InSolihull Magazine (Aug - Oct 2018)

AUGUST – OCTOBER 2018

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LIFE AND STYLE FROM THE BEST PLACE TO LIVE AND WORK IN ENGLAND

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LIVE YOUR BEST YOU

JEAN-CHRISTOPHE NOVELLI Q&A with the nation’s favourite French chef

Exciting entertainment and events for all

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PAGE 24

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A guide to ageing gracefully

WHAT’S ON

THE

CHEAPEST CHILTERN .FARES.

GUARANTEED. Book direct through our website or new app and you’ll never pay a credit card, debit card or booking fee.

T&Cs apply. See website for details.

INSTYLE

Food glorious food… this edition does lean ever so slightly towards foodie heaven, I make no excuse for this though as we have our biggest ever food and drink festival in September. Jean-Christophe Novelli and Chris Bavin contribute to this edition, interesting to hear their views on food and life in general.

Selasi from the Great British Bake Off is also at our food festival endorsing what has to be one of the best food events of the year in the UK.

4-5

Neutral colours this season

8-9

Live Your Best You This Autumn

Anti ageing & skincare

INFOCUS 10-11 John Lewis Meet The Experts

4-7

Stylish fashion, beauty & home advice

12-13 Desirables

The town’s best picks this season

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Solihull College

Stratford merger offers greater learning

INBUSINESS 15

Pam Sanghera

Focus on a local solicitor

16-17

BNP Paribas

Profile of a leading Solihull employer

18

Business Briefs Summer 2018

Top business news

INPLAY

24-25

19

Excellence Awards Overview The Solihull BID Excellence Awards

20-21 Kick-off

Looking towards the new football season

22-23 Tap and Tandoor

Bon Appetit!

Combining Indian cuisine with craft beer

24-25 Jean-Christophe Novelli

Mel.

For more information on shopping, entertainment and what’s on in Solihull visit: www.solihullbid.co.uk or call: 0121 285 1370

Men’s Fashion

The fashion pages will have you reaching for your credit cards before you can say animal print. I do love those transitional pieces at this time of year, making space in the wardrobe as we speak.

Melanie Palmer BID Director melanie@solihullbid.co.uk

Animal print and checks

6-7

I hope you are all enjoying our Great British Summer. Our bars and restaurants are all loving this season so long may it continue and thank you for choosing us as your destination of choice.

The desirables have some great options for little people. I have probably the most beautiful grandson in the world (known as The Prince) so my eyes lit up when I saw the kitchen from Argos, never too young to learn how to make Mimi (my version of grandma) some fine dining dishes. Maybe we can get Jean-Christophe involved too?

Women’s Fashion

Interview and delicious recipe

26-28 Food Festival

26-28

This years Food Festival

29

Eat Well for Less? with Chris Bavin

Britain’s Best Home Cook judge

30

What’s On

Dates for your diary Aug - Oct

Editor in Chief Amy Hubbard amy@solihullbid.co.uk

Design Wider info@wider.co.uk

Editorial Assistant Steven Coney steven@solihullbid.co.uk

Advertising Enquiries Amy Hubbard amy@solihullbid.co.uk

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ANIMAL PRINT & CHECKS As you may have already seen animal print is making a comeback, expect to see the stores filled with a variety of prints. Whether snake skin, leopard print or zebra stripes are your favourite, it’s your time to shine. Not so into animal print? Another big trend is a twist on tweed, you will see this through a variety of checks and fabrics.

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1. Tee, £25. Shirt, £59. Jeans, £99. Heels, £89.

Bag, £85. All John Lewis.

2. Trousers, £259. Top, £295. Jacket, £495.

All Katherine Draisey.

3. Jumper, £50. Skirt, £35. Boots, £50.

All River Island.

4. Coat, £149. Jumper, £45. Dress, £105.

All House of Fraser.

5. Jumper, £24.99. Skirt, £17.99.

Both New Look.

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Coat, £130, House of Fraser.

Bag, £35, M&S. Bag, £19.99, Zara.

Trousers, £79, MintVelvet.

Earrings, £10, Oasis.

Dune Trainers, £90, John Lewis.

Dress, £38, Next.

Earrings, £12, River Island.

Shoes, £23, Dorothy Perkins.

Jacket, £70, River Island.

Trousers, £22.99, New Look.

Coat, £69, Dorothy Perkins.

Boots, £69.99, Zara.

Bag, £249, Le Scarpe.

Skirt, £29.50, M&S. Products featured are available in Solihull stores or online.

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INSTYLE Bag, £75, GANT. Jumper, £32, Burton Menswear.

Jumper, £35, M&S.

Dune Boots, £115, John Lewis.

Trousers, £100, GANT.

Neutral

Dune Scarf, £30, House of Fraser.

Colours

This autumn it’s all about neutral colours when it comes to men’s fashion. Layer up with a variety of browns and greens, and if you want to make your outfit stand out add a check print for a sleek style.

Plaid Suit Jacket, £85.

Shirt, £32.

Trousers, £35.

All River Island.

Jacket, £45.

Jumper, £30.

Jeans, £40.

All Burton Menswear.

Boots, £160, GANT.

Jacket, £145.

Jumper, £59.95.

T-shirt, £29.95.

Jeans, £55.

All White Stuff.

Checked Coat, £125. Trousers, £35.

All River Island.

Jacket, £185, GANT.

Shirt, £49.95, White Stuff.

Coat, £99, M&S.

Shirt, £45, M&S.

Jacket, £59.99, Zara.

Jumper, £175, GANT. Shirt, £25, Burton Menswear.

Products featured are available in Solihull stores or online.

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INSTYLE

Our Guide to Ageing Gracefully

Live Your Best You this Autumn

There’s an age old saying that goes “you’re only as old as you feel” - but what if you’re feeling older than you really are? It begs the question; Why do we feel this way? Are we conditioned to not like ourselves as we begin to age? Am I ageing?!

Now that I’ve worked you up a bit – what are we going to do about it? Are we going to allow ourselves to feel inferior as we get older? Or are we going to love and look after ourselves now?

We have narrowed down our favourite confidenceboosting products for all those worries we face as we get older, namely skin, hair and nails.

Let’s fight those signs of ageing together!

By Joanna Xiourouppa

Body

Skin is the largest organ on your body and is just as important as your lungs, liver and heart. It protects your body from harmful bacteria and viruses and therefore should be treated like the brilliant body part that it is.

To us, this means… moisturising!

Moisturising is the best way to keep skin supple and smooth, all while fighting against prematurely ageing the skin.

Moisturise your body with Clarins Moisture Rich Body Lotion, £31 at House of Fraser being sure to smooth the product in an upwards motion to ensure no pulling on the skin.

Another technique we also recommend is dry brushing, an exfoliating method known to promote circulation, increase blood flow and even fight cellulite! Simply brush your skin in circular motions before your shower, then moisturise using an oil or cream of your preference. This Brush from The Body Shop, £9 has the perfect bristles for an all over skin invigoration.

1 £3

£9

Face

£2 6

Let’s be honest - your face is a different ball game. It’s the first place you start to pull apart – your frown lines, your laugh lines, crow’s feet! All of these will appear eventually, but avoiding them arriving early to the party is another story…

So, let’s look after it!

Serums are a great way to hydrate your skin while adding both vitamins and collagen to the dermis.

This Drops of Youth Concentrate from The Body Shop, £26 is a gel-like serum that includes three plant stem cells which are used to reduce any lines you may have and smooth out your skin.

Eyes also need that extra TLC as we get older, so invest in some ultra-hydrating eye cream, like this Clinique Pep-Start Eye Cream, £22.50 at John Lewis. It features a de-puffing tip to soothe and relax tired eyes – perfect!

£2

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Hair Hair is one of those elements of our appearance that we forget, especially as we get older. Our hair is made of keratin and if not properly nourished over time, it can become dry and brittle.

