July 2015
Bringing trusted businesses and the community together
TheVoiceOfEpsomandEwell
The People Behind the Businesses Pg.2
Our Achievers Club
Pg.3
Dates for your Diary
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Keeping the Pound in Town Back in June our Buy Local Summer campaign kicked off for 2015. A campaign designed to raise awareness of the benefits of Buying Local and what it can do for the local community. There are lots of great reasons to Buy Local. Just reducing the miles goods have to travel can reduce the environmental impact massively. One of the most important reasons however, is keeping the ‘pound in town’. For every pound you spend with a local, independent business, 63 pence of it stays in the local economy. Now ok, that sounds rather nice but doesn’t necessarily set the world alight, or does it? Let’s say I work at a café. A proportion of the money people spend on coffee goes into my wages. I then spend some of my wages in the local grocers, which then comes out in wages, which gets spent at the butchers, which then comes out in wages...
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Well, you get the picture. That 63 pence gets reinvested, over and over again. Now let’s look at what happens when the pound gets spent with a chain. Straight away, 60 pence of that pound is whisked away, some to where their distribution or head office is, some overseas to their suppliers. That leaves 40 pence. Now, if I work in one of the large supermarkets, chances are I’ll do my grocery shopping there. So that 40 pence that comes back in wages, gets whisked away again. Now don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying that you should never buy from a chain. I’m just saying there needs to be balance, and it looks like I’m not alone in this view. Consumer habits are changing, with a larger proportion of people’s income going to local, independent businesses. We’re doing our bit too! You’ll see our Buy Local stickers and posters when you’re out and about, and of course, there’s our monthly prize draw. Anyone uploading a review to our website gets a chance to win £100 to spend with a great local business. Well that’s another £63.00 that has stayed in town, making us all better off!
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The
People Behind the
Business
The People Behind the Business Clare Chappell – Employment Lawyer which advances employee rights and serves lawyers who advocate for equality and justice in the workplace. Clare’s employment law experience includes drafting and negotiating contractual documentation and staff handbooks; advising on disciplinary and grievance procedures, performance management procedures, severance terms and settlement agreements; and dealing with Employment Tribunal claims.
Clare Chappell is a Senior Associate in the Employment Team at TWM’s Epsom office. Clare was first inspired to take up a career in law, having worked alongside her father, a ‘typical high street solicitor of his day’ during many school holidays and she pursued this interest through university. Now a mother to one-year-old Caitlin, and an Epsom resident, Clare ensures a healthy work-life balance by working part-time between TWM’s Epsom and Reigate offices to support various clients in the south-east. Clare is a member of the Employment Lawyers Association,
Clare also provides advice in relation to business immigration issues and corporate transactions, including TUPE legislation protecting employees who are transferred from one business to another. The most significant recent change Clare has seen is the introduction of Shared Parental Leave from April this year, which could fundamentally change how parents share the caring responsibilities in their child’s first year. “There has been a lot of discussion amongst employment lawyers, but it is as yet unclear whether many parents will actually take up the new rights. It won’t work for every family, but at least new parents can now
2 | The Voice of Epsom and Ewell - May 2015 | thebestof.co.uk/epsomandewell
consider sharing their time off”, says Clare. Although it is the variety of work which Clare loves about her career in employment law, in her spare time, it’s the slow and peaceful scenes of the countryside which keep her content. A National Trust Member and lover of historical buildings, Clare recently enjoyed a relaxing holiday in Dorset with her husband and daughter and is eager to return to the area at a later date. TWM Solicitors 123 High St, Epsom, Surrey, Epsom KT19 8AU Tel: 01372 729555 Clare.chappell@TWMSolicitors.com @TWMSolicitors
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of the month
15% Discount for Charities and non-profit businesses We Built Your Website believe in supporting the community and if you are a charity or non-profit business – they want to support you by offering a 15% Discount off all web design and digital marketing services.
