EssentialsMAG Media Pack 2023

Wrexham’s

community magazine

Since 2005 EssentialsMAG has grown into the largest hyperlocal magazine in our area! Every month we publish two magazines which are hand delivered to 14,000 homes throughout the borough of Wrexham and the bordering Cheshire villages.

Spanning the North Wales border, the magazine’s regional catchment area offers a wide range of opportunities to connect and advertise with local people and businesses.

and look forward

Why advertise in EssentialsMAG?

Delivered every month

Our two community magazines are hand delivered through 14,000 letterboxes in and around Wrexham every month.

GPS tracked delivery

Our hand-picked distribution team use a specialist GPS tracker app, so we know where and when they have delivered.

Great value

Our rates are kept low so advertisers can make the most of their budget and appear over a number of issues.

Getting you noticed

Our magazines are full of local news, what’s on guide and useful features. Our readers trust what they see, and our advertisers benefit as a result.

Free advert design

We professionally design customised, eye-catching adverts and advertorials all free of charge!

Established in 2005

We launched our first magazine in 2005, so we have 18 years experience. We live in the area, we know about marketing and we are here to help.

We’re online too!

Our print magazines are much loved and well received, but we are online too, with a growing, organic readership.

Other services

We can also help raise your business profile by implementing a series of bespoke and affordable marketing activities, including websites.

“I Love EssentialsMAG

to receiving it every month - I also appreciate I can read it online. I always pass my copy to my Mum after I've read itMum now looks forward to it too!”

- S. EVANS

We’ve got the local area covered! EssentialsMAG is hand-delivered using our own, hand-picked distribution team who are fully GPS-tracked. Our specialist tracker app provides a time-stamped record of each house that has been visited - giving our advertisers ultimate reassurance and guarantee that each copy really is being hand-delivered to each home.

As well as being delivered straight to local letterboxes, EssentialsMAG is also available to pick-up at many locations, including local shops, garden centres, hairdressers, hotels and restaurants.

Our print magazines are much loved and well received, but we are online too, with a growing, organic readership of 1000s of monthly subscribers.

“EssentialsMAG is a great source of local information. I feel that if a company advertises month in, month out, they must get repeat custom and are therefore probably OK and trustworthy.”

- C. CROSSLEY

FEATURING QUALITY CONTENT...

Connecting local businesses, communities and families

EssentialsMAG is delivered free across the region, with quality content on localised news, views and issues of interest to everyone. Every edition is packed with original writing, featuring topical and relevant articles covering a wide range of subjects, from financial advice and local history, to nature and wildlife, and essential community news. These are written exclusively for us by our team of local expert guest contributors.

The range and balance of our editorial to advertising content is designed to keep our readers engaged. Our reader-friendly A5 size is handy to hold onto, and because it’s packed full of local news, what’s on guide and useful features people keep it for longer.

To book your advertising space, call us on: 01978 855459 |

79% OF READERS KEEP HOLD OF THEIR MAGAZINE FOR 2-4 WEEKS

63% TRIED A PUB, RESTAURANT OR VISITED A HOTEL AS A RESULT OF OUR MAGAZINE COVERAGE

68% EMPLOYED THE SERVICES OF BUSINESSES ADVERTISING IN OUR MAGAZINES

AlynFamilyDoctors

Latest News

TheCOVIDpandemichasservedasastark reminderoftheunyieldingpowerof infectiousdiseases.Manyofusareaware ofantibioticresistance–thefactthatmany infectionsarebecomingimmuneto antibiotictreatment.Sincetheirintroduction inthe1940s,wehaveforgottenthatinthe pre-antibioticagepneumonia,tonsillitisand manycommonillnessesoftenprovedfatal. Ultimatelyifwefailtoaddresstheissueof antibioticresistance,wecouldseesome returnoftheseissuesonceagain.