This means we need to look after our luscious locks with the correct products.

£5

Keep your hair looking silky and full of life by applying Percy & Reed Wonder Balm, £18 at John Lewis or opt for a quick treatment like this Coconut Oil Hair Shine from The Body Shop, £5.50. This treatment promises to keep your fly aways at bay while also making your hair softer too! Win, win!

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8 £1

Nails

Your nails are made of keratin, just like your hair, so over time they will become brittle too. Indulge your nails using this Almond Delicious Hand & Nail Cream, £8 at L’Occitane. Use this on your cuticles and your nail tips to keep nails even and strong.

And of course, we couldn’t forget about the cult classic in nail care – nail hardener! Our favourite is the Sally Hansen Diamond Strength Nail Hardener £8.99 at Boots that holds real diamond particles that seal in moisture to nourish and encourage healthy nail growth.

So don’t forget to look after you this autumn and be your best self! £8

.99

£8

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John Lewis Home Design Whether you're refreshing a room or rethinking your whole home, we can help you create a look you'll love.

Meet the

experts

Personal Styling We’ll help you find looks that work beautifully and effortlessly, to create a wardrobe that’s unique to you.

Our trained Personal Stylists will work closely with you to find options that are just right.

We offer two services, and both are free.

"We are a team of three and together we have 17 years’ experience in offering home design and soft furnishings advice. I get great satisfaction from helping customers transform a room, or a whole house and seeing the joy they get from their new surroundings."

John Lewis Solihull opened its doors 17 years ago to the public and it has been a firm favourite in the town centre ever since. We love everything they have to offer from stylish fashion and beauty products to kitchen essentials and the dreamiest beds. It only seemed natural to get in touch with them to meet a few of the experts who make this store the success story it is today.

Children's Shoe Fitting

Nursery Advice

Lingerie Fitter

We'll measure your child's feet and make sure they have the perfect fit.

Whether you've got a baby on the way, or your little one is about to enter a new stage in the first year's amazing development journey, our Nursery experts are here to help you find everything you need.

We'll help you find the right bra that's a perfect fit. Our expert fitters are trained to measure and advise for maternity, nursing, first and post-surgery bras too, as well as shapewear and swimwear.

Wendy Townsend - Specialist lingerie fitter

Pauline Wallis - Home Design Advisor We have three Home Design Advisors, Sam Harris, Lucie Read and Pauline Wallis.

Linda Yule - Children's shoe fitter We have a large team of qualified shoe fitters and we can fit children's shoes from their first pair of shoes right up to teenage school shoes.

"We're about to start our busiest time of the year with back to school.

Our feet won't touch the floor! If customers want to be sure of getting a fitting appointment they can book online. Not many people know that."

Chris Dalton - Nursery Advisor Chris has been in the Partnership for four years and a Nursery Advisor for three years.

"We offer a personal service in store to new mums and dads to be. We're able to tailor a gift list to their individual requirements however big, or small."

Sarah Jones - Personal Stylist "I am one of a team of three personal stylists here and have been a stylist for three years. It's very rewarding to see the difference a new outfit can make someone feel. I love finding things for people to try whether they're getting ready for a blacktie event, want to find the perfect pair of jeans or are looking for a new wardrobe."

"I have been a bra-fitter for eight years now and take pride in making sure all of our customers are looked after whether they're a bride to be, buying their first bra or shopping for a maternity bra. One of the most important parts of my role is to fit post-surgery bras. This can be a very emotional time and we make sure that this is a positive experience."

WIN! John Lewis Solihull would like to offer you the chance to

A Fabulous Prize for....

TWO

The prize includes a two-hour Style Experience with one of our stylists, suitable for a man or woman, a beauty therapy/treatment at a concession of your choice, followed by afternoon tea for two with Prosecco in the Place to Eat. As part of your prize you will receive a hamper from Waitrose Solihull and ÂŁ100 John Lewis gift card.

To enter the competition, you need to visit www.solihullbid.co.uk and answer the following question...

On what date did John Lewis Solihull open? *There is no cash alternative to the prize.

You will need to book the Style Experience and afternoon tea in advance, dates subject to availability. Valid only at John Lewis Solihull. Competition runs from 1/08/2018 till 31/10/2018. Only one competition entry per person will be counted. You must answer the competition question correctly to win. The entry form will be found on www.solihullbid.co.uk. Winner will be contacted in the first week of October.

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PICTURE PERFECT

£4

If you want the highest standard in sound and vision, look no further than the LG OLED65E8PLA. OLED – the gold standard for TV, sleek picture-on-glass design, Alpha 9 processor, Dolby Vision, Web0S Smart system, twin tuners and Freeview play make this TV perfect for flexible viewing and up to date sound and vision. Update your ‘techy’ style.

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LG OLED65E9PLA, 65-inch OLED 4k Ultra HDR Smart TV Freeview Play. £4,499. Richer Sounds, 9 Station Road, Solihull, B91 3TG. 0333 900 0090

The

DESIRABLES STYLISH AND FUNCTIONAL £33

If you are looking for a feature wall piece, this metal skeleton clock is the perfect accessory, not only is it stylish, it’s practical too. With a unique style and roman numerals, this classic clock design is a popular choice and is sure to impress your guests.

TIMELESS STYLE

Metal skeleton wall clock. £35. M&S, Mell Square, Mill Lane, Solihull, B91 3AT. 0121 704 4121

£3

£2

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Utilising both blue and silver tones, the eye-catching colour contrast is evident in the design of this deluxe Larsson & Jennings watch. The highly visual interface boasting luminous watch hands on a dark background with the use of strong stainless-steel mesh bracelet and casing make this watch timelessly stylish and robust, primed to perform for everyday wear.

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95 .99 59 1 £

SCANDINAVIAN STYLE This stylish floor lamp will add a modern charm to your home. With its sleek design and cool, contemporary look it’s the perfect accessory to your favourite book and a cup of tea.

Design Project No. 168 Marble Arc Floor Lamp. £295. John Lewis, Touchwood, Solihull, B91 3RA. 0121 704 1121.

Larsson & Jennings Meridian Blue Dial Steel Bracelet Men’s Watch. £335. Fraser Hart, Mill Lane Arcade, Touchwood Shopping Centre, Solihull, B91 3TA. 0121 709 1132.

FRESH LOAF As we head into Autumn, what more do you want than the sweet smell of a freshly cooked loaf? This Panasonic Bread Maker comes with 13 preprogrammed recipes, speciality modes, non-stick durable bread pan and dispensers for ingredients.

With three loaf sizes to choose from, crust-control and a timer, wake up to a fresh loaf each morning.

Panasonic SD-ZB2502 Bread Maker Stainless Steel – 3 Loaf Sizes. £159.99. Lakeland, 15 Jubilee Walk, Touchwood, Solihull, B91 3HT. 0121 711 2601

£94

SAY NO TO PLASTIC

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Stay hydrated easily on the go with this Soma glass water bottle. It’s the perfect size to fit in your bag, cup holder and life.

The soft silicone sleeve makes it easy to grip and the twist bamboo cap keeps your water fresh.

You are also giving back as with every purchase a donation is made to charity: water, a nonprofit organisation that supports safe drinking water projects globally.

GOOD GIRL They say give a girl the right shoe and she will conquer the world… Add a sophisticated yet multifaceted fragrance and you have a recipe for success. Fun and frivolous, this new, sexy oriental fragrance explores the idea of contrasts and captures a woman’s wondrous complexity by merging the sweet, alluring qualities of jasmine and luminous tuberose with dangerously addictive notes of roasted tonka beans and Cocoa.

SOMA glass water bottle, grey. £29.99.

