#Stevenage January 2021

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January 2021

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We have begun our journey into 2021 and let'sbe honest, it isn't the start we would have hoped for.

With a vaccine discovered and going into the arms of our most vulnerable, we looked forward to a positive start on both the personal but also the business front.

Instead we have another lockdown which may stretch on into March and all that it entails. Even so we must look ahead to brighter times, we have cause to

celebrate with honoursto our best, and with groups such as Stevenage Community Trust and People For people doing such amazing work we know that when thisperiod ends, our community spirit will be stronger than ever.

We are proud of our support during the coronavirusoutbreak to local groups and businessesand pledge that at #Stevenage we will continue with our policy of providing free editorial support to all our valued advertisersand local organisations. So if you are a group or a businesswho would like to promote yourselvesthrough #Stevenage magazine you can do so by simply calling 07539782979 or emailing: hdmdigitalsales@gmail.com

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Paul Fry on #Stevenage

Getting a steer on what motivates our most famous son And so we say goodbye to 2020 - and it seems we can expect only unlit uplands for some time yet.

There may be a vaccine or three out there but it will take a good while to deliver them to sufficient people to make a significant difference. Already, some summer music festivals, such as Glastonbury are readying the white flag ? and Dido wasn?t even on the bill.

But 2021 started on a positive first footing for one former Stevenage resident ? the town?s first Knight of the Road, Lewis Hamilton.

The clamour had been growing throughout last year as he equalled Michael Schumacher?s total of seven world F1 championships and overtook his total GP wins. In truth, Lewis has been in the fast lane for much of his life.

Yet, judging by the social media response, few sportsmen ? or people - divide local opinion as much as Lewis.

He will, naturally, feature in my upcoming book on the Stevenage Sports Hall of Fame inductees as the town?s most successful sports product. It will be a wholly complimentary piece in what is intended to be a celebratory and inspirational volume marking the achievements of some truly

remarkable sportspeople.

However, even the local council have had to tread lightly when it comes to honouring Lewis, tacit admission perhaps of his controversial character.

As he has grown in stature, so has the platform for his opinions on matters such as diet, achievement and, of course, race, with his fervent adoption of the Black Lives Matter campaign.

Generally, sportsmen have to wait until they have retired to be honoured so generously by government. That fact has governed Stevenage Council?s own approach to marking his achievements, too.

A spokesman told me they had been looking at perhaps naming something tangible after him ? especially with the town centre being rebuilt and repurposed at a cost of ÂŁ1 billion - but opted for the Freeman of the Borough award.

It is more a ceremonial gesture than anything else ? it does not come with obscure rights as it does in some cities, such as being able to drive a flock of sheep through the centre of the city, disrupting everyday life there, though that would have been fun to see, perhaps with Lewis guiding them while driving a quad bike and whistling at a couple of

collies.

It is an award that has gone in the past to people who have served the borough with distinction, particularly the council. Recipients include Philip Ireton, Shirley Williams, John Silkin, Mick Cotter, Brian Hall, Hilda Lawrence, Sherma Batson and Joachim Gerhard.

A council spokesman said: ?It is effectively the only way that a local authority can confer honours.?

Lewis Hamilton was a divisive figure long before his latest round of honours bestowed upon him, and his more spiky public utterances. I would argue that was even the case in his youth.

In his autobiography, he admits to having been bullied as a young child and that he learned judo to help keep the bullies away. Some resort to humility and humour as shields in this regard, but each to his or her own. And I wasn?t there to see the level of attacks he suffered.

He says relatively little about his youth in his book and more generally, but it clearly still rankles that he was expelled from secondary school just before his O-Levels over bullying allegations against him.

The claims were to some degree dispelled after a protracted and fractious appeal process in what, we must remember, is a hugely tumultuous and influential time in a young person?s life. Lewis left John Henry Newman School, though, and finished his education at art college in Letchworth, which he reflects upon with more affection, commuting each day.

By then, though, he was established as a major national figure in karting, something he began very young. A friend of mine recalls how Lewis?s dad knocked at their door to get his second-hand kart painted up and he was struggling to get sponsorship for a lad beating the field despite racing in inferior equipment and already attracting interest from F1.

Other stories from his youth hint at Lewis taking

on something of a siege mentality and not having the happiest memories of Stevenage, although I know too that he had good friends and even helped the sister of one of them to learn to drive.

We can?t, of course, know how much the break-up of his parents?marriage, when he was at junior school, affected him. He doesn?t talk much about it, and only in a matter-of-fact way.

When I approached his PR team for an interview for my book, it was rejected. And that, I felt, was a great pity. I had offered him a neutral platform to put on record his feelings about Stevenage and his fonder memories of the place.

Perhaps it is the case that while some of us stay focused solely on the road ahead, others are more circumspect and keep one eye on the rear-view mirror. Lewis is clearly in the first camp.

I can forgive his ill-judged ?slums?reference on the BBC Sports Personality of the Year show a few years back on the grounds of nerves. I think he is happiest in the cockpit of a car where he can be single-minded in his pursuit of success. Thrust a microphone under his nose on primetime TV when he is wearing a tux and not flameproof overalls and he is a fish out of water.

Others are less tolerant of that slip and are quick to quote it back to him.

More divisive is his tax status. He is not a UK resident and lives in tax exile in Monaco. As such he had to be granted a knighthood on a list for those living overseas, and was championed, it is said, by Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

The issue of tax has long dogged Lewis and reports suggest held up his honour previously.

Especially an episode when he took delivery of a private aircraft in the Isle of Man to save a huge chunk in VAT. It certainly sits uneasily that someone who is clearly not short of a few quid ? estimated worth more than ÂŁ250m ? should deny the country money that could go towards the hospital that brought him into the world, the schools that

educated him and the roads he and his family used, or the funding put the way of Silverstone, which hosts the British Grand Prix, and the policing necessary to make sure the event goes smoothly.

like the dark days of the 1970s when the top rate of tax was in the 90pc range.

That clearly irks many people. But how many of us, in his position, would not do the same?

I am trying to be balanced in my view of someone who has undoubtedly done the town of Stevenage proud. Enormously so. But I do wish he would show more pride in the town of his birth and youth.

He does a great deal for charity, goes one argument. The counter to that is that such charitable giving might not be necessary if he was domiciled in the UK and paid his share like the rest of us wage slaves on PAYE. After all, it is not

My new book, Journeyman, puts my heart on my sleeve: I am proud to call Stevenage my home, even though I have long lived in London, Devon, Northamptonshire and New Zealand and now reside in Leicester. I still have family in Stevenage

and visit often. I follow the Boro and try to keep up with topical events in the town.

Perhaps remoteness is part of the issue with Lewis, who uprooted from Shephall with his family to Tewin during his teen years. Other high-achievers such as Ian Poulter, Roland Butcher and especially Ashley Young ? a school contemporary and one-time football teammate of Lewis ? still have family in town and visit whenever they can.

Roland follows Stevenage matters closely online and can?t speak highly enough of those who believed in him at Stevenage Cricket Club and helped him have his shot at fame, becoming England?s first black international cricketer, breaking a glass ceiling with his big hitting. He is hugely proud of that fact.

Ashley, now playing in Milan, has supported Hall of Fame events and is in regular contact with friends from his youth. When he was playing for and captaining Manchester United, he used to need to come back to town for a regular serving of his mum?s cooking!

Former Barclay pupil Ian felt let down by his former employer at Chesfield Downs golf club when he was a young teaching pro and moved on before finding fame on the fairways but still has a great many friends in town and at the club.