Itcanbehelpfultoknowtheexpected durationofmostcommoninfections, asmanywillgetbetterwithinacertain timeframewithoutantibiotics: Outerearinfections

7-10days Middleearinfections orsorethroats

75% READ OUR MAGAZINES FROM COVER-TO-COVER

85% OF READERS OWN THEIR OWN HOMES

NHSCOVID-19app Launches PeoplelivinginWalesandEnglandarebeingurgedtodownloadthegovernment's contact-tracingappfollowingitsofficialrelease.

sotheamountoftimeyouspendnearotherappusers,andthedistancebetweenyou,

ifyoudon’tknoweachother. Theappwilladviseyoutoself-isolateifyouhavebeeninclose contactwithaconfirmedcase.Itwillalsoenableyoutocheck Thesymptoms,bookatestifneededandgetyourtestresults. smartwatchesappisavailableforsmartphonesonly-nottablets,orotherdevices.Togetstarted,gotoAndroid's

64% GOOGLED AN ADVERTISER AS A RESULT OF SEEING THEIR ADVERT IN OUR MAGAZINES

1smallpumpkin-afterpeelingandscrapingouttheseeds,youneedabout400g/14oz tbspoliveoil,plusadrizzleforthepumpkin

Smallgratedparmesan(orvegetarianalternative)

PutHeatovento180C/160Cfan/gas4.Chopupthepumpkininto1.5cmcubes. itonabakingtray,drizzleoversomeoil,thenroastfor30minutes. CutPutthegarlicinasandwichbag,thenbashlightlywitharollingpinuntilcrushed. Heatupthespringonions.tbspoilwiththebutterinyourpanover mediumheat.Addthespring andonionsandgarlic.Oncetheonionsaresoft,butnotgettingbrown,addtherice cumin.Stirwelltocoatinthebutterymixforabout minute. Nowaddhalf cupofthestock,andstireverynowandthenuntilithasall atdisappearedintotherice.Carryonaddingandstirringinalargesplashofstock Checkatime,untilyouhaveusedupallthestock–thiswilltakeabout20minutes. thericeiscooked.Ifitisn’t,addasplashmorestock,andcarryoncooking for choppedbit.Oncethericeissoftenoughtoeat,gentlystirinthegratedcheese, corianderandroastedpumpkin.

A New Wave ofCruising

glamourousoutfit shallwearfordinnerthisevening…

Unfortunately,mydreamisshatteredby thebuzzingofmyalarmclock!Ohwell, noluxuriouspamperingformetodayinsteadofcocktailsandgourmetdining, I’llhavetosettleforacupofteaandapiece oftoast! mustconfessthat amreallymissingmy cruiseholidays-andIknowthatmanyof youfeelthesame.Arecordtwomillion Britschoseacruiseholidaylastyearand, withsomanycruiseexperiencestochoose from-oceanorriver,smallluxuryyacht tolargeoceanlinerorexpeditionshipstherereallyisacruiseforeveryone. Cruiseactivitysupportswelloverone millionjobsacrossawidecross-section ofindustriesandsectorsand,withupto 2,500jobslosteachdaythatcruisesare notoperating,itisimportanttoourglobal andsocietalrecoverythatcruise operationsresumeassoonasthetime

throughdoor-to-doorapproachfrombooking todisembarkationarebeing

finalisednowandwillbeannouncedinthe nearfuture.Theywillapplygloballywith somevarianceonlyforverysmallships (lessthan250personcapacityor expeditionvessels)andexamplesinclude:

•Staggeredguestarrivalsanddepartures

•Bookingproceduresandriskdisclosures

•Healthscreeningincludingtemperature checksforanyoneboarding

•Augmentationofmedicalfacilities andstaff

•Capacitymanagement/socialdistancing

•Useofcontactlesstechnology

•Diningrestrictions

Sohowcanweallplayourpart?

TheAntibioticGuardianCampaignwas launchedin2014andencouragesboth patientsandhealthcareprofessionalsto signuptoanonlinepledgetoprotect antibioticsforfuturegenerations (see:www.antibioticguardian.com).

