a tee and be heavily invested in the brand that you are franchising with, it’s important to find an option that you are seriously passionate about and will really enjoy running a business with. Otherwise, you are simply not going to have the dedication and drive required to run a successful franchise business.

Consider the Cost:

Another major factor to consider when starting a franchise is how much is it all going to cost you. There are various costs involved depending on the franchise that you are starting, and you might want to either self-fund this or fund it with the help of a business loan. Generally speaking, the more well-known, successful, and well-established a business is, the more you are likely going to have to pay to get your franchise started. Along with the initial franchise fee that you will be required to pay to get your business set up, consider the ongoing fees and costs involved with running a franchise. Most franchisors will expect you to pay ongoing fees for things such as marketing costs, ordering products, staff uniforms, training, and more.

How You Want to Work:

Consider how you would like to spend your working days when choosing which franchise to go with. If you prefer to be on your feet, in a busy environment and interacting with the public, you might want to go for a restaurant or other hospitality-based franchise. On the other hand, if you prefer a quieter life and don’t want a job where you will need to interact with crowds of people every day, an office-based franchise might be a better choice. There are also several franchise options available that allow you to work from home or another location of your choosing, which can also be cheaper to set up initially since you will not need to cover the cost of opening a physical location. Take a look at this site to browse franchises for sale and find franchise UK opportunities to suit you. Franchise Local lists a wide range of different franchise business opportunities that you can browse by type of business, budget, and more.

Demand:

Once you have shortlisted some franchises that you might be interested in working with, consider the demand for them in your area. Think about how popular that particular franchise is in your area and if there are already several locations, will another one do well? Typically, big brands like McDonald’s and Starbucks can do well even if there are several of them in the same location, while smaller brands might not fare as well. Speak to the franchisors as there are often location restrictions for starting some franchises, depending on which areas have the most demand for the brand, product or service.

Competition:

Another factor to consider when deciding which franchise to open and where to open it is the competition in the area. Scope out the area where you want to open your franchise location and consider which businesses you are likely to be up against the most. Are you going to have what it takes to deal with this competition? What kind of support can you expect to get from the franchisor when it comes to dealing with local competitors and ensuring that your franchise remains competitive and a top choice in the market?

Support:

It’s also worth considering the amount and type of support that you can expect to receive from any given franchisor. Some franchisors are quite happy to provide you with basic details, leave you to it, and be on hand if you need any extra assistance, while others will provide you with more extensive guidance and expect to play a more active role when it comes to the running of your business. Which you prefer will be completely up to you; you might feel more comfortable being given more control while others might prefer to have the franchisor around more often, particularly in the early stages.

Are You a Right Fit?

You should also consider yourself and your personality to determine whether or not you will be a good fit for running a franchise. The difference between running a franchise and starting your own business is that there will be a lot of elements that you will have no control over. For example, if you start your own brand, you have complete freedom over elements like brand colours and logo, but when you run a franchise, you won’t have this kind of choice. You should carefully consider whether or not you are prepared to simply go along with what the franchisor wants and be happy not to put your own stamp on things. If you prefer to have full control over your business, starting your own might be more ideal.

Employment:

Finally, consider buying a franchise from a business that you are already familiar with because you have worked there before is a wise idea. In fact, many franchise businesses will only offer an individual a franchise if they have worked there for a certain amount of time in order to ensure that they are only offering franchises to people who are familiar with and already dedicated to the business. You might find it useful to work for a business for a certain amount of time, in order to ensure that you get to know the company culture, how things work, and whether or not you are a good fit for that particular brand. If you are not in a position to find employment with a franchisor, you should also consider speaking to and spending some time with other franchisees to find out how things are run from their perspective and ask questions that you might not want to ask the franchisor themselves.

Buying a franchise is an ideal opportunity for anybody who wants to start a business with a well-established brand, plenty of support, and a ready customer base.

One of the most noticeable and widely-reported issues caused by the Coronavirus pandemic is the move towards home working.

Companies around the world were ordered to allow staff to work from home if possible earlier this year to slow the spread of this dangerous virus. 