Perhaps with Lewis it comes down to bearing grudges. I don?t know ? but I would like to know, to better understand him. And I repeat my invitation to him here for a one-to-one chat to set the record straight ? and perhaps begin to repair what appear to many in town to be bridges from the past that have been badly singed, if not burned.

I would like him to visit the town and see that there are a good many who are justly proud of his achievements. He is surely worthy in better times of an open-top bus ride. Or perhaps he could set up a Stevenage sports scholarship fund in his name and help others have a crack at fame and fortune.

He is an undoubted F1 legend even before he retires, as he may after breaking Schumacher?s record, and he will surely, all going well, leave the sport as the No.1 driver of all time. But I would love him to show Stevenage a bit of love. Lewis ? it would be repaid many times over.

As I said earlier, he now has a bigger platform than ever to express his views, beliefs and opinions. He can use it to help effect great change. He clearly believes change to be necessary in the field of race relations. That much is indisputable. In some respects, he is not so different from Roland and Ashley, who suffered varying degrees of racial prejudice on their respective journeys.

Lewis Hamilton is to be admired for his pursuit of Black Lives justice, even if those views are not universally popular and its symbolic gestures, such as taking the knee, are sometimes ridiculed.

It would be simplistic but nonetheless true to suggest that standing up for black lives makes Lewis a target for bigots. We have never really had an adult national conversation about race.

We hear platitudes about Britain being this warm, fuzzy melting pot.

Brexit, with its strong, misplaced focus on immigration, picked that scab and allowed all sorts of nasties to flow out. That process in itself may have set back the cause of racial justice by a decade or more, irrespective of how police in the United States treat people of colour.

To put myself in Lewis?s soft-soled racing shoes for one moment, I could not help but wonder impishly how much more supportive Stevenage folk would be if Damon Hill had been born in town and won seven F1 titles? He might even have been handed that knighthood after winning five.

An uncomfortable thought, perhaps. But it is long past time that we grappled with it. With calm and reason.

Stevenage FC match action

Sat u r day, Jan u ar y 2, EFL Leagu e Division Tw o St even age FC 3 Scu n t h or pe 1

Tu esday, Decem ber 29, EFL Leagu e Division Tw o St even age FC 1 Cam br idge Un it ed 0

Sat u r day, Decem ber 26, EFL Leagu e Division Tw o Ch elt en h am 1 St even age FC 1

OBE award is made to Adrian Adrian Hawkins has been awarded an OBE in the Queen?s New Year Honours List, published on Friday 1st January 2021. Adrian will become an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his services to business, and in particular the welding industry, as founder of Weldability Sif and Managing Director of Welding World.

Adrian said ?I am so pleased to receive this honour.Business and Industry have been important tenets in my life, through which I have sought positive, sustainable outcomes for my colleagues and my community.This award is a humbling recognition of a lifetime of effort in building a successful business ? and working to support others in building theirs, through my role as Managing Director of Welding World and Chairman of biz4Biz?.

Adrian attended school and college in Stevenage and married Jennie in 1977.Together they have two children: The oldest, Gareth, who is married to Shelley; and Alexis, who is married to Tristan Bond.The families continue to live locally and, during 2020, gave birth to grandsons, Elliott and Greyson.

Adrian?s career in industry began in 1975 with the British Oxygen Company (BOC) and he founded Weldability Sif in 1981, which he grew from supplying one branded product in the UK, to many thousands internationally today.The company became a highly successful and respected source for a full range of welding products, trading as Weldability, and in 2008 acquired Sif - a British welding consumables company started in 1925.In March 2019 Weldability-Sif was acquired by Indutrade AB, a NASDAQ-listed corporation.

In recent years Adrian has been a school and college Governor and Chairman of a multi-academy trust.In

his tenure, Adrian established the Weldability-Sif Foundation, a charity that today supports >40 Welder-Training Studios across the UK, which have so far delivered 18,000 welder qualifications.The foundation works alongside awarding-bodies, incorporates the services of FE colleges and partners with businesses such as MakeUK and EDF, to address industrial skills pipelining for the UK workforce.

Adrian is also the Chairman and Founder of biz4Biz, an organisation established to support business owners and leaders, as well as a patron of business clubs, working alongside Hertfordshire MPs and Local Authorities and engaging with local business leaders.

From 2014 to 2020 Adrian was appointed to the main board of the Hertfordshire LEP, serving his full six-year term and he has served as Deputy Chair of the Hertfordshire LEP from 2017 to 2020. Adrian continues to Chair the Hertfordshire LEP?s Skills and Employment Board (SAP), has championed the delivery of the Hertfordshire Opportunities Portal (HOP) and, in collaboration with the University of Hertfordshire, delivered a voluntary supporter?s network to provide a support service to businesses during the COVID pandemic.

In March 2020, Adrian was appointed the independent Chairman of the Stevenage Development Board.A lifelong advocate for Stevenage ? having been born in his parents?council house and subsequently started his first business in the New Town ? Adrian is leading the Board on a ÂŁ50M funding bid from the Government?s Towns Fund.If successful, the bid is expected to release a further ÂŁ600M in private funding for the regeneration of Stevenage, the UK?sfirstnew town.

Time to book up the Striders Stevenage 10K for 2021 The 2020 Stevenage 10k event has been another

And the really good news in that entry to next

huge success and, despite having to be run as a

year ?s event being held on 19/9/2021 is now open

virtual 10k, there have been lots of great photos

and we have had a few entries already. What

and posts from entrants. Organisers believe each

better gift for Christmas. To enter click on the link

of the 4 nominated charities will get close to

below

ÂŁ1100 when the funds raised are divided. This will help them to continue their vital work.

For a full list of finishers click here: https://stevenagestridersrc.org.uk

https://stevenagestridersrc.org.uk

Support f or home and remot e l earning.

BBC TV EDUCATION ANNOUNCEMENT St art ing on Monday 11 January, each week day on CBBC wil l see a t hree-hour bl ock of primary school programming f rom 9am, incl uding BBC Live Lessons and BBC Bit esize Dail y, as wel l as ot her educat ional programming such as Our School and Cel ebrit y Suppl y Teacher and much l oved t it l es such as Horribl e Hist ories, Art Ninja and Operat ion Ouch.

BBC Two wil l cat er f or secondary st udent s wit h programming t o support t he GCSE curricul um, wit h a l east t wo hours of cont ent each weekday.

You can al ways RECORD t he episodes t o view at a l at er dat e/ t ime.

Ful l st ory here: ht t ps:/ / www.bbc.com/ .../ bbcl aunches-biggest -educat ion...

https://get-help-with-tech.education.gov.uk/ about-increasing-mobile-data?fbclid=IwAR 2P1g-VHkYg_jCA4OCOjIvSSveso01wcZ7 Ayr-og1mKvZHQeNg8BHqXy3w

Some helpful information for parents ...

A quick message for parents of primary school (and possibly secondary school) students.

Please be aware of this fantastic website designed to offer free and high quality lessons to children of all ages.

Some primary schools may not be able to logistically pull together remote lessons for tomorrow, so this could be an alternative.

The interface is really easy to use, and it is full of videos with teachers talking through lessons and quizzes to assess learning throughout.

Hope it?s useful and please do share and spread the word about this fantastic free resource https:/ / classroom.thenational.academy/ .../ english... https:/ / senecalearning.com/ en-GB/

Council votes to extend free NHS Lister parking Stevenage Borough Council?s Executive Committee has made a decision to continue the free parking concession for NHS staff at the Lister Hospital.

