Member News

We are one of only four Hotels to be announced as a finalist and one of only two Hotels in Norfolk to reach this stage of the awards.

Hotel of the Year, sponsored by Ensors Chartered Accountants, recognises both small and large serviced accommodation businesses, providing truly memorable guest experiences, demonstrating excellence across every aspect of the business which includes but is not limited to: customer service, additional personal touches or offerings to ensure that each guest is made to feel like an individual, and the amenities and facilities provided within the hotel and guest rooms.

We are delighted to be recognised as one of the top hotels in Norfolk!

The judges commented on our exceptional service and client care, “whilst ensuring a solid commitment to the local community.” They went on to say: “A steady investment programme has ensured the property makes maximum benefit of its superb location and has enabled the owners to demonstrate their dedication to style and guest well-being. In addition, a commitment to using local produce and employing local staff has ensured the success of the business feeds right back into the heart of the local community.”

James Holliday, owner added: “The whole team are delighted to be finalists for Hotel of the Year! It is the culmination of six years hard work since we took over The Norfolk Mead in 2013! As an independent, family-run and local Norfolk business, we are proud of our relaxed luxury offering and strive for excellence in hospitality for every guest.”

The winner will be announced at the awards ceremony on Thursday 27 February 2020 at Kesgrave Hall, Suffolk, presented by BBC1s Inside Out and BBC Radio Norfolk host David Whiteley. Keep your fingers crossed for us!

In order to continue our growth and therefore serve our customers better, Credo are proud to announce that we will be moving to new premises in the new year! 

Our new address will be: 

Credo Capital Finance Ltd Capital House Unit I-J Iceni Court Delft Way Norwich Norfolk NR6 6BB

We look forward to the move in January and we hope to welcome you if you are nearby.

Lloyd Felton, chief executive of County Broadband, said: “The re-elected Prime Minister has already made digital infrastructure a notable investment pledge in his victory speech following his campaign commitment for the rollout of gigabit broadband connectivity. We look forward to working with the digital minister in support of his promise to connect the entire UK, including rural and hard-to-reach areas, to future-ready networks.

“County Broadband has big plans to connect thousands of rural communities to our Hyperfast future-ready networks in 2020 across the East of England, making the region a flagbearer for world class digital connectivity.”

Staff wellbeing and the issue of mental health is increasingly important in business and the Norse Group is pleased to offer accredited Mental Health First Aid training for the staff of Chamber members in February at our bespoke training centre in Norwich.

A Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training course teaches people how to identify, understand and help someone who may be experiencing a mental health issue. The programme explores mental health, dispels myths, and most importantly gives candidates the tools to have conversations about mental health and support colleagues to seek help.

MHFA will not teach someone to be a therapist, but it will teach delegates to listen, reassure and respond, even in a crisis – and potentially stop a crisis from developing. Delegates learn to recognise warning signs of mental ill health, and develop the skills and confidence to approach and support someone in a safe way.  The programme is MHFA England accredited and delegates receive valuable resource materials and workbooks.

Qualified MHFA trainer Mark Surridge is running an open programme in Norwich on 18th and 19th February 2020 and a limited number of spaces are available at £270 each, which is £30 lower than the MHFA recommended rate. A recent delegate from Leathes-Prior commented: “Mark was an excellent trainer. He was incredibly engaging and clearly very passionate about the area.”

Follow this link here to access the course booking page.

Studio Inn came out of our desire to create something unique that we didn’t see already in existence here in Norwich. It’s a unique space where creative people doing creative work can come together to establish a home that feels both grown-up and relaxed, focused and social. More than a workspace, we wanted to bring together those interested in collaboration and the cross-pollination of creative ideas.

Established by Fiona and Bobby Burrage, the founders of lifestyle destination Nor-Folk and branding agency The Click, we’re bringing our pared-back aesthetic and collaborative attitude to a space that fosters productivity and creativity.

Situated in a bright and airy architect-designed development with a courtyard garden, Studio Inn provides the opportunity for company and collaboration, a place where individuals can grow in the collective environment.