As the future remains uncertain and a second wave of the virus is a constant threat, it’s unlikely that many businesses will return to their offices in the foreseeable future.

With such uncertainty abounding, the commercial real estate market has had to adapt quickly, as this article highlights.

Empty Buildings Mean Less Work For Many Contractors

As many commercial properties stand partially, and in many cases completely empty, contractors across many industries have faced declining workloads. This has put a financial strain on many contracting companies and could make it difficult for some offices to reopen successfully in the future.

For building services contractors, such as mechanical contractors, the pandemic has made delivery of projects more difficult. Working from home is impossible for many on-site workers, and remote management of complex projects is no easy task. This increases the importance of efficient planning and embracing technology. A mechanical contracting company that is struggling to keep up with demand and deal with remote organisation may consider using Ensign’s mechanical estimating software to make quoting and planning for new jobs simple and straightforward. This innovative solution will save you time, which you can spend supporting new clients.

Workforce Management Has Been Thrown Into Confusion

Commercial real estate companies and contractors that still have to work, such as essential maintenance workers or property managers whose buildings are being used by companies that are still open, face many challenges. The biggest issue is finding the staff that you need to run your business and provide the services that your clients expect.

Some staff might be unwilling to come to work out of fear of catching the virus, while others might be unable to get to work due to the reduced public transport options. Even as bus and train services inch closer to normal, they still might face barriers to returning to work. Finding temporary team members is easier, as there is a lot of staff who have been made redundant and turned to agencies to supplement or replace their full-time income. However, finding skilled staff at short notice could be a serious challenge. Communicate with your existing team members and provide them with all the support that they need to feel safe at work, to reduce your reliance on expensive and time-consuming temporary staff.

Economic Issues Mean Cash-Flow Problems For Many Organisations

Rent freezers, mortgage holidays, redundancies, and bankruptcies are all causing serious issues for the commercial real estate market. Many property managers face a long wait for rent, and uncertainty about whether it will ever materialise.

Companies that are struggling to deal with their cash flow should reach out to their local council, to see if they have any schemes that could help you to get back on track. For example, if you manage a property and are struggling with your short-term cash flow, then you could request a council tax holiday. Alternatively, you could apply to your bank for a government-backed interest-free loan.

As Workplaces Reopen, Social Distancing And Cleanliness Will Be Key

Workplaces across the UK are slowly reopening, but as the virus remains at large, office managers will need to implement social distancing and cleanliness policies to ensure the safety of their staff. As such, commercial cleaning companies will see an influx in work over the coming weeks, as will companies that are able to provide social distancing and cleaning products, such as hand sanitiser dispensers.

For these companies, marketing themselves as reliable is paramount, as the way that they deal with this influx of work will dictate their future success or failure. Make sure that your company is organised and works hard to fulfil orders to the highest possible standard so that it earns more repeat business in the future.

The Future Remains Uncertain For The Entire Commercial Property Market

Overall, the future remains uncertain for everyone, but particularly the commercial real estate industry. Despite many calls for offices to reopen from businesses and the government, many employees are unwilling to return to their workplace, and would instead prefer to be offered a flexible, remote working option.

As such, the pandemic could herald a shift in the way that UK businesses operate. If this happens, then the commercial real estate market will have to adapt to survive. One trend that could become popular after the pandemic is hotdesking and co-working, as this allows for greater flexibility while still offering companies the chance to have a physical address.

With so much still uncertain, one thing is for sure; the commercial real estate market will never be the same again.

A new concept to emerge from the Covid-19 lockdown has been ‘shielding’ – those who have been at very high risk of severe illness from coronavirus who have had to minimise all interaction with others and stay at home as much as possible.

This has led to unforeseen daily difficulties for individuals who have previously been able to lead completely normal lives. For example, what happens if you cannot leave your home, but you need to visit your bank to complete an urgent transaction?

Is there anything practical individuals can do to protect themselves?

In these instances, Lasting Powers of Attorney (‘LPAs’) provide a useful tool to help facilitate an individual’s needs should anything arise in future leading to similar lockdown requirements.