The Council continues to both recognise and applaud the work being done by our NHS colleagues. With this in mind we will extend the free parking offer for NHS staff until the end of the current lockdown period.

Beyond this and in light of the huge financial pressures that the Council faces as a result of Government grant cuts and the costs of meeting the challenges posed by Covid, we will reluctantly have to reinstate charging in order for us to continue to be able to support the delivery of key council services including those aimed at preventing homelessness and supporting residents

affected by domestic abuse.

Cllr Lloyd Briscoe, executive member for Economy, Enterprise and Transport, said: ??As a co-operative council, we have listened to the concerns and anxieties of our brave NHS workers in arriving at this decision. It is essential that NHS staff are able to carry out their vital work without worrying about paying for car parking during the current lock-down. ?Necessarily though, we will continue to carry out crucial parking enforcement locally to ensure the public are kept safe and that roads remain clear for emergency and essential services.?

Herts Chamber update on the new lockdown regulations Key updates this week: 1. Nat ional Lockdown Rest rict ions ? Stay at home Following the announcement on 4th January, all of England have moved into a national lockdown with Stay at Home restrictions, as follows: 1. 1 Leaving home:You may leave the home to: ·Shop for basic necessities, for you or a vulnerable person ·Go to work, or provide voluntary or charitable services, if you cannot reasonably do so from home ·Exercise with your household (or support bubble) or one other person, this should be limited to once per day, and you should not travel outside your local area ·Meet your support bubble or childcare bubble where necessary, but only if you are legally permitted to

form one ·Seek medical assistance or avoid injury, illness or risk of harm (including domestic abuse) ·Attend education or childcare - for those eligible 1.2 Meeting others:You cannot leave your home to meet socially with anyone you do not live with or are not in a support bubble with (if you are legally permitted to form one).

You may exercise on your own, with one other person, or with your household or support bubble. This should be limited to once per day, and you should not travel outside your local area.

You cannot meet other people you do not live with, or have not formed a support bubble with, unless for a permitted reason.

1.3 Education: Colleges, primary and secondary schools will remain open only for vulnerable children and the children of critical workers. All other children will learn remotely until February half term.

1.4 Closures: The following businesses and venues must close: ·Non-essential retail, such as clothing and homeware stores, vehicle showrooms (other than for rental), betting shops, tailors, tobacco and vape shops, electronic goods and mobile phone shops, and market stalls selling non-essential goods - these venues can continue to be able to operate click-and-collect (where goods are pre-ordered and collected off the premises) and delivery services ·Hospitality venues such as cafes, restaurants, pubs, bars and social clubs; with the exception of providing food and drink for takeaway (between 5am and 11pm), click-and-collect, drive-through or delivery ·Accommodation such as hotels, hostels, guest houses and campsites, except for specific circumstances, such as where these act as someone?s main residence, where the person cannot return home, for providing accommodation or support to the homeless, or where it is essential to stay there for work purposes ·Leisure and sports facilities such as gyms, swimming pools, sports courts, fitness and dance studios, leisure centres and golf courses ·Entertainment venues such as theatres, concert halls, cinemas, museums and galleries, casinos, amusement arcades, bingo halls, bowling alleys, skating rinks, go-karting venues, indoor play and soft play areas ·Animal attractions (such as zoos, safari parks, aquariums, and wildlife reserves) ·Indoor attractions at venues such as botanical gardens, heritage homes and landmarks ·Personal care facilities such as hair, beauty, tanning and nail salons. Tattoo parlours, spas, massage parlours, and piercing services. These services should not be provided in other people?s homes ·Conference centres and exhibition halls The following businesses and venues may remain open: ·Outdoor playgrounds

·Outdoor parts of botanical gardens and heritage sites for exercise ·Parks, beaches, countryside accessible to the public, forests, public gardens (whether or not you pay to enter them) ·Market stalls selling essential retail ·Car parks ·Public toilets For further information please visit the gov.uk website.

2.£4.6 billion in new lockdown grant s t o support businesses On 5 January, the Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak MP announced that business in the retail, hospitality, and leisure sectors are to receive a one-off grant worth up to £9,000.The one-off top-ups will be granted to closed businesses as follows: ·£4,000 for businesses with a rateable value of £15,000 or under ·£6,000 for businesses with a rateable value between £15,000 and £51,000 ·£9,000 for businesses with a rateable value of over £51,000 Any business in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors which are legally required to close, and which cannot operate effectively remotely, is eligible for a grant.

Further details about how to access the grant will be made available shortly.

As England and Scotland enter another lockdown, the BCC is calling on the UK government to provide commensurate financial support with restrictions and to outline along-term financial support package for all of 2021 to allow firms to plan ahead.

3.Quart erly Economic Survey (QES) Q4 2020 This week the BCC released the headline findings from QES Q4 2020 which found that business conditions remained weak in the last quarter as the second lockdown squeezed activity.The survey was covered in the Independent, Bloomberg,The Washington Post and Sky News among many others.

Funding award made to community groups Stevenage community groups have been awarded a share of the £5,000 community chest sponsored by Stevenage Borough Council and its major works partners Waites and Mulalley.

The Stevenage Works fund was created in conjunction with North Hertfordshire College and Job Centre Plus in response to a desire to create a joined-up approach to delivering social value in the community.

Future contractors will be invited to support the Stevenage Works Programme as and when high value contracts are awarded by Stevenage Borough Council, just as Waites and Mulalley have.

Both Mulalley and Wates committed to delivering social value projects following the award of the five-year £45m Major Refurbishment Contract and agreed to a contribute £2,500 each per annum to the Community Chest Fund.

Local community organisations and individuals were invited to submit a bid for a share of the £5,000 community chest fund. This year?s fund was shared between three groups: The Green Space Volunteers group which meets weekly to maintain the Town Centre Park gardens, was awarded £1,000 to replace failing rose bushes

with lavender bushes which will flourish in the poor soil conditions, enhance the gardens with their perfume and colour as well as being beneficial to insects.

Covid the Cobra, a snake created out of painted rocks during the first lockdown, brought together all ages in the community as people added their own painted contributions. ÂŁ2,000 was awarded to help restore the stones into an underpass on Grace Way where it grew, as a mosaic art installation.

Lastly, ÂŁ2000 was awarded to Friends and Relatives Of Trotts Hill (FROTH) - a charity that supports Trotts Hill primary and nursery school to buy much needed equipment and resources. The money will be used to set up a forest school provision and create a safe and stimulating outdoor environment full of sensory diversity and variability.

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The benefits of nature It?s a well known fact that spending time outdoors has major health benefits, both physically and mentally.

Getting back to nature can improve your mood, reduce stress, help you be more active and even increase your self-esteem.

During the early stages of lockdown, government guidelines restricted us to just one form of exercise outside a day. Thankfully, we can now spend unlimited time outdoors ? and the benefits are clear.

Get t ing back t o nat ure According to research by the National Trust, 79% of adults infrequently or never smelled wild flowers and 62% either infrequently or never listened to birdsong. We wonder how these figures have changed since lockdown?

Nature is restorative and one of the gifts lockdown has brought us is the time to notice it.

We?ve seen many more people walking, cycling, jogging, picnicking and meeting (socially-distanced) outdoors.