House of Fraser, Mell Square, Warwick Road, Solihull, B91 3DU. 0121 705 8111

Carolina Herrera Good Girl Eau De Parfum 80m spray. £94.50. The Fragrance Shop, 3 Mill Lane Arcade, Touchwood, Solihull, B91 3GS. 0121 709 4389

For the little ones

£29 .99

Chef in the making Let their imagination run wild, whilst they cook you a threecourse meal. This beautifully crafted toy kitchen, with attached dining area, three realistic electronic features, a large sink, fridge, oven, microwave and complete with 103 piece accessory set, is the perfect practice toy for Solihull’s future chefs.

Step2 Grand Grillin Walk in Kitchen. £275.99. Argos in Sainsburys, 11 Poplar Way, Solihull, B91 3BX. 0345 266 7904.

£27

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It’s so fluffy Because what child doesn’t want to go back to school with a statement fluffy backpack? You can also get matching accessories to go with it.

Make going back to school exciting.

Rainbow fluffy faux fur backpack. £40. Paperchase, 8 Crescent Arcade, Touchwood, Solihull, B91 3GZ. 0121 709 0346

£40

£6

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Future Skills For the future engineers of the world, with a big pile of dirt to move the Bruder Track-type Tractor is the perfect tool. Able to move across any terrain with ease, piles of rubble and sand are no issue.

Bruder CAT large track-type tractor. £64.99. The Entertainer, 19 Jubilee Walk, Touchwood, Solihull, B91 3HT. 0844 800 5126.

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INFOCUS

College student wins prestigious Porsche award Leighton Holroyd, a HND Graphics Yr2 Level 5 student at Solihull College & University Centre, has won a competition brief set by Porsche UK. The competition was to design the racing livery for their classic 1965 Porsche 911 which will be raced at a number of venues this season, including some in Europe. Leighton has been invited to an event hosted by Porsche where he can be formally congratulated.

Solihull College completes merger with Stratford to offer greater learning potential S

olihull College & University Centre has completed its merger with Stratfordupon-Avon College; a move that will offer greater learning and skills opportunities for students across the Midlands.

Building on its core strengths in creative arts, culture and hospitality, over 20 new courses will be launched across the curriculum at Stratford in September 2018.

Stratford students will also have a direct progression route to university level courses in subjects such as engineering, sport and computing by linking up with Solihull.

Solihull’s infrastructure and investment capacity meant that the merger has been fully funded by the College with no extra strain on the public purse and will combine with Stratford’s key strengths and expertise for the combined College to have greater resilience and influence in the region, according to John Callaghan, Principal and Chief Executive of the newly combined College.

“Each college possesses unique areas of expertise and this merger will enable us to maximise our combined strengths,” he said.

“The creative curriculum at Stratford and its world-renowned location were the prime reasons we wanted to merge with them so I’m particularly pleased that we are able to open this up to a more diverse population.

“I’m also delighted that we are drawing on the unique cultural and historical character of the town to enhance the offer in a way no other town could.”

The local business community will also gain from the merger. Stevie EdmundJones, Head of Employer Engagement at Stratford-upon-Avon College, said: “The merger will allow us to develop deeper relationships with local employers, forge new apprenticeship opportunities and better serve the community.”

Mr Callaghan is confident of an exciting future for the combined College.

“I very much look forward to the future in which, by combining our various strengths and areas of expertise, we will be able to provide ever higher standards of provision for our local communities,” said John.

He stated that the College is continuing to invest and has secured LEP funding to develop dual fuel and hybrid technology facilities at the Woodlands campus. Students will be building model cars installing cameras, ultra sound and infra-red sensors so they can test the driverless technology.

Garages will be servicing and maintaining these vehicles so it is essential that our students are familiar and gain experience as they will be the future workforce.

The college is also working up bids to develop two hubs which will be accessible by employers. It is envisaged that the first initiative will create an “Outpost” area for employers in the creative sector to meet with College staff and students so that employers can give live briefs for the students to work on.

The second initiative will be developed to set up incubators and flexible learning opportunities so employers and students can access learning at non-traditional times where they can meet to access the latest digital technologies. The college is already working with Digital Innov8tors and the Chamber of College to strengthen links with employers and to rise to the digital challenge and changes that are essential for business today.

Mr Callaghan went on to say that plans are at a final stage to develop a training facility working with a key employer to help meet the challenge of the skills shortages in the construction industry.

“We are in a brilliant location in Solihull and the first high speed interchange station will be built here so we must ensure our local residents have the opportunity to learn and develop the skills needed for this major project.

“It’s all systems go at the college and really exciting times ahead.”

NEWS & DEVELOPMENTS FROM ONE OF THE COUNTRY’S LEADING COMMERCIAL REGIONS

CHARLES STRACHAN SOLICITORS – PAM SANGHERA Charles Strachan is a specialist law firm offering a range of legal services to clients based locally, nationally and abroad. With offices based in Solihull town centre – on Station Road – Birmingham and Redditch, it is one of the largest firms in both the West Midlands and Worcestershire and offers legal aid in relation to family and criminal matters.

D

irector Pam Sanghera has won numerous awards for her work in family law. She explains what makes the practice stand out from the legal crowd.

Please tell readers about Charles Strachan Solicitors and its Solihull office.

The story behind Charles Strachan started many years ago as a legal aid firm which over the years has developed a strong and wide range of privately paying services.

Despite having re-branded, our commitment to legal services and ensuring a high standard of client care remained the same.

Our Solihull office is in the heart of the town centre and we have a forever growing lively bunch working here. We like to say we are one big family. We pride ourselves on going that extra mile to ensure clients receive not only a great service which is tailored and personal but also a great experience.

What makes the company stand out from the crowd?

All our lawyers have individual strengths but collectively we operate as one team. We have award-winning and accredited panel members who possess a wealth of experience and knowledge. Our residential conveyancing department is accredited by the Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme.

Our Matrimonial and Family department consists of lawyers who are accredited to the Law Society’s Children’s Panel and Family Law Advanced Panel. Our Criminal department also has lawyers accredited to the Law Society’s Criminal Litigation Panel; the majority of the criminal lawyers are Solicitor Advocates so they conduct their own advocacy at all Court levels.

What is your role at Charles Strachan?

I am a chartered legal executive within the family department and director of the company. I was responsible for the re-branding which I thoroughly enjoyed.

My fellow directors and I are responsible for managing the company, however my day-to-day role is practising as a chartered legal executive. I qualified in 2006 and am experienced

in all aspects of family and matrimonial law. I specialise in international family law, including parental child abduction, relocation and advising and representing expatriates who work and live abroad.

My work was recognised by the Birmingham Law Society; I won Legal Executive of the Year in 2014 and the prestigious Jordan’s Family Law Award, Legal Executive of the Year 2016.

Tell readers about your career story and any highlights in your professional life.

Solihull town centre has a thriving professional and financial services sector in addition to the well-known retail and leisure offering.

I chose a career path which enabled me to study and work at the same time to gain invaluable skills and experience.

I loved working complex cases and found my preference in international family law. I am a specialist in child abduction and relocation cases and I advise and represent expatriates.

“SOME OF MY CASES HAVE BEEN REPORTED AND HAVE RECEIVED PUBLICITY BY MEDIA AND PRESS. I HAVE RECENTLY BEEN INVOLVED IN THE INTERNATIONAL FAMILY LAW CONFERENCE HELD IN DUBAI.”

How does it maintain this in the face of competition from other areas?

Being the affluent town that Solihull is, it has a lot to offer to its residents. Solihull has an appealing ‘togetherness and close-knit’ feel in the town centre which can be unique when compared against other busy areas.

With the upcoming HS2 Rail and HSBC Bank in Birmingham complemented by easy travel links between Birmingham, Solihull and Coventry, it allows individuals to have a great choice as to where they live and work.