What is a Lasting Power of Attorney?

An LPA is a legal document which allows an individual to appoint one or more ‘Attorneys’ to help them make decisions or act on their behalf. You must be over 18 and have full mental capacity to make a legally valid LPA. Your Attorney(s) should be someone you trust to make decisions in your best interests – this could be a friend or relative or a professional person if you have no one close to you who you would like to assist you. A ‘property and finance’ LPA will allow the Attorney(s) to sign documents on your behalf, discuss your accounts and investments and to transfer funds. If you do not want your Attorney(s) to have too much control, you can tailor the document to restrict what your Attorney(s) are allowed to be involved with.

Practical protection

Often, relatives and friends of elderly people take the step to draw up an LPA when their loved one becomes physically or mentally incapacitated. As we have seen during lockdown, an LPA can actually provide practical protection to a much wider group of people who are still very much in control of their own physical and mental capacity at the present time.

As long as your LPA does not contain a restriction that it will only come into effect if you loose mental incapacity, your Attorney(s) can use the document to act at your direction to do the things that you are unable to do – so with your consent your Attorneys would be able to move money around, do your shopping, pay bills for you, and manage your finances both due to shielding, or in hospital for any length of time or simply if you are due to go away on holiday.

It can be very sensible to get an LPA in place as a matter of course – perhaps if you are considering getting your will updated, you should arrange an LPA with your spouse, partner or trusted friend at the same time. You should also consider making a ‘Health and Welfare’ LPA which would allow your attorneys to make decisions about your day to day living, choice of medical treatment and where you should live – but only if you are unable to make these decisions yourself.

How we can help

If you would like to make an LPA now, we can assist in helping you do so while still observing the up to date government guidance regarding shielding, self-isolation and social distancing. Your LPA will need to be signed and witnessed in person, and we can advise on making this happen and are happy to come to you. We can also act as Attorney for a client who might not have anyone suitable to take on the role.

Once signed, we need to send the LPA forms off to be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian which can take around eight weeks including a four week waiting period required by law. Due to the impact of Covid-19, we have been noticing longer delays on registration, so it is worth acting soon. If you need to appoint someone to act immediately, we can also prepare a ‘general power of attorney’ which will cover the interim period until the LPA is registered.

Our fixed fee Lasting Power of Attorney starts at £450 plus VAT for the preparation and registration of a Single Lasting Power of Attorney (Property or Welfare).

Contact Head of Private Client Caroline Billings at [email protected] or call 01603 660 811.

Read more: Lasting Power of Attorney

I am delighted to be able to announce that yesterday we became a limited company Norwich Nights Magazine is officially Norwich Nights Ltd

Like many businesses this time has been difficult for us, so I have been brainstorming like mad, and taking web training during my current time off. I am the Company Director of Norwich Nights Ltd. All the email and website addresses remain the same. We have axed the design service on office stationery for now, the prices for advertising remain fixed for till the end of the year. It is hoped that we can do a re-brand in January with a new logo and website.

We are excited about moving forward as a limited company, we would like to eventually add the option for supporters to become shareholders. But for now, our same great service and value remains key as does our intention to work on expanding our free circulation within Norwich, and eventually Norfolk. Enabling the great content, the magazine loves to deliver to reach more people locally.

Melissa Compton.

There are some industries that were born for the internet, such as the many business niches associated with social media. But then there are others that many of us thought would be swallowed whole by the digital age. Thankfully that’s not the case. These five traditionally bricks and mortar industries have not only adapted well to the online space, but have also flourished.

Bookselling

People will say that Amazon has a lot to answer for, but the world of bookselling was always going to go online with or without the incredible talents of Jeff Bezos. And online book sales have certainly flourished, and then some. While on-street bookstores are reporting a drop of in-store visits, online sales are going through the roof.

Despite the emergence of ebooks and the popularity of Kindle e-readers, people still want the feel of a genuine book in their hands. And while Amazon and other major online retailers can offer good deals, with strict pricing guidelines from publishers, local bookstores can still remain quite competitive with their online sales.