Perhaps ironically in a time of ?lockdown?, we are re-establishing our connection with nature and the wider world.

quote from Angie Weiland-Crosby says: ?Nature is the kind of friend that never leaves my side. Even in grief-stricken times, in her soul I can confide.?

Nature reminds us that death is a part of life and that life goes on; we watch the seasons change before us and without fail, from Spring through to Winter each year. Nature also gives us time to reflect because it doesn?t demand anything back from us. And nature encourages us to see outside of our ever-circling thoughts of grief and to reconnect with others. ?In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks,?the wise words of Naturalist, John Muir.

Harwood Park During lockdown, our own Harwood Park Memorial Gardens has remained open for families to reflect on their loved ones. With 25 acres, there is plenty of space for quiet contemplation. The memorial gardens serve both as a final resting place for loved ones and also a peaceful retreat for family and friends to visit. From the carefully pruned roses, to the pretty line of cherry trees and the immaculately planted topiary crescent, it?s a lovely place to enjoy the beauty of nature.

failing to get council backing to build on municipal land, John decided to source a plot of private land in the village of Datchworth and 10 years later, in February 1997, Harwood Park Crematorium and Memorial Gardens was finally opened. John thought of all the little touches when planning Harwood Park, including a large window in the chapel overlooking the countryside and raised areas to make it easier for wheelchair users to view the floral tributes..

Nat ural memorials Natural and ?living?memorials continue to grow in popularity. We have chestnut, birch and woodland trees, all planted as saplings, so you can watch them grow and mature.

There are memorial trees throughout our grounds and woodlands, all accompanied by a memorial tablet or plaque, and ashes can be scattered or buried by the tree.

Our memorials also include benches and seats, with an inscription dedicated to the person who has passed. Nature can help us through life?s toughest questions, so find time to take that walk or to just sit and watch the world go by. You won?t regret it.

Nat ure and grief Outside of lockdown and Covid, there are also many stories of nature helping in people?s grieving processes after losing a loved one. A beautiful

When John Austin (Claire?s father) took over the business in 1965, his vision was to provide a crematorium to serve the local community. After

Find out more about Harwood Park Crematorium and Memorial Gardens at www.cremat orium.co.uk

Support for business during Coronavirus Please find the latest support available from Stevenage Borough Council and partners in these most challenging of times. Can we kindly remind you that the Additional Restrictions Grant, administered

by Stevenage Borough Council to support those businesses that have not been previously supported by grant funding is open for applications.

Export Europe: E-Commerce - Digital Routes to Europe for Consumer Goods Trading with India through a pandemic and beyond Funding Support Addit ional Rest rict ions Grant

Development of t he Digit al Securit y by Design Soft ware Ecosyst em

The Additional Restrictions Grants (ARG Discretionary) scheme, administered by Stevenage Borough Council is now open for applications and will support businesses that were not previously supported by the Small Business Grant Scheme, the Retail, Leisure and Hospitality and the Discretionary grant scheme. The Additional Restrictions Grant Scheme supports those businesses that were forced to close as a result of the lock down, as well at those businesses that have been severely impacted by pandemic.

Manufact uring Made Smart er Innovat ion Hub ?

Smart Fact ory EoI

The following 8 categories will be supported by the scheme:

SMEs t ransforming food product ion: series A invest or part nership

·Supplier or manufacturing to retail, hospitality and leisure industry or events businesses

East ern New Energy Programme

·Charities (not shops which are mandatorily closed)

·Government Announcement

·Other (businesses mandated to close, but without business rates) for example mobile hair dressers and beauticians

·Funding Support Addit ional Rest rict ions Grant Christ mas Support Payment for wet -led pubs Hert fordshire Business Funding Eureka Eurost ars 2: round 15 Innovat e UK Smart Grant s: November 2020

Furlough and Business Loans schemes extended Stevenage and the remainder of Hertfordshire will go into Tier 3: Very High alert on Saturday 19 December Changes to the self-isolation period Business evictions ban extended until March ·EU Transition ·checks to see whether HGVs are ready to cross the border

·Other - businesses with or without business rates, not mandated to close but severely affected ·Church halls which usually have a regular rental income - without business rates that have remained closed during lockdown (previously excluded) ·Businesses with a Rateable Value over £51K (to top up mandatory scheme cases only) ·Taxi drivers (self-employed)

·Job Opportunities to support Mass testing

·Market traders (without business rates - regularly trading in Stevenage)

·Access to New Markets

Applications close on 3 January 2021.

For further information please visithttps://www.stevenage.gov.uk/business-and -licensing/covid-19-support-for-businesses/ additional-restrictions-grants-arg-discretionary Christ mas Support Payment for wet -led pubs The Government has now published guidance for the Christmas Support Payment (CSP) support for wet-led pubs that have been severely impacted over the Christmas period due to temporary local restrictions.

Pubs may be eligible if they: ·are based in England ·derive less than 50% of sales from food ·are in an area subject to Tier 2 or Tier 3 local restrictions since 2 December 2020 ·were established before 1 December 2020 For further information please visithttps://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-if-youreeligible-for-the-christmas-support-payment-

for-wet-led-pubs Hertfordshire Business Funding Low Carbon Innovation Fund 2:Grants of up to £5,000, to support SMEs make a positive impact on greenhouse gas reduction through the development of innovative technologies, products or services Hertfordshire LEP SME Growth Loan Scheme:loans of £200k ? £500k available to established SMEs in Hertfordshire requiring finance to implement expansion activities that will deliver substantial growth.

Crowdfund Hertfordshire: Small Business Innovation Fund:grants of up to £5,000 for small/micro businesses in tourism, leisure, hospitality, retail, arts and culture Hertfordshire Business Expansion Grant Scheme:grants of £10k - £100k to incentivise SME investment in capital equipment to support growth and improve productivity

Other Funding: Eureka Eurost ars 2: round 15 UK SMEs can apply for a share of up to £2.5 million to collaborate in research with partners across Europe and associated countries.

This competition is aimed atmicro, small or medium sized enterprises(SMEs) working on high-quality research and development (R&D) projects across national borders.

Development of t he Digit al Securit y by Design Soft ware Ecosyst em UK registered SMEs can apply for a share of up to £1.5 million for fast-start short-term projects. Funding is to investigate requirements for adoption of Digital Security by Design (DSbD) technologies across the software development ecosystem.

Eligibility This competition is open to single applicants only.

·These enterprises often find it difficult to attract public-sector funding.EUREKA Eurostarswas set up to overcome this barrier to innovation. With its market-led approach, it encourages international collaborative research and innovation projects that will be rapidly commercialised.

To lead a project you must be a UK registered micro, small or medium-sized enterprise (SME).

·Eurostars supports SMEs in leading international collaborative research and innovation projects by helping them get access to guidance and funding.

UK registered businesses and research organisations can apply for up to £20 million from ISCF to set up and run a smart factory innovation hub.

·A Eurostars project must have a civilian purpose and be aimed at the development of a new product, process or service.

Eligibility

·Projects must be led by a research-performing SME. Competition is now open and closes on Thursday 4 February 2021 7:00pm. For further information visit https://apply-for-innovation-funding.service .gov.uk/competition/814/overview Innovate UK Smart Grants: November 2020 Opportunity for UK registered organisations to apply for a share of up to £25 million from Innovate UK to deliver disruptive R&D innovations that can significantly impact the UK economy.

Eligibility To lead a project your organisation must: be a UK registered business of any size or a research and technology organisation (RTO) be, or collaborate with, at least one micro, small or medium-sized enterprise(SME) carry out your research and development (R&D) project activity in the UK intend to commercially exploit the project results from the UK The competition closes 20 January 2021.