15

INBUSINESS

LEADING SOLIHULL TOWN CENTRE PERSONAL FINANCE COMPANY SUPPORTS BOROUGH’S SKILLS DRIVE

The Chief Executive Officer of leading Solihull town centre employer BNP Paribas Personal Finance has described 2018 as an important year for the company’s ambitious strategy to double in size, recruit more people and raise its profile in the borough.

B

lenheim Court-based BNP Paribas Personal Finance continues to be one of the town centre’s most attractive employers with a commitment to nurture and develop its employees and offer career progression locally or internationally.

The company, which rebranded last year, is one of Europe’s leading providers of consumer credit and retail finance, with much of its innovation and research work taking place in Solihull.

And CEO Stephen Hunt told InSolihull magazine how new business areas due to be launched later this year will help a sustainable growth strategy.

“This is a big year for us,” said Stephen. “We’ve been building some new business

areas that will come to market later in the year and these will offer a big platform for us to meet our growth targets.

“Last year we defined our strategy to double the size of the business by 2020 and that phase of the project was about finding the people we needed to develop some of the new business solutions we are going to offer.

“This year is about building those solutions. We have attracted people into the business with very specific skills to help this.”

Many of those new starters have been recruited locally, but Stephen explained how people are relocating from across the UK to base themselves in the West Midlands to work for BNP Paribas Personal Finance.

“It has been interesting to see in just the last 12 months the number of people who want to relocate to Solihull and the Midlands from places like London.

“WE’VE EXPANDED WHAT WE DO WITH COLLEGES AND OUR UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMME IS GOING FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH, FOCUSING ON SOME OF THE NEW SKILLS – SUCH AS DIGITAL AND ANALYTICAL KNOWLEDGE – THAT BUSINESSES SUCH AS OURS NEED.”

“We’ve had some great candidates come through from the local universities and colleges.

“There is some great talent out there. We’re finding people coming into our business are ready for the work environment and have a good grounding for us to develop them with our training programmes,” added Stephen.

In addition to the recruitment drive a major aim of BNP Paribas Personal Finance is to increase its profile in Solihull.

This is being achieved through sponsorship of awards such as the Solihull BID Excellence Awards, which celebrate talented town centre employees and apprentices, and this year’s BYPY; the Birmingham Young Professional of the Year awards.

PEOPLE DRIVE OUR SUCCESS

A GREAT PLACE TO WORK

JOIN OUR WINNING TEAM PART OF A LEADING GLOBAL BANK

INCLUSIVE WORKING ENVIRONMENT

VISIT BNPPARIBAS-PF.CO.UK/CAREERS

BNP11648_Solihull_Bid_0618.indd 1

“We changed the name of the company in February 2017 when we became BNP Paribas Personal Finance and we’ve found that has had a real impact on the visibility of the business locally. This has helped us recruit the right people,” said Stephen.

“WE HAVE A FANTASTIC, ENERGETIC CULTURE FOCUSED AROUND PEOPLE AND INNOVATION. WHEN PEOPLE JOIN OUR COMPANY, THEY HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO MOVE AROUND THE BUSINESS LOCALLY OR INTERNATIONALLY.”

11/06/2018 11:25

“People are given opportunities to stretch themselves. They really can make an impact and make a difference.

“IT’S GREAT WORKING WITH YOUNG PEOPLE WHO DON’T HAVE THE BARRIERS WE HAD WHEN WE STARTED WORK. THEY GIVE US A FRESH VIEW THAT WE NEED AS A PROGRESSIVE BUSINESS.”

new transport hub linked to the vast HS2 rail project connecting the West Midlands to London.

“Being a major employer and being in the borough for the past 45 years we have quite an interest in the developments,” he said.

“The banking and financial services sector needs a good supply of talented people to work and to stay in this area so from our perspective, it’s all positive. Anything that makes us more accessible and more attractive to live and work is welcome.”

Stephen watches with interest the various transport and infrastructure masterplans in the pipeline that will directly impact the way people live and work in Solihull, such as the multi-million-pound transformation of Birmingham International Station to create a 17

INBUSINESS

BUSINESS BRIEFS SUMMER 2018

FIRST LOOK AT £286M TRANSFORMATION OF BIRMINGHAM INTERNATIONAL STATION New design ambitions for the £286 million transformation of Birmingham International Station have been revealed.

Plans to transform the rail station into a fully integrated transport hub, linked to the new HS2 Interchange Station in Solihull, have also been given a major boost after £9.27 million was secured to progress the design process. The Urban Growth Company (UGC) – set up by Solihull Council to maximise the benefits of HS2’s arrival – secured the Devolution Deal funding from the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) at its Investment Board meeting. The funding will allow the UGC to appoint consultants to progress the technical design of the station, and design and build contractors to undertake the physical delivery of the project.

The plans form a major part of the ambitions for the UK Central Hub which is the area of land in Solihull near the M42 comprising Birmingham Airport, the NEC, Jaguar Land Rover, Birmingham Business Park and Arden Cross, which will be home to the HS2 Interchange Station from 2026.

BOOMING BLENHEIM COURT WELCOMES CADENT GAS

NEW JOBS TO BE CREATED AS BIKE-SHARE SCHEME ANNOUNCED

Office space at Blenheim Court in Solihull town centre has been let to Cadent Gas, formerly part of the National Grid and the fourth new occupier secured for the scheme in the last 12 months.

The world’s biggest bike-share operator, nextbike, has been chosen by the West Midlands Combined Authority to operate the region’s bike-share scheme.

Cadent Gas has signed a deal for the space at Blenheim Court in a deal secured by Savills, on behalf of a fund managed by Clearbell Capital.

Comprising Radcliffe House and Chadwick House, Blenheim Court offers 150,000 sq ft of office space in total. Cadent Gas has agreed a new nine-year lease for 2,000 sq ft on the first floor of Radcliffe House.

The deal follows a 4,792 sq ft letting to Sweco in the same building earlier this year, which will see the engineering, environment and design consultancy return to Blenheim Court.

In 2017, Legal & General Home Finance acquired the last remaining floor at Chadwick House in a 14,000 sq ft leasing deal.

The year also saw Managed Serviced Offices Ltd take 10,000 sq ft in Radcliffe House.

The landmark scheme will bring 50 jobs to the region, with posts including area managers, van drivers and mechanics.

Bosses at nextbike said the first bikes will be hitting the streets in September this year, when 2,000 are installed across Birmingham, Coventry and Wolverhampton. The remaining 3,000 bikes will be rolled out in phases that will also include Solihull, Walsall, Sandwell and Dudley in 2019.

Docking stations will be located around key sites in the towns and cities involved, with bikes available 24 hours a day.

The bikes will feature advanced technology and enhanced security features, including integrated front locks and GPS tracking, that makes using them easy for users.

METRO BANK PLANS ‘BANKING REVOLUTION’ A ‘banking revolution’ could be coming to Solihull town centre after Metro Bank submitted a planning application with Solihull Council to open at the corner of High Street and Mill Lane.

Metro Bank was founded in London in 2010 but its growing network of around 50 outlets has been focused solely on the capital and South East.

The so-called ‘challenger bank’ has now lodged plans with Solihull Council for a town centre branch.

Metro Bank offers retail and commercial banking services and its trading hours typically mirror those of retailers. Hours of business are seven days a week, including bank holidays, and until 8pm during the week.

A Metro Bank spokesperson said: “We’re delighted to have submitted a planning application for a new Metro Bank store in Solihull, which will create around 25 new jobs for local people. This is the very first step in bringing the banking revolution to the people of Solihull and providing them with a fresh and exciting banking experience; one that’s built around their needs.”

The time has come to suggest talented trainees and creative colleagues who deserve a moment in the spotlight at the Solihull BID Excellence Awards 2018.