Studio Inn membership includes:

– Become part of our creative community – One ‘all inn’ monthly fee of £165 + VAT per month – Your own dedicated desk space with drawers – 24/7/365 access – Access to break-out areas and presentation facilities – Free open plan meeting room facilities – Coffee and tea in our kitchen – Wifi – Enjoy regular socials, events and talks – Bread Source pastries delivered every Friday morning – Discounts on nearby health and fitness classes

https://www.studioinn.co/

Great Yarmouth Borough Council has been shortlisted for the second year running as a finalist for a national award recognising its work to drive economic growth, investment and job-creation in the area.

The council has been shortlisted in the Driving Growth category of the 2020 LGC Awards, run by the Local Government Chronicle. This follows success in the same category last year, when the council was selected as the Highly Commended finalist.

This shortlisting recognises Great Yarmouth’s innovative work with partners to support energy investment at the Enterprise Zone sites around the Outer Harbour, South Denes and Beacon Park, as well as the ongoing regeneration work in the town centre and seafront, including the new Marina Centre.

It also recognises the range of work the council is undertaking to improve the standard of housing in urban Yarmouth and initiatives to create an attractive mix of good quality housing, that is fit for purpose for all and meets local needs.

Cllr Carl Smith and Cllr Trevor Wainwright, the main political group leaders, said: “Driving economic growth, investment and job-creation is about supporting communities and improving lives, whether that be through maximising business opportunities, regenerating our town centre and seafront, or improving housing.

“This is a top priority, embedded in the council’s everyday business, and that is reflected in the fact that Great Yarmouth has now been shortlisted twice for this prestigious award. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the council teams and partners involved – their total commitment is a credit to the council and to the communities it serves.”

Sheila Oxtoby, chief executive, said: “Through investing proactively in the economy, developing responsive projects and working at a place-based level with partners, including New Anglia LEP and Peel Ports, the council is creating and capturing exciting opportunities for growth for our communities and businesses.

“To be shortlisted again for this exciting national recognition is a tribute to the commitment of officers and partners, and the ambition of councillors. We are pleased that the judges are impressed with the council’s vision and area-based agenda. This is a team success, and I’m so proud of everyone involved.”

LGC editor Nick Golding said: “The councils that have been shortlisted for an LGC Award are among the most innovative – and their innovation helps provide the best services for residents, despite local government facing ongoing financial constraint.

“The officers and councillors of shortlisted councils deserve enormous credit for thinking of new ways to deliver the best services, ensuring vital services thrive, benefiting everyone who uses them.”

Does your business have eco values and principles at its core? If so, why not enter the 2019/20 Norwich and Norfolk Eco Awards?

We’re looking for small and medium size businesses across the city and county that can demonstrate their commitment to protecting the planet through innovative ways of working.

Norwich based Zero Taxis were last year’s eco business winner and we celebrated their fantastic work. They’ve become Norfolk’s first Electric-only taxi fleet, with all energy for their vehicles coming from 100% renewable energy sources – including on site charging via solar panels.

Listen to what other previous winners had to say. Click here.

The awards scheme is free to enter with an easy online application process. Winners receive a trophy and certificate as well as eco awards branding to use for their own marketing purposes.

We are open for entries until Sunday 15 December 2019. The official awards ceremony will be held on Thursday 5 March 2020, at The Halls, Norwich.

Please visit: www.eco-awards.co.uk for more information and to apply.

Great Yarmouth Borough Council is national award finalist for driving economic growth

GREAT Yarmouth Borough Council has been shortlisted for the second year running as a finalist for a national award recognising its work to drive economic growth, investment and job-creation in the area.

The council has been shortlisted in the Driving Growth category of the 2020 LGC Awards, run by the Local Government Chronicle. This follows success in the same category last year, when the council was selected as the Highly Commended finalist.

This shortlisting recognises Great Yarmouth’s innovative work with partners to support energy investment at the Enterprise Zone sites around the Outer Harbour, South Denes and Beacon Park, as well as the ongoing regeneration work in the town centre and seafront, including the new Marina Centre.

It also recognises the range of work the council is undertaking to improve the standard of housing in urban Yarmouth and initiatives to create an attractive mix of good quality housing, that is fit for purpose for all and meets local needs.