Offer available until end of September 2015 (T&C’s may apply.) Interested – then give them a call
ERS
ACHIEV
l a i c e Sp
Offer
MONTH OF THE
Tel: 01372 747 842 W: www.webuiltyourwebsite.com
Our Achievers Club Awarding outstanding businesses locally…
Matthews Business Associates Geoff Matthews originally from South Wales, is founder of MBA and has over 30 years’ experience in management accounting, having held the position of Finance Director in UK companies such as Racal and Reuters. Geoff opened his own traditional accounting practice in 2007, which he and his team of 7 have grown to over 200 clients. Geoff is well known on the local networking circuit; “putting you in the know, to put you in the MONEY”. Geoff has recently acquired TaxlessUK, a firm of chartered certified and management accountants who specialise in tax savings and profit improvement for individuals, sole traders and small to medium businesses from both home and overseas. Geoff and his team will seek to understand both your business, personal and family circumstances both for now and in the future. This information will be used to identify potential tax savings and plan ahead. You will be encouraged to tell TaxlessUK when reviewing changes so they can undertake appropriate tax planning. They will review your business accounts, personal tax returns and tax liability advising on the tax savings available through both straightforward methods and a number of advanced tax planning schemes, together with advice on ownership and control of assets and wealth protection via remuneration trusts. So, if you want to keep more money in YOUR pocket –
Visit www.taxless.co.uk thebestof.co.uk/epsomandewell | The Voice of Epsom and Ewell - July 2015 | 3
Working Well Want to shine in our next newsletter? Share your successes and let Nigel and Maggie know what bits of thebestof are working for you!
Lister Glass make use of thebestof Epsom & Ewell’s full marketing package We’re excited to say that Lister Glass are now making use of our full marketing package, with new social media channels buzzing with content, a website update complete with CMS and email marketing. Visit www.listerglass.co.uk
143 The Canopy provide meeting space to The Personal Agent As The Personal Agent continue to expand, award winning restaurant 143 The Canopy have provided a unique and relaxing meeting space for the estate agent – located within the heart of Epsom. The restaurant provides the perfect focal point for clients and friends alike. Visit www.143thecanopy.com
Adavo Media capture the essence of Milner’s craftsmanship Experienced videographer, Adam Chamberlain of Adavo Media, has recently been invited to take on a project in which he is producing and directing a video which will showcase carpet and flooring retailer, Milners, as they replace the floors for an upmarket residential property in the Kingston area. We can’t wait to see the results! Visit www.adavomedia.com
We are looking for... At thebestof Epsom and Ewell we are on the lookout for other great members. This month we are looking for...
• Vets • Garden Centres • Indian Restaurants If you know a business that fits the bill, please contact the team:
01737 350079 | epsom@thebestof.co.uk 4 | The Voice of Epsom and Ewell - May 2015 | thebestof.co.uk/epsomandewell
Vive La Différence Whenever you read an article about growing your business, it will tell you that you need to stand out from the crowd, but what does that actually entail? If you’re a great digital printer, and your major competitors are great digital printers, how can you make your business different? Obviously we should look at our products and services. A change in how we meet our customer’s needs can differentiate us dramatically. Argos is a prime example of this. On saying that, if for whatever reason, changing the way we do business is not an option, where do we go from there? According to Wiki, a person who stands out from the crowd is confident in who they are, generates admiration and is remembered by others for being someone special and worthy of looking up to. So, to differentiate our business from the rest of the marketplace, we should be looking to create a similar atmosphere around who we are and what we do. With our existing customers this can be easy to do. The proof of the pudding is in the eating after all. Communicating it to our potential customers – now that can be much harder! Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we had some sort of ‘verification’ that proved to our potential customers that we really were different…
We’re the best! Now obviously, the first thing I’m going to talk about is assurance marks. As a member of thebestof you can display our logo on your vehicles, invoices, email signature, windows… the list goes on. Don’t forget the
other assurance marks too. If you’re a member of the Federation of Master Builders, make sure everyone knows it!
Reviews, Reviews, Reviews When it comes to proving we’re great there really is nothing better than social proof. Businesses with lots of up to date, positive reviews, get more business… FACT! And with the new Review widgets for Facebook and your website, collecting them couldn’t be easier.
Be an Award Winner Like assurance marks, proudly displaying that you’re an award winner separates you from the pack! Unlike assurance marks, the commercial value of being an award winning business is often missed. In a survey run by Boost Marketing 80% of respondents said consumers were influenced by the presence of an award and The British Quality Foundation state that, on average, award winning small businesses show an increase of 63% in operating income. Yes, you read that right... 63%! It doesn’t stop there though. The winner of our UK Business of the Year 2015 has been courted by Microsoft and been met by the Minister of Trade and Innovation! That is invaluable PR! Awards open doors… FACT! So if you want to stand out from the crowd: 1. Display your assurance marks 2. Get those review widgets collecting all those lovely reviews 3. Enter our Business of the Year Awards for 2016 And don’t forget, if you need any help just get in touch. That is, after all, what we’re here for!
thebestof.co.uk/epsomandewell | The Voice of Epsom and Ewell - July 2015 | 5
Meet The Members We’re consistently uncovering hidden gems. Say a big hello to our local heroes.