Competition closes on 13 January 2021 Manufacturing Made Smarter Innovation Hub ? Smart Factory EoI

This competition is open to single applicants and collaborations. To lead a project your organisation must be one of the following: a UK registered business of any size a UK registered research organisation research and technology organisation (RTO) charity not-for-profit public sector organisation academic institution Competition closes13 January 2021. For further information please visit https://apply-for-innovation-funding.service.gov.uk /competition/793/overview SMEs t ransforming food product ion: series A invest or part nership UK registered SMEs that are transforming food production towards net zero can apply for a share of up to £5 million in grant support. This must align with a series A investment. The grant funding is from the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund.

This competition will support UK registered micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The SMEs must be aspiring to transform food production

through experimental development projects that are closer to market.

UK registered SMEs will receive: grant funding aligned investment funding from the programme?s pool of lead investors The grant funding is from the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund (ISCF) Transforming Food Production challenge.

As well as investment, the lead investors in the pool can provide you with commercial acumen, such as: leadership market access skills resources Competition closes on Wednesday 13 January 2021 11:00am. For further information please visit https://apply-for-innovation-funding.service .gov.uk/competition/771/overview East ern New Energy Programme The Eastern New Energy programme aims to build a stronger Local Energy and Low Carbon Economy in the East of England.

The SME Grant Scheme aims to provide grants to eligible small and medium-sized businesses, to help catalyse capital investments in energy efficiency initiatives. This will support businesses with reduced operating costs, increased competitiveness, business growth and resilience. Projects seeking a grant must have a beneficial impact in terms of reduced energy use, improved energy efficiency and/or renewable energy generation. Up to 25% of eligible capital costs are available, with a maximum grant of up to £60,000.

Eligibility: ·Must have less than 250 employees ·Annual turnover less than ?50million/annual balance sheet below ?43 million ·Have received less than ?200,000 State Aid within last 3years ·Some sectors not eligible (i.e. agriculture) What support is available?

·Grant Funding ·Energy Reviews: Free, impartial, independent advice from an energy advisor ·Site Visit to identify key energy efficiency improvement opportunities and renewable energy generation potential with concise report including; §key recommendations §indicative costs §pay back periods §Follow-up support Energy Reviews Include: ·Building Energy Use ·Space heating and hot water ·Ventilation. ·Cooling ?air conditioning ·Lighting ·Process Energy Use ·Process heating ?boilers, furnaces, dryers ·Compressed air generation and use ·Electric motors ?conveyors and pumps ·Process cooling and refrigeration ·Computers ·The Building:Construction materials, Insulation ? wall and pipes, Building condition ?age and fabric; Openings ? doors, windows ·Installed Systems ·Boiler service needs/history/Local temperature controls. ·Renewable Energy Systems:Solar PV, Heat Pumps, Wind For further information visit https://www.uel.ac.uk/sri/eastern-new-energy or telephone an adviser on 01733 882549 or email ene@pect.org.uk Government Announcements Furlough and Business Loans schemes extended The furlough scheme has been extended until the end of April 2021 with the government continuing to contribute 80% towards wages.

The government-guaranteed Covid-19 business loan schemes will also be extended until the end of March.

visitor attractions at film studios, heritage sites such as castles and stately homes

These changes come ahead of the Budget, which will take place on 3 March 2021.

landmarks including observation decks and viewing platforms

Stevenage and the remainder of Hertfordshire will go into Tier 3: Very High alert on Saturday 19 December

·leisure and sports facilities may continue to stay open, but group exercise classes (including fitness and dance) should not go ahead.

In Tier 3: ·hospitality settings, such as bars (including shisha venues), pubs, cafes and restaurants will have to close but are permitted to continue sales by takeaway, click-and-collect, drive-through or delivery services. ·accommodation such as hotels, B&Bs, campsites, and guest houses must also close. There are several exemptions, such as for those who use these venues as their main residence, and those requiring the venues where it is reasonably necessary for work or education and training ·indoor entertainment and tourist venues must close.

This includes: indoor play centres and areas, including trampolining parks and soft play casinos bingo halls bowling alleys skating rinks amusement arcades and adult gaming centres laser quests and escape rooms cinemas, theatres and concert halls snooker halls indoor attractions at mostly outdoor entertainment venues must also close (indoor shops, through-ways and public toilets at such attractions can remain open). This includes indoor attractions within: zoos, safari parks, and wildlife reserves aquariums, visitor attractions at farms, and other animal attractions model villages

·there should be no public attendance at spectator sport or indoor public attendance at spectator sport or indoor performances and large business events is not permitted. Elite sport events may continue to take place without spectators large outdoor events (performances and shows) are not permitted weddings and funerals can go ahead with restrictions on the number of attendees ? 15 people can attend wedding ceremonies, wedding receptions are not permitted, 30 people can attend funeral ceremonies, 15 people can attend linked commemorative events organised outdoor sport, and physical activity and exercise classes can continue, however higher-risk contact activity are not permitted organised indoor sport, physical activity and exercise classes are not permitted indoors. There are exceptions for indoor disability sport, sport for educational purposes and supervised sport and physical activity for under-18s Changes to the self-isolation period The Government has announced from 14 December, there will be a change to the self-isolation period from 14 to ten days. The change to the isolation period for contacts will apply to all those who are currently self-isolating, including those who commenced self-isolation before 14 December.

Self-isolation periods will begin on the day after exposure, a test or the start of symptoms.

This change will apply in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland from 14 December. It already applies in Wales.

museums, galleries and sculpture parks

Business evictions ban extended until March

botanical gardens, biomes or greenhouses

The government recently announced business owners affected by the coronavirus outbreak will be protected from eviction until the end of March 2021.

theme parks, circuses, fairgrounds and funfairs

This final extension to protections from the threat of eviction will give landlords and tenants three months to come to an agreement on unpaid rent. Further guidance to support negotiations between landlords and tenants will be available soon.

EU Transition The UK has left the EU and new rules come into effect on 1 January 2021.As a result, businesses will need to take action to prepare.

Businesses should visit www.gov.uk/transitionand use the ?checker tool?to get a personalised list of actions for your business, and also sign up to alerts, updates and webinars. ?

To access the EU Master Checklist for businessesclick here Herts Local Enterprise Partnership has provided a resource page to support businesses transition, outlining support from Trading Standards at Herts County Council and the Environmental Health team at Stevenage Borough Council and across the county.

Support from Trading Standards includes:

border The Government published a new service where HGV drivers can apply for a Kent Access Permit (KAP) and check they have the paperwork they need to cross the border via the Port of Dover or Eurotunnel.

From 1 January 2021, HGV drivers with a HGV over 7.5 tonnes must have a KAP to travel through Kent to the Port of Dover or the Eurotunnel and on to the EU. The permit helps manage traffic by confirming drivers have the right documents for EU import controls.

Service: https://www.gov.uk/check-hgv-border Job Opportunities to support Mass testing Hertfordshire County Council will be supporting mass testing (Lateral Flow Testing), in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Lateral flow tests area new type of coronavirus test, which provide results in less than an hour and do need to go to a lab. The test checks if someone is infectious, even if they do not have symptoms.