Gaming

By gaming we’re talking about the old favorites such as bingo and slot machines. These are the games that people have played here in the UK for generations. The very idea that the old bingo hall from the village would go online was laughable at first, but with practically the entire nation now having internet access, it’s not quite a stretch as we once thought.

Now, you might think that the online space is just for video slots and bingo, but there’s much more to the industry than that. In fact, there’s a myriad of casino games available online that include pretty much everything you encounter in a real-world casino. We’re talking poker, blackjack, and roulette. Anything that you can play in a live casino, you can now play online.

And people are playing online. The UK’s online gaming industry is reported to worth around £5.3 billion per year. That’s an incredible third of the entire gaming market value tied into online gaming. “Impressive” isn’t even the word.

Travel

Think about it. When was the last time that you walked into a travel agency and booked a holiday package deal? Okay, perhaps it wasn’t all that long ago, especially since we have an award-winning agency on our doorstep. However, the fact still remains that the vast majority of holiday-goers now book everything from flights to accommodation online.

The travel industry was one of the first industries to embrace the power of the internet with open arms and, as a result, we’re now spoiled for choice when it comes to booking a trip. This is the industry where comparison sites made their mark helping would-be tourists find the best deals on flights, hotel accommodation, and even tickets for local attractions.

We’d even go so far as to say that the internet and its associated technology has been something of a revelation for the travel industry. Travel agents can now answer queries in a matter of minutes, and customers have endless opportunities and the chance to save big on their travels.

Film

Okay, so it’s not a huge stretch to see the film industry adapting to the digital age, but it’s still quite impressive nonetheless. Who would have thought that one day we would have a company solely devoted to the online space that not only produces multimillion-dollar epics but also streams them directly into our homes.

It sounds like the imaginings of an 80s sci-fi author, but you know as well as we do that this is our new reality. The film industry will always want to support the cinemas, but the industry is moving more towards a streaming approach. This is particularly true now that Disney have jumped on board the streaming wagon alongside Netflix.

Groceries

Retail has always been big on the internet. We buy clothes, shoes, DIY products, and even medicine from online stores. However, the fresh food and groceries market is a relatively new, albeit late addition to the online space. For many years, supermarkets resisted the temptation to adopt an online model, particularly for its fresh produce, preferring to have customers in stores instead. But that has all changed.

Online grocery sales in the UK hit £13.6 billion for 2019 and that figure is expected to rise to over £19.8 billion by 2023. Better logistical management through new technology has allowed major supermarkets to deliver fresh produce on time and in great condition, and the British public have been quick to take advantage. We don’t expect to see any supermarkets close down, but they will become much quieter in years to come.

These are just some of the industries that have weathered the storm and flourished, despite their perceived unsuitability to all things digital. And that means that if they can do it, then so too can your business, no matter how big or small.

At Break we have been working hard during the crisis to safeguard our charity and continue to support all those we work with. Our young people in our services continue to do really well and I have to say that some have actually thrived in this period – the lack of to and from school transitions (especially for the young people in our disability services) has meant that each day they can focus on life learning and some of the stress is lessened. We have been able to continue to provide love and stability in some of the most uncertain times.

We are slowly getting back on our feet and have just had the most amazing first three weeks of trading in our shops. Although very down on our pre-Covid performance – we are so overwhelmed with our loyal supporters coming back to our shops with their lockdown clear outs and a willingness to shop with us once again. We open our third and final wave of shops on the 20th July. Our shops are essential in Break being able to offer the wide range of added value services; the exciting activities for young people with disabilities that ensure they have the same opportunities as everyone else; the therapy sessions that help heal the trauma experienced form early childhood abuse; and the lifelong support that is offered to all Break young people – because we all need a familiar someone to call on sometimes.

One young person, Curtis, has been able to get involved in his local community, volunteering to shop and dog walk and support vulnerable locals who cannot do what they would do in normal times. He is on furlough from his hospitality job and wants to do things to keep himself busy and to give back. He is resilient and has had his confidence built up over many years of being supported by Break. At 21, he is soon to move on from our project, but we will stay in touch with him (like any family would) until he no longer needs us.