Cllr Carl Smith and Cllr Trevor Wainwright, the main political group leaders, said: “Driving economic growth, investment and job-creation is about supporting communities and improving lives, whether that be through maximising business opportunities, regenerating our town centre and seafront, or improving housing.

“This is a top priority, embedded in the council’s everyday business, and that is reflected in the fact that Great Yarmouth has now been shortlisted twice for this prestigious award. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the council teams and partners involved – their total commitment is a credit to the council and to the communities it serves.”

Sheila Oxtoby, chief executive, said: “Through investing proactively in the economy, developing responsive projects and working at a place-based level with partners, including New Anglia LEP and Peel Ports, the council is creating and capturing exciting opportunities for growth for our communities and businesses.

“To be shortlisted again for this exciting national recognition is a tribute to the commitment of officers and partners, and the ambition of councillors. We are pleased that the judges are impressed with the council’s vision and area-based agenda. This is a team success, and I’m so proud of everyone involved.”

LGC editor Nick Golding said: “The councils that have been shortlisted for an LGC Award are among the most innovative – and their innovation helps provide the best services for residents, despite local government facing ongoing financial constraint.

“The officers and councillors of shortlisted councils deserve enormous credit for thinking of new ways to deliver the best services, ensuring vital services thrive, benefiting everyone who uses them.”

– Introducing 10 and 11-night holidays to Tenerife from Norwich Airport for Winter 2020

– 10,000 extra seats go on sale from Norwich Airport this month

TUI, the world’s leading holiday company and the UK’s number one holiday provider, has announced its Winter 2020 programme by adding an extra 10,000 seats from Norwich airport.

TUI have now added 10 and 11-night holidays to Tenerife with the addition of a weekly flight operating every Saturday from Norwich Airport, a Norfolk Chambers of Commerce member,  giving holidaymakers from East Anglia more flexibility.

TUI UK&I’s Director of Aviation Planning, Karen Switzer said: “Earlier this month TUI announced its winter 2020 and summer 2021 holiday programme which has since expanded with more destinations and added flights. We are delighted that the additional flights provide holidaymakers departing from our regional airports with even more choice when deciding where to go away.

“With additional flying capacity and more than 1,000 hotels already on sale for Summer 2021 it gives those planning ahead the opportunity to choose the most suitable airport, destination and hotel. The customer is at the heart of everything we do and this additional growth to one of our customer’s favourite holiday hotspots, from Norwich Airport, demonstrates our continued commitment for people to discover their smile with us.”

Richard Pace, Managing Director, Norwich Airport, said: “We’re already very proud to support TUI in providing a year-round service to Tenerife, and now we have the excellent news that 10 and 11-night holidays to Tenerife are being brought in for Winter 2020, with the addition of a weekly flight operating every Saturday from Norwich. This provides holidaymakers from the airport’s catchment in Norfolk, Suffolk and North Cambridgeshire with more flexibility.”

A farmer in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, is enjoying the benefits of renewable heating with a ground source heat pump system powered by his own green electricity.

Attleborough-based renewable heating expert Finn Geotherm, installed the ground source heat pump for Hugh Whittome at his farmhouse. The property was previously heated by an oil-fired boiler, which was timed to go on and off in the morning/evening but it was cold during the day. Built in 1860s with single skin walls and Georgian sash windows, the farmhouse has an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of E making it a challenge to keep warm.

Hugh said: “I decided to make our farm carbon neutral so I installed a wind turbine in 2010. This enable us to generate our own electricity and then Feed in Tariffs were introduced which provided an added bonus to sell back the power we didn’t use. With our electricity carbon neutral, the farmhouse heating and hot water was the obvious next step. We wanted to replace the boiler with a system we could run using our own green electricity. Having researched alternatives, a ground source heat pump was the ideal option – particularly as the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) was available and would enable us to recoup our investment in a short period of time.”

Finn Geotherm specified and installed a Lämpöässä Emi 28 ground source heat pump with 700 litre thermal store. The 1400 metre ground loop array was installed in a field next to the house and an existing outbuilding used as a plant room. While the farmhouse has a low EPC rating, the heat pump works efficiently to keep its owners warm by utilising the thermal mass of the property.