Staff with great customer service skills are required to support the test centre in Stevenage and there are a number of roles required, with fixed hours per week: Team Leader? £14.38 per hour

·Food and Feed Labelling and Standards ·Animal Movements and Identification ·Pet Passports ·Textiles & Footwear ·Composition & Materials UKCA, ·UKNI and CE Markings ·Product Safety and Standards including: ·Cosmetics ·Toys ·Construction products ·Fireworks ·Weights & Measures Energy ·Labelling of Electronic Products This can be accessed by visiting https://www.hertfordshirelep.com/what-we-do /priorities/business-support/better-business -for-all/eu-transition/ Checks to see whether HGVs are ready to cross the

Processing Operative? £10.84 per hour Results Recorder? £10.84 per hour Test Assistant? £9.43 per hour Queue Coordinator? £9.25 per hour Cleaner? £9.25 per hour Registration Assistant? £9.43 per hour For further information please visit https://hcccommunityworkforce.co.uk/ join-us-to-help-fight-covid-19/ Access to New Markets Export Europe: E-Commerce - Digital Routes to Europe for Consumer Goods Digital Routes to Europe for Consumer Goods is delivered by the Department for International Trade and British Chamber of Commerce Czech Republic.

This is part of a series of webinars to support E-commerce?in to Europe. Join to discuss market trends and opportunities, key players, pricing, and the basics on how to succeed, with DIT Europe?s E-commerce sector specialists.

The Webinar takes place on Wednesday 13th January 2020 between 10:00-11:00 and will focus on Austria, Hungary and Poland.Click here to register >

Recently, Siddharth has been nominated for the Director of the year International award 2020 by Institute of Directors UK.

Trading with India through a pandemic and beyond

Trading with India through a pandemic and beyond takes place on Tuesday 12 January 2021 between 10:00 ? 11:00.

This is part of a series of Webinar Events that Herts Chamber of Commerce have organised to support members and non-members in these challenging times.

India is one of the fastest growing economies in the world and the UK is the third largest investor in India.

This webinar will provide you with information on where India stands in terms of recovery from the pandemic together with guidelines and UKIBC?s pragmatic support to help you to engage with and expand into this market.

Siddharth Mukne, Associate Director at UK India Business Council will offer insight and advice on key sectors and support together with information on the Indian government?s policies to attract foreign direct investment.Siddharth is responsible for engaging with companies across UK with an interest in the Indian market.He has a strong background in business development, project management, account management & operations, having worked with multinational engineering, advance manufacturing & life science companies across Europe & India.

To register and for further information please visit https://my.hertschamber.com/calendar_detail. html?eid=22CFC711-8800-48F7-8FDEABC8D310FBC8or contact the events team by telephone on01707 502180 or by emailing bookings@hertschamber.com

Restrictions grant for open business The Local Restrictions Grant for Open Businesses, is now open for application.

The Local Restrictions Support Grant (Open) is aimed at; hospitality, hotel, bed and breakfast, and leisure businesses which can remain open, and that are liable for business rates, and at those businesses (with or without business rates) which supply goods or services to this group of businesses, and can demonstrate that they are directly impacted by the restrictions in place, which came into effect on 2 December 2020 (Tier 2) and 19 December (Tier 3).

Those businesses with or without business rates which can demonstrate that they have been specifically indirectly impacted by these restrictions will be considered for a grant Grants will be paid on a 14 day cycle with effect from 2 December 2020 (Tier 2), and 19 December 2020 (Tier 3), for those business which qualify.

Eligibility Businesses must have been trading the day before local restrictions came into force to be eligible to receive funding under this scheme.

Where local restrictions are preceded by national ?lockdown?measures, requiring the closure of businesses that are otherwise eligible, it is accepted that those businesses are still trading.

Businesses must be hospitality, hotel, bed and breakfast and leisure businesses, or supplier of goods and services to these businesses.

Exclusions Businesses subject to local restrictions that are

implemented for less than 14 days are not eligible for grant funding.

Businesses in areas outside the scope of the localised restrictions, as defined by Government, are also excluded.

Businesses that have already received grant payments that equal the maximum levels of State aid permitted under the de minimis and the Covid-19 Temporary State Aid Framework.

For the avoidance of doubt, businesses that were in administration, are insolvent or where a striking-off notice has been made are not eligible for funding under this scheme.

Eligible businesses that have a voluntary agreement but are not insolvent, in liquidation or in administration will be eligible to receive a grant if they are still trading and operating, but only under de minimis, if the agreement means the business is ineligible for a grant under the COVID-19 Temporary Framework for UK Authorities.

For further information and to access the application form please visit https://www.stevenage.gov.uk/news-and -events/news/local-restrictions -support-grants-lrsg

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Brilliant businesses in High Street need you After our amazingly successful piece in our last edition on Middle Row and the independent shops in that area, we have turned our focus on other shops in Stevenage High Street.

The shares and likes we have gained by putting these businesses in the spotlight has been amazing, so don't forget make sure if you need a product or a service which they offer head down to them and keep them in business in #Stevenage

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h t t ps:/ / w w w.f acebook .com / gr ou ps/ m em or iesof st even age/

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For r esult s t oday speak t o t he com m unicat ion exper t s at Spit f ir ePR Media rel at ions

Copy writ ing

Social media market ing

Media t raining

Market ing

Crisis management

Proud publ i sh er of #Herts @h ash tagh erts For al l your mark eti ng and soci al medi a needs: 07539 782979 w w w .spi tf i repr.com darren@spi tf i repr.com @DarrenI sted1 @h ash tagh erts

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Ashr idge Est at e

# St evenage

PROPERTY The unique guide to property news in #Stevenage

#STEVENAGE PROPERTY: THE INTERACTIVE WAY TO VIEW YOUR AGENT

DURING THE COVID-19 OUTBREAK OUR AGENTS ARE OFTEN WORKING REM OTELY SO PLEASE M ESSAGE THEM AT THIS TIM E

# PROPERTY STEVENAGE Let 's f ace it - w e live in a digit al w or ld - w h en

t h e agen t s w h o ar e act in g on beh alf of bu yer s,

w as t h e last t im e you u sed pr in t t o t r y an d bu y

seller s, lan dlor ds an d t h ose look in g t o r en t .

or sell a h ou se or t o look f or a pr oper t y t o r en t .

In t h ese pages you w ill f in d live lin k s st r aigh t

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t o t h e agen t s - so h it t h eir w ebsit es n ow , em ail

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t h em or ar r an ge a visit - all f r om t h e com f or t

f u ll f act s at you r f in ger t ips an d in st an t lin k s t o

of you r ow n ph on e.

101 High St r eet , St even age

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TLC est at es, 4 Bak er St r eet , St even age

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Tel 01438 219282 let t in gs@t lcest at es.co.u k

61-63 High St r eet ,

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86 High St r eet ,

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St even age Tel 01438 728444 h om esan dm or t gages.co.u k

A-Top Pr oper t y Let t in gs, 1 Dr aper s Way, St even age

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Tel 01438 369173 con t act @a-t oplet t in g.co.u k

# PROPERTY STEVENAGE 24 M ar k et Place St even age

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19 M ar k et Place,

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St even age Tel 01438 312312 st even age@w r igh t sof .com

Ow n Hom es, 2 M iddle Row , St even age

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8 M ar k et Place, St even age

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The independent local estate agent Text

2 M iddle Row , St even age Tel 01438 367753

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St ephen Harris and Michael Not schild est ablished Own Homes in 2008, operat ing as a successful, independent local St evenage est at e agent .

Here at Own Homes, we understand that each property and sale is individual and therefore tailor our service to suit your specific requirements.