Waystohelpinclude: •Avoidingantibioticusewherever

•Takingissafelypossibleantibioticsexactlyasprescribed

•Neverandcompletingthecoursesaveantibioticsforlaterorshare

•Returnthemwithothersanyunusedantibioticstothepharmacyforsafedisposal

(YES…itdoesseemsurprisinglylong!) Sinusitis 2weeks Cough/Bronchitis

3weeks Urinarytractinfections

Aswellasconcernsofresistance,antibiotic usecangivesideeffects(rashes,thrushanddiarrhoeabeingcommonplace) Thereisalso ahugeimpactonthedelicatebalanceofour gutmicrobiome–thecommunityofmicroorganisms(viruses,bacteriaandfungi)who callourdigestivetracthomeandplay acrucialroleinkeepingushealthy.

5 7days Obviouslythosewithpre-existinghealth conditionsarelikelytobenefitfromearlier treatment.Itisalsoimportanttoknowabout signsofmoresevereinfectionssohelpcan beappropriatelysought.Signssuchas difficultbreathing,high(>38C)orlow temperatures(<36C),aswellaschest/kidney pains,failuretopassurineanddifficulty breathingshouldn’tbeignored, Remember,NHSDirect(Tel:111)canoffer adviceandyourcommunityPharmacist canofferhelpandtreatmentonmany oftheseinfections. Wearehereifyouneedus,staysafe.

Tel:03333323260 www.alynfamilydoctors.co.uk www.facebook.com/alynfamilydoctors

EssentialsMAGcolumn will writethisyear.Mostwillagree2020hasbeenoneincrediblychallenging,witheachandevery pandemic.ofusaffectedbythecoronavirusglobal Being memberoftheWelsh Government,helpingtocoordinatethe mostnationalresponsetothevirus,hasbeenthe formidabletask havefacedsincebeingOneelectedWrexham’sMemberoftheSenedd. aroundofthehighlightsofmyjobistotravel supportingtheconstituency,visitingand localpeople,organisations andbusinesses.Unfortunately,forthevast Virtualmajorityofthisyearthathasnotbeenable meetingsandworkingfromhome hasbecomethenorm.FollowingGovernment guidelines,myconstituencyofficeremains closedand amunabletoconductface-tomyfacemeetingswithconstituents.However, staffand haveworkedremotely handthroughoutthepandemicandhavebeenon constituents.tooffersupportandguidanceto Ifthereisanything couldhelpyouwith,pleasedonothesitatetogetin Ourtouchviathecontactdetailsbelow. which,attentionturnstowardsthefestiveperiod clearly,willlookverydifferentthisyear. InWales,wefollowedthelatestmedicaland scientificadvice,initiatingatwo-week firebreakthatconcludedonMonday9 weNovember.Byinterveningearly,itmeant businesseshadaclearpaththroughwinter,enabling totakeadvantageofthevital regulationsJustlikeinthespring,theWelshGovernment graduallytoensurewesecured Tel:

Thefirebreakwasunwanted,butitwas forrespectedandIthankthepeopleofWrexham Throughoutregulations.onceagainadheringtothestrictthewinterperiodthemessage fromtheWelshGovernmenthasbeenclear. Alteringthecourseoftheviruswillnotbe determinedbygovernmentrulesand everyregulations.Oursuccessliesinthehandsof Peopleoneofusandhowweactfromnowon. mustberesponsibleandeachofusneedstoaskourselveswhatcan dotokeep myselfandotherssafe? adoptingrecognisewehaveaskedalotofpeoplebut thisapproachwillgiveusthebestchanceofgettingthroughtoChristmas Aswithouttheneedforfurtherrestrictions. weapproach newyear,thereishopeon isthehorizon.ReportssuggestaCOVIDvaccine massnottoofaraway,withsomespeculatinga roll-outmaytakeplaceinthefirstpartof2021.

Inspiteofthestrangetimeswelivein, do hopeallEssentialsMAGreadershaveaMerry ChristmasandahappyandhealthyNewYear.