OVERVIEW

EXCELLENCE AWARDS T

he annual red-carpet event celebrates all that’s great about town centre businesses, employees and innovation in retail, leisure, hospitality, finance and office-based businesses.

Arranged by Solihull BID, the Business Improvement District for the town centre, and sponsored by BNP Paribas Personal Finance, Solihull College, Phoebus Software and Touchwood, this year’s awards ceremony will take place at the St Johns Hotel on Thursday, November 22.

Having previously cooked for the G8 world leaders, David spent ten years as chef director of Opus restaurants in Birmingham. He is now Chef Director of PR consultancy, Liquid.

Ojay McDonald is the Chief Executive of the Association of Town & City Management.

He works with Government Ministers, parliamentarians, economic development professionals, business leaders and place-makers across the UK and Ireland to support town and city centres.

Resuming judging duties at this year’s Excellence Awards will be Solihull College & University Centre Principal John Callaghan, Eileen Schofield of Schofield & Associates, David H Bradnock MBE JP DL FBHI, HM Deputy Lieutenant for the West Midlands and Paul Brown, Director, EY. This year’s awards judging panel will welcome two new faces in consultant chef David Colcombe and town centre planning executive Ojay McDonald.

Award-winning chef and hospitality consultant David Colcombe is a member of the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts and the British Culinary Federation, as well as an honorary fellow and visiting professor at University College Birmingham.

Ojay McDonald

More than 100 entries were received for last year’s awards with judges describing the nominations as the highest standard yet.

“I am delighted and honoured to have been asked to take part in judging Solihull BID’s Excellence Awards,” said Ojay.

“RECOGNISING AND REWARDING EXCELLENCE IS A GREAT WAY OF FOSTERING AND NURTURING TALENT IN OUR TOWN CENTRES.

David Colcombe

“The work of Solihull BID can really be a catalyst for positive change by showcasing best practice that businesses and different stakeholders can learn from. This is the hallmark of innovation.

“This is critical for Solihull. Town centres are changing rapidly. Solihull’s strategic location makes it a place capable of drawing in investment and talent, so being able to showcase its assets is essential. I can’t wait to be a part of this exciting process.”

David Colcombe is equally honoured to be a part of the Solihull BID Excellence Awards judging panel.

“Solihull BID are striving to build a great town centre that recognises and nurtures the talent we have in the region. I’m therefore delighted to be involved with this year’s Excellence Awards,” he said.

“THE THRIVING INDEPENDENT HOSPITALITY SCENE IN SOLIHULL HAS BOOMED DUE TO INCREASED FOOTFALL IN THE AREA, WHICH IS LARGELY DUE TO THE HARDWORKING ATTITUDE OF SOME EXCELLENT APPRENTICES WHO ARE MAKING A REAL DIFFERENCE IN MANY OF THE TOWN’S CAFES, BARS AND RESTAURANTS.

“It is important for those who go the extra mile to be recognised and they have earned their place on the red carpet.”

SOLIHULL BID EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2018 CATEGORIES Best Independent

Best Trainee/Apprentice Best Customer Service

Best Hospitality and Leisure Outstanding Team

Outstanding Innovation and Enterprise Outstanding Corporate Social Responsibility Project Visit www.solihullbid.co.uk to make a nomination.

19

The World Cup has come and gone but August is here and that means that the new domestic football season is upon us.

It’s nearly time to

Kick-Off

For those of you who are football mad, it will be welcome news – no more empty Saturday afternoons staring at the walls dreaming of watching a 0-0 draw in terrible weather.

F

or those not so enamoured with ‘the beautiful game’, sorry! But look on the bright side, May isn’t that far away, right?

It’s fair to say that last season wasn’t the best for our local clubs but that means things can only get better, or at least we hope so!

Aston Villa and Birmingham City will both be competing in the Championship – the division below the Premier League – again and will be joined by West Bromwich Albion, who were relegated from the top flight.

Whilst it has been an ‘interesting’ summer at Villa Park, the club will rightly be expecting to be challenging at the top again in a bid to return to the Premier League where they believe they belong.

Blues, meanwhile, will want to steer clear of any relegation trouble and progress under new boss Garry Monk with hopes high following a good end to last season.

West Brom will be targeting a promotion push as they look to bounce straight back up to the top flight. There will be plenty of entertaining local derbies this season – fantastic for the local area.

There is likely to be plenty of media interest in all three clubs so expect a number of games to be shown live on Sky Sports throughout the season.

Tom King Photography

Solihull Moors We hope our local clubs will help put the West Midlands on the map this season and we would also like to wish the best of luck to Solihull Moors.

The Moors play in the National League – four divisions below the Premier League – and are progressing both on and off the pitch every single year.

There are plenty of grass-roots sports clubs in Solihull and up and down the country, that are doing fantastic things. Please contact us if you think there is a story we just have to feature – email steven@solihullbid.co.uk.

Where to Watch You’ll be able to watch your club – and a large number of Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League games in a variety of different venues across Solihull town centre. These include: • The Flute and Flagon • The Masons Arms • O’Neill’s • Tap & Tandoor • Walkabout • Yates We would advise checking with the venue before a specific game if you are making the trip especially to watch the football.

Catch all the live action in Solihull this season 21

New in Solihull, combining Indian cuisine with craft beer Like summer and BBQs, some things go together so perfectly that they are just meant to be. Well now you can add to that list curry and craft beer, as that’s where the newest and most exciting opening in Solihull, Tap and Tandoor, are taking us all, on a culinary journey around Indian cuisine and top quality drinks.

Curries and the eponymous Mixed Grill, all of which are made using only the freshest and best quality meat available, sourced locally from suppliers such as Aubrey Allen.

T

ap and Tandoor, which opened on the site of the former Saddler’s Arms on the Warwick Road is Solihull Town Centre’s only independent pub and it’s vowing to offer Solihull something different with its Gastro Indian pub vibe. Having undergone an extensive refurbishment, it threw open its doors in June and has been bustling with customers keen to try something different.

With the focus on the venue still being a pub, albeit one with great food, Solihull gastronomes will be able to feast down on dishes such as Tikka Sliders, Home Style

Craft beer is a big part of the offering at Tap and Tandoor too with beers being bought from as far and wide as Hawaii while keeping the local element with a range of beers from breweries such as Purity which is based just 10 minutes down the road. The beer lists will constantly change and evolve so that the Tap’s customers can try different styles and flavours on each visit. In addition to the 12 lines of draft beer and a fridge packed full of the finest canned and bottled beer, cocktail maestro Robert Wood (Smultsonstralle, 40 St Pauls etc), has designed a special cocktail menu while the range of wines are supplied from Solihull wine merchant Connolly’s.

Alongside the food and drink, Tap and Tandoor will be showing all of the major sporting events of the summer and

beyond with its multiple TV screens and Sky Sports. There are even private dining and meeting spaces in the converted apartment above which hold between 8 and 20 people and come complete with TVs for the sport or for presentations.

Having opened the hugely successful Zindiya in Moseley last year, owner Ajay Kenth admitted that he always wanted to own a pub and when the chance arrived he couldn’t pass it up. Speaking of the pub, Ajay, who is a former Solihull School student and still lives in the area with his wife and 2 children said, “I’ve always thought that Solihull needed more independent, quality led places and it was great timing when the Saddler’s finally closed down. We’ve been given a great chance to help change the hospitality offering for locals and give them something new to try. Using the best ingredients, the best suppliers and local, caring people, we hope that the people of Solihull take us in to their hearts and return time after time”.

“We’ve been given a great chance to help change the hospitality offering for locals and give them something new to try.”

- craft beer - mixed grill - homestyle curries - cocktails - live sports - private room hire - 676 Warwick Road, Solihull B91 3DX - 0121 711 1166 - www.tapandtandoor.co.uk -

Jean-Christophe Novelli

The Solihull Food and Drink Festival is back for the 8th year running, and we have invited some of the best chefs along to treat you all to cooking demonstrations – Solihull will soon have the best home cooks around!

