7 minute read
Shopping
5 fab reasons to shop local
1. Building communities & strengthening
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economies: When you support a local business, you are supporting your friends, family and neighbours. The availability of local shops is especially important for the elderly, vulnerable, young people and those without access to private transport. Plus, the more money that local councils make in rent and rates, the more they can spend on supporting local infrastructure and public services. 2. Celebrating individuality: A small business or
boutique shop adds character to a town. In a world that has become increasingly dominated by chain stores, a local business’s branding is unique and often quirky, adding something different to your High Street.
Independent retailers offer an alternative experience, and bring a much needed breath of fresh air into areas populated by generic stores and companies. 3. Creating job opportunities: A local business that
becomes a success will grow, and as they grow they’ll recruit more staff from the local population. In addition,
their success will encourage other local businesses to open up to take advantage of the footfall, encouraging other people to take the plunge and become entrepreneurs too! 4. A personalised service: Local business owners are friendly and engaging, they get to know their customers at a personal level and can often provide better advice about their products and services. Local traders value your business more since their survival depends on their good reputation and repeat business. They can often adapt their products to suit your personal requirements or source something bespoke, which big chains won’t do. 5. Better for the environment: Shopping local means
fewer mileage and petrol costs, which helps reduce CO2 emissions. Plus, local shops often stock locally sourced goods which not only support the local economy but also reduce transport times and costs of the goods, which impacts positively on their carbon footprint.
New products on the High Street
The Happy Soul Perfume is available
to purchase from selected ChloBo stockists and at www.chlobo.co.uk for £30. This flirty, fig-infused scent is reminiscent of coastline walks along the Cote d’Azur, dotted with wild fig trees, coupled with the subtle array of woody barks and earthy tones.
Peperami has launched a new meaty snack for adults looking for a more sophisticated snack choice. Peperami Chorizo 5 Pack offers
a delectable mix of spices and punchy paprika flavour to ramp up the taste. With just 99 calories per portion and made with 100% pork, the new variety costs £2.30 and is available in Tesco and other retailers at a later stage.
Heinz has launched a new bundle on its Heinz to Home website. The ‘Made from Plants’ bundles feature a selection of products featured in the new series, including some of the most iconic plant-based Heinz products (think Heinz Beanz and Heinz Tomato Ketchup) and newer innovations, including Plant Proteinz. Prices start from £13 plus £3.50 delivery.
Product of the month
These Letterbox Easter Eggs from Faithfully Yours LPG make it so much easier to deliver to someone who is busy or out and not able to receive a gift in person. You can have up to three lines of 30 characters on each line for a personalised message – all for just £12.99. See www.faithfullyyourslpg. co.uk to order. This month you also have the chance to win one in our Easter Egg Hunt - see page 3 for details.
Beat the price hikes! Get financial help to improve home energy efficiency.
If your household income is under about £25,000 (contact us for more details), and your home is inefficient, you'll be eligible for a grant of an average of £10,000 (maybe more) for efficiency improvements. Find out your 'Energy Performance Certification' at: https://gov.uk/find-energy-certificate. Find out more info and apply at: https://bit.ly/beat-the-hikes
At AA Cooper, we’re known as ‘the bathroom installation company’. Our expert team is ready to tackle your bathroom needs head on – from a leaking tap to an entire bathroom installation.
We pride ourselves on offering bespoke bathrooms as well as maintenance, repairs, ttings & refurbishment. Call us for a quote on 01689-485007 or email info@aacooper.co.uk www.aacooper.co.uk
Succe th ssfusuccessioi familbusines
how to build a successful succession
Steve Hale, Partner at Perrys, who has worked with many family businesses over the years, explains an area that can cause some consternation is the planning for succession.
Cranfield School of Management says that, in the UK, two thirds of all private sector firms are family businesses, contributing over half of GDP and around 40% of private sector employment. Yet, according to PwC, the professional services group, 43% of family businesses don’t have a succession plan in place.
SadSadly,ly, witwithouhout t s suchuch a a p planlan a a f famiamil ly y b busiusin nessess i is,s, atat b bestest, , unlikely to realise its true potential and, at worst, to cease to exist when it’s time for the current management to retire.
What do we need to consider to build a successful succession?
• Time. Succession planning should be a long-term process built up over a number of years. It’s never too early to start.
• Outside experience. It is often beneficial for the younger family members to obtain experience working away from the family business to build up knowledge and enable them to bring this back to the business.
• Skills gaps. It is quite likely that all the skills needed for the business are not available solely from the family. These gaps should be identified and, where necessary, individuals brought in from outside of the family to fill them.
• Fairness. It is important that family members and those who are outside the family are not treated differently in the operational running of the business. Doing so can lead to the feeling of unfairness and the business losing key members of the team, family and non-family alike. • Openness. Ensuring that everyone feels their voice is heard and dealing with conflict quickly and transparently.
Business matters and private family matters should be kept completely separate. Something that, in practice, may behard to achieve as there is of course an emotional tie between family members.
• • Ownership v Management. Succession of management and succession of ownership are not the same thing and do not have to occur at the same time. Bringing in the younger generation to work within the business and take up management positions before taking ownership has many benefits. However, it is generally wise to have an outline early on of when it is expected that ownership will pass to avoid any disincentive. I am sure that few sons and daughters will wish to work too hard for too long to make their parents richer!
• Advice. Take advice from those around you. There is a wealth of advice out there; from older generations who themselves may have passed down the business, other business owners that have gone through a similar process, your accountant and other business advisors, and the internet.
• Tax. While this certainly shouldn’t be the ‘driver’ for succession, it is worthwhile ensuring that the tax implications of passing ownership to the next generation are understood and planning undertaken.
It is, of course, an adage that the older we get the quicker t ti imeme s seemseems toto paspass s. . HavHavining g a a susuccesccess sioion n p pl lanan nonow w wiwillll reap rewards in the future.