We have prominent offices ideally situated in the heart of Stevenage Old Town. One in Middle Row covering lettings and mortgages and one on the High Street to deal with sales.

Our recent expansion and our double fronted office allows us the scope and ability to serve Stevenage and the surrounding residential areas.

Passionate in all we do, we pride ourselves on delivering the highest level of service.

Selling and letting a property can be a stressful time, which is why we go the extra mile to make your involvement with us as enjoyable and professional as possible.

Working in Hertfordshire for the past 10 years has enabled Own Homes to develop a comprehensive understanding of residential property in the local areas of Stevenage, Hitchin and surrounds.

We have an established an experienced team, on hand to work with you throughout the selling and buying process, ensuring personal contact is maintained from start to finish.

We use a number of marketing styles to ensure your property, whether you are selling or letting, gains maximum exposure and a smooth efficient sale. This includes advertising in local newspapers and glossy magazines, as well as Internet marketing. Our double fronted office also allows people to see

our properties in both windows.

To arrange a free valuation, or to find out more about Own Homes and the services we provide, simply call 01438 367753 or email sales@own-homes.com. You can also visit our office.

Awards In recognition of our outstanding service, we've been awarded two gold winner awards by the British Property Awards, one for being the top Estate Agent in Stevenage and another for the top Estate Agent in the South East. We're very proud of these awards as the Own Homes team has worked tirelessly to provide industry leading property services in and around the area.

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Hom e an d M or t gages St even age, 86 High St r eet , St even age Tel 01438 728444

em ail st even age@h om esan dm or t gages.co.u k

Homes and Mortgages Estate Agents are ready and waiting to help the Stevenage community with all its property needs, be it buying, selling or renting, Homes and Mortgages are committed to providing great value customer service for all our clients.

Situated in the heart of the historic Old Town and set over three floors, each department provides a professional, welcoming and comfortable environment for all of our customers. We have a team of 9 full time, experienced Sales and Lettings staff on hand to deal with any property enquiry.

W hat 's new? The rebranded branch and heavy investment in IT has set Homes and Mortgages up to stand out in 2017 and for the future. Our experienced and dedicated staff all share the same view in providing a fantastic customer experience and are heavily focused on the importance of transparency between ourselves and our customers.

The IT software is excellent at allowing vendors and Landlords 24/7 access to information regarding their property. At the click of a button, vendors can see feedback, current interest from web portals and can track the progress of a sale online. Likewise, Landlords have the option to view property maintenance schedules and access statements. mailt o:st evenage@homesand mort gages.co.uk

Click on t h e im ages an d lin k dir ect ly t o t h eir det ails on lin e

Agent Hybrid falls bet ween t radit ional and online est at e agency. Our aim is t o deliver a personal, one-t o-one est at e agency experience, whilst delivering a service of excellence.

ht t ps://my.mat t erport .com/show/ ?m=GCbcjmCyYn

Click on t he image of our Monument Court propert y (above) and t ake a walk t hrough using t he lat est Agent Hybrid Technology

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Putterills Stevenage - talk to the professionals Text

61-63 High St r eet , St even age Tel 01438 316846

Founded by Tony Putterill in 1992, with our first office in Welwyn Garden City, Putterills are now celebrating 26 years of serving the Hertfordshire community.

We have grown from our original branch in Welwyn Garden City to having offices in Knebworth, Hitchin, Stevenage Old Town and St Albans, as well as a partner office in London?s Mayfair. Each of our sales offices are overseen by a Director who is actively involved in the day to day running; this helps to ensure that we are providing the highest possible levels of advice and service. All of these offices are prominently located to ensure all properties receive the best possible exposure.

In addition to our network of sales offices, we have an award winning Land and New Homes department.

Our specialists help landowners maximise the development opportunities for usually previously

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used land known as Brownfield, as the country struggles for space for new homes. We have always believed that our task is to provide our clients with the best, up to the minute, expert advice when dealing with what is usually their greatest asset.

Our clients have a wide range of emotions and circumstances and we help guide less experienced first time buyers, provide yield information and advice to investment buyers, schooling information to families, hold the hands of those who have not moved for many years and deal sensitively and professionally with those. Over the last few years, we are proud to have won a number of national awards which we believe underline our philosophy of being Trusted Property Experts.

2017 saw Tony Putterill retire and hand the reins of the company over to Mark Shearing. Mark has been in agency in Hertfordshire since 1982

and joined Putterills in 1993. As the company moves into a new era with changing markets, advances in property marketing and the use of technology, our aim is simple - to keep at the absolute forefront of full service Estate Agency and to continue the exceptional levels of service and advice that our clients have been able to rely on over the last 26 years.

Our primary purpose has always been to provide an outstanding customer experience and our core values continue to represent this: EXCEPTIONAL ? we are passionate about delivering excellence.

RESPECT ? we respect and value those we work with, both our colleagues and our customers.

EXPERTISE ? we deliver outstanding skills and knowledge in all we do.

TRUST ? we act with honesty and integrity at all times.

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rely on A-TOP A-Top Pr oper t y Let t in gs, 1 Dr aper s Way, St even age Tel 01438 369173

em ail con t act @a-t oplet t in g.co.u k

If you are looking for a t eam t hat you can t rust t o deliver t ime aft er t ime t hen A-Top Propert y Let t ings in Drapers Way, St evenage is t he one for you.

A-Top, which is owned by founder Mervyn Terret t , has gained an impressive reput at ion as t he go-t o agent for all your propert y needs whet her you are looking t o rent or are a landlord seeking t enant s. W it h a combined market experience of more t han 60 years, t he st aff at A-Top are t he most knowledgeable in t he business and along wit h advice on t he rent al market , t hey can also provide informat ion which allows cust omers t o make t he most informed choice possible. Over t he past 33 years t he t eam lead by Mervyn has seen t he local market undergo a wide number of changes, but t hrough t hem all A-Top and it s experienced st aff have always given t he very best and most informed service.

There have been plent y of changes which have alt ered t he let t ings landscape in St evenage. Through t hem all however t he reliabilit y of A-Top Propert y Let t ings has remained a const ant and t heir port folio of excellent landlords has increased dramat ically.

Comment ing on t he t eam Mervyn said: ?W hat once was a rarit y in t he UK i.e. rent ing, is now so common as a source of income/ invest ment for landlords and of mobilit y for professional working t enant s.

We are delight ed t o be able t o use our expert ise t o help bot h t enant s and landlords.?

For furt her det ails cont act 01438 369173 or email cont act @a-t oplet t ing.co.uk

Portfolio - for serviced apartments in #Herts Text

Tel 0800 0248 914

Booking a holiday is possibly one of the greatest feelings and counting down the days when you?re having an awful day at work or are just desperate to get away from home can seem like a joy, but there can be a downside. Hotels. While some people may see staying in a hotel like a dream, it can actually be a nightmare if you?ll be staying there for a long time, especially if on a business trip or secondment. With that said, here are the top reasons to stop staying in hotels for your business travel trips.

Limit ed Wardrobe Space Packing for a holiday or for a business trip puts you on one of two teams, you?re either naturally gifted and find it a breeze or it?s the worst part of the trip for you, but one thing unites these two camps ? limited hotel space.

If you love to pack an outfit for every possible occasion you will know how difficult it can be to cram your clothes into tiny hotel wardrobes, or even worse live out of a case. Staying in a serviced apartment fixes this and means you have a home away from home and all the storage you could need.