Jean-Christophe Novelli will be joining us on Saturday 29th September in the demo kitchen in Mell Square, we were too excited to wait until September, so we had a chat with him to find out a little bit more…

What was your childhood dream?

I would like to have married Donna Summer and Kate Bush.

At what age did you first fall in love with the art of cooking?

I became aware of my desire to cook when I was just 8 years’ old. One day I was asked what I would like to do and, as I already enjoyed cooking with my mum, I replied spontaneously that I would like to be a chef. From that moment onwards, I very much enjoyed answering this question and knowing I would become a chef one day.

What dish sums you up as a person?

I like to improvise and create something original, so really it could be any dish that is cooked in a simple way using fresh, good quality produce.

What dish do you enjoy cooking the most?

I enjoy cooking so much it would be unfair to name just one or two dishes. Every day is different, so my favourites will vary from one day to the next. I will be influenced by what fresh produce arrives at my front door.

What’s the most memorable moment in your career?

Luckily for me there have been, and there still are, a lot of wonderful moments in my career. One of the most inspirational was when I first ate in Harveys – the Marco Pierre White restaurant in London. The most memorable, however, was definitely when my daughter Christina was born and I left the restaurant in the middle of the service, which is something I had never done before. Leaving France and crossing the Channel in 1983, to come to work in the UK, was another great moment.

What does your ideal holiday destination look like?

Today, with 3 young boys, my ideal holiday is driving my Mitsubishi non-stop for 2 days to somewhere calm and peaceful where there is no signal on our phones!

Do you think the saturation of TV Chef programmes is a good or bad thing for the industry?

In my opinion, there’s nothing wrong with people being able to watch a range of programmes giving good information.

What do you enjoy most about your profession?

Cooking is the only vocation where you can express yourself passionately and use a combination of all 5 senses together to try to please everyone in society.

Tar te Tatin

Apple Baked r amel a C h wit

Recipe

Tarte Tatin

Baked Apple with Caramel Created by the Tatin sisters in Sologne in the 19 th century. Stephanie, dazed, forgot in the heat of the moment to put pastry into a pan and simply placed the apples into the pan. Suddenly noticing her forgetfulness, she decided to add the dough over the apples, bake the pie and this is the result. Hunters have since enjoyed this pie, which became the Tarte Tatin. The original restaurant is still open!

PREP TIME

INGREDIENTS

20 MINUTES

COOKING TIME

40 MINUTES

ip T s ’ f Ch e

and h t ing ve r l e s w i t r y o c p s n p a e a ep W h g t he d t h round n n i l a a se as tr y, ing a to p ime ov t h e a r t s m , i t i s t v e n. s t e p an t he o h i n t t i t i nto pu

“I am delighted to be coming to the Solihull Food and Drink Festival and I do hope you’ll come to see me on Saturday 29th September. Keep an eye on the Solihull BID website to book your tickets for my demo and I will see you there.”

• 100g butter • 200g sugar • 1 star anise • ½ vanilla pod

Ser v es FO

UR

(split lengthways)

• 6 cardamom pods • 5 apples (peeled and sliced in half just before using them)

• Ready-made puff pastry

METHOD

Preheat the oven to 180C (fan), 200C (non-fan) or gas mark 6.

Using a large oven proof frying pan (approx. 28cm) gently melt the butter on a medium heat with the star anise vanilla pod and cardamom pods and then add the sugar. Gently colour everything until it is pale yellow in colour.

Peel and slice the apples in half, pat dry all over with kitchen paper, (make sure they haven’t been kept in water or lemon juice) then place them neatly face down into the pan and set aside.

Using your ready-made pastry, roll it out into a circle approx. 28cm in diameter and ½cm thick.

Then carefully place the pastry over the entire pan, pressing the pastry all around the apples to form a tight seal. The apples at the edge of the pan, can be lifted slightly and the pastry tucked underneath. This will avoid steaming the pastry as opposed to baking it.

Put the pan on a low heat and after a couple of minutes, lift the pan, place your hand over the pastry and holding it tight, pour off the excess liquid, this is saturated fat that has formed and isn’t required. Repeat this process twice before placing the pan into the oven for approx. 25-30 minutes.

After this time, remove from the oven and leave to rest for about 5 minutes and will allow for all the caramel to settle and become firm.

TO SERVE

NOVELLI ACADEMY If you would like to book a course at the Novelli Academy, or buy a Gift Voucher for someone, please use the Promotional Code FESTIVAL20 to receive a 20% discount.* *For a limited time only.

Using a plate larger than the pan, lightly oiled with rapeseed oil rubbed on the plate with fingers, positioned over the pan and then turned out being careful not to spill the caramel that may still be hot.

Serve with good quality real vanilla ice cream.

Jean-Christophe Novelli 25

INPLAY

Foodie Fans – it’s time to save the date 28th - 30th September as the Solihull Food and Drink Festival returns for the 8th year!

T

his year’s food festival will be the biggest and best one yet, with not just one, but three famous faces in our demo kitchen. Last year we saw Dave Myers from the Hairy Bikers show us how to cook the best fish and chips, and this year we wanted to offer you more. There will be demonstrations from the award-winning celebrity chef Jean-Christophe Novelli, Eat Well for Less? and Britain’s Best Home Cook judge Chris Bavin and Great British Bake Off’s much loved Selasi Gbormittah.

With Itailian and Indian dishes being so popular in the UK we have also got demonstrations from Italian chef Felice Tocchini and Indian chef Mani Malhi.

Our demo kitchen will be accompanied by over 60 continental food stalls and bars, children’s entertainment including Solihull’s favourite Mr. Bubble, food tasters, the most loved voucher booklets for Solihull venues and the all new evening area with funky street food and bands on until later in the evening on Friday and Saturday.

After a successful launch last year, The BIG Ale Trail is also back for the second year running. Purchase your branded BIG Ale Trail glass and enjoy a swig of Solihull’s selected local bars’ finest tipples.

Tingle your taste buds with flavours from all over the globe on the high street, get tips from the best in the business, take part in the The BIG Ale Trail, enjoy evening live music and experience Solihull’s finest flavours for months after the event with your voucher booklet. Best of all the event is free to attend.* The Solihull Food Festival is brought to you by Solihull BID, the Business Improvement District in Solihull Town Centre, in conjunction with RR Events. Look out for more information and how to purchase tickets for selected demos in the demo kitchen and The BIG Ale Trail at www.solihullbid.co.uk. See you there!

*Some of the demonstration’s in the demo kitchen will be ticketed, see www.solihullbid.co.uk for full details.

phe o t s i r h C n Jea Novelli

W ITH

J

ean-Christophe Novelli is a 5 out of 5 AA Rosette and Michelin award winning chef, who is also dubbed “the nation’s favourite French chef”.

He began his exciting career at the tender age of fourteen as a baker in his home town of Arras, Northern France, before becoming the private Head Chef to Elie de Rothschild at the age of 19.

Jean-Christophe’s life changed completely when he arrived in Great Britain in 1983. He ran Keith Floyd’s pub, ‘The Maltsters’, as Head Chef, whilst Keith was filming his famous TV shows. In 1996, Jean-Christophe then opened four restaurants in London, and so began the foundations for his internationally based mini empire.

What is so surprising is that he only had £500 in his pocket to start this solo venture. Jean-Christophe went on to open his award-winning cookery school in the beautiful county of Hertfordshire.

To launch the festival there will be a gala dinner with JeanChristophe Novelli** at Crowne Plaza Solihull. He will also be in the demo kitchen in Mell Square on Saturday 29th September 2018, please see the Solihull BID website for booking details. **The gala dinner is a ticketed event with limited tickets available.