We are planning a range of fundraising activities to support our recovery, and to continue to support young people like Curtis.

I have been challenged by my Leadership Team to lead from the front and do something out of my comfort zone. That something is to dye my hair flamingo pink for one month! This is happening on the 12th July and I am happy to share before and after photos.

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/rachel-cowdry-pink

Could you challenge yourself to “Break” free from your comfort zone? If you want to find out more, get in touch with us at [email protected].

I don’t know about you but I have been guilty of signing in to Zoom calls and secretly checking emails on my phone, keeping the screen on but really typing up a list of things I need to do. Are you struggling to keep your colleagues and clients engaged? Do you know if they are really watching whilst signed in?

Meeting rooms, lunches and afternoon teas are a great way to fully engage with your clients with the confidence that they are actually in the room with you.

Travelling from out of the area? No problem, overnight accommodation is available and if you are booking a meeting room or travelling on a regular basis we can arrange a corporate discount on the room rate.

Give me a call or email today to arrange a showaround or to discuss your requirements – Tel: 07449 805801 or Email   

Credit is something a lot of us still don’t understand, even though it can have a big impact on our lives in general. As a matter of fact, it was estimated that two-thirds of all Brits had absolutely no idea what their credit score was. This is pretty alarming, especially when considering the importance of credit, not only when it comes to financing, but day to day financial transactions and contracts as well. Let’s take a look at what bad credit means exactly, how it affects you, and a few tips to help you correct the situation.

What is Bad Credit?

Some people will assume that they have “bad credit” even though they have no idea what that actually means. The first thing you have to know is that there’s not a single universal “bad credit” score. All credit reference agencies have different criteria to judge credit, and a particular score could be considered bad with one credit agency and not so bad with another.

The three major credit agencies are TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian. TransUnion ranks credit scores from 0 to 710, Equifax from 0 to 700, and Experian from 0 to 999. The lower the credit score, the worse the credit.

For Experian, anything under 720 is considered poor. A score under 560 will be considered very poor. With TransUnion, it’s 565 and 500, respectively. Equifax will consider scores under 379 to be poor and 279 to be very poor. Also note that scores will be different across agencies, not only because of the criteria they use but because certain providers won’t report to all of them. However, as a whole, these should be fairly consistent.

Another thing you have to understand is that credit reference agencies are not the sole determiner of how good your credit is. You can also have an informal credit score with any institution you’re working with. If you get financing from them or a credit card, for instance, and were always good on them, your institution might give you opportunities you wouldn’t get elsewhere because of the good relationship you have with them.

How Does Bad Credit Affect You?

Obviously, having poor credit will make it harder for you to get financing for things like a mortgage, personal loan, or a car loan. But it can go much deeper than that.

For instance, having bad credit could affect your chances with landlords when submitting applications. They will routinely run credit checks on applicants to make sure that they’re trustworthy because that’s really how credit checks are often being used. Some employers will even look at a person’s credit score before hiring them to see if they would be a good choice. However, you should know that they can’t do so without your permission.

Another way that credit scores can affect you is when it comes to utilities. Some companies will refuse applicants who have bad credit scores, so that could be a major issue. Also, you should be prepared to pay higher fees and rates if you do end up qualifying for a credit card or a loan.

What Are the Common Reasons for Bad Credit?

Bad credit scores are usually a result of bad or insufficient credit history. Having a bad credit score because you have no credit history can be particularly frustrating. However, it’s understandable since lenders have absolutely no idea if you’ll be able to keep up with your payments and if you’re a risky customer.

The most common cause for bad credit scores is missed or late payments. Know that it can take only one missed payment, no matter the size, to cause a significant drop in your credit score. If you have a credit card, it’s advisable to pay it in full every month. If you can’t, then you should at least try to pay the minimum.

If you’re forgetful and often miss payments because of this reason, there are things that you can do. For instance, you can set up automatic payments and pay on paydays instead of due dates. If it’s for a credit card, you could decide to pay a fixed amount each month.