PortsofcallwillbecomemorerelaxedwhentheCOVID-19globalpolicyhasbeenagreed andimplemented.However,ifyoureallywanttogetbackintocruisingassoonaspossible butdon’twanttotravelfar,therearemanygreatcruiselinessailingaroundtheUK.From apersonalperspective,allofusatDelmararekeepingpositiveandwearedelightedthat mostholidaysuppliershavealreadyopenedupbookingsfor2022,whichgivesusallan opportunitytoplanaheadandhavesomethingtoreallylookforwardto. And,aftertherecentbignewsthataneffectivevaccinehasbeendeveloped,wecould seetheworldopeningupagainevensoonerthanwehadhoped!

aredesignedtoinformandinspireyouthroughtheseratherstrangetimes. Cruiseswillsailaroundtheworldagainandwhentheydo,

isright.

TheCruiseLinesInternationalAssociation (CLIA)reportsthat global,industry-wideCOVID-19policyispresentlybeingput togetherforitsocean-goingcruiseline members.Onceagreed,thepolicywillbe putintoactionacrosstheboardtoreassure passengersandtoadoptbestpracticein ordertocontrolanyfuturespreadof COVID-19or,indeed,anysimilaroutbreak. Thesemeasures,whichwillencompass

•Contacttracing Cleanlinesshasalwaysbeenatoppriority oncruiseshipsandtheindustryhasastrict long-standingglobalsanitationguideline whichmustbeadheredto.Noothertravel andtourismorentertainmentindustryhas thistypeofcompulsoryprogramme. Inaddition,asaconditionofmembership withinCLIA,ocean-goingcruiseslinesare requiredtofittheirshipswithmedical facilitiesthatmeetthestandardsofthe AmericanCollegeofEmergencyPhysicians (ACEP)whichrequirethat24/7medical carealongwithintensivecareunitis available.

EssentialsMAGBookClub

ThisTimeNextYear bySOPHIECOUSENS

QuinnandMinnieareborn sameonNewYear'sEve,inthe hospital,oneminute apart.Theirlivesmaybegin couldn'ttogether,buttheirworlds bemoredifferent. Thirtyyearslatertheyfind themselvestogetheragain

30DayKickStartPlan byJOEWICKS Lackingmotivation?Know don'twhatyoushoulddo,but Wantknowwheretostart? tocookbetter, healthierfood?This30-day

byMAGGIEO'FARRELL

ofamarriagepushedtothe

Autumn Already!

APoemforEveryDayoftheYear

isamagnificentcollectionReflectingof366poems,onetoshareoneverydayoftheyear. thechangingseasonsandlinkingtoeventson keydates-funnyforAprilFool'sDay,festiveforChristmas informative,thesepoemsarethoughtful,inspiring,humbling, quiet,loud,small,epic,peaceful,energetic, upbeat,motivating,andempowering!Aperfectgift, withalittlebitofmagictoreadeveryday.

Thenightsaredrawinginandweare startingtothinkaboutHalloweenand BonfireNightandofcoursetherunup toChristmas...Itisabusytimeandwe mustnotforgetthatourpetsstillneed ourtimeandattention! Herearemytopfivetipstohelpyou thisautumn:

1.Checkyourpet’smicrochip detailsareup-to-date Makesureyourpetmicrochipdetails areuptodatesoshouldyouranimal stray,theyhaveagoodchanceofbeing reunitedwithyou.Manypetswillbe terrifiedofthenoisefromfireworks ortheexcitementoftrickortreatersat thedoorandcouldrunawayortry tohideinalltheconfusion.

4.Beawareofpotential environmentaltoxins Thewetterweatherwillbringoutthe mushroomsandtoadstools.Poisonous toadstoolscancauseavarietyof symptoms,rangingfromvomitingand diarrhoeatoneurologicaleffectsand organdamage.Trytopreventany problemsbyinspectingyourgarden beforeyouletyourpetoutandcheck theenvironmentwhenyouwalkyour dog.AnotherproblemisLungworm dogscangetlungwormbyeatinglarvae foundininfectedsnails,slugs,orfrogs.

2.KeepwarmFordogowners,pleaseneverleaveyour petoutsideunattended,especiallywhilst itscold.Tokeepyourdogwarm,youwill alsoneedtokeepthemdry.Puppies, seniordogs,andsmallbreedsaremost atriskofgettingachillorevenfrostbite orhypothermia.Itmightbeprudent toinvestinadogcoatorsweater!