Give them a call and say hello!
The Personal Agent - Removals For your household removals and storage, The Personal Agent – Removals offering you a personalised service.
t: 01372 745850
All Four Seasons Air conditioning and ventilation specialists All Four Seasons – creating comfortable and fresh spaces to live and work in.
t: 0208 224 6597
Utility Warehouse Save Money and Make Money. Save money on your utility bills and make money as a distributor – contact Dave Goodman he’ll tell you how.
t: 01737 371894
We Built Your Website Want a mobile friendly and responsive website? We Built Your Website – for all your e-marketing needs.
t: 01372 747 842
Grand Interior Designs Creating the look, feel and ambience for your living spaces with the expertise of experienced designer Wendy at Grand Interior Designs.
t: 01737 831335
Take Positive Action Now is the time to Take Positive Action with your business. Contact Sarah Ford, business development advisor and take your first step.
t: 01372 826277
Want to be featured on our Meet The Members page? Call us on 01737 350079 and let us know! 6 | The Voice of Epsom and Ewell - May 2015 | thebestof.co.uk/epsomandewell
Dates For Your Diary An important date coming up in the calendar! th An Evening With thebestof Epsom & Ewell
29
July
20
th
September
Cocktail & Canapés Networking Event 6:00 to 8:30pm Last Wednesday of alternate months
t: 01737 350079
Epsom Family Fun Day Hook Road Arena Epsom Over 13,000 visitors last year Showcase your business there
t: 01737 350079 .
Community Partners For people who go out of their way for the community. The Children’s Trust make an appeal for committee members The Children’s Trust are making a special appeal for volunteers who would like to become a committee member for one of their high-profile fundraising events such as their London Christmas Concert, or Ball at a Surrey or London venue. If you think you can help, call: 01737 365016, or email: jpourier-benham@thechildrenstrust.org.uk
The Personal Agent sponsor Ewell resident in charity sportives The Personal Agent are currently sponsoring local resident, Shaun Young, in various charity sportives. They have kitted him out in branded clothing, have helped with fees for the challenges and assisted with transport to the events. Shaun Young recently cycled from London to Paris on behalf of the British Heart Foundation and raised £2,882.54!
143 The Canopy and Epsom Rotary Club raise funds for Nepal At the end of May, 143 The Canopy the delightful restaurant in Epsom, and Epsom Rotary club joined forces to raise money for the Nepal Disaster. With a hog roast and live jazz music, all who attended had a great time as well as supporting this very worthwhile appeal.
Cuff and Gough Support St Raphael’s in Make Your Will Fortnight From 8th-22nd May, Cuff and Gough joined forces with St. Raphael’s Hospice for ‘Make Your Will Fortnight’. The solicitors waivered their entire will writing charge, in return for a donation to St Raphael’s. Last year, the ‘Make Your Will Fortnight’ raised £30,000 for St Raphael’s Hospice. thebestof.co.uk/epsomandewell | The Voice of Epsom and Ewell - July 2015 | 7
EpsomandEwell is run by Nigel, Maggie and the team.
At a glance At thebestof we go out of our way to provide our members with all the marketing tools that will help them grow locally. We pride ourselves on being committed and dedicated in working with only thebest local businesses that are recommended by local people. Focussing on 4 key areas, thebestof has a proven track record of ensuring our members get; Local Exposure Connections Marketing support Brand Building We do this through 17 core elements including our reviews facility, our consumer app, our dedicated feature pages for each member and through social media, not forgetting direct email campaigns to our ever growing local database - plus much much more!
Hi, we’re Nigel, Maggie and the team, and we’re here to connect you with all the other brilliant businesses on thebestof Epsom & Ewell site.
Everything we do is about bespoke, results driven marketing, ensuring that our members get what they need, at the right time for them and the good news is that we can tailor everything we do, to your local budget. We really do what we say we will do;
Bringing trusted businesses and the community together
We’re passionate about all of our members and we’re here to help, please get in touch!
Call us on 01737 350079 Nigel Stickland Nigel.Stickland@thebestof.co.uk
Did you know... We can offer a full marketing service for your company. As well as positively promoting your business in the local community, we can also manage your social media, email marketing campaigns and website CMS. Make sure people in the area know about your business. For more information email Nigel.Stickland@thebestof.co.uk Call 01737 350079 www.thebestof.co.uk/epsom /thebestofepsom
@thebestofepsom
Bringing trusted businesses and the community together