Another thing that will affect your credit score is if you go over your credit limit. This is one of the worst things you can do and a sign that you don’t have enough control over your finances.

County court judgments and bankruptcies are another thing you don’t want to see on your report. This is when a lender goes to court, and a judgment is struck saying that you owe money. From then, you should do everything that you can to repay this debt in a month or less. If you don’t, this will be on your credit report for a total of six years.

Then you have things that are a bit more complicated, like credit utilisation ratio, for instance. Your credit utilisation ratio is the amount of credit you use vs. the total credit you have available. The higher the ratio, the worst it is for your credit score. That’s why you should not overuse your cards and try to only use a few of them.

You should also note that making credit applications can also affect your credit score, but not as much as other factors. However, you might find it harder to get accepted if you make multiple requests for credit around the same time.

What Can I Do If I Have Bad Credit?

The good news is that everyone can improve their credit situation if they take the proper steps. The very first thing you have to do is get a copy of your credit report. Every Brit is entitled to one statutory copy of their credit report from all three major credit referencing agencies for £2. You then have to make sure that you check for irregularities.

There are some cases where a simple error could have a serious effect on your credit score. For example, it might be an account that was paid off or closed a long time ago. If you notice any errors, it’s important that you report them immediately. Each agency will have a clear procedure to dispute entries, so make sure that you follow them and get false entries scrubbed out quickly.

The next step is making sure that you repay the accounts you do have open. You also have to make sure that the repayment will be reported to the credit agency, and make sure this is written down on paper.

There are tons of other things that you can do to either establish or improve your credit. If you want more tips on how to do it, this post might help. New Horizons is a broker team that helps people with a bad credit score qualify for loans for bad credit scores. They have all sorts of tricks that you can use to increase your credit score, like using good debt and checking you are on the electoral roll, among other things.

Conclusion

Understanding your credit is essential, and knowing how it works could be your key to financial freedom. Make sure that you take the steps necessary to know your exact credit situation, and come with a clear plan of action to correct it.

If there is a positive to be taken from the Covid-19 lockdown period, it is in the very real resourcefulness which many have shown. I have experienced this personally in my role as Head of Private Client at Hatch Brenner Solicitors in Norwich.

In line with the legal requirements of the long-standing Wills Act 1837, a will must be signed in person and witnessed to be legally valid … pandemic or not.

The Wills Act states that for your will to be legally valid, you must:

• sign it in the presence of two witnesses who are both over 18.
• have it signed by your two witnesses, in your presence.

Whilst initially many in the profession claimed this was too difficult to carry out in practice, in reality, many clients have adapted remarkably well and worked with us to devise innovative solutions to get around this legal hurdle during lockdown and within social distancing guidelines.

In one very memorable case, a client of mine had to throw the bundle of legal documents over her garden hedge to reach her neighbour who had agreed to be her witness. On noticing that the client still had a signature left to complete, the document bundle was duly thrown back over the hedge, and again for the third and fourth time. Needless to say, the documents were slightly ruffled when they arrived on my desk, but legal and valid all the same.

In less dramatic cases, I have driven to various parts of our fine county to witness signatures myself, either in gardens – front and back, or else in the garage or other available shelter in more inclement weather.

Clients will be waiting for me at their door – armed with their masks and gloves, and with individual pens for everyone to use, plus a table to ensure a two metre gap between the parties.

There have been plenty of laughs along the way, but also an opportunity to build relationships with our clients, and it is very satisfying to be able to move forwards with completing a will for someone during a time which has been worrying and uncertain for many.

It remains to be seen whether, in the future, the Wills Act may be reviewed and updated to allow for online or video-witnessed signatures. The government have confirmed there are currently no plans to do so, with the strict rules in place to protect the vulnerable against fraud or undue influence.

We remain willing to be flexible, adaptable and available for our clients … whatever it takes! In addition, our office is now reopen for client appointments – call 01603 660 811 to book in or you can email me at [email protected].