3.Maintainparasiteprotection Rememberfleas,wormsandticksare ayear-roundissue.Apopularmythis thatfleaproblemsonlyhappenduring summer.Thisisarealmisconception, aswiththeregularuseofcentralheating andtheirresilientnature,fleashave becomeayear-round

5.MaintainyourwalksYourdogwillreallyappreciateregular walksdespitethecold/wetweatherand thehealthbenefitsareclearforour animalcompanionsaswellasourselves. Getoutthereandenjoythehealthand socialbenefitsofwalking.Yourpetwill enjoyitand amsureyouwilltoo. Remembertocheckandcleanyourdog’s feetafterexerciseasstonesandplant materialcangetcaughtbetweentoes andmaycauseirritationortrauma. AlwaysconsultyourVetifyouhaveany concernsaboutyourpet! Staysafe&healthy!

EssentialsMAGpetcarecontributor isKarenVolger,fromDoggyBizzNizz www.facebook.com/doggybizznizz Mobile:07488270386 e-mail:karen@doggybizznizz.com

“Our local reportage mean that our readers trust us and that means they trust our advertisers too.”

IN A RECENT READERSHIP SURVEY, OUR READERS TOLD US:

LesleyGriffithsMS Member of the Senedd for Wrexham

evenitcanalertyouifsomeoneyouhavebeenclosetolatertestspositiveforCOVID-19–

ADVERTISING RATES AND SIZES...

Low-cost, effective advertising

We will work with you to choose an advertising package tailored for your bespoke business. And we will guide you on which area/s could work best for your type of business.

FREE ADVERT DESIGN

Using our professional in-house studio, we can design customised, eye-catching adverts and advertorialsall free of charge! So, if you don’t have your own artwork, we can take care of that for you. All prices are PER magazine, PER month. All prices are subject to VAT

To book your advertising space, call us on:

With your flyers inserted into our popular, local, monthly magazines, you can be sure that your message will be seen and read by a wide range of potential customers.

We give you the flexibility to target different areas within our circulation. Choose any combination of our two magazines to get your message to the right people.

We can deliver between 3,000 and 14,000 leaflets per month, guaranteeing you product/service exclusivity within that distribution.

ALREADY HAVE YOUR OWN LEAFLETS?

We can distribute these for you. Simply choose your preferred distribution area within our circulation, and let us do the rest.

NEED HELP CREATING AND PRINTING YOUR FLYER?

Let us do all the hard work for you! Send us your text and images, and our professional design team will create a stunning design for an affordable one-off price. If you need some guidance on what to say, we can assist you with that too. Choosing the right printer can be a risky business, so our colour printing service produces top-quality flyers, to create the right first impression. Please get in touch for a quotation.

GPS

OUR DISTRIBUTION IS FULLY GPS TRACKED

“Choose your area or go big, giving you a total of 14,000 letterboxes”

OTHER SERVICES WE OFFER...

What are you doing to stand out from your competition?

We can help raise your business profile and increase your visibility by implementing structured magazine advertising and other marketing activities, including: Leaflet Distribution, Websites and Graphic Design.

BEAUTIFUL BESPOKE WEBSITE DESIGN

Your website is your shop window to the world. We’ll help you stand out from the competition with our web design packages. Choose a flexible option to suit you and your business.

Whether you need a powerful landing page, striking galleries, or a professional blog, we can help you design and develop a beautiful, cost-effective, fit-for-purpose website.

Website design doesn’t need to cost a fortune. If you are a small business owner, budding entrepreneur or a business start-up, our pay monthly websites might be the perfect solution for you.

Our fully hosted websites are just £35 per month or £350 per year (+VAT).

MARKETING IS VITAL

Presenting a professional image for your business is one of the most important things to get right. We have extensive experience in producing marketing material for businesses of all sizes, and can help with yours.

We’re passionate about all aspects of design, whether that’s creating a new company logo, brochures and leaflets, exhibition displays, van livery, promotional items, or updating your business identity and stationery.