You feel like you?re t rapped Walking into a hotel room can at first glance feel wonderful, everything is conveniently within arm?s reach and for the first day you love it. Then the second day comes and the third day and by the fourth you feel like you almost can?t breathe.

Hotels just aren?t feasible for long periods of time or for anyone who likes a sense of space, after all, who wants to feel trapped by the same four walls for the entire of their trip?

Privacy? W hat privacy?

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Hotels may seem like a good idea for a romantic night away, but if you?re travelling with family or small children or even colleagues, then all sense of privacy goes straight out of the window when you?re all sharing a room just feet away from each other.

Forget staring dreamily into each other?s eyes when you wake up, you?ll probably be staring at a toddler who immediately wants to play or be woken by another family member?s snoring and that?s not even mentioning the housekeeper who always turns up at the most inconvenient times!

Serviced apartments let you have time to yourself no matter how many you have brought along for the trip, so you can sleep well and feel like you have privacy if you are all loved up.

Money money money!

Straight to the point hotels aren?t cheap.

Even for the savviest of spenders and the keenest bargin hunters, you may think booking your hotel means it?s all done, dusted and paid for but you will undoubtedly end up incurring extra fees.

Whether you give in to the lure of room-service with its extortionate service charges, or buy a film to keep energetic youngsters occupied, your bill when you check out can hit you like a smack in the face and leave you wanting a more affordable option.

Meals on wheels Speaking of room-service, while this may seem like a decadent treat on the first night, by the time you come back from a long day of exploring and are tired, it is so easy to have a burger brought straight to door along with its crazily hiked-up price and extra delivery charges. This can not only wreak havoc on your bank account,

but also on your waist-line and by the time you leave, the only thing that will be thinner is your wallet.

Serviced apartments absolutely win here, as having a fully equipped kitchen at your fingertips means it?s easy to rustle up something quick and delicious that will probably be healthier for you and will also save you money! If you want some tips on how to eat well when working away from home check out next weeks blog post, or check out our apartments to find out why it?s time to say goodbye to hotel hell and wake up to apartment heaven!

Though staying in a hotel may seem like the obvious option at first, there?s no denying that a serviced apartment brings with it a number of benefits that a hotel just can?t offer.

At Portfolio Serviced Apartments we specialise in providing luxury serviced apartments and temporary homes for corporate and business travellers. We offer a secure spacious base which can become a home from home for longer staying guests. Portfolio Apartments are located throughout all of Hertfordshire including Stevenage, Welwyn Garden City, St. Albans and Hatfield, whilst through our partners we have access to over 90,000 luxury apartments across the globe.

So whether it?s a placement in St Albans or a secondment in San Francisco, Portfolio is consistently the favoured choice for travelling professionals.

For more information,get in touch. Our team at Portfolio looks forward to helping you soon.

Give our friendly team a call on 0800 024 8914 (Mon ? Fri 9-6pm) or visit our website to view our modern serviced apartments.

101 High St r eet , St even age Tel 01438 231200 w w w.m ar k sim on est at es.co.u k pr oper t y@m ar k sim on est at es.co.u k

Partners with vast knowledge of the local area Text

Mark Simon Estates is an established Estate Agency situated at: 101 High Street, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG1 3HR. Here at MarkSimon Estates, we have over 40 years combined experience of Estate Agency within Stevenage and its surrounds.

Our Partners Mark Sollis & Simon Jacob both grew up in Stevenage and therefore have a vast knowledge of the area and its surrounds.

This in itself, is proving an invaluable asset to prospective Vendors and Purchasers seeking a property which meets both their needs and expectations in a home.

?To Mark, Many t hanks for all your hard work selling my house for us in Jessop Road. You went t he ext ra mile in so many ways. You always kept me well informed and I knew I could t rust you t o carry out everyt hing you promised.?

From H.

?To MarkSimon Est at es & your t eam, Thank you for being t here t o help us. ?

Mr K & Miss T

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?To Mike and everyone at MarkSimon Est at es, A Big t hank you for all your help selling our house, Best wishes.?

The W ?s

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The agent with more than 18 years experience Text

TLC est at es, 4 Bak er St r eet , St even age Tel 01438 219282

em ail let t in gs@t lcest at es.co.u k

TLC est at es is sit uat ed in t he delight ful set t ing of St evenage Old Town.

We pride ourselves on t he personal and professional services we offer t o all landlords and t enant s alike We offer very compet it ive rat es we are one of t he very few let t ing agent s only left in t he t own . W it h over 19 years of experience in t he St evenage market we are sure t o offer you t he best of services from under one roof.

Renowned for our open and honest approach ,TLC will give you t he full informat ion on t he market .

Many of our landlords and t enant s have been wit h us since we opened in 2000 and we are known for our close work wit h bot h.

Pop int o our Baker St reet off ice or give us a call and find out how TLC can help wit h your let t ings needs.

The Connells team that you can trust Text

8 M ar k et Place, St even age Tel 01438 318080

w w w.con n ells.co.u k

Connells Estate Agents in Stevenage are located in the Town Centre along Market Place, and within walking distance of the Train Station.

We would love to help you sell or rent your home or find a property to rent or buy in and around the Stevenage area, as well as the villiages Walkern, Knebworth, Little & Great Wymondley, Gravely & Aston.

Connells Estate Agents in Stevenage are managed by Gary Young. Gary has had a successful estate agency career over the last 20 years. Gary is supported by Callum Souter who is the Sales Executive with four years experience behind him, Oz Ansari who is the branch valuer, and Melanie Retberg the Branch Administrator.

Our in-house Mortgage Consultant Juliet Twining, is fully trained and qualified to advise you on the right mortgage product to suit your needs.

Connells Lettings would love to help you rent your property.

Lettings Manager Patricia Bowden has 10 year's experience within the Lettings industry and is assisted by Trainee Lettings Negotiator Ben Brooks. With their combined experience and extensive knowledge of the area and rental market, are always happy to offer their assistance to new and experienced buy to let investors and first time landlords

alike.

Whether you are looking to sell or rent your property, we offer FREE market appraisals. Please feel free to pop into the branch or call 01438 318080 (Sales) or 01438 318258 (Lettings).

We offer a range of property related services all under one roof.

In house Mortgage Consultant.

Premium Marketing Packages available including Floorplans, Professional Photography, audio tours, and premium listings on Rightmove & Zoopla We have pioneered a dedicated service called The Property Finder

- You tell us what you are looking for and we will find it We know how the Stevenage market moves - our staff are local and extremely knowledgeable.

Their in-depth and up to date local experience.

Over 10 years?worth of experience and knowledge within the local market.

A professional team providing services to suit all your needs including property management, accounts and high quality administration.

We accompany all viewings, we believe it is really important, we?ve been trained to do it so you get really good feedback.

Geoffrey Matthew property innovators Text

24 M ar k et Place, St even age Tel 01438 720100

w w w.geof f r eym at t h ew.co.u k

Geoffrey Mat t hew Est at es are a propert y business wit h offices in Harlow, St evenage and Great Ashby t hat specialise in t he sales and let t ing of resident ial propert y.

Over 25 years of experience in propert y and finance give us an unparalleled insight t o t he needs and desires of sellers, purchasers, landlords and t enant s alike.

W it h a dedicat ed, hardworking, innovat ive forward-t hinking t eam t hat use modern met hods and good old-fashioned cust omer service, we offer a unique bespoke service t ailored t o you.

Tel 01438 720100 w w w.geof f r eym at t h ew.co.u k