Hugh said: “It’s a common myth that you can only use a ground source heat pump with underfloor heating but our installation proves otherwise. We have radiators throughout and the house has never been warmer, day and night. The heat pump has taken away the hassle of heating and hot water – we just leave it to run and don’t have to order oil deliveries. I am very proud our farm is now carbon positive and the heat pump, which is a non-combustion based system (it doesn’t burn any fuel), runs entirely on our green electricity.”

For more information on renewable heating, contact Finn Geotherm by visiting www.finn-geotherm.co.uk.

 The first Festive Fair for King’s Lynn opened this weekend with music, entertainment, food, drink, crafts and a heated marquee!

With traditional Christmas market style sheds, children’s fairground rides, bandstand and heated marquee with craft activities, the Fair has something for everyone. It’s the place to pick up a quirky stocking filler or a treat for the festive period, at the same time supporting a small, local producer, and if you’ve had enough of shopping and need to rest your feet the Fair is the place to visit with friends and family. Catch up over food and drinks in the heated marquee, soak up the festive tunes, or bring the children and have fun making a Christmas decoration to take home. 

 Visitors can enjoy live music twice a day from bands including Jessie’s Ghost, Bear Club and The Georgia Shackleton Trio.  Craft sessions will take place in the marquee on Thursday at 430pm and on Saturdays at 1100 and 1400.

 Organised by Discover King’s Lynn (the Business Improvement District for King’s Lynn town centre) the idea behind the festive fair is to bring an extra serving of Christmas to the town centre.

“We want to give people an additional reason to visit King’s Lynn this Christmas, encourage them to stay a bit longer and leave feeling festive and wanting to come back.” Says Vicky Etheridge, BID Manager. 

“The Fair is intended to be a hub of all things Christmassy, a place to relax, eat, drink, shop and enjoy the atmosphere with friends and family. We’ve got different traders every week, they are all local to West Norfolk and for most of them their craft is a passion and a hobby which they’d like to turn into a living so you’d also be supporting a local entrepreneur this Christmas, ” added Vicky.

Stallholders will vary week to week but will always include food and drink to takeaway, artisan food and drink gifts, as well as homemade crafts and jewellery. 

 The Festive Fair can be found on the pedestrian area of Tuesday Market Place and

is open on Thursday and Fridays from 4-8pm, Saturdays from 10-6pm and Sundays from 10-4pm until Christmas Eve. It will also be open on 23rd & 24th December.

Further details including the band schedule can be found on Discover King’s Lynn social media pages. 

Hundreds of students from across Norfolk and Suffolk got a taste of the diverse career opportunities, apprenticeships and training courses on offer within the regions expanding and exciting energy industry last week.

Students engaged in STEM-based interactive activities such as virtual reality experiences, robot and ROV (remotely operated vehicle) control, weld testing and the use of breathing apparatus demonstrating how varied the industry can be.

Gemma Head, Skills for Energy Programme Manager at EEEGR, said: “This event has been a real eye-opener for the students that were in attendance, and with so many different activities to participate in there was a real buzz around the building. Our SfE event gets bigger and better every year and we’re already looking forward to inspiring the next participants in 2020”

Organised by the East of England Energy Group (EEEGR) and held in the new £11.4m Energy Skills Centre at East Coast College, the Skills for Energy event, sponsored by OPITO, the global skills organisation, aimed to inspire ambition and aspiration in the next generation of energy professionals, and with over 90% of those surveyed saying attending the event had made them consider a career in the industry it brings the sector a step further to bridging the skills gap.

OPITO said: “It is inspiring to see so many students from across the region eager to find out more about the energy industry. Support from exhibitors brought the energy sector to life for event attendees who now have a clearer picture of the many opportunities the sector has to offer.”

More than 30 companies exhibited at the event including ScottishPower Renewables, EDF Energy, 3sun Group, James Fisher Marine Services, Flameskill, OPITO, Survitec, Orsted, ECITB, Gee-Force and Vattenfall.

The Skills for Energy event is just one of the elements of the East of England Energy Group’s (EEEGR) Skills for Energy Programme which aims to ensure the ongoing diversity and volume of skilled individuals for the current and future wellbeing of the energy sector. Working closely with industry as well as education and training providers, Skills for Energy helps individuals and companies benefit from the many opportunities the unique and varied energy sector in the East of England offers.