First impressions count, so whether you’re a new, or established business, we will work with you to develop artwork to help you attract and retain your customers.

A BIT ABOUT THE EDITOR... You’re

in good hands!

Vicky Heathfield, the owner of EssentialsMAG, is also a successful graphic designer and artist. Based in Wrexham, Vicky has been working in the creative industries since 1992 and established her first business in 2003.

During her career, Vicky has worked with brands such as Canon, John Lewis, Homebase, Argos and the World Wide Fund for Nature. She has established strong relationships with many local and national partners along the way.

Years of working with such high-profile clients has enabled Vicky to develop her skills. Her perfectionism and attention to detail are crucial to all aspects of her business, whether it’s editing a new issue of EssentialsMAG, or designing a brand logo or website.

“Producing local magazines which our readers have ownership of is very rewarding. Being in a position where our publications can help businesses grow and achieve their goals makes going to work a pleasure each day.”

ESSENTIALS MAG IS TRUSTED BY MANY LOCALLY- RECOGNISED BUSINESSES INCLUDING:

Don’t just take our word for it

HERE’S WHAT OUR CUSTOMERS AND READERS HAVE TO SAY...

Nice to receive local information through my door, especially as I am fairly new to the area.

K. BLANEY

Your magazine is a fantastic tool for business! My advert in EssentialsMAG added 15% extra business for me.

KEITH, FISH FRY

Hello Vicky, you and EssentialsMAG do a great job, such a valuable community resource which is welcomed and respected by us all. Thank you for your support to Maes y Pant in helping us to keep people in touch with what we are doing.

SUE KELLY, MAES Y PANT

I've been very impressed with the response I have had from EssentialsMAG to date.

Having tried various printed media before, with variable success, EssentialsMAG has stood out in both the number and quality of enquiries received. The ownership and locality of the mag has led to the right sort of orders dealing with the right sort of people that appreciate the quality products I offer.

Vicky is on the ball and well connected, and has been happy to design and update adverts. I have no problem recommending Vicky and EssentialsMAG to friends/family and clients.

PAUL, PSM KITCHENS

Enjoy our monthly read with its varied content and also highlighting local services and shops that we might have otherwise have missed.

D. TURTLE

Keep going, I'm proud of you for your passion in producing such a useful local publication.

W. WINNARD

We advertise in EssentialsMAG, the only local magazine we do advertise in. Since starting the company we have kept a record of where business has come from, and 82% has come from EssentialsMAG! Vicky is amazing and even designed our advert.

MATT, HASHTAG GARDENING

Great magazine! EssentialsMAG is the first place I go to if I’m looking for a local trade. So far, every local company I have called from the magazine have been great. The local information is brilliant.

S. TILSTON

I have recently moved to the area and found EssentialsMAG very helpful indeed. It’s an excellent read and the local and professional services are on hand for myself and my family too support.

B. WILLIAMS

EssentialsMAG is a great source of local information. I feel that if a company advertises month in, month out, then they must get repeat custom and are therefore probably OK and trustworthy. The features, letters, adverts and Councillor reports are invaluable.

C. CROSSLEY

I like how professional and well presented EssentialsMAG is, and how you pack so much useful and interesting information, features and local news into each issue.

It's also very useful that the magazine can be read online

I keep my issues for quite a few months, and often find myself looking back online for specific articles or advertisements.

EssentialsMAG is a great place for keeping up with what's going on in our village, and neighbouring villages, and for finding contact details for different services and village activities.

S. KELLY

I love reading your magazine...it’s full of local news, information and good adverts. Keep up the good work!

H. MORGAN

Love EssentialsMAG and I look forward to receiving it - appreciate I can read it online. I pass my copy to my Mum after I've read it and Mum looks forward to it too now!

S. EVANS

Vicky was very efficient at responding to my enquiry. Really quick service designing and finalising my advert design. I received new clients through two editions which has paid for itself. I will definitely use EssentialsMAG again. It’s a personal touch when you receive a surprise thank you through the post too! Thank you Vicky.

KIM, KIM B BEAUTY