Selasi

W ITH

n Chris Bavi

W ITH

C

hris Bavin is so full of character he was born to be on TV – After a TV production company first stumbled across him in 2011 he has gone from strength to strength and is co-presenter of BBC1’s hugely successful series Eat Well For Less? with Gregg Wallace. The show has had incredible ratings and the accompanying book is a best seller.

In addition to Eat Well for Less?, Chris has presented Tomorrow’s Food with Dara O’Brian, The Truth about Meat, and he is copresenter of BBC1’s returning series Food: Truth or Scare with Gloria Hunniford. In 2018, Chris has presented BBC2’s series Britain in Bloom. He was also a co-judge on BBC1’s new prime time competition series Britain’s Best Cook with Mary Berry, Chef Dan Doherty and presented by Claudia Winkleman.

Chris is the co-founder of ‘The Naked Grocer’ a retail business that was twice voted ‘National Independent Retailer of the Year’, as well as receiving ‘Best Contribution to the Community’ award. He is passionate about educating and raising awareness in children of where food comes from and encouraging them to learn how to increase their consumption of fruit and veg. One of his ambitions is to teach others how eating healthily can be cheap and easy to achieve.

See Chris Bavin in the demo kitchen in Mell Square on Saturday 29th September 2018. Please see the Solihull BID website for booking details.

G

hanaian Selasi comes from a culture where food plays a huge part in the community and as a child he enjoyed spending time in the kitchen with his family who taught him the basics of cooking and baking. They never worried too much if he disappeared for a bit as they always knew he would be found in the kitchen buried in a pot with ingredients all over the place!

Based in London for the last 16 years, his love of cooking continues to be a theme in his life – he regularly hosts friends and family and is a self-professed feeder. For him as for so many others, food and food preparation is a medium for bringing people together.

The Great British Bake Off 2016 has introduced this charming laid back, banking, biking, baker to the Great British Public and to new friends. The journey starts here.

See Selasi in the demo kitchen in Mell Square on Sunday 30th September 2018. Please see the Solihull BID website for booking details.

27

INPLAY

i h l a M u Manj

W ITH

ini h c c o T Felice

W ITH

B

orn in Tuscany, Felice got his first job in catering at the age of six. His parents took on a village bar and it was Felice’s job to make coffee which he loved.

In the 90s, Felice created the “Pasta Club” which took on a life of its own attracting some 1000 members. Felice now owns two award-winning restaurants in Worcestershire – Fusion Brasserie and Fusion too. He specialises in using fresh, local produce to create delicious food with an Italian twist.

He is passionate about local produce and spends much of his time working with growers and producers as well as schools and colleges to help promote Worcestershire food and drink.

His main love is developing recipes and any food challenges thrown at him. At present he is working at the acclaimed “Novelli Academy” one of the top 25 best cookery schools in the World alongside Celebrity chef Jean-Christophe Novelli, Scott’s Farm (sweet potato growers) creating recipes to encourage people to eat more of this unknown vegetable, Eckington Manor Cookery school and cookery shows nationwide.

He has appeared on numerous TV programmes including The One Show, Countryfile, The Gadget show as well as in the media worldwide for his innovative creations such as Sprout Cake (a concept to encourage children to enjoy these muchmaligned vegetables) and the Worcester Dunker – a biscuit designed to hold its own when dipped in tea…or champagne.

See Felice in the demo kitchen in Mell Square on Sunday 30th September 2018. Please see the Solihull BID website for booking details.

D

rawing on her past and combining it with the realities of urban Western life, Manju has come up with her own unique style of Indian home food. She won the BBC’s Food and Drink competition and has cooked with Antony Worrall Thompson on BBC2. Manju’s Simply Indian series was aired on the Taste Network. Her foray into the world of the gogglebox has also taken her to Delhi for a forty-part series entitled Cooking Isn’t Rocket Science for one of India’s leading broadcasters NDTV, where she was preparing British cuisine for India - a reverse of what she is generally known for in the UK. Manju has published a number of books including Brit Spice, India with Passion and Easy Indian Cookbook which she hopes will encourage more and more people to experiment with preparing food.

Manju will demonstrate several authentic Indian dishes using a selection of spices such as cumin, coriander, garam masala, turmeric and chilli powder. As long as you have five spices to hand in your kitchen cupboard, you’re on your way to making mouthwatering meals within minutes.

See Manju in the demo kitchen in Mell Square on Friday 28th September 2018. Please see the Solihull BID website for booking details.

Eat Well for Less?

Chris Bavin Chris Bavin, Britain’s Best Home Cook judge and Eat Well for Less? expert, is also going to be at the Solihull Food and Drink Festival.* We had a catch up with him before the event to share some tips when it comes to home cooking.

The series of Britain’s Best What are your do’s and Home Cook has been really don’ts when it comes well received by the public, to home cooking? do you have a special moment Do taste your food, do try new things, do enjoy it. to share from the show?

Don’t worry too much or beat I think the whole show was special, I loved every minute of it. Working with Mary, Claudia and Dan was brilliant, seeing our 10 cooks and how they developed over the series. Of course, as a bonus I got to eat some amazing food too!

yourself up if to goes wrong.

Have you tasted one of Mary Berry’s cakes, what was it like?

Plan, plan and plan. Meal plan, buy what you need to make those meals and try to cook as much from scratch as possible.

No I haven’t, but I have baked many of her recipes and they always turn out great!

What’s the new eating or dining trend at the moment?

I think there are lots of trends but there definitely appears to be a desire to support local independent restaurants which is causing the casual dining chains to struggle.

Street food is still big, but there is definitely a turn towards people cooking more from scratch at home which is great!

What are your top tips for saving money on the food shopping bill?

Have you had a cooking disaster?

Not yet …. well maybe a couple of mishaps but no complete disasters!

What’s next for you on the TV? I am filming Britain in Bloom 2 now and then another series of Eat Well for Less?

* Please see the Solihull BID website for full details.

29

INPLAY

What’s On

AUGUST - OCTOBER 2018

Boston Tea Party Quiz Starts 7pm. Burger and beer deal from 4.30pm – 7.30pm. To book email solihull@bostonteaparty.co.uk.

AUG

2

Molton Brown Summer Event Join Solihull Molton Brown to experience their beautiful fragrances. You’ll receive a luxurious hand & arm massage, Cava and refreshments from 10am - 5pm. Spaces are limited so you will need to pre-book by speaking to a member of the team. Call 0121 709 0927 for more information or to book.

AUG

2

Beginners Modern Calligraphy Workshop Get creative and learn how to write beautifully with ink and nib. This course is perfect for anyone who wants a fun couple hours with friends, to up their DIY wedding game or to learn a new relaxing and beautiful hobby. We will start with an introduction to modern calligraphy with learning basic strokes, then letter forms and joining and by the end you will be writing phrases. No experience is necessary, and you don’t need neat handwriting to be good at calligraphy. Location: Boston Tea Party Solihull. 2pm – 4.30pm. Price £37. Starter pack included with equipment which you can take away with you and Tea/ drink to keep you going. Get tickets via our website www.ribbonsandvows.com. For more information call: 07715304280.

They also have a session on Saturday 1st September 2018 2pm- 4:30pm.

AUG

4

Sunday Lunch at Crowne Plaza Every Sunday in August, September and October - £17.95 for adults, under 12’s half price and under 3’s free for 3 courses served in the Terrace restaurant.

AUG

5

Kidz Bop Live Touchwood will be hosting the ultimate pop star party for kids, when it welcomes The KIDZ BOP Kids for a series of bright and bubbly performances. Join us on the sand to see The KIDZ BOP Kids perform Live!

Dance and sing-a-long to some of today’s biggest hits, sung by kids for kids and snap a selfie with the kids themselves.

Come along from 12noon! Touchwood Beach, Theatre Square. 0121 709 6900 AUG

11

Parkrun AUG Brueton Parkrun is a free 12 weekly 5k event for runners of all standards. It takes place every Saturday at 9am. You will need to register in advance by 6pm on the Friday before your first event and bring your personal barcode with you. Register at www.parkrun.org.uk/brueton.

Hoop La La at Touchwood Beach Guinness World Record Holders, Hoop La La, will be performing their breath-taking, acrobatic roller skating act beach-side. Hoop La La will be dazzling guests from 12 noon, so make sure you come along to join in the fun. Touchwood Beach, Theatre Square. 0121 709 6900 AUG

18

The Morgan & West Magic Show Time travelling magicians present their spiffing show for kids (and childish grown-ups!). 2pm on Thursday 30 August at The Core Theatre. Suitable ages 5+. Tickets £10. Box Office T: 0121 704 6962. www.thecoretheatresolihull.co.uk.

AUG

30

SEP

3

Meditation Classes for Beginners 6-Week Courses starting at

For more information about these events and what’s happening in Solihull, visit: www.solihullbid.co.uk

Crowne Plaza Solihull. An informal ladies only group, perfect if you want to dip your toe into meditation or reconnect. Every session includes a short talk, breathing exercises and a guided visualisation.

Classes are open to everyone from beginners to experienced meditators who want to meet like-minded people.

7pm – 8.30pm £48 (£8 per session). Buy now at https://paypal.me/Shelley72/48.

Boston Tea Party Quiz Starts 7pm. Burger and beer deal from 4.30pm – 7.30pm. To book email solihull@bostonteaparty.co.uk.

SEP

6

Farmers Market 9am-5pm – support our local farmers by visiting this popular market, offering a tempting range of local produce sourced within a 30mile radius of Solihull. It is held on the first Friday of every month – Solihull High Street and Mill Lane.

SEP

7

Andy Fairweather Low’s Big Show Fantastic show featuring both the Low Riders and the Hi Riders Soul Revue. 7.30pm on Fri 28 September at The Core Theatre. Tickets £25.

Box Office T: 0121 704 6962. www.thecoretheatresolihull.co.uk.

SEP

28

Best Christmas Ever at Yates Solihull!

Don’t miss out! Christmas party bookings are now being taken from only £8.45pp at Yates Solihull. Delicious Buffet and sit-down meal options with amazing drinks packages also available. Enquire in person or visit www.weareyates.co.uk for more information. Have your Christmas or New Year’s Eve party with us – you’re guaranteed the best night out in Solihull!

OCT

1

Boston Tea Party Quiz Starts 7pm. Burger and beer deal from 4.30pm – 7.30pm. To book email solihull@bostonteaparty.co.uk.

OCT

4

SO Comedy – Live Stand Up Stand-up comedy night featuring host plus TV’s Joey page and Mark Smith. 8pm on Friday 12 October at The Core Theatre, Age 16+. Tickets £12. Box Office T: 0121 704 6962. www.thecoretheatresolihull.co.uk.

OCT

12

Fairport Convention Find out why they won BBC Lifetime Achievement for 50 years of music. 7.30pm on Sun 14 October at The Core Theatre. Tickets £25. Box Office T: 0121 704 6962. www.thecoretheatresolihull.co.uk.

OCT

14

Solihull Food and Drink Festival Solihull’s favourite food festival is back again for the 8th year running and its going to be even better than before.

With demonstrations from some famous names including Jean-Christophe Novelli, Britain’s Best Home Cook’s, Chris Bavin and GBBO’s, Selasi Gbormittah. Tingle your taste buds with a choice of over 60 stalls, enjoy a refreshing drink, get access to exclusive offers, watching Mr Bubble’s amazing skills and join us for live music, a new element of the event running into the evenings. For more information visit www.solihullbid.co.uk.

Fine and Local Food Fayre 9am-5pm – Sample the best of locally sourced food and produce from a range of top quality suppliers at the market held on the third Saturday of every month – Solihull High Street.

The Nun

Venom

SEP

28-30

OCT

20

Beauty & The Beast Ballet Theatre UK present wonderful dance, music and costumes.

At 2.30pm & 7.30pm on Tues 30 October at The Core Theatre. Tickets £18/£17 conc./£12. Box Office T: 0121 704 6962. www.thecoretheatresolihull.co.uk.

OCT

30

BOX

OFFICE www.cineworld.co.uk/solihull

Ant-Man and the Wasp

03/08/18 As Scott Lang balances being both a Super Hero and a father, Hope van Dyne and Dr. Hank Pym present an urgent new mission that finds the Ant-Man fighting alongside The Wasp to uncover secrets from their past.

07/09/18 When a young nun at a cloistered abbey in Romania takes her own life, a priest with a haunted past and a novitiate on the threshold of her final vows are sent by the Vatican to investigate. Together they uncover the order’s unholy secret.

05/10/18 One of Marvel’s most enigmatic, complex and badass comic book characters comes to the big screen, starring Academy Award nominated actor Tom Hardy who has to release his alter-ego “Venom” to save his life.

Your local, award winning legal experts

Don’t bury your head in the sand!

Dealing with claims and the impact of default judgment

Stephen Rome Senior Associate Solicitor Commercial Litigation

1.8 million claims a year: the number of County Court claims increased by nearly 300,000 in 2016/2017 to 1,880,781. In the same year more than 110,000 County Court judgments were made with 85% of these being obtained by default judgment. The numbers suggest that if a claim is made against you and it is ignored, default judgment will be obtained against you.

What is default judgment?

Default judgment is one of the quickest methods of obtaining a County Court judgment. It is used where a party does not engage in the litigation process by failing to file an acknowledge of service or a defence within the time limits required. The issue of court proceedings should not (normally) be a surprise as the person bringing the claim is required to set out why they are bringing the claim in an earlier letter (referred to as a letter before action). If this has gone unanswered or the dispute cannot be resolved, a party will apply to the County Court to pursue their claim.

What is the effect of default judgment being obtained?

If ignored, the judgment can lead to the party enforcing it against you to recover money. For example, if they have claimed money is owed for an unpaid invoice and they have obtained default judgment, they can apply for a charging order securing the judgment against the company’s property. If the judgment is significant an Order for Sale could follow with the proceeds of sale of the company property being used to pay off the judgment.

Another alternative is to put the company in liquidation as the failure to pay the default judgment demonstrates the company cannot pay its debts when due. The advertisement of a winding up petition can place a company into serious difficulty especially if it leads to a default under any loan facilities with its bank.

What should I do if default judgment has been obtained against me?

Prevention is always better than cure so if you receive documents from a court you should not ignore them and seek legal advice from a solicitor.

With your input they can verify whether a valid claim is being pursued.

For example have they issued against the correct party? Referred to the right contract? Were the documents sent to the company’s last known address? There may also be valid grounds to challenge any claim brought against the company. For example the invoice was for a much higher sum than agreed or the service provided was inadequate.

If default judgment has been obtained the quicker you react the better. The Court does provide you with an opportunity to set aside the default judgment especially where you have valid reasons for disputing the amount owed and you have acted quickly.

The good news In 2016/2017 there were 44,326 applications to set aside default judgment and 33,671 County Court judgments were set aside suggesting a party applying to set aside default judgment will be successful.

We are currently waiting to read the Government’s response to the Ministry of Justice’s consultation paper on Default County Court Judgments. This may lead to a further opportunity to set aside default judgment especially where an old address has been used.

If you are a company that has received a default judgment, please contact Stephen Rome on 0121 624 4000 or email srome@thursfields.co.uk to see whether Thursfields can assist you in getting it set aside and defend the legal proceedings against you.

Solihull 0121 624 4000 | Birmingham 0121 231 3230 Worcester | Kidderminster | Stourport | Halesowen | Sedgley

www.thursfields.co.uk